For The Love Of Speed

A Day With A Bugatti: Test-Driving The Veyron Grand Sport

2012-02-07T19:04:00.002-05:00

In the summer of 2011, I had just started my career as a junior Freelance-Creative Partner, specializing in copy writing, photography and video production. You can probably imagine my excitement when a message that I left at a local automotive blog was met with an invitation to the first test-drive and photo/film shoot of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. My first real car-job and it was one of the fastest and most expensive cars on the planet - I was ecstatic.

I arrived at the massive estate at an undisclosed location near Toronto to find the beautiful marvel of engineering sitting quietly at the base of the stairs to the house. The Bugatti didn't remain quiet for long. Before I could snap my second photo since walking up the driveway from the guest-house, the Bugatti representative turned the key, bringing the 1001 horsepower 8-liter W16 to life. We brought the car further onto the estate to get some pictures around the stunning property.

Full photo shoot here.

After a while, it was time to take the car out to the open roads. There was a lot of traffic on the city roads, which as you can guess garnered a lot of attention. Attention isn't the best thing to have when you're leaning out the window of a chase car with a camera filming a million-dollar supercar - believe me. I got a ticket for it.

Me, pretending to be badass enough to get a ticket in a Bugatti.

After being pulled over and questioned, we were off again. If you've never seen a Bugatti, I can assure you, this car lives up to the hype. It's loud, gorgeous and faster than a bat out of hell. Although most of the footage I have was contracted away to the automotive blog I was freelancing for, there is a bit of footage for your viewing pleasure:

Like what you see? Contact me via my website!

I hate the R8 Spyder. Yes, even the GT.

2012-01-16T22:39:00.001-05:00

Now before those of you who clicked on this post in a rage take out your anger on me, hear me out: I love cars. I love Audi's. I love just about every car except the Pontiac Aztec, any Hummer after the H1 and the Ford Pinto. I understand different cars have different purposes, and with those purposes come different audiences. Even so, I seriously cannot make myself like the Audi R8 Spyder. Not even the GT version.

I'm sure the car is fast; it's still the R8. I'm sure it's comfortable; it's an Audi. I'm sure it's a pleasure to drive, but I truthfully cannot get past the sickening appearance of this once beautiful car. I used to dislike most convertibles, especially the rag-tops, but that's not what the case is here.

One place the Audi design team went wrong was the rear-end. They kept the oh-so-Audi fins under the lights, which I love (even though there's less of them), but everything above that is a complete let-down. One of the most beautiful features of the R8 was it's glass engine cover. That's gone. In its place is a disappointingly bland and opaque ventilation-style cover. I understand that this might have been necessary due to the addition of the drop-top, but that brings me to my biggest problem with the R8 Spyder: No big side panels.

The panels on the side of the R8, be they carbon fiber, white, black, gold or what-have-you look fantastic. They defined the R8. With the rear end of the R8 so low, there was no room for the side panels, and in there place sits a gaping hole that looks like somebody sanded down the side of a Lamborghini. When Audi announced their R8 GT Spyder, I had a glimmer of hope for a rear-end redesign. Those hopes were soon shattered. Although the overall appearance of the R8 GT Spyder improved slightly, it still just doesn't sit right.

The R8 GT Spyder. Close, but still so far.

In the performance department, the Spyder just doesn't measure up to the original R8 GT. The 0-60 time is slightly more than to original, and I'm sure the drop-top experiences the standard minute loss of handling that all convertibles are susceptible to. In addition to that, the car comes strictly with the Audi R Tronic automated manual transmission - no exceptions. I don't know what the R Tronic transmission is like, but I've heard from a few sources that not only does it feel clunky, but it occasionally causes a plethora of problems for some owners.

In short, I feel like Audi didn't do a very good job of making the Audi R8 GT Spyder an outstanding sports-coupe. It feels more like a luxury convertible coupe to me. Couple the list of issues I have with the car and the nearly $200,000 price tag, and you have a car which I can honestly say would never cross my mind if I were in the price range or category. I'd spend the little bit extra and take a Lamborghini any day - but that's just my opinion.

BMW i-Series: i3 and i8

2011-12-15T23:49:00.000-05:00

In the industry-wide race to go electric without compromising performance, BMW is undoubtedly at the front of the pack. Revealed as a concept in 2009, and as a production model this year, the i8 and i3 are some of the most interesting vehicles to come out of BMW for quite some time.

The i3 is meant for the urban commuter looking for efficiency. The i3 sports a liquid-cooled lithium ion battery which pumps around 170 horsepower, in this case 125 KW to the rear wheels, propelling the compact SUV from 0-60 in less than 8 seconds. Not bad at all.

