2010 Nissan Fairlady Z Roadster

The Japanese automaker Nissan has announced that the new Fairlady Z Roadster is already on sale in the sports car’s home market. Intended to be a convertible from day one, Nissan’s engineers designed the 370Z in a way that the loss of structural rigidity and added weight of a retractable canvas roof would have no effect whatsoever on the drop top Z car’s performance. Their goal was to blend the pure exhilaration and sporting appeal of the Z34 and seamlessly combine it with the excitement of open air driving by offering the same high performance power plant and curvaceous bodylines that make the fixed roof Nissan 370Z such a desirable sports car.

Just like the Fairlady Z Coupe, the new Z Roadster features a shorter wheelbase and an increased track to make the sports car more nimble while at the same time keeping the weight down. The same 3.7 Liter V6 engine that propels the standard vehicle to the tune of 330 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque also powers the Nissan 370Z Roadster. By combining the high performance VQ37VHR with the Z34’s dynamic chassis, Nissan has instilled the 370Z Roadster with remarkably high levels of acceleration and handling, while providing a quiet and comfortable interior even with the top down.

It is a tall order for a design team to build a convertible that looks just as nice with the top up as it does down. In most cases it looks like a vehicle’s designers decided to focus on only one of the drop head’s personalities; either by leaving the car with a bulky looking roofline or like there is just too much junk in the trunk when it is retracted. However thanks to careful planning and some very intuitive foresight, the hamburger logo has been able to once again avoid turning one of their premier sports cars into a cow of a convertible with the Nissan 370Z Roadster.

The Audi RS5 will be unveiled in Essen on November 28

After perusing through countless spy shots and a brief conversation with a representative from Audi of America we speculated that the four ringed German automaker was hard at work on their next over the top street legal RennSport racecar, and that it was going to be an Audi RS5. The most powerful A5 ever will make its world debut next month at the Essen Motor Show that runs from November 28 thru December 6 in the West German city. Compared to the current top of the line S5, the new RS5 will feature a more aggressive front end complete with larger air intakes an a deeper lip spoiler, wider wheel arches to house the additional rubber and R8 super car style aluminum fuel filler cap. Aside from the standard RS upgrades, the upcoming RS5 will also wear a pair of the brushed metal mirror covers and should be filled with plenty of carbon fiber on the inside.

Under the hood, the Audi RS5 will be powered by a 4.2 Liter FSI V8 engine and will be coupled with a 7 speed S-tronic gearbox. The power plant will be upgraded from previous versions in order to produce a maximum output of 450 HP and will be more than enough to send the RS5 sprinting from 0 to 60 MPH in around 4.5 seconds. By combining the upgraded FSI engine with Audi’s patented Quattro all wheel drive technology the German automaker is about to release a very stylish high performance vehicle into the market that will easily compete with the likes of BMW’s boy racer M3 and even an AMG powered C63 from Mercedes Benz. So now that we know the RS5 is official, we can’t wait until Essen to see the finished product.

McLaren LM5 Concept by Matt Wlliams

A few months ago, McLaren revealed that they were in the process of producing three vehicles in the coming future, one of which would be the likely successor of the McLaren F1. We all know that one of the three cars on tap to go on sale is the soon-to-be-released MP4-12C, leaving us with two more vehicles to speculate on. So, with speculation comes imagination, and for those with the skills to render a visual interpretation of a car, their imaginations are naturally shot to overdrive.

Coventry University graduate Matt Williams put is to good use when he created his interpretation of what the F1’s successor would look like. Calling it the McLaren LM5, Williams took elements from the original supercar including the unique three-seat layout with the driver seat on the center and the two other seats on both sides. To add more space to the interior, as well as reduce the overall weight of the car, Williams designed all three seats to be slim-as-can-be and in an apparent homage to McLaren’s rich F1 history, Williams also did away with standard seat belts and opted to use racing-style four-point harnesses for all three seats.

