The 2008 Caterham Superlight R500 from the British sport scar manufacturer takes the minimalist light weight Seven philosophy to a new level with more power and sharper handling. The R500 Weighs 506kg and produces 263bhp with a heaving 177 lb per ft of torque transmitted to the rear wheels. The Series 3 chassis flagship model blasts out 520bhp per tonne and is capable of propelling itself from 0 to 60mph in 2.88 seconds.

Lurking under the light weight bonnet is the all alloy 2.0 liter Ford Duratec engine. Fed by its roller barrel throttle bodies, the normally aspirated, four-cylinder mill is tuned by Caterham Powertrain to unleash a monster. The continuous acceleration is transmitted through each ratio by either the standard 6-speed gearbox or the optional Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential transmission.

The performance of the R500 is controlled by race developed Avon CR500 tires and a suspension set up that includes weight reducing aero wishbones and fully adjustable dampers. Bringing the R500 to a steady halt is the four piston calipers clamping on vented discs at the front and light weight twin piston rear calipers. The new performance upgrades for the R500 include a sequential transmission, launch control, a gulping Carbon Induction Airbox and Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the Caterham C400 race series.

Housed within the modified chassis is keyless ignition, a quick release Momo steering wheel with integrated indicator switches and an innovative dashboard featuring flush fitted switchgear, ACES sequential gear change lights and a new Stack display with scrolling text. The 2008 Caterham superlight R500 is on sale from a starting price of £36,995.

Premier4509 has added the Lamborghini Gallardo to their list of aero kits for exotic vehicles. The latest press release from the company describes aerodynamic enhancing redesigns for the front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and rear spoiler. Stainless steel exhaust tips will be offered with the package as an additional option. The pieces are being hand made in Japan and will be built using a mix of Carbon Fiber and FRP. “We’ve been in this business for twenty years now and we’ve always been known for our quality. We’ve gone a step up for our Premier line up and these parts will be flawless. For this line up we have assembled our best teams of craftsmen in Japan to hand build these parts.” said Hironoa Yokomaku, president of Premier4509. “For example, the rear diffuser on our Gallardo kit is larger than the raw sheets of supplied carbon fiber. To ensure there are no seam lines from the adjoining sheets, we have a technician whose sole responsibility is to line up the individual rows of carbon fiber with a needle.”

The design of the kit will help the aerodynamic efficiency and will direct the airflow towards crucial components on the vehicle. “The design is reminiscent of where Lamborghini is headed in design. I wanted to capture that essence while offering a dramatic option to Gallardo owners,” said Yokomaku. The Premier4509 collection is expanding its line up and has included the introduction of a wide body kit for the Bentley Continental GT and the Lamborghini Murcielago. The line will also expand to include more products for Bentley, Maserati and Aston Martin later.

The new 2008 Wiesmann GT MF5 with its classic design and state of the art technology sets a new all time high standard for the already impressive performance of Wiesmann sports cars. Equipped with a high revving BMW V10 delivering 507 hp, it completes the sprint from a standstill to 100 kmh in just 3.9 seconds or 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds. With a sensational power to rate ratio of 2.7 kg/hp and a top speed of 310 kmh (193 mph), this Coupe joins the premier league for sports cars.

The car’s exterior design already hints at the outstanding driving that awaits the driver of a Wiesmann GT MF5. The extremely low, crouching body combined with the wide tires promise all the power you need. The wing and the diffuser provide plenty of down force on the rear suspension, guaranteeing excellent hold even at very high speeds. Energy absorbing body zones also add to the safety of the Wiesmann GT MF5, along with the rigid aluminum monocoque with integrated side impact protection, as well as ABS as standard along with DSC dynamic stability control.

The cockpit is totally set for the functions of a sports car. All the controls for driving the vehicle are within perfect reach of the driver. The low seating position, just ahead of the rear axle, make sure that the driver feels every movement of this driving machine. Maximum contact with the vehicle is assured by the newly developed sports bucket seats with excellent lateral support, which can be adapted to the body curves of driver and passenger as required.

The price of the GT MF 5 with its comprehensive equipment amounts to 178,900 € inclusive of VAT.

Brabus offers its 6.1 S displacement engine for SLK55 AMG. It has a power output of 438 hp and produces a peak torque of 468 lb. per ft. It reaches 0 to 60 mph at 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph.

The installation of the Brabus stainless steel sport exhaust system is helpful not only for tuned engines. Its four chrome plated tail pipes give the 2008 Brabus SLK55 AMG a more unique appearance and produce an even more sonorous exhaust sound on all SLK engines.

The striking Brabus front spoiler lowers lift on the front axle at high speeds. The rear of the SLK is upgraded by the Brabus apron with cut outs for the quad sport exhaust and the understated Brabus spoiler lip on the trunk lid. Brabus light alloy wheels are available for the Mercedes SLK in one piece or multi piece designs with diameters of 17, 18 and 19 inches.

The available Brabus suspension modifications for the SLK are specifically calibrated to the use with sporty wide tires. Engine specific Brabus sport springs lower the ride height of the roadster by 30 millimeters. Brabus sport suspensions combine this lowered center of gravity with a stronger and comfortable damper setup. To reduce body roll even more in fast corners Brabus offers stronger sway bars.

Brabus also offers various versions of high performance brake systems for the new SLK. The largest version features six piston aluminum fixed calipers and 355 mm (14 inches) vented and slotted discs on the front axle. The rear axle is fitted with 300 mm (11.8 inches) discs and four piston aluminum fixed calipers. Special flex steel brake lines ensure continuous high brake pressure.

At the recent Paris show, Alfa Romeo unwrapped the production version of the 8C coupe. It goes on sale some time next year for $200,000, and as few as 500 units may be built. The three spoke steering wheel with the squared off bottom adjusts in both reach and rake, the power operated seats move back a long way, the foot well is deep, and there is sufficient clearance between the slab sided door panel and the transmission tunnel. But once the manual roof is closed, the swayback silhouette makes taller people to duck and crouch in discomfort. The show car is fitted with a good mix of black leather and brushed aluminum.

The aluminum pedals are well spaced, but the clutch is a bit too heavy. The 8C Spider features the traditional six-speed manual transmission from the Maserati GranSport Coupe.

The 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. The maximum speed is 185 mph. The entire body and interior is fabricated with carbon fiber for a total of 3300 pounds. Compared with its closely related donor car, the Maserati GranSport Spyder, the Alfa Romeo 8C is 176 pounds lighter, 2.4 inches wider, 1.2 inches lower, and 1.6 inches longer. The wheelbase grew by 4.3 inches, and it now exactly matches the foot print of the Maserati GranSport Coupe.

The V-8 Engine is a 4.7 liter version of the Maserati 4.2 liter unit and is rated at 450 hp. With maximum torque of 347 lb-ft available at 4750 rpm, the Alfa engine whips up more twist action than the F430, and it also out distances both Maseratis.