To get even sportier, we’d have to take a trip in the i8. It’s been a while since a plug-in hybrid car caught my attention, but the i8 has truly won me over. Upon first glance, you know you’re looking at a fast car. What you don’t know is what planet it came from. BMW managed to bring sleek and aggressive together in perfect harmony with efficient and dramatic. It's only rational that they chose this car to star in the coming Mission Impossible movie.

The massive sheet of glass that makes up the windshield spans across the entire car, right to the back seats. Yes, it’s a 4-seater coupe with glass doors. I would hope there is some kind of a factory tint, just for privacy’s sake. The i8 is powered by one of the most intricate systems in the automotive industry. The i8 uses an electric motor to send power to the front axle, coupled with a 3-cylinder turbo gasoline engine pushing 220 horsepower to the rear wheels. That equates to a 0-60 time of less than 5 seconds. Not bad for a car with a fuel mileage of roughly 94 mpg!

Aventador Twin-Turbo: Who Will Do It First?

2011-10-25T19:09:00.000-04:00

The Aventador - an aggressive and powerful snapshot of what is to be the next generation of Lamborghini.
Revealed in early 2011, the Aventador received much praise in the performance automotive community. With an astonishing 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds, it's hard not to like it. Despite it's mighty ~700 hp, some members of the automotive community, myself included, would like to see what happens when someone goes and over-does it. I think we'll have our fun soon enough.

There are a few tuning companies that have a long history with twin-turbo systems, particularly Lambo's.
Those companies are Underground Racing, Heffner Performance and RSC (Racing Sport Concepts).
All 3 companies have pumped out some impressive horsepower numbers over the past few years, but with Lamborghini's change to focus on more power-to-weight ratio initiatives, it has quickly become a race to the next step.

There's room for a twin-turbo system in there somewhere.

Underground Racing currently offers the most performance packages for the Gallardo and Murcielago models. They also currently offer the most powerful twin-turbo Lamborghini's money can buy. This video should give you an idea of how much power is actually being pushed out of these TT Lambo's:

After seeing the almost scary horsepower figures coming from UGR, I have to assume that they will get to the Aventador first. According to the internet rumor-mill, a twin-turbo Aventador could easily be putting out more than 1200 horsepower. Yes, please!

Will Ferrari Go Hybrid? The Enzo Successor Might.

2011-10-07T01:42:00.002-04:00

In the rapidly-changing performance automotive world, many cars have seen some “greener” improvements. Companies like Jaguar and BMW have showcased their performance hybrid intentions for the near future. While some people cringe when they hear the word “hybrid” coupled with the word “performance”, I think it’s a great idea.

With that said, it’s no surprise that Ferrari’s announcement about a possible hybrid replacement for the Enzo stirred up a lot of internet controversy. Ferrari’s hybrid 599 HY-KERS concept back in 2010 was the first hint of Ferrari’s hybrid efforts. The F1 technology-inspired 599 Hybrid was intended to feature a 100-hp electric motor hooked up to the shaft for the car’s odd-numbered gears. Not many fans expected such a big overhaul of the Ferrari line-up upon its debut.

The questionably-colored 599 HY-KERS

(Kinetic Energy Recovery System)

The Enzo successor, due in 2012, will also utilize a carbon fiber chassis and receive its main power from a mid-mounted V12. There are no specific details of the hybrid portion of the project, but many speculate that something similar to the KERS technology with a bit more focus on efficiency. Ferrari also plans on introducing a replacement for the 599, which could potentially feature a hybrid model as well.

Until we hear more details on the hybrid portions of Ferrari’s new line-up, all we can do is speculate. That, and get artists to design us their renditions of what the new Ferrari’s will look like.

Regardless of the Enzo replacement's design or engine configuration, I'm sure Ferrari won't disappoint their fans with their flagship supercar.

The Sesto Elemento: Lamborghini's $2.5 Million Track Car

2011-10-03T15:09:00.000-04:00

After its much talked about debut at the 2010 Paris Autoshow, Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento (Sixth Element in Italian) quickly became one of the most talked about concept cars in the supercar community. Lamborghini had seemingly turned taken the idea of the Reventon concept of 2007, and turned it into a Gallardo-V10-powered monster.

The Sesto Elemento weighs only 999kg (2,200 lbs), making it the lightest Lamborghini ever produced. It achieved this weight via a carbon fiber diet. The body, chassis, driveshaft and even suspension components are all made of carbon fiber. This 570 horsepower lightweight Lambo boasts an astonishing 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds! Coupled with a top speed of 186 mph (300km/h), this is one fast bull.

Carbon is the sixth element on the periodic table.

This concept car was originally made to kick off the next generation of Lamborghini, showcasing their impressive carbon fiber technology and even more aggressive body design. However, the concept model was so popular that Lamborghini has decided the Sesto Elemento will go down the path of the Reventon, and will receive a limited production of 20 cars. Before you go running to the Lamborghini dealer nearest you, you should know that this car is for track use only. At an estimated price of $2.5 million, the Sesto Elemento had better be one hell of a track car.

"Super Juke": Godzilla's Little Brother?

2011-09-26T15:42:00.004-04:00

With the approaching Tokyo and Los Angeles auto shows, the internet rumour-mill has been pumping out news and speculation by the hour. One particular rumour that caught my attention was the alleged “Super Juke” – a more powerful version of Nissan’s AWD turbo crossover. Although not officially titled the “Super Juke”, the codename has a certain ring to it.

When Nissan Europe confirmed these rumours and gave details on the “Super Juke”, even the most optimistic predictions were taken by surprise. Supposedly, the powerful crossover will be powered by the same 3.8L twin-turbo V6 that powers the Nissan GT-R. How they plan on fitting Godzilla’s heart in the Juke’s tiny engine bay is beyond me.

Do you see room for a twin-turbo V6?

The massive increase in power (460-530 estimated horses) is said to potentially bring the Super Juke’s 0-60 time down to an impressive 4-second range. The Juke will also receive some design changes as well, including more aggressive side skirts, a split rear wing, and presumably some GT-R tires. We can also expect to see some sort of rear diffuser and an assortment of aerodynamic additions to the body.

Currently, the Super Juke is just a concept project, but with all of the technology and resources at Nissan Europe’s disposal, I expect we could see the first versions of the JT-R (See what I did there?) by late 2012. I always thought the Juke was cool. I never expected it to be this badass.

C7: The Future of the Corvette

2011-09-23T11:46:00.002-04:00

The Corvette has been an icon of American muscle since the early 1960’s, and still continues to “wow” the automotive world with each new generation. Last year, however, Corvette’s sales slumped rather dramatically. Considering the car’s main target market is over the age of 50, Chevrolet is looking at aiming the car at a younger market. It’s time for a redesign – but how?

Sideswipe, is that you?

GM is remaining quite secretive about the next redesign, the C7, but there are a few things that we can treat as ‘likely changes’. For starters, the overall size of the Corvette is expected to shrink. Lighter is always better, so that in itself is already a good start. Secondly, internet rumours speculate that the new generation of Vettes may feature a 7-speed manual transmission.

There is also evidence to suggest the next generation will be powered by a 5.5L V8, as opposed to the current 6.2L. The downsizing of the engine is a little bit questionable in my opinion, but I’m sure GM won’t be making any uneducated decisions around their icon car. I estimate that the base model will be the only one with the downsized engine, and the C7 ZR1 will maintain the 6.2L V8 that it has today. Either way, don't expect to see any new models until 2013.

There have been countless Corvette concept renderings circulating the internet, speculating what the new generation will look like. We all saw the modified Corvette in transformers (above), which has been the inspiration for many of the fan-submitted concepts.

Oh God, please no.

I wouldn't mind this.

Regardless of what GM decides for the new Vette, I am sure that the popularity of this American icon will spike once again upon release. That’s just how these things work – you show people something has changed, and they pay attention. I, for one, am just excited to see the next Z06 and ZR1 models.

Lamborghini: The Next Generation

2011-09-15T00:32:00.004-04:00

It’s often hard to believe that a company which started by building tractors out of old military equipment would quickly become the supercar icon that Lamborghini is today. However, the youth of the Lamborghini brand is a testament to the quality of performance and sophistication offered by the company’s latest creations.

Anyone who is half as big of a fan of Lamborghini as I am is excited about the current transformation to the German- Italian carmaker’s model line-up – and you can bet I’m not talking about the 2008 Lamborghini Estoque sedan concept. That’s just the tip of bull’s horn. The Sesto Elemento concept (above), unveiled in 2010, set off a wave of innovation.

Earlier this year we saw the fastest Lamborghini ever, the Aventador LP700-4, come to life as the replacement for the legendary Murcielago. The usage of a new carbon fibre monocoque chassis and technologies seems to be the heart of Lamborghini's transformation.

The Aventador: Rumored to be the next Batmobile. Appropriate.

The company’s most produced model, the Gallardo, is set to be replaced in the coming years. The replacement for the Gallardo, rumoured to be called the Cabrera, is to come with a supercharged V10 – Yes, Supercharged. The same V10 engine from the Gallardo, with the addition of the supercharger, is expected to be putting out figures close to the 600 horsepower range. This one, I have to see.

The Cabrera. Slightly sleeker looking than the Gallardo.

The Gallardo won’t be going out quietly, however. This past week at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show Lamborghini unveiled the fourteenth (14th!) Gallardo model, the Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale - that’s a mouthful. It’s also quite the sight for sore eyes. The new-gen aggressive styling of the Aventador can be seen all over this special edition Gallardo. The Super Trofeo Stradale puts out an impressive 570 horsepower, making the car’s 0-60 time a quick 3.4 seconds. In my opinion, this is the nicest Gallardo since the Superleggera.

Wow. Yes, please.

Lamborghini has always been one of my favourite supercar manufacturers, and their recent displays of high tech and new-age concepts has gotten me even more excited for their future. Needless to say, I am one of many people anxiously awaiting Lamborghini’s next generation, and I have high expectations that I assume will be met and surpassed. Not bad for an old tractor maker.

Speed Creed and the Indonesian Supercar Scene

2011-09-06T20:33:00.008-04:00

The inspiration for today’s post takes root far to the south-west of my farm-town-suburbia home. Yesterday, this video was posted to youtube by a group of people in Indonesia that call themselves “Speed Creed”.

I'll give you a second to take that in.

I have seen a lot of supercar rallies, but this is practically supercar street racing. If you tried this kind of driving in North America, half of the drivers would be pulled over on the spot - if they stopped, of course. Keep in mind, however, that this is a much different part of the world. Street Drifting is one of the favourite sports of Indonesia. The 2006 Goodyear Night Drift was even held in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city.

I don’t know very much about Speed Creed’s “Lebaran Run”, as it seems to have appeared overnight. There are just over 2000 "likes" on the Speed Creed facebook page. To join the community of Speed Creed, you need to be driving a performance car, meaning it has to be built to be performance oriented - no exceptions. After a pre-registration process, you are invited to join the Speed Creed BBM group or mailing list. From there, car cruises are planned and coordinated.

A few Speed Creed members. Lookin' good!

There is also a Speed Creed Gold Membership for the heavy hitters. Only those with cars boasting 500+ Horsepower are invited to join the Gold Community. We can only assume that the people driving in the Lebaran Run video are the members of the Gold Community.

I learned two things from this video: The Indonesian Street Laws are hardly existent, and rich Indonesian people are f***ing insane! I expect to see a lot more crazy things from Speed Creed in the future.

The Lotus Cars 'Bloom'

2011-09-01T11:43:00.003-04:00

For anyone who has been following the internet-chatter around the British automaker, Lotus, you know that the company is redesigning their current models. What you may not know, is that Lotus plans on revealing six (6!) new models at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. Two of these models are expected to be additional packages for existing Lotus models. Rumours indicate that they will likely be automatic or paddle-shifting packages for the Evora and the Elise.

At the 2010 Paris Auto Show, Lotus announced it would be building the Lotus Eterne, a 4-door competitor to the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. They also announced a potential 4-litre V6 Lotus "Elan". Sources tell me that the Elan project has been shelved, at least for now.

The Lotus Eterne looks like a sharper Panamera.

Of the other entirely new models expected to be released, we know that one is a supercharged replacement for the Lotus Elise SC, which won’t be available in North America. Another model I hope to see is a rally-built version of the current Exige. Thirdly, there is the model which I struggle to find any real information on. The only thing I can get out of Lotus is that “it will be one of the fastest road cars Lotus has ever built”. The Evora GTE Road Car perhaps?

The Evora GTE Road Car Concept. Gorgeous.

Earlier this year, Lotus unveiled the Evora GTE Road Car concept, a weight-reduced and stunningly aggressive Lotus with an estimated 420+ horepower. Considering the old Lotus didn’t weigh much to begin with, and could already run 0-60 in less than 5 seconds with 276 horsepower, we can expect the limited edition production version of this car to be a supercar slayer. To me, this is the most anticipated unveiling for the Frankfurt Auto Show. I predict a 0-60 time under 3.5 seconds. I also, however, expect a price tag far beyond my price range.

It looks to me like Lotus is attempting to do what McLaren has begun doing as well: Challenging the leading supercar makers (The McLaren Boom). Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini had better keep an eye out for these underdogs; they have done great work in the past, and I expect them to keep improving.

The Cadillac ELR: Tesla Fighter or Fancy Volt?

2011-08-23T21:40:00.010-04:00

As the automotive world shifts towards more eco-friendly vehicles, many drivers are not willing to sacrifice luxury to make the change. With Cadillac’s most recent planned production vehicle, the ELR, a sacrifice may no longer be necessary.

I originally caught a glimpse of the Cadillac “Converj” concept at the Toronto International Auto Show.

One thing you may not have noticed (I hadn’t noticed until the Cadillac representative pointed it out) is that the car has no mirrors. Why? Because the entire 360 degrees of the car is visible from a screen mounted in the dashboard. I have to hand it to Cadillac – they are innovators.

I'll admit, I like the face on this one.

The resemblance of the electric Caddy to the CTS-V gave me hope that GM would be one of the first major production companies to mass produce an electric performance car. Recent word from an undisclosed source working with Cadillac states that the ELR’s price will be just beneath the Tesla Roadster, an electric performance icon.

On the other hand, I have gathered that the ELR will be powered by the same lithium-ion electric motor and tiny engine combination found in the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt didn’t exactly make a splash into the automotive world. However, this platform could always evolve. The CTS didn’t exactly start out as a performer either, but today the CTS-V is one of my favourites.

It LOOKS fast, right?

I guess we will have to wait until the ELR reaches production, but I expect to hear more details about this car as the production date gets closer. It is important to remember that performance is rarely a top priority for an electric car.

For now, I’m keeping my expectations low. No offense, GM.

Gymkhana Four: Yes, It Gets Better

2011-08-18T17:10:00.008-04:00

I’m sure that most of my readers are familiar with Ken Block by now. If not, here’s a link to one of my first blog posts all about Ken Block. If you’re a fan, then you have most definitely seen his viral Gymkhana (Gym-Kah-Nuh) videos. Two days ago, Block blew the doors off of his fan-base with a fourth Gymkhana video. Much like the previous Gymkhana viral videos, it consists mainly of a branding-fuelled adrenaline rush complete with badass special effects and amazing camerawork.

I should warn you; if you are about to commit to watching this video, I suggest placing a bowl beneath your face to catch all of the drool. Afterwards, you can use that drool to rehydrate your eyes which will then be unfamiliar with the concept of blinking.

If all co-branding advertisements were this intense, the world would be a better place.

I am still in shock and awe from this video, and I intend to watch it several times over before the end of the day. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did- I think it’s kind of hard not to.

The Audi Pick-Up Truck: Move Over, Escalade EXT

2011-08-16T17:39:00.007-04:00

Until recently, if you wanted a luxury pick-up truck, you bought a Cadillac Escalade EXT. I have driven the EXT, and to be honest, I found it a little tame. Regardless of luxuries, when driving a truck, I would like to feel like I am driving a truck – it seems to me like Cadillac was holding back in the horsepower department. The Caddy maintained its value by being the only vehicle of its kind- until now.

Recently, an anonymous tipster has leaked pictures of what appears to be an Audi Q7 pick-up truck.

Do I see a Quattro badge?

The truck bears a striking resemblance to a Volkswagen Toureg pick-up concept from 2006.

2006 VW Toureg Pick-Up Concept

While we can’t be sure that this truck is anything more than a concept or a personal project, it would be nice to see a pick-up with Audi’s Quattro system – better yet, an S and RS-line truck. It would be nice to see a luxury pick-up with some -ahem- family jewels. Audi is one company that definitely has the wind at its back right now. With the growing popularity of the S and RS-line vehicles, I have hopes for a luxury performance pick-up from the German automaker.

Anderson Germany's Murdered-Out Maserati

2011-07-31T14:33:00.009-04:00

It's been a while since I made a post on FTLOS. I have been quite busy for the past few weeks, and hadn't intended on posting again until mid-August, but this particular car caught my eye. Without further ado, I present to you: The Maserati Gran Turismo S Superior Black Edition.

When I first saw this car my jaw dropped, and I had to pause momentarily to wipe away the pool of drool quickly forming in my lower lip. This is a seriously gorgeous car.

The Gran Turismo S Superior Black Edition (that's a mouthful) is brought to us by Anderson Germany - a tuning company specializing in the design luxury performance cars. Although Anderson Germany isn't the most intense horsepower-enhancing tuning company in the world, their frequent use of flawless matte colour-schemes makes the aesthetics of their project cars stand out from the crowd.

Exterior mods include a number of carbon fiber additions, a new hood and 21 inch black beauty's on all fours. The interior received special treatment as well, with intricate stitching patterns, carbon fiber accents and of course - a Playstation 3 - as if you would be able to pry your attention away from the car long enough to play games.

This particular Gran Turismo was aslo given a performance boost to go with the stunning looks. It was given a complete ECU retuning, and a lightweight exhaust system with a race-built catalytic converter. The total power gain is a respectable boost from 440 to 492 horsepower. Combine all of this with the incredible black-out job, and you have one street-ready stealth fighter.

I have long been a fan of Maserati ENTIRELY because of this car. Seeing it blacked out and modded in this fashion has added the Gran Turismo S to my "To Buy" list. Anderson Germany, you can expect to hear from me in the future.

