Ultimatecarpage.com update (04-21-08)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Mid-engined supercars are very much an Italian specialty. The great tradition has its origin in the mid-1960s; a few years after the racing world adapted the superior layout. One of the very first production cars to have the engine mounted between the driver and the rear axle was the ATS 2500 GT. It was built by a number of key Ferrari personnel in the years after the famous fall-out in the winter of 1961/1962. Without a doubt the most advanced road car available at the time, the beautiful ATS was produced for a short few months before the company collapsed. It is estimated that only 20 engines were built and even fewer cars. Shortly after the 2500 GT was introduced, DeTomaso took the wraps of the Vallelunga, which featured a mid-mounted Ford four cylinder engines. A lovely little car, but greatly underpowered. All that was cured with the V8-engined Mangusta. The shape was penned by Giorgietto Giugiaro and is one of the absolute highlights in his very rich portfolio and one of his personal favourites. Unfortunately the Mangusta's handling did not quite match the superb looks.
After weeks of silence the automotive industry shot into action again the last couple of days. One of the main reasons was the Beijing Motor Show, which opened its doors for the media yesterday. There the wraps were taken off the Buick Invicta Concept and the 550 bhp Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Vauxhall showed the first pictures of the all-new Insignia, while Audi unveiled the equally new Q5. This weekend also saw the start of the alternative Dakar rally through Central Europe. Multiple Dakar winner Mitsubishi have ventured into unknown territory by fielding a diesel engined version of the Pajero Evolution.
A vast majority of the surviving 1950s Ferraris has been restored to a very high condition, making original cars a rare sight. One of those exceptions is this 166/195 S Vignale Coupe. Complete with dents and chipped paint, it has been raced at all major events in recent years. Next month it will be offered by RM in their Ferrari auction and hopefully its next owner will preserve and use the car in the same fashion as it has been in the last years.

Enjoy the links:

1963 - 1965 ATS 2500 GT - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Audi Q5 - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Buick Invicta Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

1967 - 1971 DeTomaso Mangusta - Images, Specifications and Information

1948 - 1950 Ferrari 166/195 S Vignale Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution MPR14 - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Vauxhall Insignia - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen