Motor Authority - blog Tag: Street

The folks over at Caparo are well known for their totally impractical but still mesmerizing F1-car-for-the-road, the T1 supercar. Now the company is offering 32 lucky drivers the opportunity to race these vehicles in a special one-make Caparo T1 racing series.

Details are still emerging, but for now it appears that there will be two race series held specifically for the Caparo T1 next year - one series will be for professional drivers and will consist of ten races held in different racing venues around the UK, while the second series will be for amateurs and will likely consist of just six races.

The racing series won't simply use ordinary... The folks over at Caparo are well known for their totally impractical but still mesmerizing F1-car-for-the-road, the T1 supercar. Now the company is offering 32 lucky drivers the opportunity to race these vehicles in a special one-make Caparo T1 racing series. Details are still emerging, but for now it appears that there will be two race series held specifically for the Caparo T1 next year - one series will be for professional drivers and will consist of ten races held in different racing venues around the UK, while the second series will be for amateurs and will likely consist of just six races. The racing series won't simply use ordinary Caparo T1s, however, even though the car’s racing intentions are fairly clear in its design. EVO reports that the Caparo T1s used will have their passenger seat removed, the front end modified and the engine detuned. In fact, while Caparo will be happy to let its customers loose with a 615hp (459kW) 3.5L V8 on public roads, on the race track it will only let drivers use a 470hp (350kW) version. For drivers considering joining the series, testing for the cars will begin in July and punters will have to pay £3,500 ($5,570) for every 100 miles of testing - certainly not a cheap thrill, but considering that it should provide a similar experience to racing an F1 or F2 car, customers won't be able to complain too much.More details on Caparo’s F1 car for the road2009 Caparo T1 Read More

Though it's been involved in a fiery incident with a Fifth Gear host, scared the wits out of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, and is generally completely impractical, the 575hp (429kW) Caparo T1 still exudes a sort of animal magnetism not many cars can lay claim to. Its close cockpit and semi-open-wheel layout is intended to bring alive the F1 driver in all of us, but as crazy as it may seem Caparo has decided to launch an even more extreme version of the car.

Appropriately named the T1 Race Extreme, the latest addition makes do with a more powerful 620hp (462kW) version of the company’s high-rev V8 enigne as well as a more focused... Though it's been involved in a fiery incident with a Fifth Gear host, scared the wits out of Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, and is generally completely impractical, the 575hp (429kW) Caparo T1 still exudes a sort of animal magnetism not many cars can lay claim to. Its close cockpit and semi-open-wheel layout is intended to bring alive the F1 driver in all of us, but as crazy as it may seem Caparo has decided to launch an even more extreme version of the car. Appropriately named the T1 Race Extreme, the latest addition makes do with a more powerful 620hp (462kW) version of the company’s high-rev V8 enigne as well as a more focused suspension set-up. The car’s kerb weight has also been reduced to just 550kg, a 20kg saving over the standard model. Some of the more specific details include fully adjustable suspension, an active aerodynamic package, and lightweight monoblock billet machined aluminum calipers with titanium pistons and 355mm carbon-ceramic discs. The T1 Race Extreme also utilizes six-piston calipers up front and smaller four-piston units in the rear. In addition, the car’s upgraded electronic package contains a fully tuneable ECU, which ensures maximum performance from the engine and six-speed sequential gear box. The end result is a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 208mph (335km/h). Caparo also used today’s launch of the T1 Race Extreme to announce a new 'Climate' pack. The option is being introduced as a result of strong customer demand and can be installed on all new orders as well as retrofitted to existing T1 cars. The pack includes a plexiglass canopy (£21,760), which slides forward to allow access to the seat, as well as air conditioning (£3,750) for the first time. For more on the Caparo T1, check out our previous coverage.More details on Caparo’s F1 car for the road2009 Caparo T1 Read More

If you want to go fast around a track, chances are you already know about the KTM X-Bow - but you may not know about the four new variants introduced today in Geneva. Even as the model range expands, however, KTM is drawing back production to meet the receding market.

The familiar KTM X-Bow is now the X-Bow Street - the everyday road-legal track-day car, and the least expensive of the bunch at €49,980 ($62,750). Its 240hp (177kW) engine and low 1,741lb (790kg) curb weight combine to make it the most efficient of the range as well.

Next up is the Clubsport, which adds a finer-tuned chassis and €10,000 to the price, though the... If you want to go fast around a track, chances are you already know about the KTM X-Bow - but you may not know about the four new variants introduced today in Geneva. Even as the model range expands, however, KTM is drawing back production to meet the receding market. The familiar KTM X-Bow is now the X-Bow Street - the everyday road-legal track-day car, and the least expensive of the bunch at €49,980 ($62,750). Its 240hp (177kW) engine and low 1,741lb (790kg) curb weight combine to make it the most efficient of the range as well. Next up is the Clubsport, which adds a finer-tuned chassis and €10,000 to the price, though the powertrain remains the same. It's still street legal, but it adds many race-car features, such as individually adjustable pedals, fire extinguisher and dry battery, double adjustable dampers and a mechanical limited-slip differential. All of the upgrades do add some weight, however, with the Clubsport tipping the scales at 1,774lb (805kg). Shaving weight is left to the Superlight model, which replaces the body panels with lighter-weight carbon fiber for real gains through added lightness. The features of the Superlight echo those of the Clubsport, but with significantly less weight: 1,730lb (785kg) at the curb. Lightness is one of the most expensive things in motorsports, however, and the price reflects that: the Superlight starts at €79,980 ($100,400). For a true race-car experience, you have to go for the GT4 edition, previously known as the 'Race', which as the name suggest is homologated to FIA GT4 standards. Extensive use of carbon fiber for aerodynamic and body elements offsets some of the weight added for homologation, but the car is still the heaviest of the group at 1,818lb (825kg). The GT4's price tag is a cool €82,900 ($104,000). Finally, there's the ROC, named for the Race of Champions - a special stadium-race held among the top finishers in motorsport around the world, from NASCAR to WRC to Formula 1 and more to sort out who's the best of the best. Features of the ROC are somewhere between the Street and Clubsport packages, with the LSD and adjustable pedals making for a fun and comfortable driving experience. Full ROC livery is also part of the package. Only 30 units of the ROC will be built, and its price reflects its limited status, at €69,980 ($87,900). Which brings us back around to KTM's decision to pull down production numbers. About 400 of the standard X-Bow have been sold so far, and KTM had envisioned output of about 1,000 per year. It has reduced its target to just 600 now, however, due to the fallen market. Nevertheless, the widened X-Bow range means there'll be something for everyone that wants to buy one, provided they can find one to buy.KTM X-Bow range 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

