SID04

Top Ten Vehicles of the Month - March 2008

 

Impressive, creative, or simply mad - in any case, pretty desirable. That's SID's Top Ten Vehicles of the Moment, updated once in a while, when we come across something even more impressive, creative, or outright mad:

January ‘08  February ‘08  March ‘08

May ‘07  June ‘07  July ‘07  August ‘07  September ‘07  October ‘07 
 November ‘07 
December ‘07  

10. Mercedes F-Cell

Mercedes F-Cell

A car from which the only emission is water so pure you could drink it. No smoke, no harmful gases and barely any noise - welcome to the Mercedes F-Cell, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle developed by Mercedes Benz. The idea of using hydrogen in cars isn’t new, but it is getting ever closer to being suitable in everyday use, so if you have some expertise or want to know what’s going on, then get yourself to the F-Cell Forum in September.

9. Barbus SLR McLaren Roadster & Smart Ultimate 112

Brabus now offers a package deal with a difference - a finely tuned SLR McLaren Roadster plus a Smart Ultimate 112 - both in matching white with red leather trim. The colours are where similarities end, though - it’s 650bhp vs 112bhp here. It’s neither really 2-for-1, nor his-and-hers, but it’s still a nice concept - if you have the cash for it, obviously. How much? A mere 699.000 Euros for both of them. Order yours here

Brabus SLR & Smart

8. Ford Mustang "Warriors in Pink"

Ford Mustang Warriors in Pink

Want to drive a big American convertible and do something for charity at the same time? No problem - just get yourself one of these. Only 2,500 Mustangs will be built with the “Warriors in Pink” package, which includes a pink ribbon and Pony fender badge, pink striping on the rocker panel, and pink stitching on the leather seats, steering wheel and floor mats. Profits from this package go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity. Details at Ford.com

7. RENNtech PKG365

Just in case you bought yourself a new CL65 AMG recently and feel it lacks a bit of power, then fear not - help is at hand! US tuner RENNtech saw a need for some more oomph in the big coupe and squeezed 695 hp and 890 lb-ft of torque out of the AMG twin-turbo V12, mainly by using new software and improved engine cooling. All that bang under the bonnet is yours for a mere $ 18.990 - plus the cost of a CL 65 AMG, obviously... RENNtech

Renntech PKG365

6. Volvo's anniversary hot rod

Volvo HotRod

Who said Volvos had to be sensible? Here is the Hot Rod Jakob, a quirky two-seater created for the Swedish firm’s 80th anniversary. It’s a tribute to the first Volvo to roll off the production line, the 1927 OV4 “Jakob”. Each panel is hand-made from aluminium in keeping with the techniques Volvo used 80 years ago but under the skin is a modern 261bhp 2.5-litre turbo engine. Built was it all by Leif Tufvesson at Caresto.

5. B&B Audi TT500

In case you think that TT looks a bit like the R8, then that’s exactly what German tuner B&B wanted. It’s like a mini-version of the bigger Audi sportscar and matches it in everything but size. The V6 now churns out 500bhp and 650nm of torque, thanks to a Garrett turbocharger, while bigger breaks mean it’s also able to stop again. Not only is it quicker than an R8, but it’s also a lot cheaper - don’t get that very often with tuned cars... B&B

B&B TT500

4. Mosler MT900 GTR XX

Mosler MT900 GTR XX

US auto-brute maker Mosler has gone completely bonkers with its new MT 900 GTR XX. Based on the already lightening fast MTR 900 GTR, this one was tuned again and lost 150kg in weight as well. The 620bhp 7.0L V8 now propels it from 0 to 62mph in 3 seconds flat, and if that isn’t quick enough for you, then pre-order one of the limited edition twin-turbo versions coming out next year. Check your life insurance first, though.. Mosler

3. Saleen S5S Raptor

Saleen’s newest creation is meant to slot in below the hardcore S7 in the US company’s line-up, but it’s still not exactly slow. Powered by a supercharged 5.0L engine producing around 650bhp and 630 lb-ft. of torque, the S5S Raptor also lives on a steady diet of E85 ethanol fuel. 0-60 is over with in 3.2 seconds, while high performance brakes featuring six-pot calipers make sure it stops as quick as it starts. All yours for around $185k... Saleen

Saleen S5S Raptor

2. Neiman Marcus Special Edition Hennessey Venom 700NM

Hennessey Venom 700NM

If you like ordering stuff out of a catalogue, then pick up a copy of the Neiman Marcus spring edition, which features this special edition Hennessey viper in it.

Not sure how much postage to the IOM would be, but at $179k, it hardly matters. Only seven of these 700bhp monsters will be built and one day of high-performance driving school is included in the price. Order yours here

1. Laleh Seddigh

Laleh Seddigh is a 28 year old race car driver from Iran. Last year, she petitioned the national auto racing federation in this male-dominated society for permission to compete against men. When it was granted, she became not only the first woman in Iran to race cars against the opposite sex, but also the first woman since the Islamic revolution here to compete against men in any sport. What's more, she beat them. One impressive lady for sure... LalehSeddigh.net

Laleh Seddigh


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