/ / Ferrari Pays Tribute to Targa Florio 2015

 

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Posted: 20 Oct 2015 11:00 AM PDT


The Targa Florio is now part of the Italian Rally Championship, but at one point in its over 100-year history, it was considered as one of the most exciting open-road endurance races in the world. The race was so iconic that Porsche even named the convertible version of the 911 after it. You might have heard of the 911 Targa, right? Unfortunately, safety concerns forced organizers to stop staging the race in 1977, but for most Italian racing aficionados, the Targa Florio remains close to their hearts.
Count Ferrari in that group because the Italian automaker has continued to pay tribute to the Targa Florio through its annual, three-day pilgrimage to the the mountain roads of the Circuiti delle Madonie near Palermo, Italy.
The 2015 staging of the Ferrari Tribute to the Targa Florio Classic took place from October 14 to October 18, 2015. As expected, Prancing Horse models spanning all eras were in attendance, most of which took part in the three-stage race that began in the west from Palermo to the salt marsh, and then back again to the island's capital on the roads once trodden by Garibaldi. From there, Ferrari models old and new headed along the iconic historic Targa Florio route, all the way to Parco delle Madonie before finishing up at Castelbuono.
The event was once again a huge success for Ferrari, and all the Ferrari owners who showed up. As this recap video provided by the Italian automaker proudly shows, more than 50 Ferraris participated in the event. Models ranging from historic racers like the Ferrari Dinos from the 1970s, all the way to Ferrari's newest supercar, the 488 GTB.
Posted: 20 Oct 2015 11:00 AM PDT


Wristwatches. That’s what I was thinking about while checking out the new McLaren 570S. And not for the usual traits – fine craftsmanship, mechanical precision, symbols of status – shared by timepieces and automobiles alike. Instead I was reminded of a choice I made when I was 14.
After going through a few lower-end watches, my teenage self determined it was time to invest in a quality timepiece. My finite resources left me facing a dilemma: Would I go for the upper end from a cheaper brand, or the bottom end from a higher-quality one? I settled on a Swiss-made quartz watch – the entry level from the best manufacturer I could afford – and I wore it proudly for many years, content that I had made the smart choice. Over two decades later, that watch spends more time in a drawer than on my wrist. Yet that’s what was ticking in my head as I slipped into the cockpit of Woking’s latest.
McLaren, you see, is about as exotic as automakers come. What the new Sports Series (of which the 570S coupe is part) represents is the prospect of getting in at the bottom end of a high-end lineup instead of the top end of a (relatively) more mainstream one. McLaren’s higher-end models – alongside which the Sports Series is being built at the McLaren Production Center – target rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini. But the 562-horsepower output and $184,900 base price pit the new 570S one step downmarket against the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo – the very top of the line from less exotic marques. And that, arguably as much as anything else, is the novelty that the Little Mac brings to market.
Continue reading for the full story.
Posted: 20 Oct 2015 10:00 AM PDT


The the world of classic Aston Martins, the DB4 and DB5 command much higher prices than the models that came immediately before and after them. But, there is one variant of these that stands high above the rest, making it what is generally considered to be the most desirable and most expensive of all classic Aston Martins. That car is the DB4 GT Zagato, a factory race car built to challenge the dominance of the Ferrari 250 GT cars in sports car racing. Debuting in 1960, the DB4 GT Zagato wasn’t a sales success, even with the very modest goals set by Aston Martin, but today that just makes it more valuable.
The car was built using the very best of Aston Martin’s racing technology, and then it was lightened and made even more shapely by Zagato. Unfortunately, this combination didn’t win quite as many races as Aston would have liked, but it did make for an absolutely beautiful car — even in the context of the gorgeous cars being produced by Zagato during the ’60s. It might not have the association with James Bond that the DB5 has, but for serious car collectors, the DB4 GT Zagato is as good as classic Astons get.
Continue reading to learn more about the 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT By Zagato.
Posted: 20 Oct 2015 09:00 AM PDT


