A Nissan Leaf Laps Laguna Seca [video]

Stock Nissan Leaf at Laguna Seca for Refuel 2011. Best lap during the TT event was a 2:10.

Pagani Zonda Tricolore (2011) [Reviews]

Pagani Automobili Pagani Zonda Tricolore created on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of "Frecce Tricolori" as a tribute to the national aerobatic team.

In 2010, the season of the Tricolour Arrows aerobatic 50th anniversary, celebrated on 11 and 12 September Aimed Airport.

Tricolour Arrows (Italian, literally, Tricolour Arrows), officially called the 313 Training Squadron Aerobatic Team is a sign of the Italian Air Force based in Aimed Air Force Base in northeastern Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the province of Udine. They were born in 1961, the Air Force team will replace the previous teams were supported by various commands to the end of 1920.

The team flies the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN a two-seater capacity of 898 km / h at sea level, with nine aircraft and one (the largest number of aircraft of any aerobatic team in the world).

Tricolour Arrows of Italian origin throughout the community.

Pagani Zonda Tricolore Specifications

Mercedes-Benz AMG engine, Power: 670 hp Torque: 780 Nm

Monocoque carbon-titanium

ECU, Traction Control, ABS Bosch Engineering

Exhaust system Inconel / titanium coated ceramic

Suspensions in magnesium and titanium

Cima sequential gearbox (6 speed), robotized by Automac Engineering

APP forged wheel monolithic aluminum and magnesium

9x19 front

behind the 12.5 x20

Pirelli PZero

255/35/19 front

335/30/20 rear

Brembo brakes in carbo-ceramic self ventilated with hydraulic servo

380x34 mm front, monolithic pistons 6

380x34 mm rear 4-piston monolithic

Dry weight 1210 kg

The weight distribution of the driving conditions: front 47% rear 53%

Acceleration

0-100 km / h 3.4 sec

0-200 km / h in 9.6 s

Braking

100-0 km / h in 2.1 s

200-0 kmh 4.3 s

The maximum lateral acceleration: 1.45 g (with road tires)

Downforce at 300 km per hour: 750 kg

Pagani Zonda R Roadster

Pagani roadcar model range would be complete without the Roadster Pagani Zonda Cinque, a roadster version of the Pagani Zonda Cinque. As the name implies, is created in the workshop of Modena, in a cycle of limited production of only five unique pieces, like her sister Coupé.

All mitigation measures approved by Pagani weight to improve driving pleasure, performance and emissions of Zonda Cinque found use in y. Roadster Pagani Zonda Cinque The carbon-titanium chassis has been redesigned to pay for a roof.

Cinque experience is enhanced with the roof stored in the front cover when the storm of the air being fed to 678hp Mercedes AMG V12 with massive inches just above the ears of passengers, custom exhaust note accompanies Pagani Zonda Cinque Inconel and titanium exhaust system.

If you choose a relaxing drive in March on the hills of Tuscany, visiting Florence and other centers of Italian Renaissance, or save Hunt, Nurburgring, this € 1.3 million + taxes rewards jewels with daily driveability and the peak for the different drive modes robostised sequential gearbox and the adjustable suspension setup at home even as a rough road circuits.

Continuous efforts, Horacio Pagani and his team, once again demonstrates how art and design can be combined with the Pagani Zonda R Roadster.

Specifications

• Mercedes-Benz AMG engine
• Power: 678 hp
• Torque: 780 Nm
• Monocoque carbon-titanium
• ECU, Traction control, ABS Bosch Engineering
• Exhaust system Inconel / titanium coated ceramic
• Interruptions of magnesium and titanium
• Cima sequential gearbox (6 speed), robotized by Automac enginnering
• APP forged wheel monolithic aluminum and magnesium, in front to the back of 12.5 x20, 9x19
• Pirelli PZero, 255/35/19 front, 335/30/20 rear
• Pagani leather / carbon fiber racing seats
• Brembo brakes in carbo-ceramic self ventilated with hydraulic servo brake, Size: 380x34 mm front, monolithic caliper 6 piston rear 380x34 mm 4 piston monolithic
• Dry weight 1210 kg
• Weight distribution in the driving conditions: 47% front 53% rear

