June 10, 2010 by nitram
We acknowledge that a fair number of independent design concepts found on the web are of mediocre quality, but every once in a while we stumble upon an study that has us really sitting up and taking notice. The Ferrari 612 GTO concept by Sasha Selipanov of Berlin, Germany is one of them.
A pure conceptual study for a top-end Ferrari, possibly a future generation of the 612 Scaglietti, Selipanov design proposal appears to borrow bits and pieces from certain supercars like the Aston Martin One-77 as well as Maranello’s own 458 Italia and the classic 250 GTO, mixed with some unique styling cues.
The overall result, thanks in part to the high-quality renderings, is eye-catching, to say the least. What do you think about the Ferrari 612 GTO concept? Have your say in the comments below.
Source: Samirsadixov , Via: Worldcarfans and Autoblog
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June 9, 2010 by nitram
These interwebs are full or rumor and conjecture. The juiciest tidbits we publish here for your consideration and amusement. The latest? That the upcoming roadster version of the Ferrari 458 Italia will receive a retractable hard top.
Now if you’re thinking – given the “unavoidable” extra weight – that a hard top on a performance exotic makes about as much sense as a screen door on a proverbial submarine, we dare to challenge that assumption. Maybe that was once the case, and arguably still is for most automakers, but Ferrari’s carved out a niche for itself as an expert in lightweight construction and advanced design.
Say what you will about the Ferrari California, but during its development Maranello claims to have found the use of a hard-top convertible mechanism was actually lighter in weight than an equivalent fabric roof would have been. (Not to mention that, in true Prancing Horse style, it’s the fastest in the business.) And remember the Superamerica it made out of the 575M with that innovative flip-top invented by former Pininfarina designer (and deputy Ferrari GM) Leonardo Fioravanti?
Couple those past experiences with reports that the convertible version of arch-rival McLaren’s MP4-12C could also go drop-tin-top, and suddenly a 458 Spider with a hard top doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched.
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May 27, 2010 by nitram
Lamborghini issued a recall on a total of 428 examples of the 2007-2008 model year Murcielago Coupe and Roadster models in the United States. The reason?
According to the company, the welds holding the fuel pump support inside the fuel tank could detach leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, this situation could result in a fire – and that’s definitely something Murcielago owners would like to avoid…
The Italian supercar maker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that its U.S. dealers will replace the Murcielago’s fuel tank free of charge.
The safety recall is expected to begin during in June. If you happen to own one of the affected models, you may contact Lamborghini for more information directly at 1-912-409-5634 or 1-508-808-9562.
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May 25, 2010 by nitram
Ending days of rumors, the Volkswagen Group announced Tuesday it was buying a 90.1 per cent stake in Italian design firm and Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. as part of its global expansion plan, without, however, giving out any information on the financial aspects of the deal.
The German automaker said that the shares are being acquired by AUDI’s Italian subsidiary Lamborghini Holding S.p.A., while the Giuigiaro family will keep a 9.9 per cent stake in the Italian company that generates sales of over €100 million (US$122 million) and has a workforce of some 800 employees.
“The Volkswagen Group will be continuing its model initiative over the coming years and will benefit from the capacity and competence of Italdesign. The company will therefore be making an important contribution to our 2018 global growth strategy,” said VW CEO Martin Winterkorn.
Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro said: “Becoming part of the Volkswagen Group means revaluating ourselves and our strength. Entering Volkswagen means to open up a promising perspective for the company.”
Founded in Turin by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani in 1968, the Italian styling house has created many vehicles models for the VW Group including the Golf I and concepts for important models such as the first Volkswagen Passat, Scirocco and the Audi 80.
Italdesign has also worked on a series of models for the Fiat Group including the Fiat Punto and Grande Punto and Alfa Romeo 156 /159 and Brera.
It remains to be seen if Italdesign Giugiaro will continue to work on projects for other automakers in the future or if the company will concentrate on the VW Group’s portfolio.
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May 11, 2010 by nitram
Much like Ferrari’s 599, or more recently Bentley’s Continental range, Lamborghini has decided to offer a limited edition model for the Chinese market. It’s called the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition (or the LP 670-4 SV CLE), and “not more than ten” will be built.
Lamborghini explains that the car “is designed and manufactured exclusively for China’s most discriminating super sports car enthusiasts.” I guess that’s Lamborghini-speak for nouveau riche with “colorful” tastes.
The orange stripe is meant to represent an erupting volcano over what I’m guessing is the gray of a volcano. On Balboni’s Lambo (click here), the stripe was cool. Here? Not so much.
Inside, owners get their name and serial number on a plaque, while the rest of the car… well, that’s pure, rocket-ship LP 670-4 SV.
The engine is Lamborghini’s soon-to-be-retired (now) 6.5 liter V12, which means it puts out 670 horsepower to the SV’s 100-kilo-lighter body and clips 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. It tops out at 342 km/h (213 mph), unless buyers go with the “Aeropack Wing”, which cuts top speed down to a mere 337 km/h (209 mph).
What this car lacks in a fancy “special edition” name and all that unnecessary “special edition” equipment, it more than makes up for with…nothing. It’s a “special edition” for the sake of being a special edition and to suck up to the growing Chinese market.
Except that it’s a Lamborghini, so it’s still kinda cool.
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We acknowledge that a fair number of independent design concepts found on the web are of mediocre quality, but every once in a while we stumble upon an study that has us really sitting up and taking notice. The Ferrari 612 GTO concept by Sasha Selipanov of Berlin, Germany is one of them.
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