Sibling Rivalry

Why buy a Porsche 911 when you could spend less, and have a better handling car. The Porsche Cayman is in the middle of the Porsche lineup and ironically that’s where the engine is too. Which of course makes for better balance than the rear engined 911. The new Porsche Cayman, with a limited slip diff, is a better set up car than a base Carrera or many other 911’s. Now with even more power, the Cayman defends this claim even more. Of course Porsche, the king’s of making more special editions has released the Cayman R. This new Cayman, with more power and less weight, has taken the Cayman even closer to the 911. Power is up to 330 hp and weight is down to a little more than 1300 kilos. More power and less weight, that formula sounds familiar; check my write up about Porsche and Rennsport. There are some who will say, it’s still not a 911 and this car is not deserving of the “poor man’s” Porsche tag like the Boxster. Which is still a ridiculous claim, I wish I were “poor” enough to buy a Boxster. By no means is the Cayman R a “poor man’s” Porsche and by now means is it as good as a GT3, but at half the price, it’s not a bad alternative. See what it can do! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpsd9AyoXQ8&feature=related

Great Car Pics III

Lamborghini's Newest Bull

Porsche's 918 Spyder

Coolest New Hot Hatch, Citroen DS3 Racing

The Godfather...Don Maserati

Ever since Ferrari revitalized the Maserati brand, they’ve been in Ferrari’s shadow. They had their own cars, they used Ferrari derived engines, but they never really set themselves apart from their younger brother. Before Ferrari was born, Maserati was building cars and winning races.  But there was a time when there was no Maserati. They went bankrupt and it wasn’t until years later that Ferrari brought them back. Now the roles have reverse a bit, but in the last couple years or so, Maserati has come into its own. Maserati still uses a Ferrari engine, but the badge is completely their own. I don’t know of a car that has a cooler badge, something with so much presence on the road. Even parked, a Maserati will give you chills. In my opinion they’re more beautiful than Aston Martins, cooler and even more evil. The soundtrack of a Maserati is unlike any other, quite possibly one of the best sounding v8’s in the automotive world. The Maserati Granturismo is a perfect example of this new found class. It is gorgeous and evil at the same time. A car that can quite literally seduce you. It’s not all show on this new model, like the redone Quattroporte, it’s full of technology that actually works. The gearbox isn’t a jerky neck breaker like you got in the older Masa’s. It’s a new ZF automatic transmission with flappy paddles behind the wheel, and they actually work. But even better than that, when you’re not belting down a back road, the transmission is super smooth. Other than all these advances in their cars, Maserati now has a clientele that says something about their cars. A Maserati is exclusive, and that makes it even better. Maserati has now given someone who drives a Ferrari at the track, a car to drive home in.

Just Listen... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoNLbkrS1RE&feature=related 

Another Milestone

It's still been less than a week, and yesterday this blog broke 1000 views. When I first started this page I would have never guess or expected something that great, I'm truly staggered. All of this is down to the dedicated viewers and supporters who put up with my constant tweeting. I'm sorry for being so annoying, it's my only real way of advertising. So again, thank you for all your continued support. Happy motoring!

Rennsport At Its Finest

Having only touched base on the new Porsche GT3 RS 4.0, I don’t think I’ve done one of the greatest car models enough justice. “RS” or Rennsport, is directly translated as “Race Sport” and is something Porsche tagged one of their 1973 Carrera models with. Called the Carrera 2.7 RS, it was built just so Porsche could compete in certain races. You needed to sell a certain number of road versions, to use the race version of the car. Many car manufacturers have accidentally created streetcar icons by having to do this. This “RS” created 210 hp, weighed a little more than 2300 lbs, and had larger brakes, wider rear arches, stiffened suspension and a ducktail spoiler. Then in 1974 Porsche created the RS 3.0 liter, making 230 hp thanks to Bosch fuel injection. These cars were light and basic, raw and powerful. They created the formula for street legal track cars, lightening, adding power, and precision. What Porsche did in 1973 and 1974, was set the mantle for the “RS” cars of the future. There were "RS" models during all generations of 911 but it wasn't until the 996-generation when "RS" took center stage. Porsche created the GT3 for the road, based on their racecar. It was produced from 1999-2004 and during that time Porsche went one better. They took the GT3, stripped even more bits out of the car to make it lighter and called it the GT3 RS. Since these two cars were so successful, Porsche developed them even further in the 997 generation. The GT3 RS was back with even more power and presence.  The outlandish paint schemes showed signs of the original “RS”. In 2009, the 997’s receive a bit of a facelift and some internal reworking as well. The MK 2 GT3 RS received a new 3.8 liter flat six making 450 hp. This was the first time the GT3 and GT3 RS had a power difference. Along with the “RS” versions of the GT3, Porsche decided to give their GT2 some more racing credentials. Their creation, the GT2 RS, is the fastest street legal car Porsche has ever produced. Only 500 were made and they were sold out after two months. I was lucky enough to see one in person and it happened to be number 500/500, the last one ever made. Despite being the fastest Porsche for the road, it is not the best “RS” model. Since the 997-generation is coming to a close, Porsche decided to make a sending off model, a last hurray. And what a machine it is. The GT3 RS 4.0 liter is also a special edition, only 600 will ever be made and they sold out quicker than the GT2 RS. It has the racing block from the RSR racecar and develops 500 hp from a naturally aspirated flat six. That is just a testimony to Porsche’s Engineers and their ability to push the envelope. And that’s what Porsche’s “RS” models are all about. They push the limit of things possible, constantly improving what they can. They put their soul into these cars. Anyone who says Porsches aren’t designed with passion is talking absolute rubbish, just drive an “RS”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX8_dRusyLw

An "AMG" That Floats

Mercedes Benz has always been a car company full of innovation and design. The current SLS Gullwing is a perfect example of this. It looks outrageous and the amount of power it churns out is staggering for a naturally aspirated v8. The engineers at “AMG” are among the best in the business at what they do, and recently they teamed up with another industry best. Cigarette Powerboats are some of the finest, most thoroughly designed craft in the world. They are the Mercedes Benz “AMG” of the water. Much like “AMG”, Cigarette is a no compromise company that is focused on one thing, speed. The two companies teamed up to create a powerboat unlike any other, an “AMG”. They were working for two years on this boat and last summer it went on sale. Much like the SLS it has mind boggling numbers, 2700 hp from two supercharged Mercury racing engines and the price…$1,200,000. That will get you six SLS super cars. If you haven’t guessed, it’s fast too. Said to reach around 130 mph, which may not seem like much on land but on water is a whole different story. The new Cigarette 46-foot “AMG” features hand-applied “AMG” Alubem silver paint, the same color offered on the Gullwing. This process, used exclusively by “AMG”, covers surfaces like a metallic skin to highlight the body's stunning lines. Designo Mystic white metallic paint is also used on the boat's exterior. Quite an impressive machine for those “AMG” lovers to run up and down the coast in. This boat even sounds better than the SLS. Have a look, and ENJOY…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFzaiPIq774&feature=related

More Car Pics

Classic RennSport

Original SLS Gullwing

Lamborghini Miura

Bugatti Atlantic

Car Pics

E46 M3

The Hills Are Alive...With the Sound of Horsepower

After yesterday's American Le Mans race series, I thought it would be appropriate to pay tribute to one of the most storied tracks in America. In the very northwest corner of Connecticut lies 1.5 miles of twisting asphalt. Welcome to Lime Rock Park. The track opened in 1957 and has been home to numerous car clubs and race series events. Nascar, SCCA, BMW CCA, PCA, Grand-Am and ALMS are among the many groups to partake in racing at this beautifully storied track. Currently owned and operated by Skip Barber it has made many new modifications to improve safety and drivablilty. One that stands out is the relatively new asphalt surface. Before this, there were patches of material in the corners different to that of the rest of the track. It was very difficult because all the grip was lost and then gained again due to the inconsistency in the track surface. The track was completely redone in 2008. This spring I had the privilege to come to Lime Rock Park for the annual PCA race. This being my first time, I didn't know what to expect and as we pulled up, rolled down our windows at the main gate, my ears were filled with the "sound of horsepower". Pulling down into the track area, I saw more cars that I wanted to own in the last 30 seconds than the previous years of my life. Just seeing these beautiful machines pounding around such a historic track was making me grin from ear to ear. We walked around, exploring the track a little and taking in the scenery. There was a break after qualifying and an announcement saying, "Any of you who would like a ride around the track please report to pit lane". My friend and I looked at each other and bolted. Porsche of Danbury CT was kind enough to bring eight of their showroom cars to give people a ride around the track. I hurried my way to the front of the line so I could get a ride in a Porsche Cayman S, the actual pace car for the race. I jumped in the passenger seat and my wonderful instructor Nancy showed me the way around LRP. After one lap we pitted and then she told me it was my turn. If you could imagine the look on my face, that still wouldn't fully explain my excitement. It was my turn to give it a go, and that's what I did. I had two laps in this great machine and with my instructor's help I was mastering the turns. This was one of the best days of my life. Since this April I've gone back five times, still wanting more. There's something special about racing and about Lime Rock Park, and whatever it is, I'm hooked.

