Search This Blog

2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition

Citroen plans to unveil a limited edition of the Citroen DS3 next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The Citroen DS3 Racing is a suped up version of the company's luxe supermini. While only 1000 units will be built, Citroen Australia General Manager, Miles Williams said that local availability for the special DS3 Racing will be announced when the regular DS3 launches in August.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
“The Citroen DS3 Racing represents an outstanding concentration of behind-the-wheel thrills with an artful blend of performance and efficiency. The DS3 Racing provides a clear indication of what we can expect when the DS3 arrives in Australia in August.” Mr Williams said.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
Developed by Citroën Racing - the winning team behind five WRC manufacturer's titles and six driver's titles for Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena - Citroën DS3 Racing is a special edition with a 100% sporting pedigree. Planned for the second half of 2010, the exclusive Citroën DS3 Racing will be limited to just 1000 production units.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
As such, the car's output has been bumped up by 30% to 200 PS (147 kW / 197 hp) using the turbocharged 1.6-liter THP engine. Torque is improved by 15% to 275 Nm (203 lb-ft). These changes were achieved by remapping the engine control unit, adjusting the turbo, and adjusting powertrain components.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
Meanwhile, stiffer suspension springs and new shock absorbers are also installed. The car has been lowered by 15mm, while both the front and rear track were widened by 30mm. Along with the new tires wrapped around the 18-inch wheels, the changes "all dramatically change the driving dynamics," according to a press release.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
To handle the extra power, the company installed four-piston caliper brakes up front and ventillated discs in back. Carbon-fiber touches are used on the new air diffuser, front bumper, lower body, and wing extensions. Chrome is also used at certain points, like the door handles and exhaust, with orange tint on the calipers, grille, roof, side mirror caps, and wheels. Inside, designers added carbon trim and orange inserts. Purposeful sport seats were also installed.
A Citroën DS3 Racing signature on the rear tailgate and an individually numbered identification plate fixed to the roof-lining further confirm the model's exclusivity.
2010 Citroen DS3 Racing Car Limited Edition
At 3.94-meters long, the grey and orange car will be shown in Geneva with checkered flaq and DS3 Racing graphics. Based on the existing DSport powered by the THP 150, production Citroën DS3 Racing editions will be finished in a special workshop and fitted with a parts kit developed according to Citroën Racing specifications. Only 1000 units of the Citroen DS3 Racing will be produced. The car will be released in the second half of 2010.

Smart fortwo EV Concept

Smart fortwo EV Concept



The Smart is producer of one of the worldwide most economical and environmentally friendly cars: the smart fortwo. The brand takes advantages by using alternative technologies to develop even more ecologically friendly vehicles. The smart fortwo electric drive demonstrates the pioneering role of the young car brand. As an electric car it is locally emission-free, highly efficient and quite. It represents sustainability at its highest level. At the End of 2009, smart will start the production of the smart fortwo electric drive with a lithium-ion battery. The company is exploring opportunities for the United States market.

Lithium-ion battery technology
The smart fortwo electric drive series will be equipped with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other type of batteries, including its compact dimensions, high performance, shorter charging times an higher reliability.

London pilot project
In 2007, smart started a pilot project in London, England to test the smart fortwo electric drive vehicle. smart leased 100 electric smarts of the former series to gain real world experience and determine the technology's long-term sustainability. The project has proven to be very successful with customers giving very encouraging feedback. In addition, the English authorities have rewarded smart's commitment by exempting drivers of electric smart vehicle from the expensive London congestion charge.

London was selected as the perfect test city due to its high populations and infrastructure density, which has resulted in high traffic, parking shortages, severe noise and pollution. Participation in the project was first offered to companies that operate their own vehicle fleets and those who drive in inner city areas.

The majority of the customers approached smart to participate in the London project. Participants lease the electric smart for four years or 40,000 miles, and the project will officially run until 2012.

