GM just announced revised power numbers for the upcoming Corvette ZR1. The numbers were upped to 638HP and 604TQ. Now there is a video on the net showing a ZR1 hitting 205 MPH during testing. Enjoy.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
April 2008 Dream Car of the Month - Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar has had a reputation in the past of making some stunning performance cars many of which were simply race cars made street legal. The 1970's and 1980's were a pretty bleak time in that respect for Jaguar but Jim Randle, their chief engineer, along with a small group of like minded people within the company got together to work on an unofficial project to create a car to compete with the Porsche 959 and the Ferrari F40. Randal's idea was a two seat, mid engined, V12 powered sports car capable of in excess of 200mph. His initial idea was also to include an all-wheel-drive system for added traction.
After presenting the idea to Jaguar executives, they were given the green light to build a car for the 1988 British Motor Show. The concept car shown at the show featured a four valve, four cam, 6.2L V12 producing around 500HP. The engine in the concept car was built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and it was mated to an all-wheel-drive system. The body of the car was low and wide and featured "scissor" type doors like what would be seen on a Lamborghini. The car was named the XJ220 as it's top speed target was 220mph. The production version was announced in 1989 with a price of over $500,000 US. Initial production was to be at least 220 units and not more than 350.
When it finally arrived in 1991, the production XJ220 was much different than the original concept car in many ways. The most obvious and important change was that the production car would be powered by a 3.5L twin turbo V6 mated to a rear wheel drive transaxle instead of the original V12 all-wheel-drive setup in the concept car. The V12 was ditched for a couple of reasons, one of which was changing emissions standards of the day along with fitment issues with the larger powerplant. The original all-wheel-drive system was replaced due to mostly weight and packaging issues. The turbo V6, Jaguar's first V6 and turbo engine, actually produced more power than the originally proposed V12. The production XJ220 with the turbo V6 had 549HP and 473TQ.
Even with the increased performance of the V6, many customer's were not happy with the changes to the XJ220 and some even requested or demanded their deposits back. Some even threatening legal action. It also didn't help that the XJ220's price had increased to about $650,000 US by the time it went to production. That and the fact that Jaguar was also now offering the XJR-15 for sale which was quicker 0-60 and based on their Le Mans race car made for some angry customers. In all 281 cars were produced and some remained unsold by 1997 even at about half the original price.
The XJ220 hit the track at the Nardo Ring in 1992 where it hit a top speed of 212.3mph. After the car's catalytic converters were removed and the rev limiter increased, it went out again and set a mark of 217.1mph, just short of the goal of 220mph. Some contest that since it was a ring circuit that the cars actually would have hit 223mph on a straight track long enough. Either way, this number for a road car was not eclipsed until the production of the McLaren F1.
The XJ220 is an amazing piece of engineering and an automotive work of art. They are quite beautiful cars. They did suffer from some serious turbo-lag but they were still blisteringly fast. Top Gear tested an XJ220 against a much newer Pagani Zonda in a drag race and the Jaguar won. I would absolutely have one in my fantasy garage.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day
Woo Hoo, it's Earth Day. Let's go save the planet. Honestly, I don't think the planet is in much danger. It's been here much longer than us and it's been through much more than a little pollution and global warming. The Earth will continue to exist long after we have made ourselves extinct. If it gets too bad, this planet will shake us off like a bad case of fleas. What we're really concerned with is saving our own asses. It's kind of pompous to think that we could destroy an entire planet. We can ruin it for our type of life, but the planet will still be here and it will recover.
For some reason the task of saving the planet as well as the blame for the problems seems to be increasingly focused on car owners. The focus had increased exponentially with the recent ridiculous spikes in gas prices over the last few years. Sure, a lot can be done to make cars better but how about we start with public and commercial transportation. Government funded public transportation like bus services should be mandated to use alternative fuel sources like natural gas, electricity, etc. Taxis as well should all be mandated to be alternatively fueled or at least hybrid powered. These changes alone would result in huge improvements in air quality as well as national fuel consumption. Have you even been behind a diesel bus in a major city and seen the amount of crap that spews out of the exhaust? Sure some places have adopted clean power sources, but not enough. After that, we can focus on these developing countries like China that are just now going through their industrial revolution. China burns tons of coal and produces more pollution than probably all the cars sold in this country over the last 5 years combined.
