We just can’t get enough of the Nissan Juke-R project, and probably won’t until we get our grubby little hands behind its steering wheel. But until then, we’ll just have to continue living vicariously through those fortunate enough to experience the monster first hand.

While it was in Dubai to pace the 24 Hour race, Nissan took its Juke-R out to the Dubai International Marina where a makeshift course was created and the funky Japanese crossover was pitted against a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and a Ferrari 458 Italia. You know, just some of Germany and Italy’s finest supercars.

Now it goes without saying that we’d expect the Juke-R to look mighty impressive in the video against the exotics since it was probably staged by Nissan. But there’s no denying just how remarkable its performance looks and how undoubtedly fun it was for Lucas Ordonez, the first GT Academy winner, to pilot it. And obviously by watching the video, the drivers were putting on a show more than they were looking for a fast lap time.

We just hope a better resolution video surfaces soon.

Check out the video below.

Continue Reading…

Hamann previously released its first Victory iteration with the original Lamborghini Gallardo and now they’ve followed it up with the Victory II on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The tuning package’s main focal point is its widebody conversion along with plenty more additional carbon fiber parts and increased engine performance.

Hamann equips the Gallardo LP560-4 with new wing doors on the Victory II, in true traditional Lamborghini fashion. The front bumper is very much race-inspired and features a center carbon fiber diffuser. The fender blisters gives the Lp560-4 a wider stance with extended side skirts to match, while the rear receives a new diffuser and rear wing. The hood, spoiler and the air intake on the roof are available in carbon fiber..

For wheels, Hamann has matched the Victory II with a set of 20-inch Edition Race wheels with a unique finish to match the theme of the exotic. The wheels are sized with a 20×9.5-inch pair on the front, while the rear is equipped with 20×13-inchers.

Horsepower increases from 560-hp to 580-hp with 424 lb-ft of torque. This is done through an ECU retune while the note of the car is certainly changed with new mufflers to the exhaust.

The interior is overlaid with a 14-piece carbon fiber interior kit while Hamann also offers carbon fiber-backed sport seats. And of course, anything in the interior can be reupholstered or customized to the customer’s desires.

GALLERY: Hamann Victory II Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

In an ambitions new emissions reduction strategy Lamborghini has just unveiled, the Italian exotic car maker says it will look to hybrid powertrains (among other things) to cut vehicle emissions by 30 percent by 2015. The company has already made a significant step in that direction with the launch of the LP560-4. Due to the use of direct-injection, that new vehicle emits 18 percent less CO2.

As for the other engineering initiatives Lamborghini will make to hit its target, the company said in a press release that it will also look at biofuels. This shouldn’t be too difficult considering Bentley (which, like Lamborghini, is owned by Volkswagen) has already made significant progress in this field.

Start-stop systems, which turn off the engine when at a light or in traffic, are also a possibility and would no doubt be a part of any hybrid powertrain.

More conventional practices will also be employed, with the company promising to cut the weight of its vehicles while further enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.

The company also cites “improved combustion” in its list of green initiatives and we are no doubt likely to see direct-injection on the successor of the Murciélago – if not sooner.

But Lamborghini’s green plan isn’t just limited to its cars. The company aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 percent at its factory.

To do this it will transform the roof of its factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy into an energy generator using solar panels. The company says the system will produce 20 percent of the power the factory uses. At the same time, the roof will undergo a massive overhaul with better insulation, lighting and heating that will reduce energy consumption by an additional 10 percent.

“Despite the difficult situation in today’s global economy, Lamborghini is committed to its policy of environmental management, since we are well aware of the great opportunities that derive from it,” said  Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “We have an objective to reduce CO2 emissions to the greatest possible degree. We have also set compulsory annual goals that are part of an integrated approach both considering the automobile as an element which is more considerate of the environment, in terms of emissions and the use of resources, to the accomplishment of a series of corresponding measures such as modifications to our factory.  This is an important action for Lamborghini and a central opportunity for our long term corporate and product development.”

The move has been applauded by the European community, with Guido Sacconi, President of the European Commission on Climate Change saying the company was “on the right path.”

“We have been particularly satisfied with the actions it [Lamborghini] has taken thus far, because they illustrate this company’s desire to embrace a new industrial vision which combines competitiveness and performance with social responsibility,”  Sacconi said.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Lamborghini Super Trofeo GTR @ Monza from Lamborghini München on Vimeo.

Ahead of the start of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo one-make racing series, we have this short bit of video made by the folks at Lamborghini Munich, who will be running a car in the series this year.

The Super Trofeo series is a one-make series for “gentlemen drivers” much like the Ferrari Challenge series. The cars are based o the Gallardo LP560-4 and make 570hp while weighing significantly less.

So sit back and enjoy this impressive machine as it takes on Monza.

The series will begin in May 2009 and will run (only in Europe for 2009) alongside other major motorsports series, such as DTM, FIA GT and the World Touring Car Championship.