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January 14, 2010
December 10, 2009
December 09, 2009
December 07, 2009
New York Yankees Mustang GT... Perfect for Larry...
If you’re a New York Yankees fan and you’re still glowing from the euphoric high of their 27th World Series championship, you might want to check out this special-edition 2010 “New York Yankees Mustang GT".
Sporting the unmistakable Yankee pinstripe with a matching Yankee logo on the hood and side doors, this one-off Mustang GT Convertible is currently being auctioned at the Aarbids website. In addition to the logo and pinstripes, the car also comes with a signed autograph from a pretty important member of the team: Yankee captain and shortstop Derek Jeter.
The car also comes with the unmistakable power that Ford Mustangs have come to be known for. It packs a 4.6-liter V-6 engine with an automatic transmission, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a pretty fancy interior blue lighting. The seller’s location is in Pleasant Valley, New York so if you live anywhere near the Tri-State area, you might have an easier time making a bid for the car, with the current bid sitting at $28,250. The auction ends on December 15 at 8pm EST.
So if you’re a Yankee die-hard and you fancy buying yourself an advanced Christmas present – albeit a pretty expensive one – then you can’t do any better than getting this custom-made “New York Yankees Mustang”
December 01, 2009
Vulcan Motor Club Event!
YOUR CHANCE TO BREAK THE 200MPH BARRIER IN EXOTIC SUPERCARS
THE GIFT FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING; 89 MEMBERS HAVE ACHIEVED THEIR GOALWe are pleased to announce the 200MPH EXTREME event. Introduced less than a year ago by our partners at World Class Driving, this unique event lets you break the 200MPH barrier in a safe, controlled environment on select locations and dates across the United States.
So far, 89 members have achieved their goal and belong to the exclusive 200MPH club: normally reserved only for professional race drivers. With only a limited 111 seats left before the program ends, this may be your best chance to become one of the automotive elite.SELECTED DRIVERS WHO PASSED 200MPH in 2009
Gerry Chastelet, St. Louis MI: 212MPH
Car: Mercedes SLR Mclaren
Location: Mojave, October 2009
Doug Lockaert, Vancouver BC: 211MPH
Car: Mercedes SLR Mclaren
Location: Mojave, November 2009
Bob Distanisloa, Newtown PA: 207MPH
Car: Ferrari 599 GTB
Location: Dade Collier FL, January 2009
Tim Warren: 205MPH
Car: Lamborghini LP560-4
Location: Dade Collier FL, January 2009
THE GIFT FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING
Starting January 1st, event ticket prices will increase to $5,995. However, when you book before December 31st, save $1,000. Gift certificates available. Call (908) 879-7777 to learn more or book today.
Vulcan Motor Club
125 Maple Avenue Chester, NJ, 07930, USA
November 26, 2009
November 09, 2009
November 08, 2009
Ferrari 458 Full Test Drive...
The 458 Italia is the replacement for the F430. The engine is a 4.5-litre direct injection V8, related to that in California, but larger, producing much more power (562bhp) and revving higher (9000rpm) (398 lb ft at 6000 rpm, 0-60 mph 3.3 sec, 202 mph top speed).
And like the California the power is channeled to the road ONLY through a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, albeit with different ratios.
What’s it like?
At first relatively civilised, the idle smooth and calm. It’ll get you noticed, but it’s no hell raiser. However, like most modern performance cars, the 458 has trick exhaust by-pass flaps, so there’s a good chance with revs and throttle it will be more boisterous.
The gearbox works, especially in the very ordinary roll of manoeuvring the 458 in traffic. Up in the hills though, I’m keen to explore whether a twin-clutch gearbox can deliver the sense of occasion and drama expected of a 200mph+ Ferrari.
To an extent it is a personal choice, and depends on whether you feel the jolt you get with a super-fast single clutch transmission - such as that fitted to the 430 Scuderia - to be a highlight or deficiency. Certainly the 458’s DCT is much smoother and faster than the F1 box, and yet, in my opinion, feels no less mechanical.
From 3500rpm the 458’s engine is already producing as much torque as the F430’s and at 6500rpm has eclipsed its peak power. This is a Ferrari V8 even more zingy and soulful than before, but now with added mid-range punch. To boot, it’s cleaner and leaner than the old 4.3.
Over the last 2000rpm, the energy and vigour is massively addictive. As is the noise. Any concerns over the timid idle have long since vanished, the 458 soundtrack not only ridiculously loud, but varied and with that shrillness only a flat crank Ferrari V8 can.
If there is a downside, it is that that on the road there are precious few opportunities to use all 458’s performance. Even in Italy. If you’re lucky you’ll see all of second gear, and occasionally third, but, such is the extent of the rev range and force of 562bhp, by then you’re really travelling.
More so than the styling, or engine performance, the one component that describes the biggest advance over the old car, is the confidence you get in 458’s front end. And this not simply a matter of more outright grip, but more consistency and better communication.
Apparently this transformation comes mostly from improvements in the rear multi-link suspension. By better controlling the camber angle and wheel centre movement, Ferrari has been able to increase roll stiffness and run faster more precise steering. And what of that quicker steering?
It takes a little getting used, but only in that it feels foreign to make such small movements (you only need move your hands for the tightest hairpins). But soon enough you find yourself intuitively applying the correct amount of lock in a single application.
Such that you can drive the 458 even in mixed conditions and still enjoy yourself, without fear of a trip to the scenery. Leave the Manettino in ‘low-grip’ or ‘normal’ and the electronics will keep things tidy, switch to ‘race’ and it lets the back slide a little wide under power. But it is testament to the predictability, steering accuracy and throttle response that the last two modes (‘traction off’ and ’you’re on your own’) aren’t completely off the menu.
As with the 430 Scuderia it is possible to decouple the suspension settings from the Manettino groupings, but even in the firmer settings the ride is far from jittery.
The interior is also a significant step forward. There is now a consistent quality (including two TFT colour screens), plus some genuine innovation. Ferrari has done away with the indicator stalks, putting the signals, light and wiper controls on the steering wheel. Not everyone will like it, but it works well.
November 04, 2009
$150K for an M3?
The new BMW M3 GTS, which many expected to be called the CSL, debuted today with a new name and a new look. With power expected to be close to 500 HP, a fire extinguisher is included.
We're still expecting the limited edition BMW M3 GTS to come in at around $150K. For all those greenbacks M buyers will get a more extreme, track-ready M3 sans stereo and A/C with a new body kit and power boosted to 470 HP.
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