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Bentley Announces Supersports Convertible
Feb 22nd
Bentley has announced they will produce the Continental Supersports in a convertible body, and adoption of their flexfuel technology across the Continental range of cars.
From the release:
“The Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop‑top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible.”
“All models in the Continental model range, including the new Supersports Convertible are now capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two, reaffirming Bentley’s ongoing commitment to make all its cars bio-fuel compatible by 2012. Pioneered by the Supersports Coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions.”
source: Bentley Press Release
2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Road Test
Feb 22nd
Evo magazine has posted a brief road test review of the 2010 GranTurismo Convertible – I suspect this is a teaser for an upcoming article, but they did give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
From the article: “What’s it like to drive? As good as Maserati claims; accurate steering, responsive, poised handling, fine ride. With the roof up, you really could believe you were driving the coupe. The engine isn’t over-endowed with torque but there’s enough, and the noise the V8 makes in ‘Sport’ mode is glorious.”
source: evo
2010 GranTurismo Convertible Makes Frankfurt Debut
Sep 15th
USA Today’s Review of the Maserati GranTurismo
Jan 8th
USA Today had a great review of the Maserati GranTurismo recently, here are some excerpts:
If you can talk about the Maserati Gran Turismo high-performance coupe for more than two minutes without using a naughty innuendo, you should get a prize. We’ll try to remain prizeless.Just looking at the $121,000 GT is enough to make you vibrate, so you can imagine what happens when you actually drive it.
Read the full article here: USA Today
GranTurismo MC Corse In-Car Video
Dec 15th
I ran across this in-car video of the GranTurismo MC Corse testing at Monza on YouTube today and had to share:
New Production Car Speed Record at the Nurburgring!
Oct 9th
For a long time I’ve pushed the fact that even though the Quattroporte was beat in horsepower and straight-line acceleration by the BMW M5 and the Mercedes S66 AMG, it was faster on the racetrack. The whole package of weight balance, suspension, chassis tuning, and electronics was such a superb setup that the car really is a lot faster than it looks on paper. EVO magazine proved it when they ran it around their Bedford Autodrome track in England. The Quattroporte was the fastest sedan, until they reconfigured the track and re-set the scores. Just look at these track times and the Quattroporte bests a lot of cars that should be faster.
Well now another Maserati has proven that it isn’t all about horsepower or straight-line speed. EVO magazine teamed up with a car fanatic we can all be jealous of, and a professional driver to push 5 supercars around the legendary ‘Green Hell’, otherwise known as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, all in an effort to answer one question: “Which one’s fastest?”
Apparently ONE guy is lucky enough to own an MC12, an Enzo, a Carrera GT, a Koenigsegg CCX, and a Zonda F. Now keep in mind, these cars range from 600 – 901 hp and are capable of sub 4 second 0-60 mph.
Surprisingly the most expensive car in the group – the Koenigsegg CCX came in dead last. Fast in a straight line, but the “…peaky way the power is delivered made it challenging to control.” No lap time was published for the CCX. The Carrera GT came in 4th with a lap time of 7.28.71 – matching the time set by factory driver Robert Rohrl during development.
Third place went to the Ferrari Enzo, with a lap time of 7:25.21. The Pagani Zonda, powered by a 7.3 liter Mercedes powerplant came in second with a lap time of 7:24.65.
With a lap time of 7:24.29 the Maserati MC12 came in first place. Not only did it beat the rest of these massively capable supercars, but it set a new production car lap record in the process. The MC12 was the heaviest car in the group, had ‘old-fashioned’ steel brakes and conventional dampers, but still took them on and won. Just like in the GranTurismo and the Quattroporte, the MC12’s sum is greater than its individual parts.
Just because one car should be faster than another on paper, doesn’t make it so.
GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Revealed
Sep 29th
9/24 – Maserati’s new concept car was unveiled during the Maserati Day, an event held at Monza. No word yet on whether this car will be produced for GT racing, but I think we’ll see this competing in 2009, in either the FIA GT3 European Championship series that the Gran Sport Light used to compete in, or possibly the GT4 class that the Trofeo Light currently competes in.
Maserati’s race engineers have fine tuned the GranTurismo S’ aerodynaic efficiency with a new front bumper – increasing airflow to the engine and brakes, and a front “chin spoiler” for additional downforce. The hood features a new large air intake plus cooling vents towards the rear.
The front of the car now features side air-vents which lead into the new side skirts under the doors. To the rear of the car the boot spoiler has been re-sculpted to produce increased down force to match the front splitter. The lower rear bumper has been re-worked to incorporate additional air vents and centrally located tailpipes.
The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car’s weight while also enhancing its performance. The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened with the application of an integral rollcage, to meet FIA regulations.
The coachwork, partially modified to meet new FIA regulations, is in composite material. This has led to better weight distribution and an overall weight under 3,100 lbs, a 1,000 lb reduction from the production GranTurismo S.
The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires have seen upgrades to meet racing specification including: Single-rate racing dampers, larger brake discs with moobloc racing calipers, and new 13×18″ rear and 12×18″ front wheels wrapped in racing slicks.
The engine has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability. The 4.7L V8 now generates 450 hp, and 376 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have been revised through a new open element air filter beneath the large hood inlet, and a full racing exhaust system with race-type catalytic converters and silencers.
Specifications:
- Engine: V8
- Displacement: 4,691 cc
- Maximum power: 450 hp
- Maximum torque: 376 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
- Power to weight ratio: < 7lbs/hp
- Body: In composite material. Windscreen, rear, and side windows in Lexan.
- Chassis: In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
- Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon througout. 6-point HANS compatible seat-belt.
- Electrical System: Specific, with data acquisition system.
- Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallon, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved.
- Brakes: Steel discs, front ⌀ 15″, ⌀ rear 12.5″, without ABS.
- Wheels: Front 12×18″, rear 13×18″
- Tires: Racing slicks
- Weight: < 3,100 lbs
Links:
maseraticorse.com
FIA GT 2006 Roundup
Dec 12th
After dominating the 2005 FIA GT series, Maserati had many challengers vying for a piece of their success in 2006. The MC12 teams competed against six teams running Aston Martin DB9Rs, two Saleen S7Rs entries, and one Corvette C6R.
Overall the MC12s won five of ten races, and collected both Team and Drivers titles. These important wins brings the Maserati MC12’s international titles to four; (one Constructors’, one Drivers’, and two Team), a total of 10 wins, 21 podiums and two consecutive wins at the 24 hour of Spa-Francorchamps.
Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione video
Oct 5th
The Alfa 8c Competizione has been unveiled in Paris with this accompanying video.