Spyker C8 Spyder

Nice one..

The C8 Spyder is the original base model with an Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine giving the car 400 hp (298 kW) and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

One of the most compact and reliable engines: Five valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts and a very advanced engine management system which includes drive-by-wire and allows various performance outputs.

The pre-programmed output levels allows the output to be reduced to a safer level when the car is driven by a less experienced driver.

Braking system

A twin circuit braking system with 6-piston AP aluminium brake callipers at the front and 4-piston aluminium brake callipers at the rear wheels with ventilated brake discs provides the Spyker C8’s stopping power.

Each Spyker C8 is fitted with a switchable ASR traction control system and ABS.

Doors

The doors are electrically operated, open upward and tilt outwards, using a single point aluminum hinge, a patentable innovation of Spyker. No keys or remote controls are needed to enter the car

Each Spyker owner has a personal security card, which activates the cars electrical systems as soon as the owner comes within a radius of three metres of his car.

Luggage compartment

The car features two luggage compartments. One is in the back of the car, the other in the front. Both compartments are easily accessible and each car comes with two tailor-made leather suitcases.

Of course the customer can choose any other material he likes, suitcases made of quilted leather being one of many options. An exclusive custom-built luggage set is also an option.

Air tubes

The handcrafted aluminium air tubes in the flanks of the car feed cool air into the engine and to the brakes. The “gills” in the front and rear wings withdraw hot air from the brakes and the engine bay.

Gear Level

The most eye-catching interior feature of the Spyker C8 is the unique gear level. In its design, the movement that has to be made to shift gears has been turned into a feature: the actuation bar and its reaction rod are in full view. A reverse-button on top of the gear level prevents the driver from accidentally selecting reverse.

Dashboard

The dashboard is reminiscent of Spyker’s aviation heritage; the aluminium Aeroblade steering wheel proudly sports the propeller from Spykers logo.

The fascias of the gauges resemble the functional accuracy of a watch, while the exquisitely detailed toggle switches provide visual clues to the racing heritage of this Spyker. Optionally a dashboard designed by hronoswiss may be ordered.

Exhaust system

The Spyker C8 is fitted with a straight-through stainless high performance exhaust system. The Spyker C8’s exhaust system features a manually operated short cut valve that lengthens or shortens the exhaust system; thereby increasing or reducing engine sound output.

The system therefore provides the driver with the choice of silent cruising or maximum performance with a superb sound to match.

Rolls-Royce Ghost (2010)

the ghost is here..

When you look at the grandiose design of the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, design matters so much that this luxury sedan pushed its limits with the emergence of the new breed of the high quality driving experience – performance upgrade.

Mystery surrounds the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost due to the sleek curves, the smooth lines and the hood ornament that is almost always glistening under the moonlight – the Spirit of Ecstasy. The 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost is very much the dream car of every one – rich or the ones pretending to be rich all due to the following features:

- 6.6 liter V12

- 85.3 hp per liter

- 563 hp at 575 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

- 4.7 seconds from 0 to 62 mph

- Top speed is 155 mph

- Coach doors that opens at 83 degrees

- Panorama Sunroof

- Audio powered by 600 Watts

- 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

The legendary GTO..

Many people will argue that the best car in the world is the Ferrari GTO. While more modern supercars surpass the GTO in terms of performance, none excel better in both form and function. During its heyday, the GTO dominated the World Sports Car championship, and it is still one of the most beautiful shapes ever to grace a Ferrari chassis.

For these reasons, the GTO is one of the most desired and expensive cars. In fact, chassis 3729GT received a high bid of nine million dollars at Bonhams' 1997 Gstaad Auction, but failed to meet its 10 million dollar reserve. Many cars have fetched a higher price privately, but if 3729GT had sold, it would have set the world record price for an automobile at public auction.

So what is all the fuss about? What we have here is probably the greatest road and track car ever made. It combines sexy styling, championship-winning engineering and exclusivity. Only 39 copies exist and all have colorful histories.

GTO Development

For the 1962 manufacturer's championship, focus was switched from sports prototypes to grand touring cars and Ferrari was provided with increased motivation to further develop their 250 GT as much as the rules would allow. They built the 250 Gran Turismo Omologato (GTO), a car named after the homologation process in which it was conceived.

Providing a base for the GTO was the 250 GT chassis. Starting in 1954, with the 250 Europa GT, the engine, chassis and body of the 250 series evolved into a greater product each year. The final development was the GTO and it was bulletproof from the start.

