Prodrive Creates Carbon Fiber Horse Racing Stirrups

Automotive tech is now finding its way to the world’s oldest form of transportation which is none other than the horse. British motorsport specialist, Prodrive which is well known for its Subaru products has designed a lightweight horse racing stirrup made from carbon fibre. The high-tech stirrups weigh just 40 grams, half the weight of standard aluminium racing stirrups. On top of being lighter, the carbon fibre stirrups are also stronger as they have a safe working load of 600 kg and in tests have withstood a load of 1.8 tonnes before complete failure. -Continued

“Today’s horse racing is like motor racing: weight is critical,” said Prodrive senior composites engineer, Roger Walker. “Every ounce the jockeys can save represents thousandths of a second off the finishing time, which can be the difference between winning and losing by a nose. Jockeys even wear lightweight tights to save weight.”

(Picture edited by CarScoop)

New Subaru Impreza WRX-S with 255 PS

Subaru is broadening its Impreza WRX offerings with the introduction of the Prodrive developed “S” model at the British Motor Show. Thanks to the re-programmed ECU (electronic control unit) and the modified exhaust system, the 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine’s output is raised from 230 PS at 5,200 rpm to 255 PS at 5,400 rpm while the torque improvement is even greater, growing from 236 lb.ft at 2,800 rpm to 287.6 at 3,000 rpm. According to Subaru, while the WRX-S’ top speed remains at 130 mph (209 km/h), 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time drops from 6.1 to 5.5 sec. -Continued

Engine-aside, the new Impreza WRX-S also features 18-inch anthracite GT1 alloy wheels with 225/40 tires, an STI front grille, STI front lip spoiler and STI rear wing and body-colour tailgate moulding. Furthermore, the WRX-S gets a MOMO ‘Air-Race’ gearknob while the colour choice is between San Remo Red, WR Blue Mica, Obsidian Black Pearl and Satin White Pearl. In the U.K., the new Impreza WRX-S is priced from £22,495 OTR offering £4,500 worth of extras over the WRX for a £2,500 premium.

Alfa Romeo Brera S: Limited Edition Model Developed by Prodrive

In collaboration with Prodrive, Alfa Romeo has developed a special edition version of its Brera coupe model dubbed “Brera S” that will be sold exclusively in the UK with production limited to just 500 individually numbered models. The Brera S will be offered with two existing petrol engines, the 185Hp 2.2-liter and the 260Hp 3.2 V6.

While the car retains the same power as the standard Brera, Prodrive has made changes to the suspension and the interior and exterior styling along with the addition of a new exhaust system. However, Prodrive’s main goal was to seriously upgrade the Brera’s handling and to do that, the UK firm developed new springs and dampers which were tuned to to achieve the desired ride/handling balance and steering response required by driving enthusiasts in the UK. -Continued

At the same time, the suspension static geometry was also revised to optimize steering and handling while the car’s height was lowered height (-10mm). Prodrive also fitted the Brera S with new lightweight 19” alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tires along hollow anti-roll bars and aluminium suspension components from the Factory.

As a result, the weight of both Alfa Brera S models is lower than the standard cars. In particular, the front-wheel drive 3.2 V6 JTS is almost 100 kg lighter than the Q4 version and the 2.2 JTS version weighs 35 kg less. However, according to Prodrive’s data sheet, performance is unchanged with the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively and on to a top speed of 139 and 155 mph.

While changes on the outside are limited to the new alloys and exhaust pipes, inside the V6 version cabin is dressed in black leather with red stitching while the centre console and instruments are faced in a dark finish. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS. Both versions get foot pedals from drilled aluminum and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminum plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain. Price in the UK start at £24,995 (OTR) for the 2.2 JTS rising to £28,450 (OTR) for the V6 version.

