Farewell to the sector to make the end of 2009. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, such as strong brands, large and robust tools into the favorite of many car lovers the Pontiac 's mass production tool, look at the history of the top five.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Top Five : Pontiac Cars look at the history of the top five.
GM, for the reconstruction phase in Pontiac brand is preparing to remove from production.
Farewell to the sector to make the end of 2009. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, such as strong brands, large and robust tools into the favorite of many car lovers the Pontiac 's mass production tool, look at the history of the top five.
Black knight - Kitt
5) Pontiac Bonneville
4) 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
3) 2010 Pontiac G8 ST
2) 1964 Pontiac GTO
1) 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Farewell to the sector to make the end of 2009. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, such as strong brands, large and robust tools into the favorite of many car lovers the Pontiac 's mass production tool, look at the history of the top five.
Bajaj new pulsar 150 cc wallpaper
Bajaj Pulsar 150 cc as part of 2009 pulsar series, it will launched a new upgraded version of pulsar 150cc. The changes are design cosmetic and it comes with the same 150cc engine. The new pulsar gets New tank scoops borrowed from the pulsar 200cc and in all black theme. Also the headlight now gets power directly from the battery.
Test Ride Bajaj Pulsar New 2009 Bajaj Pulsar 180 UG IV
Kalau Mobil kita Test Drive , sedangkan motor maka kita test ride,we received news from India that bajaj auto has managed to file a road test report of the much talked about 2009 Pulsar 180 UG IV .
"It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Pulsar twins were responsible for changing the face of motorcycling in India. And I am not just talking from the performance point of view, but also the affordable ‘real’ biking that the Pulsar 150 took charge of. Its elder sibling, the good old classic 180, took care of enthusiasts who wanted raw power and macho looks at an affordable price. The 150, in the meantime, served the masses with performance that stood out in its segment and yet delivered exceptional fuel economy that is ever so important in the Indian motorcycling industry."
The author, Bunny Punia, also states the following
1. 0 to 60km/h acceleration : is under 5 seconds
2. Top speed is around 114-115km/h (speedometer showing more than 120km/h)
Will the new 2009 Bajaj Pulsar 180 beat the yet to be announced TVS Apache 180 Menace ?
original post http://bhp-india.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-2009-bajaj-pulsar-180-ug-iv-road.html
Bajaj Pulsar teams up with Fast & Furious 4 for a pulsating co-branded campaign to announce the 2009 edition of Bajaj Pulsar
A first time initiative by a two wheeler company co-branding with a Hollywood film to showcase its brands and announce its new 2009 edition.
• Bajaj Pulsar breaks the clutter by associating with this hi octane film post its release unlike other brands that associate themselves with films a week before its release & continues it over the release weekend.
• When it’s about speed Bajaj Pulsar rules the game
Bajaj Auto has partnered with the adrenaline-fueled franchise and the smacking Hollywood hit movie ‘Fast & Furious 4’ for Co-Promotion. This association will be seen in a form of a special co-branded TVC campaign which features adrenaline packed visuals of Bajaj Pulsar and the action packed ‘Fast & Furious 4’ together. P9 Integrated (A Division of Percept Ltd), a leading 360 degree entertainment marketing company has conceptualized, planned & executed this entire association in a cleverly integrated format. The ‘speed & race quotient’ present in the film is interwoven in this campaign which brings a seamless connect between the brand persona & the film.
A 30 sec co-branded TVC has been created using relevant footage from the film ‘Fast & Furious 4’. The TVC has shots of racing from the movie interspersed with shots of Bajaj Pulsar from their ad. The way both are seamlessly interspersed, it looks like Bajaj Pulsar was always a part of the film from the very beginning. The key message of the campaign is to reiterate the fact that when it’s about speed Bajaj Pulsar rules the game and also to announce the 2009 edition of Bajaj Pulsar.
