Ferrari 2011





















 





The History of Ferrari

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When Enzo Ferrari created his company Scuderia Ferrari in Italy in 1929 his intentions was to sponsor amateur race car drivers and invent racing cars, and it would take more than 15 years before Ferrari began to create their own road cars in 1946. Ferrari is still devoted to the creation of racing cars and high performance sports cars and do not create other types of cars. Scuderia Ferrari is still the widespread name for Gestione Sportiva, the part of the Ferrari company that works with racing. Scuderia is an Italian word and means "stable", but Scuderia Ferrari is sometime also translated as Team Ferrari.
During the early years, Scuderia Ferrari sponsored race car drivers that were driving Alfa Romeo cars. Scuderia Ferrari would prepare Alfa Romeo cars before the race, and in 1938 Enzo Ferrari became officially employed by Alfa Romeo's racing department. Two years later Enzo Ferrari found out that Alfa Romeo was planning to absorb Scuderia Ferrari, a plan which Enzo Ferrari strongly opposed. He instantly left his job at Alfa Romeo, but his contract restricted him from being involved with racing for several years. He changed Scuderia Ferrari into "Auto Avio Costruzioni Ferrari" and officially manufactured aircraft accessories for a few years. Enzo Ferrari did however create a race car during this restricted period. The Tipo 815 debuted at the Mille Miglia race in 1940, but the race was hampered due to World War II and Tipo 815 encountered no real competition. In 1943 Enzo Ferrari moved his factory to Maranello in Italy and one year later the factory was bombed. After the end of World War II, Enzo Ferrari rebuilt his factory and now the Ferrari factory was capable of construction road cars as well.
Ferrari constructed its first road car in 1947. The 1947 125 S Ferrari had a 1.5 L V12 engine and the whole car was considered very beautiful and well designed. Enzo Ferrari was still more interested in race cars and the Ferrari road cars was merely a way for him to fund his work with the Scuderia Ferrari. His distaste for the road car customers became famous and he even accused them of buying Ferrari cars only as status symbols. It is true that the Ferrari road cars grow to fame not only due to excellent performance but also thanks to their stylish elegance. Pininfarina, Bertone, Ghia, Scagliette, Touring and Vignale are all examples of design houses that have worked with Ferrari.
In November 1961 a dispute between Enzo Ferrari and his sales manager, Girolamo Gardini, turned into a crisis. Girolamo Gardini threatened to leave the company. Enzo Ferrari responded to the threat by throwing out Girolamo Gardini, and several employees who agreed with Girolamo Gardini were also ousted. Among them were Romolo Tavoni, manager for Scuderia Ferrari, Giotto Bizzarrini, the chief of the experimental sports car development, and Carlo Chiti, the chief engineer. This was naturally a huge loss for the Ferrari company and the crisis deepened when those who had been thrown out formed their own company - Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS). ATS even managed to take over Scuderia Serenissima, a very successful racing team, from Ferrari.
A younger engineer, Mauro Forghieri, and an experienced racing bodyman, Sergio Scaglietti, assumed responsibility and tried to finish the projects that the leaving employees had left behind. One of the most important tasks was to finish the development of 250 GTO; a new 250-based model that could compete with the Jaguar E-type. The 250 GTO was finished in time to participate in the Sebring race and place itself first in class, driven by Phil Hill. Throughout 1962, the 250 GTO continued to win the races and it is still one of the most well known race cars in history. The crisis turned out to be something good for Ferrari and the 1960s became a very good decade for the company.
Until the 1980s when Ferrari began to use fuel injection in the road cars, the Ferraris were known as rather temperamental cars. They could be very unreliable, but would still attract a large group of dedicated fans that viewed this unpredictability as "character" rather than a problem. Today, FIAT controls 56 percent of the Ferrari stocks. The rest of stocks owned by Enzo's con Piero Ferrari and by Commerzbank, Mediobanca and the Lehman Brothers. Maranello is still the home town for Ferrari.
Another dream car for many is the Hummer. The History of the Hummer is much shorter than the history of Ferrari and GM is just releasing their third Hummer model, the Hummer 3. A new more family friendly Hummer that will be very customizable just like the other hummer models with the help of a Hummer accessory [http://my-modifiedcar.blogspot.com/] or two.



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Exagon

Exagon Car Videos





Exagon Motors recently unveiled the Furtive-eGT, a car that may redefine how we look at alternative energy automobiles. The Furtive-eGT is an electric GT car which makes for a thrilling and unparalleled driving experience; an electric GT car which does not sacrifice performance to eco-friendliness. The Furtive-eGT is no run-of-the-mill GT car. It represents a new approach to grand touring, a new experience on the road, a new sports car driving concept with added comfort. Electric propulsion offers entirely new sensations, in part thanks to immediate torque availability. With a constant torque of 480 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT has a phenomenal capacity for acceleration – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 s – and can hit 287 km/h on the race track (maximum speed is otherwise limited electronically to 250 km/h). Such high performance is achieved in near-silence, with only the air flow to be heard, heightening the sensations experienced while driving. This is more than just impressive figures, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. More images, specs and a video after the jump!
The Furtive-eGT may have fully embraced the digital age of the automobile, but it has not lost touch with its roots in the distinguished history of top-of-the-range GT cars. It is a long-distance traveller, a genuine 2+2 which can easily fit 4 passengers and their luggage in its leather interior. The Furtive-eGT has been designed with versatility in mind; it combines the behaviour and performance of a leading sports car with the comfort of an executive car.
The lithium-ion batteries manufactured by worldwide specialist Saft are the beating heart of the Furtive-eGT. These state-of-the-art VL 4 batteries provide 150 kWh (50,000 watt-hours). They have a life cycle of approximately ten years, can undergo 3,000 charging cycles and are recyclable. Their autonomy is astounding: 197 to 406 km in electric-only mode, depending on usage conditions. An optional range extender brings the autonomy up to 807 km.
The Furtive-eGT is fitted with a range extender: a small combustion engine with a low cylinder capacity which charges the batteries when they have reached the limit of their autonomy. This engine has no effect on the wheels; it simply acts as a generator. It therefore has very low fuel consumption and it functions at a constant rate, ensuring optimum fuel consumption. The range extender brings the Furtive-eGT’s total autonomy to 807 km with 25 l of fuel under the ECE15 standard cycle, or 734 km with 25 l of fuel under the standard mixed cycle.


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E-Wolf





















A Wolf In Wolf's Clothing: The 2007 Dodge Charger

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For the brave who crave cloth of a different cut than the status quo, it is possible to transcend the norm, to attain invincibility when behind the wheel of the stylish, mythic machine. Back in the '60s and '70s the Dodge Charger appealed to a certain segment of the population who craved the visceral feel of a two-door muscle car. Today, this heroic vehicle has been reinvented to charge past the competition from the Infiniti M35, Lexus GS300, Mustang GT, and the Chrysler 300 with three variations of engines. Although the 2007 Charger is a much different than the original Coke bottle design that was introduced in 1964, it still retains the spirit of the original. With broad shoulders in the front and rear quarter-panels cutting into the doors, the car looks like a linebacker in uniform. With a MSRP range between $22,570 - $35,320, and a fuel efficiency of 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, you almost need to be an extrovert to drive this modern interpretation of fastback design.
The 2007 Charger has been fortified with technologies to provide efficiency and unparalleled control from a thoroughly reinvented rear-wheel-drive technology, and its completely re-engineered engines. Step inside the car and you'll not be disappointed. First, you'll notice the large 60s inspired steering-wheel, large (vintage) air vents, clean and classy black on white rpm/speed dials, and supportive seats. The model we tested also had a DVD navigation system, and BOSE sound system - which was an added plus. But with the engine turned on, the menacing howl will quickly make you forget all the refined creature comforts of the cabin.
Driver input is the name of the game for the 2007 Charger. Put the car in "gear," lift your foot off the brake, and let the rapturous engine do the rest. The base Charger comes with a 3.5-liter SOHC, 24-valve V6, with 250 horsepower (250 pound-feet of torque driving through a five-speed automatic) that effectively feels like a V8. But if that isn't enough, there is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which puts 340 horsepower (with 390 pound-feet of torque) on the tarmac. At the top of the line, is the 6.1-liter Hemi SRT8 with 425 horsepower at 460 pound-feet of torque. These are incredible numbers. Both Hemi engines feature de-activation cylinder technology increasing the V8's fuel efficiency to 16 mpg city; 22 mpg highway. On our road test, we found the base V6 to have enough pep without compromising on fuel. Both the V8 Hemi's seemed a bit too supercharged for today's roads, and geo political situation. At times, driving the Charger SRT8 with 425 horsepower felt like you were trying to control an overpowered carriage rather than enjoying the sporty ride.
The overall ride of the Charger is quite good, as its chassis and transmission are the same as Mercedes Benz E-Class. However, there's still a lot of body roll. The car is not as deft as it could be, this is partly due to its large size - the 2007 Charger is 17 feet long and over 4,400 lbs in curb weight, so you do feel it while taking corners. The independent multi-link suspension with stout structural members makes for a stiffer body, but the torque-rich engine and the overall larger size do take some getting used to.
Choices abound when it comes to finding the right Charger that suits your needs. The new Charger is available in five trims: the SE, SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T and the SRT8. The models vary in engine size, but share the highest, five-star government front crash test ratings due to well-engineered crush zones, advanced multi-stage air bags (though side air-curtains are optional), and self-sealing tires. The ABS brakes are standard as well, but are not too communicative in reducing speed when the Dodge is really "charging". The heavier car accelerates well, but doesn't decelerate with confidence. If going for the Hemi versions, it is recommended to opt for Viper calipers, given the Charger's torque and horsepower.
In 1973, Richard Petty commandeered the Dodge Charger to its last win at the Daytona 500. Individuality, muscle, and a timeless sense of freedom have always been associated with the Charger's heritage. The 2007 Dodge Charger succeeds in resurrecting a time when life was simple. Former owners of the Charger are now mature family folks who need the two extra doors. The 2007 Charger is a valiant attempt at bringing back the brave, the unbreakable, the insurmountable - the all-American muscle car.
Saurabh Sharma is an avid motoring enthusiast who is inspired by cars, and emerging automotive technology. His fascination with automobiles began during his infancy when his father brought him matchbox cars from a trip to Singapore.





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