The company is using the test data and monitoring and evaluating many other different technologies to evolve the smart brand with new products as appropriate.


"e-mobility Berlin"
In addition to the London test program, smart is consistently working on the future development of electric drive technology. In September 2008, with the support of the German government and the state of Berlin, Daimler AG and the energy provider RWE introduced the "e-mobility Berlin" project. The two companies are jointly creating the conditions for zero emissions with battery electric drives, which is the world's largest initiative in this field to date.

RWE is providing 500 electricity charging stations and Daimler is contribution 100 electric vehicles. Both companies aim to create an intelligent system, and the first joint tests are scheduled for the spring of 2009.
Additionally, an "on-board unit" is being developed that will communicate with charging stations to ensure that the battery is automatically charged with low-priced electricity when the network is not used to full capacity, for example at off-peak times.

"e-mobility Italy"
Daimler AG is launching its next electric mobility project in cooperation with Enel, Italy's largest energy supplier. In 2010, the "e-mobility Italy" initiative will see more than 100 electric cars of the smart and Mercedes-Benz brands roll onto the streets of Rome, Milan and Pisa. Enel will be responsible for developing and setting up over 400 charging stations especially for this purpose in the three cities. The project aims to further develop automotive technology and an intelligent infrastructure, and also establish open standards. Infrastructure is a particularly important issue in Italy, where the majority of vehicles are parked in city streets.

Evonik and Daimler establish strategic alliance for the development and production of lithium-ion batteries
Evonik Industries AG, Essen and Daimler AG, Stuttgart are developing the energy storage of the future. Based on lithium-ion technology from Evonik and with Daimler expertise, both groups will drive forward the research, development and production of battery cells and battery systems in Germany. In the near future, Li-Tec cells will appear in electric vehicles of smart and Mercedes-Benz Cars. This will represent an important milestone in the series production of electric vehicles. En route to achieving its technological leadership in recent years, Evonik has invested around 80 million Euros. The outcome is production-ready hi-tech battery cells that are superior to competitor products in several key areas.

On 15 December 2008, Daimler AG took over 49.9 percent of Li-Tec Vermögensverwaltung GmbH (Li-Tec). Evonik Industries AG already holds 50.1 percent. Both partners are seeking the involvement of a third shareholder in Li-Tec with expertise in electrical and electronic systems integration. Furthermore, the companies will also establish a joint venture with a clear focus on the development and production of batteries and battery systems for automotive applications. Daimler will hold 90 percent of this joint venture, and Evonik 10 percent.

The lithium-ion batteries produced by the joint venture will be used in both the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. The capacity available at Li-Tec and the joint venture will initially concentrate on the needs of Daimler AG. Beyond that, the sale of cells and battery systems to third parties is planned.

Tramontana R

Tramontana R





The super sports car manufacturer set in the Costa Brava, unveils its latest version, the Tramontana R. The new model is the result of a logical evolution of the previous one.
Thanks to the hard work of the whole technicians team of a.d. Tramontana, a more purist new version is being introduced. The car has been designed in order to increase the sensations experimented by the driver. These feelings give the driver the information needed to push such an extreme car to its limits.

Though the first version was already very competitive in terms of technology, the team raised new challenges to achieve.
The Tramontana R, unlike other super sports cars with radical versions, keeps the comfort as a value and provides versatility, as well as the possibility to drive the car in conventional roads. So much so that gives a surprising performance not only in the track but also outside of it.

The Tramontana team has reduced the weight of the car to 92 kg. despite the fact that the first version had already been done with the lightest materials. Remind that the chassis and the bodywork are completely made in carbon fibre.
* Previous dry weight: 1.360 Kg
* New dry weight: 1.268 Kg
* Weight distribution:
o 42% front, 58% rear
o 50% right, 50% left

Another important challenge has been to give more pure personality to the car; the new chassis reduces the wheelbase in 50 mm and notably improves the handling of the car as well as the aerodynamic performance. All these improvements have allowed to optimize the cornering speed, specially in the track.
* New downforce: 240 Kg (300Km/h)
* Downforce distribution front axle: 95 kg aprox.
* Downforce distribution rear axle: 145 kg aprox.

