2008 Scion Hako Coupe Concept

Scion unveiled today at the New York Auto Show the Hako Coupe, a concept developed by Tokyo Design Division. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.

Tokyo Design developed the Hako Coupe with classic American coupes in mind. The car’s geometric profile conveys a powerful stance in a compact and bold package. Its trapezoidal LED headlights lie parallel with a large and aggressive, rectangular upper grille. The lower rectangular grille anchors the front fascia and continues to communicate the Hako’s aggressive attitude. Round fog lights, symmetrically placed high on the front bumper, have integrated turn signals.

The Hako Coupe features a vertical windshield as the concept sits upright and ready to attack the road. A high linear beltline along with a blackened and chopped greenhouse seamlessly wrap around the rear to provide a mysterious profile. As an example of potential personalization, the concept is equipped with a flat, panorama roof that features a random, barcode-like pattern that can be seen on the exterior and from the interior.

Inside, the Hako is accented with orange and metallic detailing that exudes a modern environment with entertainment possibilities. The front and rear seats are covered with urethane and rubber-like upholstery for easy cleaning. The contemporary front bucket seats flow to the floor and incorporate a geometric design on the seatback. The seats are separated by a center console that features a large storage crevice for storing magazines, cell phones, and other small items. Two cockpit-like rear seats also share a storage crevice.

Press release

Scion unveiled its Hako Coupe Concept vehicle at a press conference today at the New York International Auto Show.

Scion’s Hako Coupe was developed by Tokyo Design Division, which studied global, youth-inspired trends. Japanese and American youth cultures often influence each other and are interpreted with a unique twist. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.

"Scion’s Hako Coupe Concept embodies a distinct global perspective on today’s youth," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "This type of forward thinking complements the Scion philosophy of intently listening to our customers and being willing to take risks to help us see where our brand should be. We took the xB’s iconic boxy shape and explored something more vivacious, yet just as emotionally appealing. This concept is the sporty version of a box."

Tokyo Design developed the Hako Coupe with classic American coupes in mind. The car’s geometric profile conveys a powerful stance in a compact and bold package. Its trapezoidal LED headlights lie parallel with a large and aggressive, rectangular upper grille. The lower rectangular grille anchors the front fascia and continues to communicate the Hako’s aggressive attitude. Round fog lights, symmetrically placed high on the front bumper, have integrated turn signals.

The Hako’s silhouette is accentuated by slim, race-car-inspired side mirrors that also feature integrated turn signals. Powerful, flared fenders add dimension and contrast to the concept’s boxy shape and smooth surface planes. The Hako concept hugs the road with custom 18-inch deep dish five-spoke wheels and tires with a "Scion" custom tread.

The Hako Coupe features a vertical windshield as the concept sits upright and ready to attack the road. A high linear beltline along with a blackened and chopped greenhouse seamlessly wrap around the rear to provide a mysterious profile. As an example of potential personalization, the concept is equipped with a flat, panorama roof that features a random, barcode-like pattern that can be seen on the exterior and from the interior.

The rear features LED taillights that echo the shape of the headlights. To complete the package, the rear bumper has an integrated fog and back up light on the left and exhaust on the right.

Inside, the Hako is accented with orange and metallic detailing that exudes a modern environment with entertainment possibilities. The front and rear seats are covered with urethane and rubber-like upholstery for easy cleaning. The contemporary front bucket seats flow to the floor and incorporate a geometric design on the seatback. The seats are separated by a center console that features a large storage crevice for storing magazines, cell phones, and other small items. Two cockpit-like rear seats also share a storage crevice.

The orange driver’s seat has a gaming theme. Instrumentation and warning lights cascade from the art inspired instrument panel to the steering wheel. The shifter, located on the center console, resembles a large joystick. On the steering wheel is a simple button to start the engine and a track-ball type control for the Hako’s entertainment system located on the passenger dash. The entertainment system consists of two video monitor screens mounted on the dash for radio, video, and music capabilities. Users can upload their videos and music through a Bluetooth® connection. The front passenger controls the system using a large rollerball mounted on the center of the dash. A black seat differentiates the front passenger area.

Video monitors located on each door and on each side of the rear seating area project distorted fish-eye images from orange filtered cameras mounted beneath the A-pillars. While the vehicle is parked the driver and passenger can edit the scenes captured by the cameras to show their friends where they have been and perhaps even post the clip online for others to see.

"As you know, polarizing style fits in well with our lineup," said Hollis. "And of course we love a good box. We’ll listen to the feedback from this concept to help us determine how our brand could evolve and grow over the next five years."
SCION HAKO COUPE CONCEPT VEHICLE



* Overall Length: 145.7
* Overall Width: 68.1 without side mirrors
* 74.0 including side mirrors
* Overall Height: 57.5
* Wheelbase: 94.5
* Ground clearance: 4.0
* Wheels: 18-inch alloy wheels
* Tire Size: 225/45 R18
* Seating Capacity: 4

Baby Rolls-Royce Renderings

Rolls Royce will add a new model to the Phantom line-up in 2010. The RR4 will be placed between between cheaper Bentley Continentals and the super-luxury models from Rolls and Maybach and will come to compete with models like Mercedes S-Class. In UK it will be priced at around £170,000.

It will be longer than the BMW 7-Series, and first it will be launched only as a sedan; but coupe and convertible might also see production, just like its bigger brother.

2008 Buick Invincta

Buick will unveil at the New York Auto Show the 2008 Invincta - Latin word for “invincible”. The Invincta evolves Buick’s global design direction from the Riviera concept introduced last year in Shanghai. The Invicta show car was co-developed by GM design centers in North America and China to meet customers’ expectations equally in the world’s two largest automotive markets.

Invicta draws inspiration from the Riviera concept with a modern and graceful exterior design matched by a sumptuous interior. Invicta pays homage to Buicks of the 1940s through the 1970s with its nostalgic sweepspear design cue, a curved line running the length of the car. The exterior also features Buick’s signature vertical chrome waterfall grille and a new look to its portholes. The Invicta interior will share Riviera’s ambient lighting feature and lavish design.

Press release

Buick took another step to bolster its global design presence with a sneak peek at a luxurious show car it plans to reveal in China at the Beijing Motor Show on April 19. Named Invicta, Buick’s show car reflects the way General Motors utilizes design and engineering talent around the world to execute a premium vehicle with international appeal.

The Invicta, which is Latin for “invincible,” evolves Buick’s global design direction from the Riviera concept introduced last year in Shanghai. The Invicta show car was co-developed by GM design centers in North America and China to meet customers’ expectations equally in the world’s two largest automotive markets.

