A convertible is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof. The collapsible roof section is typically made from flexible canvas or vinyl, although plastic, aluminium and steel have occasionally been used in elaborate folding designs.
Back in late January, FAB Design surprised the Tokyo Auto Salon with the unveiling of its new program for the McLaren MP4-12C Spyder. Following in the veins of last year’s program for the coupe version, FAB Design went about and called this one "Terso", although as a Japan-exclusive model that was limited to only 10 units, that model came to be completely known as the MP4-12C Spyder Terso Japan Limited Edition.
Fast forward to the Geneva Motor Show and FAB Design has officially taken the covers off of the "regular" Terso program for the roofless McLaren supercar.
Similar to last year’s Terso program for the coupe version of the MP4-12C, this version comes chock-full with new aerodynamic components that include: a wider front and rear wings, new side skirts, enlarged air intakes in the front spoiler and a humongous diffuser just under the new rear spoiler.
The new FAB sport exhaust system plays a huge role in increasing the MP4-12C Spyder’s output to about 630 horsepower, 15 more than the standard output of the British supercar.
A set of 20-inch ultra-light, three-piece forged EvoLution wheels were fitted into the car and wrapped in a new set of Dunlop tires.
Diving into the interior, you’ll notice that FAB Design went to great lengths to ensure that the MP4-12C Spyer’s interior was treated to only the finest of materials. The new sport seats and the "ergonomically designed" sports steering wheel both received fine-upholstered leather while the aluminum pedal system sparkles in the foot-well also received its share of the upgrades.
Following up on their first Geneva offering, the McLaren MP4-12C Chimera, FAB Design has taken the covers off of its second Geneva program, this time for the Mercedes SL63 AMG Bayard. Following along the same lines of the mythical chimera, we’re venturing a guess that FAB Design’s use of “bayard” originates from the magical bay horse in European urban legend.
In any case, the SL63 AMG Bayard comes chock-full with a host of improvements that definitely fits FAB Design’s reputation as a premier aftermarket company. It describes the program as "haute couture for the road" so, the expectations for a completely tricked out program are already other.
To accomplish its goal of dressing up the SL-Class, FAB Design began by installing a new and more aggressive front spoiler that comes with enormous air intakes. The tuner also added a light, carbon-reinforced nose component that provides increased airflow to the sports car’s engine. Moving to the sides, FAB Design added side skirts that widened the SL by an impressive 70 mm (2.75 inches) on the front and 120 mm (4,72 inches) on the rear. Add in the new carbon rear spoiler and the integrated diffuser for improved handling and stability, as well as a new set of 20-inch three-piece Evolution Concarve aluminum wheels wrapped in Dunlop tires, and you have the makings of a really aggressive-looking SL63 AMG coupe.
Moving to what’s under the hood, FAB Design improved the SL63 AMG’s output, thanks to numerous engine tweaks that include a remapped ECU, a sports catalytic converter, and new exhaust tailpipes. With all these upgrades, the SL63 AMG’s 5.5-liter V-8 engine now boasts of 630 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 653 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. After the upgrade, the SL63 AMG is now capable of hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds with an estimated top speed of just under 200 mph.
FAB Design is only building 35 units of the Bayard program, which means that you better hurry if you want a piece of one!
The third - and last - special edition developed by Bugatti for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show is the 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Fire Finch Bronze Carbon. As its name suggest, this special edition is painted in a nice "Fire Finch" tone - a color composition called "Ying & Yang" – used here for the first time.
Bronze-colored carbon was used for the car’s rear, the cowlings, the roof frame and on the A-pillars. A complementary brown "Fire Finch" has been used for the side panels, the rear air intake grilles and the exterior mirrors. The ventilation grilles and brake calipers are offered in a neutral black.
For the interior, Bugatti combined a powerful orange ("Burnt Orange") and a dark brown ("Coffee"). The steering wheel spokes, steering wheel center and 12 o’clock ring are in a polished-aluminum finish. To help set the interior off, Bugatti used Orange highlight stitching on the Coffee-colored leather center tunnel.
This one-off edition will be priced at €1.95 million - around $2.5 million at the current exchange rates.
Collaborations are always happening in the auto industry. Whether it’s with a fashion label, a timepiece maker or even a furniture company, there aren’t any shortages of partnerships that give birth to special-edition models.
Built and designed in collaboration with the Danish interior design company BoDesign, the fortwo Concept is based on the cabriolet version of the [fortwo->http://www.topspeed.com/cars/smart/2012-smart-fortwo-ar124008.html and was designed to really catch peoples’ attention.
For starters, the fortwo BoConcept was given a matte-white paint, and complemented by a roof and door mirrors that were treated to a matte oriental brown metallic finish. The exterior is then fitted with a set of Brabus Monoblock VII alloy wheels to give off a pretty impressive look for a smart fortwo.
Inside, smart and BoDesign wanted to recreate a mobile living space and, for the most part, they accomplished that by using such materials like tobacco brown leather covers the steering wheel, seats and door trim panels, a grey finish on the doors and backrests, light-lemon stitching on the seats and the steering wheel, and a few more yellow accents on the mirrors.
All told, there really is something about the fortwo BoConcept that catches your attention. Take away the fact that it’s a fortwo for a second and concentrate on the uniqueness of the product; that’s what makes this collaboration pretty special.
It’s true that Mercedes doesn’t offer a convertible version for its G-Class lineup, but at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Mansory wants to prove that a three-door cabrio body fits perfectly on the new-generation G500. Like with all the other models the tuner is going to display in Geneva, the new Speranza also features a carbon-fiber body kit, an updated interior and an amazing update for the V-8 engine.
For the exterior, Mansory has installed wider wings that make the Speranza about 0.78 inches wider and in the same time they provide a more masculine look. Up front, the model received a new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, a carbon-fiber bonnet and new headlights. For the rear, Speranza received a new rear spoiler and a spare wheel cover made of carbon fiber.
The package also requires new side skirts and new wheel arches that hide the new, forged 24-inch wheels in ten-twin-spoke design and wrapped in high performance 305/35 Vredestein Ultrac Vorti tires.
In order to increase the V-8’s output, the tuner installed new pistons, connecting rods, rod bearings, crankshaft, crank, cylinder head, plus a newly designed exhaust system with double stainless-steel tailpipes. The result is an output increased from the standard 385 horsepower up to 700 horsepower, while the peak torque is limited to 663 pound-feet.
Whether the Toyota GT 86 has the long-lasting popularity that the Mazda MX-5 currently enjoys is still debatable at this point. After all, the former’s only been alive for a little over a year, while the latter has been around almost 25 years now.
But the early returns on the GT 86 have been very promising, a testament to the kind of popularity Toyota’s sports coupe has enjoyed in its short lifespan. It’s become such a hit that the clamoring for a convertible version has been deafening for a while now.
Well, Toyota listened, fellas. The 2013 Geneva Motor Show will see the debut of the concept version of a convertible GT 86, which Toyota is internally calling the FT-86 Open Top Concept. It’s called the FT 86 Open Top Concept and Toyota has gone on record suggesting that the model "previews a possible future development of the award-winning FT 86 sports coupe" with the intention of gauging the public’s reaction on how an open-top GT 86 will be received.
Incidentally, Toyota also said that a prototype for the convertible FT 86 is already being tested so we’re not entirely sure what Toyota meant about "gauging the public’s reaction." With tests in progress, that appears to be a rhetorical statement.
This review has been updated with new details and official photos of the FT 86 Open Top Concept
Everybody’s gearing up for the Geneva Motor Show and it appears that Brabus is well ahead on the curve with the aftermarket releases.
With a lineup of vehicles scheduled to be in Geneva, Brabus has pulled the covers to one of them: the 800 Roadster.
It’s based on the Mercedes SL65 AMG and true to form, the program comes with a comprehensive list of upgrades. The carbon-fiber aero package features plenty of components, including a new front spoiler, a distinctive hood scoop, new fender vents, side skirts, a rear spoiler and a diffuser insert. Rounding the exterior upgrades off is a set of 20-inch Monoblock R ’Platinum Edition’ forged wheels wrapped in 255/30ZR and 305/25ZR tires.
