BMW 2002Turbo '1973-1974

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The Wolf Car daddy: BMW 2002 Turbo

Audi RS2 (B4) '1993-1995

'RS Blue'

Wolf Cars blog just reached 500 visitors, thank you! To celebrate this achievement with you I wanted to share something special… This one’s a real cult-car. In 1993 this estate was blasting better figures than McLaren F1 supercar and Formula One's in 0-50km/h (1,5s), quite obvious when comparing RWD and 4WD, but this crazy wagon was also fully compatible with similar age Porsche 996 and Chevrolet Corvette in 0-100km/h acceleration as well and this all was happening in 1994! BOW!

Harmless family wagon with a room for the whole family and safe in all weather conditions. Source: stanceworks.com

Why? What happened inside the Wolfsburg’s super rational towers? Well, Audi wasn’t that fancy and desired brand back in the days and marketing department was considering different options to boost the undermined image; quality was great, technics up to date, but design couldn’t keep up and cars were boring. Audi decided to take the shortcut to the hearts of the car fanatics and started to develop a wolf car. Audi had a great engine from its B-class rally monster UrQuattro and luckily there was a capacity for small-scale production in neighborhood as Mercedes was just about to finish producing E500/E60 AMG series with Porsche. Again, with merging two skilled German engineering faculties something ultimate was created.

Something borrowed and something RS blue: Porsche turn signals, fog lights, mirrors and rims. Source: 4starclassics.com

Audi already had a S2 model on their fleet that shared the same 20 valve, in-line 5, Turbo unit, but Porsche took over to spice things up: larger turbocharger was added with bigger intercooler, newly designed cams, high-flow fuel injectors and exhaust. I guess the reason of using estate platform game from the marketing, but this hybrid was so ahead of its time that it totally leaves all todays’ odd marriages of supercars and practicality (e.g. Panamera and X6) standing. When engine was redesigned Porsche didn’t stop, but the maestros also tweaked chassis and exterior by adding pieces straight from their own cars! This all resulted a new genre of RennSport (race sport) models on the top of the already cool S models.

Yes, the engine is located in the really front of the car. Source: vask.org

RS2 is capable of very respectable 4,8s in 0-100km/h and accelerates until the top speed of 265km/h, which was more than the agreement of limiting the top speed in to 250km/h between German manufactures. Of course Porsche didn’t agree on top speed limiting policies and RS2 was considered almost as a Porsche… 315hp and 410Nm will keep the all four wheels spinning in lower gears, but when on the grip car certainly has enough pace to keep most modern cars (e.g. WRX STI and EVO) at bay. One has to admit that nature is more like an Autobahn shuttle than track day weapon, but still unbeatable in many cases in straight line. Its not only the massive performance that makes RS2 so special, it has some contemporary touches like carbon fiber dash trim, air condition, ABS and power steering and of course those special Porsche features that celebrate the roots of the car. Yes, it is a very, very cool car!

In details:

Source: evo.co.uk

Engine
In-line 5, 2226cc, 20-valve, Bosch fuel injection (ADU)
compression ratio 9.00:1

KKK “K24” turbo

Heavy-duty intercooler

Porsche fuel injectors, fuel pump and pressure regulator

Porsche designed camshafts

Free flow intake and exhaust

‘Powered by Porsche’ written in engine cover

Numbers
315hp/6500rpm
410Nm/3000rpm

141hp/liter
Top speed: 265km/h

0-100km/h: 4,8s

Source: tots-parts.com

0-200km/h: 21,7

0-400m: 13,6s
1595kg

Power to weight 0,2 hp/kg
197,49hp/tonne

Transmission
6 speed manual, 4WD

Torsen differential with electro-mechanical diff lock
Chassis

Multilink, lower wishbones, coil-springs, anti-roll bar (f)

Double wishbones, anti-roll bar (r)

Suspension closely related to Porsche 911 Turbo!

Porsche ‘968 Club Sport’ Ventilated disks (304/299mm) with 4 pot calibers in red with Porsche text (Brembo)

Porsche ‘Cup’ alloys 7x17” with Dunlop 245/40ZR17 tires
Exterior
Special front, rear bumpers and side skirts

Porsche ‘993’ turn signals and fog lights

Porsche ‘964 Turbo’ mirrors

Porsche style horizontal bar connecting taillights

RS2 emblems in rear tailgate and front grille with a magical word ‘Porsche’

 Interior

Three spoke leather steering wheel

Recaro sport bucket seats

Full leather or leather/suede interior trim (black-blue, black-yellow, black-grey and black-red)

Carbon or wood trims

White dials (up to > 300km/h and 7000rpm)

Three white extra gauges
Other
Only 2891 RS2’s were built

180 with right hand drive

Audi built a handful of RS2 sedans, but only the Avant was officially offered for sale

Optional 304mm ventilated disk also in rear and holder for 4 C-casettes!

