Ascari A10

A lot of super cars are produced almost every year by the most famous car giants in the world. No wonder the competition to come out with the fastest breed of super cars becomes more interesting. British car manufacturer, Ascari, produced the powerful Ascari A10 in commemoration of its 10th anniversary in the industry. The Ascari A10 is a road car version of the KZ1-R race car that competed in the Spanish GT Championship. Former F1 designer Paul Brown penned this third road car that Ascari has produced in Banbury, England. The first two super road cars were the KZ1 and the Ecosse.

Engine Performance

The new A10 will have drivers enjoying the performance of a modified BMW 5.0 V8 engine that produces 625 bhp that is delivered by a six speed manual gearbox and standard manual transmission. With the same carbon chassis like the KZ1, it features a new bodywork and suspension that is racing derived. It also has a fire suppression system and is lightweight at 1,280 kilograms. The A10 accelerates at 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds and runs at a top speed of 220 miles per hour.

Exterior

Its body is a bit similar to its cousin but is not entirely identical. The single headlights were swapped and now sports three projector style lamps with the lower driving lights gone. It has a lower front skirt and wider apertures. The curvy carbon fiber wing is large and its meshed louvres were cut into the rear for cooling purposes. A radiator that is centrally located just above its rear venturi duct adds a fresh look.

The alloy spokes and carbon fiber rims have center lock fittings. Michelin Tires provided the rubber for this super car with a 265/35 front ZR18 and 345/50 ZR 18 for the rear. Brakes are ventilated by ceramic discs and are clamped by racing calipers on the front and back. The mid-mounted machine is similar to that of the Kz1's naturally aspirated V8; however, with the reprofiled cams and brand new rods and pistons, the A10 produces 625 bhp at an rpm of 7500. The A10 also features lightweight racing seats, carbon fiber door panels, electric windows, climate control and a remote central lock system. The super car proves to be more than just a revamp of the racing model KZ1.

Limited Edition

Ascari announced that only 50 units were to be produced for this version and will be sold with a price tag of 350,000 GBP. This limited availability certainly puts the Ascari A10 on the list of many collectors' items. The engineers of Ascari Banbury ensured that the 220 mph car will deliver a world-class performance like that of the Pagani, Mosler and Koenigsegg. The next generation dream drive from Ascari underwent rigorous testing prior to its 2006 release.

Although it lacks the luxuries of soundproofing and air conditioning the car still features hardcore fire extinguisher kits and FIA approved integral roll cage. Unlike the FXX Enzo, you can legally drive this beauty on the road.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was released in May 21, 2011 during the Villa D’Este Concours. It was made in collaboration with Italian car designer Zagato as celebration of their 50 years of partnership. During the last 50 years, Aston Martin’s partnership with Zagato has given birth to some of their best cars, which includes the DB7 Zagato, the V8 Vantage Zagato, and the legendary DB4GT Zagato, a car that is celebrating its 50th anniversary as well.

Planning for the production of the V12 Zagato started in 2010, integrating both Aston Martin’s and Zagato’s design principles within the car. Like the DB4GT Zagato that it is paying tribute to, the design of this car exudes both grace and power. While Zagato’s influence can still be seen in this car, a good chunk of the work on this car was performed by Aston Martin, a moving symbolism of Aston Martin’s progress in design over the years.

While the Aston Martin V12 Zagato unveiled during the Villa D’Este Concours is only a prototype, a production model of this car produced in limited numbers could be a possibility in the future. In fact, this car is scheduled to compete in the 2011 edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race.

2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition

When a vehicle is launched into the public through an intense car chase scene featuring no less than Agent 007 himself, James Bond, then it is almost a certainty that the vehicle will be racking up huge amounts of sales. This is exactly the case for the DBS line of cars by the car company Aston Martin, as they were first seen by the public in Casino Royale.

And since that famous chase scene that allowed the public to glimpse into the groundbreaking new line of cars by Aston Martin, the company has never looked back, releasing several other models, the latest of which is the 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition that is expected to follow on the heels of the high sales of previous models.

