Throbbin’ Hood · than the 2005 Clubsport-spec Zonda F, although not quite as ballistic as the...

MOTOR MONTHLYIssue 23 ● March 2011

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Aussie-designed muscle car is bulging with supercharged V8 power

Throbbin’ Hood

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MOTOR MONTHLYIssue 23 ● March 2011iSelect’s

EditorialGoAuto NewsroomPO Box 18Sandringham VIC 3191(03) 9598 6477 [email protected]

EditorDavid [email protected]

ProductionLuc Britten

Sub-editorRon Hammerton

ContributorsMarton PettendyByron MathioudakisTerry MartinHaitham RazaguiJames StanfordPhilip Lord

Advertising enquiriesSally Mellor(03) 9598 6477 0425 700 [email protected]

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Get ShortyMercedes plays a C-minor with

its latest Coupe

Legal WeaponItalian supercar maker hits back with mighty Zonda replacement

Fast torquerAussie-designed muscle car is bulging

with supercharged V8 power

Captur raptureRenault puts on the French style

for Geneva crossover preview

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\\ Pagani Huayra

Italian supercar maker hits back with mighty Zonda replacement

Legal Weapon

By TERRY MARTIN

PAGANI has revealed its long-awaited successor to the ultra-high-performance million-dollar Zonda, releasing images and the first tantalising specifications for its awesome new gullwing

supercar known as Huayra.A nameplate meaning ‘god of the wind’,

Huayra (pronounced ‘why-ra’) continues Pagani’s alliance with Mercedes-AMG.

Instead of the Zonda’s AMG-sourced 7.3-litre V12, it gets a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12

first seen in Mercedes’ 2008 SL65 AMG Black Series, but for this application gaining specifically designed heads, pistons, turbos and exhaust manifolds from AMG.

Expect two levels of tuning for the engine, a base version producing 522kW of power and

900Nm of torque, and a Sport grade with an extra 22kW and 200Nm – the latter taking it to an extraordinary ‘torquing’ point of 1100Nm.

Pagani said these are still preliminary figures, but the Italian supercar marque has made it clear that Huayra – despite


Wind breaker: Huayra – pronounced ‘why-ra’ and meaning ‘god of the wind’ – was designed to harness the power of the air.


being bigger than the Zonda – will improve on its predecessor’s performance benchmarks, with the new-generation coupe accelerating from 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Mounted behind the seats, the engine drives the rear wheels through a transverse-mounted sequential seven-speed gearbox with paddle shifters and a dual-plate clutch. The Xtrac-developed gearbox weighs just 96kg.

Pagani evaluated a dual-clutch system, but it was “ultimately not selected as it would have increased the weight by approximately 70kg, thus negating any minor improvement in shift-time”.

The performance claims place the Huayra three-tenths of a second faster than the 2005 Clubsport-spec Zonda F, although not quite as ballistic as the

wild 2009 Zonda R ultra-lightweight track special, which produced

551kW/710Nm and could hit 100km/h from standstill in an eye-watering 2.7 seconds.

However, company boss Horacio Pagani is quick to point out that the Huayra – developed under the

codename C9 over the past seven years – was not

designed and engineered as a Zonda clone. It was developed with more

safety technology than Zonda to ensure it passed homologation requirements for sale in the US, which will be a first for the brand.

“Since the original design of the Zonda was done in the early ’90s, the first thought was that it was now an


obsolete project and we decided to imagine the car totally different in form, dimension, dynamics and technology – all this without losing the essence of our approach,” said Mr Pagani.

“The eternal element air in all its forms, especially wind, became determining in defining the concept and it was a great

inspiration, as it is ever present in our lives: a jet turbine, the silence of a glider ... the elegance of the movements the wind creates, but also the violence and force that it can unleash.”

Mr Pagani said that in defining the size of the new vehicle he wanted it longer than the Zonda, with a wider track, a more spacious cabin (with

the seating position pushed back a little) and, overall, with a silhouette that would be “soft, easy to read and form itself from lean and sleek lines that have a clear beginning and an end”.

He also said that, over the course of its development, new Zonda editions became crucial test cars of a sort for the C9, and

that the Zonda R in particular was a “key laboratory” for the Huayra.

“The team was able to work on many projects at the same time, driving on different tracks, that occasionally came to meet by sharing engineering concepts, materials, safety and scientific or design studies,” he said.



