The 5,500 units of the 2011 Shelby GT500
(pictured above) are already sold out, so Mustang lovers best just move
on to the next offering from the American automaker; it’s time to start
talking about the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby
GT500. We may not have any official details on it just yet, but the
power of the Internet, and an untrustworthy auto employee, strike again
with a leaked document revealing details on the 2012 model’s ordering
guide. Guess that means the GT500’s heart will beat for at least one
more year.
Nothing much is going to change for the
2012 model considering the Mustang was just given a little refresh for
2011. It will still see its usual coupe and convertible versions, with
prices starting from $49,495 and $54,495 respectively. The list of new
options only includes new Recaro leather sports seats, a glass roof, and
two new packages.
Under the hood there will be the
same aluminum 5.4 Liter supercharged V8, derived from the unit inside
the Ford GT super car, that produces 550 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque.
It may still be packing the same gear as the last model, but who really cares? The 2012 Ford Mustang
GT500 will probably still sell out just as quickly as the 2011 model did.
Exterior and Interior
The Shelby GT500 is distinguished from the other
Mustangs in the line-up by a more aggressive exterior look with a
signature coiled Cobra badge on the front grille and front fenders. It
also separates itself with a unique aluminum power dome hood with
functional heat extractors and unique Shelby front and rear fascias,
rear diffuser, and decklid spoiler. Both coupe and convertible versions
come with racing stripes on both the top and the sides with 19" painted
forged-aluminum wheels rolling at the bottom.
The
interior gets leather sport buckets w/racing stripes coordinated to the
exterior stripes and Alcantara Suede accents. A new feature for the 2012
model year will be the new sun visor that features illuminated dual
vanity mirrors.
Two new packages are added to the
Mustang’s list of options. The new Electronics Package is priced at
$2,340 and includes Navigation and Dual Zone Climate Control. The
$3,995 SVT Performance Package includes upgraded, premium painted forged
aluminum wheels that are 19″x9.5 in the front and 20″x9.5″ in the rear.
The Engine
The 2012 Shelby GT500 will feature the same engine as
the 2011 model year: an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged
V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque.
This engine weighs 102 pounds less than the old motor. It’s mated to a
six-speed manual transmission and delivers a fuel economy of 15
miles-per-gallon city and 23 highway.
2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake
The Competition
The Shelby GT500 takes on models like the BMW M3, the Chevrolet Corvette,
and the Dodge Viper SRT10. Now since the current Dodge Viper is out of
production, the Mustang has one less vehicle to worry about in 2012.
The
BMW M3 is powered by a V8 engine that develops a supreme 420 hp.
Maximum torque of 400 NM or 295 lb-ft, in turn, comes at an engine speed
of 3,900 rpm. The coupe version is priced at $58,400 and the
convertible at $67,050. So we guess, in this case, the GT500 wins the
battle being that it is more powerful and cheaper that the BMW.
As
for the Corvette, the coupe is priced at $48,950 and the convertible at
$53,600. Under the hood there is a 430-hp LS3 aluminum block V8 good
for 190 mph on the test track. These two vehicles carry such a loyal
fan base, that the decision of whether to buy a Corvette or a Mustang is
really left up to customer bias. The Mustang is faster than the
Corvette, but it is also a tad bit more expensive.
When Can I Buy One?
The 2012 Shelby GT500 will be offered in both coupe and
convertible version, with prices starting from $49,495 and $54,495
respectively. We shouldn’t expect it until around the end of 2011.
Few automobiles possess the
required machismo to stop a person dead in their tracks, pull out a
camera and take a multitude of pictures. The Lamborghini Murciélago
LP640 Roadster is capable of causing such a reaction with not just one
person, but a complete crowd. Spending two days behind the wheel of this
incredible supercar in Bologna, Italy recently, I was impressed anew at
the rock star status the Italian bull enjoys.
FAST FACTS
1. The LP640 Roadster generates 640-hp and 468 ft-lbs of torque from a 6.5L V12.2. Lamborghini claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph. 3. Pricing is set at a lofty $382,400. 4. Recently Lamborghini unveiled its most hard-core Murciélago variant, a light-weight 670-hp LP670 SuperVeloce model.
STYLISH LINES, POWER TO SPARE
Elongated scissor doors open wide to reveal a passenger cabin certain
to make women swoon and grown men giddy with anticipation. In our test
vehicle, a stylized black leather dash and center console housed the
necessary equipment to unleash the massive power within. Carbon fiber
wrapped the HVAC and navigation panel as well as switches for traction
control, power windows, mirrors and the fuel filler release.
Ensuring optimum driver and passenger comfort is the work of
sculpted, one-piece sport seats. Complimenting the rest of the interior,
our supercar featured black leather trim with red center inserts. Tight
side bolsters restrict movement, but given the performance potential of
the Murciélago and their excellent design, the amount of support
provided was superb.
Power for the LP640 Roadster comes in the form of a 12-cylinder
6.5-liter engine that produces a whopping 640-hp at 8000 rpm and 486
ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm. Performance numbers are extraordinary.
Zero to 60 mph is reached in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is listed at 201
mph, but I have every reason to believe the Murciélago LP640 Roadster
could indeed go significantly faster.
Fuel economy suffers as a result of the high power numbers, achieving a combined average of 16-mpg.
Two water-radiators plus twin oil-coolers keep engine temperatures
from soaring into the stratosphere. Heat is an issue with so much
horsepower available. I noticed this on several occasions while driving
at speed; vapors blurring the image in my rearview mirror.
Drive-by-wire technology offers the advantage of direct communication
between driver and engine. Press the pedal and the response of power is
certain to push you back in your seat.
The visceral experience of engaging a 12-cylinder powertrain is
heightened by the wind blowing through your hair and the aria of so much
power concentrated solely on the task of acceleration. Grabbing hold of
the Alcantara steering wheel with the intention to drive fast is a task
not to be taken lightly.
THE PROOF IS IN THE DRIVE
Dramatic stopping power is provided by massive aluminum alloy
calipers with 8-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes. Carbon ceramic
brakes are optional, as are colored brake calipers and the Alcantara
steering wheel found on our test vehicle.
Permanent 4-wheel drive and a viscous traction system with electronic
traction control assures the road ahead will be met with authority no
matter the environment. Over the course of two days we experienced a
broad range of road and weather conditions.
Driving in bright sunshine, mist or the occasional late summer
shower, the Murciélago LP640 Roadster never stepped out of line. Even on
the sometimes-slippery tight two-lane roads in and around Bologna, it
showed complete confidence and was surprisingly easy to control.
Cobblestone streets have a way of upsetting the ride quality of even
the best luxury automobiles, but to my surprise the Murciélago felt
right at home. Perhaps it was the Italian heritage, but most likely the
result of a tubular frame made from high-strength steel alloy and carbon
fiber. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering allowed for quick
maneuvering of the Pirelli P-Zero shod 18-inch aluminum wheels.
To aid in overall handling and performance, a two-stage rear spoiler
deploys as speed builds. Step one takes place between 80 and 110-mph.
Step two occurs at around 135 mph and retracts as speeds reduce to
around 110.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Leaving the city of Bologna behind, we headed northwest on highway
E45 toward the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese. An hour later
we arrived at our destination.
A tour of the Automobili Lamborghini assembly facility, which
included a look at how the Murciélago is built, left us breathless with
enthusiasm. Our guide walked us through the assembly line process,
taking time to explain in detail the craftsmanship involved with each
Lamborghini built. It requires several days to complete a vehicle with
this unique DNA, much of it by hand. Here we saw men and women
assembling parts, stitching seats, building dash panels and piecing
together some of the finest and most exclusive automobiles to be built
anywhere in the world.
Later that day as we drove back to Bologna at speeds exceeding 150
mph, I was impressed anew at just how unusual the LamborLamborghiniMurciélago
LP640 Roadster is in today’s market.
THE VERDICT
With so much focus being paid to carbon-copy automobiles, each one
looking similar to the next, there is still something to be said for
individuality and excess power when it comes to the supercar as a whole.
On the open road with wind blowing through a sun drenched passenger
compartment and plenty of horsepower underfoot; well it just doesn’t get
any better than this.
Shelby Supercars’ Aero TT was manufactured in several locations in Washington, California, and Arizona, but Shelby’s home-based operation in West Richland is the sole locations for the production of the Tuatara SSC.
In order to achieve this, the company plans on building a 27,000 square-foot plant in the southern Washington town. The new building would be a manufacturing and sales facility, with about one-fifth of the complex devoted to a business office and showroom, with a view of the production area available from a mezzanine and 55 parking spaces. It would have a maximum height of 30 feet.
The new plant will offer 54 jobs within the next five years, with a future potential of up to 200 jobs. The median pay at the plant would be about $40 an hour.
Exterior Design
The outgoing Ultimate Aero was very generic in its looks. The body, like the rest of the car, was designed by company owner Jerod Shelby (no relation to muscle car legend Carroll Shelby). He admits that the need for slippery aerodynamics governed the outcome of the final product and being an engineer by trade, design wasn’t his greatest strength. Enter Italian American designer Jason Castriota who, in the beginning, had reservations about taking on the project. We couldn’t really blame him after looking at his impressive resume. He has penned cars for the very best in the industry: Ferrari, Pininfarina, Rolls Royce, and Bertone to name but a few. The last thing his career needed was to design a car destined for failure for a small company with more hopes than money or brains. After a visiting the facility and getting to know the staff and more importantly, their ideals and the car, he took the plunge and created what you see before you.
The outcome is breathtaking, especially once you peel the body work away to reveal how technically challenging it was to overcome the dreaded forces of nature at 200+mph, whilst packaging the required mechanical components. It is the ultimate example of form meeting function, to create a harmonious whole. We like the black teardrop shaped canopy that sits on top of the white exterior, creating a stunning contrast of power and beauty. The shape is classic and pivotal, and has a very low drag co-efficient. The car features dihedral stabilizers or wings that have been borrowed from the realm of aviation. The term “flying buttress” might be construed as a being a bit naughty, but they are actually wings that help support the structure of the car. In this case, they are those bits on the side of the SSC Aero II, which channel air towards the engine intakes – a Castriota design signature. (pictured below)
The front looks intimidating and purposeful with its low slung nose and carbon fiber headlights. Looking closely, you’ll notice venting for the carbon brakes and a cohesive front splitter that generates enough downforce to keep the nose planted at speed. There is no hood or luggage space, or any kind of compromise with this car. The side profile is sleek and sexy – there are no door handles or side repeaters and the car barely stands over a meter tall. Massive lower recesses house air intakes in front of the rear wheel arches and feed the ravenous engine and cooling radiators with much-needed cold air, while doing its bit to balance the look. It checks all the hypercar boxes and then some. Elements of the first Aero are maintained, most notably the party piece doors and simple-spoked wheel design. The latter being the first ever one piece carbon fiber wheels ever fitted to a car. They are products of Australian company, Carbon Revolution, and the 19" fronts weigh just 5.8kg each.
The entire body and chassis, save for front and rear impact zones, are all made from carbon fiber - further emphasizing lightness as key. This is not necessarily for top speed, but more for everyday driving and handling. All mid-engined cars require apertures in the bodywork to help get rid of heat – they usually take the form of slats or louvers but since this car is anything but, it features circular cut outs in various diameters to expel heat and generate pub controversy. Moving to the other-worldly rear, dynamics take over, with aesthetics playing second fiddle. The entire under floor of the car is sealed leading up to the rear which functions as the mother of all diffusers, complete with F1-style exhaust. From this angle, it does bear slight resemblance to an R8 and by slight, we mean slight – the proportions and shapes are similar. Between the rear stabilizers is a hydraulically operated air brake – ala Bugatti Veyron and Mercedes SLR that comes into play at higher-than-allowed speeds. Dimension wise, the Aero II is slightly more narrow than before to comply with FIA GT regulations, should they decide to race it.
