What a glorious time it is in automotive history? Of course if we exclude the horrid sounding new F1 cars. Yes, this is a time of new design and propulsion. It is a time of new materials and manufacturing methods. A time of extreme electronics and aerodynamics. It is a grand time at the top of the automotive food chain.
Three amazing cars have been launched in limited production. The La Ferrari, the McLaren P1 and the new Porsche 918. All are very expensive and very fast. Some are sexier than others but as I always say taste is in the mouth.
Lets take a look at each.
Porsche 918
The Porsche 918 is the most "pedestrian" of the three with a price tag of approximately $850,000. I happen to think it is a beautiful car. The design is aggressive but not in a flashy way. It seems stout yet balanced. In a strange way it appears manly and who does not love the mufflers coming out up top of the engine cover - cool! The Porsche is actually called the 918 Spyder. This is because it has a targa type top - or lack thereof.
The chassis is a carbon fibre reinforced plastic monoque. It weighs 3700 pounds but you can get the Weissach Package which will drop the weight to 3620 and give you that cool retro Martini Racing livery. (Great for track enthusiasts). Porsche will build only 918 of these machines thus guaranteeing their exclusivity and value. However this is many more cars than either Ferrari or McLaren will build of their top of the line machines (see below).
The interior is actually quite luxurious for a super car. It has tons of carbon fibre, a great prominent center console with many controls. It has great instruments dominated by a large tach.
The engine (s) is a mid engine plug in hybrid. Actually the car has three motors - two electric and one combustion. The primary power source is a 4.6 liter V8 producing 608 HP. The two electric motors combine to add another 279 HP bringing the total to 887 HP with 940 Lb. Torque. The V8 is the same architecture as the LeMans race and has no belts of any kind. It is driven through a 7 speed gearbox using the famous PDK - dual clutch system. There is one electric motor for each axle thus making this a "all wheel" drive car. The batteries for the electric motors are charged while underway by regenerative braking and when the car is coasting.
Porsche says it will go 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and hit the magic 300 kph in just 19.9 seconds. Like the McLaren it can run in electric only mode but sadly for only 12 miles. It can get up to 93 mph in electric mode. The car has a top speed of 214 mph. The EPA mileage for the gas engine is at 22 mpg combined and electric is a 80 mpg. Not bad for a super car.
The car comes with all of Porsche's best driver technology. It has Active suspension, torque vectoring, Traction management, Stability management and carbon ceramic brakes. It allows the driver to select the degree of electronic intervention and can make even a novice track driver seem much better than they are. Porsche has deliveries scheduled in the US for later this year.
The McLaren P1
This car is considered to be the long awaited successor to the amazing McLaren F1. It went on sale in the UK in late 2013 and there will only be 375 produced worldwide. All are spoken for.
Like the Porsche this is a mid engine plug in hybrid vehicle. I think it is a very sexy car. I love the front of this car with its slit headlights, massive splitter, swooping hood and big windshield but it is the rear that is amazing. The single exhaust and outline type LED lights. It looks like it is smiling at you from afar. Then there is the massive integrated wing that extends like a super erection at speed or when the DRS system is employed. The lower section is dominated by the exit of the huge rear diffuser making this car look like the beast it is. Even sitting still it looks like very fast car and it is. It adds even more sex appeal with gull wing doors. In my mind it is the best looking of all three super cars described here.
The interior to me is a bit simple but that might be a good thing. There is tons of carbon fibre and a center console that runs between the seats and all the way up the dash. The instruments are all electronic - no dials here. This pairs well with the dominant screen in the center console. It definitely has a clean purposeful look. Don't get me wrong the car has all the sophisticated gear it just did away with tons of knobs and switches.
This car is amazing to drive and while I have not had that opportunity yet I have spoken to one who has. The power is mind blowing and the balance is excellent. The electronic driver aids are efficient and deliver as advertised. Actually my friend indicates that driving this car hard without some of the driver aids is very difficult and requires great skill. Then there are additional systems that increase the performance of the car - Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) which gives the instant power boost from the electric motor; Drag Reduction System (DRS) the F1 developed rear wing that varies increasing straight line speed; Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) another F1 developed system that generates energy for the batteries from braking.
The P1 will get to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds; the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds at 152 mph; and has a top speed of 217 mph. With is carbon ceramic brakes it can stop from 186 mph in 6.8 seconds. It can go all electric for a measly 6.2 miles.
