August 7, 2009 - Anybody who was not invited read it in the papers: On the morning of 9 July 1929 full-page ads informed the public that BMW had become a car maker. And guests invited to BMW’s new showroom in the middle of Berlin were able to admire a small car bearing the model designation 3/15 PS DA 2, with the two last letters standing for “Deutsche Ausführung” or “German Version”. In popular language the car nevertheless soon took on a new name, BMW’s first production model remaining a legend to this day as the “Dixi”. The first of these attractive small performers coming off the production line on 22 March in BMW’s plant near the former Berlin-Johannisthal Airport set the foundation not only for the production of cars by BMW. For although the Dixi was largely taken over from an existing model with parts and components already in use, the car clearly bore the handwriting typical of BMW to this very day: From the beginning efficiency and dynamics were of utmost significance to BMW, forming an integral part of the brand’s DNA. Indeed, BMW had already made a great name for itself as a manufacturer of very economical high-performance products such as aircraft engines and motorcycles, before entering car production.
Rabid Rolls-Royce fans will be familiar with the name of Hans-Günther Zach, who runs his own museum dedicated to the famed marque in Mühlheim/Main, Germany. The old boy has now decided to sell off the whole shebang, including the crown jewel of his collection, the famous “Star of India” (above). The Star is a one-off 1934 Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental “All-Weather Convertible” custom made for the Maharaja of Rajkot. That car alone is expected to fetch as much as €10 million; if it does that would make it the most expensive car in the world.
There's no indication if Herr Zach is feeling the pinch of the world wide economic meltdown -- or if he's just moving on to greener pastures -- but his entire collection is up for grabs. While there's no doubt other impressive cars up for sale (like the 1926 "Aluminum Sculpture" Phantom I Open Tourer) the star is without question the Star. Never mind the royal pedigree, how can you get past the aluminum on orange carriage work?
Should it sell for its asking price, the 7.7-liter pushrod straight-six Rolls equipped with two additional headlights to follow the path of the steering (fourteen headlights total), would be the most expensive car in the world. After all, rumors of the Japanese man that reportedly paid $15,000,000 for a Ferrari 250 GTO before Japan's economy imploded in the late 1980s have never been proved. Happy bidding. More Photos
Hot on the heels of Aston Martin introducing its Cygnet Concept car, modeled after the Toyota IQ, our estimable car-compatriots over at iMotormag have created this wonderfully useful shrinking gizmo to provide for the same compact-ization of other supercar models.
iMotormag does the incredible shrinking supercar.
iMotormag shrinks a collection of supercars to see which ones work best as minis
Have a look see. Don't they all, inevitably, end up looking like a cartoon car in a Disney/Pixar production? They are all so invariably cute.
Baby supercars, yes, this is the future of the high-performance automotive realm.
Now, here's an idea on how to make this a money-maker. Call up Disney and Pixar and get someone to write a script for a children's film production about baby supercars. Then get a merchandising deal for those tiny, cuddly toy cars and rake in the millions. Building real DB9's will become an afterthought once they get a taste of how lucrative milking movie product tie-ins can be.
Seriously, not even that very real Aston Martin Cygnet Concept stands much of chance to ever make it to production. Just ask Mercedes-Benz how well their little enterprise with Swiss watchmaker Swatch has gone in their co-creation of the Smart brand. That (ad-)venture has yet to yield a profit after more than a decade.
Following the official release of pictures and information pertaining to the brand spanking new Ferrari 458 Italia, the first on-the-road image has appeared. Maranello has gone with a contrast of black and white for this example to still obscure the design lines prior to its public unveiling. The location for the shot is not known but it appears to be in the countryside somewhere. Read full story from worldcarfans
Starting from today, UK buyers can place their orders for the all-new Volkswagen Polo with first deliveries set to arrive on the car's official "on sale" date of 16 October. On-the-road prices for the five-door model range from at £10,035 for the entry-level S 1.2-litre 60 HP to £14,910 for the range-topping SEL with VW's new 90 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel. Those interested in the three-door model will have to wait until December.
At launch, the fifth-generation Polo is available with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel. The line-up includes a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrols with 60 or 70 HP and a 1.4-litre 85 HP, plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI diesels making 75 or 90 HP.
Volkswagen will enhance the range with a new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI petrol unit from early in 2010 while GTI and BlueMotion models will follow later in year.
All Polo models come equipped with four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, ESP aka Electronic Stabilisation Programme, as standard.
The German automaker said that it anticipates UK Polo sales of around 7,000 units in 2009, increasing to approximately 37,000 in 2010.
Jeremy Clarkson's humor tends to either amuse or horrify. Some contend the dead-pan Brit occasionally goes too far with his comedic stylings, but overall, we prefer Clarkson just the way he is and don't mind his occasional pot-shots.
After all, Top Gear is an entertainment show, and while he might have stepped over the line when he called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot," or said the people manning the Hyundai booth at the Birmingham Motor Show had all eaten dog and the designer had a spaniel for lunch, or the time he suggested that the Mini's indicators should move up and down in a one-handed Nazi salute, or when he got into tussles with environmental groups, gay rights advocates, a brain injury charity and a prostitute welfare group (full list here), it's all in good fun, right? For some, it isn't.
more detail. ...
According to a report by the Associated Press, Akio Toyoda, the newly installed CEO of Toyota, confirmed that the company will go ahead with plans to build a sportscar in collaboration with Subaru. "I am very excited about it and I plan to fast-track it," Toyoda said.
Toyoda also told an audience at a management seminar in Traverse City, MI that he feels as though the company is at a new beginning that requires a new way of thinking.
"I want to see Toyota build cars that are fun and exciting to drive," he said.
There was a Porsche mule spied only last month and thought to be this elusive Shooting Brake. The latest image seems to have been taken during a studio photo shoot. What appears to be a man adjusting a light is seen on the other side of the car, presumably working on the instructions of the photographer who has our view of the car. From what is visible there is no B-pillar, thus suggesting a concept rather than a finished product.
For some time now rumours of a Posche Cayman Shooting Brake model have been circulating. Now this image of the supposed car has been posted on the Porsche section at Flickr. Most probably it is a fake as it was posted by a user with no known credentials. Or it could be real; the user could be an insider screaming for some hype for Porsche's next shocker. In any case a screen shot of the car has appeared on the upcoming XBox 360 racing game Forza Motorsport 3. more detail. ...
The SEMA Show seems so far away, but tuners are already working hard to build the customized cars due to adorn the show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center this November. Naturally, there'll be plenty of Mustangs and one of which will be the "FlatBack" 2010 Mustang from CGS Motorsports. The Southern California customizers has picked up quite a few design awards from Chrysler and Ford the past few years, and hope to do the same with its black-on-black-on-black 'Stang. The FlatBack will feature a two-tone paint scheme, 22-inch custom wheels, Roush body kit, Baer brakes, KW coilover suspension system, and more. Whipple is also providing a twin-screw supercharger to make the most of the Mustang's 4.6-liter V8. via:autoblog
PRESS RELEASE:
CGS Motorsports is one of the leading manufacturers of High Performance Cat Back Exhaust Systems and Air Intake Systems for late model cars, trucks, & SUVs.
Besides being one of the leading manufacturers of Performance Products, CGS has also become one of the leading creators of many SEMA Show vehicles over the years. CGS has built several trucks and SUVs for the Big 3.
Once again, CGS is creating another SEMA Show vehicle for Ford, which will be showcased at the 2009 SEMA Show. They will be customizing a new 2010 Ford Mustang, designed by Sean Smith of SS Designs, and named "FlatBack"
This modern day street machine will feature custom matte paint by BASF Refinishes with paint preparation by 3M, 22" one-off Colorado Custom wheels, Pirelli Tires, custom seats by Recaro, coil over suspension by KW, body kit by Roush, Baer racing brakes, and a supercharger by Whipple Superchargers.
As illustrated in the rendering, FlatBack will feature a Matte grey metallic paint, with gloss black graphics. So be sure to check out the completed FlatBack at this year SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV.
Honda is expanding its European market Accord Type-S line-up with the addition of a petrol-engine model powered by the same 2.4-liter four-banger with 201 HP that we find in the other versions of the Accord, which by the way, is sold in the States as the Acura TSX. Up until now, the Accord Type S, which made its official debut at the Geneva Show earlier this year, was offered exclusively with Honda's 180-horsepower 2.2-liter turbo diesel.