As far as the car’s engine is concerned, Williams decided to import an engine from BMW for his creation. Instead of a McLaren-developed powerplant, the young designer opted to use a BMW M5/M6 V10 engine that produces as much as 700 horsepower, giving justice to a car of McLaren’s stature.

Ferrari 458 Italia Tifosi rendered

Ferrari’s latest mid engine sports car was unveiled only a few weeks ago in Frankfurt and the renderings of modified 458 Italias haven’t stopped popping up. Ranging from an aftermarket inspired 458 by the Japanese design house ASI to a racing version and from an Italia spider to a police edition. However the latest of these digital drawings is more representative of something that the exotic Italian automaker will actually be producing sometime in the near future. The rendering was done by DJ at Teamspeed and gives us an official look at what a future factory tuned 458 Italia could look like.

Despite Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa dispelling any rumors about a Scuderia or Challenge Stradale version of their latest sports car, we can all dream about what it would be like to get behind the wheel of a hot rod 458 Italia. The car would weigh less, have more power and unthinkable as it maybe even sexier. Now there is no chance of seeing a super tuned 458 in the next year or so, Ferrari will most likely let the Italia’s steam run out before they invested heavily in a new high performance product that will revitalize the line. So when it does come to fruition, expect for the used 458 Italia market to be in full swing. The last unknown about a factory tuned 458 is exactly what the automaker would call it, rumors are flying around that in honor of the Scuderia’s die hard Formula One fans, it could be called Tifosi.

Marussa releases CG renderings of the B2

We’ve made enough fun of Marrusia’s car-naming decisions – B1 and B2, ladies and gentlemen! – but then again, we have to give props where props are due.

Judging from the spy shots we’ve gathered, the second Russian supercar after the B1 looks as good as advertised. Thanks to its 3.5-liter Cosworth V6 engine, the B2 can churn out as much as 420 horsepower. As far as how it looks, it’s kind of hard for us not to think about the Ferrari Enzo when looking at this Russian powerhouse, and if you’re keeping score, that’s a very good thing.

Nevertheless, if there are still people who are skeptical about the car, the Russian carmakers have released a number of computer-generated renderings of the B2. If you’re still cynical about the B2, then these renderings should make a believer out of you

Ford Fiesta Titanium Individual

In celebration of Ford’s newfound success with the compact Fiesta hatchback in Europe, moving over 100,000 models in its first year of production, the blue oval is adding another version of the fun to drive city car to the Fiesta’s lineup. In addition to the well appointed Studio, Edge, ECOnetic, Zetec, Titanium and Zetec S models; Ford is also making the diminutive Fiesta available as a Titanium Individual model.

The new top of the line Fiesta Titanium Individual will be made available in six different exterior colors and a very special red leather appointment for the interior. The Fiesta Titanium Individual rides on a set of stylish 16 inch seven spoke alloy wheels that take the Fiesta’s exterior to sporty new heights. Including all of the amenities of the Titanium model like Bluetooth wireless connectivity and a USB port for MP3 players and other devices, the Individual model offers all of the lavishness of the high end hatchback at a saving of about £100. Marketing Director for Ford of Britain, Mark Simpson said that "we have sold more than 100,000 Fiestas in its first year and we know our customers like to personalise their Fiestas. The new line up with the fabulous Individual special edition will help them achieve this." Now if they could only start selling them in the U.S. as well.

Skoda Superb Estate

Here we have the first teaser picture of the eagerly anticipated Skoda Superb Estate. The image below is the first official teaser image of the estate and follows on from the 2008 innovative saloon model. Due to the teaser image, it’s difficult to confirm exterior details, however we know that the Superb will be available with a choice of three engine, including diesel and petrol engines, and you can also expect a 3.6 litre V6 VRS model.

The Superb estate will have its first official debut and the Frankfurt motor show in Germany this September, so we’ll be able to provide more details on the promising estate in due course. Prices are still to be confirmed, however to can expect to purchase the base model for around £16,500.

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