Hamann Sports Cars Ferrari California F149

World premiere at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show - the HAMANN tuning programme for the Ferrari California F149. HAMANN unveiled the 2010 HAMANN Ferrari California program at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The HAMANN Ferrari California is powered by a standard 4.3 liter V8 engine that develops 460 hp which 20% more than standard. The extra horses of the HAMANN Ferrari California comes from a re-programmed ECU and a new sport exhaust system.

2010 Hamann Sports Cars Ferrari California F149

The aerodynamics package of the HAMANN Ferrari California F149 includes a carbon fiber bonnet, a new front spoiler, new side skirts, a rear spoiler and a small rear wing. The rear of the HAMANN Ferrari California is completed with a new diffuser.

 

 Refining super sports cars is more than just business for the company HAMANN Motorsport. Their passion for detail, for something special and unique is the main incentive for extraordinary modifications. The latest stroke of genius once again confirms this. The HAMANN interpretation of the Ferrari California F149 with its exclusive and extensive refining programme does not only make the hearts of real Ferrari fans beat faster.

Most of all, the car body kit proves that HAMANN does not only focus on changing the visual appearance. Apart from design elements such as a bonnet made of carbon fibre, specific modifications at the front, sides and back boost the aerodynamics. Thereby, the front spoiler reduces the lifting forces of the California which significantly improves the handling and agility. Moreover, the unobtrusive side skirt set calms the airflow between both axles. 

And moreover, a back spoiler increases the contact pressure. Here, the HAMANN engineers agreed on a small wing profile which considerably enhances the car body design. As the combination with the perfectly integrated and three-part rear diffuser renders enough grip for the road. Mainly on country roads with many curves, the HAMANN aerodynamics kit unravels its power and generates pure driving pleasure.

The extra agility and handling gives room for more performance. Also here, HAMANN-Motorsport contributes its know-how. An adjustment for the motor management is in preparation and a sport exhaust system will also be especially engineered for this sports car. This combination will advance the performance of the serial 4.3 litre V8 engine with 460 hp by up 20 percent.

Another technical highlight in the offered tuning programme is the multi-part HAMANN aluminium wheel called EDITION RACE. The black varnished rim star and the titanium bolting of the high-gloss polished rim flange emphasise the racing character. As the wheel is produced in forged technology, it is extremely light. 

This reduces the unsprung masses which noticeably improves both the acceleration and the braking response. The recommended wheel-tyre combination measures 9.0Jx21 inches with 245/30ZR21 tyres for the front and 12.5Jx21 rims with wheels measuring 345/25ZR21 are fitted at the back. The wheel-tyre combination is perfectly enhanced by the suspension which is used in order to lower the sports car.

Also in the interior, HAMANN has a lot to offer to its customers. In addition to the serially offered interior, HAMANN Motorsport offers an extensive programme, ranging from personalised floor mats to a perfectly finished complete leather interior.

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LAST NISSAN GT-R GODZILLA MAY HIT 420KW JACKPOT!

The okes at Best Car magazine in Japan (through 7tune.com) reckon they have the best scoop of the day by “revealing” awesome news about the next and last Nissan GT-R. It was only two months ago that Nissan showed the world the new 390kW GT-R and promised less than 3 seconds for 0 – 100km/h. This scoop claims the last R35 Godzilla edition will hit the streets in 2012, with up to 418kW!

But before the car bows out of production, a Spec R model is supposedly being developed. That will run against the highly-rated Porsche 911 GT3 RS, thanks to a slight power hike and a weight-loss programme. I don’t expect the limited-edition Spec R to be imported into SA though. Besides, there probably won’t be an allocation anyway.

REFRESHED HYUNDAI I10 WILL BE A STAR

Hyundai launched its new facelift i10 sub-compact amid first quarter results that painted the company as one to really look out for, if your name is Toyota or Volkswagen. And the i10 is one of its best-selling models in the country. Goodness, the Koreans have arrived!

