Automobili Lamborghini Debuts Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Automobili Lamborghini, creator of the world’s most exclusive super sport cars, today held the worldwide debut of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560—4 Spyder at the Los Angeles Auto Show. As the successor to the best-selling Lamborghini of all time, the new LP 560-4 Spyder combines the Coupé’s design, performance and handling characteristics with the open-air pleasure only a soft top super sports car can deliver.

As the brand’s largest global market, the United States – specifically Southern California - was strategically chosen as the perfect location to unveil the new open top super sports car. In 2007, Southern California contributed to approximately 30 percent of all Lamborghini sales in the United States, maintaining its position as the country’s most successful region.

“The LP 560-4 is the best example of the Gallardo to date and will be a great contribution to Lamborghini’s future success,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “The entirely new LP 560-4 Spyder adds another dimension to the Gallardo’s lineage with extreme design language and class-leading performance.”

The much anticipated Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder offers a new 5.2 liter engine with 40 additional horsepower than its predecessor; allowing it to sprint from 0-62 mph in only four seconds with a top speed of 201 mph. The car’s agility has also been greatly refined with a new, lighter transmission, which allows increased shift times by 40 percent (Corsa Mode), combined with an all-new chassis, suspension and Lamborghini’s permanent all-wheel drive system. Despite increased performance, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by 18 percent.

Since 2003, more than 8,500 Gallardos have left the production facility in the birth place of all Lamborghinis in Sant’Agata, Bolognese, Italy. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé was first unveiled to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 with the dynamic launch taking place in Las Vegas later that spring. Each person who experienced the new Gallardo on the track or the streets unanimously agreed: the Gallardo LP 560-4 is an all-new car that can be enjoyed on any driving surface. Since, the new Gallardo has been critically acclaimed by customers and the media for its extreme performance, aggressive design and increased drivability. The highly anticipated LP 560-4 Spyder is set to continue this legacy. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder is now available to order from dealers worldwide, with customer deliveries commencing Spring 2009.

In 2007, the United States market accounted for 39 percent of total Lamborghini sales worldwide and remains the brand’s largest global market. Since the beginning of 2005, Automobili Lamborghini has strategically increased its global reach from 65 to 119 dealers worldwide; 31 of these dealers are located in the United States. Last year was a record year for the brand with 930 Lamborghinis delivered in the United States and 2,406 delivered worldwide.

[Source: Lamborghini]

The most amusing part of the whole car, to us anyway, is the piece of glass between the seats. Normally those are put back there to keep your hair in place and allow a conversation to carry on. In this case it'll probably do the first job fine, but we have a feeling an open top with a that high strung Italian V8 wailing away inches behind your head will have something to say in all your conversations. We'll be getting the complete details and live reveal images with the always lovely Lamborghini booth professionals later today at the car's official reveal.

The group of hoon-igans reportedly rented the cars for just under $10,000 apiece from Pearl Rentals of Wembley. The Sun claims the story is as follows:

"a sharp-suited group of Asian-looking men...wrecked a Ferrari on Saturday after smashing into another of the cars. The Lamborghini — one of three rented — was totaled when it hit a tree in Bridgnorth, Shrops, on Sunday."

Amid all the mashed-up metal, supposedly an Audi R8 escaped unscathed. New luxury triumphs again, apparently.

We're also told UK cops are still trying to find the drivers and other accomplices. So, if you're in the UK and you spot a group of "Asian-looking men" wearing ruffled, yet still quite sharp, suits walking down the side of the road. Be sure to call your local constable.

[The Sun]

According to Porsche, the most notable advantage — after the power upgrades — is the improved energy efficiency. With lower fuel consumption, the engine not only makes the car go faster, it keeps it out of the pits, a key to any race, endurance or otherwise. Also interesting is that Porsche seems to have aped GM's "No Lift Shift" present in the Chevy Cobalt SS for the new car, with the option of full-throttle shifts. We won't expand on how much this last bit amuses us.

Direct Fuel Injection Lowers Fuel Consumption and Increases Performance in 3.4-Liter V8 for 2008 Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series
ATLANTA - July 31 - Following in the footsteps of the street Porsche Cayenne and 911, the sports prototype Porsche RS Spyder now profits from direct fuel injection technology (DFI). The new engine, with which Porsche underlines its role as technology leader in energy efficiency, celebrated its race premiere with an LMP2 victory in the American Le Mans Series as Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) took the class win at Mid-Ohio earlier this month. The power output of the successful 2006 and 2007 championship winning Porsche, which has so far claimed victory from four of the six races run in this year's ALMS, increased with the new engine from 476 to 503 hp (370 kW) at 10,000 revs per minute. Maximum torque rose from 370 Nm (273 ft. lbs.) at 7,500 revs to 385 Nm (284 ft. lbs.) at 8,500 revs. The most compelling feature of the DFI version of the successful Porsche 3.4-litre V8 motor is its improved energy efficiency - an important element in endurance racing. Despite an improved power output, fuel consumption was significantly reduced.

After reaching a very high level with the previous engine we raced, we had to put considerable efforts into the development of the direct fuel injection unit in order to significantly improve performance and efficiency," says Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Motorsport Development/Power Train. "In order to achieve revs of up to 11,000 with DFI technology it meant stepping into totally new territory." During the design and development of the engine, synergies of product areas and motorsport departments were utilized to a large extent. "Right from the beginning there was a lively exchange," reminisces Thomas Laudenbach. "We had already recognized the advantages of this technology at the start of the RS Spyder project and adapted them to the very special requirements of motorsport, always in close consultation with our colleagues in the standard development department. The methods and insights we obtained from our co-operation are of considerable value for future development projects involving DFI technology."

Normally an increased engine output is in conjunction with a rise in fuel consumption. This is not the case here. "Thanks to the substantial increase of energy efficiency there's no rise in the absolute fuel consumption despite the significant hike in performance. On the contrary - we're even a bit lower," said Laudenbach. Another advantage of the new DFI engine: At partial load - for example during the many caution phases of long distance races - the engine can be run extremely lean. This further reduces fuel consumption and was not possible with the intake manifold fuel injection which was raced previously.

Moreover, new options open up for the controlling of highly dynamic processes like, for example, gear shifting at full throttle. Such options were not fully utilized before. After the successful premiere in Mid-Ohio, the new DFI motor will power the two Penske Racing RS Spyder cars for the next round next week at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. With this, Porsche intends to strengthen its top position in the American Le Mans Series. "Competition in the LMP2 class is at an extremely high level and it gets tougher race by race," says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche. "Therefore now is exactly the right time to race the new engine." # # #

The clip shows "Gibby," obviously inebriated, releasing a pretty pathetic stream of urine onto the side of a 360 Spyder, apparently left overnight in a mall parking lot after its owner lost his keys. Upon discovering the video, members of FerrariChat were able to locate the culprit's Facebook page and subsequently his full name, contact information and contact details for his employer, who they've since harassed with late night phone calls. Forum members now intend to "show up" at a wedding Gibby is supposedly attending.

Speaking to the St. Catherine Standard, a spokeswoman for the Niagara Regional Police called the footage, "a gift-wrapped investigation." The NRP is now attempting to locate the boy in order to charge him with urinating in public.

Various threats of revenge have been made against Gibby (unfortunately not the Butthole Surfers' singer) by members of FerrariChat and in the clip's comments on YouTube. Not helped by Flickr photos that show the teen in Joey Carrera-style outfits and poses, those comments tend toward the elitist, suggesting that by being unable to afford a Ferrari, Gibby is somehow worth less to society.

The entire thing is so ridiculous that it's reduced our opinion of the kind of people that own Ferraris to an all time low (reduced from track-suited Sopranos wannabes to internet dweebs). That a group of enthusiasts is so unsure of themselves that they act out by trying to harm some idiot teenager is just pathetic. And as true Ferrari cognoscenti know, the 360 deserves to get peed on anyways.
[FerrariChat and The St. Catherine Standard]

This tester seems to be using the same style of breadvan-inspired camo used to disguise the Ferrari California. While we can enjoy a good convertible on a nice sunny day, we'd actually rather have something with the long roofline of this testing mule. But it doesn't really matter, since we won't be able to afford one until that power-folding roof has become a manual folding hardtop, and then someone drives it into an overpass.
[AutoExpress]

Rumors suggest that the first shoot next week will take place in Bethlehem, Penn., and the set is outfitted to look like a Chinese city. It will feature a new concept car not seen in the first movie as well as two Blackhawk helicopters. A car hauler was also seen around the set with two Saturns and five unidentified Chinese cop cars.

[TFW2005; Transformers Live]

THREE PORSCHE FIRSTS TO BE SHOWN AT THE GREATER NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

World's first 300+hp Boxster, world's first 400+hp naturally aspirated Cayenne, world's first 500+hp 911: all in the Porsche stand at the Javits Center

New York, March 17, 2008 - In 2003, many pundits speculated that Porsche's move into the Sport Utility field would herald the end of the brand and the sports cars with which its name is synonymous. This year's press day's display at the 2008 Greater New York International Auto Show proves once and for all that every drop of that sports car DNA flows strong through the veins of every vehicle Porsche makes, today and in the future.

In 1960, Porsche earned its special place in motorsports history when the relatively small displacement Type 718 RS 60 Spyder took Porsche's very first International endurance win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Overnight, Porsche became "The Giant Killer" having knocked off its bigger-bore, higher horsepower competition, including several factory Ferrari, Maserati.

To pay homage to that "Giant Killer," Porsche will introduce the Limited Edition Boxster RS60. With over 300 horsepower and a number of special "Boxster RS60" features, this commemorative sports car promises to capture the legacy of its forefathers in a package you can drive everyday.

Since the first Cayenne was introduced in 2003, Porsche has worked tirelessly to improve the breed. The latest of the new generation Cayennes is the 405 hp GTS. This vehicle proves that once again, Porsche has elevated the standard by which all other SUVs will be be judged. The Porsche Cayenne GTS, which has been called "the best handling SUV in the world," will be on display with its Porsche siblings.

For those who continue to insist in the face of overwhelming facts that Porsche has lost its focus on its core business, sports cars, Porsche will be displaying the ultimate 911 - the 530 horsepower, 505 lb. ft. of torque, 200+ mph Porsche 911 GT2. The GT2 demonstrates how Porsche is continuing to refine, improve and invest in its core sports car business.

In 2007, the Porsche RS Spyder proved once again that Porsche's heritage as a giant killer is alive and well. The Penske Team went to battle against the previously all-dominating Audi LMP1s with a lighter, more nimble, more fuel efficient, smaller displacement LMP2 car. The results will stand as one of the most spectacular seasons of racing seen in North America in decades. Taking 11 of 12 class victories and a stunning eight overall victories, Porsche once again demonstrated its technological prowess and reinforced its reputation for winning.

Last weekend, the RS Spyder once again proved the name "giant killer" remains appropriate by not only winning its class at Sebring, but winning the overall victory over more powerful competition in America's most famous sports car race. The 2008 Porsche RS Spyder will be on display at the Porsche booth for the duration of the Greater New York International Auto Show.

The Limited Edition Boxster RS 60, Cayenne GTS, 911 GT2 and the RS Spyder are currently on sale in the United States with a base price of $64,900, $69,300, $191,700 and $1,500,000 respectively.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ontario, are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

While the new Lancer Evo-ish styling gives the Eclipse a needed dose of aggression, we can't help but be tad disappointed with Mitsubishi for not bringing us a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Eclipse. Maybe they're saving the good stuff for a production version of the Concept-RA. Until then, we'll be in line for a Hyundai Genesis. [via Edmunds Inside Line]

This is the C8 Spyder's leather shrouded pedal box. Yes, all four pedals stick straight up in the air. Four pedals! Calm down, calm down — the far lefty is the dead pedal. While I found all four felt awkward and odd, rich people have an extra joint in their ankles. Hence, they love 'em.

August 30th, 2007- At the 2007 Quail Motorsports Gathering, a new Ferari Zagato Spyder was announced which may be the next Spyder California. This famous name harks back to the 1950s performance convertible that was named after Ferrari's best market.

The new Spyder will probably be built in very few numbers like the five Coupe versions which have been completed over the last year. Similarly, the chassis will come from a 575 Maranello and receive a new, more outrageous body from Zagato in Milan.

Zagato and successful Ferrari's relationship started with the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Zagato Panoramica and continued sporadically throughout Ferrari's lengthy history. The most famous Zagato-Ferrari is the Ferrari 250 GT Zagato which helped Camillo Luglio become the Italian sports car champion twice over.

Orders are now being taken by a representative of the Qvale group for the new Spyder and we will likey see it for the first time at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Snipe at me all you want for keeping one of these (at least the underlying model) in the Jalopnik Reality Garage(TM), but apparently dignity has levels. [Thanks to Ben for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

Related:
In Defense of a "Cheesewagen": Ferrari Daytona Replica at Barrett-Jackson [internal]

Spy photos: 2010 Maserati Spyder will get hardtop [Edmunds Straightline]

Related:
Geneva Showcase: Maserati GranTurismo; Maserati GranTurismo Priced At $95K? [internal]

Upon approach, the Spyder is smaller in all dimensions than it looks in pictures. It's surprisingly low to the ground; the saddle is only a little higher than a Harley Fatboy, but nothing close to a BMW GS. From a styling point of view it's either love it or hate it. The bodywork is nicely sculpted, with fancy ducting around the front wheels and a carefully styled seat section. The headlight and windshield "pod" is the only part that looks a bit off, but in operation it makes sense. One thing I wasn't expecting was a Corvair-like trunk up front. There's enough room for your helmet and jacket or a bag of groceries or (shudder) a briefcase. Neat-o!

On the nuts and bolts side of things, the engine is a 998cc twin Rotax affair which also powers an assortment of Aprila models to great effect. The fat rear wheel is hooked up to a dual sided monoshock swingarm and is driven by is a carbon-fiber reinforced belt . The vehicle features linked brakes and an all-wheel ABS system. This bike/car also has stability control in the form of ignition cutout when you start doing something stupid. More on this later. Now things get weird. The double A-arm suspension up front is designed for Ackerman steering, self centering, and a pretty neutral kingpin offset. This means it's basically a car suspension up front and doesn't allow for leaning the vehicle into corners like a motorcycle. As a result, motorcycle purists think it's the work of Satan, while we're a little more pragmatic about it.

Hopping onto the Spyder is no different than onto a bike, except you can get on from either side without looking like a moran [sic]. The seating position is quite comfy and sort of like a cross between a rocket bike and touring setup. Your body is fairly upright while your feet are underneath. From a motorcycle rider's point of view, when driving the Spyder, there are a couple of things that are unsettling at first. The linked brake system is at the top of the list. The front brake normally offers 80% of total stopping power and is the first line of defense at your right hand. Here there isn't even a handle, just the twist throttle. All braking is done with the right foot, normally reserved for the weaksauce rear tire. This only causes temporary unease because after the first full panic stop, you can't help but praise your deity. On a motorcycle if you lock the front wheel you will go down unless you're very lucky. It's called low siding. I've done it and it's not fun.

Acceleration is smooth and controllable and the transmission is very fluid. Despite the displacement, the engine feels a little bogged down with an extra couple hundred pounds. So it's only about as fast as a modern 600cc rocket bike, which is to say still very fast. The engine note is delightful — a grunty howl with a dash of gear whine, however, I'm pretty sure a slip on can would really make it sound cool. Now the big question, cornering. If you've ever ridden a quad before you'll note cornering mechanics of the CanAm are almost identical. Hold onto both grips, keep your torso high, move your body around with your legs and use it like a lever against chassis roll. My first high-speed corner had me lifting the inside wheel and squealing the outer one. This machine is very predictable. The long wheelbase and well sorted suspension work together to soak up bumps that would unseat you on a motorcycle.

This all sounds like the makings of an ideal hooncycle, and in an ideal world it would be. However, I have one complaint. The traction control nanny is a bit of a killjoy. They need to dial it back from 11 to about 7. Half the fun of riding a quad, snowmobile or jetski is to let things hang out a bit —oversteer, play in the dirt, get squirrelly and in general have some fun. It seems that with the Spyder, just when things get fun (read: dangerous) the engine ignition cuts out the power and what you think is going to be a powerslide through the gravel turns out to be a sputtering plod through the gravel. Or when you really lean into a corner and get on the gas, the rear tire slips a little and that perfect apex you were aiming for disappears. Oh well. Lawyers.

To sum up: Not a motorcycle, not a car, something different. Maybe better. I'd love to have it for a week to test it as a daily driver. As effete as it may seem, the locking trunk is a huge selling point. Carrying a backpack full of stuff is a hassle and sweaty in the summer. Throwing the boat anchor out without worrying about locking up is really nice. Is it $15k nice? Nope, but once the other manufacturers jump into the market (Honda, Kawasaki, BMW... are you listening?) I suspect competition will have a nice effect on that problem. I can hardly wait to see what generation two looks like. – Ben Wojdyla

Related:
Can-Am Spyder Website Goes Live, Trike Fanatics Hearts Aflutter [internal]

Anybody out there got any new ways to make fun of Paris? We're running low. Though if you watch the video taken by the lovable scamps at TMZ you will notice she employs a 300-pound man to make sure she doesn't spill her latte on her Bentley's soft top. Twit. Anyhow, the good folks at the Bullrun have apparently gifted the dim-witted DUI all-star with a $300,000-ish uber-car that she gets to drive from Montreal to the end of Florida while those of us that legitimately need the car get stuck behind computers making fun of Spinelli's beautiful hair. Dammit. – Jonny Lieberman

Paris Joins Amazing Race [tmz.com]

Related:
We're Laughing At You: Paris Hilton Might Face 90 Days In The Hoosegow [Internal]

Another year, another italian motorcar reskinned by Zagato. This time, it's been commissioned by Paolo Boffi, Italian custom-kitchen magnate. He's employed the Zagato team to work up his Maserati GS Spyder. The de rigeur historical antecedent is the Maserati A6 G Zagato of 1954, a car whose period sexiness is likely irreproducible. Still, Zagato is giving its best attempt in the GS, which will debut at the Concours d'Elegance Villa d'Este next week. Will it capture the original magic, or wind up looking like a slick appliance in a Milanese loft building? Stay tuned. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

One year after the presentation of the Ferrari 575GTZ, Zagato returns to Villa d'Este with a world preview for fans of Italian sports sedans: the Maserati GS Zagato.

In the most classic traditions of exclusive collections that inspired the creativity of car designers in the '50s and '60s, Paolo Boffi, well-known entrepreneur in the furnishing and luxury design sector, has commissioned from Zagato a customised look for his Maserati GS Spyder. Zagato proposes a line that evoked the historical Maserati A6 G Zagato of 1954: one of the most beautiful Italian sedans ever built, and nowadays at the top of every collector's wish list.

The Maserati GS Zagato, like its celebrated ancestor, has all-aluminium bodywork and bears the Trident on the bonnet and the Z on the wing, expressing eternal Italian excellence in its shape and its content. A winning combination that matches powerful and reliable mechanics, with an elegant and and sports style, both rigorously Made in Italy. For purists of the compact coupe ?, afficionados of the Milano-based brand, it is a two-volume, two-seater, hatchback with a streamlined profile and a neat tail.

The wheelbase is 180mm shorter, a spin-off from the Spyder, provides excellent handling and stability on curves, with extraordinary torsional rigidity. In homage to the tradition of the gentlemen drivers who asked Zagato to transform the bodywork of their cars, modern collectors choose mechanics at the top level of technical evolution and 'dress' them in tailor-made garments that increase in value as time passes. This is the mission of a modern automobile atelier: to create timeless objects that celebrate prestigious models and brands and which, unlike mass produced vehicles, are destined to last for ever. Zagato, born in 1919 as an atelier for automobiles and planes, has put its signature on all the most important mechanics of the last century, earning the opportunity to create, every time, an "instant classic".

Zagato's strengths lie in the concept of sports-style elegance, a functional design that does not bow to momentary fashions but seeks out the excitement and pleasure of driving, and in the precious aluminium bodywork, a value recognised everywhere. The Maserati GS Zagato will be on show at the Concours d'Elegance Villa d'Este, to be held in Cernobbio (Italy) 20 -22 April 2007.

[via Autoblog]

Related:
Geneva Showcase: Zagato Ottovu [internal]

Ol' Bill Harrah was a man of many franks and beans. Or beans and franks. Or Ferraris. Let's just say Ferraris. Way back when Harrah decided he liked the Daytona Spyder displayed at Frankfurt so much, he commissioned Enzo & Co. to build him one just like it. White with a red stripe. Delivered to his Modern Classic Motors dealership, Harrah used it as his own personal runabout for a bit (presumably replaced by the Berlinetta Boxer that Harrah traded in for the fully-awesome 365 GTB that beat a helicopter from Reno to Tahoe) and then sold it to Dr. Jack Frost.

Since Frost held a dealer's license as well, the car has never been titled, theoretically allowing the purchaser to pick up a brand-new '71 Daytona Spyder with an interesting history. The eBay bidding is over, having failed to meet reserve but we'd expect either a relist or an appearance at Pebble Beach in the car's future.

Rare Low Mileage 1971 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTB/4 [eBay via Autoblog]

Related:
Bill Harrah, 1; Igor Sikorsky, 0 [Internal]

So the Can-Am Spyder is a bit of an oddity, and it was pretty much off everyone's radar, but we're on it like crazy on Congress now. The real deal grown up website is going live at 11:00pm which is like now and that means specs, new pics, maybe some vids, certainly some wacky marketing pitches. I can't promise I'll be posting the wacky goodness instantly since it's SaturdayFriday night and I'm lazy/half drunk, but I WILL be checking it out when it goes live, as all of you should too. Everyone should be a little bit psyched by tthe rollout of an all new niche, the motorcycle-automotive hybrid. Oh yeah, the possibilities for hyphenated hybridization are so exciting. – Ben Wojdyla

Can-Am Spyder [Can-Am (flash required)]

Related:
So That's What That Was: The Can-Am Spyder [internal]

When pics of that unidentified trike — shot during a burn through Tail of the Dragon — hit earlier this year, the kids were abuzz. Had BMW taken over Volkswagen's GX3 mantle and built a three-wheeler for the sporting set? Turns out, as the New York Times reported yesterday, the mystery bike was called the Spyder, a product of the Sea/Ski Doo people, Bombardier Recreational Products of Canada. That company relaunched the Can-Am brand this year as a maker of ATVs and this thing. It's powered by a 106-hp V-Twin and comes with traction and stability control and antilock brakes, all for around $15,000. We'll know more when the trike launches officially later this week. – Mike Spinelli

A Tricycle for Adult Situations [The New York TImes]

[Can-Am Spyder Roadster]

Related:
Spy Photos: Was Ist Dis Trike? [internal]

After yesterday's bird-on-Porsche incident and the falling ice ball we thought we were done with our weekly fill of hoontastic epic car smashes. Then Jalopnik reader Sacha brought to our attention the demise of one of only three Spyker Spyder's in Belgium last week. Here's what happened:

"On the highway near Wilrijk (belgium), a Spyker C8 Spyder run of the highway. The driver of the car was an employee of garage Beerens in Antwerp (Belgium) that was instructed to deliver the car in Brussels for the upcoming car show. He reacted saturday in The Last New as follows: "Probably I turned too brusquely at my steering wheel."

Spyker: update over crash & F1 team [Petrolhead.nl]

Related:
Verdict In Porsche Boxster Versus Bird: Nobody's A Winner At 155 MPH; Ice? Ice, Baby [internal]

"...was waving at everyone in his new Ferrari, revving his engine up and making a big scene and he took off with a screech of rubber and went straight into the traffic light pole."

"I just saw him run and a few of us gave chase...(the security staff) just chased him down and tackled him in the Windsor's car park."

Ferrari gets unwanted nose job [Perth Now]

Related:
Ferrari See, Ferrari Do: Aussie Hoon Hopes For T-Shirt, Crashes 360 [internal]

[Save The Enzos!]

Related:
Ex-Smith Barney CEO Robert Greenhill Revealed As Owner Of Busted Porsche Carrera GT; Ferarri Flambe En France: Russian Billionaire And Duma Deputy Suleiman Kerimov Crashes Enzo [internal]

It's not like there's never been a Porsche RS60 Spyder replica before. Lots of hand-built specimens with double-digit horsepower are out there, some stitting rather pretty atop a VW Beetle chassis. But if the replicists at Chesil Motor Company remain true to form, the Chesil RS60 could be at the head of the class. Sporting a spaceframe chassis and an air-cooled flat four expected to produce 180 hp, the fiberglass-bodied replicar (sorry, reproduction model) of the Sebring-winning Porsche 718 RS 60 could have us on a plane to Blighty faster than you can say "Bob's not really your uncle, he mommy's special friend." The unveiling will take place on September 20 in Cotswold.

Chesil to launch racer-alike this month [PistonHeads]

Related:
Steve Terrien's 550A Spyder [internal]

From the e-mail that contained the press release:

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

anbei finden Sie eine aktuelle Pressemitteilung von HAMANN MOTORSPORT:

"Offener Fahrgenuss: Der HAMANN Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder" inklusive Bilder.

Hamann Wry: Lamborghini Tuner Gets "Other" Lambo Doors [Internal]

From their name, there's no mistaking their intentions. Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International — makers of the TerraWind motorhome — has worked up a new car/land prototype — the 2006 Hydra Spyder. With a body of fiberglass, over flotation foam for buoyancy, the 3,330-lb. front-driver is powered by a 400-hp Chevrolet LS2 V8, making it powerful enough to pull a waterskier or buzz a cove of picnickers. Its retractable front and rear suspension system allows switching from land to water faster than a steakhouse diner can crack open a lobster tail. No word on price, but the company says if you order now they can have one ready in six months. Plastic bib not included.

The New 2006 Hydra Spyder [Born Rich]

Related:
Break Like The Wind: Terra Wind; More amphibious vehicles [internal]

You know, to be honest, we prefer the 550 Coupe to the Spyder. Especially when it's all Panamericana'd out. We just 'bout choke on our tongue over those cars. Reader Alex, offended (and rightfully so) by the 356 custom job we posted yesterday tipped us off to the Chamonix Spyder, which features a 'glass body built on a tube frame with a variety of VW-based mills to choose from. Plus, as Alex points out, "And if you want to paint it turqoise, fill it with dalmatians and chop in in half, at least no one will wince at the loss of automotive history." Somebody needs to get on that.

Spyder.nl

Related:
A Great Way to Waste Nearly 70k: Custom Porsche 356 [Internal]

Retrospect: Ferrary 365 GTS/4 Daytona [Motor Trend]

Related:
A Ferrari Shooting Brake, or Wagon, Depending on Your Citizenship [Internal]