Acura ZDX Prototype

Acura ZDX Prototype

Acura has officially presented the Acura ZDX, the prototype version of the model that will be on sale in the fall of 2009 at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The Acura ZDX is a luxury four-door sports coupe that will compete against BMW’s X6.

The ZDX prototype is measuring at 192.4 inches long, 78.5 inches wide and 61.8 inches tall with the wheelbase of 108.2 inches that could accommodate 5 passengers.

The ZDX stands on 20-inch 9-spoke custom alloy wheels wrapped with Michelin Latitude HP 275/40ZR 20 tires.

An all-aluminum VTEC V6 engine is used as the powertrain which is mated to an all-new new 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for the production version.

At the exterior, the ZDX features sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares with clean, flowing lines start from the headlights and run the length of the car. The door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar while the all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The ZDX also comes with a dual chrome exhaust outlets.

Inside, the Acura ZDX’s cabin is wrapped in black and pearl white leather trim such as the hand-stitched leather dash and instrument panel and also premium leather seats. The ZDX also features a black monochromatic center stack, textured metallic center console, steering wheel wrapped with thick leather, racing-inspired paddle shifters and the whole cabin is enclosed by a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle.

Other features include a new multi-view rear camera for easier parking, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather, Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

Rockstar AEM Scion tC Drift Car

Rockstar AEM Scion tC Drift Car

Scion has unveiled its latest drift car, the Rockstar AEM Scion tC which is driven by Tanner Foust for this year’s Formula Drift season. Foust is known for his work as the stunt driver for movies such as “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”, “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Dukes of Hazzard”. He was also supposed to be one of the presenters in the scrapped American Top Gear.

The Scion tC has shares a common platform with the JDM Toyota Avensisfour-wheel drive and the the Caldina all-wheel drive.

The Scion tC drift car is managed by Scion Drift Team in collaboration with Rockstar Energy Drinks. The modifications meanwhile was done by the crew at AEM (Advanced Engine Management) led by drag racing and drift veteran Stephan Papadakis.

At the exterior, the Rockstar AEM Scion tC features a custom wide bodykit while its interior features Sparco seats with six-point harness.

The Rockstar AEM Scion tC is powered by a Toyota TRD NASCAR 358ci phase 9 V8 engine mated with a G-Force five-speed sequential transmission and an ACT clutch to produce 650 hp (485 kW) and 450lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque. The drift car is also fitted with an AEM EMS engine management system, an AIM Sports dash display with GP Motorsports wiring.

Other features include Tokico shocks and Eibach springs with custom Wilwood brakes and Motegi Racing wheels wrapped in Hankook RS-3 tires.

FAB Design Desire Based on Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

FAB Design Desire Based on Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

FAB Design of Switzerland has revealed its custom Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR known as “Desire”. Only 15 units will be produced and all of them were already sold out.

The FAB Design Desire is powered by a modified SLR’s 626 hp engine to produce 750 hp and its maximum torque figure increases from 780 Nm to 1,080 Nm. The FAB Design Desire SLR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds with the top speed of 310 km/h.

At the exterior, the FAB Design Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR features ultra sturdy but extremely light and precious carbon body which is produced in an autoclave, similar to the material used in aerospace industry and in Formula 1.

The “Desire” also features new front and rear fenders, new side skirts with special recesses for the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system whose pipes come out on the vehicle’s sides, new motor sports front apron, reshaped front bonnet, a huge diffuser at the rear to reduce the lift force and FAB Design rear wing spoiler that increases the downforce at the rear axle without affecting the functionality of the brake assist inside the rear lid.

The modified supercar is equipped with FAB Design’s special sports suspension and FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system with six tailpipes. The FAB Design “Desire” SLR stands on FAB Design 20-inch wheels wrapped with Michelin special high-performance 265/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 tires.

Inside, the car features black FAB DESIGN leather and specially developed red FAB Design croco-style leather.

2009 Renault Megane Trophy Race Car

2009 Renault Megane Trophy Race Car

Renault has released the new Megane Trophy that will compete in the 2009 Renault World Series. The World Series was created in 2005 where enthusiasts can compete with their own Renault car.

The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy is based on the new Megane Coupe which is powered by the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s mid-rear 3.5-liter V6 24V engine that produces 360 hp.

The front and rear light units and windscreen are from the Megane Coupe road car while flowing lines of the bodywork was designed from digital simulation technology to improve the aerodynamic.

The Renault Megane Trophy features front splitter which channel air flow to the extractors and rear diffuser and wing that generated downforce. Downforce has improved by 20 % with the refinements to the set-up and drag was reduced by 15 % , which together, represent a gain of almost 40% in terms of the new car’s aerodynamic performance over the previous generation vehicle.

Apart from that, the Megane Trophy also features butterfly doors reminiscent of the world of GT and sports-prototype racing. The V6 3.5 24V engine is mated to a semi-automatic gearbox with the same mechanical features as the current car, including an FIA-homologated sports-prototype tubular chassis, steering wheel-mounted paddle shift, double wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers, 18-inch wheels and Michelin tires.

The power of the standard 330 hp engine was boosted to 360 hp with the help from the new inlet manifold. Rebuild is still at every 5,500 km for the car’s reliability. According to Renault, with the new aerodynamic gains, the extra power from the engine will enable the 2009 Renault Megane Trophy to lap in similar times to those of a Porsche GT3.

The 2009 Megane Trophy will go on sale at the end of the year in the form of kit after the completion of its development programme which will enable existing cars to be upgraded.

Ferrari unveil new F60 racing cars for 2009 (my favourite)

Ferrari unveil new F60 racing cars for 2009 (my favourite)

MARANELLO: Formula One constructors’ world champions Ferrari unveiled their new F60 racing car for the 2009 season on Monday on their official internet site.

The car is named F60 in reference to the number of championships Ferrari have participated in and becomes the 55th different F1 car designed by the Italian manufacturer.

The vehicle will debut in testing at the famous Mugello circuit just outside Florence later Monday with world championship runner-up Brazilian Felipe Massa at the wheel as the tests have been switched from Fiorano due to icy conditions.

Most of the changes from last year’s F2008 are due to regulations imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in order to increase overtaking in a sport often lacking in excitement due to the difficulties in passing the car in front.

A shorter front wing, a larger and higher rear and standardised central chassis are all modifications introduced by the Overtaking Working Group (OWG).

Other changes include an improvement to the suspension to make handling in difficult conditions easier, while slick tyres will be re-introduced this year.

The Kers system to recuperate kinetic energy has been installed on the engine while the transmission has been redesigned to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

The new F1 season opens in Melbourne on March 29 with the Australian Grand Prix, which last year was won by eventual world champion Lewis Hamilton.