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Tuesday, February 27, 2007
ABT PRESS RELEASE: When successful motor sports ace Christian Abt is not racing a DTM car or is not test riding one of the modified Abt cars for everyday suitability, he loves going mountain biking. So what could be more natural than to develop his own bike? By the end of the 90s Christian Abt had already realized this idea and had designed a special bike in the same yellow outfit as the winning car in the DTM. The series was very popular and soon all bikes were sold and until today customers keep enquiring about a new series of bikes. Uphill the muscular strength is transformed optimally into propulsion and higher speeds are possible on downhill passages. All Abt bikes offer excellent climbing features and high stiffness when going great speeds. Despite these characteristics, the rear section of the bike shows sensitiveness in all terrains and also reacts to soft bumps when the springs are compressed. This sophisticated technology draws distinctions between other mountain bikes. “Everybody riding an Abt bike rides a real Abt. It’s as simple as that“, says engine and suspension perfectionist Christian Abt. Data:
Can’t even remember when the last time I took a bike was. Not that I don’t want to but, as all city-dwellers, free time is a luxury I cant seem to be able to afford. Well, anyways, for all you out there who are able to squeeze a trail-bike ride, German VW Group tuning specialist ABT, has released its new series of mountain bikes. The range consists of three models (Abt Mountain Bike, Abt Mountain Bike Sport and Abt Mountain Bike Race) which were developed in co-operation with the Pforzheim-based bike manufacturer, Bergwer. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and a high-res image gallery
Abt Sportsline moves along with the times and it is not Abt’s sportsmanship to simply copy a success model, as the Bavarians also do not design cars based on the standards of 1990. Therefore the new state-of-the-art mountain bike series with the models Abt Mountain Bike, Abt Mountain Bike Sport und Abt Mountain Bike Race were developed in co-operation with the renowned Pforzheim-based bike manufacturer Bergwerk. Thanks to the dampers DT Swiss SSD 190 L the rear spring travel can be adjusted individually to 110 or 125 millimetres. What is more, the exceptional bikes do without platform dampers. The innovative damper construction operates with varying transmission ratio when the bike’s springs compress. The more the bike’s springs are compressed, the softer the lever transmission responds. Due to this unique dynamical adjustment traction as well as performance is optimized.
Rear spring travel: from 110 mm to 125 mm
Weight of frame: 3,100 g
Seat tube angle: 73°
Steering angle: 70°
Fork length: 481 mm
Chain stay length: 425 mm
Steerer tube measure: 120 mm to 150 mm
Seat pillar: 31.6 mm (with sleeve: 27.2 mm)
Dampers: DT SWISS SSD 190 L
Suspension fork: RS Récon 351 UT + PL or RS Revalation 426 UT R + PL
Brakes: Magura Julie, Shimano LX 2007 or Shimano XTR Disc 2007
Handlebar: Bergwerk
Pulse logic: FSA Orbit XL II or ACROS AH/06
Technorati: ABT+Mountain+bike, bicycle, gadgets, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images
Official: Chrsyler Group approves small-car agreement with Chinese, Chery Motors
0 comments Posted by bs at 5:50 AM__mid.jpg)
Theoretically and for the time being, the Chrysler Group is up for sale but that doesn’t mean that the Group has halted all its future projects. Today DaimlerChrysler announced that its Supervisory Board approved the framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chinese Chery Motor Company. Although this agreement has to be approved by the “almighty” Chinese government, consider it a done deal with the final paper work to be signed by the end of March.
According to DC, under the non-equity partnership, the Chery-built vehicles will be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North America and
PRESS RELEASE:
Chrysler Group indicated that the partnership would allow the company to become a bigger player on the global automotive stage by giving it access to products in new segments more quickly, with less capital spending.
