Tag Archive for: sports

The new BAC Mono sports the stunning new generation of the single-seater’s design DNA

first seen on the ground-breaking BAC Mono R. A comprehensive redesign of every single panel successfully reduces visual mass across the body and achieves a more organic, lighter aesthetic.

“Following the well-worn recipe of more power, less weight and more extreme design and technology in the pursuit of ultimate thrills, the new BAC Mono is a slice of single-seater mayhem.”

— TIM POLLARD, CAR MAGAZINE

“The new Mono is powered by a 2.3-litre 332bhp turbocharged engine, meeting EU6 emissions regulations but maintaining Mono’s phenomenal performance DNA.”

“BAC is forever innovating and pushing automotive boundaries with a perpetual focus on lightweight technology. The new Mono features a number of technological feats that keep its weight at just 570kg and subsequently enhance performance.”

“Lighter weight, more power and more efficient aerodynamics provide a driving experience in the new Mono that pushes the boundaries ever closer to perfection.”

Maserati MC20

Modena, September 9th2020 – Maserati enters the new Era with MC20, the new super sports car that combines performance, sportiness and luxury in the unique Maserati style. MC20 was presented to the world in Modena on 9 September during the “MMXX: Time to be audacious” event.

Maserati MC20: the Brand’s new super sports car

  • MC20 marks the beginning of Maserati’s new Era
  • The new Maserati super sports car is a worthy successor to the MC12
  • A car with a racing DNA
  • 100% Made in Modena and 100% Made in Italy

The new MC20 (MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020, the year of its world première and the start of the Brand’s new Era) is the Maserati everyone was waiting for. It is a car with incredible aerodynamic efficiency, which conceals a sporty soul, with the new Nettuno engine, a 630 horsepower V6 with torque of 730 Nm that delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 2,9 seconds and a top speed over 325 km an hour. An engine that signals Maserati’s return to producing its own power units after a hiatus of more than 20 years.

The MC20 is an extremely lightweight car under 1,500 kg (kerb weight), and thanks to its power output of 630 hp it comes out best in class in weight/power ratio, at just 2.33 kg/hp. This record is achieved through the use of choice quality materials, exploiting all the potentials of carbon fibre without any sacrifices with regard to comfort.

Nettuno, the first engine in this new chapter of the Trident’s history, is the MC20’s twin turbo V6, a technologic gem already awarded an international patent, which puts the MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion) technology, the ground-breaking combustion system developed in-house, onto the world’s roads.

Overall, this revolutionary project has resulted in a car that epitomises Italian excellence. In fact, MC20 was designed in Modena and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant, where the Trident’s models have been built for more than 80 years. The new production line, created in the spaces where the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models were assembled until November 2019, is now ready for action in the historic plant. The site also features a new paintshop incorporating innovative, environment-friendly technologies. Nettuno will also be built in Modena, at the newly established Maserati Engine Lab.

The MC20 design was produced in about 24 months, with the involvement from the outset, in an innovative approach, of a team of Maserati Innovation Lab engineers, technical specialists from the Maserati Engine Lab and designers from the Maserati Style Centre.

The Virtual Vehicle Dynamics Development system, which includes the use of one of the world’s most advanced dynamic simulators, was developed in-house by the Maserati Innovation Lab and is based on a complex mathematical model called Virtual Car. This method allowed performance of 97% of dynamic tests, optimising development times. The car was then fine-tuned in the best Maserati tradition with exhaustive track and road test-driving sessions in the most widely varying conditions of use.

The guiding theme of the MC20’S design was the Brand’s historic identity, with all the elegance, performance and comfort integral to its genetic make-up. The focus on performance led to the conception of a car with a distinct personality, with unmistakable forms that render it unique.

The butterfly doors are not only stunningly beautiful but also functional, as they improve the car’s ergonomics and enable optimal access to and from the cabin.

The aerodynamics were designed through over two thousand man-hours in the Dallara Wind Tunnel and more than a thousand CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, which enabled the creation of a genuine work of art. The resulting car has a sleek line, with no mobile appendages but just a discreet rear spoiler that improves downforce without detracting from the MC20’s beauty. The CX is more under 0,38.

Maserati MC20

Maserati MC20

The MC20 is designed to enable coupé and convertible versions and for full electric power.