Color options: Amethyst Grey - Pearl Effect; Z4V (B2), Blue Pearl Effect Paint; Z5T (Y3),
Brilliant Blue; Y5K (E), Brilliant Black; Y9B (A2),  Indigo Pearl-Effect (Blue); Z5U (C2),
Laser Red; Y3H (H1), Pearl Effect White Metallic ; OA9 (C9), Polar Silver Metallic; M7Y (D1), Ragusa-Metallic (Dark Green); Y6P (Y7), RS Blue Pearl Effect; Z5M (M), Ruby Red Pearl Effect; Z3N (X6), Emerald Pearl-Effect; Z6U (M6) & Volcano Black - Pearl Effect; Z9U (W9)

Wheels painted in AUDI-SILVER (Z7P)

Peugeot 405 T16 '1993-1995

'Evil little sister'

Source: baracudaj.blog.auto.cz

This Pininfarina creation is ultimately rare wolf car. There’s varying information about how many was built and over all information about the car is hard to find, but here’s some technical details. For Peugeot 405 was extremely successful model with over 2,5 million cars sold between 1987-1997. T16 was the ultimate edition of the model range and evil little sister of the T16GR Pikes peak monster and with this sort of heritage, rareness and beautiful lines it deserves to be introduced here in Wolf cars.

Source: forum-405.com

In details:

Engine

R4, 1998cc, 16-valve, Magnetti-Marelli Sequential Injection (XU10J4TE)

Garrett 25 turbo (1,1 – 1,3 Bar ‘over boost’)

Water cooled charge cooler
Numbers
220hp/5000-6500rpm (28s over boost)
318Nm/2400-4500rpm
Top speed: 231km/h

0-100km/h: 6,5s

0-200km/h: 14,2s

0-400m: 15,2s

0-1000m: 27,8s
1340kg
Transmission
5 speed manual, 4WD (f 53%/ r 47%)
Visco front and Torsen rear differential  

Ari Vatanen's weapon. Source: carcabin.com

Source: clubpeugeotuk.org

Chassis

MacPherson struts and anti-roll bar front and trailing arm and anti-roll bar rear

Self-regulating hydraulic rear suspension

Ventilated discs front and discs rear

205/50/16 tires
Exterior
Special front, rear and side skirts (similar to Mi-16 and Mi-16 4x4)

Rear spoiler

16” alloys
Interior

Sport seats and steering wheel

Leather interior
Other
Only 400-1061 were built?

50-60 of the T16 was delivered to French police

Volvo 850 T-5R '1994-1995

'Safety color'

Volvo’s entrance on the wolfcar markets was turning point for the company in many ways: they had just launched a 850 that was a first proper Volvo with front wheel drive, first exported Volvo to North-America with fwd, styling that was awarded with Good Design Grand Prize (850 was awarded all together 40 times for its different qualities) for its design and some say that 850 was the final touch that raised Volvo to premium brand. The design still is something quite uniq: lines from the Jan Wilsgaard’s pencil are yet recognizable boxines of Volvo (that is mostly gone nowadays with strange characters adopted from the Hyundai or similar), but at the same time  more gentle with a rounded edges and the balance of the elements in a body is spectacular. The outlines of the 850 really looks like a car: most probably if you ask people to draw a car they will either draw some ellipse with wheels (the beetle) or something similar to outlines of the Volvo. 

Volvo 850 T-R in cream yellow with titanium gey wheels -perfect match! Source: carwallpapers.ru

Volvo had never built anything like T-5R before, nor GTI’s or cars with sexy appeal, only few Turbo models to provoke Saab and for safe overtaking and of course they made one beautiful gran turismo mistake of P1800.  Therefore the new bright yellow wolf car raised some eyebrows when it was introduced in 1994. And guess what, because Volvo didn’t have experience of building wolfcars, Porsche was called in to help with the design process!!! The yellow color of the release model was something totally against Volvos image that celebrated practicability and safety. Volvo’s design manager Peter Horbury wanted to use yellow “safety color” that Volvo had tried for accident decrease means to gain maximum attention for the new model and era of safe, fast and imposing Volvos. The yellow T-5R’s were sold out in U.S just in five months.

Without rear spoiler just perfect. Source: volvoadventures.com

The figures of the T-5R are not that spectacular nowadays as today’s budget racers are pushing out even greater figures, but if you think it’s a front wheel drive 240hp should be enough for the understeer. For me the T-5R is something more special than its German rivals as there’s a unique sound of the five pot engine, characteristic styling and of course the magic touch of Porsche.

Clear lines of the T5-R staton wagon. Source: hempassagen.se

Check out the stance of the flying wagon! Source: s3.zetaboards.com

Volvo also participated in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with the 850 T-5R station wagon (approx. figures: 280 hv @ 8500 r/min)! Race version was build together with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) and estate was chosen because the better aerodynamic quality and probably because the media coverage. Volvo competed with average success couple of years and station wagon was changes to sedan after the first season.