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The Huayra measures 4605mm in overall length, 1169mm in height and 2036mm in width. Dry weight is 1350kg, distributed 44 per cent front and 56 per cent rear, with the bodywork (including the doors) being made from carbon-fibre. The monocoque chassis is made from carbon-titanium.

Aerodynamics inspired by an aircraft wing played a major part in the design evolution, not simply in the flowing shape but also specific aviation tools, such as moveable flaps at each corner of the car that are independently and automatically operated.

Combined with ‘active front suspension’ that allows the ride height to be adjusted, Pagani claims the four flaps have allowed it to “optimally balance” the vehicle’s drag coefficient and downforce.

Pagani’s goal was to have neutral vehicle behaviour under all conditions and a tight rein over bodyroll via aerodynamic means rather

than electronic intervention. The behaviour of the flaps is managed by a dedicated control unit that is fed information from the ABS and ECU, which pass information about the car’s speed, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, steering angle and throttle position.

The cabin is instantly recognisable as a Pagani and virtually all primary functions for controlling the vehicle are positioned on the steering wheel.

While there are plenty of mod-cons onboard, as evidenced by an advanced infotainment system operated via a high-definition central touch-screen, the Italian designers have also placed an emphasis on a “living, breathing” atmosphere rather than an overtly digital one.

The company points to aspects such as leather latches, use of toggle switches, a mechanical aluminium gearlever and an aluminium dash that takes inspiration from Swiss watch designs.

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Wildest Camaro puts on a torque show with 677Nm

Fast torquer\\ Chevy Camaro ZL1

By RON HAMMERTON

CHEVROLET in the States has produced a thumping supercharged 6.2-litre version of its popular Australian-designed Camaro ‘pony car’.

Called the ZL1 in homage to an iconic Camaro racing engine of the same name in the

1960s, the fastest official Camaro ever built is powered by General Motors’ blown LSA engine and produces some 410kW of grunt – 96kW more than the standard V8 Camaro.

The top-shelf coupe – previewed at the recent Chicago motor show ahead of a 2012 launch – will also be beefed up in critical areas such as

chassis, transmission and rear axle assembly.Styling has been enhanced to match the

increased grunt, creating a new performance benchmark for the American muscle car’s fifth-generation, which was also engineered by Holden in Australia and uses the same platform as the Commodore.

While Holden has ruled out the Camaro for Australia, at least in this generation, the supercharged version of the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 may make it to Australia under the bonnet of a future Holden Special Vehicles model to counter rival Ford Performance Vehicles’ locally developed supercharged ‘Miami’ 5.0-litre V8.


HSV’s most powerful engine currently is the normally-aspirated 325kW/550Nm 6.2-litre LS2 as used in the GTS and Grange, while FPV’s locally developed supercharged version of the 5.0-litre Ford Coyote engine for its GT range develops 335kW and 575Nm, with more to come as required.

According to GM, the new Camaro’s LSA V8 produces 677Nm of torque. No performance figures were released, with GM saying they would be announced later in the year when the car’s development is more advanced.

Chevrolet said the development goal for the Camaro ZL1 was to reach optimal lap times on top racing circuits, with excellent driving dynamics on the street.

For the first time, a Camaro gets Magnetic Ride Control – a feature already used by HSV on its Commodore-based E-Series range – and electric power steering.

Apart from an intercooled four-lobe Eaton supercharger, the LSA engine gets premium heat-resistant aluminum-alloy cylinder heads, lightweight reciprocating assembly, high-strength pistons and piston oil squirters.

A dual-mode exhaust – as used on both Corvette and HSV models – has been added.

Electric power steering eliminates the power losses of a traditional pump, while the engine drives the rear wheels through a heavier, high-torque version of the familiar six-speed Tremec manual gearbox, with a

dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch for easy operation and shift

smoothness. The gear shift throw has

Blown away: Supercharged Chevy V8 pumps

out some 410kW of power.

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been shortened for quicker shifts.At the back, the drivetrain has been beefed up

with a stronger driveshaft, larger and stronger cast iron differential housing, stronger axles and heavy-duty limited-slip differential.

Apart from Magnetic Ride Control, the suspension gets repositioned rear stabiliser bars with drop links outboard of the control arms for less body roll.

Six-piston, Brembo disc brakes employing two-piece 370mm rotors combine with four-piston 365mm rear brakes to provide extra stopping power.

Externally, the ZL1 gets a new front fascia and bonnet with air extractors for extra downforce. The vents in the bonnet are fashioned from carbon fibre and are painted matt black.

New 20-inch wheels – fitted with tyres developed by Goodyear especially for the ZL1 – combine with reshaped rocker panels, redesigned exhaust tips and a sprinkling of ZL1 badges to complete the exterior package.

The ZL1 will be available in all regular Camaro exterior colours, but only with a black interior.

Inside, enhancements include microfibre

inserts in the front seats, a redesigned steering wheel, alloy pedals, head-up display with unique performance readouts and a “four-pack” auxiliary gauge system featuring a boost readout.

The Camaro ZL1 was presented at Chicago by GM vice president global design Ed Welburn, who said everything about the ZL1’s design was directly related to its technology and serious performance, especially aerodynamics.

“Our designers’ goal was to execute that function-oriented design with beautifully sculpted forms, creating an imposing, powerful persona,” he said. “Function becomes the aesthetic. The intent is a car that delivers on the attitude it projects.”

Chevrolet marketing vice-president Rick Scheidt explained why the company had revived the name from the 1960s Camaro all-aluminium track V8 engine, which was installed in just 69 cars, achieving mythical status among Camaro fans as the pinnacle in Camaro performance.

“This is the most technically advanced Camaro ever, so we’ve chosen a name from the most elite and exclusive Camaro in history,” he said.

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Renault puts on the French stylefor Geneva crossover preview

Captur rapture\\ Renault Captur

By DAVID HASSALL

RENAULT has unveiled its latest concept vehicle – a stylish new take on the SUV theme – and says that the front-wheel-drive Captur is not just a styling exercise, but “previews a forthcoming road car”.

Revealed ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1, the concept car looks to be related to sister company Nissan’s Juke, which was launched globally last year but has yet to be confirmed for Australia.

While Renault’s previous show car – the two-seater DeZir coupe that starred at the Paris show last October – was inspired by the passion of falling in love, the French company has taken the next stage of the human life cycle as its theme for the Captur SUV, that of two people exploring the world around them.

Sharing a similar nose treatment and scissor-lift doors with the sleek coupe, the Captur is similarly striking, with voluptuous curves and a convertible roof.

It is powered by a 1.6-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine developed by Renault as part of its objective of being Europe’s leading automaker on CO2 emissions.



This new ‘Energy dCi 160’ engine produces 118kW of power and 380Nm of torque from as low as 1750rpm, pushing the Captur from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds while delivering emissions of just 99g/km when paired with a dual-clutch transmission.

Renault is also heralding a new mechanical self-locking differential called RX2, which it claims improves traction at low speeds by transferring up to 100 per cent of the engine’s torque to the front wheel with the most grip in the event of losing traction.

Captur also marks the debut of what Renault calls

its ‘Visio-

system’, which uses a forward-facing camera mounted at the top of the windscreen to provide driver-assistance functions.

Captur was created under the direction of the company’s highly regarded Dutch design chief Laurens Van den Acker, who left Mazda less than two years ago to create a new styling direction for the French brand.

He said the “simple, sensuous and warm” style demonstrated by both the DeZir and Captur would be progressively extended to future Renault car designs.

Renault describes the crossover concept vehicle as having the fundamental design language introduced on the DeZir concept car, but with a more technical dimension – “more functional but still highly sensuous”.

Exterior designer Julio Lozano said the main sources of inspiration were athletes and radical sports, with the aim of

creating fluid curves to evoke movement and lightness while also displaying powerful and muscular all-terrain cues.

“In designing Captur, I began with the image of

a sprinter on the starting blocks, his muscles tensed,

and the energy unleashed when the starting pistol is fired,” said Mr Lozano.

“The design also references equipment such as helmets, gloves and other protective



gear used in radical sports, combining high technology with sophistication and lightness.”

As with DeZir, the SUV’s bold front has as its centrepiece a large Renault logo, set vertically against a dark surface to stand out.

Other design features of the show car include matt-finished mudguards, LED indicator lights that run in a wave effect the whole length of the vehicle, massive 22-inch black and white wheels and a hard convertible roof that, once removed, reveals a carbon fibre framework.

The vehicle’s orange colour continues into the cabin, which features fluorescent highlights, floating front seats attached to the centre console, a skin-like translucent material used to create the centre console, door casings and dashboard, and luminescent fibre ropes used throughout the passenger compartment

and for the hammock-style seats.“The whole of the interior is designed

around this network of stretched elastic ropes, which bring to mind the worlds of sailing or mountain climbing,” said interior designer Magali Gouraud-Borgers.

