Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS. It is the quickest accelerating and decelerating street-legal production car in the world, and it was the world's fastest car until it was beaten by the SSC Ultimate Aero TT.
Powered by a 1,001 PS (987 hp/736 kW) W16 engine , it is able to achieve an average top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph) . The car reached full production in September 2005, and is handcrafted in a factory Volkswagen built near the former Bugatti headquarters in Ch?teau St Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France). It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm.
History
Development of this vehicle 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's head designer was Hartmut Warkuss with exterior designed by Jozef Kaba? of Volkswagen rather than Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign who had handled the three prior Bugatti concepts too.
Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Pi?ch announced the production Veyron at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. It was promised to be the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive car in history. Instead of the W18, the production model would use a VR6/WR8-style W16 engine. First seen in the 1999 Bentley Hunaudieres concept car, the W16 would get four turbochargers, producing a quoted 1001 horsepower (see engine section for details on the power output). Top speed was promised at 407 km/h (253 mph), and pricing was announced at euro 1 million.
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, however, experienced significant problems during development. Achieving the required high-speed stability was difficult - one prototype was destroyed in a crash and another spun out during a public demonstration at the Monterey Historics event in Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. Production of the Veyron was delayed pending resolution of these and other issues.
Pi?ch retired that year as chairman of the Volkswagen Group and was replaced by Bernd Pischetsrieder. The new chairman promptly sent the Veyron back to the drawing board for major revisions. Neumann was replaced as Bugatti president by Thomas Bscher in December 2003, and substantial modifications were made to the Veyron under the guidance of former VW engineer, Bugatti Engineering head Wolfgang Schreiber.
Each Veyron is being sold for euro 1,100,000 (net price without taxes), prices vary by exchange rates and local taxes (like value added taxes). Prices for the UK or the US are about over ?800,000, or 1.2 million American dollars (net). The production costs of the car are approximately ?4 million per vehicle.
As Bugatti and, therefore, Volkswagen are taking such a loss, it has been compared by automotive journalist Jeremy Clarkson to the supersonic jetliner Concorde in that both were huge engineering achievements, but the car will probably, like the plane before it, be discontinued after proving to be an economic failure.
It will be several years before Volkswagen will be able to see if their investment in developing ground-breaking technology has paid off. One key measure is how much (if any) of the technology developed for the Veyron finds use in mass-produced cars.
Official unveiling
The production Veyron was shown for the first time on October 19, 2005 at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The official United States launch for the production version occurred at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show in January.
Visual differences between the prototype and production Veyrons are slight, but noticeable marks include the addition of marker lights or reflectors on the front fenders and a more pronounced "dorsal spine" on the hood (reminiscent of the Bugatti Atlantic), especially near the windshield.
Six Veyrons were sold at the 2005 Dubai Motor Show in December, reportedly including the demonstration models used on the stands there. These would be the first reported private sales of the car.
Sales and service
Bugatti originally planned to build 300 Veyrons over five years. In March 2006, Bugatti president Bscher claimed to have 70 firm orders, selling out 14 months of production. The company is reportedly speeding up production in response, with all 70 cars expected to be built in 2006. The December, 2007 issue of Road & Track magazine reports that over 165 of the 300 cars to be produced have been sold and 90 have been delivered to customers.
Potential buyers based in and around the London area can expect VIP treatment, one buyer (a freelance writer Arash Farboud) wrote in a column for Lusso Magazine: "Dominic Lancaster, the head of Jack Barclay Bugatti in London, arranged for a private jet to take my wife and I over to the factory at Molsheim, in the top right hand corner of France."
Maintenance will be possible at Bugatti dealerships but repair service will require a flown-in mechanic, who the company promises will be available 24 hours a day.
Pur Sang special edition
On 10 September 2007 a special version of the Veyron called the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron "Pur Sang" was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The difference from a standard Veyron is the body finishing: the Pur Sang has none. Instead it reveals the Veyrons pure aluminium-carbon fibre body. Pur Sang is French, meaning thoroughbred or pure blood (literally). Production will be limited to 5 cars. The car will be included with high-gloss aluminum wheels with a diamond cut finish.
Specifications
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 "W" 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 displaces 8.0 L (7,993 cc/488 in?) with a square 86 by 86 mm bore and stroke.
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 boasting an < 150 ms shift time, designed and manufactured by Ricardo of England. The Veyron can be driven by full automatic transmission. The Veyron also features full-time all-wheel drive based on the Haldex system. It uses special Michelin run-flat tires designed specifically for the Veyron to accommodate the vehicle's top speed. Curb weight is estimated at 1,888 kg (4,160 lb). This gives the car a power to weight ratio of 529 bhp/tonne.
The car's wheelbase is 2,710 mm (106.3 in). Overall length is 4,462 mm (175.8 in). It measures 1,998 mm (78.7 in) wide and 1,204 mm (47.5 in) tall.
The Bugatti Veyron has a total of 10 radiators.
3 radiators for the engine cooling system.
1 heat exchanger for the air-to-liquid intercoolers.
2 for the air conditioning system.
1 transmission oil radiator.
1 differential oil radiator.
1 engine oil radiator.
1 hydraulic oil radiator for the spoiler
Performance
According to Volkswagen (and approved by T?V S?ddeutschland) the final production Veyron engine produces 736 kW (987 hp) which is equivalent to 1001 PS (German horsepower). However, the car is advertised as producing "1001 horsepower" in both the US and European markets.
Top speed was initially promised to be 406 km/h (252 mph) but test versions were unstable at that speed, forcing a redesign of the aerodynamics. In May, 2005, a prototype Veyron tested at a Volkswagen track near Wolfsburg, Germany recorded an electronically limited top speed of 400 km/h (249 mph). In October, 2005, Car and Driver magazine's editor Csaba Csere test drove the final production version of the Veyron for the November 2005 issue. This test, at Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessien test track, reached a top speed of 407.5 km/h (253.2 mph). The top speed was verified once again by James May on Top Gear, again at Volkswagen's private test track, when the car hit 407.9 km/h. When getting close to the top speed during the test he said that "the tyres will only last for about fifteen minutes, but it's OK because the fuel runs out in twelve minutes." He also gave an indication of the power requirements, at 249 km/h (155 mph) the Veyron was using approximately 270 BHP (201 kW), but to get to its rated 407 km/h (253 mph) top speed required far more from the engine. Aerodynamic friction or drag is proportional to the square of the speed. That means to cover a a given distance at twice a given speed the engine must do four times the work to cover the distance at the given speed. Further, by going twice as fast, the engine must do that work in half the time. Therefore, to go twice the given speed requires eight times the power required to go the given speed. German inspection officials recorded an average top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.8 mph) during test sessions on the Ehra Lessien test track on April 19, 2005.
The car's everyday top speed is listed at 375 km/h (233 mph). When the car reaches 220 km/h (137 mph), hydraulics lower the car until it has a ground clearance of about 8.9 cm (3? inches). At the same time, the wing and spoiler deploy. This is the "handling mode", in which the wing helps provide 3425 newtons (770 pounds) of downforce, holding the car to the road. The driver must, using a special key (the "Top Speed Key"), toggle the lock to the left of his seat in order to attain the maximum (average) speed of 408 km/h (254 mph). The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop when a checklist then establishes whether the car-and its driver-are ready to enable 'top speed' mode. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers close and the ground clearance, normally 12.5 cm (4.9 inches), drops to 6.5 cm (2.6 inches).
The Veyron is the quickest production car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) with a proven time of 2.5 seconds. It reaches 60 mph in approximately 2.46 seconds. It also reaches 200 and 300 km/h (124 and 186 mph) in 7.4 and 16.7 seconds respectively. And according to the February 2007 issue of Road & Track Magazine, the Veyron accomplished the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds at a speed of 142.9 mph (230.0 km/h). Other tests, however, have the Veyron hitting 150 mph (240 km/h) in 9.8 seconds (see below), so the quarter mile time is actually faster, making the Veyron the most rapidly accelerating production car in history. It accelerates so quickly that you could let a McLaren F1 (one of the best known fastest production car record holders) reach 120 mph (190 km/h), and then start the Bugatti, and the Veyron would beat the McLaren to 200 mph (320 km/h).
