Motor Authority - blog Tag: Aero

Morgan's combination of classic styling and modern materials, equipment and engineering is polarizing, but it's hard not to like the company's latest creation, the Aero SuperSports. Created to celebrate 100 continuous years of family-owned Morgan manufacture, the SuperSports will make its public debut at the 2009 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

The SuperSports will be a limited edition, featuring two detachable aluminum roof panels. Depending how they are configured, the car can be converted between a coupe and an open-top roadster. Unlike many small and sporty detachable hard-tops, however, the lids store conveniently in the Morgan's... Morgan's combination of classic styling and modern materials, equipment and engineering is polarizing, but it's hard not to like the company's latest creation, the Aero SuperSports. Created to celebrate 100 continuous years of family-owned Morgan manufacture, the SuperSports will make its public debut at the 2009 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The SuperSports will be a limited edition, featuring two detachable aluminum roof panels. Depending how they are configured, the car can be converted between a coupe and an open-top roadster. Unlike many small and sporty detachable hard-tops, however, the lids store conveniently in the Morgan's trunk. The entire car is designed and engineered in-house - except for the BMW engine, of course - and features a lightweight aluminum chassis built to the same specs as the Aero Eight car currently campaigning in the FIA GT3 Championship. Together with the BMW V8 and a choice of six-speed automatic or manual gearboxes, the car promises some impressive performance, though the company hasn't put any numbers to the car yet. The same basic techniques used to build the Aero SuperSports were first used on the 100 AeroMax coupes built over the past two years. "The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a luxurious flamboyant sports car which also remains true to Morgan's philosophy of lightweight minimalist simplicity," said Charles Morgan, grandson of the founder of Morgan. "It is a celebration of our love of cars and the romance of travel and is a fitting model to announce during Morgan's Centenary year." The car will enter production early next year with a retail price of about £127,000 ($185,000), but to get on the short list of buyers that will secure one of these cars you'll have to put down a £25,000 ($36,500) deposit.Morgan Aero SuperSports Read More

It may not be as flash or luxurious as the Bugatti Veyron, but the Ultimate Aero TT from America’s Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest production car on the planet. The car’s official top speed of 255.83mph (411.76km/h) - 3.11mph (5.01km/h) faster than the Veyron - was set in September of last year and to this day no other production car has been able to beat it – officially at least.

Enthusiasts from all over the world now have a chance to actually own this piece of automotive history as the actual record-breaking car is up for sale on eBay. Being only one of 26... It may not be as flash or luxurious as the Bugatti Veyron, but the Ultimate Aero TT from America’s Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest production car on the planet. The car’s official top speed of 255.83mph (411.76km/h) - 3.11mph (5.01km/h) faster than the Veyron - was set in September of last year and to this day no other production car has been able to beat it – officially at least. Enthusiasts from all over the world now have a chance to actually own this piece of automotive history as the actual record-breaking car is up for sale on eBay. Being only one of 26 cars in 123 years to hold the record, the Ultimate Aero TT joins a special list of cars that include the 1932 Duesenberg SJ, 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, 1986 Porsche 959, 1990 Lamborghini Diablo, 1994 McLaren F1, and of course the 2005 Bugatti Veyron. This particular car is a 2007 model and is finished in ‘Palladium’ silver, matched with a black Alcantara interior. Other goodies include satnav, a 10-speaker stereo, reverse camera, and a 1183hp (882kW) twin-turbo V8 powerplant. Despite being the record holder, this particular car may be surpassed by the 2009 model year Ultimate Aero TT, which has been upgraded with an additional 100hp (75kW) and has a theoretical top speed of 270mph (435km/h). No official times has been set but we're sure SSC will do a new world-record run so they can retain the bragging rights.2009 SSC Ultimate Aero Read More

High-performance factory packages are a common sight these days, but BMW's ZMP M-Sport packages are more than just big wheels and fancy aero pieces. The details revealed today tell us what equipment is standard in the M-Sport package, which models will get it and how much it will cost.

Don't worry, though - big wheels and fancy aero are still part of the package. But on top of that M-Sport buyers will get a sport suspension, special M-branded interior elements, upgraded headliners and a range of special paint colors including two new options: Le Mans blue metallic and Carbon Black.

Other features in the packages include sport seats, a... High-performance factory packages are a common sight these days, but BMW's ZMP M-Sport packages are more than just big wheels and fancy aero pieces. The details revealed today tell us what equipment is standard in the M-Sport package, which models will get it and how much it will cost. Don't worry, though - big wheels and fancy aero are still part of the package. But on top of that M-Sport buyers will get a sport suspension, special M-branded interior elements, upgraded headliners and a range of special paint colors including two new options: Le Mans blue metallic and Carbon Black. Other features in the packages include sport seats, a leather steering wheel, and Shadowline exterior trim. The 550i adds active roll stabilzation and multi-countour seats. The 128i gets 17in M wheels, the 3-series can choose from 17in or 18in alloys, the 550i gets only 19-inchers, and the X5 can choose between 19in and 20in wheels. All 3-series cars except the 335d, the 128i, and the 550i will be able to equip the M-Sport package, in addition to the 135i and other 5-series cars that have already received the treatment. X5s built in April and later will also be able to get the M-Sport package, adding an unit as well. Pricing starts from $2,450 for the 128i Coupe, then $3,250 for the E92 Coupe, up to $3,750 from the E90 Sedan, $4,800 for the 550i and onward to $6,500 for the X5 3.0 and 4.8 models.BMW M-Sport kit for 5-series Read More

The new Mark VI Volkswagen Golf may not look much different from its predecessor, but VW is already working on offering a range of accessories to help spice the new car up and make it unique for each owner. To that end, it has released images of its new Sport & Design appearance options today.

