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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Making its world premiere at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, the Naimo electric concept car combines Korean heritage with innovative modern features.
Taking its name from the Korean word "Ne-mo", (pronounced 'Neh-mo', meaning 'square shape'), the Ne-mo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) was conceived by Kia's international design team in Seoul, and is characterised principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance.
The simple overall design is accentuated by a number of striking key details, such as the wrap-around windscreen and asymmetric sunroof, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This mix of simple and complex is a common trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts.
Kia's design team also made use of innovative technology to give the car a premium feel and to ensure the car's exterior remained uncluttered. For example, Kia Ne-mo has no traditional wiper blade on the windscreen - instead it employs a high-intensity air jet at the base of the windscreen that performs an 'air wiper' function. Conventional door mirrors have also been replaced with miniature cameras installed in the A-pillars.
Naimo's interior was designed to evoke a strong sense of tranquility and features hand-crafted materials throughout. Korean oak is used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor, Korean "Han-ji" paper is used for the head lining. Alongside these traditional elements sit modern features such as a transparent organic light emitting diode display instrument panel and full connectivity.
"Naimo is a perfect balance of innovation, high-tech and Korean tradition. It was heavily inspired by the purity and grace of traditional Korean arts and crafts, but combines this with cutting edge technologies to deliver a truly premium experience," commented Kia Motors' Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.
The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the 3.9-metre long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market.
Measuring 3,890 mm in length, the Kia Naimo's generous wheelbase, width and height (2,647, 1,844 and 1,589 mm respectively) - plus the short overhangs which place a wheel at each corner - ensure that the cabin provides exceptional head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants.
The concept car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged rear doors to maximise easy access to the cabin, and a three-way split opening boot-lid, allows versatile access to the load bay for varying luggage sizes.
Power comes from a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (109 ps) and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Kia cc to reach a top speed of 150 kph (93 mph).
A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the boot floor and uses innovative Lithium Ion Polymer technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. Equipped with this battery, Kia Naimo provides a driving range of 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels.
Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo's battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after five and a half hours.
Naimo will join Kia's growing test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles being extensively driven in widely varying conditions to develop future production models with zero or significantly reduced emissions.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Golf GTI adidas: Customised Golf GTI launches in June
Golf GTI Excessive: Concept adds precise motorsport look for series production
Flashback: Golf GTI 1 and Golf Citi Mk1 as tributes to their origins
Wolfsburg/Reifnitz, May 2010. There are automobiles, and then there are automotive icons – classics with a glorious past and an exciting future.
The Golf GTI is such an icon. Over 1.7 million have been sold since the car’s debut in 1976. In just the sixth year after the launch of the Golf GTI, its community of fans had grown so large that it sought a common platform, or to put it simply an event, to talk shop, showcase and drive the GTI. That is how the GTI-Meet in Reifnitz at Wörthersee came into being in 1982. Since then, fans have been meeting in the Austrian state of Kärnten for five days of Mardi Gras in May. It is already time to meet again. One of the traditional highlights: unveiling of the new GTI variations. Debuting as world premieres this year are the Golf GTI
adidas – an exclusive model whose sales will launch in June – and the Golf GTI Excessive, a concept car implemented in a stylistically refined motorsport look.
The new Golf GTI adidas and the GTI concept car will be accompanied by two GTI classics: the first generation Golf GTI (1976) and the Golf Citi Mk1 − a last edition, limited to 1,000 units, of the first generation Golf whose production has just been phased out in South Africa. Volkswagen Classic is bringing these two icons to Wörthersee. Its motto: GTI history
meets GTI present and future.
Golf GTI adidas: Starting in June, three of the world’s most recognised German badges – Volkswagen, GTI and adidas – will for the first time meld into a combined product as the Golf GTI adidas. The essential fact is that the GTI’s technology and styling − and its interior customised in the style of the adidas brand − all produce a real dynamic mix. And so the Golf GTI adidas is likely to attain collector’s status very quickly, given the histories of today’s classic cars in the mould of the two Golf Pirelli GTIs (1983 and 2007) and the Golf GTI Edition 30 (2006).
Like each of these icons, the new Golf GTI adidas will also launch with wide-ranging customised exterior and interior features. They include newly designed 18-inch “Serron” alloy wheels and a specially developed sport seat design. As on the Golf R, bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lights are aboard as standard equipment.
Golf GTI Excessive: Every year at the GTI-Meet at Wörthersee, Volkswagen surprises fans with breathtaking concept cars. In 2007, it was the GTI W12-650, in 2008 the Golf Estate RaVe 270 and in 2009 the Golf GTI Wörthersee 09. In 2010, Volkswagen is presenting the Golf GTI Excessive in Reifnitz. This concept car illustrates the great design potential of the Golf GTI.
Key components here are the add-on parts styled in high-gloss black piano paint. The focus here is on extreme precision in the definition of shapes, radii and straight lines, as though cut with a razor blade. The add-on parts themselves are slender and light on the one hand, yet
noticeably stable as well; they appear as though carved from a single block. Add-ons around the front spoiler, side sills and rear diffuser (which lights fire-red when braking!) are visually styled as so-called splitters; they are aerodynamically optimised air diverting elements that originate from motorsports. Never before have splitters been transferred to a production model with such high-end precision as on the Golf GTI Excessive. Will these add-ons make it into the catalogue of Volkswagen Original Accessories? That is up to the fans!
- Innovative concept and phenomenal performance redefine the pinnacle of the super sports car segment
- Entirely new technology package, unique and powerful functional design language
- Innovative carbon-fiber monocoque
- New twelve-cylinder engine with 515 kW / 700 hp
- Super-fast shifting ISR (Independent Shifting Rods) transmission
- Pushrod suspension
- The very finest equipment and trim, extensive individualization
The technology package of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is utterly unique. It is based on an innovative monocoque made from carbon-fiber that combines exceptional lightweight engineering with the highest levels of stiffness and safety. The new twelve-cylinder with 6.5 liters’ displacement and 515 kW / 700 hp brings together the ultimate in high-revving pleasure with astonishing low-end torque. Thanks to a dry weight of only 1,575 kilograms (3,472 lb), which is extremely low for this class of vehicle, the weight-to-power ratio stands at only 2.25 kilograms per hp (4.96 lb/hp). Even the fantastic 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration figure of just 2.9 seconds and the top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) do not fully describe the Aventador’s extreme performance. And yet, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are down by around 20 percent compared with its predecessor, despite the considerable increase in power (+8%).
The ISR transmission is unique among road-going vehicles, guaranteeing the fastest shifting time (only 50 milliseconds) and a highly emotional shift feel, while the lightweight chassis with pushrod suspension delivers absolute handling precision and competition-level performance. The expressively-designed interior offers hi-tech features ranging from the TFT cockpit display with Drive Select Mode system. The Aventador will be built to the very highest quality standards in an all-new production facility in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
“With the Aventador LP 700-4, the future of the super sports car is now part of the present. Its exceptional package of innovative technologies is unique, its performance simply overwhelming,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “The Aventador is a jump of two generations in terms of design and technology, it’s the result of an entirely new project, but at the same time it’s a direct and consistent continuation of Lamborghini’s brand values. It is extreme in its design and its performance, uncompromising in its standards and technology, and unmistakably Italian in its style and perfection. Overall, the dynamics and technical excellence of the Aventador LP 700-4 makes it unrivalled in the worldwide super sports car arena.”
Aventador: the name of one of the most courageous of all bulls
According to its tradition, Lamborghini’s new flagship bears the name of a bull – naturally, a particularly courageous specimen from the world of the Spanish Corrida. Aventador was the name of a bull that entered into battle in October 1993 at the Saragossa Arena, earning the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera” for its outstanding courage.
A sculpture of extreme dynamics
For Lamborghini, design is always the beauty of aggressive power, the elegance of breathtaking dynamics. From the very first glance, the new Aventador is unmistakably a Lamborghini, clothed in the brand’s characteristic and distinctive design language – with its extremely powerful proportions, its exact lines and precise surfaces, and with taut muscularity in every one of its details. The designers in the Centro Stile Lamborghini have carefully developed this design language to give the Aventador a significant new edge. It is an avantgarde work of art, an incredibly dynamic sculpture, from the sharply honed front end through the extremely low roofline to the distinctive rear diffuser. Every line has a clear function, every form is dictated by its need for speed, yet the overall look is nothing less than spectacular and breathtaking.
