5/22/2012

TopSpeed Daily Update

Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale by Anderson Germany
TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Audi A9
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Pro Touring
Acura MDX
Spy Shots: Porsche 911 GT3 stripped of camouflage and caught testing
Will new gearbox technology replace the dual-clutch transmission? Part I
Fisker Atlantic
Spy Shots: Land Rover Ranger Rover drops its camouflage
Spy Shots: Another test run for the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible
Lamborghini Aventador Estatura GXX Limited Edition by German Special Customs

Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale by Anderson Germany

Posted: 21 May 2012 09:00 AM PDT

While Aston Martin is preparing to say good bye to the current DBS with the recently announced DBS Ultimate Edition, German tuner Anderson Germany has created one more tuning package based on the sports car. The final product is called "Casino Royale," as a tribute to the James Bond movie where it was featured, and includes a pretty cool exterior package, as well as the addition of 55 HP.

The new Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale comes painted in a very cool Platinum Grey that is contrasted by shiny gray on the window borders, tailgates block, and radiator case. The car sits on a new set of 21" wheels painted in gray and combined with brake calipers painted in bronze.

The tuner has also installed a carbon exterior packet that includes a front spoiler lip, a rear diffuser, and a mirror besides full tinted glass. There is also a new exhaust system with catalyst, replacement pipes, manifold, and software optimization. As a result, the total output has gone from 517 HP to 572 HP, while total weight has been reduced by 46 lbs.

The interior gets new ventilation, cup holders, door handles, ashtrays, door sills, steering wheel, handbrake handles, and a new center console all done up in carbon fiber.

gallery: 2013 Aston Martin DBS Ultimate Edition

Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale by Anderson Germany originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 16:00 EST.

TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Audi A9

Posted: 21 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT

A few days ago, Audi trademarked an impressive amount of names that we hope will join the lineup sooner rather than later. One of the most anticipated names from that list is the S9, which has brought out a new hope that the previously rumored Audi A9 will be launched sometime in the upcoming years. And, of course, whenever there is hope for a production version of a model, we automatically create a rendering that embodies our vision for it.

The Audi A9 has been churning up the rumor mill for a long time, but Audi hasn’t really confirmed or denied anything about it, leaving the general public with an empty feeling in regards to the vehicle. The S9 should evoke better feelings, as long as Audi doesn’t drag its feet through the mud with its details. As for the A9, rumors have lead us to believe that it will be a large sedan to be placed above the current Audi A8, and ready to take on models like the Porsche Panamera Turbo. In its base version. it will get a 3.0 TFSI engine with around 300 HP, while the top version will get a V8 with 500 HP.

The Audi A9 will go on sale around 2015 with a price tag of about $150K.

TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Audi A9 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 15:00 EST.

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Pro Touring

Posted: 21 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT

In 1963, Chevrolet released an all-new Corvette to replace the C1 generation. This Corvette featured a high beltline and the body featured more chiseled lines. The C2 Generation `Vette was nicknamed the "Sting Ray" by its designers, Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda, and that eventually became adopted as part of the name and the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray was born.

The 1967 model year was the final one for the Sting Ray, but it was also its peak year, as its top level L88 427 cubic-inch power plant produced upwards of 500 horsepower, even though Chevy claimed it only produced 430 horsepower. The lower engines, the L68 427 and L71 427, were no chumps either, pumping out 400 horsepower and 435 horsepower, respectively.

Classic car specialists, RK Motors Charlotte, decided that the stock Sting Ray was just not enough and decided to heavily modify this classic muscle car. The resulting vehicle is the sexy and ultra-desirable 1967 Corvette Sting Rat Pro Touring, a one-off special edition designed by the folks at RKM.

Typically, we are totally against the hacking up of a classic muscle sports car like the Sting Ray, but RKM has a habit of improving these cars without ruining the original look and feel of them.

Click past the jump to read our full review and see if RKM hit a homerun, or struck out, with this Pro Touring Sting Ray.

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Pro Touring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 14:00 EST.

Acura MDX

Posted: 21 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT

Our spy photographers have been pretty busy today. First, we got a set of images for the Porsche 911 Turbo, then came the spy shots for the Landrover Range Rover, and now their third round of spy shots reveal the next Acura MDX.

The MDX was caught testing on public roads somewhere in Germany, close to the Nürburgring. This prototype is heavily camouflaged, even though we don’t expect to see big changes in the design of the future MDX. It will, however, borrow some of the design elements seen on the RLX concept.

