The new BMW 7 Series

The new BMW 7 Series:

• New full-LED headlights, a prominent BMW kidney grille and a modified front apron define the unmistakable appearance of the new BMW 7 Series range.
• New to the cockpit are the multifunctional instrument display allowing the driver to select a variety of information and the central Control Display with 3D graphics. New Rear Seat Entertainment package.
• New and upgraded engine variants raise the bar in terms of output and efficiency. Eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard. Fuel savings of up to 25 per cent are possible.
• Engine line-up ranges from a TwinPower Turbo diesel unit that holds the title of the world’s most powerful straight-six diesel engine to the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7.
• Advanced features such as coasting mode, proactive hybrid technology and the Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode enhance both driving comfort and efficiency.
• Optimised chassis – with self-levelling air suspension at the rear axle – gives long-distance comfort a noticeable boost.
• New Connected Drive highlights: latest-generation Professional navigation system, BMW Night Vision + Dynamic Light Spot, anti-dazzle LED High-Beam Assistant, BMW Parking Assistant, Driver Assistant Plus, Active Protection.

The new BMW 7 Series is set to reinforce its position as the most innovative sedan in the luxury segment. The flagship model series of the BMW fleet embodies sporting elegance, refined powertrain technology and luxurious comfort in equal measure. And now, by making a clear step up in terms of product substance, the Sedan is set to underline its leadership. New LED headlights, an upgraded interior with optimised soundproofing, markedly improved ride comfort, a comprehensive selection of optional equipment and state-of-the-art safety technology combine to create an in-car experience from the top drawer. A line-up of either new or optimised drive systems, including the world’s most powerful six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7, set new performance and efficiency benchmarks.

Body: new LED headlights and subtle new design features.
Dynamic lines and perfectly balanced proportions continue to lie at the heart of the BMW 7 Series Sedan’s sporty and elegant presence. The most eye-catching feature of the new BMW 7 Series are the new LED headlights with hallmark BMW corona rings and a smart accent strip, which now ensure the new BMW 7 Series projects a distinctive appearance at night as well. The modified BMW kidney grille with nine slats – instead of the previous 12 – and revised front apron set the new model apart from its predecessor. Elsewhere, indicators integrated into the lower section of the exterior mirrors are among the new features visible from the side. And last but not least, the powerfully chiselled rear benefits from a thin chrome strip connecting the two slim reflectors in the rear apron.

Interior: new leather seats, optimised noise levels, Rear Seat Entertainment package and sound system with extending centre speaker.
Flawlessly executed design, top-class materials, quality workmanship and outstanding practicality define the interior of the BMW 7 Series Sedan. The driver and front passenger can relax into newly designed leather seats offering optimum lateral support and unbeatable long-distance comfort. The rear passengers, too, travel in luxury and are largely cocooned from outside noise. Individual seats are also available as an option for the rear and can be adapted to passengers’ needs. And the optional Rear Seat Entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch flatscreen monitor ensures a refreshing diversion is always at hand over extended journeys. The new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System delivers unimpeachable sound quality. Its 16 speakers include an illuminated centre speaker which retracts almost fully into the instrument panel.

Cockpit: selectable displays in black-panel technology and central Control Display with 3D graphics.
In the new BMW 7 Series, the multifunctional instrument display behind the steering wheel takes its cues from the driver’s needs. Extended black-panel technology opens up a whole new range of display options through the 10.25-inch screen. The instruments are now presented using different colours and graphics depending on the driving mode selected, and provide situation-specific information such as status and function displays. The Control Display in the centre of the instrument panel has also benefited from visual and technical improvements and now uses high-resolution 3D graphics.

Powertrain and chassis: 
refined power, improved efficiency and enhanced ride comfort.
The new BMW 7 Series Sedan will hit the ground running in 2012 armed with new and comprehensively revised engines which are extremely economical and low on emissions and channel their power to the driven wheels through an intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission. Technology such as the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode and coasting function pave the way for additional fuel saving.

Alongside the flagship BMW 760i with its 12-cylinder powerplant and the entry-level engine in the BMW 730i (not available in all markets), customers can choose from the new six-cylinder in-line engine powering the BMW 740i and the revised V8 petrol engine earmarked for the BMW 750i. The six-cylinder diesel engines in the BMW 730d and BMW 740d likewise offer drivers the combination of increased output and lower fuel consumption. Making its debut, meanwhile, is the new BMW 750d xDrive. Under its bonnet lies the new TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder diesel engine – the world’s most powerful diesel engine of its kind. Rounding off the range is the second-generation BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with a new six-cylinder in-line engine and significantly reduced emissions.

An impressive spread of chassis wizardry helps give the ride comfort of the BMW 7 Series Sedan a noticeable boost. Complementing the optimised chassis set-up – with modified rubber bearings and new dampers – and the self-levelling air suspension for the rear axle is the standard-fitted Electric Power Steering. State-of-the-art electronic control systems with likewise retuned software help to enhance the long-distance attributes of the BMW 7 Series Sedan and ensure that the new edition of the car makes travelling on board even more pleasurable – in terms of both dynamics and comfort.

