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Archive for January, 2009

The SSC Ultimate Aero is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest road-going car in the world…

Shelby SuperCars has updated few changes in Ultimate Aero for 2009, and the most significant change is the 1-piece billet aluminum engine block which improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities allowing the Ultimate Aero to produces a total of 1,287-hp – up from  1,183-hp. Shelby Supercars says that the 2009 Ultimate Aero will be able to reach world-record speeds of 270 mph beating its current record of 257 mph.

Check out the Press Release:

Press Release :

SHELBY SUPERCARS UNVEILS NEWLY REFINED 2009 ULTIMATE AERO, 15% HORSEPOWER INCREASE.

WEST RICHLAND, WA (12/10/2008)

After holding the “World’s Fastest Production Car” title for the past year, the Shelby SuperCars’ Ultimate Aero is receiving several refinements for the 2009 model year. The SSC engineering team equipped the 2009 Ultimate Aero with a 15% increase in horsepower, a revamped front fascia design, and an array of important interior upgrades. The most substantial change is an SSC-designed, 1-piece billet aluminum engine block. A milestone for the limited-production automobile manufacturer, the new block improves structural integrity and oiling capabilities allowing SSC to boost the power output to 1287 horsepower while improving durability.

Armed with the more powerful new engine, the ‘09 Ultimate Aero will be able to reach world-record speeds of 270 MPH, raising the benchmark for supercars and pushing the limits of current production car technology. In order to accommodate the ‘09 Ultimate Aero’s unique fuel system requirements, SSC turned to American company Aeromotive to develop a flawless system. The aggressive nose is redesigned with enhanced aerodynamics to accommodate the 2009 Ultimate Aero’s higher top speed, and carbon fiber louvers on the side intakes draw in an additional 20% of air into the radiators for improved cooling. The improvement in overall performance will widen the already sizeable gap between the Ultimate Aero and its competitors. The ‘09 Ultimate Aero also introduces the AeroBrakeTM a rear spoiler system that deploys under braking situations. Finished in carbon fiber, the rear spoilers actuate up an additional 8″ when the brake pedal is depressed. The speed of the spoiler actuation is set by the amount of brake pedal pressure. The complete AeroBrakeTM system can be disabled by the push of a button, for town driving or situations where braking and downforce assistance are not necessary.

Rounding out the ‘09 Ultimate Aero’s improvements is a revamped interior. A redesigned dash prominently displays sleek, exposed carbon fiber dash halves and inset air vents. Carbon fiber accents run along the doorsills, surround the new gauge cluster, and continue onto a revised steering column, which includes an analog speedometer and tachometer with a sequential shift light integrated into the tachometer needle. The new center console incorporates a digital temperature control unit and tire pressure monitor along with an Azentek PC base Infotainment unit. The revolutionary Azentek unit offers all the capabilities of a PC and processes SSC’s onboard diagnostic software.

The Covini Engineering team’s been clamoring to get the C6W into production for the last 30+ years. Now they might finally have their day.

The Covini Six Wheeler takes its engineering inspiration from the 1976 Tyrell P34 race car which had two pairs of smaller front wheels that were intended to increase air penetration and have a smaller frontal area effectively reducing drag. Although the ideas behind that car don’t necessarily translate to the C6W, Ferruccio Covini, the company’s founder, gives the following reasons for creating his modern-day six-wheeler:

He said it would be better and have Less risk of front tires deflating and Less risk of aquaplaning… As well as C6 has better braking, grip, and comfort level…

The C6W was first shown in 2004 and a revised version was shown at the Geneve Motor Show a year later with new wheels, interior and roof structure. Numerous prototypes have been developed and tested and now ItaliaSpeed is reporting the Covini C6W will be produced in limited numbers starting at the end of 2009. Power for this RWD 6-wheeled beast will be a 4.2-liter Audi mill channeling 433bhp (440PS) and 346lb-ft (470Nm) through a 6-speed manual gearbox. Top speed is expected to be 185 MPH…
Lets have a look at some of its pictures…

