Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Koenigsegg CCX - Swedish Smoking Medication

The Koenigsegg CCX is a mid-engined roadster from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg. The CCX has been engineered to comply with the U.S. regulation and market demands. The CCX was first unveiled on February 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. The CCX can accelerate from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds. According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 259 mph (417 km/h).



On 15 June 2008, a standard fully equipped CCX was independently timed by sport auto in achieving a record 0-186-0 mph (0-300–0 km/h) in 29.2 seconds, beating out the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, the Porsche 997 GT2, the Alpina B6 S (based on the BMW 6 Series), and the Corvette Z06.

In 2007, the CCX was the fastest car to complete a lap of the BBC Top Gear circuit, in a time of 1:17.6 on the Power Lap, until it was beaten by the Ascari A10 with a time of 1:17.3.[20] The car originally lapped the circuit in 1:20.4, but was then fitted with a non-standard rear spoiler (Henceby referred to in the CCX's and the Agera's option list as the 'Top Gear Wing) to provide downforce after the show's test driver (The Stig) spun the original version off the track.



While previous Koenigsegg models were powered by Ford Modular V8 engines sourced from the U.S., the engine of the CCX was thoroughly re-engineered by Koenigsegg themselves and is assembled at the Koenigsegg factory, though it is still based on the Ford Modular architecture. The engine block is cast for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars.

The engine is a 4.7 liter 288 cu in (4,719 cc) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4valves per cylinder. The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening. The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block that will withstand higher cylinder pressures.

The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that provide 17.5 psi (1.2 bar) of boost with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 bhp (601 kW; 817 PS) at 6900 rpm and 678 lb·ft (919 N·m) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler. The CCX does 14 mpg (17 l/100km) in combined cycle and 18 mpg (13 l/100km) in highway travel.



The CCXR is an "environmentally-friendly" version of the CCX, powered by a modified twin-supercharged V8 engine from the CCX, converted to use E85 or E100 ethanol fuel as well as standard 98 octane petrol. When run on regular petrol, the CCXR develops 806 bhp (601 kW), but when the car is run on E85 Biofuel, the CCXR develops 1,018 bhp (759 kW). Weight-to-power ratio is 2.76 lb/hp. Torque is 782 ft·lb (1,060 N·m). The CCXR can achieve 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds.

Christian von Koenigsegg is quoted as saying, "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car". The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with about 15 mpg (17L/100 km).

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Audi R8 Supercar Practical Proposition



The Audi R8 is a sports car with a longitudinally mounted mid-engine, and uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker AUDI AG in 2006.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by AUDI AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is similar to the Lamborghini Gallardo. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame,and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.

In 2005, Audi announced 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, appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today".



Performance
The R8 4.2 makes no compromises on its race-inspired performance thanks to its potent engine, Audi magnetic ride, and the legendary power of quattro®quattro®Audi's quattro® permanent all-wheel drive, has had over 25-year-long tradition.quattro® all-wheel drive.

Exterior Design
Not only was the R8 4.2 inspired by the Le Mans winning racecar, it shares the same designer. The R8 4.2 features a visible engine compartment, available Carbon Fiber Sigma sideblades and a prominent singleframe® grille. The R8 4.2 has hit the reset button when it comes to high performance car design.

Interior Design
The R8 4.2 offers an exquisite interior that has been carefully laid out to focus on performance while still delivering luxury. The driver-oriented cockpit of the R8 4.2 features Brushed Aluminum interior inlays, race-bred Alcantara®Alcantara®Alcantara is a revolutionary suede-like fabric that is soft to the touch, colorful, comfortable, durable, easy to maintain, versatile, and unique.Alcantara® leather seats or available Fine Nappa leather seats and leather throughout. Luxurious yet completely purposeful, the R8 4.2 is ready to deliver the experience of a lifetime.

Luxury and Entertainment
Every aspect of the hand-assembled R8 4.2 is infused with thoughtful luxuries, such as Bluetooth® is the name of a group of wireless technology standards that allows different types of electronic devices to interact via short-range radio waves.Bluetooth® and a driver information system with a lap timer.

Entertainment.Technology
In every respect, the Audi R8 4.2 is ahead of its time. And nowhere is this more evident than with the abundance of leading-edge technology you’ll find in the R8 4.2, such as Audi magnetic ride, LED exterior lighting, and the available Audi parking systemAudi Parking SystemThe Audi Parking System (APS) makes parking easier. Audi Parking System plus with rearview camera.

Technology.Safety
Audi relentlessly works to create the safest cars possible, and the R8 4.2 is the latest in a long line of cars featuring industry-leading safetySafetySee active safety and passive safety.Safety features, such as dual-stage airbags, quattro® all-wheel drive and ESP® with “Sport” mode.