The McLaren Boom

2011-07-07T13:50:00.010-04:00

For anyone who follows the performance automotive world, McLaren is not a new name. Since 1992, McLaren has been synonymous with the McLaren F1. In 1998, the F1 was the fastest road car on the planet, reaching a top speed of 231 mp/h (372 km/h)! Most recently, McLaren has given us the incredible MP4-12C. Revealed in 2009, this 3.8 litre mid-engine twin-turbocharged V8 changed the supercar game as we know it, and went head to head against the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo with a V8.

What makes the V8-powered MP4-12C so powerful is the amount of innovative racing technology being used in a road car, such as its lightweight, one-piece "Carbon MonoCell" carbon fibre chassis. The MP4-12C also features F1-inspired technology like brake steer, which brakes the inside rear wheel during fast cornering to reduce under-steer, and a paddle-shifting system which features McLaren’s “Pre-Cog” technology. Pre-Cog allows the driver to pull halfway back on one of the paddles to prepare the transmission for an up-shift, which occurs instantaneously when the paddle is fully engaged.

If the rest of the McLarens are anything like the MP4-12C, I'm in.

After having a partnership with Mercedes for several years, McLaren had planned to add 3 new cars to their production line, but they were sadly aborted in 2005. Now, McLaren is back to give it another shot before 2015. Rumours indicate that McLaren will be revealing a new car each year, both above and below the MP4-12C’s price point. McLaren plans to make both a hypercar (with the price range well over half of a million dollars), and a direct competitor to the Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R.

It’s crazy to think that less than 5 years ago I, and many other people, had thought the glory days of McLaren had passed. Today, I cannot wait to get a chance to drive the MP4-12C, or to get a look at the upcoming models. Look out Lamborghini and Ferrari, the British are coming!

Bullrun Rally - Run With The Bulls

2011-06-23T13:46:00.011-04:00

Of the many high-end luxury lifestyle rallies that are popping up across North America and the UK, I think the Bullrun Rally is one of the most balls-to-the-wall rallies out there. Each year, a hundred of the world's finest supercars embark on an epic 4000 mile, eight-day rolling party across the USA - bringing together celebrities, adrenaline junkies and “petrosexuals” for an unforgettable adventure - where the only obligatory goals are to party, drive and enjoy!

Many people recognize the name Bullrun thanks to the reality TV show based on the Bullrun Rally. In the show, 12 teams competed in driving challenges ranging from chasing down a flaming bus, to navigating an obstacle course in a parking garage. We can only assume that the Bullrun Rally is equally as fun as the show looks.

Unlike the majority of these kinds of rallies, not just any fool with money and a nice car can join Bullrun. The rally is invitation only and is limited to 100 cars. Once invitations are sent, the limited spots are strictly first-come, first-served. The exclusivity and luxury style of the rally has attracted numerous celebrity personalities such as Dennis Rodman, Mario Andretti, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Dunn (R.I.P.) and many more.

Quite the line-up..

On top of the limited space and exclusive membership, the entry fee to the rally is $20,000 per car. This covers two drivers’ 5-star accommodations for 7 nights, meals, VIP party access and entry to any Bullrun checkpoints such as racetracks and public events. The rally is so secretive that rally drivers only learn of their destination on the day they are supposed to be there. The Bullrun Live Rally is filmed by Giant Film&TV for a TV show entitled 'Cops, Cars & Superstars’. The show currently airs in 96 countries worldwide and is now in its 8th season.

Bullrun released this teaser 50 days before this years rally starts.
As if participants weren't excited enough.

This year's Bullrun starts on July 8th when the flag drops at Fremont Street in Las Vegas, and ends on July 15th in Miami with a massive finish line party. This rally is most definitely on my to-do list.

Company Spotlight - ADV.1 Wheels

2011-06-18T12:03:00.013-04:00

I have always admired people's ability to turn nothing into something - and that's exactly what the guys over at ADV.1 Wheels have done. Even though Advance One may be a new name to the industry, the company's owners and staff have been making their mark in the auto industry for more than 10 years.

When Jordan Swerdloff (President) and Miguel Bolanos (Vice-president) were left with nothing after the takeover of their previous company, they vowed to start fresh and create something that nobody else had. They set out with no money and no support from anybody but themselves to establish a solid company base in 2010. After countless 16-hour days, they have quickly made a reputable name for themselves within the auto industry. It is very clear they are dedicated to their work.

Absolute dedication.

The guys at ADV.1 Wheels attribute a lot of their success to experience. Many of the skills they have now were learned from previous mistakes and problems, which they now say is completely in the past. When they started ADV.1, they knew what not to do, and how to manufacture wheels perfectly. Today, they are one of the leading wheel designers and manufacturers making forged wheels for high-end exotic cars. Not bad considering the company was founded 1 year ago.

