Ferrari Builds One-Off Superamerica 45 Based on the 599, It Debuts at Villa d’Este

Here to put beauty and Ferrari droptop back in the same sentence, we present the Ferrari Superamerica 45, a one-off roadster based on the 599. Ferrari’s Special Projects division has specially fabricated the roadster for a wealthy client, Peter Kalikow, an American property mogul, and the Superamerica 45 will debut at this year’s Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy. Although it exposes occupants to the blue sky, the Superamerica is not a ragtop, and it doesn’t have a folding hardtop either—instead, the Superamerica has a rotating hardtop. A movable roof panel is mounted on hinge along its trailing edge, allowing it to rotate 180 degrees backwards until it lies on the rear deck. Ferrari’s last Superamerica-badged roadster, the 575M, utilized this innovative and simple roof design as well. (We should add, to Ferrari’s eternal pain, that a tiny front-wheel drive Renault, called the Wind, uses a similar system.) While the 575M’s roof used an electrochromatic glass panel, the Superamerica 45’s roof is carbon fiber.

To accommodate the roof, a carbon fiber decklid has been fashioned, with a slightly different shape than what comes on the standard 599s. Flanking the new rear deck are two “flying buttresses” that are flatter and lower than the 599GTO’s—and set wider on the body—making the 45’s roofline seem lower and sleeker. One touch we’re quite fond of is the chromed egg crate grille, an homage to classic Ferraris. The Superamerica 45′s wing mirrors, A-pillars, and door handles are finished in brushed aluminum, nicely matching the machined-face five-spoke wheels with body-color inserts. The whole ensemble is set off by a bright blue paint job, with a darker blue hue covering the roof, rocker panels, rear diffuser, front spoiler, and the carbon-fiber interior trim. The blue was more than just a pretty color for Kalikow; he also owns a 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica in the same shade.

While we’d imagine the right number on a check would convince Ferrari’s Special Projects team to build another Superamerica 45, potential customers will probably be satisfied with the production 599 roadster, debuting at this August’s Pebble Beach show. That means two new open-top Ferraris will be introduced this summer. We can’t wait!

Porsche Publicly Debuts its Electric Boxster E, But Its Not For Sale

We previously reported that Porsche was working to develop three electric Boxster prototypes, and last week three Boxster Es made their public debut at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin. Of Porsche’s three electric test Boxsters, one sports all-wheel drive in the form of an electric motor on the front and rear axle while the other two are rear-wheel drive. Porsche claims the dual-motor Boxster E delivers Boxster S levels of driving dynamics, including a 5.5-second 0-to-62 run on the way to a top speed limited (would that be electronically?) to 124 mph. The combined output of the two motors is 241 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, fed through a single-speed transmission. The two single-motor Boxster Es are a bit less impressive, creeping from 0 to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and topping out at 93 mph. Dropping the front motor halves the rear-wheel-drive Boxster E’s power output, to just 120 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.

In the AWD E, the front motor is mounted where the fuel tank resides in a conventional Boxster, and the rear motor and battery pack are mounted where the mid-engine roadster’s flat six normally lives. The battery has been cleverly attached to the engine mounts, ensuring crash-safety characteristics that are almost identical to a gas Boxster’s. Porsche notes that the battery shares the same “drop-out” capabilities as the conventional Boxster’s engine, which is removed from the underside of the car. This would theoretically allow for quick battery swaps. The water-cooled battery pack is comprised of 440 individual lithium-iron-phosphate cells that, combined, store 29 kWh of energy—26 kWh of which is accessible. Porsche claims a range of 107 miles per nine-hour charge. An electronic control unit manages the power distribution between the front and rear axles. The single-motor E shares its rear motor and battery layout with the dual-motor E, minus the front motor.



The electric Boxsters maintain their rear trunk capacity, and the front capacity is only slightly reduced by a charging socket and its hardware. The E’s instrument cluster loses its tachometer, which is replaced by an E-Power meter that shows how much power is being used by the motor and how much is being generated by the regenerative braking system. The Boxster E allows drivers to select among a range of braking regen levels, which Porsche refers to as a kind of “on-demand” engine-braking (motor-braking?) effect. Think of it as downshifting. The instrument pod to the right of the E-Power meter displays range info and the effects of various electricity-sapping accessories on the car’s range.

