Sunday, June 21, 2009
Toyota Crown Hybrid Special Edition
New Toyota Crown Hybrid Special Edition: Since When does 'Special' mean 'Entry-Level'?
Compared to the standard Crown Hybrid that was introduced in Japan in early 2008, the Special Edition model has given up an array of comfort, convenience and even safety features such as leather upholstery, Toyota's Pre-Crash Safety System, automatic wipers and some other elements that we were unable to translate from Toyota's site.
The result is a reduction in price of around 10 percent, to 5.4 million Yen or roughly $56,100 US at today's exchange rates.
The full-size, rear-wheel drive Crown Hybrid sedan is moved by a 292HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and a 48HP electric motor producing a maximum combined output of 340HP. As stated by Toyota, the Crown Hybrid achieves a fuel efficiency of 14.0 km/l (7.2lt/100km or the US equivalent of 32.9 mpg) according to the Japanese test cycle.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
2005 Maserati MC12
Introduction
Now owned by it's once most fierceful rival Ferrari, Maserati made MC12, a two door coupe sports car which is designed first and foremost to annihilate its competition on the racing track in FIA GT Championship. While MC12's design is slightly related to the famous Ferrari Enzo, it is a trully respectable competitor not only to Lamborghini or Porsche supercars, but to Ferrari's own power beasts.
MC12 has a V12 engine that was downtuned from the supercar Ferrari Enzo 660 PS to 630 PS (at 7000 rpm). However it remains a DOHC with 65 degree with four valves per cylinder.
MC12´ gearbox is also identical to the one used in Ferrari Enzo sports car, it´s Ferrari´s six-speed manual gear shifting box with paddles behind the steering wheel for quick and easy access.
Only 25 models of fast car MC12 were built in 2004 and another 25 in year 2005. Only the luckiest sports car and supercar collecting enthusiasts were able to obtain themselves one of these exotic car beauties.
The Maserati MC12 is a grand tourer produced by Maserati to allow a racing variant to compete in the FIA GT Championship. The car entered production in 2004 with 30 cars produced (five of which were not for sale). A further 25 were produced in 2005 making a total of 50 cars available for customers, each of which were pre-sold for 600 000.
Maserati designed and built the car on the chassis of the Enzo Ferrari but the final car is much larger. The MC12 is longer, wider and taller than the Enzo Ferrari, which has faster acceleration and a higher top speed. The top speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph) whereas the top speed of the Enzo Ferrari is 350 kilometres per hour (217.5 mph).
The MC12 is a two-door coupe with a targa top roof, although the detached roof cannot be stored in the car.The mid-rear layout (engine between the axles but behind the cabin) keeps the centre of gravity in the middle of the car, which increases stability and improves the car's cornering ability. The standing weight distribution is 41% front: 59% rear; at speed however, the downforce provided by the rear spoiler affects this such that at 200 kilometres per hour (125 mph), the effective weight distribution is 34% front: 66% rear.
Design & Style
the car is designed as a homologation vehicle and is a modification of a racing car, the interior is intended to be luxurious. The interior is a mix of gel-coated carbon fibre, blue leather and silver "Brightex": a synthetic material which was found to be "too expensive for the fashion industry." The centre console features the characteristic Maserati oval analogue clock and a blue ignition button, but it has been criticised for lacking a radio, car stereo or a place to install an aftermarket sound system.
2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
Acura's midsize sports sedan gets all-new style and some serious upgrades in the performance specs department. The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD replaces the outgoing TL S-Type model, while retaining the AWD power delivery system and performance styling and features.
The body styling is polarizing, to say the least. With sharp creases all around and a beak-like nose that some will hate, the TL SH-AWD is much more visually interesting than its TL S-Type predecessor, though that is not necessarily a good thing. Those who love the new styling will love the attention to detail Honda has put into every performance aspect of the TL.
