Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)

The Alfa Romeo Giulia (952) is a compact, 4-door, luxury car which was put on the market in 2015. It was designed by Marco Tencone, and it was developed and made by the Italian firm Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. in Lazio, Italy. The Quadrifoglio version of this expensive Italian car features a 2.9-liter, V6, twin-turbo engine which generates 510 horsepower. The other models are the Giulia Speciale, Sprint, and Veloce, all three equipped with a 2.0-liter, straight 4-cylinder engine that delivers 280 horsepower.

The Giulia 952 is a relaunch and an update of the original Alfa Romeo Giulia, which had first been introduced to the public in 1962 and were made in several variants. Today's model specifications sheet shows an improved chassis, sophisticated suspensions, and cutting edge safety systems. Thus, the modern Giulia began with a new architecture which was designed for a longitudinal engine framework. This new Italian car has been built since 2015 up to the present (as of 2026), replacing the Alfa Romeo 159, which was produced between 2004 and 2011.

Technical Description

The Alfa Romeo Giulia 952 has a front-engine, all-wheel drive/rear-wheel drive configuration. The design underlines the precise placement of lightweight materials to help achieve an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution across the front and rear axles. The Quadrifoglio version is powered by a 510-HP, all-aluminum, 2.9L, twin turbocharged engine, being able to reach the maximum speed of 307 km per hour (191 mph). This V6 gasoline engine is longitudinally aligned in the front portion of the car and it has a direct injection system. Today, all variants of the Alfa Romeo Giulia are equipped with either an 8-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual. The car is fitted with a Forward Collision Warning Plus (FCWP) system, which provides autonomous braking, with the ability to slow or bring the car to a full-stop under certain circumstances. Steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber materials were used to make this car.

Specifications (Quadrifoglio)

Type: 4-door, compact luxury car

Length: 4.64 m

Width: 1.87 m

Height: 1.42 m

Wheelbase: 2.82 m

Weight: 1,655 kg

Power Plant: one 510-HP, 2.9L, V6 petrol engine, with 24 valves.

Transmission: 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual

Clutch Type: dry dual disc

Maximum Speed: 307 km at 5,500 rpm.

Lamborghini Murcielago

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a two-door, four-wheel drive sports car, which is known for its unique low-profile and sleek design. It was developed and produced by the Italian firm Lamborghini S.p.A., in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Bologna, Italy, from 2001 to 2010 in the following versions: LP 580 (the original Murcielago), Roadster, LP 640, LP 640-4 Roadster, the LP 670, and the LP 670-4 model. They are all powered by a 6.2-Liter, V12 petrol engine. The car can reach the top speed of 330 km per hour (200 mph). The Lamborghini Murcielago RG-1 was specially and exclusively produced for the Japan Lamborghini Owners Club to compete in Japanese Super Gran Tours (GT) series in 2004. In March 2006, the RG-1 won the the GT300 Cup at the Super GT Suzuka 500 km race, during which this Italian-made car reached the maximum speed of 345 km/h.

The Lamborghini Murcielago has a refined style and vigor, delivering excellent handling, acceleration, and driving safety characteristics. The car harnesses all of the power and speed of the coupé. It upholds the definitive styling and uniqueness, for which the Lamborghini hallmark is renowned. The word ''murciélago'' means ''bat'' in Spanish; however, the car was named after the legendary Spanish fighting bull, whose life was spared after a particular fierce performance fighting a matador in 1879. It was subsequently presented to Don Antonio Miura and went on to father a formidable line of fighting bulls that extends to the present day in Spain. True to the Automobili Lamborghini tradition, the car has continued a succession of names linked to the Spanish fighting bull corrida.

Technical Characteristics

The Lamborghini Murciélago has a rear mid-engine layout, with scissors doors. Its chassis has a carbon and steel alloy tubular frame, while the suspension system consists of independent front and rear double wishbones, with electronically adjustable suspension. The Murcielago is fitted with a four-wheel drive viscous traction system (VTS), which transfers torque between the permanent four-wheel drive front and rear axles. It has an anti-block braking system (ABS), balancing distribution of braking force between front and rear axle to ensure optimum braking. The car is equipped with a powerful 6.2-Liter, V12 60°/6,192 cc gasoline engine, which is mounted longitudinally. The engine features double overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. The six-speed manual gearbox is mounted ahead of engine; this configuration allows for a shorter wheelbase and safer weight balance.

