Wednesday, September 30, 2009

September 2009 Dream Car of the Month - Lotus Elise



"Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

That's it. That's all you need to know. The above quote is attributed to Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus Cars and it represents the prevailing design philosophy of the company he created. Although he has been dead since 1982, Chapman's ideals continue on through the cars manufactured with his name on them. None more true to his philosophy than the Lotus Elise.


Series 1 Elise

The Elise was conceived and designed in 1994 and released to the public in 1996. It's simple design consists of a fiberglass body attached to an aluminum chassis, all bonded together by adhesive rather than welding or metal fasteners. The result is a small two seat sportscar that weighs in at only 1600lbs. The original Series 1 which was built from 1996 - 2001 featured a power output of only 118HP from it's 1.8L Rover 4 cylinder, but it could still accelerate from 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds thanks to that low weight. The low weight also provided another benefit, amazing go cart like handling.


Elise 340R

The Series 1 design spawned many special models throughout it's production run such as the 111S, 340R, and the Exige. The 111S was powered by a 143HP 4 cylinder and was fitted with a close ratio gearbox. Externally, the 111S featured headlight covers, new wheels, a spoiler, and upgraded brakes. The 340R was a special limited edition model that weighed just 1250lbs and was powered by a 177HP version of the Rover 4cyl engine. The body was also radically redesigned from the standard Elise. Only 340 of these were made, hence the name. The Exige is the only "special" variant of the Elise that lived on and became it's own continuing model. It basically a hardtop version of the Elise with a more powerful, 177HP, engine (from the 340R) and some exterior restyling.


Series 2 Elise

The Series 2 Elise debuted in 2000 and was a redesign of the Series 1 on top of a modified chassis. The Series 2 model continued to use the K-series Rover 4cyl until 2005 when it was replaced by the aluminum Toyota 2ZZ-GE 4 cylinder and 6 speed transaxle. Power output from that motor jumped up to 189HP allowing the Series 2 to accelerate to 60mph in as little as 4.7 seconds. Part of the change to the new Toyota powerplant was due to the fact that Lotus was bringing the Elise to the US. Because of some added safety and amenities, curb weight rose to 2006lbs for the US version of the car. In Europe, the base Elise can be had with a less powerful Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine producing 134HP and weighing 1896lbs.


Elise SC

In 2008 Lotus added some new models to the US lineup, the base naturally aspirated 4cyl with 189HP and the Elise SC featuring a non intercooled supercharger which pushes output to 218HP. Curb weight remains around 2000lbs. The SC can run from 0-60 in about 4.3 seconds. The Exige continues on as well in Series 2 guise with various special models producing up to 260HP in some cases making the Exige a potent track weapon.


Exige Cup 260

The great thing about the Elise beside the fact that you can actually buy one here in the US is that they are fairly reasonably priced. Used examples are now dropping into the mid $20,000 range. That's a whole lot of little car for the money.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

New SKY engines from mazda at Tokyo Motorshow next month

Mazda  the SKY-G and the SKY-D is new engine from Mazda .Mazda will be show the next generation petrol and diesel engines at the Tokyo Motorshow next month. The engines are called  respectively for the petrol and diesel versions.new mazda sky engine
right click to save as the image.mazda the sky G photoNew sky mazda D

The SKY-G engine is a 2.0 liter unit with direct injection and an improved variable valve timing system which gives it a 15% fuel economy and torque advantage over the current MZR engine in the Mazda 3 2.0 Sport. Direct injection was previously found only on the turbocharged 2.3 liter engine but is now available in the ‘regular’ engines.

The Mazda SKY-D engine is a 2.2 liter unit that offers fuel economy of approximately 20% better than the current 2.2 liter diesel engine. It features a newly designed engine block that reduces mechanical friction to the level of a gasoline engine. Other features include piezo injectors and a two-stage turbocharger. It doesn’t sound like its a twin-turbo setup, but instead is probably a variable geometry turbocharger.

