2009 Ferrari California

One of the worst kept secrets in the automotive world is Ferrari's baby grand tourer, the California. Even as Ferrari has denied it's existence, the California has been the subject of intense speculation all along. Now it's official.

The California is a front-engine, two-plus-two convertible GT. The public is getting their first look at the latest addition to the Ferrari family, currently at the Paris auto show.

The California is powered by a 4.3-liter V-8, making it the first front-engine Ferrari road car to use a V-8 rather than a V-12. The engine breaks new ground for Ferrari by using direct injection. It boasts 454 hp at an appropriately exotic 7500 rpm and is mated exclusively with Ferrari's first dual-clutch automatic, a seven-speed.

Ferrari claims that the combo will zip the California from 0 to 62 mph in less than 4.0 seconds. Backing up that performance are carbon-ceramic disc brakes (which are now standard on all Ferraris) and a chassis that features a new multilink rear suspension.

Fittingly, given its name, the California will be offered only in open-topped form, with a retractable metal hard top. Although pricing hasn't yet been announced, we can provide some insight as to the California's place within the Ferrari family.

The company repeatedly denied that the new car would be an "entry-level" Ferrari, and in fact, when it arrives at dealers early next year, the California is expected to cost more than the F430 - today's least expensive Ferrari at $191,775 - and will supplant the 612 Scaglietti.

But, when the F430's replacement arrives in 2010, that car will slot above the California in price, so at that point, the California effectively will become the entry-level model. Of course, that level of entry will be higher than it is today.

SMS releases images and details on Challenger 570 and 570X

Steve Saleen's shiny new company, SMS, is getting ready to officially debut it's first production car and has released a few photos and and some information regarding the 570 and 570X.

According to the press release, the two models are slated to start at $60,000 and $70,000 respectively. That's quite a chunk of change, but SMS is going to make it worth it with an extensive list of upgrades.

Starting with the powertrain, the SMS 296 supercharger pushes massive amounts of air to the 5.7L HEMI, and true enthusiasts will be glad to know that a proper 6-speed manual transmission will be doing the shifting.

Both models also get a high performance suspension, exhaust, 20-inch wheels, and 14-inch front and 12-inch rear brakes. For the exterior, SMS replaces the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and hood, and adds a rear spoiler. The 570X model also receives carbon fiber front and rear splitters, a carbon fiber diffuser, and a rear wing that replaces the spoiler.

The interior receives upgrades as well, including two-tone leather sport seats, leather door inserts, a leather grip shifter, 200-mph gauge cluster, and auxiliary gauges for the supercharger. Each vehicle will also be personally signed by Steve Saleen.

[Source: SMS Supercars]


PRESS RELEASE:

Steve Saleen and his company SMS are well on the way to production with the first vehicle in the line of Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles. The SMS 570 Challenger will be the first vehicle with a host of aesthetic and functional innovations including the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction™ hood and a full compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including: drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.

The fully certified and street legal SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger will be based off the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform and will feature a SMS designed and engineered SMS 296 Supercharger atop the 5.7L Hemi, with power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower respectively.

The MSRP's for the 2009 SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger are targeted to start at $60,000 to $70,000 respectively with production commencing in 2008. Both models will carry a bumper-to-bumper factory warranty.

This is an exciting opportunity for the Mopar community to finally take part in the ultra-high performance niche production vehicle market! So act now to reserve yours.

Each of these limited edition vehicles will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the Signature Series product line, complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited per year depending on the model, so the opportunity to be one of the few owners is limited to a first come first served basis. So act now, by placing your pre-production orders though any Dodge dealer in the US. Or call us directly for more details.

About SMS
We are a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. We design, engineer, test, certify, manufacture and assemble all our own products and vehicles.

MTM supercharged Audi R8

MTM is a well known aftermarket company that has been injecting power into Audis for over 20 years. Now they have put all of that experience into developing a new twin-screw supercharger system that pairs up to the 4.2-liter V8 in the Audi R8. The addition of forced induction brings total output to 552 hp.

In addition to the supercharger kit, MTM also offers a complete line of products for the R8 including brake upgrades, 20" forged wheels, high-flow exhaust system, and a variety of exterior style upgrades.

MTM R8R Technical Data:

engine V8 compressor, twin srew supercharger belt driven
capacity in ccm 4163 ccm
drilling x stroke in mm 84,5 x 92,8 mm
densification 12,5 : 1
gearbox construction type 6-speed manual gearbox
power (max.) 560 PS (412 kW) bei 7.750 U/min
supercharging pressure (max.) 0,55 bar bei 7.750 U/min
torque (max.) 580 Nm bei 5.500 U/min
Vmax limited (unlimited) 301 km/h (315 km/h)
acceleration 0 -100/200 km/h: 3,9 sec./12,5sec
drive permanent all-wheel drive Quattro
brakes VA 380 x 34 punched, ventilated
HA 356 x 32 perforated, ventilated
rims VA mtm bimoto Forged 9 x 20" ET 42
HA mtm bimoto Forged 11 x 20 ET 50
tyres VA Michelin Sport Cup 245/30-20"
HA Michelin Sport Cup 315/25-20"