Small vehicles such as these will allow Chrysler Group brands to compete in segments in which the brands do not currently compete, and which are especially important in price- and fuel-economy sensitive markets. Some 67 percent of all vehicles sold outside of
Technorati: DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler+Group, China, Chery+Motors, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, images, pictures, 2007
Gumpert Apollo Sport - 800Hp German supercar to be unveiled at Geneva
0 comments Posted by bs at 4:41 AMPRESS RELEASE: It is one of only a handful of super sport cars and after its debut at The Apollo Sport is the rebel amongst the super sport cars. Its bodywork combines sexy curves with potent edges and angles and aims for uncompromising aerodynamics. A clear demonstration of the principle “form follows function”. Its challenging sporting design derives from the requirement to built a street legal racing car, whose number one priority is to provide extraordinary performance on the circuit, but at the same time embodying a vehicle suitable for daily use. The highest importance was attached to safety: the tubular space frame in chrome-molybdenum steel with integrated safety monocoque fabricated in carbon-fiber passes all crash-tests regulations, while a cashbox offers additional protection. The gaping air intake stub over the roof and on the rear signals power, dynamics and superiority. The eight cylinder, bi-turbo mid-engine with up to 800 horsepower is capable of catapulting this 1200 kg missile from 0-100 km/h in only 3 seconds. The Apollo port is equipped with an extended aerodynamic package and, in contrast to the three part spoiler of the Apollo, possesses a racing wing which gives even more down force and pushes the Apollos’ maximum speed up to 360 km/h. As you can guess, it is not for nothing that this cars is named after the fierce Greek God. The two-seater also convinces from the inside, with its sporty and elegant alcantara interior, and offers air-condition, CD-player, navigation system and reverse view camera as standard equipment. A two-layer metallic finish available in any conceivable color, gives this bolide a particular luster. As a special accessory the Apollo is equipped with an airjack, a pneumatic jacking pad. The standard version of the Apollo Sport costs 299.500,- € plus VAT. Technorati: Gumpert+Apollo+Sport, Geneva+Motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, images, pictures, 2007
What a name - Gumpert Apollo; sounds more like a chewing gum than an insane, 800Hp strong beast that costs about 300.000 EUR or 390.000 USD. Based on the 650Hp Apollo, the Apollo Sport’s Audi RS6 derived biturbo V8 gets an extra 150Hp. Thas good enough for a 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) time of 3,0 sec while top speed is pushed up to 360km/h (224mph). Apart form the engine upgrade the Sports is also equipped with an extended aerodynamic package. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see more pictures and the press release
Monday, February 26, 2007
Renault’s Dacia Logan success in
Although this is a static concept (1:1 scale), the university plans to create a fully drivable prototype till the summer, and if all goes well, they hope to find investors, maybe even promotion funds from the E.U., so they can continue to develop their project. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see more pictures
Via: Automotorundsport
Technorati: Univers+Concept, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images
Well that didn’t take long did. Not even 24 hours past after our Sunday post on the light weight Gallardo and even though Lamborghini hasn’t come out yet with an official press release, the first official images have surfaced all over the net. And what beauty do these pics reveal; a lustful piece of art, so brutal and so sexy at the same time.
If you haven’t read our previous post, in a few words, the “Superleggera” is a sporty or rather sportier version of the Gallardo that lost 100 kg (220,5 pounds) and gained 10Hp (overall output 530Hp) thus bettering 0-100 km/h time by 0,2 sec over the standard model (3,8 sec vs 4,0 sec respectively). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release & a high-res image gallery
UPDATED - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
The new Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
The sportiest and most ‘purist’ Gallardo ever
The new more powerful and lightweight series leader
With the Gallardo Superleggera, to be launched at the 2007
The Superleggera also has the fastest acceleration in its class. It needs only 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph); 0.2 seconds less than the basic model, and boasting speed and grit under various driving conditions.
The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is an extremely high-performance car: it includes a standard robotized mechanical e-gear gearbox that guarantees shifting without removing hands from the steering wheel. The new Gallardo Superleggera can be ordered through the dealer network starting March 2007: production volumes will be restricted to lower numbers than the standard Gallardo.
More power thanks to technological developments
The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera’s engine is the latest version of Lamborghini’s well-known 4,961 cm3 V10. Now 530 hp is reached in 8,000 min-1. The increase in power was made possible by the engine’s improved volumetric efficiency through reduced intake load losses and by exhaust backpressures, together with optimized electronic control. Naturally, emission levels observe the strict EURO 4 and LEV II standards.
