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 Automotive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automotive. Show all posts

Taking the Autonomous vehicle one step further...

Back in 2012, we did a write up on Driverless cars. It was a project that was/is spearheaded by Google and involved a test fleet of at least eight vehicles, consisting of six Toyota Prius, an Audi TT, and a Lexus RX450h. Fast forward to 2014, and the Geneva Motor Show. Swiss automaker Rinspeed has put forward their concept of an autonomous vehicle except this one takes it to the next level... in a Tesla S.

Rinspeed puts man at the center of the autonomous car. At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show Rinspeed presented the "XchangE" study to the public in a world premiere. It demonstrates how cars will 'move' us just a few short years from now, in both senses of the word. Frank M. Rinderknecht describes the status quo like this: "So far hardly anyone has taken this to its logical conclusion from the perspective of the driver. After all, traveling in a driverless car will no longer require me to stare at the road, but will let me spend my time in a more meaningful way." And then he poses the key question: How will the interior of a vehicle have to be designed to let the now largely unburdened driver make optimal use of the gain in time?

The Swiss company provides the answer with an all-electric touring sedan by the name of "XchangE". In best Helvetic tradition it was engineered by 4erC and built at Esoro. The vehicle features all-new seats reminiscent of the relaxing business-class seats of major airlines. The basic idea behind the seats that offer a host of adjustment, tilting and swiveling options comes from Otto Bock Mobility Solutions,
arguably the most renowned manufacturer of medical prosthetics worldwide. This results in more than twenty possible seating arrangements - a world record. The futuristic TRW steering wheel with hands-on recognition, drive-mode-manager display in the rim and transparent multifunction keys with ambiance lighting can simply be "parked" in the middle of the instrument panel together with the innovative lightweight steering column with bionic design from Georg Fischer Automotive. This feat is made possible by the multi-redundant "steer-by-wire" technology developed by Swabian Company Paravan, similar to what can be found on modern jet aircraft. It is therefore no wonder that the smart automotive visionary with a wink negates the famous advertising slogan that has become a popular phrase: "Not even flying is better from now on!"

Passengers will be able to assume virtually any seating or resting position when traveling in a fully autonomous vehicle in the future, which will require a completely new operating and display concept. It is supplied by infotainment specialist Harman. The new concept uses the manufacturer's all-new next-generation scalable infotainment platform, which is based on HTML5 and provides comprehensive protection against hacker attacks. In the "XchangE" it offers numerous functions for navigation, entertainment, assistance and services that are displayed on a total of four screens. A 1.2-meter-wide display strip in the steering-wheel support provides important information in wide-screen format. A 32-inch 4K monitor in the rear transforms the "XchangE" into a highly comfortable on-demand UHD movie theatre on wheels. It is controlled with simple gestures.



Of course the "XchangE" is also fully networked with the outside world. The in-car consolidation of real-time sensor data that is crucial for "Car2X" communications is handled by the infotainment system, which communicates with the Cloud via an integrated LTE module. Deutsche Telekom and its fast LTE network provide the secure data transmission. All incoming vehicle data - from the Harman infotainment system and other vehicle systems - are compiled and analyzed on a standardized "Business-to-Car" platform of Deutsche Telekom. The intelligent links to numerous other online data sources thus create travel-specific Cloud services such as warning messages or recommendations on route and driving profiles, which are available to all road users in real time. The more vehicles and service providers are networked via the manufacturer-independent "Business-to-Car" platform, the more everyone traveling by car benefits from added safety and convenience.

An intelligent access control system that uses RFID technology to identify the authorized driver or drivers switches on the essential functions of the "XchangE". It comes from the parts portfolio of forklift manufacturer Linde Material Handling. As on the company's forklifts and other materials handling equipment, the technical signals from the sensors and the vehicle control system are compiled by the "connect:" data-logging unit and transmitted continuously to the Cloud via the T network. The software of the "connect:" unit makes it possible to analyze all operating data and generate reports, for example for fleet operators.


For more information, visit the Rinspeed website.

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.

Driven: 2013 Skoda Yeti

We would put the Skoda Yeti in the same league as the Subaru Forester. They aren't exactly SUVs but do have the ground clearance like one. Spacious inside? Absolutely! Capable of lugging goods around? Most definitely. And they most definitely do not drive like SUVs, but more like regular cars!

The Skoda Yeti is a very understated, fly under the radar kind of vehicle. You could drive past one and not even give it a second glance, but that is the part of the charm. A reason for that is its plain Jane looks but the main reason we feel is because of the colors the Yeti is offered in. They are all very subdued, almost older person type colors with no fuss or pizzazz. Fortunately, the 2.0L diesel engine that powers the Yeti is anything but subdued! One can also have the peace of mind knowing that Skoda is basically backed by the VW group so you have the flexibility of interchangeable parts, not to mention the same fit and finish that one expects from VWs. The 2.0L turbo-diesel engine comes in 2 specifications, one producing 108 HP and the other 138 HP. We had the opportunity to test out the 4X4 version (the 4X2 FWD version was released after our test was completed) and boy were we surprised at the results.

