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Zenvo Cars
Zenvo or Zenvo Automotive is a Danish sports car company located near Viby Sjælland on the Danish island of Zealand. It is managed by Jesper Jensen, the founder and financier, and Troels Vollertsen. The name 'Zenvo' is derived from a combination of their names.
Zenvo Automotive was founded in 2004. The prototype was completed in December 2008 and after the final phase of testing, production began in 2009. The designation of the car is Zenvo ST1. Only 15 cars are to be built and will be sold to approved customers.
Despite its power and large alloy wheels, the car is small, at just 15.3 ft (4.7 m) long, 6.7 ft (2.0 m) wide, and 3.9 ft (1.2 m) tall. It weighs just over 3,020 lb (1,370 kg) thanks to carbon fiber body panels.
Zenvo Automotive was founded in 2004. The prototype was completed in December 2008 and after the final phase of testing, production began in 2009. The designation of the car is Zenvo ST1. Only 15 cars are to be built and will be sold to approved customers.
Zenvo Cars On The Road
Zenvo Cars Review
The Zenvo is a high performance sports car. While power is available through its supercharger and turbo, it will still be driveable for everyday use. Its 7-litre V8 engine will achieve 1,104 hp (823 kW) at 6,900 rpm and 1,430 N·m (1,050 lb·ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm. Indeed, according to The Motor Report, recent tests returned a 0-100 km/h time of 3.0 seconds, while 0-200 km/h took only 8.9 seconds, and a top speed of 233.014mph.Zenvo offers keyless entry, satellite navigation, power telescoping steering wheel, and leather electrically adjustable racing seats.Zenvo Cars Review
According to Jesper Jensen and Troels Vollertsen, the two-man team behind the ST1, some 50 Bugattis are produced each year. Though they are among the world's most expensive cars, exclusive customers will only buy them if they are unique. That explains why they have decided to keep the Zenvo series down to just 15 cars.The Zenvo is entirely a result of Danish design. The carbon fibre body is made in Germany and many components such as gauges, gas tank, ABS brakes, anti-spin, airbags and such come from US or German cars. The car's aggressive lines were designed by Christian Brandt and Jesper Hermann who own the car design consultancy hermann&brandt. Brandt, who was head of design on the project, has also worked for Alfa Romeo and Kleemann, an after-market tuning company for customising Mercedes-Benz cars located in Farum, Denmark.
Despite its power and large alloy wheels, the car is small, at just 15.3 ft (4.7 m) long, 6.7 ft (2.0 m) wide, and 3.9 ft (1.2 m) tall. It weighs just over 3,020 lb (1,370 kg) thanks to carbon fiber body panels.
2010 VW Passat the Auto Cars
2010 VW Passat Photo
2010 VW Passat Pics
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat ranks 13 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Passat, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is an affordable midsize car with an interior that almost belongs in a more expensive class, combined with with suspension tuning that makes it fun to drive and an excellent safety record. However, it's also one of the most expensive midsize cars, particularly when fully loaded with options.
The 2010 VW Passat offers a near-luxury level of refinement, and excellent road manners. It also offers a near-luxury price. Edmunds notes, "For many folks, the Passat fills the gap that exists between normal, humdrum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands."
Reviewers aren't sure what to make of the car because of that unusual status, floating between affordable and luxury classes. The 2010 Volkswagen Passat, most critics say, is an enjoyable car to drive. It offers a refined, smooth ride, and sharp handling for a family car. Its interior is a step up from those of most Affordable Midsize Cars, with high-quality materials and fine attention to detail.
Its high price, however, can be hard to justify. Volkswagen's midsize car isn't among the class leaders in fuel economy, either -- making it an expensive car to own.
Other Cars to Consider
The Passat is known for its tight handling, but high price. Those looking for a fun-to-drive midsize car might want to consider the Mazda6 or Ford Fusion as well. Both cars offer similar athleticism at a lower price. The all-new Suzuki Kizashi is a bit smaller, but may be the sportiest entry in the midsize category.
Volkswagen loyalists might also want to look closely at VW's other midsize car. The stylish CC uses many of the same parts as the Passat, but offers an even more upscale feel with similar driving dynamics. Many VW dealerships now stock a greater variety of 2010 CCs than Passats.
Volkswagen Passat: The Details
Volkswagen has scaled back Passat production significantly, as the company prepares to replace the aging model. For 2010, Volkswagen will build only a single trim level for the Passat, available as a sedan or wagon. VW offering free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles on all Passats.
2010 VW Passat Pics
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat ranks 13 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Passat, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is an affordable midsize car with an interior that almost belongs in a more expensive class, combined with with suspension tuning that makes it fun to drive and an excellent safety record. However, it's also one of the most expensive midsize cars, particularly when fully loaded with options.
The 2010 VW Passat offers a near-luxury level of refinement, and excellent road manners. It also offers a near-luxury price. Edmunds notes, "For many folks, the Passat fills the gap that exists between normal, humdrum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands."
Reviewers aren't sure what to make of the car because of that unusual status, floating between affordable and luxury classes. The 2010 Volkswagen Passat, most critics say, is an enjoyable car to drive. It offers a refined, smooth ride, and sharp handling for a family car. Its interior is a step up from those of most Affordable Midsize Cars, with high-quality materials and fine attention to detail.
Its high price, however, can be hard to justify. Volkswagen's midsize car isn't among the class leaders in fuel economy, either -- making it an expensive car to own.
