MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 Special Edition

Due to the to the high dealer demand, Mini USA announced that it will offer the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 special edition vehicles in the US. Don’t get too excited as the manufacturer will only bring only 50 of the hand-built vehicles. For those who don’t know, the car what was introduced back in 2009 at the MINI United Festival in Silverstone, England and is a tribute to both the birth of the brand and John Cooper’s first Formula One title victory 50 years ago.

Based on the MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop, the special edition comes with a special color called Connaught Green also known as the famous color of British race cars and is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in Pepper White. Besides the paint, the car is also equipped with a John Cooper Works Aero Kit, gloss black versions of the 17” Challenge spoke wheels, custom numbered side scuttles, a unique Championship Red Lounge Leather interior and carbon fiber accents throughout. The price of this car: $39,600 and $40,300 with the destination and handling costs.

Ferrari 599 GTO official Photos, Details and Specs

After few leaked photos, Ferrari finally unveiled its latest 599 GTO based on the 599XX, the advanced experimental track car. First of all let us tell you that the new car is going to be produced in a limited edition of just 599 units for 599 clients who seek the maximum expression of high-performance driving. The GTO designation a.k.a. Gran Turismo Omologata instantly calls to mind two Ferraris that have entered the collective imagination as symbols of performance: the 1962 250 GTO and the 1984 GTO. Ok, so let’s see what is under the hood of this baby! According to the manufacturer, the car uses the same 5999 cc 65-degree V12 engine (compatible with Euro 5 and LEV 2 standards) found on the 599 GTB but capable to deliver 670 hp @ 8250 rpm and a maximum torque of 620 Nm at 6500 rpm.

The car also features a second generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2), new springs and a stiffer rear anti-roll bar as well as the latest-generation F1-Trac traction control. The new 599 GTO is capable to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.35 seconds and has a top speed of over 335 km/h. The 599 GTO benefits directly from the technological transfer from racing and set a record lap time at Fiorano in 1’24”.

Regarding the new aerodynamic kit, Ferrari says the new front spoiler incorporates a separate lower wing that increases downforce at the front of the car and increases the flow of cooling air to the oil radiator while on the flans the new side sills improve the efficiency of the central section of the underbody. The kit is completed by the 20” rims wrapped in high performance tires: front tires are now 285/30 on a 9.5’’ channel with 315/35 on an 11.5’’ channel at the rear. Behind the rims we find a new and lighter CCM2 braking system. According to the manufacturer the new car boasts an excellent 100 to 0 km/h braking distance of just 32.5 metres.

Inside, the car-driver interface was designed to maximise car and driver performance with a layout of the main commands that ensures absolute efficiency and minimum distraction. The Racing manettino also puts the emphasis firmly on sporty, track-specific driving settings by offering the driver full choice with regard to the electronic control parameters. The ICE position found on the 599 GTB Fiorano has been replaced by the CT-Off (traction control off). Also, we find bespoke, longer carbon-fibre F1 paddles for easier use in high-speed driving as well as the Virtual Race Engineer, a system that monitors the status of the car and gives the driver immediate visibility of vehicle performance.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition

For those who don’t know, 2010 is the final year of production for the current-generation Dodge Viper and in order to celebrate this, the American manufacturer will build a limited production run of just 50 2010 Viper SRT10 “Final Edition” models. The new limited edition will be available in Coupe, Roadster and ACR (American Club Racer) model configurations. Each car will be available in Graphite Clear Coat body with a painted black center stripe traced in red (Coupe and ACR Final Edition models include a black windshield surround) and will carry unique side sill badges.

Inside we find black leather featuring custom red accent stitching, red painted halo surrounds on the gauge cluster and bright stainless steel screws in center stack bezel. Also, a plaque (1-50) will be located on the shifter bezel just above the unique Viper Final Edition floor mats. All the Viper Final Edition Coupe and Roadster models will be fitted with six-spoke wheels painted in Anthracite, while ACR models will come with five-spoke Sidewinder wheels in black. Under the hood we find the same .4-liter (510 cu. in.) V-10 engine capable to deliver 600 (450 kW) horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. (760 Nm) of torque.

With these numbers the car can hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range, 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat and a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h). This build of 50 Final Edition 2010 Dodge Vipers includes all three model configurations for the first time - 20 Coupes, 18 Roadsters and 12 ACRs. The production of these limited edition models will start in early summer.

Aston Martin Rapide Race Car

Aston Martin revealed today the racing version of its Rapide sedan, a new car which will compete in the 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race on 15/16 May 2010. It appears that this is the ultimate test for the car, according to Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez who will lead the Rapide driver team. “This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny, he said.

The new Rapida race car will be close to production standard and will be fitted with essential race safety modifications, a re-tuned suspension, slick tires designed for track use as well as a removed interior trim in order to reduce some weight. Regarding the Rapide, who wants to buy one has to know that the deliveries are starting later this month through Aston Martin’s 125-strong global dealership network.

2010 Renault Megane GT Line

The Renault Megane line-up gets a boost with the entry of the GT range. Developed by Renaultsport, this range is available for the Hatch, Coupe, Sport Tourer and Coupe-Cabriolet versions of the New Megane. From this range, customers can expect a sports chassis setting, new GT-design front and rear bumpers, 18-inch wheels, Renaultsport 250-specification seats with specific GT upholstery and additional lateral support. This range also gets Renaultsport’s 250-style steering wheel, aluminum pedal set and a dark charcoal interior trim with polished carbon highlights, rear parking sensors and bespoke badging on the grille and boot lid.

The GT versions fill the slot between the Privilege trim and Renaultsport models. Two engines are available: a TCe 180 petrol engine and the powerful, high-torque dCi 160 diesel powerplant. Those who prefer the GT look but with a smaller engine and price can opt for the GT-Line option pack fitted to the Dynamique trim level for only £1,290. The features include a sports chassis, 17- inch alloy wheels, GT front and rear bumpers, anthracite door mirrors and the Renaultsport 250-specification seats with specific GT upholstery and extra lateral support.

For these new versions, nine body colors are available. Malta Blue is exclusive for the GT and GT Line versions of the Megane range. Cayenne Orange, Glacier White and Mercury are exclusive for the Megane Hatch, Coupe and Sport Tourer. Pearlescent White and Royal Blue are intended solely for the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet. However, all four body styles are available in Ruby Red, Pearlescent Black and Eclipse dark grey.

Optional equipment includes metallic paint (£405), Malta Blue or Cayenne Orange i.d. paint (£495), extra-tinted rear windows (£205), dual-zone climate control (£410), heated front seats (£305), electric panoramic sunroof (£615), leather upholstery (£920), bi-xenon headlamps (£665), Carminat TomTom satellite navigation (£460) and the Arkamys 3D sound radio with multifunctional TunePoint (£360).

2011 Ford Focus RS500 Sport Car

This is the brand new Ford Focus RS500, a limited-edition of just 500 units based on the popular sporty hatchback. The new car marks the end of the current generation Ford Focus RS (Ford already announced that is currently working on a next-generation) and receives more power and torque compared to the standard version as well as a bespoke interior trim. Under the hood, we find the same five-cylinder engine featuring a new improved induction kit and a revised exhaust system, delivering an extra 45 bhp over the total output of the standard car of 300 hp.

Torque was also upgraded from 325lb ft to 339lb-ft. The new car is capable to make the sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.6 seconds (standard version makes it in 5.9 sec) while the top speed achieves is 163 mph or 262 km/h. As you can see from the photos, the new car comes in an matte black finish (the cars are painted in gloss black paint and then shipped to coatings specialist 3M’s site near where a matte film is laid over the top).

The gloss paint is retained only on the lower grille and splitter, the rear spoiler and the rear diffuser. In order to complete this design, brake calipers are finished in red. Inside, we find red detailing but also a plaque on the centre console with the car’s edition number. No words about the price yet!

New York Autoshow: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Prior to the New York Auto Show, General Motors revealed today the brand new Cadillac CRS-V Sport Wagon, foreshadowing the next addition to its V-Series performance line. The new car carries the same supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine found also on the sedan and coupe, capable to deliver an impressive 556 hp. The new CTS-V Sport Wagon offers six-speed automatic and manual transmissions and thanks to its powerful engine it pushes out 551 lb-ft of torque. With these numbers, the car is capable to hit 60 mph in less than four seconds, which is in line with the rest of its V siblings.

Despite its dimensions, the car loads on only about 200 pounds over the sedan. The chassis features magnetic ride control fitted with tour and sport settings, high-performance Brembo brakes as well as 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires. The fuel consumption of the car is expected to be around 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Regarding the pricing, expect a base-price of $61,000 and $65,000 for the version loaded with options. According to the manufacturer this is still a show car and it’s not intended for production, but some of its outfittings could be used for future trim packages.