No not super ... hyper car

To put things simply if i had £1.2million to blow this is what i would blow it on without so much as a blink of an eye, i think the picture says it all but if i need to further explain myself here goes, this is an Aston Martin One-77 a 700hp hyper car and they just happen to be making only 77 of these beauties hence the name.

Specs Courtesy of Wikipedia:

carbon fibre monocoque chassis, a handcrafted aluminium body, and a 7.3 litre V12 engine with over 700 hp (520 kW). The engine will be naturally aspirated, and the car will have a strengthened version of the DB9's 6-speed automated manual transmission and height-adjustable pushrod suspension coupled with dynamic stability control. It will feature Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) and Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes. Top speed was estimated to be 200 mph (320 km/h) but actual tests in December 2009 showed a figure of 220.007 mph (354.067 km/h),with a 0-60 mph time in approximately 3.5 seconds. The projected weight is 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)

The definition of a classic automobile. '67 Shelby GT500 Mustang

Ladies and gentlemen for this right here i might sell an arm and leg if i didnt need em to enjoy the experience. The phrase american muscle was created for this right here in my point of view. 

The Specs:

Color availability:

Pepper Grey/Black , Red/White , Black/Silver , Yellow/Black , Blue/White

 

Drivetrain:

410 CI Keith Craft Crate Engine w/Aluminum Heads (535hp)

Mass Flo Fuel Injection

Tremec TKO Manual Transmission

Fab 9- 9" rear w/ 3:70 Gear ratio and Posi Traction installed

Concept One serpentine drive belt system

 

Steering:

Total Control Power Rack and Pinion

Flaming River Tilt column (polished)

 

Interior:

Scat Rally series 1000 seats

Simpson 5 point camlock seatbelts

Classic instruments Gauges with Gone in 60 Seconds Logo

180 mph speedometer

Woodgrain Aluminum steering wheel

Old air products A/C system

1967 Deluxe door panels

1967 Deluxe dash and trim

Go-Baby-Go shift ring

Armed NOS switch

Console

 

Stereo system:

Panasonic cd player w/ removable face

Classic Recreations LLC. custom trap door

DB Drive Audio subwoofer and 2 way speakers

 

Wheels and tires:

Classic recreations 17X8 front

Classic Recreations 17X9.5 rear

High performance z rated tires 245/45/17 Front

High performance z rated tires 275/40/17 Rear

 

Exterior:

Sequential taillights

Gone in 60 Seconds Emblems

Functional Gas Cap

 

Fuel:

Electric Fuel pump

Stealth 18 gal Fuel cell

Mass Flo Fuel injection

 

Brakes:

Front: Baer 13”X1.1” track system

Rear: 12”X.81” touring system

Slotted, Crossdrilled , zinc washed and vented

Adjustable rear proportioning valve

 

Electrical:

Trunk mounted battery

Mallory ignition

 

Exhaust:

JBA Ceramic coated headers

Dual 2.5” Exhaust (functional side exit)

Spintek Mufflers

 

Cooling:

Aluminum Crossflow Radiator

2-12” electric cooling fans

 

Chassis:

Subframe connectors

Total Control shock tower bracing

Cosmetic Rollbar

 

Suspension:

Total Control Front coilover conversion

Total Control sway bars

Total Control rear coilover suspension

Farrari F60.

Ferrari Launch F60 for 2009.

Ferrari have become the first team to launch their 2009 car ahead of a season that heralds the biggest Formula One rule changes for 25 years.

The team's F60 car employs a raft of features to meet the new regulations, including an energy recovery system and aerodynamic changes to aid overtaking.
Felipe Massa, who was runner-up in the 2008 drivers' championship, ran the car for two laps at the Mugello test track.

He said: "I expected it to be big, but it's small like a Formula Three car."
The Brazilian revealed he had been "a little surprised" by the car's design, adding; "I expected it to (have) huge (front) wings like they were 10 years ago.
"The new F60 seems tiny, very compact and cute. I feel emotional but I'm also happy to take it out on track for the first time."

Massa became the first F1 driver to experience a definitive 2009 car when he put the F60, named to mark Ferrari's 60th season in the sport, through its paces at Mugello.
The team had been due to debut the car at their traditional testing venue, the Fiorano track at their base in Maranello, but snowy conditions forced a change in venue.
Ferrari will enter the 2009 season as the top constructor after beating McLaren to the 2008 crown by 21 points.

But Massa, who lost the drivers' title to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton by a single point last season, predicts McLaren will once again provide the main threat in the coming campaign.

"Right now it's difficult to say who will be the main rivals but for sure McLaren will make life the most difficult but there's also BMW, Renault and maybe other surprises," he said.
"We don't know how good the Ferrari will be, we've worked very hard but there's still a long way to go before the first race.

"But I feel stronger from the point of view of experience. I feel ready for a great battle."
Team principal Stefano Domenicali agreed that Ferrari faced new challenges but insisted the team are focused on staying at the pinnacle of F1.

"For the last 10 years we've been at the top, winning eight (constructors') titles," he said.
"This year is going to be unique, everything is new, different, more complicated.
"For us F1 is our life, our aim is to stay at the top."

Kimi Raikkonen, who won the world title for Ferrari in 2007, added; "Of course it's a big question mark how good the car is, and who makes the best car because the rules have changed a lot.
"But I think we are very confident that the cars will be very good."
Ferrari's new car is the first of a series of launches as F1's teams prepare their machines for the new season, which starts in Melbourne, Australia, on 29 March.
Toyota, fifth last season, unveil their challenger on 15 January, with McLaren's latest model appearing the following day.

Renault and Williams reveal their new cars on 19 January, with BMW Sauber doing the same 24 hours later.

Red Bull announced last week that their car will be launched much later than many other leading teams, on 9 February. Ferrari are the first team to unveil the new specification 2009 car.
All cars must comply to new 2009 regulations, which include aerodynamic modifications where the front wing will be lowered and widened and the rear wing will become taller and narrower.
Slick, untreaded tyres will also be reintroduced after 11 years on grooved tyres and teams have the option of employing a kinetic energy recovery system (Kers).

The Kers system, similar to those in hybrid road cars, works by storing energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat during braking and reapplying it during acceleration to provide a boost in power.

This boost is controlled by the driver from a button in the cockpit and it is hoped the burst of acceleration will make overtaking easier.

A cockpit-adjustable front wing is another innovation introduced with that aim.
The idea is that drivers should be able to follow other cars more closely through corners - and therefore make them more likely to be able to pass their rivals at the end of the following straight - by increasing the amount of front downforce produced by the wing.
Though the Ferrari F60 was unveiled on Monday, it is not yet the finished product that Massa and 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will race in Melbourne.
All teams will introduce a series of updates to their cars between their official launches and the first race weekend in Australia

Gain better efficency from your whip!

Hey - I always used to think some of the bullshit I was hearing about how to save gas and so on - were just stupid myths - I guess I was wrong huh. Check out this article:

Buying Petrol.

1.Pump petrol in the morning when the ground temperature is still cold. The reason is the colder the ground is, the more dense the petrol is! When the ground gets warmer petrol expands,so buying in the afternoon or in the evening returns lesser litre you are buying.

2. Fill up when your tank is HALF FULL. The more fuel you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine. Petroleum storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

3. Do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode when you are filling up petrol. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapours that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapour return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapour. Those vapours are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.Make everydrop counts - don't pump until the tank overflows; you pay for the petrol. Always tell the attendant to set the pump to auto-stop.

4. Do not fill up, if there is a fuel truck pumping into the storage tanks; The petrol will be stirred up, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

5. The pricing structure is rather confusing. Price can be before discount, after discount, and a free gift if you spend certain amount within the specific period. Even different credit cards will enjoy different discount rates and repayment period. So you have to do some homework to find out which station gives you the best deal. (Newly opened station may have promotional campaign to attract customers at a better price). Everything being equal; buy from a busy station - the quality of petrol will be better.

Before driving.
1. Parking. Always try to park in the shade, as it will take less time to cool down the car once you start driving again.

