Motorward

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• Koenigsegg Agera R Official Specs
• Signatech Nissan LMP2 Race Car
• Porsche Panamera Turbo ALMS Safety Car
• BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car
• Audi Mulling BMW X6 and Mercedes CL Fighters
• Lamborghini Gallardo Replacement To be Called Cabrera?
• Video: Autocar Pits McLaren MP4-12C Against Big Daddy
• Kicherer Mercedes GL 42 Sport Black
• VW Golf Cabriolet Production Begins
• Dacia Celebrates Production of 4,000,000th Vehicle

Koenigsegg Agera R Official Specs Posted: 18 Mar 2011 09:20 AM PDT Koenigsegg was strangely quiet about the new Agera R at the Geneva Motor Show. Maybe they just wanted to let people enjoy the aesthetics of the car! Now though they revealed technical specs and all the features of the R. As you may know the Agera R is powered by the latest iteration of the firm’s turbocharged V8 that makes 1115 hp at 6900 rpm and a massive 1000 Nm of torque from 2700 rpm. The official top speed is not confirmed yet, but when a car can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, you know that is easily pass the 350 km/h mark! One thing that caught our eyes is the decent amount of equipments you get with this car. After all you pay nearly 1.5 million Euro for an Agera, but there are more expensive cars out there that don’t offer half of that. Some of the features however are irrelevant really. The MP3 player with USB connection for example. What’s it for? I know for playing music, but that is pointless because that V8 is so damn loud you can’t even hear yourself in the car! Another option, which is really expensive as well, is the ski box roof. Who would take a hyper car to a ski trip?! Anyhow, here’s the details of the Agera R. Make sure you check it out before placing your order! Performance Power output: 1115 hp at 6900 rpm – redline @ 7250 rpm Torque: over 1000 Nm from 2700 to 6170 rpm Max torque: 1200 Nm at 4100 rpm Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 2.9 seconds 0-200 km/h 7,5 sec, 0-200-0 km/h 12.7 sec Braking distance: 30.5m (100-0 km/h) Lateral g-force: 1.6 g Fuel consumption: Highway travel: 12,5 l/100km, Combined: 14,7/100km Weight-to-power ratio: 1.19 kg/hp (dry weight) Weight distribution: 45% front, 55% rear Emission levels: Euro V and lev 2 Aerodynamics Cd. 0,33 to 0,37 with adaptable rear wings. Frontal Area: 1.873 m2 Total Downforce at 250 km/h: 300 kg Flat underside of chassis. Venturi tunnels at rear of chassis/body. Dimensions Total length: 4293 mm (169″) Total width: 1996 mm (78.6″) Total height: 1120 mm (44.1″) Ground clearance: Rear: 100 mm (3.94″) Front: 100 mm (3.94″) Wheelbase: 2662 mm. Front track: 1700 mm. Rear track: 1650 mm. Front overhang: 885mm Rear overhang: 752mm Fuel capacity: 80 litres Luggage compartment: 120 litres (31.7 US gallons) Dry weight: 1330 kg Curb weight 1435 kg (all fluids plus 50% fuel) Maximum laden weight: 1650 kg (full tank, two passengers, full luggage) Chassis Carbon fibre with aluminium honeycomb and integrated fuel tanks for optimal weight distribution and safety. Monocoque torsional rigidity: 65,000 Nm/degree. Weight including tanks: 70 kg. Front and rear suspension: Double wishbones, two-way adjustable VPS gas-hydraulic shock absorbers, pushrod operated. Triplex damper in the rear. Electronically adjustable ride height. Front: Cro-Mo subframe, with integrated crash members. Rear: Semi-stressed engine and gearbox with support struts, for needle bearings and o-ringed wishbone bushings optimal rigidity and no engine inertia movements. Fully machined aircraft aluminium uprights, with SKF LeMans specification 150mm angle contact ball bearings. GKN hollow/gun-drilled driveshafts. Koenigsegg Z-style progressive and lightweight anti-roll bars front and rear. Engine Koenigsegg aluminum 5,0L V8, 4 valves per cylinder, double overheadcamshafts Compression: 9.0:1 Bore: 91.7 mm Stroke: 95.25 mm Sequential, multipoint fuel injection. Twin turbo superchargers 1.4 bar boost pressure. Dry sump lubrication. Carbon fibre intake manifold with optimised intake tracts. Tig-welded ceramic coated inconel exhaust system manifold with merge collector. Weight: 197 kg Transmission Specially developed 7-speed dual clutch, 1 input shaft transmission with paddle-shift. Electronic differential Steering Rack and pinion power assisted steering. 2.7 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle: 11 metres. TRW electro-hydraulic power-assisted. Brakes Front brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 397 mm, 40 mm wide. 6-piston calipers. Power-assisted. Rear brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 380 mm, 34 mm wide. 4-piston callipers. Power-assisted. Traction Control F1-style for optimal performance with 5 different handling modes. Wheels Koenigsegg forged Vortex generating aluminium wheels with centre locking Front: 19″ x 9.5″ Rear: 20″ x 12.5″ Tyres Dedicated Michelin Supersport Unidirectional with asymmetric thread pattern Front: 265/35 – 19″ (Y) Rear: 345/30 – 20″ (Y) Speed rating: 420+ km/h Body Two-door, two seater with removable hardtop stowable under the front hood lid. Body made from pre-impregnated carbon fibre/kevlar and lightweight sandwich reinforcements. Carbon vents over wheels. Electrical System Solid state digital semiconductors – no fuses or relays. Can bus operated and fully programmable functionality. Equipment Dual airbags, detachable storable hardtop with glass roof, power windows, adaptive rear wing, adjustable pedals and steering column, Agera stitching, adjustable seats in rake and length, carbon ceramic brakes with Sport ABS, hydraulic lifting system, power steering, power brakes, extra 4 point seatbelts for track use. satnav, Intelligent LifePo4 battery, MP3 player, USB connection, climate control, digital warning and info system, G sensor, alarm, tyre monitoring system, silver key, leather carpets, roof storage bag, car cover. Extra Equipment Fitted luggage, special leather and colour requests, full visible carbon body, Inconel exhaust system, Front winglets, rear view camera, heated seats, ski box roof, skis, winter wheel package, 4 point racing harnesses. 3 Year Warranty

