In the end, time has passed quickly for the new Ferrari and knowing that it’s already come around we were a little so-so about the news, waiting for October and Paris. But we reported the news that in May we would know something about the highly-expected Maranello, and now we’re enthusiastically indulging in the sound of the V8 presented on the mini-site.

What else can we say? There are only several days left until May 20 when at 7pm the nervous wait will be over and we can show you pics of the new Ferrari but the countdown still shows more than 70 days - we’re not sure we can handle the wait.

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It’s raining prizes for BMW who, keeping to its traditional commitment in excellence, has again in 2008 cleaned up at the 10th International Engine of the Year awards. In an article dedicated to the 2007 edition, BMW won prizes in five of the 11 categories.

The best engine of the year is the 2.0 twin Turbo Diesel at 240 hp for the moment utilised on the BMW 123d. But the Munich company has also won in the 1.4-1.8 litre category with the 1.6 petrol turbo, fruit of collaboration with PSA. Then there was also the best in the 2.5-3.0 litre category with the 3.0 twin turbo petrol. A specific mention also went to BMW Motorsport that came off with awards in for the M3 four-litre V8 in the 3.5-4.0 litre category, and also the M5’s V10 five litre.

Continue reading: 10th International Engine of the Year: BMW dominates

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Always denied by the Germans, the baby Cayenne is slowly coming to light with some prototypes spotted on the Nurburgring. The new VAG group associates have launched the possibility that Porsche will use the base of the new Audi Q5 to make its own compact SUV, as has already happened for the Cayenne with the Volkswagon Tuareg and the Audi Q7.

The spirit should be sporty with V6 engines but also V8 coming from the big sister, sports handling and power from 280 to 500 hp, with technological pearls such as direct injection and double-clutch shift on arrival on the restyled 911. There’s also a possible hybrid version and as we’ve already seen for the Cayenne, a V6 3.0 TDI Audi engine. Perhaps this last news is what hurts fans more than a Porsche range with two SUVs.

Via | MotorAuthority.com

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Audi will collaborate with Japanese giant Sanyo in the planning of hybrid technology for the next generation VAG group cars. Until now the Volkswagon group has invested in streamlining internal combustion engines, first diesel then petrol, reaching levels of excellence while also delaying the release of hybrid models that other competitor companies are already realising.

To make up for this, they’re relying on the experience of Sanyo, especially so as to not limit hybrid models to niche cars such as the SUV Audi Q7 and the Volkswagon Tuareg. It’s possible that the first models to benefit from this new technology will be the Volkswagen Up! and the Audi A1.

With thanks to “GT-R Slave”

Via | MotorAuthority.com

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According to Autocar reports, the count-down for the second McLaren road model has already started: the ticking should stop in 2010, when the coupé P11 aiming at Ferrari’s F430, will be on sale. 2011 will then see the debut of the mysterious P12.

The first, equipped with a V8 of about 550 hp, will be based on an engine present in the Mercedes and modified by Cosworth, and which will be of smaller size and reduced weight compared to current competitors: the use of high quality, prestigious materials will be a perogative. This is together with the privilege of being assembled at the McLaren base in Woking, beside the track car and the spider version, expected for the following year.

2011 will see the debut of the P12, F1 inheritor planned with some compromised fun: a lighter weight and the V10 at more than 600 hp should be essential elements.

Via | Autocar

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With a rightly proud media release, Porsche demonstrates its victory in the 10th International Engine of the Year competition in the category of Best Performance Engine.

The 3.6 cylinder boxer turbocompressed that equipes the 911 Turbo and the GT2 has been awarded by the English in Engine Technology International, thanks to excellent votes from 65 journalists of the field, from 30 countries. Judging criteria includes performance, consumption and technological innovation.

After a victory in the three and four litre classes in 2007, Porsche is celebrating this new important recognition, “putting in the backgroun rivals such as Ferrari, Nissan, BMW and Audi”. The 911 Turbo engine has been equipped for the first time with a variable geometric turbine (VTG) which, thanks to the control of exhaust gas on the turbine, enables an optimum use of the compressor, improving it especially at lower revs.

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Confirmation of the production of the Seat Bocanegra Concept revealed at Ginevra has arrived. The prototype seen at the show previews the aspects of the next three-door Ibiza, expected for November with the name Sportcoupè: but especially it will have the black nose reflecting the mean look of the Cupra, 2009, which as a showcar makes itself noticed for its chrome finish.

The good news is that the Cupra will maintain most aspects of the Bocanegra such as the front air vent design. Designer Luc Donckerwolke, ex-Lamborghini, has declared that given the success won for the prototype, it would be unthinkable to change the series’ version.

The Cupra will be equipped with a 1.4 TFSI at 180 hp and the new DSG seven gears and together with the new Toledo will be the most important news in 2009. The Toledo will be based on the old Audi A4 series but dressed up in Seat style.

Continue reading: Seat Ibiza: three doors in November and the Cupra in 2009

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In case relative and superlative adjectives aren’t enough to describe the exquisite Corvette ZR1, Tadge Juechter, project manager, has an interview with Edmunds in which he summarises all its values and characteristics, and adds a some news.

First the new American coupé will be produced (starting this summer) in 2,000 units a year: a figure which, together with the price of about 100,000 USD, indicates an assumed commercial success. But not only, the ability to “conquer the track record of any world circuit” reveals itself and we wonder if the ZR 1 could be defined as the perfect car.

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1: will 2000 units a year be enough?

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Coming up to the final stages before the Paris show, occasion in which this car will probably be revealed, the defensive camouflage of the Ferrari F149 are slowing coming off: after much talk we can finally hazard some guesses.

Or better, we can breathe a sigh of relief. The proportions, a real achilles heel for the aesthetics of all coupé-cabriolet, aren’t damaged by the presence of full-bodied doors necessary to house the folding roof. The rear look seems to have been maintained and the general body shape gives a nice sense of a linear style.

The front seems to have similar aspects to the 599 Fiorano, complete with a distinctive grill necessary to cool the V8 4.7 placed at the front and equipped with direction injection.

Continue reading: Ferrari F149: coupé-cabriolet, but not necessarily inelegant

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Gone in one month….what? The stock of the GT-R that Nissan was planning on selling in a year in all of Europe. And the best part is that sakes will start only in March 2009.

A month from the opening of orders, the Japanese company has already received 1500 requests, of which 950 are just from Great Britain: in fact, whoever wants to order a GT-R now will have to wait until 2010. Before next March Nissan will organise a series of events to inform customers about the car they’ve ordered and to give them a taste of the sublime quality before owning it.

In the States things are no different: sales will start in July 2008 but production for the current year has already closed, and for 2009 only 40% of units remain.

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