Audi R10

The Swedish department of the German magazine, Auto Motor und Sport, has confirmed the rumors that were told about the Audi R10. Audi is to make this hypercar, to enter in competition with Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche… And it is as a result to the huge success Audi is getting in LeMans series.

The Audi R10 is based on the successful R18 e-Tron, but it is a road car. That is a very good news to all Audi’s fans around the world. Audi was known to produce clean cars, with the right amount of performance, something you can use while taking your family in vacation, and still look reasonable and cool to their eyes. However when it came to supercars, R8 was well presented, but it was not a car to compete against Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martins. It lacked power and weight control.

With the new R10, Audi is hoping to get everything fixed. For starters, the diesel engine idea was rejected, and Audi is considering a petrol engine alternative. It is considering, a more powerful V10, twin-turbocharged, it is said to produce 850 bhp, yet, there is a rumor about a hybrid variant that could produce even 1000 bhp. It will be more powerful that the LaFerrari, the 918, the P1 engines, but would it be as fast? Rumors say that the R10 will include a cylinder-deactivation system technology, that is a technology that allows the engine to operate only under 6 cylinders regime when it is not on full power, and that is one way to save energy.

Concerning the design, it is said to be based on the R18 e-tron, aerodynamically and aesthetically similar to it. The chassis is slightly larger than the R8 one’s, but will be stronger.

Price may reach 1 million €, and production would be programmed for 2016. There are a lot of rumors about the car, but, it is closer to reality now.

Source : Audi

McLaren 625 C

After the success had by the 650 S, McLaren has a new model designed and reserved especially for the Asian market, with demands growing in both China and India for cars from the British constructor. The new model, the 625 C, was revealed in Hong Kong Auto Show. It is based on the 650 S, has almost its same specifications, with a slight decrease in power, but has a more refined style. It will come in two versions, a coupe, and a spider.

In fact, the 625 C, has the same 3.8L V8 engine in the MP4 and 650S, that produces 625p, or 616 bhp @7250 Rpm, and 610 Nm of torque @3000 to 7000 Rpm. These are almost the same figures on the 650S, although, the 625C has 25 less PS. It goes from 0 to 100 in 3.1 seconds, 0.1 second slower than the 650S.0 to 200 takes 8.8 seconds, which is half a second slower. Quarter of a mile is achieved in 10.6 second with a speed of 136 mph. Top speed of the car is 333 kph for the coupe, and 329 for the spider. Both the cars will be fitted with 7-speed DSG gearbox.

As you all noticed, the car has the same looks as the 650S, but has a new revised chassis, and engine. It has softer rear suspension. Now has a revised Pro Active Chassis Control system, revised mechanical balance, in order to fit the Asian structure of roads. In the inside, the car has some luxury features, such as navigation systems, satellite radio, Bluetooth, rear-view camera. It has also carbon-fiber racing seats, and carbon-fiber trim work.

McLaren hasn’t put a price on it yet. The 625 C will be exclusively for Asian markets only, but it will be seen roaming European roads. It is set to compete with the Mighty Ferrari 458 Speciale. And in case you are wondering what does the C mean, it is for Club, to make it appealing even in name to younger generations.

Ferrari 458 Speciale A

Since its first appearance in 2009, the 458 model, which came as a replacement to the F430, had a big success, whether it was in sales, or in motor sports, the model from the prancing horse manufacturer was a trouble maker for the competitors. Note that, the 458 had many success in the 24 hours of Lemans, 24 hours of Daytona, 12 hours of Sebring, and other endurance races. Now there is a new model, the 458 Speciale A. A as in Aperta, which means, open in Italian.

The 458 Speciale A, is to be unveiled in this Paris Auto Show (October 4th to 19th 2014). It will have the most powerful naturally-aspirated road-going V8 Ferrari ever built. It is the same 4.5L V8 in the 458, but set to produce a huge 605 bhp (some say it will be jut 597) and 540 Nm of torque @ 6000 Rpm. It has one of the highest power per liter ratios : 135bhp/L. It will be fitted with a 7-speed double-clutch paddle-shift gearbox. Results are, stop to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds, stop to 200 in just 9.5, and lapping around the Fiorano in 1:23:5. It will be the last naturally-aspirated V8 to be built by Ferrari. They will be replaced by Turbos V6, and Ferrari said that it is not thinking of eaving the V12’s.