Higher power thanks to lighter construction
Lamborghini engineers decreased the Lamborghini Gallardo’s already low weight when empty (1,430 kg) by another 100 kg (70kg in the
Exclusive specification and options range
A comprehensive specification and extensive range of options will be available, with some exclusive to the Superleggera. The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera comes with robotized mechanical e-gear as standard; a sports package including shock absorbers; and special suede-covered steering wheel. The car is available in four colors: Midas Yellow, Borealis Orange, Telesto Gray and Noctis Black. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (standard) on new Scorpius forged rims accentuate the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. A few of the options that can be requested include the multimedia system with navigator and CD-changer; a rear video camera to make parking easier (with optional rear wing only); a Carbon accessories kit for the interior; a fixed rear spoiler; a four-point seatbelt (not for USA); tubular rear frame or fitting points for later inclusion (not for USA, Japan or Middle East); and carbon-ceramic brakes.
Technorati: Lamborghini+Gallardo+Superleggera, Geneva+motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images
I think its about time we took a little break from all that "Geneva -madness" today, don't you agree? Since we talked about the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth and its S200 Rally car sibling in our previous post, I thought a euro- rally video would be quiet appropriate.What you'll see here is rally cars skidding out of control at this Finnish Rally race, probably cause the co-drivers weren’t properly briefed about that little turn in the road. Listen to the spectators though, one guys sounds like speedy gonzales getting a pole stuck up his arss. Ayayayayayay!!!! Don’t you just love rallies?
Technorati: Video, Rally, Youtube, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth 1.4T 150Hp: Geneva Show marks the rebirth of the Abarth Brand
0 comments Posted by bs at 6:29 AM
Fiat’s calling upon its rich history in motorsports to launch a new line of sports models that’ll wear the iconic “Abarth” logo whose emblem features a scorpion. The Grande Punto Abarth which will make its debut at the Geneva Show along with its rally version, the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 (it will be entering the 2007 Italian Rally Championship with Giandomenico Basso and navigator, Mitia Dotta) are the first models of this series. Later on Fiat will enrich the Abarth range with the 500 Abarth and the Bravo Abarth.
Back to the Grande Punto Abarth, Fiats answer to the Peugeot 207 GT 1.6T and the VW Polo GTI is equipped with the 1.4 Turbo petrol engine that premiered on the Bravo. It delivers 150Hp at 5500 rpm, (boosted to 155Hp if you use 98 RON petrol) and a maximum torque figure of 230Nm at 3.000 rpm. Fiat also announced that latter in the year they’ll present a more powerful version of the Grande Punto Abarth. The latter, thanks to a booster kit will deliver 180Hp. We have no idea of how the sporty Fiat will handle on the road, but we sure as hell dig its unique design elements like the nostalgic 17’’ rims (reminiscent of the Cromodora Abarth alloys), the red pin stripes and the rally-inspired air intake on top of the windshield. –Continued: Click “Read More…” below to check out the press release and a high-res image gallery
PRESS RELEASE: FIAT ABARTH
The legendary Abarth “Scorpion” returns
A great project will be launched at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show: the rebirth of one of the most prestigious brands in world motorsports. Its symbol is a scorpion, and its name is Abarth.
Abarth has always been synonymous with assertive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and it now returns with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motorsports. Abarth’s first interpretation of the Grande Punto will be on the “catwalk” at the Geneva Show, the first step in an initiative which will later involve other models.
This new adventure starts in the familiar, uniquely emotional context and exclusive setting of the Geneva Motor Show. A striking stand has been prepared, in line with the philosophy of Abarth’s rebirth, an innovative space with a fresh, contemporary, technological language and great attention to every detail. The new elements that will publicise the Abarth brand are displayed with all their strong, original personality: the revamped version of the famous Abarth racing stripe has been rendered with LED tiles, while the new logo, the scorpion and the wording are all large, three-dimensional elements in polished, satin-effect aluminium.
The Abarth values and tradition on the other hand are underlined discreetly and technologically: refined materials and precious finishing details in aluminium, carbon fibre, enamel and lacquer decorate the exhibition area, and draw attention to the true stars of the stand: the Grande Punto Abarth S2000, a car that has been type-approved for racing and is proving to be highly successful, and the Grande Punto Abarth Preview, a concept car making its world debut.
These are the two souls of the Abarth world: racing and standard production.
Visitors to the Geneva Show will also have an opportunity to discover a third field in which the brand operates; a multimedia configurator will illustrate the whole concept of the ‘Abarth Kit’, and the flexibility and wide range of combinations that the brand will offer customers in its conversion kits. Some of these solid wooden boxes, inlaid with satin-finished aluminium trims, are on display inside glass cubes, with the historic mechanical and stylistic components from the conversion kits.
And finally, by means of exclusive LED technology and plasma screens, the walls of the stand propose historical photographs and films, alternating them with a reproduction of the new Abarth racing stripe, underlining the fine link between the past and the future, as well as the energy and personality that are inherent in the Abarth brand.
The Grande Punto Abarth Preview
The absolute star of the stand is the Grande Punto Abarth Preview, a true jewel of assertiveness and elegance. The car will be marketed in September, to enhance the sporty, youthful positioning of the Grande Punto.
The car on show in Geneva is equipped with a 1.4 Turbo petrol engine that delivers 150 bhp at 5500 rpm, boosted to 155 bhp by the adoption of 98 RON petrol. What is more, thanks to a booster kit, a version with twice as much power as the basic version (180 bhp) will soon be available. This is a revival of a tradition from the past: for example, the Fiat 500 of 1958 delivered 13 bhp at 4000 rpm with a top speed of 85 km/h, while the Fiat 500 Abarth of the same year delivered 26 bhp at 5000 rpm and a top speed of 118 km/h.
The Grande Punto Abarth aims to revive the feats of these entertaining performance cars, offering young drivers in particular an opportunity to enter the racing world in complete safety and at an accessible price.
The Grande Punto Abarth S2000
The public in Geneva will also be able to admire the extraordinary Grande Punto Abarth S2000. This is a racing car designed for racing stables, which the Fiat Racing Department will be entering in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship with Giandomenico Basso and his navigator Mitia Dotta. Davide Gatti, winner of the 2006 Fiat Abarth International Trophy, will compete at the wheel of an official Fiat Grande Punto R3D with a diesel engine. On the international scene, the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 will compete in the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) with drivers Andrea Navarra, his navigator Guido D’Amore, and young Umberto Scandola and Anton Alen.
The Abarth & C. Spa racing team will be managed by Claudio Berro.
Powered by a 2000 cc aspirated engine that delivers 270 bhp, with 4-wheel drive, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is heir to the version that took the 2006 Italian Rally Championship title with Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi, winning 7 of the 11 races on the programme. Nor must we forget the excellent season of their team-mates Andrea Navarra and Guido D’Amore who took third place. Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta won the European title and the International Rally Challenge.
Since its debut last season, the racing version has proved unbeatable, whatever the type of route or terrain. And we must underline that the 15 cars built so far have been ordered by several racing stables in Europe and elsewhere, to compete in domestic and international rallies. And now, thanks to this technological and competitive superiority, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is ready to compete in these two championships with the same determination and assertiveness.
And finally, as well as a successful car and an outstanding team of drivers, the new Abarth & C. company can also boast a staff with a great deal of experience in motorsports: a total of 113 experts, 26 in the engineering field, 43 on the manufacturing side and 9 dedicated to racing.
Spec sheet of the Grande Punto Abarth
• 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cc;
• Power output: 110 kW (150 bhp) at 5500 rpm, boosted to 155 bhp by adopting 98 RON petrol;
• Peak torque of 206 Nm at 2000 rpm, but 230 Nm can be obtained at 3000 rpm by activating the
SPORT mode;
• ‘Drive-by-wire’ accelerator control, without mechanical connections;
• Turboboost by Garrett IHI RHF3-P10.5 fixed geometry turbocharger.
Transmission
• 6-speed gearbox
• Dual hose external gearbox drive.
Suspension and steering
• MacPherson layout at front with anti-roll bar;
• Torsion axle at rear;
• Ground-hugging sporty trim;
• Electrical power steering with SPORT mode.
Brakes
• Fixed M4x40 Brembo calliper at front, with double piston;
• Front brake disc ø 305 mm x 28 mm, ventilated;
• Rear calliper, piston ø 54 mm;
• Rear brake disc ø 264 mm x 11 mm.
Bodywork
• Wider front and rear wings.
Wheels
• 7” x 17” aluminium alloys;
• Tyres: 215/45-17.
Technorati: Fiat+Grande+Punto+Abarth, Abarth, Geneva+Motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, images, pictures, 2007
