Roadster

March 1, 2006 Any list of the ten most desirable sports cars in the world would include a Pagani Zonda – it is one of the fastest, most exclusive and technologically advanced automobiles available. This time last year, Pagani unveiled the Zonda F - a high performance version of a vehicle already amongst the fastest road cars in the world created to honour Manuel Fangio. Weighing just 1230 kilograms, the Pagani Zonda F has a top speed of 345 kmh and a 0-100 kmh acceleration time of 3.6 seconds! At the Geneva Show yesterday, Pagani Automobili pulled the covers off the Roadster F, a new jewel in the Zonda family. Hand built in a limited run of just 25 cars, the Roadster F offers the outstanding driveability and performance of the F Coupe, enhanced by the pleasure of driving with a gentle breeze in your hair. Thanks to an original roof made out of carbon fibre and cloth (removable in a few seconds) and due to the use of carbon fabrics for the construction of the central chassis, bodywork and interior, it was possible to maintain the dry weight of 1230kg, which translates to a stellar weight/power ratio of 1.89kg/bhp for the Clubsport version. Read More

February 7, 2006 The Freestream T1 is ultra lightweight 2-seater with wind-tunnel aerodynamics, a composite construction, a 480bhp 2.4-litre V8 and one of the lightest weights of any road car in existence - just 465kg. Built by a team of engineers who were part of the elite team that designed and developed the iconic McLaren F1, the T1’s 1,000bhp/tonne power-to-weight ratio will offer 3g cornering, and braking and acceleration performance approaching that of a Formula One car. Though it could well be the ultimate track day car, the T1 will be road registerable and is expected to cost in the vicinity of UKP150,000 when it goes on sale later this year. Read More

October 25, 2005 Volkswagen presented a new prototype that could well make history as the most economical sports car of its time at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Its basic data: average fuel consumption of 3.4 litres for 100 km, a top speed of 230 kph. Its name: EcoRacer. Thanks to its carbon-fibre (CFP) bodywork, this sports car with its centrally located engine weighs in at only 850 kilograms, and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 6.3 seconds. Powered by a newly developed 100-kW turbo-charged diesel of the next generation, it offers a forward-looking synthesis of austere economy and impressive performance. 230 kph, 6.3 seconds, 3.4 litres – these vital statistics are as unusual as they are fascinating. But the objective of development was not to break records. With the EcoRacer, the intention was rather to create a research vehicle that united the elements of economy and performance under a very emotionally styled “roof”. Read More

March 11, 2005 One of the most famous names in motor racing history is to be reborn in the form of a roadgoing 1950s Formula One racing car replica. The famous Vanwall marque was in existence for just four years during the 1950s but in that time it won nine F1 victories, the F1 Constructors title in 1958 and was driven by the likes of Stirling Moss. Now the name will resurface as a high performance V12, aluminium bodied single seat racing car for the road. And a twin-seater is planned for later in the year. Read More

February 7, 2005 The Mazda MX5 has been one of the most popular open top sports cars of the modern era since the public first glimpsed its distinctive shape at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Despite a meagre 90 bhp 1600cc four-cylinder engine, the car became a best seller and despite only one major redesign, has remained so for a decade and a half. Now comes the news that Mazda is planning to breathe new life into the evergreen favourite with a third generation of the MX5 to be unveiled later this month. Read More

In the case of the smart Roadster, the word Smart is both a brand and an adjective. The global automotive industry is a voracious user of global resources. This year it will create 60 million cars and consume around 50% of the world's oil production, 50% of rubber production, 25% of glass production, and 15% of steel production. If everyone drove a smart car, we'd make a massive shift towards smart sustainable living. The feel-good Smart Kart is two cars in one - a ballsy sportster and a good citizen with modest consumption for everything except fun. Read More

The smart roadster two-seater convertible will launch in Australia next month promising purists the chance to sample an "intensive open-air motoring experience". The diminutive roadster has an engine output of 60 kW, weighs only 790 kilograms and can accelerate from 0 - 100 kmh in 10.9 seconds. Read More

Sunday November 9, 2003: One of the most exclusive road motorcycles in the world went on sale recently when Petronas' highly-publicised FP1 roadster was released at GALERI PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read More

Friday October 10, 2003: For the last thirty years, the Austrian KTM brand has been known for outstanding dirt bikes. Light weight, usable power and fantastic suspension were the hallmarks of the brand which has won numerous motocross and enduro titles across the world over the last 30 years. Read More