Showing posts with label Motor sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motor sport. Show all posts
Monday, 12 August 2013
1996 McLaren F1 GTR
For 1996 the F1 GTR was reduced to 600 hp by handicap rules enforced by the GT Racing Series. To compensate McLaren improved the aerodynamics of the car by using a larger rear wing. The weight of the car was also reduced. The 1996 F1 GTR finished a respectable 4th overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Race Car
Lamborghini's latest race car 120% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.
As outlined by Maurizio Reggiani, the 2013 Gallardo is based on the proven chassis and mechanical platform of its predecessor, but takes a significant step forward following extensive aerodynamic re-profiling of the surface geometries and the addition of adjustable aerodynamic devices, including an all-new ten-position rear wing.
The net benefit of this significant aerodynamic upgrade is 120% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency over the Gallardo's 2012 model. With re-modelling of brake ducts, the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo achieves a 50% improvement in thermal performance with improved front brake cooling, while better balance and dynamic performance is achieved by increasing downforce by 128kg in low downforce set up and 160kg in high downforce trim.
As outlined by Maurizio Reggiani, the 2013 Gallardo is based on the proven chassis and mechanical platform of its predecessor, but takes a significant step forward following extensive aerodynamic re-profiling of the surface geometries and the addition of adjustable aerodynamic devices, including an all-new ten-position rear wing.
The net benefit of this significant aerodynamic upgrade is 120% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency over the Gallardo's 2012 model. With re-modelling of brake ducts, the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo achieves a 50% improvement in thermal performance with improved front brake cooling, while better balance and dynamic performance is achieved by increasing downforce by 128kg in low downforce set up and 160kg in high downforce trim.
2013 Porsche 918 RSR
Porsche marked its return to the Detroit auto show on Monday with the unveiling of a new motorsports-inspired concept of the 918--the company's two-seat supercar first revealed in road-going Spyder form at last year's Geneva motor show.
Called the 918 RSR, this new advanced gasoline-electric-powered coupe closely previews a new series-production-based race car under development at Porsche Motorsport, which is eying a full-fledged, factory-backed return to the famed Le Mans 24-hour race in 2012, according to new Porsche chairman, Mathias Mueller.Â
The Le Mans link is enforced by Porsche's decision to provide its latest concept with the number 22--the race number used by Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep in their victory in the 24-hour classic in 1971 at an average speed of 138.3 mph, for a total distance of 3,315.9 miles--a record that stood for 39 years until Audi's victory in 2010.
In addition to pointing toward a future race car, the 918 RSR also provides clues to the appearance of a new coupe version of the 918 which is set to be produced alongside the open-top model at Porsche's Leipzig factory in Germany beginning in 2013.
Successor to the Carrera GT, the 918 is based around a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque and uses a mid-engine mechanical layout enhanced by the addition of two electric motors mounted within the front axle assembly.
Differing from the open-top 918 Spyder, which uses conventional front-hinged doors, the closed-roof 918 RSR adopts gullwing-style doors that hinge overhead.
The coupe configuration is aimed at improving overall aerodynamic efficiency. In line with its motorsports ethos, the supercar also gains a series of downforce-enhancing features, including small winglets up front, vents in the front bodywork to reduce pressure within the wheel arches at speed, a roof-mounted air duct and a large rear wing.
Powering the 918 RSR is a high-tech gasoline-electric drive system that borrows engineering solutions from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS hybrid, as campaigned by the German carmaker in various events during 2010, including the famed Nürburgring 24-hour race.
Primary propulsion is provided by a mid-mounted 4.5-liter V8 gasoline engine that kicks out 565 hp at a searing 10,300 rpm and provides drive exclusively to the rear wheels. It is a development of the unit used by Porsche in the earlier 918 Spyder, but with an extra 800 rpm at the top end, it produces an added 65 hp in race trim.
The gasoline engine is supported by a pair of brushless electric motors integrated into the front axle, where they develop a combined 204 hp and channel drive through a torque-vectoring device to the front wheels--in the process providing the new concept with four-wheel-drive compatibility. Altogether, the 918 RSR packs a total of 767 hp, but only for short eight-second bursts of electric-motor-assisted propulsion.
Departing from the earlier 918 Spyder, which uses a conventional full-mode hybrid drive system complete with lithium-ion batteries and plug-in charging capability, the 918 RSR relies on an advanced kinetic-energy-recovery system (KERS) flywheel similar to that employed on the 911 GT3 RS hybrid race car to create energy under braking and brief periods of overrun to power the electric motors. It was developed by engineers at the Porsche R&D center in Germany in partnership with Williams F1 Engineering in England, which originally designed the system for incorporation on its Formula One race car for recent FIA regulations permitting hybrid drive. The flywheel sits in the space usually reserved for the passenger seat and is capable of operating at up to 36,000 rpm. The driver can call up the added 204 hp provided by the electric motors at the press of a button.
2008 Nissan GT-R GT500
2008 marked the return of GT-R to racing, following the transition from the R34 model to the Z five years ago. Continuing from last year, Mr. Kunihiko Kakimoto will be the General Manager for all Nissan related teams, and the NISMO Team Manager will be Mr. Yoshitaka Iijima.
NISMO gave technical support and car development support to teams entering the NISSAN GT-R in SUPER GT. As a part of the Nissan team group, NISMO, HASEMI MOTORSPORT, TEAM IMPUL, and KONDO RACING entered the GT500 class with a total of five NISSAN GT-Rs.
NISMO gave technical support and car development support to teams entering the NISSAN GT-R in SUPER GT. As a part of the Nissan team group, NISMO, HASEMI MOTORSPORT, TEAM IMPUL, and KONDO RACING entered the GT500 class with a total of five NISSAN GT-Rs.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
2010 Chevrolet Camaro GS Racecar Concept
One of the most iconic cars of the legendary Trans Am road racing series was the distinctive blue-and-yellow Camaro of Mark Donohue. He was a dominant racer in the series and drove his #6 1969 model to the series championship that year.
With the assistance of GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations, North Carolina-based Riley Technologies re-created the look and feel of that standout racecar with a tribute that looks, sounds and drives like it’s ready to do battle with its contemporary pony car competitors. In fact, the heritage-inspired racer is more than concept. It is an early prototype for the Grand Am Koni Challenge GS racing class. Racecars like the GS Concept are offered and manufactured by Riley Technologies for the 2009 Grand-Am season.
The GS Concept features the race-ready suspension, reinforced chassis and drivetrain conform to the specifications required of racecars certified for the series. In fact, this racecar has already logged many hours on the racetrack as Riley team members worked to dial-in the chassis and powertrain. Additional features include:
With the assistance of GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations, North Carolina-based Riley Technologies re-created the look and feel of that standout racecar with a tribute that looks, sounds and drives like it’s ready to do battle with its contemporary pony car competitors. In fact, the heritage-inspired racer is more than concept. It is an early prototype for the Grand Am Koni Challenge GS racing class. Racecars like the GS Concept are offered and manufactured by Riley Technologies for the 2009 Grand-Am season.
The GS Concept features the race-ready suspension, reinforced chassis and drivetrain conform to the specifications required of racecars certified for the series. In fact, this racecar has already logged many hours on the racetrack as Riley team members worked to dial-in the chassis and powertrain. Additional features include:
- Seam-welded production Camaro body-in-white
- Carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, doors and fenders
- Production LS3 V-8 engine (used with solid engine mounts)
- Tremec 6060 six-speed manual transmission with close-ratio gearing
- Three-inch exhaust system with Coast Fab mufflers
- C&R racing aluminum radiator
- Upgraded engine oil cooler
- Transmission and differential coolers
The GS Racecar Concept is shown at SEMA just as it was last driven off the track, with the grime, brake dust and body imperfections commensurate with a day’s worth of racing. Indeed, it isn’t a car that spent hundreds of hours in a body shop in a quest of sheet metal perfection. It displays the bruises of competition and wears them as badges of honor.
Like Donohue’s ’69 Camaro racecar, the GS Racecar Concept wears a deep blue paint scheme that is accented with yellow graphics, a yellow-painted interior and yellow racing wheels.
