Posts Tagged ‘sports cars’

Ferrari’s all-new racing star, the 458 Italia is a replacement for their F430 model.  Performance is the name of the game as far as the 458 is concerned.  If you have any doubts, check out the carbon-ceramic brakes (which are standard on the 458), or new twin-clutch 7-speed manual transmission, whose super-fast and precise paddle shifts greatly reduce lap times on a closed course.  Keep reading to find out more about what makes the 458 so fast.

The Specs

·         Top Speed: 202 MPH

·         Engine Size: Direct-injected 4.5-liter V-8

·         Transmission: Twin-clutch 7-speed

·         Horsepower (bhp @ rpm): 565 @ 9,000

·         Curb weight: 3274 lbs

·         Price at time of writing (base): $225,000

The Scoop

The new Ferrari 458 Italia meets the need for speed with its top-of-the-line direct-injected 4.565 horse power from a 5 liter V8 screaming at 9000 rmp.  Formula 1 strategies contribute to the velocity of this engine, in particular where coatings for reduced friction are concerned, and with a revised oil scavenge system that eats up less power while substantially reducing pumping losses.

This time around, Ferrari focused more on aerodynamic effeciency despite making the car look just a little odd. The wheelbase of the 458 was stretched a bit, the overhangs clipped slightly, and the cockpit bubble moved forward and raised.  Then there are the plastic nose winglets that look like cat whiskers and bend at higher speeds to change airflow over the radiators for reduced drag and lift.  Don’t forget about the corner vents that squeeze the headlights into less-than-pretty slits of stacked LEDs while also flowing slower-moving air over the front fenders to cut lift and not increase drag.However these improvements that are evident with performance are not translated to more beauty.  But that’s not what this is about.

The 458’s interior cabin is roomier than that of its predecessor’s, providing more stowing space behind the seats.  More of the controls have been moved onto the steering wheel, allowing you to access headlights or windshield wipers with your thumbs.  Thanks to the shorter overhangs, it is only slightly larger than the outgoing F430 — it’s 0.6 in. longer and 1.5 in. wider.Aluminium is the frame for the chasis which is now stiffer by 20 percent. Up front you’ll find strengthened double A-arm suspension, balanced by a new multilink rear with reduced camber change.

Driving the 458 is surprisingly easy.  Steering response is both quick and very light.  It truly does give the impression that you’re flying rather than driving.An engine as powerful as you can imagine yet so easily controllable.  The carbon-ceramic brakes respond to even the slightest application of pressure.  The suspension absorbs practically all shock and provides the sensation of riding on air. 

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With the invention of the car came the desire for speed. Cars quickly evolved from practical to sporty to satisfy the desires of those that wanted to race.

The first sports cars started to appear at the latter end of the 1940′s. Ferrari, Lotus, Jaguar and Porsche all had sporting road car designs. When you think of today’s supercars you think of sleek design, high speed, high power and even higher price tags and the sports cars of the 1940’s were the first steps towards today’s technological wonders.

Throughout the 1950′s and early 1960′s sports car performance progressed. 1954 saw the arrival of the Meredes 300 SL Gullwing which was the first road car to reach in excess of 150mph. It was capable of a top speed of 165mph and is now considered to be one of the all time classic road cars.

The Gullwing was first shown at the 1954 New York Motor Show and it wowed the public. It has distinctive ‘gull wing’ doors and was made from a lightweight aluminium body. The Gullwing had a 3 litre engine and 240bhp, and in its day was the fastest production car available.

1400 Gullwings were built between 1954 and 1957. The design was superceded by the open Roadster.

It was Ford that created what many people believe to be the first supercar. Their GT40 made its debut at the Nurburgring in 1964 but it wasn’t until 1966 that Ford took their place in American racing history by finishing Le Mans in the top three positions, beating Ferrari. The GT40 has now won more prestigious races than any other road racing car in history.

The Lamborghini Miura made supercar history because it was the first production car to feature a mid-mounted engine (normally only seen on F1 cars). It looked so different to any road car that had come before. The Miura was unveiled to the world in 1965 at the Turin Auto Show by Ferrucio Lamborghini himself and was named after Spanish fighting bulls because of the aggressive body styling.

In terms of pure speed, after the 150mph title was claimed, 200 mph was the next great speed barrier to try for. The prize for that went to the Ferrari F40 – the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari and revealed on Ferrari’s 40th birthday.

The F40 was produced between 1987 and 1992. Its top speed was 201mph and it raced from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds.

The F40 is rated by many as the greatest supercar of all.

The price of an F40 reached in excess of half a million pounds during the late 1980's and even now is holding its price well.