Acceleration

• 0-100 km / h: 3.4 s
• 0-200 km / h: 9.6 seconds
• 
  

Braking

• 100-0 km / h: 2.1 s
• 200-0 km / h: 4.3 s

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport LOR-Blanc (2011) [Reviews]

With the partnership between Bugatti Königliche Porzellan-manufaturer Berlin (KPM), the famous manufacturer focuses on the ability to create pieces of art car. The "white gold" celebrates its world premiere with an exclusive unveiling ceremony on June 30, 2011 Workshops KPM in Berlin. This unique version of a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is the first car ever to wear the finest porcelain in his body and in his cabin. Impresses with an exterior design abstraction.

Safety officer nods, opens the door. In the midst of a clean white walls, bright spotlights illuminating the Bugatti Grand Sport, which is located in the middle of a spacious room. We entered the hidden world of Bugatti Design Studio. Team around the design of the Bugatti Director Achim Anscheidt atmosphere is calm and focused as they walk to their ultimate object of desire. Several times they stop, take a step to the left and right, bend down, and again, looking intently at Grand Sports from different angles. They analyzed the reflections of the car body before you step back a moment to get a general impression of their work. Thin blue lines of a stream of bright white exterior fastest convertible in the world. It seems to visit the studio of American artist pop art.

The creation is called "white gold". It is a car that redefines the concept of art. If you look through the eyes of a designer, you will realize that it is a reflection of the lights studio on the body that catches their interest. Placed under a special light, the car is plugged into an ideal environment that offers excellent image reflection. The studio lights reflected on the invisible borders between forms the body of the Grand Sport. In many steps of each line of thought leads designers of Bugatti car body was painted in tones vibrant white. They use a precision tape created by Japanese soft tissue that can be easily torn by hand. It adheres perfectly to the sulfur-containing plasticine. by stretching to a certain extent, these tapes "preference" in pieces up to five meters from the outside throughout the car.

If the line does not fully conform to the intent of the designers, put a strip of correction above the line of origin. This process is repeated until the last line has the correct tension and character. The steps of style, the team is in the car at a distance to assess the relationship between the bands in the blanks. It is also the best way to ensure that the flow lines from one side of the body through the ceiling and back toward the opposite side. Even the smallest imperfection careful review, since the ultimate goal is to achieve unparalleled perfection. Finally, the lines extending through the Bugatti perfect form as a network of light reflections. For several weeks, the design team to develop the final composition of the dynamic shifts and delicate lines that run in the artwork as serpentine neck automotive Stelvio in Italy.

"The" white gold "is a testament to the skill of the craftsmen for both brands. The particular structure of the lines is not simply reflect the hand painting on porcelain developed, but also the modeling process in automotive design," said Achim Anscheidt.

In the next step, dedicated specialists for further painting Bugatti's masterpiece. For three weeks, every millimeter of the selected line are filled by hand with the characteristic blue color. In addition, the body gets five coats of clear lacquer. A strong diversity gradient of two colors is generated because the team used a combination of bands of different widths. While the blue lines dominate the white space at the bottom of the convertible, the inverse relationship of colors on its way to the roof so that the intense white seems even stronger. Twelve articles made from fine porcelain factory, based in Berlin, fill in the aesthetic approach of this particular sport Great.

Let's change the location and visit the workshops of the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur in the heart of Berlin. Following a tradition of almost 250 years, this place more than 170 craftsmen and specialists to produce precious objects as an expression of porcelain art today. Plaster molds by hand is necessary to develop unique porcelain items that appear on the exterior and interior of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport "white gold", and with considerable attention to detail, each mold is created and optimized in a research process lasting several weeks and development department. The team must perform a series of tests dedicated to the raw materials to test the impact of the natural contraction of almost 16 percent during cooking and drying. Finally, the items are perfectly suited Bugatti porcelain components.

"Porcelain is one of the strongest materials, but the vote is significantly dependent on the quality of excellence in the manufacturing process. We had to ensure that tags are perfect for the fuel cap is a challenge for us to calculate only the withdrawal of the porcelain ", says Thomas Wenzel, Director of Design of the KPM.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, "The OR Blanc" is the world's first car should be equipped with porcelain, and the development team has invested a lot of effort to ensure that each article will be able to perform all driving situations, the most efficient vehicle on the market. Prior to their application in the car, the porcelain panels have been extensively studied in the field of automotive safety and quality, to optimize the protection of passengers in the event of an accident.

As part of the exterior design is used for inlays badges center wheel, the tank cover and oil filler cap and signature "EB" badge on the back. Their brilliant white surface merges with the bright, glossy paint suggest that the car would be covered with a thin layer of porcelain, too.

"Initially, it seems to be an unusual idea to use the porcelain in the car, especially in the fastest convertible in the world," said Dr. Stefan Brungs, Sales and Marketing, Bugatti Automobiles. "But this is what the Bugatti means the realization of great ideas, but his best quality and aesthetics This gives us the opportunity to continue the legacy of Ettore Bugatti, who loved to experiment with new materials.".

In addition to the signed porcelain inlays on the sides of the center console, a mosaic of fine porcelain is attached to the back between the seats. As with the exterior elements of porcelain this is the relief of the famous elephant in a standing position, which was created by sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti. His brother Ettore had used in the original project to build the mascot for the radiator Bugatti Royale. This elephant is synonymous with the brand today. Located at the top of the center console, there is a fine porcelain plate, with edges finished in a polished diamond exclusive - a technique that was applied by the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin for the first time. The dish can be removed and valuable part of a picnic set has been designed exclusively by KPM Bugatti cars.

"The impetus for this association comes from the famous Rembrandt Bugatti elephant," says Jörg Woltmann, owner of the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM) and the car enthusiast. "At first we wanted to integrate the sculpture in our product range then thought about the possibility of a complete service, and finally a synthesis of ideas led to the Great exceptional game." Woltmann is excited about the "white gold". "A number of superlatives associated with porcelain Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin Königliche: .. they say is the most beautiful landscape, which has the worst weight and white tone is now also the fastest of porcelain"

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport "white gold", presented in Berlin, is a unique creation. However, the partnership should be continued, and the designers of Bugatti made a lot of inspiration in the paintings of porcelain provide a wide range of new possibilities for design. The price of the Bugatti The White Gold of 1.65 million.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu [Reviews]

Continuing its 100 th anniversary Bugatti Automobiles SAS has selected the weekend of prestigious Pebble Beach to present another strong point of paying tribute to this legendary brand, the company proudly unveiled Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu - an exclusive, one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, honor marks precious heritage.

Innovation and Harmony

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu has ventured into new areas. Instead of applying paint or two colors of paint and materials to highlight the two-tone design of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu focuses exclusively on materials - carbon fiber and aluminum - an innovative combination never done before. This unique approach opens a new dimension of "Art - Form - Technique," the fundamental values ​​of society.

Color scheme ordered Pebble Beach is a blue car with carbon fiber polished aluminum. Carbon fiber is colored vision emphasizes real sophisticated volumes and surfaces of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. Behind airscoops blue stained in the same night - which offers a spectacular view from above - and so smoothly integrated into the design philosophy of all of this unique model.

The wheels are inspired by the Grand Sport Roadster and stand out in midnight blue and dual-tone Diamond Cut. Inside, above all with taste and SELCT for the event at Pebble Beach, is made of a gaucho leather new development that blends with the coating materials and pure intrigue creating a elegant and harmonious whole.

Featured Brands

In its 100 anniversary Bugatti was selected to be one of the leading brands in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Ettore Bugatti started his activity in the Alsatian town of Molsheim in 1909. The name of the company: "Ettore Bugatti Automobiles Els i." In 1956, the company ceased to operate exactly 50 years later, in March 2006, the first built by Bugatti Veyron Bugatti Automobiles SAS has delivered -... After the Volkswagen Group has acquired rights to Bugatti in 1998 and initiated the revival of the famous mark. To date over 250 of Bugatti Veyron always sell, 215 of them were delivered to customers worldwide. In June 2009 started production of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Bugatti, the open roadster. The results are encouraging sales of 20 Grand Sports were sold, with first deliveries have already begun.