The Original "Hot Hatch"

The Mk 1 Volkswagen GTI started a revolution. Much like a political figure or icon, the GTI is a self-made icon in the car world. In 1975, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Volkswagen released something that would change the auto industry forever. The car began production in 1976 in Europe but the United States didn't see the GTI till 1983. It was a overnight success, a total trendsetter. It was the first small car to use mechanical fuel injection and it helped give the pocket rocket 108 hp. This may not seem like much, but in this time period, for an average car that didn't weigh much, it was plenty of "pep". What made this car so great was it could be practical, cheap and easy to use. But at the same time you could drive the hell out of it and have a blast. It was a sports car without all the drawbacks. The GTI continued to develop over the years and in that time it lost some of its magic. But more recently, with the MK 5 and 6 models, it's looking to the past to go forward. These models looks great, feel great and go with the same enthusiasm as the original. Like the original, it's practical with three or five doors, relatively inexpensive, and beautifully built.  Its too bad VW didn't patent the "Hot Hatch" design because they would have a monopoly. There are too many carmakers to list who have some type of small, cheap hatchback with sporting credentials. I have VW to thank for this because I too own a "Hot Hatch". My Mini Cooper S is in many ways like the GTI, its fast and looks to its grandparents for inspiration. The Mini is not just an icon in Britain, but in the car world as well. Its the same with the GTI. These are cool cars and someone with any car background will see a Cooper or a GTI and say, "I like that, that's a cool car". My good friend has a GTI and it's fantastic. To be in one means your driving something special, something that has changed the car world forever. And that's how a car should make you feel. It's something that can't be explained, it's just how it is. This is a picture of me and my mate's cars. ENJOY

Great Cars, Poor Owners

As you may know, I started this blog less than a week ago and it has been more successful than I could ever imagine. That’s down to all the people who have graciously decided to look at all the links I tweeted at them. I promise I didn’t mean to spam you; it’s my only real way to get the news out. So I thank you for that. Not all of you have replied but most of you have looked at the page and that’s all I can ask for. The ones who did reply had nothing but kind words to say and I really appreciate that. You all have helped me receive over seven hundred views in just four days, it’s fantastic. While doing some more “promoting” yesterday I came across someone who seemed very interesting to me, a big Audi fan. I was doing a piece on Audi that night and I followed him and asked him graciously to give it a look. The post was written to not only give Audi some press but also show my readers one of my friend’s car reviews, which are hugely popular on Youtube. I do like Audi cars and a good friend of mine whom I went to school with is an Audi fanatic. While at an Audi event at Lime Rock Park, I met many other pleasant Audi folk who even took me around the track a couple times, all in all great people. But like everything else, you will always find those few Audi drivers who are, as Jeremy Clarkson refers to them as, “c*cks”. The ones, who tailgate you on the highway, don’t let you into a lane and in my case, decide to tell me that I was a loser. I will admit it’s not just Audi drivers who are like this; everyone has an example of someone in some type of car being rude. That’s just the world we live it, modern day America. I will not name names for respect of this twitter user, even though I was showed no respect what so ever. But when he responded as rudely as possible, saying to “promote another way” and “I’m not interested” really upset me. Is it such a chore for you to click on a link? Maybe you forgot when you were just getting started as a blogger or editor or whatever it is you do with your life. To all those people who drive Audi’s and are pleasant people, this is in no means directed at you and I respect you and your machine. Much like most cars, they get a bad reputation from the people who drive them. This is the same for every carmaker. BMW drivers are usually jerks; some Mercedes Benz drivers think they’re better than everyone else. But there are always exceptions to the stereotypes and those are the people I like the associate with and respect. Thank you guys for the continued support. I will continue to work hard and with the help of you dedicated viewers I will “succeed” despite what Mr. Negative said. Happy Motoring! http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?39019-Tailgating-Audi-Drivers

Quattro GmbH

In the world of rally cars, there is one car that stands out in the 1980's, the Audi Quattro. It was the first rally car to take advantage of the rule change, allowing cars to use four wheel drive rather than just two wheel drive. The car won the World Rally Championship two years in a row after its introduction. Despite its rally success, Quattro GmbH's most important contribution to Audi has been the production of road cars for people to buy. The original Quattro was their first and it set the benchmark for high performance Audi's to follow. To clarify, Quattro GmbH is a private subsidiary of Audi. The production plants are completely separate and Quattro GmbH sells their cars under the Audi marque. They're are responsible for giving us cars such as the RS3, RS4, RS6 and R8. All of these cars are high performance models with speed and handling in mind. Much like Porsche, Quattro use the "RS" tag for these pumped up machines. RennSport is translated directly to "racing sport". While you can also buy "S" models, they are not manufactured with the RennSport models of the car. Quattro GmbH simply makes the parts for the "S" models and they are then build next to their regular siblings in Audi's factory. That, among many performance upgrades is the main difference between an "RS" model and any other Audi. Quattro GmbH is much like BMW's "M" division or Mercedes Benz's "AMG". Quattro GmbH has given us some of the most powerful road cars in the world. The RS5 has an all new Lamborghini derived v8, making over 450 hp and a noise that could start an earthquake. A new RS4 is also in the making, although details are far and few between. The newest edition from Quattro GmbH though, is a fire spitting version of the TT. It's called the TT-RS, naturally. This little roadster has approximately 335 hp from an inline 5 cylinder and can get to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. But the best part is that finally after a four year absence, Audi is bringing an "RS" model back to America. It gets even better because not only is the TT-RS coming to the US, it will have even more power than the European version (360 hp), thanks to new software. Quattro GmbH is one of the most accomplished car companies in the world. They are a no compromise sports car manufacturer that took Audi to the next level. They continue to do so with new models coming down the pipeline with all new technologies that look to the future. A friend of mine who does car reviews has a great video on not just the Audi Quattro but the RS6 as well. It really connects the company from their start, to where they are now. Enjoy everyone...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPMLIn82N80

Boss Status

I'm not a fan of American cars for their lack of engineering or beauty but there are a few that will grab a second glance from me. The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is one of those cars. I like the color combo and the way it looks with the improved splitter. That being said I wouldn't buy one with my own money since its an American muscle car. Regardless of my opinion it has some good points. Ford has decided to try and make a car that can not only go in straight line, but left and right corners as well. They've stiffened up the suspension, increase the anti-rollbar thickness and given it driver selectable settings. There are three modes, comfort, normal and sport. These settings sound familiar actually (check Europe). And of course there's loads of power and torque. But the biggest surprise of all is what happens in this video. The results are truly shocking, have a look for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxEhnugwzCc

Mr. Pagani and his creation

In Italy, you have two supercar makers. There’s the class and beauty of a Ferrari, or the brute strength and passion of a Lamborghini. I suppose you can count Maserati and Alfa Romeo as two other big carmakers but they never trespassed into Ferrari and Lamborghini territory. Trying to build a car faster than a Ferrari or more extreme than a Lambo is a big Italian no-no. But one man with more passion than both companies decided to give it a try, and that man’s name is Horacio Pagani. Mr. Pagani is an Argentinean man who moved to Italy in the early 80’s to pursue his life long dream of building cars. He started off with Lamborghini but eventually went down his own path to create one of the biggest names in the business, Pagani Automobili Modena. Mr. Pagani set to work on his dream car and in 1999, it debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. Using a Mercedes Benz “AMG” v12, the car cost about $320,000. It was called the “Zonda”, named after an Argentinean wind. Only a handful were made and Mr. Pagani continued to improve and tweak the car until eventually his Zonda’s were some of the most potent automobiles the world had ever seen. Usually when a small, independent car company attempts to make a supercar, they last a few years. The reason why they last such a short time is because companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini are too big to compete with and their cars were always better. Not this time though, Mr. Pagani’s wonderful creations were smashing lap records and leaving F430’s and Murcielago’s for dead. Every year the “AMG” tuned v12 would grow stronger and faster. Every year the price tag grew higher and higher as the car became more sought after. Until finally, Zonda production came to a close. The Zonda however, went out with a bang, or a howl I should say. Enter the Pagani Zonda R, the most radical, quickest and most expensive Zonda ever made. It is an orgy of unbelievable numbers, 740 hp and 525 lb ft of torque, 2358 lbs and wait for it… 1.8 million dollars. Making it more expensive than a Bugatti Veyron but it is in every way better than a Veyron apart from the top speed. The feel, the sound, the power deliver, the weight, the poise, the list goes on and on. "0-60 mph, no one knows, top speed, no one knows", only that the 6 speed sequential gearbox will go through gears with an unorthodox precision and speed. The “AMG” v12 bellow is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Oh and did I mention it holds the lap record at the Nurburgring? There isn’t enough that can be said about this car and in my opinion it is currently the best car in the world, with Pagani being one of the best carmakers in the world. A man with such passion and love for speed was able to set up shop in Ferrari and Lamborghini’s backyard, and teach them a lesson or two. A man, who is truly inspiring to us all, was able to do the impossible and succeed. This video really sums that up... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzMB8PKvRU

The Italian Job

I'm sitting here on a raining day watching the usual amount of car videos and reviews, when I remember one of my favorite automotive specials. Clarkson: The Italian Job and yes that would be Jeremy Clarkson from BBC's "Top Gear". Jeremy is one of my favorite TV personalities and "Top Gear" is my favorite show. When I stumbled upon a link for this special I had to check it out. It is a great showing of many different cars he tests and he spends an entire day at Imola Race Track in Italy. I can only hope to drive this track one day. So I figured I'll share my viewing pleasures with you. http://www.streetfire.net/video/jeremy-clarkson-the-italian-job_2086241.htm

