Take a close look at the image. A court in Italy has just ruled that the crossover pictured above, the five-seat CEO built by Shuanghuan Automobile of Shijiazhuang, China, is not a clone of the BMW X5. Um... yeah. The legal battles began when Shuanghuan introduced their "Noble" last year, a near-clone of the Smart fortwo. Mercedes-Benz wasn't impressed, and threatened a lawsuit. Shortly thereafter, BMW started losing sleep over the Chinese CEO, an obvious facsimile of their previous-generation X5 (E53). The Bavarian automaker took Shuanghuan to court in Munich this past summer and won their case, and when Martin Motors (the distributor of Shuanghuan Automobiles in Italy and central Europe) started selling the CEO in early 2007, BMW again took legal action, this time in the Italian judicial system.

Last week, the Germans met their defeat when the Italian courts rejected their claims. To date, Martin Motors has sold about 200 copies of the CEO and expects to sell about 1200 this year in their European markets. "We are convinced the CEO wasn't a clone of the X5. We are happy to see our view supported by a court ruling," said an obviously pleased spokesperson from Martin Motors. We have to wonder how quickly the Italians would change their tune if Shuanghuan began to knock-off the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

BMW loses Clonewars Italian court battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Zagato Eldorado

For Sale: Zagato Caddy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Only days before heading to bankruptcy court, Italian engineering firm and carrozzeria Bertone revealed that it was about to pull a last-minute trick out of its sleeve in an announcement later that day. But when the announcement didn't come, the industry was left wondering if, after 95 years in business, Bertone was about to slip away.

The company's chairwoman and family scion Lili Bertone, however, announced last night that her company would be sold to Gruppo Prototipo chief Domenico Reviglio. Likewise based in Turin, Gruppo Prototipo focuses on testing pre-production vehicle prototypes. It owns the famous Nardo high-speed test facility, and since the late '90s has been the sub-contractor for most of the Fiat Group's testing requirements.

The announcement came as a surprise to the Italian business community, which widely believed negotiations with business mogul Gianmario Rossignolo were near conclusion. Previous negotiations with Fiat had fallen through, and Bertone has a workforce of 1,300 to support despite the lack of contracts to sustain the company. The Italian government, meanwhile, has opted to extend the two-year financial protection it had granted Bertone for an additional two months.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Bertone sold to Gruppo Prototipo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For those customers who appreciate fine craftsmanship, opening the trunk of their new six-figure Italian GT can provide nearly as much excitement as the car itself. Okay, maybe not that much, but the custom fitted luggage found in the boot of The Boot's most exquisite touring cars has an appeal all its own. Ferrari has been at it for years with Schedoni leathercrafters, but with Maserati coming into its own, the Trident marque needed to offer its customers something special to put in the trunk. So they hitched up with one of the biggest names in the Italian fashion industry: Salvatore Ferragamo, a company best known for providing Hollywood with their red-carpet footwear.

The partnership was initially announced with the launch of the GranTurismo at the Geneva auto show - you'll forgive us if we missed it, we were a little preoccupied with the car itself. In any event, the joint venture between the two stoic Italian crafthouses just launched a new website highlighting the range of custom fitted leather luggage.

Follow the link for more information or the jump for the press release.

[Source: Salvatore Ferragamo via Italiaspeed]

Continue reading Italian Craftsmanship: Salvatore Ferragamo packs the Maserati GranTurismo

Italian Craftsmanship: Salvatore Ferragamo packs the Maserati GranTurismo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading GM buys stake in Italian diesel firm

GM buys stake in Italian diesel firm originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Did you think the Castagna Aznom was an odd little duckling? Then you've clearly forgotten about the Codatronca, the likewise Corvette-based Italian coachbuilt limited-edition supercar, initial details of which we brought you several months ago. SpadaConcept, the Italian design studio that cooked up the concept, has now released more details on the distinctive tailfinned sportscar.

For all you technophiles out there, we've got all the dimensions and specifications. Based on the Corvette C6, the Spada Codatronca places the engine in a front-mid layout, driving through the rear wheels. Starting with the aluminum LS7 7-liter OHV V8, Spada fits twin Rotrex superchargers, dual intercoolers, an eight-quart dry-sump lubrication system, titanium valves and connecting rods, sequential fuel injection and a boosted compression ratio of 11:1. All that nets an impressive 600 hp at 6,300 rpm and 790 Nm of torque at 4,600. The power is channeled through the rear wheels via a short-throw 6-speed manual.

(Details continue to astonish after the jump.)

Gallery: SpadaConcept Codatronca

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Continue reading Shark Attack: Spada Codatronca details emerge

Shark Attack: Spada Codatronca details emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's no record, but 13 Paganis is still epicly cool originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Italian Post Office is honoring one of the country's most well-known brands, Lamborghini, by offering a commemorative stamp in its honor.

The 85-euro-cent stamp will hit post offices first in Lamborghini's hometown, Sant'Agata Bolognese, before it is offered at offices throughout the country. The campaign is part of Italy's recent efforts to pay homage to the country's greatest moments and products.

The stamp features Lamborghini's golden bull against a black shield background, which looks very similar to the badge affixed to the much-celebrated Lamborghini Miura, built between 1966 and 1973. Any tribute to that masterpiece would surely find a spot in our stamp collection -- if we had one.

