2011 Geneva Preview: Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus just releases new photos and details for the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package ,which will debut at the Geneva auto show next week.

The package celebrates Lexus� class victories at the 24 Hours of N�rburgring last May. Lexus isn�t actually adding to LFA production; instead, the automaker says that 50 of the 500 cars set to be built will be equipped with the package.

Available in Matte Black, Black, White or Orange, the interior can be had in Black and Red, Black and Pur�ple or all Black. Plus, all Nurburgring editions get added carbon� fiber interior bits, plus carbon racing seats.

Power is also on the up. From the standard 4.8-litre V10 with 560 PS (412 kW / 553 bhp) comes a new power figure of 570 PS (419 kW / 562 bhp) and reduced gearshift times. Performance times are also down; 0 - 62mph flashes by in 3.7 seconds and top speed is 325 km/h (202 mph).

The automated manual six-speed transmission�s shift regime has been recalibrated too, swopping gears in only 15 miliseconds, thereby enabling the LFA N�rburgring package to sprint from 0-100km/h in only 3.7 seconds.




Press Release

LEXUS PRESENTS LFA N�RBURGRING PACKAGE

• Lexus reveals special performance package for its LFA supercar at the Geneva motor show
• N�rburgring Package offered as an option on a maximum of 50 cars - just 10 per cent of the total LFA production run
• Designed for more track-focused performance through additional aerodynamic elements, lowered suspension and engine revisions
• 10bhp increase in power from V10 engine to 562bhp ensures LFA's 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.7 seconds is maintained
• LFA production underway since December, with one hand-crafted car completed per day
• Use of advanced, automated Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) production processes serves as a test bed for future models

To celebrate the LFA's hat-trick of class wins at the N�rburgring 24 Hours race, Lexus has created the N�rburgring Package, an array of aerodynamic features, suspension adjustments and revisions to the 4.8-litre V10 engine that give the supercar a more track-focused profile. Shown in public for the first time at the Geneva motor show, the performance option is available on just 50 of the 500 cars that will be built. These versions will be crafted during 2012, the second full year of LFA production.

To sharpen the car's circuit driving performance even further by increasing downforce at high speed, the N�rburgring Package introduces modifications and additions to several key carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components. These include a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin and a fixed rear wing.

To ensure the LFA maintains its 3.7-second acceleration time from nought to 62mph, in spite of the increased drag, the V10 engine has been revised to increase maximum power by 10bhp to 562bhp. Shift times in the six-speed sequential transmission are just 0.15 seconds.

In terms of handling modifications, the package features suspension tuning and a 10mm reduction in the ride height. Exclusive mesh-type wheels are introduced, fitted with dedicated high-grip tyres.

Exterior colour choices are restricted to matte black, black, white or orange, with interiors finished in black and red, black and purple and all-black. Cars delivered in Europe will feature a carbon fibre centre console and door trims, with carbon fibre sports seats finished in Alcantara.

Customers who specify the package will also be offered one-to-one driving tuition from a N�rburgring chief instructor and a year's pass to enjoy their car on the famous Nordschleife circuit.

CFRP parts manufacturing

LFA production began in December with just one hand-crafted car completed per day. A team of 175 people are involved in CFRP parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting.

CFRP is exceptionally strong, rigid and lightweight, and accounts for about 65 per cent of the LFA's body structure weight. This amounts to a saving of about 100kg, compared an equivalent all-aluminium body.

Lexus is producing and assembling the CFRP components in-house, with a view to future development of the technology. It is a time-consuming process, compared to working with steel or aluminium, but the LFA project provides a valuable test bed for new, automated processes which will be used in the manufacture of future Lexus and Toyota models.

Different manufacturing technologies are used according the shape, role and required properties of each component.

• Pre-preg: this is an industry-standard composite sheet material made of carbon fibre, pre-impregnated with epoxy resin. It is used for the LFA's main structural elements, such as the dash, side and cross-members and panels.

• Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): this is dry sheet fabrication, with epoxy resin injected into the mould. It is mainly employed in the LFA's secondary main frames, such as the crash boxes, roof side rails and vehicle floor.

• Carbon fibre - Sheet Moulding Compound (C-SMC): this is used for fabricating the upper body components and frames that have complex geometries.