While the electric Boxster is compelling, the chances of it making its way into production are virtually nil—so we were told by Porsche reps on a recent trip to sample the new Panamera Hybrid. The Boxster Es, then, exist as battery test beds from which Porsche can cull knowledge to apply to its quickly expanding hybrid lineup. Take, for example, the Panamera Hybrid: it has a small nickel-metal hydride battery that weighs 154 pounds and has a 1.7-kWh capacity. The Boxster E’s lithium pack weighs 388 percent more—751 pounds versus 154 pounds—but packs 1606 percent more capacity. Using some fuzzy math, that means that if the Panamera hybrid’s 1.7-kWh battery pack was of the lithium variety, its weight could be reduced to just 44 pounds. While that is an estimate of the roughest kind, a savings of approximately 100 pounds seems to us like a good enough reason to explore battery tech.

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid - First Drive Review

As we exited a gas station in Capetown, South Africa, we left behind four confused and disappointed service attend­ants. When we had pulled in, one of  the guys exclaimed, “Wow, it’s a Porsche!” Immediately, we were surrounded by three of  his co-workers, all jockeying to help gas up the car. (Apparently Porsches don’t come through here very often.) What we didn’t tell them was that this Panamera is the upcoming S hybrid model and that we had pressed the “E-POWER” button on the center console when we stopped. So instead of pulling away trailing some ripping, Le Mans–racer exhaust note, we slipped away silently under electric power.

It might be quiet, but the Panamera S hybrid, which goes on sale in the United States this fall, posts ostentatious statistics: It will accelerate tranquilly and with zero emissions up to 43 mph, and at $95,975, it will cost $5200 more than the V-8–powered Panamera S. But at roughly 5.5 seconds to 60 mph, it’s nearly as fast as the V-8 car, and with an estimated EPA combined fuel-economy rating of 25 mpg, it will be stingier at the pump than the V-6–powered Panamera.



The propulsion system is nearly identical to those of Porsche’s Cayenne S hybrid and Volkswagen’s Touareg hybrid. An Audi-developed direct-injected, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 333 horsepower gets assisted by a 46-hp electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. The 3.3- inch-thick motor is powered by a 240-cell nickel-metal hydride battery that has a capacity of 1.7 kWh and weighs 154 pounds. Since the battery pack is built into the trunk’s floor, you can kiss your spare tire goodbye, though the pack will be replaced by a more compact lithium-ion battery in due course.

At speeds up to 110 mph, lifting off the throttle shuts down the supercharged V-6 to halt fuel consumption during coasting. With the supercharged V-6 up and running, this car tops out at 168 mph on the standard 18-inch tires, or at 149 mph with the optional, low-rolling-resistance Michelin 19-inchers. This, then, is no Prius.

We reckon that the estimated 5.5-second run to 60 mph qualifies as Porsche-level quickness. The Panamera S hybrid is also rear-drive only. Ditching the all-wheel-drive system saves weight and improves fuel economy. It also shifts the front-to-rear weight distribution to 47/53 percent and allows you to slide the tail out at corner exits.



The Panamera S hybrid’s gearbox up­shifts to third earlier than it does in the heavier Cayenne S hybrid in order to save fuel. Overdrive seventh and eighth gears keep the revs below 2000 rpm at highway speeds. Even then, the hybrid Panamera never feels underpowered, thanks to the 428 pound-feet of maximum torque available.

The Panamera S hybrid is Porsche’s most efficient vehicle, achieving 35 mpg on the European drive cycle. We estimate the EPA will rate it at 23 mpg city and 28 highway, commendable for a 4400-pound sedan.

After three hours of driving in and around Capetown, the infotainment screen indicated that the V-6 had been resting for 88 minutes of our drive, or almost half the time. We drove a total of 1100 miles at an av­er­age speed of 53 mph and recorded 27 mpg.

This Panamera S hybrid might not post the big economy numbers of the Fisker Karma, and it certainly isn’t going to win any beauty contest against it. But the Porsche is a highly impressive, desirable sports sedan.

Two much!

ZARINE KHAN and KATRINA KAIF
THE LOWDOWN: Zarine made her debut in Salman Khan's dud Veerlast year.
After Salman's then-girlfriend Katrina Kaif reportedly refused to play the heroine in the period film, the superstar went on an aggressive hunt to find a replacement in terms of glamour and looks. He discovered Zarine.
LOOKALIKE FACTOR:
While Zarine bears a strong resemblance with Katrina, critics and the audience alike cruelly dismissed her as 'Fatrina' once Veerreleased because she looked grossly overweight.She has also failed to match Katrina's charm and sex appeal.

