Wednesday, June 30, 2010

2010 Sportec SPR1R


Sportec has released the images and details of the new 2010 Sportec SPR1R Porsche 911 which will be premiered at the Salon Prive 2010.

The Sportec Porsche 911 SPR1R comes with titanium connection rods, a flat carbon fibre under floor, active suspension and F1 style ceramic brake discs as well as composite (carbon / Kevlar) body panels, forged alloy wheels and an integrated safety cage.

The new Sportec SPR1R makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3 seconds and top speed remains at 236 mph. The SPR1R also comes with a driver adjustable traction control system, managed via a touch screen mounted in the center console. This unit also doubles as a vehicle data logger and lap timer, which also allows owners to monitor key engine data in real time.

Dubbed the SPR1R, the car features composite (carbon / Kevlar) body panels, a flat carbon fiber under floor, an active suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and a roll cage. While this is all standard on the SPR1 M, the SPR1R weighs 50 kilograms (110 pounds) less and has an adjustable traction control system (which doubles as a data logger and lap timer).

As for the styling, SPR1R comes with lightweight 20 inch forged alloy wheels and a carbon fibre rear wing, while the interior is covered in leather and alcantara.


Sportec SPR1R Porsche 911 Sportec SPR1R Porsche 911


Press Release

SPORTEC RETURNS TO SALON PRIVÉ EVENT WITH IMPROVED SPR1R SUPERCAR

Having stunned the motoring press and Salon Privé show goers last year with the UK premier of the SPR1, SPORTEC is set to debut a new, faster, lighter and improved version of the Swiss built supercar at this year's event - the SPR1R.

Conceived, designed and constructed in Switzerland by SPORTEC's technical team, the new version of the SPR1 offers unrivalled supercar performance and exclusivity, carrying over the 858PS bi-turbo, 3.6-litre, 24-valve, flat six T80M engine and permanent four wheel drive of the previous version.

Likewise the SPORTEC SPR1R's specification includes the titanium connecting rods, a flat carbon fibre under floor, active suspension and F1 style ceramic brake discs of other SPR1 models, while the use of composite (carbon / Kevlar) body panels, forged alloy wheels, an integrated safety cage and ceramic brake discs allows the SPR1 to be lighter, safer and more dynamic than other cars in its class.

For 2010, the SPR1R boasts a number of detail improvements. Firstly, by concentrating on weight reduction across a variety of key components, SPORTEC's technicians have managed to reduce the weight of the SPR1R by 50 kilograms, to a total of 1295 kilos.

This development makes the SPR1R one of the lightest supercars on the market (a Bugatti Veyron weighs 1990 kilos for comparison) and enhances the SPR1R's power to weight ratio to a staggering 655 bhp per ton.

In addition, SPORTEC has added a driver adjustable traction control system, managed via a touch screen mounted in the centre console. This unit also doubles as a vehicle data logger and lap timer, which also allows owners to monitor key engine data in real time.

These combined improvements have yielded considerable performance benefits. While the 0-62mph (100kmh) time is unchanged at 3.0 seconds, the 300 kmh (186mph) increment arrives 0.9 seconds quicker than previously, highlighting the effectiveness of the changes. The quoted top speed of more than 236mph remains unaltered

Available in a choice of colours, the SPR1R boasts a number of exclusive SPORTEC styling and interior touches, including lightweight 20 inch forged alloy wheels, a carbon fibre rear wing and leather / alcantara interior.

Subtle, exclusive yet very useable and designed to deliver unrivalled performance, the 2010 SPR1R is designed to stay ahead of the supercar competition.

APS of Brackley is the UK concession for SPORTEC, and APS / SPORTEC is delighted that the 2010 SPR1R will be making its British debut at the prestigious Salon Privé show at London's Hurlingham club, between 21st-23rd July.

2010 MY SPORTEC SPR1R Technical Data

Engine type Six cylinder boxer engine
Displacement 3600cc
Bore/stroke 100 x 76.4mm
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Power output 858PS @ 8200rpm
Torque output 642lb.ft @ 4800rpm
Engine management Bosch ME 7.8 SPORTEC MFC G4.0
Fuel quality 98 RON unleaded
Idle speed 820rpm
Max engine speed 1st gear 8700rpm

2nd-5th gear 8500rpm

6th gear 8200rpm

Emissions standard Euro IV

Transmission

Six-speed manual, four wheel drive

Gear ratios:
1st 3.82
2nd 2.05
3rd 1.41
4th 1.12
5th 0.92
6th 0.75
Reverse gear 2.86
Final drive ratio 3.44
Speed at 1000rpm in 6th gear 30.76mph
Clutch disc diameter 240mm

Chassis
Front axle Light alloy links with McPherson struts, uniball top mounts
Rear axle Multi link suspension, uniball top mounts
Steering Electric power steering
Steering ratio 1:16.9
Steering from lock to lock 2.98
Brakes Front: 8 piston light alloy calliper
Rear: 4 piston light alloy calliper

Brake discs Front: Cross drilled and ventilated ceramic 380 x 34mm discs
Rear: Cross drilled and ventilated ceramic 322 x 28mm discs
Wheels Front: 9J x 20 inch 30mm offset
Rear: 12.5J x 20 inch 40mm offset
Tyres Front: 255/30 R20 92Y XL

Rear: 345/25 R20 100Y

Weights

Kerb weight (DIN)* 1295 KG
Front / rear weight distribution 40/60

*Depending on equipment

Dimensions
Length 4467mm
Width 1878mm
Height 1275mm
Wheelbase 2350mm
Track front: 1550mm

Rear: 1564mm
Fuel capacity 64 litres

Performance
Maximum speed Over 236mph (380kmh)
Acceleration:
0-100kmh (62 mph) 3.0 seconds
0-200kmh (124mph) 8.6 seconds
0-300kmh (186mph) 18.9 seconds
Power to weight ratio 655 bhp per ton
Bhp per litre 238


Pogea Racing - Fiat 500 Ferrari Edition


Pogea Racing has released an incredible upgrade package for the special edition Fiat 500 Abarth 595 Ferrari that includes both performance and styling enhancements.

Pogea Racing believes the standard 180 hp of the special edition model is not enough, so they gave it another 100 hp. This means the total output of the Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari gets up to 268PS and 330 Nm of torque. In a car this size, with front-wheel-drive, getting so close to 300 hp is pure madness.

The standard Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition makes a respectable 164-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Pogea Racing decided to take it a step further and added larger stainless steel exhaust system, modified downpipe, and a new catalytic converter. All those modifications allow for a total of 264-hp and a maximum torque of 243 lb-ft. For stopping power Pogea Racing upgraded the OEM brakes with their 4-piston brake assembly.

To add cooling to both the intake air, and to lower the combustion temperature, a modified Intake cooling system was created. A center-mount, larger, more efficient intercooler replaces the two smaller original intercoolers. Additional air is being pumped into the engine compartment to cool the accessories via the carbon fiber parts of the Assetto Corse. Fuel injection is optimized by changing fuel pressure valves and using upgraded Bosch fuel injectors.

With the added power comes upgraded four-piston caliper brakes.  Options available include an upgrade suspension, unspecified carbon fiber parts, and leather upholstery.  Taking a cue from the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, the car appears to be painted in the same Scuderia Red with grey race stripes around the venting on the hood.  Pricing on the Pogea Racing 500 package begins at €3400.


Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari Pogea Fiat 500 Ferrari


Press Release

The mighty Italian - Fiat 500 FERRARI DEALERS EDITION with 268 PS


When there is a new project at Pogea Racing, one can be absolutely sure that everything is well studied to the smallest detail.

The hardest part of the development process was to avoid using a separate Tuning Box Unit. Unlike other "tuners", Pogea Racing starts with the OEM ECU of the Fiat 500 Abarth, instead of relying on a separate controller unit. Pogea Racing develops the software data to work directly with the vehicle's ECU. This assures that instructions that are sent from the ECU direct all normal functions of the car properly. An auxiliary unit cannot control all functions, and will ignore the vehicle's ECU's commands. Herein lies the principal difference between Pogea Racing's development and other Tuners.

Pogea Racing chose a very rare model, the Fiat 500 FERRARI DEALERS EDITION of Abarth. The standard engine is already relatively strong, coming with 165PS and 230Nm. Pogea Racing increases the performance of the small Italian model by adding 100hp on top of the standard engine, producing 268PS and 330 Nm total power. The Pogea Racing model was also measured and developed on one of the most modern all-wheel drive dynamometers. To get this power out of the mighty Italian car, they changed the exhaust system and replaced it with a larger stainless steel exhaust system, modified downpipe, and a new catalytic converter. The tailpipes can be chosen by the customer from many available Designs.

Power comes from the new hybrid turbocharger from Pogea Racing. Currently, there are two turbocharger variants that the customer can choose from. To add cooling to both the intake air, and to lower the combustion temperature, a modified Intake cooling system was created. A center-mount, larger, more efficient intercooler replaces the two smaller original intercoolers. Additional air is being pumped into the engine compartment to cool the accessories via the carbon fiber parts of the Assetto Corse. Fuel injection is optimized by changing fuel pressure valves and using upgraded Bosch fuel injectors.

For increased stopping power Pogea Racing upgraded the OEM Brake system with their 4-piston brake assembly. This detail is very important to Pogea Racing, and they developed a brake system with identical weight to the OEM brake system, but about 1,8m reduced braking distance when compared to the OEM brakes. You can round up the entire kit with TÜV Approval and with an optional warranty for engine, turbo, and transmission. Pogea Racing completes its tuning work exclusively at their headquarters in the center at the Bodensee.

Apart from the performance cure Pogea Racing also offers Assetto Corse Parts as legal TÜV Approved Parts dealer in Germany for the current models. The parts come directly from the factory in Italy. So now your Fiat can become optically at least a large Ferraristi, or even an image of the 100 PS Assetto Corse. Pogea Racing has other services; leather work, individual suspension systems, and carbon fiber parts can also be part of your individualization. Now there is one tuning company which makes just about everything for your little Italian. Prices for the smallest Change begin at 3400€.

Hyundai Avante/Elantra exceeds 5,000 orders (SK)

Hyundai Motor Company has announced that it has received over 5,000 pre-orders for the all-new, Avante/Elantra compact sedan in South Korea.

Hyundai began taking orders on the 21st June and has since gained remarkable popularity for the newest addition to its line-up. The new Avante made its public debut at the Busan International Motor Show in April.

For the South Korean market, the Avante is available with a single engine; a 1.6 litre GDI (gasoline direct-injection) Gamma 4 cylinder petrol engine that produces 138bhp/140PS and 167Nm (133 lb.ft) of torque. It is linked to either a standard 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic.

The new Avante is feature packed with numerous standard features such as 6 airbags, rear parking sensors heated front seats, ambient lighting, colour TFT LCD information display. Optional items include HID headlamps w/ LED tail-lamps, heated rear seats and a 10 way electrcially adjustable driver seat.

Since its launch back in 1990, the Avante/Elantra sold in excess of 6m units worldwide. Expect to see the redesigned Avante to make its North American debut early next year.

ESC to get cheaper (UK)

Bosch has designed and developed a new steering-wheel sensor that should make fitting stability control cheaper and more widely available in small cars. The system uses technology to establish the angle of the steering wheel, something that is increasingly used in stability control systems.

It's cheaper than previous systems, which, Bosh says, makes it particularly suitable for small cars where standard fitment of stability control is less common.

It is estimated that it costs £200 for car manufacturers to fit stability control and that if it were standard on every car it would reduce road deaths by 30%. According to motor industry research centre Thatcham, which monitors fitment rates and tests effectiveness, only 63% of new cars in the UK have stability control fitted as standard – one of the lowest figures in Europe.

The 2008 Fiat 500 has ESP as standard, while the 2009 Citroen C1 has ESP as an option.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car

This here is the Lamborghini Cnossus. The Lamborghini Cnossus Concept was designed by Russian student Victor Filipchenko with the help of his Portuguese colleague Nelson Simoes as part of their final thesis project at Italy’s Scuola Politecnica di Design.
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept
Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study for a supercar concept named after the ancient Greek city of Cnossus (Knossus) on the island of Crete. The designers claim to have been inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, though it is evident that the edgy styling of the limited production Reventon special also played a role in the design of the Cnossus Concept.
 
Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.
 
It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car

This here is the Lamborghini Cnossus. The Lamborghini Cnossus Concept was designed by Russian student Victor Filipchenko with the help of his Portuguese colleague Nelson Simoes as part of their final thesis project at Italy’s Scuola Politecnica di Design.
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept
Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study for a supercar concept named after the ancient Greek city of Cnossus (Knossus) on the island of Crete. The designers claim to have been inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, though it is evident that the edgy styling of the limited production Reventon special also played a role in the design of the Cnossus Concept.
 
Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.
 
It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car

This here is the Lamborghini Cnossus. The Lamborghini Cnossus Concept was designed by Russian student Victor Filipchenko with the help of his Portuguese colleague Nelson Simoes as part of their final thesis project at Italy’s Scuola Politecnica di Design.
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept
Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study for a supercar concept named after the ancient Greek city of Cnossus (Knossus) on the island of Crete. The designers claim to have been inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, though it is evident that the edgy styling of the limited production Reventon special also played a role in the design of the Cnossus Concept.
 
Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.
 
It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car

This here is the Lamborghini Cnossus. The Lamborghini Cnossus Concept was designed by Russian student Victor Filipchenko with the help of his Portuguese colleague Nelson Simoes as part of their final thesis project at Italy’s Scuola Politecnica di Design.
2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept
Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study for a supercar concept named after the ancient Greek city of Cnossus (Knossus) on the island of Crete. The designers claim to have been inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, though it is evident that the edgy styling of the limited production Reventon special also played a role in the design of the Cnossus Concept.
 
Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.
 
It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

Two Princes fight over a Bentley Brooklands (MY)

Two Malaysian princes have finally achieved an out-of-court settlement, finishing a row over who had the right to use the Bentley owned by their father.

The dispute between the sons of Sultan Tengku Ismail Petra has humiliated the royal household of Malaysia's eastern Kelantan state and wound up a recent power struggle among palace figures while the sultan was stricken by a heart-related illness.

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, the sultan's third son, took his eldest brother, Tengku Muhammad Faris, to court last September to seek an order that he had the right to use the Bentley Brooklands uber-coupe worth £330,000.

Fakhry assumed he had paid for the car in 2008 for his father's and own use, even though the sultan was registered as the official owner. In July, representatives of Faris took away the car while Fakhry was abroad and refused to give it back to him.

Fakhry's lawyer, Haaziq Pillay, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Fakhry was withdrawing his action on the wishes of his father, who will determine who gets to use the car. Mr Haaziq said Fakhry managed to use the car recently and has no objections if his brother also wants to drive it.

Faris did not explain why he apprehended the car, but insisted in a court statement earlier this year that Fakhry's lawsuit was "frivolous".

Sultan Ismail's illness over the past year has resulted in a scuffle between his sons and their allies for influence over palace decisions and, potentially, succession to the throne. The feud dribbled into the public eye, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of royal households that generally enjoy immense privacy and privilege.

Renault offers electric driving lessons

Renault is preparing to set up unique training courses to help buyers of its electric vehicles get the most from them.

While the all electric cars will produce no tail-pipe emissions, Renault believes it is important to teach eco-driving methods to owners so that they can cover as many miles as possible on a single charge.

Alleged range anxiety is one of the major barriers to overcome if people are to be persuaded to drive electric vehicles, Renault believes.

The economy driving schools will be an extension of those Renault already runs in France and the Benelux countries for business users of its petrol and diesel models. They will soon be extended to Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Spain, with the UK and Portugal probable in 2011.

Renault's first electric cars will come to the UK next year. There will be a battery powered version of the Kangoo light delivery van and a four-wheeled covered scooter-cum-city-car vehicle called the Twizy.

The real electric breakthrough will come in 2012, when Renault launches a mid-sized saloon called the Fluence and its first designed-from-scratch EV, a supermini to be badged Zoe.

Electrification is just one arm of Renault's plan to be best-in-class for CO2 across its range. New petrol and diesel engines and transmissions will play an important role, as will greener factories and greater end-of-life recycling.