LaFerrari Prototype Tests 2014 V6 Turbo F1 Engine

For the few that didn’t know, Formula One is set for a major shakeup next year. Gone will be the high-revving V8’s used for the past few seasons and in their place will step V6 turbocharged units producing around 600 hp and 160 hp more through the KERS. While power remains similar, weight of the cars will be increased and they will be slightly slower than this year’s cars.

However, the real critique about next year’s engines will be their exhaust note. Formula One has built a name for itself in the past few decades as being home to the loudest vehicles on four wheels and the V6 turbos will mute that sound. So far, we have heard next year’s engine undergoing testing on dyno’s, but now a very, very interesting video has emerged.

Filmed at Ferrari’s own test track Fiorano, a heavily camouflaged LaFerrari prototype was filmed seemingly sporting Ferrari’s 2014 V6 turbo Formula One engine. Through the video, the turbocharger can be heard whistling away and the prototype is also wearing a massive roof scoop aiding in providing additional air to the engine. What’s more, this is a very similar setup to Formula One cars and their central air intake above the driver.

If this LaFerrari is indeed testing the new Formula One engine it would be against the rules of the sport. With that being said, Ferrari isn’t new to this and is said to have tested the 2.4-liter V8 engine’s introduced in 2006 in the Ferrari Enzo!

Road Test: 2014 TechArt GrandGT

Following our recent test of the excellent new Porsche Panamera Turbo, we spend a weekend with TechArt’s latest Panamera-based development; the 2014 TechArt GrandGT!

Launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March it is their first take on the second generation Porsche Panamera. With 620hp and 900Nm the TechArt GrandGT has a killer potential.

The Engine

Like the ‘normal’ Porsche Panamera Turbo the TechArt GrandGT has a 4.8 liter V8 turbocharged engine under the bonnet. The GrandGT comes with TechArt’s Techtronic engine management system that increases power from 520 to 620hp and lifts maximum torque from 770Nm to 900Nm.

The Techtronic engine management system is installed besides the original Porsche ECU so it does not affect vehicle diagnostics and servicing. The additional power is activated by pressing the Sport or Sport Plus button on the center console.

Performance

The exact performance figures for the 2014 TechArt GrandGT have not yet been released and we haven’t been able to measure them during our test drive. But with the Panamera Turbo accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4,1 seconds TechArt is confident the power increase will drop the 0-100 km/h sprint significantly below the 4 second mark.

The electronically limited top speed remains at 305 km/h.

Gearbox & Drivetrain

The TechArt GrandGT comes with the new Porsche 7-speed PDK gearbox as standard. The new PDK now also comes with so called virtual intermediate gears for further improved fuel economy and comfort. They are used to reduce revs during quieter modes of driving up to a speed of around 80 km/h, if shifting to the next higher gear would drop revs below the engines lower rev limit. To do this, the transmission controller engages adjacent gear levels, controls both clutches for defined slip and transmits the drive power in this way. When the driver accelerates, the Doppelkupplung downshifts to the suitable gear with lightning speed.

One of the key features of the new TechArt GrandGT is the Sport exhaust system which provide a much louder tune. The volume can be controlled with the Sport and Sport Plus buttons. In normal mode valves in the exhaust close to reduce the volume.

Chassis & Suspension

The TechArt GrandGT comes with air suspension with PASM as standard. PASM allows you to change the stiffness of the suspension between normal, sport and sport plus. An additional ‘high’ settings allows you to raise the vehicle to get over bumps or ramps at low speeds.
Our TechArt GrandGT came equipped with TechArt Formula III Forged Wheels in 22”. The increased size of the wheels makes the ride itself a bit harder but the excellent air suspension still offers plenty of comfort.

Design

TechArt traditionally offers two packages for most of their vehicles; an extreme widebody variant and a more subtle body kit. Our GrandGT came with the more extreme kit including the widebody, side skirts and large rear wing.

The design of the Panamera has always been a subject of discussion and with the TechArt GrandGT it will be no different. Personally the rear of the GrandGT is more my taste than the standard and recently redesigned rear of the Panamera Turbo.

Interior

On the inside we find personalized floor mats, orange carbon dashboard inlays and TechArt dials. In terms of interior personalization anything is possible. Our test vehicle had standard Porsche Panamera Turbo seats, but these can be replaced with custom TechArt seats in any color you can wish for on request.

Our GrandGT also came with the TechArt steering wheel, based on the PDK button steering wheel with flappy paddles. The new Panamera Turbo steering wheel offers a better feel on the paddles so we hope TechArt offers a new steering wheel with aluminium paddles here shortly.

