Speedway-Racing

2006 Pagani Zonda Roadster F

2008-12-10T02:50:00.000-08:00

2006 Pagani Zonda Roadster F Specifications

Chassis
Brakes F/R:	ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R:	255/35 R19 - 335/30 R20
Driveline:	Rear Wheel Drive
Engine
Type:	V12
Displacement cu in (cc):	445 (7291)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:	650(478) / 6200
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:	576(780) / 4000
Redline at RPM:	n.a.
Exterior
Length × Width × Height in:	173 × 80.1 × 44.5
Weight lb (kg):	2711 (1230)
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s:	3.6
Top Speed mph (km/h):	> 214 (> 345)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):	n.a.

Base Price: 2006 Pagani Zonda Roadster F - n.a. (last update: 5/12/2007)

The Most Exclusive Roadster in the World Unveiled

Pagani unveiled the Zonda Roadster F, which offers fast open top motoring at its best.

Hand built at the Pagani Atelier in a limited run of 25, the Zonda Roadster F offers the outstanding driveability and performance of the F Coupe, enhanced by the pleasure of driving with a gentle breeze in your hair.

Thanks to an original roof made out of carbon fiber and cloth (removable in a few seconds) and due to the use of carbon fabrics for the construction of the central chassis, bodywork and interior, it was possible to maintain the dry weight of 2711 lbs, which translates in a weight/power ratio of 4.17 lbs/bhp.

A light and rigid body of the Pagani Zonda Roadster F is pushed by the mighty 7.3-liter Mercedes-AMG V12, with a power of 650 bhp and 576 lb-ft of torque.

The 0 - 124 mph time takes just 9.8 seconds and a few instants later you exceed the 186 mph (300 km/h) mark, all topless.

The Roadster F travels along the boundary where beauty and power merge together forming something special; it's sinuous and aerodynamically shaped bodywork gets its prominence from sharp edges and elegant lines, which show at first glance its extraordinary potential.

From the cockpit you enjoy a magnificent view, usual for a supercar. With your hands on the steering wheel you enjoy an environment that exceeds most expectations, with a mixture of carbon fiber, soft leather and polished aluminum lighting up your senses.

The precious instrument cluster looks like the handiwork of a watchmaker. It reveals the pure-breed of an Italian GT car: thanks to its personality, mixing sensuality, aggressiveness and magnetic beauty, you can easily imagine it driving along the sea front in Monte Carlo or screaming down a straight at Le Mans.

All this, supported by handling that is unbelievably efficient and sincere and that monitors constantly what is happening to every single wheel; creating the feeling of the power behind you and the precise response in front.

The Pagani Roadster F is not a racecar; it is rather a jewel handcrafted in Italy, a whirl of emotions, a masterpiece for the connoisseur who cares to drive fast. Pagani claims it made the fastest, most exclusive, most powerful and most expensive roadster in the world.

2007 Pagani Zonda R

2008-12-10T02:38:00.000-08:00

2007 Pagani Zonda R Specifications

Chassis
Brakes F/R:	ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R:	n.a.
Driveline:	Rear Wheel Drive
Engine
Type:	V12
Displacement cu in (cc):	365 (5987)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:	750(551) / 8000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:	524(710) / n.a.
Redline at RPM:	n.a.
Exterior
Length × Width × Height in:	188.5 × n.a. × n.a.
Weight lb (kg):	n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s:	n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h):	n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):	n.a.

Base Price: 2007 Pagani Zonda R - $1,565,000 + taxes / 1,200,000 € + taxes (last update: 3/5/2007)

Pagani Zonda Goes Racing

While one certainly cannot say the Zonda F lacks performance figures, driving around the Nurburgring in 7:32 and achieving lateral G forces of almost 1.5 G, it is however a road car, easy to drive, intuitive and setting the benchmark for comfort, safety and lightweight. Paired with a quality finish and the attention to detail this made the Zonda F one of the most desirable supercars resulting in the 25 Coupe models being sold out in record time. This did not seem to fulfill the requirements of our most demanding customers, who adore the weekend drive on a racetrack.

The spark has been set by an Italo-American customer, enthusiast and already proud owner of 3 Zondas. He describes the project this way: "The thought has been on my mind for quite some time, but I am not interested in racing".

The Zonda R is born with full liberty. The target: the ultimate performance at the racetrack without any implications of rules, except for safety, where no compromise is allowed. In September 2006 the first drawings were ready, but it was crucial to have the support of Mercedes-AMG for a high revving engine with a power output of 750 bhp, dry sump, light and with a low center of gravity. The basis was the self supporting engine of the mighty CLK GTR, which has dominated the GT championships.

Eve at constant racing pace the engine would have to cover over 3100 miles (5000 kilometers) before servicing.

The Zonda R is a car designed from scratch, with only 10% of the Zonda F components to be carried over. The suspension forged in Avional, a new Pagani six speed transversal sequential gearbox, carbon-fiber monocoque, aeronautical four pump fuel tank are only part of the equation.

The wheelbase has grown by 2 inches, the overall length by 5 inches and the track is increased by 2 inches. The bodywork and aerodynamics have been studied to offer maximum downforce. Even though built for the track, the project would not have received kick off, if the quality and finish of the car and its details was not up to the level of the Pagani road cars.

One of the first cars to be delivered however will be kept in a living room, designed by Pagani and built with the same materials as the Zonda F, beautifully textured carbon-fiber, avional, titanium, inconel and other state of the art materials. Additionally it will feature a bespoke HiFi System that will allow the customer to listen to the sound of this car at Le Mans and the Nurburgring.

The Pagani customers who have ordered the Zonda R will be relieved of almost $1,6 million + taxes.

The Track is its Home

This Zonda is purpose made for track use, without restrictions of any competition rules or homologation, with the only exclusion of the passengers' integrity, where no compromise is tolerated.

A New Heart

The engine is built by the racing specialists at Mercedes AMG, where the championship winning DTM cars are born, as well as the CLK GTR, probably the most devastating and effective weapon ever to compete in the GT series. From it's engine the Zonda R borrows the basic architecture including an ingenious dry sump allowing a low centre of gravity. This self-supporting engine with 750 bhp at 8000 rpm and 425 lb-ft of torque carries a lightweight carbon-fiber high-performance intake system, a racing multiple disc sintered clutch and Formula 1 style exhaust system, hydroformed in Inconel 625 and ceramic coated for optimal heat dissipation. The power unit combined with a 6 speed transversal manual sequential synchronized gearbox is designed to satisfy the most ambitious drivers.

The Chassis

The central carbon chassis will incorporate a roll cage and a rubber racing fuel tank with 4 fuel pumps and quick refuel filler like on GT race cars. The wheelbase has been increased by 2 inches to offer the best stability. The front and rear subframes are brand-new, built to accommodate a new suspension geometry, produced in avional. The magnesium forged rims with central wheel nut and a quick pneumatic lifting system allows fast and effortless changes of the slick tires.

Bodywork and Aerodynamics

The new bodywork has been honed to offer elevated downforce even in low speed corners. The longer front bonnet with flaps, closed underbody and the rear overhang with the adjustable rear wing and race derived diffuser translate into shattering aerodynamic efficiency and will let you experience cornering speeds beyond imagination. The car displays and logs information about the amount of dowforce that the car is generating at each moment. Combined with the adjustable wings you can easily find the best setup for each track.

Workstation

The interior is designed to accommodate the driver and passenger in bespoke seats, built to offer the best support, when the G-forces from the vehicle dynamics come into question. The Digitek instrumentation provides the essential information and a sophisticated telemetry allows through a variety of sensors to monitor every single component of the car.

2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque

2008-12-10T02:35:00.001-08:00

2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque Specifications

Drivetrain
Layout	Mid-Engine AWD
Transmission	6 Speed Sequential Manual
Engine
Engine Type	AMG-Sourced
Horsepower	678 hp
Torque	575 lb.-ft
Performance
Top Speed	217 mph
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)	3.4 sec
Braking, 100-0 km/h	2.1 sec
Later Acceleration	1.45g

Base Price: 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque: approx. $1,565,000

The Pagani Zonda Cinque: The Most Exclusive Supercar Ever?

The 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque is a super special limited edition--as in only five (5) of these ridiculous Italian sports cars will be produced. Italian supercar maker Pagani has had a hit with the handbuilt Zonda series, which are so exclusive that they are selling for far more than their greater-than-$1 million base price.

The 2009 Zonda Cinque flies, with a Mercedes AMG-sourced engine crammed into an ultralight body made of carbon-titanium fiber, a material developed in conjunction with Pagani just for the Zonda Cinque. Weight savings and drivetrain refinements allow the Zonda Cinque to rocket from 0-100 km/hr (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds, faster than... almost anything.

No word on whether the five limited-edition 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque supercars are accounted for, but don't bet on getting one. The price? A cool 1 million Euros. Plus tax.

A project born to satisfy the request of the Pagani dealer for Hong Kong "SPS", an incredibile car which will be produced only in 5 (five) limited pieces, already all sold and will be street legal. It will be the first Pagani car to be equipped with sequential gearbox manageable both with paddles behind the steering and with the traditional gear stick on central tunnel. Besides, it will be the first Zonda to use the new Pagani invention, the carbon-titanium, a special fiber purposely created for the Zonda Cinque, which will be eventually used on the new generation models. This monster has 678 hp, 780 Nm torque, forged monolock titanium wheels, bolts and nuts will fully be done in titanium and boast the Pagani logo.

The interiors are refined and at the same time reveal the sporting attitude of this car. Racing leather seats developed by Toora, 4-points seatbelts and molibden steel roll-bars with carbon fiber coating.

The Zonda Cinque total weight will be 20 Kg lighter then the F model, will have new Pirelli tyres, with special compounds for the car.

Suspensions and springs will be in ergal and titanium developed with the latest technology from Öhlins, in accordance with the Pagani specifications. Four different settings, 10 adjustments each, to separate high and low frequencies, both in compression and extention.

The body is equipped with a longer front spoiler, new designed rear wing, central air intake on monocock, extra air intakes for rear brakes. Flat bottom and new rear air extractors will improve the downforce up to 750 Kg at 300km.

The Zonda Cinque will be a piece of art able to speed over 350 Km/h. A special colour livery will distinguish this unique, exclusive, 1ML Euro + tax model. Only five pieces for five wealthy Pagani lovers.

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth

2008-12-10T02:29:00.000-08:00

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth Specifications

Chassis
Front	MacPherson layout and anti-roll bar
Rear	Inter-connected arms layout on torsion beam with anti-roll bar
Drivetrain
Layout	Front Engine, FWD
Transmission	5 Speed Gearbox C510
Engine
Displacement	1.4 Liters
Engine Type	Turbocharged Inline 4
Horsepower	135 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	152 lbs-ft. @ 3000 rpm
Performance
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)	7.9 sec
Top Speed	127 mph
Fuel Consumption	Est. 33 mpg

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth price, specs and more. The 'Abarth' Fiat performance nameplate is growing again, with the introduction of the 500 Abarth Italian sports compact car. Small, light and fierce and out soon.

The 2008 Fiat 500 Abarth: Look Out, Mini Cooper

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth price, specs and more. The 'Abarth' Fiat performance nameplate is growing again, with the introduction of the 500 Abarth Italian sports compact car. Small, light and fierce and out soon from an Italian automaker that is getting sick of making only econoboxes and minivans.

The return of the Abarth series of Fiat sports compact cars marks a new trend for Fiat and its entire umbrella group, which also includes Alfa Romeo. The Fiat group is going upmarket, and its Abarth performance division is creating excitement that will carry customers into Fiat showrooms.

Though the hot hatch is on every automaker in the world's radar right now, there is nothing quite like the Fiat 500 Abarth. This car is tiny, with a curb weight hovering around 2000 lbs and while the turbo I4 is not excessively powerful, it is plenty to get the 500 Abarth moving, up to a top speed of 127 mph.

There is something about driving small cars fast that is one of the most exhilarating joys in life. Look for the 500 Abarth in Fiat showrooms later this year.

From racing to our everyday roads, but always with a sporty approach. This is the goal behind the debut of the long-awaited '500 Abarth', announced for the coming Geneva International Motor Show. The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and will be marketed from July through the exclusive Abarth network.

With a strong sporty personality, the new car will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp (99 kW) at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3,000 rpm in 'Sport' mode (in 'Normal' mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm at 2,500 rpm). This brilliant, smooth new engine is also a friend of the environment: like the regular Fiat model it is derived from, the new Abarth will respect future Euro 5 legislation.

Another interesting feature of the 500 Abarth is the fact that it adopts the new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style. In other words, it is faithful to the phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s 'small but wicked'.

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse

2008-12-10T02:22:00.000-08:00

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse Specifications

Chassis
Front	McPherson strut, special racing shock absorbers, coaxial spring with nut for adjusting height of car.
Rear	Inter-connected arms, special racing shock absorbers, springs with nut for adjusting height of car.
Drivetrain
Transmission	M32 6 Speed
Layout	Front Engine, FWD
Brakes	Brembo radial front calliper with four pistons M4X40.
Engine
Displacement	1.4 Liters
Engine Type	Turbocharged Inline 4
Horsepower	197 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	221 lbs-ft. @ 3000 rpm

Base Price: 2008 Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse - Unannounced.

Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse: A Tiny Fiat 500 with Huge Power

Fiat has announced the 2008 Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse, a super limited-run track day sports car based on the lowly Fiat 500 subcompact, then modified in every way into a lightweight, high-powered racing machine. Think John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S, minus a few pounds and inches in the waistline.

The Abarth marque at Fiat has come to signify small, lightened Italian sports cars that are the antithesis of nameplates like Ferrari and Maserati, yet still fast and sporting in their own right. The 500 Abarth Assetto Corse, like the less exclusive Fiat 500 Abarth,

The Abarth Assetto Corse is a limited-run Italian sport compact car, with only 49 units going to production. With 200 horsepower on tap in a package this small, the Assetto Corse will be tearing up Italian back roads soon for those Fiat fans lucky enough to get their hands on one.

Back to the track: 500 Abarth Assetto Corse

Abarth returns to track racing, and it has chosen to do so with its new '500 Abarth Assetto Corse', the baby supersports car from Abarth, due to be produced in a Limited Edition (49 cars).
The new vehicle, designed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre and produced by a team of Abarth Engineers and Designers will be the star of track races from next year and its creation confirms Abarth's racing vocation.

The Assetto Corse version of the petite 500 Abarth takes up the baton from its forerunner, the '595' that notched up numerous successes and great victories from 1963 and led to the coining of the description 'small but deadly'.

The cars sports a full racing outfit: wide track, white 17' special ultralight racing wheels, low ride, sports racing mirrors and a place for a number on the sides. Available in pastel grey with red Abarth side stripes, the '500 Abarth Assetto Corse' reveals an assertive front end that houses a badge bearing the Abarth logo and, below this, wide bumpers complete with an aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles to replace the plastic louvres on the standard production version. In addition to the classic bonnet clips, the bonnet houses two carbon air intakes bearing the Abarth scorpion logo.

The rear part of the car features a white winged spoiler, a badge bearing the Abarth logo and a twin exhaust pipe.

The Abarth identity is expressed to the full with a thunderbolt logo on the side representing the brand's racing image and a red band and four white chequers on the roof, just as on the winning Abarth 850TC version of the 1960s.

Inside, the '500 Abarth Assetto Corse' is equipped with a roll-bar type-approved for racing that is completely hollow to make the car lighter and faster. The car weighs approximately 180 kg less than the road version. The anatomical seats, the steering wheel (special for racing) and the carbon door panels make the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse a real baby sports car with a indomitable character all of its own.

Abarth has also thoughtfully provided a clothing set for the driver, that will be delivered in an original Abarth-branded leather bag. Owners of the '500 Abarth Assetto Corse' will therefore be resplendent in overalls, helmets, gloves and shoes, all meticulously branded with the ultra-new 'Assetto Corse' logo produced for the limited edition of the car.

2008 Spyker C12 Zagato

2008-12-09T03:49:00.000-08:00

2008 Spyker C12 Zagato Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: n.a.
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: W12
Displacement cu in (cc): 366 (5998)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 500(368) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 450(610) / n.a.
Redline at RPM: 6500

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 177.4 × 80 × 49.2
Weight lb (kg): 3262 (1480)

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 3.8
Top Speed mph (km/h): 193 (310)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.
Base Price: 2008 Spyker C12 Zagato - $644,000 + taxes / 495,000 € + taxes (last update: 3/7/2007)

Spyker C12 Zagato Unveiled

Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker unveiled the Spyker C12 Zagato at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Norihiko Harada, Zagatos Automotive Chief Designer, and Muller co-operated closely to design this limited edition of 24 sports cars to be delivered from March 2008 onwards. The world premiere of this ultra-exclusive version of the C12 range celebrates Spykers entry into the world of Formula One and marks the first integration of design elements and styling cues from the Spyker F8-VII Formula One car into the Spyker road car range. This point was underlined by the unveiling of the car being performed by Spykers Formula One race driver, Adrian Sutil.

Spyker C12 Zagato: The Rationale

After it became apparent that Spyker would succeed in acquiring the Midland Formula 1 team it was decided that the C12 Zagato should embody as many of the Formula 1 design cues as practically possible so as to set a new design vision for future Spyker road car models.

In the months following that decision, Spyker and Zagato finalized the design and the manufacturing of the C12 Zagato was entrusted to Spykers long time fabrication partner, Coventry Prototype Panels in Coventry, UK. Under the guidance of Brendan OToole, CPPs Managing Director, and tienne Beijersbergen van Henegouwen, Spykers Project Manager, the vehicle was built by a dedicated Spyker and CPP crew from aluminum in an amazing 4 weeks.

Spyker C12 Zagato: The Vehicle

The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminum rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bhp W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Spyker C12 Zagato is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic gear box with F1 style shifting, Chronoswiss instruments and a Zagato designed full leather interior with brushed aluminum instrument panel. The C12 Zagato has an aluminum body with stainless steel roof rails and has many F1 derived design details such as an F1 nose, air scoop, chimneys, mirrors, rain light, fuel flap and diffuser. It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element. The Spyker C12 Zagato has a length of 177.4 inches, a width of 80 inches excluding mirrors, a height of 49.2 inches and weighs 3262 lbs. Top speed is 193 mph.

"The Spyker and Zagato Atelier brands perfectly align because of their common aeronautical origins and because of the shared passion of Victor Muller and myself for sports cars," states Andrea Zagato. "Nevertheless Victor, before starting this extraordinary adventure with Spyker, was a Zagato collector owning cars like the Flaminia SS and TZ. Together with our neo-classical approach, this Spyker C12 Zagato shows the capabilities of Zagato Atelier for innovative and non conventional solutions."

Norihiko Harada, designer of the new Spyker C12 Zagato, adds: "All Spyker cars have their own very unique style: the aeronautical retrospective style co-exists with craftsmanship and elegance. The new Zagato body becomes even more unique, aggressive and sensual at the same time. It features a new double bubble panoramic roof , F1 influenced nose and air intakes, chimney and a coda tronca, the typical Zagato cut off tail end."

Maintaining Spykers styling philosophy, Zagato design put all these elements together and created an extremely stimulating example of contemporary exotic high performance sports car by using typical modern Zagato lines which started from the Raptor Zagato in 1996.

The Spyker C12 Zagato will retail for $644,000 (excluding any taxes, ex factory).

2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

2008-12-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 Specifications

Chassis

Brakes (Front) AP Racing 6 Piston
Brakes (Rear) AP Racing 4 Piston
Wheels 19 inch Spyker Black Aeroblade
Front Suspension Independent Double Wishbone, Fully Adjustable
Rear Suspension Independent Double Wishbone, Fully Adjustable

Drivetrain

Layout Mid-Engine, RWD
Transmission Getrag 6 Speed Manual
Differential Drexler Limited Slip

Engine

Type: 40 Valve V8
Torque 354 lb-ft. Engine & Transmission
Displacement cu in (cc): 4.2 liters
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 400 bhp

Exterior

Body Type 2 Door, 2 Seat Supercar
Wheelbase 2575 mm
Length 4185 mm
Width 1880 mm
Height 1245 mm
Curb Weight 2805 lbs

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 4.5 seconds
Fuel Economy 13/18 mpg City/Highway Spyker Estimate

Base Price: 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 - Not yet announced.

2009 Spyker C8 Laviollete LM85 - Spyker's Even More Extreme GT2-Derived C8

Released to the public at the LA Auto Show, the 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 will see a super-limited production run of only 24 units. The Spyker C8 edition is designed to commemorate Spyker's success in Le Mans racing, and a select few Spyker fans will get a piece of automotive history.

The C8 Laviolette LM85 carries the same Audi-sourced 4.2 liter engine as other recent C8 models, and the exterior and interior are familiar though upgraded with even greater use of weight saving materials than before. The chassis is manufactured entirely from aluminum, and the little details that set the C8 Laviolette LM85 apart, like black powder-coated alloy wheels and even the option of left or right hand drive based on what is most familiar to the customer's home nation.

The C8's iconic, and iconoclastic, shape is loved by some and simply confuses many others. But Spyker's fans are rabid, and a curb weight of only 2800 should ensure the C8 Laviolette LM85 retains Lotus-esque handling characteristics.

But all the fancy exterior and interior features do not change the fact that this is still basically a kit car, with the engine coming from Audi and most key components being crate items. But, street legal speed and real head-turning Spyker styling are worth the price of admission, whatever that base price ends up being once it is announced by Spyker. Read on for all the official details, direct from the automaker.

US DEBUT FOR SPYKER C8 LAVIOLETTE LM85 AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW

Official Spyker Cars Press Release

Spyker Cars N.V., manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, proudly presents the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 - the road version of its GT2 LeMans car. The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 will be built as a limited edition of 24 units maximum, and will be available in both left and right hand drive. Production of the LM85 commences this quarter.

The LM85 is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car. It is characterized by a lightweight all aluminum body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The powertrain of the LM85 is the all aluminum Audi 4.2 liter V8 engine producing 400 bhp. This is paired to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a Drexler limited slip differential. ABS is standard. The use of aluminum parts and other lightweight materials results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio and underlines the GT2 racing heritage of the car.

Exterior

Based on the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R, the racing characteristics of the LM85 are numerous, such as the all aluminum chassis, GT2 livery (Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal 'S' logo), side mirrors in body color, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer. Behind the black powder coated alloy wheels, black AP Racing 6 piston brake calipers with AP Racing logo appear. The LM85 can optionally be equipped with Le Mans sticker sets as well as a customised LM85 car cover.

Interior

The ample use of black leather and alcantara, which is originally meant to reduce light reflection during racing, has been finished with orange contrast stitching and characterizes the unique interior of the LM85. The dashboard instrument panel is made of turned aluminum. Each car will feature a personalised LM85 serial plaque. On request, Chronoswiss dials and switches can be installed and are virtually identical to the Chronoswiss 24Hours Pilot Watch every LM85 owner receives with his car. The black floor mats are made of fire protective material, finished with orange piping and the LM85 logo embroidered.

Extra features

As mentioned above, every LM85 owner receives a special edition Spyker Chronoswiss 24H Pilot Watch with orange crocodile strap. The serial number of the car will be engraved on the case of this exquisite time piece. Additionally, all LM85 owners are offered an exclusive Spyker VIP Hospitality weekend at the 24H of Le Mans in 2009.

2004 Maserati MC12

2008-12-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

2004 Maserati MC12 Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 245/35 - 345/35 R19

Engine

Type: V12
Displacement cu in (cc): 366 (5998)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 630(465) / 7500
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 481(652) / 5500
Redline at RPM: 7700

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 202.5 × 82.5 × 47.4
Weight lb (kg): 2943 (1335)

Performance

Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 3.8
Top Speed mph (km/h): >205 (>330)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2004 Maserati MC12 - n.a. (last update: 2/22/2007)

The MC12, at the Pinnacle of the Sports Prototype Range

Around 30 MC12s will be built in all, 25 of which will be for road use. A second series of 25 examples for clients will be built in 2005 also.

The Maserati MC12 is a grand tourer produced by Maserati to allow a racing variant to compete in the FIA GT Championship. The car entered production in 2004 with 30 cars produced (five of which were not for sale). A further 25 were produced in 2005 making a total of 50 cars available for customers, each of which were pre-sold for €600 000.

Maserati designed and built the car on the chassis of the Enzo Ferrari but the final car is much larger. The MC12 is longer, wider and taller than the Enzo Ferrari, which has faster acceleration and a higher top speed. The top speed of the Maserati MC12 is 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph) whereas the top speed of the Enzo Ferrari is 350 kilometres per hour (217.5 mph).

