Car Review: 2009 Yukon Denali Hybrid

Motor Authority - blog Tag: V12

  • Spy Shots: New Details On Lamborghini's Murcielago Replacement

    Spy Shots: New Details On Lamborghini's Murcielago Replacement September 3rd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 3rd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 12 Comments

    Spy Shots: New Details On Lamborghini's Murcielago Replacement

    Lamborghini recently launched its new LP670-4 SV, a car many believe to be the final evolution of the Murcielago platform--though a Reventon Roadster is also rumored to be in the works--so it’s not surprising to see test-mules for the car’s replacement lurking around the streets of Sant'Agata and Germany’s Nurburgring. This new Lamborghini will have some tough competition when it arrives as there are new supercar models in the works at rival brands Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin.

    While it’s still too early to speculate on the final specs, there are several crucial details we can gather from recent spy shots, as...

    Lamborghini recently launched its new LP670-4 SV, a car many believe to be the final evolution of the Murcielago platform--though a Reventon Roadster is also rumored to be in the works--so it’s not surprising to see test-mules for the car’s replacement lurking around the streets of Sant'Agata and Germany’s Nurburgring. This new Lamborghini will have some tough competition when it arrives as there are new supercar models in the works at rival brands Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin. While it’s still too early to speculate on the final specs, there are several crucial details we can gather from recent spy shots, as well as new reports coming out of Europe. One of the biggest changes over the outgoing Murcielago will be the adoption of the Audi R8’s aluminum spaceframe chassis as well as a carbon-fiber bodyshell. This means that the new model will retain the Murcielago’s mid-engine layout but be much lighter. According to previous reports, its wheelbase will be similar in length to the Murcielago but its overhangs, both front and rear, will be much shorter. Furthermore, as evidenced by the extended fender flares in these spy shots, it will feature a wider track. Mounted to each wheel of the test-mule is a RoaDyn torque sensor used to monitor the different forces and torque levels exerted on a specific wheel at different speeds. The data gathered can help engineers work out varying grip and traction levels in an effort to fine tune the vehicle’s all-wheel drive and suspension settings, plus ride characteristics. A big-cube V-12 engine will likely remain but the addition of direct injection technology should improve fuel-efficiency and power levels across the rev-range. In this way, engineers will be able to improve performance without having to boost power, the end result of which will be a much easier to drive Lamborghini flagship. The 670 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque developed by the latest Murcielago LP670-4 SV gives us a rough estimate as to what to expect. A dual-clutch transmission may also be offered to help transfer power to the four wheels. This may also be the first Lamborghini to be fitted with a hybrid powertrain, as well as fuel-saving engine stop-start and brake-energy regeneration technologies. CEO Stephan Winkelmann has already hinted at a 2015 launch for a hybrid Lamborghini and the new supercar’s expected 2012 release date puts it right on target to be the first green Lambo. [AutoExpress] Read More

  • Aston Martin releases new high-res shots of V12 Vantage in action

    Aston Martin releases new high-res shots of V12 Vantage in action July 10th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, July 10th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 2 Comments

    Aston Martin releases new high-res shots of V12 Vantage in action Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister. These latest high-res photos help capture all that's changed, and all that's stayed the same, adding to the photos previously released with more detail and action shots.

    Output of the svelte 6.0L V12 is rated at to 510hp (380kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. This is enough to propel the car from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds – 0.1 seconds quicker than the DBS – and allow it to reach a top speed of 305km/h. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six speed... Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister. These latest high-res photos help capture all that's changed, and all that's stayed the same, adding to the photos previously released with more detail and action shots. Output of the svelte 6.0L V12 is rated at to 510hp (380kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. This is enough to propel the car from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds – 0.1 seconds quicker than the DBS – and allow it to reach a top speed of 305km/h. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six speed manual gearbox. Designed for the focused driver, numerous components from the standard V8 Vantage were either replaced or enhanced for application in the V12 model. For example, engineers have added a new limited slip differential, a final drive ratio of 3.71:1, and an alloy torque tube with a lightweight carbon-fiber propeller shaft. Engine airflow is improved by an intake bypass that opens up at 5,500rpm, along with a revised induction system and re-profiled inlet ports. The shark-fin hood vents also help get heat from the high-strung powerplant out of the engine bay. The V12 unit is 220lb (100kg) heavier than the V8, but thanks to all the weight saving measures the car’s curb weight has only increased by 110lb (50kg) and checks in at 3,700lb (1,680kg). For full details on the V12 Vantage, check out our release story here.2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Read More

  • Report: Aston Martin V12 Vantage not ruled out for U.S.

    Report: Aston Martin V12 Vantage not ruled out for U.S. June 29th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 29th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Report: Aston Martin V12 Vantage not ruled out for U.S. Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister, but sadly the super-coupe is only destined for showrooms outside the U.S. Why? Apparently the car’s low volumes, expected to be 1,000 units all up, means it’s too expensive to justify designing it to meet tough U.S. crash safety laws.

