Preventa de eBooks de Mecánica del automóvil

Produced between 1999 and 2004 in Modena coupé, Spider convertible and Challenge Stradale form, the Ferrari 360 marked a turning point for the brand. With its aluminium-spaceframe chassis and curvaceous new styling, it set the blueprint for two decades of Ferrari design and engineering.Offering improved ergonomics and everyday usability without sacrificing performance, the 360 remains one of the most accessible and desirable Ferraris, praised for its balance of practicality, power, and presence. Launched in 1999 with the elegant 360 Modena coupe, the Ferrari 360 marked a bold new chapter in Maranellos history. It was soon joined by the convertible 360 Spider and the lightweight, track-focused Challenge Stradale each a masterclass in performance and design. In true Ferrari fashion, competition versions of the 360 were also produced, both for the exclusive Ferrari Challenge series and for top-level national and international GT racing. Although the 360 followed a proud tradition of mid-engined, V8-powered, two-seat Ferraris, its all-aluminium chassis and curvaceous Pininfarina styling signalled a shift toward the future one that combined breathtaking performance with an accessible driving experience. By the end of production in 2004, over 17,000 had been built the highest production volume for any Ferrari up to that point. More than just a performance icon, the 360 introduced a new ethos: to offer Ferraris that were more accessible to a wider range of customers, with improved interior space, ergonomics and drivability. Today, it has become a favourite among both first-time Ferrari buyers and seasoned collectors, known for its relative affordability, stunning performance, reliability and distinctive character.

From Mazdas first experiments with rotary power in the early 1960s, to the supercar-baiting models that dominated automotive pop culture in the early 20th century, this book charts the story of the Mazda RX-7 in all its generations and variations, as well as those involved in its conception and development, and the tuners and race teams that contributed to the models success. The Wankel rotary engine has never quite achieved the prominence its inventor Felix Wankel, nor its adopted family at Mazda, probably expected it to achieve. However, the Japanese carmakers time, investment and dedication to the rotary engine has still been rewarded with millions of sales, and has given us one of the worlds greatest sports cars: the Mazda RX-7. From its launch in 1978 until production ceased three generations later in 2002, the RX-7 was recognised as one of the finest sports cars of its era, with the styling, performance and handling to do what so many other brands have failed to achieve over the years, challenging and even beating the likes of Porsche. Over 24 years and three generations, the Mazda RX-7 secured its place as one of the worlds legendary sports cars. Powered by the Wankel rotary engine, which over the years Mazda has truly made its own, the RX-7 began life as a democratic sports car offering Porsche-eclipsing performance for a fraction of the price, and evolved to become one of Japans most formidable performance cars, offering a thrilling driving experience on the road and track. The cars performance increased considerably over the years, yet Mazdas focus on light weight, driver interaction and consistent improvements to the rotary engine never wavered. This book follows the story of the RX-7 and its many variations, racing endeavours and appearances in popular culture along the way. The RX-7 also established Mazda as a serious player in the market, proving the rotary engine was far more than just a curiosity and demonstrating that its engineers were capable of much more than building worthy, but dull, economy cars. Without the RX-7, and the more than 800,000 cars Mazda sold bearing the nameplate, the company as we know it today may not exist.

Few cars have left such a lasting mark as the Lotus Seven. First unveiled in 1957, its unmistakable silhouette remains instantly recognisable almost 70 years later. What began as a lightweight sports car from Lotus soon became a legend under the stewardship of Caterham Cars, who took over the design in 1973 after years as an official dealer. Richly illustrated with both historical and contemporary photographs, this book explores the complete story of the Seven, including: The background and history of the Lotus Seven (19571973), Details of the changing fortunes of Caterham Cars, including ownership, locations and milestones, Coverage of every Seven model produced Insightful discussion of key moments in the Sevens remarkable journey, Timeless, instantly recognisable and thrilling to drive, the Caterham Seven is nothing short of a motoring icon. First launched as the Lotus Seven in 1957, its unmistakable shape has endured for nearly seven decades. In the last few years, Caterham Cars has undergone a remarkable journey, including two changes of ownership, a bold but brief venture into Formula One and even experiments with bicycles, motorcycles and go-karts all of which have come and gone. However, through it all, the indomitable Seven has remained at the heart of the brand, still standing tall against all the odds. The company has also moved into three new premises (two of them related to the F1 team), culminating in the summer of 2024 with the opening of Dartford X a state-of-the-art factory where Caterham promises the Seven will continue to be built. This book brings the Sevens story right up to date, while also revisiting other notable chapters in Caterhams history, including past models like the 21 and the CSR. The Sevens journey is the story of an underdog that grew into a specialist car industry giant. Imitated by many but equalled by none, it remains the purest expression of driving pleasure. Road or track, there is a Seven for everyone.

The story of the Saab 9-3 is full of twists and turns, from its origins before the 9-3 name even existed to its unexpected rebirth as an electric vehicle decades later. Bizarrely, the first-generation 9-3 was in essence the same car as the Saab 900 built between 1994 and 1998. Equally as bizarre, the second-generation 9-3 lived on well beyond the General Motors era, reappearing in 201314 and again from 2019 to 2022. In these later years its familiar Gen2 silhouette concealed an all-electric powertrain, now wearing the badge of new owner NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden) in place of the hallowed Saab Griffin. From 1998 to 2011, the Saab 9-3 was manufactured at the Trollhattan factory in Sweden, carrying the brands distinctive character into a new era. This book charts the 9-3s evolution under General Motors stewardship, from the outgoing Saab 900 to the fundamentally similar first-generation 9-3, and on to the redesigned Gen2 model of 2002, this new model being built on GMs Epsilon platform and featuring far more GM-supplied componentry. The Gen1 9-3 came in three guises: four-door Saloon (sedan), two-door Cabriolet convertible and five-door Hatchback. Its Gen2 successor offered Saloon, Cabriolet and SportCombi estate car formats, powered by engines ranging from the 2.0-litre petrol Turbo and 1.9 TiD diesel to the 2.6-litre petrol V6 and the 1.9 TTiD twin-turbo diesel. Stunningly illustrated with over 250 images many previously unseen Saab 9-3 includes specially commissioned photography of the high-performance Viggen model, factory archive images, an interview with heroic rallycross legend Per Eklund and a Foreword by Saab insider and photojournalist Kenneth Olausson. It recounts Saabs final decade as a car manufacturer through the development of the 9-3 until its abandonment in 2011 by General Motors, and its brief rebirth as an electric vehicle under NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden), which lingered intermittently until 2022.