Lean Machine: Ferrari V4 superbike concept
This may not be the first effort at creating a Ferrari motorcycle, but it may very well be the best. Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, the departed son of company founder Enzo, was said to have raced specially-prepared motorcycles in the 1950s. In the 1970s, Kay Engineering crafted a racing bike, now said to be worth half a million dollars, with full factory backing to honor Enzo Ferrari. In the ’80s, legendary motorcycle designer Arlen Ness styled a one-off chopper on the Testarossa, while some guy named George crafted a pair of Ferrari-powered superbikes. Last year someone built a custom Scuderia Ferrari chopper for the retiring Michael Schumacher (who has since been trying his hand at motorbike racing), and earlier this year a collector crafted a model of what a Ferrari sportbike could look like. We’re sure some more will be brought to our attention in the comments below, but while some of these creations have been more convincing than others, this one has to be the slickest.
2009 Audi A6 unveiled; 15% more fuel efficient
While the Mercedes has released the pictures of its 2010 E class, Audi has gone a step further and given us the official pictures and technical specs of the 2009 Audi A6 which will take head on, the Merc E-class and the BMW 5 series. The new generation engines from Audi promise us to offer 15% more fuel efficiency. › Continue reading
Audi India Creates History in car sales for the month of July’08
Audi India creates history due to a huge jump in sales of 163% for the period Jan-July 08 when compared to that of the last year. There has been a outgrowth of 525% in the month of July alone when compared to same period previous year. Audi has pumped up its sales of cars for the first seven months to 595 cars as compared to a figure of 226 cars fro the same period the previous year.
The new Audi A4 sedan which launched this July has made a important contribution for the huge jump in sales by delivering 125 cars in July this year as compared to 20 cars for the same period last year. Audi has big plans for India by Introducing new sophisticated luxury cars in India very soon.
Mr. Benoit Tiers, managing director,Audi India said “Audi India on course to achieve its ambitious targets”. He further adds ” True to our philosophy or “Vorsprung durch Technik”, the latest sales figures show that we have made an impressive progress in order to achieve our ambitious goals and We will continue to focus on the customer-orientated products for the Indian market. In coming months, the customers can expect new sophisticated and sporty luxury models,” he added.
Sunday Special:Some innovative Helmet designs
Here are some Helmet designs that i came across. After looking through them, comment on your favorite.
Here is my favourite , from Rossi
USAF style › Continue reading
Nano becomes a Fiat???
Tata is considering launching the Nano to the global market under the Fiat badge. Reasoning behind this is that Tata and Fiat already work together to distribute commercial trucks outside India and Tata believes the the Fiat badge might have more appeal to potential buyers from the Western market. It will initaially be launched with a 33bhp petrol engine but will eventually be followed by a 800cc twin-cylinder turbodiesel developed in Germany.
2009 Porsche 911 Targa
Porsche has recently revealed their Targa version of the 911. Its techno upgrades as the rest of the 911’s include direct injection engines and PDK double clutch gearbox. It will be made available with a 3.6litre flat-six engine (Targa 4) with a max output of 345bhp and a top speed of 176mph and a 3.8litre (Targa 4S) with a max output of 385bhp reaching a top speed of 184mph.
The exterior of this glass roofed 911 includes LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and smaller fog lights. The focal point of this Porsche’s interior is the new Porsche Communication Management 3.0 (PCM 3.0) touch-screen which provides easy operation of the audio system as well as the HDD navigation system (optional). Other functions of PCM 3.0 include Blue-tooth connectivity, IPOD port, USB port, satellite radio and XM NavTraffic capability.
The 911 Targa goes on sale in the UK and USA this October.
Indian Autos Blog Special- Lewis Hamilton Rocks Mumbai, India!!
Lewis Hamilton was in Mumbai on the 24th as a part of his sponsorship commitments to Vodafone.His driving had the spectators in a tizzy at the makeshift stands at the Hakone Go-Karting track.The spectators went mad over his one handed drifts. After showing off his sklls in a special Vodafone liveried Go-Kart,he judged a race involving three Vodafone Contest winners.
A very elated spectator yelled ‘Lewis, beat Kimi at Monza’. ‘Im working on it’ he yelled back. A small autograph session followed. A slight rain hampered the full use of the track. We also got to learn the limits of F 1’s new wet weather master. › Continue reading
2010 Porsche Cayman - Rendered Speculation Leaked
Hey there petrol-fueled-heart people. Did you hear that Porsche is planning to hit us in the near future with a new Cayman and a new Boxter S? If you didn’t, here’s the news.
We all knew Porsche was up to something, but we didn’t know what exactly. Apparently the new Cayman and Boxter will get direct injection, the new seven speed PDK transmission for faster shifts than the conventional six-speed manual box and a limited slip differential. Now stop your WOWs because there’s more. Because of all these, the Cayman is getting a 25 hp boost up to 320 hp and a 273 lb-ft torque.The other models won’t get direct injection, but something else. A displacement bump from 2.7- to 2.9-liters and a corresponding jump to 265 hp. The Boxster and Boxster S each will come with 10 fewer horsies under the hood, than the Cayman.
There’s also a Sport Chrono package included, that will be available along with Launch Control.
Seems like a good change under the hood, but do you have anything for us on the outside? Guess not now!
Audi A8, W12 Quattro, 2008
A friend of mine who writes car reviews found himself in a game of oneupmanship with a friend of his. My friend was given a Jaguar Super V8, 2008 to review. His friend drove an Audi A8, W12 Quattro, 2008.
The Audi won if for no other reason than the base sticker price. The Jag goes for $95,000. The Audi has a sticker price $140,000!!! Of course, that price includes
$6,300 for the Bang & Olufsen sound system
$3,200 for the 20-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires
$2,500 for the Palace Blue exterior paint
$2,100 for the adaptive cruise control
$1,500 for the rear-seat refrigerator
$790 for solar sunroof
$200 for heated steering wheel
$1,700 for gas-guzzler tax
My friend, Bill, tells the story of when he was in China. He was being driven in a Red Flag Chinese car on a road with no speed limit. The speedometer was tick-tick-ticking to the far right at about 220kph. Thinking to himself that he was going to die if the driver lost control he looked out the window to keep himself distracted. Suddenly, an Audi went flying by. Perhaps it was a predecessor to this 6.0 liter, 12-valve, 450 horsepower 2008 Quattro.
Oh, to own an Audi.
Pontiac G8, 2008
It seems that Pontiac hasn’t rolled out a full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan in more than 20 years. Twenty-two years to be exact. Enter the Pontiac G8. (This is not to be confused with the G8 Summit happening in Toyako.) The G8 will replace the Bonneville and the Grand Prix as well as the V8-powered GTO coupe. One trim has a 256 horsepower V6 engine, standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The other trim has 361 horsepower V8 and 6-speed automatic. Can you say 60mph in 5 secs?
Airbags, 6 of them, traction control, stability control, dual tailpipes 18″ alloy wheels, sports body kit….ah, and a 7-speaker audio system. The driver can’t hear the Vrroooom of the engine over the beautiful tunes. Pontiac says this car is the most powerful car in the U.S. available for less than $30K. Test driver James Raia at TheWeeklyDriver says the car’s shortcomings are no navigation system and finding the emergency brake. Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36K, drivetrain warranty, 5 years/100K, and corrosion 6 years/100K. Pontiac obviously thinks this car will look good while it lasts a long time.