Automobile Blog

The 2005 Mazda RX-8 is available as either a 238-horsepower model fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, or a 197-horsepower model fitted with a four-speed automatic with Sport Shift, which incorporates steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for a Formula 1-style driving experience. Both automatic and manual transmission cars come equipped with power windows, mirrors and door locks, cruise control and a thumping AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers.

New for 2005 models is the addition of Whitewater Pearl to the exterior color palate and a Sirius satellite radio option. Sirius provides more than 120 satellite channels from coast to coast and is compatible with both the stock and upgraded sound systems. Mazda dealers need only add an antenna and satellite receiver kit and customers need only subscribe to activate the Sirius system.

The RX-8’s normally aspirated 1.3-liter engine might appear diminutive to the untrained eye when compared to large-displacement V-8s or heavyweight V-10s or V-12s. However, through the incredible efficiencies of a rotary powerplant, an advanced three-stage intake system and an electronic throttle, the RENESIS engine delivers smooth, linear power on a grand scale.

The styling of the Mazda RX-8 is made up of taut muscular lines, suggesting the look of an athlete in motion. The muscular design maintains classic sports car proportions while adding a Zoom-Zoom edge that is unmistakably Mazda. Integrated throughout the exterior is the unique triangular rotor design, which clearly can be seen in the front fascia, head lamps, hood and rear bumper valence. RX-8’s exterior dimensions are virtually identical to the Porsche 911, yet it still manages to seat four adults and offers sufficient rear-seat room to install a rear-facing child seat.

The Lamborghini Murcielago is 2-seater, 2-door coupe (with the now familiar gull-wing doors) based on the traditional Lamborghini layout: mid-mounted V12 engine, typical Lamborghini transmission with the gearbox mounted in front of the engine and the rear differential integrated into the engine unit, permanent four-wheel drive with central viscous coupler.

This layout, successfully employed by Lamborghini for more than 30 years, affords an optimal weight distribution (58% rear and 42% front) with conspicuous advantages for traction, braking and handling. The suspension design (independent double wishbones) represents the best possible solution for a high-performance GT and, again, is in keeping with Lamborghini tradition.

The external bodywork panels are made from carbon fibre, with the exception of the steel roof and door panels.

The rear of the Lamborghini Murcielago features two “active” intakes for the engine cooling air. With the exclusive VACS (“Variable Air-flow Cooling Systemâ€?), the aperture of these air intakes can be varied to suit the driving conditions. Furthermore, to ensure correct aerodynamic equilibrium at all speeds, the angle of the rear spoiler can also be altered. According to the speed of the car, the rear spoiler can assume three different positions: closed from 0 to 80 mph, partially open (50°) between 80 and 140 mph and fully open (70°) above 140 mph. Depending on the aperture of the air intakes and the position of the rear spoiler, the car’s Cx coefficient varies from a minimum of 0.33 to a maximum of 0.36. Bi-xenon headlights produce both main and dipped beams.

For the windscreen wiper, it was decided to adopt the proven single-arm pantograph design. This system increases the area swept by the wiper blade, thereby reducing blind spots in the visual field of the driver, and operates correctly at high speed without obstructing the driver’s view when at rest.

The wing mirrors can be folded electrically and are mounted on long support arms so that the driver can see beyond the rear wings, which are especially prominent when the air intakes are open. However, mirror stability is not compromised, even at high speeds.

The 2004 S2000 accelerates with increased authority and more pull through corners with an enhanced powerband that comes on sooner and stronger. High performance power now starts as soon as 3,000 rpm compared to 6,000 rpm on the 2003 model. New suspension tuning with larger wheels and tires improves cornering grip while minimizing the effects of road disturbances.

The 2004 S2000 engine has been re-designed and displacement increased by 0.2 liters through lengthening the stroke of piston travel. Improvements to the engine result in available torque and horsepower increasing between 4- and 10-percent among 1000 rpm and 8000 rpm, which helps to boost acceleration at lower rpms. The 2.2-liter, DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine meets California’s strict Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards. Honda’s innovative VTEC advanced variable valve-timing system, operates the S2000 engine’s 16 valves (4 per cylinder) in both intake and exhaust modes. This system is compact and tailored to the high-output, high-rpm operating characteristics of the S2000 engine.

A revised 6-speed, manual transmission provides lower gear ratios on gears one through five. To further magnify the increase in engine performance, gears one through four are 4 percent lower than the 2003 model. The transmission is a compact design and features a direct shift linkage with class-leading feel and short throws. New carbon synchronizers on gears one through six replace brass double and triple cone synchronizers on select gears to enhance the already excellent “direct feel” associated with the S2000 transmission.

Honda’s racing experience is also evident in the S2000’s responsive handling. The chassis has an ideal 50/50 weight distribution, and the body and frame are a hybrid monocoque-frame structure that forms a highly rigid platform for the S2000’s in-wheel double wishbone suspension system, and plays an important role in helping the S2000 achieve its high level of safety protection. Body rigidity has been increased for 2004 by strengthening key points on the body and chassis. The power steering system is a highly responsive, electrically assisted type, which has been retuned for 2004 to provide enhanced feedback to the driver.

