Jan 6, 2011 9:44:31 PM
WAY:
This is very interesting. It completes the circle for the chassis doesn't it? Wasn't the CGT designed as a Le Mans race car first?
Not really. There was a Le Mans race car designed and built which then got canned because the racing classifications were changed to Porsche's disadvantage.
The Carrera GT concept car project was started as an exercise to usefully occupy the team which would otherwise have worked on the racing project. The concept car was then eventually given the thumbs-up and went into production.
If the Carrera GT had been intended to be an uncompromising Le Mans racing car it would have looked quite different to the way it turned out.
fritz
Jan 6, 2011 11:18:34 PM
Jan 7, 2011 1:16:35 AM
Thanks Fritz for the details on the CGT. I thought the initial racing project was a base for the CGT which was designed after they had sunk money into the racing program but which was then changed its regulations. Of course the racing model would have looked quite different from the CGT, which was designed for the road to recoup some money already lost i guess.
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
Jan 7, 2011 3:17:50 AM
Jan 7, 2011 5:58:10 AM
Jan 7, 2011 7:17:00 AM
Le Mans regulations for 2011...
What changes in 2011 - The Rules...
Six years after the last major overhaul, the Competition Rules "Le Mans" are changing profoundly.
Side bodywork, and aerodynamics still enjoy great freedom of imagination. Thus, Peugeot and Audi are opting for closed cockpit cars Aston Martin have gone for the open top. These prototypes are the trademarks of their genetic heritage, particularly in the design of the front grille or headlights. However, the shapes of LMP cars remain essentially carved by the wind, and that makes them thin and sleek silhouettes. In summary, apart from the addition of a "shark fin" on the rear cover, new prototypes will retain the general outward appearance of their predecessors.
To meet the escalating speeds recorded in recent years, the engine capacity allowance has been substantially reduced. This transformation is perfectly in tune with the ecological trend called downsizing which aims to reduce the cubic capacity of our cars but maintaining a satisfactory power. The engine can still evolve technology of petrol or "diesel, atmospheric or turbocharged, and even hybrids. All types of KERS can now be proposed and coupled to either the front or rear axle.
The development of the LM P2 category's priority is to reduce costs, also serves ecology. The use of engines from the production cars is a consequence of this approach in favour of private teams.
Finally, the GT1 category is deleted, and the GTE class takes 95% of the previous GT2. To accommodate these road-based sportscars, two classes have been created: GTE Pro and GTE Am (for amateur drivers).
What changes in 2011? - Competitors...
The new technical regulations and the continuing popularity of endurance racing are bringing on changes...
LM P1
Audi, Peugeot and Aston Martin are preparing their new machines and should be the favourites of the "Le Mans" series' (90X, R18 and Aston Martin LM P1). For some weeks, we have known that the world's largest automaker, Toyota, will make a comeback as an engine in the Rebellion Lola. 2011 is also the year that Henri Pescarolo will resurrect his eponymous team and commitment of Oak Racing in the premier category. Like ASM, the official partner of Ginetta Zytek, several competitors intend to profit from the reduction in engine displacement to transform their LM P2 into an LM P1. New competitors, such as Art Grand Prix, could join Oreca or Signature. Finally, the PoleVision Hope team is the first to be openly embark on a project using a hybrid motor vehicle. Peugeot and Audi are considering it too.
LM P2
Motors for the 'small' prototypes are now to be based on those used in road going cars, prompting many brands to invest in the category such as Nissan or Ford (Roush Yates) who join the faithful Judd and Honda. The teams also have a wide choice of chassis, including those of Oreca, Pescarolo, Lola, Riley, Ginetta, Norma, WR, etc.. In September, the new Lotus is expected to make its first laps.
GTE
After five seasons of loyal service, the Ferrari 430 GT will be replaced by the 458 GTC derived from the 458 Italia. Initially seen at Petit Le Mans, the debut of the Panoz Abruzzi will finally be at the 12 Hours of Sebring on the 19th of March. Lotus are definitely present on all fronts, will launch its new Evora soon and the GT2 of Team Jet Alliance will be seen in the ILMC. No less than ten Ford LMGT Endurance, distant descendants of the legendary GT40, will be produced and entered in various series. Finally Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lamborghini and Spyker are still in the game with models evolved during the winter months.
Jan 7, 2011 9:05:38 AM
reginos:
Spyderidol:
absolutely correct Fritz.
The CGT was not designed for the race track.
I think the V-10 engine was originally intended for a LM race car.
Correct! The engine was from the aborted LMP1 project, but the rest of the car was not designed for the race track. In fact , the rules at the time did not allow for carbon fiber chassis.
Jan 7, 2011 9:45:58 AM
There have been some slight changes to the new rules. Mechanical or Electromechanical flywheels are now allowed.
Here is the updated version of the rules: www.lemans.org/wpphpFichiers/1/1/ressources/Pdf/2011/24heures_du_mans/reglements/2011-technical-regulations-lmp.pdf
Jan 7, 2011 1:06:00 PM
bran new video , a sneak peak on the preparations for the show
even though the car is covered , it looks great
Jan 10, 2011 6:45:06 AM
Yup, it has the exhausts of the 918 at least.
In an earlier screengrab you can see that it has a single rainwiper on the front windscreen.
In another screengrab, you can see a rather intrigueing panel division between the hood and the front bumper... something we hadn't seen on the 918spyder before...
Jan 10, 2011 7:15:36 AM
Jan 10, 2011 7:19:00 AM
Jan 10, 2011 7:23:56 AM
Jan 10, 2011 7:27:21 AM
WAY:
So what time is the unveiling? It's 2.23am there now. Hope it is before sleep time for me (it's 6.23pm here).
Me asking the same...
Jan 10, 2011 7:53:35 AM
Joost:
Yup, it has the exhausts of the 918 at least.
In an earlier screengrab you can see that it has a single rainwiper on the front windscreen.
In another screengrab, you can see a rather intrigueing panel division between the hood and the front bumper... something we hadn't seen on the 918spyder before...
I can die...
Jan 10, 2011 7:58:00 AM
Jan 10, 2011 9:31:10 AM
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is starting 2011 with an important show debut in its largest market, the USA. At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 10 to 23) Porsche will be giving a new model its world debut – and various other models their first showing in the USA. The premieres will be broadcast live on the Porsche website www.porsche.com/detroit as webcasts.
The website still not available :(
2008 Range Rover Sport Supercharged
2007 997 GT3
2006 Mercedes G500
1993 964 Turbo (Sold)
Jan 10, 2011 9:39:33 AM