The Fastest Ever Road Going Ferrari: Enzo

Buyers will be invited to the Ferrari factory to have the cockpit of their car tailored to their specific needs. There will be a choice of four width fittings for both the cushion and backrest of the leather trimmed multi-adjustable Sparco seats. The position of the accelerator and brake pedals can be adjusted fore and aft – and sideways to accommodate drivers who prefer to use left-foot braking.

Base Price: 2002 Ferrari Enzo - Approx. $1,000,000 (last update: 2/21/2007)

Power and Glory

The Enzo Ferrari has the engine in a compartment behind the driver — the mid-engine design that is almost universal among high-performance supercars.

The engine itself, which was designed specifically for this car, is a 366-cubic-inch (6.0 liter), aluminum-block V-12, with four valves per cylinder. It cranks out 660 horsepower at 7,800 RPM, and goes from zero to 100 mph (161 kph) in 6.6 seconds. The top speed is estimated at 217 mph, a speed few owners will ever reach. With a compression ratio of 11.2:1, the Enzo needs some high-octane fuel to run properly — just another symptom of its F1 heritage. A dry-sump lubrication system keeps everything running smoothly.

Despite stripping away many of the comforts associated with luxury cars (the Enzo has no radio), the Enzo is not the lightest car in the world. Its curb weight of 3,009 pounds (1,365 kg) gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 4.56 pounds per horsepower (or .219 horsepower per pound). Here are the power-to-weight ratios* of some of the top supercars so you can see where the Enzo fits in:

• Chrysler ME Four-Twelve- .295 hp/lb
• McLaren F1- .251 hp/lb
• Bugatti 16/4 Veyron- .230 hp/lb
• Ferrari Enzo - .219 hp/lb
• 1965 Ford GT40 Mk1- .213 hp/lb
• Ferrari Koenig 360 Modena- .174 hp/lb
• Lamborghini Countach- .139 hp/lb
• Dodge Viper RT/10- .131 hp/lb
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06- .123 hp/lb
• Porsche 911 Turbo- .119 hp/lb
• Ford Mustang Cobra R- .107 hp/lb
• Ferrari Testarossa- .104 hp/lb

*Stats calculated from info at http://www.supercarstats.com

The six-speed transmission is considered manual-only — no automatic transmission is available. However, many enthusiasts argue that in order to be considered manual, a car must have a foot clutch. Since it doesn’t have one, these people prefer to call the Enzo’s transmission “sequential,” or SM (sequential-manual). The term “semi-automatic” is also used.

Almost all of the controls are on the F1-style steering wheel, including the shifting paddles. A series of LEDs on the wheel lets the driver know when the RPMs are high enough to shift, which can be done without removing a hand from the wheel. Other buttons control the selection of gear modes (Sport or Race mode) and a traction control system that can be deactivated.

All that power gets the Enzo from point A to point B very quickly, but European supercars aren’t built to go in a straight line. Next, we’ll look at how the Enzo handles.

Specifications

RS for ‘Rennsport’ – ‘Motorsport’ in German – is one of the most evocative designations in the history of Porsche. Among its many connotations are precision and performance, each refined to their purest form. The latest example offering all this and more is the new 911 GT3 RS.

Developed for the road by Porsche Motorsport, it is also fully prepared for competition use. Every detail is geared for racing, from the special suspension setup to weight-saving components in the gearbox, rear screen and carbon-fibre wing. The result is an integrated and high-performance concept that continues the long and glorious tradition of Porsche racing cars for the road.

Performance is often equated with power – but never by Porsche engineers. For us, it’s more important to find the optimum balance across every area of the car. A prime example is the new 911 GT3 RS, the homologation model for the 911 GT3 RSR. Designed in compliance with the official FIA-N/GT and ACO regulations, it’s a genuine racing car approved for the road.

North America is set to receive its first production version of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Beyond its unique livery, the GT3 RS is distinguished from the GT3 on which it’s based by broader rear flanks and reduced weight, further distilling the driving experience to that of a racing car, but one which meets all the requirements for street-legal sports cars. This purist’s variant of the 911 GT3—a model particularly well-suited for track outings—will arrive in time for spring 2007.

Not since the venerable 1973 911 Carrera RS has such a production Porsche been available in this market. The Carrera RS was a special, lightweight 911 produced to homologate the vehicle for racing. That tradition continues with the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which is modified to serve as the homologation model for a range of worldwide racing series.

The RS’s immediate predecessors have garnered more than 50 victories and five championships in the American Le Mans Series, as well as overall victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The modifications made to the 911 GT3 RS begin with the bodywork. Compared to the GT3, the rear of the RS is 1.7 inches wider, as it is based on the fuller-bodied 911 Carrera 4 models. The muscular-looking rear end conceals a wider track that not only improves directional stability, but also increases the potential for lateral grip on this two-seat coupe.

Despite its specialized body, the Porsche GT3 RS is lighter than the GT3. This weight-saving was achieved through the use of—among other solutions—a carbon fiber composite for the front lid, and an adjustable carbon fiber wing. Modifications on the GT3 RS geared specifically toward race-regulations include the rear wheel carrier, split rear-suspension wishbones, and the carbon-fiber components.

The quick-revving nature and peak output of the Porsche 911 GT3’s 3.6-liter flat-Six remains the same, with the highly-tuned Boxer mill generating 415 horsepower at 7,600 rpm, on the way to an 8,400 rpm redline.

The new 911 GT3 RS will be available in two standard finishes: Black or Arctic Silver metallic. As an option, the GT3 can also be decked out in brilliant orange or green paintwork. All vehicle insignia and the wheels themselves are styled in orange or black to contrast with the body color. The 911 GT3 RS’s interior lives up to the vehicle’s race-derived styling. Internal trim is black, with the roof lining, steering wheel and gear stick trimmed in high-quality Alcantara leather.

The 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will reach the North American market in the spring of 2007.

Base Price: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - 129,659 € (last update: 2/20/2007)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4: Superior in Every Sense

After four years of development, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, as it will now be called, is ready for series production. The most exclusive sports car of all time is following in the footsteps of the legendary Bugatti, those universally-coveted limousines and unbeatable racing cars of the 1920s and 1930s which today are among the most sought-after creations from the early days of automobile construction.

This brings to an end the era of design models and concept cars which since the late 1990s have signposted possible paths to the Bugattis of the future. Design and technological concept have finally become reality in the Veyron model’s final form and will be available from the beginning of 2004 as a strictly limited edition of just 300 cars. Technologically futuristic and packed with creative engineering, the first Bugatti of the 21st century has arrived.

Merging the Past and the Future

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s home is in Molsheim-Dorlisheim, the French town where, almost 100 years ago, Ettore Bugatti began to realize his lifelong dream of being a car manufacturer. The new workshop is not just where the engine and vehicle are assembled and tested, it is also the place where customers collect their Bugattis and drive them out onto the streets for the first time.

The aim is to turn Molsheim into an all-round Bugatti center once again. While up to 70 new vehicles a year are built by hand in the new facility, neighboring specially-equipped workshops are the scene of expert restoration work on historic Bugatti vehicles. Both past and future have found a new home here.

High Performance

The car’s safety systems have been designed to cope with its extraordinary performance, acceleration and speed. The single-piece carbon-fiber monocoque alone scores maximum points in crash tests, while airbags give the driver and passenger additional protection. The high-speed tires designed specially for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (for vmax. > 350 km/h), sizes 265-680 ZR500A (front) and 365-710 R540A (rear), incorporate a further innovative safety feature in the form of the PAX System fitted to the wheels and tires, ensuring safe handling even after sudden pressure loss. Another Bugatti Veyron 16.4 component with a safety element is the rear spoiler. As well as providing the necessary downforce during high-speed travel, it acts as a kind of ‘parachute brake’ during emergency braking. Once precisely-defined deceleration forces are registered the spoiler tilts and the additional air resistance this generates reduces the braking distance to that of a lorry.

The Art of the Machine

The W16 alloy engine developed by Bugatti for the Veyron 16.4 will have a special and absolutely unique place in the history of sports car construction. Its design employs the space-saving VR principle with two particularly slender eight-cylinder blocks arranged at a 90° angle to each other.

1001 horsepower equip the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with a level of acceleration unheard of in the sports car segment, propelling it from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and past the 200 mph mark in a mere 24 seconds. Thanks to its 923 lb-ft, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s enormous propulsive power is not exhausted until it reaches 252.3 mph (406 km/h): the maximum speed for which chassis and drive train have been designed. Any further performance escalation is limited by current design and construction.

Also unique is the power transmission via an innovative directshift gearbox. Without any interruption in the power flow, the sequential seven-speed gearbox transmits the engine’s power to the wheels via permanent four-wheel drive. Put simply, this means uninterrupted acceleration from a standing start to maximum speed: a feeling previously known only to jet pilots.

Exclusive, Classical, Functional

Both exclusive and highly functional, the interior of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will transport you to a world of your own. Superb leather, also two-tone if desired, quality metallic trim and beautifully designed and ergonomically laid-out controls characterize the Veyron cockpit.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 instruments, with a large central rev counter surrounded by four smaller additional instruments also conjures up memories of the marque’s legendary motor sport past. The deliberate avoidance of superfluous instruments and modern extras are an unmistakable statement of the car’s uncompromising sportiness.

Unchanged on the series version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the classical two-tone paintwork. The designers have selected five separate color combinations for the car: Each of the combinations features the bonnet, roof and rear in the darker of the two colors, with the sides and front wheel arches in the lighter color.

Base Price: 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - Approx. $1,700,000 (last update: 1/19/2007)

1 Million Euro (Plus Taxes) Lamborghini Unveiled at Frankfurt

With just 20 produced, each 1 Million Euro (without taxes) Lamborghini Reventon is a symbol of extreme exclusivity, yet still offering the extraordinary performance that makes the Reventon so unrivalled: under the completely autonomous design, the Reventon possesses the entire technical and dynamic competence of the twelve cylinder Lamborghini.

Born in Santa Agata Bolognese

The Lamborghini Reventon has been entirely designed in Santa Agata Bolognese, the original birthplace of the Lamborghini and the native home of every super car born under the sign of the bull. The design drawn up in Lamborghini’s Centro Stile (Style Center) is fine-tuned in close collaboration with the Lamborghini Research and Development Department. Thus, the Reventon is not only “haute couture” but it also stands out for its elevated dynamism whilst being entirely suitable for every day use.

The Lamborghini Reventon 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.

The name Reventon has been chosen according to Lamborghini tradition. Reventon was a fighting bull, owned by the Don Rodriguez family. It is included in the list of the most famous bulls ever and is known for killing the famed bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943.

Made of Carbon Fiber

Although it is based on the extraordinarily successful Murcielago LP640, the exterior design of the Reventon is completely new. Just like the base model, the exterior is made of CFC, a composite carbon fiber 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 front is characterized by the acute angle of the central ‘arrow’ and by the powerful forward-facing air intakes. Although they do not supply air directly to the turbine like an airplane, bearing in mind the 650 hp, an abundant volume of air is necessary to cool the carbon brake disks and the six cylinder calipers.

Characterised by Coherent Functions

Naturally, both doors on the Reventon open upwards – since the legendary Countach this has also been a symbol of the V12 Lamborghini product line. With their asymmetric configuration, the large air intakes below the doors provide an example of the extreme coherence with which a Lamborghini fulfils its function: on the driver’s side it is large to increase the flow of oil to the radiator. On the passenger’s side of the vehicle, the air intake is flat because in this case, it only has to ensure the flow below the floor. The aerodynamically optimized flat floor structure terminates at the rear with a diffuser featuring an accentuated shape. This guarantees excellent road grip and stability even at 200 mph.

A Masterpiece with Tested Technology

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. The robotised e.gear changes gear faster than even the most expert driver. In addition, the permanent Viscous Traction four-wheel drive system ensures that every force is constantly translated into movement.

With the Lamborghini Reventon, Lamborghini has done it again; it has created an unequalled super car; the perfect synthesis between the exclusivity and appeal of a limited edition design masterpiece, and the dynamism and driveability of a standard sports car. Thus, the Lamborghini legend is further enhanced by another, stylish future classic.

Base Price: 2007 Lamborghini Reventon - 1,000,000 Euro‚ + taxes (last update: 9/11/2007)

Lamborghini Reventon pics and wallpapers:

Audi R8 - 70 years in the making

Inspired by the most successful Le Mans racing car of all time, the Audi R8 has been created from 70 years of motorsport innovation. The mid-mounted, high revving V8 4.2 FSI engine delivers 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 187mph. quattro® permanent four-wheel-drive distributes power when and where you need it. And the breathtaking design is recognisable the moment it appears in a rear view mirror.

Desing

Mercedes Benz  SLR McLaren - The Obsesion

Only one car in the world combines Mercedes-Benz style,  McLaren Formula One technology and AMG performance. With one push of the button, it possesses you like nothing else.

New Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition:

Born on the Racetrack

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition has all the attributes of a thoroughbred racing car. Refined in numerous respects, this super sports car has more output, a tailor-made suspension configuration and a decidedly sporty interior. Sale of the SLR 722 Edition in the U.S. has not been confirmed.

Continuing the Tradition

The new model variant SLR 722 Edition is a homage by Mercedes-Benz to the unforgettable victory won by the British racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7.22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. With an output of 650 bhp and a corresponding performance, the new super sports car, which goes on sale on July 11, 2006, will not only make the hearts of car enthusiasts beat faster.

The supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine in the 722 Edition, which is hand-built in the AMG engine shop in Affalterbach, generates 650 bhp. The particular strengths of this high-performance engine are immediate response to movements of the accelerator, highly emphatic torque build-up and an unmistakable V8 sound. The performance figures are outstanding even for a high-end sports car: the 722 Edition accelerates from standstill to 62 mph in only 3.6 seconds, and 124 mph is reached in just 10.2 seconds. The top speed (209 mph) is above the 207 mph previously achieved by the SLR.

Handling characteristics worthy of the racetrack are also provided by the sophisticated suspension, with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a stiffer damper configuration and 0.4 inches lower body. Larger brake discs with a diameter of 390 mm ensure excellent braking performance.

Discreet visual modifications mark the Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition out as special, in line with the wishes of the enthusiastic gentleman drivers and wealthy sports car collectors who make up the core target group. The modified front spoiler with an air splitter, as well as the rear diffuser, improve both the aerodynamics and contact pressure at high speeds, and reflect the transfer of cutting-edge technology from motor racing. At the same time, the use of clear-lacquered carbon as an extremely strong yet lightweight material symbolizes the practicality of these technical features. Bucket-type sports seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara provide outstanding lateral support, while the grippier racing steering wheel with a hunting-leather lining, gearshift paddles and black carbon highlights lend a thoroughbred racing touch to the interior.

Exclusive “SLR. Club” for SLR owners

Before the sales release date, customers and selected guests will have the advance opportunity to appraise the new SLR 722 Edition. This is to mark the foundation of the worldwide “SLR. Club” at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France. As an ultra-exclusive community of which SLR customers automatically become members, the “SLR Club” provides an attractive platform for outstanding events related to the SLR, as well as numerous other benefits. Another exciting feature is the club’s SLR Safety & Speed Academy, which offers special driver training courses and seminars. David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig, Chris Goodwin and Christina Surer are among the highly skilled and well-known instructors.

Base Price: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition - 646,840 € (last update: 3/27/2007)

Specifications

Mercedes SLR - McLaren 722 edition wallpapers and photos:

New BMW M6: The Rebirth of an Icon

Power and performance, however, are not everything. Rather, what really counts is a car’s acceleration and driving dynamics on the road. And this depends, first, on the weight of a car and, second, on the thrust and power which actually goes to the drive wheels - which, in turn, is a result of engine torque and the overall transmission ratio. BMW’s high-speed engine concept allows an optimum gearbox and final drive transmission ratio in all cases, thus guaranteeing impressive thrust and momentum on the road at all times.

