The Maserati MC12 Corsa

More than a year after the limited production run of the MC12, Maserati took the wraps of its $1.7 million supercar, a new track-only version of the World Championship-winning Maserati MC12 called the Corsa, sold only be sold to valued Maserati customers who will be restricted to using their new supercar on private track days.“This is a unique opportunity to own a car that is the reigning GT World Champion,” says Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “The world-beating racing car was developed from the Maserati MC12 road car and the Corsa is derived directly from the GT1 racing car exclusively for track use. It will not be homologated for road use.”"The MC12 Corsa has been developed in response to the customer demand to own the MC12 racing car and fuelled by the growth in track days, where owners can drive their cars at high speeds in the safety of a race track without the obvious constraints of normal road use,” says Mr Butler. “Without doubt the MC12 Corsa is the ultimate track day car!”The 564 kW MC12 Corsa has been developed from the MC12 GT1 which won the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup. It will be used exclusively on track during private test sessions and exhibition activities organised by Maserati. It will not be homologated for road use or for any racing activity.The Maserati MC12 Corsa, which is living testimony of Maserati’s ability to individually tailor make unique cars with the highest technological content, will be on sale at the price of a million Euros plus tax in September. Available in the official Maserati “Blue Victory” color, it may also be personalized upon request with several optional items.Total production of the Maserati MC12 Corsa will not exceed 12 units worldwide.

Powertrain Layout Mid-Rear Engine / RWD
Configuration 6.0 Liter 65° V12
Valvetrain DOHC 4 Valves / Cylinder
Displacement 5998 cc / 366.0 cu
Power 465 kW / 623.6 bhp at 7500 rpm
Torque 652 Nm / 480.9 ft lbs at 5500 rpm
Bore 92 mm / 3.6 in
Stroke 75.2 mm / 3.0 in
Compression Ratio 11.2:1
Bhp / Liter 103.97 bhp
Redline 7700 rpm
op Speed 330.1 kph / 205.1 mph
0 - 62 mph 3.8 seconds
0 - 100 mph Not Available
0 - ¼ mile 11.3 seconds

The Aston Martin DB9

The Aston Martin DB9 is a sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Its design philosophy is uncompromising and brings together everything that makes a sports car great with that unique Aston Martin character. It has a fully equipped cabin trimmed in the finest quality materials; DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 and shift-by-wire fully automatic transmission.The Aston Martin DB9 is a grand tourer launched by Aston Martin in 2004 and is the first new car to be built at Aston's Gaydon facility. The name "DB" stems from David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a sizeable part of its history. This model, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.The DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible, each with a 6.0 L 450 brake horsepower (335 kW) V12 engine taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. The Vanquish engine produces 10 bhp (7 kW) more. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only eight cylinders. One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a huge leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution. As of 2004 production is expected be up to five thousand units a year which is roughly the same as its rivals, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. This car was designed to ensure Aston Martin's continued survival into 21st century in light of its past financial troubles. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston loyalists that production numbers of the new DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models; however, the Aston will still retain only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.The car has an artificial neural network implemented at the hardware level to detect engine misfires. The car has been adapted for sports car racing by Prodrive. The DBR9, as it is called, first saw competition at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2005 and won the LMGT1 category, but was beaten by arch-rivals Corvette Racing in the Le Mans GT1 class.
In 2006, Aston Martin introduced a "Sports Pack" for the DB9, which includes increased structural stiffness, lighter 19-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels complete with titanium wheel nuts, 6mm lower ride height, as well as revised spring and damper rates. This upgrade suits the more spirited driver.
Aston Martin's Rapide four-door sports car is heavily based on the DB9.

Aston Martin DB9 Specifications:
Make and Model: Aston Martin DB9
Year: 2004
Engine Type: 48-valve, 5935cc V12
Torque: 420lb-ft@5000rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 4.9 s
Suspension: Independent double aluminium wishbones, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar
Wheel Base: 2740 inches
List Price: $155,000
Horsepower: 450bhp@6000rpm
Top Speed: 186 mph
Brakes:
Vented Discs
Transmission: 6 speed Manual
Weight: 1710 lbs

