Auto News - Puritalia releases full renderings of Cobra-inspired 427 roadster

Auto News - Puritalia releases full renderings of Cobra-inspired 427 roadster. The minds at Puritalia have finally gotten around to taking the wraps off of their Shelby Cobra-inspired roadster. The Puritalia 427 is intended to serve as a modern interpretation of the legendary open-top built by Carroll Shelby.

In addition to the gaggle of photos you see here, Puritalia has also served the final specs on the machine. The 427 uses an aluminum space frame chassis with chromoly steel subframes, which help maintain stiffness while keeping the roadster as lightweight as possible. As a result, the machine tips the scales at a mere 2,403 pounds with a perfect 50/50 weight balance.

The body shell is stitched from carbon fiber, and buyers may choose between one of two engines. The base, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 puts 445 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, aluminum driveshaft and limited slip differential, though a supercharged variant of the same engine is also available with a more heady 605 horsepower.

With its fully-independent suspension, adjustable shocks and sway bars, the 427 should also keep its feet planted on the ground. A set of six-piston Brembo calipers squeeze 15-inch discs up front, while four-piston clamps press 13.5-inch rotors out back. Sounds like fun to us. Head over to the Puritalia site for more information.

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Auto News - Vilner breathes new life into classic Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda

Auto News - Vilner breathes new life into classic Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda. Now that we're familiar with Bulgarian tuner Vilner Studio, we shouldn't be surprised by the generous application of quilted leather in its latest project, the Mercedes-Benz W113 Gentle Pagoda.

A comprehensive luxification of a Pagoda-roofed SL, two-tone leather in cafe and latte hues are cross-stitched throughout the cabin, and set off with chrome, aluminum and a mahogany-rimmed steering wheel. Incredibly, the nicest part of the car could be the trunk, which is so well turned out you'd need to think about which valuables are worthy of putting in it. Take a closer look at it in the photo gallery above.

PRESS RELEASE

Gentle Pagoda by Vilner Studio

To be born in 1963. In the times when the cars were only for the chosen ones. When they were produced only for the chosen ones. When the speed was not the same as nowadays and when the fashion was different. In the times when 300 SL (W 198) and 190 SL (W121 BII) were modern, but not yet legendary.

Getting on in years like a real man, in order to turn into a classic – deserving attention and admiration. Based on Studio Vilner's novel – with Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda as the protagonist.

Typically for Vilner's style: the legendary automobile got some light exterior interventions und complete renewing of the interior. The colors are warm and vintage – café and latte.

Every element and small detail has been taken care of. The workmanship is precise; the material is high-quality leather in two colors with a plenty of decorative and light seams. The dashboard is upholstered; the chromed elements and mahogany steering wheel are renewed. Even the trunk is now luxuriously made like a boutique jewellry box. The eponymous hard car roof of "Pagoda" – as a part of the interior – received the necessary dosage luxury and stile.

Tenderly embroidered Gentle Pagoda labels adorn the car interior, and are also present in the cabin. Those are also engraved on the door ledges – in aluminum and artificially made to look older.

Studio Vilner touches the classic and revives it – with the necessary attention and endeavor!

Like in the old times... when the cars were only for the chosen ones.

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Auto News - A 458 Italia-powered Fiat 500 is not a good idea, it's the best idea

Auto News - A 458 Italia-powered Fiat 500 is not a good idea, it's the best idea. We're pretty sweet on the resurrected Fiat 500. The quirky little hatch is an engaging driver with adorable looks. It is not what we'd call fast, however – even the Fiat 500 Abarth just barely lands itself in "quick" territory.

Fortunately, there are hard-working souls out there willing to remedy the machine's acceleration deficit. Lazzarini Design has done some measuring and discovered that, with a little body work, the 500 can play host to much more formidable powerplant. How formidable? The crew wants to yank the beating heart from the Ferrari 458 Italia and plop the 4.5-liter V8 behind the seats of cinquecento. You know, where the car gods intended the engine in the 500 to be.

These are clearly our kind of people.

But they aren't entirely off their medication. The engine has been detuned from 570 horsepower to a more reasonable 550 hp. Lazzarini says the project actually stretches the 500 wheelbase by almost a foot in order to fit the engine and transmission safely aboard. The whole machine weighs in at 2,200 pounds, even with ballast on both front corners to keep the car planted. If you like what you see, the studio says it is currently looking for an investor to help build the machine. Lazzarini Design estimates the project will cost around $550,000.

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