Koenigsegg CCXR

Koenigsegg has released official images of its production CCXR Special Edition. Based on the CCX, the CCXR features a body made completely of carbon fiber and is powered by a twin-supercharged 4.7L V8 — good for an astonishing 1018 horsepower- that can run on E85 biofuel.

The result is a car that can go from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds, hit a top speed of over 250 mph and achieve 1.4g on the skidpad. That kind of performance comes at a price, though, with the CXXR listing for €1,575,000. No word on how many CCXRs Koenigsegg plans to produce.

When thinking about super cars, one of the last things that spring to mind is their environmental friendliness. Even though the very low and exclusive production volume of Koenigsegg can hardly be considered to have a measurable impact on the Co2 problem that global society is facing, it is an impressive statement that even a small and extreme company like Koenigsegg can afford to develop environmentally focused solutions.

By following conscientious and forward thinking strategies, Koenigsegg has managed to create CCXR with even more spectacular performance than the standard CCX. These two almost conflicting results are made possible due to the simple fact that the ethanol in bio fuel has the positive side effect of cooling the combustion chambers, as well as a higher octane value, well over 100 RON, which gives the high power. Due to the fact that the bio fuel has higher octane and cooling characteristics, the torque has gone to 1060 nm at 6100 rpm. It is natural to expect a substantial gain in power when optimizing the engine for E85(biofuel) instead of Petrol. Still the actual gain obtained even surprised the enthusiastic engineers at Koenigsegg. Following the long term strategy of Koenigsegg, all previous CCXs will have the possibility to be converted by the factory to accept the biofuel option and reap the performance and environmental benefits of this wonderful and eco friendly fuel. The CCXR Biofuel upgrade has been developed in-house on the factory's engine dyno by the skilled technicians at Koenigsegg, led by Christian Koenigsegg, Marco Garver and Anders Hoglund from the Koenigsegg partner company Cargine Engineering. Curiously enough the CCXR is the first homologated car currently in production to reach over 1000 BHP. Coupled with its gorgeous looks, the Swedish super car is sure to be on the Christmas list of corporate big-wigs everywhere.

The car is more track biased compared to the standard models, as it has stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, reset dampers and lowered chassis. It also features a fully visible carbon body a large adjustable rear wing, larger front splitter and side strakes for increased down force and a unique forged wheel design. The interior is also reworked and features; color matched leather carpets, Edition side step plates, Edition chronograph instrument cluster, New edition only layout for the center console control panels. All other extra equipment comes as standard, such as Carbon Wheels, Special interior trim and color, Rear view camera, Satnav or Bluetooth, Amplifiers, complete Inconell exhaust system in order to save weight. The two first of each version are already spoken for. Unveiling of the Edition versions will be at the Geneva Motor show in March 2008, where the first delivery will take place.

The CCXR will take you to an entirely new level of performance. The CCXR is the first green supercar in the world and thereby sets a great example for others to follow. Since the ethanol in E85 fuel has a much higher octane rating and internal cooling capacity, the engine can run with higher compression, boost pressure and more spark advance compared to the normal petrol-fuelled CCX, whilst still maintaining the same exhaust temperature.

Weight-to-power ratio is 2.76 lb/hp. Torque is 782 ft-lb (1,060 Nm). The CCXR can achieve 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.1 seconds. Christian von Koenigsegg is quoted as saying, "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car". The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with about 15 mpg (17L/100km). The only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings and a higher boost setting on the superchargers.

Mercedes Designs Racing Car of the Future

In 2025, an ageing Lewis Hamilton could be racing around Silverstone in something resembling this Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero concept. The futuristic vehicle is adorned with technical wizardry from bonnet to boot - all the ensure that the maximum power possible is sucked from its electric hub motors.


Energy conservation si the name of the game for this year's LA Auto Show's Design Challenge Awards, where the world's largest car makers, including Audi, BMW, Honda and VW, were asked to design an eco-conscious F1 car for the year 2025. Mercedes' effort is furnished with aero-efficient solar skin, giving the engines a boost of energy when stocks are running low. And, not altogether unsurprisingly, Mercedes has adjusted the rules of racing to fit its new-found love for sustainable sources; no longer is the fastest car the winner. In Mercedes' world, the team who has managed its energy allocation with the most efficiency lifts the trophy.


The rigid sail apparently equips the vehicle with the "grace and efficiency of yacht racing" and the track dynamics of a bobsled. A hybrid car in the purest sense of the word, and one which Hamilton may need a few more lessons to manage.