The popularity of street-legal trackday cars has waxed over the past decade, bringing such favorites as the Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow and any number of Lotus Seven-inspired cars. Now the legendary Reynard Racing is applying its chassis-building talents to produce the Inverter, a street-legal track star with true racing spirit.

To say the Reynard Inverter is a no-frills car is understatement: at 882lb (400kg) full of fuel and ready to drive, the car is 253lb (115kg) lighter than a Caterham Superlight R300 and a massive 518lb (235kg) lighter than the Atom. Built from a steel tube-frame chassis overlaid with a choice of fiberglass or carbon fiber,... The popularity of street-legal trackday cars has waxed over the past decade, bringing such favorites as the Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow and any number of Lotus Seven-inspired cars. Now the legendary Reynard Racing is applying its chassis-building talents to produce the Inverter, a street-legal track star with true racing spirit. To say the Reynard Inverter is a no-frills car is understatement: at 882lb (400kg) full of fuel and ready to drive, the car is 253lb (115kg) lighter than a Caterham Superlight R300 and a massive 518lb (235kg) lighter than the Atom. Built from a steel tube-frame chassis overlaid with a choice of fiberglass or carbon fiber, the Inverter is minimalist even by comparison to its rivals. Power comes from either a 170hp (126kW) 1000cc Honda Fireblade engine or a 250hp (186kW) Suzuki Hayabusa engine, delivering power-to-weight ratios of 360hp/tonne or 530hp/tonne, respectively. Grip is even more impressive, with the car able to pull F1-like loads of 4g around corners. That grip comes by way of similarly F1-levels of downforce - enough to drive the car upside-down at 100mph (160km/h). And it pulls those 4g corners on 16x7in and 17x9in wheels wrapped in treaded street-legal tires. A six-speed sequential-shift gearbox is also available with paddle-shift functionality that enables flat upshifts and automatically blips the throttle on downshifts. A Quaife rear diff limits slip and ensures traction, while a fully race-level suspension system offers full adjustability and high-speed competence. For safety's sake, the car is designed with an aluminum honeycomb nosebox that absorbs crash energy, while side protection is provided by a composite panel system and more aluminum honeycomb.Reynard Inverter street-legal track car Read More

The third and final tuning company chosen to use the Hyundai Genesis Coupe as their canvas at the upcoming SEMA show may just unveil the most outrageous Genesis Coupe yet, if the pictures are anything to go by.

Hyundai has given their Genesis Coupe to 'Street Concepts', long-time Hyundai tuners, who have decided to give the entire car a camouflage paintjob with red-tinted headlights at the front. The car from Street Concepts represents a less restrained approach to that taken by HKS who went for a clean, red look.

The Street Concepts take on the Genesis Coupe gives the car a menacing appearance, and its black and grey cloak is accented by... The third and final tuning company chosen to use the Hyundai Genesis Coupe as their canvas at the upcoming SEMA show may just unveil the most outrageous Genesis Coupe yet, if the pictures are anything to go by. Hyundai has given their Genesis Coupe to 'Street Concepts', long-time Hyundai tuners, who have decided to give the entire car a camouflage paintjob with red-tinted headlights at the front. The car from Street Concepts represents a less restrained approach to that taken by HKS who went for a clean, red look. The Street Concepts take on the Genesis Coupe gives the car a menacing appearance, and its black and grey cloak is accented by a custom grille that gives the car a sharper nose than that found in the stock version. The Street Concepts' Genesis Coupe rides on 19" Volk rims, shod with performance tires, to give the Hyundai a solid base and the black rims match the paintjob perfectly. Additionally, there are tinted tail lamps at the rear and an APR rear spoiler that stick out from the car's camouflaged appearance and give it some extra character. While the outside has been modified extensively, the upgrades continue in the cars mechanicals, which now feature a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust as well as a new air intake system to boost power slightly. Brembo brakes and an upgraded suspension system are also included to handle the extra power from the 3.8L V6 engine. Inside, the Street Concepts' Genesis Coupe gets carbon fiber accents, Cobra seats and other accouterments that go with the overall theme of the car. The Street Concepts' Genesis Coupe will sit alongside the Genesis Coupes modified by Rhys Millen and HKS at the SEMA show later this year.Hyundai Street Concepts modified Genesis Coupe for SEMA Read More