Cars and other kinds of motoring gibberish

[image]

The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe driving on the top of a really quite tall building in America.

Except the baby BMW isn't really driving, it's drifting. And the building in question is the U.S Bank Tower in Los Angeles - the tallest building in California standing 1,018ft tall.

Video here: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bmw-1m-drifting-california-2011-06-29

bmwracer wrote:[image]

The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe driving on the top of a really quite tall building in America.

Except the baby BMW isn't really driving, it's drifting. And the building in question is the U.S Bank Tower in Los Angeles - the tallest building in California standing 1,018ft tall.

Video here: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bmw-1m-drifting-california-2011-06-29

Know the building well. I used to work out at a gym in that building around the 50th floor.

Tu_triky wrote:Know the building well. I used to work out at a gym in that building around the 50th floor.

A gym on the 50th floor?

Altitude training? :mrgreen:

bmwracer wrote:
A gym on the 50th floor?

Altitude training? :mrgreen:

:hehe:

Just one of the tenants in the building I guess. It's a very small gym though. The view is killer though.

Tu_triky wrote: The view is killer though.

I'll bet. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:
I'll bet. :victory:

Crazy how they got that car up there.... :bonk:

Tu_triky wrote:Crazy how they got that car up there.... :bonk:

Elevator. :mrgreen:

Top Gear drives the BMW 1M: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fR5p3lf21g

[image]

EDIT: Ack, the link is dead now. :(

It lives
===============

Aston Martin V12 Zagato gets green light

[image]
Stunning coach-built Aston will be limited to 150 examples, costing ’330,000 each

Aston Martin V12 Zagato
By Skyler Shah
07th July 2011

It's official, the brand new Aston Martin V12 Zagato is expected to begin production in the summer of 2012.

The exclusive two-seat supercar – which received huge interest from customers after completion of the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hour race, coming fifth and sixth in class – was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original DB4, Aston Martin Zagato.

Under its aluminum and carbon fibre skin lie the foundations of the outgoing V12 Vantage, sharing the chassis, core design and crucially, the same 6.0-litre V12 front-mounted engine.

The engine itself remains unmodified from the range-topping Vantage, producing the same 510bhp, and 570Nm torque.

To keep weight to a minimum, 19-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels are included as standard, amongst other racing-inspired weight saving features.

Estimates suggest the elegant coupe will be capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in around 4.2 seconds before climbing to a top speed of 190mph. Virtually identical to its older brother.

Taking inspiration from its racing pedigree, the Zagato holds a 120-litre endurance fuel tank, a bespoke steel roll cage and is fitted with fully adjustable dampers. It also sports a curvaceous double-bubble roof, providing ample headroom for those wishing to take it to the track.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martinfs Director of Design said: "The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style."

Just 150 examples of this Anglo-Italian artwork will make it into production and first deliveries are expected to be made towards the end of 2012.

The price for such exclusivity is a blinding ’330,000 (’396,000 including VAT), three times the price of the mechanically similar V12 Vantage, at ’135,000.

The Gaydon based firm have confirmed that they are taking orders for the car, ghoned with pure driving enjoyment in mindh on a first come, first served basis.

For an alternative review of the latest Aston Martin DB9 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/269824/aston_martin_v12_zagato_gets_green_light.html#ixzz1RQpiyoqw

^ From that angle, it sort of reminds me of the old Datsun 240Z.

bmwracer wrote:^ From that angle, it sort of reminds me of the old Datsun 240Z.

Yeah....I can see that.

Slightly more horsepower though.

Tu_triky wrote:Slightly more horsepower though.

A smidge. :mrgreen:

bmwracer wrote:
A smidge. :mrgreen:

See what happens when you switch from leaded to unleaded gas.

