KBB lists its "most researched" new cars and trucks in 2009

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Names Most-Researched New Vehicles for 2009, Brands With Greatest Share of Market Interest This Year

Chevy Equinox and Camaro, Ford Fusion, Lexus RX 350 Jump into 2009's Top 20 Most-Researched New Cars

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new and used car information, today announces the most-researched new vehicles of 2009 on the company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com. In addition, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com reveals the top five brands with the greatest share of market interest for 2009.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year that Kelley Blue Book saw increased visitation to its Web site, with nearly 180 million visits to kbb.com in 2009. Because kbb.com is one of the most-trafficked automotive research sites, visitation to specific vehicles has become a leading indicator of sales patterns for manufacturers.


Kbb.com's Top 20 Most-Researched New Vehicles of 2009

1. Honda Accord
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Honda CR-V
5. Toyota Corolla
6. Toyota RAV4
7. Toyota Highlander
8. Toyota Prius
9. Nissan Altima
10. Honda Pilot
11. Ford Escape
12. Chevrolet Camaro
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Ford Fusion
15. Mazda3
16. Ford Mustang
17. Volkswagen Jetta
18. Toyota Sienna
19. Lexus RX 350
20. Chevrolet Equinox


The Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (in varying orders each year) have been the top three most-researched new-vehicles on kbb.com each year since 2004. However, many vehicles made noteworthy jumps into the top 20 most-researched new-vehicles for 2009 that were not on the list in 2008. Chevrolet's all-new redesigned Equinox and Camaro models both grace this year's list for the first time. Also new to this year's top 20 are the recently revamped Lexus RX 350 and the popular, fast-selling Ford Fusion.

The stabilization in gas prices for 2009 has indicated a trend away from smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles over the past year, and thus some popular small cars that were among the most-researched in 2008 have fallen off the list for 2009. Subcompact cars like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, along with the compact MINI Cooper, were among the most-researched new cars last year, but do not hold court among the most-researched models this year. In addition, Chevy's Malibu, redesigned for the 2008 model-year and featured on last year's 'most-researched' list, has seen some of its popularity fade over the past year, no longer listing among the top 20 most-researched new cars of 2009.

"The site traffic on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com demonstrates what is on the minds of today's new-car shoppers, especially when examining the most-researched new-vehicles of 2009," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "Declined interest in smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and increased popularity in attractive, recently redesigned models is an accurate reflection of the marketplace in 2009. We also see that consumers are reacting well to new models and redesigns from domestic manufacturers like Chevy and Ford, which bodes well for their future sales numbers."


Top Five Brands with Greatest Share of Market Interest on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com for 2009

1. Toyota
2. Honda
3. Ford
4. Chevrolet
5. Nissan

Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan (respectively) are the top five brands with the highest share of market interest -- defined as the percent of new-car shopper activity for a particular brand -- on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com for 2009. Of those brands, Ford saw the most growth throughout the course of the year, with its share rising steadily in the first half of the year and peaking during the summer months, benefitting as the only domestic manufacturer that did not require a bailout or undergo bankruptcy. Ford also benefitted from the "Cash-for-Clunkers" program during the summer of 2009, due to its aggressive promotion of the program.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car Blue Book Values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.
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2010: FORMULA LE MANS ALONGSIDE THE BIG PLAYERS !

FORMULA LE MANS IS A GENUINE RACING NURSERY AND THE "FIRST STEP" TOWARDS ENDURANCE RACING. AS SUCH THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE L'OUEST HOLDS IT DEAR AND HAS GRANTED THE ENTRANCE TO THE "LE MANS SERIES" ENDURANCE RACES.

From the next racing season on, FORMULA LE MANS owners (ORECA FLM monotype prototype / 420 BHP GM engine) will have the grand opportunity to take part in LE MANS SERIES 1000 km races in Europe. The FLM are also announced in Northern America within the "ALMS" starting in 2010.


The 2009 model will undergo minor modifications with an "Endurance Kit" including an engine intake restrictor in order to position this "economic prototype" at some distance from the LMP2, but nevertheless in front of the GT2 pack.

The cars will participate in their own FLM Championship within the Le Mans Series races including a specific ranking, a separate podium ceremony and a dedicated FLM-ORECA motorhome at each meeting. Registrations to the 2010 FLM Championship are already open as the available seats are limited and due to the fact that regular LMS contestants have priority.


The organizers reckon with about a dozen contestants for the four European Le Mans Series races (PAUL RICARD-HTTT / SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS / SILVERSTONE / + 1 Le Mans Series race to be defined). There will be an additional meeting outside of the LMS framework during the 2010 season.
Teams can be composed of 2 to 3 drivers (with at least one gentleman driver). There will be DRIVERS', GENTLEMAN DRIVERS' and TEAM' Championships. Just like the 2009 FLM Champions Nico VERDONCK (Belgium) and Gavin CRONJE (South Africa), the 2010 Champions will be offered a test day in LMP1 – LMP2 within Team ORECA.

Lastly, the Le Mans 24 Hours are not included in the FLM racing calendar, hence the prototypes will not be entitled to qualify for the 24 Hours.


Pierre FILLON FLM President and ACO Vice President:

"The FLM is in line with ACO's intentions to develop a genuine endurance racing racing nursery! In 2010, the nursery will gear up with the launch of a Le Mans prototype drive academy with an ACO academy award on the one hand and on the other hand with the integration of the FLM into LMS races. As a consequence the learning conditions for all new drivers and teams are similar to those of the Le Mans 24 Hours in LMP1 or LMP2."


Hugues De CHAUNAC, FLM Manager and CEO of ORECA:

"Formula Le Mans' evolution towards the Le Mans Series occurred naturally. With the ACO, we are going to give fresh impetus to this racing category thanks to the latest measures. Formula Le Mans will take on a whole new dimension as a pre-stage to endurance racing, and on top of that it will benefit from the Le Mans Series' aura and media coverage. In addition to top-level performance and very reasonable running costs there will be the prestige and sports-related interest inherent in long-distance races like the 1000 km races."


Patrick PETER, Le Mans Endurance Organisation CEO, Le Mans Series co-organizer with the ACO:

"We are pleased to welcome the FLM within the Le Mans Series races. We hope that this racing nursery will highlight many young talents who will doubtlessly leave a trace in future glorious moments of endurance racing in Europe and throughout the world."
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V8-powered Ariel Atom 500 could cost at least $160k

Even with the stock 300-horsepower Honda four, the Ariel Atom is a verifiable supercar-slayer. So when the British track-car manufacturer announced they'd be building a bonkers 500hp V8 version, our interests were piqued, to say the least. But if you were expecting a bargain, think again.

The latest reports, quoting Ariel's CEO Simon Saunders, indicate that the V8-powered Atom 500 will cost a very supercar-like £100,000, or about $160k in American greenbacks. At least.


That's about three times the price of the four-cylinder Atom 300. So why the huge price increase? Well, for starters, earlier reports that the Atom 500 would use the RS Performance-sourced 2.4-liter 10,000 rpm V8 from the Caterham Levante have proven inaccurate, as Ariel will be producing its own custom engine. Based on two Suzuki Hayabusa blocks but with a high proportion of custom parts, the engine alone is said to account for about £30,000 (~$50k); add to that another £11,000 ($17k) for the custom six-speed gearbox, plus the Alcon brakes and various carbon-fiber body parts and the figures start to add up pretty quick.
via:autoblog

Beat the Heat: Florida police battling street racing by... racing?!

Police officers around the country routinely put their lives on the line in an effort to keep our streets safe. Officers in South Florida have come up with a way to make city streets a safer place and have a bit of fun at the same time; by drag racing at the track. A bad street racing problem that was endangering the lives of law abiding citizens when a plan was hatched to set up monthly "Beat the Heat" drags between the fuzz and street racers at Miami's Countyline Dragway. Everyone from former street racers to moms and dads are paying the $25 to line up against Johnny Law.