The MC12 was developed to signal Maserati's return to racing after 37 years. The road version was produced to homologate the race version. One requirement for participation in the FIA GT is the production of at least 25 road cars. Three GT1 race cars were entered into the FIA GT with great success. Maserati began racing the MC12 in the FIA GT toward the end of the 2004 season, winning the race held at the Zhuhai International Circuit. The racing MC12s were entered into the American Le Mans Series races in 2005 but exceeded the size restrictions and consequently paid weight penalties.

"Maserati joins the Supercar ranks!"

Maserati has designed a new road-going Grand Tourer known as the MC12 from which a GT racing version has also been developed. The result is that 37 long years after its last victory in an international championship (1967, Cooper Maserati F1, South African Grand Prix), the Trident is returning to the track.

The Ferrari Maserati Group’s wealth of knowledge and technological excellence have been poured into the design of the new car. In addition to this, its styling was developed in the wind tunnel from a Giugiaro idea by the Maserati technicians with the fundamental contribution of Frank Stephenson, the Ferrari Maserati Group’s own Director of Concept Design and Development. The European type-approved version of the new car goes on sale after the summer.

Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 kmh/205 mph at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 kmh in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car. It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface. The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati’s return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati’s Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.

The customer version for road use will be available exclusively in a white and blue livery, harking back to an old Trident tradition. In fact, blue and white are the colours of the America Camoradi (CAsner MOtor RAcing DIvision) Scuderia which raced the famous Maserati Tipo 60-61 Birdcages in the very early 1960s with Stirling Moss as their lead driver. Around 30 MC12s will be built in all, 25 of which will be for road use with a second series of 25 examples for clients being planned for production in 2005.

Characteristics

The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coupe-spider with a long wheel base (2800 mm). It has a typical racing, mid-engined set-up with a removable hardtop. Powered by an impressive 630 bhp 6-litre V12 engine, and boasting 41% (front) and 59% (rear) weight distribution, highly advanced composites and alloys have enhanced its structural rigidity and kept its overall weight down. The MC12’s bodywork is entirely carbon fibre, while its stress-bearing chassis is made from a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb sandwich. Two aluminium sub-chassis support the ancillaries, help absorb bumps, and guarantee an excellent standard of safety.

As a result of its imposing dimensions (5143 mm long, 2100 mm wide and 1205 mm high), the MC12’s styling is very much function over form. Intensive wind tunnel testing and advanced mathematical calculations, combined with work on the track and road, have resulted in an extraordinarily efficient form that absolutely exudes power and personality. The air intakes, vents and other aerodynamic components have been designed to optimise the car’s internal fluid dynamics and air flows to ensure optimal downforce (vertical load) and aerodynamic efficiency values.

The bonnet is characterised by the sinuous lines formed by two large tapering apertures, culminating in the classic Maserati grille opening with a Trident at its centre. The bonnet and wheelarches, into which the Bi-Xenon headlamp units are set, are a one-piece moulding which is also removable.

A channel along the side of the car stretches from the front wheel vent to an inlet just in front of the rear wheel. This solution contributes to aerodynamic downforce whilst also improving aerodynamic efficiency.

Above the hard top, there is a snorkel for the engine compartment. The rear section is dominated by the engine and the slender (30 mm) yet imposing two-metre carbon wing with two fins and, at its base, a small spoiler in which the third stop light has been inserted. The inverted half moon design of the exhausts is the most striking part of the tail section. The whole underside of the car has been faired in and sealed and there are two generous diffusers also which deliver maximum 'ground effect'.

630 bhp of 'Maserati' power!

The MC12 benefits from all of the Ferrari Maserati Group’s most advanced technologies and competition experience. It boasts a powerful naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder 65° V engine that displaces 5998 cc and punches out 630 bhp at 7500 rpm. Designed to meet the specific needs and characteristics of a road-going Maserati, it also offers absolutely excellent drivability. The MC12 delivers a maximum torque of 481 lb/ft at 5500 rpm and remains exceptionally nimble and fluid, even at low engine speeds. It has an aluminium crankcase, titanium con rods, and extremely aerodynamically efficient four-valve cylinder heads to boot.

In line with the MC12’s performance-oriented design, it is supplied exclusively with the six-speed Maserati Cambiocorsa transmission offering computerised gear selection. The driver doesn’t need to touch the clutch with this electro-hydraulic gearbox and instead selects the gears using the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transmission’s two modes are selected at the touch of a button. The Sport mode will be the driver’s most frequent choice and includes a good dose of traction control, while the Race setting enhances the kind of sporty behaviour typically seen on the track. In Race mode in fact, the system delivers much faster gear-changing and also activates the ASR.

The MC12 has independent wishbone suspension front and rear with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries and push-rod suspension. This set-up offers very progressive suspension response for exceptional handling precision under all conditions. The front of the car can be raised for parking ramps and the 19” wheels (with Pirelli tyres: 245/3 front and 345/35 rear) are attached via single centre locking wheel nuts. The MC12’s brakes were developed by Brembo. They deliver maximum braking efficiency and fade resistance thanks to large ventilated cross-drilled discs, with six and four-piston alloy callipers and ABS.

The Chassis and Cockpit

The cabin boasts an easily removable top, which instantly converts the MC12 from a coupe to a spider. The cabin itself is the epitome of elegance and sportiness. It is simple and understated, typical of an extreme car yet also displaying the meticulous care and finish that has become a classic Trident signature. There is exceptional harmony between the high tech-effect carbon features, the perforated leather trim and the stunning yet high-grip tough technical fabric.

The upper part of the leather and carbon-trimmed steering wheel is slightly flattened, while the dashboard, with its clean tailored lines, is characteristically Maserati. The instruments are organised around a central and prominent speedometer, placed directly in front of the driver.

The centre console includes the controls for the climate control system, and two of its four vents. Set at the intersection of the console and the central tunnel is the characteristic oval clock, and the blue engine ‘Start’ button. Other controls are laid out on the titanium-coloured stylised central tunnel which also includes a storage compartment and a 12 volt outlet.

The seats have a carbon fibre structure with high lateral bolsters, they are upholstered in fabric with the shoulder rests in perforated leather. The doors have carbon fibre panels and pockets complete with the electric window buttons, while the pedals are aluminium and the mats rubber.

2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa

2008-12-06T04:22:00.000-08:00

2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: R18
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V12
Displacement cu in (cc): 366 (5998)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 755(564) / 8000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 524(710) / 6000
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: n.a.
Weight lb (kg): 2535 (1150)

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): 202 (326)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa - $1,700,000 / 1,300,000 € (last update: 3/27/2007)

The New Track-Only MC12 Corsa Based on the Championship-Winning Car

Maserati has taken the wraps of its $1.7 million supercar, a new track-only version of the World Championship-winning Maserati MC12 called the Corsa and which will only be sold to valued Maserati customers who will be restricted to using their new supercar on private track days.

"This is a unique opportunity to own a car that is the reigning GT World Champion," says Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. "The world-beating racing car was developed from the Maserati MC12 road car and the Corsa is derived directly from the GT1 racing car exclusively for track use. It will not be homologated for road use."

"The MC12 Corsa has been developed in response to the customer demand to own the MC12 racing car and fuelled by the growth in track days, where owners can drive their cars at high speeds in the safety of a race track without the obvious constraints of normal road use," says Mr Butler. "Without doubt the MC12 Corsa is the ultimate track day car!"

The 756 bhp MC12 Corsa has been developed from the MC12 GT1 which won the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup. It will be used exclusively on track during private test sessions and exhibition activities organized by Maserati. It will not be homologated for road use or for any racing activity.

The Maserati MC12 Corsa, which is living testimony of Maserati's ability to individually tailor make unique cars with the highest technological content, will be on sale at the price of a $1.7 million in September. Available in the official Maserati "Blue Victory" color, it may also be personalized upon request with several optional items.

Total production of the Maserati MC12 Corsa will not exceed 12 units worldwide.

2008 Maserati GranTurismo

2008-12-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

2008 Maserati GranTurismo Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: n.a.
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 259 (4244)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 405(302) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: n.a.
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: n.a.
Weight lb (kg): n.a.

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2008 Maserati GranTurismo - n.a. (last update: 2/21/2007)

Maserati GranTurismo: Styled by Pininfarina

The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, will make its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Maserati GranTurismo is a muscular and sporty car, that can be enjoyed every day and at the same time is engaging for the driver. Its excellent handling and sportiveness make it a point of reference in its category. The Maserati GranTurismo is built with particular attention to comfort, choice of materials and details and with enough room for four people, as only Maserati can do.

The new Maserati GranTurismo is a high-performance sports car, exciting to drive with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 bhp, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions.

Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pinin Farina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions.

The new model name - Maserati GranTurismo - is not incidental. Once again, the partnership between Maserati and Pininfarina gives birth to a car that is able to generate emotions and sets itself apart from competitors, due to the technique with which it is built and its unique style.

The new Maserati GranTurismo represents a further step towards the completion of the Trident product range, following the worldwide launch of the Quattroporte Automatic at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

2009 Maserati GranTurismo S

2008-12-06T04:14:00.001-08:00

2009 Maserati GranTurismo S Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F-R ABS

Engine

Type Gasoline V8
Displacement cu in (cc) 4.7L/287
Horsepower 440hp @7000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM 361@ 4750
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission Type 6-speed auto-clutch manual

Exterior

Curb Weight 4145
Wheelbase 115.8 in
Length 192.2 Width 72.7
Height 53.2 in

Performance

0-60 mph 4.8 sec (MT est)

Base Price: $130,000 (est)

Maserati GT S

A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé's sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.

Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.

The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance.

On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.

The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks

2009 Maserati Quattroporte S

2008-12-06T04:07:00.000-08:00

2009 Maserati Quattroporte S Specifications

Drivetrain

Transmission ZF 6 Speed Automatic with manual control
Layout Front Engine, RWD

Engine

Displacement 4.7 Liter
Horsepower 430 hp
Engine Type V8

Exterior

Daytime Running Lights Full LED

Base Price: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S: est. $119,000

2009 Maserati Quattroporte S: A Superior Italian Luxury Car Gets a Little Better

The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S adds power and an even further degree of refinement to what is already one of the best and most exclusive luxury sports cars on the market. Cars like the Mercedes CLS and an upcoming BMW model use the Quattroporte S for inspiration and benchmarking.

Maserati has changed the body of the 2009 Quattroporte in subtle ways, to make things look a cleaner, and perhaps more chiseled. Some of the sweeping curves are gone in favor of slightly more blocky lines to the Quattroporte, but the general design is the same.

The real change in the 2009 Quattroporte S comes in the engine department. Maserati has pulled the new 4.7 liter from the GranTurismo S sports coupe, and in Quattroporte S trim it outputs 430 horsepower. Adding the "S" line, and this motor, to the Quattroporte was a step in the right direction, as the German automakers are going crazy with the output levels of their flagship luxury sport sedans.

Check back for more specs and performance info when the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S is closer to its Fall 2008 release.

Maserati Quattroporte - A "Second" Masterpiece

Maserati Quattroporte, the model which created the category of "Luxury Sports Sedan", can be considered something of a Maserati masterpiece. After five years of success, with more than 15,000 cars delivered and 46 international awards, the Quattroporte is now being presented with a new look and new technical solutions.

The history of art is characterized by audacious artists who challenged pre-existing conventions and contributed seminal works. Some artists even challenged themselves by remodeling their own works and taking them to the next level.

Leonardo Da Vinci produced a second version of his masterpiece known as "The Virgin of the Rocks" and, 400 years later, Matisse reinterpreted his original version of "Le Luxe". They are essentially new works; although they are identical in size and very similar in composition to the originals; it is the new style that makes the second versions the most influential.

With some degree of similarity, Maserati is now realizing its second "painting": the new Maserati Quattroporte.

Thanks to Pininfarina's unrivalled and skilful hand, the Maserati Quattroporte is being refined in a fresher and more modern way, yet always mindful of the class, glamour and exclusivity which characterise the Maserati Quattroporte's style.

The personality and glamour of the Maserati flagship are now represented by two products: the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S. The former is fitted with the familiar 4.2 litre 400 Hp V8 engine, while the latter adopts the new 4.7 litre 430 Hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S, with a different specification. Both cars have the 6-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF.

The main styling changes are to the most recognizable features. First of all the front, where the new grille, with its vertical slats, is reminiscent of the GranTurismo. The front and rear light units are also updated, featuring LEDs. On the side, the under-door moulding is more noticeable, with a line that runs into that of the new bumpers, which have a wider protective band and more pronounced rear styling. The door mirrors are also new, with a more dynamic shape and a more streamlined mounting to the door.

The interior has a new central console; the controls are grouped more closely together for even more convenient operation.

The car's range of navigation systems is also fully updated, now comprising the New Maserati Multimedia System.

Two new shades of leather, Marrone Corniola and Sabbia, replacing the beige which was previously in the range, debut on the Quattroporte S and Quattroporte respectively.

The new Quattroporte and Quattroporte S will be on sale from September. However, they will be presented to customers and Maserati lovers in different locations all over the world from July onwards.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept

2008-12-06T03:52:00.000-08:00

Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Specifications

Drivetrain

Layout Front Engine, RWD
Fuel Tank 100 lt, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved
Brakes Steel discs, front 380 mm, rear 313 mm, without ABS

Engine

Displacement 4,691 cc
Engine Type Naturally Aspirated V8
Horsepower 450 bhp
Torque 376 lb-ft. @ 4750 rpm

Exterior

Chassis In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
Body Type Two Door, One Seat GT-Class Race Car
Material In composite material. Windscreen and rear and side windows in Lexan
Wheels (F) 12 in x 18 in
Wheels (R) 13 in x 18 in
Tires (F) 285/650/18
Tires (R) 315/690/18

Interior

Cockpit Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon throughout
Safety 6-point seat-belt compatible with HANS protection system, full roll cage

Base Price - Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept - N/A - Concept Car

Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept - Track Ready, Coming to Showrooms?

Italian luxury sports car maker Maserati has just announced full details for the Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept, which will debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The GranTurismo MC Corse is a technology study on what future Maserati GT-class race cars may look like, though this is no rolling chassis.

With full GranTurismo MC powertrain intact, and horsepower upped to 450 bhp, the Corse Concept looks to compete with the likes of the Porsche Carrera 911 GT3 and Audi R8 GT3 as track-ready race cars, should Maserati choose to release a limited number of GranTurismo MC Corse cars to wealthy weekend track enthusiasts.

The design certainly looks the part, tightly based on the critically acclaimed Maserati GranTurismo S but featuring a number of touches that only add to the MC Corse's sporting appeal. But what is form without function?

GranTurismo MC Corse Powertrain

The MC Corse Concept uses a modified version of the excellent V8 motor used in the consumer Maserati GranTurismo S. Through ECU recalibration as well as the addition of larger intake and exhaust outlets, every ounce of performance has been squeezed out of this engine. In addition to 17 more horsepower, GranTurismo MC Corse torque has been upped to 376 lb-ft. @ 4750 rpm.

This torque figure speaks to the hard-revving nature of the Maserati GranTurismo V8. A heavy foot will be needed to drive the MC Corse to its full potential, but at least optimized aerodynamics will make sure none of the power is wasted.

Race Prepping the GranTurismo S - Weight, Aerodynamics and Safety

Because of the Italian sports car maker's focus on luxury, the hefty Maserati GranTurismo needed significant weight reduction and body modifications to be competitive at the GT racing level. Completely stripping the GranTurismo MC Corse concept's interior and liberal use of carbon fiber have allowed curb weight to drop from a rather portly 4145 pounds to a much more manageable 3086.

A carbon composite material built on a steel chassis, and Lexan plastic windows all around are responsible for the rest of the weight savings. Aero pieces on the MC Corse start with a revised front airdam and a boattail-style rear spoiler, providing extra downforce to keep the Maserati racer glued to the track.

Due to the stripper interior, which lacks airbags but does offer the driver added safety in the form of a full carbon fiber-strengthened roll cage and a 6-point safety harness, the GranTurismo MC Corse would not be road-legal even if it could pass emissions tests.

Still, with other luxury automakers planning track-only versions of their GT cars for public release, Maserati is testing the waters for bringing the GranTurismo MC Corse concept to production in the form of a turn-key race car.

Do we have to beg?

2008 Saleen Sterling Edition S302E

2008-12-06T03:47:00.000-08:00

2008 Saleen Sterling Edition S302E Specifications

Chassis

Springs Sport-Tuned Coil Springs (F/R)
Shocks and Struts Front Struts (N2), Rear Shocks (N2)
Sway Bars 1.38" with HD Bushings (F), 0.79" (R)
Wheels (F) 20 in x 9 in
Wheels (R) 20 in x 10 in
Tires Pirelli P-Zero

Drivetrain

Layout Front Engine, RWD
Transmission Close-Ratio 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Differential 3.73:1 MaxGrip™ Speed-Sensitive LSD

Engine

Engine Type Modular 3-Value SOHC V8
Displacement 5.0 Liters
Horsepower 620 hp @ 6300 RPM
Torque 600 lb-ft. @ 4400 RPM
Bore X Stroke 3.554 in x 3.800 in
Supercharger Port Matched Series VI Integrated Twin-Screw Supercharger

Exterior

Curb Weight 3645 lbs.
Length 189.1 in
Width 74.0 in
Height 56.0 in
Wheelbase 107.10 in

Performance

Weight Distribution 53/47 (F/R)
0-60 mph Less than 4 sec

Base Price: 2008 Saleen Sterling Edition - Approx. $100,000

Saleen Sterling S302E: It Doesn't Like to be Called 'Mustang'

No Ford tuner can come close to the pedigree of Saleen Automotive. To celebrate its 25th anniversary as partners with Ford in making the Mustang faster, more stylish and generally actually worth driving, Saleen has released the chromed out Sterling Edition S302E. The uber-Mustang is, in a word, breathtaking.

The Saleen Sterling Edition S302E begins with what amounts to a Mustang GT in an official partnership with Ford Motor Company. But Saleen automobiles are no ordinary Mustangs. They come as highly-polished, fully realized sports cars with the technical knowhow of the recently retired Steve Saleen, responsible for designing the legendary Saleen S7 supercar.

The Saleen Sterling Edition S302E will destroy even a brand new Ford Shelby GT500 from a red light standing start, and is composed enough to be effective at the track as well. Saleen Automotive pulled out all the stops in putting together the Sterling Edition, and just to look at it is to want one, even for those who wouldn't usually touch a Ford Mustang with a ten-foot pole.

SALEEN KICKS OFF THE YEAR IN STYLE WITH THE REVEAL OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY "STERLING EDITION"

The phrase "Saving the best for last" just got an exclamation point. Just when it appeared all the North American International Auto Show reveals were complete, Saleen Automotive unveiled its 25th Anniversary Sterling Edition Ford Mustang.

"At Saleen, automotive passion is more than a catch phrase, it is a lifestyle," said Saleen General Manager, Marques McCammon. "Showcasing our Sterling Edition Ford Mustang at today's Sterling VIP Preview is a demonstration of the things that reflect the way our buyers live. They have a high sense of style, a love for all things performance and an affinity for the exclusive. That is the very theme of the VIP Preview event."

The Sterling VIP Preview was a night full of announcements from Saleen. Among the more significant was the announced move of the Saleen World Headquarters from Irvine, California to Troy, Michigan. "This is a strategic move for the company," said Saleen CEO, Paul Wilbur. "Our Troy facility has one of the most sophisticated low volume paint facilities in North America. When you combine that with the phenomenal automotive talent pool that is available in Michigan, it is a natural step." The executive stated that Saleen will maintain an advanced engineering and administrative staff in the "Golden State" to support ongoing operations, but vision would be driven from Detroit.

No night with Saleen is complete without product and the Sterling VIP Preview was no exception. To commemorate 25 years of producing high performance specialty vehicles, Saleen unveiled the Sterling Edition S302E. This 25 unit limited edition version of the Saleen flagship car will deliver the patented blend of Saleen style, performance and exclusivity that can only be rivaled by Saleen's own S7.

"The Sterling Edition S302E is the cream of the crop," said Saleen General Manger, Marques McCammon. "Saleen is about details and we left none to

chance when we created this car. From the hand painted graphics, to the 16 oz genuine sterling silver serialized dash plaque, this car has it all. This is the very definition of a 100-point car."

Exterior

Each badge is brushed billet, milled with the 25th Anniversary wreath. The car rides on unique 20 inch forged aluminum alloy wheels with a state of the art DurabrightTM corrosion resistant coating. The hand painted gunsight exterior accent aims your attention from the rear of the car to the 25th Anniversary wreath that adorns the hood. The Saleen engineered front carbon wind splitter and rear air diffuser were designed to enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The vehicles sub 4 second 0-60 performance is arrested by massive 15 inch cross- drilled vented rotors that are also unique to the "Sterling Edition".

Interior

The interior of the car is wrapped in luxurious black Alcantara and leather, with silver accent stitching on the door inserts, dash and center console. To commemorate the 25th anniversary, a genuine sterling silver serialized medallion adorns the instrument panel. To insure that the driver can always stay connected, it includes a navigation system and iPod connector.

The car's 620 horses are called into action at the simple push of a button by virtue of the console mounted push button starter, offered for the first time on an E car in this special edition model.

Lifestyle delivery

The "Sterling Edition" is packed with luxury and style that does not stop with the vehicle. In fact, the customer will be welcomed to the brand in a way that is genuine Saleen. "Every Sterling Edition S302E buyer will get the VIP Treatment," says Saleen VP of Sales, Mitchell Gadd.

In an extreme lifestyle statement, Saleen announced that every buyer of the Sterling Edition will receive a first class round trip visit to the plant for a guided tour, dinner with Saleen executives, a photo album and portfolio of the car, letter of authenticity, a serialized car cover, and Saleen apparel. "Saleen is an experience and the Sterling Edition is a highlight of that experience," said McCammon.

"We are anticipating a momentous year, beginning with our "Sterling Edition". We are working on some very exciting projects and are prepared to deliver exceptional, innovative vehicles to the market," said Chris Theodore, Saleen's Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer.

ABOUT SALEEN

Since the company's inception in 1984, Saleen has produced over 12,000 complete and EPA certified vehicles, more than any other specialty automobile manufacturer. In addition, Saleen has equipped more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide, further emphasizing their capabilities and commitment to excellence.

A nine-time Manufacturers' Champion in GT sports car racing, Saleen manufactured the American super car , the Saleen S7, as well as the S281 Mustang, S331 Sport Truck and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. Saleen's manufacturing facilities are located in Troy, Michigan. The Michigan facility has just completed all paint and assembly of the Ford GT as a special project for Ford Motor Company and currently is providing paint and subassembly for the Dodge Viper SRT-10.

For more information visit http://www.saleen.com/.

2007 Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones LE

2008-12-06T03:41:00.000-08:00

2007 Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones LE Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 275/40 R19 - 285/40 R19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 302 (4947)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 370(276) / 6000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 370(502) / 4000
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 188.0 × 73.9 × n.a.
Weight lb (kg): n.a.

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2007 Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones LE - Approx. $50,000 (last update: 3/27/2007)

The 2007 Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones Limited Edition

Specialty automobile manufacturer, Saleen, expands its product lineup and celebrates legendary racecar driver, Parnelli Jones, by announcing the Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones Limited Edition.

Steve Saleen, President & CEO of Saleen, said, "Parnelli Jones is an American racing icon. In the fifties, sixties, and seventies Parnelli won just about every race that he appeared in, including the Indy 500. 1970 was the year that the SCCA Trans Am Series boasted the most competitive field ever, and Parnelli Jones and his Boss 302 Mustang competed against the likes of Mark Donahue and Dan Gurney, and there he captured the championship. Our relationship began in 1987 when Parnelli raced for me on the Saleen team, and helped us win our first SCCA Manufacturer's Championship at Sebring, Florida. I can't think of any other individual that brings with him the unique connection between championship winning Mustangs and Saleen."

Parnelli Jones commented, "It's a true honor to have a special edition Saleen wearing my name. This impressive car takes me back in time - it makes me want to take it for a run around the track. I'm sure that this car will be an adrenaline-pumping experience for anyone who has the chance to own or drive one. I think that this car is going to evoke nostalgia not only for Steve Saleen and myself, but for everyone that lays their eyes on it."

The Engine

In 1970, spectators wore bell bottom pants and mood rings and watched Parnelli in his Grabber Orange Boss 302 Mustang with black striped hood, cross the finish line to take numerous checkered flags and overall championship.

Today's Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones Limited Edition reflects the same authentic vintage attitude but comes complete with a new Saleen 302 cid V-8, 3-valve engine. This engine produces a whopping 370 horsepower at 6000 RPM, and with 370 ft-lb of torque at 4000 RPM.

The high compression engine transforms a normal drive into an exciting thrill ride. Awakening the senses, the new Saleen engine is equipped with a high compression, high revving valve train, utilizing forged pistons, rods, and crankshaft and a lightweight, aluminum flywheel. Top performance calibrations are thanks to Saleen's PowerFlash technology.