The Koenigsegg CCX

The CCX is the latest iteration of the Koenigsegg CC family. The CCX is in many aspects a new car since it has been re-engineered to comply with the US regulation and market demands. Still, it has been a key issue for the Koenigsegg Team to keep the distinctive and record breaking CC shape. They believe it is important to avoid trends and instead hone the aerodynamic shape of the CC range for the future, only enhancing its unique look and appearance with tighter lines and a more aggressive stance. They also believe in continuity. A new Koenigsegg shall show a clear lineage from its predecessor and shall not follow any other design trends � but enhance its already proven concept and shape to perfection.CCX stands for Competition Coupe X. The CCX commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC maiden prototype, which rolled out from the R&D Department in 1996.The CCX features a completely new set of body and interior parts. The new body incorporates a new front bumper design, engineered to function well in the stringent 2.5 mph bumper test, including enhanced brake cooling, fog lamps and US side position lights. The front lamps have been slightly redesigned to suit the new bumper line.There is a new scoop on the front bonnet acting as a larger fresh air-intake for the occupants and new air vents have been added behind the front wheels in order to further evacuate air from the cockpit. The frontal shape revisions now allow for effective track use options to be added.The side rocker panels feature side skirts in order to further enhance downforce by increasing underbody area. The new exterior of the car has been created using the industry leading Icem Surf CAD software, guaranteeing a perfect fit and finish as well as optimal highlights.The car is 88 mm longer in order to comply with the US rear impact regulations and in order to free up space around the rear muffler. The rear clamshell now features a glass window over the new CCX engine, clearly showing off the bespoke and unique Koenigsegg Block casting. The mufflers have received improved cooling, by incorporating grill vents above in the clamshell. The number plate area is now adapted to suit both US and Euro size number plates.

Specification:
Engine : 90º V 8
Engine Location : Mid , longitudinally mounted
Configuration : cast aluminum block and head
Displacement : 4.700 liter / 286.8 cu in
Compression ratio : 8.2:1
Valvetrain : 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed : Fuel injection
Aspiration : Twin Rotrex Superchargers
Weight : 1180 kilo / 2601.5 lbs
Power : 806 bhp / 601 KW @ 6900 rpm
Torque : 920 Nm / 679 ft lbs @ 5700 rpm
BHP/Liter : 171 bhp / liter
Power to weight ratio : 0.68 bhp / kg
Top Speed : 395 km/h / 245 mph
0-60 mph Acceleration : 3.1 s

The Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche recently announced plans to produce approximately 1,000 Porsche Carrera GTs to be introduced in the second half of 2003. The Porsche Carrera GT is a high performance road car, which defines the limits of sports car engineering; as light and as powerful as possible. The cars will be built at the company's new production facility in Leipzig, German, next the all new Cayenne. With an estimated 555+bhp and a top speed of over 200mph, the Carrera GT gives Porsche an extremely competitive edge in teh exotic car market.The Carrera GT's development can be traced back to a Porsche successor to the 911 GT1-98 and LMP1-98 racing cars that had ended after the 1998, partially due to FIA and ACO rule changes. Porsche at the time had planned on a new Le Mans prototype for 1999. The car was initially intended to use a turbocharged flat-6, but was later redesigned to use a new V10 engine, pushing the project back to planned competition in 2000. The V10 was a unit secretly built by Porsche for the Footwork Formula One team in 1992, but later shelved. The engine was resurrected for the Le Mans prototype and increased in size to 5.5 litres. Unfortunately the project was cancelled shortly before the first car could be completed in the middle of 1999, mostly due to Porsche's wish to build the Cayenne SUV with involvement from Volkswagen and Audi, thus requiring engineering expertise to be pulled from the motorsports division. It was also speculated that VW-Audi chairman Ferdinand Piëch wanted Audi's new Le mans Prototype, the Audi R8 not to face competition from Porsche in 2000.Porsche did keep part of the project alive by using the 5.7L V10 from the prototype in a concept car shown at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show, mainly in an attempt to draw attention to their display. Surprising interest in the vehicle and an influx of revenue provided by the Cayenne helped Porsche decide to produce the car, and development started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at Porsche's new manufacturing facility in Leipzig. Porsche started a production run of Carrera GTs in 2004, shipping the units with an MSRP of $440,000 USD and a dealer invoice price of approximately $414,800 USD. In addition, the delivery charge could be as much as $15,000 USD. The first Carrera GT went on sale in the US on Jan 31, 2004.Originally a production run of 1,500 cars was planned. But Porsche announced in August, 2005 that it would not continue production of the Carrera GT through 2006. Porsche announced that this discontinuation was due to changing airbag regulations in the US. However, diminishing sales volumes, relatively high dealer inventory levels, and dealer discounts below MSRP were reported by the automotive press to be the true factors driving an early end to the production run[citation needed]. Despite the early end to production, worldwide sales of the Carrera GT surpassed the combined totals of the Enzo Ferrari, the Mclaren F1, and the Pagani Zonda.
As of May 6, 2006, 1,270 GT's had been sold, with 604 being sold in the United States.

