Open-top, limited-edition LaFerrari
This is the open-top version of the LaFerrari, a new limited- edition supercar.
The name and technical details of the new car will be announced at the Paris International Motor Show, as will the number of examples Ferrari will build. However, all available examples have already been sold after a special preview to clients and the order book is closed.
The car will be available with a removable carbon-fibre hard top and a removable soft top. It has the same running gear and performance figures as the LaFerrari, sporting a 800bhp V12 coupled with a 120kW electric motor.
Significant modifications have been made to the chassis to retain the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness as the coupe version.
Limited-edition Panigale
To mark Ducati's 90th year, here is the limited-edition 1299 Panigale S Anniversario.
Only 500 bikes will be made, each featuring an all-new colour scheme and technical content. The steering head inserts shift the front wheel forward by 5mm, creating the same chassis geometry as the Panigale R.
A light lithium battery, together with carbon-fibre heel guards, rear mudguard and shock absorber cover, cuts its weight by 2.5kg.
Its twin-cylinder 1,285cc 205bhp Superquadro engine features engine brake control.
Hypercar by Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing
Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing have collaborated on a new hypercar.
The AM-RB 001 is powered by a new, high-revving naturally aspirated V12. The mid- engined two-seater will have a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
Road and track versions will be available.
It will be built by Mr David King and his team at Gaydon, in the purpose-built facility created for Aston Martin's original hypercar, the One-77.
New group to build fully automated cars
BMW Group, Intel and Mobileye are joining forces to make self- driving vehicles and future mobility concepts. The three aim to bring a fully automated car into series production by 2021.
The goal of the collaboration is to develop future-proofed solutions that enable the drivers to not only take their hands off the steering wheel but also reach the so-called "eyes off" (level 3) and ultimately the "mind off" (level 4) level of autonomous driving.
This level of autonomy would enable the vehicle, on a technical level, to achieve the final stage of travelling "driver off" (level 5) without a human driver inside.
New technical centre for Special Vehicle Operations
Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has opened its new technical centre in the heart of the British Midlands.
The new £20-million (S$35- million) 20,000 sq m facility near Coventry will be the headquarters of SVO. It will house manufacturing, paint, technical and customer commissioning, and presentation zones.
Renault unveils Alaskan pick-up truck
Renault has taken the wraps off the Alaskan, its first 1-tonne pick-up truck.
Said to be both robust and comfortable, it has a five-link rear suspension and a tough, fully boxed frame.
It is powered by a 2.3-litre turbodiesel.
Real consumption figures
PSA Peugeot-Citroen is the first manufacturer to publish real-world fuel consumption figures.
Its measurements are made on public roads (25km city, 39km rural and 31km highway), with passenger and luggage loads, road gradients and the use of air-conditioning.
The group says that by the end of the year, all its cars will come with these new figures.
These are up to 50 per cent higher than previous bench-tested figures.
New 718 Boxster launched
Porsche has launched the 718 Boxster. Prices start from $258,788 for the Boxster and $316,588 for the Boxster S, before COE.
With the Sport Chrono Package, the Boxster sprints from zero to 100kmh in 4.7 seconds, while the Boxster S does it in 4.2 seconds.
The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 275kmh and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 285kmh.
With a 2-litre engine, the Boxster develops 300bhp while the Boxster S makes 350bhp from 2.5 litres of displacement.
Kia tops quality survey
Kia has emerged tops out of 33 makes in the United States JD Power 2016 Initial Quality Study.
The Sportage, Forte and Sorento ranked ahead of rivals in their respective categories by garnering the fewest complaints for the first 90 days of ownership.
Porsche came in second, followed by Hyundai, Toyota and BMW.
Christopher Tan
