ABT Mountain bikes: All-terrain fun from German tuner

Can’t even remember when the last time I took a bike was. Not that I don’t want to but, as all city-dwellers, free time is a luxury I cant seem to be able to afford. Well, anyways, for all you out there who are able to squeeze a trail-bike ride, German VW Group tuning specialist ABT, has released its new series of mountain bikes. The range consists of three models (Abt Mountain Bike, Abt Mountain Bike Sport and Abt Mountain Bike Race) which were developed in co-operation with the Pforzheim-based bike manufacturer, Bergwer. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and a high-res image gallery

ABT PRESS RELEASE: When successful motor sports ace Christian Abt is not racing a DTM car or is not test riding one of the modified Abt cars for everyday suitability, he loves going mountain biking. So what could be more natural than to develop his own bike? By the end of the 90s Christian Abt had already realized this idea and had designed a special bike in the same yellow outfit as the winning car in the DTM. The series was very popular and soon all bikes were sold and until today customers keep enquiring about a new series of bikes.

Abt Sportsline moves along with the times and it is not Abt’s sportsmanship to simply copy a success model, as the Bavarians also do not design cars based on the standards of 1990. Therefore the new state-of-the-art mountain bike series with the models Abt Mountain Bike, Abt Mountain Bike Sport und Abt Mountain Bike Race were developed in co-operation with the renowned Pforzheim-based bike manufacturer Bergwerk. Thanks to the dampers DT Swiss SSD 190 L the rear spring travel can be adjusted individually to 110 or 125 millimetres. What is more, the exceptional bikes do without platform dampers. The innovative damper construction operates with varying transmission ratio when the bike’s springs compress. The more the bike’s springs are compressed, the softer the lever transmission responds. Due to this unique dynamical adjustment traction as well as performance is optimized.

Uphill the muscular strength is transformed optimally into propulsion and higher speeds are possible on downhill passages. All Abt bikes offer excellent climbing features and high stiffness when going great speeds. Despite these characteristics, the rear section of the bike shows sensitiveness in all terrains and also reacts to soft bumps when the springs are compressed. This sophisticated technology draws distinctions between other mountain bikes. “Everybody riding an Abt bike rides a real Abt. It’s as simple as that“, says engine and suspension perfectionist Christian Abt.

Data:

Front spring travel: from 90 to 130 mm
Rear spring travel: from 110 mm to 125 mm
Weight of frame: 3,100 g
Seat tube angle: 73°
Steering angle: 70°
Fork length: 481 mm
Chain stay length: 425 mm
Steerer tube measure: 120 mm to 150 mm
Seat pillar: 31.6 mm (with sleeve: 27.2 mm)
Dampers: DT SWISS SSD 190 L
Suspension fork: RS Récon 351 UT + PL or RS Revalation 426 UT R + PL
Brakes: Magura Julie, Shimano LX 2007 or Shimano XTR Disc 2007
Handlebar: Bergwerk
Pulse logic: FSA Orbit XL II or ACROS AH/06
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Official: Chrsyler Group approves small-car agreement with Chinese, Chery Motors

Theoretically and for the time being, the Chrysler Group is up for sale but that doesn’t mean that the Group has halted all its future projects. Today DaimlerChrysler announced that its Supervisory Board approved the framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chinese Chery Motor Company. Although this agreement has to be approved by the “almighty” Chinese government, consider it a done deal with the final paper work to be signed by the end of March.

According to DC, under the non-equity partnership, the Chery-built vehicles will be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North America and Western Europe. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the press release

PRESS RELEASE: Auburn Hills, Mich./Stuttgart, Germany - The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board today approved the framework of a limited partnership to develop small vehicles between the Chrysler Group and Chery Motor Company of China. The deal is still contingent upon approval by the Chinese government, but the final pact of the framework is expected to be signed by the end of March. Under the non-equity partnership, Chery-built vehicles will be distributed under Chrysler brands, primarily in North America and Western Europe.

Chrysler Group indicated that the partnership would allow the company to become a bigger player on the global automotive stage by giving it access to products in new segments more quickly, with less capital spending.

Small vehicles such as these will allow Chrysler Group brands to compete in segments in which the brands do not currently compete, and which are especially important in price- and fuel-economy sensitive markets. Some 67 percent of all vehicles sold outside of North America are in these segments. Chrysler Group's major competitors in the U.S. and Western Europe have similar arrangements with Asian manufacturers for vehicles in these segments.

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Gumpert Apollo Sport - 800Hp German supercar to be unveiled at Geneva

What a name - Gumpert Apollo; sounds more like a chewing gum than an insane, 800Hp strong beast that costs about 300.000 EUR or 390.000 USD. Based on the 650Hp Apollo, the Apollo Sport’s Audi RS6 derived biturbo V8 gets an extra 150Hp. Thas good enough for a 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) time of 3,0 sec while top speed is pushed up to 360km/h (224mph). Apart form the engine upgrade the Sports is also equipped with an extended aerodynamic package. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see more pictures and the press release

PRESS RELEASE: It is one of only a handful of super sport cars and after its debut at Geneva’s international Motor Show in 2006 it was clear: the Apollo is a synthesis of dynamic and design with pure driving pleasure and unique performance. On the road it speeds like a god and on the race track it cries out to be challenged by an opponent that can match its breathtaking acceleration and incomparable handling. Now, it is due to get a worthy competitor out of its own stable. At the 77th Geneva Motor Show, the Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur will present the Apollo Sport to the wide public.

The Apollo Sport is the rebel amongst the super sport cars. Its bodywork combines sexy curves with potent edges and angles and aims for uncompromising aerodynamics. A clear demonstration of the principle “form follows function”. Its challenging sporting design derives from the requirement to built a street legal racing car, whose number one priority is to provide extraordinary performance on the circuit, but at the same time embodying a vehicle suitable for daily use.

The highest importance was attached to safety: the tubular space frame in chrome-molybdenum steel with integrated safety monocoque fabricated in carbon-fiber passes all crash-tests regulations, while a cashbox offers additional protection. The gaping air intake stub over the roof and on the rear signals power, dynamics and superiority. The eight cylinder, bi-turbo mid-engine with up to 800 horsepower is capable of catapulting this 1200 kg missile from 0-100 km/h in only 3 seconds. The Apollo port is equipped with an extended aerodynamic package and, in contrast to the three part spoiler of the Apollo, possesses a racing wing which gives even more down force and pushes the Apollos’ maximum speed up to 360 km/h.

As you can guess, it is not for nothing that this cars is named after the fierce Greek God. The two-seater also convinces from the inside, with its sporty and elegant alcantara interior, and offers air-condition, CD-player, navigation system and reverse view camera as standard equipment. A two-layer metallic finish available in any conceivable color, gives this bolide a particular luster. As a special accessory the Apollo is equipped with an airjack, a pneumatic jacking pad. The standard version of the Apollo Sport costs 299.500,- € plus VAT.

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