Codemasters, the developer and publisher of GRID 2, has released this video of when Chris Harris was invited to Italy for some fun in a Pagani Huayra. Obviously there is a little sideways action involved.
Powered by a revised version of the 6.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo engine from the SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Huayra produces a substantial 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,000 Nm of torque and, at 1,888 kg, is 538 kg lighter than the Veyron.
(more…)
Waiblingen-based tuning specialist PPI Design has revealed its Razor Spyder GTR package to suit Audi’s R8 V10 Spyder.
Building on the company’s R8 Razor GTR, which focuses around a complete wide-track carbon fibre body program, new additions include carbon fibre mirrors with integrated LED indicators, twin scoops in the engine cover to aid cooling, and those doors. Constructed from aluminium-reinforced carbon fibre, their function is to maintain an open-air feeling even with the roof in place. If your budget won’t stretch this far you could always paint some legs onto the side of your car. Wearing PPI ICE Blue Kyanite paintwork, the Spyder sits on lightweight forged wheels.
Moving inside, all plastic trim has been replaced by carbon fibre items, while the carbon seats are heated and ventilated, the centre tunnel and arm rests have been painted, and there’s a new racing steering wheel with red-line indicator. Finally there’s a custom carbon fibre and leather luggage set along with trunk mounted umbrella holders.
Moving to the engine, PPI fits a new exhaust system with four adjustable valves and remaps the 5.2 FSI unit’s ECU software, which sees output climb from 382 kW (520 hp) and 530 Nm of torque to 463 kW (621 hp) and 565 Nm. Those tweaks result in a new 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a 335 km/h (208 mph) top speed.
(more…)
BMW has finally released images of its M4 Coupe Concept ahead of the car’s unveiling at Monterey Auto Week in California.
Aggressively styled, the Concept differs from the regular 4 Series thanks to the power dome on the hood, a CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) roof with M striping, bulging wheel arches, wider side skirts and trademark M fender gills.
There’s also a gloss black kidney grille with double slats, a sculpted front bumper with large air intakes and carbon fibre front splitter, boot lid with integrated spoiler and rear bumper with air outlets and a diffuser that shrouds quadruple tailpipes. A set of bi-colour 20-inch forged M alloy wheels complete the look.
BMW remained tight-lipped regarding the powerplant, but it’s likely that the 309 kW (420 hp) V8 engine currently powering the M3 will be ditched, with propulsion expected to come from a twin-turbocharged straight-six (developing around 331 kW/444 hp), which will be mated to either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual.
(more…)
Following on from his video diary back in February, evo magazine’s Harry Metcalfe has been sampling BMW’s forthcoming i8 at the company’s test-track facility in Miramas.
Utilizing a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic passenger cell connected to an aluminum Drive module, the i8 uses a combination of a 170 kW (231 hp) turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit in the rear along with a 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor driving the front wheels.
Due to make its world debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (September 10 to 22) before production begins in 2014, rumours suggest that pricing will start at around €100,000.
(more…)
Fuel-saving champion Gerhard Plattner has managed to take Skoda’s Citigo CNG from Italy to Sweden in five days – for less than 100 euros.
Covering a total of 2,619 kilometres, the Citigo arrived in Stockholm after requiring an average of just 2.39 kg of natural gas every 100 km, equating to more than 0.5 kg under the manufacturer’s specification, or almost 18 percent, along with CO2 emissions of 65g per km.
Setting off from Vicenza in Italy over Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany and Denmark on to Sweden, with Plattner enjoyed his most frugal stint on the 515 km penultimate stage of the tour where he eked out an amazing average consumption of 2.04 kg per 100 km (96 MPG).
Utilizing the powerplant from Volkswagen’s eco up!, the Citigo uses a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine producing 50 kW (67 hp) and 90 Nm of torque, and officially needs a mere 2.9 kg of natural gas every 100 kilometres, while generating a mere 79 g/km of CO2.
“I am very excited about this record; it’s a testament to the efficiency of the CNG engine in the ŠKODA Citigo. Despite the unexpected price increases for natural gas in Italy and Sweden, I managed it on this small budget and even have 18,76 euros left,” said Plattner.
(more…)
Audi has announced details of a special edition TTS competition package to celebrate 500,000 examples of the TT being built.
Available in Coupe and Roadster variants and exclusively in Imola Yellow or Nimbus Grey paintwork, the fixed rear wing features matte aluminum-look finish struts, while the Roadster roof is available in either Black or Grey. Measuring 19-inches in diameter and shod with 225/35 tyres, a set of silver ‘Rotor’ design five-spoke alloy wheels complete the exterior.
Moving inside, there’s an Impulse leather package in Steel Grey with yellow edging and stitching, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and aluminum badges on the door trims bearing the words ‘1 of 500’. Standard TTS equipment includes aluminum inlays, xenon plus headlights, magnetic ride damper control system and rear parking sensors.
Powering the TTS is the company’s 2.0 TFSI engine, which generates 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, allowing the Coupe to crack 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed S tronic transmission (manual 5.5s) before reaching a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
Just 500 units will be built with customers having to part with an additional €1,900 for the competition package. If your budget won’t stretch to a TTS Audi also produces the S line competition.
(more…)