Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury SUV produced by the German car manufacturer Audi since 2006 (with the help of Noble engineers such as Laboyrie, Gregg and McHewgor), released at the same time as the competing Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. The Q denotes a new family of vehicles for Audi, designated the 7 in its placement between the Audi A6 and Audi A8.

The Q7 utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen 7L platform. Based on the Audi Pikes Peak Quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use even than its Volkswagen cousin. It has fared comparatively poorly in road tests involving off-road driving, being described in The Times as "absolutely useless". It lacks the Touareg's locking differentials and low-range transfer case but gains a third-row seating option. The production model was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

Audi's 350 PS (257 kW), 440 N·m (325 ft·lbf) 4.2 L (4163 cc) V8 and 280 PS (206 kW) V6 3.6 L gasoline engines are offered, with a 233 PS (171 kW) V6 Diesel engine making up the bulk of the sales in Europe.

Lawsuit on the use of the letter Q

In early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name. Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro all wheel drive system used in production cars for over twenty-five years (Audi's "quattro" trademark is actually an umbrella term for several types of all wheel drive systems developed by Haldex AB, Torsen and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.

V-12 Turbodiesel

To underline the racing success of its diesel-engined Le Mans-winning R10 racer, Audi debuted a new V12 TDI Q7 at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. It uses piezo fuel injectors like the 2008 Ford Super Duty. The twin-turbodiesel six-litre engine could generate 500 bhp and 738 lbft (1000 Nm) of torque, making it the most powerful diesel engine in use in a passenger car. Even though the performance figures are good for a vehicle of its size, the Audi engineers initially wanted to find a way to fit the engine into one of their smaller models. This way they would be able to fully understand the potential of the diesel engine and make a bold statement to all the diesel doubters in the world. However if the engine was to be kept in the engine bay, the Q7 was the only car in their line-up which is big enough for the task. The crossover had unique LED lights and other exterior trim that identified it as a special model within the Q7 range. Sales are to begin in 2007 in Europe; North American sales plans were not announced.

Safety

Despite it's multiple airbags and latest in safety electronics, such as ESP, Q7 scored only 4 stars in the EuroNCAP crash-test. Most of the latest cars get 5 out of 5 stars. According to Audi this was caused by a design error and has since been fixed in cars manufactured after the NCAP test which should allegedly lead to 5 stars. However, official tests to prove this remain to be done as of November 2006.

In the USA however Q7 got 5 stars from the NHTSA safety test for both front and side impacts.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The new Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005. It has a 7.0 L (7,008 cc/427.6 in³) version of the small block engine codenamed LS7. Officially certified output is 505 hp (377 kW). Dave Hill, the chief engineer for the C6 Corvette, says that it is a much further departure from the standard Corvettes and more like the C6-R that GM is building for the American Le Mans Series. Its performance is similar to the Ford GT and the Dodge Viper SRT-10. Official performance figures indicate that the Z06 can reach 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds from a standing start in first gear. In the summer of 2005, GM and Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen brought the new Z06 to the Nürburgring in Germany. Magnussen drove the Z06 to a time of 7:42.99; few production cars have posted faster times. Car and Driver tested the Z06 in their December 2005 issue, recording a 0 to 60mph time of 3.4 seconds and a standing quarter mile of 11.9 seconds at 125 mph.

In addition to the larger engine, the C6 Z06 has a dry sump oiling system, ensuring proper engine lubrication during periods of high (lateral) acceleration and allowing the engine to be mounted low inside the chassis. Connecting rods made out of titanium further lighten the reciprocating mass of the engine while being stronger than the steel rods they replace. Altogether, the Z06 model not only produces more power, it revs higher than any other Chevrolet LS-motor.

In a radical departure from anything Chevrolet has ever done before, the primary structural element of the C6 Z06 is aluminum instead of steel as on the non-Z06 cars. The hydroformed aluminum frame remains dimensionally identical to its steel brethren but is significantly lighter. The front fenders are made of carbon fiber to reduce weight, while wider rear fenders allow for the wider tires necessary to deal with the engine's increased power. The Z06 officially weighs 3132 lb (1421 kg), giving it a power to weight ratio of 6.2 lb/hp (3.8 kg/kW or 361 bhp per tonne). The C6 Corvette Z06 is the first 500+ hp production car to avoid the US government Gas Guzzler tax.

