Publisher/Editor Rick Castillo National Advertising Sales Rick Castillo rick@luxuryautodirect.com
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Web Development Josh Powers
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Malcom Hogan Contributing Writers Stephanie Olivo David Raffa Michael Daly Kerry Stratton Contributing Photographers David Newhardt Zach Segal
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. Luxury Auto Direct Magazine TM is published in the U.S.A 6 times per year by Luxury Direct Media, Inc.. For subscription or advertising rates, call 813-920-1988 or write to Luxury Auto Direct Magazine, PO Box 1058, Lutz, FL 33548. Luxury Auto Direct Magazine TM makes no representation or warranty for accuracy or content. The pictures of automobiles for sale and the written offer for sale are the responsibility of the individual advertiser. All photos become property of Luxury Direct Media, Inc. when printed unless otherwise agreed to by the publisher.
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SPYKER C8 AILERON SPYDER The Convertible Spyker
ASTON MARTIN ONE-77 Aston Martin’s Definitive Sports Car
MURCIELAGO LP 670-4 SUPERVELOCE The More Power, Lighter, and Faster Murcielago
DEVON GTX
The Next Great American Supercar
BUGATTI VEYRON GRAND SPORT Redeigned to go Topless
EDOX SEA DUBAI
Super Limited Edition Timepiece
AUDI R8 SPYDER
Drop the Top and Let the Sun Shine In
FERRARI 458 ITALIA
The New Experience from Ferrari
COVER: VERITAS RS III
Award-Winning Supercar goes into Production
MERCEDES-BENZ SLR STIRLING MOSS The Crowning Glory of the SLR Model
LAMBORGHINI REVENTON ROADSTER Our Choice for #1 Supercar is the Real Deal
Spyker Cars, manufacturer of exclusive, hand-crafted sports cars since 2000, introduced the first prototype of the Spyder version of its all-new second-generation sports car, the Spyker C8 Aileron. The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder was displayed on the concept lawn at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that took place in August.
Spyker Cars announced the development of a convertible C8 Aileron Spyder in March at the Geneva Auto Show, during the introduction of the production version of the Spyker C8 Aileron. The car presented August is the first prototype for the open-top model, scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010.
“Spyker Cars has taken the next step in our short but intense history with the launch of our second-generation sports car,” said Victor R. Muller, Spyker Cars’ founder and Chief Executive Officer. “We are currently presenting the first Spyker C8 Ailerons to customers, dealers and press around the world, and the response has been very enthusiastic.”
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“The C8 Aileron Spyder is a logical extension to our range of vehicles, since we have both hard-top and convertible versions of the short-wheelbase model,” said Muller. “The Aileron Spyder will offer open-top motoring along with all the usual Spyker characteristics, striking aviation-inspired styling and hand-crafted quality, based on the exclusive use of noble materials.”
The Spyker C8 Aileron is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car, featuring a longer wheelbase than Spyker’s existing sports cars, the C8 Laviolette and convertible C8 Spyder. The Aileron is characterized by a distinctive design, lightweight all-aluminum body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The Spyker C8 Aileron is hand-crafted, using only the finest bespoke materials to create a unique automotive statement.
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The Aileron features an all-aluminum V8 engine producing 400 bhp and generating 354 lbs of torque at 3,400 rpm. The engine is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, driving the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. For the first time, Spyker is offering an optional automatic transmission on the C8 Aileron. The Aileron delivers a top speed of 300km/h (187 mph) and accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds.
Optional features include a turned aluminum dashboard fascia, elegant 19-inch directional rotor wheels, branded Rotorblade(TM), quilted leather detailing for the cockpit and Chronoswiss dashboard instruments. Additionally, complete custom and unique finishes are available for the experienced connoisseur. Customers may also order a 5-piece Louis Vuitton luggage set exclusively made for Spyker. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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GLAMOUR Diamond Collection Automatic 25 Jewels Available with Bracelet Louisiana Crocodile
Gevril USA – 1-866-425-9882 www.gevril.com Gevril Switzerland – Rue Meval 20, 2720 Tramelan – Switzerland info@gevril.ch
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The One-77 is Aston Martin’s definitive sports car, one that epitomizes everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminum panels to the attention to detail. A culmination of all the marque’s know-how, the One-77 delivers effortless beauty guaranteed to stir the senses with performance potential eclipsing any previous Aston Martin.
