flying car pictures

flying car

flying car pictures

flying car

Chevrolet Major League Baseball Silverado at SEMA

One of five Chevy Silverado theme cars to be shown at SEMA, this latest custom pickup truck puts Chevrolet's sponsorship of Major League Baseball in the spotlight. Typically, concepts and vehicles presented at shows like SEMA are targeted to consumers interested in aftermaket products. But it appears with the MLB concept, the General is more interested in customizing vehicles for the sake of promoting agendas outside of the world of tuning and customization. Realistically, if this Silverado had the slightest intention of reaching the public, who would be interested in a baseball themed car that represented ALL of the teams in MLB as opposed to their favorite team?

Anyway, if you are a lover of all things baseball, then you'll love the exterior paint job which prominently shows the MLB logo as well as all MLB team logos. The centerpiece is a flat panel television which rises into view as the power-lifting flat bed tonneau covers raises and includes a Wii gaming console. Similar to the Audi TT, the interior incorporates baseball glove like leather with baseball stitching and real baseball bat ash wood trim.

The only thing missing from this home-run Silverado is the apple pie – because the baseball and Chevrolet are covered. The Silverado 1500 crew cab is decked out in a baseball theme – with a paint scheme that incorporates all major league team logos – to support Chevrolet’s ties to Major League Baseball. It is also a fan’s dream, with a power-lifting tonneau cover that rises to reveal a wide-screen television monitor that not only brings in the game, but is connected to a Wii gaming console. Inside, the Silverado features real baseball bat ash wood trim and uniquely trimmed leather seats that have the look and feel of a baseball – including the stitching.

Vehicle highlights:

• Silverado 1500 crew cab

• 6.0L V-8

• Multi-color, MLB-inspired paint scheme incorporating all team logos

• Power-lift tonneau

• Wide-screen TV with Wii gaming console

• Bose Surround Sound system

• Leather-trimmed interior with baseball stitching, color and feel

• Ash wood (baseball bat material) trim

GM Accessories features (production and concept):

• Chrome mesh grille

• Twenty-two-inch chrome wheels

• Hard shell tonneau cover

• DVD headrest system

• Ground effects kit

Abt Audi R8 Debuts at Essen

Design milestones of sports car construction do not only come from Sant' Agata Bolognese or Maranello but also from Kempten. Because there, in the picturesque Allgäu region, Abt Sportsline, the greatest tuner for vehicles from the Volkswagen group, is based. With the new Abt R8, the term "improvement" is set one level higher as this car combines technical competence and brilliant design from Abt and results in an automobile masterwork. Not more and not less. The Abt R8 is a fantastic super sports car, playing in the same league as Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari F430.

No doubt, even the basis model of the R8 is something special - and therefore a real challenge, emphasizes Hans-Jürgen Abt. "The fluently dynamic form of the car is unique, it looks like having a lot of power, even when standing still," admits the managing director and therewith he raises the bar for his engineers and designers. As it is usual for Abt, the result is quite respectable and can be driven with fascination. The light and sporty high-tech material Carbon well visibly shapes the rear skirt, the side blades and the side skirts. The exciting body kit of the two-seater was developed by the motor sports professionals from Kempten who also optimized the car in reducing weight and in distributing mass evenly. That optical features do not obviate technical sophistications but, on the contrary, lead to perfection clearly show the contours of the Abt R8. Front skirt, side skirts, and rear skirt form a unit in which the rear wing, the side blades and also the exhaust system are harmonically integrated. A special highlight is the front skirt partially made of sight carbon. It is a component of the equipment version "Extravagant". The customer is able to provide his Abt R8 with attachment parts, at his own option with elements of sight carbon. A two tone structure is also possible by request. Another alternative is the equipment version “Exclusive”, which offers the customer the possibility to beautify his R8 with an Abt body kit made of high-quality GRP (glass fibre reinforced plastic). Also the new BR wheel from Abt with its bi-colour paint perfectly fits the car. The front axis presents it in the size 9x20 inch, the rear axis in 11x20 inch. Thus the R8 appears much more dynamical. With Abt suspension springs and car lowering the team from Kempten improves the road holding even more as Christian Abt and his specialists exactly adjusted the suspension. With the Abt sports brake system (380 millimeters diameter), the fast super sports car from the Allgäu sets standards also in matters of delay.

The new Abt R8 is a car which makes hearts beat faster. It perfectly brings the magic of speed onto the road even when standing still.

Opel Presents Racing Version Astra OPC Race Camp at Essen

Opel have entered a new territory of motorsport with the advent of the Astra OPC Race Camp. Two teams partnering Opel and Kissling Motorsport are presently undergoing training and entry vehicles under development for 2008's 24-hour event on the Nurburgring.