It also consumes more fuel than any other production car, using 40.4 L/100 km (5.82 mpg) in city driving and 24.1 L/100 km (10 mpg) in combined cycle. At full throttle, it uses more than 125 L/100 km (2.1 mpg), which would empty its 100 L (26.4 gallon) fuel tank in just 12 minutes.
The Veyron's brakes use unique cross-drilled and turbine-vented carbon rotors which draw in cooling air to reduce fade. Each caliper has eight titanium pistons. Bugatti claims maximum deceleration of 1.3 g on road tires. Prototypes have been subjected to repeated 1.0 g braking from 194 to 50 mph (312 to 80 km/h) without fade. With the car's fearsome acceleration from 50 to 194 mph (80 to 312 km/h), that test can be performed every 22 seconds. At speeds above 124 mph (200 km/h), the rear wing also acts as an airbrake, snapping to a 55-degree angle in 0.4 seconds once brakes are applied, providing 0.68 g (4.9 m/s?) of deceleration (equivalent to the stopping power of an ordinary hatchback). Bugatti claims the Veyron will brake from 400 km/h (249 mph) to a standstill in less than 10 seconds. The braking is also so evenly applied that the car will not deviate from a straight path if the driver lets go of the steering wheel, even with the brakes fully applied starting from close to top speed.
Final numbers
Critics and comments
Previews
Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 (which for many years was the fastest production car ever built) said the following about the Bugatti Veyron in UK auto magazine evo during its development period:
Murray was impressed with the Veyron after he test drove one, but still apprehensive about it in an article he wrote for Road and Track magazine.
Reviews
After the car had reached production, Murray went on to write an article for another UK auto magazine, Top Gear, retracting a lot of his past criticism of the car.
He also declared in the article that: "The braking is phenomenal, the primary ride and body control are good too" and "It's a huge achievement."
The trend of backtracking on negative comments about the Veyron continued when prominent UK car show host Jeremy Clarkson declared on Top Gear that it was "The best car ever made" after initially saying it was ridiculous and would never exist. He would later extend this by saying he would spend the night with British reality TV star Jade Goody (whom Clarkson vehemently dislikes) to get his hands on one.
The Veyron was proclaimed the Top Gear Magazine Car of the Year for 2005 along with the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citro?n C1.
The Veyron was also declared the Grand Award winner for the Autotech category of 2006 by Popular Science magazine.
Ferrari Enzo $1,000,000
The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently the most powerful naturally aspirated production car in the world. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre 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 downforce of 775 kg (1709 lb) is reached at 300 km/h (186 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.
The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant. In 2004, Sports Car International named the Enzo Ferrari number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.
Motor Trend Classic named the Enzo as number four in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".
Naming
The Enzo Ferrari is sometimes referred to colloquially (some say incorrectly) as the Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari F60; this gives the false impression that it was named for Ferrari's 60th anniversary, which is 2007 rather than 2003 when the Enzo was launched (the official internal nomenclature is actually F131). The Ferrari Enzo Ferrari is commonly referred to as just the "Enzo" with no marque or other words attached.
The car is named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari, who died in 1988.
Celebrating its first World Championship of the new Millennium, in Formula One, Ferrari built the Enzo to celebrate this achievement and the company named the car after its Scuderia's founder, Enzo Ferrari.
Production
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, specifically, those who had previously bought the Ferrari F40 and Ferrari F50. All 349 cars were sold in this way before production began. Later, after numerous requests, Ferrari decided to build 50 more Enzos, bringing the total to 399.
Ferrari built one more Enzo - the 400th car - and it was auctioned by Sotheby's Maranello Auction on June 28, 2005, to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami for euro 950,000 (US$1,274,229), almost twice its list price. This sum was presented to Pope Benedict XVI, while former Ferrari 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."
The Enzo Ferrari typically trades above $1,000,000 (?500,000) at auction.
Three prototype "mules" were built, M1, M2, and M3. Each was bodied to look like a 348, even though the mules were built in 2000. The third mule was offered for auction alongside the 400th Enzo in June, 2005, bringing euro 195,500 (US$236,300).
Specifications
Engine
The Enzo is a mid-engined car with a 43.9/56.1 front/rear weight distribution. The engine is Ferrari's F140 65 degree V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. Bosch Motronic ME7 fuel injection is used and the engine is naturally aspirated. It displaces 5998 cc (366 in?) and produces 485 kW (651 hp/660 PS) at 7800 rpm and 657 N/m (485 ft/lbf) at 5500 rpm. The redline is 8200 rpm.
Chassis
The Enzo has a semi-automatic transmission (also known as the F1 gearbox) using paddles to control an automated shifting and clutch mechanism, with LED lights on the steering wheel telling the driver when to change gears. The gearbox has a shift time of just 150 milliseconds.The transmission was a first generation "clutchless" design from the late 1990s, and there have been complaints about its abrupt shifting.
The Enzo Ferrari has 4 wheel independent suspension with push-rod actuated shock absorbers which can be adjusted from the cabin, complemented with anti-roll bars at the front and rear.
The Enzo uses 483-millimetre (19 in) wheels and has 381-millimetre (15 in) Brembo disc brakes.
Performance
The Enzo can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.14 seconds and can reach 161 kilometres per hour (100 mph) in 6.6 seconds. The ? mile (~400 m) time is from 10.8 to 11.2 sec at well over 130 mph (210 km/h) and the top speed is estimated at 350 kilometers per hour (218.5 mph). It is rated at 12 mpg-U.S. (19.6 L/100 km / 14.4 mpg-imp) in the city and 18 mpg-U.S. (13.07 L/100 km / 21.6 mpg-imp) on the highway.
Despite the Enzo's extraordinary performance and price, the Ferrari F430 Scuderia (an improved version of Ferrari's current entry level production car) is capable of lapping the Ferrari test track just as quickly as the Enzo.
Enzo based cars
Ferrari FXX
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 litre version of the Enzo's engine putting out roughly 588 kW (800 hp/800 PS). 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.
Like the Enzo, the car was sold to specially selected existing clients of Ferrari only; the initial price was euro 1.3 million. Unlike the Enzo, the clients did not take delivery of the car themselves. Rather, it is maintained by Ferrari and available for the client's use on various circuits as arranged by Ferrari and also during private track sessions. The car is not expected to be street-legal or suitable for road use.
Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina
Pininfarina had wanted to do a special one-off Enzo-based hyper-car and was looking for a backer. After sending out feelers to its clients, American Ferrari collector, James Glickenhaus eventually agreed to back the project by commissioning the car as a modern homage to great Ferrari sports racing cars such as the 330 P3/4, 512 S, 312 P, and 333 SP on the last unregistered U.S.-spec Enzo chassis. The car was dubbed the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina and retains the Enzo's drivetrain and vehicle identification number. The car was unveiled at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and appeared in the September issue of Car and Driver. The "photos" previously shown in AutoWeek and Octane were not close to what the car looks like. After its unveiling at Pebble Beach, the P4/5 will return to Europe for high speed testing, press days, and an appearance at the Paris Auto Show in September.
Upon seeing P 4/5, Luca di Montezemolo felt that the car deserved to be officially badged as a Ferrari and along with Andrea Pininfarina and James Glickenhaus agreed that its official name would be "Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina". Ted West wrote an article in Car and Driver about how this came to be: "The Beast of Turin".
Maserati MC12
The Maserati MC12 is a mid-engined supercar derivative of the Enzo Ferrari developed by Maserati while under control of Ferrari. It was developed specifically to be homologated for racing in the FIA GT Championship, with a minimum requirement of 25 road versions to be produced before the car could be allowed to compete. Maserati built 50 units, all of which were presold to selected customers. A further variation, the MC12 Corsa is a track day car, similar to the Ferrari FXX.
The Maserati MC12 has the same engine, chassis and gearbox as the Enzo but the only externally visible component from the Enzo is the windshield. The MC12 is slower accelerating (0-100 km/h in 3.8 s) and has a lower top speed (330 km/h) than the Enzo due to engine tuning. However, the MC12 has lapped race tracks faster than the Enzo before, specifically on the UK motoring show Top Gear.
Maserati Birdcage 75th
The Maserati Birdcage 75th is a concept car created by automobile manufacturer Maserati and designed by Pininfarina. It was first introduced at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show. It draws inspiration from the Maserati Tipo Birdcages of the 1960s and was made as a celebration of Pininfarina's 75th anniversary. It is an evolution of the Enzo's MC12 cousin.
Pagani Zonda C12 F $741,000
The Pagani Zonda is a mid-engined sports car produced by Pagani in Italy. It debuted in 1999 and continues through the present, with production proceeding at roughly 25 cars per year. As of December, 2005, 60 Zondas had been built. It is a mid-engined 2-seat coupe and convertible. Construction is mainly of carbon fiber.
Some early Zonda engineering was done by Formula One champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The car was originally to be named for him, the "Fangio F1", but the name was changed upon his death in 1995, renamed after an air current above Argentina.
1999 Zonda C12
The C12 debuted at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. It was powered by a model 190.3344 L 5987 cc (365 cu in) Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine and could reach speeds of 210 mph (340 km/h). The engine produces 408 PS (402 hp/300 kW) at 5200 rpm and 421 lb/ft (571 N/m) at 3800 rpm.
Just five of the original 6.0 L Zondas were built, though it was still available in 2002 when the C12 S debuted. One was used for crash testing, while another was a demonstrator and show car. The rest were delivered to customers over the next three years, priced at US$320,000.
The C12 could accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and hit 100 mph (160 km/h) in 8.2 seconds. Acceleration through the quarter mile was 12.1 seconds at 124 mph (200 km/h). Lateral acceleration on the skidpad was 0.93 g, and the car could brake from 60 mph (97 km/h) in 110 feet (34 m).
2000 Zonda C12 S
The C12 S uses a 7010 cc (428 cu in) AMG-tuned version of the engine producing 550 PS (542 hp/405 kW). It can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 secs, to 100 mph (160 km/h) in 7.5 secs and complete the quarter mile in 11.3 secs at 131 mph (211 km/h). Lateral acceleration on the skidpad is 1.18 g (9.6 m/s?), the car is 10 kilograms (22 lb) lighter than the normal Zonda C12, it can reach a top speed of 220 mph (350 km/h), and carries a price tag of US$350,000.
The C12 S features an elongated nose, flaps at the rear for improved aerodynamics, and new light clusters and exhausts. Only fifteen 7.0 L C12 S cars were produced.
2002 Zonda C12 S 7.3
The 7291 cc (445 cu in) C12 S 7.3 of 2002 used one of the largest V12 engines ever made. The engine was designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz AMG, where traction control was added to handle the 408 kW (547 hp) and 553 lb/ft (750 N/m) that this engine produces. The 7.3 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 224 mph (360 km/h) if the aerodynamics are set up properly.
A roadster version is also built, with production limited by the company to 40 examples. As of 2005, nine roadsters had been built. According to Road & Track magazine, three more C12 S 7.3 cars had been built as of June, 2005, but it is unclear whether they were roadsters or coupes. Motor Trend reported in their January 2006 issue that 60 Zondas of all types had been built.
2003 Zonda GR
Development of the Zonda GR started in December, 2002. At this stage the Zonda was nearly four years old, but had yet to be entered in major motorsports. Tom Weickardt, owner of American Viperacing, Toine Hezemans, owner of Carsport Holland, and Paul Kumpen, owner of GLPK, created a new company, Carsport Zonda, to build a racing version. They secured exclusive rights to develop, build and sell competition Zondas from Horacio Pagani, and the first GR was completed at Carsport's facility in Modena within months.
The Zonda GR is based on the Zonda C12 S. It was built on the same carbon fiber chassis, with tube frames in front and back. The bodywork was modified to include front and rear diffusers and louvers for improved aerodynamics. The car was 2 meters (6.6 ft) wide, in accordance with the regulations of the FIA and ACO. The car's weight was reduced to 1,100 kilograms (2,425 lb), and a new suspension was designed. New wheels and brakes were also specified. The engine was equipped with an enlarged radiator, and the engine and gearbox also have new oil coolers.
The performance of the Zonda GR is well beyond that of the stock car. The car sprints from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.3 seconds and the engine produces around 600 PS (592 hp/441 kW) at 5800 rpm and 580 lb/ft (786 N/m) of torque at 4300 rpm with a redline increased to 7500 rpm. The added power and improved aerodynamics allow the car to hit 215 mph (346 km/h).
C12 S Monza
The Zonda C12 S Monza debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show as a track-day version of the Zonda for private use. Borrowing its appearance cues from the Zonda GR, the Monza included many features which could also be applied to other Zonda models. A dry sump engine tuned to 637 PS (more than 440 kW) was used, and the cooling was improved. Modified aerodynamics, including a different wing and front diffuser, allowed greater speed, as did optimized gearing. The car was lighter, with polycarbonate side windows, and an unmuffled exhaust is fitted. The revised interior includes different pedals, steering wheel, and seats, as well as a reinforced roll cage. Larger brakes and a stiffer suspension also improve performance. Finally, an external fire extinguisher is included for safety. However, Top Gear tested both cars in a straight line drag race and stated that it cannot even beat a 1990s Jaguar XJ220 despite having an engine that is more than twice as large and being made from space-age materials that require complex processes to produce. Although, these results are questionable as the show did not report any timing information, the XJ220's engine is turbocharged where the Zonda's isn't (giving the same power output,) and that particular episode's goal was to suggest that old generation cars are as good or better than today's.
2005 Zonda F (C12 F)
The Zonda C12 F debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is the most extensive reengineering of the Pagani car yet, though it shares much with its predecessors including the 7.3 L V12. Power is increased to 602 PS (594 hp/443 kW) with a special clubsport model producing 683 PS (674 hp/502 kW). The company promises a 3.5 second sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h), a top speed over 215 mph (346 km/h) and it will be the queen in braking from 300 km/h to 0 (186 mph to 0). The Zonda F clubsport has a power to weight ratio of 521 bhp/ton (384 W/kg). An Enzo Ferrari, comparatively, has a power to weight ratio of 483 bhp/ton (356 W/kg).
The top speed can be further tweaked by adjusting the aerodynamic settings. 215 mph (346 km/h) is the car's top speed on the setting for the best handling which provides the most down force but also has the highest drag coefficient. If the aerodynamic settings were adjusted the top speed would be a bit higher. This is also seems to be the reason that when EVO Magazine attempted the Pagani Zonda S's top speed on the Autobahn, that they were only able to get the car to 197 mph (317 km/h), as opposed to its claimed top speed of 220 mph (350 km/h). It would make sense that if the car was set up for maximum downforce then its top speed would drop to around 200 mph (320 km/h). Company representatives at Pagani's factory backed up this claim. However, the EVO article claimed that aerodynamic parts, specifically ones which created drag were in fact removed during the run, bringing Pagani's claims into question.
The Zonda F Clubsport holds the record for the fastest lap by any production super car around the N?rburgring, lapping the 12.9 miles (21 km) Nordschleife in 7 minutes 27.82 seconds, beating the previous record holder, the Porsche Carrera GT.
Production of the Zonda F will be limited to 25 cars, still not US compatible. The next model (codenamed C9), due to be unveiled in 2009, will be fully EPA/DOT compatible.
The Zonda F, named after F1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio, comes with an extra head light and different fog lights at the sides, new bodywork (revised front end, new rear spoiler, more aerodynamic vents all around) that improves the cars aerodynamics and different side mirrors. Further enhancements over the 'S' centre around optional carbon/ceramic brakes developed in conjunction with Brembo, magnesium wheels, inconel titanium exhaust system, hydroformed aluminum intake plenum and a redesigned 'Z preg' weave in the crash structure to improve rigidity and reduce weight.
Zonda Roadster F
The Zonda Roadster F debuted at the 2006 Geneva show. It is similar to the coupe, but with a removable carbon fibre roof and canvas side curtains weighing just 5 kilograms (11 lb). Production of the Roadster F is suggested at 25 units.
The Roadster F is able to maintain chassis rigidity without any gain in curb weight by eschewing conventional thinking by not strengthening the sills - a process which would have needed more than 35 kilograms (77 lb) of reinforcement. Pagani instead uses racecar thinking, materials and construction techniques, strengthening the firewall structure of the chassis tub together with billet alloy braces that connect the points where the roof rails would have joined. The windscreen is also strengthened for safety reasons. These techniques enable the Roadster to have virtually the same weight as the coupe, 1,230 kilograms (2,712 lb).