With the performance and durability phase of the One-77’s intensive development program soon to commence, the 79th Geneva Auto Salon provides the perfect stage on which to reveal the remarkable engineering, advanced technology and exotic materials that lie beneath the One-77’s extraordinary exterior.
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While functionality and efficiency are paramount in the design and construction of the One-77’, so too is aesthetic beauty. To this end every single component has been crafted from the finest materials with absolute attention to detail. From the mesmerizing weave of the glossy carbon fiber tub and the abstract, sculptural beauty of the dry sump’s oil reservoir, to the unerring precision of the billet machined aluminum suspension mounts, the One-77’s rolling chassis is an automotive masterpiece.
Of course the irony is that the vast majority of these exquisite components will be hidden from view in the finished car, yet each and every piece is a work of art in its own right. It’s this extraordinary workmanship and money-no-object commitment to quality that makes the One-77 unique.
The One-77’s magnificent power unit is an extreme evolution of the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models. Like the collaboration with MTC for the build of the chassis, Aston Martin has chosen a world-leading partner with which to develop the motor: legendary engine builders, Cosworth. It has proved to be the perfect collaboration, as Chris Porritt explains.
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“Our brief to the engine team was for them to take the 6.0-litre V12 as far as it could go, both in terms of output and weight reduction. The targets were a power output of no less than 700bhp with a 10 per cent reduction in engine mass. Incredibly, the Aston Martin and Cosworth engineers achieved a mass reduction of some 25 per cent, and although we’ve yet to complete the final engine calibration work, I’m confident we’ll see in excess of 700bhp. It’s an awesome accomplishment, but one that’s typical of the One-77 project, for it has consistently brought out the very best in everyone involved.”
With a projected weight of 1,500kg the One-77 will occupy the very highest echelons of road car performance. Top speed is confidently predicted to be in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5sec. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to the purity of a front-engined, rear-drive layout, the responsiveness and immense tractability of a naturally aspirated V12 and the low mass, high-rigidity properties of a carbon fibre chassis, the One-77 promises a driving experience of unrivalled intensity and excitement while representing the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
The Lamborghini Murciélago is one of the most extraordinary super sports cars of all time. Automobili Lamborghini has now expanded its model range with a new, exceptionally purist and even more extreme top model – the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murciélago LP 640. With the output of the 6.5 liter V12 increased to 670 hp and a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. This catapults it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds and powers it on to a top speed of around 342 km/h (212 mph). Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of this 350-unit limited edition series conveys its full potential from the very first glance.
With its outstanding performance, razor-sharp precision and exceptional high-speed stability, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is the ultimate performance car for advanced sports car drivers. The super sports car has been extensively redesigned with a new front and rear, an innovative engine bonnet and a choice of two aerodynamic set-ups featuring either a small or large rear spoiler. The interior in Alcantara and carbon fiber provides a purist and minimalist approach.
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In order to achieve the substantial weight reduction of 100 kilograms (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce was extensively reworked and redeveloped in virtually every aspect – from chassis to engine and transmission, right through to the interior. The increase in engine output from 640 to 670 hp is the result of optimized valve timing and a reworked intake system. The significantly modified aerodynamics with substantially increased downforce brings considerable improvement to vehicle stability at very high speeds. With the small standard-fit rear spoiler, top speed stands at 342 km/h (212 mph), while the large “Aeropack Wing” and its added downforce gives a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).
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“The new Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is the systematic continuation of our brand philosophy. It is more extreme and uncompromising than virtually any other automobile,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “As the new top model of the highly successful Murciélago range, the SuperVeloce displays not only outstanding driving dynamics, it is also further evidence of our company’s technological expertise. Customers can look forward to an utterly unparalleled driving experience.”
