Lamborghini Cheetah
No, the Cheetah is not back from the era when Lamborghini made tractors. No, it is just the company’s first attempt to build an off-road vehicle. It was built on contract for the American firm Mobility Technology International, which were contacted by the U.S. military to design and built an all-terrain vehicle. The Cheetah was built in San José, California. After initial construction, the prototype was sent to Sant’Agata so Lamborghini could put on the finishing touches. The final result was unveiled at the 1977 Geneva Auto Show.
Cheetah was powered by a 5.9L Chrysler engine, rear mounted, with a 3 speed automatic transmission. Maximum power was 180 hp.
The Cheetah was designed to carry four armed people and a driver. A fiberglass body was used, but the Cheetah was far too heavy for the underpowered engine, so overall performance was very poor. This engine was waterproofed and the radiator was protected by an infrared detection system.
The prototype was destroyed during testing by the US military.
Lamborghini LM001
The LM001 was the second off-road vehicle designed by Lamborghini. It was unveiled at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show.
The only difference between Cheetah and the LM001 was that the last one was powered by a 180 hp 5.9L AMC built V8, with the intention of offering the V12 from the Countach for production models.
But the LM001 didn’t have the success the company expected (the placement of the engine in the rear gave unfavorable handling characteristics when accelerating) so it was limited to only one unit.
Lamborghini LMA002
After the failure of the Cheetah and the LM001, Lamborghini decided to move the engine to the front. The first prototype build like this was the LMA002 presented at the 1982 Geneva Auto Show.
It was powered by a 332 bhp (248 kW) V12 engine from the Countach. The front-engine made space for six people in the rear.
The LMA002 was the basis for the production version LM002.
Lamborghini LM002
The LM002 was built between 1986 and 1993. it is also known as "Rambo" and it was limited to approximately 300 units.
Powered by a 5167 cc V12 engine from the Countach with a maximum power of 450 hp, the LM-002 became an immediate success, probably because its military looks and huge power.
The LM-002 standard equipment included every luxury item available, leather seats, thick color-matched carpeting everywhere, air-conditioning, tinted power-windows, a stereo system mounted in a roof console and much more, but still some were sold each year to various armies around the world.
The military version of the LM002 omitted some of the luxuries, and featured additions like mounting points for machine guns.
The last 60 units of the series were called LM/American and was introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show. The LM/American had special baging, stripes, upgraded interior, group effects, chrome front and rear bumpers and MSW / OZ Racing alloy wheels.
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The 2008 model year marks the launch of the second generation of the Porsche SUV, and the new Cayennes back up their aggressive new design with larger and more powerful – but also more fuelefficient – engines.
All three 2008 Porsche Cayenne models feature engines that for the first time boast direct fuel injection, a technology that enhances fuel efficiency as well as power production. For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, that means a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 that pumps out an astounding 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Flowing through a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission, that power feeds all four wheels and propels the five-passenger sports machine from a standing start to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed on the test track has been recorded at 171 mph (275 km/h). And yet, the Cayenne Turbo qualifies as an LEVII (low-emission vehicle) and in preliminary fuel economy testing the Cayenne Turbo showed the benefits of the direct fuel injection technology with an improvement up to 11 percent in highway driving. The estimated EPA fuel economy values are 13 mpg for city driving and 20 mpg on the highway.
For the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, the engine is a normally aspirated version of the 4.8-liter V8 that generates 385 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with the standard six-speed Tiptronic® S transmission, the Cayenne S can accelerate to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and has reached 155 mph (250 km/h) in testing. The Cayenne S V8 even meets ULEV (ultra low-emission vehicle) status and according to preliminary testing data the estimated EPA fuel economy values for the new Cayenne S are 14 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway. That is an improvement of 3 mpg or around 15 percent for highway fuel economy.