Plus: The Skoda Yeti is as utilitarian and rugged as it gets (for something that isn't a full blown SUV). With multiple seating configurations, high ground clearance and torque-y motor, it tackles both on road and off road conditions with ease and aplomb all the while maintaining its composure. The Yeti does this without much fuss. The interior is well laid out and comes with all the creature comforts that one would expect from a VW Jetta. It is also very stable at highway speeds and we didn't face any trailing issues on the road. The 6 speed manual gearbox is snappy and the shifts short, crisp and precise. The all time 4WD definitely helps and we were pleasantly surprised by the road grip despite its relatively high center of gravity. Once you are in the power band (between 1800 RPM and about 3800 RPM), there is more than enough torque to keep you smiling and you will have to be careful not to break the speed limit! The Yeti did remind us of the Nissan Cube we tested in the sense where you could just dump a whole bunch of stuff and be on your merry way (of course we did say the interior of the Cube was Spartan but the Yeti's is anything but!).

Minus: Turbo lag. Until about 1800 RPM, you basically don't have much, but cross that number and you are in for a push you to the back of the seat moment when the boost kicks in. And we were a little disappointed with the relatively low red line (only 4200 RPM) and usable power band despite the fact that it is a diesel. The looks can go either way, it is very non-assuming and the colors offered are just the same. The cost is also quite high and we think it is going to be out of reach for a lot of people. Moreover, people will definitely think that they can get a lot more for their money. The biggest gripe we do have is the lack of good service especially since we have heard several horror stories of customers taking their vehicles to the dealership for services. Skoda should definitely take note of this if they haven't already.

Overall: We really loved the Yeti. It is not your run of the mill vehicle and the people that buy one know exactly what they are getting into. This is very evident from the fact that you don't see too many on the road. It is not a vehicle you buy to show off, but it is one of quiet confidence and quality. Due diligence is definitely required on the dealership the vehicle is purchased from especially considering all the negative feedback that has been received. It might be a little on the higher side in terms of cost, but which European brand isn't? But for the price, we would find it hard to find a more capable vehicle (in India at least). This is a vehicle we would definitely recommend purchasing.

The Skoda Yeti is currently on sale in India from Rs. 15,20,000 (~$25,000) to Rs. 19,00,000 (~$32,000) depending on options.

View the complete specifications of the Yeti.

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:

McLaren P1: Extreme Tests

Most readers would be aware that McLaren Automotive has released the successor to the wildly successful F1. Named the P1, it is every bit a race car for the street. Check out the specs on the P1 here.

Now, before a vehicle of this caliber is let out into the open, it does go through some heavy testing in some extreme conditions. The cars will have to face the intense heat in the Middle East or the freezing cold of the Russian winters. Here are some videos of the P1 being tested in the wild. They are slated to be released to the public this month.


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:

Is the 2013 Formula 1 season over?

It sure looks like it. With 6 wins already under his belt and a cushion of 53 points over his nearest rival, Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel has all but taken over his 4th Formula 1 title. Despite all the drama with the Pirelli tires this season, he has still managed to overcome all the odds and stay one step ahead of the curve the entire season. Good driver in a good car? Sure. But that doesn't take away from the almost runaway season he has had thus far. It is almost reminiscent of Michael Schumacher's title run with Ferrari last decade. There are slim odds that Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Mark Webber (who round up the top 5) will be able to catch Vettel this season and now it looks like the fight for the next 7 races is going to be for the Number 2 spot on the podium. For now, check out a cool mid season highlights reel of the 2013 Formula 1 Championship below:

First Pebble, then Samsung, possibly Apple and now... Nissan?

Don't let the title of the article throw you off. The SmartWatch is definitely here to stay. Just last week, Samsung unveiled it's Galaxy Gear smartwatch and Apple is expected to do the same during it's event on September 10th. In the midst of all this hoopla, Nismo, Nissan's Motorsports Division has released it's version of a smartwatch!

Geared towards Nissan gearheads, the gorgeously designed Nismo smartwatch has more than meets the eye. In addition to standard smartwatch features like connecting to your social accounts, drivers can see the average fuel consumption of their vehicle as well as average and top speeds, and on the track, they can access key data about the performance of their engine. In addition, the Nismo collects biometric data about drivers’ heart rates as they drive and maneuver their vehicles, all of which can be viewed on a companion mobile app. You also get notifications on your next service as well. Pretty cool huh?