Absolutely no corners have been cut when it comes to one characteristic that is a feature of all Lamborghini super sports cars – the exceptionally high quality of the workmanship. The craftsmen in Sant’Agata Bolognese are all masters of their respective trades; the three-year warranty bears testimony to absolute faith in product quality. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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2005 Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe in Giallo Midas (Pearl Yellow) over Nero Perseus (Black) Leather with yellow stitching. Just 1914 miles! This Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe is powered by a 5.0L V10 producing 500hp and fitted with the amazing E-gear transmission. $116,750 Call 866-289-7497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe in Black over a Black Leather interior. We sold this Ferrari to a local client 2 years ago and he has only put 400 miles on it for a total of only 1,992 pampered miles. Beautifully equipped with the F1 Transmission, Yellow Painted Brake Calipers, Scuderia Ferrari Shields, Power Operated Seats, Daytona Seats, and more! $159,750 866-289-7497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
2009 Murcielago LP640 Roadster! Finished in special paint color Balloon White (Pearl) over Rosso Centaurus Italian leather with White stitching. This Roadster is loaded with options: E-gear, Full Carbon Fiber interior, Carbon Ceramic brakes, Navigation, CI badge wheels, Grey brake calipers, Shiny Black Hermera rims, Q-citura interior, Special paint colour, Wind deflectors, AD PERSONAM interior. $440,195 Call 866-2897497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
2005 Porsche Carrera GT in GT SILVER over ASCOT BROWN Leather. This supercar is one of the quickest, most agile street cars money can buy. The V10 engine cranks out 605 hp which is enough to propel this carbon fiber masterpiece to an impressive 3.8 second 0-60 time and a top speed of 205mph. Optioned with XT Driver’s and Passenger’s seats. $348,300 Call 866-289-7497. www.lamborghinihouston.com
Conceived by a visionary industrial artist, brought to life by some of the world’s leading automotive engineers and designers, and proven on some of the most demanding race tracks in America, the all-new 2010 Devon GTX stands ready to stake claim as the next great American supercar. The limited edition supercar is the first product from Los Angeles-based industrial design house Devon Motorworks (devonmotorworks.com). It will go on sale in the first quarter of 2010.
The Devon GTX is – on one hand – a race-inspired performance car, offering a 650-horsepower engine and a complimentary transmission and induction/exhaust system that will make it the most powerful naturally aspirated production powertrain system on the market today. On the other hand, the vehicle’s muscular shape represents a new expression of modern industrial design, blending both classic and futuristic cues to warn of the awesome power that exists within its shape.
“We set out to design a vehicle that was quintessentially American, both in its shape and in its performance,” said Devon Motorworks founder and CEO Scott Devon. “Standing still, the Devon GTX tells a story of power, handling and beauty. It’s classical, yet futuristic design promises an incredible experience. Once under power, the GTX lives up to its promise every heart-pounding second you’re behind the wheel.”
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The design was led by Devon and noted automotive designer Daniel Paulin. Their approach to the vehicle was to boldly blend power, tactility and aesthetics into one singular form.
The vehicle’s aircraft-quality carbon fiber body sits atop large lattice-structure center-lock wheels. The interior design reflects the company’s progressive design philosophy and features carbon-fiber-reinforced racing seats, dual-grained leather surfacing throughout the cockpit and tasteful chrome appointments.
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Refinement, quality and uniqueness are conveyed in the car’s “up and forward” articulating doors, distinctive body two-tone wheel surrounds, minimal front/rear overhangs, and dual center rear exit chrome exhaust ports.
Beneath the skin of the Devon GTX is an 8.4-liter (510 cubic inches) V-10 engine that produces 650 horsepower (484.7 kW) at 6100 rpm. The V-10 engine is mated with a track-proven six-speed manual transmission.
While the Devon GTX has yet to hit an American road, it has made its mark on two of America’s most demanding road courses. In validation testing earlier this year, the vehicle set production car lap records at both Willow Springs Raceway and Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.
