Supercars Koenigsegg GT

DOWN TUNED TO 600+ HP in order to comply with race regulations.

Koenigsegg has created a new race car - the CCGT, based on the production CC-model range. The CCGT complies with the ACO and FIA GT1 regulations.

The CCGT engine is based on the Koenigsegg CCX production engine with the superchargers removed but enlarged to 5.0 litre.

The reliability of the race engine is expected be exceptional as it is based on the proven strength and durability of the signifi cantly more powerful road car engine.

The minimum weight allowed for a GTI race car is 1,100 kg and most manufacturers struggle to meet this target, having to undergo massive weight saving programs.

Due to the fact the Koenigsegg CC cars are very light and stiff in road confi guration, the racing CCGT weighs in at just under an astounding 1,000 kg. This gives the possibility to place 100 kg of ballast freely within the car structure, still following the set rules. This should give Koenigsegg an interesting advantage over the competition.

The CCGT has very short overhangs, which could be seen as an issue when it comes to generating enough downforce. However, by further developing the clever and “slippery” design concept of the CC range, Koenigsegg believes they have created a unique package incorporating a surprising amount of down-force combined with a very compact package and optimal weight distribution. Since the CCGT has a short overall length and low overall height, whilst still maintaining adequate track width and length, it is thereby gifted with superior agility compared to most of the competition, which should be evident in future heated racing combats.

The Koenigsegg CCGT development team, headed by Dag Bolenius, has done a superb job by refining the CC into the CCGT.

The race engine is being developed in-house in parallel with the production units by Koenigsegg engineers, supported by Anders Hoglund from Cargine engineering and JP Motorsport.

Technical Specification

Body
Two-door, two-seater body made of pre-impregnated carbonibre/kevlar and lightweight sandwich reinforcements.
Carbon/Kevlar/alu honeycomb racing seats.
Full homologated roll cage by Koenigsegg-ME-racing.

Dimensions
Total length: 4293 mm (169”)
Total width: 1996 mm (78.6”)
Total height: 1030 mm (40,6”)
Ground clearance: 50 mm (2”)
Fuel capacity: 100 litres

Dry weight: 1100 kg (100 kg ballast in order to reach 1100 kg of minimum weight)

Steering
Rack and pinion power assisted.

Chassis
Semi monocoque made of pre-impregnated carbonfibre and honeycomb.

Instruments
AIM. Full telemetrical system.

Wheels
Koenigsegg - Dymag magnesium alloy heels with centre locking.

Transmission
Koenigsegg/Cima sequential magnesium transaxle, straight cut gear, dog ring engagement, interchangable gear ratios. 215 mm AP-Racing carbon or sintered twin disc clutch.

Engine
Koenigsegg developed 5.0L, normally aspirated, drysumped 32 valve V8 with roller throttles and individual intake trumpets. Nira engine control.

Front and rear suspension
Double wishbones, adjustable Racing gas-hydraulic shock absorbers, pushrod operated. Anti-roll bar. Pneumatic pits stop lifting system.

Front brakes
Ventilated Surface Transforms ceramic discs O 362 mm, 37 mm wide. 6 piston light alloy monobloc calipers. Koenigsegg Advanced Control system.

Rear brakes
Ventilated Surface Transforms ceramic discs O 362 mm, 37 mm wide. 6 piston light alloy monobloc calipers. Koenigsegg Advanced Control system.

Tags: Koenigsegg, gt, tuned cars, maxracer, supercars

Supercars Spyker C12 Zagato

The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminium rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bph W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-100 km (0-60 mph) in 3.8 seconds. The Spyker C12 Zagato is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic gear box with F1 style shifting, Chronoswiss instruments and a Zagato designed full leather interior with brushed aluminium instrument panel. The C12 Zagato has an aluminium body with stainless steel roof rails and has many F1 derived design details such as an F1 nose, air scoop, chimneys, mirrors, rain light, fuel flap and diffuser. It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element. The Spyker C12 Zagato has a length of 4.5 m, a width of 2.02 m excluding mirrors, a height of 1.25 m and weighs 1480 kg. The fuel tank capacity is 70 litres (15.4 gallons). Top speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).

“The Spyker and Zagato Atelier brands perfectly align because of their common aeronautical origins and because of the shared passion of Victor Muller and myself for sports cars” states Andrea Zagato.“Nevertheless Victor, before starting this extraordinary adventure with Spyker, was a Zagato collector owning cars like the Flaminia SS and TZ. Together with our neo-classical approach, this Spyker C12 Zagato shows the capabilities of Zagato Atelier for innovative and non conventional solutions.”

