There are pedal cars, and then there are miniature, mechanical works of art.

A series of nine radical, custom pedal cars have been produced by some of America’s coolest hot rod builders to be auctioned by the Peterson Automotive Museum at next week’s RM Auctions event in Monterey, California.

Maranello, Modena, and St Agata … homes of Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. For many car enthusiasts they define the spiritual centre of the super sports car universe as northern Italy. Others might nominate Zuffenhausen, Germany (Porsche), Molsheim, France (Bugatti), or Woking, UK (McLaren). But if emerging maker Arrinera Automotive hits its ambitious targets, Warsaw, Poland will soon be added to that impressive, geographic roll-call.

According to company CEO Lukasz Tomkiewicz, the word Arrinera is derived from Basque and Italian, which in direct English translation means ‘truly streamlined’, and for four years his team has been developing the Hussarya, a mid-engine supercar, designed to take on the world’s best.

The car’s name is inspired by the Hussars cavalry that led the Polish army from the 16th to the 18th century, and the there’s no doubting its horsepower. A 6.2-litre, supercharged Chevrolet (LS9) V8 sits between the axles, pumping 485kW/820Nm through a six-speed sequential gearbox to the rear wheels.

The independent, multi-link suspension has been set-up and optimised by well-known British designer, Lee Noble. Rims are 19 inch light-alloy, shod with 255/35 R19 rubber at the front and huge 335/30 R19s at the rear. Brakes are massive, with six-piston calipers and 380 mm discs up front, and four-piston calipers clamping 350 mm rotors at the rear.

Set to tip the scales at just 1300kg, projected performance for this carbonfibre missile is suitably staggering, with 0-100km/h to be covered in 3.2sec, the standing 400m despatched in less than 12sec, and v-max weighing in at 340km/h. An early prototype, dubbed AH1, has been in development testing for the last 12 months, and Arrinera has been working with the Warsaw University of Technology on aero refinement. The result of that collaboration comes in the shape of these final renderings.

The first pre-production prototype is scheduled to start road and performance testing at the Applus+ IDIADA automotive research centre in Spain later this year, and Arrinera says, “The vehicle will become available for purchase (in left and right-hand drive) no earlier than the end of 2013.” And the price? Around $160,000 (in Europe).

For four years, Arrinera Automotive has been developing the Hussarya, a mid-engine supercar designed to take on the world’s best.

On debut at the Sydney motor show in 1987, Holden Special Vehicles’ initial offering, the VL SS Group A homologation special was quickly dubbed ‘The Batmobile’ in response to its extreme, aero body kit.

The joint venture business, formed by Holden and Scottish racing guru Tom Walkinshaw, through his TWR operation, has since produced over 70,000 high-performance vehicles, the vast majority based on successive versions of the Commodore.

Now, HSV is celebrating 25 years in operation with the release of new, entry-level versions of its most popular models, and significant upgrades to higher spec variants.

The half year model refresh (MY12.5) marks the return of a ‘base’ grade ClubSport sedan and Maloo ute. Powered by HSV’s 317kW/550Nm, 6.2 litre (LS3/Gen 4) V8, the Clubsport and Maloo pick up larger, 20 inch ‘Pentagon’ alloy rims, and retain all the features of the outgoing (MY12) R8 models, with the exception of the EDI (Enhanced Driver Interface).

As well, the Maloo features a soft cargo cover in place of the previous remote locking hard tonneau with integrated wing. The ClubSport is priced at $64,990, and the Maloo at $58,990; both ‘drive-away’.

HSV’s MY12.5 ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and ClubSport Tourer R8 now feature a 325kW/550Nm version of the 6.2-litre V8, as well as 20 inch, SV Performance forged alloy wheels and leather trim in place of cloth. The luxury Senator Signature also cops the power upgrade and bigger rims. All models will feature a new HSV 25th Anniversary ‘start-up’ screen, build plate, internal ID plate and sill plates.

MOTOR’S also heard well informed rumours of a special upgrade for the performance flagship GTS model before the end of the year … so stay tuned.