Interior
This futuristic interior was developed following the aerospace design found on the exterior. In fact, many of the interior elements found on the Tuatara resemble specific elements of the exterior. For example, the two small, informational HUD displays situated on the left and right of the driver are inspired by the Tuatara’s rear winglets and the central AC vents were inspired by the Tuatara’s twin central exhausts. The holes pattern on the top of the central console area are inspired by the hole patterns on the Tuatara’s exterior body panels and the door pulls even have their exterior counterpart in the flying buttresses from the rear sides of the car.
Design aside, the Tuatara’s interior was built for optimum information gathering. The HUD displays previously mentioned are joined by a main gauge cluster area that is in fact a glass screen is lit up by Pico projectors and is similar to a HUD (Heads Up Display). The right HUD will offer information on the current gear of the car, while the left HUD will let the driver choose the info he needs using a menu on the central command console.
A "Start" button will initiate a clockwise-motion lighting sequence on the red lights located around the start button. When all these lights turn on the engine will start. The central console features buttons located near the touch screen and help the driver to control functions like traction control, driving modes, etc.
Even the front passenger can stay well-informed in the Tuatara as SSC has included two small screens that provide him details on the current speed, RPM, or BHP.
One of the best features of the interior, however, is the seven-speed H-pattern manual gear shift designed after classic exotics. An automatic unit will also be offered in a steering column mounted seven-speed paddle shifter.
Performance
Do you really have to ask? The numbers on paper are staggering enough – even before getting to actual performance times and stats. The proposed record breaker is powered by a quad-cam, twin-turbo V8 displacing 6.8 liters. The engine, like all the other mechanical parts, are all developed in-house by SSC themselves. The new powerplant shares a lot with the old 6.2 liter item – the block and its innards are the same design, so are the dimensions and location of its 10 radiators. Changes come in the form of a four-valves-per-cylinder overhead cam (OHC) setup as opposed to push rods and new SSC spec turbochargers. The new setup is good for a colossal 1350HP and will rev to 9000RPM! Zero to 62mph will arrive in around 2.8 seconds and SSC claims a top speed of, wait for it, 275mph! The in gear acceleration figures are not known as of yet, but you can be sure they will be absolutely mind blowing. Thank goodness the new car will feature traction control, ABS with servo assistance, and Brembo carbon ceramic stoppers. We can’t even begin to imagine letting that kind of power loose on public roads without fear of being apprehended by the long arm of the law while experiencing acceleration that will rip your face off. This thing should sound the way it goes – an all turbo whoosh and snarling, angry V8.
Because it’s RWD rather than 4WD like our friend the Veyron, it’s lighter...much lighter. The Aero II weighs 1200kgs, a full 638kgs lighter than the comparatively pudgy Bugatti – and it produces more power. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the power to weight ratio is over 1000HP per tonne, putting it in the league of the Caparo T1. Where the Bugatti is luxurious, refined, and civilized to drive, the Aero II is raucous, unforgiving, and about as scary as a getting a shave from Edward Scissorhands.
Suspension remains as the same coilover setup and so does the triple plate carbon clutch. Whether it’s as good at going round corners as it is in a straight line still remains to be seen. One thing is for certain though, it will set your trousers on fire every time you use the pedal on the right.
