Ascari KZ1

Ascari KZ1

Ascari KZ1 Video

Ascari KZ1

The relatively unknown Ascari KZ1, (pronounced K-Zed-1 by the English), is the product of Klaas Zwart’s desire to manufacture a truly exclusive super car (Only 50 are built).  The title of “super car” gets thrown around quite a bit in automotive circles.  Having the highest horsepower, the fastest top speed or being the most expensive or prettiest is not enough.  If it were, than the Bugatti Veyron would be the hands down “King of Super Cars.”  (I personally think it looks like a deformed Audi TT).  Instead the super-car designation is given to a car with a combination of elements not least of which is a reasonable level of real-life drivability.  From those that have driven the KZ1, and I am not yet one of them, there are quite a few who claim that it may be the most super of all “super cars.”

Power is provided by a naturally aspirated, 5.0-liter BMW M5-derived eight-cylinder engine.  The hand-molded aluminum engine ignites 500 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 406-ft. lbs. of torque @ 4,500 rpm.  0-60 is attained in 3.7 seconds and the car has a top speed (LIMITED for European road worthiness mind you) to 200 mph!  According to the BBC television show Top Gear it posted the fifth quickest lap time EVER recorded on the series at just over one minute and 20 seconds.  Despite the absence of an electronic stability control system, maneuvering and handling at high speeds are managed with ease due to the mid-motor position.  Ok, that’s all well and good, but the real kicker is that it still manages 18 mpg in town and 26 mpg on the highway.  All is well indeed.

KZ1 on the track


The one complaint given about the KZ1 is that it may be so good, so refined and so polished, that it actually eliminates one of the main thrills of driving such a vehicle; the possibility of danger.  Even the design, which is certainly appealing, isn’t overly exotic either.  The interior, in fact the entire car, is what you would expect from something that is the result of 340 hours of handcrafted excellence.  The interior color of each car is matched to the exterior based on the customer’s specifications.
With mileage better than some SUV’s and a ride that is actually feasible for a daily commute, there really isn’t much of an excuse not to like the KZ1.  I’m sure when a car costs $450,000, gas mileage is not even a blip on the radar of concern for the buyer.  But it is impressive nonetheless and proof that performance doesn’t have to be at the expense of mileage.
Source:http://www.ridelust.com

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Artega GT 2011

Artega GT 2011

Artega GT 2011

A few years ago, an ambitious company – Paragon Parts Group – tried to make its mark on the auto industry with the Artega GT, a Volkswagen-sourced V6 engine sports car that produced well over 300 horsepower. At that time, it was PPG’s hope that the Artega GT would catch the attention of car enthusiasts - particularly those from Europe – and signal the arrival of the Artega GT to the sports car segment.

Fast forward to present times and the only attention the Artega GT has received recently is news that owner Klaus Frers has decided to sell the car brand to one of its private investors, Tresalia Capital.

A lot of you may not be familiar with Tresalia Capital – neither were we – but upon further investigation, we learned that the company is one of Mexico’s leading investment firms and is led by one of the country’s most powerful women, Linda Alvarado, who is actually the grand-daughter of Felix Aramburuzabala, the founder of Grupo Modelo, which introduced to the alcohol-consuming population Corona, Modelo, and Pacifica.

This is probably the only situation where the words ‘sports car’ and ‘beer’ mentioned in the same sentence isn’t exactly a bad thing.

In any case, as far as the production of the cars are concerned, the turning-over to a new ownership won’t affect the scheduled 500 units that are currently being built at its plant in Germany and, unfortunately, despite having its new owners near local soil, the Artega GT is still not expected to be shipped in the US anytime soon.

Tresalia Capital takes over Artega

Mexican private investor Tresalia Capital, who has held a minority stake in Artega since October 2008 and is represented in Germany by AB 15/08 Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH, now takes over 100% of the shares in Artega. The present majority shareholder and managing director Klaus Dieter Frers will resign and concentrate on his tasks as CEO of paragon AG. A new Artega advisory board will be set up and chaired by Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Ziebart. For the time being he will also act as managing director of Artega.

In 2006, Frers founded Artega Automobil GmbH & Co. KG for developing and producing the new German sports car Artega GT. Danish designer Henrik Fisker, who inter alia was responsible for the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin Vantage, designed the car body. The result was a two-door coupe with an aluminium support structure, a carbon fibre reinforced body shell and a v6 engine which due to its good power-to-weight ratio combines high performance with low fuel consumption. The car will be manufactured, according to Frers’ concept, in a plant in Delbrück, Westphalia, which was built exclusively for this purpose.

In September 2008, Frers won AB 15/08 Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH from Kriftel near Frankfurt as partner for Artega. Artega is part of the Mexican investor Tresalia Capital, which is one of the major shareholders in the Mexican Modelo brewery (brand name "Corona"). Tresalia Capital is also invested in other lifestyle businesses, like the fashion chain Tory Burch, which are now complemented by Artega. AB 15/08 Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH, so far holding a 48% voting stake in Artega, now takes over the 52% stake of Klaus Dieter Frers.

The interests of the shareholders in the company will in the future be protected by an advisory board that will be chaired by Wolfgang Ziebart. For 23 years he has worked in various positions at BMW, last as board member in charge of the development and purchasing division. After that he was a member of Continental AG management board and then chairman of the management board of Infineon. For the time being, Mr. Ziebart will take over the management of Artega. "A remarkable entrepreneurial achievement has led to an exciting vehicle, up to date in its concept, and timeless in design", Wolfgang Ziebart said. "After a first drive in the Artega GT I have spontaneously agreed to further accompany this car and I will do everything to make it a success". "We are very happy to have won a proven automotive expert and entrepreneur with Dr. Ziebart ", Tresalia Capital said. "We are particularly glad that he is ready to also take over the management of Artega in the phase of the production start". "I would have liked to continue the successfully started project, but my tasks at paragon require my full attention. That is why I am passing on the baton to Tresalia", says Klaus Dieter Frers. 

 Source:http://www.topspeed.com

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ART Mercedes Benz CLS

ART Mercedes Benz CLS

ART    A German tuning company is quite unknown to majority of us. If somebody says ‘Tuning and Mercedes’, all will think about good old AMG company. But ART is very competitive company also compared to AMG – as we can see on its new bullet. Mercedes-Benz CLS is very beautiful car also in stock productions. This limousine attacked the market during its premiere on the Geneve carshow. A distinctive shape similar to a missile or bullet improves the aerodynamics to the new level . 

ART brings not only a performance modified car but mostly with the design improvement (styling). There are 2 performance versions, with AMG55 engine as the base. First has 560hp and second 620hp with unbelievable torque _ magnificent 890Nm. 0-100kmph acceleration is 4,4 seconds, or 4 seconds in case of more powerful version .

Of course, it was necessary to adjust other component parts to achieve those parameters. The car disposes of the electronic adjustable chassis, which regulates height of car also automatically. ART also expanded the tread width _ 70mm in the front and 80mm in the rear.
CLS has also tougher screw stabilizers. A connection with road is mediated by three-piece alloy wheels _ in the front with a dimension 9,5x20 and 10,5x20 in the rear. 20” discs _ quite good choice also for chrome one ‘s, but ART have chosen expressive white color. Tyres have dimensions 225/30 and 305/25. A stock exhaust tract was replaced by the new whole stainless.
Catalyzers were also replaced with more sporting ones and the opening of exhaust system is tipped with a duplex system with two tips on both sides. Each tip has 100mm in diameter and has a double wall.
The exterior _ a die-hard stock design is after the modification something unbelievable. When CLS came to the market _ it was presented as coupe-limousine, which was something unreal at that time. The ART bodykit emphasizes its sharp part of this hard sportsman.

All complements are visible on the first sight, but they don’t destroy original lines. New fog-lamps in the 2x2 arrangement are complements of a new front bumper.
New carbon spoiler in two versions brings the look of an extreme predator. A delicacy of this car are the rear mirrors from carbon fibers. Front bumpers have also new air shafts nearby the doors. Stretching from bottom to the upper part of a bumper and indicating high performance category. Also rear bumper was replaced by new one with plastic or carbon diffuser.
Air dams used for cool-down brakes was installed to the mudguards in similar style like front ones. Rear doors was also modified for efficiency – massive spoiler in the color of bodywork was installed on the trunk part.
An interior have real sporting spirit. Complements are made from carbon and alcantra. Mercedes Benz logo was replaced with ART, but it’s no problem to arrange with producer for any individual requirements. ART designers are ready for unaccustomed demand’s from their customers.

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