McLaren P1 GTR: On track for greatness

"The best driver's car in the world..."

In creating what it deems has no peer, McLaren Special Operations revisited every functional aspect of the standard P1 supercar in order to extract more performance. The most visible changes can be seen in a deeper front splitter, a wind-channeling lower blade that runs along the P1 GTR's sill area, a revised aft diffuser and a significantly larger rear wing. While fixed, it sits nearly five inches higher off the deck and retains the same F1-style Drag Reduction System with pitch-adjustment found on the P1. Working with articulated flaps ahead of the front wheels, it can increase total downforce by up to 10 percent at 150 mph. New twin exhaust outlets are made from an Iconel/titanium alloy that's nearly 15 pounds lighter than those on the base P1. Closer inspection reveals the glass side and rear windows in the GTR are lighter Polycarbonate and the P1's toughened-glass roof panels are replaced by carbon fiber -- changes that contribute to a total weight reduction of more than 110 pounds. The P1 GTR's more aggressively tuned suspension brings a wider front track and drops the ride height by nearly two inches. Rolling stock changes to 19-inch center-locking alloys wrapped in Pirelli racing slicks

As first seen in the Design Concept, the potent gas/electric hybrid powertrain in the P1 GTR has been thoroughly revamped, adding more robust race-ready components that raise output and add reliability while stripping away street-oriented bits. The remix sees output of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 rise from 727 to 789 horsepower while a more efficient electric motor cranks out 197 horses, up from 176 in the P1. Collectively, the pair puts out 986 ponies - 83 more than the baseline stat - and should endow the GTR with stunning acceleration

McLaren will build only 375 copies of the P1 GTR and all will of these $3 million-plus dream machines will be offered only to current P1 owners. Those fortunate enough to afford one also will be able to participate in a McLaren P1 Driver Program that includes a session at the McLaren Technology Center for a seat fitting, vehicle trim discussion and a driver assessment at the firm's Human Performance Center. From there, it will be off to a test at the Silverstone circuit in England then on to the first of six track-day events that will begin on the F1 Circuit de Catalunya in Spain

Read More

McLaren 675LT stretches the performance envelope 2016

Revealed in all of its "long-tail" glory, the new 2016 McLaren 675LT is set to become the most track-focused member of the automaker's Super Series of road-going models. Based on the recently introduced 650S and paying homage to the successful McLaren F1 GTR created for the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, the new 675LT's unique aero-optimized bodywork extends its nose-to-tail dimension by a barely perceptible 1.3 inches. This super coupe's enhanced wind-cheating ability is further complemented by a major improvement to its power-to-weight ratio. To accomplish that feat, McLaren trimmed some 220 pounds from the package while upping the horsepower of its bespoke 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 from 641 to 666, a 1-2 punch that pays impressive dynamic dividends

While retaining a clear family resemblance to the 650S, McLaren says that nearly a third of the components in the new 675LT are new. The most visible changes are seen in an extended carbon fiber front splitter, deeper door-side blades and more pronounced cooling intakes. While only marginally longer, the aft section does feature redrawn fenders with integral air vents, new circular titanium exhaust outlets, a more efficient diffuser and a carbon fiber "Longtail" Airbrake that's 50-percent larger than the one on the 605S but considerably lighter

Major engine makeover

Modifications to the engine in the 675LT are even more extensive. With over half of the components new, it even merits a unique M838TL designation. Key changes include more efficient turbochargers, new camshafts and lightweight connecting rods, various detail changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds plus a faster-flowing fuel pump and optimized delivery system. Still sending power to the rear wheels via a paddle-activated 7-speed sequential shift transaxle, this more potent engine rockets the 2,712-pound 675LT from 0-62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and to 125 mph in less than eight ticks on its way to a 205 mph top end

