HAPPY HOLIDAYS from LFSC!

Aston Martin V12 Vantage & LMP1 Race Car [Video]

CONFIRMED: McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren today confirms its plans to bring back the McLaren name to GT sports cars racing. From 2012, McLaren and CRS Racing will supply and support a limited number of GT3 racing cars based on the McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car for European-based privateers.

Info and Video Courtesy of McLaren Press Release

Paris Motor Show - 2010

Simply put, there was a plethora of absolutely gorgeous automobiles on display at this years Paris Motor Show. And Lake Forest Sportscars is proud and honored to be Chicago's Factory Authorized Dealer for many of the brands that are clearly a cut above the rest!

FERRARI
This year Ferrari showed off two interesting vehicles, both originating from current models. An open top version of the 599, which is being called the SA Aperta. As well as a technologically advanced California fitted with Ferrari's new HELE System.

Click Here: Ferrari 599 SA Aperta
Click Here: Ferrari California with HELE System

LOTUS
Certainly one of the belles of the ball, Lotus stunned the world with not one, but 5 new and undeniably beautiful concept cars. The Elise, Elan, Eterne, Elite, and Esprit. The first of which is slated for production in 2013.

Click Here: Lotus Elise Concept
Click Here: Lotus Elan Concept
Click Here: Lotus Eterne Concept
Click Here: Lotus Elite Concept
Click Here: Lotus Esprit Concept

MASERATI

Taking the stage for Maserati was an ultra aggressive extension to the already massively popular GranTurismo model line. Dubbed the GranTurismo MC Stradale, this all-new super coupe boast 450hp and inproved aero dynamics. A track car at heart this new coupe is equally at home on the surface streets.

Click Here: Maserati GranTurimo MC Stradale

McLaren Producton Center

Pictured above, the new McLaren Production Center (MPC) currently in the early stages of construction in Woking, England. This will be the new manufacturing home for all future products released by McLaren Automotive. Starting with the all-new McLaren MP4-12C which is slated for US release next year. This facility sits on a site directly next to the McLaren Technology Center (MTC) which houses all of McLaren's other operations.

New 612 Caught Testing?

It's Official: The Ferrari 458 Challenge Car

Ferrari took the wraps off the 458 Challenge on Wednesday in Maranello, Italy, at the company's annual dealer meeting. The new car replaces the F430 Challenge in the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, which is being extended to include a new Asia-Pacific series.

Based on the 458, the 458 Challenge shares the direct-injection 4.5-liter, 562-hp V8. The Challenge's gear ratios and dual-clutch gearbox have been modified for higher torque at lower revs. The Challenge has the 458's E-Diff electronic differential, a first for Ferrari's track-only cars.

Significant work also went into weight reduction, though Ferrari didn't say how much the car weighs. The body panels are thinner, and there's extensive use of carbon fiber and Lexan.
The new 458 Challenge also has its own suspension setup with solid aluminum bushings, stiffer springs, single-rate dampers and center-nut 19-inch racing wheels. It is also equipped with the new-generation Brembo brakes from the 599XX.

The Challenge car has the F1-Trac traction control system, developed in-house by Ferrari. It constantly monitors grip levels for maximum road-holding. Two track calibrations, wet and dry, have been developed. The F1-Trac is integrated with the E-Diff for better acceleration out of corners. It can all be controlled via the manettino on the steering wheel.

Ferrari says the 458 Challenge is two seconds a lap faster at Fiorano, turning a record lap of 1:16.5 seconds.

No price has been released, but we expect it be far north of the 458's $230,000 base.

Text as seen in Autoweek.

Pic of the Week - 07/14/2010

The All-New Ferrari 458 Italia on the set of Transformers 3 which is currently being filmed in downtown Chicago.

Pic of the Week - 07/07/2010

After a few weeks off "Pic of the Week" is back, and with one of the greatest cars ever built! The Original McLaren F1 GTR which won Le Mans on its maiden try! Currently on display at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Pic of the Week - 06/09/2010

Four reasons that men want to be James Bond! These four cars will be on display at the Park Stoke Club, ahead of the this Falls auction of the Original Bond-mobile the Aston Martin DB5.

Pic of the Week - 05/25/2010

For the first time in decades Lotus is back at the Indy 500!!!
Pictured here is Takuma Sato prior to qualifying.

Formula One Back in the US

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021. The race will be held at a purpose built Formula 1 track facility.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: “For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2007, signaling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US.”


