Archive for April, 2010

“best Real World” Sports Car Named

April 21st, 2010

The world of sports cars is one that is packed with aesthetically pleasing vehicles with heart pounding performance on the streets or on the track. Choosing one over the other is pretty much a hard choice. The performance and looks of sports car in the market are so bold that one would rather choose all of them than single one out as the best of the best.

Recently though, MSN website visitors voted the BMW » Read more: “best Real World” Sports Car Named

Maybach Exelero – high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach

April 21st, 2010
Maybach Exelero

Maybach Exelero - high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach
Maybach Exelero - high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach
Maybach Exelero - high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach

The Maybach Exelero is a high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach. The 690 hp (SAE) (514 kW) two-seater with a bi-turbo V12 engine is a one-off design commissioned by Fulda Tyres. Fulda is using this Maybach as a reference vehicle to test a new generation of wide tyres. The German luxury car manufacturer created the one-off model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined car of the 1930s. There are various allusions to the historical predecessor, which was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile, in this case the Maybach SW 38, and was also used by Fulda for tyre testing.

Maybach Exelero - high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque MaybachSpecifications
* Length : 5.89 m (19.3 ft)
* Width : 2.14 m (7.0 ft)
* Weight : 2660 kg (5864 lb)
* Engine : V12 bi-turbo from Maybach 57 S 690 hp (SAE) (522 kW), 1020 N·m (737 ft·lbf)
* Top speed : 351 km/h (218 mph)
* Tires : 315/25 ZR 23
* Fuel used for Top speed test: 110 octane (6€/liter)

Maybach Exelero - high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach


MINI John Cooper – high performance engineering on mini model

April 21st, 2010
Mini John Cooper Works Convertible

MINI John Cooper - high performance engineering on mini model
MINI John Cooper - high performance engineering on mini model
MINI John Cooper - high performance engineering on mini model

Featuring the same high performance engineering modifications as the Hatch model carrying the John Cooper Works badge, the Convertible’s 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine produces 211 hp and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed.

The newcomer’s petrol power plant is a significantly revised version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit found in MINI Cooper S models, and the same as that in the MINI Challenge race car. The engine is lighter, stronger and is supplied with a larger air intake and an exhaust system specifically designed for John Cooper Works cars.
The transmission’s gearing is strengthened to handle the extra available power; power that pushes the car to a remarkable output of 132 hp per litre, yet still able to offer an amazing 39.8 mpg.

The lengthy standard kit list of every MINI John Cooper Works Convertible includes a bespoke John Cooper Works Alcantara steering wheel, sport seats, John Cooper Works floor mats and glossy piano black interior. Air conditioning is fitted as standard, as it is now on every new MINI.
Performance of the Works car is underlined by an exclusive speedometer, which runs to 160 mph to account for the car’s higher top speed than that of any other MINI.

A Sport button is located in front of the gear stick. When pressed it activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response. The gear knob featuring a red gearing diagram is unique to the MINI John Cooper Works.
Unique lightweight 17″ alloy wheels in Cross-spoke CHALLENGE design, shod with Run-flat tyres, feature on the exciting new Convertible. A John Cooper Works Aero kit is standard and the tuning brand’s logo is positioned on the boot, grille, brakes and door sills.

MINI John Cooper - high performance engineering on mini model

Extra-large disc brakes paired with upgraded bright red Brembo performance callipers are supplied. Chassis technologies ensuring a sporty and safe driving experience are also standard features of the MINI John Cooper Works:
* ABS Brakes
* EBD Electronic Brake Force Distribution
* CBC Cornering Brake Control
* EDLC Electronic Differential Lock Control
* DSC Dynamic Stability Control (incorporating Hill Assist)
* DTC Dynamic Traction Control

Unique to MINI John Cooper Works models is EDLC. With DSC fully deactivated, the car’s Electronic Differential Lock Control delivers an even sportier driving experience. EDLC works when the car is accelerating hard out of corners or tight bends. In this situation, it electronically slows the spinning inside wheel to enhance grip and ensure that all available power is transferred to the road through the wheel with greatest traction. In contrast to the way DSC and DTC manage power delivery to the wheels, EDLC does not intervene with the throughput of engine power, meaning the driver is in near total control of the handling of the car.
MINI John Cooper - high performance engineering on mini model
The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible will be built entirely in the UK

With the new MINI Convertible now rolling off the line, several points of operation at MINI Plant Swindon and Oxford have been modified. BMW Group invested in new assembly stations for the Convertible tailgate at Plant Swindon. At Plant Oxford, the bodyshop installed and commissioned all necessary facilities and infrastructure to meet the high quality standards and geometrical accuracy for the Convertible body.

Associates in final assembly have transformed all work areas to integrate production of the new Convertible efficiently, and are now building the complete MINI model line-up once again on a single assembly line.