Driving Experience

We start our road test with the TechArt GrandGT on a warm November night in Munich. The white GrandGT is quite the presence in the garage, compared to the Jaguar XJ next to it it looks like a giant. Open the drivers door and you are greeted by the familiar Porsche interior with four bucket seats and a dominant center console.

TechArt refined the interior with some coloured carbon parts, we are not immediately a fan of the orange carbon fibre used but we rest assured that it can be ordered in any colour you want. The GrandGT is based on a full option Panamera Turbo with nearly every option imaginable equipped on this grand tourer.

Fire up the engine and a loud growl echoes through the garage, nearly enough to set of the alarms of nearby cars. We reverse out of the spot and head for the exit. One thing that often takes some getting used to is the unusual width and low stance of tuned cars. The TechArt GrandGT is no different but the adjustable height and 360 degree cameras make it much easier to manouvre in tight spaces.

Out on the streets we are pleasantly surprised by the way other people react to the white beast from Leonberg. Pedestrians and other drivers alike seem to enjoy the presence of this car. Time after time people give us way and urge us to go ahead of them. Surprising as we had different experiences with cars in this city.

Leaving the city center behind us we head out to the open roads, the engine now properly warm we can check what 100hp extra does the the driving experience of the turbo. The acceleration of the Panamera Turbo is already nothing to be ashamed off but the TechArt GrandGT rockets off the line like nothing else with four seats.

Higher up in the rev range the sound is overwhelming and represents a mixture between an American muscle V8 and a European race car. We praised the Panamera Turbo especially for its handling and this phenomenal cornering is still there with the GrandGT. We aready pointed out the TechArt GrandGT runs on slightly larger wheels with thinner tires making the ride a bit harder.

Out on the autobahn and everything set to Sport Plus there is very little that can stop the TechArt GrandGT. The gearbox shifts smoothly until we reach well above 250 km/h. Only flaw in the gearbox, which is not modified by TechArt, is that in Sport Plus it holds on to low gears for too long without shifting up. This can easily be switched by switching Sport Plus off, but sometimes you like the sound without the hardcore shifting program.

Thanks to some rain showers over the weekend we were also able to test the performance of this AWD monster in the wet. Despite the wide tires the grip is phenomenal, only accelerating from stand still the rear wheels show a little sign of spin.

Returning home in the rain we can recap on our weekend with the TechArt GrandGT. It is more than just a Porsche Panamera Turbo in a different jacket. It adds the power and the sound, which upgrade the experience to a new level. Inside you can style it just the way you want it, orange carbon not your cup of tea? No problem! The wide body makes the GrandGT turn quite a few heads, more than any standard Panamera ever has probably.

How does it compare to the Panamera Turbo S?

Recently Porsche launched an even more powerful version of their Panamera Turbo; the 2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo S. With 570hp and a maximum torque of 800Nm moves in the direction of the GrandGT but not quite. The GrandGT packs 50hp and 100Nm of torque more than the Panamera Turbo S.

Besides the performance it is also the styling and level of individualization that sets the GrandGT apart. Yes, Porsche is offering more and more individual options through Porsche Exclusive but as individual as the GrandGT you won’t be able to get your Panamera from Porsche just yet.

Conclusion

The TechArt GrandGT builds on the excellent new Porsche Panamera Turbo. It adds more performance, more sound and most of all an opportunity to set yourself apart from the Panameras out there.

Road Test: Mansory F12 Stallone

The Mansory F12 Stallone is one of those unique cars that proves Kourosh Mansory’s German tuning company is at the fore-front of exotic car tuning. The car you see in the photos above was one of the very first Ferrari F12 Berlinetta’s released to customers. After a very short period of time in Mansory’s workshop, it came out again with a whole new look and just in time for the Geneva Motor Show 2013. We were gifted the unique opportunity to drive this very unique supercar!

Geneva is of course where our story starts. As is usual with the world’s biggest motor show, we turned up a whole day early to get a sneak peak at the cars and stories we would be covering for the previous day. We saw everything from Koenigsegg’s awesome Hundra to McLaren’s awesome P1, yet the Mansory stand stood surprisingly empty. We scratched our heads.

A few drinks later and we found ourselves stumbling through the halls at 01.30 am, hoping to get sneak a peak at a certain red hypercar which had been shrouded from the general public prior to the start of the main event. Still no Mansory, had they forgotten to turn up?