ADV.1 + goldRush Rally.

ADV.1 prides itself on the meticulous attention to detail when making a product. They currently offer a wide variety of forged wheels, all of which are not only beautiful, but perfectly functional and durable. As a testament to how high-quality their products are, the company staff have all outfitted their vehicles with their own set of ADV.1 Wheels. Did I mention they all drive awesome cars? I certainly know which company I will be shopping for wheels with when I get my first supercar. Keep up the good work, guys.

BMW 1-Series M - Pretty Meets Performance

2011-06-14T15:09:00.014-04:00

Last year I considered the BMW 1-series to be “a girl's car with a guy’s engine inside it”. Apparently someone in a high place at BMW heard me, and created the 1-series M to shut me up - it worked. Before I get into details, I must clarify that I don’t think that the 1-series was lacking in power or performance before the 1M. I think all BMW’s are great driving machines. What had me hesitant to enjoy the 1-series was the rather soft, feminine styling of the car’s body.

For those who feel the same as I do, BMW brings us the much sleeker and much faster performance model of the 1-series, the 1-series M. Not to be confused with the M1, BMW’s 1980’s track car, the 1 M features far more aggressive body styling than the regular 1-series. The front grille has a more track-oriented feel to it, and the 19” alloys give the car a look that just screams “Drive me!”

Much more aggressive than the old 1-series.

As you can see, the 1-series has definitely evolved into a more masculine machine. It is clear that the 1 M is marketed to hardcore hands-on drivers, as there is no automatic transmission option for the car – it’s all stick. Considering the car is outfitted with a rear-diff similar to that of an M3, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thankfully, the modifications to the original 1 don’t stop at exterior styling. If they did, I’m sure this blog post wouldn’t have happened. The 1 M features a 335 horsepower twin-turbo inline six, and weighs under 2000 kg. For those of you trying to do the math in your head, that results in a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds. The car has also been given numerous handling upgrades, turning the 1-series into a track icon. Not impressed yet?

How about now? Insanity ensues around 0:30.

The viral marketing video seen above is what originally inspired me to research and write about the 1-series M. Now that I’ve learned so much about this car, I’m starting to wonder if the 1 M is a better buy than the M3. It may not be faster in a straight line, but I would rather take the smaller 1M based solely on the fact that it would be an absolute thrill to drive. Like its performance predecessors, the M3 and M5, this BMW M is sure to please any car lover who gets their hands on the wheel.

Ken Block - 0-60 in One Year Flat

2011-06-10T15:20:00.008-04:00

Thanks to the brilliant viral marketing of DC, Ken Block’s name has become synonymous with one thing in particular: Gymkhana. Gymkhana (Jim-Kah-Nuh) is a relatively new motorsport in which drivers must navigate through a series of obstacles while performing skilled driving maneuvres such as 360’s and figure 8 drifts. With the help of some sponsors, Ken put out a series of impressive viral videos which gave Gymkhana (and his sponsors) a massive boost in popularity – and for good reason!

If this doesn't get your blood moving, check your pulse.

To hardcore rally fans, Ken Block is a legend. In 2005, Block’s first year of professional rallying, Ken was honoured as the Rookie of the Year. Not bad for someone who stepped into a rally car for their first time in 2004.

The next year, the X Games added Rally Racing to their roster of sports. With help from his newest sponsor, Subaru, which happened to land him a beastly WRX STI built by Vermont SportsCar, Ken took home the Bronze medal in his first ever X Games run. The following year, he took home the Silver.

That same year, Ken had his World Rally Championship debut, which today is the highlight event of his career. As of 2010, Block has become a WRC regular with some help of his newest sponsor, Ford. When Subaru dropped out of the WRC (for reasons I still cannot comprehend), Ford made possibly the smartest move of their lifespan, and offered him a rally-tuned Ford Fiesta with their sponsorship.

I'm not usually a Ford fan, but this thing is badass!

I think a large part of Ken Block's popularity can be attributed for his love of absolutely crazy stunts. When I say crazy, I really do mean some crazy s***. Aside from Gymkhana, which is crazy enough as it is, Ken jumped his old Subaru 171 feet for Discovery Channel's Stunt Junkies. It must be nice to have multimillion-dollar sponsors.

When I say crazy...

Today, Ken can be found touring the globe with his Ford Fiesta, kicking up dirt and hooning around corners all over the world. According to Ken’s facebook page, he will be making a “BIG” announcement this Sunday. Considering he is over at the F1 series, speculation and rumours are flying back and forth across the digital landscape. I guess we’ll just have to wait until Sunday.

The goldRush Rally - 5 Days of Pure Gold.