“Buick’s global appeal created an opportunity for GM Design Centers to elevate our collaboration to new levels. Using our virtual reality centers in Warren, Mich. and Shanghai, designers fused the best ideas from both cultures during the development of the Invicta, ” said Edward T. Welburn, vice president, General Motors Global Design. “The result will set a new design standard for Buick, and it couldn’t have been achieved by one studio working in isolation. The Invicta represents another significant design milestone in Buick’s history.”

Invicta draws inspiration from the Riviera concept with a modern and graceful exterior design matched by a sumptuous interior. Invicta pays homage to Buicks of the 1940s through the 1970s with its nostalgic sweepspear design cue, a curved line running the length of the car. The exterior also features Buick’s signature vertical chrome waterfall grille and a new look to its portholes. The Invicta interior will share Riviera’s ambient lighting feature and lavish design.

Buick returns the Invicta name after a 45-year hiatus. Buick originally introduced the Invicta in North America as a production vehicle from 1959 to 1963. It is the first time the nameplate has appeared on a Buick in China.

Tara Tiny @ Rs 99K is the world's cheapest car!

The Tata Nano is no longer the world's cheapest car! Jostling along with Tata Nano, this July, will be Tara Tiny and Tara Titu. These are zero emission, electric cars and cost only Rs 99,000! And they come from the Tara International stable.
Tara S Ganguly, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, had a big dream. And he set about realising it 'in a small way.' Tara International has teamed up with China's Aucma, a leading player in the electrical vehicles and appliances segment, to manufacture these cars.

At the moment, four variants of electric cars are ready at the Tara International factory at Palta, a few kilometers from Kolkata. These are Tara Tiny, Tara Titu (two-seater and four-seater, respectively), Tara Shuttle, and Tara Carrier. While Tara Tiny and Tara Titu are priced at Rs 99,000 (approximately), Tara Shuttle and Tara Carrier are priced at Rs 500,000 (approximately).

The company will also launch electric bikes priced between Rs 12,000 and Rs 35,000.



Each of the cars can be recharged daily at 220 volts through 15 amp sockets, whereas the bikes can be recharged through 5 amp sockets.
A daily 6-hour charge enables bikes to travel 80 to 100 km, whereas the cars (all variants) need 8 hours of charging to cover the same distance.

Some of the cars that are available at the moment at the company's factory are left-hand drives as "they are meant for the markets in the United States and China," informed Ganguly. "Those meant for the Indian market are being reassembled at our workshops."

Apart from West Bengal, the company's other production centres are located in Pondicherry and Lucknow.

Formula 1 Race result - Australian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton begins year with victory; Heidfeld and Rosberg complete podium followed by Alonso and Kovalainen; Raikkonen and Massa both fail to score - only seven runners finish; Barrichello disqualified...

1. Lewis Hamilton Britain Vodafone McLaren Mercedes-Mercedes 58 laps 01:34:50.616
2. Nick Heidfeld Germany BMW Sauber F1 Team-BMW +5.48
3. Nico Rosberg Germany AT&T Williams-Toyota +8.16
4. Fernando Alonso Spain ING Renault F1 Team-Renault +17.18
5. Heikki Kovalainen Finland Vodafone McLaren Mercedes-Mercedes +18.01
6. Kazuki Nakajima Japan AT&T Williams-Toyota +1 lap
7. Sebastien Bourdais French Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari +3 laps
8. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro-Ferrari +5 laps

9. Robert Kubica Poland BMW Sauber F1 Team-BMW 47 laps
10. Timo Glock Germany Panasonic Toyota Racing-Toyota 43 laps
11. Takuma Sato Japan Super Aguri F1 Team-Honda 32 laps
12. Nelson Piquet Jr Brazil ING Renault F1 Team-Renault 30 laps
13. Felipe Massa Brazil Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro-Ferrari 29 laps
14. David Coulthard Britain Red Bull Racing-Renault 25 laps
15. Jarno Trulli Italy Panasonic Toyota Racing-Toyota 19 laps
16. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India F1 Team-Ferrari 8 laps
17. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull Racing-Renault 0 laps
18. Jenson Button Britain Honda Racing F1 Team-Honda 0 laps
19. Sebastian Vettel Germany Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari 0 laps
20. Anthony Davidson Britain Super Aguri F1 Team-Honda 0 laps
21. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Force India F1 Team-Ferrari 0 laps

DQ. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Honda Racing F1 Team-Honda Disqualified - had finished 6th

Land Rover LRX to keep concept’s interio

After the recently presentation at the Geneva Auto Show, the new model of the Land Rover brand, the LRX, could benefit of the original interior unveiled in the LRX Concept. Of course, we all know that the designers present their craziest ideas in the concepts because in most of the cases the automakers do not keep them but with the LRX is another story.According to some sources the Land Rover plans to keep as much of the concept’s interior intact as it can due to the good impressions made to the public at Geneva.


The LRX concept marks a bold evolution of Land Rover design, signalling the brand’s potential shift into new areas of the market, while remaining true to its core values. As the company celebrates its 60th anniversary during 2008, the three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world and offers the potential of 120g/km CO2 emissions and fuel economy of 60 mpg on the European combined cycle.

Ford planning to revive Lincoln brand

Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the Lincoln MKT crossover seems to be the main argument of Ford renewing the Lincoln brand. After many years of being considerated only rebadged Fords, Lincoln decided to begin reviving the vehicles with new brands like MKZ and MKX.

The new MKT will use the same architecture as the new Ford Flex but the resemblence stops here. Sources confirmed the fact that the design work is well under way but officially Ford did not reveal any clue.

Fixing Lincoln remains a big strategy of Ford’s CEO Alan Mullay. As he said, the MKT represents a very important vehicle that could get Ford back into the luxury segment and compete with brand like Bmw, Mercedes and Infiniti.

Being motivated by the by the growth of sales with more than 9% last year, Allan Murray decided to sell off Jaguar and Land Rover and to focus the company’s resources to revive the Lincoln Brand and make it a serious contender on the luxury segment. Apparently the MKT crossover will be available in May 2009 but sources confirm the fact that this could happen earlier.

The Lincoln MKT concept featured a 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine with turbocharging and direct injection that produced the power and torque of a V8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V6.. The company will begin introducing EcoBoost engines delivering up to 20 % better fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America within the next five years.

Man creates 1:1 scale remote-controlled HUMMER H3

his ultimate toy has been created by engineer Dr James Brighton from Cranfield University. All the work has been made in about a month, and of course the engineer said he had a lot of fun during the process. Why is not that a surprise?

The results are clear – all controllers will be amazed by the handling ability – the best any radio controlled vehicle has had to date. The vehicle is capable of climbing a 407mm vertical wall, traverse a 40% side slope and operate in up to 610mm of water – imagine the fun”

Well bad news is that the toy won’t be available for sale! Damn! Might have been an interested toy for your kids!

