http://www.egarage.com/car-profiles/mclaren-p1/. McLaren P1 Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post McLaren P1 Photo 1007 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
McLaren P1 Photo 1008
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083901_mclaren-launches-designed-by-air-p1-interactive-experience. McLaren P1 Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post McLaren P1 Photo 1008 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Japfest 2 2014
Check out the latest pictures from the 2014 Japfest 2 held at Donington Park Racing Circuit on Sunday 17th August.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Vorsteiner Adds New Active Wing To Their McLaren MP4-VX Aftermarket Package
Vorsteiner includes a new active wing to its modification package for the McLaren MP4. The kitted-out car is dubbed "McLaren MP4-VX" and besides the new active wing, features a re-designed rear bumper, side sill extension blades and a new carbon-fibre front bumper. The active wing takes the place of the conventional aero wing with a...
Mulgari Adds Flair To BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe SV 640d
British-based car tuning house Mulgari Automotive Ltd. has unveiled its modified BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe F06. The company used the 640d model equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine and is offering styling as well as performance kits for the Coupe. The remapped ECU generates 368 hp (271 kW) and 751 Nm (556 lb-ft) of...
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Bugatti brings its Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘1 of 1’ to Pebble Beach
The luxury French Automobile manufacturer Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., which is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, has officially unveiled its Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse '1 of 1' during the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The rear wing, the front grille surround, the roof scoops, decklid and wheels are all finished in a bright yellow colour, with...
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Vorsteiner introduces its Lamborghini Aventador-V Zaragoza
After working on it for several months, United States-based car modification company Vorsteiner has introduced its Lamborghini Aventador-V Zaragoza, with the newest inclusion in the Aventador-V program being the Zaragoza front spoiler. According to the modification firm, it was difficult to create the spoiler, as it had to be produced in a way that fits...
ST Suspensions introduces new extensive range of wheel spacers
US-based suspensions manufacture ST Suspensions, which has been a daughter company of German-based suspension manufacturer KW Automotive GmbH since 2005, has launched a new extensive variety of hubcentric wheel spacers. Made from high-quality aluminium, the spacers ensure a super-robust finish, light weight and come in anodized black. The wheel spacers can increase the track width...
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Future Ferrari flagship F80 supercar rendered, comes from outer space
Ferrari F80 Concept rendering / Adriano Raeli
Powered by a bi-turbo V8 unit
Independent designer Adriano Raeli has envisioned a virtual successor to the Ferrari LaFerrari.
Dubbed the F80, the flagship supercar is described by its creator as a “street-legal F1 car” and is inspired by the NGAD project, a development program for a future air fighter.
Raeli says the car could be powered by a twin-turbo V8 unit with 900 PS (662 kW), supported by a 300 PS (220 kW) K.E.R.S. system. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration should take no more than two seconds, while the top speed will reach 500 km/h (310 mph). The F80 project features two asymmetrically-placed seats and weights only 800 kg (1763 lbs).
Raeli already has a potential buyer in mind for his stunning supercar. This is Nick Mason, Pink Floyd drummer and Ferrari collector, who is an “unparalleled personality”, according to the designer.
15-year-old boy gets brand new Pagani Huayra as a birthday gift
15-year-old boy gets yellow Pagani Huayra
Still waiting for a driving license
A stunning brand new yellow Pagani Huayra has been delivered to what is believed to be the youngest Pagani owner in the world.
He is 15 years old and lives in the city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The supercar comes as a gift for the boy’s birthday and is the first Huayra order from this country, although it will be the second of its kind to hit the roads in Taiwan.
Previous reports have suggested the car will be delivered to the boy and then transferred back to Italy until the owner gets his driving license. Our source claims it will soon be getting a custom exhaust system by Innotech Performance Exhaust.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge prototype tackles Spa-Francorchamps [video]
Has a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 with 568 PS (417 kW)
Infiniti has released a new promotional video of the Q50 Eau Rouge prototype at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
In the clip, Sebastian Vettel is pitted against Parker Kligerman and Nine-Ball World Champion snooker player Pan Xiaoting to see who can travel the longest distance in the allotted time. Unsurprisingly, Vettel was given the most time and 'won' the race.
According to Vettel, “Even though it was difficult to get a proper feel for the car’s performance due to the wet track, the engineering team have made definite improvements to the car in the areas of steering and suspension since I first drove it earlier in the year." He went on to say "All in all it was an interesting day and we had fun. It was a privilege to be given the task of driving the Q50 Eau Rouge on one of the most demanding corners in the world.”
While a production version is basically a given at this point, Infiniti says the model is "currently under evaluation."
BMW i8 facing $100,000 markups at dealerships - report
Production ready BMW i8 [10th Sep, 2013] [10th Sep, 2013] [10th Sep, 2013] [10th Sep, 2013] [10th Sep, 2013]
MSRP is only $135,700
The BMW i8 is off to a strong start and dealers are reportedly capitalizing on this by charging customers up to $100,000 over the sticker price.
While it's not uncommon for dealers to charge more for highly sought after models, the i8 starts at $135,700 - excluding a destination and handling fee of $950 - so the $100,000 makeup is a pretty hefty premium. Thankfully, the price isn't universal as some dealers are only charging $50,000 - $75,000 over sticker.
As a refresher, the i8 has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. This enables the model to have a combined maximum output of 362 HP (266 kW) which allows it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). More importantly, the i8 averages 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg UK / 112 mpg US) and can travel up to 37 km (23 miles) on electricity alone.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Video: Jumping Over An Audi R8 At 93 MPH
Remember when Kobe Bryant "jumped over" an Aston Martin back in 2008? We all know that the Black Mamba didn't actually do it. Neither did stunt man Damion Poitier when he was enlisted by Sports Science to do the same thing in 2009. So it's safe to say that jumping over a car is an impossible and dangerous task. Or is it?
Norwegian Niklas Strandbraten and his friends, electronic music duo Broiler, decided to give the old jumping-over-a-car stunt a little try. This time, the stunt didn't involve an Aston Martin Vantage or a Lamborghini Gallardo. Instead, an Audi R8 was used, which, according to owner and Broiler member Mikkel Christiansen, is almost four inches taller than a Gallardo. Not only that, Strandbraten was tasked to jump over the R8 as the German supercar was moving at a speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). Pretty freakin' stupid and dangerous, right?
The video shows that Strandbraten was able to clear the R8, but I don't really know if its legitimate or not. I've seen too many "fake jumps" over the years, including Kobe's, that has turned me forever skeptical on the stunt. Heck, if Sports Science couldn't pull it off, then you know how difficult that stunt is.
If Strandbraten really did jump over it, then congratulations to him. It takes a lot of guts and mental faculties to be able to pull that of. But if he didn't, chalk this one up as yet another fake jump for the archives.
Video: Jumping Over An Audi R8 At 93 MPH originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 16 August 2014 18:00 EST.
read more
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA
According to the great Jeremy Clarkson, you can't be a true petrol-head until you've owned an Alfa Romeo. That always posed a problem for many American car enthusiasts. See, Alfa Romeo hasn't really sold any cars here since the 90's and even then they were very few and far between. Sure, we got the beautiful 8C Competizione, but that was only for a handful of lucky millionaires. The 4C has already come to the U.S. but even that is too expensive and exclusive for the average buyer. Fortunately, though, for us average 'Mericans, Alfa hasn't forgotten us. The Giulia is coming in 2015 and it's a rear-wheel drive sedan, most likely powered by one of Fiat's turbo four cylinder engines, and a GTA version will follow it across the pond.
The Giulia is going to be the car that Alfa Romeo uses to reintroduce the brand to the US. It should be sized and priced to compete with the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class. The big news however is the announcement of a "hot" version, called the Giulia GTA. The GTA's main focus will be to take on the M3 and upcoming C63 AMG.
*Image shown here is of the standard version of the upcoming Giulia
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA.
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 16 August 2014 23:00 EST.
read more
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Video: Hot Laps In A 1969 Camaro Z/28 Trans Am Series Race Car
The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is undoubtedly an awesome track-prepped machine, the ultimate fifth-generation Camaro if you will. But to my eyes, the 2014 model is no match to the original Z/28, especially if we're talking about a Trans Am-spec race car.