On the outside, it is a spider version of the 458 Speciale. It will use the same folding aluminium hard-top system used by the 16M, the Scuderia Spider, which will give it 50 kg more on the Speciale, to make it weigh 1455 kg. The hard-top folding and unfolding will be achieved in just 14 seconds. It will have active rear and front aerodynamics, and plenty of stability system. The most interesting one is the SSC :Slide Slip Angle Control which changes the settings of the traction control and the rear differential for an enjoyable ride. On the inside, the dashboard, door panels, central tunnel, and many other will be in carbon fibers, because you know, Ferrari is about sport cars.

Only 499 will be made, Ferrari is to announce the price in this Paris Auto Show. All we know is, it will be the most enjoyable, fastest Ferrari Spider ever built

Mercedes AMG GT

Mercedes spent a good part of a year teasing its fans about a new model, a new raging elegant toy, the Mercedes AMG GT. The Porsche 911 direct rival, and the replacement to the SLS AMG. AMG calls it the epitome of dynamic perfection, and as a first look, the dynamism, and the sportiness are clear on the car general shape.

As you all see, the car has lost the Benz name to the AMG. It is the second car to be fully made by AMG, the first one being the SLS AMG. A bit of history, in 1954, the world opened his eyes to the Gullwing SL 300 (W198). 50 years later, when Mercedes had 40% of McLaren, the two automotive giants made the McLaren Mercedes SLR. Then in 2009, the All AMG car, the SLS who produced 571 from its 6.2L V8. After that, Mercedes made the SLS Black Series, who produced a staggering 631 poneys. The last one to carry the SLS name was the SLS electric drive, who had four electric engines that produce 740 bhp, same as Michael Schumacher F1 car. A year after that the last SLS was produced, Mercedes unveiled the AMG GT. A car that combines sportiness with elegance. The AMG GT was based on the SLS, and has many of its features, but has lost some too. First of, it doesn’t have the famous Gullwing doors, but normal coupe doors. It is more compact, more 911 looking. It is wider, it has wider wheels arches, and a lower body work, thus a lower center of gravity. It has the same long hood though, the same angry look, well Mercedes used newer technology, but the car still looks angry.

The car is powered, and this is where Mercedes made the miracle, by a 4.0L V8. It has two turbochargers, that are installed inside the V, it is the same technology used in Formula 1 engines, and what Mercedes calls “Hot inside V”. The turbocharger acts faster while it is mounted inside the engine. The powertrain produces 462 bhp and 443 lb.ft of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a transaxle AMG DCT 7-speed double-clutch  transmission. The fastback shape of the car, made Mercedes AMG engineers choose a front mid-engine settings. The car has limited-slip electronic differential. Weight balance is 47 front to 53 to the rear. The car has a lower center of gravity, which gives it exceptional handling.

The body is designed by racers, tested by racers. The AMG GT has a handcrafted body, from aluminium and carbon. The chassis and the body are made entirely from aluminium which makes the car lightweight. The body shell weighs only 233 kg. The car has the innovative Mercedes lines, in its grille, vents, overall shape, it follows the same lines Mercedes put to its cars. The lower air intakes look like those on the E63 AMG. The Lights, are similar to the S class coupe. So you can say, that it is a mixture, a son to all it is previous fathers.

As far as the interior is concerned, the car is comfortable, homey, welcoming, desirable to drive with all its features. Even though AMG’s were known to be stiff, and hard, designers made it to be a racing driver’s car. It gives you this impression, from the first moment you open the door.  It has a low sitting position, a small firm driving wheels, a large instrument cluster. It all looks like an “aviation cockpit”.

The car is said to consume only 9.3L to the 100km and produce 219g of CO2/km. It is announced to be worth 115000€ as an opening price.
Its direct competitors are the Porsche 911, the Jaguar F type, The Aston Martin Vantage V8, Audi R8…

Sources : Topgear.com ; Gtspirit.com ; Mercedes-AMG.com ; caranddriver.com ; tf1.fr