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The GFRP spring (left) next to a 'traditional' steel type Whereas a steel spring for an executive class model weighs nearly 2.7 kilograms, a GFRP spring with the same properties weighs approximately 1.6 kilograms. Together, the four GFRP springs reduce the weight by roughly 4.4 kilograms, half of which pertains to the unsprung mass, helping the suspension to react more quickly to changes in the road surface and to absorb imperfections more effectively.The core of the springs consists of long glass fibres twisted together and impregnated with epoxy resin. A machine wraps additional fibres around this core - which is only a few millimetres in diameter - at alternating angles of plus and minus 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis. These tension and compression plies mutually support one another to optimally absorb the stresses acting on the component.The GFRP springs can be precisely tuned to their respective task, and the material exhibits outstanding properties. It does not corrode, even after stone chipping, and is impervious to chemicals such as wheel cleaners. Last but not least, production requires far less energy than the production of steel springs.

Happenings

Newsflash: Audi's New Lightweight Springs

IN Audi, Vorsprung durch Technik, Lightweight springs, Glass fibre-reinforced polymer, GFRP

Audi is investing heavily in travelling lightly to boost efficiency with new polymer suspension springs

One of the most famous, Carrozzeria Zagato, celebrates its 95th birthday this year, and it is this special occasion for which the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato was commissioned. Its commissioner is one Albert Spiess, a Swiss who already counts other well-known Zagato works such as the Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ, 1985 Aston V8 Vantage Zagato, and 2012 V12 Vantage Zagato within his stable. So whatâ€™s another one to add to the collection, eh?

Happenings

Get to the L-Z!

IN Lamborgini, Zagato, Gallardo, Concept, 5-95

Lamborghini and Zagato, two icons of Italian motoring, come together to create a striking one-off: the 5-95 Zagato Concept.

Letâ€™s not forget McLaren. Ok, you would have probably heard the news that McLaren has ceased production of the 12C to make way for the new 650S. Which should be good news for some, as that simply means prices for that 12C youâ€™ve been eyeing will go down (ask Wearnes Automotive, they have some units for sale too). Still thinking and contemplating? On the fence? Cannot decide? Well, let us give you 10 reasons why you should buy one.

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10 Reasons Why The 12C Is An Awesome Supercar

IN McLaren, 12C, McLaren 12C, Wearnes Automotive, Supercar

Donâ€™t want to join the Lamborghini and Ferrari crowd, but still want something equivalent with a little bit more exclusivity? Tadaaâ€¦

Many of the sophisticated solutions being applied for the very first time to an in-range car in the 458 Speciale, including its advanced active aerodynamics, will become a standard feature of all new Ferraris in the future. Flanked in the Maranello marqueâ€™s range by the multi-award-winning 458 Italia and 458 Spider, the new mid-rear-engined V8 berlinetta was designed to boost both performance and driving emotion to unprecedented levels, yet simultaneously guarantee smooth, effortless control in all kinds of situations.

Happenings

Something Speciale This Festive Season!

IN Ferrari, 458, Speciale

The Ferrari 458 Speciale makes its debut in Singapore!

Flanked in the Maranello marqueâ€™s range by the multi-award-winning 458 Italia and 458 Spider, the new mid-rear-engined V8 berlinetta was designed to boost both performance and driving emotion to unprecedented levels, yet simultaneously guarantee smooth, effortless control in all kinds of situations.

Having lavished meticulous attention on the power unit that was named 'Best Performance Engine' at the International Engine of the Year Awards for two consecutive years, Ferrari has now built its most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever (605 cv) with an extraordinary specific power output of 135 cv/l, the highest ever achieved by a road-going naturally aspirated engine.

Happenings

The Ferrari 458 Speciale To Debut At Frankfurt

IN Ferrari, 458, Speciale

Extreme technology for an uncompromising new V8.

Both cars are powered by SsangYongâ€™s new e-XDi200 2.0-litre diesel engine that offers up 155 bhp and 360 Nm, and is mated to (what else?) a 5-speed automatic also sourced from Mercedes.

Happenings

New SsangYong Stavic And Rexton Debut In Singapore

IN SsanYong, Rexton, Stavic, Launch, MPV, SUV

The replacements for SsangYongâ€™s flagship MPV and SUV were unveiled at the recent CATS CARnival.

Pirelli has currently more than 200 homologations for the Volkswagen Group, in sizes that range from 15 to 21 inches. Another 250 homologations are currently under development, many of which will go into production within the next few years.

The long list of models currently equipped by Pirelli include prestige cars such as the Porsche Carrera, Boxster, Cayenne and Panamera, as well as the Lamborghini Aventador and Gallardo, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur as well as the Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7, RS5, RS6 and TT, plus the Volkswagen Tiguan, Touareg, Phaeton and Golf.

The partnership between Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group is not just limited to the European market but also covers other territories such as Latin America, Mexico and China. Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group are also engaged in joint business development in Russia and the United States.

Happenings

Pirelli Named Global Champion By Volkswagen Group

IN Pirelli, Tyres, Volkswagen

Pirelli has won the 2013 Volkswagen Group Award, the coveted prize that the international carmaker awards to its best suppliers.

Now, I can bet with you that Lamborghini would like to be known as the manufacturer that makes wild supercars again. At the Geneva Motor Show, they made sure that that nickname stuck by launching the Lamborghini Veneno. Underneath the radically styled carbonfibre body, lie the chassis and the running gear of the Aventador.

