Italian design house Zagato has announced the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale, a road-going follow-up to 2010's TZ3 Corsa racing car concept which won Concept of the Year honours at the Villa del'Este Concours last May. Zagato will build nine TZ3 Stradales, meaning a total of 10 TZ3s will help celebrate Alfa Romeo's centennary.
Tell me more about the Alfa TZ3 Stradale by Zagato
As befits the 'Stradale' name, this is a TZ3 for the street, following on from the 2010 TZ3 Corsa track car. While the TZ3 Corsa was influenced by Zagato's history of Alfa Romeo competition cars (most notably the Alfa Giulia TZ and TZ2 racing coupes of the 1960s), the TZ3 Stradale has been designed to celebrate Zagato's Alfa road cars.
But the '60s Alfa TZ and its long-nose/Kamm tail proportions remain the dominant visual influence, along with Zagato's trademark 'double-bubble' roof and a windowline mildly reminiscent of the mid-'80s Aston Martin Zagato.
The TZ3 Corsa was an Alfa 8C Competizione underneath. What's the Stradale?
Here's where things get controversial. The TZ3 Corsa was indeed based on the Maserati-derived, carbon-tubbed 8C coupe. But while the TZ3 Stradale also dips into the Fiat parts bin for its powerplant and chassis, that parts bin has grown a bit deeper in the past year...
No... you don't mean the TZ3 has... CHRYSLER parts!?
We do. The TZ3's carbonfibre Alfa body and bespoke interior sit on a Dodge Viper ACR chassis. Zagato describes it as 'the first American Alfa Romeo', and in fairness to the Dodge, the ACR was the hard-edged, track-biased coupe variant of the monster V10 roadster so there will be no shortage of performance to go with the Zagato styling.
But if you weren't happy when Alfas starting using GM-derived V6 engines, then an 8.4-litre V10 engine and a tubular steel chassis fabricated on the wrong side of the Atlantic will probably cause your twin-cam heart to suffer catastrophic failure. At least it's not a Hemi V8!
This isn't the first Italian sports car to hide a blue-collar American powerplant within. Apart from Bertone's Corvette ZR1-based Mantide concept, there were the Iso Rivolta and Bizzarini sports cars of the '60s which used Chevrolet V8s, and Ford powered De Tomaso's Mangusta and Pantera sports cars.
So when is this Alfa Viper going on sale?
As with the TZ3 Corsa, the first Stradale has already been sold to a US collector, with cars no.2 and no.3 going to collectors in Japan and Europe. That leaves six TZ3 Stradales to be bought. Price on application to Zagato, who you can also address your letters of complaint to if the Italo-American provenance of the TZ3 Stradale offends your sensibilities.
Thứ Tư, 29 tháng 2, 2012
Porsche Panamera Diesel (2011) first official pictures
Like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0? Then this new Porsche Panamera Diesel probably isn't the car for you – it's the cheapest and most economical Panamera yet.
The new Panamera Diesel is also Porsche's second-ever diesel model, joining the Cayenne in Porsche's oil-burning range. This is a market cornered by diesel power, in Europe at least, thus expanding the sales potential of Porsche's four-door sports saloon.
So how cheap is the new Porsche Panamera Diesel – and how economical is it?
Err, it's £62,134, which isn't what buyers on a budget were probably hoping for; it might be £649 less than a Panamera V6, but it's still £15,796 more than a Cayenne Diesel. It's not massively more fuel efficient than the Cayenne Diesel, but 43.5mpg makes this Porsche's most economical car ever.
The Panamera Diesel's 172g/km CO2 figure can't beat the Panamera S Hybrid, but the figures are improved to 44.8mpg and 167g/km if you spec the optional lower-rolling resistance tyres. With the 80-litre tank, Porsche reckons you can cover 745 miles between fuel stops; a stop/start function is standard.
What's the diesel engine in the Panamera?
