Cool Supercars » Supercars

The $1 Million Supercar

mdvaldosta — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:44:02 +0000

Lotus is synonymous with racing at the highest levels of motorsport; with the company having made its name by winning races with the likes of Jim Clark, Mario Andretti and Ayrton Senna. This association helped the company become very successful in the road car market during this period.

Things started to go awry following the death of founder Colin Chapman in 1982 and the company’s reputation for high performance innovation inspired by motorsport participation gently evaporated.

However, the company is now going back to its roots under the direction of its new CEO, the former Ferrari man Dany Bahar. This has seen them return to high level motorsport (Formula One, Indycar and Le Mans) and bring high performance motorsport technology to road users like never before with the new T125.

Get closer to F1 than ever before

Named in order to align it to Lotus’s first ever championship winning F1 chassis (Lotus 25), the Lotus T125 is as close to the company’s current F1 racer as usability and finances allow. Powered by a 3.5 litre 640 BHP Cosworth V8 despite only weighing 650kg and with F1 inspired aerodynamics, the T125 is perhaps the highest performance track day car the average petrol head will ever get their hands on.

Only 25 T125’s are to be made, with each buyer getting a complimentary day of individual training with Formula 1 race winner Jean Alesi, who is going to be contesting the Indy 500 race for Lotus next year. Additionally, each T125 owner will be able to pick their own colour scheme or livery for the car, with historic Lotus JPS, Camel and British racing green liveries all being available to customers.

However, all of this performance and exclusivity does not come cheap; with the T125 costing close to $1 million. On top of this, anyone who is thinking of driving the vehicle will have to pass stringent health and fitness tests in order to prove that they are capable of handling the remarkable forces which the car places on the occupants body, with 5g (five times the force of gravity) being generated by the vehicles advanced aerodynamics in certain corners.

One slight deviation from F1 machinery is that it does come with its own starter motor, ensuring that you will not have to have your own pit crew to get you started every time you take to the track. Lotus’s marketing and PR executive Kevin Smith commented: “This is as close as you can get to the F1 experience.”

The future is just beginning

The T125 is just the start of Lotus’s future according to Bahar, who has steered the company back down the motorsport route. Bahar believes that the association with Motorsport is what made Lotus so successful during it prime, and is hoping that it is not too late to recapture past glories.

Its focus on developing technologies for motorsport projects are expected to have a knock on effect on the company’s road legal vehicle fleet, with a new Lotus Esprit, Elan and Elise all set to hit the market within the next five years.

Perhaps the one major flaw of the T125 is that $1 million would likely be enough to buy you a seat in a major motorsport category like F3 for a single season, or perhaps even a winter testing day for perennial F1 back-markers HRT.

It should also not be forgotten that $1 million is only the initial buying costs, and does not include fuel or insurance prices; not to mention the cost of replacement tyres with F1 tyres regularly burning out after about 20 laps of some circuits. It is also unlikely that conventional breakdown cover companies would be interested in offering you comprehensive packages, with the cost of replacement parts likely to be astronomical.

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The Tuatara From Shelby Super Cars

tonks — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:49:42 +0000

We are always on the hunt to find some newer, faster, and sleeker supercar. It seems that we are in luck! Yesterday was the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and we heard that it was quite a show. Although there were dozens of makes and models one in particular seemed to catch the eye of anyone who attended.

The name of this new supercar is the Tuatara made by Shelby Super Cars, an automaker that is based out of Washington. The name of the car comes from a reptile from New Zealand and it is the second car that they have designed. The very first model was the Ultimate Aero in 2007. It is impressive to look at the car and anyone who is lucky enough to own one should invest in some serious car insurance.

Right now we do not have all of the juicy details and specifications on it. However, we have been told a few things by the automaker. We have been told that it will powered by an in house, twin turbocharged V-8. This means that the horsepower could be as high as 1,350. It will also weigh around 2,700 pounds before the gasoline and other fluids have been put into it.

The body of the car will be made using carbon fiber that has been designed by Jason Castriota. He is the same genius that has designed the Maserati Gran Turismo and the Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5, two very well known supercars.

According to Jerod Shelby (founder of SSC) this will be a world renowned supercar that could hold a few records in speed thanks to the strong engine it will have beneath the hood. As for us we will be on the lookout for any news and more details that will be released along the way. The car is expected to begin production by 2012 and deliveries in 2013. Although the cost has not yet been released it is said to be well over $1 million. We are sure that millionaires around the world will be pulling out their pocketbooks at one glimpse of this beast.

