sports cars

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale by Zagato

Even on its own, Alfa Romeo is capable of producing some achingly beautiful sports cars. Just look at the 8C Competizione or the new 4C Concept unveiled in Geneva for evidence. But everyone can use a little help once in a while, and for Alfa, that help is coming from Zagato.

The Milanese design house has created countless rolling masterpieces, among them the TZ, the TZ2 and the TZ3 Corsa you see above. Commissioned as a one-off by a wealthy enthusiast, the TZ3 Corsa debuted at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este last year.

But what's that fourth car wrapped in a bow? We didn't know when it surfaced around the holidays, but now the company has confirmed that it will build a street version of the TZ3, available for purchase by those with the means.

The TZ3 Stradale is expected to be based on the Dodge Viper (whose parent company is linked to Alfa's), with an 8.4-liter V10 instead of the Maserati V8 that powers the Corsa. Pricing has yet to be revealed, but for those kind of exclusivity and beauty, don't expect it to come cheap.

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Rare 1957 Maserati Mille Miglia for Sale at $2 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

One of the most beautiful and valuable 1950s Italian sports car ever, a 1957 Mille Miglia Maserati 200Si with custom coachwork by Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, is being offered for sale by Kidston in Geneva for about $2 million. With classic cars of this caliber fetching record auction prices and future appreciation a given, it represents an alluring investment opportunity.

Tags: 1950s, classic cars, investment cars, Italian cars, Italy, Kidston, masarati+1957, masarati1957, Maserati, maserati+for+sale, maseratiforsale, Mille Miglia, motorsports, racecar, racing, sports car racing, sports cars

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

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

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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The Classicist: Cruising in the New 2010 Jaguar XK Convertible

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, The Classicist

A few years back we went on one of the best road trips ever at the wheel of a Jaguar XK convertible. So we literally leapt at the chance to take the brand new one for a spin. Jaguar roadsters have always held a place of honor in the pantheon of stylish sports cars, dating back to the legendary XK120, forerunner of the current model - although stylistically the new XK owes more to the XK-E (E-Type) with its oval mouth. The XK120 referred to the car's top speed; when introduced in 1948 it was the world's fastest standard production car, with killer looks to match. It acquired an instant aura of glamor and cemented Jaguar's reputation forever when Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart cruised Hollywood in their XK120s like stylish gods. (We'll develop on this theme further in a later installment).

The XK120 evolved into the famous race-winning XK120-C, or C-Type, that in turn led to the wicked D-Type, made famous by Steve McQueen, and eventually the iconic E-Type, which as noted the current model most closely resembles. First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961, the E-Type's legendary power to attract the opposite sex was phrased best by American motoring writer Henry Manney III, who dubbed it "The greatest crumpet-catcher known to man." Not a bad precedent for its more recent relation. While we didn't actually catch any crumpets with the new XK, it wasn't the car's fault as we were more interested in zooming down the road than cozying up to the local flora and fauna. Also there are a lot more outlandish-looking autos on the road these days; compared to these the XK exudes an elegant aura of restrained power that behooves its feline namesake; very British in a sense.

For 2010 the aluminum-bodied XK available as of this August is kitted out with an AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-liter engine capable of delivering 385 hp and 515 Nm of torque (a supercharged version produces 510 hp and 625 Nm of torque). With these numbers the naturally aspirated version hits 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Some subtle, sporty updates over previous models have been made to the exterior without detracting from the car's stylistic heritage, including a new front end, new rear lights fitted with LED technology, a new rear body valance, body-colored side power vents, chrome-detailed inserts, and sleek alloy wheels.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XK Convertible