Breaking news: Lamborghini Aventador revealed in Geneva
The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 was officially unveiled to the public at the Geneva Motor Show. Here is a glimpse of the new Bull, Lamborghini’s new flagship model. By all measures, this car is a head-turner with the performance to match. As they say, it is simply and distinctively…a Lamborghini. 🙂
Here’s a nifty car for you: 2012 Fiat 500
Those quirky Italians. We say that in a good way, of course! Looking for a fun car to drive that will get you from point A to point B in Italian style? Well, how about the “new” Fiat 500? This car will get you in and out of traffic with room to spare. Can’t find a parking spot? Problem solved: You can squeeze this car into some tight spaces (it’s about 6 inches shorter in length and about 2 inches narrower in width than a MINI Cooper).
The new 2012 Fiat 500 comes in 3 versions:
1. The basic “Pop” version (MSRP $15,500, 5-speed manual transmission, 15-inch wheels)
2. The more adventurous “Sport” version (MSRP $17,500, sport-tuned suspension, 5-speed manual transmission, 16-inch wheels, more aggressive front and rear fascias and aerodynamic flares, red brake calipers)
3. The “Lounge” version (MSRP $19,500, 6-speed automatic transmission, 15-inch wheels, more premium features such as a fixed glass roof, chrome accents, and other goodies)
All 3 versions are powered by a 1.4 Liter, 16 valve/4 cylinder MultiAir engine, making 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. This car is light, too, weighing in at around 2,400 lbs. Gas mileage is estimated to be around 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
But there’s more to this little hatchback than the specifications. These cars are Italian. Italians like to have fun. Italians are colorful. Reminiscent of the original, classic Fiat 500 (produced from 1957 to 1975), this car is all about fun!
Similar to the MINI Cooper,you can order your new Fiat 500 in a multitude of color combinations and with a variety of personalization options. So you can have a unique, one-of-a-kind 500 of your own.
To go along with the theme of small, quirky, fun cars, here is a SHORT review of the new Fiat 500 by Road & Track (yes, this is what we call a quick and “efficient” review :D):
Ready to build yours now? We’re tempted to do so ourselves! Here you go:
That unmistakeable sound: Yes, it’s a Lamborghini (Aventador)
As a follow up to our last post about the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (which will replace the Murcielago as the company’s latest “flagship” car), here is the first decent film footage of the new Bull (camouflaged for winter, of course 😉 ). There is no mistaking the sound, however. Only a V12 from Sant’Agata Bolognese can produce such a mesmerizing chorus.
Lamborghiniwill officially unveil the Aventador to the general public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. Until then, here is your preview:
So this is the new Lamborghini, eh?To paraphrase a well-known saying: If it looks like one, sounds like one, and drives like one…well, it probably IS one. 😀
2011 Audi A8 sedan: Yes, you can drive this car to the hospital
If you’ve been watching TV lately, you may have noticed that Audihas been aggressively promoting their new flagship A8 luxury sedan everywhere, including a high-profile commercial during the Super Bowl, sponsoring the mega sports network ESPN, and even working their new car into the spotlight of the TV show Selling New York (on HGTV). So we decided to take a closer look at this car…
The 2011 Audi A8 sedan comes in two versions: the standard version and the long wheelbase L version (more room for rear passengers). A distinguishing feature of both A8 versions is the aluminum space frame, which makes the A8 lighter than its other German counterparts (BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-Class). With a 4.2 Liter direct-injection V8 engine, the A8 produces a decent 372 hp and 328 lb-ft torque. If you’re in a rush to get to the hospital, it will get you from 0-60 mph in about 5.7 seconds (per Audi’s estimate) and will cover the 1/4 mile in less than 14 seconds (per Edmunds.com).The A8 sedan is driven via an 8-speed automatic transmission and gets fairly decent mileage (about 17 mpg city, 27 mpg highway) for a car weighing close to 4500 lbs.
Upon further examination, this car may be the perfect “doctor’s car” – one you could drive to the hospital every day, yet still be somewhat “incognito” compared to your colleagues driving their 7-series BMWs and S-Class Mercedes’.
This is a luxury sedan that says you’ve made it, but you’re not about announcing it to the world (ok, BMW and Mercedes
owners, are you paying attention here? 😛 ).
Here is a review of the 2011 Audi A8 by Edmunds.com:
Edmunds reviews the 2011 Audi A8 sedan
And here is the Super Bowl commercial (featuring Kenny G):
By all measures, this is a sharp-looking car and well-suited for that “leisurely” drive to the physicians’ parking lot. Be forewarned though: if you show up to work in this car, your colleagues may get suspicious that you know something they don’t. Our suggestion would be to just give them that Chesire cat smile as you exit the car and head into the hospital for another day’s work. 🙂
Want to become a doctor?…forget that. We want to be like Jay Leno!
Every child has dreams. Big dreams. Many dream about becoming a doctor. Many parents dream of their children becoming doctors. Aspiring to be a doctor is a worthwhile endeavor, no doubt.
But come on! Who wouldn’t want to grow up to be like Jay Leno?! You see, Mr. Leno is living the dream of every car enthusiast out there. He has achieved the Holy Grail of automotive nirvana: he owns one of the finest car collections in the world; he stores his cars in one of the finest garages in the world; and he gets to drive the finest cars in the world on a regular basis.
Ever wonder what it’s like to drive a Lamborghini Reventon coupe, one of only 20 ever made? Well, Jay Leno can tell you what it’s like. In fact, he can show you himself, as he recently had one of these rare beauties just “show up” to his garage.
Inspired by the styling of modern fighter jets, the Reventon coupe looks like it can fly “under the radar” with the very best of them. Featuring a carbon fiber exterior in a matte gray finish, this car is reminiscent of an F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter. The interior continues the jet fighter theme, with its LCD instrument display that includes a G-Force meter (after all, this is a true pilot’s cockpit). But this car is more than just looks…remember, this is a Lamborghini. Powered by a 6.5 Liter V12, this stealth fighter makes about 650 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. At takeoff, it flies from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 211 mph.
F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter
Lamborghini Reventon
Want one? Well, good luck. Not only will you have a difficult time finding one (only 20 were made!), but you’ll have to fork over “Department of Defense” kind of money to get one (at least over $1.5 million dollars…wayyyyy beyond ‘plastic surgery’ money!).
But hey, if you’re Jay Leno, none of that matters, because Lamborghini will just send you a Reventon coupe to take out for a “test flight”, no questions asked!
With the expert assistance of Lamborgini Club America’s President Andrew Romanowski (Ok, Andrew’s got a pretty sweet gig, too. By the way, great job, Andrew…you know your stuff! 😉 ), here is Jay’s review of the Lamborghini Reventon coupe:
Editor’s note: Yes, being a physician is a rewarding profession. But it would be nice to add a Jay Leno-like garage to the portfolio, don’t ya think? 🙂
Anyone driven through Paris in less than 10 minutes?
Paris, France. Where culture flourishes: the arts, the architecture, the cuisine, the fashion, the history, the romance. Oh yeah…and the fast cars.
Fast cars?…
Ok, let’s rewind back to 1976 (you know you want to!). You see, there was a famous short film produced that year called C’était un Rendezvous (roughly translated “It was a date”) featuring a very – shall we say – “brisk” drive through the streets of Paris. The film shows an approximately 9 minute high-speed run through Paris in the early morning hours (around 5:30 am), accompanied by sounds of a high-revving Ferrari engine, gear changes, and squealing tires.
It was produced by Claude Lelouch, who was also the driver of the car. The short film (less than 10 minutes in length) was shot in one take with a film camera mounted below the front bumper. As the car whisks through the Parisian streets, all manner of driving laws are ignored and this contributes to the “infamous” nature of this film. In fact, this mid-1970s film is credited by many to have started the “driving video” craze that we know today.
While the actual car was later revealed to be a Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9 (6.9 Liter V8 engine with automatic transmission) and the soundtrack dubbed with the Ferrari V12 engine sound (probably that of Lelouch’s own Ferrari 275 GTB), it nonetheless provides an exciting thrill for the viewer to witness.
Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9
Ferrari 275 GTB
Editor’s Note: Of course, for all the viewers out there, we must issue the following warning: Please do NOT try to replicate this drive in your town. Be smart. Drive safely. And use common sense. 🙂
Is your Ferrari fast enough? If not, here’s your solution!
Ahh, Viva Italia!
For the fortunate few out there (yes, we know you’re out there, cough**Dr. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon**cough), owning a Ferrari is a symbol of high achievement and ethereal success. As a well-known host from the show Top Gear once said:
“I’d like to consider Ferrari as a scaled down version of God.” – Jeremy Clarkson 😀
When you’ve worked your way through college, medical school, residency, fellowship, and a busy medical practice, the enjoyment of life is not to be taken for granted, agreed? 🙂
After all, since you are a busy physician, you want to maximize your recreational time whenever possible. Well, what better way to do that than by taking your stunning Ferrari F430 Spider out on a nice, sunny day with the top down while listening to that heavenly V8 symphony in the background?
With a 4.3 Liter V8 making 483 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque, this car is pretty quick. But what if you actually craved more?
Well, your solution can be stated in 2 simple words: Underground Racing
You see, Underground Racing makes fast cars FASTER. Actually, MUCH FASTER. Ok, that’s not quite accurate. They make fast cars MUCH, MUCH, MUCH FASTER.
