TURIN, Italy — Ercole Spada, who gave us the Alfa Romeo TZ1 in 1965 and a couple of classic Zagato-bodied Aston Martins, is back with a vengeance. Having failed to resurrect Osca, he's now offering a quirky-looking sports car bearing his own name.
The first details and photos of the Codatronca were released earlier in the year, but the car has now been presented in full detail at the Spadaconcept Web site.
Based on the latest Chevrolet Corvette, the Codatronca measures 187.4 inches long, 77.1 inches wide, and 47.2 inches tall. Its 7.0-liter V8 engine will come in three different states of tune. There's the 600-horsepower TS and the still road-legal TSV with 700 hp courtesy of two superchargers. There's also a yet-to-be-completed racing version, called TSS (Turismo Super Sportivo). The "base" TS weighs 3,086 pounds, courtesy of its aluminum space-frame construction; the TSV weighs 44 pounds less. Performance figures are also impressive: Even the basic TS is capable of 205 mph, while the TSV can reach 220 mph and goes from zero to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds.
There's still no word on pricing.
What this means to you: It's performance, performance, performance, much more than looks, with this one.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Spy Photos: BMW X6 Reveals Its Shapely Rear
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — BMW engineers inadvertently exposed the rear shape of the 2009 X6 SUV during hot-weather testing this week, and spy photographers sprung into action.
When one of its X6 prototypes became disabled on the shoulder of a desolate California road, BMW testers accidentally left the X6's rear hatch open as they sorted out the trouble. These backlit photos now reveal exactly how much of the X6's heavy rear camouflage is masking its sleek rear lines.
BMW appears to be taking form-over-function to extremes with the X6, since the arching roof line behind the B-pillar will seriously compromise second-row headroom and cargo capacity.
Built on the same platform as the BMW X5, the X6 is expected to start production at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in 2008.
What this means to you: This sleek SUV deserves more than carpool duty.
When one of its X6 prototypes became disabled on the shoulder of a desolate California road, BMW testers accidentally left the X6's rear hatch open as they sorted out the trouble. These backlit photos now reveal exactly how much of the X6's heavy rear camouflage is masking its sleek rear lines.
BMW appears to be taking form-over-function to extremes with the X6, since the arching roof line behind the B-pillar will seriously compromise second-row headroom and cargo capacity.
Built on the same platform as the BMW X5, the X6 is expected to start production at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in 2008.
What this means to you: This sleek SUV deserves more than carpool duty.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Spy Photos: BMW X6 Reveals Its Shapely Rear
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — BMW engineers inadvertently exposed the rear shape of the 2009 X6 SUV during hot-weather testing this week, and spy photographers sprung into action.
When one of its X6 prototypes became disabled on the shoulder of a desolate California road, BMW testers accidentally left the X6's rear hatch open as they sorted out the trouble. These backlit photos now reveal exactly how much of the X6's heavy rear camouflage is masking its sleek rear lines.
BMW appears to be taking form-over-function to extremes with the X6, since the arching roof line behind the B-pillar will seriously compromise second-row headroom and cargo capacity.
Built on the same platform as the BMW X5, the X6 is expected to start production at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in 2008.
What this means to you: This sleek SUV deserves more than carpool duty.
When one of its X6 prototypes became disabled on the shoulder of a desolate California road, BMW testers accidentally left the X6's rear hatch open as they sorted out the trouble. These backlit photos now reveal exactly how much of the X6's heavy rear camouflage is masking its sleek rear lines.
BMW appears to be taking form-over-function to extremes with the X6, since the arching roof line behind the B-pillar will seriously compromise second-row headroom and cargo capacity.
Built on the same platform as the BMW X5, the X6 is expected to start production at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in 2008.
What this means to you: This sleek SUV deserves more than carpool duty.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Spy Photos: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible
NURBURG, Germany — Recent spy photos from the Nürburgring will reassure drop-top fans that a 2009 BMW M3 convertible is already in the works.
Spy photos clearly reveal the BMW's new retractable hardtop, so speculation should end about the possibility of the redesigned convertible keeping the outgoing M3's soft top in order to maintain a low curb weight.
Following the launch of the 2008 M3 coupe, the M3 convertible is expected to go on sale in late 2008.
Like the M3 coupe, the new convertible will benefit from an all-aluminum 4.0-liter V8 rated at 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
What this means to you: BMW is about to unleash some serious fun in the sun.
Spy photos clearly reveal the BMW's new retractable hardtop, so speculation should end about the possibility of the redesigned convertible keeping the outgoing M3's soft top in order to maintain a low curb weight.
Following the launch of the 2008 M3 coupe, the M3 convertible is expected to go on sale in late 2008.
Like the M3 coupe, the new convertible will benefit from an all-aluminum 4.0-liter V8 rated at 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
What this means to you: BMW is about to unleash some serious fun in the sun.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Frankfurt Preview: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
LE CASTELLET, France — Mercedes-Benz allowed Inside Line to test the new C63 AMG on the famed Paul Ricard test track here in Southern France, ahead of the car's official debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September. The C63 made a solid impression for its dramatic improvement in dynamics, driving excitement and finesse over the C55 it replaces.
The C63 AMG is based on the new third-generation C-Class. It goes on sale in North America next spring.
AMG's crushingly effective 6.2-liter V8 ups power to 457 horsepower — that's 95 hp more than the previous model and 37 more horses than the V8 in the new BMW M3. The 0-62-mph time, at a claimed 4.5 seconds, is a whopping 0.7 second inside the time quoted for the old C55. More to the point, it's 0.3 second faster than the new M3. Top speed is limited to 155 mph — or 174 mph with the optional Sport package, which also includes a limited-slip differential and a set of spectacular-looking 19-inch wheels.