Specifications

Type: two-door sports car

Weight: 1,841 kg; 1,860 kg (Roadster); 1,746 kg (LP 640)

Wheelbase: 2.66 m

Length: 4.6 m

Width: 2 m

Height: 1.13 m

Transmission: 6-speed manual/or automated + reverse

Brakes: ABS, with disc brakes on two hydraulic circuits.

Engine: Lamborghini 6.2-L, V12 60° petrol engine

Maximum Power: 580 HP at 7,500 rpm

Maximum Speed: 330 km/h (200 mph)

Above, the Lamborghini Murcielago is fitted with scissors doors, which open up upwards.

The front view of this Italian car shows the low-profile and streamlined shape; a design conceived for high speeds.

The rear portion of the Murcielago. That is where the V12 engine is longitudinally mounted.

Side view of the car.

Lamborghini Countach

The Lamborghini Countach is a two-door, coupé sports car, with a body outline and configuration designed for high speed. It features a powerful 12-cylinder, gasoline engine, capable of delivering  375 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. It could reach the maximum speed of 300 km per hour. It was designed, developed, and built by Lamborghini S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Bologna, Italy. It was produced between 1974 and 1990 in different versions, starting with the Countach LP-400, which was followed by the LP-400 S and the LP-500 S. A total of 1983 cars were manufactured and exported world-wide. It was preceded by Lamborghini Miura, and succeeded by L. Diablo.

The impressive lines of the Lamborghini Countach was designed by Marcello Gandini of Carrozzeria Bertone (car body building firm). The front portion of car is streamlined and wedge-shaped. This outline was backed up by an advanced cockpit design, scissors doors, and the highly-refined V12 engine. Thus, this Italian car would become iconic and much looked for and highly valued by rich classic car collectors. The scissors doors were a novelty for a production car that began in 1974. These doors were not just a design feature, but they allowed for more comfortable entry and exit into and out of the car. Thus, this sleek futuristic machine characterized an era as it became the dream car of millions of teenagers around the world.

Technical Characteristics

The Lamborghini Countach had a rear mid-engine layout, with rear wheel-drive. The engine was mounted in a longitudinal rear position, with the gearbox set up in front of it, almost between the two seats. The chassis consisted of a tubular frame of integral construction, with a light metal alloy body and fiberglass floor panels. The Countach had independent front and rear suspension, with transverse 'A' arms, dampers, and coaxial springs; rear suspension featured two damper units per wheel. The steering was of rack and pinion design. The car was powered by a V12 60° gasoline (petrol) engine, which generated 375 HP. The engine was made of light alloy block and heads, with 12 cylinders and two overhead camshafts. It had six horizontal Weber twin-choke carburetors.

Specifications (Countach LP-500 S)

Type: two-seat sports car

Weight: 1,480 kg

Length: 4.14 m

Width: 2 m

Height: 1.070 m

Wheelbase: 2.45 m

Power Plant: one 375-HP, Lamborghini 4,754 cc, V12 60° engine.

Transmission: 5-speed synchromesh manual

Brake Type: dual circuit hydraulic, with servo units and alloy calipers.

Maximum Speed: 300 km/h in 5th gear, at 7,000 rmp.

Above, front view of Lamborghini Countach.

Rear view of the iconic Italian car.

The Countach LP500 S in red.

The Countach with its scissors doors open.

Ferrari F136 engine

The Ferrari F136 is a direct-injection, 4,497 cc, V8 engine, with dry sump. Generating 570 horsepower, it is used to drive the Ferrari 458 Spider, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Alfa-Romeo 8C, and the Maserati GranTurismo and Maserati GranSport cars. It is a very efficient engine in terms of its fuel consumption, power, and emission, delivering absolutely exceptional performance. The engine was produced between 2001 and 2020 and it occupies the mid-rear position on the car chassis in all models it powers. It was replaced by the twin-turbocharged Ferrari F154 V8 engine in later models.