2. Can you work from home - is the trip to the office necessary? Walk to your neighbourhood shops? - maybe you need the exercise. Arrange for car pooling - if your colleague is staying somewhere nearby? Get a lift from other tennis players? -save parking fee as well.

3. Before you start your journey you need to plan your route (better still if you have a gps). You should find alternative routes to avoid jam or rough road. Try to arrange for trip to be multitasking - doing many things on a single trip.4. Buy a car with better mileage if you are changing your car.

Regular maintenance.
You must maintain the engine in good condition. A bad engine can cut the car's mileage by as much as 20 per cent. The spark plugs must be checked regulary. The engine oil should be checked and used according to the car manual specifications. Regular maintenance and servicing your car is very essential. Always keep you vehicle clean. A clean car offers less wind resistance.

Lubricants.

Change the lubricant at regular intervals. Use only branded oil recommended by the manufacturer. It is also advisable to use an engine flush before changing the oil to remove dirt in the engine.

Handbrake.

It is always better to use the handbrake than the clutch and accelerator when you want to halt for a little while.

Clutch.

Avoid driving with your foot on the clutch, it leads to more fuel consumption. Use the clutch carefully only when changing gears.

Use thinner tyres.

Tyres with thick width will improve the handling of your car. However, it will also increase your car's fuel consumption. Thicker tyres mean more rolling resistance! And thus will consume more fuel.

While driving (Your driving habits!)
Don't let your engine idle Minimize fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time. Idling more than a minute consumes much more fuel than restarting the engine. By having the engine switched off, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tear from this practice is negligible.

Air con.

Don't use air con where possible. Air conditioners can use about 10 per cent extra fuel when operating. However, at speeds of over 80 km/h, use of air conditioning is better for fuel economy than an open window.

Start up the car properly.

With today's cars, it is not necessary to prime the engine first by pumping the accelerator pedal repeatedly.Do not crank the engine excessively This only wastes fuel.When starting the engine, idle it no more than 30 seconds to warm it up. An engine will warm up faster on the road. However, avoid sudden acceleration before the engine has warmed up sufficiently.

Rules at traffic signal.

When you are nearing a traffic signal, slow down gradually. When you start, avoid accelerating immediately. Always switch off the engine while waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting with the engine on for more than a minute means more fuel consumption. Comparatively, the engine uses lesser fuel to restart.

2009 Ducati Streetfighter

This 170-hp beast is essentially a naked version of the potent 1098 superbike, with an eight-level adjustable traction control system offering a safety net for speed nuts. With its chiseled carbon-fiber bits and completely exposed trellis frame, the Streetfighter offers a degree of hard-core hooliganism that Ducati's Monster just can't touch.

BMW Concept CS - Gallery.

BMW pulled somewhat of a Shanghai Surprise with its latest creation, a Gran Turismo-styled vehicle called the Concept CS. Clearly, there's plenty of Bangle in the new design, with flame surfacing and a version of the now famous rear end treatment, along some heritage features such as the return of the 'shark nose' front end. Check out the cut line above the rear fenders, there's a little Dodge Charger in there. BMW says the CS sports potential new design themes which the automaker says signal the next step in what its design language could look like. Should the CS enter production, it would likely slot in as a flagship model above the current 7-Seriess and would likely be powered by BMW's 6.0-liter V12. Could this mean the return of the 8-Series?

Dodge Challenger SRT8

Sorry, Ford. Your by-default reign over the American musclecar party is about to come to an end. This is clear the instant we climb aboard a final engineering prototype of the Challenger SRT8, fire its 425-horse Hemi V-8, and plant our right foot hard to the mat. The engine screams to over 6000 rpm, the rectangular exhaust outlets bellow, and the Big Bad Dodge's husky butt fishtails in response, just like the good old days. Better, in fact.

The Mustang has been the only pony in the show for a while now, ever since Chevy lamentably flushed the Camaro at the end of the 2002 model year. Chrysler has been absent much longer; Gerald Ford was president when (pre-Daimler) Chrysler produced its last rear-drive Challengers and Barracudas. But the waiting for a digitized, new-millennium version of "Ford versus Chevy versus Mopar" is nearly over.

Dodge's reconstituted Challenger enjoys a limited run this year (it's colloquially referred to in-house as a 20083/4). Chevy completes the triumvirate this fall with the reborn Camaro for 2009.
The Hemi Orange Challenger SRT8 on these pages isn't the concept that bowed a little more than two years ago at the Detroit auto show. It's the real deal. While they may look similar at first glance, the car has been productionized and differs in myriad details, although the concept's purpose came through loud and clear on its way to the showroom. Architecturally, it's a Dodge Charger that's been shortened four inches between the wheels. There's more front and less rear overhang in order to achieve the musclecar-appropriate long-hood/short-deck proportions. The most noticeable change has been that the concept's split grille has given way to an undivided grille treatment. A lot of aero work was required by the SRT team to get the car balanced enough for their trademark 150-mph lane change, including a small lip spoiler out back, plus a splitter and two small dive-plane winglets up front, the latter (not shown here) resembling those on a 1970 Challenger T/A. While everything has changed, the result is true to designer Mike Castiglione's 2006 concept and isn't shy at all about its direct, heritage-inspired connection to the original of 1970-1974.

Contrary to the norm, the SRT version is the first model to hit the streets, instead of coming out six to 18 months after mainstream variants. 6,400 of these 2008-and-change versions will be built, and all will be powered by the familiar and bloody wonderful 6.1-liter Hemi. It's the same as in SRT versions of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, as is the five-speed automatic transmission, the only gearbox offered at launch. Dodge is mum about future model and powertrain offerings, but if you look at what else can be had in the sedans, it's not unreasonable to figure out. Expect a base version running the 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and a midlevel (likely badged R/T) Challenger packing the 5.7-liter, 350-horse Hemi. One if not both of the V-8s will be offered with a manual transmission.

All-New 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. - Iconic Dodge muscle car returns after a 35-year absence. - Design stays true to Challenger heritage while delivering a host of modern amenities and race inspired, street legal SRT DNA . - Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. - Each 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features limited-edition, numbered dash plaque.

My Comment: This car kicks @#$$!

Mercedes-Benz Maybach Review

It's been called the most exclusive automobile in the history of mankind. Named after Mecerdes-Benz's first designer, Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler produces just 5 hand-built units per day, or about 1000 units annually. Sit back in the $425,000 (no, that's not a typo) Maybach 62, and all your

- senses are pampered in luxury as your chauffeur takes care of actually driving the 543 horsepower twin-turbocharged V-12 beast.

But what kind of navigation system do you get in a vehicle that costs about $100,000 more than the average cost of a new home sold in the United States in 2006? Read on.
Although we'll be primarily focused on the Maybach's integrated navigation system (COMAND Navi), it's worth a quick walk-through the Maybach's luscious exterior and interior.
The Maybach 62 shares the same basic shape as

Maybach's doors feature a sophisticated hydraulic system that holds the door securely in any position past an opening angle of 15 degrees, even when parked on a hill or when the wind is blowing. A pneumatic servo locking system pulls the doors (and trunk lid) securely closed - so even if you don't close the door fully, the system will pull the door into the locking position for you.

Sure, the Maybach may cost more than an average home, but it's a lot nicer inside than your average house too! Both hand-sewn Grand Nappa leather rear seats can be fully reclined. His and hers DVD/TVs are built into the back of the front seats, both of which can tap into the 21 speaker Bose sound system -- although you can also use the included wireless headphones that stow neatly in each rear door if you prefer.

What, your car doesn't have a refrigerated rear console?

Naturally, there's no shortage of the obligatory cherry wood trim in the Maybach 62. Notice the retractable curtain on the rear window and rear door - one touch of a button and the shades are drawn for an even quieter, more private driving experience. Draw the shades, recline the seat, and throw on a DVD and you've got a traveling home theater.

Ambient lighting (notice the three small lights above the headrest), extra soft leather pillows, and noise dampening curtains all add to the overall quiet calm that washes over you as you sit in the back of a Maybach.

The rear door curtains can be partially or fully closed, as shown above.

Both rear seats have a rotating backrest, lower leg rest, and foot rest. Aircushions in the -backrest, massage function, and active seating ventilation complete the "Maybach experience".

If your important enough to drive around in a $400+ car, you just might need an emergency SOS button one day...

Mercedes Benz SCL600 (Myth?)

Ok - after having these pictures of this apparently new merc - I had to do some research of my own as to how real this ride really is. I mean - no steering wheels or pedals! Come on now - this for real ya'll?

Well here's what we found:

These images of a futuristic “new Mercedes-Benz SCL600” automobile – including technical innovations such as a joystick in place of a steering wheel, a video monitor in place of a rear-view mirror, and swiveling gull-wing doors – are difficult to classify as “true” or “false”. They are genuine photographs of a real car, but that car was constructed as a research vehicle, not as something to be made available for purchase by consumers, and isn’t really “new” … it was introduced over ten years ago.

The above-displayed photos are pictures of DaimlerChrysler’s F 200 Imagination concept study, produced by the Mercedes-Benz design team and unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1996 … DaimlerChrysler has continued experimenting along these lines with the three-wheeled F 300 Life-Jet, the F400 Carving two-seater, and the F500 Mind four-door sedan.

Go to this link: http://lighthousepatriotjournal.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/myth-blaster-mercedes-benz-scl600/

Leno's Tank Car Gets an Upgrade: Jay Leno's Garage

Gotta give Jay Leno props for his tank car!! See what he has to say about it in popular machanics.
Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show and PM Contributing Editor (Photo: Matthew Welch/Icon)A few years ago, I bought an M-47 Patton tank-engine car. Any way you look at it, this thing is a monster. Its wheelbase is more than 15 ft. The engine is a 30-liter V12 — each of those 12 cylinders is bigger than a four-cylinder Toyota engine — and it had between 800 and 900 hp. But given that the car weighs 10,000 pounds and that I live in a hilly area, the Patton's engine performance was, to quote the old Rolls-Royce ads, "adequate." The car needed more oomph to get up those hills. Besides, gas mileage wasn't too good, either. The engine was fed by two huge Stromberg carburetors with needle jets that looked like arrowheads. And the carbs weren't efficient. If I didn't shut down the car when I was at a filling station, the idling engine sucked gas out of the tank faster than I could pump it in. I decided to up the performance and the fuel economy. So I turned to my friend, high-performance tuner Gale Banks. "Why don't you turbocharge this thing," he asked, "and put fuel injection on it?" I gave him the engine, and turned him and his crew loose. Unlike, say, a small-block Chevy, there's not a lot of bolt-on speed equipment out there for a tank engine. In fact, there's none. So Banks had to engineer a system and modify components to fit it. He also had to fabricate what didn't exist. His shop spent over 1500 hours on this project. First, his crew tackled the fuel delivery problem. With a big Stromberg carb centered on each cylinder bank, the inner cylinders were getting more gas than the outer ones. So Banks tossed the carbs and installed a Bosch electronic fuel-injection control unit based on the company's MS 2.9 system for Formula One race cars. The custom-built rig was the only one that could deliver enough fuel. Then, Mr. Turbo, as Banks is affectionately known, turned to the air. He used two serious 91mm magnesium Garrett turbochargers — the same ones found on 2002 Toyota Champ car racers. Banks then made up a beautiful new intake manifold with special runners that look like the ones on an old 2.9 Alfa. He fabricated metal caps that take any sort of modern look out of the engine. Everything is under metal fittings. We left the rest of the engine essentially unchanged. Camshafts and valve timing stayed the same, and we kept the four giant magnetos.