But more than being a mere addition to an already established line of cars, the Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition also has unique features of its own, the best of which is its unique exterior and interior design that is unprecedented. The silk-like finish of the vehicle was achieved through a painstaking process that involved seven layers of paint and 25 hours of polishing and finishing by hand, thus ensuring that the vehicle had undergone meticulous attention to detail.

Exterior & Interior

The wheels of the vehicle also exude luxury and grandeur, as they feature black diamond turned wheels. Other noticeable features of the DBS Carbon Edition include an imposing black grill, carbon-fiber mirror heads, smoked rear lights, and carbon rear lamp fill-ins that ensure that the prospective driver of the vehicle will still be able to see down dark paths and during intense weather conditions.

And finally, the regal air that is exuded by the vehicle's exterior is, of course, sustained by its interior, as it is made from the finest materials that are guaranteed to provide comfort to its drivers and passengers.

The 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition is certainly more than a mere addition to the well-loved line of Aston Martins.

2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin is no stranger to motorsports. And now they are making a comeback.

The next step to their world motorsports plans is the introduction of the 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, a car that is seen to succeed the successful DBRS9 GT3 race cars that dominated touring car races worldwide.

This car is the next step towards Aston Martin’s goal of ruling the world racing circuit once again. And now, armed with 6 years of experience campaigning with the DBR9 and the DBRS9, the V12 Vantage GT3 is expected to be much better than its predecessors. The heart of this new racer is the same 6.0 liter V12 engine found in the street version of the V12 Vantage, but it has seen its share of modifications to better withstand the demands of racing.

Performance Driven

To increase performance and reliability, a lightweight crankshaft, new valve trains, and dry sump lubrication has been added into the engine. Ventilated disc brakes on all 4 corners are used in this car, designed to provide adequate stopping power even during endurance races. A double wishbone suspension is used for both the front and rear ends of the car.

Tested

It is scheduled to be released next year as the DBRS9s are still eligible to compete. This car is far from finished, but if there’s any indication that this car is going to be good, 2 day testing showed that it was able to cover 1000 kilometers with ease. Even better is that it is a marked improvement to the already formidable DBRS9. The 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 seems poised to take the motorsports world by storm next year.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster, 2011

 

 

 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster, 2011

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster, a motorsport-inspired special edition, brings a new dimension of sporting prowess and dynamic ability to the V8 Vantage range.
Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007, the Vantage N420 is based upon the standard 4.7-litre, 420bhp, 180mph V8 Vantage and is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage draws inspiration from the company's experiences at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. In the 2006 running of the annual Nürburgring endurance classic amongst a field of mostly motorsport homologated cars, Aston Martin entered a near-standard, road-registered V8 Vantage. Driven by a team of employees, including Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the V8 Vantage - named 'Rose' by the team - finished 4th in class and 24th overall from a field of more than 200 specialised racing cars.

Since then Aston Martin has returned every year to compete in this gruelling endurance race, scoring a string of class victories and podiums with road-registered V8 and V12 Vantages and most recently the new four-door Rapide. Not only has this racing success spawned a burgeoning V8 Vantage GT4 customer programme run by Aston Martin Racing, but lessons learned in racing at the Nürburgring has led to aerodynamic and other performance developments being fed back into Aston Martin's road cars.

A generous standard specification and some unique options ensure the special edition Aston Martin V8 Vantage is both exclusive and distinctive, while also offering a 27kg weight saving - achieved through the application of carbon fibre - over the standard V8 Vantage.
On the outside, wider sills combine perfectly with a carbon fibre splitter, side strakes and diffuser, while bold 10-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels complete with gloss black finish, black mesh vents and 'Graphitic' tailpipe finishers complete the co-ordinated look.

Inside the Aston Martin V8 Vantage offers an Iridium interior package, with graphite instruments, leather or Alcantara® steering wheel, special N420 sill plaques and lightweight carbon fibre seats, complete with 'Race Track' stitching as in the V12 Vantage. Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and Park Distance Control are also standard.

Cementing the Aston Martin V8 Vantage's credentials as a special edition V8 Vantage tailored for the most discerning and enthusiastic drivers, it is fitted with the normally optional Sports Pack. This package combines revised springs, dampers and anti-roll bars for even more responsive and dynamic handling, while retaining the V8 Vantage's renowned poise, balance and long distance ability. Finally, a new sports exhaust system delivers a suitably rousing soundtrack.

A further distinctive feature is the availability of a new range of optional Aston Martin 'Race Collection' paint schemes. Pairing bold body colours with contrasting hues for the cant rails and radiator grille surround, they celebrate the marque's racing heritage. All of the company's successful N24 Vantage racers are celebrated, with 'Rose' yellow, 'Kermit' green and 'Elwood' blue all featuring in the collection along with traditional Aston Martin Racing green. The white and black car shown in the accompanying images wears the equally striking 'Asia Cup' livery.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 prices start from £96,995.

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept, 2010

 

 

To mark its 80th anniversary, Pininfarina proposes an "open" Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept that is exciting and a delight to drive. For those who still like to dream in a car. For those looking for a mixture of vanity, entertainment, and the pleasure of life in the open air. For those who love icons as the greatest expression of the age we live in. For those who want their cars to be an uncommon sensory experience in terms of both style and driving, without being obsessed by performance. For those who want to be excited by a dynamic, sporty car that transmits the exclusiveness and refinement typical of an Alfa Romeo spider designed by Pininfarina.

2uettottanta: a name that evokes the legendary Duetto, but also the years of activity at Pininfarina, which launches the celebrations for its 80th anniversary with this concept car. And it has decided to do so with a type of car that is by definition, the work of Pininfarina: an Alfa Romeo spider. A very Italian product, which has become an export brand, representing the inexhaustible talent that the whole world associates with Italy.

The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept reflects Pininfarina's determination to look to the future with optimism following tradition, restating its excellence in design and its acknowledged capacity for aesthetic and technological innovation. It is a concept that represents an innovative approach, projected into the third millennium, to a topic that is firmly rooted in Pininfarina history, the 2-seater spider. And like the best Alfa Romeo sports cars to come from Pininfarina's pencil, the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept exalts the driving experience and concentrates on the excitement of being at the wheel of an open car with a great aesthetic personality. It is a car that can make people dream and excites even after many years. The icon of a lifestyle that harks back to a lively, tumultuous period. Like the Duetto of the Sixties, which helped to establish a trend based on the themes of rebellion and escape, thanks to the film "The Graduate".

The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept is also a tribute to Alfa Romeo, which celebrates its centenary in 2010: the alliance between Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina is one of the most significant and durable in the history of the car, one of men and of passion, of design and cutting-edge technical solutions, which has generated an inestimable number of good-looking, innovative cars with plenty of temperament. With a predilection for sports cars and convertibles. The aim is to replicate all this with the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept. So a clean, elegant line was chosen for this "simple 2-seater", which is proposed with a 1750 cc turbo engine positioned longitudinally, an obvious reference to the "1750 Veloce" of 1968, one of the many versions derived from the famous "Osso di Seppia" (Cuttlefish). With its red bodywork, inspired by the typical Alfa Romeo paintwork, the 2uettottanta is 1797 mm wide, 4212.6 mm long, 1280 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2500 mm.

The pleasure of driving and feeling in harmony with nature is transformed into light, sleek, refined volumes, and shapes that seem to slip through the air easily. This generates the theme of this concept: the expression of a single volume, which is some way from the ground and suspended. The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept almost seems to lift up from the ground "going further". It is an optical effect achieved thanks to a line that crosses the whole car horizontally. An uninterrupted sign applied to dynamic, sporty proportions - typical of Alfa Romeo spiders - accentuated by the configuration of the passenger compartment, which is shifted significantly to the rear. The force of the design lies in its exaltation of simplicity, which does not need to show its muscles but concentrates purely on agility and harmony.

