When GM uncloaked their Camaro retro remake at the 2006 Detroit auto show, the domestic audience understandably adored it. That muscle car concept is now a showroom reality, but any plans of bringing a right-hook version to South African, Aussie or Brit shores have been quashed – presumably due to low-volume sales and GM’s moth-eaten wallet.
Much like a Mustang or Challenger, if you live in Britain and want a Camaro, you have to settle for a specially imported left-hooker. Come January 2010, when these rendered images of the VR Camaro will be a reality, UK customers won’t have to worry about doing any of the importation or UK-spec work. This is a turn-key ready American car, refined and focused for European drivers.
With its Lamborghini Reventon-style swollen nostrils and early '70s wind-tunnel Trans-Am inspired ducktail spoiler, the VR Camaro’s aggressive restyling has been carried out by Danish design consultancy Hermann and Brandt, who were responsible for penning the radical 1104-horsepower Zenvo ST1 supercar. All styling was designed with 3D computer software then machined directly from the 3D data.
So what's new on this VR Camaro?
In the name of dieting, the VR’s re-sculpted bumpers, skirts and spoiler are made from carbonfibre. The bespoke one-piece, 22-inch diameter wheels are machined from billet aluminium and weigh half the bulk of the original Camaro rims. The conversion has been done by a separate, so-far anonymous British tuning company.
Behind the machined alloys lurk some European road-friendly damping and stopping gear. The VR Camaro boasts coil-over suspension recalibrated for our pitted tarmac, plus mighty 410mm (front) and 385mm (rear) diameter brake discs. The 12-pot front (eight-piston rear) calipers incorporate various sized pistons to address the ‘abrupt stop’ syndrome often associated with large competition brake set-ups.
How quick is the VR Camaro?
It’ll need serious anchors, because the VR Camaro promises to pack a Corvette ZR1 sized punch. No exact power figures have been quoted yet, but by fitting the 6.2-litre V8 with a new UK designed (and manufactured) compressor style supercharger, expect over 600bhp.
The strictly limited edition VR Camaro will only be available in black or white, highlighted with copper accents. Customers will also choose between the factory six-speed manual ‘box (livened up with a short-shift kit) or an auto transmission specifically brainwashed for performance.
How much will the VR Camaro cost?
No firm prices have been released for the VR Camaro yet, but a spokesman claims it will wear a UK price tag roughly half that of the £106,605 ZR1 Corvette. Not bad, considering the horsepower match.
If you already own a standard Camaro, there will be the opportunity to purchase the VR spec components separately. For more information bookmark www.vrcamaro.com.
Thứ Năm, 1 tháng 3, 2012
Porsche Boxster Spyder (2010) first pictures
This is the new Porsche Boxster Spyder and, as the arrival of any new Porsche tends to be a polarising event, you’ll either be sighing in disgust or yelping in delight. The bare facts? This Boxster Spyder is Porsche’s lightest and quickest current-gen roadster yet thanks to the folding roof being junked.
The Spyder will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show in December 2009, and it’s not a run-out limited edition like previous Spyder-tagged Boxsters, but the third (and most expensive) permanent addition to the roadster range.
So the new Porsche Boxster Spyder doesn’t have a convertible roof?
Well it does. Sort of. To create the Spyder Porsche has binned the folding roof and all its associated mechanics, and in its place comes a bit of cloth that attaches to the windscreen and hooks onto the new rear deck. Even with the side windows up and the glass wind deflector in place, there’ll still be a few gaps letting the wind in. It’s only meant for low-speed driving – Porsche quotes the 166mph top speed without the roof. Shouting to be heard, we presume.
And that new rear deck?
It’s the most noticeable difference between the Spyder and a standard Boxster – there’s now a big pair of power domes behind the rear seats and a larger rear spoiler. Other tweaks include revised side intakes, a new front bumper and those retro stickers.
What about inside, or under the (mid-engined) bonnet?
The interior gets some fancy door pulls from the GT3 RS and weight-saving carbon buckets. Sports suspension, a lower centre of gravity and – at a relatively trim 1275kg – an 80kg weight advantage over a Boxster S should make the Spyder the sharpest Boxster yet.