Big on value and features, the i10 is quite different from the car it replaces, in looks and quality. A new front bumper sets the scene, followed by a trapezoid front grille that now features in all new Hyundais like ix35, a new set of headlights, side looks, rear lights and rear bumper. The car has been thoroughly refreshed and looks all-new, unlike some other facelifts that end up being no more than just mild. All wheels are 165/ 60 R14 with 14-inch steel rims used all round. Good thing they also have a full-sized spare wheel in the boot.

Not just outside but inside as well have the changes been made. A new lights cluster was installed, matched by a new front fascia and a new style of cloth seats. Because Hyundai is still a value automaker, several “bigger-car” features come standard. Within the next 5 to 10 years Hyundai will start to charge similar prices to its competitors while simultaneously removing some of these features, which include air conditioning, ABS for the 1.2 GLS, at least two front airbags, a USB/ auxiliary connection, central locking, front and rear electric windows and others.

The driver tends to sit quite high in the i10, something that irritates the more enthusiastic pilots among us. But then we tend to forget who the i10 is targeted at. Interestingly only 20% or so of i10 buyers are black African. I don’t know if this is because they aren’t too interested in Hyundai, or if Hyundai is not too bothered about advertising in media consumed by these ever-swelling consumers.

The derivatives being sold are the 1.2 GLS, 1.1 GLS manual and the 1.2 GLS automatic. The entry-level 1.1 GLS sears 50kW at 5500rpm and its peak torque of 99Nm at 4500rpm. It’s a cast iron block with a single overhead cam and two valves per cylinder, making it an 8-valve motor. A 5-speed manual gearbox with a rather long gear lever puts thrust on the front wheels, returning 0 – 100km/h in 15.2 seconds as tested by Hyundai engineers. Fuel consumption is said to be 4.8 litres per 100km, with C02 emissions reportedly at 114 g/km.

Slightly higher up is the 1.2-litre (Hyundai insists on calling it a 1.25) 4-cylinder giving out 64kW at 6000rpm and 119Nm at 4000rpm. Lighter than its 1.1-litre sibling, thanks to an aluminium block, the engine is apparently a little more fuel efficient, averaging 4.7 litres per 100km and C02s of 113 g/km. For the 0 – 100km/h sprint, a time of 12.3 seconds is claimed and top speed of 169km/h.

Most expensive is the 1.2 GLS with a 5-speed automatic and a sprint time of 13.8 seconds, the highest fuel consumption at 5.5 litres per 100km and a 132 g/km C02 combination.

While I can attest to its willingness to rev, the i10, in either engine guise, is no neck-jerker by any means. But then again it’s not meant to be. This is an urban runabout for people on a serious budget or those looking at a reasonably-priced second or third car.

Hyundai i10 pricing

1.1   GLS (R99 900)

1.2   GLS (R109 900)

1.2 GLS auto (R119 900)

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Lotus Sports Cars Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar

Proton-owned and British-based sports car maker Lotus has announced the Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar (pronounced One Twenty Four). Based on the Evora road car, it is powered by a mid-mounted Toyota V6 powerplant. The engine is race-tuned and can output over 400PS, depending on race regulations. The power unit is linked to a 6 speed sequential transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It can weigh less than 1,200 kg, again depending on race regulations, thanks to an aluminium chassis, very strong lightweight forged aluminium wishbones and lightweight composite and carbon fiber panels.

Lotus Sports Cars Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar

The Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar has been developed from the award-winning Evora road car and is built to FIA regulations and safety standards. Based on the standard Evora road car, the Evora Type 124 (pronounced One Twenty-four) will make its 24 hour racing debut at the ADAC Nurburgring 24 hours race. According to Lotus, the Evora was designed for racing from the start and this made it very easy for the team to convert the Evora into a racecar, thanks to the mid-engine layout, stiff bonded aluminium chassis and lightweight forced aluminium wishbones for the suspension.