Porsche Carrera GT Specifications:
Make and Model: Porsche Carrera GT
Year: 1907
Engine Type: 6-litre V10
Torque: 330lb-ftlb-ft@rpm
Acceleration 0-60: under 4 s
Suspension: Double Wishbone
Wheel Base: 106.3 inches
List Price: $350,000
Horsepower: 558bhp@8200rpm
Top Speed: 205+ mph
Brakes: Monobloc fixed calipers
Transmission: 6-speed Manual
Weight: 2755 lbs

The Mercedes SLR McLaren

Six-hundred-and-twenty-six horsepower is to Mercedes-Benz what the amp that "goes to 11" is to Spinal Tap. The German maker has so many cars that go to nineSix-hundred-and-twenty-six horsepower is to Mercedes-Benz what the amp that "goes to 11" is carbon fiber, and curb weight is 3733 pounds. The SLR is the closest thing to a Formula One McLaren Mercedes MP4 you can buy. Or, as Mercedes or 10, you almost have to wonder about the reason for the SLR (Sport, Light, Racing) McLaren.AMG's 5.4-liter supercharged SL55 V-8 as well as the SL600 twin-turbo V-12 are rated at 493 horsepower, with the SL55 making 516 pound-feet and the V-12, 590. And the upcoming SL65 AMG's 6.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 ups horsepower to shave a half-ton-plus off those heavy-metal Benzes with a high-tech carbon-fiber body. Ninety-five percent of the body structure is says, the SLR "easily keeps pace with a roadgoing race car," while carrying a couple of golf bags in its trunk.hat dual nature is confusing. The car's styling is, to use a euphemism, controversial. Its long dash-to-axle distance, low two-seat cabin, short rear deck, and F1-inspired nose trades good looks for functional style. Other details, like the scissors-style doors (a practical reference to the legendary 300SLR Uhlenhaut coupe's gullwings), single-piece carbon-fiber bucket-seat shell, and pop-up rear-deck612. The SLR, assembled only in left-hand-drive versions by McLaren in Woking, England, retunes the SL55 supercharged V-8 to 626 horsepower and 575 pound-feet.Is that extra thrust worth three times the price of the SL55, which only takes another 0.6 second or so to reach 60 mph? That's too rational a question for this car. The point (besides to link itself with McLaren, a decade after archrival BMW did) is to spoiler/airbrake, suggest something that might require an F1 pilot's license to drive smoothly--until you get behind the wheel, flip up a cover on the gearshift knob to press the starter button, and shift it into drive. A five-speed electronically controlled automatic, with TouchShift, is the only transmission available.

Price: $418,500
Main dimensions (L x W x H): (4.648 x 1.905 x 1.260 m)
Curb Weight: 3732 lbs
Layout: Front-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Type: V8
Displacement: 5439 cc
Horsepower: 671 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 575 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
0-100 mph: 8.6 sec
Top Speed: 207 mph
Miles Per Gallon: 13/18 mpg

The Ferrari Enzo

Company founder Enzo Ferrari always felt that design of the road cars should stem from the racers. Therefore, it was entirely logical that the company's latest creation should bear his name. The Enzo, built in a limited run of 399, is an outstanding expression of the concept of extreme sportiness, developed for road use, yet epitomizing the most advanced concepts of Formula 1 racing technologyFerrari set out to develop the Enzo as an integrated system designed for extreme performance, in which even the limits of the performance achievable by the driver were enhanced, thanks to a man-machine interface typical of Formula 1.Never before has style been derived so directly from function as in this model. Pininfarina wanted to create an uncompromising car that would break away from the approach used for the GTO, F40 and F50 that preceded it, to develop a new formal language that looked to the future. The engineers tried to create visual links with the world of Formula 1, to which the Enzo owes its technology, while highlighting its compactness and lightness. The result is a complex, sculpted form.The use of advanced composite materials for the bodywork, with parts made of sandwich panels of carbon fibre and Nomex, allowed the designer to structure the bodyshell while keeping the weight to a minimum, and creating "extreme" stylistic forms.The front, with its two air intakes for the radiators and a raised central section, is an interpretation of the Formula 1 front section with a small pointed, raised nose and air-intakes under the spoilers in a gull-wing effect. The sides, also benefit from the use of composites, shaped to optimise air-flow with respect to internal fluid dynamics. The large spoiler has been eliminated from the car's rear section which now boasts small aerodynamic appendages and very efficient ground effects.

Manufacturer : Ferrari
Parent company : Fiat
Production : 2002–2004 400 produced
Predecessor : F50
Class : Supercar
Body style(s) : Berlinetta
Layout : MR layout
Engine(s) : 6.0 L V12
Transmission(s) : 6-speed semi-automatic
Wheelbase : 2650 mm (104.3 in)
Length : 4702 mm (185 in)
Width : 2035 mm (80 in)
Height : 1147 mm (45 in)
Curb weight : 1365 kg (3000 lb)

The Pagani Zonda

The Pagani Zonda is a supercar produced by the Italian car manufacturer Pagani. It debuted in 1999 with the C12s with production proceeding at roughly 25 cars per year. It is a mid-engined 2-seat coupe and convertible. Construction is mainly of carbon fiber. Some early Zonda engineering was done by Formula One champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The C12 S used a 7.0 L (7010 cc) AMG tuned version of the engine producing 550 PS (404 kW/543 hp). It can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 s, to 100 mph in 9.5 s and complete the quarter mile in 11.9 s. Lateral acceleration on the skidpad is 0.98 g (9.6 m/s2). The car is 10 kg (22 lb) lighter than the normal Zonda C12. Top speed is 220 mph (354 km/h) for the coupe and 215 mph (346 km/h) for the roadster. The car's price tag was US$350,000.The C12 S features an elongated nose and flaps at the rear for improved aerodynamics. New light clusters and exhausts are also used. Fifteen 7.0 L C12 S cars were produced.That Pagani's $350,000, 200-plus-mph Zonda C12S is built just a stone's throw from Modena comes as no surprise. The car's pure audacity could be born only in central Italy's "Silicon Valley of Speed," the region that produces most of the world's great supercars. But unlike countless others who've dreamed of making their automotive statement in Modena--only to disappear shortly thereafter--the maker of this throwback to the region's golden era of the '60s is well on his way to success. Zonda interior is an engaging mix of high tech and natural materials. Every inch of the car was passionately designed, even if a few details are over the top.Who's the man behind the effort, and what makes his car so special? Horacio Pagani was born in Argentina and constantly sketched sports cars during his early teens. He designed and built his first F3 racer at age 20. As his reputation grew, Pagani befriended fellow countryman, and five-time F1 champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The Maestro soon learned of Horacio's desire to work in Modena, so he wrote a letter of introduction, and the enthusiastic young man headed straight to Italy. Lamborghini's chief engineer, Giulio Alfieri, the mastermind behind Fangio's world-championship Maserati 250F, quickly hired him. Pagani began experimenting with carbon fiber, intuitively recognizing the material's possibilities.

Pagani Zonda C12 S Specifications:
Make and Model: Pagani Zonda C12 S
Year: 1999
Engine Type: 6.0 Liter AMG V12
Torque: 554lb-ft@4050rpm
Acceleration 0-60: 3.7 s
Suspension: Double Wishbones w/Helical Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
Wheel Base: 274.32 inches
List Price: $350,000
Horsepower: 555bhp@5550rpm
Top Speed: 220 mph
Brakes: Brembro Discs with 4-Pot Calipers, Hydraulic Assist, ABS
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Weight: 2976 lbs

The Lamborghini Murcielago 2005

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a supercar produced by Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Diablo. The Murciélago is a two-door, two-seat coupé. To celebrate the company's 40 years in operation, 50 special edition Murciélagos were built during the autumn of 2003. An open-top version called the Murciélago Roadster was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The roadster features similar performance to the coupé with a more aggressive rear flank, as well as a considerably higher price tag.The Lamborghini Murciélago is 2-seater, 2-door coupé (with the now familiar gull-wing doors) based on the traditional Lamborghini layout: mid-mounted V12 engine, typical Lamborghini transmission with the gearbox mounted in front of the engine and the rear differential integrated into the engine unit, permanent four-wheel drive with central viscous coupler.This layout, successfully employed by Lamborghini for more than 30 years, affords an optimal weight distribution (42% front and 58% rear) with conspicuous advantages for traction, braking and handling.The Murciélago chassis has been stiffened considerably to achieve a torsional rigidity value in excess of 20,000 Nm/°. The suspension design (independent double wishbones) represents the best possible solution for a high-performance GT and, again, is in keeping with Lamborghini tradition. The external bodywork panels are made from carbon fibre, with the exception of the steel roof and door panels.The rear of the car features two "active" intakes for the engine cooling air. With the exclusive VACS (“Variable Air-flow Cooling System”), the aperture of these air intakes can be varied to suit the driving conditions. Furthermore, to ensure correct aerodynamic equilibrium at all speeds, the angle of the rear spoiler can also be altered. According to the speed of the car, the rear spoiler can assume three different positions: closed from 0 to130 km/h, partially open (50?) between 130 and 220 km/h and fully open (70°) above 220 km/h. Depending on the aperture of the air intakes and the position of the rear spoiler, the car's Cx coefficient varies from a minimum of 0.33 to a maximum of 0.36.It’s difficult to believe that Lamborghinis were originally nothing more than old military vehicles converted into tractors, but incredibly this was the starting point for the Lamborghini super cars we know and love today. In fact, not only are Lamborghinis among the most powerful and expensive production cars available, they are also widely considered to be the most stunning in terms of their appearance. Over the years the Lamborghini brand has changed hands a number of times, most notably in 1987 when it was purchased by Chrysler and again in 1998 when the ownership rights fell to the VW group. The current range consists of extremely fast 2-seaters that are mid-engined and have four wheel drive as standard.

