Posts Tagged sports car
Audi R8 Snow Day
Posted by in Uncategorized on May 30, 2010
Ezra Dyer, a contributor to The Times, runs an important errand after a blizzard… in an Audi R8 sports car. Read the story at the Wheels blog: bit.ly
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Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept
Posted by in Uncategorized on April 12, 2010
Porsche has unveiled a surprise concept car, the 918 Spyder, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show during a special pre-show event. Introduced by President and CEO of Porsche AG, Michael Macht, the mid-engined sports car takes the “ecology vs. performance” issue a few notches up. Described as a “Super-Sports” car, the 918 Spyder is a low emissions plug-in hybrid with a split personality. On the ecological side it is capable of 3.0 litres/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp / 78 mpg US) with just 70 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. However, on the performance side, it’s driven by a V8 producing more than 368 kw (500 PS / 493 hp) plus three electric motors putting out 160 kw (218 PS / 215 hp). That gives the two-seater a combined power output of 528 kw (718 PS / 708 hp) resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than 7:30 minutes, which is faster than the Porsche Carrera GT. The 918 Spyder features a liquid cooled lithium-ion battery, brake energy regeneration, push-to-pass “E-Boost” button for sudden overtaking maneuvers, and four driving modes. They are: E-Drive mode for electric only powered driving; Hybrid mode, which uses both the electric motors and the V8 engine relative to driving conditions; Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance; and Race Hybrid mode for hardcore performance running at the limit. “Power is transmitted to the wheels …
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Abt Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder
Posted by in Uncategorized on April 3, 2010
Whenever Audi introduces a new model, chances are that the folks at Abt Sportsline are going to get their hands on one. The German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the 1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly modify cars bearing the four rings.
Abt’s latest project is the droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600 horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Finally, Abt provides a sport suspension system for improved handling.
Press Release
The R8 Spyder is not just a cabrio, it is a teasingly beautiful open-top sports car of the top class, a real dream car – in particular ABT Sportsline’s version. Their designers have contoured the lines of the open-top model athlete, and using the ABT R8 Spyder has redefined the word “roadster” with Bavarian thoroughness: the result is a vehicle whose power can be seen even when it is at a standstill. The front grill, front apron, side sills and rear apron with the rear spoiler as well as the dual-colour coated ABT BR alloys have been adjusted to the dynamic design of the car. As with the closed R8 versions from ABT, the team has designed all the components in order to achieve the sports car’s optimum distribution of weight; all the parts are therefore made from carbon. As a result the performance can be converted into a maximum of driving enjoyment. Anyone who wants to systematically reduce the weight of their Spyder should use the new ABT CR Superlight alloys, as they also excellently suit the character of the ABT R8.
The V10 with 5.2 litre cubic capacity is used in the ABT R8 Spyder: this provides 600 welltrained horses (441 kW) – while in the series version there are 525HP (386 kW). The Spyder is able to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 320 km/h. The roadster is therefore a hurricane for the road, giving lovers of fresh-air a new “tangible” term. Suspension springs from ABT provide even better handling, which in particular has a positive effect in the threshold regions of the Spyder. In addition the lower centre of gravity gives the mid-engine sports car an even more aggressive appearance. When you take a look at the car you can see that it is one of the fastest of the fast – and is really ready for anything, as you would expect from an ABT R8.