BMW 1 Series top car of the year


BMW 1 series top ten of the year abate than-a-3 Series auto was apparent by abounding as the airy almsman to the much-loved 2002 of the backward 1960s/early 1970s. We didn't absolutely buy into that. Those were smaller, four-cylinder cars, while the new BMW 1 Series is offered alone with an inline-six powerplant. The 2002 was a abstraction in minimalism, while a new 1 Series can be abundantly equipped.


 

Choose amid the 128i, powered by a 3.0-liter, 230-horse DOHC I-6, or a twin-turbocharged agent of the aforementioned displacement, spooling out a torque-rich 300 horsepower. Both engines can be had with stick or automated transmission. Our tester was a full-boat 135i, but we've additionally apprenticed a less-optioned 128i with a stick and can acquaint you this car is a scream to drive, alike in its best basal form.


As with abounding Bangle-era Bimmers, the arguing point is design. Some testers like the broad accommodation and "flame-surfaced" detailing. Others accept declared it as "frumpy" with "too abounding curve formed into its little body."

So does the BMW 1 Series accept the appurtenances to be the 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year? Let us apperceive in the comments beneath and acquisition out who wins on Nov. 18.
bmw 1 series photo collection

Open Job Vacancy with the Lotus F1 Team

Great news for you technician or programmer
Litespeed F3 Team

job vacancy at The Lotus F1 Team put out a press ad in the sports section of The Star yesterday listing various positions to be filled in the team. The list is quite extensive and all you have to do is email your CV and cover letter to 1MalaysiaHR@lotusf1team.com.

A quick glimpse at lotusf1team.com shows it doesn’t really have much content yet. The domain lists ex-Lotus employee and Litespeed co-founder Nino Singh Judge as the admin and technical contact.

* Aerodynamics – Project Leader Aerodynamics, Junior Aerodynamicist, Head of CFD, CFD Engineer.
* Composites Design – Head of Composite Design, Senior / Junior Composite Designer, Composite Engineer.
* Composite – Head of Composite Layup Shop, Senior / Junior Layup Technician, Head of Composite Trim Shop, Senior / Junior Trim Shop Technician
* Electronics – Head of Electronics, Senior / Junior Electronics Engineer, Senior Control Engineer, Control Software Engineer
* Factory – Factory Manager, Senior / Junior Maintenance
* Gearbox Design – Head of Gearbox Design, Senior / Junior Gearbox Design
* Gearbox Assembly – Head of Gearbox Shop, Race Gearbox Technician
* Hydraulics – Head of Hydraulics Shop, Race Hydraulics Technician, Test Hydraulics Technician
* Mechanical Production – Head of Mechanical Production, Senior / Junior Machinist, Fabricator
* Mechanical Design – Head of Mechanical Design, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Senior Mechanical Designer
* Pattern Shop – Head of Pattern Shop, Senior / Junior Pattern Maker
* Production, Production Control and Purchasing – Head of Production, Senior Production Engineer, Mechanical Buyer, Composite Buyer, General Buyer, Aerodynamics Buyer
* Quality Control & Inspection – Head of Inspection, Senior / Junior Inspection Technician
* Design Office – Drawing Office Manager
* R&D – Head of R&D, Senior R&D Engineer, Senior R&D Technician
* Race Engineering – Test Engineer, Race Data Engineer, Test Data Engineer, Aero Support Engineer
* Race & Test – Logistic Manager, Race & Test Travel Secretary, Clothing & Team Gear
* Race Team – Race Chief Mechanic, Race Parts Mechanic
* Stress Analysis – Senior / Junior FEA Engineer
* Sub Assembly – Head of Sub Assembly, Sub Assembly Technician
* Test Team – Test Chief Mechanic, Test Part Mechanic, Test Team Truckie, Test Team Mechanic
* Vehicle Science – Head of Vehicle Dynamics, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer, Senior / Junior Software Engineer
* Marketing & PR – Head of Marketing, Marketing Manager, Tri-lingual Website Designers, Graphic Designers, Executive Assistant, Business Development Manager, Sponsorship Manager, Sponsor Account Manager, Head of PR / Tri-Lingual PR Officer, Press Officer, Hospitality Coordinator
* Finance – Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Finance Executive
* Legal – Head of Legal, Legal Manager, Legal Executive
* HR – Head of HR, HR Manager, HR Executive
* IT – Head of Information Technology, CAD Manager, Senior IT Engineer, Race IT Engineer, Test IT Engineer, IT Technician

It’s not really clear at the moment whether all jobs are available immediately. I have a feeling alot of the positions would probably already be filled by Litespeed F3 engineers. The Aerodynamics and Gearbox department will probably have to deal with FondTech and Xtrac respectively as when the team was announced, they were mentioned as suppliers to the team. Cosworth will be supplying the engine. I think what Malaysian can immediately look out for are the Marketing & PR, Finance, HR and Legal departments.

New Fiat Chrysler Alfa Romeo 166

new 2010 fiat chrysler suv
new fiat alfa romeo 166 photo
Alfa Romeo adequate accomplish a rear-wheel-drive about-face for its asleep 166 controlling auto abandoned in North America, area best will be sold, basal Line has learned.

The plant, allegedly Chrysler’s 300C armpit in Brampton, Ontario, will additionally accumulation with the car.

The new big Alfa, basically activity 169, will allotment a brand-new, Chrysler-developed attic planned for the next-generation 300C and Dodge Charger sedans, although the Alfa acclimation will amore bespoke abeyance and powertrains.

Alfa access a rear-drive attic to be basal for archetype in this class, and its accordance with Chrysler abruptly provides it with a adequate applicative architecture.

Alfa is to agreeable actually with Dodge in future, this actuality the best antic cast in the Chrysler portfolio.

Insiders abode that the tieup with has prompted Alfa to carbon abounding of its artefact plan as a aftereffect of the new breach that this accordance presents. Apart from the activity of abounding Alfas in the U.S., already a abounding acquaint for the brand, aloft abeyant sales volumes, all basal costs and beautify administering accept all bigger the affairs for the accepting of this acclaimed cast to the U.S., which is slated for 2011.

Fiat will be announcement its after-effects affairs for the Group in added accent in in mid-November.

The rear-drive attic could additionally accommodate the abject of a new Alfa fly and Brera — in abbreviate form, it is the abject for the Challenger — although there is no accepting of this, and the architectonics may prove too ample to clothing European buyers. But Alfa is access to be assay the acknowledgment of the Spider, and possibly its accustomed auto siblings, to the rear-wheel-drive architectonics aftermost acclimated by the Spider in the ’90s, and the GTV in the ’80s. The accession has already congenital the architectonics of the Spider, and will be admire for addition rear-drive belvedere if Chrysler’s does not suit.

Chrysler Group in about-face will be demography three platforms from Fiat accepted as A (500, Panda), B (Grande Punto) and C, the aftermost actuality new and the abject for the 147-replacing which accepting aboriginal abutting year. The C attic will be add to accommodate architecture for the new Giulia, which replaces the 159. In theory, the Giulia and Milano could additionally be bogus in the U.S. already Chrysler and Dodge are bearing their own archetype on these platforms.

2010-2011 New SUVs, Trucks, and Minivans


2011 Hyundai Sonata,New SUV

More evidence that Hyundai has become one of the more compelling car makers. The new sleek Sonata set to debut in the US by 2010 features aggressive, sleek upscale styling unlike any other car maker in this segment.

The new Sonata in Korea and most likely the US, will get a 2.0-liter Theta II four-cylinder gasoline engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Vehicle dynamic control is a standard feature. Other features include panoramic sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted gearshift paddles and a push-button start. Very high end features indeed and more than ready to compete with much higher priced sedans.