It has never been seen in the automotive history a street sports car which resembles so much a Formula 1 like the Tramontana does. It is the first time in the sports car market that it has been incorporated a 100 % carbon fibre monocoque chassis inspired in the design of a Formula 1 and manufactured with the same criteria, guaranteeing a high protection for its passengers.
Among the final solutions of the Tramontana, we find a new electronic system and a central gasoline engine V12 Biturbo capable to offer a power from 550 Hp to 720 Hp, selectable through a switch situated in the dashboard.
Associated to a 6-speed gearbox, specially developed for the Tramontana, this 12 cylinders propeller in V reaches the 720 Hp to 5.750rpm with a maximum pair torque of 920nm at 4.000rpm. The result, 345 km/h of top speed and 3,7 seconds to reach the 100 km/h from stopped departure.

2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2009 Nissan 370Z, New Details Revealed

Nissan 370z is reworked, redesigned after the debut of 350z, for 2009… And its revealed now… Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager of the Nissan division commented that The Z-car is the “greatest performance value in the world,”.

Nissan announced pricing for its 2009 370Z sports car… Starting at $29,930, the 370Z Coupe is about $1,500 more expensive than the 350Z it replaces. The base model comes with a 6-speed manual, while upgrading to a 7-speed automatic brings the total to $31,230. Nissan 370Z will have a new 3.7-liter V-6 that makes 332 horses, up 26 from the previous engine, a same engine as we have in the Infiniti G37 Coupe.

Estimated fuel economy is 18mpg in the city and 26mpg on the highway for the six-speed manual model – about 1mpg higher than the outgoing 350Z. The automatic is expected to feature similar fuel-economy.
The car also comes with 18in wheels fitted as standard.

For the first time, the Z features aluminum door panels, along with an all-aluminum hood and an aluminum hatch. The new Z also maintains the previous model’s zero front lift and zero rear lift when equipped with the rear spoiler.

Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan’s Intelligent Key with a power starter button, two 12volt power outlets, four cupholders, high intensity discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights, and a four-speaker stereo. The seats are available with optional leather trim, heater functionally, and electronic four-way adjustable movement.

Nissan thinks the new Z will have what it takes to contend with the Porsche Cayman, and it’s already said it will be targeting the German sports carmaker with its latest coupe. It is scheduled to go on sale in North America in January, followed by a new 370Z Roadster for the 2010 model year.

Honda surprised auto enthusiast with the revealation of Honda FC Sport Design study model, a hydrogen powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angles Auto show. 

The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. It’s design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”

The LA Auto Show has birthed it’s latest automotive revelation in the form of the 2009 Porsche Cayman.

Porsche is presenting the second generation of the mid-engined Cayman sports coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show (November 21 – 30)… It is providing not only more power, but also significantly greater fuel efficiency. A further improvement of both fuel economy and performance is guaranteed by the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), the new double-clutch gearbox now available as an option on both the Cayman and Cayman S.

Newly-developed’ boxer’ engines deliver more power on less fuel
The Cayman now has an engine displacing 2.9-litres, which develops 265 bhp (195 kW), an increase by 20 horsepower over the prior 2.7-litre model. The 3.4-litre power unit in the Cayman S now features Direct Fuel Injection, and delivers 320 bhp (235 kW), up by 25 bhp…

An outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 4.2kg/bhp on the Cayman S in particular ensures optimum driving dynamics. For example, the Cayman S with PDK and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus) accelerates from 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, setting the benchmark in the range.

For the first time the Cayman is available with a Lights Package featuring bi-xenon headlights, dynamic cornering lights and LED day-time driving lights. Replacing the fog lamps, these light units are made up of four LEDs arranged in round light units like the eyes on dice.

