Friday, September 18, 2009

Volkswagen L1 Concept

2009 Frankfurt auto show

A one-liter car? This moniker describes a car that uses one liter of fuel—about a division of a gallon—to actuate a car for 100 kilometers, or 62 miles. The one-liter car’s armament abridgement translates to about 240 mpg, and VW has had such a car in its architect for some time now. In 2002, approachable VW CEO Ferdinand Piëch, now arch of the company’s authoritative board, collection a cigar-shaped ancestor from VW address in Wolfsburg to a shareholders’ affair in Hamburg.

Now the absorption of the one-liter car has been resurrected. VW’s better account at the Frankfurt auto appearance was the L1 concept, a ancestor that "is abutting to production" and "will be developed," the aggregation says. Three capacity were bare to accomplish it happen: a chiefly able powertrain, abundant aerodynamics, and declining engineering.

As to the powertrain, VW has autonomous for a two-cylinder, 39-hp turbo-diesel engine accumulated with a 14-hp electric motor. There is a stop/start adjustment and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The L1 can adeptness 100 mph, but armament abridgement at that acceleration drops to a base 1.38 liters per 100 kilometers, or 170 mpg.

The front-wheel-drive L1’s aerodynamics are optimized by the two-seat blueprint with the occupants sitting in a row. The aftereffect is a car that is almost long, actually low, and acutely slim. The monocoque and physique is fabricated of carbon fiber, and complete weight of the L1 is a simple 838 pounds. We anticipate that the basement agreement will acceptable be afflicted as development progresses; two humans sitting abaft anniversary added is too abnormal for -to-be buyers.

Even so, the L1 looks aesthetic and abutting to alternation production, which couldn’t be said of the 2002 concept. It could be on the bazaar as anon as 2013, Volkswagen sources accustom us. The L1 may assume acrid to those who bethink that VW is aswell amenable for Bugatti, which makes the fastest accumulation car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron, and which just apparent the W-16 Galibier auto concept. But if you anticipate about the styles of both Piëch and accustomed VW administrator Martin Winterkorn, this bucking seems logical: These guys both tend to go to extremes. And we abide that the Volkswagen L1 is a added cogent footfall in extenuative assets than are abundant gasoline-electric hybrids.

The Volkswagen L1 Absorption is adapted in the angel today. Thanks to a carbon fibre able bogus (CFRP) body, it weighs just 380 kilograms. The two-seater is powered by a new accustomed corruption turbo-diesel (two-cylinder TDI) and an electric motor. With its boilerplate armament afire of 1.49 litres abettor per 100 kilometres, this actually road-ready and acutely aerodynamic L1 (Cd 0.195!) is advancing to become the a lot of fuel-efficient admixture auto in the world. CO2 emissions of the 160 km/h fast absorption car are just 39 g/km. If the Volkswagen L1 were to aswell go into accumulation in 2013, it would acceptance an actually new declining car absorption and accustom a new era in automotive production.

Drivetrain

The TDI, E-motor and 7-speed DSG are amidst at the rear, and they admix to accomplish the a lot of armament able road-legal car admixture drive in the world. Proof of this are its 1.38 litre per 100 kilometres armament afire and 36 g/km CO2 emissions. Serving as the primary drive anterior is a actually redeveloped two-cylinder turbo-diesel with accustomed corruption complete blast (TDI). It is operated in two adapted modes depending on the bulk conditions. In the accustomed "ECO" mode, the 800 cm3 TDI develops a adeptness of 20 kW / 27 PS (at 4,000 rpm); in "Sport" access - acclimated to adeptness top speed, for classic - the car's adeptness rises to 29 kW / 39 PS (at 4,000 rpm). The TDI's best torque is 100 Newton-meter (at 1,900 rpm). Naturally, the Volkswagen L1 aswell has a Stop-Start adjustment that automatically shuts down the engine if car has brimming and restarts if the accelerator or E-pedal is pressed.



Sunday, July 5, 2009

Ford Harley Davidson F-150


The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 delivers a new standard of "custom cool," combining the smooth handling and legendary durability of America's best-selling truck with the authentic styling of Harley-Davidson, the industry leader in motorcycles.

This marks the 14th Harley-Davidson edition of an F-Series truck and latest in a line of Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series models dating back to 2000, which aim to appeal to customers who appreciate quality and unique details only this kind of collaboration can bring.

