Technical data - Lamborghini Murcièlago LP640
Engine
6.5 ltr. V12 cylinder
Output
663HP / (487.5 kW) at 7.800 U/min
Max. Torque
675 Nm at 5.600 U/min
Performance
Top speed est. 348 km/h (216 mph)0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) est. 3.8 s
Features
Engine:
• ECU recalibration
• Special high-flow air filters
• Newly designed high-performance catalytic converters
• New exhaust butterfly valve control (remote-controlled on request)
• New high-flow muffler
• New stainless steel exhaust tips
Body:
• Specially designed rear wing with adjustable lip
Wheels:
• Custom paint on request
Interior:
• Rear view camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Carbon fiber interior trim
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Edo Competition Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Labels: Lamborghini
New Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Porsche, a company renown for its high-performance sports cars and sport utility vehicles (SUV), this week in Stuttgart demonstrated to the media a Cayenne SUV hybrid prototype, providing a glimpse of what the company will offer to consumers by the end of the decade.
Porsche is targeting average fuel consumption figures of 9.8 liters/100 kilometers in the New European Driving Cycle and about 24 miles per gallon in the US FTP cycle for the Cayenne Hybrid, and future developments may allow Porsche engineers to push towards an average fuel consumption figure of 8.9 liters/kilometer (approximately 26 miles per gallon).
The Cayenne Hybrid will feature a full-hybrid design where the hybrid module (clutch and electric motor) is positioned between the combustion engine and the transmission rather than having the hybrid drivetrain branching output along various lines and in various directions via a planetary gearset. Porsche selected this design because the in-line configuration of the hybrid components are more compatible with the existing Cayenne platform, this system in testing is more fuel efficient, and because this configuration is a better fit for Porsche as it will provide improved acceleration and engine flexibility compared to a conventional Cayenne.
Coordinating the car's three main components - the combustion engine, the electric motor and the battery - is the Hybrid Manager, the heart of the Cayenne Hybrid. The Hybrid Manager, which oversees some 20,000 data parameters as compared to only 6,000 data parameters for a conventional engine, is one of the most powerful technologies found in any hybrid vehicle.
Other unique features of the Cayenne Hybrid designed to decrease fuel consumption include the power steering and vacuum pump for the brakes, as well as the air conditioning, which operate on electric power. Technical components, such as the oil pump in the Cayenne's automatic transmission, have been replaced by electrically powered units. The Cayenne Hybrid's electro-hydraulic steering - a first for a vehicle of its kind, will ensure the Cayenne Hybrid drives like a Porsche with predictable and safe handling characteristics and the agility that is expected of a Porsche SUV.
Porsche plans to introduce similar hybrid technology in a version of its Panamera four-door Gran Turismo. The Panamera will debut in 2009, with a hybrid to follow.
Labels: Porsche
Friday, July 27, 2007
Audi A5/S5 by H&R's packages.
From now on, the Audi A5 and S5, the new powerful and elegant coupes, can even be made more dynamic by H&R's attractive suspension packages. The H&R spring kit not only further enhances the sporty look, but the lowering by 35 millimeters also results in improved driving dynamics. A spring kit is available for the S-line packages as well. Here, the ground clearance is reduced by about 25 millimeters as compared to the standard model.
Hence, the 18 and 19 inch rims perfectly fill out the wheel arches and complete the elegant side view. The chassis nevertheless does not become uncomfortable, but rather ensures excellent road contact.
For still more agile handling, the suspension specialists from Lennestadt have developed a monotube coil over which can be equipped with H&R's upgraded sports stabilizers. Therewith, the A5 becomes even more dynamic and feels like a smallersized sports car.
The A5 now makes winding roads seem straight – a fact that will nearly take your breath away.
In addition to this, H&R's TRAK+ aluminium wheel spacers reduce over- and understeering tendencies and give great optics. A weight saving of up to 70 percent as compared to conventional steel wheel spacers helps to keep down the unsprung mass.
H&R thus offers the perfect supplements to Audi's new chassis concept and enhances the look of the sporty, elegant A5.
Source: H&R
Labels: Audi
2008 Mini Clubman
Labels: Frankfurt Motor Show, Mini
Bentley Reports Strong First Half
Bentley Reports Strong First Half
Volume, turnover and operating profit reach record levels
Crewe, 27 July, 2007... For the fourth year running, Bentley Motors has recorded an increase in global sales volumes.