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FBI Refuses To Pay For Ferrari Joy Ride Gone Wrong

mdvaldosta — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:41:53 +0000

In the news this week is a story about an FBI joy ride gone horribly wrong, leaving a $750,000 Ferrari F50 trashed and an insurance company with the finger; middle finger that is. It seems that, even though the supercar was already impounded and safely stored, FBI Special Agent Frederick C. Kingston took an Assistant US Attorney for a ride and…

“Just a few seconds after we left the parking lot, we went around a curve, and the rear of the car began sliding,” Thompson wrote in an email to Managing Assistant US Attorney E.J. Walbourn on the day of the incident. “The agent tried to regain control, but the car fishtailed and slid sideways up onto the curb. The vehicle came to rest against a row of bushes and a small tree. Both myself and the agent exited of our own power.”

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says their not liable for the damage done to the car while in their possession, insisting “sovereign immunity” protects them against negligence claims for damaged property detained by law enforcement.

This doesn’t make Motors Insurance Corp (MIC) happy, having already paid out 3/4 of a million dollars to the dealer where the car was stolen… waiting to get the car back from the Feds. They’ve tried using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)to get documents outlining the storage and transport of the Ferrari – which of course the DOJ dismissed and denied based on it being “an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy”. Yeah, I bet it was.

It’s not everyday we here about an insurance company getting the shaft. We take for granted great car insurance companies like Aviva Car Insurance and Geico (and many others), depending on which side of the pond you’re on. Fortunately the dealer who had the 1995 F50 stolen got their money when it was stolen by a thief, but when the FBI steals your car… what do you do? Post your thoughts in the comments.

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Finding A Cheap Used Supercar

mdvaldosta — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:13:22 +0000

That sounds a bit like an oxymoron doesn’t it, Cheap Supercar. Fortunately, if you’re the thrifty type there are a few ways you can get your hands on a really nice, inexpensive high end car. And no, it’s not going to be a broke down jalopy has-been either (well, it might if you’re not careful). It just takes alittle research and a keen eye.

Places To Find A Nice Used SuperCar

Let’s get the obvious out of the way, there’s always Craigslist. Now, I’m not much of a fan – it’s home to lots of scammers and spammers but there are good deals to be had there. Stay especially far away from offers to ship cars and folks who want to give you an overseas cashier’s check and ask you to give the change to their delivery driver. You also have Motors.co.uk and their cheap used cars for sale. If you’re in the UK you’ll probably love them, they aggregate lots of nice BMW’s, Porsche’s etc. for some pretty darn good prices. Another place is eBay’s list of supercars which pretty much lists all of the cars they consider to be “super” along with links to search their listings.

These are just a few places, of course you always need to make sure you do your own due diligence to ensure you’re getting an authentic car that’s in the condition you expect it to be in. Always get a clear title before handing out any cash, as to ensure it’s not stolen and so you don’t have problems registering it later.

With good luck, a keen eye and a great list of resources you’re sure to find a great supercar to park in your garage – and you won’t have to spend $100k to do it either. Best of luck!

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Peugeot EX1 Electric Roadster

tonks — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:27:19 +0000

Motor shows are held all around the world and used as a platform to show off new designs that have yet to be revealed. It gives every automaker the opportunity to see just how much the consumers love or hate the idea. We have seen some unusual concepts in the past – but Peugeot is taking it one step further by putting a new spin on EX1.

The Peugeot EX1 was designed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the marque. It is an all electric two seat roadster equipped with a pair of electric motors that gives it 340 horsepower. Already the automaker is claiming that it “has already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.”

The exterior design is unique and the first thing that will catch our eyes. Engineers were trying to pull off a type of “exoskeleton” appearance to the whole thing and they managed to pull it off. It helps to show just how lightweight the entire thing is. The bodies’ design clearly uses the new visual aspect that was first seen on the SR1 concept.

Underneath the hood lies an electric motor that is quiet and built with some of the most advanced acceleration technology. These engines assist in making the car easier to drive and there is no reason to use a gearbox. The motors are placed on each axle and have a peak output of 125 kW. This concept car was designed to break a few records and we look forward to seeing it in action!

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Lamborghini Rolls Out 10,000th Gallardo

tonks — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:58:14 +0000

Lamborghini announced this week that they have finished building the 10,000th Gallardo. This is a turning point for the supercar automaker who were skeptical about how well the new model was going to do. President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said that this is a sign that this is their most successful model to date.

Anyone who knows supercars understands the quality and precision that goes into making a true Lamborghini, no matter what model it is. The Gallardo is the most well known of them all and has done a magnificent job of spreading a high reputation for the automaker across the world.