And with an extra 10bhp from the engine – taking the total from the 3.4-litre flat-six to 316bhp – and the Spyder is also two-tenths quicker to 62mph than a regular S, knocking the benchmark sprint out in 4.8 seconds.
Normal Porsche options like PDK, sat-nav and ceramic brakes will be available, the stickers will be a delete option, and customers should also be able to swap the hardcore seats for more comfort-oriented items. UK sales start in February 2010 with prices set at £44,643, just a few grand more than a Boxster S. Want one?
The Spyder will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show in December 2009, and it’s not a run-out limited edition like previous Spyder-tagged Boxsters, but the third (and most expensive) permanent addition to the roadster range.
So the new Porsche Boxster Spyder doesn’t have a convertible roof?
Well it does. Sort of. To create the Spyder Porsche has binned the folding roof and all its associated mechanics, and in its place comes a bit of cloth that attaches to the windscreen and hooks onto the new rear deck. Even with the side windows up and the glass wind deflector in place, there’ll still be a few gaps letting the wind in. It’s only meant for low-speed driving – Porsche quotes the 166mph top speed without the roof. Shouting to be heard, we presume.
And that new rear deck?
It’s the most noticeable difference between the Spyder and a standard Boxster – there’s now a big pair of power domes behind the rear seats and a larger rear spoiler. Other tweaks include revised side intakes, a new front bumper and those retro stickers.
What about inside, or under the (mid-engined) bonnet?
The interior gets some fancy door pulls from the GT3 RS and weight-saving carbon buckets. Sports suspension, a lower centre of gravity and – at a relatively trim 1275kg – an 80kg weight advantage over a Boxster S should make the Spyder the sharpest Boxster yet.
And with an extra 10bhp from the engine – taking the total from the 3.4-litre flat-six to 316bhp – and the Spyder is also two-tenths quicker to 62mph than a regular S, knocking the benchmark sprint out in 4.8 seconds.
Normal Porsche options like PDK, sat-nav and ceramic brakes will be available, the stickers will be a delete option, and customers should also be able to swap the hardcore seats for more comfort-oriented items. UK sales start in February 2010 with prices set at £44,643, just a few grand more than a Boxster S. Want one?
BMW M3 GTS (2010) unveiled: a new M3 CSL first official pictures
>> Updated story - BMW has just released two videos of its new £100k M3 GTS in action. Click here to watch it going sideway in style.
BMW might not be producing an M3 CSL, but this is something much better. Called the M3 GTS it’s a stripped-out 450bhp road-racer designed to take on the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
It’s a response to those that thought M Division might have lost its way: 'The BMW M3 GTS which we are currently preparing in our BMW M production workshop is a response to frequently expressed customer wishes', said M Division’s CEO Dr Kay Segler at the unveiling. 'This M3 is even hotter: lower weight, more power - including an increase in capacity - and lots of technical details which were only previously available on the tuning market, if at all.'
Segler also announced plans for a sub-M3 model.
The BMW M3 GTS has more power? Where from?
M Division has enlarged the M3’s 4.0-litre V8 to 4.4-litres, and together with a lightweight titanium exhaust system, power has gone up from 414bhp to around 450bhp. The other changes you can’t see are the revised suspension set-up, which is now adjustable for compression and rebound.
And what you won’t also see are the rear seats, air-con and sat-nav – the current M3 already has a carbonfibre roof to cut weight so M Division had to look elsewhere to reduce the kilos. There is also an Alcantara-covered steering wheel, bucket seats (with a six-point harnesses) up front, and lighter-than-glass Macrolon for the rear windows, so despite the addition of a roll cage and a fire extinguisher, the M3 GTS weighs 1490kg, a massive drop from the standard M3’s 1675kg kerbweight.
And the tweaks outside?
By now you must have notice the blacked-out 19-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in 255/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 runner at the rear, and six piston callipers at the front and four piston callipers at the rear. Then there’s a matt black adjustable front splitter and a rear wing, but no rear diffuser as BMW claims it achieves enough downforce from the wing.
