How many special edition Bugatti Veyrons are there? There’s the Pur Sang, the Bleu Centenaire, the Sang Noir and Fbg by Hermes, not to mention the countless examples that have either been painted gold or chrome by bored sheiks who’ve spent too much time in the sun. The targa-fied Veyron, otherwise known as the Grand Sport, has been around a lot less time than its closed roof counterpart, but it’s about time the open roof Bug got a special edition of its own. Enter the Grand Sport “Sang Bleu” that’s being unveiled by Bugatti this weekend in Monterey.

The “Sang Bleu” is set off by its unique two-tone color combination that isn’t the result of opening a couple new cans of paint back at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France, but rather combining two materials: carbon fiber and aluminum. The shiny parts are, of course, the al-yoo-mini-um of which we spoke, but the royal blue you see is a specially tinted carbon fiber. The only other differences between the “Sang Bleu” and a normal Grand Sport are that the rear airscoops are also body color, and the wheels are a unique design with a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut finish.

Only 20 standard Grand Sports have been ordered and far less actually delivered, so the “Sang Bleu” stands as the rarest Veyron of them all right now. There’s only one and Bugatti doesn’t mention anything about it going into limited production, but considering the brand’s penchant for making special editions, we expect the “Sang Bleu” will be available for anyone with anyone with a couple million bucks to trade.

[Source: AutoBlog]

After about three hours at Meadow Brook, team Autoblog was ready to head out and get writing. The only thing that had us scratching our heads was the lack of modern supercars out on the lawn. On our way out the door, though, one of the gentlemen working the show asked us if we’d seen the exotics, which were hidden at the side of Meadow Brook Hall. Thank you sir.

Once we entered the hidden patio at Meadow Brook, we were greeted with dozens of supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche, along with a smattering of ultra-rare rides, including the Reventon, Veyron, 959 and Spyker C8 Laviolette. Ferrari was well-represented with a 612 Scaglietti, California, a pair of F430s and a 599 and we were also happy to see a V-10 Audi R8, a couple Astons and, perhaps our favorite of all, the absolutely stunning Alfa Romeo 8C.

Click on the gallery below to peruse 112 high-res images of the supercars you’ve been daydreaming about. Tens of thousands of people paid $25 each to see these them, but you get the Autoblog grand tour free of charge.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Reiter Engineering used last weekend’s 24 Hours of Spa race to reveal its Murcielago LP670 R-SV, a GT1 race-ready version of the already hardened LP 670-4 SV. The box-stock Lambo already shed 220 pounds compared to its non SV brethren, weighing in at 3,451 pounds. The Reiter racer, stripped of any non-essentials and with a body rendered entirely in carbon fiber, drops further 921 pounds to weigh in at just 2,530 pounds (1,150 kg).

Reiter is hoping the car will be one of the six allowable brands chosen for next year’s FIA GT World Championship. You can read the press release on the taurean missile after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

PRESS RELEASE

In the course of the 24h of Spa, the FIA has presented the new REITER LP 670 R-SV during a press conference on Friday 24th of July at 6.30 p.m. to the international press.

The new REITER Lamborghini LP670 R-SV can be unveiled to the public only a few months after the street version was officially presented in Geneva. The new Lamborghini GT1 race car is presented to the public at the 24-hours of Spa. The car is based on the production Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 model. It is equipped with a new, more powerful 6.5 V12 engine producing 670 PS/493 kW (without restrictor), which propels the wild bull with a torque of 660 Nm (@ 6,500 rpm). The FIA-ECU from Magneti Marelli regulates the engine control.

The REITER Lamborghini P670 R-SV is designed and manufactured to comply with the FIA 2010 regulations. The FIA allows only 6 automobile brands to be nominated. The race car is targeting to be nominated for the GT World Championship.

The GT1 machine from REITER measures 4800 mm in length and is 2058 mm wide. The total weight is only 1,150 kg (+ ballast to correspond with the FIA 2010 regulations).

A complete carbon outer skin clothes the Lamborghini racer. Its new visual appearance is unmistakable – extreme and uncompromising. The significantly modified aerodynamics improves the aerodynamic efficiency compared to its predecessor the Murciélago R-GT.

In addition, the engineers could also improve the suspension geometry. Compared to its forerunner, the new suspension geometry with modified roll-centre height and improved steering geometry, modified track width and re-engineered suspension components characterise the new Lamborghini race car.

The race braking system, comprised of carbon discs and pads, was also re-engineered and is now equipped with superior cooling.

[Source:Autoblog]

Aston Martin makes some of the most visually appealing cars on the road today. Their latest offerings, the DBS Volante and the V12 Vantage, continue the company’s tradition of elegant styling combined with V12 power. We generally can’t get enough photos of either car, and fortunately for us, Aston has released a plethora of new pictures of both cars. Check out both high-res galleries below.

[source:Aston Martin]

Hennessey Performance Engineering makes the point that track-oriented Porsche owners can opt up from a normal 911 to a GT3 RS and Viper owners can choose the ACR edition, so what’s out there for ZR1 owners who want a more hardcore machine? To answer that question, HPE has introduced the Z700 for 2010.

The exclusive new model features a number of enhancements that go beyond the requisite power increase, which in this case jumps from 638 to 705 dyno-tuned hp. HPE has also put the ZR1 on a diet, shedding pounds by adding lightweight carbon fiber seats and carbon fiber wheels wrapped in a Michilin Pilot Cup Sport tires. The wheels alone scrub off 60 lbs. of rotating weight. Aero enhancements include Hennessey’s Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler, all of which add 300 lbs. of downforce. Finally, an alcantara steering wheel and shift knob should feel better in the hand when barnstorming the track.