The successful collaboration between these two icons of the open road has produced eight F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250, F-350, and in 2009, the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 is the first Harley-Davidson edition vehicle built off the award-winning new 2009 Ford F-150.

“This truck builds on the legacy of toughness that’s been the hallmark of the Ford F-Series brand,” said Matt O’Leary, chief engineer. “Now we’re giving customers more of everything they love with the best F-150 and the boldest Harley-Davidson F-150 ever – featuring a fully differentiated design, all-wheel-drive capability, 22-inch wheels and a knock-out interior.”

The exterior of the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar shaped billet style grille and boasts specialized forged aluminum and Harley-Davidson® chrome badging. The truck will have a lowered appearance because of a fully integrated deployable running board.

Also standard are 22-inch low-profile performance tires – the largest in the F-Series lineup –
and Euroflange forged wheels with a polished and painted center wheel cap. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson – Tuxedo Black and the first Ford application of Lava, a deep maroon with three-color metal flake.

Specification

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 262.4 in. Width: 95.7 in.
Height: 79.8 in. Wheel Base: 172.4 in.
Ground Clearance: 7.8 in. Curb Weight: 8226 lbs.
Gross Weight: 14500 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 41.4 in. Front Hip Room: 67.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 68 in. Rear Head Room: 41.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 68 in. Rear Hip Room: 67.3 in.
Front Leg Room: 41 in. Rear Leg Room: 41.8 in.
Maximum Seating: 6
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 6.4 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 350 hp
Max Horsepower: 3000 rpm Torque: 650 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2000 rpm Maximum Payload: 6190 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 16000 lbs. Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 58.5 ft.
Fuel Data
Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 38 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)

Supercharged Ferrari F430


You would think that tuners wouldn't bother wasting their time with an extremely limited production model like the commemorative Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M which will be built in a mere 499 examples. Well, think again. As these leaked photo reveal, Novitec Rosso is getting ready to introduce a souped-up version of the Scuderia Spider 16M.

Though no official details have been released yet, word has it the Novitec Rosso has fitted a pair of twin superchargers to the Scuderia's V8 boosting output from 510HP to close to 700HP. Luckily, the German tuning house has limited the exterior changes to a set of black and yellow alloy wheels and the firm's trademark blacked out tail lights.

Standard Engine 4.3L V8
Standard Transmission 6 Speed Manual
Cylinders 8
Horsepower @RPM 490@8500
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy Not Listed
Combined Fuel Economy 11
EPA Class Two Seater
Number of Valves 32
Torque @RPM N/A
Fuel Type System Gas Engine / Sequential Electronic Fuel Injected, Sequential Port Fuel Injected Sequential, Multi-Port Fuel Injected
Turbo (Yes/No) No
Overdrive Transmission Yes
Battery Output N/A
Compression 11.3:1
Displacement 4308 / 263
Bore X Stroke 3.62x3.19
Cruising Range 276.1 miles
Final Drive Gear Ratio Opt N/A
Power to Weight Ratio 6.7
Final Drive Ratio No
Valves Configuration Dual Overhead Cam / Twin Overhead Cam
Supercharged No
Electric HorsePower RPM N/A
Electric Torque Feet Per Pound N/A (foot-lbs)
Electric Torque RPM N/A
Electric HorsePower BHP N/A

Monday, June 15, 2009

BMW M3 ALMS Race Car 2009



The American Le Mans Series is going to get a dose of Bavarian brilliance in 2009, as Bobby Rahal and David Letterman are teaming up to bring the fourth-generation M3 to the racing series. To properly battle the best competition in ALMS, BMW bumps the power quotient of its high-revving 4.0L V8 from 414 to 485 ponies, but brute force is just one facet of the M3's attack plan. The already outstanding chassis of the M3 has been further enhanced for the track, and weight has been reduced to make the deadly M even more nimble.

BMW also employed its extensive F1 knowledge into the M-racer, including computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel analyses to make the carbon fiber-winged M3 slip freely through the air. BMW Motorsport is still tweaking the M3 racer in advance of the 2009 season, and the car will be taken through its paces by Andy Priaulx, Jorg Muller and Augusto Farfus of FIA World Touring Car Championship fame. Since the previous two generations of M3 hold six manufacturers championships in nine years of US sports car racing, we're guessing this baddest M3 ever will continue to be a handful for the competition.


