Ferrari FXX Evoluzione From The Caiola Collection

We take great pleasure in offering you events to look forward to in 2011. So, lets get to the point: Gooding and Company announced that it will hold an extra-special auction on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Scottsdale. As you may suspect, the event will offer you the change to expand your harem with a collection of exquisite supercars. The vehicle included in the sale belonged to the famous collector Benny Caiola, who passed away in April last year. The works of rolling art in the late col...




Press Release

GOODING & COMPANY CONSIGNS AN EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF FERRARI SUPERCARS FROM THE ESTATE OF BENNY CAIOLA

• Eleven ultra-rare, modern and vintage supercars –
• 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione and 2005 Maserati MC 12 included –
• will be offered at auction in Scottsdale on Friday, January 21

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (December 28, 2010) – Gooding & Company will be presenting one of the finest collections of modern high-performance Ferraris and rarely-seen Italian prototypes ever assembled under one roof at its Scottsdale Auctions in a few weeks. On behalf of the estate of the renowned collector Benny Caiola and his family, Gooding & Company is presenting this must-see, private collection of supercars on Friday, January 21.

"We are honored to present the private collection of Benny Caiola in Scottsdale this January," says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. "These modern supercars represent an exciting shift in the collector hobby, where today's leading prototypes are now being considered to be instant collectibles on the international stage."

Simply viewing the automobiles in person can take one's breath away. Designed especially for a select few of Ferrari-Maserati's best clients, three highlights include a 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, one of 30 FXX examples of Ferrari's most advanced production car ever created; a 2005 Maserati MC 12 purchased direct from the factory, the 31st car of 50 built; and a 1999 Ferrari 333 SP, an unmodified example of the manufacturer's last sports racing prototype.

Benny Caiola was larger than life, generous in nature and philanthropy, respected and loved by his friends in the collector community as well as by members of the Ferrari family. Benny's involvement in elite rallies, track trials and other select automotive events over many years ensured him a place among the glitterati of the car community, cementing strong friendships with the world's finest racing and design figures including Enzo Ferrari, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Michael Schumacher and Horacio Pagani.

The works of rolling art in the late collector's personal collection are not only beautiful, but also represent the pinnacle of high-performance engineering from the most prestigious automotive marques in the world. The following 11 Caiola Collection supercars will be presented at Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction on Friday, January 21:

• 1973 Ferrari Dino

Estimate: $160,000 - $180,000

• 1990 Ferrari F40

Estimate: $475,000 - $550,000

• 1995 Ferrari F50

Estimate: $750,000 - $850,000

• 1999 Ferrari 333 SP

Estimate: $800,000 - $1 Million

• 2005 Maserati MC 12

Estimate: $1.1 Million - $1.4 Million

• 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Estimate: $2.2 Million - $2.5 Million

• 2007 Ferrari F430 Challenge

Estimate: $125,000 - $150,000 (No Reserve)

• 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia

Estimate: $215,000 - $240,000

• 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Estimate: $240,000 - $325,000

• 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4

Estimate: $175,000 - $225,000

• 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

Estimate: $275,000 - $315,000

The annual Scottsdale Auctions will be held on Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22, commencing at 11 a.m. Guests may preview the cars on Thursday and Friday, January 20-21, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, January 22 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., at 68th Street and East Camelback Road adjoining Scottsdale Fashion Square. An auction catalogue for $80 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person. Bidder registration forms, 2011 press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com. For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany. All Gooding & Company automotive auctions are webcast live on www.goodingco.com.

About Gooding & Company

Gooding & Company, internationally celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, provides unparalleled service in the collector car market, offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management. The Company continues its successful association with ICAP Ocean Tomo, assisting in its auctions of intellectual property. The company set six world records and achieved more than $114 Million in sales at its 2010 collector car auctions. Upcoming events include the Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 11, 2011 and the Pebble Beach Auctions on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21, 2011.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 isn’t due out for some time and the Sesto Elemento Concept that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is rumored to only be available for track use but that isn’t stopping a German high-end car dealership from offering both new Lambo’s for sale on the company website.

Singen has even gone out on an extra limb and offered the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 up for sale, the Murciélago replacement which we had not expected to be out so early. JamesList has also added the Sesto Elemento to its listings with a price tag of € 1,850,000 excluding VAT.