But models entered will not be modified versions of the production models they are based on, instead being built by Kissling Motorsport to personify a true racing-bred Astra from the ground up. An unpainted chassis forms the basis for the new Race Camp models, with a strengthened frame and a wide number of racing components. Subframe, tank, chassis and powertrain mountings and steering components are specially tailored.

An all-new drivetrain is introduced for this special race-bred Astra OPC. Mated to a six-speed sequential racing gearbox is the Race Camp's purpose-built supercharged air-cooled 2.0-litre turbo unit, generating a maximum power output of 221 kw / 300 hp at 6,300 rpm. Maximum torque of 400 Nm is developed at 3,980 rpm.

Kissling Motorsport are right at home on the Nurburgring, their workshops situated on the race track's doorstep in Bad Münstereifel. With a proven track record modifying Opel vehicles, Kissling have brought Opels to the track since the 1970s. Partners Dunlop and Recaro, for seat furnishings, also played an intensive role in development of the vehicle, with first roll-out scheduled for early next year.

Check out the racing team's official website at www.opc-racecamp.de, where you'll find team details, information on OPC models and the 'Ring, and should you wish, can listen to the official OPC Race Camp Song and its runners-up. (I'd quite like others to endure the same musical affliction, as I've listened to each enough during the writing of this article to grudgingly want two on mp3.)

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

With the 2008 motorsport season almost upon us, Porsche have upped power on their new 911 GT3 Cup and will produce a category record 265 examples of the now 420 hp production-based racing car. Produced in Stuttgart, the 26 examples heading for racing use in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges will be delivered early March next year.

Gaining 20 hp over the output of the previous model, the 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer unit now produces 420 hp. And with a kerb weight of just 1,150 kg in race trim and therefore a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kilos per horsepower, is some 245 kg lighter (at 3.4 kg / hp) than a standard new 415 hp GT3. A six-speed sequential transmission allowing for seamless full throttle shifting has been optimised for the new more powerful engine characteristics.

Keeping up with the production version, the GT3 Cup's rear end has been significantly updated, among the changes being the insertion of air venting slits to provide better heat dispersal. A modified exhaust system, producing a more commanding Formula 1 reminiscent sound, and exclusive PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, which reduces weight by 20 kg and increases braking response and lifetime reliability.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is entering the 2008 motorsport season with engine output increased to 420 bhp. The car will be raced in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, the world’s fastest international brand trophy, and worldwide in national Porsche Carrera Cups and GT3 Cup Challenges. 265 units of this production-based racing car developed in Weissach will be built on Porsche’s production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, marking a new record for a car of this category.

The most significant modification compared with last year’s model is the new rear end following the design of the production model. Air venting slits ensure better dissipation of heat at the rear. The 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine developed in Weissach is also based on the street-legal GT3 and develops maximum output of 420 bhp, 20 horsepower more than on the previous model. The sequential six-speed transmission with interruption of engine power enables the driver to shift up under full throttle without disengaging the clutch. The transmission itself has been optimised and the gear ratios adjusted to the characteristics of the engine. Weighing 1,150 kg in race trim, the new 911 GT3 Cup has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7 kg per horsepower.

The 26 units of the 911 GT3 Cup built for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup feature a special exhaust system with an even more striking sound pattern reminiscent of the Formula 1 racing scene as well as PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as exclusive highlights. Compared with conventional brake discs, PCCB reduces unsprung masses by 20 kg and sets new standards in terms of responsiveness, resistance to fading, and a long service life. The racing cars entered worldwide in the Carrera Cup feature a modified exhaust system and steel brake discs.

Porsche’s Racing Department in Weissach is responsible for the fine-tuning and running in the 911 GT3 Cup cars. Deliveries will be directly from Weissach, depending on the country of destination and the schedules to be observed. While the cars for the Carrera Cup New Zealand have already been shipped, delivery of the racing cars for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and the Carrera Cup Germany is scheduled for early March 2008.


Specifications

Power Unit
Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer; 3,598 cc; stroke 76.4 mm (3.01"); bore 99.98 mm (3.94"); max output 420 bhp (309 kW); max torque 420 Nm (310 lb-ft); max engine speed 8,400 rpm; four-valve technology; dry sump lubrication; two-stage resonance intake distributor; central air intake; electronic MS 3.1 engine management; fuel injection (multi-point, sequential); fuel grade 98 RON premium plus unleaded; racing exhaust with fully controlled catalytic converter (400 cells); rear silencer with centrally mounted double tailpipe; special exhaust tailpipes for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

Power Transmission
Six-speed gearbox with sequential jaw-type shift; compressed oil lubrication; oil/water heat exchanger; single-mass flywheel; hydraulic disengagement lever; 5.5-inch three-plate sintered metal clutch; limited-slip differential 40/60 %; rear-wheel drive.