The front end of the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept underlines its true Alfa Romeo character. The design is simple, with a central line that runs smoothly along the nose of the car, while the execution of the surfaces is more sophisticated. At the centre, in full view, and anything but a purely decorative element, is the Alfa Romeo shield, which seems to emerge from the heart of the car and to stretch outwards, in Pininfarina's futuristic, three-dimensional approach. The shield is made of aluminium and incorporates floating horizontal flaps. On either side are the two triangular lateral air intakes. The two elements impressed on the imposing bonnet create a natural link between the logo and the large windscreen, which has been designed as a ring in hand-beaten aluminium that emerges from the body of the car without interrupting its flow. The front headlights, which adopt the latest LED technologies, are embedded under the line that gives the whole car its character. A strip of carbon in the lower part of the front acts as an air splitter, channelling the air to the rear end of the car.

The side view of the car, where the theme of the single volume is repeated, highlights the flowing line of the whole, with the shapes merging naturally. The horizontal line "cut" into the sides gives a sense of great dynamism; it starts from the front wheelarch and extends back to the rear wheel. Like an athlete, for a car, being slim also means achieving aerodynamic efficiency. Pininfarina has always strived for natural shapes that can convey efficiency and respect of the environment, an approach confirmed by its great commitment to the theme of eco-sustainable mobility. The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept is in perfect harmony with nature, becoming the formal expression of a response to the needs of our day: it is an arrow that flies through the wind almost without encountering resistance.

Smooth, essential, soft surfaces even at the rear, which echoes the front, albeit with slightly more emphasis on the muscles. The design combines stylistic simplicity with a strong character in the volumes and proportions, with details designed to underline the car's dynamic, light personality. The two bumps seem to emerge from the volume, becoming floating wings that create the roll-over bars behind the seats. At either end, these bars generate an appendix designed to hold the seat belts. Even at the rear the light clusters are slender and embedded under the line that defines the whole section.

Great attention went into the design of the interior. The result is a spacious, comfortable passenger compartment, conceived with light, dynamic volumes, which envelop the occupants in a strong, reassuring embrace. The shapes are sewn into the leather, incorporating the touch controls: in its functions, the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept is faithful to its vocation as a car designed to be a delight to drive. The facia extends fluidly to the sides merging into the doorway as the natural continuation of the volume of the car, thus creating a perfect symbiosis between exterior and interior. The dashboard has a driver-oriented configuration with an innovative approach to the classical circular Alfa Romeo "tubes" that contain the instruments. The tunnel contains the Alfa DNA gear selector in an ergonomic position; this varies the set-up of the car in three modes, Dynamic, Normal and All Weather, adapting the behaviour of the various systems on the vehicle (engine, transmission, suspension, steering, brakes, etc.) to the demands of the driver and the different driving conditions. The tunnel runs through the passenger compartment and it gives structure to the chassis, revealing the carbon elements: the choice of this material reflects Pininfarina's constant research into alternative materials that can make vehicles lighter, reducing consumption and emissions. Another strong element of the interior is the steering wheel, which is a modern interpretation of the Duetto's perforated three-spoke wheel, with the addition of a shift paddle for sequential control of the dual-clutch gearbox. An enjoyable drive and comfort are also guaranteed by the anatomical sporty seats. All the interior of the car "floats": the ventilation ducts are positioned between the passenger compartment and the hull.

The size and design of the tyres, which were created specifically for the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept in collaboration with Dunlop, accentuate the impression of strong character and force given by the car. The tyres are of the low profile type, right on the extreme edges of the plane view: designed by Pininfarina to incorporate the innovative technologies developed by Dunlop, their graphics reflect those of the car. Their aerodynamic shape and very smooth lateral profile, guarantee better roadholding and less resistance to air, thus reducing consumption. The rims are treated in aluminium in harmony with the rest of the car, and are a free interpretation of the classic five-circle Alfa Romeo pattern, revealing the high performance carbo-ceramic Alfa Romeo brakes by Brembo.

The Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept is not a pure styling exercise, but also a project and research: the goal is to grasp the spirit of the spider in the configuration, the proportions and the conception of the car as well as in its stylistic imprint. This working method is part of Pininfarina's genes. For this project, the Pininfarina creative team were given carte blanche to express the values inherent in the Alfa spider "by Pininfarina", the values that are deemed to have made the Giulietta Spider or the Duetto all-time classics. To achieve this result, the car was given a particular set-up, with a low centre of gravity and a passenger compartment that is very exposed so as not to isolate the occupants from the surrounding environment. The result is to bring the road "nearer" to the eyes of the driver and to increase the sense of dynamism even at low speed.

