The Monte Carlo Automobile company has celebrated 25 years by presenting the ALA 50, a prototype dedicated to Prince Albert the second. Designed by patron of the brand, Fulvio Maria Ballabio, the car has been constructed from carbon fibre and demonstrates advanced aerodynamics.

It’s equipped with a V8 at 650 hp created by Christian Contzen, formerly of Renault Sport, Daniel Trema, engineer collaborating with Mecachrome for the GP2 engines. The car has been made to participate in the 24-hour Le Mans in 2010, but a road version is also being considered, available exclusively on order.

In the 90’s Monte Carlo Automobile revealed the GTB Centenaire - a super sports car with Lamborghini mechanics and a Countach V12 5000cc. Only five units were made.

Via | Supercars.net

Touring Superleggera has shown off some new official photos of the A8GCS, the new sports car based on the mechanics of the Maserati GranTurismo and queen of the recent Villa d’Este show where it was presented.

Compared to photos already seen, you can appreciate the compact lines, minimal curves and attention to the wheels, with modern Borrani styled spokes. We’re still waiting on confirmation and production details of this interesting Italian coupè, with a reduced weight of 1200 kg.

Thanks to pipino

Via | Carscoop.blogspot.com

At the Concorso d’Eleganza 2008 at the Villa d’Este, BMW has presented its M1 “Hommage”, a tribute to the 30-year-old unforgettable supercar, designed by Giugiaro.

This concept is set to be a synthesis of the shape and proportions of the 1978 M1 and the current BMW design style. In the first images of the gallery you can see side-by-side the original M1 and the Hommage: a more extreme form, wider in the body, the bonnet “hump” more distinct and generally a decidedly larger car.

The M1 Hommage seems destined to remain a pure exercise in style, but we can already imagine the clamour of fans of the brand if a production followed.

At the Beijing 2008 show, Ford has taken the opportunity of the “first” new Chinese Fiesta to present a world preview of a concept car very similar to the series. The Ford Fiesta S is in fact a clear example of the coming ST.

In addition to some modifications to front details, the side “miniskirts”, the rear spoiler and newly designed wheels, what really strikes is the choice of the five door body. The decision can be explained by the fact that Ford still hasn’t revealed anything of the Fiesta ST and prefers to play and hide behind an apparently “insignificant” concept, which includes an interior the same as the new Fiesta.

In reality the message is loud and clear: the Fiesta ST will be made, and will likely be very similar to the sporty look - but not extreme, such as that of the RS - to this prototype, apart from three doors instead of five. The 2009 debut should show off the strong points of the ST, including the 1.6 turbo engine at 175 hp, and the lowered and reinforced base.

Beijing 2008: Ford Fiesta S Concept

Via | AutoExpress

After having announced the possible presence of two prototypes at the next “Concorso d’Eleganza” at the Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Carrozzeria Touring has sent out the first images of the Maserati Quattroporte Bellaggio Fastback: an experiment in style.

There’s he who says hatchback and he who says fastback - a question of your point of view. And of the emblem as the Bellagio mixes the front shape of the Quattroporte with an expanded and sporty rear, characterised by a tear drop-shaped window: to which one could even be inspired to give the definition of Station Wagon or, more elegantly, “shooting brake”.

We’re waiting for additional photos, particularly of the rear door, without forgetting about the Superleggera, the other T-signed proposal expected at the show.

Thanks to enr

Via | Autowwek.nl

At the Beijing show the Chinese brand Geely will present the NL Concept, a smaller-sized SUV, which as seen in these sketches, brings back a little the Ford Kuga (on the sides and the rear) and also the Opel Antara (in the front). We’re waiting to see the photos but otherwise it appears that Chinese manufacturers these days are fast arriving at “passable” designs for European tastes.

Via | Autoblog.com

First impressions last: capturing a stylistic sense happens rarely with Chinese cars but this Geely concept seems to fly in the face of such opinion, and shows that perhaps the empire’s designers are learning how to create beautiful cars.

The GT Concept to be presented in Beijing can either please or not, but what’s certain is that it’s style will not make people laugh or blanch like nearly all cars built in China - it’s surprising for its more mature expression. Technical characteristics are still unknown but at this stage we’re content with a discussion of its lines.

