some Exotic news, ( a new Lambo in the works, 2nd generation 911 GT3, etc...)

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a new, smaller Lamborghini soon?

from Lambocars.com

"Lamborghini gets ready to introduce a second model at Geneva 2003

For the first time in over a decade, Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini will offer a second model line as of 2003. The completely new Lamborghini model, named Gallardo (pron. : ga:yàrdo), will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year.

The new Lamborghini takes its name from a famous fighting bull breed, selected since the 18th century by bull breeder Francisco Gallardo and then incororated by Don Antonio Miura.

Fierce, robust - black or grey - the Gallardo bulls were renowned for their courage and also for their power and aggressiveness until the so-called last 'third' of the corrida.

The new Lamborghini Gallardo will be a mid-engined four-wheel drive sportscar in true Lamborghini tradition, powered by an all-new V10 cylinder Lamborghini engine with 5 litres of displacement and a stunning 500 hp. Figures that will guarantee an outstanding performance.

Power transmission will be through a 6-speed gearbox with a traditional gear shift lever or a new sequential 'e-gear' with shift paddles at the steering wheel.

Production of the all-new Lamborghini V10 cylinder engine has already started on the newly built assembly line at Lamborghini's own engine facility at the Sant'Agata Bolognese plant.


Sant'Agata Bolognese, 18 December 2002"

no official shots as of now, only some doctored Murcielago pictures that don't mean much.

l140e.jpg




new 911 GT3:

information taken from Rennteam.com

"The sporty 911 Carrera will have a supremely fit and athletic brother with even greater speed and power when Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, launches the new 911 GT3 in March 2003. With 280 kW (381 hp), the new 911 GT3 delivers 21 hp more than its predecessor. What’s more, it delivers 61 hp more than the Carrera with the same displacement. The new GT3 has a top speed of 306 km/h. The specific output of 77.8 kW makes the 3.6-litre boxer engine one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines in its class worldwide. The GT3 takes just 19.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h and then brake immediately back down to 0 km/h.

The engineers at the Porsche development centre in Weissach have completely redesigned the new GT3. They focussed their efforts on excellent handling, a high standard of active safety and a lightweight design, the ultimate goal being, of course, a supremely sporty drive.

The improved engine performance is achieved through a controlled increase in engine speed. The red sector of the rev counter now begins – depending on gear selection – at 8200/min. The new 911 GT3 therefore revs up to 400 rpm more than the previous model, which greatly enhances the car’s sprinting ability. The GT3 accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, that’s three-tenths of a second faster than its predecessor. It now reaches 160 km/h in just 9.4 seconds instead of the previous 10.2 seconds. At least 80 per cent of the maximum torque of 385 Nm (previously 370 Nm) is produced from 2000 rpm. To handle this increase in performance, the transmission was fitted with transmission oil cooling and injection oil lubrication as well as undergoing some additional reinforcements.

The sports suspension of GT3, with a centre of gravity 30 millimetres lower than that of the 911 Carrera, was fine-tuned. The new wheels are wider and lighter and achieve higher axial and lateral acceleration values.
On the front axle, the rim width was increased from 8 to 8½ inches, with tyre dimensions of 235/40 ZR 18. The rear axle rims now measure eleven inches instead of the previous ten inches. The tyre dimensions at the rear are 295/30 ZR 18.

The engineers have made further improvements to the brake system. On the front axle, the GT3 was given high-performance 6-piston monobloc brake calipers (previously 4-piston). The brake discs at the front were increased by 20 millimetres to a diameter of 350 millimetres and fitted with Porsche-patented coolant ducts. The ABS brake system was also modified. The new system (ABS 5.7) has a faster and more sensitive control response. It is also lightweight and provides greater stability for ABS braking.

Ceramic brake discs – Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) – can be fitted on request. These are already fitted as standard in the 911 GT2 and are also available with the 911 Turbo and Carrera 4S (subject to an extra charge).