2011-06-09T00:26:00.016-04:00

Fast cars, high-class parties and road tripping. That's right - this company is doing exactly what you want to do, and doing it right.

The goldRush Rally is one of several performance and supercar rallies created by companies with the desire to bring the 1980’s Cannonball Run movies to life. Created in partnership with Luxury4Play, a social network and lifestyle brand for everything expensive and fun, the goldRush Rally has gained quite a reputation in its short life of barely 3 years. Despite common misconception, the goldRush brand is not just a rally - it's a lifestyle brand.

Although the rally itself is goldRush’s most highlighted event, the company is present at several events across America. In fact, that recognition among the booming American automotive market is a brilliant part of this company’s success. goldRush gives other like-minded companies a chance to become an official sponsor of the goldRush rally and brand. That way, the companies gain exposure among the rally participants, as well as the luxury lifestyle crowd that it draws. Not to mention the amount of news coverage and social media chatter that this kind of commotion is sure to stir up.

Real "mobile" advertising for sponsors.

The third annual goldRush Rally is less than a week away, but there is still time to register! If you have $7000 and a badass car, you can be registered and on the way to Denver for June 14th when the flag drops at 10:00 am. From there it’s 5 days of driving, exclusive parties and VIP service all the way to L.A. Did I mention the badass cars? Seriously. This is the nicest collection of cars on the road since the Gumball 3000, which happens to have happened just 2 weeks ago.

The goldRush Rally attracts the fastest of the fast. All kinds of Lamborghinis, Porsches and Ferraris can be seen annually on the rally, along with some of my favourites like the Nissan GT-R and the mighty Corvette ZR1. Most of the cars are painted gold or outfitted with gold accents and decals for the rally. Even some of the rally’s participants don gold masks, bandanas and other clothing throughout the event.

Does this look like your life's dream, or what?

Having already gotten a taste of the rally lifestyle while volunteering in the Gumball 3000, the goldRush Rally was on my bucket-list from the moment I heard its name – it just screams “good times”! From the looks of the trailer and previous videos from goldRush Rally members, this looks to be one of the best rallies out there. Considering the company operates out of 4 states already, I have the slightest ray of hope that they might expand into Canada one day. If not, I'll have to head south for some adventure.

Nissan GT-R Black Edition - Godzilla 2.0

2011-06-07T23:12:00.035-04:00

Anyone who knows even a little bit about performance cars knows of the mighty Nissan GT-R. The GT-R was created after the death of the Nissan Skyline (GT-R) in 2002. This marvel of Japanese engineering has come a long way since the first skyline rolled off the lot in 1957.

The GT-R, which started production in 2007, has been out on racetracks across the world competing -and winning- against the Audi R8 and the infamous Porsche 911 Turbo. Any hardcore GT-R fan will tell you that the GT-R is the king of the road. Despite the fact that a stock GT-R still isn't the fastest thing on the road, the aftermarket tuning potential of this car gives it the ability to leave Bugatti Veyrons in the dust. That is, if the owner's pockets are deep enough.

A demonstration of the GT-R's power from inside a Bugatti.

For the GT-R fans who aren't satisfied with the old GT-R's stock 485 horsepower, Nissan now offers the Black Edition - A 530 horsepower, 488 lb/ft of torque monster with a 0-60 time around 3 seconds and enough boost to push a golf ball through a garden hose.

Reports indicate that the Black Edition will also come with some interior tweaks such as carbon fiber dash panels and red accents on the black seats. Nissan also offers the Nissan GT-R "egoist" edition in Japan; a more luxurious take on the GT-R complete with red leather interior and carbon fiber accents. Personally, the red leather thing is not my cup of Japanese tea.

Egoist edition red leather interior. Japan only.

The GT-R has been my favourite car for years, and with the new Black Edition hitting North America this year, it's safe to assume it will stay at the top of my list for years to come. I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands (and right foot) on this car so I can see how Nissan's laws-of-physics-defying AWD system handles the boost in power. If there is one car that I will own in matte black, it's this one.

Who am I?

2011-06-07T22:30:00.001-04:00

Writer. A writer by every definition of the word. I believe life was meant to be experienced, not witnessed. I've probably already lost my mind, but I'm not going to go looking for it.

Adrenaline junkie. Seeking adrenaline and genuine excitement in various aspects of life has given me the privilege of experiencing some breathtaking things. I have a lengthy bucket-list which seems to get longer all the time, despite crossing goals off on a regular basis.

Driver. A driver driven by enthusiasm. My love for the automotive industry has landed me smack dab in the middle of events such as the Gumball 3000 Rally. If it's fast, loud and sexy, I probably like it.

Most recently, a blogger. Here to share my perspective on new, cool and fast methods of transportation. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy!