The Škoda Yeti (Typ 5L) is a five-door five-seater mini SUV model built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March, as the division's first entry into the popular SUV market. Announcement was made in late 2010 that Škoda Yeti will be built in China by Shanghai-VW in 2013. According to the European Car of the Year website, the Yeti was placed fourth in the 2010 award. In June 2011 Skoda built the 100,000th Yeti. Concept cars were shown prior to the launch of the production vehicle.In most of the EU, the Yeti is available with three different trim levels: Experience, Ambition and Track (or Active in some markets). However in the UK it is available in four trim levels, E, S, SE and Elegance. In India, it is available in Elegance and Ambiente trims. Its luggage capacity, aided by the 'VarioFlex' rear seats, ranges from 405 litres (14.3 cu ft), up to 1,760 litres (62.2 cu ft) when the rear seats are removed. The Škoda Yeti has been awarded a 5-star safety rating by the Euro NCAP. It scored an impressive 92% adult occupant protection in the frontal and side crash tests, 78% child occupant protection and 46% in the pedestrian safety test. It also scored 71% in the Safety Assist equipment, as it comes with standand driver/passenger seatbelt reminders. It also includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDS) - which is currently standard equipment on most variants throughout Europe and optional on others. Protection against whiplash injury in the rear-impact (whiplash) test was also good. It can be ordered with up to 11 airbags (dual front, front side torso, rear side torso, front and rear side curtain, and driver's knee airbag). The powertrain offerings in the Yeti include a range of internal combustion engines, all of which are four cylinder (I4) four-stroke turbocharged and EU5 emissions standard compliant. petrol engines are all fuel injected and diesel engines are all common rail (CR) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) with diesel particulate filter (DPF).
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Audi S3 Sportback
Audi S3 Sportback Side View
Honda City
Honda replaced the original City in 1986 (designated GA1), with an update in 1989 (GA2). This model was produced until 1994. The Fit name also first appeared as a trim variant of the City. There was no convertible model. In most European markets, the City's market position was left open until filled by the Honda Logo in 1999. The third generation Honda City, codenamed SX8 but with chassis codes 3A2 (1.3) and 3A3 (1.5), was based on the EK Civic platform. It was designed for and sold in the South East Asian market only. First production began in an all-new plant in Ayutthaya, Thailand, in April 1996. From the beginning, these Thai Citys had more than 70% local content. The bumpers were constructed in three separate pieces to allow for easier shipping from Japan. There were originally a lower grade LXi and a higher-spec EXi available. This City is still a subcompact slotting beneath the Honda Civic, but a four-door sedan model instead for developing markets in Asia, and was built in Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and India. A revised, face-lifted third-generation City was released in 2000, called the "City type Z" in some markets. By 2001 a model powered by Honda's 1.5 liter VTEC engines (VTi) appeared, featuring a rear-stabilizer for better handling. The facelift model received new front- and taillights, as well as one-piece bumpers. The third generation city had fuel injected SOHC 16-valve D-series engines, namely variations of the D13B and D15B. The original 1.3 L (1,343 cc) D13B produced 95 PS (70 kW) at 6,400 rpm for a claimed top speed of 171 km/h (106 mph) and 0–100 km/h in 11.3 seconds. This was later complemented by the 1.5 litre D15B, which was reduced in power for the Asian markets where the car was sold, but had a power to weight ratio superior to the competition nonetheless. The D15B engine also arrived in a version featuring VTEC, with an output of 115 PS (85 kW). The VTEC-engined City has a 0–100 km/h time of around 10 seconds. The car had a sporty suspension set-up. In many of its intended markets it was one of very few sub-compacts with fully independent rear suspension (dropped in the later models due to its high cost) which allowed for greater feedback and enhanced handling.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo
The Saleen S7 is a limited-production, hand-built, high-performance American supercar developed jointly by Steve Saleen for the initial concept and direction, Hidden Creek Industries for resources and initial funding, Phil Frank for the body and interior CAD design and development, and Ray Mallock Ltd. for the chassis engineering. It was the only car produced by Saleen not based on an existing chassis. The S7 debuted on August 19, 2000 at the Monterey Historic Races. From 2000 until 2004, the S7 featured a Ford 427 big block, naturally aspirated V8 engine with 550 horsepower (410 kW). In 2005, the S7 was replaced by the S7 Twin Turbo, which featured a more powerful twin-turbo system that boosted engine power to 750 horsepower (760 PS/559 kW) and the top speed 248 mph (399 km/h).
