“Never heard of it” I hear you say. Well, that’s because it doesn’t exist - yet!

We’ve had news from that paragon of Italian car design, Pininfarina, that they are working on a very special project for a client - a 2-door, 2-seater convertible in the style of those great 1930s coachbuilt cars. This harks back to those great one-off projects undertaken for private clients in days gone by by the likes of Mulliner and Park Ward. It’s such a shame that Rolls Royce (who ended up owning both Mulliner and Park Ward) no longer offer custom coach building. It did produce some stunning cars in the past.

Pininfarina have worked on a number of incredible cars for private clients, perhaps most notably the re-worked Enzo produced for James Glickenhaus in 2006. That was built to evoke the styling of Ferrari’s 1960s racing cars and was a very impressive car, so much so that it was officially recognised by Ferrari. And now it’s the turn of Rolls Royce

So far, Pininfarina have only released the ‘teaser’ shot shown here, but the car is actually due to debut at Pebble Beach in August, so it must be pretty well advanced as a project. This isn’t about simply flying a kite to get publicity. The car is real.

Based on the already glorious Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe, this promises to be one of the most interesting and beautiful cars ever produced. Will the Rolls Royce Hyperion be for sale? Well, I suppose in truth everything is - at a price. But it won’t come cheap!

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Earlier this year, very much tongue in cheek, I wrote about Porsche’s impending takeover of VW. I mused on what that might mean for the Porsche line-up and, although I was quite serious about some of the possibilities, the one I mentioned that seemed least likely was a Golf-sized Porsche. How wrong can you be!

Autobild reported recently on exactly the same story, and Paultan.org covered the story, together with a very interesting image (see left). Now I have to confess that that is a fair bit more sophisticated than the ‘Golf with a Porsche Badge’ I threw up, but it seems the plans are for real. Why, I hear you ask? Simple - economics.

In the US, there is something called CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy). Basically CAFE requires manufacturers to achieve certain economies across their entire range. Now the formulae that is used to calculate the economy is based on a combination of wheelbase and engine size. So a company like Porsche, which manufactures a lot of cars with small wheelbases and big engines, is hit hard. So what better way to solve that than introduce a small premium car with a much smaller CAFE figure? And if that car can be built in relatively large numbers it will keep the rest of the range viable. So even though Porsche enthusiasts will throw up their arms in horror, this proposed ‘Mini Porsche’ could be the companies lifeline, in much the same way as the profits on the Cayenne have allowed Porsche to forge on.

So what’s the car likely to be? Well, it’s inevitably going to be based on the Golf platform with either a derivative of the R32 engine or the V6 from the Cayenne (which, incidentally, is rumoured to be getting a diesel version!). Its competition? Aimed fairly and squarely at the BMW 135i and, ‘in-house’, the Audi S3 and Golf R32, I’m sure it will be a huge success.

Don’t times change?!

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It’s always been the same at Porsche. According to Clarkson they employ the laziest designers in the car world. You’d have to be a complete Porsche fanatic to spot the changes in each iteration - 993, 996, 997 - and mid-cycle facelifts are even more difficult to spot. But change they do, albeit subtly, and here’s the latest version of the venerable Porsche 911. And the phones will soon be ringing, asking if we have the facelifted Porsche 911 for sale!

As you would expect, the visual changes are pretty minor. The front bumper and grille get a slight tweak, a few changes to the lights front and back and… well, that’s it really. But there’s more going on under the skin.

The biggest change is probably to the gearbox. For the first time Porsche is offering a rapid-shift dual-clutch 7 speed gearbox, offering hugely improved shift-speed from the paddles. It’s new for a road-going Porsche, but is based on a system Porsche have used on their Le Mans cars for nearly 20 years.

To add to the benefits of the new gearbox (which in Porsche abbreviation speak is know as the PDK) Porsche have tweaked both the standard and ‘S’ engines to give more power - 20bhp for the 3.6 and 30bhp for the 3.8 - which shave 0.3 off the 0-60 time, and direct injection, besides helping the acceleration, also gives a 12% improvement in fuel economy. Good news all round.

I’ve done the 911 thing, and it’s very seductive. And Porsche has a very large band of loyal, and sometimes fanatical, 911 buyers, who will be queuing up for this facelifted 911. But they’re going to have to wait longer for the ‘Meaty’ models. The GT2, GT3 and Turbo continue unchanged. But expect a price hike of around £1500 for the new models when they hit the showrooms in the UK later this year.