Among notable new Acura TL features is what Acura calls SportShift, an electronically controlled and paddle-shifted pseudo-manual gearbox like that now found in all its luxury performance sedan competitors. Rated at 305 horsepower, the 3.7 liter V6 is the most powerful engine Honda has ever offered in any of its models.
Though Honda is relatively new to AWD offerings in mass numbers, the system used in the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD is one of the most advanced on the market. Torque can be split not only front and rear and left to right, but to the rear outside wheel specifically during hard cornering. This produces a stabilizing motion that lessens body roll and aids the TL SH-AWD's handling prowess.
Like Acura's entire newly-redesigned lineup, the interior is a stunner. Traditionally known at the lower end of the luxury car spectrum in price and appointments despite stellar performance and reliability ratings, Acura looks to move a bit upmarket. The brown-on-black two tone interior in official press photos looks like something that should be found in a Porsche or a Maserati.
If you are one of those split toward the positive end on the new TL SH-AWD from a styling perspective, the build quality and exciting performance dynamics may just warrant an Acura as your next luxury midsize sport sedan purchase. With the Honda name to back it up in reliability, it is one you would not regret.
A choice of two different all-aluminum VTEC® engines enables the new 2009 TL to satisfy a wide range of customers. Standard is a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 280 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque that sends power to the front wheels through Acura's sophisticated Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel- mounted paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Though powerful, the new engine is also fuel efficient, with projected EPA fuel economy ratings* of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The engine is targeted to meet California's tough CARB LEV II ULEV emissions certification standards, thanks to features including a Drive-by-Wire, throttle system, Computer-Controlled Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) for the intake valves.
Audiophiles with appreciate the new Acura/ELS Surround® 10-speaker, 440-watt premium sound system with DVD-Audio, CD, DTS,, AM/FM radio, XM® Satellite Radio and 2,500-song** hard disk drive (HDD) media storage. An intuitive interface dial as well as sophisticated voice recognition capability simplifies control of this impressive technology. Premium Milano leather seating surfaces included in the Technology Package further enhances comfort and visual appeal.
Available on both the TL and TL SH-AWD® is a Technology Package that includes the most comprehensive array of advanced electronic features ever offered by Acura. The Technology Package includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition,, AcuraLink® real-time traffic, AcuraLink® weather with Doppler-style radar mapping, an Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and Keyless Access System with pushbutton ignition. The included Navigation System features a new 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display for improved visibility.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
HAMANN Ferrari F430
IntroductionFerrari Hamann F430 sports car is a successful successor of the F360 and a modification of a Ferrari F430 car. If you drive an eight cylinder supercar like this through the streets, no doubt you will earn the proper respect and envy of others. The interior of this supercar not only has sporty features but also has a tasteful mixture of luxurity. The driver is offered an optimal driving pleasure as well as easy control of the car.
High performance is very important for sports cars. Hamann F430 has an engine of a pure-blood racing car. It's 4.3 liter V-8 engine, which can produce an astonishing 538 HP.
Growing up you probably wanted to be an astronaut or a fighter pilot, only to discover you were more suited to pulling out staples than pulling 6 G’s in a F-15. Luckily Hamann Motorsport understand that there is a Neil Armstrong in all of us and have taken the already brilliant Ferrari F430, locked it in a room full of blokes who have memorized every Haynes manual, and produced not one, but three space age road versions.
Looking closer you find 355x34mm slotted and vented Hamann brake discs, complimented by Hamanns’ own 4 pot callipers with special pads and Stahlflex linings. Just hope you don’t get a puncture as the F430 is now even lower, with custom springs and threaded sport suspension.
Topping off the design master-class is a stainless steel sports muffler with twin 80mm pipes each side, a Hamann high performance header and high performance catalytic system.
Design
Not only are Hamann offering the Coupe, but you can also purchase the Hamann style F430 spider and the rather intriguing Black Miracle.
