Shelby GT500 Unvailed
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The 2011 Mustang features all-new V6 and V8 engines for the mass production model, and the GT500 Ford is going to an all-aluminum version of the 5.4-liter supercharged V8 that was in the 2010 GT500. This new engine is good for a 102 pound weight decrease, as well as 10 horsepower surge over the previous model – putting total output at 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque.
“Cutting weight to improve performance is a tradition among hot rodders,” said Carroll Shelby in a statement released to the media. “It might not be as sexy as adding more horsepower or bigger brakes, but shaving pounds off of a car is the single smartest move you can make.”
Ford also points out that this new Shelby Mustang is uses an engine with roots in the now discontinued Ford GT supercar – but with improved block structure through the use of a unique bulkhead chilled process and six-bolt billet main bearing caps. Ford says that the 2011 Shelby GT500 engine will exceed Ford GT performance due to its superior supercharger technology.
With increased power comes…increased fuel efficiency?
Bucking the trend of range-topping muscle cars receiving a gas guzzler’s tax, Ford says the 2011 Shelby GT500 will be the first modern Shelby without a gas guzzler tax, thanks to the EPA-projected 15 mpg city, and 23 mpg highway ratings. Ford’s engine changes also result in 80 percent torque being available between 1,750 and 6,250 rpm, along with a larger two-row intercooler that delivers 40 percent more cooling capacity.
Ford achieved the increase in fuel economy through a combination of weight savings from the use of an all-aluminum engine block, improved body and undercarriage aerodynamics and the addition of Electric Power Assisted Steering.
New performance features for 2011
Likely the most significant option change for the GT500 is the SVT Performance Package – giving the GT500 a track-ready performance pack from the factory. This package includes specially developed Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires, a higher rear axle ratio, stiffer springs, lighter wheels and cosmetic changes for both the coupe and convertible. Ford attributes a 3.0-second lap time savings over the 2010 coupe on the 2.3-mile test track.
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S
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The team at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, have developed a new top-of-the-range sports car for the customer who will only settle for the very best in terms of power, performance and driving dynamics: the 911 Turbo S.
The heart of this most exclusive high-performance athlete is of course a six-cylinder boxer boosted by two exhaust gas turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, with an increase in power over the 911 Turbo by 30 to 530 bhp (390 kW).
Maximum torque is a most impressive 700 Newton-metres (516 lb-ft). At the same time this new top model comes as standard with all high-tech components available only as options on the “regular” 911 Turbo.
Despite its significant increase in power and dynamic performance, the new 911 Turbo S, at 11.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 24.8 mpg imp), does not consume any more fuel than the Porsche 911 Turbo, making it by far the most efficient sports car in its performance class.
The 911 Turbo S comes exclusively with seven-speed Porsche- Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) (Porsche’s Double-Clutch Gearbox) conveying drive power to Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive.
Driving safety optimised to an even higher standard is ensured by Dynamic Engine Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) including a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle. In conjunction with Launch Control on the Sport Chrono Package featured as standard, the 911 Turbo S accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 10.8 seconds Top speed is 315 km/h or 195 mph.
The new Porsche 911 Turbo S will be at the dealership as both a Coupé and Cabriolet as of May 2010.
The German market price of the Turbo S Coupé is Euro 173,241 including 19 per cent value-added tax and local equipment in the market (the Euro base price is Euro 145,400).
The Cabriolet retails in the German market at Euro 184.546, again including 19 per cent VAT and local equipment/specifications (base price Euro 154,900).
FERRARI 599XX TRACK DEBUT
By · CommentsToday Felipe Massa was the main protagonist on the last day of the Ferrari 599XX’s activities with its debut on the track. The Brazilian driver, who will be busy as of tomorrow in the first official Formula 1 test session this season held at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit, met the clients, who, by purchasing the non-homologated sports Berlinetta, planned exclusively to use on the track, participate in the exclusive programme bearing the same name. After several laps on board of the car Felipe said: “I really enjoyed testing this car, I think it’s extremely powerful and has an exceptional stability. Considering that it has been planned for the track it’s really easy to drive.”
The clients showed great enthusiasm for the Ferrarista sharing the debut of this exceptional car: they now have a series of events ahead of them Ferrari will organise on race tracks in America, Europe and Asia, including the Finali Mondiali. Just like in Valencia on these occasions the cars will be taken care of by the team of official technicians, able to guarantee the necessary support and assistance.
Virgin Launches the VR-01 F1 Car.
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The new Virgin Racing Formula One team, one of the sport’s four new entrants for the 2010 FIA Formula One
World Championship.
A busy schedule lies ahead, much like the one that has taken the VR-01 from dream to reality in the space of just 10 months.
Nick Wirth’s design team at Wirth Research in Bicester, UK, started putting the basic layout of
the VR-01 together in the early part of 2009 in order to hit the ground running should the team’s 2010 entry be successful.
12 days after the team was accepted into the Championship, the design of the monocoque
surfaces was locked down and a race against time was underway.
The established F1 teams had a significant head start, not least because they had the obvious advantage of evolution, whereas Wirth Research designed the VR-01, quite literally, from a blank computer screen.