Under the hood, we will see the same engine line-up as in the RLX, meaning there will be two different engines. The standard model will get a V6 engine with about 300 HP. It will be joined by a new hybrid model featuring the Acura Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system that will also find its way to the next NSX supercar.

Expect to see the new Acura MDX launched in late 2013 as a 2014 model.

Acura MDX originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 13:00 EST.

Spy Shots: Porsche 911 GT3 stripped of camouflage and caught testing

Posted: 21 May 2012 05:15 AM PDT

Just a few hours ago, we released a set of spy shots for the upcoming Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible, but that wasn’t the only model out for a little test spin today. Our spy photographers have hit the jackpot with images of the 911 GT3 completely stripped of all of its cammo!

Compared to the previous prototypes caught testing, this model is still donning the new rear wing and front spoiler. Most of the body’s components will be made out of composites to help reduce the car’s weight by about 180-200 lbs.

The biggest mystery regarding the next GT3 is what’s going to be tucked underneath its hood. It is rumored that the next GT3 will get a new 4.0 liter engine and not the 3.8L naturally-aspirated six cylinder found in the current model. Regardless of the engine choice, Porsche has promised an output of about 480 HP. Porsche CEO Matthias Muller also announced that the new GT3 will not use Porsche's new 7-speed PDK transmission. It will actually come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with the technologically-advanced, yet less satisfying, PDK transmission set to be available as an optional extra.

Expect to see the new GT3 launched later in Summer 2012 when we hope this engine mystery will finally be solved.

Spy Shots: Porsche 911 GT3 stripped of camouflage and caught testing originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 12:15 EST.

Will new gearbox technology replace the dual-clutch transmission? Part I

Posted: 21 May 2012 05:00 AM PDT

The dual-clutch transmission has undoubtedly changed the way we shift gears, with the Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 being one of the very first mass-produced cars to feature two clutches. In fact, dual-clutch transmissions have been around since the mid-1980's when Porsche used them in a variety of Le Mans racing cars.

Since then, the demand for these futuristic gearboxes have rapidly increased, and numerous supercars released over the past few years use dual-clutch gearboxes, with the Ferrari 458 Italia being a prime example.

However, there are three big down sides to double-clutch transmissions:

1. They are generally significantly heavier than regular transmissions.

2. They do not come cheap if a replacement is needed.

3. They are also very costly to develop and produce.

As a result, some manufactures are refusing to use them, such as Lamborghini with their new ISR gearbox which operates on a similar principle but weighs a lot less. However, even Lamborghini's latest gearbox may be short lived as there is a new wave of transmissions heading our way, which are promising zero shift times, as well as being cheaper and most importantly lighter.

One British company, Xtrac is currently developing what they hope will be that new wave of high performance transmissions. Xtrac may ring a bell with the motorsport fans out there as they build transmissions for Formula One, WRC, Dakar Rallying, and even Le Mans racers so there is no arguing their expertise in creating lightweight and quick-shifting 'boxes.

Their latest creation is the Instantaneous Gearshift System, (IGS), which as its name suggests, promises to provide instantaneous gear changes. After reading how this system works over and over, we must admit, we still do not have a grip on exactly how it works, but here is our best attempt to describe it in layman’s terms.

Each gear has been individually mounted onto its very own ratcheting clutch system and this differs from ordinary transmissions where the gearshaft and the actual gears are connected via a synchromesh system. When operating, each gear is engaged in the selector system and also ratchets on the shaft until a number of sprung pawls click the gear into place. As a result of this advanced system, when changing up gears, the gearbox actually keeps the revs at the same level, so if you shift from 4th at 6,000 rpm up to 5th the revs will stay at 6,000 rpm.

However, this has no way of working as you could not accelerate, so a bit of driveline wind-up does the trick and forces the revs back down in less than a few milliseconds. This system is currently being used in motorsport so a bit of refinement is still needed to make it suitable for everyday use.

Tune in for Part II in the coming days to see how another British company, Zeroshift is aiming to knock the dual-clutch transmission out of the park with its brand new vision.

Will new gearbox technology replace the dual-clutch transmission? Part I originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 12:00 EST.

Fisker Atlantic

Posted: 04 Apr 2012 02:00 AM PDT

One of the auto industry’s highly anticipated secrets is finally ready to break cover at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

For the fine folks of Fisker, the debut of the Fisker Atlantic - ’twas once codenamed "Project Nina" - marks as a celebration in its own right, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

And now that it’s ready for its world premier, Fisker has come out with the first official details of the car, as well as photos that finally gives us a good look at what they’ve been working on all this time.

