When Ferrari first released images of the 458 Spider, all its pictures were with the top down. Since its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari has finally released images of the 458 Italia with its roof closed. Additional interior photos reveal that the small leather rest with the Ferrari logo in the coupe will be replaced with the top-down and rear-window buttons on the spider. Furthermore, we have a photo of the slim shelf for small luggage located behind the passengers’ chairs. Follow the jump for additional photos of the Ferrari 458 Spider.

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The last time the words 1,000-hp and electric car were paired together was in early 2009 with the SSC Ultimate Aero EV. But where the SSC never came into fruition, Rimac hopes to get nearly 100 units of its Concept_One into people’s hands.

Rimac Automobile’s grand entrance to the sports-car world started this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. With no gasoline engine onboard of its Concept_One, electricity is the sole provider of propulsion but is still good for 1,088 hp, 0–60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and a top speed limited to 190 mph. Its torque number—2,800 lb-ft—is most likely much less if measured at the output shaft of the motors and not at the wheels after being magnified by the transmission and differential’s gears (you may remember Audi made similar claims with its e-tron concept in 2009). Despite the torque discrepancy, if the rest of the stats are true, the 3,637-pound Concept_One will be the world’s fastest electric production car, a title currently held by the Tesla Roadster. In the supercar arena, its only electric-only competitor is the upcoming SLS E-cell, but it will have to compete with some supercar hybrids like the Porsche 918 Spyder and BMW i8 in the marketplace.



The Concept_One’s powertrain consists of electric motors working independently at each of the four wheels. We presume each motor creates 272 hp, and a computer is in place to send torque to the appropriate wheels depending on driving conditions. Providing power is 92-kilowatt hours of energy (enough to power most refrigerators for a month) stored in the car’s battery modules, which is good for a range of approximately 372 miles.

Rimac Automobili spawns from Mate Rimac, whom converted his old BMW to a racing electric vehicle before starting the company now known for its electric-propulsion components. That same BMW is now the Rimac Automobili e-M3 and serves as a test mule for a variety of electric systems and in-house developments.

Rimac says the Concept_One will reach a limited number of 88 customers in 2013.

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Maserati has decided to enter the SUV marketplace with its Kubang SUV. A long time coming, the original Kubang concept was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. Although the two share a visual lineage, the new Kubang’s styling is contemporary. Maserati has the resources necessary to bring its luxury SUV to market now that the Jeep brand is part of the Fiat portfolio. But Maserati points out that this is not just a rebadged Grand Cherokee, and that it will utilize Maserati components (including engine, suspension, eight-speed automatic transmission, and brakes) to go with the Maserati-specific styling.

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With a Gallardo replacement not too far out, Lamborghini has invested in a number of special high-performance derivatives for its entry-level car. The latest Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale pays tribute to its Blancpain Super Trofeo racecar in a package that will still be legal on the street. Limited to a mere 150 units, it surpasses the already track-oriented LP570-4 as the most extreme Gallardo ever. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo race series is sponsored by both Lamborghini and Blancpain, the self-dubbed world's oldest luxury watchmaker, and brings racers and professional drivers face-to-face on Europe’s most challenging racetracks such as Monza, Silverstone, and Hockenheim.

Undeniably similar to the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition and with mechanicals based on the LP570-4 Superleggera, Super Trofeo Stradale features an enormous carbon rear spoiler for increased stability during tight, high-speed driving and a removable carbon engine hood with quick-release latches.

The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale boasts a dry weight of just 2,954 pounds, 154 pounds less than the already lean LP560-4. With motivation from the 562-hp 5.2-liter V-10 engine, it can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and reach 124 mph just 10.4 seconds later. Lamborghini is staying mute on the car’s top speed, but the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition features similar specifications and stats and tops out at 199 mph.

Follow the jump to read more about the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale .

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Photos of the new 2012 Porsche C2S have hit the Internet before their official release next month. It is no big secret that a redesigned 911 will appear in 2012. Porsche has been teasing us with camouflaged videos and photos, while waiting for the first day of September to release the first official photos followed up by a live preview at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Its plan have been derailed (we now wonder if it will release the photos early) by a Spanish forum that was able to get its hands on some of the official photography.



We doubt the styling of the new 991 911 is as polarizing as the blogs want you to think. Sure, it looks like the current-generation 911 but so did every generation before it. Besides, the changes are more than skin deep. The 991’s wheelbase stretches four inches farther than its predecessor but overall length has only grown by two inches. This means that the front and rear overhangs are shorter and the engine sits more mid than rear compared to the 997. Rear legroom has also increased and the A-pillar has been pushed forward and thus has a stronger rake. Despite being bigger, the 991 weighs less than the 997 due to extensive use of aluminum.

Under the rear hood, the base engine shrinks in size from 3.6 to 3.4 liters but power is up five for an even 350 hp. The 3.8-liter engine’s reworked internals in the S model help it produce 15 more horses for a total of 400. Power will run through the seven-speed PDK transmission or a new seven-speed manual unit.



Altogether, the 991 is reportedly 12–15 percent more efficient. Part of this increase is because the car’s hydraulic power steering has been replaced with electric unit. Porsche says feedback won’t be affected but every Porschephile in the room should be worried that the 911’s nearly telepathic steering has been altered.



The Turbo and C4 models will continue in current 997 guise for 2012 and return in new 991 form post-2012. The GTS, Black Edition, and 918 Spyder Edition variants will be available as well. If history tells us anything about the future, which it always has a way of doing, the 991 will be available with all-wheel drive in 2013, Turbo and GT3 trims by 2014, and in GT2 trim by 2015.



[via Motor Trend and SoloPorsche.com]

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Horacio Pagani discussed details on his company’s upcoming supercar the C9 with Argentina Auto Blog. The C9 will replace Pagani’s current Zonda model towards the end of 2010. Power will come from a Mercedes-derived 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 that makes 700 hp and 738 lbs.-ft. of torque. This is the same engine used in the track-only Zonda R but in that application it made 750 hp and a less-desirable 524 lbs.-ft. of torque.  In comparison to Zonda’s roadgoing model, the Zonda F was powered by a 7.3-liter V-12—the same engine used in the very rare SL73 AMG of the mid to late '90s and early '00s—making 602 hp. That number grew to 650 hp and 678 hp for the limited-edition Zonda Cinque.

Horacio said that production of the Zonda will end in September although the R version and some limited edition models will continue to have their orders filled. It is quite possible for new Zondas to continue showing up for the next three years in places like U.S., China, and the Middle East.

The C9 will be a completely new model and not just an upgrade to the existing model. The car will feature a carbon-titanium chassis, Avional-forged (a type of high-strength aluminum alloy) suspension, Pirelli developed tires, Bosch electronics, and will meet California’s emission standards and U.S.’s safety standards.

The C9 is expected to be priced at 900,000 Euros or approximately $1,275,000.

[via ArgentinaAutoBlog]

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Audi told AutoCar that it plans to build 1,000 units of the R8 e-Tron electric supercar for 2012. Audi also said that if demand does not meet the 1,000-unit run then it will halt production early. The concept car first introduced at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show uses four electric motors, one at each wheel, to provide the car with 313 hp and an amazing 3,319 lbs.-ft. of torque. Acceleration is a little behind the other R8 models, with zero-to-60 mph hitting in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to a-still-useable-though-not-worth-bragging-about 124 mph. Range for the fully electric car is 154 miles and it will require six to eight hours of charging via a 220-volt household outlet. A high-voltage 400-volt outlet reduces that time to 2.5 hours.

[via AutoCar.co.uk]

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The 63^rd annual Frankfurt Motor Show is well underway. Frankfurt is well known for unveiling some of the newest and greatest vehicles set to be sold in the 2010 calendar year. This year is no exception, with many brands showcasing some very exotic and luxurious automobiles they have coming down the pipe. Read about and see pictures of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show's standout cars.

[via UnitedPictures.com]

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There have been teasers and rendering, but today Bugatti released official images of its four-door ultra-exotic sedan, the Galibier. The car is named after the steep Col du Galibier section of the Tour de France race and was also a package on Bugatti’s 1930s Type 57 sedan.

Like the Pur Sang, the Galibier revels in its polished aluminum and carbon fiber skin. The rear haunches, center spine, and elongated front section are reminiscent of the infamous Bugatti Type 57 Coupe. Under the stretched hood sits the 8.0-liter W-16 engine found in the brand’s other supercar but now capable of running on ethanol bio-fuel. No confirmations have yet been made on how much power the engine will produce. Top speed is a reported 217 mph, far off from the Veyron, but extraordinary for a luxury sedan. More Bugatti Galibier pictures here.

[via NetCarShow.com]

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Photos of the Audi R8 Spyder have been leaked before it was going to be revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Rumors have the convertible Audi coming out the box with the 5.2-liter Lamborghini-derived V-10 that found its way into the coupe last year. It is believed that the 4.2-liter V-8 will never make its way under the Spyder’s cover, although an electric power plant may.

[via cnet.com]

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