Cool cars

[Brown Sauce]

more cg carz ...

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=821976

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Italian police write off one of their own £150,000 Lamborghini Gallardos
By Nick Pisa
30th November 2009

One of only two Italian police Lamborghinis has been written off following an accident. The £150,000 Gallardo super car which was just a year old and complete in blue and white police colours, was involved in a smash after being cut up. Two officers inside the 560 horse power car - complete with mini fridge used to transplant organs - suffered minor injuries in the accident which happened near Cremona.

A spokesman said the Lamborghini was cut up by another motorist who was leaving a petrol station and the officer at the wheel swerved to avoid it and hit another car but the driver was unhurt.

Italian police began using the Lamborghinis four years ago in a bid to clamp down on speeding motorists as it can reach 204mph. The one involved in the smash was based in Bologna with the other in Rome. The cars were donated by Lamborghini and tonight no-one from the classic sports car company was available for comment.

Italian police also used Ferrari and Porsche cars seized from Mafia criminals but in the summer announced they were scrapping them because they could not afford the maintenance costs.

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Bugatti plucked from lake after 70 years that could fetch £80,000 at auction
Luke Salkeld
8 January 2010

Like many second-hand cars, it could do with a drop or two of WD40. But considering it has spent more than 70 years at the bottom of a lake, this one is in relatively good condition - and could fetch £80,000. The rare 1925 touring Bugatti was pushed into the water by a frustrated tax official in 1936 after the owner abandoned it in Switzerland without paying the appropriate import tax. Because the value of the car was less than the money owed, the customs officer was duty bound to destroy it - and decided to push it into Lake Maggiore.

Then, in 1967, the car was re-discovered by a diver, Ugo Pillon, who was curious to find out if there was any truth to the story. He found the Bugatti lying on its side over 160ft below the surface and from then on members of the local diving club regularly visited it. It was brought back up to the surface in July of last year by the club to raise money to fund a charity which addresses juvenile violence. It was founded after a fellow diver died after being beaten up by three youths.

The 1925 touring Type 22 Bugatti was built in Brescia in Italy and was first registered in Nancy, France. A small brass plate found on the car bears the name 'George Nielly, 48 Rue Nollet, Paris'. It was registered in his name in 1930. The car had four cylinders, a 1.5 litre engine and could reach almost 100 miles an hour. It was a two-seater with no roof and was very light. The Bugatti was a two-seater with no roof and very light. It could reach speeds of almost 100mph. Later versions of the car were made in France, but this was known as a Brescia Bugatti, after the Italian town where it was manufactured.

As to who owned it in Ascona, Switzerland, it has not been determined, however, auctioneers Bonhams believe the most likely candidate is Marco (Max) Schmuklerski, a Zurich-born architect of Polish descent. He is known to have worked there for three years, designing a number of buildings, before returning to Zurich. It is possible he acquired the car while studying architecture at the famous Beaux Arts school in Paris where he may have met George Nielly. But Mr Schmuklerski brought it back to Switzerland without paying import duties. Another theory is that he bought the car from a French tourist or client in Ascona. Whatever the case, the car always kept its French plates and import duties were never paid.

Incredibly, when it was retrieved last summer, there was still air in the tyres and traces of the original Bugatti blue on its bodywork. It's believed that 20 per cent of the vehicle is salvageable and collectors and museums are said to be keen to buy it.

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Wouldn't be seen dead in that? So will Jonathan Ross's wife Jane Goldman like new hearse-inspired car?
By Chris Johnson
20th January 2010

He's said to be planning on becoming a house husband to let his wife focus on her career. So clearly Jonathan Ross's other half, Jane Goldman, will need a pair of wheels to get around in once he quits the BBC in the summer. Today a new car was spotted parked on the drive of their north London home - with Jane's initials on the fancy side chrome trim. The only problem with the rare Jaguar XK8 is that it looks like a hearse.

Scratching beneath the surface, some may say it could be symbolic of Jonathan's dying career. Or perhaps it is a nod to screenwriter Jane's paranormal side. The 39-year-old also presents the Living TV show Jane Goldman Investigates, where she takes up subjects including ghosts, clairvoyance and astrology.

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Looks great!

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Porsche 918 Spyder

A mid-engined two-seater, which combines the performance of a super-sports car with the CO2 emissions of a small compact, an innovative plug-in hybrid concept reducing emissions to just 70 grams CO2 per kilometre and fuel consumption to 94 mpg

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nice!

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Self-build supercars
Save money and build a supercar yourself? We meet a man who's done it and ask whether it's a fanciful dream or practical reality.
Andrew English
13 Apr 2010
telegraph.co.uk

The exhausts are as wide as a man's leg and stained with carbon. It's the first thing you notice as the motorised door slowly rises on Keith Lake's garage. Well, that and rear tyres capable of blotting out the sun. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Rosso coachwork glints evilly in the gloom.

"It took ages to get the paint codes," Lake says, "but I only paid £1,500 to have it painted. They did a good job, didn't they?" Indeed they did. Lake's supercar might be done on the cheap, but there's nothing to indicate that from the outside. Nor when he starts it. On a damp morning, the boom of a small-block Chevy V8 fills the Kent suburban street. They must love him around here.

It's a supercar of course, but no ordinary supercar. The Ultima GTR is a DIY supercar. Laughing yet? I wouldn't. The GTR has a claimed top speed of 231mph and will rocket to 60mph from a standstill in just 2.6 seconds. Designed by engineer Lee Noble in 1983, the Ultima is far more than a rocket-powered sledge.

It was originally designed around a Renault 30 or 20TS, which were then busy recycling themselves in scrapyards all over England. Front suspension and steering came from the commonplace Ford Cortina and dotted around were parts from an Austin Princess and even a Lancia Beta.

"It took three months to build," Lake says. "I did it one summer." Lake, a chauffeur, knows a good car when he sees one and when he first saw the Ultima at the Stoneleigh motor show, he was very impressed. "I thought 'I'd like that', but at the time there was no way I could afford it," he says. A few years later, Lake came into a bit of money and beat a path to Ultima in Hinckley, Leicestershire. "I'd always messed about with cars," he says, "and I'd built an AC Cobra replica called a Pilgrim Sumo, so the build didn't worry me much."

In fact, the Ultima has been designed so that no engineering experience is necessary to build it. "The majority of our owners have never built a car in their lives," says Ted Marlow, Ultima's owner and managing director. "The kit is a bolt-together thing really; we've done all the engineering."

Lake concurs. "I can't think of anything I didn't like," he says. "It's such an easy kit to make, everything fits." Lake admits that he was so anxious to build his car that he didn't sleep the night before it was delivered. "I was like a kid at Christmas," he says. "As soon as the chassis arrived, I got it onto the trestles and got started straight away."

Building a supercar in a recession? Lake didn't quite have all the money, but says Ultima was fine about supplying the car in sub-assemblies so that he could get on with it and buy another series of parts when he could afford it. "You should budget around £30,000 if you're going to do it properly," he says.

Lake's Ultima is certainly quick. It produces about 400bhp and 400lb ft, although the factory can achieve closer to 700bhp from this engine at the cost of reliability, flexibility and, of course, fuel consumption.

In fact, Lake's car hardly needs a gearbox as it is perfectly possible to pull away in third. All too easy in fact, as the linkage redefines indistinct. "You get used to it," he says, but I'm not so sure. It's a shame, as that's the only bum note in the whole of this immaculately prepared car. The paint finish is so deep you could climb into it and the doors and panels all fit and close properly. The upholstered dashboard is a fine piece of work.

The cabin is spacious, although climbing in requires flexibility. Once ensconced you can get a panoramic view of the road ahead. The steering is very direct and takes some getting used to so as to avoid weaving down the road. The big Pirelli P Zero tyres flap about in the potholes left by the winter snow, but the ride is comfortable and while the cabin is noisy it is not deafening.

So would he build another? Like a shot. "Mrs Lake doesn't like the Ultima much," he says. "It attracts too much attention and she doesn't like trying to get out of it in a skirt."