On the Ferrari 458 Italia car, the engine air intakes of the Ferrari F136 are located on the B-pillars of the car. However, on the 458 Spider, they are situated in the rear spoiler, where the gearbox and clutch radiators are all located. A specific mix of intake and exhaust sounds was honed to suit the car open air remit. Thus, intake and exhaust inputs were equalized at between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm, with calibration of 3 - 5 dB, thanks to specifically-developed silencers.

Technical Description

The Ferrari F136 is a direct-injection V8 gasoline engine. Thus, it has 8 cylinders arranged in two rows of four cylinders mounted at 90°, with the two rows of cylinders sharing one flat-plane crankshaft. It has a displacement of 4,497 cc (4.5 L), with a cylinder bore of 94 mm. The F136 has an overhead camshaft, with a valvetrain consisting of 32 valves. The engine is water-cooled, with a dry sump oil system.

Specifications

Type: 90° V8 petrol engine

Displacement: 4.5 L

Power Output: 570 HP

Torque Output: 397-lb

Cooling System: water

Above, drawing of the Ferrari F136 engine

SS Jaguar 100

The SS Jaguar 100 was an open, two-seater, luxury car, which was produced in Great Britain between 1936 and 1940 by the British firm SS Cars Ltd in Coventry, England. This sports car was powered by one 2,663 cc, six-cylinder petrol engine. The number '100' was due to the fact that it could reach the top speed of 100 mph. At the time it was introduced, it was a very expensive car to buy as only rich people could afford it. About ten years ago, in an auction in Arizona, USA, a restored 1938 SS Jaguar 100, which was in pristine condition, was sold at 650,000 US dollars. The company SS Cars Ltd, which had been founded in 1922 by William Lyon, would change its name to 'Jaguar Cars Limited' in 1948.

The SS Jaguar 100 was developed from the SS 90. It had the same type of chassis than its predecessor, with a wheelbase of 104 inch (2.64 m). The car body was elegant, with cycle-style wings, a low stance and an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine developed with the help of the gas-flow specialist Harry Weslake. In 2.5-liter form, it was quick; in the 3.5-liter form of 1938 it could reach the 100 mph its name promised; all in all, it was a genuinely fast car for the money. Although it was never produced in large numbers (a total of 300), today it is among the most looked for pre-war, British sports car. Many cars exhibited as SS Juguar 100s are actually replicas, because genuine cars are rare and extremely valuable, and the shape has been reproduced on various chassis over the years. A real SS 100 has documented history and the correct chassis.

Technical Characteristics

The SS Jaguar 100 featured a S-6 (Straight 6-cylinder) engine, which delivered 125 horsepower. 'Straight 6-cylinder engine meant that its cylinders and pistons were arranged straight in a single line. British engineers would later increase both the bore and stroke from 2663.7cc to 3485cc. The effect was a complete improvement in performance and speed. The engine has twin SU carburettors. The car chassis was made of steel, with a wheelbase of 2.64 m and a length of 3.88 m. Suspension consisted of half elliptical leaf springs, with rigid axle, and transmission was four-speed manual. The four-speed gearbox was fitted with synchromesh on the top 3 ratios. The wheels consisted of steel rim and sturdy steel wire spokes.

Specifications

Type: two-seat sports car

Weight: 1,208 kg (2,660-lb)

Length: 3.88 m (152.9 inches)

Width: 1.5 m (60.2 inches)

Wheelbase: 2.64 m (104 inches)

Wheel Type: Dunlop Splined Center Lock 

Power Plant: one Straight 6-cylinder petrol engine

Maximum Speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)

Above, side view of the SS Jaguar 100.