What is the 2uettottanta effect? Desire. Whoever sees it "must" possess it, drive it, enjoy it. Because the 2uettottanta is not an unattainable dream. Nor does the 2uettottanta only want to impress at first glance, but to achieve a beauty that does not strive solely for immediate confirmation, but gradually reveals all its values and transfers them to the future, making the style eternal. As it did in the case of the Duetto, which continues to be celebrated as an icon of design after more than 40 years.

Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi, 2010

 

 

The new 159 is designed to express a sporting yet seductive personality and boasts road holding and performance that set new standards for this class of car. Two new engines in particular (a 200 HP, 1750 cc turbocharged petrol engine and a 170 HP 2.0 JTDM diesel) place the Alfa Romeo 159, in the power range that accounts for over half of Alfa Romeo sales.

Under their fascinating and highly personal exterior, all Alfa Romeos offer a choice of superb engines, all packed with the latest technology and bursting with performance. Alfa Romeo engines are the perfect embodiment of the sporting soul that has always set the marque apart from the competition. The Alfa Romeo 159 is certainly no exception.

The new 1750 cc turbo petrol engine (manufactured by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies) comes combined with a six speed manual gearbox and boasts advanced ignition control solutions including direct fuel injection, two continuously variable valve timing units, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system. The resulting performance is comparable to - or better than - that of many 3 litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit.

The force behind the development of any Alfa Romeo engine is the company's determination to use technology to enhance driving pleasure. This certainly applies to the development of the new, Euro 5, "1750 Turbo Benzina 200 CV" unit destined immediately for the Alfa Romeo 159 and later on for the Alfa Romeo Brera, Spider and 159 Sportwagon.

The engine takes the Alfa Romeo 159, with its refined Italian styling and typical sporting elegance to an impressive top speed of 235 kph and accelerates it from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.7 seconds. The 200 HP Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi is therefore a true representative of Alfa's exclusive motoring lifestyle. Far from being a mere 'means of transport', the new 159 is a real driver's car. It delivers genuine sports performance and muscular acceleration thanks to generous torque and smooth response even at low revs and the extended power band of a modern, advanced petrol engine that minimises the need for you to 'work' the gearbox. The engine sound too is inspiring without ever becoming tiresome.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta, 2011

 

 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, 2011

The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be presented to the world at the 2010 Geneva Car Show. Sales of the new model will start in spring and be gradually extended to all the major markets. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is expected to give new impetus to the brand in one of Europe's most important segments.

In the Centenary year, the name is a tribute to an automobile myth and Alfa Romeo. The Giulietta is a car that, in the fifties, caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time.

The Alfa Romeo Style Centre has produced a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a sports car capable of expressing both great agility on the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads.

A new architecture for enhancing road hold and agility in total comfort and safety

Meet the new Alfa Romeo, a compact created to appeal to customers who seek top dynamic performance and those who are looking for a distinctive style and a high level of comfort.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta has brand-new architecture, designed to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers in terms of road holding, agility and safety. Its excellent dynamic performance and great comfort are the result of refined technical solutions implemented in the suspensions, a next-generation steering system, a rigid yet light structure made of aluminium and high-strength steel, and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.

The Alfa DNA, a device which customises behaviour of the car according to different driving styles and road conditions, can adapt the new Alfa Romeo to the needs of each individual driver to enhance driving pleasure and comfort. The new architecture of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta was designed to integrate and enhance all onboard systems. Three set-ups (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) are available and can be selected using the Alfa DNA. This device - standard across the entire range of the new model - modifies the operating parameters of the engine, of the steering system, and of the Q2 electronic differential, in addition to fine-tuning the stability control system (VDC) behavioural logics.

The Italian style sportiness and comfort

Combining sportiness and elegance, the Alfa Giulietta is the result of Alfa Romeo's new direction in style and technology - an approach that started with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione supercar and which recalls the brand's glorious past while projecting its traditional values of technology and emotion into the future.