Adhesive bonding

The LFA assembly line moves through five consecutive processes, each of which has been digitally validated. For the first four - sub-assembly, underbody, small aluminium parts and main body - adhesive bonding is used. Final assembly of the aluminium parts is by mechanical fastening.

This is the first time Lexus has used adhesive bonding for main body assembly, a process that has required new quality control measures to be implemented to ensure each of the five stages involved in the bonding meets the required criteria.

2011 Subaru WRX STI at Nurburgring [Video]

Subaru today announced that the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan has become the fastest WRX STI Ever. It recorded a Nurburgring time of 7�55��00, the fastest lap time ever in a Subaru.The production car goes on sale this summer.

Some of the upgrades received by the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan include an improved chassis and suspension, and as Makinen commented, the car is controllable and precise even on tricky corners.

The test 2011 Subaru STI Sedan has the same turbo brake calipers, flexible tower bar and front lip spoiler as the R205 model from Japan. The car also has the same Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires and aluminum hood as the 2011 Subaru STI spec C car.

The 2011 Subaru WRX STI is powered by a 305-hp turbocharged/intercooled 4-cylinder Boxer engine and 6-speed manual transmission. It comes with a lowered ride height and new pillow-ball, higher-rate springs for both front and rear suspensions, and spring rates increased by 15.6 percent in front and 53 percent in the rear.




Press Release

Subaru Releases Test Footage of Advanced Subaru WRX STI Research and Development from Nurburgring, Germany

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 8 - Subaru today released footage covering advanced research and development carried out at the Nurburgring's racetrack in Germany, using a 2011MY Subaru WRX STI 4-door (sedan) test vehicle. Subaru has been using the famous Nordschleife course since 1992 for advanced R&D as well as tests of the WRX and WRX STI models. The video uploaded on the Subaru Global Site www.subaru-global.com features this year's development work. It is presented as a highlight of Subaru's persistent effort to stretch vehicle performance to unprecedented levels.

The concept of the 2011MY WRX STI is "The Fastest WRX STI Ever." At Subaru, the phrase "Fastest" refers to more than just top speed or maximum engine output. It implies driving with confidence. The WRX STI can be taken to its "fastest ever" performance by providing the driver with total driving control with confidence. Major upgrades to the 2011MY WRX STI focused on the chassis and suspension set-up, and tests at the Nurburgring demonstrated the supreme overall dynamics and linear behavior of the new STI. Tommi Makinen, the legendary four-time World Rally Champion, piloted the test vehicle for the development. He commented, "The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car's behavior. That is exactly what Subaru is offering, confidence. As a result, the 2011MY WRX STI test vehicle recorded 7'55''00, Subaru's fastest lap time ever, which is 4 seconds faster than the previous fastest time recorded in 2004."

The 2011MY WRX STI 4-door will go on sale world-wide this summer. Upgrades to the 4-door version will be carried over to the 5-door model.

Official: N�rburgring package for the Lexus LFA

Lexus has announced a N�rburgring package for its LFA supercar.

Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation marks the participation of its LFA supercar in the challenge of the Nurburgring 24 Hours race with mega exclusive, new high-performance package engineered to appeal to customers seeking top-end track ride.

The new N�rburgring package provides additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions that improve handling and downforce without compromising the speed and acceleration .
Greater downforce, essential to peak track performance, has been gained through revisions and additions to several of the LFA�s CFRP components, including a larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and a new fixed rear wing.

The Lexus LFA Nurburgring is powered by the standard 4.8-litre V10 engine that has received 10 extra bhp and now outputs 562 bhp. the gearbox of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring has also been improved over the standard car and now offers shift times of just 0.15 seconds. This means the Lexus LFA Nurburgring can get from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

Handling modifications include sports tuning of the suspension and mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tires.

Outside, the vehicle differs from its sleek series brother with larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and new fixed rear wing. Its mid-front-placed 4.8-litre V10 powerplant now boasts 10bhp more and the gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission have been cut to just 0.15 seconds. The handling properties are strengthened by sports tuning of the suspension unit and mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tyres.

The company plans on handing out just 50 examples within the standard LFA production run of 500 units.