The most striking visual feature of the new GT3 is the unique rear wing, which is largely responsible for the impressive directional stability at high speeds and the increased contact pressure for fast cornering. The experience gained with the GT3 Cup model in motor sport racing was put to good use when fine-tuning the car in the aerodynamic wind tunnel. The rear wing is, of course, adjustable. The front apron was also redesigned. The GT3 thus achieves an outstanding drag coefficient of Cd=0.30 for a car in its class.

The excellent handling dynamics have been achieved by the Porsche Motorsport specialists in Weissach without any chassis control systems, which could otherwise impair the overall driving experience. All components are designed and adapted to meet even the extreme demands of racetrack driving. It therefore goes without saying that the new GT3 will also be available in a Clubsport version (at no additional charge), which also delivers 280 kW (381 hp).

The Porsche 911 GT3 will cost 102,112 euro in Germany (including VAT and country-specific requirements). The standard euro price (excluding VAT and country-specific requirements) is 87,900 euro. The new GT3 will be available at European Porsche dealerships from March next year. The GT3 will be available in the United States from May 2003 at a price of 99,900 dollars."


gt31.jpg

gt32.jpg


this is a nice shot of the new rear wing. in comparison, the previous GT3's wing:
911_gt3_02.jpg



say, how about a weekly automotive news thread? could be interesting
 
I remember hearing about that new V-10 lambo right after the Murcilago came out. I heard it wont be all that expensive, cheap for a Lambo (more expensive than the Jalpa of course) but cheap by current standards of Lambo prices.

I like the new look of the GT3
 
Front lights look like an Enzo...
 
Originally posted by M5Power
I'm excited that Audi's getting one, too.

Why? Audi doesn't need it.

Of course, these are the days when Porsche makes a sport-utility vehicle, so I suppose an Audi supercar does make a bit of sense (er, more than the Kai-enne).
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Audi are going to use the engine in the forthcoming RS6

That doesn't make sense. The RS6 is brand new, hardly in showrooms, with a twin-turbo V8, and the low-end Lamborghini has a n/a V10. There's the upcoming "supercar" from Audi, that will use a slightly de-tuned version of this V10, but other than that, that's the end of the plans for VAG's petrol V10. Did you mean the RS8? I heard that was to be based on the Avantissimo concept....
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
Did you mean the RS8? I heard that was to be based on the Avantissimo concept....

Nah, that isn't going to happen. The VAG seems keen on getting the round new luxury sedans out as soon as possible, so there's to be no RS8 on the current version. Although it could happen on the new version, that won't be for some time given the amount of time it takes Audi to make RS versions of cars.
 
I'm quite sure they're going to use it for the new RS6, because they will have to match up with BMW. They will also have a new V10 in the new M5, and it will also have around 500 bhp.

ANd the even better news: the all new RSR Audi supercar will be using exactly the same floorplan and the same drivetrain as this Modena-killer.
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
That doesn't make sense. The RS6 is brand new, hardly in showrooms, with a twin-turbo V8, and the low-end Lamborghini has a n/a V10. There's the upcoming "supercar" from Audi, that will use a slightly de-tuned version of this V10, but other than that, that's the end of the plans for VAG's petrol V10. Did you mean the RS8? I heard that was to be based on the Avantissimo concept....

No, sorry, the next RS6 will have the V10. That's not due for a while. Like 2005. Some interesting design concepts coming from it though.
 
The New Lamborghini Is Gonna Be Called the "Stella".No, in My Road & Track or Car & Driver It Looks Like a Squared Off Lambo Murcielago.Errrrrr,Only If I had a Scanner I would scan the picture for you'll.
 
Originally posted by Josh7058
The New Lamborghini Is Gonna Be Called the "Stella".No, in My Road & Track or Car & Driver It Looks Like a Squared Off Lambo Murcielago.Errrrrr,Only If I had a Scanner I would scan the picture for you'll.

Gallardo. it's written in the first post... and it comes from Lamborghini themselves.
 
Sure, Enough.

For the first time in over a decade, Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini will offer a second model line as of 2003. The completely new Lamborghini model, named Gallardo (pron. : ga:yàrdo), will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year.

Now Time to E-mail road and Track about this.
 
Anyone Like the Shelby Series One?
2002_12_shelby_lead.jpg



Do you think Dodge Vipers are for sissies? Are you running a B-Production car — just about any B-Production car — in vintage racing? Do you buy into the logic that if one elephant is good, then 1000 elephants may well be great?

Have I got a car for you.

Carroll Shelby is a living legend. The first time I saw him, he was in a 4 1/2-liter Ferrari Grand Prix car at Giant's Despair Hillclimb in 1956. I couldn't possibly have dreamt back then that, years later, I would hear Carroll say, "I'm sendin' an S1 down to your place. Tell me what you think of it."

The Shelby Series 1 is the most recent in a long line of Carroll's projects. A goodly number of them — the Cobra 289s and 427s, the Daytona Cobras, the Ford GT40s, the GT350 Mustangs — were (and remain) stunning examples of high-performance automotive art. There have been others I forget, sort of, and I'll bet Carroll doesn't mind forgetting them as well.

Let it be proclaimed, though, the Shelby Series 1 is unforgettable.

Not that it has had a particular easy gestation. Our first word came back in December 1996, with Oldsmobile signing on as supplier of its 4.0-liter dohc Aurora V-8. The Series 1 itself broke cover at the 1997 Los Angeles auto show. Our April issue of that year ran a photo of the swoopy 2-seater and another of Ol' Shel' smiling in the cockpit. We noted at the time, "There's still a tremendous amount of design and development work to be done." A little more than a year later, and as our most recent R&T reference, in June 1998 we had a neat photograph of the Series 1 sans its carbon-fiber bodywork.

Since then, we've driven Series 1s a couple of times, but considered them very much works in progress rather than conventionally completed automotive products. Come to think of it, what with the very nature of handbuilt limited production, this most recent example might still be considered a work in progress — but one helluva work and a lot of progress.

2002_12_shelby_engine.jpg

Fan draws air through raked radiator; also visible are supercharger and extreme aft location of Aurora V-8.

Fabricated in Shelby's facility adjacent to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Series 1 has an aluminum space frame reinforced by aluminum honeycomb panels. Its all-aluminum Aurora V-8 resides sufficiently aft to warrant a front/midship designation and give the car a perfect 50/50 distribution of its 3105-lb. curb weight. Aiding this is a 6-speed manual transaxle mounted at the rear.

Front and rear hubs are located by upper and lower A-arms, suspended and damped by coil-over units actuated through pushrods and rockers. There are anti-roll bars front and rear as well. Steering is rack-and-pinion with power assist, the latter helpful in pointing the fat Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, P265/40ZR-18s front, P315/40ZR-18s rear.

The accelerator pedal can readily take part in the pointing as well. I should mention that (following the one elephant/1000 elephants dictum) our Series 1 had optional supercharging. The normally aspirated version produces 320 bhp at 6500 rpm and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 5000. At first I suspected figures for the supercharged version wouldn't be forthcoming because the dyno kept breaking, but indeed Carroll said these are around 525 bhp at 6800 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700.
---Road & Track
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
From the bull's mouth:
http://www.lambocars.com/framed/gallardo.htm

5.0L V10, 500HP, 6-speed sequential, MR, AWD. So says the bull.... The name is an unusual departure for them. The previous cars have been named after the bull, not the breeder.
What's the obsession with sequential transmissions as of late? I rarely hear positive things about them, except that if a company could truly master them, it would be great. Of course, that's usually followed by the journalist recounting another failed attempt.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
What's the obsession with sequential transmissions as of late? I rarely hear positive things about them, except that if a company could truly master them, it would be great. Of course, that's usually followed by the journalist recounting another failed attempt.

Automatic transmissions are -- and probably always have been -- a bigger seller than manual transmissions. However, most suck. As in, they take all the fun out of a sporty car. A sequential is -- in an ideal world -- the best of both worlds. It's a faster shift than a manual (and automatic...or it can be), easier on the clutch and gearbox (well, it can be, as long as you don't use the "advanced" mode), and would leave manufacturers making just one gearbox: a sequential, since both autobox fans and manual fans would be satisfied.

