Motorsports
PRESS | Flashily-dressed giant: The HAMANN Porsche Cayenne “Cyclone”
(openPR) - The Porsche Cayenne enjoys great popularity with the customers. No wonder, since the noble SUV combines power and design. HAMANN MOTORSPORT in Laupheim offers various modifications for Porsche Cayenne to refine it and to make it more individual. The most obvious alteration ist the shapely and mighty envelopment. Fitted with the HAMANN wide body-kit the Cayenne becomes the “Cyclone”!
A true HAMANN without aerodynamical conversion is inconceivable. Even more so, when the vehicle in question is a Power SUV like the Cayenne. Brandnew is the HAMANN wide body-kit, which make the Cayenne appear even more imposing. Fitted with this kit, the Cayenne may call itself „Cyclone“ .
The front view presents itself in an unmistakable optical characteristic. The specialists in Laupheim designed a front spoiler with two integrated LED-daytime running lights and fog lamps each. By offering the LED daytime running lights HAMANN makes a valuable safety contribution. Three high performance-LEDs and 250 reflectors lead to a better signal aspect. Their lucent white signal light is highly visible even at daytime and warns oncoming traffic fast and efficiently, which in case of emergency leads to better reaction time. Further advantage: LEDs beat normal H7-bulbs in terms of durability because they can be used 30 times longer. Additionally, they lead to less fuel consumption which is a result of their better energy-efficiency.
But even with switched off LED´s the „Cyclone“ is a flashily-dressed giant. The front and rear extended wheel arches give the Cayenne an absolutely powerful. The back also demonstrates individual power: roof spoiler and rear-facing panel with integrated diffuser and cut-out for the HAMANN 4-pipe sports competition silencer. The tail lights with four individual light fixtures are real eye-catchers.
Corresponding to the performance and in order to provide suitable optical characteristics, HAMANN offers a lowering system for all vehicles with pneumatic shock absorption. The vehicle is thus lowered in front and rear by approx. 35 millimetres. Of course, the vehicle thus reacts distinctly more accurately to the steering system and offers pure driving pleasure.
The specifically developed HAMANN brake system for the front axle with slotted and ventilated brake discs sized 380 x 34 millimetres, aluminium disc chamber, sports brake linings and steelflex brake pipes. The eight-piston fixed calliper disc brakes in silver complete the system and apply a powerful grip. At the rear axle an four-piston brake system with slotted and ventilated brake discs sized 380×28mm plus the same hardware as above support the system working at the front.
Optimal contact with the road is guaranteed by the HAMANN light-alloy wheels ANNIVERSARY II for 22 inch tyres. The multi-part aluminium wheel in multi-spoke design is available in the dimensions 10.5 J x 22 inches for front and rear axle. If you prefer it a size larger, you can also have the size 11.5 J x 22 inches for the rear axle, but then only in combination with the flared wheel arches. The silver ANNIVERSARY II with high gloss polished rim flange is fitted with tyres in 295/30 ZR 22 (front) and 315/30 ZR 22 (rear).
The appearance of the three-piece, ultra light forged wheels EDITION RACE in crossing spoke design and black wheel spider is identified through its nine main spokes double-attached, branching and continually double-crossing towards the outside rim. Its stirring design becomes particularly noticeable through Titan studs. The high-polished flange is icing on the cake to complete this luxurious look. The wheel EDITION RACE comes in an impressive 11×23” with tyres 315/25 R23.
HAMANN equips the “Cyclone” with high performance tires from technology partners HANKOOK.
Sound tuning – with some additional horse power produced at the same time – is accomplished by HAMANN with its sports exhaust systems. Sports headers and sports metal catalytic converters including connecting pipes for the HAMANN 4-pipe-sports rear silencer made from stainless steel, evoke thoughts of a raging cyclone closing in!
As in all HAMANN models, there are no limits to the customer’s requirements in respect of the passenger compartment. Can’t be done? – that’s not true! An absolute must is the pedal set including aluminium foot rest. Of course, the exclusive pearl velours floor mats with the silver, embroidered HAMANN logo are also indispensable. A three spoke airbag-equipped sports steering wheel connects the driver even better to his vehicle. Additional motorsports atmosphere provides the 36-piece carbon coated interior-set. Passengers preferably never want to get out of the „Cyclone“, when HAMANN fits out the passenger compartment with its „Twotone Snake“ full leather equipment. There really isn´t much room left for more precious interior! As always, HAMANN applies the rule „nothing is impossible“. Every Cayenne is customized according to each customer’s specific requests, for example with extensive multimedia conversions.
Further information to the extensive HAMANN tuning program can be found under website www.HAMANN-MOTORSPORT.de .
PRESS RELEASE (Source: openPR)
PRESS | Debut for new endurance racer
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, adds another member of the 911 family to its range of products. The new GT3 Cup S, based on the road-going GT3 RS sportscar, is created exclusively for racing purposes. The Weissach-developed and built vehicle will race in international championships which run in accordance with FIA GT3 regulations.
