In 1930, ‘Bentley Boy’ Tim Birkin claimed his aborted attempt on the Mille Miglia in his legendary Blower was due to a lack of “due preparation”. 85 years on, Bentley has ensured all plans are in place for a successful Blower run in the 2015 event. ‘Bentley Boys’ the Hon. Sir Henry (Tim) Birkin and Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato were to be the first British drivers to attempt the thousand-mile Italian test of endurance, in a supercharged ‘Bentley Blower’ known as the No. 2 ‘Birkin Blower’. According to contemporary media reports, however, ‘much disappointment was felt at the news of the Bentley withdrawal from the Brescia Thousand Miles Race’. This year, Bentley’s original 1930 4½-litre supercharged Blower is aiming to finish what its sibling never started, taking on the world-renowned cross-country route between 14 and 17 May. Director of Royal and VIP Relations, Richard Charlesworth, who will be piloting the historic Blower, said: “When the Blower was built in 1930 the … [Read more...]
Supermarket Fridges are to become more Energy Efficient
Williams Advanced Engineering, the division of Williams that commercialises Formula One derived technology and knowhow, has collaborated with UK start-up Aerofoil Energy to develop a new aerodynamic device that can significantly reduce the energy consumed by refrigerators in supermarkets and convenience stores. Energy consumption makes up a significant percentage of a supermarket’s operational costs, with energy hungry refrigerators that keep the produce cool the largest consumer of power. Open fronted multi deck refrigerators that line the aisles of supermarkets consume excessive energy, with some of the cold air used to cool produce spilling out into the aisles resulting in increased energy consumption and “cold aisle syndrome” which can be unpleasant for shoppers. Aerofoils are carefully designed and engineered profiles that control the direction of air flow. Aerofoil Energy and Williams are developing a new retrofittable aerofoil system that attaches onto each refrigerator … [Read more...]
Bugatti 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale”
The curtain rises on an icon! At the Geneva International Motor Show, Bugatti is celebrating the Veyron, the fastest production supercar in the world whose performance has captivated legions of fans around the world since its launch ten years ago. The Veyron is limited to 450 units, which have now all been sold. The world première of the final Veyron in Geneva will mark the culmination of an unprecedented chapter in automotive history. Bugatti will showcase the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale” with chassis number 450 alongside chassis number one of the Veyron 16.4 which rolled out of the company’s factory in Molsheim ten years ago and heralded the start of the Veyron’s success story. “The Bugatti Veyron has shown that our engineers are capable of achieving a previously unimagined level of technical excellence, thereby opening up whole new dimensions in the automotive sector,” says Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. “The Veyron is justifiably … [Read more...]
Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6
Bentley Motors is showing the future direction of luxury and performance with the EXP 10 Speed 6 at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. The concept is a British interpretation of a high performance two seater sportscar using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology. From the racing success of the company’s early years to the international motorsport success of today, ‘speed’ is part of Bentley’s DNA. This inspiration is expressed throughout the EXP 10 Speed 6, where iconic Bentley design cues are fused with progressive craftsmanship techniques and modern technologies. Copper elements are used as accents to both exterior and interior features to highlight the performance hybrid potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain. Performance goals including top speed are set to challenge competitors and define a new segment benchmark. Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley … [Read more...]
Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
Automobili Lamborghini presents the Lamborghini LP 750-4 Superveloce at the Salon de l'Automobile in Geneva. With increased power, lower weight, improved aerodynamics and innovative technologies the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce is the most pure incarnation of a Lamborghini to date: unmistakable Lamborghini super sports car DNA, dynamic superiority and exceptional driving precision. A focus on weight reduction while incorporating innovative technologies has resulted in the most sports-oriented, fastest and most emotional series production Lamborghini ever. The weight has been further reduced by 50 kg through enhanced lightweight engineering including significant use of carbon fiber. The naturally aspirated V12 engine's power is increased to 552 kW/750 hp. This results in a power-to-weight-ratio of 2,03 kg/hp. The Superveloce accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds and powers on to reach a top speed of more than 350 km/h (more than 217 mph). "The … [Read more...]
The all new Lotus Evora 400
The new Lotus Evora 400 is the latest pure and focused supercar from Lotus, combining high performance with the legendary Lotus benchmark handling. It is faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive. Maximum speed is 186 mph (300 km/h) and acceleration 0-60 mph is just 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds). This enables the new Lotus Evora 400 to lap the challenging test track at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, a scintillating SIX seconds faster than the previous model. Over two thirds of the Lotus Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear. Following the core values of the company, not only is the new Lotus Evora 400 faster than the previous model, it is … [Read more...]
Infiniti Red Bull’s Racing’s 2015 Formula One car, the RB11
After an intensely busy off-season, Infiniti Red Bull’s Racing’s 2015 Formula One car, the RB11, has hit the track and begun testing at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain ahead of the new season. Featuring a striking new test livery, the RB11 features a host of improvements in all areas as the team seeks to improve on its 2014 campaign, when it took the RB10 from a difficult start to second place in the Constructors’ Championship. The most notable shape change to this year’s car is the lower nose box and front of the chassis, which were amended in line with the latest regulations, but beyond that many of the RB11’s updates are under its all–new black and white skin. THE RB11 DESIGN Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey said: “The design of the RB11 has been very much about understanding what we learned from last season, which was a big regulation change as far as the power unit is concerned and the packaging that goes with that and setting about optimizing the car from those … [Read more...]
Toyota is testing new technology that could make hybrids and other vehicles with electric powertrains even more efficient.
Toyota is testing new technology that could make hybrids and other vehicles with electric powertrains even more efficient. The year-long trial in Japan will evaluate the performance of new power semi-conductors that use a silicon carbide (SiC) material, fitted to a Camry hybrid saloon prototype and a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus. The technology Power semiconductors are found in the power control units that govern the motor drive power in hybrids and other vehicles that use an electric powertrain. These units control the use of electricity, sending power from the battery to the motors when the car is being driven, and recharging the battery with energy that’s harvested when the car is braking or decelerating. The type of semiconductors used at present account for about 20 per cent of a vehicle’s electrical losses, so making them more efficient is potentially a good way to increase the efficiency of the complete powertrain. Compared to the current silicon power … [Read more...]
Tesla opens 20th Supercharger Station in the UK
Tesla opens its 20th Supercharger station in the UK, continuing the rapid expansion of the fast-charging network to enable long-distance travel in Tesla’s all-electric vehicles. Tesla Superchargers span routes from Exeter to Edinburgh, allowing access to Europe. Today’s announcement puts Tesla on course for full UK coverage by the end of 2015. Today, Supercharger stations are available at Sainsbury’s supermarkets in Winchester, Exeter and Bristol. Tesla also recently opened stations at Junction 15 of the M1 near Northampton and Brent Cross shopping centre in North London. Model S is the world’s first premium electric sedan. It has a range of 312 miles per charge (according to its NEDC rating), which is more than enough to cover daily commutes and the majority of daily driving scenarios. Tesla Superchargers replenish half a charge in as little as 20 minutes and are conveniently placed along well-travelled routes to enable long-distance travel. Tesla has energised more than … [Read more...]
The new Lotus Exige S Automatic: 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100kph in 3.9 seconds)
The much-loved Lotus Exige, with its ground-breaking, extruding aluminium and bonded chassis, lightweight composite body and race-bred double wishbone suspension now features an automatic transmission option that continues its uncompromised sporting profile. With an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 292 hp/tonne and stunning performance, an even more focused driving experience is made possible by including the 6-speed automatic gearbox option. The automatic control panel is integrated neatly into the centre console of the cockpit, with buttons for Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive with beautifully crafted, forged aluminium, manual-shift paddles located behind the steering wheel cross-spokes, upshifts take just 240 milliseconds, with rapid downshifts accompanied by a throttle-blip (when in Sport mode). In both automatic and manual gearshift modes, the Exige S provides the driver with a very rapid driving experience. In Sport mode, throttle response is sharpened and the Lotus … [Read more...]
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