Gallery: And Now, Gratuitous Detail Shots of Racing Cars
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PARIS — Why? Because we can, that's why. And because this year's Paris auto show is unusually full of hot competition iron (and aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and so on). *Vive la France! Vive la drapea**u à damier!* __Above:__ The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid on the stand at Paris.
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The Renault 2010 R30 Formula 1 Car ---------------------------------- The R30's chassis is a composite monocoque made of molded carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb. The car is powered by a 2.4-liter, 18,000-rpm, 90-degree V-8 roughly the size of a small suitcase. When the driver is strapped in, the car weighs 1367 pounds.
Photo: Sandra Garcia/Wired03race-cars-paris-3
The 2010 Renault Megane Trophy ------------------------------ The 2160-pound Trophy competes in a single-car European "spec" series known as (natch) the Eurocup Megane Trophy. Its Nissan-sourced, 3.5-liter, 7000-rpm V-6 produces 360 hp.
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The 2011 Citroen DS3 World Rally Championship Car ------------------------------------------------- The DS3, which was unveiled at the show, replaces the French firm's championship-winning C4.
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The Renault Megane Trophy ------------------------- The latch just in front of the right front tire, a treadless, or "slick" Michelin, holds the front half of the Trophy's bodywork on. (The peeling Michelin logo represents cosmetic, not structural, damage to the tire.)
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The Citroen DS3 WRC ------------------- The rear view of the DS3 WRC as seen over the roof of an identical car.
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The Renault R30 --------------- Note the Bridgestone slicks, which resemble the Michelins fitted to the Megane but are capable of producing far more grip. Also note the 13-inch wheels, which are likely smaller than the wheels on the car in your garage.
Photo: BitPay08race-cars-paris-8
The Megane Trophy ----------------- Most of the open spaces in the bodywork of the Trophy are designed expressly to exhaust heat and/or aid in the production of traction-friendly aerodynamic downforce. Some of the Renault's rear-suspension linkages and exhaust plumbing can be seen just below the bumper.
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The 2011 Ford Fiesta World Rally Championship Car ------------------------------------------------- Like Citroën's DS3 WRC, the turbocharged 1.6-liter Fiesta was developed to meet the WRC's new 2011 rules, which are aimed at reducing speed and increasing safety in the sport. It replaces the Focus RS.