The Interior

Inside, the new M6 comes with fully adjustable M sports seats that include lumbar support and an adjustable backrest width as standard. They are covered in extended Merino leather, with the owner able to choose between Black, Silverstone or Sepang.

The new car also features BMW M’s version of the new Head-up Display system. Unlike the standard Head-up Display available on 5 and 6 Series models that offers navigation instructions and cruise control information, the system on the M6 projects driver-focussed information such as engine speed, gear selected and road speed directly into the driver’s view, obviating the need for the driver to take his or her eyes off the road ahead.

Base Price: 2007 BMW M6 - $98,600 / 106,500 $‚ - (last update: 2/20/2007)

Specifications

BMW M6 wallpapers and photos, Tunign and concept:

The Maserati MC12 is a two-seater long-tail coupé-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’s support the ancillaries, help absorb bumps, and guarantee an excellent standard of safety.

Maserati MC 12 - Exterior design

As a result of its imposing dimensions (5143 mm long, 2100 mm wide and 1205 mm high), the MC12’s styling is very much functionally-inspired.

Intensive wind tunnel testing and advanced mathematical computations, combined with work on the track and road, have resulted in an extraordinarily efficient form that absolutely exudes power and personality. The air intakes, vents and other aerodynamic components have been designed to optimise the car’s internal fluid dynamics and air flows to ensure optimal downforce (vertical load) and aerodynamic efficiency values.

The bonnet is characterised by the sinuous lines formed by two large tapering apertures, culminating in the classic Maserati grille opening with a Trident at its centre. The bonnet and wheelarches, into which the Bi-Xenon headlamp units are set, are a one-piece moulding which is also removable.

A channel along the side of the car stretches from the front wheel vent to an inlet just in front of the rear wheel. This solution contributes to aerodynamic downforce whilst also improving aerodynamic efficiency.

Above the hard top, there is a snorkel for the engine compartment. The rear section is dominated by the engine and the slender (30 mm) yet imposing two-metre carbon wing with two fins and, at its base, a small spoiler in which the third stop light has been inserted. The inverted half moon design of the exhausts is the most striking part of the tail section. The whole underside of the car has been faired in and sealed and there are two generous diffusers also which deliver maximum “ground effect”.

Maserati MC 12 - Interior sport design

The cabin boasts an easily removable top, which instantly converts the MC12 from a coupé 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.

The seats have a carbon fibre structure with high lateral containment: the seats themselves are upholstered in fabric with the shoulder rests in perforated leather. The doors have carbon fibre panels and pockets complete with the electric window buttons. The pedals are aluminium and the mats rubber.

Maserati MC 12 - Engine

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.

Maserati MC 12 - technology

The most technologically advanced vehicle to leave the Viale Ciro Menotti headquarters has a name that is already legendary: MC12.

The MC12 is a splendid example of the synergy that exists between the engineers at the racing department and those in industrial management who collaborated to create the car.

Combining mechanical components developed from the experience gained during the production of the superb Gran Turismos with cutting edge technology from the track, the team constructed the supercar in record time. The MC12 is now a benchmark in the exclusive car sector.

Suspension

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).

Transmission

In line with the MC12’s performance-oriented design, it is supplied exclusively with the six-speed Maserati Cambiocorsa transmission offering computerised gear selection.

The driver does not need to touch the clutch with this electro-hydraulic gearbox and instead selects the gears using the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transmission’s two modes are selected at the touch of a button. The Sport mode will be the driver’s most frequent choice and includes a good dose of traction control, while the Race setting enhances the kind of sporty behaviour typically seen on the track. In Race mode, in fact, the system delivers much nippier gear changing and activates the ASR also.

Brakes

The MC12’s brakes were developed by Brembo.

They deliver maximum braking efficiency and fade resistance, thanks to large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front diameter 380 mm and rear 335 mm). Six and four-piston alloy callipers (front/rear). The MC12 also boasts ABS.

