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Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Audi R8.

A few of the Autoblog crew are former (or current) musicians that have tempered our insatiable lust for all-things-automotive with a healthy appreciation of the aural arts. So whenever an automaker attempts to combine the two, we’re keenly interested in the outcome.

Audi teamed up with the German group Bullet and the graphics and video crew at Campana to create an orchestral masterpiece to launch the R8 in Brazil. With 41 musicians, three DJs and one conductor providing the soundtrack, the video clips integrate with the score and sound effects to create an impressive experience. Our only gripe is that the first two videos aren’t nearly long enough, but they’re worth checking out after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi’s “The Art of Performance”

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Sports Car Clubs World Wide Entry Date:10/13/99 Club .. Group Performance Members .. 17 Contact .. shane duke` - Position president Address .. Learn More

The Sports Car Club of La Crosse, La Crosse WI I’ve waited over 7 months for this. I’m bad fast and can prove it. I’ll be bringing a friend for ballast. Learn More

Rain dampens Ultima GTR ‘Ring record attempt

Filed under: Supercars, UK

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ultima GTR720 at the Nurburgring

There is no shortage of automakers out there claiming to make the ultimate “race car for the road”, but few of them can touch the Ultima GTR. While others try to make their road cars as close to racing cars as possible, the British sportscar-maker set about making their Noble-based racing car as close to a road car as possible. The result is blistering performance, with the latest GTR720 setting several Guinness-verified world records, including a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds, a quarter mile below ten seconds and a 0-100-0 time in 9.4. With those numbers in the books, Sport Auto Magazine set its sights on setting a new Nurburgring road car lap record.

Unfortunately, after booking two, half-hour sessions at the ‘Ring, the heavens opened up and soaked the track, so the attempt was aborted. The current record, held by the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, stands at 7:27, but Ultima ambitiously projects that its car could undercut that with what would be a staggeringly fast lap time under 6 minutes, 55 seconds. Sounds impossible? Consider the performance stats quoted above, and that the lightweight track demon has hit a top speed of 231 mph. That was with the previous gearing setup, but with a taller fifth gear ratio, Ultima thinks it can reach even higher speeds. After the disappointment of a failed attempt due to the bad weather, the company’s founder Ted Marlow turned around and headed back to England, claiming to have hit 220mph on a derestricted Autobahn along the way. We’ll just have to wait until a more successful attempt to see if the record is shattered, but in the meantime we can enjoy the images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Abarth releases limited-edition 500 “Opening Edition”

Filed under: Hatchbacks, FIAT, Special/Limited Editions

Click for hi-res gallery of Fiat 500 Abarth Opening Edition

At its unveiling at this past March’s Geneva show, it was immediately apparent that Abarth had carried off a transformation of the Fiat 500 from a demure retro-hatch into a veritable pocket rocket. But for those for whom the 135 hp turbo four is just not enough, the performance division has unveiled a new limited edition “500 Abarth Opening Edition”.

Although the name might suggest a convertible, the 500 Opening Edition is a fixed-roof hot-hatch distinguished by a 160hp engine, dropping a half-second off the conventional 500 Abarth’s 0-60 time, now down to a sprightly 7.4 seconds. The Opening Edition also gets red brake calipers behind special 17″ alloys in white or titanium finish, tinted glass and a revised interior with red leather and special badging with a serial number plate. Available in either pearl white or Campovolo gray (the latter available with a red-and-white checkered roof), only 100 examples of the 500 Abarth Opening Edition will be offered, complete with a special car cover to keep the exclusive vehicle protected from the elements.

Check out the big gallery of high-resolution images by clicking the thumbnails below.

Filed under: Supercars, Bugatti

With its quad-turbo W16 pumping out over 1000 horsepower and reaching speeds in excess of 250 mph, surpassing the Bugatti Veyron is no mean feat. Many have tried, but few have succeeded. Yet that is exactly what Bugatti’s own engineers will have to achieve when it comes time to replace the Veyron with its successor.

What form that successor would take has been a subject of great debate and continued speculation. At first it was rumored to go downmarket as a roadster. Then it was expected to be a four-door. A lightweight exotic was said to be under development, while its new corporate overlords at Porsche seemed keen to relegate the marque altogether to coachbuilder status. In an emerging interview for Holland’s AutoTelegraaf, however, CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen revealed that Bugatti is preparing to launch a new model to replace the Veyron in 2011 or 2012, and that despite restricting emissions and fuel economy regulations around the world, the new model would have to stand up to the performance standards set by the Veyron. Design will follow along the same theme as the Veyron, while Bugatti also considers a racing program, although what championship it would contend remains the subject of further speculation.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Tuners, Nissan

