Every time we see Pininfarina make the news with a new concept it’s developing, we can’t help but get excited about what the Italian coachbuilder has in store for us.
Well, it looks like Pininfarina is preparing something; a concept, it appears, that will make its debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este later this month.
The concept, which has been dubbed as the one-off Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe, was designed and collaborated with BMW and comes as a notable successor to the BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe that BMW and Zagato also introduced at last year’s event.
While the two companies said nothing about it, it has been rumored that the concept is in fact a preview version of a possible 8-Series luxury car. We’re jut hopping it will become reality!
Updated 05/24/2013: BMW has unveiled the official details, images and specs on the new Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept.
Full story
Have we ever told you Marchettino is our favorite Youtube user? Yes, we know we did, but we are saying it once again! And if you don’t trust us just watch this pretty cool video he has filmed at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The start of the video: BMW i8 Concept.
The BMW i8 Concept is powered by a 220 HP turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine driving the rear axle combined with two electric motors driving the front wheels and that add another 139 HP. As a result the i8 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and will offer a fuel economy of 94 mpg. Top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph.
Impressive numbers for the i8, right? But it has been reported that the future of the hybrid supercar has been endangered. Lets hope not, though!
Last week, we let you in on BMW’s newest creation, the Zagato Coupe, which is obviously based on the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is, sans the ragtop. At that time, we didn’t have any real engine news to give and the details are still pretty spotty at best. We have learned that the engine pumps out a rather impressive-for-its-size 400 horsepower, but that’s not even the most incredible part.
The most impressive part of this Zagato concept is not its power or stunning looks. What draws us in is its impressive sound. This beast does not sound like your typical, comfy BMW. It actually sounds like a purebred racecar just looking for a little asphalt to lay some vulcanized rubber upon. We can now share this sound with you, thanks to a video from Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este of this fantastic Bimmer rolling up to the red judging mat.
One thing that we were waiting for while watching the video was for the driver to get a little randy and accidentally put a little too much foot into it and spray gravel all over the photographers. Thankfully, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este hires only the most professional of folks to drive these display cars and no such thing happened. We are not too sure if we could have resisted the urge to put that 400-horsepower turbocharged beast and the agility of the trailing photographers to the test. And that is why we are not driving cars to the judging mat at these shows!
Enjoy the above video and keep your fingers crossed that BMW will actually release this awesome machine. The video starts a little slow with a series of gratuitous shots of the Zagato’s sexy exterior. You can skip to the 0:57-mark to get right to the piston-pounding action.
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2012 is in the books and one automaker, which was surprisingly not BMW – the sponsor of the event – cleaned up house by taking home four awards, including the most prestigious award. The winner of three of the four awards is a 1933 6C 1750 GS, an ultra-rare specimen from Alfa Romeo. The main prize that this beauty won was the “Concorso d’Eleganza Best of Show” by vote of the jury, which is the top award. In addition to this top prize, the Alfa Romeo also took home the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este” and the “Tropheo BMW Group Italia” by public vote.
The 6C 1750 GS was part of a series of road and race cars that Alfa Romeo manufactured from 1929 through 1933. While all of the models have their own special place in automotive history, this 1933 6C 1750 GS is especially rare. This model was designed by Figoni coach builders and boasts a 1,752 cc in-line six-cylinder engine, which cranked out a then-impressive 102 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 126 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.
In addition to the 6C taking home three awards, Alfa Romeo took home yet another award. This prize was handed to the 4C, as it won the “Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes,” which is voted on by the public. This sleek and sexy sports car takes its styling cues from the 8C Competizione and boasts a 200-horsepower 1,750 cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine. An official at the event was quoted “…the 4C represents the essence a of true sports soul in accordance with the brand’s values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence for maximum driving pleasure in complete safety.” And we certainly agree with that interpretation.
In closing, we tip our hats to Alfa Romeo and impatiently await the release of the 4C’s debut in the U.S. in 2013.
