Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC
Included in the MC’s touchups is a sport exhaust system that, besides being 12 pounds lighter than the base tubing, transmits more of the 4.7-liter V-8’s warbling, wailing, feral howl to the cabin. A little more, anyway. Activate sport mode, and the exhaust bypasses lock open for even more auditory pleasure.
It’s nowhere near as shriekalicious as a Ferrari 458, say, but luxury-oriented Maserati, with its smoother and more docile four-plane-crank, wet-sump version of the shared V-8, doesn’t care to be Ferrari. Still, we’d like to hear even more. It’s like being forced to listen to Pavarotti with the volume too low.
Opt for the MC, and you get 444 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, 11 hp and 15 lb-ft more than the regular 4.7 GranTurismo. Friction reduction accounts for the increase, says Maserati, thanks to the strategic use of “diamond-like coating,” an antifriction technology derived from Formula 1, on wear parts such as the cams and followers.
In auto-sport mode, a revised “MC Auto Shift” transmission program knocks up to 50 percent off the upshift times in the ZF six-speed automatic, claims Maserati. There are five control modes: auto-normal, manual-normal, auto-sport, manual-sport, and ice. In manual-sport, the MC gives you full control with the banana-shaped paddles, so bounce it off the rev limiter if you like. On downshifts, you get pleasing little throttle blips.
Base price to base price, the MC is $17,000 more than the base GranTurismo S automatic coupe, but when you factor in all that is standard on the MC and available as an option on the base GT (mostly appearance items such as carbon-fiber interior trim for $2550 and Alcantara headliner for $1750), the price difference is about $3515. For that sum, you get the MC’s extra horsepower, the zippy exhaust, the special hand-modified fenders and hood, and the unique wheels. It would be a roaring bargain if you could add only $3515 and the power, bodywork, and so on, to the base car and call it a day.
Competitors to the MC include the $104,375, 510-hp Jaguar XKR and Porsche 911 flavor of your choice. The aforementioned 911 Turbo starts at $138,450. The MC asks for more money but offers Italian heritage, machismo, and rarity in return. And with that chrome trident on the grille, let’s face it, it’s somewhat more special than the others.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series
Like its predecessor -- the much-loved CLK63 AMG Black Series -- this new guy (which we'll just call Black Coupe for brevity's sake) is a hopped-up, raced-out version of a "lesser" AMG product. One of the major differences between the normal C63 and Black Coupe is more power, always a good thing. In this case, you get 510 horsepower (up from 451 in the regular flavor C63, and 481 with the P31 Development Package option). The torque flow also increases, from 443 to 457 lb-ft. Like the P31 pack, this version of Benz's awesome (and sadly soon leaving, because of its high emissions) M156 6.2-liter V-8 uses high dollar internals from the range-topping SLS AMG. Expect the Black Coupe to hit 60 mph in a little less 4 seconds and go low 12s in the quarter.
Other performance-minded standard pieces include adjustable coil-over shocks and composite brakes. AMG widened the car quite a bit, actually swapping in the rear half shafts from the E63 AMG. Somewhat curiously, if not silently, Mercedes opted to use the same basic axles for its C-, E-, and S-Class cars. This always struck me as overkill, because the C-Class would pay a weight penalty. However, it allows Mercedes to easily swap high-dollar components, like we see here on the Black Coupe. Anyhow, more power, better suspension, and a wider stance comprise the basic differences.
How much cabbage are you going to need to cough up in order to own an example of the third AMG Black Series model? Probably less than the $134,000 price tag for the original CLK Black. At one point we heard under $100,000, but the actual number is probably closer to $125,000. Get your deposit in now: AMG is bringing only 90 examples to the U.S., meaning that this very special car will be that much more precious. And be on the lookout for dealers charging huge premiums.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Lightweight Concept Exposed
What makes the Sesto Elemento Concept so impressive is the widespread use of carbon fiber in places that carbon fiber components usually aren’t found. For example, the major suspension components such as the control arms are made from carbon fiber, and are 30 percent lighter than its aluminum counterparts. The wheels are also made using the lightweight and durable material. Even the propeller shaft, a component that is subjected to tremendous amounts of stress and torque, is made from CFRP. The Concept also uses a high-strength and lightweight carbon fiber monocoque cell made using Forged Composite Technology, while the front frame, exterior panels, and crash boxes are made from CFRP.
Carbon fiber wasn’t the only technology that Lamborghini used to cut weight. The exhaust is made from an advanced glass-ceramic matrix composite called Pyrosic, and is able to withstand temperatures of 900° Celsius. Even the brake discs are made of carbon-ceramic, which reduces weight and improves braking performance. The extensive use of lightweight technology results in a curb weight of only 2,202 lbs. For comparison, the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera weighs in at 2,948 lbs.
Powering the featherweight is the same V-10 engine from the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera through a permanent all-wheel drive system. Mounted “longitudinale posteriore”, the 5.2-liter V-10 produces 570 hp at 8,000 RPM and 398 lb-ft. of torque at 6,500 RPM, propelling the Sesto Elemento to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and to a top speed well over 186 mph. Although performance is astonishing, fuel consumption drops due to the concept’s light weight. Carbon fiber never looked so green, did it?
Although the main focus of the Sesto Elemento Concept was the widespread use of carbon fiber and lightweight materials, the new design was also a point of emphasis. The overall design is unmistakably that of Lamborghini with a wedge-shaped profile, and pure in-your-face insanity. One of the main design themes is the use of the triangles. The door handles, air outlets in the hood, and character lines all use this element to display power. The Sesto Elemento Concept also wears a unique skin of matte-shimmer clear coat, while the carbon fiber is made using Nano-technology, which adds fine crystals and create a red glow.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
1938 Phantom Corsair
The Phantom Corsair was designed by Rust Heinz of the Heinz 57 Ketchup fame, and Maurice Schwartz of Pasadena, California. Schwartz was one of the primary individuals in the Bohman & Schwartz Coachbuilding Company. The resulting design was amazing, aerodynamic and certainly bred from unconventional thinking. Its smooth surface was void of running boards and separate fenders allowing for the curvaceous body to gracefully flow undisturbed from front to back.
The chassis was from a Cord 810 and large enough to seat six individuals. To propel this rather large vehicle, a Lycoming V8 engine was fitted that displaced 289 cubic-inches and provided 190 horsepower allowing the Phantom to reach 115 miles per hour. Drum brakes on all four corners were necessary to slow the vehicle and keep it in the drivers control.
This was meant as a production vehicle. Heinz had hoped to sell these for $12,500, which was a very large fortune to most individuals at the time. Unfortunately, Heinz passed away in 1938 and the plans for production died with him. Only one example was ever produced.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Porsche 918 Spyder Concept
Porsche 918 Spyder Concept
It took me a long time to pull the trigger and put this car on my blog. I am 100% against hybrid technology and electric cars. Just call me old fashioned. If it can't make power with a internal combustion engine, don't put it on the car. But this car is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! And I had to overlook the electical/hybrid tech to put this up here. Enjoy.
The Supercar of Tomorrow
Moving in the same direction as Ferrari with its 599 Hybrid concept, Porsche is laying its cards on the table with this dual-purpose supercar plug-in hybrid. Said to “combine high-tech racing features with electric mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities,” the 918 Spyder concept borrows the mid-mounted 3.4-liter V-8 engine from the RS Spyder race car, singing a symphony of 500 hp up to a 9200-rpm redline. That covers the race portion of the equation, while electric motors found at both the front and rear axles that combine for an output of 218 hp handle the electric mobility. These motors, able to move the car on electric power alone, make the 918 a full hybrid, which Porsche claims has a range of 16 miles using the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery found behind the passenger compartment. Porsche claims the concept is capable of hitting 62 mph in under 3.2 seconds, topping out at 198 mph, lapping the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 30 seconds (faster than a Carrera GT), and achieving fuel economy of up to 78 mpg, but certainly not while laying down those figures.
Frankenstein Looks Good
Using just about every exotic lightweight material to keep the concept’s weight to a mere 3285 pounds, Porsche has also given the 918 Spyder a futuristic style that only vaguely resembles past models. Slung low with huge wheels that we don’t even know how to begin to describe, the roadster more directly hints at cues from other sports cars of today. The overall profile is reminiscent of the Lotus Elise, the front fascia has hints of Ferrari 360, and it’s capped off by a Carrera-GT-got-busy-with-a-Bugatti-Veyron rear end—the result is decidedly un-Porsche. That said, the interior is right out of the GT’s design book, featuring a steeply sloped center console that Porsche says will serve as a potential interior architecture on future models.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
MotoGP Simoncelli Makes Pedrosa Crash at Le Mans 2011 R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
MotoGP Simoncelli Makes Pedrosa Crash at Le Mans 2011
R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
MotoGP Simoncelli Makes Pedrosa Crash at Le Mans 2011R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncellihttp://idrivewaytoofast.tumblr.com/ http://idrivetoofast.blogspot.com/
R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
MotoGP Simoncelli Makes Pedrosa Crash at Le Mans 2011R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncellihttp://idrivewaytoofast.tumblr.com/ http://idrivetoofast.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Racers pay tribute to Marco Simoncelli
Valentino Rossi, MotoGP rider
"Sic for me was like a youngest brother. so strong on track and so sweet in the normal life. I will miss him a lot."
@ValeYellow46
Cal Crutchlow, British MotoGP rider
"RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today."
@calcrutchlow
Jorge Lorenzo, MotoGP rider
"Only you will be missed, rest in peace Marco" (translated)
@lorenzo99
Andrea Dovizioso, MotoGP rider
"RIP Marco. My thoughts and my prayers are with Marco's family and friends"
@AndreaDovizioso
Alvaro Bautista, MotoGP rider
"SIC was a great driver and we will all miss him. Much encouragement to family and friends #58
@19Bautista
Nicky Hayden, MotoGP rider
"Sometimes life just don't make sense... RIP #58 you were a star on & off track we all going to miss you..."
@NickyHayden69
MotoGP, official world championship
"MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss."
@MotoGP
LCR Honda, MotoGP team
"A great tragedy hits MotoGP world today, we have lost a friend Marco Simoncelli. We cry a friend."
@LCRHondaMotoGP
Lewis Hamilton, F1 driver
"RIP Marco Simoncelli. My thoughts are with his family, friends and team at this extremely sad time. Another tragic loss at such an early age."
@LewisHamilton
Jenson Button, F1 driver
"R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP."
@JensonButton
Mark Webber, F1 driver
"R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock. mark."
@AussieGrit
Scuderia Ferrari
"Ferrari offers condolences for the death of Simoncelli"
@InsideFerrari
R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
I don't know why. I never met the guy, but I have been really depressed this week since the passing of Simoncelli. I watched him since he was in 250's. Maybe it was his great personality and very aggressive riding style. He had the talent and potential to be a future champ. And all of us MotoGP fans will never forget him.
R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
1987: Born in Cattolica, Italy on January 20.
1996: Runner-up in the Italian Minimoto Championship.
1999: Champion of the Italian Minimoto Championship.
2000: Claims a back-to-back title in the Italian Minimoto Championship and is runner-up in the European Minimoto Championship.
2001: Moves up to the the Italian 125cc Championship and wins the title in his rookie year.
2002: Wins the European 125cc title.
2003: Takes part in his first full season in the 125cc World Championship with the Matteoni Racing team.
2004: Joins the Rauch Bravo team and wins his first Grand Prix at a rain-soaked Jerez.
2005: Completes another 125cc campaign with the Nocable.it Race team and finishes fifth in the final standings.
2006: Moves up to the 250cc class riding for Gilera. Finishes the season in 10th overall with a sixth place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix his best result.
2008: June - Wins his first 250cc race at the Italian GP in Mugello in controversial circumstances when Hector Barbera crashed into him after Simoncelli appeared to try to block him off.
