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McLaren MP4 12C XP Details, Specs, and Review

2011 McLaren MP4 12C and XP development cars

McLaren MP4 12C XP Car Picture

McLaren Automotive launches the first in a series of broadcast-quality short videos, which present a rare insight into a performance car testing program from the development team behind the new McLaren MP4-12C.

As a brand new car company, McLaren Automotive has a unique and engaging story to tell prior to its first model going on sale in Spring 2011. Meanwhile, 2009’s intense testing and development program is clearly demonstrating the 12C’s potential and McLaren Automotive is presenting rare company footage and insight that reveals its plans, processes and challenges.

In a short film entitled ‘Inside McLaren: developing the MP4-12C’, viewers take the first steps to understanding how McLaren Automotive will fulfil its ambition to launch the MP4-12C as a genuine challenger to the world’s best high performance sports cars. Highlights include:

An introduction to the McLaren Technology Center (MTC) and the MP4-12C test program by McLaren Automotive Technical Director, Dick Glover.

Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin on how the 12C performs in extreme test conditions.

An overview by senior engineers of the integrated approach to development on roads and tracks around the world and, virtually, back at MTC 12C development (XP) prototypes on road and track in England and Germany, and extreme hot weather testing in Bahrain.

The challenging and comprehensive development programme has taken in some of the world’s most famous race circuits and most inhospitable driving environments; from the dry and cold, ice and snow of the Arctic, to the hot and humid, sand-soaked air of the Middle-East.

Combined with cutting-edge simulation programmes, Formula 1 techniques, personnel and processes, and thousands of miles of ‘real world’ on-road driving on the UK’s notoriously poor tarmac surfaces, the tight-knit testing team has taken giant strides through 2009 in the 12C’s development. The result is ‘pure’ McLaren: a revolutionary high performance sports car that features unique engineering solutions to deliver new standards in comfort, driving dynamics, economy and performance in the ‘core’* sports car market.

*’Core’ market according to McLaren Automotive are performance sports cars priced between £125,000 and £175,000

Dick Glover, Technical Director at McLaren Automotive is responsible for the 50-strong Testing and Development team and the eight development (XP) cars that have featured in the 2009 programme: “I am really proud of what the team has achieved this year,” he said.

“Having to develop a brand new range of cars from scratch to the standards expected of McLaren, featuring ground-breaking new structures and powertrain is the ultimate challenge and one we are relishing. Sure, we have challenges – that is why we go to these places that absolutely push the cars to their limits and beyond – but now we know just what the 12C is capable of, we are able to push on into 2010 and deliver cars of which McLaren will be rightly proud.”

The 2009 testing programme has focused heavily on two of the most famous tracks in the world – the notorious Nordschleife Nurburgring and the circuit seen by millions on-screen, the BBC Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Both tracks push cars to their limits. But the success of the programme will also rest on McLaren’s technological innovation and experience.

The results of a testing session’s road and track performance are rapidly assessed within MTC. Simulation and rapid engineering practices – two core aspects of a successful Formula 1 team – are then employed to re-calibrate the XP test cars in-situ ready for the following day, or night’s, development targets.

Chris Goodwin, professional racing driver and Chief Test Driver at McLaren Automotive, summed up the self-imposed pressures on the development team: “McLaren has always set itself the highest standards. We are the most successful ever motor racing team, we designed and built one of the world’s most iconic sports cars in the world in the McLaren F1, and pioneered carbon fibre development on race and road cars.

“We took those standards into the development programme for the MP4-12C in order to launch a new high performance sports car comparable with past achievements and offering new levels of performance for the future. For us, these targets were simply starting points and that attitude requires the most thorough development possible. We believe that our global testing is delivering incredible strides for the 12C.”

Other highlights:

Simon Andrew (Vehicle Development Engineer) sends back detailed daily reports from all test sessions to McLaren Automotive personnel in a wide range of functions, not just other members of his team. This ensures that the full range of the company’s engineers, designers and management are able to contribute their experience.

Rob Tyers is one of many team members introduced from the McLaren Racing division, bringing their experience of rapid decision-making in a highly competitive environment to bear on a traditionally slower-paced industry. No other car company in the world offers this combination and experience of motor racing and road-car development personnel under one roof.

McLaren Automotive has developed a unique programme inspired by the rapid development requirements of Formula 1. This brings together the whole development team at one venue over a period of up to two weeks. Huge strides are gained during these intense testing periods as all car systems are stretched to their limits in combination and as a whole, rather than part by part in sequence.

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Stoptech BMW M3 E92

Black BMW M3 E92 Car Picture

Athlete, the Stoptech BMW M3 - the Trackday edition!

APP Europe brings the optics of the M-Boliden with performance on the road. With a specialsporty tuning program gives APP particularly exciting optics to the current BMW E92 M3.

