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Lamborghini Gallardo

Video: Lamborghini Gallardo Race Ends With A Fishtail And A Crash

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For the benefit of those who are fanatics of Lamborghini Gallardos, this video just might be a little too much to stomach. But if you enjoy the spectacle of supercar crashes – injuries notwithstanding – then check out how a Lamborghini owner managed to destroy his beloved Gallardo in spectacular fashion.

As is the case most of the time with these exotic crashes, the scene for this episode is a rather busy highway where two Gallardos – an orange and a green one – are trying to stretch their legs with their Italian supercar. We understand the adrenaline of putting the pedal to the metal when it comes to cars like the Gallardo, but we also are aware of the dangerous ramifications that could happen should anything go wrong.

Apparently, these two idiots either forgot that memo or they just couldn’t care less.

In the middle of their public showboating, the driver of the green Gallardo inexplicably lost control of his LP 560-4 – yeah, it has AWD – sending it into a massive tailspin before crashing in to the center cement divider.

As you can expect, when that happens, cement always wins.

A poor decision to race that was compounded by some less-than-stellar racing skills all add up to a pretty dinged up supercar and a more than expensive repair bill.

 

 


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Next BMW X5 Has Begun Testing

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The current BMW X5 went on sale back in 2006 and after what will end up being eight years, BMW will finally release a brand-spanking new generation X5 in 2014, and we were able to grab some spy shots of its first tests. The new model will be completely redesigned, much lighter compared to the current model, and powered by more fuel efficient engines.

It’s no surprise BMW will be working on their X5, considering Audi and Landrover have announced they will be focusing on lighter models for the future. BMW is matching these statements with a 330 lb drop for the new X5, compared to the current model, through the extensive use of aluminum. It will be offered with the company’s latest turbocharged engine in a smaller capacity and an improved fuel economy. The top version, however, will still enjoy its usual 4.4 liter V8 engine, but with improved figures. It has been rumored that BMW will also offer a hybrid X5.

In addition to the weight drop and engine modifications, the next X5 will also get a revised suspension, improved xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, and systems like lane departure warning and compensation, night vision, park assist, traffic sign recognition, surround view cameras, and active cruise control.

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Mercedes-Benz SL

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The new high-tech, low weight Mercedes SL roadster receives its official global unveil next week in Detroit.

“We want to get back to clean, long-lasting design,” director of Mercedes global advanced design and SL project leader, Steffen Kohl told CDN at the exclusive preview of the sixth-generation model. “So the new SL is long, sleek and still full of tension in the feature lines but less wedgy.”

In a short presentation Kohl felt all SLs became successfully iconic in their times because they followed two key rules – ‘sensuality’ and ‘cleanness’ – but alluded that the first rule may have been lost in more recent eras. “We did sensuality for a long time and now we’re coming back to it,” he confirmed, referencing natural shapes like the female form and cultural designs like a violin plus the clean designs of a classic Braun radio and the third-gen SL (1972-1989) as examples.

The design team assembled to take on the new SL starting back in 2007 included project manager Hans-Dieter Futschik with Mark Fetherston on the exterior and Hans-Peter Wunderlich overseeing the interior. The project was signed off in 2010.

Removing the wraps in the studio revealed new proportions with a lower silhouette, longer hood, and a wide, upright and deeper one-bar grille at the front. The official stats back up this impression; the SL is 50mm longer, a significant 57mm wider and boasts a 0.27 Cd drag coefficient.

These exterior dimensions pay interior dividends with 37mm more shoulder room and 28mm more elbow space. The aviation-inspired cabin clearly follows on from the existing SLS and SLK production cars with a whale fin-style IP and graphically clean ‘cross-hair’ air vents that resemble aircraft engines above a wide centre stack. Wunderlich said the treatment on the SL is “slightly more sensual than on the SLS” and great details abound from the narrow but curvy ribbed seat upholstery – inspired by protective racing bike suits by Dainese – to the revived use of the old-school Mercedes-Benz script logo on the bottom of the steering wheel, on a real metal part. From an ergonomic and sensory point of view, to sit in, it feels cosy rather than imposingly cockpit-like, or as Wunderlich added, “you sit behind the IP not over it”.