Chevy introduced the Z/28 option for the 1967 model year, promoting it as a "virtually race-ready" Camaro available at any U.S. dealer. Fitted with a 4.9-liter, small-block V-8 specifically designed to race in the Trans Am series, the Z/28 became a huge success by 1969, when it accounted for nearly 22 percent of total Camaro production of the year.
The Z/28 was off to a slow start in Trans Am, losing the 1967 championship to Ford and Mercury. However, the bowtie-badged muscle car went on to dominate the competition in both 1968 and 1969 with Mark Donohue behind the wheel. In two years, the Camaro Z/28 won 21 of 25 events, crushing Detroit rivals from Ford and its Mustang. The streak ended once the second-gen Camaro was introduced in 1970 and it took Chevy five more years to win another championship, this time with the Corvette.
Although the Camaro returned to the spotlight with seven Trans Am titles in the 1980s and 1990s, none of these vehicles managed to reach the fame of the first-gen Z/28s. Not at all surprising considering the stardom the first-gen Camaro so rightfully enjoys. There's more than that, of course. The looks, the sound, and all the amazing things surrounding late 1960s racing. Most of us aren't lucky enough to climb into one of those Trans Am beasts, but Motor Trend's Jess Lang managed to hoon a 1969 Camaro Z/28 around the Laguna Seca. Hit the play button to find out why the first-gen Z/28 is one of the most enticing muscle cars ever built.
Video: Hot Laps In A 1969 Camaro Z/28 Trans Am Series Race Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 17 August 2014 18:00 EST.
read more
Rolls-Royce Ghost Special Edition
Rolls-Royce has made a habit of releasing numerous special-edition models of its luxurious vehicles. Often unique, these luxo-barges are delivered in Middle East and China, the world's most important luxury markets. Phantoms, Ghosts, Wraiths, you name it. Rolls-Royce will customize its interior, add a bespoke paint job, ask a hefty premium in exchange and call it a day. After launching the stunning Pinnacle Travel Phantom at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, the Brits are introducing a bespoke Ghost limousine during the Chengdu Motor Show, scheduled between August 29th and September 7th, 2014.
Details are slim as of 08/15/2014, but the preliminary photos released by Rolls-Royce reveal a rather intriguing Ghost model, especially when it comes to its interior theme.
Stay tuned to TopSpeed for a detailed update on this exquisite Rolls-Royce Ghost. We'll be right back as soon as the luxury company unwraps the limousine at the Chengdu Motor Show.
Click past the jump to read about the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II
Rolls-Royce Ghost Special Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 17 August 2014 23:00 EST.
read more
Friday, August 22, 2014
2014 Volkswagen GTD Photo 1006
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1085351_hot-vw-golf-gtd-diesel-confirmed-for-u-s-sales-debuts-2015. 2014 Volkswagen GTD Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Volkswagen GTD Photo 1006 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
2014 Volkswagen GTD Photo 1007
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130703/CARREVIEWS/130709944. 2014 Volkswagen GTD Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Volkswagen GTD Photo 1007 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
2014 GMC Yukon Denali Photo 1007
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/06/2014-gmc-yukon-yukon-xl-get-slight-updates-rpo-central/. 2014 GMC Yukon Denali Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 GMC Yukon Denali Photo 1007 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
2014 GMC Yukon Denali Photo 1008
http://www.conceptcarz.com/z22134/GMC-Yukon.aspx. 2014 GMC Yukon Denali Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 GMC Yukon Denali Photo 1008 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Photo 1004
http://autoesque.blogspot.com/2013/09/2014-nissan-x-trail-unveiled.html. 2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Photo 1004 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Photo 1005
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/01/is-this-the-next-gen-x-trail-61381. 2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Nissan X-Trail SUV Photo 1005 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
2014 Kia Sorento Photo 1009
http://new-cars-reviews.com/2014-kia-sorento-release-date.html/2014-kia-sorento-interior-menu. 2014 Kia Sorento Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Kia Sorento Photo 1009 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
2014 Lincoln Navigator Photo 1001
http://tysonscornercars.com/2014-lincoln-navigator-brings-up-the-retro-iconic/. 2014 Lincoln Navigator Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap
The post 2014 Lincoln Navigator Photo 1001 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Spy Video: Mercedes-Benz S-Class ‘Maybach’
A new version of the "Maybach," which is the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, was recently filmed while being tested out on the Nurburgring. Believed to be the true successor of the Maybach, the car has a longer wheelbase, which allows for a third side window - this is covered in the video. It...
Dodge to unveil Challenger SRT Hellcat at Woodward Dream Cruise
Dodge will unveil its stunning Challenger SRT Hellcat at the 2014 Woodward Dream Cruise which takes place on 15th August. Only 1,200 units of the car will be produced. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is equipped with a huge 6.2-litre V8 engine that generates a striking 707 HP (527 kW) and 880 Nm (650 lb-ft)...
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Cobalt Blue Gemballa Porsche Mirage GT in California, United States
A cool video of a new Gemballa Mirage GT that came in the United States recently surfaced online. Now, a full gallery of the car is generating buzz, thanks to Philipp Luecke Photography. The owner of this specific Mirage GT is car enthusiast and collector Benjamin Chen (known as 8bc8 on Instagram). Chen is also...
1975 Volvo 245 with 2JZ engine swap hunts down BMW M5
Having just spent your life's savings on a BMW M5, you'd be pretty miserable to learn that a 1975 Volvo 245 could keep up with you on the open road. The thrills and kills of a Supra engine, eh?!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Ingo Noak Tuning Porsche 911 (997)
After recently tuning a Volkswagen Golf VII 1.4 TSI the German tuner, Ingo Noak Tuning has turned its hand to the previous generation Porsche 911 (997). The wide bodykit developed by Ingo Noak can be fitted onto all cars manufactured until late 2006. The Porsche 911 you see here has a restyled bumper with big...
Dodge unveils the 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit
Dodge has been very busy lately. In between manufacturing the Charger SRT Hellcat and the Challenger SRT Hellcat, the automaker has unveiled its most recent marvel, the 2015 Charger Pursuit, which is made specifically for the police force. Based on the 2015 Charger, the 2015 Charger Pursuit has been tuned by Dodge to make it...
Friday, August 15, 2014
2015 Cadillac Escalade Platinum revealed
2015 Cadillac Escalade Platinum
Costs $90,270
Cadillac has unveiled the range-topping Escalade Platinum.
Designed to appeal to well-heeled buyers, the Platinum features additional chrome trim and 22-inch alloy wheels.
Bigger changes occur in the cabin as there's semi-aniline Nappa leather seats, sueded microfiber accents and exotic wood trim. The model also has a leather-wrapped dashboard, a cooled center console, premium floor mats and "Platinum" branded door sill plates. Other highlights include heated / cooled 18-way power front seats and a rear seat entertainment system with two seven-inch displays in the front head rests and a supplementary nine-inch display on the ceiling.
The Escalade and Escalade Platinum also receive an eight-speed automatic transmission, 4G LTE connectivity, a Surround View camera and a revised grille with the company's wreathless crest.
The 2015 Escalade Platinum will go on sale later this year and pricing starts at $90,270 (including a $995 destination charge).
First Range Rover going up for auction
First Range Rover
Expected to fetch 100,000-140,000 GBP
The Land Rover Range Rover helped to usher in the era of ultra-luxurious crossovers and SUVs and here's your chance to own the very first production model.
Set to go under the hammer at the Salon Privé Sale by Silverstone Auctions, the first production Range Rover was built in 1969 and features a 3.5-liter V8 engine. The model has been fully restored and has 86,950 miles (139,932 km) on the odometer. The Range Rover also boasts matching numbers on everything from the aluminum hood to the engine and gearbox.
While a typical first-generation Range Rover wouldn't be worth too much, the first production model is expected to fetch £100,000-140,000 ($167,875-234,985 / €125,425-175,500).
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Dodge Caliber impaled in horrifying accident but driver survives
Dodge Caliber accident
Wasn't wearing a seatbelt
The driver of a Dodge Caliber somehow managed to survive after being involved in a terrible accident on I-81 in Smyth County, Virginia.
