performance of cars: August 2011

Sunday, August 14, 2011

2010 Dodge Journey SR

The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover wagon that was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. It has seen mediocre sales since its debut with 47,097 units sold in 2008 and 53,826 in 2009. With the explosion of hatchbacks in the market recently and the void of hatchbacks in Dodge’s lineup, it leaves tuning companies with little options to choose from. Now, it seems that the tuning form, Irmscher, has decided to play around with the possibilities by Dodge. It’s not every day we see a tuned-up Dodge model, especially a Journey model, but the German tuner Irmscher decided to give the vehicle a chance and the result looks quite promising.

Although the changes are purely cosmetic, the tuner managed to offer a sporty and aggressive look to a model with little success on the market. The exterior package includes: a metallic black finish with twin-rally stripes in vintage orange (Inferno Red Metallic color with black stripes comes as an option), lower front apron, roof spoiler, chrome tail pipe, and tinted rear windows.

The interior gets a leather treatment for the instrument panel, aluminum sport pedals, a chunkier leather sports steering wheel, chrome/aluminum accents, and unique floor mats.

In Germany, prices will start at €31,190.

Pagani Zonda Price List Black Colour

General Info:
Price: $325,000
Miles Per Gallon: --- mpg
Curb Weight: 2756 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Engine:
Type: V12
Displacement: 7291 cc
Horsepower: 555 bhp @ 5900 rpm
Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 4050 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm

Performance:
0-60 mph: 3.5 sec
0-100 mph: 8 sec
Quarter Mile: ---
Skidpad: ---
Top Speed: 220 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 127 ft
Slalom Speed: 64.5 mph

2009 Dodge Journey crossover will debut in Frankfurt

Meet the 2009 Dodge Journey, a new crossover from the crosshairs brand that will debut early next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. Why the international debut? The 2009 Journey will be an international vehicle, sold both in the U.S. and Canada, as well as markets outside North America. The new Journey is one of those vehicles that wants to look like an SUV, haul stuff like a station wagon and ride like a passenger car.

Known by the code name JC49 for months, the Dodge Journey is actually based on an Avenger chassis with a wheelbase lengthened 4.9 inches. That provides extra room for an optional third-row seat for "occasional use". The Journey also includes some clever features like a large storage bin beneath the front passenger seat cushion, as well as two in-floor bins behind the front seats big enough to carry a 12-pack each and some ice.

Dodge designed the Journey with a traditional crossover look, eschewing the amped up machismo look of many recent Dodge looks. Of course, the monochromatic R/T looks the best, especially wearing 19-inch wheels. The interior of the 2009 Journey is also not traditional Dodge fare. While we can't comment on how the materials feel, it does appear the Journey is sporting new switchgear, and a lot of it. The audio and HVAC controls are a barrage of buttons that could be intimidating to some.

Friday, August 12, 2011

VW XL1 will bring fuel consumption to new level

We’re always on the look-out for interesting prototypes: see our previous blog where we looked at some concept cars with stunning new design features. Now Volkswagen has taken concept vehicles to a new level because not only do they present an interesting futuristic design – kinda like the Audi that featured in the film iRobot – but also a car that will bring fuel consumption to a new level: VW say the vehicle will cover 100km on less than a litre of petrol! Considering this is a petrol engine – not electric, hybrid or diesel – that’s some feat. It also confirms that manufacturers are turning their attention back to petrol and improving the economy – and the CO2 emissions – of petrol engines after the sustained effort with diesels in that regard over the last number of years.

The two-seater prototype is named as the XL1, and VW say it is the most fuel-efficient car in the world. Furthemore it will have CO2 emissions of just 24g/km of greenhouse gases! The vehicle was unveiled at the Quatar Motor Show. Here are a few pictures.

The company say the secret of the car’s fuel efficiency lies in the ‘structural skin’ a lightweight shell, similar to some F1 cars, made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer. This reduces the weight significantly – to about 800kg.

In the engine bay the engineers have used a 1.6-litre TDi turbo diesel with 48 horsepower coupled with a 27 horse-power e-motor. The car is described as ‘near production’ - perhaps 2013 – and it gives us the first real near-production glimpse of future automotive design.

VW XL1 is Like the Chevy Volt

volkswagen-xl1-concept-front-three-quarters-view

A plug-in hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, right? Things aren’t quite that simple. Although Volkswagen’s XL1 concept does abide by the same concept behind the Chevrolet Volt — arguably one of the most publicized plug-in hybrids to hit the market — the execution does differ notably between the two.

