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Posts Tagged ‘Sports Cars’

The Hell With Your License – Lets Rock and Roll

March 10th, 2010

Mercedes Repair

Roadster in North America, also known as Spyder in England, is synonymous with an open top, two-seater lightweight vehicle. It has undergone a series of evolution and changes over the years. To upgrade your car with the advancement in technology and need for different automobile parts when required and automobile accessories you need to have an automobile manual or repair manual guide. It starts with your basic conceptualization of the primary Import Roadster cars.

Since it is an open top sports racing car, Roadster has always been the choice of freedom and thrill lovers. Some of the all time favorite import roadster models have been Porsche, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Chevrolet, Cadillac, etc. Let us see and compare the features of the three popular German models among these – Porsche Boxter, Audi TT and Mercedes Benz SLK1996 ford escort diagnostics in on Yahoo! Local

 

Porsche introduced its Roadster model, Boxter in 1997. It was the lowest priced among models of Porsche make starting at $ 41,000. This two-seat mid engine was designed to be a roadster and it was expected to attract a high percentage of women buyers. It had a 2.5 liter flat six cylinders engine and RMR layout. The model when upgraded in 2005 was given a more masculine look. The 2007 Boxter has a 2.7 liter engine, while the Boxter S comes in two types of engine, 3.2 liter and 3.4 liter.2005 toyota corolla service schedule – MySpace Web Search

The latest 2008 model of Porsche Boxter has a fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Its power to weight ratio is 11 lb/hp and maximum driving range is approximately 490 miles. It has spacious legroom and headroom of 41.6 inches and 38.4 inches respectively. You can also opt for sports bucket seat with an adjustable backrest. Its price ranges from $ 45,800 to $ 55,700. It has highly improved acceleration, steering and brakes.

Mercedes Benz SLK

The Mercedes Benz SLK Class was introduced in 1997 as a first modern retractable hardtop convertible compact roadster. It was a short light sporty model with FR layout. It had two generations of R170 and R171. Mercedes Benz SLK 2005 model was introduced with more masculine styling and features. It sported 2.7 liter flat 6 cylinder engine.2008 February 12  askthemercedesmechanic.com

The new 2008 model of Mercedes Benz SLK has a 3.5 liter V6 engine and a folding hardtop. It’s pricing ranges from $44,150 to $ 63,200. It has a 3.5 liter V6 engine with manual shifter and clutch, making it easy to use. Its power to weight ratio is on a higher side at 14 lb/hp. It also provides a fuel economy of only 17 mpg in city and 25 mpg on highway. The maximum driving range of a Mercedes Benz SLK is approximately 462 miles and a high fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons. It provides the maximum legroom of 42 inches as compared to the Audi TT and Porsche Boxter 2008 models.

Audi TT

The Audi TT was introduced as a luxury sports car by Audi in 1998. Initially it was launched as a concept car in 1995 at a motor show. It had a unique design as compared to the other cars during that period. The later Audi TT models till 2007 featured 1.8 liter, 4 cylinders engine.

The Audi TT’s 2008 model incorporates the ASF technology, that is to say Audi Space Frame Technology. Thus it is a lightweight version with improved weight distribution. It is priced between $ 34,800 and $ 45,900. It is the lowest priced roadster model of 2008. It features a 3.2 liter V6 engine with an all wheel drive. It provides the highest fuel economy of 23 mpg, as compared to the above two 2008 models. It has a maximum driving range of approximately 450 miles. It comes with front legroom of 41inches. The 2008 Audi TT is a few inches longer and wider than its first generation model.

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Supercars - a History

February 11th, 2010

With the invention of the car came the desire for speed. Cars quickly evolved from practical to sporty to satisfy the desires of those that wanted to race.

The first sports cars started to appear at the latter end of the 1940’s. Ferrari, Lotus, Jaguar and Porsche all had sporting road car designs. When you think of today’s supercars you think of sleek design, high speed, high power and even higher price tags and the sports cars of the 1940’s were the first steps towards today’s technological wonders.

Throughout the 1950’s and early 1960’s sports car performance progressed. 1954 saw the arrival of the Meredes 300 SL Gullwing which was the first road car to reach in excess of 150mph. It was capable of a top speed of 165mph and is now considered to be one of the all time classic road cars.

The Gullwing was first shown at the 1954 New York Motor Show and it wowed the public. It has distinctive ‘gull wing’ doors and was made from a lightweight aluminium body. The Gullwing had a 3 litre engine and 240bhp, and in its day was the fastest production car available.