Zonda R Clubsport
The R Clubsport was debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2007, still using the 6.0 liter V12 sourced from AMG by Mercedes-Benz. The R Clubsport's competition lies with track-biased cars such as the Ferrari FXX and Maserati MC12 rather than the original Zonda's road-supercar competitors. It is thought, therefore, that like the FXX and some models of the MC12, the R CS will not be road-homologated. Since it is likely that the car will be ineligible under FIA regulations for almost any form of organized racing, the car is essentially relegated to privateer racing in nonstandard series and the owner's private track time, much like customer versions of the MC12. For comparison the FXX, which has its own race-series, is also neither road nor race homologated, and is not even delivered to the owner, instead being 'made available' by Ferrari at specified events. The Pagani-designed race-models are also far more proven and targeted racecars, so it is unlikely that even heavily-modified R CSs will compete in formal racing.
Importantly, despite sharing much of the Zonda's shape, the R CS is almost entirely new, sharing only 10% of the Zonda F's components. It has been obliquely suggested by Horacio Pagani that this car is a testbed chassis for certain components of the Zonda's replacement (in the same vein as the Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione and the successive F40) and that the R CS accurately reflects some of the Zonda's successor's features.
Chassis The central carbon chassis incorporates a roll cage and a rubber racing fuel cell with 4 fuel pumps and quick refuel filler cap, similar to GT race cars. The wheelbase has been increased by 47 mm (1.9 in) to increase stability. The front and rear subframes are brand-new, built to accommodate new suspension geometry, and produced in Avional. The slick-shod wheels are new forged-magnesium centre-lock models, which in conjunction with on-board pneumatic airjacks (again, like the FXX) allow rapid change of the entire wheel assemblies.
Highly unusually, the car senses, displays and logs information about the amount of downforce that is generated at each wheel at all times. It is thought that this system will enable owners to adjust set-up according to track conditions and to improve their cornering technique.
Bodywork In addition to the wheelbase increase (47 mm), overall length has increased by 394 mm (15.5 in) and track by 50 mm (2 in). The bodywork and aerodynamics have been altered to offer maximum downforce, featuring a longer front bonnet with flaps, a closed underbody and a new rear overhang with adjustable rear wing and race-derived diffuser. These are intended to translate into increased aerodynamic efficiency and downforce for maximum cornering speed. It is also noted that the car's new rear bodywork is minimal in the extreme, being composed mostly of vent. This is thought to be symptomatic of the need to keep the engine cool enough, even under hard track use. Again, this is similar to the gutted bodywork of the Ferrari Evoluzione.
Engine Output has increased to 750 bhp (559 kW) at 8000 rpm and 523 lb/ft (709 N/m) of torque. A lightweight carbon fibre high performance intake system, racing multiple disc sintered clutch and Formula 1-style exhaust system, hydroformed in Inconel 625 and ceramic coated for optimal heat dissipation, have been added. The engine is combined with a 6-speed transverse-mounted manual sequential synchronized gearbox.
Interior The car's interior is Spartan, reflecting the car's racetrack aspirations and intended home, and features bespoke seats, customized to the driver to offer maximum support. As before, the Digitek instrumentation provides essential information and the sophisticated telemetry allows a variety of sensors to monitor numerous aspects of the car.
Cost The R Clubsport, as a final, specialized run-out model, is expected to cost in excess of US$1.2 million.
Pagani Zonda appearances in media
Since its first appearance in Gran Turismo 3 A-spec for the C12 and C12S, the Zonda in various guises has made numerous appearances in video games as well as being driven by Danica Patrick in Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got music video and for the Zonda F, was timed at its then fastest time of 1.18.4 for TV show Top Gear. The Zonda F also appears in the game Need For Speed: ProStreet.
Koenigsegg CCX $600,910
The Koenigsegg CCX is a mid-engined roadster from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg, to replace the Koenigsegg CCR. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X, the X commemorating the 10th anniversary, being the Roman numeral for ten, of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. The CCX is intended to be suitable for the United States market and thus engineered to comply with US regulations. A base model CCX costs approximately US$540,000 ( euro 370,000) but with all optional extras the car costs US$610,000 ( euro 415,000).
The CCX was first unveiled on February 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show although its existence was announced earlier. The CCX is also available as the CCXR, the difference being that CCXR's engine is tuned to run on biofuel. The different fuel and tune allows the CCXR to produce 25% more power than the CCX.
Development
Koenigsegg began the CCX project with the aim of entering the world market, though particularly the United States car market. Development engineer Magnus Jaasund said "We wanted to go into the world market, but we couldn't do it with the old car." To sell cars to the North American market many alterations were made to the design of the CCR; the previously used Ford Modular engine was replaced by a Koenigsegg engine designed to run on 91 octane fuel, readily available in the United States, and to meet the Californian emission standards. The front bumper of the CCX is designed to be safer in low speed collisions than previous Koenigseggs and the whole body is 3.46 in (88 millimeters) longer to comply with the United States' rear impact regulations. Additionally the CCX can display United States or European number plates.
The CCX is 1.61 in (41 millimeters) taller than the CCR and, combined with the carbon fiber reinforced plastic sports seats by Sparco, the CCX allows for 1.97 in (50 millimeters) of extra headroom that Autoweek reviewer Mark Vaughn hypothesises is "to accommodate U.S. NBA stars." The electronic control unit has also received an upgrade over the CCR meaning that the CCX is without physical fuses and it is lighter than the previous system.
Specifications
Performance
The CCX can accelerate from stationary to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. It can complete a standing quarter mile in 9.9 seconds with an end speed of 146 miles per hour (235 km/h). According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 245 miles per hour (395 km/h), but it has not officially been tested on a long enough straight to confirm its maximum speed. The CCX has a turning circle of 36 ft 1.1 in (11 meters) and can turn at 1.3 lateral gs (13 m/s?).
Engine
While the previous Koenigseggs were powered by a V8 Ford Modular engine sourced from the U.S., the engine of the CCX was designed by Koenigsegg based on the Ford Modular engine architecture, and assembled for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars. The engine is a 4.7 liter (4712 cc, 287 cu in) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening. The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block with higher pressures in the cylinders. The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that increase the compression to 17.5 psi (120 kPa) with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 bhp (601 kW) at 6900 rpm and 678 lbf/ft (920 newton meters) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline. The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler. The CCX engine burns 14 mpg-U.S. / 17 mpg-imp (17 Liters per 100 kilometers).
Exterior
The Koenigsegg CCX is a two-door targa top and the removable roof can be stored under the front trunk meaning that, unlike many of its competitors, it can be changed at any location, not only one where the roof can be safely left. The body, made of pre-impregnated carbon fibre and Kevlar, is 169 in (4293 millimeters) long, 78.6 in (1996 millimeters) wide and 44.1 in (1120 millimeters) tall with a ground clearance of 3.9 in (100 millimeters). As with all previous Koenigseggs the "dihedral synchro-helix" actuation doors rotate forward and upwards similar to scissor doors though the Koenigsegg design avoids the problem of the open door obscuring the passenger's entry or exit.
The car has a frontal area of 20.096 sq ft (1.867 square metres) but a drag coefficient of just 0.3. It also has a flat underside with venturi tunnels at the rear and an optional carbon rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics. Between the 2 speedster humps (humps behind the seats) is a vortex generator used as a ram-air intake that allows higher pressure in the air box without a roof scoop that would increase the frontal area. At 125 mph (200 kilometres per hour) there is 132 lbf (60 kilograms) of downforce over the front axle and 143 lbf (65 kilograms) over the rear.
Transmission
The CCX has a six speed manual gearbox made for Koenigsegg by Cima with a twin plate clutch of diameter 8.46 in (215 millimeters) as default but a sequential manual transmission option is available. The power is fed to the wheels through a torque sensitive, limited slip differential. The option to select gear ratios is available, but the default ratios of the 2007 CCX are in the table.
Wheels and brakes
The standard CCX wheels are Koenigsegg's magnesium alloy wheels, though the option to upgrade to carbon/magnesium wheels which each weigh 6.6 lb (3 kg) less than the standard wheels is available. The front wheels have a diameter of 19 in (480 millimeters) and the rear, 20 in (510 millimeters). Each of the wheels is attached by center locking wheel nuts. The car comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 unidirectional tires with asymmetric tread. The front tires have codes of 255/35 Y19 and the rear 335/30 Y20.