The Gallardo 570-4 Superleggera design was based on the Gallardo 560-4. While they kept the aluminum space frame and body panels, they chose to replace many of the exterior components with light composite structures to lower the overall weight. The rear spoiler, diffuser, sills, mirror casings, and underbody panels are made with carbon fiber.

The direct injected 5.2 liter V10 engine has been mid mounted and has an aluminum crankcase, dry sump lubrication, and a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. All of this works together to help lower the center of gravity. The engine is coupled with a compression weight of 12.5:1 and minor changes to the engine software that helps it to reach 570 horsepower and 399 pound feet of torque. It can rev from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

With all of these features and more it is no wonder that Lamborghini has made so many of them. This is obviously something that allows them to keep business on the move while other automakers are struggling to stay afloat. However, there is also a downside to all of this good news. Like with most exotic cars, Lamborghinis are supposed to be rare and exclusive only to those willing to pay an exorbitant amount for one car. Let us hope that all of this popularity will not cause problems in the near future.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

mdvaldosta — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:07:58 +0000

AMG claims this car shares no structural elements with other Benzes, and built it just to show how sporty they can build a Mercedes. We believe it, heck – watching the video below I’m half expecting it to “Transform” into something inspired by Optimus Prime. The car looks… awe inspiring. It sounds… amazing.

A Cockpit. An Engine. Two Wings. Is This Still A Car?

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It’s got a cockpit, gullwing doors and an engine that claims a 3.7 second 0-60 and a top speed of nearly 200 miles per hour. As the video suggests, is it still a car? With a 6.3 liter V8 engine pumping out 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, we’re not sure.

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Glimpse At The Aspira F620

tonks — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:23:46 +0000

The world might seem like it is having troubles with hurricanes, tidal waves, and the economic downturn – but that doesn’t stop the supercars from rolling out. The United States might be running a little behind in this area – but a company in the UK has created something new that we have all been dying to hear about – the Aspira F620.

Though we have heard some vague rumors concerning this new supercar we have yet to see evidence of it. That is until now! This new model has been spotted by the people at PistonHeads.

According to our sources it will be powered by GM’s 6.2 liter LS3 V8 engine that has been upgraded with some new canshafts. All of this allows it to push out a total of 538 horsepower. This engine will send that power on to the six speed Graziano gearbox giving it a top speed of 209 mph.

The whole design of the Aspira F620 has been based upon the kit car platform that was created by the U.S. Race Car Replicas. Based on the glimpse that we got it has a sleek front end and is working the black color nicely. They have plans to make at least ten cars each year selling them at £110,000 for each.

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Rent A Porsche Panamera

tonks — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:24:27 +0000

Anytime I travel I like to rent a car so that I do not put any wear and tear on my personal vehicle. It also gives the opportunity to try something new. Most car rental companies are able to provide people with the newest models and if you are lucky you will get something that looks great. So far the best car I have rented was the Nissan Altima.

But many of us dream to be given the chance to drive something better for a whole day – even if we have to pay some money for it. Anyone who has seen the new Porsche Panamera has surely fallen in love with it and if they are lucky will be given the chance to drive it. The Avis rental company stationed in Germany is making a few of these models available starting in October 1st.

When you go to any of the major airports and city outlets you will have the option of renting the S or 4S versions of the Porsche. That is if there are any left! The rates start at €189 per day during the week and €567 on the weekend. The only thing that we don’t know is what the guidelines are to rent them. We can only assume that they are quite strict.

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Melkus RS2000 Concept

tonks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:19:14 +0000

Heinz Melkus had the dream to create a supercar similar to that of the RS1000. That dream is coming true thanks to his son and grandson Peter and Sepp Melkus. The East German race car builder has plans to produce 25 models of the RS2000. The prototype for the new model began in 2007 and was finally revealed to us during the Frankfurt Auto Show.

It is said that they had a challenge making the RS2000 – which was supposed to embody the elegance and uniqueness from its predecessor. They did not want to alter the design of this legendary supercar – but rather to enhance it in a subtle way. They were able to use the modern sports car engineering to reinterpret the classic design.

With this in mind they were able to make it sportier and slightly more stronger. This also goes along well with the engine beneath the hood that is providing all of that strength. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter, 4 cylinder, 16 valve Elise engine that is able to push out 270 horsepower. It is connected to a 6 speed transmission.

It has a curb weight of 2,090 pounds and is able to rev from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Owners of this limited edition supercar will have the advantage of customizing the inside of the car. However, it will come standard with a few items that its competition has. It has a price tag of €107,500.

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