ABT Audi R8 GT S 2011

ABT Sportsline loves the red color and you got to love it too on the ABT Audi R8 GT S. The car was presented at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year. With the ABT Power of 620HP, the R8 GT S sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 320 km/h. The cabrio with the 5.2 litre V10 engine is fully compatible for everyday use and is real fun for cruising on country roads. After all the “hot open-top sports car” is open to anything.



ABT Audi R8 GT S 2011
ABT R8 GT S – The hot open-top sports car

Red is the colour of love – and the Spyder ABT R8 GT S is on display in an elegant, self-confident red chrome tone at the Motorshow Geneva. A contrast is provided by the middle section of the car with carbon dominating from the bonnet to the rear wing. When designing the car, the Motorsport Department of ABT Sportsline paid attention to weight reductions and the perfect distribution of weight. With its dynamic carbon inlays at the side and on the covers of engine and convertible-top the cabrio signalises that it is one of the fastest around. The front skirt, rear skirt, windscreen frame cover, red air scoops, engine bonnet or even the mirrors are not just design, they are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP) and are correspondingly light. The sports car is the perfect weight to achieve highest performance.

The dream car from Bavaria now brings 620 HP (456 kW) onto the road thanks to ABT POWER. This is compared to 525 HP (386 kW) on standard models. A performance improvement of almost 20% is a statement in the super sports car class: the ABT R8 GT S sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 320 km/h. The cabrio with the 5.2 litre V10 engine is fully compatible for everyday use and is real fun for cruising on country roads. After all the “hot open-top sports car” is open to anything. And thanks to the ABT Suspension the setup is optimal at all times. The Sports exhaust system provides good acoustics and is an important part of the design concept, it harmonises with the diffuser, rear wing and trapeze-shaped rear skirt. The car is not just extremely quick, but also looks like it is. It makes hearts skip a beat, especially when the light metal alloy ABT BR in 20 or the CR Superlight in 19 inch announce the car’s inherent power even when stationary.
With the ABT R8 GT S the love of detail continues in the interior: ABT Sportsline has “dressed” the sports steering wheel, the centre console, the shifting gate and parts of the door panels in red carbon. As a contrast the remaining parts of the doors and the dashboard were covered with new leather. The texture of the material is expressive and elegant. The red and black leather of the seats perfectly harmonises with this styling. Red safety belts and illuminated door sill panels round off the powerful appearance of the ABT R8 GT S.
The new ABT R8 GT S – data and facts
ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 5.2 FSI, V10, 5.204 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT Power
Performance: 620 HP/456 kW (standard: 525 HP/386 kW)

ABT TECHNOLOGY
ABT suspension
ABT sports exhaust system (stainless steel)

ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT rear skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT side skirt (weight-optimized)
ABT rear wing (weight-optimized, adjustable, CRP)
ABT air scoops (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT engine bonnet (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT exterior mirrors (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT front spoiler plate (adjustable)
ABT windscreen frame cover (CRP)
ABT carbon inlays for covers of engine and convertible-top
ABT carbon inlays for the outside of the doors
ABT chrome foil red
ABT SPORTS WHEELS AND TYRE EQUIPMENT
Front axis: ABT BR, 9 x 20 inches
Rear axis: ABT BR, 11 x 20 inches
Front axis: ABT CR Superlight, 9 x 19 inches
Rear axis: ABT CR Superlight, 11 x 19 inches
ABT INTERIOR
ABT sports steering wheel (CRP)
ABT leather seats
ABT centre console with red carbon and leather
ABT shift gate in red carbon with engraving
ABT dashboard with leather
ABT door panels with red carbon and leather
ABT door sill panel illuminated
ABT Floormats
ABT safety belts in red
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Ferrari FF 2011

Ferrari released official pictures of the all-new Ferrari FF 2011, the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car. The FF - an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive) - ushers in an entirely new GT sports car concept. A decisive break with the past, the new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution.


This new V12 melds to an unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience. (Pictures Update : June 18, 2011)





Ferrari FF 2011
A revolutionary four-seater, four-wheel drive V12 Ferrari: exceptional performance and versatility



Maranello, 21st January 2011 – The official Prancing Horse web site, Ferrari.com, has revealed the first photographs of the new FF, the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car.
The FF - an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive) - ushers in an entirely new GT sports car concept. A decisive break with the past, the new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution.
This new V12 melds to an unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience.
Designed by Pininfarina, the shape and proportions perfectly interpret the FF’s harmonious blend of sporting DNA and extraordinary usability.
The FF features the company’s first ever four-wheel drive system. Ferrari’s exclusive, patented 4RM (four-wheel drive) weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional four-wheel drive system, maintaining perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle). Completely integrated with the car’s electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels. The FF is also equipped with the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3), as well as the most recent development in carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo.
Exceptional performance levels come courtesy of the new 6,262 cc direct injection engine which develops 660 CV at 8,000 rpm. In tandem with its transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox, stunning acceleration figures (0-100 km/h in 3.7 sec.) are guaranteed. The new model’s class-leading weight-to-power ratio of 2.7 kg/CV, along with its ideal weight distribution, ensures exceptionally responsive handling. The result is that owners will be able to enjoy the FF’s prowess over a wide range of uses: city driving, on low grip or snow-covered surfaces and on the track. Performance aside, Maranello’s latest model also offers standards of passenger space, comfort, in-car spec and equipment previously unheard of in such a high-performance car. It can comfortably accommodate four people and their luggage, thanks to the best cabin space and boot capacity (450 litres extendable to 800) figures in its category, including four-door cars.
A vast array of personalisation options and accessories has been developed for the FF. These include six model-specific exterior colours and sumptuous interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.
The FF, which will make its official debut in occasion of the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, is presented today with the first three photos from a dedicated shoot by Giovanni Gastel.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Type: 65-degree V12
Overall displacement: 6,262 cc
Maximum power: 660 CV @ 8,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 683 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length: 4907 mm
Width: 1953 mm
Height: 1379 mm
Dry weight: 1790 kg
Weight distribution: 47% front, 53% rear
Weight/power ratio: 2.7 kg/CV
Performance
Maximum speed: 335 km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.7 sec
Fuel consumption and emissions (ECE+EUDC)
Fuel consumption: 15,4 l/100 km
Emissions: 360 g/km
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McLaren MP4-12C 2012

