Friday, February 19, 2010

Amazing "BMW"

This is the boat that won this years Americas Cup. BMW Oracle Racing is an really amazing piece of technology. Have at look at how it goes airborne - got to love it!

AMS-TV: Spy shots - the BMW 5-series touring

Have a look at the stillstanding dark blue car at appr 0.30 and the lines of it. This is going to be a very nice "Griswold"-stationwagon.

AMS-TV: Visit at RUF

One of my favorite Porsche-tuners, caught by one of my favorite magazines.

Jaguar XKR, Speed Pack & Black Pack

I think Jaguar is one of the companies in the car industry thats best to put fresh ideas to life. They do their own thing and it really works good. Now they are letting out their most bad-ass looking car in modern times, the XKR Black Pack.

The full press release:

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JAGUAR TO UNVEIL THE FASTEST XK EVER AT GENEVA SHOW
Jaguar will unveil the latest dramatic evolution of its supercharged XKR coupe at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This XKR delivers a significantly raised maximum speed – up to 174mph from 155mph – and bold styling changes that create an evocative and unique supercharged Jaguar.
The XKR Coupe unveiled at Geneva showcases two new optional performance and styling packs – Speed Pack and Black Pack – that are introduced to the XK range at 2011 Model Year. Jaguar customers have the option to personalise their vehicle to create a car that offers even greater performance without compromising the refinement and luxury for which every Jaguar is renowned.
By raising the XKR’s maximum speed the new car has extended its sporting credentials taking it even further into supercar performance territory.



Russ Varney, Chief Programme Engineer, XK Series, explains the philosophy behind the uprated XKR: “With 510PS and 625Nm of torque, the XKR has immense reserves of power and acceleration which impress everyone who experience it. The car has always had the potential to reach speeds far beyond its original electronically limited maximum and many of our customers have expressed an interest in a car that can safely be driven faster where conditions permit. The new Speed Pack allows them to release some of that potential and give them control of the fastest Jaguar XK we’ve made to date.”
The XKR Coupe featured at the Geneva Show on 4th March 2010 pairs both the optional Speed and Black Packs to create the bold new model, which also sports optional Piano Black veneers on the dashboard and red brake callipers.

The XKR Speed Pack
The XKR Coupe with new optional Speed Pack allows customers to further strengthen their XKR’s already impressive breadth of capability, by extending the car’s top speed from 155mph (250km/h) to an electronically limited 174mph (280km/h) thanks to a unique engine and transmission recalibration.
To ensure the XKR with Speed Pack remains stable at high speeds, the coupe uses a revised front aerodynamic splitter and larger rear spoiler to provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

Every XKR with the Speed Pack will come with body-coloured side sills and rear diffuser, and a chrome finish to the window surrounds, upper and lower mesh grilles, side Power Vents and boot lid finisher. Red brake callipers with a Jaguar ‘R’ logo sit inside 20-inch Kasuga alloy wheels.
Customers who order the XKR Coupe with the Speed Pack will be offered a paint palette that is part of the Jaguar Designers’ Choice programme – a range of colours that have been specifically chosen to compliment the performance potential of the car. Seven colours are available on Speed Pack models – Ultimate Black, Polaris White, Salsa Red, Liquid Silver, Lunar Grey, Kyanite Blue and Spectrum Blue.