Press release

HUMMER, the world’s most iconic boy’s toy, has converted the new right-hand drive H3 into the ultimate gadget for grown ups - a life sized remote controlled car that definitely won’t be available in your local toyshop.

The hardy on/off road vehicle has been converted to make life a little less dull – those lucky enough to have a play, will experience the unrivalled agility and off-road capability of the new H3 from the palm of their hand.

Engineer Dr. James Brighton from Cranfield University transformed the HUMMER H3 into a remote controlled vehicle to create the ultimate boy’s toy: “Converting the HUMMER H3 into the super-sized remote control car took a month to complete but we’ve had lots of fun in the process.

The results are clear – all controllers will be amazed by the handling ability – the best any radio controlled vehicle has had to date. The vehicle is capable of climbing a 407mm vertical wall, traverse a 40% side slope and operate in up to 610mm of water – imagine the fun”

Steve Catlin from HUMMER comments:
“HUMMER is like no other – as the ultimate workhorse it is built for action and can handle off-roading with ease but also has a unique, iconic style.

What better way to show off the definitive big boy’s toy than converting the HUMMER H3 into a remote controlled car?”

Mercedes SL-Class Black Series

Mercedes will add a new model to the Black Series line-up in July. The upcoming SL65 AMG Black Series is based on the SL65 AMG and will follow the route taken by the SLK55 AMG and CLK63 Black Series models.

The SL65 AMG Black Series will be powered by a reworked version of the SL65 AMG’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine, tuned to deliver in the vicinity of 680 hp.

"We could have easily got 720 hp without any significant modifications. In the end, though, we decided to dial it back," said an insider privy to the new car’s development. "There will be a slight increase in power, but really it’s all about creating optimal conditions for the introduction of direct injection," a source said.

Avro 720 Mirage Ford GT

ust as the Ford GT becomes a legend in its own time, Avro Motor Cars, the Brooklands-based supercar specialist, has joined forces with Roush Technologies in the UK to create a further strictly limited edition of the car. The Avro 720 Mirage special edition will be limited to just 10 cars – the first of which has just been rolled out of Roush’s Technical Centre in Brentwood, Essex.

Avro engineers have applied a custom calibration package to the car, to extract a delivered, mean 720bhp at 6950rpm and a massive 627lb.ft. of torque at 4800rpm. The car is also derestricted, which gives a top speed capability in excess of 220mph.

Finished in vibrant Arancia Metallica (Italian Metallic Orange) with semi-matt black details and wheels – and exclusive sill plates and side decals, the 720 Mirage incorporates a significant range of engine and mechanical upgrades. Changes in appearance include the deletion of the rear bumper – partly to save weight – and each car will carry an exclusive numbered Avro plaque on the centre tunnel.


Central to the increased power is a larger – and polished – Whipple supercharger. The induction side of the engine also includes an Accufab throttle body and inlet sleeve. An Accufab X pipe exhaust system with ceramic-coated tips is also fitted. Other engine equipment includes a Mafia MAF sensor adaptor and a transmission breather catch tank.

The running gear on the Avro 720 Mirage has been appropriately upgraded to match the boost in power. The front and rear track is 5mm wider than the standard car. The front brakes use

AP Racing 6-pot front callipers with Stillen drilled and slotted rotors – and similar rotors are used also at the rear. The suspension has been lowered by 25mm – and uprated to include KW’s Variant 3 fully adjustable coil-over system.

Avro Managing Director, Andy McGrath says, “When we created the highly successful Roush 600RE edition, we recognised the potential in the car to go a step further. The Ford GT is already a rare and sought after motorcar and simply identifying and locating more available untitled vehicles has been a significant challenge for us. The 720 Mirage is available exclusively from Avro – and once these cars are completed, we believe there will be no more. Examples of our 600RE edition are now located in several parts of the world – and we expect the market response to the 720 Mirage to be similarly international.”

Alfa Romeo MiTo

The Mi.To is the first car to be built since the 8C Competizione and will be Alfa Romeo’s most compact sports car with dimensions of just 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide. The car features three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer’s wishes: supersporting (Dynamic), town driving (Normal), maximum safety even in difficult grip conditions (All-Weather).

The Mi.To is the first car in its segment to offer such innovative technological content. The car comes with a range of 4 engines, all Turbo (petrol and diesel), that currently range from 90 hp up to 155 hp, with the range due to be extended by even higher power ratings. The Alfa Mi.To will presented in June this year and will then be gradually introduced from July in all the major markets.

2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder

Porsche will present on April 4th at the 18th Auto Mobil International (AMI) in Leipzig the new Boxster RS 60 Spyder. The RS 60 Spyder is a vivid reminder of the Porsche racing era of the ’sixties in color, shape, fittings and philosophy.

The Boxster RS 60 Spyder has a maximum power of 299 HP and features sporting exhaust system, sporty driving dynamics combined with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard equipment, and 19-inch wheels.

At the motor show there are other highlights to be appreciated, too: the innovative power train of the future Cayenne, with its Full Parallel Hybrid drive giving particularly low fuel consumption, and the Porsche RS Spyder racing car.

Press release

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is presenting the new Boxster RS 60 Spyder in Germany. From April 4, the most recent model in the successful Boxster series will be celebrating its first home appearance at the 18th Auto Mobil International (AMI) in Leipzig. The city is home to Porsche’s second production location, complementing the main factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. At the motor show there are other highlights to be appreciated, too: the innovative power train of the future Cayenne, with its Full Parallel Hybrid drive giving particularly low fuel consumption, and the Porsche RS Spyder racing car.

With eight overall wins in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2007, the RS Spyder has proved itself as the racing car with the most international overall victories to have been designed and built in Germany. Moreover, in its triumphal progress through the USA, the RS Spyder was using the especially environmentally friendly E10-fuel which contains ten percent bioethanol by volume.

By contrast, the newest version of the mid-engine two-seater Porsche Boxster is reminiscent of the great racing triumphs of the 1960s. The RS 60 Spyder is a vivid reminder of the Porsche racing era of the ’sixties in color, shape, fittings and philosophy. The Boxster, which enjoys the full power of 303 PS (223 kW), thanks to its sporting exhaust system, holds the promise of correspondingly sporty driving dynamics combined with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard equipment, and 19-inch wheels. The modern Roadster in ’sixties style comes luxuriously equipped, and – in commemoration of the year 1960 when its ‘role model’ and predecessor, the Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder, first made its appearance – production is limited to a series of 1,960 vehicles.