Happenings

Ultra Rare Aventador-Based Supercar Launched!

IN Lamborghini, Veneno, Anniversary, V12, Geneva

Lamborghini builds the insane Veneno to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The stats, though, really do make for quite some startling reading. The 6.3-litre V12 is a development of the unit from the F12 Berlinetta, but massaged to produce 790 bhp at a screaming 9000 rpm. Coupled with Ferrari's HY-KERS (HYbrid-Kinetic Energy Recovery System), the LaFerrari manages a grand total of 950 bhp and 970 Nm of torque, eclipsing the McLaren by about 50 bhp, and murdering the Porsche's 785 bhp. As a result, 0-100 km/h is done and dusted in less than 3 sec, 0-200 in less than 7 and 0-300 in 15 sec. The mighty Bugatti Veyron SS, with around 200 bhp more, can only manage those benchmarks in 2.5, 6.7 and 14.6 sec respectively.

Happenings

The New LaFerrari - LaAwesome, Or 'Come On lah'?

IN Ferrari, LaFerrari, Geneva, Hybrid, Hypercars

Years of planning, research, testing and teasing have led to this. The War of the Hypercars is upon us and Ferrari wades into battle with the biggest arsenal. It's gonna be an exciting year ahead...

The 3.8-litre V8 engine, although smaller than the previous flagship's 4.7-litre, is built to deliver 18% more power and 39% more torque, while having a 20% reduction in emissions. 530 bhp is available if you're gunning it all the way to 6800 rpm, but a hefty 650 Nm of torque starts to warm you up from as low as 2000rpm. Oh, and this can be overboosted to 710 Nm from 2250 rpm, enabling the car to hit 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds!

Happenings

Private Preview Of The All New Maserati Quattroporte

IN Maserati, Quattroporte, V8, V6, Sedan, Twin turbo

Maserati's all new Quattroporte received a warm welcome by the media recently at a private preview held by Hong Seh Motors, distributors for the italian marque.

Built near Milano where the company is based, the quality in the manufacturing and finish is nothing short of staggering. From the A-pillar backwards, the new exterior body panels are hand-shaped in steel â€“ including the roof, new wider rear wings, and the internal reinforcements of the complete rear section of the car.

Happenings

Eurosports Auto Unveils Bespoke Bentley Continental Flying Star

IN Bentley, Eurosports Auto, GTC, Bentley Motors Limited, Touring Superleggera, Flying Star

It will roughly cost the price of three Bentleys and only 19 will be made. This Bentley built by italian coach builder Touring Superleggera is indeed reserved for the discerning few.

Happenings

New Maserati Quattroporte

IN 2013 Maserati Quattroporte, Maserati, V8, Hong Seh

The Italian car-maker plans kick-off a 50,000 units per year production plan by 2015. The 2013 Maserati Quattroporte will be the first of three models to help them achieve that.

The BMW Zagato CoupÃ© heralds a new chapter in the tradition of cooperation between BMW and Italian designers. Much has changed since earlier collaborations, however, with the advent of new working methods such as digital sketching, Photoshop and CAD/CAS tools, things have gotten easier, and designs alot bolder.

Happenings

BMW And Zagato Combine Forces to Produce A One-off

Milanese coachbuilder Zagato has teamed up with BMW to unveil the BMW Zagato CoupÃ©, a hand-crafted special that premiered at the Concorso dâ€™Eleganza Villa dâ€™Este.

Happenings

Lamborghini Aventador Gets New Wheels And More

IN Wheelsandmore, Lamborghini Aventador, Wheels,

German exotic tuner Wheelsandmore fettles with the Lamborghini Aventador and brings up the already mad Italian one notch higher!

Pirelli will bring the P Zero White medium tyres and P Zero Yellow soft tyres to Monza, which are designed to cope with the demands of Monzaâ€™s high-speed layout and provide plenty of scope for the teams to use different tyre strategies.

Motorsports

Pirelli Bringing Additional Tyres To Monza This Weekend

IN Pirelli, Pirelli P Zero, Monza, Italian GP, Fernando Alonso, Paul Hembery

Real test for Pirelli's P Zero White medium tyres and P Zero Yellow soft tyres

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrariâ€™s naturally-aspirated,570 hp 4.5-litre V8 with 540 Nm of torque. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrariâ€™s dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated with the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics.

Happenings

Ferrari's Frankfurt Star: The 458 Spider

IN Ferrari, 458, Spider

The world's first mid-rear engine "berlinetta" equipped with a retractable hard top is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Now let's talk about what it has. The MC Stradale generates 10 bhp more from the 4.7-litre V8 engine than the GranTurismo S. Torque is also up with a further 20 Nm improvement at 510 Nm. This allows the car to accelerate from nought to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, all the way to a 300 km/h top speed. Let this be official - this car is FAST! Maybe it's the sound that enhances the sense of speed, but the MC Stradale accelerates angrily through every gear and every rev input given.

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Gentleman's Racer | Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

IN Maserati, GranTurismo, GT, MC Stradale

While the term 'Gentleman's Racer' might sound like an oxymoron, that's exactly what the MC Stradale is. Maserati's edgiest drive is hardcore yet still perfectly chivalrous around town.