Also included in this Limited Edition are new Saleen 302 valve covers. Completing the authenticity and providing additional high performance capabilities is the new exhaust system that provides a low- resonating sound that is a legacy of Saleen.

Exterior Design

The new Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition comes in one color, Grabber Orange. Period correct details include a black striped "shaker" hood, race-style hood pins, black trunk deck, and 302 side stripes.

Completing the overall effect, the new Limited Edition comes with Saleen performance styling including front fascia with racing-style air dam, side skirts, rear fascia, rear 1970 replica wing, trunk insert license plate panel with chrome trim, rear window quarter panels, and a racing-style billet gas cap. Demonstrating further the authenticity of this retro-beauty, Parnelli's racing number, 15, removable and reusable static cling race decals, and the Ford blue oval are displayed - just like the one that appeared on Parnelli's 1970 Boss 302 Mustang.

Only 500 Examples Will be Produced

"Parnelli Jones is an extraordinary example of a legend maker. Even after nearly four decades, his abilities and visions for the sport has very few equals. I anticipate that Parnelli's racing spirit will come alive in every Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition that we manufacture. Capping on our motto, 'Power in the Hands of a Few,' we will produce a limited number - up to only 500 - in honor of Parnelli winning the Indy 500 in 1963," said Steve Saleen.

Availability and Pricing

Certified Saleen Ford dealers throughout the United States are now taking orders for the Saleen Parnelli Jones Limited Edition that will be distributed this Fall as a 2007 model. MSRP is estimated to be in the mid-to-high $50,000 for this limited production vehicle. Taxes, designation charges, and other fees may apply.

2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

2008-12-06T03:27:00.000-08:00

2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 275/35 R19 - 335/30 R20
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V8, Twin-Turbo
Displacement cu in (cc): 427 (7004)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 750(560) / 6300
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 700(950) / 4800
Redline at RPM: 6500

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 188 × 78.3 × 41
Weight lb (kg): 2950 (1340)

Performance

Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 2.8
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - $585,000 (last update: 5/8/2007)

Saleen Adds Two Turbochargers to the S7

Saleen knows all about power. As in S281 Mustangs, N2O Focuses and the S7, America's first (and still the only) mid-engine exotic supercar. When it went on sale in 2002, the S7 was the only street-legal car in the U.S. with more than 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The media and S7 owners have raved about the car since it first smoked the rear tires in anger. And it has been recognized by numerous automotive magazines as the fastest production car in the world. But during the past three years the automobile marketplace has witnessed an explosion of performance with models from manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Chevrolet touting power numbers above the once magic 500 level.

Saleen is not an organization content to rest on yesterday's 0-60 mph times or quarter-mile speeds. So in 2005, it was "goodbye S7" and "all hail the S7 Twin Turbo!" This is the first major change to the S7 since its introduction, and it is a big change as in 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, numbers the competition will be chasing for a long while we predict.

Unchanged From 2005

While there are a number of different roads Saleen's engine designers could have traveled down to achieve those high-altitude horsepower and torque figures, for this second edition of the S7 they decided to think beyond atmospheric. And because this is Saleen, they added a double twist to a tried and true racing technique for boosting power and torque: twin turbos.

Aerodynamics has also come under scrutiny in 2005. Unless you place the new S7 Twin Turbo next to one of the original 2002 models, you probably won't notice that the 2005 version has a different diffuser/rear spoiler package and reshaped front fenders to enhance the S7s already sleek, swoopy and aerodynamic contours. To complement the Twin Turbo's enhanced straight-line performance envelope the S7 chassis has also undergone a fair amount of tweaking. Virtually every suspension pickup point has been changed, and the suspension geometry has been modified for less squat and dive during acceleration and braking.

Engine & Drivetrain

Designed by Saleen engineers, the S7's engine and drivetrain incorporate the latest in modern racing technology. The new all-aluminum V8 engine casting was engineered and tooled by Saleen to displace seven liters. Redline is 6500 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout, including stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, an aluminum throttle body, Saleen designed aluminum CNC-machined cylinder heads and stainless steel exhaust system. An exclusive Saleen-designed Front Engine Accessory Drive (FEAD) system results in an extremely compact engine, allowing for better packaging and overall weight distribution. The V8 incorporates a unique Saleen-designed side-mounted water pump, a belt-driven camshaft drive and a Saleen-engineered dry sump oil delivery system. The engine's mid-chassis placement optimizes weight distribution and center of gravity, making room for an unusually tall engine that allows for a very efficient induction system. Air enters a roof intake, passes through a 90-mm mass air meter and feeds into a carbon fiber plenum. From the plenum the air is routed to the twin ball bearing turbos, is pressurized to 5.5 psi max and then passes through an oval-bore throttle body into an aluminum intake manifold with eight individual runners.

To feed juice to this setup, the injection system includes dual electric fuel pumps and high-capacity, return-less, 52 lb/hr fuel injectors. Neatly engineered and integrated into the S7's stainless steel, dual, high-flow exhaust system are two, twin-ball-bearing, water-cooled Saleen-Garrett turbos, featuring 44-mm wastegates. The four exhaust pipes from each bank of cylinders merge into a race-car-like high-efficiency collector. In addition, the exhaust incorporates dual catalysts per cylinder bank, EGR and those aforementioned twin wastegates. And because Saleen believes in power and clean air, the emission control system features dual, heated oxygen sensors per cylinder bank and a high-volume evaporative emission system along with those four catalysts. Oh, and for good measure and clean air, the system is OBD-II compliant.

And if you need any more proof of how Saleen engineers sweat the details, the stroke of the already short-stroke shifter has been furthered shortened for improved shifting feel. Say that five times fast, once for each gear change.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

The S7 chassis and suspension incorporate decades of Saleen's experience in racing, racecar construction and high-performance road car manufacturing. The Saleen S7 architecture begins with a space frame chassis to which honeycomb composite reinforcing is grafted. The body is structural, aerospace-quality, autoclave carbon fiber. Suspension is via fully independent unequal-length double wishbones with coilover springs, lightweight aluminum dampers (shock absorbers) and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear. The uprights at each corner are CNC machined billet aluminum, flow-through designs that use air to help cool the bearings.

Chassis tuning also includes revised shock valving front and rear. Saleen-engineered Brembo-supplied lightweight aluminum six-piston mono-block calipers are fitted front and rear.

Geometry changes, along with new tires, result in about a 30 percent increase in mechanical grip... which is substantial. In a seeming contradiction to current performance tire practice, the 2006 S7 Twin Turbo is fitted with "taller" tires, 275/35 R19s up front and 335/30 R20s at the rear, replacing the 275/30 R19s and 345/25 R20s fitted to the normally aspirated S7. While the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires have higher aspect ratios, they also lay tire patches that are nearly an inch wider up front and almost 1.5 inches wider at the rear.

Exterior & Interior

The S7's beautiful shape was "designed" by the wind. Optimal aerodynamics and top speed performance objectives were achieved with extensive wind tunnel work. Targets included a low coefficient of drag, optimum drag-to-lift ratio, and extreme down force. The S7 has "full tray" body sculpting underneath.

For the 2006 S7 Twin Turbo, the redesigned front and rear diffusers, along with the new rear spoiler, result in a 40 percent reduction in aero drag and a 60 percent increase in down force. Those of you who know anything about aero forces recognize the significance of that last statement. Typically, you would have to trade down force to reduce aero drag.

The mid-engine Saleen S7 has front and rear trunks and comes with Mulholland Brothers custom-made, 3-piece, fitted luggage. In true supercar style, the doors open up and away from the body.

Seats and other interior surfaces are covered in elegant leather and suede. Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless opening for the doors and both trunks, an electric-headed front windshield, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an AM/FM/CD/DVD/TV system are all standard. The Saleen S7 also has one unique interior feature: a video "rearview mirror" , there is a small video camera inconspicuously mounted in the rear of the car.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette

2008-12-06T03:18:00.000-08:00

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc Tires F-R: 245/40 ZR18 - 285/35 ZR19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 376 (6162)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 430(321) / 5900
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 424(575) / 4600
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 174.6 × 72.6 × 49
Weight lb (kg): 3217 (1459)

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 4.3
Top Speed mph (km/h): 190 (306)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette - $45,170 (last update: 8/10/2007)

Iconic Corvette Receives Larger, More Powerful LS3 Engine

Get comfortable. There's so much new and exciting with the 2008 Corvette that you'll want to grab a hot drink, sidle up to your computer screen and absorb all the details.

The changes involve everything from an all-new, larger and more powerful V8 engine to refinements in driving characteristics that solidify the Corvette's position as the preeminent American sports car - and further the argument that it is one of the world's best. There are also a host of exterior and interior refinements that raise the Corvette's luxury status and enhance the feeling of craftsmanship.

Engine

A new, 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is the standard engine in Coupe and Convertible models. It is rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque with the standard exhaust system; with the new, optional two-mode exhaust system, power ratings increase to 436 horses and 428 lb-ft. As a result, the standard Corvette is true supercar, capable of 190 mph. The LS3 with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic is the fastest automatic-equipped Corvette ever, with 0-60 mph capability of 4.3 seconds.

This new iteration of the storied small-block family features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block - 4.06-inch / 103.25 mm vs. the previous 6.0L's 4.00-inch / 101.62 mm bores - high-flow, LS7/L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; revised camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; high-flow fuel injectors from the Z06's LS7 engine; and a new engine beauty cover.

The LS3 features an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron cylinder liners. In addition to its larger bores, which help create a 376-cubic-inch displacement, the block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads that enhance its strength and improved bay to bay breathing. But while the bore of the 6.2L engine is increased when compared with the previous 6.0L engine, the engine's stroke remains at 3.62 inches (92 mm). The pistons for the larger 6.2L engine also are new and are designed for its high-rpm performance capability.

Exhaust System

Optional on '08 Coupe and Convertible models is a new, two-mode performance exhaust system. Similar in design and function to the system used on the Z06, the dual-mode exhaust uses vacuum-actuated outlet valves, which control engine noise during low-load operation, but open for maximum performance during high-load operation. It is not identical to the Z06 system; the Coupe/Convertible uses a 2.5-inch-diameter exhaust, while the Z06 uses a three-inch system.

With the new, dual-mode performance exhaust, power output for Coupe/Convertible rises from 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque to 436 horses and 428 lb-ft. This system gives the Corvette a more aggressive exhaust sound character that will appeal to performance enthusiasts.

Wheels

Corvette Coupe and Convertible models come with a new split-spoke wheel design for '08. The design was introduced on the limited-edition '07 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas with a Sterling Silver finish. The standard 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels feature a Sparkle Silver finish, with a Competition Gray version optional.

Also new is a distinctive, performance-oriented forged aluminum wheel for Coupe and Convertible. It comes in a polished finish.

Corvette design and interior details

Dramatic fender forms and exposed headlamps combine with the grille to create a strong visual identity for the Corvette, while the tapered rear deck and fascia improve high-speed performance. The lean rear design sports round taillamps and center-exit exhaust. The fixed Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps provide superior lighting performance. With a 0.286 coefficient of drag, the Coupe models are the most aerodynamic Corvettes ever.

Corvette's interior is inspired by the car's dual-cockpit heritage. High-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality help deliver premium quality meant to enhance performance driving. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that looks like a leather-wrapped, padded panel. It is warm and inviting and has double the life of conventional trim materials.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

2008-12-06T02:49:00.000-08:00

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 245/40 ZR18 - 285/35 ZR19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 376 (6162)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 430(321) / 5900
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 424(575) / 4600
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 174.6 × 72.6 × 49
Weight lb (kg): 3246 (1473)

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph s: 4.3
Top Speed mph (km/h): 190 (306)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible - $53,510 (last update: 8/10/2007)

Sixth-Generation Corvette Roadster Adds Performance and Refinement

Get comfortable. There's so much new and exciting with the 2008 Corvette that you'll want to grab a hot drink, sidle up to your computer screen and absorb all the details.

The changes involve everything from an all-new, larger and more powerful V-8 engine to refinements in driving characteristics that solidify the Corvette's position as the preeminent American sports car - and further the argument that it is one of the world's best. There are also a host of exterior and interior refinements that raise the Corvette's luxury status and enhance the feeling of craftsmanship.

Engine

A new, 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is the standard engine in Coupe and Convertible models. It is rated at 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque with the standard exhaust system; with the new, optional two-mode exhaust system, power ratings increase to 436 horses and 428 lb-ft. As a result, the standard Corvette is true supercar, capable of 190 mph. The LS3 with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic is the fastest automatic-equipped Corvette ever, with 0-60 mph capability of 4.3 seconds.

This new iteration of the storied small-block family features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block - 4.06-inch / 103.25 mm vs. the previous 6.0L's 4.00-inch / 101.62 mm bores - high-flow, LS7/L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; revised camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; high-flow fuel injectors from the Z06's LS7 engine; and a new engine beauty cover.

The LS3 features an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron cylinder liners. In addition to its larger bores, which help create a 376-cubic-inch displacement, the block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads that enhance its strength and improved bay to bay breathing. But while the bore of the 6.2L engine is increased when compared with the previous 6.0L engine, the engine's stroke remains at 3.62 inches (92 mm). The pistons for the larger 6.2L engine also are new and are designed for its high-rpm performance capability.

Driving Dynamics

Corvette Coupe and Convertible have a hydroformed steel rail backbone structure, which features cored composite floors, an enclosed center tunnel, rear-mounted transmission and aluminum cockpit structure. Suspension cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars and steering gear have all been redesigned. New Goodyear Extended Mobility Tires (EMT) take advantage of the latest sidewall design and compound technology for run-flat capabilities.

Three suspension choices allow drivers to choose the setup that best suits their driving style. The standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling. Corvette is now more poised at even higher handling levels, yet easier to drive.

Corvette Design and Interior Details

Dramatic fender forms and exposed headlamps combine with the grille to create a strong visual identity for the Corvette, while the tapered rear deck and fascia improve high-speed performance. The lean rear design sports round taillamps and center-exit exhaust. The fixed Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps provide superior lighting performance.

The 2008 Corvette Convertible features a power-operated soft top with the 3LT package; an easy-to-operate manual top is standard. Both configurations use a five-layer fabric that conceals the underlying structure for a good top-up appearance, plus it helps preserve the car's excellent aerodynamics and reduces road noise.

Corvette's interior is inspired by the car's dual-cockpit heritage. High-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality help deliver premium quality meant to enhance performance driving. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that looks like a leather-wrapped, padded panel. It is warm and inviting and has double the life of conventional trim materials.

An AM/FM/XM radio with CD player and audio input jack is standard. An optional Bose audio system with an in-dash six-disc changer adds to the choices available to the audiophile owner. Steering-wheel mounted audio controls - introduced in '07 - are included with the Bose premium system.

A full-function OnStar system is standard and an onboard navigation system with voice recognition is available. Using a 6.5-inch (165 mm) color touch-screen display, the DVD-based system contains all the map data for the 48 contiguous states and most of Canada on one disc.

2008 Chevrolet Racing Corvette C6.R E85

2008-12-06T02:38:00.000-08:00

2008 Chevrolet Racing Corvette C6.R E85 Specifications

Drivetrain

Suspension Independent, short/long double wishbone, fabricated steel upper & lower, machined aluminum knuckle, coil-over multi-adjustable shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Transmission 6 Speed Sequential Manual
Layout Front Engine, RWD

Engine

Horsepower 590 bhp @ 5400 rpm
Torque 640 lb-ft. @ 4400 rpm
Displacement 7.0 liters
Fuel Type E85R Ethanol, 85 percent ethanol/15 percent racing gasoline
Engine Type Heavily-Modified Pushrod V8

Exterior

Length 177.6 in
Width 78.7 in
Height 45.8 in
Wheelbase 105.7 in
Body Type 2 Door, Single-Seat Hatchback Coupe
Wheels 18 x 12.5 (front); 18 x 13 (rear)
Tires Michelin racing tires, 290/33-18 (front), 310/41-18 (rear)

Base Price - 2008 Chevrolet Racing Corvette C6.R E85 - N/A - Race-Only Model

Chevrolet Racing Corvette C6.R E85:

Renewable Fuel Racing!

Chevrolet Racing has become synonymous with the successful Corvette C6.R program, fielding GT1-class cars in the American Le Mans Racing Series (ALMS) as well as in other endurance and road racing Le Mans-type races worldwide. The 2008 Corvette C6.R is in many respects unchanged since the extremely successful 2007 C6.R race car, but for one notable exception.

Chevrolet Racing, and parent company General Motors, have pushed the limits of what can be done with renewable energy fuels, choosing to race GT1-class Corvette C6.R cars running on a special racing blend of E85 ethanol, dubbed E85R.

The ethanol-powered C6R has some advantages and disadvantage over last year's Chevrolet Racing Corvettes running standard racing gasoline. In addition to serving as great PR for GM's much-touted FlexFuel program, where performance cars to trucks can run either off E85 or standard gasoline when the renewable fuel is unavailable, the Corvette C6.R has tangible benefits burning E85R as well.

Writes Todd Kaho for GreenCar.com:

In addition to minor modifications to the fuel system to accommodate the drying properties of ethanol and changes to the adhesives used in the fuel cells, the only major modification is recalibrating the fuel curves with a laptop computer. While a bit more fuel is provided the combustion chambers to achieve the same horsepower as gasoline, the ethanol actually burns slightly cooler so heat is not an issue.

There is one significant downside to fielding E85R-burning Corvette C6.R cars, though. Because E85R ethanol produces slightly less energy, based on volume, than standard racing gasoline, Chevrolet was required to enlarge the fuel cell--the shielded "crash-safe" gas tanks used in modern automobile racing--to accomodate a greater volume of E85R and thus remain competitive based on number of pit stops.

Though a larger fuel cell means greater weight, the Chevrolet Racing Corvette C6R has been able to remain extremely competitive from a performance standpoint, while highlighting new environmentally friendly technology and pushing the razor edge of what can be done with race cars.

Special thanks to Ron Cogan and Todd Kaho of GreenCar.com, an industry leader in reporting advances in the environmentally friendly automobile world, for information used in this article.

Corvette Racing Goes Green with E85 Ethanol Fuel in 2008 American Le Mans Series

Official Chevrolet Racing Press Release

Corvette Racing is powered by E85 ethanol, a high-octane, renewable alternative fuel, in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. As part of the series' "green racing" initiative, the most successful team in ALMS history is using a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline in the demanding arena of endurance road racing.

After winning its seventh consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championships in 2007 using E10 (10 percent ethanol), Corvette Racing's twin Compuware C6.R race cars made the transition to E85 for the 2008 season.

"Since its inception, Corvette has always been a platform for Chevrolet and GM to introduce and develop new technology," Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper said in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where the announcement was made "The use of E85 ethanol fuel by America's premier production sports car racing team in a high-profile, high-tech racing series like the ALMS shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example.

"By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the benefits of a renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on petroleum, helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to create greater diversity in energy supplies," Peper said. "Of course, performance is what counts in racing, so E85 ethanol's higher octane rating than gasoline wasn't overlooked by the Corvette Racing engineers."

Corvette Racing has formed a technical partnership with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to spotlight E85 in the ALMS. EPIC worked with ALMS officials to make E85 the fuel of choice for the series. E85 today is primarily made with grain-based ethanol that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 29 percent compared with pure gasoline.

E85 ethanol already is an option for millions of everyday drivers - and GM leads the automotive industry with more than 2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road in the United States. GM produces about 400,000 E85-capable vehicles a year and will double that to 800,000 a year by 2010. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

"This is the first time a racing series has made a commitment to E85, the highest-performing fuel available to consumers with flex-fuel vehicles," said Reece Nanfito, senior director of marketing for EPIC. "Our partnership with GM and Corvette Racing demonstrates ethanol's growing relevance in the consumer market."

Corvette Racing's transition from E10 to E85 ethanol was seamless, according to Steve Wesoloski, GM Road Racing Group manager. "The race cars' fuel systems were already 100-percent compatible with ethanol, so our preparation for the change to E85 in 2008 basically came down to recalibrating the engines.

"GM Racing has had an interest in 'green racing' initiatives worldwide for some time," Wesoloski said. "In 2007, Corvette Racing won the Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the most efficient use of fuel during the race. We've participated in discussions with SAE International, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy on programs to increase environmental awareness through racing. When it became apparent that the ALMS was going in this direction as well, the decision to use Chevrolet's factory Corvette Racing team to demonstrate both the alternative fuel technology that's available within GM and the capabilities of E85 ethanol was a logical step."

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2008-12-06T02:30:00.000-08:00

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Specifications

Drivetrain

Transmission TR6060 6 Speed
Layout Front Engine, RWD
Weight Distribution 52 front/ 48 rear
Suspension Fully Independent, Rear 4.5 Link
Brakes 4 Wheel Disc. Four-Piston, Aluminum Brembo Calipers

Engine

Engine Type LS3 V-8
Displacement 6.2 Liters
Horsepower 422 hp (315 kW)
Torque 408 lb-ft. (553 Nm)

Interior

Connectivity Bluetooth, Integrated USB
Audio Premium Boston Acoustics Audio System
Parking Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
Starter Remote Vehicle Starting System

Performance

Fuel Economy 23 mpg Highway
More performance info coming soon!

Base Price: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Not yet released. Rumored $25,000 for V6 Model.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Final Production Model Has Arrived!

Today General Motors unveiled the final production version of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true American sports car that has been anticipated by Chevrolet fans now for years, since the last generation Chevrolet Camaro was killed in 2000.

The production 2010 Camaro differs little from the preproduction versions that have been shown for several months now, but small details on the Camaro such as a new retro interior decked out in brushed metal (plastic brushed metal?) trim complete the package. Whetting appetites since 2006 with the Chevrolet Camaro concept, GM has remained remarkably faithful to the original concept car. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS tops the model range, and will be a true muscle car with the LS3 V8 motor and 6 speed manual transmission.

Ailing US-based GM is in need of a true sports car hit that is affordable to the masses, just as Chevrolet pulled off with the original Camaro pony car in 1967. Does the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have the potential to turn around a Chevy brand that, save for the Corvette, has been mostly in the dumps for several years now? As the once-untouchable Chevrolet mark continues to bleed sales to Japanese, European and Korean automakers, the Camaro has the potential to bring excitement back into Chevrolet showrooms.

Look for elements of the Camaro's styling and especially the attractive retro-styled interior to filter their way into Chevrolet's other models. The 2010 Camaro is the American sports car the Holden-derived Pontiac GTO should have been.

Time will tell if the Camaro has the punch to turn Chevrolet's luck around, but having a well-styled and high performance true American sports car that is relatively affordable back in the lineup can't hurt things.

CHEVROLET UNVEILS THE 2010 CAMARO - A FUN, EFFICIENT SPORTS CAR FOR THE 21st CENTURY

* All-new, world-class sports car

* Fuel-efficient, 3.6L direct-injected V-6 delivers an estimated 26 mpg on the highway

* Range of fuel-saving, six-speed transmissions standard on all models and powertrains

* Powerful SS models equipped with LS3 V-8 (manual transmission) and L99 with Active Fuel Management (automatic transmission)

* Advanced vehicle technology, including Bluetooth connectivity and available HID headlamps with integrated halo rings

* Designed, engineered and built with GM's global development process

DETROIT - Chevrolet introduced the production 2010 Camaro today. It is a heritage- inspired sports car for the 21st century, combining great looks and performance; advanced technology and surprising efficiency - including 26-mpg estimated highway fuel economy. Sales begin in the first quarter of 2009.

Built on GM's new, global rear-wheel-drive architecture, the Camaro is offered in V-6- powered LS and LT models, as well as the V-8-powered SS. All models and powertrain combinations include fuel-saving six-speed transmissions.

"Camaro delivers all of the things that make Chevrolet such a revered, global brand," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. "It competes with the world's best sports cars and does so with styling, fuel economy and value our competitors simply can't match."

Advanced powertrain technologies, including engines with direct injection and Active Fuel Management, enable a satisfying balance of exhilarating performance and good fuel economy.

"The new Chevrolet Camaro delivers a thoroughly modern, advanced package of performance, comfort and technology," said Peper. "It's a sports car for a new generation of enthusiasts that doesn't forget the heritage that helped make the original a cultural icon. That is no small feat and it took a worldwide commitment to achieve it."

Indeed, the 2010 Camaro exemplifies GM's global development process. The design concept originated in the United States; engineering was directed by GM's global rear- wheel-drive team in Australia; validation was conducted on roads around the world and assembly will take place at GM's award-winning Oshawa facility in Canada.

Product highlights include:

* Sleek styling with contemporary cues and 10 available exterior colors

* LS and LT models offered with an advanced, 3.6L direct-injected V-6 engine with variable valve timing and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions

* SS model offered with 6.2L V-8 - including fuel-saving Active Fuel Management on automatic-equipped combinations - and a six-speed manual transmission

* Four-wheel independent suspension system, including a 4.5-link rear suspension

* Variable-rate power steering with the rack mounted forward of the front axle for greater driver feel

* Four-wheel disc brake systems standard on all models, including four-piston Brembo calipers on SS models

* StabiliTrak stability control system and traction control standard on all models

* Competitive/Sport modes for the stability system offered on SS models, including launch control on SS models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission

* Family of 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels

* Detailed interior with heritage-inspired design, excellent attention to detail and available ambient lighting via LED light pipe technology

* Robust body structure and exceptional build quality

* Six standard air bags, including head curtain side-impact air bags and front seat- mounted thorax side air bags

* RS appearance package available on LT and SS, including HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, spoiler, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels

The new Camaro also has technologies that enhance performance, comfort and convenience, including:

* Bluetooth phone connectivity

* Premium Boston Acoustics audio system

* USB connectivity

* Ultrasonic rear parking assist (late introduction)

* Remote vehicle starting system

* OnStar

* XM Satellite Radio

Additionally, details such as frameless door windows with automatic indexing glass contribute to the overall feeling of quality, substance and technical prowess.

Design details

With a design that is very faithful to the original concept, the 2010 Camaro is a 21st century sports car that acknowledges its heritage. A long front dash-to-axle and short rear deck give the Camaro classic proportions, while a sleek windshield profile, wheels pushed to the corners and muscular fender forms are modern elements that reinforce its advanced engineering - and give the car a decidedly aggressive stance.

Elements such as a forward-V shape at the front of the car and "gills" in the rear quarter panels are distinctly Camaro cues, as are the broad rear fender "shoulders." Those elements make the new Camaro instantly recognizable, but their execution is smoothly integrated into the contemporary exterior form. A family of large, 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels also contributes to the Camaro's modern appearance.

"The new Camaro is just that - new," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "We acknowledge the nameplate's strong heritage in the design, but recognize that keeping this modern sports car relevant meant more than simply honoring a classic car. The line forms, stance and overall execution are consistent with other new Chevrolets."

A well-executed balance of heritage, modern design and attention to detail also characterizes the Camaro's interior. A pair of deeply recessed instrument binnacles that

feature round gauges in square housings is a nod to classic Camaros, while an available ambient light package offers advanced LED light pipe technology to give the cabin a distinctive and inviting glow. Cloth upholstery is standard; heated leather-appointed seats are available.

Details such as large, chrome-trimmed controls, low-gloss surfaces and premium fabric or acrylic appliqués convey a richness that is unprecedented in previous Camaro models - and challenge its contemporary competitors. More great detail is evidenced in the available center-console gauge cluster, which takes its cue from a similar option on 1969 Camaros. It displays oil temperature, oil pressure, state-of-battery and transmission fluid temperature, all highlighted with modern LED backlighting.

Powertrains

An advanced, efficient 3.6L direct-injected V-6 with variable valve timing is standard on LS and LT models. Direct injection technology helps the engine deliver more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. That means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions generated - including a 25- percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The Camaro's 3.6L engine also employs variable valve timing to optimize performance and fuel economy across the rpm range. It is rated at an estimated 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 273 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm). A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6L engine; a Hydra-Matic 6L50 electronically controlled six-speed automatic, with TAPshift control, is available.

The high-performance Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Standard, manual transmission-equipped models receive the LS3 engine, estimated at 422 horsepower (315 kW) and 408 lb.-ft. of torque (553 Nm). The LS3 debuted on the 2008 Corvette and uses high-flow cylinder heads based on the Corvette Z06's LS7 engine to enable great low-end torque and high-rpm power. It is paired with a TR6060 six-speed transmission.

A new, L99 V-8 engine is used on automatic transmission-equipped SS models. It is based on the LS3 and carries all of its high-performance design features, but also includes GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature. It enables the engine to run on only four cylinders during light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising, to improve fuel economy. The V-8 is estimated at 400 horsepower (299 kW) and 395 lb.-ft. of torque (535 Nm); and it is matched with a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed transmission. This combination delivers an estimated 23 mpg on the highway.

Body structure and chassis

The 2010 Camaro is built on GM's global rear-wheel-drive architecture, with a strong body structure that enhances safety, quietness and handling. World-class build quality and attention to detail are enabled by features including one-piece body side stampings and very precise tolerances between body panels.

Front and rear independent suspensions are mounted to the rigid chassis, including a multi-link strut arrangement in the front with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and a double ball-joint configuration; and a unique, 4.5-link rear suspension that is double-isolated from the chassis for smoother, quieter driving experience.

Camaro offers two suspensions. LS and LT models receive an FE2 (sport) suspension, while the SS receives the FE3 (performance) suspension, including a lower ride height. Each is tuned to match the performance capabilities of their respective powertrains, as are their wheel-and-tire combinations.

A variable-rate rack-and-pinion power steering system mounts the rack forward of the front axle, for more direct action, an enhanced feeling of driver feedback and better weight balance.

Brakes and chassis control

Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard on all models. LS and LT models receive single-piston calipers all around, with mass-reducing aluminum rear calipers. SS models have larger rotors that are acted upon by four-piston, aluminum Brembo calipers at all four corners. They are designed to stand up to the severe use encountered on road-race tracks, delivering excellent feedback and pedal feel, as well as fade-resistant performance during racing.

GM's StabilTrak electronic stability control system is standard and incorporates traction control. The system on SS models includes Competitive/Sport mode that is adjustable for performance driving, such as on a racetrack; it also includes a Launch Control feature on SS models with the manual transmission. It enables quicker, more consistent takeoffs during performance driving.

Safety

Designed to protect occupants before, during and after a crash, the Camaro offers a comprehensive system of safety features - starting with a robust body structure and integral safety cage around the passenger compartment. High-strength steel and ultra high-strength steel are used in key areas throughout the structure.

Safety technologies integrated in the Camaro include:

* Driver and front-passenger dual-stage air bags

* Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted thorax side-impact air bags

* Head curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear seat occupants

* Front seat safety belt load limiters and pre-tensioners

The front passenger detection system senses children and small-stature adults and suppresses air bag deployment when appropriate.

Standard OnStar service assists after a crash. With OnStar's Advanced Crash Response System, the vehicle automatically sends a signal to OnStar for assistance, even if the air bags don't deploy.

Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than- expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $12,120 to $103,300. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2007 Aston Martin Vanquish S V12

2008-12-06T02:18:00.000-08:00

2007 Aston Martin Vanquish S V12 Specifications

Chassis

Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 255/40 ZR19 - 285/40 ZR19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine

Type: V12
Displacement cu in (cc): 362 (5935)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 520(388) / 7000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 425(577) / 5800
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior

Length × Width × Height in: 181.9 × 75 × 51.4
Weight lb (kg): 4133 (1875)

Performance

Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 4.8
Top Speed mph (km/h): > 200 (> 321)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Base Price: 2007 Aston Martin Vanquish S V12 - $255,000 (last update: 5/12/2007)

New Vanquish S V12:

The Fastest Production Aston Martin

The fastest production model ever to be built by Aston Martin made its world debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

With a maximum speed in excess of 200 mph (321 km/h) and a 6.0 liter V12 engine developing 520 horsepower, the Vanquish S has been designed to deliver even greater performance, complemented by subtle suspension and steering changes and a number of interior and external style revisions.

The Vanquish S has received subtle but effective changes to complement its elegant muscular body. The famous Aston Martin grille has a new rounded and more open appearance for better cooling, and an aerodynamic splitter improves high-speed stability.

At the rear, a redesigned boot lid featuring a new high mounted stop lamp reduces lift and improves balance and stability, helping to achieve an impressive Cd figure of 0.32.

These differences on the Vanquish S not only improve the appearance but also enhance performance. All the exterior body panels are constructed from aluminum with each individual panel hand tailored to the central structure to ensure a perfect panel fit. Every carefully detailed feature provides graphic evidence of the painstaking craftsmanship and quality, which is invested in its construction at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell site in Buckinghamshire.

Revised steering geometry provides a 20% quicker response, allowing the driver to apply a reduced input for required steering response. This enables the driver to be more precise with inputs - especially on winding roads - and more accurate feedback from the chassis.

The Sports Dynamics suspension, steering and braking package is now standard on the Vanquish S. This includes stiffer springs and dampers and shorter steering arms.

Further development of Aston Martin's low emissions, all alloy, quad-overhead camshaft, 48 valve, 6.0-liter V12 engine has generated an increase in power from 460 bhp to 520 bhp at 7000 rpm and torque is boosted to 425 lb-ft at 5800 rpm.

Engine enhancements include new cylinder heads with fully machined inlet ports and combustion chambers to improve airflow, revised engine mapping and new fuel injectors.

The overall interior design is a subtle blend of traditional, classic and modern materials with Bridge of Weir leather upholstery matched to contemporary metal interior fittings and finishes. A number of detailed improvements have been made to the interior of the Vanquish S to enhance the overall appeal.

The luxurious but purposeful two seat or optional 2+2 cabin now features supportive all leather trimmed sports seats with many additional and exquisite detail touches which amply demonstrate the truly special nature of this unique hand crafted sports car.

With the capacity to continue to turn heads, the design of the Vanquish is already established as a modern classic. Since its launch in 2001, the Vanquish has proved to be a huge success for Aston Martin with over 1500 cars built.

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

2008-12-06T02:09:00.000-08:00

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Specifications

Chassis

Wheels 19’’ alloy wheels,20 spoke design
Tires Front: 8.5J x 19’’
Tires Rear: 9.5J x 19’’
Brakes F-R N/A

Engine

Type 4.7 litre V8 engine
Horsepower 420bhp
Torque 470Nm
Transmission drive ratio 3.909:1

Performance

0-60 mph 4.7 seconds
Top Speed 180mph (288kph)
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km) N/A

Base Price: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Approx $120,000 (last update: 6/17/2008)

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Gaydon, 23 May 2008. Aston Martin's V8 Vantage - originally launched to widespread critical acclaim at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 - is to receive significant technical enhancements, reaffirming the car's position as one of the world's most desirable and exhilarating sports cars.

While the universally distinctive and award-winning shapeof the V8 Vantage is retained, the car benefits from a number of technical changes which include significantly up-rated engine performance from a new 4.7 litre power unit in both Coupe and Roadster variants. Other changes include revised dynamics to take full advantage of increased power and torque availability, improved Sportshift, transmission software and a new sports suspension option.

The 4.7 litre V8 engine has a power output of 420bhp (an 11% increase on the previous 4.3 litre unit) and delivers peak torque of 470Nm (15% increase), providing the V8 Vantage with new reserves of mid-range performance, an improved 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds and top speed of 180mph (288kph). Combined European fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also improved by 13% (Sportshift,).

Inside, the changes include a new centre console and revised switchgear and the introduction of an ECU replacing the previous V8 Vantage key. Externally, the acclaimed V8 Vantage design appearance is enhanced with a range of new standard and optional 19'' alloy wheels.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "Continued development and evolution of our unique VH (Vertical-Horizontal) architecture has brought even higher levels of refinement and dynamic performance to our whole range.

"With the new 4.7 litre engine and associated changes we have taken the V8 Vantage to new levels of performance to produce an even more desirable sports car.

"The V8 Vantage is now the most successful Aston Martin in our history and we are confident these changes will continue its appeal and driving enjoyment for both new and existing customers."

Engine

Improvements in performance have been achieved through a number of carefully developed changes to Aston Martin's acclaimed V8 engine.

The cylinder bore and stroke has been increased from 89mm to 91mm and 86mm to 91mm respectively, giving a total displacement of 4735cc.

The increase in cylinder bore is facilitated by a move to cylinder liners that are pressed into the pre-machined aluminium alloy block, allowing a thinner liner than was possible with the cast-in design of the 4.3 litre engine.

The new forged steel crankshaft provides the 91mm stroke and incorporates new holes in the counter weights for reduced rotating mass and improved inter-bay breathing. New forged steel con-rods and cast aluminum pistons complete the capacity-related changes.

Other key changes include efficiency improvements to the dry sump lubrication system, including a new sump casting with oil pick-up points moved from the front and rear to the sides of the sump. The cylinder heads are modified with a new intake port and an inlet valve size increase from 34.9mm to 35.9mm. The intake manifold has been modified to match the new port to optimise air flow.

Transmission

The V8 Vantage transmissions have also undergone changes to improve performance and to handle the increased levels of power and torque. Both the standard manual stick-shift gearbox and the optional Sportshift, transmission benefit from a modified clutch and flywheel, reducing clutch pedal efforts and delivering a 0.5kg weight saving, reducing the rotating masses within the powertrain, and hence increasing engine responsiveness.

Aston Martin's Sportshift, transmission has undergone a series of specific changes to broaden the capabilities of the gearbox to offer customers enhanced comfort and convenience with sporting capabilities. Changes include a revised control strategy, allowing the transmission, rather than the engine, to dictate how best the engine torque should be deployed to optimise performance and deliver power smoothly and consistently.

'Dual Throttle Map' software is also featured. When 'Comfort' mode is selected the engine reacts in a smoother more progressive manner to driver throttle inputs and in the default 'Sports' mode the throttle mapping is more aggressive, delivering a more dynamic and sporting feel.

Sportshift, now also has the capability to take inputs from the steering wheel enabling the current gear to be held when the car is negotiating a corner and hill descent detection, allowing a low gear to be held, maximising the effects of engine braking.

Suspension

A series of improvements are introduced to the V8 Vantage chassis and suspension setup to deliver improved body control and low speed ride quality; enabling the driver to take full advantage of the increased performance potential.

A number of the improved components originally introduced on the Vantage Roadster are now carried over to the Coupe, including revised upper damper mountings and bump stops. Additionally, the front spring rates are stiffened by 11% at the front and 5% at the rear.

Steering geometry is also modified to improve steering feel, while the front lower suspension arm compliance bushes are stiffened by 22% to provide enhanced steering response and handling.

The V8 Vantage also now benefits from Bilstein dampers as standard; these low-friction dampers provide improved levels of dynamic capabilities and further improve ride quality.

Design & Optional Equipment

Also introduced as an option for both Coupe and Roadster variants is a new Sports Pack which comprises forged lightweight alloy wheels aiding a lower unsprung mass, re-tuned Bilstein dampers with improved dynamic response, up-rated springs and a revised rear anti-roll bar (Coupe only). The Sports Pack is intended to offer greater agility, high speed body control and precision feel for the most enthusiastic of drivers.

Although the award-winning exterior design of the V8 Vantage remains largely unchanged, a new 20-spoke 19'' alloy wheel is introduced as standard, with either diamond turned silver or graphite finishes available as options, affording customers maximum choice. Alternatively, as part of the Sports Pack option, a 5-spoke lightweight aluminium wheel will be provided.

In the cabin, a new centre console constructed from die cast zinc alloy with a graphite silver finish is introduced along with a new ECU - first seen on the DBS in 2007. The ECU - constructed from glass, polished stainless steel and polycarbonate - replaces the key used previously for the V8 Vantage. The revised car also includes a new Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Navigation System offering faster route processing, additional features and improved graphics. Full ipod/MP3 integration is retained as standard equipment.

First shown as a concept car at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the V8 Vantage caused a worldwide sensation as it allowed Aston Martin to enter a new sector of the premium sports car market with a genuine alternative to other cars on offer. Deliveries of the V8 Vantage Coupe to customers began in late 2005, joined by a convertible sibling in 2007 when the Vantage Roadster was launched. The car is hand built at Aston Martin's Headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK and to date more than 10,000 have been delivered to customers around the world.

Prices for the revised V8 Vantage will be confirmed at a later date, with deliveries set to commence from quarter three 2008.

2009 Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Concept

2008-12-06T01:57:00.000-08:00

2009 Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Concept Specifications

Drivetrain

Layout Front Engine, Quattro AWD
Transmission 6 Speed S Tronic Dual-Clutch SMG
Front Brakes 13.39 in.
Rear Brakes 12.20 in.

Engine

Engine Type Turbocharged 4 Cylinder
Displacement 2.0 Liters
Horsepower More than 300

Exterior

Wheel Size 9 x 19 in.
Tires 225/35R19
Lighting Bi-Xenon Headlamps
Lighting LED Daytime Running Lights

Base Price: 2009 Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Concept: N/A (Production car based on this concept is very likely.)

The Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Concept Remixed:

Hints of a Clubsport Quattro Production Car?

German sports car maker Audi received such a strong reception to the original Audi TT Clubsport Quattro concept that they have released a new Clubsport, based closely on the new Audi TT. Featuring an even more powerful iteration of an exciting new Audi engine, the 2.0 Liter direct-injection motor found in the new 2009 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI, the TT Clubsport Quattro is said to offer upwards of 300 hp.

With exception of the large fender flares, boy-racer rims and chopped front and side windows, the TT Clubsport Quattro concept looks a lot like the new-for-2008 Audi TT. The company says that production for the Clubsport Quattro "cannot be ruled out," so Audi fans should have something to look forward to.

Check back for more info on the new Audi line of sports cars in the coming weeks.

Open-top driving machine with over 300 hp

An open cockpit, an engine producing more than 220 kW (300 hp) and a host of technologies borrowed from the world of motorsports - the Audi TT clubsport quattro is an uncompromising driving machine. Audi is presenting an updated version of the spectacular showcar and sensation of 2007 at the Wörthersee Tour, the big meet for Audi and VW enthusiasts in Reifnitz (Kärnten), Austria, from May 21 to 25.

Purism at a premium level - this was the goal that the designers and engineers set themselves for the Audi TT clubsport quattro. The low windshield is extremely flat. The A-pillars are nearly invisible, making the continuous window strip appear to be a single casting. Instead of the compartment for the soft top there are two humps behind the passenger compartment - the lines of the showcar painted in Suzuka Gray, pearl effect are intensely evocative of a speedster. Mounted in front of the humps are two massive rollover bars, which together with the strong A-pillars protect the driver and passenger if the car should roll over.

The front end is dominated by the powerful single-frame grill painted in high-gloss black. Beneath the headlamps, which feature a strip of LED daytime running lights, are large air inlets covered by horizontally split black grills.

A distinctive spoiler lip optimizes downforce. When viewed from the side, the sharp contours in the sill area are every bit as striking as the boldly accentuated wheel wells, which house impressive (polished) 9x19 inch wheels shod with 255/35 tires. The track was widened by 66 millimeters (2.60 inches) versus the production TT. The rear bumper is designed as a diffuser. The fascia between the two large tailpipes of the stainless steel exhaust system emphasizes the horizontal lines and makes the car look even wider from behind.

The purist style of the exterior carries over to the interior of the Audi TT clubsport quattro. The newly designed sill area emphasizes the width of the vehicle. The driver and passenger sit in racing bucket seats that offer excellent support even in extreme driving situations - on the race track, for example.

Typical Audi: aluminum in the interior

Typical for Audi is the generous use of aluminum in the interior of the showcar. The clubsport quattro sports a high-grip version of the flat-bottomed steering wheel from the production TT with aluminum shift paddles. The door pull handle and door opener are also made of aluminum, and their cut-out appearance emphasizes the lightweight design character of the concept car. The pedals also shine with aluminum.

The second distinctive feature of the interior of the TT clubsport quattro is the color orange. Leather in this color provides bright highlights to the arm rests, the sides of the center tunnel, the backs of the bucket seats and the instrument cowl. The orange and white graphics of the instrument cluster clearly distinguishes it from its counterpart in the production model.

The TT clubsport quattro is a true sports car, and technology borrowed directly from the world of motorsports emphasizes this character. Even more power has been coaxed out of the 2.0 TFSI engine - the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine breaks the magic 300 hp barrier. The exhaust system was designed to be particularly easy-breathing, and a powerful racing sound exudes from the oval tailpipes.

Audi high-tech: S tronic and Quattro The two-liter engine delivers its full power to an S tronic transmission. Thanks to its dual clutch, gear changes occur extremely quickly without interrupting the flow of power and thus go virtually unnoticed. The driver can change gears manually using the shift lever or the paddles on the steering wheel, or can choose a fully automatic mode. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system transfers the power to all four wheels.

The powerful brake system from the new Audi TTS provides the stopping power. Its ventilated discs measure 340 millimeters (13.39 inches) up front and 310 millimeters (12.20 inches) at the rear.

The Audi TT clubsport quattro is a purist driving machine combining the performance of a sports car with the unique design language of Audi. Small-series production of this model cannot be ruled out.

2010 Audi R8 GT3

2008-12-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

2010 Audi R8 GT3 Specifications

Drivetrain

Layout Mid-Engine, RWD
Transmission 6 Speed Sequential Manual, Paddle Shifted
Suspension Modified Racing Suspension, Almost Exclusively Stock R8 Components

Engine

Engine Type Projected V10 Gasoline
Horsepower Greater than 500 hp

Exterior

Body Type 2 Door, 2 Seat GT Coupe
Aerodynamics Enhanced R8 Carbon Fiber Aero Kit, Greatly Increased Downforce More Info...
Release Date 2009 Racing Season, Fall '09 to Customers
Class GT3

Base Price - 2010 Audi R8 GT3 - Information not yet available.

2010 Audi R8 GT3: A Killer RWD Audi R8 Race Car!

Audi has just announced plans to offer the 2010 Audi R8 GT3, or internally codenamed "R16," to a very few lucky customers late next year. The new R8 race version supercar features lots of performance upgrades over current R8 models, and has been designed to conform to GT3 racing regulations that require automakers to release a set number of race cars with identical performance specs and styling to the cars used in GT3 racing series.

Homoglamated production race cars such as the 2010 Audi R8 GT3 are an exciting consumer perk required by the rules of some race series. In the past, the rule set which calls the R8 GT3 into production has brought us such cars as the BMW M3 CSL, Mercedes-Benz 190 Evolution II and the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Mechanically speaking, the 2010 R8 GT3 features several changes from the production car.

As per GT3 regulations, Audi ditches the Quattro AWD system characteristic of the R8 in favor of a RWD setup. Rest assured the team at Audi Sport is putting significant attention into the RWD system used in the R8 GT3. The Le Mans racing series Audi R10 has proven, with its unprecedented record in endurance racing over the past couple of years, that Audi is committed to its motorsport division.

Rounding out known info for the performance upgrades on the 2010 Audi R8 GT3 are a menacing track-ready aerodynamics kit promising greatly increased downforce and handling prowess, a 6 speed sequential manual transmission, and a gasoline motor promising more than 500 horsepower.

Which brings us to the next question. Will the 2010 Audi R8 GT3, or Audi R16 if you prefer, be street legal? Audi has not released the official word on this yet, saying only that the R8 GT3 "will offer customers a racing sports car equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

Below is the first info direct from Audi AG, reprinted in full. More details on the 2010 Audi R8 GT3 will be posted as they arise.

Audi develops race version of the R8

Official Audi AG Press Release

* Customer sport programme with the mid-engine sportscar,/li>
* First races planned for 2009 season
* Factory driver Frank Biela completes roll-out

Ingolstadt - For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ.

"The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we've been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.

Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.

The Audi R8, which bears the project name "R16" within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.

The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers is planned from the autumn of this coming year.

The customer cars are manufactured together by Audi Sport and the quattro GmbH, which is also responsible for production of the Audi R8 street version, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. (Györ).

Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept

2008-12-06T01:37:00.000-08:00

Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept Specifications

Engine

Type Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system
Displacement cu in (cc) 1968 cc
Torque 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft)
Horsepower 224 HP

Exterior

Length 167.48 inches
Width 71.85 inches

Performance

0-62 mph 6.6 seconds
Top Speed mph (km/h) 149mph
Top Speed 62.14 mph

Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept

Audi, the inventor of TDI, blazes a trail in the field of engine manufacture. At the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour being held at the end of May in the Austrian province of Carinthia, the brand behind the four rings is showcasing this technology's potential with a sensational study. The two-liter TDI unit under the bonnet of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro delivers 165 kW (224 hp) and musters up 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque - the sort of pulling power normally associated with a sports car. The show car races from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph).

The car a dynamic air, while the racing bucket seats and open gear lever gate in aluminum form the highlights of the interior.

The show car is a true high-tech sports car. The drive power is directed to the 20-inch wheels via a six-speed transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary at will the throttle response characteristic, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the operating mode of the dampers. The dampers deploy Audi magnetic ride technology, enabling them to react to changes in the driving situation with lightning speed.

Audi - the trailblazer of engine manufacture

Audi is the trailblazer of engine manufacture. Since their debut back in 1989, the TDI engines have long since established themselves helped by their powerful, refined and efficient character. The triumphant advance that the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI racing car has been enjoying for two years now in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the American Le Mans Series is clear testimony to this technology's tremendous potential.

