Cars
Weighing in at just 850kg, the new Japanese sports car, the Suzusho Supasse, has just been launched at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009.
The Supasse is the closest thing on the road equal to the likes of competitive racing cars found on such circuits as Le-Mans. It boasts a 2.3-litre turbo engine with 265bph – a development of the engine used in the Mazda3 MPS - but dispenses with ABS and EBD to tip the scales at just 850kg. As a result, it covers zero to 60mph (97kph) in six seconds, and hits 160mph (258kph) flat-out.
Company boss Tosho Suzuki revealed the car’s badge was conceived by his partner. She declared the two-seater great at overtaking – hence the name ‘Supasse’.
The Suzusho Supasse goes on sale in Japan next summer, priced at 9million Yen (£60,000). But Suzuki said selling the gull-winged sports car globally was unlikely for the foreseeable future.
by Alex Newman October 31, 2009
Tags: car, car news, Cars, Suzuki, Suzusho Supasse, Tokyo Motor Show 2009
Cars
After months of speculation, Ferrari have finally unveiled its new 458 Italia to the public at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
A mid-engined V8 replacement for the Ferrari F430, the all-new Ferrari 458 Italia has a new direct-injected 4.5-litre V8, pumping out 562 horsepower and 398 foot-pounds of torque. With a top speed of 203 miles (327 kilometres) per hour and a zero to 60 miles (97 kilometres) sprint of just 3.4 seconds, this is the fastest car Ferrari has ever built.
As with last year’s Ferrari California, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that directs power to the rear axle. Much has been done to reduce internal friction within the new V8;in addition aerodynamic drag improvements have been made. As a result, the Ferrari 458 Italia’s gas mileage improves to a combined 17.1 miles per gallon (7.27 kilometres per litre) on the EU test cycle.
Design-wise, this supercar looks impressive from any angle, as it has a design that has never been seen before on a Ferrari model. Its wedge shaped body was penned by renowned Italian car design firm Pininfarina, while the interior was left up to the work of Donato Coco, Ferrari’s Chief Designer. While the exterior might be seen as being more or less based on the traditional Ferrari lines, there a few revolutionary additions, all intended to improve the car’s aerodynamics. The front-end features a single wide mouth opening to let a specific amount of air in, paired with a vent on either front fender. At the back, there are a pair of large ducts just before the taillights, all designed with aerodynamic contours and partitions that direct air directly into the radiators and away from the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and reduce drag.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is expected to go on sale in the UK next spring. It will be more expensive than the F430, so expect prices to start at around L150,000.
by Alex Newman September 22, 2009
Tags: car, ferrari, Ferrari 458 Italia, supercar
Cars
Maserati today revealed the new Maserati GranCabrio, the first four-seater convertible in the car-maker’s history, which will make its worldwide debut on September 15 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The GranCabrio completes Maserati’s product line-up which now consists of three different families of models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo, and the latest addition, GranCabrio.
The GranCabrio represents the very essence of the Maserati brand in terms of open-top cars. It is a perfect reflection of the brand’s core attributes: from the unmistakable style by Pininfarina to the spacious interior, from the craftsmanship of each detail to the driving pleasure and performance. The Maserati GranCabrio enriches all five senses in a shared open-air experience, without sacrificing comfort and performance. It is a dream car designed and built for men and women alike who love to live life in an understated, yet sophisticated manner.
The GranCabrio is continuing the Maserati tradition in open-top cars, joining models that have played such an important part in the car-maker’s history such as the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, 1960 3500GT Vignale Spyder, 1964 Mistral Spyder, 1968 Ghibli Spyder and 2001 Spyder designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car that marked Maserati’s return to the United States. In the footsteps of tradition, the GranCabrio opens a new chapter, with its four proper seats ensuring that rear passengers are not merely supporting actors, but co-stars of the journey.
The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 323 kW engine, and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market. The GranCabrio’s roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasising the link with the Maserati tradition.
The Maserati GranCabrio will be released on the international market next spring.
by Alex Newman August 24, 2009
Tags: car, convertible, GranCabrio, Maserati
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