Babes - Fast Cars

Blog about the car industry and other related car news

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 around the Nardo track in Italy

A 4am wake-up Espresso has to suffice. The remaining drowsiness disappears as soon as the 6.5 ltr. V12, now with 663 hp, is fired up. Re-torque the wheels once again. After checking the pressure of the new Continental V-max tires the edo competition LP 640 Versione Nardo rolls onto the 12.6 km (7.8 miles) long oval.

Each contestant has 3 laps: The first one as the warm-up lap, the second one as the high-speed lap and the third one as the cool down lap. By now it’s 6am, the sun is rising over the test track. It’s chilly with light winds, but above all - It’s dry. On this Sunday morning the warm-up lap is driven at speeds between 280 and 300 km/h (174-186 mph). Particular attention is paid to vibrations, oil- and water-temperatures. It feels good, the LP 640, and thanks to the newly developed rear wing it’s so fantastically stable, as if the tires were glued to the south-Italian tarmac.

Now it’s on. The second lap counts and the growl of the V12 is turning into an infernal shriek as the revs rise - similar to a chainsaw cutting through a giant sequoia tree. Wide open throttle is the norm now and even at 280 km/h (174 mph) one is still being pushed into the seat. Meanwhile in 6th gear the raging bull comfortably eclipses the 340 km/h (211 mph) mark, but there’s more. 345.7 km/h (214.8 mph) is what TÜV-Rheinland’s meticulously accurate and incorruptible GPS-based measuring system shows.

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Audi A3 Cabriolet

Audi’s third convertible (after A4 and TT) will arrive in the UK next April, with the choice of four engines - two petrol and two diesel – and a starting price around the £20,000 mark. It sits on the same chassis as the A3 – they share the same 2578mm wheelbase – and borrows most of the hatches chassis, steering and suspension set-up. The ragtop’s chassis has been pumped up with reinforcement to counter the loss of torsional rigidity. It might be late in the A3’s life, but the only real rival – BMW’s new 1-series convertible also arrives next year. Well-heeled housewives rejoice.

The convertible gets a new face – which will also debut on the face lifted A3 hatchback, due out next year – dominated by Audi’s signature trapezoidal grille and flanked by some high-tech headlamps. The bi-Xenon units house the LED daylight running lights and what Audi calls a ‘chrome vapor-coated wing-shaped contour’ whose looks alter with the dipped, head and main beam functions. The dart-shaped rear lights – familiar to new A4 and A5 drivers – use fiber optic rod technology for enhanced illumination.

To ensure the roofless A3 doesn't flop around corners, almost half of the car’s sheet metal is made from high-strength steel, while the roof frame and integral roll-over hoops incorporate hot-formed steels to boost torsional rigidity, helped by bolstered side sills and additional front and rear reinforcements. There's no word on kerb weights yet, but don't expect the Audi to be anything other than heavy.

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Lexus LX 570 With Front and Side Cameras



2008 Lexus LX570: The First Vehicle That Can See Around Corners

Next year's Lexus LX 570 has got some pretty spiffy tech attached to it — including a visual system that allows you to clock what's going on around, beside and below you while you park or un-park. Its "front-wide view and side monitoring system" consists of little spy cameras, one on the radiator grille, plus a couple situated on the underside of the side mirrors, all of which gives you access to 180º vision via a screen inside the car. AutoSpies made a video of the system.

All for snazzy features that may prevent you running down the kids when you return from the Mall's Xmas Meet-n-Greet but, as someone whose last car was an ancient Mercedes 280 SLC bought for $1500.

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Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder

The Boxster RS 60 Spyder is a special edition Porsche, designed to celebrate Stuggart’s racers from the 1960s. But we’re quite upset to learn it’s no homologation-special like the GT3 RS.

Based on a Boxster S the obvious changes are a new front spoiler and 19-inch wheels, which look even more purposeful thanks to spacer plates. A sports exhaust lifts power from 295 to 303bhp, while PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) is also fitted.

Porsche natters on in the press release about the 1960 Type 718 RS 60 Spyder but in truth, the Boxster gets nowhere near recreating that car’s beauty. (It was the same with the previous generation Boxster’s 550 Spyder special edition).
Other fancy fripperies on the RS 60 include red taillights, special silver paint, lots of leather, and a glove box-mounted commemorative plaque, which tells you you own one of just 1960 cars.

