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Thursday, December 28, 2006

2008 Dodge Viper with 600HP


Rob Good: The 2008 Dodge Viper has gained an extra 90hp over the 2006 model thanks to a nicely revised V10 engine.

The V10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1 millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. This car is not going to be the most economical out there, but hey it has 600hp. Larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT)helps increase the output. It has new cylinder heads as well, equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers.

The snake gets a new transmission which is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060.

According to Damiler Chrysler, 0-60 mph comes in under 4 seconds and 0-100-0 mph shoots through in just over 12 seconds (braking in under 100 feet). Other changes include a new hood with a larger hood scoop for air induction and distinctive hood louvers.

Good thing that Chevrolet is bringing out the super Corvette soon, or Dodge will be getting all the limelight.

Burn some rubber.

2008 Dodge Viper with 600HP


Rob Good: The 2008 Dodge Viper has gained an extra 90hp over the 2006 model thanks to a nicely revised V10 engine.

The V10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1 millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. This car is not going to be the most economical out there, but hey it has 600hp. Larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT)helps increase the output. It has new cylinder heads as well, equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers.

The snake gets a new transmission which is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060.

According to Damiler Chrysler, 0-60 mph comes in under 4 seconds and 0-100-0 mph shoots through in just over 12 seconds (braking in under 100 feet). Other changes include a new hood with a larger hood scoop for air induction and distinctive hood louvers.

Good thing that Chevrolet is bringing out the super Corvette soon, or Dodge will be getting all the limelight.

Burn some rubber.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Mercedes Benz Ocean Drive convertible.


Rob Good: At the North American Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz is adding to its reputation as a design trendsetter with the presentation of its Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible. This study is a one-off creation by Mercedes-Benz which revives the tradition of large luxury convertibles. Not having to work to a design brief or production specifications left the designers free to get on with the job of developing the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible.

The Concept Ocean Drive is an interesting look. As a four-door convertible, it belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads. Like the luxury convertibles of years gone by, this showpiece from Stuttgart features the maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness. To put it another way, it represents automobile culture at its most attractive and desirable.

The one-off special has an all-new body with an almost classic flavour and with clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paintwork which are exceptionally charismatic. Although on one level the Concept Ocean Drive displays the restraint of an elite and aristocratic automobile, it is also an open invitation to go on a "topless" cruise along the world's finest ocean promenades. Luxurious, exotic materials have been crafted with consummate skill to create a showpiece of unparalleled perfection.

Apart from the four doors, the outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces. This lends the one-off special an air of effortless superiority, power, elegance and forward-flowing energy.

The design study is based on the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600 on account of this model's long wheelbase. It even has neck warming technology so you can keep warm with the top lowered on a cold day.

Interesting concept Mercedes Benz.

Mercedes Benz Ocean Drive convertible.


Rob Good: At the North American Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz is adding to its reputation as a design trendsetter with the presentation of its Concept Ocean Drive four-door convertible. This study is a one-off creation by Mercedes-Benz which revives the tradition of large luxury convertibles. Not having to work to a design brief or production specifications left the designers free to get on with the job of developing the world's most comfortable and elegant convertible.

The Concept Ocean Drive is an interesting look. As a four-door convertible, it belongs in a luxury genre that has almost disappeared from our roads. Like the luxury convertibles of years gone by, this showpiece from Stuttgart features the maximum in elegance, lifestyle sophistication and exclusiveness. To put it another way, it represents automobile culture at its most attractive and desirable.

The one-off special has an all-new body with an almost classic flavour and with clearly defined lines and vibrant two-tone paintwork which are exceptionally charismatic. Although on one level the Concept Ocean Drive displays the restraint of an elite and aristocratic automobile, it is also an open invitation to go on a "topless" cruise along the world's finest ocean promenades. Luxurious, exotic materials have been crafted with consummate skill to create a showpiece of unparalleled perfection.

Apart from the four doors, the outward distinguishing marks of the concept car include a very large and upright radiator grille, LED headlamps and taillights, two-tone paintwork and a striking interplay between taut lines and large, restful surfaces. This lends the one-off special an air of effortless superiority, power, elegance and forward-flowing energy.

The design study is based on the twelve-cylinder Mercedes-Benz S 600 on account of this model's long wheelbase. It even has neck warming technology so you can keep warm with the top lowered on a cold day.

Interesting concept Mercedes Benz.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Audi A4 TFSI - To Quattro or Not to Quattro?



Normally two-wheel drive cars, either FWD or RWD, have accelerative forces handled by just two wheels. Apart from this forward driving force, these pair of wheels also has to tackle cornering and braking forces. As such, it�s easy to see that all these forces can easily overwhelm its grip limit, especially at high speed around corners while accelerating away. All-wheel-drive system like Audi�s Quattro system distributes the engine�s torque to all FOUR wheels, thereby apportioning the accelerative forces by 50% lesser on each tyre. As a result, each wheel gets a higher reserve for handling �extra� cornering forces before losing grip and start screeching.

Well, the above law of physics applies to the Audi 2.0TFSI Quattro as well.
This is my take on the car after having spent a weekend with it�

The first thing that strikes you when driving off in this Quattro is that this A4 is noticeably less hurried on the go. My feeling is that it may be a second or so slower to the century dash. Overtaking times felt laggardly slower too. But all is not lost since the drive seemed more �civilized� with none of the CVT start-lag of its multitronic sibling. Apart from this, the ride and damping of this Audi came across as definitely more pliant and comfortable � somewhat baffling since we would have expected this higher performance Quattro version to have harder suspension settings. There was hardly any lateral sway on cornering � a trait so evident in most two wheels driven cars. No hint of understeer even upon hard driving on winding coastal roads. Alright, alright�maybe just some front tyres� squeal! With the Quattro driveline putting some more weight and drive towards the rear, this sedan somehow feedback as being more balanced. Grip levels were phenomenal with its permanent 4WD mode. Road hugging abilities on hilly B-roads is so excellent that I found it �strange� taking some cornering lines that I normally take in my usual rides, at higher speed without breaking a sweat . Handling would be naturally superlative too if not for the strangely light and vague steering feel � quite unnerving initially. However, as I got used to this undesirable rack �settings�, I began to accommodate reasonably well. Yet, I wished that the Audi engineers dialed in more feel and weight to the scheme of things here.

