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Thursday, November 20, 2008

GTR

GTR




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Nissan’s GT-R was one of the most anticipated new cars of 2007 (not to mention the 5 years leading up to 2007) and what an enormous success it was. In 2008 all the talk has been about Nissan’s next GT-R model, the Nissan GT-R Spec-V.

The Spec-V has been spied and rumored and talked up on blogs and forums but not much in the way of confirmed data has been delivered yet. Today we have been tipped off on the list of confirmed changes in the Nissan GT-R Spec-V versus the standard Nissan GT-R.

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf






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In Germany, the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 was succeeded by the Golf Mk5 in 2003 in Europe. This model did not reach the North American markets until model year 2006, where it was marketed as the GTI MKV. The GTI is powered by a 2.0 FSI and TSI Model. Both are turbocharged and produce a rather large amount of low end torque with relatively no turbo lag. The badge GTI is short for Grand Touring Injected.

Volkswagen also introduced the "Fast", a marketing ploy dedicated to the "fast" that lives inside every driver. Drivers who purchase new GTI MKV's from a dealership are shipped a model of said Fast, which employs GTI-like features, and appears as a small animal. The GTI version is the only one on sale in Mexico.

The notchback version, again called VW Jetta in most markets and built exclusively in Mexico (In Mexico this car is named Bora, in Europe it is now again named Jetta, as well), followed in 2004, a new Golf Variant in 2006. The Jetta however, is not the only variant, as the notchback version of the GTI can also be had in the GLI version. The front ends of the car are the same, with the only difference being that the GLI is a sedan, while the GTI is a "hot hatch" The Golf Cabriolet has been effectively replaced by the Volkswagen Eos.

In a comparison test conducted by Car and Driver Magazine, the Volkswagen Rabbit S was named the winner among eight small cars. While it was praised for its excellent driving position, fine instruments, and strong engine, it was criticized for having high levels of road noise, uncomfortable seats, and poor fuel economy. Though, the final verdict stated, "This one is all about driving pleasure, so it wins." The Rabbit also placed first in their last comparison in December 2006.

"MK5 Golf Production for the UK finished on Week 42" quote from Volkswagen UK.

Infiniti G37 coupe

Infiniti G37 Coupe






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Highlights of the G37 include a new 350 Horse-power (gross) V6 engine, seductive styling, and luxury appointments - taking the exhilarating performance, elegance, and sporty interior of the original Infiniti G Coupe to new levels.

Among the key enhancements to the second-generation G Coupe is a larger, more powerful 3.7-litre V6 engine, available advanced 4-wheel active steer system, a dramatic new exterior design and a refined interior with intuitive, integrated technology.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. David Radcliffe, General Manager, Al Masaood Automobiles, commented, 'G37 builds on the styling, performance and interior enhancements of the G Sedan, adding the dynamic style, sporty atmosphere and expressive driving character expected of a class-leading luxury sport coupe.'

Infinti G37 Coupe

Infinti G37 Coupe






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The G37 is backed by a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, DS mode adaptive shift control that allows for quicker shifts in sporty driving situations and available genuine magnesium paddle shifters.

The G37 Coupe's 4-wheel independent suspension design features lightweight aluminum components and large front and rear stabilizer bars, increased spring rates and optimized suspension damping.

Steering is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low vehicle speeds.

Braking is provided by 4-wheel vented discs with 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA).

Ford

Ford






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Ford concept car

Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang





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Conceived by Ford product manager Donald N. Frey and championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca, the Mustang prototype was a two-seat, front-mounted engine roadster. This would later be remodeled as a four-seat car penned by David Ash and John Oros in Ford's Lincoln–Mercury Division design studios, which produced the winning design in an intramural design contest instigated by Iacocca. To cut down the development cost and achieve a suggested retail price of US$2,368, the Mustang was based heavily on familiar yet simple components. Much of the chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components were derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane.

The car had the the 1964 Falcon's monocoque platform-type frame, with welded box-section side rails and cross-members.

Media exposure began on 16 April 1964 with commercials broadcast by all three American television networks to reach 29 million TV viewers, followed by announcement advertisements and publicity articles in 2,600 newspapers the next morning, the day the car was "officially" revealed. A Mustang also appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September 1964, the first time the car was used in a movie.

Original sales forecasts projected less than 100,000 units for the first year, but in its first eighteen months, more than one million Mustangs were built.

