For over 100 years cars have a central of attention around the globe. Each year new technologies, challenges, and just the simple phrase “what if?” make the automobile industry one of the most compelling and shocking in the world. And when ever you just feel like leaving “Mr. sound” behind, you can go ahead and jump into this, “WHAT IF?” platform, the Thrust SSC.
The Thrust SSC (Super Sonic Car) is the fastest land based vehicle in the world. As the name suggests it can break the sound barrier, therefore obliterating any other car the has touched this world in terms of performance. The SSC was designed by Richard Noble, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers and Jermey Bliss and is a British jet propelled car. The Thrust SSc set the world’s Land Speed Record on October 15, 1997. It achieved a top speed of 1,228 kilometers per hour, breaking the sound barrier in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. However to achieve these immense speeds the SSC required a huge amount of brute force. The SSC was powered by two after-burning Rolls Royce Spey turbofan engines, attached to the main frame of the SSC. Each of the engines generated a mind-blowing 25,000 pounds of force, capable of accelerating a 10 ton car, from 0 to 100 mph in just 4 seconds. You may be thinking that to today any car can accelerate very similar. Yet if you give the SSC just 12 more seconds it will reach a off the record speed of 600 MILES PER HOUR! At this speed don’t even dare to take your eyes of the road. The cockpit designed for the SSC had to very well protected, for at those speed, and with two massive engines besides you, the chance of injury would be extremely great. The cockpit in the SSC that would keep Andy green relatively safe. It was designed to allow maximum forward visibility without the aerodynamic shape necessary at those speeds. It would also be air tight and build to withstand violent movements in case of an accident and be completely sound and thermally insulated. The SSC as you would finally achieve its purpose and would continue to inspire many other people around the world to continue the quest for the ultimate speed record.
When you normally say the phrase “F1 car” you automatically assimilate it to today’s state of the art, top performance track cars, but, what if you could take the word “track” out of the equation. What you would end up with would be the the result of two Maclaren F1 development engineers, the mind, excuse me, the body bending, Caparo T1. This amazing car intended to be a super-performance street legal car. It is a two-seater, British mid engine, rear wheel drive with a wicked, shocking performance. The T1 one is capable of exceeding 200 mph, with a regular sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a mere, mere 2.5, under 2.5 seconds and reach 100 mph in under 5 seconds. This off the record performance is made possible by combining aerospace and ultra light composite racing technologies. The T1 is equipped with an all aluminum 3.5 liter V8 engine producing 575 horsepower. However, the engine is not the most important component. When you consider the feather-weight of the car, just 1000 lb and the 575 hp, you will see that the power to weight ratio is utterly astounding, 1,054 hp per tone. The Caparo T1 also allows you to experience all this with a passenger. However, you most take into account that the car is only designed to be a true racer, so we could quite well say, “don’t expect much luxury”. The car doesn’t poses any of the regular components that would define luxury but, instead you get a nice racing seat. The passengers seat is just slightly set back from the drivers seat to reduce the width. As you take a look on the Caparo T1, you will notice it is probably one of the thinest cars you have ever seen, with many aerodynamic characteristics. The T1 one has been designed to produce a very low drag coefficient so as to improve its performance. However, its shape and curves have also been designed to produce a huge downward force to keep the car on the ground. The Caparo T1 seems to be the answer for the ultimate super-performance car however, the history of the car’s few tests has involved several important incidents, with several, key components. Fo these reasons, it is safe to say that the Caparo T1 one is an impressive moral and engineering achievement, nevertheless, it still only a true track car.
In the 21st century automobile industry, the question weather the car is gas based or ecologically friendly is a major deal for the costumer. As the oil prices continue to soar up, oil based cars start to become a thing of the past, however, the term “car” will not pass into the books of history for indeed, a very long time. For this reason many different type’s of renewable fuel sources are being introduced to the market and this time, the car is not just a hybrid, but, 100% ecologically friendly and renewable. The car that is taking the first step toward this is the is the remarkable, Tesla Roadster. The Tesla Roadster 100% electric powered car. The car is powered by a 3-phase, 4 pole AC induction electric engine which receives its energy from several thousand lithium ion batteries capable of storing 53 kilowatt-hour worth of electricity. That amount of power is capable of accelerating the ELECTRIC car from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.9 seconds, taking the car beyond the acceleration of a Lamborghini Murcielago, without compromising for efficiency. The car also has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). If compared to a regular car, the Tesla would have 135 miles per gallon, only that without polluting the environment. For this reason the Tesla Roadster has no exhaust pipe. The Tesla is capable of doing 220 miles on a full charge, something no other electric production car in the world can hope to achieve. You maybe thinking this is quite a short range, but remember that you can completely charge your car every night, by just attaching the charge cable. Also, remember that electric technology has only recently been introduced into the automobile industry (compared with gas based cars over 100 years) and the cars already have 220 miles per charge. It would be very likely that in the next 20 years, with the possible use of superconductors, we would see electric cars with 800+ miles per charge. Another advantage of electric cars is that by using electricity you get instant power, which relates to instant speed, something that internal combustion engines can not do. In addition, electric cars don’t produce much sound, making them much more quiet and calm. Yet, don’t get me wrong, push the pedal to the floor and you will instantly feel and hear the power at your disposal. The electric engine in the Tesla is also a bit larger than a watermelon, yet it can still defeat the massive Lamborghini engine. By having a smaller, lighter engine the car’s efficiency greatly improves. The Tesla also uses an advanced storage system known as the Energy Storing System. Here is were all you batteries are contained in a perfect environment, with many different sensors that give you a status report on the condition of your batteries and how much more mileage to you have. This system makes the car much safer and enjoyable to drive. Another very important characteristic of the Tesla Roadster is its design. The Tesla can be considered one of today’s most beautiful cars. It host very nice smooth straight lines that gives the car its futuristic look and catches your eye as if you were looking straight into the 21st century. The Tesla Motor company offers many distinctive and beautiful colors to pick from, making the car more customizable. The car has numerous intakes to cool the inside of your car and not allow for some components quite hot, like the brakes. Inside the Tesla is a world designed for the future of cars. The car’s interior contains some classic looks while integrating it with modern computer-systems and modern designs. The Tesla holds leather seats that make your drive more comfortable. The Tesla also poses a Visual Display System which gives you the possibility to ensure security in your car with a number of other functions. At the end this amazing car starts at $109,000 making it still a little expensive. However, after years of development we are finally starting to see its results, the introduction of various types of fuels for our energy thirsty society. By introducing this impressive technology we can only ensure a better, safer and happier future for all of us. Information thanks to Wikipedia and Tesla Motors. .
Porsche has for a long time been a top performance car brand, yielding some of the most excitingly superior experiences of a real race car on public roads. The company Porsche was first created when Ferry Porsche decided to make his own car due to the lack of cars he was willing to buy. He created what is considered to be the first Porsche, the 356. The 356 was mostly noted because of its distinctive smooth low body-work, the entirely designed Porsche engine and none other than its exceptional balance for that time. After proving its success in the automotive industry (both on public roads and tracks)in 1964 , Porsche launched a new series known as the “911″. This was to be the name of some of the fastest production cars in the world. At the peak of the “911″ series is the dreadfully astounding Porsche 911 GT2. This work of art begins $191,700, leaving it well beyond the almost all other Porsche’s. This time Porsche was truly determined to create a mind blowing on the road experience. To achieve this “mind blowing experience” Porsche has equipped the GT2 with a 3.2 liter, twin-turbo V6 Boxter engine creating an astounding 530 hp at 6,500 rpm with 680 Nm of torque. These 530 hp can take the car to a regular sprint of 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in a mere 11.2 seconds. At the top speed the GT2 is traveling at an incredible 328 km/h. Porsche has managed to achieve this extreme performance thanks to introduction of a revolutionized turbo charger known as the Variable Turbine Geometry. The VTG uses a revolutionized technique. It poses “electronically adjustable guide vanes” which are used to channel the air into the turbine at different angles. When the angles are altered the speed of the gas flowing into the turbine is also changed meaning that the pressure changes with the speed. Each speed range requires a different level of pressure for optimal performance, so when you are able to change this pressure accordingly to your current speed the turbo charger produces lower fuel consumption, greater torque and shocking engine efficiency. Even with this new technological superior turbo charger the GT2 uses very light weight materials such as titanium and other heat resistant light weigh alloys.Inside the Porsche 911 GT2 you come into an an area where its purpose is immediately identified, the fusion of racing and comfort. The GT2 poses to leather covered seats, each designed with racing kept in mind. The seats poses advanced lateral supports to maintain comfort and control in daring closed curves. The seats also contain side airbags for further protection. The seats are made out of carbon fiber to keep in mind weight reduction while maintaining excellent rigidity at the same time. The GT2 is equipped with an advanced entertainment system featuring GPS, CD player, radio, a telephone module and 9 state of the art BOSE speakers creating a sound perfectly engineered for the interior of your car. We can see that the Porsche 911 GT2 is really an amazing machine but however there is still one aspects that without a doubt puts the car at the top of the spectrum. The engineers at Porsche worked hard to make this car much more eco-friendly. The new GT2 uses advanced sensors to maintain its emissions well in today’s standards. The GT2 meets the terms of the EU4 and LEV2 regulations making it quite clean compared to other cars. The GT2 can also use gasoline up to 10% biofuel or ethanol reducing the CO2 exhausts. The car also is built entirely out-off eco-friendly material (like the paint being water based) with over 85% capable of being recycled. The new Porsche 911 GT2 clearly marks the peak of the Porsche’s 911 spectrum in all possible aspects, making the car a bridge into the next era of automotive technology. Information thanks to Wikipedia and Porsche.
Again we continue to prove that being eco-friendly does not mean the car has to be slow and ugly, as proven by one of Saab’s most amazing cars yet to be created, the Saab Aero X. This amazing Concept car was revealed in the 2006 Salon International de L’Auto. The Aero X is clearly a car inspired to fit the 21st century. The entire car from inside out was inspired by modern day fighting jets and is a 2 seats sports car. The car’s body is made out of carbon fiber making it lighter and stronger. The Aero X offers a unique one of a kind “door”. These are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. To get in the car the entire roof, along with the wind shield and “door” section opens up, just like in a jet. As you enter the car you come upon an entirely new world. The instrumentation are displayed in a mind blowing 3-D image. The 3-D image covers the entire area were you would usually have the air condition and radio instrumentation as well as were your performance information is usually at hand. The Aero X also hosts great comfort with 2 leather covered seats which further submerge you in its new world. However, another utterly amazing and unique characteristic is its windshield. This new windshield offers a complete 180 degree look, improving visibility and aerodynamics. This, and all the other futuristic concepts gives the car an amazing new environment. Nonetheless, the design of the car is not the only exceptional characteristic. The Aero X is an amazing eco-friendly machine. At the core of this is an state of the art V6 twin turbo BioPower engine producing 400 hp with a four-wheel drive. Because the Aero X uses 100% bioethanol it produces ZERO CO2 emissions. On top of being an eco-friendly engine, it propels the Aero X from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The Aero X also poses advanced 380 mm ventilated disks to keep it as safe as possible and enjoyable to drive. A very innovative aspect is that the wheels are designed to cool the brakes, so in terms act the blades in a jet turbine. Finally, if the car is well received by the public it may go into to production making it a must have for anyone interested in having one of the most modern cars. Again we can see that combining eco-friendly technology with unique extravagant designs is no problem for today’s people and technologies. Information thanks to Saab.com and Wikipedia.
Today, we reach a time were the technology is so advanced that if it is widely used we could reduce our footprint in the planet by over 90 percent. One of these technologies is the incredible Opel Eco Speedster. This car is an amazing concept car first shown in the 2002 Paris Motor Show and is to mark a new standard for all diesel engines. The Eco Speedster uses an ECOTEC 1.3 CDTI engine which uses multiple jet common rail fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and a turbocharger to produce 112hp. This amazing engine combined with state of the art aerodynamics, reduced car weight (thanks to carbon fiber bodywork) broke 17 world records and accelerated the car to a top speed of 155 mph. However, the 17 world records and the 155 mph top speed is not what gives this car the “Eco” but, that it got 113 miles per gallon while doing all these. With cars these efficient you could easily surpass 1000 miles per tank. However, electric engineering has also achieved much in the automobile industry. A concept car named T Zero could very well be the first step for an electric generation. The T Zero is an electric sports car produced by a company named AC Propulsion. The T Zero is powered with 6,800 lightweight lithium ion cells which accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, faster than a Lamborgini Gallardo. Because of the electric engine the T Zero can immediately achieve max torque and RPM, having a larger advantage over conventional cars. The T Zero also has a range of 300 miles which, is exceptional from the time electric technology was introduced in cars. If it only took a short amount of time to progress this much, imagine what the technology will reach in 30 years. Another testimony to the power of electric engines was proven by a group of Ohio State students and one professor from Ohio State University. They created the fastest electric car in the world the Buckeye Bullet. This extraordinary machine proves without a doubt the potential in electric power. The car uses a 500+hp three phase AC induction motor powered by 400 nickel hydride rechargeable batteries. The Buckeye Bullet discharges all 400 in 90 seconds, producing massive amounts of power. This engineering took the Buckeye Bullet to 324 mph (517 km/h), well beyond the Bugatti Veyron! To create a real practical and unique car you can’t have just speed, you also require one of the most important aspects, luxury. Here is were a Japanese creation, the Eliica comes into play. This electric lithium ion battery car with eight wheel drive defines performance and luxury. Its eight 100 hp engines (one on each wheel) produces an overall 800 hp, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds and reaching a top speed of 370 km/h. The 8 wheels provide extreme traction, control, and stability. As already proven, electric cars and technology show extreme potential, hosting performance, extreme luxury, and most importantly, environmentally friendly. What we consider the future of cars may be already at our doorstep, waiting for what you may consider to be unrealistic to accept it as possible and make it a reality. (Information thanks to Wikipedia and the Discovery Channel: Future Car). T ZeroBuckeye Bullet Eliica Opel Eco Speedster
A company know as Ariel Motor Company has created one of the most unique, surprising and eccentric car’s of the 21st century. Ariel Motor Company was originally founded in 1898 and is so small it only has 7 employees. Therefore, it would be appropriate to say, “this is one unique company”. Since then, the company has created bicycles, motorcycles, quadricycles, and cars, all unique, in both engineering and design to their respective dates. The company is set in Somerset, UK and produces less than 100 cars per year (today), making each car a moving…. sculpture. The product worthy of this, is none other than the astounding, Ariel Atom 3. The Ariel Atom is one unique car. It has no doors, no roof, no carpet, no wind shield, no windows, no stereo, and, no heater. This utterly, remarkable car is like having a toy, a gadget, a car, and a go-cart, a killer combination, knocking out anyone who dares, take it for a spin. The Atom has been described as driving “a four wheel motorcycle”. The Atom was first designed by a student at Coventry University. The design was quickly developed since it was an incredible design. After its development it quickly became a high performance sport car, capable of beating the acceleration of a Ferrari Enzo, now thats a car. The Ariel Motor Company has produced three different Atom’s, the Atom, the Atom 2, and finally, the Atom 3. The Atom 3 is equipped with a supercharged Honda Civic Type-R K20 engine, delivering a massive 300 hp. Due to its high power-to-weight ratio, the Atom 3 can reach 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds. The outside of the Atom 3 looks more like an off-road bogey, with its visible chassis, suspension, and even its pedals. Inside the Atom don’t expect much luxury, this is a car born to race. Inside, the Atom 3 has 2 racing chairs, each with a racing style seat-belt, a steering wheel and your nice information display. The Atom 3 is a true blend of man and machine, as one, in a glorious moment of fun and excitement. Information compiled from Wikipedia and Ariel Motor Company.
Founded in 1913, BMW has become an outstanding luxury car brand. Its inventory contains some of the best designed and engineered cars in history, ranging from city cars to racing cars. BMW was originally created to construct aircraft engines, however it later passed on to produce motorcycles and finally cars. BMW has built its name on the production of exceptional cars like the E30(Sold in 1980s), the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and the amazing racing series, “M”. BMW also owns the MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. Now that we know something about the history of this great automotive brand, we can be sure that every car presented by it, will, without a doubt, be something worthy to talk about. ONE of these cars worthy to talk about is the amazing M5 Sedan. The M5 Sedan, as said by BMW, ”gives the expression ‘high-performance Sedan’ an entirely new meaning. This extraordinary machines hosts both speed and comfort at unparalleled levels. The M5 Sedan immediately identifies itself as a sports car. With an incredible paint job and clearly marking the racing symbol “M” the M5 catches every eye’s in its path. Its outer design also consists of smooth curves and lines around the entire body. At the front, the M5 shows very dynamic headlights, a very classic front grill and a massive space for the engine the lays below. On the sides, you can clearly see the racing- styles intakes with very nice curves and lines, as well as elegant 19-inch wheels. The back of the car gives a more luxurious look without compromising its racing spirit. Inside, the M5 you can see a whole new level of comfort. With 4 seats, each with a door and plenty of space, you start to appreciate your new world. On top of all this, your interior is covered with a fine, smooth leather of best quality. The front panels displays information and controls in a very relaxing way but, at the same time it expresses its racing spirit. At the base of this spirit is an impressive 5 liter High-Rev V10 engine, with a mind blowing 507 hp. This V10 engine can take the M5 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and considering all the comfort and space, you begin to realize what an exceptional machine this is. This high powered engine is what truly symbolizes the “M” in the M5. Nevertheless, “M” is never completed without a truly unique safety system. The M5 counts with an impressive safety system to keep all its passengers safe. An intelligent safety electronic system controls when and how to deploy the airbags, covering the driver, front passenger, side and head. At the same time it can trigger the seat belt lock (tensions seat belt) and stop the fuel pump. The M5 also uses adaptive headlights, which point the headlights to the direction the steering wheel is turning to. This system allows you to maximize safety in dark curvy roads. The M5 also uses powerful compound ventilates brake discs to perfectly balance the V10 engine. These powerful breaks can bring the car to a dead halt in 36 meters at a speed of 100 km/h. Again, this BMW creation can join the ranks of the past glorious and unique cars, under the reputation and responsibility of BMW. ( Information courtesy of BMW. For more information go to http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/mseries/m5/2007/allfacts/engine_v10.html)
Bugatti, one of the worlds most exclusive performance car brands has yet again created a legendary, eccentric and unique car, to demand total respect from the 21st century. Bugatti has indeed marked a peak in automobile engineering with the creation of the current legend, Bugatti Veyron. It is the second fastest production car in the world reaching a staggering 407 Km/h. Starting at over $1.4 million the Veyron host extreme elegance, comfort, and performance, all in the same package. The Veyron presents a unique combination of the utmost elegance with state-of-the-art technology. Its classy looks immediately identify the car as a Bugatti and adds it under the names of the most glorious cars. It host a surface of clear smooth lines covering the Veyron from front to back. The front of the car truly portrays the name Bugatti with an elegant front grill contrasting with its impeccable headlights and at the same time giving the Veyron and elegant view. The back truly gives the Veyron its racing spirit, containing a retractable spoiler very similar to those of racing cars but without wrecking its smooth elegant design. Now, to take this monster to a level of performance beyond imaginable you need a monstrous engine. The Bugatti Veyron uses a colossal quad-turbocharched 16 cylinder engine with 1001 hp, taking the car to a whole new level of performance. This engine is capable of accelerating the Veyron from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.46 seconds and reach 402 km/h in 55 seconds only 5 km/h away from its top speed, literally welding you to the back of your seat. However, all this power requires the latest technology from brakes to aerodynamics. At the top speed of 407 km/h the Bugatti Veyron produces enough upward force to lift its self of the road and into the air. Here is where the racing spoiler, and advanced aerodynamics all fuse up to create a perfectly balanced downforce to keep the Veyron controllable, on the road. Imagine what it would require o stop this kind of power. If you could imagine this you think of a unique Ceramic brake with eight titanium pistons on the front (of the car) and six at the rear for each wheel. These state of the art brakes can stop the Veyron to a standstill position from 400 km/h to 0 in just over 10 seconds (also helped by the racing spoiler which opens up to significantly reduce the stopping force). All these details help create a truly unique and extravagant sports, excuse me, racing car to become the master of speed. (Information courtesy of Bugatti. For more information go to http://www.bugatti.com/en/home.html)
Audi has for a long time been one of the most respectable car brand. Audi first began as a company named Horch and later changed its name to what we now know as Audi in 1909. From the time of its creation all the way to today it has created cars with an extreme elegant-glamourous design and is one of today’s leading performance luxury brands. Audi now has presented one beautiful car, the Audi R8. Starting at $109,000 this car was born from over a century of great ideas and technology to represent one work of art. Equipped with mid-mounted 4.2 liter V8 engine it produces a massive 420 hp accelerating the R8 fro 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph, something worthy of respect. Since this car was a born racer we can see distinguished characteristics. For example the mid-mounted engine give more control and stability to the car making it easier and safer to drive. The R8 has a 6-speed manual gearbox giving ultimate control of the car. If have ever driven manual cars you can distinguish a better performance capability and the R8 presents a joystick gear level or the more driver friendly triptronic paddles mounted on the sides of the steering wheel. The R8 also presents a beautiful exterior design. It posses a very similar design to the concept car Audi quattro spyder with very smooth lines an turns making it very delightful for the eye. The exterior also gives the R8 less wind resistance with great aerodynamics included in the design. Inside you feel like in a different world. The R8 has utterly comfortable chairs and all the luxuries you might expect in a car like this. The only thing missing is the real driving experience to take this car for a spin. (Information compiled out of Wikipedia and courtesy of Audi. For more information go to http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_R8/Performance.html)
T Zero
Buckeye Bullet 
Eliica 
Opel Eco Speedster 
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