2008 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Review

The new Quattroporte Sport GT S is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show for its worldwide preview. The Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s flagship car sportiness. Exclusively for those looking for a sporting edge in a luxury sedan, the Quattroporte Sport GT S, equipped with an automatic 6-speed gearbox, stands out for its exceptional dynamic behaviour and uncompromised handling.

This result was obtained with the introduction of single-rate dampers and a new “racing” set up. The Quattroporte Sport GT S sits 10 mm lower at the front and 25 mm at the rear, and also features new, stiffer springs and dampers. The lower ride height and greater rigidity in the suspension system have led to a noticeable reduction in the roll and pitch angles, in the weight transfer and also to a slight increase in lateral acceleration. In everyday driving, this translates into limited body movements, with significant improvements in terms of agility, as well as travel speed through and traction coming out of curves. The result is a car that feels very much like a coupé to drive.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S also boasts another major new development: a unique braking system developed in collaboration with Brembo. This innovative technology uses composite dual-cast discs, the first time such a set up has been employed on a road car.

Unlike traditional cast iron discs, dual-cast discs are made of two materials, cast iron and aluminium, to ensure optimised braking, improving performance in the most extreme conditions and providing greater resistance to fade even at the highest temperatures. The dual-cast disc consists of a cast iron braking surface and an aluminium hat, making it possible to combine the advantages of heat-resistance provided by cast iron with the lightweight properties of aluminium. In particular, the use of aluminium, which is generally 20% lighter than cast iron, made it possible to increase the diameter of the front discs up to 360 mm, while maintaining the same weight. In addition to improving the performance of the braking system, other advantages created by the dual-casting of these materials include greater driving comfort, less wear on the discs and pads, and better component performance.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S’s new braking system also features new mono-block, six-piston front brake callipers and new tyres have been developed especially for this car (front 245/35-R20 and rear 295/30-R20). The larger rear ground footprint allows optimum use of the V8’s 400 hp, whilst the new tyre mix helps the brakes and set-up to guarantee a superior level of handling and driving emotion.

The fuel economy is also remarkable: it uses 9% less fuel compared to the Quattroporte DuoSelect (non-urban driving).

The Quattroporte Sport GT S’s exterior is distinguished by a more aggressive look. The black-chrome mesh front grille, a characteristic element of sporty Maseratis, is joined by a series of significant aesthetic elements: the side window trims and the two double exhaust pipes are also in black, whilst door handles are in the same colour as the body of the car.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S is fitted with dark-chrome 20", seven spoke alloy wheels.

Even the interior reflects the muscular character of the car, thanks to a meticulous selection of materials which celebrate the sportier nature of the latest evolution of the Maserati flagship vehicle. The interior finish features carbon-fibre with aluminium treads.

The front seats offer an advanced level of lateral support and are distinguished by the new design of the seat and backrest. Thanks to a more cosseting shape, they ensure an excellent level of comfort as well as support for the upper body and legs in sporty driving.

The interior of the Quattroporte GT S combines the traditional Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara, which covers the central sections of the seats, the door panels and the rim of the steering wheel. Available in five colours (Beige, Pearl Beige, Grigio-Gray, Nero-Black, and Blu Trofeo), Alcantara, beside giving customers a further personalisation option, also offers better grip.

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2007 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

What it Is
New Cars: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Preview – It’s hard to imagine that a 600hp, rear wheel drive, V10 American muscle machine might not be enough for some people, but Dodge aims to please with an American Club Racer (ACR) edition of the 2008 Viper SRT10. The improvements to the ACR will come in the form of handling improving tweaks, not more power. With additional weight saving reductions, additional air-flow management, enhanced braking, lightweight wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division at Dodge are looking to widen the gap between the venom-spitting sports car and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

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Why it Matters
If you’re looking for a high-powered, rear wheel drive, American sports car under $100,000, your choices are the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ford Shelby GT500, or the Dodge Viper SRT10. With 90 more hp than last year, the Viper beats the other two competitors by nearly 100 hp, but rumors are the Corvette will be enjoying nearly 200 extra ponies in the upcoming ZR-1 which means it will outpower the Viper by the same 100 hp margin. Improving power and handling now will give the Viper an edge to keep enthusiast’s interest while Chevy readies the ZR-1 to hit the streets.

