Speed Blogger

Carlsson has unveiled several new styling options for the Mercedes E-Class Coupe.

Designed to enhance the E-Class' good looks, Carlsson offers a variety of 19 and 20 inch light alloy wheels. Choices include the sexy "1/5 REVO" 20-inchers for €3969 ($5,645) and the attractive 19 inch "1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition" wheels for €2499 ($3,554).



Carlsson also offers an affordable sport lowering kit (€239 / $340) which reduces the ride height by 30 mm (1.2").


Source: Carlsson

Labels: Carlsson E-Class Coupe

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is one of two brands from that company celebrating their 100th anniversaries this year. In order to enhance the celebratory mood Bugatti has revealed a one-off Grand Sport called the Sang Bleu. Other models include the Sang Noir, the Bleu Centenaire and the Fbg par Hermès.

Based on the Grand Sport roofless body type, the Sang Bleu has innovatively used the two-tone theme not by utilising paint but by applying two different bodywork materials.

Carbon fibre and aluminium is the contrasting combination which the company says has embodied its core values of art, form and technique. The colours chosen for the combo were blue - hence the name - for the carbon fibre while the aluminium is polished in its natural state. The large wheels are highlighted in midnight blue and a diamond cut two-tone finish.

Newly-developed Gaucho leather was the one selected for use in the interior to help create an elegant and harmonious appearance. It was chosen particularly for the Sang Bleu's public unveiling at Pebble Beach.

The car's engine is the same quad-turbo W16 with 736kW (1001hp) and 1250Nm of torque found in other Veyron models. Of the 300 planned units, over 250 have been built and 215 delivered to buyers globally. The Grand Sport range itself has seen an uptake of just over 20 examples so far.


Source: Bugatti

"What we see on this promotional video clip is Rolls-Royce's next biggest seller. The Ghost will be RR's smallest model in the range. Product Manager Dan Balmer takes us through a short ride in the exclusive super luxury car. The pre-production unit looks immaculate especially with that aluminium-covered bonnet. Balmer is all smiles as he explains how the Ghost produces supercar figures but is much more comfortable than those types of cars.
Rolls-Royce will officially unveil it at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in just over a month's time. Some engine details already available: 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 making 420kW (571hp) and peak torque of 780Nm. It is coupled to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and 0 - 100km/h is achieved in 4.9 seconds and 0 - 60mph in 4.7 seconds.

Source: carscoop.blogspot.com"

Ferrari has officially taken the wraps off their highly anticipated F430 replacement, the 458 Italia.

Described as a "massive leap forward" and a "genuine departure from the current range", Ferrari considers the new supercar to be "a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology."

Boasting a futuristic Pininfarina design, the 458 Italia has a compact aerodynamic shape which helps to reduce drag and improve downforce (which is 140 kg at 200km/h). The front end features a bold grille which houses small aero-elastic winglets "which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag." Elsewhere, the car features small openings between the hood and headlights for added engine cooling. Out back, the 458 has aggressive rear end which houses a massive diffuser, California-style taillights, and three center-mounted exhaust tips.

Power comes from a new direct injected 4499 cc V8 engine that produces 570 CV (at 9000 rpm) and 540 Nm of torque (at 6000 rpm, with over 80% available from 3250 rpm). This is backed up by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which has been specially engineered to match the power and torque curves of the new V8. Ferrari estimates the 458 Italia will rocket from 0-100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Riding on a lightweight aluminum chassis (the car has a dry weight of 1380 kg/3042 lbs), the 458 Italia boasts a 42/58 weight distribution which promises to deliver outstanding driving dynamics. This is further backed up by a twin wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear set-up. Ferrari also equipped the car with an advanced direct steering system, updated versions of E-Diff and F1-Trac which offer a 32% increase in longitudinal acceleration, and a high performance braking system which cuts the car's 100-0 km/h braking distance to a short 32.5 meters (106.6 feet).

As with all Ferraris, the 458 Italia features numerous lessons learned from company's Formula 1 racing efforts. One of the key improvements is a reduction of internal engine friction which helps to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Thanks to this racing derived knowledge, the car has fuel consumption rating of 13.7L/100 km while CO2 emissions are 320 g/km. Elsewhere, the company added a unique racing-inspired steering wheel and dashboard which slope down and away from the driver to minimize distractions.

Look for more information and details to be released closer to the 458's official unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Source: Ferrari