The idea of lightweight is fundamental to the new model’s structure. It has an aluminium bodyshell that is 110kg lighter than the outgoing steel version. Aluminium makes up 89% of the body with (even lighter) magnesium used around the rear bulkhead and high strength steel only used for the A-pillars to assist rollover safety. On the new SL350 V6 the reduction can add up to 140kg – or two slim men.

This lightweight structure was also developed to better integrate some of the new technology. For instance, the FrontBass stereo system uses the free spaces in the aluminium structures at the front of the footwells as resonance space for the bass speakers – rather than put them in the doors that Mercedes’ designers say can cause more vibration. Other tech includes a new windscreen wiper – ‘Magic Vision Control’ in Merc product-speak – that trades conventional squirters from the base of the windscreen for a series of holes in the wiper blade to deliver water direct to the windscreen and wipe it away at the same time, thus reducing the time the driver’s vision is obscured. As the water mainly comes out on the wiper’s downstroke it also avoids the potential for water spray to overshoot into the roadster’s cabin. Very Mercedes.

Revealed in a matte grey exterior finish first impressions of the car were very positive. One slight concern is the detailing within the front headlight clusters that at an initial view look a little fussy. But that question mark aside, the new wider and longer proportions, clean exterior lines and beautifully designed and finished interior add up to the 6th-gen model looking every inch a classic SL in the making.

 

BMW 3 sixth-generation

BMW 3 – BMW begins sales of sixth-generation sedan

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BMW staged the U.S. launch of the sixth generation of the stalwart 3-series at the Detroit auto show this week, which makes this as good a time as any to take a look back at the car that other sports sedans aspire to be.

The small sedan hit the scene in 1975, just three years after the 5-series, as a successor to the BMW 1600, the 1600ti and the 2002. It was characterized by large windows, short overhangs and a low-slung appearance. It was fronted by the company’s signature double-kidney grille. The E21, as it was known internally, had engines ranging from 1.6 liters to 2.3 liters in displacement. The top model made 141 hp and had disc brakes all around.

In 1982, the second generation debuted with redesigned sheetmetal and optimized aerodynamics. Track width was increased, and dual headlights became standard. The E30 was sold until 1993 with a selection of four- and six-cylinder engines ranging from 121 hp all the way up 192 hp in the 1989 M3.

In the early 1990s, the third generation debuted. It was larger and rounder than its predecessors. The double headlights were mounted together behind glass on each side of the grille. The third generation had almost nothing in common with the previous model but was easily recognizable as a BMW. Power came from a selection of four- and six-cylinder engines ranging from 111 hp to 190 hp. The third-generation M3 topped the 300-hp barrier for the first time with 317 ponies from the 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine.

The fourth generation grew even more, adding nearly two inches to the width and nearly three inches to the track. The grille was integrated into the hood. Compared with the 5- and 7-series, the lower headlight surrounds formed a distinct look. Output increased to 235 hp for the non-M models while the M3 CSL made 355 hp.

In 2005, the fifth generation launched–it was the most powerful series to date. It was awarded World Car of the Year honors in New York. Internally named the E90, power ranged from 215 hp in the 325i to 444 hp in the M3 GTS.

The new BMW 3-series, introduced to North America in Detroit, promises to be more efficient, with the lowest coefficient of drag in its history. A four-cylinder engine was introduced with 240 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. Top models stay with the twin-scroll turbocharged I6 making 300 hp. The dual headlights with LED eyebrows extend all the way to the kidney-grille frame. The 3-series sports two large air intakes located below the headlights.

BMW has done well over the past 35 years to improve the 3-series while keeping it recognizable as the company’s bread-and-butter sedan.

BMW M5 F10

BMW M5 F10 first independent dyno results

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The US market still has to wait until next year to savour that which is the BMW M5 F10. But in Europe, the all new M5 is hitting the markets and tuning firms are getting their greasy paws on the autobahn scortcher for the first time.