It's the same 3.0-litre V6 you'll find in the Cayenne Diesel, with the same VGT variable geometry turbo technology you'll find on the GT2 RS, says Porsche. The Porsche limo has 5bhp more than the SUV though, so total power is 247bhp from 3800rpm to 4400rpm, along with 406lb ft from 1750rpm to 2750rpm.
The 0-62mph run takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is 150mph, while rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed Tiptronic S auto are the only transmission options.
Steel springs are standard (air suspension is an option), along with PASM adaptive dampers, bi-xenon lights, front and rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control and a touchscreen sat-nav.
UK sales of the Panamera Diesel start in August 2011.
Panamera Diesel Panamera V6 Panamera S Hybrid Cayenne Diesel
Price £62,134 £62,783 £86,396 £46,338
Engine 3.0-litre V6 3.6-litre V6 3.0-litre s/c V6 3.0-litre V6
Power 247bhp 296bhp 329bhp plus 34kW motor 242bhp
Torque 406lb ft 295lb ft 325lb ft 406lb ft
Fuel economy 43.5mpg (44.8mpg*) 25mpg 39.8mpg (41.5mpg*) 39mpg
Emissions 172g/km CO2 (167g/km*) 265g/km CO2 167g/km CO2 (159g/km*) 189g/km CO2
Layout 8sp auto, RWD 6sp manual, RWD 8sp auto, RWD 8sp auto, 4WD
0-62mph 6.8sec 6.8sec 6.0sec 7.6sec
Top speed 150mph 162mph 167mph 137mph
Weight n/a 1730kg n/a 2080kg
* = with optional low-rolling resistance tyres
The new Panamera Diesel is also Porsche's second-ever diesel model, joining the Cayenne in Porsche's oil-burning range. This is a market cornered by diesel power, in Europe at least, thus expanding the sales potential of Porsche's four-door sports saloon.
So how cheap is the new Porsche Panamera Diesel – and how economical is it?
Err, it's £62,134, which isn't what buyers on a budget were probably hoping for; it might be £649 less than a Panamera V6, but it's still £15,796 more than a Cayenne Diesel. It's not massively more fuel efficient than the Cayenne Diesel, but 43.5mpg makes this Porsche's most economical car ever.
The Panamera Diesel's 172g/km CO2 figure can't beat the Panamera S Hybrid, but the figures are improved to 44.8mpg and 167g/km if you spec the optional lower-rolling resistance tyres. With the 80-litre tank, Porsche reckons you can cover 745 miles between fuel stops; a stop/start function is standard.
What's the diesel engine in the Panamera?
It's the same 3.0-litre V6 you'll find in the Cayenne Diesel, with the same VGT variable geometry turbo technology you'll find on the GT2 RS, says Porsche. The Porsche limo has 5bhp more than the SUV though, so total power is 247bhp from 3800rpm to 4400rpm, along with 406lb ft from 1750rpm to 2750rpm.
The 0-62mph run takes 6.8 seconds and the top speed is 150mph, while rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed Tiptronic S auto are the only transmission options.
Steel springs are standard (air suspension is an option), along with PASM adaptive dampers, bi-xenon lights, front and rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control and a touchscreen sat-nav.
UK sales of the Panamera Diesel start in August 2011.
Panamera Diesel Panamera V6 Panamera S Hybrid Cayenne Diesel
Price £62,134 £62,783 £86,396 £46,338
Engine 3.0-litre V6 3.6-litre V6 3.0-litre s/c V6 3.0-litre V6
Power 247bhp 296bhp 329bhp plus 34kW motor 242bhp
Torque 406lb ft 295lb ft 325lb ft 406lb ft
Fuel economy 43.5mpg (44.8mpg*) 25mpg 39.8mpg (41.5mpg*) 39mpg
Emissions 172g/km CO2 (167g/km*) 265g/km CO2 167g/km CO2 (159g/km*) 189g/km CO2
Layout 8sp auto, RWD 6sp manual, RWD 8sp auto, RWD 8sp auto, 4WD
0-62mph 6.8sec 6.8sec 6.0sec 7.6sec
Top speed 150mph 162mph 167mph 137mph
Weight n/a 1730kg n/a 2080kg
* = with optional low-rolling resistance tyres
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (2011) launch pics, video
McLaren has officially launched its MP4-12C GT3 racing car games, announcing the driver line-up and racing schedule for 2011 after further track-testing in Europe.