While I'm on the topic of saving the planet, I'd like to express my opinions on the whole global warming "theory". That is all it is at this point. Sure, I'll agree that there is evidence that the planet is getting warmer, but the "theory" part of it is what exactly the root cause of the temperature increase is. Could we have something to do with it? Maybe. Could it be a natural occurrence? That's a possibility as well. The thing is, we just don't know. I don't care what Al Gore and the rest of the "sky is falling" paranoia bunch say. The Earth has gone through hot and cold phases throughout its history so this may indeed be natural. We have so little accurate information to go on regarding the Earth's climate that the cause of global warming will never be proven. Humans have been on this planet for the equivalent of a blink of an eye in the Earth's history. On top of that we have what, a hundred years of accurate climate information at best. That's out of about 4 billion years of Earth history. That is such a small sample it's like taking one grain of sand and telling someone what the entire planet looks like based on just that. It's impossible. It will always be "theory".
While I'm on the subject of fantasy and paranoia, any of you remember the hole in the ozone that was discovered about 20 - 25 years ago? What happened to that? There was hysteria about that back in the day. It was going to get bigger and bigger allowing all kinds of radiation into the atmosphere. It would make us all look like beef jerky and then we'd die of skin cancer. And we were the cause of it all. Where did it go? Was it a natural occurrence or man made? No one cares anymore because it's gone, magically. There is still a whole lot about our planet that we do not understand completely.
Wouldn't it be funny if by trying to solve the global warming problem, we make it worse? What if we trigger a new ice age? That would be ironic. Then we'd all have to cut off our catalytic converters and stand outside and disperse all the aerosol cans we could get our hands on.
Whatever the cause and solution are, I'm absolutely in favor of finding different energy and fuel sources. As long as it doesn't affect my driving enjoyment, I don't care if my car runs on sewage. I'm just not down with the whole scare tactic, paranoia thing. Just my opinions, I could be completely wrong.
For some reason the task of saving the planet as well as the blame for the problems seems to be increasingly focused on car owners. The focus had increased exponentially with the recent ridiculous spikes in gas prices over the last few years. Sure, a lot can be done to make cars better but how about we start with public and commercial transportation. Government funded public transportation like bus services should be mandated to use alternative fuel sources like natural gas, electricity, etc. Taxis as well should all be mandated to be alternatively fueled or at least hybrid powered. These changes alone would result in huge improvements in air quality as well as national fuel consumption. Have you even been behind a diesel bus in a major city and seen the amount of crap that spews out of the exhaust? Sure some places have adopted clean power sources, but not enough. After that, we can focus on these developing countries like China that are just now going through their industrial revolution. China burns tons of coal and produces more pollution than probably all the cars sold in this country over the last 5 years combined.
While I'm on the topic of saving the planet, I'd like to express my opinions on the whole global warming "theory". That is all it is at this point. Sure, I'll agree that there is evidence that the planet is getting warmer, but the "theory" part of it is what exactly the root cause of the temperature increase is. Could we have something to do with it? Maybe. Could it be a natural occurrence? That's a possibility as well. The thing is, we just don't know. I don't care what Al Gore and the rest of the "sky is falling" paranoia bunch say. The Earth has gone through hot and cold phases throughout its history so this may indeed be natural. We have so little accurate information to go on regarding the Earth's climate that the cause of global warming will never be proven. Humans have been on this planet for the equivalent of a blink of an eye in the Earth's history. On top of that we have what, a hundred years of accurate climate information at best. That's out of about 4 billion years of Earth history. That is such a small sample it's like taking one grain of sand and telling someone what the entire planet looks like based on just that. It's impossible. It will always be "theory".
While I'm on the subject of fantasy and paranoia, any of you remember the hole in the ozone that was discovered about 20 - 25 years ago? What happened to that? There was hysteria about that back in the day. It was going to get bigger and bigger allowing all kinds of radiation into the atmosphere. It would make us all look like beef jerky and then we'd die of skin cancer. And we were the cause of it all. Where did it go? Was it a natural occurrence or man made? No one cares anymore because it's gone, magically. There is still a whole lot about our planet that we do not understand completely.