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu is the last in a lineup Bugatti Centennial who earned a worldwide hit in 2009. This car is unique - like others - the Bugatti commitment today to bring the values ​​and philosophy of Ettore Bugatti, the founder of this unique brand, a successful future.

Suzuki Kizashi Sport (2011) [Reviews]

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) arrives in Manhattan - the city is well known and popular with a lot of imports - and the introduction of comprehensive 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sports Car Show 2010 New York International. Offered exclusively Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels, the variant 'Sport' Suzuki new sleek and sophisticated sports sedan is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in August. Prices 2011 a brand new Suzuki Kizashi Sport reported closer to the arrival of the vehicle at dealerships.

"We were delighted with the enthusiastic response of the Kizashi, 2010, and we are eager to offer sport sedan buyers the last iteration of our stylish sports sedan later this year," said Koichi Suzuki, Executive Vice President of Operations American Suzuki Automotive. "The Suzuki Kizashi Sport allows us to build on the sport sedan short-term results and to commit more driving enthusiasts who want an affordable alternative to luxury vehicles."

Based on the recent 2010 Kizashi (pronounced "Kee-Zah-Shee"), already known for its near-luxury and Euro-listening content platform, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi sport enthusiasm moves the counter on the rise with a multitude of external mods. These include a more muscular front bumper (with chrome accents) and lower grille extensions, beyond the threshold of the body, molded into the lower part of the body with chrome accents, trunk-mounted spoiler, lightweight alloy wheels 18 inch custom and a height of 10 mm lower for a combination of better aerodynamics and a low center of gravity for better grip and sharper handling.

Inside the Kizashi designed to be distinctive new sports steering wheel with perforated leather handle and contrasting stitching on leather seats, gear and brake boot Emergency boot (if the car is equipped with black leather interior). Suzuki Kizashi Interior Updates about the world of sports intent, a form-fitting sports seats and driver-centric cockpit.

BMW Alpina B5 Touring Bi-Turbo (2011)

ALPINA cars are designated by their finely balanced driving dynamics, comfort and everyday luxury. Add to that the exceptional functionality and the result is the new BMW ALPINA B5 Touring Bi-Turbo - the fastest of its kind!

Touring intelligently combines the sophistication of the exclusive right of Salo is pronounced with the functionality and versatility. Make no mistake, the Touring offers up to 1670 liters of storage space for luggage and a brilliant concept, even if its a luxury performance genes.

Finely honed suspension and frame assembly, combined with a variable shock absorbers makes comfort an exemplary ride and handling while providing a clear and excellent stability at high speeds.

Bi-Turbo V8 Touring accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8se 700nm of torque, combined with a unique 8-speed automatic sports SWITCH-TRONIC power is readily available. A modern, dynamic and well-toned look - ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo Touring has all the right visual characteristics make it the ideal companion for business travelers.

Powertrain - Performance First Class and Economy

All-aluminum V8 produces 507 hp center (373 kW) at a moderate 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 700 Nm from 3000 rpm 4750. "Bi-Turbo" refers to two turbo-chargers configured in parallel, each feeding the cylinder banks. Specifically developed for large diameter turbine exhaust to allow the engine to provide both exceptional power and more torque, in particular the wide range of speeds, while maintaining excellent accelerator at low speeds.

A high-efficiency cooling system consists of a system of indirect cooling (air-to-water/water-to-air) taking short strokes, and increased flow intercooler. Systems ensures excellent thermodynamic efficiency of a large number of low-temperature radiator intercooler, as well as two water-air intercooler located near the engine. Effective MAHLE pistons are specifically designed to handle the pressures and temperatures up to 1.0 bar and the charging nominal ratio of 9.2:1 compression engine. Overall, this result is an impressive specific output 115.3 bhp (85kW) per liter and the total average pressure of 20.1 bar.

Direct injection and Double-VANOS promote ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo is the best class performance, emissions and economy in this segment: 10.8l/100km / 26.2mpg (Touring: 10.9l/100km / 25.9mpg) and 252g/km ( Touring 255g/km), CO2 (measured according to the ECE combined).

