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Supercars
New Swiss Supercar – the Beck LM 800
By Mike Hanlon
January 12, 2007 A new SuperCar joined the ranks of the world’s elite automobiles this week when the Beck LM 800 was shown to the world’s public for the first time at the luxury motor show in Vienna. Built by Beck Engineering & Composits GmbH from Muri near Berne in Switzerland , the most striking feature of the car is its weight - 900 kg with a full tank of gas and an 80 kg driver – achieved with liberal lashings of aluminium, magnesium, titanium, and the latest plastic and composite materials such as Kevlar. The chassis is an active, electronically controlled unit based on current F1 design, and lots of windtunnel development gives the car a very refined aerodynamic profile. Not surprisingly, every car is a one-off and you can order the specification of your choice, from the US$600,000 base model with a 650 bhp turbocharged 4.2 litre V8, all the way to1000 bhp. We're still trying to wrap our brain cells around the concept of 1000 bhp pushing 900 kg around. Read More
Ascari debuts 625bhp A10 supercar
By Mike Hanlon
October 30, 2006 The latest Supercar contender made its first appearance at the 2006 MPH show in Birmingham (UK) late last week in the form the A10 from British manufacturer Ascari. Announced last December, and billed as a performance equivalent to the Ferrari Enzo FXX, the 225 mph A10 has a 5-litre V8 engine, with a six speed gearbox as standard and an optional sequential gearbox. Designed and hand built in Banbury, the 625bhp A10 weighs in at around 1200kg, thanks to its lightweight six-piece carbon fibre body. Unlike the EUR1.5 million Enzo FXX, the A10 is road legal and will sell for EUR522,000 (US$665,000). Reaching 60mph in just 2.8 seconds and 100mph in less than 6 seconds, the manufacturer claims the A10 will become the fastest road going production car around a race track. Although it was announced that 50 of the remarkable vehicles would be built, latest information suggests only ten of the species will be created, so better get the chequebook at the ready. Read More
Audi launches the R8 Mid-engined Supercar
By Mike Hanlon
Updated October 2, 2006 On the eve of the 2006 Paris Motor Show, Audi has unveiled its R8 supercar. Audi Chairman, Dr Martin Winterkorn told the assembled press how the R8 project had been a very personal one for him, having started the process when he returned to Audi as chairman in 2002, and having overseen the design and engineering teams for the past four years. “Everyone has been looking forward to this day, the world premiere of our first mid-engined sports car. It is a key moment in the history of Audi.” The mid-engined two-seater is powered by a five-litre V10 ‘biturbo’ engine with FSI direct fuel injection, developing 449 kW (610 bhp) at 6,800 rpm. Previous article and details here. Read More
Hulme SuperCar - the name behind the badge
By Mike Hanlon
July 26, 2006 The Hulme Supercar proudly takes the name of the former World F1 Champion, international racing driver and one of New Zealand’s favourite sons, Denny Hulme. In doing so it also takes the name of Hulme’s equally famous father, Clive Hulme. Denny Hulme won eight F1 Grands Prix, two Can-Am titles, and the World Formula One Drivers Championship in 1967. His father Clive achieved war hero status during World War II for his exploits as a sniper-killer operating just behind enemy lines and his Rambo-esque, one-man forays behind enemy lines saw him kill 33 snipers before he was seriously wounded - he remains a living legend to the folks at home. For his “outstanding and inspiring qualities of leadership, initiative, skill, endurance and most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty,” Clive was awarded the highest medal of military valour, the Victoria Cross. The parallels between father and son make interesting reading. Read More
Formula One Car for the Road - the Hulme SuperCar
By Mike Hanlon
Conceived as a Formula One car for the road, and named after famous Kiwi racing driver Denny Hulme, the Supercars NZ Hulme is a new contender in the UKP300,000 plus European exotica category. Unveiled to the local New Zealand media in mid 2005, the company had its initial European tour-de-force over the last few weeks at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the ultra-exclusive Salon Prive. The Hulme SuperCar is powered by a BMW M5 V8 producing 550brake horses running through a six speed sequential gearbox, and weighs in at the curb with all bodily fluids topped up at a very slim 1175 kilograms. The body is a carbon fibre shell and will be produced in limited quantities of up to 30 a year in the Koeniggseg and Pagani category of high end exotica. Read More
Production ends on Porsche Carrera GT: the most successful supercar in history
By Mike Hanlon
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
Noble steps up to the supercar elite
By Mike Hanlon