Porsche will be giving a privileged insight into its development activities with the Cayenne Hybrid, whose innovative drive train can be seen in Leipzig at the AMI. The emphatically sporting all-terrain vehicle will be available within the present decade as a “Full Parallel Hybrid”. This particularly efficient Hybrid system has an electric motor placed between the internal combustion engine and the transmission. The Hybrid drive offers not only maximized fuel economy, but also the additional possibility of driving in a completely emission-free, electrically-powered mode.

Once again, the Porsche factory in Leipzig has its own information counter at the exhibition stand. There, visitors can book factory tours, reserve self-drive or accompanied drives in a Porsche on the works’ own running-in and test track, or can glean general information on Porsche’s activities in Leipzig. From 2009, a second Porsche model will be taking shape at the Leipzig works alongside the Cayenne. The new four-door Gran Turismo Panamera will then be manufactured at the Porsche factory, which meanwhile will have been extended and oriented towards the newest production methods.

Horrific accident on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot

Abu Dhabi: At least three people were killed and nearly 350 injured in a horrific 60 vehicle pile-up on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot on Tuesday.

However, Gulf News has learnt that the death toll could be five. The 25km stretch of the UAE's busiest highway from Abu Dhabi to Dubai was closed for more than five hours, resulting in huge tailbacks during rush hours.

Police said among the 347 injured, six people were critical, while 39 suffered medium injuries. The remaining suffered minor injuries. Police said 25 vehicles caught fire following the accidents caused by poor visibility due to the thick fog and lack of attention by motorists.



Lieutenant General Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, said coordination by officials contributed to limiting the fatalities. Quick response by the rescue and ambulance department officials helped save lives and in reopening the road to traffic at the earliest. He called on all road users to exercise caution, especially during early morning when visibility is low.

Colonel Osman Al Tamimi, Director of the Emergency and Safety Management section of Abu Dhabi Police said the central operations room received a call at 6.39am informing about a series of pile ups between Bahia bridge and Ghantoot bridge in the direction towards Dubai. Ambulances, fire engines and helicopters of the Air Wing were despatched immediately.

Dubai police and support teams from Armed Forces as well as a number of traffic patrols joined the rescue operations.

"The officials worked towards moving the injured to the nearest hospitals and extinguishing the fire," he said, adding that the roads were reopened for traffic in record time.

An Abu Dhabi traffic police officer at the crash site said: "The crash happened because everyone was speeding despite the severe weather conditions. Drivers weren't leaving a safe distance between cars and this resulted in everyone hitting each other after the first crash."

[Source: Gulfnews]

Speed Racer trailer

From writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking “The Matrix” trilogy, and producer Joel Silver comes the live-action, high-octane family adventure “Speed Racer.”

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer—whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.

Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed’s thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company’s maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secret—some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won’t drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line.

The only way for Speed to save his family’s business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)—to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.

Release date: May 9, 2008.

Lumma Design CLR X530

After recently unleashed the X5 as the X530 with brute-force 530 bhp, Lumma Design released the CLR X530 tuning kit for the diesel versions of the BMW X5.


Lumma has implemented the diesel motor tuning with its D-Power-Box. This additional electronic circuit now coaxes a generous 275 bhp out of the 3.0d, instead of the standard 235. The torque increases from 520 to a convincing 600 Nm. The 3.0sd attains performance data that makes some sports cars turn pale in comparison. This is because, a phenomenal 330 bhp, instead of 286, has been fitted and instead of 580, there are 660 Nm on the power train.


An even sportier rear appearance for the 3.0d and 3.0sd is guaranteed by LUMMA’s exhaust pipe covers, two on each side (120x95 mm). LUMMA continues to furnish the petrol versions with the complete sport exhaust system of stainless steel.

Press release

After LUMMA DESIGN recently unleashed the X5 as the X530 with brute-force 530 bhp, the German tuner has now also turned its attention to the diesel versions. They have also been treated to the broader X530 aerodynamic kit in addition to a substantial increase in power delivery and torque. This also cuts a good figure in white, which is complemented by white wheels (see photographic material). In addition, LUMMA has made changes to the chassis, sound and interior.


Performance enhancement for 3.0d and 3.0sd
LUMMA has implemented the diesel motor tuning with its D-Power-Box. This additional electronic circuit now coaxes a generous 275 bhp out of the 3.0d, instead of the standard 235. The torque increases from 520 to a convincing 600 Nm. The 3.0sd attains performance data that makes some sports cars turn pale in comparison. This is because, a phenomenal 330 bhp, instead of 286, has been fitted and instead of 580, there are 660 Nm on the power train.

Of course, LUMMA also continues to offer a performance enhancement for the 4.8 litre pertrol-V8 by a moderate 28 bhp or by considerably more horsepower to 530 bhp, in this case with compressor.

An even sportier rear appearance for the 3.0d and 3.0sd is guaranteed by LUMMA’s exhaust pipe covers, two on each side (120x95 mm). LUMMA continues to furnish the petrol versions with the complete sport exhaust system of stainless steel.


CLR X530 look for the diesel models
What already looked good on the 4.8i is naturally just as perfect on the diesel X5. The LUMMA body kit CLR X530 is composed of a front spoiler with fog lamps in extravagantly-formed air inlets plus racing grid, a rear apron with a diffuser look, broader wings at the front and back that radiate power, new side sill mouldings as well as the lettering “CLR X 530“. All components are largely made of PUR-RIM in original equipment manufacturer quality.

The body kit can be expanded by further components. LUMMA offers a roof spoiler extension which can simply be affixed to the upper rim of the boot lid. A very special eye-catcher is the high-quality, handmade LUMMA sport-look light-weight hood (10.5 kg) made of carbon/Kevlar composite material, with its characteristic opening for discharging warm air from the engine bay. A set of LUMMA sport design exterior mirror caps, which have replaced the original parts, complement the LUMMA body kit perfectly through their aerodynamically-optimised design. The mirror caps are also available in the motor sport material par excellence, carbon. LUMMA restores a more “serious” look to the headlights of the CLR X530 with the help of a set of covers. Similarly, LUMMA also equips the taillights with a set of covers (4-part and likewise adhesive). The dark-tinted LUMMA taillights form a welcome contrast to a bright (or white, see image material) paint finish (export only!).

A good idea, which makes sense in multi-storey car parks or other places that are badly-lit or not lit at all, is the LUMMA entry illumination. On each side of the car floor, five LEDs go on when the doors are opened or unlocked and light the way for the passengers getting into the car.


