New Alfa to light some fires!

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was previewed at the Paris motorshow and its a car to fall in love with at first sight.

It is powered by a Maserati-sourced aluminum 4.7 litre V8 making 450 bhp and 347 lb ft of torque. Its appearance is stunning, the 8C features a six-speed gearbox with paddle shifters channelling power to the rear wheels. It can also be operated in full automatic mode.

The 8C could be the car that rockets Alpha back into the Supercar headlines - for the right reasons.

It is expected to be over £100,000 - will this be a classic Supercar from Alpha? Cant wait to see how it performs...

Kindly sponsored by Northern Ferrari Hire www.northernferrarihire.com

Lotus Europa S (2006) What a let down.

Now I like Lotus. Lotus produce cars that are not based on fads or fashion, they are just well made, fast, dynamic sports cars, low to the ground and fun to drive. I have grown to love the Elise and Exige - they give excellent performance and a thrilling drive.

So what was behind the expensive, odd looking, unresponsive Europa S? Someone please enlighten me!

The Europa S is priced at £32,995, so not whopping by Supercar standards. But I say expensive because it doesn't have the speed or power (never mind the looks!) to compete with others in its price bracket - for example the Porsche Boxter.

In fact it has the same power as the new Audi TT - and Audi are charging £8,000 less for their motoring genius.

If you are a Lotus fan, please point out what I am missing about the Europa! In my opinion, not even die hard Lotus fans will not be rushing out to buy this one.


Performance:

Top Speed: 140 mph, 197bhp @ 5400rpm, 0-60mph: 5.5sec

Sponsored by Northern Ferrari Hire www.northernferrarihire.com

Where have you driven Supercars?

Where is the best place to drive Supercars?

I suppose somewhere with no speed cameras or trigger happy traffic police must be high in the ratings. I live near North Wales which is renowned for nasty hidden speed cameras so they are never far from my mind.

Beautiful scenery is important as well. The link between Nice and Monaco is a Supercar haven, with beach and mountains, and a speedy motorway to travel upon, into Italy and beyond.

One place to avoid is the aptly named road of death in Bolivia - pictured above. Can you believe this road is actually open and in use?

Here’s to safe and happy Supercar driving!

Bond drives Aston Martin DBS in Casino Royale

This week has seen the UK preview and release of the 21st Bond Film, Casino Royale. Daniel Craig as a blond and rugged 007 raised a few eyebrows, but was met with applause at the premiers and in Cinemas throughout the UK.

But what opinion of the Aston Martin DBS – the Aston Martin driven by 007 in this latest, more sinister Bond offering?

Well, according to Aston[1] it’s not elegant and refined like the DB9 (think Sean Connery) and its not swift and agile like the young V8 Vantage (think Pierce Brosnan). Instead the DBS’s 500 break horse power is violent and explosive (think errr… Daniel Craig).

So the Aston DBS maybe perfectly suited to its role in Casino Royale but will it win us over in the UK? Well Aston plan to make only 300 DBS in total, so let’s hope we get the chance to find out!

Visually, the front end is dominated by air scoops and cooling ducts which help cool the six-litre V12 engine. Meanwhile, in the back there's a carbon diffuser and an integrated rear lip spoiler. Other toys include a six-speed manual transmission and a removable stopwatch so that drivers can time themselves.

A beautiful, powerful, raw Aston that will have you roaring around the countryside, chasing spies and assassins till dawn, changing your dinner jacket, and starting all over again.

Film viewers beware - the special helmet pod behind the driver’s seat is only there for Casino Royale and will not make it into the production version. Nor will the defibrillating kit.

Check out the trailer here, but my advice would be DON’T miss the Aston in this film.


www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale
[1] Source Aston Martin Press release

To hire an Aston contact the sponsors www.northernferrarihire.com.

Supercar News and Comment for the UK

All of the stuff you need to read about Supercars, from Ascari to Venturi, including our favourites in the UK; Aston, Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and MANY more. Are you sick of reading about Supercars in the USA? I am! Its not that I don't like Buicks and Cadillacs (!), but I'd like this Blog to focus on Supercars here- our news and our thoughts. Please contact me to post replies. Kindly sponsored by Northern Ferrari Hire, www.northernferrarihire.com.