Showing posts with label motorsport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorsport. Show all posts
Aston Martin Vulcan Unveiled


Aston Martin was kind enough to release the first details about the track exclusive Vulcan without letting us wait until the public unveiling next week in Geneva. The very exclusive track car will be limited to just 24 units and will be powered by a 7.0-Liter naturally aspirated V12 engine producing more than 800 Hp! More details will follow next week but for now you can check out the high res gallery and the press release please.








ON TRACK FOR GLORY: ASTON MARTIN VULCAN PREPARES FOR TAKE-OFF

Geneva global reveal for limited edition, track-only, 7.0-litre V12 supercar
Motorsport-developed technology for extreme on-track performance
Expert tuition, technical support and experience programme for owners

25 February 2015, Gaydon: Introducing the Aston Martin Vulcan – a track-only supercar and the British luxury brand’s most intense and exhilarating creation to date.


Born out of extensive motorsport experience – and using the brand’s acknowledged flair for design and engineering ingenuity – the 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre Aston Martin Vulcan promises truly extreme performance.


Uniquely for Aston Martin, the new supercar – limited to just 24 examples worldwide – will allow owners the opportunity to precisely tailor their track day experience through a graduating scale of detailed power and dynamic performance adjustments.


CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Aston Martin Vulcan is, by its very nature, a rare and thrilling supercar. Designed and engineered to deliver a genuinely bespoke driving experience that draws on our rich heritage, this car tailors its power and handling to both the capabilities of the driver and the characteristics of the track.


“A sports car for true sports car lovers, I believe the Aston Martin Vulcan – and the unique ownership programme that sits behind it – sets a whole new standard in the ultra-high luxury supercar class.”


Motorsport-inspired


Styled entirely in-house by the Aston Martin design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, and with a design language hinting at the next generation of Aston Martin sports cars, this supercar is powered by the most potent iteration yet of the company’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine.


With its 800-plus bhp powerplant developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, this front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience.


Utilising the techniques of world-class motorsport engineering, the supercar sees its power-to-weight ratio exceed those of the GTE cars which compete in the FIA’s annual World Endurance Championship.


Comprising cutting edge engineering including that sourced from the brand’s successful GT racing campaign, the car features a carbon fibre monocoque and body constructed by Aston Martin’s long-term specialist body engineering and manufacturing partner Multimatic, integral limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing calipers acting on carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360mm at the rear.


Drive is channelled to the 345/30 x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres through a race-bred rear mid-mounted Xtrac six-speed sequential shift gearbox.


Track-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear, driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable traction control.


The new track car will comply with all relevant FIA race safety requirements.


Aston Martin’s Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, David King, said: “Taking the extensive learning from our various successful racing programmes and applying it to this exceptional track car for customers has been an exciting and sometimes challenging task for the team here at Gaydon.


“Our deep and broad motorsport experience, allied to our renowned road car expertise, has allowed us to make the Aston Martin Vulcan the absolutely compelling proposition it is today.”


Fast-track training


Prior to taking delivery of their cars, owners will be offered the opportunity to take part in an extensive and detailed programme of intensive track driver training.


Experienced racers including Aston Martin Racing’s Le Mans-winning Darren Turner will support owners on their learning journey, offering them the chance to refine their track driving technique and increase their ability through a carefully-constructed series of practical and theoretical driver training events.


Using a number of exciting high performance Aston Martins including the V12 Vantage S and One-77 road cars and the Vantage GT4 race car, customers will gradually build experience and develop their track technique, before beginning their thrilling personal journeys into the immense performance potential of their Aston Martin Vulcan.


David King said: “We will be running a series of exclusive track day events commencing in 2016 that will offer the opportunity for these customers to explore their driving capabilities, and the car’s performance potential, on some of the world’s most famous and glamorous race circuits.”


There will also be the option of time in the virtual race car world of Darren Turner’s Base Performance Simulators, where buyers will have ample opportunity to further refine their driving style in the safety of the digital race track.


No longer the exclusive preserve of Formula 1, it is widely acknowledged that using a simulator can help prepare a driver for any race; improving technique and consistency as well as, ultimately, lap times.


Almost infinitely flexible in terms of colour and trim options, the exclusive new sports car will be offered to buyers through Aston Martin’s VIP sales programme, using the expertise and luxury customer service that is now a hallmark of the brand’s ‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke personalisation service.


Dr Palmer added: “We have already received strong interest from the customers we have spoken to about Aston Martin Vulcan.


“The cars will blend our traditional Aston Martin values of Power, Beauty and Soul with an unrivalled ownership experience; a unique combination that will guarantee their place in the brand’s rich and charismatic history.”


Performance data, together with further technical details about the ultra-exclusive track-only supercar, will be released closer to its track debut later this year.


The Aston Martin Vulcan will make its world debut on the brand’s new stand at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5 Stand 5253) at 10.15am on Tuesday March 3.
2014 DTM 3rd Round, Budapest: BMW Strong Again

Photo: BMW

Marco Wittmann, victorious at Hockenheim, strikes back and claims his second win of the season at the wheel of his Ice Watch BMW M4 DTM. Things are looking good for the German driver who takes once again the lead of the drivers Championship (50 points) after the first race of the season outside Germany in front of Mike Rockenfeller (31points, audi) and Edoardo Mortara (27 poins, audi). BMW is now second in the manufacturers championship with 118 points.

After their first win at Oschersleben, Mercedes-Benz find their selves once again in a weak position with the best placed C-Class AMG Coupe of Robert Wickens finishing just eleventh. Christian Vietoris, winner of the 2nd race in Oschersleben retired after 36 laps. Vitaly Petrov and Paul Di Resta finished in positions 16 and 18 while Gary Paffet retired after just one lap. Mercedes is now far behind in the manufacturers championship with just (41 points).

Thanks to Miguel Molina (Audi No.8) who finished second 6.615 seconds behind Wittman, Audi scores some good points once again but is yet to score a win this season. However thanks to its consistency, the Ingolstadt team keeps the lead of the manufacturers championship with 144 points.

Next race will be 29th June – Norisring (DE). Stay tuned!



[Photos: BMW]

The BMW M4 Looks Sublime in Official ///M Colors!


Just a couple of BMW M4s doing some impressive power sliding at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal during its launch event. Nothing needs to be said here, except for a refresher of the car's specs: The BMW M4 is powered by a 3.0 liter turbocharged straight six engine producing 425 HP and 560 Nm of torque. It weights 1572 kilograms and is able to sprint from 0 to 100 Km/H (62 mpg) in 4.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.


Enjoy the shots!






2014 DTM 2nd Round, Oschersleben: Mercedes Victorious


After a disappointing first race at Hockenheim where the best placed Mercedes came eleventh, things went much better during the rain hit race at Oschersleben. Christian Vietoris scored the first win of the season for Mercedes which now places him in the second place of the drivers's championship.

The best placed BMW M4 DTM of Augusto Farfus crossed the chequered flag in 5th position. Marco Wittmann, winner of the first round at Hockenheim and pole sitter at Oscherleben, ended up finishing 19th. His race was ruined after he committed a mistake when trying to overtake Gary Puffet after the safety car and was obliged to make an extra pit stop.

Thanks to its more consistent points finish, Audi, the only manufacturer yet to win a race this season, took the lead of the constructors championship thanks to a solid second place by Mike Rockenfeller who also took the lead of the drivers championship.

Next up, the DTM circus will visit Budapest in less than two weeks. Stay tuned!




Pos.Driver CarTimeGap
1hristian Vietoris DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe1:15:28.785
2ike Rockenfeller Audi RS 5 DTM1:15:29.45900.674
3doardo Mortara Audi RS 5 DTM1:15:36.5547.769
4aul di Resta DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe1:15:37.6918.906
5ugusto Farfus BMW M4 DTM1:15:38.1119.326
6iguel Molina Audi RS 5 DTM 1:15:41.836 13.051
7imo Scheider Audi RS 5 DTM1:15:49.288 20.503
8ary Paffett DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe1:15:49.382 20.597
9artin Tomczyk BMW M4 DTM1:15:51.864 23.079
10Adrien Tambay Audi RS 5 DTM1:15:53.125 24.340
11António Félix da Costa BMW M4 DTM1:15:53.405 24.620
12Bruno Spengler BMW M4 DTM1:15:55.677 26.892
13Mattias EkströmAudi RS 5 DTM1:15:55.986 27.201
14Maxime MartinBMW M4 DTM1:15:59.817 31.032
15Joey HandBMW M4 DTM1:16:08.587 39.802
16Nico MüllerAudi RS 5 DTM1:16:13.109 44.324
17Vitaly PetrovDTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe1:16:24.278 55.493
18Jamie GreenAudi RS 5 DTM1:14:12.445 1L
19Marco WittmanBMW M4 DTM1:16:21.356 1L
Timo GlockBMW M4 DTM
Pascal WehrleinDTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe
Robert WickensDTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe
JuncadellaDTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupe

[News source: Mercedes-benz]

2014 DTM 1st Round: Victory for BMW


After nearly 20 years of absence from the sport, BMW made its comeback to DTM in 2013 to claim both the drivers and the constructors titles in their first attempt. But the Bavarian automaker is here to stay and apparently is off to yet another promising season by claiming victory at the Hockenheim Ring's season opener.

BMW driver DTM, Marco Wittman drove the M4 DTM to its first win of the season yesterday in front of the two Audis of Mattias Ekström and Adrien Tambay. Mercedes, on the other hand, was struggling with the best placed C-class coupe driven by Pascal Wehrlein arriving in 11th position. Next stop will be Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Come back for more DTM news!


[News source: DTM website]
Peugeot reveals its 2008 DKR for 2015


After dominating Pikes Peak last year with Sebastian Loeb at the wheel of the 208 Pikes peak, Peugeot revealed the 2008 DKR which is set to compete in next year's Dakar race (which shall I remind you, still doesn't take place in Dakar due to political unrest). Once again, the Peugeot race car is going to be driven by another rally legend: Carlos Sainz alog Cyril Despres, five-time Dakar Rally Bike champion.

No details about the power unit have been released yet, but we still have the photo gallery below to see how beastly the 2008 looks wearing its 37-inch Michelin shoes. Stay tuned for more!


BMW M4 Coupe Moto GP Safety Car


Each year BMW picks up one of its M cars to fullfill its Moto GP safety car duties. The Bavarian automaker's weapon of choice for last year was a BMW M6 Coupe. This year, their obvious choice is the new BMW M4 Coupe.

As a refresher, The BMW M4 is lighter, more efficient and slightly more powerful than its predecessor. The engine is a twin turbo inline six producing approximately 431 hp (431 PS) and 550 Nm (405 lb ft) of torque. Pricing starts at €72,200 for the BMW M4 Coupe and €71,500 for the sedan.

You can contemplate the new safety car wearing the iconic BMW Motorsport livery in the gallery below.

BMW M4 DTM Revealed


BMW Motorsport took wraps off their new DTM competitor and if their goal was to make it look really menacing in its competitor's rear view mirrors then I say mission accomplished. In addition to the mean look, the Bavarian beast is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated 90° V8 producing 480 Hp and approximately 500 Nm of torque. The engine sends it power to the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed sport gearbox.

The car features a carbon-fibre monocoque with integrated tank and steel roll cage, carbon-fiber crash elements on sides, front and rear. The BMW M4 DTM weights 1,110 kilograms including the driver. That allows it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in under three seconds.

More pictures of the beast in the gallery below and more details in the press release after the jump.


Could it get Any Cooler?


G-power introduced the BMW M5 Hurricane RR Touring, their most powerful and most extreme interpretation of the M5 (E61) Touring to date. One of the things we love the most about the retiring E60/61 M5 is definitely its naturally aspirated 507 Hp 5.0-liter V10. But thanks to their new Bi-Kompressor-System, G-power achieved a whopping 820 Hp out of the Almighty V10.

The result is the fastest station wagon in the world with a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.4 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds, 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 25.6 seconds and it will keep accelerating until it hits a top speed of 362 km/h (225 mph)!

Aesthetically, the car features some exterior and interior goodies to make the model more distinguishable like the 20-inch Silverstone RS wheels and long list of on board multimedia system. You will find more details in the press release after the jump but for now, i'll leave you with the pictures!


Daytona 24 Hours: Porsche Victorious in GTLM Class

Photo credits: Porsche

This year is looking good for Porsche with a first victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona last weekend. The North America factory backed team took victory at the GTLM class with Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy and Patrick Pilet at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR (pictured above).

GTLM class standings:
1. Tandy/Lietz/Pilet (GB/A/F), Porsche 911 RSR, 679 laps
2. Priaulx/Auberlen/Hand/Martin (GB/USA/USA/B), BMW Z4 GTE, 679
3. Goossens/Farnbacher/Hunter-Reay (B/D/USA), Viper GTS-R, 675
4. Edwards/Müller/Rahal/Werner (USA/D/USA/D), BMW Z4 GTE, + 668
5. Gavin/Milner/Liddell (GB/USA/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 666
6. Bomarito/Bell/Wittmer (USA/GB/CAN), Viper GTS-R, + 653
7. Krohn/Jonsson/Bertolini/Dumbreck (USA/S/I/GB), Ferrari F458 Italia, 625
8. Turner/Mücke/Lamy/Stanaway/Della Lana (GB/D/NZ/CAN), Aston Martin, 610


As a reminder, the No. 555 Ferrari 458 GT from Team Level 5 Motorsport took the GTD Class victory during the same event.




[source: Porsche]