Exotic Car Today

Lamborghini Reventón

2007-11-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

The Lamborghini Reventón is a supercar that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.It will be the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini to date, costing one million euros.The official press release states that only 20 will be built, but it was later reported that the total number would be 100. The exterior styling was inspired by the F-22 Raptor. Although the exterior is partially new, almost the entire mechanics (including the engine) are taken directly from the Murciélago LP640.Initial reports suggest that the 6.5 litre V12 may receive a power boost of approximately 15 kilowatts (20 horsepower), bringing the new ouput close to 490 kW (660 horsepower). In spite of this, and the car's carbon fibre components, the Reventón accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the same time as the Murciélago LP640 (3.4 seconds).The instrument panel in the Reventón comprises of three TFT liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with two different display modes. The instruments are housed in a structure milled from a solid aluminum block, protected by a carbon fiber casing. The G-Force-Meter is completely new and it is one of the talking points of the Reventón. It displays the dynamic drive forces, longitudinal acceleration during acceleration and braking, as well as transversal acceleration around bends. These forces are represented by the movement of an indicator on a graduated 3D grid depending on the direction and intensity of the acceleration. Formula One teams also use a similar device to analyse dynamic forces.

Manufacturer : Lamborghini
Parent company : Audi AG
Production : 2008-
Assembly : Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy
Class : Supercar
Body style(s) : 2-door coupé
Layout : Mid-engine, four-wheel drive
Engine(s) : 6.5 L V12
Transmission(s) : 6-speed e-gear
Wheelbase : 2665 mm (104.92 in)
Length : 4700 mm (185.04 in)
Width : 2058 mm (81.02 in)
Height : 1135 mm (44.69 in)

Lamborghini Countach

2007-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Countach made its public debut at the 1971 Geneva motor show. The design of the ultra low two seater sports car took the world by surprise. Its most captivating parts were of course the scissor doors, swinging up and forward. Over the years these famous doors have become Lamborghini’s trade mark right up to the latest MurciÃ¨lago.The projected 5.0 litre V12 would be longitudinally positioned at the rear. This engine lay-out by the way was reflected in the prototype’s designation: LP 500 or Longitudinale Posteriore five litre. To improve weight distribution, the five-speed gearbox would be rather unconventionally mounted ahead of the engine, virtually between the seats. This meant that the driveshaft had to go all the way underneath the engine to the final drive. The proposed solution was to let it run in its own tunnel right through the engine’s sump. This in turn raised the engine position (and with it the centre of gravity) forcing the carburettors to be repositioned horizontally to fit under the bonnet. Fuel would be stored in two fuel tanks.Another unique feature of the Lamborghini Countach development story is the fact that it had been designed around the then new Pirelli P7 tyre. Development of the latter got however behind and the new tyres would not appear before 1978. That is why the prototype and the first generation of road cars stood on rather modest 7.5x14 and 9.5x14 cast magnesium Campagnolo wheels shod with Michelin 205/70 and 215/70 respectively.The 5.0 litre V12 project was abandoned after the engine exploded during tests. Instead Lamborghini reverted to a more reliable 4.0 litre version based on the Miura power plant. Still with four camshafts and six horizontal two barrel carburettors, the V12 delivered 375 bhp at an incredibly high 8,000 rpm and 368 lb ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. The prototype’s futuristic but very un-Lambo interior was done away with and replaced with a more traditionally styled leather-clad dashboard and seats.

price $118 000 USD
engine V12 valvetrain DOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
displacement 4754 cc / 290.1 cu in
bore 85.5 mm / 3.37 in stroke 69.0 mm / 2.72 in
compression 9.2:1
power 279.6 kw / 374.9 bhp @ 7000 rpm
hp per litre 78.86
bhp per litre bhp/weight
torque 409.5 nm / 302.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
drive wheels Mid Engine / RWD
body / frame Aluminum
width 2000 mm / 78.7 in
height 1070 mm / 42.1 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
top speed 300.0 kph / 186.4 mph
0 - 60 mph 5.6 seconds

Ultima GTR

2007-10-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

The Ultima GTR is a supercar manufactured by Ultima Sports Ltd of Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, available both in kit form and as a "turnkey" (i.e. assembled by the factory) vehicle. The design is mid engined, rear wheel drive layout, with a tubular steel space frame chassis and GRP bodywork. A convertible version called the Ultima Can-Am is also produced. Kit builders are free to source and fit a variety of engines and transmissions but the Chevrolet small block V8 supplied by American Speed mated to either a Porsche or Getrag transaxle is the factory recommended standard, and this configuration is fitted to all turnkey cars. Recently Ultima have focused their marketing efforts on record-breaking activities using a model equipped with a 640 bhp (brake horsepower) American Speed engine, which is called the Ultima GTR640, and subsequently, a 720 bhp engine which is called the GTR720. The Power-to-weight ratio for the GTR720 is more than 650 bhp (480 kW) per tonne, which is a better ratio than the Bugatti Veyron, Enzo Ferrari, Ascari A10, Koenigsegg CCX or CCGT (but less than the Koenigsegg CCXR) , and Saleen S7. However, the Ultima chassis is rated for engines up to 1000 bhp and some of Ultima's customers have fitted engines producing 1000 bhp or more, for a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 950 hp/tonne, which is approximately twice the power to weight ratio of the aforementioned supercars and nearly the same as the Caparo T1's (1170 hp/tonne, but this is a "dry" tonnage and the hp/tonne would be reduced once oil, coolant, gasoline, etc. are added, compared to the Ultima figures above which are "wet" weights).

