On his way back from the 2007 Italiano Concorso, David Alan, 63, an optometrist by profession, realized that he wanted to doctor more than eyes: the cars. Hence came his custom car building company, Autosports. Three years ago he has dreamt of building the world’s most affordable supercar in Western Pennsylvania. After three years and three custom-built cars later, David saw his cars going fast up to 220mph and wants them to go even faster in future.
Friday, August 27, 2010
An optometrist builds you the 'most affordable' supercar
Super Car Koenigsegg CCXR
You will not see Warren Buffett driving around in one of these....
Perhaps the most expensive and rarest of all super powerful and super expensive cars is the Koenigsegg CCXR which is manufactured in Sweden by a team of beautiful blond builders in bikinis. Only six pieces of the car have been sold at a sticker price of (hold your breath) $1,900,000.00 (yes, that is almost $2 million dollars).
A serious contender (if it comes do price and speed) of Tesla Motors. Swedish Koenigsegg states it is the fastest green (biofuel) super car in the world capable of achieving a top speed of 250 miles an hour (any faster would make it an airplane). So who buys a $1.9 million car? Well, the people that sit on one of the largest oil reserves in the world, the Royal Family of Qatar. The simply flew over the car from Qatar to London for the summer. The Koenigsegg CCXR was last spotted in front of Harrods (which happens to be owned by the Royal Family of Qatar as well).
The owner of this car sure doesn't seem to worry about Compound Interest any longer... I guess it is all about striking a balance.
The new Audi A1 received the first tuning kit from Senner Tuning
The German tuning house Senner decided to develop a tuning kit for the fresh Audi A1, a tuning kit that relates both to the performance and aesthetics. This tuning kit developed by Senner Tuning comes with more changes that affects, in the good way, the performance than changes that are regarding the aesthetic part, a fact that is normal for a just-released model.
New stainless steel termination for the exhaust system were mounted by the tuners, the price for the exhaust pipes reaching 899 euro. Barracuda Voltec T6 18-inch rims are offered with this tuning package, the price for the rims and the Hankook S1 Evo 225/35 R18 tires reaches 1599 euros.
In order to improve more the visual appearance, the tuner lowered the ground clearance of the small A1 by operating some changes at the suspensions.
Enough with the aesthetic improvements. The German tuner provides a TDi engine with a capacity of 1.6 liters able to develop 140 horsepower, 310Nm of torque and will remove from your pocket 899 euro. As a conclusion, Senner Tuning offers a tuning package for the new A1 which costs 3397 euro and the main attraction of the package is the new improved engine.
Toyota got hit by another recall: more than 1 million units
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Toyota got hit by another recall: more than 1 million units
Filed under: Toyota
The Japanese manufacturer Toyota is facing another big recall involving more than 1 million units. More exactly, 1.13 million Corolla and Corolla Matrix units may create problems due to defective engine control modules. Americans at NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) said that the engine of the models told below might stall and not start anymore.
Toyota specified that the models equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and also with the front-wheel drive. The Japanese manufacturer also claimed that no incidents involving this problem appeared so far.
This malfunction could cause beside the engine start failure, also the malfunction of the transmission of the model. The late September is the period when Toyota will start to repair the cars affected by this recall. The faulty part is produced by Delphi corporation, in U.S., a company that provides electronic parts for more manufacturers. This recall proves again some problems surrounding the Japanese car manufacturer.
Lexus reveals IS facelift at the French Auto Show at Paris
The Japanese people from Lexus decided to create a facelift version for the IS model, scheduled to start at the Paris Auto Show and bringing little improvements but not significant changes. The Lexus IS200d comes equipped with a diesel engine of 2 liters capable to deliver 150 horsepower and 340 Nm of torque. Regarding the aesthetics, the optical blocks were slightly redesigned, the changes being not very obviously.
The F-Sport option list was improved by the Japanese manufacturer bringing a redesigned front part with a modified grille and spoiler. New 18-inch alloy wheels are also available while at the interior shift paddles for changing the gears are the novelty along with the leather steering wheel.
Leather seats complete the new improved F-Sport option list for the IS range. The body paint color range is now wider but also new alloy rims are available for the facelifted Lexus IS expected to start at Paris.
The 2011 Range Rover Sport RS from Project Kahn
It’s hight time for the 2011 Range Rover Sport RS to get some new looks and this is thanks to Project Kahn which fitted it with a new body kit adding sportier looks and also performance. More info after the click.
Made from carbon composite materials, the 2011 Range Rover Sport RS kit from Project Kahn weights less than the original body kit (by up to 50 percent). Not only does the new carbon body weigh a lot less (no pun intended), but it also offers new design possibilities in terms of finishing.
Featuring new bumpers both to the front and to the rear, new wheel arches and new 22-inch wheels, the new look package is complee. In the performance department, the 2011 Range Rover RS will only sport a new exhaust system worth 5,000 euros (installation included). But considering the lighter weight of the body, it might bring a couple more hp which couldn’t hurt.
Those interested in the body kit for the 2011 Range Rover RS from Project Kahn will be able to get it next month, though we didn’t manage to find the exact price for it, but maybe it won’t bee too expensive.
The Izaro GTE Electric Supercar
Named the Izaro GTE, the supercar is said to achieve 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds with a top speed that exceeds 200 mph and all that with zero carbon emissions. A very bold claim, because there’s a saying that goes: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But let’s see what other specs they have for us.
Coming in two versions, one 100 percent electric and a hybrid, the Izaro GTE will be sporting 495 hp (the all-electric version) and 416 hp (for the hybrid). According to the company, the range of the electric version will be around 150 miles, give or take because of the driving.
Priced at around $76,000, the light Izaro GTE (it weights bellow 2,200 pounds because of the materials used) will (hopefully) become a reality.
Most Stolen Cars in America – Top 10 List
There is nothing like the feeling that you get when shopping at the mall or working at your job all day and heading back out to your car just to see that it is no longer there and has been stolen. A car is stolen every 26 seconds in the United States costing Americans millions of dollars. Every year, Insurance companies release their lists of the country’s Top Ten Stolen Cars. These lists give consumers an idea of what cars to not buy if they want to minimize the chance of this happening.
1) 1994 Honda Accord: A popular car with the consumers is also a popular car with the thieves. With this kind of popularity, there is a high demand for parts to keep them running.
2) 1995 Honda Civic: A very popular car in the 1990s makes the Civic a popular target for thieves. Many people like to by used ones to fix these cars up creating a demand for aftermarket parts.
3) 1989 Toyota Camry: Being such a reliable car in the early 90s mean there is a demand for parts keeping thieves busy puts this car on the Top Stolen Car list.
4) 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup: Being one of the most popular trucks on the market puts the Ford F-150 on one of the most popular trucks to be stolen. Many other trucks produced by Ford use many of the same parts giving reason why this is probably so popular.
5) 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup: Being the fact that the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup is a work truck, possibly filled with building supplies or more expensive cargo probably gives thieves incentive to snatch one of these vehicles if to come upon one.
6) 2000 Dodge Caravan: Hard to believe that minivans are actually on this list but they are. The 2000 Dodge Caravan makes it to number 6 on this list probably due to the double sliding doors making the van such a good cargo carrier.
7) 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee: A classy SUV for the mid-nineties, the 1996 Jeep Cherokee/ Grand Cherokee is a favorite among thieves. Hard to believe with all the problems they had with the drivetrain.
8 ) 1994 Acura Integra: Noted for the popularity of street racers keeps the 1994 Acura Integra on the list for cars most stolen. This quick little car is a favorite for high performance and reactive speed.
9) 1999 Ford Taurus: The Ford Taurus was a very popular economical car during the late 1990s making parts to currently keep them running in today’s economy also very popular. Because of this, the Ford Taurus is on the Top ten Cars Most Stolen list.
10) 2002 Ford Explorer: A very popular SUV for the early part of the 2000s was the 2002 Ford Explorer. Mixed with the fact that many other Ford vehicles shared many parts put this vehicle on the Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicle list.
2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
The Viper SRT10 American Club Racer-X (ACR-X) is powered by the SRT-exclusive naturally aspirated 8.4 liter V10 engine, complete with original headers and an acutely limited exhaust. This engine generates 640 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 605 lb-ft of torque at 5100 rpm, allocating an immense 76.2 horsepower for every liter of consumed gas.
Compared to the standard production model of the Dodge Viper, the suspension of the SRT10 ACR-X is racing tuned and enhanced with racetrack usage in mind. The SRT10 ACR-X is also lighter than the standard Viper by 160 pounds, weighing in at 3190 lbs, meant for the vehicle to race through the most difficult road courses head on. Aerodynamic features include a front and rear spoiler, monstrous air intakes, and a scooped hood. The package is meant to augment stability and enhance grip during high-speed turns by improving downforce and general airflow.
