Tuesday, 3 January 2012
From its carbon fiber superstructure, to its sweeping architectural surface, the all-new 2010 Devon GTX offers bold design, efficient tactility, and meaningful technologies that make a statement unlike any other supercar.
Constructed of aircraft-quality carbon fiber from stem to stern, the Devon GTX instantly communicates its ultra-performance capability through aggressive, compact proportions and large (up to 20-inch) lattice-structure center-lock wheels. In all, the exterior design navigates between the past and science fiction, subtly blending muscle, curves, exquisite shapes and dynamic graphics to create a classical, yet futuristic, statement that's ready to stand the test of time.
Inside, carbon fiber-reinforced racing seats, dual-grained leather surfacing throughout, and tasteful chrome appointments communicate a Miesian, "less is more" design philosophy. A neo-retro gear lever - topped by a white gear knob - melds driver with machine.
Vehicle Structure
At the structural core, the Devon GTX is built upon a framework that is as advanced as any in the global automotive industry.
Overlaying its steel structure is a glove-fit, single-piece molded superstructure made of carbon fiber. Construction of the superstructure requires a complex mold - essentially the size of the vehicle - in which all datum and attachment points are positioned within literally fractions of a millimeter. Once the superstructure is in place, all body panel attachment points are inherently accurate for uncommonly consistent builds. The superstructure - due to the use of carbon fiber - is also extremely lightweight, strong and stiff, ensuring outstanding crash performance, noise / vibration tuning, and incredibly accurate chassis tuning.
Exterior
While overall shape of the new Devon GTX carries traditional "muscle car" dimensions with a long dash-to-axle and short front and rear offsets, it's executed in the context of sophistication and athletic grace. Seemingly honed from a single billet, the Devon GTX's flowing exterior skin is formed of carbon fiber, which enables precise molding - rather than traditional stamping - of exterior fenders, panels, and closures. Large (18 / 19-inch or 19 / 20-inch combinations) 12-spoke aluminum forged monoblock lattice structured wheels lead the eye to large, ultra-performance calipers (carrying the Devon insignia) and rotors, leaving no doubt about the supercars's performance competency.
The wheels carry a machined or polished finish and painted inner-spoke surfacing leading to the Devon insignia defining the center hub. The Devon GTX is also equipped with center-mounted locking hubs, a lug-free design more commonly seen on race cars.
A wheelbase of 98.8-inches - combined with a flush wheel-to-body relationship defined by distinctive, offset-flush, tone-shaded wheel surrounds - ensures well-grounded appeal and presence as well as an agile look with more muscular front fenders and rear haunches.
The front "face" of the vehicle is absent of a traditional grille, resulting in a clean, aero-sloped front section defined by a center-positioned billet that runs uninterrupted to the center of the hood. Ample air for combustion and brake cooling is achieved through large intakes positioned in the lower forward corners. The intakes carry large chrome trapezoid-shaped inlets (approximately 3-inches wide) that lead to channeling for optimal combustion air intake and engine cooling.
A fixed-glass center roof element distinguishes the Devon GTX from all others in its exclusive class. The glass element ensures overhead natural light is always a part of the interior environment.
Three-inch wide trapezoidal chrome dual exhaust tips match the intake inlets in the front, are side-by-side positioned, and pass through the center portion of the rear fascia, further communicating the ultra-performance capability of the new Devon offering.
Posted exterior rear-view mirrors have been aero-optimized - along with the rest of the exterior - by a dedicated team led by Dr. Joe Katz of San Diego State University (SDSU). The team's efforts led to the incorporation of a three-piece belly pan constructed of carbon fiber. In addition to providing enhanced under-car surface appeal and aerodynamics, the belly pan carries revolutionary "vortex generators" for improved downforce - a key enabler to the vehicle's exceptional agility and balance.
Interior
The interior of the new Devon GTX has been designed with the driving enthusiast top of mind - all features, surfaces and dimensions have been created to ensure a second-to-none performance experience. A smaller diameter, thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel ensures a performance grip and optimal feel. Carbon-fiber reinforced structured seats - carrying a racing shell design and integrated headrests - incorporate six-point racing harness seat belts (optional; five point standard) - are chrome trimmed, outfitted with stiff performance durometer seat and bolsters, and skinned with the softest real-leather hide available.
Dual-grain leather surfacing ensures a dynamically tactile environment. Seat and center console areas carry softer leather with smoother animal grain; the upper IP, pillars, headliner and door surfaces incorporate a coarser, three-dimensional tactility. All audio, HVAC, and cluster instrumentation is communicated via digital analog graphics on high-definition displays. All instrumentation incorporates bluish fluorescent illumination. The speedometer, tachometer, fuel, temperature and other mechanical related instrumentation is displayed in the cluster under a fixed hood. Audio and HVAC is displayed in the integrated centerstack. The traditional neo-retro white ball-head stick-shift is constructed of stiff polished aluminum for optimal feel and connectivity; it is directly connected to the world-class transmission that engages beneath. The shift is surrounded by a piano black finish, which carries back-lit, surface-flush touch switches for windows, door locks, related chassis controls, and an electronically actuated parking brake system.
Suspension
The independent front and rear suspensions on the 2010 Devon GTX carry aluminum components for optimized un-sprung mass, ensuring agile handling and optimal tuning for boulevard and track performance.
