Your dream McLaren MP4-12C on the online configurator

Click on the picture above to launch the configurator

McLaren Automotive have launched today the online configurator for its new sensational supercar. You can now choose among a vast variety of options to make your dream (possibly future) McLaren MP4-12C suit your tastes to the very infinite detail. In fact, McLaren proposes not less than 17 different colors including the classic McLaren Orange. The options go from carbon fiber engine covers and mirror casings to track data display and an upgraded navigation system. There are more than 60 exterior and interior customisable aspects that you can modify to make your MP4-12C look more unique.

In addition to the configurator, the site includes a news section as well as a very nice McLaren heritage section where you can have a look at some of the race cars and drivers that made the glory of the brand. All this in a very classy McLaren way. Take your time!



[source: McLaren Automotive]

3:12 PM Read More +

Hennessey performance Venom GT officially revealed

After several spy shots and teasers, the Venom GT is finally here. As a reminder, the Venom GT from Hennessey performance is a supercar based on the Lotus Exige and powered by a supercharged Corvette V8. Unfortunately, no performance figures have been released. But with 725 Hp and 1,071 Kg, expect it to hit 100 Km/h (62 mph) in less than 3 seconds...

Body work
The superlight curb weight of 1,071 Kg has been achieved thanks to a carbon fiber bodywork as well as carbon fiber wheels. This is also thanks to a high tech lightweight chassis in the tradition of Lotus.

Engine
Under the big Lotus Exige skin there's a central mounted beautiful piece of engineering: the supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1 which now delivers 725 Hp. Wise choice i say. Hennessey Performance is also planning 1,000 hp and 1,200 hp versions. This makes the Venom GT a serious contender to being the fastest production car in the world.

Other features include an active aerodynamic system with an ajustable rear wing depending on the use of the car (road or track). It's also equipped with an ajustable suspension system. A proper race car for the road.

2:25 PM Read More +

Click "play"

This is probably one of the best rallying videos that you can find on the web. You will find all your hero rally cars with pure engine sound goodness, and without any music to ruin your pleasure. This maybe some old stuff to some of you but i don't mind watching this again, do you?

(Make sure your speakers are loud enough before watching this.)

2:23 AM Read More +

Pick of the day: Touring Superleggera A8GCS Berlinetta

This beautifully sculpted GT is based on none other than the Maserati coupé GranSport (not the Gran Turismo). The Milano based Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera gave the Maserati coupé a classic looking body with a very distinctive touch while incorporating the most advanced aerodynamic solutions. Beautiful.

2:56 PM Read More +

Introducing the BRABUS E V12 coupé

BRABUS is one of the most respected tuning companies that work on Mercedes-Benz models. That is why each new model that gets the BRABUS treatment is surely going to get attention. Especially when the base model is the already astonishing E class coupé.

The E V12 coupé is described by BRABUS as "the world’s fastest and most powerful gran tourismo" (i know, it's "Turismo"...). And you know what, they are right. The GT is powered by BRABUS's SV12 R Biturbo that now pumps out 800 Hp with a peak torque of, hold your breath, 1,420 Nm. Sounds like it's too much. In fact, it is too much, that's why it's limited electronically to "just" 1,100 Nm. This huge amount of torque is available as early as 2,100 rpm.

The result? 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.7 seconds (same as 599 GTB), 200 km/h (124 mph) right after 9.9 seconds (599 GTB in 11 seconds) and 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.9 seconds. The car will accelerate until 370 km/h (230 mph).

To keep the weight down, the body conversion kit is made from carbon fiber and the aerodynamic properties of the car were improved in the wind tunnel. Farther modifications include a redesigned suspension, a wider track and wider wheels to improve handling.

Unfortunately, there is no mention of the weight of the car in the official BRABUS site. Which leaves us wondering how the car will behave on the track.

4:23 PM Read More +

VIDEO: Ferrari's HY-KERS system explained in 3D animation

A hybrid supercar isn't exactly what we could expect from Ferrari, especially after the 458 Italia with its beautiful naturally aspirated V8 that pumps out 562 Hp. The fact is, the word "hybrid" has a pejorative meaning for petrol heads. Somehow, it reminds us (me) of a Toyota Prius-like car. Not that the Toyota Prius is bad car, but that the last word you can use to describe it is "sporty".

Ferrari is looking towards the future, and by unveiling the 599GTB HY-KERS concept earlier this month, they made another step. And knowing that they are working on zero-lag turobchargers for their Enzo successor, i think that the standards they set to their selves are high enough for not letting a hybrid car go out of the Maranello factory without an obvious gain in performance.

Enough said. In this video you can watch a short but clear explanation of how the electric motor works with the combustion engine.



