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IMSA Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

CAR MAKE & MODEL
IMSA Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 2007 Pictures

CAR REF NUMBER
19462

CAR COLOUR
White

Until recently, the German tuning company IMSA was not more than just an insider tip. But by now, it has achieved the ultimate breakthrough thanks to its first product, the Gallardo GTV. After all, the company from Brüggen treated the Gallardo’s power unit like nobody dared before. After this special treatment, the V10 power unit develops maximum output of 610 hp at 7900 rpm. In the near future, it will also be possible to experience this pleasure in an open car – since all GTV parts are now available for the Spyder as well.

Special emphasis was made on road capability.

In spite of the increased engine power and the high torque of 655 Nm at 5300 rpm, IMSA wanted the Gallardo to be suitable for everyday use; it had to offer the best possible driving fun even under bad weather conditions. Therefore, the four-wheel drive – amongst other things – was adjusted to the new
performance. Even during extreme driving manoeuvres, the Gallardo’s ne-tuned sport chassis offers great stability and driving control.

The necessary grip is provided by broad 245/30 ZR 20 front and 325/25 ZR20 rear tyres. IMSA’s focus was on muscular design and, thus, the Gallardo Spyder is equipped with new front and rear aprons and flared wheelarches as well as distinctive spoke wheels with central locking and a discreet rear spoiler. The interior is designed to meet any customer’s individual wishes: leather, alcantara, aluminium and CFRP are on offer to refine the Gallardo’s cockpit.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 SV 2010 Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:26:00 +0000

CAR MAKE & MODEL
Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 SV 2010 Pictures

CAR REF NUMBER
31291

CAR COLOUR
Black

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Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 2010 Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:34:00 +0000

CAR MAKE & MODEL
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 2010 Pictures

CAR REF NUMBER
31286

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Unveiled

Sorry Officer, I was going too quick to notice your blue lights tailing me. Read on to find out more about its land speed record

Land speed world record with the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport takes production sports cars to a whole new dimension

Wolfsburg/Molsheim, July 4, 2010 - on a beautiful sunny day at 25 degrees the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record for production cars, on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 431 km/h.

Saturday, 2 pm - Bugatti`s Pilote Officiel Pierre Henri Raphanel puts his helmet and gloves on, pulls the safety belts tight whilst the engineers check the car a very last time: tyre pressure, temperature, all systems go. Then the orange black Super Sport crosses the light barrier, from now on the time will be taken, within one hour the car has to drive from South to North and then in the opposite direction. No one but the driver is allowed to touch the car during this time. The tension rises. A few minutes later we can hear from the left side the sound of a starting jumbo jet coming closer towards us. First we perceive the headlights of the Veyron, then we can recognize the shape of the car, a loud wooosh.... and Raphanel dashes in top speed past us. The GPS-tachometer stops at 427, 933 km/h. Now the same procedure from the opposite direction. This time the car reaches 434, 211 km/h. As average top speed the representatives of the "TÜV"and Guinness generate a value of 431, 072 km/h (268 mph). This even hit Bugatti`s engineering team by surprise.

"We took it that we would reach an average value of 425 km/h," explains Bugatti`s chief engineer Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, "but the conditions today were perfect and allowed even more."

The climax of the Veyron series: the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

Had a model been especially popular or highly successful in races, Ettore Bugatti`s customers often pushed the master to tease out of the engine a few horsepower more for their future car. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. had been in a similar situation when their existing customers asked the companyto not only design their second model optically differently but to also create a version with a sportierand more extreme driving experience. The result is a car with a uniquely high performance of1,200-hp (882 kW) offering experienced drivers a whole new dimension of excitement, with a maximum torque of 1,500 Newton metres and a limited top speed of 415 km/h (to protect them tyres) but, the technique of the Super Sport is identical to the record car. The first five Super Sports to come off the production line will constitute a special series of their own, with the same configuration as the landspeed record car.

The Super Sport is a consequent of the further development of the classic exclusive 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, launched in 2005. This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the extraordinarily precise driving performance in bends and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.

Continuous work in extreme performance ranges lead to constantly new conclusions, which enabled the engineers at Bugatti to develop the Veyron into a direction in which the driver can reach new dimensions. Every modification is designed to produce an even more powerful car for an agile ride. Four enlarged turbochargers and bigger intercoolers have been used to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine, and the chassis has been extensively redesigned to maintain safety at extreme speed - thanks to slightly raised main-spring travel, stronger stabilisers, and new shock absorbers with a complex architecture originally developed for racing cars. This gives noticeably more precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole. With lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and improved interaction between the tyres and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration of 1,500 Newton metres on corner exits.

The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety - at reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clear-lacquered exposed carbon on request.

Dynamic exterior

Every detail of this car, and not just its use of advanced motorsport technology, harks back to the pioneering spirit of company founder Ettore Bugatti. This brilliant designer came from a family of artists, and his philosophy was always to combine mechanical perfection and exterior beauty. This ethos remains alive and well at the company, and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is wholly unmistakeable, with every external modification serving to coax greater performance from the car.

The Super Sport`s flat, elongated silhouette is immediately recognisable. The 16-cylinder engine gets its air from two NACA ducts integrated into the roof, rather than from scoops above the engine. The front air intakes have been expanded and reshaped, with the lower one extending elegantly around the sides to the wheel arch. The revised back looks sportier due to the double diffuser and a centrally arranged exhaust system.

