Ferrari F430 Spider

Launched following the successful rollout of the F430 coupe, the Ferrari's F430 Spider is the highly desirable convertible variant of the exotic sports car.

The F430 range represents Ferrari's entry-level offering, following in the footsteps of the popular Ferrari 360, which was also offered in convertible form. The F430 Spider's powerful V8 provides an impressive 483 hp at 8500 rpm. Peak torque is 343 pound-feet at 5200 rpm, 80 percent of which is available below 3500 rpm.

The Spider's coupe sibling won much praise in the automotive press for its performance, handling, and overall quality. Reaction to the convertible has been similar, with "fun" points going to the Spider, despite its increased weight and decreased rigidity.

Some testers have managed a zero to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds, making the F430 Ferrari's third quickest model ever, behind the Enzo/FXX and 599 Fiorano.

This mid-engine supercar goes head-to-head with Lamborghini's Gallardo Spyder, which is more powerful, but generally regarded as slightly less capable on track. The F430 uses a 4.3-liter V8, while the Gallardo uses a 5.0-liter V10.

The F430 is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years.

Ferrari's F1 gearbox for the F430 has been tuned by engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side. It incorporates a new control strategy which improves gear change speed and smoothness under hard use. Changing gear takes just 150 milliseconds.

The F430 includes the E-Diff computer-controlled limited slip differential, large Brembo brakes, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 EMT tires, and F1-inspired "launch control" technology (Europe only).

2006 Ford GT Overview

The Ford GT is an American supercar built to commemorate Ford's Centennial and their four consecutive Le Mans 24-Hour races in the 1960s. It feels, looks and drives like a car costing much more than it does.

The GT only comes in one model, one engine and one transmission. It's a two-door, two-seat, much-massaged and softened rendition of the purpose-built racecar that won Le Mans. The engine is a high-tech, supercharged, midship-mounted, 5.4-liter V8 making a truly scintillating 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a six-speed manual transaxle. Standard safety equipment includes frontal airbags, antilock brakes, a child seat tether bracket and latch assembly on the passenger seat and a tire inflation kit in lieu of a spare tire.

interested in buying a 2006 Ford GT? Get information on pricing, specs, safety features and equipment options for the 2006 Ford GT muscle car. Plus find deals and reviews for 2006 GTs and compare the GT with other Ford vehicles at AOL Autos.

Ford Motor Company chose the name GT to evoke memories of Ford's miraculous 1-2-3 victory in the 1966, 24 hours of Le Mans. Limited production of the Ford GT started in the summer of 2004 as a 2005 model. 2006 models are now being produced. The Ford that won at Le Mans was named the GT-40, but that name is now owned by a private individual.

Only 4200 GTs were produced total in the 2005-2006 model run and most dealerships did not get a GT. NO GTs will be produced in 2007 or thereafter. The final Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price is $155,000 - $169,000 depending on options.. With only a few hundred GTs, and many enthusiasts, Ford employees and Ford dealers hoping to get a GT, market conditions and customer demands resulted in substantially higher selling prices, particularly for cars built in the first part of the model year. Dealers offering their GT for sale to the public took bids to determine who will got to purchase "the One."

2009 Smart ForTwo

Production on the 2009 Smart Fortwo started this past September, at the Smartville, eco-friendly plant in Hambach, France. The base cost for the 2009 Smart increased by $400. This signifies a two and a half percent increase on available models.

The 2009 Smart should be at your local smart center in mid-November.

The 2009 Smart has a 1 liter,3_silinder , 71hp aluminum Mitsubishi motor and runs on premium gas The 2009 Smart gets around 33 mpg for city and 41 mpg on the highway and gets some of the highest gas mileage for any car on the world's roads today.

The warranty is 2-year and 24,000 miles and you have the option of procuring a 5 year and 60,000 mile warranty for additional cost.

The Smart features removable plastic panels . So, you can change your cars color for around $1,000 and if you get in an accident, you just change the panel.

The cars are assembled in Hambach, France which is on the border of Germany.

The safety system is the same as on Mercedes-Benz models. This vehicle is sold in 37 countries and over 1,000,000 Smart cars are on roads around the world.

Although reports say the 2009 Smart Car model will be unchanged as far as safety aspects, body appearance and overall performance. While a small number of changes have been reported, the Smart cars characteristics, which have made the Smart so distinctive and popular, will remain the same.

The 2009 Smart Pure starts at $11,000. The Smart Passion starts at $14,000 and the high-end Smart Passion convertible starts at $17,000.

