The exotic Italian automaker Maserati unveiled a drop top version of its successful GT sports car, called the GranCabrio, at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The GranCabrio is Maserati’s first four seater convertible and has the longest wheelbase on the market will go on sale beginning in March of 2010. The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 Liter V8 that produces 433 HP at a screaming 7000 RPM and 362 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the high revving V8, the GrandCabrio is slated to run from 0 to 60 MPH in around the 5 second mark and continue on up to a 180 MPH top speed.
The GranCabrio represents the very essence of Maserati in terms of open air motoring. It’s a Maserati in the purest sense of the word: from the unmistakable styling carried out by Pininfarina to the luxurious and spacious interior. From the craftsmanship of each detail to the driving pleasure and performance the Maserati GranCabrio enriches all five senses, without the need to sacrifice comfort and performance.
Updated 02/09/10:Maserati revealed a new image gallery of the Maserati GranCabrio and also a series of video of the car on the road. Check them out!
Updated 12/22/2010: Maserati North America announced that the GranCabrio has been sold out on the US market. Starting at a price of $136,000, the GranCabrio has considerable improved Maserati’s sales on the North American market, up 49% compared to 2009.
Press release after the jump.
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Kia unveiled the Koup concept in 2008 at the New York Auto Show. Only one year later, at the same show, the Korean automaker brought out the Forte Koup, a model that kept quite faithful to the original concept. The Forte Coupe will be offered in EX and SX versions, with prices starting at $16,595 and $17,695, respectively.
The idea for the car is simple: a sleeker two door coupe version of the Forte sedan, this also means that the engine lineup will carry over from the sedan. The Koup will be available with either a 2.0 Liter four cylinder making 156 HP and a larger 2.4 Liter four banger putting out 173 HP. In either case, both engines are mated to either a six speed manual or a five speed automatic transmission. With standard equipment including: air conditioning, a driver’s seat height adjuster, adjustable rear seat headrests, tilt steering column, rear defroster, center console with dual cup holders, map lamps and variable intermittent wipers.
Press release after the jump.
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Only a few hours ago we told you about the Japanese premium automaker’s plans to release a razor sharp Special Edition Subaru WRX STI complete with a host of suspension parts from the track tuned Spec C model. Well now the all wheel drive automaker is telling us that they are also bringing a more luxurious Limited Edition of the slightly less powerful WRX to the L.A. Auto Show.
Although it’s not an STI with its more mundane 265 HP 2.5 Liter turbocharged flat four, however with its symmetrical all wheel drive system and refined interior this is much like the leather wrapped Limited model that Subaru sold back in 2007. Based on the 2010 Impreza WRX, the Limited Edition adds a leather interior, moonroof and SIRIUS Satellite Radio over the already well equipped WRX Premium. Wow, it looks like Subaru is finally giving their customers what they want, if scandinavian flicks and embarrassing cars more than three times as expensive at the track then you can have your all out Special Edition STI and if you just want to have a smile on your face every time you get out of your Impreza and also relax in leather, then this Limited Edition WRX is for you.
Updated 02/08/10: Subaru announced prices for the Impreza WRX Limited Edition: the 4-door WRX Limited will be priced at $28,495 while the 5-door model will be priced at $28,995.
Aside from the 2011 Infiniti M luxury sedan, the upscale arm of the Nissan Motor Company also revealed the 2010 G37 sedan today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For the 2010 model year, Infiniti will offer the G37 in four trims. Starting out with the base model, moving on to the G37 Journey, then the all wheel drive G37x and finally the G37 Sport with a six speed manual transmission. All models will be offered with a revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior and upgraded technologies.
The 2010 G37 sedan is powered by a 3.7 Liter VVEL V6 engine that delivers 328 HP and 269 lb-ft of torque and is mated to either a seven speed automatic transmission with auto blip Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport Mode and Adaptive Shift Control for enhanced driving pleasure while a six speed manual is also offered as an option on the G37 Sport model.
The new Infiniti G37 comes with restyled features like new headlights and a reshaped grill, High Intensity Discharge Xenon headlights standard, more angular wide mouth front bumper and integrated fog lights. For the 2010 model year, the G37 receives two new exterior colors, Smoky Quartz and Graphite Shadow and Maple Accent Wood Trim on the interior. The new G will also be available with several packages and options like the Premium Package, Navigation Package, Technology Package, separate Sport Packages for the G37 Journey and G37x AWD, as well as a Performance Tire & Wheel Package.
Press release after the jump.
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Ferrari started out their XX based Corse Clienti program with a track tuned evolution of the Enzo super car called the FXX, now it has the 599 GTB Fiorano inspired 599XX for their most privileged of customers to fool around in. The essence of both cars is the same; they were both designed for the exclusive clientele program and are both used for testing new racing technology. The 599’s engine now delivers a maximum output of 700 HP at a screaming 9,000 RPM and is mated to an all new SuperFast gearbox that is able to swap cogs in a mere 60 milliseconds.
The 599XX is characterized by an innovative system called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept" which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the vehicle by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls.
Updated 02/01/2010: New image gallery from Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit where Felipe Massa was at the wheel on the last day of the Ferrari 599XX’s on track debut activities. Check the picture gallery!
Update 04/28/2010: As if we needed another reason to absolutely fall in love with the Ferrari 599XX again. This time, this amazingly luxurious supercar established a new world record on the 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit: it become the first ever production-derived sports car to break the 7-minute barrier. The sports car managed an impressive lapping time of 6 min 58.16 seconds. Seriously, can it get any better than this car? Check out this serious video after the jump.
UPDATE 08/12/2010: A Matte Black and a Black Gray Ferrari 599XX have been spotted by a photographer who was at the right place, at the right time. Check them out by clicking here!
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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