Sport Cars

The inside scoop on Ferrari’s new FF

Paul Horrell reports back from Maranello on Ferrari’s 4WD supercar – plus more pictures

Posted by: Paul Horrell, 25 January 2011

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Well, you've seen the initial photos of the Ferrari FF (they've released a few more today) and the carefully managed information from the factory, including its amazing performance statistics. We've now been there to get a proper look ourselves and talk to the people responsible.
The first thing we were told - this was the marketing man speaking - is that the FF was designed around customers' wish-lists. This made us scared.

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Ronal-doh!

Customers have no idea what's possible, or which characteristics are incompatible. It's like asking diners in a restaurant to detail the ingredients instead of letting the infinitely more knowledgeable chef do it for them.
Anyway, apparently people wanted a Ferrari with room for four. And a big boot. And they wanted it to be a whole lot more driveable in the wet (fair enough - a 599 is sphincter-puckeringly skittish in the wet).
This could have resulted in a bulky, ill-proportioned car, an ugly looker designed to fit around the people and the golf bags, as well as the huge engine. It could have been heavy and cumbersome, with a complicated and heavy 4WD transmission.
Which would have met the brief but it wouldn't have looked like a Ferrari should, or driven like one. And the customers, despite having got what they asked for, would have run a mile.
But then we started to speak with Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari's CEO who happens to have come up through the engineering ranks there and is an absolute supercar genius. He explained what's been done to make it agile and fast, as well as manageable in the wet even with - get this - 660bhp on tap.
Can a car have 4WD for security, but still drive like a Ferrari? Can even Ferrari manage that?
Well, the FF doesn't actually have a normal heavy 4WD system with a centre diff and an extra prop shaft. It has a normal Ferrari configuration, with the drive going from the V12 back to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox driving the rear wheels. This is good for weight distribution, and in the dry the FF is as fast around a track as a 599 (it's only a little heavier, yet usefully more powerful). Felisa swears it feels like a proper front-engined RWD V12 Ferrari, too. And he has spoken the truth to me in these matters all the 16 years I've been interviewing him.

So what about the four-wheel drive, then? Uniquely, power is also taken off the front of the engine, which is behind the front wheel centres. It's fed to a compact lightweight unit containing a set of clutches that can progressively feed in torque to a tiny integrated gearbox and front diff. It has only two gears, roughly the equivalent of third and seventh in the main box. How can this be? Because the clutches are always slipping under electronic control, and the front tyres would never be able to make use of all the V12's torque in first or second.
What this means is the car's electronics can smoothly dial up a portion of drive to the fronts if they predict a loss of traction at the back. Yes, they're predictive as well as reactive. And they only do this in the road and slippery-road settings of the steering-wheel manettino. In the more hardcore modes, you can still run it as pretty well entirely rear-drive.
Finally, we took a proper look around it and inside, with design chief Flavio Manzoni. Honestly, they've pulled one out of the hat here. Provided you like long-roofed sports cars - and I do, having had the hots for a Lancia HPE in my young days, and owned a BMW Z3 M Coupe - it's a well-proportioned athletic, fuss-free and, yes, rather beautiful design.
Inside, it's as sumptuous and well equipped and roomy as those choosy buyers could have wanted. The hatchback opens to a decent boot, and the two back seats fold so it can swallow pushbike-sized objects. There are even entertainment screens in the back of the front headrests. How can travelling in a 660bhp Ferrari be so boring it needs the additional stimulation of an in-flight movie?
Of course we haven't driven it yet, but on this first examination I've got to hand it to them. Clever Ferrari for making a car that seems to meet so many incompatible objectives.
Clever too the customers for drawing up such a laundry list, and having faith that Ferrari would indeed come back whiter than white.
We've got more details on Ferrari’s new 4WD supercar in the new issue of Top Gear magazine - on sale now.

source : Top Gear  

Koenigsegg CCR

Koenigsegg's design seeks to give an interpretation of strength and flowing motion. The body of a Koenigsegg is formed for one ultimate purpose; speed. Its beauty is the beauty of speed itself. The surfaces are shaped to perfectly aerodynamic, an appearance that does not deceive. All aspects of this machine serve its one fundamental objective. Both the body and chassis of a Koenigsegg are made of extremely lightweight carbon fibre composite, reinforced with Kevlar and aluminium honeycomb. Its race-bred suspension system brings the driver in control of all movement, even under the toughest racing conditions.
The car was styled by Christian von Koenigsegg himself but its shape is largely dictated by aerodynamics. It is not as striking as Pagani or Enzo. At some angles it even looks bulky, like a big whale. But the whale delivers a sense of power that you can't find in its rivals either. Because of the targeted top speed, the body is designed to be so smooth that it has a very low drag coefficient of 0.30. This is much lower than Enzo (0.36), SLR (0.37) and Carrera GT (0.39). Unsurprisingly, the downside is a rather low downforce, just 50kg at the front and 70kg at the back. For comparison, an Enzo generates 775kg while Pagani achieves 500kg. 
The chassis is constructed like other supercars. Central to it is a carbon-fiber tub (Koenigsegg called it "semi-monocoque") attached with steel subframe up front and aluminum subframe at the rear for mounting engine, gearbox and suspensions. Chassis rigidity is 28,100Nm per degree despite of the targa roof. The whole bodyshell is also carbon-fiber. Koenigsegg claims a dry weight of 1175kg, which translates to 1275kg when fluid and fuel are loaded, i.e., what we usually refer to "kerb weight". In other words, CC8S is about as light as Pagani and Saleen S7, while being around 100 kilograms lighter than Enzo and Carrera GT.
 

Koenigsegg CCR Data

Base Price	595,000 $
Power	806 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.2 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	395 km/h (242 mph)

Koenigsegg, a small Swedish supercar maker, was founded by Christian von Koenigsegg in 1994. He was very young, just 22 years old then, but he succeeded to raise the required money to develop and polish the supercar in the following 8 years until the first CC8S delivered to client in March 2002. That's amazing. His biggest success was to get the Swedish public excited (it's the country's first supercar) and many Swedish component suppliers involved the project. In 2005 was an unbelievable day: Koenigsegg CCR broke the 7-year-old top speed record held by McLaren F1. The swedish supercar lapped Fiat's Nardo test track at 241.0 mph (387.9 kph), edging out the McLaren's 240.1 mph which was set in 1998.
The Koenigsegg CC interior seems merged with the exterior; the dynamic flow of lines and surfaces continue into the cabin and naturally bind them together. The layout is strictly symmetrical, with its elements mirrored on the centreline. All details are refined and the surfaces are cleaned of unnecessary obstructions. The focal point is the circular main control panel with its zodiac of multicolour lights and stainless steel buttons. In the very midpoint of the car is the turned gear lever; a flagpole topped by a gemstone carved with the Swedish colours. The main instrument cluster is mounted conveniently around the steering rod so that it always faces the driver. It is designed to be fully visible through the upper spokes of the steering wheel, giving the driver a complete overview.

It includes tachometer, indicators and an LCD unit giving full feed-back to the driver. The metal parts are of machined and anodized aluminium, giving them a frostlike sheen that makes them stand out against the leather background. Suede covers the dashboard and the muscle-like lower sections of the doors, serving to reduce sun glare and provide contrast to the composition. Ergonomics-engineers designed the carbon fibre chairs, which are fitted with Tempur for utmost comfort and flexibility. Their compactness leaves space for tall drivers, and they can be adjusted to offer a perfect driving position. This design fulfills the basic objective; to combine wild racing performance and comfortable everyday driving. Designer Joachim Nordwall came up with the original design concept of this interior

Koenigsegg official website

Breckland Beira

The Beira is a hand-built, two-seat roadster with unique styling cues, based on proven GM architecture and powered by GM’s LS2, 6-litre V8 engine, tuned to produce just a whisper short of 400bhp.The Beira is built on General Motors' Kappa platform, the same one that underpins the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. Weighing a bit over 3,000 lbs., the conservative though elegantly styled Beira will get to 62 mph in just under five seconds according to Brecklands.At this stage, there is no auto transmission but rather, a Tremec six-speed manual box, which again, is much the same as that found in the SS Commodore.

The engine is tuned to run on liquefied petroleum gas as well as gasoline. Its twin fuel tanks--15.8 gallons of gasoline and 18.4 gallons of LPG--will give it a range of 682 miles (1,100 kilometers). Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, with 0-62 mph runs in less than five seconds.Other key considerations involved significant attention to chassis dynamics, to ensure the car corners, steers and brakes effectively with the significant increase in engine output.To satisfy this requirement, the fully independent suspension was entirely re-engineered by Breckland in association with KW Suspension, with uprated springs, dampers and bushes, plus thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. The result is slightly less suspension compliance, but a more focused ride and handling.