April 8, 2006 Noble Automotive earlier this week staked its claim to a place amongst the highest echelon of the world’s sportscar manufacturers with the launch of the new M15. Building on the success of the no-compromise M12, the M15 is a more mature Noble with luxuries including Satellite Navigation, impeccable ride and 300 litres of luggage space! With a 455bhp version of the tried and trusted three-litre twin turbo engine Noble has come to rely on, this is also the quickest car ever to emerge from Barwell, Leicestershire. With the complementary figure of 455lb/ft of torque, all in a car that weighs slightly more than 1200kg, the M15 is devastatingly fast. The M15 accelerates from 0-60mph in less than 3.5 seconds and 10 100mph in less than 8s. It keeps going all the way to 185mph, too, and has been tuned for rapid acceleration throughout the range rather than an easily achievable 200mph top end speed. Read More
200 mph Carbon Fiber Electric Supercar to cost US$125,000
By Mike Hanlon
April 23, 2006 Electric cars have until now been relatively tame machines compared to their petroleum-engined supercar brethren from Bugatti, Koenigsegg and McLaren. The Venturi Fetish was the world’s fastest and most exclusive electric car until this week, being assembled to order by hand in Monaco but it has a top speed of just 180 km/h – hardly the sort of performance you’d sell the kids for, and indeed, that may be necessary given that it comes with a price tag starting at 450,000 Euro (US$583,000). The stakes have now been raised raised considerably though as Hybrid Technologies has joined with Los Angeles-based exotic sports car manufacturer Mullen motors to create a new benchmark for electric car performance. Mullen’s distinctive GT with its combination of style, handling and performance was recently named by Forbes magazine as the 7th fastest American production car, an honour shared with Saleen and Dodge Viper. The remarkable news is that with its transplanted 700 horsepower electric motor, the new electric sports car will not only be much faster than the Venturi Fetish, but will perform slightly better than the current petrol-engined Mullen GT with a top speed of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just over 3 seconds. The only external difference will be the badges. Read More
MBR 3-seat supercar
By Mike Hanlon
January 12, 2006 The F1-inspired three-seater MBR supercar will make one of its rare public appearances at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham (UK) this week. The 550bhp V8-engined Exigence Of Speed combines the latest in aerospace and motor sport technologies, with a lightweight, high-strength composite monocoque chassis and body panels assisting in keeping the kerb weight below 1000 kg without compromising structural rigidity. The Mecachrome V8 engine and six-speed gearbox are mid-mounted longitudinally for optimum weight distribution, and its 550 bhp give the supercar a power-to-weight ratio of 0.5bhp per kg. The double-wishbone unequal length suspension features inboard spring/damper units activated by pushrod as on modern racing cars for best in-class handling characteristics. The final pre-production car and first rolling prototype is planned to be unveiled before the end of 2006 and an assault on the Le Mans 24 Hour race is planned for 2007. Read More
Ascari shows another supercar
By Mike Hanlon
December 9, 2005 Hitting the international sportscar scene with impact is Ascari, creators of the stunning KZ1 supercar, and the world’s first purpose-built auto racing resort and now comes the news it is working on a second supercar –a GBP350,000, 600bhp, 1280kg, 220mph, six-piece carbon fibre road-going version of Ascari’s Spanish GT Race Car dubbed the A10. Read More
A new supercar and a new concept in motorsport entertainment
By Mike Hanlon
November 20, 2005 We're not sure which is more significant - the fact that the Ascari KZ1 has proven itself to be a serious contender as one of the world's most desirable supercars, or the company's entrepreneurial move into motorsport entertainment. The Ascari KZ1 recently pushed the McLaren out of the elite top five fastest cars in BBC Top Gear's track tests, moving into exalted company as a supercar. But the company’s ambitions stretch far beyond that, with its Race Resort Ascari due for completion in 2006. Located near Marbella in the South of Spain, the resort will offer a world class racetrack, a luxury hotel, and an array of the world’s most exotic cars to drive – if they haven’t got it, any car you fancy can be arranged. So apart from building an aerodynamic GBP235,000 KZ1 with a super-light, super-strong carbon fibre monocoque car weighing just 1,330kg capable of exhilarating acceleration all the way to 200mph, the company has also created the first automotive resort for the mega wealthy. Big enough to hold a Formula 1 test team or a function with a difference and secluded enough to do it very elegantly. Our understanding is that many more automotive resorts will spring up around the world after this one as the demand for the facilities is already threatening to overwhelm their ability to supply. Read More
Audi names new supercar after R8 racer
By Mike Hanlon
