F1 Cars

The most luxury, expensive, travelled and the pinnacle of motor sport is by far Formula 1. With each car being created from scratch for racing and to be as efficient, light weight and durable as possible it is no wonder that each car costs over 7.5million to make. Teams spare no expense when it comes to developing its cars and spend hours upon hours studying figures and creating lighter and faster systems. This attention to detail is placed on every nut, screw, wing, buckle, pedal or anything else you can possibly imagine to be on a car. It all counts in the end.

F1 has had some changes in the past 10years for safety reasons as the cars were performing at such a high level that the safety precautions could not protect the drivers anymore. The cars were being run by V10’s blasting out over 950bhp which combined with the power to weight ratio was 1500bhp per ton. BAR Honda was recorded doing 256mph on a straight during the 2005 season. The engines used were a 3.0 litre V10 that could reach well over 20,000rpm, which compared to a normal sports car with an average 7,000rpm, you can see the difference. The F1 tried to slow the cars performance some by ending the V10 era and introducing rules that specify more aerodynamically restrictions and the use of a 2.4litre V8 intended to help slow the speeds being reached. Any kind of turbo or supercharger or intercooler was forbidden. The result was a drop of 950bhp down to 750hbp, but did it slow the cars down? It was simply a minor speed bump in the production of the F1 car and didn’t slow the cars a great deal but just enough to help keep the drivers safe. The revs now only max out at 18,000rpm compared to the old 20,000. The cars might not be reaching 256mph in races but they are still pushing the 230-240mph in some races depending on the set-up. To give you an idea of the performance levels of these cars a F1 car can go 0-100 and back to 0 in under 5 seconds. During acceleration the drivers experiences over 2G’s which is twice his bodyweight. Drivers say that touching the breaks on a F1 car is like hitting a wall and with the aerodynamics creating so much down force. It is reported that a F1 car driving at 200mph could drive upside down in a tunnel and not fall. Not only do these cars go fast straight but can go round corners at break neck speeds. Simply the great Car engineering in the world is displayed every year within these F1 cars.

Specs

Engine:  2.4litre V8. 18,000rpm

Power:  750bhp

Power to weight ratio: 1500 per ton

Weight:  Roughly 100kg

0-60mph:  1.9seconds

0-125mph:  3.8

0-190mph: 7.9

Cost:  $7.5million

(I do not own these pictures. Pictures taken by McLaren at press release and Photo shoot)

Dodge 2011 Challenger STR8

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8

This is a new and improved car to the first remake. Dodge has changed a few parts in the engine to give the 6.1 Hemi such as the camshaft and its timing to give it more punch through the gears. Also Dodge engineering changed the set up around the engine to reduce the engine shake through harsh acceleration. The classic Hemi engine is now shredding tyres with 470bhp that fires the car from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds and on to 100 in just 10.2 seconds.

 Now with an engine like this and performance to match, the fuel consumption in not great, and you will find yourself getting a membership card at your local fuel station doing just 23mpg. This car is not designed to be a tree hugging echo car though. It was made to set your hair on fire and give you a tingle in your pants. It is an American, world consuming muscle car made to get you from stop light to stop light as fast as possible. Dodge has worked on the handling and stiffened the frame for better handling but not lost the blood lines it came from. The only thing I want from dodge is on the next upgrade to place the new rear light that have been placed on the sister 2012 Charger. Its a great look that would really fit this modern muscle car.

Specs

Horse Power:  470

0-60:  4.5seconds

0-100:  10.2seconds

Engine:  6.1 litre Hemi

Transmission:  6 Speed

Mileage:  23mpg

Price: Starting at $45,000

Audi vs BMW

  When shopping for a new car most people have an idea of what type of car they want to buy. Young singles mite look for a sports car, Families would look for a SUV or a wagon, but what does a successful businessman look for?

BMW has the 5 series in its range that is perfect for driving up and down the highway in luxury, style and with performance to all the meetings and functions required. BMW stuck with the rear-wheel drive set up as they do with almost all the cars they produce. They gave the 550i model a 6 speed 4.8 litre V8, that produces 360bhp. Understandably this engine is going to be thirsty but BMW are squeezing out a respectable 28mpg that can do 0-60 in just 4.8 seconds. Not too bad for a 4 door sedan with all the luxuries you can dream of. With the 2010 they changed up the design again, but not as radical as the shape before. The lines are a little smoother and more within the norms.

This new look is certainly pleasing to the eye but does it beat one of its biggest rivals in class, the Audi A6.