Once inside the cabin, the driver is always central, and nothing must distract them from the sporting driving experience. Every component has a purpose, and is completely driver-oriented. Simple forms, very few sharp edges and minimal distractions. Two 10 inch screens: one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Touch Control Plus (MTC Plus MIA). Simplicity is also the keynote of the carbon fibre-clad central console, with just a few features: the wireless smartphone charger, the driving mode selector (GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and a fifth, ESC Off, which deactivates the control functions), two speed selection buttons, the power window controls, the Multimedia System controls, and a handy storage compartment underneath the armrest. All the other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right.

The new MC20 will be connected at all times with the Maserati Connect program. The full range of services includes connected navigation, Alexa and Wifi Hotspot and can also be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch App.

For the launch, Maserati has also developed six new colours to characterise MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. Each of them has been conceived, designed and developed exclusively for this car and they all convey important themes: a strong reference to Made in Italy, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition.

Both visually and conceptually, there are strong references to the MC12, the car that marked Maserati’s racing comeback in 2004. In the same way as its predecessor, MC20, with its explicitly racing soul clear from its name alone, announces the intention to return to the world of racing.

The production launch is scheduled for the end the current year with orders to be accepted from the 9th September after the world Première.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Layout V6 90° MTC twin turbo
Displacement (cc) 3000 cc
Bore x stroke (mm) 88 x 82 mm
Compression ratio 11:1
Max. power output 630 CV @ 7500 rpm
Peak torque (Nm @ rpm) 730 Nm @ 3000 – 5500 rpm
Ignition system MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion) Twin Spark with passive prechamber
Fuel system PD( Direct injection 350bar + Port injection 6bar)
Induction Twin Side Turbo with electronic actuated waste gate
Lubrication Fully variable Oil pump on Dry Sump System with scavenge Pumps & external oil tank
Timing system Double over head camshaft with variable valve timing
PERFORMANCE
0-100 Km/h (s) <2,9”
0-200 Km/h (s) <8,8”
Top speed (km/h) >325km/h
Braking distance
from 100 to 0 km/h (m)
<33mt
Cx <0,38
FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS – WLTC*
Fuel consumption
(Combined cycle) l/100 km
11,6
Fuel consumption
(Low cycle) l/100 km
20,8
Fuel consumption
(Medium cycle) l/100 km
11,9
Fuel consumption
(High cycle) l/100 km
9,8
Fuel consumption
(extra-High cycle) l/100 km
9,6
CO2 emissions
(Combined cycle) g/km
262
CO2 emissions
(Low cycle) g/km
470
CO2 emissions
(Medium cycle) g/km
269,4
CO2 emissions
(High cycle) g/km
220,6
CO2 emissions
(Extra High cycle) g/km
215,8
*Preliminary Values
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox DCT 8 gears
Gear ratios: 2.905/ 1.759/ 1.220/ 0.878/ 0.653/ 0.508/ 0.397/ 0.329 R 2.632:1 final 5.174
Transmission Rear-wheel drive with rear limited slip self-locking mechanical differential
(Electronic differential opt)
SUSPENSION
Front Double-wishbone with virtual steering axle , anti-roll bar (Lifter opt)
Rear Double-wishbone with virtual steering axle , anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs 380×34 mm (CCM disc 390×36 opt)
Brembo fixed calipers
6 pistons
Rear Ventilated discs 350×27 mm (CCM disc 360×28 opt)
4 pistons
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Front/rear tyres front 245/35 ZR 20 / rear 305/30 ZR 20
L x D x H (mm) 4,669 x 1,965 x 1,221
Wheelbase (mm) 2,700
Front/rear track (mm) 1,681 / 1,649
Luggage capacity (l) 150 (50 front / 100 rear)
Fuel tank capacity (l) 60 lt
Homologated weight (kg) <1500kg

 

Maserati S.p.A.
Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars with an amazing personality, immediately recognisable anywhere. With their style, technology and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a global automotive industry benchmark. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance and safety, currently available on more than seventy markets internationally. Ambassadors of this heritage are the Quattroporte flagship, the Ghibli sports sedan, now also available in hybrid version, the Trident Brand’s first electrified car, and the Levante, the first made by Maserati SUV, all models denoted by use of the choicest materials and technical solutions of superlative excellence. A complete range, including V6 and V8 petrol, 4 cylinder hybrid and V6 diesel powerplants, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. The range’s prestige was recently even further enhanced by the introduction of the new Trofeo Collection, comprising Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante, equipped with the powerful 580 hp V8 engine. The top-of-the-range is the new MC20 supercar, powered by the ground-breaking Nettuno V6 engine, incorporating F1-derived technologies now made available in the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. Today, the Maserati range is produced at three plants: Ghibli and Quattroporte are built at Grugliasco (Turin) at the Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli Plant (AGAP), and Levante at the Mirafiori Plant in Turin. The new MC20 supercar is produced in Modena, at the historic Viale Ciro Menotti plant.

