TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- Audi A1 by MTM does 201 mph at Nardo Highspeed Test
- Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder
- Fiat Panda
- Porsche Panamera Turbo S
- McLaren modifies MP4-12C after press test drive critiques
- Honda CR-Z α Black Label Edition
- True Story: Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for only $5.28
- Mercedes SLK55 AMG
- Bill Warner becomes the first person to break 300 mph on a motorcycle
- Cars: Mater to the Rescue!
| Audi A1 by MTM does 201 mph at Nardo Highspeed Test Posted: 20 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT
Typically, when we hear about vehicles climbing up to speeds of over 200 mph, we think of high performance vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron or the SSC Tuatara. Not once have we ever thought of a small car like the Audi A1 achieving such a feat. It was probably this assumption that led tuning firm, MTM, to completely make over the A1 so that it became a snarling speed machine, capable of hitting a top speed of 201 mph at the Nardo Highspeed Test. Every year, modified supercars head on over to the Nardo test track to see what they are capable of, but this year, MTM's Audi A1 decided to crash the party and show the 9FF Porsche 911 GT3, MKB McLaren SLR, G-Power BMW M3, and SpeedArt Porsche Cayenne Turbo just how it's done. With an MTM tuning package consisting of various upgrades, the A1 delivers a total of 500 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque. 500 HP! When equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential, the car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of the aforementioned 201 mph. Adding a few more bells and whistles to the heart-thumping power, MTM gave the small car a new set of 18" MTM bimoto rims with a 9-spoke race design, a new set of MTM-Spacers (20 mm per axle), upgraded brakes, and a lowered suspension. And to think, just one year ago, MTM released their new package for the A1 that had no type of engine upgrades. It may have taken them a year to get the engine tweaks just right, but the result was certainly worth the wait. That is, if anyone plans on racing an Audi A1 anytime soon. Anyone? Audi A1 by MTM does 201 mph at Nardo Highspeed Test originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 16:00 EST.
|
| Posted: 15 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT
If there’s anything better than a beautiful, red Ferrari 458 Italia, it’s that same beautiful, red Ferrari with its top stripped off. We received confirmation that Ferrari was planning on producing a Spyder version of one of their highly successful new models back in 2009 from none other than Luca di Montezemolo, himself and now we’ve taken out our drawing board and sketched us up a nice little image of what that car will look like. Rumors suggest that the new 458 Italia Spyder will make good use of the same folding hardtop found on the Ferrari California. If this is true then we can expect a hard top made from aluminum panels with a cast aluminum weight-bearing structure. This structure has reduced its overall weight and the moving masses involved. The entire opening/closing cycle is completed in just 14 seconds. It’ safe to say that we’ll find the same 4,499 cc V8 engine mated to an F1 dual-clutch gearbox under the hood of the Spyder version with the same 570 HP at 9,000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 6000 rpm as the coupe. The engine delivers an outstanding power output of 127 HP/liter and 120 Nm/liter and only 307 g/km of CO2 with a fuel consumption of just 13.3 l/100 km. As with any other convertible model, the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder will gain some weight due to the hardtop which will make performance suffer just a bit. The sprint from 0-60 mph will take a tad longer than 3.4 seconds while top speed will sit below 201 mph. UPDATE 07/15/2011: Ferrari has officially confirmed that the future 458 Italia Spyder will indeed feature a trick folding hard-top and not a cloth roof as used in its predecessor. The roadster version will also drop the transparent engine cover. (Piston Heads) Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 15 July 2011 16:00 EST.
|
| Posted: 20 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT
The 2012 Fiat Panda has been caught testing under extreme weather conditions somewhere in Italy revealing nothing but complete camouflage from head to toe. Despite the heavily clad exterior, details of the vehicle’s new design path have already been revealed due to some leaked patent drawings. The new Fiat Panda will adopt a more aerodynamic appearance with a rounded hood, a wider grille with sweptback headlights, and a sloping roofline. Other modifications to the exterior include a bigger air intake, a disproportionate rear quarter window, and a new set of wheels. The interior will also be significantly improved compared to the current model. So far, we haven’t heard a peep as to what will be residing under the hood, but we expect to see the same engine lineup as found in the Fiat 500. That lineup includes a 69 HP 1.2. 75 HP1.3 Multijet with DPF and a 100 bhp 1.4 16v, as well as TwinAir technology. The new Fiat Panda will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with sales to begin in early 2012. Fiat Panda originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 14:00 EST.