This PDK gearshift principle was first developed by Porsche for motor sport 25 years ago. Porsche works drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the steering wheel while changing gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction while shifting.

The seven-speed PDK shifts gears up to 60 per cent faster than a conventional automatic transmission, and naturally, gives the new Cayman models even better performance. And those in search of optimum driving dynamics have the option to combine PDK with Sport Chrono Package Plus, now featuring Launch Control. The option of PDK costs £1,961.

The next generation Porsche Cayman goes on sale in the UK and Ireland from February 21 2009. The Cayman is priced from £36,870 and the Cayman S priced from £45,050. Customers will also be able to explore the dynamic attributes of their car, and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the new Porsche Driving Experience Centre at Silverstone.

Roelant de Waard, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain, revealed a life-size six-and-a-half-ton sculpture of the new Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet – made entirely of ice.

Specialist carving tools from Japan and North America, including a highly advanced, computer-driven cutting machine, have been used to create the sculpture, which is finely detailed to reflect all the elegance and style of the original. The Focus Coupe-Cabriolet sculpture, which is made from 120 separate pieces of crafted ice, was dismantled and then reconstructed on the Ford stand – which was specially reinforced to bear the weight – by a team of 12 specialists. 

Although it weighs more than five real Focus models – it will gradually melt and the 6,500 litres of recycled water will drain away naturally. For those people who can’t see the life-size car at the opening of the show, ice-sculpting continues daily on the Ford stand throughout the event, with two sculptors working on models at the S-MAX ice bar.  Some pictures of COOL sculpture of Ford Focus…

 

 

The Ferrari 599 Fiorano is just beyond from the word “sports car”. It is first revealed on Geneva Motor Show, and yet achieved new level of class and sophistication… What you expect from Ferrari…?? Delivered everything you want. you wish for… As it gets the admiration of auto-enthusiasts around the world. However, you certainly do not have to be an enthusiast to fully appreciate the sleek, subtle curves, lines and utterly beautiful exterior design of this truly magnificent car.

With declared figures of 0 to 60 m.p.h. in just 3.6 seconds, 0 to 120 m.p.h in just over 10 seconds and a top speed of well in excess of 205 m.p.h. this is not a beast for the faint hearted. The roaring 5999c.c. Ferrari comes up with V12 engine… with super smooth electric acceleration but firm braking and free gear change that was only previously dreamed about.

Moreover, here is some more features include front bi-xenon headlamps and rear LED lights, dusk and rain sensors, dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable steering-wheel column, hideaway radio/CD player and key with integrated volumetric anti-theft device with motion sensors.

General Motor’s redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX Crossover will go on display at 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month.

2010 Cadillac SRX

2010 Cadillac SRX

This 2010 SRX is based on GM’s Theta Premium platform — an enhanced version of the regular Theta architecture, which forms the basis for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and 2010 GMC Terrain…

The new SRX will be offered with a choice of either front-wheel-drive or AWD. “The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather,” said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer.

There are two engine choices for the SRX; a 3.0-liter V-6 that uses direct injection to produce 260 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.8-liter, turbo-charged V-6 that produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers have a choice of front- or electronic all-wheel drive. The awd system can split torque front and rear, and also between the rear wheels thanks to an electronic limited slip.

2010 Cadillac SRX

2010 Cadillac SRX

Price Range: $40,060 – $48,960

Aston Martin promised excitement at the Paris auto show with this One-77 supercar. However, the British luxury automaker only revealed a little of the car.

The One-77 is almost 4 inches shorter than the DBS and wider by about 3 inches, a visual comparison at Paris revealed. In production form, Aston Martin One-77 will get a fully adjustable suspension, ceramic brake discs, and a six- or maybe seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox.
The engine will be a 700-horsepower-plus 7.3-liter V12. The Paris show version displayed a set of 20-inch Pirelli P Zero tires on custom alloy wheels.

Stunning Aston Martin one-77 costs $2,100,000…

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