 

In details:

Engine
R5, 2435cc, 20-valve, electronic fuel injection (B5234T3 ‘Porsche tweaked’)
compression ratio 10,5:1

Mitsubishi ‘TD04HL-15G’  turbo (10,5 Psi)

Forged vanadium steel crank and connection rods

OBDII –diagnostics system (one of the first cars -system become automotive standard)
Numbers
243hp/5600rpm (with 30 sec over boost)
330Nm (300Nm auto)/2000rpm (with 30 sec over boost)
Top speed: 249km/h (245km/h auto) (limited)

0-100km/h: 5,9s (6,6s auto)
1450kg

Drag coefficient: 0.29
Transmission
5 speed manual or 4 speed auto, FWD (Porsche tweaked powertrain)
Chassis

"Delta-link" semi-independent rear suspension, Independent, coil springs (F&R)

Ventilated disks

5-spoke alloys 7x17” with Pirelli “P-Zero” tires
Exterior
Special front and rear spoilers

Side skirts

Polished door sils

Titanium grey 5-spoke alloys

Special “motorsport” trunk badge
Interior

Special graphite leather / alcantara seats  (Porsche tweaked)

Deep walnut wood panels

First car that featured a 4 airbacks as a standard

First sedan with three point seatbelts in every seat
Other
Only three available colors and production including station wagon: cream yellow (1975), black (3025) and olive green (500)

Only two options available: Alpine 6-CD changer and 16” alloys for smoother ride

Saab 900 Enduro '1980

'Steroid poppin' Swede'

Today found something mind blowing: The Saab 900 Enduro! This boxy goes back in 1980 when Saab Australia decided they need a racy version of the 900 Turbo. What they did was: boosted turbo up to 1,2 bars, fenders were flared to ultimate, fitted new rims and paid some attention into details with brave stickers. Of course chassis was tuned to handle upgraded 175 horses! Only 12 were made for Australian markets only. Here's a cool sound spectrum of the beast.

Saab 900 with steroids. Source: autofriends.com

Source: sutospeed.com

In details:

Engine
R4, 1985cc, 8-valve, Bosch fuel injection (B201)
compression ratio 7.2:1

Garrett T3 turbo

Water injection
Numbers
175hp/-rpm
236Nm (standard model figure) /-rpm
Top speed: 200km/h (standard model figure)

0-100km/h: 8,9s (standard model figure)
1130kg (standard model figure)
Transmission
4 speed manual, FWD
Chassis
Steel monocoque, wishbones and coil springs  (f)
beam axle, leading and trailing arms, panhard rod and coil springs (r)

Upgraded suspension (Bilstein shocks)

Wider track, 4 inches (f) and 9 inches (r)

Disks all round

Simmons ‘P-4’ 3-piece alloys 7,5x15” with 225/50VR15 tires
Exterior
Rear and front wheel arch flares with integrated front spoiler

Wider rear tailgate spoiler

Bonnet, side window frames and rear spoiler were painted in Dulux “GT Satin Black”.

"ENDURO" logos emblazoned on the bonnet (on some)

“Turbo” logos with the famous “turbine” symbol added to the rear three-quarter panel
Interior

Three extra gauges (oil pressure, battery voltage and ammeter)

Special steering wheel
Other
Painted in 2-pack Dulux Acran enamel in "Aquamarine Blue Metallic" (137B), “Acacia Green Metallic" (148B), “Solar Red” (121B), and "Marble White" (152G)

Eurovox MCC-9090R Autoreverse Dolby System cassette player and electronic search tune AM/FM stereo radio with digital display!

BMW M5 Winkelhock (E34) '1991

'Smokin’ hot'

Today I saw the new BMW M5 (F10): it didn’t make any sound at low speed, just glided over and looked like big nosed gorilla pumped up with steroids. It really is a huge and standing out mask (nostrils) pothers me the most in the new design and of course the overall lameness after Bangles masters pieces. I guess the whole BMW range (except 1-series) is in the evolution stage, and waiting the new revolution to come. Even the over emphasized character lines, several exhaust pipes or massive wheels are not helping this wale to look dynamic –everything is just huge and misses the lively lines of E60. Hopefully, thinks were different in the nineties.

BMW M5 Winkelhock. Source: blog.che186.com

In 1991 BMW Motorsport asked two of their touring car racing drivers from DTM (Deutche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) to design their own dream editions from E34 M5. Joachim Winkelhock a.k.a Smokin’Jo (1960) is a German motor racing driver who won the 24 hours Nürburgring race in 1990 and 1991 and British Touring Car Championships in 1993 with BMW E30 M3. Winkelhock continued his career in touring car series until age of 43 and constantly smoked cigarettes.

One was up for sale! in mobile.de

So, two e34 M5 special editions were produced: Wickelhock and Cecotto (Johnny). Both of them were kind of make over’s and didn’t have significant technical improvements. Johnny’s car was more luxurious version of the M5 and Wickelhock’s more as I like it a lightweight version. Sophisticatedly glazed with motorsport-style and reduced from some of the not so important equipment for ultimate driving machine. 

Some motorsport touch in the interior. Source: m5board.com

In details:

Engine
- R6, 3535cc, 24-valve, Bosch –fuel injection (S38 B36)

- Compression: 10:1

- Equal length stainless steel exhaust headers and three way ceramic catalysts
Numbers
- 315hp/6900rpm
- 360Nm/4750rpm
- Top speed: 250km/h (limited)

- 0-100km/h: 6,3s (original figure)
- 1630kg (original 1670kg)
Transmission
- 5 speed manual, RWD
Chassis
- Double Pivot McPherson strut suspension (f)

- Track link semi trailing arm suspension (r)

- Ventilated disks (f) 315mm and (r) 312mm

- 17x9” M System 1 alloys and 235/45ZR17 tires
Exterior
- Deleted fog lights and headlight washers

- Vanity mirrors

- Shadow line trim
Interior
- Evolution front bucket seats

- Anthracite M cloth and black nappa leather bolsters trim

- Red seat belts

- Suede covered steering wheel, shift knob & parking brake handle

- Velour floor mats

- Deleted rear head rests
Other
- Total of 51 Winkelhock editions were produced

- All painted in Jet Black (668) and contrasting silver lower body panels

- Smaller battery (66amp vs. 85amp) and gas tank (80l)

- Reduced sound deadening material

- Power windows removed

- Each game with a special leather service book, key holder & gold pin

- Available option list included: 255/40ZR17 rear tires, rear spoiler, manual rear sunshine, air condition (auto & manual) & CD stereo system

Alfa Romeo 164 Pro-Car '1988

'The Ultimate Wolf Car'

Just saw amazing lines of Alfa 164 today and got inspired, as I do every time I see this beauty –unfortunately it happens seldom these days, least here in Finland. I had a plans to write about the 164 Quadrifoqlio, but remembered that Alfa made something much more brutal in the 1988. 

Alfa 164 Pro-Car looks to die for. Source: conceptcar.ee

Alfa decided to return on Formula 1 and started develop engine in 1985 for the French Ligier team. Created motor was one of the most technically advanced on its era and became the reference point for others. The technical masterpiece was lying some time in the corner of Alfa’s workshop before the managers of Fiat Group decided to use it in their Pro-Car project. The Pro-Car (Production Car) series was masterminded competitions for standard production car look a likes with Formula 1 chassis and engine. Sadly this series never started. It would be so much more interesting to see family cars blasting the racetrack in super speed than some aerodynamic shuttles that no one has any really contact point -hey look there’s daddy’s new Mondeo pushing 300km/h in a hands of Räikkönen! Actually a championship similar to planned Pro-Car series was held in 1987-88 under World Touring Car ITC –name, but FIA stopped it after only one year because the popularity over Formula one. Can you remember the sweet Texaco Cosworth and M3’s –screw you FIA!

Idea of the Pro-Car series was that big car companies would be involved to supply engines for F1, while they were showing off their hi-tech achievements and advertising their newest models, but Alfa was the only one brave enough to meet the challenge and developed the Pro-Car. Don’t be confused with the Procar Championship series of BMW M1’s; it was quite similar, but happened already in 1979-80. Anyway, the fantastic engine was paired with the lightweight chassis made by Brabham and the marriage was only tested couple of times where the combination was able to over shadow even F1 performance with its better CX value!

In my opinion this is the ultimate wolf car. There are other similar to Pro-Cars, like Ford Transit van and Renault Escape, but certainly Alfa has a heritage to die for and in most cases styling that matches the drama of the brand.

Skeleton of the mighty 164 Pro-Car. Source: conceptcar.

In details:

Engine
V10 (72º), 3495cc, 40-valve, Bosch –fuel injection (aluminum-silicon alloy block)

Titanium rods and valves
Numbers
605hp/12100rpm
373Nm/9500rpm
Top speed: 340km/h

0-402m: 9,7s

0-1000m: 17,5s
750kg
Transmission
Hewland 6 speed manual, RWD

Titanium flywheel
Chassis
Carbon fiber monocoque (carbon fiber panel covered Nomex aluminium)

Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rack-and-pinion steering

Ventilated disks
Exterior
Standard except rear wing and center exist exhaust
Interior
Standard dashboard

Alcantara steering wheel

Bucket seat
Other
Only one ever made –located in Museo Alfa Romeo in Arese