And how much is all this going to cost?
When sales start in Germany next May it’ll cost €115,000 (£103,000), and sales follow in other markets in the summer of 2010. Each M3 GTS will be built to order and be made in the same M Division workshop at the GT4 race cars.
And this sub-M3?
For those that thought BMW’s M Division had lost their way with the X5 M and X6 M, the announcement of the M3 GTS and of a model below the M3 will be a more than welcome.
'The X5 M and X6 M have just gone out to dealerships and round off the top of our product range', said M Division CEO Dr Kay Segler at the unveiling of the M3 GTS. 'But what I would most like to see is for BMW M to stay a young brand within people’s reach. This is why a product below the BMW M3 more important to me than a super sports car which is only accessible to a few. As I have already mentioned in other interviews, we are currently looking closely at the options in this area. I hope to be able to tell you more the next time we speak.'
We’ll bring you more news just as soon as we hear it.
BMW might not be producing an M3 CSL, but this is something much better. Called the M3 GTS it’s a stripped-out 450bhp road-racer designed to take on the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
It’s a response to those that thought M Division might have lost its way: 'The BMW M3 GTS which we are currently preparing in our BMW M production workshop is a response to frequently expressed customer wishes', said M Division’s CEO Dr Kay Segler at the unveiling. 'This M3 is even hotter: lower weight, more power - including an increase in capacity - and lots of technical details which were only previously available on the tuning market, if at all.'
Segler also announced plans for a sub-M3 model.
The BMW M3 GTS has more power? Where from?
M Division has enlarged the M3’s 4.0-litre V8 to 4.4-litres, and together with a lightweight titanium exhaust system, power has gone up from 414bhp to around 450bhp. The other changes you can’t see are the revised suspension set-up, which is now adjustable for compression and rebound.
And what you won’t also see are the rear seats, air-con and sat-nav – the current M3 already has a carbonfibre roof to cut weight so M Division had to look elsewhere to reduce the kilos. There is also an Alcantara-covered steering wheel, bucket seats (with a six-point harnesses) up front, and lighter-than-glass Macrolon for the rear windows, so despite the addition of a roll cage and a fire extinguisher, the M3 GTS weighs 1490kg, a massive drop from the standard M3’s 1675kg kerbweight.
And the tweaks outside?
By now you must have notice the blacked-out 19-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in 255/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 runner at the rear, and six piston callipers at the front and four piston callipers at the rear. Then there’s a matt black adjustable front splitter and a rear wing, but no rear diffuser as BMW claims it achieves enough downforce from the wing.
And how much is all this going to cost?
When sales start in Germany next May it’ll cost €115,000 (£103,000), and sales follow in other markets in the summer of 2010. Each M3 GTS will be built to order and be made in the same M Division workshop at the GT4 race cars.
And this sub-M3?
For those that thought BMW’s M Division had lost their way with the X5 M and X6 M, the announcement of the M3 GTS and of a model below the M3 will be a more than welcome.
'The X5 M and X6 M have just gone out to dealerships and round off the top of our product range', said M Division CEO Dr Kay Segler at the unveiling of the M3 GTS. 'But what I would most like to see is for BMW M to stay a young brand within people’s reach. This is why a product below the BMW M3 more important to me than a super sports car which is only accessible to a few. As I have already mentioned in other interviews, we are currently looking closely at the options in this area. I hope to be able to tell you more the next time we speak.'
We’ll bring you more news just as soon as we hear it.
Is Keating heading for the record books?
Are we looking at the fastest car in the world? Maybe. British supercar maker Keating is taking on Bugatti with its latest iteration of the TKR, which the company hopes will crack 300mph – and earn it the title of fastest production car in the world.
In October 2009, the twin-turbo Keating TKR clocked up a brisk 260.1mph across the El Mirage salt flats in California. Company boss Tony Keating and his team, including Keating’s brother Daniel who will be undertaking driving duties again, will be heading to Bonneville in September 2010 to try and crack 300mph under the official gaze of the Guinness Book of Records.
So how much power do you need for 260mph?
The TKR is powered by a 7.0-litre bi-turbo V8 prepped by Nelson Racing in California that’s good for a massive 1800bhp. According to Tony Keating, the record-attempt car differs little from the £250,000 road car. 'We dropped in a six-point roll cage fitted, as well as a parachute, and a fire extinguisher system,' says Manchester-based Keating, who says the car weighs in at just over 1000kg. 'Mechanically, it's pretty much the same as the road car.
'After the first big run at El Mirage my brother Daniel, who was driving, was physically sick after clocking up 260.1mph,' says Keating. 'I’m not sure if he’ll be coming out with us to Bonneville.'
I suppose the Keating TKR qualifies as a production car?
Just about. Since launching in April 2008, Keating has sold four of its supercars – one here in the UK, one to an American collector and two to Australia. 'I know 300mph is pretty far out there,' admits Keating, 'but you’ve got to have something to aim for, otherwise you have to ask yourself "what’s the point?"' .
The car is currently on display at the MPH show in London. Next up Keating plans further testing in France in March 2010 before heading back to America for its record breaking run next autumn.
In October 2009, the twin-turbo Keating TKR clocked up a brisk 260.1mph across the El Mirage salt flats in California. Company boss Tony Keating and his team, including Keating’s brother Daniel who will be undertaking driving duties again, will be heading to Bonneville in September 2010 to try and crack 300mph under the official gaze of the Guinness Book of Records.
So how much power do you need for 260mph?
The TKR is powered by a 7.0-litre bi-turbo V8 prepped by Nelson Racing in California that’s good for a massive 1800bhp. According to Tony Keating, the record-attempt car differs little from the £250,000 road car. 'We dropped in a six-point roll cage fitted, as well as a parachute, and a fire extinguisher system,' says Manchester-based Keating, who says the car weighs in at just over 1000kg. 'Mechanically, it's pretty much the same as the road car.
'After the first big run at El Mirage my brother Daniel, who was driving, was physically sick after clocking up 260.1mph,' says Keating. 'I’m not sure if he’ll be coming out with us to Bonneville.'
I suppose the Keating TKR qualifies as a production car?
Just about. Since launching in April 2008, Keating has sold four of its supercars – one here in the UK, one to an American collector and two to Australia. 'I know 300mph is pretty far out there,' admits Keating, 'but you’ve got to have something to aim for, otherwise you have to ask yourself "what’s the point?"' .
The car is currently on display at the MPH show in London. Next up Keating plans further testing in France in March 2010 before heading back to America for its record breaking run next autumn.
Lamborghini's Christmas gifts
We’re not unaccustomed to car manufacturers launching branded products, and Christmas time always sees an increase in the release of non-motoring products to fill the stockings of owners and brand-dedicated enthusiasts.
So what has Lamborghini just launched?
This year Lamborghini has surpassed itself. First it’s unveiled the Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini, a gorgeous mobile phone crafted in conjunction with prestige watch builder Tag Heuer, and apparently inspired by the LP640.
And like a real Lamborghini it’s spent three years in development and 700 prototypes have been built. Lamborghini claims the battery has enough juice for 28 days standby, while the antenna is apparently twice as effective as rivals. The central button on the black keypad is steel and engraved with the Raging Bull emblem, the screen is made from scratch-resistant crystal, and only 1963 units will be built, to coincide with the year Lamborghini was founded. The Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini is on sale for £2850.
And if that’s too much money?
The second Lamborghini item we’d like to show you is less impressive – baubles. If you didn’t get hold of one of the 250 Valentino Balboni edition Gallardos, you can now become the proud owner of a set of garish Italian balls, inspired by the LP550-2 Balboni. There are some candles too, which carry on the Balboni theme. They’re £55 for the pair, and a set of three baubles will set you back £69. You could be forgiven for saying this is a load of bull…
So what has Lamborghini just launched?
This year Lamborghini has surpassed itself. First it’s unveiled the Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini, a gorgeous mobile phone crafted in conjunction with prestige watch builder Tag Heuer, and apparently inspired by the LP640.
And like a real Lamborghini it’s spent three years in development and 700 prototypes have been built. Lamborghini claims the battery has enough juice for 28 days standby, while the antenna is apparently twice as effective as rivals. The central button on the black keypad is steel and engraved with the Raging Bull emblem, the screen is made from scratch-resistant crystal, and only 1963 units will be built, to coincide with the year Lamborghini was founded. The Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini is on sale for £2850.
And if that’s too much money?
The second Lamborghini item we’d like to show you is less impressive – baubles. If you didn’t get hold of one of the 250 Valentino Balboni edition Gallardos, you can now become the proud owner of a set of garish Italian balls, inspired by the LP550-2 Balboni. There are some candles too, which carry on the Balboni theme. They’re £55 for the pair, and a set of three baubles will set you back £69. You could be forgiven for saying this is a load of bull…
Arash AF-10 supercar (2010) unveiled
Meet the Arash AF-10, a new British super car games launched hot on the heels of the Noble M600. And if you thought the £200k Noble was expensive, wait until you hear the price of the AF-10: £320,000.
These are the first, early pictures of the AF-10, and now that you’ve picked yourself up off the floor, let’s find out what the price of decent house buys you.
Sorry, but how much is the Arash AF-10 going to cost?
You read that right – the AF-10 is £320k. The reason for the cost is the carbonfibre body and chassis – Noble M600s are carbon-skinned, but use a steel chassis. Arash has cut the cost of a carbon chassis, and the time needed to build one, though as just a handful of AF-10s will be built each year the price remains high.
Where will the power come from?
Horsepower is provided by the venerable 7.0-litre V8 engine found in the Corvette Z06, and it spits its gases out through an exhaust system with active valves so it’s quiet one moment and NASCAR-like the next. Power goes up from 498bhp to 550bhp, there’s also 465lb ft at 5000rpm, and the engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual Graziano gearbox.
In the future there’ll be an AF-10S with a supercharged and intercooled version of the 7.0-litre V8 with 800bhp and 553lb ft – Arash isn’t planning to use the ZR1’s supercharged motor. And of course a four-figure output version is planned, with 1001bhp and 700lb ft…
Anything else?
Yes. Only three percent of parts have been carried over from other cars, the wheels are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear, and the suspension is double-wishbones all round, designed for compliance rather than track work. And Loris Bicocchi, the man who helped develop the Koenigsegg, the Veyron and the KTM X-Bow has been signed up to do the development work, which will start in 2010.
Just 70 cars are expected to be built over the next five years, and a smaller-but-still-exclusive AF-8 version is also planned. It's the brainchild of Arash Farboud, who originally created the Farboud GTS that has morphed into the Farbio.
These are the first, early pictures of the AF-10, and now that you’ve picked yourself up off the floor, let’s find out what the price of decent house buys you.
Sorry, but how much is the Arash AF-10 going to cost?
You read that right – the AF-10 is £320k. The reason for the cost is the carbonfibre body and chassis – Noble M600s are carbon-skinned, but use a steel chassis. Arash has cut the cost of a carbon chassis, and the time needed to build one, though as just a handful of AF-10s will be built each year the price remains high.
Where will the power come from?
Horsepower is provided by the venerable 7.0-litre V8 engine found in the Corvette Z06, and it spits its gases out through an exhaust system with active valves so it’s quiet one moment and NASCAR-like the next. Power goes up from 498bhp to 550bhp, there’s also 465lb ft at 5000rpm, and the engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual Graziano gearbox.
In the future there’ll be an AF-10S with a supercharged and intercooled version of the 7.0-litre V8 with 800bhp and 553lb ft – Arash isn’t planning to use the ZR1’s supercharged motor. And of course a four-figure output version is planned, with 1001bhp and 700lb ft…
Anything else?