Norihiko Harada, designer of the new Spyker C12 Zagato, adds: “All Spyker cars have their own very unique style: the aeronautical retrospective style co-exists with craftsmanship and elegance. The new Zagato body becomes even more unique, aggressive and sensual at the same time. It features a new double bubble panoramic roof , F1 influenced nose and air intakes, chimney and a “coda tronca”, the typical Zagato cut off tail end.

Maintaining Spyker’s styling philosophy, Zagato design put all these elements together and created an extremely stimulating example of contemporary exotic high performance sports car by using typical modern Zagato lines which started from the Raptor Zagato in 1996.”

The Spyker C12 Zagato will retail for EUR 495,000 (excluding any taxes, ex factory).

Tags: supercars, spyker, geneva, zagato c12, maxracer

Concepts New Opel GTC concept

The GTC concept's aggressive front end is emphasised by large aluminium vertical intakes that intersect the headlamps, elements that are mimicked in the rear exhaust outlets. The inclusion of LED lighting in the front and rear lamps propose a signature illumination graphic when the car prowls around at night. Outboard LED vertical driving lamps were also designed to communicate power and strength, while a rear diffuser is tucked beneath the rear bumper and an integrated bootlid spoiler.

Under the skin, the four-seat coupé is powered by a 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine claimed to create 300bhp and a maximum 295lb.ft of torque. Acceleration to 62mph is estimated to take six seconds and the car is alleged to reach a limited 155mph top speed. A six-speed manual transmission driving an electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system (with a rear bias) transmits power to the road.

The Opel GTC concept's interior is also a reflection of the carmaker's forthcoming brand identity. The interior shapes and surfaces are specifically designed to enhance driver ergonomics, with the dashboard top-pad flowing from the instrument panel to the door, enveloping the passenger compartment. Matte ebony surfaces are contrasted with high-gloss 'piano black' décor finish and aluminium accents, revealing the new Opel/Vauxhall aesthetics. Four round instrument gauges, encircled by translucent rings, are backlit in red, replacing the brand's traditional amber tones and communicating the added presence of the concept.

Seating is recessed into the structure for a more 'integrated' feeling for both front and rear occupants. The instrument panel is specifically designed to optimise outward visibility and provide a sense of space, an effect strengthened by its dark upper section and contrasting light lower section. Opel designers wanted to illustrate that a sleek coupé roofline need not hinder space or headroom. Despite the concept's flat roof, rear headroom is 920mm, largely attributed to the low mounted twin rear seats.

A unique "Flex4" system moves the backs of both rear seats forward and docks them separately to the front seats by remote control to optimise usability. The car can be transformed into a spacious three or two-seater with a flat load floor and up to 1020 litres of luggage compartment capacity, more than double the space afforded with the rear seats in place.

It's unlikely that the GTC will make production unchanged, but hopefully the new Vectra shares the concept's styling and stance.

Tags: opel, gtc, concept cars, vauxhall, maxracer

Auto News-All new Ford Mondeo

2007 Ford Mondeo:
The Mondeo has a stellar reputation in the UK, having appeared in the nation's top 10 favourite cars every year since its launch in 1993 and selling more than 1.5 million example. First seen in prototype guise at the Paris motor show and then making a cameo in the latest James Bond film, the new Ford Mondeo has a lot to live up to. And it looks like it's got what it takes.

The latest iteration of the Mondeo employs Ford's 'kinetic design' language, creating a distinctive front end with bevelled corners and a deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. A muscular shoulder line accentuates the flanks - rising gradually toward the rear - while a strong undercut line runs from the front wheel arches through the side of the car.

Three distinct body styles will be available from launch: a saloon, five-door hatchback and an estate. Within these are four distinct trim levels: the entry-level Edge, mid-spec Zetec, and the top of the range Ghia and Titanium X models.

Power for the new Mondeo will be supplied by a range of Duratorq diesels and Duratec petrol engines. The diesel units can be specified in 1.8-litre or 2-litre guise, with power ratings between 99bhp and 138bhp. The low-range 1.8-litre will be fitted with a five-speed manual transmission and a six-speed will be available in the 123bhp version. The 2-litre can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or 'Durashift' automatic, but the auto option has just 128bhp.

Tags: 2007 ford, mondeo, ford mondeo, maxracer, auto news, new cars