The 2019 Saleen S1

Steve Saleen's Latest Car

     Hello everyone. Father's Day is coming soon so I wanted to write about an American supercar from my favorite American car company. The car I'll be writing about is Saleen's latest creation called the S1. Let's learn some more about this supercar.

     The Saleen S1 is an American supercar equipped with a 2.5 liter inline-4 as opposed to a V-8. You can blame the feds for causing Saleen to improvise. However I have heard this engine in action on various Youtube videos and it sounds surprisingly mean and loud. The engine delivers 450 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The engine revs to an unknown number, but I can expect that number to be high. Don't let the lack of a V-8 cool you off as the S1 (yes you heard right) has a 6-speed manual transmission with a stick. Naught to sixty takes 3.5 seconds. The S1 can reach a maximum speed of 180 mph.

     The weight distribution of the S1 is in the back with 58 percent of it carried back to the axle in the rear, providing better traction and more assistance to the front under heavy braking. The tires used are Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires.

     Without optional extras, the S1 is expected to cost $100,000 in the United States which I think is a bargain. 

     And now for a little secret. The S1 is actually based around a German car called the Artega GT, which I have written about a while back. Would you take an S1? I probably would. 

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8

My Friend's Worst Nightmare Come True :P

     For a while General Motors and Chevrolet have teased, and promised us a new mid-engine Corvette. This idea was originally thought of by a Belgian named Zora Arkus-Duntov, who wanted to make an affordable mid-engine supercar for the United States. However GM didn't like the idea very much, and took harsh actions to destroy Zora's dream. However by the year 2020, Zora's wish came true when GM and Chevrolet decided to make a new Corvette C8 with a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated engine in the middle. 

Sadly, Zora was not alive to see his dream come true. Had he seen it he would likely be very impressed with it. Let's learn some more facts on this new Vette some consider really good, while others consider an abomination due to the lack of a front-engine setup.

     The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 is a mid-engine supercar equipped with a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V-8 that gives the car 490 hp and 470 pound-feet of torque. The C8's top speed is unknown since Chevy wants to keep it a secret for now. However Chevy did say the car can get from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds. Sorry Ford GT. Haha! 

     The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 is coupled to an automatic gearbox with paddles. The double-clutch transmission is surprisingly based around the PDK system used by some Porsche's. Such technology allows for very fast shift times. 

     The C8 has an unknown total weight. What is known is that the front and rear trunk tubs (boot if you're feeling British) are made of a material called "float" by Chevy and GM. The material is so light it can actually let the C8 float if it crashed into a body of water. It is also known to minimize sound and vibration. 

     The cost of a C8 Corvette came as a big surprise to the purists who thought it would be overpriced when it hit car lots. Actually many became relieved when it turned it turned out to cost just $59,995 U.S. dollars. Better is that this car definitely has the performance to match or even beat the much more expensive Ferraris, Lamborghinins, and McLarens. 

     If you really work hard, perhaps you may just be able to buy one, provided they haven't sold out. 

 

The 2021 Maserati MC20

Maserati's Latest Supercar

 

     Hi everyone. It's been a while, but I decided to return for a bit from my blogging hiatus to blog about a new supercar from the legendary Maserati company of Italy. That car is called the MC20. Let's learn more about this new supercar, and what makes it different from the older MC12. 

     The Maserati MC20 is a mid-engine Italian supercar equipped with an impressive 3.0 liter twin-turbo V-6 that gives the car 621 horsepower, and a top speed of above 202 mph. The V-6 is surprisingly not the same V-6 found in the Maserati Ghibli. This new V-6 was given significantly more care. 

The MC20 also beats the MC12 in terms of horsepower by 9 hp. Zero to sixty takes 2.9 seconds (sorry Ford GT). Hehe.

  The MC20 uses an 8-speed dual clutch flappy-paddle gearbox.

     Like most Maserati sports cars, the MC20 boasts the trademark oval grille. The interior is just as good looking as the exterior of the car, if not better. Inside you'll find a center gauge with a digital speedometer that looks eerily similar to the one found in the 2017 Ford GT. There is also a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that is placed on the dashboard. The air vents are in a rectangular shape as opposed to circular in like a Ferrari 488 Pista. The door handles are actually fabric loops now. But perhaps the best part is the bright blue accents on the two seats. 

