Adrenaline Shot: The Aston Martin DB9 Special

James Bond started it with the DB5. Let us take an inside look at the latest iteration of the DB series, the DB9.

Showing posts with label Adrenaline Shot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrenaline Shot. Show all posts

The Koenigsegg Obsession: One:1

Sometimes, obsession is a good thing. What we are referring to of course, is Koenigsegg's obsession with weight savings, and giving exactly what customers are looking for... and then some. How about 1360HP in a car that weighs 1360kgs? Sure, why not. Formula 1 technology included? Absolutely. Incidentally, 1360HP equates to 1MW (megawatt), so effectively Koenigsegg may have just developed the first, not Supercar, but Megacar!

How does it perform you ask? Well, the One:1 is a car
that can pull 2G around a skidpad, do 0-400km/h in under 20 seconds and in case you ever begin to wonder how exactly the car is performing, it will provide all the information you would ever need right on your smartphone (more on this below). How cool is that? It is also fitted with GPS so that if you decide to take it out on the track (it is being built just for that purpose based on customer requests - but be careful of those carbon fiber wheels), drive around the track once, the GPS can learn the track and the next time around, make suspension adjustments on the fly as you drive around praying your face doesn't get ripped off. Oh and when it comes to weight savings, almost everything, and we do mean EVERYTHING is carbon fiber, right from the monocoque to the wheels and even the suspension!

Telenor Connexion provides Koenigsegg with an end-to-end solution including cloud services, a web interface and an app for smartphones and tablets. Using the app, Koenigsegg’s exclusive car owners will get direct access to statistics such as recent runs, average speed, top speed, lap time, g-force etc. Further, it enables them to remotely track the car, its fuel level and battery status as well as access the latest software. Oh and get this, you can even control the ride height and the angle of the wing using the smartphone app!

The benefits to Koenigsegg, besides the added customer functionality, is that the solution provides easy access to vehicle statistics and that it enables the manufacturer to optimize the vehicle’s performance remotely over time. It really does look like they have thrown conventional wisdom out of the window (as they usually do) and have completely redesigned what a car should/can be. Sadly though, there will only be 6 of these ultra-exclusive vehicles (that have already sold out), so good luck trying to see one in the flesh. For now, we'll just be happy ogling at pictures of the One:1 and try not to let our jaw hit the ground. It does look like 2014 is the year of the Super/Megacar.

For more information and the detailed specifications of the One:1, visit Koenigsegg's website.

The Aston Martin DB9 Special

The Aston Martin DB series is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history, partly due to the fact that it is James Bond's vehicle of choice, and due to Aston's own racing pedigree. The DB9 grand tourer is a combination of suave, sexy, muscle and elegance in a gorgeously well sorted package. With a 6.0 L naturally aspirated V12 putting out 510HP and a colossal 620 Nm of torque, the DB9 is no slouch and crosses the 60mph mark a little over the 4.5 second mark all the way up to a top speed of 183mph. Not bad for a GT car that weighs almost 1800 kilos!

The latest version of the DB9 took an extraordinary collaborative effort to achieve. Nearly 50% of all parts and more than 70% of all body panels are new, but it is as timeless and elegant as ever. Judging by the looks alone, it looks like Aston Martin took a some of the best elements from the previous DBS and the Virage and have incorporated it into the newest package. The fanatic attention to detail is not just on the outside though. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and the occupants are
cocooned in absolute luxury. Master designers worked with expert craftsmen and produced a level of fit and finish unheard of in a Grand Tourer. Take the flowing leather welts - custom made by hand in new facilities, the control switches – made of real glass, the leather – the finest Bridge of Weir hides. The result? The most luxurious Aston Martin DB9 in history.

We could keep going on and on and on about how beautiful the DB9 looks, or how they used the 'Golden Ratio' in the design out of the exterior, or what a glorious exhaust note the DB9 has but seeing is believing. Take a look at the video below. You know the drill... lights out, speakers up!


To know more about the DB9, check out their website.