Porsche is manufacturing sports cars again

Stuttgart. As from next Monday (4 May), Porsche is restarting production on a site- and task-specific basis. All the required measures have been taken in advance to guarantee the maximum possible safety for employees and so that production can be increased in stages up to full capacity. As production is ramped up at the main factory in Zuffenhausen and at the site in Leipzig, all employees will now resume work step by step. The adapted processes in production, logistics and procurement have been agreed with the Works Council and the Health Management department. The requirements of the respective authorities will also be observed.

“The restart is an important signal – for our employees as well as for our customers. We have monitored and analysed the situation very carefully right from the start and flexibly adapted processes. Now is the right time to look forward with optimism and to resume work – subject to special precautions,” says Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG.

A comprehensive catalogue of measures has been decided for the Porsche factories in Zuffenhausen and Leipzig. In addition to giving paramount importance to ensuring protection for employees, these measures are designed to permit the resumption of orderly and efficient production as quickly as possible. For example, production employees are required to observe a minimum distance of 1.50 metres, follow basic rules of conduct or to work with a face mask in defined areas.

Medical institutions and medical personnel have absolute priority for Porsche when it comes to equipment with protective clothing. The company is therefore organising equipment as part of the “Porsche helps” initiative and is also donating money to hospitals as well as food to food banks; the budget for donations has been increased by five million euros.

“It will take a great deal of effort to get the economic and social system moving again. Everyone must make a contribution to this,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “It is important to have a positive fundamental attitude. Every crisis also offers opportunities. And we want to make the most of them.” The company initially stopped production in its two factories on 21 March 2020 for a period of two weeks and announced that it would continuously reassess the situation. Due to bottlenecks in global supply chains, the factories have remained closed for a total of six weeks because orderly production was not possible.

In addition to suspending production, Porsche also decided at the time to implement a number of other stricter measures. These will remain in force until further notice to relieve the burden on the infrastructure at the sites: this means that the greatly increased level of “mobile working” will continue in the indirect areas, and meetings will be held as video or telephone conferences. The ban on business travel also continues to apply.

The British brand Apex Motors has introduced an all-electric sports car called AP-0. The EV is scheduled to go into production at the end of 2022, and Apex says prices will start at 150,000 pounds (before taxes). Down payments are already accepted.

Apex Motors introduces all-electric sports AP-0 COUPE

Apex speaks of the AP-0 as an electric sports car inspired by racing and approved for road use. The rear-mounted electric motor produces 484 kW and accelerates the AP-0 from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. The top speed is stated as 306 kph. In contrast to many of the electric sports cars presented so far, such as the Pininfarina Battista, Lotus Evija or the Rimac C_Two, the AP-0 will only have one motor.

A battery pack with 90 kWh will provide energy storage, which should enable a WLTP range of 515 kilometres. Using CCS, it should be possible to charge the battery to 80 per cent in less than 15 minutes. If the 90 kWh energy content of the battery is the usable net value, this would correspond to an average charging capacity of 288 kW. A full charge with alternating current should take eight hours. If the 90 kWh is also considered as a basis here, this results in an AC charging capacity of exactly 11 kW.

Due to the extensive use of carbon fibres (including the safety cell for the occupants, some body parts and the rims), the AP-0 is expected to weigh only about 1.2 tons. Despite its focus on being a drivable sports car, the Apex should be able to drive semi-autonomously. For this purpose, the vehicle is to be equipped with its lidar sensor, among other things, which will be able to identify pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles precisely. We are talking about an autonomous system according to level 3, which can later be extended with updates to a level 4 system.

But of course, the unusual design of the AP-0 is striking. The designers were able to dispense with large cooling openings because of the absence of a combustion engine, only as in other mid- or rear-engined sports cars there are air inlets in front of the rear wheels.

Even more striking than the front with its angular lines is the rear. In addition to the continuous rear light strips that are now increasingly used, the AP-0 has additional vertical brake light. This extends from the shark fin to the diffuser.

Production in England is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2022. The plant near Woking should be able to produce up to 500 AP-0s per year. The starting price of 150,000 pounds is currently around 165,000 euros, but here the usual local taxes are added.