Radical Sports Cars updates range

Low-volume British carmaker Radical is known for its potent track machines, such as the SR8 roadster, which can lap the Nurburgring in under seven minutes. Despite the current global economic crisis, business has been booming because of the high-performance but low-budget nature of their cars, and now the British company is updating its model range following record sales and a long order list.

The Radical SR8 gets a number of safety and handling updates, including a stiffer chassis and an upgraded steering system. While the standard SR8 uses a 380hp engine, a new 455hp 2.8L Powertec RPB engine will also be available. The complete powerplant weighs just 88kg, and includes a four-pump dry sump system with two oil pressure pumps and integral rotary vane water pump.

Meanwhile, Radical's volume car, the SR3 Supersport, also receives an improved chassis that has been designed to meet FIA standards for sports cars. There has also been a complete aerodynamic re-style for the SR3 Supersport, as well as major safety upgrades and new specification Powertec engines. Based on Radical’s SR9 Le Mans Prototype, the SR3’s new high nose increases downforce, reduces drag and improves cooling for hot climates. The standard SR3 uses a 205hp engine, but a new optional 260hp Powertec Suzuki motor is now available with an improved paddle shift option and low-friction dampers.

The SR5 Endurosport, meanwhile, gets an upgraded Powertec-prepared Honda VTEC engine that is available in three states of tune, from 245bhp up to 295bhp, as well as chassis upgrades, while the SR4 gets a new 150hp option.

Audi expands U.S. A4 range with FWD and manual models

Audi is expanding its 2009 A4 lineup with two new models, one featuring front-wheel drive and one featuring a six-speed manual transmission.

The front-wheel-drive model, known as the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak, will be using the carmaker’s award-winning 2.0L TFSI engine mated to a multitronic continuously variable transmission. The new front-drive entry level model will bring the A4's price down to just $31,000 with the automatic transmission.

The result of the new front-wheel-drive A4 powertrain combination is the best fuel efficiency in its class with an EPA rating of 23mpg in city driving conditions and 30mpg in highway driving. Those fuel economy figures represent a 4% fuel-efficiency gain over the previous-generation A4 powered with earlier versions of the 2.0L TFSI engine and the multitronic transmission.

Additionally the base A4 quattro sedan will now be available with a six-speed manual transmission paired to its 2.0L TFSI engine. The 2009 A4 2.0T quattro manual sedan achieves the best efficiency of any all-wheel drive car in its luxury segment with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22mpg in city driving and 30mpg on highways. The A4 quattro sedan starts at $31,850, and both models are expected to receive a host of standard features such as a sunroof, leather interior and satellite radio systems.

Imola Racing builds widebody Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

As their name suggests, the tuners at Imola Racing specialize in Ferrari modification, and their latest creation demonstrates their art in a particularly dramatic manner. Building on the base of the already excellent Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Imola adds a widebody kit and a range of performance upgrades via parent company the Dimex Automotive Group.

The widebody kit itself is straightforward enough, offering a wider track and room for more wheel - and sticky rubber - to improve handling. In addition to the wider fenders, the company also adds a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and spoiler and custom wide-lip alloy wheels. Inside, the car can be customized as the buyer desires, but this example features a combination of black and red leather, alcantara and aluminum and carbon fiber trim.

Exact details on performance modifications is still lacking, but a claimed boost to 648hp (483kW) puts the widebody 612 into the realm of the Enzo, which is rated at 651hp (485kW) from the factory. The larger size and weight of the Scaglietti means performance is likely to be somewhat less brutal, but is still a significant improvement over the stock 612's 5.7L V12 rating of 540hp (403kW).

Mercedes-McLaren SLR Stirling Moss revealed

With Mercedes’ next generation of super sports cars currently under development by the carmaker’s racing arm, HWA, as well as its in-house tuner, AMG, the current manufacturing partnership with McLaren is set to end once production of the SLR supercar concludes next year. To mark the occasion, Mercedes and McLaren will release a highly modified SLR that will be produced in a limited run of just 75 cars.

The latest version is called the SLR Stirling Moss and it differs significantly from the current model on which it’s based. The most striking feature is its open-top design, which incorporates a roofless design with no windshield and vertical lifting doors. The design appears similar to the previous C16 Speedster based on the Corvette from Callaway, which was revealed last year. Stirling Moss, incidentally, was a legendary British race car driver who won his first F1 GP in a Mercedes, and was also the driver who won the 1955 Mille Miglia in record time behind the wheel of a 300 SLR.