Our fears were allayed the following day when we discovered that, actually, the German company had been busy preparing their cars for the show, arriving as the last exhibitor at some ungodly hour. Whilst the wait had been long, what Mansory gave us more than made up for it! The Mansory F12 Stallone had been somewhat unexpected as customers where only just starting to take delivery!

Design

The Mansory F12 Stallone does of course have a cult following already. Mansory have used the Stallone name on the popular Mansory 599 Stallone before. It is only natural that it should return for the F12 Berlinetta. Mansory have fitted the F12 with a similar front bumper to that which can be found on the 599 Stallone.

The front gets a deep front spoiler with three large air vents. The nose is distinctive, helping you tell the Stallone a mile off. The bonnet is completely new, it gets a front air intake and exposed carbon fibre side air vents which feed air through carbon fibre ducts. The side skirts have also been replace with carbon fibre parts.

Moving to the rear, Mansory have fitted an entirely new rear bumper. It does away with much the distinct ovarian look Ferrari have instilled into the standard Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. The flatter rear gets three rear wheel air vents, a rear spoiler, a diffuser and a set of dual exhaust pipes mounted at each side.

Naturally, Mansory constructs its new design entirely from carbon fibre. Visually, the car looks to be of very high quality finish. As those who follow Mansory’s creations will come to realise, the Mansory F12 Stallone represents a restrained take on the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. It is a bodykit that applies Mansory’s philosophy in moderation as opposed to its other project, the most recent was of course displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show!

Aside from the larger pieces of trim, Mansory offers carbon fibre mirror housings with LED indicators, carbon fibre door handles, carbon fibre rear lamp covers; even the front mechanical air intakes have been replaced with carbon fibre parts.

Engine

The standard Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is already one of the fastest (if not the fastest) GT cars on the planet. From the factory it features a 6.3 litre V12 engine, one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines available. The F12 Berlinetta’s engine is so good that it even won first place in the International Engine of the Year Awards 2013.

Naturally, this simply wasn’t good enough for Mansory. The Mansory F12 Stallone comes fitted with the same awesome powerplant, yet a simple ECU upgrade unleashes an extra 35 hp to a total peak output figure of 775 hp. Owners of the Stallone can opt for these upgrades plus a stainless steel sports muffler to give their car a distinctive character. Most will probably order the upgrades too as part of a complete package.

In the context of modern-day Mansory upgrades, the Stallone upgrades seem very restrained. The Mansory F12 La Revoluzione, the Stallone’s bigger brother, features new software for the central electronic control unit, a set of larger turbochargers, and a brand new exhaust system for an insane 1,200 hp quoted performance figure.

Despite the relatively relaxed approach demonstrated here, the Mansory F12 Stallone really does benefit from the upgrades. The exhaust is what provides the biggest improvements. The sound is wild and ever-so slightly intimidating. In the context of the company, you come to expect this, yet the sound is definitely what gives this car its own unique character. Its a sound Thor himself would be proud of!

Performance

Performance was never an issue with the standard Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. In stock form it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds with a top speed in excess of 340 km/h (210 mph).

The Mansory Stallone should get there a little quicker thanks to the extra power, we suspect that the 100 km/h time is reduced to around 3.0 seconds. In the absence of any official performance data, we also suspect that the top speed is increased incrementally too, although we suspect no owner would ever test our suspicions!

Suspension

The ride remains unchanged from the standard Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. The Stallone gets a space frame chassis constructed from 12 different aluminium alloys. Weight is distributed 46% front and 54% rear, in keeping with the cars rear wheel drive layout.

The suspension dampers are state of the art magnetorheological units which use a magnetic fluid, controlled by an electromagnet. This allows the system computer to adjust the ride in order to suit the surroundings. Together with the electronic limited slip differential, the ride is extremely well controlled.

The steering wheel mounted Manettino dial provides the ability to control the ride. As is normal with modern Ferrari’s, the dial switches between varying levels of electronic control. The two most important settings are Sport and Race. The later is obviously the more aggressive. We wouldn’t recommend turning everything off unless you really know what you are doing!

As Ferrari’s CCM3 carbon ceramic brakes are as effective as is possible, Mansory have chosen to retain them. They are hidden by a set of light-weight alloy rims named 5 Triple Spokes for obvious reasons. The sizing is staggered with 21 inch units fitted to the front and 22 inch units at the rear, the rubber is a 255 width at the front with 355 width at the back.

Interior

Mansory always have a surprise up their sleeves when it comes to interiors. With the F12 it is no different. The whole interior has been re upholstered and it now features an attractive blend of carbon fibre, black leather, alcantara and blood red leather. Each surface appears to be fitted with a different texture.