Two different sets of alloy wheels are available, one a five-spoke the other featuring five sets of triple spokes. Both sets are finished in Brilliant Silver color, and are available in 17in (split-spoke) and 18in (solid spoke) sizes. A Topaz Sterling silver optional color is also available for the 18in wheels.

Also available are a front fascia, rear... The new Mark VI Volkswagen Golf may not look much different from its predecessor, but VW is already working on offering a range of accessories to help spice the new car up and make it unique for each owner. To that end, it has released images of its new Sport & Design appearance options today. Two different sets of alloy wheels are available, one a five-spoke the other featuring five sets of triple spokes. Both sets are finished in Brilliant Silver color, and are available in 17in (split-spoke) and 18in (solid spoke) sizes. A Topaz Sterling silver optional color is also available for the 18in wheels. Also available are a front fascia, rear fascia, side skirt and roof spoiler. A Comfort & Protection package offers roof-mounted cargo carrier expands the Golf's capacity, while a rear cargo area organizer helps keeps things tidy on the go. The Golf Mark VI features a range of engines and variants, including a recently-leaked new GTI. No R32 model is scheduled for the U.S. this time around, however, with VW apparently content to let the current stock of cars satisfy that demand. A hot Scirocco variant may be coming to replace the R32, however. Pricing and availability for the accessories are expected to be announced soon.VW Golf Mark VI official photos2009 Volkswagen Golf Rabbit GTI Mark VIVolkswagen Golf Mark VI accessories Read More

The ongoing battle for the title of 'world's fastest production car' has seen the SSC Ultimate Aero TT dethrone the Bugatti Veyron for outright top speed, but now a new contender has entered the ring. The Maxximus G-Force, brain-child of David B. McMahan, hasn't made a top-speed run yet, but its early results show it may just take the title.

So far, the car's makers have focused on setting records in acceleration and braking. Zero to 60mph takes 2.134 seconds, 0-100 flits by in 4.541 seconds and what many consider to be one of the ultimate marks of performance, the 0-100-0mph test takes just 8.861 seconds. All of these records were set late... The ongoing battle for the title of 'world's fastest production car' has seen the SSC Ultimate Aero TT dethrone the Bugatti Veyron for outright top speed, but now a new contender has entered the ring. The Maxximus G-Force, brain-child of David B. McMahan, hasn't made a top-speed run yet, but its early results show it may just take the title. So far, the car's makers have focused on setting records in acceleration and braking. Zero to 60mph takes 2.134 seconds, 0-100 flits by in 4.541 seconds and what many consider to be one of the ultimate marks of performance, the 0-100-0mph test takes just 8.861 seconds. All of these records were set late last year at Rockingham Raceway in North Carolina. Those are seriously impressive figures, topping even the legendary Ultima GTR, the previous holder of a number of world records.If you think the Maxximus G-Force bears an uncanny resemblance to the notorious Ultima, that's because it does - it's based on the same chassis and body, but with unique engine and equipment. Its bubble-like canopy and bulging fender/headlight combos are characteristic of prototype race cars as well. Performance of such extreme heights is secured by a super light weight construction and a twin-turbocharged 434cu in (7.0L) American V8 rated at over 1,600hp (1,194kW). A paddle-shifted sequential transmission adds another racecar-like touch, while the brakes that help enable the impressive 0-100-0mph record are 14in six-piston units all around. Maxximus claims the car is the world's fastest street-legal car, and has a record from World Records Academy to attest to that fact. Regardless of whether it's actually the fastest, however, it's undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.Maxximus G-Force Read More

Shelby SuperCars (SSC), the American supercar manufacturer behind the world’s fastest production car, the Ultimate Aero, has today confirmed plans to build an all-electric version of the record-breaker. Aptly named the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), the green supercar will begin testing next month and will be first unveiled in the second-quarter.

SSC will be using its Ultimate Aero platform to showcase the technology but insists that the company is planning to produce its green technologies for a wide range of applications, including a wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable... Shelby SuperCars (SSC), the American supercar manufacturer behind the world’s fastest production car, the Ultimate Aero, has today confirmed plans to build an all-electric version of the record-breaker. Aptly named the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), the green supercar will begin testing next month and will be first unveiled in the second-quarter. SSC will be using its Ultimate Aero platform to showcase the technology but insists that the company is planning to produce its green technologies for a wide range of applications, including a wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is unique due to its scalable horsepower, light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling. The key differentiator to rival technologies is its scalability. SSC plans to use variations of the powertrain in SUV and commercial vehicle platforms, with power outputs expected to range from between 200hp (147kW) and 1,200hp (895kW) – the latter would be reserved for delivery trucks, heavy duty equipment, buses and military vehicles. The advanced powertrain relies on SSC’s own nanotechnology rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which the company claims is rechargeable in only 10 minutes on a standard 110V outlet and has a 150-200 mile range on a single charge. The AESP system features twin 3-Phase AC induction electric motors measuring just 13in in diameter and weighing in at just 200lbs (90kg). Despite their small size, the motors in the Ultimate Aero EV demonstration vehicle will churn out a combined 500hp (373kW) and 821lb-ft (1,114Nm) of torque. If the technology proves successful, SSC will start selling the powertrain to major carmakers, governments, and other businesses. Initial pricing for mass-produced units are $5K-$6K per unit for 1,000 to 10,000 (with further reduction in unit cost for increased production.) While some of the claims do sound ambitious, SSC has proven that it can achieve lofty goals if it sets out to. Last year we saw the company’s Ultimate Aero TT win the record for the world’s fastest car with a top speed run of 255.83mph (411.76km/h). The story doesn’t end there, as SSC is also gunning for the title of manufacturer of the world’s fastest electric car and plans to contend the challenge later this year.2009 SSC Ultimate Aero Read More