Rabu, 14 Januari 2009

2010 Jaguar XK and XKR


"Built in the tradition of great grand tourers, with state-of-the-art engineering, aerospace-inspired construction and outstanding driving dynamics, the new XK is the latest in a long line of legendary performance Jaguars."Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars- The new generation of Jaguar XK sports coupe and convertible has all-new engines giving more power and performance with greater efficiency; revisedexterior styling and interior enhancements- Advanced aluminium body architecture is strong and light-weight and the key to optimising performance, dynamic agility, competitive CO2 emissions and fuel economy- All-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines are the most advanced and efficient engines Jaguar has ever produced:• 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III R delivers 510PS (510bhp SAE), 625Nm of torque and propels XKR coupe to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds• 5.0-litre naturally aspirated AJ-V8 Gen III engine delivers 385PS (385bhp SAE), 515Nm of torque and propels XK coupe to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds- Improved CO2 emissions performance (Euro Stage V compliant two years ahead of legislative requirement) and fuel economy comparable to the less powerful 4.2-litre engines they replace- New generation of XK is true to the heritage of Jaguar's legendary performance, delivering a superb balance of dynamic ability and refinement- State-of-the-art six-speed automatic transmission has seamless gearshifts plus, for the first time on the XKR model, an electronic differential optimises traction and dynamic performance- New design features, including exciting user-friendly technologies such as the JaguarDrive Selector™ first seen on the XF, further enhance performance, driving dynamics and the XK's luxury sporting character- Now three models in the range: XK, XK Portfolio and XKR. Design revisions include a new front bumper, new mirrors with integrated LED side repeater, rear valance, rear LED lights and colour-coded side power vents- First customer deliveries from March 2009, dependent on market and modelThe Jaguar sports car experience moves on to a new level in 2009 with the introduction of a new generation of the XK and XKR coupe and convertible.With all-new V8 engines delivering more power and performance with greater efficiency, even more dramatic looks, interior enhancements, advanced lightweight aluminium body structure and a wider range of models, the new XK and XKR build on 60 years of legendary performance to deliver the best of everything Jaguar. Designated 2010 model year but – dependent on model and market – available from as early as March 2009, the new XK range not only stands out from the crowd, it stands apart.The combined efforts of Jaguar's designers and engineers have produced a sports car that utilises advanced technologies at a higher level than ever before. The benefits of the XK's lightweight but stiff and strong chassis are already acknowledged. Not only does this architecture bring dynamic benefits thanks to its torsional rigidity, it also offers excellent safety and crash repair features and provides the ideal base to improve performance across the board – including optimised fuel economy and CO2 emissions.The AJ-V8 Gen III engines are the most advanced and efficient Jaguar has ever produced. They deliver significantly more power and torque than the previous generation of engines: 510PS and 625Nm in the new supercharged XKR and 385PS and 515Nm in the XK models.With the introduction of these all-new 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 engines comes a new level of performance for the XK, with improved acceleration from standstill and stunning in-gear acceleration times. All models are electronically limited to a maximum speed of 155mph (250kph), but the 0-60mph sprint for naturally aspirated coupe models is now 5.2 seconds (previously 5.9 seconds), while for the supercharged XKR coupe, 0-60mph is 4.6 seconds (previously 4.9 seconds).In-gear times are equally impressive, with the naturally aspirated XK accelerating from 50-70mph in just 2.5 seconds, while the supercharged XKR completes the same sprint in just 1.9 seconds.And yet thanks to a combination of excellent powertrain efficiency and the XK's advanced lightweight body architecture, all XKs offer strong fuel economy and impressive CO2 emissions ratings. Fuel economy is comparable to the previous generation of XK – despite the significant increases in power and performance – and CO2 emissions from each engine are better than the out-going versions."With an all-new, supercharged AJ-V8 engine and dramatic new looks, the new XKR has all the performance, power and panache that you expect in the ultimate sporting Jaguar."Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar CarsAllowing the engines to optimise their power is one of the most sophisticated transmissions available. Jaguar's acclaimed electronically controlled, six-speed ZF 6HP28 transmission offers an unparalleled combination of driver control matched to virtually undetectable gearshifts. With control either from steering wheel-mounted paddles or full automatic mode via the JaguarDrive Selector™, which is new for the 2010 Model Year XK, the transmission is now paired with an advanced electronic differential on the XKR model. This ensures the supercharged car accelerates even faster, handles even more precisely and sets new standards of dynamic control.There are three core models in the new XK range: the XK, the highly equipped XK Portfolio and the supercharged XKR, each with its own sporting character. In addition to the many changes under the skin, the new XKs are visually different to the previous generation. Each still looks just like a Jaguar should look – seductive, powerful and elegant – but all models, coupe and convertible, introduce revised exterior styling that underlines Jaguar's contemporary thinking on design.Inside, quality levels are raised even further with new interior trim and finishes that demonstrate Jaguar's craftsmanship, plus even more comprehensive specification. The driver is the centre of attention, with exciting new ideas, including the acclaimed JaguarDrive Selector™, Adaptive Dynamics (the latest in computer-controlled suspension) with Active Differential Control and comfort features such as heated and cooled seats – taking the driving experience of the new XK range to even higher levels of luxury alongside the improved performance."The new XK delivers more power, more performance and more technology – without compromise. It moves the Jaguar sports car experience on to a whole new level."

