Abarth To Show Four New "Fuori Serie" Creations In Geneva

Fiat, like MINI, knows that that buyers of its 500 Abarth models want to personalize their rides. Unlike MINI, which specializes in primarily cosmetic changes, Abarth has launched a program that gives customers an even broader-scope upgrade and customization path.

Introduced at last September’s Paris Auto Show, Fiat’s “Fuori Serie” customization service for 500 Abarth models allows customers to consult with Abarth’s designers and engineers to create one-of-a-kind hot hatch. From unique trim through custom graphics and interior upgrades, Fuori Serie changes are limited primarily by the shopper’s budget.

To demonstrate the intent behind the program, Fiat showed a Fuori Serie Abarth 500 in Paris that was influenced by the Fiat Abarth 131 Mirafiori ‘Olio Fiat’ rally car from the 1970s. In addition to its blue-with-yellow graphics, the car received a custom suspension, Brembo brakes and engine upgrades to boost output to 180-horsepower.

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Abarth will again show off its Fuori Serie program with offerings in both the “New Heritage” collection, which pays tribute to the history of Abarth racing, and the “New Wave” collection, with a nod towards the latest design trends

Representing the New Heritage collection will be the Abarth 695 “Record,” based on the Abarth 750 Record Bertone, and the Abarth 695 “Scorpione,” based on the A112 and 124 Abarth.

The Fuori Serie New Wave models will be depicted by the Abarth 695 “Hype,” aimed at younger buyers who favor cutting-edge trends, while the Abarth 695 “Black Diamond” is targeted to buyers seeking a bit more refinement and style.

All Fuori Serie cars, however, begin with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine tuned to produce 180 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and bolted to a paddle-shifted automated manual transmission.

The front suspension is a MacPherson strut design, while the rear is a torsion beam setup with unique calibration and an anti-roll bar. Dampers are adjustable units from Koni, and front brakes are from Brembo.

There’s still no word on whether or not the Fuori Serie service will be offered in the United States, but our instincts say it isn’t likely. The 500 Abarth is selling well enough on its own, and we imagine the Fuori Serie customization would price the Abarth beyond a point American buyers are comfortable with. 

Articles Source : Motorauthority

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

The i30 3-door is the third member of the i30 family, joining the Hyundai i30 Tourer and i30 5-door hatchback which made their public premiere earlier this year.

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

Set to debut at the up-coming Paris Auto Show, the all-new i30 3-door’s styling is influenced by the carmaker’s latest “fluidic sculpture” design language. The new model features a slightly redesigned hexagonal grille, flanked by redesigned front foglights and daytime running lights.

Back at rear, the 2013 Hyundai i30 3-door sports a slightly redesigned bumper and restyled set of fog-lights.

Under the hood, the forthcoming i30 coupe will offer the same range of four-cylinder engines as the Hyundai i30 5-door, along with six-speed manual and automatic transmission options.

A more potent sporty variant is also headed for the Hyundai showrooms, according to latest rumors which suggest that the South Korean carmaker is preparing to launch a 200+ horsepower i30 turbo sometime next year. The car will kick-start the arrival of a host of future performance Hyundai models.

Full details of the 2013 Hyundai i30 3-door coupe will be released at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, where the model will make its inaugural public premiere before going on sale in Europe in the first half of 2013.

Articlea Source : Hyundaiblog

McLaren P1 Supercar: First Specs And Live Photos

We’ve seen the studio shots and guessed at all the specs, but here is the McLaren P1 supercar in all its glory, these photos coming direct from its debut just moments ago at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. This is the first auto show appearance for McLaren, the automaker, and we can’t think of a better car with which to highlight its debut.

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren makes no secret of its primary design goal for the P1: for it to be the best driver’s car in the world--both on the road and track. Note, this means that the P1 won’t be challenging the Bugatti Veyron for the production car land speed record, but it could potentially be the world’s fastest accelerating car money can buy.

Right now, many of the car’s specifications are being kept secret. In fact, the P1 on display in Paris isn’t actually the final production version, but a concept. We hope you like the styling, however, as a leaked patent drawing as well as comments from company insiders suggest the production version will look very similar to the concept you see here today.

The McLaren P1 leverages five decades of McLaren’s motorsport skills, including inspiration from the legendary F1 supercar it will soon succeed. It was designed from the outset to prioritize aerodynamic performance and thus has spent many hours in a wind tunnel and using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modeling--just like in Formula 1 racing.

So what has that achieved? Well, McLaren boasts the P1 develops in excess of 1,320 pounds of downforce before reaching its top speed, and its frontal area is smaller than any other supercar on the market. Its coefficient of drag is 0.34, which is very low considering the enormous levels of downforce.

We still don’t have the details on the powertrain, but McLaren is adamant each horsepower the P1 generates will only have to carry around 3.7 pounds or less. By comparison, each of the Bugatti Veyron’s horses have to carry around 4.5 pounds.

How the P1 will generate its power remains a mystery, though the smart money is on McLaren using an uprated version of its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter engine found in the MP4-12C. A KERS hybrid is also expected, helping to give the car an additional boost when required. Combined output could end up being 800 horsepower or more.

As for the design, it’s strictly shaped by aerodynamics. Every panel, air intake, and air exhaust was designed to guide in air from the most efficient places and to maximize cooling.

A large rear wing is also fitted and adjusts automatically to boost downforce and optimize aerodynamics. It can extend rearwards by up to 300 millimeters on a race track, and by up to 120 millimeters on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase by up to 29 degrees. The double element rear wing profile has been developed using exactly the same methods and software as the current McLaren F1 car.

The McLaren P1 also has a DRS (drag reduction system) function, like an F1 car, to reduce downforce and increase straight line speed. But while a F1 racer’s has a moveable flap in the rear wing, the McLaren P1’s rear wing’s pitch is adjusted.

In addition to the adjustable rear wing, the McLaren P1’s aerodynamic performance is optimized using two flaps mounted under the body ahead of the front wheels. These are also actively controlled, and change angle automatically to optimize performance, boosting downforce and aero efficiency, increasing both speed and driver confidence. The flaps operate through a range of 0-60 degrees.

The final tidbit of information, the P1 gets a new MonoCage structure that uses the carbon fiber monocoque and roof structure to form a strong safety cage. The structure of the MonoCage, unlike the 12C’s MonoCell, also serves to guide air into the engine through an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, saving further weight. All the body panels are carbon fiber to reduce weight.

Speaking at today’s unveiling, McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said, “The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage. Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.”

Sales of the P1 commence in the next 12 months. We're likely to see a reveal of the production version in the near future, most likely at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next March. Its launch will coincide with McLaren's 50th anniversary.