Ferrari�s quintessential Grand Tourer is the 250 GTO, but before and after the legendary Italian manufacturer produced many other exciting GTs. One of the most powerful of these is the 330 LMB, which combines the GTO chassis with a slippery body and a 400 bhp V12 engine. Although it was not very successful, it has gone into history as the first car to break the 300 km/h barrier at Le Mans.
With the total ban of tobacco ads taking effect this season, several Formula 1 teams will sport completely new liveries. Renault showcased their 2007 orange, yellow, white and blue paint scheme when they took the wraps off the R27 at the headquarters of their new main sponsor. Honda revealed the RA107, but we�ll have to wait a little longer before their new colours will be shown. Rumour has it that they signed a deal with BP, which might mean the re-appearance of green on the F1 grid. Green was popular in the pre-sponsorship days as it was the British national racing colour. It was of course also used by British Racing Motors (BRM) when they entered the racing world in the late 1940s. For various reasons, it would take a rather long time before they scored their first victory, with the featured P25. The four cylinder racer was not quite as complex as its predecessor, but was still equipped with some unusual features.
Switzerland is not best known for their active automotive industry, but nevertheless the country has housed a variety of specialized companies. One of the least known was the K�ng coachbuilding firm, who were responsible for the body of the Delahaye 135 MS featured today. One of the current Swiss manufacturers is Rinspeed, who will showcase the eXasis Concept at the upcoming Geneva Motorshow.

As mentioned earlier this week, Jaguars will be raced once again in an international series. This brings back memories to the two periods when the British company dominated sportscar racing and shone at Le Mans in particular. The first successful period started in 1951 with the introduction of the C-Type, but things really got going when the D-Type hit the tracks in 1954. This iconic sportscar featured an all new monocoque chassis and a very slippery body. Today we take a look at two Long Nose Works D-Types, which were driven to victory for three years running from 1955 to 1957. The two featured cars are the actual 1955 and 1957 winners.
After the first period of Jaguar success, the race was dominated by Ferrari, Ford and Porsche, but in the 1980s the chase was on for more Le Mans wins. Prepared by Tom Walkinshaw's TWR, the highly advanced V12-engined XJR Group C cars gradually fought their way to the top. In 1987 Jaguar was very convincingly crowned World Champion, but a Le Mans victory still eluded them. For 1988 the team fielded no fewer than five examples of the latest evolution; the XJR-9. Thanks in no small part to a great drive from Jan Lammers to bring the car home stuck in fourth gear, Jaguar managed to record their sixth Le Mans win. Pictured in our XJR-9 gallery are two of the examples constructed in 1988, including the Le Mans winner.

While all eyes were on Detroit, Beck Engineering used the Vienna Supercar show to unveil the striking new LM800. Using the company's vast composite's experience they have managed to keep the weight down to 900 kg (including a 80kg driver); combined with a turbocharged Audi V8, the low weight offers a power to weight ratio of 720 bhp / ton. The next major auto show is in Geneva and the first releases set to debut have already hit our desks. Mercedes Benz will showcase the next generation of their top seller; the C-Class. Opel must have looked with a lot of envy at the universal acclaim the Renault Clio Sport has received over the last years and will now field a serious competitor, the 192 bhp Corsa OPC.
The influx of new racing cars also continues with the Jaguar XK GT3 at the recent Autosport Show in Birmingham. BMW Sauber took the wraps off the F1.07 at Valencia last week as well.
Shortly after founding his own coachbuilding company Battista 'Pinin' Farina received a Cadillac V16 to body for an Indian Maharaja. Despite serving many years in the jungle the 452 A V16 Pinin Farina Roadster survived and remains one of the earliest examples of the legendary company's work. We would like to conclude this week's update with a look at two French racing cars. First up is the unique Delage La Torpille, which won numerous races and records in the early 1920s. The other was literally built in Jean Rondeau's backyard; the Inaltera GTP. It was the first in a line of Le Mans racers that eventually won the 24 Hours in 1980.