Adrenaline Shot: Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

As the successor to Lamborghini's best selling model of all time the Gallardo, their latest installment does have some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, by the looks of it, the Huracán LP 610-4 (the LP stands for the engine orientation - Longitudinale Posteriore, 610 is the power produced by the engine and the 4 stands for the fact that the vehicle is all wheel drive and power is delivered to all 4 wheels) does exactly just that. Now while it has taken quite a few design cues from both the crazy Aventador and the Veneno, it still looks the business without being too outlandish. And in case you are wondering if it truly is a suitable replacement for the Gallardo, just take a look at the specs:

  1. Engine Type: V10 90° IDS, 40 valves
  2. Displacement: 5,204 cm³ (317.6 cu.in.)
  3. Maximum power: 610 HP (449 kW) @ 8,250 RPM
  4. Maximum torque: 560 Nm (412 lbft) @ 6,500 RPM
  5. Lubrication system: Dry sump
  1. Top speed: 325 km/h (202 mph)
  2. Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.2 s
  3. Acceleration 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph): 9.9 s
  1. Dry weight: 1,422 kg (3,135 lb)
"One man, One Car, One Mission: Drive Faster than the Storm." That's the tagline for the first official video of the Gallardo replacement and we have included it below for your viewing pleasure.


To know more about the Huracán, visit the official website.

Adrenaline Shot: McLaren P1

Now that the venerable McLaren P1 is finally out, all the automotive magazines and TV shows have been chomping at the bit to give the newest bad boy on the block a proper thrashing. I mean, who wouldn't!? With 900+ HP on tap, running on sci-fi technology, the P1 has truly become the latest benchmark the realm of automobiledom. Designed by Air is what McLaren calls it and to know more about the design ethos, click here. With a starting price tag of over a Million Euros, it goes without saying that you aren't going to see too many of them on the road. Fortunately for us, the team at /Drive got their hands on the P1 along with Chris Goodwin, McLaren's Chief Test Driver in Abu Dhabi no less. Having spent a significant amount of time in the region, we can safely say that it is one of the best places to test out the P1 considering the road quality and vast expanse of near nothingness. This video is every car nut's wet dream. So turn off the lights, turn up the speakers, kick back and relax!

Adrenaline Shot: Ferrari 458 Speciale

You've heard of the Ferrari 458, we're sure. What Ferrari just came out with at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show is the stripped down, raw version of the 458, called the Speciale. So what's so special you ask? Well, take a look at the specs below:
Engine Type: V8 - 90°
Bore and stroke: 94 x 81 mm (3.7 x 3.2 in)
Overall displacement: 4497 cm3
Compression ratio: 14:1 (this is not a typo)
Maximum power: 445 kW (605 cv) at 9000 rpm
Maximum torque: 540 Nm at 6000 rpm
Maximum revs (limiter): 9000 rpm

Oh yeah, it gets from 0-62mph in 3.0 secs - THREE - and hits 124mph in 9.1secs.

Oh, and don't forget the aero. The Speciale has uhh... special flaps on its nose that activate at around 105 mph to reduce drag and generate downforce. There are side vanes just in front of the rear wheelarches, and there's a completely new rear diffuser and spoiler, all of which make this the most aero efficient Ferrari road car ever. Ok, enough talk. Check out the video below. Are you drooling yet?


Once you are done with that video, and if you are wondering about the aerodynamics of the Speciale, check out the video below:

Adrenaline Shot: Ferrari LaFerrari

The successor to the Ferrari Enzo is finally here and it is called the Ferrari LaFerrari. This translates to uhh... the Ferrari the Ferrari. But what's in a name right? I mean, it's a Ferrari after all. And its first hybrid at that. What everyone is going to be concerned about are the specs.

The LaFerrari's mid rear mounted 65° V12 Engine has a 6.3L capacity producing 800 PS (588 kW; 789 bhp) @ 9,000 rpm and 700 Nm (516 lbft) of torque @ 6,750 rpm, supplemented by a 163 PS (120 kW; 161 bhp) KERS unit (called HY-KERS), which will provide short bursts of extra power. Unlike conventional hybrid vehicles, in which either the electric motor or the internal combustion engine is running, the KERS system adds extra power to the combustion engine's output level for a total of 936 PS (688 kW; 923 bhp) and the total torque generated by the V12 together with the electric motor being over 900 Nm (664 lbft). It is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the car is rear-wheel drive. This is Formula 1 type technology that is being stuffed into a road car, much like the McLaren P1 or the Porsche 918 Spyder.