November 17, 2005 Audi has bestowed an extraordinary honour on its new sports car by naming it the R8. Presented at Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago as the “Le Mans quattro” concept, the new Audi sportscar will commence production in Q4, 2006 with a market launch scheduled for Q2, 2007. The mid-engined two-seater is powered by a five-litre V10 ‘biturbo’ engine with FSI direct fuel injection, developing 449 kW (610 bhp) at 6,800 rpm. Whilst it will immediately become one of the most desirable roadgoing cars in the world, it will carry a name of legendary motorsport achievement. Since its introduction in March, 2000, the R8 has won 61 races from 77 startsincluding the Le Mans 24 Hour five times and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) six times in succession and has never had a single engine failure during a race. Read More
Lexus readies LF-A supercar for sale
By Mike Hanlon
October 29, 2005 It was only a matter of time before Toyota (aka Lexus) stepped into supercar territory, and the betting is that the Lexus LF-A will be the manufacturer’s first entry into the rarified 200+ mph marketplace. First shown earlier this year, the car was again on display in Tokyo last week where it was confirmed that the car will be powered by no less an engine than a V10, and follows on from Honda’s announcement that it will be powering its NSX replacement with a V10 too. Read More
Venturi Fetish Electric Supercar debuts in Asia
By Mike Hanlon
June 25, 2005 A non-official rally of around fifty environmentally friendly vehicles has symbolically linked the place where the Kyoto Protocol had been signed to the 2005 Aichi World Expo dedicated this year to environmental issues. Edouard Michelin, CEO of Michelin Group, took the start driving a Venturi Fetish. The Venturi Fetish is the first electric supercar and car driven in Japan was number 16 from the production line in Monte Carlo. The car then had a number of high profile drivers take the wheel: Masanori Sekiya, the first Japanese driver to win the Le Mans race in 1995, then took the steering wheel, followed by Gildo Pallanca-Pastor, the CEO of Venturi Automobiles. The Venturi Fetish was honoured to be the first car to enter Aichi Expo. Read More
Radical British MBR EOS 3-seater Supercar
By Mike Hanlon
May 13, 2005 New to the ranks of supercar manufacturers is MB Roadcars (MBR) which unveiled its first offering, the unique 3-seater EOS (‘Exigence of Speed’) supercar at the prestigious Top Marques Motor Show in Monaco last weekend. Engineered by a consortium of Formula 1 designers, EOS benefits from some radical aerodynamicsthat provide 40% more downforce than its closest competitors, plus a range of the latest technologies and materials taken directly from Formula 1 and the aerospace industry. The EOS will sell for UKP340,000, have a top speed of approxiumately 325kmh and a remarkable power to weight ratio of 0.5bhp per kg. EOS features a three-seat layout with central driving position, and its advanced aerodynamic shape, with a two-element front wing and side winglets, has been designed from the outset using the latest F1 computer-aided-design and computational fluid dynamics technology. Of major importance was the announcement of an engine supply agreement with Mader Racing, who will develop a bespoke engine for EOS based on the all-alloy V8 race engine currently used in the new GP2 series. Read More
Toyota's Hybrid Supercar Concept
By Mike Hanlon
In releasing details of its third futuristic concept car of the last fortnight, Toyota once again displayed its vision of the future when it showed a hybrid-powered supercar in conjunction with famous Italian design studio Giugaro. The hybrid supercar is one of the keys to promoting an environmentally-friendly automotive future, asserts Fabrizio Giugiaro. Read More
New supercar on show at Melbourne Motor Show
By Mike Hanlon
February 21, 2004 The Pagani Zonda is one of the world's most exclusive automobiles and arguably the fastest production car available in the world at this point in time. Later this month Pagani will enter the Australian market when the AUD$1.2 million machine goes on display at the Melbourne Motor Show. Ever wondered just how good a $1.2 million car can be? Read on ... Read More
Alfa Romeo's new 300kmh Supercar
By Mike Hanlon
Sunday September 14, 2003: Alfa Romeo has revealed its plans for a new 300 kmh super car that will reach 100 kmh in just 4.5 seconds at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. The carbon fibre, two-seater Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is powered by a 4.2litre V8 delivering over 400 bhp at 7000 rpm that together with a 6-speed manual rear transmission, takes the prototype to a top speed above 300 kmh. Read More
Australia to get 20 hand-built BMW CSL supercars
By Mike Hanlon
A limited production run of just 20 BMW M3 CSL supercars will reach Australia later this year. The fire-breathing M3 CSL boasts an output of 265 kW (81.5 kW per litre) and a 10% improvement in power-to-weight ratio over the standard M3. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
