Kenali lebih lanjut Proton Satria Neo S2000 yang memenangi pusingan pertama APRC 2011

Ini ada satu artikel menarik daripada website Cars, Bikes, Trucks (CBT) dan saya rasa perlu untuk saya kongsikannya di sini. Sudah tentu ramai di antara kita mengenali Proton Satria Neo S2000 yang memenangi pusingan pertama APRC 2011 di Johor baru-baru ini, tetapi setakat mana pengetahuan anda berkenaan spesifikasi kereta rali antara yang terhebat itu? Teruskan pembacaan anda untuk mengetahuinya dengan lebih lanjut, maaf kerana saya tidak mengalih bahasa artikel ini ke Bahasa Melayu supaya setiap maklumat disampaikan lebih tepat dari sumber asal.

The Super Neo! – Know more about the car that won the APRC 2011 Round 1

Built to be Proton’s re-entry to the world rallying scene, the Proton Satria Neo S2000 is being used to race in two major championships this year, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). To date, the car has consistently running in the top 10 positions while racing against more established brands like Peugeot, Skoda, Abarth, Subaru and Mitsubishi. The team has achieved 2nd place in the Rally of Scotland, 4th place in the Rally of Russia, 2nd place in the Rally of New Zealand and 1st and 2nd finish in the Rally of China.

Based on the sporty Proton Satria Neo, the Proton S2000 Rally Car has been built to conform with the latest FIA homologation specifications. Proton’s partner, Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) has designed the rally car and with the help of MEM’s own driver, Chris Mellors, the team has come out with a small and agile rally car designed purely for the driver.

Chassis

The Neo S2000 can achieve, in full rally trim, the smallest frontal area and the lowest roof height in its class, even at rally ride height settings. The seats are fixed at the rear most possible mounting points to maximise the car’s weight distribution. Of course the pedal box and steering column are both adjustable to fit the drivers.

About 35 meters of lightweight Chrome Moly tube is used as a roll cage to ensure the safety of the drivers and in the same time to strengthen the car’s body. The body has also been engineered to accept the 4WD system that the car is using.

Engine and transmission

The engine was derived from the Proton Waja 1.8L unit, but massaged and developed to gain its 2-liter status. A normally aspirated engine (non-turbo), the engine is capable of producing 278bhp at 7,600rpm and 271Nm at 7,000rpm. Transmission is a 6-speed sequential 4WD Super 2000 unit from Xtrac with 3-plated limited slip differentials and handbrake release system. The ratios can be swapped in 10 minutes while the entire gearbox can be replaced in 12 minutes.

It is a semi clutchless system, which means clutch is used only when the driver starts from a stand still. On the go, the cogs can be swapped without clutch or without even lifting off the accelerator pedal. Fuel system is the quick-change fuel control cassette (which includes all the fuel pumps, filters and valves), attached to the FIA FT3 safety fuel cell.

Brakes

The Neo S2000 utilises a set of Alcon brakes, a Super 2000 alloy 4-pot calipers and ventilated discs (Front gravel 300mm, asphalt 350mm; Rear gravel 300mm, asphalt 300mm). Sounds not much but given the Neo S2000′s 1,150kg weight, the brakes are more than enough in most instances. The handbrake is a hydraulic type and stores the hydraulic oil in the lever itself. Connected to the gearbox, it frees up the rear axle from the drivetrain when you pull up the handbrake.

Suspension

The front maintains its MacPherson set up while the rear now uses a conventional layout of wishbone struts. Sounds simple and it is, but the technology allows the dampers to have maximum travel, so much that the only thing that is stopping the bodywork from slamming into the ground is a bunch of bump stops. This translates into an ultra-low tarmac set up with go-kart level body roll and a long-travel set up with enormous ability to soak up the biggest bumps.

Electronics

GEMS Multiplex system with power management and data logging plus Glass Dash Display. The computer system has two settings (stage for race mode and road when the car has to travel on regular roads between stages).

Wheels

Speedline wheels, 8 X 18 for asphalt and 6.5 X 15 for gravel track.

Dimensions

Length: 3905mm
Width: 1800mm
Wheelbase: 2440mm
Weight: 1150kg (tarmac); 1,200kg (gravel)

Price :

You can actually buy the Neo S2000 and the price is slightly more than RM1 million. You can also buy it used from MEM.