Maserati MC 12 -

Maserati has created the MC12 Versione Corse. This special model is a built-to-order supercar for a select number of Maserati clients and will allow its owners to test their driving ability in the most exclusive gentlemen drivers’ environment.

The MC12 Versione Corse has been developed from the MC12 GT1 that won the 2005 and 2007 FIA GT Manufacturers’ Cup.

It will be used exclusively on the track during private test sessions or for exhibition events organised by Maserati. It will not be homologated for road use or for any racing activities.

The Maserati MC12 Versione Corse, living testimony of Maserati’s capacity to individually tailor-make specially produced high-tech cars, was produced in the official Maserati ‘Blue Victory’ colour. However, the client can personalise the car with several optional extras, starting with the colour.

See some wallpapes and photos:

Saleen Adds Two Turbochargers to the S7

Saleen knows all about power. As in S281 Mustangs, N2O Focuses and the S7, America’s first (and still the only) mid-engine exotic supercar. When it went on sale in 2002, the S7 was the only street-legal car in the U.S. with more than 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The media and S7 owners have raved about the car since it first smoked the rear tires in anger. And it has been recognized by numerous automotive magazines as the fastest production car in the world. But during the past three years the automobile marketplace has witnessed an explosion of performance with models from manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Chevrolet touting power numbers above the once magic 500 level.

Saleen is not an organization content to rest on yesterday’s 0-60 mph times or quarter-mile speeds. So in 2005, it was “goodbye S7” and “all hail the S7 Twin Turbo!” This is the first major change to the S7 since its introduction, and it is a big change as in 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, numbers the competition will be chasing for a long while we predict.

Unchanged From 2005

While there are a number of different roads Saleen’s engine designers could have traveled down to achieve those high-altitude horsepower and torque figures, for this second edition of the S7 they decided to think beyond atmospheric. And because this is Saleen, they added a double twist to a tried and true racing technique for boosting power and torque: twin turbos.

Aerodynamics has also come under scrutiny in 2005. Unless you place the new S7 Twin Turbo next to one of the original 2002 models, you probably won’t notice that the 2005 version has a different diffuser/rear spoiler package and reshaped front fenders to enhance the S7s already sleek, swoopy and aerodynamic contours. To complement the Twin Turbo’s enhanced straight-line performance envelope the S7 chassis has also undergone a fair amount of tweaking. Virtually every suspension pickup point has been changed, and the suspension geometry has been modified for less squat and dive during acceleration and braking.

Engine & Drivetrain

Designed by Saleen engineers, the S7’s engine and drivetrain incorporate the latest in modern racing technology. The new all-aluminum V8 engine casting was engineered and tooled by Saleen to displace seven liters. Redline is 6500 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout, including stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, an aluminum throttle body, Saleen designed aluminum CNC-machined cylinder heads and stainless steel exhaust system. An exclusive Saleen-designed Front Engine Accessory Drive (FEAD) system results in an extremely compact engine, allowing for better packaging and overall weight distribution. The V8 incorporates a unique Saleen-designed side-mounted water pump, a belt-driven camshaft drive and a Saleen-engineered dry sump oil delivery system. The engine’s mid-chassis placement optimizes weight distribution and center of gravity, making room for an unusually tall engine that allows for a very efficient induction system. Air enters a roof intake, passes through a 90-mm mass air meter and feeds into a carbon fiber plenum. From the plenum the air is routed to the twin ball bearing turbos, is pressurized to 5.5 psi max and then passes through an oval-bore throttle body into an aluminum intake manifold with eight individual runners.

To feed juice to this setup, the injection system includes dual electric fuel pumps and high-capacity, return-less, 52 lb/hr fuel injectors. Neatly engineered and integrated into the S7’s stainless steel, dual, high-flow exhaust system are two, twin-ball-bearing, water-cooled Saleen-Garrett turbos, featuring 44-mm wastegates. The four exhaust pipes from each bank of cylinders merge into a race-car-like high-efficiency collector. In addition, the exhaust incorporates dual catalysts per cylinder bank, EGR and those aforementioned twin wastegates. And because Saleen believes in power and clean air, the emission control system features dual, heated oxygen sensors per cylinder bank and a high-volume evaporative emission system along with those four catalysts. Oh, and for good measure and clean air, the system is OBD-II compliant.