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Ford Targeted in Malware Scam

Press Release

DEARBORN, Mich, Apr. 14, 2009 - Ford Motor Company was made aware of a black hat Search Engine Optimization (SEO) attack using the Ford Motor Company name as bait to distribute malware on the Internet. Ford is collaborating with Google and other search engine companies to mitigate the impact.

These attacks work by misleading search engines to falsely promote malicious pages to the top of the search results. Once the user visits one of the malicious sites, they are prompted to download and install a malicious "codec", which then installs software that mimics anti-virus software.

These fake antivirus programs are designed to make users believe that their computers have been infected by malware. Users are then offered the chance - through pop-ups and banner ads - to buy the fake antivirus to clean their computers. If the victim does not purchase the bogus antivirus, the malicious code will prevent the computer from operating properly in an attempt to coax users into buying the product.
via:World Car Fans

Random Sightings: original Batmobile spotted at SoCal car wash

It's no secret that Southern California is home to one of the best car cultures in the world. You can find a cruise or car show pretty much any day of the year, and it's always amazing to see the vehicles that show up. It's even incredible to see the kinds of cars that are simply out and about performing normal, everyday tasks. In addition to the usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, you can sometimes catch some truly unique cars out in the wild.


Take, for instance, this original Batmobile that was out getting a wash and wax at the Car Spa in Newport Beach this weekend. It's the fourth of four original Batmobiles built by George Barris back in 1966 and is known as the "dragster" version because of its 427ci Holman and Moody V8 underhood and dual parachutes attached to the rear. The car was built to serve as an exhibition model and actually raced at several drag strips around the country back in the 1960's. It also comes with a working saw blade that drops down at the front and can actually shoot flames out the back. We tip our hats to the fine gentleman that actually drives this thing on the street. High-res photos in the gallery below.
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First Mahindra pickups in U.S. will be assembled in India, not Ohio

Mahindra's plan to launch its midsize pickups in the United States has taken another interesting turn, as the Indian automaker now plans to assemble the first U.S.-bound units at home and not in Ohio as originally planned.

The change means that Mahindra will now be forced to pay the 25% federal "chicken tax" that was first created in the early '60s in retaliation against European tariffs on U.S.-bred chicken.
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Manhattan Project's "Los Alamos Limo" found

This car was used to shuttle Manhattan Project scientists between the Lamy train station in New Mexico and the project sites at Los Alamos and Trinity Base Camp. As we all know, the work of those men eventually ended World War II and altered the course of history forever.

As for the big Packard, it was supposed to be scrapped. Instead, it was acquired by a collector, and subsequently decayed over the the next several decades until its importance was realized.


The car you see here may not look like much, but it helped carry us into the nuclear age. Or, at least some of the scientists who brought us there. This 1941 Packard Clipper limousine is one of three that are still known to exist (coachbuilder Fitzjohn built 100 of the stretch cars that year), but we're willing to bet that the other two don't have nearly as colorful a history.


Now, the National Atomic Museum is embarking on a two-year restoration project of the big Packard, as well as a '42 Plymouth that carried plutonium used in the Trinity test explosion. An Albuquerque-based Packard specialist will do the work on the Clipper limousine, and enthusiasts interested in contributing to the effort can contact the museum for more details.
via:njection

2009 Caparo T1

The 2009 Caparo T1 will have its debut at Salon Prive on 12th February 2009 at London’s Hurlingham Club. The 2009 Caparo T1 is a two seater supercar that offers five levels of specification, from the most cost effective race track option to the Race Extreme version.

The top of the line 2009 Caparo T1 features an upgraded electronics package, carbon brakes and the latest light weight magnesium wheels.

The dealer network in which the 2009 Caparo T1 will be available will be announced shortly.

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Humvee-Mounted Laser Shoots Down Drone

The Laser Avenger, a military vehicle designed to safely take out unexploded ordnance such as IEDs or bombs, now has a new purpose—blowing drones out of the sky.