Like Donohue’s ’69 Camaro racecar, the GS Racecar Concept wears a deep blue paint scheme that is accented with yellow graphics, a yellow-painted interior and yellow racing wheels.
2009 Ford Fiesta Pikes Peak Rallycross
As a two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm seen just about everything in a rally course... until he came to Pikes Peak.
Gronholm drove his production based Ford Fiesta prepared by Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution to second in the ‘Unlimited Class’ and fifth fastest time overall in the 87th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb here Sunday. Grönholm captured Pikes Peak Rookie of the Year honors as he posted a run of 11:28.963 up the 12.4-mile, 156-turn course which runs up the famed Pikes Peak Highway.
Grönholm fought not only the high altitude and diverse road and weather conditions of the famed course’s 14,000 feet of elevation, but he battled a mechanical issue with the turbo charger on his 800-horsepower Fiesta rallycross car that resulted in a power reduction during the crucial final climb to the top.
“I always wanted to compete at Pikes Peak,” said Grönholm. “Having been here the last week I have to admit that it is one of the most challenging events I have ever done in my career. The handling of the Fiesta is absolutely fantastic, and the BFGoodrich tires were great. Unfortunately we had a few small problems today. I lost some power during the last few kilometers, but I was determined to finish. The Fiesta has the potential to beat the 10-minute record. If I come back I know what we need to do to be fastest.”
Andreas Eriksson’s first trip to Pikes Peak was cut short when in Engineer’s Corner (2 mile mark) when two tires slipped off their rim and sent the Olsbergs MSE Fiesta off course where it clipped a tree and sustained damage to the rear wing. The DNF brought an end to a frustrating introduction for Eriksson to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
“I am disappointed because the car was handling fantastic through the early portion of the course,” said Eriksson. “Overall it has been a tough week. We had a lot of challenges, but we learned a lot and I know what I need to do now to come back and be fastest. Now we turn our attention to the X Games and getting the Fiestas ready for Tanner [Foust], Brian [Deegan] and Kenny [Brack} so that we can go to LA and bring home a win.”
“While it is still a year until the Ford Fiesta comes to America it was a great opportunity to showcase the versatility and performance capabilities of the Fiesta at one of the most challenging motorsports events in the world,” said Jost Capito, Ford Motor Company Director of Global Motorsports Business Development. “The Olsbergs MSE team did an outstanding job competing at Pikes Peak for the first time and now they have an opportunity to campaign their Fiestas at the X Games.”
Gronholm drove his production based Ford Fiesta prepared by Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution to second in the ‘Unlimited Class’ and fifth fastest time overall in the 87th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb here Sunday. Grönholm captured Pikes Peak Rookie of the Year honors as he posted a run of 11:28.963 up the 12.4-mile, 156-turn course which runs up the famed Pikes Peak Highway.
Grönholm fought not only the high altitude and diverse road and weather conditions of the famed course’s 14,000 feet of elevation, but he battled a mechanical issue with the turbo charger on his 800-horsepower Fiesta rallycross car that resulted in a power reduction during the crucial final climb to the top.
“I always wanted to compete at Pikes Peak,” said Grönholm. “Having been here the last week I have to admit that it is one of the most challenging events I have ever done in my career. The handling of the Fiesta is absolutely fantastic, and the BFGoodrich tires were great. Unfortunately we had a few small problems today. I lost some power during the last few kilometers, but I was determined to finish. The Fiesta has the potential to beat the 10-minute record. If I come back I know what we need to do to be fastest.”
Andreas Eriksson’s first trip to Pikes Peak was cut short when in Engineer’s Corner (2 mile mark) when two tires slipped off their rim and sent the Olsbergs MSE Fiesta off course where it clipped a tree and sustained damage to the rear wing. The DNF brought an end to a frustrating introduction for Eriksson to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
“I am disappointed because the car was handling fantastic through the early portion of the course,” said Eriksson. “Overall it has been a tough week. We had a lot of challenges, but we learned a lot and I know what I need to do now to come back and be fastest. Now we turn our attention to the X Games and getting the Fiestas ready for Tanner [Foust], Brian [Deegan] and Kenny [Brack} so that we can go to LA and bring home a win.”
“While it is still a year until the Ford Fiesta comes to America it was a great opportunity to showcase the versatility and performance capabilities of the Fiesta at one of the most challenging motorsports events in the world,” said Jost Capito, Ford Motor Company Director of Global Motorsports Business Development. “The Olsbergs MSE team did an outstanding job competing at Pikes Peak for the first time and now they have an opportunity to campaign their Fiestas at the X Games.”
2009 Jaguar XKR GT2
In preparation for a full championship effort in 2010, RSR entered the Jaguar XKR GT2 in the American Le Mans Series' famed event the Petit Le Mans with the intention to introduce the car and utilize the track time for testing and development. The Jaguar brand launched into what everyone considers the deepest GT2 class in the history of the ALMS and faced off against the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Viper, and Ford.
From a production car, the Jaguar XKR makes an excellent racecar. "The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today," explained Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner. "That allows RSR to build a lighter, stronger, stiffer racecar. Also, the basic aerodynamic design of the XKR has a low drag coefficient and more than sufficient downforce."
The GT2 class features production-based cars modified as allowed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) rules. "There are very specific limitations. We use what we call in the industry, the Body-In-White. That is the basic skeletal structure, the sub-frames and frames from the original production car. We started our GT2 car with a real Jaguar XKR, this is not a panel built or fabricated car. We are using all of the aluminum skeletal structure of the car, the production doors, roof and deck lid."
The body work features a design that is based on the Jaguar XKR and was completed in the Jaguar Advance Design Studio headed by chief designer Ian Callum. The body has undergone intensive computational fluid dynamics work, know as CFD, by the Jaguar aerodynamics department. Information from the CFD was then incorporated into the finished body work which was made in clay at the RSR facility. Over 1100 man hours were spent during the clay process. The carbon fiber composite body work was molded and produced by a local company in Michigan and conforms to the ACO guidelines.
"The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car," comments Gentilozzi.
Yokohama has been announced as the official tire supplier. "Partnering with RSR on the Jaguar XKR GT2 in ALMS is a perfect fit for Yokohama," said Mark Chung, Yokohama Tire Corporation director, corporate strategy and planning. "Motorsports is a core element in what we do. It's in our DNA – we like to compete and we like to win, and so does RSR. Our collective efforts will certainly put us among the leaders in GT2 next year. We are definitely eager to get going."
RSR worked very closely with Bosch Motorsport to integrate their technologies for engine control and chassis data acquisition. The car is equipped with a Bosch Motorsport ECU and data logger with color display, as well as Bosch spark plugs.
Gentilozzi has had a long relationship with brake supplier Brembo, winning races in Trans-Am and Champ Car. Brembo six piston front calipers on 380 mm discs with four piston rear calipers on 350 mm discs were installed and actuated by a Tilton floating master cylinder pedal assembly. A 5.5 inch Tilton metallic clutch allows power to flow from the modified Jaguar AJ133 engine to a Hewland CST Transaxle.
A five time Trans-Am Series Champion, Gentilozzi wore multiple hats for the team, as not only the owner but also one of the three drivers designated to run at the Petit Le Mans. He was joined with sports car veterans American Scott Pruett and Belgian Marc Goossens. During the testing and development process these seasoned drivers played a key role in getting the Jaguar XKR up to speed for a strong fight in 2010.
From a production car, the Jaguar XKR makes an excellent racecar. "The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today," explained Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner. "That allows RSR to build a lighter, stronger, stiffer racecar. Also, the basic aerodynamic design of the XKR has a low drag coefficient and more than sufficient downforce."
The GT2 class features production-based cars modified as allowed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) rules. "There are very specific limitations. We use what we call in the industry, the Body-In-White. That is the basic skeletal structure, the sub-frames and frames from the original production car. We started our GT2 car with a real Jaguar XKR, this is not a panel built or fabricated car. We are using all of the aluminum skeletal structure of the car, the production doors, roof and deck lid."
The body work features a design that is based on the Jaguar XKR and was completed in the Jaguar Advance Design Studio headed by chief designer Ian Callum. The body has undergone intensive computational fluid dynamics work, know as CFD, by the Jaguar aerodynamics department. Information from the CFD was then incorporated into the finished body work which was made in clay at the RSR facility. Over 1100 man hours were spent during the clay process. The carbon fiber composite body work was molded and produced by a local company in Michigan and conforms to the ACO guidelines.
"The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car," comments Gentilozzi.
Yokohama has been announced as the official tire supplier. "Partnering with RSR on the Jaguar XKR GT2 in ALMS is a perfect fit for Yokohama," said Mark Chung, Yokohama Tire Corporation director, corporate strategy and planning. "Motorsports is a core element in what we do. It's in our DNA – we like to compete and we like to win, and so does RSR. Our collective efforts will certainly put us among the leaders in GT2 next year. We are definitely eager to get going."
RSR worked very closely with Bosch Motorsport to integrate their technologies for engine control and chassis data acquisition. The car is equipped with a Bosch Motorsport ECU and data logger with color display, as well as Bosch spark plugs.
Gentilozzi has had a long relationship with brake supplier Brembo, winning races in Trans-Am and Champ Car. Brembo six piston front calipers on 380 mm discs with four piston rear calipers on 350 mm discs were installed and actuated by a Tilton floating master cylinder pedal assembly. A 5.5 inch Tilton metallic clutch allows power to flow from the modified Jaguar AJ133 engine to a Hewland CST Transaxle.
A five time Trans-Am Series Champion, Gentilozzi wore multiple hats for the team, as not only the owner but also one of the three drivers designated to run at the Petit Le Mans. He was joined with sports car veterans American Scott Pruett and Belgian Marc Goossens. During the testing and development process these seasoned drivers played a key role in getting the Jaguar XKR up to speed for a strong fight in 2010.
2008 Mazda Furai Concept
The Mazda Furai concept car, which made its world premiere at the 2008 NAIAS, celebrates 40 years of Mazda's rotary engine and international motorsports heritage. The raciest interpretation of NAGARE design language to-date, Furai is the latest car in Mazda's award-winning and highly acclaimed series of concept cars. Nagare (pronounced 'na-ga-reh'), is the Japanese for 'flow' and the 'embodiment of motion'.
Furai (pronounced 'foo-rye' - Japanese for 'sound of the wind') is the sort of car that could only come from a company that incorporates the 'Soul of a Sports Car' into everything it builds, but with an eye toward the future and the environment through the use of renewable fuels. Consequently, Furai is initially tuned to operate on 100 per cent ethanol, while research with partner BP into other future fuels, including ethanol/gasoline blends like E10, continues.
On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas and Mazda-powered cars road-raced in North America than any other brand of car. This is because every Mazda sedan, coupe and sports car really is developed with the highest possible dose of the company's trademark Zoom-Zoom responsive performance and handling - truly the 'Emotion of Motion'.
However, Zoom-Zoom is about more than simply vehicle performance. The look and style that is Zoom-Zoom can best be seen in previous NAGARE-based design studies, including the Mazda Nagare concept that debuted at Los Angeles in 2006; Mazda Ryuga (first shown a year ago in Detroit), Mazda Hakaze (which appeared in Geneva last year) and Mazda Taiki - the star of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
The 'Nagare' ethos is how Mazda's future production models will sustain the Zoom-Zoom spirit by exhibiting their strong affinity for motion.
Manufacturers commonly showcase concept cars and design studies with little or no intention of actually using the theme presented. Mazda's approach is the opposite: all of the Nagare concepts, including Furai, help evolve this evocative surface language for future use. Nagare is how this celebration of motion will be portrayed on interior and exterior surfaces in future models. Instead of form following function, the two merge as one.
However, Mazda neither intends to race Furai, nor is it a supercar the company plans to build and sell in the near future. Rather, Furai is a design study that lives between those extremes. Without the restrictions imposed by serial production models, and with the freedom of an autoshow environment, Mazda is using the opportunity to evolve the company's Nagare design theme one more step closer to reality.
Instead of mimicking racecar components and design elements in a road car - the strategy preferred by supercar manufacturers - the 'Mazda way' was to begin this project with the real McCoy: a Courage C65 chassis that earned its stripes during two seasons of LMP-2 endurance racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). This sports car was successfully campaigned under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner by B-K Motorsports during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Drivers Jamie Bach, Guy Cosmo, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, and Raphael Matos piloted the car to one victory and a total of nine podium finishes in 15 ALMS events. B-K finished third in championship standings both years; while Bach and Cosmo were co-Rookies of the Year in 2005 after their first season of ALMS racing.
"Anticipating future rules changes in the ALMS, we created a new closed cockpit which would be more appropriate for a future production model," said von Holzhausen. "The major element we did not change is the 450-horsepower RENESIS-based R20B three-rotor rotary engine that provides the Furai's ample Zoom-Zoom. The ultimate Mazda in our minds is rotary powered; as a company, we have no intention of abandoning that valuable asset. When people think of the very best production sports cars in the world, the rotary powered Mazda RX-7 is always on that list."
The Furai concept serves as a turning point in the Nagare developmental process. While the four previous concept cars explored different ways to express Mazda's emerging design philosophy and to explore an aesthetic, this one is all about function - every last texture and detail serves some functional purpose. In essence, the Furai creative process boiled down to guiding air over and through the body in fruitful ways. To prove that this concept goes far beyond static aerodynamic analysis, Mazda's design, motorsports and R&D teams worked together to construct Furai as a 180 mph rolling laboratory to demonstrate its functional capabilities on demand.
The Mazda design and R&D teams worked closely with Swift Engineering to refine the aerodynamic characteristics, assuring that Furai remains glued to the ground at high speeds. Through its existing relationship with Swift Engineering, forged through development of the Mazda/Cosworth-powered Champ Car Atlantic single-seater chassis, the team used complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to tune various Nagare design elements to function at a high degree of efficiency. Drag, downforce, lift and overall aesthetics were all key considerations.
Sourced straight from the race track, the Courage carbon-composite tub is essentially intact under the new Furai body, including the right-side driver's seat. Instead of the stark interior typical of race cars though, this cockpit is finished with more comfortable but still highly functional surfaces. An electronic display screen and gear-change shift paddles are built into the steering wheel.
In the chassis' original racing configuration, the passenger seat is filled with electronic gear, so those components were relocated elsewhere to provide adequate space for two occupants. The greenhouse is somewhat wider than the original cockpit to provide adequate head and shoulder room and adequate visibility. Doors attached with butterfly hinges provide a very efficient means of entering the cockpit. In this instance, the design team followed an approach that has proven very effective during years of endurance racing.
"One thing we learned from CFD studies is that we don't need much rear wing to balance the down force created by the front splitter and the Nagare features we've sculpted into the body," observed von Holzhausen. "Combustion air is provided by a variation of the Turbo Tongue device that Swift developed for Indy car use a decade ago. It rises slightly higher than the surrounding roof surface to ingest clean air above the boundary layer. Our final design works so well that we applied for a joint patent with Swift. Of course, it helps that it's a real piece of art, too, and one we had to incorporate into the design."
The Irvine, California-based Aria Group was responsible for creating new composite panels and they worked hand-in-hand with Mazda North American Operations' own in-house fabrication team to mate them to the Courage chassis. The dark matte finish with red and orange accents harkens back to the livery worn by Mazda's legendary 787B when it won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1991, making the company the first - and still only - Japanese company to ever win the endurance classic.
Furai not only probes future design possibilities, it also ventures ahead with an alternative fuel. Consistent with the Mazda's recently announced 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' initiatives, the Furai's three-rotor powerplant has been tuned to run powerfully on 100-percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and ethanol/gasoline blends. There are exciting advances being made in renewable fuels, from current blends like E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline) with research ongoing into making ethanol from cellulostic materials, to future renewable gasoline components like Butanol - a 'higher order' alcohol which is fungible with gasoline.
Furai (pronounced 'foo-rye' - Japanese for 'sound of the wind') is the sort of car that could only come from a company that incorporates the 'Soul of a Sports Car' into everything it builds, but with an eye toward the future and the environment through the use of renewable fuels. Consequently, Furai is initially tuned to operate on 100 per cent ethanol, while research with partner BP into other future fuels, including ethanol/gasoline blends like E10, continues.