The commercial is currently on air on various sports and male centric channels like Espn, Neo Cricket, Zoom, Network 18 Channels, UTV, UTVi etc. This co-branded TVC campaign will be on air for 2 weeks.
Considering the popularity of the franchise and the box-office success of ‘Fast & Furious 4’ in India and worldwide, Bajaj Pulsar wanted to celebrate the movie’s success along with the brand. There are huge brand synergies showcased in the campaign as both of them embody speed, racing, high adrenaline and living on the edge characteristics. Unlike other brands, Bajaj Pulsar tied-up with Fast & Furious 4 for a post release co-branded campaign and elevated the brand values and its messaging to a different level.
Mr. Milind Bade, General Manager (Marketing), Bajaj Auto states, “Bajaj Pulsar has always stood for Performance. The complete synergy in Pulsar brand values and Fast and Furious the movie is what makes this co-branded campaign highly effective.”
Talking about the association Pritie Jadhav, Head – Branding, P9 Integrated, a division of Percept Ltd, says, “Seeing the similarities between the brand, Bajaj Pulsar and the movie Fast & Furious 4 we identified a seamless connect between the both, as they both symbolize speed and racing. This triggered the conceptualization of the association. The objective of the co-branded campaign was to harp on the popularity of the franchise and target the audience that the movie attracts. This association will help the brand talk directly to their TG i.e. people who love sports, racing and adventure.”
Unlike past, brands have now been increasingly associating with films post its release. Like Bajaj Pulsar and Fast & Furious 4, in past Hansaplast and Lifebuoy had launched multimedia campaign along with the movie Krrish one month after its release. This only proves that films whose theme exemplifies and emanates the theme and personality of the brand makes it an effective tool in communicating with the target audience.
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteamed for the ultimate chapter of the adrenaline-fueled franchise—Fast & Furious 4. Heading back to the streets of L.A., they rejoined Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars along the crowded streets of the city and across international lines in a high-octane action-thriller from director Justin Lin. ‘Fast & Furious 4’ was released by Paramount Films of India in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telegu.
• Bajaj Pulsar breaks the clutter by associating with this hi octane film post its release unlike other brands that associate themselves with films a week before its release & continues it over the release weekend.
• When it’s about speed Bajaj Pulsar rules the game
Bajaj Auto has partnered with the adrenaline-fueled franchise and the smacking Hollywood hit movie ‘Fast & Furious 4’ for Co-Promotion. This association will be seen in a form of a special co-branded TVC campaign which features adrenaline packed visuals of Bajaj Pulsar and the action packed ‘Fast & Furious 4’ together. P9 Integrated (A Division of Percept Ltd), a leading 360 degree entertainment marketing company has conceptualized, planned & executed this entire association in a cleverly integrated format. The ‘speed & race quotient’ present in the film is interwoven in this campaign which brings a seamless connect between the brand persona & the film.
A 30 sec co-branded TVC has been created using relevant footage from the film ‘Fast & Furious 4’. The TVC has shots of racing from the movie interspersed with shots of Bajaj Pulsar from their ad. The way both are seamlessly interspersed, it looks like Bajaj Pulsar was always a part of the film from the very beginning. The key message of the campaign is to reiterate the fact that when it’s about speed Bajaj Pulsar rules the game and also to announce the 2009 edition of Bajaj Pulsar.
The commercial is currently on air on various sports and male centric channels like Espn, Neo Cricket, Zoom, Network 18 Channels, UTV, UTVi etc. This co-branded TVC campaign will be on air for 2 weeks.
Considering the popularity of the franchise and the box-office success of ‘Fast & Furious 4’ in India and worldwide, Bajaj Pulsar wanted to celebrate the movie’s success along with the brand. There are huge brand synergies showcased in the campaign as both of them embody speed, racing, high adrenaline and living on the edge characteristics. Unlike other brands, Bajaj Pulsar tied-up with Fast & Furious 4 for a post release co-branded campaign and elevated the brand values and its messaging to a different level.
Mr. Milind Bade, General Manager (Marketing), Bajaj Auto states, “Bajaj Pulsar has always stood for Performance. The complete synergy in Pulsar brand values and Fast and Furious the movie is what makes this co-branded campaign highly effective.”
Talking about the association Pritie Jadhav, Head – Branding, P9 Integrated, a division of Percept Ltd, says, “Seeing the similarities between the brand, Bajaj Pulsar and the movie Fast & Furious 4 we identified a seamless connect between the both, as they both symbolize speed and racing. This triggered the conceptualization of the association. The objective of the co-branded campaign was to harp on the popularity of the franchise and target the audience that the movie attracts. This association will help the brand talk directly to their TG i.e. people who love sports, racing and adventure.”
Unlike past, brands have now been increasingly associating with films post its release. Like Bajaj Pulsar and Fast & Furious 4, in past Hansaplast and Lifebuoy had launched multimedia campaign along with the movie Krrish one month after its release. This only proves that films whose theme exemplifies and emanates the theme and personality of the brand makes it an effective tool in communicating with the target audience.
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteamed for the ultimate chapter of the adrenaline-fueled franchise—Fast & Furious 4. Heading back to the streets of L.A., they rejoined Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars along the crowded streets of the city and across international lines in a high-octane action-thriller from director Justin Lin. ‘Fast & Furious 4’ was released by Paramount Films of India in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telegu.
Bajaj Pulsar 300cc wallpaper
Bajaj Pulsar 300cc wallpaper Bike. . Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Bike wallpaper looks cool. When you see & think about Bajaj Pulsar it always good. Bajaj Pulsar is top selling bike for Bajaj Auto India.
Is Bajaj Auto going to Launch bajaj pulsar 300 cc?
i received news from autos blog that Bajaj Auto going to modifikasi Launch bajaj pulsar 300 cc. i think it is really good bike if it is launched . I guess that Bajaj Pulsar 300cc will be the best selling among all bajaj bikes. But the fact is there is no official announcement from bajaj auto untill today. Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Price matters a lot for buyers. Is Bajaj Pulsar 300cc going to launch? Still this question is in the mind of the readers. Bajaj Pulsar 300cc Bike Photos looks cool.
First Drive: Chevrolet Volt powertrain mule
It's been 28 months since we watched Bob Lutz drive onto the stage at Cobo Hall in Detroit and step out of the Chevrolet Volt concept. In the intervening period, a corporate drama of epic proportions has transpired as Lutz has gone into semi-retirement, Rick Wagoner has been ousted as CEO and the U.S. government and the UAW are about to take a 90% ownership stake in General Motors.
In the midst of this corporate chaos, a dedicated group of hundreds of engineers, scientists, designers, technicians and drivers have tried to keep their heads down and out of the line of fire as they worked to make the Volt a production reality. From the time we first saw the original concept, GM has selected a battery supplier (LG Chem), defined the final powertrain configuration and released the production design, among countless other tasks. After more than a year of pestering GM, the call finally came to get behind the wheel of a Volt prototype.
We arrived at the design building on GM's tech center campus in the middle of a torrential downpour where we were escorted to the executive garage. There we found two of the 30+ second-generation Volt mules that are running around in Warren, Milford and other locations undergoing testing and development. Like their four-legged namesakes, mules are a cross-breed of different vehicles, and because of the lead times and testing required to bring a mass production vehicle to market, development is done in parallel on multiple paths. Automakers build these prototypes by taking an existing vehicle and adapting new components to road test the systems before the complete vehicle is ready for production.
For the Volt program, the first-generation powertrain mules were built using previous-generation Malibu body shells with the Voltec (E-Flex) powertrain -- the so-called Mali-Volts we first saw about a year ago. Those vehicles originally ran in late 2007, with the engine-generator and electric motor as well as a small hybrid battery to start development of the powertrain control system. Later, the full Volt T-shaped battery pack was installed and in 2008, the second-generation mules were built using the body of the new Chevy Cruze. Unlike the larger mid-size Malibu, the Cruze is based on the same Delta global compact platform as GM's plug-in savior, which is closer in size and weight to the Volt and was used throughout winter testing in 2008-2009.