AMG has again gone for a conventional automatic transmission, complete with a lock-up torque converter and the choice of comfort, sport and manual modes. The seven-speed unit is now on all models with AMG's new V8.
The C63 is a real-head turner, with visual potency to match its on-road muscle. Its aggressive good looks include a reworked front end with unique bumper, twin-blade grille and fenders with heavily flared wheel arches. The hood has two power domes to signal the new car's potential.
Inside, there has been a thorough makeover to enhance the inherent sportiness, including deep front bucket seats, revised instrument graphics and classy-looking aluminum trim.
What this means to you: The big question now is: does the new AMG seriously challenge the new M3? Drivers will decide that once both cars are out on the street.
The C63 AMG is based on the new third-generation C-Class. It goes on sale in North America next spring.
AMG's crushingly effective 6.2-liter V8 ups power to 457 horsepower — that's 95 hp more than the previous model and 37 more horses than the V8 in the new BMW M3. The 0-62-mph time, at a claimed 4.5 seconds, is a whopping 0.7 second inside the time quoted for the old C55. More to the point, it's 0.3 second faster than the new M3. Top speed is limited to 155 mph — or 174 mph with the optional Sport package, which also includes a limited-slip differential and a set of spectacular-looking 19-inch wheels.
AMG has again gone for a conventional automatic transmission, complete with a lock-up torque converter and the choice of comfort, sport and manual modes. The seven-speed unit is now on all models with AMG's new V8.
The C63 is a real-head turner, with visual potency to match its on-road muscle. Its aggressive good looks include a reworked front end with unique bumper, twin-blade grille and fenders with heavily flared wheel arches. The hood has two power domes to signal the new car's potential.
Inside, there has been a thorough makeover to enhance the inherent sportiness, including deep front bucket seats, revised instrument graphics and classy-looking aluminum trim.
What this means to you: The big question now is: does the new AMG seriously challenge the new M3? Drivers will decide that once both cars are out on the street.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Good-Bye McLaren: Mercedes Partners With AMG on New SLC Supercar
AFFALTERBACH, Germany — Following a decision to discontinue its project to build the midengine McLaren F2, Mercedes is instead moving forward with a different car to be built by AMG.
Mercedes originally partnered with McLaren Automotive to produce the 617-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and the $450,000, 200-mph supercar was launched in 2005. The car's development didn't go smoothly, as McLaren bridled under the requirement to create a front-engine car, while AMG wanted to build the car itself, not just the engine.
The cheaper, midengine F2 was supposed to be developed by McLaren once the SLR project reached production, but the project was halted in late 2004. Mercedes is certainly no stranger to midengine cars, as it unveiled its three remarkable C111 experimental cars in 1969 at the Frankfurt auto show and then raced at Le Mans in the 1990s with the CLK-GTR and CLR.
Mercedes has now decided to go its own way with what is being called the Mercedes SLC. The SLC will be lighter and smaller than the SLR, and is expected to be powered by a new, turbocharged 6.2-liter V8 built by AMG. The new supercar might share parts with the future SL Black Series, reducing the financial burden of the engineering costs.
The new car will be engineered by HWA, a racing company established by Hans Werner Aufrecht, one of the founding partners in AMG, which was acquired by Mercedes in 1999. HWA is located in Affalterbach, the same small town where AMG builds its special editions for Mercedes.
Mercedes expects to unveil the SLC concept at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, and if all goes well, production will begin near Stuttgart as early as 2009. Meanwhile, the midengine McLaren F2 will now be a solo effort by the racing company's automotive division at the elaborate McLaren Technical Center in Woking, England.
What this means to you: The Mercedes SLR McLaren has turned out to be the supercar no one wanted; now AMG is getting its chance to prove that it can build a better car than the McLaren.
Mercedes originally partnered with McLaren Automotive to produce the 617-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and the $450,000, 200-mph supercar was launched in 2005. The car's development didn't go smoothly, as McLaren bridled under the requirement to create a front-engine car, while AMG wanted to build the car itself, not just the engine.
The cheaper, midengine F2 was supposed to be developed by McLaren once the SLR project reached production, but the project was halted in late 2004. Mercedes is certainly no stranger to midengine cars, as it unveiled its three remarkable C111 experimental cars in 1969 at the Frankfurt auto show and then raced at Le Mans in the 1990s with the CLK-GTR and CLR.
Mercedes has now decided to go its own way with what is being called the Mercedes SLC. The SLC will be lighter and smaller than the SLR, and is expected to be powered by a new, turbocharged 6.2-liter V8 built by AMG. The new supercar might share parts with the future SL Black Series, reducing the financial burden of the engineering costs.
The new car will be engineered by HWA, a racing company established by Hans Werner Aufrecht, one of the founding partners in AMG, which was acquired by Mercedes in 1999. HWA is located in Affalterbach, the same small town where AMG builds its special editions for Mercedes.
Mercedes expects to unveil the SLC concept at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, and if all goes well, production will begin near Stuttgart as early as 2009. Meanwhile, the midengine McLaren F2 will now be a solo effort by the racing company's automotive division at the elaborate McLaren Technical Center in Woking, England.
What this means to you: The Mercedes SLR McLaren has turned out to be the supercar no one wanted; now AMG is getting its chance to prove that it can build a better car than the McLaren.
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