2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS - First Drive - Car and Driver
roichers | Thursday, January 6, 2011 | Labels: Porsche
2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS - First Drive - Car and Driver
This week’s video is of the evolution of the Porsche 911. The video drives Porsche 911s from the 80s, 90s and today.
I hope that everyone had a great holiday. We are back to work here and so it is once again time for the video of the week. This week’s video is about Porsche tradition.
Overall, Porsche's engineers have pared off about 176 pounds from the Spyder, bringing it down to 2,811 pounds. Propulsion comes via a direct-injected 3.4-liter boxer six with a 10 horsepower boost over the Boxster S for a total of 320. With the automaker's seven-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox, the Spyder gets to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and manages a combined 25.3 mpg (US) on the EU drive cycle.
Remember how the Rabbit Cup cars of the early '80s would lift an inside rear wheel in tight corners? How the first imported '83 Volkswagen GTIs would dance around that tight road course in the commercials set to "Kleine GTI," the German version of the Ronnie and the Daytonas song? Sure, the original Rabbit GTI's live rear axle is long gone. Still, there's something in the character of the GTI that suggests an affordable, yet well-balanced hot hatch -- the original hot hatch -- that leaps about corners with an attitude defying and yet celebrating its front-wheel-drive.
Volkswagen's Mark V GTI recaptured that spirit, despite its independent rear suspension, after two generations of hot hatches that were well-mannered in their benign understeer too the point of feeling overweight and uninteresting. Good news, hot hatch fans. The Mark VI GTI on-sale this fall as a 2010 model, just like its immediate predecessor, does not feel overweight and it's not the least bit boring.
While VW says it has reworked its front strut/rear multi-link suspension, it feels pretty much just like its predecessor, with much of the Mark V carried over but with new sheetmetal and a more refined interior. Mark V to Mark VI GTI, and its Golf basis are much like the difference between C5 and C6 Corvette. Dimensions are virtually unchanged, though all the sheetmetal below the daylight opening is new and slightly more angular, with wider taillamps and the right-side dual tailpipe moved to the right side of the underbody to make the GTI look lower and wider.
The Ford GT features many new and unique technologies, including super-plastic-formed aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a friction-stir welded center tunnel, a “ship-in-a-bottle” gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door panels and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon-fiber inner panel.
Brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible.
The 5.4L Modular V8 powerplant is all-aluminum and fed by a Lysholm twin screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the GT program. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit very low in the frame. The DOHC 4-valve heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads (with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port). The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500 or 2003–2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Power output is 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 500 foot-pounds force (680 N·m) of torque. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential.
Performance:
* 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h): 3.3 seconds
* 0–100 mph (0–160 km/h): 7.4 seconds
* Standing 1/4 mile: 11.2 seconds @ 131.2 mph (211.1 km/h)
* Top speed: 205 mph (electronically limited)
The Ford GT is a mid-engined supercar. It was built by Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2006. It began as a concept car designed in anticipation of Ford's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. Camilo Pardo, the head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's classic GT40 race cars of the 1960s and the GT is sometimes mistaken for its 1960s counterpart.
Positive response on the auto show circuit in 2002 helped persuade the company to produce the car in limited quantities, and the first production versions appeared in 2005. It is a very high-performance, two-seater vehicle with a strong styling resemblance to its racing ancestor and performance to match. The powerplant is a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4 litre V8, producing 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 500 foot-pounds force (680 N·m). Top speed is 212 mph (341 km/h).
Brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible.
The 5.4L Modular V8 powerplant is all-aluminum and fed by a Lysholm twin screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the GT program. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit very low in the frame. The DOHC 4-valve heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads (with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port). The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500 or 2003–2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Power output is 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 500 foot-pounds force (680 N·m) of torque. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential.
Performance:
* 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h): 3.3 seconds
* 0–100 mph (0–160 km/h): 7.4 seconds
* Standing 1/4 mile: 11.2 seconds @ 131.2 mph (211.1 km/h)
* Top speed: 205 mph (electronically limited)
The Ford GT is a mid-engined supercar. It was built by Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2006. It began as a concept car designed in anticipation of Ford's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. Camilo Pardo, the head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's classic GT40 race cars of the 1960s and the GT is sometimes mistaken for its 1960s counterpart.
Positive response on the auto show circuit in 2002 helped persuade the company to produce the car in limited quantities, and the first production versions appeared in 2005. It is a very high-performance, two-seater vehicle with a strong styling resemblance to its racing ancestor and performance to match. The powerplant is a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4 litre V8, producing 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 500 foot-pounds force (680 N·m). Top speed is 212 mph (341 km/h).
The Koenigsegg CCX is a mid-engined roadster from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg. The CCX has been engineered to comply with the U.S. regulation and market demands and is an evolutionary design that replaced the Koenigsegg CCR. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X; the X commemorating the 10th anniversary, (being the Roman numeral for ten), of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. The CCX was first unveiled on February 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show although its existence was announced earlier. A derivative known as the CCXR is available, the main difference being that CCXR's engine is tuned to run on biofuel. The different fuel and tune allows the CCXR to produce 25% more power than the CCX.
Performance
The CCX can accelerate from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds. According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 259 mph (417 km/h), although this has not been officially verified. On 15 June 2008, a standard fully equipped CCX was independently timed by sport auto in achieving a record 0-186-0 mph (0-300-0 km/h) in 29.2 seconds, beating out the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, the Porsche 997 GT2, the Alpina B6 S (based on the BMW 6 Series), and the Corvette Z06.
Engine
While previous Koenigsegg models were powered by an engined based on the Ford Modular V8 engine sourced from the U.S., and modified by Koenigsegg, the engine of the CCX was designed by Koenigsegg themselves and is built ground up in the Koenigsegg factory. The Engine block is cast for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars. The engine is a 4.7 liter 288 cu in (4,719 cc) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening. The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block that will withstand higher cylinder pressures. The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that provide 17.5 psi (121 kPa)of boost with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 bhp (601 kW; 817 PS) at 6900rpm and 678 lb·ft (919 N·m) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler. The CCX engine burns 17 L/100 km (17 mpg-imp; 14 mpg-US).
Performance
The CCX can accelerate from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds. According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 259 mph (417 km/h), although this has not been officially verified. On 15 June 2008, a standard fully equipped CCX was independently timed by sport auto in achieving a record 0-186-0 mph (0-300-0 km/h) in 29.2 seconds, beating out the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, the Porsche 997 GT2, the Alpina B6 S (based on the BMW 6 Series), and the Corvette Z06.
Engine
While previous Koenigsegg models were powered by an engined based on the Ford Modular V8 engine sourced from the U.S., and modified by Koenigsegg, the engine of the CCX was designed by Koenigsegg themselves and is built ground up in the Koenigsegg factory. The Engine block is cast for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars. The engine is a 4.7 liter 288 cu in (4,719 cc) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening. The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block that will withstand higher cylinder pressures. The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that provide 17.5 psi (121 kPa)of boost with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 bhp (601 kW; 817 PS) at 6900rpm and 678 lb·ft (919 N·m) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler. The CCX engine burns 17 L/100 km (17 mpg-imp; 14 mpg-US).
Lexus is throwing another dart at the blue-and-white bull’s-eye that is BMW. Toyota’s luxury division knows that 30 percent of BMW 3-series sales are coupes and convertibles, and it wants a seat at that buffet. Introduced nine years ago and well into its second generation—Toyota doesn’t act without exhaustive study, apparently—the entry-luxury IS sedan finally gets an additional body style: a hardtop convertible.
In dealerships by the end of May, the two-door, four-seat IS250C and IS350C feature an aluminum hardtop roof that relies on 15 electric motors and 37 sensors to crack into two panels and seamlessly belly-flop into the waiting trunk. The process takes 20 seconds.
In most other respects, the IS convertible varies not a nanometer from the established Lexus path. Although every exterior panel and molding on the IS C is unique to the convertible (except the hood), it looks to untrained eyes like a sedan that has met a hacksaw. The engine choices—a 204-hp, 2.5-liter V-6 and a 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6—are identical to the IS sedan’s. So are the transmission choices, which mean a six-speed manual is available in the IS250C and a six-speed automatic in both models. As expected, the IS convertible features Lexus fit and finish and, somewhat less appealingly, Lexus dynamics.
