Friday, December 17, 2010

2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV photos

Interior and exterior design enhancements across the range include:

* Omega
o Entirely new front fascia with a bolder, squarer appearance and new lower outboard inserts
o New larger grille, with a bright chrome detail surround and new hexagonal mesh inner
o Revised headlamp shape with new lens and bright bezel
o Decklid with integrated aero lip detailing
o New IP centre stack with 6.5-inch full colour touch screen
o New centre console surround
o New full width decorative appliqué
o New HVAC controls
* Berlina - Builds on Omega features with
o New grille with prominent bright chrome crossbar
o New unique fog lamp surrounds
o New 17-inch, ten-spoke machine-faced alloy wheels
o New interior trim with woven fabric seat inserts and Sportec bolsters
* Calais - Builds on Berlina features with
o New front fascia and unique grille with prominent chrome header (attached to engine hood)
o New larger grille has full chrome surround, hexagonal mesh inner
o Lower fascia has full width bright detail
o Revised shape projector headlamps feature new black and bright bezel
o Full length bright chrome moulding on lower doors
o New 18-inch ten-spoke machined alloy wheels
* Calais V-Series - Builds on Calais features with
o New bigger 19-inch twin five spoke machined alloy wheels
* Commodore SV6 and SS
o Exclusive sports front fascia, set apart by a new, larger grille
o Bolder, more muscular look accentuated by aggressive lower air intake
o Revised headlamp shape with new black bezel detail
o Integrated aero decklid lip detailing complements sports rear spoiler
o New 18-inch twin five-spoke machined alloy wheels
o New SS-style sports front seats for SV6 with deep bolsters and body-hugging contours
o High-mounted circular interior air vents.
o New sports centre stack with 6.5-inch full colour touch screen
o New sports IP decorative appliqué
o New 'white on Razor Grey' instrument cluster illumination for improved readability on SV6
o New 'white on red' instrument cluster illumination for improved readability on SS
o Gloss black instrument cluster surround
o Razor grey finish 'wrap-around' linear treatment on lower IP. Extends from IP into the door handle surround and through the console
* Commodore SS V-Series - Builds on SV6 and SS features with
o Revised shape projector headlamps feature new black and bright bezel (same as Calais)
o New twin five-spoke 19-inch machined alloy wheels
o Red finish 'wrap-around' linear treatment on lower IP. Extends from the IP into door handle surround and through the console.

The VE Series II colour palette features 12 choices, including four new colours.

New colours are:

* Alto Grey - new mid-toned grey with silver highlights
* Hazard - head turning bright solid yellow
* Mirage Glow - a light, soft and luxurious beige
* Sizzle - bright metallic red

Carryover colors include:

* Heron - solid white
* Karma - an architectural blue with metallic highlights
* Nitrate - a classic silver metallic
* Phantom - metallic black with silver highlights
* Poison Ivy - a sports green metallic with blue highlights
* Red Hot - highly chromatic solid red
* Voodoo - solid electric sports blue
* Wildfire - metallic sports orange

Redline Edition

Holden has put more performance polish on its sports luxury V-Series badge with the launch of five stand-out Redline Editions.

The Redline Edition Calais V-Series and SS V-Series sedan, Sportwagon and Ute will take up top positions in Holden's updated VE Series II range, to be launched later this month.

Intended for enthusiast drivers, Redline Edition models offer high-level braking and sports handling capabilities to match their powerful 6.0-litre V8 credentials.

Advanced chassis dynamics come courtesy of specialist Holden engineers, who developed a track-inspired FE3 super sports suspension set-up to complement the extra stopping power of four-piston Brembo high performance front brakes.

The Redline Edition range is further distinguished by exclusive forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels, matched to low profile tyres.

Holden also raises the bar with the inclusion of full colour mapping satellite navigation and a rear camera as standard equipment in V-Series models, which feature the new multimedia touch screen Holden-iQ system and smart interior treatments.

All Redline Editions are compatible with bio-ethanol, also known as E85, an emission-reducing 'fuel of the future' that already powers V8 Supercars.

Redline Edition features include

Brembo high-performance brakes - Front brakes feature four-piston, two-piece aluminium front callipers and 355mm rotors, pillar-vented for improved cooling and durability.

Forged alloy wheels - High-strength ten-spoke 19-inch forged alloy wheels are exclusive to V-Series Redline Editions. Ultra high-performance low profile tyres provide outstanding grip and handling in wet and dry conditions.

FE3 Super Sports Performance Suspension - A true driver's car set-up. High-performance tuned dampers and stiffer stabiliser bars provide excellent road connection and control. (SS-V Series Redline Edition sedan and Calais V-Series Redline Edition sedan.)

Chrome window surround (Sedan only)

Inflator kit - A tyre inflator kit is mandatory fitment on the SS-V Series Redline Ute.

Pricing - $2500 on top of standard vehicle RRP
2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV
2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV
2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV
2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV
2011 Holden VE II Commodore SSV

Thursday, December 16, 2010

2010 Lancia Stratos Concept photos

2010 Lancia Stratos Concept
2010 Lancia Stratos Concept
Just one year later, the Lancia Stratos assumed its final form when the midmounted V4 engine from the Lancia Fulvia was replaced by the significantly more powerful Ferrari Dino V6 engine. The road version of this "flounder" was just 1.08 meters high, mounted on a short steel chassis, and its aerodynamically sophisticated body was molded from reinforced fiberglass. The Lancia Stratos' low weight, ideal weight distribution and excellent dynamics provided the optimum conditions for spectacular performance on the international rally tracks, which at the time were still dominated by Alpine and Porsche. However, the results were not so immediately gratifying.