What’s Under the Hood
Under the hood, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is identical to the non-ACR version. Both are powered by a new 8.4-liter aluminum V10 that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft. of torque. Power is then run through a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission and a GKN Viscolok speed-sensing limited-slip differential. Braking is improved over the Viper SRT10 by utilizing StopTech lightweight, two-piece, slotted rotors reducing unsprung weight and rotating mass. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires which are DOT-approved, street legal race rubber, are mounted on aluminum Sidewinder wheels to get the power to the ground.

What it Looks Like
The Viper is already a sports car that appears to be in a perpetual strike stance whether moving or standing still. The cross-hair grille looks ready to sink it’s fangs into anything that dares get in its way. The 2008 Viper’s menacing looks are enhanced with a redesigned hood featuring functional hood scoop and louvers. The ACR version also features a “fanged” windsplitter, front drive blades and an adjustable rear wing that makes it about the meanest looking thing on the road and should strike terror in the rearview mirrors of more than a few soon to be passed victims.

What’s Inside
Dodge doesn’t list what if any extras the Viper SRT10 ACR interior comes with, instead, they list what can be deleted. A “Hard Core” package is available where an additional weight savings of 40-lbs can be gained by deleting the audio system, underhood silencer pad, trunk carpet and tire inflator. A lightweight cover replaces the radio and can be fitted with the included lat timer and the door speakers are replaced with carbon fiber panels. Now owners just need to decide if it’s easier to diet and lose 40-lbs or just learn to hum along to the 560 hp V10.

What Dodge Says
Dodge bills the Viper SRT10 ACR as the “ultimate purpose-built, street legal track car.” The track has always been the only place an enthusiast could really let out the reigns on the Viper so enhancing its track characteristics is the next logical step. The Mopar builder also says that “Aerodynamic improvements, racing suspension and weight savings equal unmatched performance for under $100,000.” Super car performance and still coming in under a 100 large is a combination that’s hard to beat.

What We Think
With 600 hp and no computer controlled handling inputs, the Viper is a pure driving enthusiast’s car, and can instantaneously become more than a handful in even the most capable driver’s hands. Anything that improves handling in this wild beast can only be a welcome improvement and we’ll never turn down better braking. Yet, when we think of the Viper our thoughts immediately turn to the horsepower numbers and when we hear Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, we have to admit that we are a little disappointed there aren’t a few more drops of horsepower inducing venom running through the V10.

More 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Photos

Vernon Heywood
MyRide Associate Editor

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2008/2009 sports cars to watch out for...

Sorry for not posting earlier. Here's my top 6 future cars I am impatiently waiting for (listed in order of importance).

1. BMW M3
This speedster, now outfitted with a long-awaited V8, will retail for about $53,000. Sticker shock?
Drive the M3 virtually here.

2. Lexus IS-F
With 400+ horsepower emanating from its V8, the IS-F is the fastest Lexus ever! (It's also my favorite Lexus, second to the LS 600hL) With an aggressive body kit and sleek pearlescent blue-purple paint, this ferocious IS could be coming to my father as a courtesy rental car next time he brings his RX 300 for service...

3. Nissan GT-R
The new iteration of the famous Skyline, this car has been captured by many spy car photographers alongside a 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo, considered to be a benchmark car. This automobile already has been booked to appear in Need For Speed: ProStreet and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

4. Subaru Impreza WRX STI
This hotly expected version of the 2008 Impreza will only be available in the ugly hatchback style, though is is still aggressive to the power of 10. Bristling with spoilers and hood scoops, still only little is known about the new uber-Impreza.

5. Audi TT Coupe
The best-looking TT so far, this mini-rocket is quite luxurious, like any other Audi. Beneath the more-aggressive exterior lies a 250-hp V6.

EDIT:
After a comment about this post, I have decided to add another car to this uber-quintet of sports cars: the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

6. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The concept version of the next-gen Tiburon, this 300 hp speedster will provide thrills worthy of an Evo/STI with a price good enough to make generous parents buy their college-bound kid a Genesis Coupe, rather than the traditional used clunker.

