Zenvo ST1 - Super Car 2009

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

Zenvo ST1 is a real supercar with excessive power supplied from a V8 engine with both supercharger and turbo. Zenvo ST1 has 1.104 BHP and 1.430 NM 

Design 

The car is 100% Danish design. Danish design has always been cutting edge design, but this is the first Danish designed supercar. 

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

Company History 

Zenvo Automotive was founded with one goal in mind. To produce a unique hand built supercar. The developing of the prototype started in 2004. The prototype is completed and the car is in the last testing phase. In 2009 Zenvo Automotive will start the series production of the car, Zenvo ST1. It will be a very limited edition and only 15 cars will be built and sold to special approved customers. 

The idea behind the car was to hand build a high performance super car which will meet today´s standards but still keep the original and unique feeling of driving a supercar. The car will have excessive power due to both supercharger and turbo, but will still be drivable for everyday use. 

The car is 100% build in Denmark and the design is a result of Danish design. The developing and production are taking place in our hyper modern production hall with all the best equipment available. Since we work very tight with most of our partners we try to use local suppliers. This makes us able to communicate better and to follow the developing much closer to obtain the best possible result.

source : Zenvo Press

2009 Ferrari 599 XX

While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this prototype is an extreme track car. Ferrari's engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm. Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimising forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gearchange times to 60 ms.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

The 599XX is characterised by an innovative electronic concept called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept" which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car's mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extreme high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The sporty handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system. Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new "virtual car engineer", a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle's efficiency.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

The 599XX's aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h (630 kg at 300 km/h). The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.

The "ActiflowT" system increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car's trim cornering conditions, courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the boot which channel the air flow from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail-lights. Winglets have been added to the rear buttresses to increase downforce. while synthetic jets have also been incorporated into the rear of the car to control and smooth the air flow and to reduce drag.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

1920x1440 - Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

Ferrari's engineers have also used F1-derived "doughnuts" which partly cover the brake discs and wheel rim. These have the dual function of improving both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

In terms of the bodywork, composites and carbon-fibre have been widely used and the engineers drew on their experience in working with aluminium to reach the weight target. The development of increasingly high-performance materials has also benefited the carbon-ceramic material braking system. The brake pads are now made from carbon-fibre which means that the calipers are smaller whilst guaranteeing the same efficiency. The new racing carbon ceramic braking system also delivers shorter braking distances and is generally more efficient due to the weight saving.

The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximise stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.

Source-Ferrari Press Release

Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance

With the ongoing recession, the incidence of auto insurance fraud has increased manifold in the United States. This has compelled drivers to pay approximately USD$6 billion in excess towards auto insurance payments annually. As per reports furnished by The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, the number of people who believe that committing auto insurance fraud is acceptable has also increased over the months. 

Statistical data indicating rise in auto insurance fraud

A 61% rise in convictions related to auto insurance was reported during 2007 to 2008 in Hawaii.

The incidence of car give-ups in which you forsake your car and then report it as stolen has also increased by 33% in New York in the year 2008.

Auto insurance fraud escalated by 30% in Pennsylvania during 2007 to 2008. Auto insurance claims increased by 46% during the same period. Around 288 people were imprisoned for making fake auto insurance claims.

There are many factors that have given rise to auto insurance fraud. Some of the identifiable factors include the following-

Liquidity crunch

Subprime mortgage crisis

Economic distress

Escalating gas prices

The above factors have forced drivers to take refuge in insurance money for bailout. It was reported that in Idaho, the owner of a car was arrested for paying another man for setting his car on fire. Earlier, the percentage of people who considered auto insurance fraud to be unethical was 91%. The same figure nosedived to 82%. It indicates that the number of people who take auto insurance fraud to be unethical have decreased. 

Financial experts are of the opinion that the economic slowdown has compelled people to adopt unfair means to survive. The ongoing recession has also forced many corporate stalwarts to close down their operations. For instance, AIG or American International Group sold its auto insurance business in USA for approximately USD$1.9 billion dollars to Zurich Financial Services.

MotoGP 2009 Action Shots from Motegi.

Source-MotoGP

Kallio rates Motegi eighth place above Qatar result

Finnish rookie reflects on sterling race with completely new setup. 

Two eighth places from his opening pair of MotoGP races would seem difficult to separate in terms of achievement, but Pramac Racing’s Mika Kallio had little doubt that his Japanese top ten finish was a more stellar performance than that of his Qatar debut.

“It’s the same position as at Losail, but I can be more pleased with this race because I started from the penultimate spot on the grid,” said Kallio after the race, for which only teammate Niccoló Canepa qualified further down the order. “We didn’t have a good feeling all weekend, but in the race it all seemed to go a little better, and my start was even better than in Qatar.”

