Tag Archives: GIMS

The ‘Yellow Bird’ is back… and this time it will go 223 mph!

March 7, 2017 Ryan Ogurek Leave a comment

RUF Automobile GmbH have answered our prayers and brought the return of the “Yellow Bird.” Best of all, this time it is all original, nearly all carbon-fiber and propelled by RUF’s own 710 horsepower flat-six.

The RUF CTR “Yellow Bird” made its debut in 1987, and almost instantly became a legend. RUF took the 911, made it lighter, more powerful, integrated a roll-cage and improved the suspension and brakes and more. What resulted was a supercar with the looks and sounds of a 911, but could compete with the likes of the Ferrari Testarossa and the Porsche 959. The 1987 “Yellow Bird” reached an incredible 213 mph during testing, sealing its place in the books of motoring history.

Tuesday at the Geneva International Motor Show, RUF Automobile GmbH revealed the all new 2017 RUF CTR. To anyone familiar with the original CTR “Yellow Bird” (pictured below) the so-called “nods” to the original are immediately obvious. What isn’t quite so obvious, however, is the fact that the car is RUF’s first entirely original car.

The 1987 RUF CTR “Yellow Bird” – Photo Credit – Car & Driver http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/1987-ruf-ctr-yellowbird-911-turbo-driven-video

The 2017 CTR features a “bespoke carbon-fiber monocoque chassis,” and a weight-to-power ratio of 3.46 lbs per horsepower. The body panels are carbon-fiber too, but don’t worry, the integrated roll-cage is still steel. In total, the car weighs in at only 2,640 lbs (1,200 kg).

In keeping with the original “Yellow Bird,” the new CTR focuses on an analog minimalist design. The interior is lined with alcantara and carbon-fiber, and best of all, you will notice the three aluminium pedals for the driver.

The six-speed manual gearbox connects the rear wheels to the 710 PS 3.6 liter twin-turbo flat-six, made by RUF themselves. The engine produces a mind shredding 649 lb-ft of torque to propel the CTR from 0 to 60 in under 3.5 seconds and to 125 mph in under 9 seconds. In true “Yellow Bird” fashion, the top speed is a blistering 223 mph.

And thus, RUF fans can rejoice, for the “Yellow Bird” has returned, and their hero flies once again.

Source: RUF Automobile GmbH

Photo Credit: RUF Automobile GmbH, Car And Driver

Supercars, TDRO News

Feast your eyes upon the all new McLaren 720S

March 7, 2017 Ryan Ogurek Leave a comment

At the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, McLaren have finally revealed their latest 710 brake horsepower addition to the “Super Series,” the 720S, to replace the 650S.

The first of “the second-generation Super Series,” the 720S introduces a host of new features and tech – not to mention the 720 hp, twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 which powers it. McLaren claims the will raise “previously accepted limits of performance in the supercar sector.” And based on what we see, it may very well do just that, despite stiff competition from Ferrari. This is McLaren we’re talking about, however, so did you really expect anything less?

“Super Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland. This is the first time we have replaced a product family and the new 720S is absolutely true to McLaren’s pioneering spirit in being a revolutionary leap forwards, both for our brand and the supercar segment.” – Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

You might immediately notice the lack of the radiator intakes which is so distinctive to make mid-rear engined supercars. On the 720S, however, the intakes are channeled through the doors in what McLaren calls a “double-skin,” (see below).

The new four liter creates 720 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, which is capable of propelling the car to a claimed top speed of 212 mph. That may not be an unprecedented top speed, but the more remarkable figures are the acceleration and braking. McLaren claims 0 to 60mph takes just 2.8 seconds, to 124 mph takes just 7.8 seconds. Stopping from 124 mph takes a stomach emptying 4.6 seconds.

As you would expect, the 720S is built on McLaren’s MonoCage II carbon fibre tub. Depending on the spec, the car can have a minimum dry weight of only 2,828.5 lbs (1,283 kg), which would help to explain the ridiculous numbers listed in the previous paragraph. Combine the power-to-weight ratio of as much as 561 PS per tonne (that’s about 31 more than a Bugatti Veyron), with McLaren’s new generation of “Proactive Chassis Control,” and you can see how this is forming a pretty astonishing recipe.

Inside, the car is as elegant as you would come to expect from McLaren, and incorporates a futuristic flip up instrument cluster. McLaren says the 720S, “establishes new standards in the supercar segment for visibility, space and comfort.” Seeing how the 650S has been held as potentially the most useable supercar, I wouldn’t expect the 720S to fall short.

The 720S will be produced in three trim levels, with “Performance” and “Luxury” trims available on top of the standard car. The first examples of the 720S will begin delivery in May, meaning the car is already available for sale, if you can cough up the £208,600 base price.

What do you think? Is the 720S set to be the new king of the supercar segment? If price were no object would you rather have this or the Pagani Huayra Roadster?

Source: McLaren

Image credit: McLaren

Supercars, TDRO News

The AM-RB 001 finally has a name: Say ‘hello’ to the Aston Martin Valkyrie

March 6, 2017 Ryan Ogurek Leave a comment

https://www.facebook.com/astonmartin/videos/10154688556263355/

Aston Martin have finally announced the official name for the fabled AM-RB 001 hypercar – the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

One of the most eagerly anticipated hypercars of the 2018, the Valkyrie was first announced as the AM-RB 001 in March of 2016. We were told that Aston Martin and Red Bull would be partnering to create a “ground-breaking Aston Martin hypercar.” We then got our first look at the AM-RB 001 (or at least the shell of it) in July. Today, we get the name, along with the video above.

In keeping with the tradition of Aston Martin “‘V’ cars,” the Valkyrie takes its name from mythology. Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, tells us,

“Aston Martin model names have deep meaning. They need to inspire and excite. To tell a story and enrich a narrative that stretches back some 104-years. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is an incredibly special car that demands an equally remarkable name; an uncompromising car that leaves nothing in reserve. The connotations of power and honour, of being chosen by the Gods are so evocative, and so pertinent to a car that only a fortunate few will ever experience.”

The Valkyrie is sure to be a revolutionary hypercar, a product of one of Formula 1’s strongest competitors and what has been called the “coolest” brand of all time. It does, however, still face some strong competition from Formula 1’s current champions, Mercedes – who is poised to release a hypercar of their own.

What do you think of the Valkyrie? Comment below!

Source: Aston Martin

Image Source: Aston Martin

Supercars, TDRO News

The Pagani Huayra Roadster is here, and it is glorious

February 14, 2017 Ryan Ogurek Leave a comment

The Geneva Motor Show is still a few weeks away, but Pagani has decided to give us an early look at their greatly anticipated Huayra Roadster… and it looks incredible.

The Huayra Roadster has caused a great deal of anxiety for fans and buyers alike, leaving many questions and expectations high. Fortunately, we finally have an answer to many of those questions, and the good news is the improvements don’t stop at the removal of the roof and the injection of exhaust noise to the cabin. According to Pagani, the Roadster marks significant performance improvements over the Huayra Coupe. Pagani say they have utilized the developments made with the Huayra BC – the track-ready version of the Huayra Coupe.

The improvements begin with the chassis, which Pagani claims is about 52% more rigid than that of the Huayra Coupe, while the car overall is still about 80 Kg less than the Coupe. This is accomplished thanks to the use of some fancy new materials called “Carbo-Titanium” and “Carbo-Triax HP52.”

There’s more power than the Coupe, with the AMG M158 twin-turbo V12 making 764 horsepower (compared to the Coupe’s 720 hp). As with the Coupe, the torque begins low, at just 2400 RPM you have “over 1000 NM” (just under 740 lb/ft) at your disposal. This increase in power is put down through the Huayra BC’s seven-speed, single-clutch gearbox. As before, Pagani have chosen to stick with the single-clutch design in the name of weight savings.

The suspension has been improved based on developments made on the Huayra BC as well, utilizing a new lightweight aluminium alloy called “HiForg.” Brakes are carbon ceramic, provided by Brembo, as you might expect, and Pirelli has wrapped the forged aluminium wheels in their P Zero Corsa tires – however those can be swapped for P Zero Trofeo R’s on the track.

To top off all this performance (sorry for the pun), you get your choice of a carbon hard top or a removable fabric and carbon cover. With all of this, one is left to wonder, where is the downside? Oh yeah, that would be the price – which begins at € 2,280,000 (not including VAT).

Personally, I can’t imagine a more perfect Pagani. Based on what we have been told by Pagani, there is no sacrifice in performance, beauty, sound or experience. I think it looks astonishing, and I’m absolutely melted by the idea of hearing “The God of wind” without a roof, and having improved performance on top of that would be simply otherworldly. We will soon get an even better look at the car when the Geneva Motor Show begins March 9th, but somehow, I don’t think we will be disappointed.

Edit: I should probably mention the other downside, they are only making 100… which have all been sold.