The original naturally aspirated version of the S7 can accelerate from 0–60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in an estimated 3.8 seconds, and to 100 miles per hour in an estimated 8.1 seconds. It can complete a standing quarter mile in an estimated 11.75 seconds, reaching 126 miles per hour (203 km/h). The maximum top speed of the car is 200.1 mph (322.0 km/h).
The engine was upgraded with two Garrett turbochargers producing 5.5 psi (0.4 bar) of boost, increasing the maximum power to 750 horsepower (760 PS/559 kW) at 6300 rpm, and the maximum torque to 700 lb·ft (949 N•m) at 4800 rpm. The front and rear diffusers and the rear spoiler were also reworked to increase downforce by 60%.
The chassis comprises a space frame-derived design consisting 4130 lightweight steel and aluminum honeycomb composite reinforcing panels. It is divided into bolt-fastened sub-assemblies to allow for rapid access to critical subsystems. The light weight of the chassis allows for the car to weigh a mere 2750 pounds (1247 kg).
The interior of the Saleen S7 was designed to be both luxurious and functional. Leather appears throughout the cabin, with aluminum accents, and the S7 comes with a set of custom-fit luggage. Because of the car's mid-engine layout, it has two trunks, front and rear. Other features include an LCD monitor, rear-view camera, quick-release steering-wheel and a 240 mile per hour (386 km/h) speedometer. The cabin is of an asymmetrical layout, with the custom-fitted driver's seat positioned toward the center both to improve the driver's visibility and center their weight in the vehicle.
In 2010, the Oreca finish-assembled S7-R (chassis number 610) of Larbre Compétition won the final and it's only LMGT1 class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initial fabrication and assembly of this chassis was performed by Saleen's Irvine, CA engineering team in 2006-2007 after normal business hours due to a shortage of funding. Subsequently, Saleen engineers named the car Melissa, after the girlfriend of one of the Saleen race engineers.
The engine was upgraded with two Garrett turbochargers producing 5.5 psi (0.4 bar) of boost, increasing the maximum power to 750 horsepower (760 PS/559 kW) at 6300 rpm, and the maximum torque to 700 lb·ft (949 N•m) at 4800 rpm. The front and rear diffusers and the rear spoiler were also reworked to increase downforce by 60%.
The chassis comprises a space frame-derived design consisting 4130 lightweight steel and aluminum honeycomb composite reinforcing panels. It is divided into bolt-fastened sub-assemblies to allow for rapid access to critical subsystems. The light weight of the chassis allows for the car to weigh a mere 2750 pounds (1247 kg).
In 2010, the Oreca finish-assembled S7-R (chassis number 610) of Larbre Compétition won the final and it's only LMGT1 class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initial fabrication and assembly of this chassis was performed by Saleen's Irvine, CA engineering team in 2006-2007 after normal business hours due to a shortage of funding. Subsequently, Saleen engineers named the car Melissa, after the girlfriend of one of the Saleen race engineers.
Ferrari Enzo
The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was built in 2002 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style electrohydraulic shift transmission, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite disc brakes. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics and traction control. After a downforce of 775 kg (1,709 lb) is reached at 355.6 km/h (221 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce. The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant. The Enzo, named after the founder, was established to commemorate Ferrari's first formula one title of the new millennium. The Enzo was designed by Ken Okuyama, the Japanese former Pininfarina head designer, and initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a limited production run of 349 and at US $659,330. The company sent invitations to existing customers, specifically, those who had previously bought the F40 and F50. All 349 cars were sold in this way before production began. Later, after numerous requests, Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos, bringing the total to 399. Before being unveiled at the Paris Motor show, the Enzo (that was used in the show) was flown from Italy to California to be filmed in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. It was driven on a beach by actress Demi Moore. After filming was complete, the Enzo was flown to France to be in the Motor Show. Enzos are listed as being built in 2003. In 2003 an Enzo Ferrari delivered to Houston, Texas attorney Joe D. Jamail, Jr. was involved in a driving mishap and was totally consumed by fire. Ferrari made an additional vehicle for Mr. Jamail that carried the same serial number as the destroyed car. This kept the number of Enzo Ferraris at 400. Ferrari built one more Enzo — the 400th car — and it was auctioned by Sotheby's Maranello Auction on June 28, 2005, to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami for €950,000 (US$1,274,229), almost twice its list price. This sum was presented to Pope Benedict XVI, while former Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher gave the pope a steering wheel to commemorate the donation. This wheel included a plaque which read, "The Formula 1 World Champion's steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Catholicism's driver. The Enzo Ferrari typically trades above $1,000,000 (£800,000) at auction. Three prototype "mules" were built, M1, M2, and M3. Each was bodied to look like a 348, even though the mules were built in 2000. The third mule was offered for auction alongside the 400th Enzo in June, 2005, bringing €195,500 (US$236,300).