Kallio made a step into the unknown on the Sunday race, trying out a new setting at a track where he had enjoyed barely 45 minutes of dry track time with a MotoGP bike. He added that “I was worried about the completely new setup, which meant that I had to take a few risks. I was able to improve my times with every lap, and I am very proud to have finished as the second highest placing Ducati.

“In Jerez we will have to do better in qualifying, but we can definitely do even better in the race,” added the Finnish rookie, who won the 250cc race at the Spanish track last year.

For Latest Phots from MotoGP 2009 POLINI GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN

Source-MotoGP

Disappointed Hayden aggrieved by Takahashi clash

Nicky Hayden had a short day at the office on Sunday –not the short hours that he would have liked at Motegi. ‘The Kentucky Kid’ lasted barely a lap before his day was over, courtesy of some rookie exuberance from home rider Yuki Takahashi.

Punted into the gravel by the Scot Racing rider, Hayden was in little mood for hearing Takahashi’s side of the story in the heat of the moment, with the need for as much time as possible with the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.

“In the gravel trap I tried to ask Takahashi what he was doing; I guess he apologised, but I’m not too big on ‘sorrys’. I know that it’s a home race, and that there’s a lot of pressure, but that’s no excuse for trying to be a hero and take somebody out. It’s a race, and we’ve all done it,” said the Ducati Marlboro man, a relentless professional who can be forgiven for feeling aggrieved.

“It was exactly what we didn’t need. I got a decent start, then just going into the hairpin I just felt somebody hit me and that was it. We could have done with the experience, more than anything, as I need some laps on this bike.”

As a minor consolation for the American, he will be at full fitness for the upcoming Gran Premio bwin.com de España this coming Sunday, despite his fall.

“This week I felt like I had better communication, and understood people better. We’ve got another race coming up, and I’m in good shape at least. I landed on exactly the same place as I did at Qatar and, apart from a bad headache, I’m feeling ok,” he concluded.

Source-MotoGP

2010 The Grand Sport Chevrolet Corvette

1600x1200 Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

GM has announced today that the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport will be returning for the 2010 model year (that’s if GM is still around and product plans don’t end up changing under another owner). The 2010 Chevrolet Grand Sport will carry a LS3 under the hood and will feature wide-body styling along with a racing-bred suspension.

The 6.2L V8 will make a total of 430-hp with a maximum torque of 424 lb-ft with a standard exhaust system. Buyers can opt for the optional two-mode exhaust system that increases output to 436-hp with a peak torque of 428 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a either a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –Grand Sport. It's one of the most storied monikers in Corvette's illustrious racing heritage. Today, Chevrolet announced it is returning to the lineup in the new, 2010 Corvette Grand Sport model.

The announcement was made at the 12 th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum , in Bowling Green , Ky.

The new Grand Sport combines the Corvette's LS3-based powertrain with unique, wide-body styling and a racing-bred suspension for a distinctive model that delivers a great balance of road and race track performance. It is offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The LS3 6.2L engine is rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW)* and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)* with the standard exhaust system. An optional two-mode exhaust system elevates the power ratings to 436 horses (325 kW) and 428 lb.-ft. (580 Nm).

The Grand Sport replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications; and specific gearing. The equipment enables cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in 0-60 acceleration vs. standard LS3-powered models.

Grand Sport coupe models equipped with the manual transmission are uniquely outfitted for race track competition, too, with a dry-sump oiling system, differential cooler and a rear-mounted battery.

The complete list of content and special features for the Grand Sport includes:

    * Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges

    * Z06-style front splitter and tall rear spoiler

    * Functional brake ducts and extra cooling

    * Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional

    * Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear

    * Z06-size brakes, including 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers

    * Specific manual transmission gear ratios

    * Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped models

With its special equipment, the Grand Sport offers a unique blend of performance and amenities. Its suspension package approaches that of the Z06, but includes a removable roof on coupes (Z06 has a fixed roof) and, of course, the availability of a convertible body style. Also, the paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission is offered, while a manual transmission is the only choice with the Z06.

All of Corvette's exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport, and an available Heritage package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages, too.

Grand Sport history

Envisioned by legendary Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov as a factory-built, lightweight and race-ready production model that would trump domestic and foreign road-racing competitors, the original Corvette Grand Sport was a promising idea that led to the production of five special prototypes in 1963. The project was later shelved, following GM's agreement to stay out of manufacturer-backed motorsports.

The five prototypes were based on the styling of the 1963 Corvette and were hand-assembled under Duntov's watchful eye. But while they looked like production models, the prototypes were purpose-built race cars that shared little with their assembly-line cousins. Duntov also oversaw the Grand Sport engine program that featured a special, 377-cubic-inch small-block V-8 with side-draft carburetors.