Judging by its looks, the Atlantic looks like a bigger version of the Karma, albeit with a more pronounced stance that’s typical of its sedan form. The unmistakable Karma grille is also present, which we’ve never been fans of from the beginning.

All in all, though, the Atlantic looks pretty neat and when matched with a hybrid powertrain should make for a model that would draw the interest of a lot of people.

UPDATE 05/21/12: InsideEVs appears to have discovered new information about the Fisker Atlantic, involving the car’s official power train and how much it’s going to cost.

While we initially thought the the car would have a 2.0-liter engine similar to the 328i sedan with a matching electric motor, producing a total of 240 horsepower, it appears that the Atlantic will have a little bit more ponies than we thought. According to InsideEV, the car will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric drivetrain, producing an output of 300 horsepower with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and CO2 emissions of around 50 g/km.

It looks like the Atlantic will be carrying a sticker price of anywhere between $50,000 - $60,000. That’s still a far departure from the Karma, which retails now for just under $100,000.

Find out more about the Fisker Atlantic after the jump.

Fisker Atlantic originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 April 2012 09:00 EST.

Spy Shots: Land Rover Ranger Rover drops its camouflage

Posted: 21 May 2012 03:00 AM PDT

Land Rover has been testing the next generation Range Rover for awhile, but these latest photos suggest the official debut is getting close. As you can see, the SUV is wearing less camouflage than ever and looks more like a pre-production car that went out for a quick spin than some of the earlier prototypes we’ve seen testing.

The drop of some camouflage allowed us to uncover some of the secrets Land Rover has been hiding about its future Range Rover. The prototype caught testing is wearing light stickers that serve as an attempt to hide details such as the new head lights, air intakes, and more. We can also see that the engine hood is more rounded than before and that the grille is more upright.

As reported earlier, the next Range Rover will be both lighter and more fuel efficient than the current model due to the use of more lightweight material and the new aluminum platform. It is rumored that the car will be about 660-880 lbs lighter than the current generation.

The official debut for the 2013 Landrover Range Rover will be made in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin early in 2013.

Spy Shots: Land Rover Ranger Rover drops its camouflage originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 10:00 EST.

Spy Shots: Another test run for the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible

Posted: 21 May 2012 02:00 AM PDT

While Porsche is trying to delay the official launch of the new generation 911 Turbo, our spy photographers have caught the convertible version testing yet again, this time wearing less camouflage than ever. Compared to the standard 911 models, the future Turbo variant will be distinguished by wider rear fenders, additional cooling vents, a new active rear spoiler, and of course, a soft-top for those nice long drives.

Under the hood, Porsche has placed the same 3.8 liter turbocharged flat six engine tricked to deliver a few more HP compared to the current model. Just like all of the other 911 models previously launched, the future Turbo model will get auto start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, and the world's first seven-speed manual transmission (or an optional PDK). Porsche has also been working on improving fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, so expect to see a drop of up to 15%.

The new 911 Turbo, in both coupe and cabrio versions, will be launched sometime during Summer 2012, so stay tuned!

Spy Shots: Another test run for the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 21 May 2012 09:00 EST.

Lamborghini Aventador Estatura GXX Limited Edition by German Special Customs

Posted: 20 May 2012 04:00 PM PDT

The Lamborghini Aventador has become quite the tuning attraction. For a new company like German Special Customs, the onus on building a sick program for the Aventador was important to get their name across in the industry.

To their credit, not only did they make one program for the mighty Lamborghini, they actually made two with one being the limited edition Aventador Estatura GXX.

So far, the Aventador Estatura GXX is still in the pipeline of development, but GSC did release some fresh details on the supercar’s new aerodynamic body kit. Built completely from carbon titanium, the external body kit features a bevy of new components, including a new front bumper, a new rear bumper, side skirts, an adjustable racing, a carbon titanium hood, a titanium black exhaust, and a new set of ultralight wheels.

GSC didn’t say anything about performance modifications for the Aventador Estatura GXX, but we do expect something to be developed when the entire program is completed. For now, the supercar still comes packed with a 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 700 horsepower and 509 lb/ft of torque.

As soon as more details become available regarding the Aventador Estatura GXX, we won’t waste time passing them along to all of you. For now, though, enjoy the photos of the limited edition suepercar!