2009 BMW M3 Race Version Specifications

Chassis
Front brake systemSix-piston aluminum brake calipers, inner-vented grey-cast iron brake disks 15.0 in./380mm in diameter
Rear brake systemFour-piston aluminum brake calipers, grey-cast iron brake disk, 13.1 in./332mm in diameter
Engine
TypeEight cylinder, V-configuration
Displacement3999 cc
Torque368 lb-ft/500 Nm
Engine managementBMW Motorsport ECU 408 with two high-performance micro-processors

Audi A6 2009


The 2009 Audi A6 with a 3.0 TFSI V6 carries a supercharger that helps it produce 300-hp with a maximum torque of 310 lb-ft. That. Mated to a Tiptronic automatic transmission the A6 goes from 0 to 60 comes in at 5.9 seconds. The 3.0 TFSI supercharged engine will be available on Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige versions of the Audi A6 sedan and Avant. The 255-hp 3.2 FSI V6 engine will be available in the Audi A6 Premium and Premium Plus equipment levels. It will be mated to a multitronic CVT transmission and front-wheel-drive. The Audi A6 4.2 produces 350-hp from its 4.2 FSI V8 engine which is mated to a Tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, S-line exterior and the Prestige equipment level as standard. Last but not least, the 2009 Audi S6 features a 5.2 FSI V10 engine that pumps out 435-hp and a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft. It will be mated to Audi’s Tiptronic automatic transmission.

The new A6 will come packed with additional standard equipment, including a sunroof, Bluetooth, Homelink, heated front seats on quattro models, three months of free SIRIUS satellite radio service and Audi music interface with iPod connectivity.

2009 Audi A6 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Audi A6 4-door sedan Audi A6 4-door wagon

Engines
dohc V6 dohc V8 dohc V10
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.2 /191 4.2 /254 5.2 /318
Horsepower @ rpm. 255 @ 6500 350 @ 6600 435 @ 6800
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 243 @ 3250 325 @ 3500 398 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard

EPA City / highway mpg
6-speed automatic 17/25 16/23 14/19
CVT automatic 18/27 –/– –/–

Aston Martin DBS


The New Aston Martin DBS is expected to look like familiar, as it should, sharing its basic underpinnings with the Aston DB9 sports car. But the car got some changes and looks like that one, that was revealed in the latest film about James Bond Casino Royal. Aston’s new flagship also gets bulging wheel arches to house the standard, 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero tires.

The DBS’s 6.0-liter V-12 makes an impressive 580 horsepower, enough to launch you to 60 in just 4.3 seconds. That’s a full half-second faster than the brand’s previous speed king Vanquish.

The new car is not only quicker, but better braking and better handling than the Vanquish. Perhaps as significant as the 0-60 times, the DBS pulls a full half-minute off lap times at the grueling Nuerburgring, in Germany.

Thus Aston expected to hit a record 7000 this year in sales. They want to open the automaker’s first design studio, which will help support a product development program that has actually been stepped up since Aston spun off from Ford Motor Co. earlier this year.

Only one car per dealer - a total of 124 worldwide - will be produced, and only in a unique silver paint scheme.

Then there’s the V8 Vantage N400, which honours the Nurburgring. Getting a modest performance boost, it’s going from 380 to an even 400 horsepower.


2009 Aston Martin DBS Specifications

2009 Aston Martin DBS Base Coupe Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
-
5,935 cc 5.9 liters V 12 front engine with 10.9 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
-
Premium unleaded fuel 91
-
Multi-point injection fuel system
-
20.5 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 17.1
-
Power: 380 kW , 510 HP SAE @ 6,500 rpm; 420 ft lb , 570 Nm @ 5,750 rpm
2009 Aston Martin DBS Base Coupe Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
-
Four-wheel ABS
-
Brake assist system
-
Ceramic brakes
-
Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
-
Electronic brake distribution
-
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
-
Immobilizer
-
Rear limited slip differential
-
Driver selectable responsive suspension
-
Stability control
-
Wishbone front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
-
Tire kit

Honda CR-Z

Here is the latest from Green Car Congress. The production version of the media's favorite Honda FCX will be presented at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

That can only mean one thing. The fuel cell-powered vehicle is poised to go from concept to retail sometime in 2008. The news comes straight from Honda President and CEO Takeo Fukui, who made the announcement at the Tokyo Auto Show today.

