The Ariel Atom

Here comes some atomic power!!!

The Ariel Atom is an unusual car in several respects. Unless one lives in the desert it is not a choice for a one-car owner. It is also not a car to be driven bareheaded. Nor is it a car for the driver who does not wish to be visible.

It has no roof, no windshield and no windows. The driver and passenger sit in an open two-seat cockpit that has no protection from the elements.

It has a long, low look with a distinctively cone shaped hood and a squared off rear. A sidebar assembly on each side protects the driver and passenger from tumbling out. The engine is mounted behind the driver. This car is around 11 feet long by 6 feet wide and just under 4 feet high.

Another unusual feature of the car is its design origin. While most cars originate in the design studies of various car manufacturers, the Ariel Atom was birthed on the Coventry University Campus in England.

It was the student project of a transport design student named Nik Smart. At the time, an Ariel Motor Company executive was also a senior lecturer at the University. He mentored the project as financial manager and design critic. Funding and input were also obtained from other members of the British automotive industry, notably TWR and British Steel.

It made its debut at the British International Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England in October 1996.

Based on its high performance features, this vehicle qualifies as a super car. Practically all super cars have the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and are able to attain top speeds of 180 mph or faster. These abilities are due to a low weight-to-power ratio.

To understand this phenomenon we must refer to Newton's first law of motion, which defines inertia as 'the tendency of an object to stay at rest or an object in motion to remain in motion unless acted upon by a unbalanced force.' The heavier and object the more it can resist changes in its motion and the more difficult it is to move. By contrast the lighter the object, the easier it will move. This is why lightweight cars can achieve high acceleration.

It weighs a little over 1,000 pounds and has an engine capable of generating 300 horsepower. This gives it a weight to power ratio of 4.10. The Atom can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds out performing such super cars as the McLaren F1, the Bugatti Veyron, the Ferrari Enzo and the Porsche Carrera GT.

The Atom is sold as an off the road vehicle however it can be made street legal if purchased as a kit. The owner can then assemble the car in his garage to meet all federal and state-mandated safety guidelines. Once properly assembled, the Atom is legal to drive on U.S. highways.

While the Atom stands out in performance compared to other supercars it does not come with the high price tag affixed to most supercars. The Atom is priced from $35,000 to $75,000, which in comparison to the million dollar McLaren F1 or Bugatti Veyron, is relatively inexpensive.

Cars Fit For Superman

Interesting, courtesy of Rusty Shakelford..

If you ask a hand full of older auto enthusiasts what their favorite sports or muscle car is; you will most likely get a list filled with Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs. With the traditional combination of style and power, who would disagree with any of these classic choices?

The consumer's addiction to performance, power, and speed has influenced auto manufacturers to continually push the limits of high end sports/muscle cars. The result; an entirely new breed of car appropriately dubbed the 'supercar'. In 1965 the world's first 'supercar' was produced named the "AC cobra 427". From this, an entire industry has developed continually striving to produce the best performing "super" car.

Unlike most cars, supercars have a specialized array of analogous features that enable these vehicles to perform at the levels they do. Below is a list of features that have aided in the transformation of sports cars into the beasts we know today as supercars.

Light Weight Bodies

-Aluminum and other light weight materials are used to reduce the vehicles weight.

Aluminum Engines

- Aluminum reduces weight and aluminum block engines improve various oiling capabilities and the basic structure of the engine.

Engine Size

-Dramatic increases in engine size, horsepower, and torque have drastically increased acceleration and top speeds.

Turbo/Super Chargers

-Changes the density of air entering the engine creating more power. Many super cars use multiple turbos or super chargers to significantly increase power.

Aerodynamic Shape

- Creates less 'drag' from wind resistance resulting in a higher attainable speed.

Carbon Fiber

-Lightweight material that easily disperses heat and can be used to induct air enhancing engine cooling.

Specialized Exhaust Systems

-Enables the engines to fully maximize potential and horsepower by routing and releasing optimal amounts of exhaust.

There are also various additional features of super cars that do not necessarily increase speed, but are directly related to the components that do.

Specialized Breaking Systems

-Essential to controlling the speed and handling of a supercar.

Spoiler Systems

-Increases aerodynamic lift or creates drag.

Specialized wide wheelbase

-Better traction, speed, and handling.

Specialized Suspension

-To handle high speeds and aggressive driving capable of supercars.

Many 'supercars' have gained recognition and appeal around the world for their eye catching exotic looks and their mind blowing performance. Popular names of such recent supercars include the Ferarri Enzo and the McLaren F1. In 1998, Volkswagen decided to join the supercar game by purchasing the rights to produce vehicles under the famous French Bugatti name.

By 2000, Volkswagen had founded The Bugatti Automobiles SAS. Later that year at the Paris, Geneva and Detroit auto shows, VW introduced the brand new EB 16/4 Veyron concept under the Bugatti name. The concept Veyron housed a 16-cylinder quad-turbocharged engine rated at 987 bhp.

By late 2005 the Veyron had entered production and was delivered to its first customers in early 2006. Within 8 short years of purchasing the Bugatti name, Volkswagen was able to successful deliver the world's fastest supercar reaching 253 mph. In 2007 Shelby Super Cars released a Twin turbo version of a car named the SSC Ultimate Aero, surpassing the Veyron for the world's fastest supercar at 257 mph.

Below is a list of the top six fastest supercars on the market and some comparable statics.

1. SSC Ultimate Aero - Cost: $654K Top Speed: 257 mph, 0 to 60 in:2.7sec, HP: 1183, Engine: Twin-Turbo V8 (1287 hp in 2009 edition), Uniqueness: Currently the world's fastest car.

2. Bugatti Veyron - Cost: $1.7Mil Top Speed: 253 mph, 0 to 60 in: 2.5sec, HP: 1001, Engine: W16 Engine

Uniqueness: The quickest-accelerating production car in history.

3. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo - Cost: $555K Top Speed: 248 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 750, Engine: Twin Turbo V8

4. Koenigsegg CCX - Cost: $545K Top Speed: 245 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 806, Engine: 90 Degree V8

5. McLaren F1 - Cost: $970K Top Speed: 240 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 627, Engine: S70/2 60 Degree V12

6. Ferrari Enzo - Cost: $670K Top Speed: 217 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.4sec, HP: 660, Engine: F140 Aluminum V12

With bank-breaking prices, (some much worse than others), today a plethora of muscle charged super cars are available around the world. Though some may still prefer classic muscle over towering prices and outrageous power, the transformation and development of supercars will continue to be fueled by an ever growing community of speed and performance enthusiasts.

Lamborghini Reventon

ready for take off!!!!

A super car without equals: the Lamborghini Reventon is a road vehicle with an extreme specification and, at the same time, a limited edition masterpiece – a coherent style, angular with sharp lines, inspired by the very latest aeronautics.

With just 20 produced, each 1 Million Euro (without taxes) Lamborghini Reventon is a symbol of extreme exclusivity.

All 20 cars was sold immediately, 10 of them are going to the United States, 1 of them is being sent to Canada, 7 will remain in Europe (including a single vehicle going to the UK), 1 of them is being sent to Kuwait and 1 of them is being sent to Japan.

The Lamborghini Reventon has been entirely designed in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the original birthplace of the Lamborghini and the native home of every super car born under the sign of the bull.

The design drawn up in Lamborghini’s Centro Stile (Style Center) is fine-tuned in close collaboration with the Lamborghini Research and Development Department.

Thus, the Reventon is not only “haute couture” but it also stands out for its elevated dynamism whilst being entirely suitable for every day use.

The Lamborghini Reventon is not destined to remain a one-off. A total of 20 Lamborghini friends and collectors will be able to own this extraordinary car and, naturally, enjoy the incomparable pleasure of driving it.

The name Reventon has been chosen according to Lamborghini tradition. Reventon was a fighting bull, owned by the Don Rodriguez family.

It is included in the list of the most famous bulls ever and is known for killing the famed bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943.

Carbon Fiber

Although it is based on the extraordinarily successful Murcielago LP640, the exterior design of the Reventon is completely new.

Just like the base model, the exterior is made of CFC, a composite carbon fiber material, which is as stable as it is light.

The exterior components are glued and fixed to the body comprised of CFC and steel.

The front is characterized by the acute angle of the central ‘arrow’ and by the powerful forward-facing air intakes.

Although they do not supply air directly to the turbine like an airplane, bearing in mind the 650 hp, an abundant volume of air is necessary to cool the carbon brake disks and the six cylinder calipers.

Naturally, both doors on the Reventon open upwards – since the legendary Countach this has also been a symbol of the V12 Lamborghini product line.

With their asymmetric configuration, the large air intakes below the doors provide an example of the extreme coherence with which a Lamborghini fulfils its function: on the driver's side it is large to increase the flow of oil to the radiator.

On the passenger’s side of the vehicle, the air intake is flat because in this case, it only has to ensure the flow below the floor.

The aerodynamically optimized flat floor structure terminates at the rear with a diffuser featuring an accentuated shape. This guarantees excellent road grip and stability even at 200 mph.

The technology found in the Murcielago LP640 has not been modified. The engine in the LP640 forwards is the classic twelve-cylinder engine with 6.5 liter displacement.

Only for this car, Lamborghini guarantees, an astounding 650 bhp at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm).

The huge torque, equal to maximum 487 lb-ft, ensures a powerful switch from any number of revolutions: even the slightest pressure on the accelerator is spontaneously transformed into thrust.

The robotised e.gear changes gear faster than even the most expert driver. In addition, the permanent Viscous Traction four-wheel drive system ensures that every force is constantly translated into movement.

With the Lamborghini Reventon, Lamborghini has done it again; it has created an unequalled super car; the perfect synthesis between the exclusivity and appeal of a limited edition design masterpiece, and the dynamism and driveability of a standard sports car.

Thus, the Lamborghini legend is further enhanced by another, stylish future classic.

Bandini 1000 turbo

never knew this...

The Bandini 1000 turbo, also known as “BandiniBerlinetta” is a hand built road car, built in 1992 by IlarioBandini.

The engineer Ilario Bandini called this car as “my pride”. The berlinetta was the latest creation born from his hands and represents the ultimate evolutionary step of his long career of “inventor of the car” as it was defined by the Italian magazine Autosprint in 1981.

The design and construction of berlinetta undertook the last six years of life IlarioBandini that despite the eighty candles, as proof, once again, its continued commitment to improving technical and stylistic their “inventions”. The “berlinetta” will last witness of his creative genius, its technical capabilities and skills craft.

The engine

The engine of the entire implementation Bandini, has undergone a lengthy testing before being acted, is the first time that an engine Bandini is equipped withturbocharger. The Bandini 1000 turbo uses indirect injection pump with mechanical, electronic ignition, a distribution chain with two trees to cammes on roller bearings that vertical command four valves per cylinder, piston head flat, titanium connecting rods and a lubrication system Carter to dry. Features that make it possible to exceed 10000 rpm. The gearbox in merger with the differential is only 5 speed.

Ferrari P4/5 Pininfarina

Some time back..

The Ferrari P4/5 (officially known as the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina) is a one-off Super Car (Sports Car) made by Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari but redesigned by Pininfarina for film director and stock exchange magnate James Glickenhaus.

The car was an Enzo Ferrari but the owner James Glickenhaus preferred the styling of Ferrari's 1960s race cars, the P Series. The project cost Glickenhaus US$ 4 million and was officially presented to the public in August 2006 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance, but in July 2006 some images were leaked and Glickenhaus allowed Ultimate Car Page to show the early designs.

Development

In March 2005 James Glickenhaus, stock exchange magnate and known car collector, was approached by Pininfarina who asked if he was interested in commissioning a one-off car. Andrea Pininfarina, grandson of the company’s founder later said "The Ferrari 612 Kappa and this P4/5 are the first. But we want to grow this business." indicating that Pininfarina is interested in producing other unique cars.

Glickenhaus replied that he would like a modern Ferrari P and in June of that year he signed a contract with Pininfarina to produce the car including the price, approximately US $4 million though in an interview he said "I feel they gave me more than I expected".

Glickenhaus purchased the last unsold Enzo Ferrari and upon receipt of the car he took it to Pininfarina to be redesigned similar to the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 which he also delivered to Pininfarina. Pininfarina's styling team leader, Ken Okuyama said that "Pininfarina wanted to stay away from retro design and move towards a more forward thinking supercar" as they were excited by the opportunity to build the car, not just design it.

Its design began in September 2005 with sketches by Jason Castriota moving through computer aided sculpture and stringent wind tunnel testing. More than 200 components were designed especially for the car though the engine, drivetrain and many other components are simply modified from the original Enzo Ferrari.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unchanged from the Enzo it was derived from. The P4/5 was publicly revealed on August 18, 2006 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance and shown again at the Paris Motor Show in late September.

Upon seeing P 4/5 Luca di Montezemolo felt that the car deserved to be officially badged as a Ferrari and along with Andrea Pininfarina and James Glickenhaus agreed that it's official name would be "Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina". Ted West wrote an article in "Car and Driver" about how this came to be: "The Beast of Turin".

Interior Ferrari P4/5

The interior of the P4/5 was designed by Glickenhaus himself with an iPod nano stereo and a tablet PC which features not only GPS but a 3D model of the car as well as a complete parts list and manual for easy servicing. The P4/5 also sports improved air conditioning over the Enzo and a high-strength alloy roll bar redesigned because the original was too thick and obstructed Glickenhaus' view.

The seats are custom built, Glickenhaus' and his son's bodies were scanned so Pininfarina could mould the seats for their comfort, accessibility and view of the road (as with race cars). With a frame of carbon fibre composite, the seats are covered with a black rubber mesh and red leather as selected by Glickenhaus' daughter. Pininfarina rearranged the wiring of the Enzo so as to make the car easier to service and 270 kilograms (595 lb) lighter than the Enzo.

Exterior Pininfarina

The exterior of the car is made entirely of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and is similar in shape to the Ferrari 330 P4 as Glickenhaus requested, however it has been called a "rolling history of Ferrari-racing-DNA" sharing elements from several historic Ferrari vehicles, not just the 330 P4. The rear window is similar to that of the Ferrari 512S, the side vents are similar to the Ferrari 330 P3 and the nose is similar to that of the Ferrari 333SP which improves cooling and the car's frontal crash safety.

The butterfly doors (similar to those of the McLaren F1) are designed such that even at 260 kilometres per hour (160 mph) there is no wind noise. The improved aerodynamics have proven themselves, giving the car greater downforce at the same time as less drag than the Enzo also making the car more stable than the Enzo at high speeds.