Ferrari F8 Tributo Replaces the 488 GTB

The Ferrari F8 Tributo is the new mid-rear-engined sports car that represents the highest expression of the Prancing Horse’s classic two-seater berlinetta. It is a car with unique characteristics and, as its name implies, is an homage to the most powerful V8 in Ferrari's history.

The turbo-charged V8 has already been used in other models in the range with various power output levels, winning “Best Engine” in the International Engine of the Year awards three years running in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2018, it was also awarded the title of the best engine of the last two decades.

The F8 Tributo delivers its 720 cv without the slightest hint of turbo lag and produces an evocative soundtrack. Instantaneous power is matched by exceptional handling thanks to the integration of state-of-the-art aerodynamics solutions derived from Ferrari’s track experience. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the F8 Tributo is essentially a bridge to a new design language that will continue to emphasise Ferrari’s key characteristics of high performance and extreme aerodynamic efficiency. In fact, the F8 Tributo is the most aerodynamically efficient series-production mid-rear-engined berlinetta ever designed.

The F8 Tributo replaces the 488 GTB and, in the range, is the model with the highest performance matched by the greatest driver involvement. There are significant improvements across the board aimed at providing even better control on the limit along with greater on-board comfort. The F8 Tributo punches out 50 cv more than the 488 GTB, is 40 kg lighter and also benefits from a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency along with the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control, now in 6.1 guise.

The New Lamborghini Huracan EVO

Automobili Lamborghini presented the new Lamborghini Huracan EVO: the next generation V10 super sports car, based on the prowess and performance of the Huracán Performante and incorporating next-generation vehicle dynamic control and aerodynamics.

The Huracan EVO features the 5.2 l naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V10 engine, uprated to produce higher power output and an emotional and powerful sound, with Titanium intake valves and refined lightweight exhaust system. The Huracan EVO outputs 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm with 600 Nm of torque delivered at 6,500 rpm.

With a dry weight of 1,422 kg the Huracán EVO reaches a weight-to-power ratio of 2.22 kg/hp, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 9.0 seconds. Braking from 100 km/h to 0 is achieved in just 31.9 m, with a top speed of more than 325 km/h.

Porsche 718 T - For Maximum Driving Pleasure

The new model in the Boxster and Cayman ranges combines the turbocharged four-cylinder flat engine with a particularly emotional Porsche driving experience.

The high-performance character of the T models is emphasised by an extensive equipment package, which includes 20-inch alloy wheels, the PASM sports chassis lowered by 20 millimetres – which is being offered in combination with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine for the first time in this range – the shortened gearshift, on which the gears are emblazoned in red, and the Sport Chrono package. Porsche is offering both the Boxster and Cayman variants with six-speed gearbox and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), including mechanical rear axle differential locking. Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) is also available as an option.

The 220 kW (300 PS) turbocharged flat engine accelerates the Porsche 718 T powerfully and boasts up to 7,500 revolutions. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine reaches its maximum torque of 380 Nm at 2,150/min and has an unladen weight of 1,350 (PDK: 1,380) kilograms. Thanks to a weight-to-power ratio of 4.5 (4.6) kg/PS, it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 (4.7) seconds. The ehicle’s top speed is 275 km/h.

The Sport Chrono package offers Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual driving modes, which can be selected using the Mode switch on the steering wheel. Sport and Sport Plus activate sportier characteristics in both the engine management system and the accelerator, with the automatic dual-clutch function supporting you as you move down the gears in the manual transmission. Sport Plus further hones the handling of the 718 T by ensuring sportier configuration of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts (PADM) adaptive body positioning and the optional Porsche dual-clutch transmission. In combination with PDK, the Launch Control function and the Sport Response button in the centre of the Mode switch are also available for use.

Nissan Announced U.S. Pricing for 2019 Nissan GT-R

Nissan announced U.S. pricing for the 2019 Nissan GT-R. The starting MSRP of $99,990 for the 2018 GT-R Pure model, the most affordable of the four available GT-R trim levels, remains unchanged from 2018. The other available GT-R trim levels are the:

• GT-R Premium, which includes an 11-speaker Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement systems, and Titanium exhaust system.
• GT-R Track Edition, which is designed to deliver a higher level of performance than the GT-R Pure and Premium models and features elements of the flagship GT-R NISMO.
• GT-R NISMO, the ultimate GT-R with 600 horsepower – versus the other models’ 565 horsepower. The motorsports-inspired GT-R NISMO is available in very limited numbers in North America. It features numerous motorsports-inspired technologies to enhance the car’s performance through optimized aerodynamics, suspension and powertrain, creating a well-balanced machine at home on both the road and track.