Now an exotic car dealership in Germany is listing the car for sale. Although the reported original listing on the mobile.de online marketplace is no longer there to be found, Auto Salon Singen still has it up on its website with an approximately €2 million ($2.63M USD) list price - €1.9m before tax, €2.3m after.

Suzuki Unveils Solio Compact Wagon

Suzuki and Mitsubishi have inked an agreement today on Christmas eve for the OEM supply of Suzuki’s SOLIO compact MPV for Mitsubishi to rebadge for the Japanese domestic market. Suzuki will supply Mitsubishi about 800 units of the Suzuki SOLIO a month.

Mitsubishi, the seventh largest carmaker in Japan, aims to increase sales by expanding its lineup while Suzuki hopes to cut the production costs per vehicle through increased production. It is the first time the two car-makers have struck a car production deal for the domestic market.

Compact vehicles have gained popularity in Japan because of their fuel efficiency and small size allowing easy driving through narrow Japanese roads.

Suzuki hopes to sell 12,000 units a year, targeting current minicar and minivan owners. Prices start at 1.38 million yen.

via:carscoop

2012 Mercedes C-Class facelift【Video】

The 2011 Mercedes C-Class new facelift has been leaked ahead of its debut at North American International Auto Show.

Notable changes include a new dashboard, a revised steering wheel (from the CLS), updated controls, and a redesigned instrument cluster. Furthermore, thanks to a generous helping of aluminum (or wood) trim, the cabin no longer is a sea of black plastic.

It is powered by three engines which will be available in the United States. There’s an addition of a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp (204 PS / 150kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque.




Press Release

New look for Mercedes' top-selling sedan this summer
The restyled MY2012 C-Class

• Energetic - new dynamic look inside and out
• Expanded - five new assistance systems for greater safety
• Efficient - new direct-injection engines with better fuel economy
• Experience - new-generation telematics
• Exceptional - more than one million sold since March 2007

The restyled 2012 C-Class sedan is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in the summer of 2011. The front and rear end of the popular Mercedes sedan have been enhanced with a more distinctive design. The luxurious interior is now emphasized by the stylish new dashboard, which features a premium, fine-grain finish and stylish trim elements, as well as a high-resolution color display in the instrument cluster. Fuel economy has been improved by as much as 15 percent, thanks to new direct-injection engines and the redesigned 7-speed automatic transmission. Five new driver assistance systems ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system through to the Blind Spot Assist are now available in the C-Class lineup. New generation telematics offer new infotainment and navigation features.

"In terms of driveline and safety systems, the new-generation C-Class offers the comfort and safety of our luxury vehicles - and with many high-end details in the interior evocative of the new CLS, the new C-Class sets completely new benchmarks in its segment when it comes to premium look-and-feel," says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. This interior upgrade is further enhanced by the latest generation of telematics, which not only features completely new visuals, but also brings improved functionality.

A total of more than 2,000 new parts distinguish the newest generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class from its predecessor. The U.S. market introduction is scheduled for summer 2011 (available to order in Europe as of January 2011). Alongside the generous standard equipment, the Sport and Luxury versions of the new C-Class form the basis of the individualization program, with both lines now more clearly differentiated from each other.

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's highest volume model range, and therefore especially important. The current range has chalked up global sales of more than one million units since its launch in March 2007. Since the market introduction of the first C-Class in 1982 (known then as the 190), Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 8.5 million vehicles around the world.

Dynamic, determined and confident exterior

The bumper now has a more distinctive and dynamic design, with the front end adopting the brand's new design language. The central element of the front end is the grille, which is further enhanced by the new bumper design. The center air intake opens upward in a v-shape and forms the core element of the grille design. Distinctive lines emerge from the base of the aggressive arrow design in the center. Running beneath the headlamps, these character lines transition into the side profile. The outboard air intakes in the bumper are positioned very low down to give the car a more muscular stance.

The C-Class features a new aluminum hood, which contributes to weight reduction and consequently to improved fuel efficiency. Contours around the headlamps and grille bring additional emphasis to the front-end arrow form. Working together with the redesigned headlamps, the overall front-end look is far more distinctive.

Modified clear glass headlamps create a more dynamic and determined look and, together with the hood, grille and bumper enhance the arrow visual at the front end. This precise, contemporary look is reinforced by the design of both the exterior and interior of the headlamp units, which feature a finely balanced interplay between matte and gloss surfaces. The halogen headlamps follow the classic format with low beam located on the outside and high beam in the inside, while the indicator lamps are discreetly positioned in the outer corners toward the fenders.

The available bi-xenon headlamps come with active functions and bring added depth to the appearance with a series of LED modules. A C-shaped positioning light defines the nighttime design, with cornering lights located behind it and stretching outward to the main lamp module. At the base of the headlamps are broad horizontal LED indicator units. Also horizontal are the LED daytime running lights located in the bumper, which make the C-Class unmistakable from a distance.

On the rear bumper, the character lines and shutlines have been modified to add emphasis to the vehicle's stance. This is especially evident in the steep rise of the character line running outward toward the rear lights. A continuous character line on the upper edge of the rear bumper runs into the fenders of the C-Class to provide a connection to the sides and emphasizes the sporty character of the rear view. A new one-piece jewel case on the tail lights provides further integration into the rear of the vehicle. The characteristic sinuous surface line is now reflected on the inside of the lights and is reminiscent of earlier models. The distinctive depth of the lights are achieved by LED indicators located in the center that appear to float in front of the more deeply set red LED bands above and below. The rear light pattern is particularly distinctive at night.

The bodyshell of the new C-Class is distinguished by its outstanding aerodynamics. With a cd figure of 0.26, not only is it best-in-class, its drag plane of cd x A = 0.57 m2 also cuts more smoothly through the air than most compact and even sub-compact cars.

Premium and sporty interior

One focal point of the work done in the interior was the redesign of the dashboard with the aim of creating a powerful, sporty and premium look-and-feel that includes extensive enhancement to the trim. The surfaces of the controls are more finely detailed and feature a metallic finish. The stepped hood of the instrument binnacle now extends to incorporate the central display and runs onward into the passenger side enhanced by a subtle character line. The central, trapezoidal air vents and the outer circular vents are accentuated with metallic trim elements. Central to the design of the new dashboard is a prominent trim panel. This element stretches from the central air vents along the passenger side to the outer air vent, adding visual width to the interior. The surface grain on the top portion of the dashboard continues along the upper edges of the door panels.

The new-generation center console is distinguished by its rectangular silver keys and emphasizes the premium feel of the interior in combination with matte keys, high-gloss surfaces and a new knurled control knob. Together with the new generation telematics, the restyled C-Class also receives a new instrument binnacle with integrated display. Oriented toward the driver are three tubular gauge surrounds with metallic surfaces that further enhance the aggressive character of the C-Class.

The luxury feel is emphasized by the new-generation leather steering wheel introduced with the all-new CLS and now available as standard in the C-Class. The steering wheel features a chrome-plated central spoke and further accentuates the car's stylish and sporty ambience.

The new C250 Sport and C300 4MATIC Sport models come with standard brushed aluminum trim, while the C350 Sport has distinctive Black Ash. The Luxury versions feature Burl Walnut trim.

Drivelines with more power and better fuel economy

Fuel economy has been improved by up to 15 percent. All new direct-injection versions feature exceptional efficiency and environmentally-friendly fuel consumption. All models also come with the redesigned seven-speed automatic transmission, with the gear ratios on all versions optimized for fuel economy.

The highlight in the engine lineup is the introduction of the new V6 gasoline engine in the C350 Sport Sedan, featuring the innovative and highly efficient BlueDIRECT process. The improvement in efficiency is combined with a considerable increase in output. The C350 Sport Sedan now generates 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque (previously 268 hp and 258 lb-ft), while fuel economy has been improved by 5 percent compared with the outgoing C350 model.

The four-cylinder engine (new for the U.S. market) features direct injection and turbocharging and is also distinguished by outstanding combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. This marks an improvement of nearly 15 percent compared with the 2011MY C300.

New driver assistance systems

The C-Class attains an all-new level of safety with a total of five new driver assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection through to Blind Spot Assist. The assistance systems are based on state-of-the-art radar, camera and sensor technology and are setup to react to frequent causes of accidents such as proximity to the vehicle in front, fatigue and darkness.

The following provides an overview of the new assistance systems:

• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• Park Assist incl. PARKTRONIC
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind Spot Assist

More user friendly, improved connectivity - the new generation of telematics

The new C-Class sees the debut of a new generation of telematics, which is scheduled for successive introduction across further model ranges. Key new features include improved user-friendliness with larger 3-D displays, phone book transfer, text message display, wireless music via Bluetooth and a USB interface now located in the center armrest.