Press Release

LEXUS UNLEASHES THE ULTIMATE LFA

Now available with
new track-focused N�rburgring package

KEY POINTS

• Lexus introduces N�rburgring package for the LFA supercar, aimed at
  hardcore track driving enthusiasts
• New aerodynamic elements for greater downforce, including fixed rear
  wing
• Power increased to more than 562bhp, gearshift times cut to just
  0.15 seconds
• Nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and top speed of 202mph
  maintained in spite of higher downforce
• Performance package launched in celebration of LFA's entry in the
  N�rburgring 24 Hours race
• Just 50 examples to be built, within the total LFA production limit
  of 500 cars

In celebration of its LFA supercar taking on the challenge of the
N�rburgring 24 Hours race in May, Lexus has launched a new performance
package designed to appeal to customers seeking full-blooded track
performance.

The new N�rburgring package provides additional aerodynamic features and
technical revisions that improve handling and downforce without compromising
the exceptional speed and acceleration that are central to the LFA's driving
character.

Greater downforce, essential to peak track performance, has been gained
through revisions and additions to several of the LFA's CFRP components,
including a larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and a new fixed
rear wing.

Maximum power from the mid-front-mounted 4.8-litre V10 engine has been
increased by 10bhp to more than 562bhp and gear shifts in the six-speed
sequential transmission have been cut to just 0.15 seconds. Thanks to these
changes, nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of
202mph are maintained, in spite of the extra drag created by the new
aerodynamic elements.

Handling modifications include sports tuning of the suspension and
mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tyres.

Just 50 LFA will be available with the N�rburgring package, within the
car's strictly limited global production run of 500 examples. If they wish,
customers will be able to take advantage of individual driving instruction
on the legendary Nordschleife circuit from the N�rburgring's chief
instructors. They will also receive a one-year driving pass to the track.

Nurburgring _ New Ferrari store

Ferrari announced today the opening of its latest store near the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany. The opening of the Ferrari Nurburgring Store in the presence of Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen who raced in the Sunday Grand Prix.


The Ferrari Nurburgring Store has 240 square meters and was developed by Studio Iosa Ghini. It offers various Prancing Horse products and has a lounge with a business section.

The new Ferrari Nurburgring Store is part of a bigger project that aims to transform the track into an all-year round leisure and business center.
via:zercustoms




Press Release

THE NEW FERRARI STORE OPENS AT THE LEGENDARY N�RBURGRING CIRCUIT

The first Ferrari Store in Germany was officially inaugurated today at a very special location: the N�rburgring, which nestles in the gentle Eifel hills and provides the fascinating venue for the German Grand Prix. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi R�ikk�nen, who had already been out on the track in the run-up to Sunday's Grand Prix. This is also the first Ferrari Store to open at a circuit and comes as part of an ambitious expansion plan to turn the N�rburgring complex into an all-year round leisure and business centre. With this in mind, major new structures are being added, including the shopping centre housing the Ferrari Store, an events centre, a conference centre and hotels.

The 240 square metre N�rburgring Ferrari Store is spread over a single track-level floor. Developed entirely by the Studio Iosa Ghini, its concept sees it as much as a homage to the history and spirit of Ferrari's twin souls of racing and luxury as a straightforward store. Each area has thus been carefully designed as a special, one-off space in which shoppers can truly embrace the Ferrari experience. It will offer a wide selection of products from the Prancing Horse ranges for GT car clients and enthusiasts, and Ferrari tifosi. This latest Ferrari Store will also include an elegant lounge with a business section for meetings and a relaxation area directly overlooking the track itself.

The N�rburgring Ferrari Store joins the other prestige Prancing Horse retail locations around the world, including those in Milan, Rome and Venice (Italy), London (UK), Barcelona (Spain), San Francisco and Miami (USA), Macao (China) and Abu Dhabi (UAE). It was created and will be managed by the Zender Group, which operates in the automotive sector, and has owned the official Ferrari dealership at M�lheim-K�rlich since 1981. The Ferrari Store development programme includes plans to bring the number of openings to more than 40 over the next three years in Europe, America, and the Middle and Far East.

Nurburgring _ Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin was sure to be on hand at the Formula One Grand Prix Germany event at the N�rburgring circuit over the weekend with its new One-77 model.


The presentation also helped promote Aston Martin's new store on the N�rburgring Boulevard. Aston Martin's new supercar may not be F1 competitive with its 7.3 liter naturally aspirated V12 pumping out 700 hp, but it can make up what it lacks in power with some serious cabin luxury.


According to our photographer, the One-77 on display was the first production model ever constructed by the luxury British automaker and has been used for testing by Aston Martin.


The One-77, conceptually conceived as a DTM racer, will also feature a six-speed sequential (automated) manual gearbox and something called Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve damping, meant for the supercar to keeps its head with all that power thrashing it about.


The rest of the One-77's performance data is something Aston Martin is not yet willing to share, except to say that the 0 to 100 km/h sprint will be in under 3.5 seconds and top speed will surpass 200 mph (320 km/h). But construction details give us some hint as to how well the car will boogie, as weight will come in at a sprightly 1,500 kg with the One-77's carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
More Photos

Spied: Next Gen VW Passat Mule at Nurburgring

The spies on the 'Ring caught another glimpse of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat test mule. Although wearing the skin of the current Passat, we are able to glean a few details of the upcoming big seller.


With the elongated body we can expect to see more cabin room inside the new Passat, but not just legroom for the rear passengers. Wider fenders indicate the possibility of a little more elbow space as well. The spy believes Volkswagen will make more use of lightweight materials this time around, meaning the bigger body may not translate into more weight. We hope that a bigger model is not the only change to the exterior styling, and that VW makes the new Passat more bold and less dull.


Look for the 4Motion all-wheel-drive to be available for this Passat, as well as the eight-speed DSG transmission. Automatic parking, parking cameras, airless tires, and windshield cleaning sans wipers. Another rumor going around is the use of magnetic, low-voltage paint that allows the driver to change color by adjusting the current.


Several rumors abound about engine choices for the car. Many expect a 3.0-liter V6 petrol model producing 280 horsepower, but some expect to see a large diesel version that produces about 300 hp, while a hybrid edition using the 3.0-L V6 could also be on the horizon.
Source:World Car Fans

Lexus Releases LF-A Race Car Images Ahead of 24-hour N�rburgring Race

Lexus has finally released official photos of their LF-A prototype which will compete in the grueling 24-hour endurance race at Germany's famous N�rburgring.


Although the company is keeping details a closely guarded secret, they did state that the 200+ mph supercar is powered by a 4.8 liter V10 engine which produces 500 bhp. The sleek carbon fiber LF-A prototype will be entered by Japan's Gazoo Racing team and will be driven by a variety of professional race car drivers, Toyota engineers, and Lexus dealers.








Press Release

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

The Lexus LF-A concept car has never been camera shy, but it has not been seen like this before. Here for the first time is not one, but two of the sleek V10, 500bhp sportcars pictured parked side by side and in race livery ready for this weekend's N�rburgring 24-hour race.

Entered by Gazoo Racing, the team hopes to repeat its class winning form in the 4-hour race earlier in the year. The team, made up of professional drivers, Toyota test drivers, dealers and one very enigmatic driver known only as "Morizo", is tackling the race as part of the development programme for the 200mph+ car.

Gazoo is a Japanese market, Toyota-owned, e-commence website that aims to "create a new relationship between automobiles and people in the new IT era". Gazoo has its own racing team and this will be the third attempt at the famous German race.
via:World Car Fans

First Nurburgring Spy Photos for 2010 Saab 9-5

The new car is clearly larger, with a long wheel base that suggests ample rear-seat legroom. Speculation calls for the new 9-5 to be almost six inches longer than the current car.

The size increase will enable it to compete with vehicles like the Cadillac STS, BMW 5-Series and Audi A6, not to mention the Volvo S80. The wheels and vehicle silhouette visible in these photos suggest that the STS and A6 are targets. The use of LED taillights is again visible, though the new 9-5's overall look seems to be conservative and evolutionary rather than radical.


Clearer images have surfaced of the heavily-disguised 2010 Saab 9-5 caught on video recently during winter testing. The next-generation 9-5 was spied at the Nurburgring, wearing the same dazzle camouflage and heavy cladding, but some details are nonetheless visible.


No mechanical details have escaped as yet, but Saab still has access to GM's stable of engines for the time being, whatever the brand's future may be. That means a range of 2.0 liter gasoline and diesel engines, with about 210 horsepower from the turbocharged 2.0 gasoline four-cylinder. A 3.6 liter V6 and turbocharged 2.8 liter V6 are also possibilities. A choice of front- or all-wheel drive is likely, in keeping with Saab's current lineup.


The 2010 9-5 is due to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor show later this year.
Source:World Car Fans



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