Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari has officially taken the wraps off their highly anticipated F430 replacement, the 458 Italia.

Described as a "massive leap forward" and a "genuine departure from the current range", Ferrari considers the new supercar to be "a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology."

Boasting a futuristic Pininfarina design, the 458 Italia has a compact aerodynamic shape which helps to reduce drag and improve downforce (which is 140 kg at 200km/h). The front end features a bold grille which houses small aero-elastic winglets "which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag." Elsewhere, the car features small openings between the hood and headlights for added engine cooling. Out back, the 458 has aggressive rear end which houses a massive diffuser, California-style taillights, and three center-mounted exhaust tips.

Power comes from a new direct injected 4499 cc V8 engine that produces 570 CV (at 9000 rpm) and 540 Nm of torque (at 6000 rpm, with over 80% available from 3250 rpm). This is backed up by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which has been specially engineered to match the power and torque curves of the new V8. Ferrari estimates the 458 Italia will rocket from 0-100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Riding on a lightweight aluminum chassis (the car has a dry weight of 1380 kg/3042 lbs), the 458 Italia boasts a 42/58 weight distribution which promises to deliver outstanding driving dynamics. This is further backed up by a twin wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear set-up. Ferrari also equipped the car with an advanced direct steering system, updated versions of E-Diff and F1-Trac which offer a 32% increase in longitudinal acceleration, and a high performance braking system which cuts the car's 100-0 km/h braking distance to a short 32.5 meters (106.6 feet).

As with all Ferraris, the 458 Italia features numerous lessons learned from company's Formula 1 racing efforts. One of the key improvements is a reduction of internal engine friction which helps to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Thanks to this racing derived knowledge, the car has fuel consumption rating of 13.7L/100 km while CO2 emissions are 320 g/km. Elsewhere, the company added a unique racing-inspired steering wheel and dashboard which slope down and away from the driver to minimize distractions.

Look for more information and details to be released closer to the 458's official unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

source : worldcarfans.com

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2010 Jaguar XJ Officially Revealed

As promised the all-new Jaguar XJ has been unveiled during an exclusive event at the Saatchi Gallery in London this evening. Jaguar Cars Managing Director Mike O'Driscoll was the key speaker at the event while talk show host and car nut Jay Leno was the host. The list of VIP guests included celebrities, business leaders and other public figures.

Jaguar anticipates that the super luxury British sedan will infuse a daring new spirit in its segment, thanks to a bold new design direction, good performance and a high standard of engineering excellence.

"The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar," said Ian Callum, Design Director and the man who penned the XF as well. "Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car's side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar's new design direction."

A standout exterior feature is the panoramic glass roof that not only creates extra interior light but also gives the XJ a lower roofline. Jaguar says it will offer both the standard car and the long-wheel-base version right from the get go. The latter is 125mm longer but both versions have a boot as big as 520 litres in volume.

Aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture was used in constructing the XJ, making it lighter (by at least 150kg) than its competitors. That of course improves performance and fuel consumption. The aluminium solution will allow Jaguar to better its carbon footprint because it has 50 percent recyclable material and is potentially able to save up to three tonnes of C02 gases per car.

Some driving comfort technologies utilised include the Adaptive Dynamics - which is continuously variable damping - an air suspension system, and active differential control.

The interior space features chrome and piano black detailing, leather and veneer surfaces, and other niceties depending on whether customers choose the Luxury, Premium Luxury, Portfolio, Supercharged or the range-topping Supersport models.

The gadgets and comfort creatures list has things like an 8-inch touch screen for playing DVD movies, a 1200W Bowers & Wilkins sound system and the Media Hub.

The Gen III petrol and turbo diesel engines make their way into the XJ. These are the 3.0-litre V6 diesel which has a base price of £52,500, the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 with 385hp (283kW), the 5.0-litre V8 supercharged making 510hp (375kW) and a new 470hp (346kW) version of the supercharged V8. Jaguar's official combined economy figure for the diesel is 40.1 mpg and its C02 emissions figure is 184g/km. The rear wheels are driven through a 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

Orders have been opened for the XJ and deliveries will begin in early 2010.

source : www.worldcarfans.com

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Pagani Cinque Roadster Revealed

If the Pagoni Zonda Cinque doesn't seem rare, exclusive, or exotic enough for you, Horacio Pagani and company have a solution: the Zonda Cinque Roadster.

Like the Zonda Cinque, the Roadster is a limited-edition, five-car model run. The street-legal Zonda R is almost identical to the hardtop, though the carbon-titanium chassis has been tweaked to accommodate the removable roof. With the top removed, the Zonda Cinque Roadster sports a mostly-open cabin with only an engine air scoop protruding above. The roof is stored up front.

The specifications mark the Zonda Cinque Roadster as the most exotic of exotics: an AMG engine making 678 horsepower and 780 Nm torque, ceramic-coated titanium exhaust, traction control and a six-speed sequential transmission by Cima. The nineteen- and twenty-inch aluminum/magnesium wheels are forged by APP and wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber, and of course Brembo provides carbo-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers. The Zonda Cinque Roadster's 1210kg curb weight is the same as that of the hardtop, as is the reported 3.4-second 0-100km/h run.

The price? €1.3 million, plus taxes. That said, with a production run of just five vehicles, it's a fair bet that the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster has already sold out.

source : worldcarfans.com

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