Before the 1962 season, Ferrari assembled a small team led by Giotto Bizzarrini who hacked his old 250 Boano chassis and modified it, in secret, to his own ideas. Fixed to it was a rather crude body which took advantage of a much lower and shorter dry-sump engine. At the front was a smaller and lower fascia that made the old short wheel base (SWB) look like a brick. The rear was reshaped into a sleek fastback design that reduced drag.

Initial test results around Monza showed significant improvements in every area over the SWB Berlinetta and Sperimentale, sometimes called the GTO prototype, that raced at LeMans in 1961.

Before production of the GTO commenced, Bizzarrini and several key people left Ferrari during the famous Palace Revolt. This left Girolamo Gardini to sort out Ferrari's 1962 sports car. Gardini used most of Bizzarrini's modifications from the test car and added a rear spoiler and watts linkage for stability.

At their yearly press conference held February 24th 1962, Ferrari released no fewer than six different racing models and among these versatile race cars was chassis 3223GT, the first production version of the 250 GTO. The series of GTOs that followed would eventually become the most important Ferraris, demanding money, attention and acclaim.

Production GTO

During its launch, many of the press called the GTO 'a Testa Rossa with a roof'. They rightly named it as such since many of the ideas used on the GTO came straight from Ferrari's prototypes. Every aspect of the GTO's engine was upgraded to reflect the 250 Testa Rossa's. Compared to the older Tipo 168, the newer Tipo 168/62 used larger valves, smaller clearances, lighter materials and dry sump lubrication.

Designated type 539/62 Comp, the chassis in the GTO was an evolution of the unit found in the 1961 250 GT Competition. Through years of development, this chassis had become more like a space frame, using a higher number of small bracing tubes. Upgrades to the chassis also included new front brakes, a more adjustable, stiffer suspension and a lower driveline.

Inside, the GTO was very sparse and purposeful. As such, the only covered areas were the thinly clothed seats. No speedometer or odometer was offered, and the only real luxury was the wooden Nardi steering wheel.

GTO in Action

During its first year, GTOs decimated the competition. Thus, Ferrari scored maximum points in 1962 Division III Championship. During the fifth round at Le Mans, GTOs placed second and third overall. This was a remarkable result, and proved that the GTO could beat most cars in the prototype category.

By the end of the first season, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Chevrolet tried to convince the governing body that the GTO was not a GT car. However, Appendix J, Section 254 stated that and modifications introduced after homologation did not disqualify the car if they were a 'normal evolution of the type'. Since the GTO was an 'evolution' of the largely produced 250 GT road car, it was within rules, although the five-speed gearbox and dry sump lubrication were never factory road car options.

The remaining two seasons would prove very successful for the GTO. Ferrari again took the Division III championships in both 1963 and 1964. By the end of the 1964 season, Shelby-led Daytona Cobras were proving their worth and for the first time GTOs were beaten around Le Mans and Sebring.

Beyond 1964, the GTO was stretching its potential. Ferrari was unable to homologate their rear engine 250 LM and instead developed a competition version of the 275 GTB, which really became the '64 GTO. These developments left the hat trick of the division III championships to forever highlight the end of Ferrari's 250 series.

All About Supercars

Supercars are the all hailed automobiles that are indulgences, beauties to look at and privileges to own. They are made of the best things in automobile engineering and are built to be possessions that anybody would be proud of. They are factory owned and they're street-legal. Modified cars can never be supercars and neither can discount cars.

Ideal weight to power ratio is an indispensable trait of a supercar as it has to have a comparatively low weight yet provide great acceleration. For this reason most supercars have a rear mid-engine and rear drive-wheel layout. However the Bugatti Veyron, the Lamborghini Murcielago and the Audi Quattro are four wheel-drives. Their engines and gearboxes are capable of supporting four wheel drives due to their high power and low weight.

The design of the car is extremely important as nobody would be interested in paying a million dollars and drive around something that looks like a bug on four wheels. This is precisely why Italian supercar manufacturers like Ferrari, Masserati and the Lamborghini spend years on just designing one model. It took Jerod Shelby seven years to design The Ultimate Aero TT which is the fastest supercar on the road.

Although the definition of supercars are varied as different enthusiasts think different cars are great, there are certain standard criteria that only supercars can match up to. Most Supercars have top speeds up to 250+mph and acceleration from 0-62mph in less than 5 seconds. The Bugatti Veyron reaches 62mph in an impressive 2.5 second record time. It is a four wheel-drive with a 529 break horsepower per ton. The Koenigsseg CCX had a top speed of 241 mph. The Ultimate Aero TT has the best top speed of 256mph however it is estimated to go up to even 273mph.

