The R is an evolved version of the standard open-wheel two-seater, packing a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter V12 available in either naturally aspirated, 550 hp guise or a twin-turbocharged 760 hp version that dolls out an astonishing 811 lb-ft of torque. The Group claims a 0-100 kph time of 3.6 seconds and a 10.15-second run to 200 kph.

The wheelbase has been shortened by 50mm to improve handling and aerodynamics, and weight is down by 202 pounds to just 2,777 pounds. The R stretches 192 inches from nose to tail, is 82 inches wide and 51 inches tall, and weight distribution is a perfect 50:50 left to right and 42:58 front to rear. Tramontana fitted 20-inch carbon fiber and magnesium wheels at each corner, along with high-performance summer rubber sized 245/40 in front and 335/30 in the rear. 380mm, six-piston Brembos handle stopping duties, while a custom Ohlins suspension allows the R’s ride-height to be adjusted between 85 and 135 mm.

The body speaks for itself, as does the exposed carbon fiber interior, which features a chop-top steering wheel, an LCD instrument panel and the controls to the six-speed sequential gearbox. Production will be limited to 12 units per year with a price tag of €385,000 ($495,000), but unfortunately, we won’t be seeing it in Geneva next month – the Tramontana R will make its official debut at the Top Marques Monaco show at the end of March.

Each year, thousands of journalists arrive in Detroit to see the best and brightest concepts and production vehicles automakers have to offer. It’s estimated that the Detroit Auto Show brings in $500 to $600 million dollars annually to the region, which is struggling more than most due to the global recession. For years, the City of Detroit has failed to expand Cobo, and each year there are threats that the NAIAS will be taken away from the Motor City. The state of Michigan has been working with executives from Wayne and Oakland counties and the city of Detroit to upgrade Cobo, but yesterday the Detroit City Council voted down the proposed plan by a five-three tally. The proposed expansion was to add a much needed 166,000-sq. ft. of floorspace at a cost of $288 million.

The part of the plan that isn’t sitting well with Detroit officials is a stipulation that hands control of the aging facility to a regional authority controlled by the tri-county area and representatives from the city and state. The city would receive $20 million dollars in funds to cede power of Cobo, but the council feels they aren’t getting fair value for the venue. The city, which has been knee-deep in debt for years, operates Cobo at an annual loss of between $13 and $15 million. Due to disrepair, analysts say the building is worth a negative $284 million dollars.

We love the Detroit show, but the fact is that Cobo is a bit of a dump. The escalators don’t always work, the cars are crammed into the limited floor space, and last year a fork lift collapsed into the Cobo floor. Automakers have been making their concerns known, with several pulling out of Detroit this year and a few more revealing no new products. NAIAS organizers say that Cobo must be repaired in 2010 or the city could lose its International designation. Exactly what the struggling city and region don’t need right now.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Fisker is out to prove that green cars don’t have to be boring with its extended-range plug-in hybrid Karma, available in both sedan and retractable hardtop variants. Potential buyers have already placed over 1,300 orders for the four-door model and now we hear that the burgeoning automaker is accepting deposits of $25,000 for the Karma S drop-top. Those placing orders early are being told they can expect a delivery date in late 2011.

Both Karma models come equipped with lithium ion battery packs that can provide gasoline-free travel for up to 50 miles, after which a GM-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct injected Energizer Bunny powerplant will kick in to recharge the battery. There’s reportedly enough juice to power twin electric motors that offer over 400 horsepower to the rear wheels, which is sufficient to push the electric stunner to 60 in under six seconds and up to a top speed of over 125 mph.

[Source: eGMCarTech]

All you need to know about the Toyota Verso: It’s like our Matrix, but cooler. The Verso is a seven passenger Corolla-based MPV that’s being refreshed for the 2009 model year, and details are starting to trickle out onto the web. The new version goes on sale in April and is intended for European buyers. 1.6- and 1.8-liter gasoline engines get power boosts, emissions reductions and a reduced appetite. Aimed as it is at European buyers, there’s also diesels; a 2.0- and 2.4-liter rattlers are available. Transmissions depend on engine choice, with a six-speed manual and CVT offered.

The Verso is longer and wider than its predecessor, and Toyota says it’s been tuned to drive well on European roads, which means it’ll drive far sharper than anything Toyota offers its North American customers. Inside, the seats are configurable in a billion (32, really) combinations; each folds individually. Safety has been attended to with more high tensile steel in the body shell, so the Verso stands a good chance of earning five-star ratings like its Avensis and iQ siblings. We’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Verso when Toyota rolls it out at the Geneva Motor Show, but for now, there’s but a single photo floating around.

