With consumers becoming increasingly strapped for cash and conscious of their impact on the environment, smaller engines and lower emissions are at the top of many a car buyer’s list. It was with this in mind that Fiat developed a 2-cylinder version of their popular 500 model. Perhaps surprisingly, the 2-cylinder engine produces 15% lower emissions and 24% more power than its 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder predecessor. Not only does this make it cheaper, and a bit more fun, to drive, but it also makes it one of few petrol driven cars that is exempt from the congestion charge in London. Italian cars are becoming an increasingly popular buying choice both in Europe and the USA; and many people are using Fiat finance deals to purchase a new or used vehicle.
From a driver’s perspective, the 85 break horsepower generated by its super-light (85kg) engine gives the car a surprisingly nippy feel. In fact, it does 0-60 in under 11 seconds, which certainly isn’t bad for a car its size, especially when keeping its fuel-efficiency in mind, and will reach a top speed of 108mph. Starting from just over £10,500 and in combination with it’s low running costs, the 2-cylinder Twin Air is a perfect alternative for cash and environment conscious city drivers.
Never mind the small engine. Fiat Twin Air still is fun to drive and 92g/km CO2 emissions make it a road-tax exempt in many countries.
The head of the Ferrari company hinted at premiere possibility in Geneva absolutely new and unusual Ferrari. Signor Luca di Montezemolo at times meaningly supposes some information leakage about the future novelties to their premiere. In interview to the French magazine L'Equipe, mr. Montezemolo declared that its company prepares new model for the Geneva auto show, "rather different from others".
Naturally, any additional information from Italy did not arrive yet, but the European mass-media assume that seigneur Montezemolo meant a certain model with the lowered influence on environment. On the Parisian motor show Mr. Montezemolo already showed Ferrari 430 equipped with system High Emotion Low Emisson (HELE). It's expected that this year HELE system becomes a part of a basic set of Ferrari super-cars.
Besides, in assortment of a new Ferrari F430 is available the 599 HY-KERS with the hybrid power-plant, equipped with the additional 100-strong electromotor.
Fiat company presented the updated versions of model Idea for the car market of the South America. Compact car now began to resemble more the big brothers — Linea and Bravo. As to an exterior, the main changes in front — headlights of the big size, a radiator enclosure in a new corporate style and the updated bumper. The back received new flashlights and a bumper. In the car market of South America Idea offer in four complete sets: Attractive, Essence, Sporting and Adventure. For a choice of buyers: engines in volume 1,4, 1,6 and 1,8 litres.
Idea by Fiat
There is a probability that European Idea too soon receives similar external updating. Among the basic competitors of Idea: Alfa Romeo 159 and crossover MINI Countryman.
Great Enzo Ferrari has created the multi-billion corporation creating not simply fast and reliable cars, but standards of high automobile design. In company history the broadest range of remarkable and rare cars but what of them it's really possible to name the most beautiful? Television channel CNBC has asked most authoritative historian and expert of the Italian mark Marcel Massini to make the list of 15 most magnificent Ferrari in history. The Swiss has 30-year-old professional experience of researches in the field of automobile history, edits two international firm magazines and it's considered the best in the world the adviser for the Italian cars, whose services the largest collectors and the famous auction houses use.
Ferrari. TOP-15
15. Ferrari 375 Plus Cabriolet (1954)
Massini has put this car on 15 place because this car "has been created in the single copy for the king of Belgium Leopold and at Ferrari 375 Plus Cabriolet too huge engine". Prospective cost of the car — $10 million. 14. Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta (1967)
Comment Massini: "This variant of 250th GTO for the poor man became classics of 60th years". Approximate cost of $900,000US, circulation — 330 copies. 13. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spider (1959)
Massini: "the Fantastic kind, and extremely successful racer". 15 million dollars, and only four collected cars. 12. Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series 1 (1957)
"Very graceful, pure and at the same time simple lines, it is a pity, that it is not enough". Massini had in view of too small circulation of a cabriolet — 36 cars. Today such car on sale for $3 million. 11. Ferrari 330 P4 Berlinetta (1967)
Massini: "very sensual, very successful in races and very rare". It has been made only 3 cars, prospective cost — $30 million. 10. Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta (1963)
250 GT Lusso Berlinetta "are extraordinary graceful, they very much like women". On personal preference Massini the best variant of colour for this car is dark blue or a shade of gun bronze. 350 copies are constructed. The today's price: $500,000US. 9. Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" Berlinetta (1968)
The characteristic which has been given out by the Swiss expert: "Initial design, massive, but thus prompt". The nickname "Daytona" was given by journalists, in honour of victory Ferrari in the 24-sentry to race in the Daytona-Beach in February of 1967. The best colour for this car, according to Massini, exclusively yellow. The price — 350 000 dollars. 1 383 copies are made. 8. Ferrari Enzo (2003)
The car of 2003 "extremely exotic and extreme, named in honour of the company founder. The best colour for Enzo — grey-steel gun bronze". The prospective price of $1,3 million, 400 copies. 7. Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta (1961)
"A fine and harmonious styling, initial design, the best variant dark blue or silver-grey". 165 cars of this model have been constructed. Their today's price fluctuates from 3 to 6 million dollars. 6. Ferrari 206 Dino GT (1968)
According to Massini: "at Dino 206 GT very sensual lines of rotundities, the car by all means should be dark green or silver-grey". Prospective cost today — $300 000. Circulation — 150 units. 5. Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta (1949)
Barchetta became for Ferrari "the sign project, it is an early classics" Ferrari "which, of course, should be red". Only these 25 beauties left factory gate in 1949. Today for each of them ask not less $5 million. 4. Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Berlinetta (1953)
"A classical 3-l racing car of the beginning of 50th years". 18 copies of this model are made For long-distance races, today car cost reaches $3 million. 3. Ferrari 250 LM Berlinetta (1964)
On high third place Massini has put this car because it — "last Ferrari, winning wearisome 24 hour race in Le Mans in 1965". The starting price from $8,000,000. In total 32 copies are made. 2. Ferrari 250 GTO Series Two (1964)
"An aggressive look with unusually long front and short back and a tremendous success of public", have forced Massini to put this car on the second place in a rating of the most beautiful cars Ferrari of all times. Cost of one of 7 constructed copies 250 GTO Series Two reads off scale for 30 million dollars.
V CARRERA PANAMERICANA MEXICO
1. Ferrari 375 Mille Miglia Spider — Chassis #0286 AM only (1953)
The unique car collected in the single copy. For Massini this car most-most of all models with an emblem of "the Caracoling Stallion". "Extremely the aggressive project, unique, executed in one copy, a detail and sensational components". The expert believes, that the initial price of such car will be not less than $12,000,000 million.
The remarkable fact, in rating Massini practically is not present models Ferrari of last 40 years, except for "anniversary" Enzo 2003. Can be at you, expensive readers, are into this account the opinion?
The season of cabriolets in Russia has smoothly driven to the end, but nevertheless true cabriolets should interest prime minister Maserati on autoshow in Frankfurt — GranCabrio.
The first Italian the cabriolet
It's the first in history of the Italian mark a 4-seater cabriolet. Design of a novelty underline a huge oval lattice of a radiator in a corporate style, the fabric roof developing and displayed for 28 sec — provided that speed no more than 30 km/h. In a car design superficial aluminium was generously applied. Thus under a cowl powerful 4,7-l 433-strong V8. However, while cabriolet dynamic characteristics it's not informed, but be assured, that they will not disappoint.
In salon the climate control and audiosystem Bose will please. Novelty sales start in the spring of 2010. Cost yet is not informed.
The American automasters have constructed unusual car Maserati Quattroporte: supercar have transformed into a superlimousine.
Limousine Maserati Quattroporte
The car is capable to contain 10 passengers. The unique car can be rented at company Padilla Car Collection. What engine completes the car — it is not known. As the owner of a unique miracle of technics assures, it is unique limousine Maserati Quattroporte in the world.
By the end of 2011 company Alfa Romeo plans to present a new sedan which will receive name Giulia and becomes model 159 successor. On it informs British edition Autocar referring to own sources in the Italian motor-car manufacturer.
New Alfa Romeo Giulia by Fiat C-Evo
The novelty will be constructed on platform Fiat C-Evo and begins to be offered both with forward, and with a full drive. As have declared magazine Autocar sources, developers are full determination as much as possible to lower weight of the car and to achieve thus high indicators of passive safety therefore the sedan "could receive even six stars EuroNCAP if in it there was such necessity".
What engines will be offered for Alfa Romeo Giulia yet is not informed, however, under assumptions of some foreign editions, the scale will include petrol motors of family MultiAir and diesel engines of series Multijet.
Besides, successor Alfa Romeo 159 will receive system DNA which is already used on hatchback Mi.To also allows to choose one of three algorithms of work of system of stabilization, the wheel electroamplifier, and also to change time of the response for pressing of a pedal of an accelerator.
Retro sedan Alfa Romeo Giulia
It is expected, that at the European dealers the novelty will appear not earlier than 2012.