In fact, with some extra money (that is, if you’re making cough**plastic surgery money**cough), you can just drop off your Ferrari at their shop in Charlotte, NC, and they will perform “major surgery” on that beautiful Italian engine with the skill and talent of the world’s finest surgeons. And Voila!…after the surgery, your Ferrari will have OVER 1000 hp and you will never utter the words “I wish this car had a bit more power” ever again.
Already well-known among Lamborghini, Dodge Viper, and Ford GT enthusiasts for their high performance twin turbo systems and racing parts, until recently (around 2010), Underground Racing had not built a twin turbo system for Ferraris. It was only a matter of time, as their custom-made, hand-crafted systems are truly marvels of engineering and craftsmanship. In fact, one can say that Underground Racing transforms the already artful factory engine into a true masterpiece.
Need more evidence? Well, here’s what the data shows… 😉
Can you drive? Are you SURE about that?…
Gymkhana. Ken Block. Insane driving. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
What is Gymkhana? Gymkhana is basically a more complex and more challenging version of the traditional “autocross” event. Gymkhana events often feature obstacles such as cones, tires, and barrels. The driver must maneuver through a predetermined “track” performing many different driving techniques, including reversals, 180/360 degree spins, figure 8s, drifting, and other highly advanced maneuvers. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of “obstacle” to get through, around, or by, all within a time limit. Or to put it another way: gymhkana is insane driving…in a “controlled” environment. 🙂
And who is Ken Block? Well…he is the insane driver, of course. 😉 Oh, and he happens to be a professional rally racer for the Monster World Rally Team. And get this…he drives a Ford Fiesta! Yes, you heard that right!
Ok, this ain’t your Mom’s Ford Fiesta (sorry to all the moms out there!) and you can’t just walk into your local Ford dealership and pick up a “Ken Block special” Fiesta of your own. You see, Ken’s Fiesta has a 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 650 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque! Oh, and it goes from 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds. No, that is NOT a typo…let me repeat that: 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds!
The car is actually capable of making 850 hp, but the engine is de-tuned via a restrictor plate so that the car has the proper traction for driveability.
So, being the driver extraordinaire that he is, Mr. Block apparently went in search of the ULTIMATE playground for a gymkhana demonstration and he found one in France at L’Autodrome.
And here is the result…
So the next time you’re feeling good about your driving skills, you might want to reassess, because there is a high probability that your skills are surpassed by Mr. Block. In fact, this video is as “evidence-based” as it gets. 😉
The Green Hornet’s ride: Now THIS is a car!
There’s something about “movie cars” that captures people’s imagination. In fact, these cars often become the real “stars” of the show, stealing the audience away from the human actors/actresses.
The latest entry is the tricked out 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown from the movie The Green Hornet. Nicknamed the “Black Beauty”, this car would make James Bond want to go out and buy one.
Since this is obviously a “crime-fighting” car, it had to have special modifications to be of any use to the crime-fighting duo of the Green Hornet and his sidekick Kato. Among its formidable features are a front-mounted flamethrower, front missile launchers, dual 0.30-caliber machine guns mounted in the front hood, and retractable wheel spikes. Of course, it has to have some performance features, too, right? Well, the car is equipped with a 500 hp Chevy ZZ454 V8 engine, a Race Trans Turbo 400 transmission, Moser Ford differentials, upgraded disc brakes, and 20-inch wheels. And yes, a car like this HAS to have that “lowered” look…it just wouldn’t look right otherwise.
Since most movie cars are involved in numerous car stunts, the film crew had to have a fleet of these cars for various scenes. Apparently, by the time the movie reached its end of production, 26 “Black Beauty” cars had been wrecked and there were only 3 cars left intact!
Here’s a glimpse of the car in action via the official movie trailer:
So if you happen to see the Green Hornet’s car in your rearview mirror, you might want to get off the road as quickly as possible, else you may get caught in the “crossfire” of a crime-fighting scene in action. After all, you wouldn’t want to get in the way of vigilante justice, would you? 😉
Made to order – from the Lamborghini factory
Italian. Uncompromising. Extreme. Any marque come to mind when you hear these words? 😉
Here’s a hint: The company is located in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Northern Italy.
Ok, you got it. It’s the company known as Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, or simply Lamborghini.
Ever wonder how these Italian supercars are made? Well, here’s a glimpse for you, as seen via Discovery HD’s show Rides. This video is an oldie (probably produced around 2004/2005), but still a goodie. So sit back and relax, grab a drink, and let’s take a visit to the Lamborghini factory. And no worries…after the viewing, the factory will be more than happy to take your order for your own Lamborghini car. 😉
Editor’s addendum: And as a last minute bonus, we had to include a classic and highly entertaining 60 Minutes segment from 1985 featuring one of the most iconic exotic sports cars ever made…the Lamborghini Countach. The segment also includes an appearance from the now legendary Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni.