In the spring of 1951 at the Turin show Ferrari unveiled the 342 America. However before it, in 1950 Ferrari unveiled the 340 America, a model built in just a few units and powered by a “long-block” V-12 engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi. For this engine the distance between adjacent cylinders was some 20mm greater than in the Colombo V-12 (this is where the “long-block” name come from).

First used in a grand prix competition, the this 340-hp 4.5-liter engine was detuned to 4.1 liters and placed in the 340 America. The 340 America were fitted with a surprising array of different coachwork, ranging from a development of the classic barchetta body style by Carrozzeria Touring, to quite staid three-box 2+2 coupés from the house of Ghia, with a selection of Vignale interpretations thrown in along the way. A Vignale-bodied 340 America berlinetta won the 1950 Mille Miglia driven by Villoresi/Cassani. Vignale also produced a unique 340 America cabriolet that unfortunately no longer exists in its original form, as its body was cut up and disposed of as part of an attempted insurance fraud a few years ago, which led to the remains of the car being fitted with a body in the style of a Vignale spider.

The 342 America was produced for a relatively short period during late 1952, with only six examples made, one with a Vignale cabriolet body, and the remainder with a fairly homogeneous Pininfarina body in either coupe or cabriolet form. They were built on a 2650 mm wheelbase, tubular steel chassis, as opposed to the 2420 mm wheelbase of the 340 America, and also featured slightly wider front and rear track.

Ferrari 342 America originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 15:54 EST.

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It wasn’t too long ago that we were reporting about the all new American super car, the Devon Motorworks GTX set the single lap record for a production car at the historic Laguna Seca circuit in Salinas, California with a time of 1:35.075. Justin Bell, the owner of Devon, might have offended a few people at Chrysler when he gave them a low ball offer to purchase the Viper brand, because earlier today the American automaker took over a second off of the GTX’s lap time with an all new 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR. The track tuned Viper unofficially clocked in at 1:33:915, not only good enough to reset the record, but bring a bit more value to Chrysler’s halo car.

Press release and more video after the jump.

Dodge sets a new lap record at Laguna Seca with a Viper ACR originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 18:00 EST.

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We haven’t reported anything lately on the Saab-Koenigsegg merger, thinking that the deal would be made sooner or later. But now, reports have been pouring that Koenigsegg has done a complete about-face and has decided that it would not be purchasing Saab anymore.

In a statement it made moments after announcing its decision to drop talks with GM (Saab’s parent company), Christian von Koenigsegg said, “We regret that after six months of intense and goal-oriented work we have come to the painful and difficult conclusion that we are not going to be able to carry out the acquisition of Saab Automobile”.

As you can expect, GM took the news rather hardly with a great deal of disappointed. While no tears were shed, GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson didn’t exactly mince his words in explaining the failed Saab transaction. “We’re obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase,” he said. “Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week.”

Continued after the jump.

Koenigsegg pulls out of Saab sale originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 16:00 EST.

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Only a few hours ago we told you about the Japanese premium automaker’s plans to release a razor sharp Special Edition Subaru WRX STI complete with a host of suspension parts from the track tuned Spec C model. Well now the all wheel drive automaker is telling us that they are also bringing a more luxurious Limited Edition of the slightly less powerful WRX to the L.A. Auto Show.

Although it’s not an STI with its more mundane 265 HP 2.5 Liter turbocharged flat four, however with its symmetrical all wheel drive system and refined interior this is much like the leather wrapped Limited model that Subaru sold back in 2007. Based on the 2010 Impreza WRX, the Limited Edition adds a leather interior, moonroof and SIRIUS Satellite Radio over the already well equipped WRX Premium. Wow, it looks like Subaru is finally giving their customers what they want, if scandinavian flicks and embarrassing cars more than three times as expensive at the track then you can have your all out Special Edition STI and if you just want to have a smile on your face every time you get out of your Impreza and also relax in leather, then this Limited Edition WRX is for you.

Subaru Impreza WRX Limited Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 13:30 EST.

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Ever since the world has first seen Ducati’s all-new Multistrada 1200 we’ve been hearing complains about the thing looking like a duck mostly because of that big nose. Even so, the most potent BMW R1200GS competitor was voted the most beautiful bike at the EICMA show in Milan, where Ducati unveiled it.

Because he thought the new Multistrada needs a nose job before fully deserving its votes, Motoblog reader Marco has come up with this rendering. He started by removing the front beak and repositioned the LED lights and that’s pretty much it. Simply take a look at the bike’s profile and you’ll notice the difference yourself.

Ducati Multistrada 1200 “small nose” rendering originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 13:08 EST.

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SpeedArt revealed the official details on the PS9 kit based on the new Porsche Panamera luxury sedan. The tuner has done intense modification under the hood, and as a result the PS9 kit can deliver up to 520, 550, 600 or 650 hp depending on the modifications made: modified turbochargers, sport-catalyst system, sport-exhaust with sound control and twin tailpipes, sport-airfilter and ECU-update.

The 650 hp version can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds while top speed goes up to 200 mph.

The Aerokit includes: speedART front chin spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear air outlet and rear spoiler, 22″ wheelset type LSC-FORGED Black-Matt-Edition.

On the interior SpeedArt adds a sport steering wheel and carbon kit, aluminum F1-shift paddles, instrument backgrounds in various colors and specific floor mats.

Porsche Panamera PS9 by SpeedART originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 04:55 EST.

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The current land speed record is 760 mph and belongs to ThrustSSC. but things are about to change as the Britain’s are working on a 1000 mph car. The first attempt will will take place on the Hakskeen Pan in Northern Cape Province of South Africa in 2011.

The car, called Bloodhound SSC, is powered by an EJ200 Eurofighter Typhoon jet engine that delivers an amazing output of 133,150bhp, the power of around 180 Formula One cars.

The car will be driven by fighter pilot Andy Green.

Bloodhound SSC – or how to hit 1000mph originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 10:30 EST.

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Dacia revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show the Duster concept, a preview of the first SUV in the Dacia’s history set to be revealed in 2010. Bu until we’ll get the chance to see the real car, Dacia has entered the Trophee Andros ice-racing series with a competition version of the Duster. The car will be driven by Alain Prost.

The competition version of Dacia Duster is powered by a 3-liter, 24- valve V6 engine from the Renault-Nissan Alliance range. The engine delivers a total of 350hp at 7,500rpm, and maximum torque of 360Nm at 5,500rpm and is coupled to a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Press release after the jump.

Dacia Duster Trophée Andros Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 10:16 EST.

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Packing a monstrous 1500 horsepowered-engine, this Lamborghini Gallardo “Race Version” is unlike any Gallardo you’ve ever seen in your lifetime.

Fine-tuned by Underground Racing for one of its clients, the twin-turbo Gallardo – called the TTG – is the personification of a monster on wheels. While 1500 horsepower is staggering enough, if you account for the drivetrain loss, the horsepower should spike up even more to around 1900 hp. Staggering, isn’t it?

After completing the modifications, Underground Racing gave Jonah – the owner of the car – the keys to the wheels – so he could give his new amped up baby a ride. The result? A sub-ten second time through a quarter mile at speeds of well over 160 mph. Unbelievable!

Here’s a video of the TGG being undergoing the modifications. Hear that monster roar!

Video: Underground Racing fine-tunes Lamborghini Gallardo originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 07:00 EST.

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