Of course, the main focus of the automaker's global market ambitions will be on its continued commitment to hybrid technologies. According to the report, "Honda expects hybrids to account for 10% of its global vehicle sales by 2010--about 5 times the current level."

The most vivid of examples of that development would be Honda CR-Z (above). Scheduled to be released in 2009, the sports coupe is powered by Honda's trusted gas-electric IMA hybrid system and signifies the automaker's attempt to improve on the rather unsuccessful Honda Insight.

‘CR-Z’ stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero’-an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.

This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.

Exterior design

Designed to be ‘Futuristic and Dynamic’, the CR-Z combines powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image. For its frontal view, an over-sized grill with a high-performance look is offset by openings on each side that lighten the overall feel. In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z’s advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, LED headlights patterned after luminous bodies to convey a sharp impression, and jauntyfin-shaped.


General
Country Of Origin Japan
Year Of Introduction 2007
Base Price When New N.A
Miles Per Gallon N.A
Body Type N.A
Curb Weight N.A
Powertrain Layout Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission 6-Speed Sequential
Engine
Configuration V6
Displacement N.A
Power 300 bhp
Torque N.A
BHP / Liter N.A
BHP / Weight N.A
Redline N.A
Performance
Top Speed N.A
0 - 62 mph N.A
0 - 100 mph N.A
0 - 250 mile N.A
Skidpad N.A
Braking, 62-0 mph N.A
Slalom Speed N.A


Nissan Maxima


The 2009 Nissan Maxima is new from the ground up, and will be available in S and SV versions when it goes on sale in early summer of this year. As Nissan's top-of-the-line sedan, it comes with a wide range of standard and optional features. All Maximas will come with an aluminum- and wood-toned driver-oriented cockpit - leather is optional - with an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat and four-way power passenger front seat. The driver's seat is available with a manual thigh extension and can be equipped with heating and cooling.

A twin-panel moonroof is optional, with a large front section and power sunshade for the rear.

The available Bose audio system features nine speakers and has an iPod interface, while the hard-drive based navigation system comes with XM NavTraffic with real-time traffic information, voice recognition, 9.3 GB of hard drive space for your own music and a 7.0-inch color display on the dash.

Safety equipment includes dual-stage front air bags, side impact airbags and roof-mounted side curtain air bags. The Maxima also features active head restraints.

2009 Nissan Maxima Specifications
Chassis
Tires F-R10-spoke, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P245/45R18 all-season tires
Brakes F-R4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes, standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
Engine
Type3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with improved air intake, combustion and exhaust
Horsepower290
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM261 lb-ft
Fuel20-gallon fuel tank capacity for extended driving range
TransmissionContinuously variable Auto
Exterior
Curb Weight3600 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase 109.3 in
Height57.8 in
Length 190.6 in
Width73.2 in
Performance
0-60 mph 6.2 sec (mfr est)
CO2 Emissions 0.9 lb/mile

Mazda RX-8

Mazda’s rotary powered rocket, the RX-8, has been given a few updates by the Japanese automaker in order to keep their sports car current and a bit more user friendly. The four-door, four-passenger sport compact has received rain-sensing windshield wipers, Mazda’s auto-light system and an audio-less option, all standard. However the most striking of the recent upgrades comes in the form of two new color choices for the exterior: Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Gray Mica.

Mazda has left the lovable 13B alone; the two-rotor motor still makes 232 HP in manually shifter vehicles. However, we are still awaiting word of a turbocharger.

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is available as either a 232-hp model fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, or a 212-hp model fitted with a six-speed Sport A/T automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for a Formula 1-style driving experience.

2009 Mazda RX-8 Specifications
Chassis
Brakes F/R:ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R:225/45 ZR18
Driveline:Rear Wheel Drive
Engine
Type:Wankel-2
Displacement cu in (cc):80 (1308)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:232(173) / 8500
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:159(216) / 5500
Redline at RPM:9000
Exterior
Length × Width × Height in:n.a.
Weight lb (kg):n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s:6.0 (source: Motor Trend)
Top Speed mph (km/h):150 (241) (source: Car&Driver)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):18/24 (n.a.)

Monday, June 8, 2009

2009 MTM Audi R8 in Porsche Green


The MTM R8 Supercharged is still very drivable; the chassis can easily handle the extra power. But it demands more attention. It’s a good thing the R8 comes with the full package of driver-assistance and stability-control systems, but know that they get less rest in the supercharged R8. It remains a balanced and essentially forgiving car, but you definitely get to the limits a lot more quickly.

You might want to skip the uplevel stereo, as the blaring composition of engine, supercharger, and exhaust sound is just about impenetrable. You are also well advised to watch the speedometer far more closely than in the standard R8. The 0-to-62-mph sprint takes an estimated 3.9 seconds versus an Audi-quoted 4.6 seconds for the standard R8, and 125 mph is settled in 12.5 seconds, according to MTM. (U.S.-spec R8s we’ve tested have reached 60 mph in as quick as 4.0 seconds and 120 mph in 14.3 seconds.) The MTM R8 will pull to a claimed 196 mph, 9 more mph than the standard R8.

It’s not just numbers. With MTM’s enhancements, this practical, everyday supercar becomes a serious contender, out to run with the best. At city and highway speeds, it seems virtually impossible to stay within the speed limit. Throttle response is exceptionally aggressive, and you merely need to look at the gas pedal to make the MTM R8 leap forward. On the autobahn, the feared Merc AMGs and BMW M cars lose their clout entirely. Push the pedal down at 120 mph, and you get a kick in the back, not a smooth massage as in the standard R8. Very few cars have impressed us more with their acceleration, and none with the sound—you’ll get to enjoy the MTM R8’s shout of triumph after it has left you behind.






SPECIFICATIONS: MTM AUDI R8 R SUPERCHARGED

Engine: V8 Compressor, Twin Srew Supercharger Belt Driven
Capacity in ccm: 4163 ccm
Drilling x Stroke in mm: 84,5 x 92,8 mm
Densification : 12,5 : 1
Gearbox Construction Type: 6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Power (max.): 560 PS (412 kW) bei 7.750 U/min
Supercharging Pressure (max.): 0,55 bar bei 7.750 U/min
Torque (max.): 580 Nm bei 5.500 U/min
Max Limited (unlimited): 301 km/h (315 km/h)
Acceleration: 0 -100/200 km/h: 3,9 sec./12,5sec
Drive: Permanent All-wheel Drive quattro
Brakes: VA 380 x 34 Punched, Ventilated, HA 356 x 32 Perforated, Ventilated
Rims: VA MTM Bimoto Forged 9 x 20" ET 42, HA MTM Bimoto Forged 11 x 20 ET 50
Tyres: VA Michelin Sport Cup 245/30-20", HA Michelin Sport Cup 315/25-20"

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Bugatti Veyron

How would you begin the design process for an engine this powerful? If you have read How Car Engines Work, you know that if you want to create a 1,000-horsepower engine, it has to be able to burn enough gasoline to generate 1,000 horsepower. That works out to about 1.33 gallons (5 liters) of gasoline per minute.
We need a 16-liter engine to burn 1.33 gallons of gas per minute. That actually makes sense -- the engine in the Dodge Viper is 8.0 liters in displacement and produces 500 hp.

But there's a problem: A 16-liter V-8 engine would be very large. And the pistons would be massive, so there would be no way it could turn at 6,000 rotations per minute (rpm). It might turn at a maximum of 2,000 rpm, meaning that you would need an immense 48-liter engine to generate 1,000 hp. Clearly an engine that big is impossible in a passenger car.
Bugatti did two things to create a compact engine capable of producing 1,000 hp. The first and most obvious thing is turbocharging.

If you have read How Turbochargers Work, you know that one easy way to make an engine more powerful without making the engine bigger is to stuff more air into the cylinders on each intake stroke. Turbochargers do that. A turbo pressurizes the air coming into the cylinder so the cylinder can hold more air.

If you stuff twice as much air in each cylinder, you can burn twice as much gasoline. In reality, it's not quite a perfect ratio like that, but you get the idea. The Bugatti uses a maximum turbo boost of 18 PSI to double the output power of its engine.

Therefore, turbocharging allows Bugatti to cut the size of the engine from 16 liters back down to a more manageable 8 liters.

To generate that much air pressure, the Bugatti requires four separate turbochargers arranged around the engine.

The second thing Bugatti engineers did, both to keep the RPM redline high and to lower lag time when you press the accelerator, was to double the number of cylinders. The Bugatti has a very rare 16-cylinder engine.

Engine
8.0L 1001hp W16 Std.
Horsepower (@rpm) 1001 @ 6000
Torque (@rpm) 922 @ 2200
Displacement (cc) 7993
Bore X Stroke N/A
Compression Ratio N/A
7-Speed Automatic Overdrive: Std.
- City/Highway (mpg) 8 / 15
- 0-60 (sec) N/A
Interior
Max. Seating 2
Front Legroom (in) N/A
Back Legroom (in) N/A
Exterior
Wheelbase 106.7
Length (in) 175.7
Height (in) 47.4
Amenities
Sunroof/Moonroof N/A
Air Conditioning Std.
Leather Seats Std.
Power Seats Driver Std.
Passenger Std.
Power Windows Std.
Power Door Locks Std.
Navigation N/A
Stereo Radio, CD Player
Safety
Front Airbags Driver Std.
Passenger Std.
Side Airbags Front N/A
Rear N/A
Side Curtain Airbags N/A
ABS Brakes Std.
Payload/Towing
Trunk/Cargo (cu ft) 4.0
Std/Max. Payload (lb) N/A / N/A
Std/Max. Towing (lb) N/A / N/A
Fuel Capacity
Tank Size (gal) 26.4

Lamborghini murcielago

The Lamborghini Murcielago is a suitable car for both road and track and in both arenas it has been successful. Since the Lamborghini has been racing in the FIA GT1 category, Reiter Engineering has decided to build a new street-legal version of the Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT Racecar.

At the 2008 Essen Motor Show, the German firm Reiter Engineering, displayed their road-worthy lightweight track car. The street version of the car comes with carbon-fiber spoiler up front and a new diffuser and spoiler at the rear, as well as a distinctive high-mounted dual exhaust outlet that’s in line with the taillights. The car will be powered most likely by the roaring Murcielago V12 engine and two-wheel drive and for now Reiter is only promising a few add-ons.






Specifications


Engine
Type: V12
Displacement: 6192 cc
Horsepower: 580 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 480 lb-ft @ 5400 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 8.7 sec
Quarter Mile: 12 sec @ 121 mph
Skidpad: .90g
Top Speed: 205 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 122 ft
Slalom Speed: 65.7 mph

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Toyota FT-HS

The FT-HS incorporates hybrid capability while maintaining sports car essentials, such as a sleek profile, lightweight aero-dynamic materials, and an advanced high-output powertrain for revolutionary acceleration and optimal performance. This 21st century sports car is fun-to-drive with eco-friendly benefits such as ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency. The FT-HS appeals to an emerging buyer who grew up eco-conscious and perceives technology as a necessity, not a luxury.

"Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast," said Kevin Hunter, vice president, Calty Design Research. "In addition to driving enjoyment, today's drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility."

The June '07 print edition of Automobile casually drops a bit of a bombshell in page 30. They report that Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light for production. You should remember the FT-HS concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show, where it was one of the most significant unveilings. The Calty-designed production version will make its debut in 2009. Essentially a successor to the Supra, the two-seater will leverage the automaker's Hybrid Synergy Drive and a to-be-determined gasoline engine (the concept utilized a 3.5-liter V6). Power and pricing are still a mystery, but the concept sported 400 horses and was designed to sell at a mid-level dollar amounts. If those numbers (or similar ones) carry through to production, you won't hear any complaints from us. If you've been waiting for a hybrid sports car, it looks as if Toyota's getting ready to give you exactly that.


Toyota FT-HS Concept Specifications

Chassis
Brakes F/R:ABS, vented disc/disc
Tires F-R:245/35 R21 - 285/30 R21
Driveline:Rear Wheel Drive
Engine
Type:V6 Hybrid
Displacement cu in (cc):214 (3500)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:400(298) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:n.a.
Redline at RPM:n.a.
Exterior
Length × Width × Height in:170.2 × 73.2 × 50.8
Weight lb (kg):n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s:Approx. 4
Top Speed mph (km/h):n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):n.a.