The doors open upward – of course
Truly impressive proportions come from an overall length of 4,78 meters (188.19 in.) matched with an impressive width of 2,26 meters (88.98 in.) including the exterior mirrors, and further accentuated by an extremely low height of just 1.136 mm (44.72 in.). It goes without saying that both doors of the carbon-fiber monocoque open upward – a feature that was first introduced in the now legendary Countach and then used for subsequent V12 models such as Diablo and Murciélago. However, the Aventador also evokes its immediate predecessor the Murciélago – electronically managed air intakes open depending on the outdoor temperature and the need for cooling air,ensuring maximum aerodynamic efficiency. And for those whishing to flaunt the heart of their Lamborghini, the optional transparent engine bonnet exhibits the twelve-cylinder engine like a technical work of art in a display case.
Exclusive and high-tech interior
The Aventador’s spacious interior combines the fine exclusivity of premium materials and perfect Italian craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology and generous equipment. The red switch cover on the broad center tunnel encloses the start button used to awaken the twelve-cylinder. The interior is dominated by a next-generation dashboard – as in a modern airplane, the instruments are presented on a TFT-LCD screen using innovative display concepts. A second screen is dedicated to the standard-fit multimedia and navigation system.
Carbon-fiber monocoque
The new Lamborghini flagship has a full monocoque. The entire occupant cell, with tub and roof, is one single physical component. This ensures extreme rigidity and thus outstanding driving precision, as well as an extremely high level of passive safety for the driver and his passenger. The entire monocoque weighs only 147.5 kilograms (325.18 lb).
The monocoque, together with the front and rear Aluminium frames, features an impressive combination of extreme torsional stiffness of 35,000 Newton meters per degree and weighs only 229.5 kilograms (505.9 lb).
Maximum revs, amazing sound
For the Aventador LP 700-4, the engineers in Lamborghini’s R&D Department have developed a completely new high-performance power unit – an extremely powerful and high-revving, but very compact power unit. At 235 kilograms (518 lb), it is also extremely lightweight. A V12 with 515 kW (700 hp) at 8,250 rpm sets a whole new benchmark, even in the world of super sports cars. The maximum torque output is 690 Newton meters (509 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm. The extremely well-rounded torque curve, the bull-like pulling power in every situation, the spontaneous responsiveness and, last but not least, the finely modulated but always highly emotional acoustics are what make this engine a stunning power plant of the very highest order.
Innovative transmission for maximum performance
Engineers at Lamborghini have created the perfect mate for the new twelve-cylinder engine with the highly innovative ISR (Independent Shifting Rods) transmission. The development objective was clearly formulated – to build not only the fastest robotized gearbox, but also to create the world’s most emotional gear shift. Compared with a dual-clutch transmission, not only is the ISR gearbox much lighter, it also has smaller dimensions than a conventional manual unit – both key elements in the field of lightweight engineering for super sports cars.
Refined and safe with all-wheel drive
This kind of extreme power must be delivered reliably to the road. The driver of the Aventador LP 700-4 can depend fully on its permanent all-wheel drive – indicated by the 4 in the model designation. In the driveline, an electronically controlled Haldex coupling distributes the forces between front and rear. In a matter of milliseconds, this coupling adapts the force distribution to match the dynamic situation. A self-blocking rear differential together with a front differential electronically controlled by ESP make for even more dynamic handling. The Drive Select Mode System enables the driver to choose vehicle characteristics (engine, transmission, differential, steering and dynamic control) from three settings – Strada (road), Sport and Corsa (track) – to suit his individual preferences.
Pushrod suspension
Lamborghini has equipped its new V12 super sports car with an innovative and highly sophisticated suspension concept. The pushrod spring and damper concept was inspired by Formula 1 and tuned perfectly to meet the needs of a high-performance road-going vehicle. Together with aluminum double wishbone suspension and a carbon-fiber ceramic brake system, this lightweight chassis represents a further aspect of the new flagship’s unique technology concept.
Extensive assistance and safety systems
In the hands of its driver, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is a high-precision machine – spontaneous, direct and always reliable. The driver is also assisted by the latest electronic systems such as the incredibly sporty, adjustable ESP system. When it comes to passive safety, front, head-thorax and knee airbags play their part alongside the extremely stiff carbon-fiber cell.
A rich and wide-ranging individualization program
A Lamborghini should always fit perfectly with the style and preferences of its owner. To this end, the range of individualization options is virtually inexhaustible. There is a selection of 13 production paint colors to choose from, three of which are highly sophisticated matt tones. A choice of two-tone interiors are offered with the “Sportivo” and “Elegante” versions, while a premium audio system and reversing camera are among the many technology options. And of course, the “Ad Personam” individualization program knows no limits when it comes to colors and materials.
2. The Design
Every Lamborghini is an avantgarde work of art, a fast-moving technical sculpture. Every line, every detail of a super sports car from Sant’Agata is derived from its function – namely speed, dynamics, performance. Every Lamborghini is a purist’s dream, reduced to its very essence.
With the new Aventador LP 700-4, the designers at the Centro Stile Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese have taken this committed philosophy to a whole new level – its extreme, razor-sharp lines portray a precision that is without parallel in automotive design. And its clean, taut and expertly executed surfaces demonstrate the exceptional competence and depth of experience possessed by Lamborghini in carbon-fiber body shell design.
The surface of the roof has a new geometry that provides greater spaciousness for the passengers while at the same time giving relief to the lines of the front section.
This also addresses the aim of obtaining a better aerodynamic coefficient, continuing Lamborghini’s design philosophy of ‘form follows function’.
The engine cover utilizes the same styling giving continuity to the concept.
Inspiration from aeronautics
For the further development of the Lamborghini design language, designers pulled their inspiration from another sphere dominated by speed and dynamics – from modern aeronautics, from the world’s fastest and most agile aircraft. This gave rise to a design of maximum functionality and spectacular sharpness, an extremely precise and highly technical design language with a new kind of vitality. Powerfully defined lines and taut surfaces create a fascinating interplay of light and shade, endowing the car with tremendous visual movement. The limited edition Reventón – a work of automotive art – and the Sesto Elemento ‘technology demonstrator’ were forerunners of this philosophy: the Aventador is the first Lamborghini series production car embodying this vision.
The Aventador, of course, also follows the mid-engine concept, with the vehicle weight concentrated around the vertical axis to reduce inertia and optimize dynamics. With the legendary Countach, Lamborghini was a pioneer of mid-engine construction, its revolutionary concept bringing racing technology to the road. The design of the Aventador adds visual emphasis to the mid-engine layout, with a look that concentrates its power on the rear axle.
Aerodynamic efficiency is crucial
For such an extremely powerful automobile, the most crucial task of the body shell design is aerodynamic efficiency: the optimum airflow for absolute stability at all speeds and, at the same time, optimum cooling for the engine. On the Aventador, all aerodynamic elements are integrated into the body shell form, from the front spoiler to the rear diffuser. A key role is played by the flat, optimized underbody. The rear spoiler is deployable and controlled electronically. At rest, it lies flush with the rear of the vehicle; in operation, it has two positions – the approach angle of 4 degrees is optimized for high speed and assists directional stability at the very top end of the spectrum. The tilt of 11 degrees, on the other hand, delivers considerably greater downforce at mid-range speeds, helping to optimize handling and stability. The car uses dynamic parameters to calculate for itself the most appropriate tilt angle.
Impressive proportions, mighty air intakes
The first striking impression of the Aventador focuses on its proportions. At a length of 4.78 meters (188.19 in.), it is a truly impressive 2.26 meters (88.98 in.) wide including exterior mirrors, but only 1,136 meters (44.72 in.) high. The impression of width is further emphasized by the widely spaced air intakes and headlamp units.
The Aventador’s incredibly low front takes on a distinct arrow form, with the Lamborghini bull insignia gracing both the point and the center line, which continues its path along the entire length of the vehicle. The air guides are powerfully profiled and further emphasized by their glossy, black frames. The bi-xenon headlamps are clustered with the LED units for daytime running lights and indicators beneath hexagonal casings. The daytime running light comes from LED light guides that wrap around the main headlamp in a Y form. Seven further LEDs provide the light source for the indicator.
Two strokes define the side line
The extremely long side view is dominated by the very low roofline and by two sweeping strokes – the first emphasizes the front wheel arch; the second, very sharply drawn line begins at the front wheel arch and runs like a tensed muscle along the entire side of the car and over the rear wheel. The deeply recessed door and the mighty sill bear further testimony to the determined functionality of the Lamborghini design. Ultimately, these forms serve only one purpose – to deliver the maximum volume of cooling air to the mighty V12 power plant. The large air intakes behind the upward-opening doors are also enclosed in black plastic frames and guarded by a fine mesh. The engine air intake is located on the roof pillar, behind the third side window. And when cooling requirements are particularly high, additional air channels open up on the rear wheel arches.
The rear end, too, is dominated by openings framed in black, where the hot air finds its exit. The entire rear end is highly three-dimensional in its design. The lower diffuser stands in powerful relief, while the substantial format of the hexagonal tail pipe symbolizes the concentrated potency of the engine. The rear lights in LED technology reiterate the triple Y motive already familiar from current Lamborghini models.