The Dodge Viper ACR-X is also comprised of original safety features including a roll cage, fuel cells and reinforced racing seats. Supplementary racing features will be added to ensure the car’s durability and reliability during professional competitions. This vehicle is meant to race in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events. The car will be on sale at an estimated price of $110,000, and production will begin in Spring 2010.
in Dodge2010 TopCar Porsche Panamera Stingray
TopCar recently released the Stingray set of enhancements to augment the already tremendous performance and eye-popping looks of the 2010 Porsche Panamera.
First off, the appearance of the newly refitted 2010 Porsche Panamera Stingray by TopCar exemplifies astounding form filled with elegance and poise.
The entire body kit of the car has been constructed with lightweight and stylish carbon fiber. A front mounted chin spoiler is positioned above the front apron, which in turn has wide air intakes. Complementing this design is a sleek and smooth carbon fiber hood with built-in air inlets. Side skirts expand the width of the rear apron, adding to the overall striking appearance of the car. Forged R21 light alloy rims give the car an imposing appearance without sacrificing efficient weight distribution. Moreover, the new Panamera Stingray gets a harmonious finish to its new look from a new rear spoiler, and it fits perfectly over the retractable original. Enthusiasts will also appreciate that engineers have used Nappa Leather for the interior, supported by a carbon fiber chassis, further reducing the weight of the Panamera Stingray. The construction of the entire body kit is exceptionally aerodynamic and lightweight, reducing the vehicle’s final drag coefficient to 0.24.
Now let’s look at the performance of the improved Panamera Stingray. The most dominant performance upgrade is the new pair of mufflers that enables the Panamera to produce a thunderous 550 horsepower. The vehicle’s suspension has also been tuned to racing specifications, giving it an ultra low ground clearance. This grants the car more down-force and increased acceleration.
2010 RZ Ultima Concept
The Ultima GTR was introduced a decade ago in the year 2000. It could run up a strip at full speed in below ten seconds. It had the fastest response rates with the quickest acceleration and deceleration from 0 to 100 mph and vice versa. Any production car would trail behind this sort of performance.
Now, a new concept has been released based on the Ultima GTR. Enthusiasts of the original GTR will appreciate all of its performance re-integrated into a modern, more refined look. The new RZ Ultima concept is still in its design phase, but once put into production it can be the greatest supercar.
The guiding principle in developing the 2010 RZ Ultima GTR is that the chassis and transmission of the original 2000 Ultima GTR would remain unchanged. Racer X Design highly valued the frame of the vehicle, since they believed that the original frame of the GTR epitomized the essential qualities of a supercar: tremendously fast, tasteful, elegant and exclusive. The RZ Ultima GTR ensures supercar quality to enthusiasts and more.
Racer X Design is a company that has developed and assembled a few of the best show cars to date. The company was constantly awarded first place in the XLR-8 live competition, Racer X Design offers a myriad of body detailing services, from developing vehicles for car shows to building full concept cars. Their market includes any individual wanting to modify a vehicle for professional use, or any company seeking to meet its demand for an iconic vehicle to represent them.
2010 Prior Design Mercedes-Benz SL R230 PD Series
Prior Design revealed their most recent work just in time for the industry trade fair “Tuning World Bodensee”. For your approval and consideration: we present the PD-Series based on the Mercedes-Benz SL R230.
The goal of the Kamp-Lintfort company was to transform the seemingly bulky Mercedes-Benz SL R230 into something more ideal and appealing. Thus, they came up with a design clearly inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. This new aesthetic package for the SL R230 is comprised of a smooth and sleek form, huge air intakes and powerfully built sides to impress every enthusiast to date.
Looking at specific elements, let’s start with the front of the vehicle. The first thing that will catch any viewer’s eye is the incomparable breadth of the vehicle granted by the awe-inspiring size of the fenders. From the fender of the car, the eyes are drawn to the front area using smooth lines. After examining the facelift headlights equipped on the car, the viewer will then notice a front mounted spoiler with big, imposing air intakes. The hood is also equipped with several air intakes reaching up into the windshield, supplying much needed air to racing tuned engines.
Large rims making up the side area of the car give the vehicle an intimidating look commanding recognition. Side skirts are expertly placed to connect the sides making it seem as if the entire body work of the vehicle was made to form a single piece.
Checking out the car further will inevitably bring the viewer to the rear of the car, where the curve of the fenders gives an impression that the SL R230 is incredibly broad and spacious. The two rear fenders are connected by a flawlessly contoured rear bumper, where one can find a diffuser available either in full or slight carbon fiber.
A unique wheel tire combination set has been custom-made for PD series. Each rim is made from a three-part stainless steel outer bed with a black finish. The two front tires are measure 10x20 inches with 265/30 R20, while the rear tires measure 12x20 inches with 305/25 R20.
Suspension settings can be fully customized by the driver, mechanically or electronically, using an incorporated Airmatic system.
2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8
The 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is a re-issue of an old and world renowned muscle car. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.1 liter HEMI V8 engine capable of producing 425 horsepower at 6200 rpm, and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque. This allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and the engine generates a massive 69.8 horsepower per liter of gasoline. Such enormous power is kept in line using either a TREMEC TR 6060 six speed manual transmission with a pistol-grip gear handle, or a standard five speed automatic transmission with an Auto Stick.
Driving feedback is provided via a 180 mph speedometer in the center of the display beneath the dashboard, surrounded by four-bomb gauges including a tachometer. Similar to the Dodge Charger SRT8, the Challenger SRT8 also comes equipped with an exclusive Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with Performance Pages, granting the driver crucial information on g-forces, times and speeds.
The new Challenger SRT8 truly appeals to the desires of the modern muscle car enthusiast. Using fog lamps for headlights and the full-width grill were favorite aspects of the old Challenger, and are re-applied into the 2010 model for the sake of fulfilling the “Dodge Performance Attitude”. The dual scooped hood with a raised center is also retrofitted into the new Challenger SRT8. True to muscle car heritage, racing stripes have also been applied.
Interior detailing did not fall behind for the Challenger SRT8 either. They include racing tuned and reinforced bucket seats, complete with leather upholstery and red accents. The stitched accents are further applied to the steering wheel. Finally, the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 comes furnished with useful 21st century features such as Uconnect™ Multimedia, Uconnect Navigation, Uconnect Phone and Keyless Go2010 DeltaWing IndyCar Concept
The design of the 2010 Deltawing IndyCar Concept is a departure from traditional vehicles we see every day. DeltaWing LLC Indianapolis introduced this concept as a test-bed for technological advancement in the automotive industry, directed primarily at a younger group of enthusiasts.
The form of the vehicle is unlike anything we have seen on the road to date. The design follows an ultra slim front track contour, meant to reduce weight and diminish aerodynamic drag. Fairings for the Firestone Firehawk tires avert wheel interlocking. Airflow remains undisturbed even during high velocity laps on the track, producing efficient downforce with negligible wake to guarantee the smallest loss in aerodynamic potential. This allows the DeltaWing Indycar Concept to overtake another vehicle on track, if ever the driver finds himself trailing behind. The inverted aerofoil or spoiler is substituted with a prominent tail fin to increase YAW stability and eliminate drag while speeding through straight-aways on the racetrack. The vehicle is a single-seater, true to the appeal of racecars on the track.
The prototype car is planned to rely on a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. This is estimated to produce around 300 horsepower at 7000 rpm. True to racecar tradition, the car will use a 6-speed oval transmission with paddle shift controls, or a 5-speed transmission with reverse. The focus of the concept is primarily on eliminating aerodynamic drag and epitomizing lighter mass and weight. The anticipated weight of the vehicle will be 1030 lbs including the driver. The car’s weight distribution is directed more toward the rear, with more than 70% of the mass carried by the hefty rear tires. This means that 80% of the downforce comes from the rear of the car, augmenting inline traction while the car accelerates using its rear tires. It is said that DeltaWing LLC will release the prototype by August 2010.
2010 Brabus T65 RS Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series
When it comes to performance, the Brabus-tuned T65 RS Mercedes Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series doesn’t disappoint. Brabus boosted the performance of the SL 65 AMG by adding twin turbochargers and four large intercoolers to the engine package. This is further supplemented by twin mufflers raising the horsepower of the vehicle to 800 hp at 5500 rpm. Torque values also increased to 811 lb-ft at 2100 rpm. The car can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and achieves a speed of 200 km/h in 9.8 seconds. The car’s top speed is measured at over 330 km/h, but due to safety standards and regulations, it is limited to 320 km/h or 200 mph.