The cabin of the new 675LT also reflects its competitive ethos, starting with a pair of Alcantara-covered carbon fiber shell-style sport buckets similar to those found in McLaren's P1 supercar. Unlike its other Super Series vehicles, McLaren has integrated the 675LT's air conditioning controls into the modestly-scaled touchscreen of its infotainment system. The 2016 McLaren 675LT is slated to arrive here sometime during the third quarter. Pricing has yet to be released, but is expected to start in the $325,000-$350,000 range

Read More

Lotus Evora 400 U.S. bound 2016

British sports car maker Lotus has taken the wraps off the next generation mid-engine Evora 2+2  and announced that following the European launch this summer, will hit the North American market in the fall as a 2016 model.  Called the Lotus Evora 400, it is the fastest production Lotus ever, according to the company. The 400 refers to the engine output, which sees the previous Evora S 3.5-liter V-6 fitted with a new supercharger that boosts it from 345 to 400 horsepower. Torque has been increased from 295 to 302 lb-ft with maximum torque available from 3,500 to 6,500 rpm

With a top speed of 186 mph, the Evora 400 takes just 4.1 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph and has beat the previous production car lap time set by the Evora S on the company's test track at Hethel, England, by 6 seconds. In addition to the engine upgrades, the 2016 Lotus Evora 400 features a new aluminum chassis, updated interior and lightweight composite body panels that give the car a new look

Faster and lighter

In addition to being faster than the model it replaces, it's lighter with the new design shaving 45 pounds from the previous model even though content has been increased. "We have always said that to make a car better, you must make it faster and lighter," said Jean-Marc Gales, CEO for Group Lotus. We have achieved this, of course, but we didn't stop there, as considerable number of changes in the interior, chassis, engine and body design have warranted emphatically the title of a new Lotus Evora

The new Evora 400 features new styling that includes a bolder face with larger cooling inlets and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the Evora benefits from a new bumper, lightweight composite rear diffuser and a three-element wing. The car has a more aggressive stance and appears lower, wider and more planted on the road. Overall length has increased 1.4 inches and yet a shorter front overhang reduces the approach angle from 11.5 to 10 degrees

Cabin improvements

Among the upgrades to the interior, first and foremost, Lotus had made the Evora easier to get in and out of, thanks to narrower and lower sills as well as thinner inside door panels. All new sport seats are lighter, more aggressively bolstered and supportive. The new bonded aluminum chassis not only has thinner sills without sacrificing stiffness, but also allows for a slightly larger rear seating area that's 11 inches wider. The Evora 400 has three new trim levels including upgrades to full Alcantara or Scottish leather, each package featuring specific detailing

In addition to an all-new dash layout, revised instrument cluster and a lightweight forged aluminum sport steering wheel, the Evora 400 benefits from an all-new climate control system that provides greater airflow and more operator control. Other changes include the incorporation of a stop/start button and the introduction of a new high-end sound system. Lotus, which produces about 45 cars per week, will ramp production up to 70 per week to accommodate the demand for the Evora 400. Pricing will be announced closer to its launch date

Read More

Lexus LF-SA Concept: Ultra-bold city car of tomorrow

Employing avant-garde styling that few would have imagined possible, the Lexus LF-SA Concept rolled into Geneva intent on shaking up conventional thinking. Created by the automaker's European-based ED2 design studio this tiny 2+2 urban runabout has a driver focused character but a look that even Lexus admits is "an audacious interpretation of the brand's design philosophy." That said, the LF-SA Concept also is meant to establish that beyond its well-established luxury leanings, Lexus has a passion for creating driver-focused vehicles with emotional flair

Finished in Stellar Silver with dark roof/door/fender contrast elements, the LF-SA Concept's highly-sculpted bodywork is rendered in what Lexus calls a "Time in Design" form that causes the vehicle's perceived shape change when viewed from various angles. A mere 135.8 inches long - nearly three feet shorter than a Lexus CT 200h - the LF-SA's strong positive and negative exterior surfaces are bookended by equally dramatic fascia treatments. Up front, the most aggressive take yet on the automaker's signature spindle grille moves from a two-dimensional graphic to a solid 3D form as it transitions out from the center logo and melds with the angular hood and fenders. The tail has a similarly edgy flavor with a double-step design of its hatchback set off by distinctive L-shaped lamp clusters, which like the headlights, are full LED units. While Lexus made no mention of the LF-SA's oversize rolling stock, those blender-blade alloys wrapped around custom Goodyear rubber display a menacing 3D character

The LF-SA Concept's cabin also reflects a journey into uncharted territory which Lexus says was "inspired by the spectacle of a solar eclipse." It starts with a sweeping dash that holds a holographic central information display as well as a conventional head-up unit. In keeping with its driver-centric theme, the prime seat in the house is fixed while the steering wheel and pedals are fully adjustable. Access to the LF-SA's fairly diminutive rear perches is gained by sliding the front bucket forward. As one might expect, this intriguing one-off also provides all aboard with state-of-the-art connectivity and safety. It will be interesting to see where Lexus decides to go with this envelope-stretching concept. It's no secret that the automaker has been discussing the possibility of adding a sub-CT 200h model to the family

Read More

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce debuts 2015

Serving up more power with less weight, improved aerodynamics and a healthy measure of enhanced technology thrown in for good measure, the 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce - SV for short -- bowed at Geneva as a more exotic take on one of the world's most stunning supercars

Based on the Aventador LP 700-4 Coupe, the new SV pushes the limits emerging as "the fastest and most emotional series-production" Lambo ever to roll out of the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory. To help trim 110 pounds from the carbon-composite intense baseline Aventador, Lamborghini engineers further optimized the monocoque and its aluminum subframes and replaced the alloy body panels as well as the new rear wing and air intakes with either carbon fiber or superlight Sheet Molding Compound (SMC). The interior came under the same mass-reducing scrutiny, where carbon fiber door panels and racing style shell buckets lessened mass, as did dispensing with the standard infotainment system - still on offer at no added cost - conventional carpeting and a fair bit of sound insulation. It also boasts a new yellow TFT screen for its digital instrument cluster with a blue upshift indicator and a G-force indicator in the lower part of the main display

Less restrictive exhaust

On the motivation front, upgrades to the Variable Valve Timing and Variable Intake System on its mid-mounted 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 coupled with all-new lighter and less-restrictive exhaust plumbing contributed to a gain of 50 horsepower - which works out to 739 horsepower. Redline has also been lifted from 8,400 to 8,500 rpm. Collectively, the revamps improved overall power to weight ratio by 10 percent on the 3,362-pound Aventador SV, trimming its 0-62 mph time by 0.1 second -- to 2.8 ticks - and helping it reach a top speed of over 217 mph

Fed to Lambo's 7-speed ISR automated manual transmission that prodigious power heads to all four wheels via the latest Haldex IV electronically controlled AWD setup. Like the standard Aventador, the SV uses a racing style pushrod chassis with adaptive Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS) shocks and a new variable-ratio electromechanical Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) system that adapts to road speed and the Strada/Sport/Corsa mode settings available on the SV's Drive Select system. Other SV touches include 20-inch front/21-inch rear alloy wheels - available with racing-style center locks -- wrapped in Pirelli P Z Corsa performance tires and standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes

To keep the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce securely planted at speed and enhance its cornering prowess, the two-seater also benefits from a comprehensive aero tweaking. The front end has a more open appearance with a bolder and deeper splitter and twin wing elements as well as larger air intakes to further improve brake cooling. That same openness carries to the rear treatment, where the 3-way manually adjustable wing is matched with a revised and more efficient lower diffuser separated by a black mesh insert that helps extract heat from the engine compartment. Lamborghini says the revisions optimize the SV's total aero signature by 150 percent and increase downforce by 170 percent compared to the baseline Aventador

The 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce goes on sale later this spring and will start at just over $366,000. No word yet on what that figure will be in the U.S. or when the first cars will arrive here

Read More