The engine in the R8 TDI Le Mans study is closely related to the diesel race engine technically speaking - the high-performance sports car is equipped with a six-liter V12 power unit whose output of 368 kW (500 hp) and torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) are good for a top speed comfortably in excess of 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The R8 TDI can also be seen at the Lake Wörther Tour, as the major annual gathering of horsepower-happy Audi and VW enthusiasts is known. Audi has already transferred the superior power of the TDI engines into its road-going cars: the TT and TT Roadster both feature a mighty two-liter unit generating 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of peak torque, coupled to the quattro all-wheel-drive system. As is plain to see, Audi continues to build on its lead in the technology stakes.

At a glance

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro

Engine

- Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system
- Displacement of 1968 cc, output of 165 kW (224 hp) and torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft)
- Optimized exhaust system, sonorous soundtrack
- 0 - 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.6 seconds, top speed 240 km/h (149.13 mph)

Power transmission

- High-efficiency six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight casing, open gear lever gate made of aluminum
- quattro all-wheel drive with extremely fast-action multi-plate clutch

Chassis

- Four-link rear suspension for dynamic handling and good comfort
- Power steering with highly efficient electric drive
- Wheels measuring 9 J x 20, tire size 265/30
- Six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs at the front wheels
- Audi drive select driving dynamics system with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control

Body and interior

- Length 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches), width 1,825 millimeters (71.85 inches), height 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches)
- Motorsport-look design, large rear spoiler
- Racing bucket seats and extra aluminum components in interior

Long version

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro

A TDI from Audi is more than just another diesel - it is, in fact, a dynamic power unit and a rich source of driving pleasure. At the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour being held in the Austria province of Carinthia from May 21-25, Audi is demonstrating the potential of TDI technology with a very special concept study: the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is powered by an engine delivering a whole 165 kW (224 hp) from its displacement of two liters. And with a torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), it endows the premium compact model with the pulling power of a sports car.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro qualifies as an uncompromising sports machine in all other technical respects too. A six-speed transmission channels the engine's power to the quattro all-wheel drive. 20-inch wheels keep the drive force glued to the road; behind the wheels at the front can be found brake disks made from carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic. Using the Audi drive select driving dynamics system the driver is able to adjust the throttle response and exhaust sound characteristics, the steering's power assistance, the ESP control and the damper characteristics as desired.

The dynamic image presented by the scintillating A3 study is rounded off by spectacular body styling and a high-class, sporty interior. Parts such as bolt-on wheel arch extensions and a large rear spoiler lend lasting impact to the exterior's looks; the interior is dominated by the racing bucket seats in the front and the open aluminum gear lever gate.

The design

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has a distinctly confident air about it. Sensational styling instantly sets the three-door show car apart from the standard production Audi A3. It measures 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches) millimeters/2.36 inches), but just 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches) high, - a reduction in height of 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in spite of the large wheels. The track width measures 1,568 millimeters (61.73 inches) at the front (+ 34 millimeters/1.34 inches) and 1,553 millimeters (61.14 inches) at the rear (+ 46 millimeters/1.81 inches).

The design team has kitted out the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro with a whole array of new exterior parts to give it an extremely sharp and dynamic look - almost like a racing car. The paint finish is also a picture of vibrancy: the engine hood, tailgate and roof are Ibis White and the flanks Brilliant Red, while a large white figure "8" is emblazoned across each door in reference to the year 2008. The color scheme is an allusion to the colors of the Austrian national flag.

The single-frame grille has grown slightly in width, which also entailed modifications to the engine hood. The grille's bars - including pronounced vertical sections - have a high-gloss black finish. The bi-xenon headlamp assemblies are embellished by LED daytime running lights and wings. The front bumper incorporates large, square-edged air intakes, together with a blade section that juts a long way forwards and is slightly raised in the centre.

The modified front fenders feature bolt-on wheel arch extensions. The doors and the rear side sections - again with muscular wheel arch paneling - have been given a new, boldly contoured flare at the bottom. This blends together harmoniously with the door sills, which have themselves been restyled. The exterior mirror housings, with their arms that look to have been crafted by the wind, are likewise new. The tinted glass used for the rear windows gives the model yet greater visual presence.

The tail of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro sports a dark grey diffuser. It is a variant on the design of the front blade, and incorporates the two large circular tailpipes of the separate exhaust branches. Modifications have also been carried out to the tail light assemblies. The most striking impression, however, is made by the spoiler atop the rear window that bears a close resemblance to the part featured on the new A4 race car from the German Touring Car Masters (DTM).

Inside the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro, the eye is immediately caught by the illuminated door sill trims with their "TDI Power" badging. Awaiting the driver and front passenger are anatomically shaped bucket seats, just like those found in motor racing cars. The rear seats sport the same upholstery design, with special foam padding used to sculpture them into roomy and comfortable individual seats.

The driver takes hold of an elegantly styled steering wheel with a flat-bottomed rim that is reminiscent of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car. The scales of the dials are colored white, the monitor for navigation and entertainment together with its control panel stems from the R8. The jet-style air outlets have multi-way adjustable louvers, and the usual buttons in the center console have given way to classic, sporty toggle switches. The bars underneath the console are covered in leather, the door handles have been milled hollow to save weight. The door linings and floor mats have been newly designed.

The drive train

The high-performance TDI under the bonnet of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is like nothing that has gone before it. From its displacement of just 1,968 cc, it summons up an output of 165 kW (224 hp). Torque - the true measure of effortless motoring ability - peaks at an exhilarating 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), which is on tap from just 1,750 rpm; in other words, the very bottom of the rev range. As for in-gear flexibility, the diesel model leaves its gasoline-powered rivals standing.

The mighty TDI bestows the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro - which tips the scales at just 1,475 kilograms (3251.82 lb) - with pulling power befitting of a sports car. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) is over in a fleeting 6.6 seconds and the speedometer needle keeps rising all the way to 240 km/h (149.13 mph).

The four-valve sports engine is smart too; it responds spontaneously to the throttle and pampers the occupants with the low-vibration running of its mechanics. On an acoustic level, however, it proudly proclaims its abilities for all to hear: the exhaust system is a new development, with controllable resonance chambers on both tailpipes to amplify the rich, sonorous sound.

The engineers took as a basis the undersquare engine (bore x stroke = 81.0 x 95.5 millimeters) with an output of either 103 kW (140 hp) or 125 kW (170 hp), depending on the configuration, and added to it an optimized turbocharger. The advanced design of its blades allows it to supply more air; as in the series-production version, the variable geometry of the turbine's blades ensures spontaneous response.

The 2.0 TDI, which is managed by one of the most sophisticated control units currently available on the market, is brimming with high tech. Fuel injection is handled by a common-rail system with piezoelectric injectors and eight-hole nozzles. The high-precision metering of as many as five injections of fuel per power stroke has the effect of audibly reducing the noise level. The system operates at a pressure of 1,800 bar - this results in extremely fine atomization of the fuel which, together with the revised piston geometry, makes the combustion process a highly efficient one.

The engine's intake manifold houses swirl flaps that generate a tumbling action in the inflowing air; electric motors regulate the flaps' position so that this tumbling motion is always perfectly suited to the current load and engine speed. Two balancer shafts in the engine reduce the degree of vibration in the crank drive. The drive unit for the belt that propels the two camshafts has also been reworked with a view to improving the engine's acoustics.

The engine: low on emissions, high on efficiency

In its high-performance 165 kW (224 hp) version, the 2.0 TDI unit is still able to make use of a high proportion of recirculated and sharply cooled exhaust gas to achieve cooler combustion with lower oxygen levels - this brings about a substantial reduction in untreated nitrogen oxide emissions. The four-cylinder power unit already complies with the limits of the Euro 5 emissions standard, which is not due to come into force until September 2010 and whose foremost aim is to cut NOx emissions.

The ultra-efficient two-liter engine attains a power-to-displacement ratio of 83.8 kW (113.8 hp) per liter, and torque-to-displacement ratio of 228.7 Nm (168.68 lb-ft) per liter - figures which comparable gasoline engines are simply unable to match.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has been designed strictly in accordance with the principle of maximum efficiency. Power is transferred by a compact, transverse-mounted six-speed transmission whose casing is made from lightweight magnesium. The short-throw gear lever can be moved swiftly and precisely through a classic open gate made of aluminum. The transmission ratios have been adjusted and the components reinforced to make allowance for the TDI engine's extremely high performance.

The engine's power is transferred to the road with virtually zero losses thanks to the quattro all-wheel drive. The system's key component is a multi-plate clutch which is positioned at the rear, thereby further optimizing the weight distribution. Under normal driving conditions, the electronically controlled and hydraulically operated clutch directs the engine's drive power to the front wheels; whenever necessary, however, an infinitely adjustable proportion of the propulsive force can be diverted rearwards.

When altering the power split, the plates inside the clutch are subjected to high oil pressure, pushing them together - a procedure which is completed in a matter of milliseconds thanks to a newly designed pressure reservoir for the pump. The quattro drive constitutes the perfect power transmission system for the mighty two-door model, significantly enhancing traction, handling characteristics, stability and straight-line running, whatever the weather.

The chassis

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro comes equipped with a sports suspension that is more than capable of handling the formidable power. The front suspension - a classic McPherson layout - is pivoted on a light, high-strength aluminum subframe. A rack-and-pinion steering system with a direct ratio produces a sensation of close contact with the road. Power assistance is generated by an electromechanical drive unit for high efficiency, and its level decreases as the speed increases.

The rear suspension comprises four links per wheel which fulfill all manner of tasks. The trailing links absorb the propulsive and braking forces. As an aid to ride comfort, their configuration is relatively soft. The connections to the three transverse links, on the other hand, are rigid in order to direct transverse forces into the body with absolute precision. In this instance, the coil springs and shock absorbers are also kept separate from one another. The set-up is decidedly firm, while the body has been lowered by 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) compared to the standard production version.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro rides on impressive ten-spoke wheels measuring 9 J x 20, which are in turn shod with size 265/30 ZR 20 tires.

Whereas the brakes at the rear wheels were borrowed from the series-production A3, their counterparts on the front would not be out of place on a supercar: six-piston calipers exert a vice-like grip on brake discs measuring 356 millimeters (14.02 inches) in diameter. The discs themselves are made of a material which has been of tremendous value to the aerospace industry, consisting of high-strength carbon fibers embedded in hard silicon carbide.

They have a lightweight construction, can withstand extreme levels of strain, are corrosion-free and have a service life in the region of 300,000 km (approx. 186,400 miles).

Motoring à la carte with Audi drive select

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro boasts yet another highlight in the form of the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. This system has control over a number of technical components that mould the motoring experience. By simply pushing a button, the driver can determine at will whether these components should work in the comfort mode, the dynamic mode or even the "Individual" mode that allows partial manual programming of the way in which they interact.

In the show car, Audi drive select influences the engine's throttle response, the sound from the exhaust system, the power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the damper characteristics. This is where the adaptive damping system Audi magnetic ride comes in: a magneto-rheological fluid circulating in the shock absorber pistons alters its viscosity - and, by consequence, the damping characteristics - in an instant when a voltage is applied.

The interplay between all these cutting-edge technologies makes the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro a thrilling road machine that is tremendously fun to drive. It darts into bends with exceptional spontaneity, and corners with stolid stability and at high speed, guided with unfailing precision by the sensitive steering. Its handling limits are extremely high, with just a minimal amount of understeer kicking in as the limits are approached. A sense of effortless, assured controllability is a key virtue of the A3 study - just as it is on all Audi models.

TDI engines - the superior drive force

Power, refinement and efficiency - ever since they first made their debut in 1989, the TDI engines from Audi have been synonymous with a sophisticated and smart form of sportiness, blazing a trail for the rest of the motor industry to follow. The triumphant advance that the diesel-engined Audi R10 TDI racing car has been enjoying for two years now on race tracks around the world has delivered a powerful demonstration of its potential.

The R10 TDI has been causing a sensation since spring 2006, with its twelve-cylinder diesel powerplant ushering in a new era in the world of motor racing. The 5.5-litre TDI develops in excess of 1,100 Nm (881.32 lb-ft) - a torque figure that positively eclipses its gasoline-powered competitors. Its output of 650 hp translates into a top speed of around 330 km/h (205.05 mph).

One of the fortes of the R10 TDI is its low fuel consumption. And fewer fuel stops means a higher average speed - the car's high efficiency was one of the key factors in its two successive victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany) won in 2006 and 2007 in emphatic style. It is a similar story in the American Le Mans Series, where the diesel race car bearing the four Audi rings has racked up a string of successes, easily securing the constructors' title in the large LMP 1 category in both years.

For the first time ever, superior TDI power from the race track can now be experienced in a series-production sports car - both the Audi TT Coupé 2.0 TDI quattro and the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TDI quattro feature a diesel engine. The two-liter four-cylinder unit delivers dynamic thrust, with a power output of 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque. Despite this, the TDI engine in the Coupé burns just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 mpg) on average - a benchmark value in the sports car segment.

Also on show at the Lake Wörther Tour is the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, whose drive train technology is closely related to that of the R 10 TDI. The high-performance sports car is driven by a six-liter V12, whose 368 kW (500 hp) of output and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque propel the world's most powerful series-production TDI model to a top speed far in excess of 300 km/h (186.41 mph).

Audi R10 TDI Race Car

2008-12-06T01:33:00.000-08:00

Audi R10 TDI Race Car Specifications

Accolades

Races Entered 27
Wins 14
3-time 24 hours of Le Mans Winner

Body

Chassis Type Carbon Fiber Monocoque
Wheelbase 117.3 in.

Drivetrain

Transmission 5 Speed Sequential Manual

Engine

Engine Type Twin Turbo, Mid-Engine (Longitudinally Mounted) V12 Diesel
Horsepower 650 hp

Base Price: Audi R10 TDI Race Car - N/A

Audi R10 TDI Race Car: Diesel Powered V12 Machine Racking up 24 Hours of Le Mans Victories

The Audi R10 TDI race car is revolutionary in its engine technology, employing diesel fuel in a class of race cars where this has been unheard of.

With the R10 TDI, Audi has employed advanced engine management technology and twin turbos to create a powerful and reliable race car motor able to withstand the pressures of endurance racing.

Now the high-output turbo diesel technology is making its way into the AUDI consumer lineup, starting with the Audi Q7 luxury SUV. Will an R10 TDI-derived Audi sports car, such as a version of the already-potent Audi R8, be next?

Courtesy of Audi:

Ingolstadt/Le Mans - The Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten in the Le Mans 24 Hour race: in its third attempt, the diesel sportscar won the French endurance classic yet again. After the incredible thrill of the 76th edition of the race, Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) triumphed at the wheel of the Audi R10 TDI number 2.

The widely anticipated duel between Audi and Peugeot definitely kept its promise: in front of a record crowd of 258,500 spectators, the two car manufacturers entered into a thrilling battle with their diesel sportscars which Audi finally won by a margin of 4m 31s.

During the entire race distance, the winning Audi R10 TDI and the best Peugeot 908 was never separated by more than a lap. After Peugeot initially set the pace, both the reliability and efficiency of the Audi R10 TDI gained the upper hand at night. After rain set in at Le Mans, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish took the lead at 05:17 and held it until the finish at 15:00 hours.

On a rain-soaked track, the Audi drivers fully profited from the superiority of Audi TDI Power and led the field by a margin of one lap. In addition, they took advantage of the fact that Audi Sport Team Joest had entered the race with a set-up that was the best compromise for both dry and wet track surfaces. Whilst the opposition had to change their cars during the race to a rain set-up, Audi only needed to change tyres.

Changing tyres, however, was an exercise that was practiced frequently as the conditions changed throughout the second half of the race owing to the weather. Slicks, intermediates, and rain tyres - it was crucial to take the most suitable tyres at the correct time.

Audi Sport Team Joest and the Audi drivers fully exploited their experience and operated faultlessly. The only frightening moment occurred in the dramatic final phase when there was a collision between the leading car and a backmarker involving the innocent Tom Kristensen. In that situation, the sheer strength of the Audi R10 TDI became visible as well. The car ran faultlessly without the slightest technical lapse during the 24 hours.

Scotsman Allan McNish scored his second Le Mans victory after his inaugural 1998 triumph - 2008 being his first win with Audi. Tom Kristensen, from Denmark, extended his existing record to eight Le Mans victories now. Italian Dindo Capello won for the third time after 2003 and 2004.

For Audi Sport Team Joest, it was the third successive victory with the Audi R10 TDI. Thus, a hat-trick has been achieved for the second time after 2000, 2001 and 2002: three Le Mans victories achieved by one team. The Le Mans winners' trophy that normally needs to be returned 12 months after each single victory is therefore in the possession of AUDI AG for good.
The other two Audi R10 TDI cars finished fourth and sixth. Youngsters Lucas Luhr, Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller were in contention for a podium finish until shortly before the end and had previously occupied third place. In the penultimate hour of the race, however, the oil filter of their V12 TDI engine had to be changed.

Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner also encountered bad luck: the winning trio of 2006 and 2007 lost all chances for a better result on Sunday morning when a clutch had to be changed owing to a spin and the subsequent re-start in second gear.

In its tenth attempt, Audi has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race for the eighth time. Since 2000, Audi technology has been victorious at Le Mans. "This was a success of drivers, team and the efficiency of the Audi TDI technology - a triumph of reliability", said Rupert Stadler, Head of the Board of Management of AUDI AG who followed the race at Le Mans personally in the Audi pit garage. "It was the most tense Le Mans race I remember. We had a very strong opponent who had an extremely fast car. But once more, it became obvious that Le Mans particularly rewards reliability and efficiency. I am proud of this team. And every Audi employee and customer can be proud, too."

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA

Audi of America, Inc. offers a line of luxury vehicles that include the Audi A3 sport compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models, the high-revving RS 4 sport sedan and Cabriolet; the all new A5 Coupe with FSI direct injection technology; the S5 Coupe with 354 hp; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the V-10 powered high performance S6 sedan; the Audi Q7 performance SUV; the new all-aluminum Audi A8 and A8L; the new S8 with V10 power; the all-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster models; and the all-new, all-aluminum R8, one of the most exclusive mid-engine sports cars in the world. Upcoming Audi vehicle launches in the USA include the updated A3 with quattro all-wheel drive (Sept. 2008), all-new A4 sedan/Avant (Sept. 2008), TTS coupe and Roadster (end 2008), Audi Q7 3.0 TDI (early 2009), and Audi Q5 (Q1 2009). For more information, please visit media.audiusa.com.

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Concept

2008-12-06T01:20:00.000-08:00

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Concept Specifications

Drivetrain

Layout Mid-Engine, AWD
Transmission 5 Speed Manual

Engine

Torque 737.56 lb-ft. @ 1750 rpm
Horsepower 500 hp
Engine Type Twin Turbo TDI Diesel V12
Displacement 5934 cc
Compression Ratio 16.0:1
Boost Pressure 2.6 bar

Performance

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 4.2 sec.
Top Speed Well Over 300 km/h (186.41 mph)
Base Price: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Concept: - N/A

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Concept:

Another Hint at a Diesel-Powered Audi R8 Supercar

The Audi R8 TDI Le Mans concept luxury sports car is a technology and styling showcase coming from the German automaker of the storied R8 luxury supercar. Part of an Audi trend in offering true high performance diesel models with engine performance characteristics and raw power that rival, or exceed, those of their gasoline counterparts, the R8 TDI Le Mans offers subtle but meaningful body modifications over the current 2008 Audi R8, but the surfaces are just the beginning.

Inside the R8 TDI Le Mans is a diesel-powered, twin turbo V12 that is derived from the motor used in the Audi R10 TDI racer, winner of multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans victories and the hottest car on the endurance racing circuit today.

With its race-bred diesel technology, the 12 cylinder diesel engine in the R8 TDI Le Mans promises staggering performance numbers unlike anything coming from an oil burner to date.

Known for their outstanding torque numbers, diesel engines are moving more and more into the mainstream beyond use in heavy trucks and anemic economy cars.With German luxury car makers Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and especially Audi leading the charge toward clean burning diesel engines, even the American car buying public is beginning to accept that diesel motors are not just for hauling boats or huge cargo containers of quacking chickens.

There is no reason why Audi cannot build a production version of the R8 TDI Le Mans, as this engine is fully tuned and ready to go. Build cost could be very high in the early stages of pushing through a diesel engine with this output, but this makes the R8 supercar a natural platform to try it out on. The car world is eagerly anticipating an all-but-assured announcement that a diesel-powered R8 TDI will be in showrooms sooner rather than later.

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans

Audi is presenting a revolution in the top class - the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance roadgoing sports car. The V12 TDI with a displacement of six liters powers a concept car based on the Audi R8. This unit generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque. Audi is writing a new chapter in diesel technology with this power unit. Equipped with the expertise that Audi has built up through its motor sport activities, the R8 TDI Le Mans in Brilliant Red embodies superb road handling, pioneering technology and fascinating design.

The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner - so it catapults the Audi R8 into supercar terrain concerning performance too. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm, paves the way for effortless acceleration that is unrivaled even at this level.

The new V12 TDI belongs to Audi's family of V engines but has the ideal included angle for this engine type of 60 degrees between cylinder banks. Its highlights include the new chain drive layout that includes the two newly developed high-pressure pumps for the common rail injection system.

Its sound is as thrilling as you'd expect in a sports car of this caliber. For all the subtle smoothness that typifies this design principle, the twelve-cylinder unit is full-bodied and equipped with energetic overtones that make no secret of its performance potential.

The Genes of the Winner

Thanks to their high performance and pulling power, all Audi TDI engines are ultra-dynamic sources of power. The brand has often enough demonstrated its sporty character in its production cars, especially the six- and eight-cylinder 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI. Audi has also been writing a new chapter in its success story on the racetrack since 2006. The diesel engine in the R10 sports prototype won its very first endurance race at Sebring, Florida, when it was pitted against an entire field of gasoline-engined challengers. But its most crucial victories were surely in 2006 and 2007 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, when it simply outclassed the international elite.

The V12 TDI race engine in the R10 produces over 650 hp from a displacement of 5.5 liters, giving it the potential for a top speed as high as 330 km/h (205.05 mph) depending on the gear ratios. Its power and sturdiness immediately impressed both fans and experts, who were impressed by its restrained noise level. Unusual for a race engine, this powerful Audi diesel makes barely more than a whisper.

Long traditions of motor racing and production technology complement each other at Audi. The FSI engine of the R10's predecessor, the R8, captured five wins at Le Mans with a direct gasoline injection system. Audi is also looking to maximize the advantage by using the race-tested FSI principle in its production models. The latest examples of this are the V8 with high-revving concept in the RS 4 and the production version of the Audi R8.

The Drivetrain

The roadgoing version of the new V12 TDI is built at the Györ plant, in Hungary. And the R8 TDI Le Mans still has a massive 500 hp on tap. In developing the six-liter engine, it was a clear priority to integrate it into the current family of Audi V engines, of which many thousands of versions with 6, 8 and 10 cylinders have already been built - both gasoline and TDI.

Audi's engineers were in an ideal position to use their experience building the racing engine to develop the road version. Like the other power units in this range, the distance between cylinder bore axes on the V12 TDI is 90 mm (3.54 in.). Yet its included angle is 60 degrees, not 90 degrees. This means no free inertial forces or mass moments of inertia can occur with the V12. The results are refined in every respect.

The 83.0 mm (3.27 in.) bore and 91.4 mm (3.60 in.) stroke produce a total displacement of 5,934 cc - just like the 3.0 TDI. At only 684 mm (26.93 in.) long, this large diesel engine is very compact and just 166 mm (6.54 in.) longer than the V8 TDI. This compact length is key to accommodating the V12 in the mid-engined Audi R8.

The V12 TDI crankcase is made from gray cast iron with vermicular graphite - a high-tech material referred to as GJV-450 that is already used on the V6 and V8 TDI engines. GJV-450, made by a patented casting process, is about 40 percent more rigid and 100 percent more fatigue-resistant than gray cast iron. This enabled the developers to make its walls thinner, cutting its weight by around 15 percent compared with conventional gray cast iron.

The two cylinder heads are each made from three main elements. These are a base section made from a high-strength aluminum alloy incorporating the intake and exhaust ports, an oil-bearing upper section, and a reinforcing ladder frame supporting the two camshafts.

The valves are actuated by low-friction roller cam followers; the compression ratio is 16.0:1. Map-controlled swirl variation of the combustion air has been adopted from the V6 and V8 TDI engines. This produces permanently optimized swirl concerning both emissions and high performance.

Ultramodern Injection Technology

As is the case in the Audi V engines, the no-maintenance chain drive is mounted at the back of the engine, where it occupies little space. Its layout has changed on the new V12 TDI. The camshafts' sprocket engages in an intermediate gear via which two Simplex chains drive the camshafts. Two more chains drive the oil pump and the two high-pressure pumps actuate the common rail injection system.