Ferrari 458 Spider

The Ferrari 458 Spider is a two-door, convertible, sports car which was produced by the Italian firm Ferrari S.p.A. in Modena, Italy, between 2009 and 2015. It is a very fast automobile, with a sleek design, fit to drive along any European and American highways and roads. When the Spider was conceived in 2008, Ferrari's engineers based their design on aerodynamic efficiency and a reliable powerful engine, especially on reducing drag and increasing downforce. As a result, they developed a car which is 12 per cent more aerodynamically efficient than previous models. Thus, its body shape and its 570-HP V8 engine allow it to reach the maximum speed of 320 km per hour.

The driver of the Ferrari 458 Spider can easily reach all the commands without even loosing his grip on the steering wheel. This ensures optimal performance in all kinds of driving conditions. Thus, the driver has an absolute control of the car. The double curvature roof and seating were also ergonomically designed, so even very tall drivers over 6 ft can be easily and comfortably accommodated. The interior of the 458 Spider is simple and there is plenty of luggage stowage space in the front trunk as well as on the rear bench. The structural protection has been cleverly incorporated into the 458 Spider's styling thanks to the unique design of the B-pillar buttresses. The hard top of the car consists of two panels that fold so as to take up very little space. The two panels move and rotate rearwards one on top of the other.

Technical Characteristics

The Ferrari 458 Spider is a two-door, two-seater, convertible automobile, with a rear mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. It has a compact and sleek design which offers a minimum resistance to the flow of air at high speeds and makes the car tightly cling to the road on curves due to its increased downforce. A tight downforce prevents it from skidding off the road and turn over. The chassis is made of high-quality aluminum alloy. The car is fitted with a 7-speed + reverse, dual-clutch automatic gearbox made by the German firm Getrag. Both the 458 Spider and Speciale version are powered by one Ferrari/Maserati 4,499 cc, V8 90° gasoline engine, which delivers 570 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. The engine has a direct injection and a dry sump. The car has carbo-ceramic disc brakes and double wishbone suspension system with L-arms.

Specifications

Type: sports car

Weight: 1,565 kg

Length: 4.5 m

Width: 1.9 m

Height: 1.2 m

Wheelbase: 2.65 m

Transmission: 7-speed + reverse automatic

Suspension: double wishbone

Power Plant: one 570-HP Ferrari/Maserati V8 90° gasoline (petrol) engine.

Maximum Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)

Above, front view of the Ferrari 458 Spider.

Ferrari 458 Spider: ignition, acceleration, and driving (video)

The Ferrari 458's layout and design allow it to cling to the road at the bends.

The Ferrari/Maserati V8 engine that powers the 458 Spider.

Above, side view of the famous Italian car.

Lamborghini Miura P400

The Lamborghini Miura P400 was an Italian, two-door, sports car, whose design had first been unveiled to the public in 1965. When it rolled out of the factory in 1966, it was the fastest car in the world, featuring a beautiful, streamlined design conceived for high speeds. Fitted with a powerful 350-HP, V12 60° gasoline engine, the Miura was able to reach the astonishing top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). This luxury car was designed by the Italian engineer Marcello Gandini and produced by the firm Lamborghini S.p.A. in Bologna, northern Italy. The form of the body was created by the firm Carrozzeria Bertone; this body shape was not only modern but timeless, in a sense that even today, sixty + years later, the car is still regarded as advanced, stylish, and beautiful.

When it was introduced in 1966, the Lamborghini Miura immediately struck a chord with the public as it became famous world-wide. It was named after a Spanish breed of bull: 'miura'. The 'P' of P400 indicates the positioning of the engine and the '400' the 4-liter displacement. The V12 engine was also unusual as it was effectively merged with the transmission and differential, which shows a lack of space in the tightly-wrapped and compact design. Many orders would be placed, driving the engineers and factory workers hectic and busy. It was a surprise to both Ferruccio Lamborghini, the owner, and Nuccio Bertone. Between 1966 and 1968, 265 Miuras were produced and sold. That number increased in 1969 with the launch of the Miura P400 S, of which 338 were sold between 1969 and 1971. The Miura SV was sold between 1971 and 1973, with 150 cars delivered.