Other Cars to Consider
The Passat is known for its tight handling, but high price. Those looking for a fun-to-drive midsize car might want to consider the Mazda6 or Ford Fusion as well. Both cars offer similar athleticism at a lower price. The all-new Suzuki Kizashi is a bit smaller, but may be the sportiest entry in the midsize category.
Volkswagen loyalists might also want to look closely at VW's other midsize car. The stylish CC uses many of the same parts as the Passat, but offers an even more upscale feel with similar driving dynamics. Many VW dealerships now stock a greater variety of 2010 CCs than Passats.
Volkswagen Passat: The Details
Volkswagen has scaled back Passat production significantly, as the company prepares to replace the aging model. For 2010, Volkswagen will build only a single trim level for the Passat, available as a sedan or wagon. VW offering free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles on all Passats.
Lancia Stratos HF
The Lancia Stratos HF, widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a car made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for High Fidelity. It was a very successful rally car, winning the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976.The Stratos was a very successful rally car during the 1970s and early 1980s. It started a new era in rallying as it was the first car designed from scratch for this kind of competition. The three leading men behind the entire rallying project were Lancia team manager Cesare Fiorio, British racer/engineer Mike Parkes and factory rally driver Sandro Munari. The bodywork was designed by Marcello Gandini, head designer at Bertone, and the technical layout was loosely based on a (Lancia Fulvia V4 powered) concept car called Stratos Zero which had been first shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1970. The body was wedge-shaped, and unusually short and wide, providing maximum traction. In 1971 Lancia presented the Lancia Stratos HF prototype at the Turin Motor Show. The prototype (Chassis 1240) was fluorescent red in colour and featured a distinctive crescent-shaped-wrap-around windshield providing maximum forward visibility with almost no rear visibility. The prototype had three different engines in its early development life: the Lancia Fulvia engine, the Lancia Beta engine and finally the mid-mounted Dino Ferrari V6. Lancia did extensive testing with the Stratos and raced the car in several racing events where Group 5 prototypes were allowed during the 1972 and 1973 seasons. Production of the 500 cars required for homologation in Group 4 commenced in 1973 and the Stratos was homologated for the 1974 World Rally Championship. The Ferrari Dino V6 engine was phased out in 1974, but 500 engines among the last built were delivered to Lancia. Production ended in 1975 when it was thought that only 492 were made. Manufacturer of the car was by Bertone in Turin, with final assembly by Lancia at the Chivasso plant. Powered by the Dino 2.4 L V6 engine that was also fitted to the rallying versions, but in a lower state of tune, it resulted in a power output of 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS), giving the road car a 0-60 time of just under five seconds, and a top speed of 144 mph (233 km/h). The car was sold as the Lancia Stratos Stradale.
For racing, the engine was tuned up to 280 hp (209 kW) and even to 560 hp (418 kW) with a single KKK turbocharger. However, turbocharged versions were only allowed to compete in Group 5 and were never as reliable as their naturally aspirated counterparts. The car won the 1974, 1975 and 1976 championship titles in the hands of Sandro Munari and Björn Waldegård, and might have gone on to win more had not internal politics within the Fiat group placed rallying responsibility on the Fiat 131 Abarths. As well as victories on the 1975, 1976 and 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, all courtesy of Munari, the Stratos won the event with the private Chardonnet Team as late as 1979. Without support from Fiat, and despite new regulations that restricted engine power, the car would remain a serious competitor and proved able to beat works cars in several occasions when entered by an experienced private team with a talented driver. The final chapter of the Stratos' racing career at international level took place as late as 1981, at the Tour de Corse Automobile, another World Rally Championship event, with a victory by longtime Stratos privateer Bernard Darniche. When the Fiat group favored the Fiat 131 for rallying Lancia also built two Group 5 turbocharged 'silhouette' Stratos for closed-track endurance racing. These cars failed against the Porsche 935s on closed tracks but proved successful in hybrid events. While they failed in the Tour de France Automobile, one of these cars won the 1976 Giro d'Italia Automobilistico, an Italian counterpart of the Tour de France Automobile. Unfortunately one of the cars was destroyed in Zeltweg, when it caught fire due to overheating problems. The last surviving car would win the Giro d'Italia event again before it was shipped to Japan to compete in the Fuji Speedway based Formula Silhouette series, which was never raced. The car would then be sold and reside in the Matsuda Collection before then being sold to the renowned collector of Stratos', Christian Hrabalek, a car designer and the founder of Fenomenon Ltd, who has the largest Lancia Stratos Collection in the world, 11 unique Lancia Stratos cars, including the fluorescent red 1971 factory prototype and the 1977 Safari Rally car. His interest in the car led to the development of the Fenomenon Stratos in 2005.Another unique Group 5 car is the Lancia Stratos HF of Austrian Rallycross driver Andy Bentza. The car was first driven by his Memphis team mate Franz Wurz, father of Formula One pilot Alexander Wurz. In 1976 Wurz claimed the first ever European Rallycross title recognised by the FIA with the car, by then still equipped with a 2.4 litre engine. For the ERC series of 1977 Wurz was entrusted with two experimental crankshafts by Mike Parkes, to bring the engine capacity up to just under 3000 cc. For 1978 Bentza took the Stratos over from Wurz, sold his own 2.4 litre Stratos to compatriot Reneé Vontsina, and won the GT Division title of the ERC. The one and only 3.0 litre Stratos was raced by Bentza till the mid 1980s, is nowadays still his property and ready to race. However, one of the two experimental crankshafts received from the Lancia factory was destroyed during a Rallycross event in the early 1980s.