Although never officially sanctioned by General Motors, the five Grand Sport prototypes saw extensive racing experience throughout the 1960s in the hands of “private” racers who had strong contacts within Duntov's engineering circle. All five original cars are accounted for today and are among the most valuable in the collector market.

Chevrolet offered a limited-edition Grand Sport production model in 1996, commemorating the original racing cars and marking the end of the C4 era in Corvette production. All of the 1,000 examples were painted Admiral Blue and featured a white center stripe and red “hash mark” graphics on the left front fender, a graphic scheme that mimicked the look of some of the original race cars. 

Source: Chevrolet

ASTON MARTIN IS BACK TO THE RACE WITH NEW V12 VANTAGE

1600x1200 Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

Aston Martin will return to the starting grid of Germany’s Nordschleife for its fourth consecutive year of the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance challenge, which kicks off on May 23rd. The carmaker will be using its latest super-sports car, the all-new V12 Vantage coupe, which will be kept in near-standard specification for the event.

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show Last Month, the V12 Vantage runs Aston Martin’s familiar 6.0L V12 engine producing 510hp (380kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. Its 0 - 62mph time is 4.2 seconds and the top speed is 190mph (305km/h).

ASTON MARTIN RETURNS TO NÜRBURGRING 24-HOUR RACE WITH NEW V12 VANTAGE

Gaydon, Warwickshire 24 April 2009 . Aston Martin will return to the starting grid of the legendary Nordschleife for the fourth consecutive year at the 37th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race on 23/24 May 2009 with the new V12 Vantage. Joining the marque's latest model will be ‘Rose', the yellow V8 Vantage that was first entered into the race in 2006.

Headlining this year's factory effort and aiming to repeat Aston Martin's untarnished record of finishing the 24-hour race, will be the marque's new V12 Vantage in near-standard specification driven by Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez and representatives from the company's engineering team. Premiered at the Geneva Auto Salon in early March, the V12 Vantage is the ultimate incarnation of the Vantage range featuring a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (517 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. With just minor modifications, the standard car is being readied to compete in the most demanding of endurance races.

Dr Ulrich Bez who will be driving in his fourth consecutive 24-hour race, said: “This is the final engineering durability test for the V12 Vantage programme. We will be subjecting the car to the toughest assessment yet under public scrutiny as we successfully did with the Vantage N24 programme.

“We already have a proven track record at the Nürburgring racing our road cars with limited modification and in 2009 we also celebrate our 50-year anniversary of winning the ADAC Nürburgring 1000 km with a DBR1.”

The V12 Vantage race car will be close to production standardwith only essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension with no additional aerodynamic enhancements. Production tyre partner Pirelli has specially selected      P Zero Circuit Racing slick tyres to enhance performance, ensuring consistency and to provide a tangible performance link to the V12 Vantage road car.

Aston Martin is expecting a number of customer teams to join the V12 Vantage on the starting grid. ‘Rose', the yellow V8 Vantage and original inspiration behind the N24/GT4 programme will also be making a return to the Nordschleife having now clocked up four 24-hour race finishes and more than 20,000 endurance miles.

Aston Martin's Head of Motorsport, David King said: “The Vantage N24/GT4 programme has been a huge success to date. Since its inception in 2006, no standard N24 from the factory or customer team has failed to finish a 24-hour endurance race in 13 starts around the world – a remarkable testament to the durability of the Vantage.”

The 37th ADAC Nürburgring 24 hour race will take place on 23/24 May 2009. 

Source: Aston-Martin

Bugatti Veyron Centenaire Editions

100 years of Bugatti at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

Bugatti Automobiles Pays Homage with four special Veyron models to Ettore Bugatti's Masterpiece: The Type 35 Grand Prix

1600x1200 Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Bugatti celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary with the Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire. Continuing its centennial celebrations, Bugatti presented four special-edition Veyrons at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza this past weekend.

Each one-off Veyron pays homage to Bugatti’s motor-racing history “which played a central role in popularising and ultimately establishing the myth which the brand continues to enjoy to this day.”

Molsheim/Cernobbio on 26 April 2009 – In a further highlight on this year's agenda of centennial celebrations, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. presented four Bugatti Veyron specials at Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza. These one off models are reminders of Bugatti's glorious motor-racing history which played a central role in popularising and ultimately establishing the myth which the brand continues to enjoy to this day.

1600x1200 Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

The Bugatti brand is almost inextricably linked to the Type 35. The Type 35 Grand Prix was by far the most successful racing model. The unmistakable radiator grille and eight-spoke aluminium wheels of the Type 35 have become defining features of the Bugatti automobile. In its day, the Grand Prix was also well ahead of its time in terms of engineering ingenuity. The front axle design of this vehicle, which, for reasons of weight minimisation, is hollow, is a true masterpiece of workmanship and was deemed nothing less than revolutionary. Its springs were passed through the axle to produce a high level of stability. The Grand Prix's brake drums were integrally fitted into its lightweight aluminium wheels. Unfastening the central wheel nut allowed the wheel to be easily removed within a matter of seconds and the brake to be exposed. This was a crucial advantage at the pit stop.

