Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Automotive Addicts

Automotive Addicts

Video Shows Anthony Davidson’s Horrific Le Mans Crash

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:30 AM PDT


Another 24 Hours of Le Mans is in the record books, and Audi has returned to its utter domination of the sport. As the clock ran down on the final lap, four Audi e-tron Quattro LMP1 racers crossed the finish line in formation, grabbing all three podium spots and fourth place, too, just for good measure.

Early in the race, however, it looked like Toyota's hybrid LMP1 cars would give the Audis a serious run for their money. The Toyotas posted the fastest segment time down the Mulsanne Straight, but they lacked one ingredient necessary to win at Le Mans: just a bit of luck. By the end of the first day, both Toyotas would be retired with crash-related damage.

Four hours into the race, a Toyota LMP1 driven by Anthony Davidson attempted to pass a Ferrari GTE car driven by Pierguiseppe Perazzini as the cars approached the Mulsanne Corner. Perazzini apparently didn't see the LMP1 car closing, and turned into the Toyota as it passed: the two drivers made contact at high speed, and that was enough to upset the airflow over both cars.

Davidson and Perazzini both had huge impacts with the tire barrier, which was able to dissipate enough energy to prevent more serious injuries to the drivers. Both were able to climb from their wrecked cars, and subsequent medical attention revealed that Davidson had suffered two fractured vertebrae in his back. A full recovery for Davidson is expected in less than three months.

This crash marks the second such incident in two years, bringing into question the wisdom of allowing pro and amateur drivers, in cars capable of vastly different speeds, to compete side by side over 25 hours. Tradition is one thing, but safety should always take priority.

Pagani Zonda R EVO To Be Introduced at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 09:41 AM PDT


As it seems, supercar maker Pagani does not plan on slowing down any time soon as they make plans to introduce a new Zonda R Evo at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Reportedly, the plan from Pagani is to have former Formula One driver Bernd Schneider drive the speculated 6.0-liter V12 760 horsepower Zonda R Evo up the hill. With the new Zonda R Evo expected to reach 60mph in 2.7 seconds and top out at 218 mph, we will be sure to report on the very first test drives of this new Italian beast.

[source: GTSpirit]

Jay Leno Gives Driving Impressions & Run-Down of New Scion FR-S In His Garage: Video

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 07:07 AM PDT


Not every vehicle is worthy enough to see the inside of Jay Leno's garage. Most of the vehicles that grace Jay's garage with their presence are truly enthusiast oriented cars. This time the enthusiast-vehicle is the new Scion FR-S instead of the typical exotic or rare classic found in Jay’s garage. Jay and Scion's VP/General Manager, Jack Hollis, gives us a full run-down of the new Scion FR-S rear-wheel-drive sports coupe in the video below. For once, Jay Leno gets his hands on an affordable car that just about anyone could obtain.

Volvo’s S60 Polestar Performance Concept Is A 508-Horsepower BMW M3 Fighter

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT


Volvo's S60 Polestar Concept. Image: Polestar

When say "sport sedan," what cars immediately come to mind? Chances are good the list includes BMW's M3, as well as Mercedes-Benz's C63 AMG and Porsche's Panamera. What's likely missing from the list is anything from Volvo, and that's a shame since the S60 T6 R-Design is a very capable sport sedan, hobbled by a non-sporting flappy paddle gearbox.

Volvo is in the midst of re-inventing itself as an automaker, and part of that process is using tuning partner Polestar to create Volvos with a decidedly sporting flare. Enter the S60 Polestar Performance Concept, which makes an impressive 508 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque from its 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline-six engine. That's sent to all four wheels, giving the S60 Polestar the ability to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just under four seconds. By anyone's standard, that's seriously quick.

Outside the S60 Polestar gets a revised front and rear fascia, side skirts, and 19-inch Polestar wheels. The track is widened by 20 mm (roughly 3/4 inch) up front and 40 mm (about an inch and a half) out back, and the car sports a 30 mm (1.2-inch) suspension drop. Polestar bolts bigger brakes front and rear, too, meaning that the S60 Polestar concept should stop as well as it accelerates and corners.

Will Volvo put the S60 Polestar into production? We certainly hope so, but we hope even more that the six-speed manual gearbox from the concept trickles down to the more pedestrian S60 T6 R-Design.
at
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...