Bugatti has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models, usually with racing chassis and supercharged engines. These cars were considered as true racing machines for diehard Bugatti devotees. The most successful were the type 55 and type 57S; only around forty of each were built.

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports by now, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered. The Super Sport will begin production this autumn at Molsheim along with the Veyron and the Grand Sport. The first five cars - known as the World Record Edition – are in a special black exposed carbon and orange finish and have already been sold.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport will appear for the first time in public in California at the Pebble Beach Concours weekend in mid-August and will be featured at The Quail, Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca and on the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Ford Teases 2011 Explorer

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Ford is dribbling out little bits about the new Exporer, which will be a major redesign (new platform, unibody, FWD/AWD) for the product. This is a neat video which shows some aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel using a clay styling model. Even though Ford hasn't officially shown the Explorer, the clay model gives a lot away, assuming it is accurate.

Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:33:00 +0000

The Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo set the new World’s Fastest Production Car record with an average top speed of 255.83 mph.

On a temporarily-closed 2 lane public highway in Washington State, the SSC Ultimate Aero posted a top speed of 257.11 mph (413.83 kph) on its first pass and 254.55 mph (409.71 kph) on its return pass, achieving a new top speed record: a staggering 255.83 mph (411.76 kph).

SSC used a turbo V8 outputting 1183 HP and 1094 lbs. of torque. The use of lightweight carbon fiber materials allows for a low dry weight of 2750 lbs. giving the Aero TT the production record for lbs/hp ratio at 2.33.

The Ultimate Aero achieved 0-60 mph in 2.78 seconds and 1/4 Mile in 9.90 seconds at 144 mph.
The Aero TT is not completely stripped either, it features air conditioning, power windows
, power mirrors, a navigation system, and a 10 speaker Audio/CD/DVD. Base price is expected to be around $585,000

Tesla Roadster Electric Sports Car

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The first electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster sports car, was unveiled before a crowd of car buffs and potential customers.

The electric Tesla Roadster has the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination unseen until now in a mass-produced electric car. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System.
The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in four seconds.

Using a unique two-speed electrically activated manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's

power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor
. The motor is controlled by the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which also controls the inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, charging and braking systems.

Tesla Motors's engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure that not only is the Tesla Roadster safe to drive, but also is safe when charging, at home or on the road.

The electric motor's efficiency rating is likely to be as high as 95 percent, while the internal combustion engine's efficiency is 20 percent or less. With this efficiency, the Tesla Roadster achieves the equivalent of 135 mpg.

That efficiency doesn't slow this sleek sports car down, either. Estimated 0-60 mph time is around four seconds, and with an electric motor, the torque is instantaneous, throw-you-back-in-the-seat responsive.

All in all, this is remarkable sports car!

Fix: Missing DVD Drive Letter On Windows 7 64Bit

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:31:00 +0000

I am running Windows 7 64bit on a Dell desktop machine. Mysteriously, my DVD drive disappeared from Windows 7, and going through the hardware manager to re-install it did not work.

It turns out that iTunes (effing Apple! "it just works", hah!) puts in an ASPI driver from Gear Software.

To get my DVD drive back, I followed the instructions in this Microsoft KB article. It involves going into the registry using Regedit (don't forget to do it "run as Administrator") and deleting the UpperFilters key, which to the GearASPI file.

Problem is, if you update iTunes, you will have to do this again (I did).

Hummer HX Concept_Best Automotive Class

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:22:00 +0000

the Hummer HX concept is interested in taking it off-road. The concept vehicle sports the unmistakable Hummer front grille, but it boasts several features that you won't find on another SUV in the company's lineup.For example, all of the roof panels are completely removable. This includes both the front and rear roof panels, providing passengers with a truly open-air feel. What's more, the doors can be torn off as well, though I imagine that there may be some restrictions over this configuration while in the city.Certain profile pictures of the Hummer HX remind me of the Toyota FJ Cruiser in some ways, but we'll have to check back in at the Detroit Auto Show next year for a better look at this vehicle. After all, this is "just" a concept sketch.

Speculation surrounds Hummer brand

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Speculation surrounds Hummer brand :

Ever since General Motors announced that it was considering selling the iconic Hummer brand, speculation has surrounded who might buy it. The latest name to emerge on the list of prospective suitors is Russian Machines, the engineering firm which makes trains, planes and some automobile parts.

Owned by one of Russia's richest men, Oleg Deripaska, Russian Machines was reported to be in talks with GM about buying Hummer. But it issued a swift denial, saying it was "not strategically interested in such a deal".

Previously, reports had suggested Indian carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra was involved in "exploratory talks" with GM about buying Hummer. Observers suggested this would have been a good fit, as Mahindra already makes trucks and sports utility vehicles and is the main rival to Tata Motors, which recently bought Land Rover from Ford.

But GM would only say it was discussing the sale of the brand with "a number of potential buyers", without naming any names. 'Bad timing' With little let-up in the rising price of fuel over the last few months, analysts suggest General Motors has not picked a great time to sell a brand not renowned for its fuel efficiency.