Manufacturer : Ultima
Model : GTR
Powertrain Layout : Mid Engine / RWD
Base Price : $138,300

Length : 4000 mm / 157.5 in
Width : 1850 mm / 72.8 in

Weight : 990 kg / 2,183 lbs

Configuration : Chevrolet LS1 5.7 Liter V8
Valvetrain : OHV 2 Valves / Cylinder
Displacement : 5665 cc / 345.7 cu
Power : 257.3 kW / 345.0 bhp
Torque : 474.5 Nm / 350.0 ft lbs

Top Speed : 252.2 kph / 156.7 mph
0 - 62 mph : 3.3 seconds
0 - 100 mph : 8.4 seconds

Maybach Exelero

2007-10-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Maybach Exelero is a high-performance super car designed and built by luxury car manufacturer Maybach, and presented in May 2005. The 700 hp (SAE) (514 kW) two-seater with a bi-turbo V12 engine is a one-off design commissioned by Fulda Tyres. Fulda is using this car as a reference vehicle to test a new generation of wide tires. The German luxury car manufacturer created the one-off model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined car of the 1930s. There are various allusions to the historical predecessor, which was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile, in this case the Maybach SW 38, and was also used by Fulda for tire testing.

Length : 5.89 m (19.3 ft)
Width : 2.14 m (7.0 ft)
Weight : 2660 kg (5864 lb)
Engine : Bi-Turbo V12 oct-turbo from Maybach 57 S 700 hp (SAE) (522 kW), 1020 N·m (737 ft·lbf)
Top speed : 351 km/h (218 mph)
0-62 MPH : 4.4 seconds
Tyres : 315/25 ZR 23 Fulda Exelero
Fuel used for Top speed test: 110 octane
Cost: Approx. $8,000,000 (USD)

SSC Ultimate Aero

2007-09-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

The latest high performance variant of the SSC Aero made its debut at the 2005 Concorso Italiano in Monterey, CA. The car was specifically created to challenge the 250 mph barrier, and with recent top speed attempts by Koenigsegg and Bugatti, the car will have to achieve that number if it wants to hold the title of 'World's Fastest Production Car'. Following the creation of the 787 horsepower 'Standard' Aero, the Ultimate version features enhanced body work with improved downforce at higher speed, as well as a more powerful version of the supercharged V8 engine in the standard car. An increase in boost, a modified cam, and an upgraded fuel delivery system help the engine make over 1,000 hp, topping the Bugatti Veyron. The car is also lighter by 200 pounds due to lightweight materials. The bodywork alone weighs under 150 lbs. The visual differences can mostly be seen in the rear of the car, which is sloped behind the cockpit and ends in a small spoiler. Using the testing in the windtunnel, the 250 mph should be achievable if a suitable track can be found. High speed test runs are planned for later this year.

Top Speed : up to 273 mph / 439.4 km/h

Base Price : $654,500
Powertrain Layout : Mid Engine / RWD
Steering : Rack & Pinion
Body Material : Carbon Fiber
Front Wheels : 19 x 9 in.
Brake Type : Vented Discs
Power : 1046 bhp @ 6950 rpm
Stroke : 3.620 in.
Torque : 821 lb-ft @ 6200 rpm

Lamborghini Murcielago

2007-09-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Formerly owned by Chrysler and later an Indonesian company called Megatech, the Italian exotic car company fondly known as Lamborghini is now owned by Audi/Volkswagen. In 2002, Lamborghini introduced a high-strung yet well-mannered bambino called Murcielago. As with some past Lambos, this car gets its name from a legendary fighting bull: in this case, one whose life was spared because of the extraordinary courage he displayed while in the ring.
The Murcielago (pronounced "Mercy-ell-ah-go") is Lamborghini's flagship and as such is essentially an evolution of the previous Diablo. Its 6.2-liter, V12 engine, mounted amidships, has numerous high-tech engineering features to help both maximum power and overall smoothness and tractability. Power is sent to all four wheels through a viscous all-wheel-drive system with limited-slip differentials at both ends. Underneath the carbon-fiber body panels (the roof and doors are still steel) is a tubular steel space frame. Last year, Lamborghini introduced a Murcielago roadster. It has additional structural bracing and auto-deploying rollover bars to compensate for the loss of the fixed roof.

Price: $273,000
Miles Per Gallon: 9/13 mpg
Curb Weight: 3638 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/AWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
EngineType: V12
Displacement: 6192 cc
Horsepower: 580 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 480 lb-ft @ 5400 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm
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

Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5

2007-08-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

The story of the P4/5’s conception is appropriately operatic, a tale of intrigue and artifice worthy of Giuseppe Verdi. But first, the background.As in any long and very successful marriage, the prancing stallion of Ferrari and gracious Pininfarina are bound by ties of convenience and habit. They’ve weathered distractions and dalliances, and their progeny, dating back to the earliest post–World War II Italian grand-touring cars, are timeless. Then along came the 612 Scaglietti. Begun in 2002 and finalized in 2004, its birth was a wrangle between Ferrari and Pininfarina. When early images of the 612 found their way onto the Internet, the Ferrari faithful were not happy. Some said, “Ah, just look — Pininfarina has lost it!”
Only Ferrari and Pininfarina will ever know how much of the 612 was Ferrari’s and how much Pininfarina’s. But it would be understandable if Pininfarina wanted to prove it had not lost it. Bene! Pininfarina would do a very special hyper-car — a one-off Enzo-based Ferrari.