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Devon Motorworks will produce 20 cars per year at its manufacturing facility in southern California. On sale beginning in the first quarter of 2010, the cars will be sold for approximately $300,000 with an optional Racing Package that will be available for around $25,000.
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vehicles will be sold and serviced through a network of agents around the world that Devon Motorworks is currently selecting. Interested customers are encouraged to visit devonmotorworks.com/ about/preorder to learn more about ordering the first Devon GTX.
Devon Motorworks is an industrial design company based in southern California. All of its design products have a common purpose of providing sculptural power with recognizable beauty. Devon Motorworks’ design language is classical, yet futuristic, with exquisite shapes in the modern mold. For more information, go to devonmotorworks.com. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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BENEFITING THE CHILD PROTECTION CENTER, INC. sponsored by the fe r r a r i o w n e r s c l u b f l o r i d a r e g i o n
Friday | Feb. 12 Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port Reception advance ticket purchase required
at rectrix aerodrome - srQ airport, enjoy an evening filled with imported and exotic cars, sophisticated jets, custom motorcycles, fashion shows by saks fifth avenue, silent auction, great food, wine, cocktails and good will.
Saturday | Feb. 13 Ferraris & Exotics On St. Armands - Concours open to the public
ferraris and exotics on display on st. armands circle. pre-registration required to display a car.
Saturday | Feb. 13 Tropical Beachside Dinner
advance ticket purchase required enjoy an elegant evening at the exclusive ritz-carlton Members beach club, sarasota. the festivities begin with cocktails on the great lawn followed by live entertainment and a beachside dinner. limited seating available.
Sunday - Valentine’s day | Feb. 14 Road Rally & Closing Brunch advance ticket purchase required
closing sarasota road rally followed by brunch at the picturesque ritz-carlton Members golf club, sarasota.
tickets & info :: www.sarasotaexoticcarfest.com for tickets or sponsorships, contact carolyn haworth of the child protection center, inc. phone :: (941) 365-1277, ext. 105 | email :: carolynh@cpcsarasota.org to register a car, contact gary roberts of bamboo homes | phone :: (941) 921-2480 | email :: robertsg@bamboohomes.com
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Exotic Cars Are Rare. Helping Children Shouldn’t Be.
LAMBORGHINI S A R A S O TA
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The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport confronted the marque renowned for impeccable automotive solutions, aesthetics and driving dynamics with a whole new set of challenges. In response to customer demand, significant modifications have been made to the vehicle’s complex structure so as to enable opentop driving, thereby adding a new dimension to this high-performance sports car. Incorporating a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features, it is the world’s fastest and most exciting roadster.
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It is immediately recognizable as a result of its slightly higher windscreen, stylized daytime running lights, and lightweight, transparent polycarbonate roof.
The main challenge in developing the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with its removable roof resulted from the unique structure of the fixed-roof Bugatti Veyron. An optimum combination of rigidity and lightweight engineering ensures the monocoque passenger cell of the original model is extremely strong, while weighing an absolute minimum . As the roof is an integral part of the vehicle’s structure,removing it meant the load paths had to be completely redesigned to maintain the vehicle’s rigidity and crash safety, and to offer additional protection from side impacts and rolling.
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As a result, the monocoque structure has been reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster. The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam. In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection in the event of a roll.
Along with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather, a range of new equipment features has been added to the interior, including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor integrated in the rear-view-mirror, and the “Puccini� sound system with digital signal processor.
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When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h, while speeds of up to 360 km/h are possible with the roof off. Should it rain, an innovative soft-top roof, like an umbrella, stored in the luggage compartment, can be opened up at any time. With this soft top in place, the car can travel at up to 160 km/h.
Assembled by hand at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, the Grand Sport will be delivered from July 2009 onwards at a price of 1.4 million euros (excluding taxes and transportation). Just 150 units will be made, with the first 50 of these going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. So far 30 Grand Sports have been ordered. The Chassis Number one auctioned at the Pebble Beach Auction by Gooding and Company last summer and sold for 3.19 million Dollars. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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Based in the Swiss Jura and with an horological story studded with successes and inventions that remain unrivalled even to this day, the watch manufacturer, Edox, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2009.
