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February 19, 2005
2006 BMW 130i
I wasn't too excited about the BMW 1 series until I heard about the 130i model. This is the top of the line BMW 1 series which comes with a 3.0L, 258 hp, 221 lb-ft engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. 0-60 mph should go by in about 6.0 seconds.
I don't get it. I would've expected it to be a bit quicker, since it must weigh less than the 330i with the same engine. Oh well, still this is much more exciting than a 4 banger BMW 1 series that I was expecting.
Refer to AutoWeek's article for more information.
Posted by Hubert at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
February 18, 2005
Mitsubishi Nessie concept SUV
Is there such a thing as a pretty SUV? Not even if Italdesign Giugiaro designs it. Well, it does look better than most of today's boxes on wheels, but still, it can't compare to a low and wide sportscar, no matter how hard they try.
The engine used in the concept vehicle is a V8 fueled with hydrogen. That's high-tech. The base platform is that of a Mitsubishi Pajero. That's low-tech. Of course, it'll come with an all-wheel-drive system, like most other SUVs and trucks.
Are those BBS RC wheels on the Nessie? Ooh I love those wheels! They're so light. And they're BBS.
The concept will be unveiled at the Geneva autoshow in March. For more information, refer to AutoWeek's article.
Posted by Hubert at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
Lamborghini Concept S
Lamborghini has a very interesting concept model of a roadster version of the Gallardo, to compete with the upcoming Ferrari F430 Spider. It currently goes by the name Concept S.
One of the interesting features of this car is that the traditional windshield is split into 2 separate windshields, one for the driver and one for the passenger. In between the windshields is an open area that feeds air from the front all the way through to the rear to the engine, for extra air and cooling.
The passengers are essentially in 2 different cockpits in the same car. It's light a jetfighter or a spaceship. It's very neat and futuristic.
It's likely that the final version of the Concept S will be quite toned down. But clearly Lamborghini wants to differentiate the roadster from the regular Gallardo model. Both look great to me.
For more info refer to FastDrive's article.
Posted by Hubert at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
Peugeot Design Competition
The top 3 winners of the Peugeot Design Competition came up with some interesting and very different vehicles. I wouldn't mind rolling in any of them, especially if they're fast.
The winner was the Peugeot Moovie concept. With its 2 large independent rear wheels, run by an electric motor, the Moovie can rotate in place.
Which way is forward?
2nd place winner
The 607 Arabesque is like the Sheik of the harem.
3rd place winner
Hmmm, looks like a futuristic pick-up truck to me.
For more information refer to Peugeot Design Competition's website, or refer to gizmag's article.
Posted by Hubert at 2:55 AM | Comments (0)
2006 BMW 3 series
BMW has finally done it, they've screwed up their last good looking design - the 3 series. It's a shame. In 2006, the 3 series will join the rest of BMW's ugly designs that all started with the Z4, and spread through the 7 and 5 series. Well, to give them some credit, it's not as bad looking as the other recent changes. But still, the current 3 series looks much nicer than what the future holds. Hopefully the next M3 will look okay...
On the bright side, the interior is still magnificent. Plus, the performance goes up across the board. The 325i will make 215 bhp and 185 lb-ft of torque (up by 31 bhp and 10 lb-ft). The 330i will make 255 bhp and 220 lb-ft of torque (up by 30 bhp and 6 lb-ft). Also, the iDrive will be optional, so we won't be forced to like it.
Refer to Road and Track's article for more information.
Posted by Hubert at 2:40 AM | Comments (0)
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
2 versions of the 911 Carrera Cabriolet will be available when Porsche releases this open top wonder. The regular 911 Carrera Cabriolet with 330 bhp, which is actually 5 more horsepower than the coupe due to an improved air intake (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds). And the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, which like the couple S, will make 355 bhp (0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds).
Additionally, the top can be lowered even while moving at up to 31 mph.
For more information, refer to Road and Track's article.
Posted by Hubert at 2:23 AM | Comments (0)
Atom2
Atom2 is practically like an F1 car for the road, without the cost of millions of dollars. Atom2 is perhaps the most hardcore car I've ever heard of, including the Caterham 7, Lotus Elise, McLaren F1, and such cars.
The Atom2 is build by the UK company Ariel. They have developed this car using the bare minimal requirements. Only what's needed to get the car rolling and rolling fast. They don't even have doors or a screen, and certainly no roof.
With such pure performance orientation, the atom weights only 456 kgs (1005 lbs). That's about half that of a US spec Lotus Elise! The engine is that of a Civic Type-R. It's a Honda i-VTEC (2.0L 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valves) that produces 220 bhp @ 8200 rpm. This engine is easily tunable to 240 bhp or higher without needing to strengthen the engine.
For more information refer to Ariel's website.
Posted by Hubert at 1:51 AM | Comments (0)
more Noble cars
As if the Noble M12 GTO-3R wasn't fast enough, there's also the Noble M400. It's much like the M12, but it uses larger turbochargers and higher lift camshafts, along with a new fuel management computer. The results are 425 bhp @ 6500 rpm and 390 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm.