BMW ConnectedDrive: intelligent integration is the key to comfort and assurance at the wheel along with unbeatable safety. 
A unique combination of driver assistance systems and mobility services allows the BMW 7 Series to once again demonstrate its innovative edge and technical eminence over its rivals. To this end, the BMW ConnectedDrive portfolio includes impressive new features that enable the Sedan to maintain its leading position in the luxury segment.

Among the systems helping to maximise safety are BMW Night Vision + Dynamic Light Spot with pedestrian recognition technology (unique in the premium segment), the anti-dazzle LED High-Beam Assistant, Driver Assistant Plus with Stop & Go function, Active Protection with automatic fatigue recognition and Speed Limit Info including the No Passing Info display using road sign symbols. A more powerful operating system governing the central Control Display ensures the entertainment programs are simpler to operate, optimises office and online services, and makes using the telephone that much easier. The Professional navigation system, meanwhile, is now more powerful and features new and ultra-sharp map graphics and 3D city mode. An innovative feature allowing convenient hands-free opening of the boot lid rounds off the function-focused highlights of the BMW 7 Series.

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bmw zagato roadster

Pebble Beach. Barely three months after the sensational premiere of the BMW Zagato Coupé, BMW and Zagato are turning heads again at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with the fruits of their latest collaboration. Created in just six weeks’ worth of lavish handcraftsmanship, the BMW Zagato Roadster represents another masterful example of the traditional coachbuilder’s art and an elegant take on the sporty, masculine marker laid down by the BMW Zagato Coupé.

At the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, this one-of-a-kind automobile finds itself in the best possible company. Every year connoisseurs and exponents of coachbuilt classics come together on California’s Pacific coastline to gorge on, mull over and be amazed by an array of automotive exotica. Indeed, you’d be hard pressed to find a more appropriate venue for the premiere of the BMW Zagato Roadster.

The next stage of a successful collaboration.  The decision to launch another collaboration between BMW and Italian coachbuilder Zagato was made only a short time after the BMW Zagato Coupé took its first bow. Encouraged by the positive reaction to the Coupé, Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, and Andrea Zagato soon agreed to take their partnership a step further. On the menu this time would be a Roadster model. “We set ourselves the challenge of preparing the car in time for the renowned Pebble Beach Concours” explains van Hooydonk. The BMW Zagato Roadster was duly conjured up in record haste, with only six weeks separating the first design idea from the finished model. “It was only with the expertise of both companies in the manufacture of high-end one-off cars and another display of outstanding teamwork that we were able to finish the car on schedule,” adds the BMW design supremo.

Andrea Zagato picks up on the theme: “Our success in finishing the car in such a short space of time shows what is possible when two successful companies pool their resources” says Zagato. “BMW is a high-achieving carmaker boasting a vast well of knowledge and technical capability in this area. When you combine that with our expertise in the creation of micro-series cars and our streamlined production processes, everything is in place to produce a beautiful model like the BMW Zagato Roadster in double-quick time”.

The design – Italian finesse meets Bavarian roadster tradition.It quickly became clear that the partnership’s next jointly developed model would be a roadster. Indeed, no other concept embodies the pure fascination of motoring quite like this breed of car. With the roof down, two seats and exceptional performance, it allows the driver to experience dynamic thrills and driving pleasure with all the senses. To this heady blend the BMW Zagato Roadster adds the fineries of the Italian “dolce vita”, its designers succeeding in lending the car its own distinct character without blurring its family ties.

BMW and Zagato can both look back on a long and successful tradition of building roadsters, and the BMW Zagato Roadster sees their respective design DNAs melting into one. There is, of course, more to designing a roadster than slicing the roof off a coupé. “This car is not designed only as an elegant convertible, but also as a masculine and extremely dynamic sports car which evokes a powerful driving experience,” says Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada, describing the design philosophy behind the BMW Zagato Roadster. Like the BMW Zagato Coupé, the Roadster is ready to drive – and intended to be driven at high speeds.

The car’s proportions make no secret of the special driving experience that awaits the driver. The sweeping hood and long wheelbase pin the driver back close to the driven rear wheels. There, he sits low down in an ultra-sporty position inside the cockpit. The taut, hallmark BMW surface treatment and Zagato’s clearly defined distribution of visual mass lend the BMW Zagato Roadster an athletic appearance – poised and eager, demanding to be driven.

Distinctive front-end design.
A low-set kidney grille, complete with intricate z-design grating, as well as focused twin circular headlights and a three-dimensional front apron shape the expressive face of the BMW Zagato Roadster, as they do the front end of the Coupé. It is this area of the car that provides the stylistic link between the two models, giving them a clear identity, reflecting their family ties and, at the same time, making them easily recognisable.

Overall, the BMW Zagato Roadster’s front end is very three-dimensional, wide and powerfully formed. The nose surges forward dynamically, dipping down close to the road, and allows the BMW Zagato Roadster to cut an agile figure, crouching as if about to pounce. The contoured hood extends this aura of dynamism with its sweeping lines and taut surfaces, while a pair of air intakes carved into the hood supply the engine compartment with extra air and hint at the brawny powerplant inside. The focused headlights accentuate the car’s driver-oriented character and high-speed concept; the “razorlight” – a precise LED light strip set into the matt surface above the headlights – finishes these elements off with an extra touch of class.

Sitting low between the headlights is Zagato’s take on the BMW kidney grille, featuring matt kidney surrounds. A stand-out detail here – and one shared with the BMW Zagato Coupé – is the use of a large number of small matt-sheen Zagato “z” letters to make up the kidney grating. This arrangement injects added depth into the grating and lays on a high-quality accent for the front end.

Dynamic side view.
The flanks of the BMW Zagato Roadster reflect the extrovert character of its Coupé sibling. Here, the clearly defined distribution of visual mass and eye-catching tail of a Zagato blend with the hallmark surface treatment and use of forms familiar from BMW models. Together, they imbue the BMW Zagato Roadster with a distinctive and athletic allure. The black colouring of the A-pillars allows them to fade into the background and set off the sculpturing of the car’s body even more effectively.

The BMW Zagato Roadster’s silhouette outlines a poised and alert presence, the car’s sweeping hood, long wheelbase, short overhangs and low rear end merging into a taut, sporty whole. The basic choreography of lines and surfaces is similar to that of the BMW Zagato Coupé, but subtle differences are noticeable at the rear. The tail end as a whole places a greater emphasis on elegance than that of the Coupé, which shows a sharper sporting edge. The Roadster’s lines are smoother here and the rear is lower-slung. Plus, a fine additional line forges a visual connection between the sill and the rear apron to round off the rear end design in style.

Another noteworthy detail of the BMW Zagato Roadster are its roll-bars – an important design element of many roadsters and commonly an identifying feature. The roll-bars of the BMW Zagato Roadster are quintessentially Zagato. The designers took their inspiration for these technical components from an aircraft wing and experimented with their mass before settling on a dynamic forward-leaning focus and powerful structure. “The low, dynamic roll-bars, inspired by an airplane wing, are an eye-catcher that make the BMW Zagato Roadster recognisable from a distance” says Norihiko Harada. Their brown colour gives the roll- bars an even more prominent profile. Allow the eye to wander further back, and the car’s rump provides a harmonious conclusion to its overall silhouette. Other striking details include the air outlets adorning the Roadster’s flanks, which mirror the form of the hood vents and reproduce their dynamic theme. The silver “z” positioned below the flank vents references the BMW/Zagato collaboration.

A bird’s-eye view of the car highlights the BMW Zagato Roadster’s interpretation of the hallmark Zagato double-bubble roof in the soft-top cover. The cover uses this double-bubble element to extend the lines of the hood all the way to the rear, where it accentuates the muscular proportions of the rear-wheel-drive Roadster. These two roof domes – the “doppia gobba” in local parlance – are a signature feature of Zagato design and can be found on almost every Zagato car.

Sporty yet elegant rear-end design. The sharply chiselled tail of the BMW Zagato Roadster provides a fine advertisement for the exquisite talents of the Zagato body specialists. The rear end displays a seamless perfection, giving it a feel of quality – like a sculpture cast from a single mould. Here, the high degree of handcraftsmanship within the walls of the Zagato design studio and the company’s vast well of experience in working with surfaces and forms come resplendently to light.

Taken as a whole, the rear of the BMW Zagato Roadster has a very broad, low-slung appearance, giving the car a wide stance and planted muscularity on the road. Like those of its Coupé counterpart, the BMW Zagato Roadster’s rear lights are arranged behind black tinted glass. The glass area extends in a shallow black band around the whole of the rear end, underlining its horizontal geometry. Beneath it, the dark diffuser gives the BMW Zagato Roadster a squat, powerful stance. Exhaust tailpipes positioned towards the outer edges of the rear add further emphasis, their matt finish contributing another flourish of quality. The body-coloured surfaces between the tailpipes draw the final lines in the distinctive, low-to-the-road and broad-set looks of the rear end.

Highlights and details.The unique character of the BMW Zagato Roadster is reflected in even smaller details. The 19-inch light-alloy wheels in classically sporty five-spoke design have a hint of propeller about them, offering a subtle nod to the origins of the two companies: both BMW and Zagato founder Ugo Zagato took an airborne route into automotive construction. The discreetly attractive matt finish of the wheels lends the car extra allure from the side.

A very special highlight of the BMW Zagato Roadster is its paintwork. The exclusive exterior paint finish, a brilliant grey with impressive depth, appears to wrap the car’s body in a cloak of liquid metal. Depending on how the light hits the body, the colour spectrum ranges from dark grey to a light silver, bringing the surfaces and forms of the BMW Zagato Roadster to life.

The interplay of exterior and interior.The open-top nature of a roadster means it is often the interior that catches the eye first. Only later does your attention move on to the exterior and the interplay between the exterior and interior. The BMW Zagato Roadster zeroes in on this peculiarity and consciously allows the boundaries between inside and outside to blur.

To this end, the colours and materials marking the transition from interior to exterior exude a special exclusiveness. A strip of brown leather wraps around the interior like a rail to create a visual connection between the inside of the car and its exterior. The brown leather extends from the instrument panel over the door sill and around behind the seats, and even incorporates the roll-over bars. Embracing the driver and passenger like a large protective arm, this leather adornment provides an attractive transition into the otherwise predominantly black interior. The warm shade of brown reappears in various areas of the interior, including the contrast stitching of the seats, the steering wheel and doors, and the centre console. The interplay of colours and composition of details bathe the interior of the BMW Zagato Roadster in a sumptuous ambience, while the brown “z” embroidered into the seats is a further nod to its origins.

The interior itself boasts the clear structuring you would expect from BMW and invites the driver to give the machine around him a thorough workout. Details such as the sweeping horizontal lines along the inside of the doors and the full-length centre console lend a rarefied sense of exclusivity to the sporty promptings and driver focus of the interior.

Zagato – a coachbuilder with a lo ng tradition.

Founded by Ugo Zagato in 1919, today Zagato is the only automotive body manufacturer still in independent ownership. From its earliest days, Zagato has taken a minimalist and pared-down approach to its creations, very much in keeping with the Milanese tradition of design. Form takes precedence over details, thanks in part to technical considerations. Body designer Ugo Zagato learned his trade in – among other industries – aviation, where aerodynamics and lightweight construction play a central role. Zagato duly applied these principles rigorously in the construction of cars and soon celebrated a rash of race victories as a body construction partner to Alfa Romeo. The “necessary beauty” of aerodynamics and lightweight construction came to represent a maxim of design, one that has defined the form of every Zagato since.

Today, with Andrea Zagato and Marella Rivolta-Zagato, becoming the third generation of his family to take his seat at the helm, the company describes itself as a design studio combining the emotion and handcraftsmanship of body construction with the precision of state-of-the-art technology. Zagato follows coachbuilding tradition in developing only the shell of the car and leaving the mechanics of the machine untouched. More than 200 Vmax concepts, special editions and micro-series have been created in this way down the years and find appreciation among connoisseurs and collectors the world over. Indeed, all Zagatos are coveted collector’s items today and worth many times what their original owners paid for them.

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Toyota gt 86 specs and pics

• Entirely driver-focused sports car, designed to recapture the fundamental joys of motoring
• World's most compact four-seater sports car, delivering very low centre of gravity and excellent power-to-weight ratio
• A return to Toyota's sporting roots, with a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive package
• Powertrain combines 197bhp 2.0-litre flat-four boxer engine with torque-enhancing D-4S injection technology
• Design achieves outstanding aerodynamics while recalling Toyota's sports car heritage
• New car to be called the GT 86 in Europe, in tribute to Toyota's GT car heritage
• On sale in the UK in June 2012

Tailored to the driver's sports car, designed to reclaim the basic joys of driving a car

World's most compact four-seater sports car and a delivers a very low center of gravity and excellent power to weight ratio

A return to racing roots of Toyota, with a front engine and rear-wheel drive package

Powertrain combines 197bhp 2.0-liter flat-four boxer engine torque increase of the D-4S fuel injection

Design achieves excellent aerodynamics and recalls, Toyota sports car heritage

New car to be called GT 86 in Europe, a tribute to Toyota GT-car heritage

On sale in the UK in June 2012

The anticipation is over: Toyota's new 86 GT sports car makes its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show on 30 November. The compact 2 +2 model, one of the most anticipated new cars of the coming year is to go on sale in Britain in June 2012.

The GT 86 is as a whole on the driver cut machine, designed the central qualities of the classic sports car experience delivering. This means precise, immediate response to the slightest throttle and steering inputs and the type of service that appeals to those for whom driving a passion, not a necessity.

The GT 86 is built on a new platform, with a highly aerodynamic body tight mechanical elements of the car. Instead of mounting a serious, large capacity, Toyota has decided Powertrain place back to its sporting roots to the installation of a compact, front mounted, free-revving gasoline engine that drives the rear wheels.

This four-cylinder "boxer" unit produces 197bhp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 205Nm at 6,600 revolutions per minute, the GT 86 active, committed performance.

The powertrain is the world's most compact four-seat design, a car that benefits from low weight, low inertia and low center of gravity, creating tailored to achieve the best power to weight ratio. Means for the driver, the lively, accessible performance and dynamic character, with minimal penetration of electronic systems.

Packaging

The GT 86 measures 4240 mm long, 1,285 mm wide and 2.570 mm height, dimensions that make it the most compact four-seater sports car available today.

The car has a near-perfect 53:47 front to rear weight distribution: both the drive and the driver's seat as low and as far back as possible in order was placed to achieve the best balance. The flat-four engine format and the driver's door hip point - the lowest among all current Toyota production model - together give the GT-86 is an ultra low center of gravity, at only 475mm.

The GT-86 makes the most of a light weight, making it easy for the driver, its agile handling and cornering attitude to use. The suspension is by MacPherson struts in front and double wishbones at the rear axle. The car comes with 17-inch wheels and is equipped with ventilated disc brakes front and rear.

The world's first Boxer engine with D-4S

The GT-86 engine is the result of a joint development program Toyota and Subaru, which brings together the technical know-how and their passion for sports cars.

