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Saturday, February 7, 2009

GT-R Updated Launch Control

Nissan had updated the software that governs the GT-R’s launch control and was instructing all of its dealers to reprogram every vehicle in dealer inventory that had yet to be sold with the new software in a bid to keep additional transmissions from grenading.

The changes to the new software including limit the maximum RPM that the car will sustain with the VDC switched off to around 3,500, a big reduction from the 4,500 limit of the old programming. Additionally, the software update adds a new, safer form of launch control that allows takeoffs at 3,000 RPM while the VDC remains active.

We have some good news to share with Godzilla owners that are contemplating whether or not to have their cars updated with the new software. A bone-stock GT-R with the reprogramming has been timed at 11.34 @ 194.5km/h with an excellent -1.69-second 0-100 time. That result compares rather favorably with quarter-mile runs recorded by cars with the initial launch control programming.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

MK III Austin Healey 3000 Improved due to engine modifications.



The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 was the replacement car for the Austin Healey 100/6. The Austin Healey 3000 was a superior car to its predecessor, equipped with many improved features and updated parts. During its production lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 went through three different versions, the MK I, MK II and MK III.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK I (1959 - 1961) was fitted with a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine developing 124 horsepower. The engine was equipped with twin SU carburetors. And the car featured disc brakes at the front.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK II (1961 - 1963) introduced several improvements and design changes. The engine was enhanced by the fitment of triple SU carburettors which bumped the power up to 132 horsepower. In 1962 the BT7 2+2 version was introduced. This seating layout became the only option from 1962 onwards. The Austin Healey 3000 MK IIa introduced wind-up windows, a curved windscreen, and a convertible hood.
The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 MK III (1963 - 1967) was the final version of the 3000 model. The performance was improved due to engine modifications. Peak power was raised to 148 horsepower, giving the 3000 MK III a top speed of 120 mph. The brakes were also enhanced with the fitment of a servo.
In 1967, due to new safety regulations in the cars biggest market - America, the Austin Healey 3000 was discontinued. It's replacement, the MGC, was nowhere near as popular as the Austin Healey 3000.
During its lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 proved to be a capable racing car. And it competed successfully in rally and road races around the world.

MK III Austin Healey 3000 Improved due to engine modifications.



The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 was the replacement car for the Austin Healey 100/6. The Austin Healey 3000 was a superior car to its predecessor, equipped with many improved features and updated parts. During its production lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 went through three different versions, the MK I, MK II and MK III.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK I (1959 - 1961) was fitted with a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine developing 124 horsepower. The engine was equipped with twin SU carburetors. And the car featured disc brakes at the front.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK II (1961 - 1963) introduced several improvements and design changes. The engine was enhanced by the fitment of triple SU carburettors which bumped the power up to 132 horsepower. In 1962 the BT7 2+2 version was introduced. This seating layout became the only option from 1962 onwards. The Austin Healey 3000 MK IIa introduced wind-up windows, a curved windscreen, and a convertible hood.
The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 MK III (1963 - 1967) was the final version of the 3000 model. The performance was improved due to engine modifications. Peak power was raised to 148 horsepower, giving the 3000 MK III a top speed of 120 mph. The brakes were also enhanced with the fitment of a servo.
In 1967, due to new safety regulations in the cars biggest market - America, the Austin Healey 3000 was discontinued. It's replacement, the MGC, was nowhere near as popular as the Austin Healey 3000.
During its lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 proved to be a capable racing car. And it competed successfully in rally and road races around the world.

MK III Austin Healey 3000 Improved due to engine modifications.



The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 was the replacement car for the Austin Healey 100/6. The Austin Healey 3000 was a superior car to its predecessor, equipped with many improved features and updated parts. During its production lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 went through three different versions, the MK I, MK II and MK III.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK I (1959 - 1961) was fitted with a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine developing 124 horsepower. The engine was equipped with twin SU carburetors. And the car featured disc brakes at the front.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK II (1961 - 1963) introduced several improvements and design changes. The engine was enhanced by the fitment of triple SU carburettors which bumped the power up to 132 horsepower. In 1962 the BT7 2+2 version was introduced. This seating layout became the only option from 1962 onwards. The Austin Healey 3000 MK IIa introduced wind-up windows, a curved windscreen, and a convertible hood.
The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 MK III (1963 - 1967) was the final version of the 3000 model. The performance was improved due to engine modifications. Peak power was raised to 148 horsepower, giving the 3000 MK III a top speed of 120 mph. The brakes were also enhanced with the fitment of a servo.
In 1967, due to new safety regulations in the cars biggest market - America, the Austin Healey 3000 was discontinued. It's replacement, the MGC, was nowhere near as popular as the Austin Healey 3000.
During its lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 proved to be a capable racing car. And it competed successfully in rally and road races around the world.

