New Car Reviews: September 2007

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Saturday, September 29, 2007

The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra has got what it takes to be a star. Not just because its rear spoiler shoots so brashly up towards the heavens. The bold and aggressive design of the sports car study takes the Chevrolet body language to the extreme. "We wanted to explore the concept of a Chevrolet muscle car reinvented for Europe," says David Lyon, Executive Director GM Asia-Pacific Design.

The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept car is equipped with a powerful 1,991 cm3 diesel unit generating 139 kW/190 hp. The basic version of the four-cylinder engine is the common rail unit with four-valve technology and variable turbine blade geometry currently powering the Chevrolet Captiva and due to go into the Epica from spring 2007.

For Ewan Kingsbury, the Lead Designer of the WTCC Ultra, "aggressive", "muscular" and "dramatic" are the words that first spring to mind when he is asked to describe the design of the new project. "As the chosen theme of the car was a concept racecar, this immediately gave me license to push the passion and aggression of the styling to the extreme".

Friday, September 28, 2007

sports illustrated founder

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Wallpapers

Dodge ASC Viper Diamondback Concept

The American company ASC (American Specialty Cars) showed its creative expertise by unveiling a supercar made even more super by the addition of a mostly carbon-fiber body.

A "snake" with an all-new skin, the ASC Viper Diamondback is super-light and super-fast. It’s fitting that ASC, which helped the Chrysler Group bring the new Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe to life, would, with the aid of McLaren Performance Technologies, show how the Viper coupe might be taken to an all-new level of “extreme.” The 615 bhp Viper Diamondback features a carbon fiber roof, deck lid, rockers, fascia inserts, body trim and a massive OmniCarbon hood that shows off ten unique trumpeted air intakes, with individual port throttles, peeking through - a McLaren Performance Technologies feature reminiscent of McLaren Can-Am engines of the past.

The hood also shows off compression-molded carbon fiber. It’s displayed beautifully, with a broad, clearcoated racing stripe down the Artic White-painted expanse, subtly outlined by “Viper Blue” and “McLaren Red” pinstripes. In all, ASC removed about 85 lbs. of weight from the vehicle - including cutting the weight of the hood by nearly half versus the production model. Taken together with the powertrain modifications by McLaren Performance Technologies, the power-to-weight ratio was increased, resulting in an estimated increase in 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Novitec Evolves the Ferrari F430

The performance of the established Novitec Bi Compressor engine has been improved to 656 bhp with the new Evoluzione version with modified turbine-blades and separated oil-circuit, modified and a completely heat insulated enlarged induction tract, a new underbody air tract and modified ECU. The additional power of 20 bhp drastically increase the driving performance of the 636 bhp version.

In close collaboration of both technology departments, Brembo developed the new Novitec brake system with 380mm discs and 6-pistons at the front and rear axle. The outstanding deceleration values offer complete security in all situations.

The driving stability, also at high speed in the curves, is improved by the Novitec suspension and stronger anti sway bars. The complete set of wheels, NF2 Race in black with a car-color matching stripe and Pirelli Pzero Rosso tires provide a strong grip.

In the wind tunnel of the Research Institute for Motor Vehicles in Stuttgart, the aerodynamic functionality of the Novitec body components were checked. Thanks to these tests, not only the design of the F430 is underlined, but also the negative lift force is increased. The interior is individualized with exclusive materials and design.

The Engine

Novitec Bi – compressor with two Rotrex – compressors with separated oil-circuit, modified and enlarged induction tract complete heat-insulated, watercooled intercoolers with additional watercoolers, pumps, reinforced v-ripped belts, injectors, air tract duct in underbody as well as modified ECU’s.
Power-optimized exhaust system in stainless steel with 90mm outlets, modified gear ratio.

The Brakes

Brembo brake system with 380mm metal discs front and rear and 6-pistons brake callipers at the front and rear axle.

The Suspension

KW stainless steel coil over suspension Sport (dual adjustment), complete wheel set NF2 Race, front axle 9.0 x 19 inches with 255/30 R19 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso, rear axle 12.5 x 20 inches with 345/25 R20 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso.

Aerodynamic

Front bumper Supersport, rear diffuser, rear wing Supersport, skirts for side panels.

The Interior

Complete interior leather appointment kit Supersport in two colours Alcantara with Supersport Performance seats, steering wheel Supersport, aluminum pedal set with driver and passenger foot rest.