Type 2S FHC
Designer Pininfarina
Number of doors 2
Code F140
Manufacturer Ferrari
Type V-12 in 65.0° vee Dry sumped DOHC 48 valves total 4 valvesper cylinder
Main bearings 7
Bore × stroke 92.00mm × 75.20mm 3.62 in × 2.96 in
Bore/Stroke ratio 1.22
Displacement 5998 cc
Unitary capacity 499.83 cc/cylinder
Compression ratio 11.20:1
Fuel system Bo Motronic ME7 fuel inj.
Aspiration Normal
Compressor type N/A
Intercooler None
Catalytic Converter Y
Max. output 7800 rpm
Max. torque 5500 rpm
Maximum rpm 8200 rpm
Coolant Water
Specific output 108.4 bhp/litre
Specific torque 109.54 Nm/litre

Acura NSX

2007-08-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Acura NSX is an exotic among exotics. Turn the key to this mid-engine, aluminum based masterwork, and 40 years of racing heritige roar to life. The 2003 model remains relatively unchanged from the 2002. The 290 peak horsepower and 8000-rpm redline are the product of a 3.2-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, 90-degree V-6 engine. Unlike mose exotics, this care is a pleasure in stop-and-go city traffic due to the VTEC system. A sophisticated Traction Control System helps limit wheel-spin and enhances control. Standard equiptment includes automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, cruise control, and an Acura/BOSE 165-watt, four-speaker sound system.

Make and Model: Honda NSX
Year: 1991
Engine Type: 3.2 Liter, DOHC VTEC V-6
Torque: 224lb-ft@5500rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 5.0 s
Suspension: 4-wheel independent
Wheel Base: 99.6 inches
List Price: $89,000
Horsepower: 290bhp@7100rpm
Top Speed: 175 mph
Brakes: 4-wheel vent. disc
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 3153 lbs

Vector W8

2007-08-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Everything on the Vector was designed to last the life of the owner, given that the owner maintained the vehicle. The body was made largely of lightweight carbon kevlar, known for its strength, and lightness. Just 22 W8s were produced (17 customer cars and two pre-production cars, the prototype W2, and two prototype Avtech WX-3 with a mock up of the 7.0 liter DOHC TT engine evolution), the car retailing for up to $455,000 USD new (on today’s used market they are available from less than $200,000, to well over $1,000,000).
The original philosophy of Vector was very interesting. Since American was never the expert of supercars, Vector’s creator Gerald Wiegert thought he could create a supercar based on the most sophisticated aircraft technology of his country. The first Vector W8 really employed many aerospace technology: its aluminium space frame chassis was bonded by epoxy and rivets in aircraft style, the floor was aluminium honeycomb structure, the body consisted of carbon fiber, Kevlar and some glass-fiber. The aluminium brake caliper had 4 pistons. The speedo was implemented by CRT screens.

Engine size: 5973 ccm (364.47 cubic inches)

Seats: 2

Drive: Rear wheels

Transmission: Automatic, 3-speed

Engine location: Middle Displacement: 5973 ccm (364.47 cubic inches)

Engine type: V8

Power: 652.7 PS (480 kW or 644 HP)

Torque: 854.28 Nm (87.1 kgf-m or 630.1 ft.lbs)

Compression: 8.0:1

Bore x stroke: 101.6 x 91.4 mm (4.0 x 3.6 inches)

Valves per cylinder: 2

Fuel control: Pushrod/overhead valve (OHV)

Gearbox: Automatic, 3-speed

Top speed: 352.0 km/h (218.7 mph)

0-60 miles: 4.2 seconds

Power/weight ratio: 0.4213 PS/kg

Vauxhall VXR220

2007-07-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1998cc, turbo
Max power: 217bhp @ 6300rpm
Max torque: 210lb ft @ 4800rpm
0 - 60mph: 4.2sec (claimed)
Top Speed: 153mph (claimed)
Price: £29,995

The VX220 has been setting pulses racing since it was launched back in 2000, it’s fast, stylish and tremendous fun… and now there’s a new addition to the line-up.
Released under the banner of Vauxhall’s new performance brand, VXR, the latest VX is faster, sleeker and even more insanely grin-inducing than the standard version, in fact, the VXR220 is set to be one of the best drives on the road.
Based on the VX220 everyone already knows and loves, VXR220 features the 2.0 litre turbo engine with a power upgrade to 220 bhp, thanks to a free-flow air filter, a hybrid turbo and a reprogrammed ECU.
Translating this wickedly entertaining power on to the tarmac is a set of five-spoke Speedline alloys, finished in satin black and shod with Yokohama A048R tyres. Featuring a dynamic mix of 195/45R16s at the front and 225/35R17s at the back, the VXR220 sticks to the road perfectly, making the most of its nimble agility.
This all works together to ensure the most engaging driving VX yet. Performance figures back this up with a spectacular sprint time to 60 mph from standstill in a breathtakingly fast 4.2 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150 mph.
But VXR isn’t just about going fast, it’s about enjoying the ride… which is why the VXR220 has uprated and lowered springs, and uprated dampers. And because going fast brings the importance of stopping to the front of the mind, the VXR220 is kept under control by vented and cross-drilled brakes – 288 mm all round – with uprated brake pad material.
And VXR220 looks the part as well. With its swoopingly stylish body panels and modern, clean lines, the top-of-the-range VRX220 emanates purpose and dynamism. Available in Calypso Red only with matt black detailing on the rear spoiler, wing mirrors, windscreen surround, Vauxhall V-grille and fuel filler cap, it looks simply fearsome.
Inside, things just continue to get better with super sport seats upholstered with Alcantara and carbon fibre-effect leather trim. Meanwhile, the matt black theme continues from the outside in with matt black handbrake sleeve, gearlever gate, passenger footrest, pedals and window winders.
With looks this good and performance this impressive, customers could well begin thinking that they’ll be needing to break open their piggy banks to buy one but with a cost of just £29,995, VXR220 is a whole lot more accessible than anyone could have imagined.
On sale from 25 May there’s simply no excuse not to buy one. It’ll be worth it for the grin-per-mile factor alone.