     As for the way Maserati decided the driver to select driving styles, they decided to base the controls on a luxury watch like a Brietling, or a Rolex. The MC20 also comes with other fun features such as an Alexa system, wi-fi, and so on. The MC20 also features a 12-speaker unit from a company called Sonus Faber. The luggage compartment can hold 5.2 cubic feet of luggage. Not bad.

     I almost forgot to mention a unique feature in the MC20's engine. It uses a pre-chamber that was borrowed from Formula 1. It also has a side spark-plug, and a dual-injection system to lower the noise the engine makes at low RPMs. The engine is also more torque happy than the MC12, mostly due to the unique twin-turbo system. Because this car appears so good to the men and women who made it, Maserati wants to make a racing version of the MC20 in the future. I would love to see this car race at Le Mans one day.

     The price for a new MC20 will cost you $220,000, which puts it in Ferrari's territory for similar cars. The MC20's main competition will be the Ferrari F8 Tributo, 

McLaren 720S, 

and the Lamborghini Huracan Evo. 

     I would expect many to buy the other three cars in larger numbers than the MC20 due to the lack of a V-6 engine. Even so there is no denying how awesome the MC20 looks on the exterior and interior.

The 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista

Ferarri's Most Powerful V-8 Hit

 

     Hey viewers. I've decided to make either a short or long return from my blogging break. The break seems to have paid off since by that time automakers have come out with new and sometimes exciting exotic cars. One car that really got my attention is Ferrari's latest, and most powerful V-8 supercar. It is known as the Ferrari 488 Pista. I hope my Ferrari-loving uncle will like this car a lot. Anyways let's learn more about how Ferrari pulled this feat off.

     The Ferrari 488 Pista is an Italian mid-engine supercar that is equipped with an even more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.9L V-8 than the one in the former Ferrari 488 GTB. The Pista has 710 horsepower, and a top speed of 211 mph which is a big leap forward from the 488 GTB. Zero to sixty takes up to 2.85 seconds. The car itself has a 20% increase in downforce due to new parts and its new design. Again, a big leap forward. The Pista weighs exactly 2,822 pounds in dry form. While it is likely the car uses a lighter version of the 7-speed double-clutch manual that was first used in the Ferrari 458 Italia, new parts added to the Pista include a new "Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer," E-Diff3, F1 Trac, and a magnetorheological suspension which is abbreviated as (SCM).

     The name Pista is an entirely new name in the Ferrari dictionary. As far as I know, no other Ferrari from the past has shared the name Pista in it's name.

     What makes the Pista different from the 488 GTB. The Pista uses an F1-inspired S-Duct in the front, along with a potent new front splitter. There is also a ramp angle created for the Pista in order to create powerful suction for better downforce. The front splitter uses three elements, and thin canards on both sides. The side vents are also larger than the ones found on the 488 GTB. As for the interior, Ferrari made few changes, such as adding the words 488 Pista on the dashboard, and creating a mostly black with red accents interior.

     The price of a Ferrari 488 Pista in the United States will be around $320,000 to $340,000 as speculated by some automotive journalists. The main competitors for the Pista will be the Lamborghini Huracan Performante (Performance), the McLaren 750LT, (Sorry. No picture available at the moment.) and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS for the year 2019. Given that the Performante recorded a top time at the Nurburgring for a while, and that the 750LT could have some 720S tech in the build, it will likely be a challenge for the Pista to beat those two cars outright. As for the GT3 RS, I reckon the Pista will have an easier time beating it than the other two competitors. Let's hope that $320,000 to $340,000 estimated price will be worth the buy.

The 2018 TVR Griffith

TVR Has Returned 

     Hello viewers. Today I'll be writing about a car from a company I feel you wanted me to write about. That company is the British car company TVR. The car I'll be writing about is their latest hit, and the car that marked their return to the world. That car is the TVR Griffith. Let's learn more.

     The 2018 TVR Griffith is a British sports car or supercar equipped with a 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V-8, and a six-speed standard manual with a stick. Whether or not this is true I honestly don't know, but I do know the fact about the 5.0 liter V-8 is correct. The car can reach an estimated top speed of 200 mph. Naught to sixty takes an estimated 4 seconds which may seem slow in 2017 or even 2018. The amount of horsepower the Griffith has is 500 hp. Despite the numbers I feel this car will be popular even to Americans such as myself simply due to the fact it has a V-8 and a stick to change gears. Better yet especially for my British viewers the engine is a Cosworth. 