So what will he choose next time? Lake grins as he reveals he might be turning away from the self-build path. "I've got my eye on an Aston Martin," he says. "A DB9."

Beware bureaucracy

To drive a kit car on the road it must first be registered and allocated a VIN and registration plate. This means the vehicle has to be inspected by the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency to check that it complies with type approval and safety regulations from the UK and Europe.

A new procedure known as Individual Vehicle Approval has been in force since April last year. Without approval you will never be allowed to register the car and drive it on the public road.

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Bling-tastic cars owned by footballer El-Hadji Diouf

haha, these are brilliantly cheesetastic.

[funkyfunkpants]

Toyota are spending alot of money on marketing to try and rebuild the brand after all the recalls, I hope we get more as good as this one

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Facel Vega HK 500 Gran Turismo
The best car you've probably never heard of is luxurious, French and very fast.
Jasper Gerard
26 May 2010

If Jaguars were driven by people who robbed banks, Facel Vegas were driven by those who paid the little people to rob banks. After the HK500 Gran Turismo blew onto the scene in 1958 with a top speed of 140mph, Facel claimed it to be the world's fastest production car until the arrival of the Jaguar E-type in the following decade.

But the pleasure of its speed lay in knowing it was there. Facel Vega man left his henchmen to flee police; he would burble over at his leisure to pick up the proceeds. He would only push his slip-on Italian leather shoes to the floor if he was late to meet his consorts at a discreet hostess bar off Jermyn Street, with its blood-red walls and faint hint of menace.

The Facel advertising slogan? "For the few who own the finest".

An immaculate gunmetal example resides in my village and when its owner, Bob Dockerty, proprietor of Larkin's Brewery, takes it for a blast it always sparks the question: "What the hell is that?" When I reply "a Facel Vega, dummkopfs", the admiring crowd remains mystified. These are as well crafted as Bristols, but with the sexy exoticism of a dancer in that club off St James's. "It's so well made," says Bob, turning to the deep red interior with its myriad buttons and silver gear stick. "It even has electric windows. These cars were more expensive than Rolls-Royces."

We don't think of the French as doing fast, but before the war Hispano and Bugatti were the apogee of express sophistication. Facel was conceived in 1939 but occupying Germans converted the factory to build aircraft. Car production started in 1954. The Gran Turismo was the marque's finest flowering, its extreme oomph coming courtesy of a monster 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 engine.

Bob bought his in 1970 and uncovered a curious history. This car's first owner had a scrap yard in Glasgow. "Every few months he'd order a new, identical Facel. They even had to have the same registration," Bob says, pointing to the registration plate 2 RPC.

He describes its speed as "frightening". Certainly its potency combined with its weight make cornering lively, though it feels a solid beast. "I've only managed one wheelie," he says self-reproachfully. "With windows closed it's totally silent; open them and you are assailed by the roar."

Other owners included Dean Martin, Ringo Starr and Fred Astaire; Albert Camus died in one. But Facel Vega man, one likes to think, is still living it up, perhaps in Barbados, leaving behind a string of broken hearts and several unsolved crimes.

Facel Vega HK500 Gran Turismo
Production 1958-1962
Price now £70,000
Dress Italian suit
On the radio Sympathy For The Devil, The Rolling Stones

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The new Trabant, built by IndiKar, poses with an original Trabant from 1957. The modern version, which is powered by an electric engine, was shown at the 2009 international motor show in Frankfurt


BMW's stunning VIsion Concept at this year's Beijing motor show. It is powered by a three-cylinder diesel hybrid


The electric-powered BB1 from 2009 is Peugeot's vision of a car/scooter green vehicle


This 2008 BlueZERO concept from Mercedes is a fully-electric MPV. It is said to be able to travel 120 miles on a full charge


This Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept from appeared as 'Sideswipe' in the Transformers film 'Revenge of the Fallen' (2009)


Weird and wonderful: Nissan's PIVO 2 mini car from 2007. The wheels are housed in rotating pods, and the cabin itself swivels too


The Bertone B.A.T. 11 is a strongly retro design of a future Alfa Romeo. Tapered fins and faired in wheels follow the design fundamentals laid down a half century ago


