Thursday, April 9, 2009

RIP: THIS BLOG

I've decided, through complete lack of interest from my readers (not that anyone would be reading this to begin with) that I am going to terminate this blog.

It's pointless. I feel as though I'm talking to myself, which I do everyday, anyway.

So, away with this blog. Let us never speak of this again. I'm just a nerdish guy trapped inside this high-octane fuelled world.

Audi RS6 = Best stationwagon ever

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

THE BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVERTISEMENT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK. In the SydneyMorningHerald (Saturday, 4th April, 2008), there lies an el-lame-o automotive section, with substandard journalists who think they can write about cars. I only read it because I know I can write better road tests than they can (and I don't even drive...YET).

Rick Damelian is an automotive retailer on Paramatta Road, somewhere. They have nice, big, shiny showrooms, where they display their multi-million dollar automotive masterpieces, such as the majestic and somewhat imposing Rolls Royce Phantom (a.k.a ROLLA), which was advertised as follows:

THE BEST OF PRESTIGE
2008 Rolls Royce Phantom - As new, 1,300 Kms Only
OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE OVER $350,000 ON NEW RRP WITH OPTIONS
(PICTURE OF CAR)
Majestic & Imposing $699,500*
For the Elite Only
yada yada yada
What I definately like most about the ad is the SAVE OVER $350,000 part. Some houses out west cost that much. Oh, but that doesn't matter to sir, because his chauffer-drive Rolls Royce doesn't travel further than Leichardt.
This car doesn't classify as a car. No. It's 7 metres long. It's a boat. It has a turning circle of 15 metres. It has fuel economy of astronomical proportions. It has a twin turbo charged, 450kW V12 engine, but a power to weight ratio of around 120kW to the tonne, and a 0-100km/h speed of 8 seconds. Briefly, it's a big, heavy motherf****r, that you would park in your driveway, and no matter how big your driveway is, its behind would still venture out into the street. You'd park one end of the car in your driveway and the other end would be in the next suburb.
I looked at the ad and laughed.
And laughed.
And laughed.
And congratulations to Jenson Button. 2/2. Very Nice.
And they don't let you test drive it anyway.
And does anyone know how to upload photos on this thing?

Friday, April 3, 2009

One of my deviant Social Experiment

Hey guys,

Can I just get a heads-up of what cars we're (or, our parents at least) are driving? Just blatantly out of curiosity, of which killed the cat.

Seeing this is my post, I'll start things off:
Mum drives a 2002 Holden VX Commodore S (3.8l Supercharged V6)
Dad drives a 2004 Toyota Hilux 4-door

How to make an unreal car even better

Volkswagen R32 Golf

Golf = 3/5 door hatchback, right? Hatchback = not really THAT much power? Think again.

The VW Golf, an already terrific car, works well in this era of mass fluctuations in oil prices and a period of economic downturn - it's economical, can fit the family (AHEM) and relatively inexpensice with a rather good resale value.

WHAT THE HELL??

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed that there is another series of VW produced Golfs, labelled the R32 series. Prices start at around a colossal $65,000, but what do you get for the $40-odd,000 price increase?

Firstly, the body shell remains the same, except for the addition of "meaner" looking grilles and bigger wheels and sports tyres. Traditionalistic Golfs contain VW's trademark FWD drive layout. For motoring-tragics, this means that all the power from the car's engine is sent directly to the front wheels, instead of the rear/all wheels (if that makes any sense whatsoever). This steroid-munching creature contains the AWD layout, similar to that seen on the new 911 and R35 GTR.

Standard Golf models contain one-of-three engine varities: a 1.6, 1.9 or 2.0l engines, generating 75-147kW respectively. Under the hood of the R32 lies a 3.2l V6 (yes, V6), generating 184kW and 320Nm of torque. In a car that weighs all of 1530kg.

This translates to the Golf reaching 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds (an SS Commodore doe it in 5.6, and its got 100 extra kW) and 0-400m in around 400m.

So, in my 10 car garage, would I have one? Definately. The R32 Golf is crazy-awesome: picture this - it's an oversized go-kart.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

A long time ago, but in relation to cars, so I thought why not.

Shelby Mustang GT500KR - Beauty meets beast

Anthony Daras January 18, 2008

Wheelsmag first-time blogger, Anthony Daras hits the rev limiter about the latest KR (King of the Road) Mustang, at least one of which is headed Downunder.

Mention mustangs, and most animal lovers probably think of horses and cute ponies. Other people may think of the World War II American fighter plane, the P-51D. But most would know that you’re talking about the iconic American performance car.

Over the past 40 years, the Ford Mustang has been updated both outside and in. Boss 302, Boss 429 and Mach 1 have become household names worldwide. Legendary Ford driver Carroll Shelby released heavily modified GT350 and GT500 Mustangs from the mid-1960s onwards. Now, Shelby and his team return to the world stage with this, the Shelby Mustang GT500KR. It’s the new ‘King of the Road’, and the fastest Mustang yet.

The KR is a limited production of only 1100 worldwide. Australian importer, Mustang Motorsport, has confirmed at least one car will come here later this year.

The GT500KR packs a Ford-SVT (Special Vehicles Team) supercharged 5.4L 32-valve V8, sweetened by a Ford Racing power upgrade. There’s around 403kW on tap and just under 700Nm of torque. The suspension has been tuned to suit the new found power, and the car sits 5mm lower than the standard Shelby Mustang.

Like a true muscle car, power is sent to the rear wheels and the brakes are huge. The front discs are 356mm up front, and the rears are only slightly smaller.

Other highlights of this Mustang on steroids include a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission, unique 18-inch Shelby designed rims, high-performance Ford Racing exhaust system, various 40th Anniversary badges and the iconic “silver-with-blue-stripes” paint finish. The bonnet is carbon-composite and, inside, there’s an ultra-retro white snooker ball gearknob on a shortened shifter.

Performance claims for the GT500KR haven’t been released, but it should reach 0-100km/h in less than five (yes, five) seconds and sprint from rest to 400m in around 11 seconds.Ford/Shelby Mustang GT500KR

Drivetrain: Front-engine (north-south), rear-wheel-drive
Engine: Front mounted, 5398cc, 32-valve V8 supercharged
Power: 403kW
Torque: 691Nm
Transmission: 6-speed (Tremec-6060) manual
Dimensions (l/w/h): 4780/1880/1380mm
Price: $A530,000

(published by Wheels Magazine, January 18, 2008)

On this day...

My uttermost congratulations must be sent out to Richard Branson's new Formula 1 Team, Brawn GP. At 10:30am Friday morning, Branson plastered his stickers of the Virgin Insustries on the two cars or Reubens Barichello and Jenson Button before they set out on their qualifying laps.

Little did they know, that the pair would return to qualify second and first respectively (of the abovemetioned), and go on to finish in the same positions.

Unfortunately, home-grown hero Mark Webber was taken out on the opening lap forcing him to retreat to the back of the pack.

So yeah, that's about it for my debut entry. Richard Branson, not bad mate. One from one.

Watch this space.