Nürburgring 24 Hour Live Web Stream

As of writing this they have just gotten underway about an hour ago.  Two things are certain, my German is a little rusty, and my productivity is shot for the day.

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/live/live-streaming.html

Veilside Murcielago

This is the first Murcielago we’ve seen, and the first one in Asia. The full carbon fiber kit, #30/300 is a bit Reventon-esqu. But no doubt does give the car an overall menacing look. Details are still a tad sparse, but we know you just want to look at the pictures anyway…

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Getting Beefed Up

Aston Martin has decided that the original V8 Vantage was a bit to tame for  their liking, to remedy their situation they have made a few changes where it counts; which we will be seeing on the 2009s. They bored and stroked out the displacement, from the original 4.3 liters to a now 4.7 liter V8.  The result being 420bhp, an 11% increase and 347 lb-ft of torque, a 15% jump.  Even though you will be getting more power out of your Aston, you will be getting 13% better fuel economy.

Aston Martin didn’t stop with the engine either. Either of the optional  transmissions have been tweeked for your liking. They have gone through the programming on the Sportshift automatic to provide you with smoother shifts, and the 6-speed manual has received a modified clutch and flywheel, reducing a bit of weight and making clutch efforts easier. As it goes with the suspension, we can expect stiffer spring rates, stiffer bushings in the front suspension and improved steering geometry. All of which should make your spirited cruises in those windy canyon roads much more precise.  Inside the car, they have done away with the standard key, and put in an ECU to handle that. They’ve also reworked the center console finish in graphite silver.  To my relief and I’m sure yours as well, they will leave the sexy lines of the Vantage alone, though you will have the option of adding a new 20 spoke 19” wheel when you place your order.

Full press release can be read here

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Ferrari IMAX Movie

The IMAX production team are hard at work on a new masterpiece, Causing all the 2008 movies that I’m waiting impatiently to see, to be bumped down a notch. To bad I will need to wait until 2009 and fly to Abu Dhabi to see it.

Ferrari has released  these three images of a helicopter whizzing over Fiorano. In CarFront’s opinion, taking in the sweetest sights ever to hit the IMAX lens.  The movie will be used at the Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi, opening next year.  I wonder if there will be a midnight release party?

2008 WRC Subaru Impreza

There are big expectations for this car, and with just a week away from making its first official WRC appearance at the The Acropolis Rally in Greece, Subaru has still yet to let us in on the official specifications.  Prodrive has most definitely played part in the planning and development of Subaru’s new racer. They are boasting that this is, “the most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years.”  It will be very interesting to see how Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson fair in next week in its debut.

Jaguar XF-R Spy Shots

Many are saying the Jaguar XF is the greatest model to be turned out from the company. Well, how about a sedan that thats in the ranks of Germany’s ’super sedans; the XF-R is exactly that beast. The spy photographers over at CarMagazine.co.uk have caught a prototype during testing.  looking at the pictures, and the camo’d car, it looks like we can expect to see a rear spoiler, possibly a rear diffuser, larger air intakes on both sides of the bumper and hood vents that tease us with what it’s covering. Car is speculating a direct injected 5.0 liter V8 that’s supercharged. Rumored to be in the 500+ horsepower club.  We can also expect to see color matched side sills, and a new 20-inch wheel design, also a some menacing quad pipes out the back. Word is we will be seeing the XF-R making it’s official appearance sometime in 2009.