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jueves, octubre 22, 2020
Bugatti’s “Dare Devils” – combining Flying and Racing Cars
Uncompromising racing cars and daring pilots. Bugatti is directly associated with numerous historic racing successes, in the glorious Grand Prix days of the brand. Racing cars produced by this French manufacturer from Alsace won several thousand competitions between 1920 and the mid-1930s alone. But apart from the extraordinary cars such as the legendary, agile and light Bugatti Type 35, the racing drivers in particular were largely responsible for this success. They were all cut from a very special cloth, sharing a passion for technology and speed, on land and in the air.
Aviation developed in parallel with the motor car, both of which were driven forward in France at the start of the 20th century. The first motorised aircraft took off in 1906, developed by a Brazilian living in Paris. Frenchman Louis Charles Breguet developed the first helicopter in 1907, and Frenchman Louis Blériot became the first man to fly across the English Channel in 1909. Ettore Bugatti decided to settle in Molsheim, Alsace that same year. The young developer loved extraordinary technology and was just as fascinated by aviation and pilots as he was by the motor car, which was still in its infancy. So it was hardly surprising that Bugatti didn’t just restrict himself to developing and designing light and powerful automobiles and thoroughbred racing cars, but developed speedboats, high-speed trains and aircraft as well. “Bugatti has been closely associated with motorsports and aviation for over 110 years. Early models demonstrate clear parallels to these two technical areas. This includes open mechanical systems, consistent lightweight construction a good power-to-weight ratio and initial attempts to improve aerodynamics,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “Ettore Bugatti also designed and produced a wide variety of high-precision, light, powerful and technically demanding machines. In addition to the uncompromising racing cars, this also includes aircraft engines, and an own constructed aircraft.”
The first aircraft engine built by Bugatti around 1915 was a massive eight-cylinder in-line engine producing 250 PS. These were followed by 16-cylinder engines with two blocks of eight cylinders, each positioned vertically side-by-side on a shared crankcase. The French government had no interest in the aircraft engines, but the Americans did. The further-developed King Bugatti 16-cylinder aircraft engine delivered 420 PS at about 2,000 rpm. It was planned to build at least 2,000 of these engines, but this plan was rendered obsolete when the First World War came to an end in November 1918. Probably only 40 of these engines were produced. Bugatti devoted himself increasingly to his vehicles in the years that followed, but in 1925 he still built a 16-cylinder aircraft engine, the Type 34, which he later used in a modified form in the Type 41 Royale. Ettore Bugatti was also interested in aviation on a personal level: he maintained close contact with former First World War pilots throughout his life. They wanted to transfer the allure of speed from the air to the road. And this was an idea that particularly appealed to Ettore Bugatti.
Louis Blériot
Louis Blériot was the first Frenchman to drive a Bugatti. This was a real honour for Ettore Bugatti, because Blériot was already famous by then. In July 1909, he became the first person to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane with the Blériot XI, a machine he developed himself, and became a national hero in France. It took him just 37 minutes to cover the around 35 kilometres from Calais to Dover. This didn’t go unnoticed by Ettore Bugatti either, who at the time was working as a design engineer at Gasmaschinenfabrik Deutz AG in Cologne. At an air show in Cologne, Ettore Bugatti asked Louis Blériot to stay at his house in Cologne and chauffeured him to the airport in the car he designed himself. Blériot was enthusiastic about the car and implored Bugatti to build the car himself. At that time, the 1909 Type 10 was just a draft design – still before Bugatti founded his own company. The vehicle anticipates what the brand Bugatti has stood for ever since: powerful and fast vehicles with a sometimes unrivalled power-to-weight ratio. With a weight of around 365 kilograms and an output of 10 PS, the car was able to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, something which appealed to the pilot Louis Blériot. The two entrepreneurs kept in touch for life. Blériot remained loyal to flying, founded his own aircraft company and built his own aircraft. The aviation pioneer died in Paris in 1936.
