Alfa Romeo 8C Road Test

Test Vehicle: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupe

The hardest part of this review is knowing where to start. This car is as rare as hen’s teeth.

There are to be only 500 made of the Alfa Romeo 8C, and only about 50 to make it to the US, so the fact that I am about to drive this is not lost on me. Pictures have circulated on the web and their various tubes for a while of this car, but *sigh* good god, it is jaw dropping in the paint.

If there was a naked woman on the 8C’s bonnet, you’d want her to get off it. Honestly, it’s just ridiculous.

Curves everywhere. The body is carbon fiber and is draped over the chassis to create the most delicious shape on the road. Its like Christina Hendricks on wheels, and if you don’t know who that is, Google her (Note by Adnan: Megan Fox on wheels would do the trick too). Christina’s a red head too, so it’s fitting that the red metallic paint accentuates them all, and those wheels look tremendous. Giant circles reminiscent of the wheels on the VW GTi a little.

The way the front centers around the grill is a thing of beauty, with a little circle of white LEDs in the grill.

The rear end reminds me of the old racing Porsches, and the circular rear lights are the perfect touch. I am a little besotted by the looks of this thing as you can probably tell.

It is now my favorite looking car on the road, beating the Aston Martin DB9. I never thought that phrase would ever come out of my mouth…

The interior is also just breathtaking. The leatherwork in the seats alone is something to study, the aluminum on the wheel and the dash, and the long aluminum paddles behind the wheel are in just the right places. The twin cowls on the main gauges separated with a red screen with a number of other supplemental gauges set off the interior beautifully, and the carbon fiber center console just adds to the overall experience. Its a sense of occasion that can barely be explained.

It was the sexiest car I had ever clapped my eyes on…

…and then I started it up.

Holy mother of god, who tuned that exhaust note? That can’t be legal, surely.

A throttle blip rendered me speechless for about a minute. There are loud cars that are just too loud, and then there are cars that you could listen to all day. I’ve never heard a rumble like this outside of a pit lane. It is intoxicating. A low rumble, with the 8 cylinder 4.3 liter engine just bellowing down the exhaust pipes with no regard for public safety.

After some time to compose myself, I put this thing in sport mode, put it in gear, and released the little electric handbrake, and off I went.

It felt a little light to start with, but then I got used to it. Accelerating towards the first corner, the noise is off the charts, but its a beautiful noise. I let my foot off the accelerator for a moment, and the exhaust just cracked and popped in a way that reminded me of the Panoz race cars, crack, pop, rumble…what road car makes that noise?! Oh, this one. I don’t care how many miles to the gallon this thing was getting, that noise had me accelerating and lifting off more times than I should. I was probably waking the dead in nearby cemeteries and people within a 5 mile radius, but it was an orchestra. They probably woke, listened to it, and smiled. How can you not?

Aside from the the noise, the gearbox was great. Changes up and down were smooth, lots of power, great acceleration, not as tight around the corners as the Gallardo, but still a level above virtually all other cars on the road. Its a taller car, even though its still a small car, so there is lots of headroom and shoulder room. Good visibility out all round. Seats were comfortable and held you in place really well as it went over dips and through curves.

The brakes were good too, as you would expect on a car like this, but moving your foot from one pedal to the other caused the thunderclaps out of the exhaust, so I sort of forgot about the brakes to be honest with you. The aural rewards were far outweighing the driving experience.

The team at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo deserve a medal the size of a large dining table for getting this on the road. If this doesn’t get Alfa noticed, then nothing will. An incredible experience. Not the finest drivers car on the road, but if you want to make a statement, this is the one to get, and being one of only 500 will make it an even rarer proposition. I know its basically a Maserati under the skin, but its a totally different animal and improves (if that’s even possible) on the looks of the Gran Turismo.

Hyundai Introduces Equus Long-Wheelbase, Armored Versions

The Equus first surfaced around the beginning of this year. At the time, most thought it was a vehicle slated for Hyundai’s home market of South Korea only. Given Hyundai’s relentless drive upward though, it has proved to be much more than that.

