McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren GT, a new race car manufacturer which brings together the expertise of McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive and CRS Racing, unveiled the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car and plans for a 2011 development programme.

The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will be the first McLaren car built for FIA GT series racing since the McLaren F1 GTR finished production in1997. The 12C GT3 is based on the new MP4-12C high-performance sports car and a team of engineers, designers and test drivers with vast experience in Formula 1 and GT racing has been assembled to undertake the process of adapting the carbon chassis-based 12C to racing specification.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group Chief Executive Officer said: "McLaren has racing in its blood and it was a natural step to take our MP4-12C road car and turn it into the most reliable, efficient and easy to drive GT3 car. Every car on the grid will have its performance balanced by race rules, meaning our objective must be to select a technical specification that ensures any driver is able to access the 12C GT3's performance limit with ease.

We have worked with CRS Racing to ensure the 12C's design and development programme is as close as possible to one McLaren Racing would employ in developing a Formula 1 car. The team at CRS is well qualified to shape decisions in this area as they have an outstanding record in racing GT3 cars, and understand what is required to be successful in that level of competitive motorsport.

"In return, McLaren Racing is able to bring new levels of technology to GT3 racing. No other GT3 car in 2012 will be supplied with a road-car carbon chassis, or a steering wheel and other associated technology from a Formula 1 car.

"The 12C GT3 will be supplied with the 12C's carbon MonoCell and the same steering wheel design employed by Lewis Hamilton in his MP4-24 Formula 1 car. Plus, we are working closely with Formula 1 suppliers past and present: Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin for example. This blend of road car and Formula 1 technology and experience will be a great advantage to anyone racing a 12C GT3 in 2012. Read More!

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is the large Audi for the sporty individualist - the high-performance SUV for sport, leisure, family and business. Now Audi has made it even more powerful and efficient, with a choice of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

Even more power, even higher efficiency: Audi has revised the engine lineup for the Q7. The two gasoline engines, both V6 units but with different power outputs, are new, and so is the second-generation V6 TDI. A mighty V8 diesel completes the range. All the engines for the Audi Q7 combine two technologies: forced induction and direct fuel injection. A high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item with all six- and eight-cylinder engines.

The new 3.0 TFSI gasoline engine embodies Audi's downsizing strategy: replacing engine displacement with supercharging. Within the 90-degree angle formed by its cylinder blocks there is an engine-driven supercharger that compresses the intake air. Two charge-air intercoolers prevent the air temperature from rising, so that the engine draws in more oxygen for the combustion process. Vigorous thrust and spontaneous throttle response make the 3.0 TFSI engine, with its sonorous note, an ideal source of power for the large high-performance SUV from Audi.

Two versions of the supercharged V6 are available. The basic version develops 200 kW (272 hp) and has a maximum torque of 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) over a broad engine-speed range from 2,250 to 4,750 rpm. It accelerates the Audi Q7 in 7.9 seconds from a standing start to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and gives it a top speed of 222 km/h (137.94 mph), or 225 km/h (139.81 mph) with adaptive air suspension.

The more powerful version of the 3.0 TFSI delivers 245 kW (333 hp) and a torque of 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm. 100 km/h (62.14 mph) are reached in 6.9 seconds, with powerful forward progress continuing until 243 km/h (150.99 mph) are reached; with adaptive air suspension the top speed is 245 km/h (152.24 mph). Both versions of the 3.0 TFSI are impressively efficient: in the EU fuel consumption test cycle they are content with 10.7 liters per 100 kilometers (21.98 US mpg). Compared with the previous engines, the 3.6 FSI and the 4.2 FSI, fuel consumption has been reduced by 1.4 and 2.0 l/100 km - 12 and 16 percent respectively. Read More!