Pagani Zonda Tricolore
Before the highly-anticipated Pagani C9 makes its debut in God-knows-when, the Italian supercar maker has decided to satiate our appetites once more with a very special edition Zonda that is set to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
Created as an homage to the Italian equivalent of the British Red Arrows Display team, known as the “Frecce Tricolori”, the Pagani Zonda Tricolore, which pretty much based on a Zonda Cinque, is a special edition Zonda that is built from a special carbon-titanium weave left bare except for a clear blue lacquer coating.
In addition to that, the Zonda Tricolore also come with a unique set of LED running lights and an exclusive red, white, and green trim – signifying Italy, of course – that runs up from the nose of the car all the way up along the top of the car’s surface.
Now, if you’re curious to know just how rare this special edition car is, consider the fact that Pagani is building all but one model of it and, to top it off, it’s priced at a bank account-depleting 1.3 million euros, or in the language of the Benjamins – $1.75 million
Stay tuned!
Pagani Zonda Tricolore originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 25 February 2010 13:30 EST.
Volkswagen CrossGolf
Word to all the fans of the Volkswagen Golf: the latest addition to the Volkswagen Golf line-up – the CrossGolf – will be revealed next week at the Geneva Motor Show.
Placed between an MPV and an SUV, the new CrossGolf will be offered with both direct-injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, with the output reaching up to 160 horsepower. All engine variants will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox and with the exception of the 105 horsepower TSI, all units can also be mated to an optional 7-speed DSG.
Like all the new Volkswagen models that have been released recently, the CrossGolf is defined by the horizontally-aligned band of the radiator grille between the headlights, which is reflected to the horizontal form of the front bumper. The interior gets sport seats (front) with two-tone fabric covers and a “small leather package” with a three-spoke steering wheel, gearshift lever trim and grip-in leather.
Shortly after its debut in Geneva next week, the Volkswagen CrossGolf is expected to go on sale a one month later in April.
Press release after the jump.
Volkswagen CrossGolf originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 25 February 2010 13:00 EST.
Dodge Challenger Drag Pak
Mopar announced today the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak built for sanctioned NHRA Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator configurations.
The tuning house has also announced that interested customers who are willing to avail of this package can order them for a princely sum of $39,999.
The car is based on the SRT8 version and is powered by a 6.1 liter HEMI engine that comes in either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. The car is painted in a retro Stone White paint scheme and Mopar engineers eliminated select production components and systems to reduce vehicle weight by approximately 1,000 lbs.
The Challenger Drag Pak also features unique drag-race components including: composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Dodge Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, a light-weight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack-and-pinion steering, a special cable-operated deck-lid release, special light-weight front-brake assemblies and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.
No wonder the Challenger Drag Pak commands such a price; it comes with just about every available feature anyone can get for their Challengers.
Press release after the jump.
Dodge Challenger Drag Pak originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 25 February 2010 12:00 EST.
Ferrari 250 Europa and Europa GT
In 1953 at the Paris Salon, Ferrari unveiled their first attempt in building a series production Grand Touring car. The new model called 250 Europa was offered in two versions of the model: the first 20 units were simply called 250 Europe, while the other 44 were being called 250 GT Europa. The difference between the two version was firstly made by the wheelbase: 2800mm for Europa and 2600mm for Europa GT; and secondly by the engine: first one was using a 3-liter Lampredi V12 engine and the second one a 3-liter Colombo V12 engine.
The GT version was revealed in 1954 at the Paris Salon, initially using the same 250 Europa name, but the GT suffix was soon added, to help differentiate it from its predecessor, and then it became known simply as the 250 GT. The overall shape of the majority of the series was virtually identical to that of the 250 Europa Pininfarina three window coupé that preceded it. In fact, unless you had a keen eye for dimensions, you would need a tape measure to tell them apart, the main difference being in the distance between the front wheel arch and the A-pillar.
Ferrari 250 Europa and Europa GT originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 November 2009 12:00 EST.
Honda Accord Crosstour
The Japanese automaker Honda has just reveled the first details on their all new crossover variant based on the popular Accord sedan, the Accord Crosstour, as it will be known will be placed at the top of the Honda Accord family and is slated to go on sale this Fall after today’s online debut.
The new Accord Crosstour’s design is inspired by the Accord’s familiar body lines and adds a bolder front grille that is complemented by a bolder and more muscular front bumper giving the Crosstour an aggressive stance while the wedge shaped C pillars add a bit of a fastback appeal to the sporty CUV. The flowing roofline narrows smoothly into the rear of the vehicle to create an attractive set of hips, which also makes for a rather large cargo area that can fit a bit more than the traditional sedan.