The McLaren will sell for about $1.35 Million US and they will only make 375 of these beauties worldwide. In case you are thinking of getting one - too late they are all sold.
The La Ferrari (f70)
I have saved what might be the best for last. although in this field they are all so amazing the variance is tiny. This is Ferrari's replacement for the Enzo. This supper care is the pinnacle of all Ferrari has learned in F1 racing and promises to be amazing. This is the first hybrid Ferrari has ever produced. It will build only 499 of them worldwide and all are already sold.
The car has the highest power output of any production Ferrari at 963 BHP. It comes from a combination of the 6.3 litre V12 combustion engine which puts out 789 bhp with 516 lb. ft. of torque. Then add the supplement of the Hy-KERS electric motor which generates 161 bhp and 148 lb.ft. of torque. So this 2767 pond car generates 664 lb.ft. of torque and drives it through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission to the rear wheels.
The La Ferrari has a carbon fiber monocoque structure which makes it 22% stiffer than the Enzo. It has carbon ceramic Brembo brakes and has 19 inch wheels in front and 20 inch in the rear.
This car was totally designed by Ferrari with no input from Pininfrina making it the first since the 1973 Dino 308. It is said to have decreased fuel consumption over the Enzo by nearly 40%. Part of this due to the aerodynamics, part to the hybrid system and part to lighter weight.
The car has several driver aid systems. There is an ESC stability control; a high performance electronic brake distribution system along with ABS; there is an EF1 - traction control system that is integrated with the hybrid system; there is the famous E-Diff 3 which is an electronics differential; SCM -E-Frs magnetorhelogical damping twin solenoid system and several active aerodynamic features to maximize performance.
Ferrari says the top speed is 217 mph; it will get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 3 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph in less than 15 seconds. The car has lapped the famed Fiorano test track in less than 1 minute and 20 seconds making it the fastest production care ever produced by Maranello.
This is amazing car and as with all modern Ferrari's delivers all of this with panache and a sound fest that is surreal. The car will undoubtedly be a very sort after conquest by well heeled collectors but we hope some buyers will bring these beauties to the tack and let them do what they were bred for. Early road tests show the car is exceeding expectations and might be the fastest of the three discussed here.
So this truly is a grand time to be in the automotive industry. These pinnacle cars show the technology, aerodynamics, race tested features and hybrid power that make them the most desired automobiles on the planet. I can only dream.
Three amazing cars have been launched in limited production. The La Ferrari, the McLaren P1 and the new Porsche 918. All are very expensive and very fast. Some are sexier than others but as I always say taste is in the mouth.
Lets take a look at each.
Porsche 918
The Porsche 918 is the most "pedestrian" of the three with a price tag of approximately $850,000. I happen to think it is a beautiful car. The design is aggressive but not in a flashy way. It seems stout yet balanced. In a strange way it appears manly and who does not love the mufflers coming out up top of the engine cover - cool! The Porsche is actually called the 918 Spyder. This is because it has a targa type top - or lack thereof.
The chassis is a carbon fibre reinforced plastic monoque. It weighs 3700 pounds but you can get the Weissach Package which will drop the weight to 3620 and give you that cool retro Martini Racing livery. (Great for track enthusiasts). Porsche will build only 918 of these machines thus guaranteeing their exclusivity and value. However this is many more cars than either Ferrari or McLaren will build of their top of the line machines (see below).
The interior is actually quite luxurious for a super car. It has tons of carbon fibre, a great prominent center console with many controls. It has great instruments dominated by a large tach.
The engine (s) is a mid engine plug in hybrid. Actually the car has three motors - two electric and one combustion. The primary power source is a 4.6 liter V8 producing 608 HP. The two electric motors combine to add another 279 HP bringing the total to 887 HP with 940 Lb. Torque. The V8 is the same architecture as the LeMans race and has no belts of any kind. It is driven through a 7 speed gearbox using the famous PDK - dual clutch system. There is one electric motor for each axle thus making this a "all wheel" drive car. The batteries for the electric motors are charged while underway by regenerative braking and when the car is coasting.
Porsche says it will go 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and hit the magic 300 kph in just 19.9 seconds. Like the McLaren it can run in electric only mode but sadly for only 12 miles. It can get up to 93 mph in electric mode. The car has a top speed of 214 mph. The EPA mileage for the gas engine is at 22 mpg combined and electric is a 80 mpg. Not bad for a super car.