[Source: 4Car]

Last week’s teaser image of the 2010 Kia Sorento was just to whet our appetite, and now new images have surfaced that show big changes are in store for Kia’s CUV. The biggest deal is that the Sorento will move from a traditional body-on-frame construction to a unit-body design. The new look is more muscular, following some of the same themes as the sharp looking Forte. In the North American market, the new Sorento will reportedly carry a four cylinder or the snarly 3.8-liter Lambda V6. Attendees of the Seoul Motor Show in April will get to feast their eyes on this version of the Sorento, code-named XM. Sales also begin in April, so Kia’s West Point, Georgia manufacturing site is doubtless winding up as we speak.

[Source: The Car Blogger]

Here it is, folks: The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant. You might be wondering just what’s so spiffy about a Galant, since its chassis is pretty boring and its interior is drab. But, it’s not really about that with this car.

What’s great is that it comes outfitted with a terrific V-6 engine in the sporty Ralliart model and has safety ratings that make a lot of other similar sedans envious. Lots of folks appreciate the Galant for its straightforward look that conceals a truly refined driving experience.

Let’s take a look at the junk that’s not in the trunk: The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant base model is powered by an adequate, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that should pump out 162 horsepower. The Galant Ralliart model gets a bump up to a powerful 3.8 liter V-6 engine that gets 258 horsepower. The V-6 is mated to a Sportronic automatic transmission that offers manual shift capability. The four-cylinder model gets 27 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city; the V-6 drops that fuel efficiency to 25 mpg on the highway and just 17 in town, which is a little disappointing.

Fans of the Galant will have to shell out a little extra for gas, but that’s not news. Look for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant on lots for between $19,999 and $27,149.

Check out the 2009 Chevrolet Impala, a solid sedan that’s got a surprising amount of room inside, especially in the backseat and in the trunk. On top of that, the seating is remarkably comfortable, making this an ideal car for families who plan a lot of lengthy trips.

Unfortunately, the exterior styling is not particularly interesting to look at. The chassis is utilitarian at best, but perhaps the Impala’s designers decided to sacrifice some visual appeal in order to maximize the fit and feel of the interior.

Under the hood, the 2009 Chevrolet Impala is available in three engine configurations. The first is a 3.5 liter V-6 offering 211 horsepower, and the second is a 3.9 liter V-6 putting out 233 horsepower; the third option is a powerful 5.3 liter V-8 that’ll get up to 303 horsepower.

All options are paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. With the 3.5 liter V-6, the 2009 Impala will get up to 24.2 mpg on the highway. Look for the 2009 Chevrolet Impala at dealerships for between $23,790 and $31,135.

Here it is, folks: The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant. You might be wondering just what’s so spiffy about a Galant, since its chassis is pretty boring and its interior is drab. But, it’s not really about that with this car.

What’s great is that it comes outfitted with a terrific V-6 engine in the sporty Ralliart model and has safety ratings that make a lot of other similar sedans envious. Lots of folks appreciate the Galant for its straightforward look that conceals a truly refined driving experience.

Let’s take a look at the junk that’s not in the trunk: The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant base model is powered by an adequate, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that should pump out 162 horsepower. The Galant Ralliart model gets a bump up to a powerful 3.8 liter V-6 engine that gets 258 horsepower. The V-6 is mated to a Sportronic automatic transmission that offers manual shift capability. The four-cylinder model gets 27 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city; the V-6 drops that fuel efficiency to 25 mpg on the highway and just 17 in town, which is a little disappointing.

Fans of the Galant will have to shell out a little extra for gas, but that’s not news. Look for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant on lots for between $19,999 and $27,149.

We’re getting our first look at the 2009 Mercury Sable, a car that’s known for its great interior and its high safety ratings. Unfortunately, as with earlier models, the rig’s not much to look at.

Although it has a few new curves, it still clings to the same, uninspired-looking chassis. To some drivers, though, the understated body might be comforting, given that the guts have a well-known high standard of quality.

It does bring some heat to the road: Under the hood, the 2009 Mercury Sable utilizes a 3.5 liter V-6 engine that puts out 260 horsepower. It’ll get about 28 mpg on the highway, but as few as 18 mpg in cluttered city driving. Also, the Sable’s ABS disc brakes are very responsive and powerful.

Check out the 2009 Mercury Sable at dealerships for between $25,120 and $31,230.

Check out the 2008 Subaru Impreza, a little sedan that’s known for its performance variants, the WRX and the WRX STI. The Impreza is a terrific starter car, but it’s also a car that real gearheads love to keep around for tuning up and showing off.

It has a huge following in the underground, but is fittingly lauded by the mainstream critics as well. Inside, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX a 2.5 liter horizontally opposed “flat” four cylinder engine that’ll put out an impressive 224 horsepower. The WRX STI uses a high-boost version of the same four cylinder that’ll do 305 horsepower.

The WRX offers a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic; the WRX STI offers only a six-speed manual. The STI also benefits from suspension and chassis upgrades, making it one of the top handlers in its class.

Both versions offer amazing acceleration performance, but the STI really stands out as one of the zippiest cars on the market. Check out the 2008 Subaru Impreza on lots for between $16,995 and $28,450.

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