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By Michael Russell
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR design. Co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars, this sports car/super car hybrid can go from 0 to 62 in 3.6 seconds with a bas price tag of $455,500.00 (this includes the $ 3000.00 gas-guzzler tax and $ 2500.00 freight). It is often assumed that “SLR” stands for Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport (translated as Sport; Light; Racing), but it really means Super-leicht, Rennsport (Super-light, Racing). A new version was presented in 2006 called “Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 edition”. The “722″ commemorates the 1955 Mille Miglia victory of Stirling Moss and his co-driver Dennis Jenkinson with their Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (722 refers to 7:22 am which happens to be their start time)

AMG technicians optimized the capacities of the original SL-55 engine by enlarging the fuel pump and cylinders and placed a larger cooling system for the engine. This modification produced a 5.5 liter dry sumped V8 and an unusual 3 valves per cylinder with SOHC. This is contrary to the prevalent design of super cars that uses DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine is also uniquely mounted in the front-mid section of the vehicle, which is 1 meter behind the front bumper and 50 cm from the front axle. Because of the great engine power of this car, fade resistant, carbon-ceramic based brake plates are used with calipers that would automatically skim the surface of the brake plates to keep them dry when driving in a wet situation. Spoilers are also mounted on the rear and pops up when breaking at high speeds. The SLR has a five-speed automatic transmission that comes with three separate modes: Sport, Comfort and Manual. Sport is mainly for everyday use while Comfort is for bumpy roads and lastly, Manual that allows the driver to shift gears with the touchpad or the levers on the steering wheel. The transmission used in the SLR is the same with other performance models such as the SL65. However, the SLK-55 engine cannot handle the torque and power output of the SLR therefore a five-speed transmission is used.

The SLR has a top speed of 208 mph making it the fastest automatic car in the world until 2005, when the Bugatti Veyron came into the picture. The SLR makes use of carbon fiber for its body, which supposed to make it lighter but the car still weighs at 3898 pounds after adding all the luxury items included. In 2004, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. And reported that the car’s quarter-mile time is 11.5 seconds. Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, notably praised the SLR for how easy it is to drive even at top speed. On the same episode of Top Gear, Jeremy was able to out run a 25000 bhp cruise liner in a race with co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May from London to Oslo (1320 miles). The SLR is often categorized as a “grand touring car” rather than a “super car” because it is extremely fast yet does not sacrifice comfort.

Michael Russell Your Independent Sports Car guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

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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