Toyota has its D-4S fuel injection technology to new Subaru boxer engine, naturally aspirated 1998 cc four-cylinder boxer engine added. This system has separate twin injectors for direct and port injection and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, increase in power and torque over a wide speed range of the engine without sacrificing fuel economy and environmental compatibility.

The flat-four engine has the same bore and stroke of 86.0mm and drives either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual provides a quick, precise shifts with a tactile, short-throw lever, the automatic transmission can be via shift paddles on the steering wheel to be mounted.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential to provide the best possible grip in all driving situations distributed. The switchable ABS and Vehicle Stability Control systems have been specifically designed for dynamic stability at the limit of the car's performance envelope with minimal electronic intervention to preserve the purity of the supply driving experience.

Design

The design of the GT-86 is working successfully in the technical requirements to achieve the most compact dimensions possible, inspires a low center of gravity and aerodynamics of racing technology, while it also reminds moody, curved styling, Toyota's sports car heritage.

Toyota's new design language for styling information that is as focused in the way of attention on the lower part of the car with the large lower grille. Elsewhere, the "keen" approach can be seen in the clear, expressive lines.

The lower grille of the "Scorpion" look gives the GT-86 has a more powerful appearance, with other sporty details, including the model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, dual exhaust and the "86" Pistons logo, the car specific powertrain configuration described.

On board, the ergonomics and function of each element of the interaction between the driver, the motion was taken to drive the car as a natural, instinctive and rewarding as possible. For example, the steering wheel has a 365mm diameter and is mounted so has the smallest ever for a Toyota, and it is trimmed in suede, developed by exhaustive feedback from test riders on how to get the best grip and steering response.

The three-meter instrument cluster is arranged around a large tachometer, its design will benefit from attention to the positioning of ads, marking and writing. The result is the best possible visibility and legibility. The driver-focused cockpit is reinforced by carbon fiber-look, all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation-style rocker switch and lightweight, aluminum pedals.

Toyota's 50-year sports car heritage

The GT-86 can only be the world's latest sports car, a front-mounted, horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel drive have to be started, but it can not claim to be the first. This honor is Toyota's two-cylinder boxer sports car 800, which began with the development of the company held in 1962. Since then, Toyota has a long history of producing exciting, the driver cut sports car with front engine and rear wheel drive format that has proved as popular with audiences, as they have established themselves successfully in competition.

The beautiful 2000 GT, a coupe powered by a 2.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine which was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show 1965, and helped establish Toyota's global reputation as a sports car manufacturer.

That was in 1971, the first Celica models with rear wheel drive motors and were praised by enthusiasts for their agility. All four generations of Supra came with inline six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive, while in 1984 the MR2 won recognition as one of the best handling sports car in automotive history.

Inspiration for the GT-86, but the Corolla GT (or Levin) AE86, a car with a lasting reputation for excitement and capturing the basic joy of driving. Its front engine, rear-drive package, compact size, light weight, perfect balance and superior strength to weight ratio makes it a must-have choice for rallying and circuit driving throughout its production life, from 1983 to 1987. Here in the UK, the GT made two British Touring Car Championship title and a number of top-level rally victories.

The GT 86 is a really light machine that provides the intimacy and the participation of a car, as if to an extension of the body of the driver being driven. Thus, it is perfectly captures the exhilarating spirit of the last of the AE86. And with many customizable parts, its shares his predecessor's goal of an affordable car that can arise with his owner.

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2012 Audi R8 V10 plus specifications and pictures

Audi has made its R8 high-performance sports car even more attractive and dynamic. The Audi R8 V10 plus is a new top model in the model series, with a totally new 7-speed S tronic. The LED headlights and the new rear indicator lights with dynamicized display are standard equipment on all variants.

4.44 m (ft 14.44) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 feet) wide and only 1.25 (4.10 ft) meters high (Spyder: 1.24 m (4.07 ft)) - the wide Audi R8, designed and built by quattro GmbH, is firmly on the path on the go. New features give more focus to its design. The single-frame radiator grille with the bevelled upper corners is painted glossy black, decorated with horizontal chrome inserts on the struts of the V10 variants. The bumper is also new, with the air inlets, each with three crossbars. As an option, Audi installed a front splitter made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The splitter is standard on the new Audi R8 V10 Plus.

LED headlamp with a new technology are now available for all versions of the Audi R8 standard. The LEDs for the high and low beams above and below the strip daytime running lights that are activated specifically, the set used as indicators. In addition, cornering can be integrated into the headlights.

The exterior mirror housings and side wings, side air intakes on the coupe are made of carbon fiber on the new Audi R8 V10 Plus Top Model. In the 10-cylinder versions of the leaves extend outward more than the V8 and have special edges, small mark of distinction also occur on the sills. The vent slats next to the rear window has an aluminum-look at the Audi R8 V10 coupe (black matte on the R8 V8 Coupe and the Audi R8 V10 plus). As an option, LEDs illuminate the engine compartment, the Audi R8 V10 Plus these lights as well as a partial carbon fiber trim for the engine compartment are standard.
The LED lights dominate the rear of the Audi R8. An innovation from Audi is the indicator with a dynamic display at the bottom of the lamp - the light is always outward in the direction the driver wants to turn. Above the high-gloss black area between the air vents sit the new badge - the letter "R" rests in part on a diamond, the Audi Sport Signature. The large diffuser, carbon fiber optional (standard on the R8 V10 plus), was pulled way up. With all engine variants of the exhaust system ends in two round, shiny tailpipe sections, painted black on the Audi R8 V10 Plus.

Audi offers the R8 in both solid colors Ibis White and Brilliant Red, in four metallic colors and five pearl / crystal-effect coatings. For the Audi R8 V10 plus a matt finish paint is an exclusive feature. The side wings on the coupe is available in eight colors, while the roof of the R8 Spyder comes in black, red or brown.

The R8 Audi embodies the complete know-how in ultra-light design. The aluminum body with Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighs only 210 kilograms (462.97 pounds) on the coupe and 216 kg (476.20 pounds) on the Spyder. The empty weight of the Audi R8 V8 Coupe with manual transmission only 1560 kg registered (£ 3,439.21) on the scale, while the open-top sports car weighs 1660 kilograms (3659.67 pounds). The Audi R8 V10 Plus, available as a coupe only, bring the needle to 1570 kilograms (3461.26 pounds). Adjustable bucket seats with fiberglass-reinforced plastic (GRP) chassis, less use of insulation material, special alloy wheels and suspension components, including contributing to the standard ceramic brakes, and the Climate-controlled parts of the body to reduce the weight of everything.

On the Audi R8 Spyder on the deck lid of the box and the side panels are also carbon fiber. The sleek, lightweight fabric top with its largely of aluminum and magnesium combination, is the pinnacle of ultra-light design. The top opens and closes electro-hydraulically in 19 seconds, and while driving (mph 31.07) at up to 50 km / h. The heated glass panel in the bulkhead between the passenger and engine compartment is next to the roof, the window can be moved in and out of a switch and also serves as a windbreak. In the case of an impending rollover, two strong, spring-loaded sections of the seats up to shoot.

As in racing, the aerodynamics of the Audi R8 has been optimized for the drive. The sub-floor consists of five NACA nozzles, together with two diffusers in the front region that increase the drive on the front axle. The drag coefficient is 0.35 and 0.36, depending on engine type and body shape, the frontal area measures 1.99 m2 (21.42 m2).

The engines are assembled by hand. The V8 engine with 4163 cc and 5204 cc V10 with its captivating are packed with naturally aspirated engines for heavy-duty power. The interaction with the new 7-speed S tronic, the CO2 emissions by up to 22 grams has reduced / km (35.41 g / mile) and reduced the sprint from zero to 100 km / h (62.14 hours miles) by three tenths of a second. Both engines are compact and relatively light. The crankcase is an aluminum-silicon alloy, the bed plate structure a high rigidity. Dry sump lubrication enables low positioning of the engines, the pressure pump works depending on the load, for greater efficiency.

The FSI direct fuel injection system allows a high compression ratio of 12.5: 1 Four adjustable camshafts control the valves. To bring at low load and speed of the engine valves in the inlet channels to a precise, cylindrical rotation of the incoming air. The exhaust system is designed for low back pressure. The two end pipes contain valves, they open during strong acceleration to produce a fuller sound.

The 4.2 FSI engine produces 316 kW (430 hp) at 7,900 revolutions per minute, per a torque of 430 Nm (317.15 pounds-feet) 4500-6000 rpm. The unit accelerates the Audi R8 Coupe with S tronic from zero to 100 km / h (62.14 mph) in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km / h (186.41 hours miles) (with manual transmission: 4.6 seconds 302 km / h (187.65 hours mi)). For the Audi R8 Spyder V8, the corresponding values ​​4.5 and 4.8 seconds, respectively, and also 300 km / h (186.41 hours miles) are. On average, the R8 V8 quattro Coupe with S tronic as 12.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (18.97 U.S. mpg).

The V10 engine has a torque of 530 Nm (390.91 pounds-ft) at 6,500 rpm, with 386 kW (525 hp) at 8,000 revolutions per minute. The crankshaft is a common-pin design, whereby alternating ignition intervals of 54 and 90 degrees. This design combines maximum rigidity with minimum weight, while at the same time create the unique sound of the V10 racing.

The Audi R8 V10 Coupe with S tronic accelerates from zero to 100 km / h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 314 km / h (195.11 hours miles). With manual transmission, the values ​​are 3.9 seconds and 316 km / h (196.35 hours miles). The Audi R8 V10 Spyder with S tronic completes the standard sprint in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 311 km / h (193.25 hours miles) (with manual transmission: 4.1 seconds and 313 km / h (194.49 mph)). The average consumption of the Audi R8 V10 Coupe with S tronic is 13.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (17.96 U.S. mpg).

The new top model in the series, the Audi R8 V10 Plus. Developing 404 kW (550 hp), maximum torque 540 Nm (398.28 pounds-ft) at 6,500 rpm. With S tronic propels the Audi R8 V10 Plus, available only as a coupe from zero to 100 km / h (62.14 mph) in 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 317 km / h (196.97 hours miles) in the average Fuel consumption is 12.9 liters per 100 km (18.23 U.S. mpg). The key figures are 3.8 seconds with manual transmission, 319 km / h (198.22 hours miles) and 14.9 liters (15.79 U.S. mpg).

Two drive systems are available for the Audi R8 obsolete. The 6-speed manual gearbox, with its leaders in an open lever gate made of stainless steel, is standard on the V8 and V10 option on. The new 7-speed S tronic - optional on the V8 and V10 on the standard - the aisles narrow spaces into a sporty mode, and the final drive position has a wide gear ratio. The dual-clutch gearbox can be switched at the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel, sports mode is an alternative available. At the push of a button, the launch control at an initial increase in engine speed and managed with optimal starting point for tire slippage.

The new 7-speed S tronic, a three-shaft layout, less than 60 centimeters (23.62 inches) in length. Two multi-plate clutches are in a row (a new feature), two are independent sub-transmissions, gear couplings are directly as the open and close alternately shifted. Switching system is practically without interruption of traction within hundredths of a second, and so dynamic, soft and comfortable as barely noticeable.

From the 7-S tronic, the propeller shaft passes through the crankcase of the engine at the front, with a viscous coupling distributes the torque. In normal operation, the clutch is derived from about 15 percent of the torque to the front axle, if begin to spin the rear wheels, a further maximum of 15 percent flows into the foreground. A mechanical locking differential works on the rear axle. The rear load-distribution of powers harmonises perfectly with the R8 mid-engine design of the Audi. The weight distribution is 43: 57 (front: rear), with small differences between the individual variants.

The chassis of the high-performance sports car employs technology from motor racing. Double wishbones guide all four wheels of aluminum forged. In the R8 V10, plus the springs and shock absorbers are specially designed and adjusted the camber values ​​at the front accordingly. The Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping is standard on the Audi R8 V10 and optional on the V8 versions, because it provides a normal mode and sport mode. The power steering provides subtly differentiated, super-sensitive feedback, sporty with direct translations.

The revised R8 rolling on big wheels. The V8 versions equipped with the standard wheel sizes 8.5 J x 18 front and rear 10.5 J x 18 with tires sizes 235/40 and 285/35. On the Audi V10 versions will mount 19-inch wheels of the widths 8.5 and 11 inch tires in sizes 235/35 and get 295/30 respectively. The optional wheels have very attractive designs - polished to a mirror finish, the look of titanium or (on the R8 V10 plus) in glossy black.

The steel discs of high-performance sports car are internally ventilated, perforated and with the aluminum disk sticks shells. The new "Wave" design of the discs - the undulating outer contour of - decreases the weight of a total of about two kilograms (4.41 pounds) compared with round discs with the same dimensions. The aluminum brake calipers work at the front wheels, each with eight pistons and on the rear wheels, each with four pistons. In combination with the 19-inch wheels, Audi can offer optional carbon-ceramic disc brakes (standard on the Audi R8 V10 plus). The electronic stabilization program control ESC offers a Sport mode and can also be completely disabled.

The Audi R8 is a sports car with excellent practical skills. The front boot has a capacity of 100 liters (3.53 cubic ft), the coupe offers space for an additional 90 liters (3.18 cubic ft) behind the seats. The long wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 cubic ft) offers generous interior space. The interior conveys an atmosphere of car race at the luxury level, and its dominant feature is the single-seater - the long arch of the curve around the cockpit in the area of ​​the driver. The flattened edge of the optional, more contoured R8 leather-covered multifunction sports leather steering wheel is the new R8 badge that appears on the gear lever or selector lever, the door sills, in the instrument cluster and on the home screen of the monitor board.

The electrically adjustable sport seats are optional on the V8 engine and standard versions of the V10 variants. Depending on the model, the seat cushion is an Alcantara / leather combination or Fine Nappa; on the Audi R8 Spyder is a special pigmentation that reduces heating from direct sunlight. Audi also offers optional bucket seats with prominent side for better lateral support (standard on the R8 V10 plus).

Numerous control and trim with shiny chrome trim or steamed with black paint, and the needles in the instrument cluster and gearshift were slightly modified. The center console and handbrake lever are covered with leather, decorated with fine stitching, plus the V10 models, the molding around the standard navigation system is also covered with leather.

With the diamond-stitched Nappa full-leather appointments level, the seats and door panels feature quilted padding, the Audi R8 Coupe a quilted Alcantara roof lining is also available. More individualistic customers can choose between leather in different colors, inlays in Carbon Sigma select (standard on the R8 V10 plus) and piano black lacquer. A wide range of design, styling and leather packages from the Audi exclusive line adjustment is also available.

The Audi R8 V10 and the V10 R8 will increase with the navigation system plus and the Bang & Olufsen sound system as standard on-board features. Other options for all types R8 include a high-beam assistant, a storage package, trip-case different sets, a mobile phone preparation with belted-in microphone and voice control, and the parking system plus reversing camera.

The redesigned Audi R8 rolls off line to European customers at the end of 2012.

The basic price is € 113 500 for the V8 coupe and € 124 800 for the Spyder. The V10 variants with EUR 154 600 and EUR 165 900 or listed, while the Audi R8 V10 Plus will cost EUR 173 200.

