Car Throttle

Ferrari's top of the line production car, the 599 GTB Fiorano, is gaining two new variants this year, the HGTE (Handling GT Evoluzione) package and the 599 XX production racecar. The HGTE package is a reworking of the 599's rolling stock and suspension, meant to increase responsiveness and handling limits for people who like to actually drive their Ferraris.  Suspension changes include stiffer spring rates as well as a larger rear anti-sway bar.  The Maranello magicians have fiddled with the settings on the magnetorheological shock absorbers to provide stiffer damping when the Manettino is in the race setting. Other tweaks include recalibrated engine and transmission controls for even faster shifts in race mode, as well as faster throttle response.  20" split-spoke wheels, a matte-black rear diffuser, a

With the Geneva Motor Show winding down, CarThrottle has covered 30 launches from the show. Now, they're all here in one place for you to view. A lot has happened at the show, with a large amount of production and concept cars unveiled. I was particularly surprised at the level performance cars that came out! While it exhibits automobiles of every class, size and shape,  it's clear the Geneva Motor Show is the show of choice for the world's high-end manufacturers to debut their wares. It's good to see high-end manufacturers still alive and kicking. Aston Martin probably was the biggest letdown from the show. Everyone had high hopes for it's revival of the Lagonda brand, and I don't think anyone suspected it would be brought back for a

Zagato is a Italian coachbuilder and design house steeped in tradition. Most of the time, the vehicles they produce wear another manufacturer's badge and are Zagato's interpreration of a specific model. With the Perana Z-One, Zagato is creating it's own, self-branded vehicle. While it's own creation (and self-branded) the Perana Z-One is a result of the design houses's collaboration with a South African performance and production company, Perana Performance Group. The proportions are perfect, helping to lend the V8 sportscar a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. While good looking, it's not particularly unique in the world of automotive design. I'm thinking more along the lines of the original Anteros (a coachbuilt vehicle based on the Corvette). To my eyes at least, this isn't a truly Italian design. The clean flow of lines

Ever heard of Wiesmann? If you haven't, you've been missing out on the company's interesting retro creations. They've been busy lately, bringing out 3 new special editions in celebration of the company's 20th Anniversary. I'm still trying to make sense out of the various releases by the company but apparently there is 3 new special edition commemorative models. They include a higher performance MF5 (versus MF4), M4-S(port) and a new MF4 Roadster (in addition to the V6 powered MF3 Roadster). Also, a MF4-S will be coming as well later down the line. Got that? It's clear the Wiesmann cars are unique creations in a class by themself. Definitely retro, but not referencing any specific model. They just capture the spirit of classic roadsters without linking to any one in particular. Pretty neat

Anyone who's been watching the automotive industry for a while knows a few things. One of these things is that Hyundai is absolutely the brand to watch, because while other manufacturers are taking baby steps forward, Hyundai's steps all seem to be of the "giant leap" variety. You can see this in their production cars - like the "where'd that come from?" Genesis sedan, to the last-generation Tiburon that people actually  liked, to the Azera - which is kinda like a Buick LaCrosse, onlybetter in every conceivable way - and cheaper to boot.  They also have a creative touch when it comes to concept cars, and Hyundai's concept at Geneva this year displays just the kind of talent they have working for them these days. The worst

Unique? You bet. Dutch niche manufacturer Spyker Cars has unveiled it's next generation model, the signature C8, dubbed the C8 Aileron. Presaged by last year's C8 Aileron Concept, the 2009 C8 Aileron shows Spyker stepping up it's game significantly. Inside and out, the Aileron is much more refined and shows an increased developmental sophistication that hasn't been seen previously from the company. If it looks significantly different from the C8 Laviolette, that's because it is. I've always thought that while neat, the C8 Laviolette looked a bit odd and cartoonish. No more! The C8 Aileron's beautiful design is miles ahead of it's predessor and posseses a sleek and refined style. To me this is truly the epitome of automotive coolness. I love to see the products that small companies create, as they posess a spirit of

It has been 18 years since the last Aston Martin Lagonda was built, and if you remember, it was a stunning sedan. So it's quite a surprise that the new Lagonda Concept, unveiled at Geneva is not a competitor to the Rolls Royce Phantom, but a competitor to the Porsche Cayenne. According to Aston Martins press release, the Lagonda is "the luxury car of the future", whatever that means. It is suppose to launch the Lagonda Brand into a different direction that the traditional Aston marketplace. Instead of producing a heart stopping performance sports car (that Aston Martin is known for), or a lush performance limousine, the company chose to re-introduce their storied nameplate with a crossover. While the design is quite arresting, the whole Luxury

Another day, another Lotus Elise/Exige variant. It seems like the arrival of the newest, latest, greatest Exige/Elise is about a bi-weekly event; but it's still a Lotus, so who's going to complain?  Lotus is the flag-waving prime example of evolution, not revolution, improving the breed.  The latest evolution of the hard-top Exige has evolved just a little bit more, and it's the most powerful factory Exige yet. The flyweight mid-engine hardtop coupe, based on the resin-bonded aluminum spaceframe chassis of the Elise, fills the "track day" niche in the Lotus lineup.  I think.  Anyway, this year Lotus has boosted output on it's Toyota-sourced four cylinder powerplant again, from 240 horsepower to 257.  Lotus uses a proprietary supercharger setup on the Toyota 2ZZ-GE, which was used in

The latest in a long line of Renault hot hatches, the new Renaultsport Megane RS is just exactly what you'd expect: a turbocharged, hard-edged, body-kitted performance variant of the regular Megane. This is the first Renaultsport variant of the new Megane, which has been receiving relatively positive reviews in the press as of late.  It's based on the sleek-looking Megane Coupe, and features a revised motor plus some neat carryovers from the old Megane R.26R. Under the hood is a 2.0L, 16v inline-four equipped with a quick-spooling twin scroll turbocharger.  This motor makes more power and torque than the previous Renaultsport motor, while boasting a wider powerband and improved drivability and response.  Power peaks at 250 horsepower at 5,500rpm, while the torque peak of 340nM( 250lb-ft)

It's here and it's pure gorgeousness! After the endless leaks of teasers and tidbits of information on the Aston-Martin One-77 over the past (well, it seems like forever) we finally get an undisguised view of the the production vehicle. Finally, real headlights! Not the blacked out mockups that have been driving me crazy. Tell me that isn't amazing? The One-77 is absolutely fitting of it's role as the ultimate Aston Martin ever. Along with the new images of the exterior comes a reveal of what's under the skin. Aston Martin has on display at the Geneva Show the first completed carbon fibre and aluminum chassis that will underpin the car. In other words, you're looking at Aston Martin One-77 #1. Take a good look at that interior; it's the