Competition
In short, there is none other competition except for the Veyron SS and it costs $2.4 million, more than twice the price of the $970,000 Aero II. You could also buy a Koenigsegg Agera R , but the price is unconfirmed and so is the top speed. The cars should be closely pegged, but we guess it depends on personal preference and if you’re into the whole “mine’s bigger than yours” thing. Let’s hope the Aero II will not squeak, rattle, or fall apart like so many other cars made by small firms in small numbers. The first cars will be delivered to their proud new owners around the last quarter of 2011.
Only time will tell whether SSC will bring the top speed crown back to the US.
It's here: meet the new Ferrari F12 BerlinettaThe most powerful road-going Ferrari ever built, and successor to the 599, has finally arrived...
Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo likes to talk about different Ferraris for different sorts of Ferrari clients, but when it comes to the Prancing Horse's big front-engined V12 GT models, there's zero messing around. Meet the all-new F12 Berlinetta, and if the name lacks the flamboyance we've come to expect from Maranello, the rest of it will blow your mind. And possibly your ear-drums, too.
Like the 599 GTB Fiorano which it replaces, the F12's undoubted USP is that thumping great V12. A reworked version of the unit that first appeared in the FF, it shares the same 6262cc capacity and 65 degree configuration, but its power output is increased by approximately 80bhp to just over 730bhp (740CV), and it produces 509 torques. In other words, the F12 is the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever. Factor in a dry weight of 1525kg and you can imagine what sort of performance this thing delivers: 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-124mph in 8.5, and a top speed of 211mph. So, quite fast, then. Fast enough, in fact, to blitz Ferrari's Fiorano test track in 1min 23 seconds, a time that outpoints even the Enzo supercar to make this the quickest Ferrari road car to lap the famous circuit.
Aston Martin will be celebrating the iconic DB4GT Zagato’s 50th anniversary with a new concept car developed in collaboration with the Italian design house Zagato. The concept car made its first appearance at the Villa D’Este Concours on May 21st, 2011 and will make its racing debut at Nürburgring on May 28th.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive said: "The DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato has combined successfully to make some of the world’s most desirable collector cars in the past and in this special anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato it is appropriate to explore a modern collaboration. Now is the right time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining our design intelligence I think we can create something fitting of the iconic DB4GT Zagato that has gone before and since established itself as one of the most famous Aston Martins of all time."
The original Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato made its first appearance in 1960 at the London Motor Show. It was essentially a much lighter DB4 GT that got worked on by the Italian Coachbuilder to include a 3670 cc straight-6 DOHC engine that produced 314 HP with a top speed of 154 mph.
UPDATE 07/01/2011: The V12 Zagato has finally been listed on the Aston Martin web page, giving us an official confirmation that it will soon go on sale. According to the web site, "only a strictly limited run of road going cars will be built" and we will get more details about in the next few weeks.
UPDATE 07/0711: Now this is what we’re talking about! Aston Martin has finally given the pricing for the V12 Zagato. But that’s where the good news ends, at least as far as those that will have a hard time affording it. Anybody who wants to score this limited edition piece of beauty will have to shell out £330,000, which is around $528,000 based on current exchange rates. Gulp.
UPDATE 08/12/11: Aston Martin announced today that the V12 Zagato concept next with the One-77 supercar will make their American debuts in Monterey from August 17th to 21st. The V12 Zagato will debut in the evening of Wednesday August 17th at McCall’s Motorworks Revival and Aston Martin has confirmed once again that a strictly limited production run of the V12 Zagato will commence in summer 2012.
"Guests will be given the rare opportunity to test drive our latest model range, including the new Virage and Vantage S, as well as the four-door Rapide" commented Julian Jenkins, Vice President Aston Martin the Americas. "We are very excited about the program this year including the debut of the V12 Zagato, and we look forward to welcoming current owners, new customers and automotive enthusiasts to share our celebrations at The Aston Martin Estate."
Hit the jump to read more about the new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept.
Exterior and Interior
The new V12 Zagato is based on a V12 Vantage model, but incorporates the technologies applied in the One-77 supercar. The model is built on a handcrafted aluminum body, which allowed the team to easily model the car’s form. The result of this work is a car with a beautiful and muscular design.
Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminum, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form. Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created, in this case, from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.
Director of Design, Marek Reichman said: "The Design team at Gaydon spent time refining the concept using a mixture of the latest computer based modelling techniques along with crafting traditional clay models to give a real world idea of proportion, stance and detail. The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car’s racing credentials."
Engine
Under the hood, the V12 Zagato features a 6.0-liter V12 engine that delivers a total of 510 HP and 420 lb ft of torque. The engine is mated to a rear mid-mounted, six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manual/select shift manual (ASM/SSM) electric hydraulic control system that sends the power to the rear wheels.
Pricing
The Aston Martin V12 Zagato will make its first appearance at the Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D’Este Concours tomorrow and then its first race debut will be at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on June 25-26, 2011. The model will be followed by a production version, in extremely limited numbers. Expect that production version to appear sometime next year.
Competition
The one thing limiting the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is the number of production units. Other models such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche Turbo S will deliver the same performance as the Aston, but these models are available for anyone with the money to purchase them.
As a reminder, the Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5 Liter V8 engine that produces 570 HP and sprints from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds to a top speed of 202 MPH. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is powered by a six cylinder boxer engine with an output of 530 HP. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 195 MPH.
Lamborghini has already confirmed that the Sesto Elemento will indeed be headed to the production line, albeit in a very limited run. With such a minute number being produced, anyone would be hard-pressed to get know when Lamborghini is even actively selling it, let alone be able to grab hold of one of those units. The task of purchasing an Elemento got even harder as a high-end dealership in La Jolla, just north of San Diego, confirmed that Lamborghini was already accepting orders for the car and that only three units were headed over to the United States.
The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be offered at a princely sum and rumors suggest that payment will be taken Reventon- style, which means three equal payments of $300,000 or higher with the remainder being paid at the end of the deal. That kind of price tag will bring its owner a 570 HP V10 engine and a power- to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per HP. This allows the Sesto Elemento to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a sensational 2.5 seconds, while top speed will be higher than 186 mph.
Anyone willing and able to pay that incredible price tag better have their phone in hand and their bank account numbers handy.
UPDATE 05/05/2011: The German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport reports that the production version Sesto Elemento will arrive in October 2011. Lamborghini will produce only 20 units of the supercar each carrying a price tag of 1.9 million euro, or about $2.8 million at the current exchange rates.
Hit the jump for more details on the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Exterior
The main component of the new Sesto Elemento is carbon fiber and more specifically carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). Lamborghini has been able to successfully develop a process that takes the material from 3D design through simulation, validation, testing, and finally into production. Its collaboration with the Boeing company is perhaps one of the most important to the development of this vehicle. The two companies have been able to develop the CFRP design much further than ever before thanks to their ACRC (Advanced Composite Research Center). Two of the most unique parts designed for the exterior are the wheels made entirely out of carbon fiber and the exhaust system which is made out of a material called Pyrosic. This is a glass ceramic composite that can withstand high heat.
“The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun. We put all of our technological competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento,” comments Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “
Nearly every panel of the vehicle is graced with this carbon fiber material including the monocoque passenger cell, front frame, exterior panels, and crash boxes. One of the coolest aspects of the car is that it remains unpainted in the traditional sense. The panels shine through in a matte finish, but Lamborghini has added one last piece of magic to their carbon-fiber. Towards the end of the development process fine crystals are added to the mixture and in the end a red glow is added to the entire exterior. The surface is not only stunning, but actually much stronger than a normal paint job.
