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Video: Ultimate Shooting (Through) Brake – Maserati Quattroporte hearse

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Europe, Videos, Specialty, Design/Style

Maserati Quattroporte Hearse

Maserati Quattroporte Hearse – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember when we told you about Intercar Modena turning a Maserati Quattroporte into hearse? We’re not sure if this is one of theirs, but the number of Maserati hearses built has to be very low, but that hasn’t stopped some fortunate soul from capturing one in the wild. The video after the jump is quick but the car is clearly visible. It’s a rare spotting of a vehicle people are dying to get into (Thank you! Try the veal!).

When you get set to leave this world, you may want to go out in style. Cadillacs and Lincolns are the chariots of commoners. A Mercedes is a step in the right direction. There are some, however, with a privileged palate and serious sense of style, and some of them will doubtlessly opt for coachbuilt Italian splendor. The Maserati Quattroporte hearse is a wonderful example of how someone can shoot through to the other side in fine style. Put on your best black suit and make the jump to see the video. Thanks for the tip, Monty!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ultimate Shooting (Through) Brake – Maserati Quattroporte hearse

Video: Ultimate Shooting (Through) Brake – Maserati Quattroporte hearse originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC Ultimate Aero II flashes backside for Top Gear

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Design/Style

SSC Ultimate Aero rear end

SSC recently teased us with shots of their new would-be Bugatti assassin, the Ultimate Aero II and Shelby Supercars has allowed Top Gear to provide the world a new angle with which to view their exotic road warrior.

The SSC Ultimate Aero II is designed by skilled artisan Jason Castriota, who his now putting his pen to paper for Saab. The design of the front is a beautiful mix of flowing lines with subtle, hard creases. The rear end seems much more alien, but equally stunning. The previous SSC vehicle, the Ultimate Aero TT, bested the Bugatti Veyron in the all-out speed competition at 256 miles per hour. This all-new Ultimate Aero II looks like it already beat that mark while simply posing for pictures. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if someone handed us the keys then told us “where we’re going… we don’t need roads.”

Our one nitpick? The eventual damage to the exhaust area. It already looks like that rear pod is sitting on the deck so it’s unlikely the SSC will make it through the local Wal-Mart parking lot. Oh well, time to put the checkbook back in the drawer. We’ll just wait for the Saab equivalent.

Gallery: 2009 SSC Ultimate Aero

SSC Ultimate Aero II flashes backside for Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSC Ultimate Aero II: Red, white and blue Bugatti killer

SSC Ultimate Aero II – Watch the “unveiling” teaser video after the jump

Shelby Supercars’ Ultimate Aero TT used to be the fastest production car in the world, its 256-mph record speed eclipsing even the mighty Bugatti Veyron. Then, as of a few weeks ago, Bugatti got its act together and topped SSC’s number with the new Veyron Super Sport – to the tune of 267.81 mph.

In August at Monterey, the Ultimate Aero successor, the Ultimate Aero II – penned by new Saab design chief Jason Castriota (he of Bertone Mantide / Ferrari P4/5 fame) – was unveiled in a private ceremony captured on YouTube. It was all a tease; the car was never actually shown in the “unveiling” video, only the attendees’ reaction to it. Suffice it to say, the car was well-received.

And now we know why. Jalopnik has secured a pair of leaked images slated to appear in Top Gear magazine in conjunction with the car’s official launch next week. As you can see, Castriota’s influence is plainly visible in the Ultimate Aero II’s detailing. It’s got an edgier, more assertive appearance than its predecessor, and we can only assume that it has the power to back up its menacing new looks. We can’t wait to get the scoop on September 8 when SSC releases full details.

In the meantime, head over to Jalopnik to see the second leaked photo and follow the jump to watch the teaser video filmed at the Ultimate Aero II’s private Monterey unveiling.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Continue reading SSC Ultimate Aero II: Red, white and blue Bugatti killer

SSC Ultimate Aero II: Red, white and blue Bugatti killer originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shelby Supercars teases new 2011 Ultimate Aero

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty, Design/Style

Shelby Supercars 2011 Ultimate Aero teaser

Shelby Supercars 2011 Ultimate Aero teaser – Click above to enlarge

Nobody is disputing that Shelby Supercar’s Ultimate Aero is fast. In fact, it may very well be the fastest production car in the world, though Bugatti is sure to raise an eyebrow to that notion. In any case, no matter how aerodynamic it may be, the Ultimate Aero is also ultimately ugly. And we mean really unattractive in an I-drew-this-at-recess sort of way.

Hopefully, that ugly truth is soon to be jettisoned via some well-deserved Jason Castriota love. That’s the news that’s been floating around the interwebs over the last few months, and the resulting car was apparently shown to a small, private party over the course of the festivities in Monterey.

Now SSC is teasing its next supercar for a September debut. All we get to see for now is an up-close shot of what appears to possibly be part of the front fascia, though we can’t really be sure. We wish we could tell you more, but at least we can all rest easy with the knowledge that it couldn’t hardly be any worse, right? Here’s hoping it’s much, much better.

[Source: Shelby Supercars]

Shelby Supercars teases new 2011 Ultimate Aero originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance creates ultimate photo-ops

Filed under: Classics

2010 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance – Click above for high-res image gallery

While the skies were gloomy and even a bit weepy this year, at least we didn’t have fog like last year. The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance is one of our favorite events in Monterey every year, and it’s nice to actually see the cars. The Tour, if you’re not familiar, is an event that includes a large portion of the entrants in Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, but as its name implies, the cars are moving. The best part is that it’s free to anyone with a lawn chair.

The cars leave the Pebble Beach grounds around 8:30AM and snake through 17-Mile drive, loop through Monterey and then head down Highway 1 to Big Sur before turning around and coming back up into Carmel for lunch. Mercedes-Benz was the sponsor this year so there were plenty of SLS, SLK, S Class, GL, ML… LMNOP models on hand to serve escort duty for the “real” media, VIPs and racers like Sir Stirling Moss, who led the whole parade in an old Gullwing. Nice cars for sure, but the Tour is also our first glimpse at what’s going to be vying for Best of Show on the 18th fairway at Pebble on Sunday.

Unlike last year when the Horch just shown like a freshly polished diamond in a coal pile, we didn’t spot any clear favorites this year. That’s not to say there aren’t a ton of great cars here this year – just not one superstar. Several cars did manage to stand out as the entries chugged past us along PCH though.

That’s the magical part of the Tour, the cars careening down the coast with hundreds of spectators and photographers lining every turn-out. All five of your senses are involved here, with everything from horseless carriages to 1950s dream cars whizzing by, spewing an intoxicating mix of fuel vapor, oil, exhaust, brakes, clutch and various other overheated material scents as the ground rumbles under your feet, particularly with the race cars. And come on, how often do you get to see GP cars on the street?

Check out the amazing gallery of 109 high-res images by clicking below. We’re still in the process of labeling them all, so shout it out in the comments if you can identify any of the ones we’re missing.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance

Mercedes-Benz 300SL driven by Sir Stirling Moss

Monterey 2010: Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance creates ultimate photo-ops originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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