While Ferrari doesn’t techniclly participate in the New York Auto Show, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to grab some of the limelight, hosting a private event at the Italian automaker’s ritzy Park Avenue dealership. (As though there are any Ferrari dealerships that aren’t ritzy…)

Making their U.S-debuts were the 599 HGTE and the truly awesome 599XX. Both models were first unveiled in March at the Geneva Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland, but this more intimate setting allowed us to get some additional details on the track-only 599XX. Besides… do we really need another reason to stare at the meanest-looking Ferrari since the Enzo first came out.

What we already know is that the 599XX is powered by the standard model’s V12 engine, but the internals have been reworked to produce 7o0hp at 9000 rpm. To achieve this Ferrari engineers significantly modified the engine with a new, lighter, crankshaft. Carbon fiber is also used for the intake plenums.

Due to the new aerodynamics of the 599XX it now gets 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous materia in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

One of Ferrari’s top engineers was on hand discussing the Actiflow technology and commented that it was actually designed for use in Formula 1, but that the FIA wouldn’t allow it. 

One new bit of info that we learned about the 599XX is what Ferrari terms a “Virtual Race Engineer.” This system essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

We’re sorry to report that Infiniti’s breathtakingly beautiful Essence Concept will not see production, this according to a company spokesman.

The Essence Concept was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and took everyone by surprise as rumors had circled that the vehicle was to be yet another crossover. With a true grand touring look that had cars like the Aston Martin DBS and Ferrari 599 in its sights, the Essence also had the ponies to back it up with 600hp.

It was also a hybrid, with 440hp generated from the twin-turbo 3.7-liter V6 engine and an additional 160 ponies coming from an electric motor.

One part of the car is, however, certain to live on as Infiniti has already confirmed the direct-injection technology used in the Essence motor will make its way into the next M37 and the G37.

And with talk of a higher performance version of the GT-R coming out, there’s no reason it couldn’t get direct-injection technology too.

Still, we’ll miss never seeing this automotive work of art make it to the street.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl via AutoBlog]

GALLERY: Infiniti Essence Concept

As we have previously reported, Volkswagen will bring it’s sub-compact Polo to the U.S. but not until 2011. Even more surprising is that the vehicle won’t be the same one that was just unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show.

According to a Automotive News report (soured on AutoBlog) the 2011 Polo will come to the U.S. in two different versions: a sedan and hatchback. VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby told Automotive News that the current Polo is still too small for the U.S. market – which is surprising because it looked pretty large to us in Geneva.

To resolve this issue, VW will build two new version of the car with a longer wheelbase and a slightly taller roof. The sedan model will be smaller than the Jetta and the four-door wagon/hatchback will be a competitor to the Honda Fit.

Jacoby did say that pricing for the sub-compact would have to be between $13,000 and $15,000 in order to compete in the segment, so expect the final products to have base prices in that range.  In order to achieve that price, the vehicle will likely have to be built in North America – potentially at VW’s Puebla, Mexico plant.

[Source: AutoBlog]

While Suzuki’s Geneva Auto Show press conference concentrated on the launch of the new Alto model, we spotted another premiere that we’d much rather have.

It’s no supercar (this is Suzuki after all) but it’s one hot-hatch – the Swift Sport Anniversary Edition.

Made to celebrate the company’s 100 years in existence, the Swift Sport is a little 125hp four-cylinder model that may not have all the power you want but it certainly has the looks.

The Swift Sport gets a complete aero kit with an aggressive front end, side skirts, an intricate rear bumper with two exhaust pipes and a roof spoiler. The most obvious feature, however, are the 18-inch wheels, coated in 215/35/18 Yokohama rubber.

The inside is also as surprisingly nice as the outside, with dark black plastic, some nice faux-aluminum trim and even black and red cloth seats with some nice red stitching.

It is available only with a five-speed manual transmission and comes standard with ABS and stability control.

This specific model is only offered in Switzerland, with a rather significant asking price of 33,925 Swiss Francs (roughly $29,000… that’s almost double the price of a standard Swift).

Now if only Suzuki would bring cars like this to the U.S.

GALLERY: Suzuki Swift Sport Anniversary Edition

After recently launching the new Mégane model, Renault brought its powerful sibling, the Mégane R.S. (Renault Sport) to the Geneva Auto Show. 

Powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the R.S. makes 250hp at 5500 rpm and 251 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. This is an increase of 20hp and 29.5 ft-lbs of torque over the highly acclaimed R26.R. As well as being a great performer, the car is also good around town with plenty of immediate torque – Renault says that 80 of peak torque is available at just 1800 rpm.

As expected, the new R.S. will be offered with only a six-speed manual transmission. Two trim levels can be ordered, the Sport and the Cup, which features a limited-slip differential. The R.S. is equipped with a stability control system, however, it can be shut completely off.

From the outside, the car is immediately distinguishable by its 18-inch wheels, rear diffuser and Lambo LP640-style central exhaust pipe.

Inside, the car gets aluminum pedal covers, a sport steering wheel, Renault Sport lettering on the headrests, gauges and dashboard. It also comes with a gear-shift indicator that is both visual and audible.

GALLERY: Mégane R.S. 

More on the Mégane R.S. after the jump:

NEW MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT: 

250HP OF SHEER PLEASURE 

As the latest in a long line of Renault sporting models, New Mégane Renault Sport stands out 

through its exhilarating performance and handling. The cocktail of its 250hp engine, 

unmistakable sporting coupé credentials and choice of two chassis (‘Sport’ and ‘Cup’ with 

limited slip differential) is clear evidence that New Mégane Renault Sport  has been honed to 

offer an extreme ride.  

Coming after Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R, New Mégane Renault Sport  profits 

fully from Renault Sport Technologies’ extensive experience when it comes to manufacturing 

production sporting models.  

Powerful 

New Mégane Renault Sport is powered by a new-generation 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol 

engine which boasts maximum power of 250hp (184kW) at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 

3,000rpm. The sum of the different improvements made to this engine has produced a gain of 20hp 

and 40Nm over Mégane R26.R which itself emerged as the yardstick in the world of performance 

hatches. The Renault Sport 2.0 T engine’s twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is 

particularly flexible at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1,900rpm. Its 

broad useful rev band makes it a genuine joy to drive in everyday use, and the pleasure remains all 

the way up to the rev-limiter whenever it is pushed a little harder. The engine of New Mégane Renault 

Sport drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. 

Work has also gone into the acoustics of the Renault Sport 2.0 T engine to produce a telltale sporty 

pitch audible inside the cabin under acceleration. 

Efficient 

New Mégane Renault Sport has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current Mégane 

Renault Sport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and 

steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction 

performance.  

Like the sporting versions of the Renault Clio and Renault Twingo ranges, New Mégane R.S. is 

available with a choice of two chassis: the ‘Sport’ chassis or the ‘Cup’ chassis, which comes with a 

limited slip differential for even greater traction. 

The electric power steering features specific, sportier calibration and benefits from the latest 

improvements seen on New Renault Mégane aimed at achieving greater precision and even more 

feedback from the road.  

New Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with ESC which is fully disconnectable in order to enable 

owners to sample the pleasure of enjoying their car’s full potential round a circuit. 

Provocative 

New Mégane R.S. benefits from undeniably sporty looks. The front bumper incorporates the LED 

daytime running lights, as well as the splitter which recalls the low-slung nose of the R28 Formula 1 

car. The sporty calling of this Renault Sport-badged model is further emphasized by its 18-inch 

aluminium alloy rims, central exhaust tailpipe and rear diffuser. 

The interior appointments, too, exude the world of motor sport, from the extra lateral support for the 

seats, to the analogue rev-counter with visual and audible gearshift indicator, the aluminium pedal 

cover and the specific steering wheel complete with thumb rests. The Renault Sport signature is also 

visible inside the car: on the headrests, rev-counter background and dashboard. 

New Mégane Renault Sport profits fully from Renault Sport Technologies’ extensive 

experience when it comes to manufacturing production sporting models. 

Renault Sport Technologies has combined its experience of motor sport with its longstanding 

production expertise to develop a comprehensive range of sporting cars. The hallmarks of Renault 

Sport models are their pedigree engines and efficient chassis which together deliver an undeniably 

high level of sports performance, as testified by the reputation forged by Mégane F1 Team R26 and 

Mégane R26.R which were voted ‘Sporting Car of the Year’ in France in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

If only this car were available? Who wouldn’t cancel their Panamera order to get one?

At the Geneva Auto Show, French carmaker Peugeot unveiled what might just be the best looking hybrid ever. The RC HYbrid4 Concept is a grand touring sedan, with the engine located at the rear of the car and the electric motor up front. Out back is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 216hp. Additional power comes from the electric motor, which makes 95hp for a total of 313hp. Torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels of this four-wheel drive beauty with 131 ft-lbs of torque going to the front wheels and 207 ft-lbs going to the rear.

As for the heavy lithium-ion battery packs, they are located in the center of the car for ideal weight distribution and a low center of gravity.

Better yet, this concept comes with a six-speed manual transmission!

As tough all that good stuff weren’t enough, the RC HYbrid4 comes with 19-inch wheels, a complete carbon fiber body and a drag coefficient of just 0.24 cd.

Oh, and if that 313hp number doesn’t seem all that impressive, Peugeot says the car is still capable of a sprint to 62 mph in an alarmingly fast 4.4 seconds!

GALLERY: Peugeot RC HYbrid4 Concept

Kia is a brand that is looking to distinguish itself. When the company recently unveiled the Soul, it made functionality fun and now with the debut of the No. 3 Concept at the Geneva Auto Show, the Korean manufacturer intends to make basic transportation sporty and aggressive.

Created at Kia’s Design Centre Europe, under Chief Designer Gregory Guillaume, the project involved input from all of Kia’s worldwide design departments, from Korea to California. The focus of this model, however, is on the European market.

The No. 3 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) Concept features a long wheelbase for improved driving dynamics with massive 19-inch wheels. The body of the car has been sprayed in “RockStar Titanium Grey” paint, with white detailing. 

While the interior is a bit much with the gold seats, it looks close to what a production model might be like; and that’s the whole point. Kia plans to release a production model based on this car in Europe before the end of the year.

The most important feature of the No. 3 Concept, however, is the front fascia design. Kia says that this new design, including the grille, headlights and brand logo, will be featured across all vehicles in the Kia family in the future.

GALLERY: Kia No. 3 Concept

More on the Kia No. 3 after the jump:

Kia No 3

Urban Mobility with a Sporty Touch

Introducing a new automotive concept for the lower compact class, Kia is continuing its latest design initiative with ‘Kia No 3’ which boasts powerful proportions, dynamic lines, a modern and sophisticated interior, as well as generous, flexible freedom of space. 

This new concept brings all the features and qualities of a truly versatile multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) into the segment of urban compact models, combining up-to-date mobility with a sporty touch.  The concept car to be presented to the world for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009 is the result of a unique design language characterised by refreshing clarity and youthful, modern sportiness.

Kia No 3 impressively demonstrates the transformation of Kia Motors Corporation into a globally oriented, design-based carmaker.

The new five-door concept being launched in Geneva is the latest result of Kia’s design initiative, bringing together the design centres in Korea, in Frankfurt (Germany) and Irvine (California) as well as further offices in Tokyo and Shanghai under the leadership of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer.  All these design centres ensure the consistent and target group-oriented design of Kia’s new cars in all segments: building the brand’s new identity!  Kia’s new design language combines appropriately designed proportions, surfaces and lines with the characteristic signature grill that will be found on all future models. 

Kia No 3 has been developed in the newly built Design Centre Europe under the guidance of Chief Designer Gregory Guillaume with a special focus on the European Market.  As a part of the company’s long-term strategy it demonstrates Kia’s self-confidence in design. 

The design of the Kia No 3 appears youthful and fresh, future-oriented and consistently clear.  Powerful proportions and dynamic lines give the car a strikingly sporty appearance.  The long wheelbase and short overhangs front and rear, together with generous head room, provide all the features and qualities typical of an MPV.  The comfort of ample dimensions, as well as the economic use of the available space are ensured by the ergonomically ideal, slightly elevated seating position.  The split rear seats are adjustable, independently sliding and foldable. 

Compact sportiness and versatile space are two fundamental features that give this unusual five-door a very special look and character, that is truly unique.  The consistent colour and materials concept, innovative interior solutions and sophisticated details create the perfectly balanced overall appearance, making Kia No 3 the forerunner of the production car to be launched later this year.

Given all these qualities, Kia No 3 stands out not only through its diversity of ideas and details, but also through its holistic design concept.

New design language highlighting the characteristic ´face of Kia´ 

Kia No 3 offers an innovative symbiosis of spirit and practical value, manifesting the image of the brand and Kia’s new design philosophy that will extend beyond the segment of compact cars. 

The front of the car with its characteristic face and signature grille has been further evolved and developed, demonstrating the clear handwriting of Kia’s Design Team.  Kia No 3 is characterised by the typical arrangement and design of the radiator grille, headlights, and brand logo.  Especially the horizontally aligned radiator grille takes on a leading role, boasting the double trapezoid contours absolutely unmistakable on all models within the Kia range.  The generously proportioned headlights extend far into the side section of the car giving the entire front a particularly appealing, open-minded look.  

The Kia brand logo is arranged in a prominent position above the radiator grille.  As a solitary element, it adds a great symbolic value for the brand identity.

All future Kia models will assimilate this distinctive combination of the three elements – the radiator grille, headlights, and brand logo.  The headlights and the radiator grille will vary in their size and geometry depending on the type of vehicle and its market segment, giving each Kia model the same characteristic ´face´. 

Exterior design: lifestyle instead of uniformity

Kia No 3 features the characteristics of the visionary trendsetter and the up-to-date qualities of the family-oriented all-rounder perfectly equipped to generate fresh momentum for urban mobility.  It clearly demonstrates Kia’s brand character – young, future-oriented, emotional, and individual. 

Measuring 4,045 mm in length, Kia No 3 takes on a strong and self-confident role in the compact segment.  Its generous interior space is determined above all by the long wheelbase of 2,615 mm, the vehicle’s width of 1,760 mm, as well as its height of 1,600 mm. 

The pleasant feeling of space results not so much from the sheer height of the car, but also rather from the long wheelbase benefiting the occupants’ seating position and driving comfort, as well as the exceptional width of Kia No 3.

White is the new chrome

The extremely short overhangs emphasise the compact exterior dimensions of the car, while powerfully designed bumpers and large wheel arches as well as extra-large wheels accentuate the sporty look and appearance.  The smooth play of colours ranging from surfaces finished consistently in piano-black to contour lines in high-gloss white provides particularly powerful highlights.  These details as well as the dynamic lines of the new concept car are highlighted most clearly through the matt ‘RockStar’ Titanium Grey paintwork.  The modern industrial look of the car adds a touch of extravagance and underlines the unique character of quality so typical of Kia No 3. 

Front view: new signature grille and innovative headlights 

Sporty, self-confident, appealing – the face of Kia No 3 simply exudes power.  The slender radiator grille in high-gloss piano-black finish is accentuated by a white contour line that is separately illuminated as soon as the driver starts the engine. 

The powerful bumper and widely flared wheel arches give the front section a particularly wide and muscular look.  The headlight units come with semi-transparent cover glass and provide soft and pleasant light as well as homogeneous and dazzle-free illumination.

A large air intake scoop extending across the entire front section marks the lower edge of the body.  An additional wing-shaped element gives this section of the concept car a particularly striking touch through its conspicuous play of colour in high-gloss white. 

Side view: short overhangs, dynamic wedge shape

The side view of a concept car is characterised by the dynamic wedge shape created by the window graphics and the impressive shoulder line.  The window contours are clearly emphasised by the frame finished enveloped in a high-gloss white trim instead of chrome.

The headlights extending far into the front wheel arches, together with their white-painted frame, create a harmonious link to the A-pillar.  The rear of the car also boasts a particularly short overhang again emphasising the long wheelbase of Kia No 3. 

Like the window frames on the front and rear doors, the B-pillars are finished in matt black.  This further emphasises the impression of one large and continuous glass surface giving the side view of the car a very light and sporting look.  The shoulder and the C-pillars create a particularly muscular appearance, the additional emphasis on the rear wheel arches providing a harmonious connection to the rear of the car.

The exterior mirrors are finished in piano black, while a white illuminated surface forms the side direction indicator integrated in the mirror in truly innovative style. 

All-weather high-speed tyres fitted on 19-inch light-alloy wheels and with a snow-crystal tread profile dedicated to winter sport provide a striking sign of sporty performance.  The wheel rims and spokes in piano black on the outside and polished in glossy chrome on the inside bring out a special touch of power and agility.

Rear view: powerful look, innovative light technology

The shoulder section of the Kia No 3 with its distinctive contours at the rear provides an especially wide look emphasising the car’s sportiness.  The rear lights combine the shape so typical of Kia with truly innovative technology.  The light bars come in a wedge-shaped look surrounded by a striking red light bar. 

The roof: impressive glass surfaces, exceptional diagonal axis

The extra-large panorama glass roof on Kia No 3 extends directly out of the windscreen and stretches all the way to the rear spoiler, providing excellent all-round visibility and a perfect view of both the traffic and the road.  A diagonal arranged roof support almost unnoticeably interrupts the elegant, seemingly unsupported flow of the tinted roof glass. 

The glass roof creates a generous feeling of space and freedom. An adjustable sun visor on the driver’s side significantly reduces the direct influx of light.  Designed like a fighter pilot’s helmet and with a gold-coating, the sun visor is fastened to the outer roof frame and on a guide rail running parallel down the centre-line of the roof.  A solar sensor moves the position of the sun visor to keep out the sun from all angles and automatically prevent any dazzling of the driver.

Interior: modern, sophisticated, sporty

Through its generous space and grace inside, this urban five-seater offers superior spaciousness despite the car’s compact exterior dimensions.  At the same time, Kia No 3 clearly demonstrates the highlights of Kia’s interior design for the future – top-quality materials, high-quality finish, stylish equipment, and the most modern IT technology combined with a contemporary lifestyle feeling.

Precisely selected features in high-gloss white paint and their distinctive contrast to other, piano-black surfaces play an important role throughout the interior.  The electromechanical parking brake, once activated, is clearly marked by a contour band illuminated in bright red. 

A ‘turn and push’ central control unit allows the driver and passenger to mastermind the navigation, audio system, air-conditioning and internet functions easily and with maximum precision.

The three circular dials for the rev counter, the speedometer and fuel gauge have tubular design with a perspective view, creating a strong impression of three-dimensional vision.  White, easy-to-read cockpit meters further accentuate the sophisticated look of the instrument cluster. 

The slightly elevated seating position so typical of an MPV gives the driver of Kia No 3 excellent all-round visibility and ensures easy access and exit 

Appearing to literally hover in space, the front seats add a touch of sober elegance, taking up trends from furniture design and architecture interpreted in new style.  The unique upholstery offers yet another highlight: it is made of a water-repellent high-tech textile and carefully finished in a discreet, matt golden colour (called ‘Stardust Gold’). The upholstery takes up the exclusive style of particularly sophisticated sportswear.  With its elegant surface sweep, the centre armrest houses an additional storage box. 

Within the interior, Kia No 3 combines individual style with generosity and flexibility.  The long wheelbase and generous width of the car guarantee optimum freedom of space, with this generous feeling further enhanced by the extra-large glass roof and a wide range of carefully conceived details. 

Kia No 3: impressive clarity, surprising ideas

Kia presents its No 3  concept car as a combination of the practical qualities of an MPV and the compact car, redefining both types of vehicle with additional features and diversity in a fascinating way.  Through its clear and consistent design language, together with a wide range of creative solutions, Kia No 3 offers an unusually high standard of sporty flair and individual style quite exceptional in this class. 

Kia sees this innovative study as yet another important step in the company’s process of becoming an outstanding carmaker lauded for progressive concepts and a product range full of character.  With its clear orientation to design, Kia pursues the philosophy to develop truly unmistakable cars that are both practical, individual, and desirable. Kia No 3 therefore represents the ability of the brand and its products to leave a lasting impression and to convince with superior quality in every respect.