On October 31, 2005, the application of magnesium AE44 alloy in the engine cradle (the world's first magnesium chassis component) was bestowed an Honorable Mention in the Automotive News PACE™ (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to Excellence) Awards competition. This is the first award granted to the C6 Z06 Corvette. The suppliers receiving the award were Norsk Hydro Magnesium and Meridian Technologies, Inc.

Taken as a whole, the C6 Z06 is more similar to its race-going variant, the C6-R, than the C5 Z06 was to the C5-R. The number of production automobiles from all marques across the globe featuring more than 500 hp (370 kW) is small indeed. With an official list price of US$70,000 per unit, it will likely be the only such vehicle in existence with a price tag under US$85,000. Proof that the car was priced aggressively, dealers in the United States have successfully marked the Z06 up to anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000, due to strong sales and low inventories [in 2006].

The Z06 was the official pace car for both the 2006 Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 race, and notably so since it was the first pace car faster than cars it was pacing. The special Pace Car edition Z06 was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January. It was also awarded to St. Louis Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein as his prize for being the 2006 World Series MVP, although Eckstein does not know how to drive a stick. The 2007 Z06 was also one of Automobile Magazine's "Automobile All-Stars" for 2007.

Renault Clio V6

The Renault Sport Clio V6 is a Hot Hatch designed and built by French manufacturer Renault. It was launched in 2001 as a supersport version of the Renault Clio. The Clio v6 is approaching cult status as production of these rare & beautiful cars has now ceased. The long-term reviews in EVO magazine were enthusiatic for both the Phase 1 & Phase 2 versions, and Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson commented "In my perfect 10 car garage I would definitely have one of these – no question".

The 2001 Clio V6 (Phase 1) was based on the MkII Clio, though it shares very little by way of parts with that car. The 3.0 V6 engine, sourced from the Renault Laguna was upgraded to around 230 hp and placed in the middle of the vehicle where the more ordinary Clios have rear seats - making this car a 2-seater. The Clio V6 (Phase 1) was facelifted in 2003 to resemble the MkIII Clio, and was extensively reworked following criticisms of the original Clio V6's handling (especially in the wet). The new vehicle had an upgraded 255 hp V6, but also much more tractable and predictable handling. According to BBC's Top Gear programme, the later Phase 2Clio V6 has similar performance to an Aston Martin Vantage.

In order to accommodate the radical change from front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback to mid-engine, rear-wheel drive 2 seater quasi-coupé, the car had to be extensively reworked structurally, leading to the Phase 1 version being some 300 kg (660 lb) heavier than the sportiest "regular" Clio, the 172 Cup. Due to this, even though the V6 model had significantly more power, it was not markedly faster than the 172 Cup - accelerating to 60 mph in 6.2s compared to the Cup's 6.7s - though its maximum speed was more significantly higher (146 mph compared to 138 mph). The Phase 2 Clio V6 gained even more weight but offset it with even more power resulting in a reduced 0-60 mph run at 5.6s and a 153 mph top speed.

The Clio V6 was until 2006 the most powerful serial produced hatchback in the world with 255 bhp, exceeding the Ford Focus RS (225 bhp), the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (250 bhp) and the SEAT León Cupra R (225 bhp), and only surpassed by the BMW 130i with 265 bhp.

Though based on a utilitarian hatchback, the Clio V6 is not a practical family car. The 24mpg average leads to an empty fuel tank in just over 300 miles. The loss of the back seats AND most of the boot space, due to the engine placement, results in a severe restriction in luggage space - there is only a small space in the front where the engine used to be, suitable for a holdall or week-end groceries, a small but useful netted area behind the seats plus a small stash area under the tailgate. The enhanced steering makes tight manoeuvring a little challenging but multi-story carparks are still negotiable. The Clio V6 has a turning circle of around 13 metres (43 ft) - around three car lengths - turning what might normally be a 3-point turn into a 4-point turn. Despite these limitations, the Clio V6 is easy to live with on a day to day basis. The mechanicals are tough & reliable. Many owners upgrade the exhaust for slightly more power & a racier sound. Standard equipment includes rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, air conditioning, and 6 speakers & CD changer.