New for 2009 will be the availability of the BRABUS version , a special limited edition version of the standard model, prices for the Brabus start at $20,000.

Unfortunately, for America the MHD (mild hybrid system ) that comes standard on all gas-powered 2009 Smart ForTwos sold in Europe will not be available in the U.S.A.

None the less the changes are very minor and include a new stock color their calling rally red, which will replace last years yellow and an optional color, now called metallic gray, will substitute for the optional red metallic from last year.

It is also reported the Smart Car's fabric interior will be more extreme to match the new exterior rally red color?

Door storage areas (currently built-into the hard case door) will be replaced with netting giving us a more flexible and larger storage area.

A “Loose Gas Cap” indicator light has been added to the dash panel.

At the present time, there is only one new option that is factory-installed for the 2009 U.S. model.

It is a solid roof and is a substitute to the current standard panoramic roof and comes at no additional cost. It is available only on the Smart Passion coupe and the option of a panorama roof on the Smart Pure coupe will no longer be available.

The 2009 Smart's are scheduled to be available in November, however prices of the 2009 models are yet to be confirmed.

Roadster

A roadster, also known as a spyder or spider, is a two-seater car, traditionally without a roof (or with a detachable roof) and no side or rear windows. Modern day two-seaters commonly have windows and feature retractable roofs (and are thus convertibles). While retractable soft-tops are still marketed as roadsters/spyders, retractable hard-tops are commonly designated as coupe roadsters.

Late 1930s-1950s early days

The term seems first to have appeared in the late 1930s in southern California, where people would race their modified cars on the vast, empty dry lake beds northeast of Los Angeles under the rules of the Southern California Timing Association. The activity increased in popularity after World War II, particularly in California, due to returning soldiers, many of whom had been given technical training in the service. The original hot rods were old cars (most often Fords, typically ModelTs, Model As 1928-31, 1932-34 Model Bs, or V-8s) that had been modified to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. Typical modifications were removal of convertible tops, hood, bumpers, windshield, and/or fenders); lowering the chassis; and modifying the engine by turningWheels and tires were changed for improved traction and handling. "Hot Rod" was sometimes a term used in the 1950s as a derogatory term for any car that did not fit into the mainstream. Hot rodder's modifications were considered to improve the appearance as well, leading to show cars in the 1960s replicating these same modifications along with a distinctive paint job. and/or replacing with a more powerful type.

Old roadsters

Traditionally, roadster bodies were used on anything from a Ford Model T to a Cadillac V-16. They are popular with collectors, and are often valued higher than even other open styles.

Hot rod roadsters

The American hot rod is largely based on Ford roadsters and coupes. Late Model Ts and 1932 Fords are the most popular starting points.

Modern roadsters

The introduction of the Mazda MX-5 in 1989 is largely credited with the resurgence in the market for roadsters.

2009 Maserati Quattroporte

If you love the Maserati Quattroporte, these photos of the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S should warm your heart. If you don't love the QP, we're sure with enough therapy you can turn things around. The Quattroporte S model gets a version the 4.7-Liter V8 out of the Gran Turismo S, detuned slightly to produce 425 HP. Obvious exterior changes include a slatted grille, revised front and rear lights and new mirrors. Because this car isn't for the mass affluent, the QP has been given two new shades of leather: Marrone Corniola and Sabbia. Press release below the jump; longing and credit checks sure to follow.

Maserati Quattroporte: A "Second" Masterpiece

The Maserati Quattroporte, a name that defined the category for the "Luxury Sports Sedan", in its current version can be considered something of a Maserati masterpiece. Five years of sales growth, 46 international awards and more than 15 000 cars delivered speak to its success as the flagship of Modena. A balanced blend of sporting capability and acclaimed design has defined the timeless attributes of cars bearing the Trident. For 2009 the Maserati Quattroporte is now being presented with a new look and new technical solutions.

The history of art is characterized by audacious artists who challenged pre-existing conventions and contributed seminal works. Some artists even challenged themselves by remodeling their own works and taking them to the next level. Leonardo Da Vinci produced a second version of his masterpiece known as "The Virgin of the Rocks". 400 years later, Matisse reinterpreted his original version of "Le Luxe". The results of both are essentially new works; although they are identical in size and very similar in composition to the originals; it is the new style that makes the second versions the most influential.

With some degree of similarity, Maserati is now realizing it's second "painting": the new Maserati Quattroporte.

Thanks to Pininfarina's unrivalled and skilful hand, the Maserati Quattroporte is being refined in a modern way, yet always mindful of the standards of purposeful line, elegance and exclusivity which characterize the style of the Maserati Quattroporte.

The personality and glamour of the Maserati flagship are now represented by two products: the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S.

The former is fitted with the familiar 4.2 liter V8 engine, while the latter adopts the new 4.7 liter 425 Hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S, with a different tuning specification.

Both cars have the 6-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF.

Exterior styling changes include:

A newly design front fascia which adopts the traditional Maserati vertical slats, a design cue seen most recently on the Maserati GranTurismo.

The front and rear light units are also updated, featuring LEDs.

The under-door molding is defined with a line that runs into that of the new bumpers, which have a wider protective band and more pronounced rear styling.

Side-view mirrors are also new, with a dynamic shape and a more streamlined mounting.

The Interior of the Quattroporte, renown for a design clarity and sense of occasion has also seen many updates including an all new, state of the art Entertainment and Navigation system. Primary and secondary controls for both the passenger and driver have been refined in order to enhance ease of operation.

Two new shades of leather, Marrone Corniola and Sabbia, will replace the beige which was previously in the range, and debut on the Quattroporte S and Quattroporte respectively.

The new Quattroporte and Quattroporte S will be presented to potential prospects, customers and Maserati loyalists at events the world over beginning July, 2008. Deliveries are anticipated beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

HUMMER LIMOUSINE

A 1 Luxury Limousine of South Florida is A i luxury Limousine of South Florida is equipped with the largest selection of H2 Hummer Limos in Miami, Hummer Limos in Fort Lauderdale, H2 Limos in Palm Beach and all of South Florida. Our Fleet IN West Palm Beach has grown from one lonely H2 Hummer Limo to a fleet of 14 Hummer Limousines in West Palm Beach combined with our Orlando Office. You can see the fleet in some of the H2 Hummer Limo Comes in Silver, Black, White, Yellow or White / Black. This fleet is second to none, and is available to be seen in person with no appointment. Please call us first to see the Stretch Hummers. Check out the custom Leopard interior with the hard wood floors. This hummer limousine is a sure head turner on South Beach. Take it to the clubs on the Miami Beach strip and live like the stars do. How about driving down to the Fort Lauderdale club scene in a vehicle! We go to West Palm Beach Clubs, or Key West parties, don't limit your self... jump in and let us take you for the ride of your life.

Hummer Limousine (Limo)

It is impossible to mistake a Hummer limousine (limo) for any other vehicle because of its unique design. If you're looking to ride in style and class, choose the unique Hummer H2 limousine. Hummer H2 limousines feature square corners, a roof rack, massive tires, flat glass, and a chrome seven-slot grille on the front as well as plenty of grab handles. The Hummer H2 limousine features a massive 122.8-inch wheelbase and a heavy pickup truck style limousine chassis. It is a very durable vehicle that is very drivable,

uniquely designed, and stylish. You'll enjoy riding in a comfortable and classy Hummer H2 limousine. Hummer Limousine is a very recognizable vehicle that brings attention of everyone no matter of the age. If you need al limo to attend Prom night, a Bachelor party, Bachelorette party, or simply just having a night out and you need to do it in style then look no further. This exotic hummer limo will get you there and back while accentuating your personality as a person who deserves VIP treatment. The new H2 Hummer Limousine styling is superb and the way that this one is

equipped makes it extraordinary. This vehicle is sure to excite you and the ride is one of the smoothest of any limousines on the road.

As for the beast behind the beauty, Hummers are refined versions of the military Humvee troop transport vehicle, so there are no worries there. These vehicles pack enough power for an army, let alone a moving party. The larger H1s have their 6.5L turbo-diesel engine, but the 2007 H2 isn't that much smaller than its bigger brother. It comes standard with a 6L V8.

Geneva 2008: Alfa Romeo 159, Brera, Spider, GT

Alfa Romeo's headline news is the launch of its 8C Competizione Spider super-roadster in Geneva, but changes are coming to the 159 range as well.
The revised line-up will comprise 1.8 (140bhp) and 2.2-litre (185bhp) petrol engines, 120bhp and 150bhp versions of the 1.9 JTD diesel, the 200bhp 2.4 JTDm diesel and the petrol 3.2 V6 (260bhp).


The 3.2 V6 is available for the first time with front-wheel-drive, and features the Q2 electronic differential. This splits torque between the two front wheels according to driving conditions and road surfaces, optimising grip, traction, road-holding and stability during hard acceleration in low-grip conditions and when exiting corners.


The fitting of lighter alloy wheels and some aluminium suspension and brake components is said to have cut weight by some 45kg, and there's a general refresh inside: new titanium-coloured trim, new instruments and some new controls, plus three new paint colours and three new alloy wheel designs to choose from.