Professional drifting series, Formula D, is trying to quickly win over fans and competitors in order to become one of the top forms of motorsport in the United States. As folks have learned in the markets this past year, though, rapid growth does not come without some giant bumps in the road. It looks like Formula D has now slid into a wall with a few of its teams. Confusion surrounding the series rule book has come to a head in discussions at Drifting.com. The rules state that any change to a vehicle’s OEM suspension design must be approved by Formula D. Of course, a visual inspection of every car lined up for a run at a Formula D event proves that no one is utilizing 100% OEM suspension components. Aftermarket coilovers, adjustable control arms and urethane bushings are all-too-,common modifications seen throughout the pits. Therefore, there must be a list available to competitors outlining the approved components for all competing vehicles. No such list is available, however. That means teams have no method of verifying that other competitors are following the rules, other than the fact an entry passed Formula D’s own tech inspection. Current discussion is making a case for the use of vehicle technical sheets as found in series such as SCCA Speed World Challenge to list all allowable modifications for approved competition vehicles.

One particular team lies behind the call for rule revisions, while other concerned competitors back up their request for clarification. The vocal team is the group behind the Super Autobacs Nissan Skyline, which was recently deemed ineligible for competition by Formula D. The series organizers claim the Skyline features illegal front suspension modifications by using the OEM parts off a Nissan Laurel. However, the RWD Scion tC campaigning in the series is eligible despite also using suspension parts from another Toyota vehicle that shares the same chassis. The rules become particularly unclear when other vehicles are allowed to run with obviously altered suspension setups. 350Zs have altered the mounting points of their rear axles and Chevrolet Corvettes have converted from leaf springs to coilovers. Hopefully, Formula D can learn from this tussle and develop a fair and documented method of approving vehicle,s rather than leaving everyone in the dark. Thanks for the tip MrCoolGuy!

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By TCC Team
www.thecarconnection.com

Unless you’ve been on planet Nader for the last few years, you knew Chevrolet was brewing up an uber-Vette. Amid all the hype, spy photos, leaked photos (and subsequent prosecutions), rumors, and names (Blue Devil, SS, Sting Ray, Z07), any dolt could discern that this new Corvette had the potential to be amazing.

During its annual press preview for the Detroit auto show, GM showed journalists what we’ve all been waiting for; the official, almost-ready-for-production 2009 Corvette ZR1 destined to hit showrooms next September.

Tom Wallace, Corvette Chief Engineer, began the presentation by talking about what started the ZR1 program. To our group of gathered reporters, he recounted a meeting that took place more than six years ago when GM Chairman Rick Wagoner asked what a $100,000 Corvette would look and perform like. On cue but out of sight of our pack of writers, a sinister-sounding V-8 fired up. Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman, then drove the ZR1 out into the meeting area.

After Lutz slid out from behind the wheel, he gave his driving impressions of the ZR1, “What’s so terrific about this car is that it is very docile and easy to drive, but then when you step into it, the power just never stops.” Subsequent presentations explained why.

Final specifications are not yet available because the development team is still fine-tuning powertrain and chassis calibrations, but this is what GM told us. The new LS9 engine is a 6.2-liter supercharged and intercooled V-8 that shares key dimensions and some features with the current Z06’s LS7. The “9″ uses a fifth-generation low-profile Eaton supercharger that itself incorporates plenty of new technology. Its impellers sport four veins instead of three, greatly improving volumetric efficiencies while reducing parasitic losses. Compared to the previous generation blower that required approximately 120 horsepower at maximum boost, the new unit draws only 80. Final horsepower numbers will exceed 620 and torque should come in around 600 lb-ft. The rumor mill pegs the target horsepower figure at 650.

The top of the supercharger is visible when the hood is closed thanks to a Lexan window placed in the center of the carbon fiber hood. The hood itself eschews big bulges for tasteful lines that tightly envelop the LS9 (compared to previous LS engines, the LS9 is only one inch taller overall, even with the supercharger and intercooler). No Pro-Stock hood scoop necessary.

The transmission is a modified version of the Tremec six-speed used in so many high-performance vehicles, including the Viper. In the ZR1, this iteration sports a close-ratio gear set that aids in acceleration. Unlike in the current Corvette where top speed is achieved in fifth gear, an estimated top speed of over 200 mph for the ZR1 will come in sixth. Wallace commented that, “One interior change we had to make was to ditch the standard 200-mph speedometer with a 220-mph unit because this car will so easily exceed 200.”

His pride was clearly evident. He added later that this combination is expected to economical enough to avoid the gas-guzzler tax. No specific performance figures were quoted, but Wallace said the ZR1 would easily beat the current Z06’s performance of 3.7 seconds to 60 mph and the current car’s 7:42-second lap time at Nurburgring. One member of the team noted that in its current form, first gear is good for 67 mph, an indication of the new gearing and the LS9’s ability to rev.