Cool air is able to flow through two red triangular openings in the hood beneath the front windscreen and through large outlets in the side panels behind the front wheels. Sharply cut headlamp units complete the front end. Alongside the bi-xenon lamps, there are four LEDs in each unit. The low front end looks incredibly dominant, with the partially double-lipped front spoiler pushed way out front and distinctively formed air intakes. A powerful sideline starts at the front wheel arch, rises along the door towards the rear and ends at the broad shoulders above the rear wheel. The triangle shape is used extensively – and can be seen everywhere from the door handles to the points of the air outlet triangles in the hood that are carried through into lines along the roof. The aerodynamic elements of the Sesto Elemento are unmatched in today’s world and the design is absolutely stunning.
Interior
Lamborghini has been able to take a standard car interior and completely turn it on its head. The design of the Sesto Elemento circles around function rather than form and the first defines the latter. The interior is exclusively shaped by the carbon fiber monocoque tub which provides a minimalist yet purely Lamborghini feeling. The most unique feature is the fact that the Sesto Elemento does not have seats. Quite literally the cushioning is fixed to the carbon fiber tub giving the driver an unparalled sense of road feel. In order to adapt drivers of differing stature the steering wheel is completely adjustable for height and reach. Furthermore, the pedals can be adjusted longitudinally.
As for the use of leather, wood grain, or any other typical luxury material, they are non-existent. This car gives the feel of a race car once inside. The CFRP material is exposed everywhere and even major components of the engine management system are visible. Controls are just as simple and include a starter button, reverse gear button, and a final switch for the lights. The weight reduction inside and out has led to a major savings when compared to other lightweight Lamborghini models. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera has a dry weight of only 1,340 kilograms. Compared with the already extremely lean Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé, this represents a further reduction of 70 kilograms, or 154 lbs, which would easily make it the lightest of any sports car.
Performance
With the Elemento having an overall curb weight of just 2,202 lbs and a massive V10 power unit feeding a permanent all-wheel drive system, this car is sure to impress on the track. Output is 570hp giving the lightweight bull a power to weight ratio of 1.75 kilograms per horsepower. What that statistic really comes down to is the car being able to accelerate from a standstill through 60mph in 2.5 seconds.
The V10 offers 5,204 cm3 of displacement, delivering a specific output of 80.5 kW (109.6 hp) per liter of displacement. The engine utilizes an aluminum crankcase including dry sump lubrication and a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. Both solutions are an integral part of the lightweight engineering approach, as well as serving to lower the center of gravity and thus tighten the handling characteristics. Ideal combustion chamber fill comes courtesy of a switch-over induction system and continually variable, chain-
driven camshafts.
Lamborghini has taken its carbon fiber knowledge and expanded it to the suspension as well. Carbon-fiber control arms help reduce weight while the rear subframe with the engine mount and rear axle suspension points are made from aluminum which is another lightweight material that is used extensively in high performance vehicle design. The glass composite material used for the tailpipes on the exhaust system, which is composed of ceramic powder and synthetic resin, makes this carbon material extremely heat resistant.
The Sesto will use an e-gear transmission controlled by paddle shifters on the steering column. It uses a six gear setup and is automated to complete shifts faster than a human is able to. The final piece of the equation for the Sesto Elemento was the use of its partner company Audi and their knowledge of all-wheel drive systems.
Pricing
The production Sesto Elemento is rumored to be priced at 1.9 million euro, or about $2.8 million at the current exchange rates, with units arriving in October 2011. Apparently, only 20 units of this supercar will be built, with three headed over to stateside.
Competition
In the $2-3 million dollar category, there is quite literally no competition for this car. Nothing on today’s market exhibits the use of carbon fiber to the same extent that the Sesto Elemento has and in the near future don’t look for any rivals. The Koenigsegg Agera R is close in some respects, but goes about things completely differently. It and the Bugatti Veyron are more concerned with using brute force to reach high speeds, where the Lamborghini was initially a testbed for CFRP technology. Koenigsegg is a company that has a lot of experience with carbon fiber as well, but has nowhere near the resources that Lamborghini can pull from thanks to the help from Boeing. Overall, this car will go down in the history books as one of the most radical design concepts to ever come from Sant’Agata Bolognese – and that is not something said every day.
