Autoblog

Spartan V trackday racer finally ready for prime time [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Australia, Specialty, MISC, Racing

A few things have changed since the Spartan V track car was announced almost three years ago. Back in 2010, the red open-top sportscar from Australia was slated to be a 661-pound apex-hugger with 170 horsepower coming from a 1,200-cc Ducati engine. The slinky red bodywork remains, but the engine now comes from Honda: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turns the output wick up to 250 hp. Opt for the supercharger and benefit from 400 horsepower. Weight has predictably gone up as well, the Spartan V now clocking in at 1,100 pounds, while top speed has come down from 173 miles per hour to 149 mph.

With just enough of an interior to keep you on the paved bits, the Spartan V still shouldn't have any problem going fast, though, as the video below proves. There will be just 300 made, and the price quoted in Spartan's press release below is $95,000 - we'll assume that US dollars. The price in Australia is $79,000 AUD (about $82,000 US), so you can save yourself a few large if you already have a second home Down Under.

Continue reading Spartan V trackday racer finally ready for prime time [w/video]

Spartan V trackday racer finally ready for prime time [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Track N Go treads dangerously close to awesome

Chris Paukert — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Technology, Videos, GMC, Specialty, Off-Road

Clearly, we weren't the only ones who spent the better part of their childhoods building all manner of strange and wonderful Lego vehicles. We're pretty sure we had this design knocked out back in the early 80s, but as far as we know, exactly no one has figured out how to fit easily removable tracks to a conventional vehicle in real life. We've seen some pretty neat track conversions, mind you, but they've always required a fair bit of work and the removal of a vehicle's wheels. But not the Track N Go.

This creative solution for foul-weather-mastery comes from AD Boivin, a company better known for marketing products for powersports vehicles like motocross bikes and snowmobiles. The company says that this is the world's first wheel-driven track system, and judging by the video available after the jump, it appears quite capable when fitted to what looks like stock GMC Sierra and Ford F-Series Super Duty 4x4 pickups blasting through the snow.

The video indicates that the system is a prototype, and it doesn't show how easily the tracks can be secured to the vehicle's wheels (though it does briefly show that you drive onto the tracks before locking them in place - no jacking required). AD Boivin doesn't say if and when the Track N Go will actually come to market, let alone what sort of fitments will be available and how much the system will cost. While we're waiting, we'll just watch the video one more time...

Continue reading Track N Go treads dangerously close to awesome

Track N Go treads dangerously close to awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mother of all Hot Wheels tracks leaves us speechless, if real [w/poll]

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

We'll admit it, this video isn't exactly new, but it's the first time we're seeing it and, honestly, we're stunned. The creators have dubbed this "The Mother of All Hot Wheels Tracks," and after sitting at our desks with wide eyes and dropped jaws, we're inclined to agree. And not just because it's amazing to watch a little toy car run a claimed 2,000-foot gauntlet of orange plastic - it's remarkable from a construction standpoint, too. Think about it: How many times would you design an elaborate Hot Wheels track only to have the whole thing come apart around Turn Four?

Consider this thing the Nürburgring of the Hot Wheels world.

Being the skeptics that we are, we so have to question the authenticity of this race course, only because the changing camera angles leaves some wiggle room for building the sections separately with much less track. You can vote yea or nay in our poll below, but frankly, we want to live in a world where this is 100 percent real.

Regardless, it's an amazing feat of Hot Wheels engineering, and we highly encourage you to take four minutes out of your day to watch the full video, posted after the jump.

View Poll

Continue reading Mother of all Hot Wheels tracks leaves us speechless, if real [w/poll]

Mother of all Hot Wheels tracks leaves us speechless, if real [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Circuit of the Americas in Austin coming together before your very eyes

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos

Whether you're driving an F1 car or riding a superbike, getting around any racing circuit this side of the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a rather rapid affair. Which is more than we could say for building one - that bit takes some time. Together with the cash it takes to finance such a venture, that goes some way towards explaining why you don't see it happening every day. But that's what's going on as we speak in Austin, Texas.

