Audi first revealed its electric car project at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year with the R8 e-tron, an electric car based on the R8 and featuring four electric motors creating a quattro EV. Audi then went on to reveal their second e-tron at the Detroit Motor Show – the Audi R4 e-tron – which seems to preview a new R4 model from Audi and finally the latest – and most convincing e-tron – the Audi A1 e-tron at the Geneva Motor Show last week.
But so far we’ve not seen any of the e-trons on the move. Audi admit that despite some ludicrous claims for the torque figures on the R8 e-tron (which they’re still repeating in this VT), the car they showed at Frankfurt couldn’t actually function under its own steam. But with confirmation that the R8 e-tron is to go in to limited production in 2012 it was quite important to get the e-tron on the move, literally as well as in the sense of moving it to production.
And Audi do now have a working prototype of the R8 e-tron which they’ve been out playing with on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Realistically the R8 e-tron is never going to be anything other than an experiment to show what can be done, even if Audi do intend building a limited run to sell to people who just must have an EV sports car.
The real future for the e-tron is in the guise of the A1 e-tron, where sensible performance and usability in cities is augmented by a range extending Wankel engine. It shows just how practical and useful an electric car can be in urban environments. But that’s the only place an electric car will ever really work.
The R8 e-tron is a vanity product with no real world applications. But it works. And it looks good.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The engineers at Volkswagen sure love tinkering with the Golf. First came the famed R32 - an all-wheel drive hatch that many feel is the ultimate in hot hatches. A VW with a 3.2-liter V6 is all well and good, but ze German engineers still felt as if the car could use more power. So the next "R"-tuned Golf - which hasn't yet made it to production - will come packing an even bigger Passat-sourced 3.6-liter V6. Will this R36 be the pinnacle of fast Volkswagen hatchbacks? No. Not by a long shot.
Volkswagen engineers feel that a small vehicle like the Golf needs an engine with more than six cylinders; VW's small city car needs an engine with twice that amount. Oh, and if the engine ditched the traditional "V" shape for a more VW-like "W", that would be even better. Yes, we know that this seems like an unlikely scenario, but we can't think of any other reason as to why Volkswagen felt the need to build a W12-powered RWD 2-door hatch.
The official name of the car you see here is "Golf GTI W12-650". If you've been paying attention so far, you can likely guess what the "Golf", "GTI" and "W12" in the car's name mean. The extra smart readers out there will also be able to guess that the "650" in the name refers to the car's (metric) horsepower output. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a 12-cylinder motor is much larger than the stock GTI's four-banger. You can also easily guess that it would be difficult to shoehorn eight extra cylinders into the VeeDub's already tight engine bay, so the VW engineers didn't even try - they just ripped out the back seats and mounted the engine right behind the driver and front passenger.
Getting fresh air to a cabin-mounted engine is difficult enough as it is - getting enough air to feed and cool a massive 12-cylinder engine is even tougher. VeeDub wanted the GTI W12-650 to keep its classic GTI shape, meaning that the engineers weren't allowed to slap a DTM car's-worth of ducts on to the thing. Yeah, this concept has a massively wide body kit with a couple of noticeable air ducts, but the main ducts that feed the engine are stealthily hidden away in the C-pillar. Go back and take a closer look at the rear quarter windows - they open inward creating cold air ducts for the W12.
The massively blistered fenders (4.72 inches wider than stock) and hunkered-down stance (3.14 inches lower than stock) may look wild, but VW went to great lengths to keep any and all unsightly wings off of this car. VW is saying that a lot of time went into engineering the look and function of the GTI W12-650, and according to VW, this entire car is one giant diffuser. The carbon fiber roof was designed to work with the undercarriage of the GTI, meaning that the body itself acts as a wing and keeps this high-strung hatch glued to the ground.
The GTI W12-650's interior was "designed for racing". Seating surfaces are covered in grippy Alcantara; important switches - such as the "ESP off" switch - have flip up covers to prevent any accidental switch activations; and all door trim has been stripped for weight savings. We don't know what it is about Germans and their odd ideas of what it means to save weight for racing; like other German cars with all "unnecessary" weight removed, the GTI W12-650 has a full DVD navigation system. We guess that when racing in a 12-cylinder VW, one needs instant directions to the nearest schnitzel joint.
Added weight of the navigation system aside, the GTI W12-650 can really move. Volkswagen claims that this little hatch can hit 62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. This ultimate GTI is also said to be able to hit speeds of 325 km/h (201 mph) with little to no effort. Perhaps ditching the door panels really does make a difference.
Like every other incredibly cool car we feature on this site, the Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650 is a concept only. You'll never be able to buy one of these from your local Volkswagen dealer, but something tells us that if you could, your money would be better spent on something cheaper like a Lamborghini Murcielago. Will this Volkswagen concept start a trend of Touareg/Phaeton-powered Mk5 Golfs? Only time will tell. In the meantime, check out our Media Page for more pictures of the hottest of all hot hatches.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Nissan silvia S15
What is cool about this is C-West Silvia stock-looking DRFT aero kit. Other exterior touches include Modern Image graphics, C-West GT wing-supplied and a set of Ganador mirrors. Of course the wheels get a visual upgrade in the form of some 19-inch Volk GT-7 rims tires wrapped in Toyo Proxes TR1.
S15 with 250 horsepower SR20DET motor - this looks to 165 horsepower SR20DE naturally-aspirated engine. This N / A SR20 looks as if it has a few mods, especially a tubular manifold and N1-style exhaust, but they may only add 10 horse
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Lancia Stratos Sport Cars
The Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept
In November 2010, forty years after the Stratos’ presentation at the Turin Motor Show, the New Stratos was publicly presented for the first time at the Paul Ricard Circuit – the legend returns. The legendary Lancia Stratos HF was without a doubt the most spectacular and successful rally car of the 70s. With its thrilling lines and uncompromising design tailored to rally use, the Lancia Stratos not only single-handedly rewrote the history of rallying, it won a permanent place in the hearts of its countless fans with its dramatic performance on the world's asphalt and gravel tracks - a performance which included three successive world championship titles.
The latest Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept not but single-handed rewrote the account of baiting, it advanced a perm place in the affections of its innumerous fans on its dramatic production on the world’s mineral pitch and gravel tracks – a execution which admitted 3 sequential world backup titles. The centrepiece of the fresh 2010 Lancia Stratos are the 4.3L, light alloy V8 locomotive of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, which speeds the high tech sports car to a accelerate of 200 kilometres per hour in 9.7 seconds.
Lancia Stratos Sport Cars
The goal for the development of the Lancia Stratos HF's successor was to once again create a mid-engine sports car with a short wheelbase, low weight and superior agility. Just as the Lancia Stratos, with its Ferrari Dino V6 engine, was nevertheless a distinct sports car in its own right, the New Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept is also a distinct development, using components of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Almost all of these components have been modified and, as necessary, customized to their new purpose. However, it should also be emphasized that the Ferrari Scuderia already sets the standard amongst the current super sports cars and, as such, provides an excellent basis for further development.
The high execution locomotive which absorbs its intake air by the roof spoiler’s face openings, back-number equipped on afresh control social unit and a high-performance exhaust by Capristo, including multiplex and sports car exhaust; it delivers 540 horsepower and provides a torque of across 500 Land of Enchantment.
Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept
The aluminum chassis was shortened by 20cm and welded to a roll cage made of 40mm-thick FIA FE45 steel. This method significantly increases rigidity, and this, combined with the shifting of the center of gravity towards the front, provides the basis for the vehicle’s extraordinary handling characteristics. Both the body – which is 33cm shorter than the Scuderia’s – and the interior are constructed entirely of carbon fiber and aluminum. All of the body components of the shell and interior are made of visible carbon. This places especially high demands on the quality of the processing, which was accomplished by Re Fraschini.
Since the first blurry pictures of New Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept appeared on the Internet in the summer of 2010, sports car enthusiasts and motorsport fans from around the world have been waiting impatiently for confirmation of whether the successor to the legendary Lancia Stratos really drives as impressively fast and with as much agility as appearances would suggest.
Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept
Finally, the steering has been converted to electro-hydraulic, the new smaller carbon steering wheel displays the exact shift points via differently colored LEDs and the paddle shifters are from the Ferrari 430 racecar. The New Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept, like the racing version of its predecessor, has been extensively geared – down to every last detail – towards lightweight design and performance. Not surprisingly, the specification sheet was therefore extremely ambitious in this regard as well.
Lancia Stratos Sport Cars Concept
Monday, January 3, 2011
Astrum Meera Sport Cars in Concept Created by Skyrill Design
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design
Concept cars have an unique way to make us dream of the future. Taking cues from the crop of levitating designs that have risen in the last little while, the Astrum Meera is a car concept that uses magnetic technology lighten the entire frame. That's exactly what the Astrum Meera does: puts you in a world where technology and design walked a long path and found perfect balance.
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design
Created by Skyrill Design Studios from Bahrain, the “Astrum Meera” is a car concept that incorporates distinctive features in a rather practical design to offer a safe and sustainable ride in the days to come. Astrum Meera’s frame is essentially suspended slightly above the tires, which continue to stay grounded to the pavement.
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design, the side mirrors are hidden when parked and roll out of the body once the engine starts. The mirrors have a built-in camera system that allows the driver to clearly see outside from inside the vehicle without opening windows in the rain or turning your head around.
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design running on wheel rims that work through magnetic levitation, similar to train wheels, to make it lighter and faster, the futuristic vehicle integrates the exhaust with built-in sensors, which track the level of CO2 emissions and alert the driver as it goes beyond the normal range. As far as futuristic vehicles go, this one is pretty impressive.
Astrum Meera Sport Cars Concept Created by Skyrill Design
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Classic serial Motorcycles - The Suzuki GSX1100E
Classic Motorcycles - The Suzuki GSX1100EThis had already prompted Germany to introduce a 100bhp limit on bikes imported into the country which had already had Honda decreasing the bhp of its CBX1000 to 95 from 105bhp. As far as handling was concerned, the big new Suzuki was a step up from the plethora of 1000cc machines. Despite the fact that the frame of the GSX1100E was pretty conventional, with a tubular steel duplex frame and twin rear shock absorbers, it was the engine that gave it its edge.
New Star Stryker Chopper Style By Yamaha
New Yamaha Star Stryker Chopper StyleThe liners are ceramic composite housing forged pistons, and dual 40mm throttle bodies with 12-hold nozzles deliver the air-fuel mixture. The 2011 Star Stryker’s double cradle frame is steel with the dual-counterbalanced motor rigidly mounted as a stressed member. The seat height is 26.4″ for a sit-in motorcycle riding position. The 6° steering yoke giving the forks a distinctive 40° rake, and the weight bias is 45% front and 55% rear. The Stryker has 41mm forks and a well-hidden linkage-assisted single rear shock.
Cast aluminum five-spoke wheels are used on the Stryker, with a 210 rear on an 18″ rim, and a 21″ front with a 120 mounted. The wheels are also the same dimensions as the custom-look Raider motorcycle. A single 320mm front disc is used up front, in addition to a 310mm rear brake. A belt-drive is used to transmit power from the five-speed transmission. Over 60 motorcycle accessories will be available from Star for the Stryker, including windshields, leather saddlebags, additional lighting, custom wheels, backrests, chrome and guards. Steel fenders are stock to facilitate customizers. MSRP for the 2011 Star Stryker motorcycle begins at $10,990, and the three available colors are Raven, Impact Blue and Reddish Copper.
MODIF YAMAHA VIXION SPORT
MODIF YAMAHA VIXION SPORT NAKED STREETFIGHTERMotor sport bike and streetfighter naked homage often shunned petite biker. The reason is a big power, handling will be difficult to control, as well as between the biker and motorcycle display will be good....
New KTM RC8R 2009
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
KTM RC8R 2009 Pictures Design Gallerys
First Ride 2011 New Honda CB1000R
2010 Honda CB1000R Action View
2010 Honda CB1000R Brakes
2010 Honda CB1000R on Track
2010 Honda CB1000R Engine View
2010 Honda CB1000R Fighting Sport
2010 Honda CB1000R Dashboard
2010 Honda CB1000R Picture
2010 Honda CB1000R First Ride
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