With a tracking system-guided laser mounted onto a fully capable military Humvee, the Laser Avenger is the newest in Boeing’s line of directed-energy weapons. Last month, it shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during a test in New Mexico, the first time a combat vehicle has done so successfully with a laser.
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Confusion about petrol price

Cape Town - Although fuel prices fall by R1.34/litre for 95 octane and R1.3/litre for 93 octane on Wednesday, the increased transport levy in certain areas, as well as the shifting of certain regions to new price zones, could cause motorists some confusion.

The department of Minerals & Energy has made adjustments to the price zones into which the country is divided, and for which different transport levies are applicable.

The changes are required because the existing divisions and transport levy do not reflect the most recent forms of transport and costs, fuel company Engen announced.
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BMW Created New Z4 is an Art Car of a different kind - Painting Dynamics

MULGRAVE, Australia – December 19, 2008: Imagine a canvas nearly as large as a football field. On it bold, swirling shapes in primary colors like red, yellow and blue.

As the eye uncovers the rhythm of the lines, curves, circles and color splotches, something else is revealed: these forms must have been created by tire treads! A work of art like no other, created by an artist like no other – the new BMW Z4 Roadster.
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Car News: Russian Marussia supercar unveiled

Nikolay Fomenko, who was probably busy enough being a popular singer, television new anchor and theater actor, also found time to become an FIA N-GT champion. And if that wasn't enough to keep this Russian renaissance man busy, he has just launched his country's first sportscar company, Marussia. To top it off, it's a hybrid, just to make things more difficult. Make the jump for all the details.


The Marussia is slated to use a 240-hp, 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine, most likely from Renault or Nissan, but it's unclear where the electric drive components will originate from. While much of the car's parts are expected to be sourced from established companies, approximately 35% of the content will be Russian.


Fomenko says that he brought a lot of knowledge from his racing career to bear on the Marussia. We see elements of just about every supercar on the market in its appearance, but it manages to still look unique. While he envisions producing a pure electric car sometime down the road, the company's first project is a hybrid.


The goal for the electric supercar is a 400km range, but Russian winters mean the batteries will need a boost. That's where nanotechnology comes in. Fomenko thinks the solution might be in a "nanotech project made at one of Russia's big construction bureaus." The company foresees a 0-62 mph dash of around five seconds and a Tesla-like price tag of $100,000. Plans call for the first customer cars to be delivered next Fall, with race versions taking part in the 2010 edition of FIA GT championship. Fomenko is clearly nothing if not ambitious.


Adding a bit of sizzle to its speed, the Marussia will also have "a host of gadgets," including a 4G Yota network with 10 Mbps data transfer rates at vehicle speeds of up to 120 km/h. Bluetooth, GPS and video screens all around, plus a 320 GB hard drive to round out the electronics.

Source:autoblog



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Car News: Pratt & Miller Introduces Two New Corvette Models

"We are excited and proud to announce the release of our latest customizable RIDE, the legendary Chevrolet Corvette," says RIDEMAKERZ ZEO and Founder Larry Andreini.

"The RZ 'Vettes are not just any Corvettes; they are the 'BadBoy' Pratt & Miller built, Le Mans winning race car, C6.R, and the quarter-of-a-million dollar, street legal C6RS Super-Car. It's an honor to make these models available so that kids, parents, and car enthusiasts alike can build and trick out their ultimate model Corvette."
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TAC Stark, a Brazilian Off-Roader That Runs on Ethanol

Growing markets are not always the best environment for newborn car manufacturers. If demand for resources is higher, the biggest and strongest tend to get what they want, while the smallest ones have to wait for their turns. This is exactly what has happened to TAC, a Brazilian auto industry that was willing to sell its first product, the Stark, in 2007. What has prevented the company from achieving its goals was the Brazilian car market growth, of little less than 30%. Some suppliers did not manage to develop specific parts for the new Brazilian off-roader on schedule. Therefore, its sales have been postponed for 2009. That was a pity, since it was supposed to be the first vehicle of its kind able to run both on ethanol and petrol in the world. That title was taken from it by Mitsubishi Pajero TR4.

