Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Finest Police Cars in the World

These where some of the finest police car photo collection all over the world:





South Africa: Lamborghini Gallardo

The nearly $200,000 car was loaned to the authorities by a local Lamborghini importer to use it as an “attention-getting device” to control traffic....







Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Opel / Vauxhall Astra.


September 2009 sees the launch (all being well) of the latest incarnation of the Opel / Vauxhall Astra.
Taking design elements from the well received Insignia the new Astra aims to build upon the reputation forged by the current model. The modern yet functional design is pleasing on the eye but still distinctive in an age of bland cars.
The new Astra hatchback has grown some 15cms in length compared to the outgoing model whilst the estate, to be known as the Sports Tourer, is 20cms longer. All new Astras will benefit from a higher specification as standard along with a range of new (to the Astra) features including four wheel drive, adaptive damping, and electronic parking brake.
Motivation will be supplied by a range of new and current engines including a 1.4 petrol in both turbocharged and non-turbocharged form plus a wide selection of diesel engines including the ever popular 1700 turbo. The new 1.4 non-turbo engine will offer exceptionally low emissions and make use of a start-stop system.
A new sports variant is designed to compete directly against Volkswagen's popular relaunched Scirocco and will be known as the GTC is Europe and (more than likely) the VXR in the UK.
Prices have yet to be announced but there is not expected to be much variance from the current model.

British Formula 3.


The first 2 rounds of this year's British Formula 3 {link} series saw returnee Volkswagen win both races. After an absence of over 15 years Volkswagen engines were powering British F3 cars once again last weekend with unexpectedly impressive results.
Series front runners Carlin Motorsport switched from Mercedes power over the winter and were rewarded with victory in both races as Australian Daniel Ricciardo dominated both rounds. Volkswagen's other British team T Sport {link} has a slightly less successful debut with the Wolfsburg's company engines, struggling for outright pace with their best placed driver finishing in the bottom half of the top 10 on both occasions.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Hyundai Nuvis Concept


The Hyundai Nuvis concept (hybrid drivetrain) is destined for the next-generation Sonata...


As a parallel hybrid, the Nuvis can be driven in all-electric mode, gasoline-engine-only mode as well as any combination thereof. Engine management software automatically shuts off the gasoline engine when the Nuvis comes to a stop, improving overall fuel mileage and providing zero emissions, while Hyundai's Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) restarts the engine once pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal.


The Nuvis is notable for two reasons: First, its hybrid drive train will find its way into the next-generation Hyundai Sonata, and second, Hyundai says the concept's styling hints at what the Santa Fe's replacement could look like.


Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive architecture combines a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (known as the Theta II) with a 30- kW electric motor, the last also producing 151 lb.-ft. of torque. The total estimated output of 228 bhp is put to the road via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai says the Nuvis's lithium polymer batteries, which are stored underneath the trunk floor, are more durable and space efficient than nickel-metal hydride and lithium- ion versions.


Thursday, April 2, 2009

Audi R15 at Le Mans.


Audi have confirmed their driver line up for the Le Mans 24 hour race. The nine drivers are Alexandre Premat, Allan McNish, Lucas Luhr, Marco Werner, Mike Rockenfeller, Rinaldo Capello, Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard and Tom Kristensen. All have plenty of endurance racing experience including Le Mans and Sebring.