Hang on, McLaren launched the MP4-12C GT3 at Silverstone, didn’t it?
Readers will recall our earlier story on the MP4-12C GT3, but that was the track-test debut. Got it?
McLaren is now ready to formally launch its new FIA GT3 car and announce the formal racing schedule. Besides, would you prefer to be reading about yet another Porsche 911? Thought not.
OK, so apart from more photos and a video, what is new with the MP4-12C GT3?
McLaren has successfully completed its initial test programme, which started out on the McLaren Racing simulator normally used for McLaren’s F1 cars, then migrated to Silverstone. From there the team moved to Circuito de Navarra in Spain and the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Now they’re ready to go racing,
McLaren GT plan to make the MP4-12C GT3’s race debut at the Blancpain Endurance Series race on 22 May at Spain’s Circuito de Navarra, followed by races at Magny-Cours in France (27 August) and Silverstone (9 October) in England.
As part of the development programme for the MP4-12C GT3, McLaren GT also intends to enter the Spa 24hr endurance race (30-31 July). UK fans get an extra treat, as the MP4-12C GT3 will also be charging up Lord March’s driveway at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 1-3 July 2011.
Who’s driving the McLaren MP4-12C GT3?
MP4-12C GT3 project manager and CRS Racing team principal Andrew Kirkaldy will be leading the driver line-up, supported by McLaren F1 test driver Oliver Turvy, and Portuguese racing driver Alvaro Parente. Their primary aim is testing, in order to refine the prototype and incorporate changes into the 20 customer cars which will be delivered for GT3 competition in 2012. It will be interesting to see how the McLaren shapes up against its existing rivals from other supercar makers such as Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Hang on, McLaren launched the MP4-12C GT3 at Silverstone, didn’t it?
Readers will recall our earlier story on the MP4-12C GT3, but that was the track-test debut. Got it?
McLaren is now ready to formally launch its new FIA GT3 car and announce the formal racing schedule. Besides, would you prefer to be reading about yet another Porsche 911? Thought not.
OK, so apart from more photos and a video, what is new with the MP4-12C GT3?
McLaren has successfully completed its initial test programme, which started out on the McLaren Racing simulator normally used for McLaren’s F1 cars, then migrated to Silverstone. From there the team moved to Circuito de Navarra in Spain and the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Now they’re ready to go racing,
McLaren GT plan to make the MP4-12C GT3’s race debut at the Blancpain Endurance Series race on 22 May at Spain’s Circuito de Navarra, followed by races at Magny-Cours in France (27 August) and Silverstone (9 October) in England.
As part of the development programme for the MP4-12C GT3, McLaren GT also intends to enter the Spa 24hr endurance race (30-31 July). UK fans get an extra treat, as the MP4-12C GT3 will also be charging up Lord March’s driveway at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 1-3 July 2011.
Who’s driving the McLaren MP4-12C GT3?
MP4-12C GT3 project manager and CRS Racing team principal Andrew Kirkaldy will be leading the driver line-up, supported by McLaren F1 test driver Oliver Turvy, and Portuguese racing driver Alvaro Parente. Their primary aim is testing, in order to refine the prototype and incorporate changes into the 20 customer cars which will be delivered for GT3 competition in 2012. It will be interesting to see how the McLaren shapes up against its existing rivals from other supercar makers such as Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster (2011) first official pictures
This is the Gullwing that isn’t, the new Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. The new drop-top Benz supercar won’t be officially unveiled until the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September, but this reveal of a barely disguised car is all part of the big PR tease – the SLS AMG Roadster has already briefly appeared in a Mercedes Superbowl ad.
So what do we know about the new Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster?
This announcement is all about Mercedes AMG’s extensive development of the SLS Roadster, but leaving that aside the shots released give us a great look at the shape of the new convertible supercar from the three-pointed star. After the SLS coupe, the Roadster is only the second model to be developed independently by AMG, Mercedes’ go-faster arm.
Fundamentally the SLS AMG Roadster is the same as the SLS coupe, with a 563bhp V8 mounted just behind the front axle in the long nose, and drive going to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But in the switch from closed- to open-cockpit the famous ‘gullwing’ doors have been replaced by conventionaly hinged items. AMG has also fitted thicker sills, additional supporting struts for the cross member carry the dashboard, plus a strut between the soft top and fuel tank, to beef up the Roadster's rigidity. The bodyshell of the Roadster weighs a mere 2kg more than that of the coupe.
What about the new convertible roof?
On a stationary rig Mercedes has opened and closed the fabric roof 20,000 times, and it’s also been put through 2500 cycles on the move in all manner of baking hot and icy cold conditions. It’ll open or close in just 11 seconds at speeds up to 31mph, stay snugly in place at the Roadster 197mph top speed, and there’s a pop-up glass wind deflector for when you’re blasting around with the roof down. a
So what do we know about the new Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster?
This announcement is all about Mercedes AMG’s extensive development of the SLS Roadster, but leaving that aside the shots released give us a great look at the shape of the new convertible supercar from the three-pointed star. After the SLS coupe, the Roadster is only the second model to be developed independently by AMG, Mercedes’ go-faster arm.
Fundamentally the SLS AMG Roadster is the same as the SLS coupe, with a 563bhp V8 mounted just behind the front axle in the long nose, and drive going to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But in the switch from closed- to open-cockpit the famous ‘gullwing’ doors have been replaced by conventionaly hinged items. AMG has also fitted thicker sills, additional supporting struts for the cross member carry the dashboard, plus a strut between the soft top and fuel tank, to beef up the Roadster's rigidity. The bodyshell of the Roadster weighs a mere 2kg more than that of the coupe.
What about the new convertible roof?
On a stationary rig Mercedes has opened and closed the fabric roof 20,000 times, and it’s also been put through 2500 cycles on the move in all manner of baking hot and icy cold conditions. It’ll open or close in just 11 seconds at speeds up to 31mph, stay snugly in place at the Roadster 197mph top speed, and there’s a pop-up glass wind deflector for when you’re blasting around with the roof down. a
VW Polo R WRC (2011): Volkswagen enters the WRC
This be-spoilered supermini is the new VW Polo R WRC, Volkwagen’s entry into the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship.
Unveiled today in Sardinia ahead of Rally d'Italia Sardegna, it's a 300bhp, four-wheel drive hot hatch that's going to take on Ford, Citroen et al on the world's toughest mud, gravel and snow Special Stages.
VW Polo R WRC, huh? What happened to those rumours that VW would enter the WRC with a Scirocco?
Just rumours, compounded by VW running a Scirocco course car on 2010’s Rally Deutschland. Instead, VW will enter its Polo supermini against Ford’s Fiesta, Citroen’s DS3 and Mini’s Countryman.
We won’t see a Polo up and running just yet though. Instead, Volkswagen Motorsport will start the development of the Polo R WRC using a Fabia derived from Skoda’s IRC-spec rally car, with the mule appearing at selected rallies towards the end of the 2011 season.
Extensive testing with the Polo R WRC proper will then begin in 2012, before VW finally enters the WRC in a fully fledged capacity in 2013.
What do we know about the new VW Polo R WRC?
