Red september

PITSTOP

Ferrari have announced their replacement for the F360 Modena, the F430. To be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next month, the car signals the arrival of a brand new generation of Ferrari 8-cylinder models.

The new prancing horse features a series of significant innovations directly derived from the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seaters, two of which they claim are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel-mounted switch (better known to the Formula 1 Scuderia's drivers as 'manettino'), which manages the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics.

The F430's compact 4300cc 90° V8 engine will blast out 490 bhp to achieve a specific output of 114 bhp per litre. An F-1 style gearbox will allow users to cut gear-shifting times down to 150 milliseconds and drivers who are skilled/brave enough will see off 100 kph in four seconds.

Sounds good? Well, a top-end whack of 315 kph should round off the driving experience nicely. The car's aerodynamic design incorporates the latest competition technologies, so road-holding should hardly be an issue. Carbon-ceramic disc brakes are an option, for eyeball-bulging stopping power. Mama mia!

Discovery channel

Meet the Bajaj Discover, which is already quite famous as the K60. With its all-new 125cc engine, incorporating two spark plugs and new chassis, the Disco will compete in the new 125cc segment.

The engine uses lightened and friction-reducing parts to produce a low-vibration package which produces 1.1 kgm of torque and 11.5 bhp. However, thanks to a new device Bajaj is patenting "� ExhausTEC , the Discover makes more than 1 kgm all the way from 3500 to 6000 rpm "� most of the competition doesn't make that much torque at all.

The result is the ability to open throttle and find useable power, in any gear and at any engine speed. Bajaj's new tubular double cradle frame uses thin-wall, high diameter tubes for great rigidity and light weight.

With the long travel suspension and 17-inch wheels, the Discover is a light yet stable handler. The package is supple, not soft or spongy, and does a remarkable job of bump absorption.

Bajaj intends to launch the bike in a couple of weeks and promises that it will be priced in the ballpark, or roughly around Rs 45,000. There will be three Discos, the cheapest one gets a glass round headlamp.

The intermediate gets the fairing and electric start, while the gorgeous top-end version gets alloys, tachometer, electric start and disc brake.