2010 Pagani Zonda Tricole

On the occasion of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the “Frecce Tricolori”, Pagani Automobili created the Zonda Tricolore as a tribute to the National Aerobatic Team.

In 2010 the aerobatic season of the Frecce Tricolori comes to its 50th anniversary, wich will be celebrated on 11th and 12th September at Rivolto Airport (info: www.aeronautica.difesa.it).

The Frecce Tricolori (Italian, literally Tricolour Arrows), officially known as the 313th Aerobatic Training Squadron is the demonstration team of the Italian Air Force, based at Rivolto Air Force Base, in the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia-Giulia, province of Udine. They were formed in 1961
as an Air Force team, replacing previous teams that had been sponsored by various commands by the end of the 1920s.

The team flies the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN, a two-seat aircraft capable of 898 km/h at sea level, with nine aircraft and a solo (the highest number of aircraft of any aerobatic team in the world).

The Frecce Tricolori belong to the legacy of the entire Italian community.

Technical Specifications:

- Mercedes Benz AMG engine, Power: 670 hp, Torque: 780 Nm
- Carbon-titanium monocoque
- ECU, Traction control, ABS by Bosch Engineering
- Inconel/titanium exhaust system coated with ceramic
- Suspensions in magnesium and titanium
- Cima sequential gearbox (6 speed), robotized by Automac enginnering
- APP monolitic wheels forged in aluminium and magnesium
Size: front 9×19 – rear 12,5×20
- Pirelli PZero tyres. Size: front 255/35/19 – rear 335/30/20
- Brembo brakes in carbo-ceramic self ventilated with hydraulic servo brake,
Size: front 380×34 mm, monolitic 6 piston caliper; rear 380×34 mm, monolitic 4 piston caliper
- Dry weight 1.210 kg
- Weight distribution in driving condition: 47% front, 53% rear
- Acceleration: 0-100 Km in 3.4 sec., 0-200 in 9.6 sec.
- Braking: 100-0 km in 2.1 sec., 200-0 km 4.3 sec.
- Maximum side acceleration: 1,45 G (with road tyres)
- Downforce at 300 kph: 750 kg

First Images of the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

The 2009 SEMA Show , the largest after market show in the world, began today. Here are some of the first photos, with many to follow I promise you.

The custom Lamborghini Gallardo in the GH Wheels booth is a work of art. Luxury Auto Direct Magazine spoke with the owner and we hope to feature this car in an upcoming issue.

The Pagani Zonda R in the Pirelli display was attracting crowds as soon as the doors opened. With the horse power to do 0-60 in less than 2.7 seconds, this car not only has the looks but the performance of the world’s finest exotics.

Gila Wheels which was featured on the cover of Luxury Auto Direct Magazine’s October/November ‘09 issue had an impressive display of there current 2009 wheels as well as their upcoming 2010 line.

Keep checking www.LuxuryAutoDirect.com these photos were just the beginning.

F&M Auto Vulca S, Italian Styling at it’s Finest

F&M Auto Background information

The history of F&M’s atelier dates back to the early 1960s, when a young and passionate race car enthusiast, Antonio Faralli (but everyone calls him Mario), decides to open up a small company in his homeland, the beautiful Tuscany.

As the years passed by, out of the passion for racing and the experience gained in the construction of many different racing cars, the desire to offer a new service crops up: classic car restoration, utilising both acquired knowledge and his own experience. It’s an incredibly successful activity, in some ways ahead of its time, solely devoted to bring back to life some really extraordinary classics, some of which are one-offs of immense value. The results are fantastic, the company quickly becomes the reference point among the many Italian and foreign classic car owners/enthusiasts who keep coming back.

As the years go by, Mario is joined in his work by his two sons Walter and Andrea. In the meantime, Rossello Mazzanti and his son Luca start collaborating with him as expert bodywork painters.

The two families become good friends, they share the same passion for cars and, most of all, the same vision on life. In particular, the young Walter and Luca become really good friends, as well as work colleagues.  

They are soon joined by Mino Camilotti, an automotive mechanical engineer with years of experience specializing in developing supercars such as the Pagani Zonda, the Lamborghini Murcielago/Gallardo and racing pedigree in the FIA GT championships. His contribution adds the necessary project engineering and validation for each new model, as well as an international outlook to the company.

Their vision is to bring back the Car to its rightful place, in a world invaded by too many regulations, conformity and lack of fantasy. From impersonal means of transportation, useful but lifeless, to Car with its own personality and alive. The brief is clear: the car will have to revert to the past tradition of Italian coachbuilders of between 1930s to 1960s, both in terms of building and construction methodology, and also in terms of freedom allowed to the final client to define his/her car. Based on state-of-the-art technology for the engineering validation, each car will be handcrafted in its entirety. Like a made to measure haute couture suit, each car will reflect in every detail the F&M style and the taste of its proud owner. A unique object, a jewel for the discerning few.

  

Vulca information:

A perfect mix between apparently opposite worlds such as craftmanship and modern technology, including strategic partnerships with OZ Racing (wheels), Continental Italia (tyres) and Black srl (interior finish), AIM Sportline (Data Acquisition System) as well as with designer Zsolt Tarnok, F&M is proud to announce the first car entirely designed and developed in-house: Vulca.

Vulca classically interprets the typical concept of “GT all’italiana”: lightweight, hand beaten all aluminium bodywork, 2+2 coupè, sinuous and modern, elegant yet aggressive style. Under the hood pulsates a powerful, reliable, latest generation engine which provides in all its guises exhilarating performance. 

Two engines are available:

1. V12, 7.1l, 520 hp, 800Nm
2. V10, 5.8l, 630 hp, 630Nm (“S” Version).

 Vulca will be produced upon order in very limited numbers: only 10, individually numbered. This will ensure instant collectable status and the most exquisite attention to each detail.