The last Clio V6 retailed for a recommended £27,125 in the UK, until it was withdrawn from sale - coinciding with a facelift for the Clio range. As of yet there is no news on a new Clio V6 model.

Mercedes SLR

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a sports car and supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars. It is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. Most people presume "SLR" to stand for "Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport" (German for "Sport; Light; Racing"), while it actually means "super-leicht, Rennsport" (super-light, racing). The car's base price is €443,066 £300,000 or $450,000 (see today's $/£/€ parity) .

A new version was introduced in 2006 called the "2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition". The "722" refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7:22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. The "722 Edition" creates 650 bhp, with a top speed of 337 km/h (3 more than the standard SLR). Countering the problems from the previous, a new suspension is used with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. The SLR is planned to end production in 2008, according to Mercedes-Benz.

The Mercedes McLaren SLR is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR of 1955. This sports car racer was actually based on the W196 F1 car, yet named after the road-going Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. A notable feature of the SLR is its gullwing doors, a homage to the original 300 SLR.

Engine

The SLR has a supercharged 5.5 (5439 cc) litre dry sumped 90 degree V8. It produces 466.8 kW at 6500 rpm (626 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lbf) torque at 3250 - 5000 rpm. AMG technicians took the original SL-55 AMG engine and optimized its capacities by enlarging the fuel pump, the cylinders, and put a larger cooling system that absorbs air to cool down the engine. It has 3 valves per cylinder with SOHC. This is very unusual as most supercars, indeed most modern cars, have DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder, but it keeps with the recent trend in modular V engines from Mercedes Benz and decreases engine emissions. The Twin-screw type supercharger and the 2 aluminium rotors have a maximum speed of 23,000 rpm. It is mounted between the two engine banks and uses 120 bhp at maximum capacity.

Unlike most of its contemporaries, its engine is front-mid mounted. McLaren took the original concept car designed by Mercedes and moved the engine fully 1metre behind the front bumper, and around 50 cm behind the front axle. They also optimised the design of the centre firewall.

Brakes

The brake discs are carbon-ceramic which provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs. Mercedes-Benz claim these discs are fade resistant to 1000 °C. The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm in diameter. 8 piston calipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm in diameter with 4 piston calipers. The result of these massive rotors is a maximum braking power of 1500 kW. When it is wet the calipers automatically skim the surface of the disks to keep them dry.

The SLR also has a spoiler mounted on the rear which pops up when braking from high speeds. The spoiler greatly increases drag at high speeds. See for a picture of the spoiler down and up (in use). This additional braking power on the order of 0.25 g of deceleration helps the car to stop quicker than any other car of its category.

The SLR has been criticised for its braking performance. While all agree that the brakes are extremely powerful, some critics argue they are either "on or off". Such critics include Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. In addition to this when the SLR is under braking extra fuel is pumped in to cool the engine. Since the exhausts are mounted in front of the driver's position the smell of unburnt fuel is noticed in the cabin.

Clarkson commented that "[The brakes] glow when you use them, and catch fire when you use them a lot". The brakes burn any debris on them and contrary to popular belief, the car itself does not catch on fire. This was proven during the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed when during the Supercar Run, Gary Paffett performed a huge burnout, only to have the brakes catching fire, though relatively small and could be seen around the rim as the car stood still.

Transmission

The SLR comes with a five speed automatic transmission with three separate modes: Sport, Comfort and Manual. Sport used for everyday use, Comfort starts in second gear for bumpy or slippery roads. Manual allows the driver to shift gears with the touchpad or the simple levers on the steering wheel. When in Manual, three additional modes (Sport, Supersport, Race) on the second dial can be used, each significantly making quicker shift times. This is the same transmission as used in other performance models such as the SL65 AMG. The Mercedes-Benz seven speed automatic transmission as used on the SLK 55 AMG cannot handle power and torque output of the SLR; hence it is fitted with only a five speed transmission.

The gear ratios are as follows: 3.56:1, 2.19:1, 1.41:1, 1.00:1, 0.831:1.

Performance

Mercedes-Benz claims that the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds at 98 °F), 0-200 km/h in 10.6 seconds, and 300 km/h in 28.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 334 km/h (207 mph)[1] which makes it the fastest automatic, (although some consider the Bugatti Veyron to be the worlds fastest automatic car, it utilizes a dual clutch sequential manual transission and not a true automatic). The car uses carbon fibre for its body construction which makes it lighter. The car is, however still quite heavy at 1768 kg due to the numerous luxury items included in it. It has never reached a higher speed than 210 mph.

Car and Driver got a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph. These are during a test session that took place in the late afternoon, when October temperatures were on the decline. C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were higher. Car and Driver got top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car. The SLR also pulled 0.97 g on the skidpad.

The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, in 2004, tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. They reported that the SLR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.7 seconds, and 300 km/h in 30.6 seconds. The car's 400-meter time and 1 km time were found to be 11.5 seconds at 207 km/h, and 20.5 seconds at 269 km/h, respectively.

The most criticised parts of the car are its brakes. "It's not that they don't work—they do, but it's the way they do it: they are either on or off" (Richard Hammond, on Top Gear). Although extremely powerful, they are described as binary, as if they were made for panic stops at 200 mph.

Some critics suggest the better buy is a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG - a more planted car with a more powerful engine (738 lb-ft torque), for about $200,000 less. It accelerates 0-60 mph 0.1 seconds slower and has a top speed limited to 155 mph. . It can however have the speed limiter removed for a mere 800 dollars with a chip from Brabus or Renntech.

Not many cars are in the same league with the SLR. It's cheaper than an Enzo Ferrari by about $200,000, but costs about $10K more than a Porsche Carerra GT. It only costs half as much as a McLaren F1 did in 1997. The SLR can't touch the top speeds of the Enzo or the McLaren F1 (217 and 240 mph, respectively), but it beats the Carerra GT by two mph.
The Enzo and F1 also dwarf the SLR's horsepower, but the Carerra GT is more comparable, with only 604 hp to the SLR's 617. Perhaps the most telling difference is weight. The McLaren F1 is a slender 2,513 lbs., the Enzo weighs 3,020 lbs., and the Carerra GT weighs in at 3,043 lbs. The SLR, with its luxury interior, is a scale-busting 3,858 lbs.

Despite its 2-ton weight, the fuel economy is generally higher than the lighter Lamborghini Murcielago, and even its less expensive, lighter, and less powerful sibling, Gallardo. Also, BBC auto show Top Gear put this car and the Porsche Carrera GT on its track, and the Porsche beat the SLR-Mclaren by just over a second (1:19.8 vs. 1:20.9).

Special editions
722 Edition

A special edition known as the 722 Edition was released in 2006, to commemorate a previous Mercedes 'SLR', the 300 SLR. The 722 number is a reference to the race number of Denis Jenkinson and Stirling Moss's 1955 Mille Miglia winning 300 SLR, indicating their start time of 7.22 a.m.

Power is boosted to 478 kW (650 hp) and 820 N·m (605 ft·lbf) torque at 4000 rpm. Modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted.

Overall performance has increased, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h time of 10.2 seconds and 0-300km/h in 28 seconds.

Exterior changes included larger 19-inch black alloy wheels and red "722" badging (harking back to the original 722 racer).

Ford GT40

The Ford GT40 was a sports car and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969. It was built to win long-distance sports car races against Ferrari (who won at Le Mans six times in a row from 1960 to 1965).

The car was named the GT after the Grand Tourisme category where it was intended to compete; the 40 represents its overall height of 40 inches (1.02 m, measured at the windshield) as required by the rules. Large-capacity Ford V8 engines (4.7 L and 7 L) were used, compared with the Ferrari V12 which displaced 3.0 L or 4.0 L.

Early cars 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 dispel the story that "GT40" was "only a nickname."

First LP640 wreck

The first accident involving the LP640 occurred a few months ago. Details on the crash are sketchy, but the car was apparently being tested on public roads when it lost control, hit a guardrail on the highway and rolled over.

Obviously, it's always a concern when a high-performance vehicle is wrecked during pre-production. On the brighter side, engineers do get an opportunity to fine-tune and correct any issues that might be responsible for the accidents.

Safety has become a big issue for exotic car manufacturers lately, especially after a recent lawsuit was filed against Porsche for "selling an unsafe car". The suit claims the Porsche Carrera GT has design defects that make it a poor-handling car, mainly that the rear end can lose traction easily. The suit also claims that the car is too difficult to handle at high speeds for the average driver without instruction. The suit was filed by the wife of Cory Rudl, an internet marketing superstar who was killed when the Carrera GT he was riding in crashed at a track.






 

Lamborghini murcielago LP640

 The LP640 version was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, as a facelift for the coupé version. It features a 6.5 L engine, now producing 640 bhp, improving performance substantially. Like the base Murciélago, the engine is mounted "backwards", with the transmission at the very back of the car. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes. The LP640 has a set price tag of US$350,000.
Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 on display

The front and rear bumpers have been reshaped to channel air more efficiently, and the new exhaust has been shaped into the rear diffuser to minimize aerodynamic lift. The air intake on the left side has been enlarged to accommodate the feeding of the oil cooler. The car's body is made up of steel and carbon fiber, while underneath a revised suspension has been added to keep up with the car's exceptional performance. It also has an all-wheel-drive system that normally distributes 70% of the torque to the rear wheels, but can allocate up to 100% to either end depending on where the grip is running out. There are also new 18-inch Hermera alloy wheels running huge 335/30 tires at the rear. The LP640 retains the original car's scissor-opening doors.

Inside the LP640, the seating has been reshaped to accommodate greater headroom, while an upgraded instrument panel is flanked by an improved stereo system.

The LP640's optional equipment includes ceramic brakes for swifter braking and a glass engine cover which shows off the LP640's 6.5 L V12 engine.

A special edition version of the Murciélago LP640 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The Versace edition features a customized all-white exterior and a matching white interior.
Lamborghini V12 engine, with the Murciélago roadster in the background

Lamborghini announced the LP640 Roadster version at the 2006.

Engine

LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, referring to the longitudinally-mounted, 6.5 L V12 engine, capable of producing up to 640 bhp at 8000 rpm. Along with a new six-speed manual transmission, which can come in Lamborghini's optional paddle shift "E-gear" package, the LP640 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds: 0.4 seconds quicker than the normal Murciélago. The LP640 is accommodated by an electronic launch-control device called "Thrust".


News
The Lamborghini supercar is named after Murciélago, a legendary fighting bull from Spain. Mr. Lamborghini loved Spanish bullfighting, thus the raging bull logo on Lamborghini automobiles (he was also a Taurus, and the bull logo was used to represent his birthsign). The name Murciélago also means bat in Spanish, and is therefore pronounced in Spanish style.

The engineers at Lamborghini included carbon-ceramic brakes in the design of the Murciélago. These carbon-ceramic discs differentiate the Murciélago from other models. Advantages of these discs include improved handling, agility, efficiency and shorter braking distances with reduced pedal effort. Therefore braking efficiency remains constant at both low and high temperature, with no fading, even hard use. This leads to longer lifetime use of the car and a state of the art system.

Vanessa Bryant is the only person in the world to own an automatic Murciélago. The car was given to her as a gift by her husband, but upon realizing she could not drive a manual transmission, Kobe Bryant had the car converted to an automatic. The estimated cost of the car after conversion and customization was US$400,000.

Lamborghini Murcielago

 The Lamborghini Murciélago is a supercar made by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2001 as the successor to the Diablo. The Murciélago is a two door, two seat coupé. To celebrate the Lamborghini company's 40th birthday, 50 special edition Murciélagos were built during the autumn of 2003.

An open-top version called the Murciélago Roadster was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The roadster features similar performance to the coupé with a more aggressive rear flank, as well as a considerably higher price tag.

The Murciélago sports a 6.2 L version of the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, side mirrors that fold in to improve aerodynamics, and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine.

The name Murciélago comes from a bull that survived 24 sword strokes in an 1879 fight at the arena of Cordoba, and fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honor. In another Lamborghini tie-in, the bull was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, a noted breeder, and went on to sire a line of famous fighting bulls. Murciélago also means bat in Spanish, and a Murciélago roadster is featured briefly in the movie Batman Begins.

The coupé's base price is US$273,000, which is US$90,000 more than its smaller sibling, the Lamborghini Gallardo.

In 2006 the Murciélago's engine was replaced by a stronger 6.5 L engine and the car's name was changed to Murciélago LP640. For the 2007 model year Lamborghini did the same with the roadster model, which is now called Murciélago LP640 Roadster.

Lamborghini have announced one more powerful model, the XTR, a track-only car with a 700 bhp version of the V12, which probably won't be available as a street legal version.

Porsche carrera GT

 Porsche began developing the Carrera GT in 1999 as a successor to the 911 GT1 car they had discontinued in late 1998 because of FIA rule changes. However, there was speculation that Porsche discontinued development at the behest of VW/Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch - Piëch was reportedly concerned over the prospect of a Porsche vehicle competing against the Audi R8 race car, which had just been introduced. As a member of the Porsche family, Piëch holds a seat on the company's board of directors and owns a percentage of the firm, so his influence could be exacted from inside. In addition, Porsche needed to free up capital and manpower for development work on the Cayenne, and dropping development of the race car made it possible.

Porsche did however produce one unit, and showed it at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue being provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to make use of the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD and a dealer invoice price of approximately $414,800 USD. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as $15,000 USD. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on Jan 31, 2004.

Originally, a production run of 1,500 cars was slated. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT throughout 2006. Porsche announced that this discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. However, reports of diminishing sales volumes, relatively high dealer inventory levels, and dealer discounts below MSRP were reported by the automotive press as being the true factors driving an early end to the production run[citation needed]. Despite the early end to production, sales of the Carrera GT were a huge success, with worldwide sales volumes surpassing the combined totals of Ferrari's Enzo Ferrari, Mercedes' SLR McLaren, and Pagani's Zonda models.

As of May 6, 2006, 1,270 GT's had been sold, with 604 being sold in the United States.


Design

The Carrera GT is powered by an all-new 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower (450 kW) whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5 litre version rated at 558 hp (416 kW). Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), although road tests indicated that in reality the car could accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and to 0-100 in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 336-346 km/h (209-215.2 mph). The Carrera GT has a basic 5 colour paint schemes which include: Black, Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey. Custom colors were also available from the factory. A six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission, in contrast to its rival the Enzo Ferrari which is only offered with sequential manual transmission. Attached to this gearbox is a birch/ash gearknob which pays homage to the wooden gearknob used in the Porsche 917 Le Mans racers. With the Enzo Ferrari priced initially around $660,000, the Carrera GT base price of $448,400 makes the dream of owning a piece of Le Mans inspired technology somewhat more attainable. The Carrera GT is also priced at $600,000 in Canadian dollars, and at 390,000 in Euros.

The Carrera GT has large side inlets and airdams that help cool the large V-10 that lies framed by the carbon fibre rear hood. Fitted with Porsche's latest brake system, the 15 inch ceramic pad brakes make a stunning appearance underneath the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear tires. Similar to other Porsche Models, the GT includes an automated rear wing spoiler which deploys in the higher ranges of speed (70 mph).


Technology
The Porsche Carrera GT's carbon-ceramic (silicon carbide) disc brake

Technology of note includes a pure carbon fibre monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The carbon fibre monocoque and subframe were produced and assembled by the ATR Composites Group of Italy. The main innovation on this vehicle however is the drivetrain:

The Carrera GT uses a clutch made of a high-tech ceramic material. This is the first appearance of this race car technology in a road car. The clutch, although difficult to master, allows the engine to sit lower in the chassis than in any other super car, both improving its aerodynamics and lowering its center of gravity. Additionally, the engineers successfully avoided the use of a flywheel, which would represent a mass damper stabilizing the engine running, by using a hollow shaft that acts as a torsional damper between clutch and gearbox. Getting rid of the flywheel results in a very direct and quick engine response, as well as freeing up engine power under acceleration that would ordinarily be consumed by spinning up the flywheel.

Despite a seemingly difficult clutch, Porsche incorporated computer management of the clutch when the car is on an incline. Drivers are able to lift completely off the clutch and not stall the car.

Unlike some of its rivals, the Carrera GT does not use the same electronic driving aids such as dynamic stability control, but it does have traction control.

Porsche claims over 75 technology patents have been filed from development of the Carrera GT.

Audi R8

 The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car released by the German automaker Audi in 2006. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, which appeared at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10).