One of the first is German tuning firm PP Performance who have promptly put the vehicle on the dynamometer for first independent runs to see what the Bavarian fun machine can really do.

The M5 F10 registered 444 bhp (331 kW / 450 PS) at the wheels on a MAHA LPS 3000 dyno. This translates into an estimated power output of 573.7 bhp (428 kW / 582 PS) and 721 Nm (532 lb-ft) of torque at the crankshaft. The official BMW specifications are 560 PS (412 kW / 552 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque.

Other tuners such as G-Power have already let us know they have an M5 F10 in their possession and are doing the same thing. Preliminary findings indicated G-Power’s Stage 1 package should produce at least 620 PS (456 kW / 612 bhp).

With this as a basis, expect to see tuners such as Manhart who are already achieving 750 PS (551 kW / 740 bhp) and 910 Nm (671 lb-ft) of torque with their MH3 V8 RS Clubsport to achieve even more.

 


BMW Gran Coupe

BMW Gran Coupe

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BMW has announced its interpretation of the four-door coupé. Following in the footsteps of the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and the Porsche Panamera, the Gran Coupé is said to offer a level of practicality missing from its premium rivals.

First unveiled in concept format, back at the 2007 Shanghai motor show as the Concept CS, the concept fell foul of the global recession before resurfacing at Beijing last year – again, in concept format.

Lining up as the third model in the 6-Series portfolio, the Gran Coupé retains most of the stylistic traits of the Coupé and Cabrio – from the DRG to the detailing on the flanks. The car’s silhouette mimics the Coupe’s flowing roofline, which disperses into a high rear deck.

Inside, the car retains much of the 6-Series interior architecture, the cocooning dash and central tunnel are present, lavishly appointed in leather and other exclusive materials. BMW says that the cockpit extends further than the driver, with the interior offering a ‘harmonious connection all the way from the IP to the rear compartment’.

 

 


Toyota FT-86

Toyota GT-86 sports coupe

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Toyota’s finally, finally, finally given us some pictures of the GT 86 – its jazzy new coupe that’ll debut at this week’s Tokyo Motor. And how long have we been waiting? Since 2009. 2009.

And what’s with the new name, eh? Firstly, and for no obvious reason, Toyota’s ditched the F and hyphen. Secondly, they’ve added RULES. Europeans get the GT 86 (but we have to call it the eight six, not eighty six), in Japan it’ll be the 86 (as in eighty six and no GT prefix) and America gets the Scion FR-S.

So, what else is there to report? Beyond these heavily Photoshopped pictures, not a lot. We’ve spotted some slight styling and interior differentiation from the concept – there’s a big diffuser on its lower rump, and Toyota’s fitted a Very Small Steering wheel (365mm in diameter, which is the smallest it has ever fitted to a road car).

Since Toyota has drip-fed us information since the DAWN OF TIME, we know most other things – the rear-drive Gee Tee Eight Six has been built hand-in-hand with Subaru (its version is badged BRZ. Possibly pronounced Berrz. Or Bee Ruzz) and both get a Scoob-derived flat-four engine and six-speed manual ‘box with the option of a six-ratio automatic.

Power for the GT 86 sits at 197bhp (at 7,000rpm) and 151lb ft of torque, which, Toyota claims, gives it “brisk, engaging performance”, while the weight-distribution is near perfect at 53:47 front-to-rear.
Underneath, both the GT 86 and BRZ have limited-slip differentials and independent suspension all round, though the GT 86 is a little more drift-boy focused – its stability control allows some tail-wagging before it tells you off.

But does it still tickle your pickle? Or are you exhausted from the ENDLESS teasing?


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Video: 2013 BMW M5. From 0 to 90 seconds

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BMW M Product Manager for the U.S., Matt Russell, describes in 90 seconds the qualities and abilities of the new 2013 BMW M5. As we mentioned many times before, the new M5 features under the hood a high-revving 4.4-liter (4395cc) turbocharged that uses the BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine outputs 560 horsepower from 5,750-7,000 rpm and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque from only 1500rpm.

The new BMW M5 goes on sale in Spring 2012 and will be offered in the United States with both a manual and 7-speed DCT gearbox.

German magazines report a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds, and at 12.4 seconds, it already achieved 124 mph (200 km/h).

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New Mercedes SL

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Mercedes has revealed its all-new SL, and the initials – which stand for sporty and lightweight – have never been more appropriate. The roadster is up to 140kg lighter than its predecessor, while new six and eight-cylinder engines are faster and cleaner than ever before.
The car’s illustrious bloodline stretches back to the original SL from 1952 – a model still highly coveted in the classic car market. But this 2012 version has its eyes fixed on the future, with an all-aluminium body and a raft of groundbreaking technology.
For the first time in a production model, Mercedes has produced an all-aluminium bodyshell, to dramatic effect. It weighs 110kg less than the steel body from the outgoing car. Other measures, such as aluminium suspension components, take the total saving to 125kg in the SL 500 and 140kg in the SL 350. This improves rigidity, agility and efficiency.
Two engines, both with stop-start as standard, will be available from launch. The SL 500 features a new 429bhp 4.7-litre V8, while the SL 350 gets a 302bhp 3.5-litre V6. Smaller than the 5.5-litre engine it replaces, the new V8 is around 12 per cent more powerful, yet fuel returns have improved by 22 per cent to 29.8mpg. The V6 engine is almost 30 per cent more economical, at 41.5mpg.
Performance should be more thrilling than ever, though, with the SL 500 covering 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds – eight-tenths faster than the old car. And the SL 350 shaves three-tenths off its time, taking it down to 5.9 seconds.
The new profile is still unmistakably an SL, with its long bonnet and cabin set well back in the wheelbase. Chromed fins on the car’s flanks are a nod to the original SL, while the upright grille and big three-pointed star continue a theme that began on the SLS AMG.
In the search for more interior space, the new model has grown by 50mm in length and 57mm in width, despite its dramatic weight-loss. The cabin clearly takes inspiration from the SLS, with its bullseye air vents and gently tapered centre console. Three types of wood and two aluminium trim finishes are available, so you can tailor the interior to your taste.
A revised folding hard-top retracts into the boot quicker than before, and has a couple of neat tricks up its sleeve. It’s available with three finishes – painted, with a glass top or a panoramic vario-roof. The latter, which also features on the new SLK, can be switched from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. A magnesium frame means it’s 6kg lighter than the old hood, too.
A number of innovations debut on the SL. Magic Vision Control is Mercedes’ name for a wiper system that applies the washer fluid from within the blade – eliminating those hairy moments when the spray obscures the windscreen. The blades are also heated to prevent ice welding them to the glass in the winter.
A new FrontBass system uses free spaces in the footwells to amplify the speakers, and frees up space in the doors, while the bootlid can be opened by waving your foot under the rear bumper.
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Ford Fiesta SUV Concept

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We’ve seen early prototypes and heard rumours of a Ford Fiesta-based SUV but now we’ve got our first look at how the new model is shaping up thanks to this teaser shot.
The picture reveals a model thought to be called the EcoSport Concept that will be unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Show in January. Its world debut in India is no surprise as Ford is planning on making it only the second of its models available there.
As part of the ‘One Ford’ strategy, which sees almost identical cars sold the world over – much like the most recent Focus – the EcoSport will be the same in India as it is when it reaches Europe in late 2012. Expect to see a higher level of standard specification for European models though.
Judging by this teaser, much of the styling is inspired by the Vertrek concept seen at January’s Detroit expo. It gets the same multi-layered headlights, sculpted bonnet and lowered roofline.
There will also be a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line-up will include two versions of the firm’s efficient EcoBoost turbo engines: a new three-cylinder 90bhp 1.0-litre unit, and the powerful 1.6-litre from the bigger Focus.
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