The Geneva Auto Show, due to its prominence on the international auto scene as well as the high net worth of the citizens of Switzerland, is always filled with all sorts of rare exotic car manufacturers. One such manufacturer is the Dutch company Spyker.

The name Spyker isn’t exactly a household one, but the company is highly involved in motorsports, running race cars at Le Mans as well as a Formula 1 team for a single season, and has produced several exotic vehicles before. The company is looking to expand in the retail automotive market with it’s automotive-inspired sportscars. To do this the company unveiled a new model, the C8 Aileron, at the Geneva Auto Show. 

The C8 is the next generation exotic from Spyker and while the old C8 Laviolette and C8 Spyder models took their inspiration from propeller planes, the new vehicle gets its styling from the turbine engine – a marked improvement indeed. Gone are many of the more ornate details, giving the car a more clean and smooth sppearance. The 19-inch Rotorblade wheels, while not exactly great looking, are a marked improvement over the old design. Tires measure 235/35/19 up front and 295/30/19 in the rear.

The car doesn’t just look new either, as the entire aluminum spaceframe chassis has been redesigned. The wheelbase of the C8 Aileron is 5.9-inches longer than the old model, providing not only better driving dynamics but also better comfort and stability at high spedes. The front track is also much wider – 6.1-inches wider.

Aluminum has been used for much of the all-new suspension, to help keep the curb weight down to just 3,142 lbs.

Spyker decided to continue using the Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine, that makes 400hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque. Spyker says the Aileron can rocket to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 187 mph.

The car will continue to be offered wit a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission, however, Spyker also plans to offer the vehicle with a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, with paddle shifters. The trademark Spyker exposed gear-shifter will appear regardless of transmission choice.

“When we unveiled the C8 Aileron prototype here last year, we wanted to make a clear statement to the industry that Spyker was about to take the next step in its short but intense history, by introducing its second-generation sports cars, developed from scratch,” said Victor R. Muller, Spyker CEO. “Witin a year we transformed that prototype into the production-ready car we show here today. The first cars are being built now with customer prodction and deliveries starting in May 2009.”

A Spyder version of the car is expected to be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Eegance.

GALLERY: Spyker C8 Aileron

Ferrari chose the Geneva Auto Show to not only unveil the track oriented 599xx but also to debut a more performance-oriented version of the 599 GTB for the street. The 599 Handling GTE (or HGTE) 599 takes the standard 599 to a new level with several small tweaks that will make it a more invigorating driving experience.

For starters, the ride height of the 599 has been lowered, and the new springs are stiffer than before. The magnetorheological shocks have also been recalibrated to new settings when the manettino is at its sportier settings. And in the rear, a larger anti-roll bar has been installed. Combined with the lower center of gravity and the stiffer suspension, the HGTE should deliver a noticeable improvement over the already outstanding 599.

Ferrari hasn’t revealed any specifics on the new transmission electronics of the HGTE but will say that shift times have been reduced. It’s pretty safe to assume that the 100 millisecond shift times are now 60 milliseconds – like those in the F430 Scuderia. The HGTE also features a slightly modified ECU with a more responsive throttle.

No power has been added to the 611hp V12 engine but the HGTE does feature a new set of mufflers for a more race-car-like sound.

While the rumors about a more aggressively-styled front fascia turned out to be false, the exterior of the HGTE is marked by new 20-inch five-spoke wheels, a matte-black diffuser and chrome tail pipes. Inside there is plenty of carbon fiber, including the entire seat-backs, as well as a mixture of black leather and Alcantara. The headrests also feature the Ferrari Prancing Horse logo and the words “Handling GTE.”

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 HGTE

True to their word, the folks at Maserati unveiled the new Gran Turismo  S Automatic at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian luxury brand did, after all, say that it would unveil one new model at each international auto show.

While adding an automatic transmission may not seem like much, until now those who opted for the auto-box could only get one in the standard GranTurismo, which while an exceptional car, comes with the 4.2-liter V8 and not the 4.7-liter V8 in the “S” model.