While browsing through the imagery published of the latest Formula 1 racers, it struck me how elaborate the aerodynamics have gotten. The latest trend is to use the sidepods as wings as well and it seems that the drivers need to use all their acrobatic skills to get in and out of the car without bumping into the aerodynamics. My thoughts dwelled to the days of old when racing cars were seemingly simple machines. It encouraged me to read up and write about the most successful racing car ever; the Bugatti Type 35. At first sight it's hard to imagine this nimble machine and its close relatives scored over 2000+ successes in the second half of the 1920s. Surprisingly, its performance figures aren't very encouraging either, but there is a lot more to the legendary Bugatti than meets the eye. Ettore Bugatti spent a lot of time shaving weight off the car and setting up the chassis perfectly to create handling characteristics that rival that of many much more modern machines. The three-valve eight cylinder engine was built to last and that proved very important in endurance events like the Targa Florio. Other than being extremely successful, the Type 35 is also the first racing car ever to be produced in large numbers.
In today's update we take a close look at one of the very first Type 35s and remains today in a most original condition. The extensive gallery showcases many of the intricate details that made the Type 35 such a big success.

After overloading you with new cars for the last two weeks, we were really looking forward to featuring some exciting classics, but the news just keeps on coming, so it's ten new cars again. We'll make up for it later this week!
First on the agenda for today is the round-up of the North American International Auto Show with a closer look at further highlights. With the 500 bhp IS-F, Lexus has once and for all shed the old prejudice that Japanese cars are four-banger econoboxes. For a few years now Mazda's concept vehicles are on the cutting edge and the Ryuga is another example of the company's good form. Acura showcased a styling concept for the much anticipated NSX replacement; the striking V10 engined Advanced Sports Car Concept. Mitsubishi took a page from that book with the soon to be EVO X Lancer Prototype X Concept.
January is also an exciting month for the motorsport enthusiast as many of the upcoming season's racers see the light of day for the first time. A most important occasion was the introduction of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, which will be raced in the Le Mans Series and at Le Mans by among others Jacques Villeneuve. It'll be an exciting season in Formula 1 and for Ferrari in particular as 2007 is the start of a new, post-Michael Schumacher era. Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikonen will defend the Scuderia's honour in the brand new F2007. One of their competitors is Toyota's TF107.

After our in-depth coverage posted earlier this week, it's now time to take a closer look at eight of the most exciting releases on display at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Cadillac released the next generation CTS to universal acclaim and received the first award not much later; the Eyes On Design Best Concept Implementation Award. Equally well received was the Jaguar C-XF, which combines subtle classic design cues with a very modern overall look. Replacing the S-Type next year, it could very well turn things around for the better for the British company.
Ford and Nissan took the wraps off two similar niche concept vehicles; the stylish Airstream and the not so stylish Bevel respectively. Continuing the roll-out of alternative fuel vehicles, GM upped the ante with the Chevrolet Volt Concept, which uses an ingenious drivetrain that is a clear improvement over current hybrid systems. Talking of hybrids, the Toyota FT-HS uses a 400 bhp hybrid drivetrain, packaged in a most striking coupe body.
For the fans of old fashioned American muscle cars, Chevrolet showed the Camaro Convertible Concept, destined for production in 2009. Dodge's 425 bhp Magnum SRT8 should hit the showroom floors in the second quarter.

On Saturday the doors of the Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit will open to public for the 2007 edition of the North American International Auto Show. Over the last three days, the press received an exclusive preview of the dozens of new releases that will be on prominent display. Compared to recent years there was clearly a new trend visible with a focus on product quality and advanced technologies. It is a difficult time for the automotive industry and many hope the Detroit releases will help turn things for the better.
Our photographic team was out on the show floor for the full three days to capture the many striking releases. Many were interesting, some, like the Cadillac CTS, Jaguar C-XF and Chevrolet Volt were impressive. Reporting live from Detroit, we have captured our thoughts and impressions in a full report and 310-shot slideshow. A detailed look at all the new releases will follow in the next updates.

There is no slow start to the New Year for the automotive industry as next weekend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit will grab everyone's attention. Of course our full team will be on the floor of Cobo hall to capture the show in its entirety, but to get you in the mood we have assembled a group of vehicles to be launched from Sunday onwards.
Performance enthusiasts will be thrilled with the 2008 model 600 bhp Viper. Available in both a Coupe and Roadster, the latest incarnation of the popular muscle car will be available this summer. Ford released the first images of two very powerful concept cars; the Ford Interceptor and the Lincoln MKR. Both cars can be run on either regular petrol or ethanol.
Drop-top cruising will get very luxurious with the now ready for production Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Judging from the Mercedes Benz Concept Ocean Drive, the introduction of a rival to the Rolls is imminent.
A list of vehicles to be launched in Detroit can be found here.