Wheels in 22 inch and lower suspension setting
With its complete wheel sets, LUMMA lets its customers choose from three 22-inch possibilities. For one, there’s the wheel set with the new 10x22 inch sports rim LUMMA “Racing 1” in multi-part look with silver or matt black wheel spider and polished stainless steel rim flange, as well as the lettering “LUMMA Racing” on the centre cap. The second possibility is the wheel set “Racing 3” with a one-piece rim in multi-part look and polished rim flange.

The wheel set “Racing 2” can be especially recommended for white vehicles with its one-piece sports rim in the ice crystal-like Y-Design “LUMMA Edition”, which is also available in white to match the vehicle, or, at an extra charge, in any other desired colour.

LUMMA fits all three versions with high performance tyres of the dimension 295/30-22. For example, with the PROXES S/T (300 km/h approval!) of its technology partner Toyo. LUMMA also supplies the wheels with rims in 9.5x20? and a tyre dimension of 275/40-20.

LUMMA achieves a somewhat lower centre of gravity and more agile handling by mounting LUMMA/H&R lowering springs. A good compromise between comfort and maintaining vehicle height, which still suffices for uneven terrain.


Sporty elegant ambience in the interior through wood, carbon or piano varnish
The LUMMA program offers a very large range of additional accessories for the CLR X530 interior. Ergonomically formed and with a root wood or leather trim – the LUMMA sports steering wheel communicates a stronger bond with the vehicle. The LUMMA gear stick head is likewise a feast for the eyes in a root-wood version. The elegant cockpit is also equipped with coloured instrument faces (see photographic material: matching the vehicle colour white; speedometer up to 330 km/h) as well as aluminium door sills. Racing car atmosphere is transmitted by LUMMA aluminium pedals and an aluminium foot rest. A foot mat in high quality velour with an embroidered emblem and real leather edging (colour as desired) makes the cabin homier. LUMMA also offers a matching boot mat of the same material.

Audi launches "Iron Man" micro-site

udi announced today the launch of the Iron Man microsite. You will be able to immerse yourself in the world of Iron Man that will be launched in early May 2008.

On its complex home page the user can pay a virtual visit to Tony Stark’s top-secret New York workshop. Two perspectives are available: Through the eyes of Tony Stark, trailers and background information on the movie can be called up and viewed. Alternatively the special “Iron Man Vision” infrared viewer can be used, for instance to explore the design details of the Audi R8 and A5. The micro-site also contains historical facts about Audi and the ‘Iron Man’ comic strip, which can be found in a virtual Audi R10 TDI racecar.

To find out more about it, visit the Iron Man microsite.



Press release

Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, the leading man in the Paramount and Marvel Studios movie version of “Iron Man”. Head of a big industrial complex, he owes his super-powers to an indestructible, hi-tech suit of armor of his own design that has a variety of uses and earns him the title “Iron Man.” When he’s not wearing it, this billionaire technophile relies on his Audi R8. It matches Stark’s super hero guise very well: The slits through which Iron Man views the world resemble the all-LED headlamps on the R8, Stark’s artificial heart with its ring of lights recalls the sports car’s exposed mid-engine and his immensely tough armor is matched by the Audi Space Frame, the high-strength aluminum structure on which this hi-tech automobile is built. The film’s hero and his favored mode of transport both symbolize Audi’s famous technical leadership claim: “Vorsprung durch Technik.”

“The Audi R8 is the perfect car for Tony Stark,” says Iron Man’s director Jon Favreau. “It’s a technical masterpiece, it’s fast and safe – and it’s the ultimate eye-catcher.” Tony Stark delights in luxury; he’s intelligent, demanding and a lover of life to the full. Naturally he utilizes his exceptional abilities for the good of mankind – when he takes on the personality of Iron Man, his super-hero alter ego. There has never been a comic-strip hero with such a deep-seated understanding of technology and the opportunities opened up by innovation and progressive ideas.

The attitudes that the leading character represents were one of the main reasons why Audi became involved in this production: interaction between the role, the movie as a whole and the product is the decisive factor in successful product placement. Michael Renz, Head of Central Marketing at Audi, says: “The character and lifestyle of Tony Stark tie in very well with the attributes of the Audi R8. And in any case, “Iron Man” is one of the world’s best-known, never-aging super-heroes – an opportunity we were determined not to miss!”

But in reality the combination of automobile and screen hero has to be credible – actor Robert Downey Jr. sees it this way too. “I grew up with the Audi mystique. This carmaker has always been right in the forefront when it comes to technology, performance, innovation and safety. I see Tony and myself as worthy ambassadors for Audi – we’re genuine fans of the make.” Renz too regards this as an important precondition: “Unless the star of a production identifies with the brand, and the image of the leading role matches what Audi stands for, the connection is simply not credible enough. We’re fortunate in this respect: Many Hollywood stars value Audi very highly, and are driving our cars in their private lives anyway.”

Audi has another worthy ambassador on the cast list too: Tony Stark’s assistant Virginia “Pepper” Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, drives an Audi S5 in the movie. She is an intelligent, ambitious woman who knows exactly what she wants. The sporty dynamics and elegant finesse of the Audi S5 suit her character well. Her honest approach is evident as the plot progresses: She supports Tony Stark unhesitatingly even before he plunges into his fight against the evil forces of this world. As the chief executive of Stark Industries, a gigantic multinational armaments group, the billionaire demonstrates his ability as a business policymaker. His life changes abruptly, however, when he is kidnapped while launching one of his latest inventions in Afghanistan. The criminals intend to force him to build a weapon of immense destructive force.

Instead of this, Stark develops and builds a revolutionary metal suit of armor while in the kidnappers’ clutches. With its aid he is able to escape and reach home again. His next move is to perfect his suit and start to combat what proves to be a conspiracy of global dimensions. Another loyal colleague in addition to Virginia “Pepper” Potts is Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes (“Rhodey”), played by Terrence Howard.

This comedy drama, which is full of action and special effects, opens in theaters around the world in early May 2008, but fans and other interested people all over the world don’t need to wait for the movie to reach their local theaters before immersing themselves in the world of “Iron Man.” An Audi micro-site has been produced especially for this movie. On its complex home page the user can pay a virtual visit to Tony Stark’s top-secret New York workshop. Two perspectives are available: Through the eyes of Tony Stark, trailers and background information on the movie can be called up and viewed. Alternatively the special “Iron Man Vision” infrared viewer can be used, for instance to explore the design details of the Audi R8 and A5. The micro-site also contains historical facts about Audi and the ‘Iron Man’ comic strip, which can be found in a virtual Audi R10 TDI racecar.

The micro-site goes online at www.audi.com/ironman on March 10, 2008.