The RS 60 Spyder will be unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show next week, before it goes on sale in the UK from March 2008, priced at £45,400. That actually makes it good value compared to the standard S, considering all the extras you get, except of course the fact that a face lifted Boxster is just around the corner.

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BMW X1

It may not look like anything special, but this is the first public sighting of BMW’s new X1 off-roader. Beneath that black bin-liner camouflage sits BMW’s smallest SUV, as the company continues to try and plug every niche-shaped hole in the market.

Taller, broader and chunkier than the 1-series hatch from which it borrows heavily, the X1 will arrive in 2010 with a full powertrain line-up topped by biturbo 305bhp petrol and 205bhp diesel units, complemented by electronically controlled full-time four-wheel drive and the next generation of BMW’s acclaimed Efficient Dynamics know-how. Expect the current 1-series engine line-up four-cylinder petrols and diesels to account for the bulk of sales.

The X1 will be a full time four-wheel-driver, sharing its all-paw layout, raised ride-height and plastic body cladding with the upcoming Mini off-roader. Not that most badge-oriented drivers will take it green-laning - although it shares the same sized footprint as Ford’s Kuga and the Toyota RAV4, expect prices for the X1 to start around £23,000.

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Audi TT S prepared for Geneva motor show

A swifter TT will give the 350Z and Cayman proper competition. Audi is busy prepping a brisk S version of its new TT, ready to make its debut at the Geneva motor show next March. We've already spied an even hotter RS version, but for the moment TT fans will have to make due with the S version. Not that they'll have much to moan about. As previewed in the Clubsport Quattro, we expect the S to use a heavily tweaked version of the S3's 2.0-liter direct injection four-pot engine, hooked up to a revised version of Audi's double-clutch transmission. The hotter S will be easily identified by those large gaping front air intakes, deeper chin, bigger 19inch alloys and those gutter-sized split twin exhaust pipes. Audi is apparently reserving its four-pipe exhaust layout for the blood-spitting RS version.

A heavily modified inlet manifold and re calibrated engine management system should generate a healthy 280bhp - enough to fire the TT to 60mph in around 5.5seconds and brush up easily against its 155mph electronic limiter. And with an anticipated 265lb ft of torque kicking in low in the rev-range, in-gear acceleration through the closer-ratio six-speed box should put the frighteners on coupe rivals like the Cayman and 350Z.

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Mitsubishi Concept-RA

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. will premiere MITSUBISHI Concept-RA to the world at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS or the Detroit Motor Show). MITSUBISHI Concept-RA fuses a passion for dynamic, exciting driving with a heightened sensitivity for the environment thanks to clean, efficient high performance diesel power. The 2008 NAIAS runs from January 13 to 27 at the Cobo Center in Detroit and opens to the general public on January 19.

MITSUBISHI Concept-RA shows that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts. This coupe concept features the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system driveline and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission used in Lancer Evolution*1, is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency clean diesel engine.

The Concept-RA will be powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency clean diesel engine and will feature similar system as the Lancer Evolution X in term of the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system driveline and the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission. Other technology from Mitsubishi such as the Active Yaw Control and Sport ABS are also included.

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Automative News for this week

Automotive News will be posted every 14 days. Just click on the story you want to watch and then click on play button!

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Brabus 57 SV12 S Biturbo

A world-record speed of 330.6 km/h (205.2 mph) set on the high-speed test track in Nardo, Italy; Brabus added to its extensive collection of automotive records with a Maybach 57 powered by a 730-hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537-kW Brabus SV12 S Biturbo engine. It is the world�s fastest and most exclusive ultra-luxury sedan. The Brabus engineers and test drivers bested their own record set in 2005 when a Maybach 57 powered by a Brabus SV12 Biturbo engine with 640 hp (631 hp SAE net) / 471 kW was clocked at 314 km/h (195 mph).

The SV12 S Biturbo evolution of the 6.3-liter displacement engine was originally developed for the Brabus ROCKET, the four-door car based on the Mercedes CLS series. In October of 2006 it set a speed record for street-legal sedans of 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph), a record that still stands today.

