2007 is a year of diverse crop sports car showcase from the exotic ones like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to the Saturn Sky roadsters. Technologies from automakers around the world have made the sports car fleet better and better. The 2007 model years of sports cars are but perfect icons of superior performance, speed, style and coddling luxury. Forbesautos.com listed the hottest sports cars of 2007. Check them out:

Bentley Continental GTC
A sexy, new convertible version of Bentley’s Continental GT features a soft fabric top that stows neatly under a leather-lined cover for a sleek top-down look. Bentley’s usual impeccable interior treatment makes the Continental GTC’s cabin a feast for the senses. And with a 552-hp W12 engine and all-wheel drive, it’s sure to set the heart racing.

BMW Z4 Coupe
Based on the Z4 Roadster, the new Z4 Coupe appeals to sports- car purists who shun frou-frou convertibles yet value distinctive styling and practicality. The latter is thanks to a decent trunk, comfortable seats and good gas mileage from the car’s 255-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel are both available.

BMW Z4 M Coupe
The Z4 M Coupe is a higher-performance version of the standard Z4 Coupe and complements the Z4 M Roadster, which debuted for 2006. Like its ragtop twin, the M Coupe features the same 330-hp 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine as the vaunted M3, along with styling tweaks, a stiffer suspension, retuned steering system and other performance upgrades.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
The 599 GTB Fiorano is the latest in a long line of front-engine 12-cylinder Ferraris. Its 620-hp 6.0-liter V12 makes the 599 GTB the most powerful street-legal Ferrari ever — good for a sprint to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph, Ferrari says. Italian design house Pininfarina designed the aluminum body. It will be the first Ferrari to feature a self-adjusting suspension that uses magnetic currents to vary damping rates.

Jaguar XK/XKR
Jaguar’s flashy and fast XK coupe and convertible are overdue but worthy replacements for the aging XK8. They offer a roomier, higher-quality interior, a more rigid body and improved powertrains. A 300-hp 4.2-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission are standard. The higher-performance XKR versions upgrade to a 420-hp, supercharged V8 and a stiffer suspension.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
Lamborghini takes its exotic, $350,000 Murciélago supercar even further over the top with a thoroughly reworked 640-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine, a retuned suspension and modified looks. The term "LP640" has been added to the name to denote the engine output and its longitudinal, rear position in the chassis (logitudinale posteriore, in Italian). A slick sequential-manual transmission and standard six-speed are available. Transparent glass panels showcase the engine for an added $7,200.

Pontiac Solstice GXP
The svelte Solstice gains a higher-output GXP variant for 2007. Its 260-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offers nearly twice as much as power as the engine in the base model. A sport suspension, limited-slip rear differential, styling tweaks and various other performance improvements complete the package and transform the Solstice from a fun roadster into a serious sports car.

Porsche 911 GT3
Based on the 911 GT3 RSR race car, the $106,000 911 GT3 brings racing technology to the street. A special version of Porsche’s 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine produces 415 hp with a redline bumped up to 8,400 rpms. The six-speed transmission and suspension have been modified for all-out performance. Beginning next spring, an even more extreme GT3 RS will feature carbon-fiber components for reduced weight.

Porsche 911 Targa
The new 911 Targa offers open-air motoring without compromising structural integrity thanks to its sliding glass roof panel. The car will initially be offered with all-wheel drive as the Targa 4 and 4S. The former will feature the 325-hp 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, and the latter will come with a 355-hp 3.8-liter version.

Porsche 911 Turbo
Despite being larger and more powerful than the car it replaces, the all-new 911 Turbo weighs 90 pounds less. It again features all-wheel drive for power delivery. It’s 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder engine features variable-geometry turbochargers that boost output to 473 hp and 502 pound-feet of torque. Porsche claims a top speed of 193 mph and a zero-to-60-mph time of less than four seconds.

Saturn Sky
The sprightly Saturn Sky is a slightly better equipped and restyled version of General Motors’ Pontiac Solstice. It features the same 177-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in base form and a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in a hotter Red Line version that should sprint to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Value is perhaps the best selling point for the Sky; with a starting price under $25,000, you don’t have to spend a lot to get plenty of open-air thrills.

