nurburgring – Page 2 – Automobiles Review

Walter Rohrl driving the 918 Spyder at the Nurburgring

Porsche has released another interesting video clip of the 918 Spyder, which has lapped the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes and 14 seconds. This time behind the steering wheel is the world famous Walter Rohrl, who was driving in Group B (World Rally Championship) during the 1980’s, which was the most dangerous competition in the world. You can also see him climbing Pikes Peak with highly tuned Peugeot 405 Coupe.

Back to 918 Spyder – the car is powered by a 4.6 liter V8 engine and two electric motors. The combined power 770HP (566 kW). 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

The car is fitted with street-legal tires and had the optional Weissach Package which will be offered for the production model.

Röhrl commented that the 918 Spyder is easier to take to the limit in comparison to the astonishing Carrera GT.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URA15FCZHBM

Source: Porsche

October 10, 2012

Porsche 918 Spyder: Nurburgring Test [video]

Porsche has released a new promotional video of the 918 Spyder, which has lapped the Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 14 seconds. This is the third video of this performance and obviously the manufacturer is very proud of this achievement of their hybrid sports car.

Talking about hybrid systems, the 918 Spyder is powered by a 4.6 liter V8 engine and two electric motors. The combined power is whopping 770HP (566 kW). This means 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

The car was fitted with street-legal tires and had the optional Weissach Package which will be offered for the production model.

Check out the video below, where you will not see the full lap around Nurburgring, but a lot of interesting highlights and comments.

Enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pukna2PG97c

Source: Porsche

October 8, 2012

Formula Ford laps Nurburgring in 7:22 minutes [HD video]

A specially prepared race car by Ford called “Formulla” managed to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 22 seconds. Another spectacular thing about the vehicle is its engine with only 1.0 liter of displacement.

The one-of a-kind, road-legal version of the latest Formula Ford single-seat racer completed the lap in 7 minutes, 22 seconds to register the 11th fastest time ever on the circuit – a performance that puts it ahead of a host of supercars including the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda.

“This little engine has people rubbing their eyes in disbelief,” commented racing driver and course specialist Nick Tandy, 28, who completed the drive.

“It’s simply astonishing that a 3-cylinder, one-litre engine can deliver that kind of performance.”, he added.

The 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine produces 205HP (151 kW), which is enough for top speed of over 255 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. The car is fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox and was driven on road-legal tyres.

The vehicle completed the 20.832 km (12.94 mile) Nordschleife circuit at an average speed of 169 km/h (105 mph).

In-house testing also showed the 1.0-litre EcoBoost-powered Formula Ford is capable of extremely frugal fuel economy, delivering 2.4 l/100 km (118 mpg) at 56 km/h (35 mph), and 5 l/100 km (57 mpg) at 120 km/h (75 mph).

Check out the video below!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bexyLla5NAE

Source: Fordofeurope

September 5, 2012

Audi R8 e-Tron Nurburgring record [HD video]

Audi has finally revealed the video of the R8 e-Tron setting a lap record at the world’s hardest race track – Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The sports car is driven by Markus Wankelhock, who managed to close a lap in just 8 minutes and 9,099 seconds. This time is faster than any other production electric vehicle.

Audi R8 e-Tron is powered by two electric motors with overall power of 313HP (230 kW) and 820Nm (605 lb-ft) of torque. There is a 49 kWh lithium-ion battery bringing power to the electric motors. 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). The R8 e-Tron can go up to 215 km (134 miles) on a single charge.

“Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics. But with its low center of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities. The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know – even if they make hardly any noise in the process, which at the start was really a completely new experience for me. In places where I really need traction, the torque vectoring – the displacement of the torque between the powered wheels – really helps me.” said Markus Winkelhock.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHeTmMyfThU&feature=player_detailpage

Source: Audi

August 7, 2012

Porsche 918 Spyder at Nurburgring in a Martini Suit

Martini Porsche 918 Spyder The Porsche 918 Spyder has been spotted circling the Nurburgring as a part of development testing. It also has a new suit on which makes us all excited and tingly.

It does so mainly because it’s not that new. Martini was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978. It was then when the iconic “Martini Porsche” design came to be. The white, blue and red stripes saw many victories and today the legacy continues in tune with the future.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid super sports car that uses two electric motors and a 570 hp V8 engine that can work in unison thus producing a combined power output of around 770 hp. That amount of power is good for a top speed of 325 km/h and an acceleration of less than 3 seconds until the 100 km mark. Astonishing feats when you think about the fuel consumption which is no more than 3.0-liters per 100 km.

Still, the focus is on the sports performance. The goal of the Nurburgring testings is to do a lap time of less than 7 minutes 22 seconds. Considering all the carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) that make up the body and the ceramic brakes, that time is quite feasible.

Source: Porsche

August 1, 2012

Unleash the LFA – Lexus [HD video]

Lexusvehicles has released an teaser video for their upcoming clip, which will feature a mighty LFA sports car and a professional race driver on a closed course. Of course, the manufacturer warns everybody “Do not attempt”, so we expect something spectacular like drifts, burnouts and more interesting sequences.

The Lexus LFA is one of the fastest cars in the world. It is powered by a 4.8 liter naturally aspirated V10 engine equipped with dual VVT-I. It has 560HP (412 kW) at 8700RPM and 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque at 6800RPM. The red line is at whopping 9500RPM. The engine has forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods, and solid titanium valves.

The curb weight of the vehicle is just 1 480kg (3 263 lbs), so the performance is sensational. 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 326 km/h (203 mph). Power-to-weight ratio is 2,64kg / hp. The more interesting 0-200 km/h discipline is covered in 11.4 seconds and ¼ mile in 11.6 seconds with 201 km/h (125 mph) terminal speed.

The Nürburgring Package LFA was tested at the Nürburgring in June 2011. Driven by Akira Iida, the LFA set a time of 7:22.85.

The price for the toy is $375 000.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FKS3edMRk4

Source: Lexusvehicles via Youtube

July 25, 2012

Audi R8 e-Tron Sets World Record on the Nordschleife

After an overall victory at the 2012 Le Mans series, there comes another triumph for Audi. The R8 e-tron has set a new world record on the Nürburgring track of 8:09.099 minutes. Yes, it’s not an all-time record but a “production vehicle with an electric drive system“ kind of record . The Gumpert Apollo Sport, which by the way has an Audi V8 engine, has been around the Nürburgring for less then 7:12.00 minutes. Still, a giant leap for the all-electric car world and for the e-tron.

There are two electric motors underneath the Audi R8 e-tron that work together to produce 280 kW and 820 Nm of torque. At the same time, despite having a bulky 49 KWh T-sized battery pack bellow the cabin, the weight is down to 1,780 kg which is okay for a normal sport’s car and astonishing for an electric one. That’s mainly the result of an aluminum body with traces of CFRP parts here and there. Where we are getting at is that the R8 e-tron is capable of speeds up to 200 km/h (for the Nürburgring they had to ditch the limiter and went for the 250 km/h benchmark). From a stand still, the e-tron will reach 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds – a time which will bring some of the best petrol equivalents to tears.

Best part of it all? It’s all natural and almost ready for production:

“Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics. But with its low center of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities. The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know – even if they make hardly any noise in the process, which at the start was really a completely new experience for me. In places where I really need traction, the torque vectoring – the displacement of the torque between the powered wheels – really helps me.” Comments 32-year-old Markus Winkelhock – the e-tron driver and current record holder.

Source: Audi

June 29, 2012

MINI John Cooper Works GP

A GP designation on a MINI means that it has spawned from the depths of hell. Well, not really. It’s more like a job from John Cooper Works. The last time we saw a similar speed demon was in 2006 when a MINI Cooper S with a GP Kit by John Cooper Works (the performance subsidiary of MINI’s) with 136 hp-per-liter power ratio, lapped the Nurburgring in less than 8 min. 44 seconds. Today, we have a new one and the word is that it’s the fastest MINI ever built.