"You couldn't think of a worst time to be selling a brand like Hummer," said analyst Jay Nagley from Spyder Automotive. "It is typical of large corporations to jump on the bandwagon when SUVs were fashionable, then try to sell it when the wheels have well and truly come off."

GM bought the Hummer brand in 1998, a number of years before its heyday when celebrities like footballer David Beckham and former film star Arnold Schwarzenegger were photographed driving theirs. The now Governor of California still has his, but in a sign of the more environmentally conscious times, has had the vehicle converted to run on biofuel. 'Tastes change'

Like most big motor companies, GM has suffered from falling sales as cash-strapped consumers have cut back on big purchases. It made a net loss of $15.5bn (£7.8bn) in just three months between April and June this year. In June, Hummer sales were slightly over 2,000, well below their peak.

But General Motors defended its brand, saying it was still relevant and needed in some parts of the world. "Not everyone in the world has perfect roads to drive on and there is no brand that conquers that like Hummer," said GM spokesperson Joanne Krell.

"For some, who bought it less for utility than desire, we are seeing a backing-off because tastes change. "But we shouldn't get carried away and say that takes away the need for an off-road vehicle like Hummer."

GM thinks there will be someone who can "maximise the potential of the brand" better than it currently can. Whoever that is, according to analysts, will have to have deep pockets and is most likely to come from Russia, China or India.

Happy Birthday USA!

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:13:00 +0000

There are few countries in the world I can think of that I would rather be a citizen of than the US of A. There are other countries which are great, and powerful, and free. But none of them are such good combination of the three.

I get a rush every time I read our founding words. Pure poetry:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,...

2009 HUMMER H3, H3T and H3T Alpha

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:11:00 +0000

HUMMER is bringing its unmistakable style and unmatched capability to the truck market with the 2009 H3T. It is based on the architecture of the popular H3, but features a five-passenger crew cab and a separate five-foot-long (1.5 meters) bed.

2009 HUMMER H3, HUMMER H3 Alpha, HUMMER H3T & HUMMER H3T Alpha Highlights:

* Exclusive standard full-time four-wheel drive with 32-inch tires and skid plates
* Crew cab body style with seating for five
* Five-foot (1.5 meters) bed capable of carrying two dirt bikes, a snowmobile or ATV and full sheets of plywood
* Extensive portfolio of officially licensed accessories
* Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation (standard)
* Optional rearview camera system
* Front locker included in the Off-Road Adventure package
* Hill start assist

The H3T is bigger than a midsize truck and smaller than a full-size truck, creating its own niche in the market. It also is infused with the attributes expected of a HUMMER, including exceptional off-road capability and a premium interior that is as functional as it is comfortable. The H3T is offered in five trim levels, including five-cylinder models and the popular, V-8-powered H3T Alpha edition.

“With its unique size and HUMMER traits, the H3T is ideal for the customer who works hard and plays harder,” said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "It offers the combination of truck versatility and HUMMER off-road prowess that delivers customers to the trail in style.”

In addition to its segment-defying size, the H3T also stands apart from other trucks with its signature HUMMER off-road capability. It is the only midsize truck to come standard with full-time four-wheel drive, 32-inch tires and functional skid shields. It also is the only midsize truck to offer front and rear locking differentials, as well as 33-inch tires.

New for ’09-In addition to the H3T, the entire H3 lineup is updated for the 2009 model year with the following new features and revisions:

* Standard Bluetooth wireless capability for hands-free phone operation
* Front locking differential included with the Off-Road Adventure package
* Standard hill start assist
* Rearview camera system display on the inside rearview mirror revised to “display on demand” system, replacing the previous mirror slide-out display

H3 lineup at a glance-The H3 lineup includes the H3 and new H3T, with the V-8-powered Alpha series offered on both body styles (see the Alpha series section below). All models pack HUMMER’s trademark capability into a midsize package.

The H3 lineup also delivers exceptional rock crawling and climbing performance; it was engineered for off-road leadership among midsize SUVs. The heart of this capability is its electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system and suspension tuning tailored for off-road performance. In addition, the H3 features standard underbody shielding, brake traction control, and an optional 4.03:1 transfer case with front- and rear-locking differentials. The H3 and H3T are the first vehicles with independent front suspensions to be offered with a front-locking differential from the factory.

Among its off-road credentials, the H3 can ford 24-inch (610 mm) streams at a 5-mph pace, climb 16-inch (407 mm) vertical steps and rocks, make its way through deep sand and race easily over sandy surfaces.

H3’s more maneuverable size provides advantages, such as a 37-foot turning circle (SUV models) that is about the same as a typical compact car, making easy work of parking lot maneuvers during everyday use and tight turns when off-roading. High ground clearance and great breakover angles make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving. Serious off-road performance is also aided by exceptional approach and departure angles that permit the H3 and H3T to drive into a hole and back out again, without getting hung up in the front or rear.

