Lamborghini's track-day toy
The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento certainly turned heads at the Paris auto show this year, and now it seems that it may have the chance to turn heads on the track as well.
Although Stephan Winklemann, the president and chief executive of Lamborghini, refuses to officially to announce the chances of the concept car going into production at more than 50/50, Autocar reports that insiders say the Sesto Elemento is in an advanced stage of development.
Winkelmann has confirmed it will have a 0-to-100kph time of no more than 2.5 seconds, less time than it takes for the 1,200hp Bugatti Veyron Super Sport to get to the same speed.
Winklemann says it will weigh less than a tonne and it will be legal only on a racetrack. And, at a reported price of more than Dh10 million, it is an expensive track-day toy. But, with it being reported that only 20 will be made, the limited edition supercar will be a must-have.
Lamborghini previously sold all 35 Reventons, which were essentially rebodied Murciélagos, within a week of the car being announced at a price of more than Dh5 million, so there will probably be a market for the supercar.
Drivers invited to join Maserati championship across Middle East
A one-make Maserati championship will take place over 12 races across the Middle East starting later this year.
The series is backed by the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy and will feature up to 16 mechanically-identical Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo race cars battling it out over tracks in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar.
Drivers are able to sign up for the "arrive-and-drive" championship. The cars are supplied and maintained by Maserati to ensure identical performance across the grid. The Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo is the racing version of the GranTurismo road car.
Packages allow drivers to compete individually or in a pair for the season. All-inclusive costs range from $135,000 to $145,000 depending on the options. The packages include logistical management, technical assistance at the circuit, a Maserati Trofeo race suit and VIP hospitality for driver and guests.
The formula for each race weekend will consist of two free practice sessions lasting 40 minutes, two qualifying sessions of 20 minutes and two races of 30 minutes duration.
Pug distributor wins top award
A Peugeot distributor in the UAE has been named the best international parts and accessories dealer by the French marque.
Swaidan Trading, the exclusive distributor for Peugeot Cars and light commercial vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, received the award at a gala ceremony held in Quebec City, Canada. Forty-seven dealers worldwide were up for the Parts International Trophy in the 2010 challenge.
"This recognition from Peugeot is a great credit to the parts and accessories operation at Swaidan Trading, and is evidence of our ongoing commitment to provide the highest level of supply and quality of spare parts to our customers in an efficient and timely manner," said Jeremy Weatherill, the automotive divisional manager at Swaidan. "We are extremely delighted to have won this award against competition from 47 other countries."
The annual worldwide competition for authorised dealers of Peugeot parts and accessories takes year-round performance into account. Dealers are judged on a variety of criteria including availability of parts, quality of products and service offered and originality in marketing strategies for Peugeot parts and accessories sales.
BMW's two millionth motorcycle comes off the production line
A BMW R 1200 GS was the two millionth motorcycle to come off the production line in Berlin.
The occasion was celebrated with the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, and the stunt riding world champion Chris Pfeiffer - who burnt "2,000,000" onto the asphalt with his F 800 R.
BMW Motorrad is donating the enduro legend R 1200 GS as a prize for the "Ich bin ein Berliner" industry quiz as part of the industrial campaign "be Berlin".
"BMW remained loyal to Berlin when others were leaving the city. This entrepreneurial vision, the conscious decision in favour of Berlin, has proved correct. BMW and Berlin have been through thick and thin together, and we will continue to do so successfully," Wowereit said in a speech.
The BMW Berlin plant has been producing motorcycles since 1969, with 12,000 built in the first year of production. In 2010, a workforce of 1,900 produced 97,076 motorcycles - 510 bikes a day across all model series.
Stolen Chevy Camaro recovered 4,800km away, and 36 years later
When Janice Maffucci had her 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS stolen in New Jersey she did not expect for it to be found in California ... 36 years later.
Keith Williams of Santa Maria, California, purchased the Camaro back in February from a seller on eBay in Tennessee, but after registering the car, he noticed some features that didn't check out with an original. Williams contacted the California Highway Patrol and discovered his car was stolen.
"July 8th of 1975, Newark, New Jersey Butternut Yellow Camaro, stolen," Williams told KSBY news channel.
When Maffucci first received a call she thought it was a prank.
"Being we're in New Jersey and this was recovered in California, I couldn't believe it, and I still can't believe it, but I think it's just great," Maffucci told the TV channel.
Despite the recovery, Maffucci plans to sell the vehicle - she doesn't have the space for it.