The Nismo smartwatch comes in 3 colors, and in a sweet looking container that has to be opened up with an allen key (which is included). It is just too bad that it would only work for Nissan owners. Judging by the design, this is definitely the best looking smartwatch we have seen thus far, and had Nissan opened it up to the world, there is no telling the reach it could possibly have. Do check out the video of the Nismo SmartWatch below:


An event just for SUV owners - hosted by the Terra Tigers

No matter where you are in the world, most SUVs will never see terrain that they are meant to be driven on. They are purchased for the sake of luxury or in most cases, as a status symbol. Breaking the mold is no easy feat, but slowly, over time, it can be done. The Terra Tigers from Chennai are one such group that is attempting to break the myth about off roading that you will end up breaking something if you take your vehicle off road. Much to the surprise of a lot of people, with some skillful maneuvering and throttle management, it is good to see even 2WD vehicles hang with the generally tougher and purpose built 4WD vehicles, albeit on not so elevated terrain.

We were witness to the past event in which Renault also sent a couple of their vehicles, the Duster and the Koleos, to see how they perform in terrain and situations they normally would not come across. Needless to say, we were quite impressed and how both vehicles handled the obstacles through at them. Each does have its plus and minus points, the Duster with it's ground clearance but lack of 4WD, the Koleos with 4WD but lack of ground clearance! They still made it through pits designed to check articulation, rock climbs and some slush without much fuss (although the Koleos did have a very hard time in the slush and had to get yanked out).

We also had the folks from Channel Ufx who were onsite filming a special on off roading in the area. It is good to see the word spread out and interest grow over time. They were treated to some spirited action across diverse terrain all in a short span of time. It will be interesting to see what their finished product looks like!

The SUV Off Road Excursions is not just for the hardcore driver. It is designed to be a family event where people can experience something their vehicle would normally not come across. This was evident in the attendance of the event where one could see children running around and the elderly relaxing in the shade. It also makes for a very endearing event and the general consensus across the group of participants was very positive. That is definitely good to see. These events are generally held once every couple of months so the experience stays fresh in everyone's minds.

For more information on SUV Off Road Excursions, visit their Facebook page. For pictures from the event, click here. And do check out some of our videos below:


Porsche Workshop... in Chennai, India!

It is not every day you come across over close to 4 million dollars worth of Porsches in the same place at the same time. Let alone in India. Do keep in mind the prices paid in India for premium models such as Porsche are taxed about 160% on top of the base price. Which makes the cost of premium model ownership in India a very, very expensive proposition. Only reserved for the ultra-wealthy. And being part of such an ultra exclusive club also comes with disadvantages. Primarily, the lack of service centers for these beauties. Fortunately for the lucky few, Porsche tied up with the folks at IgNite the garage in Chennai for a 3 day workshop where Porsche owners could bring in their vehicles and get them checked out. Services included minor oil changes to major parts replacement as well.
 
The workshop saw a few local owners with their vehicles while others had their vehicles trucked in from as far as Mumbai. Porsche Bengaluru's entire service team (they actually shut down their service center in Bengaluru for the duration of the event!) was ready and setup at the IgNite premises and the technical head from Porsche India was also present. It was quite the site to see so many Cayennes and 911s all lined up awaiting their turn under the wrench. It also gave owners and gawkers a chance to mingle with the guys from Porsche and pick their brains a bit. We were surprised to hear about the rate at which Porsches are flying off the showroom floors. Doesn't matter how much cash you have or which model you are looking for, you are still going to have to wait for a few weeks just to get your hands on one! A few years ago, if someone had told us this (let alone the fact that there were so many Porsches in the same place), we would have laughed our behinds off. Still, it is definitely a sign of the times. Globalization is on in full force.
 
Check out a few shots from the workshop here.

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.

 

The Palar Challenge 2013

The Palar Challenge is known as India's Toughest 4X4 Off-Road Competition. And for good reason. The mixture of hard sand, soft sand, clay, slush, rocks, climbs and drops makes for quite the spectacle and challenge for competitors. The 2013 edition was truly a national event with teams being represented from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Punjab! From very humble beginnings with just 6 teams, The Palar Challenge has come to its own with 26 different teams from different parts of the country.

There were a number of firsts in this edition of TPC. Beginning with the first time ever that we saw almost non-stop rain to the fact that the competition was won by a team competing at TPC for the first time, the wide range of terrain sure made for quite the challenge for all teams participating. With a mixture of near stock vehicles to completely competition prepped vehicles, it was also quite the sight for the participants and spectators alike!