Hyundai tested reception of the car in our market by displaying it at the New York Auto Show and placing the car in various Hyundai dealerships around the country.

One thing that should have came through with all the recent vehicles Hyundai has been launching – they aren’t messing around. Most proper luxury sedans in the segment offer two wheelbase lengths available, standard and extended. As such, Hyundai recently let drop images of the the extended wheel-base model of the Equus, dubbed the Equus Limousine, or VL500.

Now the company hasn’t confirmed if it will be coming to the United States or not, but if the past is any guide of the future I’d say there is a good chance. Imagine, it could be like a bargain Maybach! The neat thing though is that Hyundai is even getting into producing armored versions already.

Three armored Hyundai Equus VL500 were built and provided to the Korean Presidential Security Service for use at the G20 summit held in South Korea next year. The three limousines are the first armored cars to be built in the country.

They’re up to snuff too, able to withstand the blast of 15 kilograms of TNT, a level similar to that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s armored vehicles. I’m not sure if there will be an armored Equus that is sold to the public, or if they are just made for the country’s leader. Either way, Hyundai is going all-out with the new Equus.

2009 Sport Car Renault Megane Trophy

The 2009 Megane Trophy will go on sale at the end of the year in the form of kit after the completion of its development programme which will enable existing cars to be upgraded.
The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy is based on the new Megane Coupe which is powered by the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s mid-rear 3.5-liter V6 24V engine that produces 360 hp.
The front and rear light units and windscreen are from the Megane Coupe road car while flowing lines of the bodywork was designed from digital simulation technology to improve the aerodynamic.
The Renault Megane Trophy features front splitter which channel air flow to the extractors and rear diffuser and wing that generated downforce. Downforce has improved by 20 % with the refinements to the set-up and drag was reduced by 15 % , which together, represent a gain of almost 40% in terms of the new car’s aerodynamic performance over the previous generation vehicle.

Apart from that, the Megane Trophy also features butterfly doors reminiscent of the world of GT and sports-prototype racing. The V6 3.5 24V engine is mated to a semi-automatic gearbox with the same mechanical features as the current car, including an FIA-homologated sports-prototype tubular chassis, steering wheel-mounted paddle shift, double wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers, 18-inch wheels and Michelin tires.
The power of the standard 330 hp engine was boosted to 360 hp with the help from the new inlet manifold. Rebuild is still at every 5,500 km for the car’s reliability. According to Renault, with the new aerodynamic gains, the extra power from the engine will enable the 2009 Renault Megane Trophy to lap in similar times to those of a Porsche GT3.

2009 Sport Car Audi R8 GT3

Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ.
The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.
Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.
The Audi R8, which bears the project name “R16” within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.

Sport Car Ferrari F430

Ferrari F430 is a sports car manufactured by Ferrari. The F430's brakes were collaboratively designed with Brembo. The F430 features E-Diff, a computer-controlled limited slip differential which enables to vary torque distribution based on inputs such as steering angle and lateral acceleration.

2009 Sport Car Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. donated a police version of the company’s newest super sports car to Prefect Antonio Manganelli, the head of the Italian State Police with a private ceremony was held at the Viminale Palace.
The new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, which replaces the previous Lamborghini Gallardo Police Car in use by the Italian police force since 2004 has a 560 horsepower engine that can reach speeds of up to 203 mph. The car will begin service with the Lazio Highway Police Department in order to continue accident and crime prevention to sustain security on the Italian roads.
Its predecessor is proof of Lamborghini’s outstanding product quality. Since 2004, Rome’s police force has had the first-generation Lamborghini Gallardo in regular police service. The sports car has clocked nearly 87,000 miles of patrol duty on the motorways of central and southern Italy, as well as on emergency medical transport detail.

Chrysler Brand to Sell Fiat 500 in U.S.

Since it's unveiling many people in the U.S. have been hoping that the Fiat 500 would eventually be sold here. Well now that Fiat and Chrysler have hooked up our wish has come true. Its been confirmed that the Fiat 500 will be sold through Chrysler dealerships when it is released and it will be the only Fiat badged model in the U.S.