The transmission itself is a six-speed ZF unit. Maserati has also eliminated the “kick-down” that happens when downshifting when in manual mode so as to keep the drive as smooth as possible.

The Gran Turismo S makes 440hp at 7000 rpm and 361 ft-lbs of torque at 4750 rpm.

Maserati is a brand obsessed with personalization and with those all-important finishing touches. That being said, the Automatic model gets new side skirts with a slightly different design to help accentuate the look of the Trident wheels.

Other highlights include a new passenger air bag with “low risk deployment,” which will become standard equipment on all new GranTurismos. Bluetooth will also be standard equipment and an iPod interface will be offered as an option.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic

Official release after the jump:

MASERATI GRANTURISMO S AUTOMATIC TO BE UNVEILED AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW

Modena, February 23rd, 2009 – True to Maserati’s commitment to introduce a new model at each international car show, the GranTurismo S Automatic will première at the next Geneva Auto Show. The new Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features a 4.7 V8 which develops 440hp (323kW) at 7000rpm. The maximum torque is 490Nm at 4,750rpm.

The major novelty is the combination of the automatic transmission with the most powerful wet sump Maserati V8 on the GranTurismo – until now offered as 4.2 l with automatic transmission and 4.7 l with an electro-actuated gearbox. Thanks to the combination of the 323kW produced by the powerful 4.7l V8 engine and the smoothness of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic remains consistent with the original granturismo concept while at the same time offering peak performance.

The gearshift strategy applied to the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic inherits some widely appreciated elements of the Quattroporte Sport GT S, such as the elimination of the kick-down in Manual mode.

The Skyhook suspension system featuring continuously adjustable dampers provides great driving comfort. Passive safety is further enhanced thanks to the introduction on the GranTurismo range of a new generation passenger air-bag with Low Risk Deployment functionality.

Consistent with the unmistakable design of all Maseratis, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features some marked stylistic differences which make it immediately recognisable: the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the new 20″ wheel rims with “Trident” design, which recall the strength and elegance of the car.

A further enriched equipment increases the on board pleasure for the driver and the three passengers, thanks to the Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, offered as standard, and the iPod® interface, available upon request, which complete the Maserati Multi Media System.

RUF is arguably the best-known tuner of Porsches and is even listed as a vehicle manufacturer in Germany. And yet the company has steered clear of the high-volume Cayenne SUV. Until now.

Perhaps its the downturn in the economy that has RUF looking for new ways to solidify its bottom line, because it’s not like they have come up with anything particularly new here.

OK, we’ll admit that the redesigned front end, made to look like a 911, is a new idea and RUF pulled it off excellently. The Dakara is also a wide body with flared fenders and other aerodynamic enhancements, like side skirts, a new rear bumper and a spoiler.

Other than that, the Dakara is just more of what we have already seen from TechArt, Rinspeed, Speedart, etc.

The twin-turbo V8 engine has been massaged to create 600hp at 6000 rpm and 656 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. RUF says this is enough for the big SUV to hustle to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Other highlights include an upgraded suspension, a big set of RUF’s signature style wheels, a more powerful braking system (with ceramic brakes optional) and a high-end multimedia system, complete with a TV receiver, internet access and a CD/DVD player.

It may not be terribly new, but RUF is a company that is more about quality than about being the first to market.

GALLERY: RUF Dakara

Back in October, German Porsche tuner RUF took a new direction by unveiling an electric car concept based on the Porsche 911. Today at the Geneva Auto Show RUF took this project a step further, displaying the eRUF Greenster, on which the company will base a small series of cars set to go on sale in 2010.

The project is a combined effort with Siemens, which supplied the motor, electronics and interface.

The eRUF Greenster is powered by a single electric motor, however, the production model will use two motors. Currently it makes 270kW and 701 ft-lbs of torque. With a weight of 3,737 lbs, the Greenster can accelerate to 62 mph in just five seconds. It also has a top speed of 155mph.

The model shown is a Cabriolet, however, RUF says that the production model will be offered as both a coupe and convertible. Alois Ruf said the decision to include a drop-top model was made after many potential customers expressed interest in a green car where you are also able to experience the out-doors.

GALLERY: eRUF Greenster Concept