The TAC Stark made its first public appearance in 2006, as a prototype. It already had its final measures: 4.08 m long, 1.91 m wide and 1.83 m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.54 m. Powered by a VW engine, placed behind the front axle, it promises to be a very well-balanced car. Although this is not a mighty powerplant (a 1.8-litre four cylinder generating 106 bhp on ethanol and 103 bhp on petrol, both outputs at 5,250 rpm), it seems pretty capable of delivering a good performance to the off-roader, which weighs only 1,300 kg.

This is probably the best thing about the Stark: it is light because of its plastic body (not vulnerable to rust) and its tubular chassis. In the video above, you can check out how its suspension system works. It is independent in all four wheels (double wishbone). The engine is controlled by an Eaton FSO-2405D five-speed gearbox, along with a BorgWarner reduction gearbox.

In 2009 TAC will present its first five dealers in Brazil. Exports are expected to begin in 2012, when production will be around 1,200 units per year. Prices in the Brazilian market will be around R$ 70,000, something like € 26,400 or US$ 41,300, but prices for foreign customers will be at least 30% lower, considering the company will not export the taxes it has to pay in the local market.

Source: TAC

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Speed Racer - The Movie. Watch the Trailer!

Most people that used to watch cartoons, especially the ones related to cars, are today also big fans of movies like “Matrix”. What if the the guys that created the movie had decided to put “Speed Racer” on the big screen? Well, this is exactly what you are going to see from May 9 on, when the Wachowski brothers will release their latest project, Speed Racer, but you won’t have to wait that much to have a glimpse of what the movie will be like. Here’s the trailer!

In the movie, Speed refuses to accept an offer from Royalton Industries to be one of its drivers, what uncovers the fact that, in the competition he takes part of, most drivers are manipulated in order to boost profits.

The only way Speed has to beat Royalton is to win the race that has killed his brother, Rex Racer. The name of the race gives a fair idea of what expects Speed: it is called The Crucible. In order to win the race, the famous cartoon driver teams up with a former adversary, Racer X.

All of the cartoon characters are present, including Spritle and Chim Chim. Will Speed Racer be a cartoon Neo? We will have to wait until May 9 to check it out.

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Future Supercars

Formula-One for the road

Take a good look at these cars here and now: you might not see many of them on the road even after they've been officially released. Andreas Conradt presents the supercars of the future.

Though a lot of things were unclear at Maserati until recently, rumour has it that the firm's all-new GT coupe will make its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. It is caught here out testing with Bosch on one of these lonely, slippery roads in the north of Sweden. The GT is a 2+2-seater, said to be much roomier than its predecessor thanks to a longer wheelbase - barely shorter than that of the Quattroporte - and redesigned suspension and transmission. It will have double-wishbone suspension with the Skyhook adaptive damping system, and the rear-mounted Cambiocorsa clutchless gearbox, as used in the Quattroporte; power will come from the Ferrari-developed 5.0-litre V8, derived from the current car's 4.2-litre unit and with new cylinder heads and induction system to give an estimated 470bhp. The Spyder, which will be launched later in the year, will also be offered with the 4.2 V8. The Spyder will, for the first time, have a folding metal hard top which will retract down to behind the seats. This is likely to be developed by Pininfarina.

Another Italian, but a totally different car, the Alfa Romeo 8c Cabriolet will be radically different from the new Maserati - provided it will make it into production which hasn't been decided yet. But if so, the car will be bigger than the Alfa Spider, and more powerful with engines up to over 300 bhp. More expensive than the Spider it will be anyway...