V12 as an object of technical beauty
Equally familiar is the transparent engine bonnet (option), which adds a particularly attractive dimension to the many emotional perspectives on the Aventador. The twelve-cylinder power unit, with its mighty black intake manifold, lies in all its technical glory beneath the three cover panels. It is framed by diagonal carbon-fiber struts and accompanied by the powerful dampers from the pushrod suspensions.
The design philosophy continues into the surprisingly roomy interior. The cockpit is upholstered entirely in fine leather and also takes on a subtle arrow form. The controls are logically grouped on the broad center console. Here, too, the inspiration derived from aviation is immediately apparent – as in modern aircraft, the instruments are presented on a TFT-LCD screen. At the center of the display is a large dial – at the touch of a button, the driver can choose whether he would rather see the road speed read-out or the engine speed. Further information ranging from fuel level to the output from the on-board computer is grouped in fields surrounding the large dial.
The operating system
The most important switch is hidden beneath a red switch cover – the start button, which instantly fires the high-performance engine into life.
A second, seven-inch TFT-LCD screen in the center console belongs to the integrated multimedia system. Beneath it is the familiar array of Lamborghini toggle switches for operating functions such as the electric windows or the front axle lifting system, as well as the controls for the air conditioning.
The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 offers a state-of-the-art and comprehensive lineup of electronic vehicle, entertainment and communication systems. These functions are operated in a clear and intuitive manner via the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) on the center console, featuring a large push/turn control and eight function keys.
3. The carbon-fiber monocoque of the Lamborghini Aventador
Lamborghini is heading into the future with a systematic lightweight design concept – the intensive application of carbon-fiber materials forms the key foundation for the extreme dynamics of the new Aventador LP 700-4. The new flagship is based on a full monocoque construction made with these innovative materials – conceived and produced entirely by Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
This development sees Lamborghini once again demonstrate its worldwide leading expertise in carbon-fiber technology. The super sports car brand from Sant’Agata Bolognese is the only automaker to have fully mastered the extensive CFRP process across a range of technologies in-house – from 3D design, through simulation, test, production and validation using state-of-the-art industrial processes to the very highest quality standards. With the Aventador, Lamborghini is putting its innovative, in-house developed and patented technologies into series production for the first time.
The cell of the future Lamborghini flagship super sports car is made entirely from carbon fiber and has been designed as a monocoque structure. The load-bearing structure of the vehicle is engineered as a “single shell” that functions physically as one component, thus taking full advantage of the extreme rigidity of CFRP. Formula 1 race cars have been built using CFRP monocoques for many years – and have proven their crash worthiness time and again. The same applies to road-going sports cars featuring monocoque technology – the carbon fiber occupant cell functions like an extremely safe roll cage.
Construction offers many advantages
Of course, the term “single shell” applies only in the descriptive sense – the new Lamborghini monocoque is made from a series of individual parts with specific functions and technologies, such as stiffening elements made from Braiding technology, that is one of the best technology to manage energy adsorption in case of crash. After the curing process, however, this structure functions as a single component – including the base section known as the tub and the complete roof.
The full monocoque solution offers advantages which other processes, like a tub where a metal roof structure is attached in a conventional manner, cannot realize. That’s why Lamborghini made the no compromise choice of the full monocoque, which weighs only 147.5 kilograms (324.5 lbs).
Extremely rigid construction
Superior passive safety is only one benefit of the extreme rigidity of a full carbon fiber monocoque - very high torsional rigidity is another. The monocoque is connected at the front and rear with equally rigid aluminum sub-frames, on which the suspension, engine and transmission are mounted.
The entire body-in-white of the future V12 model weighs only 229.5 kilograms (505 lbs) and boasts phenomenal torsional rigidity of 35,000 Newton meters per degree of twist. This guarantees a superb feeling of solidity, but, more importantly, extremely exact wheel control with excellent steering precision and sensitive feedback. For the dedicated driver, both are essential for truly enticing driving pleasure. The new Lamborghini flagship responds to the most minute steering input with the stunning precision of a perfectly balanced race car.
Depending on the form, function and requirements of the individual elements, the Lamborghini development team selected from three main CFRP manufacturing methods within its technology tool kit. They differ not only in their production processes, but also in the type of carbon fiber and its weave and, most importantly, in the chemical composition of the synthetic resin used.
Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): In this process the carbon fiber mats are preformed and impregnated with an exact amount of resin. Afterwards, they are cured under heat while the part is in the mould. Lamborghini has achieved a major breakthrough by further developing this method. Using the patented “RTM-Lambo” process, the final mould is no longer a heavy, complex metal piece, but is made instead from lightweight carbon-fiber parts, thus making the manufacturing process faster, more flexible and more efficient.
An additional benefit of the RTM-Lambo process is the low injection pressure that doesn’t require expensive equipment.
Prepreg – The carbon fiber mats used in this method, commonly known as prepreg, are pre-injected by the supplier with a thermosetting liquid resin and must be stored at a low temperature. The mats are then laminated in molds and cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Prepreg components are complex to make, but have an extremely high-quality surface finish (Class-A surface quality) and are therefore the preferred option for use in visible locations.
Braiding – These components are manufactured by using RTM technology. This carbon fiber weave technology is derived from the textile industry and used to make tubular components for special applications such as structural roof pillars and rocker panels. The woven components are made by diagonally interweaving the fiber in several layers.
The monocoque of the new V12 super sports car is constructed using these technologies applied in a series of special processes. One significant advancement Lamborghini realized is the ability to use already-assembled monocoque elements as the mould for the next step in the process. This makes for a considerable simplification of the manufacturing process compared with conventional methods.
Epoxy foam components are also used within the monocoque. They are placed in strategic points to increase the stiffness of the monocoque by working as spacers between the composite layers while also dampening noise and vibration. In addition, aluminum inserts are laminated into the front and rear surfaces to facilitate connection with the aluminum front and rear sub-frame elements.
Because of the complexity of the materials and process outlined above, Lamborghini decided to produce its new monocoque completely in-house, managing one strategic step in the production process.
Quality control is an absolutely crucial factor – every single monocoque is measured to exacting tolerances of only 0.1 millimeters, facilitating the extreme precision of the overall vehicle. Quality control starts with the purchase of the carbon fiber parts. Every delivery of carbon fiber is certified and the material is checked regularly for compliance with quality standards. Lamborghini worked together with its suppliers to develop a world-exclusive fiber and resin system for its RTM technology. Ultimately, these materials and processes constitute an important part of Lamborghini’s worldwide leading expertise in the field.
Carbon composite materials - A key technology for tomorrow’s high-performance automotive engineering
These materials made from CFRP combine the lowest possible weight with excellent material characteristics – they are very light, extremely rigid and exceptionally precise.
Furthermore, CFRP materials can also be formed into highly complex components with integrated functions. This reduces the number of individual parts when compared to traditional metal construction – thus enabling further weight reduction. Lighter cars have lower fuel consumption and fewer CO2 emissions. Most significantly, however, it improves the power-to-weight ratio – the deciding factor in the overall feel and performance of a sports car. A super sports car built using CFRP accelerates faster, has superior handling and better braking.
4. The new V12 power unit –
the heart of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
The twelve-cylinder is the king of the engine world and the true heart of the Lamborghini brand. The very first model created by Feruccio Lamborghini, the 350 GT, made its appearance in 1964 featuring a twelve-cylinder engine that was incredibly innovative for its day. 3.5 liter displacement and 320 hp were the vital statistics back then – they formed the basis for ongoing increases and further development over the decades that followed. Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo and, finally, Murciélago are just a few of the super sports cars born in Sant’Agata. All of them were, and will continue to be, driven by V12 engines – and all have long since risen to the status of automotive legend.
Now the next milestone in this glorious history appears – engineers in the Lamborghini R&D Department have developed a completely new high-performance power unit. That it would be another twelve-cylinder was never in doubt - and not only because of the special magic conjured up by the number twelve. The only real choice for Lamborghini is a high-revving naturally aspirated engine – the deeply reflexive and exceptionally powerful reaction of the automobile to the tiniest movement of the driver’s right foot is, of course, a key part of the whole fascination inspired by a super sports car. Ten cylinders are ideal in the displacement class around the five liter mark, as evidenced by the highly acclaimed Gallardo engine. For the 6.5 liter displacement targeted in this case, the perfect number is twelve. A lower number of cylinders would result in larger and heavier pistons and con-rods, which would have a negative impact on the engine’s high-revving characteristics.
Starting with a clean sheet of paper
The specification for the development of the new twelve-cylinder, known internally as the L539, was written quickly – yet was highly demanding in its formulation. Naturally, it had to deliver more power and torque than its predecessor in the Murciélago, but it should also be smaller and lighter and enable a lower center of gravity. At the end of the day, low weight is just as important to the performance of a super sports car as high power output. Fuel consumption and gas emissions should also be reduced significantly.