The lookalike factor actually worked against Zarine as long as Salman and Katrina were an item. No Bollywood assignment came her way. "Katrina is beautiful but I don't think I look like Katrina. I want to create my identity," Zarine said in an online interview recently.
CAREER PUSH:
Zarine's latest claim to fame is the hit item number Character dheelain Salman's upcoming Ready. Sajid Khan has offered her a role in his multistarrer Housefull 2. Rumours suggest Sajid would have loved Katrina in the role but she has become ultra-choosy after becoming a superstar. The only starring role Zarine has in her kitty right now is once again thanks to Salman. She will be seen opposite the superstar in Shirish Kunder's upcoming Kick.

SNEHA ULLAL and AISHWARYA RAI
THE LOWDOWN:
Sneha made her debut with Lucky: No time For Love in 2005 opposite Salman Khan, around the time he split with his erstwhile girlfriend, Aishwarya Rai.
The film bombed but Salman tried promoting Sneha. She was cast opposite his brother Sohail Khan in the dud Aryan. Flops such as Kaashh. Mere Hote and Click followed Sneha found space in Telugu films. She has an English film, Gandhi Park, coming up.

LOOKALIKE FACTOR:
Like Ash, Sneha is of Mangalorean origin and has fair skin and light eyes. She met Salman through his sister Arpita. Salman, nursing heartbreak at the point, recommended Sneha for Lucky reportedly because she resembled Ash. Reacting to Sneha's resemblance to Ash, Salman said: "It's just because of the green eyes. I don't see any resemblance. Even if there is, what's the big deal?"
CAREER PUSH:
With Ash going great guns in Bollywood and Salman not keen to promote her after the initial duds, Sneha wisely shifted base to Telugu films. Hits such as Ullasamga Utsahamga, Simha and Ala Modalaindi helped her consolidate base down South.

2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder Spy Photos

These spy photos of the Audi R8 GT Spyder are not a big surprise. Neither do they raise any important questions. Audi recently confirmed that it would build a roofless version of its lightweight R8 GT and released a pair of sketches, but now we have real photos of the hotter R8 Spyder. It may not be major news, but we just can’t pass up the chance to share more pictures of the stunning R8, especially in this beautiful blue.

Knowing what we do about the GT coupe, we don’t feel like we need official confirmation of the Spyder GT’s hardware; the same weight-saving and track-focusing measures employed on the coupe will be applied to the roofless version. Considering that a regular convertible with the 5.2-liter V-10 weighs about 240 pounds more that its coupe counterpart and the GT weighs about 220 pounds less than that same V-10 coupe, expect the Spyder GT’s curb weight to be right back where the 5.2-liter hardtop started—about 3700 pounds. The GT’s weight savings will be slightly less in the U.S., though, if the lightweight seats of the Euro model—they save about 70 pounds combined but don’t have side airbags—are not approved for sale here.

This All Seems So Familiar

Power will come from the 5.2-liter V-10, here producing an extra 35 hp and 7 lb-ft of torque, for totals of 560 and 398, respectively. We expect that the full run of GT Spyders will be fitted with the R tronic transmission, as is the case with the R8 GT coupe. For both weight savings and track prowess, the Spyder likely will have the same carbon-ceramic brakes—with seductive anodized calipers—and adjustable coil-overs as the GT coupe. If passersby fail to notice the brakes, a fixed carbon-fiber spoiler and enormous circular tailpipes (the latter not seen on this prototype) will clue them in to the fact that this is a GT.

In addition to the lightened suspension bits, we expect the Spyder GT to shed pounds thanks to lightweight carpet, less sound deadening, a lighter exhaust system, assorted carbon-fiber bits, and a lightweight battery. Although they’re not present on the prototype here, the Spyder GT should have the same modified front and rear fascias as the GT coupe.

Audi will produce just 333 GT coupes worldwide—90 of which are headed to the U.S.—and we expect that the Spyder GT will be limited to a similar number. With the coupe priced just over $200,000, figure on the Spyder going for around $220,000. That’s a sizable premium over a V-10 Spyder, but a savings of around $30,000 over the same car wearing a Lamborghini badge.

 

Mallika Romances 'Obama'

Last year Cannes saw Mallika Sherawat flirting with snakes, this year, she made heads turn by posing with a gaggle of Barack Obama's. Take a look

Katrina's Lip Job

Katrina Kaif's visibly puffy lips was once again in news as she attended the promotional event of 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' in Mumbai recently.


Though Kat keeps denying about getting a lip job done, a look at her old photos proves it otherwise.