It was heartwarming to see teams who participated from outside the region. Beginning with Team Gerrari who fielded 2 teams and had their vehicles trucked in all the way from Chandigarh (and with their we can do attitude) to Team Coorg who's relaxed and laid back style, it was truly a joy to see such diverse driving styles. We also cannot forget the team from Pune, the Pathfinders, the BODA boys from Bangalore, and the Hyderabad Jeepers who put their heart and soul into the event. Despite several challenges in the 3 days, they fixed their vehicles in the rain and darkness and still trucked on without losing their focus one bit. The same holds true for the boys from KTM Jeepers who we are sure would have been in contention for top honors hadn't it been for some minor mishaps along the way. The event also saw it’s only female driver who braved it all for 3 days and made it to the finish line. The list would be incomplete without the inclusion of legendary Rally Driver Mr. Jagat Nanjappa who was competing as part of the second Coorg team. It was truly an honor to watch a legend compete in the event. And finally to the local boys, Triveni for completing the entire event without a single breakdown. That in itself is something to be proud of. Palar is known to demand a sacrifice every time you set out and it was no different this time either. Even the marshals have faced several challenges during recces.

The Palar Challenge is truly a test of man and machine and considering the interest and participation in TPC 2013, it will be great to see the turnout for the event in 2014. Mark your calendars everyone!

Here are some of the videos that we took during the event:


You can also check out the Official TPC Facebook Page here.

The end of an era... again!

Well, it's official. Again. And this time, he says it's final. 7 time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has announced his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the season this year. He will be replaced at Mercedes AMG Petronas by Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming season. The 43 year old record holding 91 time race winner didn't have quite the impact he'd hoped when he came out of retirement in 2010 but he was still a joy to watch on track.

“I decided to retire by the end of the year 2012. At some point, it is time to say ‘good bye’ I still feel I am capable of competing against the best but the time sometimes comes to say goodbye and this time it might be forever,” he said at the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team motor home. Schumacher’s first stint in F1, between 1991 and 2006, saw him enter the sport’s record books, winning 7 championship titles and 91 races. He dominated Formula 1 when he won five world titles in a row with Scuderia Ferrari from 2000 - 2004.

Despite his retirement, we are pretty sure Schumi will still be around the world of motorsport. We wish him the best of luck. Check out a video of Schumi's career and achievements below.

The successor to the McLaren F1 is finally here

It's called the P1. Just look at it. It was rumored to have about 900HP with an F-1 style KERS system in place and a whole lot more... but those were rumors. What is true is the P1 has some large shoes to fill. On paper it looks impressive, with the carbon MonoCell weighing under 80kgs, a lightweight 3.8L V8 twin turbo engine that revs to 8500rpm with 80% of torque available below 2000rpm and a 7 speed dual clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) just to name a few of the goodies. Unfortunately the driver doesn't get to sit in the middle, but just by looking at the designs it is quite obvious a lot of development has gone into every single minute detail of the car. Several Formula 1 style elements are also incorporated into the design of the car that is expected to cost well above that of the MP4-12C. Here are some of the actual technical specifications and performance figures:
  1. Engine Capacity: 3,799cc
  2. Type: 90 degree V8
  3. Technology: Twin-Turbo, Dry Sump
  4. Max rpm: 8,500
  5. Power: 625PS (460kW) 616bhp @ 7,500 rpm
  6. Torque: 600Nm / 443lb ft @ 3,000-7,000 rpm
  7. Maximum speed: 333km/h (207mph)
  8. 0-100kph (62mph): 3.3s (3.1s with Corsa tyres)
  9. 0-200kph (124mph)L 9.0s (8.8s with Corsa tyres)
  10. 0-400m (1/4 mile): 10.8s @ 218kph (135mph)
  11. 0-1,000m: 19.5s @ 274kph (170mph)
  12. 0-60mph (97kph): 3.2s (3.0s with Corsa tyres)
  13. 0-100mph (161kph): 6.2s (6.0s with Corsa tyres)
Looking for more information including high resolution images? Get them right here. Are you drooling yet? We sure are!

How many Ferraris do you see?

A Ferrari is one of the most exotic vehicles money can buy. It isn't as though you come across one of these vehicles on a daily basis (at least in most places around the world). You might come across a couple here and there, but we can guarantee you haven't seen these many... in one place. How many do you ask? Not 5, not 10, not a 100 but 964!

This gathering of 964 Ferraris at the Silverstone race track in the UK as part of Ferrari Racing Days has set a new world record for the largest single gathering of Prancing Horses, smashing the previous record of 490 cars set in 2008 at Japan’s Fuji Speedway Circuit. The procession was even led by current Ferrari Formula 1 driver, Felipe Massa. We can only imagine what an awesome sight it must have been in person. Check out the video below and see for yourselves!

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!