2011 Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept

Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept will make its world debut on August 17 during Pebble Beach week, Lotus announced on August 15, 2011.



It comes fully loaded with 420 bhp and a sequential gearbox, forged alloy wheels and Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires.  So the car is plenty fast, and to look the part it also features a racing stripe, and a cool body kit and black roof and wing.



Power comes from a "race-developed engine" that produces more than 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS). It is connected to a sequential automated-manual transmission, which should ensure the model is slightly faster than the Evora S.



The exterior has been heavily fettled, too, with an aggressive front splitter and U-shaped rear spoiler sprouting from the boot. Wheels are forged alloy items shod in Pirelli P-Zero Corsa rubber.



The interior is said to carry plenty of leather and carbon fiber trims, as well as composite Recaro racing seats.













Press Release



World Premiere of the new Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept



The new Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept will be unveiled to the world for the first time within the Lotus exhibit at the McCall's Motorworks Revival event Wednesday night, August 17, at the Monterey Jet Center.



The Lotus Evora GTE is a race car developed with a single-minded aim to be successful in the new global motorsport GTE category, which includes the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours.



To celebrate this ground breaking car, Lotus has built the race-inspired Evora GTE Road Car Concept. This high-strung Evora elicits over 420 bhp from its race-developed engine, fed through a sequential AMT racing gearbox and put to the pavement through ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels with center-lock hubs shod with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires.



The Evora GTE Road Car Concept isn't merely a paint scheme or homage to a race car - this is a serious race car that makes for a very serious road car.



The Evora GTE Road Car Concept will later be shown within the Lotus exhibit on Peter Hay Hill near The Lodge at Pebble Beach Thursday, August 18 through mid-day Saturday, August 20 before being moved onto the Concept Car Lawn for display throughout the remainder of the Concours weekend.

Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic Sport Pack

Maserati has releases a new sport package for the GranTurismo S Automatic in the United Kingdom.

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic Sport Pack is equipped with an automatic developing dual-cast brake discs with a standard 4.7-liter V8, 440 hp at 7,000 revolutions per minute. The maximum torque is 490 Nm at 4,750 rpm and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in 5 seconds. Top speed is rated at 183 mph. As the name implies, the improved model has a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission that improves both engine performance and fuel economy.

The package also offers an improved styling using body colored side skirts and front winglets, black mesh side grilles, smoked out headlights, an integrated rear boot lid spoiler and oval exhaust pipes. The black grille received a Maserati Trident logo with red accents. The Italian rides on Grigio Mercury Neptune-design alloy wheels.

Price: £3,840 (a brand-new GranTurismo Automatic S fitted with the kit costs £92,480)

Press Release

MASERATI GB ANNOUNCES SPORT PACK FOR GRANTURISMO S AUTOMATIC

Maserati GB is pleased to announce the introduction of a new Sport Pack for its best selling model in the UK, the GranTurismo S Automatic.

This Sport pack further enhances the GranTurismo S Automatic to deliver a performance oriented experience, whilst retaining the ease and convenience of the ZF automatic transmission. The Sport pack for the GranTurismo S Automatic features the super-fast MC Auto Shift softwareand a revised exhaust system which keeps its bypass valves fully open in Sport mode to provide an even richer sound.

The Sport pack also boasts a number of sports styling features. These include body coloured side skirts and front winglets, a stylish black grille featuring the Maserati Trident logo with red accents, black mesh side grilles, black look headlights, an integrated rear boot lid spoiler and oval exhaust pipes, along with Grigio Mercury Neptune-design alloy wheels to finish off its sportier look.

The GranTurismo S Automatic, equipped with dual-cast brake discs as standard, features a 4.7-litre V8 which develops 440 HP (323kW) at 7000 rpm. The maximum torque is 490Nm at 4750 rpm and it sprints from 0 to 100km/h (0 to 62mph) in 5 seconds flat. Its top speed is 183 mph.

The Sport pack is priced at £3,840 bringing the price of a Sport pack equipped GranTurismo S Automatic to £92,480 on the road, including 3 years/unlimited mileage warranty.

