Future GT racers; on track soon?

[Félix]

They're all from AutoWeek's website; always good for spy shots and upcoming cars.

You've probably seen the new Ferrari F430. At first it was rumoured to be only a special based on the 360 Modena with the 4.2 Maserati V8. One has to wonder why this series goes from 308-328-348-355-360 to... 430. Probably not on the tracks for (early) 2005, but certainly enough to break the PoRsche parade.
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100672

Then there's Porsche's 997 GT3. Engine displacement is also stepping-up from 3.6 to 3.8. Probably the Supercup car for next year. Porsche will be hurrying to introduce it for Le Mans, and customers will complain about the non-existance of enough cars for all of them, Ã*-la 1999 (the introduction of a few 996s beating the **** out of the 993s)
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100674

Also interesting is this photo album of the Chrysler ME 4/12 being driven around Laguna Seca. Journalists were probably invited to take a ride, judging from the cockpit pic at the end of the slideshow. The visible quality of components (the chassis setup reminds me a lot of the racing Zonda) of this beautiful car raises questions over what Daimler-Chrysler intends to do with it. Cadillac's Cien certainly never lapped around a race track...
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...ages/index.htm

In comparison, Volkswagen never even built a dedicated chassis for the W12. The 24-hour speed record car was a Diablo chassis with a Ricardo gearbox, a wind-tunnel tested body and probably the most advanced W12 ever (maybe the one Bentley was once given a mock-up of). Carol Shelby has also been able to make donuts in one of the (now many) V10-engined Ford concepts. This engine seems to be in development for real, even being installed in a road Mustang for testing. And finally, pictures of advanced prototypes of the Ferrari 600 Imola are circulating. The Maranello replacement could be out racing in 2006.

It's been a while since many road car manufacturers have been updating their GT-racing when a new model comes out. We'll see if other management boards than Chevrolet get convinced; even the Viper could be coming back after Competition Coupe scaling-down.

[paul-collins]

I'd love to see something come of the four-twelve. It's a bit heavy and the quad-turbos would have to go, but it's sure a nice bit of kit, and more raceable than the Crossfire. It would be a natural for GTS.

[alfasud]

Originally posted by Félix
You've probably seen the new Ferrari F430. At first it was rumoured to be only a special based on the 360 Modena with the 4.2 Maserati V8. One has to wonder why this series goes from 308-328-348-355-360 to... 430.

Looking at the LM GT regulations....
http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/...gt_2004_gb.pdf

It would seem that a 4.3L have to carry smaller inlet restritors than a 3.6, 3.8 or 4.0L of the same weight. In fact a 3.8L or 4.0L can weigh 1100kg... less than a 4.3L (1150kg min) which slots into the 4.0-5.0L weight/restrictor capacity range.

In which case, can we expect to see a Ferrari 400 Challenge Stradale, with a 4.0L engine, to allow a more favourable weight/restrictor size?

[Wout]

Not for the track, but a stunning GT from Peugeot though: Peugeot 907.
Is it possible that Peugeot is considering a GT racer in the future?

[Dani Filth]

Originally posted by alfasud
Looking at the LM GT regulations....
http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/...gt_2004_gb.pdf

It would seem that a 4.3L have to carry smaller inlet restritors than a 3.6, 3.8 or 4.0L of the same weight. In fact a 3.8L or 4.0L can weigh 1100kg... less than a 4.3L (1150kg min) which slots into the 4.0-5.0L weight/restrictor capacity range.

In which case, can we expect to see a Ferrari 400 Challenge Stradale, with a 4.0L engine, to allow a more favourable weight/restrictor size?

wouldn't the extra displacement overcome the smaller restrictors .. . plus . it will have considerable more torque compared to the 360 . and probably the new 997 gt3

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Félix
Also interesting is this photo album of the Chrysler ME 4/12 being driven around Laguna Seca. ...

There was an article about this in the Telegraph at the weekend, of which I'm yet to fully read.

I get the impression that this is a test car, but it should happen. FWIW they also claim a top speed of 250mph.

[FIRE]

Originally posted by Wout
Not for the track, but a stunning GT from Peugeot though: Peugeot 907.
Is it possible that Peugeot is considering a GT racer in the future?

[JAG]

The GTS and GT regs allows manufactuers to alter the capacity of the engine, up or down, without the need for a new road car.

You can also remove turbos/superchargers if you so wish.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally posted by Wout
Not for the track, but a stunning GT from Peugeot though: Peugeot 907.
Is it possible that Peugeot is considering a GT racer in the future?

Sweet!
Whose V-12 is it using, their own or did they borrow someone else's?

I really, really regret the fact that the new Cunningham GT was still-born.
Bob