So the R&D team started with a clean sheet of paper – metaphorically speaking, of course. Design and development in Sant’Agata is conducted using state-of-the-art systems and equipment. The outcome is a V12 with a classic cylinder bank angle of 60 degrees, and thus an amazingly compact power package – the power unit measures only 665 millimeters from top to bottom, including the intake system. Its width, including the exhaust manifold, is only 848 millimeters, while its length is a mere 784 millimeters. Its weight of 235 kilograms is also respectably low – each kilogram of engine weight corresponds to 3.0 HP maximum output.
Optimized for high revving and low weight
The crankcase on the new power plant is made from an aluminum-silicon alloy and has an open-deck construction with steel cylinder liners. Displacement is 6,498 cm3 and cylinder spacing 103.5 millimeters, while bore diameter measures 95 millimeters and stroke 76.4 millimeters. The short-stroke layout is especially good for high-revving characteristics and for low internal friction. Particular attention was also paid to the bearings for the forged and nitride-hardened crankshaft, which weighs in at 24.6 kilograms.
The two four-valve cylinder heads are likewise made from sand-cast aluminum-silicon alloy, each weighing a very light 21 kilograms. The twelve pistons and con-rods are, respectively, in forged alloy and steel. The maximum piston speed at 8,250 rpm is only 21 meters per second, which is considerably less than for the Murciélago’s previous power unit. The combustion chambers were carefully engineered to achieve optimum tumble and combustion of the fuel/air mixture. At 11.8:1, the compression ratio is extremely high. Inlet and outlet valve timing is electronically controlled.
Sophisticated thermal management, optimized oil circulation
The thermal management of this high-performance power unit was perfected with extensive detail engineering. Two switchable water circuits in the engine ensure very rapid warm-up, which minimizes friction and quickly brings the catalytic converters up to operating temperature, thus benefiting fuel consumption and emissions. The external water coolers are switched into the circuit only as required.
Absolute engine health, even under extreme racetrack conditions with high lateral acceleration, is guaranteed by oil circulation using a dry sump system. A total of eight scavenger pumps suck oil out of the lower bedplate fastened to the crankcase. Pressure and scavenging losses are thus reduced by around 50 percent. A high-pressure oil pump maintains lubrication, while an oil/water cooler and an oil/air radiator constantly keep temperatures within range even under extremely high load. A further benefit of this form of dry sump lubrication is the very low mounting position of the engine within the sports car. The new engine is mounted 60 millimeters lower than the V12 in the Murciélago – with the associated benefits in respect of center of gravity and lateral dynamics.
From the outside, the V12 is dominated by its intake system – which incorporates four individual throttle valves. Life inside the black housing is also extremely complex – the optimum intake path for any given load and engine speed is facilitated by two flaps, several channels and one bypass. The payback is an extremely well-rounded torque curve and refined pulling power throughout the rev range.
Mighty orchestra for twelve voices
The exhaust system, too, was afforded the undivided attention of Lamborghini’s engineers – the lowest possible gas emissions was just as important a target as the unmistakable, spine-tingling Lamborghini sound. The hydro-formed and thermally insulated three-into-one system incorporates four pre-catalytic converters close to the engine and two main catalytic converters shortly before the muffler. The casing incorporates two separate mufflers – one low-volume, one high-volume. Regulated by valves controlled via the engine management, they handle all the elements of the big twelve-cylinder symphony – from a moderate rumble when rolling through the city at low revs to the screaming crescendo of maxed-out gear shifts.
Electronics devised entirely by Lamborghini
Another highlight is the electronic engine management, which was developed in its entirety by engineers at Lamborghini. The system consists of the main ECU, a secondary “smart actuators” and two additional black boxes that function as “smart sensors”. Because speed is everything for an engine like this, some ECU control and connection functions are handled by the smart actuators, making the ECU faster. The two smart sensors are constantly monitoring combustion in real time – each ignition in every cylinder. The spark plugs – each is powered by an individual ignition coil – function as “sensors”; the two auxiliary control units monitor the power signal after every ignition and can immediately identify irregularities in the combustion process through ionization phenomena. This data is used to continually optimize engine management, benefiting both performance and fuel consumption.
High performance in every dimension
All these technical highlights come together to create a high-performance power unit like no other. The maximum output of 515 kW (700 hp) at 8,250 rpm is an impressive statement in itself. The maximum torque is 690 Newton meters and is available at 5,500 r/min. The extremely generous torque curve, meaty pulling power in every situation, extremely reflexive responses and, not least, the finely modulated but always highly emotional acoustics make the L539 a stunning power unit for a super sports car of the highest order. And not only was the L539 developed entirely in-house at Lamborghini, it is also built from start to finish at company headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Highly qualified specialists assemble the engines by hand, with every single unit undergoing an extensive final testing and detailed calibration program on an engine test bed.
The new Lamborghini ISR transmission (ISR: Independent Shifting Rods) - Innovative servo-actuated mechanical gearbox for maximum performance
However, it is not the engine alone that defines the character and driving characteristics of a super sports car. Another key element is the transmission. The demands are clear – the ratios must be perfectly arrayed and enable optimum power delivery from the engine. For maximum vehicle performance, shift times should be less than the blink of an eye. Operation must be clear and straightforward, via two ergonomic shift paddles behind the steering wheel. The characteristics of the transmission must be in line with the wishes of the driver at any given point – from smooth city cruising through to tough action on the racetrack. And, not least, Lamborghini customers expect an emotional shift feeling that ensures the sports car’s reactions can always be felt and understood. Thus, the development objective was clearly formulated in this respect, too – create the world’s most emotional gear shift.
For all these reasons, the engineers in the R&D Department opted for a robotized gearbox as the “companion” of the new V12 power unit – however, in a very special iteration: the Lamborghini ISR transmission. This important part of the powertrain is not only much lighter in comparison to a dual clutch transmission, it also has the compact dimensions of a regular manual gearbox. Both weight and size advantages are key in the process of building super sports cars.
Unique engineering for super sports cars
The new unit is laid out as a two-shaft transmission with seven forward gears and one reverse. For especially high durability, the synchronizing rings are made from carbon-fiber – a material with which Lamborghini has enormous experience. The short shift times are facilitated by the special design of the transmission, known as ISR – Independent Shifting Rod.
To summarize the principle – in a conventional manual gearbox, be it automated or fully manual, the gear wheels for, say, second and third gears are located side by side. When the driver wants to shift gear, the shifting sleeve with synchronizer unit is moved along the shifting rod from second gear through neutral to third gear. This requires twice the distance and twice the time – second gear has to be disengaged before third gear can be engaged.
Short distances, fast shift times
This process is significantly shortened in the Lamborghini ISR transmission – the gear wheels from the second and third gears are separate from each other and the shifting sleeves are actuated by independent shifting rods. Now the shifting process can run virtually in parallel – while one shifting rod is disengaging one gear, the second shifting rod can already engage the next gear. Because these movements partially overlap and the mechanical distances are considerably shorter, this facilitates a significant saving in shift time. Overall, the Lamborghini ISR transmission shifts around 140 percent faster than the e.gear transmission in the Gallardo. And that is already one of the world’s fastest automated manual gearboxes.
Compact construction, low weight
The new transmission has four of these independent shifting rods, with sensors constantly monitoring their exact positions. They are operated via hydraulic actuators, with an extremely high system pressure of 60 bar ensuring the necessary operating speed. The system incorporates a total of seven hydraulic valves, with pressure supplied by an electric pump. The double-plate clutch is also hydraulically actuated. All system components are contained within one casing. The total weight of the transmission is only 70 kilograms – a distinct advantage, especially compared with the significantly heavier seven-gear dual-clutch transmissions.
Five operating modes for all situations
Lamborghini drivers can choose between five operating modes: three manual (Strada, Sport and Corsa) and two automatic (Strada-auto and Sport-auto). The Strada mode offers highly comfort-oriented shifting, with fully-automatic also an option. The Sport mode has a dynamic set-up in terms of shifting points and times, while the Corsa mode delivers the maximum shift strategy for race track driving. This mode also includes Launch Control, the automatic function for maximum acceleration from a standing start.
With the Lamborghini ISR transmission, engineers working under the sign of the bull have devised an ingenious mate for the new twelve-cylinder power unit. Their work has created an overall powertrain that is absolutely unique in the world of super sports cars.
Integrated electronic control system
The excellent performances are possible only by a fast communication architecture through the several powertrain ECU’s and considering the powertrain as ONE-system in the car.
The fully electronic controlled coupling device for the front wheels (the ‘old’ viscous coupling) is another key point of the powertrain: it is able to continuously distribute the right torque to the front wheels for always attaining the best performance aspired to by the driver. The torque distribution to the front wheels can vary continuously from 0% to 60% of the total torque available.
5. Pushrod suspensions and steering
The new Lamborghini V12 super sports car features an innovative and highly sophisticated suspension concept. The pushrod spring and damper concept was inspired by Formula 1 and tuned perfectly to meet the needs of a high-performance road-going vehicle. Together with aluminium double wishbone suspensions and a carbon ceramic brake system, this lightweight chassis is another element of the unique technology concept in Lamborghini’s new flagship model.
An extremely precise, indeed razor-sharp, driving feel accurately describes the soul of the newest and most powerful super sports car ever to bear the sign of the bull. This includes a steering system that can think its way through a bend adhering to the perfect line, a suspension that masters the ideal balance between race-car feel for the road and plenty of comfort for ramping up the miles, and lateral stability that ensures absolute safety even at the very highest speeds.
Pushrod suspension derived from motorsport
With its phenomenal engine output of 515 kW / 700 hp and its comparatively low vehicle weight, the new V12 super sports car from Lamborghini blasts its way to the very highest speeds. The most important characteristic of the new suspension is its design in line with the pushrod principle – inspired by Formula 1. The spring/damper elements are not located on the wheel mounts, but connected inboard to the body shell structure. They are transversely positioned: under the windscreen in the front and close to the engine in the rear. Pushrods and relay levers / rockers transmit the forces from the wheel mounts to the spring/damper elements.
Responsive handling characteristics at all speeds
This solution offers a whole series of impressive benefits: due to the combination of the double wishbone and pushrod arrangement, wheel control and damper remain separate from each other. As a result, handling is more responsive and easier to manage at all speeds, while rigid connection to the chassis also improves the precise and spontaneous reaction of the springs and dampers. As a result, spring stiffness can be notched back a little – comfort increases, while precision remains. On the front axle, the shock absorbers are equipped with a hydraulic lifting system, which enables the front end of the super sports car to be lifted by 40 millimeters at the touch of a button, simplifying its ability to negotiate minor obstacles.
Systematic lightweight engineering in aluminum and carbon fiber
Aluminium and carbon fiber are also the most important lightweight engineering materials on the chassis. The entire suspension system, including upper and lower control arms, wheel mounts and relay levers are made from forged aluminium alloy. The large-diameter discs on the high-performance brake system, on the other hand, are made from lightweight and extremely hard-wearing carbon ceramic composite material. On the front axle, the ventilated discs measure no less than 400 millimeters in diameter, with braking force delivered via six cylinder calipers. On the rear axle, 380 millimeter diameter discs are used in combination with four cylinder calipers. The parking brake on the new Lamborghini top model is electrically powered.
Steering forms the sensitive connection between driver and automobile
The hydraulic steering on the Lamborghini V12 forms the highly sensitive connection between the driver and the super sports car, which runs on 19-inch wheels clad on 255/35 tires at the front and 20-inch rims on 335/30 tires at the rear. Steering Gear foresees 3 different servotronic characteristics managed by drive select mode.
6. Equipment and Options
The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 offers the most up-to-date, comprehensive and individualistic technology and equipment package ever realized in a super sports car. From the dynamics through safety to communication and entertainment, the Aventador fulfills every imaginable desire of the most demanding sports car fan. The wide range of exterior and interior colors and variants is perfect for individualization and, of course, “Ad Personam” is also available for the Aventador for the ultimate in personalization – where the only limits set are those of the imagination.
The standard package of electronic systems includes ABS, electronic brake distribution, anti-slip control, speed-dependent servo-tronic steering, hill start assist and, of course, ESP stability control. The rear spoiler and the side air intakes are electronically controlled. The Drive Select System enables vehicle characteristics (engine, transmission, differential, stability control, steering) to be set in accordance with individual driver preferences in one of three modes – Strada (road), Sport and Corsa (track).
Latest Generation HMI control
The cockpit with TFT-LCD display also comes as standard, as does the multimedia HMI system with Navigation, including traffic data, iPod connection and Bluetooth.
The automatic climate control functions with a sunlight sensor, with further sensors controlling the automatic headlights. The bi-xenon headlamps come with daytime running lights and rear lights in LED technology.
The five-spoke alloy wheels are clad in Pirelli P Zero tires and feature tire pressure monitoring, while the brake system is equipped with carbon-ceramic rotors and black brake calipers. Safety equipment includes six front, thorax, head and knee airbags.
Wide range of individualization options
Options include features such as the transparent engine cover, black painted wheels and brake calipers in yellow, gray or orange. The standard audio system can be upgraded to the “High-End Lamborghini Sound System” with premium speakers featuring neodymium technology and 4 x 135 watt amplifiers. Park assistance systems include proximity sensors front and rear, as well as a reversing camera.
A range of 13 colors are available at launch, in pastel metallic, pearlescent or matt finishes. These include the new shades Grigio Estoque and Arancio Argos. Three colors are available in specialized and highly sophisticated matt finishes as AD Personam– Nero Nemesis, Bianco Canopus and Marrone Apus.
The full leather single-color interior is available in either Nero Alde (black) or in Marrone Elpis, a warm brown shade. The contrasting stitching can be ordered in a range of colors. The two-tone leather interiors are offered in two style lines. For Bicolor Sportivo, the base color is black, with the contrast in orange, white, yellow or green, while Bicolor Elegante presents a harmonious blend of brown tones. A virtually inexhaustible array of variants is also offered by the Ad Personam individualization program.
The price of the Lamborghini Aventador and market delivery
UK: GBP 201.900,00 (suggested retail price taxes excluded)
Europe: € 255.000 (suggested retail price taxes excluded)
USA: 379.700 USD (suggested retail price – GGT included)
China: RMB 6.270.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included)
Japan: YEN 39.690.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included)
The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in late summer 2011.
7. The History –
The twelve-cylinder at the heart of the brand with the bull
Lamborghini V12 – a long and glorious story. According to the history books, Ferruccio Lamborghini established a car company in the early sixties because he wanted to better the products on offer at the time from the competition, with the best possible technology and quality. The prototype for all later Lamborghini super sports cars was the 350 GTV study presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1963. It featured an all-new aluminium twelve-cylinder developed from scratch by engine designer Giotto Bizzarrini and boasted performance figures that were nothing short of breathtaking by the standards of the time. The 12-cylinder V-engine with 60 degree cylinder bank angle, four overhead camshafts (at a time when single camshafts were still the norm), a six bbl carburetor and dry sump lubrication, generated 360 hp at 8,000 rpm from a displacement of 3,497 cm3 that would take the concept car to a top speed of 280 km/h. The 350 GT series production version with conventional lubrication launched the following year produced 320 hp at 7,000 rpm from a displacement of 3,464 cm3.
It was exactly this engine that captured the imagination of show-goers at the 1966 Geneva Auto Salon in the Lamborghini Miura. Although its main features were already familiar from the 400 GT, this time the four-liter 60° twelve-cylinder was mounted transversely behind the cockpit, with transmission and differential in a single unit fixed directly to the frame.
The 320 hp made the series production Miura that followed the fastest production car of its time with a stated top speed of more than 280 km/h – and, with that, the first true super sports car. This engine was further developed over the years, with several iterations featuring in the Miura S (370 hp at 7,000 rpm, 285 km/h) and Miura SV (385 hp, 300 km/h). In the Miura Jota, a one-off made for racing, the V12 generated 440 hp at 8,500 rpm. However, applications for the four-liter were not limited to the mid-engine Miura. In the front-engine Islero, introduced in 1968, and in the 400 GT Jarama, it produced 350 hp, while in the futuristic Espada the figure was 325 hp (later also 350 hp). In 1974, the Espada also saw an automatic transmission offered for the first time.
The generational shift from the Miura to the new LP400 Countach took place in the early seventies. 1971 brought the prototype with a breathtaking, edgy form, the genes of which would ultimately re-emerge forty years later in present-day Lamborghini super sports cars. Marcello
Gandini’s design was a fitting outfit for a five-liter version of the V12.
However, this engine was dropped from the series production model in 1973 in favor of a further evolution of the four-liter unit. In the 1973 Countach – still without the “wing” or spoiler of the eighties – it was longitudinally mounted behind the driver, where it generated 375 hp at an impressive 8,000 rpm and reached a top speed of 300 km/h. The years that followed saw the Countach engine undergo a series of evolutionary developments, although still based on the familiar cornerstones of the first V12 unit. It was in 1985 that the Countach Quattrovalvole took displacement over the five-liter mark for the first time (5,167 cm3) and – as the name implies – featured a four-valve cylinder head. Output was an impressive 455 hp at 7,000 rpm.