Breckland Beira

Base Price	100.000 $
Power	400 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4.9 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	155 mph

Stopping power is provided by impressive, 325mm ventilated discs on all four corners, the fronts being grasped by six-pot callipers, with four-pot at the rear, both from UK specialists, HiSpec.The Beira will cost around £55,000, which would be a dear price to pay for a Solstice or Sky, but the Beira V8 is clearly much more than those vehicles.The Breckland Beira is designed very much as a high-quality low-volume, affordable sportscar for enthusiasts, and follows the highly appealing tradition of installing an easily available, American-designed V8 engine in a small, nimble, two-seater chassis to produce an exhilarating, high-performance package. Although using a tried and trusted concept, however, Beira is very much a vehicle for the 21st century, and accomplishes this with both environmental and fuel efficiency concerns in mind.

Breckland Official Site 

Lexus LF-A

The LF-A is the first supercar from the Lexus brand. This handbuilt car will be delivered to the world for a maximum of 500 units.Powered by a lightweight (aluminum alloy) 4.8-liter V10 engine, this rear-drive, two-seat supercar pushes over 550 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph.In a shocking turn of events that has caught everyone by surprise, the interest surrounding the Lexus LF-A has gone through the roof.The truth is that nobody’s really surprised to know that Lexus’ very first supercar has become such a hot item ever since it was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show; it’s even conceivable that the all 500 units of the car could be snatched up in just a few months.

Lexus Lf-A
Base Price	375,000 $
Power	550 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.7 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	202 mph

While the coupe version of the LF-A has been turning heads left and right, rumors about a roadster version of the Lexus super car has been running the mills for the past couple of months.Key to the LFA’s dynamics is its lightweight construction, with the chassis and bodywork consisting of CFRP – carbonfibre reinforced plastic. It offers four times the strength of aluminium while weighing in at around 100kg less on an LFA-sized chunk. As a result the car is 1480kg, leading to a potent 379bhp/ton power-to-weight ratio, more than the Ferrari 599. Customers can choose to delete options such as the stereo to make things even lighter, but with the LFA straddling supercar and GT genres, it’s hard to see many people obliging.

Lexus Official Site 

Audi R8

As the first Audi mid-engined sports car, the R8 combines Audi's experience gained from numerous motorsport triumphs with groundbreaking design and the acknowledged technological expertise of the brand. This expertise has led to the slogan 'Vorsprung durch Technik' becoming a byword for leading-edge technology both on the race track and on the road. The R8, which will go on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 2007, will initially be powered by Audi's 420-hp, direct-injection, 4.2-liter V-8 found in the RS 4 sedan. About a year later, the 5.2-liter V-10 from the S6 and S8 will be available, with output nearing 500 hp. Audi says the all-wheel-drive R8 weighs in at just 3400 pounds, will rocket to 60 mph in less than 4.6 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 187 mph. Given that we were able to run the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 4.6 seconds in the like-engined RS 4 that weighs 17 percent more, Audi's claim seems quite conservative. We think a time of 4.3 seconds is a better guess. Both a traditional six-speed manual and a computer-controlled sequential manual (it's not a new DSG, but rather a version of Lamborghini's E-gear that Audi calls R tronic) will be available.

Audi R8
Base Price	120,000 $
Power	420 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4.4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	187 mph | 301 kmh

Both the R8 and Le Mans names invoke Audi's recent success in endurance racing, but in actuality, the production R8 is much more closely related to the Lamborghini Gallardo with which it shares its structural underpinnings. The figures illustrate the outstanding potential of the eight-cylinder unit. At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-liter engine delivers 420 bhp of power output. Peak torque is 317 lb-ft from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation. The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 187 mph. Audi hasn't announced pricing for the R8 as yet, but it will undercut the Gallardo by a bunch. V-8 versions likely will cost about $100,000, which will pit the R8 squarely against the Porsche 911 Carrera. Ironically, Porsche owns a big chunk of Volkswagen, Audi's parent company. Audi plans to sell about 1000 R8s per year in the U.S.

Audi Official Site 

Aston Martin DB9

Using a radical new aluminium-bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced sports cars in the world. It is powered by the latest version of Aston Martin's 6.0-litre V12, producing 450bhp and a top speed of 186mph. Yet the DB9 is significant well beyond being a class-leading sports car. It is the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin. It is the first car to be hand-made at Aston Martin?s new state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where all future Aston Martin models will be developed and built.
All body panels are either aluminium or lightweight composites with magnesium being used on the steering column and inner door frames. Even the gear selector paddles are made from magnesium alloy. The total weight is 1710kgs, extremely light for a V12-powered prestige 2+2 seater sports car with every imaginable luxury feature. This has a hugely beneficial effect on performance. Top speed of the manual is 186mph and 0-100 km/h (62mph) acceleration takes just 4.9 seconds. Other technologically radical features include a ZF ;drive-by-wire; six-speed automatic gearbox that dispenses with a traditional gear lever. Instead, the drive, park, neutral and reverse controls are selected by buttons.

Aston Martin DB-9
Base Price	175,000 $
Power	450 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4.9 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	300 km/h (186 mph)

A great sports car needs a great engine - it is the heart of any high performance machine. In DB9's case, that great engine is a powerful yet refined all aluminium 6.0-litre V12. It produces 335 kW (450 bhp) and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. That results in a power to weight ratio of 194 kW/tonne (263 bhp/tonne) - one of the highest figures in its class. The DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible , each with a 6.0 L 450 brake horsepower (335 kW ) V12 engine taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish .
The Vanquish engine produces 10 bhp (7 kW) more. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only eight cylinders. One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a quantum leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution. Performance is enormous, yet usable. Top speed is 300 km/h (186 mph) and acceleration sees 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds (add two tenths of a second for the automatic). These figures are impressive and DB9 will respond with real passion.

Aston Martin Official Site 

Bugatti Veyron

252mph, 1001PS, 16 cylinders, four turbos, 8.0-litres... the Veyron's numbers are staggering. It can hit 60mph in 2.5 seconds thanks to four-wheel-drive traction, shoots to 125mph in 7.3 seconds and reaches 200mph in less than 20. The Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world , with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph top speed). The obvious question: Why would anyone build such a car? Surely no one sees doing 250 mph on the highway. There can be no commercial logic behind such a crazy machine, even with the Veyron's price tag of one million euros (at the current exchange rate, that's $1.2 million). Not even as a "halo model" -- a reputation booster -- for the VW group that builds it does the Veyron make sense. No Bugatti owner wants it known he's driving a Volkswagen.

Bugatti veyron
Base Price	1,000,000 euros (1,300,000 USD)
Power	1000 hp
Zero to 60 mph	2.5 s
Zero to 100 mph	6 s
Top speed	253 mph (407 km/h)

Development of the Veyron began with the 1999 EB 18/4 "Veyron" concept car . Introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show , it was similar in design and appearance to the final Veyron production car. One major difference was the EB 18/4's use of a W18 engine with three banks of six cylinders. The Veyron was designed by Hartmut Warkuss of Volkswagen rather than Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign who had handled the three prior Bugatti concepts.
Development continued throughout 2001 and the EB 16/4 Veyron was promoted to "advanced concept" status. In late 2001 Bugatti announced that the car, officially called the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 , would go into production in 2003. The car experienced significant problems, however. High-speed stability was difficult, with one prototype destroyed in a crash and another spun out during a press demonstration at the Monterey Historics event in Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca . Production of the Veyron was delayed indefinitely.
After the release of the car, it has become known that while each Veyron is being sold for £840,000, the production costs of the car are approximately £5 million per vehicle. As Bugatti, and therefore Volkswagen, are making such a huge loss, it has been likened by influential journalist Jeremy Clarkson to Concorde ; both are largely impractical experiments in technology and ground-breaking performance created just to prove that it could be done. A car the like of the Bugatti Veyron may not be seen in production again for some time to come, if at all.
The Veyron features a W16 engine —16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders, or the equivalent of two narrow-angle V8 engines mated in a vee configuration. Each cylinder has 4 valves , for a total of 64, but the narrow V8 configuration allows two camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only 4 camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers , and it displaces 8.0 L (7,993 cm³/488 in³) with a square 86 by 86 mm bore and stroke.
The Veyron's 16-cylinder engine is based on the innovative "W" design introduced in the 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The Veyron's version features two 90-degree V8s offset by 15 degrees. The offset allows each cylinder to be placed close to its neighbor, which reduces the total size of the massive 8.0-liter engine. A Formula 1?style dry-sump lubrication system keeps the engine moving smoothly. It's easier to spin many small turbochargers than one or two large ones, so Bugatti employs four turbos to reduce boost lag. The strategy works: The engine creates 922 lb.-ft. of torque at only 2,200 rpm.
Putting this power to the ground is a dual-clutch DSG computer-controlled manual transmission with 7 gear ratios via shifter paddles behind the steering wheel. Or it can be driven by full automatic transmission. The Veyron also features full-time all wheel drive , necessary given the output of the engine. It uses special Michelin PAX System run-flat tires, which had to be designed specifically for the Veyron, and which are capable of running at 402 km/h (253 mph).
The car's wheelbase is 2700 mm (106.3 in). Overall length is 4466 mm (175.8 in). It measures 1998 mm (78.7 in) wide and 1206 mm (47.5 in) tall. Curb weight is expected to reach 4300 lb (1950 kg) with a power to weight ratio of 513.3 hp per ton (metric) or 4.36 lb/hp (SAE).The Bugatti Veyron has a total of 10 radiators .


