Saturday 20 August 2011

The new 911

There are companies who make every car radically different, and then there are those who don't. You might think Porche is one of them, but no, the reason every other 911 is as similar to another as a beetle to another is because they have made a formula which is timeless. The 911, even though after 60+ years, still can turn heads.
And the latest 911 to be released in 2012, is no exception. Though the rear has changed significantly, especially the taillights.










Also, there is a hint in the new need for speed game trailer about it












Sunday 14 August 2011

Chevrolet Camaro


The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car produced by General Motors and marketed under the Chevrolet brand. It is the fifth distinct generation of the Camaro to be produced since its original introduction in 1967. Production of the new Camaro began on March 16, 2009 after several years on hiatus since the previous generation's production ended in 2002 and went on sale to the public in April 2009 for the 2010 model year.


It competes against cars such as the Subaru BRZ, the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and other cars in this range. 

2011

For the 2011 model year, the Camaro V6 engine was certified at 312 hp (233 kW) and 278 lb·ft (377 N·m), an increase of 8 hp (6.0 kW) and 5 lb·ft (6.8 N·m) from 2010. No engineering changes were made for the increase as GM claimed the 304 hp (227 kW) in the 2010 Camaro was a conservative rating.
The Synergy Green color from the 2010 Special Edition will be available on all 2011 model trim levels. A head-up display with most of the instrument panel's information will be offered. The HUD is a modified version of the Chevrolet Corvette's display. The main difference is that the Corvette's is able to display lateral g-forces, while the Camaro's can not.

Convertible


2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible
Production of the 2011 Camaro Convertible began on January 31, 2011 in Oshawa, Ontario, where the coupe is currently assembled. It arrived in dealerships in February, and is available in both base and SS versions like the coupe.

2012

For the 2012 model year, the Camaro LS's V6 engine receives new upgrades, including lighter components, new cylinder head design, improved intake port design and larger intake vales, and new fuel pump and fuel injectors. This results in an engine over 20 pounds (9.1 kg) lighter than the 2011 one, producing 323 horsepower (241 kW) at 6,800 rpm, 11 hp more than 2011, and 278 lb·ft (377 N·m) torque.
Other changes include a new FE4 suspension package for the SS, a revised instrument panel and steering wheel, and an available rear-view camera.

ZL1

Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro model, the ZL1, at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. The ZL1 features a supercharged and intercooled 6.2L V-8 engine that produces an estimated 550 hp. A six speed manual with a dual plate clutch, MagneRide active suspension (formerly used in the Corvette lineup), 20 inch Goodyear Supercar F2 tires with aluminum wheels, and 14.4/14.6 inch Brembo brakes are included. The vehicle is expected to be available in early 2012 for the 2012 model year. Pricing has not been finalized yet, but it was estimated that the ZL1 will have the base price around $47,000.

45th Anniversary Edition

Chevrolet will also offer a special edition 45th anniversary Camaro for 2012. It debuted at the Camaro5 Fest II in Arizona on April 15, 2011. The package includes unique badges, dark silver wheels and lamp bezels, Jet Black interior with white panel inserts, and red, white, and blue stitching.



Transformers Special Edition

On July 22, 2009, GM announced a Transformers Special Edition appearance package for the 2010 Camaro at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. The US$995 appearance package (RPO code: CTH) can be applied to LT and SS Camaros with or without the optional RS package and could only be applied to orders made in the Rally Yellow exterior scheme. The package includes an Autobot shield badge on the driver and passenger side panels underneath the Camaro nameplate, Autobot shield on each of the four wheel's center cap, Autobot shield embroidered on interior center console, Transformers logo on driver and passenger doors' sill plates replacing the original "Camaro" labeled plates, high-gloss black center rally stripe package with the Transformers ghost logo embedded. Production of the add-on package ceased on January 12, 2010 and was estimated that around 1500 units were to have been produced straight from Order Workbenches.



Fifth gear camaro review

The v8 pony car drag race



camaro vs. mustang vs. challenger



























Friday 12 August 2011

McLaren MP4-12C


This is McLaren's answer to Ferrari and also the legendary F1's succesor. It looks good, performs great and handles very well. It will be the smaller car in McLaren's range, after the highly aniticipated McLaren P1. This product by McLaren competes with established cars such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo


The McLaren MP4-12C is a sports car designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. It is the first production car wholly designed and built by McLaren since the McLaren F1, which for a long time held the record for the fastest production car in the world. The car's final design was unveiled on 8 September 2009, and it is set to be launched in 2011. The MP4-12C will feature a carbon fibre compositechassis, and will be powered by a mid-mounted McLaren M838T 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine developing approximately 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and around 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque. The car will make use of Formula 1-sourced technologies such as "brake steer ", where the inside rear wheel is braked during fast cornering to reduce understeer. Power will be transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox. When tested on the British motoring show Top Gear, the MP4-12C completed a lap of the test track in 1:16.2 to become the second fastest car on the lap board, 1.1 seconds slower than the Ariel Atom 500, and 3.1 seconds faster than its key performance rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia. However it was slower at three other comparisons: at an EVO magazine test it was over a second slower than the Ferrari around the Bedford Autodrome West track, it was also slower in Fifth Gear and Car Magazine. The MP4-12C will be sold at a price of £168,500 in the United Kingdom., and $229,000 for the US market. To celebrate the launch of the car, McLaren F1 partner Tag Heuer will release the limited edition Carrera MP4-12C watch, available only at McLaren dealers.