If you have followed the evolution of the company from its origins, you have surely noticed its constant progression. With the Tramontana R they have shown his technical capacity once more. The future is to reassert itself as a one of the best and most exclusive manufacturers in the small world of super sports cars.
Technical Specifications
* BRAKING
o 100-0 km/h: 32,6 m (2,45 s)
o 200-0 km/h: 124,3 m (4,91 s)
* ENGINE
o Torque increase up to 1.100 Nm.
* DYNAMICS
o New chassis with a wheelbase distance of 3.050 mm: (50 mm shorter).
o Monocoque rigidity torsion: 40.000 Nm/º.
o New frontal geometry.
o New electric power steering.
o Lateral G forces: 1,22 g. (with standard tyres)
* AERODYNAMICS
o Front: New spoiler
o Lateral: New shark gills
o Rear: New rear wing
o Down Force: 240 Kg at 300 km/h
* TRACTION CONTROL
o New scaled levels (3 + off)
* INTERIOR
o New TFT digital screens.
* FINISHING
o Carbon fiber finishing bodywork.
* PERFORMANCE
o 0-100 km/h: 3,6 s
o 0-200 km/h: 10,15 s
o Top Speed: 325 km/h (limited)
* PRICE
o Basic: 385.000 € (without taxes)

Volvo S60 Concept

The Scandinavian inspiration




The front of the Volvo S60 Concept sports the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal grille. The two lamps that flank the grill emphasise the vertical stance of the front and highlight the bonnet's V-shape. The angled headlamps flow up into the strongly sculptured bonnet and combined with the lower air intake's reverse trapezoidal shape, this gives the concept car a very expressive "face".

Viewed from the side, the concept car's slim coupe roofline and window graphics are accompanied by an entirely new shoulder line, forming a gentle double wave, stretching from the headlamps all the way to the rear. Both the seven-spoke 20-inch wheels and the tread of the low-profile tyres have been specially designed, while the bronze-painted brake callipers match the "Warm Liquid Copper" livery.


The unique rear parallelogram doors offer a spectacular show when they are opened and closed. Door opening is initiated by pressing a button and the movement starts off in the traditional way. In the next phase, the forward section swings out away from the car's body and the door glides parallel with the side of the car until it reaches its end position by the rear wheel. Since the car does not have a B-pillar between the front and rear seats, this door configuration offers exceptionally generous entry and exit access.

The transparent attachment of the door mirrors illuminates and becomes part of the indicator function. The panorama roof is another ingredient that contributes to the concept car's airy Scandinavian aura.


The Viking longboats in the headlamps
In each of the headlamps, the lights create a silhouette of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side by side, one for main beam and one for dipped beam. When driving in the dark, the light is reflected from the concealed, upward-facing High Performance LED bulbs, projected ahead by the ships' filled sails.

A closer look reveals more detail. The compact cooling system for the LED bulbs has protruding cooling blocks made out of aluminum, semi-visible under the ships' hulls. This design creates the illusion of shimmering glass panels that float above a dark and mysterious Scandinavian sea.

The Inspiration from the racing track
The tail lamps, which follow the curve of the rear shoulders, are as advanced as the headlamps. When switched off, the lamp panels show no trace of the traditional red or yellow. But when activated, the position marker lights, brake lights and turn indicators come on in their correct colours with the help of LED bulbs. The solid glass panel is sectioned into horizontal "slices" that create the visual impression of a three-dimensional architect drawing when the lights come on.
At the rear there is also a retractable diffuser that adjusts with vehicle speed to give better aerodynamic properties.


