Car And Cars Gallery: February 2010

2010 Lucra LC470

Following up on the impressive debut of the LC470, the design team re-examined every part of the car to refine and improve the design wherever possible. Over 50 years of racecar building experience, coupled with the latest computer-aided design technology, went into the LC470. The Lucra LC470 boasts incredible performance and drivability in a street-legal lightweight sports car. ??Performance is aided by the powder-coated, seamless, 4" drawn-over-mandrel steel tube used in chassis construction, which contributes to the great power-to-weight ratio and helps the car to a 9-second quarter mile at 149 mph. Okay, a 9-second car isn't for everyone, but the base model 375hp LC470 (the most modest of our performers) delivers a 3.4 second 0-60, and a 11.6-second quarter mile at 129 mph.

The LC470 delivers a figure-eight time quicker than the Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.�
-Motor Trend

揅hassis and steering responses are superb, making the car intuitively easy to place in any curve.�
-Car & Driver

揙wning one will help remind you of why you go to work in the first place.�
-Sports Car International

Carbon fiber body, aluminum suspension, 1971 lb weight, and tons of horsepower don't mean much if the car doesn't hold the road. Weight distribution is ideal at 53% rear and 47% front, giving the car forgiving handling characteristics and incredible traction. With its low enter of gravity, the LC470 digs into turns without the need for anti-roll bars. Aluminum racing seats and four-point harnesses keep you fully secure as the LC470 pulls up to 1.4 g's in corners on street tires. The Tremec TKO600 RR transmission was chosen, and gear ratios carefully selected, to match the vehicle's power and weight. With a 3.07:1 final drive ratio, a fuel injected aluminum V8 straight stock motor with 375hp takes you from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds in first gear, and has a top speed over 180mph.

Integral to the performance of the LC470 is perfection in steering and suspension geometry. All bump steer and scrub were eliminated from the LC470 for a stable platform with no undesirable characteristics at high speeds. Easily adjustable front and rear suspension on the LC470 allow for precise tuning of caster, camber and toe.

The best of everything is used throughout the car; from the Smiths gauges down to the F/911 aircraft grade bolts used throughout the LC470. Rated to a strength of 180,000 psi, the hardened alloy steel is extremely strong, providing longer wear life for both the bolts and the parts they anchor. High pressure aircraft-grade A/N stainless steel lines are used for all fuel, cooling, and brake systems. Elegant custom-fabricated, ceramic-coated, tuned headers and side pipes are standard on the LC470. The ceramic coating provides cooler operating temperatures, and the recess in the body keeps the exhaust out of the way.

old-world styling of the exterior.
Finding a performance car thats usable for taller drivers is rare. The Lucra LC470 has a respectable amount of space for driver and passenger. Driver position is fully reconfigurable to optimize balance and driving comfort regardless of the driver's height. To provide a custom fit, both the driver's seat and the Tilton 3-pedal assembly (with front/rear brake control) are adjustable, to bring the controls to the driver. Available space is another unique aspect of the LC470. The cockpit accommodates taller drivers (6'5"+), and the trunk easily holds two sets of golf clubs and luggage..

---- Specifications ----

Price	$74,500	Production	--
Engine	5.7 liter LS6 V8	Weight	1971 lbs
Aspiration	natural	Torque	--
HP	400 hp	HP/Weight	--
HP/Liter	70.2 hp per liter	1/4 mile	11.6 seconds @ 129 mph
0-60 mph	3.4 seconds	Top Speed	over 180 mph

Source:Lucra via seriouswheels

Family Ties: Audi Owner Rebadges TT Coupe as a Volkswagen

At a first glance, few would guess that the first generation Audi TT shares a platform, engine and most of its mechanics with parent company Volkswagen's Golf as well as the VW Jetta, New Beetle, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia etc., etc.

VW-Audi-TT-Coupe

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TVR rolling chassis from Carmel Motorsports

Just a week ago, the rumor was spread that new TVRs will be coming to the U.S. and that they'll cook their tires with U.S. engines – but you'll probably have to wait until this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed to get the details. Now we've been told that you can buy remanufactured versions of the Tuscan, Sagaris, and T350, and you don't have to wait at all!