The SSC Ultimate Aero TT (made by Shelby Supercars) is the world’s fastest production car to date with a top speed of 257mph. The Guiness World record run clocked the car in at 255.8mph. The 2009 version can reach speeds of 270mph and is reported to accelerate from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds!

Modern technology has allowed the creation of some amazing cars. They have come a long way but are not yet at the peak of design so it remains to be seen what the cars of the future wow us with.

For a chance to get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini today you can do a web search for Lamborghini hire Hertfordhire, Lamborghini hire London or another geographical type search to find a super car hire place near you.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3: A Street-Legal Race Car

Top Speed:193 mph

Acceleration: 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds

Engine Size: 3.8 liter flat-6

Power: 435 hp at 7600 rpm

Torque: 317 lb-ft at 6250 rpm

Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway

Price at Time of Writing: $113,150

The 2010 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 is a serious sports car. Its engine is equipped with seven oil pumps, and the car has a gearbox complete with dedicated cooling system. These cars are built for race speed, and many will actually see action on the track. Improvements in the 2010 model make it more powerful and exciting to drive than ever before.

New Engine

The GT3 has a newly updated engine. The internals now include titanium connecting rods and hollow camshafts. The pistons, valves and tappets have all been lightened. To add to the list of astonishing tricks this car can play is its engine that can rev up to 8500 rpms. With a 3-stage intake manifold mated with 2-stage sport exhaust output power is increased. carfind

The Drive

While the GT3 is built for speed, it is a dream to drive in regular road conditions as well. It handles twists and curves beautifully, with unprecedented steering control and nearly perfect weighting. The car can tackle corners with great accuracy at any given speed. It will shoot out of corners fast and get you on your way.

When accelerating, the GT3 moves quickly thought its gears until it hits the fifth gear, typically around 145 mph. With a top speed of 193 mph you can feel that land speed limits are reached and the next level would be to take off into the sky. Keep the revs above 6000 rpm and you will enjoy quick acceleration and accurate, fast response times. Once can feel less vibrations as ride quality has been improved. Vertical engine movement has been reduced to +/- 1.5 mm. Originally the car had a vertical engine movement of +/- 9 mm. A massive change indeed. carfind

Other Changes

The GT3 sports 15-inch front brake rotors with separate aluminum carriers, stiffer springs in the suspension and a smaller anti-roll bar in the front of the car. Stability control has been added, as has a dynamic drivetrain that has a lifting feature. The driver can set the front end to raise 1.2 inches by pushing a button, allowing the car to maneuver steep drives without damaging the front bumper.

The front splitter and rear wing have also been changed. A new lower and deeper front splitter and a wider wing in the rear, which is wider than the vertical supports and also tilted at a 7.8 degrees angle which provides more grip due to increased downforce. While travelling at 186 mph the down force increases from 66 pounds to 220 pounds. Carfind

All in all the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car is better, faster and more powerful than its predecessors. Very good handling with provides for memorable drives. If you are on the market for 6-speed manual 2-door coupe with speed combined with precision handling then this is the car to choose.

The Porsche Panamera which was first presented to the world at the April 2009 Shanghai Auto Show is a sports sedan. The car has created some controversy with its style, as it has only four seats and a hatchback that some say create a bulky appearance, particularly in photographs. Compliments go to Porsche for creating a sedan with sport car like dynamics.

Appearance

The Panamera is large, measuring 195.7 inches long and 55.at 8 inches tall, this is enough to make the model appear bulky compared to other Porsches. The rear with its hatchback design seems a bit heavyset compared to other high-performance vehicles, and this is accentuated in photographs. Perhaps the rear is not as tidy as it could have been. Porsche insisted on keeping a hatchback theme which might not look good on such a larger car. Not to worry as the car is much better in flesh (metal).

Specs and Performance

The Panamera comes in three models, the 394-bhp V-8 Panamera S, the all-wheel-drive 4S, and the 493-bhp Panamera Turbo. All Panameras come with 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The Turbo has a powerful 7th gear that can reach 125 mph while reving at 2800 rpm. car sale figures

The engine sounds powerful with a nice growl. Since it is a sports sedan, the sound is quieter than a sports car, but louder than a sedan, a design chosen by Porsche to appeal to the older buyers they created the Panamera for. You have an option of the sport exhaust and pressing a button will give a new sound.

The Panamera comes with a stop/start system standard that some drivers will struggle to get used to. The engine is paused when you stop and then resumed as soon as you press the pedal. As we are in the age green, this is one of the features that save fuel. Another small plus is that it can be turned off. Overall, the car grips the road well and offers superior performance. As will all Porsches this one is a dream drive.