The Type 124 (pronounced One Twenty Four) Endurance Racecar is the next step in the evolution of the Evora. The car will make its 24 hour racing debut at the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours which provides a great test for the Evora’s performance, efficiency and durability under tough and demanding endurance race conditions.

The Evora gets a race-tuned version of the Toyota V6 mated to a 6-speed sequential paddle shift racing gearbox, and it now produces over 400 PS which is well over the 100 PS per liter ratio. I wish they’d listed out more specifications as to the specs of the engine – I dig this kind of stuff. In stock form, the Evora makes 280 horsepower from its 3.5 liter V6 engine, but even for the road car its said that a supercharged version could come later putting out over 400 horses.

At the heart of the Lotus Evora are fundamental racecar elements: mid-engine layout, high-tech and super-stiff extruded and bonded aluminium chassis and very strong lightweight forged aluminium wishbones. All these elements mean that it is a natural evolution from the road going Lotus Evora to a competitive endurance racecar.

From the outset the design team had intentions to take the Evora racing and the chassis was designed with this in mind. Endurance races are the perfect events to showcase the efficiency, handling and durability characteristics that have been fundamental to the concept of the Evora.

The Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar has a race-tuned version of the mid-mounted Toyota V6 engine, with power increased to over 400 ps (depending on race regulations). Vehicle mass is expected to be reduced by up to 200 kg, bringing the weight of the racecar to less than 1200 kg (depending on race regulations).

Further changes for the Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar include a six speed sequential paddle shift racing gearbox, full FIA specification roll cage, FIA-compliant 120 litre ATL fuel system, FIA fire extinguisher system, competition carbon fibre rear wing, diffuser and front splitter.

The racecar is fitted with AP Racing 6 piston callipers front and rear, with a race-tuned Bosch ABS system, 4-way adjustable dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars. The racecar runs on 18” rims shod with Pirelli racing slicks and the wheels widths have been increased over the roadcar to 9 ½ J on the front and 11 J on the rear.

Loads of goodies are added to the car – AP Racing 6 pot brakes on both front and back, a race-tuned Bosch ABS system, 4-way adjustable dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars, 18 inch wheels (nice and wide 9.5 from and 11 at the rear) with Pirelli slicks, a full FIA rollcage, an FIA 120 liter ATL fuel system, FIA fire extinguisher, yet weight is cut down from the production car to under 1200kg depending on race regulations. This is thanks to the use of carbon fiber extensively in the rear wing, diffuser, font splitter, and body panels.

The aerodynamically efficient Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar body design, made from lightweight composite and carbon fibre panels, remains predominantly unchanged from the road car, with the only modifications being to the lower sections of the front and rear clamshells and the side sills.

Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars Limited, said, “Motorsport has been in our blood ever since our founder, Colin Chapman, built the first Lotus back in 1948. We are proud of our motorsport history, which includes victories in Formula One, Le Mans, saloon car, rally car and sportscar racing around the world; more recently, we won the British GT3 Championship in 2006 with the Lotus Exige. The Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar is from the same unique stable and we expect it to be a competitive racecar when we enter various endurance races next year.”

Roger Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director for Group Lotus Plc said, “Every Lotus car is designed to be at home on the race track as well as the road, and the Evora is no different. Designed primarily as an everyday road car, the Evora’s lightweight and stiff structure, its aerodynamics and performance means that it is perfectly suited to taming race tracks around the world, and we are looking forward to seeing the new Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar line up on the grid for the 2010 season.”

The racecar is expected to compete in a number of endurance races in 2010/ 2011 forming part of a factory-supported race program. The races that are targeted are: The 2010 ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours (Nürburgring Nordschleife, Germany) in May 2010, Merdeka Millennium 12 Hours (Sepang, Malaysia) in August 2010, BritCar 24 Hours (Silverstone, UK) in October 2010 and the Dubai 24 Hours (Dubai Autodrome, UAE) January 2011.

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