Wouldn't it be funny if by trying to solve the global warming problem, we make it worse? What if we trigger a new ice age? That would be ironic. Then we'd all have to cut off our catalytic converters and stand outside and disperse all the aerosol cans we could get our hands on.
Whatever the cause and solution are, I'm absolutely in favor of finding different energy and fuel sources. As long as it doesn't affect my driving enjoyment, I don't care if my car runs on sewage. I'm just not down with the whole scare tactic, paranoia thing. Just my opinions, I could be completely wrong.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Honda CS1 (City Sport)
Honda CS1 (City Sport) his name is curiously.
Several weeks later in the TV often put forward this mysterious motor advertisement.
Mysterious because the motor noose was not put forward fully but took the form of silhouettes,
Discounts body and red shadowed gradations
Honda apparently tried to make public curious against this new product.
Including me, really waited also like whether the shape from the mysterious earlier.
Just finally kepenasaran this was answered.
Trans the TV presented launching Honda CS1.
I would few comments that not too much details (the motor tabloid and automotive will discuss more).
The complete noose of Honda CS1 was last week seen by me in the Ototrend Tabloid.
In the tabloid, the photograph of the motor was not seen too good.
However after seeing Tran TV was good-looking enough also.
Spresifikasi his foundation was Hyperunderbone.
The term previously the person mentioned him the Rooster.
As a family with Suzuki Satri FU 150, Honda Nova Sonic, Yamaha Tiara (still in remembered or not?
), Suzuki Raider.
The machine that was used it seems was the machine of Honda Nova Sonic with the capacity 125 cc with liquid water cooling system.
The manual clutch, monoshock, the digital speedometer and disc brakes in the two wheels.
That was most unique from Honda CS1 was body that was rather strange.
Initially I thought Honda will issue the guy's Honda Megapro motor of the same class or Honda Tiger.
Honda CS1 was the blend between the duck motor and the motor laki.
His rear rather resembled Suzuki Satria with the sharp tail-light and fender was separated like in Honda Tiger.
However the face part was rather seen strange.
On the whole this motor apparently really quite appropriate was bought.
If I was not wrong the range har him was approximately 16-17 million.
More expensive than Honda Supra X 125 most sophisticated.
In accordance with his name, this motor was the city motor that was drafted to be used the daily came home went beraktivitas.
Be enough the style and even really the style.
Definitely him was also very effective was used bent-liuk menerabas the Jakarta impasse when working hours.
Everything of Honda was moderate enough to choose the machine capacity 125 cc instead of 150 cc
Several weeks later in the TV often put forward this mysterious motor advertisement.
Mysterious because the motor noose was not put forward fully but took the form of silhouettes,
Discounts body and red shadowed gradations
Honda apparently tried to make public curious against this new product.
Including me, really waited also like whether the shape from the mysterious earlier.
Just finally kepenasaran this was answered.
Trans the TV presented launching Honda CS1.
I would few comments that not too much details (the motor tabloid and automotive will discuss more).
The complete noose of Honda CS1 was last week seen by me in the Ototrend Tabloid.
In the tabloid, the photograph of the motor was not seen too good.
However after seeing Tran TV was good-looking enough also.
Spresifikasi his foundation was Hyperunderbone.
The term previously the person mentioned him the Rooster.
As a family with Suzuki Satri FU 150, Honda Nova Sonic, Yamaha Tiara (still in remembered or not?
), Suzuki Raider.
The machine that was used it seems was the machine of Honda Nova Sonic with the capacity 125 cc with liquid water cooling system.
The manual clutch, monoshock, the digital speedometer and disc brakes in the two wheels.
That was most unique from Honda CS1 was body that was rather strange.
Initially I thought Honda will issue the guy's Honda Megapro motor of the same class or Honda Tiger.
Honda CS1 was the blend between the duck motor and the motor laki.
His rear rather resembled Suzuki Satria with the sharp tail-light and fender was separated like in Honda Tiger.
However the face part was rather seen strange.
On the whole this motor apparently really quite appropriate was bought.
If I was not wrong the range har him was approximately 16-17 million.
