Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo let slip to reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the newest iteration of the Enzo will be coming out at the end of 2012. 

The new Enzo will receive a new name, as well as an all new design. ”It will be ‘presented to collectors and it will be a car with three aims: to amaze in terms of technological innovation (rationally not just performance), astonish and amaze in terms of design and amaze with its name,” said Montezemolo. “After calling a car Enzo in tribute to our founder indeed it isn’t easy to find a proper name for this car,” he finished.

Along the rumors spinning around the new Enzo, we’ve heard that it may feature hybrid technology.

The refreshed supercar is sure to be significantly more powerful than the car it succeeds, but we’re itching the most to know about its styling, especially after the F12 Berlinetta‘s debut at Geneva.

[Source: agi.it]

Earlier, we reported that Ford CEO Alan Mulally had been awarded $58.3 Million worth of company stock for meeting company performance targets. Fiat/Chrysler‘s Sergio Marchionne, on the other hand, has declined a salary and bonus for the work he’s done for Chrysler Group in 2011.

Although Marchionne is compensated for his work at Fiat S.p.A, this is the second straight year that he declined salary from Chrysler, only accepting reimbursements for cleaning, utilities, security expenses, as well as insurance and association fees at his condominium near the Chrysler headquarters in Detroit. According to filings with the US. Securities and Exchange Commission, costs were on par with or less than the charges had Marchionne stayed in hotels.

Performance figures have shown that Chrysler has outperformed the U.S. auto market for 2011, an increase of 24.3 percent compared to the 10.3 percent industry average. What’s more, Chrysler refinanced the $7.6 billion in loans from the United States and Canadian governments.

[Source: Autonews]

Along with exotic supercars from “conventional” brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini, the Geneva Motor Show is famous for more obscure models from marques like Koenigsegg and, of course, Pagani.

Having recently unveiled the successor to the beautiful Zonda, the catfish-faced Huayra, Pagani used the Swiss venue to debut a carbon edition of that very car. Coated in an exposed and high-gloss carbon fiber body, it’s an outrageous machine and is powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo AMG V12 making 700 hp and over 700 lb-ft of torque.

Be sure to check out all the other exotics, like the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and Lamborghini Aventador J at the Geneva Motor Show coverage page here.

GALLERY: Pagani Huayra Carbon Edition

GALLERY: Pagani Huayra

Essentially a proper replacement for the second generation Multipla, the Fiat 500L is a bit better looking than its predecessor, though is still a worthy contender for the Ugg-box crown.  

A new entry into the hotly contested multi-purpose vehicle market in Europe, the 500L is considerably bigger than its siblings, much in the same way the original, pioneering 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla was compared with the Seicento that spawned it.

As for Fiat’s latest compact MPV, it will go on sale in Europe this fall, powered by a choice of 1.4-liter regular and Twin Air four-cylinder engines, plus a 1.3-liter turbocharged MultiJet series II motor. As with most vehicles in the segment in Europe, the 500L will be available with both manual and automatic transaxles and possibly the semi-auto Dualogic found in other Fiat 500 models.

With the new Fiat 500 representing the first vehicle from the Italian automaker to arrive on North American shores since 1982 (1985 if you count the Pininfarina 124 Spider), there’s definitely a chance the L model will make it here too, though with US Fiat sales so far having fallen short of estimates, it might be a while before you see the L in North American showrooms.

 GALLERY: Fiat 500L

GALLERY: Fiat 500L

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Coverage Here

Looking like it was chiseled from a solid piece of brushed aluminum, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has been officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show today.

Quite possibly the most beautiful piece of automotive art work on display at the Swiss auto expo, its looks are matched only by its power with a 6.3-liter V12 engine that makes an outrageous 730 hp.

For more on Ferrari’s latest model, watch AutoGuide’s first look video below.

GALLERY: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

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Images of a new concept car by Italdesign for the Geneva Motor Show have been released. Christened Italdesign Brivido, which means “thrill” in Italian, we have to agree that the Brivido is quite thrilling indeed.

Featuring classic kamm-tail GT sportscar proportions,  blade-like LED headlamps,  as well as a signature Italdesign “birdcage” cockpit treatment, the carbon-fiber extensive Brivido is sure to be one of the stars at Geneva. With a complex glass element, we’re not sure if the Brivido comes with functional windows but seeing that it is a radical sports car with gull-wing doors, we are quick to forgive its lack of practicality.

Supposedly, the Brivido will be powered by a front-mounted 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. Combined, the Brivido is expected to produce 360-hp, accelerate to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 170 mph. The numbers are quite impressive, considering its combined fuel economy is rated at 36 mpg.

Interior shots have yet to be released but look for more details on the Italdesign Brivido Concept as we continue our coverage on the Geneva Motor Show.

GALLERY: Italdesign Brivido Concept

Lamborghini knows how to steal the show. The exotic Italian automaker’s standard production models are always enough to grab headlines, but this very custom one-off “speedster”, unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show, is beyond wild.

Called a “one of a kind piece of art” by Lamborghini, the open-top Aventador has tiny windscreens and a body modified for maximum performance. Based on a similar light weight but very large carbon fiber chassis as the Aventador, it’s slightly narrower and uses aerodynamic changes on the front and rear bumper to improve downforce.

A function-over form machine (even if it is beautiful), the Aventador J, as it’s called, has no navigation or audio system. Thinner and lighter doors drop even more weight and Lambo has targeted a dry weight of under 3,500 lbs – not bad for a car with a 6.5-liter V12 engine. Power is rated identically to the Aventador with 700 hp on tap.

Painted in a chrome red with carbon fiber detailing, the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are center locking and get carbon fiber inserts to maximize cooling of the brakes.

As for that mysterious J in its name, it comes from the FIA motorsports rule book, where “Appendix J” details the specifications of the different classes of race cars. That said, while Lambo is calling it a race car, the Aventador J is street legal. Want one? Too bad, this is the one and only Aventador J and it’s already been sold confirmed company CEO Stephan Winkelmann at it’s unveiling. The price? A serious $2.1 million.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador J

Rumors of an Aventador Roaster debut at the Geneva Motor Show failed to live up to the inventive minds at Lamborghini.

Rather than just a conventional drop-top, leaked photos have revealed a completely roofless version of the coupe, without even a windscreen – or at least not much of one. The car is reportedly called the Aventador J and it’s likely that Lambo will show both a conventional Roadster model as well as this concept.

With “Speedster” styling similar to what we saw back on the Concept S in 2005 or McLaren’s SLR Stirling Moss, this drop-top should shed some serious weight over its coupe counterpart while retaining its structural rigidity thanks to the car’s carbon fiber chassis. Look for power to come from the same 700-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine.

Earlier today Lamborghini teased us with a video of a new model it referred to as the “Unica“, meaning, “a unique example of specimen.” Originally thought to be a production version of the Sesto Elemento, it could be this very car.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Unica

[Source: Carforum.cz via Jalopnik]

See the official teaser video for the Lamborghini Unica below:

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At next week’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo reaches into its racing archives for inspiration. During the 1950′s, Alfa Romeo formed an alliance with Carrozzeria Touring to create a number of innovative concepts used to test technologies that could be adapted for racing. One particular concept was the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (C52), then based on an Alfa 1900.

Alfa Romeo intends to rekindle the spirit of the old Disco Volante at next week’s Geneva motor show with an all-new 2012 Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Concept. Lengthy name aside, the new concept from Italy is a mixture of modern technology with a take on old traditions. This Alfa Romeo concept is based on the 8C Competizione supercar platform and powertrain. It features a longitudinally mounted 4.7-liter V8 engine delivering 443 horsepower and 353 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to the 8C’s six-speed paddle-shift gearbox. A limited-slip differential, double wishbone suspension, and large vented brakes complete the package for a machine with road manners that are as rapid as they are precise.

Of course, it isn’t its similarities to the 8C Competizione that makes the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante special. The concept’s gorgeously sculpted exterior is the result of painstakingly hand-beaten aluminum panels mixed with carbon fiber elements, all of which are put together by the talented craftsmen of Milan.

Sure to draw a crowd at the Geneva Motor Show, stay tuned for more photos of the stunning Alfa Romeo concept on March 6.

GALLERY: Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 Concept

In the world of ultra-exclusive Italian sports cars, the Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line is rarer than most. Only 12 examples were made, all of which were pearl white and were to be sold only in the Middle East.

The reason why only twelve exist was to commemorate the number of titles Maserati has won in the FIA GT Championship. It also happens to be the exact number of Maserati dealerships in this oil-rich region.

Now it seems that one of the owners decided to have his repainted matte-red and has produced a video celebrating his V8 powered beast. The video is shot in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and is tastefully done. If you like videos where the exhaust note does most of the talking, you’ll enjoy the video below.

