Video: ACR-X Dodge Viper completes Nurburgring lap in 7′ 03 seconds

by Peter Posted on February 28, 2012

The SRT Division of Chrysler is schedule to unveil its new Viper in the auto show in New York in a few weeks time but that does not mean that the old generation of Viper does not longer pack a potent strike.

The ACR-X or the track only version of the Dodge Viper is the most potent of its kind and recently tested the grounds of the Nurburgring completing its lap in a matter of 7 minutes and 3.058 seconds. It is about 9 seconds faster than the street legal Viepr ACR but it also made a record lap for a race-car rolling out straight from a factory.

The ACR-X which did the test run is a car designed for the Viper Cup series. This vehicle takes the platform of the ACR but some key changes were made. Aside from the V10 engine that gives out 650 horsepower, the ACR-X gets an upgraded exhaust system, roll cage, race seat, and a race-spec fuel cell.

We can only expect the SRT Division to make more potent performance cars so it might not take long before we hear of a Nurburgring run lower than seven minutes.

Watch how the ACR-X zoomed around the Green Hell of Nurburgring.

Posted in Dodge Viper | Leave a comment

HBH reveals Aston Martin inspired Bulldog GT supercar

by Peter Posted on November 22, 2011

Dutch supercar manufacturer HBH which crafted the Zenvo ST1 is currently busy with a new supercar inspired by the 1980 Bulldog by Aston Martin. The new speed monster will be named as the Bulldog GT and will have a very exclusive run as HBH will only make one unit.

The Bulldog GT’s design was revealed by HBH thru a computer rendering. According to the carmaker, the Bulldog GT will get a mid-engine configuration but it will be based on the V12 Vantage of Aston Martin which is front engined.

The goal of the supercar project is to make a car that fits the likings of those who buy Aston Martin but will also be satisfying the craving for extreme performance.

HBH will upped the ante by installing a twin supercharger on the 6.0L V12 engine of the Aston Martin Vantage. The upgraded setup should output 675 horsepower with a torque of around 548 lb-ft. The power of the engine will be transmitted to the wheels thru a 6-speed manual transmission.

HBH claims that the Bulldog GT will be able to race from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds with a top speed expected to hit 186 mph.

The supercar has prototype versions in the works which will be ready for test runs after around a year. HBH only plans to build one unit of the Bulldog GT but may increase production if the demand will be there thru a smaller Bulldog GT series. The decision is still not final and will really depend on the call of the client who commissioned the Bulldog GT and if the potential buyers will be willing to make a deposit prior to production.

Posted in Aston Martin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Preview: The 2011 BMW M5

by Peter Posted on June 6, 2011

All about luxury, sport and performance, the 2011 BMW M5 was announced in 2010, but was recently shown as a concept model at the April 2011 Auto Shanghai exhibition. With an estimated price tag of about $125,000 US, this vehicle is for the most serious buyers, those interested in a car that becomes one with its driver. As the fifth generation of the trademark M styling, the M5 is billed as “barely street-legal” by BMW, due to its superior performance usually only exhibited by cars at the race track. With an impeccably designed interior, and beautiful Merino leather upholstery, this model is a crowd pleaser.

m5 badgeAs if the M5 was not powerful enough, the 2011 model has been upgraded from the 5.0-liter V-10 to the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8. The added horsepower (total 600) and torque (500) will make this model extremely appealing when backed against its competitors like the Audi S6 or the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG with 518 horsepower and 485 of torque. Even though the new engine offers more power, it was developed in attempt to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. With a maximum speed of 155mph, the 2011 BMW M5 will take off like a rocket with its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Drivelogic system. Although official information has not yet been confirmed, there has been talk that a manual transmission will be available for cars sold in the US and Canada.

The new design of the M5 is refined, but at the same time sporty, with a serious focus on aerodynamics. BMW actually calls the design “subdued” in their promotional material. Further, the M5′s construction uses more lightweight materials than other models. Carbon-fiber and aluminum are integrated heavily into this design. The front of the vehicle is made with an aluminum space-frame, while the back of the car and the passenger section use steel monocoque for safety. The front view of the car is indeed quite sharp looking with its dual grills and chrome bumper vents. Elegant details mark the door handles and double-spoke wheels of the car.

Continue reading →

Posted in BMW | Tagged , | Leave a comment

US CO2 Emission Plunge is Not Just Caused by Poor Economy

by Peter Posted on May 14, 2010

The Department of Energy just ran the numbers on US carbon emissions for 2009, and they witnessed the biggest drop in history. According to their records, CO2 emission in the US dropped by about 7%, and it’s certainly not just because of the economic decline.

If the slowdown of the GDP had anything to do with it, it only influenced about a third of the results. The numbers have been getting lower since the mid-90s, and the economy was fine, then. Two thirds of the decline was influenced by the shift from coal use, the decrease of energy-intensive activities, and a show of greater efficiency in transportation and a lot of other manufacturing processes.

This definitely makes it easier for the USA to progress towards Obama’s goal of cutting emissions by 17% (compared to 2005 figures) by the end of this decade. The DOE report provided a retrospective analysis of the factors which contributed to the recent years’ CO2 emission decline as well. It boils down to one point, though: the relationship between the economy and C02 emissions strongly believed in the 1990s is not longer existent.

In the 90s, the carbon emissions grew as much as half the rate of the country’s GDP. More recently, however, GDP growth slowed down by half its usual rate, while carbon emissions fell consistently over the past ten years. This accounts for an average of 1% every year.

Hopefully, the US will be leaving a smaller carbon footprint in the next ten years. The production of hybrid and electric cars all over the globe should help the country reach that goal.

Posted in Environment | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Spied: The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS

by Peter Posted on April 22, 2010

We have some latest scoop photos of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS which clearly derived its lines from the Shooting Break Concept that is scheduled to appear at the auto show in Beijing this month.

So what can we expect of the 2011 CLS? Insiders said that it might debut this coming September in Paris. The car will have a crisper design for its headlamps coming along with a softer nose of the SLS.

The car will most likely be fitted with the 3.5L V6 of the Shooting Break concept that can output 306 horsepower. This makes the car ready for some serious competition against the 5 Series of the BMW and the A6 from Audi.

Mercedes Benz will also offer a V8 petrol and a turbo V6 diesel powerplants which will both make use of direct injection. Some inside sources also hint of a hybrid version of the new CLS.

The top of the line will be the CLS 63 AMG (pictured below) which will sport the recently developed direct injection V8 bi turbo engine with 5.5L displacement (the same as in the C63). In its standard release, this V8 gives out about 544 horsepower with a torque of 590 pound feet. When you talk of the performance demanded by an AMG tag, you can expect the figures to go up to 571 horsepower and peak torque of about 663.8 pound-feet.

2011 CLS AMG

Posted in Mercedes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New Zealand’s Hulme to produce three “super car” models

by Peter Posted on June 25, 2009

Admit it, everyone wants to drive an F1 race car. Sadly, not all of us can. But if we’re talking about customized race-cars for city driving and small time race, adrenaline junkies can opt for speed monsters like the Caparo T1 and KTM X-Bow. Then enters Hulme – a car company from New Zealand that aims to get their consumers as close as they can get to drive a real F1 car with its three new models.

Yes, you read it right – New Zealand! Despite the fact that it’s not on the list of the top places for motorsport, it didn’t affect the country’s determination to come up with a car fitted for its sole F1 champion, Denny Hulme, after whom the company was named.

Aptly called the Hulme Supercar Project, it has been in production for almost five years now and a few months back, it has already undergone its first drive tests.

According to Jock Freemantle, car fanatic and businessman behind the Humle Super Car, the company will debut three new models including the “CanAM” model that has been revealed in MotorAuthority already. The CanAm model carries GM’s LS27 V8 engine. It claims to have the power output of 600HP, therefore, it is possible that future Hulme models might produce a super-charged version with an even higher horsepower.

The two other models are the Hulme Spyder and Hulme F1, however no specific specs have been divulged except that the company is talking with the several engine makers, including those who produce the F1 engines.

hulme

Continue reading →

Posted in Hulme | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment