Hot Cars

Ferrari P 4/5 By Pininfarina Revealed

The much-anticipated Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina has finally been unveiled. The car was created for collector James Glickenhaus, and is valued at over $3 million. It was inspired by the P4 racer of the 1960s.

Essentially, the P4/5 is a rebodied Ferrari Enzo, with a Pininfarina-designed exterior. More details are expected when the car makes its world debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 20th.

Barabus TKR : The World’s Fastest Car

Designed, engineered, certified and marketed by a company called Barabus Sportscars Limited, TKR was conceived to combine more power than a Formula One racecar with the driving pleasure of a road car. Working with some of the world’s most respected and technologically advanced automotive suppliers, the TKR should put power and looks to the front of the motor industry.

Barabus Sportscars, a specialty engine and vehicle manufacturer, has created one of the most powerful super cars available. The engine is designed and built by Barabus and incorporates modern racing motor technology and engineering. Based on a V8 all aluminum block re-engineered by Barabus, the twin turbo dual intercooler engine generates 1005 horsepower at 6800 rpm; redlining at 7500 rpm.

According to Barabus, the TKR is capable of 270 miles per hour and 0-60 mph time of 1.67 s.

The styling was clearly inspired by other super cars, especially the Saleen S7 TT (front) and the Pagani Zonda (back).

The car is to be made in Italy and the power plant is built in the United Kingdom. While the TKR is a true Italian supercar, the vehicle itself reflects a “best-in-practice” philosophy, where Barabus has incorporated superior components from around the globe in order to manufacture the best vehicle possible. The TKR utilizes ceramic brakes as well as numerous high technology pieces from companies located in Italy.

The Barabus TKR is available for sale worldwide. Built in Colonella, Italy, the company wants to sell the car through select Barabus certified dealers specializing in exotic automobiles. Worldwide volume is projected to be 300-400 cars over the estimated three-year production run.

The first vehicles are expected to be delivered to customers in four months. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $660,000.

Bugatti Planning $1.9 Million Targa Veyron

Bugatti will launch a new $1.9 million version of its Veyron supercar in 2008, according to a published report. The so-called Veyron Targa will receive a glass roof engineered by Webasto - the same German firm responsible for the folding roof on the Volkswagen Eos, according to Edmunds. Unlike the Porsche 911 Targa - which has a glass roof that retracts and is stowed onboard - the Veyron’s roof panel will have to be removed by hand and kept in the garage.

The reason for this shortcoming is the Veyron’s tightly packed design, which leaves no room to store the panel. To compensate, the car will offer an expandable fabric cover that will slide in place of the glass and shield the interior from the elements.

The report seems to suggests that, unlike the Porsche 911 Targa, the Bugatti will have no structural member connecting the windscreen to the pseudo c-pillar/roll-bar. Consequently, reinforcements will be added to the windscreen to maintain rollover safety, and other changes will be made to the underbody to maintain torsional stiffness.

Bugatti will make up for the added weight by giving the car a carbon hood and doors - bringing the weight back to down to the coupe’s level. While acceleration figures should remain unchanged, top speed will be electronically limited to 217 mph for safety reasons. The aerodynamics of the Targa model will not be suitable for the car’s regular top speed of 250 mph, the report said.

2006 JE Design Audi A8

A year ago JE DESIGN from Leingarten, specializing in sophisticated Audi tuning solutions for many years now, was the first tuning firm to present a complete upgrade program for the premium class A8 sedan, in what was then the new single-frame grille version. But JE DESIGN is not resting on its laurels. Now it is launching yet another, further improved version of its A8. And this time it’s totally awesome in the engine department. A supercharger conversion based on the 4.2-liter V8, for which the first customer is a Sheikh from the United Arab Emirates, and for whom the emblem-free radiator grille was also created to individual specifications.

Two tons of unladen weight are not that easy to gloss over. With that much weight, every scrap of power and every Newton meter of torque counts. The basic specifications of the 4.2-litre Audi A8 do indeed make quite an impressive read. After all, 246 kW / 334 bhp, 430 Nm at 3500 rpm, a top speed of 155 mph and 6.3 seconds for the sprint from 0 - 62 mph are not exactly chicken feed. But JE DESIGN turns the A8 into real high-flyer, with no less than 500 supercharged horses (368 kW) rearing and bucking under the hood. 600 Nm of torque, available at 3,850 rpm, propel this heavyweight from a standstill to 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds. And it does not stop till it reaches an impressive 188 mph. The supercharger conversion includes a water-cooled intercooler, an exhaust system from the manifold, special forged pistons and modified engine management. JE DESIGN also takes care to ensure that the A8 still complies with the emissions regulations. The conversion also includes TÜV certification.

The extra power simply cries out for an appropriate visual transformation. At the front JE DESIGN fits a “W12-style” front panel (matt black). The also available front spoiler from JE DESIGN has enlarged air intakes, plus additional lateral ventilation channels. The aerodynamic section delivers an impressive front end as well as more downforce, for improved driving stability. The pair of side sills with air intakes improve airflow into the wheel arches and lower the A8 visually. The rear-end view is enhanced by a rear spoiler on the trunk lid, exerting more downforce on the rear axle, and a rear skirt extension with diffuser. Twin headlight units (a set for left and right), including fog light and headlight, make the front view even more striking.

A four-pipe rear silencer equipped with 101 mm-diameter chrome tailpipes bears witness to the mega-power under the hood. That means that you should be able to make yourself heard in any case.

JE DESIGN fits big boots to the A8. A set of 10 x 21 wheels - the two-piece rims are gray-painted on the inside - complete with 285/30 ZR 21 tires front and rear have to transmit the tremendous power onto the road. And the final touch is provided by an electronic lowering module, lowering the car by approx. 35 mm.

Renault Scenic MPV Gets A Facelift

The refreshed Renault Scenic now features HID-looking headlights and LED taillights, new corporate grille and new wheel trims. Inside, the car gets a couple of new diesel engines: a 2.0-liter dCi, capable to produce 150 horsepower, and a 1.9-liter dCi FAP Auto - Scenic’s first diesel mated with an automatic transmission.

Apart from that, the new Scenics will be available to order with such options as a radio-CD/MP3 stereo, a fixed panoramic roof, darker tinted glass, front passenger seat height adjustment, and front/rear parking sensors. There will also be equipment, more common on executive sedans than on common MPVs, like an automatic parking brake and rain-sensitive wipers.

2007 Volvo C30 Revealed

The first official images of the production Volvo C30 hatchback have surfaced online. The car was first shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January.

The interior of this three-door hatch appears quite sporty with two-tone bucket seats and a three-spoke steering wheel, while the outside aims to find the delicate balance between soft refinement and a harder, edgier feel.

Although no official details were released to accompany the pictures, most industry pundits are expecting that the C30 hatchback will come with similar, if not identical, engine options as the S40 sedan and V50 wagon lines.