It may look the same, but the 911continues its inexorable improvement in all the areas that matter.

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Back in December we had a handful of the new Bentley Continental GT Speeds for sale. It was quite a coup. They were new, they were very desirable and we had some for sale. A couple of guys (and one lady) treated themselves, and I know they are extraordinarily happy with them. But since then we’ve only had half a dozen or so enquiries on the GT Speed. Very odd.

I was chatting today, as I do, to a very nice guy at a Bentley main dealers. And he was bemoaning the fact that the GT Speed isn’t massively in demand. True, there is still a waiting list, but he concludes that people just aren’t aware enough of just what a stunning car the GT Speed is. And you know, I think he’s right.

On paper, the GT Speed just doesn’t look special enough. Less than half a second to 60 quicker than its sibling, the standard Continental GT. Just a handful of miles an hour quicker. It doesn’t seem much for the extra money. But honestly, the figures belie the car’s performance and feel.

The GT Speed is, without doubt, the most astonishing car you will ever own or drive. A real heavyweight (literally) it picks up its skirts and flies, and handles, like a real thoroughbred supercar. And don’t forget, it’s damn nearly as quick as an F430. And it’s all leather, 4 seats, quiet and comfortable. There is nothing to compare. Its handling and feel are in a different league to the standard GT.

Just look at what some of the motoring press have to say:

The result is a compelling and utterly addictive car. The GT Speed’s mighty W12 emits a fabulously purposeful yet understated rumble when roused, and throws you down the road in epic fashion.

Evo Online

overall it feels more involving than ever. Although the uprated and lowered suspension has undoubtedly made the ride firmer, softer anti-roll bars mean the Bentley never feels uncomfortable.

Times Online

And they’re all in this vein. And I agree completely. Forget the Arnage (glorious though it is), and forget any other comparable car (there isn’t really one anyway!). This is unbeatable.

Do yourself a huge favour, Get in a Bentley Continental GT Speed. You know you deserve it!

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A new Ferrari is always a cause for celebration, especially when it’s a front-engined Ferrari. So the piece I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the new Ferrari California due to go on sale, probably next year, caused a wave of emails.

“They’ve shown it with the top down, because it’s going to look awful when the top’s up” was the theme of nearly every email and conversation after that piece. And I thought you all might have a point. There are lots of good-looking cars that really lose it when the top goes up. But we needn’t have worried. It looks stunning when the top is in place, as the picture here testifies (as with all the images here, click it for a bigger version).

Now I agree that Rosso is the default colour for a Ferrari. But they are a bit common. So it’s nice to see this picture, just released, in something different. And in this case it’s a homage to the original California - Azzurro California blue.

Just 14 seconds to raise or lower the roof makes it as quick as anything else out there. There’s room in the back for small children (or legless adults) and more than enough power to keep most of us happy.

As I said last time, a very cleverly positioned and executed car.

Zagato, the world famous Italian Coachbuilder, has a long history of restyling British Cars for marques such as Jaguar, Aston Martin and Bristol. And now it’s added Bentley, with the announcement of the Bentley GTZ Zagato for sale with the full backing of Bentley.

Zagato’s styling tends not to be massively radical. In many ways it’ a case of less is more. You still know what the car is, but it looks different; exclusive; special. And Zagato have certainly achieved that with the Bentley GTZ.

Based on the pick of the bunch Bentley, the Continental GT Speed, Zagato have taking a very desirable car and made it unique. The front bumper disappears, replaced by a big air intake, with added vents in the bonnet. The back gets a similar treatment, and the roof gets a ‘double-bubble’. New alloys add to the visuals, as do the restyled arches. And it’s all topped off with a two-tone paint job.

The already excellent interior (styled by British firm Adaptive Space) is left pretty much as before, but a few additional options are available. Mechanically it’s all standard - but the standard on the GT Speed is exceptional by any standards.

If you love the GT Speed (which I do) and you have deep pockets (which I don’t!) the Zagato is for you. They are being made in tiny numbers (only 9 - all LHD), and will be available through Bentley dealers. Or you could save the wait, and give us a call. We have one available in July.

However deep your pockets are, you can’t simply look for a Ferrari FXX for sale. It doesn’t work like that. The FXX is not a road car, and Ferrari will only let you buy the car if you ‘Stack Up’. But if you do, and you can afford it, you get the huge privilege of being one of Ferraris ‘Test Drivers’.

