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Concorso Italiano 2013: the non-Italian cars

This year as part of Concorso Italiano 2013, a display was introduced for British cars – and it then grew to become anything that isn’t Italian. As a result there was a healthy dose of American, British, German and French metal (and plastic) on display. And just for good measure there was also space for some Japanese classics too.

Ferrari 458 Speciale with active aero debuts at Frankfurt

The only thing better than a 458 is, of course, a lighter, stronger and more aerodynamically efficient 458. Toward that end, Ferrari unveiled the 458 Speciale at Frankfurt, a successor of sorts to the Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia, previous specials that, as good as they were, wouldn't last a race on the same lap as this one. “This is the most powerful V8 Ferrari, never made before,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who still speaks much better English than we could ever hope to speak Italian.

Bentley brings even faster Continental V8 S to Detroit

Bentley first showed the Continental V8 S at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few months ago, but the slightly more powerful V8 Continental makes its North American debut in Detroit. More horsepower is always welcome, and the handsome new grand tourer delivers precisely 21 more. While Bentley has been concentrating on W12-powered Speed models -- even suggesting that it might be an entertaining drive on a racetrack -- the V8 range has been bolstered by its own modest performance enhancements: 21 more horsepower and 15 more lb-ft of torque bring the 4.0-liter engine's figures up to 521 and 502, respectively.