Peugeot RCZ R will debut at Goodwood

The RCZ R is the culmination of an evolutionary product journey that started with the original RCZ Concept that quickly made it into production, then into the three-times class-winning Nürburgring race car that inspired the road-going RCZ R. The RCZ R Concept previewed the evolution at the Paris and Geneva Motor Shows – shown with a matt black and copper livery that heralds the spiritual stance of a road-going RCZ R.

The road-going RCZ R utilises a more powerful 1.6-litre THP engine with 260bhp, making it the most powerful production model in Peugeot’s history.  Its efficiency will be a benchmark with power/capacity among the highest in the world for production vehicles at over 160bhp/litre with CO₂ emissions targeted at just 155g/km.

It also promises intense dynamic sensations from the legacy of its race-bred experiences, with a bespoke suspension set-up, a specific and distinctive wheel design, combined with a Torsen limited slip differential to harness the huge reserves of power and torque available.

Two red RCZ Rs will be displayed for the first time in public: on the Peugeot stand and shown performing dynamically during the Festival of Speed weekend, driven by the UK Peugeot 208 GTi Ambassador, Bradley Philpot – a finalist in the recent Nürburgring 24-hour race that saw three Peugeot 208 GTi cars win their SP2T class.  

The reveal of the RCZ R is timely ahead of its launch at the end of the year.  While the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year celebrates its 20^th anniversary, it is also the case that as the gates to the Festival open on 12^th July, it is the very same date 100 years ago that Peugeot demonstrated its performance prowess by winning the French Grand Prix, coming first and second.

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New image of the upcoming Mexican super car VUHL 05

VUHL is keeping the hype up with this teaser pic. Just show the whole car already!

This just in: pic of the whole car disguised and from 'over the shoulder'

Following the global announcement from VŪHL Automotive in March, confirming it is embarking on the launch of an all-new road-legal lightweight supercar – the VŪHL 05 – the company today releases an exclusive new image of the car being tested at a secret location.

In addition, VŪHL Automotive confirmed that it has entered into a technical support arrangement with Michelin, and will be supported by the tyre brand for the VŪHL 05 global public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, from 11-14 July 2013.

The VŪHL 05 arrives in the UK next month, in time for its world debut at Goodwood.  Embodying the ultimate in automotive technology from around the world, the supercar’s handling has been optimised in the UK, with further testing and development taking place, with assistance from Michelin in the U.S. and Europe, later this year.  Car bodies will be fabricated in Canada with final assembly conducted by the advanced manufacturing concern, Adman Leku in Mexico City.

VŪHL (pronounced ‘vool’) stands for Vehicles of Ultra High-performance and Lightweight) is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexico City-based design company penned the breath-taking 05 car. Their profound passion for all things automotive comes from a hands-on role in the GT and formula racing cars successfully built and campaigned over a 30-year period by their father, Guillermo Echeverria senior.

Backed by a number of blue-chip companies and the Mexican government, and with an inventory of renowned suppliers and development partners that includes Ford, Multimatic and now Michelin, the VŪHL 05 has been precision engineered for the track and endowed with exhilarating performance for both the road and the circuit. 

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47 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts to re-enact the 1913 Alpine Rally

I have heard of Civil War re-enactments, but this one is blew me away.

Forty-seven Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts dating from 1909 to 1926 will set off later this week to re-enact the original 1913 Alpine Rally.

This Alpine Centenary Trial will follow the original 1,850-mile route as closely as possible, tackling some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging mountain passes in one of the automotive world’s most gruelling tests of endurance.

The Rally has been organised by the 20-Ghost Club, first formed in 1949 by a group of owners dedicated to the preservation of pre-1940 Rolls-Royce motor cars which were in danger of being lost. The name of the Club was taken from the legendary 40/50 hp Silver Ghost and its smaller counterpart, the 20 hp model.

The cars will wind their way through Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland from 14-29 June, converging at the halfway point in Italy with members of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club. This gathering of nearly 100 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts will be the largest of its kind in history.

A hundred years ago, the Alpine Rally was the toughest test of a car’s reliability and performance in Europe. Extreme temperatures and altitude, summit climbs of up to 7,400ft, and a rugged landscape peppered with water-filled gullies and hairpin bends, were just some of the challenges requiring ground-breaking engineering by Rolls-Royce.

The design of a new four-speed gearbox with low-gear to deal with exceptional gradients proved so perfect that it would remain in use for the next 15 years. The chassis and suspension, strengthened to take on unmetalled roads at pace, had been put through thousands of miles of roadwork in a few days back at base by the works team’s ‘bumping’ machine. A larger primary tank and newly-developed reserve fuel tank allowed for non-stop daily running.

After its performance in the Rally, the Silver Ghost would be known simply as ‘The Best Car in the World’.

Many of the hazardous conditions of 1913 remain. The infamous Loibl Pass, now off-limits to drivers, is being opened especially for this rally. The Pass is still the steepest of all the passes, with unusually steep and sharp hairpin bends that rise 2,300ft in three miles. This will only be tackled by experienced Ghost drivers.

Forty-seven Silver Ghosts, all made between 1909 and 1926, are entering the Centenary Trial. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is entering a ‘Works Team’, comprising the original Radley car which won the 1913 Rally (named after adventurer James Radley) and a new Centenary Collection Ghost ‒ a limited edition Bespoke collection which pays tribute to the 1913 Alpine Trial cars. More than 150 participants are taking part from 12 countries, including Australia, America and Hong Kong as well as the UK.

The Centenary Alpine Trial will be officially started by the Markgraf Pallavicini, great-grandson of the president of the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle, and Touring Club (OAMTC) at the time of the original Trial in 1913.

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Aston Martin tops both GT classes at official Le Mans test session

Aston Martin Racing has topped the timing sheets in both GTE classes at the official 24 Hours of Le Mans test session today (9 June) and, despite changing weather conditions, the team was able to thoroughly prepare all five Gulf-liveried Vantage GTEs ahead of the 24-hour race in two weeks’ time.

In the eight-hour session, which was hampered at times by rain, the crews working on each of the V8-powered chargers worked closely with their drivers to fine-tune the new Le Mans-specific aero package as well as completing the standard pre-race set up practices. When the test day ended, it was the #97 Vantage GTE that had recorded the fastest time in the GTE Pro class with the #96 Vantage GTE taking the top spot in the Am class. The team also secured the second fastest time in each category.

Peter Dumbreck (GB), who set the fastest GTE lap of the day aboard the #97 Vantage GTE with a time of 3:58.806, comments: “First of all, for me it’s a chance to get time in the Vantage GTE. So far this year I haven’t done many miles in the car. After eight years, I’m back at Le Mans and re-learning the track. I started in the wet, but finished in the dry and got a clear lap. It’s been a great start to my Le Mans.”

"It’s so impressive what Aston Martin Racing has done with the new garage set-up - it’s a big year for us, being the centenary year. The race should be interesting - each car has a great driver line-up and each could win its class."

Jamie Campbell-Walter (GB), fastest in GTE Am in the #96 car with a time of 4:00.867, adds: “The car is obviously very good. The most important thing here is that the car is comfortable. Yes, speed is important, but you need a comfortable car and we certainly have that. We are here first and foremost to test the car, but to be fastest is great and bodes well for the race in two weeks’ time.”

In addition, Aston Martin Racing’s three Le Mans ‘rookie’ drivers – Paul Dalla Lana (CN), Jonny Adam (GB) and Richie Stanaway (NZ) – completed the 10 mandatory laps required in order to race in the 24 Hour of Le Mans in two weeks’ time.

Under race regulations, all drivers must have completed ten laps of the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe before they can compete in the 24-hour race. Works team driver Dalla Lana and Aston Martin Racing’s two reserve drivers Adam and Stanaway were the only three in the team’s 17-strong driver line-up not to have raced at Le Mans before.

Aston Martin Racing’s Team Principal, John Gaw, comments: “We came here with three objectives; to finalise our race set up for each car, to give all drivers time on track and to ensure our three Le Mans rookie drivers completed their 10 laps. We are happy to go back to the UK having achieved them all.

“It was important to ensure all three drivers completed their laps so we focused on getting it done early in the session. With five cars and 15 drivers competing in the race, we needed to have two reserve drivers to step in if required and that’s where Jonny and Richie come into the equation. Hopefully, they won’t be needed during the race, but they will certainly have benefitted from coming here, completing their rookie laps and being part of the team.

Jonny Adam adds: “It went really well. Obviously, ten laps of an 8.5-mile circuit takes up a large chunk of the session so we worked on some mapping while I clocked them up. It was a great experience – I took it easy at first and built up to it but the conditions were constantly changing out there, the grip levels were really up and down.”

John Gaw concludes: “All-in-all the session went well and we are looking forward to the race. We are celebrating Aston Martin’s centenary year in 2013 and we hope to come away from the race with results that suitably mark the occasion.”

Aston Martin Racing has entered five Vantage GTEs – three Pro and two Am – into the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans, which starts on 22 June at 1500hrs CET

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Vencer Sarthe super car can be admired in Salon Privé

Salon Privé confirms Dutch super car manufacturer Vencer will reveal the Sarthe to the UK for the first time in the stunning grounds of Syon House. 

Vencer was established in 2012 by Robert Cobben and is based in Vriezenveen. The first Vencer is the Sarthe, which had its world premiere in Monaco in April and Salon Privé is delighted to host it’s UK reveal.

The Sarthe is a low volume exclusively handmade mid-engine sports car which utilises a hybrid space frame chassis, made of high grade tubular steel, with chrome-molybdenum safety structure and rear sub-frame with the floor made up of an aluminium honeycomb structure. This combination of materials and techniques results in a lightweight, super strong and rigid chassis.

