Sunday, 27 March 2011
LOTUS ELAN CONCEPT
Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept
With only a teaser image to go on days before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, everyone was thrilled to see Alfa Romeo unveil the 4C GTA Concept. According to Alfa Romeo, the 4C GTA is "a compact supercar" which represents the true essence of a sports car and is in line with the brand’s values: performance, Italian style, and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety."
The 4C GTA concept is inspired by models like the 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, but takes their design a step forward. While the two models were focusing on obtaining more power, the 4C GTA Concept’s focus is on weight reduction thanks to the extensive use of carbon.
The concept is powered by a "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine that delivers an impressive 200 HP that sprints the car to an impressive 155 mph.
LOTUS ESPRIT CONCEPT
Esprit Concept plunks its engine in the middle of a ship, though in place of honoring the turbocharged four-cylinders that motored the originals, the concept makes do with a meaty supercharged 5.0-liter V8. That V8 will look familiar to fans of the Lexus IS-F. The two-seater will produce 620 horsepower, accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and then blast onward to a 205-mile-per-hour top speed. The plan is to bring the production version to market in the spring of 2013 with a price tag around $175,000.
Power for the Lotus Esprit comes from a 5.0L V8 engine making 620-hp allowing for 0-60 mph to come in less than 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. The tech specs also include a KERS, Formula 1-style brake energy regeneration system as an option. The system will absorb and discharge electrical energy to provide an extra acceleration boost through an electric motor. Weight comes in at around 3,190 pounds.
Lotus Evora S
Lotus first introduced the standard Evora back in 2009, marking the company's fourth model globally, and its third offered in North America. Now, just two years later Lotus has expanded the Evora lineup with the Evora S - a supercharged variant that is intended to appease one of the few complaints of the original car - insufficient power for an exotic sportscar.
The Evora S and its less powerful Evora stablemate are the only 2+2 sports cars on the market with a mid-engine configuration - further adding to the interesting intrigue created by the vehicle's unique styling.
The Evora is designed to compete with Porsche's Cayman on the performance side, but will be slightly more practical thanks to its available four-passenger capacity. Lotus says the Evora's cabin is the most comfortable it has produced to date, with easier ingress and egress than any of its other models. Leather seats from Recaro, a closing glove box, and storage bins and even cup holders are all be standard equipment.
Where the Evora and Evora S start to differ is in the power department, thanks to the addition of a supercharger to the 3.5-liter Toyota-sourced V6, the S variant increases its horsepower from 276 to 346. Torque is also upped to 295 lb-ft, making this the well-rounded GT car it should have been from the start, according to some critics.
The net result is a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and the S also gains 10 additional miles per hour on its top speed of 172 mph.
As for cosmetic changes, the most drastic comes in the form of an all-new rear splitter which is significantly larger and more channeled than the found on the standard Evora. Looking closely at the splitter it is also clear that the Evora S swaps dual exhaust tips for a single, centered and large chrome exhaust tip.
The Evora S also comes with a sport pack as standard, centered around a 'sport' button which allows the driver to control throttle response and activate the exhaust by-pass valve. The sport button also raises the instantaneous rev limit and changes the dynamic stability control settings resulting in a total experience change.
The front wheels are 18 inches in diameter, surrounded by tires sized at 225/40-18, while the rears are 19s with 255/35-19 rubber. The forged aluminum wishbone suspension will use Bilstein shocks sitting inside Eibach springs to provide the Lotus-signature impressive handling capabilities.
The options list includes Bi-Xenon headlamps, three wheel choices (18 inch up front, 19 inch out back), power-folding exterior mirrors, a Tech Pack with a high-zoot Alpine Mobile Media System, Bluetooth, cruise control, rear parking sensors, an even higher-end Alpine/Lotus IMPRINT audio system, reverse camera, and full leather trim.
The Evora S and its less powerful Evora stablemate are the only 2+2 sports cars on the market with a mid-engine configuration - further adding to the interesting intrigue created by the vehicle's unique styling.
The Evora is designed to compete with Porsche's Cayman on the performance side, but will be slightly more practical thanks to its available four-passenger capacity. Lotus says the Evora's cabin is the most comfortable it has produced to date, with easier ingress and egress than any of its other models. Leather seats from Recaro, a closing glove box, and storage bins and even cup holders are all be standard equipment.
