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New 9ff GT9-R could be the World's Fastest Car



If you're looking for the world's fastest car, this very well could be it. It's called the GT9-R, and it's the latest product from Porsche tuners extraordinaire 9ff. Although based loosely on a Porsche 911, little of the end product is shared with the existing sportscar. Instead the GT9-R packs as much as 1120 horsepower in a lightweight custom body for a top speed in excess of 414 km/h (257 mph), making it arguably the fastest car in the world – faster even than the Bugatti Veyron.

Although intended for use on a race track, the GT9-R (like the marginally less extreme GT9 before it) is fully street legal (in Europe, at least), and is available in 750 and 987 horsepower guises as well. Only twenty will be made at an undisclosed price, but considering the "base" GT9 cost half a million euros, make sure you've got enough left over for gas and tires.

Gallery: 9ff GT9-R

Getting Sirius: Luxist Samples The Dalmore's 58-Year-Old Scotch


There are some opportunities that only come up once in a lifetime – if you're lucky. You may not know them before they present themselves, but you sure will when they have. Experiences like driving a Ferrari around Italy. Dining on the top floor of the World Trade Center. Shaking hands with the President. Or drinking a whisky that's old enough to have been your father.

The good folks at The Dalmore distillery in the Scottish Highlands were kind enough to oblige us on that last one a few weeks ago. And we've spent at least a few minutes every day since trying to figure out how we'd describe the experience to you, our loyal readers. Follow the jump to read how we found it.

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Aston Martin Takes Another Look at the Lagonda Concept


Ever meet a pair of siblings and notice one excels at everything and the other's a bit of a deadbeat? That's Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. If you're wondering what the Lagonda part is for, you're on the right track. It forms the full name of the company best known for producing James Bond's automobile of choice, but while Aston Martins are some of the most beautiful and successful sportscars on the road or track, Lagonda is considerably less so.

The automotive marque originally founded in 1906 was acquired by Aston Martin in 1947, and though Aston's tried at several intervals to revitalize its sister brand, not much good has ever come from it. Most recently, the company announced the rebirth of Lagonda, unveiling the concept car you see above at the 2009 Geneva auto show. It was supposed to be a luxurious crossover, based on the Mercedes GL-Class and powered by a V12 engine. Reception was rather cold, and Aston pulled the concept after the first day. But now it's back, courtesy of a new batch of photos released by Aston Martin's PR department. What they're up to – and why they've brought the one project that failed back to light – is beyond us, but you can have a look for yourself in the fresh gallery below.

Alfa Romeo and Italia Independent Collaborate on Special Edition Brera



As if the Brera coupe couldn't get any more stylish, Alfa Romeo has teamed up with fashion house Italia Independent for a special edition.

The Alfa Romeo Brera Italia Independent gets a special titanium paintjob, 18" turbine-style black rims, red brake calipers and an aluminum fuel cap. Inside the interior is decked out in black leather with red top stitching, carbon fiber trim and the requisite Italia Independent logos.

All this comes at a price, however: €29,700 (the equivalent of about $41k) with the 185hp 2.2-liter four, or €38,850 ($57k) for the 260hp 3.2-liter V6, available with front- or all-wheel-drive.

Aston Martin Launches Revised V8 Vantage for 2010


Aston Martin's V8 Vantage is already deemed one of the most proportionally perfect sportscars on the market, so the British automaker would be wise not to mess with it too much. Fortunately they've kept the revisions mild as reports surface of an update for the 2010 model year.

The 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage benefits from new tail-lights, side sills and mess inserts for the exterior vents, plus a new list of optional equipment: 19" forged aluminum alloy ten-spoke wheels, lightweight carbon-kevlar seats and a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

They've also cut the car's carbon emissions (down to 315 g/km for the manual transmission and 300 for the Sportshift), and the order books are reportedly open now ahead of deliveries beginning early in the new year.

Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso


Some look at a Ferrari and see the be-all-and-end-all of automotive perfection. Others see room for improvement. For the latter group, there's a variety of aftermarket tuners happy to oblige, and one of them is called Novitec Rosso.

The Dutch tuning garage recently graced us with its own take on the 599 GTB Fiorano, and has now turned its attention to its kid brother, the Ferrari California. Starting with the stock V8 convertible, Novitec has revised the engine management module to boost power up to an even 500hp, fitted a carbon-fiber aerodynamic kit, 22-inch modular wheels with Pirelli tires, an adjustable suspension system and a wide array of interior customization options. Pricing depends entirely on the buyer, but when you're talking about a Ferrari – a convertible one, no less – the sky really is the limit.

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 Racing Paris Chronograph for Aston Martin


Between Panerai and Ferrari, Breitling and Bentley and the countless other watchmaker-automaker collaborations, few are as convincing as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin. The former's timepieces are every bit as alluring and finely-crafted as the latter's sportscars, but this has to be the finest yet.

The second of two special edition racing chronographs, the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing Paris honors Aston's considerable Le Mans racing prowess. It features JLC's own 751E movement, just five and a half millimeters thick and an innovative system that allows the wearer to lock and unlock the doors of an Aston sportscar right from the watch itself. Pretty trick, and while there are many editions of the AMVOX2 available, only 24 examples of this particular one will be produced, available exclusively from the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique on Place Vendome in Paris.

TAG Heuer Brings Back the Silverstone Chronograph


Back in 1974, Heuer launched the Silverstone, featuring the first automatic chronograph movement on the market. It became an instant favorite around the Formula One grid, whose drivers wore Heuer chronographs with pride. Thirty-five years later, TAG Heuer has announced it is re-issuing the classic in limited quantities.

The re-released Silverstone will be available in brown or blue with a perforated alligator leather strap. It features TAG Heuer's Calibre 11 movement with Dubois-Depraz module, date window at 6 o'clock and anti-glare sapphire crystal front and back. Only 1500 examples will be offered, with an asking price at $6,500 apiece.

Allard J2X Roadster Revived at LA Auto Show


Reviving old auto marques long deceased has become de rigeur in the car business. But while cases like Mini and Spyker have brought dormant brands back with new interpretations on the classics of yore, Allard takes a different approach entirely.

Rather than remake the legendary J2X in a modern guise, the revived Allard Motor Works has opted to continue the tradition with the J2X MkII. Essentially the same vehicle that was produced in the early 1950s, the J2X MkII – unveiled last week at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show – looks every bit like its forbearer, but with the help of modern propulsion. Buyers can choose from a range of American (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler or Ford) V8 engines. But the exquisitely-crafted leather and aluminum interior is the same, as is the chassis with its unique portals and leather hood straps.

The $138,500 Allard J2X MkII is being built in limited quantities in upstate New York and in Montreal for the time being, until production is centralized at one location.

Range Rover Sport Autobiography Edition Comes Stateside


It was a long time ago, but once upon a time the Range Rover was the be-all-and-end-all when it came to luxury sport-utility vehicles. Since then, every premium automaker and its cousin has gotten into the luxo-SUV game, but the Range Rover isn't about to yield the high ground it's held for so long. Hence the Autobiography edition.

The top-of-the-line version of the avant-garde Range Rover Sport has been on sale for a few months now in overseas markets, but has made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The package includes special touches to the interior and exterior, from the 20" wheels and roof spoiler to the two-tone leather upholstery and special wood trim. They'll only be 250 examples on offer, commanding a princely $88,545  – about $14k over the standard Range Rover Sport – but then you can hardly put a price on exclusivity.

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