New drop-tops from Audi and MINI, more news from Essen and three unusual racing cars
Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,
Just as winter has arrived across the Northern hemisphere both Audi and MINI bring back a hint of summer with two brand new convertibles. From the Germany luxury manufacturer comes the S5 Cabriolet. It is not simply a drop-top version of the S5 Coupe as it features the new direct injection, twin-turbo V6 engine that was debuted earlier this year in the closely related S4. MINI completed the roll-out of the second generation of the 'new MINI' with an open version. Topping the line-up is this Cooper S Convertible. Like the Audi, it uses a direct injection turbocharged engine. The new four cylinder engine produces a hefty 172 bhp from a displacement of just 1.6 litre.
With most major manufacturers absent in Essen the specialist tuners could take center stage. The most powerful car present was the 9ff GT9-R. Powered by a 1120 bhp engine, it promises to accelerate to 300 km/h in under 16 seconds and it does not stop accelerating until it reaches an incredible 'V-max' of 414 km/h. Brabus also grabbed headlines by revealing the first tuned electric car. Their interpretation of the Tesla Roadster boasts a sound system that can imitate an internal combustion engines to provide the soundtrack to match the Tesla's performance.
To conclude today's update we would like to highlight three somewhat unusual racing cars. First up is one of only very few straight-six engined Ferraris ever built; the 121 LM. Built as a Works racer for the 1955 season, this specific example was raced by some of the great drivers of the era like Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby. After a lengthy ownership by an avid French historic racer, it will be auctioned later this month at the Bonhams Gstaad Auction. Not nearly as well known is this Attila Mk3 Chevrolet. It was designed and constructed by former Lotus designer Val Dare-Bryan and raced with some success in period. In recent years the rare racer resurfaced and has since been raced extensively. The March GTP racers of the early 1980s were nick-named 'lobster-claw' for their striking appearance. So most fittingly this 83G Chevrolet was liveried in 'Red Lobster' colours.
Enjoy the links:
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3923/9ff-GT9-R.html]2008 9ff GT9-R - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3936/Attila-Mk3-Chevrolet.html]1964 Attila Mk3 Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3941/Audi-S5-Cabriolet.html]2009 Audi S5 Cabriolet - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3942/Brabus-Tesla-Roadster.html]2008 Brabus Tesla Roadster - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3935/Chevrolet-Cruze-WTCC.html]2009 Chevrolet Cruze WTCC - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/714/Ferrari-121-LM-Scaglietti-Spyder.html]1955 Ferrari 121 LM Scaglietti Spyder - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3764/March-83G-Chevrolet.html]1983 March 83G Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3939/MINI-Cooper-S-Convertible.html]2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]
Regards,
Wouter Melissen