     The TVR Griffith has large and deep recesses that help with aerodynamics. In addition to this is that the front mounted exhaust outlets behind the front wheels eject gas from the Cosworth V-8 at 45 degrees from the doors. 

     The Griffith's mirrors were intentionally created and shaped to stop drag at high speeds. What's more is that the Griffith has true-to-life electric doors. There aren't any door handles on the doors at all. 

     At the rear of the Griffith there is a large slant that channels air under the spoiler which kills a great deal of unwanted downforce in the rear.

     The Griffith has multiple low-slung fins that from each side, and a mesh in the corners that increases the air flow from below the car and provides better performance. 

 

     The price for a new TVR Griffith will be 90,000 pounds in the UK, and $118,819 in the US. Whether or not the Griffith will be available in the States is currently unknown. I get a feeling that American demand for the car will be so demanding that TVR will very likely sell the car in the States. But that is just a theory. If TVR does sell the Griffith in the States how many Americans will actually want one? 

    I almost forgot to mention the main competitors for this car will be the Aston Martin DB11, and the Jaguar F-Type SVR. 

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG Project One

The Car To Celebrate AMG's 50th Anniversary

 

     As a kid have you ever dreamed of driving a Formula 1 car on public roads. Well guess what kids. You're dream came true, sort of. In the Autumn or Fall of 2017, Mercedes-AMG finally unveiled it's latest most insane car of all time. That car is the Formula 1 based 2020 Mercedes-AMG Project One. And I really do mean Formula 1 based because it has a Formula 1 V-6 from one of Mercedes's Formula 1 cars. How on Earth did AMG manage to make a car with a Formula 1 V-6 in it street-legal? Let's find out.

     The Mercedes-AMG Project One is a German hypercar equipped with a 1.6 liter Formula 1 V-6 that delivers an estimated 217 mph. Naught to sixty takes an estimated 2.5 seconds. Horsepower is at 1,000. The power to RPM is a massive 11,000 RPM. What in the world!? Despite the high RPM the Project One is not a terribly loud screaming hypercar, but loud nonetheless. The gearbox used is an  Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-Speed Manual Transmission that is hydraulically activated. There is also a flappy paddle shift manual.

     The Project One uses a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Both the engine and transmission are integrated as load-bearing components inside the chassis. They also act to help the rear suspension in keeping the car's tail in line. The use of a multi-link set-up with pushrods is used in all four of the corners, with the springs and dampers replacing a traditional tubular cross member.

     The Project One uses an AWD drivetrain, as well as AMG carbon ceramic brakes. The phrase "AMG Carbon Ceramic" has been branded on the brake calipers. Cool.

     And now a surprise about the car. It is a hybrid hypercar which means it is currently the 5th member to join the hybrid hypercar family that consists of the McLaren P1, the Porsche 918 Spyder, the Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Let's learn more about the Project One's hybrid setup. 

     A lithium-ion battery pack is coupled to the F1 V-6 in the Project One. It shares many similarities with Mercedes's Formula 1 car, such as the cooling system. However the Project One contains more batteries than its Formula 1 cousin. This also makes it cleaner for Earth's enviroment. That seems like a good win-win. The electric range is 25 kilometers.

     The are also multiple driving modes for the Project One. There is an all-electric mode and a maximum power mode. An onboard computer automatically switches between all-electric and gas-powered modes depending on the driver's input. 

     Now for the bad news kids. Every single Project One car has already been sold. Worse is that even if they weren't you would have to pay $2.7 billion just to get one. That's the price you must pay to get a Formula 1 car for public roads.

The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The Cover Car For Forza Motorsport 7

 

      Recently in 2017, Porsche decided to unveil a new 911 for the year 2018 for both the road and the racetrack. However this was no mere 911. It is probably the best 911 ever made, and the fastest. That would be the new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS. How did Porsche make a naturally aspirated flat-six engine produce so much power for the GT2 RS, and how did they make it the ultimate 911 to begin with? Let's find out.