Technical Characteristics

The Lamborghini Miura was conceived as a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car, with a low, compact, and bold streamlined design. The engine was set up transversely on the chassis to keep the wheelbase of the car short. This forced the engineers to alter the gearbox arrangement. The Miura P400 was a two-seater club coupé, with its body and frame consisting of steel sheet and light alloy parts, with the engine block cast in aluminum alloy. The transmission was five-speed manual + reverse. Until 1973, the last production year, the car would undergo periodic improvements and upgrades.

The engine of the Miura had twelve cylinders which were arranged in a 'V' 60° layout, with six cylinders on each side of the 'V'. The gearbox and differential were built in the same block. The engine could deliver 350 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, and 370 HP at 7,700 rpm in the P400 S version. The compression ration was 9.8 : 1. The crankshaft had seven main bearings with connecting rods per throw. The valvetrain consisted of four overhead camshafts. The engine was fitted with four triple-body Weber carburetors and two coil ignition system. It had a forward-mounted water radiator, with two thermostatically-controlled fans.

Specifications

Type: GT sports car

Weight: 1,293 kg

Length: 4.36 m

Width: 1.76 m

Height: 1.055 m

Ground Clearance: 12.5 cm

Power Plant: one 350-HP, V12 60° gasoline/petrol engine, with transverse alignment.

Traction: Rear-wheel drive

Maximum Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)

Transmission: 5 speeds + reverse manual

Above, a restored 1970 yellow Lamborghini Miura S.

Front view of the Miura P400 S driving in northern Italy.

Side view of the Lamborghini Miura.

The V12 engine of the Miura.

An orange Lamborghini Miura on sale.

Lamborghini Miura ignition and acceleration demonstration (video)

Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 was an Italian sports car which was first unveiled to the public in 1973. It was developed and manufactured by Ferrari S.p.A in Modena, Italy. Its main feature was its powerful V8 90° gasoline engine, which generated 255 horsepower. It enabled the car to accelerate from 0 km to 1 km (1,000 m) in 27 seconds. The Dino 308 GT4 was one of the many Gran Tourer cars which has been produced in limited series by the Italian car firm until today, and it was developed by Ferrari from direct experience in motor racing. In 1980, it would be replaced by the F. Mondial 8 (Type F108), which was powered by the same engine.

The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 had been exhibited to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show on October 25, 1973. There were two series of Dino 308 GT4 cars. The earlier cars were fitted with a twin distributor engine and fog lamps mounted in the front valance. The so called Series 2 cars, on the other hand, featured a wider and shallower grille with fog lamps mounted behind. European versions changed to a single distributor while USA and Australian cars continued with twin distributors, each with 2 sets of points. On European cars Magneti Marelli electronic ignition was fitted from July 1978 onward.

Technical Description

The engine of the Dino 308 GT4 was made up of 8 cylinders arranged in a 'V' layout configuration set up at 90°. It had four valves per cylinder, with a bore and stroke of 81x71-mm. The piston displacement was 2926.9 c.c., with a compression ratio of 8.8 : 1. The engine delivered a maximum of 255 HP at 7,700 rpm. It featured a light alloy crankcase with shrunk in cast-iron liners. The engine had four inclined overhead valves per cylinder, with four overhead camshaft and five bearing crankshaft. Ignition was done by a single spark-plug per cylinder, with one Morelli distributor and electrical system with alternator and transistorized regulator. It also featured four twin choke Weber carburetors.

The chassis of the Dino 308 GT4 consisted of steel tubular frame, with a Coupé 2x2 body, which was designed by Bertone. The car was fitted with a 5-speed all-synchromesh gearbox, which was operated by a central gear lever. It featured rock and pinion steering and the wheels had independent front and rear suspension, with coil springs over over telescopic shock absorbers. It had servo-assisted hydraulic brakes, with ventilated discs on all four wheels. It had electronic revolution counter and speedometer.

Specifications

Type: Gran Tourer sports car

Weight: 1,150 kg

Length: 4.3 m

Width: 1.8 m

Height: 1.18 m

Power Plant: one 255-HP, 2.9L, Ferrari Dino V8 90°

Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 liters

Transmission: 5 speeds + reverse manual

Maximum Speed: 250 km

The Dino 308 GT4 produced in 1977.

Side view of the 308 GT4 that rolled out of factory in Italy in 1973.

Front view of the Italian car.

The Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 acceleration. Demonstration (video)

Lamborghini Jarama 400 GT

The Lamborghini Jarama 400 GT was a sports car produced between 1970 and 1976. Designed by Marcello Gandini, it was the first four-seater developed and made by the Italian firm Lamborghini. It was named for an area in Spain famous for its fighting bulls. Lamborghini designed and developed the Jarama to meet American standards. To achieve that, Italian engineers used a version of the Espada chassis which had had its wheelbase shortened by 10.7 inches. The Iso Lele and the Lamborghini Jarama share similarities in their exterior styling and were both styled by Marcello Gandini. A total of 328 Jaramas were produced, all of them powered by a 60° V12 gasoline engine.

In 1972, Lamborghini rolled out the Jarama S from its factory. The new version of the car had new carburetor and exhaust system. As a result, its engine power had been increased from 350 HP to 365 HP. It also had its windshield position slightly adjusted. The interior of the Jarama S now had a redesigned dashboard, which was trimmed in aluminium, whiles its switches were relocated to the center console. The car also featured added head/sound insulation and improved rear seats and legroom. Power assisted steering became standard early into Jarama S production. Removable roof panels, and TorqueFlite automatic transmission were also available as factory options. Lamborghini manufactured 150 cars of this version.

Specifications

Type: Grand Tourer (GT)

Weight: 1,450 kg

Length: 4.48 m

Width: 1.8 m

Height: 1.19 m

Transmission: 5-speed manual, or TorqueFlite automatic

Power Plant: one 3,929 cc, Lamborghini 60°, V12

Maximum Speed: 200 km/h

Above, the Lamborghini Jarama 400 GT

Lamborghini Jarama on freeway (video)

Electric Motor

An electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, or torque. This rotatory mechanical energy is harnessed to perform a task, such as to lift and lower an elevator. The electric motor is a basic type of motor used in industry, transportation, homes, and elsewhere. Like a generator, it also consists of stator and a rotor. However, it works in an inverse fashion; in an electric motor, it is the stator windings electromagnetic fields that make the rotor turn around and produce mechanical energy, whereas in a generator, it is the rotating rotor winding and electromagnet that induces (produces) AC current on the stator winding; in other words, in a generator, electricity is produced by the mechanical energy of the rotating rotor.

Electric motors can be classified by the kind of current used for their drive. The DC motors have the advantage of an economical and smooth regulation of their rotational speed (rpm). The AC motors include synchronous and asynchronous electric motors. In a synchronous motor the rotational speed (rpm) is rigidly dependent on the frequency of the feeder current. In an asynchronous motor the rotational speed decreases as the load increases. A third type of alternating current motor is the commutator motor, which permits a smooth regulation of rotational speed within wide limits.

The asynchronous motor is the most widely used, because it is simple to manufacture and is reliable in operation (particularly the squirrel-cage motors). In the industry, three-phase alternating current (AC) is used to power a heavy-duty electric motor. Their main disadvantages are a considerable consumption of reactive power and the lack of a smooth (gradual) speed regulation. This is the reason why in many high-power electric drives, synchronous electric motors are being used instead of the asynchronous one. However, DC motors are utilized if speed regulation is of paramount importance; the more expensive and less reliable AC commutator motors are also very occasionally used in these cases.

The power rating of electric motors ranges from a fraction of a watt to dozens of megawatts. Electric motors have various forms of frame construction: open frame, in which the rotating and current-carrying parts are protected against accidental touching and foreign objects; protected frame (including drop-proof and spray-proof designs); closed frame (dust-proof and moisture-proof); hermetic frame; and explosion-proof frame (in case of an explosion of gases inside the motor, any flame is confined to the interior of the motor housing).

Above, a three-phase asynchronous electric motor.

The stator and stator winding of an electric motor.