Bugatti has released details of the latest Special Edition Veyron model to be made. This one is for the Qatar Motor Show this week, and is based on the Grand Sport model, the most powerful open top car in the world.

It gets the same 1015 bhp quad-turbo 8.0 litre W16 engine as the Veyron coupe had, but is speed limited to 224 mph with the roof off. Certainly enough to ruffle even the most gelled-down of hairstyles. Roof on, it is still capable of 252 mph.

Visually the Special Edition model gets a two tone exterior in a not-too-subtle shade of bright yellow on top, with bare carbon below. Black alloy wheels complete the look. The yellow paint is unusual in that it also covers the air intakes for the engine, which are normally shiny chrome. The rest of the normal chrome trim is finished in gloss black. Despite how the look sounds, a car like the Veyron can somehow pull it off and this model looks pretty fantastic. Certainly more exciting than the usual dull grey, blue or black models you can see circling Harrods every summer.

Where it falls down for us is the interior. They could have gone with black leather with matching yellow piping and stitching, but unfortunately not. In this case they have gone for a matching yellow interior as well – seats, centre console, carpets, the tops of the doors and the headliner are all trimmed in the violent hue. Only the dash top and door cards are black leather or carbon fibre to save the eyes a little.

Still, there is no doubt at all that this one-off will sell to someone in the UAE, after all this is the Veyron’s biggest market, even if demand for the world’s fastest car does seem to be waning. All 300 ‘normal’ Veyron coupes have been sold, but of the planned 150 Grand Sports there are still 105 slots left. Production was thought to be ending this year, but Bugatti will keep making the Veyron until people stop buying them – when that will be is anyone’s guess. But there are certainly enough wealthy petrolheads in the UAE, Russia and China to satisfy a large portion of that remaining number.

Bugatti are going to renew the interest in the Veyron at the Geneva Motor Show in March though, with the launch of the Grand SuperSport model (we’re guessing about the name, so it may be different) – a convertible version of the 1200 bhp SuperSport which holds the title of World’s Fastest Car with a top speed of 268 mph. The Grand SuperSport will likely be reined in a little, but will still be a fearsome car.

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An incredibly rare Jaguar XJ220S is set to go to auction in Arizona next week.

The regular Jaguar XJ220 was limited to a production run of just 350 units, but this model is the super-rare XJ220S which had a production run of just 6 units. The XJ220S was built with the help of Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) who stripped most of the original XJ220′s aluminium body and replaced it with superlight carbon fibre. The ‘S’ also got a new front bumper with fared-in driving lights and large splitter, along with a much larger adjustable rear wing with the struts elegantly smoothed into the rear wings.

What this new bodywork and other lightening measures achieved was incredible – the XJ220S weighed a staggering 400 kg less than the standard car at 1080 kg. The XJ220S came with the standard XJ220’s twin turbo 3.5 litre V6 power unit but was tweaked by TWR to produce 680 bhp and 526 lb/ft of torque.

However this particular car has a new $20,000 titanium exhaust system by TWR and additional engine updates which has raised it to approximately 700 bhp. That’s a power to weight ratio of 605 bhp/tonne, very impressive numbers.

Visually the owner decided that this car; chassis #784, needed a little more mystique and aggression (really? Had he actually seen the car beforehand?!), so had it repainted in an exact match for the satin matte grey finish of the Lamborghini Reventon. There are new projector headlights and the magnesium wheels were refurbished and fitted with modern tyres, while the interior has had a full re-trim. What he created was possibly one of the best looking supercars of all time – such smooth lines and aggression combined in one package.

This exceptional XJ220S is expected to fetch between £150,000 and £200,000 when it goes under the hammer next week, which seems a little low to us. A standard XJ220 sells for around £160,000 in the current market so we’d expect this amazing and rare ‘S’ to sell for well over £200,000.

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Porsche has today revealed images and details of the all-new 2013 Boxster. The model wasn’t due to be revealed until nearer the Geneva Motor Show in March, but after some grainy press shots were leaked onto the web yesterday Porsche decided to move the reveal forward.

Of course, the new Boxster was caught undisguised back in October, but Porsche never confirmed the validity of those shots. What we get now though, is a look at the all-new Boxster and Boxster S in all their glory.

And what glory it is – the biggest change in the history of the Boxster line, the new model is the first to really break away from the mini-911 styling of the older generations with a styling theme all of its own. Thinner headlights are reminiscent of the 918 Spyder Supercar, with individual pods for the lights within. The nose has a more aggressive, angled down poise about it, with the curves over the front wings dipping before rising up again over powerful rear haunches. At the side there’s a new, much more prominent air intake for the mid-mounted engine which is recessed into the doors, much like the Carrera GT Supercar. At the rear there is the familiar central exhaust outlet and a new integrated spoiler which rises as speed with a styling line that runs through the rear lights, again giving hints of the 918 Spyder.

