2007 Maserati GranTurismo

This sexy coupe promises to banish the banality of the car it replaces.The Swiss love exotic cars, so it’s hardly a surprise to see Maserati’s most important product introduction of the year come to light at the Geneva auto show. Behold the Maserati GranTurismo coupe, penned by Ferrari’s favorite designer, Pininfarina. Recall that the previous Maserati coupe was a Giugiaro design. Built on a short-wheelbase version of the Quattroporte platform, the coupe carries on with a Ferrari-derived 4.2-liter DOHC V-8 upgraded to produce 405 horsepower. That’s nine more horses than the previous GranSport Coupe could boast and 11 more than the Quattroporte. The only transmission, at least initially, will be the six-speed automatic recently introduced on the Quattroporte, and there are no plans for a convertible in the near future. We estimate the new coupe will wear a $100,000-to-$120,000 price tag when it goes on sale this summer.

The 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007

The 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26th (Friday) through November 11th (Sunday) this year. The show will be opened to the public from October 27th (Saturday).
At this year's show, upgraded special events that involve audience participation and experiences will be offered to generate excitement about vehicles, such as five types of test ride programs where visitors can actually come in contact with cars. The entertainment aspect will be heightened so that a wide range of visitors including women and youth, as well as families, can enjoy a full day at the show. Services for visitors have also been enhanced by introducing an official travel agency and making the online ticket system “E-tix.” available.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (“JAMA,” Chairman: Fujio Cho) will hold the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City for 17 days from October 26th (Friday) through November 11th (Sunday) this year. The show will be opened to the public from October 27th (Saturday). There are two press days, October 24th (Wednesday) and 25th (Thursday). The Special Guest Day (Opening Ceremony) will be on October 26th (Friday).

The theme this year is “Catch the News, Touch the Future.” Vehicles from all over the world that provide our lives with diversified joy and excitement in addition to a focus on the environment, safety and comfort will gather at the Tokyo Motor Show. This theme directly expresses that this show is the place to encounter exciting and thrilling vehicles, while also expressing the show organizer's wish to convey the "joy and meaning of coming to the show."

Exhibitors lined up at this point include 4 governments, 1 organization, and 242 companies from 11 countries and 1 region. This is an increase of two companies compared to the previous show (39th show in 2005, Passenger Cars and Motorcycles). Besides using all of the Makuhari Messe facilities, outdoor exhibits will be set up for exhibition space amounting to a total of 44,687 m2 . This will be 11% larger than the 39th show.

The new integrated show making its debut this year will encompass passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, commercial vehicle bodies, parts, as well as machinery and tools etc., and will be held every other year hereafter. The Tokyo Motor Show aims to provide the maximum amount of information, all in one compact space where cutting-edge products and technologies gather, including many world premieres across a wide range of automotive categories.

One of the basic policies of JAMA activities is to materialize and appeal the dreams, joy, and wonder of cars. From this perspective, upgraded special events that involve audience participation and experiences will be offered to generate excitement about vehicles, such as five types of test ride programs where visitors can actually come in contact with cars. The entertainment aspect will be heightened so that a wide range of visitors including women and youth, as well as families, can enjoy a full day at the show. Services for visitors have also been enhanced by introducing an official travel agency and making the online ticket system “E-tix.” available.

Aston Martin reveals 007’s DBS for Casino Royale

British secret agent, in the next 007 film, “CASINO ROYALE”, to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions.

In true Bond style, specific details of the new DBS remain top secret, although Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman, said: “This car encapsulates a link between our elegant DB9 road car and the powerful DBR9 race car. It signals an evolutionary development of Aston Martin’s world renowned style and elegance.

“While hinting at our future design direction, the DBS also has very clear links with our heritage – it is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.”

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez added: “The DBS continues our proud and lengthy association with James Bond.

“The DBS is not of the understated elegance of a DB9, nor the youthful agility of the V8 Vantage. It is explosive power in a black tie and has its own unique character which will equal that of James Bond.”

Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, “CASINO ROYALE” is scheduled for release in November, 2006.

BMW M GmbH presents the M6 Convertible

BMW officially unveiled its wicked M6 coupe at the recent Geneva motor show, but it was no secret that a BMW M6 convertible wouldn't be far behind.

The first official pictures have been leacked on the internet. The lightweight 19-inch twin-spoke wheels are a dead giveaway to its Motorsport pedigree as are the extended side sills.

All the important specs should mimic the coupe, with a 507-horsepower V10 under the hood and a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox sending the power to the rear wheels. With the standard 6 Series cabrio weighing in about 400 pounds heavier than the coupe expect performance of the M6 convertible to be slightly less spectacular than the hardtop. 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a limited topspeed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Its official debut will be at the British International Motorshow starting next month.

Road-ready Audi R8 super car wows paris show

The new ultra-high performance Audi R8 combines the time-honoured hallmarks of the best of the classic sports cars with futuristic construction, transmission and suspension technologies, all underpinned by the steadfast reassurance of the quattro four-wheel-drive system.
Mounted longitudinally directly behind the cockpit of the comparatively lightweight, 1,560-kilogramme aluminium-bodied Audi sports car is a high-revving V8 petrol engine delivering 420 bhp, and contributing to an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 269 bhp per tonne. Spinning freely to its 8,250 rpm limit, this acclaimed unit punches the R8 through the 62 mph barrier in just 4.6 seconds and, in the right conditions, can carry it on to a top speed of 187 mph – an unprecedented high for a road-going Audi.


Driving purists can choose a six-speed manual transmission to channel the 430 Nm of torque to the four driven wheels, but they may also be tempted by the racing-inspired R tronic sequential shift gearbox with joystick and paddle control, which uses ‘shift-by-wire’ technology to provide exceptionally rapid gear changes.
By mounting the potent eight-cylinder unit as close as possible to the centre of the new R8, in deference to racing legends such as the Le Mans-winning R8 sports prototype and Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car, Audi engineers have achieved near perfect 44 per cent front / 56 per cent rear weight distribution for optimum handling balance. Dry sump engine lubrication - another racing-derived element – also furthers this aim by enabling the V8 to be mounted as close to the road as possible to lower the centre of gravity.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione: a legendary name for a unique car

The definitive version of the gorgeous exclusive Alfa 8C Competizione, Gran Turismo car that is to be produced in a limited edition makes its debut in Paris. The car, designed by Alfa Romeo, is directly derived from the concept car that aroused such admiration at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and has benefited from the best technical and industrial know-how that the Alfa-Maserati Sports Centre can offer. The cooperative venture between both manufacturers was conducted with a view to ensuring integration between the Alfa Romeo design departments and the Maserati production departments.
The 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo’s glorious past, projecting its brand values of technology and emotion into the future. The historical allusions begin with the evocative name, recalling the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo. The 8C code was used to identify cars (racing and on-road) of the Thirties and Forties equipped with the revolutionary eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano. The term ‘Competizione’ is intended as a homage to the ‘6C 2500 Competizione’, a sports coupé driven in 1950 by the duo Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race.


The engine is the beating heart of any Alfa Romeo. In this case it takes the form of a brand new 90° V 8 cylinder unit with a cylinder capacity of 4691 cc that was designed with one aim in mind: to ensure extraordinary performance while still offering a smooth drive and being usable in all circumstances, from the track to city traffic.
The top engine performance figures may be summarised as a maximum power output of 450 bhp at 7000 rpm, a peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm and a top speed of 7500 rpm.

2004 Maserati MC12

Maserati has designed a new road-going Grand Tourer known as the MC12 from which a GT racing version has also been developed. The result is that 37 long years after its last victory in an international championship (1967, Cooper Maserati F1, South African Grand Prix), the Trident is returning to the track.

The Ferrari Maserati Group's wealth of knowledge and technological excellence have been poured into the design of the new car. In addition to this, its styling was developed in the wind tunnel from a Giugiaro idea by the Maserati technicians with the fundamental contribution of Frank Stephenson, the Ferrari Maserati Group's own Director of Concept Design and Development. The European type-approved version of the new car goes on sale after the summer.



Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 km/h at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car. It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface. The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati's return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light, inspired by the equally impressive single-series protagonist. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati's Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.



The client version for road use will be available exclusively in a white and blue livery, harking back to an old Trident tradition. In fact, blue and white are the colours of the America Camoradi (Casner Motor Racing Division) Scuderia which raced the famous Maserati Tipo 60-61 Birdcages in the very early 1960s with Stirling Moss as their lead driver.