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Aston Martin Rapide


These are the first images of the production version of the forthcoming Aston Martin Rapide, leaked months ahead of its anticipated debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Rapide, set to join the ranks of imminent and illustrious sport sedans like the Lamborghini Estoque and Porsche Panamera, retains the design attributes of its concept precursor and adds additional details that will begin to trickle down to other models in the range.

The concept's proportions and dynamic attributes are exemplified in its characteristic Aston aesthetic: two-piece grille and stretched headlamp units with integrated LED strips. But the most unique attributes of the production design is the addition of a bold bone line, stretching from the front fender air vent through to the rear door, and the sweeping glass roof panel. At the rear, the production example is also instantly recognized by its bold and purposeful haunches, familiar taillamp design and integrated decklid spoiler.

Like the exterior, the interior is also expected to retain much of the concept's design details, which appeared very near production when we saw the vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2006. Speculation surrounding the new car's powerplant exposes further similarities to the concept car, which sourced power from a 6.0-liter V12 engine. It is expected to create 500bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Related Articles:
Aston Martin Rapide concept - Detroit 2007
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Selasa, 13 Januari 2009

Mercedes McLaren SLR Production

Production of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England, utlises both the advanced production systems of Mercedes and the sports car manufacturing expertise of McLaren.
Around 140 highly qualified staff manufacture up to 500 units of the Gran Turismo at the McLaren Technology Centre, McLaren's HQ, each year. During the vehicle's seven-year lifespan, the plant is intended to produce 3,500 cars. In total, the McLaren Technology Centre measures approximately 22,500 square metres, 4000 of which are utilised for SLR production.

The centre also houses the Team McLaren Mercedes' Formula 1 activities. Three of the seven production wings in the building complex are dedicated to the painting and final assembly of the SLR. The remaining four production wings are occupied by Team McLaren Mercedes Formula 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Marketing and McLaren Applied Technologies.
The 460-kW/626-hp V8 engine comes from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach, while the specialists from McLaren Composites in Portsmouth deliver the carbon fiber body-in-white. The McLaren Technology Centre is the hub of production where all components are brought together and assembled and where final stages of production and testing take place.
The bodies-in-white are shipped to Woking from Portsmouth, around 100 km away. In the paint shop, which is located opposite the final assembly hall, the carbon fiber surface is painted by means of a special process. The final assembly of the SLR is mostly done by hand and takes place at nine stations along an 80m production line. Each step is carried out in keeping with the standards and processes of the 'Mercedes-Benz Production System', which was adapted to take into account the special circumstances of the SLR.

Before moving on to the next station, each vehicle must pass a 'quality gate', to ensure high and consistent standards. Following
the assembly process, each vehicle undergoes a final test on the rolling test rig as well as driving tests used to fine-tune the chassis.

The production process for the SLR was thoroughly tested and optimized even before series production was launched. To prepare the employees for the special requirements associated with this particular series production run, the production technicians made the SLR prototypes as well.

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