Thursday, 19 August 2010

Z4 Roadster BMW Design Car


Z4 Roadster BMW Design Car


2010 BMW Z4 Roadster is the first all-new, top-to-bottom redesign of the Z4 model which was originally launched in 2002.
The 2010 Z4 has a sleeker profile and more subtle "flame surfacing" body lines than the previous model. In general the car has a more balanced and matured appearance to it. That's not to say the roadster has lost any of its visual appeal, it's just been refined and tweaked to fit better with the current BMW styling direction.
The front end of the 2010 BMW Z4 has undergone the most obvious transformation. The headlights are thinner and sweep back further into the wheel arches, and the trademark BMW kidney grilles have been elongated to better match the headlights. Down the sides the controversial styling slash which intersected the fender mounted BMW badge has been replaced by a more conventional panel. The BMW badge is now fitted just forward of the doors and adjacent to the side indicators which are cleverly integrated into the metalwork.
Unlike the original Z4 Roadster which used a fabric roof, the 2010 model is fitted with a retractable metal roof which folds away neatly into the rear storage area. 20 seconds is all it takes for the roof to electronically raise or lower itself.
The 2010 BMW Z4 is offered with a choice of three different engine options. The Z4 sDrive23i model is equipped with a 2.5 litre inline 6 cylinder which develops 204 horsepower. The Z4 sDrive30i is fitted with a 258 horsepower / 228 lb-ft of torque naturally aspirated 3.0 litre 6 cylinder. The top level Z4 is the sDrive35i version which is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.0 litre, inline 6 cylinder which pumps out 306 horsepower. With this engine the Z4 can hit 62 mph in just 5.1 seconds. The Z4 can be fitted with either a 6 speed manual gearbox or a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission.

Canadian HTT Pléthore LC-750 Sports Car

Car enthusiasts will surely want to take a look at the newest supercar on the scene – the HTT Plethore LC 750. It is made by Canada-based HTT Technologies and is the result of six years of development headed by company principle Luc Chartrand.
 HTT Plethore LC 750
It will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show but for now, let’s view the images by Stephan Bauer, revealed from a VIP preview of the car before flying it to Germany. If you recall, a previous version had been shown at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show, back when it had the Locus Plethore nameplate. This production Plethore features a McLaren F1 style center driving position and a very wide wheelbase even in supercar standards. The chassis and body are made of carbon fiber, while the suspension is electronically adjustable.
Comprised of a carbon fiber architecture and body with an integrated (and supposedly soon-to-be) FIA-certified roll-cage, the Plethora could be the first production vehicle simultaneously approved for both the road and the track, and since high-level competition is close to Chartrand's heart, it's a necessity -- he wants to see the Plethore competing in the American LeMans series.
To hang with the big boys at the upper echelons of motorsport, the Plethore has to be more than a lightweight body (2,535 pounds) and a massive stance (89 inches in the rear). So Chartrand has mounted the Corvette ZR1's LS9 longitudinally amidships and tweaked output to 750 hp. As with all start-ups, HTT plans to offer an even hotter version to the public, putting out a claimed 1,300 hp with the help of a set of turbos.
Currently channeling all that grunt to the ground is a six-speed manual, but there are plans to offer a six-speed sequential gearbox along with a limited-slip differential. Double wishbones are fitted at all four corners to keep the 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels in constant contact with the ground, with AP Racing brakes sized 15-inches in front (six-piston caliper) and 13-inches (four-piston caliper) in the rear.
Although the astronomical output and production-intensive architecture are the cornerstones of the project, the interior - with its central mounted driving position, room for two occupants (sounds familiar) and roof-mounted switchgear - are some of the more impressive details. That, and the hydraulically actuated doors, which swing upwards and close at the touch of a button.
HTT claims that the central driving position allows for a better feel of the car and increased “stability and driveability.” Moreover, this allows for optional two seats to be fitted in the front, making it the world’s first three-passenger supercar. Its visual trademark is the bat-like scissor doors that open at a wider than 90-degree angle.
Just by looking at the car, you’d know that it has impressive aerodynamic parts, integrating a racy front lip and a large rear diffuser, both with the role of increasing the down force. Powering the car is a 6.2-liter V8 developed in-house by HTT, with a 750 hp output. The Plethore LC 750 weighs 2535 lbs (1150 kgs). If you’re interested, HTT has started taking orders for the supercar. More than 10 cars have been pre-sold by now. The price for the supercar is around $365,000 (or $395,000 CDN).
Chartrand claims that production will begin sometime late this year, with a price tag of around $600,000 for the standard, 750-hp version and close to $1m for the 1,300-hp variant. Bold claims, but Chartrand isn't stopping there. "I want to design a helicopter next. It's my other love."