In 1986, the five-liter V12 was presented with a completely new application – the Lamborghini LM002 may also have had the 450 hp engine mounted up front, but the 2.7 ton automobile was the first and only SUV produced by the brand, a four-door all-terrain vehicle. The late eighties saw the amazingly long career of the Countach near its end with the Countach Anniversario. The Diablo followed as its rightful heir, clad in a distinctly nineties outfit. By 1990, the V12 had increased to 5.7 liters and by the end of Diablo production to almost six liters, producing 492 hp. One year later, the Diablo VT was the brand’s first four-wheel drive sports car. Over the next few years, output grew steadily to 520 hp (1993 Diablo SE). The Diablo GT with 575 hp and the radical GTR with 590 hp both appeared in 1999. The Diablo 6.0 was the first model to feature the V12 with displacement expanded to six liters, its output ultimately reaching 550 hp.
The Murciélago was launched in 2001 as the first Lamborghini of the new era. It boasted a new 6.2 liter alloy V12 with a crankshaft running on seven bearings and dry sump lubrication. It generated 580 hp at 7,500 rpm and took the super sports car weighing just 1,650 kilograms to a top speed of 330 km/h. The maximum torque of 650 Nm was reached at just 5,400 rpm. At the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled the Murciélago LP 640, which produces 640 hp from the V12 unit that had been expanded to 6,496 cm3. In the strictly limited Lamborghini Reventón, the twelve-cylinder that is the very heart of the brand generated 650 hp. The grand finale came with the Murciélago LP 670-4 Superveloce with its 670 hp. However, 2011 marks the start of a new chapter in this glorious story.
At the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept will make its debut, a compact "supercar" which represents the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.
The new concept presents the classic formula of the two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with its engine at the centre, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres: dimensions which serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. Distinguished by its graceful and clean external lines, the same principles are also applied to the inside, with the Concept's specific on-board design maintaining features and devices which directly reflect the car's sporting spirit.
On the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione find a home - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology derived from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.
Quite simply, this vehicle screams Alfa. Its sports car soul creates a unique driving sensation, both on the road and when racing, where its velocity and transverse acceleration become even more demanding.
Born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the new concept car shares its rear-wheel drive with the exclusive supercars as well as its philosophy based on achieving maximum driving pleasure and the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. This is an objective which the 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider pursue mainly through their increased power, while the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept follows the route of limited weight, made possible by extensive use of carbon, which also plays a structural role and guarantees exceptional agility with a weight/power ratio which is lower than 4 kg/HP. The chassis supports a body crafted completely from carbon, inside which there is space for the driver and passenger, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively. The final result is a significant reduction in weight, limited to less than 850 kg, as well as the optimisation of the vehicle's centre of gravity, which gives the advantage of increased agility and drivability on the most challenging roads.
The name "4C Concept" is suggestive of the sports driving pleasure which only the spectacular "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine which offers over 200 HP can bring. Already featured on a number of models in production, for example the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, the engine boasts cutting-edge technical solutions such as direct injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, turbocharger and the revolutionary scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.
Located centrally in the rear of the vehicle, the engine in the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept ensures performance which matches or exceeds that of a 3 litre engine whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder engine. Coupled with the new automatic "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, launched only a few months ago on the MiTo and which will soon be available on the Giulietta, the powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 250 km/h and to accelerate from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds. The vehicle integrates its Alfa DNA technology perfectly, a true philosophy which brings together all of the on-board technology, making it enjoyable and customisable for the driver and further accentuating the "competitive" nature of the Concept compared to other vehicles currently on sale.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has an extremely sophisticated suspension layout (high quadrilateral at the front, MacPherson at the rear) to ensure maximum agility and road handling. This solution, along with the rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight/power ratio, ensures Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, enhanced even further by the weight distribution (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle). The Concept takes up the Brand's sporting tradition, taking us back to its origins, when agility and the weight/power ratio were the keys to a successful racing vehicle, and combining these aspects with the Alfa Romeos which take to the road every day.
This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo's global growth.
Luton – Hot on the heels of the new-look Corsa range, the Corsa VXR Blue Edition features new styling details, additional kit as standard and a head-turning paintjob, at a price that’ll send its rivals into a spin.
At £19,425 (including 20% VAT), the Corsa VXR Blue undercuts key competitors like the Citroen DS3 R and the Mini Cooper Works by up to £3,600. Included in its price, this limited edition model features Arden Blue metallic paint, 18-inch alloys, dark-tinted glass, bespoke interior air vents and Recaro seats – that equates to a £445 saving compared with the cost of speccing a ‘standard’ Corsa VXR with this kit.
Like other models in the new-look Corsa range, the VXR and VXR Blue sport new ‘Eagle-Eye’ headlamps and a signature bar across the grille, coloured in blue. But in addition, the VXR gets a more aggressive front end, with deep in-set fog lamps, a wider and more prominent grille and a low, sculpted front spoiler to boost its sporting appeal. Inside, blue detailing can be found throughout, including the stitching on the leather steering-wheel, the interior air-vent colour and the trim on the Recaro seats.
Powered by the lightweight 1.6 Turbo, producing 192PS, this VXR boasts a 0-60mph time of just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. An overboost feature increases maximum torque to 260+Nm when the power is needed.
The Corsa VXR Blue comes with lowered sports suspension, uprated brakes and switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), guaranteeing enthusiastic drivers a fine mix of dynamic security and adjustability.
Available to order now, the Corsa VXR Blue will hit dealers late February.
Vauxhall Ampera showcases E-REV technology
The five-door, four-seater Vauxhall Ampera is on schedule to go into production late next year. It carries the same design DNA as the new Astra and Car of the Year-winning Insignia, yet it uses groundbreaking extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology.
Unlike other conventional propulsion systems, E-REV uses electricity as its primary power source, supplemented by a small engine to generate electricity for its motors when electric power runs low. This helps the Ampera overcome the ‘range anxiety’ issues associated with pure electric cars. Vauxhall will unveil not one, but two cars at this year’s Geneva Motor Show on March 2, with world premieres of the all-new Meriva compact MPV and a futuristic concept car, which is set to boost the company’s credentials as a leader in environmental vehicles.
Bolstering this message still further at the show will be the groundbreaking Ampera extended-range electric vehicle and Vauxhall’s most economical production car to date, the latest Corsa ecoFLEX.
‘Vauxhall is covering all bases at Geneva,’ said Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director. ‘With the Meriva, we have a unique and innovative take on family motoring, but the concept car and Ampera prove that we are truly at the forefront of environmental technology. These vehicles also show that their versatility and efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of stunning design.’
The UK’s mid-size sector has traditionally been the preserve of conservative and predictable designs. But the Insignia offers buyers in this class a compelling mix of breathtaking design and leading technology.
Style & efficiency with wide choice of powertrains
The Insignia’s elegant styling combines sculptured artistry with technical precision, illustrated by wing and blade themes which integrate with the car’s rakish, but graceful silhouette. The body’s sculpted shape is punctuated by sweeping front and rear light designs and fronted by a bold radiator grille, which displays the refreshed Griffin logo in a new, circular surround carrying Vauxhall’s name.
Another benefit brought by the Insignia’s flowing lines is a spectacularly low Cd of just 0.27, bringing with it benefits in fuel consumption, cabin refinement and performance. All body variants have an identical wheelbase of 2737mm, while the Sport Tourer adds around 80mm to the 4830mm length of the saloon and hatch models.
Insignia’s saloon and hatch models will hit UK dealerships at the end of 2008 with a broad range of two diesel and three petrol engines. The Sports Tourer brought with it two further powertrains, a 1.6-litre, 180PS petrol and a new 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo with a maximum output of 190PS. All powertrains come with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmission.
New technology benefits dynamics and safety
A range of new or improved features on the Insignia enhance everything from dynamics to comfort and safety. The FlexRide system, available on selected models, allows drivers to personalise their suspension set up at the press of a button, or if left alone will automatically adapt to different driving styles. Complementing FlexRide is Adaptive 4X4, which improves handling and stability in all conditions. Standard with both turbocharged petrol powertrains, the system uses electronically controlled hydraulic disc clutch plates to distribute torque from 0-100 per cent between the front and rear axles. On SRi models, an electronic limited slip differential which balances rear wheel torque left to right is also standard.
Vauxhall’s Front Camera System will appear as an option on Insignia soon after launch. This leading technology uses a small camera, positioned inside the car’s windscreen to read and memorise both speed warning and no-overtaking signs, the details of which are relayed back to the driver from the instrument panel. The system also incorporates a lane departure warning, alerting drivers if they unintentionally leave their lane.
The Insignia is also the first Vauxhall to use the latest generation Adaptive Forward Lighting. This clever system now uses nine lighting functions which automatically adapt to information relating to road profile, driving status and general visibility. Models fitted with Intelligent AFL are also equipped with LED daytime running lamps.
