Google

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Lamborghini Reventon

Digg this

A super car without equals: the Lamborghini Reventon is a road vehicle with an extreme specification and, at the same time, a limited edition masterpiece – a coherent style, angular with sharp lines, inspired by the very latest aeronautics.

With just 20 produced, each 1 Million Euro (without taxes) Lamborghini Reventon is a symbol of extreme exclusivity.

All 20 cars was sold immediately, 10 of them are going to the United States, 1 of them is being sent to Canada, 7 will remain in Europe (including a single vehicle going to the UK), 1 of them is being sent to Kuwait and 1 of them is being sent to Japan.

The Lamborghini Reventon has been entirely designed in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the original birthplace of the Lamborghini and the native home of every super car born under the sign of the bull.

The design drawn up in Lamborghini’s Centro Stile (Style Center) is fine-tuned in close collaboration with the Lamborghini Research and Development Department.

Thus, the Reventon is not only “haute couture” but it also stands out for its elevated dynamism whilst being entirely suitable for every day use.

The Lamborghini Reventon is not destined to remain a one-off. A total of 20 Lamborghini friends and collectors will be able to own this extraordinary car and, naturally, enjoy the incomparable pleasure of driving it.

The name Reventon has been chosen according to Lamborghini tradition. Reventon was a fighting bull, owned by the Don Rodriguez family.

It is included in the list of the most famous bulls ever and is known for killing the famed bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943.

Carbon Fiber
Although it is based on the extraordinarily successful Murcielago LP640, the exterior design of the Reventon is completely new.

Just like the base model, the exterior is made of CFC, a composite carbon fiber material, which is as stable as it is light.

The exterior components are glued and fixed to the body comprised of CFC and steel.

The front is characterized by the acute angle of the central ‘arrow’ and by the powerful forward-facing air intakes.

Although they do not supply air directly to the turbine like an airplane, bearing in mind the 650 hp, an abundant volume of air is necessary to cool the carbon brake disks and the six cylinder calipers.

Naturally, both doors on the Reventon open upwards – since the legendary Countach this has also been a symbol of the V12 Lamborghini product line.

With their asymmetric configuration, the large air intakes below the doors provide an example of the extreme coherence with which a Lamborghini fulfils its function: on the driver's side it is large to increase the flow of oil to the radiator.

On the passenger’s side of the vehicle, the air intake is flat because in this case, it only has to ensure the flow below the floor.

The aerodynamically optimized flat floor structure terminates at the rear with a diffuser featuring an accentuated shape. This guarantees excellent road grip and stability even at 200 mph.

The technology found in the Murcielago LP640 has not been modified. The engine in the LP640 forwards is the classic twelve-cylinder engine with 6.5 liter displacement.

Only for this car, Lamborghini guarantees, an astounding 650 bhp at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm).

The huge torque, equal to maximum 487 lb-ft, ensures a powerful switch from any number of revolutions: even the slightest pressure on the accelerator is spontaneously transformed into thrust.

The robotised e.gear changes gear faster than even the most expert driver. In addition, the permanent Viscous Traction four-wheel drive system ensures that every force is constantly translated into movement.

With the Lamborghini Reventon, Lamborghini has done it again; it has created an unequalled super car; the perfect synthesis between the exclusivity and appeal of a limited edition design masterpiece, and the dynamism and driveability of a standard sports car.

Thus, the Lamborghini legend is further enhanced by another, stylish future classic.

Video
Lamborghini Reventon vs. Tornado
Lamborghini Reventon review

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Digg this

The definitive version of the gorgeous exclusive Alfa 8C Competizione, Gran Turismo car that is to be produced in a limited edition, made its debut on the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

The car, designed by Alfa Romeo, is directly derived from the concept car that aroused such admiration at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and has benefited from the best technical and industrial know how that the Alfa - Maserati Sports Center can offer.

The cooperative venture between both manufacturers was conducted with a view to ensuring integration between the Alfa Romeo design departments and the Maserati production departments.

The 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo’s glorious past, projecting its brand values of technology and emotion into the future. The historical allusions begin with the evocative name, recalling the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo.

The 8C code was used to identify cars (racing and on-road) of the Thirties and Forties equipped with the revolutionary eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano.

The term ‘Competizione’ is intended as a homage to the ‘6C 2500 Competizione’, a sports coupe driven in 1950 by the duo Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race.

Tradition and Innovation style
The attractive shape created by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre makes this car with its two bucket seats unique in the Gran Turismo scenario.

The designers have worked hard to ensure that the aerodynamic and performance demands have not altered the car’s original concept. The style maintains an incredibly clean shape, uncluttered by any element interfering with the overall harmony.

The solutions introduced on the Alfa 8C to achieve the highest levels of aerodynamic efficiency are not limited to the shape. Air wraps around the car and follows its natural course, unhindered by corners and unevenness.

All the pillar and glass surfaces and profiles together with the door mirror shape and position have been optimized by mathematical modeling and also by wind tunnel tests and tests on actual models.

Much attention has been devoted to the creation of a ground effect that has allowed a negative lift coefficient to help increase stability at high speed, as on racing cars.

Alfa Romeo 8C Interior
The car’s distinctive look comes from extensive use of composite materials on the facia and interior panels. This is a technical choice but also reinforces the car’s spirit and emphasizes its personality.

The same thinking lies behind the adoption of anatomical seats made out of carbon-fiber that can be adjusted and customized on the basis of the driver’s physical characteristics (a facility previously reserved for racing cars).

