Acura = Alfa-Romeo = Alpina = Artega = Ascari = Aston-Martin = Audi = BMW = Bentley = Brabus = Bugatti = Buick = Cadillac = Caparo = Chevrolet = Chrysler = Citroen = Covini = Dacia = Daewoo = Daihatsu = Daimler = Devon = Dodge = Donkervoort = Farbio = Ferrari = Fiat = Fisker = Ford = GM = GMC = Gumpert = Holden = Honda = Hummer = Hyundai = Infiniti = Isuzu = Italdesign = Jaguar = Jeep = KTM = Kia = Koenigsegg = Lamborghini = Lancia = Land Rover = Leblanc = Lexus = Lincoln = Lobini = Lotus = MG = Mansory = Maserati = Maybach = Mazda = Mazel = McLaren = Mercedes-Benz = Mercury = Mindset = Mini = Mitsubishi = Morgan = Nismo = Nissan = Noble = ORCA = Oldsmobile = Opel = Peugeot = PGO = Pagani = Plymouth = Pontiac = Porsche = Renault = Rinspeed = Rolls-Royce = Rover = Saab = Saturn = Scion = Skoda = Smart = Spyker = SsangYong = Startech = Stola = Strosek = Suzuki = Torino = Subaru = Think = Toyota = Tramontana = Valmet = Vauxhall = Venturi = Volkswagen = Volvo = Wiesmann = Yes = Zagato = Zenvo.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Arrinera Supercar, 2013

 
 
 
 
  • Arrinera Supercar, 2013

Arrinera is a British-Polish supercar, which in terms of driving parameters, quality of workmanship and performance can compete with other cars from the same market segment.

Arrinera's design assumptions aim at fulfilling all the following conditions, which distinguish a supercar from mass-produced sports cars:

    very good traction throughout the speed range
    brake deceleration of 1,1-1,3 g (10,79-12,75 m/s²)
    power/weight ratio of 1,1-2,9 kg/1HP
    acceleration 0-200 km/h below 10 seconds
    acceleration 0-300 km/h below 30 seconds
    acceleration 0-100 km/h below 4 seconds
    braking from 300-0 km/h below 7 seconds
    the 0-300-0 km/h test below 40 seconds
    cornering g-force over 1
    1/4 mile time below 12 seconds
    centrally positioned engine

Lee Noble, a famous British car designer will lend his name to the project. He is currently a member of the supervisory board and a shareholder in Arrinera Automotive S.A. He will be responsible for technical aspects related to the supercar as well as for the design and production of the rolling chassis.

Lee Noble is a British entrepreneur, designer and automobile engineer. He has been acclaimed as the most prolific British car manufacturer ever. Across three decades, he has manufactured almost 2000 cars based on his own designs. Almost all of them produced innovative performance. Lee's cars are more concerned about handling and performance ability. The first of them - Ultima - was used as a test mule for a model which was to become the fastest production car in the world - the McLaren F1.

As part of implementing its strategy, the management of Arrinera Automotive has signed an exclusive deal for negotiations to buy a 50% stake in Fenix Automotive Ltd from Great Britain, which is involved in the construction project of the Fenix sports car. Arrinera plans to complete the transaction by the end of the third quarter of 2011. This investment will enable Arrinera to carry out the strategy for building a group of companies with a very strong position in the world market of low-volume production of supercars and sports cars, gaining access to foreign markets and technology/know-how while operating in a prestigious and elite market. Fenix Automotive is controlled by Lee Noble.

Arrinera Automotive plans to commence production of cars in Poland. Instead of creating its own manufacturing facilities, the company is concentrating on finding suitable subcontractors in our country and talks with potential partners having necessary expertise in car manufacturing are well advanced.

Arrinera Automotive expects the target volume of production will be from 600-700 cars a year. Arrinera Automotive S.A. is preparing for its first quotation of shares at the New Connect market. The majority shareholder of Arrinera Automotive is the VENO S.A. venture capital fund, listed on the New Connect market for 3 years.

