BMW or Bayerische Motoren Werke has long been conceived all over the world as “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” The company has proven this statement true in the past years.

The current models of BMW sports car will attest to that statement.

Here are some of the current models of BMW, with their corresponding characteristics.

-BMW M3 2006

Engine specifications:

BMW M3 has an in-line, 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 11.5. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 248 KW power and 333 HP at 7900 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has electronic brake distribution, brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS.

Handling Features:

BMW M3 is equipped with stability control, immobilizer and limited slip differentia at the rear. The ABS and engine management control the electronic traction.

Aerodynamics Exterior features:

The car has 0.35 drag coefficient, body side moldings, and 3771 lbs. curb weight.

-BMW M5 2006

Engine specifications:

The BMW M5 2006 car has a V10, and 3.2 liter capacity engine with a compression ratio of 12. It has four valves per cylinder. It promises to deliver 373 KW power and 500 HP at 7750 rpm (SAE).

Brake Features:

The car has brake assist system, four disk brakes with ventilated disks, electronic brake distribution, cornering brake control, and four-wheel ABS.  Read more... (406 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Car manufacturer Porsche SE is a German brand that prides themselves on luxury, quality and performance. Porsche car hire is owned by Germany families, Porsche and Piech families respectively. The Porsche family are a family of industrialists related to Ferdinand Porsche (created the VW beetle and development in German tanks the Tiger) who designed many of the first Porsche cars that were mass produced for the public for the company that he founded in 1940, Porsche.

Porsche car hire currently have a portfolio of high performance and luxury automobiles including the 911, 997, and the Boxster. Also the use specialise in 4 x4, sport and utility vehicles for use in suburban areas.

The 1999 Porsche 911 GT3 was produced and marketed as a high performance road legal car of which was more advanced then the standard 911. Named after the FIA GT, it was the first water cooled version of the Porsche 911. Porsche car hire also have a racing version of the 911 GT3 which has come first in many competitions, included Le Mans and other 24 hour races. Competitions are fierce in the market for super cars and the Porsche 911 GT3 is up against Italian giants Ferrari with their F430 and German luxury car manufacturer BMW with a GTR M3.  Read more... (529 words, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

When the visionary designer Colin Chapmen first set out to design the Lotus 7 he had lightness, speed and agility at the forefront of his mind. What he could not of know was that he was about to create a timeless design classic, which still has the ability to embarrass supercars costing over ten times as much.

The first Lotus 7 was released to the public in 1957 and cost £1000 pounds to buy new. However the simplicity of the design meant that Lotus could also offer the 7 in kit form where it would cost half as much. Chapman’s constant aim throughout all of his cars at Lotus was to lightness, ensuring that the cars he produced had supreme agility and road holding.

As Lotus grew in stature Chapman realised that the company would need to shed its kit car image if they were ever to be considered a serious supercar manufacturers and so, in 1973, the designs and rights to the Lotus 7 were sold to Caterham Cars and the new Caterham 7 was born.

It is no surprise that the Caterham 7 has continued to be popular with enthusiastic driver throughout the decades, with its simple engine at the front, power at the back and two seats in the middle philosophy, this sports car was destined to be a hit. As is often the case when you have a winning design on your hands you often find others trying to copy it and Caterham is no exception, pursing several legal cases to protect the design rights.  Read more... (542 words, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

Latest super-sports car from England is the Caparo Freestream supercar, which will have a power-to-weight ratio of 1,000 bhp per ton! The Bugatti Veyron which has 1,001 bhp manages about 560 bhp per tonne, so how you can see that the Caparo is streets ahead of any other supercar in power-to-weight ratio, and that is what makes cars accelerate fast. And fast acceleration is very exciting, and can also improve safety of the car in some circumstances.

So how does the Caparo do it? Not with 2,000 bhp because the car would weigh at least 2.5 tons, which would miss the target. In fact, Bugatti has demonstrated that sheer power means a lot of weight, particularly in the transmission and brakes.

To get a high power-to-weight-ratio you need a light car. And why is a high power-to-weight-ratio important? Because it dictates how fast the car accelerates flat out. A car with a high power-to-weight-ratio can cover the ground quicker because it gets out of corners fast and accelerates up the straights faster. So long as the handling is good, the car will be very fast anywhere.

Lightweight solution

Instead of going for a big engine with masses of power, the designers, who worked on the McLaren F1, have gone for ultra lightweight and a compact V-8 engine based on F1 technology. The result is a pencil-slim car with 480 bhp at 10,500 rpm from a supercharged 2.4 liter engine, and a weight of under 1,100 lb. Both the new engine and transmission are very light, as are all the components. The very narrow body without fully enclosed fenders also reduces weight.  Read more... (580 words, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)

Whether it be racing on the streets or racing on the track you should always know how to speed the right way while in a sports car which means driving fast safely. Even though you may know how to race already here are a few things you can do to better your time on the track.

If you are a rookie do not rev it all up at the start because you are probably just going to spin the tires off the line trying to get into 2nd gear. For a more advanced racer you should rev the motor where you like its RPM range at then when the signals come or the arms drop you let the clutch out and throttle it out of the pocket.

On straight- a ways you should be near top speed and should already know how to handle the car at these types of speeds. Starters should always use both hands when trying to reach a top speed or trying to top out a car.

A more advanced racer should know how to accelerate on the throttle and slow down on it around corners. Pulling more on the throttle will throw the car more towards the wall where as slowing down before a turn will allow you to get inside of the turn and maybe take the lead or win. You should only steer when turning. Not saying you shouldn’t have your hands on the wheel just try not to turn the vehicle as that will decrease speed.  Read more... (491 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)