2010 Sportec SP580 Porsche 997 Turbo Facelift - Porsche Sports Car

The new Sportec 997 Turbo SP580 tuning kit is now available for the Porsche 997. Engineers from Sportec have boosted power from 500 PS (368 kW / 493 hp) to 580 PS (572 hp / 427 kW). If those numbers sound familiar, it is because the Swiss tuning firm developed a package that provided the same horsepower on the last SP580. However, the torque rating is reduced on this model, but is the same as the standard Porsche 997 turbo facelift.

Sportec SP580 Porsche 997 Turbo Facelift

Now, the new model sprints to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, and to 200 km/h in 10.3 seconds. Top speed on the car is 323 km/h. The sprint times are faster than the old SP580, but the previous model topped out at 338 km/h (210 mph).

New forged 20-inch wheels have been developed for the car.  However, the aero kit with front spoiler, big rear wing, and side skirts seems to be carried over from the pre-facelift kit.

With the new SP580 Sportec is once more prowling in the stomping ground of the super sports car. True to the sporty understatement Sportec the Porsche 997 turbo is a real leopard in wolf's clothing - this is ensured by the full 580 PS and powerful 650 Nm torque that can be had at just 1.950-5.000 revs.

Thus equipped the Sportec SP580 achieves the standard spring from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.2 seconds. The occupants of the SP580 are catapulted from 0 to 200 km/h in a breathtaking 10.3 seconds. Only at 323 km/h does the revolution limiter put an end to this flush of speed.

Externally only the powerful Sportec Mono7 forged 20 inch wheels and the completely new aerodynamic package that holds true to the Sportec Motto "more substance, less style", suggest that beholder isn't looking at a mass production vehicle from Zuffenhausen. An aerodynamically optimised front spoiler, discrete side skirts along with a larger tail plane - as an option also to be had in carbon - both technically and optically complete the SP580. And if that wasn't enough the exterior mirrors and the air intakes can be had in matt carbon.

The aluminium pedals and foot supports as well as the bucket seats are all further signs of its sportiness. And for those who like it a little sportier there is a lowering set that brings the chassis around 20 millimetres nearer to the tarmac. For use on the race track Sportec offers a special PASM compatible super sports suspension that can be individually adjusted to suit every purpose and all race track conditions.

2010 Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Ariel Sports Cars

Ariel announce the latest version of the Atom - the Ariel Atom 500, powered by a small V8 engine. With over 500bhp in a 500kilo package the Atom 500 will boast one of the highest power to weight ratios ever for a production car, ever. At over 1000bhp per tonne the Atom 500 will be the ultimate statement in performance and is destined to be made in a limited edition.

Ariel Atom 500 V8

The V8 powered Atom is the first of some exciting developments from Ariel due to be released though 2008 and builds on the growing reputation that the company has for putting the passion back into driving and producing sports cars that are fun to drive as well as fast both on and off the track.

The Ariel Atom 500 V8 project first began back in 2007 as a special model created in conjunction with RS Developments. The car features the same RS (Russell Savory) designed supercharged, 2.4 litre V8 engine connected to a 6 speed sequential Sadev gearbox driving the rear wheels. The gearbox has power-on shift capability, paddle gearchange with manual override as well as launch and traction control.

The Ariel Atom 500 V8 is identifiable from the standard Atom by the twin rear intakes for intercoolers and unique anodized gold color scheme for the chassis and wheels and carbon fibre panels and carbon fibre aerofoils. Other features include chromemoly aerofoil wishbones, multi-function steering wheel, Alcon 4 piston caliper brakes and lightweight Dymag magnesium wheels.

Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel, 'This is an interesting project for us and an experimental departure from what we normally produce. For a few customers the Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car. 

We also use this sort of project to explore the possibilities of how we can improve our standard cars. The Honda engined production cars already combine all the elements that we want in an Atom and by pushing the envelope to these sorts of extremes we can further improve the breed'.

Prices have not yet been released, but the first customer’s Ariel Atom 500 V8 will be built in spring. Ariel Director Simon Saunders said: ‘The Atom 500 will be the ultimate expression of lightweight performance and represents the outer limits of what is achievable in a road registered car.’

With the standard Atom 300 already achieving sub 3 second times to 60mph and sub 7 second times to 100mph, the 500 will take this one stage further with record breaking production car possibilities.

2010 AF-10 Arash Sports Car

Arash Motor Company was born out of a passion for cars, the allure of beauty and the thrill of driving the seemingly end less acceleration of a thoroughbred engine. The engine, or better still, the soul of the AF10 is designed to withstand the punishment of motor racing and we’re sure it will excite even the most accomplished of drivers.

2010 AF-10 Arash

The superlative handling of a chassis designed by leaders in their field combined with extraordinarily forceful braking performance will make you question whether the tyres will still be intact when you climb out. The AF10 seduces and excites on every level with it’s distinctive silhouette and exceptional performance.

Design of the Arash AF10 began in 2005 with styling sketches and renderings. Gradually the design evolved into computer models and aerodynamic CFD mesh models. Finally the finished car was revealed in October 2008.

Powering the Arash AF10 is a GM sourced, mid-mounted, 7.0 litre, V8 which produces 550 bhp @ 6,000 rpm. This is connected to a Grazianno 6-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. This drivetrain allows the AF10 to reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and go on to a 204 mph top speed.

The Arash AF10 features a full carbon and steel frame chassis with steel front and rear crash structures and cradles. Covering the chassis is an all carbon fiber body with honeycomb and nomex sandwiches to achieve weight reductions and add rigidity.

The aerodynamic body of the Arash AF10 includes unusual features like the radical front wing which is separated from the main body, and prominent air intake side pods. These features have been influences by Le Mans and F1 race cars, however they also perform specific functions for the overall performance of the car. Split radiators have been used at the front and Oil radiators are positioned in the side pods.

The modular carbon chassis of the Arash AF10 is super light and super strong. This structure is made up of 13 parts assembled into a jig and bonded at temperature.

An estimated 25 Arash AF10 cars will be manufactured per year with a small number being delivered to the US market.

About Arash Cars:

Arash Cars was established in March 2006 and has been working on the AF10 ever since. The styling drawings were made in March 2005 by Arash Farboud Designs and have since been converted into computer models and aerodynamic cfd mesh models.

The company is located in Sawston on the outskirts of Cambridge. Most testing will be conducted at Millbrooke proving grounds 20 miles away from the company. The facility in Sawston Cambridge is equipped with a styling studio, painting booth, carbon lamination room, parts despatch area, carbon curing autoclave oven and polished epoxy floored car assembly stations. A board room and administration offices are also located at the site.

Arash Cars have designed a traditionally shaped badge with an eagle emblem. The background colour is solid black and the foreground eagle is in gold. The 'Arash' emblem is in flame orange.