Motorsports
PRESS | The New Caterham R500
THE NEW CATERHAM R500 – HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER
* 520bhp-per-tonne
* 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds
* 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine tuned to produce 263bhp
* All-new electronic dashboard including keyless ignition
* Optional upgrade sequential gearbox & launch control
For those really serious about their driving, the famous supercar-slaying R500 moniker is back with the arrival of the all-new Caterham Seven Superlight R500.
The latest model from the British sportscar manufacturer takes the minimalist, lightweight Seven philosophy to a new level with more power, sharper handling and for those venturing on track the option of launch control and the Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential gearbox.
Weighing just 506kg and producing 263bhp, R500 is the most potent race-tuned production Seven yet.
The Series 3 chassis flagship model blasts out 520bhp-per-tonne and is capable of propelling itself from 0-60mph in 2.88 seconds, delivering a pure adrenalin fix for those committed enough to strap themselves into the Kevlar race seats.
The original R500 was legendary, with the old Rover K-series powered machine rewriting performance records for 0-60mph and 0-100-0mph times. This new variant has been equipped to supersede its predecessor by embracing the very latest in lightweight engineering techniques and technology.
Lurking under the lightened bonnet is the all-alloy 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine. Fed by its roller barrel throttle bodies, the normally aspirated, four-cylinder mill is tuned by Caterham Powertrain (CPT) to unleash a monster; 263bhp with a heaving 177 lb-ft of torque transmitted to the rear wheels. The relentless acceleration is transmitted through each ratio by either the standard 6-speed gearbox or the optional Caterham Motorsport engineered sequential transmission.
To help reign in such extreme performance are race-developed Avon CR500 tyres and a suspension set-up that includes weight saving aero wishbones and fully adjustable dampers. Bringing things ferociously to a halt are four-piston calipers clamping on vented discs at the front and lightweight twin piston rear calipers.
Performance upgrades for the R500 aimed squarely at the track day market include a sequential transmission, launch control, a gulping Carbon Induction Airbox and Eibach Springs and dampers derived from the Caterham C400 race series.
The R500 isn’t just about big performance statistics though; refinements and Seven firsts feature throughout and help distinguish it from its stablemates.
In true Colin Chapman spirit, engineers sought to add lightness to the chassis in order to improve the overall performance.
To shed a massive 9kg from the already featherlight chassis utilised by the R400, Caterham left no bolt unscrewed - more carbon and Kevlar feature than previously, thinner body panels have been utilised right through to aluminium rear light housings.
Discreet exterior styling tweaks carried over from the flagship CSR models offer both form and function - the carbon winglets increasing downforce and the cat’s tongue grill aiding cooling and aerodynamics. A carbon leather boot cover and clear rear lights are also new.
Housed within the revised chassis is keyless ignition, a quick-release Momo steering wheel with integrated indicator switches and an innovative dashboard featuring flush fitted switchgear, ACES sequential gear change lights and a new Stack display with scrolling text. The carbon dash is also finished with a detailed engraved plaque to show each car’s number.
On sale immediately, the factory built Superlight R500 starts at £36,995,
PRESS RELEASE (Source: Caterham via Autoblog)
PRESS | From Moscow to Ulaanbaatar
Porsche competes with improved Cayenne S Transsyberia
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, will again contest the Transsyberia Rally this year. Already at its debut in 2007, the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia proved its speed and excellent offroad qualities on the way from Moscow to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Three Cayenne S Transsyberia finished in the top three positions. For this year’s edition of the Transsyberia Rally from 11th to 25th July, Porsche optimised the small series in several areas. The modified components are offered to customer teams around the world as a conversion kit.
In the modifications to the Cayenne S Transsyberia, primary importance was given to further improving the offroad capabilities and optimising the suspension set-up. The 2008-spec of the successful long distance racer features a stronger and newly-formed sump-guard. The front and rear panels were modified to allow a larger angle of driving slope. An all-terrain offroad tyre from BFGoodrich in the 265/65 R18 R dimension increases the ground clearance by 30 millimetres. Compared to last year, the higher and stronger side walls offer better protection against tyre damage. The air suspension was retuned based on the experiences of the 2007 Transsyberia Rally. The standard shock absorbers were replaced with special rally shocks. Particularly on the fast, bumpy sections, the vehicle’s handling is substantially smoother than the 2007 version. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which features two active anti-roll bars to almost completely eliminate body sway in bends, was adapted to withstand the special demands of a marathon rally.
The Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is equipped with a massive safety cage, with two bucket seats and six-point harnesses for driver and co-driver. The standard 4.8-litre normally-aspirated engine with direct fuel injection delivers 385 hp (283 kW). The weight-reduced sports exhaust system gives the Cayenne S Transsyberia a particularly powerful sound. For optimal acceleration, the six-speed automatic gearbox of the Cayenne S was combined with shorter final drive ratio of the Cayenne GTS. The transmission management was taken from the standard model and optimised for all-terrain purposes.
Like all other models in the Cayenne range, the Cayenne S Transsyberia features the permanent all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM), which feeds 62 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels and 38 percent to the front. The multiple-plate clutch, operated by an electric motor and controlled electronically, varies the distribution of power as a function of driving conditions, if necessary feeding as much as 100 percent of the engine’s power completely to the front or rear. The map-controlled longitudinal lock and the differential lock on the rear axle respond not only to lack of traction on the front or rear wheels, but also benefit from sensors measuring the speed of the vehicle, its lateral acceleration, the steering angle and the position of the accelerator pedal. In this way, PTM is able to consistently calculate the degree of lock required on the two axles and distribute the power required to the axles. The PTM software underwent optimisation compared to its 2007 predecessor. A fitted transverse lock further enhances the offroad capabilities of the Cayenne S Transsyberia and is also available in the standard model as part of the optional Offroad Technology Package.
All Cayenne S Transsyberia are fitted, as standard equipment, with a navigation system that also enables teams to plan their route offroad and is controlled by the co-driver. Additionally, the glove compartment is replaced with a Tripmaster computer enabling the co-pilot to exactly scrutinize the route between navigation points. All of the control units are positioned within the water-tight interior, and all electric lines and wires have been installed in new positions. To prevent water from entering the car, the body and doors have been sealed up to the height of the side windows. The maximum depth when crossing rivers and streams is approximately 78 centimetres or almost 31″.
The air intake for the engine is positioned above the hood. With a snorkel the air intake can be moved to roof height, ensuring that the front wave generated when crossing water is not able to enter the intake manifold. The regular foot-operated parking brake is replaced by a handbrake enabling the driver to intentionally oversteer the vehicle in a tight bend. Four additional headlights are mounted on the roof. For particularly difficult terrain and to assist in salvaging other vehicles, the Cayenne S Transsyberia comes with a winch easy to fit when needed and stored in the luggage compartment.
As standard equipment, the vehicle includes two fire extinguishers, two sandbags, two full-size spare wheels, and two transport boxes for tools. Also included are two two-man tents, two heat-insulated blankets, four lashing belts, a nine-metre long salvage belt complete with tackle, a folding spade, a folding saw, an axe, a manually operated and adjustable headlamp, four towing bar openings and a Hazet toolkit.
PRESS RELEASE (Source: Porsche via Autoblog)
PRESS | Sneak preview of the new Audi A4 DTM
Audi Sport engineers and technicians have been working feverishly behind closed doors on the DTM race version of the new Audi A4 for twelve months. Now the time has arrived to present the fruits of their labour to the public for the first time: On Tuesday, 4 March defending champion Mattias Ekström and Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich unveil the new Audi A4 DTM at the Motor Show in Geneva.
The exclusive “Sneak Preview” for the media is held on the second press day in Geneva from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. on the AUDI AG stand in Hall 1 (stand number 1061). Immediately after the world premiere the new Audi A4 DTM, which bears the project name “R14″ internally at Audi Sport, is taken back to Ingolstadt. In the following week at the official DTM test at Mugello (Italy) the new A4 DTM meets the competition for the first time.
“The new Audi A4 DTM looks fantastic and feels good on the race track,” reveals DTM Champion Mattias Ekström, who has already intensively tested his new machine. “I can hardly wait for the first race at Hockenheim on 13 April.”
PRESS RELEASE (Source: Audi via Autoblog)
(Picture is of 2007 Audi A4 DTM)
Featured Video | 2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Preview
Video Update (Source: CarScoop)
PRESS | 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Special Edition
The Jaguar XKR Portfolio is an exceptional sports car defined by dramatic beauty and effortless performance. Available as either convertible or coupe, and built in limited numbers, the XKR Portfolio adds highly crafted levels of luxury, premium equipment and exclusivity.
