Articles tagged with "Automotive"
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Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster Coupe – full details
July 19 2006 At the 2006 British International Motor Show which opens today, Mazda has unveiled a new version of its motoring icon, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, and it opens up a new dimension of fun and versatility for people who love open-top sports cars. The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe is a brand-new counterpart to the third-generation MX-5, which launched in 2005. It has the same responsive performance and emotive styling as the soft-top model, but is equipped with a Power Retractable Hard Top—an electrically retractable hard top that doesn’t sacrifice any boot space. The roof retracts in three sections into a space behind the seats, leaving the boot completely unaffected and it does so very quickly in just 12 seconds (Mazda claims this is the quickest of any electrically retractable hard top on the market today), so it doesn’t interrupt driving enjoyment for long. And the entire mechanism has only marginally added to the weight at just 37 kilos more than the ragtop. (read more...)
Honda F1 car attempts land speed record at Bonneville
July 19, 2006 Just how fast is a Formula One car? That question was answered, at least partially, on Monday morning at around 8am local time at the Bonneville Salt Flats, when Alan van der Merwe piloted a race legal Honda 007 along a seven mile-long salt straight, achieving a speed of 220.571mph (354.975 km/h) for the flying mile and 220.897 mph (355.499 km/h) for the flying kilometre. To be frank, we were a bit disappointed too, but one of the problems of Bonneville and lots of horsepower is that of traction. Driver Alan van der Merwe put it in perspective when he said, “We haven’t done 400kph yet though, which is our ultimate target. In a way it’s quite nice we didn’t, because it shows that this is a genuine challenge and not just a case of us turning up, nailing it and going home. You have to work for every extra mile an hour here and we may not break the 400 mark, but that’s still our goal.” (read more...)
New all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Targa models
July 17, 2006 Porsche is to add two new variants of the eleven series in November – the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. Both Targa models will be available exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a body that is 44 millimeters wider at the rear. As with their predecessor (the Type 996), the most striking feature of both of these elegant sports cars is the large glass roof and folding rear window. The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar flat-six engine, delivering 239 kW (325 bhp) of power from 3.6 liters. It accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 280 km/h. The more powerful S variant features a 3.8-liter engine producing 261 kW (355 bhp). This model sprints to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 288 km/h. The basic euro-price for the 911 Targa 4 is 79,000 euros, or 87,900 euros for the 911 Targa 4S. (read more...)
The CarGoDesk turns your car into an office
July 16, 2006 Genuine productivity boosts are hard to find, so an item that improves productivity by 5 percent while you’re on the road and costs just US$300, seems like a bargain to us. The CarGoDesk is a portable organizer that turns the front passenger seat of any vehicle (right or left hand drive) into a workdesk – if you’re a road warrior or spend any time working from your car, the clever and lockable CarGoDesk could prove to be a significant boost to your effectiveness. The workstation is secured into your vehicle's passenger seat via the safety belt, providing a stable work surface and space for storage thus providing a convenient area for doing paperwork and computing. It is covered with a non-skid rubber material to keep your gear from sliding off when you go around corners, and two hinged, lockable storage compartments for all your papers and files. Best of all, the CarGoDesk has a retractable handle and trolley wheels like a travelers wheelie bin and so can move from office to car and back as one, continually organized unit which can also be locked to the seat. And if you want to get the hamburger-with-the-lot, there are optional Cell phone, GPS, PDA, printer and fax machine mounts and even a 400 watt continuous power, (800 watt peak power) inverter. (read more...)
The World 0-100-0 and SS quarter mile production car champion
July 6, 2006 A week ago we ran a story about the complete dominance of Autocar’s annual 0-100-0 mph comparison test by the world’s most powerful, most expensive and fastest automobile, the Bugatti Veyron with its remarkable numbers being 987 bhp, US$1.6 million, 406km/h and thanks to the AutoCar test, 9.9 seconds for the sprint to 100 mph and back to rest. What AutoCar failed to do, and what we failed to mention, was that it had omitted the world record holder for the 0-100-0 journey, the British built and designed US$130,000 Ultima GTR road car. The 720 horsepower 990 kilogram Ultima is built in small numbers, but we thought it sporting that we should set the record straight, on account of the Ultima having twice broken its own 0-100-0 world record which now stands at 9.4 seconds set on June 1, 2006, half a second quicker than the Bugatti. To cap it off, the car set a standing quarter time of 9.941 seconds on June 9 (with a terminal speed of 143mph), making it the fastest production road car over that distance too. And just to prove it was driven to and from the track, that's Richard picking up his maccas on the way home from the world record. (read more...)
Nissan GT-S Concept
July 1, 2006 British Nissan development engineers working in their spare time have transformed a 350Z into a highly tuned ‘Saturday Special’. Called the GT-S, the supercharged super coupe is a performance-focused version of Nissan’s acclaimed ‘Z-‘car’ and is designed to appeal to enthusiastic 350Z owners who simply want more. Its first public outing will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (7-9 July) as an official Nissan-sanctioned entry in the hill climb, a sign the company is giving the GT-S concept serious consideration. Using a Novidem supercharger, power has increased by more than 25 per cent from 300PS to 382PS, while torque rises from 353 Nm to a heady 425Nm. Performance gains include a one second cut in the benchmark 0-60mph time (5.8 seconds for the standard 350Z) with 2.5 seconds slashed from the 0-100mph time. (read more...)
Jaguar's supercharged 4.2 litre XKR sports car
July 1, 2006 Jaguar yesterday revealed its new supercharged sports car – the Jaguar XKR. Building on the XK that debuted in 2005, the XKR will be available as a Coupe or Convertible. Like the XK model, the new supercharged XKR makes intelligent use of practical, modern technology such as an industry-leading aluminium monocoque structure that results in a light and yet very stiff body. An uprated 420bhp (SAE) supercharged V8 engine and class-leading calibration of a state-of-the-art, six-speed automatic transmission deliver accessible, real-world, high performance of 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, 50-70mph in just 2.5 seconds and has an (electronically limited) top speed of 155mph. The all-aluminium body construction delivers a lighter, stiffer car, with excellent agility. At 1665kg, the Coupe is 70kg lighter than its predecessor, while the 1715kg Convertible is 100kg lighter than the previous convertible XKR. (read more...)
The world’s fastest cars from 0-100-0 mph (in order)
One of the measures of sporting performance that’s rarely used but highly relevant when measuring extreme automotive performance is the zero to 100mph and back to zero time. It incorporates both acceleration to a suitably ridiculous speed and braking from that speed to the safety of standstill again and it’s more of a guide to sporting prowess than simple standing start quarter mile times. Each year in the U.K., the world’s oldest motoring magazine runs the fastest cars against each other using this test and this year there has been a new entrant which has wiped the floor with all others. Not surprisingly, given that it has a 987bhp 16-cylinder engine and a top speed of 400 kmh, the UKP 880,000 Bugatti Veyron has blitzed everything else on four wheels by a massive margin – what is surprising is that it has also blitzed a credible representative of the fastest of the two wheel brigade as well, managing to beat a Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike by nearly a full second. Read on for the complete list of the times by 25 of the world’s fastest cars, from the 14th placed UKP79,995 Aston Martin V8 Vantage to the second-placed UKP34,995 Ariel Atom. (read more...)
World’s most cost-efficient hydrogen fuel cell car on sale today
June 23, 2006 We can’t speak highly enough of the educational and sheer novelty aspects of the H-racer fuel cell car we first wrote up in May. Measuring only 16cm x 7cm (6.5" x 2.8" inches!), the H-racer is the smallest hydrogen car in the world and uses a real fuel cell that converts hydrogen fuel into electrical energy without combustion. The only exhaust is water and the car does not use any batteries! In terms of price, well the H-racer is only $40. $80 buys you the entire set including the car, the refuelling station and its solar panel. In the future, the Hydrogen Station will be able to “refuel” other compatible and innovative hydrogen powered gadgets or toys. The car is now officially on sale online. (read more...)
The New BMW M6 Convertible
June 20, 2006 The world-famous performance division of BMW, M GmbH today unveiled the BMW M6 Convertible, continuing its tradition of producing ultra-performance luxury vehicles for the genuine motoring enthusiast. In terms of performance, it’s just the open air version of one of the world’s most capable performance vehicles. It shares all the same features as the M6 Coupe, including the back-to-back Engine Of The Year 5.0-litre V10, the variable M Differential Lock, the M Power button, Electronic Damper Control, new generation Dynamic Stability Control, Head-Up Display, a Sequential M Gearbox (SMG) complete with Drivelogic, a suspension developed for supreme dynamics and lap times on the longer Nordschleife loop of the fabled Nurburgring circuit are almost as fast as in the Coupe. The M6 Convertible immediately slots into the top bracket of the most desirable open sports cars available. (read more...)
Mazda MX-5 gets electrically-retractable hard top
June 20, 2006 Mazda will use the 2006 British International Motor Show (July 18-30) to publicly debut a new version of its top-selling Mazda MX-5 Miata equipped with a powered retractable hard top roof. Now in its 17th year of production and third generation of design, the MX-5 is already the top selling sports car of all time and can be expected to get a significant lease of life with the newfound convenience of an electrical hardtop. (read more...)
The new 400 bhp Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Special Series
June 10, 2006 As the only eight-cylinder roadster in its segment the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG provides a unique driving experience. Now the iconic two-seater has become even sportier, as Mercedes AMG has developed an exclusive and distinctly puristic special series which sets new standards in driving dynamics. With the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine enhanced to 294 kW (400 bhp) and a whopping 520 Nm of torque, numerous lightweight construction components, carbon hardtop, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG height-adjustable torsion sports suspension and AMG high-performance composite brake system the special SLK 55 AMG is VERY special. (read more...)
Autocar crowns the fastest car in the world
May 31, 2006 The Bugatti Veyron has been threatening to rewrite the record books since its launch last year; this week, Autocar has become the first magazine in the world to measure exactly how quick this UKP880,000 (US$1,657,000), 987bhp hypercar really is. In Autocar's latest issue, road test editor Adam Towler tells how he travelled to Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessien test facility in Germany, how he attached Autocar's timing gear to the Veyron, and most importantly, how it felt to drive faster than he ever had before. "I have never, ever felt acceleration like this," writes Towler - "the Bugatti catapults from 30 to 50mph in less than a second. A Lamborghini Gallardo requires two seconds, if you need a point of reference." May 31, 2006 The Bugatti Veyron has been threatening to rewrite the record books since its launch last year; this week, Autocar has become the first magaz... (read more...)
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS
May 30, 2006 Porsche has announced a purist variant of the GT3 which will be particularly suited for use on the racetrack when it becomes available in October. The GT3 RS is distinguished by its performance capability and the unadulterated driving experience enjoyed with a racing car, but also meets all requirements for road-legal sports cars. The exceptionally meaty engine boasts a displacement of 3.6 liters to generate 305 kW (415 bhp) at 7,600 rpm. Maximum revs are reached at 8,400 rpm. The power output per liter of engine capacity is 115.3 bhp. These figures correspond to the present GT3. But the RS puts in an even better performance. Thanks to a close-ratio six-speed transmission with a single-mass flywheel and the 20 kg lower vehicle weight, the engine revs up even more freely, thus enabling the 911 GT3 to sprint from zero to 100 km per hour in 4.2 seconds. That's one tenth of a second faster than the GT3. It takes just 13.3 seconds to hit to 200 km per hour. Maximum speed is 310 km per hour. (read more...)
Fiat Truckster Concept
May 26, 2006 Fiat has taken the wraps off the new Fiat Ducato at the Madrid International Motor Show which opened yesterday and in the process has revealed the Truckster Concept, which takes the new Ducato commercial vehicle jointly developed with Citroen and Peugeot, to extremes, demonstrating just how flexible the Ducato is for converters. The Truckster is generously proportioned - 6.48 metres long, 2.55 m high and 2.49 metres wide - and has style that can only be described as modern and “exuberant”, thanks to a strategy which accentuates the concept of sporting performance applied to a commercial vehicle, with features such as 28 inch wheels, LED headlights, hydraulically-controlled gull wing doors, smoked glass windows and an aerodynamic spoiler. The interiors have also been given the same sporty feel, emphasizing its “road racer” personality. (read more...)
New Entry-Level Porsche Cayman announced
May 23, 2006 Porsche has announced an entry level version of the Cayman S which recently won the 2006 World Performance Car title. Based on the Boxster, the new version of the mid-engined sports coupe is a more accessible version of the Cayman S, with a base price under US$50,000. The new Cayman is powered by a 2.7-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine producing 245 horsepower. Using the VarioCam Plus system, the Cayman provides a broad spread of usable power, with a plateau of torque peaking at 201 foot-pounds between 4,600 and 6,000 revs. In manual form, the new Cayman will go from standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (0-100 km/h, 6.1 sec) with a top speed of 160 mph (258 km/h). (read more...)
The 100 most reliable cars of the last decade (in order)
In these pages we focus on design, breakthroughs, enabling technologies and concepts and it’s rare that we look at product that has been in the marketplace for some time, much less second-hand product. But when we saw what a UK automotive warranty company was up to, we know you'll agree that it’s worth a mention. As a privately owned insurance intermediary, the firm collects lots of data about warranty issues – something you’ll never find out from the only other people who have access to the information (the manufacturers). In a very clever move, it has taken this secondary data and produced a reliability index – an independent comparison of frequency of failure across the 55,000 vehicles it insures. Read on for a list of the 100 most reliable used cars over the past decade. And before you take a peek, have a guess at where the best Japanese, German, Swedish, British, Korean and French-built cars will rank. You won’t even come close! (read more...)
The world’s smallest hydrogen car hits the showroom floor
May 19, 2006 Educational toys are a gift that keeps giving for a whole lifetime and every now and again we see a toy that makes the perfect educational gift. It’s no secret that the hydrogen economy is dawning and hydrogen fuel cells will play a major role in the future energy equation of the planet. Similarly, 75% of the jobs which school age children will do have not yet been invented. Add all that together and its an unavoidable conclusion that the H-racer offers a compelling gift for any child at just US$80. The H-Racer hits the market next month as the world’s smallest hydrogen car and comes with its own matching Hydrogen Refueling Station. As a toy, it is a simple construction kit (no soldering required) within a valuable educational context. As a promotional gift, it combines concept, design and practicality, allowing observation of the car’s fuel tank filling up with Hydrogen. As a new energy kit, the car clearly demonstrates how to obtain unlimited storable fuel from just water and sun, then powering a car with it using a fuel cell. Manufacturer Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies makes a range of commercial and industrial fuel cell products and is hence seeking international distribution partners. (read more...)
Six seat luxury mobile office concept for the corporate commando team
May 14, 2006 There are many companies in the world that create luxury goods for high earners, and there are just as many who create specialist tools for the finest exponents of their trade. Becker Automotive does both, pushing the very edge of luxury vehicle design. Using SUVs and vans as the base of their designs, Becker can create mobile environments for almost any purpose, from luxury offices through stretched (height and length) mobile entertainment areas, though the exterior of the van remains remarkably incognito, giving no hint of the technology, opulence and status of the occupants. What sets Becker apart, is the level of luxury craftsmanship, which is equivalent to that you’d find in a private luxury jet or yacht, and the range of options, which covers … almost anything. Though Becker Automotive is located in California, their vehicles are regularly shipped across the world. Our favourite is Becker’s six-seat mobile office concept for the corporate commando team (pictured) with full electric seating, high-speed wireless internet and … ballistic armouring should it be required. (read more...)
Citroen C-Buggy off-road concept car
May 13, 2006 Citroen will use the Madrid International Motor Show later this month to unveil an adventurously styled C-Buggy off-road concept car. A derivative of the C-Airplay concept, the C-Buggy is Citroen’s futuristic interpretation of a two-seater, go-anywhere car. Clearly designed for warmer climes, due to the absence of a roof, windscreen and windows, the C-Buggy exudes a carefree charm whilst wide wheel arches, big wheels, glass door portholes and sump guard hint at its off-road credentials. (read more...)
