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Saturday, April 21, 2007
Rob Good: This vehicle is said to be based on the next generation 7 series, so you can imagine how long it will be. It is also very wide at over 79 inches. The new 7 is expected to have up to 700 HP and the CS concept is expected to have up to 600 rubber melting hp to propel the vehicle from 0-60 in the 4 second range.
I think the CS looks a little like the Dodge Charger in the front which is different. I am not to keen on the large holes in the rear bumper for the exhaust outlets though. Good to see BMW coming up with new vehicles.... Roll em out.
What do you think?
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Rob Good: With the introduction of the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR model at the New York auto show, Ford and Shelby will have unveiled four Mustang variations in a little over one year. Bring it on I say.
The GT500KR will be easily the most powerful of a bunch that also includes the 500-horsepower GT500 and the 319-hp Shelby GT, as well as the limited-edition Shelby GT-H produced for use in Hertz rental fleets. Tried to reserve one for a trip I am taking to Hawaii in June, but they are already reserved for that time....
The GT500KR revives a name last used 40 years ago. It will be powered by a version of the standard GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that makes about 40 hp more. That would bring the total to 540 hp, although Ford is not yet ready to commit to that number officially. Lets make it 100 more HP to give the Viper a run for the money.
Whatever the specific increase turns out to be, it comes from the Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, which includes a cold-air intake and a louder low-restriction exhaust. The KR should also feel a bit faster thanks to recalibrated ignition timing and electronic throttle settings, which promise quicker throttle response which is just what is needed.
The engine will be bolted to the same Tremec six-speed manual transmission as used for the regular GT500, although the KR version gets a shift linkage with 25 percent shorter throws and a big, white ball on the shift lever. The KR also gets a boost in acceleration from a shorter, 3.73:1 final-drive ratio (in place of GT500's final-drive ratio of 3.31:1).
More aggressive dampers and springs along with stiffer anti-roll bars and a strut-tower brace, all unique to the KR, should help provide for entertaining handling and a pretty hard-core ride. The production version will come with 18-inch wheels and not the shiny 20-inchers of the show car pictured here. Although the smaller wheels likely will have "Shelby" engraved on the rim, just as these show-car wheels do.
The shape of the bulging hood is a deliberate retro touch, with two long, narrow air intakes up front, just like the original '68 model. It's a decidedly modern interpretation, though. It's constructed of carbon composite (Ford expects that you'll be able to see the weave texture through the paint on production versions), and has two stainless-steel hood latches, where pins would have gone on a '68 GT500KR.
Only 1,000 KRs will be built (with final fitting done at Shelby's facility in Las Vegas), so collectors will surely be lining up, as well as ponying up a considerable amount of money. The KR should list for about $50,000, although we'd be shocked if you could get one for less than $70,000. Unlike the '68 model, no convertible version will be available.
One could also choose to simply build a KR for oneself. All of the mechanical upgrade parts will be available from Ford Racing or Shelby at the same time as the genuine KRs go on sale. The only piece currently not planned to be sold separately is the carbon hood, but with some imagination someone resourceful could probably get their hands on one.
This car looks good and is going to be one fast Stang.... I love the modern muscle car wars that are going on at the moment.... I will admit that even though it is a Ford, I want one.
The GT500KR will be easily the most powerful of a bunch that also includes the 500-horsepower GT500 and the 319-hp Shelby GT, as well as the limited-edition Shelby GT-H produced for use in Hertz rental fleets. Tried to reserve one for a trip I am taking to Hawaii in June, but they are already reserved for that time....
The GT500KR revives a name last used 40 years ago. It will be powered by a version of the standard GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that makes about 40 hp more. That would bring the total to 540 hp, although Ford is not yet ready to commit to that number officially. Lets make it 100 more HP to give the Viper a run for the money.
Whatever the specific increase turns out to be, it comes from the Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, which includes a cold-air intake and a louder low-restriction exhaust. The KR should also feel a bit faster thanks to recalibrated ignition timing and electronic throttle settings, which promise quicker throttle response which is just what is needed.
The engine will be bolted to the same Tremec six-speed manual transmission as used for the regular GT500, although the KR version gets a shift linkage with 25 percent shorter throws and a big, white ball on the shift lever. The KR also gets a boost in acceleration from a shorter, 3.73:1 final-drive ratio (in place of GT500's final-drive ratio of 3.31:1).
More aggressive dampers and springs along with stiffer anti-roll bars and a strut-tower brace, all unique to the KR, should help provide for entertaining handling and a pretty hard-core ride. The production version will come with 18-inch wheels and not the shiny 20-inchers of the show car pictured here. Although the smaller wheels likely will have "Shelby" engraved on the rim, just as these show-car wheels do.
The shape of the bulging hood is a deliberate retro touch, with two long, narrow air intakes up front, just like the original '68 model. It's a decidedly modern interpretation, though. It's constructed of carbon composite (Ford expects that you'll be able to see the weave texture through the paint on production versions), and has two stainless-steel hood latches, where pins would have gone on a '68 GT500KR.
Only 1,000 KRs will be built (with final fitting done at Shelby's facility in Las Vegas), so collectors will surely be lining up, as well as ponying up a considerable amount of money. The KR should list for about $50,000, although we'd be shocked if you could get one for less than $70,000. Unlike the '68 model, no convertible version will be available.
One could also choose to simply build a KR for oneself. All of the mechanical upgrade parts will be available from Ford Racing or Shelby at the same time as the genuine KRs go on sale. The only piece currently not planned to be sold separately is the carbon hood, but with some imagination someone resourceful could probably get their hands on one.
This car looks good and is going to be one fast Stang.... I love the modern muscle car wars that are going on at the moment.... I will admit that even though it is a Ford, I want one.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Rob Good: The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series which has been unvieled at the New York motor show is based on the Official F1™ Safety Car. This is the road version of the high performance AMG vehicle that has been the Formula One safety since 2006. The coupe, optimized for the racing circuit, is powered by an in house AMG 6.3-liter V8 with its performance boosted to 373 kW/507 hp and 630 Newton meters of torque. A plus handling is assured by the sophisticated AMG threaded suspension with 19-inch AMG forged wheels, new steering and the generously dimensioned AMG high-performance brake system with composite disks. When you look at it, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series clearly shows its close similarities the Official F1™ Safety Car: its imposing front apron with large cooling intakes, flared wheel arches, diffusor-type rear apron and carbon-fiber airflow breakaway edge, all demonstrate the car’s sporting pedigree.
The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series output has been upgraded by 19 kW/26 hp over the standard CLK63 to 373 kW/507 hp, and the Black Series accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds which is 0.3 seconds faster than the standard model. The top speed (electronically limited) is 300 km/h. Fun fun.
Wonder if Mr Giltrap will be taking delivery of one?
The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series output has been upgraded by 19 kW/26 hp over the standard CLK63 to 373 kW/507 hp, and the Black Series accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds which is 0.3 seconds faster than the standard model. The top speed (electronically limited) is 300 km/h. Fun fun.
Wonder if Mr Giltrap will be taking delivery of one?
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