 The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano has been replaced – after only six years of service – with the F12 Berlinetta.
Incredible performance is to be expected from the new F12 Berlinetta – especially since it has a naturally-aspirated 6.3-litre V12 engine that revs to 8,700rpm. It produces 740hp and 690 Nm (508 lb ft) of torque, making the F12 Berlinetta the most powerful road car Ferrari has ever made, and some 40hp more powerful than Lamborghini’s Aventador. The F12 Berlinetta weighs in at 1,525kg, which is 70kg less than the 599 GTB Fiorano, and 50kg less than the Aventador. Ferrari states that the new car is more compact thanks to a shorter wheelbase, and that it has a lower centre of gravity thanks to placing several components lower within the car. Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG    Mercedes Benz has splashed details on its new SL63 AMG roadster, prior to an unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show. The new SL63 AMG continues making use of a folding metal roof, but the whole car now weighs 125kg less (at 1845kg) than its predecessor, thanks in part by making use of an all-aluminium body. Another new feature is the twin-turbo 537hp (or 564hp with the AMG Performance pack) 5.5-litre V8 engine found in other hot AMGs like the E, S, CL, CLS, and M-Class. Audi RS4    One of our station wagon favourites has come back from a four-year break – the Audi RS4. It will be available in station wagon form only, as Audi now claims that buyers are moving away from high-powered saloons. Power comes from the same 4.2-litre V8 engine as the RS5, meaning a power output of 450hp, with torque rated at 430Nm (317lb ft). It will also get the same seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission as the RS5, with the 0-62mph time being reached in 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155mph.  If you’re a car enthusiast, people close to you might have asked you “why do you like cars so much?” And chances are you weren’t able to give them a direct answer. There are many things that make us tick when in comes to a car; the design, the quality, the noise it makes, the history, the performance, etc. But occasionally we get other things, like flames shooting out of the exhaust. If like me, the sight of flames (the real kind, no flamethrower kits here) coming out of the exhaust causes the caveman in you to come out, then you’ll enjoy checking out these videos of awesome flame spitters.    The production version of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is here in all of its 510hp glory.
It is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 engine found in the Zagato race car and V12 Vantage road car, and has a six-speed manual gearbox. However, early reports suggested that the car will cost around £330,000, but will actually cost £405,000. The V12 Zagato makes use of an aluminium structure, while the body is a mix of both aluminium and carbon fibre. Aston Martin have yet to release acceleration figures for the production version, but we can expect similar performance to last year’s prototype – 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, and a top speed of 190mph. Only 150 V12 Zagatos will be built, firmly assuring its place as a future collectible. Customer deliveries shall commence late this year.    The new Astra OPC/VXR comes into battle with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine outputting 280hp, and 400Nm (295lb ft) of torque – allowing a top speed of 155mph. The horsepower figure means that it’s more powerful than its closest rivals; the VW Golf GTI (211hp), Renault Megane RS (250hp), and upcoming Ford Focus ST (250hp).
Along with a more powerful engine, the Astra OPC/VXR gets a mechanical limited-slip differential, as well as HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), Brembo brakes, and a FlexRide damper system. Pricing and on-sale dates to follow.  After 10 years in automotive service, this will be the final year that the current-generation Range Rover will be in production. Despite some thinking that its styling was a bit radical in the beginning, car fans grew to love it – not least because it is still a true off roader, but it also continued to carry that cool factor from previous Range Rovers.
You don’t need me to tell you how popular Range Rovers have been among off-road enthusiasts, thanks to its seemingly unstoppable performance in the 1980s Camel Trophy, and all-round usability. With each new generation of Range Rover, they made use of new technology, and went a little bit more upmarket. So much so that some Land Rover insiders have said that the next one will be at the same level as Bentley in terms of luxury. Videos for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 are fast appearing, and Road & Track have wasted no time pitting it against the latest four-seat sports car benchmark - the Nissan GT-R. Enjoy the ZL1's V8 roar! |