Porsche have certainly gone much more exotic and sporty with the looks of the new Boxster, which can only be a good thing in our eyes. The new look is very pretty, won’t alienate current owners and will win over a lot of new fans who thought the current model wasn’t distinctive enough. For the interior, the new model gets the same look as the new 991 and Panamera models with a raised centre console, placing all the major controls close at hand. It’s a more upmarket look for the Boxster and one that will certainly win over new customers.

The proportions are helped by an increased wheelbase and shorter overhangs, while the windscreen base has been moved forward. The electric hood has been redesigned as well and now dispenses with the need for a hood compartment lid over the stored hood by using a rigid front section panel which then sits on top, hiding the rest when stowed. A very elegant solution and one of the ways that Porsche has managed to trim substantial amounts of weight out of the new Boxster. There aren’t confirmed weights yet, but rumours suggest the new models are up to 75 kg lighter than the previous generation.

Engine wise, the Boxster now returns to the older size of 2.7 litres. This is a new unit based on the 3.4 litre flat six cylinder motor, the efficiency of which is further enhanced by the direct fuel injection, electrical system recuperation, thermal management and start/stop function.

The 2.7 produces 265 bhp (up 10bhp) and the 3.4 engine in the Boxster S gets 315 bhp. Combined with the lower weight the performance is improved too, the Boxster sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, the Boxster S in 4.7 seconds. And just to sweeten the deal a little more, economy and emissions are also improved over the old model.

Both the Boxster and Boxster S come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the seven-speed PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) dual clutch gearbox optional. To enhance driving dynamics yet further, Porsche offers the Sport Chrono Package as an optional extra for the Boxster, featuring dynamic transmission mounts for the first time. Also new in the Boxster is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear axle differential lock.

We can’t wait to see how the new model drives and we’ll be certain to let you in on it when we do…

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgFqgpoHQGM

Honda has unveiled the much anticipated NSX Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today. It has been shown as an Acura model, which is Honda’s US luxury brand but in the rest of the world it will be sold as a Honda NSX. The concept shows what we can expect from the new NSX which is scheduled to be made in Ohio and launched sometime within the next 3 years.

Styling-wise, we think it’s a great looking car. It manages to look very stylish, sporty and classy without any obviously derivative styling cues from other cars in the genre. At a push we’d say there’s a hint of Audi R8 in the profile but they have managed to avoid the Audi’s overly long middle and awkward proportions.

Just like the original NSX from the early 1990s, the next-generation supercar will have a mid-mounted V6 engine, make use of lightweight materials and have incredible handling, but this time there will be a technological edge as it will include a version of Honda’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) hybrid system.

Honda hasn’t released any performance specs but previous reports have stated the NSX will have around 400 bhp from the V6 engine and the two electric motors will be placed in-wheel and contribute another 100 bhp bringing the total to 500 bhp. 0-60 mph should arrive in less than five seconds.

The hybrid drive unit will have a next-generation VTEC V6 engine with direct-injection and 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit as Honda refers to it. Transmission will be a dual clutch unit with a built-in electric motor to create the kind of acceleration numbers that are in supercar league but while offering excellent economy.

Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, who led the development of Honda’s first NSX supercar, explained the values of the new NSX, “Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”

One are that is a worry is the weight of the new NSX. The old NSX was a very lightweight car, meaning that it handled with pinpoint precision and gave very impressive performance even though it only had 276 bhp. The fact that the new car will have almost twice the power means that it will invariably weigh a lot more, though Honda have pointed out that they are intent on making it as light as possible.

Plus Honda know a thing or two about making a car handle well so we will have to wait a little while to see what they come up with. But after years and years of concepts we just hope that this really does turn into a production car. Honda really need an exciting car in their lineup again, and hopefully this may pave the way for a new generation of Type-R models.

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DC Design from has revealed first sight of their new supercar at the New Delhi Auto Expo.

Called the Avanti, which is a reference to the Studbaker Avanti from Tintin comics, the Indian supercar will initially be available with a Ford 4-cylinder turbo engine producing 265 bhp, then later followed by a Honda V6 making 400 bhp – modest figures indeed for a supercar.

Not helping matters either is a sprint time to 62 mph in just under seven seconds which doesn’t scream ‘Supercar’. The Avanti doesn’t help itself with a 1,560 kg vehicle weight, though the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission helps with performance.

Manufactured at DC Design’s Talegaon plant in Pune, the chassis is made of aluminium while the body panels are made of fiberglass (GRP). Engines will be prepared in the UK and then shipped to India. Despite our initial supercar scepticism, we’re reminded that the Avanti is intended to be an affordable supercar priced at 30 lakh rupees (£40,000). Once that notion sinks in, this actually doesn’t look so bad after all.

Looks-wise, the Avanti has a certain resemblance to the Ferrari 458 from some angles, though this may just be the red/black paint job of the car in the images. There are also hints of the Audi R8 in the stance of the car, but overall it seems to be a very nicely styled car. Aggressive, stylish and sporty for sure, though we’ve yet to see the rear end.

DC Design plans to produce 200 units per year, approximately one car every two days, with the hopes of gradually building up to 2000 units per year. DC Design is the brainchild of acclaimed car designer Dilip Chhabria and has won critical acclaim for some of its creations. Most famously DC Design created the first Aston Martin V8 Vantage prototype show car for the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, and a one-off Rolls Royce coupe which caused controversy around London.

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Xmas day was alive in Delhi to the sound of 10,000bhp screaming around a race track.

You may not think that India is the most obvious place to have a nice car, let alone a Supercar, but like every country there are petrolheads in India – and there are petrolheads with LOTS of money.

Based in Chandigarh near New Delhi, the Cannonball Club is a collection of such enthusiasts who get together for drives and meetings to admire each other’s cars. But when the Buddh International Circuit opened last year for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, it gave the club a new and exciting opportunity – a track day.

The club members own some fantastic machinery from Italy, Germany and Japan, and they have the very latest cars too – in the club currently there’s a Lamborghini Aventador, a Mercedes SLS AMG and a Ferrari 458 amongst many others.

The track day at BIC (in association with RaceTech) saw a massive turnout, with drivers being able to push their incredible machines to the limit on the track which F1 drivers said was the best new track in years. The roads in and around Delhi are awful, which when combined with the heavy traffic and erratic driving styles means that owners of these cars rarely get to use their performance or handling. But as they now have a world class racing circuit on their doorstep we can expect many more track days like this to take place, and we’ll be there to watch (and try to grab a passenger lap or two!).

Images courtesy of Cannonball Club

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Lotus Cars could be in trouble. Well, they could be in trouble if they get sold to the wrong company, that is. If Proton decide to offload them it could go one of two ways – certain companies have flourished when sold to the correct company – see Jaguar land Rover and Mini. Some haven’t done so well – see MG. Bloomberg has done some investigating and found that all may not be well in Malaysia and Norfolk.

Proton, the Malaysian maker of sedans and taxis that bought control of Lotus in 1996, hasn’t made any profit from the British unit for 15 years and probably won’t at least until 2014. Now that Proton itself may be divested by its state-run parent, investors such as Gan Eng Peng say Lotus Group International Ltd. is ripe for a sale.

“It will make sense for them to sell it,” said Gan, who helps oversee about $3.6 billion as head of equities at Hwang DBS Investment Management Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. “Proton and Lotus are not a good fit. They are in different market segments, both in terms of geography and product.”

Lotus, which has struggled to compete against Porsche and Ferrari in Europe, has hung on to relevance in the auto industry partly because of its decades-long expertise in designing lightweight frames. Still, the company may need the backing of a carmaker more global than Proton to survive in an industry where carmakers such as Saab Automobile are filing for bankruptcy, according to Gan. Lotus showed 6 new concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, but the first of these new models – the Esprit won’t likely reach production until 2013 at the earliest after they decided to develop their own engine instead of reworking a Lexus V8 engine. It will likely be a naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 with over 500bhp in standard form.

There are also new versions of the Elise, a new city car, a front engined 2+2 with a folding hard top named Elite and a four door coupe-saloon called the Eterne. The last two would be powered by the same engine as the Esprit but in the front of the car.

Hopefully if Proton do decide to sell Lotus, the company would go to a company that would develop the company and return it to the lightweight roots it became famous for. Many think that the new direction Lotus is going in is totally against the original principles of adding performance through lightweight design, not just adding weight and a more powerful engine.

Only time will tell though. We would like to see Lotus go to a company with the vision to develop it – maybe a partnership with Aston Martin as they share aluminium chassis technologies. Though the owners of Aston Martin aren’t exactly pouring money into that company either, so maybe someone could swoop in and save both, making a super-Brit sportscar company. We can but dream…

Report from of Bloomberg

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Audi has officially unveiled the A1 Quattro.

Available exclusively in Glacier White metallic, the special edition aims to be the wildest hot hatch available today. Currently the A1 range tops out with the 180 bhp 1.4 litre TFSi which puts it below the power of the established competition such as the 197 bhp Renault Clio 197, 202 bhp Vauxhall Corsa Nurburgring and the 208 bhp Mini JCW.

