California Speedin

NOVITEC Rosso has taken the Ferrari California T and transformed it from a fast cruiser into a veritable bruiser called the California T N-Largo.

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NOVITEC Rosso has taken the Ferrari California T and transformed it from a fast cruiser into a veritable bruiser called the California T N-Largo.

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NOVITEC Rosso has taken the Ferrari California T and transformed it from a fast cruiser into a veritable bruiser called the California T N-Largo. Compared to a regular California T, the N-Largo has been widened by 11cm with a carbon fibre bodykit, which not only increases downforce but features slots to help cool the car’s brakes. Enhancing the vehicle’s handling are lowering springs that drop the ride height by 35mm, and the option of 21- or 22-inch forged alloys.

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To enable owners to negotiate speed bumps, the front suspension can be electronically raised by 40mm. This Ferrari’s performance has been boosted, too. Apart from a high-performance exhaust system, the automobile’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 has been modified to produce 668bhp and 871Nm, or 108bhp and 96Nm more compared to the stock engine. Novitec claims the car can demolish the century sprint in 3.2 seconds – that’s 0.4 of a second quicker than a normal California T.

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FIERCER FELINE 

JAGUAR F-Type Roadster owners looking give their “cat” more fearsome road presence could consider this bodykit offered by Piecha Design. It comes with a new front wing that reduces lift at high speed, side sill wings that widen the car, and a rear diffuser that reduces drag. For a more aggressive-looking rear, a pair of stainless-steel grille inserts and larger 90mm tailpipe ends can also be fitted.

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Giving the F-Type a more athletic stance are Piecha’s lowering springs, which decrease the ride height by 30mm, plus 20-inch MP1 monoblock alloy wheels. Piecha also offers F-Type Roadster owners an added convenience – an electronic module that lets them lower the roof with a single press or pull of the roof-control toggle. In standard form, the car requires drivers to keep the toggle pressed/pulled to open/close the soft-top. 

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NO JUKE-ING

NISSAN showcased the latest version of its super-crossover, the Juke-R 2.0, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June. Based on the latest Juke model, the Juke-R has revised bodywork that includes a new front bumper with cooling ducts that are two times larger than before. 

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The biggest upgrade, however, has been to the GTR’s engine beneath the bonnet – it’s now tuned to produce 600bhp, or 55bhp more than the previous model.

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MAC ATTACK

MCLAREN Automotive’s 650S GT3 racecar claimed its first win in Asia when Vitantonio Liuzzi and Hiroshi Hamaguchi of the FFF Racing Team drove it to victory in the GT Asia race at the Okayama circuit in Japan. The triumph, which is the model’s 11th this year, is even more significant as this is the car’s debut season. The FFF Racing Team did not win the second race that weekend, but two of its three cars finished in the top 10, with one posting the fastest lap time of that race.

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ROK-ING RACERS

ROUND 4 of the 2015 Rok Cup, which was held at the KF1 Karting Circuit in Kranji, saw more than 70 racers from seven countries (including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan) compete in seven diff erent categories.

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The fastest Singaporeans from the Mini Rok, Junior Rok, Senior DVS, Elite 30 DVS and Elite 40 DVS categories each won a sponsored “arrive and drive” seat at the 2015 Rok Cup International Final in Italy, which will take place in October. This round also saw the introduction of the Rok 50 category, which is meant for first-time go-kart racers.

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MORE TRACK ACTION

THIS year’s Singapore Grand Prix will have an additional support race – the TCR International Series, which features racecars based on actual production models. The most recognisable machines are likely to be the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus ST. Under TCR regulations, each car is powered by a turbocharged 2-litre engine restricted to 330bhp, while the use of telemetry and driver aids is forbidden.v

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SURER GRIP BRIDGESTONE

Singapore is targeting performance car owners with its new Potenza Adrenalin RE003 tyre. Compared to its predecessor, the RE002, the RE003 is claimed to off er improved grip and handling, thanks to features such as a wide centre rib and pulse groove, which enhances water drainage. The tyre is available in 15- to 20-inch sizes.

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