The Brera and Spider 3.2 V6 are now also available with front-wheel-drive (in combination with the six-speed manual gearbox). Like their 159 equivalent, they can be distinguished by their black upholstery and red detailing, and will feature lowered and modified suspension, low-profile tyres, and 'Q2' badging.

New to the GT range is the Blackline III, with a 170bhp version of the 1.9 JTDm diesel engine which is good for 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds. It will also include the Q2 electronic differential and goes on sale in July.

2008 Audi R8 Aftermarket Audio System - Comple Mentary

Outstanding cars don't always have the audio systems to match. Moise E. Hendeles learned this truth when he bought an '08 Audi R8. "After purchasing my Audi R8, I was extremely dissatisfied with the factory Bang & Olufssen upgrade audio system," he reveals. Even the car's sticker price of $140,000 isn't enough to overcome the limitations of a factory audio system. The disgruntled Hendeles stopped by Al & Ed's Autosound in West Hollywood, Calif., to see what could be done.
Meeting with installer Elie Rothstein, Hendeles learned about some solutions that would greatly improve upon the OEM sound system. Confident that Al and Ed's could meet his expectations, he gave Rothstein the go-ahead for the $10,000 install. After all, if you're spending $140K on a car, what's an extra 10 grand?


Subwoofer Enclosure And AMP RackEmbedded in the rear wall behind the seats, a subwoofer and amps add some powerful lows to the system. "The goal was to achieve a nice, tight bass response to complement the front speakers," Rothstein explains. "This was definitely achieved!" Flushed into the wall and hidden by the seats, you won't even know the Alpine amps and Pioneer subs are back there until you turn on the stereo. Carbon fiber by Sly Machines covers the custom enclosure, coordinating with the Audi's sleek aesthetic

AMPS
Two Alpine PDX amplifiers power the system. For the front Focals, a four-channel PDX-4.100 pumps out 400 watts of power. Handling the subwoofer, a two-channel PDX-2.150 brings 300 watts.Sub
A Pioneer TS-SW104D slim line subwoofer pumps the bass from Hendeles' favorite rock songs right into the occupants' midsections. The new upgrades by Al & Ed's Autosound blow the original audio system out of the water and Hendeles couldn't be happier. The OEM system may have let him down, but the aftermarket sound met his expectations and then some.

Dash
Part of Rothstein's plan was to retain the factory source unit by using a Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 processor as an integration device. "This is the best way to integrate with the factory system," Rothstein says. "The built-in time alignment and EQ features truly made this system sound amazing."




Shifter Knob
In keeping with the carbon fiber on the vehicle's exterior, Rothstein used Sly Machines carbon-fiber trim liberally in the cabin. In addition to framing the factory head unit, the material adds some lightweight flair to the doors, the sub enclosure/amp rack, and, of course, the trim around the shifter.

Radar Detector
With a performer like the Audi R8, you know Hendeles can't possibly stick to the speed limit. The Passport radar detector helps keep traffic tickets to a minimum.

Doors
Keeping things simple, Rothstein disconnected the center channel and rear speakers. He then focused on the front only, mounting new speakers in the factory locations. A Focal K2 Power series three-way component set creates the soundstage. The 6.5-inch midbass and 4-inch woofer lodge in the doors, while the tweeter sits up in the sail panel.

Exterior
The '08 Audi R8 is gorgeous as is. Hendeles left the original body and wheels alone, making his only change in the engine compartment. There, he had the engine walls replaced with carbon fiber.

The HUMMER GT modified H2

Crazy European tuner Geiger cars has just unveiled its most hideous vehicle yet. The HUMMER GT is a modified H2 complete with gullwing doors, giant 30-inch wheels, and a 556hp (409kW) supercharged engine. The conversions include a custom light blue/orange paint job, engine upgrade with stainless steel exhaust and a specially calibrated ECU, lower suspension by about 100mm, and sport anti-sway bars for reduced tilt while fast cornering (we wonder whether that’s even possible). With these updates, the


HUMMER GT can hit 0-62mph in under 8s and has a max speed of 225km/h. Inside, you get carbon highlights, color-coded instruments and a multimedia system including a navigation system, DVD player, TV receiver and two LCD-screens that are integrated in the dashboard and a specially designed roof console. If you want the 30” wheels and special tyres you’ll need to cough up 28,000 Euros. A high performance brake kit with 380mm vented discs and 8-pot fixed calipers costs 10,268 Euros. This is on top of the
retail price starting from 133,900 Euros. More images
after the jump.