Specifications:
Engine Type : V12
Displacement : 6192 cc
Horsepower : 580 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Torque : 480 lb-ft @ 5400 rpm
Redline : 7500 rpm
Engine : 6.5L 631 HP
Fuel Tank : 26.4 gal.
0-60 mph : 3.6 sec
0-100 mph : 8.7 sec
Quarter Mile : 12 sec @ 121 mph
Skidpad : .90g
Top Speed : 205 mph
Braking 60-0 mph : 122 ft
Slalom Speed : 65.7 mph
Price : $313,600 - $345,000

Leblanc Mirabeau 2005

Mirabeau is the newest car from Wysstec GmbH and Leblanc cars. A real piece of art with the spirit of race and prepared to FIA/Le Mans standards. With this kind of potential, the Leblanc Mirabeau really belongs on the racing track. The fact that it is street legal, is almost unbelievable. Swiss supercar builders, Leblanc, designed the Mirabeau (named after a corner on the famous Monaco F1 track) to comply with all the FIA / Le Mans Homologation standards to drive the racing version of the LeBlanc Mirabeau at Le Mans. The way the Mirabeau is set up, it really belongs on the racetrack.The lightweight body of the LeBlanc Mirabeau, made from kevlar and carbon fibre, hides a supercharged V8 engine borrowed from the Koenigsegg CCR, and although it is slightly detuned, it still develops over 700 horsepower.Out of Switzerland comes the Leblanc Mirabeau with a price tag of $645,084. The Leblanc Mirabeau would not look out of place on the set of a Batman movie nor competing at Le Mans. The Mirabeau's engine comes from Koenigsegg, a Swedish supercar manufacturer whose vehicles are also among the world's fastest and most expensive. The Leblanc uses a supercharged, 4.7-liter V-8 with over 700 horsepower. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.Like that of a typical race car, the Mirabeau's interior is rather spartan. However, the company is prepared to add options at a customer's request, and it offers a level of communication between buyer and top-level management that one could not find at a mainstream automaker. Leblanc's Web sites says that if you want a leather interior or other options, you should "feel free to contact our engineering team."To provide the power necessary to legitimately call the Mirabeau a race car, Leblanc selected a supercharged, 4.7-liter V-8 engine created by Koenigsegg. Koenigsegg is known world wide for creating supercars under their own brand. Of course, if speeds of over 250 mph the standard engine provide are not enough, you can always pay for a small upgrade and install a Formula 1 engine.For those in tune with true performance, it goes without saying that the Leblanc Mirabeau is not just a car. In fact, it is really more than a supercar. It is a true racecar. The fact that it was designed for the streets just makes it that much more of a dream to serious vehicle enthusiasts everywhere.The Leblanc Mirabeau is built to reach one aim: let the heart of a real sportscar driver beat as high as never before.The car is designed and prepared to fulfill all the FIA/Le Mans standards to drive the car in LeMans.With this kind of potential, the Leblanc Mirabeau really belongs on the racing track. That this car can be driven on public roads, is sensational.

Specification:
Year : 2005
Engine : 4.7 litre Koenigsegg V8
Transmission : 6 speed sequantial
Max speed : 230 mph
0-60 mph : unknkown
Horsepower : 700 + hp
weight : 815 kg / 1790 lbs
Redline : 7600 rpm
Torque : 850 Nm
Displacement : 4700 cc
Powertrain Layout : Mid Engine / RWD