On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas and Mazda-powered cars road-raced in North America than any other brand of car. This is because every Mazda sedan, coupe and sports car really is developed with the highest possible dose of the company's trademark Zoom-Zoom responsive performance and handling - truly the 'Emotion of Motion'.
However, Zoom-Zoom is about more than simply vehicle performance. The look and style that is Zoom-Zoom can best be seen in previous NAGARE-based design studies, including the Mazda Nagare concept that debuted at Los Angeles in 2006; Mazda Ryuga (first shown a year ago in Detroit), Mazda Hakaze (which appeared in Geneva last year) and Mazda Taiki - the star of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
The 'Nagare' ethos is how Mazda's future production models will sustain the Zoom-Zoom spirit by exhibiting their strong affinity for motion.
Manufacturers commonly showcase concept cars and design studies with little or no intention of actually using the theme presented. Mazda's approach is the opposite: all of the Nagare concepts, including Furai, help evolve this evocative surface language for future use. Nagare is how this celebration of motion will be portrayed on interior and exterior surfaces in future models. Instead of form following function, the two merge as one.
However, Mazda neither intends to race Furai, nor is it a supercar the company plans to build and sell in the near future. Rather, Furai is a design study that lives between those extremes. Without the restrictions imposed by serial production models, and with the freedom of an autoshow environment, Mazda is using the opportunity to evolve the company's Nagare design theme one more step closer to reality.
Instead of mimicking racecar components and design elements in a road car - the strategy preferred by supercar manufacturers - the 'Mazda way' was to begin this project with the real McCoy: a Courage C65 chassis that earned its stripes during two seasons of LMP-2 endurance racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). This sports car was successfully campaigned under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner by B-K Motorsports during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Drivers Jamie Bach, Guy Cosmo, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, and Raphael Matos piloted the car to one victory and a total of nine podium finishes in 15 ALMS events. B-K finished third in championship standings both years; while Bach and Cosmo were co-Rookies of the Year in 2005 after their first season of ALMS racing.
"Anticipating future rules changes in the ALMS, we created a new closed cockpit which would be more appropriate for a future production model," said von Holzhausen. "The major element we did not change is the 450-horsepower RENESIS-based R20B three-rotor rotary engine that provides the Furai's ample Zoom-Zoom. The ultimate Mazda in our minds is rotary powered; as a company, we have no intention of abandoning that valuable asset. When people think of the very best production sports cars in the world, the rotary powered Mazda RX-7 is always on that list."
The Furai concept serves as a turning point in the Nagare developmental process. While the four previous concept cars explored different ways to express Mazda's emerging design philosophy and to explore an aesthetic, this one is all about function - every last texture and detail serves some functional purpose. In essence, the Furai creative process boiled down to guiding air over and through the body in fruitful ways. To prove that this concept goes far beyond static aerodynamic analysis, Mazda's design, motorsports and R&D teams worked together to construct Furai as a 180 mph rolling laboratory to demonstrate its functional capabilities on demand.
The Mazda design and R&D teams worked closely with Swift Engineering to refine the aerodynamic characteristics, assuring that Furai remains glued to the ground at high speeds. Through its existing relationship with Swift Engineering, forged through development of the Mazda/Cosworth-powered Champ Car Atlantic single-seater chassis, the team used complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to tune various Nagare design elements to function at a high degree of efficiency. Drag, downforce, lift and overall aesthetics were all key considerations.
Sourced straight from the race track, the Courage carbon-composite tub is essentially intact under the new Furai body, including the right-side driver's seat. Instead of the stark interior typical of race cars though, this cockpit is finished with more comfortable but still highly functional surfaces. An electronic display screen and gear-change shift paddles are built into the steering wheel.
In the chassis' original racing configuration, the passenger seat is filled with electronic gear, so those components were relocated elsewhere to provide adequate space for two occupants. The greenhouse is somewhat wider than the original cockpit to provide adequate head and shoulder room and adequate visibility. Doors attached with butterfly hinges provide a very efficient means of entering the cockpit. In this instance, the design team followed an approach that has proven very effective during years of endurance racing.
"One thing we learned from CFD studies is that we don't need much rear wing to balance the down force created by the front splitter and the Nagare features we've sculpted into the body," observed von Holzhausen. "Combustion air is provided by a variation of the Turbo Tongue device that Swift developed for Indy car use a decade ago. It rises slightly higher than the surrounding roof surface to ingest clean air above the boundary layer. Our final design works so well that we applied for a joint patent with Swift. Of course, it helps that it's a real piece of art, too, and one we had to incorporate into the design."
The Irvine, California-based Aria Group was responsible for creating new composite panels and they worked hand-in-hand with Mazda North American Operations' own in-house fabrication team to mate them to the Courage chassis. The dark matte finish with red and orange accents harkens back to the livery worn by Mazda's legendary 787B when it won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1991, making the company the first - and still only - Japanese company to ever win the endurance classic.
Furai not only probes future design possibilities, it also ventures ahead with an alternative fuel. Consistent with the Mazda's recently announced 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' initiatives, the Furai's three-rotor powerplant has been tuned to run powerfully on 100-percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and ethanol/gasoline blends. There are exciting advances being made in renewable fuels, from current blends like E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline) with research ongoing into making ethanol from cellulostic materials, to future renewable gasoline components like Butanol - a 'higher order' alcohol which is fungible with gasoline.
2009 9ff GT9-R
The GT9-R is a limited edition supercar produced by 9ff, with only 20 being produced worldwide. Each car built by the company is unique, and customers have the choice to create the car to their preferences. The exterior design is available in two variations including one for top speed and another for track performance. The engine is available in three stages, allowing customers to learn the GT9-R step by step, and each stage can be upgraded at any time.
The GT9-R starts with a 750 hp kit which is good for a maximum speed of 380 km/h and an acceleration time of 0-300 km/h in 20 seconds that is optimized for track performance. The second stage of 987 hp is built for a compromise between track performance and stop speed, reaching 409 km/h and accelerates from 0-300 km/h in 17 seconds. Finally, the third stage is the ultimate driving machine. With 1120 horsepower it hits a top speed of 414 km/h and goes from 0-300 km/h in just 15.8 seconds. The gearbox can be ordered in three different types including a 6-speed manual, 6-speed sequential, or a 5-speed tiptronic that can only be ordered with the 750 horsepower engine.
The interior of each GT9-R is individually designed for its owner. Only materials of the highest quality are used, including carbon fiber, wood, aluminum, Alcantara, and the finest leather.
The GT9-R starts with a 750 hp kit which is good for a maximum speed of 380 km/h and an acceleration time of 0-300 km/h in 20 seconds that is optimized for track performance. The second stage of 987 hp is built for a compromise between track performance and stop speed, reaching 409 km/h and accelerates from 0-300 km/h in 17 seconds. Finally, the third stage is the ultimate driving machine. With 1120 horsepower it hits a top speed of 414 km/h and goes from 0-300 km/h in just 15.8 seconds. The gearbox can be ordered in three different types including a 6-speed manual, 6-speed sequential, or a 5-speed tiptronic that can only be ordered with the 750 horsepower engine.
The interior of each GT9-R is individually designed for its owner. Only materials of the highest quality are used, including carbon fiber, wood, aluminum, Alcantara, and the finest leather.
2012 BMW Z4 GT3
BMW's latest race car hits the track, the Z4 GT3 powered by a 4.4 liter V8 taken from the BMW M3. Â This highly customized Z4 has widebody hit, large rear wing along with dozens of other race only enhancements. Â The front and rear wings, bonnet, roof, fenders and many other components are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics.
Engine management systems use the modern ECU408 while the Power400 electronic control unit is responsible for controlling all the actuators.  The goal of the latest modifications was primarily to improve aerodynamic efficiency in order to ensure the car's competitiveness in the GT3 classes.
Engine management systems use the modern ECU408 while the Power400 electronic control unit is responsible for controlling all the actuators.  The goal of the latest modifications was primarily to improve aerodynamic efficiency in order to ensure the car's competitiveness in the GT3 classes.
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