The car is equipped with carbon-ceramic Brembo discs on the front (398 mm) and rear (380 mm), with the tires measuring 265/30 R 19 and 345/30 R 20 respectively. And it is going to need them considering the fact that the top speed of the LaFerrari is above 220 mph. Ferrari states that the car has a top speed exceeding 350 km/h (220 mph), and that it is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in under three seconds, 200 km/h (120 mph) in under seven seconds, and a speed of 300 km/h (190 mph) in under 15 seconds. Enough of numbers for now, check out the promotional video from Ferrari below:

Adrenaline Shot: Ferrari F40 vs. F50

2 iconic supercars. One built in 1987 on the 40th anniversary of Ferrari and the other built to honor the 50th anniversary of Ferrari. Both were road going versions of race cars with an almost unseen rawness to them. Their characteristics couldn't be any different from each other though. The F40 was powered by a 2.9L Twin-Turbo V8 while the F50 was powered by a 4.7L naturally aspirated V12. Both are capable of going over 200MPH. Very rarely do we get to see either of these cars, let alone together. But this time, the guys from /DRIVE, really have a treat for us. Both these bad boys, on a wide open track, driven the way they were meant to be. So turn off the lights and turn up the volume on your speakers. Here is some driving nirvana.

 

Adrenaline Shot: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

The Aston Martin Vanquish doesn't need much of an introduction. If there is a car that oozes class, luxury and sex appeal, the Vanquish would be it. Aston's racing heritage (not to mention the cool factor) has definitely been put to good use in its revamped Vanquish. And for good reason too especially considering the sales of its Virage model were less than stellar and production was ceased after just 1000 units. It doesn't matter one bit though. With this offering, the Virage can be thought of as a minor hiccup because we are pretty sure dealers are going to be very busy trying to fill orders as soon as this baby goes on sale (or before). 

Unveiled to the public in June 2012, Vanquish represents a continuation of Aston Martin's tradition in producing some of the most beautiful cars in the world. Aston Martin says that the coupe model is capable of a 0-62 mph (100km/h) time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph (295km/h). The Vanquish will be available as a 2+2 or 2+0 seater with first deliveries expected to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2012, and in North America early next year.


Powered by a significantly revised naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine mated to the proven Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox, the new car offers suitably impressive performance figures. The V12’s power peak of 565 bhp (573 PS) makes it Aston Martin’s most potent production model yet, outmuscled only by the strictly limited edition £1.2m One-77 supercar.  

The raw statistics speak for themselves: 573 PS at 6,750 rpm, 620 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph place the Vanquish firmly into supercar territory. Yet the brand’s team of engineers have been working towards economy and emissions improvements, too.

The latest engineering methods, innovative technologies and typically understated classic British design come together to make the muscular new Vanquish a true super GT. For instance, each body panel on the car is constructed from carbon fibre because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility of form. Meanwhile torsional rigidity is improved by more than 25%.

Prices will start from roughly £189,995 in the UK, $279,995 in the United States, and CA$296,000 in Canada. So what does this baby look like in motion? Check out the video below and enjoy!

Adrenaline Shot: Porsche 911 GT3RS

Sports car manufacturers entice the public by putting out lighter, stripped  out versions of their best sellers. And then there are some manufacturers who go one step further and take lightweight to the extreme. Such is the case with the Porsche 911 GT3RS. The RS is 20kg (44lbs) lighter than the GT3, weighing in at 1375kg (3031lbs). This weight saving is achieved by the use of an adjustable carbon fiber wing, a plastic engine cover, and a lightweight plastic rear window (but this isn't available in all markets).

One characteristic of the new RS is the body, which is 44 mm (1.7 in) wider at the rear in comparison to the 911 GT3. The rear end conceals a wider track that improves directional stability and also increases the potential cornering grip. The downside is that drag is increased, and top speed reduced. But the GT3RS isn't a car people would buy to go straight in a fast line, this bad boy is born to carve those corners as quickly as it can. Take a look at the video below. It will give you an idea of what we are talking about!

Adrenaline Shot: Toyota GT86

Toyota has brought back the iconic 86 badge after a long hiatus. More commonly known as the Hachi-Roku, the name refers to the Toyota Corolla Levin series AE86 and the Toyota Sprinter Trueno series AE86, a particular series of cars sold in the early eighties that were the personal favorite of every drifter wannabe. The Toyota 86 is developed jointly by Japanese automobile manufacturers Toyota and Subaru. Like its predecessor, it is a 2 door, 2+2 seater, front engined and rear wheel drive.