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Hayden Panettiere drives Porsche Cayenne GTS

Hayden Panettiere is one of the hottest Hollywood celebrity. She become famous with role in popular Heroes series. Paparazzi took few pictures where we can see that she's driving brand new Porsche Cayenne GTS, which we already presented and write this:

No one in London will buy it thanks to mayor Ken's Congestion Charge. That leaves footballers, people in Cheshire, lots of Americans and it’s bound to go down a bundle in the Middle East and emerging Far East markets.
There is no doubt Hayden Panettiere has style!

For all of you who forgot what is Porsche Cayenne GTS all about: 200bhp hike over the standard engine gives the GTS 400bhp, which is enough to hurtle it to 60mph in 6.1 seconds and send it over the horizon at 157mph (6.5 sec and 156mph respectively for the Tiptronic).

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Pictures of Jaguar XF R prototype

It uses the same supercharged 4.2-litre V8 as the cooking XF, but tuned to a higher state of athleticism. Breathing more deeply with higher boost pressures, this one is said to put out closer to 500bhp. Right on BMW M5 money, then.

This prototype has various telltale signs suggesting this is the musclebound R. Every version seen so far has twin tailpipe exhausts, whereas this model sports quad pipes at the rear; the ride height is noticeably lower; the mesh grille is menacingly blackened; and those huge five-spoke alloys are wrapped around very serious-looking ventilated discs.

Humdrum 2.7 V6 diesel and petrol V6 and V8 models don't go on sale until March 2008, so you're looking at a somewhat longer wait for the high-performance version. We reckon the hot one will be shown at a motor show in late 2008, with sales kicking off in early '09. It should be one of the fastest four-doors on sale, with pace to challenge the Mercedes E63, Audi RS6 and BMW M5.
All this is dependent on the sale of Jaguar, of course. We're still waiting to see which suitor eventually buys the Coventry firm. But that's not stopping the engineers honing this, the most eagerly anticipated sports saloon to wear the leaping cat badge for years.

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Lotus Elise S Limited Edition for 40th Anniversary


Lotus Cars is very pleased to release its limited edition for Mainland Europe – the Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition. This unique limited edition is based on the entry-level model of the Elise Range – the Elise S – and commemorates the 40th anniversary of production at the Lotus factory in Hethel in 2007.

To celebrate both the 40th anniversary of production at the Lotus factory in Hethel, England and also the fourth consecutive year of sales growth in Europe for Lotus (up 9% year to date verses the same period last year) the car will be extremely competitively priced giving the customer an extra 10% extra value in terms of equipment and options. The only additional cost options are Air Conditioning and Lotus Traction Control.

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Tuning package for Mercedes C-Class wagon by BRABUS released


For the CDI models BRABUS offers its BRABUS PowerXtra kits. They start with the D2 (III) kit that boosts power output of the C 200 CDI by 39 hp (28 hp SAE net) / 28.7 kW and bumps peak torque to 385 Nm (284 lb-ft). BRABUS D3 S tuning in the C 220 CDI model increases power output by an extra 50 hp (49 hp SAE net) / 36.8 kW to 220 hp (217 hp SAE net) / 162 kW. Peak torque is 480 Nm (354 lb-ft).

The top-of-the-line turbodiesel model C 320 CDI adds 48 hp (47 hp SAE net) / 35.3 kW with the D6 (III) power kit. Peak torque grows to 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). Thus equipped, the new V6 wagon turns into one of the liveliest diesels on the market: The sprint from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 6.9 seconds, top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).

For the gasoline-powered V6 models C 280 and C 350 there is the BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine. Displacement of the V6 engine is increased with the help of a special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger cylinder bore with correspondingly larger pistons. The four-valve heads are optimized for mixture flow and fitted with custom camshafts. Newly programmed engine electronics and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts round out the conversion.

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Hammond in Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon Jet

Top Gear is probably the only TV series where a spy video gets viewers excited about an upcoming episode. We have been amazingly anxious to watch the episode where Top Gear’s Richard Hammond races the Bugatti Veyron against a Eurofighter; and it’s finally here.

The Bugatti Veyron is the fastest production Supercar money can buy. With 1001 HP, the mighty bug can go from 0 to 100MPH is 5.5 second and top out at 253MPH. However, speed is a relative term. What is fast in one reality isn’t so fast in another. So, what happens when $1.7 million Veyron meets up with a $45 million EF-2000 jet fighter for a drag race? This video will explain it.

To make the two mile long race more fair, the jet fighter has to do one mile going straight up, turn around and nose dive straight down to the finish line. The Bugatti will blast down to the mile mark, turn around and race back to the finish line. First one to cross the line wins. Who’s the winner? Watch the video and find out.

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Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang

The Pur Sang was display at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Bugatti EB Veyron 16.4 Pur Sang is the special edition version of one of the world’s fastest cars, Bugatti Veyron. There will be only five units of this version built.

The body shell are made of an extremely pure aluminum alloy, to prevent irregular polishing, a carbon fiber monocoque body. With those kind of body, no pain is required as seen from the picture.

The weight of the Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang is at 1,888 kg, 100 kg less than the standard Bugatti Veyron and it could produce up to 1,000 hp. This is typical amount of horse power for every Bugatti.

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Lamborghini Reventon vs Tornado Jet-Fighter

The race between the Lamborghini Reventon and the Panavia Tornado jet fighter (A200-A) was held at the Ghedi (Brescia) military airport. The race was held on a 3000 meter runaway.

The Reventon was ahead in the first leg of the race, but in the last few meters, the Tornado caught up, taking off and flying over the Reventon which was at the speed of over 340 km/h.

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Venom GT concept car

Penned by British auto designer, Steve Everitt, the Venom GT would incorporate Hennessey’s potent Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper V10 powerplant into a light weight mid-engine chassis weighing “under 2,700 lbs”. Power would be run through a 6-speed transmission or optional sequential gearbox.

With a power to weight ratio of just 2.7 lbs per bhp Hennessey estimates that the Venom GT could attain 0 to 100 km/h times in less than 2.5 sec. and a 0-300 km/h time of around 14 seconds. Company founder, John Hennessey, is careful to point out that the Venom GT is not being built as a “Veyron Slayer”. Hennessey point out, saying,

The Veyron is an ultra fast and ultra luxurious grand touring car which also happens to be quicker and faster than any other road car, except for our Venom 1000 Twin Turbo SRT which beat the Veyron earlier this year from 0-200 mph. The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ HP in a chassis that is nearly 1500 lbs lighter than the Veyron.
Hennessey said,
The company already has existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients interested in ordering the lighter, mid-engined Venom GT. “Right now are taking a serious look at building 2 concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT.
If the Venom GT goes into production, it would be built at the company’s facility at Lonestar Motorsports Park which is located just west of Houston, Texas.

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Lamborghini Reventon

It’s based on the sensationally proportioned Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, but has been dressed up by Satan’s personal tailor in a military hue. The Reventon is the ultimate limited edition Lamborghini – just 20 will be built, at a cost of €1,000,000 each, and all have already been snapped up. Eleven cars go to America, seven stay in Europe, one will be dispatched to Japan and one to Dubai.

Designed in-house, the sinister Reventon is a breath-taking mix of Star Wars and Hot Wheels. Every edge is chiseled to perfection, each line is carved with total precision, and all the angles fit in a network of long, strong muscular cords.

And it’s beautifully detailed, too. Drink in those piercing LED headlamps, the bright yellow pinhead indicators and the red arrow taillights. Also new are the black alloy rims complete with carbonfibre blades for enhanced cooling – not to mention just looking cool – a machined-from-solid filler cap and air intakes that are both bigger and more geometric than those on the LP.

As with all Lamborghini’s current models, the Reventon is bull-related – it’s the name of a famous black bull, which dominated the Spanish corridas in the late 1930s. The fiercesome beast killed the famous torero Felix Guzman in 1943 before meeting its own grisly end.

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Porsche Carma Concept

The Porsche Carma Concept was designed by 4 fourth year students at the French Design School ISD (Institute Supérieur de Design - Valenciennes, France). The team consists of Germain Baillot, Pierre Fichet Delavault, Julie Dicks and Simon Menu.

The Carma Concept is designed to be an extreme sports car as well as suitable for daily drive. Some of the features include aerodynamic body, internal spoiler at the rear, two Venturi-tubes that increase ground-effect and Porsche’s 6 cylinder boxer engine.

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