[Source: Italy magazine via German Car Blog]

Italy gives Lamborghini stamp of approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In most countries, acts like murder, treason, or plotting to overthrow the government rank among the most heinous crimes a person can commit. In Italy, stealing secrets from Ferrari ranks right up near the top of the list, too.

Following a long, drawn out process, two former Scuderia Ferrari engineers, who stood accused of stealing secrets from Maranello and giving them to rivals at Toyota F1, have been convicted. Pending appeal, Angelo Santini was sentenced to nine months and Mauro Iacconi to 16 behind bars on charges of industrial espionage.

Back at the start of the 2003 season, Toyota built a wind-tunnel down the road from Ferrari in Sant'Agata Bolognese, near the Lamborghini factory. Naturally the project recruited the talents of many former Ferrari engineers, but when the season kicked off, Toyota's car looked suspiciously like Ferrari's. Complaints were filed in Italy and in Germany, and the case against Santini and Iacconi went to court a year ago. Toyota's former team principal, chief designer and chief aerodynamicist were all charged in Germany, where the case against them is pending prosecution.

It seems that Toyota will stop at nothing to catch up to Ferrari, and when hiring a Schumacher didn't work, less legal means were employed.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Toyota engineers convicted of stealing secrets from Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading LA Auto Show: Live shots of the Giugiaro Mustang

LA Auto Show: Live shots of the Giugiaro Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Accomplished race driver, living legend and patriarch of a veritable racing dynasty Mario Andretti is being honored by the Italian government with the title of Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana. The prestigious award will be presented on October 23 by Consul-General Antonio Bandini at the New York Columbus Citizens Foundation.

To say Mario is an accomplished driver is like saying the Pope is Catholic. Andretti has won the Formula 1 driver's world title, the Indy Car championship (four times), the USAC national dirt track championship, the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 and the 12 Hours of Sebring (three times), to name a few. To top that he's been named Driver of the Year spanning three decades, not to mention Driver of the Century.

His son Michael, head of Andretti-Green Racing, and grandson Michael Marco, IRL rookie of the year, will be there for the ceremony as well.

Word has it the Commendatore can't refuse a favor on this, the day of his decoration, so better get in line. Just kidding... felicitazioni, Mario!

[Source: Sports Car Market]

Il Commendatore: Mario Andretti honored by Italy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The production version of Alfa Romeo's sensuous 8C Competizione coupe made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. While our excitement continues to grow for Alfa's planned re-emergence into the North American market, the celebrated Italian marque has graced us with yet another video of its unspeakably beautiful sports car.

This two-minute video is even more dramatic than the last one, and features artistic shots of the 8C and Alfas past that inspired its lines. See the 8C from every angle, inside and out, each minute detail a work of art unto itself. As if we needed to fall in love with the 8C any more than we already have. Bellisimo!

VIDEO: the dramatic Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spyker-MF1 has struck a deal with Maranello to use Ferrari engines for the 2007 Formula 1 season. The team formerly known as Midland and before that as Jordan was recently purchased by a consortium lead by Spyker, the quirky Dutch exotic carmaker. Autoblog previously speculated on the likelihood of such a deal, as an Emirates crown corporation owns a stake in both companies.

The announcement comes out of Shanghai, where the Chinese Grand Prix weekend is currently underway. The heads of the Spyker team met last week at Ferrari headquarters to strike a deal, but until Saturday, there was still a possibility that they would stick with Cosworth engines for next season.

Ferrari is also expected to provide engines for one of the two Red Bull teams (either Red Bull Racing or Scuderia Toro Rosso), leaving the other to possibly use Cosworth engines or the Northampton, England-based firm could be forced out of F1 without a team to supply.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Ferrari goes Dutch: engine deal with Spyker-MF1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pagani has been kind enough to grace us with this promotional video of the Zonda F...as in, F'n sweet ride. The video features some impressive cinematography of the beautiful supercar snaking through the mountains.

Definitely worth watching, but we could do without the uninspired (and uninspiring) soundtrack, and more of that sweet exhaust note coming out of the custom-built 7.3-liter 602-hp Mercedes-AMG V12.

[Source: Motor Authority]

VIDEO: Pagani Zonda F originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

How many supercar owners can extract the true performance potential of their exotics? Unfortunately, having the funds to buy a supercar doesn't mean you have the skills to drive it.

Following in the path of other exotic Italian carmakers - such as Ferrari and Maserati - Lamborghini is offering its own high-performance driving school. Unlike the prancing horse and the trident, however, which offer courses in North America, at this time the Lamborghini Track Experience is offered exclusively in Italy. Held at the Mugello race track (ironically owned by Ferrari), those with €4000 to spend can learn driving techniques from the pros behind the wheel of a 500-hp V10 Lamborghini Gallardo.

Some may scoff at these programs as just another marketing ploy to separate customers from their money. Personally, if I were crafting these cars, I'd want the buyer to know how to drive it. And if I were the buyer, I'd want them to show me. Sounds like a perfect match.

(Thanks for the tip, Pete!)

[Source: Spiegel-Online (translated) via Luxist]

Bull-riding lessons: Lamborghini Track Experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Blazin Bull - second Lamborghini LP640 destroyed on public roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 03:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shot: Maserati Quattroporte Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 May 2006 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Alfa Romeo 159 new Italian "Pantera" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 May 2006 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spy Shots: 2007 Maserati GT Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.