Video: Hot Wheels sets Double Loop Dare World Record

Hot Wheel's drivers Tanner Foust and Greg Tracy have set the Guinness World Record for racing two cars through a six-storey vertical double loop at the X Games San Francisco 2012. Check out the video to see how this amazing stunt was completed.

Video Source: Youtube

BMW M6 Convertible a powerful beast

BMW fans will be drooling over the new M6 Convertible that is now available in South Africa, not only because it looks so damn good but more because of what it’s capable of doing on the road. The new M6 displays 10% higher power output and 30% higher torque when compared to the previous model, enough to get the heart pumping at a ridiculous rate.

So what’s the big deal then? Well the fact that the new M6 Convertible is fitted with an aggressive 4.4-litre V8 with TwinPower Turbo technology is where this story begins. Producing 412kW between 6000 and 7000rpm and with a maximum torque figure of a mammoth 680Nm on tap from 1 500 to 7 200rpm, you can just imagine. The M6 Convertible is a savage beast on the road and will clock 100km/h in only 4.3 seconds. 200km/h is achieved in 13.1 seconds and the M6 will reach a governed speed of 250km/h. However, the M Driver’s package allows that top speed to reach 305km/h. Unfortunately the M Driver’s package is not available in South Africa and for good reason.

There’s also some good news in terms of fuel consumption and the M6 Convertible displays a 30% improvement on the previous model with a fuel consumption figure of 10.3-litres/100km. Its V8 engine is mated with a seven-speed M Double Clutch transmission with Drivelogic, which contributes to this reduction.

As we’d expect from BMW, the M6 Convertible is fitted with the latest technology and the interior is equally impressive in terms of luxury. Buying a M6 Convertible is where the crunch comes and you can expect to pay in the region of R1 485 500 to drive this marvellous car. If you wish to read more about it, click on the following link: New BMW M6 Convertible available in South Africa  

 News Source: Cars.co.za

The new Infiniti G Cabrio now available in South Africa

If driving cars with the top down and impressing onlookers with your fancy car is your cup of tea then you might want to take a look at the new Infiniti G Cabrio as an option. This elegant little number is available only as the G37 GT Premium and forms part of Infiniti’s latest luxury offerings in South Africa.

The G Cabrio is powered by Infiniti’s 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine and is capable of producing 235kW at 7 000rpm. More than this, the G Cabrio has a maximum torque figure of 360Nm available from 5 200rpm. Acceleration to 100km/h is achieved in 6.4 seconds and the G Cabrio can reach a top speed of 250km/h. fuel consumption is slightly on the thirsty side with a average fuel consumption of 11.4-litres/100km and a CO2 emissions figure of 268g/km. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

 To complement its engine setup, the G Cabrio is not short of style and comes fitted with a three-piece ‘clamshell’ metal roof and noise compensation technology to deal with the effects of driving with the wind your hair. The interior is sporty and classy with maple wood finishes completed with aluminium detailing. Monaco Red Leather and a metallic paint finish can be ordered as extras to give the G Cabrio a unique touch.

What does a G Cabrio cost? Well, you can expect to pay in the region of 699 000 to drive a G Cabrio, style does not come cheap.

Do you like the G Cabrio?

News Source: Infiniti

Hot News: Next Bugatti Veyron will be Powered by Hybrid Engine

Bugatti is already working on a successor to the Veyron, and it could be a hybrid. It will also be lighter, faster and is likely to bear the Veyron badge again – as Auto Express exclusively predicted way back in 2011.

“We are working on the next super-sports car,” Bugatti’s chief vehicle engineer, Jens Schulenburg, told us. The next Bugatti is still expected to be the 1,000bhp-plus four-door Galibier, which appeared as a concept in 2009 and could go on sale in 2014 – to coincide with the end of the current Veyron’s production run.

The Veyron successor will remain the flagship, though, and debut the very latest technology and materials available. “The big challenge on the next car will be reducing weight – we are looking at some incredible technologies, such as wheels made entirely from carbon fibre. Hybrids are definitely something we’re looking at, too,” Schulenburg said.

With the current car weighing two tonnes, it would not be a problem to incorporate a set of batteries and motors, plus an engine – as long as the power output beats the current engine’s 1,183bhp. If it does, the 2010 Veyron Super Sport’s 268mph top speed could be surpassed. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2013 Mazda Flairwagon

Japan is world renowned for producing things that are cute, and here’s one more. Introducing the Mazda Flairwagon, a micro-mini tall wagon that’s being sold only in Japan. It’s essentially a rebadged Suzuki Palette, and the vehicle is also rebadged by Nissan as the Roox.

Anyway, the Flairwagon is 1,365 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,070 mm. It seats four comfortably with plenty of headroom to spare. The power sliding rear doors adds more comfort and convenience when getting in and out of this vehicle. The rear seats can be folded almost flat that frees up a space enough for a standard 27 inch bicycle.