The facility is called the Circuit of the Americas, and it's set to host a host of top-level races starting next year, including Formula 1, MotoGP and the V8 Supercar series porting over from Australia. Of course it needs to be completed in order for anything to drive its 3.4 miles and 20 corners.

Fortunately work is well under way, but don't take our word for it: the constructors of the first purpose-built F1 track to be built in the United States have been filming the progress, and have released a quartet of time-lapse videos where you can see the construction unfolding before your very eyes. Just follow the jump and click play.

Continue reading Circuit of the Americas in Austin coming together before your very eyes

Circuit of the Americas in Austin coming together before your very eyes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the Top Gear USA test track?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Etc.

Spinning off shows from British television into American programs are all the rage these days. Just ask anyone who watches The Office, American Idol, The Shield or Life on Mars. But the one we're most excited about, of course, is the U.S. version of Top Gear. A long time coming, the pilot is set to air on the History Channel in about a month. And as the date approaches, details have been trickling in. The latest covers the test track that will be the show's playground.

Like its original British counterpart, the Top Gear test track has reportedly been converted from an old military air base: in this case the Marine Corp's former facility at El Toro in Orange County, California - the same location the NBC project was to use.

The track combines north/south and east/west runways from the former air field. Disused airport runways make great circuits, but there's one downside: no elevation changes, the likes of which make tracks like Spa and Laguna Seca the legends they are. The El Toro configuration ameliorates the situation, however, with a ten-foot drop and subsequent climb through an off-track loop on the right side of the map pictured above, giving it what most runway tracks - like Silverstone and the original Top Gear track in England - don't have.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Are you the Top Gear USA test track? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spartan V track car is a motorcycle on four wheels

Zach Bowman — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Australia, Racing

Spartan V track car - Click above for image gallery

Just when you thought the communal fascination with Frank Miller's 300 had all but washed away, a track machine dedicated to the ancient fighting Spartans hit the scene. Meet the Spartan V - a lightweight all-star with a heart borrowed from Ducati. That's right, this machine hits the scales at less than 661 pounds and packs 170 horsepower from a 1200 cc Italian mill.

In other words, it should absolutely go like stink.

The company behind the project says that the Spartan V should be able to click off the 0-60 mph dash in less than three seconds on its way to a top speed of 173 mph thanks to a sequential six-speed gearbox. If you're looking for a motorcycle on four wheels, this is it.

The vehicle uses a tubular space-frame chassis clad in plenty of carbon fiber to keep the pounds off, and those sexy double-hoop roll bars can be swapped out for an FIA-compatible single-hoop should you decide to enter the heat of competition. It all sounds good, sure, but if you want one you'll have to shell out $84,321 at current conversion rates. Madness? This is the Spartan V.

Gallery: Spartan V

[Source: Spartan V]

Spartan V track car is a motorcycle on four wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bring the Noise: Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps reportedly safe... for now

Noah Joseph — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Government/Legal

Following earlier news that the Donington track, which was supposed to take over the British Grand Prix in lieu of Silverstone, had to declare bankruptcy comes a reversal of fortune for the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The longtime host of the Belgian Grand Prix looked to be in serious trouble with local authorities when nearby residents got fed up with the noise emanating from the track. Government officials threatened to shut down the circuit if the situation wasn't addressed, but now they appear to be singing a different tune.

According to the latest reports, the regional environment ministry has given Spa an exemption from noise regulations in light of the economic benefits the Belgian Grand Prix brings to the region. There are a few conditions, though. First of all, while they're willing to overlook the noise issue for the F1 race (and possibly a few other events), authorities will crack down at other times, even shutting down the track completely during parts of the summer. Beyond that, they've appointed a third party to monitor the noise levels, warning the track owners that their exemption will be up for review again within two years. So, while race organizers and fans can breathe a sigh of relief, it'll be a short breath, proving once again that racing and bureaucrats don't mix.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty]

Bring the Noise: Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps reportedly safe... for now originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus may offer decontented, track-focused LFA

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lexus

We're still trying to wrap our heads around yesterday's drive of the Lexus LFA, but before we give up the goods on Toyota's first V10-powered hypercar (check back on Monday), we cornered Paul Williamsen, the National Manager of Lexus College, about ToMoCo's plans to offer a harder, track-focused LFA.

In the last few years of development, Lexus considered building several more LFAs to be used in a one-make spec series to pit wealthy privateers against each other, further accentuating the LFA's extensive motorsport involvement. That plan fell by the wayside when Toyota decided to limit production to just 500 units.

However, Lexus is actively considering offering owners the option to purchase a decontented LFA, stripped of its luxurious, tech-laden interior and fitted with more track oriented features to be used as a weekend racer. A final decision hasn't been made yet, but Williamsen was clear that these hardened LFAs would have to be created out of the current allocation, as Lexus is intent on keeping production to a "hard" 500 units. Considering that nearly all the components fitted to the LFA were derived from prototypes that ran at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and other events (the suspension remains adjustable for corner balancing and nearly all the components on the race cars were serialed production pieces), it wouldn't take much to turn the LFA into a tried-and-true racer with a few thoughtful, minimal mods.

Lexus may offer decontented, track-focused LFA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fenders Optional: Irmscher rocks out with range of new 7s

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Convertible, Performance, Europe

European tuner Irmscher is branching out from Opels and Cadillacs if its latest project is any indication. The German outfit is marketing a new minimalist line of Irmscher 7 roadsters that begins with potent and peaks with outrageous. The basic, Lotus 7-esque naturally-aspirated model turns out 150 hp -- a healthy number when the car only weighs 1,650 pounds. On top of that are three turbocharged models fitted with Opel's 2.0-liter four-cylinder with outputs ranging from 210 to 284 hp, with the range-topper getting you to 60 mph in about four seconds.

The Irmscher 7 comes with a waterproof top, a custom suspension and, for those wide of beam, Irmscher says the "broad, long chassis is suitable for larger drivers." But you'll need an equally wide bank account to get one: the 210 hp model retails for €55,900 ($72,337 US), the price of the 284 hp beast is "auf Anfrage," which is German for "if you have to ask..."

[Source: Irmscher (translated)]

Fenders Optional: Irmscher rocks out with range of new 7s originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, UK, Specialty

With increasing restrictions and constricting traffic hampering driver's good times, many are looking to organized track days as an outlet for speedy thrills. This is especially true in the UK, where independent supercar manufacturer Farbio is based. And with that growing niche market in mind, Farbio has taken some weight out of its GTS supercar to give birth to its own Track Day Car.

Yes, that is its official name, and no, it's not very imaginative. But we have a feeling anyone who gets their hands on the car's steering wheel won't particularly care what it's called. From the standard GTS350 Supercharged, with its forced-induction 350hp 3.0-liter V6, Farbio has stripped out the interior, replaced the fuel tank with a sack, and fitted a new transmission and limited-slip differential as well as semi-slick Toyo R888 racing rubber. The more powerful GTS450 can also be ordered in Track Day Car specification, but Farbio will only build 25 examples in all, starting at £73,500 (equivalent to $112k USD) before optional extras. Farbio released only the one photo you see above (along with a press release you'll find after the jump), but you can check out the standard GTS in the gallery below.

Gallery: Farbio GTS

[Source: Farbio]

Continue reading Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car

Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai releases tech specs on 2010 Genesis Coupe

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hyundai

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai's headline figure for the 2.0-liter turbo-equipped Genesis coupe is 30 mpg. While we can't fault Hyundai for trying to hype the two-door's fuel efficiency, for us, there are more important numbers to look at. Primarily power and weight.

Make the jump for all the details.

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - Live Reveal

Continue reading Hyundai releases tech specs on 2010 Genesis Coupe

Hyundai releases tech specs on 2010 Genesis Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apocalypse Preparation, Part Deux: Mega Track on the attack

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Click above for a gallery of the Mega Track.

We stand corrected. There's one more vehicle we want in our underground bunker when the Rapture hits: the Mega Track. Built in 1995 by the French Axiam Group, it's the answer to a question that only a few of us were daft enough to ask. With a Mercedes-sourced 394-hp V12 mounted amidships sending power to all four wheels, the Mega Track had the ability to ford streams by day and hit up Monte Carlo at night. The stock ride height was set at eight-inches, but flick a switch and the Mega Track would rise to 13 inches, ensuring that no curb, planter or small shrub could stand in its way. Unfortunately, only five were made, so finding one could be tricky. We're searching Craigslist now and hope to be Mega-equipped before things get really messy.

Gallery: Mega Track

[Source: Supercars.net via Jalopnik]

Apocalypse Preparation, Part Deux: Mega Track on the attack originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 May 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Williams FW30 breaks through the fog

Noah Joseph — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:41:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

click above for more high-res pics of the Williams FW30

Things have gotten a bit foggy over at Williams F1. The once front-running, championship-winning grand prix team has landed on tough times. This year the team opted against holding a glitzy unveiling event like those held recently by Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota and BMW Sauber, and instead focused its energies on developing its new car, the FW30. It seemed like a strange choice for the team that will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and during the season will mark its 500th grand prix and 50,000th racing lap.

But while the team isn't holding an official unveiling, it has whipped up six special paint schemes to celebrate its milestones this year. (We doubt any of them will be as cool as Aston Martin's new-old Gulf livery, but hopefully they'll be better than Honda's tree-hugging paint scheme.) The first time the motorsport press got a glimpse of the new FW30 was yesterday at the Valencia track where the new car was being put through its paces.

Renault was also supposed to take out the R28, the new chariot it has developed for returning former champion Fernando Alonso, but the fog kept them indoors. Honda is scheduled to unveil its new car later this week, as well. Williams, for its part, is hoping the new FW30, powered under contract by Toyota and driven by Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima, will perform and be reliable enough to get it back on the track to its former winning form.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty]

Gallery: Williams FW30

Williams FW30 breaks through the fog originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 track attack

Dan Roth — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet

On a nice autumn day, some people go play golf. Others toss the pigskin around. Garage 419 shares our idea of a perfect fall day, though: Corvette Flogging. Not just any Corvette, either, but Garage 419's camera wonks were treated to plenty of neck-snapping fly-bys from the new Corvette ZR1. What more do we need to say? It looks great, it sounds great, it goes fast. There's a couple of interviews at the end of the clip that make you want the car even more by noting that there's only going to be about 2,500 made and with the General's crack suspension team on the job, the car won't pound you into renal failure. Maybe we should start playing the ten dollar scratch tickets in hopes of a bigger payout.

video posted after the jump

Thanks for the tip, Brian!

[Source: Garage419]

Continue reading VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 track attack

VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 track attack originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Bugatti developing $3m uber-Veyron track car

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Bugatti

Speculation over a potential second model from Bugatti has been a colossal roller-coaster. There were rumors of a super-luxury sedan, an entry-level roadster and a targa variant of the existing Veyron.

The Veyron was a pet project of former VW Group CEO Ferdinand Piech, who remains chairman of the VW supervisory board and is said to be keen on moving ahead with a follow-up to the Veyron. When Martin Winterkorn took over, however, he was reported to have shelved any plans for an additional model, prompting Bugatti CEO Thomas Bscher to resign. Bugatti then shifted to the control of Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen, who, after shoehorning the Veyron's engine into a Bentley Arnage luxury sedan, revealed last September that there would be an additional Bugatti coming.

Reports are now surfacing which indicate that the new model could be an even more expensive, even faster supercar than the Veyron. Whereas the Veyron, for all its enormous, time-bending power and speed, was designed as a comfortable grant tourer, the new model would be a tighter, more track-focused supercar. Power would likely come from a retuned version of the Veyron's 8-liter quad-turbo W16, which was long reported to be under-rated in its power production of 1000 hp, and is tipped to produce 1175 hp in the new version. Artistic renderings from German magazine Auto Motor und Sport depict the car with styling more akin to a Le Mans racer, with a protruding front splitter and an enormous rear wing.

The vehicle, currently rumored to be code-named "Project Lydia" after Ettore Bugatti's wife, would exceed the 400km/h top speed of the Veyron in pursuit of a Nurburgring lap time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. While these reports could very well turn out to be no more substantial than previous ones, if Bugatti did built Project Lydia in a reported run of 70 examples for a whopping ?2.5 million apiece, it would easily eclipse anything else out there.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Motor Authority]

Rumormill: Bugatti developing $3m uber-Veyron track car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creventic CR-8 takes Audi supercar to the track

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Supercars, Audi

Click on the image above to view additional images

It was only a matter of time. Audi unveils the R8 supercar, and somebody wants to take it racing. Leave it to the Dutch to pick up the slack, as Netherlands-based Creventic BV is preparing the "CR-8" for an assault on endurance sportscar racing.

Thus far, Creventic has been cautious with its modifications. The current CR-8 benefits from a remapped engine management system to produce 430 hp (ten horses over the stock 420) and the removal of the factory-installed low-gear restrictor, as well as a host of baubles and bolt-ons to the body to bring it up to race spec. 18-inch BBS competition rims wrapped in Toyo racing slicks are put in place, a 90-liter racing fuel tank installed and AST suspension components mounted at all four corners. Creventic is also working on squeezing more power out of the RS4-derived V8 engine, a race-spec sequential gearbox and carbon fiber body panels, among other competition modifications.

The first pair of CR-8s will be shown next month at the Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates for a race-track shakedown and public unveiling, with the first customer cars to be delivered shortly thereafter.

Check out CR-8.com for more details, and the gallery below for a whole mess of pics.

[Source: CR-8.com via Le Blog Auto]

Gallery: Creventic BV CR-8

Creventic CR-8 takes Audi supercar to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus builds its own Exelero, hits 205 mph at Nardo

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Maybach, Mini, Brabus

Click on the images to view in high-speed and high-resolution

Remember the Maybach Exelero? The ultra-premium marque from Merceceds-Benz built it almost two years ago as a high-speed test vehicle based on its Maybach 57 luxury sedan, but unfortunately never offered production versions to the public. To the rescue comes Brabus, those whacky German tuners who give the go-fast treatment to everything produced by the three-pointed star, from the Smart ForTwo all the way up to this 730-hp limousine.

Like the Exelero, Brabus' monster is based on the Maybach 57 and was built in order to achieve the highest speeds attainable. To get there, Brabus tuned the Maybach's twin-turbo V12 to the same standard as the CLS-based Brabus Rocket speed record car: that means boosting power from 550 hp to 730, thanks to an increase in displacement from 5.5 liters to 6.3, coupled with a new crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads... the works. The turbos were beefed up, and along with the intercoolers, a custom exhaust was installed and the ECU was reprogrammed.

The result is a top speed of 330.2 km/h (205.2 mph in American speak) achieved at the same Nardo test track in Italy where the Exelero was put through its places. A far cry from the 218.4 mph achieved by the Exelero, but not to shabby in its own right. And here you thought the S versions of the Maybach 57 and 62 were obscene enough....

Check out the images in the gallery below, and the press release after the jump.

[Source: Brabus]

Gallery: Brabus Maybach 57 @Nardo

Continue reading Brabus builds its own Exelero, hits 205 mph at Nardo

Brabus builds its own Exelero, hits 205 mph at Nardo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go your Own Way: Ultima GTR beats Top Gear lap record by 4� seconds

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Supercars

Ultima, one of several dozen independent British sportscar companies and makers of the GTR, could only take so much rejection. The cottage automaker claims it offered its road-legal race-car to the producers at BBC's hit TV show Top Gear several times, only to be repeatedly refused. So Ultima took things into its own hands, brought its latest fire-breather to the same converted airstrip that TG uses for a test track, retained a Stig of its own, and undertook to beat the fastest lap on the track.