The new cost-reducing WRC rules introduced in 2011 have cemented Ford and Citroen’s future in the rallying, and have encouraged both Mini and VW to enter. Tight regs mean 1.6-litre direct injection and turbocharged powerplants, perfect for manufacturers wanting to shout about the downsized engines in their road cars. Speaking of which...
'Clever downsizing at maximum levels of efficiency and sportiness are seen as popular fortes by Volkswagen customers worldwide,’ said VW R&D boss Dr Ulrich Hackenberg. ‘Building on this experience, Volkswagen is set on demonstrating the competitiveness of its products in front of a grand international audience. In return, we want customers to benefit from experiences we gain in the World Rally Championship.’
Reckon on around 300bhp and 260lb ft, sent to all four wheels via a sequential gearbox. The dry weight (sans fluids) will be the FIA-mandated 1200kg, while the blistered body accommodates wider tracks.
More intriguingly, the Polo R designation points towards a future hot hatch to sit above the Polo GTI. To take advantage of the marketing opportunity presented by the WRC, expect the Polo R to utilise the same four-wheel drive chassis being reading for the Audi S1. Bank on at least 210bhp, too.
What does this mean for Volkswagen’s Dakar entry?
Bad news – VW is pulling out forthwith. It's considering running a customer team in 2012 and has had plenty of expressions of interest, but no decision has been made.
As for VW's most famous Dakar driver, two-time World Rally champ Carlos Sainz, expect the fast Spaniard to be given a special advisory role in the new WRC programme.
Unveiled today in Sardinia ahead of Rally d'Italia Sardegna, it's a 300bhp, four-wheel drive hot hatch that's going to take on Ford, Citroen et al on the world's toughest mud, gravel and snow Special Stages.
VW Polo R WRC, huh? What happened to those rumours that VW would enter the WRC with a Scirocco?
Just rumours, compounded by VW running a Scirocco course car on 2010’s Rally Deutschland. Instead, VW will enter its Polo supermini against Ford’s Fiesta, Citroen’s DS3 and Mini’s Countryman.
We won’t see a Polo up and running just yet though. Instead, Volkswagen Motorsport will start the development of the Polo R WRC using a Fabia derived from Skoda’s IRC-spec rally car, with the mule appearing at selected rallies towards the end of the 2011 season.
Extensive testing with the Polo R WRC proper will then begin in 2012, before VW finally enters the WRC in a fully fledged capacity in 2013.
What do we know about the new VW Polo R WRC?
The new cost-reducing WRC rules introduced in 2011 have cemented Ford and Citroen’s future in the rallying, and have encouraged both Mini and VW to enter. Tight regs mean 1.6-litre direct injection and turbocharged powerplants, perfect for manufacturers wanting to shout about the downsized engines in their road cars. Speaking of which...
'Clever downsizing at maximum levels of efficiency and sportiness are seen as popular fortes by Volkswagen customers worldwide,’ said VW R&D boss Dr Ulrich Hackenberg. ‘Building on this experience, Volkswagen is set on demonstrating the competitiveness of its products in front of a grand international audience. In return, we want customers to benefit from experiences we gain in the World Rally Championship.’
Reckon on around 300bhp and 260lb ft, sent to all four wheels via a sequential gearbox. The dry weight (sans fluids) will be the FIA-mandated 1200kg, while the blistered body accommodates wider tracks.
More intriguingly, the Polo R designation points towards a future hot hatch to sit above the Polo GTI. To take advantage of the marketing opportunity presented by the WRC, expect the Polo R to utilise the same four-wheel drive chassis being reading for the Audi S1. Bank on at least 210bhp, too.
What does this mean for Volkswagen’s Dakar entry?
Bad news – VW is pulling out forthwith. It's considering running a customer team in 2012 and has had plenty of expressions of interest, but no decision has been made.
As for VW's most famous Dakar driver, two-time World Rally champ Carlos Sainz, expect the fast Spaniard to be given a special advisory role in the new WRC programme.
Đăng ký:
Nhận xét (Atom)