The front and rear cast iron disc brakes are 14 in (362 millimeters) across with 1.25 in (32 millimeters) of contact at any point and have 6 piston calipers. The brakes can be upgraded to carbon ceramic brakes which weigh 4.4 lb (2 kilograms) less per wheel, a diameter of 15 in (380 millimeters) with 1.34 in (34 millimeters) of contact and eight piston brake calipers.
Top Gear
The Koenigsegg CCX was the fastest car to complete a lap of the BBC Top Gear circuit for 18 months, in a time of 1 minute 17.6 seconds. It originally went around the course in 1:20.4, but was then fitted with a non-standard rear spoiler to provide downforce, after The Stig spun the original version off the track. The Stig purportedly recommended this modification, correctly predicting that the car would then be the fastest ever round Top Gear's track. Koenigsegg themselves state that the improvement was due to adjustments other than the spoiler.
The Koenigsegg CCX was passed by the Caparo T1 on the November 11, 2007 show, but Clarkson took it off the board, saying "You know the rules, James. If a car can't go over a sleeping policeman, it can't go on that board." This refers to Top Gear's rule that any car on the board must be able to go over a normal speed bump, something the Caparo would be unable to do because of its low nose. The Caparo was then taken off, and the Koensigsegg CCX remained the fastest road legal car for the next month until it was beaten by the Ascari A10 with a time of 1:17.3
CCXR
The Koenigsegg CCXR is an "environmentally-friendly" version CCX powered by essentially the same twin-supercharged V8 engine but converted to use E85 ethanol fuel. The engine tune in the CCXR is more powerful than that of the CCX, putting out 1018 bhp (760 kW) at 7200 rpm and 781.8 ft/lb (1060 N/m) of torque at 6100 rpm, 25% more power than the CCX, also making it the second most powerful production car in the world, behind the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Christian von Koenigsegg said that "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car". The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with 15 mpg (17L/100km). The only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings and a higher boost setting on the superchargers. Koenigsegg stated that CCX owners will be able to have their cars converted to the same engine specification as the CCXR for approximately US$100,000 ( euro 80,000) extra, although the CCX remains available for purchase as biofuel for the CCXR may not be available in some locations.
Porsche Carrera GT $484,000
The Porsche Carrera GT is a supercar that was manufactured by Porsche in Germany.
History
See also: Porsche LMP
The development of the Carrera GT can be traced back to its predecessors, the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. Due in part to the FIA and ACO rule changes in 1998, both designs had ended. Porsche at the time had planned on a new Le Mans prototype for 1999. The car was initially intended to use a turbocharged flat-6, but was later redesigned to use a new V10 engine, pushing the project back to planned competition in 2000. The V10 was a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992, but later shelved. The engine was resurrected for the Le Mans prototype and increased in size to 5.5 litres. Unfortunately the project was cancelled after two days of testing for the first car, in mid-1999, mostly due to Porsche's wish to build the Cayenne SUV with involvement from Volkswagen and Audi, thus requiring engineering expertise to be pulled from the motorsports division. It was also speculated that VW-Audi chairman Ferdinand Pi?ch wanted Audi's new Le Mans Prototype, the Audi R8 not to face competition from Porsche in 2000.
Porsche did keep part of the project alive by using the 5.5L V10 from the prototype in a concept car shown at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue provided from the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD and a dealer invoice price of approximately $414,800 USD. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as $5,000 USD. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on Jan 31, 2004.
Originally a production run of 1,500 cars was planned. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT through 2006, citing discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. As of May 6, 2006, 1,270 GT's had been manufactured, with 604 being sold in the United States.
Design
The Carrera GT is powered by an all-new 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower (450 kW) whereas the original concept car featured a 5.5 litre version rated at 558 hp (416 kW). Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), although road tests indicated that in reality the car could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds, while 0-125 mph in 9.9. The Carrera GT has a basic five color paint scheme which includes Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver and Seal Grey. Custom colors were also available from the factory. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is the only available transmission, in contrast to its rival the Enzo Ferrari which is only offered with a computer actuated paddle shifted manual gearbox. Attached to this gearbox is a birch/ash gearknob which pays homage to the wooden gearknob used in the Porsche 917 Le Mans racers. With the Enzo Ferrari priced initially around $660,000, the Carrera GT base price of $444,400 makes the dream of owning a piece of Le Mans inspired technology somewhat more attainable. The Carrera GT costs $515,000 Canadian dollars, or 390,000 euro .
The Carrera GT has large side inlets and air dams that help cool the large V10 framed by the carbon fiber rear hood. Fitted with Porsche's latest brake system, the 15 inch ceramic pad brakes make an impressive appearance underneath the 19 inch front and 20 inch rear tires. Similar to other Porsche Models, such as the 911, the GT includes an automated rear wing spoiler which deploys above 70 mph (110 km/h).
The interior is fitted with soft leather. BOSE audio system and navigation systems are available as options. In typical Porsche fashion, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel. This placement dates back to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers were required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and begin the race. The placement of the ignition enabled the driver to start the car with his left hand and put it in gear with his right.
Technology
Notable technology includes a pure carbon fiber monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The carbon fiber monocoque and subframe were produced and assembled by ATR Composites Group of Italy. The Carrera GT radiator is about five times the size of a 911 turbo's. Unlike some of its rivals, the Carrera GT does not feature dynamic stability control, but it does have traction control. Porsche claims that over 75 technology patents have been filed during the development of the Carrera GT.
Mercedes SLR McLaren $455,500
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a Anglo-German sports car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive. Built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. Daimler AG, owner of Mercedes-Benz, also owns 40% of the McLaren Group.
Classified as a sports car and compared to cars like the Porsche Carrera GT and Enzo Ferrari, the presence of the automatic gear box, front mid-engined arrangement and its driving characteristics lead some commentators to classify the SLR McLaren as a Super GT whose closer rivals are the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Ferrari 599 GTB. One of the goals of the SLR was to combine both sports car and GT characteristics.
It is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world. SLR stands for "Sport, Leicht, Rennsport" (sport, light, racing). Mercedes-Benz has stated that they will build 3500 SLRs in a span of 7 years, with an annual production of only 500 cars. The car's base price is GB?300,000 (approx. US$495,000 or euro 475,000, c. 2007).
History
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR of 1955 which was actually based on the W196 F1 car, yet named after the road-going 300SL Gullwing.
Brakes
The SLR McLaren can reach a speed of 210 mph and has a brake speed of 210 to 0 in 94.3 feet.The brake discs are carbon-ceramic which provide better stopping power and fade resistance than steel discs. Mercedes-Benz claims these discs are fade (wear) resistant to 1200 degreeC. The front discs are internally vented and 370 mm in diameter. 8 piston calipers are used. Rear discs are 360 mm in diameter with 4 piston calipers. The result of these massive rotors is a maximum braking power of 1500 kW. When it is wet the calipers automatically skim the surface of the disks to keep them dry.
The SLR also has a spoiler mounted on the rear integral air brake flap. The spoiler increases downforce depending on its angle of elevation (angle of attack). At speeds above 95 km/h the spoiler/brake automatically raises to 10 degrees (15 in 722 edition), when demanded via the driver's switch, the elevation can be increased to 30 degrees (35 in 722 version) for increased rear downforce, at the cost of increased steady state drag. A final function is the automatic air brake, when engaged the rear elevation angle is increased to 65 degrees. The additional rear downforce in addition to the markedly increased aerodynamic drag increases peak deceleration ~25%.
Engine
The SLR sports a 232-kilogram (512 lb), hand-built, 5.4-litre (5439 cc/331.9 cu in), supercharged, all-aluminum, SOHC V8 engine. The cylinders are angled at 90 degrees with three valves per cylinder and lubricated via a dry sump system. The compression ratio is 8.8:1 and the bore and stroke is 97 millimetre (3.82 in) and 92 millimeters (3.62 in), respectively. The Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger produces 0.9 bar (13 psi) of boost, the turbine rotates at 23000 revolutions per minute, and the air is cooled via two intercoolers. The engine generates a maximum power of 626 PS (617 hp/460 kW) at 6500 revolutions per minute and a maximum torque of 780 newton-metres (575 ft/lbf) at 3250 revolutions per minute. 2003 models were leaving showrooms at 616bhp and now are every so slightly increased to 626hbp (464kw).