Yesterday, after driving the racetrack at Martinsville Speedway, Jeff Gordon triumphed over Martin Truex Jr. with just a 0.050 seconds margin. Gordon finished the lap of 19.938 (94.974 mph) in his Chevrolet.

"That number one pit stall is pretty important here. I think about every time I sit on the pole here, I have never led the first lap," commented Gordon. "Can’t say that it really contributes to that great track position but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be up toward the front."

 

  

 Below is the qualifying result:

•    Do not drive if you have been drinking; be sure to use a designated driver.
•    If you have been drinking, call a cab or have a sober friend or relative drive you home.
•    If you cannot find a safe ride home, stay where you are until you are completely sober.
•    If you are hosting a party, make sure your guests do not drive impaired.
•    When driving, be sure to watch your speed. Motorists should slow down as they drive through neighborhood areas, preferably five miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
•    Watch carefully for children crossing the street. Children may not be paying attention to traffic and might cross mid-block or between parked cars. Motorists should scan far ahead in traffic to watch for children and try to anticipate their actions.
•    Look out for children in dark clothing. Children may be difficult to see if they are wearing dark costumes or masks. Be aware that masks may hinder a child’s peripheral vision, and they may not be able to see a vehicle.
•    Pay close attention to all traffic signs, signals and markings.
Pedestrian injuries and mortalities during the Halloween period are due to partygoers and trick-or-treaters crowding the roads. According to statistics of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of the injuries and fatalities during the Halloween are alcohol-related.

Chrysler LLC had been fond of snatching top executives from Toyota’s North American division and guess which automaker is following its steps? Ford Motor Corp.

Jim Farley who served as Toyota’s General Manger for its Lexus division and the same the person who added Scion as Toyota’s subbrand will be joining Ford as the top marketing officer for the second largest American automaker. Farley will be directly reporting to Ford’s CEO himself, Allan Mullaly. The appointment was done by Mullaly last Thursday.

Being Ford’s senior marketing officer, Farley, 45 will be in charge of Ford’s methods to drive itself in closer relations with its consumers by integrated marketing, advertising, digital communications, brand development, product planning, research, product communications and public relations according to Mullaly. Farley will also overlook the operations of the company’s global communications and public relations, the CEO added.

His appointment entails Farley with not just Ford’s worldwide business unit leaders but as well as the company’s global product development organization, Mullaly added.

"We are thrilled to welcome one of the most successful and talented leaders in the industry to the Ford Motor Company team," said Mulally.
"Jim Farley is well known for innovative marketing strategies that connect great products to today’s and tomorrow’s customers.  Ford’s quality and vehicles are now on par with the best of the competition.  We look forward to Jim’s leadership to combine world-class marketing with our world-class products worldwide," Mulally said.

Mullaly’s change in the marketing post may be due to Ford’s declining market shares in the past few months and also, its famous models have faltering sales in the recent months like its Ford Mustang and the Ford F-150.

Francisco Codina, formerly the head of the Ford Division had retired last month although he was still involved in the launching of the new Ford Focus.

Chrysler LLC hired Jim Press last month, the top American executive at Toyota’s North American division to become the new co-president and vice-chairman of the newly Cerberus owned automaker. In August, Chrysler also appointed Deborah Meyer to be its head of advertising and marketing who was Toyota’s vice-president of marketing at its Lexus division. Starting with Farley, Ford is seeing strong capabilities in Toyota’s top executives and may follow the footsteps of Chrysler LLC.

Jim Farley at 45 had already been regarded as on of the most talented executives in the automotive industry, not just he hid great on putting the Scion in the automotive map but he also supervised the planning of the Tundra pick-up’s introduction and had been one of those who pushed Toyota to become the second leader in sales in the American auto market.

Besides being green, is there a dream car?
The funny thing is, I wouldn’t want a sports car. I would probably want a nice Lexus or something — a luxury car.