New technology detects pedestrians in the danger zone
The Volvo S60 Concept also presents a safety innovation that can detect a pedestrian who steps out into the path of the car and the car's full braking power is automatically activated if the driver does not respond to the danger. The technology, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, will be introduced in the all-new Volvo S60.

Elevates the brand's image
The Volvo S60 Concept was created to pave the way for Volvo Cars in one of the automotive world's most focused segments, characterised by razor-sharp competition.

Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

Volkswagen BlueSport Concept



The Maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption - This is the standard by which Volkswagen is starting the new car year 2009. The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency.

The Volkswagen BlueSport Concept is making its appearance at the car show in Detroit with a Flex Silver exterior and orange fabric convertible top. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure", explains Volkswagen chief designer Walter de Silva.
The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. Immediately visible to the eye is the intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen. Perfectly adapted to the interior are the leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.

Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Volkswagen BlueSport Concept, a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter delivers dynamic performance. A 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission - the most economical and agile transmission system in the world - transfers power to the rear wheels.

In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. Also having a positive impact on the car's low fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100 km and reduced emissions are two technologies that are part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 liter per 100 kilometers in city driving.

Volkswagen L1 Concept

Volkswagen L1 Concept




The one of a unique Car in the world today is Volkswagen L1. It weighs just 380 kilograms a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body. The two-seater is powered by a new common rail turbo-diesel (two-cylinder TDI) and an electric motor. With its average fuel consumption of 1.49 litres diesel per 100 kilometres, this fully road-ready and extremely aerodynamic L1 (Cd 0.195!) is advancing to become the most fuel-efficient hybrid automobile in the world. CO2 emissions of the 160 km/h fast concept car are just 39 g/km.

Drivetrain

The TDI, E-motor and 7-speed DSG are located at the rear, and they combine to create the most fuel efficient road-legal car hybrid drive in the world. Proof of this are its 1.38 litre per 100 kilometres fuel consumption and 36 g/km CO2 emissions. Serving as the primary drive source is a completely redeveloped two-cylinder turbo-diesel with common rail direct injection (TDI).

It is operated in two different modes depending on the load conditions. In the standard "ECO" mode, the 800 cm3 TDI develops a power of 20 kW / 27 PS (at 4,000 rpm); in "Sport" mode - used to reach top speed, for example - the car's power rises to 29 kW / 39 PS (at 4,000 rpm). The TDI's maximum torque is 100 Newton-meter (at 1,900 rpm). Naturally, the Volkswagen L1 also has a Stop-Start system that automatically shuts down the engine when vehicle has stopped and restarts when the accelerator or E-pedal is pressed.

Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster Concept

Volkswagen New Beetle Ragster Concept





It was supposed to be a preview of the future design of the New Beetle.
The base of the Ragster (a ragster is the cross between a ragtop and a speedster) was a regular New Beetle Convertible.
They made some changes, such as chopping the top, penning a new U-shaped roof, and creating a unique paint job with silver double stripes.


The interior differs from the original New Beetle, being a 2+2 and having distinctive control dials.
Another item of interest is that the Ragster's rear-view mirror is mounted on its dashboard (a retro feature, reminiscent of the first Type 1s).
The Ragster's profile is lower than that of the prior New Beetle.



Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R Concept

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R Concept


It was a triumphant drive: in May 2008, three VW Scirocco GT24 cars lined up at the start of the 24-hour endurance race on the Nürburgring track. At the wheel: driving legends the likes of Hans-Joachim Stuck and Carlos Sainz. The teams drove two 238 kW / 325 PS strong race cars to a dual victory at the finish line, first and second in their class. Now Volkswagen is presenting a street version of the race car at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show: the Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R Concept. A genuine Grand Tourismo with a 198 kW / 270 PS engine that delivers aggressive propulsive power. This power is distributed by a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. Adapted directly from car racing are the coilovers, the four-piston brake calipers and a sound-optimized exhaust system with its oval, polished tailpipes.