Body
Monocoque body made of hot-galvanised steel; aerodynamically optimised front end with front spoiler; doors with side frames made of CFP and reinforced plastic door panels; rear lid with adjustable rear wing made of CFP; rear body panels made of CFP; air jack; welded-in rollcage; bucket-type racing seat (on driver's side only) with flame-resistant seat cover; six-point seat belt adapted for use of the HANS Head and Neck Support; electric fire-extinguishing system; 90-litre fuel tank; safety bar holding the battery in position.

Chassis and Suspension
Front: McPherson spring strut axle; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); front axle arms adjustable for camber; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar; reinforced front axle crossbar with six-point fastening and double clamping; power steering with electrohydraulic pressure supply.
Rear: Multi-arm axle with rigidly mounted axle subframe; Sachs gas pressure dampers; double coil springs (main and ancillary spring); rear axle track arm adjustable for camber; rear axle tiebar reinforced and infinitely adjustable; adjustable sword-type anti-roll bar.
Complete suspension infinitely adjustable (height, camber, track).

Brakes
Brake system with balance bar control.
Front: Single-piece six-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 380 mm (14.96") in diameter; racing brake pads.
Rear: Single-piece four-piston aluminium fixed callipers; Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), inner-vented, 350 mm (13.78") in diameter; racing brake pads.

Wheels/Tyres
Front: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (9J x 18); ET 43 with central locking;
Michelin rain tyres (24/64-18).
Rear: Three-piece BBS light-alloy wheels (11J x 18); ET 30 with central locking;
Michelin rain tyres (27/68-18).

Electrical System
Motec display with integrated data recording; battery: 12 volt, 50 Ah, 90 Ah alternator.

Weight
Approx 1,150 kg (1,130 kg with PCCB).

Edo Competition Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 Versione Nardo

At the high-speed test track in Nardo, Italy, the venerable team at edo competition have put their Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 to the task, making the raging bull go as fast as they can. Using a “meticulously accurate and incorruptible” GPS-based measuring system from TÜV-Rheinland, the LP 640 clocked a record breaking 345.7 km/h (214.8 mph) run, making it the fastest top speed ever recorded by a Lamborghini. Amazingly, the only modifications made were an ECU recalibration, new high flow air filters and high performance catalytic converters specifically designed for the LP 640 which produce 663 hp from the 6.5-liter V12 engine. Already, edo competition have set a new goal for themselves next year as they aspire to achieve a top speed in excess of 360 km/h (224 mph). They estimate 700 hp should do the trick.

A 4am wake-up Espresso has to suffice. The remaining drowsiness disappears as soon as the 6.5 ltr. V12, now with 663 hp, is fired up. Re-torque the wheels once again. After checking the pressure of the new Continental V-max tires the edo competition LP 640 Versione Nardo rolls onto the 12.6 km (7.8 miles) long oval.

Each contestant has 3 laps: The first one as the warm-up lap, the second one as the high-speed lap and the third one as the cool down lap. By now it’s 6am, the sun is rising over the test track. It’s chilly with light winds, but above all - It’s dry. On this Sunday morning the warm-up lap is driven at speeds between 280 and 300 km/h (174-186 mph). Particular attention is paid to vibrations, oil- and water-temperatures. It feels good, the LP 640, and thanks to the newly developed rear wing it’s so fantastically stable, as if the tires were glued to the south-Italian tarmac.

Now it’s on. The second lap counts and the growl of the V12 is turning into an infernal shriek as the revs rise - similar to a chainsaw cutting through a giant sequoia tree. Wide open throttle is the norm now and even at 280 km/h (174 mph) one is still being pushed into the seat. Meanwhile in 6th gear the raging bull comfortably eclipses the 340 km/h (211 mph) mark, but there’s more. 345.7 km/h (214.8 mph) is what TÜV-Rheinland’s meticulously accurate and incorruptible GPS-based measuring system shows.

Cool down lap – Not without pride the engine is brought back into more sedate rev ranges, with the knowledge to have achieved the fastest ever recorded top speed of a Lamborghini!

Even the newly developed rear wing could prove itself in these extreme conditions. No drop in top speed - far from it, and absolutely stable driving behavior even at these high speeds.

With this result Edo competition has clearly proven that even small modifications like an ECU recalibration, new high flow air filters and high performance catalytic converters specifically designed for the LP 640 can have a resounding effect.

Our thanks go to Continental, AutoBildSportscars, TÜV-Rheinland and Mr. Thomas Budde, Prof. M.D., who measured the heart rate of Edo Karabegovic and the other pilots during the runs.

While for some test drivers heart rates equaling those of top athletes were measured, our results were well within the comfort range with a peak of 150 beats per minute.

Driven by this fantastic success the team of edo competition Motorsport will field the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 with considerably more power next time. The goal is 700 hp, which should allow for a top speed in excess of 360 km/h (224 mph).