But instead of competing with those cars head on, Audi has decided to create the ultimate hot hatch with the 252 bhp Quattro. The engine from the S3 is transplanted into the A1’s nose in a transverse installation, which impresses not just with the headline horsepower rating, but also with the 258 lb/ft of torque. This power is sent through a six-speed manual transmission which sends power to a Haldex all-wheel drive system. This enables the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 152 mph.

The A1 Quattro certainly sets itself apart from the rest of the A1 range with some serious styling changes. There is a massive front bumper containing huge air intakes and front splitter, all of which are very close to the ground. There are improved brakes hidden behind retro Ronal-style 18” alloy wheels and at the rear there is a new spoiler and twin 100mm tail pipes.

The cabin is a luxuriously affair with Silk Nappa leather sport seats, gloss black trim and stainless steel pedals. Other highlights include a flat-bottom steering wheel, an aluminium gear knob and a revised instrument cluster. There’s also LED ambient lighting, MMI navigation-plus and a Bose audio system.

The A1 Quattro will be launched in the second half of 2012 and production will be limited to 333 units. Speculation has it that this is not meant to be launched instead of the rumoured RS1, rather it is a way of testing the water to see if one would be bought by consumers.

Pricing has not been released but expect a price tag of over £30,000. Sadly due to the extra development costs the A1 Quattro wil be left hand drive only.

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Hennessey Performance sent out their Xmas press release today which started, “Who Needs Reindeer When You Have an 800 HP Twin Turbo Sleigh?”

With that in mind, Hennessey has released this sole image of their 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 packing a HPE800 Twin Turbo engine package. It consists of the factory 6.4-litre HEMI V8 with an increased displacement to 7.0-litres in addition to a rather sizeable twin turbo system.

In standard specification the Grand Cherokee SRT8 outputs 465 bhp and 465 lb/ft of torque which is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. However, Hennessey’s HPE800 equipped Grand Cherokee SRT8 produces a staggering 805 bhp and 823 lb/ft of torque. The HPE800 strangles the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.1 seconds and can destroy the 1/4 mile in 10.9 seconds @ 130 mph.

Additional modifications include an upgraded transmission system and torque converter upgrade, 15.1 inch Brembo brakes front and rear, a lowered sport suspension system, lighter 20” alloy wheels, a carbon fibre front splitter and a custom leather interior with Alcantara steering wheel.

“We’ve built a dozens of 600-800 bhp Jeep SRT8s over the past five years, so we have an existing client base who will want to upgrade the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 to an even higher level”, said company founder and president, John Hennessey. “This vehicle is designed for the performance minded driver who lives in Aspen or Moscow and wants to be the fastest in all weather conditions.”

HPE will only build 24 vehicles with pricing starting at $235,000 which is quite a substantial price increase over the standard car’s $55,000 price tag. But then you do get performance to shame most sports cars…

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLZGQ4gIs5M

Donkervoort has today revealed their new generation sports car, the D8 GTO, a full year after releasing their Christmas card teaser image.

In close collaboration with Audi’s high performance subsidiary, Quattro GmbH, Donkervoort has taken the new 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo engine from the Audi TT-RS and implanted it into their minimalist D8 sports car. Normally the 2.5-liter produces 335 bhp in the TT-RS but in the D8 GTO up to 395 bhp with 450 Nm of torque is available.

With a weight of only 750 kg the D8 GTO runs from 0-62 mph in 3.0 sec and has a top speed of 158 mph. With performance specs like that, fuel consumption is actually quite respectable at 23.5-28.3 mpg.

The body is made of a carbon/aluminium/steel tubular hybrid chassis with carbon fibre/GRP  body panels and comes in a larger size than its predecessors, the closed GT and the open D8 270RS. The GTO is approximately 35 cm (13.8 in) longer and 15 cm (6 in) wider as a result of the longitudinally mounted five cylinder Audi engine. Donkervoort says the GTO is a brand new design as it only share 5 percent of its parts with the D8 270RS and about 30 percent with the GT and therefore is considered a new generation vehicle.

The Donkervoort is a Caterham-alike vehicle, but has always gone against the grain in offering their cars in a closed body style unlike Caterham whose cars are open top roadsters with a makeshift roof for when you get caught in the rain. The D8 GTO is a roadster though, with a hardtop available.

Production of 25 “specially designed” units begins in the Spring 2012 with first deliveries in the summer. Already half of these special models have been claimed by Donkervoort’s best clients. Production of the “regular” versions are expected on European roads starting in 2013. The price of the new GTO is between €100,000 and €150,000 excluding taxes.

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