Tag Archive for 'Suspension'

…BRABUS tuned the Tesla?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on November 14, 2008
in Cars
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BRABUS Tesla

Being all-electric didn’t stopped BRABUS from getting their tuner hands on the new Tesla, but is did stopped them from making changes to the drivetrain, suspension, or even a majority of the body panels.

Instead what they focused on was gadgets and gizmos to add to the already gadget and gizmo filled ride.

Changes include a “space sound generator” that gives you the sound of a simulated V8, simulated race car, or two “futuristic soundscapes” named ‘Beam’ and ‘Warp’ when you mash the go pedal, “space lights” (better known as an underbody kit), a new rear spoiler and rear diffuser, front lip and integrated daytime running lights (stolen from Audi), and a custom-tailored BRABUS interior and tire/wheel combo.

Apparently BRABUS felt that the Tesla was some sort of sacred ground, because this is definitely the lightest hand they’ve touched any car with, but hey, at least it’s a start.

Now bring on the widebody kits!

[BRABUS]

[Via: Jalopnik]

…Audi’s R8 GT3 is ready to race?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on October 21, 2008
in Cars
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Audi R8 GT3

Go racing in style with Audi’s R8 GT3.

Designed to compete in rear-wheel-drive, GT3-spec racing, the R8 GT3 will more than likely break through the 500 HP barrier, as well as tack on a six-speed sequential sports gearbox, tons of carbon fiber bits and pieces, and the aerodynamic changes seen here. Due to GT3 rules, the suspension will more or less stay the same, but who’s going to complain about that?

[Via: Baxter Finley]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO?

Published
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Cory O'Brien
on October 21, 2008
in Cars
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Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO

Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO could be called Beauty and the Beast. Though outside it’s all flashy paint with a show quality shine, inside it’s all business, and this car is made to go.

After buying the car for $1,100, Don and his dad set out to restore and build a car that Don could learn to drive in, but as Don’s interest in racing grew, he soon began to push the limits.

Unfortunately, the limits pushed back, and Don wrecked the car at nearly 80 mph after loosing the breaks going into a turn at Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia.

Faced with the decision to scrap the car and call it a day or rebuild from the ground up, Don decided to build the car the way he had always dreamed, and ended up with the masterpiece you see before you.

Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO Details

Featuring three-piece one-off wheels from Complete Custom Wheel (the suspension what literally build around the wheel choice, instead of the other way around), a beefed up braking system to prevent repeat mishaps, a fully customized suspension system (Don took a job at SLP just so he could play with their metal working toys), a hand built body that Don himself created (everything but the roof and the quarter-panels is new), a full roll cage, 430 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque from the 455 cubic inch, and a custom Muncie M-22 transmission, this goat is made to race.

Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO Racing

And race it he does, as Don himself says, “Some people are surprised that I race it because the car is so nice and would be hard to fix if it were wrecked. I may have a few moments in the pits or on the line where I worry about the car, but once I’m out on the track, my mind is on the race. If you took my pulse right now, it would probably be higher than when I’m racing.”

Well there’s no surprise here Don, because if I had a car like that, I don’t think you could drag me off of the track either.

[Hot Rod - Don Stellhorn’s 1964 Pontiac GTO]

…The Confederate Fighter is an amazing bike?

Published
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Cory O'Brien
on October 9, 2008
in Motorcycles
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Confederate Motorcycles Fighter

Confederate Motorcycles have always been a cut above.

After nearly being wiped out by Katrina, Confederate is back and better than ever with the release of their new Fighter bike.

Featuring tons of carbon fiber and titanium, including the front “blade” style suspension, aggressive lines and enough speed to scare just about anyone (top speed is north of 190 mph), the Fighter is just plain sexy.

Confederate bikes have always been known for their fusing of raw power and crisp simplicity, and in words straight from the company’s mouth,

    It’s an evolution of the machine, at once taken back down to its core elements while being reinvented and re-engineered for optimal performance. It’s our street-legal sci-fi dream come to life, in the form of the limited-edition Fighter Motorcycle.

If you’re looking to score one of the 45 being made, then you better have your checkbook ready, because the first one off the lot carries a price tag of $110,000, along with special Neiman Marcus edition features, and is sure to go quick. (In more ways than one!)

[Neiman Marcus - Fighter]

[Confederate Motorcycles - Fighter]

[Via: NOTCOT]

…Edo Competition tried their luck on the Ferrari Enzo?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on May 27, 2008
in Cars
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Edo Competition Ferrari Enzo

For Edo Competition, nothing is sacred.

The latest car to go under their knife is the Ferrari Enzo, and despite the fact that many Ferrari purists would argue that the Enzo is perfection embodied, Edo would disagree.

Changes include a new ram-air intake system, high-flow air filters, FXX style headers, high-flowing cats, a new exhaust system with remote-controlled butterfly valves to adjust sound levels on the fly, and a modified ECU that helps power levels reach 700 hp and 527 lb.-ft. of torque.