Finished in a light absorbing matt black paint with a single bright distinctive stripe, the black miracle looks like the stealth bomber you have always dreamed of flying. Sat snugly on 20” Race Edition rims and with a mighty 50bhp boost this is the ultimate head turning car. Performance is improved on even the Hamann F430 Coupe, offering a staggering 533bhp.
Ascari A10
The Ascari A10 is an automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by a Dutch billionaire. It is a road-going evolution of the KZ1-R GT race car currently contesting the Spanish GT Championship, with both cars penned by ex-Formula One designer Paul Brown. It is the third road car produced by the company, after the Ecosse and the KZ , with the name A10 intended to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the company.
The A10 features a modified 5.0 L BMW V8 engine producing 625 bhp (466 kW) , delivered via a six speed sequential manual gearbox, with a regular H-pattern manual transmission available as an option. The A10 shares the same basic carbon fibre chassis as the KZ1, with all-new bodywork and racing-derived suspension. Despite the addition of an FIA-spec roll cage and the fire-suppression system, the removal of soundproofing and such luxuries as air conditioning and a stereo system contributes to the A10's relatively light weight of 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) . Ascari claims that the A10 is capable of a top speed of 220 mph (354 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 2.8 seconds.
The Ascari A10 sports car, developed by British manufacturers and similar to the Spanish GT version, is rated in the top ten supercars for 2006. Its lightweight carbon fiber body of less than 3,000 pounds is designed more for the racetrack than the road. There were only a few models of this fast car built, somewhere between 10 and 50, and although expensive, it promises incredible speed and power.
Design & Style
This is a unique feature, not found on most other supercars, where adjustments can only be made manually. Handling should be easier than before, with front and rear anti-roll bars installed, which are also adjustable. The builders of the A10, not to be outdone by their competitors and to ensure adequate braking at such high speeds, have installed ventilated ceramic disc brakes, with 6-pot calipers on the front and 4-pot calipers on the rear.
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
Dodge has launched its ever powerful 600HP 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster sports car for the brave kids on the road. It is likely to reach the American roads in the summer pausing a survival threat for the other roadster crawlers. Thanks to the engine technology developed by Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering, Chrysler Group, for offering an 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine for this sparkling Viper SRT10 in eight different colors.
Aren't you curious to know its capacity of throwing the 'venom' on the roads? SRT engineers beautifully performed their engineering skills by equipping this fast roadster with the best engine possible on the roads by complying with the regulatory measures such as Federal Tier 2, Bin 5, and California's Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) 2 mandates.
Fast car SRT adopted the racer's formula for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster - bigger displacement, efficient breathing and higher engine speed. The exceptional performance of the Viper SRT10 sports car, added to its eye-catching appearance, is going to make new records on the roads. Apart from the interior and the exterior, Dodge offers a lot of customizable options to SRT 10 Viper owners who are crazy for cars with a difference.
The exterior of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will grab the attention of the snake-catchers. The fast car comes in eight different exterior colors including the slippery snake-green, venomous violet and the dangerous red. The color, along with the larger hood scoop, will make this roadster live up to its name. The eight vents provided at the hood provide sufficient airflow from the engine.
The interior of this sports car is no exception to its adventurous journey. The cockpit is fully equipped with all the instruments including the center-mounted tachometer and 220 mph speedometer. Apart from the five different color combinations offered to the interior, other noticeable feature is the bezel finish applied to its instrument panel and the console.
The cylinder heads of Viper SRT 10's engine is equipped with computer numerically controlled (CNC)- shaped combustion chambers, and larger valves with variable valve timing (VVT). VVT helps the valves to operate automatically as per the engine requirements, and thus offers a lot of relaxation time to the engine resulting better efficiency and cleaner surrounding. Another innovation in the engine technology of this sports car is the platinum-tip spark plugs that are used to ignite the fuel mixture in the engine. These plugs are fired by the plug coils placed on the cylinder-head covers.
The safety measures at SRT10 include adjustable pedals, advanced multistage front air bags with occupant classification system, anti-lock brake system, belt-alert, and many more like that.
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