Unlike most of its contemporaries, its engine is front-mid mounted. McLaren took the original concept car designed by Mercedes and moved the engine 1 metre behind the front bumper, and around 50 cm behind the front axle. They also optimized the design of the center firewall.
Performance
McLaren's performance claims for the SLR have been confirmed. Depending on the source, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 3.5 seconds (see below), 0-200 km/h in 10.6 seconds, and 300 km/h in 28.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 334 km/h (208 mph), and has once reached a speed of 210 mph (340 km/h), which makes it the fastest car with a true automatic transmission with a torque converter. The car uses carbon fibre for its entire body construction, which makes it lighter. Curb weight is 1768 kg (3898 lb). The SLR is one of the safest and most luxurious cars of its class ever built, straying from the practice of eliminating luxuries for the sake of weight reduction.
Car and Driver achieved a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph (201 km/h). C&D suggests the times may be even lower if temperatures were higher. Car and Driver achieved top gear acceleration 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph times of 1.7 and 2.4 seconds, which are the fastest ever recorded by the magazine in a production car. The SLR also pulled 0.97 g on the skidpad.
Road and Track tested the car in their July 2005 Road Test and reached 60 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 3.5 seconds. The 0-100 mph sprint was achieved in 7.5 seconds and a Quarter Mile run was completed in 11.5 seconds at 126 mph (203 km/h).
The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, in 2004, tested the SLR at the Nardo test track in southern Italy. They reported that the SLR accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.7 seconds, and 300 km/h in 30.6 seconds. The car's 400-meter time and 1 km time were found to be 11.5 seconds at 207 km/h, and 20.5 seconds at 269 km/h, respectively. They also reached its claimed 334 km/h top speed.
Comparison
Despite its 2-ton weight, the fuel economy is generally better than the lighter Lamborghini Murci?lago, and even its lighter, less expensive, less powerful sibling, Gallardo. Also, BBC auto show Top Gear put the SLR and the Porsche Carrera GT on its track, and the Porsche beat the SLR-McLaren by just over a second (1:19.8 vs. 1:20.9 ). However, on a separate race around the same track, the SLR was fractionally quicker than the Carrera GT. In a straight line, the SLR is quicker throughout the range.
722 Edition
A new version was introduced in 2006 called the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The 722 refers to the victory by 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.
The "722 Edition" boosts power to 478 kW (650 hp) and 820 N/m (605 ft/lbf) torque at 4000 rpm, posting a top speed of 340 km/h (6 km/h faster than the standard SLR). 19-inch light-alloy wheels were used to reduce unsprung weight, while modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted.
Overall performance has increased, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h time of 10.2 seconds and 0-300 km/h in 28 seconds. Exterior changes, other than the larger 19-inch black light-alloy wheels, include red 722 badging, hearkening back to the original 722 racer.
Roadster
A roadster version of the SLR has also been confirmed, due to go on sale in September 2007 for ?350,000 ($711,065 U.S.). It uses the same supercharged V8 AMG power plant as its coup? siblings, developing 626 bhp (467 kW), to propel it to a top speed of 332 km/h and enable a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) dash time of 3.8 seconds. However, being a convertible the roadster will have to be burdened with extra weight and this will affect performance and handling. The Roadster's roof, however, is made from a "newly developed material" and hence will not take the form of a folding metal arrangement, as is now common on many modern cars. Following a manual unlatching, it takes a mere 10 seconds to fold away electrically. According to an official document from Mercedes, the cabin of the roadster is capable of allowing conversation between driver and passenger up to a speed of 124 mph (200 km/h) with the roof retracted. It is unsure if McLaren will release another version of the roadster like it did with the SLR 722 version. This roadster is aimed to compete against other sports cars such as the Pagani Zonda F Roadster.
722 GT
The 722 GT is a tuned version of the SLR 722 which is developed for a one-make racing series. The cars are built by Ray Mallock Ltd. with approval from Mercedes-Benz. The car features new wider bodywork to accommodate 19 inch OZ racing wheels. The front grill vents are removed and larger, freer flowing air extractors sit on the hood and flank the side of the car. The rear now has a racing wing and diffuser.
Under the body, the car has shed 300 kg and reduced its dry weight to 1300 kg (2866 lb). The engine remains in relatively stock specification but now produces 500 kW (680 bhp) and 830 N/m (612 ft/lbf) at 1.75 bar (175 kPa) boost. Inside, the car is stripped out with only the essential functions being controlled from a carbon fiber binnacle. New carbon fiber door panels and full roll cage complete the transformation. Only 21 examples of the 722 GT are planned to be made, all of which will be for racing use only. Each costs upward of euro 750,000.
Maybach 62 $385,250
The Maybach 57 (chassis no. W240) and 62 (chassis no. V240) were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by DaimlerChrysler AG (now Daimler AG). They are derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.
History
DaimlerChrysler AG attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by Volkswagen, and BMW later exercised an option to acquire the Rolls-Royce car brand) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002. Both models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, generating 550 hp.
Introduction
On June 26, 2002, a Maybach 62 enclosed in a glass case on the Queen Elizabeth II departed from Southampton, England en route to New York with the media and company officials staying in the luxury suites on board.
The ship arrived in New York on July 2 along with geysering fireboats and a party boat. A helicopter lifted the car off the liner and onto a dock. It was then driven to the Regent Hotel Wall Street.
Variants
Maybach 57
The Maybach 57 is the base the 57 designation)
Maybach 57 S
DaimlerChrysler revealed the Maybach 57 S at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It uses a 6.0 L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. Power output is 604 hp (450 kW) and 738 ft/lbf (1000 N/m), providing a sub-5 second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h). It also rides 0.5 in (13 mm) lower on 20 in (508 mm) wheels. The North American unveiling was at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.
The S stands for "special" and not for "sport".
Maybach 62
The Maybach 62 includes many luxury features such as fully-reclining rear seats, Maybach 4 zone climate control, tinted, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round, AirMATIC dual control air suspension, display instruments in rear roof liner (showing speed, time and outside temperature), folding rear tables (left and right), BOSE Surround Everywhere sound system and a refrigerator compartment. The Maybach 62 also includes an array of additional features such as Cockpit Management and Navigation System (COMAND), which includes DVD navigation, CD changer in rear seats, DVD players and TV tuners front and rear, two rear LCD TV screens including remote control and two sets of headphones, automatic closing doors.
Even though the Maybach 62 has all these features included, optional extras are available. Some of these optional extras include a panoramic glass sun roof at a cost of $11,670 and an external communication system, which includes a loudspeaker and microphone system which allows the occupant in the rear of the Maybach to talk and listen to the people outside the car. This option comes at a cost of $1,780. A further option for the Maybach is a retractable electrotransparent partition screen between the driver and the rear occupants, at $23,780. The most expensive option for the Maybach is a high protection GUARD B4 Package which costs $151,810.
Maybach 62 S
The Maybach 62 S appeared in November 2006 at the Auto China 2006 exhibit in Beijing. It features the same engine as the 57S, a 612-HP twin-turbo V12 made by DaimlerChrysler.
Prices
Maybach automobiles are priced to directly compete with Rolls-Royce. The below dollar and other currency equivalents are based on March 28th, 2007 exchange rates:
Maybach 57 - $335,500 (?170,796, or euro 251,396) ($465,500 with all options + taxes, delivery)
Maybach 57 S - $377,000 (?191,923, or euro 282,492) ($507,000 with all options + taxes, delivery)
Maybach 62 - $386,500 (?196,759, or euro 289,611) ($516,500 with all options + taxes, delivery)
Maybach 62 S - $426,000 (?216,868, or euro 319,209) ($690,000 with all options + taxes, delivery)
No Brabus Maybach prices have been given yet.
Options, taxes, delivery, etc., can cost approximately US$130,000 alone.
Prototypes and aftermarked tuner versions
Brabus Maybach
The tuning firm Brabus, famous for high-performance and stylistic aftermarket modifications to Mercedes-Benz and Smart automobiles, produced a version of the 57/62 in 2004 which adds significant performance, features and style to the models. Electronically limited to a 300km/h (186.411 miles/hour) speed limit, these large vehicles produce 1026 N/m of torque and accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
This makes the Brabus Maybach arguably the fastest super-luxury motorcar in the world, a trend which was started in 1968 by the Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3.
Maybach 62 Landaulet
The Maybach 62 Landaulet, based on the Maybach 62S, revives the classic landaulet car body style, which was popular in the 1920s and 30s. Powered by the 62S' 612-horsepower biturbo V12, the Landaulet's front seats are fully enclosed and separated from the rear passenger compartment by a power divider window. Back seat passengers get a sliding soft roof that lets them take in the sun from the comfort of the back seats. The chauffeur's area is finished in black leather, while the rear is done in all white with piano black and gold-flecked black granite inserts. Also, the opacity of the glass partition separating the driver from the passengers can be electronically controlled.
Maybach publicly unveiled the Landaulet at the Middle East International Auto Show around the end of November 2007 as a concept car. It has recently been confirmed that the car will go into limited production.
Rolls-Royce Phantom $320,000
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is an ultra-luxury saloon automobile made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a BMW subsidiary, in the United Kingdom. It was launched in 2003 and is the first Rolls-Royce branded car made under the ownership of BMW.
Specifications
It has a 6.75 L, 48-valve, V12 engine that produces 453 hp (338 kW) and 531 ft/lbf (720 N/m) of torque. The engine is derived from BMW's existing V12 powerplant.
It is 1.63 m (63 in) tall, 1.99 m (74.8 in) wide, 5.83 m (228 in) long, and weighs 2485 kg (5478 lb). The body of the car is built on an aluminium space frame and the Phantom can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 s. It has a six-speed automatic transmission and double wishbone suspension.
The Phantom features side markers on all vehicles (rear ones are red in the U.S. to comply with federal car lighting rules).
An extended wheelbase Phantom was presented in March 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, which is 250 mm (9.8 in) longer than the standard Phantom. It is currently referred to as the Phantom Extended Wheelbase. It is currently unknown whether the car will go into production or not.*
Design
Although some 15 percent of components are shared with other BMW models such as the BMW 7 Series, the Phantom retains the traditional Rolls-Royce design cues.
The intention was to avoid being seen as just an extension to the BMW range. When Mercedes introduced its Maybach luxury saloon, it was criticized for producing "the ultimate Mercedes" instead of a totally different car. The car shared many components with and looked like the less expensive S-Class Sedan. BMW learned from this lesson, selling the Phantom through separate dealerships where BMWs are not sold, while the Maybach showroom also sells the most basic of Mercedes models.
The aluminium spaceframe body is built in a BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany and the V12 engine in Munich. Final assembly, as well as all wood and leather work, for each customer's individual specification is at a purpose built euro 100M plant at Goodwood, West Sussex, England. The Goodwood plant contains only two robots to paint the spaceframe body; all other work is done by hand, in keeping with the Rolls-Royce tradition.
Novel features
Instead of a tachometer, the car has a power reserve dial indicating how much of the engine's power is left available to the driver.
The rear doors are rear-hinged, a style commonly referred to as suicide doors, but called 'coach doors' by Rolls-Royce. Because of the rear-seating position in relation to the rear inner-door handles, buttons are mounted on both C-pillars which operate hydraulic motors in order to close the rear doors. An electronic lock prevents the doors from being accidentally opened when moving.
The rear doors feature pop-out umbrellas. Fans are installed in the holding compartment to remove moisture when the umbrellas are stored. ?koda offers a similar feature for the compact executive car ?koda Superb (a plastic box inside the left rear seat's armrest including an umbrella).
The traditional Spirit of Ecstasy ornament has an electronic retraction mechanism to prevent theft and protect pedestrians in the event of an accident. It may also be retracted by the driver at the touch of a button.
The 'RR' logos on each of the wheel hubs are independent bezels in order to always remain upright while the wheel is rotating.
Drophead Coup?
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coup? is the latest convertible made by Rolls-Royce which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan on January 7, 2007. The platform is based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom and has styling heavily derived from the 100EX concept car unveiled to celebrate the company's centennial in 2004.
Sales
BMW has set a lifetime limit that only 10,000 units of the Phantom will be built.
The base price is ?250,000 in the UK and $300,000 in the US.
After selling 805 units in 2006, Rolls Royce first met its annual sales target of 1,000 vehicles in 2007 (1,010 Phantoms sold, Drophead Coup? sales included).
In 2004, Rolls-Royce was selling twice as many cars as its closest rival Maybach.
The 2000th car rolled out of the Goodwood factory in December 2005.
In July 2006, Rolls Royce produced a limited edition run of 25 cars called the "Phantom Black"
The 3000th car rolled out of the Goodwood factory in March 2007.
Rolls Royce produced a limited edition run of 25 cars to commemorate the centenary of the Silver Ghost.
The Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel has purchased a fleet of 14 Extended Wheelbase Phantoms to replace the Silver Spurs in the fleet, all painted in a special "Peninsula Green" and delivered in December 2006, making history for being the largest single order for the Phantom.
Rolls Royce released a special Tungsten edition Phantom which incorporated innovations featured in the EX101 Experimental Car.
Lamborghini Murcielago $279,900
The Lamborghini Murci?lago is a Sports Car produced by Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Diablo. The Murci?lago is a two-door, two-seat coup?. To celebrate the company's 40 years in operation, 50 special edition Murci?lagos were built during the autumn of 2003. An open-top version called the Murci?lago Roadster was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The roadster features similar performance to the coup? with a more aggressive rear flank, as well as a considerably higher price tag.
The Murci?lago sports a 6.2 Liter version of the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, side mirrors that fold in to improve aerodynamics, and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine. The 2008 car's fuel economy is 8 mpg (U.S.) (29 L/100 km) city and 13 mpg (U.S.) (18 L/100 km) freeway, making it the least efficient 2008 car for city driving, according to the EPA.
The coup?'s base price is US $313,00, which is US $107,000 more than its smaller sibling, the Lamborghini Gallardo.
In 2006 the Murci?lago's engine was replaced by a stronger 6.5-liter engine and the car's name was changed to Murci?lago LP640. For the 2007 model year Lamborghini did the same with the roadster model, which is now called Murci?lago LP640 Roadster. Both versions received a minor facelift.
The name
The name Murci?lago (pronounced mur-cee-EH-la-goh in traditional Castilian Spanish and moor-see-EH-la-goh in Spanish of Latin America), means "bat" in Spanish, comes from a bull that survived 24 sword strokes in an 1879 fight at the arena of C?rdoba, and fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honor. In another Lamborghini tie-in, the bull was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, who was a noted breeder and whose bull ranch the Lamborghini Miura was named after, and went on to sire a line of famous fighting bulls.
LP640
The LP640 version was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, as a facelift for the coup? version. It features a 6.5 Liter engine, now producing 631 bhp (471 kW), improving performance substantially. Like the base Murci?lago, the engine is mounted "backwards", with the transmission in front of the engine and the differential behind it, instead of a transaxle normally seen on mid-engine cars. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes.
The front and rear bumpers have been reshaped to channel air more efficiently, and the new exhaust has been shaped into the rear diffuser to minimize aerodynamic lift. The air intake on the left side has been enlarged to accommodate the feeding of the oil cooler. The car's body is made up of steel and carbon fiber, while underneath a revised suspension has been added to keep up with the car's exceptional performance. It also has an all-wheel-drive system that normally distributes 70% of the torque to the rear wheels, but can allocate up to 100% to either end depending on where the grip is running out. There are also new 18-inch (460 mm) Hermera alloy wheels running huge 335/30 tires at the rear. The LP640 retains the original car's scissor-opening doors. The LP640 coup? U.S. MSRP rests at $318,800.
Inside the LP640, the seating has been reshaped to accommodate greater headroom, while an upgraded instrument panel is flanked by an improved stereo system.
The LP640's optional equipment includes ceramic brakes for swifter braking, chrome paddle shifters, and a glass engine cover which shows off the LP640's 6.5 Liter V12 engine.
A special edition version of the Murci?lago LP640 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The Versace edition features a customized all-white exterior and a matching white interior. However, a 1-of-a-kind black LP640 Versace and LP640 Roadster Versace were also presented by the factory.
Lamborghini announced the LP640 Roadster version at the 2006 LA Auto Show.
Engine
LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, referring to the longitudinally-mounted, 6.5 L V12 engine, capable of producing up to 633 bhp (472 kW) at 8000 rpm. Along with a new six-speed manual transmission, which can come in Lamborghini's optional paddle shift "E-gear" package, the LP640 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds: 0.4 of a second quicker than the previous Murci?lago. The LP640 is accommodated by an electronic Launch control device called "Thrust."
LP640 Roadster
The new Lamborghini Murci?lago LP640 Roadster was presented on the 2006 Los Angeles Autoshow. It features the same engine as the LP640 coup? and replaces the 6.2 Liter Murci?lago Roadster. The only design changes were oil cooling vents behind the air intakes, interior changes, and a reinforced body.
LP640 Versace
Presented at the Paris International Autoshow, the Lamborghini Murci?lago LP640 Versace is a special edition version of the LP640 Coup?, with all the same performance features. The only difference is the two tone white-black trim, shown on both the exterior and interior of the car. However, Lamborghini de Spa have also built 1 black LP640 & LP640 Roadster. It also features custom Versace leather seating and a Gianni Versace logo plaque inside the vehicle.
Motorsport
The Lamborghini Murci?lago R-GT is a race-only version of the Murci?lago, developed jointly with Reiter Engineering and Audi Sport. It has rear-wheel drive unlike the standard Murci?lago to comply with the FIA, ACO, and JAF rules. The car retains the standard Murci?lago V12, but has air restrictors to manage power. Its acceleration and top speed are highly dependent on the gearing selected for a particular race track.
In March 2006 at the Super GT Suzuka 500 km, a Murcielago R-GT specifically built for Super GT (and rebadged RG-1) for the Japanese Lamborghini Owners Club (JLOC) recorded the first win ever for a Murcielago when they earned a win in the GT300 class. In March 2007 in the FIA GT Championship, the All-Inkl.com Racing Murci?lago won the Zhuhai 2 Hours.
In December 2006, Reiter Engineering tested an upgraded Murcielago R-GT LM, featuring redesigned body work and a new rear wing with less drag.
Related Information
Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa is the only person in the world to own a converted automatic Murci?lago. The car was given to her as a gift by her husband, but upon realizing she could not drive a manual transmission, Kobe Bryant had the car converted to an automatic. The estimated cost of the car after conversion and customization was US$400,000.
German tuner Hamann Motorsport produced a one-off LP640 Roadster with enhanced aerodynamic components, new rear silencer, new rims and some interior enhancements.
Cars Based on the Murcielago
Lamborghini Miura Concept
A Lamborghini Miura concept car was presented at the Museum of Television & Radio on January 5, 2006 alongside the Los Angeles Auto Show, though it was not present at the show itself. Instead, the Miura officially debuted at the North American International Auto Show two weeks later. It was the first design by new Lamborghini chief, Walter de'Silva, and commemorates the 1966 introduction of the original Miura in Geneva.
Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann has denied the concept will return the Miura to production, saying "The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won't do the Miura."
Lamborghini Revent?n
Lamborghini's own Revent?n is a mid-engined sports car that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. It will be the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini to date, costing one million euro. The official press release states that only 20 will be built, but it is rumoured that the total number could be 100. The exterior styling was inspired by the F-22 Raptor. Although the exterior is partially new, almost the entire mechanics (including the engine) are taken directly from the Murci?lago LP640.
Aston Martin Vanquish $255,000
The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, often shortened to Vanquish, was designed by Ian Callum, and is a grand tourer manufactured by Aston Martin. From its 2001 introduction to its cancellation, it was Aston Martin's flagship vehicle. Its rise to recognition by the wider public came after being featured as the official James Bond car in Die Another Day, the twentieth James Bond film.
It was discontinued in 2007. The Aston Martin DBS V12 will temporarily replace it atop Aston's lineup pending the 2010 introduction of a replacement.
Development & models
The Vanquish was developed in the wake of a GT concept car, the Project Vantage concept car, which debuted with a V-12 engine at the North American International Auto Show in January 1998. The production model was unveiled in 2000, and series production began in 2001 (the car arrived in the United States as a 2002 model).
The car was largely unchanged until 2005, when the Vanquish S model debuted at the 2004 Paris Auto Show , with more power, slight styling revisions, and new wheels. It also incorporated the features of a 2004 option package, the Sports Dynamic Pack, which incorporated sportier suspension, steering, and brake features. This model was sold for the 2005 (alongside the base Vanquish) and 2006 (as a stand-alone) model years in the United States with only minor running changes; it was not sold in the States for 2007.
The end of the Vanquish's production run was celebrated with the Vanquish Ultimate Edition. Aston Martin announced that the last 40 cars built would have a new 'Ultimate Black' exterior color, upgraded interior, and personalized sill plaques. More significantly, the Ultimate Edition was the first Vanquish to be offered with a conventional stick-shift manual transmission. The auto-shift manual gearbox in the original Vanquish has been widely criticized (perhaps most infamously by Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC's Top Gear program), so this change was greeted with approval by the automotive press. Aston Martin offered to retrofit the new gearbox to any Vanquish, for a cost of ?13,250.
Aston Martin was frequently rumoured to be considering a roadster version of the Vanquish, especially in response to the Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, but no such version ever emerged. The Vanquish was the basis of two concept cars, both shown at the International Geneva Motor Show in 2004, the Zagato Roadster (a 2-seat roadster) and the Bertone Jet 2 (a 2-door shooting brake).
Vanquish production ended on 19 July 2007, coinciding with the shutting of the company's Newport Pagnell factory after 49 years of operation. The last car was a Vanquish S Ultimate Edition in black.
Engineering
The Vanquish is powered by a 5.9 L (5935 cc) 48-valve 60 degree V12 engine, which produces 343 kW (460 hp) and 542 N/m (400 ft/lbf) of torque. It is controlled by a fly-by-wire throttle and a 6 speed clutchless sequential manual transmission. The V12 Vanquish S upped the power to 388 kW (520 hp) and 577 N/m (426 ft/lbf). The V12 engine in the Vanquish was designed at Ford Research in the USA. Cosworth Technologies was originally contracted to manufacture the engine, but had no involvement with the design. Previous articles which correctly recount this engine's development have appeared in Automotive Industries magazine.
The Vanquish's V12 engine shares some components and design elements with the 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6. It even shares the same bore and stroke dimensions. For this reason, many people incorrectly dismiss the Aston Martin V12 as merely "two Duratecs linked together." While it is correct that the AM V12 shares components with the 'Duratec' engine design, it is not possible to simply put two V6's together to make a V12.
The standard Vanquish model had 355 mm (14 in) drilled and ventilated disc brakes with ABS, with electronic brake distribution, while the Vanquish S featured larger 378 mm (15 in) front and 330 mm (13 in) rear rotors. It featured 19-inch wheels.
As part of its improvements, the Vanquish S featured a slightly improved coefficient of drag of 0.32. Its front and rear track were 1524 mm (60 in) and 1529 mm (60 in), respectively.
Performance
Weaknesses
The Vanquish has drawn criticism for a number of weaknesses in its design. In particular, some interior materials have been cited as unfit for a car of this price and prestige. Much of the aluminum trim is actually plastic and several of the instruments are visibly related to items from less exotic Ford Motor Company products. Additional concerns of owners and testers include the weight and apparent cooling system deficiencies of the car. Despite Aston's materials innovations that include epoxy bonding and composite structural members, the Vanquish is a heavy car, weighing well over two tons with driver and fuel. The car's sporting aspirations are drawn into question by this excess weight and a cooling system that reportedly fails to support sustained track activity in warm weather.
Prior to the release of the Vanquish S, there had been critics who felt the Vanquish was not adequately differentiated from the DB9, a $160,000 Aston Martin that was lighter and far less expensive (approximately $160,000 instead of the Vanquish's $220,000), with nearly the same power and a bespoke interior.
The main criticism has been the paddle-shift gearbox's ability to operate smoothly and correctly. Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear presenter, criticised the gearbox sharply in a 10 November 2002 comparison test with the Ferrari 575M Maranello, highlighting the gearbox's somewhat touchy responses, especially on hills, concluding: "Well done, whoever thought of this. What was the matter with a manual? Why do we have to have this?" In another test, performed on the 14 November 2004 program, Clarkson again described the gearbox's unreliability while attempting a high-speed circuit lap: "We gave it to the Stig, started the lap, half-way through the lap... stopped selecting third. Sent it back to the factory, came back, set off, stopped selecting ALL gears." In the end, a full lap was accomplished "three weeks after it first set off".
An official aftermarket modification, including the addition of a six-speed full-manual gearbox with a clutch pedal, became available in 2007.