To a large extent, the 3.6-litre boxer engine is identical to the power unit used in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the international Carrera Cup championships. Power output has in-creased by 20 horsepower to now 440 hp (324 kW) at 8,000 rpm. Maximum torque is up by ten Nm to 430 at 7,250 revs per minute. The power increase results from optimised engine electronics and a modified exhaust system.
In contrast to the GT3 Cup, the body of the Cup S is not based on the road-going GT3 but on the GT3 RS. In the wider wheel arches, considerably larger wheels can now be mounted. At the front, the rims measure 10.5 inches in width with 12 inch wheels fitted at the rear. The front section and flares are significantly different to the GT3 Cup components. An adjustable front-splitter generates more downforce at the front axle. The rear-wing is wider and positioned higher than the Cup version and provides more downforce at the rear axle.
Several suspension components for the GT3 Cup S have been taken from the more powerful GT3 RSR which races in the GT2 class at international long-distance championships. The braking system of the GT3 Cup S was adjusted to the increased power compared to the GT3 Cup. At the rear the diameter of the brake discs has grown by five millimetres to now measure 355mm.
The new GT3 Cup S costs 250,000 Euro plus national VAT and is scheduled for delivery to customer teams from April. Additionally, Porsche offers a kit to upgrade the 2007 Cup models to the GT3 Cup S standard.
PRESS RELEASE (Source: Porsche)
PRESS | WRC Season starts with safety upgrade
The teams in the FIA World Rally Championship have incorporated the FIA Institute’s new side impact safety system in time for the start of the 2008 season, beginning with Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo. The Advanced Side Impact System, developed by the FIA Institute’s Closed Car Research Group, is designed to help save rally drivers and co-drivers from serious injury in the event of a high speed side-on crash with a solid object.
FIA President Max Mosley said:
“The Advanced Side Impact System is another excellent example of the FIA Institute’s partnership approach to improving motor sport safety. I’m delighted with the support given by the WRC teams in developing the system and all of those involved in the project should be congratulated on what they have achieved.”
FIA Institute President Sid Watkins added:
“After three years of research and testing I am delighted to see these important safety measures incorporated into the rally cars. The teams and drivers have been highly supportive throughout and I look forward to further collaborations as we continue to strive for ever higher levels of safety in our sport.”
The teams have been busy over the winter incorporating the crucial components of the system, which include more survival space and side impact energy absorbers.
The creation of a 200mm space between the door and the seat provides the critical survival space that will be used to help minimise the energy and forces on the body of the occupant in the event of a collision. The 200mm space will be filled with high efficiency energy absorbing material, to enable the crash forces to be attenuated.
Further side impact measures, including a stronger supporting seat, stronger seat rails, safety nets and optimised belt anchorage positions will be phased in during the summer break. In 2009, it is planned to introduce a new load spreading door cage system.
Petter Solberg, Subaru World Rally Team driver and 2003 FIA World Rally Champion, said:
“The FIA Institute is taking steps forward all the time with developments like the side impact protection system and safety in motorsport in general. I am pleased that the Subaru World Rally Team has been a major supporter in developing the system with the FIA. I think that the FIA has a lot of good ideas for the future and I hope we all see the sport get even safer.”
Mikko Hirvonen, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver, said:
“Crew safety is the top priority for everyone in rallying. As a driver I obviously appreciate the need to focus on safety, and it is hugely encouraging to see how closely the teams have been working with the FIA Institute and the importance that has been placed on making rally cars as strong as possible. I’m also pleased to see that research will continue in the future with a view to taking improved safety even further.”
The FIA Institute began work on the side impact project in March 2005, in partnership with the Subaru and Peugeot teams. One of the major challenges was designing a system which could be integrated by all teams in the current rally cars.
With this in mind, the project group arrived at a formula which breaks down the individual safety components into steps that the teams could easily incorporate into their cars.
The first target was to minimise the energy forces on the occupants of the car during a collision. This is achieved through greater survival space as well as energy absorbing material and a load spreading door cage.
The next priority was strengthening the driver’s seat to improve head, shoulder and pelvic support. The seat is important because it is the main connection between the driver’s body and the car. It also provides the last line of protection should an accident occur.
The safety nets, still under development with the teams, will be placed along the centre-line of the car, between the driver and co driver, in order to limit the excursion of the occupants, and prevent them impacting each other during a violent impact or roll.
The belt positions have been specified to create optimised belt strap geometry and angles which ensure the torso is efficiently and equally restrained by each of the straps of the safety harness.
The load spreading door system will increase the strength of the car in the region of the front doors, and will reduce the intrusion during a side impact accident.
By introducing these measures in stages, the rally teams are able to incorporate them more easily into the designs of their car.
Much of the research was conducted in co-operation with Peugeot and Prodrive, with engineering design by the Subaru World Rally Team. A high-g sled at DEKRA was commissioned for development testing where it was demonstrated that a high velocity 70g side impact could be survived without serious injury.
PRESS RELEASE (Source: FIA)