Fiat 500C by Gucci

Fiat launched the 500C by Gucci.

The new special edition Fiat 500C comes with 16" alloy wheels with a retro design, and hub caps featuring the double "G" logo.

Like the coupe, the cabrio 500 Gucci will be available in two colors, white with matte chrome-plated elements and glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents. The difference, obviously, is the roof which gets the green-red-green Gucci web pattern, also found on the side of the car.

The Fiat 500 Gucci are equipped with a 100 horsepower 1.4-liter engine and provided with a rear brake calipers green Gucci. The Italian home fashion line appears in overdrive,lock-covers,rugs,and seat belts.

Inside, the cabin features two-tone Frau leather seats, polished chrome trim and plenty of Gucci accents. Additionally, the car is equipped with automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and the Blue&Me infotainment system.
The Fiat 500C Prices is 20,000 Euros

　

Press Release

Fiat and Gucci introduce the new "500C by Gucci" cabriolet with an innovative European tour

On the wave of the remarkable interest attracted by "500 by Gucci" - 3000 pre-orders logged on the www.500bygucci.com website and requests from all over the world - Fiat and Gucci introduce the "500C by Gucci", a cabriolet version once again customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with the Centro Stile Fiat.

Orders will start in August. The car will be distributed worldwide and from September will be on display in selected Italian Fiat showrooms. It will have a price tag of 20,000 euros. Furthermore, as from 19 August, "500C by Gucci" will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most famous places in Europe.

All the exclusivity of the "500 by Gucci" - attention to detail, feeling of elegance and style - is enhanced in this new version, and made even more attractive by the innovative electric soft top for opening a "window onto the sky".

The new convertible version will be available in two sophisticated body colours: white with matte chrome-plated elements and glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents. For both, the soft top is black with the characteristic green-red-green Gucci web pattern printed lengthwise (the same graphic pattern is sported on the side of the car). Furthermore, the side pillars of the saloon version are maintained and with its special sliding electric top the Fiat "500C by Gucci" can be enjoyed all year round.

The exterior of the Fiat "500C by Gucci" is embellished by 16" alloy wheels characterised by the unmistakable retro design of the spokes, in perfect harmony with the exterior colours: an absolute first for cars in this category. The hub caps have a double "G" logo in matching body colour and the Gucci signature in italics is displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.

The passenger compartment of the Fiat 500 by Gucci also brims with style: stylish stitching, exclusive materials, satin and polished chrome-plated elements, a velvet-effect finish on the radio panel and two-tone Frau leather seats with Guccissima print. The "Gucci" web theme also appears on the seats, gearbox, key cover, mats and, with an innovative finish, on the seat belts.

Fiat "500C by Gucci" will of course come complete with a great deal of standard equipment: automatic climate control system, seven airbags (front, side, window and knee), Blue&Me system integrated with rear parking sensors, car radio with CD-MP3 player and leather steering wheel with radio controls.

Before debuting in showrooms in August the "500C by Gucci" will be the star of an original tour that will stop at some of the most charming locations in Europe. The first stop will be at Saint Tropez (from19 to 27 August) followed by Berlin (8 - 14 September), Barcelona (25 September - 2 October), London (16 - 23 October) and Geneva (23 - 30 October). In Italy, the tour will start from Forte dei Marmi (22 - 28 August) and then reach Rome (4 - 11 September), Florence (19 - 26 September) and Milan (8 - 16 October).

A striking 5-by-5 metre crystal cube with elegant shiny black lacquered bottom and top will be set up for each stage of the tour. Inside, set like a precious jewel, an example of the exclusive cabriolet will be on show. At night, the installation will light up creating a suggestive atmosphere that will further enhance the elegant car and the prestigious location. The stage is completed by three small showcases displaying some of the articles in the "500 by Gucci" collection, which comprises travel accessories, small leather goods, track suits, bomber jackets, driving gloves, eyewear and a watch.