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The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is the fastest Ferrari to date and now you can get up close and personal with the Italian exotic on the web with the F12 configurator. 

The website launches with a message from Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo introducing the new car. Once the configurator loads, you are free to customize the car with variables like exterior paint colors, wheels, brake caliper finishes and interior trims that will help make the Berlinetta your own.

For most people, the F12 is out-of our realistic price range for a car, but at least Ferrari provides us with a free way to drool over this fine looking automobile. Although, the website seems to hold so much information, it takes forever to load.

Click here to build your own Ferrari.

The marketing department has certainly switched gears over at Fiat. From the female-targeted J-Lo ads for the cutsie 500 to the sultry Fiat 500 Abarth spot featuring lingerie model Catrinel Menghia.

Another step in that direction, the Fiat 500 Abarth is back in a new commercial titled “House Arrest” featuring legendary bad boy Charlie Sheen. And don’t worry, Menghia makes a cameo too.

Watch the video below:

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The latest and the the greatest Ferrari yet, the F12 Berlinetta has been revealed ahead of its official world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

The successor to the 599 and rumored to be called the 620 GT, the F12 Berlinetta is the most powerful Ferrari road car ever with a a 6.3-liter V12 engine making 740 hp at 8500 rpm and 509 lb-ft of torque, 80 percent of which is available at just 2500 rpm. Mated to a dual-clutch transmission, the car can hit 62 mph in just 3.1 seconds and hit 124 mph in just 8.5 seconds. Plus, it’s the fastest road going F-car around the Fiorano circuit, with a lap time of 1’23”.

Despite the massive performance increase, Ferrari claims the new V12 engine will be 30 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing 6.0-liter V12 in the 599.

Based on an all new aluminum chassis that is 20 percent stiffer than the outgoing unit, it weighs 154 lbs less than the 599. Shorter in length, many of the interior components, from the dash to the seats, have been lowered in the chassis, as has the engine.

The aerodynamics of the body also play a major role in the car’s performance with downforce improved b 76 percent, to deliver 271 lbs of downforce at 124 mph, while the coefficient of drag has been reduced to just 0.299 cd. The car’s swoopy lines are more than just nice to look at, they play a major role, with an “Aero Bridge” on the hood that sends air to the side of the car, rather than over the top, to cut drag.

Look for more on the Ferrari F12 with AutoGuide’s Geneva Motor Show coverage starting March 6th.

Check out the video below of the new Ferrari out on the track.

GALLERY: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

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When Richard Hammond test drove the Lamborghini Aventador on Top Gear, he explained, “In the old days, the order of priority for Lamborghini was top speed, acceleration, and handling– in that order. The thing is though, for this new car, the order is the other way around. Handling comes first and top speed is given a lower priority.” Unfortunately, some Aventador owners did not receive the memo.

The raging bull’s flagship mid-engine V12 supercar, the $394,000 Aventador, will have only 4,000 units produced. Unfortunately, the numbers have already begun to dwindle as Wrecked Exotics reported another accident, this time involving a brand-new Lamborghini Aventador in New Zealand. The rare Italian exotic travelled with a Ferrari convoy for only about an hour during a Sunday Afternoon drive when it had lost control at speeds exceeding 1oo mph, crashed through a fence and into a cow paddock. The Lamborghini did not come to a stop until it had skid over 300 feet up a grassy hill.

While the Lamborghini looks generally intact, the extent of the damage is unknown. Possessing an ultra-strong carbon-fiber monocoque, damaged Aventadors must be sent back to the Boeing research center in order to evaluate and repair the composite material. We’ve learned this much: while cows tend to enjoy greener pastures, bulls certainly do not.

[Source: Wrecked Exotics]

Official images of the Pininfarina Cambiano concept car have been revealed ahead of the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

According to Pininfarina, the Cambiano concept was approached with, “great attention to the environment, both as to the engine and as to the materials’ choice.” Engine wise, the Cambiano is a range extended electric vehicle with power coming from four 60kw (80-hp) electric motors, each powering one of the four wheels. A diesel turbine engine in the front is an acting generator to recharge the batteries. Pininfarina expects the Cambiano to accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph. As for the interior, Pininfarina created a warm and airy cabin through the extensive use of wood across the floor, which then rises behind the rear passenger seat.

Most interesting of all, the Cambiano is two design studies in one. When seen from its right side, the Cambiano is a sedan but from the left, it sports a coupe body-style.

Check out the Pininfarina Cambiano gallery below and expect to see more details as we draw closer to the upcoming show at Geneva.

GALLERY: Pininfarina Cambiano

[Source: Quattroroute]

Just a week ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show, we have the first, admittedly not great, spy photos of the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster.

Snapped as the sun was setting in Northern Sweden, the picture quality isn’t the best. And being February in Northern Sweden, the top is most certainly not down. As for that top, it appears to be a single removable piece, rather than a hard-to-operate material one like on the Murcielago Roadster. It’s likely that the removable section will be made of carbon fiber.

Sharing the same 700-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine as the coupe and a carbon fiber frame, the real question will be if this open-top supercar will be able to avoid the weight gain normally required to stiffen the chassis. If it is, look for a similar 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds, although we do expect the top speed to be slightly less than the coupe’s incredible 217 mph rating.

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Preview here.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Spy Photos

Based on the C-Evo platform from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, the American-twin 2013 Dodge Dart will only be available in a four-door body style.

During an interview with Chrysler Canada president and Dodge brand CEO Reid Bigland, he noted that sedans make up 90 percent of the compact segment, and are 25 percent of the overall Canadian new-car marketplace. “We’re going to go right up the middle of where the demand is. Right now, the evidence is overwhelmingly on a four-door sedan.”

Reading between the lines, Reid Bigland’s “right now” suggests the possibility of new layouts in Dart’s future. What’s more, Bigland also acknowledged that the success of the hatchbacks or coupes available for the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda3 have helped the cars become top sellers.

When asked about Dodge Dart’s predecessor, the Caliber Hatchback, Bigland defended, “I don’t think the Caliber soured anyone on hatchbacks. There’s a functionality edge with the hatchbacks, no doubt.”

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

[Source: Globe And Mail]

Discuss this story at the Dodge Dart Forums

Leaked photos and believable rumors of a Beijing Motor Show debut for Lambo’s upcoming SUV and now this: a name. According to at least one report, the successor to the LM002 will be called the MLC – or at least the concept will wear that badge.

Based on the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne (and Audi Q7, and VW Touareg and the upcoming Bentley SUV), the MLC is expected to make extensive use of carbon fiber to keep weight to a minimum. That will add cost, but Lambo isn’t likely to care, with the MLC certain to start well above the $107,000 sticker price of the Cayenne Turbo.

Likely to arrive in production form by 2015 reports AutoExpress, it could arrive sooner using the Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V10 engine to produce well over 500-hp. A hybrid model is also reportedly in the product plan with over 600 horses bulls.

The third model in Lambo’s product range, the company is still considering a fourth, based on the Estoque sedan concept, which could find its way into production shortly after by sharing many of its components with the MLC.

Look for more on Lambo’s new SUV with the Beijing Auto Show set for April.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Marco Mattiacci, CEO of Ferrari North America, has officially been given the 2012 Automotive Executive of the Year award and is the first Italian executive to receive the award.

“This year, the nominating committee chose to recognize Marco Mattiacci as an emerging leader whose accomplishments are certainly impressive and worthy of recognition,” said Robert Djurovic, executive director of the Automotive Executive of the Year Award program.

The accomplishments Djurovic described included increasing sales in North, Central, and South America 20 percent since his appointment in January 2010.

Mattiacci is the first Italian executive to receive the award. “After more than 55 years in North America, Ferrari’s largest market, we continue to showcase the company and its innovation, the growth of our product offerings,and consistently place a priority on the relationship with our clientele and enthusiasts,” he said.

It’s been a long time since Ferrari failed to evoke an enthusiastic response, though that has happened, think back to the 1980 Mondial 8. This is certainly a good time to get excited about new models coming off the line.

The 620 GT, successor to the 599 GTB Fiorano, is set to debut at next month’s Geneva Auto Show and will probably blow the doors off the competition. Hopefully Mattiacci has more like this on tap for the future.

That said, we were a little surprised the nod didn’t go to Sergio Marchionne, Fiat-Chrysler CEO, who achieved something many thought impossible: returing Chrysler to profitability. To be fair, there are still plenty of pitfalls in his way. Maybe next year?

For now we’re keeping a close eye on the iconic prancing horse badge, excited to know whats next.

A Ferrari FF caught fire near the Shanghai World Expo Avenue in China this past weekend.

According to China’s WZRB, eyewitnesses saw the FF cruising along until it started to smoke and eventually caught fire. The driver was notified of the hazard and turned off the road, gathering his things from the car before calling the fire department.

“They called the police, but the fire spread very rapidly, and when firefighters arrived, the vehicle had been surrounded by fire and was almost totally destroyed,” a witness told WZRB.

Worth about 5.3 million Chinese Yuan, or $840,000 USD, this is not the first FF to set itself on fire. Another FF suffered a similar fate last June, likely caused by defective heat reflectors surrounding the FF’s exhaust. Judging from the pictures from the latest incident, the same defect may be to blame.

GALLERY: Ferrari FF fire

At next month’s Geneva Auto Show, Maserati will launch a new version of its beautiful Gran Turismo model, the Gran Turismo Sport.

The Sport will replace the current “S” model in their line-up, and will be offered with a choice of two gearboxes, a six-speed F1-style sequential gearbox or the six-speed automatic. Sadly, no proper manual gearbox is offered. To put the smile back on your face, you will get a tweaked version of the 4.7-liter, V8 that now produces 454-hp. Maserati reckons it will sprint from 0-60 mph in under 5.0-seconds (official figures to be unveiled at the show).

To distinguish the Sport from the old “S” model, this model now gets a revised front bumper, and as with many luxury car these days, LED’s have also snuck their way into the headlights. No pricing has been announced thus far, but expect it to be between the regular Gran Turismo and the top of the line MC Stradale version.

GALLERY: Maserati Gran Turismo Sport

Almost sixty years ago, wealthy boat-racing privateer Achille Castoldi created the Arno XI hydroplane racing boat powered by a Ferrari engine.

The engine is a 4.5 liter 12-cylinder Ferrari engine similar to that found in the Type 375 grand prix car that was driven to victory by Jose Froilan Gonzalez at the 1951 Silverstone GP. Modified for record breaking marine duty, the engine ran on methanol to allow higher compression ratios for the additional twin-superchargers to deliver more than 500-hp.

In 1953, the Arno XI piloted by Castoldi averaged speeds exceeding 150 mph. Castoldi followed up to break the “24 nautical miles” record in the 800 kg category when the ARNO XI averaged 102.13 mph. As the Italian Powerboat Federation later changed speedboating categories, this record remains unbroken. Apparently, Ferrari is familiar with winning on land and at sea.

Now this beautiful and historic hydroplane can be yours. The RM Auction will put the Arno XI on the block during RM’s Monaco sale on May 11th and 12th. According to RM, the Arno XI is complete with “an extensive history file” that contains period photos, as well as hand written notes from Ferrari engineer Gioacchino Colombo. According to experts, the boat is expected to be valued between $1.3 million to $1.9 million.

A subsidiary of Chinese investment firm Hotyork Investment Group has reportedly purchased automaker De Tomaso.

The Italian automaker was recently revived thanks to the work of former Fiat CEO Gianmario Rossignolo back in 2009, but quickly ran into financial problems trying to launch three new vehicles.

There aren’t many details being released at the moment and no official statement has been made, but Qiu Kunjian recently said, “We closely considered the business plan and we believe in the opportunity to develop all the valuable potential of the company. We are working to finalize the last details and implement the agreement in the coming of days.”

De Tomaso has a promising future if their three new models make it to market. Currently in the works is a new sedan, crossover, and successor to the Pantera.

Should this come to be, we’ll be especially excited to see a morden Pantera hitting the road. For those who don’t remember, when it was produced, the Pantera was a mariage between American muscle and Italian style that used a Ford 5.8-liter V8, but looked very Italian.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Where does a 3,472-pound bull run? On sheet of ice, of course — what was your answer, Pamplona?

Maybe we should clarify, though the pictures in our gallery probably do plenty of talking. The Lamborghini Academy offers a winter driving event that costs a little more than $7,800. For that price, you get a two-night stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy with access to a long line of Lambos, a driving instructor and insurance to cover any damage.

While it may seem like a steep price tag, you need to ask how often someone will hand you the keys to an Aventador and let you drive it on an ice track with no concern for consequences?

All-in the trip would probably cost at least $10,000. Then again, if you’re going to do something shockingly stupid in a Lamborghini, wouldn’t you rather it belong to someone else? Just make sure to ask about the insurance deductible first.

GALLERY: 2012 winter Lamborghini Academy