Image from:
http://www.sempson.com/i/SportsCarRender.jpg

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2008 Aston Martin DBS co-stars in newest Bond flick

The latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale, is set to open this week with Daniel Craig portraying the suave British spy for the first time. Of course what would a Bond movie be without a bevy of Bond girls? For Casino Royale, sexy French actress Eva Green is Vesper Lynd and sultry Italian Caterina Murino is Solange. But one other “co-star” is just as sexy and head-turning – the 2008 Aston Martin DBS. With stunts such as doing seven consecutive cannon rolls, the Aston Martin DBS is set to wow audiences in the film.

The Aston Martin DBS is only the latest car to be the Bond-mobile.Ever since the very first 007 movie (Dr. No, 1962, starring Sean Connery), the cars are as memorable as the Bond girls - from the Sunbeam Alpine in Dr. No to the stunning Aston Martin V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day that features invisibility cloaking device and an artillery of guns and missile launchers popping out from nowhere. ForbesAutos.com recently released a list of the top ten Bond-mobiles. It’s a veritable wish list of some of the best sports cars ever.

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Nissan GT-R sports car

The Japanese automotive company Nissan Motor recently declared that it is going to introduce a new sports car that will surely thrill car lovers. Sports car enthusiasts in Japan can take a peek of the GT-R sports car most probably next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. To hose who are very determined to own one, well, you still have to wait until December when this all-new sports car will be released by Nissan.

The Nissan GT-R sports car guarantees an excellent performance. This four-wheel drive sports car has a twin turbo system that ensures superior drivability. Moreover, this quality vehicle comes at a very reasonable price.

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i-MIEV SPORT: Mitsubishi Launches New Electric Sports Car

One of the most innovative electric sports cars by Mitsubishi, the i-MIEV Sport, was just shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show. This cute and sporty beetle-esque electric car comes with optional photovoltaics for solar power, and will be powered by a pack of Li-ions that will allow drivers to go about 100 miles before needing to recharge. While concept electric vehicles are released every year that never make it into production, this snappy little vehicle gives us hope for the future, because it will go into production in 2009.
The i-MIEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is Mitsubishi’s flagship environmentally friendly vehicle. Amongst the technologies to which it is privy to, the electric plug-in lithium battery powered vehicle offers energy saving LEDs, heat absorbing glass to reduce heat gain within the vehicle and the interior components of the vehicle use plant-based resin technology developed by Mitsubishi, which they claim is environmentally friendly.
And then, there’s the way in which the vehicle gets power. Sure, it is an in-wheel motored, plug-in vehicle, a technology which is gaining traction from most auto makers. But the i-MIEV also comes equipped with an auxiliary photovoltaic generator on the roof, a power generating fan inside the front grill and is also able to recharge its lithium battery when the car brakes, recuperating wasted energy.
Whether or not this vehicle is what ends up on the road in 2009 remains to be seen. But it appears that Misubishi, at least in principle is commited to thinking slightly outside the box.

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How To Get A Sports Car Cheap

When buying a sport car, the buyer must consider his needs and preferences, but more importantly, he must put everything in the scope of his budget. Sports cars are generally priced more then $15,000. There are some options available for buying cheaper but valuable sports cars.

A buyer may want to check out local auctions. Some good sports cars can be bought cheaper auctions. The Auction experience can be quite overwhelming. Just like any other kind of auction, it is a stressful and very fast paced. One must attend a couple or more auctions before actually trying to purchase a car from this kind of activity or bring alone a friend that has experience in dealing with car auctions.

Auto Exchange Centers can offer you the best cars at very reasonable prices. Buyers might want to do a little Internet research since car exchange centers do advertise their merchandise on the Internet. Remember that the market for cheap sports cars is a buyers’ market.

Buyers may also look for private sellers. Some people need quick cash in cases of emergency so they are forced to sell their precious cars at very low prices. Be aware and watch out for such quality deals, make sure you take the car to a mechanic to have it checked out.

The problem with dealing with private sellers is that once the purchase is made, you are stuck with that car. He cannot run back to the seller to complain.

There are good sports cars out there that are being taken for granted. Because of trends in sports car demand, some of the good ones are being left out. This is a good thing for buyers who are looking for value for their money. Some Jaguar, Austin-Healey and Morgan car models are out there, up for grabs at reasonable prices.

Sports cars are luxury cars, but that does not necessarily mean that they should be expensive. Maybe the best things in life are not free, but you can get good deals to get them. But at the end of the day, quality should be the main aspect that a buyer must look at in purchasing a sports car.

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