“One Man. One Machine. One Mission.” The online campaign starts with this motto alongside the micro-site. The key visual shows Iron Man with the Audi R8. This action-packed motif recalls a movie theater poster and is intended to draw Internet users’ attention to the web site. The decision in favor of this theater-style campaign was a deliberate one, with the aim of strengthening the link between the Audi R8 and Tony Stark, alias Iron Man. In communication terms it is very different from regular Audi advertising. “We want to address a young movie-going public directly,” says Michael Renz. Advertising measures are also being put into effect at Audi dealers, starting in March.

Early in April, communication measures in Germany will be stepped up, with outdoor advertising and movie theater trailers. A notable feature of the trailers is that they were produced especially for Audi and are made up of exclusive scenes from the movie and Audi road shots. All eleven trailers will be placed on the micro-site in succession by the time the movie reaches theaters in early May 2008.

Although the Audi R8 impressed the cast and the production team so much while the movie was being shot, director Jon Favreau found himself facing a slight problem as the story reached its climax. He had planned for the car to be used in a final scene by being involved in a dramatic collision with Iron Man’s wicked adversary. This had to be omitted from the final cut, Favreau explains: “The crash just wasn’t spectacular enough! Our stunt specialists did their best to turn the R8 over onto its roof, which would have given us a dramatic final scene, but they failed – the car clung to the road too well!”

It looks as if the Audi R8 had better stick to what it does best, even after a promising start to its acting career. One of the great Hollywood stars of the past could maybe have hammed this scene with the director’s help, but not a car designed and hand-built according to Audi’s famous “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. A car such as this guarantees top dynamic performance, technological leadership and, thanks to its quattro permanent all-wheel drive, clings firmly to the road. Never mind if a spectacular crash could save the world – it’s simply too much to expect of an Audi R8 that’s built to perform its task perfectly in every other way.

Another important role in “Iron Man” – apart from Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and of course the Audi R8 – is played by Jeff Bridges. Jon Favreau is the director and the screenplay was written by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. The producers of “Iron Man” are Avi Arad and Kevin Feige, the executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Peter Billingsley, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee and David Maisel.

Audi has a long product placement tradition. Systematic placement of automobiles in movies is an important element in its communication strategy. Of course, all activity of this kind has to be in conformity with Audi’s general brand strategy. This is why Audi chooses the projects carefully. Its contribution to the movie ‘I, Robot’ (2004) was spectacular: Will Smith drove the RSQ, which was especially designed for ‘I, Robot’ and in fact a futuristic design study for the Audi R8 now seen in ‘Iron Man’. Cars from the brand with the four-ring emblem were also to be seen as “leading automobile actors” in John Frankenheimer’s classic action movie ‘Ronin’ (with Jean Reno und Robert De Niro, 1998), and in ‘The Insider’ (with Russell Crowe, 1999), ‘Mission Impossible II’ (with Tom Cruise, 2000), ‘The Mothman Prophecies’ (with Richard Gere, 2002), ‘About a Boy’ (with Hugh Grant, 2002), Reese Witherspoon’s ‘Natural Blonde 2’ (2003), ‘Transporter 2’ (Jason Statham, 2005) or ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ (Matt Damon, 2007).

Phantom Coupe sold out already

olls Royce has been on a roll of late, with a 25-percent increase in global production in 2007, and the gorgeous new Phantom Coupe ready to add to last year's record totals. Since the official announcement of the ultra-luxury two-door, 200 orders have already been taken, which represents all production for 2008. Even more impressive is the fact that two-thirds of the orders come from customers who have never before owned a Rolls. It doesn't hurt that the Phantom Coupe's Drophead sibling is sold out through summer 2009, which means the fixed-top Phantom has little short-term competition on the show floor.

Moto GP Race results - Qatar

Full race results from the Qatar Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2008 season and first ever MotoGP event to be held at night.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 42min 36.587 secs
2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 42min 41.910 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 42min 47.187 secs
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 42min 49.875 secs
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 42min 49.892 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 42min 50.627 secs
7. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 42min 51.737 secs
8. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 43min 9.092 secs
9. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 43min 9.590 secs
10. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 43min 14.941 secs
11. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 43min 20.871 secs
12. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 43min 26.444 secs
13. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 43min 26.458 secs
14. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 43min 35.119 secs
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 43min 35.517 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 43min 42.230 secs
17. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1 lap

DNF:
Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B)

Ferrari One-to-One personalization program

Show-stopping new production cars and concepts were not lacking in Geneva this year. There were so many, in fact, that we struggled to take it all in. Yet while Ferrari didn't have any new models to show us, somehow we couldn't help but slow down in front of its booth as we rushed from press conference to press conference. Maybe it was the classic Daytona sitting next to the 612 Scaglietti bathed in soft light, or maybe the pair of lookers standing next to them. Guess we'll never know, but you can feast your eyes on all the sexy models in the gallery below.

What Ferrari did unveil at the Swiss show, however, was a new customization program. Called One-to-One, the program takes the catalog of options under the existing Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme a step further. A customization studio is being built at the factory in Maranello where clients can hand-pick a wide variety of options from leather swatches to brake calipers and everything in between. The program is being launched on the 612 Scaglietti, but will assuredly be broadened to the entire range in due course. For the 612, Ferrari also announced the availability of the SuperFast robotic gearbox and a new electrochromatic glass roof that can tint and lighten at the push of a button like the folding hardtop on the limited edition Superamerica. More on the latest from Maranello is available in the press release after the jump.


PRESS RELEASE


Geneva, March 4th 2008 - Ferrari is present at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show with its entire GT range, the F2007 single-seater that won last year's Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships, the legendary 365 GTB4 "Daytona" which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and a special area dedicated to the One-to-One Programme.

Taking pride of place at the Ferrari stand, however, is the 612 Scaglietti, the model being used to inaugurate the new One-to-One Personalisation Programme. Ferrari intends to allow every client to fully personalise this flagship model, courtesy of a wide array of new content as well as the options available through the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme. In fact, a special dedicated "atelier" area has been set up at the factory in which clients can put together their own bespoke 612 Scaglietti accessory by accessory, detail by detail. In exactly the same way as they would at an haute couture fashion house, owners can choose details and materials they want for their car in consultation with the Ferrari experts who will actually build it to their exact specifications and tastes.

We have recreated a compact version of the real telier (due to be officially opened in Maranello in the near future) on the stand. Further such ateliers will then be opened over the next few months in other parts of the world.
Clients will be assisted in making their selections by dedicated Programme consultants who can help them at every stage of defining their car's specification. Naturally, despite the many variations on offer, the Ferrari flagship's benchmark quality and styling characteristics will remain unchanged and no modifications will be permitted that would impinge on the signature Prancing Horse safety and reliability.

All of these unique new 612 Scagliettis will be built in a dedicated assembly area at the Maranello factory.