With the Honda Accord Crosstour, the world’s largest engine manufacturer is getting into the game of plus sized luxury sedans that offer the practicality of a wagon while at the same time giving the owner the appearance of driving an SUV. It should only be a matter of time before we see an Acura badged variant to compete with other high end crossovers.
Press release after the jump.
Honda Accord Crosstour originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 November 2009 10:30 EST.
Brabus SV12 R Roadster
Brabus unveiled this week-end at the Essen Motor Show the most powerful roadster in the world: the SV12 R Roadster based on the Mercedes SL-Class.
The SV12 R Roadster is powered by a Biturbo 750 V12 engine that delivers a total of 750 hp at just 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 1,350 Nm (995 lb-ft) from 2,100 rpm.
As a result the car’s performances are incredible: the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 4 seconds, to 124 mph in 10,5 seconds, to 186 mph in 29,5 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 217 mph.
At the exterior the Sv12 R gets a new BRABUS front apron with LED daytime running lights and auxiliary high beams and fog lamps, a rear component that integrates environmental lighting, a centrally mounted rear reflector and two cutouts for the sport exhaust system. The car sits on one-piece or multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels available in four different sizes: 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches.
Press release after the jump.
Brabus SV12 R Roadster originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 November 2009 06:32 EST.
Ferrari 3.2 Mondial Cabriolet
In 1985 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari added the fourth model in the Mondial line-up: the 3.2 Mondial (after Mondial 8, Mondial Cabriolet and Mondial Quattrovalvole). Available in both coupe and convertible versions, the 3.2 Mondial stood into production until 1989 with 810 units, in both right and left hand drive configurations, together with various world market specifications.
The 3.2 in the model title referred purely to the cubic capacity of the engine in liters. This model saw the first change in the body styling, with revised front and rear ends incorporating smooth body color bumper assemblies, and a radiator grille with front lights.
The hood on the cabriolet continued with the same design theme of its predecessor, echoing the shape of the coupe’s buttresses at the rear.
Ferrari 3.2 Mondial Cabriolet originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 November 2009 06:00 EST.
Ford Mustang V6
Ford will unveil at the Los Angeles Motor Show the 2011 Mustang muscle car. For 2011, the Mustang adds a new high-performance, all-aluminum Duratec® 3.7-liter DOHC Ti-VCT V-6 that delivers 305 hp, but also a new Performance Package.
The new 3,7 liter V6 engine delivers a total of 305 hp and 280 ft.-lbs of torque. Combined to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2011 Mustang has a fuel economy of 30 mpg (29 mpg with six-speed manual transmission).
The new Performance package combines the new V6 engine with a 3:31 performance rear axle and Mustang GT-based suspension and braking components. It adds 19-inch wheels and Pirelli performance tires and electronic stability control calibration with Sport mode for performance driving.
The new 2011 Ford Mustang will go on sale late next summer.
Press release after the jump.
Ford Mustang V6 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 November 2009 03:18 EST.
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet will bring the production version of the 2011 Cruze at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week. The new compact sedan will be offered in three different trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ and will go on sale in the third quarter of 2010.
The Cruze’s exterior is characterized by a a two-tier grille with Chevy logo, prominent headlamps, a sculpted hood, as well as a short rear deck typically found on sports coupes. On the interior Chevrolet opted for a Corvette-inspired twin-cockpit matched with high-quality materials.
The new sedan will be offered with a Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine standard on the LT and LTZ models and an Ecotec 1.8L four-cylinder one for the LS models. Both engines can be coupled to a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
Press release after the jump.
Chevrolet Cruze originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 29 November 2009 07:27 EST.
Ferrari 375 America
In 1953 at the Paris Salon Ferrari unveiled the 375 America. It was a coupe model designed by Pininfarina, featuring a duo tone paint finish, the shape of which was a refinement of that seen on 212 Inter models. The car was exclusive and expensive, with one unit being designed by Pininfarina for King Leopold of Belgium – a two-seater cabriolet.
The 375 America was built on a 2800mm wheelbase chassis – the longest Ferrari used at that time. The majority were fitted with either a Pinin Farina three or five window coupe body. Three examples had a Vignale coupe bodies, whilst there was also a single Vignale cabriolet, and the very last example produced had a very special, and unusual, Pinin Farina coupe body with a wrap around front screen, vertical radiator grille, and buttresses running from the roofline into the tail panel, which was built specially for Gianni Agnelli, the head of Fiat, and displayed at the 1954 Turin Salon.
The 375 America was powered by a 4522cc “long” block V12 engine with a bore and stroke of 84mm x 68mm, fitted with a bank of three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF carburettors, twin coil and distributor ignition, to produce a claimed 300bhp. Coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox, the engine sprinted the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds, while the top speed went up to 150 mph.
Ferrari 375 America originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 12:00 EST.