Ferrari lifted the covers off the new 458 Spider featuring an aluminum retractable roof that opens and closes in 14 seconeds.

The Ferrari 458 Spider is powered by the same 4.5 liter V8 engine as the 458 Italia, which means 562 hp at 9000 rpm. Top speed is rated at 198.8 mph with a 0-62 mph time of under 3.4 seconds.

Helping produce those figures is the hard top. The aluminum roof – a first for a mid-engined car – fits just in front of the engine compartment without aerodynamics or performance taking a hit. The roof takes about 14 seconds to open or close.

GALLERY: Ferrari 458 Spider

Given all the attention the Lamborghini Aventador has been getting of late, it would seem that it’s older sibling, the Gallardo has been left out in the cold.

Well, Laborghini has decided to give the smaller car some love, bolstering the lineup with the hottest version ever; the LP 570-4 Trofeo Stradale.

Unveiled at Volkswagen’s Press Night, during the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show; the spicy new Gallardo is derived from the racers that compete in the one-make Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series, hence the name.

Key features include carbon composite aerodynamic aids that improved aerodynamics over the regular Gallardo, including a manually adjustable rear spoiler (which result in a three-fold increased downforce); as well as improving stability through the corners.

There’s also a quick release, race car style engine cover ; plus a 570 horsepower mid-mounted V-10; race-derrived six-speed gearbox with standard steering wheel paddles; plus a Blancpain Super Trofeo based suspension, featuring aluminum double wishbones at all four corners. Monster brakes with eight piston front and four-piston rear calipers plus aluminum rotors round out the chassis features.

Riding on ultra-lightweight, black finished 19-inch wheels, shod in Pirelli P-Zero Corsa rubber and complimented by a Rosso Mars exterior hue with black accents (optional for the roof; standard on the spoiler , air intakes and mirror housings), the Trofeo Stradale is truly a sight to behold (Lamborghini says it will also offer the car in Grigio Telesto or Bianco Monocerus, fancy terms for gray and white, for those so inclined).

Weighing at just 1340 kg (2954 lbs), it promises to be the best performing of the breed ever; 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds; with a top speed of 198 mph (320 km/h). It’s shame that the company says it will only be producing 150 examples, though for the lucky few that managed to put one in their garage, there’s no question  they’ll have a bonafide future collectible.

Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo Trofeo Stradale

An ingenious way to enjoy the sunshine while driving, sure, but is a convertible roof also a killing machine?

According to a report out of Belgium a woman was killed when the retractable top on a BMW closed on her. It’s not known what model of BMW or if it was a hard-top of soft-top, but the mechanism is said to have closed on her neck. The car belonged to the woman’s employer, who she worked for as a maid and was said to be cleaning the car at the time.

BMW has yet to comment and police are continuing to investigate.

[Source: Standaard via Jalopnik]

Fans of Italian cars should prepare to dry heave, as Lancia has just released an image of their new Flavia Cabrio, looking like a poorly rebadged Chrysler 200.

The only engine available is a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic. Thrilling. Lancia will also get a re-badged Chrysler Town & Country, known as the Voyager as part of their rejuvenated, Chrysler-infused lineup. You can check back for AutoGuide’s for live Frankfurt coverage starting on September 13th.

Hit the jump to see the press release below

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British Columbia Mounties have impounded 13-high end sports cars following an alleged street race in Metro Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon. Around 3:30 pm yesterday afternoon, police received reports of high-end cars racing southbound along Highway 99 in the area of George Massey tunnel.

Witnesses reported that the cars were travelling in excess of 200 km/h (120 mph), and on several occasions, the sports cars would travel side by side to block traffic, allowing their friends in front to race. Thirteen drivers were pulled over and their cars are worth a total of more than $2 million.

The vehicles involved in the race include a, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Nissan GT-R and Aston Martin. RCMP Insp. Bryon Massie said, ”The majority of them had personalized plates as well and were souped-up, so they’re fairly distinguished and the witnesses had no problem in providing us with the descriptors that were tracked back to the vehicles.”

Many of the sports cars had green “N” stickers in their rear windshields, as part of B.C’s graduated licensing system. Massie said, “The drivers of the vehicles are all in around the age of 20 years old. They’re all new drivers. The majority of them do not have their full driver’s licence status — they’re still in the ‘N’ new category.”

[Source: CBC]

Today was a great day for MINI, as the two millionth Cooper rolled off the assembly line, ten years after the start of production. British Prime Minister David Cameron was even present at the Oxford plant to drive the car out of the factory.

The MINI convertible was complete with special paintwork and extras. David Cameron declared that the ceremony that, “It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today. The 2 millionth MINI to be made here in Oxford is a fantastic symbol of the UK’s strength in the global automotive industry and a great British manufacturing success story. MINI is not just a symbol of our industrial past, but also the great industrial future we want to build.”

