- Covini C6W
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Covini C6W 
Manufacturer Covini Engineering Production 2004–present Class Sports car Body style 3-door coupe Engine 4.2 L (4200 cc) V8 Transmission 6-speed manual Wheelbase 2,750 mm (108.3 in) Length 4,180 mm (164.6 in) Width 1,990 mm (78.3 in) Height 1,080 mm (42.5 in) Curb weight 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) Designer Ferruccio Covini C6W is an Italian 2-seat, 2-door sports coupé with a removable roof section. Inspiration for the car was taken from the 1976 Tyrrell P34, which had two pairs of smaller front wheels, a principle applied to the C6W. The project was started in 1974 but abandoned shortly after, and left dormant into the 1980s due to the lack of availability of low-profile tires at the time. [1] In 2003 the project was revived and in 2004 the C6W was shown in prototype form. In 2005 a slightly revised version debuted at the Salon International de l'Auto, featuring new wheels, new roof structure and a refreshed interior, and went into limited production of 6-8 cars per year, as a result of a tie-up between PMI and Covini Engineering. The car features a rear, 4200 cc 8-cylinder engine and has a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h).[2]
Contents
Advantages and disadvantages of six wheeled design
Covini C6W
The C6W was built with safety, increased braking, and directional stability in mind. [3]
Because there are four front tyres, there is less chance of loss of control due to one front tire deflating as well as less risk of aquaplaning due to the front axle set clearing the road for the following axle set. In addition, having six wheels instead of four produces better braking due to 100% more contact patch and braking components on front axles and better grip. The manufacturer claims the design produces less understeer than conventional designs, and suspension produces less turbulence from potholes and bumps in the road because of the increased surface area. [4] It is hypothesised the increased grip of each tyre may mean that the car can achieve greater cornering speeds. [5]
However, having more wheels means more tyres, brake pads, rotors, wearable front suspension components to maintain, plus more time intensive front tire rotation procedure (dismount and remount four directional tires on opposite side, drive tires are not able to be rotated to front due to size difference).
Although the car is very light overall, at less than 1,200 kg (2,646 lb), the added weight of additional wheels and steering effort result in less steering feedback to driver than a car of comparable performance using conventional design.
Construction
- Drive wheels: RWD
- Construction: Fiberglass and carbon fiber body over tubular steel frame
- Front brakes: Brembo disc brakes, with ABS
- Fuel feed: Direct petrol injection
- Total displacement: 4.2 L (256.3 in³)
- Maximum power: 440 PS (324 kW; 434 hp) @ 6400 rpm
- Maximum torque: 470 N·m (350 lb·ft) @ 2700 rpm
- V8: built by Audi
See also
- Tyrrell P34
- Covini Engineering
- Covini B24 Turbocooler
- Covini T40
References
- ^ Covini C6W. http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-Covini-C6W.htm
- ^ Covini Engineering. C6W. http://www.coviniengineering.com/c6w/intro.htm
- ^ Covini Engineering. C6W: The Project. http://www.coviniengineering.com/c6w/progetto.htm
- ^ Six Wheeled Covini C6W Headed to Production. Auto Insider. 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2010. http://jalopnik.com/5105964/six+wheeled-covini-c6w-heading-to-production
- ^ Strange Vehicles: Covini C6W. http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/strange_vehicles/covini_six_wheeler.html
External links
- CoviniC6W.com - Future dedicated home for the C6W.
- Covini Engineering - official Covini website.
- Covini C6W - official microsite
- Gizmag article on the C6W
- Covini C6W - Seriouswheels.com
- Covini C6W information - Supercars.net
- [1] - PMI SpA - Manufactured workshop
Categories:- Sports cars
- Cars of Italy
- Modern auto stubs
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