2011 Audi R8 5.2 Spyder Quattro V10

Audi has announce pricing on the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 Quattro V10, which will hit U.S. showrooms in the new Iron Man 2 movie. Prices will start at $161,000 for the R8 Spyder 5.2 quattro manual and $170,000 for the R8 Spyder 5.2 quattro R tronic gearbox. Before options, of course.

In case you need to be reminded, the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 quattro comes with the same V10 engine found in the R8 LMS racecar and the R8 5.2 quattro coupe, which means it can produce 525 HP at 8000 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 quattro can hit a top speed of 195 mph and it only takes 4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stand still. Like the coupe, the Spyder gets all the usual Audi goodness you’d expect: quattro all-wheel-drive, a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed R tronic gearbox, and, since it’s a convertible, heat-resistant leather that can remain up to 68 degrees cooler than regular leather thanks to a special treament process.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tesla Roadster with LOL OIL License Plate

Owning one of the world’s most electrifying and exclusive four-wheelers not enough for you? In that case, for only $101,500 plus the cost of a custom plate, you too can get a bright orange Tesla Roadster and a vanity plate that rubs pretty much every other road user up the wrong way.  Here is a California owner of the fully-electric Tesla Roadster with a license plate that reads LOL OIL.

Read the rest of this entry »

Every performance and tuning company envisions their own spectacular design for a new luxury or performance car. Mansory is well known for many different applications that essentially takes an already exotic car to a whole new level as they recently did with the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Dubbed Rolls-Royce White Ghost, Mansory’s concept comes with both styling and performance tweaks.

Limited Edition Rolls Royce White Ghost from Mansory

The Mansory Rolls Royce White Ghost features subtle changes that give the British luxury saloon a touch of sportiness through elements like the slightly redesigned front end with LED daytime running lights and vertical air outlets on the sides, new side skirts, a new rear spoiler and apron with integrated diffuser plus the dual pipe exhaust system. Rounding off the look are the 22-inch compact wheels with a diamond-polished surface fitted with Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires.

Read the rest of this entry »

While officially the Bugatti 16C Galibier concept remains as merely a design study, this hasn’t stopped the marquee from releasing a fresh batch of photos of the ultra-luxury model. In these photos that the car manufacturer has released after a special media presentation, which took place at the Volkswagen Group Evening on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Bugatti has included images of the 16C Galibier in a black finish.

Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept Car

The Bugatti 16 C Galibier is one of the several concepts which the company is considering for a future model. Power comes from a 8.0L 16-cylinder engine that features two-stage supercharging and boasts of an 800-horsepower output. The engine is flex-fuel compatible, meaning it can run on ethanol. The Bugatti Galibier rides on a four-wheel-drive system and features ceramic brakes and a new suspension design that enables – agile, always-sure handling of a saloon of this size.

Read the rest of this entry »

Following on form last year’s unveiling of the Citroen Revolte, this year’s Geneva Motor Show is showcasing the new Citroen Survolt as part of the French company’s continued efforts in electric vehicles. Probably one of the best looking concepts at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show floor, Survolt take best of Citroen Revolte concept and the Citroen GT concept.

Citroen Survolt Concept

Citroen’s latest concept car, the Survolt, is an unusual design study meant to show off a potential all-electric performance vehicle in an extravagant and “high-fashion” package.  Performance specs were not revealed on the two-seater, but the French automaker does state that the car has a “motor racing punch”. The design is impressive, featuring voluptuous bonnet and generous, sculpted flanks highlighted by emphatic wheel arches as well as a front end characterised by slim, horizontal headlights, a large oval-shaped grille with Citroen’s integrated double chevrons and an eye-catching vehicle badge design. The rear design is completed by the impressive spoiler, a must-have in motor sport.

Read the rest of this entry »

At Tokyo Auto Salon 2010, a Honda Odyssey bedazzled with 70.000 carats of Kyoto Opal was introduced. Kyoto Opal is a new material created using gemstone synthesis technology developed by Kyocera and it is based on the same Quartz grains as natural Opal.

Honda Odyssey

By coloring Kyoto Opal artificially, a diverse range of hues can be produced. In addition, a variety of cuts can be achieved, overcoming the cracking and chipping that occur in natural opal. Kyocera’s Kyoto Opal has been combined with Jewel Paint, a new coating technology from Honda Net Nara, a specialist in sheet metal coating and car customization.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two weeks ago we wrote about Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and yesterday, Maserati North America officially announced the price of $135,800 for this luxury car.

Maserati GranTurismo Convertible

For that kind of cash you get: a stunning four-seat droptop supercar with a 433 italian horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 engine, six-speed adaptive automatic transmission with standard paddle shifters. Driver and passenger can hear the full brunt of the engine by lowering the top, a 24-second process that doesn’t compromise rear seat room or trunk space.

Read the rest of this entry »