Specifications

Design

As with the McLaren F1, carbon fibre (Carbon MonoCell) is used extensively in the vehicle to minimize weight. The MP4-12C will weigh only 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) dry. The chassis is based around an F1 style one-piece carbon fibre tub, weighing only 80 kg (176 lb).
The car will have a conventional two side-by-side seating arrangement, unlike its predecessor the McLaren F1 which featured an irregular three seat formation (front center, two behind either side). To make up for this however, the car's central console is narrower than in other cars, seating the driver closer to the center.
Interior trim and materials can be specified in asymmetric configuration - known as "Driver Zone".

Engine

The car is powered by the M838T 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, McLaren's first ever engine design. It was designed and developed by McLaren in partnership with Ricardo. The design of the engine was based on the Nissan VRH35 racing engine used in Le Mans in 1998. However, other than the 93 mm bore, little of that engine remains in the M838T. It produces 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque. It has a redline of 8,500 rpm, with 80% of torque available at just 2,000 rpm. When first announced McLaren claimed that it would have a higher horsepower to carbon dioxide emission ratio than any internal-combustion engine available at the time.

Transmission

The engine is connected to a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox made in Italy by Graziano. Dubbed the "Seamless Shift Gearbox" or SSG, the gearbox features a system dubbed "Pre-Cog" that allows the driver to preselect the next gear by lightly tapping the paddle.

Performance

McLaren have stated the MP4-12C can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.9 seconds. The car will have a top speed in excess of 322 km/h (200 mph) and will be able to brake from 200 km/h (124 mph) to a complete stop in under five seconds. Braking from 100 km/h (62 mph) to zero can be done in under 30 metres (98 ft), around seven car lengths. It is expected the 12C will complete the standard quarter mile in slightly less than 11 seconds.
On July 10, 2011, on the BBC programme Top Gear, the MP4-12C set the second fastest lap around the Top Gear Track, posting a time of 1:16.2  The car was developed and tested on the Top Gear test track before its appearance on the show. The MP4-12C finished second behind the Ferrari 458 Italia in Car Magazine'sJuly 2011 group test. It was also beaten into third by the Porsche 911 GT2 in the lap times set at Rockingham Speedway by racing driver Ben Collins.

Nomenclature

The name of the new McLaren sports car is MP4-12C. 'MP4' has been the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. Since 1997, "MP4" has stood for McLaren Project 4 (from 1981 to 1996, when McLaren's title sponsor was Marlboro, the "M" stood for this), resulting from the merger of Ron Dennis' Project 4 organisation with McLaren. The '12' refers to McLaren's internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car's development. The 'C' refers to Carbon, highlighting the unique application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars. The elements of this name represent everything that the McLaren MP4-12C stands for:
MP4-12C shares its name with the MP4/12 Formula 1 car that raced in the 1997 season. This car featured a second brake pedal discovered by photographers to counter understeer on the exit of the corners by selecting the inside rear wheel, similar to the computer controlled "brake steer" system of the MP4-12C.

Variants

Convertible

In addition to the coupe, a convertible version of the MP4-12C is under development at McLaren. The convertible is planned to have a retractable hardtop that will be made from either aluminium or carbon fibre. McLaren is working to preserve the coupé's 200 mph top speed. Meanwhile, the unique butterfly wing doors of the coupé will be retained.

Motorsports

GT3

In December 2010 McLaren announced that they would produce a small number of MP4-12C cars in order for them to compete in the FIA GT3 European Championship. McLaren stated that they will provide maintenance for the cars and will begin racing in 2012 with the CRS Racing team. The MP4-12C will be the first car to compete in sportscar racing for the company, since the F1 GTR. It received its début with a single car entry for the Spa Francorchamps round of theBritish GT championship. This was followed by a three car entry in the 2011 Spa 24 Hours.
Compared to the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 produces less power with only 493 bhp (368 kW; 500 PS) due to homologation. The car features a new bespoke 6-speed gearbox that is 80 kg (176 lb) lighter than the road car's 7-speed, developed with Ricardo. The steering wheel is lifted straight from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car.

Auto Express test of the stunning car
                                                          Evo mag's test of the F1 successor