Heres an LFA to get you through the week! And if you have the day off, well hooray for you!
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Tommy Kaira/Rowen Full Titanium Exhaust for Subaru STI
Have always loved Tommy Kaira and their products, check this exhaust out. It sounds great.
DB10 Manual Transmission in James Bond: Spectre
I can’t believe such a limited and specific car from a high performance luxury brand would make the car in a manual transmission; well at least that’s what it looks like in the video. Aston Martins powerful V12 used to be matted to a manual transmission and last time that was seen in James Bond was the DBS in Casino Royale. The last car to have it was the V12 Vantage. However, I’m unsure if this car will have a v8, turbo v8, or v12. However, I’m glad to see the filmmakers convinced Aston to build this car, hopefully it will make innovators realize the digital/non-mechanical movement in cars isn’t all that great.
M vehichles to challenge Quattro?
With the ever changing face of BMW vehicles–since the introduction of the turbo engines to their whole line up–they entered the domain Audi had been dominating for years. Although I’m a fan of turbocharged Audi’s, I really can’t say the same for BMW’s. I’ve always loved the straight six engine of BMW, but I’m only one voice that can’t change business strategies of a billion dollar company. I also believe BMW previously and do manufactured turbo engines, however these are diesel engines. (Please correct me if I’m wrong).
Another feature that we have seen on many BMW’s in North America is the xdrive system. I honestly get annoyed every time I look for a BMW because there are literally no RWD options in states that see significant snow fall. As I already have trouble finding a 6-speed manual, I have to literally search out of state to find a RWD and manual transmission BMW.
Anyways enough ranting about me. The xdrive system was offered for 3-series and 5-series vehicles around the late 1980s, but for some reason or maybe its just me, there has been a dramatic push for manufacturers/dealers to sell AWD vehicles. The main reason in my opinion are manufacturers wanting to profit in all corners of the market. Audi being the dominant figure in driving mechanics with Quattro, BMW having pure performance luxury machines, and Mercedes having the best of the best in design and technology. Ever since the big-three moved to the Asian markets, BMW has seen a great increase in profitability and have expanded from being an ultimate performance machine to a chimera. Their M group has also seen changes with chief engineer & VP Albert Biermann leaving–now works for Hyundai–and previous Audi engineer, Franciscus van Meel is now leading that division. It really won’t surprise me if he was picked to help lead a successful AWD campaign for the M performance line up.
We have all seen the RS6, RS4, RS5, S6….whatever you want to call it, but all Audi performance coupes/sedans have an AWD system. They even tamed the raging bulls of Lamborghini to drive on all fours and not to remain in the rear. There was a point where Lamborghini made a RWD of the Gallardo (LP-550) and a conversion by Edo of the Murcielago (LP-710). Their sports line ups have been successful in practicality and performance; giving them no true reason to deviate from a strict AWD lineup.
Its hard to believe that BMW is already rolling out their G-chassis. It feels as if the F-chassis were just introduced lasting only a meer 7-years. While the ultimate E-chassis’ were in production for almost 31+ years. Apparently this new 7 series that’s leading the pack doesn’t sacrifice performance. I think I’ve heard that many times. Innovation doesn’t always make changes for the better, but defamesthe past in search for an opaque like future…..?? Right? Oh well only time will tell.
BMW 7 Series New York Media Launch.
Can I trade Places With Her………
Well only when she races. Here’s a video of Christine Sloss ripping it in the SPA with her FXX K. Video is by Gumbal. Although I’m not a huge fan of Google–her husband is vice president Ben Sloss–I like her taste of cars.
2016 GT350/GT350R: Ford’s V8 Swan Song!?!
As we wait for the introduction of the much anticipated mid-engine supercar from Ford, the Ford GT, which will serve as the flagship of their performance line-up. You begin to get a bitter sweet feeling knowing that U.S. V8 engines might soon disappear. Just as BMW packed V10’s and V8’s in their M division E-series models, before they swapped all of their N.A. engines for turbos–hell even their oil went twin-turbo–you can only imagine this is what U.S. manufacturers are planning.
Anyways here is the loud and awesome GT350/GT350R. I know for a fact the R model will fetch a pretty-penny in the next 40 years or so. So if you have money stashed somewhere get the GT350R during its last year of production, as well as its competitors the Z/28 and Hellcat Challenger.
Fridayz Here! Yet the New NSX Is Still Hiding.
Looks like yet again there is a delay to the long awaited Meta-Godzilla. Last minute changes in the engine placement under the bonnet–according to online sources–are the root cause. Honda most likely started this design change months ago and chose to release this decision during the months where favorable weather for driving the car is beginning to decline. I knew a delay would come, given the lack of information about the drivetrain and testing being done throughout the U.S.A. summer months (Acura version). I guess another year till the NSX. Imagine how much more R&D moola has to be spent to change all the document designs, part numbers, piping, etc. I feel sorry for those engineers whenever corporate calls them.
Anyways this might be old news for some but, just imagine if you could get your hands on the original engine design. That would be worth a pretty penny in a couple of years!! Will the Acura version still be considered Japanese? Its being built in the U.S., so I don’t know how I feel about that. There’s something about Japanese dedication and craftsmanship that gives me confidence when purchasing a car that’s made in Japan. I’m I right?!? 😦