Chrysler brand CEO and head of sales for all Chrysler Group brands, Peter Fong stated that the Fiat 500 will likely have a dedicated corner in Chrysler showrooms rather than its own retail network like the Mini. Eventually four versions will make it to the U.S., the hatchback, convertible, a wagon and a high-performance version.

The Fiat 500 is expected to be produced at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico facility in late 2010 or early 2011.

Ferrari announces the F458 Italia Spider

According to the latest reports, it appears that at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari president a.k.a. Luca di Montezemolo announced the new F458 Italia Spider. There is a bad news though: the production version of the F458 Italia Spider, which will feature a stylish soft top, will have to wait a couple of years because, according to its CEO, Ferrari has to recover after the financial crisis. Of course, if you can’t wait the convertible you can choose the new F458 Italia Coupe which will go on sale in January 2010.

Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger to Live on Until Late 2012

The Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger midsize sedans were pretty much dead under Chrysler's former owner, Cerberus Capital Management, but now that Chrysler has a new owner, the sedans have a new lease on life.

Cerberus had originally planned to kill the Sebring and Avenger at the end of 2010 and close the Sterling Heights, Mich., factory where they are built. The factory could still be closed, but the sedans will continue to be produced until the end of 2012.

The Sebring is slated to get an extensive face-lift in 2011, while the Avenger is slated to get a milder refresh, which may bring it to the market sooner than the Sebring.

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Red Color

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Picture

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Motorcycle Wallpaper

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Touring Bike

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Black Series

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 First Look

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Front Angle

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Wallpaper

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Image

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Rear Angle

2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 Pictures

2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 Picture

2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 Sporty Scooter

2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 Blue Color

2010 Yamaha Zuma 125 Wallpaper

2010 Victory Vegas 8-Ball Wallpapers

2010 Victory Vegas 8-Ball Action

2010 Victory Vegas 8-Ball Wallpaper

2010 Victory Vegas 8-Ball Motorcycle

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE Top Picture

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE Sport Bike

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE Valentino Rossi Replica

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE Best Wallpaper

2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE Taillight

2010 Victory Cross Country Pictures

2010 Victory Cross Country in Action

2010 Victory Cross Country Picture

2010 Victory Cross Country Red Color

2010 Victory Cross Country Motorcycle Wallpaper

Keep Your Car Clean With These Tips ||| NEW !

After purchasing a new car, most of us start out with a strong resolve to keep it clean. All sorts of promises are made, from not eating in the car, to never leaving jackets or other items in the back seat. There may even be promises of washing and vacuuming the car every weekend.

While most of us tend to relax our cleaning efforts after a few months, it does not mean our cars cannot look great, even as they age. There are a number of ways to keep a car clean that requires little to no effort. If you want to make your car look great and feel clean, here are some suggestions to consider.

One of the most common cleaning issues with vehicles is that sometimes allow miscellaneous items to pile up in the back seat. Jackets, books, homework folders, old clothes, and other items settle into the back seat and seem to take up space. All too often, these items can remain in the car for days or even weeks.

To eliminate the clutter, impose a twenty-four hour rule: any spare item that goes into the car must come out of the car within twenty-four hours. This is a great method because it helps keep your car clean from unnecessary clutter.

Trash is almost as much of an issue as clutter. To deal with this issue, always keep a small garbage bag tucked into the glove compartment or the pocket on the back of the seats. Use the bag to gather up any fast food containers, candy wrappers, or other discarded junk from the interior of the car, and then toss the bag into a nearby trash receptacle. This is something that should be done at least once per week. This allows you to keep the interior of your car trash free.

Households with kids know that taking food along on any road trip is necessary. However, eating while the car is in motion can be messy. To protect the upholstery, use spill-proof cups and simple plastic holders for finger foods. Many of these food holders have flexible bands across the mouth of the device, making it easy for your kids to reach in and grab whichever snack is available. If the holder is dropped, the bands keep the snacks from falling onto the seats or floorboard carpeting. While they cost a little more, these devices make it much easier to keep the upholstery in good condition.