    However, according to MotorTrend, Aston Martin is yet to rule out the car for U.S. sale and with an open top Roadster on its way things may change. If demand is strong enough and the business case supports it, Aston Martin is... Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister, but sadly the super-coupe is only destined for showrooms outside the U.S. Why? Apparently the car’s low volumes, expected to be 1,000 units all up, means it’s too expensive to justify designing it to meet tough U.S. crash safety laws. However, according to MotorTrend, Aston Martin is yet to rule out the car for U.S. sale and with an open top Roadster on its way things may change. If demand is strong enough and the business case supports it, Aston Martin is willing to sell the car in U.S. showrooms but how long that may take is still up in the air. One of the biggest hurdles is the front-end passenger safety of the car. Shoehorning the DBS’ 510hp (380kW) 6.0L V12 engine into the compact engine bay of the Vantage has eaten away at space usually reserved for crumple zones and pedestrian crash protection requirements. The car is also available exclusively with carbon-fiber shell seats and this apparently fails to meet U.S. safety regulations as well. For full details on the V12 Vantage, check out our release story here.2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster spy shots Read More

  • Preview: Abt Sportsline turns up the wick on Audi's Q7 V12 oil burner to 560hp

    Preview: Abt Sportsline turns up the wick on Audi's Q7 V12 oil burner to 560hp June 15th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, June 15th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 1 Comment

    Preview: Abt Sportsline turns up the wick on Audi's Q7 V12 oil burner to 560hp Not much is yet known about Abt Sportsline's latest take on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, but the numbers are enough to pique any enthusiast's interest: 560hp (412kW), 886lb-ft (1,200Nm) of torque and sports-car-like 0-62mph (100km/h) times of just 5.5 seconds.

    How Abt boosted the big V12 diesel from its 500hp (373kW), 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) torque baseline to the new and improved status is still a secret, but with that much straight-line juice, it'll be sure to have some suspension and wheel/tire enhancements to help deliver a sportier experience in the curvy bits too.

    Wheels up to 22in will be available with the new package, though the remaining... Not much is yet known about Abt Sportsline's latest take on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, but the numbers are enough to pique any enthusiast's interest: 560hp (412kW), 886lb-ft (1,200Nm) of torque and sports-car-like 0-62mph (100km/h) times of just 5.5 seconds. How Abt boosted the big V12 diesel from its 500hp (373kW), 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) torque baseline to the new and improved status is still a secret, but with that much straight-line juice, it'll be sure to have some suspension and wheel/tire enhancements to help deliver a sportier experience in the curvy bits too. Wheels up to 22in will be available with the new package, though the remaining details of the tuning kit will have to wait for the full reveal. For now, the photo above, provided by Abt and showing a lightly photo-edited version of the standard Q7 V12 TDI, is the only preview of the car available. Unfortunately for Americans, however, it won't really matter what the final version looks like,the beastly Q7 isn't available as Audi only sells the efficient but decidedly more tame Q7 3.0L V6 TDI in the States.2010 Audi Q7 V12 TDI2010 Audi Q7 SUV Read More

  • Spy shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster hits the ‘Ring

    Spy shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster hits the ‘Ring May 25th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, May 25th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Spy shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster hits the ‘Ring The convertible version of what’s arguably one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cars has been spotted again in prototype form, ahead of a market launch planned for early next year. The new car is the V12 Vantage Roadster, but sadly, just like its recently revealed hard-top cousin, U.S. customers are likely to miss out due to legal issues stemming from its engine and crash safety.

    The V12 Vantage Roadster will be almost identical to the hard-top except for its three-layer fabric roof, which can be opened or closed in just 18 seconds by pressing a button on the center console. Obvious signs that this prototype is the... The convertible version of what’s arguably one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cars has been spotted again in prototype form, ahead of a market launch planned for early next year. The new car is the V12 Vantage Roadster, but sadly, just like its recently revealed hard-top cousin, U.S. customers are likely to miss out due to legal issues stemming from its engine and crash safety. The V12 Vantage Roadster will be almost identical to the hard-top except for its three-layer fabric roof, which can be opened or closed in just 18 seconds by pressing a button on the center console. Obvious signs that this prototype is the high-performance V12 variant are the unique carbon-fiber body parts both at the front and rear, as well as the lower and more agressive front spoiler. Under the hood is the now familiar 6.0L V12 engine, the same unit from the DBS flagship. Output has been left untouched, which means the engine churns out 510hp (380kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. Performance will be slightly down on the hard-top, however, due to the extra weight brought on by strengthening of the roofless chassis. Drive will be sent to the rear wheels via a six speed manual gearbox, and Aston Martin’s new Touchtronic automatic may also be offered as an option. Other goodies will include a new limited slip differential, a final drive ratio of 3.71:1, and an alloy torque tube with a lightweight carbon-fiber propeller shaft. Production of the hard-top is scheduled to start at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, UK, in the third quarter of the year, while the new Roadster roll off the line early next year.2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster spy shots Read More

  • Six Aston Martins to tackle Nurburgring 24-hour race

    Six Aston Martins to tackle Nurburgring 24-hour race May 22nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, May 22nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Six Aston Martins to tackle Nurburgring 24-hour race 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.

    Behind the wheel will once again be Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and representatives from the carmaker’s engineering team. Bez, who will be driving in his fourth consecutive 24-hour race, said: “This is the final engineering durability test for the V12 Vantage program. We will be subjecting... 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. Behind the wheel will once again be Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and representatives from the carmaker’s engineering team. Bez, who will be driving in his fourth consecutive 24-hour race, said: “This is the final engineering durability test for the V12 Vantage program. We will be subjecting the car to the toughest assessment yet under public scrutiny as we successfully did with the Vantage N24 program. 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. The only differences between the production model and the new race car are essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension with no additional aerodynamic enhancements. The race car has also been fitted with Pirelli P Zero Circuit Racing slick tires to enhance performance. Alongside the V12 Vantage will be the original yellow V8 Vantage that ran in 2006 and inspired the design direction for the Vantage N24 model and GT4 race car. This particular car has clocked up four 24-hour race finishes and more than 20,000 endurance miles. Furthermore, four other Vantage N24 race cars will be competing with one of them piloted by the company’s Austrian dealer Richard Karner.2010 Aston Martin V12 VantageAston Martin V12 Vantage 24-hour Nurburgring race car Read More

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