About 1400 Gullwings were built between 1954 and 1957. The design was eventually superceded by the open Roadster.

It was Ford that created what many people believe to be the first supercar. Their GT40 made its debut at the Nurburgring in 1964 but it wasn’t until 1966 that Ford took their place in American racing history by finishing Le Mans in the top three positions, beating Ferrari. The GT40 has now won more prestigious races than any other road racing car in history.

The Lamborghini Miura made supercar history because it was the first production car to feature a mid-mounted engine (normally only seen on F1 cars). It looked so different to any road car that had come before. The Miura was unveiled to the world in 1965 at the Turin Auto Show by Ferrucio Lamborghini himself and was named after Spanish fighting bulls because of the aggressive body styling.

In terms of pure speed, after the 150mph title was claimed, 200 mph was the next great speed barrier to try for. The prize for that went to the Ferrari F40 – the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari and revealed on Ferrari’s 40th birthday.

The F40 was available between 1987 and 1992. Top speed was 201mph and it managed 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds.

The F40 is rated by many as the greatest supercar of all.

The price of an F40 reached in excess of half a million pounds in the late 1980's and even now is holding its price well.

The SSC Ultimate Aero TT (made by Shelby Supercars) is the world’s fastest production car to date with a top speed of 257mph. The Guiness World record run clocked the car in at 255.8mph. The 2009 version can reach speeds of 270mph and is reported to accelerate from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds!

Modern technology has allowed the creation of some amazing cars. They have come a long way but are not yet at the peak of design so it remains to be seen what the cars of the future wow us with.

For a chance to get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini today you can do a web search for Lamborghini hire Hertfordhire, Lamborghini hire London or another geographical type search to find a super car hire place near you.

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2010 Porsche 911 GT3: A Street-Legal Race Car

October 24th, 2009

2010 Porsche 911 GT3: A Street-Legal Race Car

Top Speed:193 mph

Acceleration: 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds

Engine Size: 3.8 liter flat-6

Power: 435 hp at 7600 rpm

Torque: 317 lb-ft at 6250 rpm

Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway

Price at Time of Writing: $113,150

 

The 2010 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 is a serious sports car. Talk about specific engineering: 7 oil pumps for the engine and a gear box with its own cooling system. These cars are built for race speed, and many will actually see action on the track. As one would expect, the improvements for the 2010 model were geared at more power and ultimately a more exciting drive.

 

New Engine

The GT3 has a newly updated engine. The internals now include titanium connecting rods and hollow camshafts. The pistons, valves and tappets have all been lightened. These changes, coupled with the new lower internal inertia, allow the engine to reach 8500 rpms. Power is up thanks to the two stage sport exhaust together with a 3-stage intake manifold. carfind

 

The Drive

While the GT3 is built for speed, it is a dream to drive in regular road conditions as well. It handles twists and curves beautifully, with unprecedented steering control and nearly perfect weighting. The car can tackle corners with great accuracy at any given speed. No problems when it comes to accelerating out of corners.

 

When accelerating, the GT3 moves quickly thought its gears until it hits the fifth gear, typically around 145 mph. At this point the car moderates, and with a top speed of 193 mph you can literally fly. Keep the revs above 6000 rpm and you will enjoy quick acceleration and accurate, fast response times. In addition, the magnetorheological engine mounts, new to this model, help the ride to be softer and reduce the number of vibrations felt in regular driving conditions. Vertical engine movement has been reduced to +/- 1.5 mm. Originally the car had a vertical engine movement of +/- 9 mm. This has to be one of the greates changes. carfind

 

Other Changes

The GT3 sports 15-inch front brake rotors with separate aluminum carriers, stiffer springs in the suspension and a smaller anti-roll bar in the front of the car. Stability control has been added, as has a dynamic drivetrain that has a lifting feature. This allows the driver to raise the front end of the vehicle 1.2 inches by pushing a button, allowing the car to maneuver steep drives without damaging the front bumper.

 

The front splitter and rear wing have also been changed. A new lower and deeper front splitter and a wider wing in the rear, which is wider than the vertical supports and also tilted at a 7.8 degree angle, give the car a greater downward force. While travelling at 186 mph the down force increases from 66 pounds to 220 pounds. Audi A3

 

All in all the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car is better, faster and more powerful than its predecessors. It handles well and is overall a more pleasant drive. If you are on the market for 6-speed manual 2-door coupe with speed combined with precision handling then this is the car to choose.

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Porsche Panamera. Super Sedan

August 18th, 2009

The Porsche Panamera which was first presented to the world at the April 2009 Shanghai Auto Show is a sports sedan. The car has created some controversy with its style, as it has only four seats and a hatchback that some say create a bulky appearance, particularly in photographs. However, the driving dynamics prove that this Porsche has the inner workings of a sports car, not a sedan.

 

Appearance

The Panamera is large, measuring 195.7 inches long and 55.standing tall at 8 inches which gives the appearance of bulkiness than other Porsches. The rear with its hatchback design seems a bit heavyset compared to other high-performance vehicles, and this is accentuated in photographs. Perhaps the rear is not as tidy as it could have been. Porsche insisted on keeping a hatchback theme which might not look good on such a larger car. Not to worry as the car is much better in flesh (metal).

 

Specs and Performance

The Panamera comes in three models, the 394-bhp V-8 Panamera S, the all-wheel-drive 4S, and the 493-bhp Panamera Turbo. All of the models feature a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, which is quick to respond to changes in speed. The Turbo has a powerful 7th gear that can reach 125 mph while reving at 2800 rpm. car sale figures

 

The engine sounds powerful with a nice growl. Being a sports sedan Porsche would rather have the sound a little modest compared to the all out sports models. You can add an optional sport exhaust, and with a flip of a button you can up the sound level a bit.

 

The Panamera comes with a stop/start system standard that some drivers will struggle to get used to. The engine is not used when you stop and then kicks back to like the moment to press the accelerator. It is designed to save fuel, and works well in city driving. This system can be turned off if you do not wish to use it. Overall, the car grips the road well and offers superior performance. It is a true pleasure to drive.

 

Braking and Interior

The standard brake system has four-piston calipers in the rear and six-piston calipers on the front. They hold up well under the power of the car, even when the Turbo is taken above 100 mph. They have a quick response time at all speeds. Toyota Yaris price list

 

The interior of the car is designed with comfort in mind. Extra headroom and legroom in the rear make it comfortable for an adult to sit. It features the touch-screen infotainment center in the center console that Porsche debuted with the 911. The interior is sleek, luxurious and well put together. flat to rent in Pretoria

Technical specs:

Top Speed: 188 mph

Acceleration: 0 – 60 in 4.2 seconds

Engine Size: S – 4.8 L V8; Turbo – Twin-Turbocharged

Power: S – 400 bhp at 6500 rpm; Turbo – 500 bhp at 600 rpm

Torque: S – 369 lb.-ft. at 3500 rpm; Turbo – 516 lb.-ft. at 2250 rpm

Fuel Economy: S – 36.3 mpg; Turbo – 37 mpg

Base Price at Time of Writing: S – $89,800; Turbo – $132,600

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2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670. None Like It

August 18th, 2009

When shopping for a high class sports car, enthusiasts are always looking for less weight and more power to get the maximum thrill out of their driving experience. When you have a car that embarasses a Murcielago then you know it is no ordinary super car, it can only be Murcielago LP 670. An astonishing achievement is by the designers is that the car weighs 220 pounds less than the standard Murcielago.

Need for Speed

The newly reworked 6.5 liter V12 engine that churns 670 horses is clearly more than standard models. With the massive weight savings, the car now manages a 5.1 pound per horsepower power-to-weight ratio which catapults it from 0 to 62 mph in an astounding 3.2 seconds. With a top speed of 214 mph (342 km/h) on a normal road there is no chance of reaching that velocity. cheap used cars for sale

Design and Aerodynamics

The Murcielago is the picture of the Lamborghini brand and the Murcielago LP 670 is no exception. There is no mistaken identity, the car looks fast because it is. A super car should look unique (check), fast (check), powerful(check) and most importantly it should me you dream of driving it(double check). The transparent engine bonnet showcases the engine and is uniquely designed with layers that are open towards the back to help ventilate.

The striking rear end of the vehicle is equipped with a flat and very wide exhaust tailpipe as well as a two-level diffuser system finished in carbon fiber. The tail and signal lights with the customary Y-shape which has been used in many Lamborghini designs and the intake mesh, which is Teflon coated aluminum, spans the full width of the car.

This model has completely redesigned aerodynamics and clients have a choice between a small rear spoiler that provides improved down force when driving at high speeds, or a large, fixed wing that is mounted on carbon-fiber brackets. The second choice provides a significant boost to directional stability when racing at high speeds. cars for sale in Gauteng

Light as a Feather

When designing the Murcielago LP 670, Lamborghini clearly had weight loss on their minds. Working with hi-tech carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, they managed to shave off 220 pounds from the standard Murcielago model. With the same composite construction as a race car, and the recalculated framework using new materials, they were able to reduce the weight by 72.6 pounds in the chassis and exterior, 78.8 pounds in the interior and 72.6 from the engine and drive train. 

No corners were cut and a super high level of quality workmanship was used. The craftsmen who hand built this incredible sports car did an amazing job. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670 is without a doubt the best high quality sports car ever to have been made by Lamborghini taking an already near perfect product and making it lighter, faster and more incredible that ever before. Bmw for sale in Durban

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Lotus Evora. Elise made More Fun

August 17th, 2009

The newest sports car to be hit the market in 2010 is called the Lotus Evora and is a slightly larger car than the Lotus Elise. The first newly created car from Lotus in 15 years. When the Evora goes past, you would want to stare then develop some interest. Revealed at the 2008 London Motor Show, this classy deep-silver two-door, mid engine coupe was shown as a classic Lotus design. The Evora extracts the most from the least, commanding high performance and agile dynamics with its advanced structures and controlled weight.

The Evora Difference

The Evora is larger and much more luxurious and sexy than the other models in the Lotus line up. It is roomier than other sports cars and more accommodating as well. Being noticabily larger the Evora also weighs a lot more. opel corsa utility. Although it was launched with a 6-speed manual transmission, Evora will also add an automatic transmission during the early part of the build run as an option. Only one of five vehicles to date to combine a mid-engine layout with 2×2 seating, the Evora places itself in the same class as Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine is from Toyota although Lotus holds the copyright on it because of the ECU software upgrades that they developed for the engine. Alpine provides the 7 inch touch screen for controlling audio, communications and satellite navigation functions. Bosch for instance provides the ABS, stability and traction control while Yokohama places those nice wheels on the Evora. Why make your own components when you know that other companies have the best in the world?

The Seating

Most would initially identify a car that looks as sleek and sexy as the Evora to a two seater but with the extra two rear seats, it becomes a sports car that you can enjoy with more than one friend at a time. It is however, a small back seat which could be a little cramped on longer journeys. Since most sports car owners don`t . The front seats are surprisingly accommodating giving maximum comfort to the driver and the front passenger. The experience has been likened to riding in a high class cockpit, particularly with the impressive dashboard full of gauges and controls. property for sale 

The hand-made sports car is assembled in very limited volumes, put together with exceptionally fine components and priced quite reasonably for the quality and class that you are getting. To make this car a little special production will be limited to an annual output of 2,000. Though this car is bound to be popular at any rate, this can only increase the interest from buyers. houses for sale in Gauteng 

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2010 Porsche 911 GT3

July 19th, 2009

The sleek new addition to the Porsche lineup for 2010 is the 911 GT3. This car has been long awaited by Porsche fans and was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The vehicle will only hit the stores in October 2009. For now the photos and test results are enough.

Plenty of Changes

The GT3 is not an entirely new model, rather it`s a revamped version of a previous Porsche 911. The original did enough to impress the folk at CAR magazine in 2007 to be named the best ever Porsche.

A number of things have been changed, including a 20 bhp increase over the previous model. The body has been adjusted for better aerodynamics, air outlets were added to the front end and the rear wing is more adjustable than before. Lighter materials are applied in the interior as well. audi tt for sale 

Other improvements include a lighter wire harness for easier maneuverability and a redesigned rear end. This luxury, though light weight model also comes with optional air conditioning, setting it apart from the standard race car. The new version is far easier to handle and has better traction, as well.

Under the Hood

The Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8 liter, six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that has a maximum output of 435 bhp. The car goes from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds and can hit 100 mph in double that time. In simple every day language this car can reach 200mph (194mph is the official figure) and that is fast. citi golf for sale.However records are just black and white figures as the GT3 can challenge competitors on other fronts i.e price.

At 9000 rmp the rev limiter kicks in to stabalise the torque.

Other Features

For street driving, the manufacturers added a few handy features to the latest version of the GT3. For example, it only takes the push of a button to activate a hydraulic lift that gives the vehicle an additional few inches of clearance. For the steep inclines this will prevent scraping of the front. An optional air conditioning system turns this Porsche into a luxury machine that is comfortable to drive off the track, as well as on. CarFind.co.za 

The fully adjustable suspension system lets you change Porche`s Active Suspension Management system, which tends to be too soft for street driving. The feature is deactivated in two stages, first the stability is turned off, with traction still on, then you can also turn off the traction. This might make the GT3 go faster at the cost of drivability at high speed. No worries as the brakes are as large as 15.0-in. front and 13.8-in. rear.

