Frank just sent this in for us to post, so here you go!

Porsche just released information about the 2009 edition of its legendary 911, sporting improved good looks and some serious mechanical tweaks designed to keep it at the head of the pack. Although the styling changes might seem minor, Porsche has switched to LED lighting front and back, and has made daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights standard across the Carrera range. Besides that,Porsche will also start offering what they call Dynamic Bending Lights on all models. Think nighttime cornering and lights that point into a turn. While those changes may be the first you notice, it will take a twist of the Le Mans-start-left-of-the-steering-wheel key to fully appreciate the 2009 911s. Read the rest of this entry »

Just got this through from our friend (and contributor) Frank Filipponio:

As a fitting tribute to racing legend Jim Clark, Lotus has just released information on its first special edition supercharged Elise, which they have named the Clark Type 25 Elise SC. The special edition green and yellow supercharged car is being built to honor the late, legendary Formula 1 driver, Jim Clark. The color combination emulates that of Clark’s Type 25 F1 car which he piloted to a world championship in 1963. Other features that distinguish this Elise from run-of-the-mill models are a standard hardtop, black and silver Lotus racing wheels, black leather seats, red trim and a wooden shift knob. No mechanical changes were announced, however, meaning buyers get the same 218 hp and 156 lb.-ft. of torque from the Elise’s supercharged 1.8-liter, straight-4. Only 25 units are to be sold, matching Clark’s racing number. The�Clark Type 25 Elise SC will only be available in the UK and Ireland at an asking price of £35,995. Full press release following:

Read the rest of this entry »

We’re a little late to press with this one, so our apologies, but it’s worth presenting:

At the official opening of Aston Martin’s first ever dedicated design centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Tuesday 11 December, Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer, thrilled an audience of more than seven hundred VIP guests with a surprise unveiling of a stunning new 600bhp performance concept car; the V12 Vantage RS.

The V12 Vantage RS concept is based on Aston Martin’s critically acclaimed V8 Vantage coupe, but the company’s design and engineering team have fully exploited the design flexibility of their unique VH architecture and the motor sport development of their 6.0 litre V12 engine to create a dramatic and production feasible concept car focussed on extreme performance and dynamics.

Read the rest of this entry »

Group Lotus plc unveils a new updated and significantly enhanced range of Europa’s at the 78th annual Geneva International Motor Show. The new entry level Europa is priced at £27,950 MSRP / €37,500, with the range topping Europa SE available for a competitive £32,995 MSRP / €41,500 (Euro prices are without taxes, delivery & other related costs).

Read the rest of this entry »

The Porsche GT3 RSR launches into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last year scored wins at the 24 hour races of Le Mans and Spa as well as overall victory at the Nuerburgring 24 hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races. The most distinguishing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the front end which received major improvements to the aerodynamics. The majority of innovations however are hidden under the weight-optimized body.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260.  A direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car, this year’s car has a revised engine management system to take the maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over last year. Bespoke performance enhancements created to offer a car with even greater levels of handling and acceleration capable of taming Europe’s most challenging race circuits.

The Exige Cup 260, once again represents Lotus’ most radical version of the Exige, with the track environment being its home and for 2008, the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 has full European homologation for road use (a must have for some competitive environments where a road legal car has to be entered).

There are further product changes: all Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 cars now have a number of the 2008 Model year improvements from the road versions of the Elise and Exige, namely:

•    Instrument pack with new graphic design and expanded functionality
•    New alarm/immobiliser + single integrated function key
•    Variable Lotus Traction Control
•    Variable Lotus Launch Control

In traditional Lotus style, weight saving is paramount.  Weighing in at just 928 kg, the power to weight ratio is an impressive 271 hp / tonne (273 PS / tonne). Such a fantastic power to weight ratio alone of course does not make a superlative track car, so the Exige Cup 260 has a formidable list of standard equipment that includes Lotus specific LTS compound Yokohama A048R tires, 4-piston AP Racing front brake calipers, adjustable dampers and anti-roll bar, the latest FIA 6-point roll cage and sports driver and passenger seats.  The car can also be ordered as a Track version for track use only. The Track Version comes pre-fitted with an FIA approved 6-point roll cage, and 4-point harnesses. In addition, a wide range of motorsport specific options are also available with this version.

• 70 litre fuel cell (FIA approved)
• Yokohama A005 racing slick tires with Hi-Power silver 5-spoke ultra lightweight forged alloy wheels
• C64 6-speed gearbox with dog engagement and revised ratios
• 1.5-way adjustable plate-type limited slip differential
• Race specification battery with battery tray
• De-cat pipe
• Level 2 stainless steel sports exhaust - 104.0 dB(A)
• Black race seat - driver only (FIA approved)
• Black 6-point harnesses - driver only (FIA approved)

Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, adds another member of the 911 family to its range of products. The new GT3 Cup S, based on the road-going GT3 RS sportscar, is created exclusively for racing purposes. The Weissach-developed and built vehicle will race in international champion-ships which run in accordance with FIA GT3 regulations.