Inside, the mods are pretty limited, although Brabus did do a splendid job jazzing up the cabin. The use of soft Mastik leather finished with quilted stitching on the seats, paneling and floor mats are wonderfully stylish, and adds a level of luxury to the car’s sporty and aggressive performance credentials.
Speaking of performance credentials, that’s where Brabus is all up in everybody’s grill. The tuner used its T65 RS engine conversion that includes remapped ECU software, new manifolds with integrated turbine housings, high-performance turbochargers, four water-to-air intercoolers and a stainless-steel exhaust system. That’s a whole lot of performance juice, Brabus! Good to know you’re still on the top of your game.
With the upgrades on the SL65 AMG’s 6-liter V-12 biturbo engine, the German tuner was able to increase the output of the sports roadster from 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque to a staggering 800 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque with 0-to100 km/h (62 mph) time of just 3.7 seconds, a 0-to-200 km/h (124 mph) time of 9.8 seconds, and most importantly, a top speed of 217 mph.
This year, Gemballa is headed back to Geneva, and low and behold, it has another McLaren MP4-12C that it’s bringing to the show, only this time, it’s the MP4-12C Spider.
Should anybody look for a more individual twist to the mighty British supercar, Gemballa has the answer in the form of its GT package for the 12C Spider. Just like the program for the coupe version, the 12C Spider features a carbon fiber aero kit of which the most significant components appear to be new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, new tailpipes, a logo kit and a new set of 21-inch Gemballa GForged-one wheels available in either "black magic," "gunmetal,” or an individual color of the customer’s choosing.
Inside, the modifications aren’t all that plenty either. There’s the usual leather and Alcantara upholstery, as well as instrument dials that customers can also have customized in colors of their choice.
No performance upgrades were announced, so don’t expect to see any when the MP4-12C Spider Gemballa GT makes its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Should you find the program suitable to your tastes, you can pick it up for a pretty steep price of €47,166, which is about $62,000 based on current exchange rates.
UPDATE 05/17/13: A fresh batch of photos of Gemballa’s McLaren MP4-12C Spyder have been released. Check it out by clicking on the gallery below!
The BMW 4-Series Convertible is still months away from its official debut, but what appears to be the first official images of the car has already leaked on the internet. The grainy image reveals a convertible model with a body design pretty much identical to the concept we saw last month in Detroit, except the roof of course.
The convertible version is codenamed F33 and will share most of its design elements with the coupe version, with the major difference being the three-piece metal folding roof top.
Just like with all the other BMW models, the new 4-Series convertible will be offered with a classic rear-wheel drive system or an optional xDrive all-wheel drive system. The engine lineup will be similar to the one offered in the 3-Series sedan and customers will have a choice of both six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission.
Expect the new BMW 4-Series Convertible to be unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
With all that’s happening in the wonderful world of Maranello these days, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Ferrari’s new fleet of supercars.
But don’t overlook the baby of the family, the Ferrari California, because it’s still got some mighty-strong appeal to a lot of aftermarket companies, including Tunerworks Performance.
The word “sublime” is rarely used in the automotive world to describe a car’s visceral appeal, but that word appears appropriate when it comes to the work Tunerworks Performance put in to the California. It’s a comprehensive list really that really adds more pop to the look of the supercar while also giving it a more pronounced handling experience that customers will undoubtedly enjoy.
The most discernible difference Tunerworks gave to the California is the installation of a new carbon-fiber aero kit courtesy of Novitec. The hood has a more dramatic swoop and a larger hood scoop, providing a streamlined look that complements its stature as a Prancing Horse. Smoked OEM markers add a touch of exclusivity to the car, while the handling and performance improvements are taken care of by a host of other upgrades, including a new valved exhaust system, a new lowering suspension setup, and a new set of carbon-fiber and matte-black Novitec three-piece wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires.
Under its hood, the California retains its 4.3-liter V8 engine that produces over 480 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 373 pounds-feet of torque, which is good enough to allow the car to hit 62 mph in less than four seconds with a top speed of about 193 mph.
The lack of any engine upgrades notwithstanding, Tunerworks Performance did a great job giving the California the kind of improved look that can give its new big brothers a run for their money.
