As mentioned in our detailed Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este report, the clear winner of the prestigious event was Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe. Arguably one of the most beautiful and certainly among the most valuable cars, just four Atlantics were built of which just two have survived largely unmolested. These are Lauren's chassis 57591 and also chassis 57374, which changed hands for a staggering $30+ million back in the spring of 2010. A third car also exists, which has been rebuilt around the remains the Atlantic that was involved in a fatal accident back in 1955. All four cars are pictured in our 42-shot gallery and each chassis' individual history is also carefully explained.
Another one of our favourite cars at the Concorso d'Eleganza was this rare Ferrari 212 Export Touring Barchetta. Just eight examples were built with this iconic bodystyle and even fewer are around today. The example on show at Villa d'Este was driven to a class win at the Tourist Trophy and had not been seen in public for quite a few years.
Hot on the heels of the latest HSV models, Vauxhall have released the all-new VXR8 GTS. This Australian-built monster boasts the supercharged 'LSA' engine out of the highly acclaimed Camaro ZL1, which is good for a hefty 576 bhp. Compared to its German rivals, the four-door VXR8 GTS continues to offer an exceptional bang-for-buck ratio.
At the end of June, the daunting Pikes Peak Hill Climb will once again be held. Among the competitors are two all-electric machines from Japanese manufacturers. Both will have 400 kW on tap but while the TMG EV P002 features just two motors, Mitsubishi's MiEV Evolution II sports a 100 kW motor in each of its four wheels. Tasked to drive the Toyota Motorsport GmbH prepared EV P002 is Pikes Peak legend Rhys Millen, while a pair of MiEV Evolutions IIs will be fielded, for Hiroshi Masuoka and Greg Tracy.

Over the weekend the fabulous Hotel Villa d'Este hosted the 20th annual Concorso d'Eleganza. Due to the limited space available at the historic location, the event only welcomes a select few of the finest machinery. This year the Concorso celebrated 50 years of Lamborghini and Aston Martin's centenary both with dedicated classes. Also grabbing a lot of attention was Ralph Lauren's Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, which was the pre-show favourite. Even the unusually cold and wet conditions did not dampen the spirits and we reckon, this was one of the finest editions of recent years. Later on Saturday, RM Auctions also hosted a sale at the nearby Villa Erba. The EUR 27 million auction was topped by this striking Ferrari 340/375 MM Pinin Berlinetta, which sold for close to EUR 9 million. Our diligent reporter roamed the beautiful Villa d'Este gardens in search of the best stories and pictures of the eclectic field. The result is this detailed report, illustrated by a 210-shot gallery of both the Concorso and the auction.
Continuing their centenary celebrations, Aston Martin have launched the most potent regular production model yet; the V12 Vantage S. Powered by a 565 bhp V12, it comes with a brand new seven-speed gearbox. Developed by Graziano, this is actually 25kg lighter than the outgoing six-speed manual.
At Villa d'Este, BMW took the wraps off the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe, which had been jointly designed with the Italian carrozzeria.
Renault used the Monaco Grand Prix to reveal the rather extreme Twin'Run Concept. Clearly inspired by the Group B Renault 5, the Twingo sized machine features a V6 engine mounted amidships in a purpose built steel tubular frame.

This weekend the undulating Spa-Francorchamps track hosted the third annual Spa Classic. Organised by Peter Auto, the three-day event included all the familiar grids like the Classic Endurance Racing, Sixties' Endurance and Trofeo Nastro Rosso and also special races to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 and for 1960s to 1980s touring cars that raced in the Spa 24 Hours. There were also additional races from other organisers for the 1970s Formula 2 cars and the ever evocative Group C machines. In addition to the action on track, the spectators were also well entertained in the paddock, which offered a full access to all the competition cars, displays from numerous clubs and a 'village' with a wide variety of vendors. Unfortunately Spa's infamous weather played up and although it was not quite as bad as predicted, the Sunday was a complete wash-out. Nevertheless over 13,000 spectators braved the elements to witness some high quality cars and racing, which on Saturday ran well into the evening.
Having split our efforts between the Spa Classic and the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, we had one photographer trackside for the duration of the event. This has resulted in the following race-by-race report, illustrated by a 250-shot gallery, which includes all the action including plenty of flames and spray. A full report from Villa d'Este will follow later in the week.

