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Have a look at the latest action shots of the new Ferrari FF.  Jaguar is set to get extra attention at the Geneva Motor Show next week with their most powerful XK model yet, the XKR-S. Its 5.0 litre supercharged V8 is good for 542 hp (550PS) and 501 lb ft (680 nm) of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 sec, 0-100 mph in 8.6 sec, and reach a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). Jaguar claims that the XKR-S produces less CO2 than any other car in its class, with a quoted output of less than 300 g/km. The XKR-S gets a revised suspension (with adaptive dampers) over the normal XKR for better handling, and receives extra aerodynamic parts such as a rear wing and front spoiler. Jaguar is saving pricing information for its unveil at the Geneva Motor Show next week.    The Aston Martin Virage, the latest addition to the Aston Martin family, set to take its place between the DB9 and DBS.
The Virage comes with a naturally aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 490 hp and 420 lb ft of torque. That power is sent through a carbon fibre propshaft to a rear-mounted transaxle transmission, a six speed automatic named Touchtronic II. This sort of configuration helps the Virage get a 50:50 weight distribution front to rear. Accelaration from a stand still to 62 mph takes 4.6 sec while top speed is a claimed 186 mph (299 km/h). The Virage comes with 20 inch wheels as standard wrapped around in Pirelli P Zero tyres. The Virage gets a newly developed Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with comfort and sports settings to help strike that balance between comfort and handling. It will also be equipped with Carbon Ceramic brake discs as standard. Pressing the “Sport” button on the console will also sharpen throttle response, hold on to revs longer when accelerating - not changing gears automatically when you hit the limiter (while in manual mode), and also gives quicker gear changes.  Maserati is set to give its GranCabrio a touch of extra performance with this, the GranCabrio Sport. The GranCabrio Sport will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March in just over a week’s time, and will get the same engine found in the GranTurismo MC Stradale, a 4.7 litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 450 hp and 510 nm of torque (about 376 lb ft). Top speed is quoted at 285 km/h (178 mph) while fuel consumption is said to have gone down by 6 per cent. The engine is connected to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission though rather than the sequential manual found in the MC Stradale. However, Maserati claims the automatic transmission still gives quick gearchanges thanks to using the same superfast software found in the Quattroporte Sport GTS' gearbox. Maserati has done work to improve handling as well, the Skyhook adaptive suspension has been revised, while the brake system consists of dual-cast discs that are grooved and drilled. The GranCabrio Sport will go on sale in the summer. Alex Kisiri     Rolls Royce is set to take on the world of electric vehicles with the 102EX. The 102EX is a fully electric experimental vehicle that uses the Phantom as a platform, and is set to be unveiled to the world’s press at the Geneva Motor Show in just over a week’s time. According to Rolls Royce officials, the 102EX is the first fully electric vehicle that caters to the “ultra-luxury segment” and a first step in exploring alternative technologies for future Rolls Royce models. While Rolls Royce has no plans to make a production version just yet, it will take feedback from the public, media and existing customers as it takes the car on a world tour. Only teaser images of the 102EX are available, while technical specs are yet to be released. We should get more info on the 102EX as the unveil approaches. Alex Kisiri    BMW Performance is now offering a sports exhaust for its M3 models. Thanks to the use of Inconel and reducing the exhaust's wall thickness, the system is not only stronger but weighs 20lbs (around 9kg) less than the stock system, a 40 per cent reduction in weight. The system does give the 4.0-litre V8 a more aggressive bark, but you will have to cough up $4,374 for it. Check out the video below.  According to a report on motortrend.com, it seems that the next BMW M5 is set to have an automatic transmission, rather than a re-worked version of the double-clutch transmission (M-DCT) found in the M3.
The explanation behind this being that the M-DCT unit can't handle the amount of torque being produced from the M5's twin-turbo V8 engine. A major revision to the gearbox would have been required, bigger actuators would have been needed to beef it up, but at the expense of shifting times (and BMW's budget). In a perfect world BMW would use a proper manual gearbox instead, putting driver involvement first - like they used to. But if BMW end up using an automatic gearbox, it will no doubt irk the M enthusiasts. Let's hope it is nothing but a cruel rumour. Alex Kisiri With nearly 600 hp and a quarter-mile time of 10.9 seconds, the MP4-12C looks set to give the Ferrari 458 Italia a good beating. Jenson Button gives EVO magazine's Chris Harris a fun high-speed ride.  Lexus is set to unveil to the public the LFA Nurburgring Package at this year’s Geneva motor show. The Nurburgring Package gives the LFA a race car-like profile thanks to the addition of a rear spoiler, front splitters, and new wheels. Power from the high-revving 4.8 litre V10 has been increased to 562 hp, up by 10 hp, while work has been done to the six-speed sequential gearbox for quicker shift times. Total production of the LFA is limited to just 500 examples, with only 50 of them set aside for the Nurburgring Package.                |