The Science of Supercars: The Technology that Powers the Greatest Cars in the World

by Martin Roach, Neil Waterman, John Morrison, David Coulthard (Introduction)

Overview

Trace the evolution of the supercar through the technology that drives it.

In The Science of Supercars, the authors describe the history of supercars, unraveling the mysteries and mechanics of the cars that changed the automotive world forever. In-depth interviews with the top names in the supercar and racing industries reveal their opinions on today's supercars and their visions for the future.

David Coulthard, runner-up in the 2001 Formula One World Drivers' Championship, provides the introduction. The authors follow with comprehensive chapters of inside information and exciting photographs that will be a catalog for supercar shoppers and a dream diary for others. The images show the interiors and exteriors of supercars and illustrated insets explain the technology.

1. The Thirst for Power - The internal combustion engine and the early days of speed
2. Style Versus Substance - Next steps, and the birth of aerodynamics
3. Emerging Technologies - The mechanics of war drive the birth of the supercar
4. Configuration - The Miura, the E-Type and the dawn of the modern age
5. The Science of Theater - Fashion and styling take center stage
6. The Turbo Years - The Porsche Turbo and the rebirth of supercar science
7. All-Wheel drive - Power or technology: how designers keep the cars on the road
8. Composites - The McLaren F1 and its technological legacy
9. Emerging Aero - Understanding the complex art of aerodynamics
10. Going to the Opera - The remarkable science behind the era-defining Bugatti Veyron
11. The Holy Trinity - Hybrid tech ushers in a new kind of supercar
12. The Future - The technology on the verge of reshaping the landscape.

The Science of Supercars includes interviews with three of the top figures in the supercar world: Adrian Newey, legendary British Formula One engineer; Dr. Wolfgang Schrieber, Chief Engineer of the Bugatti Veyron; and Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 supercar, as well as contributions from iconic supercar manufacturers that include Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Pagani and McLaren.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228100904
Publisher:	Firefly Books, Limited
Publication date:	09/14/2018
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Martin Roach is a best-selling author of a number of high-profile books about supercars.

Neil Waterman has spent 35 years working in the highest levels of motorsport.

John Morrison has over 50 years' experience as a racing driver, including winning the Daytona 24 and competing in Le Mans 24-Hour race.

Table of Contents

Authors' Note 07

Introduction David Coulthard 08

001 The Battle for Power: The internal combustion engine and the early days of speed 10

002 Style versus Substance: "Next steps, and the birth of aerodynamics 26

003 Emerging Technologies: The mechanics of war drive the birth of the supercar 42

004 The Mid-Engined Machine: The Miura and the dawn of the modern age 58

005 The Science of Theatre: Fashion and styling take centre stage 72

006 Getting a Grip: The Porsche Turbo and the re-birth of supercar science 88

007 The Complete Package: The McLaren F1 reinvents supercar science 108

008 A New Dawn: The science of supercars escalates to unprecedented heights 124

009 Shifting Gear: Transmission design changes gear 140

010 The Art of Aero: Understanding the complex art of aerodynamics 156

011 Hybrids - A Fork in the Road: Hybrid tech ushers in a new kind of supercar 172

012 How to Design a Supercar: Past, present and future collide at over 250mph 188

013 The Future: The technology on the verge of re-shaping the landscape 204

Index 218

Picture credits 222

Acknowledgements 224

Editorial Reviews

The authors of this single volume discuss the more than 120-year history of automotive design, with many detailed photographs and beautiful illustrations regarding the design and planning of automobiles from the beginning of the twentieth century to the future of the industry... This title offers readers a general overview of supercars and the science behind the ever-changing and ever-innovating automotive industry.

Booklist - Harrison Wick

The Science of Supercars is truly a super book... Supercar fans will salivate over page after page of some of the sleekest, most sophisticated, and speediest cars on the planet.

Shelf Life

A thought-provoking look at the cars we dream about... The Science of Supercars is a good read. It will make a fine addition to your automotive library. And the book will help you understand how we went from horse and buggy, to the incredible machines contained within its pages.

Automoblog - Tony Borroz

This 224-pager features full-color photographs on almost every page and takes a deep look at racing and how it has affected supercar engineering.

Autoweek - Jake Lingeman