As the result of the Enzo, Ferrari has decided to use some of the technology developed for it in a small-scale program to get more feedback from certain customers for use in future car design as well as their racing program. The core of this program is the Ferrari FXX. It is loosely based on the Enzo's design with a highly-tuned 6.3 litre version of the Enzo's engine putting out roughly 800 PS (590 kW; 790 hp). The gearbox is new as well as the tires (custom-designed for this car by Bridgestone) and the brakes (developed by Brembo). In addition, the car is fitted with extensive data-recording and telemetry systems to allow Ferrari to record the car's behavior. This information will be used by Ferrari to develop their future sports cars. Like the Enzo, the car was sold to specially selected existing clients of Ferrari only. The initial price was €1.3 million. Unlike the Enzo, the clients did not take delivery of the car themselves. Rather, it is maintained by Ferrari and available for the client's use on various circuits as arranged by Ferrari and also during private track sessions. The car is not expected to be street-legal or suitable for road use. The Ferrari FXX program will continue until 2008/2009 with the Ferrari FXX Evoluźione. The car will continue to be improved under the Evolution kit, which will continually adjust specifics to create more power, change gearing, and remove drag. The 6262 cc V12 engine will be pushing out 860 PS (630 kW; 850 hp) at 9500 rpm. There will be gearbox changes so that shift time will be reduced to 60 milliseconds per shift, a reduction of 20 milliseconds. The car will also undergo aerodynamic changes and improvements to the traction control system. Its top speed is 227 miles per hour (365 km/h). Pininfarina had wanted to do a special one-off Enzo-based supercar and was looking for a backer. After sending out feelers to its clients, American Ferrari collector, James Glickenhaus eventually agreed to back the project by commissioning the car as a modern homage to great Ferrari sports racing cars such as the 330 P3/4, 512 S, 312 P, and 333 SP on the last unregistered U.S.-spec Enzo chassis. The car was dubbed the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina, and retains the Enzo's drivetrain and vehicle identification number. The car was unveiled at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and appeared in the September issue of Car and Driver. The "photos" previously shown in AutoWeek and Octane were not close to what the car looks like. After its unveiling at Pebble Beach, the P4/5 returned to Europe for high speed testing, press days, and an appearance at the Paris Auto Show in September. Upon seeing P 4/5, Luca di Montezemolo felt that the car deserved to be officially badged as a Ferrari and along with Andrea Pininfarina and James Glickenhaus agreed that its official name would be "Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina". Ted West wrote an article in Car and Driver about how this came to be: "The Beast of Turin".
The Maserati MC12 is a two-seat mid-engined sports car derivative of the Enzo Ferrari developed by Maserati while under control of Ferrari. It was developed specifically to be homologated for racing in the FIA GT Championship, with a minimum requirement of 25 road versions to be produced before the car could be allowed to compete. Maserati built 50 units, all of which were presold to selected customers. A further variation, the MC12 Corsa is a track day car, similar to the Ferrari FXX.
The Maserati MC12 has the same engine, chassis and gearbox as the Enzo but the only externally visible component from the Enzo is the windshield. The MC12 is slower accelerating (0–100 km/h in 3.8 s) and has a lower top speed (330 km/h) or 208 mph and less drag coefficient (due to sharper nose and smoother curves) than the Enzo due to engine tuning. However, the MC12 has lapped race tracks faster than the Enzo before, specifically on the UK motoring show Top Gear, and the Nurburgring Nordschleife (at colder outside temperature). However this could be attributed to the MC12's Pirelli PZero Corsa tires which have more grip than the Enzo's Bridgestone Scuderias. Millechili (Italian for one thousand (mille) kilograms (chili)) is the code name for a sports car, to be manufactured by Ferrari, that will borrow features from Formula One race cars. It will be a lightweight version of the Enzo Ferrari, using the F430's aluminum space frame on a 104.3-inch (2,650 mm) wheelbase. The V10 engine will exceed 600 hp (447 kW). Production of around 300 cars was slated for 2010, with a base price of around US$500,000. Millechili is developed in collaboration with University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Millechili Lab is a cross-project in which students are working on light-weight car design. The Ferrari FXX program would continue until 2009. The car will continue to be improved under the Evolution kit, which will continually adjust specifics to create more power, change gearing, and lower the aerodynamic drag. The V12 engine will generate 860 PS (630 kW; 850 hp) at 9500 rpm, which boosts the top speed to 387 km/h (240 mph), and the acceleration to 0–100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. There will be gearbox changes so that shift time will be reduced to 60 milliseconds per shift, a reduction of 40 milliseconds. The car will also undergo aerodynamic changes and improvements to the traction control system. The FXX program also gave rise to the 599XX program in late 2009. The 599XX, a racing version of the 599 GTB, borrows technology which was developed from the FXX. The 599XX is faster than the Enzo and is able to lap the Fiorano circuit 1.2 seconds faster than the Enzo.
