The Iconic GTR Roadster, that is is being showcased at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Car Show, is one of the most luxurious American cars on the market.

That is where many of the world’s luxury auto manufacturers choose to debut beautiful supercars, including the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport that will also make its first public appearance this Summer.

The GTR has a V-8 engine that generates 800hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. The car can reach speeds of more than 200mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a blazing 2.8 seconds.

“I have wanted to build a car that combines the latest innovative technologies with the most exquisite detailing, design and all out performance since the day I began reading car magazines as a kid,” said Claudio Ballard, the inventor and visionary behind the GTR Roadster. The dash center console has a 8-inch touch screen display utilizing the same bright-view technology found in military strike fighters and bombers for clear visibility regardless of sunlight exposure in support of its onboard GPS navigation and driver information displays.

Entirely designed, engineered and constructed in the US, this supercar is priced $600,000 with production slated to begin in Fall 2008.

A new sports car boasting luxury fitments and high performance has been announced by engineering consultancy IFR Automotive. Known as the Aspid, the two-seater roadster will have a lightweight aluminium-carbon fiber structure and a total mass of 700 kg.

As with most newer roadsters, more than one powerplant is available depending on what you want.
Aspid prototypes feature a 2-litre engine; either naturally aspirated to deliver 270bhp or supercharged to 400bhp.Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a manual 6-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential. Zero-62mph should come in the 2.8 second range while 100mph will take 5.9 seconds. The top speed is restricted to 155mph.

The Aspid meets both FIA safety requirements and European homologation standards, so it can be driven from the road directly onto the race track without the need for any special preparation.

The electronics are highly innovative and include a sophisticated interface between the driver and the car; a mere touch of the interactive screen located in the centre console and the Aspid is instantly reprogrammed with a whole new set-up to suit different road and track conditions.

The IFR Automotive Aspid will make its world debut at the 2008 British International Motor Show *and will be produced in limited series from 2009. With a long list of options, and each one tailored to the precise needs of each individual customer, the anticipated base price is $150,000 with the top versions costing twice as much.

Source Press release / carbodydesign

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)

Austrian motorcycle builder KTM today released photos of a full-scale prototype of its new X-Bow (crossbow) roadster.

The 1500-pound car has a four-cylinder Audi engine offering 220 horsepower in the base model, and a potential 300 horsepower in a more expensive variant. A choice of either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox will be given. KTM says the base X-Bow will hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The X-Bow has no windshield, and instead will come with specially designed helmets, intended to offer shelter from the elements rather than full crash protection.