1600x1200 Wallpaper, Click on the Image then Right Click and Save it.

2000 wins in ten years

The blue racers made their first appearance on the race track at the Grand Prix held by Automobil Club de France in Lyon in 1924. In the decade that followed, they remained practically unchallenged thanks to sophisticated manufacturing efforts, their lightweight design and easy handling. During that ten-year era, they won almost 2000 races – more than any other model ever has. Grand Prix races were highly fashionable events in those days, and Bugatti was not the only brand with considerable interest in substantiating the reputation of its products by winning races. In fact, in the 1920s, Europe was regularly host to a number of different races in different countries on a single weekend. The teams set up by different automobile manufacturers competed at popular race circuits such as Targa Florio, Le Mans , Monza and Spa as well as in Rome , Nice, Antibes and even a village in Alsace .

The main reason Bugatti won such an enormous number of races – on the back of which successes the brand was also able to forge its image – was the fact that Bugatti sold not only its normal sports and touring cars to private buyers, but its racing cars too. Thus it was that its automobiles took part in such a large number of Grand Prix events.

This bestowed upon Ettore Bugatti a double success. He was able on the one hand to sell his racing cars expensively to wealthy private buyers with a keen sporting ambition and, on the other, to capitalise on their successes on international racing circuits – without actually having to make a single investment in these "marketing activities". This stroke of genius by "Le Patron" not only brought him immortal fame, but a substantial fortune as well. A total of 350 legendary Type 35-series automobiles were ultimately built – in a wide variety of versions. Those that survived their racing days, accidents, World War II and all other risks over the years, have become coveted and highly priced collectors' items.

Four Type 35 Grand Prix models – Four distinct personalities – Four Veyrons

Tradition being what it is, the Bugatti Veyron Specials built to mark the 100th anniversary of the brand feature the racing colours of the respective countries: blue for France , red for Italy , green for England and white for Germany . Each of the four new Veyrons has a specific "predecessor" in the form of an original Grand Prix Bugatti on which it was modelled. These four historic race cars represent the generation of legendary Bugatti Grand Prix racers which were piloted by world-famous race-car drivers and which scored countless racing victories in the 1920s and '30s. Each of the four Veyron Specials is named after a Bugatti race-car driver of the 1920s and 30s. Jean-Pierre Wimille has given the blue Veyron its name, Achille Varzi the red one, Malcolm Campbell the green one and Hermann zu Leiningen the white Veyron.

Jean-Pierre Wimille was one of the longest-serving drivers at Bugatti. He only joined the team in Molsheim in 1933, but subsequently remained loyal to the brand, ultimately driving home Bugatti's last-ever victory in 1947 at Bois de Boulogne in a 4.7-litre Monoposto Type 59/50 B. Wimille's many previous successes included winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939. Achille Varzi was a member of the official Bugatti team from 1931 to 1933. He had already achieved many successes since 1928 driving a private Type 35 C, then later went on to win the Monaco Grand Prix, an event on Berlin's Avus circuit and other races. As the setter of numerous world records for speed, the name Malcolm Campbell is firmly established in racing history. He also competed in countless "normal" races from 1911 and 1936, often piloting a Bugatti Type 39 A or Type 35, and he owned one of the legendary Type 57 S street sports cars. Prinz Hermann zu Leiningen's career driving Bugattis began in 1927 when he purchased a Type 40 chassis, for which he had a racing body built. He went on to win a number or races in a privately owned Type 37 A before eventually standing in the spotlight of the international racing scene in a 35 C for several years from 1930 onward.

"We have put a lot of effort into translating colour and material, the defining characteristics of our historic role models, into the designs of the modern-day Veyrons," explains Alasdair Stewart, Director Sales & Marketing at Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. "We have taken extreme care to match the original colours of the original race cars, exterior and interior"

On Sunday, the four historic racing Type 35s and the four modern-day Centenaire EditionVeyrons will be exhibited alongside each other in the park of Villa Erba for the first and only time.

Ahead of that presentation, Bugatti will on Saturday be prominently represented in the park of Villa d'Este by a special-display-class exhibition of models, which will serve to portray the 100-year history of the brand. Bugatti's participation in the classic Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como will be the second highlight event to mark the carmaker's centennial celebrations after it took part in the International Geneva Motor Show in early March. This latest event will be followed by the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California in mid-August and the main celebratory event on 12 September in Molsheim ( Alsace ), which has been the home of this unparalleled automobile brand for

100 years. 

Source: Bugatti