• Portfolio is a name that defines a series of highly luxurious special edition vehicles from Jaguar. Following on from the success of the first XKR Portfolio model launched in 2007, the 2009 MY XKR Portfolio, shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, goes on sale in selected markets from June 2008
• Advanced lightweight aluminum body construction, 420bhp supercharged 4.2 liter V8 engine and six-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift Transmission with paddleshift gear change for driver-focused dynamic performance
• Exterior sporting cues include
o Exclusive Shadow Grey metallic paint color
o 20-inch Selena alloy wheels with a unique shadow finish and red Jaguar ‘Heritage’ center badge
o A choice of dark grey or black hood colors for the convertible
o Milled aluminum power vents
o Portfolio trunk lid signature badge
o Alcon® R Performance braking system with red calipers - 400mm six-pot front/ 350mm four-pot rear - the largest ever fitted to a production Jaguar
• The unique interior specification includes
o Soft-grain, contrast stitched leather to the 16-way seats, instrument panel, center console, door inners, rear side panels and steering – in a choice of either Charcoal with Cranberry twin needle stitching or Ivory with Slate twin needle stitching
o A choice of new Rich Oak veneer or Engine Spin Aluminum fascia finish, the latter with Piano Black instrument panel
o Alloy and leather gear selector and alloy gate surround
o Unique tread plates with Portfolio script and leather edged carpet mats
o Alston luxury headlining
o Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, with 525W Premium audio, featuring low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and aluminum dome speakers, designed and tuned specifically for XK
Following the success of the special edition XKR Portfolio last year, Jaguar’s design team has created a new XKR Portfolio - available in June 2008 – combining distinctive styling with luxurious interior touches to create a model that is a supreme Grand Tourer with the performance and dynamics of a true sports car.
“The Jaguar XKR epitomizes Jaguar’s commitment to creating beautiful, fast cars. The XKR Portfolio has been crafted using exquisite modern materials - from the use of aluminum inside and out to the stylish cabin’s soft-grain leather with twin-needle stitching, hand-crafted veneers and luxury Alston headlining,” commented Design Director Ian Callum.
Complementing the carefully considered interior, the XKR Portfolio enhances the already powerful sporting styling cues of the XKR with an exclusive Shadow Grey exterior paint and new 20-inch Selena alloy wheels with a unique shadow finish and a red Jaguar ‘Heritage’ center badge, coupled with Alcon R Performance brakes with red calipers.
Every XKR benefits from its advanced aluminum construction, which ensures that it’s striking looks are matched by a dynamic, lightweight chassis. Powered by a 420bhp 4.2 liter V8 supercharged engine, the XKR delivers excellent performance, supremely confident handling and excellent stopping power.
XKR Portfolio’s Alcon R Performance braking system is the result of close collaboration between leading brake manufacturer Alcon and Jaguar’s engineers who together carried out extensive testing at Jaguar’s specialist engineering center, based at the Nurburgring in Germany. Boasting the largest brake discs ever fitted to a production Jaguar – with 400mm front brake discs and powerful six-piston callipers, while at the rear four-piston callipers operate on 350mm discs – the XKR Portfolio’s brakes produce fade-free performance time and time again whilst maintaining Jaguar’s renowned blend of refinement and stopping power.
A sumptuous blend of luxury and sporting cues further differentiate the XKR Portfolio’s interior from the XKR with the choice of a new Rich Oak veneer or Engine Spin Aluminum with Piano Black center console and soft-grain, contrast stitched leather throughout the cabin. An alloy and leather gear selector with alloy surround, unique tread plates with Portfolio script and Alston luxury headlining complete the bespoke feel of the interior.
Taking Jaguar’s 525W Premium Audio system with Pro Logic II surround sound as a starting point, Bowers & Wilkins have tuned a signature speaker system specifically for the XKR Portfolio’s cabin. High output, low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and specially designed aluminum-dome tweeters deliver superb mid-range and extended high-frequency responses.
The Jaguar XKR Portfolio is available to order now.
2009MY XK
Available from April 2008 production, Jaguar has also extended the appeal of its award-winning XK and XKR even further with feature enhancements across the range.
For 2009 model year, both the XK and XKR models feature as standard the introduction of iPod and USB connectivity and the standard fitment of an air quality sensor, front park assist and electrochromic and heated power fold-back mirrors.
iPod and USB connectivity joins the extensive list of standard technology features for the XK range with functionality and play lists controlled via the intuitive Touch-screen. For other MP3 devices, connected via the USB port and configured as mass storage devices, functionality is also controlled via the Touch-screen.
A new color is also added to the palette – Ultimate Black, replacing Midnight from June 2008.
PRESS RELEASE (Source: Jaguar)