|
| Posted: 20 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT
Porsche has unveiled the official details on the seventh model in the Panamera line-up. The new Turbo S is the most powerful version and, of course, the most expensive one as well. On the US market sales will begin later this spring with an MSRP of $173,200. The car will make its first appearance at the New York Auto Show on April 20th, 2011. With the new Panamera Turbo S, Porsche has combined ultra high performance and efficiency, sports-car-like driving dynamics, and first-class comfort in just one car. Under the hood Porsche has placed a 4.8 liter, V8 biturbo engine that delivers an impressive 550 HP, a 50 HP improvement over the previous Turbo version. This is more than enough power to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 190 mph. We get all of this while receiving a fuel economy of 23 mph (highway). Throughout multiple Porsche lines, the Turbo S model has made an appearance and remains today as the range topping model. Some models are more inclined to find a buyer for an ultra-performance version, but other manufacturers have found success with the same formula. The Mercedes S-class has even more model variations than the Panamera, but even the ridiculously powerful S65 with a bi-turbo V12 has found plenty of takers. One of the biggest hurdles Porsche may face is the fact that the basic Panamera is less than beautiful and the Turbo S model is hard to distinguish. UPDATE 07/20/11: Porsche has been on a trailer fix the past few days and it continues with the release of the latest video promoting the 2012 Panamera Turbo S. This comes a day after the company released the first official teaser video of the next-generation 911. Not that we mind because the new Panamera Turbo S is about as beautiful a Porsche as you can find in the market these days. Click the photo above to watch the trailer! Hit the jump to read more about the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Porsche Panamera Turbo S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 13:00 EST.
|
| McLaren modifies MP4-12C after press test drive critiques Posted: 20 Jul 2011 05:00 AM PDT
McLaren began its research for the MP4-12C back in 2005 with a little something called "Project 11." This project consisted of the most advanced simulation software in the world and was used to test the future car’s ability at any track and any conditions. It’s been six years, and many grueling tests and revisions, later and it seems as if the MP4-12C is still not 100% up to the task. A McLaren spokesman has announced that the first units of the supercar to be delivered will feature additional revisions in response to the critique the supercar has received from the press. After initial press test drives, many journalists placed the McLaren supercar below Ferrari’s latest toy, the 458 Italia because "it lacked the aural drama and sense of occasion to match its pace and dynamic ability." With the hard work and dedication already put into the MP4-12C, McLaren felt it necessary to tweak the supercar before it was delivered to its high-paying customers. Modifications such as an improved throttle response and a "fruitier" exhaust note were applied and will take effect only in Track mode. McLaren also said that these modifications were already planned, but the press criticism made the company hightail the changes before the vehicles were delivered. "We want drivers to enjoy the car a bit more," a McLaren spokesman said. "The changes don't lead to any performance increase, but they do lead to an emotional increase when you drive the car. It was a bit too sensible before. You won't notice the changes in normal mode, just when you're really having fun and pushing it." McLaren modifies MP4-12C after press test drive critiques originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 12:00 EST.
|
| Honda CR-Z α Black Label Edition Posted: 20 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT
Honda has launched a special edition CR-Z "α · Black label (Alpha Black Label)" on the Japanese market. This model comes equipped with alloy wheels and a black interior, among other improvements. It will be offered in seven different exterior colors and will be priced from 2,510,000 yen or about $32,000 at the current exchange rates. Honda has opted for a black interior in order to create a sense of deep calm and advanced quality black-themed coordination (front seats, door linings, meter visor and the shift boot). The model is also equipped with 16" lightweight aluminum-coated wheels painted in metallic pewter gray. Nothing has changed under the hood so the hybrid CR-Z will still come with an IMA hybrid system made up of a 1.5 Liter gas burning engine combined with an electric motor. The electric motor provides an additional 14 HP for a grand total of 124 HP and 131 lb-ft of torque. Honda CR-Z α Black Label Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 11:00 EST.
