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Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Tuesday, 14 June 2011

BMW Z4 for North America by 3D Design

Japan has had more than its fair share of natural disasters over the years, with scientists predicting that a "big" quake was bound to hit some time soon. That being said, no one could predict the massive 8.9 magnitude quake followed by the tsunami that recently struck the country. The footage was a sight that was horrifying to watch, but even more so to live through. Japanese companies are still struggling to regain their balance, but 3D Design is out to prove that the country will not just sit back and allow negative things to happen to them. They are out to make positive things happen for themselves. This realization is what made 3D Design, along with a number of Japanese and US tuning firms, create the BMW Z4 tuning package that illustrates that hope and determination.

The BMW Z4 by 3D Design by a number of players who contributed the many different elements of the vehicle. The overall design theme was worked on by WSTO and IND with 18" wheels from BBS inspired by the BMW?s M3 GT4 program and wrapped around Yokohama tires, size 235/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear. The exterior of the vehicle is transformed by 3D Design’s own aggressive, full carbon fiber aerodynamic package.

The inner workings of the vehicle were also changed with an upgraded turbo kit from ESS, a KW variant suspension system, and a handbuilt exhaust system from Eisenmann. Other features include a Dinan camber plate, an upgraded brake package from Brembo, and a gauge package from Stack.

The most inspirational aspect of the vehicle is emblazoned on the passenger side of the BMW Z4: "Don?t give up, Tohoku." I think it is clear that no one is giving up. In fact, they will end up being stronger than ever.

gallery: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

BMW Z4 for North America by 3D Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 19:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2011-bmw-z4-for-north-america-by-3d-design-ar111224.html

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari

Five ways to improve F1

Emerson Fittipaldi in his heyday © Sutton Images

In an interview in the Times, former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi?s outlined his five-point plan to enhance Formula One. Cut costs ?They spend a fortune in wind-tunnel testing alone. Reduce costs and the slowest teams would catch up and make it more even.? Limit downforce ?They need to reduce enormously the downforce in the cars, the only way to bring back overtaking. We need more mechanical grip so that you have longer braking areas, can set up the car coming out of a corner, get in the slipstream and then overtake.? Close the pitlane ?When the safety car goes out they should close the pitlane. Now it?s just a lottery.? Lift ban on team orders ?It is a very stupid rule. It?s why they are called teams, it?s why they have two cars. If a driver is leading in the championship, everything has to go in his favour. What is wrong with that? It?s so easy for teams to camouflage their orders anyway. All they need to do is tell one guy on the radio he has a problem with his brakes. They can bend the rules very easily. In the old days they would even swap cars, so why do we have this ban now?? Retain traditional grands prix ?These places are the soul of racing. The Americas are under-represented. We have Canada back, but there is no USA, no Argentina, no Mexico. We need to stay in the heartlands.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/five_ways_to_improve_f1.php

Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha

Chevrolet Corvette

Most automakers wait for a huge auto show to reveal updates for one of their more popular models, but Chevrolet is changing it up by presenting the 2012 updates for their beloved Corvette at the C5/C6 Bash at the National Corvette Museum. Luckily, the anticipation for a New York Auto Show reveal wasn’t a total bust as somehow or another the first details for the 2012 Corvette were revealed ahead of schedule. Now, Chevrolet is releasing the full spectrum of details just a few days before the vehicle’s grand reveal at the Museum extravaganza.

Most of the changes made to the Corvette show up in the Z06 and ZR1 models, with a new High Performance Package and a new Ultimate Performance Package. The only changes made across the Corvette board will be a host of interior modifications.

UPDATE 04/28/2011: Chevrolet has revealed the full details on the 2012 Corvette before the car’s official debut this weekend at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.

UPDATE 06/09/2011: A 2012 Corvette ZR1 equipped with new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires has tackled the ZR1’s Nurburgring time set in 2008, shaving off more than six seconds. The ZR1’s new time of 7:19.63 gets that much closer to the record holding 7:18 run of the Porsche GT2 RS, but more importantly, provides the Corvette with ammo against the Dodge Viper ACR (7.19 seconds), the Nissan GTR (7:26.7), Ferrari Enzo (7:25.21), and the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport (7:24.44).

UPDATE 06/14/2011: Chevrolet has announced full specs and prices for the 2012 Corvette. And the bad news is that compared to the 2011 MY, the 2012 Corvette will be a little bit more expensive: prices will range from $49,525 for the base coupe version up to $111,525 for the ZR1 version. There is a price increase of about $480-$1,150 based on the model. Hit the jump for the full details. (CorvetteBlogger)

Hit the jump for full details on the Chevrolet Corvette.