Vettel heads straight from Monaco to test Infiniti as Director of Performance

Sebastian Vettel at Paul Ricard circuit

Less than 24 hours after claiming second place in the incident-packed 2013 Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One Triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel was back on track at the famous Circuit Paul Ricard in his role as Director of Performance for Infiniti.

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver spent the day evaluating the latest Infiniti road cars and their competitors, accompanied by experts from Infiniti’s European Dynamic Performance Team based at the company’s development centres in Bonn, Germany and Barcelona, Spain.

Luis Bravo, who leads Infiniti’s Customer Oriented Engineering and Vehicle Target Setting in Europe, says the goal is to align fully the engineers’ expectations of what makes a great car with those of Vettel. Their joint development work on future Infiniti road cars will see the 2013 championship leader taking an active role in product testing and providing driving and performance input at various points this year and beyond.

“Sebastian’s role as Director of Performance is significant in providing input to the team and we are very excited to be working closely with him,” said Bravo. “Today was a great opportunity to dive into what Sebastian Vettel wants and expects from a premium, performance road car since he has officially taken his new role (as Director of Performance). We’ll be able to take his critical evaluation into account as we develop the driving and performance attributes of Infiniti’s next generation Q cars.”

Bravo’s team of specialist engineers spent several hours with Vettel driving a number of the latest premium performance road cars over the legendary Paul Ricard circuit in France which now operates as a first class test facility.

The goal was for the engineers to hear directly from Vettel his views on important vehicle attributes like handling, steering feel and response, vehicle agility and ride comfort.

“As new Infiniti cars are created, it is really important for us to develop them with their own consistent driving style, so it has been really useful to be able to drive so many cars hard and back-to-back on the same track,” said Vettel. “Similar to Formula One cars, it’s interesting to feel how different cars are configured for steering response and braking as well as driver assistance features like ESP and Traction Control. Getting these things right is what makes a good car great.”

Sebastian Vettel was announced as Director of Performance for Infiniti at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in April.

This role extends and enhances Vettel’s relationship with the premium automotive brand which formally began in 2011. In this capacity, Vettel already has played a crucial role in developing Infiniti’s current vehicle line-up, starting with the exclusive Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and its latest model, the all-new Infiniti Q50.

Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen said: “The enhanced role Sebastian has taken on with Infiniti is another step in the integration of our Formula One program into the Infiniti product development process. His uncanny sensitivity to chassis set-up has made him very popular with our development engineers, who relish the opportunity to achieve great precision in suspension, braking and steering calibration. This is great news for Infiniti drivers who will directly benefit from the excellent vehicle dynamics.”

For the all-new Infiniti Q50, Vettel spent time with Infiniti engineers in Japan early in the development process to provide them with his world-class chassis dynamics, performance and handling feedback.

He was then involved in testing early models alongside Infiniti Red Bull Racing Test and Reserve driver Sebastien Buemi in Japan, around the famed Nürburgring in Germany, and at the Formula One pre-season test at the Spanish Circuit de Catalunya last March.

This week’s testing session at Circuit Paul Ricard will directly influence future Infiniti models, including an exciting premium entry compact model, expected to be produced in Europe from 2015, allowing the company to compete in the heart of the premium segment for the first time.   

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The Alfa Romeo Disco Volante By Touring Wins Design Award

The Concorso di Eleganza di Villa d'Este, is the prestigious event that for years has been honouring the world’s finest historic vehicles, in addition to bestowing awards on the most appealing prototypes through a public referendum in the Villa’s gardens.

And in the “Concept Cars & Prototypes” class the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring distinguished itself this year. This two-seater coupé was crafted by the Milanese atelier on the base of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and shares its chassis and engine.

The alluring car blends aesthetic quality, sporty highlights and the search for the essential, as well as employing cutting-edge materials (carbon fibre and aluminium) for minimal weight. Each example requires more than 4000 hours of highly qualified labour, and is built only on request: car number 01 was on show at the Concorso. Another two will shortly be completed.

The car pays homage to the Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 “Disco Volante”, a coupé with unique characteristics that sees its 60th anniversary this year.  Designed by Carrozzeria Touring in 1952, the C52 boasted the characteristics of extremely light weight and aerodynamic efficiency, making a great impact in the collective imagination and earning itself the nickname of ‘Disco Volante’ (Flying Saucer). It immediately became an icon of automotive design.

The backbone of the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring is the chassis of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, selected for its light, rigid structure, perfect as the basis for redesigning a high-performance car. In detail, the architecture features a mid-front engine, transaxle gearbox and rear-wheel drive: this layout offers an optimal 49-51% load distribution between the front and rear ends. It features double-wishbone suspension, with forged aluminium uprights and supports and additional strut at the rear for toe-in control.

The compact, light engine is a 450 HP, 4.7-litre V8 with 480 Nm of maximum torque. The gearbox is electrically operated with 6 speeds and paddle control, while the limited-slip differential and self-ventilating brakes are marked by their generous dimensions. With this equipment, the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and reaches 180 mph.

This is the second time in a row that Alfa Romeo has earned the prestigious ‘Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes’ from the Concorso di Eleganza di Villa d'Este: in the 2012 edition, the public bestowed the accolade on the Alfa Romeo 4C, the compact supercar born from the brand’s experience with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider.

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Lotus 7 Club celebrating 20th birthday

The Lotus 7 Club, for Caterham and Lotus Seven enthusiasts, is celebrating its 30th Birthday at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire this Saturday, 1^st June.

This celebration marks a return to the Club’s roots, since it was founded at the National Motor Museum 30 years ago. Since these beginnings, the Club has grown substantially, and now counts over 2,600 members organised into over 30 regional structures throughout the UK and Europe.

The event has already received in excess of 400 bookings for members and their cars, making it the largest gathering of Caterhams and Lotus Sevens in 2013. 

The event will also be attended by senior representatives of Caterham Cars who will arrive in their latest model.

In addition to the Club’s 30th anniversary, the iconic Caterham 7 model is itself celebrating its 40th year in production and counts fans and owners all over the world.

As well as viewing all the Sevens on display and talking to the owners, attendees will be able to enjoy all the exciting cars and attractions on permanent display at the National Motor Museum.

Martin Bushaway, the Club chairman said, “We are delighted to be returning to Beaulieu where the Club was founded in 1983 and to have such a large gathering of 7s to celebrate our birthday. We are a diverse and welcoming club and it will be a great occasion for friends old and new to meet. We have representatives attending from our international associations from as far afield as Switzerland and Germany.

The event is open to the public and we would love to meet any other owners of Caterham and Lotus 7s, all of whom will be welcome on the day.”

Participants arriving in a relevant vehicle can purchase tickets on the gate from 8am on Saturday. For further information visit www.lotussevenclub.com

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Attempt in Britain for FIA World Electric Land Speed Record

Drayson Racing Technologies today announces it will make an attempt for the FIA World Electric Land Speed Record on June 25 at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire. It’s the latest challenge to be undertaken by the pioneering electric motorsport firm, which has been at the forefront of sustainable racing since 2007 and was first to sign up for the new FIA Formula E championship.

The attempt will be made in the sub-1000kg class by entrepreneur, racing driver and former UK science minister Lord Drayson who will drive a low-drag version of the Drayson B12 69/EV electric Le-Mans Prototype flat-out along Elvington’s 1.86-mile runway.

Lord Drayson will aim to better the current record of 175mph set by Battery Box General Electric in the United States and which has stood since 1974. This record has held firm for nearly 40 years due to the immense technical challenge of running an electric vehicle consistently and reliably at such speeds when weighing less than 1000kg.