HSV is celebrating 25 years in operation with the release of new, entry-level versions of its most popular models, and significant upgrades to higher spec variants.

As previewed by MOTOR in its September 2012 issue, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has launched what it claims is the most ‘hard-core’ Falcon-based GT ever, with the release of the new GT RSPEC.

Limited to 350 examples, FPV says the new edition has been developed to answer criticisms levelled at the dynamics of its performance flagship in recent years.

As previewed by MOTOR in its September 2012 issue, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has launched what it claims is the most ‘hard-core’ Falcon-based GT ever, with the release of the new GT RSPEC.

Limited to 350 examples, FPV says the new edition has been developed to answer criticisms levelled at the dynamics of its performance flagship in recent years.

Suspension tuning and a wider wheel/tyre package are aimed at translating the GT’s (unchanged) 335kW/570Nm into more tenacious step-off traction and cornering grip.

The product of an 18-month development program, the GT RSPEC features revised suspension, wider nine inch rear wheels with 275/35 R19 Dunlop Sports Maxx tyres and, in first for FPV, launch control.

The rear suspension set-up boasts higher spring rates, re-tuned dampers, a fatter anti-roll bar, and reinforced rear lower control arms. At the front there are stiffer upper control arm bushes, stiffer front upper suspension strut mounts, and recalibrated dampers.

Extra rubber will provide a much-needed traction improvement during launch, and in cornering, while a revised toe setting on the rear wheel alignment also gives improved turn-in response.

Stiffer transmission mounts reduce powertrain and driveline movement under load for improved ride quality, and FPV Managing Director, Bryan Mears claims the GT RSPEC is “the finest-handling GT in history.”

The addition of launch control is designed to deliver more consistent performance when accelerating from rest. Expect 0-100km/h in the high four second bracket, and the standing 400-metres in around 12.8sec.

Visually, the RSPEC’s distinctive stripe and paint package is reminiscent of the iconic 1969 Boss Mustang and its modern day successor. It is available in four colour combinations, 175 units committed to the ‘hero’ scheme of black with red accents. The remaining 175 cars will be made up of white, red and blue with black graphics.

Inside, leather sports seats, complete with GT logo, are matched with a piano black finish around the dash and console. Recommended list price for the GT RSPEC is $76 990.

Ferrari is claiming a new world record for the largest ever gathering and parade of the famous Italian thoroughbred sportscar.

A total of 964 Ferraris, representing all eras of the ‘Cavallino Rampante’ (prancing horse) marque’s 55 year history, descended on the Silverstone race circuit, near Northamptonshire, England for the latest edition of the ‘Ferrari Racing Days’ event last weekend (15 September, 2012).

Although it hasn’t been officially ratified, Ferrari is confident all the necessary conditions for a world record were met, and that the Guinness World Records Limited Commission will confirm the record by the end of this week.

This beats the previous record of 490 cars dating back to 2008 at Japan’s Fuji Speedway Circuit.

Current Ferrari Formula One pilot Felipe Massa was the guest of honour, leading the parade at the wheel of a 458 Spider, and Ferrari donated $8.00 for every car in the parade to BEN, a British charity that supports employees from the motor industry and their families.

Ferrari is claiming a new world record for the largest ever gathering and parade of the famous Italian thoroughbred sportscar.

A total of 964 Ferraris, representing all eras of the ‘Cavallino Rampante’ (prancing horse) marque’s 55 year history, descended on the Silverstone race circuit, near Northamptonshire, England for the latest edition of the ‘Ferrari Racing Days’ event last weekend (15 September, 2012).

Current Ferrari Formula One pilot Felipe Massa was the guest of honour, leading the parade at the wheel of a 458 Spider.

Holden Special Vehicles is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a limited edition version of the performance flagship GTS.

Just 125 examples of the HSV 25th Anniversary GTS will be built, with the package consisting of new 20-inch forged alloy rims, finished in Satin Graphite (saving 22kg over the standard GTS wheels set), six piston front brakes, as well as unique graphics and badges.

The car will be shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney on October 18th, and recommended retail price is $84,990.