Braking and Interior

The standard brake system has four-piston calipers in the rear and six-piston calipers on the front. They hold up well under the power of the car, even when the Turbo is taken above 100 mph. There are quick to respond at any given speed. Ford Fiesta Price

The interior of the car is designed with comfort in mind. Extra headroom and legroom in the rear make it comfortable for an adult to sit. It features the touch-screen infotainment center in the center console that Porsche debuted with the 911. The dash features the signature five-dial design that characterizes Porches, giving the interior a sleek, luxury appearance. flat to rent in Pretoria

Technical specs:

Top Speed: 188 mph

Acceleration: 0 – 60 in 4.2 seconds

Engine Size: S – 4.8 L V8; Turbo – Twin-Turbocharged

Power: S – 400 bhp at 6500 rpm; Turbo – 500 bhp at 600 rpm

Torque: S – 369 lb.-ft. at 3500 rpm; Turbo – 516 lb.-ft. at 2250 rpm

Fuel Economy: S – 36.3 mpg; Turbo – 37 mpg

Base Price at Time of Writing: S – $89,800; Turbo – $132,600

When shopping for a high class sports car, enthusiasts are always looking for less weight and more power to get the maximum thrill out of their driving experience. When you have a car that embarasses a Murcielago then you know it is no ordinary super car, it can only be Murcielago LP 670. With the redisign the Lambo boys have managed to save 220 pounds on a standard Murcielago.

Need for Speed

The newly reworked 6.5 liter monster V12 engine the gives 670 horse power is no child play and an every day Lambo will struggle to keep up. After reducing the weight, the car ca now do a 5.1 pound per horsepower power-to-weight ratio which catapults it from 0 to 62 mph in an astounding 3.2 seconds. Top speed? F1 like 212 mph (342 km/h) which would need a race track with long straights to reach. cheap used cars for sale

Design and Aerodynamics

The Murcielago is the picture of the Lamborghini brand and the Murcielago LP 670 is no exception. even when it’s standing still it looks like it is going fast because of its super low and wide design. A unique design which gives very strong hints to power and speed almost everyone would have this as their ultimate sports car. As ever, the bonnet is transparent for on lookers to marvel at the super engine that propells this bull.

The striking rear end of the vehicle is equipped with a flat and very wide exhaust tailpipe as well as a two-level diffuser system finished in carbon fiber. The tail and signal lights with the customary Y-shape which has been used in many Lamborghini designs and the intake mesh, which is Teflon coated aluminum, spans the full width of the car.

This model has completely redesigned aerodynamics and clients have a choice between a small rear spoiler that provides improved down force when driving at high speeds, or a large, fixed wing that is mounted on carbon-fiber brackets. The second choice provides a significant boost to directional stability when racing at high speeds. Bmw for sale in Pretoria

Light as a Feather

When designing the Murcielago LP 670, Lamborghini clearly had weight loss on their minds. Working with hi-tech carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, they managed to shave off 220 pounds from the standard Murcielago model. With the same composite construction as a race car, and the recalculated framework using new materials, they were able to reduce the weight by 72.6 pounds in the chassis and exterior, 78.8 pounds in the interior and 72.6 from the engine and drive train. 

No corners were cut and a super high level of quality workmanship was used. What an an amazing job by the craftsmen who hand built this sports car. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670 is without a doubt the best high quality sports car ever to have been made by Lamborghini taking an already near perfect product and making it lighter, faster and more incredible that ever before. advertise car for free

The newest sports car to be hit the market in 2010 is called the Lotus Evora and is a slightly larger car than the Lotus Elise. The Evora marks an notable event: Its been a while since Lotus created a new car, almost 15 years. When the Evora goes past, you would want to stare then develop some interest. Revealed at the 2008 London Motor Show, this classy deep-silver two-door, mid engine coupe was shown as a classic Lotus design. The Evora extracts the most from the least, commanding high performance and agile dynamics with its advanced structures and controlled weight.

The Evora Difference

The Evora is larger and much more luxurious and sexy than the other models in the Lotus line up. It is roomier than other sports cars and more accommodating as well. Probably the first Lotus to be slightly heavy but this is due to it bigger size. flat to rent in cape town. Although it was launched with a 6-speed manual transmission, Evora will also add an automatic transmission during the early part of the build run as an option. With the mid-engine layout and 2×2 seating the Evora has a very similar setting with Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine is from Toyota although Lotus holds the copyright on it because of the ECU software upgrades that they developed for the engine. A specialist, Alpine are responsible for the 7 inch touch screen audio, communications and satellite navigation functions. Bosch for instance provides the ABS, stability and traction control while Yokohama places those nice wheels on the Evora. One of the rules of smart cost effective design is to utilize already existing well proven third party components?