Bugatti official site 

Aston Martin One-77

One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning Aston Martin design to create possibly the world's most desirable automotive art form.No more than 77 will be built, a figure that makes Bugatti's run of 300 Veyrons look mass-market and just beats the 80 Veyron roadsters in exclusivity.  Based on a sophisticated carbon fibre chassis with a handcrafted aluminium body, this 7.0 litre V12 super car will deliver exhilarating performance for a strictly limited number of discerning customers.Aston Martin isn't saying much about the One-77, a code name for the as-yet-unnamed coupe, but the project started about 15 months ago. The hand-hammered aluminum bodywork retains the general profile of the gorgeous DB9 but is more muscular. It covers a carbon fiber chassis and a 7.0-liter V12 engine said to produce 650 horsepower. Top speed is estimated at 220 mph and 60 mph arrives in 3.5 seconds.

Aston Martin one-77
Base Price	2,300,000 $
Power	650 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.5 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	220mph

Underpinned by a new carbon fibre monocoque, the two-seater retains the classic Aston Martin look, although it adds aggressive side scoops and detailing, such as the roof creases and bonnet vents, to set it apart. All 77 One-77 customers will be able to specify either a right or left-hand-drive car, with the opportunity to work with Aston Martin in creating a completely bespoke vehicle – with the entire interior and chassis set-up open to customisation. Weight is expected to hover around the 1,500kg mark, and the car will get adjustable suspension and carbon ceramic brakes.

Aston Martin One-77 Official Site

Chevrolet Camaro

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will initially come in three rather stunning models LS, LT, and SS. The LS and LT will be powered by a 300-hp 3.6L V6, while the SS will pack either a beefy 422-hp 6.2L LS3 V8 (manual 6-speed) or a 400-hp 6.2L L99 V8 (automatic 6-speed with GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management).The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro coupes and convertibles will be built at GM's plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, which has long ranked high in independent audits of vehicle quality, among the best in North America. Underneath, the Camaro features front and rear independent suspensions. Gone is the simpler solid rear axle that was common on previous muscle cars, including the Camaro. This more sophisticated arrangement, shared with the Pontiac G8, tends to provide better ride quality and handling.Drivers looking for high tech functionality won't be disappointed either, as things like Bluetooth phone connectivity, remote vehicle starting system, a premium Boston Acoustics audio system, USB connectivity, ultrasonic rear parking assist plus OnStar and XM Satellite Radio will be offered.

Chevrolet Camaro
Base Price	31,000 $
Power	422 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4.6 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	165 mph

At the top of the range will be an SS model with a 6.2-liter 422-horsepower V8. In the current sales climate, the SS will probably be a low-volume performance model meant to win magazine covers and keep the Challenger from too many bragging rights. Still, Chevy claims that its V8 can achieve 23 mpg with the help of an Active Fuel Management system that de-activates some cylinders for highway cruising -- though that feature in only available on Camaros equipped with automatic transmissions. The Camaro concept was greeted with great enthusiasm when it bowed in 2007.  The automotive press, for the most part, still loves the car, but they aren't sure whether it has a place in today's market.  Surging gas prices might have made the heavy Camaro, with its emphasis on power, a bad idea before the first model is sold.

Chevrolet Official Site 

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The new flagship Corvette ZR1 you see here packs a 6.2 litre V8. ZR1 is the most powerful and most expensive Corvette model ever.Chevrolet claims it has lapped the 13-mile Nürburgring race circuit in Germany in 7min 26.4sec – 3sec faster than the quickest production car let loose on the circuit to date, the Nissan GT-R.As one of a handful of 600-plus-horsepower cars on the road, the ZR1 posts a quicker zero-to-60 time than the $1 million Ferrari Enzo. The extroverted exterior uses weight-saving carbon-fiber for the hood, front fenders, front air splitter, and roof. In many places, the carbon weave is exposed as a design element, covered by clear-coat paint. The hood has a polycarbonate window to reveal the engine intercooler. To reliably handle such power, the LS9 engine benefits from upgrades such as titanium rods and intake valves, and a forged-steel crankshaft. Each engine is built by hand in the Wixom, Michigan, plant by a single technician who signs it once done.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Base Price	103,000 $
Power	638 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	205 mph

An all-new LS9 motor produces 620 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 595 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Delivering 100 horsepower per liter, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with a new high-capacity clutch designed for the increased power.t differs from American sports cars of the past in that the driving experience doesn’t go to pieces when you arrive at a corner.Spoiled in the braking department, the ZR1 arrives with standard Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. The drilled discs are 15.5 inches in diameter in front and 15 inches in the rear, their blue calipers carrying six and four pistons, respectively. The brakes are tremendous, wiping off speed with ease. Enhancing the Z06 cabin, the ZR1 is distinguished with stitched logos, sill plates, and unique instrument panel that adds a boost gauge and 220-mph speedometer.

Chevrolet Official Site 

Chrysler ME Four-Twelve

The spectacular quad-turbo, V-12 powered, mid-engine Chrysler ME Four-Twelve super car has roared onto the scene to shine as the most advanced Chrysler ever built.
The ultimate engineering and design statement, and a brilliant example of the Chrysler Group's capabilities, the ME Four-Twelve will establish a real-world performance record for a rear-wheel drive, mid-engine super car and may also set a record for lightening-quick vehicle development. Taking less than one year to complete from start to finish, the Chrysler Group partnered with some of the best in the business to assist in its development. There are a grand total of 11 people working on the ME from Chrysler (out of about 10,000 at CTC, FREC, and JTE), according to press preleases. There are a handful of suppliers-let's just say under 10 that have admitted in the public forums (at least in the trade magazines and press).
With regard to the transmission research and development, in my opinion the most important piece of R&D, Ricardo is handling the "bodies" (meaning the people or "warm bodies") doing the work, under Chrysler direction and supervision. Approximately 30 people (2 from DCX, maybe ) would be involved with this work, including design, engineering, manufacturing feasibility, testing, and process.

Chrysler ME Four-Twelve
Base Price	$500,000
Power	850 hp
Zero to 60 mph	2.9 s
Zero to 100 mph	6.2 s
Top speed	248 mph (400 km/h )

According to Deutsche Press, around 300 Chrysler ME 4-12 were to be built each year, largely with carbon, aluminum, and other light-weight metals. Road testing was scheduled for late January 2004, with production rumored to start within two years. The car itself was being built in the United States by Metalcrafters, and we have been told that the lead engineer is from Chrysler and the lead suppliers from North America - and that this was the outcome of battles with Stuttgart, which wanted to use European suppliers and engineers. Most off the shelf parts appear to be from Chrysler aside from the engine. The transmission seems to be based on Chrysler, Mercedes, and other designs.The ME Four-Twelve braking system features massive 15.0-inch (381 mm) ventilated carbon ceramic composite disc brake rotors with six-piston aluminum mono block calipers for superior braking performance during all driving conditions.  The composite discs are sixty-five percent lower in weight than comparable cast iron rotors.  Wheels are cast aluminum: 19x10-inch front and 20x12.5-inch rear.  Michelin high-performance radials are 265/35ZR19 in the front and 335/30ZR20 in the rear.
At just 44.9 inches tall, 78.7 inches wide and 178.8-inches long, the two-seat, mid-engine ME Four-Twelve was wind tunnel tested in Auburn Hills. The computer controlled active rear spoiler articulates rearward 100 mm to increase down-force to a total of 925 lbs. (421 kg) at 186 mph (300 km/h), while achieving a competitive coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.358.  All body openings have been optimized to achieve maximum thermal performance. Large vented front and rear wheel houses reduce lift as well as active and passive aerodynamic devices that have been implemented to provide stable vehicle performance at all speeds. 
The interior is relatively spacious with 37.2 in (942 mm) of headroom, and 42.7 in (1085 mm) of legroom. A large glass roof panel extends from the windshield to the rear header. Passenger-side adjustable foot support helps keep the co-pilot in position during extreme cornering maneuvers.This vehicle breaks the mold of the super car genre because its packaging can easily accommodate drivers in a wide range of heights.  Ease of access to driving controls was a primary focus.  For example, there are steering wheel mounted controls, including a column mounted F-1 racing style paddle shifter with aluminum shift paddles and centrally mounted driver controls. 
Styling was done by a young and friendly Chrysler designer, Brian Nielander, who normally designs trucks; he worked directly with engineers and aerodynamics experts to shape the interior and exterior and make sure that the engineers did not make the ME-412 uncomfortable. Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer - Chrysler Group, said, "It's everything we—ve learned about creating exciting, desirable automobiles.  And, as such, it's not really a concept car but is, in fact, a prototype that will be road-ready by summer."
 
With a curb weight of just 2880 lbs. (1310 kg), the ME Four-Twelve has the weight-to-power ratio of 3.4 lbs/bhp — a new performance record.  In actual Chrysler speed runs, the ME Four-Twelve goes from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds, and it will blister through the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at 135 mph.  The estimated top speed of the ME Four-Twelve is 248 mph (400 km/h). The vehicle is designed and packaged to achieve outstanding thermal performance under extreme operating conditions.  Its large capacity, high-efficiency engine-cooling system allows this engine to retain optimum thermal performance — a key advantage in the super car arena. The 7-speed Ricardo Double Clutch Transmission was developed specifically for this vehicle and features the latest double wet-clutch technology and electronic control strategy.  The exclusive transmission delivers uninterrupted torque to the rear wheels with 200 millisecond shift times. The double wet-clutch technology appears to come from Chrysler.

Chrysler official website

Dodge Viper

This high-performance two-seat sports car comes as a coupe or as a convertible with a manual folding fabric top and heated glass rear window. Standard equipment includes racing-style seats, power-adjustable pedals, keyless entry and a 300-watt audio system with in-dash CD changer.But the most endearing aspect of the Viper is that it remains a gruff beast. An 8.4-liter V10 engine delivers 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. Though modern cars are increasingly equipped with the latest safety features, the Viper remains true to its visceral roots. There are neither side-impact airbags nor traction or stability control. Inside, the cabin is a collection of hard plastic panels and parts pin switches. In order to achieve the performance gains, the Viper's V10 engine isplacement has been increased from 8.3 to 8.4 litres by increasing the bore by 1-millimeter. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling. Several exterior differences exist between the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe. In fact, the only body panels they share are front fascia and fenders, hood and doors.

Dodge Viper
Base Price	86,000 $
Power	600 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.9 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	190 mph

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V-10 sends its power through a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous larger-diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch-pedal effort and improved engagement feel.Viper SRT10's 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Dodge Viper rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels available in three styles: the five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes.

Dodge Official Site 

Enzo Ferrari

The Enzo was initially announced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show with a limited production run of 349 units and priced at US$ 643,330. The company sent invitations to existing customers, and all 349 cars were sold in this way before production began. The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder Ferrari supercar named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari . It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fiber body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs . Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics. After a maximum downforce of 1709 pounds is reached at 186 mph (301 km/h) the rear spoiler is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.
The chassis is made entirely from carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb sandwich panels. It is immensely rigid - for excellent handling, immensely strong - for maximum crash protection, and light, weighing just 202 lb (92 kg). The body panels clothing this strong chassis are also made using advanced composite materials. The doors hinge upwards and forwards, assisted by gas struts, to allow easy access to the cabin. The Enzo passes all current and many future crash safety standards.
 

Enzo Ferrari Data
Base Price	640,000 USD
Power	660 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.65 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	362 km/h (225 mph)

Never before has the styling of a Ferrari by Pininfarina been so directly derived from its function. The nose section of the Enzo is heavily influenced by Formula 1 and the entire body is shaped to ensure optimum airflow for cooling the engine and brakes, while generating unprecedented levels of grip-enhancing downforce with minimal aerodynamic drag. The under-car ground effects are so efficient that the large rear wing required by many supercars is not needed. The aerodynamic balance of the car is maintained at speed by automatic adjustments to the position of twin front flaps and a single rear spoiler.
On January 17 , 2005 , Ferrari announced that it would build one additional Enzo, bringing the total to 400. It was ceremonially presented to Pope John Paul II by a large group of Ferrari's employees and partners, including F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello . Luca di Montezemolo , President of Ferrari, offered to donate the auction proceedings of this extraordinary vehicle for humanitarian purposes. The Pope then requested that the car be auctioned off to benefit the Caritas charity. The car, chassis #ZFFCZ56B000141920, was auctioned by Sotheby's Maranello Auction on June 28 , 2005 to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami for €950,000 ( US$ 1,274,229) over 50% more than its list price. This sum was presented to Pope Benedict XVI , John Paul's successor, while Formula One driver Michael Schumacher gave the pope a steering wheel to commemorate the donation. This wheel included a plaque which read, "The Formula 1 World Champion's steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Christianity's driver."
 
As the result of the Enzo, Ferrari have decided to use some of the technology developed for it in a small-scale program to get more feedback from certain customers for use in future car design as well as their racing program. The core of this program is a car called the Ferrari FXX . It is loosely based on the Enzo's design with a highly-tuned 6.2 liter version of the Enzo's engine putting out roughly 800 PS (789 hp/588 kW). The gearbox is new as well as the tires (custom-designed for this car by Bridgestone ) and the brakes (developed by Brembo ). In addition, the car is fitted with extensive data-recording and telemetry systems to allow Ferrari to record the car's behavior. This information will be used by Ferrari to develop their next supercar.
The Enzo is powered by a new, ultra-light, 6.0-litre V12 engine, which has a number of unique technical features. The performance goals for the engine were very high power - 110 bhp per litre - with generous torque from low revs and a driveable nature. More than 383 lb ft of torque is generated at 3,000 rpm and variable inlet and exhaust valves, together with electronic management for each row of cylinders and a drive-by-wire throttle, ensures that the engine is extremely responsive. Like an F1 car, the gearbox in the Enzo is coupled directly to the rear of the engine by a casting that doubles as the engine oil tank. The six-speed gearbox adopts triple cone synchronisers on all ratios to ensure smooth changes, which are entrusted entirely to an electrohydraulic system activated by the driver using paddles behind the steering wheel. A fully automatic option is not offered.

Ferrari Official Sit

Ferrari F430

The Ferrari F430 integrates F1-racing technology into its powertrain, chassis and body aerodynamics to bring racing performance to the road. This is a blisteringly fast and stonkingly hi-tech bit of kit, made all the more so by the uncompromising, and uncompromisingly pricey,No mid-engine supercar is going to be terribly practical and the F430 is no exception.The F430 is available with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years for its road-going berlinettas.The twin air intakes on the nose are typical of a modern supercar, but here they are also redolent of the 1961 Formula One 'sharknose' Ferrari's snout. The side intakes just below the windows are like those of a 1965 250 LM, while the tail-lights, surfacing above the rear panel like emerging whales, mimic the Enzo's.

Ferrari F430
Base Price	187,000 $
Power	490 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	197 mph (317 km/h)

The F430 features a new cast-aluminum transmission casing that houses the gearbox in unit with the electronic differential and bevel type final drive, as well as the engine oil tank. The 6-speed gearbox incorporates multicone synchronizers, while both the 6th gear and the final drive have been lengthened to make the most of the greater power and torque of the new engine.The F430’s interior has been re-designed for improved driver ergonomics. The instruments are housed in a new binnacle, and this design together with the layout of the dashboard underlines the care that has gone into grouping all the major controls in front of the driver within easy reach. In the driver’s direct line of sight are the rev counter, which features new graphics with a choice of either a red or yellow background and a new metal surround, the digital readout of the gear ratio selected (F1 version) and a multi-function display.

Ferrari Official Site 

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari has taken the wraps off its latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined supercar ahead of the two-seater's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.At 127HP per liter, the new V8 engine has the highest output per liter in the company's production-model history.Designed by Pininfarina, the 458 Italia clearly takes some styling cues from Ferrari’s racing-inspired Enzo.The name, 458 Italia, comes from its new 4.5-liter V-8 engine, which will be mounted behind the cockpit in a midrear layout. The engine features direct fuel injection and the best horsepower-per-cylinder output of any Ferrari.The 458 tops out at 9000 rpm and Ferrari redesigned the gear ratio so that 80% of its torque is available at the low 3250 rpm. The powertrain combines with the compact, aerodynamic shape and lightweight aluminum structure to provide a 0 to 62 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 MPH.

Ferrari 458 Italia
Base Price	?
Power	562 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	202 mph (325 kmh)

Despite the fact that the new engine is significantly more powerful than the V8s that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia produces just 320 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 13.7 l/100 km , the best in the entire segment.It won’t just be a straight-line monster, either: integrated and remapped versions of the F430’s differential and traction control systems which give the 458 32 per cent more longitudinal acceleration out of corners than its predecessor.The relatively lightweight aluminum chassis results in a 3,042 lbs dry weight with performance numbers suggesting 0-62 mph sprints of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. The 458 Italia is the first Ferrari V8 to break the 200 mph mark.

Ferrari Official Site 

Ferrari 599 GTB

With the release of the 599 GTB Fiorano Ferrari is presenting its most powerful V12-engined production car of all time. Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari's Vice General Manager will announce today at the Detroit Motor Show the birth of the latest model developed in Maranello. The new car is a concentration of Ferrari's most innovative and technologically advanced engineering solutions applied to a mid-front engined two-seater coupé. The result is a new benchmark for performance, driver involvement and design. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano boasts class-leading power thanks to its 5,999cc V12 - derived directly from the Enzo Ferrari supercar – which produces no less than 620hp at 7,600 rpm for a weight/power ratio of just 2.6 kg per horsepower.  The new car is a concentration of Ferrari's most innovative and technologically advanced engineering solutions applied to a mid-front engined two-seater coupe. The result is a new benchmark for performance, driver involvement and design. The unmistakable Pininfarina design gives the Ferrari 559 GTB aggressive yet elegant lines which are perfectly integrated with the advanced aerodynamic solutions adopted to reach the performance figures attainable. This new model is the symbol of Ferrari's production - the V12 berlinetta - and represents the latest interpretation of a theme that has seen such classics as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB, and the 365 GTB4. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano replaces the last in that great line of berlinettas, the 575M Maranello, of which - together with the 550 Maranello introduced in 1996 - no fewer than 5,700 have been produced, a record for this type of model for the Prancing Horse.

This new model is the symbol of Ferrari's production - the V12 berlinetta - and represents the latest interpretation of a theme that has seen such classics as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB, and the 365 GTB4. The Ferrari 599 GTB replaces the last in that great line of berlinettas, the 575M Maranello, of which - together with the 550 Maranello introduced in 1996 - no fewer than 5,700 have been produced, a record for this type of model for the Prancing Horse.

The Ferrari 599 GTB boasts class-leading power thanks to its 5,999cc V12 - derived directly from the Enzo Ferrari supercar - which produces no less than 620hp at 7,600 rpm for a weight/power ratio of just 2.6 kg per horsepower. Ferrari has adopted the latest evolution in its tried and tested all-aluminium construction technology for the body and chassis.

Ferrari 599 GTB
Base Price	?
Power	620.00 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.7 s
Zero to 100 mph	7.4 s
Top speed	205 mph (329.8 km/h)

The 599 GTB Fiorano is the succesor of the Ferrari 575M Maranello launched in 2002 - an updated Ferrari 550 featuring minor styling changes from Pininfarina. Updates from the 550 include a renewed interior, but with substantial improvements inside, including bigger brake discs, a larger and more powerful engine, a different weight distribution, refined aerodynamics and fluid-dynamics and an adaptive suspension set-up (the four independent suspensions are also controlled by the gearbox, to minimize pitch throughout the 200-milliseconds gear shift). Two six-speed transmissions are available, a conventional manual gearbox and, for the first time on a Ferrari V12, Magneti Marelli's semi-automatic (sequential) 'F1' gearbox. The model number refers to the engine's capacity in litres, whilst the 'M' is an abbreviation of 'modificato' or 'modified'. The technical specification of the engine speaks for itself: 366 cu in displacement, a specific power output of 103 bhp/liter (a first for a naturally aspirated production engine of this displacement). A balance has been struck in the interior between the car's sporty vocation and the feeling of intimacy and safety that only skilled hand-crafting and detailed personalization can achieve. The passenger areas of the car are trimmed in sumptuous leather while the driver area and controls boast more high-tech detailing in carbon-fiber and aluminum.
Twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank boast continuously variable timing on both inlet and exhaust cams to optimize torque delivery and drivability at both low and high revs. A twin-plate, low inertia clutch in unit with the engine also helps lower the centre of gravity. Chain driven distribution reduces noise and is maintenance-free. The Fiorano's V12 engine delivers a maximum torque of 446 lb-ft at 5,600 rpm and means that the car pulls well at all engine speeds. The new model's breathtaking sportiness is due in part to record maximum revs for an engine of this displacement

Ferrari Official Site 

Ferrari California

The new GT joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder family and slots in just below the 612 Scaglietti with its new V8 which for the first time in their history is placed in the mid-front position of the car. Despite earlier predictions of a coupe model, the California will be exclusively available as a convertible featuring a folding hard top.oth chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new 4,300 cc V8 engine, mounted for the first time in the marque’s history in the mid-front position. Power is 460hp.

In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft.The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

Ferrari California
Base Price	190,000 $
Power	460 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	310 km/h

In addition to sporting the marque's classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari's own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

Ferrari Official Site

Fisker Tramonto

Henrik Fisker, recently of Ford's Global Advanced Design Studio fame, is the man responsible for Aston Martins such as the DB-9 and the AM-V8 Vantage, as well as BMW's sleek Z8 roadster. The Fisker Coachbuild 2006 Tramonto is a sculpted statement of exotic, two-seat, open-air motoring. Beneath the skin, the engineering excellence of what its base architecture once was, a Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG, remains.Take a casual glance at the new car's muscular lines. Gaps between body panels are tight and uniform. Aluminum and carbon fiber, materials that befit an exotic sports car, make up the body panels. Steel is used judiciously, to enhance structural rigidity.Buyers interested in purchasing a 2006 Fisker Tramonto might face a challenge in obtaining their very own copy. Mr. Fisker promises that all of his company’s models, now and in the future, will be limited to a production run of only 150 units.

Fisker Tramonto
Base Price	300,000 $
Power	610 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.6 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	325 km/h 202 mph

Compared to its original platform, the Tramonto is reproportioned with a shorter back end, a longer-looking hood line with a pronounced power dome, and no visual bumpers. It is poised, balanced, sculptured…and exotic. From any angle, the message is uncompromisingly beautiful.All seat and fascia surfaces are expertly hand trimmed and hand stitched, in a selection of super-premium, soft yet durable Italian leathers. Milled aluminum highlights the center console, and aluminum details accent the switch gear – joining with leather to form the strong Fisker logo bars on the gear shift knob.

Fisker Official Site 

Ford GT

The Ford GT was unveiled as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2002. It was the centerpiece of Ford's aggressive product onslaught in answer to a challenging period for the company. Weeks later, Ford Chairman Bill Ford announced that the Ford GT would go into production, and he challenged the team to have the first three production cars ready not in the usual four or five-year timeframe, but for the Ford Centennial celebration scheduled just 15 months later.


The team met the chairman's challenge. Three Ford GTs - one of them driven by Bill Ford himself - were in the Centennial parade. The Ford GT delivers 550 horsepower and a certified 205-mph top track speed rating, with styling inspired by the historic racecars and a comfortable and contemporary interior, all for a base price of under $140,000.
 

Ford GT Data
Base Price	$149,995
Power	550 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.6 s
Zero to 100 mph	7.8 s
Top speed	205 mph

Camillo Pardo the head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of Jay Mays. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's classic GT40 race cars of the 1960s and the GT is sometimes mistaken for its 1960s counterpart.Positive response on the auto show circuit in 2002 helped persuade the company to produce the car in limited quantities, and the first production versions appeared in 2003 . It is a very high-performance, two-seater vehicle with a strong styling resemblance to its racing ancestor and performance to match.
 
An ultra high-performance two-seat sports car, the Ford GT is built on an aluminum spaceframe chassis with super-plastic-formed aluminum body panels and an aluminum-over-carbon engine cover.
A mid-mounted supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 delivers 500 pound-feet of torque. Power flows to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transaxle. Independent suspension, large Brembo brakes and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires on 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels all are standard equipment.

Just a few months after the car's introduction, Car & Driver magazine in its January 2004 cover story "Judgment Day!" clocked the Ford GT's 0-60 mile-per-hour acceleration at 3.3 seconds and quarter-mile performance at 11.6 seconds at 128 mph. In the same test, Ferrari's $193,000 Challenge Stradale took four seconds to reach 60 mph and was 0.8 seconds and 13 mph slower through the quarter-mile. Other tests, even with much more expensive exotic sports cars, have shown similar results.