Production ends on Porsche Carrera GT: the most successful supercar in history
May 12, 2006 The manufacture of the Carrera GT at Porsche's facility in Leipzig, Germany, concluded earlier this week, bringing to a close what Porsche labels “the most successful supercar in history.” Porsche’s claim is based on sales of the beastie - more than 1,270 Carrera GTs have been sold since its introduction in late 2003 with around half that finding homes in North America. This figure represents a greater number than the total production of the McLaren F1, Ferrari Enzo, and Pagani Zonda models combined. Regardless, even in an economic climate that did not favor products in this segment of the market, the V-10 supercar sold in unprecedented numbers. Our favourite quote on the Carrera GT was that of MotorWeek TV show host John Davis who said, "the Carrera GT is the best motivation to get rich that we've ever driven." (read more...)
BMW Mille Miglia Concept Coupe
May 12, 2006 The world’s most expensive travelling museum gets its annual showing this weekend when the fabled Mille Miglia is run over the original course from Brescia to Rome and back. The most famous motor race in the world in the immediate pre- and post-WW2 period, the Mille Miglia was held on public roads over 1000 miles with Sterling Moss setting a record for the journey in a Mercedes 300 SLR averaging 157.65kph in 1955. Banned in the late fifties, it is now run as a reliability trial where some of the most memorable automobiles in motoring history participate. Each year more than 20 cars are liberated from motoring museums to drive in the event, and the total value of the 375 entries would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This year, the magic of the event was heightened when BMW unveiled a concept vehicle to commemorate the BMW 328 Touring Coupe which won the event in 1940. The chances it will ever be built are very low – which is an enormous shame because under that gorgeous skin are the mechanicals of the 252 kW BMW Z4 M Coupe. Perhaps there’s a market for retro sports cars built with modern methodology? (read more...)
Mazda to release limited edition driver-focused RX-8 PZ
May 9, 2006 Mazda is set to introduce an even more ‘focused’ version of its highest performance, four-door, sports coupe. On sale in the UK from 1 July it will be called the ‘Mazda RX-8 PZ’. Based on the 231ps high-power version of Mazda RX-8 with leather trim, the PZ has been further developed by Mazda jointly with leading motorsport company Prodrive, and specialist component suppliers Bilstein, Eibach and OZ Racing. Mazda’s brief to Prodrive was to build on the attributes of the RX-8 and create a special model that delivers greater driver involvement and an even more rewarding motoring experience, with enhanced ride and handling, while staying true to the original concept and without compromising the car’s passenger comfort as a unique four-seater sports car. Ensuring a touch of exclusivity, just 800 examples of the Mazda RX-8 PZ will be available, priced at UKP 25,995 on-the-road with an insurance rating of 17E compared to 16E for the standard RX-8 231ps model. (read more...)
Mount, power, and play your iPod in your car
May 9, 2006 FM transmitters are a great way of taking your MP3 player on the road with you, though the quality of these items has traditionally varied between terrible and acceptable. Early reports on Belkin’s two new TuneBase FM products for the iPod suggest that the product’s improved built-in FM-transmission technologies exceed all expectations offering crisp and clean audio performance. Not surprisingly, sales have gone off with such a bang that demand has outstripped supply and the units are temporarily out of stock. The compelling factors include that both (one for all iPods except the shuffle and another smaller unit for the diminutive iPod nano) let you power, charge and listen to your iPod simultaneously, both utilise the iPod LCD for tuning and the flexible-steel neck offers easy repositioning so it’s where you want it so you don’t drive off the road while changing music. If you have an iPod and you spend a lot of time in the car, this US$80 product is an investment in lifestyle. (read more...)
The unique Mercedes-Benz Museum concept
May 6, 2006 On May 19, 2006, the new Mercedes-Benz Museum will open its doors to the public putting another must-see on the map of the automobile enthusiast. This new building at the gates of the parent plant in Stuttgart-Unterturkheim (Germany) is far more than a home to 120 years of automotive history. The museum was created in a very similar process to that of a new car series. First it was conceived and rough-sketched in the mind and with computer assistance. All parties involved entered unknown territory with the concept. Prototypes of the structure were designed, some even full-scale, to test the feasibility of the idea. As everything gradually neared completion, an intensive test run was conducted to put the entire museum to the acid test. Now the new model is ready. It stands for the brand and its values and is intended to display the permanent innovative spirit of the Mercedes-Benz culture which professes that innovations are the milestones on the way to the future. (read more...)
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