Because it still is in its trial period, things are quite hush-hush about it. All we know is that it has already went round the Nurburgring setting a time of 8min. 23 seconds. In other words – an almost 19 second improvement over the old one. The main suspects for that blisteringly quick lap are the aerodynamics, the chassis and the powertrain. Without a doubt, more air has been squeezed from the MINI’s twin-scroll turbo charger. Indeed, the character of the latest GP is quite revealing – literally. Look at that roof spoiler and that unapologetic diffuser. How about the front apron with the red air intakes which look like blood quenched fangs? Mean and functional.

We can only guess the size of the disc brakes and how many roll bars have been added, but at MINI, they assure us – the handling has been perfected to the tiniest detail. The tires have been made to outgrip even the harshest lateral forces and most probably the suspension is stiff as hell. (still a road legal car though).

Sales will commence later this year with a limited run of only 2,000 units. Our guess is, they will sell quickly. A MINI Cooper GP by John Cooper Works is the definition of small-car, hardcore fun.

Source: MINI

May 14, 2012

Aston Martin – Nurburgring 24 hour

Aston Martin will compete in the ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours on 19^th and 20^th May. Eight cars will take place in the epic battle at the world’s most famous and tough race track. The brand will field its most ambitious entry to date with four official Aston Martins – including a pair of V12-powered Vantage GT3s – supported by a further four customer cars.

More than 170 cars will start at the 24 hour race on the daunting 25km circuit that combines the legendary Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix track.

Having focused its efforts in previous years on near production-specification cars since its 2006 Nürburgring24 Hour debut, Aston Martin will, for the first time, be represented in the senior SP9 category for FIA-homologated GT3 cars. The pair of V12 Vantage GT3s will be run in association with long-standing official partner team, Young Driver AMR.

The lead Vantage GT3, carrying the iconic #007 designation, will be driven by Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck (A) – sons of triple Nürburgring 24 Hour winner Hans-Joachim Stuck – alongside Dennis Rostek (D) and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Darren Turner (GB). Turner’s regular works team-mate, Stefan Mücke, will drive the #006 car with Tomas Enge (CZ), Fredy Barth (CH) and Oliver Mathai (D).

Aston Martin - Nurburgring 24 hour — Aston Martin – Nurburgring 24 hour

In addition, Aston Martin’s engineering department will return with the spectacular V12 Zagato concept car that made its Nürburgring24 Hour debut in 2011. Targeting another successful race finish will be Aston Martin Chief Executive Dr Ulrich Bez (D), Chief Engineer Chris Porritt (GB), Aston Martin Nürburgring Test Centre Director Wolfgang Schuhbauer (D) and renowned motoring journalist and racer Richard Meaden (GB).

“Our 100 per cent finishing record in thirteen starts in one of the world’s toughest endurance races is remarkable; truly a testament to the reliability of our cars and the efforts of our people. In the past six years we have deliberately focused on racing close-to-production cars, achieving seven class podiums and three class wins. For 2012, I am delighted to be returning again to drive our V12 Zagato with my engineering team, but also to have such an exciting step up with the V12 Vantage GT3s.”, commented Ahead of the race, Dr Bez.

The fourth official entry will be a V8-powered Vantage run by Aston Martin’s Nürburgring Test Centre team and driven by Jurgen Stumpf (D), Australians Mal Rose and Rob Thomson, and Peter Cate (GB). Aston Martin will be represented by four further customer outfits, including Team Mathol Racing, winners of the SP10 class for GT4 cars in 2010.

The 40^th ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours starts at 16:00 CET on Saturday, 19 May.

Source: Aston Martin

May 11, 2012

Cadillac Burning Rubber on The Nürburgring

The Nordschleife, the Northern Loop or quite simply the Nürburgring is the name of the notorious racing track based in Germany. Why notorious? Well, tragically many people have lost their lives along its corners. There is some silver lining to the story however, as it has also helped shape the automotive industry by providing grounds for testing, fine-tuning and refinement.
And now a Cadillac team of engineers along with Dave Mikels (energy and powertrain integration engineer) have traveled all the way from from Michigan to the Nürburgring ring to develop their future ATS luxury compact sedan.

Being Nürburgring-certified performance test drivers, Mikels and his team will test out their 270 horsepower 2.0L turbo four-cylinder and 3.6L V-6 engines, along with the second- generation Cadillac Magnetic Ride Control suspension. Here is what they had to say about the ring:

“There are places where you’re airborne, and then there are valleys where you’re in full compression. There are off-camber, on-camber turns. There’s no other place in the world where you can test for all of that, except here.”