Volt Vehicle Line Executive Tony Posawatz rode with us in the Cruze-Volt and discussed the current state of development. The prototype we drove had a powertrain that was about 80% representative of the final specification, and while the full powertrain was in place, including the 1.4-liter four-cylinder range extender, our time was spent in EV mode only.
Since the Cruze is close to the Volt, packaging the powertrain was less of a challenger than it would have been on a completely different platform. These cars were built up from early Korean-market Cruzes (hence the different grille) and are remarkably well finished. Setting aside the Volt powertrain for a moment, the Cruze seems like it will be an excellent competitor in the compact sedan segment. The interior is attractive and well laid out, and it's exceptionaly quiet inside.
In the garage, the cars were already running, sitting silently with the gear selector in park -- one of the wonderful things about electric drive -- and even though the Volt, like most other EVs, uses a single-speed reduction gear transmission, the shifter is still there to enable park, reverse, neutral and drive. The mules use the stock Cruze instrument cluster, but since the wiring harness was modified, some of the warning lights remained lit throughout our drive. Once we adjusted the seats and mirrors, and verified the warning lights weren't a problem, we moved the shifter into drive and "motored" off.
Out in the rain, we had to crank up the window defogger which, like all other accessory systems in the car, was electrical. Even though electric cars are considered to be quiet, older examples tended to produce whine from the drive motors (see: Dodge Circuit). GM and others have addressed this issue, and to our surprise there was no audible squeal inside the prototype.
The electrically-assisted steering has a nice heft that should make the production version an entertaining steer, although we couldn't judge it extensively on our wet "route" which consisted of two-mile laps on the tech center campus. The braking hardware, based on the system found in GM's two-mode hybrid SUVs, has a similarly firm and communicative pedal feel with no noticeable transitions between regenerative and friction braking. There were a few of minor glitches when we hit a major bump in the pavement while braking, but these will undoubtedly get sorted out as the final calibrations are completed over the course of the next year.
Power delivery is seamless and when the time comes to slow, lifting your foot off the accelerator yields a small amount of regen braking to simulate the coast-down on a conventional vehicle. The transmission shift lever also has a low gear position that induces more aggressive lift-off regen, about 0.25-0.30 g of deceleration -- equivalent to the braking most drivers regularly perform. When driving in stop-and-go traffic drivers could select L and just drive with one pedal much of the time, maximizing regenerative braking and range. According to Posawatz, future generations of electrically-driven vehicles could offer drivers different braking options, allowing them to select the amount of regen they want, but this won't be available on the first run of Volts.
Overall, the electric drive system in the mules performed as advertised and GM appears to be well on its way to meeting a November 2010 Job 1 date. We drove about ten miles in the rain on electrical energy only with plenty of accessories running and no significant problems. However, it's obvious there's a great deal of work to be done between now and the latter half of 2010. Right around May 27, GM will start final assembly of the Integration Vehicle Engineering Release (IVER) prototypes of the Volt; the final prototype stage where the production body work will be joined with nearly all the production-tooled compenents. These vehicles are used for final calibration and validation of all systems.
The bodies-in-white for the 75 IVER prototypes have largely been completed and once these vehicles are built, the engineers will start the final push toward finishing the first-generation Volt. Posawatz promised to have us back for another drive to sample the range-extender in action. Let's just hope that the Volt doesn't become a victim of the financial apocalypse currently afflicting General Motors.
[Source: Autoblog]
MINI to launch Special Edition F1 Cooper at MINI United
According to MotoringFile, internet keepers of all things MINI, BMW's cutest brand plans to launch a new Special Edition Cooper to coincide with the first Formula 1 racing car ever created by legendary British racer and company namesake John Cooper. To stand out from the rest of the already crowded MINI pack, the Special Edition F1 Cooper will be painted up in a new non-metallic British Racing Green, which will be offset by black hood stripes plus a contrasting white roof and mirror caps. The factory JCW aerokit will also be fitted along with a slew of F1 badges.
Underneath the car's pretty exterior will be the stock powertrain from the MINI Cooper S JCW, including the 1.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine with 208 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Expect the new edition to make an appearance at the MINI United event on May 22nd in Silverstone, England.
[Source: MotoringFile]
Obama planning to announce Chrysler bankruptcy tomorrow
According to a report by Bloomberg citing the usual unnamed sources, President Obama will announce tomorrow that Chrysler will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while continuing to work on its alliance with Fiat.
Bloomberg's source made it clear that the there are still several loose ends and the plan "is not finished yet," but it will likely involve Chrysler's strongest assets being bundled and sold to a new entity. In that scenario, Fiat would become a 20% owner of the Auburn Hills-based automaker, the UAW retiree health-care trust would take a 55% percent stake and the government would gobble up the rest. Essentially, it's the same out-of-court deal initially proposed, but now, with all the benefits (and hurdles) of bankruptcy protection.
No surprise then that Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, was right in his assessment (see below), nor is it a shocker to anyone that's been following Chrysler's trials and tribulations over the last week and beyond.
[Source: Bloomberg]
Ford Fusion Hybrid pedals its way to 1,445 miles on a single tank
The Ford Fusion Hybrid we talked about yesterday, the one that had as of our last report cleared 1,000 miles on its hypermiling publicity stunt, has finally reached the end of the road its fuel supply. The final number: 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas.
For the high-mileage odyssey, the Fusion hybrid was pushed to an average of 81.5 mpg. Even considering that hypermiling techniques were employed to reach these numbers, we're quite impressed, as the event took place on city streets and public freeways, not on a closed course. Better still, the entire 69-hour event raised $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You can read the details of how the driving teams managed the 80 mpg in the official press release after the jump – and no, they didn't find a thousand-mile downhill road.
[Source: Ford]
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
crm software info
hello all now i want to share with you about insurance crm software .for your info that software is not only used in marketing, but in other fields like: Mortgage, Insurance, Addiction Treatment, Finance, Home improvement, etc.
In marketing, the most important information system is Customer Relationship Management (CRM). This type of IS is useful in marketing because it is able to track customers' buying behaviour and target specific markets. CRM can manage anything from sales and campaigns to analytics and reports.
There are hundreds of types of insurance lead management software available, but the most popular one that is a learder in the industry is AIMcrm.the code software was founded in 2001 in the United States and now has over 750 businesses using its software. It is compatible with Linux/Unix, Mac, Open Source, Web Based, and Windows.just try it to know
AIMcrm can be used for small and large businesses at a lower cost than many other CRM software. Although it is a software with many capabilities and fuctions, it is not suited for every business, because each business has its own needs. crm and lead management software is very simple to use and does not require employees to have alot of training.happy trying the software
There are hundreds of types of insurance lead management software available, but the most popular one that is a learder in the industry is AIMcrm.the code software was founded in 2001 in the United States and now has over 750 businesses using its software. It is compatible with Linux/Unix, Mac, Open Source, Web Based, and Windows.just try it to know
AIMcrm can be used for small and large businesses at a lower cost than many other CRM software. Although it is a software with many capabilities and fuctions, it is not suited for every business, because each business has its own needs. crm and lead management software is very simple to use and does not require employees to have alot of training.happy trying the software
Honda gives Acura its own financial arm
The late eighties is when it all happened for Japanese luxury vehicles in North America. But by the time Lexus and Infiniti launched in 1989, Acura was already on the market for three years. Since then, Acura customers in the U.S. looking to finance new cars went through the same American Honda Finance Corporation that bankrolls the purchases of new Honda cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, lawnmowers, outboard marine engines and everything else the Japanese industrial giant builds (to the possible exception of corporate jets and robots), not to mention the establishment of new dealerships and all that entails.
That's all about the change with American Honda Motor Co.'s announcement of the launch of Acura Financial Services, a new financing arm for the company's luxury division that will handle the purchases of new Acuras. The move is part of an effort to distance Acura from the more commonplace offerings of its parent company, and to give the division its own look and feel. A strange time to launch a new financial company,
Video: Aston Martin One-77 exhaust note
Aston Martin One-77 made its first appearance as a completed car last weekend. So now that the car is moving under its own power, the question is what does £1 million (currently about $1.47 million) sound like?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swiss-tuned McLaren SLR Red Gold Dream
We know to expect the unexpected when it comes to aftermarket work in certain Middle Eastern enclaves. But this... this is, well, this is something that even Tim Burton would have to dismiss as just too outrageous. Part of what makes this car even more interesting is that it was the product of Swiss tuning firm Ueli Anliker Design, and as such, it is called the Anliker McLaren SLR 999 Red Gold Dream.
What was once a standard SLR (may God have mercy on its soul) now has a cow catcher up front, a Mustang wing out back, and 24 karat gold and rubies plastered throughout.
[Source: Supercars Dubai]
Toyota recalling nearly 40k Highlanders fitted with... optional stainless exhaust tip?!
Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are announcing an equipment safety recall on the Japanese automaker's 2008 Highlanders and Highlander Hybrid models.
On the 2008 model year crossover, the optional stainless steel exhaust tip retention clamp apparently has a manufacturing defect that can cause it to develop microscopic cracks, and in the worst case, fall off. We're not entirely clear on why this warrants a full-blown safety recall (perhaps to avoid the possibility of road debris), but in any case, NHTSA reports that ten incidents have been filed and the recall is moving forward. Overall, only 39,100 clamps are suspected to be flawed, but Toyota is notifying all 121,000 Highlander owners in case they bought the add-on exhaust finisher at their local dealer's parts counter.
You can read the full press release after the jump, and contact your dealer for an inspection and fix if necessary.
[Source: Toyota]
Monday, April 27, 2009
First completed Aston Martin One-77 wins Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award
Aston Martin finally took the wraps off the first completed One-77 this past weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como and came away with the top design prize at the event. Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez was on hand to show off the car that we saw in skeletal form at the Geneva Motor Show in March. While the aesthetics of this new Aston have drawn decidedly mixed reviews, there is no doubt that it is a striking machine. The huge grille flanked by large air scoops is a departure from the classically beautiful Astons of the last 15 years and even goes well beyond the DBS. However, when considered in the context of its functionality, the appearance makes much more sense.
[Source: Aston Martin]
Bugatti unleashes four-door Veyron
It's the Veyron for all the family! This is our best look yet at the stunning Bugatti Royale – a four-door four-seater that’s set to take the famous firm into a new market.
With the £900,000, 253mph Veyron 16.4 already crowned the world’s most expensive and fastest supercar, Bugatti is seeking to go a step further: it will celebrate its 100th anniversary by unveiling this hyper-saloon at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Inspired by the legendary 1927 Type 41 Royale, the new model would be as expensive as its brother and be available in a very limited production run for the company’s most loyal customers. As you can see, the exterior echoes the Veyron’s, while inside the cabin will offer unparalleled luxury, with the finest leather, suede and metal trim in addition to seating for four people and a luggage compartment at the rear.
Bugatti won’t be embarking on the project alone, though. It’s rumoured that the firm will team up with fellow VW Group luxury manufacturer Bentley in developing a new front-engined limousine platform. As well as underpinning the Royale, the chassis would be used on the next Arnage. However, the new Bugatti will keep much of the technology seen on the Veyron, such as its four-wheel-drive set-up and 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine, although this will be mounted at the front.
With the same 987bhp and 1,250Nm of torque, the Royale should cover 0-60mph in three seconds and hit a 250mph top speed, making it the fastest four-seater in the world. It will also feature the same seven-speed twin-clutch transmission – developed by UK firm Ricardo – along with that Haldex clutch-equipped all-wheel drive. There will be active aerodynamics, a Veyron-style hydraulic rear wing that rises at speed, huge carbon composite brake discs and adaptive dampers, too.
The current economic downturn means the Royale is still some way off. But with McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis predicting a return to growth in 2011, just in time for the launch of his company’s P11 supercar (see Issue 1,060), expect the four-door to go on sale in three years’ time.
In further celebration of its 100th birthday, Bugattiis also planning to launch a 1,350bhp ‘super’ Veyron later this year, along with additional special editions.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Ferrari releases more pics, details on experimental 599XX
Road cars have laws to contend with, and racing cars have regulations to uphold. But for track cars, the sky is the limit. Unfortunately for track enthusiasts, purpose-built track cars built from the ground up with a blank sheet of paper and a limitless sky are few and far between. One example comes from Ferrari with its XX-rated development program that creates a series of cars that bridge the gap between road and track. First up was the FXX, an Enzo with some extra kit. That was followed by the even more extreme FXX Evoluzione. But at the Geneva show last month, Ferrari took the wraps off the 599XX, a rolling laboratory based on the 599 GTB Fiorano only unbound by the rules of governing bodies. And while the 599XX's debut was accompanied by only limited details and even fewer photos, Maranello's finally released more of each to salivate over.
Over the course of its ongoing development – that is, after all, the point of the XX programs – the 599XX will receive all manner of new features and technologies. There's even word it may serve as a test bed for the adaptation of Formula One's KERS regenerative braking system for future road cars. But in the meantime, Ferrari's engineers have started with a host of aerodynamic and engine modifications. Added aerodynamic elements abound, some more visible than others. Little black winglets protrude from the C-pillars (which themselves were already aerodynamically optimized on the road car), and the wheels integrate F1-style "donuts" to channel the air for optimized cooling and clean airflow. Underneath the bodywork, a new Actiflow system employs a porous diffuser and two fans in the trunk to channel the airflow for increased downforce at cornering speeds or reduced drag at higher speeds. All that and more adds up to 617 pounds of downforce at 124 mph or 1,389 pounds at 186 mph. Reduced mass inertia in the engine compartment helps the V12 produce 700 horsepower at the XX's stratospheric 9,000 RPM redline, the shift program has reduced gear changes to just 60 milliseconds, and the carbon ceramic brake pads are gripped by experimental carbon-fiber calipers to keep it all under control. All that new tech helps the 599XX lap Ferrari's own Fiorano test track in 1 minute, 17 seconds... faster than any road car the company has ever produced, a tick under the FXX's lap time, and faster than some of the company's modern race machinery
Chrysler planning second Fiat-based compact sports sedan
For Chrysler, the cornerstone of its proposed alliance with Fiat is for the Italian automaker to supply its domestic partner with smaller, more fuel efficient platforms and drivetrains. It's been assumed that the Fiat 500 would be one of the vehicles Chrysler plans to market in the U.S., but according to a the Wall Street Journal, it may have more than a subcompact up its sleeve.
According to the report, Chrysler showed its (troubled) dealers the automaker's future products today in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and along with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a revised Chrysler 300, a "sporty little sedan" produced by Fiat was in attendance.
Chrysler's head of design, Ralph Gilles, told dealers that the automaker intends to have its own version of the car, with Fiat providing the chassis and Chrysler designing the exterior.
Although the WSJ's source didn't specify which Fiat was shown, informed speculation says that it was likely the Fiat Bravo, which would make a killer Dodge Caliber replacement and would finally provide Chrysler with a true successor to the Neon after its demise in 2006.
[Source: WSJ]
New Racer Ferrari 330P3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)