The H3 lineup – including the new H3T – is offered with two suspension packages:

* Z85 Heavy-Duty Handling and Trailering – This standard suspension delivers an excellent balance of on-highway comfort and off-road capability. It includes 32-inch all-terrain tires mounted on 16-inch wheels, specially tuned heavy-duty shocks and either a 4.56-ratio (3.7L) or 4.10-ratio (5.3L) rear axle.
* Off-Road Adventure – Designed for more aggressive off-road performance, this optional suspension package includes taller, 33-inch tires, specifically tuned shocks, cast iron front differential case, locking front and rear differentials, 4.03:1 low-range gearing in the transfer case and industry-leading crawl ratios of 69:1 with the 3.7L engine and manual transmission or 50.6:1 with the 5.3L engine.

H3X-A special appearance package that gives the H3 added distinction, the H3X features chrome accents and unique details, including:

* Bright roof crossbows
* Chrome fuel filler door, tubular assist steps and brush guard
* Body-color grille and spare tire cover with HUMMER logo
* Eighteen-inch chrome aluminum wheels with P265/65R18 all-terrain tires
* “H3”-embroidered seat headrests

The H3X package is partnered with the Z85 suspension and is available on the V-8 Alpha model.

H3T details-Like all HUMMER models, the H3T has a purposeful design. The crew cab body shares H3 styling and components from the B-pillar forward, while the rear section of the cab and the separate bed are unique to the H3T. The five-foot bed is similar in design and function to GM’s recently redesigned full-size trucks, including an easily removable tailgate and a standard cargo management accessory system. A full-size spare tire is mounted beneath the bed.

The bed is sized to carry a wide range of popular outdoor necessities, from hauling motocross bikes to Baja, a quad to camp, or backcountry gear to the trailhead. One of the industry’s largest portfolios of accessories complements the H3T’s bed, offering different cargo management options to suit all of those lifestyle interests.

The H3T’s crew cab interior offers seating for five adults, with a 60/40-split rear bench seat that folds flat for increased cargo-carrying options. The cabin’s layout is essentially identical to the H3 SUV, with premium materials and attention to detail that give the vehicle a functional yet refined aesthetic.

The H3T’s frame and suspension system are based on a stretched version of the H3 SUV’s chassis and suspension – the same race-proven design found on Baja 1000-winning stock-class race trucks. The wheelbase measures 134.2 inches (3,409 mm) – 22.3 inches (566 mm) longer than the H3 SUV.

A ladder-type frame is the truck’s foundation and it has a modular, three-piece design that incorporates fully boxed components for outstanding strength and stiffness. An independent SLA torsion bar front suspension and multi-leaf Hotchkiss-type rear suspension are used. Like the H3 SUV, the H3T is offered with the Z85 suspension or the Off-Road suspension in the Adventure package.

H3T accessories-One of the industry’s broadest portfolios of vehicle accessories has been developed for the H3T. Centered on active lifestyles, items such as removable and lockable bed-mounted storage boxes; an adjustable bike chock that can be used to help secure mountain bikes or motorcycles; and a bed extender make full use of the standard bed-rail cargo management system. A range of additional accessories that improves off-road capabilities, provides passenger entertainment and enhances exterior styling is also available. There are more than 75 HUMMER Genuine Accessories offered.

In addition to the factory-developed accessory portfolio, HUMMER has partnered with top automotive aftermarket companies to develop more than 50 Officially Licensed HUMMER Accessories – a first for the brand. A variety of exterior enhancements, such as a Slant Back Bed Cover, hard tonneau covers and a winch are offered, along with cargo management solutions such as the BedSlide and bed divider, offering countless possibilities to personalize the H3T.

Alpha series-Offering the towing capability that only a V-8 can, the H3 and H3T Alpha models broaden HUMMER’s range of versatile, do-anything and go-anywhere vehicles. They represent the pinnacle of performance, both off the road and on it. The power behind the performance is derived from a 5.3L V-8 engine that delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm)*. It is partnered with a four-speed automatic transmission and enables a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) with the H3 and 5,900 pounds (2,676 kg) with the H3T. A 4.10 axle is standard.

The Alpha series can be had with cloth (H3T only) or leather (H3 and H3T) interior trim, including a horn pad badge and embroidered seat headrests. Bluetooth connectivity is included on Alpha models. Leather-trimmed models also include uplevel carpeted floor mats; heated/power-adjustable seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel; lighted vanity mirror; home remote and polished 16-inch wheels. The polished wheels, power-adjustable seat, home remote and lighted vanity mirror are available on cloth-equipped models.

For customers who want a more accessorized appearance straight from the factory, the H3 Alpha model can be combined with the H3X content, which includes bright roof crossbars, chrome fuel door, a body-color grille and unique spare tire cover, tires, wheels and center cap, and a brush guard. Additionally, HUMMER Accessories offers an exclusive line of GM-designed, manufactured and validated accessories that are engineered and tested for no-compromises fit, finish and performance.

H3 and H3T powertrains-Standard in the H3 and H3T is the Vortec 3.7L I-5 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. This inline five-cylinder engine offers an excellent combination of power and efficiency, delivering 239 horsepower (178 kW) at 5600 rpm* and 241 lb.-ft. of torque ( 327 Nm) at 4600 rpm. It is backed by a five-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed, electronically controlled automatic.

The Alpha series’ 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of GM’s legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm).* An aluminum cylinder block is used with the H3 Alpha’s engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance.

To support the torque output of the 5.3L V-8, the Alpha’s front differential case is made of cast iron. V-8-powered vehicles also receive higher torsion bar rates to support the increased mass and specific shock valving.A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 5.3L engine. Flat towing is enabled on all H3 and H3T models.

