Pagani Huayra - The million dollar baby

Pagani Huayra is the successor of Zonda, and her name comes from the "God of wind" ( Huayra-tata ) in Quechua. This model was released in 2012 and is equipped with an engine Mercedes-AMG bi-turbo M158 5980 cc V12, capable to reach 372 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. With this 6.0 motor and the transmission of 7 gears, the Huayra is capable to surprise in the race tracks.

In the Top Gear Test Track, Huayra reached 1.138 minutes to complete 2.82 km, beating the predecessor and becoming the first car to record the a lap time below 75 seconds and the first place in the power board.

 

 

The Power Board

1. 1:13.8 – Pagani Huayra
2. 1:15.1 – Ariel Atom 500 V8
3. 1:16.2 – McLaren MP4-12C
4. 1:16.5 – Lamborghini Aventador
5. 1:16.8 – Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
6. 1:17.1 – Gumpert Apollo S
7. 1:17.3 – Ascari A10
8. 1:17.6 – Koenigsegg CCX (with Top Gear Wing)
9. 1:17.7 – Noble M600 (cold)
10. 1:17.8 – Nissan GT-R (2012)
11. 1:17.8 – Pagani Zonda Roadster F
12. 1:17.9 – Caterham Seven Superlight R500 (cold)
13. 1:18.3 – Bugatti Veyron 16.4
14. 1:18.4 – Pagani Zonda F
15. 1:18.9 – Maserati MC12
16. 1:19.0 – Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
17. 1:19.0 – Enzo Ferrari
18. 1:19.1 – Ferrari 458 Italia
19. 1:19.5 – Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
20. 1:19.5 – Porsche 997 GT2

All this power can be bought for the amount of US$ 1.300.000 approx. So if you have some money in your saving account this is an option.

For more information you can see the History of Pagani Huayra.

Famous Car Collectors

Lot of people use to have an hobby. Somebody loves to marathon running, bird watching or collect magazine. But some wealthy famous people decide to collect cars: they love cars and they want to have in their private garage something that can remember them the past years, or that can make them special because they are the only owner of this model. Having a look on the net, you can find lot of famous people collecting cars, but three of them are the top ones.

The 1930 Mercedes

Ralph Lauren:

The famous american stylist is obviously interested in fashion, especially in clothes, but probably not lot of people know that he is, for instance, also one of the biggest car collector around the world. He is the owner of a Bugatti Veyron, the fastest and the most expensive car in the world today. But the things that make his collection very special are the other automobile he is preserving in his garage: the 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (now evaluated around 16.000.000$) and his 1930 Mercedes, and many others.

Hassanal Bolkiah:

A taste of Sultan of Brunei's Ferrari

Probably this name don't tell you a lot about this man. He is the Sultan of Brunei, and he his one of the collectors with the largest number of cars: around 7.000! People said that all his cars together probably are worth more than 5.000.000.000 $. He has all the models of Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti and of the other luxury brands. The question could be: where does he keep all his cars? In the picture below we can have a satellite view from google maps.

This garage equal to eight hangar

Jay Kay:

He is a musician, and the lead singer of Jamiroquai. When people ask him which are the cars he loves, he always answers in the same way: any fast car! This is why he started to collect more than 40 exotic cars, such as Ferrari 550 Maranello, Lamborghini Miura SV and modified Fiat 500 Abarth. But the most important piece of his collection is an Aston Martin DB5 made famous in early James Bond films.

Just a curiosity: he has the habit of getting caught speeding in his vehicles. His  driving licence had been suspended more than one time.

Jay Kay with some of his cars

Mille Miglia: the most attractive car race in the world

Stirling Moss and his #722 300SLR that set the "Mille Miglia" record

Every year in Italy take place one of the most famous car race named "Mille Miglia" – that stands for "A thousand miles".

Originally, the "Mille Miglia" was a car race that took place 24 times between 1927 and 1957 when was  definitely banned due to two mortal crashes. From 1977 to nowadays, the "Mille Miglia" started its second life. Only cars produced before 1957 and that had participated to the original event are allowed, this statement makes the "Mille Miglia" one of the most attractive car race in the world: in fact only vintage cars can take part in this great event.

From the first race until now, the route is the same: starting from Brescia to Rome and then back to Brescia.

David Coulthard with his Mercedes 300 SLR

Mercedes participated in 2013 "Mille Miglia" – that took place from May 16th to May 19th – providing 13 models directly from the Mercedes-Benz Museum of Stuttgart including SSK and 300SLR that set the "Mille Miglia" record in 10h 07' 48" made by Stirling Moss in 1955.

From the BMW Mobile Tradition Museum arrived 8 models which included 328 Coupé Touring that won the "Mille Miglia" in 1940 with Fritz Huschke von Hanstein. Five were the cars provided by Alfa Romeo Museum including the 6C Alfa Romeo 2300 Pescara – belonged to Benito Mussolini – which took part in the race in 1936.

For any further informations, visit: Mille Miglia

Aston Martin and the challenge of hydrogen

Aston Martin Rapide S Hybrid will partecipate in this 2013 Nürburgring 24 hours, and it will be the first car ever to take part to this kind of event with zero CO2 emission. The car will be done on the chassis of the new Rapide S. To pursuit this great result, Aston Martin works together with Alset Global to create a twin turbochargers 6.0-litre V12 engine that will power the Nürburgring car. Alset Global’s unique Hybrid Hydrogen system allows a vehicle to run on hydrogen, gasoline or a blend of both fuels, depending on the driving request, and ensures an optimum balance between power, acceleration and CO2 reduction.

New Porsche GT3 out in late 2013

The brand new Porsche 911 GT3 has been presented at the Geneva International Motor Show few weeks ago. The completely-redeveloped fifth generation of the 911 GT3 occupies the top position among Porsche sports cars with naturally-aspirated engines. The 2014 911 GT3 benefits from a new engine, transmission, body and chassis and will go on sale late in 2013 and will be priced from 160,000 euros.

As a technical highlight, the 911 GT3 features the first active rear-wheel steering in a production Porsche, as well as optional full LED headlights. The new GT3 brings to everyday driving many of the properties of a sports car developed on the track, and preserves the highly emotional fun factor.

The powertrain of the new 911 GT3 is composed of a 3.8-liter boxer engine yielding 475 hp (125 hp/liter) featuring a 9,000 rpm redline and a specially developed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) which drives the rear wheels. The six-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as the 911 Carrera S, although they share only a few common parts. All other components, particularly the crankshaft and valve gear, were specially adapted or designed for the GT3. For instance, Porsche designed titanium connecting rods and forged pistons for this engine.

For the first time, Porsche is employing active rear wheel steering to achieve even higher steering precision and improved lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, improving stability and agility. Other new features that improve driving dynamics are an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and dynamic engine mounts. Contact with the road is made by new 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with center-locking hubs in place of conventional wheel bolts

The 2014 911 GT3 is based on the light yet stiff body of the current generation 911 Carrera, which employs a hybrid steel and aluminum construction; however, it comes with unique front and rear parts specific to the GT3. Another distinctive feature is the large, fixed rear wing, which contributes to the exemplary aerodynamics.

By combining low air resistance with even more power, the 2014 911 GT3 sets new performance standards. At full acceleration from standstill, the 60 mph mark is reached after just 3.3 seconds, and on the track 124 mph is reached in less than twelve seconds.

That's Porsche, and that's what we want to see from a sporty brand!

Lambo goes to family

It's official: Lamborghini Urus will be produced in 2017. It has been confirmed for the 50th year celebration of the italian firm, and Urus will be the first SUV produced by Lamborghini.

After Porsche Cayenne and Bentley EXP 9F also Lambo decides to change its target to family, not focusing only in sport luxury cars.

Lamborghini Urus has been officially presented at the Beijing Motor Show '12 and opened a strong discussion. Lambo's fans didn't seem to appreciate these changes, moreover also the aesthetic was claimed as awful.

Rumors say that Lamborghini Urus could be the cheapest model produced by the italian firm, listing from 170.000 euros, about 20.000 euros less than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, the cheapest one for sale nowadays. The main idea is to produce a family-friendly car with 4 seats that is totally different from the usual cars produced by Lamborghini, despite that, Urus will have a 600Hp engine (maybe also a hybrid version will be produced) 4.0 litres V8. Only 3000 pieces a year will be made.

What Lamborghini is planning is something all the biggest auto producers have already done – Porsche has been the first with his Cayenne, Bentley is starting now, Maserati and also Ferrari with his FF. So it's not so strange to see that Lamborghini wants to maintain the same level of offer made by his competitors. Despite that maybe it'd be better if sport car producers continue in the way of offering sporty cars and not family SUV that do not reflect their original brand image.

http://www.lamborghini.com/en/models/concepts/urus/overview/

LaFerrari: The First Hybrid

It's a novelty for the brand Ferrari. The first Hybrid, simply called LaFerrari. It's a limited edition. Ferrari will make 499 units. The car has a 963Hp V12 motor, 800Hp gasoline engine supplemented by a 163Hp electric motor. From 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3'' and from 0 to 200 km/h in less than 7''.

Ferrari promises that LaFerrari is faster than any other road legal car Ferrari has ever been produced. That's it about the technical details. The style of the car is futuristic and better tan expected. It presents swooping lines and has some similarities to the edged Enzo. The front looks a bit aggressive. But it blends elegance and speed. The interior looks futuristic with a lot of buttons and a high technical level. But the side mirrors are really strange. It looks like ears of a bee.

The price is around 1 Million Euro, but buyers can come forward through invitation only.

I am quite wondered: why does Ferrari manufactures a hybrid? Does Ferrari want to get green? I understand the point that Ferrari doesn't plan on being left behind, but is a target customer of sportcar really interested in the consumption of the car? I don't think so. When you have the pockets to buy a Ferrari, you don't care about if the car consumes 10 or 20 litres. It's fun, not sensible. Ferrari is not a brand which is really environmentally-conscious. Nobody expected this brand in this niche. Such a image-change to environmental-friendly supercar wouldn't be good. That doesn't make sense.

For any further informations, visit the Ferrari official site : www.laferrari.com