Meet The Newest V12 Lamborghini

Lamborghini isn’t letting us see their latest V12 supercar up close and personal until next month’s Geneva Motor Show, but that didn’t stop them from leaking the above image of the new car in camo guise. The good news is that this test mule isn’t clad in black vinyl, so we get a decent feel for the lines of the car. If this is the final design, I have to say two thumbs up; Lamborghini had been going down a bizarre styling path lately (case in point: the Reventon), and this car pulls them back to center. You can see the influences from Murcielago, but I’m also seeing heritage here. The muscular front fenders remind me of the iconic Countach, but in a more evolved manner.

Lamborghini’s latest will be built using a carbon fiber monocoque, and will utilize a pushrod suspension similar to F1 cars for more precise control. The car will be powered by a 6.5 liter V12, said to be good for 691 horsepower and 509 ft lb of torque. Like newer Ferraris, buyers won’t get the option of a traditional manual gearbox; instead, the car will come only with a single clutch, automated manual gearbox. Drivers can select between Strada (Street) mode, which will shift like a conventional automatic transmission unless manually shifted; Sport mode, which will hold gears longer and quicken upshifts and Corsa (Track) mode, which includes launch control and provides the most extreme driving experience. To ensuring that the power gets to the ground, the new Lambo is AWD and includes a computer-controlled front differential, a Haldex4 center differential and a rear diff integrated into the engine casting to save weight. We promise more pics and more details after the Geneva Motor Show.

Cadillac Announces CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

The 2011 Black Diamond CTS-V Coupe. Image: © GM Corp.

When it comes to colors, I’ll generally pick black, at least until something darker comes along. Maybe it’s because things just look better in black, or maybe it matches the color of my soul. When it comes to favorite American cars, Cadillac’s CTS-V series is near the very top of my list. Combine the two, and you definitely get my attention; apparently, Cadillac thinks the way I do, because they’ve just announced a special edition of the CTS-V, called the Black Diamond Edition.

The Black Diamond Edition, which will be available in the sedan, coupe and wagon variants, starts with a special multi-layered paint. The black tri-coat paint gets blended with microscopic aluminum flakes, embedded in magnesium fluoride. That’s the science part, but the net result is a finish of unmatched depth and dimension that shines like a diamond in the sunlight. To complete the exterior look, Black Diamond Edition CTS-Vs roll on Satin Graphite 19 inch wheels, and get yellow-painted Brembo calipers.

On the inside, the special edition cars come with the superb Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood trim. Coupe buyers can opt for the “Saffron” interior, but I’d pass since even the microfiber suede inserts take away from the inherent blackness of the car. It looks like the suede steering wheel is standard on Black Diamond cars, and that’s a good thing.

If there’s a disappointment, it’s just that Cadillac didn’t do a thing to the motor on these special edition cars. Not that an engine producing 556 horsepower needs much improvement, but still; you’re paying for a “better” car, but it’s just an appearance package. Pricing on the CTS-V Black Diamond Edition, regardless of body style, is $69,190 for the six speed (yes, please) and $70,490 for the (oddly faster) automatic. That’s a premium of $4,850 over a base CTS-V, but it’s less than the sum of all the upgrades it includes. If I hit the lottery, you can rest assured I’ll be in to snap up a Black Diamond Edition CTS-V sedan.