Friday, April 18, 2008

Chevrolet

In addition to the limited-edition Corvette Victory Edition, a second special version of the all-American sports car was introduced for 2008 - the Corvette Competition. This model, built in limited numbers on the basis of the C6 Coupé for the European market only, bears strong links to motor sport too, in which the Corvette has proven highly successful.
The special Competition version of ALMS-champion Corvette bears subtle resemblances to the successful C6.R race car. The number of available options on the new car is limited, in order to save as much weight as possible. Another point in common are the air scoops with honeycomb pattern in the front grill and in between the double twin exhaust pipes at the rear. The rear spoiler, borrowed from the Z06 model, not only contributes to excellent aerodynamic properties but is evidence to the Corvette's fine motor sport heritage as well. The bold looks of the Corvette Competition are complemented by 5-spoke alloys (18 inch at the front, 19 inch at the rear) in the colour Competition Grey.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Spyker C8 Aileron

Spyker Cars, manufacturer of premium sport cars, unveiled its second generation C-line sports car at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show. The all aluminium Long Wheel Base model is called Spyker C8 Aileron and comes with both a manual as well as an automatic gearbox.
The C8 Aileron continues Spyker’s signature architecture of a mid-engined configuration in an aluminium space frame, clad in aluminium body panels.
Designing a successor of a first generation car is no mean feat. Spyker’s design philosophy has always been to create timeless designs, contemporary but classic.
The signature Spyker polished air inlets in aluminium were converted into turbine engine shaped scoops reducing the “bling” element considerably, which reflects a trend Spyker sees in general: more sober designs, less exuberant.
Also the headlight units were reshaped to follow the body design more closely. LED lights are incorporated in the units for indicators as well as Xenon lights (which are standard now).
Unfortunately practicality sometimes gains over design: The first generation cars have split side windows which were not optimal in terms of sealing (wind noise and water management). The Aileron has single pane side glass that drops when the door is opened and closed, creating improved comfort level.The rear diffuser was redesigned for improved functionality. The redesigned rear lights are LED units

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Holden Coupe 60

Holden Coupe 60
Exemplifying sports luxury, Coupe 60 is a pillarless concept car that explores the limits of Holden's current rear-wheel drive capabilities, combining racing looks and technology into a road going sportscar experience.Its sophisticated appearance is delivered through simple and powerful design, highlighted by the pillarless construction and V8 supercar inspired cockpit layout and side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips.Almost 60mm shorter than the VE sedan, and sitting on 21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels with unique design Kumho high performance semi-slick tyres, Coupe 60 captures all that's exciting about the Holden DNA.
Other racing-derived enhancements include full flat under body, rear underbody air diffuser and functional rear deck-lid spoiler with unique designed LED tail lamps.The interior also has several unique features. They include one piece carbon fiber bucket seats (featuring leather and suede pad design) and a sports-inspired flat bottomed steering wheel with integrated shift light display and LCD sports instrument cluster.The high gloss carbon fiber carries through to doors and rear trim providing a contrast to the leather trimmed instrument panel and black suede trimmed pillars, headliners and parcel shelf.Details and accents are picked out with a distinctive red high shine leather on the seats and dark gunmetal finish and satin chrome on the consoles and doors.Front seats are adjustable fore and aft to allow easy access to the rear, with four-point race harness restraints for all seating positions.Under the bonnet is just as forward looking, with a 6.0 litre V8 engine incorporating the latest technologies such as active fuel management and calibrated for E85 ethanol fuel.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Maserati

Maserati
A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé’s sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.
Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology — a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance. On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Brabus

Brabus
Ultra powerful, ultra fast and conspicuously inconspicuous: The four-door stealth super sports car Brabus Bullit Black Arrow offers performance superlatives like no other car on the market: The basis for the car is the body of the new C-Class sedan, covered with a special matte-black coating. The Brabus SV12 S Biturbo twelve-cylinder engine was dropped into the engine bay with almost surgical precision. Performance is staggering: 3.9 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 24.5 seconds for 0 – 300 km/h (186 mph) and a top speed of more than 360 km/h (225 mph). Brabus produces the Bullitt Black Arrow in small-series production starting at 348,000 Euros MSRP.
Cylinder heads optimized for faster gas exchange and high-performance camshafts also contribute to the increase in power output. They are assisted by a more efficient dual turbocharging system, special manifolds, larger turbochargers and larger intercoolers. Because of space constraints in the C-Class body an entirely new stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with low back-pressure metal catalysts had to be developed.The Brabus motor engineers used state-of-the-art engine test benches to program new mapping for engine electronics and on-board diagnostics. The new mapping ensures optimal power yield while meeting strict EURO IV emission limits.
At these speeds favorable aerodynamic properties are absolutely essential. The Brabus Bullit Black Arrow was honed to perfection in the wind tunnel. The Bullit front apron features large air ducts to supply cooling air for radiators and front brakes. Its sophisticated design further reduces lift on the front axle. Its aerodynamic counterparts in the rear are a three-piece rear spoiler and a rear apron with integrated diffuser. Both front and rear aprons are made from especially light yet highly robust autoclave-baked carbon fiber.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Providing the direct feedback of a manual transmission with the total convenience of an automatic, the new seven-speed MCT with AMG Speedshift is an all-new design available only in the new SL63 AMG. Featuring seven speeds, four shift modes and a double-clutching function, the MCT transmission offers impressive versatility and even faster shift times.At the heart of the new AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed sports transmission is a new start-up clutch, which runs in an oil bath and replaces a conventional torque converter. Thanks to its low rotational mass, the start-up clutch helps the transmission respond instantaneously and dynamically with no slip.
Twin overhead camshafts in each cylinder bank open the 32 valves via bucket-type followers. In other words, instead of rocker arms, the cam lobes sweep across the flat top of the followers, which sit directly on top of the valve stems. This space-saving design provides a very stiff valve train that allows for large valve openings and dependable high-speed operation for maximum horsepower and torque. However, in contrast to racing engines, each bucket incorporates a hydraulic lifter that automatically maintains valve clearance, which allows for long service intervals and low costs.

Monday, February 18, 2008

2008 PPI Audi R8 Razor

2008 PPI Audi R8 Razor
With the launching of the R8, Audi heats up against rivals Porsche, Ferrari and Bentley vigorously providing stiff competition. The Swabian, German tuners PPI Automotive Design GmbH, customize Audi’s flagship sportscar by stoking up the fire with even more coal going that extra mile by providing an enhanced look combined with improved driving dynamics. A wind tunnel-tested aerodynamic kit of carbon fibre in combination with a performance enhancement and special lightweight magnesium wheels in 19-inch dimensions provides measurably improved appearance whether on the race track or the elegant promenade of the elite jet set. To complete the exclusive enhancements of the R8, PPI offers extensive modifications in materials and parts to the original interior. PPI offers handbrake, door entry threshold plates and middle instrument panel in carbon fibre. The technical highlight of the interior is the new PPI designed ergonomic steering wheel (available with Carbon Fibre sections) with additional interface controls for its driving dynamical program. Offered on special request is a personalized floor mat set furnished with leather trim. Also available is complete hand crafted precision leather, suede, alcantara upholstery from our in-house saddlers.