Dramatic irony abounds as the world’s fastest car (or close to it) gets not a speeding ticket, but rather a lowly parking violation. And as bonus, the role of traffic warden, normally that of an antagonist, gets recast as the protagonist to the cheers of dozens. Street theatre in Manchester city center.
0-60 quid in 2.5 secs for Bugatti - The Sun, January 28 2008 ..via Autoblog
Posted in Automotive, General ~ 1 Comment
Motor Trend Magazine took a spin in a prototype of the soon-to-be-available 2008 Tesla Roadster, that electric sports car that’s been in pre-production since before 2006. In a factual and surprisingly accolade-free article, the driver’s highpoints were that the Roadster is “unbelievably efficient”, and has an acceleration described as “bizarre”.
The remainder of the article talks about the car’s thousand pound 6,831-cell lithium ion battery, transmission troubles as well as management & organizational challenges facing Tesla Motors. $98,000.
In other news, Tesla Motors itself has just announced that the Roadster has met all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards…there had been some concerns about electric shock from arcing power cables and electrolyte spill from the ginormous battery resulting from a crash. Roadster crash test pics are here.
First Drive: 2008 Tesla Roadster - Motor Trend, Jan 23 2008
Posted in Automotive ~ No Comments
Disregarding the Holloman High-Speed Test Track (HHSTT) and the Mach 8.5 that it achieves, the fastest thing ever to move on planet earth was a jet-engined car called the Thrust SSC.
On Oct 15 1997 in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, driver Andy Green ignited the afterburners on his Thrust SSC and the car went supersonic, setting the current world Land Speed Record of 766 mph or 1233.7 km/h. The ‘car’ was propelled by twin Rolls-Royce Spey 205 jet engines generating 25000 lb of thrust each. That LSR has stood for more than 10 years…
And now, undeterred by rising fuel costs and seemingly unswayed by Captain Planet, a new team has risen to the challenge of surpassing that record.
The Steve Fossett World Land Speed Racing Team is looking to pass 800 mph in a new LSR vehicle shown below. The ‘Target 800 MPH racer’ is 48 feet long & powered by a single 40,000HP S&S Turbine LM-1500 jet engine. They’re looking for a few good drivers…if you have a need for speed, or look good in a racing suit or can bring sponsors to the table, submit your resume at the link below:
Supersonic Woman Wanted for Steve Fossett LSR Team – PRNewswire, Jan. 16 2008
Posted in Automotive ~ No Comments
Toyota is showing a hybrid smallish pickup truck at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, dubbed the Advanced-Breakthrough Aerodynamic Truck, or A-BAT for short. Concept only for now.
The A-BAT is expected to use a 4-cylinder gas-electric combo engine based on their Hybrid Synergy Drive. Comes complete with some small solar panels on the dash to recharge the electronics. Design-wise, think trapezoidal, low-profile & military-ish…the thing looks like it could take an IED hit.
Posted in Automotive ~ 1 Comment
Tata Motors launched their new Nano microcar at Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi a couple of days ago. At 100,000 rupees, the Tata Nano is currently the world’s cheapest car…about the same as a boxful of Apple iPod nanos. The Chery QQ seems to be next cheapest at 29000 RMB. Another list is available at The World’s Cheapest Cars.
With a fuel efficiency of 50 mpg, the Nano is about the same as the current champ, the Toyota Prius, but at about 1/9th the cost.
What, with a looming economic slowdown/recession, rising demand for oil, coupled with Peak Oil, and all that jazz, there likely to be a Nano-esque vehicle in your future.
Tata Motors unveils the People’s Car – press release, Jan 10 2008
Posted in Automotive ~ 8 Comments
Well, Lamborghini unveiled its new Reventón supercar at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few months ago. For 1M Euros one gets a V12 6.5L 650 bhp Murciélago engine, but now with an “ultra luxury” and “high lux” shell, according to Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann, who emphasizes “we are selling luxury”.
The engine moves the 3671lb/1665kg car from 0-60 in a mere 3.3 seconds and tops out at 211 mph or 340 km/h…somewhat below the Bugatti Veyron’s top speed of 253 mph.
The Reventón is a nice looking car and/but with “extreme styling”. It’s based on the F-22 and looks the part. Although one can’t help but wonder if the design team realized the in-yo-face over-the-top effect was excessive rather than aggressive.
Somewhat evocative of the Lamborghini Pregunta from 10 years ago…both designs were self-consciously extravagant and marketing was based on association with jet fighters.
Posted in Automotive ~ No Comments
While we wait for the superphones, the iPhone, LG Prada, N95 and the Meizu M8 to make their appearance, here’s some more car stuff…
The Washington Post had a look at the Hyundai Veracruz Ltd crossover SUV, and found it to their liking. The author test drove both the much-vaunted Lexus RX350 and its separated-at-birth near-twin Hyundai Veracruz, and preferred the Hyundai. He said the Veracruz looks better, drives better and is cheaper. Hmm…not sure about the looks better part…
That’s No Lexus, It’s a Hyundai - Washington Post, April 8 2007
Posted in Automotive ~ 4 Comments
Well the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera made it to the 2007 New York Automobile Show, held appropriately enough, in New York this year. This Superlight is wearing Midas Yellow.
Posted in Automotive ~ 2 Comments
Winding Road Magazine publishes a list of their 25 favorite images from the past year. The best of the 25 is this stopped-down suborbital Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster as seen at dusk.
WINDING ROAD In Pictures: Our Favorite 25 Images Of The Last Year (Or So) – 4.06.07
Posted in Automotive ~ No Comments
As seen at the 2007 New York Auto Show April 6 2007…the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo with its 405 hp Ferrari engine & holes in the side. Details at this link. Price about $110,000.
Posted in Automotive ~ No Comments
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