Virgin Galatic Joins the Satellite-Launch Fray
Virgin Galactic has announced plans to enter the commercial space payload delivery business, with Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson making the announcement at the Farnborough International Airshow in England. Virgin Galactic will use the same aircraft designed to launch passengers aboard SpaceShipTwo on sub-orbital space tourism rides, to carry a small, two-stage rocket capable of delivering satellites into low earth orbit.
The announcement isn’t a huge surprise, as it’s long been assumed the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft would serve as a launch platform for other space-bound vehicles beyond SpaceShipTwo. Keeping the naming of its space vehicles relatively simple, LauncherOne is capable of carrying up to 500 pounds (225 kilograms) to low earth orbit for less than $ 10 million.
“Virgin Galactic’s goal is to revolutionize the way we get to space,” Branson said at Farnborough. “Now, LauncherOne is bringing the price of satellite launch into the realm of affordability for innovators everywhere, from start-ups and schools to established companies and national space agencies. It will be a critical new tool for the global research community, enabling us all to learn about our home planet more quickly and affordably.”
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO: $30m car crashed
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of only 39 ever built and valued at over $ 30 million, has been crashed in France in what reports suggest is the world’s most expensive car crash.
The 1962 Prancing Horse icon, purchased by US businessman Christopher Cox in 2005, was part of a 50th anniversary Ferrari 250 GTO celebratory tour when a collision occurred involving another car outside Saint-Etienne-des-Guerets near Blois in central France.
While details are slim, reports say the vehicle left the famous Reims-Gueux racetrack and collided with enough force to break the leg of Cox’s passenger, and wife, Ann.
Originally red, chassis number 3445GT was painted in the blue and yellow livery in 1963 to match the colours of its Swedish racing driver Ulf Norinder, who passed away in 1978.
It isn’t the car’s first crash either; in 1976 the GTO was damaged enough to lead to a full restoration prior to Cox taking ownership. The car has also previously appeared at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California.
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Porsche sales up 14% in first half of 2012
Porsche AG announced today that it had a very successful first half of 2012 with a total of 69,171 units sold in the first 6 months. Deliveries were up 14 percent compared to the same period in 2011. In June alone, Porsche sold a total of 12,699 units – up 18.9 percent.
“Porsche successfully continued on its growth path in the first half of the year,” said Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG. “However, we cannot separate ourselves from the economy as a whole. With regard to the European Economic in particular, we will continue to monitor developments closely and respond quickly if necessary. Nevertheless, we are currently planning for double-digit growth in 2012.”
Sales my model:
- Porsche 911: 14,338 units sold.
- Porsche Panamera: 15,601 units sold.
- Porsche Cayenne: 34,727 units sold.
- Others: 4,505.
More info about Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage Roadster
Last week, we brought you the first pictures of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster. Now, the company has announced that a 517-horsepower 6.0L V12 engine will team up with a six-speed manual transmission to send the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, or 0.3 second slower than the coupe. At 1,760 kilograms, the Roadster is also 80-kg heavier.
As the most potent of Aston Martin convertibles, this one can reach a top speed of 305 km/h.
Once again, drivers will be able to choose between two operating modes – Normal and Sport. The latter offers a sharper throttle response along with a more aggressive exhaust note.
Carbon fibre is used for the hood, hand-made front splitter and rear diffuser, mirror caps and other places. Meanwhile, the rear spoiler incorporates a more pronounced ”flip.”
An interior trim package comprising a carbon fibre fascia and gearshift surround is available for those seeking to customize their ride.
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Vauxhall Ampera Pricing and Specs
As the sales of the new Vauxhall Ampera – the European (or British) version of Chevrolet Volt – begins, the car maker announced final pricing and specifications of this highly anticipated EV. The base model is called the Ampera Earth, and it starts at £29,995 including Plug in Car Grant. The Nissan LEAF can start panicking right now, because unlike that, the Ampera has a range-extender engine, and therefore big range.
The Ampera is very well-equipped too. The entry-level Earth comes with features such as DAB, 7-inch touch screen display and bluetooth, while the higher grade – Positiv and Electron – add high-end equipments such as Park Assist, leather seats and steering, heated seats, Bose sound system and hard drive-based navigation.The Earth is available to order in four exterior colours and is offered with a black cloth trim.
The Ampera goes on sale through a network of 24 retailers, each of which has four specialists, two in sales and two in aftersales. The retailers also provide a free collection and delivery service for scheduled servicing, warranty and repair work.
Here’s the full list of specs for the Vauxhall Ampera:
| Navigation, 7″ Colour Touch Screen | ||
| 30GB HDD | ||
| DVD-ROM | ||
| Bose System – 6 speakers & Sub-woofer | ||
| Front & Rear Park Assist Incl. Rear View Camera | ** | |
| Front Heated Seats | ** | |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ** | |
| Leather Seats | ** | |
| AM/FM/CD/MP3 Radio | * | ** |
| Digital Audio Broadcast Radio | * | ** |
| 7” Touch Screen | * | ** |
| Bluetooth Mobile Phone Connectivity | * | ** |
| Thatcham, Category 1 Car Alarm | * | ** |
| Electronic Climate Control incl. Air Conditioning | * | ** |
| Remote Keyless Entry | * | ** |
| Cruise Control | * | ** |
| Power Windows (F&R), Locks, Mirrors | * | ** |
| Rake/Reach Column | * | ** |
| Battery & Cabin Preconditioning | * | ** |
| 7” Reconfigurable Driver Information Cluster | * | ** |
| 3 Interior Power Outlets | * | ** |
| (3.3KW OnBoard Charger) | * | ** |
| (220V Charge Cord) | * | ** |
| 17” Painted Aluminium Wheels | * | ** |
| Head Restraint, Front Seat, Passive Lockable | * | ** |
| Earth £29,995.00 (inclusive of PiCG) |
Positiv £32,250.00 (inclusive of PiCG) |
Electron £33,995.00 (inclusive of PiCG) |
Official: BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe by AC Schnitzer
AC Schnitzer, BMW, Car News — By MR on July 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm — No Comments
AC Schnitzer has released their new program for the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe. The complete package offers a range of upgrades, like a performance upgrade from 313 to 360hp for the BMW 640d and from 320 to 360hp for the 640i model.
The improved acceleration is accompanied by an AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer with chromed Sports Trim tailpipes (right/left), also available in export version. Deceleration has been perfected using the AC Schnitzer eight-piston high performance brake system, only available for the front. The system consists of an eight-piston fixed caliper (left/right), an eight-piece set of brake pads and brake caliper holders. Other technical change is the AC Schnitzer suspension spring kit.
The bodywork components for the 6-series Gran Coupé by AC Schnitzer feature a front spoiler, chromed front grille with chrome strip, rear skirt extension and rear skirt protective film. On the inside the specialist from Aachen fitted the AC Schnitzer Evo sports airbag steering wheel, the Black Line aluminium cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminium footrests and pedals, and velours floor mats.
The coupe’s wheel arches are filled with wheels of various styles (Type IV BiColor, Type IV silver, Type VIII BiColor, black and silver), in 19 or 20 inch depending on the customer’s choice. Lightweight forged alloys and forged racing rims Type VIII BiColor are available in sizes 9.0×21 and 10.0×21 inch with 255/30 R21 tyres on the front and 295/25 R21 tyres on the rear.
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