"M" Takeover

Over much speculation about the new BMW M3, we finally have some solid facts. In this new trend of less cylinders and more turbo's, BMW has taken it to a whole new level. The 2014 BMW M3 will have not one, not two, but THREE turbochargers to power a 3.3 liter straight six. Rumored to offer about 450 hp and much more torque than the current e92 M3, this radical new design will hopefully distance themselves from their German rivals. It's not like Audi and Mercedes Benz ever really gave the M3 a scare on a track, and we can forget about the Lexus IS-F all together. There is more futuristic technology other than the tri-turbo engine, construction will consist of ultra light weight carbon fiber and steel. This will take the weight down from its predecessor and bring speed up significantly. On a boring note the emissions and fuel consumption has also been improved. Not only are there talks of this new monster, but also a successor to the M1, BMW's first super car. Dubbed the M2, this car will be taking on rivals from Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari with either a v10 or v12. Maybe if we're lucky they'll use their design from the McLaren F1 engine. Also coming down the "M" pipeline is a CSL version of the 1m coupe. All in all, expect some great things from BMW and their pro's at the "M" division in the next five or six years. I can hardly wait.

Return of the King...BMW M5

The e60 BMW M5 was one of the greatest sports sedans money could buy. It had a viciously howling 5.0 liter v10 with 507 hp and a redline of just over 8000 rpm. It not only worked as a businessman's every day car, but it could be given a thrashing at the track. I could probably use that sentence to describe every BMW "M" car, and I'm sure I will. The M5 was enjoying life until a car company by the name of Cadillac decided to make an M5 "killer". Their creation, the second generation CTS-V, succeeded in many categories to give the M5 a nervous breakdown. It had more horsepower and loads more torque, 556 hp and 551 lb ft from the supercharged v8, compared to the Bimmer's 507hp and only 380 lb ft of torque. The new CTS-V became the quickest sedan to 60 mph with a short sprint lasting only 3.9 seconds and held the lap record at the Nurburgring for sedans. I know that's difficult to understand but the CTS-V is actually good at going around corners, unlike most American cars. It was faster than the M5 in every category and also much cheaper. The Germans were not pleased and if you couldn't already guess, they're back with an all new model to show Cadillac who the boss is. Under the "F10" model designation, the e60 successor is designed to take back the throne it created. This new M5 is based on the new body style of the 5 series, BMW's mid-sized sedan. BMW has thrown away the high revving v10 and have gone with a 4.4 liter v8. The German's are fighting fire with fire, or force induction with force induction. That's correct, another "M" has succumbed to being turbocharged. Apart from the redline lacking in numbers closer to ten and less noise, it's all good news. Power is confirmed at 560 hp and torque is up to 502 lb ft, huge gains over the previous model. It'll take you 4.4 second to get to 60 mph, although I suspect less time than that due to BMW's conservative numbers. Not to mention the help of launch control from the seven speed twin clutch gearbox (DCT). Although it will probably still be slower to 60 mph than the Caddy, BMW has said they're not overly concerned with that because 0-60 isn't at the top of their priority list. Something that can't be said about American muscle. They were looking for an overall better track experience and I will put money on the new M5 beating the CTS-V's lap time at the 'Ring. Not only is this car's engine impressive, there are other new toys that the M5 can boast about. This car is dripping with "M" technology. It has a new "M" differential with a torque vectoring system that splits the power between the rear wheels. The electronically controlled multi-plate LSD will optimise traction and stability in high speed maneuvers and acceleration out of corners. The BMW "M" drive logic control center allows you to select the feel of the car such as throttle response, steering input and damper settings. I haven't even gotten to the best part yet, not only is there a lightning fast 7-speed DCT with paddles but it will come with the option of a 6 speed manual for those die-hards out there. I think its safe to say the king of the super saloon is back. It's not officially back until its debut this September but this should hold you over till then... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYRhV00HNck

Update

I just want to take the time and say thank you for all your support. It's been a crazy two days and none of it would've been possible without your views. One thing that I ask is anyone reading the blog here to please please please look at the right side of the blog and click the Facebook "like" app. This goes directly to my Facebook fan page and I really want to get the "likes" up. The FB site is where I send all my updates and car photos that you guys would love to see. Thanks again!!!