MK III Austin Healey 3000 Improved due to engine modifications.



The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 was the replacement car for the Austin Healey 100/6. The Austin Healey 3000 was a superior car to its predecessor, equipped with many improved features and updated parts. During its production lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 went through three different versions, the MK I, MK II and MK III.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK I (1959 - 1961) was fitted with a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine developing 124 horsepower. The engine was equipped with twin SU carburetors. And the car featured disc brakes at the front.
The Austin Healey 3000 MK II (1961 - 1963) introduced several improvements and design changes. The engine was enhanced by the fitment of triple SU carburettors which bumped the power up to 132 horsepower. In 1962 the BT7 2+2 version was introduced. This seating layout became the only option from 1962 onwards. The Austin Healey 3000 MK IIa introduced wind-up windows, a curved windscreen, and a convertible hood.
The Austin Healey 3000

The Austin Healey 3000 MK III (1963 - 1967) was the final version of the 3000 model. The performance was improved due to engine modifications. Peak power was raised to 148 horsepower, giving the 3000 MK III a top speed of 120 mph. The brakes were also enhanced with the fitment of a servo.
In 1967, due to new safety regulations in the cars biggest market - America, the Austin Healey 3000 was discontinued. It's replacement, the MGC, was nowhere near as popular as the Austin Healey 3000.
During its lifetime the Austin Healey 3000 proved to be a capable racing car. And it competed successfully in rally and road races around the world.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Aston Martin One-77


Aston Martin has released the first image of its newest flagship – the limited edition One-77. Details are scarce, but the One-77 will be powered by a hand-built 7.0-liter V12 nestled inside an aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. 0-60 times are estimated at 3.5-seconds, with a top speed cresting 200 mph.

77 examples of the £1 million coupe will be produced and customers will be able to customize the bespoke supercar to meet their individual tastes. The One-77 will be revealed later this year (Paris?) and will go on sale shortly afterwards.

This will be the first all-new vehicle from Aston Martin produced after the brand was sold by Ford to a group of investors spearheaded by Prodrive's David Richards. We're also curious to know if the One-77 will play a part in Project Alligator, the rumored collaboration between Aston and Mercedes-Benz. All details will be revealed in due time. Until then let your eyes feast on the only image we have of the upcoming One-77 supercar.Selling million-dollar supercars isn’t as easy as it used to be. While Lamborghini quickly offloaded its small run of seven-figure Reventons and Bugatti has gone through the bulk of its Veyron production, Aston Martin may be finding it a bit more difficult to separate the obscenely wealthy from their millions.

The One-77 is the big-ticket supercar in question, to be built in a limited run of 77 examples, with only six headed to the US, five staying in the UK and the remaining 66 ending up in the Emirates and dispersing around the world. Previous reports circulating the interwebs suggested that the entire production run sold out almost immediately – before the car was even fully unveiled – but those reports may have been misleading. Although 100 potential customers reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the uber-supercar, the order books have apparently yet to be filled with buyers who’ve plunked down the £200k deposit. But even in this economy, they’re bound to sell out soon, so if you’ve got the cash to spare, you’d better act fast. Like, 700-horsepower supercar fast.

Monday, February 2, 2009

First Official Rendering Of Aston Martin Rapide

The Rapide’s front and rear aspects are closest to the Vantage V8, not the DBS or DB9. The front air dam features just one lower intake, the trunk valance is flush with the car, and the tailpipes flank the rear diffuser area. Those are all Vantage cues.

This supercar is 5-meter long car will be power by a 6.0-liter V12 engine, but slot exactly in between the DB9 and DBS in output with 480 hp. Autocar suggests this will get the car to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but that could be optimistic – those 30 additional horses over the DB9 have to pull 286 more pounds, which will make it a challenge to outrun the middle sibling.

Not that it’s really meant to. The Rapide is Aston luxury for four, so it is taller than the DBS in order to provide more rear headroom for the “young adults” that can fit back there. The rear doors open wider than the front for ease of entry and the front seats have been raised to make room for the feet of back seat passengers. It even has a wagon-like folding rear bulkhead and parcel shelf. The Rapide will be appearing in the fourth quarter of the year when, with all hope, a better buying climate awaits it.
source:autocar