Three premium interior packages – Amber Red, Kuro Night and Rakuda Tan – are available with the GT-R Premium. Also offered are three premium exterior paint colors (availability varies by grade level), along with four standard exterior colors. An All-Weather Package is available with the Pure and Premium grades.

All 2019 GT-R models come equipped with LED headlamps with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights, NissanConnect with Navigation and Services featuring Apple CarPlay, and leather-appointed front sport seats with synthetic suede inserts

The 2019 GT-R Pure, Premium and Track Edition grades are equipped with an advanced 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 rated at 565-horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque, dual-clutch sequential 6-speed transmission, electronically controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system. The GT-R NISMO is rated at 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque3 and also features unique exterior and interior treatments, along with special suspension tuning.

2019 Porsche 911 Carrera S - More Muscular, Powerful, and Faster

The eight generation Porsche 911 celebrated its world premiere at the L.A. Auto Show. Unmistakably committed to the Porsche design DNA, a much more muscular look, and an interior featuring a 10.9-inch touchscreen monitor, the new 911 is timeless and modern. Intelligent control and chassis elements as well as innovative assistance systems combine the uncompromising dynamism that the classic rear-engine sportscar is famed for, with the demands of the digital world.

The turbocharged flat-six engine of the Porsche 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now produces 331 kW (450 PS). This corresponds to an increase of 22 kW (30 PS) compared with the previous model. Both 911 models beat the four-second mark for acceleration from zero to 100 km/h: the rear-wheel-drive Coupe needs 3.7 seconds and the 911 Carrera 4S with all-wheel drive just 3.6 seconds. This makes both cars 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model in each case. This advantage is increased by a further 0.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The top speeds are now 308 km/h (911 Carrera S) and 306 km/h for the all-wheel-drive version.

In a world first, Porsche has developed Wet mode, included as standard. This function detects water on the road, preconditions the control systems accordingly and warns the driver, who can then set up the vehicle for a particular emphasis on safety, by simply pushing a button or using the mode switch on the steering wheel (Sport Chrono Package). The warning and brake assist system, also fitted as standard, detects the risk of collisions with moving objects and initiates emergency braking if necessary. Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is optionally available for the 911 for the first time. The adaptive cruise control option includes automatic distance control, stop-and-go function, reversible occupant protection and an innovative autonomous Emergency Assist function.

 

Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag Celebrates 70 Years of Jaguar Sports Cars

Based on the Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic Coupe and Convertible, and available with powerful four- and six-cylinder engines, the Chequered Flag features a range of subtle visual enhancements to the exterior and exterior of the F-Type.

Highlights include a Black Contrast roof on the Coupé and a luxurious Windsor Leather interior featuring Performance seats with embossed headrests, a Dark Brushed Aluminium centre console trim finisher and – in recognition of Jaguar’s motorsport successes – a steering wheel with discrete Chequered Flag logo and red leather band to mark the 12 o’clock position.

The F-Type’s exquisite, perfectly-proportioned exterior is enhanced by the Exterior Black Design Pack, which benefits from SVO extended side sills to subtly increase visual width and give the car even greater presence and poise. The 20-inch Gloss Black wheels with Diamond Turned finish are exclusive to the Chequered Flag and perfectly complement the red finish of the brake calipers. The Chequered Flag’s superbly-crafted Ebony Windsor Leather interior is offered with contrast stitching in a choice of Red or Cirrus. The slimline Performance seats, with optional heated and cooling functionality, feature headrests embossed with Chequered Flag branding.

Power comes from the 300PS/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine or the 340PS/450Nm and 380PS/ 460Nm supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines. All offer an outstanding balance of responsiveness, power and efficiency – and all with a visceral soundtrack which reflects the F-Type’s truly driver-focused character. All engines are matched to eight-speed Quickshift transmissions and send drive to the rear wheels, or – in the 380PS models – the choice of Jaguar’s all-wheel drive system with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics.