With so much power comes heat, so the ZR1 has more and bigger coolers and heat exchangers for all powertrain components. A massive front spoiler with an integral splitter helps channel air to all the right places. Side sill extensions are similar to what was used on the C6R racecar. The side vents feature a large strake that bisects the opening.

Chassis-wise, Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) is standard. The near instant response of the dampers allows for softer spring rates, and GM claims the ride of the ZR1 is more compliant than the current Z06. Tire size increases at both ends, with 19-inch rims in front and 20-inch rims in the rear sporting 335/25Z/20 Michelin PS2s. Wheel widths are 10 and 12 inches respectively.

Brakes discs are huge carbon-ceramic units that are clamped on by six-piston Brembo calipers in front and four-piston units in the rear. The rear discs are as large as the fronts found on other supercars. Metal discs used on the Z06 were provided for comparison on a table-top display, and were considerably heavier. Of course, lighter rotating and unsprung mass is critical for improving every aspect of performance.

The Corvette development team took weight out of the ZR1 wherever possible. Carbon fiber is used extensively, even on panels exposed to strong UV light like the roof and roof pillars. (Apparently, UV breaks down the bonding elements within carbon fiber, rendering the material brittle in as little as five years.) GM’s solution is a special clearcoat that costs upwards of $2000/gallon.

According to the Harlan Charles, Corvette Product Planner, the ZR1 will be offered in seven colors and offer two wheels (one chrome). The standard ZR1 will feature interior equipment similar to a standard Z06, and there will be one major option package similar to the 4LT that includes the fully leather-wrapped interior. If pricing of 2008 models provides any indication, this RPO will cost around $8,000. Charles also noted that because there is only one set of production tools for the carbon-fiber body panels, yearly production is not expected to exceed 2000 units.

Just as the Z06 used the color red to highlight key components, the ZR1 uses blue accents on the LS9 and on the model’s logo. Perhaps this is a tip of the hat to the Blue Devil moniker that surfaced early? GM would neither confirm nor deny.

Regardless, this is what a $100,000 Corvette looks like. Wagoner should be quite happy, nod to his past or not.

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by Peter Grizzly
onsidered to be one of the most beautiful classic cars in the world, the Jaguar XKE has the best of a multitude of worlds. Its performance matches that of a sports car. It has a great aerodynamic design that could perhaps match that of F1s. It has an elegant and professional luster and look. Its sleek and curvy body makes it look like a piece of art. And of course, it is a true collectable classic car.

The Jaguar XKE is also known as the E-Type. It was released in 1961 in a two-seater coupe form. The concept behind it was simple: create a sports car with a great engine and aerodynamic design, and make it look sweet at the same time.

The XKE became the trendsetter for sports cars, and has a look that was way ahead of its era. In fact, the XKE was so elegantly designed that even rival Enzo Ferrari made the comment that it is “the most beautiful car ever made.”

From the D to the E

Back in the 1950s, the Jaguar D-Type was the king of all race cars. It was winning LeMans races almost every year, and with its sexy aerodynamic make, was drooled over by car enthusiasts and ordinary people alike. Sensing the market needed a D-Type that was tamed for the road yet retained that luxurious look and superb performance, Jaguar made the XK-SS.

The XK-SS was not received with a popular cheer, yet it wasn’t designed to be widely received. Some has speculated that the XK-SS was a mere ploy, a diversionary tactic Jaguar has used for the real deal. The D-Type was ready to retire from the race tracks, since faster cars were springing up like mushrooms. Still, Jaguar was not ready to give this beauty up into the museum stands–the D-Type was still popular.

And so, by tuning down the D-Type’s for-the-race-track design into a sleeker and friendlier look, the E-Type was born.

But of course, it wasn’t as simple as that. The XKE went into two test stages: the E1A–which was a top secret, 286hp car reminiscent of the first generation XKEs; and the E2A–a basic remodeling of the D-Type, which was in fact used in a LeMans race.

A Classy Road Monster

The XKE is both the beauty and the beast. The third series is equipped with Jaguar’s trademark V12 engine. The V12 is a 5.3L, 12-cylinder engine–which means that it could make its competitors eat dust.

And to top it all off, the XKE has new suspensions that Jaguar was experimenting with earlier on. The E-Type has independent rear suspensions, employing U-jointed halfshafts to take power from the chassis onto the wheels AND as upper control links.

The Jaguar XKE is no doubt an outstanding classic car. With design that encompasses functionality and aesthetics, this classic car is really worthy of being considered as the cream of the crop. And did we forget to tell you that it was the number one car in the top 100 most beautiful cars in the world?
Article Source: www.goarticles.com