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The new Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is quicker with an automatic

Few automakers exploit platform variants as much as lotus. The company has four models, one of which is essentially a hardtop version of another. The Lotus Evora 400 sits atop the range, and since its debut last year we've seen the Evora 410, Evora 410 GP Edition and the Evora GT430. Today, the British automaker announced the Evora GT430 Sport, essentially a less hardcore but nearly as capable version of the GT430. The two biggest differences are the non-limited availability and the available six-speed automatic transmission. All 60 examples of the GT430 were only available with a manual. Both cars use the same 3.5-liter V6 topped with an Edelbrock supercharger that's good for 430 horsepower. Manual models make 325 lb-ft of torque, while automatic-equipped cars make 332 lb-ft. Despite a 24-pound penalty, the GT430 Sport automatic hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, a tenth quicker than the manual. While gearing in the automatic limits top speed to 170 mph, manual models can reach 196 mph. That makes this the fastest road-going Lotus ever. No matter which one you choose, the GT430 comes with Ohlins TTX two-way adjustable dampers, slotted and ventilated brake discs with AP Racing four-piston calipers, a Torsen-type limited slip differential and an adjustable traction control system. The front and rear bumpers, front access panel, roof panel, rear quarter panels and one-piece louvered tailgate and spoiler are all made of carbon fiber. The non-Sport GT430 adds a carbon fiber front splitter, rear wing, louvered wheel arches and a wider set of wheels and tires. The carbon fiber theme continues inside. The seats, door sills and parts of the instrument cluster are all made of the lightweight material. Most of the rest of the interior is trimmed in leather and black Alcantara. At $136,000, the new GT430 Sport undercuts the limited-run model by about $11,000. There's no word on if the car will make it here to the U.S. Hopefully Lotus' new parent company will keep the ball rolling. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo Giulia to get Ferrari-related engine

Alfa Romeo has a long, proud history of using V6 engines in its coupes, sedans, and sports cars over the years, but as the new Giulia sedan approaches, the Italian marque is allegedly turning to Ferrari for its next six-cylinder. This is obviously not the first time a Ferrari-sourced or derived engine has been found under an Alfa's long hood. While 8C Competizione famously used a version of Ferrari's F136 V8 during its short run, the Giulia's new V6 will be offered on a much larger scale, slotting in above an entry level, four-cylinder turbo (likely the next-gen version of the 4C sports car's 1.75-liter engine). According to Autocar, the new V6 will be "specially developed for Alfa Romeo," and will be built at the Termoli engine factory alongside the new turbo four-cylinder. As for the rest of the Giulia, Autocar has been able to shine a light on a number of other details about the new midsizer. It will, thankfully, be rear-wheel drive, and designed to counter the "mostly cold and clinical" and soulless cars of the German competition, Maserati chief Harald Wester told AC. Some of the new sedan's structural elements will even be shared with Maserati's entry level model, the Ghibli. Most notable of all, though, is what the Giulia means for American consumers. After the limited-run 8C and the niche 4C, the new sedan will lead Alfa Romeo's long-awaited, large-scale return, where it will combat the popular BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, not to mention rivals like the Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS. Look for more on the Giulia next week when it's officially revealed in Milan.

Singapore car salesman jailed for gambling away $280k Maserati deposit

Kenny Rogers' country classic The Gambler is right about two things: you gotta know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em. A former Maserati salesman in Singapore is learning that lesson about when to step away from the table, after being sentenced to 33 months in prison for allegedly gambling away a customer's deposit of 350,000 Singapore dollars ($280,800).
According to Asia One, Allan Tan Buan Yuen was selling a Maserati in 2011. He told the customer that the car would take six months to arrive and cost 650,000 Singapore dollars ($522,000). While that may sound high, cars in the Asian country are notoriously expensive.
Yuen asked for a deposit of 150,000 Singapore dollars ($120,400), but instead of handing the money to the dealer, he placed the funds in his own account. Apparently, the customer didn't notice, and over the next few months Yuen received an additional 200,000 Singapore dollars ($160,400) towards the car from him. Clearly, this ruse couldn't last forever, though. When the buyer eventually inquired about his Maserati months later, Yuen admitted that he had already gambled away the entire fortune.