Technical Details

The Audi R8 will be available in mid-2007 with a 4.2 L V8 making 420 hp, as seen in the Audi RS4. Pricing for the 420 bhp model starts from €104,400 or £77,000 (Approx. $140,000 USD). The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). A 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) time of about 4.2 seconds is possible with a top speed of about 301 km/h (187 mph).

As Audi owns Lamborghini, the R8's architecture such as layout and chassis is based on that of the Lamborghini Gallardo and the two vehicles share transmissions. The R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine options, and pricing.

The Audi R8 will also be the first production vehicle to feature all-LED headlights.

Future upgrades

The 2-seat coupe will be made available to the U.S. in the summer of 2007. In addition, an open-top, Porsche Carrera-GT-like model will follow in 2008.

For 2009 a second, more powerful engine variant that uses a 520-hp 5.2 L V10, an enlarged version of the Lamborghini Gallardo's engine and already seen in the Audi S8, is rumoured but not confirmed by Audi. Audi is currently in the process of developing a new turbocharged 5.2 L V10 engine for the future Audi RS6, and there is a possibility that this engine will make its way into the R8, dependent on marketing decisions. Test mules of this vehicle are developing well in excess of 600 bhp with the turbocharged 5.2 L V10. If this were to happen it is almost certain that this would create an RS8.

According to some sources[2] the 6.0 liter V12 TDI diesel engine from Audi Q7 has been confirmed to Audi R8 as well. This would make Audi R8 by far the fastest diesel powered car in the world with 0 - 100 km/h acceleration in less than 4 seconds. However the V12 diesel found in the Q7 is unlikely to make it in due to the fact that the engine will only fit under the Q7's bonnet.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Production year 2004.This yellow monster is powered by 500hp,5.0-liter V10 engine.
It is capable to reach 192 mph top speed.From 0-60 mph needs only 4 seconds.

Engine

TYPE                           5.0 liter gas
DRIVETRAIN            Mid-engine\AWD
CYLINDERS               10
DISPLACEMENT      4.961 ccm
HORSEPOWER(HP) 500 @ 7800 RPM
TORQUE                     376 @ 4500 RPM
REDLINE                    8000 RPM


Fuel consumption:Urban  29.1l/100km
                                Combined:19.5l/100km

Overview
The Gallardo was designed as a competitor to Ferrari's 360 Modena, and now competes with its replacement, the F430. The car is named after a famous breed of fighting bull and is pronounced roughly "guy-ar-do". Gallardo is also Spanish for the word gallant. Although performance is lower than the Murcielago, it is still very high, and the Gallardo has much better rearward visibility and, according to reviewers, is more maneuverable as well as more tractable in low-speed traffic, making the Gallardo a much more practical car to drive. It is also much more practical to use in bad weather than many other supercars, thanks to rear-biased all-wheel drive. Although corporate owner Audi[2] is renowned for its Quattro AWD system, Lamborghini uses a system of its own.

The Gallardo was designed by Belgian, Luc Donckerwolk, who now works for Fiat.

At current U.S. prices, a base Gallardo costs about US$175,000.

The Gallardo uses a V10 engine based on Audi's old straight-5 design. The engine was split again to become the straight-5 engine found in the new Volkswagen Jetta. The 5.0 L engine is a current Audi 4.2 L V8 (featured in Audi's S4, A6, A8, and Q7 models) with two extra cylinders added and a slightly smaller bore diameter.

The Gallardo offers two choices of transmissions, a conventional six-speed manual transmission, and an advanced six-speed electro-hydraulically controlled auto-clutch manual, or, as Lamborghini abbreviates it to, "E-gear". The latter allows the driver to make shifts much faster than an automatic transmission would, with the control that a manual offers. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind the steering wheel, and does not need to manually actuate the clutch.

Audi, offers its own sports car based on the Gallardo called the Audi R8, which will be available in spring 2007. It will use a V8 in place of the Gallardo's V10 to avoid competing directly with the Gallardo.

For the 2008 model year, the Gallardo will receive a slight facelift with a new front air dam, larger air intakes, dual squared of exhausts (similar to the Murciélago LP640) and new vents behind the front wheel. The Gallardo will also receive new rear suspension as well as a few other, unspecified components from the Audi R8[3]. To the disappointment of many, the Gallardo does not have "scissor doors".