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Archive for July, 2010

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi unveils its attractions

Friday, July 16th, 2010
Ferrari World

Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi unveils today its attractions, designed to tell the Ferrari story, passion, excellence, performance and technical innovation to families and fans of all ages. More than 20 rides will offer thrills and amusement for a complete Ferrari experience.

It seems as though there will be plenty to do there (if you’re a kid), but they could do with some decent renders to sell it! Formula Rossa and G-Force sound fun and the Junior Grand Prix will be a highlight for the kids…

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS:

  • FORMULA ROSSA. The world’s fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 240 km/h.
  • SPEED OF MAGIC. A fantasy 4-D journey following the adventures of a young boy as he travels through a kaleidoscopic dreamscape of natural and phenomenal environments, where no Ferrari has gone before.
  • MADE IN MARANELLO. A virtual trip behind the walls of the famous Ferrari factory in Maranello, taking guests through the process of making a Ferrari.
  • V12. An exciting flume ride to the heart of a 12 cylinder engine.
  • G-FORCE. A thrilling tower ride that will shoot thrill-seekers through the red roof and 62 metres in the air before plummeting back to Earth, experiencing the actual G-force of a Ferrari, in a seat directly inspired by the Ferrari Enzo.
  • SCUDERIA CHALLENGE. Cutting edge racing simulators similar to those used by the drivers of the Scuderia Ferrari in training.
  • VIAGGIO IN ITALIA. A virtual aerial voyage over Italy’s cities and main monuments, mountains and coasts pursuing a Ferrari.
  • FIORANO GT CHALLENGE. A unique duelling rollercoaster with Ferrari F430 Spiders twisting and turning through tight corners on a sprint to the finish line.
  • BELL’ITALIA. A miniature recreation of Italy’s most famous locations, from the picturesque Portofino and the Amalfi Coast to Monza racetrack, the Colosseum in Roma, Venezia and Maranello, the heartland and home of Ferrari.
  • PADDOCK. A re-creation of the Ferrari motor home including garages, transporters & hospitality suites with interactive shows offering fans a taste of the true action behind the scenes on a Grand Prix race day.
  • THE PIT WALL. An interactive theatre that allows guests to test their judgment in realistic racing scenarios.
  • GALLERIA FERRARI. The world’s largest Ferrari gallery outside Maranello, showcasing the most exclusive range of classic and contemporary Ferrari’s from all over the world.
  • JUNIOR GT. A driving school for children with expert instruction where they will drive reduced scale F430 GT Spiders on an equipped driving course.
  • JUNIOR GRAND PRIX. After the Junior GT driving experience, budding F1™ drivers can enjoy the race track in scaled down Ferrari F1™ racers.
  • THE RACING LEGENDS. A ride through Ferrari’s greatest racing moments starting from the first races all the way to today’s F1 victories.
  • DRIVING WITH CHAMPIONS. An interactive 3-D show which follows the adventures of a young engineer who is taken on the ride of a lifetime with a racing champion on his first day working at the Ferrari factory
  • CINEMA MARANELLO. Ferrari World’s own theatre showing ‘Coppa di Sicilia’, a short film that tells one of the many inspiring stories from the life of the legendary Enzo Ferrari.
  • JUNIOR TRAINING CAMP. An interactive play area for children where they can engage with a waterless car wash, become custom ‘constructors’, climb up the grandstand, pilot remote cars, paddle their own miniature Ferrari and play with an F1™ car made of soft, guest-friendly foam.
  • CAROUSEL. Featuring never-before-seen Ferrari prototypes based on winning designs from a Ferrari competition.
  • DINING & SHOPPING. A range of concept restaurants and cafes offering authentic Italian dining experiences, in addition to unique shopping locations.

Aston Martin unveils the V8 Vantage N420

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
V8 Vantage N420

V8 Vantage N420

Aston Martin has unveiled a new motorsport-inspired special edition; the V8 Vantage N420 which brings a new dimension of sporting prowess and dynamic ability to the V8 Vantage range. The Vantage N420 draws inspiration from the company’s experiences at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007, the Vantage N420 is based upon the standard 4.7-litre, 420bhp, 180mph V8 Vantage and is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.

A generous standard specification and some unique options ensure the special edition Vantage N420 is both exclusive and distinctive, while also offering a 27kg weight saving – achieved through the application of carbon fibre – over the standard V8 Vantage.

N420 with the GT4 Vantage

N420 with the GT4 Vantage

On the outside, wider sills combine perfectly with a carbon fibre splitter, side strakes and diffuser, while bold 10-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels complete with gloss black finish, black mesh vents and ‘Graphitic’ tailpipe finishers complete the co-ordinated look.

Inside the Vantage N420 offers an Iridium interior package, with graphite instruments, leather or Alcantara® steering wheel, special N420 sill plaques and lightweight carbon fibre seats, complete with ‘Race Track’ stitching as in the V12 Vantage. Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and Park Distance Control are also standard.

Cementing the Vantage N420’s credentials as a special edition V8 Vantage tailored for the most discerning and enthusiastic drivers, it is fitted with the normally optional Sports Pack. This package combines revised springs, dampers and anti-roll bars for even more responsive and dynamic handling, while retaining the V8 Vantage’s renowned poise, balance and long distance ability. Finally, a new sports exhaust system delivers a suitably rousing soundtrack.

A further distinctive feature is the availability of a new range of optional Aston Martin ‘Race Collection’ paint schemes. Pairing bold body colours with contrasting hues for the cant rails and radiator grille surround, they celebrate the marque’s racing heritage.

Production of the V8 Vantage N420 begins this month, with deliveries commencing in August and prices starting from £96,995.

New Bugatti Veyron Super Sport breaks Landspeed Record with 268mph

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

New Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Landspeed Record Holder

New Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Landspeed Record Holder

The new 1,200-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport takes production dimension – today, on a beautiful sunny day at 25 degrees the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record for production cars, on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 268mph.

The Super Sport is a consequent of the further development of the classic exclusive 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, launched in 2005. This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the extraordinarily precise driving performance in bends and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.

The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety – at reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clearlacquered exposed carbon on request.

Bugatti has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models, usually with racing chassis and supercharged engines. These cars were considered as true racing machines for diehard Bugatti devotees. The most successful were the type 55 and type 57S; only around forty of each were built.

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports by now, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered. The Super Sport will begin production this autumn at Molsheim along with the Veyron and the Grand Sport. The first five cars – known as the 3 Bugatti World Record Edition – are in a special black exposed carbon and orange finish and have already been sold.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport will appear for the first time in public in California at the Pebble Beach Concours weekend in mid-August and will be featured at The Quail, Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca and on the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.