BRERA TECHNICAL DATA

ENGINE	2.2 JTS	3.2 JTS V6
No. of cylinders, arrangement	4 in line	60 degree V6
Bore x stroke (mm)	86 x 94.6	89 x 85.6
Displacement (cc)	2198	3195
Compression ratio	11.3:1	11.25:1
Max. power output: bhp (kW-EC) at rpm	185 (136) 6500	260 (191) 6300
Peak torque: Nm (kgm-EC) at rpm	230 (23.4) 4500	322 (32.8) 4500
Timing system (control)	DOHC (chain), 4 valves per cylinder, double electrohydraulic continuous phase variator	4 OHCs (chain), 4 electrohydraulic continuous phase variators
Fuel feed	MED 7.6.1 electronic direct injection integrated with ignition system	MED 7.6.2 electronic direct injection integrated with ignition system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12V)
Battery capacity (Ah)/Alternator (A)	90/120	90/150
TRANSMISSION
Drive	Front	Front
Number of gears	6 + 1R	6 + 1R
Final ratio	4.176:1	3.895:1
TYRES
Standard version	235/40 R19	235/40 R19
STEERING
Steering system	Rack and pinion with power steering	Rack and pinion with power steering
Turning circle (m)	10.7	10.7
SUSPENSION
Front	Independent with double wishbones and anti-roll bar located via ball joints	Independent with double wishbones and anti-roll bar located via ball joints
Rear	Independent with Multilink architecture	Independent with Multilink architecture
BRAKES – (DISCS)	2.2 JTS	3.2 JTS V6
Front (mm)	Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons	Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons
Rear (mm)	Solid 278 x 12 D, combined 38 mm floating calliper	Ventilated 292 x 22 D, combined 42 mm floating calliper
WEIGHTS – TANK CAPACITY
Fuel tank capacity (litres)	70	70
Kerb weight DIN (kg)	1445	1540
Max towable weight (kg)	1450	1500
PERFORMANCE
Top speed mph (km/h)	139 (224)	155 (250)
Acceleration (driver + 30 kg): 0 to 62 mph (s)	8.6	7.0
FUEL CONSUMPTION – EMISSIONS*
Urban cycle mpg (l/100km)	22.2 (12.7)	17.2 (16.4)
Extra urban cycle mpg (l/100km)	39.2 (7.2)	35.8 (7.9)
Combined cycle mpg (l/100km)	30.7 (9.2)	25.7 (11.0)
Exhaust emissions – CO2 (g/km)	218	260
Emissions Standard	EU IV	EU IV

EQUIPMENT

ALFA BRERA S 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS

• VDC with Hill Holder (ABS + ASR + EBD + Brake Assistant)

• Fire Prevention System (FPS)

• Power assisted steering

• Driver, passenger, front side, window & driver knee airbags

• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters

• Alfa Code immobiliser and alarm system

• Electronic key with remote central locking and boot release

• “Follow-Me Home” headlamps

• Electronic start/stop button

• Electric front windows with one touch function and anti-intrusion sensor

• Dual-zone automatic climate control with split temperature and distribution function (air nozzles at rear, pollen filter with active carbon filter and AQS)

• Stainless steel kick plates

• On-board instrumentation with multifunctional display and trip computer

• Car radio with audio CD player (6 speakers)

• Rear parking sensor

• Front fog lights

• Cruise control

• Front armrest with temperature controlled storage compartment

• Brushed aluminium centre console

• Front seats manually adjustable (height, distance, tilting and lumbar adjustment)

• Electrically folding, adjustable, heated wing mirrors

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS

• Italian Frau® leather upholstery with red stitching

• 19” alloy wheels with 235/40 tyres

• Prodrive engineering dampers and springs

• Revised exhaust silencer

• Front stone deflectors

• New design chromed exhaust pipe

• Aluminium sports pedals

• Sports leather steering wheel and gear knob with red stitching and steering-wheel mounted radio controls

• Sports instrumentation

• Exclusive seat aluminium badge plate

Prodrive Prepped Alfa Romeo Brera S Official

The rumours we were hearing about the British-honed Alfa Romeo Brera S turned out to be true as the Italian carmaker made it official today that it has teamed up with Prodrive to develop a bespoke version of the Brera coupe.

According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the collaboration has “built on the existing model’s capabilities to deliver outstanding driver feedback and handling.” Unfortunately for most of our Euro friends, production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to 500 numbered cars specifically for the British market. -Continued

The Brera S will feature revised suspension settings along with further enhancements to the exterior and interior of the car which will be available with two existing petrol engines in standard specifications. Prices and specifications will be revealed at launch on 19 May 2008.