The queue for a Ferrari FXX starts here
Ferrari has extended the testing and development
program of its forthcoming GT supercar based on the FXX prototype
for a further two years “following an extensive upgrade to boost
performance and handling,” says a factory source.
 Ferrari
FXX
Being a little down on power (I jest), the FXX has had the output of
its 6.2 liter V12 increased from 800 hp (600 kW) to 860 hp (640 kW)
at 9500 rpm and gearshift times are down 20 milliseconds to 60 ms.
Gear ratios have also been modified to make use of the extra 1000
rpm available. Yes, I’ve always thought that an 80 millisecond shift
is dreadfully slow!
Handling-wise, nine settings will be available on the new traction
control system, which Ferrari claims is also “less invasive and more
flexible, adapting more efficiently to the individual driving style
of each driver”. Sounds good, especially if your surname is
Schumacher and your first name is Michael.
Chassis modifications have seen improved wear rates for the 19 inch
Bridgestone tyres, while the Brembo brakes (which include composite
ceramic material discs) have longer lasting brake pads. When you are
paying 100 million baht for your car, do you really care about tyre
wear?
Furthermore, a number of new aerodynamic aids have been produced to
increase downforce over the rear axle, including a new rear diffuser
and rear flaps. Combined, the aerodynamic efficiency has increased
25 percent.
“The active front spoiler control system settings have been adjusted
to take these modifications into account, too,” Ferrari said in a
statement released this week.
“New telemetry monitoring of the steering angle and brake pump
pressure will further boost the interaction between client test
drivers and the company’s engineers.”
Underway since late in 2005, the FXX program involves a small group
of customers who have each spent more than 100 million baht for the
privilege of owning a track-bound test mule and being involved in
the Enzo-based car’s development.
So there you are, if you want to be part of this exclusive group of
Ferrari test drivers and rub elbows with a certain Mr. M Schumacher
in the Ferrari pits, put your money down now. They’ll even come on
over and collect it, I am sure.
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Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I wrote that one central headlight was seen on many
cars over the years, the revolutionary Tucker Torpedo being a classic example.
However, there were many before that. I asked what was the first American car
with ‘cyclops’ headlights? The correct answer was the Garford of 1913, or I
would have even taken the Briscoe of 1915.
So to this week. Let’s stick with headlamps. When did headlamp flashers first
become offered, and on what car?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to email
automania@chiangmai-mail.com
Good luck!
Small/medium cars from Thailand wanted
overseas
Toyota Australia has confirmed that it is investigating changing
the sourcing of its next Yaris, with Thailand considered as the leading
contender for the new third generation model due in about 2010.
 Thailand
Yaris
Toyota Australia chairman emeritus John Conomos said at the 2007 Tokyo Motor
Show that Thailand is shaping up as the ideal Yaris production location. “It’s
been looked at. Thailand is a great source for reliable world-class product,”
said Conomos. “With a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), it is inevitable that we will
have to examine (Thailand) carefully,” Conomos admitted.
Currently the Yaris - Australia’s top-selling light car by a large margin, and
in a segment that is the fastest growing this year - is built in Japan.
With the Thai government lately focussing on winning more light and small car
production contracts - after its successful campaign in luring management
understands that the pricing edge that comes with choosing a lower-cost
production base can be extremely lucrative.
Since arch-rival Honda changed its Jazz light-car sourcing from Japan to
Thailand in early 2006, sales have rocketed on the back of the lower entry price
and higher standard features content the move brought with it.
This year Jazz is running at around 980 per month, against 786 last year and 660
in 2005. And this is in spite of the fact that the Jazz - released in 2002 - is
now narrowly the second-oldest in its class (though there will be a new Jazz in
the early part of 2008). Ford Australia has already announced that its next
Fiesta light car will follow the Honda by coming out of Thailand, as part of a
50:50 deal it has with its Japanese partner Mazda.
Mazda will also produce the closely related ‘2’ light car at the same Thai
facility, and it is most likely that the Mazda 2 will be sourced from the Rayong
plant for the Australian market. This is all good news for the local economy.
However, the Toyota Australia veteran executive did point out that Thailand’s
inability in the past to provide vehicles with adequate levels of equipment
and/or technological sophistication may yet rule it out from providing Toyota
Australia with the next Yaris.
Is this the future?
Both the LA Show and the Tokyo Show were notable for personal
concept vehicles. These are vehicles (I can hardly call them “cars”) which
take one person and are more like mobility devices than any other type of
transport in common use.
 Nissan
Pivo 2
At the Tokyo Show, Nissan presented the Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept
car. Powered by advanced compact Lithium-ion batteries, Pivo 2 employs ‘by-wire’
technologies for braking and steering and features a 360 degree turning cabin
and 90 degree turning wheels that makes reversing a thing of the past. In
addition to advancements on this radical rotational design, this second
generation Pivo uses a Robotic Agent to create a unique owner-vehicle
relationship that is akin to that of a friend.
Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design, made reversing
obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility concept to a new level. Each of
the four wheels are powered by Nissan’s advanced electric In-wheel 3D Motor and
can turn through 90 degrees to allow Pivo 2 to drive sideways as well as forward
- making parallel parking in even the tightest places as simple as driving
straight ahead.
Thanks to the highly innovative Robotic Agent, you are never alone in the Pivo
2. With conversations possible in Japanese and English, the Robotic Agent has
been created to work with Pivo 2 to make every journey less stressful. It
provides a unique interface through which to communicate with Pivo 2 on
everything from basic vehicle functions through to the nearest available
parking.
Whilst I cannot see something like this taking off as a family chariot, I can
see these devices being used as personal commuters. They do not take up much
space on the roads, are pollution free, and being rechargeable, should be cheap
to run. The Robotic Agent looks a little like overkill to me, but for gimmick
value probably hard to beat.
Narain Karthikeyan - will the Force be
with him?
With the announcement that Spyker F1 has been bought by an Indian
magnate and renamed Force India, who will drive for them? Put your money on
Indian Narain Karthikeyan, currently the third driver with Williams F1.
Karthikeyan’s interest in motor sport began early, as his father was a
former Indian national rally champion. With his ambition of becoming India’s
first Formula One driver, Karthikeyan finished on the podium in his first
ever race, at Sriperumpudur. He then went onto the Elf Winfield Racing
School in France, becoming a semi-finalist in the Pilote Elf Competition for
Formula Renault cars in 1992. He returned to India to race in Formula Maruti
for the 1993 season, and in the same year, he also competed in the Formula
Vauxhall Junior championship in Great Britain. In 1994, he returned to the
UK, racing in the Formula Ford Zetec series as the number two works Vector
driver for the Foundation Racing team. Karthikeyan also took part in the
British Formula Ford Winter Series, and became the first Indian to win any
championship in Europe.
1995 saw him in the Formula Asia Championship for just four races. In 1996,
he had a full season in the series and became the first Indian and the first
Asian to win the series. He moved back to Britain in 1997 to compete in the
British Formula Opel Championship, taking a win at Donington Park and
finishing sixth in the overall points standings.
In 1998, Karthikeyan made his debut in the British Formula 3 Championship.
Competing in only 10 rounds, he managed two 3rd place finishes in the final
two races of the season. He continued in the championship for 1999,
finishing on the podium five times, including two wins at Brands Hatch.
Continuing his drive in the British F3 Championship in 2000, he finished 4th
overall in the standings, and also took pole position and fastest laps in
the Macau Grand Prix.
He started 2001 in the Formula Nippon F3000 Championship, finishing the year
amongst the top ten. Karthikeyan again tested for Jordan, finishing just
half a second off the pace off Jordan’s lead driver Jean Alesi. In 2002, he
moved into the Telefonica World Series with Team Tata RC Motorsport, taking
a pole position and setting the fastest lap time at the Interlagos Circuit
in Brazil. Moving to the World Series by Nissan in 2003, Karthikeyan won two
races and came 4th overall in the championship.
On February 1, 2005, Karthikeyan announced that he had signed the
preliminary deal with Jordan Formula One team which made him India’s first
Formula One racing driver.
So now to Force India in 1998? Put your money on it.
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