Motor and Car Modifications

Jumat, 03 September 2010

Aston Martin Racing reveals E85 Vantage GT2

Aston Martin Racing has revealed the first impressions of its new GT2 racing car.

Known as the Vantage GT2, the new car is based on the V8 engined Aston Martin Vantage road car. The new car will mean Aston Martin is the only manufacturer to offer cars in every GT racing category: GT1 – DBR9; GT2 – Vantage GT2; GT3 – DBRS9; GT4 – Vantage N24.

For the first time, Aston Martin Racing is designing this car to run on either standard race fuel or E85 bio-ethanol (where regulations allow). In 2007, Aston Martin Racing successfully converted a standard DBRS9 to run on E85.

Robin Brundle, Aston Martin Racing’s new managing director, said: “The new Vantage GT2 completes our product portfolio for 2008 with competitive cars now available in every category. Thanks to our experience with the DBRS9, we have been able to develop a bio-ethanol fuelled version, which will be eligible to compete in an increasing number of series now accommodating this greener fuel, including the American Le Mans Series.”

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

Want to own the fastest production car ever built? Then prepare to pony up the mountains of cash it will take to get you the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport ($TBA). With its 16-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled engine tuned to produce 1,200 hp — nearly 200 more than the typical Veyron 16.4, if there is such a thing — this world-beater offers lateral acceleration of up to 1.4G, carbon-fiber composite body panels, central rear exhaust system, and a top speed of 257.9 mph, which is less than the 267.8 it averaged when taking the production car land speed record, but is certainly enough to outrun the local police should you get in trouble for exercising your need for speed.

The Otto Club

The world is a busy place, and sometimes folks just don't have time to research their next car purchase — especially when their cars are like this. The Otto Club ($13500 - $35000) is a Boston-based club that offers members the chance to drive some of the world's greatest rides. Pricing is based on a points system, with the Red level offering 15,000 points — about 20-30 days of driving for $13,500. The Black level, $19,500 per year, offers 30,000 points, or around 40-60 days of driving. Cars available include the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Ferrari 430 Coupe, and Bentley Continental GT. Unfortunately, the service is currently only available in the Boston area (they have a clubhouse opening soon in downtown), but we spoke with the company's president and he assured us that the company does plan to expand in the future. Right now though, if you're in Boston and have both the means and a love of cars, check it out.

Kamis, 02 September 2010

FIAT Bugster – environmentally friendly fun

While most cars designed to protect the environment look, at best, well-meaning, at worst, plain dull, the FIAT Bugster is designed to make saving the planet outrageous fun.

As might be expected when a group of Brazilians and Italians, two countries not renowned for their wall-flower tendencies, got together to produce a car under the “Environment and Fun” banner they came up with the FIAT Bugster – an all electric off-road car designed to be charged at home.

But, for a technical first, the Bugster is not so much mid-engined, as mid-batteried. The 93 Lithium-Ion batteries, being the heaviest part of the drivetrain, have been mounted in the middle of the car to provide optimum weight distribution to achieve the best level of handling and roadholding – issues that usually don’t trouble the minds of people designing hybrids and electric cars.

To make the most of its 59 kW and 220 Nm of torque, the electric engine is mated to the same Dualogic sequential manual gearbox as used in the FIAT Punto, so as to provide a sporty response and yet more fun.

Beyond the engine and the bright green paint there are many more ingenious ideas – the tools in the tool kit are made from recycled plastic reinforced with natural sisal fibres; the seats are made from foam produced with 30 per cent recycled soya bean oil and body panels use clay that had been modified by nanotechnology to make it suitable for car bodywork use.

Entirely built by FIAT’s Brazilian division, the Bugster makes its world debut this week (30 October 2008) at the Sao Paulo Motor Show and is the latest in FIAT’s long history of environmental advanced cars. FIAT, for example, produce for the Latin American market the first car to be able to run on four different fuels, the FIAT Siena Tetrafuel, which uses pure ethanol, a petrol/ethanol blend, pure petrol or compressed natural gas.

Not only is this unique car capable of running on each of the four fuels, it automatically switches to whichever energy source is most suitable for the driving demands being placed on it.

Original Batmobile Spotted at Car Wash?

It’s no secret that Southern California is home to one of the best car cultures in the world. You can find a cruise or car show pretty much any day of the year, and it’s always amazing to see the vehicles that show up. It’s even incredible to see the kinds of cars that are simply out and about performing normal, everyday tasks. In addition to the usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, you can sometimes catch some truly unique cars out in the wild.

Take, for instance, this original Batmobile that was out getting a wash and wax at the Car Spa in Newport Beach this weekend. It’s the fourth of four original Batmobiles built by George Barris back in 1966 and is known as the “dragster” version because of its 427ci Holman and Moody V8 under the hood and dual parachutes attached to the rear. The car was built to serve as an exhibition model and actually raced at several drag strips around the country back in the 1960’s. It also comes with a working saw blade that drops down at the front and can actually shoot flames out the back. We tip our hats to the fine gentleman that actually drives this thing on the street.