The two new dual-piston high-pressure pumps form part of the common rail injection system supplied by specialty manufacturer Bosch. The two pumps build up a pressure of up to 2,000 bar in the rails. The piezo injectors with eight-hole nozzles have also been fundamentally revised.

The high pressure distributes the mixture optimally throughout the combustion chamber. The result is that the ignition process is faster, more homogeneous and more acoustically refined. The more efficient combustion process also increases power output, cuts consumption and reduces pollutant emissions.

The current generation of so-called inline injectors makes effective use of the piezo effect: piezo crystals expand in a fraction of a millisecond when an electrical voltage is applied. The number of injection processes per operating cycle can be varied across a wide range thanks to piezo technology - reaching as many as five fuel injection operations in the case of the V12 TDI.

As well as the main injection, pilot and post injections are possible. Pilot injections tone down the acoustic harshness of the combustion process. Retarded post injections are designed specifically to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas, promoting regeneration of the two standard particulate filters.

The two turbochargers are located on the outside of the engine's V, each of them supplying one bank of cylinders. Thanks to their variable turbine geometry, the full flow of exhaust gas always passes through the turbine, so the chargers respond slickly - even at low engine speeds - and operate very efficiently.

The two turbochargers, which generate up to 2.6 bar of boost pressure, play a crucial role in producing the huge torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) that the V12 TDI maintains from 1,750 rpm to 3,000 rpm. In developing 368 kW (500 hp), the diesel achieves a specific output of 62.0 kW (84.3 hp) per liter displacement.

Two large intercoolers reduce the temperature of the compressed air. The V12 has a twin-pipe exhaust system with two particulate filters. The intake system is similar in structure with one air cleaner per cylinder bank, with an airflow meter behind it. Two control units, sharing the workload in a master/slave principle, manage events in the engine.

The Audi R8 TDI Le Mans already fulfills the Euro 6 emissions standard that is likely to take effect in 2014 and calls for sharply reduced nitrogen oxides. By also designing in ultra-precise fuel metering by the common rail system, Audi's engineers have made full use of current clean diesel technology.

The heart of the system is a special catalytic converter downstream of the oxidizing catalyst and the particulate filter. The second component in the system is an additional tank containing an aqueous urea solution. Small quantities of the solution, known as "AdBlue," are injected into the exhaust system. The hot exhaust gases break the solution down to form ammonia that splits the nitric oxides into nitrogen and water. The system remains effective for the entire service life of the vehicle.

The dynamic character of a sports car depends not just on its performance and torque; the transmission ratios have to be right too. In keeping with the character of a high-performance sports car with unbeatable torque potential, the transmission in the R8 TDI Le Mans has six manually operated gears.

The manual transmission is very compact in design. Together with the small-diameter double-plate clutch, this means it can be installed low down. The manual transmission has very short shift travel and utterly precise guiding of the shifter into the open gear lever gate. It is made from polished aluminum, has an agreeable feel and exquisite sports car looks.

Such a high-performance Audi also has quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In the case of this mid-engine sports car, power is distributed variably between the front and rear wheels from a starting ratio of 40:60 to optimize the handling.

The Design

The R8 TDI Le Mans with Brilliant Red bodywork looks even wider and more resolute than the core model. It shows its potential through its muscular proportions, accentuated wheel arches and even larger air apertures. The rhombus-pattern cover on the air inlets and outlets is the hallmark of Audi's sporty top models and a familiar feature of the current RS generation.

Typical of the side view of the R8 is the sideblade. Much wider in the bottom third, it visually accentuates the engine's position as well as acting as an enlarged air deflector.

The continuous aluminum spoiler lip that connects the front and rear diffusers with side air baffles below the enlarged sills also pays tribute to this version's highly developed dynamic talents.

And yet the R8 is unmistakable for its powerful, elegant basic proportions. The selective but always precise use of lines is another typical Audi characteristic, as is the curved arc of the roof. One new aspect is the glass roof of the passenger compartment with two large transparent sections. These, together with the glazed engine compartment behind, create a radically new formal element. The unmistakable NACA duct in the middle of the roof is a functional detail that is normally reserved for racing cars. Its ingenious shape accelerates the air drawn in here for the two cylinder banks of the V12 TDI engine.

The V12 TDI is displayed as the beating heart of this sports car, like a work of art inside a large showcase. Its look, underscored by the air deflectors located beneath the restyled rear glass lid, differs clearly from its production counterpart. The engine can even be seen after dark, when white light-emitting diodes illuminate the engine compartment - as on the production R8 version. This "showroom" can additionally be fully lined in genuine carbon fiber, for a particularly exclusive look.

The continuous line running from the front apron across the wheel arches and flanks to the tail end, then back down the other side, is one of the latest design hallmarks of the Audi brand. This "loop" naturally encompasses the air apertures, the headlights and the taillights.

Unmistakable Face by Day and Night

The passion expressed through the elaborate design of the lights is another typical Audi trait. Nor is anyone likely to overlook this Audi sports car from behind: the LED taillights have a three-dimensional look that can't be missed.

Butthe absolute highlight is the all-LED headlights of the study vehicle. With their lenses and reflectors, not only do these innovative light sources have a ground-breaking appearance, they also have an enormous functional advantage: LED light, with its color temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light. Better light means the driver will have much less fatigue when driving at night.

Ergonomic and Elegant

The interior's design is as sporty and exclusive as the exterior: the characteristic element here is the monoposto - an expansive arc running around the steering wheel and instruments, connecting the driver to the car. The interior consequently picks up on the dynamism of the R8 TDI Le Mans and gives it tactile expression in a form that is accessible the moment you climb in.

The three-spoke sport steering wheel of course remains the focal point of the car's controls. With a diameter of 365 mm (14.37 in.), it is both sportily compact and ergonomic in shape. The steering wheel rim has a flat lower edge. This is a further aspect of the auto racing feel in the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, but one that also brings major functional benefits, facilitating entry and exit for the driver. The steering wheel is covered in fine Valcona leather, with a diecast magnesium core providing strength.

The start/stop button for the engine and the Drive Select switch with the Dynamic/ Sport/Race settings are arranged on the steering wheel. The latter controls the engine and transmission electronics as well as the magnetic ride dampeners in each of three different modes.

In Race mode, the instrument lighting changes from white to red. The navigation system shows a combined display with lap timer and navigation information for the racetrack being driven. Or supplementary information such as centrifugal force and boost pressure can be called up.

Concentrating on the essentials was the priority in the ergonomic arrangement of all Audi R8 versions. The most important consideration - particularly for high-speed driving - is short reach distances for all controls, to keep the time that the driver has only one hand on the steering wheel to a bare minimum. In typical Audi style the monitor is well within the field of view, and the elements of the MMI operating system are located directly below it.

Compared with the production version, the R8 TDI Le Mans's interior has much larger aluminum applications, especially around the center console. The many carbon fiber elements give the interior a decidedly sporty feel.

The R8's exceptional everyday practicality for a sports car is maintained in the study vehicle's spaciousness, even though the longer engine takes up more room. The two occupants have the generous wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft.) to thank for the interior comfort. This means the driver and passenger will always be able to find their perfect seated position, whatever their build. The view is also very good for a mid-engine vehicle. Narrow A-posts optimize the field of view to the front and sides.

Light but Highly Rigid Body

The body of a sports car needs to be particularly light and rigid. Low weight permits superior road performance, and rigidity is the crucial starting point for an agile driving feel allied to high precision. The Audi Space Frame body, made from aluminum, provides the ideal basis for this.

Audi has more expertise than any other manufacturer worldwide in the design and production of vehicles based on aluminum technology, and has channeled its accumulated know-how into this area.

The entire bodyshell of the study car weighs just 210 kilograms (462.97 lbs.). In ASF technology, the body's supporting structure is made of extruded aluminum sections and die-castings. Aluminum panels are incorporated into this skeleton to form a positive connection and perform a load-bearing role. Each individual component of the ASF space frame is optimized for its specific task by the use of widely differing shapes and cross-sections, combining maximum stability with minimal weight. It adds up to a car that's particularly light and rigid, an outcome that can be felt in the R8's ultra-precise driving feel.

The aerodynamics experts at Audi have done their work so thoroughly on the study car that, as an added benefit of its elegant shape, the body actually generates downforce - unlike many other sports cars. This aids directional stability at high speeds. It is achieved partly by means of an extending rear spoiler that is much larger than on the production version, and also thanks to the fully clad diffuser underbody.

Two large-format diffuser apertures in the rear bumper demonstrate just how much aerodynamics dictate the shape of the study vehicle. The tailpipes of the exhaust system are located in pairs on the right and left above the diffuser apertures. The add-on, automatically extended rear spoiler also interacts with the air as it flows around the car. The extra downforce it provides increases the efficiency of the air intake generated by the aerodynamic design of the underbody and diffusers. At low speeds, the rear spoiler returns to its initial position.

Chassis

The precision chassis of the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans remains supremely in control of the sporty performance, but is capable of assuring relaxed driving pleasure over long distances too. The sports car is spontaneous and agile at obeying steering movements, always demonstrating exceptionally good driving safety. The suspension, with double wishbones at both the front and rear, is optimized for a neutral self-steering response and maximum ease of control.

The study car, too, has the innovative dampening technology known as Audi magnetic ride. This adapts the chassis characteristic to the profile of the road and the driver's style within milliseconds.

Ceramic Brakes with Extreme Reserves

A generously dimensioned brake system supplies the necessary braking force. It applies a total of 24 pistons to the four brake disks, combining excellent performance with minimal weight and high durability. The disks are made from carbon fiber reinforced ceramic, a material that has repeatedly proven its worth in the aviation and aerospace sectors. The basis is very hard, frictionally resistant silicon carbide, with its diamond-like crystalline structure. Embedded in it are high-strength carbon fibers that absorb the stresses occurring in the material. The intricate geometry of cooling ducts in the ventilated disks prevents extremely high temperatures. The ceramic brake disk ring is bolted by 10 spring-loaded elements to a stainless steel central element that acts as the connection with the wheel's hub.

The ceramic brakes are identifiable at a glance by the special red, six-piston monobloc aluminum calipers and the fixed calipers at the rear. The advantages of the ceramic brakes include a further reduction in weight of around 20 kilograms (44.09 lbs.), which in this case improves the handling characteristics and comfort. The high abrasion resistance permits an operating life of up to 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles). Their key strength, however, is their ability to withstand very high loads. Even on the racetrack, for example, the ceramic brakes always maintain their full reserve performance.

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet

2008-12-06T00:32:00.000-08:00

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet Specifications

Drivetrain

Layout Front Engine, AWD
Transmission 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG
Differential quattroSport rear differential dynamically varies torque between the rear wheels

Engine

Type: TFSI supercharged V6

Engine & Transmission

Displacement cu in (cc): 3.0 liters Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 333 bhp
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 325 lb-ft.

Exterior

Body Type 2 Door, 4 Seat Convertible

Performance

Top Speed 155 mph (electronically limited)
Base Price: 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet - Est. $55,000

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet - Sleek Styling, Soft Top Entact, No V8 Coming

The new 2010 Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet open-top luxury GT convertibles have been announced, and when it comes to the S5, we like what we see. Offering a new Audi motor that will make its way into the S5 Coupe as well, the 2010 S5 Cabriolet should be good for some serious wind-in-your-hair thrill rides.

Bucking a Trend - Audi S5 Cabriolet With a Soft Top

While some convertible competitors to the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet, such as models from Mercedes-Benz, have gone toward the hard top method for their convertibles, the Audi S5 retains the soft top. We think it gives the S5 Cabriolet a certain degree of distinction not found in hard top convertible models, which often show jagged breaks in their lines where the top folds. The S5 Cabriolet convertible top looks clean as can be, and right in place when raised.

Better still, the S5 top folds into a literally tiny amount of space when it is lowered, using only a tiny fraction of the trunk space and leaving behind 11.3 cubic feet of trunk space. Audi has incorporated 60/40 split folding rear seats into the S5 Cabriolet, giving it an even greater degree of utility.

We like the S5's styling eons better than its most direct competitor, the BMW 6 Series Convertible. What we would like even more is if Audi chose to release an RS5 Cabriolet model featuring the power of one of the absolutely outrageous force induction V10 engines from the RS6 line. Still, the S6 Cabriolet is far more powerful than any convertible driver really needs.

While BMW and Mercedes-Benz opt toward increasingly busy and futuristic-looking convertibles, the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet is all class.

The Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet – the joy of open-top driving

Official Audi Press Release

Dynamic and wonderful to look at, the new A5 Cabriolet is a real Audi, and an especially exciting one at that. The four-seater with the fabric top combines a sporty character with the fascination of open-top driving, refined comfort, and great everyday utility. Seven powerful engines, an agile suspension and a wide range of high-end options make the new Audi model the most attractive mid-range convertible. The top-of-the-line model of Audi’s new family of convertibles is the S5 Cabriolet. The engine of the S5 Cabriolet is the newly developed, supercharged three-liter V6 with gasoline direct injection. Prices start at EUR 37,300 for the 1.8 TFSI with 118 kW (160 hp) and six-speed manual transmission. Delivery of the first A5 Cabriolet models will begin in the second quarter of 2009.

Like all open-top Audi models, the new A5 Cabriolet too has a classic fabric top – which endows it with a striking silhouette of dynamic elegance. The lightweight softtop opens in 15 seconds – and closes in 17 seconds. The fully automatic open/close drive comes as standard. An acoustic top is optionally available, which reduces wind noise almost to the hardtop level.

When opened, the Audi A5 Cabriolet top folds down so effectively that very little trunk space is used up – leaving 320 liters (11.3 cu ft) of unused storage volume, clearly the best value in its field of competitors. The softtop compartment lowers itself automatically when the top is opened.
Equally useful is the fold-down rear seat backrest with the large pass-through between the luggage space and the interior, which increases the storage volume to a generous 750 liters (26.49 cu. ft.).

Automatic seat belt extenders round out the comfort in the interior. Neck-level heating is optionally available for the front seats. The optional leather seats are coated with a special layer to reduce solar heating. There is comfortable room for four persons. The refined ambience combines with exemplary ergonomics to convey an atmosphere of sporty elegance. Ultra-high-strength steels and selective reinforcements of the body ensure maximal rigidity and crash safety.

The A5 Cabriolet is being launched with three gasoline engines and two diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 132 kW (180 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp). All five powerplants are fueled via direct injection; four of them use turbocharging. Available power trains include a six-speed manual transmission, the continuously variable multitronic, and the lightning-fast, seven-speed S tronic.

In addition to front-wheel drive, Audi also offers quattro permanent all-wheel drive for the higher-power engines. The innovative sport differential, which variably distributes the propulsive power between the rear wheels, is optionally available to make quattro even more dynamic and even safer.

Fascinating dynamics: Audi drive select

The perfect addition to this technology package is the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, which enables the driver to chose among three different engine maps controlling the characteristics of the fuel feed, the shifting points of the seven-speed S tronic and multitronic, and the mode of operation of the servotronic steering system. If the MMI operating system is installed, a fourth, freely programmable level is also available.

Audi drive select is only available in combination with one or more of three additional technologies – the sport differential, the adaptive control for the shock absorbers, and dynamic steering. This is an additional high-tech solution: Its superposition gear varies the gear ratio as a function of the driving speed by up to 100 percent.

The new Audi A5 Cabriolet features a rich array of equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, and an audio system with a CD player. One of the highlights among the optional equipment is the third-generation MMI operating system, which provides many attractive navigation and entertainment functions.

As the dynamic top-of-the-line model of the new production series, the S5 Cabriolet occupies a very special position. Its three-liter TFSI – a V6 with turbocharger – unfolds its 245 kW (333 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque impressively: It responds tenaciously to the throttle and delivers excellent driving performance. The quattro drive, a sport suspension with 18-inch wheels and a number of special equipment details underscore the athletic power of the Audi S5 Cabriolet.

The exterior design

The Audi A5 Cabriolet combines Audi’s progressive styling with the fascination of an open-top car. The long engine hood, the sharp lines, the sweep of the shoulder contour, the elegantly curved surfaces, the large wheels, the distinctive front end, and the expressive tail all interact to create a sculptural, sensuous whole. The A5 Cabriolet is 4.63 meters (15.19 ft) long and 1.85 meters (6.07 ft) wide, but only 1.38 meters (4.53 ft) tall: the sportiest proportions in its class.

The styling of the front end is dominated by the single-frame grille, which is flanked by large air intakes. The exquisite design of the headlights makes them look like technical jewels. The daytime running lights of the optional xenon plus headlights consist of LEDs. An aluminum molding lends high gloss to the windshield frame.

The looks of the tail end are sharpened by horizontal lines, broad tail lights, straight tailpipes, and a distinctly colored diffuser insert. The trunk lid bears an unobtrusive spoiler lip. The xenon plus headlight option comes complete with LED taillights, which create a distinctive light pattern.

The convertible top

The fabric top with the large glass rear window fits smoothly into the design profile. This is one of several reasons why Audi preferred it to a folding steel roof. What’s more, its construction is much lighter in weight, which reduces the overall weight of the Cabriolet and lowers its center of gravity. The outer skin of the top is available in a choice of four colors, the inside in three.

The softtop consists of three layers. The intermediate layer is a cushioning pad. In the optional acoustic top, which reduces wind noise almost to hardtop level, this is replaced by a foam layer up to 15 millimeters (0.59 in) in thickness. The acoustic top comes with a ceiling light for the rear seat – a solution usually only found in the topmost convertible luxury segment.

In both versions, a hydraulic pump and four operating cylinders that move the top are actuated when a pushbutton on the central console or on the optional remote access assistant is depressed. It takes 15 seconds to open the top, 17 seconds to close it. Both actions can also be actuated while driving at up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph) – which makes driving much more comfortable.

When opened, the top is retracted underneath a fixed cover, where it is folded down into an extremely compact shape. Its storage compartment, which automatically lowers itself into the trunk space, only takes up a few centimeters in height – and only 60 liters (2.12 cu ft) of the 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) of luggage space. The remaining 320 liters (11.3 cu ft) with the top open are by far the best value among comparable vehicles. What’s more, the low position of the loading lip makes loading and unloading easier. The wind deflector, which is supplied as standard, can be stored in the spare-wheel well to save space.

A very convenient feature in the Audi A5 Cabriolet are the split folding rear seat backrests. They can be easily unlocked by actuating levers in the trunk and drop automatically onto the seat cushions. The standard pass-though is 70 centimeters (27.56 in) wide. The loading space behind the front seatback is 1.76 meters (69.29 in) long, providing a total storage volume of 750 liters (26.49 cu ft).

The body

As is typical of Audi models, the A5 Cabriolet has an extremely rigid body. This is a prime reason for its precise driving performance, its high comfort level, and its maximized crash safety.

In the construction of the body-in-white, several innovative technologies are used. A prime example are the ultra-high-strength steels with their extremely high tensile strength, which Audi manufactures in-house using hot forming. The front fenders of the A5 Cabriolet are made of aluminum to lower the weight and to optimize axle load distribution. An enclosed underbody improves the airflow and thereby the fuel efficiency.

A whole array of additional reinforcement parts compensates for the absence of a solid roof. They are located in the front section, in the side skirts, in the windshield frame, and in the rear section. Located between the interior and the luggage section is the rollover protection. When a rollover threatens, spring-loaded aluminum braces are raised behind the rear seat headrests. Door-mounted head and chest sidebags provide protection in the event of a lateral impact.

The interior

With its generous wheelbase of 2.75 meters (9.02 ft) and the longest interior in its class, the Audi A5 Cabriolet has plenty of room for longer trips. That’s also true for the rear seats, which can be optionally divided by a center console with two cup holders.

Elegance in flowing lines, functional ergonomics, and top-quality craftsmanship are the principal characteristics of the interior – and this too is typically Audi. The teardrop-shaped settings of the instruments have already become modern classics. The centrally mounted onboard monitor is standard equipment. The formed-plastic console focuses on the driver. Flowing lines link it to the central tunnel and the door linings. If the customer has ordered either one of the two navigation systems it comes with the highly convenient MMI operating system – the best solution on the market.

The low standard seats provide excellent control and support. Using seatbelts is facilitated by electric seat belt extenders. Special solutions are available as alternatives: firm sport seats, electric seat adjustment and heating – as a separate option also for the back seats.

In the climate-controlled comfort seats, small fans and an automatic auxiliary heater ensure luxurious comfort. This option provides neck-level heating – ducts on the topside of the seatback emit warm air that keeps the back of the head and neck warm. With its three-level control, the headroom heater is also available for sport seats. It prolongs the open-air season in the Audi A5 Cabriolet.

Another special feature is provided in the optional leather upholstery: a special coating inhibits solar heating while the Cabriolet is parked in the sun with the top down. This coating reflects infrared radiation and thus lowers the surface temperature by up to 20 degrees Celsius. Audi offers a choice of several seat coverings up to and including Fine Nappa leather. Inlays come as standard in Micrometallic platinum; aluminum and three different kinds of wood are available as options.

The engines

In the propulsion system of the A5 Cabriolet too Audi has consistently relied on innovative technologies: All five engines – the two TDIs and the three gasoline engines – use direct injection. They are impressive evidence that, at Audi, efficiency and dynamics go together and are interdependent.

The most powerful gasoline engine in the Audi A5 Cabriolet is the 3.2-liter FSI. It operates with the innovative Audi valvelift system, which varies the lift of the intake valves in two stages. As a result, the gas exchange improves and the throttle can be left open more often, minimizing throttling losses – which in turn boosts the torque and the power output while reducing fuel consumption. The V6 delivers up to 195 kW (265 hp) as well as 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. With front-wheel drive and multitronic it accelerates the A5 Cabriolet in 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) – and up to a top speed of 246 km/h (152.86 mph). Its average fuel efficiency is an impressive 8.6 liters/100 km (27.35 US mpg). An optional alternative is quattro all-wheel drive, combined with the new seven-speed S tronic.

The 2.0 TFSI likewise attests to Audi’s leadership position in engine design. This four-cylinder engine also uses the Audi valvelift system – but here it acts on the exhaust valves, with similar advantages as in the V6. Audi sells the two-liter turbo in two versions. In the entry-level version, which comes with front-wheel drive and multitronic, it delivers up to 132 kW (180 hp) and 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) from 1,500 to 3,900 rpm. This version completes the standard sprint in 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 219 km/h (136.08 mph). Average fuel efficiency is an excellent 7.4 liters per 100 km (31.79 US mpg).

The more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI delivers 155 kW (211 hp) as well as 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. It is available with three powertrain versions: with the quattro drive package and the seven-speed S tronic, and with front-wheel drive and either multitronic or manual transmission. In the latter version the A5 Cabriolet reaches 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 241 km/h (149.75 mph). Its average fuel efficiency is an impressive 6.8 liters per 100 km (34.59 US mpg).

The two V6 TDIs also set the standards in their class. With their enormous torque and consistent running smoothness they represent the leading-edge sportiness of Audi TDI technology. The three-liter engine generates 176 kW (240 hp) and applies 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes 6.4 seconds. Top speed is 247 km/h (153.48 mph). This top-of-the-line diesel, which powers all four wheels via the seven-speed S tronic, is content with an impressive average of 6.8 liters/100 km (34.59 US mpg).

The second TDI in the program is even thriftier. The 2.7-liter powerplant with 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) between 1,400 and 3,500 rpm consumes a mere 6.3 liters/100 km (37.34 US mpg)*. The smaller V6 diesel comes with front-wheel drive and manual transmission. It goes from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.6 seconds; 230 km/h (142.92 mph) is its top speed (preliminary values).

The transmission

Audi provides a choice of three different transmissions for the A5 Cabriolet. The 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW (211 hp) comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, which excels in its short shifting travels and high operating precision. Both the two-liter engine and the 3.2 FSI are available with the multitronic continuously variable automatic transmission as an option, which combines smooth operation with high efficiency and a fuel-saving transmission ratio. For a dynamic driving style the multitronic is available with a sport program and a manual mode with eight fixed speeds.

For the more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI and for the 3.2 FSI, the seven-speed S tronic is available as an option; in the 3.0 TDI it is standard equipment. This new high-tech dual-clutch transmission changes gears in a few hundredths of a second, and so smoothly that the driver hardly notices it. What’s more, it is highly efficient and fuel-saving. The driver can let the seven-speed S tronic shift automatically or interact, if desired, via rocker switches on the steering wheel.

The seven-speed S tronic has been designed for use with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. It is optionally available for the high-end diesel series and for the two powerful gasoline engines. The quattro drive system is dynamically designed – during normal driving it distributes the forces in a 40:60 ratio between the front and the rear. If one wheel skids, a center differential that operates purely mechanically transfers most of the power to the axle with the better traction.

The new sport differential makes the driving dynamics of the quattro drive even more fascinating. This innovative control system steplessly distributes the propulsive torques among the rear wheels depending on the driving situation.

