February-17-10

How Fast Does Your Car Go?

Posted by admin under Sports Cars

Given money to spend and a world of options when selecting a car, every car enthusiast goes for one optiongetting a sports car. In the world of sports cars, however, there stands the basic criteria of speed, speed, speed, and, well, speed.

The fastest sports car according to various critics is the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans, with acceleration speed of 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. The fastest Ferrari car is the 2002 Ferrari ENZO, and this one can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph at breakneck speed of 3.5 seconds. Other fast cars include a Chevrolet, a Dodge, a LeBlanc, a Renault, an Audi, and a Corvette, all of which have acceleration speeds of not more than 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.

Now, the question that begs answering is: what makes a fast sports car?

While stylistics make for a very good standard when getting a sports car, theres more to the sleekness than just style. The very sleek and streamlined designs of these fast sports cars actually contribute to fantastic aerodynamicsmaking it much easier to drive the car fast without worrying about air resistance, air pressure, etc. In effect, the hot and sexy car design actually makes for more than aesthetics, but gives a boost to the speed and performance of the car.

Another feature that contributes to the speed of the car is its reduced weight. Its evident in the reduced cargo capacity of a sports car. Luckily, this isnt much of an issue with sports car enthusiasts. Related to cargo capacity and reduced weight is the fact that some sports cars may have smaller seating capacities, and usually are characterized by firmer, tighter rides, compared to the more spacious and comfortable rides offered by sports utility vehicles or sedans.

A last consideration in speed, however, is its general dynamics which include handling and drag when driving. A sports car has very little value if it cannot sustain its straight-line speeds when driving in tight curbs and ends up crushed after it hit a dead end. It is for this precise reason that even the fastest sports cars are usually rear-wheel driven rather than front-wheel driven, because of the fact that the rear-wheel drive provides greater traction and allows for the weight to be distributed evenly as the car makes a turn.

While theres more to a sports car than just speed, it also doesnt hurt that your sports car is fast. After all, the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans is prized precisely because it rises above the speeds of every other fast sports car.

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February-10-10

When Style Meets Performance: Exotic Cars 101

Posted by admin under Sports Cars

Searching for a quality luxury car will inevitably bring anyone to the rather apt adjective, exotic. Exotic food or exotic beauty may be more clearly defined, but what really makes for an exotic sports car?

Sleek and Elegant Design

Part of what makes an exotic sports car is the vehicles streamlined, sleek, and smooth designs, all of which serve functional purposes to the overall performance of the car albeit being so highly aesthetically pleasing.

Indeed, even exotic sports car makers know emphasis that car enthusiasts and racers put on design per se. After all, owning an exotic sports car in contrast to owning a car is, in itself, a status symbol. This status is endowed not only by the make of the car but also the style and visual appeal.

In fact, companies like Ferrari even employ design houses to come up with their car designs. Design powerhouse Pininfarina, for example, designed the 2002 Ferrari ENZO.

Breakneck Speeds

While design is one of the considerations of many car enthusiasts, the primary characteristic that by-far differentiates a sports car from the rest is its acceleration and maintainable road speed. When it comes to sports cars, its all a matter of speed, speed, and more speed. A pretty car wont cut it if it cannot deliver the exhilarating ride that is expected of every sports car.

Exotic cars are continually challenging the rate at which a car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Designs are beginning to be shaped from the engineering needs of the car, in order to suitably deliver a new record speed. As of the moment, the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans continues to reign with 2.6 seconds. However, with the likes of the 2002 Ferrari ENZO being designed based on the specifications of making a fast car, expect faster sports cars in the near future.

One-in-a-Million

Indeed, exotic sports cars arent the type that mass produced and you cant but then off-the-lot. Part of its exotic appeal is the fact that you can only have a certain number of models made available for sale. The rarer and more difficult to acquire, the greater a cars exotic value.

Its in the Name

Most cars dont need visualization to be called exotic, they just are. These would include your cult sports car classicsyour Porsche, your Ferrari, your Lamborghini.

While an exotic sports car may be subjectively defined over a huge stratum, its safe to believe that these qualities are more or less held in commonality by any definition. At any rate, one look at a car may be enough to give you a clue.

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