Continue reading Ferrari's Enzo successor laid bare with carbon fiber chassis display

Ferrari's Enzo successor laid bare with carbon fiber chassis display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video]

What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: 2010 Saab 9-3X

GM to engage in tech-sharing with Saab even after parting ways? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Corvette ZR1 chassis display

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Corvette ZR1 chassis display

Detroit 2008: Corvette ZR1 chassis display originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Click above to view in high-resolution

Formula 3, for any racing fans who don't watch the feeder-formulas like football fans watch college pigskin, is one of the most important lower formulas in international motorsports. While NASCAR may have its own hierarchy, the vast majority of racing's most successful drivers have at some point passed through F3, making the aray of regional and national series operating around the world an important stepping-stone for aspiring F1 drivers.

Although technically Formula 3 does not mandate a uniform chassis (like Champ Cars, IndyCars, GP2, and A1GP do), Dallara's permeation of the series might as well be a complete monopoly. Dallara also the builds chassis for IndyCars, the World Series by Renault (which feeds into F3) and GP2 (the next step up from F3). It built the immensely successful R8 endurance racer for Audi and the first batch of the KTM X-bow, as well as consulting on the development of the Pagani Zonda and Ferrari 333 SP.

Dallara's new Formula 3 chassis, despite FIA-mandated restrictions, benefits from significantly improved aerodynamics as a result of many hours spent in wind-tunnels and in CFD simulators. The Dallara F308 is also more compact than its predecessor while conforming to new side-impact regulations. In addition to the usual suspension set-up, a new pushrod unit is available designed to minimize understeer, and the car comes equipped with Brembo's latest brake package.

With Formula Three grids growing around the world, and the F308 now conforming to Spanish and Italian regulations, Dallara expects to sell 70 cars for the 2008 season. Check out the press release after the jump for more details, and the gallery below for more high-resolution images.

[Source: Dallara]

Gallery: Dallara F308

Continue reading Dallara unveils new Formula 3 chassis

Dallara unveils new Formula 3 chassis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Connaught and Caparo conspiring on Type-D originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Following the news that Ferrari was in discussions with A1GP, the international racing series has announced that the two racing outfits have signed a six-year contract with Maranello. The terms of the agreement have Ferrari supplying the V8 engines for all the national teams competing in the series starting the season after next, when the current deal with Lola and Zytek expires. In addition to powering the new cars, Ferrari will also consult on the design of the chassis, which will be built by an as-yet undisclosed third party.

The deal gives Ferrari a de facto feeder series of its own, not unlike Formula BMW and the GP2 series owned by Renault principal Flavio Briatore. A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira also announced the formation of a second, lower-rung regional series to be called A2GP - taking a possible similar relationship as the Atlantic series to Champ Cars - with which Ferrari will also collaborate, supplying detuned versions of the engine. The deal should give Ferrari a place to field up-and-coming younger drivers and bring in extra revenue, while lending the open-wheel series added prestige on the world motorsports stage.

Teixeira also confirmed earlier speculation that, after bowing out of the Spyker purchase, he is considering buying into Scuderia Toro Rosso. The Italian F1 team, currently owned by Red Bull and former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger, scored impressive fourth and sixth places in last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

[Source: Autosport and A1GP]

Ferrari and A1GP sign six-year deal, announce new A2GP series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've got your money on Prodrive making an unprecedented F1 debut next season, we'd recommend calling your bookie and changing your bet. The British racing consultancy was preparing to hit the grand prix circuit using equipment obtained through a deal with McLaren, but the agreement that was all but dotted and crossed has reportedly fallen apart.

Neither Prodrive nor McLaren have yet to comment, but according to Autosport.com, the deal is off. As we'd reported previously, Prodrive were to become an effective second McLaren team by using the same chassis next season, but that all depends on the FIA Court of Appeal's ruling on the legality of such an arrangement. That procedure was, according to Prodrive chief David Richards - also chairman of Aston Martin and former lyteam principal at first Benetton and then BAR-Honda - was the last obstacle standing between the new team and its fight for podiums in 2008. It would appear, however, that McLaren is less than confident that the regulatory body will rubber-stamp the customer-car deal, as they've reportedly told their employees not to prepare the additional Prodrive cars.

Mad props to our reader andybee for the tip!

[Source: Autosport]

NO SOUP FOR YOU! Prodrive-McLaren deal cancelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Teams aren't teams in Formula One, they're constructors. It's part of the definition that makes F1 what it is: each team builds their own cars. Engines can be obtained from a major manufacturer - though BMW, Renault, Honda and Toyota have joined Ferrari in doing it all in-house - but in theory, at least, each team is supposed to have its own chassis.

That notion, however, is coming under fire. Red Bull and its satellite Scuderia Toro Rosso used a common design this year. Super Aguri is preparing a chassis acquired from its engine supplier Honda, and newcomer team Prodrive just announced it'd be fielding cars bought wholesale from McLaren. The potential result is being billed as "super teams", essentially giving several racing outfits four cars instead of two.

The jury is still out at the FIA as to just how "kosher" this development is, and in the process the fates of several teams lie in the balance. Never prepared to sit on the sidelines, Ferrari is rumored to be considering providing a complete car instead of just an engine to one of the teams it currently powers, though while the motorsport press is suggesting Toro Rosso as the potential recipient, its tie-in with Red Bull Racing might leave the recently sold (and soon to be renamed) Spyker team a more likely partner. For McLaren's part, however, having two teams in which to split their star drivers could prove the most convenient of all.

[Source: F1i.com]

Customer cars could lead to F1 'Super Teams' in '08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

More on the Honda Fit (including video) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.