Sportscar

$375,000 Lexus LFA Supercar Debuts at Tokyo Motor Show

If you're in the market for a top-of-the-line exotic sportscar, it used to be that the European automakers (like Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin) were the only place to go. The Acura NSX held down the fort for the Japanese automakers for a long while, but since its departure it's been back to business as usual.

Japan's carmakers, however, are in the midst of a renaissance in the supercar arena. The Nissan GT-R, once kept exclusively in the Japanese Domestic Market, has been taking on all challengers, and now Lexus has stepped up with the highly-anticipated new LFA. With a 550-horsepower V10 engine, a 3.7-second sprint to 60, a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour and a $375,000 price tag, the Lexus LFA is capable of dicing it with the best Europe has to offer and holding its own.

Despite the extraordinary price tag, sources suggest that parent company Toyota will actually take a loss on each one sold. Which could help explain why they'll only be making 500 examples, making this one very attractive and – for everyone involved – very expensive piece of window dressing.

Gallery: Lexus LFA

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Tags: exotic, lexus, lexus lfa, lexus sports car, LexusLfa, LexusSportsCar, lfa, sports car, sports cars, SportsCar, SportsCars

The History of Jaguar Motorcars

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Books

The famed British motorcar marque Jaguar began life as a different species altogether; in 1922 a company called Swallow began manufacturing motorcycle sidecars, building its first automobiles under the name SS in 1927; in 1945 the name was changed to Jaguar, and the rest was automotive history.

Jaguar: The Complete Story, a new book by Heiner Stertkamp, is a lavish visual history of the world-famous car maker, from its "ascension to fame with the postwar XK series cars," followed by the introduction of the iconic E-Type in 1961, the XJ series, and most recently the high-tech XF.

The book includes racing vehicles and prototypes as well as production models, all presented in sumptuous, large format photographs. With Jaguar beginning another chapter under new owner Tata Motors, this is a fitting time to review the rich history of one of the world's most enduring symbols of speed, style and beauty.

Tags: Jaguar, Sportscar

The Ferrari California Wows Them In Paris

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Our sister site Autoblog is at the Paris Motor Show checking out the newest models. One of the most anticipated is the Ferrari California. The California is a new design that takes inspiration from classic Ferrari designs from the 1950s but with a modern Pininfarina spin. Under the hood there is a direct-inject, 460-hp version of the company's 4.3L V8. It is a performance machine but with a little more room and a more street-friendly style than some other Ferraris. So far the public seems to approve, the retractable-hardtop GT is already sold out until 2011.

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Tags: ferrari, ferrari california, FerrariCalifornia, sports car, SportsCar

Neiman Marcus Offers Seven Souped Up Vipers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Neiman Marcus often saves the droolworthy cars for their big Christmas catalog but this year's spring men's catalog holds a tempting treat for men and women alike: seven special 2008 Hennessey Venom 700 NM Vipers. The special upgraded Vipers do the zero-to-sixty hop in 3.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 214 mph in the hardtop coupe model (it also comes in a convertible version). The sleek back cars also come with matching luggage and entitle you to a day of high-perfomance driving school at Lonestar Motorsports Park. The magnificent seven go on sale on April 10 at 9 a.m. and cost $179,500 each.

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Tags: neiman marcus, sportscar, viper

Autoblog Drives the Bugatti Veyron

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Oh the Veyron, the Bugatti Veyron, one of the most expensive cars in the world, a car that in just a couple of years has become an instant legend. Jonathan Ramsey at our sibling Autoblog recently got to test out the car and delivers an engaging account of what it is really like to drive something worth more than most houses. Jonathan got to live the California dream for a morning, zipping along Pacific Coast Highway where the found that in just two seconds you can zip from two miles per hour to around 40 miles per hour before you even start thinking about going really fast. As Jonathan puts it in my favorite line of the whole review: "And another second after that, hell, who knows how fast you're going. And another second after that, I think time and space take on different properties. I think I became a rhombus." Lucky dude, never have I wanted to be a geometrical shape more. Read about what happens next on Autoblog.

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Tags: autoblog, bugatti veyron, BugattiVeyron, exotic car, sportscar

Big Papi's Mercedes To Sell For Big Bucks

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping

Wow, this puts Tom Brady's Mercedes to shame. Red Sox heavy hitter David Ortiz, also known as Big Papi, is having a great response to the auction of his 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. Ortiz bought the 604-horsepower convertible for $205,000 and then spent another $35,000 souping it up with custom wheels and an improved stereo system. It was a treat to himself after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. The car has just over 4,000 miles on it and has had a pampered life. Who knows what led Ortiz to put the car on eBay, hoping for a new purchase perhaps? Fans and cars lovers have been going wild over the auction which ends today. Last time I looked it was at $465,500. The winner will receive the car personally from Ortiz.

[via The Boston Herald]

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Tags: auction, david ortiz, DavidOrtiz, ebay, mercedes, red sox, sportscar

Luxury Motoring Without the Gas Guzzlage

by Erin Mays (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Gas is getting more expensive, both politically and economically, yet we cringe to see the likes of Cameron Diaz and George Clooney in such un-glamorous vehicles as the Toyota Prius hybrid or Tango electric car.What's a politically and environmentally-conscious luxury car lover to do?