More expensive than Honda Supra X 125 most sophisticated.
In accordance with his name, this motor was the city motor that was drafted to be used the daily came home went beraktivitas.
Be enough the style and even really the style.
Definitely him was also very effective was used bent-liuk menerabas the Jakarta impasse when working hours.
Everything of Honda was moderate enough to choose the machine capacity 125 cc instead of 150 cc
Honda CBR1000RR 2008
for you the track rider this cylinders almost always will win compared to twin.
Many of his reasons like burning efficiency, heavy the piston, etc..
Rule of thumb increasingly few cylinders were increasingly big torque.
However Horsepower increasingly small.
If in track great speed the motor 600cc 4-cylinder I only the difference around 20-30kph compared to v-twin 1000cc like suzuki SV1000 or Ducati 999.
The dream motor to street in fact was enough one cylinder, 500-600cc.
Love was not except KTM that recently this dismissed the small version superduke (single 650cc).
To street riding torque more useful than the MOBILE PHONE (except if speeding) he.. he..
Back to syling Honda, how come it seems the model 2008 this nanggung very much.
Like 1098 but blunt.
CBR most good-looking it seems still the model 2004.
Motor impian untuk street sebenarnya cukup satu silinder, 500-600cc. Sayang tidak ada kecuali KTM yang baru2 ini mengeluarkan versi kecil superduke (single 650cc). Untuk street riding torque lebih berguna daripada HP (kecuali kalau kebut-kebutan) he..he..
Kembali ke syling Honda, kok rasanya model 2008 ini nanggung sekali. Seperti 1098 tapi tumpul. CBR paling cakep rasanya masih model 2004.
Many of his reasons like burning efficiency, heavy the piston, etc..
Rule of thumb increasingly few cylinders were increasingly big torque.
However Horsepower increasingly small.
If in track great speed the motor 600cc 4-cylinder I only the difference around 20-30kph compared to v-twin 1000cc like suzuki SV1000 or Ducati 999.
The dream motor to street in fact was enough one cylinder, 500-600cc.
Love was not except KTM that recently this dismissed the small version superduke (single 650cc).
To street riding torque more useful than the MOBILE PHONE (except if speeding) he.. he..
Back to syling Honda, how come it seems the model 2008 this nanggung very much.
Like 1098 but blunt.
CBR most good-looking it seems still the model 2004.
Motor impian untuk street sebenarnya cukup satu silinder, 500-600cc. Sayang tidak ada kecuali KTM yang baru2 ini mengeluarkan versi kecil superduke (single 650cc). Untuk street riding torque lebih berguna daripada HP (kecuali kalau kebut-kebutan) he..he..
Kembali ke syling Honda, kok rasanya model 2008 ini nanggung sekali. Seperti 1098 tapi tumpul. CBR paling cakep rasanya masih model 2004.
Ford motor news : Ford weighs third China plant to meet demand
it is said from the ford motor company that "We're exploring opportunities to add to our capacity," John Parker, executive vice president in charge of Ford's operations in Asia,
said late on Friday ahead of the Beijing auto show.
said late on Friday ahead of the Beijing auto show.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
2007 Lamborghini Reventon
Lamborghini Reventon is a road vehicle with an extreme specification and, at the same time, a limited edition masterpiece – a coherent style, angular with sharp lines, inspired by the very latest aeronautics. Reventon possesses the entire technical and dynamic competence of the twelve cylinder Lamborghini. Lamborghini guarantees, an astounding 650 bhp at 8,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The huge torque, equal to maximum 487 lb-ft, ensures a powerful switch from any number of revolutions: even the slightest pressure on the accelerator is spontaneously transformed into thrust. The robotised e.gear changes gear faster than even the most expert driver. In addition, the permanent Viscous Traction four-wheel drive system ensures that every force is constantly translated into movement. With just 20 produced, each 1 Million Euro (without taxes) Lamborghini Reventon is a symbol of extreme exclusivity.
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
2007 Lamborghini Reventon
2007 Lamborghini Reventon So Cool
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
2007 Lamborghini Reventon
2007 Lamborghini Reventon So Cool
2007 Lamborghini Reventon Wallpaper
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