When production began at the Oxford Plant in 2001, 2,400 employees worked a single shift producing 300 cars a day. Today production has expanded to include 3,700 employees working two shifts, five days a week, building 900 cars a day. The maximum capacity of the plant has also increased from 100,000 units per year in 2001, to 200,000 units ten years later. Currently, the MINI is delivered to customers in more than 90 countries across the globe.

With the upcoming launch of the R8 GT Spyder at the Frankfurt auto show, Audi has recently released another video featuring its venerable sports car. The new promo video includes an extensive walk through of the high performance car, showcasing the exterior and interior. We also get to see the car in action on the track, and hear the amazing exhaust note.

Production is limited to only 333 units and the car sheds 187 lbs (compared to the standard Spyder) thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, allowing it to achieve mind blistering acceleration. This Audi is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 317 km/h. The Spyder will be powered by a V12 5.2-liter FSI engine producing 560-hp. The transmission will be an automatic R-Tronic 6-speed. The car will cost a cool € 207 800 or $295 782.52 in USD. Apparently 90 units of the GT Coupe will arrive Stateside, so expect the same number for the Spyder version.

Check out the video after the jump!

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Car buyers are choosing panorama roofs instead of convertibles. Ford has reported that sales of vehicles with panoramic roofs are increasing. Almost half of buyers purchasing the Explorer and Edge SUV are purchasing the option. About a third of Flex buyers are also buying the same skylight paneled cars.

Convertible sales have also decreased accordingly. Traditionally, drop top sales accounted for 1.8% to 2.0% of the automarket which is down to 1.2% to 1.4%, according to information firm R.L Polk & Co. For a comparison, the best selling convertible this year was the Chevrolet Camaro with 7,540 sales. The 2011 Explorer has already sold almost 25,000 vehicles equipped with the panoramic roofs. One reason for this success is that consumers are turning to more practical vehicles and finding that the panoramic roof is a good compromise.

Ford also has its own theory as to why the glass roofs are a hit. “We are seeing more buildings utilizing glass structures because letting natural light in is a popular architectural trend,” said Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s manager of global trends and futuring.  “This trend has crossed over to the automotive industry, and Ford’s Vista Roofs open the car to more sunlight which keeps drivers energized and gives the luxurious feel customers desire.”

[Source: LA Times]

Coaches for major NFL teams aren’t known for their generosity, but  Ray Horton is a little different. The former secondary coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers left a rather nice gift to one of the teams cafeteria workers.

On his last day of work at the Steelers , Horton parked his red 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500 and walked into the cafeteria. When he saw Maurice “Mo” Matthews, he walked up to him and asked him how much money he had in his pocket. Matthews answered that he had $20, to which Horton said “Sold for $20.”

To Matthews surprise, Horton had just given him his beloved SL500, which has 64,000 well cared for miles. Matthews, who had always admired Horton’s car, is still in shock.

The next day,Matthews dropped Horton at the airport, and Horton had all the paperwork ready with the title transferred to Matthews name.

Matthews commented on his good fortune and said, “I don’t think it has hit me yet. I still pinch myself. I look out the window when I bring it to work and I just go, ‘Man, that’s mine. People ask me what it needs, and I tell them it doesn’t need anything. All it needs is a driver.”

[Source: Post-Gazette]

Audi is exploring the possibility of bringing more RS models to the American market, after years of on-and-off importation of select vehicles like the RS4 and RS6.

Both the TT-RS and RS5 are slated to be introduced for the 2012 model year, and the vehicles will be priced well above even the most expensive TT and A5 models. Like BMW’s M cars, the the RS models are sold in low volumes but are relatively high margin vehicles for Audi. The average transaction price for Audi vehicles has risen steadily since January of 2010, while rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW have seen theirs fall (though their transaction prices are still higher overall)

Peter Scwarzenbauer, Audi’s U.S. sales head, suggested that future RS products could make their way to America, but declined to specify what was in the pipeline.

[Source: Left Lane News]

The Lamborghini Estoque seems to be well on its way to production, and should arrive sometime in 2014. According to a leaked document, the Italian automaker will also be offering a drop top version of the four-door, which will be unveiled one year after the sedan’s debut. The Estoque convertible will likely arrive first in concept form in 2015, and then go into production form for 2016.

Powering both the sedan and convertible is believed to be a new supercharged V10 engine that will first arrive in the Cabrera (the Gallardo’s replacement), which is due out in 2013.

The Estoque would compete with the Porsche Panamera Convertible, which is rumored for 2012.

In addition, Lamborghini is reportedly planning a convertible version of its ultra limited edition Sesto Elemento.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Estoque

[Source: Top Speed]

With Ferrari 458 Italia production in full swing, questions have been raised as to when the convertible top will be available and what it will look like.