The Peugeot 908 features the same chassis as the car that won this year's Le Mans 24-hour race


The Opel Siderium is a concept of a luxury car and was the winner in the best conceptual interior category at last year's Interior Motives Design Awards


The AC Cobra Venom is powered by a supercharged Ford V8 engine


The Lamborghini Concept S was designed by Luc Donckerwolke, the head of Lamborghini design, using the Lamborghini Gallardo's floorplan, and was unveiled in 2006

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1000hp Cult Challenger SRT-8 reflects the American muscles
Vinod

Americans are the diehard lovers of the muscle cars. It’s been, every now and then, reflected by some of the most amazing creations that cater well to their senses. Here is one that many freaks excessively in love with the road wrecking beasts will surely appreciate. Dodge challenger with 425hp already has decent power figures but it has been tweaked, overhauled and the result comes in the form of a car that boasts over 1000hp. Custom built by the Cult energy drink manufacturer, this awesome beauty is the part of the Cult Challenger SRT-8 project and the work started on it in the summer of 2009. And, in order to give shape to this car and boost its power figures, the 6.1-liter HEMI block has been replaced with an 8.3 liter large specimen. The hot rod challenger will be shown at the SEMA.

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noiiiice

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www.wind-explorer.com

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A design study for the Wiesmann Spyder concept car, which - if produced - would have a four-litre engine, weight just 1,000kg, produce 420hp and have a top speed of around 290 km/h (180 mph)


Peugeot's 908 HYbrid4, the French carmaker's diesel-hybrid Le Mans racer. Peugeot hopes to run the 908 Hybrid4 at the Le Mans test on 24 April


A concept car from Swiss high performance replica and sports car company Sbarro


The Irmscher E7 custom car


The Gumpert Tornante concept car


The Bentley Continental Flying Star by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, based on the Bentley Continental GTC chassis


The new Fiat 500 Coupe by Zagato


The new Nissan Esflow zero emission concept car. On the outside it's all flash, with a gleaming silver aluminum body and sexy sportscar curves. Under the bonnet, though, Nissan has opted to go with two electric motors, indistinguishable from those it builds for its Leaf electric compact car.


Opel (Vauxhall) launched the electric-hybrid Ampera, which will go on sale in the autumn


Toyota FT-86 II concept car


The Land Rover Evoque Coupe


The Wiesmann MF 5


Bertone's GB99, a compact four-door Jaguar sedan that uses a full hybrid powertrain. The B 99, named for Bertone's 99-year history, is aimed at replacing the Jaguar X-Type, discontinued two years ago.

Geneva Motor Show 2011

[luke]

you forgot the new volkswagen camper van! although, i still prefer the original, but the reworked beetle and mini have grown on me so maybe this will over time ( if they actually make it )



Volkswagen Bulli concept

Volkswagen has launched a stunning new version of its classic camper van, with nods to the original.

- Six-seat small camper van concept
- Electric drivetrain means zero emissions
- Interior is centred on removable Apple iPad

Bringing the Volkswagen Type 2 (the camper van to you and me) right into this decade is the Bulli. It's also bringing a classic darts-based game show from the Eighties.

VW has reinvented a true icon here. The Bulli concept is inspired by the VW camper loved by millions, but it brings the idea bang up to date. Can we have it now please?

So let's have a look at what you could have... seen if you were here in Geneva.

What's all the fuss about?

Because you get nothing in this game for two in a bed, this generation's camper doesn't have one. Rather, the six-seat interior has two rows of three and leaves room behind them for a decent sized boot, which has a fold out bench that stows flush with the floor. It's probably for sitting on while having the sort of idyllic picnic that marketing departments think all 25-year-olds have. No fitted kitchen though, sadly.

Any new technology?

Because this is 2011 and petrol is £1.30 per litre, the Bulli is electric, powered by a 114bhp motor fed from a big mobile phone battery. Nothing new there, but the interior is suitably futuristic, and is focused on an iPad, which can be removed. Other than that it's minimalist, to the benefit of cabin space.

Estimated release date: Probably never, in this form.

Estimated cost: From £20,000 if it's made.