The Daily Car

We’ve been hearing a lot recently about cars which will be seen at next month’s 78th International Geneva Motor Show, and here’s another: the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé. Its origins lie in 2006’s 101EX drop-top concept car, the success of which proved so great that Rolls-Royce said it’d create a production version.

This coupé is, pretty much, the 101EX minus the dynamic roof. It’s the third Roller made under BMW’s command, and it is designed to be the sportier model in the range - much different to the soothing sobriety of the Phantom saloon.

The coupé’s sporty nature is reflected in the 6.75-litre V12 engine, with a mighty 453 brake horsepower. Presumably because the car will be driven fast and thus a lot of fuel will be burnt, the fuel tank is 25% more capacious than that of the cabriolet. Jeremy Clarkson, however, will be saddened to learn that the top speed’s been limited to a mere 155mph.

The car’s handling also looks promising, thanks to a lightweight chassis and the fact that this is Rolls-Royce’s most rigid car ever.

It’s not just for pant-wetting speeds, however. The coupé’s rear features a 395 litre ‘picnic boot’ (with enough room for up to four sets of golf clubs) as well as rear-hinged coach doors to provide easier access for more passengers. Inside, the usual luxuries are to be found although the iPod connectivity seems a tad unusal on a car such as this.

BMW have just shown off their new X6, a sporty coupé which manages to have SUV-like qualities as well.

The 6 in its name hints at the car’s similarity to the 6-Series BMW, but the X tells us that this is an off-road car at the same time, joining the likes of the X3 and X5. The car will get permanent all-wheel drive to ensure optimum traction although a default 40:60 power ratio allows for a better-handling chassis all the same.

BMW will offer a choice of two twin-turbocharged direct-injection engines. There will be the xDrive50i (a 4.4-litre V8) the slightly less-lethal 3.0-litre xDrive35i (with 6 in-line cylinders). Both should prove to have a thirst for fuel.

The X6 apparently marks the world’s first “Sports Activity Coupé” and BMW obviously think they are on to something. But I feel that it’s all a bit bonkers, a weird mashed-up coupé thing with too many doors, and I wonder if this has never been done before for a good reason.

Perhaps we will find out more in the 2008 Detroit Auto Show which takes place in January. The car is set to go on sale in May 2008.

Making the Ferrari F430 faster and lighter might sound like putting a size-zero model on a diet. But Ferrari today announced the F430 Scuderia, which is both 100kg lighter and 27bhp more powerful than the standard car, and is the replacement for the now-dead 360 Challenge Stradale.

Ferrari say that this weight loss has not led to any decrease in the safety or technology in the car. In fact, the lightweight Scuderia is a showcase to new technology such as a revised gearbox, a snazzy new traction control system, and more.

There’s no word on the pricing just yet, but you should expect a significant price hike for the Scuderia. September’s Frankfurt motor show is set to be the event at which the Scuderia is likely to make its debut; it will be unveiled by Michael Schumacher (provided he isn’t busy selling pies).

Aston Martin has released pictures of the new V8 Vantage Volante, a swish drop-top which goes on sale in spring 2007.

The car is based on the firm’s baby V8 Vantage, a coupé, and has a top speed of 175 miles per hour. 0-62mph takes 5.0 seconds. This is partly thanks to the fact that the car is only minutely heavier than it’s coupé counterpart.

The electric roof can be operated at speeds of up to 30 mph, handy for when it starts raining or shining all of a sudden and you don’t want to pause the terrific driving experience. It won’t be made of metal - just canvas - but hopefully that will mean a better drive, if not great practicality.

The prices will be announced closer to the motor’s launch. The car will be unveiled at the 2006 Los Angeles motor show on Wednesday 29th November.