In theory.

And yes, there are numerous failed attempts, but I hear that the Vanquish sequential is decent, as is the new Toyota (used in the MR Spyder). The BMW M3 SMG is acceptable, and the Ferrari 575M F1 is...okay, it's pretty bad. I believe that Porsche did a decent job long ago with Tiptronic. Steady improvements have made something quite...acceptable.

Granted, none of this means anything to someone who really knows how to wring an engine's neck without burning out the clutch or smoking cylinders. ;)
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
Automatic transmissions are -- and probably always have been -- a bigger seller than manual transmissions. However, most suck. As in, they take all the fun out of a sporty car. A sequential is -- in an ideal world -- the best of both worlds. It's a faster shift than a manual (and automatic...or it can be), easier on the clutch and gearbox (well, it can be, as long as you don't use the "advanced" mode), and would leave manufacturers making just one gearbox: a sequential, since both autobox fans and manual fans would be satisfied.


That's fair, and that's what I always hear, but no-one can truly make it work very well...

And yes, there are numerous failed attempts, but I hear that the Vanquish sequential is decent, as is the new Toyota (used in the MR Spyder). The BMW M3 SMG is acceptable, and the Ferrari 575M F1 is...okay, it's pretty bad. I believe that Porsche did a decent job long ago with Tiptronic. Steady improvements have made something quite...acceptable.

I haven't heard any reviews of the Vanquish's yet or of the M3 SMG, but I remember that "Car" had a Toyota MR2 SMT long termer and they absolutely hated the gearshift right up until the end. Also, from what I've heard in "Car," it's a wiser bet to not mess with the poor F1 transmission in the 575M and just go with what Ferrari's good at and has done for their entire history.
 
Maserati SUV
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32595
I guess Maserati is making one after all. I don't get this, though. Why doesn't FIAT start with something more predictable (and useful...and more likely to sell), like a FIAT-branded SUV? Or even an Alfa Romeo SAV (ala X5)? IMO, Maserati is too upscale to go the SUV route. Then again, I've said the same about Porsche, and they haven't exactly returned my calls on that issue....


Saab 9-2
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32604
Saab's answer to the A3 and 3-Series Compact. Funny, I thought the 9-3 was Saab's answer to the A3. ;) Too many new cars, not enough buyers.


BMW X3
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32566
We all saw this coming, right? Cute, moderately useful, and with the panoramic sunroof it might find it's way into the hearts of the wives of many Cayenne owners.


Maybach SUV
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32485
I don't know who first quoted it, but the Maybach does indeed look like a 20-foot long slug. The colors, the waistlines, the slimy shape.... So if the X5 was a little bit pointless, and the Cayenne is moderatly pointless, and the Maserati SUV should prove to be quite pointless, then the Maybach SUV should be -- finally -- a totally pointless vehicle: ugly, non-offroad-suv, slow, gas-guzzler, a limo that goes where no limo should (and when it goes where it should go, it doesn't look right in that place), and way too expensive to be afforded by anyone with taste that poor.


Keeping in the theme of bad taste, I await a better version of the next Mustang. Even Ford could do better than that.
 
Originally posted by Hooligan


BMW X3

Cute,
Hah! It's cute! You even admit it!

A cute, Bangle-era BMW. Who thought it would be?
PS -- Did you see the poll in January's 'Car' about the Z4? The people love it!
 
Originally posted by M5Power
Hah! It's cute! You even admit it!

A cute, Bangle-era BMW. Who thought it would be?
PS -- Did you see the poll in January's 'Car' about the Z4? The people love it!

Of course I admit it. "Cute" is one thing; the Mitz Eclipse is "cute", but you won't see me signing the dotted for that one, either.

But, erm, the Z4? Yeah, that's much better in person than in print. And while someone other than Bangle did the actual styling, I will have to say that his department turned out something...quite nice.
 
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