The Flairwagon comes in four trims – LS, XS, TS and IS Limited. Except for the TS, which is powered by a 660 cc DOHC Turbo, the rest have 660 cc DOHC VVT in the bay. No mention of official power or performance figures in the press release. The MPV comes with either a FWD or Full-time 4WD. All engines are mated to a CVT. The IS Limited is further equipped with idling stop system with hill hold control function.

As for fuel economy, it ranges from 17.2 km/l for the TS Turbo right up to 22.2 km/l for the IS Limited VVT. Pricing starts from 1.21 million Yen right up to 1.5 million Yen for the TS Turbo.

Thanks to: Paultan

New Concept Car: Jaguar XJ_e

The Jaguar XJ_e, on display in the FoS-TECH pavilion at Goodwood, has been created to show that a plug-in hybrid system which can improve both performance and efficiency can be incorporated into Jaguar Land Rover products.

Following on from the Limo Green and Range_e concepts, the XJ_e uses the 237bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine from the Range Rover Evoque in place of the usual 5.0-litre V8 petrol unit. It is mated to a special eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system consisting of a 93bhp electric motor and a 12.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The XJ_e can crack 0-62mph in less than 6.5sec and reach a top speed limited to 150mph. The impressive performance is not at the expense of CO2 emissions, as the concept boasts a figure of “less than 75g/km” along with combined economy of 87mpg.

The parallel hybrid system means the concept can travel on petrol power, electric power or a combination of both. It can travel on electric power alone for up to 25 miles, and the claimed range of electric and petrol power combined is 679 miles.

Like Limo Green and Range_e before it, the concept has been in part created using money from the Technology Strategy Board’s REEVolution project.

JLR’s engineering director Bob Joyce said the concept showed we could “expect some exciting low-carbon products in the future” from JLR.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Hyundai Plans to Release Luxury Crossover/SUV

Hyundai’s next target to continue increasing U.S. market share may be the large, premium crossover segment, WardsAuto reports. The Hyundai Veracruz was the automaker’s first attempt at a premium, three-row crossover, but it never reached Hyundai’s sales goals and is to be discontinued.

Hyundai Motor America CEO Jon Krafcik told WardsAuto to “stay tuned for future details on a potential premium crossover,” and called the segment “an intriguing space.”

Although Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson tells us he can’t comment on future product, the automaker has expanded the Santa Fe line for 2013, renaming the two-row the Santa Fe Sport and adding a third-row to the extended-wheelbase Santa Fe, so in the short-term, former Veracruz owners will be covered in the Hyundai lineup.

The three-row 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe shares its transverse, 3.3-liter V-6 engine with the front-drive Azera sedan, but the crossover gets the automaker’s new all-wheel-drive system, which can distribute torque to each individual wheel as needed to control understeer or oversteer. It also features a new Driver Selectable Steering Mode system that provides three levels of steering effort adjustment.

Other premium amenities available on the 2013 Santa Fe and two-row Santa Fe Sport include a panoramic sunroof, blind-spot monitoring system, and heated steering wheel.

A large, premium Hyundai crossover could potentially use the rear-drive Genesis sedan architecture as well as the sedan’s 3.8-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 engines. The theoretical crossover could compete with other three-row vehicles such as the Infiniti JX, Acura MDX, and Buick Enclave as well as loaded versions of the mainstream crossovers like the Ford Explorer.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition

70th Anniversary, Altitude, Arctic, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Islander, and Mountain. What do all of those have in common? They’re names of special-edition Jeep Wranglers, and they’re about to accept a new model into their ranks: the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition.

Like all other Wrangler special-edition trims, the Wrangler Freedom Edition is no more than a badge and trim job, with no mechanical changes. The Wrangler Freedom Edition pays tribute to U.S. military servicemen and women, while also paying respect to the brand’s World War II military heritage.

The Wrangler Freedom Edition will be available in three colors on the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited: Deep Cherry Red, Bright White, and True Blue, the last of which is exclusive to the Freedom Edition for 2012. The Wrangler Freedom Edition also comes with a star decal on the hood and right rear quarter panel, and an “Oscar Mike” (military jargon for “on the move”) star badge similar to the U.S. Air Force’s roundel, mounted on the fender. Other exterior touches include 17-inch Mineral Gray wheels from the Wrangler Rubicon, a matching grille, and body-color wheel arches.

Inside the Wrangler Freedom Edition gets black seats with silver stitching, “Oscar Mike” logos stitched on the seats, and silver accents.

Jeep was mum on just how many 2012 Wrangler Freedom Editions would be built, but told us it’s safe to say at least a couple thousand will be built. The Wrangler Freedom Edition will cost $29,065 for two-door versions, and $31,570 for four-door Unlimited versions. Both prices include destination. Jeep will donate $250 from each Wrangler Freedom Edition to the Fisher House Foundation and the I Support Foundation military charities. The Wrangler Freedom Edition is available now at Jeep dealers.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2010 Lexus RX

The Problem: Toyota and Lexus discovered in 2009 that the accelerator pedal in certain cars could interfere with the floor mats. That potentially means the accelerator would be held open, causing the “unintended acceleration” events that made news headlines three years ago.

The Fix: Lexus will replace or reshape the accelerator pedal in affected vehicles, and replace the floor mats, in order to prevent any interference between the two. Recall notices will be sent to owners in August.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 131,800 2010 Lexus RX 350 models, 22,200 2010 Lexus RX 450h models.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2013 Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes-Benz has finally launched a spin-off we’ve long known was coming, the new CLS Shooting Brake. The Shooting Brake is a long-roof wagon variant of the company’s swoopy CLS “four-door coupe,” so Benz naturally refers to this five-door as a coupe, too. We’ll now point out that this new CLS wag—er, coupe-with-a-liftgate, is neither a proper Shooting Brake nor a coupe by any definition. But the thing is so damn handsome that we feel strangely compelled to let the linguistic infractions slide.

Based as it is on an existing model, the story of the Shooting Brake reads largely the same as the CLS sedan’s. The Brake’s uniqueness is concentrated around its tuchus. (A description that applies to us, too.) An enlarged cargo area accessible via a power-operated hatch replaces the sedan’s rear window and trunk. Mercedes stretched the roof to meet a steeply raked rear window, and the result is a pretty steamy profile. From the B-pillar forward, the Shooting Brake’s bodywork is identical to that of the four-door CLS. It even carries over the frameless side windows.

If you’re already swooning over the exterior, get ready for what lies inside. Not the passenger compartment, however—it’s as posh and classy as the CLS’s people bin—but rather the cargo area. A carpeted floor flanked by leather-wrapped (!) side panels is included at no cost, and optional aluminum tie-down rails can be fitted for a dash of glitz and practicality. Here’s where things get shmancy: A fully wood-lined load floor is available through Benz’s Designo personalization catalog, and it ain’t no slab of pressboard. The floor starts with a cherry-wood base into which Benz’s craftspeople inlay bits of smoked oak, before streaking the whole shebang with aluminum strips that have rubber inserts to help keep cargo in place. So, yeah, the CLS Shooting Brake’s optional cargo-hold lining is nicer than the flooring in our houses.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Cell Phone bylaw to reduce Western Cape Death Toll

A new bylaw prohibiting motorists from using their cell phones while driving has come into effect today in the Western Cape as part of a provincial campaign to reduce road deaths by half come 2014.

Motorists who are caught using their cell phones while driving, including talking or texting, will face a hefty fine of R5 000 or have their cell phones confiscated for 24 hours.

Distracted driving and cell phone use while driving in particular, is proving to be a major contributing factor to road deaths on South African roads. In 2011 1 321 road deaths occurred in the Western Cape alone.

Distracted driving is a major problem in South Africa and should be taken seriously by motorists who engage in cell phone use while driving. The bylaw will also hopefully set the precedent for the rest of the country’s provinces to enforce stricter laws regarding distracted driving with the aim to reduce deaths on our roads.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think that cell phone use should be banned altogether while driving? Share your thoughts in the comment box below…

News Source: News24

F1 2012 Lotus unveils

Lotus unveils  F1 2012

Lotus F1 Team unveiled its 2012 F1 car early this morning. It’s called the E20 and, as you can see, it features the “alligator” style nose we’ve seen already on the Caterham, Ferrari and Force India. We’re not sure if it’s because we’re now getting used to these noses, but the E20′s design doesn’t look too bad.There’s a new name and two new drivers, Kimi Raikonnen and Romain Grosjean. Technical Director, James Allison said: “Romain put in two very promising sessions at the end of last season, having not driven an F1 can for more than a year.

Pagani Huayra 2013 first drive

Pagani Huayra 2013 first drive


Huayra is the follow-up to the Zonda, the debut model from self-taught supercar auteur Horacio Pagani. It features an all-new chassis with a central monocoque made from titanium-infused carbon fiber, and the wheelbase has been stretched 2.75 inches over the Zonda. The suspension is pure race car stuff: double wishbones milled from billets of a copper-rich aluminum alloy called Avional, with pushrod-actuated Ohlins shocks.There was some wrangling over the new engine's configuration. Horacio Pagani didn't like the idea of turbos, and didn't like the naturally aspirated V-8 AMG first proposed as a replacement for the Zonda's 7.3. He wanted a V-12, but AMG engineers were insistent that to meet emissions and fuel consumption standards through the next decade, the engine had to have forced induction. AMG clearly knew what it was talking about. At cruising speeds, the Huayra is one of the most fuel-efficient supercars in the business, says Pagani, brandishing figures fresh from the test lab showing it has achieved 21 mpg (U.S.) on the Euro highway cycle.
Nailing the gas in the Huayra is like lighting the afterburners on an F-15, though. The new V-12, codenamed M158 in AMG-speak, will pull cleanly and smoothly from as little as 1000 rpm, but once the tach needle swings past the 2500 mark and the turbos get into their comfort zone, the thrust is epic and utterly relentless all the way to 6000 rpm. I didn't go past 160 mph more than once on the bumpy, busy autostrada near Bologna, but the Huayra got there without breaking sweat; a casual canter en route to its claimed 230 mph top speed.