Ford GT

Ford GT




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The Ford GT is a mid-engined sports car 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.

Ford GT

Ford GT






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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 ft/lbs (680 N·m) of torque. Top speed is 205 mph (330 km/h)(electronically limited).

Ford GT

Ford GT







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At the 1995 Detroit Auto Show, the Ford GT90 concept was shown and at the 2002 show, a new GT40 Concept was unveiled by Ford.

The GT is similar to the original Ford GT40 cars, but bigger, wider, and three inches (76 mm) taller than the original 40 inches (1.02 m)—as a result of which, a potential name for the car was the GT43. Three production prototype cars were shown in 2003 as part of Ford's centenary, and delivery of the production Ford GT began in the fall of 2004.

Ford GT

Ford GT







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Ford GT



Ford GT








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A British company, Safir Engineering, who made continuation GT40s in the 1980s owned the GT40 trademark at that time, and when they completed production, they sold the excess parts, tooling, design, and trademark to a small Ohio company called Safir GT40 Spares. Safir GT40 Spares licensed the use of the GT40 trademark to Ford for the initial 2002 show car, but when Ford decided to make the production vehicle, negotiations between the two failed, and as a result the new Ford GT does not wear the badge GT40. It is rumored that Safir GT40 Spares asked $40 million for the rights, but this has never been verified. The partners at Safir GT40 Spares state they have correspondence from Ford declining Safir's $8 million offer. Early cars from the 1960s were simply named "Ford GT". The name "GT40" was the name of Ford's project to prepare the cars for the international endurance racing circuit, and the quest to win the 24 Hours of LeMans. The first 12 prototype vehicles carried serial numbers GT-101 through GT-112. The "production" began and the subsequent cars, the MkI, MkIIs, MkIIIs, and MkVs, numbered GT40-P-1000 through GT40-P-1145, were officially "GT40s". The name of Ford's project, and the serial numbers, thus show the story that "GT40" was only the car's nickname to be false.

Ford GT

Ford GT




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The first customers took delivery in August 2004. The GT began assembly and was painted by Saleen in their Saleen Special Vehicles facility in Troy, Michigan. The GT is powered by an engine built at Ford's Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Michigan. Installation of the engine and manual transmission along with interior finishing was handled in the SVT building at Ford's Wixom, Michigan plant.

Of the 4,500 GTs originally planned, approximately 100 were to be exported to Europe, starting in late 2005. An additional 200 were destined for sale in Canada. When production ended in 2006, the full planned lot of 4500 were not produced. Approximately 550 were built in 2004, nearly 1900 in 2005, and just over 1600 in 2006, for a grand total of 4038; however, the final 11 car bodies manufactured by Mayflower Vehicle Systems were disassembled and the frames and body panels sold as service parts.

Fisker

Fisker


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Fisker Automotive is a joint venture between Fisker Coachbuild and Quantum Technologies that has developed a plug-in hybrid sportscar which it intends to begin selling in late 2009. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California.

The company states that it intends to develop other products at some time in the future, all of which will feature a plug-in hybrid technology it calls "Quantum Drive", developed by Quantum Technologies.

The company's sole existing product, the Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid sportscar shown at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008. Fisker intends to sell its Karma PHEV in late 2009 in the US and in early 2010 in Europe.

It has a claimed range of 49.7 miles (80.0 km) on electric recharge with gasoline backup engine.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Ferrari

Ferrari





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The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a Gran Turismo car produced by Ferrari since 2004. It is a large two door fastback coupe. The 612 Scaglietti was designed to replace the smaller 456 M; its larger size makes it a true 4 seater with adequate space in the rear seats for adults.

Ferrari

Ferrari





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It is produced at Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant, the former home of the car's namesake coachbuilder in Modena, Italy. The design, especially the large side scallops and the headlights, pays homage to the custom 1954 Ferrari 375 MM that director Roberto Rossellini had commissioned for his wife, Ingrid Bergman.

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo




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The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production cars in the world. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics and traction control. After a downforce of 775 kg (1709 lb) is reached at 300 km/h (186 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo




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The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant. In 2004, Sports Car International named the Enzo Ferrari number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.

Ferrari Scaglietti

Ferrari Scaglietti



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The 612 Scaglietti shares its naturally aspirated 5.7 L (5748 cc) V12 engine with the 575M Maranello. The Tipo F133E engine produces 540 CV (533 hp/397 kW) at 7250 rpm and 588 N·m (433 ft·lbf) at 5250 rpm with a compression ratio of 11.2:1. The car is capable of 315 km/h (199 mph) and has a 100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds. It comes with two six speed transmission options: a conventional manual or the F1A semi-automatic paddle shift system, a much refined version of the F1 system in the 360.

Ferrari Scaglietti

Ferrari Scaglietti




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The 612 is Ferrari's second all-aluminium vehicle, the first being the 360 Modena. Its space frame (developed with Alcoa) is made from extrusions and castings of the material, and the aluminium body is welded on. The chassis of the 612 forms the basis of the 599 GTB.

Ferrari Scaglietti

Ferrari Scaglietti




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On Top Gear, host Jeremy Clarkson drove a 612 Scaglietti in a race against co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond who took planes, trains, and buses - from the studio in Surrey, England to Verbier, Switzerland. Despite a mechanic leaning on and bending one of the windshield wipers (creating an irritating rattle) and being stopped for speeding, Clarkson beat May and Hammond to the resort lodge, passing the two a short distance from the lodge.

Ferrari

Ferrari





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The Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car that will be launched by Ferrari at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It is a two door "2+2" hard top convertible. The California will be powered by front-mid mounted gasoline direct injection 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8 (the same engine as in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione)[citation needed], sending a claimed 338 kW (460 PS/453 hp) to the rear wheels. The car revives the "California" name used for the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT.

Macleran F1

Macleran F1


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The McLaren F1 was formerly the fastest street legal production car in the world, holding this record from 1994 to 2005.[citation needed] It was engineered and produced by McLaren Automotive, a subsidiary of the British McLaren Group that, among others, owns the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. Today, it is still the fastest naturally aspirated car in the world.


Porsche 911 Club

Porsche 911 Club




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The Porsche 911 (pronounced as Nine Eleven, German: Neunelfer) is a sports car made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. The famous, distinctive, and durable design is notable for being rear engined like the Porsche-designed Volkswagen Beetle it had been based on. It was also air-cooled until the introduction of the all-new Type 996 in 1998. Since its introduction in autumn 1963[1], it has undergone continuous development

Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG





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The main engine is a 5.4 L V8 engine, designated the M113, that carries the "55" designation. However, this engine comes in two configurations.

* The first configuration is found in the C55 AMG, CLK55 AMG and SLK55 AMG is a naturally aspirated V8 with 360 PS (355 hp/265 kW).
* The other configuration is a similar unit but with a highly efficient Lysholm type supercharger manufactured by IHI, found in the rest of the AMG 55 models. The published output according to Mercedes varies from 476 PS (469 hp/350 kW) to 517 PS (510 hp/380 kW), depending on various methods of power measurements and different ECU programming for national legislations.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG




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AMG will phase out both the naturally aspirated and supercharged 5.4 L engines in favour of the new M156 V8 beginning in 2006.

For the Model Year 2009:

* M113 5.4 L "55" V8 models (naturally aspirated)
o SLK55 AMG
* M113 5.4 L "55" V8 models (supercharged)
o G55 AMG

Renault Clio

Renault Clio





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An all-new third generation Clio was unveiled in 2005. It uses a platform co-developed with Nissan (which Renault has a share in) that is shared with the Renault Modus, the current Nissan Micra and the Nissan Note. It is considerably larger and 130 kg (287 lb) heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4000 mm in length has almost outgrown the supermini class. This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket[citation needed]. It also brings the trademark "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family at the maximum safety rating (with the exception of Kangoo and Twingo). Sales began throughout Europe in October 2005. It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, and was considered by the judges to be the car which will set the benchmark for quality, safety and style for a car in this class.

Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R



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In 2001 Honda introduced the next generation of the Civic Type R (EP3) as a unique 3 door hatchback to the UK market, which was manufactured in Swindon, England. This EDM Civic Type R featured a 200ps 2.0L i-VTEC engine (K20A3) and the regular Type R treatment of seam welding, close ratio transmission and uprated brakes, but did not include some of the other higher-end features, such as the helical LSD and Recaro race-seats, that were standard in the previous generation EK9. However, Honda Japan still developed a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) version of the EP3 (which was also manufactured in Swindon, but shipped to Japan for finishing touches), which retained the highly renowned helical LSD similar to that of the EK9. Other differences included a more track-oriented chassis/undercarriage settings as compared to the EDM, as well as a 215ps engine (K20A) with different camshafts and ECU programming. The JDM EP3 was also available in the traditional Type R championship white while the EDM was not. The EDM has more relaxed gear ratios and some high rpm horse power traded for low rpm torque compared to the JDM .

