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

Roach, Martin; Waterman, Neil; Morrison, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0228100909 ISBN 13: 9780228100904

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2018

Synopsis

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.

About this title

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.

Review

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. (Jake Lingeman Autoweek 2019-03-19)

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 2019-04-01)

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. (Harrison Wick Booklist 2018-12-01)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0228100909
• ISBN 13: 9780228100904
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224