There's also a roaster version of the Noble M12 GTO-3R called the Noble M12 GTC. It'll have a removable composite roof. The roof can be stowed behind the seats. The rear section can also be removed or left in place, like a targa top. Unfortunately, the M12 GTC will only have a single turbo, reducing power to a mere 290 bhp @ 6000 rpm. That's a shame to be missing over 60 hp for the open top.
The next Noble, the Noble M14, shares the same mechanicals as the M12 GTO-3R, but has been tweaked a bit to produce 400 bhp @ 6100 rpm. The overall structure has been smoothened up further making it look even sleeker than the M12. The M14 is also 7 inches longer and 2 inches wider, giving a wider and fatter stance, which should hopefully further improve handling. Apparently the reason for the size increase wasn't handling, but rather to make it more comfortable and roomy for passengers and luggage. As if anyone driving such a fast car would care about such things. Well, maybe those who don't take their Noble to speeds beyond 65 mph do. But such a car belongs on the track. And such a car need not worry about luggage space, when any luggage would be getting tossed left and right as the driver busts hard turns around street corners...oh I mean around the track.
Refer to Fast-Autos.com for more info.
Posted by Hubert at 1:05 AM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2005
Noble M12 GTO-3R
The Noble M12 is a rare car, built in South Africa, designed in England, and imported to the US as a kit car. It is an extremely fast car, with supercar speed and handling. Yet it is a very simple car, with only a stereo and air conditioner for amenities.
The kit car can be ordered from 1g Racing for $76,400. The kit comes in 2 parts, the car itself and the powertrain. The powertrain comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 with a Getrag 6-speed transmission. The engine is from a Ford Taurus and is mid-mounted. The transmission is from a European Ford Mondeo. Pretty simple, cheap, and effective. Plus parts should be fairly cheap and easy to find.
Recently Car and Driver had a test drive in the Noble M12. They were expecting it to be an unrefined car, but to their surprise it was quite a fine car. It was even easy to get into, and to some extent comfortable. The clutch and brakes were light.
The performance is the key feature. With so little weight to toss around (2457 lbs) the car accelerates, stops and grips like mad! 0-60 mph goes by in only 3.3 seconds. On the skidpad it pulls 1.0g.
performance:
power: 360 hp @ 6200 rpm
torque: 358 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
curb weight: 2457 lbs
0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
quarter mile: 11.8 seconds @ 118 mph
For more information refer to 1g Racing, the US importer of Noble cars, or refer to Car and Driver's test drive of the M12.
Posted by Hubert at 11:26 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2005
Civic Si concept
The next US release of the Civic Si will be a 2-door coupe, since hatchbacks aren't as popular here as they are in Europe. These pictures are concept design which is 90% close to what the next Civic Si will look like and how it'll perform.
The concept vehicle has a 200 hp, 4 cyclinder, 16-valve engine, with a 6-speed manual transmission and 18" wheels.
For more info refer to Automotive News.
Posted by Hubert at 8:21 PM | Comments (0)
Audi Le Mans Quattro
After dominating the Le Mans for 3 consecutive years (2000 - 2002) with their R8 race car, Audi has developed a concept car for the masses. The Audi Le Mans Quattro has supercar characteristics, with a twin turbocharged 5.0L V10 engine that outputs 610 bhp. The maximum torque of 553 lb-ft is available between 1750 to 5800 rpm!!! That's about 1000 rpm beyond the idle rpm level, meaning from a stand still, a slight tap on the throttle will turn the wheels with more torque than most cars have at any rpm.
Fortunately, to keep the car with so much low-end torque under control, the Le Mans Quattro comes with a special version of Audi's Quattro 4-wheel drive system. The transmission uses a 6-speed sequential box. And the brake system uses large ceramic disks to maximize stopping power.
The dash has a display that can show 3 different sets of data. It can show the tachometer and speedometer, it can show a track map or other GPS info, or it can show various engine data, like oil pressure and water temperature. Now that's pretty neat and hardcore. I imagine it must be like playing a ralley video game when using the track map GPS mode. Except the costs of a crash are much much higher.
The only downside to this car is that the maximum speed is limited to 155 mph. That's very un-supercar like in my opinion. I sure hope Audi does make this concept car a reality, and I hope they eliminate the speed limiter.
performance:
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.7 seconds
0-200 km/h (0-124 mph): 10.8 seconds
top speed (theoretical): 345 km/h (214 mph)
top speed (limited): 250 km/h (155 mph)
For more information refer to Audi's website.
Posted by Hubert at 6:48 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2005
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron has over 1000 horsepower, 16 cylinders (W-16 engine), 8.0L of displacement, 4 turbo chargers, and can go over 250 mph. That's even faster than a McLaren F1!!! It'll cost about as much as a McLaren F1 too - $1,000,000.
Will this monster ever get released? After having production halted for a couple of years, it's finally coming back to auto shows around Europe, starting with the Frankfurt auto show in September 2005.
Refer to Bugatti's website for lots of great pictures and information about the car.
Posted by Hubert at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)