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50 years of Porsche at the Sebring 12 hour race

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:51:23 +0000

2010 is a very special year for Porsche as it marks the 50th anniversary of Hans Hermann’s victory at the 12 hours of Sebring in 1960 with his Porsche RS60. Porsche also won the title last year and for 2010, the pair of Flying Lizard Porsche GT3 RSRs are on hand to defend their title against the mighty Corvette’s.

In the video, Porsche factory drivers speak about what its like to race at Sebring and to be part of the Porsche driver legacy. Also featured is Hans Hermann himself, the legend got a chance to drive his winning car on the track before night practise. A great video for Porsche and race fans alike.

Source: WorldCarFans

Lewis and Jenson meet the MP4-12C: Full details on the new Mclaren revealed!

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:04:02 +0000

Mclaren has officially revealed its MP4-12C supercar and its final details. The British racing company first revealed their new supercar a few months ago but that was just to show its design, final performance details were not revealed till yesterday.

The new Mclaren is powered by a 3.8-liter twin turbo petrol engine co-developed with Ricardo. Power figures stand at 592hp developed at 7,000rpm, the engine redlines at 8,500rpm. Peak torque of 599Nm arrives as early as 3,000rpm and apparently 479Nm of that is available at an even lower 2,000rpm. Performance figures have not been officially revealed but according to our source, the century sprint will be seen of in the low 3-seconds point and expect top speed be close to the 320km/h mark if not more.

Torque is transferred to the rear wheels through a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox with F1-style aluminium shifters situated behind the steering wheel. The gearbox offers a choice of Normal, Sport and Track driving modes. There are also two other configurations named H and P. H refers to handling and changes things like steering weight, suspension stiffness and stability control. P alters throttle response, gearshift times and engine sounds.

The MP4-12C is said to be compact and small, that and thanks to a carbon composite monocoque, it is said that dry weight stands at less than 1,300kg. That definately does contribute to better performance, but it also contributes to lowering CO2 emissions. Mclaren reports a figure of under 300grams/km of CO2, this is significantly lower than its key rivals, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Inside the latest gadgets and goodies can be found, including a 7-inch touch screen and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Read on below for everything that you will ever need to know about the new Mclaren in the highly informative 4 page press release below.

Source: WorldCarFans

What were the Italians thinking? Lancia Delta HF Integrale Stretch Limo

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:52:39 +0000

What do retired rally drivers drive around? Well we would like to think that they don’t drive but instead get chauffeured around in this, a Lancia Delta HF Integrale EVO Stretch Limousine.

It’s a pity that the garage had to sacrifice these hot hatch legends to make these 2 limousines but there are always sacrifices that have to be made for the greater good, or page filling content.

Both cars (not easily distinguishable here) are apparently powered by their donor car’s 2-litre turbocharged engines, though it’s unclear if their 210bhp output are sent to all four wheels.

The Lancia Delta HF Integrale stretch limos are up for sale in Italy for €99,000 (RM442,000) each.

Source: Carscoop

Written by: Ben Viermann

Camouflaged Ferrari 458 Italia blends in with the snow to sneak up on Porsche’s and GTR’s

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:40:54 +0000

German based company Cam Shaft decided to make the Ferrari 458 Italia stand out even more by wrapping the car in ‘camouflage’ vinyl. Now we have seen some pretty interesting camouflage paint jobs like the camouflaged classic 300SL ‘Gullwing’ by BAPE fashion designer but this is something else.

There’s no doubt that the Italia does kind of blend in with the snow covered streets of Germany, but come on does one really have to do this to such a beautiful piece of art that the 458 Italia is. Ferrari’s, in my opinion, should only be red, yellow, black or white.

The company Cam Shaft specializes in vinyl wraps by offering customers many different colors and patterns. Colors include camouflage, matte white and of course matte black. Other than vinyl’s they do Rim stickers for motorbikes and also stickers to prevent stone chips. They obviously do a great job but maybe they should leave a Ferrari as it is, sometimes its just better that way.