The 8-cylinder engine is placed behind the driver, in a mid-engine configuration. The engine is directly bolted onto the 6-speed MT gearbox. Due to this configuration the car has a very balanced weight distribution of 45% front and 55% at the rear.

The Vencer “double wishbone” ensures a pure and direct vehicle control without additional electronic interference. Only ABS and EBD are present to properly support the driver in difficult and unsafe situations.

To ensure a comfortable and optimal driving experience, the Sarthe is equipped with an efficient climate control system. Electric windows, in-car entertainment, central locking, and alarm as standard.  However, upon customer requests the car can be equipped with additional features.

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Mia EV's coming to UK this summer

A brand new electric vehicle is coming to the UK fleet market from this summer, thanks to a new, official import deal struck for the Mia-Electric range of electric vehicles.

Mia-Electric is a specialist, dedicated EV vehicle manufacturer, producing both car and CV bodystyles, offered on a common chassis and drivetrain and designed specifically for urban environments.  All vehicles are produced in France, at the former Heuliez factory in Cerizay, and are already on sale across Europe.

Designed to put the ‘fun’ into functional, all Mia-Electric vehicles are bespoke EVs, designed for the city and offering a central driving position, sliding doors, a cut-out floor and roof and ABS body panels.

Each is driven by two Lithium Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, generating 12 kW, a stable chemistry giving a range of up to 74 miles and recharging fully in 5 hours.  Batteries can be charged at any time, with a 10-minute charge providing a 5-mile range.

The official British Mia-Electric importers will be Venture Automotive Holdings Ltd, trading as ‘Mia-Electric UK’.  The company will target business drivers and fleet operators initially, based on the vehicle’s obvious economic and environmental advantages, in urban and return-to-base, delivery use.

“There is a very real and practical place for EVs in the UK vehicle market,” explains Venture Automotive Holdings’ MD, Paul Evans, “but, we are realistic in the best place for them.  Urban environments, short journeys and regular return-to-base delivery fleets are ideal for electric vehicles.  That’s where the cost per mile and zero emissions benefits are greatest and what Mia is designed for.”

Mia-Electric’s launch to the UK fleet market will coincide with revisions to the London Congestion Charge in July, which will see only vehicles emitting 75 g/km CO₂ exempt from the charge – something only attainable currently by plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

Mia-Electric vehicles will be offered with a ‘Peace of Mind’ programme, comprising a five year/ 70,000-mile warranty for vehicle, battery, electric drivetrain and anti-corrosion and roadside assistance.

Prices will start from £16,995 + VAT, on-the-road, including the UK Government’s Plug-In Car Grant.

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3-D printing used to model design changes in 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

When Chevrolet set out to refresh the Malibu’s interior and exterior for 2014, designers used one of the most cost-effective and time-saving methods in its high-tech tool box: rapid prototyping, also known as 3-D printing.

The processes literally grow prototype parts out of powder or liquid resin at a fraction of the cost associated with building tools to make test parts. Selective laser sintering and stereo lithography – the official names of the processes – helped accelerate Malibu’s development and evaluation. Both processes use specialized software, math data and digital lasers, which accomplish in days what would have taken weeks of clay sculpting in the past.

Rapid prototyping enables designers and engineers to quickly see, touch and test versions of individual components and systems in precise one-third scale and full-size models without having to make changes to production tooling, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“When you need to get intricate, fully functional prototype parts quickly, nothing beats rapid prototyping,” said Todd Pawlik, chief engineer, Chevrolet mid- and full-size cars. “Our ability to rapidly fabricate inexpensive prototype parts throughout a vehicle enables key components to get confirmed earlier so that we can go from computer models to production-caliber parts.”  

Rapid prototyping proved particularly useful for updates to the new Malibu’s floor console, which now features a pair of integrated smartphone holders for driver and passenger. The new console also weighs less, which helps contribute to the Malibu’s improved fuel economy.

In addition, the Malibu development team used rapid prototyping to:

• Update the center stack trim and evaluate various surface treatments for the console and center stack
• Create a prototype of Malibu’s redesigned front fascia, enabling aerodynamic and climatic wind tunnel testing without expensive production parts.
• Re-sculpt the front seat back panels – located between seat frame and upholstery – for improved rear seat access and passenger comfort. The 2014 model has 1.25 inches more knee room compared to its predecessor.

Here’s how rapid prototyping works:

Selective laser sintering fuses plastic, metal, ceramic or glass powders in cross sections. A laser scans a pattern on the surface of the powder, fusing the particles together into a layer four-thousandths of an inch thick. As each new layer of powder is added, scanned and fused to the previous one, the part gradually takes shape within the 28-inch-cubed reservoir. 

Stereo lithography combines photochemistry and laser technology to build parts from liquid photopolymer resins. The parts are also built up in layers as a UV laser traces the section onto the surface of the resin, curing the liquid into a solid as it scans. Because the resin won’t support the parts being formed, a fine lattice-like structure is generated below each part during the manufacturing process.

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