To underscore the sheer depth and flexibility of the personalisation options available for the 612 Scaglietti, we are exhibiting at Geneva a version which has been inspired, right down to its perforated leather Daytona seats, by the classic 365 GTB4 which will stand alongside it. The famous 365 GTB4 was, of course, affectionately dubbed the Daytona in honour of the historic one-two-three finish delivered by the Scuderia Ferrari in the eponymous 24 Hour Race in 1967. The arrival of the 365 GTB4 was a significant moment in the company's history and Ferrari will be celebrating this car's 40th anniversary in 2008 with a series of events across the globe.

The 612 Scagliettis being used to launch the One-to-One Programme incorporate a series of technical evolutions that reflect the Ferrari philosophy of constantly introducing innovations in each model. Most notably, the V12 flagship now boasts an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. This has the dual advantage of giving occupants the feeling of driving along in a drop-top whilst enjoying the comfort and safety of a coupé. However, this is no ordinary panoramic roof. It is made from electrochromic glass which can be changed at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. The electrochromic glass solution was developed in close collaboration with Saint Gobain, a partner with whom Ferrari has most recently developed a similar highly innovative solution for the Superamerica.

In addition to its electrochromic roof, the 612 Scaglietti also sports the aptly named SuperFast gearbox which delivers an exceptional gear-shifting time of 100 milliseconds and a reduced inertia clutch to enhance the engine's responsiveness still further. The iconic Ferrari manettino, now featured on the entire range, has also been added to the steering wheel.

Another model being showcased at Geneva is the F430 Spider, a rear-engined 8-cylinder that combines blistering performance with open-top driving pleasure. The version on the stand is displayed in a historic colour Grigio Ferro, with a sophisticated Cioccolato interiors. The F430 Spider has proved an enormous success since its launch and in 2007 won prestige awards from international publications, such as Quattroruote, Autozeitung, Auto Illustrierte and Auto Motor und Sport.

The Company's sporting history is also represented on the stand by the 599 GTB Fiorano, the highest performance production model ever built at Maranello and seen here in a classic Rosso Corsa livery, and the 430 Scuderia, an extreme model voted "Dream Car of the Year" by the authoritative British car magazine Top Gear.

The more track-oriented side of Ferrari's dual soul is represented most ably on the stand by the F2007, the single-seater that won the World Championship last year, bringing to 15 the overall number of Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' titles won by Maranello so far.

612 SCAGLIETTI

The 612 Scaglietti is the result of an avant-garde design that continues the great Ferrari 2+2 tradition in fabulous style. Designed by Pininfarina, the 612 Scaglietti is named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, the legendary Modenese stylist and coachbuilder responsible for bodying some of the most beautiful Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s. The 612 Scaglietti epitomises Ferrari's talent for innovation and design. This thrillingly nimble, beautifully balanced sporty front-engined rear-wheel drive berlinetta offers a cabin capable of accommodating four occupants in unprecedented onboard comfort, thanks to a host of accessories and a fantastic specification. The 612 Scaglietti is a sumptuous, roomy two-door four-seater that's a pleasure to be aboard regardless of the driving conditions.

The chassis and bodywork. These are made entirely from light, tough aluminium which translates into enhanced performance, braking and road-holding all in one.

Engine The V12 engine has a dry sump lubrication system featuring both delivery and scavenge pumps, twin overhead cams, 48 valves, maximum power of 540 hp at 7250 rpm, maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5250 rpm. The car has a maximum speed of 320 kph, and 0 to 100 kph acceleration of 4.0 secs.

Gearbox, 6-speed, F1-type featuring new SuperFast technology that cuts gear-shifting times to 100 milliseconds. Courtesy of either the steering wheel-mounted manettino and specific button, the gearbox can easily switch from very high performance situations to city or touring driving.

Clutch: Twin-plate to reduce weight and rotating masses as well as thermal and mechanical inertia.

Brakes. Carbon-ceramic material (CCM) Brembo brakes with vented discs that are fade and vibration-resistant even in extreme and intensive situations. The fact that the brakes are so light also reduces the unsprung masses. Large-diameter discs: 380x36mm with 6-pot callipers front and 360x34 and 4-pot callipers rear.

MAGIC INDIA DISCOVERY

The Magic India Discovery Tour started from Mumbai on February 25th and will see two 612 Scagliettis cover a route stretching more than 13,000 kilometres. More than 50 journalists from all over the world will take turns behind the wheels of the cars which return to the Mumbai on May 8th.

The two 612 Scagliettis (one red, the other white, both sporting a specially designed livery) will feature a few absolutely minimal modifications to allow them to negotiate the more difficult sections of the tour. The modifications involve the fitting of an underbody protector made from 4 mm duraluminium rather than plastic and a slightly higher suspension setting to deal with the tougher road surfaces. Otherwise, however, they will be entirely straightforward production cars.

The Magic India Discovery tour is divided into 12 stages and runs over 74 days. The start from Mumbai's Gateway of India was watched by Fiat Group Vice-President John Elkan and Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group. The two Scagliettis will head south along the coast to the city of Trivandrum near the very southern tip of the Indian peninsula, turning up towards Bangalore and Kolkata (Calcutta). The final part of the voyage takes the cars up along the river Ganges and north to the Pakistani border. It then heads back down towards New Delhi and on through fascinating Rajasthan before returning to Mumbai.

The Magic India Discovery tour will enjoy the invaluable support of the Tata Group, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Taj Hotels, Shell, Fiat India Pvt Ltd., Alcoa, Pirelli, Saima Avandero and OMR.

Assistance and spare parts will be provided by eight support vehicles: five Tata cars, two Fiats and one specially fitted-out Iveco truck.

In addition to the journalists driving the two 612 Scagliettis and the photographers, camera operators, the tour will also be accompanied by a technical assistance and logistics team for its entire duration.

The 612 Scaglietti is Ferrari's top of the range model and in line with its elegant, exclusive image, we will also be providing our guests on the tour with sophisticated colonial style clothing. In addition to this, legendary Milanese hatmaker Borsalino has created a contemporary take on the classic colonial Pith helmet as the weather will be particularly hot and sunny.

The www.ferrariworld.com and www.media.ferrari.com websites will feature constantly updated news and high resolution images throughout the tour also.

FERRARI BUSINESS

2007 BALANCE SHEET: A RECORD YEAR

In the year of Ferrari's 60 year anniversary, beautifully topped off by our seventh Constructors' World title in nine years in Formula 1 and our sixth Drivers' title in the last eight years of the World Championship, all of the main economic indicators were up to excellent levels.

Ferrari's revenues (turnover) increased from the 1,447 million euro recorded in 2006 to 1,668 million euro in 2007, a jump of 15.3%.

A total of 6,465 road cars (i.e. track cars excluded) were delivered to end clients, an increase of 14% on 2006. The emerging markets showed the strongest growth. Sales to the Asia-Pacific region rose by 47.2% on last year's figure while the Middle East was up by 32.3%. The trend was positive too, however, in more traditional markets such as the United States (+7.7%), the United Kingdom (+8.2%) and Germany (+5.9%).

Our trading profit of 266 million euro represents a massive 45.4% increase on last year's figure and brings our ROS (Return on Sales) up to 16% compared to 12.6% in 2006.

FERRARI FINANCIAL SERVICES

Founded in late 2006, Ferrari Financial Services is made up of three legal companies. Ferrari Financial Services SpA is the Italian mother company and directly manages the Italian market. It also controls Ferrari Financial Services AG (which operates on the German, French, Austrian, Belgian and Swiss markets) and Ferrari Financial Services Inc. which, through our dealership network, covers the whole of the USA.
In 2007, Ferrari Financial Services achieved 27% market penetration on the seven markets on which it operates. In other words, around one third of the cars manufactured and sold by Maranello were purchased using its financing contracts.
The average length of these finance contracts is 40 months and the amounts involved range from 100,000 euros to up to four million dollars, the price fetched by California Spider sold recently on the American market. The Ferrari Financial Services portfolio also includes two Ferrari Enzos (average value: 700,000 euros) and no less than seven former F1 single-seaters (average value: 1.5 million euro).
FFS offers a choice of four different financial packages to suit the various categories of car covered: GT from current range, competition cars, classic and pre-owned cars, Formula 1 and limited series).

Each package includes a range of options from financing for more traditional services (insurance or scheduled services) to ultra-exclusive driving courses certified by the current Scuderia Ferrari drivers.

FERRARI CLASSICHE

Introduced in July 2006, the Ferrari Classiche division provides restoration and maintenance services, technical assistance and authenticity certificates to classic Ferrari owners. To date, Ferrari Classiche has received over 800 requests for certificates of authenticity and issued over 600. The certification is carried out using the data contained in the Company's technical and historic archive which includes information on all of the GT, competition and sports prototypes cars built at Maranello since the Prancing Horse's foundation.
2008 looks set to be another excellent year for Ferrari collectors too, with a series of special events that includes celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the legendary 365 GTB4 "Daytona" during the Mugello Historic Festival (April 5th and 6th). Then on May 18th, the Fiorano Circuit will host the second edition of the "Leggenda e Passione" auction organised by RM Auctions in collaboration with Sotheby's.

2008 SPORTING ACTIVITIES

2007 saw Ferrari sign a technological collaboration agreement with the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport to supply engines for the series' single-seaters. Ferrari will also act as a consultant on the design of the chassis of the cars competing until 2014. The collaboration begins from the 2008/2009 Championship.

FERRARI CORSE CLIENTI

Client racers have played a major role in Ferrari's sporting activities since the foundation of the Marque. This led to the Ferrari Challenge being set up in 1993 followed in 2001 by a dedicated Corse Clienti division. Corse Clienti currently organises the international Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, provides support to Ferrari clients taking part in the GT championships and manages the F1 Clienti department, the exclusive FXX Programme and the Pilota Ferrari driving courses.

PILOTA FERRARI DRIVING COURSES

The Ferrari driving course programme began in 1993 with just one type of course (Basic) but in the years that followed it developed to meet client demand into three levels of increasing complexity: Advanced, Evolution and Challenge.
Between 1993 and the present, in fact, over 4,000 clients from all parts of the globe have attended our courses.
Over 700 individuals signed up for them in 2007 alone, in fact. More than 400 of these attended the courses held at Fiorano: 17% from Italy, 55% from other European markets, 13% from America, and 15% from Australia and Asia.
The Chinese courses attracted over 80 participants to three different circuits in Shanghai, Beijing and Zhuhai.
The Ferrari North America Driving School sessions brought upwards of 200 drivers to the Mont-Tremblant Circuit in Quebec, Canada.
The Pilota Ferrari on Ice course was launched this year also and will help clients hone their skills at controlling their car in adverse conditions.
A special course developed in collaboration with Michael Schumacher is also offered to clients that have purchased a 430 Scuderia through Ferrari Financial Services.

FERRARI STORES

The Ferrari Store opening programme continues apace across the world too. Stores were officially inaugurated in Beijing, Los Angeles, Shenyang, Barcelona, Al Kobar, Abu Dhabi and Macao in 2007. 2008 will see us enhance our presence in the North American market with new Stores in Honolulu, San Francisco and Miami in the first half of the year. The Singapore Store opened in January 2008 and another is planned for Moscow this year too.

FERRARI IN SWITZERLAND

With 270 road cars delivered there in 2007 (in line with the 2006 figure of 269), Switzerland is Ferrari's seventh largest market after the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and France. It is also our largest market overall in terms of cars sold per capita of population. Ferrari maintains a strong presence in the country through Ferrari Suisse which is based at Nyon near Geneva. The latter has been directly controlled by the Prancing Horse since 1993 and is currently headed by a Giulio Zauner. Ferrari Suisse operates through a network of 10 dealerships which also guarantee a technical assistance service.

Many of our Swiss clients are involved in the GT championships, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, as well as in collecting historic and Formula 1 cars from various eras. Ferrari Classiche has, in particular, had numerous certification requests from Swiss owners.

Bugatti Veyron sales reach 220

Congratulations, and a toast with a pair of champagne glasses, to Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. for selling 220 of their ultra-exotic Veyron 16.4 models. With 132 examples sitting safely in customer garages worldwide and 88 more on firm order, Bugatti is moving closer to the end of its reported 300-car production run.

We told you last year that demand has been strong for the 16-cylinder quad-turbo model. With deposits on the $1.4 million cars quickly pushing the waiting list to over a year, Bugatti increased production last July to bring the wait to under twelve months. Simply being otherworldly drivers isn't necessarily enough, either. With customers showing more interest in "special" cars, the factory is authorizing an "individualisation programme" to meet those requests. These days, if the "standard" Bugatti just doesn't do it for you, there is always the Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang with its polished aluminum body and unpainted carbon fiber. Not plush enough? Then try the opulent Bugatti Veyron Fbg Hermes for some exclusivity. Or, maybe you'd prefer the Bugatti Pegaso Edition instead?

Regardless of which Veyron floats your boat, if you're considering adding yourself to the lucky list of 220, do yourself a favor and check out the Bugatti online configurator before you march into one of the 32 sales locations around the world. Their available 'exterior color' palette is quite overwhelming, so you may want to take a few minutes to mull over it before you commit.