Nother CarGuy

Meet the Lamborghini’s latest Squadra Corsa project; the one-off SC20. This custom-designed and built roadster was created at Lamborghini Centro Stile, to the exact specifications of an unnamed customer, who was involved in the project from the very beginning. Even though it was designed as a hardcore open-top track car, the new Lamborghini SC20 is also type-approved for road use. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine, producing 760 HP (770 PS) at 8,500 rpm and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque at 6,750 rpm. The SC20’s carbon fiber body was slicked down by hand in order to deliver optimal airflow, resulting in comfortable open-air driving even at high speeds, not to mention excellent aerodynamic performance. “Two years after the SC18 Alston, the SC20 was a new, intriguing challenge. The chief sources of inspiration were the Diablo VT Roadster, Aventador J, Veneno Roadster and Concept S, and the result is a dramatic combination of creativity and racing attitude,” said L...

The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster has just been presented prior to its public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The drop-top Vantage has been a long time coming and features a fabric top that can be lowered in just 6.7 seconds when the car is stationary or in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h). This makes it the fastest folding automatic soft-top in the industry. It’s common for convertible versions of cars to weigh more than their coupe counterparts and it’s no different with the Vantage Roadster although it does only gain 132 lbs (60 kg) over the hardtop. This is thanks to the Z-fold mechanism design and the lightweight bracing featured throughout the car. Powering the 2021 Vantage Roadster is the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine as the coupe with no less than 503 hp and 505 lb-ft (685 Nm) of torque on tap. This engine is coupled to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, accelerating the car throu...

This year’s Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance will host an all-new Ultimate Series McLaren model, a yet-unnamed two-seat, open cockpit roadster. The British automaker says that the new model will debut in late 2020 and that production will be limited to just 399 cars. Meanwhile, its price tag should see it positioned somewhere between the McLaren Senna ($958,966) and the Speedtail (£2.1 million GBP). Speaking of these two, while the Senna is focused on being the ultimate road-legal track car, and the Speedtail is all about high-speed aerodynamic efficiency, the new roadster will look to offer “the purest distillation of road-focused driving pleasure and an unrivaled sense of driver connection with the surrounding environment.” In terms of styling and performance, we can expect elegant sweeping lines and low-profile dihedral doors to serve as eye candy, while the carbon fiber construction and twin-turbocharged V8 engine will take care of the rest. By the way, the engine is “a v...

Monterey Car Week continues as Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the new Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster. Following in the footsteps of last year’s SVJ 63 coupe, the roadster is a limited edition supercar that pays tribute to the company’s founding in 1963. Jointly created by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile and Ad Personam teams, the Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster will be available in eight exclusive “design expressions.” Each will feature matte or shiny carbon fiber on the windshield frame, engine cover and roof. The car also has an SVJ 63 livery and special Leirion forged wheels with a matte titanium finish. Interior changes are minor, but drivers will find carbon fiber trim, CarbonSkin accents and one of three different Alcantara color schemes.  There’s also individually numbered badges. Power is provided by a familiar 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 759 hp (566 kW / 770 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a seven-speed transmission which sends power t...

Pagani has revealed the new Huayra Roadster BC, the topless version of the most aggressive Huayra ever since the model’s original debut back in 2012. As with all Paganis, the new Huayra Roadster BC will be limited to just 40 examples, all of which have already been sold. Pagani’s latest creation is using an evolved version of its own carbo-tanium tub chassis, which is not only lighter but also stronger than ever; the Huayra Roadster BC tips the scales at just 1,250kg (2,755lbs), which is scarily exciting if you consider the power it offers. The twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine is a new unit that’s designed specifically for Pagani by AMG, and will be found in future Paganis as well. Power output is rated at 791hp (802PS) and 775lb-ft (1050Nm) of torque, which should prove enough to make you dizzy each time you sneeze at the throttle. As before, a seven-speed Xtrac automated manual transmission is the only option, offering a rawer feeling to the lucky owner. The bod...

BMW revealed the new safety car for Formula E, a specially modified i8 Roadster, on the eve of the Monaco E-Prix. The new safety car has been modified extensively and specifically for use on the race track, with its design based on the i8 Coupe Safety Car. The biggest visual highlights of Formula E’s newest safety car are the shortened windscreen and the new rear wing; moreover, the new BMW i8 Roadster is the world’s first safety car that can be used with an open cockpit. Compared to the standard production model, the i8 Roadster safety car sits 15mm lower to the ground, wears a FIA-approved roll bar, a new front splitter and of course the mandatory light bar, which is mounted above the rear wing for better visibility. Other modifications include the addition of communication and GPS antennas, a rear view camera and more. No changes were announced in the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which utilizes a 228hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine with a 141hp electric motor for ...