After gathering a sufficient amount of data, the ATS development team can send it back to their Michigan factory for processing all in the name of improving the Cadillac’s track run.
More information on the ATS will be available on the 2012 NAIAS when it will be its first public debut.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbhVGY2CWgw

Source: Cadillac

December 22, 2011

Volkswagen Golf24 is ready to hit the Nurburgring

The fastest Volkswagen Golf will compete tomorrow at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife in the legendary 24-hour race. The spectacular Golf24 has been prepared specially to take place at the race – June 23 to June 26, 2011. Fitting the 35^th anniversary of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen Motorsport has developed a thorough-bred racing version of the world’s highest-volume production car.

It is powered by a 2.5 liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine with 440PS (324 kW) and 540Nm of torque. It features four-wheel drive, a sequential 6-speed gearbox with paddle shifters and, last but not least, an impressive body shell.

Check out Volkswagen driver line-up, below!

Volkswagen Golf 24h Rollout - Oschersleben 2011 — Volkswagen Golf 24h Rollout – Oschersleben 2011

The Volkswagen driver line-up for the 2011 Nurburgring 24-hour race:

#35 – Golf24 – white / red

Peter Terting (D) / Nicki Thiim (DK) / Franck Mailleux (F) / René Rast (D)

#135 – Golf24 – white / blue
Thomas Mutsch (D) / Fredrik Ekblom (S) / Patrick Simon (D) / Edoardo Mortara (I)

#235 – Golf24 – white / yellow
Johnny Herbert (GB) / Patrick Bernhardt(D) / Mark Blundell (GB) / René Rast (D)

#116 – Scirocco GT24-CNG – blue / silver
Dr Ulrich Hackenberg (D) / Vanina Ickx (B) / Peter Wyss (CH) / Bernd Ostmann (D)

#117 – Scirocco GT24-CNG – blue / orange
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Q) / Carlos Sainz (E) / Giniel de Villiers (ZA) / Klaus Niedzwiedz (D)

Source: Volkswagen

June 22, 2011

Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring

Aston Martin is putting the final touches to its race preparations for the toughest 24 hour race of them all – the annual ADAC Nurburgring 24 Hours on 25 and 26 June. Two V12 Zagato cars will compete in this challenge.

The first one is the show car from Concorso D’Eleganza at Villa D’Este, which has been transformed into the number 3 race car, nicknamed “Zag” (red). It will be piloted by Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s Nurburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and automotive journalists Horst von Saurma and Matthew Marsh.

The second V12 Zagato is a green race car – nicknamed “Zig” with number 5, which will be raced by One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, experienced sports car driver Oliver Mathai, automotive journalist Richard Meaden and experienced amateur racer Peter Cate.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato - Zag — Aston Martin V12 Zagato – Zag

Furthermore, at the race track will be a V8 Vantage GT4 nicknamed “Smurf” – which will be driven by Aston Martin Racing works driver, Darren Turner, journalist and experienced 24 hour driver, Shinichi Katsura, Australian racer Rob Thomson and seasoned Nürburgring pilot Jurgen Stumpf.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring - Zig — Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring – Zig

“Our entries this year extend our Nürburgring racing philosophy. For five years now we have signed-off our new products by entering a car which is as close to the road car as possible and subjecting it to the toughest 24 hour test on what best simulates the extremities of public roads. This year we go a step further by testing a car at prototype stage.”, commented Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King.

“As ever, the race will present an enormous challenge in a vast and increasingly competitive field which will be fraught with all the unpredictable elements associated with racing at the Nürburgring. However, we are excited by the potential we have seen from the V12 Zagato in the testing we’ve completed and that gives us great hope for the task ahead. We look forward to a safe, successful and enjoyable race for our teams and customers.”, he added.

V12 Zagato has a new handcrafted aluminium body and is powered by a smooth 6.0 liter V12 with 517PS (380 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. It also has a specially developed chassis for maximum performance.

Source: Aston Martin

June 22, 2011

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