More on that shortly. Lexus customers tend to be more about the “what’s it come with?” than the “what’ll she do?”
World debut of BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid – combining significant enhancement of efficiency with Sheer Driving Pleasure so typical of BMW. The close and direct link of concepts combining the new Sports Activity Coupé with innovative BMW ActiveHybrid technology ensures an authentic match of design and technology in every respect. The potential of BMW’s ActiveHybrid system develops its optimum effect in the unique concept of the Sports Activity Coupé. This holistic, all-round approach sets the stage for an all-new driving experience.The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, the BMW in the world of hybrid cars.
BMW ActiveHybrid is far superior to conventional hybrid vehicles in terms of driving dynamics. Its fuel consumption and emission ratings are up to 20 per cent better than on a comparable car with conventional drivetrain technology. The combination with innovative hybrid technology offers the most sporting and dynamic rendition of a BMW X Car. Design language typical of BMW takes up the superior driving dynamics of the Sports Activity Coupé and visualises this superiority through authentic design and a unique look. Indeed, the extravagant design of the body combines the sporting elegance of a BMW Coupé with the striking DNA of BMW X and provides a clear reference to the innovative drive concept.
BMW ActiveHybrid is far superior to conventional hybrid vehicles in terms of driving dynamics. Its fuel consumption and emission ratings are up to 20 per cent better than on a comparable car with conventional drivetrain technology. The combination with innovative hybrid technology offers the most sporting and dynamic rendition of a BMW X Car. Design language typical of BMW takes up the superior driving dynamics of the Sports Activity Coupé and visualises this superiority through authentic design and a unique look. Indeed, the extravagant design of the body combines the sporting elegance of a BMW Coupé with the striking DNA of BMW X and provides a clear reference to the innovative drive concept.
Concept innovation of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé. As the founder of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment, BMW is now once again presenting a new, consistently developed concept.The most sporting and dynamic interpretation of a BMW X model, with the emphasis above all on the car’s active driving potential. Superior driving dynamics taken up by typical BMW design language and authentically visualised in the car’s design.Extravagant body design combining the sporting elegance of a BMW Coupé with the striking DNA of BMW X. Clear orientation to the wheels, generous ground clearance and extra-large wheel arches give BMW Concept X6 the powerful presence so characteristic of a BMW X model. BMW Concept X6 is the first car in the world to feature Dynamic Performance Control for unique directional stability and precision under all driving conditions as well as BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology.
Lamborghini eagerly begins the New Year with the much anticipated unveiling of the Lamborghini Miura Concept, a modern interpretation of the Lamborghini Miura. Currently celebrating its fortieth anniversary, the Miura was originally designed by Marcello Gandini and first publicly presented at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show by Ferruccio Lamborghini and Nuccio Bertone. The new concept model which, as of now, is strictly a concept with no firm date set for its production launch, is the inspired creation of Walter de? Silva, the world-famous Audi designer. He has redesigned every aspect of the car while remaining absolutely faithful to the original form.
The new car retains the extraordinary purity of line, characteristic of the original Miura: the designer's intervention has been defined by refining the contours and eliminating any superfluous detail, in order to enhance the clean, simple lines and perfectly balanced proportions of the original that so impassioned enthusiasts. The restyling of the lower part of the body takes the car's structural strength and aerodynamic performance to new heights, without disturbing the delicate aesthetic equilibrium. Even the touches of contemporary styling applied to the interior, the lights and the wheels have been carefully measured to achieve a homogenous design that is both timeless and immediately recognisable. The Lamborghini Miura Concept will be on show at the Lamborghini stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The new car retains the extraordinary purity of line, characteristic of the original Miura: the designer's intervention has been defined by refining the contours and eliminating any superfluous detail, in order to enhance the clean, simple lines and perfectly balanced proportions of the original that so impassioned enthusiasts. The restyling of the lower part of the body takes the car's structural strength and aerodynamic performance to new heights, without disturbing the delicate aesthetic equilibrium. Even the touches of contemporary styling applied to the interior, the lights and the wheels have been carefully measured to achieve a homogenous design that is both timeless and immediately recognisable. The Lamborghini Miura Concept will be on show at the Lamborghini stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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