Ford GT

2007-07-03T23:28:00.000-07:00

A product of the current American 'retro' trend, the new GT40 (now to be known as simply the 'GT') marks a welcome rebirth of one of the most significant supercars of all time.
Styling remains faithful to the original, although the new model is both longer and taller, while concessions to modern electronic driver aids are kept to a minimum. Performance is awesome thanks to a 550bhp supercharged V8 coupled with a lightweight 1200kg body. 0-60mph in under 4 seconds and a 200mph plus maximum are on offer.
A lot was expected from the new model and considering the history of its predecessor, it had a lot to live up to. However the GT has turned out to be every bit the car it's illustrious predecessor became, and then some!

Body Type Coupe
Access 2 Door / 2 Seat
Engine 5409cc V8cyl
Max Power 550 bhp
Top Speed 210 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.6 sec
New Price £120900
Used Price £150000 - £165000

Koenig C62

2007-07-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

In 1991 Koenig Specials produced the C62, a faithful replica of the legendary Porsche 962 race car, and so was born one of the fastest cars the world had ever seen.
Astronomical figures abound when reviewing the C62. 588bhp, 237mph and 200kmh from standstill in a time warp 9.9 seconds, along with a small matter of £350,000! An exact 962 replica would have been unusable on the road so the Koenig's ground clearance was increased and engine noise was suppressed (a little). Nevertheless, a power to weight ratio of well over 540 bhp/ton ensured that the C62's performance was not far off the racing Porsche's figure

Spec:
Body Type Coupe/Conv
Access 2 Door / 2 Seat
Engine 3368cc 6cyl
Max Power 588 bhp
Top Speed 237 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.4 sec
New Price £550000
Used Price £n/a - £n/a

Maserati MC12 Corsa

2007-06-21T02:53:00.000-07:00

More than a year after the limited production run of the MC12, Maserati took the wraps of its $1.7 million supercar, a new track-only version of the World Championship-winning Maserati MC12 called the Corsa, sold only be sold to valued Maserati customers who will be restricted to using their new supercar on private track days.

“This is a unique opportunity to own a car that is the reigning GT World Champion,” says Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “The world-beating racing car was developed from the Maserati MC12 road car and the Corsa is derived directly from the GT1 racing car exclusively for track use. It will not be homologated for road use.”

"The MC12 Corsa has been developed in response to the customer demand to own the MC12 racing car and fuelled by the growth in track days, where owners can drive their cars at high speeds in the safety of a race track without the obvious constraints of normal road use,” says Mr Butler. “Without doubt the MC12 Corsa is the ultimate track day car!”

The 564 kW MC12 Corsa has been developed from the MC12 GT1 which won the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup. It will be used exclusively on track during private test sessions and exhibition activities organised by Maserati. It will not be homologated for road use or for any racing activity.

The Maserati MC12 Corsa, which is living testimony of Maserati’s ability to individually tailor make unique cars with the highest technological content, will be on sale at the price of a million Euros plus tax in September. Available in the official Maserati “Blue Victory” color, it may also be personalized upon request with several optional items

Total production of the Maserati MC12 Corsa will not exceed 12 units worldwide.

KZ1

2007-06-21T02:39:00.000-07:00

The KZ1 was originally conceived following on from the successes of Team Ascari. The idea was proposed for a road-going sports car based on racing technology. In the spring of 2000, that concept began to take shape in the form of the prototype KZ1. Now completed, the Ascari KZ1 has been transformed from a dream to a production reality.
The pleasure begins as you unlock the door and step inside. You'll find an elegant combination of interior materials, including leather, alcantara and brushed aluminium.
Press the 'Start' button and the powerful 5.0 litre V8 engine eagerly springs into life.
Inspired by the achievements of Alberto Ascari, the first double world champion in the history of Formula One, the Ascari KZ1 gives unparalleled performance and driveability in one of the world's most exclusive supercars.
A carbon fibre monocoque structure gives lightness and strength to the sleek mid-engined design, resulting in an aerodynamic drag coefficient (CD) ratio of a mere 0.35.

The normally aspirated 5 litre V8, 32 valve engine gives an effortless 500 brake horse power through a six speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels.
Beautifully designed, hand-crafted and built to exceptional standards, the exclusivity of the Ascari KZ1 is assured by the creation of only 50 cars.
The opulent sporting interior cossets the driver in fully adjustable leather sports seats which give great lateral support during dynamic cornering.
Uniquely designed polished aluminium controls sit on a leather trimmed dashboard with central 'Start' button emphasising our sporting heritage.
Climate controlled air conditioning keeps the generous interior space cool no matter how hot the driving experience.

Subtle back-lighting of the fascia gauges and controls set a relaxed mood whilst conveying all the vital information accurately at all times. Electric windows and door mirrors, CD player and remote central locking with Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser complete the specification.
Interior colour schemes match the exterior paint options and are entirely at the owners discretion, with all colour combinations offered for the ultimate in creating a bespoke supercar.

Source - Ascari

Gumpert Apollo

2007-06-21T02:22:00.000-07:00

Gumpert are now assembling a range of the most daring supercars built around Audi components. Their first saleable product, which has started its show rounds, is a production version of the Apollo mid-engine supercar seen earlier this year. It’s powered by a twin turbo Audi V8, and if the spec tables are to be believed, new owners can be treated to 60mph in just 3.0 seconds.

The Apollo just might be capable of such a run. Its carbon fibre body sits atop a chrome molybdenum alloy and steel frame that supports an RS6 engine cranked out to 650 bhp. With this setup the Gumpert has a better power to weight ratio than the big ‘Mac’Laren F1. Although, some customers might opt out of the carbon for a GRP body and a have the superchared 440 bhp option
to save a few dollars, or maybe a little sanity.

Other niceties include a sequential 6-speed transmission, a twin clutch system attached to that, an inboard suspension setup and as much down force as a DTM car. All of this down force is created by the under tray which means the Apollo has no fussy wings and instead, two massive venturis extending the length of the car that increase the drag to 0.43 Cd.

Sensibly, the Apollo has huge brakes hiding behind its 19 inch center-lock wheels. To keep speed in check, 8-piston calipers grab 15 inch discs on all four wheels and an ABS system is included.

Gumpert say they are production ready and can make cars ranging from 150 to 220 thousand euros. They are suggesting that a full-on race version might be feasible, but until then we patiently wait for The Nurburgring lap time.

General
Country Of Origin Germany
Year Of Introduction 2006
Base Price When New N.A
Body Type 2 Door Coupe
Curb Weight 2425 lbs
Powertrain Layout Mid Engine / RWD
Transmission 6 Speed Sequential
Engine
Configuration Twin Turbocharged V8
Displacement 4163 cc
Power 650 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque 627 lb ft @ 4500 rpm
BHP / Liter 156 bhp
BHP / Weight 591 bhp per tonne
Redline 7500 rpm
Performance
Top Speed 224 mph
0 - 62 mph 3.0 seconds

PAGANI ZONDA C12 S

2007-05-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Pagani Zonda is a supercar produced by the Italian car manufacturer Pagani. It debuted in 1999 with the C12s with production proceeding at roughly 25 cars per year. It is a mid-engined 2-seat coupe and convertible. Construction is mainly of carbon fiber. Some early Zonda engineering was done by Formula One champion, Juan Manuel Fangio

Pagani Zonda C12 S Specifications:
Make and Model: Pagani Zonda C12 S
Year: 1999
Engine Type: 6.0 Liter AMG V12
Torque: 554lb-ft@4050rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 3.7 s
Suspension: Double Wishbones w/Helical Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
Wheel Base: 274.32 inches
List Price: $350,000
Horsepower: 555bhp@5550rpm

Top Speed: 220 mph
Brakes: Brembro Discs with 4-Pot Calipers, Hydraulic Assist, ABS
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Weight: 2976 lbs

The C12 S used a 7.0 L (7010 cc) AMG tuned version of the engine producing 550 PS (404 kW/543 hp). It can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 s, to 100 mph in 9.5 s and complete the quarter mile in 11.9 s. Lateral acceleration on the skidpad is 0.98 g (9.6 m/s2). The car is 10 kg (22 lb) lighter than the normal Zonda C12. Top speed is 220 mph (354 km/h) for the coupe and 215 mph (346 km/h) for the roadster. The car's price tag was US$350,000.
The C12 S features an elongated nose and flaps at the rear for improved aerodynamics. New light clusters and exhausts are also used. Fifteen 7.0 L C12 S cars were produced.

That Pagani's $350,000, 200-plus-mph Zonda C12S is built just a stone's throw from Modena comes as no surprise. The car's pure audacity could be born only in central Italy's "Silicon Valley of Speed," the region that produces most of the world's great supercars. But unlike countless others who've dreamed of making their automotive statement in Modena--only to disappear shortly thereafter--the maker of this throwback to the region's golden era of the '60s is well on his way to success.
Zonda interior is an engaging mix of high tech and natural materials. Every inch of the car was passionately designed, even if a few details are over the top.
Who's the man behind the effort, and what makes his car so special? Horacio Pagani was born in Argentina and constantly sketched sports cars during his early teens. He designed and built his first F3 racer at age 20. As his reputation grew, Pagani befriended fellow countryman, and five-time F1 champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The Maestro soon learned of Horacio's desire to work in Modena, so he wrote a letter of introduction, and the enthusiastic young man headed straight to Italy. Lamborghini's chief engineer, Giulio Alfieri, the mastermind behind Fangio's world-championship Maserati 250F, quickly hired him. Pagani began experimenting with carbon fiber, intuitively recognizing the material's possibilities.

ASTON MARTIN DB9

2007-05-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Aston Martin DB9 is a sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Its design philosophy is uncompromising and brings together everything that makes a sports car great with that unique Aston Martin character. It has a fully equipped cabin trimmed in the finest quality materials; DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 and shift-by-wire fully automatic transmission.

The Aston Martin DB9 is a grand tourer launched by Aston Martin in 2004 and is the first new car to be built at Aston's Gaydon facility. The name "DB" stems from David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a sizeable part of its history. This model, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

Aston Martin DB9 Specifications:

Make and Model: Aston Martin DB9
Year: 2004
Engine Type: 48-valve, 5935cc V12
Torque: 420lb-ft@5000rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 4.9 s
Suspension: Independent double aluminium wishbones, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar
Wheel Base: 2740 inches
List Price: $155,000
Horsepower: 450bhp@6000rpm
Top Speed: 186 mph
Brakes:
Vented Discs
Transmission: 6 speed Manual
Weight: 1710 lbs

The DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible, each with a 6.0 L 450 brake horsepower (335 kW) V12 engine taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. The Vanquish engine produces 10 bhp (7 kW) more. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only eight cylinders. One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a huge leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution. As of 2004 production is expected be up to five thousand units a year which is roughly the same as its rivals, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. This car was designed to ensure Aston Martin's continued survival into 21st century in light of its past financial troubles. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston loyalists that production numbers of the new DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models; however, the Aston will still retain only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.

The car has an artificial neural network implemented at the hardware level to detect engine misfires. The car has been adapted for sports car racing by Prodrive. The DBR9, as it is called, first saw competition at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2005 and won the LMGT1 category, but was beaten by arch-rivals Corvette Racing in the Le Mans GT1 class.
In 2006, Aston Martin introduced a "Sports Pack" for the DB9, which includes increased structural stiffness, lighter 19-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels complete with titanium wheel nuts, 6mm lower ride height, as well as revised spring and damper rates. This upgrade suits the more spirited driver.
Aston Martin's Rapide four-door sports car is heavily based on the DB9.

PORSCHE CARRERA GT

2007-05-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

Porsche recently announced plans to produce approximately 1,000 Porsche Carrera GTs to be introduced in the second half of 2003. The Porsche Carrera GT is a high performance road car, which defines the limits of sports car engineering; as light and as powerful as possible. The cars will be built at the company's new production facility in Leipzig, German, next the all new Cayenne. With an estimated 555+bhp and a top speed of over 200mph, the Carrera GT gives Porsche an extremely competitive edge in teh exotic car market.

Porsche Carrera GT Specifications:
Make and Model: Porsche Carrera GT
Year: 1907
Engine Type: 6-litre V10
Torque: 330lb-ftlb-ft@rpm
Acceleration 0-60: under 4 s
Suspension: Double Wishbone
Wheel Base: 106.3 inches
List Price: $350,000
Horsepower: 558bhp@8200rpm
Top Speed: 205+ mph
Brakes: Monobloc fixed calipers
Transmission: 6-speed Manual
Weight: 2755 lbs

The Carrera GT's development can be traced back to a Porsche successor to the 911 GT1-98 and LMP1-98 racing cars that had ended after the 1998, partially due to FIA and ACO rule changes. Porsche at the time had planned on a new Le Mans prototype for 1999. The car was initially intended to use a turbocharged flat-6, but was later redesigned to use a new V10 engine, pushing the project back to planned competition in 2000. The V10 was a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992, but later shelved. The engine was resurrected for the Le Mans prototype and increased in size to 5.5 litres. Unfortunately the project was cancelled shortly before the first car could be completed in the middle of 1999, mostly due to Porsche's wish to build the Cayenne SUV with involvement from Volkswagen and Audi, thus requiring engineering expertise to be pulled from the motorsports division. It was also speculated that VW-Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch wanted Audi's new Le mans Prototype, the Audi R8 not to face competition from Porsche in 2000.
Porsche did keep part of the project alive by using the 5.7L V10 from the prototype in a concept car shown at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD and a dealer invoice price of approximately $414,800 USD. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as $15,000 USD. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on Jan 31, 2004.
Originally a production run of 1,500 cars was planned. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT through 2006. Porsche announced that this discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. However, diminishing sales volumes, relatively high dealer inventory levels, and dealer discounts below MSRP were reported by the automotive press to be the true factors driving an early end to the production run[citation needed]. Despite the early end to production, worldwide sales of the Carrera GT surpassed the combined totals of the Enzo Ferrari, the Mclaren F1, and the Pagani Zonda.
As of May 6, 2006, 1,270 GT's had been sold, with 604 being sold in the United States

JAGUAR XJ220

2007-05-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Jaguar XJ220 is a supercar made by Ford's Jaguar luxury marque in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing between 1992 and 1994. The XJ220 held the record for the highest top speed of a production car (217 mph) until the arrival of the McLaren F1 in 1994. The styling of the car was done by Keith Helfet and included scissor-style doors similar to those in use by Lamborghini in several of their cars. The name XJ220 was assigned as a reference to the targeted top-speed of 220 mph

In the early days of the company, certain Jaguar employees had created an informal group they called "The Saturday Club" (so-named because they would meet after-hours and on weekends to work on unofficial pet-projects). In the 1980s, Jaguar's chief-engineer Jim Randle, as part of that group, began work on what he saw as competition for cars like the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959. He envisioned what was essentially an updated XJR13 - a lightweight two-seater with a powerful mid-mounted V12 engine. Randle expanded on the idea by settling on all wheel drive for increased traction and better handling and an integral safety-cage so the car could be safely raced at extremely high speeds. From the outset, the intention was to create a vehicle capable of exceeding 320 km/h (200 mph).

Jaguar XJ220 Specifications:

Make and Model: Jaguar XJ220
Year: 1992
Engine Type: 3.5 Liter Twin Turbo V6
Torque: 475lb-ft@4500rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 4.0 s
Suspension: double-wishbone
Wheel Base: 103.9 inches
List Price: $345,000
Horsepower: 542bhp@7000rpm
Top Speed: 212.3 mph
Brakes: AP Racing Vented Discs w/Power Assist
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

The production version of the car was first shown to the public in October 1991 after undergoing significant changes. The most obvious of which was a completely different drivetrain and the elimination of the scissor doors. TWR was charged with producing the car and had several goals/rules in producing the car: the car would be rear wheel drive instead of all wheel drive; turbocharged V6 instead of the big V12; and performance goals of over 200 mph, 0 to 60 mph under 4 s, and the lightest weight possible.