Since 2008, Edox has been the official partner of the Dubai International Marine Club, a dynamic sailing club that hosts almost 180 events per year. Undoubtedly one of its best representatives is the Sea Dubai, a magnificent class RC44 yacht.
The Grand Ocean collection is a classic and timeless name, with the second limited edition, dedicated to the crew of the sailing yacht, Sea Dubai, reflecting its continuing expansion. This Super Limited Edition embodies the sporting spirit of the regatta, a glorious blend of courtesy, fair play, sportsmanship and courage.
The generous 45 mm case remains unchanged, retaining the lines and appeal of the Grand Ocean collection with its now famous notched bezel. But this time, the watch case is coated in black PVD to emphasise the enigmatic element of the new model. Proudly sporting a blue 44, the symbol of the class, the black carbon dial is an elegant tribute to the Sea Dubai. The profiled sails and indices, hand applied in blue and nickel, highlight the maritime character of this new watch. The engraving on the case back has been reinterpreted, with a motif representing unfurled gennakers, the serial numbering and the name of the watch. That essential hallmark of the Grand Ocean collection, the famous porthole aperture that affords an in-depth view of the watch’s magnificent mechanism, has not been forgotten and provides the perfect finishing touch to the new Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition. The limited edition number will be engraved on a plate affixed to the side of the watch-case.
The final and striking feature is the black rubber strap, easy to wear and resistant to salty sea spray. It lends a touch of supreme classicism and masculine elegance. Fitted with an Edox 94 mechanical calibre, the power reserve has a blue gauge on the dial, and the watch is water resistant to 244 metres. The new Sea Dubai Super Limited Edition is limited to 244 pieces worldwide and is presented in a splendid wooden box with a porthole aperture. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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Exceptional performance and breathtaking dynamism coupled with the intense sensations of open-top driving: Audi presents the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Its lightweight cloth top opens and closes fully automatically; several body parts are made of a carbon fiber composite material.
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The V10 engine produces 386 kW (525 hp) and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 313 km/h (194.49 mph). Featuring technologies such as the Audi Space Frame (ASF), quattro permanent all-wheel drive, full-LED headlights and with an innovative seatbelt microphone available as an option, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is the new top-of-the-range Audi.
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro makes a powerful statement. The sculptured lines of the emotion-packed, highperformance sports car are a fascinating and unique interpretation of its dynamism. Unlike the CoupĂŠ, the Spyder does not have sideblades behind the doors. The side panels and the large cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top are made of a carbon fiber composite. Two arched cowls, which extend to the spoiler lip and include large, integrated air vents, give the rear of the open-top two-seater a powerful profile.
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Like every open-top Audi, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro has a cloth top – an uncompromising solution for a high-performance sports car. The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 30 kilograms (66.14 lb); it thus keeps the vehicle’s total weight and center of gravity low. The top takes up little space when open and is a harmonious design element when closed. It tapers off to two slim fins extending to the trailing edge of the car, emphasizing the elongated silhouette.
The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the V10 engine. The compartment cover opens and closes automatically. The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead. It can be independently raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the top up or down. An additional net-like wind deflector comes standard and can be latched into the bulkhead behind the seats in two easy steps.
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The top, which comprises an outer skin of a leakproof textile fabric and the headliner, is fully compatible with highspeed driving. When driving at moderate speeds with the top up, interior noise levels in the R8 Spyder are barely higher than in the CoupĂŠ. The bulkhead includes integrated rollover protection in the form of two strong, spring-tensioned plates. Head/thorax side bags in the backrests protect the passengers in the event of a side impact. Full-size airbags stand at the ready in the event of a head-on collision. In a rear-end collision, the integral head restraint system reduces the risk of whiplash injuries.
