Maserati officially launched early in 1926 when the Bologna, Italy, brothers who had formerly worked for Diatto creating race cars determined that after Diatto stopped making race cars, they would make their own.

They proceeded to create a race car that won the 1926 Targa Florio race. This race was held in the mountains of Palermo, Sicily and was both- dangerous, as well as treacherous as it included hairpin turns and vast temperature differences due to the elevation variations throughout the race. Because this was a tricky circuit to tackle, winning the race came with a great deal of prestige for the brothers. Enough that it sent them down the path of manufacturing race cars. Brother Mario created the logo that is known across the world and together they (brothers) began creating four, six, eight, and sixteen cylinder race cars.

Sadly, the brother Alfieri was the driver that won that first race that Maserati had entered, and in 1932 he passed away. With his passing, the other brothers continued for five years, eventually selling their parts of the company to Adolfo Orsi in 1937. However, these brothers stayed an active part of the car designing and took on engineering roles with the new company when it relocated to Modena.

After the war, Maserati resumed creating race cars. In 1950, Maserati won the World Championship. Later on in 1993, FIAT became the owner of the Maserati name and in 1999, Ferrari, which was also owned by Fiat, lent a V8 engine as well as an automated-manual transmission to the 2002 models known as the Spyder and Coupe with a decent amount of success. It should come as no surprise that Maserati was created in Italy, the home of Ferrari and Lamborghini.

The high performance Lamborghini sports car is largely popular for its aggressive look and impressive speed. Undoubtedly, Lamborghini produces the world’s best and most exciting sports cars. Some of the best known Lamborghini models are the Diablo, the Countach, the Gallardo and the Murcielago.

Murcielago R-GT’s Le Mans edition is thought to be the fastest Lamborghini with 370 km/h speeds . The Murcielago LP640 is considered as the fastest street model from Lamborghini with 340 km/h speeds. Both these Lamborghini models have V12 engines and are above 6000 cc. The older models of the Lamborghini like the Diablo, the Countach and now the present model Murcielago have the familiar scissor doors rotating forward and up on hinges near the front door. Till 1989 all the Lamborghini models were produced with a V8 engine. Most of the Lamborghini models have the renowned V12 engine, the new model Gallardos have V10 engines.

The low stance of the Lamborghini car has amplified aerodynamic qualities with big tires digging into the tarmac. The characteristics of Lamborghini make it a perfect performance car. Being in the driver seat of a Lamborghini is like driving an F-1 race car and that too without special training. Though a Lamborghini is quite expensive, there are still a number of people who enjoy the thrill that its unforgettable driving experience offers; with pure power and speed on race tracks or on the highway. The car has superb acceleration, high performance through tight turns and runs in a safe environment. The average speed from 0 to 100kph is a mere 4 seconds!!

When Enzo Ferrari initially created his company Scuderia Ferrari in France in 1929, his intention was to sponsor amateur race automobile drivers and invent racing cars, and it would take him over 15 years after which Ferrari began to produce their own road cars in 1947.

Ferrari is still committed to the manufacture of racing cars and high performance sports cars and do not even look at designing other types of cars. Scuderia Ferrari is still the well known name for Gestione Sportiva, the part of the Ferrari Company that works with racing. Scuderia is a spanish word and means “stable”, but Scuderia Ferrari is sometime also loosely translated as Team Ferrari.

Ferrari created its first on road automobile in 1947. The 1947 125 S Ferrari had a 1.5 L V12 engine and the whole vehicle was considered incredibly beautiful and superbly designed. Enzo Ferrari was still focused in race cars and the Ferrari road cars were merely a way for him to finance his work with Scuderia Ferrari.

In 1961, after a dispute that had a large number of the employees leave, one of the most important tasks were to finish the improvement of the 250 GTO; an old 250-based model that could compete with the Jaguar E-type. The 250 GTO was finished in time to participate in the Sebring race and placed first in its class. Throughout 1962, the 250 GTO continued to win races and it is still one of the most well known race cars in history. The 1960 crisis became a very good decade for the company.

Today, FIAT controls 56 percent of Ferrari stocks. The rest are owned by Enzo’s con Piero Ferrari and by Commerzbank, Mediobanca and the Lehman Brothers.

