Images coming from Japan today are horrific and it's only in moments like these that we're reminded what an overwhelming force nature really is. If cars are to blame for global warming, then what you will see in the videos after the break could be interpreted as nature's revenge on automobiles.
The massive tidal wave triggered by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake swept everything in its path along the northern and eastern coasts of Japan, creating biblical scenes like these, in which the tide took cars, boats and all sorts of debris away as if they were toys. Surprisingly, despite the massive earthquake and tons of debris from the tsunami, the bridge stood motionless.
You probably think Sweden is all about IKEA, ABBA and Volvos. Of course you do because, like me, you base all your cultural assumptions on asinine, outmoded stereotypes. Though few would be so willing to admit it, we�ve all done it from time to time, mostly when drunk off our backsides around the family barbie.
So what if I told you the Swedes � well, a few of them anyways � were big into racing stripped out, turbocharged Volkswagen Scirocco�s packing AWD and 627 hp (468 kW)? And not simply racing them but racing them on snow and ice. You heard right, and we have the video to prove it.
Sadly, we don�t know much more about the car and its driver than what we�ve given so far; our Swedish isn�t even as good as our grammatically flawed German and poorly enunciated French. Still, it�s a fun video to watch, and the sonorous sound of the turbo gives me goosebumps all down my back.
Check out the video and leave your comments in the section provided below.
After the first couple of somewhat cryptic teaser films, BMW allowed Evo Magazine�s Chris Harris to sit behind the wheel of its upcoming 2012 M5 sports saloon and share the video with the rest of the world.
The Bavarian company is still keeping mum on the performance details, but officials confirmed that the twin-turbocharged V8 lump that replaces the outgoing M5�s 507HP V10 will have more oomph than on the X5 M / X6 M. �Do you really think we would give it less than an X6M?�, BMW officials told Harris. In the X6 M, the twin-turbo V8 kicks out 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque.
So what were his initial thoughts about the car after a quick test drive of a pre-production M5? �It felt like an M-car in the correct sense: purposeful, but not too aggressive,� Harris wrote. �To me this car feels like its DNA has been drawn from the E39 M5. It�s a less frenzied machine than the one it replaces: it has torque and flexibility but still the killer pace every M5 owner requires.�
Aston Martin released the first driving footage of its new V8 Vantage S. Available as a coupe or a roadster, the S is more powerful than the standard V8 model, has a different gearbox and a track-oriented suspension.
The 4.7-liter V8 powerplant has been tuned to deliver 430HP and 490 Nm (361 lb-ft) of torque, an increase of 10HP and 20 Nm respectively. The Vantage S also sports a new 7-speed Sportshift II transmission, which has shorter gear ratios and changes gears 20 percent faster than the standard 6-speed box offered on the V8 Vantage. The company didn't reveal details about the 0 to 100 km/h sprint, communicating only the top speed - 305 km/h (189 mph).
The suspension received new springs and dampers, while the front brakes are larger than on the standard model. On the outside, the V8 Vantage S has a new front bumper sporting a large air intake and a splitter, prominent side sills and a redesigned rear bumper.
You can get a taste of the Vantage S� V8 soundtrack by watching the video below, which was shot at the Ascari circuit in Spain. If you can get past the annoying music, that is...
After a photo preview at the end of last year, the racing version of McLaren's all-new supercar has been revealed in England, where the car undertook its first shakedown tests. Built by McLaren GT, a new company set up by the McLaren Group and CRS Racing, the MP4-12C GT3 had its debut test outings at the MIRA proving ground facility and the Silverstone Circuit.
Based on the standard MP4-12C, the GT3 version uses the same one-piece carbon MonoCell chassis, which weighs just 75 kilograms (165.3 lbs). Spectacular race spec composite body panels and a fixed rear wing have been added to the MP4-12C GT3, while the new aerodynamics package includes a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvres in the front fenders.
�The car is around 100mm wider than the standard production car and features a new suspension system which we have tested in the McLaren Simulator. Having now experienced this new set-up in the 12C GT3 car, I�m delighted with the progress we are making,� said Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren GT project manager. The MP4-12 C GT3 uses the same 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine from the road car, tuned to race specification. The unit is linked to an all-new racing gearbox developed by Ricardo and fitted with paddle-shift system.
The tests were a good occasion for McLaren to introduce its newest test driver, 26-year-old Alvaro Parente, with the company planning to have a team of six test drivers by mid-2011. The shakedown will be followed by comprehensive tests scheduled throughout March and April at a number of FIA certified circuits across Europe. Details about the driver line-up and race programme for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will be revealed after these tests. Starting next year, McLaren GT will also supply and support a limited number of FIA GT3-compliant racing cars for privateers.
A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the northeast part of Japan earlier this morning triggering a 10-meter high tsunami on the coasts of the country sweeping away homes, cars and buildings. The disastrous earthquake, which was followed by many aftershocks, is said to be the world's fifth-largest since 1900 and the biggest in Japan in 140 years.
The full extent of damages caused by the earthquake and the ferocious tsunami remain unknown for now, but we�re already hearing news of people being evacuated and many homes and factories destroyed.
On the automotive front, Toyota and Honda were forced to shut down some of their production plants and evacuate their workers from several factories in the quake zone. According to reports, Toyota, which has a large manufacturing presence in northern Japan, was affected the most with the shutdown possibly affecting production of cars like the Yaris sedan and the Scion xB and xD models.
Honda initially closed down both its Suzuka and Sayama plants, but production at the first factory resumed shortly after. The Sayama plant, which manufactures the US-bound Fit among other models, remains closed.
The story goes that right after World War 2, some crazy Germans decided to craft a one-of-a-kind racecar built around a BMW V12 engine made for airplanes: a 1925 46.0-liter 12-cylinder unit, to be precise. There was no a shortage of these kind of engines in that era, since Germany wasn't allowed to own any military aircrafts.
They had a problem however: the engine tipped the scales at 510 kg (1,124 lbs) and was huge measuring 1.8 meters long, 1.1 meters tall and 0.87 meters wide. Finding a proper chassis was difficult, but they managed to get hold of a 1908 American LaFrance car that could withstand the weight of the beast. It took the builders several years to complete the car, which was manufactured in a workshop belonging to the Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim and was given the name Brutus.
According to the museum, the engine puts out 500 horsepower at 1,500 rpm, while other sources claim 750 hp at 1,700 rpm (for only one minute). Its fuel consumption is 1 liter/km (2.35 mpg), hence the huge fuel tank, and the car is said to comfortably cruise at speeds of over 100 km/h (62 mph) at just 800 rpm.
The BMW Brutus is owned by the Sinsheim Museum in Germany where it can be seen today. Since it's hard to find accurate data about the Brutus, we'd appreciate it if any of you happen to know more about the car, dropped us a comment below.
Over the next few weeks, some 200 handpicked journalists from all over the world will have the opportunity to try out Ferrari�s latest creation, the new FF sports car. Usually, a Ferrari presentation of this kind would take place at a race circuit, but not this time as Maranello chose the Plan De Corones ski resort in Italy to tout its new four-seater model�s all-wheel drive capabilities.
Being that the ski resort can only be reached by ski-lifts, Ferrari commissioned the help of the Italian air force to transport the two press cars at the top of Plan De Corones at 2,350 metres. A CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter from Viterbo�s 1st Regiment Antares and three Agusta 205 helicopters from the 4th Regiment Altair from the Italian air force in Bolzano, assisted Ferrari in moving the cars to the Dolomites. You can watch the air-lift in the video after the break.
In the late 1940s, as the world started to recover from the wounds of war, people were trying to leave the past behind and focus on the future. In fact, some individuals were so fascinated with the future that they tried to tune in it and predict the outcome. In this nostalgic video, we see how some people imagined the future of automobiles in 1948. Watch the clip after the break.
The clever minds over at the H-Paris agency are behind this new ad for Citroen�s Fiesta-rivaling C3 supermini called the �Bip Bip�. The witty commercial stars a young owner of an Innocenti Mini, which is a re-bodied version of the original Mini designed by Bertone. The spot shows the man trying to emulate the sounds of a modern day car�s electronic amenities. Not quite strong, but funny nevertheless. Hop over the jump to watch the extended-cut version of the commercial.
If this isn't the definition of irony, we don't know what is; the company that not only prides itself for being from Detroit but has also built its entire marketing campaign around its Motown city roots posted a tweet cursing Detroit drivers!
�I find it ironic that Detroit is known as the #motorcity and yet no one here knows how to fucking drive,� read the tweet on Chrysler�s official Twitter account earlier this morning. Shortly after, it was removed and Chrysler posted an apology.
If you�re thinking that this may have been the work of an outsider, you�re partially right. As it turns out, an employee of the social media company that runs Chrysler�s Twitter account New Media Strategies (NMS) posted the specific tweet. Chrysler quickly found out who the culprit was and not surprisingly, terminated the employee.
We can understand his / her frustration � hell, we�ve all cursed other drivers at some point, but unless the perpetrator mixed his personal account with the one he or she handles for Chrysler, the move doesn�t really make any sense. Chrysler�s official statement follows after the jump.
Statement in Response to Inappropriate Tweet from @ChryslerAutos
This morning an inappropriate comment was issued from the Chrysler brand Twitter handle, @ChryslerAutos, via our social media agency of record, New Media Strategies (NMS). After further investigation, it was discovered that the statement was issued by an NMS employee, who has since been terminated.
Chrysler Group and its brands do not tolerate inappropriate language or behavior and apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this communication. Furthermore, the Company has set in place appropriate steps to ensure that this does not happen again.
If there�s one motorsport event that�s least likely to see the light of day in Australia, its winter track days. We just don�t have the climate for it. Norway, on the other hand, is perfect for these sorts of things. All you need is some snow tires, the right sort of car (either AWD or RWD) and a large enough area of snow and ice.
From modern day Porsche 911�s to decades old 944�s, from Subaru WRX STi�s to Fiat Panda�s and even what looks to be a Tesla Roadster; these events attract all sorts both young and old, novice and experienced drivers alike. Filmed on a frozen lake called Tisleifjorden in Norway, this video has enough action to keep even the staunchest of ice racing fans happy.
Click through for the video or leave your piece in the comments section below. We�d also love to hear about any experiences you - the readers - have had with racing on ice or snow. Come on now, don�t be shy!
It would probably take more words than you�d be willing to read if we were to write down all the memorable quotes heard in the first two videos of Dan Kennedy and his wife picking up and then driving their McLaren F1, but here�s a taster:
�Honey, what happened to the steering wheel?�; �Where does the luggage go?�; �Ms. Kennedy: What are you trying to do me? Mr. Kennedy: Do you like that? Ms. Kennedy: I like it, it was really fun! Ohhhhh, Ohhhhh, Ohhhhh!�
The story has it that the first videos were shot in 2001 (but uploaded on the net much later), with Dan selling the McLaren in 2004. It also noted that he had the car repainted from its original silver finish to �a wild candy orange� by the factory in Woking. The third video is from a program that aired on the Discovery Channel called "Million Dollar Motors" and featured Dan�s F1. For more details on the story check out the links after the jump.
We know you have been waiting for it ever since you first laid your eyes on the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, and well, thanks to Carscoop reader Matt and his friend, here it is: the hair-raising sounds of the Raging Bull�s 700-horsepower strong 6.5-liter V12 engine as it awakens� Hit the break to watch the video clips and don�t forget to turn up the volume of your speakers...
The creators of the Fast & Furious franchise have unleashed the second trailer of the fifth installment of the gasoline-fueled series, which is scheduled for release on April 29. Directed by Justin Lin, �Fast Five� reunites the film�s most prominent players including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Ludacris and Tyrese, and adds a few new faces to the mix including Dwayne �The Rock� Johnson. If you�re expecting a bevy of fast cars, plenty of action and scantily dressed females, then Fast Five is for you. And yes, that's a Lexus LFA pictured above. Watch the trailer after the break.