Signatech Nissan LMP2 Race Car Posted: 18 Mar 2011 09:01 AM PDT A while ago Nissan announced its partnership with French team Signature Group to form the Signatech Nissan. That marks the return of the Japanese brand to Le Mans racing. Nissan just released more pictures and details of the new LMP2 race car. The open-cockpit LMP2-class sports car prototype is powered by a NISMO-prepared 3.4-liter racing versions of the Japanese auto manufacturer's VK series of V-8 engines. This same engine architecture serves as the basis for the refined and powerful V-8 units found in such popular vehicles as the Nissan Titan, Armada and Pathfinder. The new Nissan will be driven by Soheil Ayari – a veteran GT and open-wheel racer with a magical ability to overtake – and F3 and Le Mans Series racer Franck Mailleux, plus the Nissan and PlayStation GT Academy competition winner Lucas Ordoñez from Spain. The Signatech Nissan racing team will contest the entire 2011 season of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) series. Noteworthy events on the 7-race schedule include Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and a return to U.S. soil for the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Saturday, October 1, 2011. "Nissan is excited to see our new partnership with Signature kick off and we look forward to a very successful partnership with the team,” said Jon Brancheau, Vice President Marketing Nissan. “I know our customers, fans and dealers will be following our progress at Sebring and will be anticipating our return to the Le Mans 24 hours.” “We are delighted to team up with such an innovative car manufacturer,” said Philippe Sinault, the CEO of Signature Group. “Nissan’s engine expertise will be crucial to the overall performance of the car, and we are sure this partnership will be highly successful.”

Porsche Panamera Turbo ALMS Safety Car Posted: 18 Mar 2011 08:46 AM PDT Porsche Panamera too gets a career in motorsport as the official safety car for 2011 American Le Mans Series. It is the full-fat Turbo model. With a 4.8-liter twin turbocharged V8 developing 500 horsepower backed by sophisticated systems like PDK gearbox and PTM active all-wheel drive, the Panamera Turbo should have no problem pacing those unruly ALMS beasts. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds and keep going to a top speed of 188 mph. Apart from the livery, racing lights, and possibly a roll cage inside the cabin, it is pretty much the same as the road-going version. Besides the Panamera, Porsche Cayenne will also serve as s the Series’ official rapid response vehicle. “Unlike its competitors, the Panamera is not based on the platform of a previous existing model or merely a highly tuned version of a sibling model. The Panamera has been built from the ground up to provide Porsche driving dynamics and performance while simultaneously surrounding its occupants in luxury and comfort. The Panamera Turbo, with its 500 horsepower, is the ideal car for the American Le Mans Series race fields,” said David Pryor, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America. “The Porsche Panamera gives us an official safety car unmatched in motorsports,” Ed Triolo, ALMS VP of Marketing and Brand Development said.  “This reinforces the commitment and partnership between the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and Porsche, one of the world’s greatest sports cars that has had extraordinary success in the ALMS and IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama.  It is a perfect fit.”

BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car Posted: 18 Mar 2011 08:32 AM PDT BMW’s partnership with Moto GP begins its 13th year in 2011. On that occasion BMW decided to give the bikers a treat by replacing the X6M safety car with a new  BMW 1 Series M Coupe. The car begins its career as the pace car for the entire season from March 19. It is also a good promotional buildup for the 1M Coupe ahead of its official market launch in April. The safety car features a special livery inspired by BMW’s racing colors, and it’s upgraded thoroughly for the job. Only the 250 kW/340 hp straight-six M TwinPower Turbo engine and the entire drivetrain are taken from the production car. It gets high performance suspension with an adjustable race track set-up and 19-inch mixed tyres measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear, as well as a six-piston fixed-calliper racing brake system. To mention some of its highlights, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car comes with a carbon fibre-reinforced bonnet featuring additional large air vents, as well as polycarbonate side and rear windows. special lightweight titanium race exhaust system not only saves weight but also delivers a captivating sound for the benefit of the spectators. How thoughtful! The interior of the BMW Safety Car is a model of uncompromising purism. A rollover cage bolted behind the B-pillar, the absence of rear seats, two racing bucket seats with 6-point safety belts, an M steering wheel in alcantara and a fire extinguisher are all standard in the Safety Car. The deployment of the brand-new BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car marks the continuation of BMW M GmbH's successful partnership – begun in 1999 – with Dorna Sports, the organisers of the MotoGP World Championship. With a fleet of eight vehicles, BMW is supporting the safe running of the motorcycle world championship in the current race season. As well as the official BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety Car, this year sees two further reserve Safety Cars from BMW M GmbH present at the track: a BMW X6 M and a BMW M3. In addition, the organising team has been given a BMW X5 M for the Safety Officer and a BMW ActiveHybrid X6 for the stewards. On call this season as a Medical Car is a BMW 535i Touring. There will also be two Safety Bikes contributing to the safe running of race weekends: a BMW S 1000 RR and a BMW HP2 Sport. The ceremonial handover of the vehicles took place at BMW M in Garching-Hochbrück on 28th February 2011. It was on this occasion that Dr Kay Segler, Director of BMW M GmbH, and Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports, made an advance announcement that the successful partnership would be extended until 2016, before sealing the agreement in a signing ceremony.

Audi Mulling BMW X6 and Mercedes CL Fighters Posted: 18 Mar 2011 07:52 AM PDT News from Ingolstadt suggest that Audi is about to expand their lineup by adding a couple of new models including a performance-oriented crossover to Rival BMW X6 and a luxury coupe to take on Mercedes CL Class. They might be bit late to the game, but they proved with the A7 – which arrived years after Mercedes CLS dominated the market – that they can still get a fair share. The new crossover is reportedly called the Q6 and will have the same coupe-like SUV shape as the BMW. Think of it as a jacked up A7! The car won’t be using Q7 or Q5′s underpinning though, as it’s supposed to fill the gap between the two. So the four-wheel-drive platform of VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne would be good. It will also get the same range of V6 and V8 engines as the aforementioned cars. Audi has also realized they have no flagship coupe to rival cars like Mercedes CL and BMW 6 Series or Maserati GranTurismo. So they’re working on a new A9 model that will be based on the A8 and will come as both coupe and convertible variants. So it can also challenge Mercedes SL and BMW 6er Cabrio. The A9 can arrive as soon as 2014 with pricing start at around 80,000 Euro. Autocar & Autobild

Lamborghini Gallardo Replacement To be Called Cabrera? Posted: 18 Mar 2011 07:22 AM PDT After unveiling the new Aventador, Lamborghini apparently got overexcited and revealed almost all of their future plans! The one that we’re interested in, because it has the same thrill and excitement of the Aventador before release, is the Gallardo replacement. The baby Lambo’s replacement will reportedly arrive in 2013 and it may be called the Cabrera. Media speculations suggest that it will use a next-generation V10 developing 570 hp that will be shared with the Estoque sedan – which is set for 2014 debut – and will spawn a Spyder variant a year later, and a Superleggera version three years later. Based on what Lamborghini did with the Murcielago replacement, we are dying to know how the new Gallardo is going to look like! Speaking of Estoque, the car’s faith is reportedly decided and it will finally launch in three years. It is said to benefit from a platform from parent company Volkswagen’s vehicle architectures and powertrains. That will make easy fo rLamborghini to also launch a coupe and a convertible variant of the Estoque a few years after the sedan. Lamborghini is also keen on putting the Sesto Elemnto into production, not in the same exact insane shape as the concept model but close. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the Sesto shows how the supercars of future look like. He says it can inspire future all Lambo models. Here’s Lamborghini’s lineup in the next ten years, as reported by TeamSpeed: 2011 sees the LP700-4 Aventador hitting the streets and the LP550-2 Spyder. 2012 sees the LP700-4 Roadster and the Sesto Elemento. 2013 sees the Gallardo replacement. 2014 sees the Estoque/4-door sedan and the Gallardo replacement Spyder. 2015 sees the LP700 Super Veloce, and an Estoque convertible concept. 2016 sees the LP700 coupe and Roadster Facelift. 2017 sees the Estoque Convertible and the Gallardo replacement Superleggera. 2018 sees the Gallardo replacement facelift. 2019 sees the LP700 Jota. 2020 sees the Estoque Sedan/Convertible facelift and an Estoque Coupe concept. 2021 sees the LP700 replacement and the Estoque Coupe.

Video: Autocar Pits McLaren MP4-12C Against Big Daddy Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:53 AM PDT Yes it’s the MP4 versus McLaren F1 GTR. Granted, it’s not much of a comparison test because one is modern, technical and well-engineered sportscar and the other a brutal, unforgiving, bonafide racer. But it’s a good way to see if any of the F1′s DNA, that made it one of the top five cars in the whole history of automotive, is found in the new boy. To find out Steve Sutcliffe took them both to Dunsfold Aerodrome, better known as Top Gear test track. Even if you think it’s irrelevant, just enjoy the amazing scenery of two magnificent machines driving about! As a side note, we  wish McLaren could change the stupid name of the new car. MP4-12C, it’s a silly name!

Kicherer Mercedes GL 42 Sport Black Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:38 AM PDT The large and imposing Mercedes GL SUV has been given a light Sport Black treatment by Kicherer. Based on the GL420 CDI diesel, the car gets a black outfit, new wheels and a little bit more power. Actually it’s a little bit more than just a little bit! Thanks to a range of modifications on the car’s 4.2 liter V8 common rail turbo diesel engine, including KICHERER PowerConverter and new exhausts, the power output has gone up from 306 HP and 700 Nm to 380 HP and 900 Newton meters. The gangsta looking Merc also gets a set of 10×22 inch Vogue wheel rims and XXL size 295/35R22 tires and matte black exclusive foil, covering the whole body including the off-road package, and an ergonomic sports steering wheel. So the Sport Black treatment is fairly subtle, but it’s good to give your GL a fresh new look and stop you from trading it in for something more sporty!