Appearance of Arrinera
The car body styling is characterized by sharp and dynamic lines, which clearly indicate the massive potential of the supercar. The front of the car is close to the ground which vastly improves its aerodynamic properties. When looking at the car from the side, one cannot help the impression that the car is surprisingly asymmetrical: the passenger cabin is moved forwards and the door line rises distinctively - these features are something that we do not see very often in everyday traffic. At the back of the car, unique muffler housings with diffusers resemble the exhaust nozzles of a jet airplane. The Arrinera supercar will be equipped with a 650HP engine. The car body will be unique and its aerodynamics and lightweight construction will make it possible to maximize the output of the engine. The stylist responsible for Arrinera's lines is Pavlo Burkatskyy.

Chassis and body
The chassis designed by Lee Noble will be made from high-strength steel of variable section and considerable torsional strength. It will be extraordinarily light and characterized by high deformation resistance. The expertise of the British designer (over 30 years in the industry) ensures a suitable level of protection for the cars in this category. Optionally, the body, interior and floor can be made of Carbon/Kevlar fiber composite materials.

Interior
Individual elements will be made of high quality leather and composite materials. The car is equipped with an audio system, electric windows and mirrors and air conditioning. For safety reasons - in case of a rollover - reinforced roll bars have been positioned behind the seats and both seats are equipped with 4-point seat belts.

Engine
An 8-cylinder 6.2-litre engine with a maximum power of 650HP and 820 Nm torque.

Wheels
19-inch wheels create additional space for an expanded braking system. Light-alloy wheels with 255/35 R19 tyres (front) and 335/30 R19 (rear).

Brakes
Front wheels are equipped with 6-piston callipers and 350 mm brake discs. Rear wheels with 4-piston callipers and 330 mm brake discs.

Suspension
Independent, multi-link, designed and optimised by Lee Noble.

Thermal vision camera
The car can be fitted with a thermal vision camera option, which monitors the area in front of the car at the distance of a few hundred metres. If the camera detects an object with a temperature exceeding the ambient temperature (presumably an animal or a human), the driver can see a bright and clear image of this object on a display located in the central console within normal sight line. This may significantly improve the safety level at night and when driving in fog as compared to xenon headlights.

Technical specifications
    Length: 4450 mm
    Width: 2056 mm
    Height: 1190 mm
    Wheel track front: 1744 mm
    Wheel track rear: 1744 mm
    Wheelbase: 2695 mm
    Engine capacity: 6.2 l
    Engine: V8
    Power: 650 hp
    Maximum torque: 820 Nm
    Gearbox: Graziano
    Weight: 1300 kg
    Weight/power: 2.0 kg/1 hp
    0-100 km/h: 3.2 s
    0-200 km/h: 8.9 s
    0-200-0 km: 14.3 s
    200-0 km/h: 133 m
    1/4 mile time: 11.0 s
    Top speed: 340 km/h
    G force in curves: 1.3G
    Base price: 100.000 GBP

Artega GT, 2008

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Artega GT, 2008

The Design features: agility, driving dynamics and safety

The major development parameters for the vehicle body were lightweight design and rigidity. A generously dimensioned aluminium spaceframe in connection with a body made of carbonfibre reinforced compound materials thus ensures a top power-to-weight ratio. For reasons of efficient space utilisation, ideal weight distribution and the best possible traction, the high-grade drive components of the Volkswagen Group are installed as rear engine traverse to the direction of travel. The 3.6-litre V6 is the ideal drive for a vehicle of this class. Along with the highly praised and well-tried direct-shift gearbox, the engine is mounted in a compact module made of highstrength steel tubes. The backs of the comfortable sports seats fold back to make loading easier. 
Especially effective crash modules as well as a steel side-collision protection as essential features of the passive safety system protect the passengers with front and side airbags in the case of accident. To ensure a maximum of active safety, the Artega GT design integrates state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, such as ASP (Artega Stability Program) such as the electronic stability program ASP (Artega), ABS and the traction control TC. Just as in other super sports cars, four different drive programs can be selected at the Headunit: Normal (ASP with early intervention, TC on), Sport (ASP with later intervention, TC on), Race (ASP off, TC on) and Off (ASP off, TC off).