(source: gtspirit)

8:19 PM Read More +

Hear the Zonda R symphony

This video has been on Pagani's official website for a while now but finally we got our hands on an HD version in beautiful 1080p. I just have to say that there was no need for music in this video, the Zonda R has an exhaust note that sounds far better than any symphony. Watch perfection on four wheels right next.

12:27 AM Read More +

BMW welcomes you to planet power

193 Hp, 183 Kg, 0 to 100 Km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, that's all you need to know about BMW's two wheeled beastie, the S1000 RR. Want to be impressed? watch this.

(Source: BMW TV)

2:35 PM Read More +

GT5 and NASCAR look good together

Whether you like NASCAR or not, this video will blow you away by the level of realism achieved by Kazunori Yamauchi and his team. The cameras, the crowds, the crashes as well as the very realistic interior view are truly similar if not identical to a NASCAR race as you see it broadcasted on TV. However, even if we saw Jeff Gordon's car crushing, the damages are still not showing on the car. Since we still have to wait sometime before we get our hands on the final version, we hope we will get a glimpse of that.

11:53 PM Read More +

Which "green" machine do you prefer?

The 2010 Geneva Motor Show edition saw the presentation of two green Italian Beauties. But the similarities between the two models stop there. In fact, while the Ferrari 599GTB HY-KERS is a Hybrid concept using a technology similar to the KERS system used in the 2009 F1 season by Ferrari and some other teams, the Lambo is a more extreme (non hybrid) version and the most powerful yet of the Gallardo.

The two cars go in two different directions. The Lambo philosophy is simple: more power and less weight. But on the Ferrari side things get a bit more complicated with extra electric power and... more weight.



The 100Hp electric motor used in the 599 HY-KERS is attached to the rear of the 7 speed F1 gear box and gets electricity from a Lithium ion battery mounted on the chassis in a way that helps the car keep the same weight distribution over the standard 599GTB which means similar handling as well. The extra electric power generated from braking will help the car deal with the extra weight and lower its fuel consumption while CO2 emissions are said to be improved by 35%. A production version is planned to come sometimes near 2015 which leaves to Ferrari the time to improve its hybrid technologies and focus on weight saving.



When talking about the Gallardo things become more easy: lighter and more powerful. With a weight of 1340 Kg and a 570 Hp high rev Lamborghini V10, the new Superleggera is capable of doing the 0 to 100 km/H (0-62mph) sprint in 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 324 Km/h (202 mph).

Some of the most noticeable changes are the Reventon styled front air intakes, the rear spoiler and a huge rear diffuser. Weight saving has been achieved by the extensive use of carbon fiber. Howevver, the car keeps air conditioning and electric windows.


Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano HY-KERS Concept









Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera












Which one would you chose? For me, the ranging bull is the obvious choice, at least for the moment.

5:26 PM Read More +

Porsche 918 Spyder concept

Porsche and Ferrari are clearly leading the way to a new generation of high performance hybrids. Nearly a couple of weeks ago, we saw the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid race car concept which had as a goal to introduce hybrid technology to endurance racing. But Porsche surprised us with a new hybrid concept this time for the road: the 918 Spyder. The "super sports car" is part of the new wave of hybrid technologies introduced by Porsche dubbed "Porsche Intelligent Performance". Even if the new Porsche 918 Spyder is presented as a concept, Porsche seems to have plans for its new "intelligent performance" technologies that go beyond a simple concept.

Technology

The 918 spyder uses the 500 Hp V8 engine coming from the successful RS spyder race prototype. Unlike the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the electric motors which develop altogether 218 Hp drive both front and rear axles which offer the car an electric all-wheel drive with torque vectoring.

If you want to run on pure electric power you can still do a little 25 Km (nearly 16 miles). Maybe that can be useful if you ran out of gas? Otherwise, i don't see why a performance oriented car needs that.


Styling



The styling is said to be inspired from the RS spyder and the legendary Porsche 917. While this kind of ressemblance does not seem very obvious, one thing is sure: the car does look like a Porsche and it does look really good.


Performance



The 918 Spyder weights less than 1490 KG and will sprint from 0 to 100KM/h (62 mph) in less than 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 320 KM/H (200 mph). The car is even planned to take the Nurbürgring challenge with a target time of less than 7:30 which is by the way faster than the Carrera GT. Impressive numbers, even for a non hybrid... is the new hybrid spyder capable of such a performance? Let's wait and see.

Other features



The 918 spyder uses what it seems to be little cameras instead of the classic rear view mirrors. There is no word yet from Porsche about the benefits of such a replacement.

The 918 Spyder is surely a surprising concept whith tons of new thechnologies. Until we see what it is really capable of, enjoy watching the gallery below.

11:12 PM Read More +