Six more cylinders and another giant turbocharger sit on the other side of that hood. Altogether, it's 30 liters' worth of engine and more than 1500 hp.All the work paid off: Fuel economy doubled — from 3 mpg to nearly 6. Hey, don't laugh. How many people can say that they've cut their fuel consumption in half? And if I ride with a friend, I can drive the vehicle in the car pool lane and really save gas! I'm not just saving gas, I'm having fun doing it. I can break the rear tires loose in the first three gears. The transmission is an Allison six-speed with a double overdrive, and each rotation of one of those rear tires is 11 ft. There was no way I could break them loose before. I have no idea what the top speed is for this thing. We ran it at the General Motors proving grounds and hit 145 mph. But at that speed, the car starts to walk around a little bit. So I'm happy to leave it at that. As it is, it's hard to describe what the power output is like. The best I can do is compare it to an elephant we once had in the studio when we were taping The Tonight Show. I pushed against the elephant's trunk, just playing with him. Then he moved and, with the tiniest effort, knocked me down as if I were a fly. That's kind of what this car feels like. I never notice it strain. The torque has to be over 2000 lb.-ft. And the engine responds to the gas pedal sooo quickly. When I'm out driving the tank car, the reactions are incredible. If I'm sitting at a traffic light, and people in the car next to me look over, I ask, "You think I have sexual problems?" Driving the tank car is like when I was a kid and my dad let me sit behind the wheel of our '57 Plymouth. I feel like I'm little again and in some giant vehicle. Boys between the ages of 7 and 13 just go nuts when they see me in this thing. It's funny to watch them jump up and down. So I let them sit in the driver's seat and move the steering wheel. I love to get the next gen­eration of car enthusiasts excited. Even though I like to take it to The Tonight Show when Governor Schwarzenegger is a guest — he says "dat iz der Terminator's cahhr" — it's not something I can drive every day. In fact, it's a lot easier to drive it around the world than it is to make a U-turn. So I just keep on going until I wind up in the same place I started. Forget trying to parallel park it. Can you imagine a valet's expression if I pulled up to a restaurant and handed him the tank car's keys? When I fall in behind a Mini on the road, you should see the fear in the driver's eyes: "My God! What is that?" As a kid, I watched the TV program Mannix. Mike Connors was Joe Mannix, a private eye who drove a custom Olds Toronado — no roof, big headrests and a flamboyant paint job with bold stripes. When Mannix tailed someone, he'd get down behind the steering wheel so no one could see him. Yeah, right: They couldn't miss him. You can't miss this thing, either. With its giant air horns, the Patton sounds like a diesel train. Actually, everybody thinks it is a diesel. One hot-rod magazine ran a photo of the car with a caption that read, "Diesel!" Believe me, it has a gasoline engine. Before we modified it, the car ran just fine on regular. Now, I fill it with premium, even though we're limiting the turbos to only 6 psi of boost. We're kicking around the idea of cranking up that boost to see if we can get another couple of hundred horsepower out of it. Meanwhile, people ask if having almost 1600 hp is changing my driving habits. I don't think about all that power. I just know that now I've got enough oomph to get over those hills — and I'm saving gas while I'm doing it.

All credit to Popular Machines and Mr Leno:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4206704.html

Rinspeed Bedouin

Rinspeed Bedouin - Oriental Quick-Change Artist - Rinspeed Bedouin

Rinspeed Design, the Swiss powerhouse for automotive concepts and emotions, once again presents a unique attraction this year, the

Rinspeed Bedouin.

At the push of a button the Rinspeed Bedouin can be transformed from a roomy two-seater pick-up into a sporty yet spacious four-seater wagon sporting the trendy ‘allroad’ look – in less than ten seconds. With its high roofline the Bedouin also offers lots of room and seating comfort for rear-seat passengers. Even more, the increase of interior space can be used as an enclosed cargo bed by folding down the backrest of the rear seats.

“With the Rinspeed Bedouin we wanted to show that there’s lots of untapped creative potential regarding multi-purpose vehicles,” says Frank M. Rinderknecht (47), C.E.O. of Rinspeed AG. “From our point of view MPVs can contribute to the preservation of the world’s resources since they’re capable of taking on many of the specialized uses of second or third cars. And they can adapt to the specific transportation needs at hand within seconds."

The transformation trick

The almost magical transformation sequence is started by two electric motors that drive jackscrews to lift the entire roof of the vehicle. The front part of the roof then folds and in effect becomes the tailgate window while the rear part of the roof turns into the cargo bed. The tailgate is also electrically powered and can be lowered to extend the bed by another 45 centimeters to an overall length of 185 centimeters. The bed can be used to transport bulky cargo and serves as a modern tent replacement and romantic bunk for leisurely rests.

To comply with highest safety standards the entire mechanism is fitted with redundant self-locking safeties and for maximum effect is operated with a remote control.

The fastest natural gas vehicle in the world

The Rinspeed Bedouin is powered by a future-oriented environment-friendly twin-turbo engine running on natural gas. Natural gas is an extremely clean-burning fuel that consists almost entirely of methane and contains almost no sulfur.

Protecting the environment does not preclude driving fun: The four-valve engine is from Porsche and produces 420 hp / 309 kW at 6,000 rpm. It delivers its impressive maximum torque of 560 Nm at just 2,700 rpm. Performance is accordingly proud: The 1,640-kg Bedouin accelerates in roughly 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h and reaches an electronically and mechanically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Sporty thoughts …

The sporty lines of the Bedouin attract attention even at first glance. It is a little reminiscent of the Porsche 911, type 996 Carrera, from which it takes the 4x4 platform. In keeping with the English tradition of the ‘shooting break,’ the sporty wagon of the affluent hunter, the roofline exhibits a dynamic swing that gradually flattens out toward the rear. The wide rear fenders and their striking air inlets exude raw power. The large air inlets in the front provide ample cooling air and also contribute to the powerful appearance of the Bedouin.

A sporty stainless-steel exhaust from Remus with milled all-aluminum tailpipes provides the adequate sound and gives the rear a unique and dynamic look.

The elaborate roof design made from aluminum profiles is witness to the engineering prowess of Rinspeed. The entire mechanism for operating the roof is hidden from view behind the sidewalls. Green-tinted Folia Tec glass in the roof louvers creates a bright and cozy ambiance even when the roof is closed.

Thanks to a sporty yet comfortable custom Eibach suspension, the body of the Bedouin sits about 15 centimeters higher than that of the Porsche equivalent. The suspension, which features adjustable ride height and firmness, offers a perfect synthesis of ride comfort and sporty handling.

The rearview mirrors as well as the front and rear bumpers are painted with sparkling crystal paint from Swarovski, which also contributed the fully crystal hood emblem and the rear badge featuring SDS technology.

In the Bedouin even the taillights look forward – into the future. In.pro. custom-developed chrome-plated LED taillights for the Bedouin, which not only initiate a new design trend but also offer increased traffic safety due to their exceptionally fast reaction time.

The entire body of the Bedouin is made up of Pre-Preg composite, a state-of-the-art plastic rarely used in automotive production. It combines a low specific weight with extraordinarily high strength.

Crystal worlds of leather

The Bedouin shows its proud heritage in the interior, too. Most of the interior of the Bedouin was retained from the Porsche 996 Carrera and was custom-upholstered with exquisite “Poltrona-Frau leather“ from X-Mobil. The brown hue of the color “Cotto“ harmonizes perfectly with the exterior color, which changes from slightly green to copper.

The Rinspeed designers also broke new ground in the selection of materials. In a partnership with the world-leading manufacturer of crystal glass Swarovski they created ultra-modern and visionary new interior elements. The hand-covered door panels shine in soft hues of brown and white. The gearshift-lever grip is made from solid crystal with a shift pattern embedded using endographics. Lasers were used to imprint the leather seats with Rinspeed logos, which were then in turn covered with crystals.

A seven-inch color LCD monitor folds down from a recessed position in the roofliner. It can display the signal from the rearview camera for the driver or entertain the passenger with the program of an integrated DVD player. The system was developed Blaupunkt and also allows connecting an external programming source such as a Sony Playstation.

Well shod

The Rinspeed Bedouin runs on voluminous fully off-road capable 18-inch Continental SportContact 4x4-tires in sizes 255/55 in front and 285/50 in the rear. The Continental tires combine environment-friendly design, exceptional off-road capabilities and excellent grip on road surfaces. The tires are mounted on two-piece Rinspeed aluminum wheels (8.5x18“ Rim Offset 40 mm front, 10x18“ Rim Offset 52 mm rear) custom-made by ATP.

The installed progressive-rate Wandfluh steering contributes greatly to the cat-like agility of the Bedouin. A mere half a turn of the steering wheel separates the full left from the full right position. This steering system makes fast steering-angle changes child play without compromising directional stability.
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Coolest Jag!!

The Jaguar XF is an awsome car. This version of the Jag is the coolest we've seen in a long time. Panty dropper to the core. Imagine cruiseing in this whip round your neighbourhood!! All the babes that wouldn't give you a second look will be running to jump in. Offcourse we all know that a mans car is an extension of a certain body part. A car also shows a mans worth - amongst other things.This ride has the smoothness and power of any of the top rated sedans and then some. The gadgetry in the car is amazing.

Review by: Auto Express UK.
The sensational new Jaguar C-XF has been unleashed by Auto Express in an exclusive test drive. We took the wheel of the S-Type replacement to see if the executive has what it takes to leap to the top of the class.

Pull the futuristic door handles and you can slip into the equally forward-looking cabin.
While it's officially a concept, Jaguar is making no secret of the fact that the C-XF is only a thinly veiled version of the production-ready XF, scooped last week (Issue 947). With the wraps expected to be pulled off the final model at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, it's clear that Jaguar fans have something very special to look forward to.The four-door is set to take over from the S-Type in the range in January next year, and it marks a new beginning for the brand's design. Out on the road it's even more stunning; the XF concept's shape draws the eye from every angle. But the question is, does the driving experience deliver?


Pull the futuristic door handles and you can slip into the equally forward-looking cabin. The beautifully crafted one-spoke steering wheel sits in front of two paddleshift gear selectors - these allow the driver to take manual control of the C-XF's six-speed automatic transmission. Push the illuminated starter button in the centre console, and the Jaguar roars into life. Under the bonnet, the firm's 4.2-litre supercharged V8 powerplant makes a familiar hum at idle. This engine will be available from launch, although the hottest model in the line-up promises to be even more extreme. The 5.0-litre supercharged V8-powered flagship, the XFR, won't join the range until 2009, but it is expected to produce an impressive 480bhp and 700Nm of torque.Rest assured, however, the standard blown V8 will still provide excellent performance. Blip the accelerator pedal, and the Jaguar produces an impressive bark. Drivers are given a choice of three dynamic modes. Controls in the centre console adjust the electronic suspension and gearing programmes, with a selection of Dynamic, Track and Launch settings. The C-XF has to make do with the standard mode, but put your foot down and acceleration is still thunderous.From behind the wheel, the sharp feel reminded us of the maker's latest XKR, with immediate throttle response, direct steering and a truly distinctive growl from the engine. From the word go, the Jaguar sends out a clear message that performance will be high on its list of priorities. Even though the new machine is based on the same basic platform as the outgoing S-Type, technicians are thoroughly reworking the suspension to ensure the XF delivers a far more involving driving experience. To help keep the car's kerbweight as low as possible, body panels including the bonnet, doors and bootlid will be made of aluminium. What's more, the aerodynamics on the production model will be upgraded to improve high-speed stability. Among the modifications will be an upswept tailgate and underbody venturi channels to help reduce lift at speed.Ready to take on German competitors at the top of the executive car class, the new Jaguar is likely to be available from around £30,000.Standard equipment will be generous, with engineers adapting the touchscreen cabin control set-up first seen in the XK supercar. What's more, the manufacturer will aim to keep the uncluttered look of the interior, with a number of switches hidden under sliding panels, while a voice command system will also be available.There's no doubt that the C-XF is one of the most exciting concepts of the year. We can't wait to see how it transforms into a showroom reality.

Also check out Jaguar's website:
http://www.jaguar.co.uk/uk/en/home.htm