Fitness for travel: a "sensible" amount of room despite sports car dimensions

In designing the body and interior of the car, great care was taken to consider the needs and comfort of the occupants. The generous amount of space compared to the extremely compact overall dimensions, numerous convenient interior places to put things and two separate luggage compartments (one behind the seats and the other under the front hood) are exceptional for a car this size. Such storage conditions were made possible by the engine's transverse installation in the rear. Although the Artega GT provides phenomenal handling performance and drive capabilities, the chassis fine-tuning ensures that comfort in no way comes too short. Even long trips will be savoured in happy memory by the driver and passenger - and even if the top cruising range provided by the optional 80-litre tank is fully used.

Operation: paragon makes driving easier, more pleasant, and safer
The competence of the electronic specialists at paragon AG has provided comprehensive innovative systems for operation and driver information. One of the primary concerns of the Artega idea is to prove their benefit in the Artega GT.With innovative sensor buttons and the unique dual-pointer dashboard for road speed and engine speed, paragon offers a novel ambience as a significant, distinctive attribute of the Artega GT.These features are emphasized by a plaque with the inscription "Cockpit systems from paragon" in the interior of the vehicle.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring Concept, 2012

 
 
  •  Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring Concept, 2012

The Disco Volante 2012 by Touring Superleggera, designed as a two-seater coupé with front-central engine and transaxle drivetrain, was presented at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in the form of a full scale style model. The car will be produced as a very limited series for discerning customers: collectors, sporting drivers and design aficionados with appreciation for a tailor-made car based on individual passion and taste.

There exist very few models that rouse fascination like the Alfa Romeo C52 'Disco Volante'. The briefing at Carrozzeria Touring in 1952 mentioned the need for a shape that was 'insensitive to wind'. The unique basic design, featuring an oval cross section, evolved in different versions, and was even registered as 'design patent'.

Using Alfa Romeo 1900 C elements, the car received a new aluminium crankcase, a new tubular chassis, and a very light, striking and efficient aluminium body.

Initially aimed at races in the Sport category, the C52 Disco Volante soon reached the status of design icon. It is one of the most important models in the history of Touring, so innovative that it influenced the automotive design for decades. It also is one of the best examples to illustrate the credo of Touring's founder Felice Bianchi Anderloni "Il peso è il nemico, la resistenza dell'aria è l'ostacolo" (weight is the enemy, air resistance the obstacle).
So significant is the Disco Volante in the history of automobile design, that Alfa Romeo has chosen this Touring design to celebrate its own 100th anniversary with a bronze sculpture now exhibited in Milan.

Design
The Disco Volante 2012 design briefing required to blend ingredients as innovation, emotion and aerodynamic properties into a timeless and essential shape. The design language is that of a sports berlinetta by Touring, in this case extrovert, clearly pronounced, and tempting.

The integrated front bonnet and wings result in a dramatic monolithic frontal area, while the pronounced muscular rear end treatment leaves no doubts about the car's intentions. The overall teardrop shape reflects classic volumes with respect for aerodynamic values.

Hints to the past can be found in subtle details, when aesthetical solutions were judged to be congruent with the new design. These include the pronounced waist line underlined by the aluminium profile, the partly covered front wheels, and the prolonged lines of the rear section ending with round shaped tail lights.

The final result is a rear-oriented design, with an extended rear overhang, a retracted greenhouse, and a limited front overhang. It combines power and elegance, integrating a balance between potent and fluid lines and the use of refined proportions in the best Touring tradition.

Rolling Chassis
The hard points of the Disco Volante 2012 are dictated by the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione chassis, chosen for its light and rigid structure and the outstanding dynamic properties. It forms the perfect basis to receive the totally new, coach built bodywork conserving integrally the rolling chassis and drivetrain.

The front-central engine, transaxle transmission and rear wheel drive layout offers an optimal weight distribution of 49-51% between the front and rear axles.

The steel space-frame is engineered for weight reduction and improved torsional stiffness.

Further feature for top class handling is the front and rear double-wishbone suspension scheme combined with hub carriers of forged aluminium, and additional trailing arms for the rear suspension.

The light and compact V8 engine with 4.7 litre displacement delivers 450 PS and 470Nm peak torque. It is coupled to a 6-speed sequential transaxle gearbox with electronic control and paddle-shift gear selection. A limited slip differential and a state-of-the-art brake system with large diameter, ventilated discs complete the package to endorse precise, dynamic and proactive drive.

The Disco Volante 2012 is a tribute to the best Italian sports car philosophy: refined mechanics dressed with light and exciting bodywork.

Manufacturing Process
Prior to any construction phase at Touring, every new component is CAD designed and documented. The meticulous engineering programme covers feasibility, safety, homologation, aerodynamics and structural analysis. In this process, the most advanced IT tools and simulation techniques are used. Special attention is paid to the underbody structure, a critical factor for quality, torsional stiffness and noise reduction.

Touring has preserved and developed the use of hand-beaten aluminium panels. Today, this traditional way of shaping body parts responds not only to the design requirements, but also to the strictest precision standard.

The weight advantage of aluminium is one of the assets of Touring Superleggera's construction methods. However, carbon fibre is used for specific components such as bumpers and a number of substructures for further weight saving and strength gains.

The entire manufacturing process is fully documented and digitally logged, to guarantee consistent quality levels and accurate reproduction.

3-dimensional reference and measurement tools are used to ensure the highest precision in the assembly stage. Many key detail components and ornaments are entirely manufactured by hand.

The original 8C interior is basically maintained, but modified and upgraded according to the personal preferences and taste of the customer - as an exponent of Touring's automotive tailoring philosophy.

Each unit requires more than 4,000 hours of highly skilled artisan and engineer work to be completed.

The delivery time for a Disco Volante 2012 is eight months after the reception of the donor vehicle.

SSC ULTIMATE AERO TT, 2007

 
 
 
 
  • SSC ULTIMATE AERO TT, 2007

Want to drive fast? really seriously fast? you’re spoilt for choice at present – at least in terms of the machinery available, if not the roads to do it on. There’s the 253mph Bugatti Veyron, the 250+mph Koenigsegg CCXR and the Bristol Fighter T with a claimed top speed potential of 270mph, but which be restricted to 225mph.
There’s also the Hennessey Venom Viper with a claimed top speed of 255mph.

The world’s most powerful production car, ever.
Boasting a truly gargantuan 1,183bhp, the small, little-known Washington State-based company claims a top speed capability of 273mph. In tests earlier this year on a closed section of Nevada highway the SSC managed 230mph in the two miles available, but had the originally intended 12 mile site not been hit by snow, then the Veyron could well  have been humbled.

With strikingly rich paint, its all carbon composite bodywork looks like something from the mid 1990s.
There are echoes of Zonda at the front and Diablo at the sides, while at the rear function has priority over form.
There are noticeable variances in some panel gaps, but the giant alloys and big discs (more later) certainly look the part.

There’s little that’s impressive inside as fit, finish and detailing falls far short of the current supercar norm.
On the plus side the Aero TT is easy enough to climb in and out of, the leather seats are supportive,  it’s reasonably spacious with ample headroom and the driving position is fine apart from the front wheel arch intruding  into the footwell,

There’s something akin to a controlled nuclear explosion as the modified, twin-turbo 6,348cc Corvette pushrod V8 bursts into life.
This start-up extravaganza only lasts a second or three before  the engine settles into a loud offbeat V8 burble, but this is pure, undiluted Yankee muscle.

Despite the Aero TT’s massive torque, moving away sedately from a standstill requires a delicate balance of clutch and  throttle.
It’s eager either to launch like a dragster, or stall. Despite SSC’s brochure claiming the TT’s rack and pinion steering is assisted.
Manoeuvring at parking speeds required strong arms and a firm, two-handed grip on the wheel, but once rolling the SSC is easy enough to drive with a precise gearchange and direct, accurate steering, even by mid-engined supercar standards.

On the road the SSC grips tenaciously. Its nose goes precisely where you point it, when you point it, and the steel tube chassis feels suitably rigid and well-balanced. I can only guess how the car might behave when pushed hard on a track,  but with so much power, rear wheel drive and no electronic traction aides, considerable expertise, and prudence,  would obviously be required.