The doors have a blend of red striping which penetrates smooth black leather. The centre pieces on each side is a quilted leather accent with carbon fibre door handles. The dash board is predominantly black leather with red accents and red stitching, the air vents stand particularly proud in contrast to the rest of the dash. Mansory have even gone to the effort of replacing the dashboard display surround with a blood red unit.

The Stallone features a custom seat finish with a mixture of red alcantara, red and black leather giving the interior a new look. The middle features an embroidered Mansory logo while the Stallone badge confirming the cars provenience sits in the centre on the lower parcel shelf.

Perhaps the worst element of the interior is the material that lines the central transmission tunnel. It is a loose textured leather covering, finished in red. It looks a little too loose for our tastes and, if it were our choice, we would definitely opt for something a little more orthodox.

It is fair to say that Mansory have one of the biggest upgrade programs for the interior of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. A new steering wheel is perhaps the biggest option available. It features a leather finish with lashings of carbon throughout. Behind the steering wheel, Mansory fit a set of carbon fibre paddle shifters. Elsewhere, Mansory have carbon fibre centre console trims, dial surrounds, transmission tunnel covers and sill plates. In fact, you get the sense that Mansory can create a full range of carbon fibre parts to replace almost any piece of interior trim.

An interior is always going to be subjective. We have seen some fantastic designs from Mansory before, while there are elements of this particular interior that don’t particularly work for us, the choices and finishings are endless. We really love the way that Mansory blend a huge variety of textures to create a truly unique interior space.

Driving Experience

Our driving experience of the Mansory F12 Stallone was limited to a quick blast through the German countryside. It was enough to demonstrate the power and sheer insanity of the package though. Ferrari’s F12 Berlinetta is a perfect starting point.

The first thing you notice, aside from the looks, is the roar from startup. It sounds unhinged! The amplification applied to the exhaust means that the even at idle, the car sounds noticeably more raspy. Under acceleration, the sound takes on an altogether more different character. At higher rev ranges it simply sounds like a Formula 1 car.

On the move, you start to notice the attention this car brings with it. The front is such a radical departure from what people naturally expect to see from an F12 Berlinetta. The whole arrangement takes on the look of a halloween mask. The headlights make the eyes, the new bumper creates a set of fangs and the carbon fibre air vents represent a menacing set of eyebrows.

The ride has not changed significantly from the standard F12 Berlinetta. Steering is quick and precise, something Ferrari work hard on with all their GT cars. It makes the F12 Berlinetta feel light and agile despite its heft. The typical Ferrari manettino settings provide a variety of different ride characteristics, we didn’t fully have time to test them all, it was the soundtrack that mattered!

Conclusions

While our time with the Mansory F12 Stallone was brief, it was enough to experience what Mansory can do with such a unique project car in such short amount of time. We’re not entirely sure how long Mansory engineers had this car prior to its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, yet it can’t have been long. To present such a comprehensive set of modifications in such a short amount of time is a true acheivement.

What the Mansory F12 Stallone really succeeds in is evident for most to see and hear. The biggest achievement is the sound. It is the defining feature of this car. Couple that with a truly character-changing new look and the result is a complete sensual overdose. There is no Jekyll and Hyde here, no split personality. The Mansory F12 Stallone is outrageous!

Blue Pagani Zonda Revolucion in the Works

While the awesome Pagani Huayra has been in production for more than a year, Pagani is continuing to create very special variants of the awesome Pagani Zonda. The most recent and most extreme Zonda ever produced has to be the Pagani Zonda Revolucion revealed earlier this year.

Produced as a track-only vehicle, the Pagani Zonda Revolucion represents the pinnacle of the Zonda R program and drastically improves on the regular Zonda R which has lapped the Nurburgring in an amazing 6 minutes and 47 seconds.



Originally revealed in black with some orange, white and red racing stripes, a new Pagani Zonda Revolucion is currently being brought to life in Pagani’s Italian factory. Making this Zonda Revolucion unique is its blue carbon fiber bodywork accented with bright blue calipers, pinstripes and traditional bare carbon fiber parts.

Technically speaking, this eye-catching Zonda Revolucion will remain identical to the regular car. That means a 6.0-liter V12 engine that now develops an output of 800 hp and 730 Nm of torque. The carbon-titanium monocoque helps bring total weight to 1,070 kg. The result is an impressive power to weight ratio of 748 hp per tonne.