Aside from the occasional exception like the Renault F1 car, the current record holder on Top Gear's power-lap board is the Koenigsegg CCX (which Top Gear can't spell). After the Stig famously spun the Swedish supercar off the track, the designers mounted a new rear wing to keep the tail planted, and the CCX set a fastest lap of 1:17.6, which was enough to beat the Ferrari Enzo, Maserati MC12 and Pagani Zonda that previously sat atop the chart.

Ultima drove the GTR720 to the track in full road trim and set a fast lap of 1:12.8, which easily beat the Koenigsegg. In fact, Ultima claims that at that rate, the GTR would lap an Enzo every 12 laps. Dang. Shame it would also beat the Ferrari in an ugly contest, though. Ultima says another visit in the more powerful 800-hp version is in the works.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Go your Own Way: Ultima GTR beats Top Gear lap record by 4� seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty! Ferrari 430 Scuderia - inside, out and upside down

Noah Joseph — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Ferrari

Click on the image above to jump to our 52-image high-resolution gallery

Can't get enough of Ferrari's latest hotness? Neither can we, and the first batch of eight official images to come out of Maranello just weren't enough. So we flew out to Germany and got some more from the 430 Scuderia's unveiling at the Frankfurt auto show. But that still wasn't enough. So we got in touch with Ferrari North America to ask for more, but unfortunately our requests went unheeded.

Thankfully our Italian friends over at Automobilismo.it came to the rescue with a whole F1-calibre convoy full of new press images of the new Scuderia, that stripped-out supercar that laps Ferrari's private Fiorano test track faster than any Ferrari road car in the company's sixty-year history - including the Enzo.

Without confirmation from Ferrari, we can't be 100% sure these are all factory-issued, but until we hear otherwise, we give you this gallery of 52 high-resolution images. Enjoy them, because it can't have been easy for the photographer to get the 430 Scuderia to stay still for long.

[Source: Ferrari via Automobilismo.it]

Gallery: Ferrari F430 Scuderia

Pics Aplenty! Ferrari 430 Scuderia - inside, out and upside down originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even more Radical: 455-hp SR8LM

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars

If for no other reason, love these cars for the utter straightforward simplicity of their name - they are exactly what they're called: Radical. While many sports car manufacturers claim the mantle as their own, few follow the creed of "racing car for the road" quite so faithfully as Radical, the small British outfit that produces track-day specials like the SR8. They may be certified for road use, but few concessions have been made towards comfort or usability. These cars are meant to be driven to the track and back home again.

As if its previous offerings weren't fast enough, Radical has now unveiled its latest race car for the road: the SR8LM. The LM designation should give you a clue in case the picture doesn't say it all. It's built to offer Le Mans prototype levels of performance to anyone with the means. While the "ordinary" SR8 is powered by a 360-hp Powertec-modified superbike engine from the Suzuki Hayabusa, bored out from 1.3-liters to 2.8 and designated RPA, the SR8LM gets the revised RPB powerplant pumping out a whopping 455 horses and revving to an atmospheric 10,500-rpm redline. The engine is mated to Radical's paddle-operated Powertec P-tec transaxle and PS1 pneumatic shifter that have been engineered for foot-to-the-floor upshifts and automatically blips the throttle on the way back down.

While we don't have performance stats just yet, Radical claims the new £89,000 SR8LM will keep pace with actual Le Mans prototype race cars. That's quite a claim, but considering that the previous 360hp SR8 already holds the record for fastest street-legal car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife at 6' 55", that may not be so far-fetched.

(Press release after the jump.)

[Source: Radical]

Continue reading Even more Radical: 455-hp SR8LM

Even more Radical: 455-hp SR8LM originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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