The crash occurred last Saturday morning when Jacob Henley hit a tractor-trailer before crossing the median and hitting the end of a guardrail. The guardrail literally ripped off the driver side headrest and even pierced through the rear window. Ironically, not wearing a seatbelt is what probably saved Jacob's life as after crashing into the tractor-trailer he was thrown to the passenger seat, thus avoiding the incoming guardrail.
He was able to get out of the car with just a few minor injuries and now he is facing several charges for reckless driving with a revoked license and expired tags. In addition, he also wasn't able to provide insurance proof and was driving without the seatbelt fastened.
Volvo details Scalable Product Architecture for 2015 XC90
2015 Volvo XC90
To be unveiled in two weeks
Volvo has released additional details concerning the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) which will underpin the 2015 XC90.
The second generation XC90 will be the first Volvo model to ride on the newly developed SPA chassis and will enable a lower curb weight and a more even weight distribution. Around 90 percent of all components are brand new, including the "Thor's Hammer" T-shaped LED daytime running lights. Volvo says that by making extensive use of high-strength boron steel, the 2015 XC90 along with all upcoming SPA-based models will be more compact and safer at the same time.
Inside the cabin, the second row of seats benefits from a sliding function to create more legroom for those sitting on the third row which can be up to 170cm tall. The driver and all passengers will sit inside "one of the safest cars in the world" thanks to a wide array of safety equipment like Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert Control, Road Edge and Barrier Detection as well as an auto brake function, just to name a few. The interior cabin has been previously shown and we know it will boast a Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
Volvo has already provided extensive details about the engine lineup which will be topped by a T8 plug-in hybrid model combining a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear axle. It will have a combined output of 400 bhp (298 kW) and 640 Nm (472 lb-ft), with enough juice in the batteries to cover 25 miles (40 km) on electric power.
Volvo says the all-new XC90 will be revealed two weeks from now in Stockholm, Sweden. Production will commence early 2015 at the Torslanda factory in Gothenburg.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Wald previews their Sports Line package for the Bentley GT
Wald International Bentley Continental GT
Coming soon
Wald International has released the first picture of their upcoming styling program for the Bentley Continental GT.
The company declined to release details but the Sports Line package will apparently include an aggressive lower fascia with a front lip spoiler. The model also has LED daytime running lights, revised side skirts and attractive alloy wheels.
The package is coming soon, so expect to learn more shortly.
Oracle Finance names the top ten Footballer cars
2013 Range Rover
Range Rover comes out on top
Oracle Finance has compiled a list of the top ten "Footballer cars."
According to their research, the most popular model is the Land Rover Range Rover. This isn't too surprising as crossovers and SUVs made up the bulk of the list with the Range Rover Sport coming in 3rd, the Audi Q7 in 4th, the BMW X5 in 5th and the Porsche Cayenne in 6th.
The most popular car was the Bentley Continental GT which came in 2nd, while other notable models include the Lamborghini Gallardo (7th), Ferrari 458 (8th), Maserati Gran Turismo (9th) and Aston Martin DB9 (10th).
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan
Before the 2013 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe burst onto the scene last month, its predecessor, the 2012 C63 AMG Sedan - was a doozy in its own right.
How awesome was it? It gave tuners like HMS Tuning free reign to give it some serious performance and exterior modifications.
Starting with the latter, HMS Tuning gave the C63 AMG a few added goodies, including a redesigned carbon fiber front bumper with integrated LED lights, flared wheel arches, a new boot lid spoiler, and a rear diffuser. All these items, incidentally, are made out of carbon fiber. Rounding out the exterior mods are a new set of 19 Jade R HMS-Edition black rims.
Now, for the performance upgrade. With the C63 AMG already carrying one of the best 6.2-liter V8 engines in the world, the Mercedes sports sedan is capable of belting out 457 horsepower. Now, add a three-stage supercharger kit and you've got a variety of increased outputs to choose from. Stage I develops 625 horsepower and 593 lb/ft of torque, Stage 2 produces 640 horsepower and 620 lb/ft of torque, and finally, Stage 3 peaks at 690 horsepower and 646 lb/ft of torque.
Not too bad for the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG, right?
Talking about pricing, the top-end Stage 3 supercharger kit is priced at a steady 24,419, which is around $31,700 based on current exchange rates.