The Koenigsseg CCX and the CCR, Saleen S7, the Ferrari Enzo, the Lamborghini Murceliago and the McLaren F1 can be considered supercars due to their excellent performance and handling. It is not enough for a car to be all muscle and sleek for it to be a supercar. The handling is really important. It must have a high cornering and max road grip and must be capable of winning races. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 has brilliant braking as it stops from 100 mph in 274 feet. The Veyron claims that it can stop from 249 mph in ten seconds.

The pricing also may outline a car as a supercar. Most supercars can easily cost a million dollars and well beyond that. The Bugatti Veyron costs $1.6 million making it the most expensive supercar in the world. The Ultimate Aero TT which is the fastest car only costs half the price. Other expensive cars include the Enzo Ferrari, the Porsche Carrera GT, the German Maybach 62 and the Mercedes SLR McLaren.

Everything has a special value if it is rare and hence supercars are not produced by the thousands. Manufacturers only produce 20-300 pieces of supercars. For many people, the Corvette Z06 is not a supercar in spite of awesome features only because too many of them were produced and priced only at $40,000.

Great cars are not necessarily supercars but supercars are more than just great cars. They are marvels of engineering and design.

Invicta S1-600

British triumph..

The Invicta Car Company revealed a sensational ultra high-performance supercharged version of its British-built S1 luxury two-seater sportscar.The new model has been unvelied at the Autosport International show on Thursday 13 January, 2005.

Called the Invicta S1-600 and closely based on the current production model, the new car is powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre Ford V8 engine which produces more than 600 bhp at 4,500 rpm.

As well as the new engine, which produces almost double the power of the standard S1-320 model, the showcar features a six-speed manual gearbox, refined aerodynamics and specially-made Toyo T1-R tires.

The showcar was manufactured in mid-2004 for the dual role of 200 mph record breaker – for Britain’s fastest blind driver, 42-year old Barclays bank manager Mike Newman and the ‘Vision 2020 the Right to Sight’ global charity – and to act as the development prototype for a range-topping 2005 Invicta production model for customers in search of ultra-high performance luxury.

The Autosport International showcar is the same titanium silver Invicta S1-600 model that Mike Newman drove in the California desert last autumn.

Engine & PerformanceFundamental to Invicta’s desire to deliver no-compromise performance in terms of handling balance and sheer speed, was the decision to mount the S1’s engine and gearbox well back in the chassis and the 100-litre fuel tank transversely between the rear wheels, to achieve close to the ideal 50/50 front/rear weight distribution.

Fitted with Invicta’s own air-intake and exhaust systems, the 5.0-liter engine powering the S1-600 range is supplied by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) in America. Light, smooth-revving and ultra-reliable, this engine delivers stunning acceleration in the 3042 lbs Invicta S1-600.

Each engine is hand-built at Ford’s SVT facility and carries a plaque signed by the two technicians responsible for its assembly.

The completely flat floor of the S1 and the rising rear undertray give low-drag and generate downforce. Tests in the full size wind tunnel at MIRA confirm that the Invicta S1 will remain stable if driven at speeds in excess of 200 mph where road conditions permit.

The combination of high power, massive torque and low weight is a recipe for good fuel economy and wonderful performance.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the Invicta S1-420 and in the S1-600. Drive from the front-mounted engine travels via the gearbox to the rear wheels through an Australian BTR hydratak viscous-coupling racing limited-slip differential.

Brakes, Wheels & TiresWith four large-diameter, cross-drilled and ventilated discs, the braking system of the S1 is very close to a racing configuration, with AP 6-pot (front) and 4-pot (rear) brake calipers.

The standard set-up uses anti-squeal brake pads and calipers for quiet operation in normal road use. A change of pad material will ensure that the Invicta S1 can be used all day on a race track without running out of brakes.

British designed – Italian made, five-spoke cast alloy wheels provide an aggressive compliment to the smooth flanks of the Invicta S1.

Nineteen inches in diameter, the 8.5 inch wide (front) and 9.5 inch (rear) wheels offer a clear view of the massive discs and their Invicta-branded brake calipers.

The Interior

From the concept stage, Invicta was determined that the S1 would have a spacious cabin, with particularly generous head and leg room.

The supportive seats are trimmed to match the interior, and offer a wide range of movements, together with adjustable lumbar support.

The steering wheel is adjustable for reach and rake, and its 14-inch diameter rim frames an array of bespoke traditional instruments.

The wide centre console is trimmed in brushed aluminum and topped by triple air-vents. It houses satellite navigation as standard, together with controls for the climate-control, air conditioning and the car audio equipment.

Both front and rear windscreens are electrically heated and the S1 features a filler on each rear wing so that the fuel tank can be replenished from either side.