9th May 2008, 02:35 pm
Design by Pininfarina
Coachwork by Scaglietti
Chassis No. 4213 GT
Photos by Mathieu Heurtault
Specifications
240 bhp, 2,953 cc all-alloy SOHC V-12
four-speed with overdrive
front double wishbone
solid rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs
four-wheel disc brakes
wheelbase: 2,400mm (94.5in.)
Introduced in 1962 at the Paris Auto Show, the new 250 GT/L—“L” for Lusso, Luxury—was designed by Pininfarina with construction to be executed by Scaglietti. Many consider it to be a landmark design, and it has often been named one of the most beautiful cars ever built—no small feat when considering the decades-long tradition of stunning Pininfarina creations, both before and after the Lusso. A precursor to the 330 GTC, it was Ferrari’s top of the line production street car but, unlike the SWB Berlinetta or the California Spyder, was not conceived by the factory as a dual-purpose road/race car.
Beginning with a nose reminiscent of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, the Lusso’s steel and aluminum body swept back to a 250 GTO-like truncated tail capped by a delicate but effective spoiler. The Continue reading ‘DAYS OF FERRARI 2008, Day 9: 1962 250 GT/L Berlinetta Competizione’ »
9th May 2008, 02:25 pm
LOUISVILLE (AP) — A union official says
Ford’s truck plant in Louisville will shut down for the month of July instead of its traditional two-week hiatus during the summer.
UAW Local 862 Vice President Todd Dunn says temporary employee layoffs are scheduled to begin this month on the body and paint lines at the plant and could roll into August. He said the whole plant will be shut in July. Continue reading ‘Union: Layoffs, shutdown hit Louisville Ford truck plant’ »
9th May 2008, 02:23 pm
With a good amount of chatter out there in regard to Volkswagen offering the 1-litre in 2010, we wanted to give you another look at it. Volkswagen presented the 1-litre car in April of 2002. Do the math and is was just over 6 years ago… The timing would be about right but we have not seen anything solid coming from VW.
Click image to view galleryIt looks to start at Motor Authority back on October of 2007.
We love this car. From its exterior design down Continue reading ‘Volkswagen 1-litre car: Condensed high-tech perfection’ »
8th May 2008, 10:57 am
International Engine of the Year Awards 2008:
Class victory for 140 PS and 170 PS TSIs with twin charging
Second place for the newest 122 PS TSI in its first competition
The winning streak continues: for the third time, Volkswagen’s dual charged TSI engines have won the “International Engine of the Year Award” in the category “1 litre to 1.4 litres”. It is no coincidence that the 103 kW (140 PS) and 125 kW (170 PS) TSIs, which are charged by both a turbocharger and a supercharger, are among the most efficient petrol engines in the world. The motto for these engines is “maximum dynamics with minimum fuel consumption”. And that’s also how the jury, comprising 65 journalists from 32 countries, saw it. According to one jury member, “This engine does everything right and fits into the most diverse types of vehicles.” Moreover, the new 122 PS TSI took second place in the same category in its first attempt. The “International kEngine of the Year Awards 2008″ will be presented today in Stuttgart.
Dr Rüdiger Szengel, Head of Petrol Engine Development, accepted the award for Volkswagen commenting, “Our TSI engines have set the standard since their introduction in the performance class of 90 kW to 125 kW. They achieve new levels of economy for petrol engines while providing performance that offers real fun. We take it as a compliment to the entire development team that our TSI has won again in the displacement class to 1.4 litres.”
Moreover, an additional award underscores the Volkswagen Group’s great competence in building engines. Audi took first place in the category 1.8 litres to 2.0 litres with the 2.0 TSI. This engine made its debut at Volkswagen in the Golf GTI and is presently finding use in several performance versions.
TSI engines are already powering diverse models in ten Volkswagen families. The petrol direct injection engines between 90 kW (122 PS) and 169 kW (230 PS) cover the entire range from Golf to the recently introduced Passat CC. What’s more, the new Scirocco will be off to a running start in 2008 with TSI engines. In the 122 PS version, it requires only 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, making it one of the world’s most economical sports cars.
- Volkswagen