Where the Evora and Evora S start to differ is in the power department, thanks to the addition of a supercharger to the 3.5-liter Toyota-sourced V6, the S variant increases its horsepower from 276 to 346. Torque is also upped to 295 lb-ft, making this the well-rounded GT car it should have been from the start, according to some critics.
The net result is a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, and the S also gains 10 additional miles per hour on its top speed of 172 mph.
As for cosmetic changes, the most drastic comes in the form of an all-new rear splitter which is significantly larger and more channeled than the found on the standard Evora. Looking closely at the splitter it is also clear that the Evora S swaps dual exhaust tips for a single, centered and large chrome exhaust tip.
The Evora S also comes with a sport pack as standard, centered around a 'sport' button which allows the driver to control throttle response and activate the exhaust by-pass valve. The sport button also raises the instantaneous rev limit and changes the dynamic stability control settings resulting in a total experience change.
The front wheels are 18 inches in diameter, surrounded by tires sized at 225/40-18, while the rears are 19s with 255/35-19 rubber. The forged aluminum wishbone suspension will use Bilstein shocks sitting inside Eibach springs to provide the Lotus-signature impressive handling capabilities.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
NISSAN FAIRLADY 350Z
The Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002–2009 and marks the fifth generation (codename: Z33) of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes. The Nissan 350Z has been succeeded by the 370Z for the 2009 model year.
After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan's North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees. Yutaka Katayama, regarded as the "Father of the Z" unveiled the Z concept sketch to the public when he received a motor industry award. The design, representing a modern vision of the 240Z, did not please the original 240Z designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, who compared it to the Bluebird and Leopard.[1][2]
The 240Z concept was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following August and September. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) 2.4 L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car feel underpowered, they also felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z; thus, a redesign was commissioned. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn announced plans to produce the car as he felt the new model would help to assist the company's recovery.[1]
Z Concept was unveiled in Detroit Motor Show two years later, which was similar in body shape but with a new front end. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence becoming known as the 350Z.[1]
The 350Z is a front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive two door,two seat, sports car designed by Ajay Panchal of Nissan Design America(San Diego, California).[6]
The vehicle features the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family. Currently, external design highlights include: sloping fastback style roof line, unique brushed aluminium door handles, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle.
Interior cabin design is straight forward with brushed aluminium accents. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing their movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster (similar to the 240Z/260Z/280Z). The 350Z’s interior does not have a conventional glove box, instead it makes use of various storage compartments located either behind or between the 2 seats.
Released on August 20, 2002, the 350Z coupé was available in the U.S. in 5 trim packages: '350Z' (Base), 'Enthusiast', 'Performance', 'Touring', and 'Track' editions. In Europe only the 'Track' trim was available, although it was badged and marketed as '350Z'.
In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z Roadster featuring an electrically retractable soft-top roof. In the U.S. market the car was available in just 2 trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring), while in Europe, the same versions as the coupé were offered. Nissan added the Grand Touring (GT) trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005.[citation needed]
In 2005 Nissan launched a 35th Anniversary edition, with a revised exterior and interior (see Special Editions below). 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual models and Track models were a mid-year introduction, and included the 300HP/260TQ Rev-up engine. Automatic transmission-equipped 35th Anniversary edition models continued with the original VQ35DE with 287HP/274TQ.
For the 2006 model year, the 350Z received a number of notable changes for its mid-cycle facelift. The 300HP/260TQ Rev-up engine that was introduced mid-year 2005 with 6-speed manual was offered for every trim now. Purchasing a 5-speed automatic meant you still got the VQ35DE with 287HP/274TQ. The headlights now sported larger bi-xenon projectors, the front bumper had been revised, the rear taillights now use LEDs, and interior changes brought differences to the center console, among other small things. Touring and Grand Touring models have radio-steering controls standard, MP3 CD compatibility, and Satellite Radio became an available option. For the 2007 model year, the 350Z was again moderately revised. The VQ35DE V6 was replaced with a new, but still 3.5 L VQ35HR V6. It produced 306 hp (228 kW) at 6800 rpm with 268 ft·lbf (363 N·m) at 4800 rpm. The hood was revised featuring a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z. In the US, trims levels were narrowed down to 350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, and Grand Touring, while in Europe the same trim levels remained.