The front end is developed around a "trilobe shape" and features a brand-new interpretation of the classic Alfa grille, set into the front bumper and suspended between the two air intakes. The entire car develops from here to combine a lively personality with an elegant form. The front headlamps implement LED technology and a Daytime Running Lights (DRL) function for maximum active safety.

The profile of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is rich in personality and confers the appearance of an agile, solid model. This is above all the result of the coupé shaped side windows, which highlight dynamic and streamlined shape, and of the concealed rear handles. The side ribbing adds to the car's slender look, while the taut lines closing in on the rear end accentuate the "wedge" shape of the body.

The style of the rear end, like that of the front and the side, is strong and consolidates the impression of a muscular car, firmly gripped to the road. Like the headlamps, the rear light clusters implement LED technology, to the advantage of preventive safety, in addition to good looks.

The interior design is taut and light: a horizontally developed dashboard with aluminium element accents and rocker controls which explicitly recall the 8C Competizione. Painstaking attention to detail and the high quality of the materials used are the most advanced expression of Italian style.

Finally, the dimensions of the new car give a compact, dynamic shape combined with excellent roominess and a capacious boot (350 litres): the car is 4.35 metres long, 1.46 metre high and 1.80 metres wide with a wheelbase of 2.63 metres.

Innovative engines for exciting, environmentally friendly driving

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta guarantees top level performance and next-generation technology in terms of technical solutions, performance and environmental friendliness. Four Turbo engines will be available at launch, all Euro 5 compliant and fitted with a standard "Start&Stop" system for reducing consumption and emissions: two petrol engines (1.4TB - 120 HP and 1.4TB MultiAir - 170 HP) and two diesel engines (1.6 JTDM - 105 HP and 2.0 JTDM - 170 HP, both belonging to the second generation of JTDM engines). Finally, the range is completed with the lively 1750 TBi - 235 HP with an exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde configuration.

Safety and dynamic behaviour at the top of the segment

Alfa Romeo Giulietta was designed to obtain the maximum Euro NCAP rating in order to offer total protection to driver and passengers. Furthermore, suspension, steering and braking system are designed to be perfectly balanced even during extreme manoeuvres.

Finally, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is fitted with the most sophisticated electronic devices for dynamic control as standard: VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), DST (Dynamic Steering Torque), Q2 electronic differential and Alfa DNA selector. All these systems guarantee driving safety, dynamism and performance in the best Alfa Romeo tradition.

Renault Wind, 2011

 

 

 

Renault Wind, 2011

The Renault will unveil its brand-new coupé-roadster - Renault Wind - in a World Première at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on 2 March.

Renault Wind is a two-seater coupé-roadster of 3.83 metres in length which features a highly innovative way of opening up. With its novel electric roof that pivots open in just 12 seconds, Renault Wind brings a completely different take on a car for drivers who enjoy open top motoring.

Renault Wind is aimed at motorists who lust after a car that is not only distinctive and compact, but also convertible and practical enough for everyday use.

Though Renault Wind's compact dimensions make it a nimble machine in and about town, it is the only car of its class to provide just as much luggage space (270dm3 VDA) whatever the position of the roof.

True to Renault's brand signature 'Drive the Change', Renault Wind makes passion affordable for everyone.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition, 2012

 

 

 

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition, 2012

Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette's trademark sports car technology.

The special package was inspired by Chevrolet's racing-bred foundation, which continues with Corvette's international racing excellence and production sports car prominence.

The Chevrolet will auction a Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. on April 9, 2011, with the proceeds to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. It will be the 100th 2012 Corvette off the assembly line, with a vehicle identification number ending in "00100."

The Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Edition expresses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-looking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world's fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition models.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet's racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Aficionados will note one other small detail: The historic crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with "100" in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol, only for the Centennial Edition.

The exterior color scheme is reinforced inside the car, with the Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complimented by red stitching also on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter. The seats feature microfiber suede accents on seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests, which were first used on the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition will be available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC. Pricing will be released this summer prior to the start of availability.