Straight-ahead visibility is good, but the massive A-pillars can be a hindrance. Rear vision is effectively zero,  save for the door mirrors and rear-facing camera with pop-out screen in the radio/stereo/satnav unit.
 The adjustable suspension was set somewhere between firm and rock hard and so the ride was correspondingly unforgiving.
 Driving one or more of those super-wide Michelins over cats-eyes sent loud staccato bangs and solid thumps directly into the cabin. At legal speeds the exhaust is quiet enough to allow conversation, but lifting off the throttle causes an almighty cacophony from the twin-turbo wastegates.

There’s the car’s throttle response, which is like nothing I’ve experienced before.
 With just the slightest pressure on the pedal the car accelerates briskly.
 With just a tiny bit more it surges forward with near-terrifying urgency.
 And all the while there’s a palpable sense of the immense, almost infinite power waiting in reserve.
 Prod the throttle with anything less than caution and those huge rear Michelins will win gold at the Doughnut Olympics.
 Fortunately, despite the massive urge available at any speed in almost any gear, the TT can potter along slowly in fifth or  even sixth gear without drivetrain snatch.

Though the TT can deliver salt flat-shrinking speed, the brakes on this particular car are something of a mystery.
The brochure states that eight-piston calipers should be fitted at the front, but this one had four-piston units.
 Pedal pressure required even from moderate speeds was inordinately high, with almost no feel or power.

Conversely, it’s more powerful, more exclusive, and potentially faster than a Veyron, while costing less than half as much.
 And since when did all-American muscle have to dress up like posh European aristocracy? Some loud paint,  serious wheels and an even louder V8 is all it really needs, and that’s what it’s got, in unprecedented abundance.

Specification:
    * Engine - mid-mounted, all-alloy 16-valve V8 twin turbo
    * Displacement - 6,348 cc (387.2 cu in)
    * Power - 1,183 bhp (1,199 PS) @ 6,950 rpm (7,200 rpm redline)
    * Torque - 1,094 lb/ft (1,484 Nm) @ 6,150 rpm
    * Transmission - 6-speed manual, rear wheel drive
    * 0-60 mph - 2.78 secs
    * Standing 1/4 mile - 9.9 secs @ 144mph
    * 60-0mph - 31.4 metres (103 ft)
    * Top speed - 273 mph
    * Chassis - steel tube space frame
    * Body - carbon fibre composite, flat undertray with venturi tunnels
    * Cd - 0.357
    * Brakes - 14 inch vented, cross-drilled discs, 8-piston* calipers (front), 6-piston* (rear), (*see text)
    * Suspension - double wishbone (front); upper rocker arm, lower wishbone (rear), remote reservoir, adjustable Penske dampers,        coil-over springs, anti-roll bar
    * Wheels - forged, 3-piece alloy, 19 x 9.5” (front), 20 x 13” (rear)
    * Tyres - Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, 235/35 19 (front), 335/30 20 (rear)
    * Price - $550,000 ex factory, approx £335,000 on the road in UK

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Acura ILX Endurance Racer, 2013

 
 
 
  •  Acura ILX Endurance Racer, 2013

Developed and prepared by Team Honda Research-West, a competition version of the new 2013 Acura ILX will be unveiled the 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, prior to making its competition debut at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race.

A pair of E1 class Acura ILX sedans, prepared to NASA U.S. Touring Car specs, will be entered for the traditional 25-hour endurance race that annually concludes the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) season at the challenging three-mile Thunderhill road course north of Sacramento, California.

Team Honda Research-West (THR-W) is primarily made up of Torrance, California-based associates from Honda R&D Americas, Inc., who work after-hours to showcase Honda and Acura products on the track. The team received a pair of new Acura ILX "body in white" bare chassis earlier this year from Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC, the exclusive global production source for the model. Additionally, a pair of "donor" cars from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was used to provide suspension, powertrain, interior and electronic components.

Once the chassis and donor cars were delivered to the THR-W workshop, an extensive build program commenced that included the use of as many OEM components as possible, to retain serviceability and test outright durability of Acura's newest sedan. In preparing the cars for the grueling Thunderhill event, THR-W members focused their efforts less on performance modifications and more on reducing vehicle weight, to achieve the performance targets set by the team.

Safety equipment required by NASA included a full roll cage (designed by THR-W and built by Solo Motorsports); Bride Gardis III race seat; OMP competition steering wheel; Schroth safety harness; Brockway Engineering D Gauge digital OBD2 gauge; and Braille lightweight battery. Changes to the exterior included a Baja Designs LED lighting system for long winter night-running, a THR-W-designed front splitter and an APR GTC-200 rear spoiler.

Red Line oil lubricates the K24Z7 engine and 6-speed transmission. Cold air enters the engine through an AEM intake, while DEI heat rejection products help keep the heat under control from exhaust gases flowing through the custom-built AEM/120 Racing exhaust. H&R suspension and Enkei RPF1 wheels fitted with BF Goodrich R1 race tires complete the Acura ILX competition package.

Honda Performance Development (HPD), responsible for Honda racing programs ranging from entry-level categories to the IZOD IndyCar Series and World Endurance Championship, also contributed several racing-specific components to the ILX project. These included an HPD-lightened flywheel and racing clutch package, limited-slip differential, motor mounts, anti-roll bars and rear upper suspension control arms. All of these parts are available to racers through the HPD Honda Racing Line program.

The THR-W build team for the ILX includes a number of engineers and researchers from Honda R&D Americas (HRA). The team is headed by Project Leader Calvin Liu, a Design Engineer in the Surface Development Department. John Whiteman, Manager of the Advanced Product Planning Department, is responsible for race strategy and sponsorship. David Kirsch, Senior Engineer in the Information Technical Research Department, serves as Crew Chief and is responsible for the electrical system. Roy Richards, a coordinator in the Energy and Environmental Research Group, is responsible for budget and procurement of components for the team.

Once the initial build was complete, a testing program that included a pair of shakedown runs at Buttonwillow Raceway in southern California, followed by a more extensive run at Willow Springs International Raceway, was implemented to complete final preparations for Thunderhill.

The driving team for Thunderhill is headed by Matt Staal, Senior Planner, Advanced Product Planning, for HRA. Other members of the driver lineup include Project Leader Calvin Liu; Derek Ferretti, a Senior Modeler in the Styling Division at HRA; Sage Marie, Senior Manager of Public Relations at American Honda; Lee Niffenegger, a former SCCA National Champion and Senior Engineer in Business Development at HPD; Lawrence Hwang, Senior Stylist at HRA; Scott Nichol from Honda of Canada Manufacturing; Chad Gilsinger, a former SCCA National Champion and Senior Engineer at HRA in Ohio: and Brian Shanfeld, a former NASA National Champion, also from HRA in Ohio.

Zenvo ST1, 2010

 
 
 
  • Zenvo ST1, 2010

The Zenvo ST1 is designed to express the excessive power and performance of the car.

The design brief from the Zenvo creators to the designers at hermann & brandt design consultancy was to design a supercar that looked like no other supercar. The design had to be aggressive mixing supercar styling with race car elements.

The design of the Zenvo ST1 is made from free flowing accelerating lines creating the shape of the wheel arches, the roof line, side line and the lower side air intake. The sharp lines are connected by muscular organic surfacing creating dramatic reflections. Contrasting the general surfacing the design features a race car inspired lower carbon splitter.

The front of the Zenvo ST1 is designed around the hexagonal trademark Zenvo grille flanked by the large front air intakes used for brakes and engine cooling. The intakes are raked back to minimize drag and at the same time making the side impression of the car more compact.

The theme of the front is repeated in the rear which is designed around the big diffuser necessary for high speed stability. As on the front the center volume is flanked by large air exits extracting hot engine air as well as housing the exhaust and rear lights.

The rear spoiler mandatory for a car capable of extreme high speeds is partly integrated in the rear wing. It has a unique aerodynamic design following the raked shape of the rear end.

