Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Aussie Cops get Alfa Romeo MiTo Police Car


We won't go as far as calling it an interceptor, but Sydney's Rose Bay Police is the latest law enforcement force in Australia to get an Alfa Romeo police car. The MiTo is the most recent in a series of cars provided by the Italian automaker to police forces around Australia.

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Rare, Rear-Engined Tatra 603 for Sale in the States


Feel the need to own a "Communist supercar" that can ford rivers and fall down mountains with nary a hint of damage? This Czechoslovakian Tatra 603 might just be up your alley.

Tatra was one of the first manufacturers to get into the whole rear-mounted engine scene, meaning all you 911 and Beetle fans out there have engineer Hans Ledwinka to thank.

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VIDEO: Dropped 2010 Camaro SS on Hydraulics


Is this what the kids are into nowadays? If so, well...good for them. I've never been into the huge lowrider / airbag / hydraulic culture, but I'm glad to see it's thriving; it's a different take on the car scene. If anyone's wondering what a 2010 Camaro SS capable of "hitting three's with ease" looks like, here you go. The info / details start at around 2:00.

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Novitec Rosso Does the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti


German tuning company Novitec Rosso has no problem whatsoever about putting its own mark on Ferrari's supercars. Its most recent offering is a new customization package with performance and cosmetic upgrades for Maranello's 612 Scaglietti.

The cornerstone of Novitec Rosso's program for the 2+2 seat grand tourer are a power increase and an even sportier exhaust note. The Ferrari's 5.7-liter V12 engine gets revamped electronics and a custom stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four 90mm tail pipes resulting in a boost in output to 565HP at 7,290 rpm and 609Nm or 449.2 lb-ft of peak torque.

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APS Sportec Powers Porsche 911 Turbo to 580-Horsepower


The tuners over at APS of Brackley, which is the UK importer for the Swiss company Sportec, have unveiled a new performance kit for the 'facelifted' version of the 911 Turbo. In standard form, the 997 Turbo's six-cylinder, 3.8-liter boxer engine delivers 493 bhp.

By reconfiguring the ECU and adding a sport air-filter and a stainless steel sports exhaust system with high flow catalytic converters and two 70mm twin-tailpipes, Sportec managed to boost output to 580 bhp at 6,500 rpm. Peak torque hits 800 Nm (590 lb.ft) at 3,500 rpm with more than 700 Nm (516 lb.ft) available from 2,700 to 5,500 rpm.

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New Zealand's Hulme CanAm Supercar Opens for Orders


The developers of the Hulme CanAm have announced plans to produce a limited-run of 20 units of the New Zealand-designed and built supercar, each priced at £295,000 (plus local taxes), equal to US$423,200 and €346,300 at today's exchange rates.

Named after the 1967 F1 World Champion, Denny Hulme from New Zealand, the road-legal Hulme CanAm features an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tub and bodywork, and race-orientated chassis, suspension and braking. The supercar tips the scales at 980kg / 2,160 lbs.

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Foose-Made Alfa Romeo Carabo Replica Found on eBay


Originally made for Alfa Romeo by Bertone, the (real) Carabo was built atop a chassis donated by Alfa's 33 Stradale. Packing a 230-horsepower V8, it debuted at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. But this isn't it.

Don't worry, this isn't some tacky, Fiero-based kit car, either. The guy behind this replica wanted to purchase the original from Bertone (so the ad says) but the design firm wasn't willing to part with the masterpiece, so he decided to say to hell with that and have his own built...by Sam Foose. For those who just got out of bed, that would be Chip Foose's father.

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