In this new rendering of the convertible,the 458 takes on a look similar to the 360 Modena Spider, one of Ferrari’s most elegant designs. As for the convertibles official unveiling, it will likely take place at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, meaning the drop top Spider will be available by next summer. But you better have your pennies saved, because the current coupe has a base price of $225,000 and the Spider will certainly be more expensive.

One of the “it” cars at the moment is the new Ferrari 458 Italia. All those who have been lucky enough to drive it say it is perhaps one of the best driving machines ever made.

However, those who prefer to drive topless (we mean, with the roof down) have been waiting for the Spider version. Now according to new rumors, Ferrari is working on the drop-top 458 and it will likely feature a folding hard-top.

This won’t be the first Ferrari to adopt a retracting hard-top, since this feature has been available on the current California model for a couple of years now. A 180-degree rotating roof was also offered on the 575 Super America model, which had a special glass roof.

As for this models official unveiling, it is suggested to be in Frankfurt this year. That means, you’ll be able to enjoy the magic of the 458 Spider by next summer. Better start saving up now because if the current coupe has a base price of $225,000; the convertible will certainly be more expensive.

[Source: Pistonheads]

It is a tradition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to run up the hill of this famous estate. Just about every type of road and racing car make this trek, and the Bentley ice racer is no exception.

Earlier this year, Bentley set a new record of the highest speed achieved by a car on ice when it hit 205.48 with their 631-horsepower Continental Supersports convertible. The record run took place on a section of the Baltic Sea on a 10-mile track, just off the coast of Finland, and the car was driven by rallying superstar Juha Kankunnen.

The weather at Goodwood was a lot warmer and the crowd was much bigger for the run up the hill, but Kankunnen delighted the crowd with some quick runs. He said; “Driving this very special Bentley Continental in front of the packed Goodwood grandstands was a special experience for me. Driving on a frozen sea was a unique challenge and only a few Bentley engineers and my support crew were there to witness the new world record. So it was a pleasure to provide a glimpse of the capabilities of this Bentley to a huge audience of motorsport enthusiasts on a beautiful summer’s day.”

However, Kankunnen wasn’t the only celebrity on the Bentley grand stand, as five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell was also in attendance. Bell, who now works as a driving consultant for Bentley also made the run, choosing to drive the new Continental GT coupe up the hill. Bell who was part of the winning 2003 Bentley Le Mans team said; “Driving the GT at Goodwood was a lot of fun. The new car maintains all the luxury and refinement for which Bentley is renowned, but is even quicker, dynamically sharper and more powerful than its predecessor.”

In the world of Super GT racing, we often think of Japan’s finest campaigning around the series, like Nissan’s Skyline variants, Toyota’s Supras and Acura’s NSXs. While there are some European race cars from Porsche, Japan’s finest has dominated the majority of Super GT’s championships taking back to the days of JGTC. That looks to change however ever since GSR & Studie with TeamUKYO started campaigning a BMW Z4 GT3 race car for the 2011 season.

Tuning European cars in Japan has become commonplace, and seeing Japan’s fine touch on Europe’s best is a pleasant sight to see. But seeing this full-blown race car sporting a very Japanese-themed livery makes us a little giddy. Combine that with seeing Nobuteru Taniguchi behind the wheel to help grab BMW’s first top podium in Super GT and it’s almost like a changing of the guard in Super GT.

The HatsuneMiku GoodSmile BMW Z4 GT3 race car is a wicked widebody racer that has been moving up in the GT300 class since it hit the track in Round 1 this year. First they ended up in fifth place and at the second race of the season, they netted themselves a fourth place finish. Now after Round 3, the team has nowhere to go but down after grabbing their first top podium finish in Sepang.

GALLERY: HatsuneMiku GoodSmile BMW Z4 GT3 Race Car

[Source: Jon Sibal]

One of the most loved classic cars from the 1960′s is the MGB. It allows you to get a taste of old world British motoring without the price tag of a good Jaguar E-type or the Aston Martin DB5.

Now a British tuning shop by the name of Frontline wants to bring you the old with a some new technology, so you can enjoy your classic on the road, rather than it steaming on the hard shoulder.

Frontline will be dumping the miserable, old four-cylinder of the original MGB, and replacing it with a much more modern and reliable, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine from the Mazda MX-5.

Thanks to new con-rods, crankshafts and pistons, this motor will be able to produce 240 hp. Since the car is expected to weight just under 2000 lbs. it should be plenty quick.

It should handle better than the original also, since the old suspension bits are axed and replaced with new telescopic dampers and coilovers. Just to ensure this classic still has that classic feel, the car retains its live-axle set-up, and just like the original, it won’t have any power steering either.