2011 FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING
Pos - No - Driver - Team - Q1 - Q2 - Q3 - Laps
1 - 2 - Mark Webber - RBR-Renault - 1:32.670 - 1:31.673 - 1:30.399 - 19
2 - 1 - Sebastian Vettel - RBR-Renault - 1:32.977 - 1:32.379 - 1:30.431 - 19
3 - 5 - Fernando Alonso - Ferrari - 1:32.986 - 1:31.727 - 1:30.516 - 20
4 - 6 - Felipe Massa - Ferrari - 1:32.760 - 1:31.640 - 1:31.124 - 16
5 - 4 - Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes - 1:34.230 - 1:32.273 - 1:31.898 - 21
6 - 15 - Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes - 1:34.472 - 1:32.569 - 1:31.929 - 14
7 - 12 - Pastor Maldonado - Williams-Cosworth - 1:32.702 - 1:32.588 - 1:31.933 - 16
8 - 16 - Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber-Ferrari - 1:34.324 - 1:32.399 - 1:32.128 - 16
9 - 8 - Nico Rosberg - Mercedes - 1:34.186 - 1:32.295 - 1:32.209 - 18
10 - 3 - Lewis Hamilton - McLaren-Mercedes - 1:33.581 - 1:32.505 - 1:32.376 - 20
11 - 14 - Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes - 1:34.454 - 1:32.617 - 14
12 - 17 - Sergio Perez - Sauber-Ferrari - 1:34.145 - 1:32.624 - 14
13 - 7 - Michael Schumacher - Mercedes - 1:34.160 - 1:32.656 - 15
14 - 10 - Vitaly Petrov - Renault - 1:34.428 - 1:32.734 - 14
15 - 11 - Rubens Barrichello - Williams-Cosworth - 1:33.532 - 1:33.119 - 12
16 - 9 - Nick Heidfeld - Renault - 1:35.132 - 1:33.805 - 15
17 - 20 - Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus-Renault - 1:34.923 - 1:34.821 - 9
18 - 19 - Jaime Alguersuari - STR-Ferrari - 1:35.245 - 7
19 - 18 - Sebastien Buemi - STR-Ferrari - 1:35.749 - 7
20 - 24 - Timo Glock - Virgin-Cosworth - 1:36.203 - 7
21 - 21 - Jarno Trulli - Lotus-Renault - 1:36.456 - 4
22 - 25 - Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin-Cosworth - 1:37.154 - 6
23 - 23 - Vitantonio Liuzzi - HRT-Cosworth - 1:37.484 - 7
24 - 22 - Daniel Ricciardo - HRT-Cosworth - 1:38.059 - 6

2011 FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX - RESULTS

Pos - No - Driver - Team - Laps - Time/Retired - Grid - Pts
1 - 5 - Fernando Alonso - Ferrari - 52 - Winner - 3 - 25
2 - 1 - Sebastian Vettel - RBR- Renault - 52 - +16.5 secs - 2 - 18
3 - 2 - Mark Webber - RBR- Renault - 52 - +16.9 secs - 1 - 15
4 - 3 - Lewis Hamilton - McLaren- Mercedes - 52 - +28.9 secs - 10 - 12
5 - 6 - Felipe Massa - Ferrari - 52 - +29.0 secs - 4 - 10
6 - 8 - Nico Rosberg - Mercedes - 52 - +60.6 secs - 9 - 8
7 - 17 - Sergio Perez - Sauber- Ferrari - 52 - +65.5 secs - 12 - 6
8 - 9 - Nick Heidfeld - Renault - 52 - +75.5 secs - 16 - 4
9 - 7 - Michael Schumacher - Mercedes - 52 - +77.9 secs - 13 - 2
10 - 19 - Jaime Alguersuari - STR- Ferrari - 52 - +79.1 secs - 18 - 1
11 - 14 - Adrian Sutil - Force India- Mercedes - 52 - +79.7 secs - 11 -
12 - 10 - Vitaly Petrov - Renault - 52 - +80.6 secs - 14 -
13 - 11 - Rubens Barrichello - Williams- Cosworth - 51 - +1 Lap - 15 -
14 - 12 - Pastor Maldonado - Williams- Cosworth - 51 - +1 Lap - 7 -
15 - 15 - Paul di Resta - Force India- Mercedes - 51 - +1 Lap - 6 -
16 - 24 - Timo Glock - Virgin- Cosworth - 50 - +2 Laps - 20 -
17 - 25 - Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin- Cosworth - 50 - +2 Laps - 22 -
18 - 23 - Vitantonio Liuzzi - HRT- Cosworth - 50 - +2 Laps - 23 -
19 - 22 - Daniel Ricciardo - HRT- Cosworth - 49 - +3 Laps - 24 -
Ret - 4 - Jenson Button - McLaren- Mercedes - 39 - +13 Laps - 5 -
Ret - 18 - Sebastien Buemi - STR- Ferrari - 25 - +27 Laps - 19 -
Ret - 16 - Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber- Ferrari - 23 - +29 Laps - 8 -
Ret - 21 - Jarno Trulli - Lotus- Renault - 10 - Oil leak - 21 -
Ret - 20 - Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus- Renault - 2 - Gearbox - 17