Click past the jump to read the full press release.
Full story
This year’s Concorso d’Eleganza brought together some of the most amazing models out there. No doubt that the most impressive ones were the new BMW Zagato Coupe or the Aston Martin Project AM 310. But next to them people could admire supercars previously announced and equally impressive.
One of them was the Rimac Concept One - quite an unexpected presence near the Italian lakes.
Rimac Concept One is an impressive electric supercar built by Croatians and announced to be put into limited production: only 88 units will be produced, each unit coming with a price tag of €740,000 ($980,000 at the current rates).
Concept One features a unique powertrain which is divided into four sub-systems, each consisting of one motor and delivering an impressive 1,088 HP and 2,802 lb/ft of torque. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 189 mph.
One more video after the jump.
Full story
During this past week-end at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance, Aston Martin has displayed the new Project AM 310 - a preview version of the next generation DBS set to be unveiled in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
While Aston Martin is still not offering any official details on this new concept, numerous internet sources are suggesting that the AM 310 will be powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine with output increased to 573 HP - an increase o 63 HP over the engine currently used in model like V12 Vantage, DBS and DB9.
Also, the new AM 310 will be featuring a lightweight construction and comes with a transaxle gearbox and wishbone suspension. The concept is also making intense use of carbon fiber elements, while it is easily to notice lots of design elements inspired by the One-77 supercar - a feature already confirmed for the next DBS.
All we can say is that sure the next DBS will be bolder and more aggressive and we can hardly wait to see it on the roads.
Hit the jump to watch the Aston Martin Project AM 310 in action at Villa d’Este.
UPDATE 06/04/12: Aston Martin has released a new teaser video of the Project AM310, calling it "The Art of Aston Martin". It’s got plenty of shots of thunder clouds, a Japanese samurai, a fighter pilot, and even a shark - but no sign of the Project AM310. Talk about the ultimate tease.
UPDATE 06/15/12: Even if Aston Martin has already unveiled the AM 310 Project at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance, the company is continuing to tease the new supercar and also announced the new 310 will arrive soon.
UPDATE 02/19/13: Aston Martin’s Project AM310 is a saucy piece of ride. That’s why Aston Martin is taking the time to release a new promo video of the limited edition supercar, complete with emphasis on the car’s carbon fiber body, the chassis, and most importantly, the powerful V12 engine. Check it out by clicking on the photo above.
Full story
Aston Martin will be celebrating the iconic DB4GT Zagato’s 50th anniversary with a new concept car developed in collaboration with the Italian design house Zagato. The concept car made its first appearance at the Villa D’Este Concours on May 21st, 2011 and will make its racing debut at Nürburgring on May 28th.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive said: "The DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato has combined successfully to make some of the world’s most desirable collector cars in the past and in this special anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato it is appropriate to explore a modern collaboration. Now is the right time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining our design intelligence I think we can create something fitting of the iconic DB4GT Zagato that has gone before and since established itself as one of the most famous Aston Martins of all time."
The original Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato made its first appearance in 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was essentially a much lighter DB4 GT that got worked on by the Italian Coachbuilder to include a 3670 cc straight-6 DOHC engine that produced 314 HP with a top speed of 154 mph.
UPDATE 07/01/2011: The V12 Zagato has finally been listed on the Aston Martin web page, giving us an official confirmation that it will soon go on sale. According to the web site, "only a strictly limited run of road going cars will be built" and we will get more details about in the next few weeks.
UPDATE 07/0711: Now this is what we’re talking about! Aston Martin has finally given the pricing for the V12 Zagato. But that’s where the good news ends, at least as far as those that will have a hard time affording it. Anybody who wants to score this limited edition piece of beauty will have to shell out £330,000, which is around $528,000 based on current exchange rates. Gulp.
