Two Italian companies known for their inspirational design have collaborated to create the Versace and Lamborghini Roadster LP640 which is going into production for fall.

The limited edition luxury car, designed by Donatella Versace, will be produced to order and displays the signature Versace Greek Key motif on the front bumper and the lower part of the doors. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather – hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif – upholsters the instrument panel, the doors and the central console.

To create the new super roadster, the Maison Versace’s designers joined forces with designers from the Lamborghini Design Centre (Centro Stile)and specialists working on the “ad personam” project. This Lamborghini program allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars, choosing the equipment specification, the colour of the exterior body and of the interior fittings.

Versace has also designed an accompanying line of black calfskin accessories including a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat andeven a pair of jean,s all bearing an engraved metal Lamborghini Versace tag.

This prestigious accessory collection will be exclusively available at Versace Boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms beginning in November 2008.

Gianni Versace’s CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphasised: “This new supercar and the exclusive Collection LP640 represent a natural evolution of excellence for both Versace and Lamborghini through the creation of these unique, one-of-a-kind projects.”

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., said: “Our collaboration with Versace turned out to be an excellent experience and is an example of how we are pursuing our strategy of developing luxury products outside of luxury sports cars. We are proud to be in this prestigious, Made in Italy partnership with Versace, which adds to our other recent successes.”

The price of the special-order Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace has yet to be named, but it is expected to be above the base price of $358,000. (Source : Press release)

The Quattroporte has been on the market for five years and since the complete replacement is not due until 2012, Maserati has chosen to develop a mid-lifecycle update.

Details on this redesigned version of the Maserati Quattroporte and Quattroporte S, for the 2009 model year, have just been unveiled.

The Quattroporte will use a 4.2 liter engine with four hundred horsepower output and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour while the Quattroporte S will use a 4.7 liter engine which outputs four hundred and thirty horsepower and has a top speed of 280 kilometers an hour.

Pagani is renowned the world over for building some of the most incredible cars.

Currently the Italian specialist marque has the Zonda F in production as both a coupe and roadster but has been planning to build a race version called the Zonda R.

The Zonda R has not made it into production yet and remains a 1:8 scale model but design cues have been used to manufacture a road-legal version of it, which is called the Pagani Zonda Cinque.

Texas based Ronn Motor Company (RMC) has unveiled the Scorpion sportscar that runs on a 30-40 percent blend of hydrogen and gasoline, promising reduced emissions and 40 mpg plus efficiency.

Rather than using fuel cells to power an electric motor, the Scorpion would have an internal combustion engine burning both gasoline and hydrogen, achieving 40 highway miles per gallon.

Unlike with a hydrogen fuel cell car, the Scorpion’s “hydrogen on demand” system wouldn’t require a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank. Nor would a driver need to find and fill up at a hydrogen fueling station.

ASI (Accuracy.Spirit.Imagination), car tuning specialist from Japan, has released its tuning package for the Bentley Continental GT. The modified Bentley from ASI is known as ASI Tetsu GTR where its Japanese cherry blossoms paintwork is based on the original Japanese artwork by Nakamura Tetsuei.

Artwork aside, ASI’s Tetsu GTR features an aggressively styled wide-bodykit (+1,800 mm) that includes dry carbon bonnet, trunk and rear wing spoiler along with several mechanical upgrades the most important being the modified 6.0L W12 engine that now produces 800 Hp.

The car is priced at $800,000and will be manufactured in a limited edition of just 29 units.

Source revmods

The Maybach 57 goes a step further in ensuring you feel like royalty when you ride the car, all the chrome trim rudiments in the vehicle interior are gold-plated with a wafer-thin layer of genuine 24-carat gold.

If muted sophistication (other than wood and leather) is your style then you can ask for the trim elements to be crafted from naturally occurring granite. Maybach also offers Business Packages to their customers as an ex-factory option. The Maybach mobile office system includes mobile Internet access. A printer can also be included in the package should the customer require it.

Wireless Bluetooth technology allows the car owner’s laptop to be integrated on board. While working on it, the computer can be placed on one of the fold-down tables between the rear seats, and when not in use, it can be stowed away in a multifunction compartment on the back of the seats.

The large scope for individualisation of the Maybach saloons starts right with the bodies of the Maybach Landaulet, the Maybach 62 and 62 S, plus the Maybach 57 and 57 S.

As far as the fully closed versions in the two different vehicle lengths are concerned, the customer has a range of roof options: all-metal roof, a solar module and a sliding roof, available separately or in combination – both positioned either at the front or alternatively at the rear. On the 62 and 62 S models there is also the option of an electro-transparent panoramic glass roof in conjunction with the solar module. This means that Maybach customers can choose from no less than ten different body variants when specifying their own personal dream saloon.
People who buy a Maybach do not generally do so on the basis of the brochure and the list of equipment options. The way this luxury car is put together is the result of an extensive exchange of ideas between the customer and the Maybach designers or engineers.

Customers who are unable to visit the Center of Excellence to design and equip their car in person can use Maybach’s video-conferencing facility to talk to the experts in the design, technology and production departments and obtain tailored advice in this way. An innovative computer-aided advice system based on virtual-reality technology makes it easier to view and select the numerous interior trim elements, materials and colours. Every Maybach Center is equipped with this state-of-the-art system.

Base Price: Maybach 57 S – $377,000