The Geneva Motor Show is shaping up to be a showcase of high-performance drop tops as Lamborghini has introduced the Aventador SVJ Roadster, hours after the Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster made its debut. While the Mercedes uses a familiar twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, the Aventador SVJ Roadster has a massive 6.5-liter V12 engine that develops 759 hp (566 kW / 770 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a seven-speed ISR transmission and an all-wheel drive system. This setup enables the SVJ to rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) in 8.8 seconds. Given enough room, the roadster will eventually hit a top speed in excess of 217 mph (350 km/h). The performance specifications are virtually identical to the coupe, but the roadster is a tad slower from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h). This is likely due to the fact that the roadster weighs 110 lbs (50 kg) more than the coupe. Lamborghini didn’t talk much about the weight gain, but confirmed...

The Mercedes-AMG GT lineup is expanding as the automaker has introduced the new GT R Roadster. Essentially drop top version of the range-topping coupe, the GT R Roadster has a triple-layer fabric soft top with a lightweight structure constructed out of aluminum, magnesium and steel. The model also has gloss black mirror caps, yellow brake calipers and 19- / 20-inch forged wheels. Moving into the cabin, drivers are greeted by a familiar cockpit that has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment system and black carbon fiber / piano lacquer trim. The model also comes equipped with black Nappa leather AMG Performance seats and an individually numbered badge on the center console. A number of different options will be available including heated / cooled seats and the AirScarf neck-level heating system. Like the standard GT R, the roadster is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 577 hp (430 kW/ 585 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque...

Shelby introduced the Series 1 roadster nearly two decades ago and the company has finally introduced a follow up called the Series 2. Billed as a “major evolution” of the original model, the Series 2 is the result of a unique collaboration with Wingard Motorsports which bought the remaining Series 1 components from Shelby several years ago. Thanks to this partnership, the Series 2 will ride on the original aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that underpinned the Series 1. While the chassis will carryover, the Series 2 has been significantly improved as it will feature billet aluminum and carbon fiber components. These changes will enable the roadster to be more than 12% lighter than its predecessor. Customers will be able to order the car with an aluminum, carbon fiber or titanium body. Regardless of which material is selected, all cars will come equipped with a cantilevered suspension and a high-performance braking system which features six-piston calipers at each wheel....

The latest addition to the Mercedes-AMG GT lineup is called the GT S Roadster and slots between the AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster. It uses the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to move around as the rest of the AMG GT family, only this version of the lump delivers 515 HP (522 PS / 384 kW) and 494 lb-ft (670 Nm) of torque to the ground through a seven-speed DCT. Accelerating from 0 to 60mph (0-96km/h) takes 3.7 seconds (0-62mph/100km/h in 3.8sec), which is only 0.1 seconds slower than the GT C Roadster, and 0.2 seconds faster than the GT Roadster. Top speed increases to 192mph (309km/h), just 4mph (6km/h) shy of the range-topping open-top model. The new Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster’s performance is aided by a few other gizmos. The list includes the rear locking differential, sport suspension with aluminum wishbone axles, a high-performance composite braking system and a 47-53 percent front-to-rear weight distribution. Helping it keep its center of gravity low is the f...

Lamborghini says that they will “add a new dimension” to the Huracan Performante at the Geneva Motor Show, which is of course code for the drop-top Spyder version. The Italian manufacturer has been testing the Huracan Performante Spyder for quite some time now, with development prototypes even caught out on the wild almost completely undisguised. Chopping the roof off the Performante will definitely bring a “new dimension” to the driving experience as the free-revving 631hp V10 will flood the cabin more easily with its melodies. The topless version of the Performante will carry over the revolutionary active aero agenda of the coupe, which includes hollow components letting the air pass through them on demand, depending on the conditions. This is basically Performante’s biggest trick, with the hardcore V10 Lamborghini having proved its insane speed at the Nurburgring by posting a scarcely believable 6:52.01. To further silence the critics, Lamborghini gathered all the product...

Italdesign is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style as the company will use the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the Zerouno roadster. Based on the Zerouno coupe, the roadster has a familiar design but features an open cockpit and two buttresses which reside behind the driver and front passenger. Little is known about the car but it will follow in the footsteps of the coupe which featured a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis as well as carbon fiber bodywork. The model was also outfitted with 20-inch aluminum wheels which were backed by a carbon-ceramic braking system with eight piston calipers up front. Power was provided by a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine that developed 610 PS (449 kW) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. It was connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel drive system which enabled the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). In a statement, Italdesign CEO Jö...

BMW is writing the next chapter of its flagship hybrid sports car with the reveal today not only of the new i8 Roadster, but an upgraded version of the i8 coupe as well. The basic parameters are the same: plug-in hybrid powertrain, housed an aluminum chassis with a carbon-fiber monotub. But the battery boasts a higher capacity, and the hybrid powertrain more muscle to take the i8 even further (and faster). The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine now produces 231 horsepower (up from 228), and the electric motor 143 hp (up from 131 hp) for a combined output of 374 hp to rocket the i8 coupe from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and the roadster in 4.4 as they rocket towards their electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. With a battery pack upgraded from 20 Ah to 34 Ah and from 7.1 kWh to 11.6, it'll also travel on electric power alone at speeds of up to 65 mph (instead of just 43 mph) – or 75 mph in eDrive mode. All-electric range is up to 34 miles...