Tag: sports car

Lamborghini’s V10 era ends with 2024’s limited-edition Huracan STJ

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Lamborghini is set to replace the V-10 engine Huracan with the 2024 Lamborghini Huracan STJ, a limited-edition variant of the Huracan STO.

Only 10 units of this model will be produced, each featuring a carbon fibre identification plate displaying its build number.

The STJ, standing for ‘Jota’, is inspired by the Huracans used in Lamborghini’s one-make series, the Super Trofeo. The ‘Jota’ refers to Appendix J of the FIA rulebook, which outlines the specifications for touring and GT cars.

The STJ, which offers exclusivity and improved performance over the STO, will come equipped with a unique aero package, including additional scoop-like wings on the bumper, a more aggressive rear wing angle for increased downforce, and adjustable race-derived shocks with special tuning.

Also Read: Citroen exports Made-In-India e-C3 EVs globally, a first for multinational carmakers

It also features unique Bridgestone Potenza Race compounds. These modifications reportedly shave a second off the STO’s lap time at the Nardò Technical Center Handling Track.

The Huracan STJ is powered by the same 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 as the Huracan STO. This powertrain churns out 630hp of power and 565Nm torque. It is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox powering the rear wheels.

The STJ also uses special Bridgestone Potenza racing tyres installed on 20-inch single-nut rims. Moreover, a new set of race-derived, four-way adjustable shock absorbers has been fitted, which allows for increased stiffness and improved handling.

Also Read: Bajaj unveils 2024 Pulsar N250: New colours and features at nominal price hike

Two liveries are available for the STJ: Grigio Telesto with a Nero Noctis roof and Rosso Mars and Bianco Isi details, or Blu Eliadi with the same secondary colours. The interior is black Alcantara with red contrasting stitching.

Pricing details are yet to be announced, but with only 10 units being made, they are expected to be claimed quickly. The Huracan’s replacement is anticipated to be powered by a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V-8 with a performance-enhancing hybrid system.

Also Read: Tata Punch tops March sales, Hyundai Creta close second, Maruti slips to No. 3 for the first time

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Porsche debuts its flagship track-focused sports car 718 Cayman GT4 RS in India

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Porsche, on Wednesday, showcased its most hardcore version of the 718 line-up, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS in India for the first time. The latest flagship model of the 718 family was launched in the country in May 2022 for Rs 2.54 crore (ex-showroom, India).

German automobile manufacturer’s GT4 RS is the most hardcore, track-oriented and performance-focused car that Porsche has ever created for the 718 line-up. The Cayman 718 GT4 RS holds a record lap time of 7:09.03 seconds at Germany’s Nurburgring racetrack. It can also sprint from 0 to 100kmph in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 315 kmph.

Design and features

The Porsche GT4 RS, which is a hardcore track-focused sports car, is the top-spec variant of the 718 Cayman and gets several additional aerodynamic updates and a top-mounted rear spoiler to aid on-road and on-track performance. The car also has a large front splitter with guiding vanes on either side and a carbon-fibre bonnet with NACA ducts.

The inside of the sports car gets a standard design similar to the rest of the 718 family, but with extra carbon fibre parts to help in weight management. This, however, can be further customised as Porsche offers additional options like full bucket seats or 18-way adjustable seats. The GT4 RS comes equipped with two-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay-enabled infotainment system and a semi-digital instrument cluster with a 4.6-inch display.

Also Read: Mercedes India posts highest sales in 2022, expects EVs to contribute 25% by 2025

Powertrain and customisation options

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS gets its juices through a mid-mounted 4.0-litre 6-cylinder engine that develops 493 BHP and 450 Nm. The power unit is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The track-focused sports car also comes with additional features like torque vectoring, mechanical rear locking differential, race-tuned suspension, anti-roll bar and more.

Moreover, the GT4 RS is 35 kg lighter than the Cayman GTS and features an RS-specific suspension setup. The GT4 RS rides on 20-inch aluminium wheels and braking is handled by 408 mm at the front and 308 mm disc brakes at the rear.