The first half of 2007 saw an increase in sales of 18.8 per cent over the same period in 2006, with over 5600 customers taking delivery of a car. Turnover, at Euro 739 million, was 24 per cent higher than the first half of 2006, and operating profit, at Euro 85 million, was also significantly higher than the first six months of the previous year. March achieved the highest number of sales in any month for the marque, with over 1200 customer deliveries worldwide.
"We have seen strong growth both in mature markets, such as Germany, the UK and the US, as well as in emerging markets, such as China and Russia," said Bentley Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen. "This augurs well for a good full year, and the recent launch of two new convertibles – the Continental GTC and the Azure – giving Bentley its most extensive model range ever, will continue to contribute to our ongoing success."
Source: Bentley
Labels: Bentley
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Kia Pro-cee'd three-door hatchback model
KIA cee'd THREE-DOOR REVEALED
Kia Motors Corporation has released the first preview image of its exciting new Kia three-door hatchback model which will make its World Premiere at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. The new model will be named Pro-cee'd.
Based closely on the earlier 'pro_cee'd' concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model has been developed by Kia's design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.
"Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee'd is going to be a great drive," enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. "Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee'd is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand."
Manufactured in Slovakia, Pro-cee'd will be the third member of the Kia cee'd family, joining the popular cee'd five-door and the soon to be released cee'd SW models to make Kia an especially strong challenger for C-segment sales in Europe.
Production of the Pro-cee'd model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.
Labels: Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Callaway C16 Speedster
CALLAWAY C16 SPEEDSTER
SET TO MAKE WORLD DEBUT AT 2007
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE
Flagship Model in C16 Line Offers High-Speed Motoring in its Purest Form, Features Jet-Fighter Styling, 700HP Hand-Built Powerplant, Unrivaled Exclusivity
Callaway Cars today announced it will unveil the C16 Speedster, the third and flagship model in the C16 lineup, on the concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, August 19, 2007.
The made-to-order C16 Speedster represents a pinnacle in American supercar design. The supercharged and intercooled 700 horsepower Callaway exotic produces class leading power, a topless cockpit with twin wind deflectors and extended headrests, exquisite bodywork and race-inspired chassis tuning. Much like its spiritual predecessors, the 1990 Callaway Speedster and 1998 C12 Speedster, the latest C16 Speedster offers a visceral open air driving experience unlike any other.
"This is Callaway Cars' most exquisite vehicle to date," said company founder Reeves Callaway. "The C16 Speedster marks our 20 th anniversary with Corvette and 30th year in business, and having this statement of our passion for the automobile featured on the concept lawn at Pebble Beach is a high water mark for us."
The C16 Speedster was penned and modeled by Paul Deutschman, architect of the "Callaway look" and designer of the original 1990 Callaway Speedster. Every body panel has been redesigned to speak to style and aerodynamics, and a hand-tooled German leather interior adds exclusivity. Door sills, the steering wheel and dash area all carry signature Callaway badging. Each Speedster is tailored to the buyer's specifications, including interior and exterior colors and a personalized build plate.
Underneath the car's stunning bodywork lies the heart of a racecar. The Callaway supercharged, intercooled, 6.2L all-alloy hand-built powerplant produces 700hp and 660lb-ft of torque, propelling the Speedster from 0 to 60 in an estimated 3.2 seconds. Maximum velocity of the C16 Speedster is over 210 mph.
Overall handling and road feel is transmitted by a newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension system. This joint development effort produced an advanced spring/damper system, featuring 10-position compression and rebound adjustability, allowing the driver to customize settings for specific road conditions.
A unique element the Speedster shares with its C16 siblings - Coupe and Cabrio - are Callaway/Dymag Carbon wheels that weigh approximately 40-percent less than the lightest aluminum wheels, significantly reducing unsprung weight for improved acceleration, cornering and braking. These TUV- and DOT-tested wheels feature forged magnesium spiders surrounded by carbon fiber rims and measure 19" x 10" front and 20" x 13" rear. Residing behind the wheels is a Callaway / StopTech brake system, which utilizes 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers gripping 355mm x 32 mm rotors.
The Callaway C16 Speedster will be available for purchase in the Fall of 2007 and starts at $305,000 USD. Speedster No.1 of the series will be delivered to its new owner at Pebble Beach.
Labels: Callaway, Frankfurt Motor Show