Tag Archives: RaceCar

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra performance EV churns out 1,527 hp to chase down Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

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Xiaomi is best known for its consumer electronics products, but now they want to try their hand at the highly competitive performance electric vehicle market. Yes, you read that right, the Chinese OEM has debuted a tri-motor prototype version of the SU7 EV called the SU7 Ultra. Its automotive wing, Xiaomi Automobile was founded in September 2021 and the first ever BEV launched in late 2023.

The high-performance SU7 Ultra generates a combined output of 1,527 hp from its three-motor powertrain. That results in an acceleration of 0-62 mph in just 1.97 and a top speed of 217 mph. The EV is under development right now and Xiaomi promises to set the official lap time at the Nürburgring racetrack in October.

Designer: Xiaomi

This performance EV looks quite similar to the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, and aims to beat the 7:05:298 minutes lap record at the famous German track by the Rimac Nevera. We cannot bet against that as one of the modes in the all-wheel drive SU7 Max can generate 664 hp and 618 lbs of torque for blazing fast take-off from a standing position. The aero package on the car helps keep it glued to the ground with 4,700 pounds of downforce for superior turning and top speed. The performance EV is equipped with AP Racing high-performance brake calipers and motor reverse braking for deceleration force over 2.36G, for late braking capabilities while being blazing fast on straights.

With an eye on peak performance every little addition or change matters. The SU7 Ultra therefore gets carbon fiber for most of its body parts to reduce the overall weight to 4,400 pounds. We are expecting a good balance between the power-to-weight ratio to extract maximum performance on the tarmac. Xiaomi has not revealed any other details so far, but we assume it’ll be fitted with at least a 130 kWh or 150 kWh capacity battery. The car should also get a rapid charging feature to achieve a full charge in under half an hour. When the car will go on sale is also unclear but we can expect it to challenge lap records at many race circuits in the coming year.

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NASCAR’s first electric racecar prototype lacks the roar of a V8 engine

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Formula-1 and NASCAR are the two top names in circuit racing Motorsports with the responsibility to lessen carbon emissions in the future. Formula-1 has already started working on sustainable fuels that have minimal environmental impact. They even have Formula-E dedicated to clean racing. Now, NASCAR has shown its intent to go all-electric by the year 2035.

Last weekend they revealed their first ever prototype electric racecar at the Chicago Street Race. The $1.5 million crossover developed in association with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota is a part of the NASCAR Impact program. According to NASCAR’s head of sustainability Riley Nelson, the series wants to explore the interest of fans in electric racing and its future. The prototype has only been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan and he has some interesting insights to share.

Designer: NASCAR

David explored the car’s limit at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia and was just two-tenths away from the average time of a V8-powered NASCAR racer. Even though the electric racer has twice the acceleration and impressive braking ability, the overall weight limits it on the corners where it cannot carry more speed. The champion racer did admit though that he could have taken it faster, but the aim right now is to derive as many test results as possible and not necessarily risk damaging any hardware.

The electric racecar built on a modified Next Gen chassis is powered by three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors one at the front and two at the rear. They feed the powertrain capable of generating 1,000 kW peak output. The motors get their power from a liquid-cooled 78 kWh battery. To get more juice, the car employs regenerative braking to convert the kinetic energy of braking on turns into extra power.

Sustainable qualities are not just limited to the powertrain, as the All-Wheel Drive car has a body made out of sustainable flax-based composite material. Other components of the racer including the steering wheel, suspension, brakes and wheels are all salvaged from a 2022 NASCAR Cup Series car. Just like any other electric vehicle, this monster doesn’t roar when compared to a gas-powered V8. That element will only have to be artificially added in the form of sound coming from an exterior speaker.

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Aston Martin officially unveils track-special Vantage GT3 for its 2024 racing calendar

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Aston Martin chose the present day to reveal three of its new car models designed for three different platforms. Yes, the new generation of the Vantage is here alongside the GT3 version of the road racer and of course, the brand new AMR24 F1 that’ll hit the paddock for the 2024 Formula-1 season.

Our focus however is set on the Vantage GT3 that briefly made its debut in Daytona last month. The official reveal of the race track-oriented car developed in collaboration between Aston Martin Racing (AMR) and Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT) happened today, and it replaces the outgoing Vantage GT3 that debuted in 2018. The latest version comes with an upgraded chassis, improved aerodynamics, and obvious cosmetic changes – making it more appealing.

Designer: Aston Martin

The striking GT3 has a very attractive nose section highlighted by the fender-mounted headlights. It gets even more boxy with the fenders having integrated louvers and a massive wing complemented by the new diffuser. The circuit-oriented car gets the same aluminum chassis as its road-legal counterpart. Every mechanical part is covered by carbon fiber panels, lending the performance vehicle a good balance of power-to-weight ratio.

GT3 also gets the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the more toned-down Vantage but the unit is tweaked to comply with the FIA GT3 class regulations. Suspension on this one is majorly improved from the last model to give it better handling characteristics. This results in way better driving dynamics of the GT3 for professional and novice drivers as well. Also, the British marque promises the car has more stable braking and wears its tires more evenly.

According to Gustavo Betelli Racing Head of Performance at Aston Martin, the new GT3 is adapt for any “circuit, on any tire, and with any driver.” As we saw during the 24 Hours of Daytona the three Vantage GT3’s seemed like a complete package on the track. The number of cars in this lineup will be produced to a limited number of 30 by the end of season 2024.

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iQOO 12 Legend Edition design brings the BMW M Motorsport racing spirit to smartphones

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There are very few things that can make your heart stop with their speed, and motorsport race cars are one of those. The suspense, tension, and adrenaline you feel as these four-wheeled demons pass by is enough to put people on the edge of their seats, literally. There seems to be an innate human fascination for speed and power, and race cars have long been the symbol of those aspirations. Of course, such qualities can also be found in other things, like the impressive pieces of technology that we call smartphones. It’s not surprising, then, that these two very different worlds would eventually meet, such as in the iQOO 12 Legend Edition that embodies the BMW M Motorsport spirit through its power and style.

Designer: iQOO x BMW M Motorsport

This isn’t the first time you might have heard of an automotive brand lending its clout to a smartphone, whether in name or in design. In fact, the partnership between iQOO and BMW M started way back in 2019, resulting in the gaming-oriented iQOO 7 BMW M edition as well as an iQOO-branded BMW DTM car during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. This year, that partnership was again witnessed at the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship, and 2024 will see iQOO’s presence on a BMW M Hybrid V8 Hypercar at the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Of course, BMW M Motorsport is also leaving its own mark on the iQOO 12, specifically the special Legend Edition that will bear that exclusive branding. This year’s design, however, is a bit different and actually a little more subtle. The overall motif is still predominantly white, of course, just like many race cars. But instead of tall stripes in BMW M’s iconic blue, black, and red colors, the tiny stripes are actually embossed in a Clous de Paris pattern and located off the right side instead. In a way, the BMW M Motorsport is less in-your-face, subtler, and more elegant, allowing viewers to draw the associations between the two brands through the smartphone’s own prowess.

The iQOO 12, after all, is definitely a speedster, being one of the first phones to be powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It has a large and powerful camera system that is designed in the likeness of ship portholes, conveying the spirit of exploration. It isn’t just for show either, boasting a team that includes an Astrography Camera with an ultra-large main sensor, a periscope telephoto lens, and a wide-angle shooter. Despite the power it holds inside, the iQOO 12 Legend Edition still exudes beauty, grace, and comfort with its ergonomic contoured glass and nano-textured finishes. The flat edges and flat display perfectly complement each other, giving the phone a contemporary aesthetic that belies its nature a smartphone equivalent of a performance car.

With first-class features and a striking design, the iQOO 12 Legend Edition perfectly embodies BMW M Motorsport’s mantra of “Fascination Meets Innovation.” It delivers the performance to satisfy users’ need for speed while subtly capturing the visual and spiritual essence of a roaring race car. Already available in China, the iQOO 12 Legend Edition is slated to launch globally by the end of this year.

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