This form of torque control makes the steering response of the A5 Cabriolet even more spontaneous and direct and further improves the vehicle’s stability. Transverse acceleration is further improved while understeering or oversteering is completely prevented.

The chassis

The Audi A5 Cabriolet leads its class in all relevant sporty criteria – steering response, stability and agility – yet it provides a very smooth ride. The reason for these strengths is the perfect distribution of axle loads. The front axle is located far forward in the front section – a configuration made possible by an unusual solution: the differential is mounted in front of the clutch or torque converter.

The chassis design too is technologically advanced: The front wheels are mounted on a five-link axle. The front axle support is firmly bolted to the body in order to maximize rigidity. The steering forces are transmitted to the wheels directly via the steering box, which is mounted very low within the chassis. The hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides a very responsive and highly precise connection to the road. Optionally available is the servotronic, which adjusts its support level to the driving speed.

The rear-wheel suspension of the Audi A5 Cabriolet is supported by a trapezoidal-link axle, which combines a smooth ride and maximum driving stability. The essential parts of both the front and the rear suspension are made of aluminum. The large brakes ensure powerful deceleration and react very precisely to the degree of pedal pressure. 16-inch or 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard, depending on the engine version. Optionally available from Audi and quattro GmbH are 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels.

Another high-tech feature in the new A5 Cabriolet is the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system. It influences the characteristics of the fuel feed, the speed change points of the seven-speed S tronic, and the operating mode of the servotronic steering system. The driver presses a key to select a comfortable, intermediate, or dynamic operating mode for these subsystems. If the vehicle is equipped with a navigation system – and the MMI operator control that comes with it – a fourth engine map is provided, which the driver can program to suit.

Audi drive select is only available in combination with one or more of three additional technologies – the differential, the adaptive shock absorber control, and dynamic steering. Its superposition gear varies the gear ratio by nearly 100 percent as a function of the driving speed. The dynamic steering operates directly in city traffic. In highway driving it uses a more indirect ratio. To maximize driving safety, it cooperates closely with the ESP stabilization program – at the handling limits it keeps the A5 Cabriolet on course by lightning-fast small interactions.

The equipment

The Audi A5 Cabriolet comes with an impressive array of standard equipment. This includes a fully automatic convertible top, 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels, a fold-down rear seatback with a large pass-through, and automatic air conditioning; the chorus audio system comes with integral CD player. Electric seat belt extenders and an electromagnetic parking brake are also standard.

Further luxury is available in the options: The adaptive light option combines xenon plus headlights with dynamic cornering lights; the high-beam assistant changes automatically between low beam and high beam. The advanced key provides keyless access and allows starting the car as well as opening and closing the top remotely. The deluxe automatic air conditioning manages the temperature separately in three zones in the vehicle. The acoustic top further lowers the wind noise level. And the climate-controlled comfort seat in combination with the neck-level heating creates a perfectly tempered environment.

When it comes to the chassis, the program is complemented by the Audi drive select system, the sport differential, and two conventional sport suspensions. The S line sport package plus combines the stiff set-up with performance features such as 10 millimeters less body height, 18-inch wheels and 245/40 tires with a package of special details for the interior. The S line exterior package, on the other hand, endows the vehicle with an especially dynamic look.

Further highlights are the two infotainment systems MMI navigation and MMI navigation plus – members of an entirely new equipment generation. Even the lesser model includes navigation imaging featuring 3D color graphics, a versatile reader for memory cards, and a DVD drive. Optionally available from Audi is a module for digital radio reception, a Bluetooth interface for the mobile phone, and an interface for full integration of the iPod.

The top version comes with exclusive technologies: an especially high-definition monitor, a big hard drive for music files and addresses, plus a special joystick function for the MMI control unit. With refinements such as a Bang & Olufsen sound system or a digital TV tuner, the MMI navigation plus can be turned into a high-end media center.

Innovative assistant systems from the luxury class make driving in the A5 Cabriolet even more supremely relaxed. Audi optionally equips its open-top four-seater with high-tech solutions including adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist and Audi lane assist. They control the distance from the vehicle in front and assist in staying in lane or in changing lanes. The luxury-class Audi parking system advanced uses a rearview camera to display the area behind the vehicle on the onboard monitor.

The Audi S5 Cabriolet

The top-of-the-line model of the new Cabriolet production series from Audi is the S5 Cabriolet. The letter “S” stands for Sport – for dynamics, performance and power, but also for amazing efficiency.

The Audi S5 Cabriolet’s engine is a newly developed, supercharged, three-liter V6. The pressure in the 3.0 TFSI is generated by a mechanical supercharger – with impressive results: The power output tops out at 245 kW (333 hp), the torque between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm remains constant at a generous 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft). The powerful thrust and the spontaneous, aggressive response make for a fascinating driving experience. The S5 Cabriolet is catapulted in 5.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and accelerates up to a preset top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Yet at 9.6 liters* per 100 km (24.5 US mpg), its fuel efficiency is highly impressive (preliminary values).

Standard equipment of the Audi S5 Cabriolet includes the servotronic, the seven-speed S tronic and the quattro drive system package. The sport differential is optional. A sport suspension keeps the body close to the road. The 18-inch cast aluminum wheels are equipped with 245/40 tires. The black brake calipers are emblazoned with S5 emblems. The acoustic top, xenon plus headlights, electrically adjustable sport seats with Alcantara leather upholstery, and a multifunction sport steering wheel are also standard equipment.

Diverse design features contribute to a distinctively sporty styling, including modifications at the lower front and back panels, at the air intakes and at the tailpipes. In the interior, special seat upholstery, door sill trims and inlays in matt brushed aluminum underscore the high-quality, dynamic style of the high-end model. The pointers of the instruments are illuminated white to contrast with the gray scales.

Kansas Speedway

2008-12-06T00:23:00.000-08:00

Kansas Speedway Seating Chart

Kansas Speedway History

Address: Kansas City, KS

Kansas Speedway

It took a while, but NASCAR finally found its way to the home state of the man who won the first race in what would become its signature series.

On June 19, 1949, a group of racers gathered in Charlotte, N.C., for the first official race in what was called the “Strictly Stock” series. When the car that crossed under the checkered flag was disqualified for having violated the “strictly stock” part, the winner of that first race wound up being a Kansan named Jim Roper.

More than 50 years later, in 2001, the series that grew out of that 1949 race came to Kansas Speedway for the first time.

The 1.5-mile facility was constructed near the intersection of two major interstate highways. The site, about 15 miles from downtown Kansas City, Mo., but located across the state line in Wyandotte County, Kansas, was selected in 1997 by International Speedway Corporation, the company that owns other racing facilities such as Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway.

The people behind the project knew that Kansas Speedway, once built, would fill a major void in the Midwest, an area of the United States with dozens and dozens of tracks where racers and race fans spend their summer evenings.

When construction began in May 1999, drivers Rusty Wallace and Ken Schrader, both of whom grew up racing their cars all around the Midwest, were there to help mark the occasion. It took only a few months for eager fans to snap up all of the available tickets for the 32 luxury suites originally planned at Kansas Speedway. The ISC board of directors quickly approved funding for 36 additional suites. Before it was even built, Kansas Speedway was already growing.

The following May, as construction continued, NASCAR and the Indy Racing League announced plans to bring races to Kansas Speedway for its inaugural season in 2001. The IRL went first, on July 8, 2001, followed by the NASCAR Busch and Cup series on the weekend of Sept. 29-30.

The 1.5-mile track is 55 feet wide with 15 degrees of banking in its turns, 10.4 degrees on the trioval frontstretch and 5 degrees on the backstretch.

As race fans from the Midwest flocked to buy tickets for its events, Kansas Speedway has expanded intelligently from its original capacity of around 75,000. Today, nearly 87,000 tickets are available for races at the track and there’s room to add up to as many as 150,000 fans down the road.

Kansas Speedway has become the anchor around which a great deal of business development has taken place. Retail stores, hotels, restaurants and other facilities have come to the area surrounding Kansas Speedway, helping to add both to the quality of life in the area and to the experience for fans who come to the track for races featuring NASCAR and other cars.

Jeff Gordon won the first two Cup races held at Kansas Speedway. Ryan Newman was the winner in 2003, and in 2004 when the track’s Banquet 400 was a part of the Chase for Nextel Cup, it was Joe Nemechek making the trip to victory lane.

Richmond International Raceway

2008-12-06T00:21:00.000-08:00

Richmond International Raceway Seating Chart

Richmond International Raceway History

Address: Richmond, VA

Richmond International Raceway

Is there a perfect race track?

If there is, it just might be at a place they used to call Strawberry Hill.

Richmond International Raceway has a deep, rich history. Over nearly 60 years, the track has taken on a number of different shapes and names, but one thing hasn’t changed along the way - it’s all about racing at Richmond.

Today, Richmond International Raceway a three-quarter mile trioval with 14 degrees of banking in the turns. More than 110,000 tickets are sold out every time the track hosts NASCAR’s Nextel Cup series, because fans know they’ll see the kind of short-track, fender-to-fender action that has helped make NASCAR racing one of this country’s most popular sports. They also know that the track is big enough to produce fast speeds - qualifying laps approaching 130 mph - that test drivers and cars alike.

Richmond International Raceway’s history dates back to a half-mile dirt track known as Strawberry Hill Speedway. The first race took place there in 1946, with Ted Horn winning. In 1953, the track was called Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds and NASCAR brought its Grand National Series to town, with Lee Petty getting the victory.

Paul Sawyer and racing star Joe Weatherly purchased the property in 1955 and Sawyer would run the track for the next 45 years, seeing it through several name changes, reconfigurations and expansions all designed with better competition and better experience for the fans in mind.

Richmond International Raceway got a second race date in 1959 and has had them ever since.

Richard Petty, the “King” of stock-car racing, won at Richmond for the first time in 1961, the first of a record 13 races he would win in his career at the track.

The track’s name was changed to the Virginia State Fairgrounds Raceway in 1967, and one year later the legendary David Pearson won the final race held on dirt at the track. In September of that year, the track was paved and remeasured at .625-mile, with Richard Petty getting another win.

Richmond first became part of the track’s name in 1969, when it was renamed Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, and that year was remeasured at one-half mile and, still later, at .542 mile.

Finally, in 1988, Richmond International Raceway became the track’s official name and a major reconstruction project began. With Richard Petty himself driving one of the bulldozers to kick off construction, work began immediately following Neil Bonnett’s victory in the Pontiac Excitement 400. By the next March, the three-quarter mile track that exists today was in place.

In September 1991, lights were added and the fall race moved to night for the first time. Now, both of the track’s Nextel Cup races are run at night.

Sawyer, after one of the longest and most distinguished careers in stock-car racing history, sold the track to International Speedway Corporation in 1999.

Beginning in 2004 Richmond International Raceway began hosting the dramatic final race of the “regular season” leading up to the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Phoenix International Raceway

2008-12-06T00:20:00.001-08:00

Phoenix International Raceway Seating Chart

Phoenix International Raceway History

Address: Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix International Raceway

Phoenix International Raceway is, literally, like the mythical phoenix.

The race track located just west of downtown in Arizona’s capital city rose from the ashes of a fire, started by a lightning strike, that burned down most of its main grandstand in 1987.

The next year, however, Phoenix International Raceway came back from that sad day to being a new era in racing in the Southwest. NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series, now known as Nextel Cup, made its first visit to the 1-mile oval in 1988 and Phoenix has been flying high ever since.

Phoenix International Raceway sits in the foothills of the Estrealla Mountains. Built in 1964, it first served as a desert oasis for American open-wheel racing. IndyCars made 58 visits to Phoenix International Raceway, with great drivers like Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and the Unsers gracing its Victory Lane.

Another great Phoenix International Raceway tradition began in February 1977 when a pair of races on the track’s oval and road courses were held in a two-day event known as the Copper World Classic. That annual event still draws some of the best racers from several different series to Phoenix International Raceway.

After the fire in April 1987, work began on the new Phoenix. When a three-story suite building was completed outside Turn 1 in October 1988, the track’s capacity for reserved tickets was up to 30,000 and Phoenix International Raceway was ready for the first visit by NASCAR’s Cup series.

That race turned out to be a memorable one for many reasons. The race, held Nov. 6, 1988, wound up being the first Cup victory for Alan Kulwicki, the tough-minded independent driver who would go on to win the 1992 Cup Series title. Upon taking the checkered flag that day, Kulwicki turned around and took his victory lap backward, going clockwise around the track, giving birth to his now famous “Polish victory lap.”

By the time the track celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1994, Phoenix International Raceway had seen Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison and Mark Martin also win Cup races. Dick Trickle had won Southwest Series events, Ken Schrader had won in the U.S. Auto Club Silver Crown Series, Michael Andretti had topped 170 mph in an IndyCar, the International Motorsports Association ran an event in its Camel GT series under the lights on the track’s road course and the American Motorcycle Association had brought its National Superbike Series to town.

International Speedway Corporation bought Phoenix International Raceway from owner Buddy Jobe in April 1997, and under the ISC banner the track has continued to grow. More than 76,000 reserved seat tickets can now be sold for each event, and when the large crowds that watch races here from the unique vantage point of a mountainside outside of Turn 3, crowds for NASCAR’s top events now top 100,000.

In April 2005, Phoenix International Raceway moved to yet another level when it hosted the Subway Fresh 500 under new lights that produce enough to light more than 10,000 city blocks. The addition of that race to the NASCAR calendar gives Phoenix International Raceway two Nextel Cup weekends each year, including the traditional November date that comes in the next-to-last weekend of the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship battle.

Martinsville Speedway

2008-12-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

Martinsville Speedway Seating Chart

Martinsville Speedway History

Address: Martinsville, VA

Martinsville Speedway

Since the very beginning, Martinsville Speedway has been the biggest little track in racing.

To get to the beginning of this track’s history, you have to back a very long way. There was a Martinsville Speedway before there was NASCAR, in fact.

On Sept. 7, 1947, H. Clay Earles opened his .526-mile dirt track for modified stock cars. There were 750 seats at the track, but more than 6,000 fans showed up to buy tickets. NASCAR founder William H.G. France Sr. was a competitor in the first NASCAR-sanctioned modified race at Martinsville the next July, finishing eighth.

When what is now the Nextel Cup Series began in 1949, Red Byron won the sixth race in series history.

And Martinsville Speedway has been making history ever since. It is the only track among those originally sanctioned when NASCAR was formed to still host racing in the series.

Nearly 70,000 tickets sell out virtually every time Martinsville Speedway hosts NASCAR’s top stars.

The track is still .526-miles, the shortest used today in NASCAR’s top series. It’s shaped like a paper-clip and often described as a pair of drag strips connected by turns at either end. Those drag strips are Martinsville Speedway’s 800-foot straightaways with 12-degree turns tying them together.

Martinsville Speedway was first paved in 1955, but other than that racing here is the same as it has been for nearly 60 years. If it’s true that “rubbin’” is “racin,’” then there are few places where more “racin’” gets done.

The shape of the track itself and the way cars race here aren’t the only things that make Martinsville Speedway different.

From Clay Earles right on down to his grandson, current track president Clay Campbell, the track’s management has always worked hard to make Martinsville Speedway a nice place to watch a race.

From little things - like having azaleas planted around the track - to bigger ones - like keeping concession prices reasonable and giving the people who guy tickets good service as well as a good time - Martinsville Speedway has always worked to maintain a personal touch.

There is, for example, no more famous single item at any NASCAR concession stand than the Martinsville Speedway’s hot dog. Drivers and crew men start heading for the concession stands as soon as they get their cars unloaded on a race weekend, and the flavorful delights are sold by the box loads.

From the original capacity of 750 seats, Martinsville Speedway has grown remarkably over the years. In recent years, more than two dozen corporate suites have been added along greatly expanded hospitality and merchandising areas and a new garage area for competitors. High-rise grandstands now stand on three sides of the track, and more expansion could be in the future now that a railroad line that’s always run parallel to the backstretch has been moved back.

Martinsville Speedway has always been a difficult test for Nextel Cup drivers and teams. Seven-time series champion Richard Petty is the all-time leader with 15 career Cup victories at Martinsville Speedway, while Darrell Waltrip is an 11-time winner.

Bristol Motor Speedway

2008-12-06T00:14:00.000-08:00

Bristol Motor Speedway Seating Chart

Bristol Motor Speedway History

Address: 151 Speedway BlvdBristol, TN 37620

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway is the biggest little track in racing.

There are nearly 170,000 seats around the .533-mile concrete marvel these days, but getting a ticket to see a NASCAR Nextel Cup race there is one of the most difficult things for any sports fan to accomplish.

Race cars go as much as 60 mph faster at other tracks than they do at Bristol Motor Speedway, but there’s not a driver in the sport who won’t tell you the sense of speed during a 15-second lap at Bristol is as great as is at any track in the sport.

Contradictions abound when you’re talking about Bristol Motor Speedway, but there’s one thing that’s absolutely certain. When it comes to excitement, there’s no other place like it.

Put 43 cars in a bowl, add the intensity of thousands of excited fans and mix at high - extremely high - speeds. That’s the recipe for a day, or night, of racing at Bristol.

NASCAR fans look forward all year to the August night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. How tough of a ticket is the Sharpie 500? The waiting list grew so long that the track finally just stopped adding names to it.

But the fans who are lucky enough to get tickets are rarely disappointed by the action they see on a track that started as a smaller-scale copy what was then called Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Larry Carrier and Carl Moore were at the first race at what is now Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1960, and they decided to bring racing to northeast Tennessee. By July 1961, a track had been built about five miles down the road from the site they originally picked in a place called Piney Flats. Instead of Piney Flats International Speedway, the first NASCAR race was held at Bristol International Speedway.

That track was a half-mile of asphalt with 22-degree banking in its turns. There were 18,000 seats. Forty-two cars started that first race in 1961 and only 19 finished. And the driver who took the checkered flag first was not the driver who’d started in that car! Jack Smith drove the first 290 laps of the Volunteer 500, but Johnny Allen took over as a relief driver and finished it up.

Bristol Motor Speedway’s turns were banked an intimidating 36 degrees in 1969 and it was re-measured to its current distance of .533 miles. The lights went up in 1978, and that August the track played host to the night race that has now become one of NASCAR’s signature events.

Bristol Motor Speedway became the first track with an all-concrete surface in 1992. Four years later, it was sold to Bruton Smith and Speedway Motorsports Inc.

At that point, there were about 71,000 tickets available for a race at what was then renamed Bristol Motor Speedway. But by the August race in 1996, 15,000 seats had been added and more - much more - were on the way.

No words can prepare a race fan for what now awaits as he or she walks into Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time. Major additions named for some of the sport’s greatest drivers - Alan Kulwicki, Dale Earnhardt and 12-time race-winner Darrell Waltrip - now completely surround the concrete oval with double- and triple-decked seating.

With the more than 150 luxury suites included, Bristol Motor Speedway’s capacity now approaches 170,000.

Every ticket is sold for every Cup race. And nobody goes home disappointed.

Auto Club Speedway

2008-12-06T00:12:00.000-08:00

Auto Club Speedway Seating Chart

Auto Club Speedway History

Address: Fontana, CA

Auto Club Speedway

For a track that only has been playing host to NASCAR’s top series since 1997, Auto Club Speedway has a rich and colorful history.

The 568-acre site in Fontana, Calif., about 50 east of downtown Los Angeles, has deep roots running into America’s history and its pop culture.

Auto Club Speedway stands on the site where the first steel mill located west of the Rocky Mountains, the Kaiser Steel Mill, was built. That mill produced much of the steel used to build the Liberty ships that helped the Allies win World War II.

After Kaiser Steel went out of business in 1983, the site fell into such disrepair that when the movie “The Terminator,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was filmed it was used for filming of scenes representing a post-Apocalyptic world where men and machines battled each other for supremacy and survival.

Who would have believed that one day when Schwarzenegger returned to the site it would be as he served as governor of the state of California to see a major-league racing venue in his state where around 100,000 fans buy tickets to see racing’s top stars compete?

Magic happens all of the time in Southern California, of course, and there’s no question some of that was worked in bringing Auto Club Speedway up from the ashes of what once stood on this site.

(And speaking of Magic, former Los Angeles Lakers star Ervin “Magic” Johnson has been a grand marshal for a NASCAR race at Auto Club Speedway.)

Today, fans who come to Auto Club Speedway see 136 acres of landscaping on the facilities grounds. More than 300,000 tons of asphalt were put down to provide over 32,000 paved parking spots for fans buying tickets for the track’s events.

Auto Club Speedway is also served by a Metrolink mass transit rail station.

NASCAR star Ken Schrader won the first race held at the track on June 21, 1997, a Winston West Series race. Mark Martin also won an International Race of Champions event that day, and the following day Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Cup race.

Auto Club Speedway has also played host to races in the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck series, as well as events in the IndyCar Series and what is now the ChampCar World Series on its oval and road racing and motorcycle events on its road courses.

The track was built by Penske Motorsports Inc., but in 1999 that company merged with International Speedway Corporation, bringing Auto Club Speedway into the ISC family of tracks.
Beginning in 2004, Auto Club Speedway’s two-mile oval became the host of two NASCAR Cup series races each year, adding a Labor Day weekend event to is roster of activities. The 75-foot wide track has 14-degree banking in its turns, 11-degree banking on the 3,500-foot-long frontstretch and 3-degree banking on a backstretch that stretches for 2,500 feet.

Gordon is a three-time race-winner at Auto Club Speedway, but Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Jeremy Mayfield, Elliott Sadler, Rusty Wallace and Greg Biffle have also scored Cup victories.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

2008-12-06T00:10:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Seating Chart

Las Vegas Motor Speedway History

Address: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd NLas Vegas, NV 89115USA

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Las Vegas Motor Speedway had to be spectacular.

Ordinary has no shot in a city where you can see Paris, Venice, New York and ancient Rome all in the space of a few blocks.

So just a few miles north of “The Strip,” Las Vegas Motor Speedway sits like a diamond in the desert. One of the most complete racing complexes in the world, its 1,600 acres include road courses, a three-eighths mile oval, a dirt track and a state-of-the-art drag racing facility.

At its heart, however, lies the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway, home for the UAW-Dodge 400 on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series each season.

Construction on the $200 million complex began in 1995, with crews moving more than 4 million cubic yards of dirt. More than 2,600 light fixtures on more than 200 poles help Las Vegas Motor Speedway keep up with the bright lights of the city it lives in.

Nearly 2,000 tons of concrete were originally used to build more than 100,000 seats for race fans wanting to buy tickets to see racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but like Las Vegas itself, the track just keeps right on growing.

Not long after Speedway Motorsports Inc. bought Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1998, it announced plans to add seats for 22,000 more tickets in the Dale Earnhardt Tower overlooking the front straightaway.

When those tickets were snapped up, Las Vegas Motor Speedway decided to keep growing. By 2006, construction of the Richard Petty Terrace in Turn 1 will be ready, allowing fans a shot at 14,000 additional tickets and pushing the track’s seating capacity to nearly 150,000.

The first race held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was an Indy Racing League event in 1996. NASCAR’s Busch Series followed soon thereafter, and in 1998 the Cup series made its first visit with Mark Martin picking up the victory.

Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth have both won a pair of Cup races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Jeff Gordon, Sterling Marlin and Jimmie Johnson also joining Martin on the list of Cup winners at the 1.5-mile track.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s wide racing surface allows drivers to choose their own preferred racing lanes through turns banked a 12 degrees. The frontstretch trioval, which runs 2,275 feet, is banked at 9 degrees. The 1,572-foot-long backstretch is banked three degrees. Race fans buying tickets at Las Vegas Motor Speedway get more than just some of the world’s best racing.

With Nellis Air Force Base located just beyond the backstretch, a day at the track also frequently provides an opportunity to see some of the American military’s most advanced aircraft soar into the skies.

And, by the way, there’s also Las Vegas itself. The city has more than 140,000 rooms in some of the most famous and fabulous hotels in the world, and offers a boundless array of restaurant and entertainment options.

Las Vegas is the place where the world’s biggest stars come to see their name in lights, and with Las Vegas Motor Speedway it’s also a place where race fans can see the greatest drivers in the world work their magic, too.

It’s Vegas, baby.

Daytona International Speedway

2008-12-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

Daytona International Speedway Seating Chart

Daytona International Speedway History

Address: Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona is another word for speed.

Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, but daring men have tested the limits of man and machine in Daytona Beach, Fla., for more than a century.

A ticket to the Daytona 500 is more than a ticket to the world’s most important stock car race. A Daytona 500 ticket also is a passport to history, a tangible link to the pioneers in American automotive performance.

When Sir Malcolm Campbell ran 276.82 mph in March 1935, it marked the 15th time the world’s land speed record had been set on the Daytona Beach sands. And when the speed-record trials moved to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Daytona kept on racing.