It was only when Lancia works driver Sandro Munari and British Formula 1 driver Mike Parkes got behind the wheel of the ruthless driving machine that success finally materialized. And it did so at lightning speed: in 1973 Sandro Munari took home the first victory for the Lancia Stratos HF, and the victories just kept coming in throughout 1974. By the end of 1976, the Lancia Stratos had pulled off a hat trick, winning three World Cup titles in a row.

The Italian "flying wedge" also enjoyed success beyond its works deployment: top driver Bernard Darniche brought home an incredible 41 victories in his Lancia Stratos - the majority of them for the private team, Chardonnet of France.

The Fiat group's dramatic reduction of the Lancia racing budget in 1979, in favor of the Fiat 131 Abarth, was the death knell for the Stratos works team. From then on, only dedicated private teams took to the track competing against works cars - as in the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally.

Even today, there's hardly any other vehicle that excites audiences at worldwide motor sport events like the Lancia Stratos. Michael and Maximilian Stoschek have also shared in this enthusiasm for many years - not, however, as spectators, but as active motor sports enthusiasts - and they have made the creation of a modern interpretation of this legendary automobile their goal.
2010 Lancia Stratos Concept
2010 Lancia Stratos Concept
2010 Lancia Stratos Concept

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

2010 Citroën Survolt concept pics

2010 Citroën Survolt concept
2010 Citroën Survolt concept
Inside sources at Citroen say that the Survolt concept will make its way to production, thanks to a successful test run at the Le Mans classic over the weekend.

“It’s still our intention to put the Survolt into low-volume production, and we’re pursuing the idea of a one-make race series,” said a Citroën source.

The Survolt prototype uses a two-motor twin battery system which gets from 0-100km/h in under five seconds, before moving onto 260km/h. The driving range is expected to be 200km.

Following this, Citroen are looking to bring the Metropolis concept to the market where it will sit above the DS-line.

“We cannot afford to let the likes of Audi, Mercedes and BMW forge into Citroën’s heartland supermini territory without fighting back and pushing into theirs,” said PSA boss, Jean-Pierre Ploué. “Selling large luxury cars in Europe is not easy at the moment, but I believe Citroën has a great deal more to bring to the market.”
2010 Citroën Survolt concept
2010 Citroën Survolt concept
2010 Citroën Survolt concept

Saturday, December 11, 2010

2011 Renault Megane RS N4 images

2011 Renault Megane RS N4 photo
2011 Renault Megane RS N4
2011 Renault Megane RS N4 picture
2011 Renault Megane RS N4 car
Under the bonnet, the performance of the 2.0-litre 16V turbo engine has been enhanced with an optimised electronic engine control system. Despite regulatory restrictions, the Mégane Renaultsport N4's engine puts out 265hp and torque of 470 Nm. It is linked to a five-speed H-pattern gearbox, developed specifically for this purpose. On the strength of its experience in the field, Renault Sport Technologies has sought to design an innovative, reliable and high-performance package that also takes on board the notion of cost control at every stage of development. The intention is to make Renault Mégane RS N4 accessible to all drivers, and be both easy to handle and economical to run. Like all of the vehicles in its rally range, Mégane Renaultsport N4 is to be sold by Renault Sport Technologies in the form of a kit comprising all the specific parts.

MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT: THE PINNACLE OF PRODUCTION CARS BY RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES

Unveiled in 2009, Mégane RS 250 represents the pinnacle of production cars to date by Renault Sport Technologies. Acclaimed by the media and owners alike, it sets itself apart by virtue of its exceptional performance and roadholding. Powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 16V turbo engine generating 250hp and torque of 340 Nm, Mégane Renaultsport also stands out thanks to its characteristic chassis architecture, with the PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension which allows the steering and suspension to work independently of each other.

To achieve perfect traction, the gearbox is equipped with a limited slip differential. Recognisable at first glance, the sporty design of Mégane RS is emphasised by the front bumper with its integrated F1-inspired aerodynamic blade, as well as the rear diffuser and centrally positioned exhaust outlet.

GROUP N: THE SPIRIT OF PRIVATEER RACING

According to the FIA, which determines the technical regulations, group N is open to mass production cars, more than 2,500 identical units of which must be produced over a period of 12 consecutive months. Created in 1982, group N is the category in which the cars are the closest to production models. The regulations permit very few limited modifications in order to keep costs down. Only minor modifications can be made to the engine, for example, compared to the production version - the ECU and exhaust line can be modified in accordance with strict rules. In order to guarantee reliability, the gearbox inners may be specific, but must be mounted in the original casing.

MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT + GROUP N = MÉGANE RENAULTSPORT N4

When developing Renault Mégane RS N4, Renault Sport Technologies drew on the performance of the production model to derive a car which both performs and is economical to run, all in the spirit of the Group N regulations. Drivers will be in a position to achieve top-class results on tarmac, all within a reasonable and controlled budget. With 265hp to be transferred to the front wheels, the suspension on the Mégane Renaultsport N4 had to be impeccable. Thanks to the PerfoHub set-up and the very latest-generation shock absorbers, roadholding and traction are both equally impressive.

STEER TO PERFECTION

First used at the end of the 1980s on the Superproduction version of the R21 Turbo, the independent steering-axis front axle was first introduced on a production car on the Mégane Renaultsport. By allowing the suspension and steering to work totally independently of each other, this mechanism allows MéganeRenaultsport N4 to benefit from handling and grip of the highest quality.
2011 Renault Megane RS N4 photo