The exterior styling of the S2000’s body is bolder with new front and rear styling elements. The nose has slightly improved aerodynamics for 2004 that involve a new front bumper design and re-positioned air intakes. The front headlights employ a new triple beam design and the rear taillights are also a new triple beam design with LED illumination.

The interior is modern and designed with the driver’s needs in mind. A redesigned center console contains two cupholders (previously just one) and a new storage tray and overall enhanced functionality. The radio features XM Satellite Radio capability with an optional dealer-installed receiver and antenna. Dealer-installed headrest speakers (two per seat) are also now available.

Ford took the wraps off the 450-plus-horsepower Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 show car at the New York International Auto Show March 23. Designed in the unmistakable image of Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s, the Shelby Cobra GT500 melds SVT’s modern engineering with the big-block performance that made the original GT500 the king of the road.

The production GT500 will be the first in a string of specialty Mustangs that SVT will help deliver. This will create Ford Motor Company’s – and one of the industry’s – broadest product portfolios, stretching from under $20,000 for the V-6 Mustang coupe to the 450-plus-horsepower GT500, each offering performance and value.

The GT500 and the production-intent Sport Trac Adrenalin teaser accelerate the wave of momentum at SVT since the launch of the 2005 Ford GT supercar. SVT also now will develop non-SVT branded Ford Division performance vehicles – including heritage-based performance Mustangs in the spirit of the 2001 Bullitt GT and 2003 March 1 – as it becomes more directly integrated into Ford’s mainstream product development process.

The all-new 2005 Ford GT supercar comes to life in the form of three production road cars that honor the classic race cars in design and engineering ingenuity. Ford’s “Centennial Supercar� builds on the company’s product-led transformation and will be the flagship of Ford Division’s 2004 “Year of the Car� that will include the launches of the Ford Five Hundred sedan, Freestyle crossover and legendary Mustang – and then the Ford Futura mid-size sedan in 2005.

Although the new production car and the original race car both share the mystique of the Ford GT name, they do not share a single dimension. The new car is more than 18 inches longer and stands nearly 4 inches taller. Its new lines draw upon and refine the best features of Ford GT history and express the car’s identity through modern proportion and surface development.

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In celebration of its continuing domination of Formula 1 and in memory of the Ferrari founder, the super car is called the Ferrari Enzo. It is the ultimate modern day embodiment of the marque’s passion for performance, technology and dramatic style.

Never before has the styling of a Ferrari by Pininfarina been so directly derived from its function. The nose section of the Ferrari Enzo is heavily influenced by Formula 1 and the entire body is shaped to ensure optimum airflow for cooling the engine and brakes, while generating unprecedented levels of grip-enhancing downforce with minimal aerodynamic drag.

The under-car ground effects are so efficient that the large rear wing required by many supercars is not needed on a Ferrari Enzo. The aerodynamic balance of the car is maintained at speed by automatic adjustments to the position of twin front flaps and a single rear spoiler.

The Enzo is powered by a new, ultra-light, 6.0-litre V12 engine, which has a number of unique technical features. The performance goals for the engine were very high power – 110 bhp per litre – with generous torque from low revs and a driveable nature. More than 383 lb-ft of torque is generated at 3,000 rpm and variable inlet and exhaust valves, together with electronic management for each row of cylinders and a drive-by-wire throttle, ensures that the engine is extremely responsive.

Like an F1 car, the gearbox in the Enzo is coupled directly to the rear of the engine by a casting that doubles as the engine oil tank. The six-speed gearbox adopts triple cone synchronizers on all ratios to ensure smooth changes, which are entrusted entirely to an electrohydraulic system activated by the driver using paddles behind the steering wheel. A fully automatic option is not offered.

The new three-spoke, 350 mm diameter steering wheel has a flat-top complete with a row of LEDs indicating engine revs and three controls each side of the air-bag linked to the main car control functions. Grouping essential controls around the steering wheel grip leaves more room for the twin paddles behind the wheel, which operate the electronic gear selection. The view through the wheel is dominated by a central rev-counter, flanked by the 250 mph (400 km/h) speedometer and a graphic screen on which a variety of displays can be called up.

Dodge Viper SRT-10 being completely redesigned a year ago, the Dodge Viper continues to symbolize extreme performance and extreme attitude. Blending brute power with classic yet outrageous styling, the Dodge Viper SRT-10 retains its title as the Ultimate American Sports Car – and as the icon of the Dodge brand.

In creating the third generation of the Dodge Viper, Chrysler Group’s Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO) engineers set out to give loyal Viper owners new features they were asking for in a Viper, all the while ensuring certain attributes of the car – its legacy, its Viperness – would remain.

The result: a Viper that features greater levels of refinement, yet raises the benchmark for unmatched performance, retains Viper’s outrageous design and dominating road presence, while preserving its true American sports car heritage.

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