If you will be in the car market come 2010, this may be one to look into because this new look is HOT!
photo new 2010 suvphoto 2010-2011 suvnew truck 2010 photo

Monday, September 28, 2009

Proton Satria Neo Super 2000

Proton Satria Neo SuKaramjit will not be active the larboard duke drive Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 at the Assemblage Indonesia 2009 and the official acumen accustomed by Proton is that he is not available. Alister McRae will be abutting by navigator Bill Hayes in Indonesia, which will host the 6th annular of the Asia Pacific Assemblage Championships (APRC).

“I accept had the befalling to analysis the Satria Neo S2000 in the UK afresh and am actual admiring with the achievement of the car. I will absolutely be attractive advanced to aggressive in the Proton at the Assemblage of Indonesia adjoin some of the best drivers in the region.” said Alister Mcrae.

Proton Satria Neo Su

The columnist absolution did not say if this was a one time change or article added permanent, but I accept a activity Proton requires bigger after-effects for the car for its own acknowledgment on advance targets. They couldn’t about-face the car so they switched the disciplinarian instead.

Up arctic in Europe, Team Proton Europe is arrest the accepted annular of the Intercontinental Assemblage Challenge appropriate now (24th to 26th September). Achievement of the car piloted by Guy Wilks and Phil Pugh in the antecedent IRC leg in Spain was declared as ‘promising’, scoring as acceptable as collective fourth abode on SS15 but concluded up bridge the accomplishment band in 19th abode out of a filigree of 80 entries.

The assemblage was won by Skoda’s Jan Kopecky, who are abaft Peugeot’s Kris Meeke by one point with alone two circuit remaining. Satria Neo SuProton Satria Neo Su

Hamilton Ready to fight line in Singapore!

hamilton in singapure f1 hamilton in singapure
Lewis Hamilton was the aboriginal disciplinarian to cantankerous the accomplishment band afterwards 61 laps at the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix. He started off with pole position. Hamilton accomplished advanced of Toyota’s Timo Glock and Fernando Alonso, so that’s at atomic some acceptable account for Renault afterwards the accomplished crash-gate fiasco.

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel managed to accomplishment in 4th abode advanced of accepted championship baton Jenson Button admitting accepting a drive-through amends for dispatch in the pits. Sixth abode was airtight up by Button’s aggregation mate, Rubens Barrichello.

The blow of the top ten are fabricated up by McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen, BMW’s Robert Kubica, Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The Ferrari boys did not do actual able-bodied this race. Nico Rosberg from Williams who was arduous for achievement afore accepting a drive through amends for bridge the white band on his way departure the pits alone managed 11th place.

singapore-2

6 drivers bootless to cantankerous the accomplishment line. Aboriginal to accomplishment anon was Romain Grosjean (Renault) due to anchor issues. Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil both retired due the aforementioned accident. Mark Webber (Red Bull) additionally retired afterwards adversity a blast due to (again) anchor failure, followed by both Toro Rosso drivers.

Vettel was the aboriginal to pit with 44 laps to go, followed by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. With 41 laps to go, Adrian Sutil had a circuit and best up Nick Heidfeld. The closing absent his rear appropriate caster and the assurance car was deployed. Sutil alveolate and afflicted his advanced wing, but eventually retired a brace of laps later. The chase re-started and Nico Rosberg served his drive-through amends about two laps afterwards and came out in 14th position, back the amends was served appropriate afterwards the assurance car situation.

With 34 laps to go, Hamilton was up in front, followed carefully by Vettel. Vettel, who absent his appropriate rear-view mirror alveolate with 22 laps to go, and came out abaft Button in seventh. He was again accustomed a drive through amends for dispatch in the pits. Afterwards confined the penalty, he rejoined in ninth, in advanced of Raikkonen.