In 1978, Bertone created and designed a concept car based on the Stratos called the Sibilo, although it was never intended for production.At the Geneva Auto Show of 2005, a British design firm known as Fenomenon debuted a retromodern concept version of the Stratos, designed by Christian Hrabalec and following its exhibition at the Frankfurt show, developed by Prodrive. The concept was based around a mid-mounted 419bhp V8. It turned out that this company had the rights to the Stratos name.Following the stalled Fernomenon project, one interested backer was convinced to fund a one-off model. Commissioned by Michael Stoschek (a keen rally driver and chairman of Brose Group) and his son, Maximilian. Announced in 2010, the new Stratos based on the overall design and concept of the original seventies Stratos and was designed by Pininfarina. The car made use of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia as a donor car, making use of the chassis (shortened by 200mm) and much of the mechanical elements including the 4.3L V8 engine. It was reported that if sufficient interest was shown it would result in a small production run. The car appeared in Michael Jackson's 1988 film, Moonwalker as well as in his music video for Smooth Criminal. In the anime Ex-Driver the main character Lisa Sakakino drives a Stratos. In the manga and anime series Ghost in the Shell, Batou drives a Stratos. Wheeljack, a character in the Transformers franchise, transforms into a Stratos sporting Alitalia racing livery.
For racing, the engine was tuned up to 280 hp (209 kW) and even to 560 hp (418 kW) with a single KKK turbocharger. However, turbocharged versions were only allowed to compete in Group 5 and were never as reliable as their naturally aspirated counterparts. The car won the 1974, 1975 and 1976 championship titles in the hands of Sandro Munari and Björn Waldegård, and might have gone on to win more had not internal politics within the Fiat group placed rallying responsibility on the Fiat 131 Abarths. As well as victories on the 1975, 1976 and 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, all courtesy of Munari, the Stratos won the event with the private Chardonnet Team as late as 1979. Without support from Fiat, and despite new regulations that restricted engine power, the car would remain a serious competitor and proved able to beat works cars in several occasions when entered by an experienced private team with a talented driver. The final chapter of the Stratos' racing career at international level took place as late as 1981, at the Tour de Corse Automobile, another World Rally Championship event, with a victory by longtime Stratos privateer Bernard Darniche. When the Fiat group favored the Fiat 131 for rallying Lancia also built two Group 5 turbocharged 'silhouette' Stratos for closed-track endurance racing. These cars failed against the Porsche 935s on closed tracks but proved successful in hybrid events. While they failed in the Tour de France Automobile, one of these cars won the 1976 Giro d'Italia Automobilistico, an Italian counterpart of the Tour de France Automobile. Unfortunately one of the cars was destroyed in Zeltweg, when it caught fire due to overheating problems. The last surviving car would win the Giro d'Italia event again before it was shipped to Japan to compete in the Fuji Speedway based Formula Silhouette series, which was never raced. The car would then be sold and reside in the Matsuda Collection before then being sold to the renowned collector of Stratos', Christian Hrabalek, a car designer and the founder of Fenomenon Ltd, who has the largest Lancia Stratos Collection in the world, 11 unique Lancia Stratos cars, including the fluorescent red 1971 factory prototype and the 1977 Safari Rally car. His interest in the car led to the development of the Fenomenon Stratos in 2005.Another unique Group 5 car is the Lancia Stratos HF of Austrian Rallycross driver Andy Bentza. The car was first driven by his Memphis team mate Franz Wurz, father of Formula One pilot Alexander Wurz. In 1976 Wurz claimed the first ever European Rallycross title recognised by the FIA with the car, by then still equipped with a 2.4 litre engine. For the ERC series of 1977 Wurz was entrusted with two experimental crankshafts by Mike Parkes, to bring the engine capacity up to just under 3000 cc. For 1978 Bentza took the Stratos over from Wurz, sold his own 2.4 litre Stratos to compatriot Reneé Vontsina, and won the GT Division title of the ERC. The one and only 3.0 litre Stratos was raced by Bentza till the mid 1980s, is nowadays still his property and ready to race. However, one of the two experimental crankshafts received from the Lancia factory was destroyed during a Rallycross event in the early 1980s.
In 1978, Bertone created and designed a concept car based on the Stratos called the Sibilo, although it was never intended for production.At the Geneva Auto Show of 2005, a British design firm known as Fenomenon debuted a retromodern concept version of the Stratos, designed by Christian Hrabalec and following its exhibition at the Frankfurt show, developed by Prodrive. The concept was based around a mid-mounted 419bhp V8. It turned out that this company had the rights to the Stratos name.Following the stalled Fernomenon project, one interested backer was convinced to fund a one-off model. Commissioned by Michael Stoschek (a keen rally driver and chairman of Brose Group) and his son, Maximilian. Announced in 2010, the new Stratos based on the overall design and concept of the original seventies Stratos and was designed by Pininfarina. The car made use of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia as a donor car, making use of the chassis (shortened by 200mm) and much of the mechanical elements including the 4.3L V8 engine. It was reported that if sufficient interest was shown it would result in a small production run. The car appeared in Michael Jackson's 1988 film, Moonwalker as well as in his music video for Smooth Criminal. In the anime Ex-Driver the main character Lisa Sakakino drives a Stratos. In the manga and anime series Ghost in the Shell, Batou drives a Stratos. Wheeljack, a character in the Transformers franchise, transforms into a Stratos sporting Alitalia racing livery.
2011 Artega GT
The Artega GT, another automobile brand from Germany, debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year on March but it’s on display again at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The price tag of the Artega GT is at €74,948 or $104,000 in Germany with taxes. The car is powered by a VW 300 Hp 3.6 liter V6 direct-injection engine located right behind the driver and produces maximum torque of 350 Nm at 2400/min. The Artega Gt is weighted at 1100 kg without passenger. Artega claimed that the GT could sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and with a top speed of more than 270 km/h. The Artega GT will be on sale in early 2008.
Technical specification of the Artega GT. Frame: Aluminum spaceframe. Rear module tubular space frame of high-tensile stainless steel. Bodywork: Carbon fiber reinforced compound material. Dimensions (L X B X H): 3950 x 1880 x 1180 mm. Empty weight: About 1100 kg. Kg/PS: About 3.6 kg/PS. Engine: V6 direct-injection engine in the rear. Displacement: 3597 ccm. Performance: 221 kW (300 PS) at 6600/min. Torque: 350 Nm at 2400/min. Drive: Rear-wheel-drive. Transmission: Six-speed direct-shift with Artega inverting stage (pat.appl.). Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: less than 5 sec. Speed: more than 270 km/h.
It’s often said that with today’s safety standards, it’s impossible to design a car with the stunning and savage grace of the Lamborghini Miura. Henrik Fisker would say otherwise. This is the Artega GT, the designer’s compact, mid-engined supercar. The thing exudes brutal beauty. Its muscular form terrifies asphalt, threatens twisty roads. Sure, it’s not as graceful and sleek as the Miura, but I think it’s as close as we’re gonna get in this era of hyper safety standards. Performance wise, the Artega GT would give the Miura a run for its money. The 2,400-pound sports car can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and reach a 170 mph terminal velocity—without achieving liftoff. It’s powered by a 300-horsepower, 3.6-liter VW V6, which isn’t the sexiest power plant around, but it gets the job done. Price? A steal at less than $90,000. The Artega GT is supposed to be available late this year. Hit the jump for more pics.
Technical specification of the Artega GT. Frame: Aluminum spaceframe. Rear module tubular space frame of high-tensile stainless steel. Bodywork: Carbon fiber reinforced compound material. Dimensions (L X B X H): 3950 x 1880 x 1180 mm. Empty weight: About 1100 kg. Kg/PS: About 3.6 kg/PS. Engine: V6 direct-injection engine in the rear. Displacement: 3597 ccm. Performance: 221 kW (300 PS) at 6600/min. Torque: 350 Nm at 2400/min. Drive: Rear-wheel-drive. Transmission: Six-speed direct-shift with Artega inverting stage (pat.appl.). Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: less than 5 sec. Speed: more than 270 km/h.
It’s often said that with today’s safety standards, it’s impossible to design a car with the stunning and savage grace of the Lamborghini Miura. Henrik Fisker would say otherwise. This is the Artega GT, the designer’s compact, mid-engined supercar. The thing exudes brutal beauty. Its muscular form terrifies asphalt, threatens twisty roads. Sure, it’s not as graceful and sleek as the Miura, but I think it’s as close as we’re gonna get in this era of hyper safety standards. Performance wise, the Artega GT would give the Miura a run for its money. The 2,400-pound sports car can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and reach a 170 mph terminal velocity—without achieving liftoff. It’s powered by a 300-horsepower, 3.6-liter VW V6, which isn’t the sexiest power plant around, but it gets the job done. Price? A steal at less than $90,000. The Artega GT is supposed to be available late this year. Hit the jump for more pics.
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2011 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact/compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million sold as of 2007. Over the past 40 years, one Corolla car has been sold on average every 40 seconds. The series has undergone several major redesigns.
The name Corolla is part of Toyota's naming tradition of using the name Crown for primary models: the Corona, for example, gets its name from the Latin for crown; Corolla is Latin for small crown; and Camry is an Anglicized pronunciation of the Japanese for crown, kanmuri.
Corollas are manufactured in Japan and in Brazil (Indaiatuba, São Paulo), Canada (Cambridge, Ontario), China (Tianjin), India (Bangalore), Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom (Derbyshire) and Venezuela. Production has previously been made in Australia (Victoria). Production in the United States (Fremont, California) ended in March 2010.
The Corolla's chassis designation code is "E", as described in Toyota's chassis and engine codes.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is a luxury-type sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by the Jaguar Land Rover business unit of India's Tata MotorsThe chassis has been adapted from the integrated bodyframe, semi-monocoque, independently suspended design which debuted on the Discovery 3 in 2004. This allegedly gives the Range Rover Sport the refinement and structural rigidity advantages of a monocoque chassis with the robustness of a separate chassis design for off-road applications. It also allows for less expensive manufacturing of the vehicles due to a large number of common components. Although sitting on a modified version of the Discovery 3’s chassis, it is smaller than its more utilitarian sibling in every dimension with a wheelbase shorter by 140 mm (5.5 in). Its smaller dimensions and its raked roofline make it impossible to accommodate third-row occupants like the Discovery 3, but as a sports tourer it was never intended to be a seven-seater. Brembo front brakes are standard on all models except the TDV6. The Range Rover Sport made its first appearance in late 2004, in concept car guise as the Range Stormer. This was a low-slung, short wheelbase 3-door coupe that depicted a significant aberration in design brief for a Land Rover. The marque's first complete concept car sported split-folding gullwing doors, one-piece skeletal seats and 22 inch alloys. To the disappointment of many, the Range Rover Sport was comparably of much more conservative design featuring five doors and a wheelbase hardly shorter than that of the Range Rover Vogue.
The range-topping Sport is powered by a supercharged 4.2 litre all-aluminium Jaguar AJ-V8 producing 390 hp (290 kW) and 550 N·m (410 lb·ft), making it the second most powerful vehicle in the company's history, second to the larger Range Rover Vogue Supercharged which produces 400 hp (300 kW). A naturally-aspirated 4.4 litre variant produces 300 hp (220 kW) and 425 N·m (313 lb·ft) and has been adapted by Land Rover with a slightly greater capacity and increased torque. Both petrol engines have been designed with a sump and oil pick-up system to allow for operation at extreme angles. Due to lack of popularity, the naturally-aspirated power plant was omitted from the UK market in 2007. The advanced 2.7 litre turbodiesel TD V6 is an adaptation of the PSA/Ford development and produces 190 hp (140 kW) and 440 N·m (320 lb·ft) in Land Rover guise. It features a compacted graphite iron block and aluminium cylinder head with fast switching piezo crystal injectors. Debuting in both the Sport and Vogue in 2007 was the 3.6 litre twin turbodiesel TDV8. This engine is a further adaptation of the TDV6 but features a 90 degree block (as opposed to a 60 degree layout), twin variable geometry turbochargers and inlet valve deactivation. Unlike the TDV6 (and despite consistent rumours about the engine making an appearance in Jaguar or Ford products) the TDV8 has so far remained a Range Rover-only engine. All engine variants are mated to an adaptive six-speed ZF automatic transmission with CommandShift which reacts and adapts to varying driving styles. CommandShift gives the driver the freedom to sequentially manipulate gear changes.The Sport has suspension components similar to a Porsche 911. Cross-linked air suspension, as standard, gives the driver the option of three ride height settings including a standard ride height of 172 mm (6.8 in), an off-road height of 227 mm (8.9 in) and a lowered access mode. There is also an extra height available which is accessed by holding the respective button for when the off-road ride height is not enough. When the vehicle bellies out, its control system will sense weight being lessened on the air springs and the ride height is automatically raised to the suspensions greatest articulation. The cross-link aspect of the suspension system, which debuted on the L322 Range Rover in 2002, results in better off-road performance by electronically operating valves in pneumatic lines which link adjacent air springs. In the event of a wheel on one side being raised when travelling off-road, the pneumatic valves are opened and the adjacent wheel is forced down, simulating the action of a live axle setup.Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response system which debuted on the Discovery 3 is fitted as standard on all models. Terrain Response allows the driver to adjust chassis and transmission settings to suit the terrain being traversed. Five settings are available via a rotary knob on the centre console. These include general driving; grass, gravel, snow; mud and ruts; sand; and rock crawl. Suspension ride height, engine management, throttle mapping, transfer case ranges, transmission settings, electronic driving aids (such as electronic traction control (ETC), dynamic stability control (DSC) and hill descent control (HDC)) and electronic e-diffs are all manipulated through the Terrain Response system. All Range Rover Sports are equipped with a standard centre e-diff from Magna Steyr Powertrain which electronically locks and unlocks and apportions torque via means of a multi-plate clutch pack located in the transfer case which also offers ‘shift-on-the-move’ dual-range operation. A rear e-diff is optional on all Range Rover Sport models and is able to lock and unlock instantaneously. An in-dash display is available which, among other things, is linked to Terrain Response and displays important off-road information such as the status of the e-diffs, the angle of the steering and wheel articulation. It is also able to inform the driver of wheels which do not have contact with the ground.
Dynamic Response incorporates active electro-hydraulic anti-sway bars which react to cornering forces and activate and deactivate accordingly resulting in sublime on-road handling.[citation needed] Dynamic Response also aids off-road performance by decoupling the anti-sway bars to allow maximum wheel articulation. The system in an evolution of the acclaimed ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) system available on the Discovery Series II but is described as proactive rather than reactive. Positive Torque, a system standard on all TDV8 and Supercharged models, electronically blips the throttle, resulting in faster downshifts and the availability of vast reserves of torque. The speed sensitive steering system, adopted from Jaguar is standard on all models and there’s the option of active bi-xenon headlamps which act with the angle of the steering to aid vision. Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert system incorporates an integrated front bumper radar which detects vehicles travelling ahead and adapts the vehicle’s speed to match. The system scans the road ten times a second, has a 16 degree field of view and Land Rover claims it is able to discriminate between a heavy vehicle and an adjacent lane motorcycle travelling at least 180 metres (590 ft) ahead. Four preset distances are selectable and will ensure the Sport maintains the desired distance from the vehicle it is following.The 2010 model year Range Rover Sport made its debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2009. The Sport experienced a mild facelift with a more aerodynamic front-end including new headlamps, grille and bumper. Also new are revised taillamps and rear bumper. Interior revisions are more significant with a new fascia, steering wheel, door linings, seats, instruments and switchgear. The new model has more leather apparent and nearly 50 percent less dash bound buttons than the current model. Three new engines have made their debut. These include an all-new direct injected, all-aluminium 5.0 litre petrol V8 in naturally-aspirated and supercharged guises as seen in Jaguar’s latest range of high performance vehicles. The naturally aspirated model produces 283 kW (385 PS; 380 hp) whilst the supercharged produces 373 kW (507 PS; 500 hp). Also new is a heavily revised 3.0 litre version of the current 2.7 litre TDV6 producing 180 kW (240 PS; 240 hp) and 600 N·m (440 lb·ft), adapted from Jaguar’s AJ-V6D Gen III. This engine features parallel sequential turbochargers - a single variable geometry turbocharger and a single fixed geometry turbocharger which is only active when required as seen on the Jaguar XF Diesel S. All of the new engines produce increased power and torque over their predecessors whilst delivering better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. Fitted with a sixth generation twin-vortex supercharger with an improved thermodynamic efficiency of 16 percent, the new 5.0 litre supercharged engine produces 29 percent more power and 12 percent more torque than the current 4.2 litre engine, yet CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are improved by 5.6 percent and 6.2 percent respectively. The new 3.0 litre TDV6 engine produces 29 percent more power and 36 percent more torque than the 2.7 litre engine, yet CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are both improved by 9 percent. The 2010 model year Sport is also fitted with the new ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission. Designed to improve performance and efficiency, the new transmission engages the lock-up clutches of each gear earlier after selection. Suspension refinements have also occurred with the introduction of the world’s first production damping system using model-based predictive technology that continually optimise the settings of the new DampTronic Valve Technology damper units to optimise vehicle ride and control. Further improvements to the award winning Terrain Response system have taken place for 2010. Revisions to the rock crawl programme reduce roll when traversing boulders delivering a more composed ride over rocky terrain. The addition of a new 'sand launch control' prevents wheels digging in when driving away in soft sand thanks to revisions to the traction control system. The Hill Descent Control system has also been enhanced with the addition of Gradient Release Control, which inhibits the initial rate of acceleration when descending steep inclines. The new LR4 shows a slight variation of the Sport's front.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Reviews
The range-topping Sport is powered by a supercharged 4.2 litre all-aluminium Jaguar AJ-V8 producing 390 hp (290 kW) and 550 N·m (410 lb·ft), making it the second most powerful vehicle in the company's history, second to the larger Range Rover Vogue Supercharged which produces 400 hp (300 kW). A naturally-aspirated 4.4 litre variant produces 300 hp (220 kW) and 425 N·m (313 lb·ft) and has been adapted by Land Rover with a slightly greater capacity and increased torque. Both petrol engines have been designed with a sump and oil pick-up system to allow for operation at extreme angles. Due to lack of popularity, the naturally-aspirated power plant was omitted from the UK market in 2007. The advanced 2.7 litre turbodiesel TD V6 is an adaptation of the PSA/Ford development and produces 190 hp (140 kW) and 440 N·m (320 lb·ft) in Land Rover guise. It features a compacted graphite iron block and aluminium cylinder head with fast switching piezo crystal injectors. Debuting in both the Sport and Vogue in 2007 was the 3.6 litre twin turbodiesel TDV8. This engine is a further adaptation of the TDV6 but features a 90 degree block (as opposed to a 60 degree layout), twin variable geometry turbochargers and inlet valve deactivation. Unlike the TDV6 (and despite consistent rumours about the engine making an appearance in Jaguar or Ford products) the TDV8 has so far remained a Range Rover-only engine. All engine variants are mated to an adaptive six-speed ZF automatic transmission with CommandShift which reacts and adapts to varying driving styles. CommandShift gives the driver the freedom to sequentially manipulate gear changes.The Sport has suspension components similar to a Porsche 911. Cross-linked air suspension, as standard, gives the driver the option of three ride height settings including a standard ride height of 172 mm (6.8 in), an off-road height of 227 mm (8.9 in) and a lowered access mode. There is also an extra height available which is accessed by holding the respective button for when the off-road ride height is not enough. When the vehicle bellies out, its control system will sense weight being lessened on the air springs and the ride height is automatically raised to the suspensions greatest articulation. The cross-link aspect of the suspension system, which debuted on the L322 Range Rover in 2002, results in better off-road performance by electronically operating valves in pneumatic lines which link adjacent air springs. In the event of a wheel on one side being raised when travelling off-road, the pneumatic valves are opened and the adjacent wheel is forced down, simulating the action of a live axle setup.Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response system which debuted on the Discovery 3 is fitted as standard on all models. Terrain Response allows the driver to adjust chassis and transmission settings to suit the terrain being traversed. Five settings are available via a rotary knob on the centre console. These include general driving; grass, gravel, snow; mud and ruts; sand; and rock crawl. Suspension ride height, engine management, throttle mapping, transfer case ranges, transmission settings, electronic driving aids (such as electronic traction control (ETC), dynamic stability control (DSC) and hill descent control (HDC)) and electronic e-diffs are all manipulated through the Terrain Response system. All Range Rover Sports are equipped with a standard centre e-diff from Magna Steyr Powertrain which electronically locks and unlocks and apportions torque via means of a multi-plate clutch pack located in the transfer case which also offers ‘shift-on-the-move’ dual-range operation. A rear e-diff is optional on all Range Rover Sport models and is able to lock and unlock instantaneously. An in-dash display is available which, among other things, is linked to Terrain Response and displays important off-road information such as the status of the e-diffs, the angle of the steering and wheel articulation. It is also able to inform the driver of wheels which do not have contact with the ground.
Dynamic Response incorporates active electro-hydraulic anti-sway bars which react to cornering forces and activate and deactivate accordingly resulting in sublime on-road handling.[citation needed] Dynamic Response also aids off-road performance by decoupling the anti-sway bars to allow maximum wheel articulation. The system in an evolution of the acclaimed ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) system available on the Discovery Series II but is described as proactive rather than reactive. Positive Torque, a system standard on all TDV8 and Supercharged models, electronically blips the throttle, resulting in faster downshifts and the availability of vast reserves of torque. The speed sensitive steering system, adopted from Jaguar is standard on all models and there’s the option of active bi-xenon headlamps which act with the angle of the steering to aid vision. Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert system incorporates an integrated front bumper radar which detects vehicles travelling ahead and adapts the vehicle’s speed to match. The system scans the road ten times a second, has a 16 degree field of view and Land Rover claims it is able to discriminate between a heavy vehicle and an adjacent lane motorcycle travelling at least 180 metres (590 ft) ahead. Four preset distances are selectable and will ensure the Sport maintains the desired distance from the vehicle it is following.The 2010 model year Range Rover Sport made its debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2009. The Sport experienced a mild facelift with a more aerodynamic front-end including new headlamps, grille and bumper. Also new are revised taillamps and rear bumper. Interior revisions are more significant with a new fascia, steering wheel, door linings, seats, instruments and switchgear. The new model has more leather apparent and nearly 50 percent less dash bound buttons than the current model. Three new engines have made their debut. These include an all-new direct injected, all-aluminium 5.0 litre petrol V8 in naturally-aspirated and supercharged guises as seen in Jaguar’s latest range of high performance vehicles. The naturally aspirated model produces 283 kW (385 PS; 380 hp) whilst the supercharged produces 373 kW (507 PS; 500 hp). Also new is a heavily revised 3.0 litre version of the current 2.7 litre TDV6 producing 180 kW (240 PS; 240 hp) and 600 N·m (440 lb·ft), adapted from Jaguar’s AJ-V6D Gen III. This engine features parallel sequential turbochargers - a single variable geometry turbocharger and a single fixed geometry turbocharger which is only active when required as seen on the Jaguar XF Diesel S. All of the new engines produce increased power and torque over their predecessors whilst delivering better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. Fitted with a sixth generation twin-vortex supercharger with an improved thermodynamic efficiency of 16 percent, the new 5.0 litre supercharged engine produces 29 percent more power and 12 percent more torque than the current 4.2 litre engine, yet CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are improved by 5.6 percent and 6.2 percent respectively. The new 3.0 litre TDV6 engine produces 29 percent more power and 36 percent more torque than the 2.7 litre engine, yet CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are both improved by 9 percent. The 2010 model year Sport is also fitted with the new ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission. Designed to improve performance and efficiency, the new transmission engages the lock-up clutches of each gear earlier after selection. Suspension refinements have also occurred with the introduction of the world’s first production damping system using model-based predictive technology that continually optimise the settings of the new DampTronic Valve Technology damper units to optimise vehicle ride and control. Further improvements to the award winning Terrain Response system have taken place for 2010. Revisions to the rock crawl programme reduce roll when traversing boulders delivering a more composed ride over rocky terrain. The addition of a new 'sand launch control' prevents wheels digging in when driving away in soft sand thanks to revisions to the traction control system. The Hill Descent Control system has also been enhanced with the addition of Gradient Release Control, which inhibits the initial rate of acceleration when descending steep inclines. The new LR4 shows a slight variation of the Sport's front.
Kit Cars
A kit car is an automobile that is available as a set of parts that a manufacturer sells and the buyer then either assembles into a car themselves, or retains a third party to do part or all of the work on their behalf. Usually, many of the major mechanical systems such as the engine and transmission are sourced from donor vehicles or purchased from other vendors new. Kits vary in completeness ranging from as little as a book of plans to a complete set with all components included.
There is a sub-set of kit cars, commonly referred to as a "re-body" in which a commercially manufactured vehicle has a new (often fiberglass) body put on the running chassis. Most times, the existing drive gear and interior is retained. These kits require less technical knowledge from the builder and as the chassis and mechanical systems were designed, built and tested by a major automotive manufacturer can also lead to a much higher degree of safety and reliability.
The definition of a kit car usually indicates that a manufacturer constructs multiple kits of the same vehicle which they then in turn sell. This should not be confused with 'hand built cars' or 'Special' cars, which are typically built from scratch by an individual.
Kit cars have been around from the earliest days of the automobile. In 1896 the Englishman Thomas Hyler White developed a design for a car that could be assembled at home and technical designs were published in a magazine called The English Mechanic. In the United States the Lad's Car of 1912 could be bought for US$160 ($3000 equivalent in 2006) fully assembled or US$140 ($2600 in 2006) in kit form.
It was not until the 1950s that the idea really took off. Car production had increased considerably and with rust proofing in its infancy many older vehicles were being sent to breaker yards as their bodywork was beyond economic repair. An industry grew up supplying new bodies and chassis to take the components from these cars and convert them into new vehicles, particularly into sports cars. Fiber reinforced plastic (aka "GRP," or "fiberglass") was coming into general usage and made limited-scale production of automobile body components much more economical. Also, in the UK up to the mid 1970s, kit cars were sometimes normal production vehicles that were partially assembled as this avoided the imposition of purchase tax as the kits were assessed as components and not vehicles. The Lotus Elan, for example, was available in this form. It was often claimed that the kits could be taken home and completed in only a weekend.
During the 1970s many kits had bodies styled as sports cars that were designed to bolt directly to VW Beetle chassis. This was popular as the old body could be easily separated from the chassis leaving virtually all mechanical components attached to the chassis and a GRP-body from the kit supplier shop fitted. This made the Beetle one of the most popular "donor" vehicles of all time. Examples of this conversion include the Bradley GT, Sterling, and Sebring which were made by the thousands and many are still around today. Volkswagen based dune buggies also appeared in relatively large numbers in the 1960s and 1970s based usually on a shortened floor pan.
Current kit cars are frequently replicas of well-known and often expensive classics and are designed so that anyone with a measure of technical skill can build them at home to a standard where they can be driven on the public roads. These replicas are in general appearance like the original, but their bodies are often made of fiberglass mats soaked in polyester resin instead of the original sheet metal. The AC Cobra and the Lotus 7 are particularly popular examples, the right to manufacture the Lotus 7 now being owned by Caterham Cars who bought the rights to the car from Lotus founder Colin Chapman in 1973. Replica kit cars enable enthusiasts to possess a vehicle of a type that because of scarcity they may not be able to afford, and at the same time take advantage of modern technology.
Many people react sceptically when they first hear about kit cars as it appears to them to be technically impossible to assemble a car at home and license it for public roads. They may also be worried that such a car would not subsequently pass the mandatory quality control (road worthiness test) that is required in most countries. For example, to obtain permission to use a kit car in Germany, every such vehicle with a speed over 6 km/h without a general operating license (ABE) or an EC type permission (EC-TG) has to undergo, as per the § 21 of Road traffic licensing regulations (STVZO), a technical inspection by an officially recognized expert of a Technical Inspection Authority. In the United Kingdom it is necessary to meet the requirements of the IVA (Individual vehicle Approval) regulations.
A survey of nearly 600 kit car owners in the USA, England and Germany, carried out by Dr. Ingo Stüben, showed that typically 100–1,500 hours are required to build a kit car, depending upon the model and the completeness of the kit. However, as the complexity of the kits offered continues to increase, build times have increased as well.
Several sports car producers such as Lotus and TVR started as kit car makers.
There is a sub-set of kit cars, commonly referred to as a "re-body" in which a commercially manufactured vehicle has a new (often fiberglass) body put on the running chassis. Most times, the existing drive gear and interior is retained. These kits require less technical knowledge from the builder and as the chassis and mechanical systems were designed, built and tested by a major automotive manufacturer can also lead to a much higher degree of safety and reliability.
The definition of a kit car usually indicates that a manufacturer constructs multiple kits of the same vehicle which they then in turn sell. This should not be confused with 'hand built cars' or 'Special' cars, which are typically built from scratch by an individual.
Kit cars have been around from the earliest days of the automobile. In 1896 the Englishman Thomas Hyler White developed a design for a car that could be assembled at home and technical designs were published in a magazine called The English Mechanic. In the United States the Lad's Car of 1912 could be bought for US$160 ($3000 equivalent in 2006) fully assembled or US$140 ($2600 in 2006) in kit form.
It was not until the 1950s that the idea really took off. Car production had increased considerably and with rust proofing in its infancy many older vehicles were being sent to breaker yards as their bodywork was beyond economic repair. An industry grew up supplying new bodies and chassis to take the components from these cars and convert them into new vehicles, particularly into sports cars. Fiber reinforced plastic (aka "GRP," or "fiberglass") was coming into general usage and made limited-scale production of automobile body components much more economical. Also, in the UK up to the mid 1970s, kit cars were sometimes normal production vehicles that were partially assembled as this avoided the imposition of purchase tax as the kits were assessed as components and not vehicles. The Lotus Elan, for example, was available in this form. It was often claimed that the kits could be taken home and completed in only a weekend.
During the 1970s many kits had bodies styled as sports cars that were designed to bolt directly to VW Beetle chassis. This was popular as the old body could be easily separated from the chassis leaving virtually all mechanical components attached to the chassis and a GRP-body from the kit supplier shop fitted. This made the Beetle one of the most popular "donor" vehicles of all time. Examples of this conversion include the Bradley GT, Sterling, and Sebring which were made by the thousands and many are still around today. Volkswagen based dune buggies also appeared in relatively large numbers in the 1960s and 1970s based usually on a shortened floor pan.
Current kit cars are frequently replicas of well-known and often expensive classics and are designed so that anyone with a measure of technical skill can build them at home to a standard where they can be driven on the public roads. These replicas are in general appearance like the original, but their bodies are often made of fiberglass mats soaked in polyester resin instead of the original sheet metal. The AC Cobra and the Lotus 7 are particularly popular examples, the right to manufacture the Lotus 7 now being owned by Caterham Cars who bought the rights to the car from Lotus founder Colin Chapman in 1973. Replica kit cars enable enthusiasts to possess a vehicle of a type that because of scarcity they may not be able to afford, and at the same time take advantage of modern technology.
Many people react sceptically when they first hear about kit cars as it appears to them to be technically impossible to assemble a car at home and license it for public roads. They may also be worried that such a car would not subsequently pass the mandatory quality control (road worthiness test) that is required in most countries. For example, to obtain permission to use a kit car in Germany, every such vehicle with a speed over 6 km/h without a general operating license (ABE) or an EC type permission (EC-TG) has to undergo, as per the § 21 of Road traffic licensing regulations (STVZO), a technical inspection by an officially recognized expert of a Technical Inspection Authority. In the United Kingdom it is necessary to meet the requirements of the IVA (Individual vehicle Approval) regulations.
A survey of nearly 600 kit car owners in the USA, England and Germany, carried out by Dr. Ingo Stüben, showed that typically 100–1,500 hours are required to build a kit car, depending upon the model and the completeness of the kit. However, as the complexity of the kits offered continues to increase, build times have increased as well.
Several sports car producers such as Lotus and TVR started as kit car makers.
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