And if you need any more proof of how Saleen engineers sweat the details, the stroke of the already short-stroke shifter has been furthered shortened for improved shifting feel. Say that five times fast, once for each gear change.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

The S7 chassis and suspension incorporate decades of Saleen’s experience in racing, racecar construction and high-performance road car manufacturing. The Saleen S7 architecture begins with a space frame chassis to which honeycomb composite reinforcing is grafted. The body is structural, aerospace-quality, autoclave carbon fiber. Suspension is via fully independent unequal-length double wishbones with coilover springs, lightweight aluminum dampers (shock absorbers) and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear. The uprights at each corner are CNC machined billet aluminum, flow-through designs that use air to help cool the bearings.

Chassis tuning also includes revised shock valving front and rear. Saleen-engineered Brembo-supplied lightweight aluminum six-piston mono-block calipers are fitted front and rear.

Geometry changes, along with new tires, result in about a 30 percent increase in mechanical grip… which is substantial. In a seeming contradiction to current performance tire practice, the 2006 S7 Twin Turbo is fitted with “taller” tires, 275/35 R19s up front and 335/30 R20s at the rear, replacing the 275/30 R19s and 345/25 R20s fitted to the normally aspirated S7. While the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires have higher aspect ratios, they also lay tire patches that are nearly an inch wider up front and almost 1.5 inches wider at the rear.

Exterior & Interior

The S7’s beautiful shape was “designed” by the wind. Optimal aerodynamics and top speed performance objectives were achieved with extensive wind tunnel work. Targets included a low coefficient of drag, optimum drag-to-lift ratio, and extreme down force. The S7 has “full tray” body sculpting underneath.

For the 2006 S7 Twin Turbo, the redesigned front and rear diffusers, along with the new rear spoiler, result in a 40 percent reduction in aero drag and a 60 percent increase in down force. Those of you who know anything about aero forces recognize the significance of that last statement. Typically, you would have to trade down force to reduce aero drag.

The mid-engine Saleen S7 has front and rear trunks and comes with Mulholland Brothers custom-made, 3-piece, fitted luggage. In true supercar style, the doors open up and away from the body.

Seats and other interior surfaces are covered in elegant leather and suede. Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless opening for the doors and both trunks, an electric-headed front windshield, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an AM/FM/CD/DVD/TV system are all standard. The Saleen S7 also has one unique interior feature: a video “rearview mirror” — there is a small video camera inconspicuously mounted in the rear of the car.

Base Price: 2006 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - $585,000 (last update: 5/8/2007)

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To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Ford’s first win at Le Mans, the 2006 Ford GT will be offered in a limited-edition Tungsten Silver, which replaces Quick Silver on the Ford GT’s color palette. A Quick Silver racing stripe can be added to the Tungsten Silver package.

Tungsten Silver was developed for the 2004 North American International Auto Show Ford “Performance Trilogy” show cars - the Ford GT, the Shelby Cobra roadster concept and the new 2005 Mustang GT. Customer demand was so overwhelming that the color was added to the production palette.

“There’s good contrast between the colors,” says Camilo Pardo, chief designer of the Ford GT. “But it’s a discreet contrast. In Tungsten Silver, the Ford GT is really dressy, like a fine suit. It looks mature.

“This dark silver color also brings out all the design features and the subtleties of the car,” he adds. “In fact, people who’ve seen it thought we’d added a feature line around the side of the car. It’s always been there, but you may not notice it in the car’s other colors. The Tungsten Silver really brings it out.”

Pardo notes that in the design studio, clay models are covered with “Dynoc” material that is a similar hue to Tungsten silver. The color is specifically designed to enhance the vehicle design details for evaluation.

“We use silver to evaluate our designs throughout the whole process,” he says. “It brings out the subtleties, the returns and the negatives, the differences between horizontal and vertical surfaces.”

Base Price: 2006 Ford GT Tungsten - $149,995 (last update: 2/21/2007)