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The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

The online presentation of the Ferrari F12berlinetta heralds a new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinder in the form of a car that delivers unprecedented performance by an extraordinary new engine, coupled with innovative design, the classic themes redefined, along with extreme aerodynamics.

Revealed in the world for the first time on Ferrari.com in preparation for its official debut at the 2012 International Motor Show in Geneva, the Ferrari F12berlinetta finished in an attractive new Berlinetta Rosso Three-layer color, is at the beginning of the hottest mid-front sports cars.

With regard to mechanical, combustion and fluid dynamic efficiency - This is, in fact, launched the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road car ever, thanks to the incredibly efficient engine, along with the advanced vehicle architecture, aerodynamics, and electronic components controls guarantee unsurpassed driving participation regardless of road or rail.

Traditional Ferrari transaxle layout has been revolutionized to meet the extreme performance of the car. The wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered into the chassis, while the new layout of the rear suspension and transmission enabled Ferrari's engineers to make the rear of the car smaller volume. The overall result is a compact car with a lower center of gravity, the farther back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency, the new standards.


Scaglietti, known for its expertise in aluminum materials and construction, designed a completely new spaceframe chassis and body, using 12 different types of alloys, some of which were used for the first time in the automotive industry and the use of new construction and connection technology techniques. This has led to a 20 percent increase in structural rigidity while reducing weight led to only 1525 kg (70 kg less than the previous V12 Coupe) with an ideal distribution between the axles (54 per cent over the back).

The Ferrari of F12berlinetta 6262cc 65 ° V12 engine provides unprecedented power and speed for a naturally aspirated 12-cylinder. Its maximum capacity is 740 CV, which translated to a specific power of 118 CV / l. Torque reaches a maximum value of 690 Nm, 80 percent of them already available at just 2,500 rpm, and an inexorable rise in acceleration to the 8,700 rpm limit provides. The engine is equipped with the F1 double-clutch gearbox, which has closer gear ratios specifically designed for this vehicle matched the performance. The Ferrari F12berlinetta has a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.1 kg / CV.

The fuel consumption has been reduced by 30%, with CO2 emissions of just 350 g / km - numbers that put the Ferrari F12berlinetta at the forefront of high-performance division. Engine, aerodynamics, tires and weights: These results were confirmed by extensive research and development, the present focus on the efficiency of the entire vehicle.

Similarly good results were obtained with the aerodynamic development, thanks to the integration of the design process with extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and time-consuming tests in wind tunnels. Been output by 76 percent (123 kg at 200 km / h) increased, while drag was significantly reduced (the CD is only 0.299). These findings come courtesy of two new solutions. The first of these is the aero-bridge, which used the hood to drive by channeling air from the upper part of the car's flanks, where it interacts with to generate the sequence of the wheel arches to reduce drag. The second of the Active Brake Cooling, a system that guide vanes is on the brake cooling ducts opens only at high operating temperatures, whereby the air resistance again.

The Ferrari F12berlinetta impressive technical specifications by the latest generation of Ferrari's carbon ceramic brakes (CCM3) and the development of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E) is closed. As it now with all the traditional Ferraris, his tax systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS), all fully integrated.

The result is that the new Prancing Horse 12-cylinder accelerates from 0-100 km / h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km / h in 8.5 seconds. In addition, completing a lap around the track at Fiorano in 1'23 ", faster than any Ferrari road car. Benchmark performance and maximum driving time involvement by immediate turn-guaranteed, with a smaller steering wheel angles and higher cornering speed. Stopping distances were also reduced dramatically.

The design of the Ferrari F12berlinetta is a result of collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina Styling Center and is a perfect balance of uncompromising aerodynamics with harmonious proportions of the interpretation of the typical elements of the Ferrari V12 front-engined cars in an original and innovative way. A coupe with a sleek, aggressive lines, the compact exterior dimensions hide exceptional in-car space and comfort. The all-new women's leather trim highlights the balance of advanced technology and sophisticated, hand-crafted details. In the middle of the dashboard light and slim, there are new carbon fiber and aluminum air vents, clearly inspired by the aviation sector.

The cabin has been optimized to ensure maximum usability of the available interior space with extra luggage capacity behind the seats that are also within easy reach thanks to the large opening of the tailgate. With the cockpit around the driver, the designed typical of all Ferraris, the Human Machine Interface approach is emphasized, guarantee grouping all the major commands within easy reach for maximum ergonomics for most of driving experience.

TECHNICAL DATA

Engine
Type: 65-degree V12
Displacement: 6262 cc
Maximum Power: 740 hp at 8500 rpm
Maximum torque: 690 Nm at 6,000 rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length: 4618 mm
Width: 1942 mm
Height: 1273 mm
Curb weight: 1525 kg
Weight distribution: 46% front, 54% rear
Weight capacity Weight: 2.1 kg / CV
Performance
Maximum speed:> 340 km / h
0-100 km / h: 3.1 s
Fuel consumption and emissions (ECE + EUDC Combined Cycle)
Usage: 15l/100 km
CO2: 350 g / km

Pictures:

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