Power is transferred through a 6-speed magnesium transversal and sequential gearbox. Gear changes are instantaneous with shift times reduced to 20 ms. Bosch have helped develop a state of the art traction control system with 12 different settings. The ABS system has also been revisited.

McLaren Reveals P1 Performance Estimates

When Ron Dennis lifted the covers off the McLaren P1 at this year’s Geneva auto show, he promised some impressive performance figures: 0–62 in less than three seconds, zero to 186—the magic 300-km/h mark—in less than 17 seconds, and a top speed of 217 mph. He wasn’t lying. Today, McLaren revealed its full performance estimates, and what Dennis claimed back in March was pretty close to spot on. McLaren says the P1 will be capable of reaching 60 mph from a standstill in 2.8 seconds, 186 mph will arrive in 16.5 seconds, and the top speed will indeed be 217 mph. Oh, and did we mention that McLaren estimates the P1 will achieve 34 mpg in the unicorns-and-rainbows European cycle?

It’s at this point that we’d like to point out that the heart of the P1’s powertrain, a 3.8-liter V-8, is shared with its little brother, the 12C. While McLaren squeezes 727 horses out of the mill in P1 spec, the 12C sees output of 616 horsepower—and that car is EPA-rated for 15 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway, so even with electric assistance, we’re anticipating the P1’s fuel-economy estimates to come down stateside.

McLaren began production of the 903-hp, 664-lb-ft P1 over the summer and recently delivered its first customer-destined car. The Woking-based marque says it will produce one P1 a day until mid-2015, when the full 375-car production run is completed.

2014 SRT Viper “Body and Soul” Commercial—We Have Contact

I’m not a Viper guy. They’re hugely capable and their owners sure seem to love them, but for me they’re too big, too brutal. I’ve driven Vipers both on and off the track and clearly they have strong hearts and mighty muscles, but I’ve always had trouble making the man/machine connection with these cars. For me, they lack what the Italians call un’anima vivente—a living soul. It took this commercial to make me rethink that.

We open on two kids fidgeting in the back seat of an early-’60s Dodge station wagon—I’m sure at least one of you will tell me the year, model, and specific VIN—while Mom and Dad struggle up front with an old-school paper map, trying to figure out where they are. So right off the bat, the commercial sets an emotional hook—who among us didn’t live that scenario in one form or another?

Cut to a bunch of awkward teenagers going through what was for us the ultimate rite of passage: getting your driver’s license. And then the hook sets deeper as we see a series of scenes depicting the dilemma faced by many a hormone-pumping high-school boy: Which do we lust for more, love or cars? By now, most red-blooded car guys watching the spot know that SRT is talking directly to us. How can you not relate to riding shotgun while your buddy melts the tires in the high-school parking lot? How can you not remember hanging posters (or pages ripped from Car and Driver) on your bedroom wall while thinking, someday, I’ll have one of these of my own . . .?

This is followed by a simple yet eloquent love story: “Every driving machine has a body, but for a cube of metal to become a living, breathing entity worthy of our interest or passion and our drool, it must have a soul. So it’s up to the maker of the machine to breathe life into its creation. The machine cannot say it’s greater than the maker, nor can the maker say the machine is beneath him. Because through the process, the two have become one.” But it’s the Viper itself that gets the last word: a deep, visceral growl that says, “C’mon, let’s go out and play. We’ll have fun.”

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Launches with Premiere Edition

What’s green, wedge-shaped, and sure to please this holiday season? If you guessed the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Premiere Edition—and not, say, an Xmas tree—then you win a virtual cookie

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The new droptop model follows in the footsteps of the limited Premiere Edition that kicked off C7 coupe production. The convertible is based on the top-spec 3LT trim level, and gets the same unique Stingray wheel center caps and door-sill plates as the Premiere coupe. It also is optioned up with the Z51 Performance package, variable exhaust, and Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers, just like its hardtop analog. But whereas the coupe hit the scene in bright blue, the convertible wears gorgeous Lime Rock Green paint and a Brownstone-colored cabin and top. We believe there should be more green cars on the road, and this Stingray convertible is excellent proof that we’re right.

As for production numbers, Chevy will build 50 more Premiere Edition convertibles than coupes, for a total of 550. Outfitted with suede interior trim and a five-piece fitted luggage set from Thule, the Premiere droptop will cost $77,450. That’s roughly $5000 more than a regular Z51 convertible in 3LT trim (in Lime Rock Green!) with everything on the Premiere’s list of extras except the wheels and special luggage. So what? Chevy can charge for the exclusivity and likely will sell every one of these future collectibles before th

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full run is even built. We know we put one on our holiday wish list.