In a recent Top Gear episode, Clarkson & Co. pitted an M3 against a Prius on their test track. The M3 followed the Prius around the circuit as it lapped as fast as it could. It bored Clarkson to tears but he did it in the name of science. The end result showed the M3 averaged 16.1 mpg vs. the Prius’ 14.3 mpg. Does it take a genius to figure out why?
Source: theNewspaper
Photos: BMW, Topspeed.com
Geotegic, Team Polizei’s mapping consultancy, which has been providing detailed 2d Google Maps for Piaggio’s "No Age Limit Ride" since the June 13th, just recently published a 3D Google Earth map that gives viewers a greater sense of the terrain and landmarks along Buddy & Bob’s epic ride. It’s free to download, you just need to install the Google Earth program, which is free, too.
You’d think there are better ways to protest high gas prices than setting your car on fire, for example, public transportation or a getting a motorcycle or a boycott, but that’s just what a 30 year-old Bavarian man did with his ‘95 3 Series after parking it on the Frankfurt convention center’s grounds. He has not been charged with a crime, yet, but could easily be hit with violating environmental laws. No irony there.
Source: CNN via Autospies
Photo: Autoblog.nl
In order to test their revisions to the 911’s dry-sump oiling system, Porsche built a moveable engine dyno to simulate the g-forces an engine is subjected to during a hot lap on the Nurburgring. They fed real-car data from a lap of the revered track into the engine rig. As you can see from the video, it tips, rolls and swivels, and g-forces peak at up to 1.4g’s. Watch the tach. Enjoy the music.
Source: Edmunds/InsideLine
Is this government intrusion or a benefit to us all? Or a government intrusion that benefits us all? I’d think taking as many drunk drivers off the road as possible can only be a good thing. After all, if you don’t drink and drive, why should you worry? And how many times have you had a glass or two or more of liquid confidence and gotten behind the wheel because you thought you were completely sober or in control but actually above the limit?
Continue reading ‘Mandatory In-Car Breathalyzers Coming Soon?’
Noted BMW tuner and racing team, AC Schnitzer, is famous for stuffing big engines into small spaces. Their latest is an M3 crammed with a modified 552hp V-10 from the M5/M6. In addition to the requisite suspenion, brake and cosmetic enhancements, AC Schnitzer’s GP3.10 has also been modified to use liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which the company sees as a "sensible alternative" to gas as it’s cheaper and produces 15% less emissions. The GP3.10 has a 70-liter tank for LPG in addition to a 60-liter petrol tank and the system is switchable. Go here for the video
Source: BMWautocar, AC Schnitzer
Photos: AC Schnitzer
Remember when you pushed your Matchbox cars around as kid? Did you imagine yourself in the car? You know you did. Now a company called, Fat Shark, can put you about as close as you can get. Their first-person view camera mounts on the car and comes with VR-style goggles that transmits what the camera sees. The camera also tilts and pans in time with the movement of your head. This system can also be placed on radio-controlled airplanes. Think Predator drone technology for the masses.
31:04 co-pilot, David Maher, takes us on a lap of Watkins Glen in his 993 Turbo. The car runs on a significantly stiffer and heavily re-inforced suspension set up along with Recaro race seats. Engine is stock but Maher feels it’s a bit down on power after 50K miles, most of them on the track. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cups on BBS wheels. Note the telemetry, nice touch. What you can’t see, unfortunately, is his authentic Ricky Bobby race suit.
A company called A123Systems has started offering their Hymotion L5 Plug-in conversion modules for Priuses built from 2004-2008. Adding their advanced lithium-ion batteries to the car’s existing batteries enables it to stay in battery-only mode for longer periods, thereby reducing the amount of time in gas-powered mode. Tests have shown the Hymotion system can achieve 100 mpg. Cost is a hefty $10K. Edrive Systems offers a Li-Ion replacement of the Prius’ existing batteries for double the MPG’s as well. And at least two companies are currently offering hybrid kits for conventional cars.
On his radio show, Adam Carolla said he was told by the show’s execs that the show would be, "exactly as they do it in England," and that there would be "no meddling…get to say anything you want, good and bad, about any car you drive." He also name dropped Jerry Seinfeld as potentially coming onto the show to post a time in an econbox, a la Top Gear UK. Only time will tell how much honest reviews will affect advertising revenues. Click HERE for an audio clip of his show. Fast forward to the last quarter. And for a podcast of third host, Eric Stromer, on Adam Caroll’s show, click HERE
Source: FinalGear
Image: SpeedTV via Jalopnik