Adults, of course, can also spill liquids in the car. For this reason, always use insulated cups that are equipped with lids for beverages such as coffee, tea, or colas. It is just as easy to enjoy your drink, but if the container does fall to the floor, only a small amount of liquid may spill onto the carpeting. This can make it much faster to clean if something happens to spill.

Many people do not realize how many surfaces they touch while in a vehicle. If your hands are greasy or dirty, some of the dirt and grime may be left behind each time you rub against the upholstery, touch the dashboard, or handle the steering wheel. To keep the accumulation of grime to a minimum, always keep hand wipes in the glove compartment. A quick cleanup after grabbing a burger at a drive-through can save you a lot of time later on, since you should not have to remove the grease.

Resealable bags are a great way to deal with all sorts of situations. Large bags can be used to keep wet clothing or muddy shoes from coming in contact with the upholstery or carpeting. Small bags are ideal for carrying along a moistened washcloth for cleaning an infant’s face and hands after a snack. Keep a few of these bags tucked into the glove compartment in case there is an emergency.

Even under the best of circumstances, some stains are bound to develop on the upholstery. Often, non-gel toothpaste can come in handy. For stains like ketchup or lipstick, quickly apply a little of the toothpaste to the stain, then rub gently with a wet cloth.

One final way to keep your car clean and fresh is to invest in a good quality hand-held vacuum. This device can be used to remove crumbs from the interior, thus eliminating the chance of oil stains while also keeping the area fresh and inviting. Remember to charge the battery on the vacuum now and then; this ensures the device is ready when you need it.

When cleaning your car, remember to avoid anything that can cause a spill or make a mess on your carpeting or upholstery. Although that is easier said than done, you should take precautionary measures to ensure the car stays clean. Cleaning the car often is a great first step to keep the car looking great. If your kids like to eat during road trips, be sure to seal the food and drinks in a container that makes it difficult to spill. Hand wipes also help significantly because they allow you to clean your hands before touching the upholstery.

Why Online Auto Auction Is The Right Place to Buy Cars?

It is the desire of many people to buy cars cheaply. A lot of people may not be aware of how to get cheap cars even when the desire to buy is there. The search for cheaper cars will take you to local and regional auctions where you may get the desired deal. If it is not possible, the internet will prove to be the best alternative.

You can be sure to get a good online auto auction starting from the search engines. Some of these places that you will get from your researches are sponsored by the government. You will only need to locate a good auto auction agency websites and peruse through the site to find your kind of car.

Buying from an online auto auction will be preferred for a number of reasons:

Variety to choose from

From an online auto auction, you will be likely to get a wide range of car choices. That will also mean getting so many quotations and price lists from the comfort of your home. You will be saved the hassle of getting to walk in many places in search for a car to buy.

They are cheaper

Since there are many places who offer cheap cars through online platform and the competition is high, you will be likely to get cheaper prices than if you were to buy from a dealer or action yard near you.

Convenient

Buying through an online auto auction will surely be very convenient as you will finalize the transaction from the comfort of your home.

Audi R8 Spyder

A 5.2 litre V10 behind your ears. A massive 386kW (525bhp) at your feet. And the wind rushing through your hair. Does it get any better? Well, yes, if your new R8 Spyder is a more tasteful colour than the one shown in these pics it quite possibly does. Thankfully, there are 10 other colours to choose from. Apart from that, though, this has to be one of the better hardtop to roofless conversions in some time.

The lightweight cloth top opens at the touch of a button in around 19 seconds, and can be operated at speeds up to 50km/h. Despite the lack of a metal roof, Audi reckon the road noise heard inside is only a smidge louder than in the Coupé.

Even with the light roof, the R8 Spyder is still on the porky side, weighing in at 1720kg. That can’t stop rapid progress, however, with 0-100 being dealt with in just 4.1 seconds. Fast!

But, the real beauty in this car is in its styling and details. There’s a big, big photo gallery after the jump, along with everything you wanted to know about the R8 Spyder in Audi’s press release.

Oh yeah, when you get the photo of the seatbelt and you wonder what that’s about, it is showing the seatbelt mounted microphone that supposedly makes phone calls with the top down a breeze, if you’ll pardon the expression.