The 2008 Porsche Cayenne is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 290 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque. With the manual gearbox, the Cayenne reaches 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and has reached 141 mph (227 km/h) in testing. The new Cayenne gains LEV2 emission status and preliminary fuel economy testing showed estimated EPA fuel economy figures of 18 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. That is a fuel economy improvement of 3 mpg for city driving.
When it arrived nearly seven years ago, BMW’s X5 could have simply added another respected premium nameplate to the ranks of sport-utility vehicles. Instead, it redefined the class. BMW’s description of that original X5 as a “Sports Activity Vehicle“ represented a new approach to the concept of a traditional SUV—one that linked handling, performance and agility to the conventional attributes of practicality, versatility and off-road ability.
Under the X5 4.8i hood is a further evolution of this technologically advanced and unique V-8 engine. As such, it continues BMW’s revolutionary Valvetronic system, which controls engine power by varying valve lift instead of relying on a conventional throttle.
With Valvetronic, engine breathing – air induction – is controlled by varying valve lift rather than opening and closing a throttle. At minimum lift, the engine is idling or decelerating; at maximum lift, it delivers full power. Valvetronic varies valve lift according to the driver’s demands for power from the engine.
At smaller openings (lighter loads), a throttle imposes a restriction that incoming air must snake around. This causes so-called “pumping losses,” which take a greater proportion of engine power at lower speeds. By eliminating the throttle , Valvetronic essentially does away with these losses.
Complementing the Valvetronic system is a dual-stage induction system, which also helps to improve the engine’s torque production over a wider rpm range. The new, higher torque peak of 350 lb-ft. occurs over a range from 3400 to 3800 rpm, compared to the predecessor’s 3600 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is 0.4 sec. quicker, though the perceived performance increase across the speed range may seem more impressive to many drivers.
The result of the increased displacement and additional enhancements improve the X5 4.8i’s performance significantly compared to the 4.4i. The new V-8 adds 35 hp and 26 lb-ft. of torque over previous 4.4-liter engine, yet retains the ultra-refined operation (smoothness) of its predecessor. Even though performance is increased significantly, EPA mileage ratings are little changed.
The rest of the SAV didn’t go overlooked. For the first time, the X5 offers the convenience of a third-row seat, plus premium details throughout. Enjoy ventilated leather seats, four-zone climate control and a rear seat entertainment system. It’s the perfect combination of pleasure and performance.
The Audi Q7 marks a new development in the sport utility vehicle segment by ingeniously combining sportiness, versatility, sophisticated technology and the luxury of a premium-class vehicle. On the road it excels with the driving performance and dynamics of a sports car; off-road it redefines the benchmark in its category. A vehicle that outwardly makes no secret of its qualities and whose technology delivers on its promise - on any road and in all conditions. The Audi Q7 - the performance SUV from the creator of quattro.
The Audi Q7 is available on its debut with a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine. A 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine will follow in the second half of 2006. Typically for Audi, both power plants work with performance-enhancing, efficient direct-injection technologies. The engines of the new Audi Q7 deliver a level of performance promised by the vehicle’s powerful outward appearance. Torques of up to 325 ft.-lbs. delivers superior tractive power in all speed ranges.
With a displacement of 4,163 cc, the V8 is a close relative of the engine used in the new Audi RS 4. In the Audi Q7, in line with the character of the performance SUV, it develops 350 bhp at 6,800 rpm. But its torque curve is even beefier than in the RS 4: it achieves 325 lbs.-ft. (440 Nm). This power output is the best in its class and is available at 3,500 rpm – 85 percent is unleashed from as low as 2000 rpm. The engine has a sonorous tone and is highly cultivated throughout the entire speed range.
The powerful V8 belongs to the present V engine family of the brand, notable for a 90° cylinder angle and a distance of 3.5 in. between cylinders. A maintenance-friendly twostage chain drive system, comprising three single roller chains, activates the four camshafts; it is located at the rear of the engine to save space. A fourth chain drives the ancillaries.
The figures confirm the impressive power potential of the eight-cylinder engine. The performance SUV with the V8 sprints from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 7.0 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130 mph.<
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