Ferrari California

Ferrari California




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The California will be built in a new production line adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello. The existing production line produces 27 cars per day, or 6,000 per annum. Ferrari plans to produce 5,000 Californias in the first two years of production, there by increasing Ferrari production by 50% with introduction of the model.. The model, according to many motoring magazines, is sold out until 2012.

Ford Mustang Bullitt

Ford Mustang Bullitt






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At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Ford introduced a completely redesigned Mustang, codenamed "S-197," that was based on an all-new D2C platform for the 2005 model year. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and exterior styling designer Sid Ramnarace, the fifth-generation Mustang's styling echoes the fastback Mustangs of the late 1960s. Ford's senior vice president of design, J Mays, called it "retro-futurism."

BMW Z4

BMW Z4







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The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German automaker BMW, known as the E85 in roadster form and E86 in coupe form. Production started in 2002, and thus replaced the BMW Z3. The design addresses many criticisms of the Z3; the Z4 is larger, and has a significantly stiffer chassis. It was built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Initially, the Z4 was available only as a roadster, but in 2006 a coupé version was officially launched.

BMW m6

BMW m6



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The new BMW M6 concept made its debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is based on the BMW E63/E64 6-Series, introduced in 2004. It shares the same 5.0 L V10 S85 engine and SMG III gearbox with the E60 M5, and produces 507 hp (373 kW) / 384 ft·lbf (521 Nm).

BMW claims it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds (0-60 mph: 4.1 s ) and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). With the limiter removed, the top speed can reach 330 km/h (205 mph).

Audi S8

Audi S8







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This latest D3 S8 is powered by an all aluminium alloy 5,204 cc (317.6 cu in) Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) 40-valve 90° V10 petrol engine, derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 litre V10. A longer stroke and wider bore increases the displacement of the engine, and produces more torque at lower revs, making it more suitable for the larger and heavier Audi. It has been retuned to produce 331 kW (450 PS/444 bhp) at 7000 rpm and 540 N·m (400 ft·lbf) of torque at 3500 rpm. It utilises twin chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC), and variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust valves. Engine management is by way of Bosch Motronic MED 9.1 engine control unit, which controls the mapped direct ignition, ten individual spark coils, common rail cylinder-direct sequential mulit-point fuel injection, and drive by wire throttle.

Audi TT

Audi TT




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The production model (internal designation Typ 8N) was launched as a coupé in September 1998, followed by a roadster in August 1999, based on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform used for the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Skoda Octavia and others. The styling differed little from the concept, except for slightly reprofiled bumpers and the addition of a rear quarterlight windows behind the doors.

Mechanically, the TT uses a transversely mounted engine with front or quattro four-wheel drive. It was first available with a 1.8 L turbocharged inline four cylinder 20-valve engine, with either 180 PS (132 kW) or 225 PS (165 kW). The engines share the same basic design but the 225 PS version features a larger turbocharger, an additional intercooler on the driver's side, forged connecting rods, a dual exhaust, and a few other internals designed to accommodate the increase in turbo boost from roughly 10 psi peak to 15. Haldex enabled four wheel drive branded as quattro was optional on the 180 PS (132 kW) engine, and standard on the more powerful version.

Audi Q7

Audi Q7





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The Q7 utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen Group 7L platform, the 4L. Based on the Audi Pikes Peak quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use, and was not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case is needed. In an off road test through the Australian outback it fared well for a "soft roader"[citation needed] but in a test published in The Sunday Times it was described as "an absolutely useless off-roader". Although it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has quattro permanent four wheel drive system with a central differential lock, and an adjustable-height air suspension which helps in off road situations.

Audi Nuvolari

Audi Nuvolari




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The Audi Nuvolari quattro (also known as the Audi Nuvolari) was a concept car created by German automobile maker Audi. This vehicle was first introduced at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. It was what Audi planned to become the vision of their next grand tourer (GT) vehicle. It was the second of three concept cars designed by Audi and shown in 2003, after the Pikes Peak quattro and ahead of the Le Mans quattro.

The Nuvolari quattro had a 5.0 L twin-turbocharged V10 Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engine rated at 441 kW (600 PS/591 bhp). Torque on the Nuvolari quattro was rated at 750 N·m (553 ft·lbf). The Nuvolari quattro used Audi's Torsen-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive system.

AM-bertone-jet

Aston Martin -bertone-jet



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Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, whose headquarters are at Gaydon, England. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire

From 1994 until 2007 Aston Martin was part of the Premier Automotive Group, a division of the Ford Motor Company. On 12 March 2007, it was purchased for £479 million (US$848 million) by joint-venture of Kuwait's investors of Investment Dar and Adeem Investment and by English-businessman John Sinders. Ford retained a US$77 million stake in Aston Martin, setting the total value of the company at US$925 million.

Peugeot


Peugeot

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Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën. It is the second largest automaker in Europe, behind Volkswagen. Peugeot's roots go back to pepper, salt and coffee mill manufacturing in 1842 and later bicycle manufacturing at the end of the 19th century. Its world headquarters are in Paris, Avenue de la Grande Armée, close to Porte Maillot and the Concorde Lafayette Hotel but the Peugeot company and family is originally from Sochaux, France. Peugeot retains a large manufacturing plant in Sochaux which is also home to the Peugeot Museum. The company also sponsors the Sochaux football club, founded in 1928 by a member of the Peugeot family: the club' s arms contain a lion logo similar to Peugeot's.

Ferrari Enzo





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The Enzo can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.14 seconds and can reach 100 mph (160 km/h) in 6.6 seconds. The ¼ mile (~400 m) time is from 10.8 to 11.2 sec at well over 130 mph (210 km/h) and the top speed is around 355 kilometers per hour (220 mph).[citation needed] It is rated at 12 miles per US gallon (5.1 km/l/14 mpg-imp) in the city and 18 miles per US gallon (7.7 km/l/22 mpg-imp) on the highway.

Despite the Enzo's extraordinary performance and price, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia (an improved version of Ferrari's current entry level production car) is capable of lapping the Ferrari test track just as quickly as the Enzo.

Recently Evo Magazine tested the Enzo on the famed Nordschleife Circuit and ran a 7:25.21 second lap time.

BMW

BMW




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Ford GT

Ford GT







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Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo




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BMW Concept M5

BMW Concept M5






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The BMW M5, along with the new M6, were designed to use the new SMG III electrohydraulic manual transmission. The transmission, while responsive at the track, has been criticized for its general lack of smoothness in everyday driving. In October 2006 BMW announced that a 6-speed manual transmission would be available in North America based on suggestions from the motoring press. Unfortunately, this gearbox reduces acceleration performance slightly. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower, since the stability control cannot be disengaged as per the SMG version. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature, which allows maximum performance standing starts automatically. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced rpm to prevent vehicle damage and abuse.

Ferrari 360

Ferrari 360




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The 360 Spider is Ferrari's twentieth roadgoing convertible. The model was regarded a classic even when launched in 2000. Designer Pininfarinas lines are by many regarded as timelessly beautiful and yet sportingly aggressive.

The engineers worked hard from the start of the 360 project to lay the foundation for a Spider with exceptional torsional and flexional rigidity. They had to strengthen the sills, stiffen the front of the floorpan and redesign the windscreen frame. The rear bulkhead had to be stiffened to cut out engine noise from the cabin. The convertible's necessary dynamic rigidity is provided by additional side reinforcements and a cross brace in front of the engine. Passenger safety is ensured by a strengthened windscreen frame and roll bars.

Porsche-911-GT3

Porsche-911-GT3




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The 911 GT3, announced on February 24, 2006 is reported to accelerate 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and have a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph), almost as quick as the Turbo. Porsche's factory reports can be conservative though; Excellence magazine tested the 997 GT3 and recorded 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h (194 mph). The 997 GT3 was released in the summer of 2006. It was at that time crowned "the best handling car in America" by Motor Trend.

Mercedes-Benz-McLaren-SLR

Mercedes-Benz-McLaren-SLR



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Mercedes-Benz has also produced a sports car with McLaren Cars, an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which is part owned by Mercedes. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a carbon fiber/fibre body with a 5.5l V8 supercharged engine. This is the same block as featured in SL55 AMG and the CLS55 AMG, though modified to give 460 kW (630 PS/620 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lb) of torque. The SLR has a maximum speed of 334 kilometres per hour (208 mph) and costs approximately US$500,000. Due to european pedestrian-protection regulations, McLaren has decided to cease production of the SLR in 2009.

612 Scaglietti

612 Scaglietti



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