Lord Drayson, CEO and co-founder of Drayson Racing Technologies, commented: “It is not the outright speed that is impressive about this record attempt, but the engineering challenge of accelerating a 1000kg electric vehicle to such a high speed and sustaining that speed over a measured mile, before stopping safely all within a relatively short distance then turning round and doing it again within an hour. It’s a tremendous technical challenge but we believe it’s about time someone moved this record on to demonstrate just how far EV technology has come.”

Drayson Racing Technologies is a research and development business, pioneering the development of sustainable technologies in the challenging environment of motorsport. With the electric land speed record it intends to showcase what is possible with an electric drivetrain and underscore Britain’s leadership position in the burgeoning EV industry.

The Drayson B12 69/EV was not originally conceived as a land speed car. Having raced the Lola chassis in sports car championships around the world powered by a second generation bio-fueled Judd V10 engine, Drayson Racing Technologies took the decision to explore the potential of the electric drivetrain and use the familiar Lola chassis as a starting point. This provided the team with a considerably tougher engineering challenge than starting from a ground-up design – particularly in packaging the drivetrain to maintain the rigidity and crash safety of the original car.

In its current iteration, the Drayson B12 69/EV represents the pinnacle of what a bona fide electric racing car can achieve in terms of performance. To challenge for the record some changes have been made to the set-up of the car and drivetrain that are consistent with racing at a low downforce circuit. This will give the B12 69/EV the traction to achieve maximum acceleration in the short distance available, sustain maximum speed over a measured mile and stop safely.

Lord Drayson: “The reason we are doing this is to showcase the maximum level of EV performance at the moment - and in a real racing car rather than a teardrop-shaped land speed record car. We are also demonstrating the future potential of technologies like wireless charging in speeding the adoption of high performance EVs. It’s a great way to build up to the Formula E championship that we are competing in from 2014 and will demonstrate that Britain is at the forefront of this vital technology, which I believe represents the future of the automobile.”

Drayson B12 69/EV Specification:

Chassis:

• Carbon Lola LMP1 chassis

Power:

• 640 kW, 850 Bhp

Mechanical:

• 4 Axial Flux Motors (2 per rear wheel) with integrated transmission
• Single speed and independent drive
• Stress bearing battery and gearbox housings

Battery:

• 30 kWh
• Encased in a carbon battery cell integrated into the chassis to become a structural component. The battery is designed to be modular offering a range of power, capacity and weight configurations.

Charging System

• 20kW Qualco mmHalo wireless charging system

Control:

• Cosworth ECU platform with DRT control algorithms

Active Dynamics:

• Brake energy regeneration, Torque Vectoring and Traction Control
• Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Energy Recovery Dampers (DSERD) 

Active Aerodynamics:

• Active dive planes, rear wing and gurney flap

Brakes:

• Front: 380mm Carbon Disks, 6-pot calipers and carbon pads
• Rear: 355mm Carbon Disks, 6-pot calipers and carbon pads

Weight:

• 1095kg without a driver

World Land Speed Record Set-Up:

Chassis:

• Low-drag bodywork configuration.

Power:

• 480 kW, 600 bhp

Battery:

• 20 kWh lightweight, high-power configuration

Weight:

• Sub 1000kg without a driver

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2014 Corvette Stingray cranks out 460 hp. Enough for ya?

The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s all-new LT1 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 460 horsepower (343 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm) at 4,600 rpm, with the available performance exhaust system, Chevrolet announced today.

The Stingray is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) with the standard exhaust system. They are the highest standard power ratings ever for the Corvette, delivered with efficiency that is expected to exceed 26 mpg on the highway.

“The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s LT1 engine is a triumph of advanced technology, delivering more power and torque than ever before with greater efficiency,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer.

“The LT1’s performance complements the Corvette’s low mass with a tremendous feeling of power that builds as the rpm climbs. Drivers will experience more power and acceleration than ever before with the standard engine – in fact, its power and torque surpass many uplevel engines offered by competitors.”