Source: Carscoop

Written by: Ben Viermann

527hp E92 BMW M3 by Dinan Tuning

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:25:41 +0000

Dinan is a premium tuner out California and specializes in tuning BMW’s; this is their latest project – the e92 M3 S3-R. The Dinanized M3 now has 4.6-liter v8 which was stroked from its original 4-liters. Doing this has increased its horsepower from the original 414hp to an incredible 527hp with 407 lb-ft of torque. Top speed of the S3-R M3 should easily be above 200mph or 322km/h or so Dinan claims.

To achieve these figures the M3 received a “Carbon Fiber High Flow Intake and bored out High Flow Throttle Bodies”; Dinan also fit a free-flowing exhaust system. Also new to this M3 are “new springs, front anti-swaybar, Carbon Fiber Front Strut Braces and Racing Rear Toe Links” while riding on relatively plain 19-inch one-piece wheels.

Tech Specs are below

Engine
• Engine 4.6L V8 • Free Flow Exhaust (Rear Mufflers)
• High Flow Throttle Bodies
• Carbon Fiber High Flow Air Intake
• Underdrive Crankshaft Pulley Kit
• Middle Racing Exhaust
Maximum Horsepower: 527 @ 7800 rpm Maximum Torque: 407 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

Suspension
• Stage 3 Suspension System Includes: Performance Spring Set, Matching Front Bump-Stops, 28.5mm front anti-swaybar w/ urethane bushings, Front camber plates, Rear Upper Shock Mount Kit, Front Guide Supports
• Carbon Fiber Front Strut Braces
• Racing Rear Toe Link

Brakes
• Dinan/Brembo Front & Rear Brakes with black calipers & slotted rotors
Dinan Options Wheels and Tire
• Front Wheel: Dinan 19 x 9.5″ Lightweight Forged Wheel Rear Wheel: Dinan 19 x 10″ Lightweight Forged Wheel
• Front Tire: 275/30-19 Michelin Pilot Sport II
• Rear Tire: 295/30-19 Michelin Pilot Sport II

Accessories
• Dinan Aluminum Pedal Pad Set
• Dinan Deck Lid Badge
• Dinan S3 Serial Numbered Plaque

Warranty
• Matching New Car Warranty coverage up to 4 years/50K miles. Except on “Racing” parts.

Source: Carscoop

Written by: Ben Viermann

BMW at the 12 hours of Sebring

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:56:15 +0000

Racing, you have to love it. The adrenalin, the stress, the anxiety, the perfect balance of man and machine versus competitors that are in their own such equilibrium, winning just makes it all the more better. Being able to do so means thousands of man-hours put into building the perfect machine and many more hours for the drivers and pit crew to have everything at the tip of their fingers. This comes naturally to top teams like BMW. Here’s a great two part video of BMWs involvement in the 12 hours of Sebring showcasing the machine, the drivers and what it takes to race.

Ferrari working to resolve cooling issues in new F10 – Working on quicker ‘B’ car

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:31:05 +0000

Rumours that Ferrari is working on a ‘B’ version of its new F10 car have resurfaced.

There were reports in the Italian media in late January that a significant overhaul of the single seater, which finished first and second on debut in Bahrain last weekend, is taking place.

Italy’s weekly Autosprint magazine has now revealed more details, including that Giuseppe Azzollini – a CFD expert – was employed by the Maranello based team late last year following Toyota’s withdrawal from the sport.

It is suggested he is now working on a considerable development of the F10’s double diffuser that cannot be accommodated in the current layout of the chassis.

It is believed that Azzollini’s diffuser concept would have featured on Toyota’s TF110 design, which although taken over by Stefan GP is not destined to race this season.

A more immediate change to the 2010 Ferrari is better cooling, after both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa’s engines had to be changed prior to the Bahrain race.

Massa, meanwhile, said in the post-race press conference that he was asked to conserve fuel for 30 laps, where in fact the reason for his tempered pace was overheating.

“The temperature of the engine is the result of the aerodynamics of the car, so we have to work on that in order to make sure that we don’t have any more of these kinds of issues for the next hot races,” said team boss Stefano Domenicali.

Source: GMM

Gorgeous Kia Forte Koup ‘R’ for Canadian market only

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:05:22 +0000

The Kia Forte is already a pretty looking car, but the Koup is even better. We may never get the Koup here in Malaysia but dealers in Canada are certainly rewarding Kia customers with an even prettier ‘R’ package with styling and performance accessories.

The styling bits of the Koup include a five-piece bodykit that includes a pair of front lip spoilers, chunky side skirts and a discreet boot lid spoiler. It also includes a set of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama S-drive tyres.

The performance department benefits from a sport exhaust, an AEM air filter, and to aid handling, there’s a stiffer and lower ride height and a strut bar. But none of the greasy bits do anything to improve the Koup’s 173hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. We know 173hp is puny but the Koup is pretty enough to have us wanting it here in our market. I’m sure our local tuning shops will be able to crank out some pretty impressive figures for this baby.

Source: CarSccop

Fernando Alonso Presented With New Maserati GranCabrio

keshy — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:39:29 +0000

The perks of joining the most successful Formula One team in the history of the sport include being helicoptered around to exotic ski destinations in the Italian hills and being presented with the keys to one of the most beautiful Italian cars for a while. Among others of course. Fernando Alonso, Formula One’s top driver, has just been gifted a Maserati GranCabrio by his new employer Ferrari.

Double World Champion Alonso also got to personalise his GranCabrio according to his liking. He selected Griogio Granito (Grey Granite) for the exterior and the inside the champ chose a two-tone combination of Pearl Beige and Bordeaux leather that also matches the soft-top canvas roof that covers the GranCabrio.

The GranCabrio is the first ever four-seater cabriolet from Maserati. It was designed by Italian coach-builder Pininfarina and is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 with 440hp coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The new Maserati GranCabrio goes on sale across Europe this month.

Press Release

The two-times Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso, driver of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, has “unveiled” in Fiorano the Maserati GranCabrio that he has selected.

The Spanish driver has chosen for the GranCabrio elegant fixtures, preferring a darker shade for the exterior in combination with two-tone upholstery for the interior. Grigio Granito is the colour of the body, while the interior has a combination of Pearl Beige and Bordeaux leather, matching a soft top of the same shade.

The GranCabrio represents the synthesis of Maseratis in terms of top down models. It is a Maserati in the purest sense of the term: from the unmistakable style of Pininfarina to the craftsmanship of every detail, from the pleasure of driving to top performance – assured by a V8 engine of 4.7 liters and 440 hp with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fernando Alonso was particularly impressed by the space offered by the GranCabrio, perfect for four adult passengers. The GranCabrio is in fact the first four-seat convertible in the history of Maserati.

To emphasize the link with the Maserati tradition, the roof of the GranCabrio is strictly canvas. Available in six colours, perfectly integrated into the design of the car, it folds up in only 20 seconds (28 seconds including the movement of the four independent windows).

The Maserati GranCabrio is being marketed throughout Europe starting in this month of March.

Ferrari 458 Italia at track day

keshy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:52:47 +0000

The new Ferrari 458 Italia has looks that are rather, personal. I know a lot of people who don’t think much of it and I know some that totally love it. Well I fall into the latter class as I like how it is all so functional; it looks like that because it all has something to do with going faster. Well if you’re a fan then this is a great video, a bit of a time waster at first but things start to get interesting at the 1:16 mark. It includes in car footage of the Italia lapping what looks to be an Italian race track but that’s just speculating. Special attention to the almost instantaneous gear shifts.

Source: CarScoop