The winner of the Design Challenge Award will be announced on 20 November and will be posted here on Car Journal

UPDATE: The Mazda KAAN won the LA Auto Show's Design Challenge Awards.

Clan Crusader

The Clan Crusader was produced by the Clan Motor Company in Washington, Tyne and Wear in the United Kingdon between 1970 and 1974, and since then several efforts have been made to bring the car back to production.

The Clan Crusader typically had a Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Monocoque (French for single [mono] and shell [coque]), body with Hillman Imp Sports Engine from the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe).

The Clan Crusader was designed by a group of engineers who had previously worked for Lotus and were led by Paul Haussauer with John Frayling focusing on the styling. The Clan company was set up in 1969, and production started in 1971 at a new factory in Washington set up with the help of a government grant.

The Clan Crusader was available fully built or in a kit version. Although the car received good reviews and achieved some competition success, it was expensive at £1,400 when compared with rivals and as a result the company shut down in November 1973. Total production of the first phase of the Clan Crusader was 315.

The exact specs of the Clan Crusader (licence plate: NYL 7L) in these Car Journal photos are as follows:

Engine
Rear mounted, 55 BHP, 4 Cylinder, 875 CC. All aluminium, Single overhead Camshaft with Twin Spromberg Carburettors. Based on the Coventry Climax Featherweight design.

Transmission
Transaxel containing 4 speed all syncromesh gearbox with Hypod bevel final drive

This Clan Crusader has been an on-going restoration project since 1992 and the car has been off the road and dry stored. It was put back on the road for the Clan Owners Club 30th anniversary on 1st June 2008.

RAC - Royal Automobile Club

The RAC is a UK breakdown company that was originally formed in 1897 to assist members with motoring services including roadside assistance. During the early 1900's the RAC started to introduce mobile patrols that saw the patrolmen wearing a uniform that was very similar to the military police of the day, they even had an rank structure very similar to the army! They rode around on motorbikes and sidecars to carry their tool kit and an array of spare parts (fan belts, engine hoses, fluids and spare petrol). The only way the controllers could contact the mobile patrol men was by telephone, so they had to wait in laybys and at major road junctions by the public telephone box so they could be contacted. This was until the advent of basic radio sets around 1930, which allowed two way contact with the local HQ.


During the 1960s the patrol men upgraded to small vans and by 1970 the last of the motorcycle patrols had been superseded. Most roadside telephones had been phased out and the advent of the mobile telephone saw the remaining roadside telephones become redundant and the last of the RAC telephones were withdrawn from service.


Since being sold by the members of the Royal Automobile Club in September 1999 to Lex Service plc, who in 2002 renamed themselves RAC plc, RAC was been acquired by Aviva plc for around £1.1 billion.


Car Journal hopes you enjoy the photos taken of our friendly local RAC patrol man in action in London one night in August 2008.

Porsche's new Panamera

As Car Journal reported back in February 2008, the Porsche Panamera is going to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva motor show.

The Porsche Panamera is the fifth range from Porsche (Porsche Boxter, Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911, Porsche Cayenne) and is developed to be a strong competitor to the Volkswagen four-door coupé, the future Aston Martin Rapide and the Mercedes CLS.

Even thought the Porsche Panamera takes some inspiration from the design elements of the 911 range, there are also significant differences:

While the Porsche 911 has always kept its rear-mounted boxer engine, the Porsche Panamera will be available with a choice of three front-mounted motors although they are set back as far towards the centre of the car as possible.

Powering the entry level Panamera will be Volkswagen’s 3.5 litre 6 cylinder motor developing 300 bhp, while Porsche’s own drive train will be a direct-injection eight-cylinder petrol engine, available in naturally-aspirated guise (350 bhp) and with twin-turbo (560 bhp).

The Porsche Panamera should have enough grunt to be enough to beat the competition for a while as Mercedes’ CLS 63 AMG comes up with "only" 514 bhp! However, should Stuttgart make the CLS even stronger, Zuffenhausen would strike back with the Porsche GT’s 700-bhp ten-cylinder unit!

The aim of the Porsche Panamera is to be a true sports car while at the same time it shall be a family car for every day use with 4 full seats, a luggage compartment of around 450 litres and easy access to the rear. When it hits the road in 2009, Porsche hopes to be able to sell 20,000 units annually – and to jump over the barrier of 100,000 sold cars per year.