The FXX uses a fair bit of the technology from the Enzo, but is a pure track car, part of a programme designed to develop Ferrari’s technology by enlisting the feedback from FXX owners. Owners can only drive the cars on special track days organised by Ferrari, and one of the conditions is giving a full brief of the car to Ferrari after every session.

Just 30 FXXs have been built (originally 29, but Ferrari built a special black one for Michael Schumacher) and they are loosely built on the Enzo platform, but with an output raise to 800+ bhp, slick tyres, upgraded brakes and the very latest F1 gearbox. Plus of course full telemetry. And owners have the option to store the cars with Ferrari and full Ferrari maintenance is included in the deal.

This is a very rare car, and very desirable. The one we have includes full Ferrari support, but a purchase is dependent on approval from Ferrari.

If only I could afford it!!

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Ferrari California for sale! Now doesn’t that sound better than Ferrari F149 for sale?

I wrote a while back about my dislike for car numbers instead of car names, and it looks like Ferrari were listening! The first details on the new Ferrari we wrote about last month have now been released and, as we expected, this is a baby 599.

This is going to get really interesting. With a 450bhp V8 and great 7-speed dual-clutch box, not to mention the first folding metal roof on a Ferrari, this is aimed fair and square at Aston Martin, Porsche and the top end SLs. And if the target price of £125k is right, it is going to see a lot of sales going to Italy.

Looking at the picture you can see how much like the 599 it is, and with the trademark round lamps at the back and 4 pipes, no one is going to mistake this for anything other than a Ferrari. The engine is in the right place and performance is suggested to be sub 4 seconds to 60.

More details when we get them. I can’t wait!

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Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang for sale. Now there’s a phrase you’re guaranteed not to see very often. We’re big admirers of the Veyron (it really is in a different league from any other hyper car on the market), and we couldn’t see how any car could offer more (or in this case less, at least in weight). But the Pur Sang does.

Only 5 Pur Sangs are being made, so they make your regular Veyron look as common as a mini. And it really does stand out, with a very pure aluminium bodyshell, a carbon fibre monocoque and no paint! And all this means a weight saving of almost 100kg, making this an even faster Veyron than the ’standard car’.

Even though we deal in Veyrons regularly, it really is rare to have a Pur Sang. It’s hard to believe that these cars (remember, there are only 5 in the world) sold out in just 24 hours. But the Bugatti is very special, and the Pur Sang even more so.

There is no point espousing the virtues of the Veyron again. They’ve been expressed here on more than one occasion, and in countless other places far more eloquently than I can. Enough to say this is the ultimate road car. The ‘Concorde’ of the automotive world. And this is the ultimate iteration of the marque.

If you want it, be quick!

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I know, we do cars. But actually, there are two reasons for featuring this incredible machine. The first, and most important, is that this is an absolutely awesome piece of kit. As the makers say “The Veyron of the Sea”. The second is that we are branching out! Over the next few months we will be launching a site dedicated to all things boats (well, the interesting stuff at least), another for planes/helicopters and a third for property. That’s going to keep us occupied through the summer. But we know there’s a big demand for us to do what we’ve done for cars in these areas. Should be fun!

Where do we start with the boat? 0-60mph? Haven’t a clue. Top speed? Ah, I know that - 100mph bar a whisker! Now that’s a bit quicker than a banana boat! Power? Now I do know that - 1600hp. A serious amount of power. And this isn’t some stripped-out hull. It has beds and luxury and toys and everything the serious speed-freak could want. I’m starting to see the appeal.

So, we have the XSR48 for sale, but when can you have it? Well, the waiting list is currently 3-4 years, but who wants to wait that long? Fancy it for this summer? You can have it in August! So, we can do the same thing with boats that we do with cars. Give our clients what they want, when they want it.

To quote the makers, XSMG:

The XSR48 is a supercar on water, a luxury powerboat with supercar looks. With a total of no less than 1600hp from two bi-turbo diesel engines, the XSR48 has supercar acceleration to match its stunning appearance.

But style has not been sacrificed for speed. The XSR48 combines the DNA and high performance of a supercar with superyacht styling making it the ‘Bugatti Veyron’ of the sea.

The XSR48 has been developed in collaboration with a number of world class design and construction partners including legendary hull designer Fabio Buzzi, award winning superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon and High Modulus the world’s leading exponent in composite marine structures. The XSR48 will be manufactured at the internationally renowned Berthon Shipyard in Lymington.

I think this boat is going to cause a few waves (pun intended!) so if you seriously want to be blasting round the seven seas this summer, give us a call!