At the heart of the Volt lies a unique powertrain configuration that blends aspects of parallel and series hybrid systems together. Power is split through an electrically variable transmission, but the electric motor — even when the battery’s charge is almost depleted — primarily drives the front wheels. The engine typically serves as a generator, sending electricity to that motor. However, in certain conditions (i.e. hard launches, high-speed cruising, etc), it too can help provide motive force to the drive wheels.

The XL1, however, uses a pure parallel system, similar to that used in the Touareg Hybrid. The package sandwiches an electric motor between a 0.8-liter, two-cylinder diesel engine, and a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission, which is then coupled to the drive axle.

Volkswagen believes this configuration is more efficient because of the mechanical link between the power source and the drive wheels. When functioning as an EV, the motor has seven different forward gears to move the car — in contrast, the Volt only has two ratios. Additionally, when the XL1’s battery pack is depleted, the TDI engine is directly connected to the wheels. VW says the engine is more efficient performing in this manner than it is functioning as a generator.

Interestingly, this powertrain configuration may change in the near future. Jürgen Leohold, VW’s director of research & development revealed to us that VW does plan on building a small batch of XL1s by 2013, but it is unlikely the vehicles will actually be fitted with the small diesel two-cylinder shown here. Instead, the quasi-production models will likely use a turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline two-cylinder.

Not only does such an engine already exist within VW’s engineering labs (it was once rumored to be used in the Up! family of small cars), but Leohold says there are a number of advantages to going gasoline instead of diesel. Although the TSI is 10 percent more thirsty than the comparable TDI, it needs less equipment to meet emissions regulations. Ironically, that makes the engine less expensive to install, although the TDI’s design is reportedly mechanically simpler.

Volkswagen has just unveiled its XL1 to the world, and no, it's not a Burger King special.

This, people of Earth, is the Super Efficient Vehicle; the third iteration of Volkswagen's continuing mission to mock today's emissions regulations by creating a concept which returns 313mpg.

The XL1 also emits 24g/km of CO2, setting unbelievable benchmarks for saving our green 'n' blue hemisphere. VW says its combined range is around 340 miles on a 10-litre tank.

All-New 2009 Infiniti FX Bows in Geneva

Last week a single teaser shot of the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX leaked onto the web. Today Infiniti officially unveiled the all-new FX in Geneva.

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009_fx.jpg

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2009_fx_11.jpg

2009 Infiniti FX Geneva View Interior Designs

The 2009 FX is going to come with either a new 5.0L 32-valve V8 with over 380 horsepower or a V6 engine (specs tbd). Both engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission Adaptive Shift Control and available solid magnesium paddle shifters.

1997 McLaren F1 for sale

We’ve seen a lot of awesome cars being sold through Jameslist, so it really doesn’t surprise us to see a 1997 McLaren F1 that’s been put up for sale on the site.

There are very few cars in this planet that have had a lasting stay on our wishlists, but the McLaren F1 is certainly one of them. Sure, the chances of us actually owning one are remote at best, but that doesn’t mean one of you can’t fork up the money to buy it.

This particular McLaren F1 only has 6,711 miles on its odometer and it comes with all the original niceties, including a full tool kit in the rolling box, the McLaren Luggage collection, and even the McLaren watch that comes with the car’s very own Chassis Number, an important piece in the whole package to authenticate the supercar as the real deal. What’s more, all the necessary taxes have already been paid for – import and VAT – so you won’t need to worry about forking over that extra money to make the purchase.

The price of the car is available upon request so if you’re interested, you might want to hit these guys up.

Predator Xtreme is a supercar mash-up of disastrous proportions

You know how people immediately assume that combining elements from jaw-dropping vehicles and mashing them all up spontaneously nets them a wondrous piece of automotive engineering? Sure, it works sometimes. But for the most part, we’re left scratching our heads while looking at this ungodly sight, bemoaning the sheer lack of creative foresight by the people who built it.

This is the Predator Xtreme, a car that could have been built when somebody put a Ferrari Enzo, a Lamborghini Reventon, a McLaren F1, and an Infinity G35 into a giant blender, put it on full blast, and watched as this piece of work come out.

Now, it probably isn’t as bad as it looks, especially at first glance. But once you take a minute and start examining the car, you’ll notice that a lot of what makes the car look the way it does is the elements found in the aforementioned supercars. The front end looks like a dysfunctional marriage between an Enzo and a Reventon, the interior seating lay-out looks to have been ripped out of a McLaren F1 – except that this one looks far more cramped - and don’t even get us started on why those taillights look suspiciously like the ones found on the G35. It’s because they are!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

2011 McLaren F1 still going strong

imeless. Precisely the word that can be used to describe the McLaren F1. The English supercar maker is celebrating the 20th birthday of (still) the fastest non-turbocharged supercar in the world, the McLaren F1 that boasts top speeds of 370 KPH.

