by Alex Nunez

British buff mag CAR has posted the first photo of the Geneva-bound Bentley Havana coupe. This fixed-roof version of the Azure convertible will have big power coming from the twin-turbo V8 under its substantial hood. Figure 450 ponies and an asphalt-damaging 675 ft-lbs of torque and you’ve got the idea. As for the rest, what do you expect? Its a Bentley, so figure on an interior that’s nicer than some homes with a sticker price to match.

The Havana (no word on if that name will carry through to production) will round out Bentley’s offerings, giving the automaker a coupe/convertible/sedan showroom presence for both its car lines. It’s been a while since the boys from Crewe had a full-sized coupe, so this is one car we’re really looking forward to checking out next year in Geneva.

[Source: Georg Kacher, CAR]

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by Damon Lavrinc

More developments are underway as to what marque within Ford’s Premier Auto Group (PAG) will be unloaded and to whom. The recent news is that more than 30 would-be investors began a bidding war for Aston Martin recently and when the dust settled, four were left standing.

Some of the investors knocked out during the process include Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, who partnered with other investors hailing from Asia. Dr. Bez and his friends were escorted out of the building along with the European business duo of Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere.

Of the four left standing, three have yet to disclose their identity publicly. The one that has been confirmed is Simon Halabi, who was born in Syria and has supposedly thrown over $1 billion into the ring.

With this much activity transpiring, we’d expect a sale to take place soon. Exactly when is another question.

[Source: Market Watch via Jalopnik]

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by Scott Davis

Ferraris have often been compared to beautiful women. Like some of the aforementioned companions, they can become high-maintenance over time. Sure, the first couple of years of getting to really know each other are fun (or, in the case of the Ferrari, under warranty). But once the honeymoon is over, however, you might find that your bank account is getting more attention than you are, and that maybe this endeavour is a little more than you bargained for.

Sports Car Market has a story covering the first 6 ½ years of the life of a very-well-maintained Ferrari 550 Maranello. It began life as a $225,000 plaything for a successful real-estate investor in California. The well-documented repair history takes you through 36,000 miles of Ferrari ownership, and illustrates why owning a Ferrari means so much more than being able to simply buy one in the first place.

On the surface, it seems amazing just how much money has been spent on maintaining, personalizing, and repairing this vehicle. It’s really all relative, though. For someone of considerable wealth, covering the maintenance costs of a Ferrari is no different than a person of average means picking up the tab to maintain his or her Toyota, Ford, Honda, or Chevy. The Sports Car Market piece is interesting because it provides such an unusually comprehensive look at one particular exotic’s total cost of ownership. Make sure you read it through to the end for a great quote from one of the subject car’s owners, which helps put it all into perspective.

Like we said, everything’s relative.

[Source: Sports Car Market Magazine]

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We’re so accustomed to seeing gonzo performance machinery from the speed merchants at TechArt, that more “restrained” products like their customized Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S practically fly under the radar. TechArt has produced a power kit for the cars that adds 15 horsepower and increased throttle response regardless of whether you’re driving a 3.6L Carrera 4 or the 3.8L C4S.

Naturally, they encourage you to also take the opportunity to complememt the power kit with one of their stainless exhaust systems and suspension upgrades. And since you’re going through the trouble to dial in the handling and give your C4 a little extra punch, you may as well take it the rest of the way and add the visual juice you only get with TechArt’s aero mods. Those include a choice of front end treatments, side skirts, fixed rear spoiler, a restyled rear bumper, and their signature Formula wheels. Inside, they’ll trim out your car however you like.

No matter how you cut it, it’s going to be nasty, and your neighbor’s stock Carrera is going to look totally pedestrian next to it.

[Source: TechArt]

PRESS RELEASE:
TechArt Customizes the Porsche Models 911 Carrera 4 and 4S (997)

Powerful engine tuning and exclusive accessories that leave nothing to be desired: TechArt Automobildesign also offers an extensive customization program for the new 997-series models Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S.

TechArt also provides engine tuning for both water-cooled six-cylinder engines of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, coupe or cabriolet. The TechArt power kits TA 097/1 for the 3.6-liter version and TA 097/S1 for the Carrera S with 3.8-liter displacement each consist of a sport air filter and newly programmed engine electronics.

After the installation, which can be done directly at TechArt Automobildesign or by any authorized Porsche dealer, maximum power output for each model increases by 15 hp / 11 kW.

Performance improves accordingly: Depending on vehicle weight and the type of tires acceleration time from 0 - 100 km/h improves by slightly under half a second. Top speed increases by some 5 km/h. Even more important for everyday use is the even more spontaneous throttle response and the further improved liveliness of the tuned engines.

The perfect complement to the power kits is TechArt exhaust tuning, of which various versions are available. The product lineup includes oval-shaped dual tailpipes for the production exhaust system, a throttle-controlled sport exhaust system and a complete high-performance exhaust system with high-performance manifolds, sport catalysts and rear muffler.

Sporty elegance characterizes the design of the TechArt aerodynamic-enhancement kit: The production front apron receives more visual emphasis from the TechArt front spoiler. But that’s not all: The spoiler reduces aerodynamic lift, thus further improving directional stability at high speeds.

The alternatively available TechArt Type II front apron with integrated splitter produces downforce on the front axle and supplies lots of fresh air to the coolers and front brakes via larger, distinctively styled air intakes.

The TechArt side sills give the sportscar a longer, sleeker look. The understated TechArt rear spoiler optimizes the effect of the retractable production rear spoiler and lends the cabriolet an even more exciting appearance.

TechArt also developed a rear diffuser for the 997 models, which extends the rear apron downward and provides a dramatic backdrop for the two oval-shaped twin tailpipes of the TechArt sport exhaust system.

TechArt also offers an extensive wheel and suspension program: Owners of the new Porsche 911 Carrera or Carrera S can refine their cars with striking, light-weight TechArt Formula five-spoke wheels with 18-, 19- or 20-inch diameters.

The most exclusive version for the 911 Carrera 4 or 4S features one-piece TechArt Formula light-alloy wheels in size 8.5Jx20 in front and in size 12Jx20 on the rear axle. TechArt recommends ContiSportContact 2 tires in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 for mounting on these wheels.

Custom-calibrated to the TechArt tire/wheel combinations are the TechArt suspension solutions. The range of modifications starts with TechArt sport springs for a ride-height lowering of some 25 millimeters. It culminates in the TechArt Vario sport suspension that was developed in cooperation with Bilstein. Contrary to conventional coil-over suspensions this innovative solution not only offers the ability to lower the ride-height on front and rear axle individually by up to some 35 millimeters; the TechArt Vario sport suspension also features sport shocks with adjustable bound and rebound. This allows the suspension set-up to be adjusted to individual driver’s preferences and to the predominant use of the car – on public roads or on the racetrack.

TechArt Automobildesign also offers a height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension for the 997 models with PASM.

For the 997 model series TechArt also offers sport sway bars, a dome cross-brace, and a high-performance brake system with eight-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 365- or 380-millimeter brake discs.

As a world-renowned specialist for exclusive interior creations TechArt Automobildesign also offers individual interiors for the latest 911 Carrera 4 and 4S in all colors and designs.

The program comprises exclusive TechArt Colorline fully leather interiors as well as sporty accessories: TechArt offers ergonomically shaped airbag sport steering wheels, foot pedals, foot rest and shift knob all made from aluminum as well as stainless-steel sill plates with TechArt logo.

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By Noah Joseph on modena

Aluminum giant Alcoa has opened a new facility in Modena specifically to provide aluminum space frames and components to Ferrari.

The two companies began collaborating in 1994, when Ferrari determined that the lightweight metal was the way to go to reduce weight and improve the dynamics of its road cars, and began producing the space frames for the 360 Modena in 1998. Today Alcoa is Ferrari’s development and construction partner, with the aluminum conglomerate providing the frames for the F430, 612 Scaglietti and the new 599 GTB Fiorano.
Until now, Alcoa produced the components at their own plants in Hungary, Germany and the Netherlands and sent them to the Ferrari factory in Italy where Alcoa personnel assembled them into full space frames at Scaglietti Works, Ferrari’s body panel facility. With the new state-of-the-art 5,000-square-meter, million-euro facility, Alcoa will produce the space frames on site. The factory includes two high-speed robotic machining centers, two robotic joining centers and 12 space-frame assembly cells.
Alcoa’s overall investment in Italy totals nearly $300 million, having taken over Alumix in 1996 and incorporating six facilities: three extrusion plants, two smelters and one rolling mill, employing 1,900 workers directly and 4,000 indirectly. While we’re not likely to see any direct results from the new facility, it should help Ferrari produce its cars more efficiently, which is good all around.
[Source: FerrariWorld via Motorpasion]

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Posted Oct 29th 2006 8:08AM by Alex Nunez

Anyone who’s gotten married or has had to arrange for chauffeur-driven transportation for an event knows that with the hourly rates limo services charge, the bill adds up in a hurry. James Alice, a UK car-for-hire firm, built its reputation hiring out high-end cars such as the Bentley Arnage, BMW 7 Series, and an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante, primarily for wedding use, based on what’s detailed on the company’s website.

James Alise is ready to turn the conventional wisdom on it’s head, however, by adding a new service. They will provide customers with a chauffeur-driven Arnage for a week. The cost? A flat £2,000. Want the Bimmer instead (why anyone would is a good question)? That’s just £1,750. Those prices include unlimited mileage. The only cost above and beyond the stated rate is for fuel.

So if you’re heading to the St. Ives area and want to roll in ultimate style, these folks will be able to accomodate you.

[Source: Auto Industry]

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