Strictly speaking this is not a new model ,however, it is still valuable. With so many improvements, it`s bound to be a popular model.

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Ferrari 16M Scuderia. F430 Spider Unleashed

July 16th, 2009

This would not be a Ferrari without the excitement and the hype. The two year waiting list for the 16M Scuderia is proof that the model is as special as its siblings. The 16M shares most of its architecture with the F430 Spider. Ferrari is living up to its name in terms of setting standards from the engine sound to the rate at which the soft top can be converted. 

The Power Within 

The 16M has a classy 4.three litre V8 with 503 hp, 347 pound feet of torque which is an improvement over the F430's 483hp. The engine is bolted to the F1-Superfast2 6-speed auto-clutch manual transmission which can shift in 60 milliseconds with torque interruption at about 40 milliseconds. With wider 19 inch tires on very unique and classy rims, harder and lower springs race-tuned adjustable damping; the 16M is a lean mean machine both on the road and on the racetrack. toyota yaris in pretoria. Using the Manettino option offers more aggresssive driving modes. 

Even though the changes in the engine note  and the fitting of unique intake manifold resonators cause an increase of about 199 pounds, its still about 175 pounds lighter than the previous model, the F430 Spider. To get to 60 from standstill takes just 3.8 seconds and can do a course lap in just 86.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest Ferraris on the market. 

The braking system in this vehicle is incredible, taking only 96 feet to go from 60-0 and 288 feet from 100-0. City fuel economy is 11 miles per gallon and the highway fuel economy is 16 miles per gallon which may not seem like a whole lot, but when you consider the power packed into this little sports car as well as the look of it all, it is definitely worth it. bmw 330i for sale. And besides, if you can afford to get into a car like this, chances are, you can afford the fuel for it. In terms of the environmental well being this car is being responsible with low emissions of 1.52 pounds per mile. 

Why Upgrade?

Although the car does cost a lot more that a standard F430 Spider the price is fully justified. It’s almost worth making more friends just to brag too and with a stunning vehicle such as the 2010 Ferrari 16M Scuderia, you will always have a great conversation piece. budget car insurance

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Super 599. The Ferrari HGTE

July 13th, 2009

While fans have insisted that the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is the best GT car on the market, they will soon be silenced by the release of the new Ferrari 599 HGTE which was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March of this year. Quite a lot to swallow for the naming but here is a break down H-handling, GT – Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) and the E-for Evoluzione (Evolution). 

The HGTE Pack Difference 

There are no engine modifications but with the 612bhp V12 engine, you already have all the power that you will ever need and then some. The car is lowered 10mm and made 16% stiffer by the HGTE version. Although the physical changes with the car, such as the rear anti-roll bar being 1.5mm wider but you will only spot the difference by the sound of the engine. The quad exhausts have been made to sound a little louder and angrier to draw even more attention to this already spotlight-grabbing vehicle. The suspension system has been upgraded slightly from the standard model and the new wheels shave a whole 11 pounds off the total weight of this car.polo for sale 

The interior of the car has a sportier vibe to it with full grain leather, black Alcantara and carbon fiber trim and the embroidered Prancing Horse and “Handling GTE” mark on the headrests. You will also find the six-speed paddle-shift manual transmission is 15 milliseconds faster at 85m/s and if you hold onto the left paddle, it will perform multiple downshifts. audi s3 for sale.Newly calibrated settings for the shock absorbers help give a slightly smoother ride by reducing the pitch and roll. The fuel consumption has gone from 13.3mpg up to 15.7 and good news for the green activists is that this car plays by the rules for curbing emmisions (490g/km to 415). 

The Difference in the Drive 

The standard Ferrari 599 is already so good that it’s difficult to see the difference when you drive it on regular roads although the HGTE does have a slightly quicker turn-in. On the track, however, the faster up shifts near the redline is the most noticeable difference and is almost uncomfortable in how shockingly fast it is. Cornering grip has been improved by 8%. With a lowered center of gravity and a correction to under steer this is slighlty better that the original. cheap cars for sale 

When already spending a large chunk of change on a great car, buyers will find it hard not to justify spending the extra money to upgrade to the Ferrari 599 HGTE simply because it is the best GT car ever made by Ferrari, and who doesn’t want the best?

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