The queue for a Ferrari FXX starts here
Ferrari has extended the testing and development program of
its forthcoming GT supercar based on the FXX prototype for a
further two years “following an extensive upgrade to boost
performance and handling,” says a factory source.
Ferrari
FXX
Being a little down on power (I jest), the FXX has had the
output of its 6.2 liter V12 increased from 800 hp (600 kW)
to 860 hp (640 kW) at 9500 rpm and gearshift times are down
20 milliseconds to 60 ms. Gear ratios have also been
modified to make use of the extra 1000 rpm available. Yes,
I’ve always thought that an 80 millisecond shift is
dreadfully slow!
Handling-wise, nine settings will be available on the new
traction control system, which Ferrari claims is also “less
invasive and more flexible, adapting more efficiently to the
individual driving style of each driver”. Sounds good,
especially if your surname is Schumacher and your first name
is Michael.
Chassis modifications have seen improved wear rates for the
19 inch Bridgestone tyres, while the Brembo brakes (which
include composite ceramic material discs) have longer
lasting brake pads. When you are paying 100 million baht for
your car, do you really care about tyre wear?
Furthermore, a number of new aerodynamic aids have been
produced to increase downforce over the rear axle, including
a new rear diffuser and rear flaps. Combined, the
aerodynamic efficiency has increased 25 percent.
“The active front spoiler control system settings have been
adjusted to take these modifications into account, too,”
Ferrari said in a statement released this week.
“New telemetry monitoring of the steering angle and brake
pump pressure will further boost the interaction between
client test drivers and the company’s engineers.”
Underway since late in 2005, the FXX program involves a
small group of customers who have each spent more than 100
million baht for the privilege of owning a track-bound test
mule and being involved in the Enzo-based car’s development.
So there you are, if you want to be part of this exclusive
group of Ferrari test drivers and rub elbows with a certain
Mr. M Schumacher in the Ferrari pits, put your money down
now. They’ll even come on over and collect it, I am sure.
Small/medium cars from
Thailand wanted overseas
Toyota Australia has confirmed that it is
investigating changing the sourcing of its next Yaris, with
Thailand considered as the leading contender for the new
third generation model due in about 2010.
Thailand
Yaris
Toyota Australia chairman emeritus John Conomos said at the
2007 Tokyo Motor Show that Thailand is shaping up as the
ideal Yaris production location. “It’s been looked at.
Thailand is a great source for reliable world-class
product,” said Conomos. “With a Free Trade Agreement (FTA),
it is inevitable that we will have to examine (Thailand)
carefully,” Conomos admitted.
Currently the Yaris - Australia’s top-selling light car by a
large margin, and in a segment that is the fastest growing
this year - is built in Japan.
With the Thai government lately focussing on winning more
light and small car production contracts - after its
successful campaign in luring management understands that
the pricing edge that comes with choosing a lower-cost
production base can be extremely lucrative.
Since arch-rival Honda changed its Jazz light-car sourcing
from Japan to Thailand in early 2006, sales have rocketed on
the back of the lower entry price and higher standard
features content the move brought with it.
This year Jazz is running at around 980 per month, against
786 last year and 660 in 2005. And this is in spite of the
fact that the Jazz - released in 2002 - is now narrowly the
second-oldest in its class (though there will be a new Jazz
in the early part of 2008).
Ford Australia has already announced that its next Fiesta
light car will follow the Honda by coming out of Thailand,
as part of a 50:50 deal it has with its Japanese partner
Mazda.
Mazda will also produce the closely related ‘2’ light car at
the same Thai facility, and it is most likely that the Mazda
2 will be sourced from the Rayong plant for the Australian
market. This is all good news for the local economy.
However, the Toyota Australia veteran executive did point
out that Thailand’s inability in the past to provide
vehicles with adequate levels of equipment and/or
technological sophistication may yet rule it out from
providing Toyota Australia with the next Yaris.
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I wrote that one central headlight was
seen on many cars over the years, the revolutionary Tucker
Torpedo being a classic example. However, there were many
before that. I asked what was the first American car with
‘cyclops’ headlights? The correct answer was the Garford of
1913, or I would have even taken the Briscoe of 1915.
So to this week. Let’s stick with headlamps. When did
headlamp flashers first become offered, and on what car?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Road circuit meeting at
Bang Saen this weekend
Bang
Saen street races
The street circuit at Bang Saen will be
host to the SuperCar Thailand categories (Sunday) and also
the Toyota Yaris races (Saturday). According to Thomas
Raldorf, who is currently fourth in the closely contested
Yaris races, the circuit is very good, quite technical, and
should provide good close racing.
There is a website (www. bangsaengrandprix.org) but
unfortunately it is all in Thai and the English language
button does not work! It should however be worth the trip up
the coast to see it.
Is this the future?
Both the LA Show and the Tokyo Show were notable
for personal concept vehicles. These are vehicles (I can
hardly call them “cars”) which take one person and are more
like mobility devices than any other type of transport in
common use.
Nissan
Pivo 2
At the Tokyo Show, Nissan presented the Pivo 2, an advanced
electric concept car. Powered by advanced compact
Lithium-ion batteries, Pivo 2 employs ‘by-wire’ technologies
for braking and steering and features a 360 degree turning
cabin and 90 degree turning wheels that makes reversing a
thing of the past. In addition to advancements on this
radical rotational design, this second generation Pivo uses
a Robotic Agent to create a unique owner-vehicle
relationship that is akin to that of a friend.
Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design,
made reversing obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility
concept to a new level. Each of the four wheels are powered
by Nissan’s advanced electric In-wheel 3D Motor and can turn
through 90 degrees to allow Pivo 2 to drive sideways as well
as forward - making parallel parking in even the tightest
places as simple as driving straight ahead.
Thanks to the highly innovative Robotic Agent, you are never
alone in the Pivo 2. With conversations possible in Japanese
and English, the Robotic Agent has been created to work with
Pivo 2 to make every journey less stressful. It provides a
unique interface through which to communicate with Pivo 2 on
everything from basic vehicle functions through to the
nearest available parking.
Whilst I cannot see something like this taking off as a
family chariot, I can see these devices being used as
personal commuters. They do not take up much space on the
roads, are pollution free, and being rechargeable, should be
cheap to run. The Robotic Agent looks a little like overkill
to me, but for gimmick value probably hard to beat.
Narain Karthikeyan -
will the Force be with him?
With the announcement that Spyker F1 has been
bought by an Indian magnate and renamed Force India, who
will drive for them? Put your money on Indian Narain
Karthikeyan, currently the third driver with Williams F1.
Karthikeyan’s interest in motor sport began early, as his
father was a former Indian national rally champion. With his
ambition of becoming India’s first Formula One driver,
Karthikeyan finished on the podium in his first ever race,
at Sriperumpudur. He then went onto the Elf Winfield Racing
School in France, becoming a semi-finalist in the Pilote Elf
Competition for Formula Renault cars in 1992. He returned to
India to race in Formula Maruti for the 1993 season, and in
the same year, he also competed in the Formula Vauxhall
Junior championship in Great Britain. In 1994, he returned
to the UK, racing in the Formula Ford Zetec series as the
number two works Vector driver for the Foundation Racing
team. Karthikeyan also took part in the British Formula Ford
Winter Series, and became the first Indian to win any
championship in Europe.
1995 saw him in the Formula Asia Championship for just four
races. In 1996, he had a full season in the series and
became the first Indian and the first Asian to win the
series. He moved back to Britain in 1997 to compete in the
British Formula Opel Championship, taking a win at Donington
Park and finishing sixth in the overall points standings.
In 1998, Karthikeyan made his debut in the British Formula 3
Championship. Competing in only 10 rounds, he managed two
3rd place finishes in the final two races of the season. He
continued in the championship for 1999, finishing on the
podium five times, including two wins at Brands Hatch.
Continuing his drive in the British F3 Championship in 2000,
he finished 4th overall in the standings, and also took pole
position and fastest laps in the Macau Grand Prix.
He started 2001 in the Formula Nippon F3000 Championship,
finishing the year amongst the top ten. Karthikeyan again
tested for Jordan, finishing just half a second off the pace
off Jordan’s lead driver Jean Alesi. In 2002, he moved into
the Telefonica World Series with Team Tata RC Motorsport,
taking a pole position and setting the fastest lap time at
the Interlagos Circuit in Brazil. Moving to the World Series
by Nissan in 2003, Karthikeyan won two races and came 4th
overall in the championship.
On February 1, 2005, Karthikeyan announced that he had
signed the preliminary deal with Jordan Formula One team
which made him India’s first Formula One racing driver.
So now to Force India in 1998? Put your money on it.
Natter Nosh and Noggin
The monthly car enthusiasts meeting will be at
Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR next to the Nova Park
development. The car (and bike) enthusiasts meet on the
second Monday of the month, so this time it is Monday
(November 12) at Jameson’s at 7 p.m. This is a totally
informal meeting of like minded souls to discuss their pet
motoring (and motorcycling) loves and hates. A couple of
months ago we had a chap arrived from the UK, having been to
the Festival of Speed at Goodwood, who had some very
interesting snippets. Bring along any magazines, photos of
old vehicles, old girlfriends or any interesting car or bike
trivia (or a Turbo Porsche, or just bring a photo) for us
all to lust over!