2011 Honda Neo-Urban Transport
The Personal-Neo Urban Transport vehicle is a futuristic ultra-compact, aggressively designed coupe, which borrows elements from small cars and, gulp, motorcycles. The Transport features three seats, with individual space akin to what you'd find in a mid-sized sedan. But it is classified as an ultra compact and and its rear-wheel-drive layout is designed to accommodate a variety of power trains including gasoline, hybrid-electric or battery electric.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Toyota Scion TC
With the demise of the Toyota Celica, the Scion tC is now used for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race held during the Long Beach Grand Prix, beginning in 2006. There are several tC's in drag racing. Kenny Tran Jotech Motorsports, Leslie Armendariz Horizon Motorsports, Christian Rado World Racing, and Gary White (formerly Brad Personett)Titan Motorsports. Kenny Tran has been competing in the NHRA Sport Compact drag racing series hotrod class where he garnered the 2007 championship. Kenny cut his fastest run with 7.91 ET @ 184 mph (296 km/h) during a NHRA race at Pomona Raceway. In 2007 and 2008, the Jotech Motorsports team won back-to-back Pro Import Class titles of the Battle Of The Imports drag series. Leslie Armendariz's All-Motor Scion tC pushed a record setting 9.34 @ 143 mph (230 km/h). Christian Rado claimed 2nd place in the Pro FWD class of the 2008 BOTI nationals, he also later claimed a victory with the first FWD car to pass the seven second mark in a quarter mile with a blistering time of 6.97 seconds. Gary White won second place in the Extreme 10.5" class of the ADRL Battle of the Belts World Finals. A 2011 tC was entered for the Formula Drift season in 2011 and is driven by Fredric Aasbo for Team Need For Speed. The 2AR-FE engine, being 2.5 liters was bumped up to 2.7 liters for over 500hp. For the 2008 Formula Drift year, RS*R converted a Scion tC to rear wheel drive. This was done by taking a Toyota Avensis chasis (which the Scion tC is based on, originally an AWD platform) and converted it into RWD. The car was powered by a tuned BEAMS 3S-GE engine. Ken Gushi currently competes with this vehicle. After talks with team mate Christian Rado, Ken Gushi switched back to the factory 2AZ-FE engine, for the 2010 Formula Drift season. Ken Gushi stated "Chris Rado, my Scion Team mate who runs his famous record tearing Scion tC uses the same base motor (of course for a different application) has proven this motor to withstand numbers up to 900hp, possibly even more." Ken Gushi's tC is now pushing 790hp. For the 2009/10 Formula Drift seasons, Tanner Foust competed using a Rockstar, AEM and Toyo Tire sponsored Scion tC converted to RWD, built by Papadakis Racing. It was powered by a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) built V8 taken from a former TRD Busch Series NASCAR stocker. For the 2008 KONI Challenge season, Dan Gardner and Craig Stanton drove a Scion tC in the Street Tuner (ST) Class. For 2009, a Supercharged tC driven by team owner Dan Gardner was entered in the SCCA World Challenge Touring Car 2 (TC2) class. Scott Webb drove the car to victory, bringing Scion home their first-ever professional win. For the 2010 SCCA World Challenge season, Dan Gardner and Robert Stout drove a pair of supercharged Scion tCs in the Touring Car (TC) class. Robert Stout would win at the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, giving Scion its first-ever TC class win. The Scion tC is marketed to be customized in many ways. In 2007 Scion released a Scion tC Spec Package priced and targeted for tuners starting at $15,000. Aftermarket parts for the tC are available from suspension, engine performance, body kits, drive train, turbos/supercharger, electronics, and many more. Turbo kits available for the Scion tC prove to give a major performance gain from stock 161 hp (120 kW) to anywhere between240 hp (179 kW) - 450 hp (336 kW). Further, more can be accomplished with internal engine and drivetrain work.
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