It’s clear that the Chinese haven’t lost their bad habit of breaking out here and there, but this time the model’s inspiration would have made Geely tremble: from the body work a bunch of different elements flower: from the 612 Scaglietti, to the the splendid Maybach Exelero, but suprisingly the combination is not unelegant or irreverent. We’re looking forward to the Beijing show to find out more.

Geely GT Concept

Via | Autoblog.com

In Geneva SsangYong presented its “naked” flatcar, demonstrating the various parts of the car’s technology including two propulsion units. Although whoever was expecting a completely unseen model will be disappointed to know that this engine will debut on the Rexton.

The news was revealed in Automotive News by Daniel Kaiser, aftersales manager at SsangYong Switzerland. The company has been working with some Korean partners on a 2.7 litre turbodiesel which will benefit from an electric engine. Even Mercedes and PSA have been working on a diesel-hybrid: the first took its GLK Bluetec Hybrid to Geneva and expectations are for a debut in 2010, while the French will release something a little further on.

Given the success encountered at both Detroit and Geneva, the news that Land Rover will produce the LRX was a given, although there are plenty of differences to the concept car. The first macroscopic difference is the presence of the rear doors - this is a five-door version not seen on the prototype.

The second regards market position. Given what AutoExpress has written, we can expect an up-market version of the Freelander more adapted to competition with the Mercedes GLK, the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. A big focus will be placed on reducing emissions with a stop-start system and a possible future hybrid version.

Aesthetically the car will keep the nice LRX nose although it will be slightly higher to allow for the rear passengers. But the overall effect will be that the car sits lower than the Freelander. The interior will change notably from the concept car: gone is the extravangant cabin to be replaced by a carryover from the Freelander.

The engine will be similar to its little sister with either a 2.2 turbodiesel at 160hp, or a 3.2 straight-six petrol version at 232hp. Both will be equipped with automatic cut-off system for when the vehicle is stopped, but we will have to wait for the real new deal hybrid version.

Being a Land Rover it should perform well off-road with its Terrain Response system. What is still unknown is the name of this SUV set for 2010. It has been said that “LRX” will be abandoned in favour of Freelander Sport but it’s too early to know for sure.

Based on the Soul, Kia’s three new concept cars - Diva, Burner and Searcher - each have their own personality as presented at Geneva’s exhibition. And now FastLaneDaily has revealed what appear to be the first official images of the series, set in the same location as those which we showed some days ago.

As we had anticipated though, the model’s debut is anticipated for the Paris show which will take place in September. The extensive wait that has produced these snaps then is very strange. And the model’s similarity to the three prototypes on display at Geneva is striking.

The Soul is characterized by a brand new style for the Korean brand, where the squarer lines are definitely original.

Kia Soul: immagini

After the ufficial teaser, the Top Gear site has some realistic images and developments on the new Focus RS that, suprisingly, will be presented under the “concept” category at the London show, and will not be a reality until 2009.

The five cylinder turbo will have between 280 and 300 hp but the latest rumors conferm the use of only rear-wheel drive and not all-wheel, which would be necessary to compete with other rally cars such as the Subaru Impreza STi and the Mitsubishi EVO X. The RS however should be equipped with semi-active limited-slip differential. At this point we ask ourselves if releasing it in 2009 will be too late for such a special version, which will probably be on the heels of the career-end of its previous model.

Thanks to bugatti&91 for the indication
Via | TopGear.com

It’s perhaps a little too riskee to be a Ferrari, but in any case good looking and very aggressive even though it’s not a race car: the European Institute of Design continues to provide new talent as shown by Emre Husmen’s 699GTO.

Based on the Ferrari 599 Fiorano, with obvious style calling to mind the glorious 250 GTO, the car will have a carbon-fibre body, 200kg lighter than the model it derives from. The engine will not have the classic V12 but will be a V8 combined with two compressors: underlining its use of alternative fuel. The designer has not ignored the problem of visibility either, giving his piece a rear camera combined with rubber suspension.

Husmen comunica di essere vicino alla stipula di un accordo con un carrozziere italiano, rimasto folgorato dai suoi disegni.

Via | Motorauthority