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100 Years of Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo turns 100 years old today, the 24th of June 2010. The Alfa factory in Milan's first model was the Alfa 24 HP A, designed by Giuseppi Merosi.

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Four generations of racing-inspired BMW M3 special editions

The BMW M3 has been the pinnacle of the BMW 3-series range for 4 model series: the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93. Although any BMW M3 is special in its own right, in each of these model series BMW has produced limited edition M3 models that borrow heavily from racing traditions.

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Audi's A1 Luxury Baby - Full Details

The long-awaited 2010 Audi A1 is about to hit the markets, Audi have recently released the specifications of the A1 range at launch date. Sitting on a 2469 mm wheelbase and with an overall length of just 3954 mm, the Audi A1 is the smallest Audi models since the Audi A2.

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Carfolio ID Mix-up fixed

Apologies for the brief mix-up with the Carfolio ID numbers. The issue was caught quickly and fixed quickly.

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620 PS Porsche 911 GT2 RS released

A new, more powerful Porsche 911 GT2 variant has just been released. The 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 RS features more power, less weight and even better performance.

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305 km/h BMW M3 GTS given production go-ahead

The most hardcore BMW M3 yet - the BMW M3 GTS - will be available on the market, BMW has confirmed. With a longer stroke (82.0 mm - up from 75.2 mm on the standard E90 BMW M3), the V8 engine now displaces 4361 cc (E90 M3: 3999 cc).

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New Alfa Romeo Giulietta Launched

The latest Alfa Romeo range to be launched is the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which goes on sale from May 2010. The range comprises of 3 petrol and 2 diesel engine options, all equipped with six speed manual gearboxes.

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Wednesday July 23, 2008

The Phenomenal Lancia Stratos

Lancia Stratos -
Lancia Stratos
Image courtesy of Lancia

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In the early seventies, Ferrari, Lancia and Bertone teamed up to create one of the greatest rally cars ever, the Lancia Stratos. The head of Lancia's competition division, Cesare Fiorio, was the driving force behind this project. Bertone had sown the seeds for the project in the Bertone Stratos concept car of 1970. This was an impossibly flat wedge-shaped body, just 846 mm high, housing a mid-mounted Lancia Fulvia V4 engine of 1584 cc capacity, with a driving position requiring the pilot to be lying almost flat on his back, and a lift-up windscreen through which entrance and egress were to be made. It caused a sensation at the 1970 Turin Motor Show. A year later, Bertone presented another Stratos styling exercise, this time badged as a Lancia. The Lancia Stratos HF concept was much closer in shape to the final product, which was to be running as a rally prototype a further year later.

Lancia's rallying ambitions were completely satisfied by the Stratos. It dominated international rallying for more than five years, and when it was retired by the decision makers at Fiat and Lancia, it was still at the pinnacle of the sport. The Stratos won three World Rally Championships, had victories on the Monte Carlo Rally and in the Targa Florio, and numerous others. Notable campaigners of the Stratos included Sandro Munari, Markku Alen and Bjorn Waldegaard.

The road-going Lancia Stratos came into being due to the homologation requirements at the time, which stipulated that at least 500 examples be produced in order to be eligible for certain competitions. Production of the road-going Lancia Stratos began in 1974. The engine was sourced from Ferrari, which was by that time under the Fiat Group umbrella alongside Lancia. The transverse mid-mounted 65 degree V6 had already found use in the Ferrari Dino 246 GT and the Fiat Dino Coupé and Spider. As utilised in the Lancia Stratos road car, it featured 3 Weber twin choke carburettors, and a relatively low compression ratio of 9.0. From its 2419 cc swept capacity it produced 190 PS (139 kW) at 7000 rpm and 225 Nm (166 ftlb) of torque at 4000 rpm. This power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a Ferrari five speed gearbox, running a 3.824 final drive ratio. 205/70 tyres were fitted front and rear, mounted on 7.5 x 14 inch rims. Overall kerb weight was just 980 kg, distributed 46%/54% front/rear. This relatively light weight and short gearing made for a rapid device, with the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint taking just 6.0 seconds, the standing quarter mile being dispatched in 13.5 seconds, and an overall top speed of 230 km/h.

The body was a short, stubby wedge, just 3710 mm long, 1750 mm wide, and with a 2180 mm wheelbase. Extremely low, it measured just 1110 mm high. The other-worldly looks were enhanced by the use of a radically curved windscreen, which formed a bubble-like enclosure around the cockpit; heavy rear louvres; bright firecracker red, lime green or Dayglo orange paintwork, and gold-painted 5 spoke Campagnolo wheels. The dramatic shape and wild colours gave the Stratos a visual impact to rival Bertone's other seventies extravaganza, the Lamborghini Countach.

Complete Article Index:

  1. 100 Years of Alfa Romeo, 24 June 2010
  2. Four generations of racing-inspired BMW M3 special editions, 10 June 2010
  3. Audi's A1 Luxury Baby - Full Details, 24 May 2010
  4. Carfolio ID Mix-up fixed, 17 May 2010
  5. 620 PS Porsche 911 GT2 RS released, 13 May 2010
  6. 305 km/h BMW M3 GTS given production go-ahead, 13 May 2010
  7. New Alfa Romeo Giulietta Launched, 15 April 2010
  8. Ferrari reveals latest GTO, 08 April 2010
  9. New Server Operational, 19 February 2010
  10. Performance issues resolved, 20 October 2009
  11. 2009 IAA Frankfurt Show in brief, 15 September 2009
  12. New details about the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing, 09 September 2009
  13. A roundup of updates, 06 September 2009
  14. Ferrari's new 458 Italia, 27 July 2009
  15. Porsche's 4 door Panamera specifications revealed, 11 May 2009
  16. Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 03 February 2009
  17. Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, 08 November 2008
  18. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport unveiled at Pebble Beach, 18 August 2008
  19. Audi RS6 Saloon, 10 August 2008
  20. New Lotus Evora Preliminary Specs, 24 July 2008
  21. The Phenomenal Lancia Stratos , 23 July 2008
  22. Megane R26.R - hot hatch, Renault style, 22 July 2008
  23. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro details released, 20 July 2008
  24. Porsche direct injection 911, 16 July 2008
  25. Hammerzeit - 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, 12 July 2008
  26. New 5th generation BMW 7 Series launched, 03 July 2008
  27. Alfa Romeo MiTo Specs Released, 18 June 2008
  28. 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage improvements, 22 May 2008
  29. King of the Road: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, 13 May 2008
  30. Ford's Model T is 100 years old this year, 04 May 2008
  31. Corvette ZR1 - official certified power figures, 28 April 2008
  32. New data fields in Carfolio.com database, 21 April 2008
  33. Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, 11 April 2008
  34. Tesla Roadster production officially begins, 09 April 2008
  35. Volkswagen Passat CC, 08 April 2008
  36. Hyundai Genesis Coupé, 19 March 2008
  37. Caterham and Russel Savory produce a V8 Seven, 19 March 2008
  38. 2008 Detroit Show: Audi TTS preliminary data, 10 January 2008
  39. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 , 19 December 2007
  40. BMW releases new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, 15 December 2007
  41. New Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4MATIC models, 10 December 2007
  42. Koenigsegg CCX and CCXR Edition Limited Editions, 29 November 2007
  43. Seat Ibiza Ecomotive: 99 g/km carbon dioxide emissions, 28 November 2007
  44. LA Auto Show: Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, 14 November 2007
  45. 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt details, 07 November 2007
  46. Presenting Carfolio Calculated CO2, 07 October 2007
  47. E90 BMW M3 Saloon released, 07 October 2007
  48. New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, 01 October 2007
  49. Shelby Supercars claims fastest production car record, 18 September 2007
  50. IAA 2007, Frankfurt: Wiesmann MF 5 GT, 13 September 2007
  51. IAA 2007, Frankfurt: Ferrari 430 Scuderia, 10 September 2007
  52. IAA 2007, Frankfurt: Audi RS6 Avant, 06 September 2007
  53. 2008 Corvette specifications revealed, 01 May 2007
  54. Ruf's Sledgehammer? The CTR 3 unleashed, 17 April 2007
  55. Spadaconcept Codatronca, 17 April 2007
  56. Mercedes-Benz: 2 AMG coupes at 2007 New York Auto Show, 05 April 2007
  57. 2007 Geneva Motor Show: Maserati GranTurismo, 07 March 2007
  58. Geneva Show 2007: Audi A5 coupe specifications revealed, 04 March 2007
  59. New lightweight Gallardo for Geneva Salon, 26 February 2007
  60. The rise and rise of the supercar, 23 February 2007
  61. Honda's screaming Civic Type R specifications released, 29 January 2007
  62. New Mercedes-Benz C Class arrives, 17 January 2007
  63. 2007 BMW 1 Series - full technical specifications, 15 January 2007
  64. Paris-Dakar Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution special from 1997, 11 January 2007
  65. BMW M5 Touring - NAIAS 2007, 08 January 2007
  66. Porsche Cayenne Specifications - 2007, 08 January 2007
  67. Cadillac CTS MY 2008 specifications - NAIAS 2007, 08 January 2007
  68. Mercedes-Benz Concept Ocean Drive - NAIAS 2007, 06 January 2007
  69. Chevrolet Volt - NAIAS 2007, 06 January 2007
  70. BMW M1: Forgotten forefather, 05 January 2007
  71. New year's classic: Ferrari F40, 01 January 2007
  72. Lincoln MKR Concept - NAIAS 2007, 01 January 2007
  73. Ford's Interceptor Concept - NAIAS 2007, 01 January 2007
  74. More new Mercedes-Benz models: S 420 CDI, 06 December 2006
  75. Uprated Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Kompressor models, 05 December 2006
  76. LA Auto Show: Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept specs, 03 December 2006
  77. New Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf special editions, 02 December 2006
  78. Trident's diesel supercar, 22 November 2006
  79. Lexus IS250, 09 November 2006
  80. Mazda's 3 MPS, 08 November 2006
  81. Bristol unleashes 1000 bhp monster, 07 November 2006
  82. Audi R8 - Paris Motorshow 2006, 29 September 2006
  83. Gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione to be produced, 13 September 2006
  84. Opel Omega Evolution 500, 13 September 2006
  85. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722, 13 September 2006
  86. LMX Sirex, 13 September 2006
  87. Buick's Wildest Wildcat, 16 August 2006
  88. 2 New Lotus models, 16 August 2006
  89. Mercedes-Benz AMG models, 16 August 2006
  90. Peugeot 908 RC V12 HDi Concept, 16 August 2006
  91. Entry-level Porsche Cayman, 15 August 2006
  92. Volvo's first V8 saloon, 08 August 2006
  93. New big Mercedes-Benz coupes, 07 August 2006
  94. One-off Ferrari P4/5, 02 August 2006
  95. Tesla Roadster - electric sports car, 02 August 2006
  96. New Server, 04 June 2006
  97. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, 03 June 2006
  98. Porsche 911 range expanded, 03 June 2006
  99. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, 03 June 2006
  100. BMW's Coupes, 03 June 2006
  101. Notable Additions, 03 June 2006
  102. New coupés from BMW, 23 January 2006
  103. Mazda Kabura, 22 January 2006
  104. Nissan's whimsical quartet, 22 January 2006
  105. Prodrive shows P2 Coupe, 14 January 2006
  106. Chrysler Rolls out new concept, 13 January 2006
  107. New Lamborghini-powered Audi S8, 07 December 2005
  108. Microcar auctions on eBay!, 30 November 2005
  109. Bugatti Veyron final specs, 27 November 2005
  110. BMW M3 GT E36, 25 October 2005
  111. Citroen C6 models, 25 October 2005
  112. BMW Z4 M and Z4 model range changes, 25 October 2005
  113. Volkswagen's EcoRacer, 25 October 2005
  114. Ford Focus ST, 07 September 2005
  115. Grande Fiat, 07 September 2005
  116. Both super- and turbocharging, 07 September 2005
  117. Porsche Lightweight, 25 August 2005
  118. New languages for Carfolio, 20 July 2005
  119. New Audi A8 models, 20 July 2005
  120. Renault's new Clio III unveiled, 16 June 2005
  121. Alfa Romeo 159, 12 June 2005
  122. Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car Concept, 12 June 2005
  123. Mercedes-Benz E 420 CDI - Heavyweight diesel, 08 June 2005
  124. Fearsome TVR Sagaris, 07 June 2005
  125. Mad, bad, 350 km/h Maybach, 18 May 2005
  126. Bugatti Veyron tops 400 km/h, 16 May 2005
  127. Andre V6, 1934, 09 May 2005
  128. New Renault Laguna range, 07 March 2005
  129. 6-cylinder 1-Series from BMW, 04 March 2005
  130. Lighter, tighter TT, 04 March 2005
  131. New Bentley Continental Flying Spur, 02 March 2005
  132. New database additions, 26 January 2005
  133. 1937 Austin Seven Sports, 18 November 2004
  134. Lovely eBay Jaguar for sale, 14 November 2004
  135. The BMW M-series Specs Snapshot, 28 October 2004
  136. New Golf GTI, 28 October 2004
  137. Aston Martin Vanquish S, 28 October 2004
  138. New Porsche Boxsters, 28 October 2004
  139. New Caterhams, 28 October 2004
  140. Supercar shootout, 19 October 2004
  141. Ferrari 360 replacement, 13 September 2004
  142. New BMW M5, 13 September 2004
  143. New site design, 03 December 2003
  144. New Renault Megane II Coupe-Cabriolet, 31 July 2003
  145. 10 000 models listed, 05 May 2003
  146. New Features, 04 March 2003
  147. New Ford Ka models, 27 February 2003
  148. Mercedes-Benz SL & E-Class Estate, 25 February 2003
  149. Welcome 2003, 05 January 2003
  150. Latest Database Entries, 11 November 2002
  151. Over 9000 entries now, 15 October 2002
  152. Carfolio.com redesign, 15 October 2002
  153. Additions, corrections, fixes, 28 May 2002
  154. Superb Driving Simulator, 16 April 2002
  155. Quick list of changes, 04 April 2002
  156. Major changes, 29 January 2002
  157. Catching up with the new year, 16 January 2002
  158. Many changes to report, 12 November 2001
  159. Many improvements and database additions, 10 September 2001
  160. More database additions - honest!, 04 September 2001
  161. Scale Models section, 30 August 2001
  162. More database updates (yawn), 23 August 2001
  163. Ferrari and Schumacher World Champions, 18 August 2001
  164. Missing Frazer Nash - Please help, 13 August 2001
  165. Yet more updates, 05 August 2001
  166. Yet more updates, 31 July 2001
  167. Updates a-plenty, 17 July 2001
  168. Significant milestone achieved: 7500th entry, 15 July 2001