The XKR Speed and Black Pack
For customers looking to create a real statement with their Speed Pack XKR Coupe, the new optional Black Pack allows them to own a bold and purposeful Jaguar with undeniable visual impact thanks to menacing gloss black wheels and exterior detailing.
Available only with the Speed Pack, XKRs fitted with the Black Pack have a paint palette selected from colours that Jaguar’s Design team believe to be ideal for creating a coupe with immediate exclusivity. The Black Pack models will be available in Ultimate Black, Polaris White or Salsa Red and boast eye-catching 20-inch gloss black Kalimnos alloy wheels. Further gloss black finishing is applied to the window surrounds and front grilles. Red painted brake callipers contrast strongly with the black alloy wheels, while body coloured front and rear spoilers and boot lid finisher round out the package. Customers also have the option to apply a sweeping ‘XKR’ side body graphic that runs along the door sills.
Jaguar’s Design Director, Ian Callum, says the new Black Pack is a fitting addition to the XKR: “While Jaguars are about beauty, they are also about speed and power. With the optional Black Pack you can now add a sense of drama and severity to that performance.”
In addition to the Black Pack’s exterior changes, the Jaguar Designers’ Choice programme has also selected a range of interior trims that support the visual impact of the car. All XKRs with the Black Pack will be trimmed with Charcoal leather hides that can be personalised with a range of colour stitching and grain. Three interior finishes and veneers for the fascia and door trims are also available – Dark Oak, Dark Mesh Aluminium and Piano Black.


Other enhancements for 11MY
To underline the XKR's sporting credentials at 11MY red brake callipers become standard on all XKR Coupe and Convertible models.
A tyre repair Instant Mobility System (IMS) becomes standard on all XK and XKR models. This frees up the 30-litre wheel well, which is now carpeted and can hold a specially designed and tailored XK accessory suitcase, substantially increasing the versatility of the car.
In the UK, retail pricing of the XK range starts at £61,955 for the 5.0 n/a V8 petrol. The Speed Pack costs £3,500 and the Speed and Black Pack costs £4,000. Both are available on XKR Coupe only.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible



Bentley has finally dropped their latest bomb, the Supersports without roof

From the press release:

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The fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley ever

6-litre W12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 630PS (621bhp/463kW) at 6000 rev/min and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque at 2000-4500 rev/min
0 – 60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds)
0 -100mph in 9.6 seconds (0-160km/h in 9.5 seconds)
Top speed of 202mph (325km/h)
Overall weight saving of 90kg (198lb) versus GTC Speed




A highly focussed, extreme Bentley convertible driving experience

Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
Retuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar benefit body control, steering response, turn-in and balance
Increased 50mm rear track improves grip and stability
Lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 10kg (22lb) weight saving per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake cooling
275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres
Advanced ESP system fully exploits potential of the most powerful W12 engine and improved chassis
Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes provide fade-free braking and contribute a 20kg (44lb) reduction in rotating and unsprung mass from the front axle.


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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Breaking: Porsche Panamera V6





As expected, Porsche is now launcing the V6 Panamera. This is a completely new engine, which will be built in the Zuffenhausen-factory.

The full press release and pictures:

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Stuttgart. Following the successful start of the Panamera into the market, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is rapidly expanding the range of models available: Starting in May 2010, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4 will be at the dealership as the new entry-level versions leading into Porsche’s Gran Turismo model series.

Both models are powered by a brand-new 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection and developing maximum output of 300 bhp (220 kW) plus peak torque of 400 Nm/295 lb-ft. Following Porsche’s nomenclature, the Panamera transmits its power to the road via the rear wheels, while the Panamera 4 comes as standard with active all-wheel drive.



The two new versions of Porsche’s Gran Turismo are convincing examples of the Porsche Intelligent Performance consistent development strategy. Equipped with PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungs-
getriebe (Porsche Double-Clutch Gearbox) and Auto Start Stop, both models consume far less than 10 litres of fuel on 100 kilometres in the New European Driving Cycle: The Panamera makes do with a mere
9.3 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 30.4 mpg imp), the Panamera 4 averages 9.6 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 29.4 mpg imp. Nineteen-inch all-year tyres with optimised roll resistance available as an option reduce these consumption figures by another 0.2 litres/100 kilometres, giving the Panamera a CO2 rating of just 213 g/km, the Panamera 4 an equally impressive 220 g/km. Both V6 versions of the Panamera fulfil the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.



