Thursday, July 14, 2011

VIDEO: FIA tests F1 canopy

FIA recently did some testing of canopy covered closed cockpits for F1 following some disastrous accidents involving flying debris entering the cockpit.

FIA Institute Jet Canopy Test from FIA Institute on Vimeo.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Aston Martin confirmed that the Aston Martin V12 Zagato will make into production

Aston Martin V12 Zagato will make into production

According to Aston Martin’s website, "Only a strictly limited run of road going cars will be built." The website also lists the Zagato in its model line-up. On the website a new model is listed in the portfolio which will sit between the One-77 and the DBS. The model is the V12 Zagato.

The V12 Zagato is based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage but features fresh bodywork penned by the namesake Italian design house. The car celebrates of fifty years of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, dating back to the original DB4 GT. Given where Aston has been placed the model among its existing products, a very high purchase price is probable.

[via Autocar]

Future Of The 408 Horsepower Will Be Decided Before The Upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show

Audi Quattro Concept Future to be Decided This Summer

The future of Audi's Quattro Concept is to be decided before the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Quattro GmbH boss is "optimistic" it will be given the green light.

Inside Line says "The future of the Audi Quattro Concept will not be decided until the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Quattro GmbH boss Stephan Reil confirmed the final decision has been delayed but he is "optimistic" that the concept, which made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show last fall, will get the green light for production. Speaking at the launch of the Audi Q3 crossover in Switzerland, Reil said the best solution would be "a small-volume exotic car with a production run of 500-1,000 cars." Hitting the target weight of 3,086 pounds would require, "the use of lots of exotic materials," which would necessitate a high price and low volumes. But there would be "no better way of demonstrating Audi's 'Ultra' lightweight technologies."

The Audi RS5-derived engine will also need a major overhaul if it is to be successfully integrated into the bespoke aluminum chassis. "We need more power than the RS5," said Reil, "and it needs to be mounted longitudinally instead of transversely." Reil likened the scale of the project to the development of the R8, but claimed a production version could be ready in 2-3 years."

[Via InsideLine]

Friday, July 1, 2011

2012 Porsche 911 Specifications and Interior Pictures

Car & Driver reveals 2012 Porsche 911 Specifications and Interior Pictures

Car & Driver have been able to reveal several crucial details about the upcoming model from Porsche, the 991 (911) while they were sticking with the Porsche development team in South Africa.

The Specifications are given below

Carrera S to have 400 HP
Carrera to have 350 HP, share 3.4l engine w/ Boxster S
2 transmissions: 7-spd manual and 7-spd PDK
Launch Control available on both transmissions
2.5 inches wider, 4 inches longer wheelbase
longer wheel base to accommodate HYBRID drivetrain in 2016 mid-cycle refresh
12-15% improved fuel efficiency (euro cycle)
electronic parking brake
full-length sunroof
19-inch wheels standard on Carrera, 20-inch on Carrera S (20s optional on Carrera)
Nürburgring lap time: 8:04 for 991, 7:50 for 991 S. "Best setup" in 7:37.

Source: caranddriver.com via teamspeed.com

Motorsports: New F1 Engines Will Sound Like Proper F1 Engines: Says FIA

FIA Said That The New 2014 V6 Turbo Units Will Sound Like Current F1 Engines

The plans for the new V6 turbo engines that was green signalled by F1 teams and which is due to be introduced in 2014 will still sound like proper Formula One units, the sport's governing body FIA said on Thursday. To reduce the fears expressed by many promoters and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that the reduced noise of the new V6 (or previously 4Cyl) engines would dissapoint fans, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) published more details. Significantly, it said a proposed rev limit had been raised from 12,000 rpm to 15,000 "to allow engineers more flexibility in power and energy management.

FIA also said, "However as a consequence of architecture (V6) and change in rev limit the engine will sound different but will remain as representative of F1." The costs about the engines havent been mentioned definitely yet but FIA said, switch from 4 cylinder units will cost manufacturers more and they have started working on the project.

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