|
| True Story: Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for only $5.28 Posted: 20 Jul 2011 03:00 AM PDT
Some people are born lucky and some just make their own luck. The case of Jonathan Mason is the perfect example of the latter. On what was just any other day in the Mason household, the 36-year husband and father found himself as the winner of a brand-new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS for the measly price of just $5.28. Yup, for a price of a Big Mac, this dude just scooped up a brand-spankin’ new Camaro. The car came as one of the first items being sold by a penny auction site and Mason found himself one of 82 people bidding for the car. All it took was 75 minutes and a couple of bids before the site officially declared this lucky man the winner. "It didn’t click at first, then I started yelling and my wife told me to take it outside because she was trying to put the baby down for a nap," Mason was quoted as saying by mlive.com. Needless to say, the initial shock of winning a car like a Camaro for just five dollars gave way to excitement over his price. And to make things sweeter for the resident of Frankenmuth, Michigan, all the expenses associated with the car, including shipping and taxes, were all taken cared of by the auction site. As for the auction site - fastpennycars.com - they apparently didn’t mind taking such a hit on their first auction because it earned them such much-needed publicity. As website founder Kent Kern said, "We wanted to do something different, and there are no other websites selling new cars." "It - the buzz surrounding the Camaro auction - has helped," he adds. We’re sure it has. True Story: Chevrolet Camaro SS sold for only $5.28 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:00 EST.
|
| Posted: 20 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT
Shortly after the release of the 2012 Mercedes SLK-Class, members of the automotive community began wondering what the AMG versions would be carrying under their bonnets. Thankfully, our spy photographers were on hand to capture the next generation SLK55 AMG and hear the thunderous sounds exiting its voluptuous engine. It seems as if the 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG will be sporting a V8 engine under it hood, more than likely the 5.5L twin-turbo V8 found in the new S63, CLS63, and CL63 AMG. This engine will deliver horsepower in the area of 400-450, up from the 355 HP the Mercedes currently delivers. This engine will be mated to a 7-speed sportshift automatic. The 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG will also be seeing some other changes such as an improved hood/nose shape with a new front spoiler, a new air dam with larger intake inlets, and rectangular quad-tipped tailpipes. The Mercedes will also get its usual array of large and shiny forged alloy wheels, big brakes, AMG badging, and color options. Stay tuned for more details on the 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG! UPDATE 07/20/11: Mercedes has finally revealed the long awaited powertrain that will come with the 2012 SLK55 AMG. Scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new SLK55 AMG will carry a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 416 horsepower and 398 lb/ft of torque. It looks like Mercedes has something in store for all of us come September. Mercedes SLK55 AMG originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 09:00 EST.
|
| Bill Warner becomes the first person to break 300 mph on a motorcycle Posted: 20 Jul 2011 01:00 AM PDT
There’s a saying that records are always meant to be broken and Bill Warner recently proved that in scintillating fashion. With a high-powered Suzuki motorcycle, the resident of Wimauma, Florida used the Loring Timing Association Land Speed Race as the site of his record-breaking run, becoming the fastest man on a motorcycle with a top speed of 311.945 mph. What’s more impressive than Warner breaking the record at such a sprightly age is the fact that he completely blew away the existing record of 273.356 mph with relative ease. The event was organized to host a number of record-setting attempts, but none came in a more convincing fashion than the way Warner blew past the existing mark, even if the attempt brought some certifiable danger to it. It certainly goes without saying that breaking 300 mph on a motorcycle presents certain dangers, including the ability to keep the bike in control at such high speeds. "The bike was bouncing, hopping, skipping and sliding," Warner said. "Needless to say, I got it stopped safely. It was a little scary." Congratulations to Warner for his record-setting achievement. Just goes to show that with a lot of hard work, coupled with some luck, any record can be broken on any given day. Bill Warner becomes the first person to break 300 mph on a motorcycle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 08:00 EST.
|
| Posted: 20 Jul 2011 12:20 AM PDT Cars: Mater to the Rescue! originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 07:20 EST.
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Top Speed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 komentar:
Tulis komentar anda untuk artikel TopSpeed Daily Update di atas!