The sales of the German Stoptech high speed brake equipment offers a firstclass performance vehicle for the ambitiousTrackday pilot.

The goal: Weight savings, driving dynamics, engine performance and stable brakes!However the Stoptech STR highpower brake saves per axle of the M3 over 8 kg: The Stoptech STR brake equipment is manufactured from forged aluminum, which is front axle provided with anodized 6-piston saddles with two-piece 380x35mm disks - the rear axle with 4-piston and 355x32 disks. (A pointed delay value of -13,4 m/s is reached!!!)

Really many one-piece and multipart wheel designs can be choosen with APP. Here however the light variant of ATS „Racelight “ in 19 inch with Michelin pilot sport 2 high speed tires was selected. This rim combination saves for each wheel in relation to the series 1.5 kg, and this becomes substantially apparent in the driving dynamics.

The chassis can be easily called very sporty now. That makes a KW club-sport chassis possible.

In addition you get an Akrapovic titanium evolution system, atitanium exhaust system with sport metal catalysts, which are 23 kg easier than the series.

By the Swiss Stoptech partner, the Collaction AG in Widnau, the power of the M3 V8 was raised by 30 HP to 450 HP. The torque rises around 40 Nm, which also fits much earlier. That makes the power development of the high speed engine clearly more harmonious and increases the fun factor on the racing course!

From the foil specialist and APP partner for many years, CFC (Car film Components), the car with a sensational new foil was pasted. A titanium silver/weak with Metallic effect, that is the optical high point of a project car all around succeeded!

Now the power ratings are clearly in the range of excellent sports cars. The relatively inconspicuous getting ahead prestige will lead with certainty to some consternationof various owners of sports car.

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2010 Peugeot XT206 Auto Hatchback

Peugeot XT206 car picture

Peugeot 206 Hatchback is a popular car in Europe and has won several European automobile since its inception in 1999. The previous model line-up of GTI and XR traps has been extended with the last of the 206 XT, a five-door hatchback with a 1.6 liter 16-valve engine. With a contemporary style and charisma, the 206 has been hailed as one of the most beautiful of the small traps.

Peugeot 206 Hatchback is smooth flowing lines are typical of a trap chip European achieve the look that others outside the continent have tried to imitate, without the same success. The XT is available in manual and automatic with a price of $ 22.990 and $ 24.990, respectively. Standard equipment on the XT includes dual front airbags, air conditioning, remote central locking, immobilizer, power steering, electric windows and mirrors, the height adjustable driver seat, CD player, and seatbelts with pre-tensioners . Antilock braking system (ABS), side airbags, metallic paint and sunroof option.
The 1.6-liter, SOHC engine has been replaced by another of equal capacity, but with two overhead camshafts and 16 valves in a new cylinder head, strengthening the power from 67 kW to 82 kW and a torque of 137 Nm to 147 Nm the engine has been improved by using lighter pistons and roller rockers to reduce internal friction, and includes a belt drive single multi-teeth to drive all the accessories. A fuel injection system combined with a new ignition system that updated individual coil packs for each cylinder and a cooling system more efficient to provide more power and efficiency.

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BMW 1-Series confirms M and Turbo M5

In a recent interview with the German magazine, Auto News, Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M GmbH’s Managing Director, confirmed the long rumored 1-Series M. He said the car will go on sale in the second quarter of 2011. Of course every one knew about the existence of the car, but it is the very first time a BMW representative officially confirms it. And the fact that it came from the head honcho of BMW M sends this rumor into fact city.
Segler also said that the car will not be called the M1 - that will remain a name reserved in history by the original M1 that debuted thirty years ago. He did not reveal the name of the car, but he did said it will be built in limited numbers. The 1-series M will probably follow along the engine lines of the 135i producing 306hp.

From what we know of the BMW M1 it will also feature a central duct, brake air ducts, an additional two ducts on the bonnet, two air intakes on the front wings for a typical M look, and the bar that incorporates the side indicator light. It will also have widened fenders, integrated duckbill trunk spoiler, upgraded M wheels, and large brakes with cross-drilled rotors.
Next, Dr. Kay Segler said that the 2011 M5 will be powered by the same V8 engine used in the X5 and X6 M, but tweaked to deliver between 585-600HP. Since this is the same engine we thought the BMW M5 would have, we can estimate that it will sprint from 0 to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 155mph or 188 mph with the optional M Drivers Package. BMW M’s goal with this car is a "Two Cars in One": a daily driving car that could be transformed into a racetrack beast with just the touch of a button.
Hopefully, we will be able to see these two vehicles very soon. We expect the BMW M5 first, possibly at the Paris Motor Show. The 1-series M should make its appearance sometime early next year.

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