Ferrari 599XX details

Ferrari has released more detailed information on the Ferrari 599XX, the extreme track car that is helping the legendary supercar maker develop new technology for future road-going supercars. First seen at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, a limited number of 599XXs will be available for sale to Ferrari’s most valued customers, but Ferrari will prepare and run the cars on behalf of their owners, enabling them to drive them at special events at Ferrari’s own Fiorano test track and at leading race tracks in Europe and the USA. Data gathered from these track days will be used to further enhance and develop technology for future frontline Ferrari models.

This includes reducing internal friction in the engine, faster gearbox operation, aerodynamics that automatically adjust depending on whether the car is cornering or going in a straight line, as well being speed dependent, and a new high speed adjustable chassis. New weight saving ideas are used throughout the car, including carbon fibre brake calipers.

While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this prototype is an extreme track car. Ferrari’s engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine’s combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal friction has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9000rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 515kW at 9000rpm.

Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimizing forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gear change times to 60 milliseconds. The chassis of the 599XX uses an innovative electronic model called the “High Performance Dynamic Concept” which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extreme high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The aggressive handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system.

Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new “virtual car engineer”, a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle’s track performance. The 599XX’s aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280kg of downforce at 200km/h and 630kg at 300km/h. The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.
The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximize stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.

© Source: caradvice
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2010 Mini Crossover 4x4 – spied video

Mini's new Crossover 4x4 is undergoing final testing ahead of launch in late summer 2010 – and BMW is plotting two different bodystyles, CAR has learned. As well as this practical estate, a new sportier concept is under development. Think a Mini version of the X6 and you won't be a million miles away.

The revelation means that the John Cooper Works badge is almost certainly bound for the production iteration of the Crossover. Sources have told CAR that the Crossover's four-wheel drive system and the availability of BMW's high-power engines meant a hot JCW version is inevitable. Sportiness is a central part of the Mini appeal, after all.

© Source: carmagazine
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2009 Saab 9-5 spied

These will most likely be the last spy photos we see of the Saab 9-5 in prototype form as it prepares for its first public appearance later this year. The prototype captured here on the Nurburgring wears a substantial amount of camouflage although the production version is unlikely to waiver from typical Saab styling.

These images also reveal the much shallower rear roofline, giving the new 9-5 a more coupe-like silhouette - with the car taking many of its styling cues from the 9-4X BioPower concept. The new 9-5 is likely to gain some extra weight, with a greater length and height than the current model as well as a longer wheelbase, making it a closer competitor to models such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS and Volvo S80.

The prototype in these images uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine making 160kW, while a 2.8-litre V6 will be available in the European market with the US getting an even bigger 3.6-litre V6.

Saab 9-5 diesel model is also a given along with a hybrid model, with its first public unveiling scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

© Source: caradvice
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2009 Ferrari California

(from Ferrari Press Release)2009 Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past, the 1957 250 California, a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has, over the years, come to symbolise not only superior sportiness and performance but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication.

This new car joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder range which is made up mostly of very high performance models. It also flanks the 12-cylinder flagship 612 Scaglietti in the Grand Tourer category. The Ferrari California is a car with the track in its DNA. It is enormously innovative and will more than fulfi l the expectations of even our most discerning clients, offering breathtaking driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort. It is available exclusively as a convertible with retractable folding hard top in either a two-seater version with a traditional rear bench or in the 2+ version which sees the rear bench equipped with seating for one to two passengers.

In line with Ferrari tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features. In addition to its retractable hard top and the aforementioned original 2+ concept, the new Prancing Horse car also offers: a new direct injection V8 engine, a 7-speed gearbox with steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles coupled with a new dual clutch, a new suspension system (double wishbones at the front and multilink at the rear), the new evolved F1-Trac traction control system and Brembo brakes with CCM (carbon ceramic material) discs as standard (this latter feature is shared by the other models in the current range).

© Source: seriouswheels
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Zenvo ST1, First Danish Supercar – Video

1104 horsepower Zenvo ST1 is Denmark's first domestically produced supercar. A publication there, Bil Magasinet, has posted video of their test drive with the beautiful machine that can cross Denmark in under 20 minutes. Before we tell you about the video, we'd like to remind you of this car's amazing specs. Using a rear-mounted turbo- and super-charged 7.0-liter V8, Zenvo's engineers brought this car up over 1100 hp while producing an amazing 1430 Nm at around 4500 rpm. In just three seconds, you can bring the car from a standstill to 100 km/h. Figure out a way around the electronic limiter, set for 375 km/h (233 mph), and we're pretty sure you can avoid arrest on almost any highway in the world.

Of course, no car built in icy Scandanavia should be without limited slip differential. This car is no different, featuring a hydraulically-powered LSD. The driver takes control of the machine with a six-speed manual gearbox. The test driver's "woo-hoo" at about a minute into the video says all that you can say. Although the car is so powerful, he says the handling is, "completely undramatic." So easy to drive this car is, that despite the 375 km/h top speed, the driver says it is "almost like driving a small hatchback ..." Zenvo ST1 ready for its debut at Le Mans this summer.

© Source: worldcarfans
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New Jaguar XJ

Jaguar have just announced that an all-new Jaguar XJ will make its public debut this July. And the rotten teases in the Gaydon press office have released just this one bird’s eye view of the new saloon. Speaking at Auto Shanghai 2009, Jaguar Cars Managing Director, Mike O’Driscoll confirmed that the all-new XJ will go on sale at the end of 2009 – but will officially be revealed on July 9th in London.

It will be the first car to feature the next-generation of Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture.

All of Jaguar’s XJ ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the already acclaimed V6 diesel and 510 bhp supercharged V8. There will be a choice of standard or long wheelbase models – as well as a panoramic glass roof highlighted in the first picture.

With the success of the excellent XF, It’s difficult to see what space the XJ is going to occupy in the Jag Pantheon. We’ll just have to wait and see how the final release looks, feels and drives.

But can there really be room for two completely different mid size luxury saloons from Jaguar?

In our humble opinion, the loveliest Jag ever to grace our roads is the incomparable XK 120, that was produced way back in 1948. Now that’s what we call a panoramic roof.

© Source: carblogpost
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Bugatti Veyron Centenaire

The Bugatti Veyron will be celebrating 100 years of the company with the special version, Centenaire, seen in these pics. The limited edition of the supercar will be available in four different versions, each dedicated to legendary drivers of the Type 35: Jean-Pierre Wimille, Achille Varzi, Malcolm Campbell and Hermann Zu Leiningen.

The colours of the four Centenaire versions are designed to represent the nationalities of the four drivers with Bleu France, Rosso Corsa, British Racing Green and Deutsches Rennweiss. The four examples will make their debut at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza and will be identical to the initial proposal of the Bleu Centenaire seen at the Geneva show.

The Veyron Centenaire is particular distinctive for its body work, the rear view mirrors and shiny front grill, with LED front headlights. The wheels will be eight spoke alloys inspired by those of the Bugatti Type 35. The interior will feature the names of the four drivers stitched into the head rests, but all this exclusivity has its price: 1,600,000 euros to be precise.

© Source: eurocarblog
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