These old-as-new TVRs are being sold as rolling chassis, the same way you would buy a Superformance or Rossion, and have otherwise been made to comply with U.S. DOT laws. They're available through Carmel Motorsports in Indianapolis, and all you'll need to do after a phone call and a cash transfer is show up with an engine or a trailer.

We don't know where the supply of cars is coming from, however. The "official" TVR isn't building cars; these are coming from a company called Total Vehicle Remanufacturing. TVR, get it? We don't know anything about them, but hey, one call to Carmel can answer all your questions if you decide you're ready for the raw rear-wheel-drive power of what used to be Blackpool's finest.

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2010 Yamaha YZF 1000R1 Superbike

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Geneva Motor Show: New Focus Station Wagon

At next week's Geneva Motor Show, Ford will stage the world premiere of the fifth member of its Focus family after the five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX minivans, the station wagon model.

According to our sources, the more practical and roomy Focus SW (also known as the Estate in some countries) will initially be launched in Europe. However, if there's enough interest by buyers in other international markets, Ford will add the station wagon variant to its global range of Focus models in the very near future.

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World premiere in Geneva: LUMMA Design turns the BMW X6M into a thoroughbred sports car

CLR X 650 M - that is the name of the BMW X6M after it underwent a rejuvenation by LUMMA Design. Instead of the serial 555 hp (408 kW), the V8-engine now renders powerful 650 hp (478 kW). Also, LUMMA Design increases the maximum torque from 680 to breathtaking 830 Newton metres. Thereby, the top speed rises to 312 kph. This enormous performance enhancement of the BMW is owed to the catalyst replacement pipes, the sports exhaust system and the adjusted engine electronics which LUMMA Design especially optimised for this automobile in elaborate tests. The matching sound for this newly gained power is rendered by the end muffler "Sportsound" with its four stainless steel end pipes measuring 100 millimetres in diameter.

Lumma BMW X6M

Aerodynamics kit and undercarriage enhance the performance

Matching the increased performance, the CLR X 650 M presents itself confidently with a broad aerodynamics kit. Already the new front skirt with the LED daytime running lights leaves no doubt for the bold appearance of the refined BMW. The wheel house extensions and the side skirt confirm the dynamic look which is further enhanced by 40 millimetre lowered undercarriage. The rear skirt, the boot lid top and the rear spoiler lip render a harmonious transformation. The great attention to detail used by the designers from Winterlingen in Germany, shows in a wide range of refinement, such as lateral indicator covers or the varnished sports-look carbon bonnet. Also the headlight blinds and the shaded rear light set contribute to the dynamic appearance.

Lumma BMW X6M

For ideal road grip, there are four 315 millimetres wide ultra high-performance tyres by Michelin which are fitted to 11x23 inch Blackline Monoblock rims. The dynamic look of the voluminous black rims stems from the multipart look and the outer well made of stainless steel. This impression is further enhanced by varnished brake callipers which poke out between the spokes.

Lumma BMW X6M

LUMMA Design also developed the interior as dynamic and performance-oriented as the new exterior. Leather and ultra-suede can be found for example at the ergonomically formed sports steering wheel. Rails made of orange-coloured carbon and pedals and foot rests made of aluminium moreover indicate the vitality of this automobile. The same applies for the illuminated door sills with the lettering "CLR X 650 M" and the extended speedometer range up to 360 kph displaying the LUMMA-Logo.

Lumma BMW X6M

LUMMA Design confirms its love for detail also in the interior. Both the floor mats and also the boot mat are made of velour, have a leather edging and are adorned with the LUMMA coat of arms logo. The type plate with the consecutive serial number enhances the exclusive character of the CLR X 650 M.