VW Golf Cabriolet Production Begins Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:26 AM PDT The production of the new generation Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet officially started at VW’s new facility in Osnabrück during a ceremony attended by a number of VVIPS. The Cabrio’s production is kicked into high gear to make sure it reaches customer in summer, just as VW has promised. This drop-top funster comes with a electronically-operated fabric roof that goes up and down in just 9.5 seconds. The car has four seats but it is a 2+2 and offers 250 liters of boot space with the roof down. It is is offered with six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 77 kW / 105 PS to 155 kW / 210 PS. Present at the ceremony that marked the production of the new Golf Cabrio at Osnabrück plant were German President Christian Wulff, the President, Lower Saxony's Premier David McAllister, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft responsible for Human Resources, and Bernd Wehlauer, Deputy Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council. Wow, this lot didn’t turn up for the production of Bugatti Veyron, so this Golf must be something special! And it is actually, since its production Creates lots of new jobs at the plant in Osnabrück which covers the entire automotive process chain from vehicle development through tooling to production. German President Christian Wulff said: "I am very pleased we have been able to safeguard the future of Osnabrück as a car making location. Osnabrück has enormous potential. The strengths of the employees and their comprehensive enormous know-how, for example in building cabriolets, are a perfect fit for Volkswagen Osnabrück as part of the wider Volkswagen Group." "It is only just over a year since we got down to work," Prof. Dr. Winterkorn said. "Since then, we have safeguarded many car making jobs and have also integrated the technical development and metal units. Above all, though, the team in Osnabrück has successfully managed the Golf Cabriolet start-up within the space of a year. The biggest compliment I can pay you today is that this car, your car, is a genuine Volkswagen! Osnabrück has made a masterful debut with the Golf Cabriolet!" "As premier I am particularly delighted that Volkswagen now has six locations in Lower Saxony and produces in Osnabrück as well as in Wolfsburg, Hanover, Emden, Brunswick and Salzgitter. Osnabrück's long car making tradition is being continued. Volkswagen Osnabrück will establish itself in the Group as a competence centre for small series  vehicles," Premier McAllister commented. Volkswagen Board Member for Human Resources Neumann stated: "Volkswagen Osnabrück currently has a workforce of some 1,250, and a total of 1,800 people will have a job here by the end of the year. In addition, we are increasing the number of vocational training places further to cater for the larger number of school leavers caused by the change in Germany's education system which shortens the time it takes to study for a high school diploma by one year. This will raise the total number of vocational trainees and students on the integrated study and training program." Deputy Chairman of the Group Works Council Wehlauer underscored: "The future of jobs at the Osnabrück automotive location came with the decision to finally put another Golf Cabriolet on the road. Many past joint projects unite us with the colleagues here. Together with the Volkswagen workforce in Osnabrück we are now shaping a piece of the automotive future with the Golf Cabriolet."

Dacia Celebrates Production of 4,000,000th Vehicle Posted: 18 Mar 2011 06:06 AM PDT Renault Romanian sub-brand Dacia, specializing in economy cars recently achieved the significant milestone of 4,000,000 vehicles produced at the Mioveni plant. Dacia has been on a constant rise in production speed and efficiency at Mioveni since Renault takeover. The number 1 000 000 car was produced in 1985,  2 000 000 level was reached in 1998 (after 13 years) and 3 000 000 in 2007 (after 9 years). The production has been given a hike since Renault took over the brand in 1999 and invested 1.2 billion Euros in it. That record is not astonishing though, given the fact that Dacia makes cheap cars that are popular in over populated countries! What is astonishing is that they make 65 vehicles each hour at the Mioveni plant, half of which Duster models! The 4,000,000th car is a 4×4 caju brown Dacia Duster, top of the line version, Laureate, with an 1.5 dCI 110 HP engine, bought by a a 58 year old physician from Romania. That says a lot about the kind of people who buy are Dacias, doesn’t it! "Duster is the fifth Dacia I've purchased so far. I have chosen Dacia because the cars are resistant, roomy, comfortable and have a low fuel consumption. Moreover, we had very easy access to spare parts and service network. I was drawn to Duster's pleasant design, generous space, powerful engine and the safety it inspires. I wanted a 4×4 vehicle, a car for my family, which could take us fishing, on vacation, in the mountains", said the Dacia customer when she received the keys of the car.

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