Taking learning from the SVR derivative, the damper tune on the F-Type R Coupe and Convertible models has been refined, giving an improved level of ride comfort at low speed. This has been achieved by reducing the damping by 24% at the lower damping velocities (up to 0.3m/s), whilst increasing overall capacity by up to 30%.

Additionally, the rear upper ball joint from the SVR has been incorporated into the Jaguar F-Type R, with modifications to the rear knuckle and upper control arm, further enhancing capability and system robustness. The rear camera and front park aid are now provided as standard across all F-Type derivatives.

2019 Audi R8 is Even Hotter

The Audi R8 production model follows after the world premiere of the R8 LMS GT3 at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Apart from the sportier design, the Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder have more powerful engines.

The heart of the Audi R8 is its V10 naturally aspirated engine. It is available to customers in two output ratings. The almost identical drive technology of the V10 engine in the R8 LMS GT3 and R8 LMS GT4 is put to good use on the racetrack. The V10, which is produced at the engine plant in Győr, Hungary, is very compact. A separate radiator controls the temperature of the engine oil, which comes from a dry sump. This principle was adopted from motor racing and allows for an extremely low installation position of the engine, producing a low center of gravity. The pump module operates with multiple suction stages and assures proper lubrication under all conditions – including during lateral acceleration of around 1.5 G, which is possible in the R8. Both engines have a gasoline particulate filter.

Modifications to the suspension provide even more stability and precision. The assistance has been retuned both with the optional dynamic steering and the electromechanical power steering: Steering response and the feedback from the road come across as even more precise across the entire range of speeds.

Depending on the selected engine, the three additional programs dry, wet and snow are added to the well-known Audi drive select modes with the performance mode. They adapt the key dynamic parameters to the friction coefficient of the road. Thanks to the enhanced Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), the top-of-the-line model brakes from 100 km/h (62.1 mph) to a standstill up to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) earlier; the stopping distance from 200 km/h (124.3 mph) is up to five meters (16.4 ft) shorter – in each case depending on the exterior conditions.

The new Audi R8 is equipped with factory-installed 19-inch wheels. Ultralight 20-inch fully milled wheels in five-V dynamic design with new summer and sport tires, which convey even more precise handling, are available as an option. Audi offers ceramic brake discs as an alternative to the standard steel discs. The stabilizer at the front is optionally made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aluminum, which cuts weight by around two kilograms (4.4 lb).

The models will go on sale in Europe in early 2019.

5 Million Euro Hypercar - Bugatti Divo

In developing the Divo, Bugatti wanted to create a super sports car with a different character from the Chiron which would still be immediately recognizable as a Bugatti.

The Divo, which is powered by Bugatti’s iconic eight-litre W16 engine with a power output of 1,500 PS, is tuned foragility, nimbleness and optimum handling performance on winding roads, without any concessions with respect to the usual levels of comfort and luxury.

The aerodynamics of the model have been intensively fine-tuned and the suspension and chassis settings have been modified. As a result, the Divo is 35 kilograms lighter and has 90 kilograms more downforce than the standard Chiron. The lateral acceleration of the Divo has been boosted to 1.6g. Its maximum speed is limited to 380 km/h.

The progressive new design language underlines the inner values of the new super sports model the same time as forging a link with Bugatti’s rich coachbuilding heritage of bodies built to its own design and installed on existing chassis.

All 40 cars in the strictly limited series, with a net unit price of €5 million, were sold immediately upon the start of presentations to selected customers. The Divo is to be produced from 2019 onwards together with the Bugatti Chiron at the brand’s headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace. The first deliveries to customers are planned for 2020.

2019 BMW Z4 Roadster

BMW's rich history of roadsters is about continue with the new BMW Z4. The two-seater has been systematically designed for maximum agility, thrilling dynamism, plus supremely precise steering characteristics with instantaneous response.

Compared to its predecessor, the new BMW Z4 has grown in length by 85 millimetres to 4,324 millimetres, is 74 millimetres wider (now 1,864 millimetres) and 13 millimetres taller (1,304 millimetres). The shortening of the wheelbase by 26 millimetres to 2,470 millimetres serves to sharpen agility, as do the notably wider tracks – 1,609 millimetres at the front (+ 98 mm) and 1,616 millimetres at the rear (+ 57 mm).