For a number of years, the Mclaren F1 was the fastest road car in the world, but drastic changes have been made over the last few years. The hottest challenge to this top spot is the Bugatti Veyron. Crafted by Volkswagen, this is probably the best driving experience from a road car you will ever get.

Ferdinand Piech, the head of VW came up with the idea of manufacturing a car with 1000 horsepower that could do over 200mph, for those to whom money was no object. The outrageous price tag of £700,000 or roughly $1,100,000, is only reinforced by the fact it costs significantly more to produce. Yes, VW will be missing out on millions of dollars to sell this car, which is why the general opinion is that no other manufacturer would put together a road car you could buy, that would contest this performance and style.

Here are a few figures then; 1001, Horsepower! 14 radiators, Yeah 14!! Tyres specially developed by Michelin, $1800 each! 922lb of torque! 229 miles per hour or 370kph (believe it or not the standard configuration is restricted)

If you put a little more into tweaking the engine, you can get; 253mph, which is 407.5kph! Ten seconds to stop from 250mph! And a 100ltr fuel tank that can be emptied at top speeds within 12 minutes!

This is a major accomplishment in manufacturing, especially from a producer that does not have a background in Formula One like Mclaren and Ferrari. It really makes you wonder what they could achieve if they were to enter that field. To top it all, the car is stunning to look at as well!

The British are back, and are soaring high with the Aston Martin DB9 in their royal fleet. The DB9 is lightweight only on the scale, weighing in nearly 1,500 pounds lighter than the terrifying Bentley Continental GT. On the other hand, when it comes to the crucial performance/decadence ratio demands of drivers in this GT fraternity, the DB9 shows off numbers that merit its champion level status. The overseer of the 911 Turbo, Dr. Ulhrich Bev, Aston Martin’s CEO, delivers exceedingly well with a horde of facilities that make the DB9 threateningly lip smacking.

The DB9’s frame is a ground breaking VH (vertical/horizontal) aluminum bonded platform, which offers maximum rigidity, minimal excess weight, and a perfect 50/50 weight balance. Combine that with a double-wishbone suspension and a 450 horsepower, 6.0-liter V 12 engine; the DB9 has no reservations in going from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds. This roadster ramps out at top speed of 186 mph shortly thereafter. The six-speed, auto-manual transmission functions smoothly with magnesium paddle shifters that infuse the fluid feel of a true manual transmission. And the low-RPM sensitivity is nothing short of splendid.

Amenities come in hordes, as consumers are encouraged to take full benefits of Aston Martin’s personalization program. Exterior paint job options are limitless. The interior comprises handcrafted, stitched leather seats, and the door and interior trim come in exotic walnut, mahogany or bamboo. There is also a Linn 950-watt, Dolby Pro Logic II audio-system option to boot.

What is even better is that Dr. Bev pledges that this is only the inauguration of what promises to be the modern British invasion!

Reputation has perpetually been Bentley’s well deserved repute for creating automobiles with unparalleled creature comforts and unmatched style. Even though the company changed ownership, and saw extraordinary design changes, Bentley’s style departments and comfort departments remain committed. But you may need slow motion to see those aspects found in Bentley’s Continental GT. This sports coupe-with its W 12, 6-liter turbocharged, 500 horsepower engine-is no poser. It’s the real deal.

Bentley’s regular four-door sedans apparently have enough cabin space to comfortably contain a classical quartet; but this two door sports coupe, in comparison, is sleek and trim. The GT’s comforts are nonetheless bountiful as the Continental’s interior comes in nine exotic natural wood finishes. The healthy entertainment center comes standard with a six disc CD changer, GPS navigational aid, telephone pre-wiring, and voice-activated controls for the same. The seats are luxurious with supple leather, offering 14 separate modifications, as well as lumbar support and power memory.

To maintain handling capabilities, the Continental GT rides on five-spoke, 19-inch, painted alloy wheels. The glide in the ride stems from an adaptive (variable) suspension with automatic load leveling, a front independent double-wishbone suspension with air springs and a rear stabilizer bar.

True, the Continental GT is definitely a revved up drive when compared to Bentley’s revered, classic four door sedans. Characteristically it preserves the lavish qualities expected of a Bentley, but you will have to focus your vision quicker to be able to take it all in.