Text as seen at Formula1.com

458 Italia Challenge Car?

The first images of a potential 458 Italia Challenge car have been snapped in Maranello. Notice the subtle difference between the picture above and the 458 Italia street car. Single lug light wight wheels, Lexan Window, tow hooks, hood pins, etc. The extremely potent 458 should make for a truly fantastic race car. Which means the future of the single make Ferrari Challenge series should remain very interesting for years to come.

Aston Martin Success at Nurburgring 24hrs

The factory-entered Rapide, appearing in near standard-guise, just as the production car version starts to reach customers around the world, lodged a claim for one of the stand-out performers of the race having run faultlessly for the whole 24-hours. Enjoying consistent running at the hands of drivers Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, journalist, Matthew Marsh, the company’s Nürburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and engineering manager, Chris Porritt, the Rapide rose from a qualifying position of 79th overall (8th in class) to take 34th overall and 2nd in class.

After taking the wheel for the final stint in the Rapide, Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Our main objective was to come here with our new four-door Rapide, just as we would with any of our sports cars and prove its ability and reliability in what I strongly believe is the toughest race in the world. The car we ran in this race featured some weight savings, a standard production six-speed automatic gearbox, standard engine and FIA approved safety modifications. We have succeeded in what we set out to achieve."

Other Aston Martin Highlights from Nurburgring Race
· Aston Martin takes double class podium at Nürburgring 24-hour race 2010
· V12 Vantage with new aerodynamic enhancements runs into problems after 17 faultless hours, but makes dramatic recovery to take third in class
· Majority of customer entries finish the 24-hour race
· Mathol Racing V8 Vantage records a SP10 class victory

Qualifying - Monaco Grand Prix

An interesting morning warm-up saw Fernando Alonso slip up and stuff his car into the wall at Massenet. The damage was enough for the Spaniard to miss the afternoon qualifying. His mechanics will work through the evening in order to get the Ferrari ready for tomorrow's race. The uncharacteristic mistake means that Alonso will start from Pit Lane at a track that is notoriously difficult for overtaking.

Both Ferraris had been quick all weekend and Felipe Massa was able to bring his Ferrari to the 3 stage of qualifying. With a lap of 1:14.283 the crafty Brazilian finds himself 4th on the grid 0.457 seconds behind Australian Mark Webber who qualified on the pole.

Qualifying Results
1) Mark Webber.....1:13.826
2) Robert Kubica.....1:14.120
3) Sebastian Vettel.....1:14.227
4) Felipe Massa.....1:14.283
5) Lewis Hamilton.....1:14.432
6) Nico Rosberg.....1:14.544

Pic of the Week - 05/13/2010

The latest Pic of the Week update is a day late but never a dollar short! A birds eye view of the track and it Uber-Glamorous surroundings taken at this years Formula 1 GP of Monaco!

CONFIRMED: V12 Vantage Coming to America

The collective prays of the American Ultra Luxury Performance Car buying public have been answered. Aston Martin has officially announced that it will offer, in limited quantities, one of its fiercest cars for the North American market.

Based on the hugely successful V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage features a 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 420 lb ft (570 Nm) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds.

In addition to this announcement Aston has also confirmed that the car will be available as an ultra-cool Carbon Black Edition. The Carbon Black is currently offered on the DBS Coupes and Convertibles. James Bond eat your heart out!

Pic of the Week - 05/05/2010

A 2008 gathering of Ferrari F40's in Japan. That's a lot

of sexy red heads.

Ferrari a Preferred Brand for "Gen Y"

Ferrari topped the list of preferred brands for “Gen Y” men in a new international study that looked at the next generation of prestige consumers.

The study, done by New York-based L2, surveyed 450 Gen Y high-earning men and women from 45 countries and measured brands in six industry categories.

“Gen Y goodwill is arguably the closest thing to a crystal ball for predicting a brand’s long-term prospects,” said Scott Galloway, an associate professor of marketing who founded the study. “Just as Boomers drove the luxury sector for the last 20 years, brands that resonate with Gen Y, whose purchasing power will surpass that of Boomers by 2017, will be the new icons of prestige.” Cars dominated among men surveyed, taking eight of the top ten slots


Text as seen at "Canadian Driver"

Pic of the Week - 04/26/10

Lake Forest Sportscars DBRS9 at Long Beach for the
World Challenge Event.

Ferrari Unveils Future Product Plans

At a recent Fiat Group Shareholder meeting the future of the Ferrari model line was given some very specific direction. First into the mix is a replacement for the four-seat 612 Scaglietti, rumored to be adding a hybrid powertrain to its impressive V12 engine. Ferrari will follow up the 458 with both a convertible version, then adding a model that will be much more track focused, like the 430 Scuderia.

Estimated for 2012 the Prancing Horse lineup, should see a new range-topping Ferrari to take the mantle from the discontinued Enzo hypercar, possibly equipped with an engine utilizing forced induction along with a lightweight platform. Following the release of the 599 GTO later this year, the 599 GTB receive a replacement as well, followed by the release of an updated California with a potential "M" designation.

Pic of the Week - 04/21/10

MC Corsa on Track in Europe

Pic of the Week - 04/14/10

Rotor and Caliper from 599xx, at Miller Motorsports Park.
Pic as seen at Autblog.com

Rapide to Start Nurburgring 24hr Race

Aston Martin has announced its new Rapide sedan will be on the starting grid of this year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race. The near-stock Rapide will take to the Nordschleife circuit for the endurance race on May 15 and 16.

Although the production Rapide has already been revealed, the 24-hour race will serve as a final shakedown test for the four-door coupe. The participating Rapide will be near-stock, save for a few modifications for racing, such as a revised suspension, roll cage and racing-spec tires.

“This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny,” said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.


Text as seen at LeftLaneNews.com

599 GTO Unleashed

The wraps have been removed, to the joy of Ferrari lovers everywhere. The first official pictures have been released to the world and the vaunted GTO nameplate has returned!

Ferrari's new extreme V12 berlinetta, the 599 GTO, delivers a lap time of just 1 minute and 24 seconds at Fiorano, making it the fastest road-going model in Ferrari history (including Enzo). This limited edition special series of just 599 is the new pinnacle of Prancing Horse sportiness and has benefited to an enormous degree from technological transfers from the track. Many of the cutting-edge solutions sported by the 599 GTO are also the product of the Maranello engineers' experience in the development of the 599XX, the prototype experimental car of which, as its legendary moniker suggests, the 599 GTO is the road-homologated version.

Output from the 6.0-liter V12 – itself derived from the Enzo's engine – is up from 612 horsepower to 661, with torque up a modest 9 lb-ft to 457. Coupled with a 195 kilogram (430 lb) weight reduction program – now tipping the scales at 1495 kg (3295 lbs), the leaner and meaner 599 can sprint to 62 miles per hour from a standstill in a scant (and very specific) 3.35 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 208 mph.

To visit the 599 GTO dedicated Microsite...Click Here


Text as Seen at Ferrari.com

Pic of the Week - 04/07/2010

On display at LFSC now, Demonstrator Due in Shortly.
The All-New 2010 Aston Martin Rapide.

Rained Soaked Sepang - Malaysian GP

A rained soaked Sepang Race Track in Malaysia has left the field jumbled after todays qualifying efforts were marred by heavy rains throughout. A wide open track and a mixed up field should make for an exciting 3rd race of the season.

Points leaders Fernando Alonso and Felippe Massa qualified 19th and 21st respectively after failing to escape Q1. Mark Webber qualified on the pole, which should boost the Red Bull drivers' confidence after his disappointing finish to last weekends Australian Grand Prix. Ferrari look to rebound from a pour showing in qualifying to continue there lead in both the Drivers and Contructor's Championships.

Pic of the Week - 03/31/2010

2010 Carbon Black Edition DBS Volante, photographed at LFSC.

Image courtesy of Dan Chmielinski

Pic of the Week - 03/24/2010

Compact Lithium Ion Battery from the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept

Pic of the Week - 3/17/2010

Ultra limited edition Ferrari 599xx on track...

Pic of the Week - 03/10/2010

Full tank of gas refilled, full set of four tires changed, and back into the race in 6.0 seconds! Not a bad day at the office!

Geneva: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

The Experimental HY-KERS Hybrid vehicle

Geneva, 2 March - The HY-KERS vettura laboratorio (experimental vehicle) is an example of how Ferrari is approaching the development of hybrid technology without losing sight of the performance traits and driving involvement that have always exemplified its cars.

This hybrid project is also aimed at ensuring that Ferrari will be in a position to comply with future CO2 emissions standards, particularly in terms of the urban cycle. City driving is traditionally where sports cars are most penalised as their engines are designed for maximum efficiency and performance at high revs, whereas the urban cycle involves low revs and low engine loads.

Weighing about 40 kg, the compact, tri-phase, high-voltage electric motor of the HY-KERS is coupled to the rear of the dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission. It operates through one of the transmission’s two clutches and engages one of the two gearbox primary shafts. Thus power is coupled seamlessly and instantaneously between the electric motor and the V12. The electric motor produces more than 100 hp as Ferrari’s goal was to offset every kilogram increase in weight by a gain of at least one hp.

Under braking the electric drive unit acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque generated to recharge the batteries. This phase is controlled by a dedicated electronics module which was developed applying experience gained in F1 and, as well as managing the power supply and recharging the batteries, the module also powers the engine’s ancillaries (power steering, power-assisted brakes, air conditioning, on-board systems) via a generator mounted on the V12 engine when running 100 per cent under electric drive. It also incorporates the hybrid system’s cooling pump.

This experimental vehicle thus maintains the high-performance characteristics typical of all Ferraris while, at the same time, reducing CO2 emissions on the ECE + EUDC combined cycle by 35 per cent.


Text as Seen at Ferrari.com

Ferrari Continue Testing at Jerez

It was a very positive penultimate day of testing in Jerez for Scuderia Ferrari, working, like the other ten F1 teams, at the third pre-season test session and with the start of the F1 World Championship now in sight.

Fernando Alonso started his fourth day of testing with his new team just after 9am, taking over from Felipe Massa who had driven during the first two days of the test, and the Spaniard stopped driving around 20 minutes before the official end of the training session. During the day he drove 132 laps and got a good impression of the car.

"I’m satisfied because we could drive many miles on the dry," Alonso commented after the day's running was completed. "The results are positive, because we got to know the new car better. Also my place in the team is improving from day to day, as is my feeling for the F10. We can confirm that step by step we’re arriving at 100 percent."


Text as seen at Italiaspeed.com

First Official Chicago Unveiling of All-New GranTurimo Convertible

Lake Forest Sportscars is proud to be the first Chicago dealer to unveil the All-New Maserati GranTurismo Convertible! On display now at LFSC's dealership in Lake Bluff, the GranTurismo Convertible is the final prong in the Tridents exclusive line-up. This new convertible will have a retail base price of $135,800.

Powered by the same 433bhp 4.7L V8 as the current GranTursimo S coupe, the new convertible is extremely well equipped. Standard equipment will include Wood Trim, 20in Wheels, Skyhook Adaptive Suspension, Rear Park Sensors, Sport Exhaust, Bose Surround Sound, Red Brake Calipers. With all these major features as standard, clients will essentially pick color combinations to personalize the car.

Available for order now, deliveries are slated to begin in late Spring.

Ferrari Unveils 24mth Pre-Owned Warranty

Ferrari is pleased to announce a 24-month Power Warranty on all Ferrari Approved cars purchased through the Official Ferrari Dealer network. Ferrari is the first manufacturer to offer a 24-month factory warranty on pre-owned vehicles, this offers customers twice the peace of mind when investing in the Prancing Horse of their dreams

Hybrid 599 GTB

Ferrari has announced that it will be unveiling a hybrid model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Information is limited, but Ferrari’s foray into the hybrid market is rumored to also utilize an all-wheel drive system as well.

Ferrari first unveiled the Ferrari 599 GTB at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, and since then rumors have often circulated that Ferrari would one day produce a hybrid version of its exotic sports car.

Adding to the speculation, CNET points out that Ferrari filed for European patents concerning a “4WD system with hybrid propulsion” in June, 2009. By that time, Ferrari had confirmed that it was hard at work developing a hybrid vehicle and hoped to have it ready within a year.

“It has to be the avant-garde in automobile technology. We’re constructing cars with an enormous part of the innovative technology. We’ll present a 599 hybrid in Geneva, which will represent a great path towards the future,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, while speaking at the presentation of the 2010 Formula One Ferrari.

So far, no images or video have been captured of this allusive hybrid sports car, but Leftlane intends to bring plenty of live images from Geneva.

As seen at leftlanenews.com

Ferrari Unveils 2010 F10

Ferrari, officially unveiled its 2010 Formula One car today in Maranello, dubbed the F10. Ferrari's latest development has been in the works for months as engineering and design started half way through last season.

Ferrari are among the first of the F1 teams to display their latest creation ahead of next months first group test in Valencia. With this new car and drivers Fernando Alonso and Felippe Massa at the wheel, Ferrari is looking for a dramtic improvement over last years disappointing season.

Maserati Price New Convertible

Maserati has announced official pricing for its newest model - the GranTurismo Convertible. Known in other markets as the GranCabrio, the new convertible will have a retail base price of $135,800.

Powered by the same 433bhp 4.7L V8 as the current GranTursimo S coupe, the new convertible is extremely well equipped. Standard equipment will include Wood Trim, 20in Wheels, Skyhook Adaptive Suspension, Rear Park Sensors, Sport Exhaust, Bose Surround Sound, Red Brake Calipers. With all these major features as standard, clients will essentially pick color combinations to personalize the car.

Available for order now, deliveries are slated to begin in late Spring.