You might think that Mercedes wouldn't have a need for developing yet another supercar, but you'd be wrong: With the 612-bhp SL65 AMG on the one hand and the 626-bhp SLR on the other, there's hardly any room for a car in between. That is if you're taking performance alone. But as design and packaging matter, too, the Stuttgart-based firm is in fact thinking about a "baby" McLaren offering SLR-like supercar-feeling at the cost (and power) of an SL55. With a newly developed 5-litre V8 performing some 400 bhp, this light-weight mini-SLR will reach top-speeds of beyond the latest SL65 and will outrun the latter from 0 to 100 km/h. Being a pure two-seater with a rigid metal roof (rather than a 2+2-seater roadster like the SL), the "baby" McLaren will point at a totally different range of customers and will certainly be a success as an uncompromising driver's car.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage, known as the 'baby Aston', is the Ford Premier Automotive Group's proposed 911 rival. Costing from around 90,000 Euros, it certainly gives the Porsche a run for its money. To ensure Aston Martin's target to make the V8 Vantage play a major role in upping the firm's annual output, and for it to account for 40-50 percent of all Aston sales, the British are now developing this beautiful Cabriolet, definitely using a canvas top rather than a retractable hardtop.

The first Aston built on the company's all-new aluminium platform, the coupe is also the first Aston built at the former Rover site at Gaydon, where ultimately the next-generation DB7 and Vanquish will be built - and the V8 Vantage Cabriolet, too. Styled by Henrik Fisker, it has a wide-opening roof, a generous luggage area and a two-seat interior inspired by that of the Vanquish. Power comes from a Jaguar-derived 4.3-litre V8, likely to give a good 370bhp, and a 500bhp-plus supercharged R version is also said to be on the cards. The engine is front mid-mounted - positioned well back in the engine bay to give optimum front-rear axle weight distribution. Six-speed manual transmission will be standard, a sequential-shift auto optional, and both gearboxes will be rear-mounted.

But before the Aston, the 911 Turbo Cabrio will hit the marekt some time in summer 2006. At its heart is a reworked version of the current car's twin turbo 3.6 litre flat six with over 460 bhp in standard trim up by 40 bhp. The increase is said to come from a series of subtle enhancements to the ECU, coupled with further improvements to the VarioCam variable valve timing system and a moderate increase in boost pressure.

New transmission technology will also play its part in pumping the torque rating of the new Turbo. Along with a beefed up version of the existing six speed manual and a new six speed automatic, Porsche is developing the next generation Turbo to accept an advanced double clutch gearbox similar to that offered by Audi on the TT V6 and pioneered by Porsche itself on the 956/962 sports racing cars of the'80s/'90s.

Speaking about Audi: the firm has confirmed production of the R8 super-coupe, which will go on sale in spring 2007, and here's the real thing out on the world's most challenging race-track: the Nurburgring in Germany. The R8 is derived from the Le Mans Quattro concept car seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003; it takes the name of Audi's Le Mans car to emphasis its performance potential. Though some of the technologies used in the car, such as the FSI direct fuel injection system, were developed in the R8 racer, the production R8 is more closely related to the road-going Lamborghini Gallardo.

It shares a version of the Gallardo's structural underpinnings and will come with a detuned version of the Gallardo's 5.0-litre V10, giving 450bhp, as well as the 420bhp V8 found in the RS4. This is a measure to ensure that sales of the more expensive Gallardo will not be affected. Audi hasn't announced pricing for the R8 as yet, but it will undercut the Gallardo by some margin. A starting point of around EUR 95,000 has been rumoured, putting it up against the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

The most extreme supercar in this collection is certainly the Lamborghini Gallardo S, derived from the standard Gallardo and using that car's space frame, permanent all-wheel-drive as well as the 500-bhp 5-litre V10. Its unique seating layout would certainly make the Gallardo S a real eye-catcher - though a Bugatti Veyron roadster would definitely be able to steal the show. As much as its metal-roofed counterpart is the fastest coup on earth, the 1001-bhp cabrio would be the fastest cabrio on the planet. Wolfsburg hasn't decided yet whether or not to build the car. So don't get out your cheque book yet...

However, the most speculative car we present here is the Renault F1, probably also named "Alpine" and hence reviving a legendary name of the French manufacturer's history. Penned here as a mid-engined two-seater, the car would definitely need an engine bigger than even the most powerful unit existing: the 210-bhp 3-litre V6. We reckon a 280- or 300-bhp engine should be the minimum. "Alpine", after all, is a name that reminds of a real fast French...

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