FEATURED ARTICLE - 2008 Spada TS Codatronica

View Video Zone    View Wheel Zone    View Performance Zone Spada is an Italian design studio that was founded by Paolo Spada, his father Ercole Spada, Domiziano Boschi and Wojtek Sokowski. Most of the people in this group have solid experience building premium and dependable automobiles, including work for BMW, Zagato, Smart and Honda. When Spada first showed this concept, many people passed it off as a onetime attempt at greatness. Well, word has come that they do indeed plan to build it. Looking through the pictures of the Spada Codatronica leaves me pondering where I have seen this vehicle before. The rear end looks like the Batmobile from the movies and a touch like a huge version of Darth Vader’s helmet. The design, although obviously unconventional, lives by the form follow functions rule. Word is the car will come with a naturally aspirated V-8 engine and produce somewhere near 630 horsepower and 492 lbs/ft of torque. With a low curb weight near 2700lbs, the Codatronica boasts a 60 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed over 211 mph. The interior is the normal, very rare exotic type; so basically it consists of everything an owner would require and nothing more. Price was not mentioned in the press release but I would expect it to be somewhere near or over $300,000. With its ugly looks yet stunning performance, the Spada Codatronica will sell, but to who? by: Benjamin Greene

FEATURED ARTICLE - 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 Brabus R230

View Video Zone    View Wheel Zone    View Performance Zone The Mercedes-Benz Brabus SL 65 AMG R230 is the top package offered in the Brabus SL range. The company offers a variety of engine, cosmetic and aerodynamic packages for the Mercedes-Benz SL line-up. The R230 utilizes a 6.3L twin-turbo V-12 making a blistering, vomit-inducing 730 horsepower and 811 lbs/ft of torque. The aerodynamics and looks are enhanced via a new front bumper with lip spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper with a diffuser and a deck spoiler. by: Benjamin Greene Brabus: Rejuvenated by a substantial model update (update is minimal, at best- Ed.) the fifth generation of the Mercedes SL now starts yet another chapter in the unparalleled success story of the popular Mercedes roadster. The corresponding exclusive sport program comes from BRABUS. Powerful increased-displacement engines with up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power, a striking designer suit, high-quality light-alloy wheels with diameters of up to 20 inches, professional suspension tuning and custom interior design: The BRABUS program leaves nothing to be desired. The top-of-the-heap BRABUS power source for the SL 600 is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine, developed originally for the BRABUS ROCKET, the world’s fastest sedan. 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power and a whopping peak torque of 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft), electronically limited in the car to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft), are the result of numerous modifications. During the displacement increase from 5.5 to 6.3 liters the engine’s interior is completely reworked. In addition the engine is fitted with a more efficient turbocharging system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts. Power is transferred via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a special BRABUS limited-slip differential that is available for all SL models. A sprint time of 4.0 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 10.5 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph) and depending on final drive ratio and tire speed rating, an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (219 mph) make the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo roadster one of the world’s fastest sports cars.

2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Edo Competition 630 Scuderia

View Video Zone    View Wheel Zone    View Performance Zone Scuderia Ferrari is the name of the racing division of Ferrari that is now limited, some would say dedicated, to Formula One. Late last year Ferrari introduced the Ferrari F430 Scuderia; an F430 with special attention paid to giving it race car like characteristics. The F430 Scuderia got upgrades to its engines, suspension and other items to lose weight, increase power and add more handling prowess. The Edo Competition Ferrari 630 Scuderia picks up on the Scuderia name with their version of the 599 GTB. The guys over at the super tuner group Edo Competition originally transformed the 599 GTB into a cement tormenter with their 630. That car was capable of 750 horsepower in its highest tuning form. Although the new Edo Competition 630 Scuderia can come equipped with the same upgrades found on the normal 630, it can also just come with the new aerodynamic package you see on this page. So what does the Scuderia package add to the 599/630 GTB? Enhanced airflow. The front apron has enlarged cooling inlets to keep the engine at optimum temperatures and to draw cool air over the front brakes. To improve downforce and high speed stability the newest Scuderia get a small lip spoiler, a wider diffuser and a small truck spoiler. The new body kit not only improves the aerodynamics but also the weight, which decreases by an estimated 110 lbs. for the Edo Competition tuned car. You can find more information at www.edo-competition.de but beware this is a German tuner that will require you to make a trip to Europe.