Top Cars

For the unveiling of its first front-engined V8 sportscar, Ferrari rolled out a dedicated launch site. But up until now, the site (as well as the company's media portal) only gave us a glimpse at a handful of studio shots. Germany's AutoBild, meanwhile, managed to obtain a handful of new shots of the California out in the open, inside and out and front to back. Natural sunlight seems to soften the sportscar's lines a fair deal... but don't take our word for it

Speaking at the old Fiat Lingotto factory in Turin, Italy, Volkswagen Group's Design Director, Walter De Silva, discussed the future of VW, Audi and Lamborghini, keeping light on specifics, but offering more fuel for the speculative fire surrounding the future of Lamborghini.

According to CAR, De Silva waxed poetic about the aura of the group's Italian performance arm, with Design Head Manfred Fitzgerald making it clear that the Reventon's pointed proboscis and heavily canted intakes – which were supposedly penned before the launch of the Gallardo LP560-4 -- will be the primary influence for the next generation of Lamborghinis.

As for the future underpinnings of the Murcielago, Chief Engineer Maurizio Regginai wasn't willing to give up much, but said that "the power to weight ratio is key, and everything we can do to get the weight down is vital to the project" providing further proof that the welded steel chassis of current Lambos is on its way out and that aluminum will find its way under the composite skin of future models. All-wheel-drive, which has become an integral part of the "Lamborghini DNA" will continue, but when asked about the future of dual-clutch transmissions, Regginai simply said, "we have top performance in 0-100 kph with our cars, I don't understand why we'd want to change anything."

Alfa Romeo will produce a high-performance version of its new MiTo hatchback that will wear the vaunted GTA badge. The nameplate was historically used on top-of-the-line performance-oriented Alfas, and will make a comeback with the range-topping MiTo.

Pictured above is a rendering of what the GTA could look like. Power will come from the company's 1750cc 230hp turbo four, with variable valve timing and direct injection. Little else is known at this point, but with 230hp, the MiTo GTA promises to leave the less powerful turbocharged 175hp MINI Cooper S behind in its tracks.

Land Rover is reportedly developing a new seven-seater SUV based on the Freelander. Codenamed "Project L486", the new vehicle will slot into the line-up in between the Freelander and the Discovery, with styling cues culled from the LRX concept. The vehicle will use Ford's EUCD platform, which also underpins the Freelander as well as the Volvo XC60, V70 and S80 and the Ford Galaxy, S-Max and Mondeo. While the new model, which could appear under the "Ventura" nameplate, is said to be more on-road focused than off, it will still feature such go-anywhere systems as hill descent control operated via Land Rover's "Terrain Response" switch, along with traction control and stability management. A wide array of powertrain options are expected to be on offer, including diesel and gasoline engines mated to manual and automatic transmissions as well as Ford/Volvo's Getrag-sourced dual-clutch transmission and a mild hybrid system.

The new model is expected to make its debut in 2012, with production taking place alongside the Land Rover Freelander and the production LRX and the Jaguar X-Type at the Halewood plant in Merseyside, England.

Lamborghini has teamed up with Versace yet again to offer a special edition of the Murcielago LP640. If you're thinking this isn't a first, you're thinking right: Back in 2006, the two Italian houses of striking style teamed up to offer a small run of 10 LP640 coupes, and then produced an additional black roadster for a charity fundraiser. But now Lamborghini is offering the Versace edition LP640 Roadster to the public at large – that is, those who have the big bucks to cough up for one.

As could be expected, the Versace edition is more about style than substance. The bright white exterior is plastered with Versace's Greek motif, while the interior gets special full-grain, hand-embroidered, ultra-soft, white nappa leather on the seats, dashboard and center console. The Versace edition also gets a transparent engine cover that showcases the V12 for the first time. The special edition, unveiled yesterday at Versace's Via Gesu 12 in Milan during Men's Fashion Week, was accompanied by a new range of Lamborghini Versace merchandise, including leather luggage, gloves, driving shoes and an assortment of other accessories.

Check out the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below to take in all the little touches that sets the Versace edition LP640 Roadster apart

PRESS RELEASE:

THE NEW LAMBORGHINI MURCIÉLAGO LP 640 ROADSTER VERSACE AND THE EXCLUSIVE VERSACE COLLECTION LP 640

Versace and Lamborghini, collaborators since 2006, proudly announce the launch of the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE and a unique collection of accessories, both to be previewed for the first time at the Maison's Via Gesù 12, Milan on Monday June 23rd, 2008.

To create the new super roadster, the Maison Versace's designers joined forces with designers from the Lamborghini Design Centre (Centro Stile)and specialists working on the "ad personam" project. This Lamborghini program allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars, choosing the equipment specification, the colour of the exterior body and of the interior fittings.

The new limited edition Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE, which will be produced to order, displays a pastel white livery and the Versace Greek key motif on the lower part of the door. Equipped for the very first time with a transparent engine hood that reveals the powerful V12 engine, this model has been reconfigured internally. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather – hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif - upholsters the instrument panel, the doors and the central console.

The rigorous design and minimal lines of the Murciélago engine hood inspired the Versace Collection LP 640 range of accessories, which will also be previewed for the first time globally. Exclusively crafted in black matte calf skin, models include: a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat and a pair of jeans. These hand-made accessories boast traditional craftsmanship, stitching and edging à la française and a palladium-engraved tag displaying both the Versace and Lamborghini logos.

This prestigious accessory collection will be exclusively available at Versace Boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms beginning in November 2008.

Gianni Versace's CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphasised: "This new supercar and the exclusive Collection LP640 represent a natural evolution of excellence for both Versace and Lamborghini through the creation of these unique, one-of-a-kind projects."

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., said: "Our collaboration with Versace turned out to be an excellent experience and is an example of how we are pursuing our strategy of developing luxury products outside of luxury sports cars. We are proud to be in this prestigious, Made in Italy partnership with Versace, which adds to our other recent successes."

You can now walk down to your local Nissan retailer and plop your backside in the 2009 Maxima that breathes new life into the old Four Door Sports Car legend of the second-generation Maxima. Like the revised Murano, the tweaked Maxima offers more than just new lights. Standard equipment is up, as is horsepower. A standard Maxima 3.5S offers more goodies for $29,290; an '08 equipped the same way would cost nearly $30,000, while the most important metric is the 290 horsepower the fabulous VQ V6 now thumps out. Stepping up a trim level to the 3.5 SV will have you shelling out $31,990, and you can doll it up with sportier suspension tune with 19" rims, super-comfy premium seats, a big 'ol two panel moonroof, and a back up monitor, just to name a few goodies.
A new interior design improves upon what the '08 carried, which wasn't bad to begin with, unlike some previous Nissans. If any vehicle can live up to the 4DSC stickers, it's the latest iteration of the Maxima, the car that originated the phrase; to properly carry the moniker, it must. You can view the full press release after the jump and check out our First Drive of the 2009 Nissan Maxima before making the trek to the dealer.