At 74 horsepower per liter, the LT1 has greater power density than the C6 Corvette’s LS3 6.2L engine and even the C6 Z06’s racing-derived 7.0L LS7. It also produces comparable torque to the LS7 – up to 4,700 rpm – and its peak torque is within 5 lb-ft of the 7.0L engine. That torque is generated early and sustained across the rpm band, with 316 lb-ft available at only 1,000 rpm and 90 percent of peak torque available from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm – giving the lightweight Corvette Stingray excellent acceleration at all speeds.

Chevrolet estimates the Corvette will run from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.

The new LT1 engine’s high output, and high power density and efficiency are due to several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing, which support an advanced combustion system.

Direct injection is a primary contributor to the engine’s combustion efficiency, ensuring a more complete burn of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture. That’s achieved by precisely controlling the mixture motion and fuel injection spray pattern. Direct injection also keeps the combustion chamber cooler, which allows for a higher compression ratio. Emissions are also reduced, particularly cold-start hydrocarbon emissions, which are cut by about 25 percent.

Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, is a  first-ever application on Corvette. It helps save fuel by imperceptibly shutting down half of the engine’s cylinders in light-load driving. Continuously variable valve timing is refined to support the LT1 AFM and direct injection systems to further optimize performance, efficiency and emissions.

These technologies support the all-new, advanced combustion system, which incorporates a new cylinder-head design and a new, sculpted piston design that is an integral contributor to the high-compression, mixture motion parameters enabled by direct injection.

Additional engine features include:

• Advanced oiling system with oil-spray piston cooling and available dry-sump oiling
• Engine-mounted, camshaft-driven fuel pump to support the direct injection system
• Intake manifold with “runners in a box” design that allows for high-efficiency airflow packaged beneath the Corvette’s low hood line
• High-flow, four-into-one exhaust manifolds based on the design of the LS7 engine.

Small Block legacy

The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s LT1 engine is the fifth generation of the Small Block engine family, which debuted in the Corvette in 1955. It displaced 4.3L (265 cubic inches) and was rated at 195 horsepower, drawing air and fuel through a four-barrel carburetor. Five years later, Small Block power helped Corvette secure its first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 2012, the Small Block-powered Corvette Racing C6.R beat Ferrari, BMW and Porsche to sweep the drivers’, team, and manufacturer championships in production-based American Le Mans Series GT class. These championships make Corvette Racing the most successful team in ALMS history, with a total of 77 class wins, eight drivers’ championships, and nine manufacturer and team championships since 2001.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible following by the end of the year – each sharing an all-new aluminum frame structure and enhanced chassis, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs.

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1967 Camaro Hot Wheels Concept starring Hot Rod Power Tour

Did you want to drive your favorite Hot Wheel  toy car as a kid? Well, now you can!

A caravan of Chevrolet high-performance production and concept vehicles will be led by the Hot Wheels 1967 Camaro Concept at the start of the Hot Rod Power Tour – the weeklong road trip that kicks off the summer cruising season for thousands of car enthusiasts.

Other production performance cars on the tour include a Camaro ZL1 Convertible, Camaro Hot Wheels Edition and a Corvette 427 Collector Edition Convertible.

The Power Tour starts this Saturday, June 1, in Arlington, Texas, and wraps up six days later, in Charlotte, N.C. Chevrolet Performance representatives will go for Long Hauler distinction – driving the entire 1,200-mile distance in the Hot Wheels Camaro Concept. It’s a full-scale tribute to the Custom Camaro that was part of the original 16 Hot Wheels toys issued in 1968 and a rolling demonstrator of Chevrolet Performance’s new, emissions-compliant LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system.

“Chevrolet Performance has been part of the Hot Rod Power Tour for more than a decade and we’re excited to demonstrate our performance vehicles, crate engines and other performance products out on the highway,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles & Motorsports. “The Power Tour also gives car builders and other enthusiasts a closer look at our products and the opportunity to discuss with our engineers and product experts how to integrate them in their projects.”