In Germany, the Accord Type S 2.4 will be offered in a limited run of 900 units with prices starting from €32,000 (about $46,100 US at today's exchange rates).
Complementing the suite of exterior changes, are aluminum sport pedals and footrest, sport seats in a combination of fabric and leather plus a aluminum and leather shift knob for the 6-speed manual gearbox (buyers can also opt for an automatic transmission).
Despite the promising logo, the Accord Type S does not feature any mechanical upgrades as changes are limited to a new aero kit with front and rear aprons, side skirts, smoke chrome finished grille and clear indicator covers along with newly styled 18-inch alloy wheels. via:carscoop
As recently as in March this year the tuner released the X5 G-POWER TYPHOON with 386kW (525hp). Since then BMW has confirmed the power figure of the standard X5 M to be 408kW (555hp). Not to be upset by the OEM the tuner now brings out the X5 G-POWER TYPHOON RS which forks out a phenomenal 460kW (625hp) and maximum torque of 700Nm from a completely re-engineered 4.8-litre V8.
Kit used includes a steel high-performance exhaust system, racing catalysts and rear mufflers, and a large-volume aluminium charge air cooling system at the front.
The engine has been force-fed using the G-POWER SK III RS supercharger. The boost pressure is 1.0 bar. The core of the supercharger is the ASA supercharger system which is also used in the Alpina B5S, B6S and B7 models, as well as the B6 GT3 racer. It makes the X5 go from 0 - 100km/h in 4.5 seconds, 0 - 200km/h (124mph) in 16 seconds to eventually reach a top speed of 285km/h (177mph). Gears are selected using a 6-speed automatic transmission while grip and go come from the xDrive AWD system.
Because no serious tuner can accept that a factory car will be more powerful than their tuned version of the same car, these power-loving companies are always trying to outgun the standard car by a mile if they can. G-POWER's reputation is one of gung-ho power that seems to know no boundaries.
Inside G-POWER fitted accessories like a TYPHOON design speedometer, a sports steering wheel and aluminium bits. Customers can pretty much spec the car do their own personal desires. Each X5 G-POWER TYPHOON RS can be ordered directly or can be created from an existing customer X5 (E70). More Photos
Gotcha! The BMW Z Vision Concept was caught on camera being carefully placed on its transport en route to the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. These are the first pictures of the Z Vision Concept which has been rumoured for months now. At a media announcement a week ago BMW called it the EfficientDynamics Vision. Initial stories talked of a two-seat sports car with a difference; it would use not fossil fuels but electric power for its drive systems.
Judging from these photos, we believe we’re seeing for the first time, the new grille style, upturned which was rumored to be featured on the 135i Supersports car. This Sports Car Concept is also a four-door model.
What seems to be a well-covered concept turns out to give some interesting clues as to the styling direction taken. The front grille for example, shows a strong resemblance to that of the 2007 CS Concept car. The side skirts look quite innovative while the chin appears to be a little radical, even for BMW. Side mirrors are nowhere to be seen. Overall the Z Vision seems to have combined attributes from the 3 Series Coupe and the CS Concept.
According to sources close to BMW. this seems to be the Vision Z Concept. This could also be a case study since it’s on shipping blocks and temporary wheels. Also, the brake calipers and side mirrors are missing. via bmwblog worldcarfans
Americans still haven't fully embraced the concept of the hatchback as a useful, practical vehicle for families, and nowhere is this more true than in the luxury segment. BMW and Mercedes-Benz both make premium small cars, but neither sells the hatch versions in the U.S. And so it appears Alfa Romeo is following a similar line of business logic, with the latest reports indicating the Giulia sedan - a replacement to the European 159 (pictured) - may be the first Alfa Romeo to return to U.S. shores.
"The Giulia is a car that could be the most interesting for the U.S. market,” Cravero told Bloomberg. “We need to build cars together with Chrysler that have an Alfa Romeo soul."