Built in 1985 to the then current Group C and GTP regulations, the Veskanda Chevrolet still holds several lap records Down Under and is commonly acknowledged as the fastest sports racer to come out of Australia. The car was commissioned by Bernard van Elsen and constructed by K&A Engineering and accordingly the name is short for Van Elsen Special KandA. In the hands of local hero John Bowe, the Chevrolet-engined machine dominated sports car racing in Australia from halfway through 1985 well into 1987, winning every round of the country's most important championship in 1986. The Veskanda also made a single World Championship appearance, when a race was held at Sandown Park in 1988. Faced with formidable opponents, Bowe did very well to qualify and finish eighth, only to later be disqualified for exceeding the fuel allowance. Fully restored, the car came to Europe for the first time last year and competed in the Historic Group C Championship. It is seen in our 18-shot gallery at Le Mans and Paul Ricard. The one-off Veskanda will be out again this weekend during the Spa Classic. We will be there as well and you can expect full coverage from this very busy weekend early next week.
The weekend is packed with major events, which include the Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. The latter inspired us to give the 1983 Monaco-winning Williams FW08C Cosworth a closer look. As coincidence would have it, the car was driven at the time by reigning World Champion Keijo Rosberg, the father of current F1-ace Nico Rosberg, who dominated today's free practice sessions with his Mercedes-Benz W02. The FW08C holds the distinction of scoring the last pole position with a Cosworth DFV engine and it was also used by the late Ayrton Senna for his very first F1 outing. Our 18-shot gallery features both the Monaco-winning and the ex-Senna chassis.

This coming weekend, the annual Concorso d'Eleganza will once again be held on the fabulous grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este. Among the stars expected during this year's event are an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, a Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe and the Lamborghini 350 GTV. As always, a full report will follow shortly after the weekend.
To get you in the right mood, we have today taken a closer look at two cars that starred at Villa d'Este last year and certainly embodies La Dolce Vita. Best known of the pair is the Maserati 5000 GT Allemano Coupe. The last Maserati 'fit for a king', the 5000 GT combined the production 3500 GT chassis with the race-bred V8 engine out of the magnificent 450 S. Of the 34 examples built, Allemano clothed 18 5000 GTs. In addition to the Allemano Coupe seen at Villa d'Este, two additional chassis are also highlighted in our 22-shot gallery.
Launched at the 1963 Turin Motor Show, this one-off Lancia Flaminia was also shown at Villa d'Este in 2012. Using a standard Flaminia chassis, it boasts a Tom Tjaarda styled body. Pininfarina eventually sold the car to North America where it remained until it was acquired by the current owner; a noted Italian collector of one-offs.
Other stars of the 2012 Concorso included the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Figoni Coupe, a Lamborghini Miura P400 SV/J and an OSCA 1600 SP.

At this weekend's Nurburgring 24 Hours, Aston Martin revealed the CC100 Speedster, which has been built to celebrate the company's centenary. The venue was well chosen as the striking machine, also nicknamed the DBR100, was inspired by the Aston Martin DBR1, which scored three Nurburgring 1000 km wins in a row. Underneath the Speedster's carbon-fibre composite body-panels sits Aston Martin's latest 'AM11' V12 complete with paddle-operated six-speed gearbox. The top speed of the spectacular Aston Martin CC100 Speedster is limited to 290 km/h and the lightweight machine can sprint to 100 km/h in just over 4 seconds. Although there are no production plans, we are sure a sufficient offer will convince Aston Martin to build another one.
Responding to the high performance models recently launched by Audi and AMG-Mercedes, BMW have reworked the twin turbo V8 found in the range-topping M-models, resulting in a power increase of 15 hp. This revised engine will be available with the M5 Competition Package and the M6 Competition Package. Although the changes look good on paper, the added horses will only shave around 0.1 second off the 0-100 km/h time. The introduction of the Competition Package coincides with further updates to the 5-Series range, which include styling changes, new colour options and enhancements to the interior and lighting.

Yesterday, Honda announced its return to Formula 1 in 2015 as McLaren's engine supplier. Between 1988 and 1992, the McLaren/Honda partnership resulted in four driver's titles, so not surprisingly the expectations will be very high. Most successful of all Honda-powered McLarens was the MP4/4 raced during the 1988 season by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Together they won a staggering 15 out of a possible 16 races. One of these all-conquering machines was recently restored by McLaren and driven during the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed by Bruno Senna. We used that opportunity to capture every detail as it can be seen in this 18-shot gallery.
Already some years in the making, Porsche have released further and amended details about the upcoming 918 Spyder supercar. Among the changes is a significant boost of the performance of the internal combustion engine and the electric motors. This has lifted the combined power output to close to 900 bhp. In addition to the additional information, Porsche also released more images of the sophisticated hybrid supercar.
During a spectacular launch at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off the latest generation S-Class. Known internally as the W222, it replaced the W221 generation, which was introduced back in 2005. As can be expected, the new S-Class is more luxurious, more technologically advanced and more efficient as the outgoing model. Topping the range during the market introduction will be the S 500, which boasts a 449 bhp, twin-turbo V8.