Approximately 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles are expected to descend on Arlington for the kick-off activities, with tens of thousands of additional spectators. The tour route will include stops in Texarkana and Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., which will unfold into large cruise-in events for each host city. Thousands of additional spectators and local hot rods are expected at each stop.

Spectators can inspect the Hot Wheels Camaro Concept in each city at the Chevrolet Performance trailer and ask representatives for tips and advice for replicating a similar LS-engine conversion in their project vehicle. Its LS3 E-ROD Connect and Cruise crate powertrain system – part number CPSLS34L65E – includes a 430-horsepower LS3 engine and 4L65-E four-speed automatic transmission; and is available from any Chevrolet dealer or authorized Chevrolet Performance retailer.

Additional engines and components on display at the Chevrolet Performance trailer will include LSX454R, ZZ572 and ZZ383 crate engines; a partial chassis with an LS376/575 engine and 4L85E transmission installed; an LSA engine/4L85E transmission Connect & Cruise powertrain package; and a parts board with critical components like engine controllers and vehicle-specific parts.

At the trailer, spectators can also pick up a complimentary copy of the 2013 Chevrolet Performance catalog, filled with thousands of engines, parts and accessories, and earn a T-shirt by registering for the FUEL e-newsletter. Additional merchandise giveaways will take place each day and Long Haulers will receive a special recognition award from Chevrolet Performance at the conclusion of the Power Tour.

Details on the other Chevrolets making the trip and on display at each stop include:

• Camaro Hot Wheels Edition – a limited-edition model for 2013 that represents the first production car ever licensed by Hot Wheels
• Camaro ZL1 convertible – featuring a 580-horsepower supercharged engine, track-capable suspension and distinctive exterior. It’s the fastest Camaro convertible ever from Chevrolet
• Corvette 427 Collector Edition Convertible – the marriage of the Corvette Convertible with the Z06’s 505-horsepower LS7 engine is a high-performance sendoff for the C6 generation
• All-new 2014 Impala – the 10th generation of the historic nameplate
• Sonic RS – featuring a turbocharged engine and specific suspension tuning, it’s a small car that introduces Chevrolet’s performance-car heritage to a new generation.

“Several vehicles will be equipped with products from Chevrolet’s expansive line of vehicle accessories, just like the ones customers can purchase from their local Chevy dealer,” said Campbell. “On the Power Tour, you can see how they look and improve the styling and function of each respective vehicle.”

Chevrolet Performance will also drive the uniquely outfitted “Motor Medic” Silverado support vehicle, which is equipped with tools and parts to help Power Tour drivers keep their cars on the road. Last year, assistance was given to approximately 300 cars and their drivers.

The BLOCK team will be at every stop, as well, covering the show grounds and finding the best examples of Chevrolet Performance-built vehicles. The BLOCK is the Chevrolet Performance-powered social media cite by and for car enthusiasts.

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Aston Martin is taking performance to extremes with new V12 Vantage S

Aston Martin is taking sports car performance to extremes with the announcement of the new V12 Vantage S.

The new car replaces the outgoing V12 Vantage in markets around the world and, with the exception of the One-77 hypercar, arrives as the fastest road-going Aston Martin yet offered.

Providing the most visceral yet engaging sports car experience in the British luxury car maker’s current range, the new V12 Vantage S delivers exceptional sporting agility underpinned by admirable long distance refinement.

Equipped with the new 573 PS Aston Martin AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine, featuring latest generation Bosch engine management, the car is capable of reaching 205 mph.

Peak and low rev torque improves appreciably, too. With 620 Nm available at 5,750 rpm – up from 570 Nm previously – the V12 Vantage S is not to be found wanting. Crucially, too, low rev torque – measured at just 1,000 rpm – leaps from 440 Nm to 510 Nm. This serves to both flatten and fatten the torque curve, thereby significantly improving driveability.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The new V12 Vantage S is, simply, pure Aston Martin. It is extreme in its nature yet truly timeless in its design language.

“Learning from our successes on the track feeds the development of this type of car and I’m proud to launch such an exciting sports car in this, our centenary year.”

Race car technology runs right through the DNA of the V12 Vantage S with, for instance, CNC machined combustion chambers and hollow cam shafts just two examples of track technology feeding through to the road.

Another clear example is the new car’s new gearbox. The Sportshift™ III AMT (automated manual transmission) is a major development of the automated manual gearbox that appears in the current V8 Vantage S.

Designed and engineered to exploit the full sporting potential of the V12 engine, the new Sportshift™ III hydraulically actuated automated manual transmission provides motorsport-style paddle shift changes for optimum performance delivery and efficiency. The unit is also appreciably lighter than the outgoing six-speed manual gearbox – saving 25 kg.

This race-derived and motorsport proven technology – used routinely in Aston Martin Racing’s race-winning Vantage GT4, GT3 and GTE competition cars – provides for great driver control with only milliseconds of torque interruption and delivers precise and swift gear changes.

The Sportshift™ III transaxle, from transmission experts Oerlikon Graziano, joins an extensive array of new sport- and track-focused developments that ensure the

V12 Vantage S is fully equipped to exploit the huge performance potential of its 6.0-litre naturally aspirated AM28 engine.

The debut of three-stage adaptive damping – another ‘first’ for the Vantage family – allows the driver to more precisely tailor the car’s dynamic character. ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ modes provide a broad swathe of dynamic performance that can be tuned to better suit the driver’s requirements. The system also governs the level of power steering assistance offered.

Working alongside the extended adaptive damping system is a ‘Sport’ mode, controlled via a button on the centre console, that alters throttle response, gearshift speed and timing, and exhaust note to, once again, tune the character of the car to the driver’s requirements.

A whole new exhaust system – derived from that of the One-77 hypercar, no less – is lighter, smaller and, crucially, even more sonorous than that of the outgoing car.

The ZF Servotronic power assisted steering is new, too. With a quicker 15:1 ratio, it is linked to the adaptive damping button and offers two-mode steering assistance designed to best match the ‘Sport’ or ‘Normal’ settings generated by the Adaptive Damping System.

Pure power, beautifully presented

The V12 Vantage S has been restyled to reflect is position as the flagship of the new Vantage range.

Most noticeable, perhaps, is the car’s grille that does away with the famous aluminium vanes – replacing them with a new carbon fibre arrangement that also includes sporty black carbon fibre or titanium silver mesh. Created to maximise airflow to the V12 engine, the new grille is inspired by that of the remarkable new CC100 Speedster Concept, nicknamed DBR100, which debuted at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring earlier this month and signals a new era of Aston Martin design language.

Other clues that single out the car as new include the debut of new lightweight forged alloy ten-spoke wheels, and a subtle yet distinctive exterior graphics pack that includes black painted roof and part-painted boot panel.

The new V12 Vantage S of course retains the same compact proportions and muscular stance as its predecessor, while features such as the pronounced bonnet vents and flared wheel arches underscore its sporting abilities.

Inside, as out, the new car has been styled to reflect its powerful nature. New-style seating with Sport and carbon fibre Lightweight seat options, revised stitching and welt detailing, two leather grade options – Luxmill and semi-aniline – plus the possibility to include Alcantara, present V12 Vantage S buyers with an exciting array of trim choices.

The optional Carbon Fibre Interior Pack, which adds the material to the car’s facia and door pulls, plus the availability for the first time in a V12 Vantage S of black pedals, further enhances personalisation options for those in search of a truly bespoke sports car.

Dr Bez added: “The new V12 Vantage S is our most extreme Vantage to date – engineered to bring race car performance and technology to the open road.

“It is our most powerful engine in a beautifully tailored suit. It is elegant, yet brutal, and it is at the same time easy to control. It has everything that sums up Aston Martin: power, beauty and soul!”

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