Of course, the Alfa 8C Competizione has been sold in here in the 15 years since the brand left, but the Giulia would mark the return of the everyday production cars to American sales. Earlier reports had pegged the MiTo and Milano as the first models destined for the land of the Stars and Stripes, but a new interview with Alfa Romeo CEO Sergio Cravero points in the opposite direction.
Large sedans typically have more headroom in their price, meaning more profitability per unit sold compared to small cars like the MiTo. In the currently still-depressed market and with the American intolerance for pricey small cars, the Giulia intro may be the smartest decision.
And that tells a lot of the story right there - Alfa Romeo is already a none-too-successful division of Fiat in the rest of the world. Making the costly re-entry to the U.S. market can't be another cash-sink for the brand. It needs a financial success more than ever.
"We have to find a solution that makes sense economically," Cravero said. "We can’t wait 10 years to see results."
The new stance on the Giulia also fits well with recent statements from Alfa that the U.S. simply isn't ready for the MiTo.
The question then becomes: how do Chrysler and Alfa Romeo build the car to share a platform while maintaining sufficiently independent brand identities while also being competitive in their segments and profitable at the same time?
Next year will see the introduction of a single GT class in the American Le Mans Series and the Corvette Racing team will be going for gold after throwing in the towel on the 2009 Championship. In preparation some heavy revisions have been made to the racing car by introducing a new Corvette C6.R which is based on the production ZR1. The new regulation means Corvette will be competing with the likes of Ferrari, BMW, Panoz, Ford, Porsche and Aston Martin.
"One of the many benefits of the Corvette Racing program has been the opportunity to demonstrate the technology transfer between the race car and the production car," said Mark Kent, GM Racing manager. "The global movement toward a single GT class will allow us to compete head-to-head with more marketplace competitors while increasing both the production content of the Corvette C6.R race cars and the relevance of racing to our customers. This is a step that positions Corvette for the future of production-based sports car racing worldwide, and a move that is perfectly aligned with GM's marketing and business objectives in racing."
The C6.R will be sharing more componentry with its street brother than ever before. That includes the aluminium frame and chassis structure, the steering system, the aerodynamic package and the body design.
The driver lineup has not been changed with Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen sharing the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6. R. Antonio Garcia and Marcel Fassler will join them at Petit Le Mans. Corvette debuts the new car at the Acura Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on August 8.
‘Vette fans want to hear more words like these, that their cars are just as good as those put on the racing track. Providing power for the rest of the 2009 season is a 6.0-litre V8 which is based on the 7.0-litre LS7.R that was used in the GT1 version. It now makes 470hp (350kW), a drop of 120hp (90kW). An even smaller 5.5-litre V8 is being developed to run at the start of the 2010 season. The 6.0-litre runs on E85R ethanol racing fuel.
Corvette Racing will open a new chapter with the competition debut of the next-generation Corvette C6.R at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 6-8. In anticipation of a single GT class in 2010, Corvette Racing will test and develop the latest Corvette C6.R in the GT2 category in the final five rounds of the 2009 American Le Mans Series. With the upcoming move to a unified GT category, the twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars will compete against rivals representing Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Viper, Panoz, and Ford.
Based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar, the next-generation Corvette C6.R has even stronger links to the production version of America's performance icon than its predecessors. The GT2 rules require the use of many production-based components, expanding the opportunities for the two-way transfer of technology between the race track and the showroom. The updated Corvette C6.R utilizes the ZR1's body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure, steering system, windshield, and other components. The race team has prepared the cars for the rigors of endurance racing with safety and performance modifications as permitted by the GT2 rules.
"One of the many benefits of the Corvette Racing program has been the opportunity to demonstrate the technology transfer between the race car and the production car," said Mark Kent, GM Racing manager. "The global movement toward a single GT class will allow us to compete head-to-head with more marketplace competitors while increasing both the production content of the Corvette C6.R race cars and the relevance of racing to our customers. This is a step that positions Corvette for the future of production-based sports car racing worldwide, and a move that is perfectly aligned with GM's marketing and business objectives in racing."
Previous versions of the Corvette C5-R and C6.R race cars have dominated the GTS and GT1 categories in the last decade, winning 77 races and eight consecutive ALMS championships. The GT1 Corvettes were retired following Corvette Racing's sixth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14, 2009.
"In our decade in GT1, our primary focus has been on racing victories and the validation of the Corvette as a world-class sports car," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "As an authentic way to communicate to knowledgeable customers, nothing beats racing. As a cost-effective means to improve vehicle performance, nothing beats racing. These are the reasons racing is in Corvette's DNA.
"Behind the scenes, the race team and the production car team have grown closer together, finding numerous ways to support each other and to make both cars better," Juechter said. "Most automotive companies give lip service to claims like 'racing improves the breed' or 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday'. For team Corvette, it is a daily reality. It is now impossible to imagine one team without the other."
The upcoming GT regulations required a comprehensive redesign of the Corvette C6.R package. In place of the GT1 Corvette's steel frame, the GT2 version utilizes the production ZR1's hydroformed aluminum frame as the foundation for a fully integrated tubular steel safety cage. The GT1 version's wide, louvered fenders are replaced by production-based ZR1 fenders with wheel flares. In accordance with the aerodynamic regulations, the rear wing is reduced 25 percent in width, the diffuser is a flat panel without fences or strakes, and the splitter extends only as far as its production ZR1 counterpart. Steel brake rotors have replaced the carbon discs used previously, and the wheels are aluminum instead of magnesium. The adjustable steering column and steering rack are sourced from the street Corvette.
"Integrating a steel safety cage that meets GM Racing's stringent standards as well as the strength and durability targets required in racing is a challenge with an aluminum frame," explained Corvette Racing engineering director Doug Louth. "Working in conjunction with the structure and chassis engineers in the Corvette production group, we designed, built and tested numerous examples before we finalized the configuration. We went through a similar process with the production Corvette group on the body design and aero components. It was truly a collaborative effort between the production engineers and the race team."
In the remaining races in 2009, the Corvette race cars will be powered by 6.0-liter GM small-block V8s that are based on the 7.0-liter LS7.R that powered the GT1 version. This reduction in displacement was achieved by shortening the crankshaft stroke from 3.875-inch to 3.32-inch. The diameter of the series-mandated intake air restrictors was decreased from 30.6 mm to 28.6 mm, with a corresponding reduction in engine output from 590 to 470 horsepower. A 5.5-liter production-based GM small-block V8 is currently under development and will be introduced at the start of the 2010 season. The Corvette Racing team is continuing its commitment to green racing with the use of E85R ethanol racing fuel.
While much of the hardware has changed, Corvette Racing's roster of championship-winning drivers remains the same. Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen will share the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6. R. They will be joined by Antonio Garcia and Marcel Fassler at Petit Le Mans.
Corvette Racing also has the continued support of its long-time sponsors and technical partners. Compuware is the team's primary sponsor, with Mobil 1 supplying low-friction lubricants and Michelin providing its world-class racing tires. Corvette Racing's sponsors also include XM Satellite Radio, UAW-GM, Genuine Corvette Accessories, Bose, Motorola, PRS Guitars, and BBS.
"Compuware leads the world in application performance solutions, and partnering with Corvette Racing gives us another high-tech, high-performance and high-impact platform for communicating to our customers and prospects," said Compuware Chairman and CEO Peter Karmanos, Jr. "The launch of the Corvette C6.R in GT2 is a great extension to our relationship with General Motors, Chevy and Corvette. We look forward to even more victories in the months ahead."
The GT2-spec Corvettes were designed, built and tested on a compressed schedule. The program was approved and announced in September 2008, and construction of the first chassis began in early December. The first track test was conducted at Road Atlanta on April 8-9, followed by single-car tests in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and Sebring, Fla.
"The Corvette Racing team had to take on several challenges simultaneously to execute this program," said Doug Fehan, Corvette Racing program manager. "We were preparing for our regular race season with the GT1 cars while designing the GT2 version. The cars were being built and tested in the midst of our preparations for Le Mans. The team was multi-tasking to the extreme, operating on a leaner budget and a faster timeline. It was a monumental effort to have these cars ready for the Mid-Ohio race."