The H3 and H3T are sold around the globe, with production of the H3 and H3T in the United States and the H3 in South Africa.

Safety features-Standard safety features include head curtain side-impact air bags, as well as the following:

* StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
* Four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control
* Dual-stage frontal air bags with passenger sensing system
* Tire pressure monitoring system
* LATCH rear child seat anchors

HUMMER’s rearview camera system and a navigation system are available. The rearview camera system uses a camera mounted on the rear bumper to provide a view of objects directly behind the vehicle. A new “picture-in-picture” display provides a more integrated viewing screen for the system.Also, the safety and security of OnStar is standard, and its Turn-By-Turn Navigation feature is available.

Best Saleen S7 sport car

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 13:56:00 +0000

2008 Chrysler Sebring -The Great Convertible

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Features

Body : 2-Dr Convertible

Engines: 2.4L L4; 2.7L V6; 3.5L V6

Transmissions: 6 Speed Semi-Automatic; 4 Speed Automatic

Drive train: Front Wheel Drive

Below are the 2008 Sebring Model available ‘Trims’

1. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Base Convertible (price: MSRP: $25,470)
2. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Touring Convertible (price: MSRP: $28,070)
3. 2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible (price: MSRP: $31, 670)

Scion iQ headed

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:40:00 +0000

2011 Ferrari 599GTO_Best Automotive Class

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:30:00 +0000

So you still think the hottest street-legal Ferrari of them all is the Enzo? Listen up; we have an update. There’s a new champ in Maranello—it’s not as outrageous as the Enzo, but more powerful, more sophisticated, more agile, and even faster. Ferrari calls it “the most extreme sports car” it has ever produced. At a company where fabulous is the starting point for pretty much every new project, that’s saying something.

Ferrari’s challenge (besides, you know, actually engineering the car) was in choosing a name for the beast, which is based on the 599GTB Fiorano. There isn’t much to set the new car apart visually from the GTB, just additional aero elements at the front, aggressive rear air diffusers, and other various airflow management touches that add up to double the high-speed downforce of the “regular” 599.

The corporate brain trust looked down the corridor of Ferrari immortals, and they came across the 1962–64 GTO, and resurrecting the name just made sense. (Less influence came from the mid-engined, twin-turbo V-8 GTO of 1984, which was based on the 308.) And the 599GTO was born.

GTO Then and Now

Although much has changed since 1962, there are some fundamental similarities between the legendary original and this revival. Both cars are front-engine, rear-drive designs, and both have excellent weight distribution, with essentially all of the powerplant’s mass riding behind the front axle’s centerline. Both sport a small aero upkick on the rear decklid, dubbed a “nolder.” Both cars are propelled by aluminum V-12 engines, and both generate compelling noises as the revs climb toward redline. But of course there’s a little more muscle behind the crescendos coming from the 599GTO’s quadruple tailpipes.

Fed by six two-throat Weber carburetors—remember carburetors?—the 3.0-liter SOHC V-12 that powered the original GTO was rated for 300 hp at 7400 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque. Feeding power via a five-speed manual gearbox to a limited-slip live rear axle, it was capable of a 5.8-second run to 60 mph, and a top speed of 144 mph.

This was very hot stuff in the early ’60s, and isn’t exactly slow even today. But it’s tame compared to what happens when you set the new car’s manettino (the steering-wheel-mounted dial that controls a number of vehicle functions such as traction and stability control levels and shift response) to Race (the middle position of five), and summon all the horses lurking under the 599GTO’s hood.

There are 671 horses on hand in this version of the 599’s V-12, up from 612 in the 599GTB, and they come quickly when called. As the engine shrieks its way to its 8400-rpm peak, you’re squashed into the racing-style bucket seat, with each upshift through the six-speed gearbox giving an extra little shove.

Split-Second Defined

To understate things, those upshifts don’t take long. With a manettino setting of Race or higher, the single-clutch automated manual takes just 60 milliseconds to go from one gear to the next, according to Ferrari. That’s about twice as fast as the gearbox response in the GTB Fiorano, and beyond the hand speed of any human operating a traditional manual.

The oversized shift paddles, which are fixed to the steering column rather than rotating with the wheel, make actuating cog swaps a pure joy, and you find yourself wishing there were a few more gears. At the top end of sixth, flat out, the GTO will be traveling at just over 208 mph, so maybe there are enough gears after all.

Ferrari forecasts a 0-to-62-mph time of 3.35 seconds, quicker than the Enzo. After considering power, mass, phase of the moon, and position of the planets, our tech guys forecast something a little quicker—3.1 seconds—since the GTB Fiorano we tested in September 2008 made the sprint in 3.3.

Power Mining

The GTO’s power increase over the GTB was achieved largely by improved intake and exhaust flow, the latter carefully tuned to emit sounds that are both louder and distinctly more nourishing to the tifosi spirit. The howl of the GTO at full chat: Fantastico!

Other elements of the GTO V-12 include a new 180-degree (flat) crankshaft design with throws designed to twirl more freely, extensive friction-reducing measures that Ferrari says make it 12 percent more efficient than the GTB’s V-12, and improved digital control of the ignition system, which monitors and adjusts every combustion event. Surprisingly, the profiles of the cam lobes are unchanged.

This may sound like a lot of effort for a car whose production—which is beginning as we speak—will be limited to just 599 copies but much of the work had already been done for the more radical 599XX, a car with no stree-legal pretensions whatsoever. In XX trim, the Ferrari engineers have managed to extract 720 hp from the V-12; elements of that transformation compatible with contemporary emissions regulations were used on the GTO project.

The Benign Rocket

Anyway, fast and powerful are traits you’d expect of a car wearing the storied GTO badge. What you might not expect is just how eagerly—and forgivingly—this latest GTO applies that power and speed to a given stretch of straights and curves. The fundamental mechanical elements of the dynamic upgrade versus the standard 599GTB Fiorano and the more aggressive Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) version are stiffer spring rates and a heftier rear anti-roll bar. There’s also more grip; Ferrari estimates about 1.25 g, thanks to bigger contact patches from 285/30 front and 315/35 rear Michelin rubber made from a new compound; these Pilot Super Sports are a little stickier than the very sticky Pilot Sport Cups.

The combination of more grip, standard (and huge) carbon-ceramic rotors, and Brembo’s new ceramic pads yields superb braking power, with ABS standing by should the driver overpower the tires. During our visit to Italy’s fast 3.1-mile Mugello racetrack, a couple of test drivers managed to jump on the brake pedal hard enough, and at a high enough speed, to reach the ABS threshold. This author was never in danger of having this occur, though I did feel my eyeballs trying to dislodge themselves during a couple of late-braking episodes.

Manettino Magic

As with the 599GTB, a set of auto-adjusting magnetorheological shock absorbers provide wonderfully precise damping, as well as astonishingly comfortable ride quality on public roads. But the element that gives this supercar an exceptional degree of user-friendliness is how well the GTO takes care of its driver at high speeds via the five settings offered by the manettino (it means “little hand”), that small dial mounted on the lower right corner of the steering-wheel center.

As we said, the dial governs traction control, stability control, and shift responses. Its lowest setting is for inclement conditions. Next is Sport, which raises the stability control threshold considerably. In Race, the threshold goes higher still, and shift time is reduced to that magical 60 milliseconds. The next step cancels traction control, and the final position shuts down all the electronic assistance.

This last step is for those who are, yes, brave and accomplished, but also who hold title to the car. I certainly didn’t qualify on the last part, and so confined myself to moving the manettino to the fourth click on my final set of laps. At that level, the system allows a lot more sliding around before it kicks in, but it ultimately steps in and restores some sense of order.

The GTO is a well-balanced package, almost as willing to change direction as the mid-engined F430 or 430 Scuderia. There’s a hint of very mild understeer, easily corrected with the throttle, and if the steering isn’t quite as tactile as that of some sports cars, it’s as accurate as a surgical tool. What all this adds up to is a sporting machine of a very high order, one that recently wrested Ferrari’s production-car lap record at its 1.9-mile Fiorano test track from the Enzo, turning in a time of 1:24.0 versus 1:25.0.

The basic get-in for a 599GTB Fiorano is almost $317,000. Adding the HGTE package costs just over $30,000. But that would still leave you a little over 100 grand in your pockets against the 599GTO, at an estimated $450,000. Does that seem high? The Enzo was some $200,000 north of that, and the 29 copies of the 599XX went for $1.5 million each.

What the 599 prospective GTO owners can look forward to is supercar performance that matches the software wizardry of a car like the Nissan GT-R, but without imposing robotic and passionless precision. The GTO will take care of its driver to the extent the driver finds comfortable, but its soul is omnipresent.

However, if your name isn’t already on the list of future owners, these concerns don’t concern you: All 599 examples are already spoken for. If this seems like favoritism, consider that no single Ferrari begins its gestation without an owner’s name on the build sheet, and that the company began inviting carefully selected GTO prospects to visit its headquarters in early January. So, yeah, it’s pretty much favoritism.

TxtStopper: Probably Illegal

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:52:00 +0000

I saw a press release about a device called the TxtStopper, which is a cell phone jammer you wire into your car's 12v power line to jam cell phones when your engine is running. The idea is to keep your teenager from texting while driving.

This device is probably not legal in the U.S., since it interferes with legal and regulated cell phone signals.

Also, I don't see how they keep it just to your vehicle. If it is so low powered that it doesn't extend much beyond about a 5 foot radius, it may not be powerful enough to reliably jam your phone.

Also, cell phones in vehicles have legitimate safety uses, such as 911.

Bad idea.

Boycott BP?

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Should you boycott BP?

Yes, maybe, no.

Yes because reduced wholesales of their products will hurt them in their pocket books and teach them a harsh lesson.

Maybe not, because chances are if you have a 401(k) or pension plan, you are infact a shareholder of BP, one of the largest (by capitalization) companies in the world. You will help to damage your own retirement funds.

No, because you will hurt your local small-business owners who own BP stations, which are almost all franchises. And BP is one of the largest employers in oil producing regions. Many more people will lose jobs, than already are.

Myself, I am ambivalent. I don't actively avoid BP stations these days, but I don't really seek them out either. Besides, near me, Speedway and Valero brands are usually cheaper!

Want Less Oil Use? Raise Gas Taxes!

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:40:00 +0000

The laws of economics are nearly as immutable as the laws of physics.

If you want to reduce consumption of an item, increase its price, or reduce its supply (same effect, different mechanism).

David Frum points this out in a very lucid piece on CNN.com, here.

We want to get the country off oil? Tax it. (Politicians may not wish to say it, but their advisers can at least think it.) Then liberate people to find their own best alternative -- and incentivize industry to develop alternatives that make sense at the new higher price. And be prepared to argue candidly and straightforwardly in the marketplace of ideas why this new tax is right and justified.

If not, then kindly please spare us the grand speeches about how the status quo is the thing you will not accept. It is precisely the thing you are accepting.

However, as Frum correctly points out, a politician who raises gas taxes by $1+ per gallon will soon be an ex-politician. That's because there is not really a strong consensus on reducing our use of fossil fuels in this country. As I write here so often, people want cheap gas and high fuel efficiency, but they aren't willing to pay much for it.

One sensible solution to the sting of higher taxes is to do a "feebate" scheme, where the taxes which are collected are distributed back to the taxpayers as tax rebates. This way, you would nudge the consumer to consume less fuel, but on average wouldn't hurt the economy much. Congress can even play with the rebate rules, to penalize higher income consumers less than low income consumers, exclude business and agriculture uses, etc.

Instead, we have the perverse system of CAFE, which tells automakers what cars to build and in what mix they can sell them, but is largely invisible to the consumer except on the window stickers at the dealership.

Well, CAFE isn't free either. Getting to 36mpg is going to have some nasty side effects on the vehicles available on the marketplace, foremost of which is that cars are going to get more expensive. So instead of slightly less expensive cars and pricier gas, we are going to have cheaper gas and more expensive cars. You still pay in the end, though--efficiency costs money. The advantage of the market approach is that the consumer has choice--if someone wants to drive a thirsty vehicle, and they can afford the gas tax,they can choose to pay. With CAFE, the very choice of the thirsty vehicle may be taken away, depending on how the fleet average works out.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition at the Beijing Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:56:00 +0000

It really doesn’t take more than a new coat of paint, does it? Not when you are Lamborghini and already build a supercar that makes 670 horsepower and weighs 3,450 pounds (well, at least it does before you add all its vital fluids).

So this is the Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition. That inelegant name describes a flat gray LP670-4 SV with an orange stripe down the center — “symbolizing the strength of an erupting volcano,” says Lambo, if not the widespread flight cancellations.

“Not more than 10″ of the these China Edition LP570-4 SVs will be built, and they will only be sold in China. In addition to an individually numbered plaque, each car will be inscribed with the name of its owner… which could be good or bad for resale depending on how beloved or notorious one happens to be.

2011 nissan GT-R testing in eroupe

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:15:00 +0000

Days after the launch of the updated-for-2010 Nissan GT-R in Australia, new spy photos reveal that development is underway on what could be either the expected 2012 GT-R update, or the more luxuriously-appointed SpecM version of the current model.

Little appears altered under this test car’s basic camo, with the most significant tweaks going to the outboard intakes up front. At the back, light taping over the rear bumper reveals a revised diffuser and some possible luxury-oriented tweaks, perhaps chrome trimming.

Where the limited-edition SpecV focuses on reduced weight and enhanced handling, the SpecM is expected to offer a more upmarket interior with higher quality leather seats and other premium conveniences.

Nissan Senior Vice President Andy Palmer said last October that the GT-R’s handling and performance will remain largely unaltered in its guise as the upcoming SpecM version.

What will change, according to Palmer, is the interior environment.

Offering a more ‘exclusive’ feel, the Spec-M will feature a higher quality sound system, more luxurious (and expensive) dash, door and seat trimming, and a more ‘bespoke’ experience.

Power is unlikely to be altered, staying with the regular GT-R’s 353kW and 590Nm of torque. It’s possible, perhaps likely, that suspension will be adjusted to provide a more compliant ride.However, Nissan is understood to be working on a more powerful 2012 upgrade for the GT-R, so it’s possible the SpecM will be the first model to debut with boosted power figures.

Speaking with TMR this week, Kazutoshi Mizuno, chief engineer of the GT-R, said that future models may even adopt hybrid or electric-drive powertrains.

source: Best Automotive Class

Gordon Murray's (Controversial) T.25

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:14:00 +0000

There are new photos out of designer Gordon Murray's proposed T.25 city car (see photos here).

It looks like a very tidy design, with a 1+2 seating arrangement where the passengers sit behind the driver, who is front and center. But the ergonomics look very tricky--to get those 2nd row passengers in their seats, they have to climb over (I assume) a folded forward drivers seat, after negotiation the forward tilting cab.

Unless the rear of the cab opens as well? It is hard to tell from the press photos.

Even if the rear cabin opens, I don't think a forward opening door will be well received. If it is raining, you (and our seat) are getting wet while you work on getting in or out. If you are in a front end accident, it seems like it would be harder to open the door, if the hinge was crushed.

The half-windows are also not going to go over well, although perhaps in the U.K fast food drive-through is not as common as in the U.S.

Mandatory Breathalyzer Interlock?

