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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“Gentlemen, start your thumbs” could be heard when Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Nissan unite forces to launch a promotional initiative not to be missed. The idea is that of awarding the best playing of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue with the chance of spending 24 hours in an endurance race in Dubai on board a Nissan 350 Z racing car.

The competition is called GT Academy and includes a first online elimination round on the PlayStation Network. Participants will then most probably confront each other in a competition with the GT-R, which will be characterised by the livery you see in the photo. GT Academy will start in May and will continue for eight months.

At the end of this, the winner will attend an intensive four-month course necessary to complete the special licencing requirements. The end of these emotional 12 months will be participation in the endurance race. Obviously we’re only talking about a stint but the smell of petrol and tyres, the sound of the engines and the night-time competition will certainly be enough for an unforgettable experience for the driver.

Via | Autoblog.com

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With the new arrival of a sports car developed from the Toyota/Subaru collaboration, Nissan appears more convinced about reviving the Silvia, so as not to leave the field open for competitors.

According to the latest information, the company is beating time on the alliance between Japan’s biggest car manufacturers: at Sol Levante testing has already commenced on the small Nissan sports, of which we still know very little.

The engine for example: the best informed amongst us are divided into two camps with the first foreseeing the adoption of a 2.0 aspirated and the second betting on a 1.6 or 1.8 turbo with direct injection and the Nissan VCR (Variable Compression Ratio) system, able to marry performance and consumption.

Continue reading: Updates on the Nissan Silvia

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Not even two months after the Fbg par Hermès, and only about seven after the Pur Sang, Bugatti, not yet satisfied, has revealed a new variant on the Veyron: the Sang Noir is in fact the new celebrated version dedicated to reviving the Atlantique 57S of the 30’s - a “surbaissé” model (literally “lowered” and therefore sporty) of the legendary Type57 presented in 1934.

The particularities of this special series are the black opaque colour with chromo inserts, the aluminium mirrors and front grill, and the alloy wheels. Unfortunately technical specifications and production details have so far been kept in the dark.

Continue reading: Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir: power in a dark suit

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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

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After much talk and a raft of spy shots, finally we have the secret documents destined for Porsche dealers, published by the Rennteam forum, in which all the modifications for the 911 model year 2009 appear. Internet tentacles have now permitted this too.

The biggest news is obviously the increase in power, obtained thanks to the help of direct injection: the 3.6 Carrera boxer will increase by 20 hp and also in Nm (345 hp and 390 Nm), while the 3.8 S will reach 385 hp and 420 Nm. The increase in performance is implicit while the CO2 levels will diminish meaning all the engines will comply with Euro 5 norms.

Front headlights and rear lights are newly designed (the front will be LED’s) and external modifications will also include new colours. For the mechanics, the braking system will change, becoming bigger and able to support the increase power. Ufficial presentation of photos is expected for June 6 (the 25th for the cabrio), with sales starting July the 5th.

Via | Rennteam
Thanks to Advisor.

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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

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In the last couple of days the Nürburgring track has returned to the centre of attention: yesterday we saw photos of the 149 and the Focus RS, and today we’ve looked at those of the GT-R V-Spec and the Chevrolet Camaro, all testimony to companies’ continued work on the legendary German track.

The new photos of the muscle-car come from Autoblog.com, and add little to what we already know. According to what Bob Lutz had wanted, testing of the new Camaro will occur without any disguise and so even in Germany, the yankee turned up nude.

We already know the fundamental lines of the car and the attention of photographers will focus more on the particulars. Our colleagues over at Autoblog have noted that the Camaro is equipped with Brembo brakes, as shown by the logo on the very visible red calipers. It only remains to be seen whether we’re talking about an optional extra, perhaps available on the SS version, or standard equipment.

Continue reading: Chevrolet Camaro: new spy shots from Nürburgring

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