Advanced technology tools enabled Corvette Racing to meet the challenge. "With the short development schedule, we relied on 'virtual' design and computer simulation more than ever before," said team manager Gary Pratt. "We made design, engineering and manufacturing simultaneous processes as much as possible. For example, while the first chassis was being built, we continued to run computer simulations on suspension geometry and refined the aerodynamics using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) because these areas didn't have to be finalized until later in the production timeline. We have developed the capabilities to do finite element analysis and composite fabrication in-house, which has accelerated our design and production cycle.
"We're not running for a championship this year, so we're looking at the upcoming races as preparation for 2010," Pratt said. "Our only testing from this point on will be at the races, and we'll be doing it in the public eye. Certainly we hope to achieve the same level of success that we did in GT1, but the caliber of the competition we will face in GT2 is very high. When we started in GT1 in 1999, it took a while to win; now we have 10 years of experience that should help us to become competitive in a new category. Everyone at Corvette Racing is looking forward to the challenge."
Fehan is confident but cautious about Corvette Racing's prospects in the GT2 category: "In the limited testing we've done so far, we've been very impressed with the car's durability, reliability and performance," he said. "We'll continue to focus on those three factors in the upcoming races. We view the rest of this year as a development cycle, and we believe that our experience as a team in preparation, race strategy, and pit stop execution should allow us to be competitive even if there is a slight performance disparity."
The GT2 version of the Corvette C6.R will make its debut in the Acura Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 8. ABC will televise the race tape-delayed at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 9.
About General Motors: General Motors Company, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors Company acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors Company can be found at www.gm.com.
This is the Mazda MX-5 Superlight show car – an MX-5 speedster with weight stripped out and windscreen relegated to the scrapheap. Think of it as the purest MX-5 yet. Sadly, it's just a concept car at present, destined to be shown at the Frankfurt motor show in autumn 2009. Designed in Oberusel, Germany, it is Mazda’s present to itself for creating (over to you, Mazda PR machine) 'the best-selling two-seat sports car in the world'.
Of course, this isn’t any old milestone; the MX-5 has been around for 20 years exactly – worming its way into our hearts since its debut in 1989. To some it is single handedly responsible for reviving the small sports car market that many thought had died with the British motor industry.
Mazda MX-5 Superlight: the details
On first glance, you’ll notice the lack of windscreen and door handles in this MX-5 speedster. What you won’t notice is the lightweight technology that allegedly improves driving performance, handling, fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
No technical details have been released yet, meaning we at CAR can only guess it will be conventionally powered by either of the MX-5’s current line of 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines.
'It's like the Smart Crossblade – it has no windscreen!' I hear you scream. Quite. A robust flies-in-the-teeth experience is guaranteed with the lack of glass and A-pillars.
The chances of the MX-5 Superlight being put into production are, we think, remote. But then you never can tell with companies like Mazda. Source: carmagazine
If there's one performance metric that's pure marketing hype, it has to be a vehicle's Nürburgring time. Our good pal Jack Baruth brilliantly debunked this ever-growing myth. In case you missed Jack's article, here's the gist:
"Sorry. There's no "Nürburgring lap time record" for a simple reason: Real lap time records are set by real race cars, using real timing and scoring equipment, during actual competition or sanctioned practice sessions. They aren't "self-reported" for the same reason the World's Strongest Man Contest isn't held by having everyone mail in their "results" because people can, and do, lie and cheat."
All that truth spoken to power, it's still accurate to say that certain cars generally tend to get around Green Hell faster than others. The big players lately have been the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Dodge Viper ACR, Porsche GT2 and Godzilla, better known as the Nissan GT-R. All four of these cars can scoot around the Nürburgring in 7:30, maybe a squidge faster. Again – it really doesn't matter. But one of the reasons why automakers play up these 'Ring times so much is that the Nürburgring is regarded as one of the most difficult and challenging strips of macadam anywhere – for both car and driver. To rephrase that, there are lots of accidents.
Meet the Nürburgring Rapid Response GT-R. The back seat has been removed to make way for a tank full of fire-retarding foam. The firehose itself is in the trunk, along with other flame-fightin' gear. And because the Rapid Response GT-R will be hustling round the 'Ring nearly as fast as Toshio Suzuki would flog it, there's a roll cage and carbon fiber Recaro race seats. Almost makes us wish we were German firemen. Almost.
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