CAN AM SPYDER Raffi Ahmad

Engine

Manufacturer................................BRP-Rotax

Type.............................................. 990 V-Twin

Displacement...............................60.90 in3 (998cc)

Bore.............................................. 3.82 in (97 mm)

Stroke...........................................2 .68 in (68 mm)

Cylinder........................................2

Valves per cylinder.......................DOHC 4

Max output...................................106 hp @ 8500 rpm

(79 kW @ 8500 rpm)

Max torque...................................77 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm

(104.3 Nm @ 6250 rpm)

Compression ratio........................10.8:1

Ignition type.................................Electronic ignition with

dual output coil

Lubrication....................................5W4 0 BRP synthetic oil

Exhaust system.............................2-into-1 with catalytic converter

Cooling.........................................Li quid cooled

Injection........................................M ulti-point EFI with 57 mm

diameter throttle bodies

Drive Train

Gear box......................................Sequentia l Manual 5-Speed (SM5)

with transmission-based reverse

Optional gear box........................Sequential Electronic 5-Speed (SE5)

with transmission-based reverse

Final drive.....................................28/79 ratio final drive with

Carbon-reinforced drive belt

Clutch...........................................W et, multi-plate, manual or electronic

operation through a hydraulic piston

Electric Equipment

Magneto.......................................500 Watt

Starter........................................... Electric

Battery..........................................D ry Cell, 12V, 21 Amp

Geometry

Front suspension..........................Double A-Arm with anti-roll bar

Front suspension travel................5.67 in (144 mm) with adjustable cam

Rear suspension...........................Swing-arm with monoshock

Rear suspension travel.................5.71 in (145 mm) with adjustable cam

Chassis type.................................SST Spyder

(Surrounding Spar Technology)

Steering........................................DP S (Dynamic Power Steering)

Tires & Wheels

Front tire.......................................KR21 165/65R14

Front nominal pressure................13-17 psi (89-117 kPa)

Rear tire........................................KR21 225/50R15

Rear nominal pressure..................26-30 psi (179-207 kPa)

Wheel size, front...........................Aluminum 14x5 (355x127)

Wheel size, rear............................Aluminum 15x7 (381x178)

Brakes

Type..........................................Foot-actuated, fully integrated

hydraulic 3-wheel braking system

Front braking system................4 piston calipers with 10.2 in x 0.25 in

(260 mm x 6 mm) discs

Rear braking system.................Single-piston caliper with 10.2 in x 0.25 in

(260 mm x 6 mm) disc

EBD..........................................Elect ronic Brake Distribution

ABS...........................................Anti-lock Braking System

Parking brake...........................Mechanical, foot actuated to the

rear caliper

Safety & Security

VSS...........................................Vehi cle Stability System

ABS...........................................Anti-lock Braking System

TCS...........................................Trac tion Control System

SCS...........................................Stab ility Control System with

Roll-Over Mitigation

DPS...........................................Dyna mic Power Steering

DESS.........................................Digit ally Encoded Security System

Vehicle Dimensions & Weights

Dry vehicle weight....................697 lbs (316 kg)

Front storage capacity.............2,685 in3 (44 l)

Front max load capacity...........30 lbs (15.9 kg)

Total vehicle load allowed........440 lbs (200 kg)

Fuel capacity............................6.6 US gal (25 l)

Oil capacity..............................1.19 US gal (4.5 l)

Coolant capacity......................0.85 US gal (3.2 l)

GVWR.......................................1,188 lbs (540 kg)

Ground clearance.....................4.5 in (115 mm)

Vehicle overall height...............45.1 in (1,145 mm)

Vehicle overall length...............105 in (2,667 mm)

Vehicle overall width................59.3 in (1,506 mm)

Seat (top) height.......................29 in (737 mm)

Wheel base..............................68 in (1,727 mm)

Wheel track, front.....................51.5 in (1,308 mm)

Type of gas...............................Unleaded, 87 octane minimum

Features & Main Options

Color choices...........................Full Moon

Millennium Yellow

Roadster Red

Instrumentation........................Dual analog and LCD w/speedometer,

tachometer, electric fuel gauge,

daily trip (A & B) meters, engine

temperature, ambient temperature

and gear position indicator. Information

displayed in either metric or US Standards

Main options............................Fog lights, xenon lights,

mono seat cover, racing exhaust pipe,

travel bags, cargo liner, passenger

backrest, low and high windshields

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Grand Am Lime Rock coverage

Morning practice is over and the race will begin in a few hours. Here's a link to a gallery of photos from morning practice I just shot. More photos later today.

2010 New Lotus Sports Cars Exige S240

British performance sports car manufacturer Lotus has officially unveiled their 2010 Lotus Exige S240.  While Lotus fans will recognize this as a very subtle update, the grille and rear wing facelift is a step forward for the mark. The exciting new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 enters the United States and Canadian markets in the fall of 2009 with new front styling, a new rear wing and the same rare combination of exceptional performance and high efficiency.

