Dang! Great new sportscar

[blackraven]

Here's the worlds fastest super car-

http://whatsthecrack.net/SSC-superca...ion-car-record

[Feanor]

Here's the worlds fastest super car-

http://whatsthecrack.net/SSC-superca...ion-car-record

Impressive, but as originally conceived this thread was about automotive esthetics, not performance.

Well, OK. I guess for some people, (males?), edgy "macho" designs, growling exhausts, rocket sled acceleration, 275 MPH, etc., are esthetic. Confident male that I am, I can appreciate sleekness and smooth, liquid, feline, almost "feminine" designs like the lates McLaren.

I'm not saying the Bugatti is ugly, but I'm not too impressed with the Mecedes SLS AMG for example; (reference: audio amateur).

[blackraven]

Here's a practical sedan that has nice lines, too bad its made by VW.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...Passat-CC.aspx

[Worf101]

Ahem ah say.. How in the name of all that's holy is a man to go back to work after viewing all this.. this... Automotive Porn!!!!?????

Da Worfster

[Feanor]

Here's a practical sedan that has nice lines, too bad its made by VW.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...Passat-CC.aspx

The CC is a very handsome car. It's been mentioned that like the Mercedes CLS, it sacrifices some accomodation for looks. I don't have a huge problem with that. And I really like the CLS.

Pasat CC ...


Mecedes Benz CLS ...

[audio amateur]

The Porsche Panamera posted by NF isn't the real thing. As I can tell it's a prototype photo, and appears to share a lot from Porsche's flagship 'Carrera GT'. Unfortunately it looks a lot better than the real thing. This is what it looks like now that it is in production:

It's also the best looking of the Panamera range as it is the 'turbo' - read twin-turbo V8 which probably puts out around 500 horses.

I do like the SLS, perhaps because it doesn't look like anything Mercedes, and also because it's supposedly based on the Viper's chassis.

The new McLaren is a bit too slick for my liking, I prefere the 'roughness' of the original.

[audio amateur]

This is the Lotec I was refering to Feanor:

One heck a good looking car, although I don't know much about it.

Coming back to German highways, they are moslty crowded in speed unrestricted areas, and the unrestricted bits are more and more becoming restricted. You do every once and a while see nut cases cruising at 200km/h+ (120mph) in their BMW, which means you really have to watch out when you're on the left lane, passing someone.
An English car mag (Evo) in one issue were challenged to top 200mph on unrestricted German autobahn with very fast cars. At that speed it's like tunnel vision, and things come very fast. Not worth trying IMO...

[nightflier]

Wow, Yeah, that pust a damper on that Panamera for sure. Why do car companies always do that? You seem something awesome at a show, you wait for years to reach production, and then it ends up being ho-hum when it comes out. Here's another one that looks pretty friggin hot for now but that will probably look like a VW when it's all said & done:



More pics:

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/v...ro-x-concept/3

____________________________

P.S. Here are the specs on the 2001 Lotec:

2001 Lotec Sirius Concept Specifications - Specs

engine Twin Turbo Mercedes-Benz V12
valvetrain 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement 5987 cc / 365.3 cu in
bore 98 mm / 3.86 in
stroke 80.2 mm / 3.16 in
compression 8.5:1
power 994.8 kw / 1334 bhp @ 6300 rpm
hp per litre 222.82 bhp per litre
bhp/weight
torque 1300 nm / 958.8 ft lbs @ 3400 rpm
drive wheels Mid Engine / RWD
front brakes Brembro Discs
front wheels F 45.7 x 24.1 cm / 18.0 x 9.5 in
rear wheels R 45.7 x 33.0 cm / 18.0 x 13.0 in
front tire size 225/45ZR18
rear tire size 345/35ZR18
weight 1280 kg / 2822 lbs
length 4120 mm / 162.2 in
width 2080 mm / 81.9 in
height 1120 mm / 44.1 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
top speed 400 kph / 248.5 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.7 seconds

The 2009 has similar specs, but adds a little more horsepower under the hood:

"The German supercar Lotec Sirius was introduced earlier in the millennium by the previous Group C2 championship race winner Kurt Lotterschmid. It was propelled by a twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz 6.0-Liter V12 engine and was made available in several performance levels, beginning with about 850 hp (635 kW) up to 1,200 hp (895 kW) in some form.

In spite of a number of obstacles and eventual production setbacks surrounding the initial Sirius, Lotec intends to make available an improved version in 2009 and has released sample illustrations of the new vehicle. No specs have yet been given but our sources says that the new vehicle will probably yield less than the present version, most probably because of the preceding V12 mill no longer being offered. One element that will stay, however, will be the present version’s carbon-fiber over tubular steel-frame design structure. This hi-tech construction method allows the Sirius to tip the scales at less than 1,400 kg in spite being equipped with numerous creature comforts such as air-conditioning and power-steering. Although not established independently, Lotec says that its supercar was able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, exceed 120 mph in 7.8 seconds and attain maximum speed of 242 mph." (http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2009-lote...th-more-power/)

[audio amateur]

Lol, you guys seem to have something against VW
Speaking of which, the Sirocco (don't know if sold in the US), is a hot little car:

[audio amateur]

Here's the worlds fastest super car-

http://whatsthecrack.net/SSC-superca...ion-car-record

Interesting article. Top Gear (english program) tested the Veyron on an oval track and hit 407km/h (254 mph). It's brilliantly filmed just like all the other episodes, you can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da0YhGoyT9w

[Feanor]

This is the Lotec I was refering to Feanor:

One heck a good looking car, although I don't know much about it.
...

Yep, that's a looker alright, and better looking than the car in the link I found.

It's extremely sleek, so much so that I not seeing how it is less "bland" than the McLaren MP4-12C ...



I love the large but sculpted air scoops ahead of the rear wheels. I really admire the smooth integration of the front grill. Yes, and I really like the color: silver is so banal nowadays.

[nightflier]

From that angle it looks even more like an eclipse....

[Feanor]

From that angle it looks even more like an eclipse....

This Eclipse? ...


Well, I think the resemblance is less than remarkable but the Eclipse isn't such a bad looking car.

[recoveryone]

well until I win the lottery, I'll have to stick with my daily driver

[blackraven]

Lol, you guys seem to have something against VW
Speaking of which, the Sirocco (don't know if sold in the US), is a hot little car:

I bought a brand new passat station wagon years ago. And in the first 12months i had to replace the oil pump, power steering pump and water pump all due to leaks. Needless to say, we traded it in before the warranty expired for a Mazda MPV which had no problems what so ever. And all German cars are very expensive to fix here in the U.S.. Insurance is higher because the parts cost so much.

[nightflier]

I bought a brand new passat station wagon years ago. And in the first 12months i had to replace the oil pump, power steering pump and water pump all due to leaks. Needless to say, we traded it in before the warranty expired for a Mazda MPV which had no problems what so ever. And all German cars are very expensive to fix here in the U.S.. Insurance is higher because the parts cost so much.

Yep, replacing a cup-holder on my Saab will run you $400+. Adding XM radio something like $500. Brakes at least twice as much as any Toyota/Lexus. So if the Japanese can do it for half the price, why can't the Germans and the Swedes?

Speaking of the Japanese, some interesting designs are trickling out from across the Pacific, like the new NSX:



But the most recent news is that Honda/Acura has shelved the project until American shoppers can actually afford it again. I guess for now the Japanese are happy getting the American Consumer to be satisfied with more hello-kitty fare like this monstrosity:



Is anyone here really going to buy that?

[ForeverAutumn]

Is anyone here really going to buy that?

Isn't that the car that Bobsticks bought last year?

[ForeverAutumn]

This seemed like the appropriate thread for this joke...

While she was flying down the road yesterday, a woman passed over a bridge only to find a cop with a radar gun on the other side lying in wait. The cop pulled her over, walked up to the car, with that classic patronizing smirk we all know and love, asked, 'What's your hurry?'

To which she replied, 'I'm late for work.'

'Oh yeah,' said the cop, 'what do you do?'

I'm a rectum stretcher,' she responded.

The cop stammered, 'A what?.............. A rectum stretcher? And just what does a rectum stretcher do?'

'Well,' she said, 'I start by inserting one finger, then work my way up to two fingers, then three, then four, then with my whole hand in I work from side to side until I can get both hands in, and then I slowly but surely stretch it, until it' s about 6 feet wide.'

'And just what the hell do you do with a 6 foot asshole?' he asked

'You give him a radar gun and park him behind a bridge...'

[nightflier]

I ran across this on Yahoo. Enjoy (or weep):

What Your Car Says About You

[jrhymeammo]

Looks like the Zonda now comes with the SME 345 tonearm and vacuum tubes.








http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/116...-exhaust-ports

[audio amateur]

I saw that system at the Geneva Motor Show at the Pagani stand earlier this year. They were also exposing a VERY limited edition of the Zonda (only 5 are/will be made).
Don't find the system good looking at all... The car however, is a different matter

[Feanor]

Looks like the Zonda now comes with the SME 345 tonearm and vacuum tubes.

http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/116...-exhaust-ports

Down-right SCARY hi-fi!! That sort of bling just doesn't appeal to me.

The car isn't much better. Too "Batman" for me. The McLaren is far sleeker and handsomer to my eye.

[nightflier]

Maybe it's that burnt-orange paint job that reminds me so much of the Eclipse....

[jrhymeammo]

I don't know much about ribbon tweeters for boxed speakers.
Any idea who makes them?
Yeah, I don't care for that kind of bling either.

JRA

[Feanor]

I don't know much about ribbon tweeters for boxed speakers.
Any idea who makes them?
Yeah, I don't care for that kind of bling either.

JRA

Why yes, yes I do know who makes them.

Presently the most prominent maker of ribbon tweeters are Fountek, HERE, and Aurum Cantus, HERE.

Fountek JP2.0 ...