After a week of speculation, Audi finally announced the expansion of their range with a new grand tourer this past weekend. The most powerful version of the new coupe is the S5, which comes complete with 354 rumbling horsepower from its S4 derived V8 engine. Together with the more docile A5 model, it will be introduced in Geneva next week. Another novelty to be launched at the Swiss show is the Kia Ex_Cee'd Cabriolet Concept. As its rather complicated name suggests, it is the convertible version of the recently introduced Cee'd hatchback. Another potent Geneva debutant is the Smart Brabus Xclusive, which offers better performance and more luxury than the stock Smart Fortwo model.
As you might have read in our Retromobile coverage, we were very impressed with the Delage 2LCV that was on display. Today we are proud to publish an in-depth article about the V12-engined racer, completing our coverage of Delage's 1920's racing cars alongside the DF 'La Torpille' and the 15 S8. We also discovered that it was the 2LCV that planted the V12 seed in Enzo Ferrari's head. When he started producing cars of his own over two decades later he choose this layout and the 340 America featured this week is a great example of his early work. Finally we would like to draw your attention to the unique Lister Costin Le Mans Coupe, which was raced at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans and is the last evolution of the great 1950s Lister racing cars.

One of the most highly anticipated new releases expected at Geneva this year is no doubt the all new Maserati GranTurismo; as the name suggests, a genuine Grand Tourer. Like the highly successful Quattroporte, the new coupe's design was penned by Pininfarina and shares quite a few queues with its bigger brother. It will be a very important car for the Italian manufacturer as its predecessor did not really appeal to the vital American market. Although now the norm, Pininfarina-bodied Maseratis are quite rare and as the company pointed out themselves, the first one was launched exactly sixty years ago; the A6 1500 GT Berlinetta.
A few months ago auction house Christie's announced the imminent sale of the only Auto Union Type D in private hands and expressed their expectation that it could very well break the auction sale record held by a Bugatti. Unfortunately, the car was withdrawn pending further investigation into its racing history, but we were still able to shoot it last week and have prepared a beautiful gallery and and in-depth article on this remarkable racing car. With its mid-engine layout, it was far ahead of its time and it took another twenty years before this was picked up in Formula racers like the BRM P48 and the Matra MS10 Cosworth.
Joining the GranTurismo at Geneva will be the Toyota Hybrid-X Concept and a Hyundai CrossOver SUV Concept.

Thanks to the Christie's auction house, there was an unprecedented amount of pre-event attention for the Retromobile show that opened its doors to the public in Paris this weekend. The reason was the sale of a very rare Auto Union, which could very well break the long standing sale record. Unfortunately, the car was withdrawn in the week before the sale to further investigate the racer's history. It was on display on the Christie's stand, but it was hardly the highlight of the show, which housed a remarkable number of very special cars. Even the auction boasted some exciting machines like a unique Talbot Lago T26 GS and a one-owner Mercedes Benz 540K that both sold for seven figure prices. The main theme of the show was the collection of Pink Floyd drummer and five-time Le Mans entrant Nick Mason. He brought his finest machines to Paris including his Ferrari 250 GTO, McLaren F1 GTR and Ferrari 512 S. There was much more to admire on the other stands ranging from the unique Lamborghini based Heuliez Pregunta Concept to the sole surviving Delage 2LCV Grand Prix car.
As always we traveled to France's capital to capture what could very well be considered the very best indoor classic car show. Last year we were somewhat disappointed, but as you can read in our report and see in our exclusive 130-shot slideshow, the 2007 edition ranks right up there as the very finest in the show's 32 year history.

