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Archive for September, 2010

Stunning new Jaguar concept – introducing the C-X75

Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar has revealed a truly stunning range-extended electric supercar concept car. The C-X75 has been designed to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the future of Jaguar and its commitment to producing beautiful, fast cars powered by sustainable means.

The C-X75 hints at an exciting evolution of Jaguar’s design language while paying homage to some of its most admired cars of years gone by. Advanced design features such as a ground-breaking propulsion system and active aerodynamics allow for an elegantly simple fuselage section that remains stable at very high speeds.

The C-X75 is finished in Jetstream Silver, its designers staying true to the long-held Jaguar design philosophy of natural, flowing lines and simple, elegant forms. Where inspiration from the past was found is in the innovative engineering and functional design elements of cars like the 1950s C-Type and D-Type racers and unique 1966 XJ13 Le Mans prototype – a car described by Callum as, “arguably the most beautiful Jaguar ever made”.

Shorter and lower than the current crop of supercars, its exterior design is about pure performance with a simple central fuselage surrounded by prominent wheel arches. Thanks to the packaging efficiencies provided by the absence of a conventional piston engine, the car’s designers had maximum freedom in placing the mechanical components and creating the most elegant engineering package available.

“The C-X75 is everything a Jaguar should be. It possesses remarkable poise and grace yet at the same time has the excitement and potency of a true supercar. You could argue this is as close to a pure art form as a concept car can get and we believe it is a worthy homage to 75 years of iconic Jaguar design.” Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars.

  • Stunning range-extended electric supercar concept
  • A celebration of 75 years of beautiful, fast Jaguars, points the way to a new design language
  • Capable of reaching 330km/h (205mph), sprinting from 0-100km/h (62mph) in just 3.4 seconds and blistering acceleration from 80-145km/h (50-90mph) in just 2.3 seconds
  • Four powerful 145kW (195bhp) electric motors – one for each wheel – produce 780bhp and an astonishing total torque output of 1600Nm (1180lb ft)
  • Two micro gas-turbines, spinning at 80,000 rpm, can generate enough electricity to extend the range to a remarkable 560 miles; and produce just 28 grams of CO2 per kilometre from the car’s plug-in charge capability
  • A zero tailpipe emissions range of 110km (68 miles) while running solely on battery power

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento breaks cover in Paris

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento launch at Paris

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento launch at Paris

If you are going to the Paris Motor Show in 2010, you will see that Lamborghini is redefining the future of the super sports car with a unique technology demonstrator.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Boasting an extremely lightweight construction thanks to advanced carbon-fiber technology, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento has an overall curb weight of just 999 kilograms (2,202 lb) – including V10 power unit and permanent all-wheel drive. Innovative carbon-fibre technologies are being used here for the first time in an automotive application. As a 100 percent subsidiary of AUDI AG, the Italian carmaker also benefits from the undisputed expertise of the German manufacturer when it comes to lightweight construction.

Sesto Elemento from above

Sesto Elemento from above

With its amazing output of 570 hp, sensational power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp and 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of only 2.5 seconds, the Sesto Elemento guarantees unparalleled driving fun. At the same time, fuel consumption also drops because of the extreme lightweight engineering applied throughout.

“The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun. We put all of our technological competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento,” comments Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “It is our abilities in carbon-fiber technology that have facilitated such a forward-thinking concept, and we of course also benefit from the undisputed lightweight expertise of AUDI AG. Systematic lightweight engineering is crucial for future super sports cars: for the most dynamic performance, as well as for low emissions. We will apply this technological advantage right across our model range. Every future Lamborghini will be touched by the spirit of the Sesto Elemento.”

For me it is a little bit bonkers, but that’s what you want from a show car. Especially a Lamborghini show car. If they can’t push the limits, who can?

The Ferrari SA APERTA – the most exclusive Ferrari ever takes centre stage at Paris. A new V12 to celebrate Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary.

Friday, September 24th, 2010
Ferrari SA APERTA

Ferrari SA APERTA

Ferrari is delighted to announce the presentation of the SA APERTA at the Paris International Motor Show 2010. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA APERTAs in celebration of Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.

The SA APERTA is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA APERTA an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-bars which themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.

Ferrari SA APERTA

Ferrari SA APERTA

The chassis has been redesigned to deliver a standard of stiffness comparable to that of a closed berlinetta and there is a negligible weight difference also, thanks to work done on the chassis structure.

Thanks to the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA APERTA beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the 599, incorporating Ferrari’s most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA APERTA is absolutely unique.

Price? If you have to ask…