Brabus also pays special attention to the interior detailing of the SL 65 AMG. The power comfort seats of the vehicle are covered in a unique blend of black leather and Alcantara, making the seats soft and breathable. The same combination of materials is applied on the headliner, dashboard and door panels. Accentuating the interior design of the car are accurately-sewn red seams found all over the interior, perfectly matching the black ambiance of the car.
The BRABUS upholstery shop creates a special sporty and luxurious interior to customers’ exact specifications, down to the last detail. The power comfort seats offer excellent lateral support without constricting the occupants. In this true BRABUS one-off car, made to the specifications of a longtime customer, they are upholstered in an exclusive combination of especially soft and breathable black leather and Alcantara. The same materials are found on door panels, headliner and dashboard. Precision-sewn red seam add striking highlights to all interior elements. Final adjustments to the interior include stainless steel scuff plates with an illuminated logo and a custom-built speedometer.
2010 BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo
Enthusiasts might appreciate the fact that the 2010 BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo is available as a coupé, convertible, touring or saloon vehicle. Also, rear-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain options are available for the car.
The BMW Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo relies primarily on its 3-liter inline-6 twin turbocharged engine, which yields 400 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 397 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque at 4500 rpm. The engine cleverly allocates 133.3 horsepower per liter of gasoline, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The engine can go up to 7000 rpm, and the top speed clocks in at 186 mph (300 km/h). Massive power is distributed across the powerband using the Alpina Switch-Tronic; a set of buttons behind the steering wheel that essentially removes the need for a traditional gear handle. Using the Switch-Tronic, the driver can shift between gears with no perceivable loss in acceleration. This innovative feature also allows the driver to make use of the whole revolution range of the engine before shifting between gears, and utilizing the top gear is feasible for any driving circumstance. A heavy-duty cooling mechanism with added radiators preserves favorable temperatures when driving. The engine of the B3 S Bi-Turbo also maintains outstanding fuel economy.
Looking at the exterior, the car’s lively aesthetics are identified through the front spoiler, scooped hood, rear diffuser and a pair of unique double-ended mufflers. Alpina Classic 19 inch light-alloy rims emphasize the entire figure of the vehicle, complete with Michelin tires.
The interior is upholstered with leather sport seats, and a blue Alpina display beneath the dashboard. The display contains a digital speedometer and indicates important information such as engine and oil temperature.
2010 Audi A9 Concept Design
Audi has just released its latest concept design. It is known as the A9 concept and it is unlike anything we have seen in any production car to date. Audi plans to project its A9 concept at a higher standing than its current top dog, the A8. Audi predicts that this concept will be advanced enough to overwhelm first-class luxury models from competitors such as the Porsche Panamera, and the Lamborghini Estoque if ever it will be put into production.
The form and features of the 2010 Audi A9 Concept were motivated in part by the magnificent structural design of Santiago Calatrava’s architecture in The City of Arts and Sciences located in Valencia. Such inspiration can be seen in the smooth, sleek and flowing contours of the vehicle along with its futuristic structure. Calatrava’s constructions seem as if they were taken from centuries in the future, and Audi’s concept emulates the same ideals.
The windshield of this concept car is fully integrated into the roof, and is composed of material using nanotechnology. Note that this technology does not exist at this time, since it is designed to automatically adjust from clear to opaque, change color and repair damage. Changing colors to the preference of the driver is a feature also reserved for the body kit of the A9. This means that at the touch of a button, the car can change from white to black, to red, to blue, etc.
Propulsion for the A9 concept is achieved via a sophisticated fusion between electric-powered motors found in each of the four wheels of the vehicle, working in concurrence with an internal combustion engine using a renewable source of fuel. Once again, such technology does not exist as of yet, but the plans for this vehicle certainly sound fascinating.
Friday, August 20, 2010
GERMAN Supercar Audi R8 Spyder review
this is Audi R8 Spyder - Latest supercar from the German manufacturer, R8 Spyder is equipped with 2.5-liter V10 engine-powered 525 hp and 530 nm torque. have speed average 320 km / h were capable. LUXURY CAR - Audi R8 Spyder is worth IDR 4.950 billion, On The Road. What a an expensive car isn't.