Superior economy and performance typical of the brand do not rule out each other on these new V6 Gran Turismos. On the contrary – the ideal combination of these qualities is attributable to consistent lightweight construction as one particular highlight, with the axles, doors, engine compartment lid, wings and the rear lid all made either of aluminium or a combination of aluminium and magnesium. At the same time the brand-
new V6 power unit built at Porsche’s engine plant in Zuffenhausen and boasting a 90o cylinder angle is approximately 30 kg or 66 lb lighter than the eight-cylinder featured in the Panamera S and 4S, thus contributing to the low overall weight of the Panamera of just 1,730 kg or 3,815 lb.

Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Apart from the regular steel suspension available as an option with variable dampers, adaptive air suspension with additional air volume is also available on request. This provides a very wide range of suspension qualities and features extending from an even higher level of motoring comfort at one end all the way to extremely sporting driving dynamics at the other.




The Panamera and Panamera 4 will be making their world debut at the Beijing Motor Show as of 23 April 2010. Both models will be entering the German market in May 2010 and are scheduled to enter the US market in June.

Prices start at Euro 75,899.- including value-added tax and national specifications for the Panamera (base price in the Euro countries Euro 63,600.-), while the Panamera 4 fitted as standard with PDK Porsche-
Doppelkupplungsgetriebe retails at Euro 84,110.- including VAT and national specifications (base price Euro 70,500.-).

Monday, February 15, 2010

Audi RS6 plus sport and Audi exclusive

Today Audi launched two limited versions of the mighty RS6. Here is the press release:

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Audi is offering two new limited-edition equipment packages for the RS 6 – restricted to just 500 units. With a top speed of 303 km/h (188.28 mph), a Carbon design package for the engine compartment, 20-inch wheels bearing a 5 segment-spoke design, and the sports suspension plus, each of these RS 6 models will be truly unique. In fact, each of them will be a one-of-a-kind thanks to a numbered badge in the interior. Customers can opt for one of two packages: RS 6 plus Sport or RS 6 plus Audi exclusive.
The Sport version features an instrument-panel hood and center console covered in leather; an RS 6 logo adorns the front floor mats. Concerning the Audi exclusive package, customers can also specify a custom paint job by choosing from the color range of quattro GmbH. In addition, the seat upholstery, controls, door trim inserts, front center armrest, and the armrests in the door trims are covered in leather of an attractive color from the Audi exclusive program. Seat add-on parts are adapted to match the color of leather in question.



Thanks to FSI direct gasoline injection, twin-turbo supercharging, and dry sump lubrication, the high-performance V10 delivers 426 kW (580 hp) and maximum torque of 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 6,250 rpm. This sedan mirrors the performance of a high-performance sports car: from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) in just 4.5 seconds and it exceeds the 200 km/h threshold (124.27 mph) after just 14.5 seconds. The sports suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) reduces pitch and roll by purely mechanical means. The driver can switch among the three operating modes of the MMI operating terminal’s shock-absorber control system: comfort, dynamic, and sport.
The RS 6 offers all the comfort of the A6 line of business models and is in the hands of quattro GmbH, a fully-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG. High-quality materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, leather, and Alcantara create a cultivated and dynamic atmosphere in the interior. And intelligent assistance systems grant drivers yet more control. Audi lane assist warns the driver should the car inadvertently veer out of its lane.
Audi side assist alerts the driver to possible critical situations during lane changes. Audi adaptive cruise control maintains proper speed and following distance. In addition to three-dimensional road maps, the MMI navigation plus offers a DVD player for navigation/audio/video DVDs as well as a radio with dual tuner and a 40 GB hard disk drive which can store up to 3,000 musical tracks in addition to navigation data.
The RS 6 plus Sport and RS 6 plus Audi exclusive equipment packages are available now. The Sport version costs 3,250 euros; the Audi exclusive package 8,310 euros. This equates to savings of about 50 percent compared to purchasing the items individually.

Video: More of the 997 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche has released another clip of their hybrid racecar.