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March 8, 2005
Bizzarrini GTS 4.4 V
The Bizzarrini GTS 4.4V is a new rare and very limited production super car produced by the fairly new company VGM Motors in Italy. Production will be limited to 12 - 15 per year, with a price tag of about 200,000 Euros ($264,000 USD) per car.
The Bizzarrini is a typical GT cruiser, with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, high-output engine. It is also a very large and long vehicle. Overall length is 4670 mm (184 inches), with a long wheelbase of 2852 mm (112 inches).
The engine is an Alpina-Bizzarrini 4.4L V8 (modified BMW engine) producing 387 kW (530 bhp) @ 5800 rpm and 710 Nm (524 lb-ft) torque @ 4250 rpm. That's good for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of under 3.9 seconds and a top speed of over 360 km/h (224 mph).
Huge 20 inch BBS wheels with widths of 10 inches and 13-14 inches, shod with fat 275/35ZR20 and 335-385/30ZR20 tires in the front and rear respectively, provide the contact patch to the ground.
For more information refer to VGM Motors website or FastDrive's article.
Posted by Hubert at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 7, 2005
Mitsubishi CZ3 Tarmac Spyder
Mitsubishi's new concept vehicle, the CZ3 Tarmac Spyder, recently debuted at the Melbourne International Motor Show. The CZ3 is a topless 4-seater with rally race car characteristics. The top is a removeable hardtop.
The powertrain comes from the high-performance rally-based Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, including the all-wheel-drive system and all its fancy traction technology (ACD, AYC, etc.). The engine is the same turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine which makes over 300 hp.
The CZ3 is a tiny car with a relatively wide body. The overall length is only 4,055 mm (159.6 inches), but its width is 1,825 mm (71.9 inches), nearly half its length. The wheelbase is also relatively long at 2,515 mm (99.0 inches), giving more room for passengers while at the same time minimizing overhangs for improved handling.
This car sounds like a lot of fun. It should be a very tossable car, as it'll probably weigh even less than the Evo, and it has such a short length. Plus, it can be topless. The rear seats look very cramped though. Too bad for the extra passengers.
Refer to gizmag's article for more information.
Posted by Hubert at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
Mercedes Benz ML63
Rumor has it that the next AMG tuned Mercedes Benz M-class will use a naturally aspirated 6.3L V8 pushing over 500 hp to beat Porsche's top of the line turbo charged V8 Cayenne. Bottom line, it's still an SUV, so what's the point? It's not supposed to go fast. But I guess there's enough demand for such vehicles.
Refer to AutoWeek's article for more information.
Posted by Hubert at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)
Nissan Skyline GT-R
It appears the US spec high-performance Skyline GT-R (R35) will go under the Nissan label, not Infiniti. Even though Nissan already has the 350Z performance car in its line-up, while Infiniti only has the more luxurious G35. The decisions are apparently not yet finalized.
Shoot, who cars what label it's under. Just give us the car! We've waited long enough.
Sources: AutoWeek.
Posted by Hubert at 11:32 PM | Comments (0)
new NSX
Honda's High-Performance Sports Concept (HSC) was unveiled for the second time at the recent Melbourne International Motor Show in Australia, after its original debut last year at the North American International Auto Show. Similar to the current NSX, the HSC uses a mid-mounted DOHC i-VTEC V6 engine. The engine is slightly larger, displacing 3.5L versus the NSX's 3.2L, and it'll produce in excess of 300 hp.
The HSC uses many features found in other top performance cars. Like a rear glass engine cover which exposes the high-tech motor. A sequential shift transmission with paddle shifters is also available, much like the Ferrari F1 paddle shift. The scissor-type doors open upwards, like a Lamborghini.
The frame is made of all-aluminum alloys. Body panels are composed of lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber materials. Powerful 6-piston Brembo brakes give immense stopping power. 19 and 20 inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels covered with wide 245/35ZR19 tires in the front and 295/30ZR20 tires in the rear provide traction.
Overall, it's a very cool looking car, with lots of go-fast goodies. But I'm afraid Honda may make the same mistake they made with the current NSX - making an underpowered and overpriced exotic car that no one will buy. I hope Honda increases the performance (maybe use a V8 engine) and raises the price to go with the added performance...
Read more about the HSC on gizmag.
Posted by Hubert at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)
2006 Lexus IS
The second generation Lexus IS model was recently introduced at the Geneva Motor Show. The new shape is much like the shape of the new Lexus GS. It's dimensions are bigger than the current IS model. The interior has been spiffed up quite a bit. There will be several options for the US and European markets. The IS220d and the IS250 models are focused for the European market, while the IS350 model is focused for the US market.
The IS220d uses a 2.2L 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 177 hp and 295 lb-ft torque. The IS250 uses a 2.5L V6 gasoline engine which produces 204 hp and 184 lb-ft torque. US customers always want more torque, so for the US, the IS350 gets the 3.5L V6 from the Toyota Avalon, which will probably make more than the Avalon's 280 hp.
With more power, more room and new gadgetery, the new Lexus IS may actually give the new BMW 3-series some competition. Even though I'm not a big fan of the new looks of the upcoming 3-series, the new Lexus IS doesn't look much better. It's hard to say who wins in the looks department. One downside is that the traction control on the Lexus IS can't be turned off. That's a shame, because it's taking away control from the driver. What if the driver wants to take the Lexus IS to a track? Oh well.
For more information refer to the article on Automobile Magazine.
Posted by Hubert at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)