To celebrate, McLaren hosted a celebration dinner at its Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, on April 27th for the owners of the car that some consider the greatest performance car of all time. The dinner was followed by a walk through the display of 21 examples of the car – the largest number assembled in one place.

Ron Dennis, Executive Chairman at McLaren, said: “The F1 is a technological tour-de-force and a real triumph in terms of packaging and design. “Whether endurance racing or on the road, it is supremely fast, agile and yet comfortable. Its styling is enduring and will never fade.”

The celebration will continue throughout the year and the F1 car along with the launch of the MP4-12C will take place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Car with Incredible Doors

Have you ever wanted a car that slides its doors upward? Well, if you’re thinking what it might look like then you definitely have to see this McLaren F1. This automobile is made by one of the famous company of cars – the McLaren which manufactures the fastest cars in the world. This model has doors that open upward, known as gull-wing doors. It can travel up to 240 mph (391 km/h). It has a long and thin strip on the back, called spoiler that pulls the car down the road to enhance its grip on the ground for faster moving.

McLaren F1 is definitely made for racing. The fact that the driver’s seat is located in the middle to keep the driver focused on the track race or road race. It has powerful engine like any other sports car have. However, McLaren F1 is not fit for everyday use. It is entitled as the finest driving automobile that can be used for public. This very fast sports car has turbochargers and superchargers. Up to now, year 2010, it remains as the fastest car ever built.

Rowan Atkinson mclaren f1 crash

Comedian Rowan Atkinson crashed the £650,000 sports car he bought to celebrate the success of his movie in the role of Mr Bean.

The front of the McLaren F1 supercar was wrecked in the collision with the rear of a Rover Metro in Lancashire.

BEFORE

AFTER

2011 Honda jazz

honda jazz 2011 A highlight of the Jazz speed controller is the dynamic automatic adjusting of its beat frequency and its commutation angle. Although most vehicles can save fuel by following these tips, but the Honda Jazz has had and follow these tips will increase fuel efficiency - have gains.

2011 Mclaren F1

The mclaren F1 is my fav car. It is ONE of the fastest cars ever. I like it becuase it is cool and fast. I hope to get one when I grow up.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Race car

McLaren is making its way back into the GT sports car racing scene with a limited number of GT3 racing cars based on the MP4-12C sports car. These models will be designed and developed by McLaren and CRS Racing, and should make their first racing debut in the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series.

"The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing’s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012."

McLaren is confident that the MP4-12C’s revolutionary lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis, high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance, and focus on form and function make it an obvious choice to bring back racing success to the McLaren name. The last win McLaren had was in the McLaren F1 GTR when it won the Lemans Series 15 years ago. The MP4-12C GT3 will be the first McLaren car built for FIA GT series racing since the McLaren F1 GTR finished production in 1997.

At yesterday’s official launch of the new MP4-12C GT3 race car, managing Director Antony Sheriff talked about the company’s future plans and we like what we heard. Turns out, the company has plans to offer a road legal version of the GT3. It will be limited to about 20 units and will be put on sale at a price higher than $500K.

In an interview with Inside Line Sheriff also said that McLaren doesn’t have any plans to "over-egg it" with the MP4-12C. A roadgoing McLaren is in the works, but the car will not get various models like Porsche did with the 911.

Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Renovatio

To Download Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Renovatio wallpaper click on full size and then right-click and save picture

2012 Ford Falcon GT-H

When a 450-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 is not enough, Ford will soon offer an even more powerful version of the engine — in the Australian Falcon sedan. That model — the Falcon GT-H, is shown here, winter testing.

The car you’re seeing here starts with the 2011 Mustang’s 5.0-liter V-8 and adds a supercharger for Falcon GT duty. Upgrading to the GT-H means including twin intercoolers, pushing horsepower closer to 500.

Ford’s Falcon GT hit the streets at the very end of 2010. The model represented the first time Ford Performance Vehicles used a supercharger.

“FPV’s customers certainly won’t be disappointed by the performance of the new GT range, or in the way the cars drive, and they have real presence with the new graphics package,” said FPV general manager Rod Barrett about the Falcon GT.

The GT-H may borrow the GT-P’s 13-inch Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers front and rear. The prototype shown here wears chunky, five-spoke wheels and has a big spoiler like the GT model. It remains to be seen whether the GT-H will be offered with eye-catching paint packages seen on other high-performance Falcons.

LED daytime running lights similar to those seen on the Fiesta, Taurus, and Edge might be integrated into the lower fascia. Then again, with those two intercoolers, the space normally reserved for fog lights may have been removed to provide more space.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

hot cars and bikes

hot cars and bikes

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hot cars and bikes

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hot cars and bikes

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hot cars and bikes

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hot cars and bikes

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