6/19/2012

Mazda RX-7 Type A Spirit R (FD-3S) '2002

'Banzai type'

This really is a jump in to the unknown...and Rx-7 is not really a wolf car either, but just got inspired with this one. I have never been a huge fan of Japan super cars, of course sometimes dreamed of the mighty Skylines and tremendously beautiful 2000 GT, but otherwise knowledge has been gained mostly from Playstation. By the way RX-7 Spirit R really seems to be a favor of the Playstation generation as I was looking for pictures for this article from Google many of the pictures were captured from Forza Motorsport and Grand Turismo. Anyway 3rd gen. RX-7 It's not a proper wolf car but deserves to be here because its beauty and coolness, especially when lowered properly and without the terrible rear spoiler. 
BBS rims and carbon splitter in RX-7 Spirit R. Source: blog.carlist.my


RX-7 is a special little car: it has a rotary engine, first-ever mass produced sequential twin-turbochargers and regarded as being one of the best handling car ever with its low weight, low center of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution.
One with acorrect stance and removed rear spoiler -Rough! Source: stanceworks.com
Spirit R was the special version of the victorious 3rd generation RX-7. It was only produced 1500 units in the 2002 (the last year of RX-7's made) in three versions: type-A (majority 1000 units), two-seater manual; type-B, a four-seated manual and type-C, four-seated automatic. Otherwise three models game with a similar red interior, BBS 17" wheels, red brake calibers and special interior panels. Actually Mazda added all the special features they had used in previous RX-7 special models in to the Sprit R. Now there's a die-cast model awailable of the this beast.

In details:

Engine
Rotary engine, 1308cc, fuel injection, twin turbo (13B R-EW R2)
Source: 3dtutorials.com
1st turbo comes in at 1800rpm (provides 0.7 bar) and 2nd turbo in 4000rpm (0.6 bar)
Numbers
280hp/ 6500rpm
314Nm/5000rpm
Top speed: 180km/h (limited)
0-100km/h: 4,9s
1260kg
Transmission
5 speed manual, RWD
Torsen LSD
4.3:1 -ratio rear differential
Chassis
double wishbones
Bilstein suspension
red front srut bar
314mm ventilated disks
Rigid stainless mesh brake hoses
BBS 17x8/8,5" alloys in gunmetal colour and 235/45ZR17 (f) & 255/40ZR17 (r) tyres
Exterior
Carbon fibre front spoiler
Adjustable carbon fibre rear spoiler
Source:turborx7.com
Red brake calibers
Interior
Recaro lightweight bucket seats (in red leather)
Nardi leather steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake lever
Panels with soft coating
Other
Only 1500 made
One of the first cars having the ABS system cabable of working differently on each wheel 
Five colour options (700 out of 1500 is painted in special colour titanium grey metallic )
Other special models: Bathurst, Type RZ, GT-C Concept, Type R...

6/16/2012

Mercedes-Benz E60 AMG (W124) '1994-1995

'The Four-Door Porsche'

It's claimed that once a upon time there was era when German engineers were aloud to build cars as strong as possible they could without worrying the manufacturing costs. They also say that Mercedes W124 is one of the purest examples of that time. People talk a lot and someone even said that another well-known Stuttgart based car manufacturer called Porsche builds the most quality cars on the planet. Who knows, but it’s evident that something special there is in Stuttgart. Even Porsches share is more in sports cars they have designed and build cars also for other brands (e.g. Zafira, RS2). Porsche has been interested of having four-door car in their feet already in the 80's that headed to this coincident that delights all cars enthusiastic.

Let's go back to the beginning of the 90's. Porsche was developing type 989, a stretched chassis from 911 with V8 and 4 doors and at the same time M-B decided to develop high performance version from their 300E. Not so pretty 989-concept was buried and M-B's production lines and design departments were working in full steam, so contract was made with a Porsche AG to take care the designing and production of the beast called 500E. Bodies were produced in M-B factory and send across the town for Porsche for assembly and then back to M-B towers for quality control. It took 18 days to built one car!

The pre-facelifted 500E. Source: www.classicandperformancecar.com
The reason for building this beautiful machine came of course from the markets. That time people were desiring the Bimmers "ultimate driving machine", E34 M5 pushing 315hp from it's straight six through rear wheels and Audi was just entering on the power sedan markets with its S4 (C4) with charged straight five blasting 230hp through 4WD. The M5 was more like a track capable hooligan and S4 fast every weather car, so M-B decided to create king of the autobahn. Basic concept of the 500E was smooth and endless power in a chassis that transports comfortably four people with their luggage from Germany to South Italy.
In my opinion the best colour option. Source: www.e500.org
Exterior of the 500E was tweaked only little from it's little sister 300E. Basically just wider wheel arches, wider front skirt and bigger wheels. But those tiny tweaks with lowered suspension transformed the grandpa W124 into a bad muthafucka that you want to watch out when appearing on the rear mirror. Also the interior was almost similar with the 300E Sportsline with Recaros and factory fitted fire extinguisher at driver’s foot –how race is that! For some vibe check out chapters from Taxi 1.

It was time for a facelift in 1993 and name was changed to E500 to suit the fleet. Among facelift hood, trunk and lights was updated and steering wheel was changed to smaller. Technical specifications remained exactly the same. Some limited editions were produced in the end of total production of approx. 10,249 super cars: E500 limited with Evo II -17” wheels and two-tone interior and E60 AMG.

E60 AMG with the facelifted lights and hood. Source: www.e500.org
E60 AMG with facelifted trunk and lights. Source: www.benzworld.org
E60 AMG was the very limited series of E500's built between 1994 and 1995 that had an AMG tweaked suspension and engine. It had a 2nd generation of the M119 engine (originally from SL500) that had a capacity of 5956cc (4793cc in E500) and power increase of 55hp and 100Nm. Base engine was also used in CLK GTR. Sprint time from 0 to 100km/h was dropped 0,5 seconds and top speed limited 30km/h higher. Huge numbers if you consider that this was happening middle of the 90’s! Bodywork and interior remained the same and only wheels were changed to 3-piece 17” AMG ones. Very little information and pictures can be found about the E60 AMG, but there’s even some up for sale in Mobile.de. Check this nice walk around.
In my opinion it’s better that Porsche stops trying to fit those rear doors into their design language –just doesn’t work! Have a look of 989-concept, Cayanne and Panamera they all look somewhat strained –like you try to squeeze more capacity inside the ball, but just extend it into one direction. Just doesn’t feel right. Guess it’s the strong semiotics of the 911, but can you point out any saloon that looks cool with the all-spherical lines? I like it this way that if Porsche wants to build family cars they should put their effort into cars that are born to saloons. Can wait to get my hands dirty with the RS2

In details

M119.974 with AMG stams. Source: www.benzworld.org
Engine
V8, 5956cc, 32 -valve, Bosch L-Jetronic (M119.974  6.0)
AMG exhaust (with twin tip outlet)
Numbers
376hp/5500rpm
580Nm/3750rpm
Top speed: 280km/h (delimited approx. 300km/h)
0-100km/h: 5.2s
0-200km/h: 19.8s
0-1km: 24.5s
Transmission
4 -speed auto, RWD
2.56:1 (German version) or 2.82 (Swiss version) gearing ratio
Chassis
AMG suspension (9-10" lower than standard W124)
Brakes front: 320x30mm, 4-pot calibers / rear: 300x34mm, 2-pot calibers
EVO II 17" or AMG (3-piece) 8.5J x 17" ET30  alloys with 245/45ZR17 tyres
Exterior (similar to E500/500E)
Wider front and rear wheel arches
Wider/deeper front valance
Facelift hood, trunk and lights
E60/AMG model badges
Interior (similar to E500/500E)
Sportsline leather interior (two-tone and limited are common)
Recaro -seats
390mm Sportsline steering wheel
Some with birds-eye maple dark trim
Rear wood console between rear seats
Fire extinguisher in driver’s foot space
Battery placed in trunk for better weight distribution
Other
AMG have produced very limited version with 399hp/5750rpm and 615Nm
AMG stamps in air box
957 "AMG Technology Package" in VIN number
Might be that there was even T-version (estate) made!
Brabus, Kleeman and RENNtech have tuned some really cool versions, like: 6.5L version, 6-speed manual version and 475hp version. 
Alltogether 149 made (including the limited versions)