The front end, for example: here the design adheres to the motto "Form follows function"; it features three large air inlet openings that guarantee optimal cooling of the brakes and engine. The front splitter that was added minimizes aerodynamic lift of the front axle. Also adopted from the racing version is the engine hood with its auxiliary air vents.

The rear end is dominated by an integrated rear wing and distinctive diffuser in the lower section of the bumper. These two components reduce lift at the rear axle substantially. Despite the aerodynamic design derived from car racing, a clear stylistic resemblance to the production Scirocco was preserved. Identifying characteristics of its side profile are the new side skirts and polished 19-inch alloy wheels with five sets of triple spokes. The wheels were specially developed for the Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R.

The radiator screen, diffuser and underside of the rear spoiler are treated in high-gloss black, and this provides a strong contrast to the white exterior paint. Supplemented by a "Bologna 08" badge, red and green stylistic elements on a white background create an Italian tricolor. The outside mirrors are also coordinated with this color scheme.

The Interior
Italy's national colors are also represented in the interior. White and black create the basic theme, similar to the exterior color of the Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R. The seams of the Recaro racing shell seats, steering wheel, front armrest, gearshift lever trim and floor mat edging are designed in the colors of the tricolor. Inside, nappa leather in "Deep black" and "Berry white" is applied to the uncompromisingly designed racing shell seat. The shell seats are upholstered with a deep black leather in carbon look. An eye-catching feature here is the conspicuous yet refined contrast of low and high-gloss elements of the carbon structure. Interior accents also consist of genuine carbon composites. The footwell features aluminum pedals specially designed for this vehicle.

Volkswagen Up Concept

Volkswagen Up Concept


There are cars that endure for all times. They are icons of their type, masterpieces of craftsmanship and technology; they put ideas into motion, make progress tangible and sometimes quite simply make everyday life better, more practical and enjoyable. Many of these cars carry the VW logo. "Bug, Beetle, New Beetle", "T1, Bulli, Samba bus, California", "Golf, GTI". Now Volkswagen is presenting - as a world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt - a concept car that once again has the right stuff needed to move more than just one generation. It is a small, pure and high-spirited Volkswagen that pays tribute to its environment. The overall concept is marked by an innovative, clear, intuitive functionality. The name of the concept car: up! - a positive name that is a synonym for departure, activity, dynamics and the future. "For Volkswagen", says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member with Responsibility for Technical Development, "the response of IAA visitors will be a decisive test to determine whether the concept has the same kind of potential possessed by the Beetle at one time or by the Golf today."

Concept
The up! is a city specialist, a car for four persons and all languages, for the job, the university, the drive to the beach and the excursion outside the city gates. A small car that shows a lot of size, because it offers more space than any other car of similar length (3.45 meters) and width (1.63 meters). Its engine - conceivable here are all facets of technology that can be sensibly applied - will run in the rear. And that changes everything: Space, mood and design.Walter de Silva, Chief Designer of the Volkswagen group, sums it up like this: "The up! is not a car whose form will become obsolete within a very brief period of time. It shines in its cleverness and yet is made with loving care. And so the up! is a clear and strong statement for future Volkswagen design." Furthermore, the team of designers and engineers has envisioned the up! concept car as the first member of an entire model line; other facets are entirely conceivable.

Ralf-Gerhard Willner, Director of Concept Development, has final responsibility for the technical layout of the up! He and Walter de Silva had already achieved a new balance in the mutual interaction between form and function at Volkswagen before the start of the project. "Absolute harmony of the basic technological concept and the emotional aspects of the design", note Willner and de Silva in unison, "can only be achieved in a hard clash of ideas between engineers and designers. That is the only way to produce icons." That is precisely why the up! is not your run-of-the-mill, small, tightly packed car, but instead is a clever, innovative whole. Its form is pure. It just had to look like this, no other look would do. There is nothing superf luous, and its functionality - and so also its design - speak for themselves. Simultaneously - and this is typical of Volkswagen - uncompromisingly attention was given to refining every line and every surface until we had created a friendly and masterful car.