In 1936, the precursor to today’s Daytona 500 was born on a course that went down 1.5 miles of highway, then turned and came the same distance back up the beach.

William H.G. France, a mechanic and racer who’d moved south from Washington, D.C., eventually took over the job of running the beach races on the second of two courses used for those events. In 1947, he presided over a meeting at Daytona’s Streamline Hotel where NASCAR was born.

A decade later, France began working on his showplace.

Daytona International Speedway would be a race track like no one had ever seen - big and fast on scale that’s as grand today as it was when it was only France’s dream.

Why are the turns at Daytona International Speedway banked at 31 degrees? Because when “Big Bill” France was building it, that’s as steep as he could make the turns and still keep the machines putting down the asphalt from tipping over.

When drivers gathered for the first Daytona 500, it was an eye-popping experience. Drivers were more accustomed to half-mile dirt tracks and saw the 1.366-mile paved track at Darlington as vast. A trip around Daytona International Speedway was 2.5 miles. From Turn 1, Turn 3 looked like it was in a different county.

Bob Welborn ran 140.121 mph to win the pole for the first Daytona 500, and Lee Petty won in a photo finish over Johnny Beauchamp.

It was at Daytona International Speedway where Junior Johnson discovered that if he tucked his car right behind another one, he could go faster than he could run by himself. And “drafting” became a part of the sport’s lexicon.

It was at Daytona International Speedway where Cale Yarborough topped 200 mph on his first qualifying lap in 1983 and then, as he went even faster on a second lap, his car took off and flew, turning upside down before crashing.

Bill Elliott set the Daytona International Speedway track record in 1987, running 210.364 mph, just before restrictor plates were introduced to the sport.

Fans who’ve been lucky enough to have tickets for the Daytona 500 over the years have witnessed some of NASCAR’s greatest moments - as well perhaps its most enduring tragedy.

Richard Petty won seven Daytona 500s on his way to becoming “The King,” but lost it in 1976 to rival David Pearson after they wrecked coming to the finish line and Pearson puttered across the finish line bumping his car along with his ignition. Many experts consider that Daytona 500 to be one of the greatest NASCAR races ever.

In 1998, in his 20th try, seven-time Cup series champion Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500. But three years later, on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt died in a Turn 4 crash in a moment that changed the sport forever.

In addition to the Daytona 500, the track hosts the Pepsi 400 each July along with the Rolex 24, America’s premier endurance race, and annual motorcycle races that are the centerpiece of Daytona’s Bike Week.

Daytona International Speedway renovated its infield before the 2005 Daytona 500 to add a “Fan Zone” that allows fans to buy tickets giving them one of the best up-close views of a NASCAR garage and other special amenities.

Chicagoland Speedway

2008-12-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

Chicagoland Speedway Seating Chart

Chicagoland Speedway History

Address: Joliet, IL

Chicagoland Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway, located in Joliet, Ill., is only 40 miles from the birthplace of automobile racing in America.

What? You thought the cradle of racing in this country was Indianapolis, Ind., or Daytona Beach, Fla.? You thought racing’s roots only ran into the Appalachian Mountains of the Carolinas and Georgia?

Well, as they say, you can look it up.

The first automobile race between gasoline-powered vehicles ever held in the United States actually took place on Nov. 28, 1895, when six cars left Jackson Park in Chicago for a 54-mile race to Evanston, Ill., and back in the snow.

Frank Duryea took just more than 10 hours, averaging 7.3 mph, to win the race and earn $2,000.

How things have changed.

When Tony Stewart won the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in July 2004, his winnings were $336,803.

Chicagoland Speedway’s history begins with nine Illinois entrepreneurs and their work to built Route 66 Raceway, a complex featuring a drag strip and dirt oval named after Route 66, the legendary highway nicknamed the “mother road” that stretched from Chicago to California.

The next step was an informal meeting in 1995 between NASCAR president Bill France Jr. and Indy Racing League founder Tony George. Their discussions centered on the idea of bringing a paved oval to the metropolitan Chicago area. After several years of searching for sites, the idea of building Chicagoland Speedway on a site adjacent to the Route 66 complex took shape.

The idea became a reality in 2001, when NASCAR brought its Cup and Busch Series to Chicagoland Speedway to being a new era of racing in the Midwest’s biggest city.

It was not, however, the first race in NASCAR’s top series held in the Chicago era.

On July 21, 1956, what was then called the NASCAR Grand National Series ran a 200-lap race on a half-mile paved oval at Chicago’s legendary Solider Field, which after several renovations still serves as the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Fireball Roberts won that race, beating runner-up Jim Paschal in the field of 25 cars.

Today’s Chicagoland Speedway has 18-degree banking in its turns. The 2,400-foot frontstretch has 11 degree banking and the backstretch, which runs 1,700 feet, is banked at 5 degrees. It takes NASCAR’s top drivers less than 30 seconds to speed around its 1.5 miles in qualifying trim - Jeff Gordon set a track record in qualifying for the 2004 Tropicana 400 at 28.886 seconds, an average speed of 186.942 mph.

Kevin Harvick won the first two Cup series races at Chicagoland Speedway, with Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart following him to the winner’s circle. Jimmie Johnson, Johnny Sauter, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Justin Labonte have won Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

The state-of-the-art facility offers great sight lines for the 75,000 fans who get tickets to a race at Chicagoland Speedway. The cornfields that surround the track provide a picturesque background in a setting that belies that fact that one of America’s greatest cities is just a few miles away.

Darlington Raceway

2008-12-06T00:03:00.000-08:00

Darlington Raceway Seating Chart

Darlington Raceway History

Address: Darlington, SC

Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway began as little more than Brasington’s Folly.

Harold Brasington went to the Indianapolis 500 in 1933 and came back to South Carolina with a vision. His friends and neighbors though he was nuts, but Brasington thought a patch of land just west of the little town of Darlington was the perfect place for 1¼-mile speedway that would be a half-sized copy of the 2.5-mile oval in Indy.

In the fall of 1949, on land that had been used for cotton and peanut farming, Brasington and his crew went to work. With Brasington himself often driving the bulldozer, Darlington Raceway went from vision to reality.

Brasington’s plans were altered by the presence of a minnow pond on the west end of the track that the man who owned it wasn’t about to give up, so that end of Darlington Raceway had to be narrowed. The result was an egg-shaped oval that’s like no other race track in the world.

History hangs in the air at Darlington Raceway.

It is stock car racing’s mother church, the first paved superspeedway where NASCAR drivers raced against each other.

Darlington Raceway is “The Lady in Black.”

Darlington Raceway is “The Track Too Tough to Tame.”

On Labor Day 1960, Harold Brasington hoped that 10,000 fans might buy tickets to see the first Southern 500. More than 25,000 showed up, standing practically on top of one another to see Johnny Mantz start dead last in a 75-car field only to outlast everyone else and win a 500-mile race that took more than 6 hours to complete.

From that day forward, the Southern 500 became a pillar in the history of NASCAR’s Cup series, existing as a Labor Day tradition until 2003.

As the legend of Darlington Raceway grew, she also helped make legends out of the men who managed to master her devious ways and find his way to Victory Lane. The highest complements Darlington Raceway has ever been paid have come from the great champions of the sport - people like David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt - who’re unsparing in their respect for challenge the track presents and their pride in every success they’ve enjoyed there.

One of the great moments in Darlington Raceway history came in 1985 when Bill Elliott’s victory in the Southern 500 gave him the “Winston Million,” a $1 million bonus from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco for his third win in the season’s four biggest events.

Even the great ones, however, have not always been able to avoid the vagaries of Darlington Raceway. The term “Darlington Stripe” came from the wear and tear drivers put on their cars as they scraped the wall trying to find the fastest away around the track’s treacherous surface. But time after time, people going for a “Stripe” came away with a painful lesson in how tough it was to get one the right way.

As much history as there is at Darlington Raceway, anyone who’s ever seen cars race through the turns banked at 23 degrees at one end and 25 degrees in the other hopes there’s a long future there, too.

In 2004, Darlington Raceway began a new era in its history. The final Southern 500 in November, part of the inaugural Chase for the Sprint Cup, was the first Cup race to end under the tracks new lights. And in May of 2005, a new tradition began with Darlington Raceway holding its first Cup event completely under the lights. All 60,000 tickets were sold for the Dodge Charger 500, and the atmosphere on the eve of Mother’s Day was electric.

Just like Harold Brasington knew it would be.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2008-12-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Seating Chart

Indianapolis Motor Speedway History

Address: Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis.

No other word has more meaning in the history or auto racing in the United States, and since 1994 NASCAR has been carving out its own piece of that legacy.

It’s hard to imagine how thrilling it must have been in 1992 when a small group of stock-car drivers got a chance to drive their cars around this 2.5-miles of hallowed ground.

That event, billed as a Goodyear tire test, was the first time stock cars had been on track at Indy, and stars like Dale Earnhardt long viewed that as one of the highlights of their legendary careers.

Imagine what it must have been like for men who grew up with racing in their blood who never could have dared to dream of racing their stock cars on what had been territory only trod by “open-wheel cars.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is to racing what Yankee Stadium is to baseball and Lambeau Field is to football. For nearly a century, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the place where champions become heroes.

It began in the spring of 1909, when more than 300 acres of farmland northwest of downtown Indianapolis became the site for a year-round testing facility finance by four local businessmen and pioneers in the auto industry. Race meets were held so manufacturers could show off their products to potential customers.

Two 440-yard straightaways were linked by four turns, banked at 9 degrees, and short straigthaways to create Indy’s 2.5-mile classic oval that still holds the same shape today.

In 1911, the track’s owners decided that holding only one race each year, on Memorial Day, and paying a huge purse to its winner would be the best way to go forward. Thusly, the Indianapolis 500 was born. And from 1916 until 1994, no other race was ever held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Until NASCAR came to town.

The Brickyard 400 gave NASCAR fans their chance to buy tickets to see racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and they’ve done that by the tens of thousands ever since former Indiana resident Jeff Gordon won the inaugural stock-car event.

The NASACR race’s original name came from more than 350,000 bricks that were used to pave the track’s surface soon after it first opened. The first asphalt didn’t go down until 1936, and even though most of the track was covered with blacktop by 1941 it wasn’t until 1961 that the remainder of the bricks were covered.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest sports venue in America, with crowds of more than 250,000 in attendance at ever running of race that, beginning in 2005, has been renamed the Allstate 400

There’s still one three-foot wide section of bricks exposed on the racing surface at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - right at the start-finish line that the greatest drivers in the world now cross during the Indianapolis 500, the Allstate 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix, the only Forumla One world driving championship event held in the United States each year.

Gordon is a four-time winner of the Cup race, with Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott and Kevin Harvick also on the list of its winners.

Atlanta Motor Speedway

2008-12-05T23:58:00.000-08:00

Atlanta Motor Speedway Seating Chart

Atlanta Motor Speedway History

Address: 1500 Highway 41Hampton, GA 30228

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Atlanta Motor Speedway has grown almost as fast as the South’s largest city that sits just 25 miles to its north.

Fireball Roberts won the first race at the track, located near the city of Hampton, Ga., on July 31, 1960, at the track that was then called Atlanta International Raceway. Among NASCAR’s superspeedways - paved tracks of a mile or more — only Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte have been around longer than Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Fans who bought tickets for that first race would absolutely not recognize the facility today. Although Atlanta Motor Speedway still sits on the same 870-acre site where it first took shape, very little of what was there then now is still there now.

The transformation began shortly after Bruton Smith added Atlanta Motor Speedway to his growing family of tracks in 1990. The track got the new name it bears today, and within a year the East Turn Grandstand, with space for 25,000 more tickets, was completed. There were also 30 new luxury suites added.

That was just the beginning.

In 1994, a nine-story building housing 46 condominiums as well as speedway offices, a ballroom and more luxury suites was completed. Tara Place towers over one of the 24-degree banked turns and offers great views of one of NASCAR’s most competitive tracks.

By late 1997, Atlanta Motor Speedway’s rebirth was completed. The final phase included completion of the new Champions Grandstand and more luxury suites, but it also marked a change in the track itself. Formerly a true oval, a double dogleg was added to what once was the backstretch and the start/finish line was switched to that side of the track.

Atlanta Motor Speedway was re-measured from a 1.522-mile to a 1.54-mile track, and Bobby Labonte won the first race on the new configuration.

Today, more than 125,000 tickets are available for fans to come see racing at a track where competitors love to compete.

Racers love Atlanta Motor Speedway because it offers them almost unlimited options when it comes time to pick a way to go fast around the track. Geoffrey Bodine ran 197.478 mph to win the pole in November 1997 when the new configuration had its brand new pavement. Qualifying speeds still top 194 mph, making Atlanta Motor Speedway the fastest track in Nextel Cup racing.

The legendary Dale Earnhardt tops the all-time list of race winners at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with nine. Labonte is the active leader with six wins. Earnhardt and Labonte were also part of one the track’s most memorable moments. On March 16, 1980, they ran door-to-door for virtually all of the final two laps before Earnhardt won by a matter of a few feet at the checkered flag.

Atlanta Motor Speedway also was the site of one of the most memorable season finales in Cup history. On Nov. 15, 1992, Bill Elliott won the Hooters 500, but Alan Kulwicki came away with the championship after a race in which he, Elliott, Davey Allison, Mark Martin, Kyle Petty and Harry Gant all had a chance to emerge as champion. On that same day, Richard Petty drove in his final Cup race and Jeff Gordon ran in his first one.

Talladega Superspeedway

2008-12-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

Talladega Superspeedway Seating Chart

Talladega Superspeedway History

Address: Talladega, AL

Talladega Superspeedway

Big, fast and - sometimes - mean.

If stock-car racing is an extreme sport, Talladega Superspeedway is undoubtedly its most extreme venue. Nowhere else is the competition closer. Nowhere are NASCAR’s best drivers pushed closer to the edge.

Right from its very beginnings, Talladega Superspeedway tested the limits.

In the mid-1960s, an Anniston, Ala., insurance executive Bill Ward and NASCAR founder William H.G. France Sr. discussed the idea of building a sister track to Daytona International Speedway in Alabama. A site near an airport the city of Talladega had bought from the U.S. government after World War II was chosen and construction began in 1968.

When it was finished the following year, it was clear that the 2.66-mile oval, with 33-degree banking in the turns and 18-degree banking on the frontstretch trioval, was unlike anything anybody had ever seen.

Charlie Glotzbach won the pole for the first Cup race with a speed of 199.466 mph, and everyone was worried. Tire companies were having trouble building tires to hold up to the demands of that speed on the new surface, and drivers were concerned the race scheduled for that weekend would not be safe.

A new drivers’ union, known as the Professional Drivers Association, had formed that year and its members decided to boycott the race. France, determined not to disappoint fans who’d traveled to Alabama and bought tickets for the inaugural event, patched together a field to compete.

Richard Brickhouse won that race and France gave every fan who bought a ticket a rain check, inviting them back for another race when the sport’s top stars did show up. The PDA’s back was broken and Talladega Superspeedway was on its way.

Pete Hamilton swept the two Cup races in 1970. Alabama race fans got a treat in 1971 when Bobby Allison and Davey Allison, the father-and-son heroes of racing’s Alabama gang won the track’s 1971 events. David Pearson won the Winston 500 in three straight years beginning in 1972, then Buddy Baker won three straight races in 1975 and 1976.

Over the next decade, speeds continued to rise. Baker had been the first driver to ever top the 200 mph mark in March 1970, but by the mid-1980s speeds were topping 210 mph.

On April 30, 1987, Bill Elliott roared to the pole for the Winston 500 with a speed of 212.809 mph. In the race that weekend, however, Bobby Allison lost control of his car in the trioval and flew into the fence along the grandstands, tearing a huge swath away.

That accident led to the institution of carburetor restrictor plates at Talladega and Daytona, a move that slowed speeds below 200 mph but did not slow the action.

In the restrictor-plate era, the one man who distinguished himself as the master of the close drafting and high-speed chess match required for success at Talladega Superspeedway was Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt won 10 Cup races and three International Race of Champions events to establish himself as the track’s all-time winner. His most memorable Talladega Superspeedway win came in 2000, when he came from 18th with less than five laps left to score what would be his final Cup victory.

More than 145,000 reserved seat tickets are available for fans coming to Talladega Superspeedway. But the people who buy them rarely use them. They’re too busy standing up, cheering on the drivers racing three- and four-wide at nearly 200 mph.

Infineon Raceway

2008-12-05T23:54:00.000-08:00

Infineon Raceway Seating Chart

Infineon Raceway History

Address: Sonoma, CA

Infineon Raceway

Infineon Raceway at Sears Point is one of America’s busiest racing facilities.

Once each year, the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams run on a 1.99-mile road course at the track about 40 minutes north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. But there is racing of one kind of another going on somewhere across 900 acres on the property on an average of 340 days each year.

In addition to the NASCAR road course, Infineon Raceway features a drag strip where the National Hot Rod Association holds a national event each season. The American Le Mans series races on the road course, as do Superbike motorcycles, amateur or professional Sports Car Club of America cars, vintage race cars and driving schools teaching the craft of racing to drivers of just about every skill level.

The Sonoma Valley is famous for its wines, but Infineon Raceway makes it famous for its whines - the whines of powerful racing engines - as well.

The facility was built in 1968 after Robert Marshall Jr. and Jim Coleman came up with idea to build a race course while on a hunting trip. Less than a year later, the track was sold for $4.5 million to Filmways Corp., a Los Angeles-based entertainment company.

The track had passed through various owners over by the time in 1989 when NASCAR brought its top series, then called Winston Cup, to the track owned by Skip Berg and called Sears Point Raceway.

Ricky Rudd, driving a car owned by drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein, won the first Cup race at Sears Point, so named for the original owner of the land on which the track was first built.

Improvements were made steadily over Infineon Raceway’s history, but it wasn’t until after Bruton Smith and his Speedway Motorsports Inc. took over operating rights of the track in 1996 and, two years later, purchased 800 acres of land and the track’s facilities, that it moved into its truly modern era.

An 890-foot “chute” connecting Turn 4 to Turn 7 of the original road course shortened laps for NASCAR’s teams from 2.52 miles to 1.949 miles. The track has since been modified to bring it to its current configuration for stock cars, which features varying right- and left-hand turns and major changes in elevation during a trip around Infineon Raceway.

In 2000, plans for a $60 million “modernization plan” were announced. The project included new hillside terrace seating areas, new garages, wider roads for traffic on the property and a large number of facilities upgrades for fans holding tickets to events at Infineon Raceway.

The modernization also included permanent grandstands at the start-finish line, improvements to pit road to allow for 43 cars to make stops at the same time, major improvements to the drag strip and the opening of a three-quarter mile, 16-turn course as part of the track’s new center for go-karts.

In 2002, the track was renamed Infineon Raceway.

Jeff Gordon, who was born not too far away from the track in Vallejo, Calif., is a four-time Cup Series race-winner at Infineon Raceway. Rudd, Ernie Irvan, Rusty Wallace, Davey Allison, Geoffrey Bodine, Robby Gordon, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart and the legendary Dale Earnhardt also have won NASCAR Cup events at Infineon.

Michigan International Speedway

2008-12-05T23:46:00.000-08:00

Michigan International Speedway Seating Chart

Michigan International Speedway History

Address: Brooklyn, MI

Michigan International Speedway

Less than an hour from Detroit, the capital of America’s automobile industry, Michigan International Speedway sits on more than 1,400 acres in the picturesque Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan.

The 2-mile oval, with 18-degree banking in its wide, fast turns, was designed by Charles Moneypenny, the same man who designed the oval at Daytona International Speedway (but not the father of James Bond’s boss’s secretary).

Lawrence LoPatin, a land developer from the Detroit area, was the driving force behind construction of the track. The facility cost between $4 million and $6 million and opened in October 1968 with a 250-mile race for Indy cars won by Ronnie Bucknum.

Michigan International Speedway’s inaugural NASCAR event in June 1969 would provide an indication of what future ticket buyers would see at the track over the coming years.

Cale Yarborough and Lee Roy Yarbrough battled side-by-side for most of the 150 laps that day. On the final lap, they traded paint in Turn 1 and Yarbrough brushed the wall. After drafting down the backstraight, Yarbrough spun off the final turn and crashed 300 yards short of the finish line, giving Cale Yarborough the victory.

In 1973, motorsports mogul Roger Penske spent about $2 million purchasing Michigan International Speedway and went to work immediately making it bigger and better.

The track’s capacity grew from around 100,000 to over 125,000 during the 25 years Michigan International Speedway was owned by Penske. It became one of America’s top facilities for both stock-car and Indy-car racing and went through several phases of improvements in its garage and infield areas.

In July 1999, Penske merged his motorsports venture with International Speedway Corporation, and yet another era of Michigan International Speedway began. Another 11,000 seats were added in 2000.

The largest renovation project in Michigan International Speedway’s history was completed before the 2005 racing season began. The project includes a new entry way for those with tickets on the frontstretch, including new vendor and display areas and concession stands. A new skylounge with 16 suites and 870 Champions Club seats, alogn with new media and timing and scoring areas, is also part of the project.

With the latest round of improvements done, Michigan International Speedway has more than 137,000 seats. Fans who enjoy camping at the track have acres and acres available to them in areas on and near the track’s property.

After scoring that first victory in Michigan International Speedway’s inaugural NASCAR event, Cale Yarborough came back and won seven more races there. David Pearson is the all-time leader with nine career Michigan victories. Bill Elliott won seven times here.

Michigan International Speedway will always have a special place in Dale Jarrett’s heart, for it was here on Aug. 18, 1991, he scored his first career Cup series victory. That victory came in a car owned by the legendary Wood Brothers team, the operation that ranks first on the all-time list at Michigan International Speedway with 11 all-time victories.

Michigan International Speedway is a favorite track among drivers, who enjoy its wide surface that allows them to choose the most effective line for them to compete for NASCAR glory.

Lowes Motor Speedway

2008-12-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Lowes Motor Speedway Seating Chart

Lowes Motor Speedway History

Address: Charlotte, NC

Lowe’s Motor Speedway

It is perhaps fitting that the original construction of Lowe’s Motor Speedway was delayed because so much rock had to be blasted out of the way, because the track has grown into NASCAR’s bedrock racing facility.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway is stock-car racing’s home track.

More than 75 percent of Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series teams have their headquarters within a 50-mile radius of the speedway located about 15 miles from downtown Charlotte, N.C.

What makes Lowe’s Motor Speedway, known formerly as Charlotte Motor Speedway, so unique is that it so many things that have become common throughout the sport began as innovations here.

The perfect example stands over Turn 1 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. When the idea of building condominiums was first proposed in 1984, it became the subject of jokes nationwide. But the 40 condos sold quickly, and over the years their value has soared.

In late 1991, track president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler was looking for a way to convince R.J. Reynolds Tobacco to keep its annual all-star race at his facility. So he proposed the race called The Winston be run at night. It wasn’t until after that point that Wheeler set out to determine if it were possible for a 1.5-mile track to be properly lit.

Today, of course, an increasing number of tracks have lights. And most of the lighting projects at those tracks use technology invented to make night racing possible at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

The very first race in what is now the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was run in Charlotte in 1949, on a small dirt track near the airport west of downtown. Racing continued in Charlotte throughout the 50s, but by the end of the decade several entrepreneurs had designs on building a superspeedway there.

Two of those men, long-time racing promoter and auto dealer Bruton Smith and star driver and lumber tycoon Curtis Turner, became partners in getting the track built. The speedway’s racing surface came apart badly during the first World 600, designed to be NASCAR’s ultimate endurance test, with Joe Lee Johnson surviving to win.

Smith and Turner eventually lost control of the track, and it took Smith until 1975 to regain control as its majority stockholder. Soon after that, he hired Wheeler to help him run it and Lowe’s Motor Speedway began to flourish.

The track’s grandstands have grown steadily throughout the past three decades. Today, more than 167,000 fans can buy tickets to see three events featuring Nextel Cup drivers, two Busch Series races and a Truck Series race in NASCAR competition each year. The track also includes an extensive array of luxury suites and, another innovation being copied at other tracks, a first-quality restaurant called the Speedway Club that is not only open for racing events, but draws patrons all year round.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway also plays host to driving schools, go-kart racing, dirt-track events at a stand-alone facility on the track’s property as well as various auto shows and other events. There’s something going on at Lowe’s Motor Speedway nearly 300 days each year.

But the foundation is NASCAR racing, and Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip top the all-time list with six career Cup points race wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson is closing in quickly, however. He’s won three straight Coca-Cola 600s and now already has four points-race wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

In addition to the 600 each May, Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been the host of the sport’s all-star race, now called the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, for 20 of its 21 years of existence. Lowe’s Motor Speedway also has an October race weekend that includes one of the 10 races in the annual Chase for the Nextel Cup.