Manual gear changes weren�t as swiftly engaging as the multitronic�s 7-speeder. This is after all a 6-speed torque converter with �tiptronic� functions but I supposed I could live with marginally slower up-shifts of cogs, if I were to own this junior exec.
Braking performance is similar to the regular FWD sibling. Rotors bite seem just as reassuring but there were less of the disc-grabbing tendencies felt earlier in the other B7 TFSI multitronic. The brake pedal is placed a tad too high though, for smooth migration of your foot from the gas pedal. Some awkward �higher-lift-and-cross� pedals� action warranted here.

On the highways, I have got to admit that speed would build up quicker in the �plain� TFSI variant, with lower engine revs at any given expressway speed. Yup! I reckon that the multitronic CVT would be more efficient here. The Quattro is no slow coach but like I said before, just more mild mannered � due to the extra weight and the same 2.0 TFSI output of 200bhp and 280Nm driving the rear axle as well. In fact, the engine sounded quite hoarse (due to the �busier� driveline?) when stretched but then again maybe it�s just psychological. Breaching the speed limit also exposes some wind noise in this test car. Close examination of the door-window frames revealed a gaping rubber lining at the right B-pillar � corresponding to the rear window frame.

Having put in a few hundred kilometres over a couple of days, I had found the Quattro to be relatively frugal on fuel. In all fairness, I hardly drove the car in �S� mode this time around. Some of the noticeable bugbears of this A4 � upon closer scrutiny � are the somewhat soft and springy switches for power windows and also of the front reading lights. They felt flimsy and loose to operate, a letdown to the overall superb built quality of this Audi. I also wish for rear side storage pockets on the door trim, which are mysteriously absent for an automobile of this price.

Other than that, I guess it�s worth paying the RM15k premium over the �standard� TFSI multitronic. Not so much for the �quattro� badges� bragging right but for the extra refinements in ride, comfort, composure and power delivery. Heck! I was pleasantly surprised when my family attested to some of those attributes too over the test drive period. If only Audi AG reworked this award-winning 2.0 TFSI engine to churn out 261bhp and 350Nm, just like for its upcoming Audi S3, because this A4 Quattro�s drivetrain and chassis could definitely handle more!




Written by: Dr. SP Long
28th September 2006.

Friday, December 1, 2006

LA Auto show December 1st 2006

Today I went to the 2007 LA auto show with fellow vehicle enthusiast G.D Perkins. This is the first time that the LA auto show is being held in December rather than January, as it always used to clash with the Detroit auto show....

I took plenty of photo's and here is a few of the better vehicles we saw today...


The beautiful Ferrari 599


Bugatti Veyron


Bently Continental GTC


Lamborghini Gallardo with it's top off....


The 425HP Dodge Magnum SRT


2008/09 Dodge Challenger.... Nice car...


Audi R8.... This car is going to sell...



The new VW Tiguan


Chevrolet Camaro 2008/09



BMW Hydrodgen 7 series......


2007 BMW X5


Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby


Mercedes Benz CL63


Mercedes Benz S63


2007 Porsche 911 Turbo.... What a great car.


Tesla Roadster 2008.... fully electric 0-60 in 4 seconds.

David Spade was there too looking at the nice cars...He must be a bit of a car freak as the show only opened half an hour before we all got in.

My pick for convertible: Lamborghini Gallardo
Stationwagon : Dodge Magnum SRT-8
Sedan Large : Merceded S63 / Bentley Continental
Sedan Medium : BMW M5 / Mercedes E63
Sedan Small : BMW 335i / Audi RS4
Concept : Dodge Challenger
Exotic : Bugatti Veyron

All an all a great day. Getting in early beat the crowds and if you get the chance, go to the 2007 LA Auto show....

LA Auto show December 1st 2006

Today I went to the 2007 LA auto show with fellow vehicle enthusiast G.D Perkins. This is the first time that the LA auto show is being held in December rather than January, as it always used to clash with the Detroit auto show....

I took plenty of photo's and here is a few of the better vehicles we saw today...


The beautiful Ferrari 599


Bugatti Veyron


Bently Continental GTC


Lamborghini Gallardo with it's top off....


The 425HP Dodge Magnum SRT


2008/09 Dodge Challenger.... Nice car...


Audi R8.... This car is going to sell...



The new VW Tiguan


Chevrolet Camaro 2008/09



BMW Hydrodgen 7 series......


2007 BMW X5


Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby


Mercedes Benz CL63


Mercedes Benz S63


2007 Porsche 911 Turbo.... What a great car.


Tesla Roadster 2008.... fully electric 0-60 in 4 seconds.

David Spade was there too looking at the nice cars...He must be a bit of a car freak as the show only opened half an hour before we all got in.

My pick for convertible: Lamborghini Gallardo
Stationwagon : Dodge Magnum SRT-8
Sedan Large : Merceded S63 / Bentley Continental
Sedan Medium : BMW M5 / Mercedes E63
Sedan Small : BMW 335i / Audi RS4
Concept : Dodge Challenger
Exotic : Bugatti Veyron

All an all a great day. Getting in early beat the crowds and if you get the chance, go to the 2007 LA Auto show....