The Cars Connection: 2010-10-17

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Modena - December 3, 2008 . Maserati has developed a special series of new options named "MC Sport Line", which makes its worldwide debut at the Bologna Motor Show, with new contents that add to Maserati's already extensive range of personalized features on offer. The MC Sport Line is designed to enhance the sporty DNA of Maserati vehicles for those customers who like to display their passion for racing through a dynamic look and a choice of technical solutions that increase the driving fun without compromises.

The name "MC Sport Line" sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati's designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fiber, very popular among racing enthusiasts thanks to its direct connection with racing competitions.

The GranTurismo S, the ultimate expression of Maserati performance on roads, was the model chosen to present to the public the first proposals of the "MC Sport Line" catalogue, which will be extended in the GranTurismo range and then cover the entire Maserati line-up during the course of 2009.

From early 2009, GranTurismo S customers will not only be able to enhance the sporty look of their vehicle's exterior and interior - but even offer mechanical solutions.

Aerodynamics can be modified thanks to the addition of front and rear carbon-fiber spoilers, which benefit from track tests conducted on the GranTurismo MC Concept; the new aerodynamics not only optimizes the vertical load but gives the car a very distinctive appearance, as do the side skirts with central panel finished in matt black, adding a dynamic edge to the side view.

The sporty look of the exterior can be completed with the mirror housing and door handles, also made from carbon fiber. The same dark shade is reflected in the glossy black 20" wheel rims that match the dark line of the exterior perfectly.

The carbon fiber door sill bearing the words "MC Sport Line" tells you that you are entering a different environment, in which carbon fiber characterizes the door panels, dashboard and central tunnel.

The steering wheel rim is also made from carbon fiber, as are the control stalks for the electro-actuated transmission and the body of the instrument panel, dashboard and door panels, featuring carbon molding. Looking at the central tunnel, carbon fiber dominates the entire section, acting as a backdrop to enhance the brilliance of the chrome. The "MC" pedal block complete with kickplate to the left is machined from a solid aluminium piece.

Under the "skin", the suspension has been stiffened thanks to new, stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars; the new suspension set-up is synchronized with a specific Maserati Stability Program software, allowing the driver more freedom. The car is now 10 mm lower than the GranTurismo S, resulting in a performance on the road of the GranTurismo S that is absolutely uncompromising in terms of handling and driving enjoyment.

All the features listed are available either as part of the customization package, following the indications of Maserati designers; or individually, to cater for the personal tastes of each customer.

New MC Sport Line

Sports Cars 2010

No matter whoever you are- irrespective of gender, financial status, taste and country, Cars are loved by all. Racing cars have always been a fascination for some and obsession for others. I remember reading a book from Eric Maria Remarque, Heaven Has No Favorites and there, one character was particularly engraved in my mind- the life of a car racer. Today, I am going to talk about those men on the road who challenge the winds when on full swing. No wonder, I am talking about my choice of 15 best sports cars of late.
I know that, some things are unattainable (mainly because of the price tag to which we laugh) for most of us. Sports car is a category where we find that relevant. But at the same time, we appreciate them too. Probably that is where a racing car races away from any other selfish issues and claims a worldful of admirers.

Sports Cars 2010

No matter whoever you are- irrespective of gender, financial status, taste and country, Cars are loved by all. Racing cars have always been a fascination for some and obsession for others. I remember reading a book from Eric Maria Remarque, Heaven Has No Favorites and there, one character was particularly engraved in my mind- the life of a car racer. Today, I am going to talk about those men on the road who challenge the winds when on full swing. No wonder, I am talking about my choice of 15 best sports cars of late.
I know that, some things are unattainable (mainly because of the price tag to which we laugh) for most of us. Sports car is a category where we find that relevant. But at the same time, we appreciate them too. Probably that is where a racing car races away from any other selfish issues and claims a worldful of admirers.

Friday, October 22, 2010

honda s2000 spoon cars

In the world of Honda tuning, Spoon Sports has earned a reputation for offering the highest form of service and products. Not an easy thing since Honda already builds its engines to very high standards. Think of the B18 or K20 units from Civic and Integra Type Rs and the FC20/22 from the S2000 that push out well over 100 hp per liter. How can you possibly improve on this without compromising longevity and usability?

We've all heard stories of people bolting on pod filters and large bore exhausts to their Integras and S2000s in the pursuit of power gains when, in actual fact, they were achieving the exact opposite. You certainly can't disrupt the fine-tuning and precise balance between intake and exhaust on high-compression naturally aspirated engines. It's precisely this way of thinking that has pushed Spoon to further fine-tune these powerplants, rather than "disturb" their natural balance.

As soon as we heard that Spoon and Type One had just finished putting together its latest demo car we headed straight to their workshop in Tokyo. We were greeted by Mr. Ichishima who immediately got down to business by taking us to a few floors of Spoon's headquarters where the engine building area is located. We were allowed to snap away and follow the build process of an FC20 motor, which was being carefully assembled by Naoki Yoshida, the head of the engineering department. Yoshida showed us a few interesting parts like F20C and K20 dry-sump kits, prototype exhaust manifolds, finely polished heads and talked us through some of the parts and work Spoon does. We were shown where the Spoon suspension kits are assembled and how the fine attention to detail that the company is known for even extends to the careful matching of springs according to their weight so that a full four-damper kit offers the best performance and feel when used on a customer's car. You will only find this kind of attention to detail on race cars.

A short drive from Spoon headquarters is the Type One workshop, a two-story building where Spoon cars are built, kept and looked after. We were taken upstairs to the main work area where "our car" was waiting for us. Sitting in a dark corner of the shop the new S2000 demo car greets us with its impossibly purposeful looks. Spoon has never done anything like this, they have always preferred to stick to the simpler side of tuning and have until now never given much attention to the over-the-top body kits. But their latest effort is simply stunning-a true testament to the quality and style of their work. This S2000 creates such a visual impact it takes the mind a few minutes to digest all the details and lines of the race car-like the body kit. This kit has been made up to give the customers of Spoon a chance to bring the company's race pedigree to the street. It all begins with the aggressive front bumper straight from the Super Taikyu S2000 race car, which features a large central air intake to bring cooling air to the radiator, while a cold air intake brings a fresh breeze to the airbox thanks to the carbon air-guide inside the engine room. Large foglight reflectors take center stage in the whole bumper assembly, while on the side are small intakes to channel air to the front brakes.

honda s2000 spoon