Porsche GT3 Cup Car vs. Cayman GTR... on 11th Ave. - Gotta Love New York
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 09 April 2008 12:32
Last week at the New York Auto Show we had trouble getting a cab in front of Javitz Center, but somehow the cats at Garage 419 were able to shut down 11th Ave. long enough to race a couple muscled-up Porsches. Pitted in a street racing battle are a Farnbacher Loles GT3 cup car and a Farnbacher Loles Cayman GTR. Both Porsches aren't lacking for power either, as the rear wheels pushing each Stuttgart stud are tested to the limits during the race and at the post-event dueling donuts.
Three minutes of rubber-burning action is available after the jump, including a decisive winner in the main event. Make sure to check out the wild fish-tailing from the GT3 at the start of the race. The camera guy positioned between the two racers either has serious cojones for staying still or he has no idea how close he was to taking a Porsche to the mid-section.
Source AutoBlog / Youtube
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 April 2008 12:36 )
BMW ConnectDrive mobile internet video
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 09 April 2008 11:51
This is related to this article regarding BMW's in-car internet.
The Internet is everywhere, and later this year BMW is joining other digitally connected automakers with its own mobile web service. We gave you details on the ConnectDrive mobile Internet while we were in Geneva, and BMW TV is following up with video of how the technology works. After the jump is a short promotional video that shows what the BMW interface looks like from the cabin of a new X6. If you've got an iPhone or any other mobile device that uses the EDGE network for access to the web, try not to choke when ConnectDrive Internet boss Daniel Wittwer calls the surfing experience "fast and pleasant." Yeah, right. Regardless of the speed, the technology won't be available in the US any time soon, but it'll be available in Europe later this year.
Abt Sportsline Announce Reworked Golf R32
Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 April 2008 20:27
German tuner Abt Sportsline have gone to town on Volkswagen's fastest Golf model. The Abt R32 is the ultimate expression in performance for the everyday. Compact Golf dimensions and the R32's renowned sporting setup, the model is an 'ideal basis' for the tuner. "Whoever wants such a Golf wants an extremely fast compact car," says Hans-Juergen Abt. And it's evident the clientele won't go disappointed.
Horsepower raises from a leisurely 250 hp in production form to a rather more Abt 370 hp, the 120 hp hike achieved via a modified motor management system and the introduction of an Abt compressor kit with supercharger and air cooling system. The upgrades power a hike in top speed to over 270 kph (or 168 mph), while acceleration to 100 kph or 62 mph decreases from 6.2 seconds in production form to just 5.0 seconds.
The same dynamic performance is delivered both on the Autobahn and on winding country roads thanks to Abt's sports suspension kit, 'perfectly harmonising' with all 370 horses of the Abt R32's V6 engine.
An extraordinary vehicle is kitted out as such, primarily featuring 19-inch wheels and Abt decals but otherwise including only subtle bodykit modifications. A new side skirt and blackened once chrome dual exhaust pipes are the principle alterations. No details on any interior upgrades or kit release dates have been announced.
Source: Abt Sportsline via WorldCaFans.com
Last Updated ( Friday, 04 April 2008 20:31 )
Nissan GT-R meets the dyno
Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 April 2008 20:04
It was only a matter of time before the first consumer-owned Nissan GT-R in the U.S. made its way onto a set of dyno rollers. Edmunds Inside Line made the call to Harman Motive, Road Race Engineering (RRE) and Daryl Alison of JSpec Connect to organize a day of data collecting recently for the import from Japan. Harman and RRE happen to each house all-wheel-drive-capable dynos, with a Mustang and Dynapack, respectively. The two units were chosen because they each utilize different means of measuring vehicle power output, making for a range of results that can be more readily used for comparison purposes. And compare they do as a 997 Porsche 911 Turbo and 2008 BMW M3 happened to show up at the testing facilities that very same day, fancy that. Follow the jump to get a handle on the results.
The nature of the Mustang dynomometer's design lends it to typically produce power numbers at the lower end of the spectrum. When strapped down at Harman Motive, the GT-R spun its wheels to 406 hp at 6,400 rpm and 414 ft-lbs of torque at 3,800 rpm. The numbers may seem off from Nissan's rating at first glance, but that is only the result of parasitic losses. Large wheels and all-wheel-drive components create rather significant drag on engine output, thus reducing the available power as it transfers from the engine to the wheels. When overlaid with a pull from a 997 Porsche Turbo, recorded earlier on the same day, one can see that the V6 overtakes the flat-6 from 3,600 to 5,700 rpms. While it is nice to come up with high peak values, the real power lies in the area under the curves.
At RRE, the Dynapack's hub coupling design proved to be a source of disdain for the GT-R's drivetrain. The vehicle squirmed in its constraints as the engine soared through its revolutions. Two worthy pulls were accomplished before cryptic Japanese warnings ended the fun. The result came out to be 452 hp at 6,350 rpm and 448 ft-lbs of torque at 3,865 rpm. Standing alone, the numbers are confusing since they are significantly higher than those recorded by Harman Motive. They are also right on the manufacturer's marks despite including loses through the transmission and differentials. Thankfully, RRE owner Mike Welch chimed in on SoCalEvo.net with a chart overlay to interpret the data. After kicking the GT-R out of the shop, a new E92 V8-powered BMW M3 hooked up to the Dynapack. Despite the Bimmer's impressive flat torque curve, it didn't get anywhere close to catching up with Godzilla, except maybe when it comes to dealer markup.
Gas thieves moving beyond the hose, grabbing a drill
Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 April 2008 20:01
With the price of gas continuing its upward trajectory, the possibility of fuel theft is going to rise accordingly. Denver's own 9News is reporting that crooks are beginning to move beyond the traditional method of siphoning gas out of the tank by sucking on a hose placed inside the fuel tank and instead are busting out the power drill. The victimized vehicles are primarily SUVs whose higher ride height makes it easier for Mad Max-inspired criminals to get underneath and do their worst. While stealing fuel is a wholly bad idea in its own right, the idea of drilling into a metal tank filled with an explosive substance seems particularly insane. Then again, maybe these desperate criminals might be getting what's coming to them.