Lumma BMW X6M

BMW's plan to build a sporty SUV has been perfectly completed by LUMMA Design. The automobile is already serially equipped with a powerful engine, but it only starts turning into a thoroughbred sports car as a CLR X 650 M. More information is available at www.lumma-design.com
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Top 10 most popular cars bought by over the 65's (U.S)

With most customers favouring smaller cars, there is still one demographic that Detroit has a solid hold on… Retirees. Buyers over 65 are the last hope for the good American car. In some dealerships, anything upto 85% of all Buick buyers are 55 and older.

The over-65’s look at brands like Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac as status symbols. Those brands have what advertisers call the “Mind Share” in that demographic. Retirees remember a time when the only people driving those cars were celebrities and other high profile members of society; now they want in to that high-profile group of Cadillac drivers. Plus, older folks like familiarity, they know these brands, they’ve heard them their whole life.

Studies in the U.S have shown that the next generation of OAP’s prefer sporty, performance type vehicles as opposed to the large cloud cars on this list. As for now, here are the 10 best sellers with the old folks:

(The models are ranked based on the percentage of buyers age 65 or older, using market research data from J.D. Power and Associates. All the cars on this list get less than 20 mpg in town driving and less than 30 mpg extra urban driving.)

10. Ford Taurus – The Taurus is one Ford’s best selling models, in fact it was the best selling car in the 90s. Ford went through some weird phase where all the cars had names starting with ‘F’. They got rid of the Taurus title and called it the “Five Hundred”. Either way, the Taurus is back now and old people still love it. Upto 35% of all buyers are 65 years old or older.

9. Lincoln MKZ – Compared to the rest of the cars on this list, the Lincoln MKZ is a lightweight. It’s marketed to a fairly younger consumer, but just like the Taurus, 35% of it’s buyers are 65 or older.

8. Cadillac STS – The STS is probably the “sportiest” car on this list, although like the rest of the cars, it has a roomy interior and the blind spot/back up cameras that older people like. Retirees love the Cadillac brand, they remember it as being the ultimate car brand. 39% of all Cadillac STS buyers are over 65.

7. Toyota Avalon – The only foreign car on the top ten list is Toyota’s flagship sedan. That’s because Toyota specifically designed the Avalon to compete in this particular market of over-65’s. Because of all the press, 39% of all Avalon sales went to retirees.

6. Mercury Sable – The Sable is the Ford Taurus’ upmarket cousin, and just like it’s always been, it’s essentially just a Taurus with a Mercury badge. Old people love it though, nearly half of all Sables sold (48.5%) have gone to people over 65.

5. Buick LaCrosse – The top five on this list is where the real favourites lie; there is a substantial jump in the percentage of over 65 buyers as we go from #6 to #5 on the list: Only 48.5% of all Sables want to old folks, meanwhile, almost 64% of all Buick LaCrosse sales were to people over 65.

It has old folk favorites like OnStar, electric seats with memory and remote audio controls on the steering wheel. We’re in the over-50% zone now, so it’s a safe bet to avoid all Buick LaCrosses you see.

4. Buick Lucerne – The Lucerne is the beefier version of the Buick LaCrosse, plus is has parking sensors and reversing cameras. It also has ‘Lane Departure Warning System’ that alerts the driver if the car starts to move out of its lan. Still, with a full 67% of all Lucerne’s out there belonging to over 65’s, I’ll still steer clear of them, with or without lane departure warning system.

3. Mercury Grand Marquis – The Mercury Grand Marquis costs a little more than half the price of the Lincoln Town Car and the two cars are virtually identical. If you exclude cops and other fleet drivers, a full 69% of all Grand Marquis drivers are over 65.

2. Cadillac DTS – The DTS is slightly larger and less sporty than the STS. It’s actually a direct competitor to the Lincoln Town car, so it appeals to retirees for all the same reasons. Brand recognition, quality image, and lots of technology like lane-departure warning system and blind-spot systems that many of the other top ten have make 72% of OAP’s buy one.

1. Lincoln Town Car – More than 75% of all Town Cars out there are driven by someone over 65, so keep an eye out. The Town Car is probably one of the spacious sedans for less than $47k. It has more interior space than many large executive cars.

The car is just the typical old man car: huge interior, rear-wheel drive, mirror like ride, plush seats and a powerful V8 petrol engine.