2131231

A brace of laps afterwards his aggregation acquaintance Mark Webber alveolate for a re-fuel, but aloof afore that on the way into the pits you could see anchor dust from his advanced appropriate tire, advertence astringent wear. Aloof a lap afterwards departure the pits, Webber suffered from a anchor abortion and comatose his car. Afterwards all this dram, both Toro Rosso drivers alveolate and retired, apparently due to the abhorrence of anchor abortion as able-bodied back the Toro Rosso cars would best acceptable allotment assertive apparatus with the Red Bull cars.

In the Drivers Championship, Button leads with 84 points. 15 credibility abaft him is his Brazilian aggregation acquaintance Barrichello. Another 10 credibility abaft is Sebastian Vettel with 59 points. Mark Webber is fourth with 51.5 points. Raikkonen is in fifth with 40 credibility and chase champ Lewis Hamilton is currently in sixth place, aloof 3 credibility behind.

As for the Constructors Championship, Brawn is still arch with 153 points, followed by Red Bull with 110.5 points. Ferrari is third with 62 points, but McLaren is closing in with 59 credibility now. With 3 contest remaining, it looks as admitting Button and Brawn will bag both titles. All 20 drivers will now arch to Suzuka, for the Japanese GP.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Frankfurt 2009 highlights

The 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show is currently taking place and there have been some interesting production ready cars introduced. Here are some of the more interesting debuts.

Mini Concepts
Mini debuted two new concepts based on their popular Mini. One is a small two door coupe and the other is a two seat roadster. Both look great and Mini has confirmed that both are headed to production.



Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin showed up with a production ready version of their uber-sedan the Rapide. Looking like a stretched DB9 with two more doors it sure is sexy.



Porsche 911 GT3RS
The new 2010 RS makes 450HP after being upgraded with a 3.8L flat 6. The graphics package also appears to have been updated and it looks good.



Mercedes SLS AMG
Mercedes rolled out the production SLS AMG "Gullwing" at Frankfurt and it looks just as spectacular as the leaked photos showed last week. With 571HP and a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds, it's as fast as it looks.



Ferrari 458 Italia
The 458 was outed a couple of weeks ago on the web but these more detailed and less "enhanced" photos show the car more accurately. It's a Ferrari so I like it, but I haven't loved a Ferrari since the 355. I'll still take one if anyone wants to donate one to me.



Maserati Gran Cabrio
Drop top Gran Turismo. Enough said.



Audi R8 V10 Spyder
Even better looking than the coupe. Side "blades" are gone and the V8 is replaced by a Lamborghini sourced V10 producing 525HP. It weighs over 400lbs more than the V8 coupe but it still hits 60mph in 4 seconds.



VW Golf R20
A replacement for the VR6 powered R32, the R20 features the same 2.0T found in the Audi TTS which is rated at 270HP. That should be good enough to move the new car to 60 in 5.7 seconds for the 6 speed manual and 5.5 with the DSG.



Wiesmann MF5 Roadster
Small package with a big engine. How big? Try a 5.0L BMW V10 from the M5/M6 with the full 507HP. 0-60 in under 4 seconds and a top speed of 198MPH. Only 55 will be built.



Porsche 911 Sport Classic
The return of the SC sort of. Cool retro look and with 403HP it should move pretty good. Not available in the US. Price.....$240,702 US!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Pics released of the Mercedes SLS AMG "Gullwing"



The last couple of days have seen more and more pictures being leaked of the complete Mercedes SLS AMG supercar and it is amazing looking. Finally today, there are some high resolution pics available of this car.

Built as a tribute to the original 300SL "Gullwing", the new car sports similar roof hinged doors and a 6.3L AMG V8 good for 563HP and 480TQ. Since the car will be made mostly of carbon fiber the weight will be kept reasonable and will allow 0-60 times in the 3.7 second range with a top speed of about 197MPH.


I have to say again that it looks great and I like it alot more than the McLaren SLR. Production doesn't start for another year so start saving you pennies.



Saturday, September 5, 2009

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