KIMI AND THE F12berlinetta

Kimi pictured with the Ferrari F12berlinetta

I’m sure if asked many people would say that getting to thrash a Ferrari F12 around at a track day would be a hard thing to beat, however Autoexpress motor journalist Chris Ebbs might have done just that.
After getting to drive the F12 around the track on his own, he was then treated to a hot lap with Formula 1 legend Kimi Raikkonen at a special F12berlinetta track day put on by the Italian Supercar creators at Fiorano.

“As a novice track driver, I’d come along to get some expert tuition in how to handle a supercar from Ferrari’s instructors. The day of tuition had gone well, then, over a couple of laps, Kimi Raikkonen proceeded to show me how little I really knew.” Said Ebbs.

From the moment they set off, you can see via the speedometer that he keeps his foot firmly planted throughout. He can be even seen correcting the supercar as it slides around the corners with only his left hand so that he can change up a gear mid-slide with his right hand.

At several points in the video Kimi’s over-steering skills can be seen being put to good use as he manages to control the 740bhp F12 effortlessly – a car with so much power that many drivers struggle to keep it on the track.

And to top it all off, at the end of the two laps the F1/WRC legend jumps calmly out of the F12 he was just driving and heads for another one in front that’s waiting parked up with fresh tyres – so he can continue his track onslaught.

Volvo FH truck races the Koenigsegg One:1

Volvo FH truck vs Koenigsegg One:1

In Volvo’s latest marketing campaign for their new dual clutch gearbox, they have put one of their vehicles to the test ultimate test.  The Swedish carmaker put their Volvo FH truck in a head-to-head race against another Swedish machine, only it’s slightly different to Volvos truck –it’s the Koenigsegg One:1.

Although they are two completely different machines, designed for completely different, the two vehicles end up in a thrilling battle that continues into the very last seconds of the race.

Piloting Volvo FH truck is TV presenter and former racing driver Tiff Needell, whilst behind the wheel of the Koenigsegg is the Hypercars official test driver.

The race is held in order to put Volvo Trucks’ new gearbox I-Shift Dual Clutch to the test – which is based on sports car technology. Since Tiff Needell has never driven a truck before, he first takes the Volvo FH out for a few test laps first and then the race is on!

Rocket propelled bicycle beats Ferrari in drag race

The Ferrari lines up next to the rocket powered bike

A French cyclist has ridden a rocket-equipped push bicycle into the record books by attaining speeds of 207mph (333km/h) at a racetrack in France.

Francois Gissy took just 4.8 seconds to accelerate to his top speed at the Circuit Paul Ricard racetrack, near Marseille.

To demonstrate just how fast this bike is, Gissy decided to go head to head with a Ferrari in a drag race. And the bike breezes past the Ferrari with ease!

And he’s not finished just yet as he wants to keep pushing the boundaries and believes he can achieve 250mph on his next run on the bike. However, he must first raise the much needed funding required to keep going.

The rocket-propelled bicycle, named Kamikaze 5, was designed by Mr Gissy’s Swiss friend Arnold Neracher, and has been used in a series of ever-faster speed challenges organised by the two men since 2011.

Speaking to the BBC about the new record Gissy said:

“It’s extremely intense, that’s why it’s a real feat,”

“The bicycle is extremely lightweight, there’s no aerodynamic covering and the force of the drag is extreme – maybe 200kg [440lb] of force on my body.

“At the moment [of riding] it’s very scary – there’s no pleasure like you would get from a motorcycle.

“But when you stop, you think – yes, that was amazing.

Liberty Walk Ferrari 458 gets rear ended

Liberty Walk Ferrari 458 gets rear ended at SEMA 2014

So this years SEMA 2014 Car Show went out with a bang in more ways than one this year as a jeep rear ended the Liberty Walk Ferrari 458.

While leaving the show the jeep owner clearly forgot to keep a safe braking distance and ended up getting more than he bargained for when he rear ended this famous supercar.

Several bystanders caught the event on camera and this situation was definitely not a good one for either party.Though it has to be said, the owners of the 458 took it exceptionally well. I’m not sure I would have took it that well if a jeep ploughed into the back of my highly customised Ferrari. Lets hope the jeep driver is insured and they have both declared all those modifications to their insurance company!

GoPro: The Streets of Japan in 4K

Shinichi Moroboshi with his Lamborghini

Take a look at this super cool video from the guys over at Go Pro, that focuses on the huge car culture that exists in Japan.

It features numerous big names from the tuning world including Akira Nakai of RWB fame and Shinichi Moroboshi, (pictured above with his Lamborghini) they discuss what their influences are and what cars mean to them.

Here’s the official description of the video…
“As the sun goes down, Tokyo transforms to a wild and exotic playground for those who like to pour on the speed. As a method of expression, the custom vehicle scene thrives in Japan. You’ll meet some truly unique characters and get to ride along in some of the most exotic vehicles you’ve ever seen. Lamborghinis, Hayabusas, RWB Porsches, and some Kaido Racers make up a feast for the eyes on the streets of Tokyo at night.”

Enjoy!

A Traumatic Bond is formed with the Lamborghini Urraco

Lamborghini Urraco via Petrolicious

With the passing of yet another Tuesday, Petrolicious have been so kind to impart upon us another automotive based gift in the form of their latest video, this time featuring the ultra rare Lamborghini Urraco.

Gene Ondrusek first spotted the Urraco for sale in a Dallas Morning News classified advertisement in 1987. The listing described the car as a solid runner with a mere 40,000 miles, and while the interior was, to put it mildly, in rough shape, Ondrusek figured that the market for classic Italian cars was such that he could foot the bill for a cosmetic restoration and still come out ahead.

Originally intended as “the workingman’s Lamborghini,” the Urraco’s 1975 price tag of $22,500 (approximately $98,000 in 2014 dollars) meant that the cars often ended up in the hands of people who could afford to buy them but couldn’t keep up with the maintenance costs of an Italian exotic. Ondrusek would soon learn this firsthand.

After being treated to a full restoration, the owner of this Urraco made sure it wouldn’t be garage queen.As he correctly puts it, “you can either run the car and things will break, or you can leave it sitting and things will break, so he might as well enjoy breaking it on the open road.”

FIRST LOOK AT THE TRACK-FOCUSED McLAREN P1 GTR INTERIOR

McLaren P1 GTR at home on the track

As of late, supercar manufacturers have been trying to go that extra mile in order to make their cars and their brand has to offer even more exclusive than what their competitors are offering. Whether it be a limited edition, of a what is already a highly sought after car, or a heritage track day – offering buyers history and insight into the brand they have bought into.

And this exactly the kind of thing McClaren are offering with their McLaren P1 GTR, as the Woking manufacturer reveals details of its customer driver development program.

With the GTR version, McLaren have taken what is already an insanely fast car – the P1, and stripped it of the red tape set out to ensure that a car is road legal. In doing so, McLaren have created what they describe as “the best driver’s car in the world on track”.  This drastic weight loss in the GTR has also seen a rise in the previously insane power figure of 903bhp to a heart-stopping 986bhp.
And as a direct result of the new GTR version of the P1, McLaren’ is now offering the 35 customers – all of whom were picked from buyers of the road-going P1 – the chance to join its driver development program. Outlined in the video below, the scheme sees owners treated like F1 stars, receiving exclusive access to the inner workings of the McLaren machine, and getting one-to-one track driving tuition from professional test drivers.

In addition to this, McLaren will even look after owners’ cars by maintaining them and they will even transport them to top-flight circuits across the globe.

The luxury car maker have also unveiled new images of the P1 GTR, including detailed interior shots. Complete with full racing harnesses, and seats inspired by those fitted to touring car racers, the cabin is essentially a stripped back version of that found in the standard P1. The thing that stands out the most however, is the quartic steering wheel, which is based on the one used in Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 F1 Championship winning MP4-23 race car.

Take a look at the latest images of the P1 GTR in the gallery below.

McLaren P1 GTR at home on the track

McLaren P1 GTR Rear

McLaren P1 GTR head on

McLaren P1 GTR overview

McLaren P1 GTR rear track

McLaren P1 GTR Overhead

McLaren P1 GTR Interior

McLaren P1 GTR Interior 2

McLaren P1 GTR Interior 3

McLaren P1 GTR garage

Bentley launches £10,700 smartphone

Bentley Vertu

In a world where technology is ever changing, smart phones are becoming increasingly expensive, as their creators constantly stuff more features into their latest devices.

With some of the most popular handsets selling for more than £500, buying a new phone outright is a pricey process for most buyers. However, if you’re riled that even supposedly penniless students can afford the phone you’re using, one manufacturer has come to the rescue: Bentley.

For those who can afford to splash €12,500 (£10,000) on their phone and have a penchant for the British brand, renowned luxury smartphone manufacturer Vertu has unveiled Vertu for Bentley.

According to Vertu: “The unmistakable Vertu for Bentley has a knurled, Grade 5 titanium casing and a sleek quilted trim to match Bentley styling. With a Grade 5 titanium, engine-turned back plate, echoing Bentley’s instrument panel, this edition also carries a forged metal winged Bentley badge and contains exclusive Bentley content”.

We’re not sure what the benefits of having a knurled, Grade 5 titanium casing are, however, we do know that the phone has suitably upmarket Bang & Olufsen speakers to provide the sound, along with a 13-megapixel camera on the back from the high-end camera manufacturer, Hasselblad.

And if you’re tired of those commonplace noises that come out of everyone else’s phones, fear no more, as the London Symphony Orchestra created the ringtones and alert sounds for this device.

If the high quality components and ringtones composed by the musical talents of the London Symphony Orchestra don’t justify the price tag on this phone for you, then perhaps the 24-hour concierge service will.

This is a 12-month subscription that provides users with a “dedicated personal lifestyle manager” and worldwide “team assistance”. There is also “Life”, for invitations, exclusive access to events and such, and “Certainty”, which is a dedicated smartphone and data support service.

We’ll have two, please.

This article was also featured on AOL Cars

Lamborghini Countach Abandoned on Tower Bridge

The driver of a Lamborghini Countach was arrested this week, after he abandoned his car on Tower Bridge during peak time traffic.

After initially not being able to get in contact with the owner, a recovery vehicle was called to the scene with instructions to remove the vehicle.

The police were keen to speak to the driver due to the disruption caused as the classic supercar was left unattended on the busy city-centre road at around 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Spectators and social media commentators were quick to compare the incident to the scene in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street”, where character Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) ruins his own Lamborghini Countach.

However, the owner was soon tracked down when police checked the car’s number plate. They discovered that the plate was registered to a Land Rover, the owner had a warrant out for his arrest for alleged harassment and the reason the car was abandoned was because it had run out of petrol.

Click play below to view footage of the rare supercar being removed from Tower Bridge.

This story was also featured on AOL Cars

Ferrari reveals limited edition F60 America

The Italian supercar creators have decided to celebrate 60 years of selling cars in the US with a special open-top version of the Ferrari F12, which has been suitably named the F60 America.

Only 10 units of this super exclusive supercar will be offered to American collectors for a hefty $2.5million (£1.5million), all of which have been snapped up already.

So what are buyers getting for their money? The F60 America is more than just an F12 with its roof removed, the front and rear end of the car has been redesigned. With the addition of sculpted aero-dynamic aprons and side vents, a more pronounced rear diffuser and tail lights that now protrude from the bodywork, it gives the car a more aggressive and purpose built look all round.

In addition to this, the car has been enhanced further with diamond cut wheels and a new bonnet that forces air down through the cars wings. Carbon-fibre trimmed roll hoops peer over the cockpit, which has been kitted out in a two-tone black and red colour scheme that separates the passenger from the driver. This two-tone effect is said to represent the 1960’s North American Racing Ferraris. The dash and gauges are awash of eye-popping candy red paint and carbon fibre, while the miss-matched seats have an American flag inset.

The America is powered by the same 6.3-litre V12 that rests in the F12, which delivers 730bhp to the rear wheels and is controlled via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The car is capable of reaching 0-62mph in an eye-watering 3.1 seconds but the top speed has yet to be confirmed.

However, Ferrari have pointed out that the fabric roof that comes with the car must be put on manually and more importantly will only be guaranteed to stay on the car at speeds up to 75mph.

The F60 America will be properly unveiled to the world on 11^th October 2014 in Beverley Hills.

This article was also featured on AOL Cars.