Yes. Only three percent of parts have been carried over from other cars, the wheels are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear, and the suspension is double-wishbones all round, designed for compliance rather than track work. And Loris Bicocchi, the man who helped develop the Koenigsegg, the Veyron and the KTM X-Bow has been signed up to do the development work, which will start in 2010.
Just 70 cars are expected to be built over the next five years, and a smaller-but-still-exclusive AF-8 version is also planned. It's the brainchild of Arash Farboud, who originally created the Farboud GTS that has morphed into the Farbio.
Volvo S60 saloon (2010) unveiled
This is the new Volvo S60, and it’s the latest attempt by the Swedish safety-mongers to snatch a share of the small executive saloon market that’s dominated by the 3-series, A4 and C-class.
Volvo has only released two exterior photos of the new S60 – we’ll see the interior closer to the car’s Geneva motor show unveil in March 2010 – as it wants to highlight the new car’s design. Under now-departed design chief Steve Mattin, the S60 has been created as the car that will start the differentiation of Volvo design and break the one-size-fits-all focus.
The new Volvo S60 looks different, but they’ve toned it down from the concept haven’t they?
Unfortunately Volvo’s design team has indeed taken a step back from the gorgeous S60 Concept unveiled at the Detroit auto show at the start of 2009. The suicide doors (of course) have disappeared, the headlights aren’t quite so curvaceous and the panoramic roof has been replaced by a regular sunroof.
But compare it to the current boxy S60 and the new car is a bit of a looker – it’s much more curvaceous, with a creased bonnet, strong shoulder lines and swooping C-pillars.
What else?
The S60 is still a Volvo so we’re expecting the new Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake safety tech, which will slam on the anchors below 30mph – the City Safety system in the XC60 only works at much low speeds.
Volvo's curvaceous saloon will also be the first to use the company's smaller, more efficient new engines. Expect to see the GTDi badge on the rump of S60s that feature the new direct-injection turbocharged 1.6 petrol four-pot, which will produce up to 180bhp or emit just 120g/km, depending on tuning. There will also be other four, five- and six-cylinder engines, and a eco-friendly DRIVe model with stop/start tech.
The new S60 should give Volvo’s saloons a much-needed image makeover, and if reaction is positive, it will help push through parent company Ford’s deal to sell the Swedish company to Chinese manufacturer Geely.
The S60 will be unveiled in the metal at the Geneva motor show in March 2010, and UK sales start next September.
Volvo has only released two exterior photos of the new S60 – we’ll see the interior closer to the car’s Geneva motor show unveil in March 2010 – as it wants to highlight the new car’s design. Under now-departed design chief Steve Mattin, the S60 has been created as the car that will start the differentiation of Volvo design and break the one-size-fits-all focus.
The new Volvo S60 looks different, but they’ve toned it down from the concept haven’t they?
Unfortunately Volvo’s design team has indeed taken a step back from the gorgeous S60 Concept unveiled at the Detroit auto show at the start of 2009. The suicide doors (of course) have disappeared, the headlights aren’t quite so curvaceous and the panoramic roof has been replaced by a regular sunroof.
But compare it to the current boxy S60 and the new car is a bit of a looker – it’s much more curvaceous, with a creased bonnet, strong shoulder lines and swooping C-pillars.
What else?
The S60 is still a Volvo so we’re expecting the new Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake safety tech, which will slam on the anchors below 30mph – the City Safety system in the XC60 only works at much low speeds.
Volvo's curvaceous saloon will also be the first to use the company's smaller, more efficient new engines. Expect to see the GTDi badge on the rump of S60s that feature the new direct-injection turbocharged 1.6 petrol four-pot, which will produce up to 180bhp or emit just 120g/km, depending on tuning. There will also be other four, five- and six-cylinder engines, and a eco-friendly DRIVe model with stop/start tech.
The new S60 should give Volvo’s saloons a much-needed image makeover, and if reaction is positive, it will help push through parent company Ford’s deal to sell the Swedish company to Chinese manufacturer Geely.
The S60 will be unveiled in the metal at the Geneva motor show in March 2010, and UK sales start next September.
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