UPDATE 08/12/11: Aston Martin announced today that the V12 Zagato concept next with the One-77 supercar will make their American debuts in Monterey from August 17th to 21st. The V12 Zagato will debut in the evening of Wednesday August 17th at McCall’s Motorworks Revival and Aston Martin has confirmed once again that a strictly limited production run of the V12 Zagato will commence in summer 2012.
"Guests will be given the rare opportunity to test drive our latest model range, including the new Virage and Vantage S, as well as the four-door Rapide" commented Julian Jenkins, Vice President Aston Martin the Americas. "We are very excited about the program this year including the debut of the V12 Zagato, and we look forward to welcoming current owners, new customers and automotive enthusiasts to share our celebrations at The Aston Martin Estate."
Hit the jump to read more about the new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept.
Full story
Pininfarina and Ferrari are two companies in the automotive industry that live and breathe pure excellence. Match them up with one of the most luxurious events of the year - the Villa d Este Concorso D’Eleganza - and the outcome is a one-off model based on either the 599 GTB Fiorano or the P540 Superfast Aperta (pictured).
Rivaling previous years’ debuts like the BMW M1 Homage and the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa by Zagato, the Ferrari Super America 45 by Pininfarina is a project that was specially requested by a client from New York. It is described as a "convertible, 6 cilindri, 6000 ccm" model. While we only have the first details at the momemt, the official press release says:
"A recent and fascinating trend in the rarefied world of top end Ferrari collectors is the commissioning of one off bespoke version of high end models from Italian coach builders. Several ‘special clients’ have approached Pininfarina (and others) in recent years to build uniquely styled cars, an idea that goes back to the fifties went customers like film director Roberto Rossellini had a special car built for his wife, Ingrid Bergman. The Villa d Este is the natural setting for the exposure of such special vehicles and as well as the Glickenhaus P4/5 this year we have this very special Ferrari Super America belong to the New York."
UPDATE 05/19/2011: Ferrari has unveiled the first official details on the Superamerica 45 - another one-off model that will make its world debut this weekend at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. The model will be distinguished by a carbon-fiber rotating hard-top with a rear screen, body colored rear buttresses, double air vents on the front wing, a specific chromed front grille and special burnished aluminum A-pillars, wing mirrors, and door handles. The model will be painted in an exclusive Blu Antille, contrasting with darker blue on the front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. For the interior, the Superamerica 45 gets Cuoio leather trim and Blu Scuro carbon fiber details, plus the latest-generation touch-screen infotainment system.
UPDATE 05/23/2011: Marchettino has shot a pretty impressive video of the Super America 25 at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este were the car made its debut. With the occasion we found out that the car is a custom one-off made for Peter Kalilow to celebrate his 45th anniversary. Hit the jump for the video.
Full story
The automobile was not even thirty years old when racing had taken a firm hold on enthusiasts. Enzo Ferrari was driving his performance cars to championships all over the world and others wanted in on the action. Ettore Bugatti was one of these men and he decided to take on Ferrari in a very different way than the others. He initially started with smaller, lighter, and less powerful cars than the Ferrari racecars of the time. This allowed the cars to be more nimble on the track and even finish second behind Ferrari in the Grand Prix du Mans of 1911.
This major accomplishment gave Ettore Bugatti the supporters and money necessary to continue his small operation in Molsheim. He began to produce stronger competitors and won more races every year. By 1920, Bugatti had its own Grand Prix championship under its belt and was ready to expand the company into different areas.
Ettore was a very respected man and ran his company with an iron fist, Le Patron as he was known, acted as a member of the upper crust and often invited them for factory tours and extravagant meals. According to Bugatti lore, at one of these dinners a woman remarked, “Everyone knows you build the greatest racing cars in the world. But for a town carriage of real elegance, one must go to Rolls-Royce or Daimler, isn’t that so?” This statement must have enraged Ettore, whether he showed it or not to his guests, he knew this was true. His company had been one-dimensional for many years and it was time to take some risks in the public sector. What came next is one of the most revered luxury automobiles ever made, the Royale.
Hit the jump for more details on the Bugatti Royale.
Full story