Exterior design

The fact that the engine of the up! runs in the rear has a decisive inf luence on its exterior design. That is because the up! has no classic radiator grille. It forges links to the Beetle. This fact alone gives it a great deal of independence. Dominant design characteristics are the headlamps that take an inward and diagonal line, between them the horizontally arranged air vents, the VW logo (as one of the few details kept in chrome), the tailgate that extends far forward and the smooth bumper with a circumferential black stripe as a detail of the "happy face" that is typical of Volkswagen.

In many areas, technology and design have melded into a vehicle architecture that is not only appealing, but is also very utilitarian. The rear end of the up! is a good example of this. The tailgate was produced using a transparent material. Under this gate developers also integrated the high layout of the taillights. Another feature that is technically and visually new is the location of the VW logo in the tailgate; it is also located behind glass and illuminates when the light is on. The rear bumper was designed to match the "happy face" in front.

The powerful appearance of the up!, despite all of its compactness, is emphasized by a very wide track width (1.42 meters) relative to vehicle width. The wheels are flush with the sporty outboard wheel arches and side skirts. The radial design of the wheels and surfaces extending right up to the edge of the rim make the 18-inch wheels appear significantly larger than they actually are.

The wheels that are arranged far outboard in the bumper areas reduce body overhangs to a minimum. All of these features are part of an unmistakable side profile with a very long roof arch as well as clear and large surfaces. Giving shape to its style here are the large doors and the lateral window surfaces, which incline sharply upward at the height of the rear wheel arch and thereby help to form the very independent C-pillar design.


Interior design
Mounting the engine in the rear opened up entirely new interior concepts. Relative to its exterior size, the space offering is exceptionally forward-thinking. The same is true of its variability: Except for the driver's seat, all other seats can be folded and removed. Since they are designed as light shells, they can be quickly stowed in one of the cargo areas - besides the front trunk there is also one in the rear - to free up space. Afterwards, the entire passenger compartment length can be utilized as a storage area for especially bulky objects.

To achieve the high level of seating comfort that is usual at Volkswagen, besides their ergonomic design, in the case of the up! this level of comfort is also attained by a simple yet very effective trick: Similar to a self-inf lating air mattress, air can be sucked out of the seat surfaces via a valve. This means that the seats can be adjusted 1:1 to the body anatomies of the occupants who have just
taken a seat.
Intuitive controls

On its up! concept car, Volkswagen is presenting some completely new solutions when it comes to operator controls. Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer for the Volkswagen Brand, comments on this: "Another reason the up! is so fascinating is because everything, every detail, was thought out anew. In the interior we have a touchscreen with new proximity sensor technology for controlling the navigation, radio, trip computer and climate control systems. It is operated absolutely intuitively. As a result, the most complicated functions can be controlled like child's play."
In the cockpit, a 8-inch monitor shows the driver key information such as vehicle speed, fuel level and range, as well as momentary CO2 emissions.

In the center of the instruments - equally easy for driver and front passenger to see and control - an 7-inch monitor shows the way that future human-machine interfaces will look and operate. Here all conceivable functions can be controlled via the mentioned touchscreen, which also reacts via proximity sensor to gestures, i.e. specific hand movements.

Menuing was restocked and reorganized so that people without computer science educations would be able to operate the system. The developers intentionally separated "display" and "control" levels from one another. Always shown on the screen is a control bar with standard functions such as climate control or audio volume control. Developers packaged functions of other higher-order systems - navigation, telephone, radio, images, movies, etc. - on a display level that has been referred to internally as the "main menu carousel" - a type of virtual carousel. It consists of the icons of different system functions (telephone, navigation, etc.). When the user touches the "main menu carousel" it can be rotated by touchscreen. Visually, this control is just as spectacular as it is intuitive. When the desired function appears on the main menu carousel - such as the telephone - all the user needs to do is move his or her hand to the display to switch over to the telephone menu, thanks to proximity sensor technology. The new type of user control is fun, easy to understand in any cultural environment and very safe. That is precisely what is typical of Volkswagen.