Everything is designed and produced to ensure the greatest user-friendliness for the driver and whoever is lucky enough to share the thrill: relaxed driving position, intuitive instruments that are always visible, robotized gear levers secured to the steering column and easy to reach without removing your hands from the sporty steering wheel.

Engine V8 Italian "Belcanto"
The engine is the beating heart of any Alfa Romeo. In this case it takes the form of a brand new 90° V 8 cylinder unit with a cylinder capacity of 4691 cc that was designed with one aim in mind: to ensure extraordinary performance while still offering a smooth drive and being usable in all circumstances, from the track to city traffic.

The top engine performance figures may be summarized as a maximum power output of 450 bhp at 7000 rpm, a peak torque of 354 lb-ft at 4750 rpm and a top speed of 7500 rpm.

Special attention has been devoted to the acoustic definition and tuning of the intake and exhaust in the quest for a sound timbre that enhances the car’s character and makes it unmistakable.

The result is a full, distinctive sound, emphasized by the permeable intake system and an exhaust system with electronically controlled valves that enhance the car’s sound without infringing any type-approval or environmental constraints.

The 6–speed gearbox with computerized speed selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel is designed to ensure ultra-slick gear shifts and may be used in Manual-Normal; Manual-Sport; Automatic-Normal; Automatic-Sport and Ice modes.

Production numbers and markets
The 8C will be built in a limited number of 500 and Alfa Romeo have earmarked the entire production run among several important markets.

The 8C will from 2008 be sold as Alfa Romeo's return to the United States market after Alfa Romeo's withdrawal in 1995. The first 8C was delivered to an Italian customer in October 2007.

Video Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Promo №1
Promo №2
Alfa Romeo 8C Exhaust

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Gumpert Apollo

Digg this

Once the son of the god of war Zeus, responsible for the victory and the template for masculine beauty, he is now the namesake of the breathtakingly uncompromising super sports car that combines aesthetics and function like no other.

The Gumpert Apollo is the perfect synthesis of a road vehicle and track car. It evokes passion and driving pleasure beyond all expectations. With 650 bhp, 224 mph top speed and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 3 seconds, you would have to go a long way to find an alternative to Apollo.

The complete package is available in a cost-benefit ratio that cannot be matched in this exclusive vehicle class. As a pure high-performance sports car with racing qualities that is also approved for use on the road, the Gumpert Apollo sets new standards.

Roland Gumpert, managing director and the driving force behind the company that builds the car, has created a manufacturing environment that combines engineering excellence with wideranging automotive and racing competence. Experts within the industry are all familliar with the name Gumpert.

In the mid 1970s, the long-standing Audi manager was the driving force behind the development of the vehicle "Iltis", the original predecessor of today's "Quattro". In the years undere his management, Audi won a total of 25 World Rally Championship races and was the 4-time winner of the World Rally Championship.

An Exceptional Design
The silhouette of the Gumpert Apollo, which has been optimized upon numerous times after tests in the wind tunnel, reflects its above-average performance capability. In its profile, the Apollo's dynamic appearance is further enhanced by its dimensions and its streamlined, long and wide shoulder lines.

The mid-engine layout is emphasized by the cockpit, which is clearly situated toward the front of the vehicle, and the long wheel base; both factors ensuring optimum driving qualities. Massive air inlets and outlets in the front, and on the side in front of and behind the doors, leave no doubt about its potency.

They supply the two turbochargers and the high-performance braking system with enough fresh air to ensure that the car maintains optimum operation for the duration of the race.

Driving Dynamics Redefined
The Gumpert Apollo's suspension was developed to ideally complement the clever aerodynamics of the car body, resulting in unusual driving dynamics. The Apollo is taut but not hard and offers the driver and passenger an extraordinary high level of comfort despite being purely designed for performance.

It demands the complete attention of the pilot but does not overwhelm him thanks to its ultra-precise and predictable driving characteristics even at top speed. An ideal weight balance of 42 to 58 percent between the front and rear axis rounds it off.

Proven Performance in a New Dimension
The impressive power of the high-performance eight cylinder engine is based on the proven V8 aggregates from Audi.

This engine in standard configuration is optimized for use in racing and road vehicles and produces 650 bhp as a biturbo engine. With a weight of only 430 lbs, it plays a major role in ensuring the Apollo has an ideal weight and its fascinating driving dynamics.

Via the two exhaust gas turbochargers, the combustion chambers are force-fed fresh air that has previously been cooled to the ideal temperature in large intercoolers. The sequential six-speed transmission, that incorporates Formula 1 know-how, guarantees the efficient implementation of the energy generated.

Purism and Luxury in the Gumpert Interior
Low weight was the top priority and has been achieved by using high-tech materials. For instance both the monocoque and the integrated instrument panel are made of carbon-fiber.

The seat position is individually set for every customer with padding, upholstery, adjustable pedals, and the steering column. The Gumpert Apollo is a made-to-measure sports car and in line with this principle, customers can design the interior to meet their preferences, be it pure performance or somewhat more luxurious.

The air conditioning system guarantees the perfect interior temperature while traveling. The high-end navigation system with DVD-player and sound system helps you get from A to B and delivers in-car-entertainment.

The backward facing camera integral to the system helps the driver when reversing or, as Gumpert says, simply shows him how quickly the overtaken cars disappear from view.

Video Gumpert Apollo
Test Drive from Fifth Gear