Market: “The right car at the right time”
Vauxhall rejuvenated the coupe segment in 1989 with the Calibra and co-founded the compact MPV category ten years later with the Zafira. Now, with the Insignia, Vauxhall is bringing much-needed panache to a market segment that is being revitalised as people search for vehicle with greater fuel efficiency.
The Insignia’s innovative design has the potential not only to excite mid-size car buyers again, but also to recapture customers leaving the large SUV segments because of high fuel costs. Mid-size cars currently account for around 10 per cent of the European market, but it is expected that this figure will increase again.
“This is the right car being introduced at the right time as people are moving from large sports utility vehicles. The Insignia is expressive looking, uses fuel efficiently and has five full seats and plenty of luggage capacity all important features for families,” says Alain Visser, GME’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Developed by General Motors Europe, with a significant contribution coming from Vauxhall’s Engineering Centre at Millbrook in Bedfordshire, UK, the Insignia will be built at GME’s plant in Rüsselsheim.
Dynamic design and powerful performance enhancements
The MANSORY refining programme for the BMW 7series
MANSORY Switzerland AG is one of the leading addresses when it comes to the exclusive modification of luxury cars. The company confirms this fact once again with its developments for the current BMW 7 series (model F01 and F02). It produced an entire tuning programme and makes the four-door limousine even more dynamic and unique.
The look of the MANSORY aerodynamics kit is based on vibrant elegance. The component parts of the front bumper perfectly blend in with the fitted LED daytime running lights and the new carbon radiator grill and turn the MANSORY 7 series front into a dynamic eye-catcher. The roof spoiler, the rear rim and the rear apron designed in the diffuser look also interact outstandingly. The MANSORY sports exhaust system renders an impressive growling sound. The end mufflers are made of stainless steel and the rectangular end pipes perfectly integrate into the newly designed rear section.
But MANSORY not only knows how to make an engine growl, it also provides breathtaking performance enhancements. With performance kits for the models 750i and 760 Li, MANSORY supplies the core part of the extensive tuning programme. The kits consist of an optimised engine electronics combined with a sports air filter. 360 kW / 490 hp and 720 Nm torque with the 750i as well as 470 kW / 640 hp and 920 Nm torque with the 760Li – these key figures show a significant effect on the stop watch. The optimised MANSORY 760 Li accelerates from 0 to 60 miles an hour in only 4,2 seconds and is therefore 0,4 seconds faster than its serial counterpart.
Such a performance also cries for larger wheels. Especially for the requirements of the BMW 7 series, MANSORY offers a combination for significantly improved handling and exclusive appearance. The one-part polished rims measure impressive 22 inches. The wheels are 10 inches wide and accommodate high-performance tyres measuring 265/35 at the front axle and 295/30 at the back.
A highlight of the interior design is the ergonomically re-designed sports steering wheel. Thanks to its new shape, lies significantly better in your hand and still offers all functions of the serial steering wheel. If noble or dynamic – MANSORY has the right component parts for any interior wishes. Carbon or burl wood, leather or ultra-suede. If desired, the MANSORY upholstery department can produce anything to make your heart grow faster. From personalised floor mat sets to entire leather equipments, everything is manufactured in masterly precision. Individually designed for you and fitted into your car by skilled craftsmen.
MANSORY Switzerland AG solely offers its own modifying kit and does not trade or sell entire cars.
Soon after the presentation of the individualised BMW X5, MANSORY Switzerland AG, with its sister model the BMW X6, presents in society the second Bavarian automobile to be the fortunate object of a comprehensive revamp. An exclusive bodywork, performance and interior programme has been developed and gives the SUV coupé a definitely more sporty appearance.
Just as with all previous vehicles, with the BMW X6, MANSORY has paid close attention to the precise fit of parts while at the same time bearing in mind a sporty, individual design. The perfectly harmonising details turn the high demands which MANSORY makes on itself and on its products into reality and transform the wide-bodied Bavarian into a real eye-catcher. Due to a new front spoiler with larger air intakes and an extra light bonnet made entirely of carbon which, with its ventilation channels, optimises air flow to the front engine, the MANSORY X6 already looks a lot more brawny when you catch sight of it in the rear-view mirror. This impression is reinforced even more by the widened wings which flow into the newly designed side skirts and give the vehicle around 70 millimetres more width at the front and 80 millimetres at the rear.
At the back a newly designed skirt comes into play using an integrated diffuser which has room for four stainless steel exhaust pipes from the MANSORY sports exhaust system. A roof spoiler for additional contact pressure and a rear spoiler lip give the MANSORY X6 more stability at high speeds. Nearly all the aerodynamic components are fabricated by the engineers from high-tensile polyurethane (PU-RIM) by the engineers from high-tensile polyurethane (PU-RIM) and from prepreg autoclave carbon, characteristic of MANSORY. In the process, the preformed carbon-fibre parts are given a permanent shape in autoclaves by the effects of vacuum and heat which guarantees a perfect surface finish with low weight.
So that the overwhelming visual presence is given appropriate backup, MANSORY treats the BMW X6 M's production engine to a performance upgrade. At around 670 HP / 493 kW and a huge torque of 950 Nm at 5900 rpm, the MANSORY X6 surpasses the original figures by a long chalk (production engine: 555 HP / 408 kW and 680 Nm at 1500 - 5650 rpm). This leap in performance is made possible by using an entirely new exhaust system complete with exhaust manifold and perfected engine electronics. The performance, too, benefits from these modifications. In a mere 4.2 seconds, the MANSORY X6 makes it from a standing start to main road speed and thanks to a Vmax override reaches a top speed of 300 kms/h.
Contact with the road is via distinctive MANSORY light alloy rims. These improve the handling and highlight the vehicle's appearance. The M10 silver-highlight the vehicle's appearance. The M10 silver-finished, cast, monoblock wheels are equipped with 315/25R23 tyres which make for the right surface grip. With progressively wound sports suspension and an adapted height adjustment, at the same time the vehicle's centre of gravity is lowered by around 40 millimetres so that the 23" wheels fill the wheel arches. Larger brake discs and a multi-piston brake system to improve the deceleration values of the MANSORY X6 are already at the trial stage.
With the ergonomically, newly designed MANSORY Sports steering wheel, MANSORY Switzerland offers customers a special feature for the vehicle interior. Just as for all other MANSORY vehicles the same applies to the BMW X6: the customer can compose his own quite personal vehicle interior from the practically endless combinations of leather, Alcantara, wood, carbon or aluminium trim and just about any technical gadget imaginable. The in-house MANSORY leather workshop is always available to turn the customer's wishes into reality.
New Powertrain line-up adds high efficiency and sovereign performance
Significant reduction in interior noise
Chassis improvements for better ride and handling
Updated design for a sporty-elegant look
The most notable changes in the Antara’s mid-cycle enhancements, which will be introduced at the end of this year, are in the powertrain. The fully re-worked engine line-up, all Euro-5 compliant, now offers improved driving performance as well as significantly reduced consumption and emissions. Even the two available transmissions – a six-gear manual and automatic – have undergone completely new developments to improve efficiency and dynamics.
The latest entry to the engine range is a newly-developed 2.2 CDTI Turbo diesel, which comes with two outputs. The 120 kW/163 hp offers 36 hp more than its predecessor model. The 135 kW/184 hp version offers 34 hp more power.
The 163 hp variant is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive as well as with manual or automatic six-gear transmissions. The 184 hp also offers a choice of manual or automatic transmissions and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
The gasoline line-up, too, offers more power. The 2.4 liter, four-cylinder version now comes with 125 kW/170 hp, or, 30 hp more power. Like the diesel variants, this engine is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and comes as manual or automatic six-gear transmission.
The engine variants come with variable camshaft phasing for the inlet and exhaust, which optimizes the torque and performance characteristics as well as lowers fuel consumption and emissions. Naturally an active, re-worked chassis fits nicely to the new Antara, offering dynamic handling and excellent traveling comfort.
Strong presence through accentuated front design
On the street, the Antara turns heads with its chic, upscale look. Its new, front grill with bold logo makes it immediately recognizable as a member of the new Opel design family. The fog lights together with chrome bezels and a well-blended pedestrian protection lends the vehicle a harmonious look with a strong presence. Modified rear lights and optional 19-inch light-metal wheels round out the robust look.
Designers have added a new Daydream Beige exterior color, to update the Antara’s palette. The new light beige creates a warm, upscale contemporary impression. This is in addition to the seven hues already on offer in Europe, allowing customers to find a color to meet their taste.
Inside, too, Opel has updated the choice to include a Light Titanium in the Cosmos trim level, in addition to the existing dark Saddle Brown and Jet Black. The lighter interior beautifully matches the new fabric and optimized instrument graphic and effective interior lighting. Together they underscore the prestigious ambiance of the cabin. A new center console with extra storage solutions has been added, thanks to the new electric parking brake, which opens up space between the two front seats.
Opel has improved safety and comfort features in the Antara as well. This includes a standard electric parking brake and a Hill Assist System. With these changes, the market segment of the compact SUV has a new competitor in the ring.
The dynamics of a passenger car with the talents of an off-roader
Chassis fine-tuning means the Antara is agile enough to maneuver its way through tough terrain, yet comfortable – and quiet – enough for daily drives to the city or soccer pitch. The enhancements ensure a high level of ride, handling, and safety performance. They include:
Improved stopping performance due to changes in the ABS efficiency, chassis tuning and 19-inch performance touring tires.
Application of Hill Start Assist on all vehicles, a feature that holds the vehicle on grades of three-percent or steeper for 1.5 seconds after the brake pedal is released. This technology essentially eliminates “roll-back” on hills when the vehicle needs to be stopped momentarily and ensures easier, confident “drive away” on grades;
New Electric Parking Brake Dynamic Assist (EPBDA), a feature in which the electronic brake control module applies four-corner braking in conditions where it is necessary to safely slow down the vehicle.
In addition, engineers have focused on a series of chassis hardware refinements to ensure enhanced vehicle dynamics like cornering, reduced “roll” characteristics, and improved ride feel.
The Antara’s four-wheel drive system combines the benefits of front-wheel drive − such as low fuel consumption and virtually effortless maneuvering − with those of four-wheel drive. While the engine normally powers the front wheels, the propulsion power can also be quickly and seamlessly distributed between the front and rear axle at a ratio of up to 50:50 when needed. The key element for this active function is an electronically controlled, electro-magnetically operated, electro-hydraulic differential on the rear axle. The compact and light four-wheel drive system is fully integrated in the ABS and ESP systems and supports the driver effectively in all driving situations, such as during heavy acceleration.
The new Opel Antara comes with three newly developed powertrains, upgraded manual and automatic transmissions, a re-tuned chassis and a new interior designed for more comfort.
With three newly developed powertrains, upgraded manual and automatic transmissions, a re-tuned chassis and a new interior designed for comfort, the Antara combines off-road capability with urban chic. Now, thanks to its attractive pricing, the next generation Opel Antara offers excellent value for money. The Antara 2.4 l (123 kW/167 hp) gasoline version with front-wheel drive starts at 26,780 euros in Germany.
This cool crossover meets the most exacting demands in terms of design, driving dynamics, economy and functionality. The enhancements are rounded off by a stylish exterior design and an interior which has been upgraded in terms functionality, look and feel. Together with the front and all-wheel drive options, the Antara offers something for everyone.
The powertrain range includes a newly developed common-rail diesel engine with 2.2-liters displacement and 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The 2.2-liter diesel is available in two output levels (120 kW/163 hp, 135 kW/184 hp). The gasoline version, which has also been upgraded, delivers 123 kW/167 hp. The 163 hp diesel and the gasoline-powered model are available with front or all-wheel drive and with manual or automatic six-speed transmission.
All engines meet Euro 5 emissions standards. Compared with their predecessors, they combine increased agility and driving dynamics with considerably lower fuel consumption and emissions.
Both transmission types are also available for the 184 hp diesel version, while the all-wheel drive system is standard with this engine. To match the new engines, the newly tuned chassis offers an extremely well-balanced combination of dynamic handling and suspension comfort.
The exterior highlights of the updated Antara include a newly designed front grille with the trademark Opel chrome bar, new fog lamps, adapted underride protection, modified rear lights and large-format, 19-inch alloy wheels. The enhanced interior features new paneling and upholstery materials, optimized instrument graphics, a new center console, additional storage space as well as elegant interior lighting. An especially high-grade leather version, called Light Titanium is available as an option.
“The new Antara combines the looks of a sporty off-roader with urban chic. It is practical, functional and equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Marketing, Sales & Aftersales. “You really notice that it has undergone a major character change. With completely new engines and a newly tuned chassis, the car has become much more dynamic and more comfortable. In short: it offers clear added value in terms of driving pleasure.”
- Efficient power: 70 kW/95 hp Corsa ecoFLEX now with Start/Stop at 94 g/km CO2
- Sporty: Updated outfit wraps Corsa in new Opel family look
- Individual: New trim levels and Color Line models for wider personalization choice
Rüsselsheim. The Opel Corsa’s makeover continues: following the overhaul of everything under its skin in 2010, Opel’s successful small car is getting a new wardrobe in 2011. A redesigned face lends it a sportier, expressive look, making it instantly recognizable as a member of the new Opel family. New exterior colors and interior looks as well as a great offer of individualized, sporty versions make it more attractive than ever. The Corsa now also comes with a new, multimedia infotainment system called “Touch & Connect” that features a five-inch color touch screen, full navigation coverage for 28 European countries, Bluetooth, iPod and USB connections at a very competitive price.
While all engines have been reworked in 2010 to offer more power with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, a new 70 kW/ 95 hp ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTI version now equipped with Start/Stop technology further increases the Corsa’s overall efficiency: The three-door version only requires 3.5 liters diesel per 100 km and emits just 94 g/km CO2. Start/Stop technology especially enables a reduction in fuel consumption in urban traffic – at 4.2 liter/100 km versus 4.6 l/100 km previously for the Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX emitting 98 g/km CO.
A complete family on constant move
A major player in the European market since 1982, the Opel Corsa offers one of the widest product ranges in the small car segment. It comes in two distinct body styles: the coupé-like three-door, the family friendly five-door, and a commercial variant called Corsavan. Inside the cabin, it continuously seduces with one of the roomiest and most attractive interiors in its class. The Corsa also offers many innovative features not offered by its peers – like a heated steering wheel or the integrated bicycle carrier FlexFix – as well as many that are rarely available in the segment like halogen Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), Hill Start Assist and a panorama sunroof.
The powertrain line-up of the Opel Corsa ranges from 48 kW/65 hp to 141 kW/192 hp. This engine family was updated in 2010 with many new engines meeting Euro 5 emission standards that reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 13 percent while increasing engine power in most applications. To help drivers lower their fuel consumption even while driving a powerful car, a ‘shift up’ indicator light was added to the main instrument display.
The reworked 1.6-liter turbo 141 kW/192 hp OPC version continues to top the Corsa family. The face of the Corsa OPC was also redesigned to match the rest of the new line-up, especially with new headlamps and a new grille.
On the diesel side, different versions of the 1.3 and 1.7 CDTI units offer outputs ranging from 55 kW/75 hp to 96 kW/130 hp – and merely sip diesel; all have fuel consumption between 3.5 and 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers.
Flair and individuality for every taste
The four trim levels Essentia, Enjoy, Cosmo and Sport that enable customers to personalize their Corsa exactly as they wish have been reworked for 2011. New contemporary colors and decors are offered both inside and out. In the Charcoal environment, the Enjoy interior can also be dressed with more expressive Tabasco Orange or Steel Blue decors. The new exterior color palette integrates a delicate off-white Guacamole, eye-catching Grasshopper green and daring, warm Henna.
In addition, the successful, sporty Color Line that already accounts for some 20 per cent of Corsa sales in Germany extends its offer. In addition to the familiar Color Edition and Color Race models, it now features a new pack called Linea with bold, 17 inch wheels in white or glossy black with matching large stripes along the body. The Linea Pack is available on Enjoy, Sport and Cosmo.
Bestselling super-mini with enhanced engineering and top quality
The Corsa has received significant chassis improvements in 2010 for better ride comfort, enhanced steering feel and greater directional stability – all without compromising its acclaimed agility and driving fun.
Dampers, springs, anti-roll bars, the rear axle, the steering gear and the software of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) have all been revised to give Corsa greater running refinement, together with a steering and ride quality typical of a vehicle from a more expensive class. The ABS and ESPPlus systems fitted in the Corsa support the internally ventilated front disk brakes and provide additional functions: In an emergency, brake control is activated in addition to brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.
In addition to its athletic, dynamic styling and great driving fun, the Corsa also offers customers top class quality. Germany’s DEKRA Quality Report 2010 named the Corsa the overall quality winner, with the lowest defect rate of all the vehicles tested. DEKRA (Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein) is an independent, full-service provider for safe and efficient mobility and Europe’s leading technical expert organization.
The Corsa is a highly popular choice throughout Europe among the small cars – or super-minis. It accounts for some 30 percent of all Opel/Vauxhall sales and is among the leaders in its segment. On average, more than 400,000 units were sold annually the last three years.
The Corsa was designed and developed in Rüsselsheim, Germany and is built in Zaragoza, Spain and Eisenach, Germany.
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