Cars

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia

A brand new dual clutch 7-speed automated-manual transmission, triple exhaust outlets, body by Pininfarina, F1-spec traction control system, and 9000 RPM’s pulled from a mid-ship mounted 4.5L direct injected Ferrari V8. This list of standard specifications of the Ferrari 458 Italia offer an exitic brainstorm of what the new entry-level mid-engined Ferrari is like. Built to replace the long-running F430, the newest member to the Ferrari lineup seperates itself from the entry-level California.

Offering one of (if not the) most powerful naturally aspirated production V8′s and pushes an astonishing 562 HP at redline or 9000 RPM. And whether you like it or not, its attached to an automated-manual F1-style 7-speed transmission. Interestingly, according to Ferrari (and many other luxury/sports marques) purists complaints don’t represent the actual buying public so a proper manual won’t be offered. Owners will, however, be satisfied knowing body panels are crafted using aerospace technology allowing impossibly thin paneling.

Being a modern Ferrari, reviewers seem to be mostly impressed by the 458′s technological aspects rather than styling or performance. Read on to some of the reviews to see how the chassis aerodynamics are a particular area of interest.

• Automobile Mag (Review)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Autocar (YouTube)
• evo Magazine (YouTube)
• Fifth Gear (YouTube)

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible

Everyone’s doing it these days: creating track-day cars to fill a new market. Track day cars aren’t quite full blown race cars but they’re a hard sell as a grocery-getter model either. Once touted as the “least expensive 200 MPH car,” the Bentley Continental . Bentley’s Continental line has been around for quite some time (released in 2003) and has offered no less than five variants including the original GT, the convertible GTC, the slightly upmarket GT Speed, its drop-top sibling the GTC Speed, and most recently the Supersports. As keen readers will be able to note after any model introduction comes a convertible variant so following this springs release of the Continental Supersports comes the Supersports Convertible.

Bentley’s Continental Supersports Convertible sports 621 HP and 519 LB/FT of twisties available beginning at 1650 RPM from the W12 motor. Acceleration to 60 happens in just 3.9 seconds (down from 4.3 from the GTC Speed) and to 100 MPH in 8.9 seconds. Interestingly, the Continental Supersports can deliver enough G’s (1.29) of force around a skidpad to rip your face off helped partly from the wheels weighing only a skant 22 LB’s each. MSRP for the convertible starts at $280K but all seems worth it when you consider this is the fastest 4-seat convertible money can buy.

Reviews for the Continental Supersports Convertible are quite positive. Everyone of the test drivers were impressed by how well it handled its “bulk” given the car’s 5400 LB curb weight. “Nicely weighted” steering, “superb brakes,” and comfort that could only be associated with a Bentley are the common superlatives ringing between the reviewers. Catch some of the reviews below including some of the Supersports coupe.

Supersports Convertible

• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)
• Yahoo! Cars (UK, First Drive)
• Car and Driver (Review)
• Left Lane News (Review)

Supersports Coupe

• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Telegraph.co.uk (Review)
• CNet Cartech  (blog, First Take, YouTube)
• Motor Trend (Review)
• Top Gear (UK, Road Test, YouTube segment)

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG dazzles with its unparalleled technology collection: an aluminum space-frame bodyshell with gullwing doors; an AMG 6.3-liter, front-mid V8 engine with a top force of 563 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque, and dry sump lubrication; seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle design; a sports chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension; and a curb weight of 3,573 pounds. It’s a combination that guarantees dominant handling mechanics. The car’s ideal weight arrangement between the fore and aft axles (47 to 53 pct respectively) and its low point of gravity punctuate the striking sports car concept. The Gullwing shaped car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a maximum velocity of 196 mph (electronically restricted).

The identifiable figure of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its lustful sportiness and reinterprets the exciting design of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, one of the brightest arrangements of the Mercedes-Benz marque. With its undiluted organisation, the new SLS AMG reflects the teachings of modern sports car design: The nearly 6-foot-long bonnet, the low glass positioned far backward, and the abbreviated backside with the long rear spoiler represent dynamism, as do the abundant wheelbase, the wide track, and the ample wide wheels. The proportions are set by the stubby overhangs and the design of the super car, with a low-slung, front-mid engine mounted substantially backwards and a dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration. The stylistic detail is without question the gullwing doors, which bestow the SLS AMG with unequaled attractiveness and make an uncomparable statement in this vehicle segment.

Edmunds (Review)
Left Lane (First Drive)
Motor Trend (First Drive)
MSN Autos UK (First Drive)
UK Telegragh (Review)
Jalopnik (First Drive)

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

The Lamborghini Gallardo has had no shortage of variants over its 8-year production life, it was introduced as the ‘affordable’ Lamborghini for the “new money” types. The Gallardo quickly proved a popular seller and 5 years after its introduction the first Superleggera was introduced as the track-day version of the popular sports car. For the 2007-08 model year, the first Gallardo Superleggera came standard with the base models E-gear automated-manual transmission, was lighter by 150 lbs and offered a 10 hp gain over the base model.

For 2011, the fine folks of Sant’Agata Bolognese have topped their (previously) top-of-the-line LP-560-4 by 10 hp “added lightness” by 158 lbs, besting the original Gallardo Superleggera. Surprisingly, according to those who reviewed it, ride quality has not been sacrificed. For the die-hard enthusiasts or those looking to track the Superleggera 570-4 can opt for the radio to be deleted. However, for comfort’s sake, air-conditioning and power windows remain standard and cannot be removed from the window-sticker.

Car and Driver (First Drive, Second Drive)
Inside Line (First Drive)
Automobile Magazine (Review)
Motor Trend (First Drive)
Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
Road and Track (Review)