The Seating

Most would initially identify a car that looks as sleek and sexy as the Evora to a two seater but with the extra two rear seats, it becomes a sports car that you can enjoy with more than one friend at a time. It is however, a small back seat which could be a little cramped on longer journeys. Since most sports car owners don`t . The front seats are surprisingly accommodating giving maximum comfort to the driver and the front passenger. The experience has been likened to riding in a high class cockpit, particularly with the impressive dashboard full of gauges and controls. Audi Price List 

The hand-made sports car is assembled in very limited volumes, put together with exceptionally fine components and priced quite reasonably for the quality and class that you are getting. There are only going to be 2,000 Evoras created each year to keep the demand up and create a scarcity. Though this car is bound to be popular at any rate, this can only increase the interest from buyers. C Class Price List 

Any vehicle that Ferrari creates is something to ooh and aah over, but the two-year waiting list for the 2010 Ferrari 16M Scuderia shows just what kind of a sports car they have managed to come out with this time. The 16M shares most of its architecture with the F430 Spider. Ferrari is living up to its name in terms of setting standards from the engine sound to the rate at which the soft top can be converted. 

The Power Within 

The 16M has a classy 4.three litre V8 with 503 hp, 347 pound feet of torque which is an improvement over the F430's 483hp. The engine is bolted to the F1-Superfast2 6-speed auto-clutch manual transmission which can shift in 60 milliseconds with torque interruption at about 40 milliseconds. The objective if this model is to be more sporty that the F430. The tires are wider (at 19 inch), suspension lowered and made harder. bmw for sale in gauteng. Using the Manettino option offers more aggresssive driving modes. 

Even though the changes in the engine note  and the fitting of unique intake manifold resonators cause an increase of about 199 pounds, its still about 175 pounds lighter than the previous model, the F430 Spider. To get to 60 from standstill takes just 3.8 seconds and can do a course lap in just 86.5 seconds, making it a quick Ferrari to buy. 

The braking system in this vehicle is incredible, taking only 96 feet to go from 60-0 and 288 feet from 100-0. City fuel economy is 11 miles per gallon and the highway fuel economy is 16 miles per gallon which may not seem like a whole lot, but when you consider the power packed into this little sports car as well as the look of it all, it is definitely worth it. i want to sell my car. And besides, if you can afford to get into a car like this, chances are, you can afford the fuel for it. In terms of the environmental well being this car is being responsible with low emissions of 1.52 pounds per mile. 

Why Upgrade?

Although the car does cost a lot more that a standard F430 Spider the price is fully justified. If there is a breed fo cars the give their owners admiration and respect from onlookers, this is one of them. budget car insurance

While fans have insisted that the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is the best GT car on the market, they will soon be silenced by the release of the new Ferrari 599 HGTE which was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March of this year. Quite a lot to swallow for the naming but here is a break down H-handling, GT – Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) and the E-for Evoluzione (Evolution). 

The HGTE Pack Difference 

There are no engine modifications but with the 612bhp V12 engine, you already have all the power that you will ever need and then some. With HGTE the 599 is lowered by 10mm and also the suspension is made harder by about 16%. Although the physical changes with the car, such as the rear anti-roll bar being 1.5mm wider but you will only spot the difference by the sound of the engine. Quad exhausts with a loud noise is exactly what you need to draw even more attention to your Ferrari. The suspension system has been upgraded slightly from the standard model and the new wheels shave a whole 11 pounds off the total weight of this car.Hilux for sale 

The interior of the car has a sportier vibe to it with full grain leather, black Alcantara and carbon fiber trim and the embroidered Prancing Horse and “Handling GTE” mark on the headrests. Holding down the left paddle you can perform multiple downshifts which is testamony to the improved six-speed shifter. land cruise for sale.Newly calibrated settings for the shock absorbers help give a slightly smoother ride by reducing the pitch and roll. The fuel consumption has gone from 13.3mpg up to 15.7 and not to mension the reduced emission from 490g/km to 415 which is good for the earth. 

The Difference in the Drive 

The standard Ferrari 599 is already so good that it’s difficult to see the difference when you drive it on regular roads although the HGTE does have a slightly quicker turn-in. On the track, however, the faster up shifts near the redline is the most noticeable difference and is almost uncomfortable in how shockingly fast it is. The cornering grip has been increased by 8 percent. Improvements include a lowered center of gravity and an improvement to the under steer. toyota hilux for sale pretoria 

When already spending a large chunk of change on a great car, buyers will find it hard not to justify spending the extra money to upgrade to the Ferrari 599 HGTE simply because it is the best GT car ever made by Ferrari, and who doesn’t want the best?

Porsche has to keep the line up rolling of they are releasing this 911 GT3. This car has been long awaited by Porsche fans and was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Only in October 2009 will this car be available for sale. For now the photos and test results are enough.

Plenty of Changes

The GT3 is not an entirely new model, rather it`s a revamped version of a previous Porsche 911. The original did enough to impress the folk at CAR magazine in 2007 to be named the best ever Porsche.

A number of things have been changed, including a 20 bhp increase over the previous model. The body has been adjusted for better aerodynamics, air outlets were added to the front end and the rear wing is more adjustable than before. Lighter materials are applied in the interior as well. golf 5 gti for sale 

Other improvements include a lighter wire harness for easier maneuverability and a redesigned rear end. This luxury, though light weight model also comes with optional air conditioning, setting it apart from the standard race car. The new version is far easier to handle and has better traction, as well.

Under the Hood

The Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8 liter engine that produces a respectable 435 horses. The car goes from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds and can hit 100 mph in double that time. The maximum speed reached by this model is 194 mph, thanks to the updated engine and a sleeker build. cars for sale.However records are just black and white figures as the GT3 can challenge competitors on other fronts i.e price.

At 9000 rmp the rev limiter kicks in to stabalise the torque.

Other Features

For street driving, the manufacturers added a few handy features to the latest version of the GT3. For example, it only takes the push of a button to activate a hydraulic lift that gives the vehicle an additional few inches of clearance. This prevents scraping the very low front splitter on steep inclines. A tradition with high performace cars is that luxuries like air conditioning are extras as the main emphasis is on speed. cheap car insurance 

The fully adjustable suspension system lets you change Porche`s Active Suspension Management system, which tends to be too soft for street driving. The feature is deactivated in two stages, first the stability is turned off, with traction still on, then you can also turn off the traction. While this gives the vehicle a bit of a boost in speed, it does reduce drivability at high speeds. To help with that, the brakes on this version of the GT3 are larger than ever, with 15.0-in. front and 13.8-in. rear.

Not strictly a new car but still anticipated. With so many improvements, it`s bound to be a popular model.

Well, Nissan designers have done it again. The story is simple and straight forward, take a 370 coupe and safe the head off for even more fun. The 2010 Nissan 370z is a convertible model that’s sure to wow Nissan fans around the world with its sleek new design. Coming in at a very affordable $29,930 (base model) price will make this a very popular purchase for Nissan lovers around the world this summer when it rolls onto dealerships. 

The 2010 Nissan 370z is not simply the old “boxy” style coupe without the top, however. The entire care itself has been redesigned for a sleeker, smoother ride and a lot of little features that add up to a great new car are included. Nissan has made many key changes to the car’s chassis to ensure that it remains one of the best sports cars on the road for today’s consumers. They reinforced the body structure of this model to reduce the torsional bending associated with most convertibles. Renault Clio for sale. Also featuring are side supports for the driver while cornering. The convertible soft-top itself can be raised or lowered in only 20 seconds by using a special trigger located on the door handles, a unique feature not seen in any other model today. That gives both driver and passenger the opportunity to put the top down while the car is in motion. 

As for vehicle performance, this new model has a powerful but not over the top 3.Seven liter v6 unit that unfortunately accelerates the car in 8.0 seconds acceleration from 0 to 62. Consolation is the fact that 175 mph is the top speed. Drivers need wind rushing into their faces every now and then? 

This is a beautiful modern looking car as well. When it debuted at the New York Best of Shows this spring, the car was a stunning addition to a mostly European dominated luxury and sports car market. With its authentic roadster look and feel, this car is sure to please serious collectors and meet the needs of budget-conscious vehicle buyers this year. Renault Clio for sale. The car will appeal to those who want bells and whistles too, as it also features an array of technology and convenience features, including the first-ever Roadster- available heating and cooling ventilated net seats, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and a more advanced Nissan Navigation System. And it comes in over 23 color combinations from classic Nissan colors like silver to more subtle earth tones and shades. This car is sure to turn heads with the neighbors if you buy one, and no one will ever have to know you paid less than $30 K for it as it looks like a car that’s worth a million bucks. 

VW Golf for sale.Should you be on a budget Nissan has a car that can please you without being cheap. There are luxuries, safety and comfort features. Not a bad car at all.