Aston Martin revealed today the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 based on Aston Martin’s new 4.7 liter V8 Vantage. The Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations, and is a replacement for the V8 Vantage N24 racer. It is priced at $143,000 and will be available starting January 2009.
The Vantage GT4 is powered by the latest 4.7 liter V8, with the engine management system recalibrated for race use. It also has a free flow exhaust system and air filters, and the standard V8 dry sump lubrication system is retained, helping to prevent oil surge during cornering. Aston didn’t release any new horsepower figures, but with the software and airflow upgrades, expect there to be a few more ponies than than the Vantage road car’s 420 hp that are also on tap quicker. The engine is mated to either a six speed manual, or a Sportshift transmission with paddle controls.
Aston Martin racing cars are known more for eliminating weight from road cars than adding performance. The Vantage GT4’s weight is down to 2932 lbs (661 less than the standard model). This has been possible due to use of a range of weight reduction measures. The entire interior is removed except for some of the dash paneling. This is still an Aston, so any original interior bits are still trimmed in faux-suede Alcantara. Press release after the jump. > More
"Da 0 a 100" (From 0 to 100) special edition was launched to commemorate the memory of Karl Abarth who was born on November 15, 100 years ago (he was a Scorpio and his logo was a scorpion, get it).
The "Da 0 a 100" special edition is mechanically similar to the 500 Essesse seen at the Paris Auto show. It’s powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 160 hp - 25 more than a regular 500 Abarth. The 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in 7.3 seconds, which is almost a full second quicker then is listed for the 500 Abarth. Top speed is raised from about 127 mph to 131 mph. The special edition also features perforated disc brakes, high performance front brake pads, special low springs, and 17” alloy wheels with Pirelli Pzero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tires. Karl Abarth actually got his start in motorcycle racing, and that is reflected in some elements of the car. Part of the performance upgrade includes a BMC air filter, which is usually reserved for the two-wheeled vehicles. Press release after the jump. > More
The latest tuning kit for the Audi RS6 Avant comes from DKR Tuning, a company who recently unveiled its customized Porsche 997 Turbo. The new programme for the German vehicles features some ECU tweaking which boosts the engine from 580 to 660 hp and 750 Nm.
The top speed is also raised at 202 mph! In order to obtain these high speeds, a new H&R suspension kit is installed as well as the 20 inch Cargraphic RS alloy wheels. The tuner offers also new carbon-fiber accessories for the interior in order to give your car a special touch. Price of the kit: $2,000.
Pagani will give the first major changes to the decade-old Zonda starting next year. LeftLaneNews brought today new spy shots of the future Zonda F testing in North America. The car will keep a similar body to the current design, but will add a wider grille, sleeker looking headlights, revised rear end, and a new engine air scoop. Under the hood the engine will likely be borrowed from the SL65 AMG Black Series. In the Zonda, the 6.0-liter V12 should deliver 661bhp and over 700 lb-ft of torque. This isn’t the only rumored engine. It could also be 7.3-liter V8 from the current Zonda F, or the 5.4-liter supercharged V8 from the Mercedes SLR 722. What is known is that it will be a Mercedes-based AMG motor making between 600 and 700 horsepower, which should be good for a 0 to 60 time around 3.5 seconds. The car will finally officially be imported to the U.S. shores sometime next year. At that time expect to pay between $650,000 and $800,000.
Because 9ff’s 253 mph GT9 was just to pedestrian, the 9ff people are rumored to be going back to the drawing board for more speed. If the GT9R can add a few miles to its top speed, it just may capture the production car top speed crown (set at 256 mph by SSC Aero Twin-Turbo.) There are no other details at the moment, but the guys over at Supercars.net assembled what they think it will look like. This includes a new wing, an updated front facia, front splitter, wheel well extractors, brake cooling ducts, side exhaust and a distinctive roof-mounted air scoop. When we know more, you’ll know more.
One of the benefits that Aston Martin enjoyed while he was under the ownership of Ford was the use of the Blue Oval’s parts bin to cut costs. Save for some switchgear and nav systems, only a few items were visible to the customer. At least that’s the idea. Edward Legge, general manager of Rio Prestige hire, received a damaged key fob from a rented V8 Vantage that gave him and his team quite a surprise. The person borrowing the luxury GT somehow damaged the rich leather covering the fob, revealing a Volvo logo underneath. It wasn’t a Volvo stamp in the plastic or a small, blocked out Volvo logo. No, this was a fully decorated Volvo key that nobody bothered to disguise. That’s not something the owner of a $120,000 V8 Vantage wants to see. Amazing, Right?
Ronotech is back...who are they? they left? The company once established itself as a tuner of Volkswagen and Audi products, now seems to be focusing mainly on Audi’s TFSI direct fuel injection and TDI diesel motors. Ronotech currently assembles "powerboxs" called R-Tronic, and according to Ronotech, it delivers 20 to 30 percent performance improvement in most Audis. Not bad, but we’ll wait until one shows up on our doorstep before we’re truly impressed.
Nissan announced a few updates for the 2009 GT-R, updates that include 5 more hp from the 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 "VR38" engine. The 2009 model year will be called Series II Nissan GT-R R35 and will be first launched in Japan. The GT-R Blog is also reporting other changes to the car, but they are mostly minor. The white body color is changed from paint code QX1 to QAB (Storm White); Brembo brake calipers are rebadged to Nissan; front license plate is base removed (U.S. already has it); and the gas tank is size expanded from 71 liters to 73.8 liters (about .75 gallons). All this does come at a premium. There is a five percent price increase.
It seems Jim Glickenhaus has not been hit too hard by the stock market (or possibly movie market,) as he is the first U.S. owner of Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Glickenhaus is familiar in car circles as a big collector as well as the owner of the one-of-a-kind Enzo-based Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5.
According to Veloce Today’s website, the 8C Competizione was launched last week at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, Connecticut. There were three 8Cs lined up in their showroom, hidden under red covers with only the famous Alfa shield hinting as to what was underneath. Although there will only be 500 of these cars in world, Glickenhaus wanted to make sure that his car is even rarer. He wanted the car in a non-factory red paint to match his unique Ferrari. Considering the amount of money and press Glickenhaus has given to the Fiat Group, it’s no surprise they were happy to oblige (likely for a fee, of course.)
Who knew the folks over at Brabus are really Star Trek nerds? The German tuning house got its hands on a Tesla Roadster, and while it didn’t add any engine performance parts, it did manage to add sound effects.
The car comes with the usual type of body enhancements. This new kit includes a carbon-fiber front apron, new daytime running LEDs integrated in the front bumper activated by the keyless fob or by pulling the door handle, matte-white surrounds for the headlights, new carbon-fiber air inlets, a new rear spoiler and a new carbon-fiber diffuser. The kit is completed by the Brabus Monoblock S light-alloy wheels in size 7Jx18 in front and in size 8.5Jx19 in back.
What makes this kit interesting (geeky) is that it features a "space sound generator". This is a system that simulates the engine sounds such as a V8 engine, a racecar engine and two futuristic soundscapes named "Beam" and "Warp". More details in the press release after the jump. > More
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