Limited Slip Differential
The rear-drive only Devon GTX is equipped with a frame-mounted speed-sensing limited slip differential which mechanically manages wheel torque on all surfaces for improved vehicle performance during handling maneuvers. The Devon GTX is equipped with the manual six-speed transmission and carries a final drive ratio of 3.07.
Continuously Variable Damping System
A continuously variable damping system will be available on the Devon GTX following the start of production. Enhancements in the technology's algorithms - combined with extensive track testing and validation - ensures the car is kept more controlled in all situations; on or off the track. The system uses electronic control of damping forces in a continuously variable real-time damping system to provide exceptional responsiveness, greatly increased driver control and increased tire contact with the road, regardless of road surface.
Articulating Front Splitter & Ride Height Adjustment
In order to achieve optimal aerodynamics and ride/handling characteristics in all driving scenarios, the new offering from Devon Motorworks is equipped with an articulating splitter (available post vehicle launch) and hydraulically driven ride height adjustment (when equipped with optional continuous damping system— also available following vehicle launch). The articulating front splitter - an uncommon application in the worldwide automotive industry - travels approximately 80-mm forward to produce enhanced downforce for optimal track performance. It is hydraulically driven fore and aft. Ride height adjustment - again, an uncommon application - operates similarly to the articulating splitter and drives the vehicles' rocker clearance via damper adjustment approximately 60-mm up or down. When equipped with ride height adjustment, the Devon GTX is outfitted with dual-rate springs. In the extended ride height mode (Tour mode, or high setting), the springs are tuned to be softer for more jounce and rebound, ensuring a civilized ride. In the lower setting (Performance mode, or low setting), the springs are competition-rate stiff, delivering enhanced driver feedback and governed pitch and roll characteristics.
Brakes
The brake system on the new Devon GTX is engineered to deliver world-class performance, appearance and durability without compromise. The technology has proven itself by winning professional sports car races and championships, yet also provides benefits that can be experienced and appreciated every day. The brake system is designed to provide shorter stopping distances, better brake modulation, firmer pedal feel and less brake fade than other high-performance luxury cars, resulting in powerful, confidence-inspiring performance.
With six pistons in each front caliper and four in each rear, the brake system is custom-tailored to the uncompromising requirements of the Devon GTX. The opposed-piston brake calipers are first forged, then weight-optimized by fully machining all exterior surfaces. The two-piece rotor design reduces weight by one-third compared to a one-piece brake rotor of the same dimensions. The patented, directional AeroRotor vane design induces up to 80-percent more cooling airflow than the rotors used as original equipment on many high-performance luxury vehicles. This reduces maximum and average operating temperatures, improving pad and rotor life.
The brake pad material was specially selected to combine the good manners required of a true high-end luxury offering in daily driving with high performance driving. The standard brake pads provide low noise levels and much less dust than typical of many high-performance luxury vehicles. At the same time, they have the high temperature capability to withstand race track lapping with low susceptibility to accelerated wear or judder that may afflict other cars.
Steering
Steering feedback to the driver is performance tuned through a premium rack and pinion steering gear. The steering system incorporates outstanding torsional stiffness with less operating friction. The result is steering precision of the highest order, with near-perfect linear response and smooth, predictable transitions.
Wheels and Tires
For sure-footed, enhanced handling, the Devon GTX is equipped with purpose designed and built Devon Motorworks forged aluminum alloy wheels with center lock configuration. Wheel sizes are 18- by 10-inches in the front; 19- by 13-inches in the rear. Larger wheels are optional and measure 19- by 10-inches in front; 20- by 13-inches in the rear. The lattice structure wheels incorporate a geometric design which not only enable views to the large brakes (static or in motion), but enable weight optimization - a key to reducing un-sprung mass.
Powertrain
The all-new 2010 Devon GTX blends athletic strength with uncompromising refinement thanks to what is perhaps the most powerful naturally aspirated production car powertrain system in the industry. The Devon GTX is equipped with an 8.4-liter (510 cubic inches) V-10 engine that produces 650 horsepower (484.7 kW) at 6100 rpm. The V-10 engine is mated with a track-proven six-speed manual transmission.The end result is a propulsion system that rivals - and in most cases surpasses - the most powerful offerings in the world.
Induction and Exhaust System
The air induction box receives combustion air via snorkel tubes from the super coupe's low-mounted center air intake in the front portion of the vehicle. The induction box provides minimal inlet restriction at peak airflow - a key enabler the engine's exceptional power.
The dual exhaust system is initiated with lightweight 5-into-1 super-tuned long tube headers leading into 2.5-inch diameter pipes that help enable low back pressure and high flow. The system is made of stainless steel, which leads to chrome, 3.75-inch beveled (concave) tips exiting the rear center portion of the vehicle. Reflecting the sensory craftsmanship that has gone into the Devon GTX, the exhaust note has been specifically tuned to audibly convey the vehicle's capability and overall sophistication.
Six-Speed Manual Transmission
The transmission on the Devon GTX incorporates a host of applications to ensure effective transfer of the 8.4-liter engine's exceptional power and torque while delivering high-performance, fun-to-drive shifting characteristics. The end result: is short, crisp shift throws; smooth gear synchronization, and overall improved shift feel with little or no vibration. The transmission boasts wider gears for increased torque-handling capability; a six-gear synchronizer system for exceptional shift feel and reduced efforts; double-cone reverse gear synchronizer for eased "R" selection; strengthened housing for minimal "flex" and improved shifting; and a dual mass flywheel with twin-disc clutch.