Ford official website

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The Ford Shelby GT500 starts with the solid Mustang underpinnings. The all-new Mustang was designed from the beginning with performance derivatives in mind, providing an exceptionally rigid, well-engineered starting point for GT500 chassis engineers.With its 5.4L V8 engine, the car is capable of outputting an estimated 500 hp and 480 lb.-ft. of torque.To match this power and handling ability, engineers fitted some of the biggest brakes in the business to the Ford Shelby GT500. Four-piston Brembo calipers are fitted to 14-inch Brembo vented rotors up front, and 11.8-inch vented discs in the rear continue SVT's legacy of great-braking Mustangs.GT500 features a MacPherson strut independent front suspension with Reverse L lower control arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear suspension with coil springs and a Panhard rod for precise control.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
Base Price	55,000 $
Power	500 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	4.3 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	?

The Shelby GT500 Mustang rides on 18 x 9.5-inch machined aluminum wheels with SVT center caps. It features P255/45Z18 front tires and P285/40ZR18 rear tires. Braking is achieved with the help of Brembo 14-inch vented discs fitted with four-piston aluminum calipers in the front and 11.8-inch diameter vented discs fitted with two-piston calipers in the back.he engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel mixture via a "Roots-type" supercharger providing 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost. The GT500 uses a cast-iron engine block. It borrows from the Ford GT program aluminum, four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings, adding a high level of performance durability to the drivetrain. "Powered by SVT" camshaft covers add the finishing touch to the engine.

Ford official website

Gumpert Apollo

The Apollo is the perfect synthesis of road vehicle and track car. It evokes passion and driving pleasure beyond all expectations: 650 HP, 360 km/h (224 mph) top speed and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3 seconds, you would have to go a long way to find an alternative to the Apollo. The complete package is available in a cost-benefit ratio that cannot be matched in this exclusive vehicle class. As a pure high-performance sports car with racing qualities which is also approved for use on the road, the Apollo sets new standards.
In its profile, the Apollo's dynamic appearance is further enhanced by its dimensions (4.46 m length, almost 2 m width and 1.24 m height) and its streamlined, long and wide shoulder lines. The mid-engine layout is emphasised by the cockpit, which is clearly located toward the front of the vehicle, and the long wheel base; both factors ensuring optimum driving qualities. Massive air inlets and outlets in the front, and on the side in front of and behind the doors, leave no doubt about its potency. They supply the two turbo-chargers and the high-performance braking system with enough fresh air to ensure that the car maintains optimum operation for the duration of a race. The high-set air intake for the engine is reminiscent of Formula 1 vehicles and underscores the Apollo's racing character. Vents in the back and rear of the car body allow curious onlookers a view of the drive aggregate and the chassis.

Gumpert Apollo
Base Price	N/A
Power	650 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.0 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	224 mph

About three years ago there was a vision of a new super sports car: A car, which combined the highest dynamics with unmatched driving capabilities. It was supposed to be a street-legal car and ready for racing it on the track as well. Last but not least, Mr. Gumpert wanted it to offer the best value for money you could get among the super sports cars.

Starting from there, the technical parameters to be met were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. At the end of this process the first 1:4 scale model of the car was produced in 2002 – Apollo was born.
Engineers have constantly striven to further develop technology to the boundaries of what is technically feasible. The results are technical masterpieces that bring mankind one step closer to the thrill of speed and the dream of flying and driving.
We strive to satisfy our customers' dreams of a powerful, exclusive and unique sports car - a vehicle that provides a breathtaking driving experience and also has the potential to win on race tracks across the world. An ideal weight balance of 42 to 58 percent between the front and rear axis rounds it off: During acceleration it provides optimum traction whilst ensuring stable control even when braking in critical situations.


The secret of the Apollo is an innovative construction concept that, in contrast to conventional car body constructions, creates a perfect symbiosis of optimum safety and maximum performance with the minimum of weight. The construction is so effective, torsion-resistant and non-elastic, and it has such first class crash properties, that it has already been homologised for use in a variety of racing series by the German Motor Sports Association (DMSB) and the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA). It satisfies the high requirements for front and side crash situations in motor sports and of course all of the requirements outlined by the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). The Apollo is a made-to-measure sports car and in line with this principle, customers can design the interior to meet their preferences, be it pure performance or somewhat more luxurious. For those who prefer the performance-oriented version, less is more, as they equate more comfort with more weight resulting in a touch less performance. Those looking for a little more comfort may prefer top quality leather seats and a full leather instrument panel including an eye-catching centrally positioned revcounter. The air conditioning system guarantees the perfect interior temperature when travelling. The high-end navigation system with DVD-Player and sound system helps you get from A to B and delivers in-car entertainment.
The fully-synchronised, sequential six-speed transmission, that incorporates Formula 1 know-how, guarantees the efficient implementation of the energy generated. The short gear paths allow high speed gear changes. The arrangement of the gears in a longitudinal direction in the path of travel ensures that the centre of gravity is very low and that the weight is optimally distributed. The characteristic sound of the double-flow exhaust system of the Apollo with its 3-way catalytic converters says it best - the Apollo is pure, unbeatable performance as reflected in the data: The maximum performance of 478 kW (641 HP) at 6,000 revs per minute, 360 km/h (224mph) top speed depending on the selected aerodynamic package and the maximum torque of 850 Nm (626.9 lb ft) at 4,500 rev/min are figures that, in combination with the suspension system, ensures a driving experience of the highest order. Like a comet, the Apollo catapults the pilot from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just three seconds and only needs 8.9 seconds from 0 to 200 km/h (0-124 mph). For connoisseurs who do not necessarily connect driving enjoyment with maximum motor performance and ultimate acceleration, the engine is also ideally suited for day-to-day driving at lower speeds.

Gumpert Official Site 

Hulme CanAm

After six years of development, the orange-and-black Hulme CanAm roadster finally saw light at the New Zealand round of A1GP. Hulme CanAm, after renowned New Zealand F1 champion, Denny Hulme, the high performance car is scheduled to launch in 2010.It will be made at a pace of 25 cars a year until the 150 units limit is reached. The expected price tag for it is 295,000 Euro.Created for both road and track use, the car blends the raw flavour and appeal of a formula racing car with dramatic design, traditional craftsmanship, exceptional performance and a thrilling driving experience.

Hulme Can Am
Base Price	295,000 Euro
Power	600 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	200 mph

As a consequence of its lightweight construction, the Hulme CanAm weighs in at less than 1,000kg but, despite its sensational performance and emphatic race car credentials, Hulme Supercars’ design and development focus has been on driveability with handling dynamics optimised for maximum driving enjoyment on track and on the road.

Hulme official website

Lamborghini Murcielago

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a 2-seat, 2-door coupé (with the now familiar gull-wing doors) based on the traditional. Lamborghini layout: mid-mounted V12 engine, permanent four-wheel drive with central viscous coupler, typical Lamborghini transmission with the gearbox mounted in front of the engine and the rear differential integrated into the engine unit. This engine/transmission layout, successfully employed by Lamborghini for more than 30 years, affords an optimal weight distribution (42% front and 58% rear) with conspicuous advantages for traction, braking and handling. The Murciélago chassis has been stiffened considerably to achieve optimal torsional rigidity. The suspension design (independent double wishbones) represents the best possible solution for a high-performance GT and, again, is in keeping with Lamborghini tradition.
The styling of the new Lamborghini Murciélago wasn't designed by an Italian, but by Luc Donckerwolcke, a Belgian designer working for Audi AG, who was also responsible for the Audi A2 design. The Murciélago received a rather angular design, one could say it was a direct successor to the Countach, using similar angular lines at the front, although completely up to date. Some Diablo influence is also visible, while the engine cover reminds you of the legendary Miura, it is therefore safe to say, that even if it wasn't designed in Italy, the design team did use some of the most famous Lamborghini models from the past to take the new Lamborghini model one step ahead into the future.
 

Lamborghini Murcielago
Base Price	$281,100
Power	580 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.6 s
Zero to 100 mph	9.5 s
Top speed	205 mph / 330 kph

October 5th, 1897. A fighting bull named Murciélago takes stage with matador Rafael Molina 'Largertijo' in front of an Spanish crowd. A viscous confrontation ensues. Murciélago takes over 24 spears and manages to continue fighting on. Astonishingly, the animal's life is spared and Murciélago is declared one of the the strongest bulls of all time. Murciélago went on to father a formidable line of bulls that extents right down to present day.
It's Murciélago's enduring ferocity that Lamborghini offers with the release of their latest supercar. Named after the fighting bull, this trapezoid-shaped car lends styling cues from the previous Lamborghini's, with better performance and drivability than ever before.

The highlight of the car is two rear wings which seamlessly pop up for engine cooling. Not only does this increase the aesthetic value of the car while at a standstill, it functions as a dynamic system for cooling efficiency. Lamborghini calls this system the Variable Air-Flow Cooling System. VACS uses active intakes with adjustable aperture up to 20 degrees that suit the driving conditions.
The VACS is complemented by a second dynamic aero device. The rear spoiler changes up to 70 degrees at 220kph to offer stability at high speeds. When the spoiler reaches the its open position, the aerodynamic drag increases from 0.33 Cd to 0.36 Cd, a worthwhile trade off to ensure an aerodynamic equilibrium at all speeds.
 
The Murciélago's engine which complies with the strictest emission standards in the world, including those of the United States, Japan and Europe is a 12-cylinder 60° V with a displacement of 6192 cc, made entirely from aluminum alloy and designed for unleaded fuel, producing 580 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 650 Nm torque at 5400 rpm. Torque delivery is optimized across the entire engine operating band (even at engine speeds relatively low for a sports car) thanks to the adoption of a variable-geometry intake system (VIS), variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust camshafts, and the "drive-by-wire" electronic throttle control, which makes for reduced emissions, improved idle speed control and improved driveability. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that at just 2000 rpm, the Murciélago produces more torque than maximum value attained by the majority of Granturismo cars in today's market.

Lamborghini official website

Lamborghini Reventon

The Lamborghini Reventón has been entirely designed in Sant'Agata Bolognese, the original birthplace of the Lamborghini and the native home of every super car born under the sign of the bull. The Lamborghini Reventón is not destined to remain a one-off. A total of 20 Lamborghini friends and collectors will be able to own this extraordinary car and, naturally, enjoy the incomparable pleasure of driving it. To be dubbed Reventon , it's based on the Murcielago LP640, and it'll cost a breezy one-million euros.

Lamborghini Reventon
Base Price	1,400,000 $
Power	650 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.3 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	211 mph / 340 km/h

The Reventon, powered by a 650-horsepower 6.5L V-12 and wrapped in CFC carbon fiber composite, has harsh, angular lines down to the spiky arrow nose. Although it is based on the extraordinarily successful Murciélago LP640, the exterior design of the Reventón is completely new. Just like the base model, the exterior is made of CFC, a composite carbon fibre material, which is as stable as it is light. The exterior components are glued and fixed to the body comprised of CFC and steel. The technology found in the Murcielago LP640 has not been modified. The engine in the LP640 forwards is the classic twelve-cylinder engine with 6.5 liter displacement. Only for this car, Lamborghini guarantees, an astounding 650 bhp at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The huge torque, equal to maximum 487 lb-ft, ensures a powerful switch from any number of revolutions: even the slightest pressure on the accelerator is spontaneously transformed into thrust.

Lamborghini Official Site 

Maserati GranTurismo

In fact, the new GranTurismo is not quite as much of a tool for hard-driving as the car it replaces, especially the rorty GranSport, Maserati having configured this bigger, heavier coupe as more of a luxuriant long-distance mile-masher. But though it's slower than the outgoing car - the penalty for that extra weight and a 405bhp engine that has barely been altered - do not go away with the impression that this car falls short. The new car provides slightly more room, front and rear, though the boot, as with the old model, certainly isn't going to house the luggage of four holidaying occupants unless they stick with their favourite jeans. They'll find luxuriant compensation in the GranTuismo's cabin, which is even more richly furnished than the old car's, and in another league compared to its rivals bar the Aston.

Maserati Gran Turismo
Base Price	$115,000
Power	400 hp
Zero to 60 mph	5.1 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	285 km/h (177 mph)

Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pinin Farina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The GranTurismo is a close relative of Maserati's Quattroporte saloon, sharing its mechanicals and understructure, the key difference being a 125mm shorter wheeebase, and a shorter rear overhang. Which is why this car is noticeably bigger than the outgoing Coupe, and why it weighs more than it should. But it also means that it promises engaging road manners, this being one of the Quattroporte's finer features, besides a potent and civilised powertrain.
The new coupe is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 HP, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. Having never successfully fought the 911, Maserati is abandoning that cutthroat market for greener ($) pastures now being grazed by the BMW 6 Series, Jag XKR, Mercedes CL-Class, and a few Bentley Continental GTs and Aston DB9s. Buyers in that crowd don't cotton to do-it-yourself shifting, nor do they adore a bone-crushing ride. They also demand a reasonable rear seat, and the GranTurismo's now seems competitive with the bigs in the class-Mercedes CL, Conti GT , and even Ferrari 's 612 Scaglietti , though proper comparative SAE dimensions aren't available. Mechanically, the car is a Quattroporte automatic with 4.8 inches sawed out of the wheelbase and 2.6 inches off the tail. The drivetrain and "Skyhook" adaptive suspension are tailored to the GranTurismo's sportier mission. Press the dash button marked "Sport" and throttle responsiveness increases 20 percent, the dampers stiffen to curtail body roll and float, and the transmission shift logic becomes more aggressive.
With 51 percent of its weight on the rear axle (even more with people onboard), a limited-slip differential, providing 25-percent lockup under power and 45-percent on overrun, and Pirelli PZero Rosso tires that are wider in back (285/40-19s versus 245/40-19s in front), the car is setup for neutral to understeering behavior, and it's nearly impossible to kick the tail out in the dry, even with the stability control switched off.

Maserati Official Site 

Maserati MC12

Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 km/h at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car. It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface. The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati's return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light, inspired by the equally impressive single-series protagonist. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati?s Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.
The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coupe-spider with a long wheel base (2800 mm). It has a typical racing/sporty set-up with a removable hard top. It is also powered by an impressive 630 hp six-litre mid-rear V12 engine and boasts 41%-front and 59%-rear weight distribution. Highly advanced composites and alloys have enhanced its structural rigidity and kept its overall weight down.

Maserati MC 12
Base Price	$795,000
Power	630 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.8 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	205.1 mph / 330 km/h

Maserati has designed a new road-going Grand Tourer known as the MC12 from which a GT racing version has also been developed. The result is that 37 long years after its last victory in an international championship (1967, Cooper Maserati F1, South African Grand Prix), the Trident is returning to the track. The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coupe-spider with a long wheel base (2800 mm). It has a typical racing/sporty set-up with a removable hard top. It is also powered by an impressive 630 hp six-litre mid-rear V12 engine and boasts 41%-front and 59%-rear weight distribution. Highly advanced composites and alloys have enhanced its structural rigidity and kept its overall weight down. The MC12?s bodywork is entirely carbon fibre, while its stress-bearing chassis is made from a carbon fibre and Nomex honeycomb sandwich. Two aluminium sub-chassis support the ancillaries, help absorb bumps, and guarantee an excellent standard of safety.
The MC12 benefits from all of the Ferrari Maserati Group?s most advanced technologies and competition experience. It boasts a powerful naturally aspirated 12-cylinder 65° V engine that displaces 5998 cc and punches out 465 kW at 7500 rpm. Designed to meet the specific needs and characteristics of a road-going Maserati, it also offers absolutely excellent drivability. The MC12 delivers a maximum torque of 652 Nm at 5500 rpm and remains exceptionally nimble and fluid, even at low engine speeds. It has an aluminium crankcase, titanium con rods, and extremely aerodynamically efficient four-valve cylinder heads to boot. Distribution is by way of four overhead camshafts per cylinder which are gear-driven, a solution that offers perfect timing control. The dry sump lubrication also boasts a highly efficient scavenger pump.
The MC12 has independent wishbone suspension front and rear with anti-dive and anti-squat geometries and push-rod suspension. This set-up offers very progressive suspension response for exceptional handling precision under all conditions. The front of the car can be raised for parking ramps and the 19? wheels are attached via a single centre locking wheel nut. It also boasts Pirelli tyres: 245/35 (front) and 345/35 (rear). The cabin boasts an easily removable top, which instantly converts the MC12 from a coupe to a spider. The cabin itself is the epitome of elegance and sportiness. It is simple and understated, typical of an extreme car yet also displaying the meticulous care and finish that have become a classic Trident signature. There is exceptional harmony between the high tech-effect carbon features, the perforated leather trim and the stunning yet high-grip tough technical fabric too.

The upper part of the leather and carbon-trimmed steering wheel is slightly flattened. The dashboard, with its clean tailored lines, is characteristically Maserati. The instruments are organised around a central and prominent speedometer, placed directly in front of the driver. The center console includes the controls for the climate control system, and two of its four vents. Set at the intersection of the console and the central tunnel is the characteristic oval clock, and the blue engine Start button. Other controls are laid out on the titanium-coloured stylised central tunnel which also includes a storage compartment and a 12 volt outlet.