More Pictures of 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan
2012 Kia Rondo Review
The Kia Rondo is the seven-seater car and for some big families on a budget that alone might be a good enough reason to buy one.
The Rondo's days are numbered. Although it definitely won't be wiped off the map in 2013, it has to be thoroughly revamped if it wants to compete with the new Ford C-Max and recent Mazda5. In the meantime, the 2012 model is a carbon copy of the 2011, except for a few minor tweaks. The two engines offered are a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 2.7L V6. These can be paired with either a 4-speed or 5-speed automatic transmission.
With a starting price of $25,990 before on-road costs for the five-speed manual Si variant, the Rondo is currently the only people-mover available for less than $30,000.
Under the bonnet of the Kia Rondo sits a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that on paper doesn't sound particularly well equipped to propel a vehicle designed to carry multiple people. There's merely 106kW of power (at 6000rpm) and 189Nm of torque (at 4250rpm).
Stepping on the throttle, the Rondo feels surprisingly responsive, although the apparent enthusiasm is actually just a case of an oversensitive accelerator pedal that quickly becomes tiresome and makes smooth driving an effort.
While it's capable and reasonably well-behaved around town, the engine's eagerness is swiftly converted to slow progression and loud engine noise when you ask it to accelerate a little harder, head up a hill, or pull half a dozen people as the car is intended to do.
The four-speed auto does the ageing petrol engine few favours. The gearbox kicks back violently when you sink the boot in to overtake, sending the revs flaring, increasing noise and decreasing refinement and comfort.
The auto model uses a competitive 8.6 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, bettering the manual by 0.1L/100km.
For those on the tightest of budgets, though, who need to haul more than five people and have less than $35,000 - or even less than $30,000 - the Kia Rondo is an honest, spacious and versatile option, but one that is let down by an underpowered engine.
More Pictures of 2012 Kia Rondo
Monday, August 11, 2014
2012 Ford FPV Boss 335 GT
Ford's Australian outpost has built its most powerful car ever: the Ford Performance Vehicles Boss 335 GT. That's 335 kilowatts, by the way: 450bhp to you and me, from a supercharged five-litre V8 engine shoe-horned into the bodyshell of Ford's standard, rear-wheel drive Falcon saloon. With a bonnet bulge the size of Uluru and that power output stencilled into its black racing stripes, the Boss ain't subtle: it looks and sounds every bit as fast as it is. But can the Boss 335 GT transcend its family saloon roots to deliver a world-class performance car experience?
Australia's devotion to the muscle car easily exceeds America's. It builds them far better, and has continued to do so despite conditions which ought to have killed Aussies' appetite for big, powerful, thirsty cars stone dead. The heyday of US muscle cars ended abruptly with the oil crisis of 1971: they died overnight in an automotive mass-extinction event on a par with the demise of the dinosaurs. But Australian muscle-car culture was just hitting its stride. That year it produced the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, the new Boss's spiritual forebear and now the most valuable Australian-made car, with genuine examples changing hands for 750,000. And it kept on making them through the seventies.
Like many other Aussie cars the GT is pleasingly Spartan, doing away with the fripperies to keep the price down. So the glovebox falls open with a clunk, the silver cabin trim looks sprayed-on and the boot is barely trimmed and has no grab handles to pull it shut.
But the stuff Aussie drivers actually need is prioritized, such as long gearing and some of the world's best seats to cope with long, long distances.
And those distances will feel a lot shorter in the GT, if you're prepared to brave the speed cameras. Based on an American Ford V8 block used in the current Mustang 5.0 GT and Boss 302 the Boss 335 engine develops huge linear thrust and the acceleration feels quicker than the claimed 4.9sec 0-60 time. From inside the whine of the supercharger dominates but from outside there's a terrific rip from the exhausts accompanied, usually, by the sound of the rear tyres ripping at the tarmac.
The Boss 335 GT has traction control, but the system's main contribution seems to be to blink at you from the instrument binnacle to tell you you've lost traction. This can be provoked at will; fortunately the Ford's natural chassis balance allows you to keep the car pointing where it's meant to go. It has quick, accurate steering and a fine ride; not up to the standards of the best European sports saloons, but streets ahead of most US muscle cars.
More Pictures of 2012 Ford FPV Boss 335 GT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)