Autoblog

First there was the Maserati Gran Turismo. Then came the Gran Turismo S. Then came spy shots of a Gran Turismo Spyder. And now we have spy shots of a low-down, one-seater, roll-cage and plexiglass-window equipped Gran Turismo Trophy edition sporting three huge holes in its hood. The Trophy version is said to have 413 hp, which is down from the 440 hp of the S -- but it would also be a lot lighter. Claimed to have a new ECU and exhaust, the car gets from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds. As best we can tell from the translation, this naked Gran Turismo Trophy edition is meant to compete with the Porsche GT3, or to compete in a U.S. racing series. While we find those possibilities a little odd, they must have built it to compete with something, and no matter what that something is, we say bring it... Follow the link for more spy shots of the race-ready Maser.

[Source: Autofun via Auto Blog Italy (no relation)]

FPV vs. HSV is basically Australian for "Ford vs. Chevy," but on steroids. The two performance divisions have elevated the production of the muscle sedan to an art form, with audacious looks and big power ruling the day. It's as if the original American muscle car era never ended, but got a passport and moved Down Under. Granted, we in the States don't have much to complain about lately, with Aussie muscle now available in a Pontiac wrapper, as well as the 21st century editions of Camaro, Challenger and Mustang waiting to wreak havoc at stoplights.

Still, the sweetest fruit is that which is forbidden, so you might be interested in the Motoring Channel's super acronym showdown: FPV GT-P vs. HSV GTS. The FPV is based on the new Ford FG Falcon, which arrived earlier this year, while the HSV's Holden Zeta platform underpinnings are now a couple years old. Both have V8s, both look evil, and tires break into cold sweats at the mere thought of being mounted on either machine's rear axle. With these two rides, the differences are such that picking a winner is akin to choosing between porterhouse and prime rib. It's not as if you're going to be disappointed either way, but deep down, you do have a preference. Click here to read which menu item the Motoring Channel likes best. Thanks for the tip, Torrent!



[Source: Web Wombat/Motoring Channel]

We've already told you about a company called V Eight that has rebirthed the Jensen Interceptor S with an LS2 and modern mechanicals for £75,000, and already, 60% of the allotment of 50 has been sold. That kind of success has got V Eight looking at a successor for the S, and they might have found it in the Jenson Interceptor SX.

The SX would be rebodied over a original donor car, just like the Interceptor S. And while it would still look like a Jenson, as you can see from the official rendering above, the design would be much more modern. The Interceptor SX would get a luxurious interior on the inside and use an LS7 V8 making 620 horsepower for propulsion. To be offered at a price of £145,000, the SX already has deposits from buyers of the Jenson S. As far as we're concerned, if you're going to revive the empire, this is the way to do it.


[Source: Innovation Cars]

The internet, as usual, is rife with speculation. Today's source is the FerrariChat message forum, where members claim to have inside information on two new Ferrari models that are anticipated for launch within the next couple of years.

The news concerns a convertible version of the current 599 GTB Fiorano, an illustration of which you see above (courtesy of AutoGespot). FChat member "supraman55" says his local dealer confirmed the upcoming model for a debut at either Detroit or Geneva in 2009. Speculation surrounding the 599 Spider is backed up by an interview with Ferrari's General Director, Amadeo Felisa, which appeared recently in the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. When asked about a convertible 599, Felisa confirmed that Ferrari is developing such a model for possible production in a limited series like its predecessor, the 575-based SuperAmerica. We'll add our own fuel to the fire by speculating that, based on traditional Ferrari nomenclature revived for the 599 GTB, the roadster will likely carry the 599 GTS designation, perhaps married to another name to replace Fiorano for the open-air version.

[Sources: FerrariChat, Auto Motor und Sport, AutoGespot]

Farbio. Not sold on the name, but we're sure there's a good reason behind it. Someone from the English sports car maker will email us and tell us that it's the maiden name of owner Chris Marsh's beloved grandmother or something, so we won't mock it, just state that it doesn't roll off the tongue. Besides, why would we want to upset the maker of such a nicely turned out car as the Farbio GTS?

There are two versions of the mid-engined sportster: fast and faster. Fast is the 262HP GTS, which can run to 60MPH in 4.8 seconds thanks to its 3-liter V6. Faster sees the V6 fitted with a supercharger, boosting the horsepower by over 100 to 384, and shaving 9 tenths off the 0-60 time, which drops to 3.9 seconds. No new ground is broken when it comes to styling, but that's not to say it's ugly, either. The GTS is reminiscent of several of our favorite cars, and the lines are trim and simple. Inside the carbon fiber shell is plenty of comfort with leather and alcantara, a nav system, and enough room for a 6' 6" driver in the Sparco seats. There's even decent storage space in the rump, so you could go grand touring for a weekend with actual luggage. Orders are backed up for the next 8 months, so you'll have time to save.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Click the image above for more high-res pics.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS just made its unspectacular reveal, and in keeping with our contract we've got live shots of the automaker's SUV savior. The new DFI 4.8-liter V8 is producing 405 HP at 6,800 RPM and 369 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 RPM. The styling changes are decidedly dull, with the incorporation of the Cayenne Turbo's front fascia, a new spoiler, color-matched door handles and a few other tweaks.

You can examine them yourself in the gallery below and check out Porsche's press release after the jump.

A number of reports surfaced today, beginning with a post over at Autoblog.nl (no relation) that asserts Porsche will be unveiling a new model into the Cayenne lineup designed to fit in between the S and the Turbo. The new model, tentatively dubbed the GTS, will be revealed at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, and will come equipped with 405 HP, a lowered chassis and 21-inch wheels. Additionally, the GTS will benefit from a diet to reduce weight, a revised aero-kit, a model-specific color (GTS-Red) and will ditch the rear bench seat in favor of a two separate buckets out back.

The GTS will likely share the podium with another Cayenne concept, that one sporting a hybrid drivetrain, along with the new GT2.

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

If a company is going to have a problem, this is the kind of problem it wants to have -- even though it's still... a problem. Mitsubishi expected the mid-level Lancer ES to account for the bulk of Stateside sales. Buyers, though, are all about the $18,115 Lancer GTS, making them 60% of sales. The GTS rides above the ES with bigger wheels and brakes and a sport suspension, as well as body mods that make it look faster, if nothing else.

Total Lancer sales through July of this year were 20,816, which included the last of the previous generation. After launching sales of the new Lancer in the US, it is also now being sold in Russia and Japan. In response to the demand for the GTS model, Mitsubishi has actually canceled 1,700 orders for the GTS placed by US dealers. The only option left for dealers until the end of November: order an ES and get a GTS later, which doesn't seem like much of an option for dealers or buyers.

[Source: Auto News, Sub Req'd]

There are Ferraris, there are rare Ferraris, and then there are the exceptionally rare Ferraris, the likes of which collectors and enthusiasts wait to hit the auction block with bated breath. At last month's RM auction of vintage motor cars at the Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance, one such special Prancing Horse hit the auction block, selling at a price significantly lower than its estimated value.

The Ferrari 365 GTS/4 was the convertible version of the car nicknamed the Daytona, although officially it never received that nameplate. Only 121 such Daytona Spyders were built by the factory; the rest were chop-jobs performed on Daytona coupes by Carrozziere. Serial number 16467 was the 71st authentic 365 GTS/4 built by Maranello, and had a rather eventful history. The car was originally sold in the Reno, Nevada to an American customer named Mr. Greer. In 1975 it appeared in the Warner Bros. movie "A Star is Born" starring Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Streisand, and was severely damaged in the production. (Why they didn't use a mock-up like in the original Miami Vice series or at least a chopped-roof Daytona coupe is beyond reasoning.) The bashed-up car was sold to a Mr. Luigi Chinetti, who commissioned the coachbuilder Giovanni Michelotti (not to be confused with the Ferrari racing specialists Michelotto) to rebuild the damaged roadster into the one-of-a-kind special you see here. It would be among the last Michelotti would ever design.

Since being displayed at the Turin motor show in 1980, the Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Michelotti NART Spyder has changed ownership only a few times. Although its value prior to the auction was estimated between five and $700,000, the Spyder sold for only $385,000. It just goes to show that an item is only worth as much as someone's willing to pay for it, but this is one example that's bound to appreciate in value over the coming years.

[Source: RM Auctions]

The Holden HSV E-Series cars officially broke cover yesterday, courtesy of the Australian Drive.com website. This comes just a few days after shots of a ClubSport R8 were accidentally leaked onto the web.

The ClubSport R8 in the leaked photographs is joined by the the the similarly bespoilered GTS and the more staid Senator Signature. All three cars share the same powertrain: Chevy's 6.0L LS2 V8, which is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The combo is good for 411 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of asphalt-shredding torque. With the manual shifter, the E-Series cars run to 62 mph in 4.96 seconds. Cars equipped with the auto accomplish the feat in 5.04 sec. Either way you cut it, they're fast.

While they're based on the new VE Commodore, the HSV E-Series vehicles incorporate unique front and rear fascias and large vents aft of the front wheel wells to visually differentiate them from the standard-issue Commodores. In fact, the cars feature 301 elements that are unique to them.

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[Source: Drive.com.au]