Maserati Official Site

Maserati Quattroporte

The majestic new Pininfarina-designed Maserati Quattroporte is a curvaceous yet aggressive-looking, big, five-metre long saloon that hails the rebirth of the “Italian flagship car”. The Quattroporte is the ultimate embodiment of qualities for which Italy is renowned throughout the world: an appreciation of beauty and good living, elegance, sophisticated engineering, genuinely sporty temperament and alluring exclusivity. A host of other features also turn this new Maserati into a truly exclusive car: a highly sophisticated, light, compact yet thrillingly responsive 4.2-litre 90° V8 that punches out 400bhp; the Skyhook automatic damping system; the renowned MSP (Maserati Stability Program); electronically controlled power steering; and a powerful braking system.
Now render those lines in aluminum, add a 400-horsepower, Ferrari-built wonder of an engine, and spread around an obscene amount of velvety leather. Never ones for self-restraint, the folks at Maserati elected to offer the Quattroporte in 4 million different bespoke configurations ? you can choose mahogany or rosewood, nero leather or grigio, and so on. Buyers can outfit their Quattros with GPSs, rear veneered tables that emerge from hidden pockets, DVD systems, Bose stereos, ventilated seats that cool and massage, and even a button in the rear that, when pushed, maneuvers the front passenger seat forward, to allow for more legroom on those rare occasions when you prefer to be driven rather than drive.

Maserati Quattroporte
Base Price	115,000 $
Power	390 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	5.1 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	165 mph

The purity of the technical solutions adopted for the Quattroporte, the lack of any fussy details or complications, the sensuality of a line created by the world's most celebrated stylist, and a sophisticated bespoke leather and wood interior personalised to suit each individual owner, all combine to make the new Quattroporte absolutely irresistible. In a confirmed enthusiast, just the sight of the Quattroporte can make the heart race, perspiration bead, and muscles quiver with anticipation. With the keys to the ignition in hand, the effect is quadrupled. Emblazoned with a dominant trident badge in the center of the massive grille, the Quattroporte's appearance and pedigree intoxicate, casting a spell even before the big V8 engine under the hood roars to life. Driving the Quattroporte, caressing the soft leather steering wheel rim while goosing its Ferrari-sourced engine through the accelerator pedal, is like a triple-shot dose of espresso, setting every nerve on full alert.

Maserati Official Site

Maybach Exelero

The 700-hp two-seater with a V-12 biturbo engine is a unique custom model produced for Fulda Reifenwerke, which is using the Maybach Exelero as a reference vehicle for a newly developed generation of wide tyres. The German manufacturer of luxury cars built the unique model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined sports car from the 1930s, thereby forging a link with the historical predecessor, which at that time was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile (SW 38) and used by Fulda for tyre tests.
A one-off custom-built Maybach was unveiled yesterday at the Tempodrom in Berlin. Commissioned by tyre company Fulda, the Exelero is a chopped-down two-seater coupe, though it's more than just a show car - in tests at the Nardo high-speed oval, the prototype reached a speed of 218.38mph, despite weighing over 2.66 tonnes. It is capable of acceleration from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

Maybach Exelero
Base Price	N/A
Power	700 hp
Zero to 60 mph	4.4 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	218.4 mph / 351.45 km/h

The car's design was the result of a competition amongst students at the Pforzheim Polytechnic Department of Transport Design, which has worked on show vehicles for Fulda in the past. The design of 24-year-old Fredrik Burchhardt was chosen, and his work was co-ordinated with that of the Maybach design centre in Sindelfingen. The project, based on the Maybach 57 limousine, required a certain amount of re-engineering; the A-pillar and doors had to be shifted rearwards, and the steering column, pedals and gearshift all re-located. The standard 550bhp V12 engine was bored out to 5.9 litres, and tuned for 700bhp and over 738lb ft of torque. With final dimensions of 5890mm long, 2140mm wide and just 1390mm high, the car was kitted out with a full-spec interior, including leather, neoprene, aluminium and carbonfibre finishes.

Maybach says the car, built by Stola in Turin, is "a one-off vehicle created to showcase the new ultra-high performance Excelero tyre range from leading tyre manufacturer Fulda"; it's not the first time the two companies have teamed up, as back in 1938 Fulda demonstrated its tyres on a Maybach SW 38 limousine. There are, however, "no plans to produce the model in series", though it has been certified for on-road use.
The German manufacturer of luxury cars built the unique model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined sports car from the 1930s, thereby forging a link with the historical predecessor, which at that time was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile (SW 38) and used by Fulda for tyre tests.
The Exelero embodies the highest expression to date of the Maybach individualisation strategy of offering specific custom solutions on request. In initial tests on the high-speed track in Nardo (Italy), the unique vehicle reached a top speed of 351.45 km/h (FIA*-standard unit of measurement). Developers at Maybach designed the custom model with the participation of students from Pforzheim College. The Exelero was built by the prototype specialists at Stola in Turin (Italy). There are no plans to produce the model in series.

Maybach official website

Mazda Furai

According to Mazda, the Mazda Furai concept – Sound of the wind - incorporates the "Soul of a Sports Car".The car utilizes the Courage C65 chassis the company campaigned in the ALMS series only two seasons ago, and the 450-hp three-rotor rotary engine that distinguishes it from anything else on the track.The Furai's aggressive lines are the product of Mazda's studio in Southern California led by North American design boss Franz Von Holzhausen.Considering the Furai has never seen a wind tunnel, its ability to generate about 80 percent of the downforce of the original race-spec bodywork is respectable.

Mazda Furai
Base Price	N/A
Power	450 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.2 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	180 mph

With the Furai, Mazda is suggesting that this aural deception will soon become a reality as it moves to join Acura and Porsche in an assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.This is a concept car that really will accelerate to 60mph in 3.2sec and power on to 172mph. Through the BP partnership, Furai has been specially tuned to operate on renewable fuels. BP engineers continue to work to optimize other fuels, including investigating new future renewable fuel components. It will probably never see the street or production.

Mazda official

McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 is one of the fastest, most powerful and most expensive road cars ever. It was developed by McLaren Cars Ltd, a subsidiary of one of the world's leading Formula One Teams. The philosophy behind the F1 road car was simple - to be the finest drivers car ever built, or ever likely to be built.
That is the opening statement McLaren Auto offers on their officle homepage. To make that statement true, McLaren set out to produce the McLaren F1;a car that would be suitable for everyday use plus weekend trips to the racetrack.
The F1 features an all carbon composite monocoque and body structure. McLaren chose this material because it offers lightweight for maximum speed and strength to protect its drivers.

Mc Laren F1
Base Price	$1,050,000
Power	627 hp
Zero to 60 mph	3.4 s
Zero to 100 mph	7.7 s
Top speed	240 mph

Emphasis on the design was to get the highest power to weight ratio possible in a comfortable, road worthy machine. Lightweight F1 composites and metals were used throughout the car. Every detail, such as weight and response of the Kenwood stereo components, were given close attention.

The McLaren F1 was the first production to use a complete carbon fiber chassis and body. Such lightweight construction, combined with the BMW S70/2, 620 horsepower engine, helped the McLaren achieve 240.14mph in its XP5 pre-production trim. The success didn't stop on the road however, with special GTR versions winning Le Mans outright in 1995 and taking two FIA GT World Championships.

After the initial production run 100 cars, McLaren have continued to maintain and add custom appointments to customer cars. Treatments such as new aerodynamic packages and custom interiors have been ordered by customers and McLaren has been happy to comply for right price. One such car is chassis #073 which has recently been sold by Christies Inc.
To power the car McLaren uses the BMW S70/2 engine, designed and built specifically for the F1. The engine is a 6.1 litre quad-cam, 48-valve V12 which produces no less than 627 bph and a top speed of 231 mph.
Some interesting features included on the McLaren F1 are a central driving position which offers space for two passengers and one driver, of course. Some other features are the intelligent brake cooling and Ground-Plane Shear'suspension geometry'.

McLaren Cars official website

McLaren MP4-12C

Currently known as the McLaren MP4-12C, it will have a top speed of over 200 miles an hour and be capable of getting from 0-60 mph in under four seconds. This two-seater definitely carries the supercar price tag with the cost of buying this car expected to be more than a quarter million dollars. Building a car better than the original McLaren F1 was always going to be a difficult challenge, and perhaps that is why for McLaren’s next supercar the company isn’t setting its sights too high.British sportscar MP4-12C is a competitor for Ferrari and Lamborghini, design follows similar principles to McLaren’s Formula 1 cars, where everything is for a reason .It's planning on building 1000 units in 2011, a quarter of which will go each to the domestic UK market and over here to the United States.

McLaren MP4-12C
Base Price	265.000 $
Power	600 BHP
Zero to 60 mph	3.9 s
Zero to 100 mph	N/A
Top speed	200 mph | 322 kmh

The 12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, driving through a McLaren seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG).The engine also revs to 8,500rpm, has quick transient throttle response and delivers its torque throughout the rev range. A staggering 80% of torque is available at below 2,000rpm, ensuring great driveability and no need to floor the throttle to deliver performance.

McLaren Official Site