That power is then moved through a retuned transmission that replicates the shift times of the FXX bretherin, and then out through the 19 and 20 inch blacked out rims that are an Edo special.

Suspension has also seen some improvements, with compression and rebound that have been adjusted to match the FIA GT MC12.

According to Edo, 62 mph is now dispatched in just 3.5 seconds, and the car will reach 186 mph in just 22 seconds.

I guess even perfection has some room for improvement!

[Edo Competition - Ferrari Enzo]

[Via: Autoblog]

(And for an HD video of the Edo Enzo in motion (With sound; Oh the sound!) check out Speed and Motion.

…The Splinter is real?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on April 30, 2008
in Cars
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Splinter

Remember the Splinter, the all wood supercar that looked like nothing more than a clever design mock up?

Apparently it’s quite a bit more than that, as Joe Harmon Design has begun fabrication, and the body is already starting to take shape.

The car’s frame and driveline are based on a central rigid tube section with the suspension and other necessary parts from a C4 Corvette mounted to it. However, as much as possible will be kept in wood form for authenticity’s sake.

The engine is a Northstar V8 run backwards, with the exhaust and intake sides switched around. Intakes sit underneath the cylinder banks, and two roots style superchargers feed air in through individual intercoolers

The wooden component fabrication process includes building a mold/frame, and then laminating layers of veneer into the desired shape.

Check out the site for more details, including live webcam shots and a building blog.

[Joe Harmon Design - Splinter]

[Building The Splinter]

[Via: Jalopnik]

…The Skibike MkII is a snow machine?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on February 22, 2008
in Bicycles
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Skibike MkII

On my last trip to the snow, I saw a few folks running around the mountain on snow bikes, and it looked like a blast.

However, while the whole bike with skis for tires idea sounded like a lot of fun, the lack of suspension made it look like it would be less than fun after just a few minutes.

If you’re just dying to ditch the skis for something new though, then check out Boozhound Laboratories’ full suspension Skibike MkII. It takes the snow bound bike idea and adds in up to 10 inches of suspension travel for a cushy ride that’s sure to be easier on your tushy.

[Boozehound Laboratories - Skibike MkII]

…The TriRod is one mean tricycle?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on December 9, 2007
in Cars
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TriRod

The TriRod is a “three-wheeled straddle-mount motorcycle with two wheels in front and one in the back”.

Want the thrill of a motorcycle without the danger of dying?

This is it.

The F3 Adrenaline features carbon fiber bodywork, a 120 cubic inch Harley-Davidson V-Twin (120 horsepower), unequal length A-Arm front suspension, power steering, and a large helping of street cred.

Want your own?

Reserve one now for a Q2 2008 release.

[TriRod]

[Via: Autoblog]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 GT?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on October 30, 2007
in Cars
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Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 GT

Refusing to leave well enough alone, Mercedes-McLaren have taken their SLR supercar and turned it into a club-racing monster, called the SLR 722 GT.

Developed in conjunction with British motorsports company RML Group, and designed for the handful of very rich drivers who can afford to pony up the one million pounds it takes to get behind the wheel of one of the 21 being made, the 722 GT features modifications to the suspension, braking, aerodynamics, interior and exhaust of a normal SLR. In total, more than 400 components have been either replaced or redesigned.

Power comes in the form of a supercharged AMG 5.5L V8 that is rated at 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque.

Eye appeal upgrades include a new front apron with front splitter, wide wings, prominent side skirts, a rear diffuser, and an airplane sized wing on the back.

Now, you’ve just got to track down one of those Ferrari FXX Evoluzione owners and challenge him to a race.

Ahh, the life of the rich.

[Via: Motor Authority]

…Ferrari’s FXX Evoluzione is one bad beast?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on October 28, 2007
in Cars
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Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

On the car scale, Ferrari is definitely at the top; and on the Ferrari scale, the Enzo is definitely at the top, which is why a special edition Enzo is no ordinary supercar. Called the FXX, it was sold only to “select” buyers, and was used by Ferrari as a test bed for development of their latest equipment.

Two years, and 20,000 miles later, they’ve gathered up enough data from the 20 cars to make an even better version of their wondermobile, and they’re calling it the FXX Evoluzione.

Again available only to a “select” group of buyers, the Evoluzione features 860 hp, a 9,500 redline, 60 millisecond shifts, a less invasive, more adaptable traction control system that can be adjusted in the cockpit on the fly, modified suspension geometry, and a new aerodynamic package.

Being a test driver for Ferrari doesn’t come cheap, but if you had the cash, would you turn down the offer? (Oh, and the $2 million it takes to own one comes with “a 15-member official team made up of engineers, electronics experts and mechanics capable of providing complete assistance to clients”. And you thought you had a comprehensive warranty!)

[Via: Autoblog]

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