Terrafugia Transition: Flying Car Approved For Road Use By NHTSA

[image] [image]

7/9/11 04:02 PM ET

Well, this is certainly one way to avoid rush hour traffic.

Terrafugia's flying car, the Transition, has been officially approved for driving on roads and highways. The driver-slash-pilot can now fly between local airports and drive on any road.

On June 30, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granted special exemptions for the "roadable aircraft." According to Terrafugia's press release, the Transition is the "first combined flying-driving vehicle to receive such special consideration from the Department of Transportation since the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards came into being in the 1970s."

However, several design issues and third-party supply restraints have seemingly stalled production of the Transition from 2011 to 2012, according to Autoblog.

The Register reports that even more challenges may be ahead for the vehicle:

Despite a helpful weight exemption from the aerial feds, according to the new spec a fully-fuelled Transition will be able to lift only 330lb of passengers and payload: it can't get airborne carrying two normal American men. Also the price has ballooned from $148k to $250k.

The Transition's manufacturer, Terrafugia, Inc. (pronounced ter-ra-FOO-gee-ah) is a small Massachusetts-based aerospace company founded by pilot-engineers from MIT. The company's name is Latin for "escape from land."

The Transition vehicle passed its first flight test in 2009, and Terrafugia released an updated design called the "next generation Transition" in 2010.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/09/terrafugia-transition-flying-car_n_893402.html#s305585

Top Gear reviews the BMW 1M: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkROps5_HNM :victory:

Hope this link doesn't get shut down... :fingerscrossed:

FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2011 - Qualifying
Pos - No - Driver - Team - Q1 - Q2 - Q3 - Laps
1 - 2 - Mark Webber - RBR-Renault - 1:33.096 - 1:31.311 - 1:30.079 - 18
2 - 3 - Lewis Hamilton - McLaren-Mercedes - 1:32.934 - 1:30.998 - 1:30.134 - 15
3 - 1 - Sebastian Vettel - RBR-Renault - 1:32.973 - 1:31.017 - 1:30.216 - 16
4 - 5 - Fernando Alonso - Ferrari - 1:32.916 - 1:31.150 - 1:30.442 - 16
5 - 6 - Felipe Massa - Ferrari - 1:31.826 - 1:31.582 - 1:30.910 - 19
6 - 8 - Nico Rosberg - Mercedes - 1:32.785 - 1:31.343 - 1:31.263 - 22
7 - 4 - Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes - 1:33.224 - 1:31.532 - 1:31.288 - 14
8 - 14 - Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes - 1:32.286 - 1:31.809 - 1:32.010 - 18
9 - 10 - Vitaly Petrov - Renault - 1:33.187 - 1:31.985 - 1:32.187 - 16
10 - 7 - Michael Schumacher - Mercedes - 1:32.603 - 1:32.180 - 1:32.482 - 18
11 - 9 - Nick Heidfeld - Renault - 1:32.505 - 1:32.215 - - 16
12 - 15 - Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes - 1:32.651 - 1:32.560 - - 15
13 - 12 - Pastor Maldonado - Williams-Cosworth - 1:33.003 - 1:32.635 - - 13
14 - 11 - Rubens Barrichello - Williams-Cosworth - 1:33.664 - 1:33.043 - - 18
15 - 17 - Sergio Perez - Sauber-Ferrari - 1:33.295 - 1:33.176 - - 14
16 - 18 - Sebastien Buemi - STR-Ferrari - 1:33.635 - 1:33.546 - - 11
17 - 19 - Jaime Alguersuari - STR-Ferrari - 1:33.658 - 1:33.698 - - 11
18 - 16 - Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber-Ferrari - 1:33.786 - - - 5
19 - 20 - Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus-Renault - 1:35.599 - - - 9
20 - 24 - Timo Glock - Virgin-Cosworth - 1:36.400 - - - 12
21 - 21 - Karun Chandhok - Lotus-Renault - 1:36.422 - - - 11
22 - 25 - Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin-Cosworth - 1:36.641 - - - 12
23 - 23 - Vitantonio Liuzzi - HRT-Cosworth - 1:37.011 - - - 11
24 - 22 - Daniel Ricciardo - HRT-Cosworth - 1:37.036 - - - 11

FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2011 - Race Results

Pos - No - Driver - Team - Laps - Time/Retired - Grid - Pts
1 - 3 - Lewis Hamilton - McLaren-Mercedes - 60 - 1:37:30.334 - 2 - 25
2 - 5 - Fernando Alonso - Ferrari - 60 - +3.9 secs - 4 - 18
3 - 2 - Mark Webber - RBR-Renault - 60 - +9.7 secs - 1 - 15
4 - 1 - Sebastian Vettel - RBR-Renault - 60 - +47.9 secs - 3 - 12
5 - 6 - Felipe Massa - Ferrari - 60 - +52.2 secs - 5 - 10
6 - 14 - Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes - 60 - +86.2 secs - 8 - 8
7 - 8 - Nico Rosberg - Mercedes - 59 - +1 Lap - 6 - 6
8 - 7 - Michael Schumacher - Mercedes - 59 - +1 Lap - 10 - 4
9 - 16 - Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber-Ferrari - 59 - +1 Lap - 17 - 2
10 - 10 - Vitaly Petrov - Renault - 59 - +1 Lap - 9 - 1
11 - 17 - Sergio Perez - Sauber-Ferrari - 59 - +1 Lap - 15 -
12 - 19 - Jaime Alguersuari - STR-Ferrari - 59 - +1 Lap - 16 -
13 - 15 - Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes - 59 - +1 Lap - 12 -
14 - 12 - Pastor Maldonado - Williams-Cosworth - 59 - +1 Lap - 13 -
15 - 18 - Sebastien Buemi - STR-Ferrari - 59 - +1 Lap - 24 -
16 - 20 - Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus-Renault - 58 - +2 Laps - 18 -
17 - 24 - Timo Glock - Virgin-Cosworth - 57 - +3 Laps - 19 -
18 - 25 - Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin-Cosworth - 57 - +3 Laps - 21 -
19 - 22 - Daniel Ricciardo - HRT-Cosworth - 57 - +3 Laps - 22 -
20 - 21 - Karun Chandhok - Lotus-Renault - 56 - +4 Laps - 20 -
Ret - 23 - Vitantonio Liuzzi - HRT-Cosworth - 37 - Electrical - 23 -
Ret - 4 - Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes - 35 - Hydraulics - 7 -
Ret - 11 - Rubens Barrichello - Williams-Cosworth - 16 - Oil leak - 14 -
Ret - 9 - Nick Heidfeld - Renault - 9 - Accident - 11

I know there are some F1 fans on this board...anybody of you seen the 2010 Aryton Senna documentary?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senna_%28film%29