Audi to unleash TT RS in Geneva

Posted by Cameron Countach

It seems unveiling the impressive A4 Allroad Quattro in Geneva isn’t enough for Audi, as the major German marque is now going to reveal the TT RS at the Geneva Palexpo convention centre as well.

Audi isn’t saying a lot about the car ahead of its world premiere in Geneva, with more information set to be revealed at the company’s press conference on 3 March, but what we do know is that this bad boy’s 2.5 litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine will push out 300hp, along with a 0-62mph of under five seconds and a top speed of 155mph. We’re hooked already.

The car’s performance capabilities are aided by a lightweight aluminium chassis that was constructed using the Audi Space Frame principle. The result, a pretty fabulous car from Audi, is one we’ll be keeping an eye on when the Geneva Motor Show launches next week.

But before it hits the showroom floor in Geneva, check out these pics of the new Audi TT RS >>

a.d. Tramontana R is top gun of supercars

Posted by Cameron Countach

Do you remember the a.d Tramontana? We'd be surprised if you didn't. After all, it's a beast of a Spanish supercar. Well, now there's a more improved, more menacing high performance R version that Tramontana has unveiled, and we have to say, it looks quite fabulous (though a little scary too).

The Tramontana R is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most unique-looking cars on the road, and that’s because its design was inspired by contemporary fighter jets, featuring a canopy entry system you’re more likely to see on the aircraft flown by Tom Cruise's character, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, in Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun.

And you can even have your own Goose, as there’s room for a passenger behind the driver, though they’ll sit at an elevated position (apparently this is to make them “a spectator”) to the person behind the wheel.

A 5.5 litre V12 engine helps to deliver a supersonic top speed of 202mph (though it’s claimed to go as high as 214mph) and 0-60mph of 3.6 seconds. A lightweight carbon fibre chassis helps the car to keep its weight down to 1,260kg (the original version weighs in at 1,510kg), which has no doubt aided the car’s impressive performance capabilities.

While the original Tramontana was a unique vehicle in its own right, we prefer the black and gold paintwork on the R version, and in our opinion the overall look and style is more dramatic and impressive.

If you’re planning to get your hands on one, you’ll need to be prepared to part with around £312,500 of your hard-earned money. And you'll need to be quick, too: with one per month being produced,   a long waiting list seems likely.

See pictures of the a.d. Tramontana R >>

Source: diseno-art.com

All images: a.d. Tramontana website

Tata Nano finally set to launch (we hope)

Posted by Cameron Countach

The story of the Tata Nano, also known as the world's cheapest car, has had more twists and turns than an epic Hollywood movie.

Who would have thought that a car not much bigger than the Toyota iQ, and retailing at just 100,000 rupees (that’s around £1,390), would have encountered so many problems?

From farmers rioting in West Bengal because they were unhappy about the amount of compensation offered for the production factory being built on their land, to a struggle to find a suitable new location for the factory, you literally could not pay a script writer to come up with the issues (including the rising prices of raw materials) this little car has had to face since its unveiling at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, at the start of 2008.

But there finally seems to be a happy ending to this story, with Tata claiming production of the marvellous mini car will begin on 23 March in Gujarat, India. The car will go on sale in the country in April, seven months after the deadline the company had originally set itself.

Although it looks like a toy car little  kids wouldn't mind getting their hands on, and the basic model doesn’t come with air conditioning (not good in India), the thought of an affordable car being made available to the masses is a positive story to come out of the motoring industry in these dark times.

Only 3,000 vehicles will be produced a month, which we doubt is the amount Tata was originally hoping to produce for a country with a  population of 1.15 billion people, but better that it’s out there in small numbers than not at all, which at one point was looking like the unfortunate outcome.

In case you've forgotten what the world's cheapest car looks like, check out these pictures of the Tata Nano.

See the Tata Nano in pictures >>

Bentley Continental Supersports unveiled

Posted by Cameron Countach

Ladies and gentlemen, bear witness to what we think may be a leading contender in the race to become the ultimate green machine: the Bentley Continental Supersports.

Set to debut in Geneva next month, and launching in autumn 2009, the two-seater Supersports will be the fastest ever car to come from the British manufacturer in its 90-year history, thanks to a 6-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers a sizzling top speed of 204mph and a 0-60mph of 3.7 seconds. That’s some serious supercar speed for your money. And with its stunning white paintjob, the Supersports isn’t bad-looking, either.

So how can a Bentley with supercar performance capabilities be green? Well, according to the press release, it’s the first car from the manufacturer capable of running on both Biofuel and Petrol, “pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector”. It's all part of a positive approach by Bentley to make all its cars compatible with renewable fuels come 2012. Impressive.

And in case you’re not up to scratch on your Bentley facts and you’re wondering about the moniker ‘Supersports’, it’s named after the classic 3.0 litre Supersports model, which was also the first-ever Bentley to achieve the top speed of 100mph.

Ahead of its unveiling, you can check out the pictures here.

See stunning images of the Bentley Continental Supersports >>

Dreamy drop top Aston Martin unveiled

Posted by Cameron Countach

We don't know what's going on down at Aston Martin, but it must be something very good as these guys have been coming up with one hot vehicle after another in recent months.

First, it was the million-pound Aston Martin One-77, then the V12 Vantage, which is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and now the dreamy open-top DBS Volante. Seriously. There’s no doubting that these guys have earned a well-deserved break.

The Volante will also debut at Geneva next month, with Aston Martin promising potential owners "the combination of the DBS’s already-established benchmark sports car characteristics and all the thrills of open-air motoring".

The open-air experience will be provided by a retractable fabric roof, which is lightweight so as not to inhibit the car's performance capabilities.

On a hot summer's day, it'll only take 14 seconds to lower the roof before you and your companions can hit the highway and enjoy the wind flowing through your hair (that's if you've got any).

Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said about the unveiling of the new car: “The DBS Volante delivers the utmost relaxed driving experience with the hood up or down. It combines engineering excellence with design perfection.

“The DBS Volante offers a subtle mix of power and performance. Add to this the fine craftsmanship and it is an unparalleled ownership and driving experience.”

It will be the 16th drop top to come from Aston Martin during its 95 years of history, and the performance capabilities of a top speed of 191mph along with a 0-60mph of 4.3 seconds should seal the deal for anyone doubting the sheer quality of this amazing convertible Aston Martin.

You can check out images of this new Aston, plus our pick of the greatest ever motors from the classic British motoring marque.

See pictures of the Aston Martin DBS Volante >>

Three-wheeled Scorpion Motorsports Prodigy is a real scorcher

Posted by Cameron Countach

No, it’s not another sports car influenced by an animal (you can breathe a sigh of relief) or a British electro-rave band, just a supercool sports car created by a car company called Scorpion. And like the deserts these poisonous creatures live in, it’s a real scorcher…

The standout feature about this car is evidently the fact it only has three wheels yet promises supercar performance capabilities, including a sizzling 0-60 of 3.3 seconds. We’re just glad the two wheels are at the front, because a speed like that on a car like the one-wheel-fronted Reliant Regal would potentially see it go into orbit.

Luckily, the Scorpion also features a large front wing, so no such fate will befall this magnificent motor – in fact, safety is a key aspect of this car, with its “core reinforced sides”, so this Prodigy certainly won’t be a firestarter (don’t groan).

If you’re interested in purchasing a Scorpion, you can pick from a range of three different motorcycle engines (yes, that’s right) that power the vehicle. The P6 model will feature a 600cc Suzuki engine that pushes out 125hp, but why settle for less when you can skip both that and the P10 model – and go for the P13 version with its 1300cc engine that delivers 185hp? We know which one we’d choose.

And it if it looks a bit like a Ferrari F1 car with one of the back wheels missing, that’s because of the presence of a “honeycomb construction nose section”,as featured on cars in the motorsport.

From the back it resembles the Batpod that featured in the last Batman film, The Dark Knight, but from the front it’s one of the most muscular-looking mean machines you’ll ever see. And the good news is that despite also being a track performer, it’s primed and ready to hit the road.

Like what you’ve heard so far? Then check out these images of the Scorpion Motorsports Prodigy.

See pictures of the Scorpion Motorsports Prodigy >>

Source: diseno-art.com

All images: Scorpion Motorsports

The insect-inspired Lamborghini concept

Posted by Cameron Countach

We've often covered concept cars that are inspired by legendary motors, but it's a rarity for us to focus on cars inspired by insects. Yet in the past two weeks alone, we’ve showcased the spider-influenced RT20 concept car, and now details of a brilliant beetle-inspired car have arrived in the Cars channel’s bulging inbox.

Romanian designer Lulian Bumbu has come up with the brilliant 2009 Lamborghini Insecta, a stunning supercar concept influenced by the armoured casings of beetles.

Although this isn't immediately obvious from looking at the carbon fibre bodywork of the car from the front, mainly because it looks more like a gorgeous Lamborghini than any weird bug-like creature, viewed from the rear and above, the shape you might associate with beetle casings is more evident, with the ‘angular lines’ giving the vehicle a more dynamic look than you might expect from Lamborghinis currently on the market.

What it does share with others Lamborghinis, is the scissor doors synonymous with the marque since they were introduced on the Lamborghini Countach in the ‘70s.

The Insecta has similar dimensions to the Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as being powered by the same 5 litre V10 and drivetrain, but a key difference is that it’s wider and lower than the popular contemporary Lambo.

Bumbu hasn’t really justified why he decided to choose beetles as an influence, but with a design this good, we think it would be unfair to criticise his decision to take inspiration from these bugs. But as always, we’ll leave you to make up your own minds on this gorgeous Lamborghini concept.

See pictures of the 2009 Lamborghini Insecta concept >>

Source: diseno-art.com

All images provided by: Diseno-art.com

Rolls-Royce concept to debut in Geneva

Posted by Cameron Countach

The Geneva Motor Show is looking set to be an exciting occasion for all motoring fans, with a number of fantastic cars set to go on display at the Geneva Palexpo convention centre.

One of the leading motors on display will definitely be the class Rolls-Royce 200EX concept, the latest experimental car from one of the world's most famous luxury car manufacturers.

Set to be unveiled in Geneva on the 3rd of March, the 200EX is a design study for a contemporary four-door saloon and gives a good idea of how the RR4, a new model series from Rolls, will look when it is finally unveiled in 2010.

We're certainly impressed by what we've seen so far and can't wait to see it unveiled in March. But you can make up your own mind about the Rolls-Royce concept by checking out the images below.

See pictures of the Rolls-Royce 200EX >>>

Feeling charitable

By Bertie Abarth

Here's an offer that doesn't come along every day of the week - your opportunity to bid for the chance of a passenger ride with Top Gear's The Stig, in aid of Comic Relief.

Click to bid for the lap of a lifetime

So dig deep everyone and don't forget to send Ben (whoops) The Stig our best wishes if you're successful.

Out and about with The Stig

It also got me thinking though, who would I most like to enjoy driving me home after a couple of well-earned Friday night sherbets with Cameron Countach. Kylie Minogue perhaps? She could join me as I hum "I Should Be So Lucky" - beats trying to make the usual small talk with a taxi driver!

Fiat 500C catches the eye

By Bertie Abarth

It seems appropriate that in the month of love - February - Fiat have tugged again at the heart strings with with the 500C, which will get its official launch at the Geneva Motor Show.

Does the C stand for cute? Perhaps, but this original cabriolet pays homage to the open-top 1957 model.

To celebrate its launch, Cameron Countach and I have decided to roll back the clock.

The original Fiat 500 images >>>

Fiat 500 images >>>

Featuring an innovative soft top – an unrestricted window to the sky – the new 500C is exactly the same size as the basic model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m), and utilises the same three powerplants: 1.3 litre 75 hp MultiJet Turbodiesel coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, and the two 1.2 litre 69 hp and 1.4 litre 100 hp petrol engines, available with either manual or robotised Dualogic transmission.

Available in three colours (ivory, red and black), this original soft top will be matched with several body colours, two of which have been conceived specifically for the new car in a brilliant Pearl Red and a special Warm Grey.