The car comes with all of Porsche's best driver technology. It has Active suspension, torque vectoring, Traction management, Stability management and carbon ceramic brakes. It allows the driver to select the degree of electronic intervention and can make even a novice track driver seem much better than they are. Porsche has deliveries scheduled in the US for later this year.
The McLaren P1
This car is considered to be the long awaited successor to the amazing McLaren F1. It went on sale in the UK in late 2013 and there will only be 375 produced worldwide. All are spoken for.
Like the Porsche this is a mid engine plug in hybrid vehicle. I think it is a very sexy car. I love the front of this car with its slit headlights, massive splitter, swooping hood and big windshield but it is the rear that is amazing. The single exhaust and outline type LED lights. It looks like it is smiling at you from afar. Then there is the massive integrated wing that extends like a super erection at speed or when the DRS system is employed. The lower section is dominated by the exit of the huge rear diffuser making this car look like the beast it is. Even sitting still it looks like very fast car and it is. It adds even more sex appeal with gull wing doors. In my mind it is the best looking of all three super cars described here.
The interior to me is a bit simple but that might be a good thing. There is tons of carbon fibre and a center console that runs between the seats and all the way up the dash. The instruments are all electronic - no dials here. This pairs well with the dominant screen in the center console. It definitely has a clean purposeful look. Don't get me wrong the car has all the sophisticated gear it just did away with tons of knobs and switches.
This car is amazing to drive and while I have not had that opportunity yet I have spoken to one who has. The power is mind blowing and the balance is excellent. The electronic driver aids are efficient and deliver as advertised. Actually my friend indicates that driving this car hard without some of the driver aids is very difficult and requires great skill. Then there are additional systems that increase the performance of the car - Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) which gives the instant power boost from the electric motor; Drag Reduction System (DRS) the F1 developed rear wing that varies increasing straight line speed; Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) another F1 developed system that generates energy for the batteries from braking.
The P1 will get to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds; the quarter mile in 9.8 seconds at 152 mph; and has a top speed of 217 mph. With is carbon ceramic brakes it can stop from 186 mph in 6.8 seconds. It can go all electric for a measly 6.2 miles.
The McLaren will sell for about $1.35 Million US and they will only make 375 of these beauties worldwide. In case you are thinking of getting one - too late they are all sold.
The La Ferrari (f70)
I have saved what might be the best for last. although in this field they are all so amazing the variance is tiny. This is Ferrari's replacement for the Enzo. This supper care is the pinnacle of all Ferrari has learned in F1 racing and promises to be amazing. This is the first hybrid Ferrari has ever produced. It will build only 499 of them worldwide and all are already sold.
The car has the highest power output of any production Ferrari at 963 BHP. It comes from a combination of the 6.3 litre V12 combustion engine which puts out 789 bhp with 516 lb. ft. of torque. Then add the supplement of the Hy-KERS electric motor which generates 161 bhp and 148 lb.ft. of torque. So this 2767 pond car generates 664 lb.ft. of torque and drives it through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission to the rear wheels.
The La Ferrari has a carbon fiber monocoque structure which makes it 22% stiffer than the Enzo. It has carbon ceramic Brembo brakes and has 19 inch wheels in front and 20 inch in the rear.
This car was totally designed by Ferrari with no input from Pininfrina making it the first since the 1973 Dino 308. It is said to have decreased fuel consumption over the Enzo by nearly 40%. Part of this due to the aerodynamics, part to the hybrid system and part to lighter weight.
The car has several driver aid systems. There is an ESC stability control; a high performance electronic brake distribution system along with ABS; there is an EF1 - traction control system that is integrated with the hybrid system; there is the famous E-Diff 3 which is an electronics differential; SCM -E-Frs magnetorhelogical damping twin solenoid system and several active aerodynamic features to maximize performance.
Ferrari says the top speed is 217 mph; it will get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 3 seconds and 300 km/h (186 mph in less than 15 seconds. The car has lapped the famed Fiorano test track in less than 1 minute and 20 seconds making it the fastest production care ever produced by Maranello.
This is amazing car and as with all modern Ferrari's delivers all of this with panache and a sound fest that is surreal. The car will undoubtedly be a very sort after conquest by well heeled collectors but we hope some buyers will bring these beauties to the tack and let them do what they were bred for. Early road tests show the car is exceeding expectations and might be the fastest of the three discussed here.
So this truly is a grand time to be in the automotive industry. These pinnacle cars show the technology, aerodynamics, race tested features and hybrid power that make them the most desired automobiles on the planet. I can only dream.