Roland Garros
Although Roland Adrien Georges Garros (1888-1918) never raced for Bugatti, this French aviation pioneer had a close relationship with Bugatti. Garros bought a Santos-Dumont Demoiselle aircraft in 1910 and taught himself to fly. He then went on to become one of the most famous aviators in France. Garros achieved world fame when he successfully crossed the Mediterranean in an aeroplane in 1912 after winning various flying events and air races. Garros became aware of Ettore Bugatti and his vehicles after his victory in the Type 18 at Mont Ventoux. Garros, who loved speed, was looking for a car that would allow him to go as fast on land as he did in the air. In 1913, he decided to purchase the Type 18, later known as “Black Bess” (after a British racehorse). The 5.0-litre, four-cylinder engine delivered up to 100 PS and was capable of speeds in excess of 150 km/h. Only six or seven of these racing cars, with a then unknown power-to-weight ratio and uncompromisingly sporty set-up were built. These vehicles became the first roadgoing super sports cars in the automotive history. Not only was the sale to Garros a huge marketing success for Bugatti, it was also the beginning of a close, albeit brief, friendship with the pilot, who once described Ettore as “the only artist who succeeds in filling steel with life”. During the First World War, Garros flew for the French Army and was shot down and killed in 1918.
Robert Benoist
Robert Benoist, born on 20 March 1895, served as a fighter pilot and flew reconnaissance aircraft during the First World War before becoming a flight instructor in 1918. After the end of his time as an active pilot, he increasingly transferred his enthusiasm for technology and speed to cars. So it was only logical that this talented young man should start in smaller races from 1920 onwards – initially as a test driver, later as a works driver. In 1924, Benoist became famous overnight when he won the French Grand Prix in a 12-cylinder Delage. He dominated races in 1927, winning the French, Spanish, Italian and British Grand Prix races and becoming the first World Champion. From 1934 onwards, Benoist handled assignments at Bugatti as a kind of motorsports manager, and ensured further successes as sales manager for Paris. But he wasn’t quite able to get by without the buzz that speed gave him: Benoist drove again in a few races between 1934 and 1937, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Jean-Pierre Wimille in a Type 57 G Tank. Robert Benoist was not only a gifted technician and racing driver, but also a man with attitude. During the Second World War he was one of the leaders of the Resistance in the fight against Nazi Germany. Benoist founded a resistance group alongside his former Bugatti colleagues William Grover-Williams and Jean-Pierre Wimille. Benoist’s courageous commitment cost him his life in 1944 – he was executed at the Buchenwald concentration camp on 12 September.
Bartolomeo Costantini
Bartolomeo “Meo” Constantini (1889-1941) was fascinated by technical vehicles, and in particular aircraft, from childhood. He won fame as a daredevil ace pilot during the First World War. He began to develop an interest in fast cars not long afterwards. He raced for Aquila Italiana between 1914 and 1917 before then taking a break. Costantini achieved his greatest racing successes from 1923 onwards, when he joined Bugatti. In 1925 and 1926 he won the Targa Florio in Sicily and the French Grand Prix. Costantini ended his career as an active racing driver when his closest friend Giulio Masetti died at the Targa Florio in 1926. That said, he was unable to leave motorsport behind and went on to head the Bugatti works team for the next few years. It wasn’t until nine years later, in 1935, that he gave up his post and retired.
Albert Divo
Albert Eugène Diwo, born on 24 January 1895 in Paris, began training as a ship mechanic at the age of 13. His phenomenal understanding of technically complex systems brought him into aviation, which at that time was still in its infancy. Diwo quickly got to grips with aircraft as both a technician and a pilot. He fought the First World War as a pilot while continuing to work on the ground as a mechanic. He didn’t want to leave behind the adrenaline rush in peacetime, and he won a number of races as a driver as early as 1919. Diwo switched to Bugatti in 1928 and soon changed his name to Divo, which means ‘star’ in Italian, before winning the famous Targa Florio in Sicily in the same year and again in 1929 in a Type 35 B. For years the Type 35 B has been regarded as the most mature and reliable racing car with an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Divo won many races, including six Grands Prix, over a period of 20 years. He continued to work in motorsports after the Second World War, as a race director for an oil producer. Albert Divo died in France in 1966.
Bugatti Aircraft Type 100 P
Ettore Bugatti’s fascination with speed remained unbroken despite the many blows of fate dealt to his friends. In 1937, ten years after Charles Lindbergh travelled from New York to Paris and crossed the Atlantic, the French Air Ministry asked him to design a modern aircraft for an air race – and so he got to work. Above all, this new machine had to be light and nimble. Initial trials with two counter-rotating propellers, driven by two engines in series, were very promising. Bugatti was aiming to break the speed record of 709 km/h with the Type 100 P. The French Army was enthusiastic about the idea of this powerful aircraft and even offered a bonus if the record were to be broken as this would give the French Air Force a better aircraft than the Germans. However, the outbreak of the Second World War prevented completion of the Bugatti aircraft. It wasn’t until decades later that a replica of the Type 100 P actually took off.
The connection to aeronautics and to particularly light and uncompromising racing cars has existed at Bugatti for over 110 years. And the story is by no means over yet.
viernes, octubre 16, 2020
GM de México y Fundación Cima 10 años de alianza contra el cáncer de mama
Alejandra de Cima y Paco Garza
GM de México y Fundación Cima cumplen 10 años de alianza
contra el cáncer de mama
• A través de Chevrolet, GM impulsa una campaña digital para promover la auto-exploración
CDMX a 16 de octubre de 2020.- General Motors de México y Fundación Cima celebran una década de alianza para contribuir con la sensibilización de más mujeres sobre la importancia de la detección oportuna del cáncer de mama, enfermedad que representa la segunda causa de muerte en las mexicanas.
“Fundación Cima ha sido un gran aliado para que General Motors de México pueda contribuir con esta causa. Agradecemos su compañía durante estos 10 años para hacer llegar un mensaje vital para las mujeres, especialmente a las que se encuentran en situación vulnerable. Seguiremos sumando kilómetros a la vida”, comentó Francisco Garza, Presidente y Director General de GM de México.
En 10 años de alianza, General Motors ha aportado a la fundación casi 2 millones de pesos en efectivo y ha donado 16 vehículos Chevrolet. Estos recursos han servido para sensibilizar a más de 20 mil mujeres acerca de la autoexploración, a realizar más de 50 mil mastografías y a capacitar a cerca de 900 promotores de la salud.
“Cada día 18 mujeres en México pierden la vida a causa del cáncer de mama; sin embargo, 95% de estos casos podrían ser curables con detección temprana y atención adecuada”, mencionó Alejandra de Cima, Presidenta de Fundación Cima. “Por ello, alianzas tan sólidas como la que tenemos con General Motors es tan importante para seguir concientizando sobre la autoexploración”.
Durante octubre, mes en el que se conmemora el día de internacional de la lucha contra esta enfermedad, General Motors ilumina todas sus instalaciones de rosa. En esta ocasión, además concentrará sus esfuerzos de concientización mediante una campaña digital. Chevrolet lanzará un reto en TikTok para fomentar la autoexploración y así detectar de manera oportuna indicios de cáncer de mama. Búscalo con el #checatechallenge.
General Motors de México se enorgullece de participar en esta iniciativa de la mano de Fundación Cima, quien reconoce la importancia de colaborar juntos para llegar a cada mujer que esté a su alcance.
jueves, octubre 15, 2020
jueves, octubre 01, 2020
ABT RS4-S impresses with 510 hp and aero package
The new standard for compact sports
estates
ABT RS4-S impresses with 510 hp and comprehensive aero package
The current Audi RS 4 can look back on an impressive lineage that goes back to the RS2. While it recently received a facelift, ABT Sportsline is already showcasing the next stage of its evolution. The special edition ABT RS4-S features an alluring aero package and clearly offers more performance*: 510 hp (375 kW) and 660 Nm are the key data. This means an increase of 60 hp or 44 kW and 60 Nm compared to the standard 450 hp (331 kW). This is made possible by the high-tech control unit ABT Engine Control and a special air intake cover. The acceleration is correspondingly impressive – from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. If you want a further performance upgrade, ABT Power S is available for an extra charge, and this will achieve 530 hp (390 kW) and 680 Nm. As an exclusive extra for this version, a V-max increase to 300 km/h is available on request.