While the range-topping version of the 718 line-up, the GT4 RS is only available in the coupe body style, Porsche still offers a long list of aesthetic and performance-oriented add-ons like the Weissach package at Rs 32 lakh, custom exterior colours for Rs 20 lakh, Bose sound system for Rs 2.4 lakh, Magnesium wheels for Rs 30 lakh, ceramic brakes for 16 lakh and many more.

Also Read: India Mercedes Benz’s 2nd biggest engineering hub, CEO Ola Kallenius wants to invest more

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Lamborghini crosses 400 cumulative sales mark in India

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Italian luxury sports car maker Automobili Lamborghini on Monday said it has crossed the 400 cumulative sales mark in India since initiating full-scale operations in 2007.

“We are pleased to announce the achievement of 400 Lamborghini in India and mark the Lamborghini Day experience with this milestone achievement along with our customers who have supported us in this journey,” Head of Lamborghini India Sharad Agarwal said in a statement.

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The company offers unique platforms where existing and prospective customers can experience the values that define the Lamborghini brand in India, he added.

To mark the sales milestone and showcase its leadership position in the super-luxury car segment, Lamborghini India curated its third edition of ‘Lamborghini Day’ in Goa.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Porsche launches 718 Spyder, 718 Cayman GT4 models in India; check price, features

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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c carmaker Porsche on Tuesday said it has launched 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 in India, with prices of the two models starting at Rs 1.59 crore and 1.63 crore (ex-showroom), respectively.

Featuring a newly-developed 420 PS six-cylinder engine mated to six-speed manual transmission, the models appeal to the most hardened sports car enthusiasts, Porsche said in a statement.

Whilst the GT4 represents the entry-level GT road model from Porsche, the Spyder is geared towards open-top, dynamic driving, it added.

“The 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder are about unrivalled driving fun and sheer emotions. They are the perfect sports car for those who like to push the limits and enjoy a racing pulse,” Porsche India Head of Sales Ashish Kaul said.

With a limited allocation for the Indian market, the 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder will be a rare sight on the streets, he added.

Where allowed, the Cayman GT4 reaches a top speed of 304 km/h, with the Spyder also passing the 300 km/h barrier at 301km/h. Both models reach 100 km/h from standstill in 4.4 seconds.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Aston Martin unveils ‘sports car for the skies’ at airshow

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

James Bond would love it. Aston Martin, maker of the luxury sports cars favoured by the fictional British spy, has now come up with a futuristic personal aircraft it has dubbed “a sports car for the skies”.

Aston Martin unveiled the three-seater hybrid-electric vehicle this week at the Farnborough Airshow and, though the concept remains for now the stuff of science fiction, believes it could help one day to revolutionise travel.

The Volante Vision Concept design has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities and will be able to hit speeds of around 200 miles per hour (322 kph), “so you can go from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London in about 30 minutes,” Aston Martin’s Simon Sproule told Reuters.

Aviation and technology leaders are working to make electric-powered flying taxis a reality, including Airbus, US ride-sharing firm Uber and a range of start-ups including one backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, called Kitty Hawk.

Aston Martin believes it could corner the market for luxury flying vehicles in the future.

“The same way that you have Uber and you have an Aston Martin, you’ll have ‘Uber in the skies’ and you’ll have ‘Aston Martin in the skies’,” said Sproule, adding that such an aircraft won’t come cheap.

“This is clearly a luxury object – it’s a sports car for the skies – so pricing is going to be commensurate with that, so certainly into the seven figures.”

“Feels like a fighter jet”

The company has partnered with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and British jet engine maker Rolls-Royce to develop the concept vehicle, including artificial intelligence-powered autonomous capabilities.

“It feels like a fighter jet but at the same time it has the Aston Martin luxury,” said David Debney, chief of future aircraft concepts at Rolls-Royce.

Commenting on how to pilot the vehicle, Cranfield’s Helen Atkinson said: “You’ve got to detect what’s going on in the external environment and then turn that around incredibly quickly in the computer system with the artificial intelligence built in to actually achieve the necessary level of autonomy.”

Separately at Farnborough, Rolls-Royce unveiled plans for a flying taxi – an electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) vehicle which could carry four to five people at speeds of up to 250 miles (400 km) per hour for approximately 500 miles.

The company said it was starting a search for partners to help develop a project it hopes could take to the skies as soon as early next decade.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow