Latest super-sports car from England is the Caparo Freestream supercar, which will have a power-to-weight ratio of 1,000 bhp per ton! The Bugatti Veyron which has 1,001 bhp manages about 560 bhp per tonne, so how you can see that the Caparo is streets ahead of any other supercar in power-to-weight ratio, and that is what makes cars accelerate fast. And fast acceleration is very exciting, and can also improve safety of the car in some circumstances.
So how does the Caparo do it? Not with 2,000 bhp because the car would weigh at least 2.5 tons, which would miss the target. In fact, Bugatti has demonstrated that sheer power means a lot of weight, particularly in the transmission and brakes.
To get a high power-to-weight-ratio you need a light car. And why is a high power-to-weight-ratio important? Because it dictates how fast the car accelerates flat out. A car with a high power-to-weight-ratio can cover the ground quicker because it gets out of corners fast and accelerates up the straights faster. So long as the handling is good, the car will be very fast anywhere.
Lightweight solution
Instead of going for a big engine with masses of power, the designers, who worked on the McLaren F1, have gone for ultra lightweight and a compact V-8 engine based on F1 technology. The result is a pencil-slim car with 480 bhp at 10,500 rpm from a supercharged 2.4 liter engine, and a weight of under 1,100 lb. Both the new engine and transmission are very light, as are all the components. The very narrow body without fully enclosed fenders also reduces weight.
The whole design concept has been aimed at reducing weight, ore not putting in things that add weight. First, the power train is very light compared with mass-production units. Then, the carbon fiber body/chassis is also much lighter than most, as designers without Grand Prix experience tend to over-design their structures. Also, because the power train is light, the loads on the body are lower, so again less weight does not need to be built into the structure.
It has a very narrow cockpit, with the passenger sitting slightly behind the driver to reduce width, so this is more of a track racer or trackday special than a road car. Even so, this car changes the concept of exotic cars to where it should be - ultra-lightweight, compactness and exciting performance round twisty roads or circuits.
To save weight they have adopted a narrow coupe body with cycle-type front mudguards, and side-mounted radiators which flow into the rear fenders.
In fact, these are all factors used by Colin Chapman to design the early Lotus cars, and since used by all racing car companies. In other words, the Caparo Freestream really takes advantage of Grand Prix technology to build a supercar.
The Caparo Freestream looks very unusual, but if you want sheer performance this is it! The makers say the car will hit 200 mph, and accelerate from a standing start of 100 mph in 5.5 seconds!! Holy mackerel that is fast. Oh, and they also say that owing to the downforce available, the T1 will be able to corner and brake at 3g - incredible. This tremendous cornering power and braking would not be possible without the use of Grand Prix design principles.
On top of all that, Caparo, which produces a lot of components for the auto industry, have priced the Freestream at about $320,000 (?176,000).
John Hartley is editor of http://www.fast-autos.com, an online magazine devoted to fast cars and supercars. He has written from many of the world's top auto magazines, and has written many books about cars and the auto industry, including 'Suspension and Steering Q&A' and 'The Electronics Revolution in the Motor Industry'.
Thinking Lingerie on Super Sunday?
February will bring with it one of the most important days all the whole year. Which day it is generally depends on gender.
Ford Verve Concept Hints at Ford's Future Small-Car Design Vision
Ford Verve Concept - a bold and colourful concept car to be revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show - gives the first hints of Ford's future small-car design vision.
A Review And Comparison Of The Most Popular Miscellaneous Poker Accessories
Sure, you can get your table together ready for everyone to play on, but what about all the miscellaneous poker accessories to enhance the experience that much more Just think about everything you need to have a professional, fun, and unique casino design having others asking you about it constantly
The Journey Into Entrepreneurship; Starting A Small Business
For most of us there comes a day when we toy with the idea of starting a small business; work stress and frustrated career goals can often leave us thirsting for autonomy and starting a small business seems to fit the bill. But for those who are thinking of starting a small business, the road can be one of sacrifice and learning.
Jordan Shoes Wholesalers In United States
Wholesale Chocalate Candy Lendt
Shopping Deals and Coupons From NFLGearShop.com
The www.NFLGearShop.com announces its seasonal savings through online companies such as Pro Sports Memorabilia, Hockey Deals.com, Summit Online.com and more. Those who shop through the NFL Gear Shop and who are passionate about NFL Football and are diehard Atlanta Falcons fans will love Michael Vick's red or white authentic Falcon's jersey available at Pro Sports Memorabilia.
Small Home Appliances: Way Beyond Toasters
As the trend toward gourmet, chef quality kitchens continues, people are purchasing not only high end large appliances like refrigerators and stoves, but small appliances too. Simple old fashioned coffee pots and toasters are giving way to espresso machines and panini grills. Do you need them? Probably not, but they can be lots of fun and can definitely up the quality of your morning cup of joe and your grilled cheese sandwiches. Read on for all the things you didn?t know you needed, until you found out they existed.
Pingo Announces New Convenience Features for Consumers and Small Businesses, Making Low-Cost International Calling Easier Than Ever
Pingo®, the online calling service from iBasis (NASDAQ: IBAS), today announced new convenient features making it easier than ever for consumers and small business users to take advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for low-cost international calling. Pingo now has an interactive voice response system that alerts consumers when their account has a low balance, replenishable with the simple push of the * key. For consumers and business users, Pingo has also introduced enhanced speed-dialing capabilities, enabling users to easily and quickly connect to domestic or international calling destinations.
Fly Fishing Small Streams
Picture this; you've spent some time hiking into a small stream in
the back country. It's early morning, mist is rising and the midges
that have been swarming around you are breakfast for the small browns
you have come to catch.
Lingerie Diva Supports Healthy Body Image by Increasing Plus-Sized Options
Aware of the growing demand for plus size options, Lingerie Diva is adding new lingerie, making the latest styles available to women of all sizes.