"The Audi RS4 has been an icon since the first generation in 1999," explains Managing Director Hans-Jürgen Abt: "We have added some exciting new features to this high-calibre performer, and now it has even more fire." The incendiary head-turner’s individual look starts with the ABT Aerokit, which is only available in this configuration for the ABT RS4-S. Included in the scope of delivery: ABT front lip add-on with model name, front blades and wheelhouse ventilation, which are adorned by a real carbon fin. A CFRP rear spoiler and rear skirt insert are also included. Finally, the ABT stainless steel exhaust system makes it look & sound perfect: Four 102 mm carbon-fibre end pipes emphasise the self-confident appearance. The 21-inch ABT SPORT GR alloy wheels come into their own in glossy black.
To
ensure that longitudinal and lateral dynamics are
perfectly balanced, the package also includes ABT height adjustable
suspension springs as well as ABT anti-roll bars on the front and
rear axles. The world’s largest tuner of vehicles from Audi and VW also provides
the ABT coilover suspension for an extra charge. The ABT RS4-S
also has a dynamic interior: RS4-S logos feature on the seat
refinement, door sills and floor mats. An emblem badge adds
the finishing touch to the interior. For
an additional charge, carbon fibre for the seat shells, seat
frame covers and dashboard covers, and the new leather and carbon
upgrade for the steering wheel are available. As such, the power estate
delivers even greater driving pleasure.
*The engine performance data is in accordance with the stipulations of EWG/80/1269. The process and dynamometer manufacturer have been certified and authorised by the vehicle manufacturer. For further details, visit www.abt-sportsline.com/performance-measurement.
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miércoles, septiembre 23, 2020
General Motors de México celebra 85 años
General Motors de México celebra 85 años con más de 15 millones de vehículos producidos
Ciudad de México, a 23 de septiembre de 2020.- General Motors celebra hoy ocho décadas y media de operaciones en México siendo un referente en la industria automotriz. Se ha convertido en el principal productor y exportador del sector en el país. Desde 1937, fecha en la que se inauguró su primera planta de manufactura, a la actualidad, GM ha producido más de 15 millones de vehículos y casi 30 millones de motores en sus cuatro complejos de manufactura.
“Es un honor ser parte de esta fecha tan especial. La historia de General Motors en México es posible gracias al trabajo y compromiso de miles de personas y socios de negocio que han sido parte de nuestra compañía, gracias a todos ellos y a nuestros clientes por su preferencia”, comentó Francisco Garza, Presidente y Director General de General Motors de México, Centroamérica y el Caribe. “Seguiremos creciendo con México, con su industria, su economía y su gente, estos son solo los primeros 85 años”.
General Motors se estableció en México el 23 de septiembre de 1935,
las primeras oficinas corporativas estuvieron ubicadas en el Centro de
la Ciudad de México. En 1936 inició la construcción de Planta México, la
primera de GM ubicada en Avenida Ejército Nacional, en ese terreno
actualmente se encuentran las oficinas corporativas.
En 1965 inició operaciones Complejo Toluca, encargado de producir motores y fundir hierro. Actualmente opera una moderna planta de Fundición de Aluminio y otra de Motores. Además, en abril de este año se implementó la producción de mascarillas N1 y N95 para apoyar a la lucha contra la pandemia de COVID-19.
En 1981 se inauguró Complejo Ramos Arizpe, a lo largo del tiempo ha
producido emblemáticos modelos como Celebrity, Citation, Century y
Chevy, entre otros. En 1984, gracias a la producción del modelo
Chevrolet El Camino, GM de México por primera vez abrió paso a la
exportación de vehículos a Estados Unidos. Actualmente se manufacturan
Chevrolet Equinox y Blazer, además de motores y transmisiones.
En 1995 arrancó Complejo Silao que significó la reubicación de Planta México. Fue el primer eslabón del cluster automotriz de Guanajuato. Actualmente ahí se producen Chevrolet Cheyenne, Silverado y GMC Sierra, además de Transmisiones.
En 1995 también fue establecido el Centro Regional de Ingeniería en Toluca para el desarrollo global de componentes. Actualmente los ingenieros mexicanos especializados diseñan, desarrollan y validan 1,300 componentes. Cabe destacar que en los 25 años de historia de este Centro de Ingeniería, se han registrado 106 patentes ante United States Patent and Trademark Office (USTPO).
En 1996 se inauguró también en Toluca el Centro de Servicio Posventa hoy llamado Centro de Cuidado al Cliente y Posventa. Actualmente atiende a más de 1 millón de solicitudes de servicio de nuestros clientes y cuenta con una bodega que administra y almacena alrededor de 116 mil números de parte.
En 2008 abrió sus puertas Complejo SLP tras un tiempo récord de construcción de tan solo 14 meses. Al año de abrir su planta de Ensamble, se inauguró también una planta de Transmisiones. Hoy en día produce Chevrolet Onix, Equinox y GMC Terrain.
8 datos interesantes acerca de GM de México:
- Antes de que GM se constituyera legalmente en México, la Corporación al ver el potencial del mercado autorizó la apertura del primer distribuidor en 1921, que fue de la marca Buick.
- General Motors de México fue constituida en septiembre de 1935, con tan solo 36 empleados, hoy en día GM emplea a cerca de 21,000 colaboradores directos.
- En el primer año de producción se fabricaban en promedio 9 unidades diarias, en 2020, se alcanzan ritmos de hasta 62 unidades por hora.
- Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, GM de México suspendió la producción de vehículos y se dedicó a fabricar refrigeradores Frigadaire, así como acumuladores AC Delco.
- En 1968 GM adquirió una colección de arte gráfico mexicano de 260 piezas entre las que se encuentran obras de Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, Leonora Carrington y David Álfaro Siquerios. En 2010 estuvo expuesta en el Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporáneo. Actualmente una parte se encuentra exhibida en Torre GM.
- En 1979, 1990 y 1999 GM adaptó un transporte especial para el traslado del Sumo Pontífice Juan Pablo II en sus visitas a México.
- En 2008, por decisión unánime de 150 jueces, Chevrolet ganó el prestigiado premio de publicidad “Gran EFFIE” por la campaña “¿Y la Cheyenne apá?”.
- En 2020 Brigada Cheyenne cumple 10 años de apoyar a los mexicanos en desastres naturales y transportar materiales de construcción para proyectos sostenibles a las comunidades más vulnerables del país.
General Motors ofrece más de 32 modelos en México de las marcas Chevrolet, Buick, GMC y Cadillac. El 84% del portafolio cuenta con OnStar, servicio único en la industria de asistencia personalizada que ofrece seguridad, navegación y conectividad; actualmente tiene 140,000 suscriptores a 7 años de haber iniciado operaciones en el país.
GM tiene presencia en todos los estados del país gracias a su experimentada Red de Distribuidores que tiene 337 puntos de contacto.
Este es solo un fragmento del compromiso de General Motors con México, la empresa seguirá innovando en soluciones de movilidad para brindar las mejores experiencias a sus clientes.
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GM de México cumple 85 años de operar en nuestro país y emplea a más de 21,000 personas de manera directa. Cuenta con instalaciones en Toluca, Estado de México; Silao, Guanajuato; Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila; San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., y oficinas corporativas en la Ciudad de México. Comercializa productos de las marcas Chevrolet, Buick, GMC y Cadillac.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) está comprometido en desarrollar formas más seguras y sostenibles de movilidad personal. General Motors, sus subsidiarias y sus empresas conjuntas, venden vehículos bajo las marcas Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang y Wuling. Más información sobre la compañía y sus subsidiarias, incluyendo OnStar (líder mundial en servicios de seguridad y protección de vehículos), Maven (marca de movilidad personal) y Cruise (división de vehículos autónomos compartidos), se encuentra disponible en http://www.gm.com
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martes, septiembre 22, 2020
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