The McLaren MP4-12C 2012 is the first sub-£200,000 high performance sports car in the world to feature a one-piece carbon chassis. The MonoCell weighs just 75kgs (165lbs), and is a safety cell which, like the MP4/1, is unique in offering an unrivalled package of strength, light weight and the structural integrity and dimensional accuracy to form the bedrock to segment-beating performance.

McLaren MP4-12C 2012

JOHN WATSON DRIVES SILVERSTONE IN THE NEW McLAREN MP4-12C, THIRTY YEARS AFTER BRITISH GRAND PRIX WIN IN MP4/1

• Watson pilots new carbon-based MP4-12C prior to the 30th anniversary of McLaren introducing a carbon monocoque to Formula 1
• Strength, light weight and structural integrity are key features of carbon fibre chassis in both MP4/1 and MP4-12C

On 4 March 2011, John Watson, former McLaren Formula 1 driver and 1981 British Grand Prix winner in the MP4/1, was invited to Silverstone by McLaren Automotive to drive the new McLaren high-performance sports car, the MP4-12C. The 12C is the first in a new range of carbon-based road cars from McLaren and the first car to feature an innovative one-piece, hollow carbon chassis structure: the MonoCell. The MP4/1, also on display, was the first racing car, and first car of any kind, to feature a carbon chassis.

Watson was joined at Silverstone by former McLaren Technical Director John Barnard, McLaren Automotive Technical Director Dick Glover, and Claudio Santoni Function Group Manager for Body Structures at McLaren Automotive, as McLaren celebrated its role as a carbon pioneer in the automotive industry over the last 30 years.

Arguably the world’s greatest ever sports car, the McLaren F1, featured the world’s first carbon chassis in a road car. This was produced manually and took up to 3,000 hours to complete each unit. The bonded carbon chassis of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the world’s most commercially successful carbon-based car, reduced that manufacturing time ten-fold. The new carbon manufacturing process developed by McLaren for the 12C will mean the MonoCell can be produced in a four hour cycle.

Pioneering this industrialisation process means McLaren Automotive is making carbon a reality to car enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in lightweight and safe chassis construction at a price point more affordable to a wider market.

The new MP4-12C is the first sub-£200,000 high performance sports car in the world to feature a one-piece carbon chassis. The MonoCell weighs just 75kgs (165lbs), and is a safety cell which, like the MP4/1, is unique in offering an unrivalled package of strength, light weight and the structural integrity and dimensional accuracy to form the bedrock to segment-beating performance.

The MonoCell’s composition and construction process were defined over a three year period as the first, and vital, step in McLaren Automotive’s launch as a fully-fledged sports car company.

Dick Glover, McLaren Automotive’s Technical Director, said: “It was a real privilege to see our past and present coming together over our first and latest carbon chassis. John Watson and John Barnard are great characters from our past, and for many of the current McLaren team to meet them today felt really special. They both highlighted the pioneering spirit that led to the development of MP4/1 and that passion to innovate remains intact at McLaren Automotive: the 12C’s MonoCell is living proof.”

Claudio Santoni, Function Group Manager for Body Structures at McLaren Automotive, said: “The MonoCell is extremely light, which helps reduce the 12C’s CO2 emissions to unprecedented levels for high-performance sports cars. It is also incredibly strong and predictable in form and behaviour, providing a great foundation to world-beating performance; acceleration, braking, changes of direction and vehicle stability are all significantly better than on any car with aluminium chassis that I have ever known. This is because, using a carbon composite means we can manufacture the MonoCell with aerospace industry levels of precision, which is fundamental to accurate dynamic suspension geometry control,” Santoni concluded.

On March 5, 1981 McLaren Racing introduced the carbon monocoque to Formula 1 in the McLaren MP4/1: it offered an unbeatable combination of strength and lightness.

It had an immediate dynamic impact, with John Watson winning the 1981 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It also proved an effective safety cell, with Watson walking away from a dramatic high-speed crash at Monza later that season. Within a few years, every other Formula 1 team on the grid had followed suit, and McLaren’s place as carbon innovators was sealed.

John Watson said: “I’m very proud to have been a part of McLaren launching the first carbon fibre chassis in Formula 1. After that crash in Monza, I was back driving one of our Formula 1 test cars within four days at Donington. Despite the accident appearing horrific to those watching, I was clearly protected by a safety cell of the strength and rigidity the world of Formula 1 had never before seen. I’m sure that because of that innovative technology, I walked away unscathed.”

After making his track debut behind the wheel of the 592 bhp, 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 12C, Watson exclaimed: “The MP4-12C is mind-bogglingly quick! It is by far and away the fastest road car I’ve ever driven. Between 80-130 mph it really feels as fast as my old Formula 1 car. I only drive it in Normal mode, so I can’t begin to imagine what it is like in Sport or Track modes!”

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