BMW CCA

The BMW Car Club of America is one of the most prestigious and largest car clubs around. They serve over 75,000 members across the country, myself included. Last year I purchased a 2010 Mini Cooper S and immediately was looking for ways to get involved with my car and community. This past April I went to a race at Lime Rock Park in CT. I've never been to such a beautiful place with more cars than I have ever seen in my life. "You should join the BMW CCA", I was told. So looking into it I found an entire community devoted to BMW's and their owners. Having spent a little time on the website, I took the plunge and joined as well. I was very excited to receive my membership card and club sticker. It immediately went into my back window for everyone to see. I could tell the BMW CCA was such a great club just by looking at all the functions on the club's website. It's great to see members and pictures of their beautiful BMW's. I love that everyone can share their story with the rest of the community and I will probably be doing the same soon enough. My Dad also just purchased his first BMW, a 2005 545i sedan. I can honestly say it's the best car that's ever been in our garage. So with Father's Day coming up and me needing to get my dad a gift, I thought why not buy him a membership as well? It's a good thing I bought the membership when I did because I received an email saying the site would be closed for a few days while they built a new site. My dad was happy with his gift and I was even more pleased when I saw the new site, only unveiled about a week ago. It is so much more user friendly with a great layout. I'm constantly on the site catching up on my BMW news and combing through the classifieds for a track car to buy. My Dad and I went to the track again for our club chapter's first driving event of the year (Connecticut Valley). Meeting all these people was a great experience and I can only imagine that the rest of the club's members are just as friendly. Not only do they have a great website but there are many ways to connect with the club. There are Twitter accounts, Facebook groups and a great magazine that I just received today, "Roundel". It's filled with great stories and happenings across the country. Any BMW owners who are reading this and are not in the club, I encourage you to join. It was one of the best decisions I have made and look forward to renewing my membership next year. In closing I would just like to congratulate BMW CCA for its new site and I hope for the best.

A "New" Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 has been around for years now and every year its gotten that little bit better. The 997 generation has been out for some time. Production started in 2006 with the MK1 and is now coming to a close. The MK2 997 has given us some of the most amazing 911's to date. It was during this time period that we saw the "King of the Road"or GT2 RS. Having seeing one of these in person I can tell you it is a truly amazing piece of engineering. Check out the pictures of it on the "CT Auto News" Facebook fan page. The GT2 RS is the most powerful road car they've ever made, although I still believe the Carrera GT should have been left with this title. We also saw a new line of turbo's in the way of the turbo s. Offering more power and even more technology to combat the ruthless Nissan GTR. Different 997 variants such as the Sport Classic, the GTS, the Black Edition and the Speedster all give you a sense of Porsche's expertise. The encore for the 997 generation is the brand new GT3 RS 4.0 which I spoke about earlier in my first blog post. But come September at the Frankfurt Auto Show an all new 911 will be officially introduced. Tagged the 991, this new 911 is going to be a bit larger than the current 997 models. The wheelbase will grow and the interior room will as well. One crucial change in this new 991, is that the engine will be moved ever so slightly forward. Having the engine in the rear has always been what defined Porsche but with the Cayman being so successful with its balance and mid engined poise, bringing it forward won't be such a bad thing. It will still remain "rear engined" in name, but the dynamics will change for the better. Other than the movement of the engine, the gearbox is the next and probably the largest talking point. Car makers are slowly doing away with the manual transmission, something that almost brings a tear to my eye as well as anger. Double clutch gearboxes may be quicker and slightly more economical but they just can't compete with a manual when it comes to driver feel or engagement. Porsche has also gone the way of a double clutch gearbox (porsche doppelkupplung) or PDK but they still offer a manual box for almost all their cars. With this new model though, they are still offering a manual but it is going to have seven speeds instead of the usual six. I'm still trying to work out how they will line the gears up and hopefully it won't be awkward when you're going through them. I have been in touch with one a Porsche Racing spokesperson who was reporting from the 24 hour Nurburgring Race last week and he gave me a few details about this new set up. It will be based off the PDK since that is also a seven speed gearbox, but crucially it will weigh less than the current six speed gearbox. He said because of this twenty pound weight reduction, the longer wheelbase, and moving the engine up a bit, this new 911 will be even more balanced than the outgoing 997. Not only am I intrigued by this new seven speed manny, but also relieved because like I've said before, changing gear yourself is a nice thing to do, its engaging. Taking away this mechanical interface between you and the car might ruin the whole experience. You'd be faster, but not having as much fun. Here's some video of the new 991 911 doing some practice laps at the 'Ring...ENJOY as always http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI81gT0xgW8

McLaren vs Bugatti...analog vs digital

There are two types of people, people who drive and people who are driven. Whether you drive or are driven rather depends on the car you own. Probably one of the greatest examples of a "driver's car" is the McLaren F1. It had its birth in 1994 with one purpose in mind, to be the undisputed speed king. At the time of its development the Jaguar XJ220 was the fastest production car in the world topping out at 214 mph. The McLaren would eventually knock the Jaguar off its perch with a top speed of 241 mph with the limiter removed. Gordan Murray designed the car to be as purposeful as possible. The driver sits dead in the middle of the car, the transmission is a manual which feels like the bolt on a Lee Enfield sniper rifle and it is as noisy as a road car can get. Obviously he needed quite an engine to accomplish this sort of speed so he went to one of the best in the business, the BMW "M" division. He gave them a set of specifications that they needed to meet and of course they met them all, and then some. The engine was a 6.1 liter V12 producing 627 hp and 480 ft lb of torque. Essentially it was two 3.0 liter M3 engines bolted together. That version of the M3 engine is one of the best sounding in the world, so you can imagine two of them together. The car used all the lightest materials and everything was there for a reason. Infamously the engine bay is lined in 24k gold, not to be flashy, but because gold is the best reflector of heat and it helped keep running temperatures down. Every number about this car was impressive, its power to weight ratio was 550hp/ton. To put that in perspective thats better than not just a Ferrari Enzo, but a Bugatti Veyron as well. When we look at the Bugatti Veyron, one number stands out, 987 hp. Having almost 300 hp more than the Mclaren F1, you'd expect it to be significantly faster, but with a top speed of 253 mph its only twelve more than a car that is about fifteen years older. Other than the power, the big difference between these two cars is how much more the Bugatti has. It has an automatic gearbox, a CD player, air conditioning and many other luxuries that the McLaren doesn't have. But of course all these extras add weight and spoil the performance. I sometimes wonder what the car could really do if it didn't have all those unnecessary options. This is where the analog vs digital debate comes in. The McLaren is for one who drives while the Bugatti is something where you just put two hands on the wheel and hang on. If given the choice I'd take the McLaren. It may not be as fast as the Bugatti but in certain ways it makes you feel more special, you become one with the machine every time you swap cogs with the manual gearbox. The noise of that beautiful BMW "M" powered engine engulfs you. The McLaren also looks better, it has a timeless look to it. If it were parked on a street with modern super cars you wouldn't be able to tell that it was built in the early 90's while the Bugatti's style may grow old. No doubt either car will set your pants on fire and excite you in every way, but its the way that it excites you or takes you to the limit. That is the crucial difference between something that is analog and something that is digital. Something that drives you, or something that begs to be driven. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqSedWSu2k

Jaguar XK

The Jaguar XK has started to become one of the best looking coupes on the market today. It's been in the last year or so with the introduction of the XKR that we see a machine that is capable of taking on many of the world's super sports cars. Jaguar's over the years have never been particularly good looking cars but the three most recent models in their lineup, the XJ, the XF and the XK have given Jag a whole new hairstyle. These cars look fantastic and are now competing with the equivalent Bimmers and Mercs like they should've been all along. The XKR is something that really interests me. A friend of mine turned me on to it, its Aston Martin pretty and Aston Martin powerful. But best of all, it doesn't have the Aston Martin price tag. If you look in comparison, you can buy the best XK for half of what you pay for an Aston DB9. And when you get down to it, the Aston isn't twice as good. You're paying for the badge but now the Jaguar badge might be just as cool. The XKR-S is really something special. It costs about the same as a V8 Vantage but will blow it out of the water in terms of performance. So really this comes back to the question of why buy the Aston? It's more money, slower and about the same in terms of beauty. I know you'll be saying "But it's still not an Aston Martin" and you'd be right, but it's pretty damn close. It might even sound as good... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgOJlZRtcgM

BMW 1M Coupe

I have been following news on this car for quite some time and it has been released for quite a while now. Of course like any special edition car, it sold like hot cakes. There are only 2700 being made and they've been sold out for months. I've talked to numerous BMW dealers and they say that they were lucky to be allocated even 2 models of this car (some got more). They had people out the door lining up to put their name on a sheet for this beefed up 1 series. And when you think about it, its not hard to see why. This car looks like the business and goes like hell too. It isn't very different than a standard 135i but all those little "M" details give the car that very special feel. The car is an attempt to go back to BMW's roots, a natural successor to the original M3, the e30. This original M3 started the sensation of taking a regular everyday car and making it into a race car for the road. This new 1m is no different. Its 3.0 liter twin turbocharged inline 6 makes 335 hp and with an over boost function on the turbo, more torque than the current V8 in the e90-93 M3. This car is all about the driver and the machine as one, that's why there's no stupid flappy paddle gearbox, only a proper six speed manual. In traditional BMW fashion, all the power goes to the rear wheels via an "M" differential borrowed from the current M3. The car also takes the M3's massive brakes as well as its front and rear suspension components. All in all, not a bad recipe for a car than goes like an M3 but for less money. My only complaint of this new type of "M" car is a big one, the redline. Every enthusiast knows that when you're in a BMW "M" car the engine should spin and spin until at least 8000 rpm. That was the whole point of these cars, the basic formula that made them succeed. A light, properly balanced car with a small displacement engine making absurd amounts of power and revving to the moon and back. The current V8 is an absolute screamer, something that will truly be missed when its successor comes along. The same goes for the e60 M5/6. It kills me to see this happening but I think it kills BMW even more, they're forced to go the way of turbocharged cars just because of these new emission laws. Do I think the new "M" cars won't succeed like the old ones? No definitely not, they're still beautiful machines with such purpose that only having the world run out of gas will stop them. Watch what this 1m can do against some concrete walls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEvpnKRLDO4

Ralph Lauren's Car Collection

"Speed, Style, and Beauty"... Three words that describe American fashion designer Ralph Lauren's car collection. Just recently viewing The Discovery Channel's special on his wonder collection, it has inspired me to collect cars as well. There is probably no chance of ever having what Mr. Lauren has but I can still dream. I don't think there was a longer period of time than watching this special, where I had my mouth open in awe. Just seeing some of the many cars he has was breathtaking. This man has 14 Ferrari's, all of them have their own unique story. A personal favorite of mine, the 250 GTO, was one of only 39 ever made. All of these cars were hand made so each was that little bit different, making it that more special. The value of this masterpiece is quite astonishing, a recently sold GTO fetched 15 million dollars. Pocket change for one of the largest designers to ever live. One idea this program opened up to many people was that cars can most certainly be art. In many cases cars are much more beautiful than a painting, more striking and bold. Ralph Lauren takes many of his fashion ideas from his cars. This type of an almost tangible relationship he has with his cars is what inspires me. Not many people understand this but you can have a personal relationship with a car, it has a soul, you become attached. Once you become attached it never stops, you end up cleaning it every night and parking miles away from other cars in fear of getting scratches. Another car of Ralph Lauren's that is one of the most beautiful pieces of not just automotive design, but of art I have every seen. It is his 1938 Bugatti Atlantic Coupe. Only four were ever made and it is now worth between 30 and 40 million dollars. It can be seen at the top of this posting under the title. There is a certain feel of evil about this car but at the same time it is a "black beauty". There are really too many cars to list of his but the last I will talk about was another one of my favorite from his collection. Its a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Mille Miglia Roadster. This car got its name for one of the most famous races in Italy, the Mille Miglia or "thousand miles". It is a one lap race around Italy through regular Italian streets. His actual car came in second and is now revered as one of the most collectible cars in history. As you can guess, it also isn't cheap, but that's what I'm getting at. All this money could be used somewhere else, to buy another beach house perhaps. But Ralph Lauren spent all this money on something that is very special to him and very special to others who are car crazy like him. And when you have such a passion for something, I don't believe you can put a price on it. Even if these old, loud and cumbersome pieces of various metals are just a collector's wet dream, they're another man's life.  ENJOY http://www.youtube.com/user/foxawy0991

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

I'm going to start my blog life out with one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Porsche is the master of making special editions of their 911 and with the 997 generation coming to a close, why not make another. The GT3 is one of Porsche's best cars currently in production, the GT3 RS is that little bit better. So what would an even better version, of an even better version, of an even better version of the 911 be like? Well with a larger displacement engine, more power, more downforce and an even more focused ride, my guess is pretty damn good. The car is a limited production model to make it that little more special, only 600 will be made, and they are already sold. At $185,000 it is cheaper than the GT2 RS and even better. It isn't as fast or as powerful as the GT2 RS but it is a more focused drivers car. The 6500 rpm redline of the GT2 RS doesn't sound nearly as good as the 8500 rpm redline that the GT3 RS has. The RS, or "Ren Sport" is one of the most accomplished rich boy track cars but still works in the real world. It is the everyday race car with a place for your grocery run and now with approximately 500 bhp, it will get the frozen items home even quicker. Not only will it act as a delivery truck, it'll also knock a few more seconds off your lap time. In my opinion, this car is one of the best performing cars currently made and if given a choice I would buy this over a Ferrari 458 Italia or any Lamborghini. Not only because it is over a hundred thousand dollars cheaper but it has that every day usability. It is as close to a real Porsche race car you can road legally drive. Have a look and listen. Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

First Post

This is my first attempt at something like this and I'd like to see how it goes. Your support will be much appreciated. I will be reviewing new cars and current models already out. I will also offer buying advice on what to purchase with you individual budget. We can also set up discussions and debates on cars and car makers. Thanks in advance!