DESIGN & INTERIOR - Craft Classic meets modern technology

The Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Alpina present typical virtues and the signals of the design of a new and compelling, with a refreshing and dynamic aspect. Both the sedan and Touring silhouette begins with a front catch the attention which is strong and confident, and end with a harmonic and elegant bag. ALPINA brand runs two tubes artistically integrated into the rear valence has a discrete diffuser. The fixture can be removed if necessary, the client must want to be able to tow a trailer optional. In combination with the rear spoiler (sedan), Bi-Turbo B5 Total ALPINA aerodynamics package provides the highest degree of security and stability, especially at high speeds. The resulting reduction in lift, depending on the speed, can reach a remarkable 60% -30%, front and back.

The interior reveals the password provided to suggest that the unique pedigree discreet Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo. The level of standard equipment is complete: leather interior, comfort seats versatile and adjustable, navigation system with Bluetooth excellent preparation, and all xenon headlights ensure that the driver and passenger comfort. The Lavalina hand-stitched leather steering wheel can be placed SWITCH-TRONIC exactly as required to see the indicators ALPINA blue with black panel technology LCD with electrically adjustable steering column. The traditional ALPINA Myrtle Burl wood offers a warm - only available in the U.S. Pacific coast, which grows from cultivated forests of Laurel trees dedicated to this purpose. ALPINA Piano lacquer interior trim optional diamond silver diagonally, offers a modern alternative and equally exclusive.

Hot cabin and modern treatments promote a feeling of wellbeing. For those who do the same reward as something unique, exclusive and volume to the ALPINA philosophy of craft work offer an almost infinite range of customization.

TRANSMISSION - Eight-speed all-rounder

Adapted and tested in collaboration with ZF, the tip SWITCH-TRONIC Sport automatic transmission 8 speed sets a new benchmark. With the creed of the ALPINA philosophy guide our engineers have spent thousands of hours of development and testing to ensure that no automatic transmission performance of other methods to provide this level of comfort and performance.

A mixture of eight speeds and plenty of torque provides exceptional comfort gear changes without significant disruption of power - only with the acoustics of a dynamic and a tachometer to provide feedback on the activities of transmission. 700nm of torque means that the ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo excels at cruising speed through the high speed turn minimum speed will benefit both consumers and comfort.

Using the Sport (S), the mode of travel, an entirely different nature is revealed: the transfer is clear and unmistakable now. Innovative single-cylinder fade (the so-called Einzelzylinderausblendung "in German), originally designed for use in race car ALPINA B6 GT3, makes for a very rapid change, which takes only milliseconds. Second of load transfer, injection of the cylinder since fuel is suspended in a split second, to create necessary to reduce the torque requirements of the automatic transmission up-shift. The advantage over a typical way to slow down the timing of the change are much faster, to improve the thermal efficiency of dynamic exhaust temperatures and lower fuel economy. Every time the pressure change associated with a deep burble.

SWITCH-TRONIC buttons for use in manual shift (M), ergonomics and unobstrusively located behind the steering wheel and allows the driver to take full control of the transmission. The system allows multiple simultaneous downgrade in milliseconds, so the transmission will skip several gears, depending on engine load and speed. In this way, 8-speed transmission with automatic Alpina Sport SWITCH-TRONIC is revealed as a feature of travel entitlement extremely multifaceted any and all situations.

Automatic up-shift means that the data transfer time to switch to a higher gear, after a certain threshold speed has been exceeded with the current gear. In some driving situations, this may not be desired, for example, while driving race-oriented, or for example, faced with many narrow hair-pin corners. Simultaneous choice of both Sport, Sport +, or SDC-off with the Dynamic Drive Control key and selecting the Mode Shift M (transfer) until you turn off the automatic shift funtion. Transmission to the selected gear until the maximum speed (electronically limited), and not automatically change gears.

Intelligent switch to a state-of-the-art engine and transmission technologies allow ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo stunning performance figures: only 4.7 (Touring: 4.8) seconds, 0-100 km / h / 0-62 mph is necessary, on the way up to a maximum speed of 307 km / h / 191 mph (Touring: 303 km / h / 188 mph). Massive feature of braking in the form of high-performance vented brake (front: 374mm/14.7in behind 345mm/14.6in) assures better braking purebred sports cars.