      The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a German supercar equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter flat-six engine that delivers a very surprising amount of horsepower. That amount of horsepower is 700 to be exact which is more than what the Ford GT delivers. Naught to sixty takes 2.7 seconds. From a flat-six that is incredible, even if it is twin-turbocharged. Top speed is a whopping 211 mph. Torque is at 553 lb-ft. Maximum RPM is 7,000. Don't worry about the addition of the turbos. Porsche assures us that the sound from the engine is still very good, and some. 

      How does the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS differ from other 911s besides power, maximum speed, and zero to sixty times? To start the front bumper has been raised higher than some 911s, such as the previous 911 GT2 RS. The bumper is also closer to the ground possibly to increase downforce and the ability to turn through corners with ease. There are also bigger air vents on both sides of the center grille. A new front splitter was also added. Also there are two additional vents in the carbon fiber trunk lid to increase the cooling effect.

      As for the sides of the car, Porsche added new side skirts and new vents in the rear fenders. The rear area of the car is also wider than any Porsche made today. But the most interesting feature is that the 2018 911 GT2 RS uses it's own custom-built tires. They are also lightweight. 

      In the back of the car's exterior, Porsche installed taillights from the 991.2 generation 911, which are a bit thinner. 

      On to the interior. Like the previous 911 GT2 RS there is a rollcage behind the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. The seats have a fixed-back design and a carbon fiber outer shell. The side bolsters were made to be big to better cope with lateral support while cornering. The seats themselves have red Alcantara leather, black leather, and more composite trim in them.

      Unfortunately to anyone who wants to buy the new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS they wont be able to as they have all been pre-ordered and sold. Those who bought the 2018 911 GT2 RS were all given a free exclusive titanium watch, probably to record lap times on a racetrack.

       I almost forgot to mention how much this car weighs. It weighs just 3,241 pounds due to the use of materials such as magnesium, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. But if your still not sure about the 3,241 pound weight of the car you can buy a Weissach package that takes 40 pounds off the car.

       The 2018 911 GT2 RS has some electronic driver's aids that can easily be turned on or off to increase or decrease the difficulty, or should I say fun of driving the car. The suspension use rear-axle steering. The brakes used are Porsche's own Porsche Ceramic Carbon Brakes.

       On to the price the customers had to pay to get the ultimate 911. It cost them $293,200 to purchase the regular version, and an extra $31,000 if they got the Weissach package. 

       So the question is whether the buyers of the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS wasted their money on buying this car. The answer is no. As for those who bought the Weissach package with their car, I'm not so sure.

The 1971 to 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV

A Car That Started The Mid-Engine Craze

 

 

 

     Hello everyone. Today is perhaps your favorite time of day again; classic car day. Today I'll be writing about some models of the sports car that started the mid-engine craze back in the early 1970s. Those cars are the 1971 and 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV. Let's learn more.

      First a history lesson. The first Lamborghini Miura ever made was created by a small team of engineers with the youngest being only in his twenties. The doors were intentionally designed to look like a bull's horns when opened. Now on to engine information.

   The 1971 and 1972 Lamborghini Miuras are Italian Supercars. Both the 1971 and 1972 Lamborghini Miuras used a 4.0 liter naturally aspirated V-12 from 1966.  However later Miura SV models would use a limited-slip differential that needed a split sump. The Miura SVs used a 5-speed manual gearbox that used it's own lubrication system, which allowed the car to accept appropriate types of oil for the gearbox and engine. This improved the Miura SVs reliability and eased peoples' concerns that metal shavings directly from the gearbox could travel into and hurt the engine.

     On to power. The Miura SVs had a top speed of 170 mph despite the people at Lamborghini saying it would reach 180 mph. Oh well. Naught to sixty took 5.7 seconds which was legendary for it's time. Not only that but the Miura SVs were the fastest production cars of their time; a fact that I'm sure made Enzo Ferrari very angry. Horsepower was at 380. Torque was at 295.0 lb-ft of torque. Maximum RPM was 7,850. Let's talk price now. 

     In the past a Lamborghini Miura SV would cost up to $13,000. Today it would cost up to $110,000 for a pristine model. This places it near top of the line Dodge/SRT Vipers and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. If you're a fan of classics and want something Italian and somewhat affordable the Miura SV is the car for you.