Having set a new land-speed world record of 431, 072 km/h (268 mph) last month, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport was finally presented to public during Pebble Beach’s Concours D’Elegance. Furthering the reputation of both Bugatti and its Veyron line, the car incorporates top engineering with untraditional beauty. Meant for racing, its exterior offers a long, sleek silhouette that does more than please the eye. Two ducts from the car’s roof provide the engine with additional sources of ventilation, and front air intake has been expanded since the last Veyron model.

This new addition to the Bugatti family takes its cues from the 2005, 1,001 horsepower 16.4 Veyron which included a seven speed twin-clutch gearbox and impressive stability, but several years of progress have made a noticeable difference. Lighter, faster, stronger, the Super Sport might as well be the six million dollar man at a lower price. In a little over seven seconds, the car accelerates from zero to 200 km/h. More aerodynamic than its predecessors, the record breaking Super Sport offers 1,200 horsepower with a maximum torque of 1,500 Newton meters and a top speed already proven to surpass any other automobile on the market.

Built with identical specifications, the first five Veyron 16.4 Super Sports to come off the assembly line promise the same level of performance. For added glamour, these five cars that compose the World Record Edition are designed with a special black exposed carbon and orange finish. While all five have already been sold, a similar version of the new Super Sport is available with a fully visible carbon body at the price of €1,850,000. For those who would prefer the painted model, the car is slightly cheaper at €1,650,000. Prices do not include tax or transportation.

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Bugatti

In addition to the GTO’s astonishing inner-power, performance enhancements were also made to the outer workings. New ground hugging bodywork, an upturned rear spoiler and new 20 -inch wheels enhance the GTO’s aerodynamic efficiency. The lighter (430 pounds less than the GTB) aluminum alloy body and newly thin plated glass definitely have made this a much faster animal. It swiftly accelerates from 0-62mps in 3.35 seconds, and defiantly reaches speeds exceeding 208 mph. The GTO holds a price tag of about $400,000, roughly $40,000 more than the GTB, and options include: full leather interior ($5,500), four-point competition seat belts ($3,700), and a roll bar ($3,850).

To find out more about Ferrari’s 599 GTOs visit: www.ferrari.com

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AMG engineers swapped out the old model’s wishbone suspension with multilink front suspension and gave the car ceramic composite brakes that help recharge the batteries every time the driver decelerates–which hopefully won’t be too often. Inside, you’ll find a sleek and sporty cockpit trimmed in black-and-white leather and Alcantara. Who doesn’t love Alcantara? The dashboard features a new center stack with a 10-inch touch screen monitor that controls navigation, climate and audio systems so that you can give the road your undivided attention.

According to the fine folks at Mercedes, the SLS AMG E-Cell price tag is expected to exceed the $183,000 gas-powered model, and should be available by 2013.

For updates and additional information, go to www.mbusa.com

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With a blown 503-horse power gasoline-V8 (or diesel TD-V8) under the hood, a spacious backseat console/fridge, and a liquor cabinet (filled with an assortment of liquor courtesy of Range Rover), it’s clear that this ride was conceived with the affluent outdoor man in mind.  In addition to the rugged body, custom interior and unique exterior trim, Range Rover has partnered with Holland & Holland to include two custom-made firearms built to match the vehicle’s trim and cabinetry, a hand-crafted gun cabinet, and luggage compartments for additional guns and ammunition.

See more of Land Rover’s collection at http://www.landrover.com

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Estimated between $800,000 and $1 million, this car was first unveiled in December 1928 at the New York Auto Salon, by company owner E.L. Cord and chief engineer Fred Duesenberg. At the time, the Model J was know as “The World’s Finest Motor Car.”

Looking to out-do the Chrysler Imperial 80, which had the title of “America’s most powerful car,” the Duesenberg’s race-bred engine was said to develop 265 bhp, compared to the Imperial’s 112 bhp. The engine was a twin-cam straight-eight with a massive crankshaft that was both dynamically and statically balanced. This remarkable power unit endowed the Model J with breathtaking performance; it was possible to achieve 90mph in only second gear, with a maximum speed in the region of 110mph.

This model boasts an extremely prestigious history of ownership, including the likes of William Randolph Hearst, Howard Hughes, and such royalty as King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Queen Marie of Yugoslavia, the King Vittorio Emmanuel III of Italy and Prince Nicholas of Romania (who bought three and raced one at Le Mans).

Bonhams “Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Collectors’ Motorcars and Automobilia, Including the Italian Vintage Cars Collection” auction will be held on June 6th, with the motorcars portion starting at 12:30 p.m.

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[Bonhams]

On May 22^nd, the Aston Martin used as a test mule for the classic 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger, will go up for auction at Bonhams’ sale in Newport Pagnell, UK. It is expected to fetch $59,000 – $74,000.

The highly sought-after vehicle is a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Saloon. Initially built for media mogul Max Aitken, it was sold the following year and has not been on the market since. Auctioneers are deeming this automobile a ‘barn find’ – a term used by sellers when a rare icon of the past is found hidden away in a barn, storage unit or, in this case, a garage.

In its heyday, the car was often used as a production aid at Pinewood Studios, where its owner worked as a special effects designer. During the filming of Goldfinger, the car was used as a measuring device for various gadgets that would later be installed in the silver DB5 driven by the original Bond (Sean Connery) in the film.

Aside from its unique history, this Aston Martin has been customized to further set it apart from other remaining cars in its class. It is adorned with a special factory-fitted clutch, engine vacuum gauge and a thermostatically activated over heating alert.

Bonhams’ is auctioning the car in an ‘as-is’ condition with the inclusion of a copy old-style logbook and Swansea V5.

Known as one of the largest and most prominent auctioneers of classing and vintage Aston Martins, Roll-Royces and Jaguars, this year’s Bonhams’ Newport Pagnell sale will open for viewing on Friday, May 21^st at 6PM.

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[Aston Martin]

Known as the German Lamborghini, Audi saw what the Italian company did to their Gallardo series and followed suit, giving the Supperleggera treatment to their R8. Named the R8 GT, Audi was able to shed a whopping 220 pounds, more than Lamborghini shed for their Gallardo Supperleggera.

Without removing any of the GT’s amenities or options, it was refitted with lighter parts, such as the bucket seats which by itself shed almost 70 pounds. Thinner windshield glass, higher-grade steel exhaust, and the lightweight carbon fiber are also examples of how Audi was able to reduce weight; the battery, carpet, brake hats, insulation, and air intake are all lighter as well. Keeping the same 0.36 coefficient of drag and 12.42 square-foot frontal area, Audi was able to improve its downforce, and replace the movable aerodynamic flap with a fixed carbon wing.

Increasing the output capacity of the 5.2-liter V10 engine up to 560 hp (35 more hp than the original), Audi enabled the R8 GT to get up to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. It boasts a top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph). Also new for the GT is the Quattro all-wheel drive that is controlled by R tronic single-clutch automated manual transmission.

Highlights of the R8 GT include improved handling due to higher front and rear wheel camber rates. A manually adjustable coilover suspension also lowers the entire body by as much as 10 millimeters. The LED headlights that are optional on the original R8 come standard with the GT, as does the automatic climate control system, power windows, and navigation system with MMI operating logic. Although a powerful sound system is provided, it can be upgraded to a 465-watt, ten-channel Bang & Olufsen system.

Furthermore, Audi created a race package that includes a bolt-in roll bar in red or black as well as road-approved four-point belts in red or black, a fire extinguisher and a kill switch for the battery.

A limited edition of only 333 units, each R8 GT comes with a badge that has the production number engraved on the shift lever.  The “R8 GT” logo decorate the matt aluminum trims on the door sills.

Available in four color choices – Samoa Orange metallic, Suzuka Gray metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl – the Audi R8 GT is priced at €193,000 ($255,000).

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