LaFerrari: Ferrari’s new 950bhp flagship revealed.

By -

After a series of teaser images, Ferrari has finally taken the wraps of its much anticipated flagship hypercar, the LaFerrari, at the Geneva motor show. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says the company chose the name LaFerrari “because [this model] is the maximum expression of what defines our company – excellence”.
 
The mid-engined car is Ferrari’s first production hybrid, combining a 789bhp 6.3-litre V12 with a 120kW (the equivalent of 161bhp) electric motor, for a total output of 950bhp. The direct-injection V12 is a development of the engine in the F12 Berlinetta, producing its max power output at 9000rpm and redlining at 9250rpm. The combined torque output is in excess of 91.8kgm, produced at 6750rpm, and transferred to the wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. Ferrari says this gets the LaFerrari from a standstill to 100kph in less than 3sec, 200kph in under 7sec and 300kph in 15sec. It is also a full 5sec quicker around the company’s Fiorano test track than its predecessor, the Enzo, and 3sec quicker than the current fastest Ferrari, the F12 Berlinetta.

Ferrari’s hybrid system, called HY-KERS, was developed with the full technical input of its Formula 1 programme, and the electric motors were developed in collaboration with specialists Magnetti Marelli. The floor-mounted battery pack weighs 60kg, and is located within the wheelbase, as are all the powertrain components, to achieve a 41:59 front-to-rear weight distribution. There is also a second electric motor to power the car’s ancillaries.

The batteries are recharged not only during braking, but also when the V12 is producing more torque than required – the system converts this excess torque into energy and stores it in the batteries. In fact, the electric motor is coupled directly to the gearbox to ensure that both power delivery and recharging occur as efficiently as possible. Despite the performance benefits of the hybrid system, its more apparent purpose is to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, and Ferrari claims the LaFerrari emits 330g/km of CO2 in the combined cycle. However, the car cannot be switched to electric-only mode like its rival the McLaren P1 can. 
The LaFerrari’s chassis is made from four different kinds of carbon fibre and various components like the seats and battery housing are integrated directly into the chassis for maximum torsional rigidity and beam stiffness. The seats are non-adjustable and tailored to each car’s owner during customisation, while the steering and pedals are adjustable instead. There are also active aerodynamic aids in the bodywork that are controlled by the car’s onboard computer. The LaFerrari also features magnetorheological adjustable dampers, the company’s latest EF1-Trac traction control system, and a third-generation E-diff electronic differential.

Like 2002’s Enzo, technology used in the LaFerrari is expected to filter down into the company’s other road cars over the years, so don’t be surprised if HY-KERS makes its way to the company’s next generation of ‘everyday’ models. Ferrari will only produce 499 units of the LaFerrari, and each will cost €1.3 million (Rs 9.29 crore), and many are already believed to have been sold.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All new Ambassador makeover by Hindustan Motors in 2012 .

By -
Image
Sixty years back, the word ‘car’ in India literally meant the Ambassador for most Indians. A lot has changed since then, with horde of automobile manufacturers active in the Indian market, sales figures for Hindustan Motors have hit an all time low 5,510 units in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Over the years, it has been the Indian political class that has been keeping Hindustan Motors rolling. The latest blow to Hindustan motors came from the Govt. of India itself, which replaced the Ambassador with cars like the  Maruti SX4  and the  Tata Indigo CS considering safety and performance issues. The next-gen Ambassador will feature structural, aerodynamic and aesthetical chages. Changes on board the 2012 Ambassador include new engine calibrations, an anti-lock brake system and aluminium alloy wheels. For comfort, there will be new leather seats coupled with wood grain interiors. For the first time, there will also be an integrated music system and redesigned instrument c
Read more

NEW CR-V

By -
Image
These are the first official images of Honda’s all-new CR-V. Honda had released the first official picture of the CR-V concept last summer, and was due to unveil the production car at next month's Los Angeles motor show. However, the latest images appeared without explanation on the Honda’s Japanese website at the weekend. The CR-V is based on an all-new platform. The most prominent changes are at the front, where the CR-V features a wraparound lower front bumper that is better integrated into the rest of the front fascia than on the current car. The three-bar horizontal front grille is also much more dominant than the current CR-V’s, with slimmed-down headlights flanking it on either side. Honda claims the front-end styling changes result in much improved aerodynamics over the current car. Sculpted bodywork features on the sides, which also get more pronounced side sills. The large alloy wheels featured on the concept have been exchanged for more practical-looking variants.
Read more

Maruti S-cross facelift: What to expect

By -
Image
Maruti revealed a facelift for the S-cross at the Paris motor show earlier this year. The automaker’s premium crossover now gets a more distinctive front end with a new larger upright grille, new headlamps and a new bumper. The rear gets minor cosmetic tweaks as does the cabin with revised upholstery and new trim options. Maruti is planning to bring the refreshed S-cross to India late next year, and expects that the more crossover-like design of the facelift may boost sales of the slow seller. Engines While the international model received two new turbocharged Boosterjet petrol engines, for India, the facelift will continue to offer the current line-up of 1.3 and 1.6-litre diesel engines. Maruti is also working on a petrol variant for the S-Cross which could be launched with the facelifted model. Features In terms of equipment, we can expect features such as the parking camera, Maruti’s Smartplay infotainment system, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, auto climat
Read more