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is built by quattro GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant. The vehicle, including the ASF, is largely hand-built. The open-top two-seater will be launched in Germany in the first quarter of 2010; sales will start in the coming days. Its base price will be 156,400 euros or around $230,000 US. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
In the run-up to the official unveiling of the Ferrari 458 Italia at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, enthusiasts found out more about the car on www.ferrari.com. There they found the first photographs of the 458 Italias interior and of the steering wheel and instrument binnacle which represent a significant step forward in the concept of the ergonomic interface between driver and car.
In fact the main commands are now grouped on the steering wheel, the secondary commands are handily set in two satellite pods either side of the dash and there are now comprehensive instrument displays on the panel ahead of the driver. These solutions represent an important safety aspect, enabling the driver to concentrate fully on driving. Similarly this layout ensures maximum control of the car in highperformance driving, an uncompromising approach that derives directly from Ferraris F1 experience.
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Working closely with the Ferrari Styling Centre, the engineers have thus reinterpreted the positioning of the major commands to provide a truly driver-oriented cockpit. All steering-column mounted stalks have been eliminated, with the indicators, full beam, flash and windscreen wiper functions now being activated by buttons on the steering wheel boss. The button to select the shock absorber setting is now positioned next to the Engine start button where it falls readily to hand. Behind the wheel are a number of secondary functions, such as the stereo, while the gearbox paddles are now longer making shifts even easier from any steering angle.
The right-hand satellite pod on the dash incorporates controls for the infotainment, the Bluetooth connection, satnav, digital speedo and rear parking camera. Clustered on the left-hand satellite pod instead are the optional cruise control, buttons for choosing the video setting of the left-hand dash TFT screen and the on-board computer interface. The latter controls the trip computer, the Vehicle Dynamic Assistance and the display of the cars set-up.
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The Vehicle Dynamic Assistance monitors the operating parameters of the most important areas of the car - engine/gearbox, tyres and brakes. The VDA is enabled in the following manettino settings Race, CT off and CST off and provides visual confirmation of the status of each component based on an algorithm from parameters reading lateral and longitudinal acceleration, revs and speed. This enables the driver to assess the ideal operating conditions for the car. There are three status settings: WARM-UP (operating temperature too low), GO (ideal operating conditions) and OVER (one or more components are no longer at their optimum level and need cooling).
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Along with the photos now on-line, the Ferrari site also includes an exclusive videointerview with Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of Pininfarina S.p.A., who provides indepth insight into the 458 Italias design philosophy and exterior styling. The next release on www.ferrari.com will include an analysis of the cars performance characteristics with an interview with seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
The Veritas RS III Roadster super sports car, which has been presented to the public as a prototype over the past year and which immediately won the public award of “Best Super Car 2009” at London’s Salon Privé, is now going into series production. However, the words “series production” are not entirely true. Firstly, the series comprises a strictly limited batch of only 30 vehicles and secondly, every single vehicle will undergo sophisticated hand production by manufacturer Vermot AG in Gelsdorf.
Even before the actual start of production, five of the 30 luxury cars have already been sold – to Monaco, Australia, Great Britain, Spain and Switzerland. Eight more are reserved and over 100 enquiries have been received. In Gelsdorf, it is therefore expected that the entire edition will have sold out even before the end of the year.
The manufacturer’s 15 staff install the chassis, bodywork and interior at three workstations. The production of one of the classic 1+1-seaters – with a covered passenger seat that can be opened if required – takes eight weeks, although three cars are built in parallel at one time. Production runs according to the strictest “Made in Germany” quality standards. Furthermore, the vehicles are fully homologated to EU standard. Delivery to the customers will start in January 2010.
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“Even at first sight, the Veritas RS III convinces customers with a design that combines futuristic and classical elements and thereby produces an unmistakable overall impression,” says Vermot AG chief designer Michael Söhngen. “In the end, what counts for the design of a good sports car are the proportions and we have placed great emphasis on these,” Söhngen continues. The typical shark’s mouth and aggressive looking Xenon twin headlights, tapered inward-contoured side sills, and the flat tail with the two central stainless steel tailpipes pointing upward contrast with the asymmetric roll bar integrated into the bodywork on the driver’s side. A rear-view mirror extending into the centre of the vehicle, riveted or chrome-plated bodywork elements, and the distinctive jagged taillights emphasise the exceptional design concept.
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The Dunlop tyres – 325/25 at the rear and 255/30 at the front – and the 12.5 and 10.5 inch wide, 22-inch, five-point star, drop centre rims – as well as the extremely low vehicle height of only 97 cm – ensure a firm hold on the road. All this comes with a height-adjustable special sports chassis tested on the north loop of the Nürburgring, as lovers of this untamed bolide generally appreciate that “true race feeling”. Slightly more cautious drivers can, however, engage ABS and TCS.
The technical specifications are a testament to the high demands. The new Veritas, of which the legendary predecessors celebrated numerous racing successes in the 50s and were the first German team to take part in Formula I, now accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.2 seconds – this alone will make the hearts of automobile enthusiasts beat faster.
The 4.68 metre long and 2.02 metre wide monster, which has already made a splash in Monte Carlo, in Spa, and on the “ring” is powered by a 5.0 litre V10 BMW engine with 7-speed SMG transmission or – optionally – with manual 6-speed transmission. With an engine speed of 7,500 rpm and a power-weight ratio of 2.9 kg/kW, the RS III achieves a top performance of 373 kW (507 hp) and thus a top speed of 347 km/h.
The complete bodywork comprises an ultra-light carbon racing skin and is produced in a Formula I forge. In addition to the 4-point H-type seatbelts, a tube frame developed by the Vermot AG engineers guarantees occupants the highest level of passive safety on their modified Recaro full bucket seats. A new braking system from Brabham Racing provides for deceleration: six 380 mm pistons at the front and four 355 mm pistons at the back forcefully slow the entire weight before the ceramic disk brakes abruptly bring the wheels to a standstill – until the next kick start.
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Extensive test drives were conducted a few days ago at the legendary Brands Hatch racetrack in Great Britain. “It is now about constantly improving the car and finding the optimum fine tuning. Brands Hatch was a complete success and we are very happy with the result,” says Vermot AG CEO Michael Trick. Initial customer test drives have also been conducted in the context of the track days – an illustrious rendezvous of customers and potential buyers, who have met on the racetrack in England and showed themselves to be thoroughly impressed. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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A product of skillful hands. And ingenious minds. Eterna Madison Limited Edition with the exclusive Eterna Calibre 3500 movement. A hand-wound mechanical timepiece combining modern engineering and traditional craftsmanship. www.eterna.ch Tel.866-425-9882
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are adding the crowning glory to the model family of their highly successful SLR super sports car with a new, uncompromisingly spectacular car. There is neither a roof nor a windscreen to separate the driver and passenger from the outside world; they enjoy unadulterated high-speed excitement with all the attributes of a speedster.
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The new SLR Stirling Moss is also characterised by the most sophisticated technology and a breathtaking design which reinterprets the SLR legend. With 478 kW/650 hp the SLR Stirling Moss accelerates its V8 supercharged engine from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 350 km/h – no other seriesproduction car is at the same time so open and so fast. This extreme concept makes the new high-performance sports car a legitimate bearer of the name of the British motor racing legend and Mille Miglia record-holder Stirling Moss, who drove the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR racing cars from victory to victory during the 1950s.
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Just like the legendary racing vehicles of yesteryear, the SLR Stirling Moss dazzles with its superlative performance. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 350 km/h this puristic high-performance sports car denotes completely new dimensions in open-top driving. And not just because of the impressive performance figures; every time drivers take to the wheel of the SLR Stirling Moss their senses are addressed with a previously unheard of intensity, conveying a driving experience in its purest and most sensual form. This automotive thoroughbred thus facilitates the kind of open-air feeling that is utterly unique for a roadgoing vehicle.
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The new SLR Stirling Moss is the kind of high-calibre speedster coveted by the sporting gentry and enthusiasts alike. At the same time it is a collector’s item which marks the pinnacle of an era and, for the foreseeable future, at least, the final curtain for the SLR. In May 2009 production of the SLR models will cease; only a total of 75 units of the Stirling Moss will be manufactured between June and December 2009, bearing chassis numbers from 1 to 75. Not only does this exclusive vehicle represent the conclusion of the current SLR family; it also serves as a very special thank you to the most loyal of SLR customers, for they are the only ones able to acquire a Stirling Moss. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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Lamborghini presents the ultimate driving machine among open-top two-seaters – the Reventón Roadster is a sports car of breathtaking fascination, menacing power and uncompromising performance. The 6.5 liter twelve-cylinder generates 493 kW (670 PS), catapulting the Roadster from 0 to 100 Km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 330 KM/h (205 mph). The open-top Reventón is not only one of the fastest, but also one of the most exclusive cars in the world – Lamborghini has limited the series.
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The Lamborghini Reventón is not destined to remain a one-off. Less than 20 Lamborghini friends and collectors will be able to own this extraordinary car and, naturally, enjoy the incomparable pleasure of driving it. Each Reventón Roadster will be sold for 1.1 Million Euro (without taxes). Deliveries will began October 2009.
“The Reventón is the most extreme car in the history of the brand,” comments Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “The new Roadster adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise – it unites superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving.” The Reventón Coupé was presented at the 2007 IAA in Frankfurt and was sold out immediately.
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Open-top sports cars are a tradition at Lamborghini that stretches back over 40 years. In 1968, the company from Sant’Agata Bolognese built a Miura without a fixed roof as a one-off. The Diablo Roadster appeared in 1995 with its targa roof anchored to the engine cover.
The Reventón Roadster keeps the extreme power of its engine in check with a running gear layout derived directly from motorsport. Each wheel boasts double wishbone suspension, with one spring strut on each side of the front axle and two each at the rear. The front end of the car can be raised by 40 mm (about 1.6 in.) to protect the underside of the vehicle over potholes or on steep entrances into underground garages.
The open two-seater runs on 18-inch wheels. The front tires measure 245/35, while the rears are 335/30. Dedicated air channels in the bodyshell cool the four wheel brakes. Carbon-fiber ceramic discs are standard – they have an extremely lightweight construction, operate with virtually no fade, are corrosion-free and achieve the highest service life. Each disc has a diameter of 380 mm (~15 in.) and is gripped by six-piston calipers.
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As fast as the open two-seater may be, its road manners are impeccable. Its performance limits are extremely high, yet effortless to control. And, on exiting a bend, all four wheels stick tenaciously to the asphalt. The permanent all-wheel drive dovetails the car firmly with the road, delivering decisive benefits in traction and stability.
Lamborghini used state-of-the-art, highly networked processes to bring the Reventón Roadster to life. The design, CAD work and model making that took place in the Centro Stile, which opened in 2004, were accompanied continuously by specialists and test engineers from the Research & Development Department.
The Design Department is directly linked to the neighboring Ufficio Tecnico, ensuring rapid implementation of ideas. Lamborghini’s capabilities also include the independent development of the complete electronic platform. This incorporates all control units – including those for the V12 and the innovative cockpit displays.
All units of the Reventón Roadster are being built on the Sant’Agata Bolognese production line, with perfect craftsmanship and to the highest levels of quality. Complete photo gallery available at www.luxuryautodirect.com.•
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THE TYPICAL QUICKGYM PURCHASER GOES THROUGH SEVERAL STAGES: 1. Total disbelief that the QuickGym can do all this in only 4 minutes. 2. Rhetorical (and sometimes hostile) questioning and ridicule. 3. Reading the QuickGym literature and reluctantly understanding it. 4. Taking a leap of faith and renting a QuickGym for 30 days. 5. Being highly impressed by the results and purchasing a QuickGym. 6. Becoming a QuickGym enthusiast and trying to persuade friends. 7. Being ignored and ridiculed by the friends who think you’ve lost your mind. 8. After a year of using the QuickGym your friends admiring your good shape. 9. You telling them (again) that you only exercise those 4 minutes per day. 10. Those friends reluctantly rent the QuickGym for a 30 day trial. Repeat the above cycle from point 5 on down.
• • •
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