All sounds very good then, until you get to the price. Frontline will be asking around $80,000 for each example, and you won’t be able to enjoy it until next year anyway. But since each car will use a new British Motor Heritage MGB shell, it’s like getting a new car, rather than a refurbished old one.

None have been completed so far, hence we had to use a file photo. Hopefully we get to see what this company can really do before forking out the cash.

[Source: TopGear]

One of the most evocative names in Porsche‘s trophied history has to be the 550 Spyder. Some remember it as one of the best road-racing cars of its era, while some remember it as the car in which James Dean died.

Now according to some reports, the 550 name is about to make a comeback in 2014 on a new entry-level model which will be positioned below the current Boxster line-up.

Reports suggest this new 550 model will feature a 1.6-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder engine, and it will produce about 200 hp. Transmission choices will include a normal manual gearbox and PDK, Porsche’s dual-clutch gearbox.

When it goes on sale, it should be priced from around $40,000. So if you’ve been wanting to park a new Porsche in your garage but couldn’t afford to do so, perhaps now you’ll be able to.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Less than a day after releasing their GRMN Sport Hybrid Concept, Toyota has announced specs for their sporty new concept, the first vehicle we’ve seen from the brand since the MR2 sports car bowed out earlier in the decade.

Using a 3.5-liter Type 2GR-FXE V6 engine that produces 249 horsepower, the front-mounted electric motor adds another 50 horsepower for a total of 299 horsepower. Torque figures weren’t announced, but curb weight is said to be 3300lbs or less. While the GRMN is no featherweight, the power-to-weight ratio is roughly equivalent to a BMW 135i, which is certainly no slouch.

The GRMN will make its debut at this weekend’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, and will also appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

GALLERY: Toyota GRMN Sport Hybrid

BMW is getting ready to launch a more affordable sports car for 2014 called the Z2. The Z4 was a fabulous roadster however it has moved upmarket and BMW is hoping to produce a simpler successor to the original Z3.

It has been reported that BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer is not exactly a fan of the Z2 but, the board understands the brand cannot surrender this segment to be monopolized by the Mazda Mx-5.

Plans are leading us to believe that the Z2 will be a soft-top roadster and it is unlikely to be front-wheel drive. It is still up in the air as to whether the new roadster will be RWD or AWD.

Plans to launch a front wheel drive UKL1 platform for future BMWs and Minis was met by significant public outcry, convincing BMW to utilize a 4wd system if production commences affecting the Z2 as well.

There would be both positive and negative aspects of using an all-wheel drive system. Benefits include better traction as well as a broader appeal to consumers. On the other hand, weight, space and cost are all affected by the awd possibility.

Three different turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engines would be used producing between 170- 272-h There may also be a 2.0-liter turbodiesel alternative in works, producing 184-hp or 204-hp.

[Source: Car]

Are you a racing enthusiast? if so, you may be interested in the ultimate Corvette prize package. In recognition of  Corvette Racing  just winning the 24 hours of Le Mans, Chevrolet will be giving away a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible ($62,715) to a lucky winner. The winner also gets to travel to next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, on a five day, four night vacation in June 2012. The winner will also receive air fare for two, hotel accommodation, and $800 travel allowance.

In order to register, the applicant has to log onto http://chevrolet.promo.eprize.com/corvette/ and answer a few simple questions to be entered into the draw.

The draw will be held on July 1st 2011, and the winner will be randomly selected. The winner will then be notified by email or phone.

Time is running out so register soon!

A report on Inside Line states that Mazda engineers have been saddled with the substantial task of shedding 720 pounds from the current curb weight of the Mazda MX-5, as development of the 4th generation car nears completion.

The current MX-5 weighs just under 2,500 pounds, and the new target of around 1,780 pounds would undercut even the first generation Mazda Miata, which weighed 2,178 pounds.

The report seemed to suggest that the weight target is more of a guideline than a hard target, but that Mazda would approach this task by using high-strength steel, smaller engines and more spartan equipment levels. Mazda is also looking to make the next generation car physically smaller than the current MX-5, but accomplishing this while also complying with safety standards may present a significant challenge.

[Source: Inside Line]

BMW has filed “M2″ and “BMW M2″ trademarks recently, indicating the German automaker is considering the badge seriously enough to make moves to protect the use of the name.

According to reports, the German automaker is considering launching a 2-Series lineup that will consist of a 2-Series Coupe and convertible as well as an M version, the BMW M2. The 2-Series is likely to be the next generation 1-series coupe and convertible, but renamed as the 2-series.

As for what will become of the 1 Series badge, it will live on but only for more economy-minded front-drive BMW models that will share a platform with the upcoming next-gen MINIs.

[Source: f20 Addicts]