“They use graphics and light to bring rhythm to the overall design and reinforce the dynamic feel of the vehicle while also ensuring a lighter feel inside the cabin.

“The rear of the vehicle is a multipurpose area where the deck is lined with three layers of rope. The stretched cords are laid out in a way that allows items to be secured, thus providing a reconfigurable storage area.”

Captur’s final trick is how it converts into a four-seater with seatbacks incorporating seatbelts and head restraints that pull out from the side of the car. MOTOR

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Mercedes plays a C-minor with its latest Coupe

Get Shorty

By MARTON PETTENDY

MERCEDES-BENZ will mark its 125th anniversary this year by releasing its most direct rival to BMW’s almost 30-year-old 3 Series Coupe.

The all-new C-class Coupe hits European showrooms in June before going on sale in Australia alongside the facelifted C-class

sedan in mid-2011 as a replacement for the ageing CLC.

Although the CLC wears front-end styling from the latest W204 C-class sedan of 2008, it dates back to the W203 C-class-based Sport Coupe first seen in 2002, but remains relatively popular in Australia.

The stylish new two-door four-seater – which

rides on the latest C-class chassis – is identical to the latest C-class sedan at the front and features all-new sheetmetal and glass from the windscreen backwards, plus a booted luggage compartment augmented by twin folding rear seats.

With the windscreen itself also angled ‘faster’ than that of the four-door C-class, Mercedes’ sleek new coupe is 41mm lower and features

a short rear overhang, an upswept rear beltline, narrow C-pillar and a long roof above a glasshouse that extends beyond the rear axle.

The new entry-level two-door will be aimed at successful 35 to 45-year-olds who are new to the Mercedes brand.

In Europe, the C-class Coupe will be powered by five direct-injection engines, each

Mercedes-Benz C-class Coupe //



MOTOR

> FULL STORY

Amarok sets new ute bar

> FULL STORY

IT MAY not be the newest rich kid on the block, but the latest big Benz limousine is by no means lost among its newer and flashier rivals, thanks to a heart transplant of Phar Lap proportions.

Quick test: Mercedes-Benz S-class range

> FULL STORY

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LEXUS’S hybrid CT200h luxury hatchback will go on sale in Australia priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs, meaning the cheapest Lexus will cost just $90 more than the closely-related Toyota Prius.

Lexus CT200h to land at $39,990

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A MAXIMUM five-star safety rating, electronic stability control, four airbags and sub-8.0L/100km fuel consumption across the range are just some of the firsts Volkswagen brings to the one-tonne utility segment with its all-new Amarok that goes on sale this week priced either side of Toyota’s top-selling HiLux.

matched as standard with a fuel-saving idle-stop function, while the German luxury brand’s usual array of driver assistance systems will be joined by the new internet-capable telematics system that debuted in January.

The range comprises three petrol engines and two diesels, while all automatic variants will receive the car-maker’s upgraded 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission.

Assisted in Europe by ‘BlueDirect’ fuel injection technology, the C350 CGI will be – at least until a high-performance variant is released – the flagship of the range, offering 225kW of power and 370Nm of torque while returning average fuel consumption of 6.8L/100km.

All four-cylinder engines are turbocharged, with the C220 CDI BlueEfficiency’s turbo-diesel being the most efficient at 4.4L/100km and the C250 CDI returning 4.9L/100km.

Speed-sensitive hydraulic assistance is

provided with the rack-and-pinion steering system and the suspension can be lowered via a sports suspension option comprising firmer and shorter springs, stiffer shock absorbers and beefier anti-roll bars.

Mercedes claims the new telematics unit offers greater operating convenience, larger displays, phonebook transfer, SMS message display, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB input in the centre armrest and the Comand Online multimedia system, which includes internet access for the first time (when the car is stationary).

A host of standard safety and assistance features includes seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), seatbelt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats, a pedestrian-friendly aluminium bonnet, drowsiness detection, radar cruise control, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, ABS brakes and electronic stability control.

The Cool C: Mercedes hopes the new Coupe will attract new and younger buyers to the marque.

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Throbbin’ Hood · than the 2005 Clubsport-spec Zonda F, although not quite as ballistic as the...

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