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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package, 2012

To celebrate the Lexus LFA's hat-trick of class wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, Lexus has created the Nürburgring Package, an array of aerodynamic features, suspension adjustments and revisions to the 4.8-litre V10 engine that give the supercar a more track-focused profile. Shown in public for the first time at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the performance option is available on just 50 of the 500 cars that will be built. These versions will be crafted during 2012, the second full year of Lexus LFA production.

To sharpen the car's circuit driving performance even further by increasing downforce at high speed, the Nürburgring Package introduces modifications and additions to several key carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components. These include a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin and a fixed rear wing.

To ensure the Lexus LFA maintains its 3.7-second acceleration time from nought to 62mph, in spite of the increased drag, the V10 engine has been revised to increase maximum power by 10bhp to 562bhp. Shift times in the six-speed sequential transmission are just 0.15 seconds.

In terms of handling modifications, the package features suspension tuning and a 10mm reduction in the ride height. Exclusive mesh-type wheels are introduced, fitted with dedicated high-grip tyres.

Exterior colour choices are restricted to matte black, black, white or orange, with interiors finished in black and red, black and purple and all-black. Cars delivered in Europe will feature a carbon fibre centre console and door trims, with carbon fibre sports seats finished in Alcantara.

CFRP parts manufacturing
Lexus LFA production began in December 2010 with just one hand-crafted car completed per day. A team of 175 people are involved in CFRP parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting.

CFRP is exceptionally strong, rigid and lightweight, and accounts for about 65 per cent of the Lexus LFA's body structure weight. This amounts to a saving of about 100kg, compared an equivalent all-aluminium body.

Lexus is producing and assembling the CFRP components in-house, with a view to future development of the technology. It is a time-consuming process, compared to working with steel or aluminium, but the LFA project provides a valuable test bed for new, automated processes which will be used in the manufacture of future Lexus and Toyota models.

Different manufacturing technologies are used according the shape, role and required properties of each component.

    Pre-preg: this is an industry-standard composite sheet material made of carbon fibre, pre-impregnated with epoxy resin. It is used for the Lexus LFA's main structural elements, such as the dash, side and cross-members and panels.
    Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): this is dry sheet fabrication, with epoxy resin injected into the mould. It is mainly employed in the Lexus LFA's secondary main frames, such as the crash boxes, roof side rails and vehicle floor.
    Carbon fibre - Sheet Moulding Compound (C-SMC): this is used for fabricating the upper body components and frames that have complex geometries.

Adhesive bonding
The Lexus LFA assembly line moves through five consecutive processes, each of which has been digitally validated. For the first four - sub-assembly, underbody, small aluminium parts and main body - adhesive bonding is used. Final assembly of the aluminium parts is by mechanical fastening.

This is the first time Lexus has used adhesive bonding for main body assembly, a process that has required new quality control measures to be implemented to ensure each of the five stages involved in the bonding meets the required criteria.

Land Rover Range Rover, 2012

 
 
  •  Land Rover Range Rover, 2012

The 2012 Range Rover consolidates its position as the world's most luxurious SUV with a host of style changes and feature upgrades, including new option packs for the Vogue and Autobiography models.
 
The Range Rover always has been and remains the definitive, luxury SUV and one whose off-road performance matches its comfort levels and performance. New equipment levels, revised styling and generously specified option packs make it the one to beat in 2012.

The Land Rover Range Rover exterior has been enhanced for 2012 with detail styling changes. Headlamp and tail lamp back plates are now finished in gloss black, while the front grille surround is finished in Narvik Black. Door handles and side vents match the body colour to create a modern, integrated look and new 20" V spoke alloy wheels finished in mid silver sporting a Range Rover branded centre cap, round off the changes to the exterior.

The Grand Black wood veneers on the 2012 Range Rover now have a crisp inlay which reads 'Range Rover'. Autobiography veneers are available in a choice of Burr Maple Prussian Blue, Anthracite Lined Oak or Ash Burl.

The Land Rover Range Rover Vogue model offers a highly distinctive new look with unique tailgate badging, reflecting the customer's choice of either the Vogue Silver Pack or Vogue Black Pack. Both derivatives include the widely acclaimed Logic 7, 1200W Harman Kardon High Dynamics Audio System, heated and cooled seats for each passenger, and an 8-inch Dual View infotainment screen - allowing the driver to view the navigation display whilst the passenger can relax watching a video.

Additionally, the Vogue Silver Pack offers a Supercharged Design Pack comprising of a bright noble finish to the front grille and side vents.

Customers opting for the Vogue Black Pack will sport the Exterior Design Pack. This includes revised front bumper with fog lamp surrounds, front grille and side vents in Titan finish, revised side sills, rear bumper and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

The Range Rover Autobiography now comes with three new option packs - Prestige, Dynamic and Technology - which can be ordered individually or in combination to offer customers the ultimate in Range Rover luxury.

The Prestige Pack includes extended Autobiography colourways, Grand Black veneers and reclining rear seats; the Dynamic Pack includes the exterior Design Pack with the addition of 20" Shadow Chrome alloy wheels; whilst the Technology Pack comprises Vision Assist, 4-zone air conditioning, the Harmon Kardon Logic 7 1200W audio system and rear seat entertainment.

The Range Rover engine line-up remains unchanged for 2012.
The powerful 4.4 LR-TDV8 - specifically designed for the Range Rover - develops 313PS at 4,000rpm and 700Nm torque at between 1,500rpm and 3,000rpm. With combined fuel consumption of 30.1mpg, this made it one of the most powerful and economical diesels in the world at its introduction in 2011. Combined with the super-efficient ZF 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission it returns CO2 emissions of just 253g/km.

The Supercharged LR-V8 remains one of the most uncompromisingly powerful and efficient petrol engines in its class, producing 510PS at between 6,000rpm and 6,500rpm with torque of 625Nm from 2500rpm-5500rpm. This immense performance, allows the Supercharged Range Rover to accelerate from 0-60mph in a mere 5.9 seconds.

The naturally aspirated LR-V8 is one of the most refined engines of its type, combining a silky smooth power delivery with unparalleled efficiency. Power output is 375PS at 6,500rpm with torque of 510Nm at 3,500rpm, reaching 60mph from rest in just 7.2 seconds.
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