Technical Specifications

    * Max. power: 1104 hp (810 kW) at 6900 rpm
    * Max. torque: 1430Nm at 4500 rpm
    * Top speed: 375 km/h (electronically controlled)
    * Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.0 s
    * Dimension
          o Overall length: 4665 mm
          o Overall width, without mirrors: 2041 mm
          o Overall height: 1198 mm
          o Wheelbase: 3055 mm
          o Weight: 1376 kg
          o Headroom front: 1002 mm
          o Legroom front: 1104 mm
          o Shoulderroom front: 1398 mm
          o Cargo volume: 130 l
          o Fuel tank volume: 69 l

Friday, December 28, 2012

Zagato Perana Z-One, 2009

 
 
 
  •  Zagato Perana Z-One, 2009

Zagato is launching an exciting World Premiere on the occasion of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show: the Zagato Perana Z-One (Zee-One).
The sports car Zagato Perana Z-One signals the first collaboration of the Milanese Coachbuilders with a South African Vehicle Manufacturer: Perana Performance Group.

The Perana project is the result of Zagato's 90 year-long expertise in constructing fully functional running concepts. Virtual reality development has been integrated from inception, effectively eliminating the need for the traditional styling model and enabling the prototype to be completed in less than 4 months by the South African team.

Design Concept
As the latest descendant of the Zagato sports car family, Z-one is designed with full blooded Zagato form language.
Reflecting this pure passion from this brand new sports car specialist, the proportion and volume of Z-one is even tighter than usual sports car styling, accentuated by couple of long and dynamic curves with keen edge which visually integrate some important design features like the air out-lets. Surfaces defined by those cutting edges are even more sculptured maintaining the modern Zagato line which we have been developing for a decade.

Initiative
Following in the footsteps of Zagato's long tradition of masterfully designed cars, the Zagato Perana Z-One is no mere dream car, but a thoroughly practical and feasible production proposition that is expected to be available for sale to discerning European buyers by July 2009.
The Zagato Design Centre has styled the Zagato Perana Z-one to ensure it is built as a limited series production car. Sales will be limited to 999 cars per annum within Europe to assure exclusivity and to commemorate the 90 years of Zagato design.
Complying with Euro 4 emission legislation, this value proposition is expected to be launched at the introductory price of under 50.000 Euros, before taxes - an irresistible and highly competitive offer.

Technical Development
From the innovative tubular and box section chassis to the exciting interior styling, the Zagato Perana Z-One is a concentration of advanced design and engineering. Fully certifiable for the road, this ultra high-performance, front engined sports coupé uses a powerful 6.2 litre V8 engine that drives the rear wheels. This genuine 2-seater coupé, enjoys the benefits of almost 50/50 weight distribution allowing for exhilarating, balanced and predictable road manners.

Specification Sheet
    * Dimension
          o Curb Weight: 1195 kg
          o Weight Distribution
                + Front: 50%
                + Rear: 50%
          o Wheelbase: 2540 mm
          o Track
                + Front: 1627 mm
                + Rear: 1570 mm
          o Length: 4406 mm
          o Height: 1233 mm
          o Width: 1924 mm
          o Seating Capacity: 2

    * Engine
          o Configuration: V8, All Aluminium
          o Displacement: 6200 cc
          o Power: 328 kW
          o Torque: 583 Nm
          o Max. rpm: 6600 rpm
          o Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection. Electronic, Sequential Port.
          o Compression Ratio: 10.7: 1

    * Drive train
          o Gearbox: 6 speed manual
          o Differential: ZF Limited Slip

    * Wheels: Perana / Zagato
          o Front: 18 x 10J
          o Rear: 19 x 12J

    * Tyres: Michelin PS2
          o Front: 275/35 ZR18
          o Rear: 345/30 ZR19

    * Chassis
          o Layout: Front/Mid Engine, RWD
          o Frame: Steel Tube Space Frame
          o Body: Vinyl-Ester/Glass Composite

    * Brakes
          o Front: 325mm
          o Rear: 305mm
          o Assist type: Vacuum

    * Steering: ZF Power Assist

    * Suspension
      o Front: Unequal Length A-arms, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Anti-roll bar
      o Rear: Unequal length A-arms, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Anti-roll bar
    
* Fuel Capacity: 85 litres
    * Performance
          o Power/weight ratio: 328 hp (240 kW)/tonne
          o 0-100km/h: <4 secs (est)
          o 0-160km/h: <10 secs (est)
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