October - Wins the 250cc World Championship after a successful season with Gilera with a third place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
2009: Finishes third overall in the 250cc World Championship behind Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama and Spain's Barbera.
2010: Moves up to ride in his debut MotoGP season for Honda. Finishes 16 of the 18 races en route to eighth place in the championship.
2011: May - Collides with Dani Pedrosa while battling for second in the French GP. The resulting crash saw Pedrosa break his collarbone and Simoncelli receive a ride-through penalty, eventually finishing fifth. Simoncelli accepted he needed to re-evaluate his driving style and at times be more cautious.
June - Claims his first MotoGP pole at the Catalan GP but a poor start resulted in a sixth placed finish.
October 23 - Killed in a crash during the Malaysian GP in Sepang.
R.I.P. Marco "Super Sic" Simoncelli
1987: Born in Cattolica, Italy on January 20.
1996: Runner-up in the Italian Minimoto Championship.
1999: Champion of the Italian Minimoto Championship.
2000: Claims a back-to-back title in the Italian Minimoto Championship and is runner-up in the European Minimoto Championship.
2001: Moves up to the the Italian 125cc Championship and wins the title in his rookie year.
2002: Wins the European 125cc title.
2003: Takes part in his first full season in the 125cc World Championship with the Matteoni Racing team.
2004: Joins the Rauch Bravo team and wins his first Grand Prix at a rain-soaked Jerez.
2005: Completes another 125cc campaign with the Nocable.it Race team and finishes fifth in the final standings.
2006: Moves up to the 250cc class riding for Gilera. Finishes the season in 10th overall with a sixth place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix his best result.
2008: June - Wins his first 250cc race at the Italian GP in Mugello in controversial circumstances when Hector Barbera crashed into him after Simoncelli appeared to try to block him off.
October - Wins the 250cc World Championship after a successful season with Gilera with a third place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
2009: Finishes third overall in the 250cc World Championship behind Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama and Spain's Barbera.
2010: Moves up to ride in his debut MotoGP season for Honda. Finishes 16 of the 18 races en route to eighth place in the championship.
2011: May - Collides with Dani Pedrosa while battling for second in the French GP. The resulting crash saw Pedrosa break his collarbone and Simoncelli receive a ride-through penalty, eventually finishing fifth. Simoncelli accepted he needed to re-evaluate his driving style and at times be more cautious.
June - Claims his first MotoGP pole at the Catalan GP but a poor start resulted in a sixth placed finish.
October 23 - Killed in a crash during the Malaysian GP in Sepang.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
R.I.P. Marco Simoncelli
RIP Marco Simoncelli 20.01.87 - 23.10.00
A fantastic character, a brilliant talent and a great loss to MotoGP.
A future champion and always the first rider I cheer on just before the start of the race. MotoGP will never be the same again for me.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
How To: 4 Wire LS Wiring Harness Conversion, Part 1
As part of this blog, I will add informative videos such as this for LS enthusiasts. And it helps me bookmark these vids for future reference. Enjoy.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
2012 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Black Series
With the C-Coupe arriving earlier this year and the C63 AMG Coupe close behind, the two-door version of Benz's small sedan is now getting an evil twin. Continuing the DTM-inspired, hardcore performance spirit of past Black Series cars, the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is much more than just a standard AMG car with bigger fenders.
The Black Series edition is powered by a version of Mercedes' now legendary, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8, which pumps out a robust 510 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque in this application. The engine's forged pistons, connecting rods, and lightweight crankshaft are straight out of the SLS AMG. Running the show is a new high-performance engine control unit, which makes possible the claimed 4.2-second dash from zero to 60 mph.
The exhaust system announces the Black Series' 510 horses for the entire world to hear, but it's the AMG Speedshift seven-speed multi-clutch transmission that puts that power to work. The four-mode semi-auto gearbox automatically matches revs on downshifts and can change gears in a claimed 100 milliseconds when in "Sport Plus" or "Manual" modes. A rear-axle differential lock is meant to provide ideal traction for the race track, while the three-phase Electronic Stability Program (ESP) optimizes traction for all other real-world driving situations.
The Black Series edition is powered by a version of Mercedes' now legendary, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8, which pumps out a robust 510 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque in this application. The engine's forged pistons, connecting rods, and lightweight crankshaft are straight out of the SLS AMG. Running the show is a new high-performance engine control unit, which makes possible the claimed 4.2-second dash from zero to 60 mph.
The exhaust system announces the Black Series' 510 horses for the entire world to hear, but it's the AMG Speedshift seven-speed multi-clutch transmission that puts that power to work. The four-mode semi-auto gearbox automatically matches revs on downshifts and can change gears in a claimed 100 milliseconds when in "Sport Plus" or "Manual" modes. A rear-axle differential lock is meant to provide ideal traction for the race track, while the three-phase Electronic Stability Program (ESP) optimizes traction for all other real-world driving situations.
2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Bicolore
Lamborghini has heeded its well-heeled clientele's wishes for an unlimited edition Balboni, creating a new two-wheel-drive bull capable of fulfilling inner drifter fantasies. It is called the Gallardo LP550-2 Bicolore.Gripping its Alcantara-wrapped wheel tightly on Turn 4 at New York's Monticello Motor Club, I quickly learn that in the 542-horse LP550-2, a rendezvous with a corner demands 24 Hours of Le Mans focus. Get it wrong, and you could send the Bicolore with its 398 pound-feet of torque off into the weeds, or worse, the car could be come a crumpled mess and you immobilized on a stretcher.
This love for the edge is one reason why chief Gallardo engineer Riccardo Bettini and his team decreased the V-10's power by 10 cavallinos. It was not given the Superleggera/Performante boost to 562 horses because it is "too nervous with 570 [562, according to SAE] horsepower. Five hundred and fifty horsepower improves manageability," the engineer says. Even the standard coupe's 552 horsepower was deemed too unpleasant in tests.Feed the Gallardo a full serving of throttle upon corner exit to enjoy a blurry rocket-propelled grenade reality and a thunderous "I hate everything" V-10 roar. A sprint to 62 mph takes 3.9 seconds, officials say, while top speed arrives at the 199-mph hash. Taking into account our test of the LP550-2 Balboni (3.4 seconds with six-speed manual), a run to 60 mph should fall in the mid-3-second range
Bettini says the Bicolore bests the Balboni in terms of daily comfort and initial value, but not in rarity or clout. Just a year ago, the entry fee for putting a celebratory Valentino Balboni in your garage was $223,000 at minimum. For the barely different Bicolore, pricing begins at $196,995. What a steal.
This love for the edge is one reason why chief Gallardo engineer Riccardo Bettini and his team decreased the V-10's power by 10 cavallinos. It was not given the Superleggera/Performante boost to 562 horses because it is "too nervous with 570 [562, according to SAE] horsepower. Five hundred and fifty horsepower improves manageability," the engineer says. Even the standard coupe's 552 horsepower was deemed too unpleasant in tests.Feed the Gallardo a full serving of throttle upon corner exit to enjoy a blurry rocket-propelled grenade reality and a thunderous "I hate everything" V-10 roar. A sprint to 62 mph takes 3.9 seconds, officials say, while top speed arrives at the 199-mph hash. Taking into account our test of the LP550-2 Balboni (3.4 seconds with six-speed manual), a run to 60 mph should fall in the mid-3-second range
Bettini says the Bicolore bests the Balboni in terms of daily comfort and initial value, but not in rarity or clout. Just a year ago, the entry fee for putting a celebratory Valentino Balboni in your garage was $223,000 at minimum. For the barely different Bicolore, pricing begins at $196,995. What a steal.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Maverick Viñales vs Nico Terol MotoGP 125cc French GP 2011
Maverick Viñales vs Nico Terol MotoGP 125cc French GP 2011http://idrivewaytoofast.tumblr.com/ http://idrivetoofast.blogspot.com/
Maverick Viñales: Future champion in the making. Kid is only 16 and will be a MotoGP champion in the future. I guarantee it!
Monday, September 19, 2011
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