Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is a sexy, 600-horsepower monster

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec – Click above for high-res image gallery

Beautiful as it is, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is widely regarded as a miserable handler. That could be chalked up to the 1990s-era Maserati platform on which it was built, but one way or another, the very thought of giving such such an archaic chassis more power to contend with could be the worst idea since New Coke. But that’s not about to stop the boffins over at Novitec.

The German tuning firm has a penchant for tuning Italy’s finest, and have this time turned their attention to the 8C Spider. Bolting on the same supercharger and intercooler as it did with the Maserati GranCabrio, Novitec has cranked output from the 4.7-liter V8 up from 450 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque stock to a certifiable 600 hp and 434 lb-ft, figures which Novitec pegs as good for a 0-62 sprint in 3.9 seconds (down from the stock model’s 4.2).

The modifications applied to the sexy Spider also include a remapped engine control module and a variable stainless steel exhaust. No word on a brake upgrade, but you’d have to be even crazier to dial in that much muscle without the shoes to keep it in check. Thankfully, however, Novitec has tinkered with the suspension, fitting new coils and adjustable dampers along with Pirelli-coated modular wheels (21 inches up front, 22 in the rear) in silver on the port side and black on starboard. With all that power on tap, we can only hope the modifications to the suspension prove enough to handle it all.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec

Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is a sexy, 600-horsepower monster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Work, Dodge, Specialty

Ram Long-Hauler concept

Ram Long-Hauler Concept – Click above for image gallery

Need a way to get yourself, four buddies and a whole lot of cargo across the country with the bare minimum of fuel stops? The Ram Long-Hauler Concept is your truck. The rig got a quiet coming-out party at the Mid-America Trucking Show, which was held March 31st through April 2nd in Louisville, Kentucky.

This behemoth of a tow rig sports a 197.7-inch wheelbase, or about as long as your average oil tanker. That much space means it has a full-size eight-foot bed and Ram’s four-door MegaCab passenger compartment. In keeping with the oil tanker theme, the Long-Hauler has the capacity to hold an astonishing 162 gallons of diesel fuel, thanks to a 60-gallon auxiliary tank in the bed. That much fuel should give this thing enough range to cross the country in two fuel stops if you aren’t too liberal with the throttle.

The Long-Hauler is based on the Ram 5500 commercial truck chassis cab, which comes with a 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating. Ram combines that with a self-leveling air suspension on all four corners, a dual-rear-wheel package, 19.5-inch Alcoa 10-lug wheels and an Allison six-speed automatic. Add it all up and you’ve got a gross vehicle weight rating of 37,500 pounds, which should be enough to handle whatever you throw this hauler’s way. Doing the grunt work will be a 350-horsepower, 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six spitting out 650 pound-feet of twist.

The Ram Long-Hauler, should it make production, will be aimed at those who need enormous towing capacity and range, but don’t want to step up to something like a Freightliner SportChassis just yet. There’s still no word on a production timetable or what the truck might cost should it become available.

Gallery: Ram Long-Hauler Concept

Ram Long-Hauler Concept front 3/4Ram Long-Hauler Concept side

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com | Images: Pickuptrucks.com]

Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming to America: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

Filed under: Classics, Work, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty, Luxury

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile – Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time when the Pope set about cruising the world in class and style. While we’ll have no part in arguing the functionality of the current Popemobile, the machine simply can’t hold a candle to the classy lady you see above.

This particular 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman landaulet was built specifically for Pope Paul VI and served three additional pontiffs before getting mothballed in 1985. Why do you care, you ask? Because this particular piece of motoring history is headed Stateside for the very first time as part of this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance celebrations next month.

Mercedes-Benz has dug the unique 600 out of storage just for the event. Aside from the standard air-ride suspension, power brakes and heating and air conditioning, this particular model came equipped with bullet-proof glass and a unique rear seat that could be raised and lowered so that the Pope could be more easily seen by crowds.

The 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance kicks off on March 11 and runs through the 13th, featuring classic vehicles from all over the globe. Hit the jump to check out the press release.

Gallery: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

Live photos copyright (C) 2011 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Coming to America: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How to build a BMW Z4 GT3 in 600 hours

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW

BMW Z4 GT3

Time-lapse video of a BMW Z4 GT3 coming to life – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The BMW Z4 GT3 is a fixed-roof, race-ready version of the standard Z4. Instead of a straight six, the Z4 GT3 is powered by a 480-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 coupled to a six-speed sequential gearbox. Designed and engineered for the track, this Z4 definitely means business – just look at it. You can purchase your own version for around $400,000, and after paying that price, you can have your new track assassin shipped to you… in pieces.

BMW ships the car out in boxes and it’s up to the proud new owner to put it together. Recently, Swedish race crew, Team West Coast Racing, did just that. The entire build took them 600 hours and they kept a camera rolling during that period. A time-lapse video captures the action as bare chassis becomes complete racer. 600 hours is 25 days, and 25 days is a long time to wait in between track sessions. In this case, the wait seems worth it and you can see the build video for yourself after the jump.

Gallery: BMW Z4 GT3

[Source: Cold Track Days]

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Video: How to build a BMW Z4 GT3 in 600 hours originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500

Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chrysler Group is only a few months away from bringing the Fiat brand back to the United States, starting with the launch of the too-cute 500 later this year. The automaker will be holding a Fiat Experience event in Detroit at the end of August, and around 600 dealers from around the country have been invited to attend.

These 600 dealers are located in cities where Chrysler is planning to have Fiat franchises – a total of 119 different markets around the country. The Fiat Experience program will give dealers a detailed overview of Chrysler’s exact plans for the brand in the U.S., and dealers will be allowed to submit proposals for snagging a Fiat franchise through mid-September.

No, not all of these 600 dealers will be approved for Fiat franchises, and Chrysler will be announcing its final list of Fiat locations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Hit the jump to see the current list of market considerations to find out if a Fiat dealer might be heading to a city near you.

Gallery: Fiat 500

[Source: Chrysler]

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Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Fit Hybrid to cost $18,600* in Japan

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Fit Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is finally set to launch the Fit hybrid in Japan this October and pricing is rumored to start at ¥1.59 million or about $18,600 at current exchange rates. That’s a $4,700 premium over a standard gasoline powered Fit in Japan, but $3,500 less than the Insight, which makes it the cheapest hybrid available across the Pacific.

The Insight and Fit are built on the same platform, so the five-door Fit will likely use the same 1.3-liter mild-hybrid powertrain as its sibling. When we reviewed the Insight last year we concluded that its packaging sacrifices weren’t really worth the price premium over the Fit. If the Fit hybrid were offered here, the starting price would likely be somewhere around $18,000 based on the current prices of the Fit and Insight. We checked with Honda officials and they still have no plans to offer the Fit hybrid in the United States.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Honda Fit Hybrid to cost $18,600* in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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