2010 New Lotus Sports Cars Exige S240

The Lotus Exige S240 features a roof integrated air intake scoop feeds air through the air-to-air intercooled and supercharged 1.8 liter Lotus-tuned and Toyota-sourced 2ZZ-GE engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) to provide 240hp at 8,000 rpm and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque at 5,500.

The 2010 Lotus Exige S240 sprints to 60 mph in a blistering 4.1 seconds and the 100 mph barrier sails by in approximately 10 seconds with top speed is 150 mph. The Lotus Exige S240 is equipped with a 6-speed transaxle synchromesh transmission, traction control and launch control. New for 2010, the optional Track Package will include adjustable Ohlins dampers with threaded spring perches and remote oil reservoirs front and rear.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation as the choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track. The 2010 Exige S240 introduces a few key enhancements to update the appearance and improve aerodynamic performance. A restyled front end and new larger, low drag rear wing, not only reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.

Passing along lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing program, Lotus Sport Cars has contributed another important technology – variable launch control combined with variable traction control. The launch control allows the driver to determine the number of revs they wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, the driver then holds their foot down fully on the throttle pedal and sidesteps the clutch pedal for a very quick departure from the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch to transmission engagement to minimize the stresses to the drivetrain. The launch control also keeps wheel-spin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also beautifully designed as Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design, explains, "For 2010 we have taken the already visually extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have integrated to the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The functional rear wing is race-inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter give a more hard-edged and aggressive look. Overall, the Exige appears more planted and gives the illusion that both the front and rear of the car are wider than they really are, yet without losing its agile and sleek character."

The new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 is scheduled to launch in the US and Canada in the Fall of 2009. This new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 goes on sale this fall with a starting price of $65,690 and will be available in an upgraded track package with added performance benefits. The 2010 Lotus Exige S240 will hit U.S. and Canadian markets this Autumn.

GSX-R 25th anniversary

The first Suzuki to bear the GSX-R name was the 750F, launched back in 1985. Twenty-five years later, Suzuki has created special editions based on the current GSX-R range to celebrate the anniversary.



Earlier this year saw the arrival of the GSX-R600 and GSX-R750 Limited Editions. Both had blue and white paintwork inspired by earlier versions of the bikes, Yoshimura exhausts and commemorative plaques.



Now it’s the turn of the GSX-R1000 to get the Limited Edition treatment. Like its smaller siblings, it gets engraved Yoshimura exhaust end cans and a numbered plaque, but it also features laser etched wheel rim graphics and a unique colour scheme.

Perhaps confusing 25th and 50th anniversaries, Suzuki has gone for gold and white paint (surely silver would’ve been more appropriate?). Fair enough, except that the gold colour looks suspiciously like brown from the pictures.



That probably won’t put off buyers of the twenty-five examples that’ll be available in the UK, out of a total world-wide production of 1,000. And nor will the price: at £11,125 on the road, customers will be paying a £651 premium over the standard bike for what are - exhaust apart - purely cosmetic changes.



The order book for the GSX-R1000 Limited Edition opens on 1 June 2010 via the Suzuki website.

Fiat Palio Fire presents Economy in 2011

The Palio Fire Economy will likely suffer more with the arrival of the New Uno than competitors. So Moved Fiat model to rearrange it indoors. The line in 2011 won the hatch and had slight visual touches your list of equipment increased. Price: from R $ 26,570 in two-door version, and R $ 28,330 in four-door body - around 1% over the 2010 model.

Visually, there are new front grille, new wheel covers and wheels and lights dimmed, while inside the client will find different coating banks and door panels. A list of equipment was also changed. All Palio Fire Economy now comes standard with power steering. Among the options, the new kit is the 11th Celebration. For U.S. $ 3170, the consumer takes air conditioning and electric front windows and locks.

Mini confirms production of the Beachcomber

Unveiled at Detroit in January, the Mini Beachcomber enter into production. The CEO of British manufacturer, Wolfgang Armbrecht, said the public was so receptive to the model that there remained no choice but to make it. However, his arrival in the markets where it operates the Mini still has no date.

With doors, roof and trunk lid removable, the Beachcomber is inspired by the Moke, Jeep manufactured by the company in the 60s. His suspension is high and the tires are designed for rough terrain. The Mini has not yet confirmed, but the new crossover should use same 1.6 engine turbo 175 hp Cooper S.

Infiniti: Next G and M will be based on the Mercedes E-Class

Carlos Ghosn continues its market for Mercedes and the organ bank of the manufacturer of Stuttgart. The new Franco-German alliance will impact on future Infiniti since according to the Japanese magazine Best Car, the next generation Infiniti G and M will enjoy the excellent platform of the Mercedes E Class.