Power from the car’s supercharged 5.5L V8 engine remains at a heady 650hp (478kW) and propels the open-top racer from 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 350km/h – 13km/h faster than the SLR 722 model.

Adding to the performance is a lighter kerb weight, which could be more than 300kg lighter than the standard model. The weight saving will come from increased use of carbon-fiber for the body, new carbon-ceramic brakes and a new exhaust system.

The special edition model will cost exactly €750,000 (before taxes) and it will make its world debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show, where more information, including availability details, will be released.

Revealing shots of the next-gen Mercedes Benz CLS

The Mercedes Benz CLS ignited the four-door coupe market when it was introduced back in 2004, and since then we’ve seen several other luxury rivals attempt to emulate the design with cars like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and Aston Martin Rapide all under development.

Now the first prototype for Mercedes’ next-generation CLS has been spotted, revealing a few subtle clues about the new model (previously we saw a test-mule disguised under the sheet metal of the current model). The new car is expected to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model, and positioned more upmarket to bring it in line with some of its more premium rivals. This will also allow Mercedes to introduce a second four-door coupe model, rumored to be based on its next-generation small car platform.

The car will feature a wider track, as indicated by the extended wheel arches seen on the previous test mule, and according to insiders its platform will be borrowed from the current S-Class sedan flagship.

New to the CLS will be a hybrid option based on the same powertrain as the one used in the recently revealed S400 BlueHybrid. Other engine options will include both V6 and V8 powerplants, and there will invariably be a high-performance AMG model.

Meanwhile, the styling of the car is expected to be similar to the current model although it will be bigger overall and feature some sharper lines, especially around the front end. Mercedes may even launch a 'Shooting Brake' variant as well. A Shooting Brake is essentially a two-door wagon, and Mercedes designers hinted at the possibility of a modern version with the unveiling of the ConceptFASCINATION study at the Paris Motor Show. While the ConceptFASCINATION was based around the design of the new E-Class Coupe, which is expected to spawn a Shooting Brake model of its own, our inside source suggests that a new CLS version will be offered as well.

Mansory modifies the Bugatti Veyron

Customized Bugatti Veyrons are almost as common as the cars themselves, which is to say not common at all. But this particular car, modified by Mansory, is less common than even most other custom Veyrons. Little information about the car exists, though there appear to be as many as three examples of this particular styling package.

Eschewing the popular matte-color trend of late, the Mansory Vincero is pure gloss from stem to stern. Largely blacked out, but with a sprinkling of chrome accents in the grille and a dark chrome treatment along the side of the car across the front fenders and door panels, the Vincero certainly lives up to its name. Inside the car gets a typically Mansory two-tone black and white treatment, though the addition of a woven element makes for a unique touch.

An extra dose of naked carbon fiber across the front bonnet and rear engine cover, plus the rear fascia and diffuser gives the Vincero the look of the Sang Noir, which may in fact be the basis for this custom car. Only 15 of the Sang Noir special-editions were built, however, so it's more likely that this car is styled to look somewhat alike.

For those that would like to investigate the matter in person, or just happen to have several million unused dollars lying about, the car is on sale at Prestige Cars in the United Arab Emirates.

Spy shots: Undisguised Aston Martin Rapide

The long awaited four-door Aston Martin Rapide has been spotted, completely undisguised, outside the company's headquarters in Gaydon, England. Previous prototypes were last spotted on the frozen lakes of Sweden for winter testing, and since then Aston Martin has released two official images of the car - albeit computer generated renderings of it.

Inside, the Rapide will be almost identical to the DB9 but will differ thanks to more generous rear seats, headrest mounted LCD monitors, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Under the hood will likely be a 500hp (373kW) V12 engine in a range-topping model and a less powerful V8 unit in a base version. RWD and a six-speed automatic are likely to be the only drivetrain options.

Unfortunately for purists, the Rapide will not be built at Aston's traditional Gaydon plant in England - production of the four-door has been contracted to Magna Steyr who will build the vehicle at its Austrian plant.

Production is expected to start in 2009 for the Rapide, giving it ample time to get into the market against the upcoming Panamera, although rivals like the CLS and Maserati Quattroporte already have a big head start over the new four-door Porsche and Aston Martin.