Monday, 19 November 2007
Friday, 16 November 2007
Stoner tries out Alfa 8C Competizione at Balocco
Newly crowned MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner swapped his usual two wheels for four today as he got behind the wheel of the breathtaking Alfa 8C Competizione for a high speed test session around Alfa Romeo's private proving ground at Balocco.
The young Australian sensationally rode to the 2007 MotoGP title on a Ducati Desmosedici GP7 during his first season with the Italian factory team. Alfa Romeo meanwhile has been an 'Official Sponsor' of Ducati Corse in 2006 and 2007 (the MotoGP bikes carry Alfa Romeo decals and the carmaker supplies cars to the team), while Stoner himself drives an Alfa Brera 3.2 V6 which he recently collected from the Mirafiori Motor Village in Turin.
Stoner spent some time testing the sensational 4.7-litre V8 engined sportscar around the high speed straights and very demanding curves of Alfa Romeo's historic private test track at Balocco. He declared himself highly impressed by the Alfa Centre Stile-designed car which was styled to evoke memories of legendary Alfa Romeo cars: "Indeed extraordinary," he enthused. "The Alfa 8C Competition is the best automobile that I have ever tried."
First shown in concept form to rave reviews at the Frankfurt IAA in 2003, just 500 units of the Alfa 8C Competizione are now being built. The surprise announcement was made last summer and it was shown in final production format at the Paris Motor Show just over a year ago. The car's new 4691cc 90 degree V8 engine develops 450 CV at 7,000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It is being built at the Maserati factory in Modena.
Suzuki Makai
Concurrent with the arrival of the 2008 SX4 Sport production vehicle, Suzuki further expands its highly popular and media-acclaimed Suzuki LIVE Series (LIFE VEHICLES) – a line of brand-dedicated concept vehicles specially designed for life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers.
With spirited colors and a playful design, Suzuki’s newest LIVE Series offering, the Makai concept, is based on the all-new 2008 SX4 Sport and has a dedicated open-car bodystyle for breezy fun-in-the-sun motoring – the perfect ingredient for an exhilarating driving experience. Fabricated and painted by Andry Specialty Vehicles of Torrance, Calif., the Makai’s potential is fully realized with its comprehensive list of imaginative, high-style features.
From the ground up, its large 19-inch CEC wheels, wide Michelin Pilot sport tires, four-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors and Rotora calipers further enhance the Makai’s wide, aggressive stance. Adorned with multi-step sunset orange paint, custom body kit, styled exhaust, and LED taillights and running lamps, the Makai’s exterior is sure to turn curious heads.
Beachgoers and surf aficionados will enjoy the ride to the beach just as much as the beach itself with Makai’s custom surfboard mounting rack and dual matching sunset orange trimmed boards. A shaved windscreen and targa rear hoop further enhances the Makai’s sporty open-air look.
The Makai’s al fresco cabin is complete with custom interior components, including ventilated, suspended seats in all four positions, high output, beach party-themed VeaLink audio system with MTX speakers and components, dashboard-integrated Garmin® navigation system, Kinetik Power Cell battery, StreetWires audio/video install kit and cabling, Momo Sport steering wheel and color-keyed interior accent lighting.
Porsche 997 GT3 RS named 2007 EVO Car of the Year
EVO magazine has picked its Car of the Year Winner: the Porsche GT3 RS, which we're going to call The Orange Crush from now on. It only just beat out the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, and had only slightly more breathing between it and the third place Audi R8. Looking at the entire top ten list, two race-cars-for-the-street beat eight other cars with nifty little features like power windows and leather seats, which makes sense, but even cars like the 350Z and Mini Cooper S Works still made it on the list.
However, the most interesting result could be that the Honda Civic Type R came in sixth... one spot ahead of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. We have no idea what their exact criteria was, not having read the article, but it appears that at EVO, raging bulls should be a little more ... civic.
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