  Audi also stuck to expectations of the great All-Wheel drive systems, and the great German build quality that is expected from both companies. Audi went with a slightly smaller 4.2 litre V8 that only produces 10bhp less than its rival at 350bhp, projecting the car from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds which is also slower than the 5series. Both cars are limited by German/European law to 155mph which unless the cars are purchased in Germany and have access to the Autobarnes, these cars will not see this top speed. These car are not track day cars either so I feel that the 0-60 performance speed is more irrelevant too. So which looks better and rides better?

Well by the German quality both cars will have an understandably great ride and transport you in comfort so I feel the things that really set these two apart is the looks and the AWD by Audi. For me the Audi just looks that much slicker and cleaner than the BMW's, within in the norms styling. Not only will you look good pulling up to the meeting but you will always get there. Come rain or snow the AWD system will get you there and  safely, but the BMW may struggle with its rear-wheel drive set up during the snowing winter months. Better to be at your meeting than cancelling it!

Range Rover Sport HSE 2011

2011 Range Rover Sport TD V6 HSE

Land Rover is a world famous car company, with a demand all around the globe. They were originally famous for 4x4 work horses used on farms, safaris, military operations and anything you could think of. They now produce the Range Rover line of luxury off roaders but these boys are still designed to work everywhere.
Today we are talking about the little brother, the Range Rover Sport. It is the cheaper of the two but certainly lives up to the high standards of the name. The sport is a slightly lower and chunkier design to the big brother Vogue, with more focus on handling and performance without losing the luxury and comfort. For the 2011 model they have performed a makeover, both on the interior and the serious end of the mechanics. With a new 3.0 litre twin turbo charged diesel engine pumping out 29% more power and 36% more torque, it certainly is not down on power with 247bhp. 0-60 in 8.8 seconds which is not bad for a heavy duty 4x4 with all the leather and luxuries you can imagine. Impressively the mileage has been improved some too, with an average of 30.7mpg coming from the twin turbo charged V6.

  The ride is still slightly firmer than the vogue making it a much better car to handle the winding country roads, minimizing the role through the corners at respectable speeds. This Range Rover is still a Land Rover at heart, because it can concur any terrain you put in front of it. With amazing technology the car can change its setting for different surfaces and weather conditions such as mud, snow, wet, gravel, grass and sand by the touch of a button and will put the power to the specific tyre that needs it at any given time. Another smart toy is the hill ascent and descent setting. For the Technology nerds you simple push ‘descent’ or ‘ascend’, take your feet off the pedals and just steer while the engine uses a combination of mechanical grip and technological grip, to take you up or down safely without a problem. Now if that is not a cool trick for a car I don’t know what is. The Range Rover Sport is tough enough to be taken to work in the fields and mountains, whilst classy enough to be taken to the most expensive restaurants and look at home. Unbelievable job buy Range Rover.

Aston Martin DB9

For this first blog I intended to begin as I mean to go on.

The Aston Martin DB9 is one of the most desirable cars in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful. It has the badge, the looks, the price tag and an unmistakeable sound growling from the monstrous V12.

This car is made for luxury and those with expensive tastes as the attention to detail all over this car is second to none. With no key for the ignition the Aston has a push to start system which no ordinary button will do. Aston went to enough care to carve out starter buttons from pure Chrystal. The interior is soft, specially selected leather blended with lashings of tasteful would for the centre panel giving the buyer the selection of; Bamboo, Teak or even Cherrywood depending on their taste.

This car is made to be the ultimate Grand Tourer (GT). Fast yet comfortable so the owners can drive from Paris to Monaco with as little stress and as much fun as possible. The V12 pushes the car from 0-62pmh in just 4.6 seconds which is not lightning but is more than enough to keep you aware of the DB9s performance. This car is certainly aimed at the rich and wealthy with a price tag beginning at $186,000 for the base model. The V12 will average 13 miles per gallon so be prepared for plenty of fuel stops on the long drives from mansion to villa. The car has four seats but only amputee’s would be able to sit in the back so really it’s a two seater GT which offers plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the ride. This car sounds like it is doing 200mph even when you just start her up so expect everyone on the streets to know you are coming before they see you.

This is by far one of the greatest GT cars ever made and still is one of the most beautiful cars still driving on the streets today. Aston martins phrase for its cars is; “power, beauty, soul” and this car is gleaming with it.

Specs

V12 engine, 470bhp,  6.0 litres, 0-62 in 4.6 seconds, top speed 186mph, 13 mpg.