Despite being fitted with one of the best automatic transmissions ever built, the latest 911 GT3 has received a lot of heat from Porsche purists. Sure, the PDK shifts amazingly quick and it’s specifically tuned to deliver the fastest lap times on the race track, but most gearheads claim the 911 GT3 would be a lot more fun with three pedals and a stick. I couldn’t agree more.
Even though Porsche has made it clear that the manual gearbox will not return in the GT3, Stuttgart is reportedly working on a hardcore, naturally aspirated 911 with a manual transmission. According to Car and Driver, the new model will be called the 911 R and will use a powerplant closely related to the GT3’s.
The outlet also claims that the 911 R will break cover at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March and hit dealerships with a "steep price."
Not much else is known about the 911 R, but we’ve already came up with a rendering to go with the speculative review below. Stay tuned for more details. I’ll be back as soon as I find out more.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Porsche 911 R.
Posted: 20 Oct 2015 08:00 AM PDT


The Ferrari F40 is one of the most desirable Ferrari models in history. Only 1,311 models were built, and at the time of its release in 1987, it represented cutting-edge technology and performance capabilities that made it the fastest production car in the world. That's the kind of appeal the F40 has to old and new collectors alike. Anytime one of these bad boys hits the market, collectors trip over themselves for the chance to own one. With that in mind, it came as a bit of a shock to my senses when I found out that a 1991 Ferrari F40 failed to find a new owner at a recent auction held by H&H on October 14, 2015.
Let that simmer for a little bit because it is surprising, to say the least. According to the auction house, that particular F40 with chassis number 091573 had an estimated value of £750,000 to £800,000, which would be about $1.162 to $1.24 million based on current exchange rates. That price point would be in line with some of the other F40s that recently sold in other auctions.
In August 2015, a one-owner, Euro-spec F40 sold for £791,000 ($1.224 million) and a little earlier than that, a similar, one-owner F40 fetched £856,000 ($1.33 million). Given these prices, it would seem like the F40 that was being auctioned at H&H would fetch a similar price and maybe even more considering that it's the only F40 in the world whose chairs Ferrari wrapped in leather on account of its owner, F.J. Connolly Esq., the leather provider of choice in Maranello at that time.
Sadly, none of the unique traits of this particular F40 were enough for somebody to meet the reserve price. So, if anybody's still in the market for a completely one-off Ferrari F40, there's one sitting in H&H's garage that's waiting to be scooped up. All you need is around £800,000 ($1.24 million) and you could find yourself owning what might be one of the most exclusive F40s in the world.
Continue reading for the full story.
Posted: 20 Oct 2015 07:00 AM PDT


With 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque at its disposal, the 2016 CTS-V trumps its German competitors in the performance department, but Cadillac seems to think the sedan isn’t powerful enough. At least that’s what Automobile claims, adding that a "well-placed source" inside Cadillac says the GM-owned brand wants to inject even more oomph in the CTS-V.
As it turns out, Cadillac fears that once BMW and Mercedes-Benz launch updated versions of the M5 and E63 AMG, the CTS-V will no longer be on top. So even though the current sedan has 80 and 73 horsepower more than the M5 and E63 AMG S-Model, respectively, Cadillac already wants to up the ante in the output department to make sure that the CTS-V remains the most powerful mid-size. luxury.
"The Cold War continues. I don’t know where it stops, but it’s not at 640 horsepower, that’s for sure," the unnamed source told Automobile.
It’s not yet clear whether the CTS-V will get more power with the mid-cycle facelift, but a drivetrain upgrade is more likely to arrive with the next-generation sedan, which is at least five years away.
The current CTS-V uses the same supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 found in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and needs only 3.7 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. Though it’s not the quickest premium mid-size out there (the E63 AMG S-Model needs 3.5 seconds for the same benchmark), the CTS-V comes with a mind-boggling 200-mph top speed.
Continue reading for the full story.

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Posted: 20 Oct 2015 06:00 AM PDT


McLaren just launched its new Sports Series, which currently includes the 2016 McLaren 570S and the less-powerful 2016 McLaren 540C that will be available early next year. During the launch, however, it was announced that McLaren plans to reveal a new, rebodied model as early as next year. Originally, the company planned to add the 570S Spider to the series next year, but those plans have been pushed back to at least 2017 in favor of this new, unknown model.
Despite the rumor that this new "rebodied" model would be a long tail car, some are envisioning something more along the lines of a two-door station wagon. When asked about the possibility of a McLaren station wagon, or shooting brake, Director of Design Frank Stephenson said, "I won't deny or confirm, but it could be an interesting way to go because that segment needs space." He went on to say, "Whatever you think are limits, aren't limits at McLaren." With answers like that, it's hard to say what the next model could be, but McLaren wants to attract a "different sort of buyer," and a shooting-brake variant could certainly do just that.
Continue reading for the full story.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 05:00 AM PDT


After months of speculation and tons of spy shots including camo-free, pre-production models, the facelifted 991-generation 911, also known as the 991.2, has been unveiled ahead of its official debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
At first glance, the updated 911 confirms what we already suspected: updates inside and out are rather mild, while the highlight of this facelift lurks under the hood. Rumors about Porsche’s plans to turbocharged the entire lineup (save for the GTS and GT3, at least for now) have become official and the Carrera gained forced induction for the first time in its five-decade career.
Tubocharging aside, the new Carrera also comes with an updated chassis, improved dynamics, upgraded in-car technology, and rear-axle steering, an option previously available only with the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 2014 Porsche 911 GT3.
The 991.2 is set to arrive on U.S. soil in the first quarter of 2016 for the 2017 model year. Meanwhile, let’s have a closer look at its new features and performance figures in our review below.
Updated 10/20/2015: Porsche dropped two new video of its new 911 Carrera. These two new video highlight the car’s new high performance systems and its new front-axle lift system - that raises the front end by approximately 40 millimeters (1.5748 inches).
Continue reading to find out more about the 2017 Porsche 911.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 04:00 AM PDT


Development of the Lamborghini Diablo began in 1985, only a few months after the Mimran brothers purchased the company out of the receivership it had entered following the 1978 bankruptcy. The Mimrans invested heavily in the company’s expansion and Sant’Agata Bolognese was finally able to work on a successor for the Countach.
Development took more than four years, and the finished product was shown to the public in January 1990.
Like most Lamborghinis, the Diablo was named after a bull. Diablo, which is Spanish for devil, was a ferocious bull raised by the Duke of Veragua in the 19th century, famous for fighting a battle with famed matador "El Chicorro" in the late 1860s.
Production of the Diablo lasted until 2001 and included nearly 2,900 units built in various specifications. A significant facelift was completed in 1999. The Diablo was replaced by the Murcielago, and it is part of a lineage of range-topping supercars that also includes the Miura and the Aventador.
Continue reading to find out more about the Lamborghini Diablo.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 03:00 AM PDT


The BMW 1 Series M was an amazingly fun and agile car, but its limited two-year run from 2010 to 2012 resulted in the 1M being more of a unicorn than a track-slaying monster. BMW tried to bring some of the 1M’s charm back into dealerships with the M235i, but the performance-oriented coupe was too heavy and lacked the aggressiveness of its forerunner. Fortunately, the BMW M2 has finally arrived for the 2016 model year, bringing a similar combination of high power and lightness as its predecessor, while being produced in larger numbers for more track enthusiasts to enjoy.
Essentially an M235i on steroids, the M2 promises to be a true driver’s car. Although the 2 Series was only launched in 2014 as a successor to the 1 Series Coupe, BMW links the M2’s heritage to iconic Bimmers such as the original E30 M3 and the 2002 Turbo of 1973. It may seem a bit out of place to link the M2 to the E30 M3 with the M4 around, but the littlest M offering yet seems to have what it takes to be considered a worthy successor of the legendary mid-1980s coupe. Keep reading to find out why.
Updated 10/20/2015: The new BMW M2 already went into production at the company’s plant in Leipzig Germany. At the same factory the company is also production cars like 2 Series Coupe, Convertible and Active Tourer and the 1 Series hatchback. BMW also dropped a 16 minutes long video with behind the scenes footage of the BMW M2 Coupé development.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2017 BMW M2.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 02:00 AM PDT


Forza 6 gamers are being given the opportunity to win a brand new Ford Mustang GT. All they have to do is take part in the Race for the Record Rivals event on Forza Motorsport 6. The contest is entirely skill-based and it seeks to look for the fastest driver as determined first by leaderboard scores, and a head-to-head championship challenge for the finalists.
Entering the contest is pretty easy, provided that you have all the required hardware and software needed to play the game. Obviously, an Xbox One console is required, as is the actual Forza Motorsport 6 game. Most importantly, interested participants must have a valid Xbox Live account and gamertag. Standard geographical rules also apply.
If anybody meets all these requirements, they can enter the contest by logging in to the game using their valid Xbox Live account and gamertag. Once that's done, they're required to go to the "Rivals" section that can be found from the "Go Race" menu. From there, they can go to the "Monthly" channel of Rivals mode and look for the specific mode event. Then they must complete a full lap in the game of the Watkins Glen Short track using a 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R. Contestants are encouraged to play the lap as many times as necessary to set their fastest lap time, which would be considered their official Contest Entry. The Preliminary round is already underway and will end on November 15, 2015 at 11:59 p.m PT.
The 12 fastest lap times will be named preliminary winners and all 12 will compete in the Final Round, which will take place "on or around" December 12, 2015 in Los Angeles. Unlike the preliminary round, the final round will be follow a head-to-head format until an overall winner is determined. The winner then goes home with a 2016 Ford Mustang GT that's valued at $35,000.
Continue reading for the full story.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 01:00 AM PDT


Launched in 2010 as a replacement for the 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series, the Bentley Mulsanne is about to receive its mid-cycle update according to a batch of spy shots we just received from our paparazzi. Having already received an equipment upgrade in 2013 and a more powerful 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed version in 2014, the Mulsanne will receive a new face for the 2017 model year, along with a mild interior update and possible an uprated powerplant.
Details are scarce as of this writing, but this prototype spotted in Spain sports a handful of new design features on the outside, along with a longer-than-usual wheelbase. The limousine surfaced just as Bentley unveiled the 2017 Bentley Bentayga SUV ahead of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, a vehicle which is supposed to increase the brand’s sales to never-before-seen figures.
But while the Bentayga is likely to become a big hit and maybe even bite into Mulsanne sales as it hits the market, the sedan remains an important car in Bentley’s lineup, especially now that it will get a longer wheelbase and the kind of convenience features business people with personal drivers usually enjoy and look for in an executive car.
Updated 10/20/2015: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Mulsanne facelift testing one more time, this time in its regular version. The car was caught on both the Nurburgring race track and Eifel where it was tested in cold and foggy conditions.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Bentley Mulsanne.


Posted: 20 Oct 2015 12:00 AM PDT


When you're a car presenter and you're given three sports cars with features unique to their own, picking one over the two others is an incredibly difficult task. But Chris Harris isn't your typical car presenter. He's been around this block long enough to know how the game works. In this particular instance, Harris was given a chance to line up three of today's most desirable sports cars - the Porsche 991 GT3 RS, Aston Martin GT12, and McLaren 650S - to determine which of these three gives prospective customers the most bang for their buck, which in this case would be above £200,000, or a little over $300,000 based on current exchange rates.
In true Harris fashion, the affable presenter neatly laid out the pros of each model, starting with the GT3 RS, a car he says is "natural and intuitive" in every thing it does. Once he was done gushing over the Porsche, Harris turned his attention to the GT12, which is actually sold out. Still, Harris was still able to have a few thoughts on the track-tuned Aston, calling it "outrageous fun" before lamenting on whether it was the best car he has driven in 2015. Then there's the 650S, without question the fastest and most powerful of the three. Harris didn't even hesitate calling the 650 "better" in a lot ways than its two rivals.
So, the question Harris eventually wanted to answer was if any of these three supercars are worth their price tags. Like the true gear head that he is, Harris eventually settled on an answer that's not only predictable, but also shows how hard it is to pick one, even though, technically, the GT12’s sold out status disqualifies it from the choices.


 
 
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