Like the saloon version before, an original advertising campaign has been created for the Fiat "500C by Gucci" in which the car features next to model Natasha Poly. The selected Fiat dealerships that will be displaying the "500C by Gucci" will receive copies of an exclusive lifestyle brochure created as a fashion catalogue and designed to bring out the class and one-of-a-kind nature of this extraordinary interpretation of the glamorous world of 500 in artistic photographs.

Turin, 2 August 2011

24-karat Gold Ferrari 250 GTO Sculpture

Swiss artist Dante will unveil his 24-Karat Ferrari 250 GTO sculpture at next month’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2011 in California.

Based artist Dante Rubli is a veteran sculptor who has wowed the world with awe-inspiring pieces. His sculptures include scale models of iconic sports cars which are crafted in luxury finishes, like gold, white gold, and silver.

The sculpture will be displayed alongside a tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO featuring several rare units of the model.




Press Release

Swiss Artist Dante to Bring Iconic Sports Car Series of Sculptures to United States

"24-Karat Ferrari 250 GTO to be Unveiled during World Famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Weekend"

BERN, Switzerland, July 25, 2011 - Award winning artist Dante has announced that the United States debut of his newest sculpture will take place next month in Pebble Beach, California. "I am delighted to have the chance to come to Pebble Beach to experience the finest Concours event in the world and exhibit my sculptures," said the artist. The highly anticipated third piece in Dante's Iconic Sports Car series will be unveiled during the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend which gathers significant collectors and the finest examples of automobiles from around the globe.

"The iconic car sculptures are my tribute to the men who made the original cars: they were artists," said Dante. As a Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance sponsor, a Design by Dante tent will be in position Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21 on Peter Haye Hill adjacent to the Concours site in RetroAuto Plaza, amidst fellow Concours sponsors such as The Wall Street Journal, Porsche and Infinity to name a few. Dante will personally be on hand to meet with media and special guests.

Dante will reveal his newest sculpture, a Ferrari 250 GTO, coinciding with a special display of rare Ferrari 250 GTO cars which the Concours has assembled from all over the world. "One of the most important reasons for my coming to Pebble Beach is the celebration of the Ferrari 250 GTO and the number of original cars being shown. It is my favorite car of all time," said Dante.

About Dante

Dante Rubli is an artist based in Bern, Switzerland. He has been producing works of art for twenty-five years. Working with a variety of textiles ranging from wood and steel to gold and platinum, Dante has created custom furniture, sculptures and even automobiles for celebrities and collectors the world over. The Iconic Sports Car series delivers his most recent works in three scales, each of which can be supplied in traditional gold, white gold, silver and a selection of other luxury finishes. Each design in the series is limited to ten exceptional pieces. To date, the series includes the Aston-Martin DB5, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and Ferrari 250 GTO. More

Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am

Ferrari has unveiled its new 458 Italia Grand Am race car which will roll out on July 26 and 27 for a private session at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

The 458 Grand Am features a 500 horsepower V8 with a 48-mm restrictor plate and rev limiter, rollover bar, new brakes tuned for the car's lack of ABS and traction control and Continental hard-compound racing tires. 






Press Release

The 458 Italian Grand Am launched at Fiorano circuit

Maranello, 18 July - the 458 Italia Grand Am was given its track baptism today at the Fiorano circuit. The car has been developed in conjunction with Michelotto Automobili, based on the GT3 version of the V8 Ferrari berlinetta, with the aim of racing in the famous North American series.

The 458 Grand Am is built to match the American regulations and is therefore different to the European car, especially in that it develops 500 horsepower and has less efficient aerodynamics than the GT version. It is also fitted with a 48 mm restrictor and maximum revs are 8000. Significant modifications have been made to the braking system, as the car has neither ABS nor traction control. Other differences to the GT3 include the roll-over bar which gives greater lateral protection to increase safety in a series in which collisions are rather more frequent. The car is fitted with tyres from Continental, the sole supplier to the series, featuring a very hard compound, again to conform with the series regulations. On its shakedown today, it completed a good number of trouble-free laps, 45 to be precise in the hands of Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo, as they took turns at the wheel.