Read the rest of this entry »

KTM X-Bow

As I approached the KTM stand the X-Bow took centre stage and was generating much interest, what surprised me most was its incredible compactness. Being a gentleman of the longer legged species, and being over 6ft tall I think I would have to take lessons from Houdini to get into and out of this sports car, but this would be the case for most sports cars. Anyway this is the first sports car designed and developed by KTM as they take the first step from two to four wheels. The 50 year old designer and manufacturer of motorcycles most certainly have made the transition into radical lightweight sports cars with great effect.

Various technology partners have been involved in the design and development of this lightweight niche sports car, with Audi (engine), Dallara (aerodynamics) and Brembo (Braking System) at the forefront. The Audi lightweight four cylinder TFSI 240Hp engine propels this door less, roof less and window less sports car with a total deadweight of 700 Kilos, from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds. This sports car is rear wheel drive and power is delivered through a six speed VW gearbox, with limited slip differentials as an option. The braking system is equally impressive with the X-Bow coming to a standstill from 100 kph in just 33.1 metres (108 feet).

The X-Box oozed race bred carbon fibre, all totally functional from the Formula 1 style driver and passenger monocoque and front “crumple” zone, to the underside and rear diffuser responsible for the impressive down force of 200 kilos at 200 kph.

Below is a rear view of the KTM X-Bow - The well crafted silencer is actually a “crumple” zone in the event of a rear shunt.

Radical R8 Supersport 

Next on the agenda was to check out the Radical R8 Supersport which was officially launched at the Autosport show. Essentially the R8 has gone through an aerodynamic revamp with much testing being performed at the Motor Industries Research Association (MIRA) wind tunnel facility in the UK. The modifications produced increased down force reduced drag and increased cooling. In a recent shakedown on an airfield the SR8 445bhp version topped 289 kph (180 mph) in adverse weather conditions being held back by the rev limiter.

VRSstu over in the Briskoda forums here has braved the onslaught from his better half and plumped for the latest and greatest in Skoda ICE and fitted it to his Octavia Mk2.

MFD stands for “multi-function display” and the MFDs in the VAG series of cars give you the usual sound system control but also include GPS navigation. In the newer v2 units you got DVD playback, TV options and control over car phones etc. You can order the MFD as a factory fit item, or purchase one later to fit yourself. Not only are they pretty gucci, but they are branded factory units which fit the car perfectly (no need for adapter cables), and they look like part of the original build - great for people that want to get upgrades in but avoid that bling look. The new v3 unit has yet to appear here in UK Skodas but is now out in Europe. Price is high as you’d expect for a factory option and four figures is sadly the price you’ll have to stump up to grab one for yourself at the moment.. if you can find one.

Here’s some of Stu’s shots - checkout the main Briskoda forum for the rest:

(photos from VRSstu’s post over at Briskoda)

As Stu mentions in his post the MFD3 features (as well as GPS, CD control, radio etc):

6.5" 16:9 TFT Touchscreen
DVD Movie Playback with Dolby DTS sound
30GB Internal HD storage
SD/MMC Slot (4gb Max)
2D/3D Mapping
DVD & MP3 Disk supported
MP3 and WMA files

You can see some more shots of the unit branded under Audi (and called the RNS510) here. Oh and while I’m on the subject of the Audi/VW banded unit there’s a video of it on YouTube (YouTube - New navigation system RNS510):

Came across this in the 6speedonline.com forums…

A 42-year old man from Purmerend, the Netherlands is caught after a bizarre chase. The man driving a Porsche 911 GT3 drove at speeds exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph) on the A7. The police gave him the stop sign from an undercover surveillance car. The Porsche, ignoring this, took a last second exit and went off. While entering the high way again, the driver lost control in the corner of the entranceway hitting the safety rails. While losing several parts from his car he tried to escape again. While being chased he took the road verge desperate to escape. He enters a parking space next to the high way and steps over to a Volkswagen Golf, driven by his 33-year old girlfriend. A 29-year old man which was the passenger at the Porsche took over the wheel from the Porsche and tries to get away. As seen in the video, while this was happening the police is taking a safe distance, observing until backup has arrived. The Golf drives away like nothing happened but the police knew he was in that car. They create a road block to hold up the traffic so they can arrest the former Porsche driver, the passenger now driving the Porsche also gets arrested. In the Golf happens to be a baby and in the baby-seat they discovered a firearm. In the clothing of the baby hard drugs were found. Both man are still in custody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjd-Kl_pQxU