The 2.0L 4 cylinder boxer engine is naturally aspirated and has a relatively high 12.5:1 compression ratio that results in 197HP and 151lb ft torque. Not too shabby for a car that weighs less than 2700lbs. The commercial below was posted on the Toyota UK site and is uber cool. For those of you who have played Max Payne before, just keep that at the back of your head as you watch it ;)

Adrenaline Shot: Lamborghini Aventador J Roadster

Unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Aventador J Roadster is the topless version of the already insane Aventador. Just when you thought Lamborghini had just developed one of their best looking (and performing) cars, they came up with this one. And it is simply stunning. The roofless and windowless concept car uses the same V12 engine as the Aventador and develops 700HP which is transmitted to the wheels via its seven speed automated transmission. The car has also been stripped of its air conditioning and radio units to save further weight. Cost? 2.8 Million dollars. The video below is sure to get your heart racing.

Adrenaline Shot: Honda Accord

One of the most reliable vehicles, the Honda Accord has achieved considerable success through the years. It did go through a slump in the early 2000s which was when Wieden + Kennedy proposed a new advertising strategy to Honda, based on the company's Japanese motto, "Yume No Chikara" ("Power of Dreams"). The stated goal of the campaign was to increase Honda's share of the UK market to five percent within three years and to change the public image of the brand from "dull but functional" to "warm and consumer-friendly". The campaign (and commercial) was very successful both critically and financially.

Adrenaline Shot: Audi R8

The Audi R8 was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance division, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. Workers fit about 5000 parts by hand to produce the R8 at the factory at Neckarsulm. The most powerful version of the R8 uses a 5.2 litre FSI engine based on the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo, but is re-tuned to produce a power output of 518HP and 391lb ft torque. All this equates to a 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (0 to 62.1MPH) time in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 317 kilometres per hour (197MPH). Check out the commercial for the R8 below:

Adrenaline Shot: Mini Countryman

For most of us, it began as a joke. Mini, a company known for one of the most iconic compact cars of all time coming up with an SUV. Against all odds, the Mini Countryman looks like a success with sales figures proving all the naysayers wrong.

The Countryman is offered with a choice of two or four wheel drive (known as ALL4), and with 1.6L petrol or diesel and 2.0L diesel four cylinder engines. We haven't had a chance to test it yet, but based on our experiences with other Minis, we are pretty sure it will live up to its name. Here is a very cool commercial from Mini on the Countryman.

Adrenaline Shot: 2012 BMW M5

The BMW M5 is a high performance version of the BMW 5 Series built by the Motorsport (M) division of BMW. First introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1984, the first incarnation of the M5 was hand built utilizing the 535i chassis and a modified BMW M1 engine, being the fastest production sedan in the world at the time of its introduction. The latest iteration of the BMW M5 is the F10 version and uses the S63 biturbo 4.4 liter V8 engine. The engine produces 560HP and 502 lb ft of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is 4.4 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Check out one of the coolest commercials for the M5 below:

Adrenaline Shot: Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

At a cost of 1.1 Million Euros (if you can even find one), the limited run Lamborghini Reventón Roadster is as exclusive as it gets. With a top speed of 205mph, this Italian beast blasts from 0-60mph in just 3.3 seconds. In line with Lamborghini tradition, the Reventón is named for a fighting bull. Check out the commercial for this Stealth Fighter looking Reventón below.

Adrenaline Shot: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

Here is the second installment of Adrenaline Shot. It is a commercial of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. This variant of the Veyron features an engine power increase from the standard 1,001 metric horsepower (736 kW; 987 bhp) to 1,183 metric horsepower (870 kW; 1,167 bhp) and torque of 1,500 N·m (1,100 lb ft) and a revised aerodynamic package. It has a 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) top speed, making it the fastest road car in production, although it is electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph) to protect the tyres from disintegrating.

Adrenaline Shot: Pagani Zonda R

We at hapless geek are always thinking about interesting ideas to share with you the reader. We have been covering races, production of major car manufacturers and other automotive related topics. We even took a look at how auto commercials are filmed. So why not the actual commercials themselves? So here we go. We bring to you, Adrenaline Shot. We recommend turning off the lights, turning up your speakers and watching these shots in fullscreen. We will post the coolest automotive commercials that are sure to give you an effect similar to an adrenaline shot. And what better way to start than with the Pagani Zonda R. Below we have the the commercial for the Pagani Zonda R, the craziest creation to come out of designer Horatio Pagani's stables.