From the mid-1970s, Ferrari focused the company's racing efforts on Formula 1 and with considerable success. This did leave the loyal privateer racers looking for alternatives. Not content with settling with anything but a Ferrari, some of these privateers requested Padova-based Ferrari dealer Michelotto to create a 308 GTB-based rally car. Although it did take some time to get the 308 GTB Group 4 right, the car turned out to be remarkably successful. In fact it remains the only Ferrari to have ever finished in the top three of a World Rally Championship round. Ferrari also took note of the efforts of the small shop and cemented a relationship with Michelotto that lasts to this day with cars ranging from the F40 to the current 458 Italia GT2 as the indirect and direct result. Over the years we captured four 308 GTB Group 4s in action during events like the Tour Auto. They can be seen from every angle in this lovely 24-shot gallery.
This morning, HSV's all-new 'Gen-F' range broke cover. One of the range topping models is this ClubSport R8 SV. It is powered by a 456 bhp version of GM's LS3 V8, which is currently the most potent available in the Gen-F range. The car comes with a choice of a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox and a raft of high-tech electronic goodies as standard.
Following a link-up with Zagato last year, BMW have now partnered with Pininfarina to bring a one-off show car to next week's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Known as the Gran Lusso Coupe, it is powered by a V12 engine. For now that is the only concrete information and the three images released today also do not draw a complete picture just yet.

This week, Lamborghini celebrated the company's 50th anniversary with a rally through the north of Italy. The event culminated with the launch of the spectacular Lamborghini Egoista in Sant'Agata Bolognese. This 600 bhp V10 engined machine was created by the Volkswagen Group's head of design Walter de Silva as a homage to the Italian manufacturer. The unusual show car features a single seater layout with a centrally mounted cockpit. In De Silva's own words: "It represents hedonism taken to the extreme, it is a car without compromises, in a word: egoista (selfish)." One of the clear inspirations was the Apache helicopter resulting in many subtle and some more obvious cues like the canopy and the turbine like exhaust. The Egoista is Lamborghini's gift for Lamborghini and will not be sold.
The launch of the striking Egoista prompted us to look back at some classic Lamborghini prototypes. It all started 50 years ago with the Franco Scaglione penned 350 GTV. Using the same underpinnings was the 3500 GTZ of which two were built and only one remains today. Later in the decade, Bertone produced this fantastic Marzal, which provided a preview of the upcoming Espada production car. Long before Lamborghini settled on the Gallardo as the spiritual replacement of the Jalpa, several very different prototypes were built in the late 1980s and through the 1990s. Among them is the P140 of 1989; the first V10-engined Lamborghini. Using the same engine was the Cala penned created by Giugiaro/Italdesign, which remains as one of the most beautiful Lamborghinis and was also a participant of the 50th anniversary rally with Fabrizio Giugiaro behind the wheel.

In motorsport, Peugeot is today best known for their rallying and endurance racing victories but over a century ago they were among the leading Grand Prix manufacturers. Although they did not quite invent it, Peugeot were the first to successfully race engines with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, which is still very much the standard for high performance engines to this day. Among these pioneering machines was the Peugeot L45 built specifically for the 1914 French Grand Prix. Due to problems with the Peugeot's inferior tyres, the final race before the Great War was won by arch-rivals Mercedes with this 18/100 Grand Prix. Like most Grand Prix cars of the day, the Peugeots were shipped to the United States where racing continued through 1916. Using one of the sophisticated Peugeots, Dario Resta won the 1916 Indy 500. Our feature car was one of the French Grand Prix racers and some believe it to be Resta's actual Indy winning machine. It was raced at Indy as late as 1949, and has been owned by the same family for over six decades. We captured it in full detail at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed where it formed part of the Indy 500 Centenary celebrations.
A Peugeot due to race in the United States this year is the equally impressive 208 T16 Pikes Peak of which even more details and images have been released this week. Among them are some baffling performance figures like a 0-100 km/h time of just 1.8 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. All this is made possible by a 875 bhp, 3.2 litre V6 engine, equipped with twin turbochargers. We will continue to follow Sebastien Loeb's efforts and are also looking forward to seeing the 208 T16 Pikes Peak in its final livery.
Also boasting a twin-turbo V6 is the Volkswagen Design Vision GTI, launched at the GTI Treffen earlier this week. The German manufacturer have now also released more information and these detailed images of this very high performance Golf.

Today, the annual 'GTI Treffen' (GTI Meeting) on the shores of the Worthersee in Austria kicks off. It attracts thousands of VAG enthusiasts and also inspires the Group's brands to bring out exciting new (show) cars. Volkswagen themselves will celebrate the launch of the seventh generation GTI with the spectacular Design Vision GTI. Slated as a track-ready machine, it features a turbocharged six cylinder engine, good for over 500 hp. This power is distributed to all four wheels through a DSG dual clutch gearbox. For now only renderings of the Design Vision GTI have been released but we will update the page as soon as actual images become available. Already revealed in full detail is the Seat Leon Cup Racer. Powered by a 330 hp engine, this is a serious racing car that is available to customers and will be eligible for a variety of races including the long distance events on the Nurburgring Nordschleiffe. Seat also hinted that the Leon Cup Racer could form the basis for a brand new WTCC machine as well.
One of the 35 cars out on track during this weekend's WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was the HPD ARX-03c. Launched ahead of this season, this is an updated version of the new LMP1 car that was campaigned for the first time last year. Over in the United States, it already won the second round of the American Le Mans Series. Facing stronger opposition from the likes of Audi and Toyota, the HPD ARX-03c stood out at Spa as the only open LMP1 car.

On Saturday, the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Belgian Ardennes hosted the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Due to its place on the calendar, the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps also doubled as a final dress rehearsal for next month's 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 35-car strong field consisted of high quality entries throughout with Audi and Toyota dicing for the outright victory and the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche going head-to-head in the GTE Pro class. Although reliability issues ended the fight for the win early, there were sufficient close fights in the other classes to keep the spectators on the edges of their seats throughout the race.
Our photographers ventured to the legendary track, notorious for tempestuous weather and were treated to two days of beautiful blue skies. The result of their efforts is this concise report, illustrated by an action-packed 220-shot gallery.
Over the weekend, Porsche also took the wraps off the new 911 Turbo S. It combines the latest, '991' bodystyle with a direct injection, twin-turbo engine, good for a hefty 552 bhp. In addition to the familiar all-wheel drive system, the range-topping model also boasts sophisticated four wheel steering. Thanks to these upgrades, the 911 Turbo S can now complete a lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleiffe in well under 7:30 minutes.

One of the absolute stars of the upcoming RM Auctions Villa Erba sale will be this Ferrari 340/375 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta (chassis 0320AM). Equipped with low drag body work, it was one of three Ferrari works cars entered in the 1953 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sadly, the car was disqualified on a technicality. Fitted with a larger 375 MM-spec engine it was later pressed into service at the Carrera Panamericana. Following a long spell in the United States, it has been in British hands for the last decade. Although no estimate has been given, the only other survivor of the trio sold for EUR 4.3 million six years ago, and the prices have gone up considerably since then. Both cars are featured in our 30-shot gallery of the 340/375 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta.
Other exciting cars on the roster for Villa Erba include the very first MG Magnette K3 and the very rare Moretti 750 Grand Sport. Also included in the 40-car catalog are each of Ferrari's supercars; the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo.
RM Auctions will certainly hope to build on the results achieved last week at the Don Davis Collection sale where a Ferrari 330 GTS sold for just over $1.9 million and a Toyota 2000 GT achieved seven figures for the first time, selling for an impressive $1.15 million.

Ever wondered what could happen if a bunch of Formula 1 engineers get free reign to modify the most sensible model in the range? A possible result is the Twizy F1 Concept created by Renault Sport. It boasts a more powerful electric motor, complete with a KERS system, as well as wild wings and massive slicks. It was presented last week at the Valladolid factory where the standard car is built. In the coming weeks and months, the Twizy Renault Sport F1 will be demonstrated at selected events.
Another one-off is the Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept, due to be launched at the annual VAG Worthersee meeting in Austria. This is a thoroughly lightened and more powerful version of the current 2-litre turbo TT. Weighing in at 1111 kg and powered by a 310 hp engine, it can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. In addition to the striking body-kit, the Audi TT Ultra Quattro also features a redesigned interior with a gated gearshift.
Due to be launched Down Under later this month is the HSV Gen-F. It is the high-performance manufacturer's take on the new Holden F-Series. For now only a single teaser shot has been released but we will update the database entry as more information becomes available.
Peugeot have begun testing the highly anticipated 208 T16 Pikes Peak rally monster. Together with new images, the French manufacturer also released more details; the car is powered by a twin-turbo, 875 bhp V6 engine, which had originally been developed for endurance racing. Among the 208 T16 Pikes Peak's most impressive figures is the 1 kg/bhp power to weight ratio. This is another project we will follow very closely.