With the announcement of the 40-car Ultimate Edition of the gorgeous Vanquish, the end seems very near for the Aston Martin top model. The company also announced that customers can have their paddle-shift Vanquish S upgraded by the Works Service with a conventional six speed gearbox.
Dodge looks set to go Mazda MX-5 hunting with its Demon Concept. The mini-Viper is powered by a 172 bhp engine that drives the rear wheels. Geneva will also host the rebirth of yet another marque; Diatto. Created by Zagato, the OttoVu Concept heralds the return of the long forgotten manufacturer that was once associated with the likes of Ettore Bugatti and the Maserati brothers.
One of motoring's best known palace revolutions was the one at Ferrari in the winter of 1961/1962. The defectors joined forces to take on the mighty Scuderia on the track, resulting in the ATS Tipo 100 F1 racer. It was never successful and ATS was quickly abandoned. Far more successful were the Matra sports racing cars of the early 1970s, accumulating three consecutive Le Mans wins. Today we take a closer look at the MS 650 that was the first sign of the good things to come and took a win in the grueling Tour de France road race. A truly iconic machine is Jaguar's XK-SS, of which 16 were built using parts left over from the company's multiple Le Mans winning racing efforts. These racers for the road are now among the most valuable cars in the world.

Traditionally America's Ferrari enthusiasts flock to Florida in January to enjoy the weather and the annual Cavallino Classic. This year the weather was very un-Florida, but the Cavallino Classic was another classic. This was in no small part due to the celebration of some of the Scuderia's most evocative models; the 166 MM, the 250 TR and the F40. As reported earlier, the 'Classic' saw the debut of the recently discovered 166 MM Speciale. Photographer Rob Clements traveled to Florida and spent his time well to shoot all the Moroso track action and the Conncours d'Elegance on Saturday. His findings are captured in a full report and two spectacular slide shows.
The day after the concours, Rob ventured out to the Palm Beach polo club to visit the inaugural Supercar Weekend. The big attraction of this event was our car of 2006; the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina. To put things in perspective, the owner also brought the inspiration for the P4/5 project; his 330 P3/4 of 1966 vintage. These exotic Ferrari were in good company of the likes of the Bugatti Veyron, Audi R8 and the Aston Martin DBR9. The impressions of the Supercar Weekend can found in this 80-shot slideshow.

After taking a close look at the pristinely preserved Ferrari 166 MM earlier this week, it is now time to round up the news that hit our desks in the last few days. Although we are not expected in Geneva for another month, the stream of previews is already very strong. One of the most exciting launches will no doubt be the 220 bhp KTM X-Bow sportscar. Built by the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer with the help of chassis expert Dallara, it looks set to rival the Brits for lightweight high performance. A somewhat more sensible, but equally interesting release will be that of that of the latest generation Volvo V70; arguably the most iconic model in the Swedes' range. The Japanese are set to continue their high ratio of concept car introductions with the Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept and the Mazda Hakaze.
General Motors used the recent Chicago Auto Show to showcase a brand new Pontiac model; the G8 GT. Built in Australia, it marks the return of the front-engine / rear-wheel drive sedan in the Pontiac line-up. Across the isle at Corvette, the wraps were taken off the limited Z06 Ron Fellows GT1 Champion edition. As the name suggests, it celebrates the Canadian's amazing six back-to-back ALMS GT1 Championship winning performances. Only 399 examples will be available worldwide.
On Monday all eyes in Formula 1 were on the Silverstone track, where the new Spyker team unveiled their 2007 machine. Powered by a Ferrari engine, livered in a very striking orange paint scheme, it has been dubbed the F8-VII.

In August of 2006 all eyes of the Ferrari world were on the unveiling of the P4/5, but there was another Prancing Horse grabbing front page attention; a recently discovered and completely original 166 MM Touring Barchetta. The car resurfaced almost two years earlier in the remote Arizona desert where it was stored for over 45 years. A deal was brokered with the current owner, who immediately had the car rebuilt to running order. Acknowledging the car's unique condition as one of the oldest surviving original Ferraris, he made sure the patina was preserved. During the disassembling of the engine, it became clear that this was no 'ordinary' 166 MM. Instead of the usual chain-driven overhead camshafts this special engine featured gears, exactly like the much hotter Formula 2 engines. In-depth research into the history of the car by Massini suggests that it was in fact a factory experimental car. Before ending up in Arizona, it was actively raced in Europe in the great races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and won the 12 Hourse of Paris.
Last week, the very special 166 MM was shown in public for the first time for almost five decades at the Cavallino Classic by its owner and our shooter Rob Clements was in Florida to capture every detail. His efforts can be admired in a sparkling 24-shot gallery. A full report of the Cavallino Classic will be published later this week.