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:54:00 +0000

Did you know that the NHTSA, together with 13 automakers, is working on a device which will test your breath alcohol concentration, to be installed (they hope) in all vehicles? Did you know that they are spending $2,000,000 per year (some of which is taxpayer money) on this project? Now Senator Udall from New Mexico is proposing to increase funding to $12,000,000/year.

To its credit, the DADSS project acknowledges that in order to be accepted by the public, the system they come up with must be practical and non-intrusive. They are pursuing several methods of doing a passive test, to avoid having to have the driver blow into a tube and wait several minutes before allowing the car to start.

They are looking at both contacting and non-contacting methods. One method is to have an IR spectrograph system which reads the blood alcohol level by analyzing the reflected light from a persons skin, which would have to be touching a sensor hidden somewhere such as the steering wheel or shift knob. Another method would be to analyze the vapor in the cabin using several "sniffers".

However, even a passive system has some significant issues that will need to be overcome before the average person will agree to have one in their vehicle. The chance of a false positive must be vanishingly small. But at the same time, the system must be difficult to defeat, or it loses its protective effect.

And any system that degrades over time, to the point where it starts calling false positives, would not be acceptable.

Consider a contacting spectrograph sensor. What if it is winter, and our driver wants to wear gloves? Do you make him remove his gloves to start the car? Would people submit to that? (No).

Can the system tell the difference between a bag of saline solution and a persons finger? Could it be fooled with a hot dog?

Or what if you are using cabin air sensors, and you are sober but your friend in the passenger seat is drunk? The system must be able to tell the difference reliably to be acceptable.

Would an air analyzer system work with the windows down, or with the ventilation fans blowing? Any solution which requires people to start with closed windows or without ventilation won't be accepted.

Could a cabin air analyzer be fooled by taping over the sensor inlet ports?

To be effective and safe, the system would have to make an up or down call quickly while the car is parked. Which means it will almost certainly have to be a default-to-guilty (restrictive) system as opposed to a non-restrictive default-to-innocent system. If the system allows you to drive away, but then makes a "intoxicated" call later, and stops your car, it may leave you in an unsafe situation.

I am skeptical about the idea that every car should have an alcohol detector on board. I think many lives could be saved if, instead, the system were required as an after-market installation for anyone who is caught DUI. I am not ready to accept, and I don't think most people would accept a system which presumes that you are drunk unless you can prove otherwise.

You can read more about the DADSS project at http://www.dadss.org/.

An interesting source of counter-advocacy is here: http://interlockfacts.com/, which is run by the American Beverage Institute.

Camry Most "American" Car?

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:45:00 +0000

According to the Detroit News (here), Cars.com finds that the Camry is the "most American car", based on domestic parts content and popularity.

I suppose it is fair, and congratulations to Toyota for supporting the U.S. economy as much as the Camry does.

But...

If you follow the flow of engineering and the flow of money, the picture is a little different. The Camry has quite a bit of its engineering done in Japan, which means that Japanese engineers are doing the work, not U.S. engineers. Also, the profits from the sale of the Camry flow back through Japan, though the shareholders of Toyota are global.

Consider instead a car designed in the U.S. and built over the border, such as the Ford Fusion, or the Chrysler 300. Yes, it is being bolted together by Mexicans (or Canadians, or even Mexican-Canadians), from parts that flow from all over. However, U.S. engineers and technicians worked on the product, and and the profits flow mostly to U.S. shareholders (and the .gov in the case of Chrysler and GM).

It isn't black and white, and if you buy a Camry, to my thinking it is much better than buying a car designed and built overseas. But if you want to support American engineering and American shareholders, you can do better than Camry.

2011 Lotus Elise SC and Exige S RGB (Roger Becker) Special Editions

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:38:00 +0000

Former director of engineering Roger Becker, who retired this January, is Lotus’ inspiration behind the release of its two new special editions of its Elise and Exige models this September.

Sports and Touring packs are fitted on these two models as standard. Buyers can choose from four
available colors: Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey. Each vehicle will be recognized by a numbered interior plaque. Roger Becker’s signature can be viewed from the side of the vehicles’ body and on the Lotus nose badge. The Elise SC RGB is powered by a supercharged 1.8l engine, which delivers 217 hp and enables the car to accelerate from zero to 60mph in 4.3 seconds.

Powering the Exige S RGB is a supercharged/intercooled engine Exige S RGB of the same displacement, producing 257 hp and pushing the vehicle to run from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds.

In a statement, Becker said that he is “honored” for Lotus naming its two special editions after him, “especially as it allows [him] to offer the customer [his] favorite specifications.” He talked about the past 44 years as having been “an incredible journey.”

He said, “I’m looking forward to watching Lotus progress in the future, I have no doubt that the company will continue to go from strength to strength.” With the release of these two models, Lotus will retire the 1.8l engine supplied by Toyota because of emission regulations limits. What this indicates is that the Elise R, Elise SC, Exige S and Exige Cup 260 will no longer be available in Europe.

The Truth About The Vuvuzela

noreply@blogger.com (Doncrack) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:17:00 +0000

The vuvuzela was originally invented by the Jews! Made of a rams horn, the shofar was blown during battle, and I am sure during ancient soccer games. Today, it is blown during the high holidays.