After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan's North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees. Yutaka Katayama, regarded as the "Father of the Z" unveiled the Z concept sketch to the public when he received a motor industry award. The design, representing a modern vision of the 240Z, did not please the original 240Z designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, who compared it to the Bluebird and Leopard.[1][2]
The 240Z concept was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following August and September. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) 2.4 L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car feel underpowered, they also felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z; thus, a redesign was commissioned. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn announced plans to produce the car as he felt the new model would help to assist the company's recovery.[1]
Z Concept was unveiled in Detroit Motor Show two years later, which was similar in body shape but with a new front end. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence becoming known as the 350Z.[1]
The 350Z is a front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive two door,two seat, sports car designed by Ajay Panchal of Nissan Design America(San Diego, California).[6]
The vehicle features the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family. Currently, external design highlights include: sloping fastback style roof line, unique brushed aluminium door handles, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle.
Interior cabin design is straight forward with brushed aluminium accents. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing their movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster (similar to the 240Z/260Z/280Z). The 350Z’s interior does not have a conventional glove box, instead it makes use of various storage compartments located either behind or between the 2 seats.
Released on August 20, 2002, the 350Z coupé was available in the U.S. in 5 trim packages: '350Z' (Base), 'Enthusiast', 'Performance', 'Touring', and 'Track' editions. In Europe only the 'Track' trim was available, although it was badged and marketed as '350Z'.
In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z Roadster featuring an electrically retractable soft-top roof. In the U.S. market the car was available in just 2 trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring), while in Europe, the same versions as the coupé were offered. Nissan added the Grand Touring (GT) trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005.[citation needed]
In 2005 Nissan launched a 35th Anniversary edition, with a revised exterior and interior (see Special Editions below). 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual models and Track models were a mid-year introduction, and included the 300HP/260TQ Rev-up engine. Automatic transmission-equipped 35th Anniversary edition models continued with the original VQ35DE with 287HP/274TQ.
For the 2006 model year, the 350Z received a number of notable changes for its mid-cycle facelift. The 300HP/260TQ Rev-up engine that was introduced mid-year 2005 with 6-speed manual was offered for every trim now. Purchasing a 5-speed automatic meant you still got the VQ35DE with 287HP/274TQ. The headlights now sported larger bi-xenon projectors, the front bumper had been revised, the rear taillights now use LEDs, and interior changes brought differences to the center console, among other small things. Touring and Grand Touring models have radio-steering controls standard, MP3 CD compatibility, and Satellite Radio became an available option. For the 2007 model year, the 350Z was again moderately revised. The VQ35DE V6 was replaced with a new, but still 3.5 L VQ35HR V6. It produced 306 hp (228 kW) at 6800 rpm with 268 ft·lbf (363 N·m) at 4800 rpm. The hood was revised featuring a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z. In the US, trims levels were narrowed down to 350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, and Grand Touring, while in Europe the same trim levels remained.
FERRARI SVR430
Vorsteiner is proud to announce the world debut of the GTRS3 Widebody Aero Package for the BMW M3, which represents a breathtaking leap into the more intrepid side of the GTS model. Only 100 examples of the GTRS3 coupe package being produced worldwide with individual serial identification plates & badges which will be included with the car.
The GTRS3 aero package is summed up by the GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Front Bumper, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Front Fenders, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Side Skirts, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Extended Rear Quarter Panels, and the GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper.
The GTRS3 M3 Widebody Aero Package comes standard with a choice of 1-piece or 3-Piece Vorsteiner V-308 20 inch forged 3-piece wheels with its 12.5J width and massive Michelin PS2 Sport Tires in 325/25ZR20 as part of the overall package.
The custom matte green paint work and installation has been exclusively performed by C&C Collision based out of Pasadena, California. C&C Collision Inc. has also been selected as the exclusive installer for the GTRS3 kit within North America.
The GTRS3 is now available for customer orders through our qualified Premier authorized Vorsteiner dealers worldwide.
The GTRS3 aero package is summed up by the GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Front Bumper, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Front Fenders, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Side Skirts, GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Extended Rear Quarter Panels, and the GTRS3 Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper.
The GTRS3 M3 Widebody Aero Package comes standard with a choice of 1-piece or 3-Piece Vorsteiner V-308 20 inch forged 3-piece wheels with its 12.5J width and massive Michelin PS2 Sport Tires in 325/25ZR20 as part of the overall package.
The custom matte green paint work and installation has been exclusively performed by C&C Collision based out of Pasadena, California. C&C Collision Inc. has also been selected as the exclusive installer for the GTRS3 kit within North America.
The GTRS3 is now available for customer orders through our qualified Premier authorized Vorsteiner dealers worldwide.
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