Hybrid Technologies has the answer. Check this out:

Ferrari F430: 660 hp, 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, mileage of 8 city/12 highway.

Hummer H1: 300 hp, maximum towing capacity of 9,303 lbs., mileage data not available because its curb weight exempts it from EPA testing, but estimates put the H1 at about 10 mpg... on diesel.

Hybrid Technologies' 2007 L1X-75: 600 hp, 0-60 in 3.1 seconds, runs on lithium batteries charged by a simple household 110-volt outlet.

In addition to sweet Italian-inspired roadster styling, lithium battery action means no gas guzzling. Plus, the only emissions coming from this vehicle are in the form of smoke rising from squealing tires.

With Hybrid Tech wooing potential distributors at the New York International Auto Show press preview this past week, you may be able to pick one of these babies up at a dealership near you in the not-too-distant future.

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Tags: alternative fuels, AlternativeFuels, ferrari, fuel cell, FuelCell, hybrid, italian sports car, ItalianSportsCar, lamborghini, lithium, race car, RaceCar, sports car, SportsCar

Lotus 72D Collector's Edition Car

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

This ostentatious little beauty is a new 35th anniversary edition of the commemorative edition type 72D from Lotus. The edition is a tribute to the Lotus 72D's Formula 1 championship race car. The limited edition Lotus Elise will have gold wheels and gold pinstriping as well as a decorative helmet with a display case. There will be 50 of these cars worldwide with just 20 set to end up in the U.S. and they are expected to sell for under $60,000.

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Tags: elise, formula one, lotus, race car, sportscar

Riding in Nazarian's Bugatti Veyron

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Sam Nazarian is big business. CEO of SBE Entertainment, Sam is quickly making a name for himself with a number of the highest-end restaurants, most exclusive clubs (L.A.'s famous Hyde is one), and most sought-after real estate to name just a few of his many projects. So what does a man like Sam do in his spare time? Drive around in his new Bugatti Veyron, impressing women, of course.

And Sue Callaway, of Fortune magazine, definitely seemed impressed when she got to ride in, and test drive, the $1.4 million sports car. Smooth, exclusive, and "jet-like" (Sue's words) in speed and power, I might never be interested in spending that much on a car, but I sure would have loved having her job that day.

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Tags: auto, automobile, Bugatti, bugatti veyron, BugattiVeyron, car, Fortune, nazarian, sam nazarian, SamNazarian, speed, sports car, SportsCar, Veyron, VW, wheels

Pagani Zonda F, the World's Most Expensive Roadster

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Swoopy, curvy, low and fast, it's hard not to fall in love with the new Pagani Zonda F which will be shown at the Geneva autoshow. The car has a Mercedes AMG-derived 7.3L V12 engine that can take you to 214 mph with the top down. No price has been released yet but Pagani says it will be the most expensive roadster in the world and given the looks of it we tend to believe them. There will only be 25 made. Yes, it's a stunner but is it sacrilege to say that the spoiler detracts from its smooth lines. More pictures can be found at Classic Driver including a shot of the stunning rear view.

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Tags: geneva auto show, pagani, sportscar, zonda f

Maserati GranSport MC Victory

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The latest Maserati special edition is the GranSport MC Victory which celebrates Maserati's winning of the FIA GT Manufacturers Cup in 2005. The Maserati GranSport has a large front splitter, extended side skirts and a small rear spoiler, all of which are designed to make the blue beauty more aerodynamic. Other details include blue carbon fiber details, leather and alcantara (a type of fancy upholstery) interior and an Italian flag recessed into the front wings. The car will be shown off at the Geneva Auto Show and will go on sale in May as a limited edition of 180 cars.

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Tags: auto, maserati, racecar, special edition, sportscar, wheels

Koenigsegg CCX Supercar Will Go On Sale in Las Vegas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Koenigsegg makes amazingly pricey and fast cars. Last year their CCR became the fastest production car in the world hitting a top speed of 241 mph only to be beaten by the Bugatti Veyron in October. But Koenigsegg isn't out to take back the crown yet. Their new CCX will be, like the CCR, the second fastest car in the world and this supercar will be available in the US. Gizmag reports that the CCX will be sold at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. The car will go on sale at Exotic Cars in the Forum Shops. The cars cost $650,000 to start.

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Tags: auto, automobile, exotic car, fast car, koenigsegg ccx, KoenigseggCcx, race car, sportscar, supercar, ultimate car

Ferrari 600 Imola 2006

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Autoblog has pictures of the new Ferrari 600 Imola which will replace the 550/575 Marenello with a bigger version of the Scaglietti V12 engine. As Erin over at Autoblog notes, these pics of the Imola are better than the masked spy shots which hit the internet a while back. Autoblog has more shots of the Imola in all its glory which seems pretty generic for a Ferrari.

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Tags: car, ferrari imola, FerrariImola, sportscar