Zagato Perana Z-One

Zagato Perana Z-One



Zagato is launching an exciting World Premiere on the occasion of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show: the Zagato Perana Z-One (Zee-One).

The sports car Zagato Perana Z-One signals the first collaboration of the Milanese Coachbuilders with a South African Vehicle Manufacturer: Perana Performance Group.

The Perana project is the result of Zagato's 90 year-long expertise in constructing fully functional running concepts. Virtual reality development has been integrated from inception, effectively eliminating the need for the traditional styling model and enabling the prototype to be completed in less than 4 months by the South African team.

Design Concept

As the latest descendant of the Zagato sports car family, Z-one is designed with full blooded Zagato form language.

Reflecting this pure passion from this brand new sports car specialist, the proportion and volume of Z-one is even tighter than usual sports car styling, accentuated by couple of long and dynamic curves with keen edge which visually integrate some important design features like the air out-lets. Surfaces defined by those cutting edges are even more sculptured maintaining the modern Zagato line which we have been developing for a decade.

Following in the footsteps of Zagato's long tradition of masterfully designed cars, the Zagato Perana Z-One is no mere dream car, but a thoroughly practical and feasible production proposition that is expected.

The Zagato Design Centre has styled the Zagato Perana Z-one to ensure it is built as a limited series production car. Sales will be limited to 999 cars per annum within Europe to assure exclusivity and to commemorate the 90 years of Zagato design.

Complying with Euro 4 emission legislation, this value proposition is expected to be launched at the introductory price of under 50.000 Euros, before taxes - an irresistible and highly competitive offer.

Technical Development

From the innovative tubular and box section chassis to the exciting interior styling, the Zagato Perana Z-One is a concentration of advanced design and engineering. Fully certifiable for the road, this ultra high-performance, front engined sports coupé uses a powerful 6.2 litre V8 engine that drives the rear wheels. This genuine 2-seater coupé, enjoys the benefits of almost 50/50 weight distribution allowing for exhilarating, balanced and predictable road manners.
Specification Sheet
* Dimension
o Curb Weight: 1195 kg
o Weight Distribution
+ Front: 50%
+ Rear: 50%
o Wheelbase: 2540 mm
o Track
+ Front: 1627 mm
+ Rear: 1570 mm
o Length: 4406 mm
o Height: 1233 mm
o Width: 1924 mm
o Seating Capacity: 2
* Engine
o Configuration: V8, All Aluminium
o Displacement: 6200 cc
o Power: 328 kW
o Torque: 583 Nm
o Max. rpm: 6600 rpm
o Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection. Electronic, Sequential Port.
o Compression Ratio: 10.7: 1
* Drive train
o Gearbox: 6 speed manual
o Differential: ZF Limited Slip
* Wheels: Perana / Zagato
o Front: 18 x 10J
o Rear: 19 x 12J
* Tyres: Michelin PS2
o Front: 275/35 ZR18
o Rear: 345/30 ZR19
* Chassis
o Layout: Front/Mid Engine, RWD
o Frame: Steel Tube Space Frame
o Body: Vinyl-Ester/Glass Composite
* Brakes
o Front: 325mm
o Rear: 305mm
o Assist type: Vacuum
* Steering: ZF Power Assist
* Suspension
o Front: Unequal Length A-arms, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Anti-roll bar
o Rear: Unequal length A-arms, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Anti-roll bar
* Fuel Capacity: 85 litres
* Performance
o Power/weight ratio: 328 hp (240 kW)/tonne
o 0-100km/h: <4>