The body structure and chassis mountings both have remarkably high rigidity, while the new design of the front and rear axles gives the car a far sportier edge at the same time as guaranteeing high levels of comfort. The central seating position, low centre of gravity, minimised weight and ideal
50 : 50 weight distribution are further contributory factors in the intoxicating dynamism of the new BMW Z4.

BMW Z4 will be launched in March 2019 with a choice of three model variants, including a BMW M Performance option. The new BMW Z4 M40i is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine delivering 250 kW/340 hp. The BMW Z4 sDrive30i and BMW Z4 sDrive20i take to the stage with four-cylinder units producing outputs of 190 kW/258 hp and 145 kW/197 hp respectively.

Limited Edition Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

With its optimized power plant making it the most powerful series production V12-engined car produced to date by Lamborghini, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ features an increase in power to 770 hp (566 kW) at maximum 8,500 rpm. The SVJ outputs 720 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, while a dry weight of just 1,525 kg gives the SVJ a weight-to-power ratio of 1.98 kg/hp. The SVJ accelerates from standing to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.6 seconds. A top speed of more than 350 km/h is complemented by a braking distance of 100 km/h to 0 in 30 meters.

Lamborghini’s patented ALA system has been developed to an enhanced level for the Aventador SVJ, now ALA 2.0, including new optimized air inlets and aero channel designs. The system has been re-calibrated taking into account the enhanced vehicle’s lateral accelerations. The ALA system actively varies aero load to achieve high downforce or low drag, depending on dynamic conditions. Electronically-actuated motors open or close active flaps in the front splitter and on the engine bonnet that steer the air-flow, front and rear.

The Aventador SVJ has already claimed its position as the Nürburgring-Nordschleife production car record holder, completing the 20.6 km lap in just 6:44.97 minutes.

Production of the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is limited to 900 units. Suggested retail price in Europe is 349,116.00 EUR.

Fourth Generation Mazda MX-5

The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 is shorter, lower and wider than its third generation predecessor, with the smallest overhangs and lowest centre of gravity yet. In Europe, both soft-top and RF versions of the 2019 MX-5 are available in a choice of seven body colours, including the recently added Soul Red Crystal Metallic. In addition, the MX-5 RF’s top roof panel may be finished in either the body colour or piano black; the latter accentuating its fastback styling.

The fourth generation MX-5 is more than ever built to feel like an extension of the driver. It retains its traditional ergonomic simplicity but matches it with high levels of quality, refinement, comfort and equipment, including Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment system with 7” colour touch-screen and Rotary Commander.

One further key highlight of the current Mazda MX-5 generation is the unique, three-piece power hardtop with which the MX-5 RF offers customers the best of both sports car worlds: the pleasures of open air motoring with the added security of a fixed-roof coupe. The RF boasts the fastest retractable hardtop on the market, its exceptionally clever and narrow mechanism opening or closing in only 13 seconds, at vehicle speeds of up to 10km/h.

Mazda’s naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0 litre SKYACTIV-G direct injection gasoline engines feature high, 13.0:1 compression ratios, and compact 4-2-1 exhaust systems optimised for the MX-5’s layout and to enhance torque. Both units deliver linear pull from zero rpm to the redline, and outstanding real-world fuel economy.

The SKYACTIV-G 2.0 features significant improvements made to every aspect of engine technology.
Maximum engine speed has been raised from 6,800 to 7,500 rpm. Maximum horsepower increased from 160 to 184 PS @ 7,000 rpm, and maximum torque from 200 to 205 Nm @ 4,000 rpm.
This results in improved torque and acceleration figures across the entire rev band for both soft-top and RF models, including the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 automatic transmission version. 

Enhancing real-world fuel economy, the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre engine comes with Mazda’s i-stop idle-stop system and a lightweight version of the i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.
Both engines are mated to crisp-shifting, six-speed manual gearboxes (SKYACTIV-MT) in a classic front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Additionally, a six-speed automatic transmission is available exclusively for SKYACTIV-G 2.0 versions of the MX-5 RF.