The XJ220's controversial V6 engine is visible through the rear window
The 6.2 L V12 had been judged too difficult to get past increasingly strict emission regulations and there were also reportedly some design problems caused by the size of the power plant. It was replaced with a Tom Walkinshaw-developed 3.5 L V6 based on the engine used in the Rover Metro 6R4 rally car and fitted with twin-turbochargers, generating 549 bhp of maximum power at 7000 RPM and 473 ft·lb of torque at 4500 RPM. This engine was not only the first V6 in Jaguar's history, but also the first to use forced induction. In spite of the smaller displacement and half the number of cylinders, the engine produced more power than the V12 would have. However, potential customers judged the exhaust note to be harsh and the lag from the turbos to be an annoyance. Also missing from the production version of the car was the Ferguson all wheel drive - the production car had only rear driven wheels, through a conventional transaxle.
The car entered production in 1992 in a purpose built factory at Bloxham near Oxford, and the first cars were delivered to customers in July. Original customers included Elton John and the Sultan of Brunei.
Many of the initial customers were dissatisfied not only with the modifications to the original specification but the significant increase in delivery price from the original £361,000 to £403,000 ($650,000 USD). Further complicating the issue was Tom Walkinshaw's offer of the faster (by acceleration, not top speed), more expensive and more exclusive XJR-15 which was based on the Le Mans champion XJR-9. Some customers reportedly either sued Jaguar or threatened to sue—in any case, Jaguar gave the customers the option to buy themselves out of the delivery contract.
In spite of the drama surrounding its creation, a total of 281 cars were made and it remains a sought-after collectible supercar.

MERCEDES BENZ MCLAREN SLR

2007-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a sports car and supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Automotive.
Though often classified as a Supercar, and compared to cars like the Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini Murcielago and Enzo Ferrari, the presence of the automatic and its driving characteristics lead some commentators to classify the SLR McLaren as a Super GT whose closer rivals are the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 599 GTB. In fact, one of the goals of the SLR was to combine both supercar and GT characteristics.
It is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. SLR stands for "super-leicht, Rennsport" (super-light, racing). The car's base price is €443,066 £300,000 or $450,000 (see today's $/£/€ parity).
A new version was introduced in 2006 called the "2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition". The "722" refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The "722 Edition" creates 650 bhp, with a top speed of 337 km/h (5 more than the standard SLR). A new suspension is used with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. The SLR is planned to end production in 2008, according to Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Specifications:

Make and Model: Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR
Year: 1907
Engine Type: 5.5 L Supercharged V8
Torque: 575lb-ft@3250 - 5000rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 3.9 s
Suspension: double wishbone suspension
Wheel Base: 106.3 inches
List Price: $452,750
Horsepower: 620bhp@7000rpm
Top Speed: 211 mph
Brakes: Internally Vented Carbon Discs
Transmission: five speed automatic transmission Weight: 3898 lbs

Mercedes-Benz's performance claims for the SLR have been confirmed. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 10.6 seconds, and 300 km/h in 28.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 334 km/h (207 mph), and has once reached a speed of 210 mph, which makes it the fastest car with a true automatic transmission with a torque converter. The car uses carbon fibre for its entire body construction which makes it lighter. The car is, however still quite heavy at 1768 kg. The SLR is one of the safest and most luxurious supercars ever built, straying from the common supercar practice of eliminating luxuries for the sake of weight reduction.
Car and Driver got a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph. However the fastest time recorded was just over 9 seconds, clocking in at a little over 160 mph. These are during a test session that took place in the late afternoon, when October temperatures were on the decline. C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were higher. Car and Driver got top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car. The SLR also pulled 0.97 g on the skidpad.
The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, in 2004, tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. They reported that the SLR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.7 seconds, and 300 km/h in 30.6 seconds. The car's 400-meter time and 1 km time were found to be 11.5 seconds at 207 km/h, and 20.5 seconds at 269 km/h, respectively.

BUGATTI VEYRON

2007-05-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has a very impressive top speed of over 400 km/h (407.5 km/h or 253.2 mph) and an equally impressive price tag of over 1 million u.s dollars. It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the Bugatti name. It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm

Bugatti Veyron Specifications:

Make and Model: Bugatti Veyron
Year: 2005
Engine Type: 8.0 L quad-turbo W16
Torque: 921lb-ft@2200-5500rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 2.5 s
Suspension: Double wishbone front /rear
Wheel Base: 2700 mm (106.3 in) inches
List Price: $1,700,000
Horsepower: 1001bhp@6000rpm
Top Speed: 253 mph
Brakes: cross-drilled and turbine vented carbon rotors
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch sequential manual
Weight: 4162 lbs

The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders, or the equivalent of two narrow-angle V8 engines mated in a "W" configuration. Each cylinder has 4 valves, for a total of 64, but the narrow V8 configuration allows two camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only 4 camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers, and it displaces 8.0 L (7,993 cc/488 in³) with a square 86 by 86 mm bore and stroke.
Putting this power to the ground is a dual-clutch DSG computer-controlled manual transmission with 7 gear ratios via shifter paddles behind the steering wheel boasting an 8 ms shift time. The Veyron can be driven by full automatic transmission. The Veyron also features full-time all-wheel drive based on the Haldex system. It uses special Michelin run-flat tires designed specifically for the Veyron to accommodate the vehicle's top speed. Although these tyres are built to withstand extreme temperatures, at top speed they will only last for 15 minutes before running out. This is not a problem however, since at that speed the fuel will run out in 12 minutes. While unusual for street-legal cars, frequent refuelings and tire changes are a common occurrence in high speed car racing. At comparatively lower speeds (e.g. "only" 300 km/h instead of 400), both tires and fuel last significantly longer.
Curb weight is estimated at 4,160 lb (1890 kg). This gives the car a power to weight ratio of 529 bhp/tonne.
The car's wheelbase is 2710 mm (106.3 in). Overall length is 4462 mm (175.8 in). It measures 1998 mm (78.7 in) wide and 1206 mm (47.5 in) tall.
The Bugatti Veyron has a total of 10 radiators:
3 radiators for the engine cooling system.
1 heat exchanger for the air to liquid intercoolers.
2 for the air conditioning system.
1 transmission oil radiator.
1 differential oil radiator.
1 engine oil radiator.
1 hydraulic oil radiator for the spoiler.

MCLAREN F1

2007-05-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

The McLaren F1 was engineered and produced by McLaren Automotive, a subsidiary of the British McLaren Group that, among others, owns the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. The car features a 6.1-litre 60° BMW S70 V12 engine and it was conceived as an exercise in creating what its designers hoped would be considered the ultimate road car. Only 100 cars were manufactured, 64 of those were street versions, 5 were LMs, 3 were GTs and the rest were GTR racing models. Production began in 1993 and ended in 1998.
The McLaren F1 was the fastest production car ever built (having achieved a top speed of 240.14 mph, 386.5 km/h) until surpassed in 2005 by the Koenigsegg CCR, and then the Bugatti Veyron a few months later.

McLaren F1 Specifications:
Make and Model: McLaren F1
Year: 1994
Engine Type: 6.1 Liter V12
Torque: 479.2lb-ft@5600rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 3.2 s
Suspension: Double Wishbones w/Light Alloy Dampers, Co-Axial Coil Springs
Wheel Base: 107.001 inches
List Price: $890,000
Horsepower: 627bhp@7400rpm
Top Speed: 231 mph
Brakes: ventilated
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Weight: 2509.3 lbs

Chief engineer Gordon Murray's design concept was a common one among designers of high-performance cars: low weight and high power. This was achieved through use of high-tech and expensive materials like carbon fiber, titanium, gold and magnesium. The F1 was one of the first production cars to use a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.
The idea was first conceived when Murray was waiting for a flight home back from the fateful Italian Grand Prix in 1988; Murray drew a sketch of a three seater supercar and proposed it to Ron Dennis. Later, a pair of Ultima MK3 kit cars, chassis numbers 12 and 13, "Albert" and "Edward", the last two MK3s, were used as "mules" to test various components and concepts before the first cars were built. Number 12 was used to test the gearbox with a 7.4 litre Chevrolet V8 to mimic the torque of the BMW V12, plus various other components like the seats and the brakes. Number 13 was the test of the V12, plus exhaust and cooling system. When McLaren was done with the cars they destroyed both of them to keep away the specialist magazines and because they did not want the car to be associated with "kit cars".
The car was first unveiled at a launch show, 28 May 1992, at The Sporting Club in Monaco. The original prototype (XP1) remained the same as the production version except for the wing mirror which, on the XP1, was mounted at the top of the A-pillar. This car was deemed not road legal as it had no turn signal indicators at the front; McLaren was forced to make changes on the car as a result (some cars, including Ralph Lauren's, were sent back to McLaren and fitted with the prototype mirrors). The original wing mirrors also incorporated a pair of indicators which other car manufacturers would adopt several years later.
The car's safety levels were first proved when during a testing in Namibia in April 1993, a test driver wearing just shorts and t-shirt hit a rock and rolled the first prototype car several times. The driver managed to escape unscathed. Later in the year, the second prototype (XP2) was especially built for crashtesting and passed with the front wheel arch untouched.

LAMBORGHINI CONCEPT S

2007-05-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Lamborghini Concept S was first shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is a concept car designed by Luc Donckerwolke, the head of Lamborghini design, using the Lamborghini Gallardo as a basis. Luc's idea was to modify a Gallardo, Lamborghini's 'baby supercar', into a roadster which would be reminiscent of classic single-seater racing cars.

Lamborghini Concept S Specifications:
Make and Model: Lamborghini Concept S
Year: 2005
Engine Type: 5 Liter V10
Torque: 376lb-ft@4500rpm
Acceleration 0-60: s
Wheel Base: inches
List Price: $0
Horsepower: 500bhp@7800rpm
Top Speed: mph
Brakes: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Weight: lbs

FERRARI ENZO

2007-05-06T04:55:00.000-07:00

Company founder Enzo Ferrari himself, always felt that design of the road cars should stem from the racers. Therefore, it was entirely logical that the company's latest creation should bear his name.The Ferrari Enzo, built in a limited run of 399, is an outstanding expression of the concept of extreme sportiness, developed for road use, yet epitomising the most advanced concepts of Formula 1 racing technology.

Ferrari set out to develop the Ferrari Enzo as an integrated system designed for extreme performance, in which even the limits of the performance achievable by the driver were enhanced, thanks to a man-machine interface typical of Formula 1.

2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

2007-05-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

nice car huh! :)