Hennessey plans to prove that the Z700 is a big improvement over the ZR1 by taking direct aim at the standard car’s Nürburgring lap time of 7:26. They’ll be flying to Germany with a Z700 later this year to take their best shot, but considering that HPE is perhaps the only only tuning company with its very own on-site track, Lonestar Motorsports Park, we expect good results.

Only 24 examples will be produced, and customers who order a Z700 also get a one-day performance driving instruction course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. Total cost for a base Z700 will start at $207,150, which also includes the cost of a donor ZR1. That’s nearly a six-figure increase over the base price of a ZR1, so we’ll have to wait until it sets some lap times to see if it’s worth it.

PRESS RELEASE

Hennessey Throws Hat in the “Ring”

Announces Limited Edition 705 hp Z700
Nurburgring-Tested Track Upgrade for the 2010 Corvette ZR1


SEALY, TX – The world’s fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638 bhp ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. For most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7:26 is more than enough to satisfy performance to satisfy their need for speed. However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of “Too much horsepower is never enough” Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has something special in store for them in 2010. HPE is happy to introduce the company’s 705 bhp Z700 upgrade package for the 2010 ZR1.

Porsche 911 owners wanting the ubber Porsche can order the GT3 RS. Dodge Viper enthusiasts wanting the ultimate road race Viper have the ACR. Now ZR1 owners can opt for the Hennessey Z700 upgrade for their Corvettes.

Hennessey’s Z700 performance package starts by upgrading the engine supercharger, exhaust and air induction systems and is dyno tuned to 705 bhp. But this is just the beginning. Additional upgrades include lightweight carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which reduce rotating weight by nearly 60 lbs. Hennessey’s Z-Aero ™ carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler also add over 300 lbs of down force helping to put the added power to the road and track. Rounding out the Z700 upgrade package is a revised interior with lightweight carbon fiber seats, Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob.

HPE will be throwing its hat in the Ring – literally – and plans to begin testing the Z700 at the famed Nurburgring in Germany later in 2009. The company plans to build just 24 copies of this limited edition Corvette ZR1 for the 2010 model year. Each buyer gets 1-day of performance driving instruction in his or her new Z700 at Hennessey’s own private test track, Lonestar Motorsports Park. Lonestar, which is located next to the company’s facility, is located just west of Houston, Texas and has a full ¼ mile dragstrip as well as a 1.1-mile road course, which will soon be under construction.


2010 Hennessey Z700 – Corvette ZR1 Specifications

Power:

• 705 hp @ 6,400 rpm
• 717 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance:

• 0 – 60 mph: 2.9 seconds
• 0 – 100 mph: 6.4 seconds
• ¼ mile: 10.6 @ 134 mph
• Skid pad: 1.08 lateral G

Note: HPE VBox preliminary test data.

Z700 Package Includes:

• Supercharger Modifications (15 psi boost)
• Intercooler System Upgrade
• Air Induction System Upgrade
• Stainless Steel Exhaust Upgrades
• Hennessey Light Weight Carbon Fiber Wheels
• Front: 19 x 10.5 inches; Rear: 19 x 12.5 inches
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
• Front: 265/35-YR19; Rear: 325/35-YR19
• Sparco Carbon Fiber Seats in Alcantara (Driver & Passenger)
• 5-Point Harnesses with Harness Bar
• Alcantara Steering wheel & Shift Knob
• Lowered Factory Suspension
• Corner Weighted with 4-wheel Alignment
• Z-Aero ™ Carbon Fiber Body Parts: Front Splitter, Canards, Rear Spoiler, Vented Factory Hood, Vented Front Fenders
• Hennessey & ZR700 Interior & Exterior Badges
• Limited Edition Serial Numbered Plaque
• 1-Day Driving Instruction at Lonestar Motorsports Park
• 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty

Total Cost Including New 2010 ZR1: $207,150 US Dollars

Optional Upgrades

• Z750 – 755 bhp Upgrade
• Z1000 – 1,000 bhp Twin Turbo / Supercharged Upgrade
• Custom Exterior Colors
• Custom Interior Upgrades & Colors
• German Delivery – Nurburgring Delivery & Driving Instructio

[Source:Autoblog]

Oh baby. The cat would appear to be out of the bag for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2, as what certainly look to be official photos of the newest bull have hit the web. Details are sketchy, but Lamborghini’s naming scheme keeps no secrets. Assuming this is all on the level, expect 550 horsepower from the V10 mounted aft of the cockpit, with that power going to the rear wheels exclusively. The lack of AWD should also result in some weight loss, a welcome addition in any sports car, much less a Lamborghini making this kind of power. And yes, that’s a ball-topped gated shifter in the interior photo featured in the gallery. Glorious. A very serious car for very serious drivers. We’re dying to hear the official details.

[Source:Autoblog]

t’s not much of a shock to find an automotive mash-up on eBay Motors. However, it’s rare that one of those Frankencars is a combination of one vintage Italian exotic with an even rarer and more exotic body on top, all assembled by the genius responsible for much of the hardware in the first place.

Initially intended to be a Bizzarrini GT America, this striking red coupe has been assembled on top of a Lamborghini 400GT chassis carrying the very V12 Giotto Bizzarrini designed for the marque of the bull before striking out on his own. It’s more than the melding of one man’s portfolio of work, the seller says it’s a true Bizzarini because the car was actually finished in Livorno, Italy by Giancarlo Reali, former coachwork chief for the Bizzarrini operation.

While the car is in need of some elbow grease to render it fully stunning, that doesn’t make it a bargain at a $250,000 starting bid. Given that this car seems to have actual pedigree that’s sorely lacking from most of the stock offered on eBay, that price may not be as outlandish as it first seems for a one-off put together from 40-year-old leftover parts.

[Source:Autoblog]