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The James Bond franchise is known for a few things. One of those things is cars. The Bond cars are amazing machines loaded with awesome gadgets. In honor of 007, here are my top 7 James Bond Cars. To be considered, the car must be the main car for James Bond in a film. Each of the cars have something unique about them that put them on this list.
Our Website: http://sib-lings.com/ The Dark Lord switches Sissy and Bigdog's roles, will wackiness ensue? And will the Ice Cream Suit taste sugary!?
2011 was a great year for cars. I did a list on the 8 worst cars of 2011. But in 2011, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Hennessey, McLaren, and Lexus all came out with incredible machines. The Mustang got a boost with the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca and Chevrolet came out with the Camaro ZL1. The BMW 1M showed that small cars can be great performers. With that said, My 2011 Car of the Year is:
Hypercars have been around since the 1990s, when the McLaren F1 was released. To be considered a hypercar, a car must be rare, expensive and hit a top speed of at least 240 mph. The F1 reached a top speed of 242 mph with the limiter off. 2011 saw a few cars that push the limits of what a car can do. My choice for 2011 Hypercar of the Year is:
Supercars are high-performing cars. There have been several great supercars, including the Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, and Lamborghini Diablo. I see supercars and grand tourers as two different classes. Supercars have the engine located behind the driver, where as grand tourers have the engine in the front and a decent size trunk in the rear. To be considered, the car has to have been released in 2011. No second generation models will be considered. The Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo and its special editions, Audi R8, or Porsche 911 and its variants. The best supercar of 2011 is:
Grand tourers are the cars that are luxurious, high-performing, and just great for long road trips. For me, a grand tourer has the engine in the front, two-doors, and a trunk in the rear. Legendary grand tourers include the Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin DB5, Lamborghini GT350, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. When I look at grand tourers, I look for performance and style. To be considered, the car must have come out in 2011. No Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Cadillac CTS-V, Aston Martin DBS, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, or Nissan GT-R. My choice for 2011 Grand Tourer of the Year is:
When gas prices started to rapidly increase, companies were looking for alternative power sources. One alternative power source is electricity. Electric cars have been around since 1899 and were competing with gas-powered cars. When gas-powered cars developed electrical starters, the electric car phased out. Now electric cars are back. The issue with electric car is the range the car would get on one charge. My pick for best electric car gets over 150 miles on one charge and is quicker and faster than the Nissan Leaf. My pick for 2011 Electric Car of the Year is:
Hybrids has been around since 1899. The first hybrid was the Lohner-Porsche Mixtre. Hybrid vehicles eventually died out by 1917. Now, hybrids are back and the Toyota Prius is the face of the hybrid car. Because of that, some people think that hybrids are slow, dull, and boring. But there is one car that proves hybrids can be fast, stylish, and fun. My choice for the 2011 Hybrid Car of the Year is:
With 2011 over, it is time to look back at the best cars to be released in 2011. I did a list on the worst cars of 2011, now it is time to award the best that came out in 2011, starting with Best Subcompact Car of 2011.
This is the first classic car review I did. Since I am covering Ferraris for the month of December, its time to cover one of the all-time greats. This is one of the most important cars because it was the first car to hit the 200 mph mark. Its influence can be see in other supercars and even hypercars. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Ferrari F40.
I went to Ferrari Festival in November and saw 50+ Ferraris in one place. Since Ferrari is one of my favorite car brands, I am going to cover as many Ferraris as I can in December.
Aston Martin is known for making cars with power, beauty and soul. In 2005, Aston Martin started production of the Vantage. The Vantage is a beautiful car, but it weighs over 3,400 lbs. The 4.3L and 4.7L V8 engines were lacking in power. In 2009, Aston Martin decided to put the 6.0L V12 engine found in the DBS and put it in the Vantage. The result is a faster version of Vantage, called the Aston Martin V12 Vantage.
Ferruccio Lamborghini originally built tractors. He owned a few Ferraris. His Ferraris had inferior clutches. He brought up his dissatisfaction to Enzo Ferrari. Ferrari told him "How dare a tractor make tell me how to make a sports car." Angered by Ferrari, Lamborghini toke Ferrari's chief mechanic and started making his own cars. Lamborghini believed that grand tourers should have high performance, good ride quality, and a quality interior. He created his own car company and the first car with the Lamborghini badge is the Lamborghini 350GTV, which would be the prototype and forerunner for the 350GT, Lamborghini's first production model. Lamborghini first revealed the car in March of 1964 at the Geneva Auto Show and went into production in May 1964. Production ended in 1966 with 135 350GTs being made.
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On this episode, the guys find out what kind of car you can get for $500, Rutledge tests the CTS-V range, and Maroon 5's Adam Levine test his driving skills in a Suzuki.
http://sib-lings.com/
On dis episode, we talk about blackin' white signs! But don't worry, we take it nice and slow!
Lotus has been making two door roadsters since 1962, when the Lotus released the Elan. The initial run for the Elan ended in 1975 and was brought back from 1989 to 1995. In 1995, Lotus replaced the Elan with the Elise. Lotus stopped production of the first generation Elise due to new European safety regulations. Lotus teamed up with General Motors to help them meet the new safety requirements. In 2002, the second generation Elise was released. GM got their own version of the Elise, the Opel Speedster and the Vauxhall VX220. The Elise is also the basis for the Lotus Exige and the Tesla Roadster. 
Since the Miura, Lamborghini has had a rear-mid engine supercar powered by a V12. Lamborghini ended its run of the Murcielago on November 5, 2010. To replace the it, Lamborghini came out with the Aventador LP700-4. The Aventador is the latest, rear-mid engine, four-wheel drive, supercar from Lamborghini. 
With gas prices rising and people becoming more environmentally conscious, some companies are looking into using alternative sources to power their cars. One alternative to gasoline is the electric car. Tesla came out with the Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise that can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Nissan is going electric with the Leaf, marketing it as a zero emission car. IF the electricity charging the batteries of the Leaf come from coal, then the Leaf is not zero emission. The Leaf has gotten awards, including the 2011 World Car of the Year. I could name several other cars that deserve to be World Car of the Year, i.e. Bugatti Veyron, McLaren MP4-12C, and Aston-Martin DBS, but this is about the Nissan Leaf and what I think about the car.
De Tomaso was founded in 1959 and introduced its first car, the Vallelunga, in 1963. Pantera owned Maserati from 1976 to 1993. Maserati made the Biturbo, Quattroporte III, Merak, and Bora while under the De Tomaso banner. In 1970, De Tomaso started production of the Pantera in Modena, Italy. In 1971, De Tomaso released the Pantera. In agreement with Ford, Panteras were sold in the United States through Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. Between 1971 and 1973, 6,128 Panteras were made. Due to poor build quality and the 1973 oil crisis, Ford ended its deal with De Tomaso. De Tomaso continued to produce the Pantea until 1991, with a total of 7260 made from 1971 and the final Pantera sold in 1992.
On this episode, the guys see what luxurious cars you can get for $5,000, Tanner tests the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and Arlene Tur is in the Suzuki. Segment 1: The $5,000 Luxury Cars
On this episode, the guys drive 3 4x4s that cost under $5,000 from the Mojave Desert, through Death Valley, and get to Las Vegas. Segment 1: Introduction
Tags: car, cars, Top Gear, TOp Gear US
Twisted Metal is a game after my own heart! Seriously the game is trying to kill me!
But ever since I was a kid I liked this series, and that is really all because of bad parenting, seriously a 9 year old playing Twisted Metal 2? That would fuck you up! But seriously Twisted Metal won me over as a kid for the twisted view of the world and outrageously intriguing characters. Mr. Grimm being my absolute favorite but since Twisted Metal Black I've had a serious problem with the series. In my opinion and that is all this is I really would have preferred them to keep the less than serious feel of the games where the Grim Reaper drives a motorcycle, a flaming headed clown demon drives an ice cream truck and a man is trapped between 2 wheels that would put any monster truck to shame.
So to go a little further in my thoughts let's cut to me in a car!
I guess you could say I'm being a little childish wanting this game to be like the old ones and hey this could be the best Twisted Metal to date, but I'm still just a little disappointed that Mr. Grimm has to (Still Opinion) suffer for it.
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Nissan is known for creating unusual cars. The Murano is a four-door sports utility vehicle that went into production in 2002. Nissan decided to be unconventional and change up the Murano. Nissan chopped the top off and replaced it with a convertible top and removed the rear door on each side. Nissan created the Murano CrossCabriolet, one of the least desirable cars of 2011. Nissan was showing off this car at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. My first question is "Why?" I do not think that anyone was asking for an SUV convertible. Nissan also showed off the Leaf, a car that is powered by only electricity. However, Nissan did not show off the GT-R. I personally do not see why Nissan needed to make a convertible SUV. The Murano was not a pretty car in the first place, and it just looks wrong with only two doors and with the convertible top either up or down.
On this episode, Jeremy tries out the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 575M Maranello, Richard Burns becomes a rally spectator, Jason gives advice on buying a second hand Skyline, Jeremy and Richard talk Bond cars, Steve Coogan goes around in a Suzuki, Segment 1: Aston Martin Vanquish vs. Ferrari 575M Maranello
Tags: car, cars, Jeremy Clarkson, steve coogan, Top Gear
At one time Jaguar and Aston Martin were both owned by Ford. Similar designs were used for Jags and Astons. After 2006, Aston Martin became an independent automotive company and in 2008, Tata Motors bought Jaguar from Ford.
Both Jaguar and Aston Martin are British car companies, although one is owned by an Indian car company. Which British car do you prefer, the Jaguar XKR or the Aston Martin Vantage? Let me know in the comments section.
Jaguar XKR: http://carjunkie713.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-impression-jaguar-xkr.html
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On this episode, the guys try to find America's toughest pickup, Tanner races an airboat in a Rally Fighter, and Bill Engvall is this week's Big Star in a Small Car. Segment 1: Truck Introduction
Cadillac was founded by Henry Leland in 1902. One of the earliest Cadillacs is the Model E, first introduced in January 1905. This car uses a chain drive and a single cylinder engine. The Model E was only available as a runabout, a two-seater with no roof. Most Cadillacs in 1905 had a detachable second row of seats, or tonneau, but it was not available with the Model E. Two optional packages were available for the Model E. For $30.00, you could get a rubber top with sides and a storm apron. For $50.00, you could get a bulb horn, a leather top with sides and a storm apron.
On this episode, the guys look back at their first cars, Adam and Tanner drive two modern supercars, and Pawn Stars ride the Suzuki.
On this episode, does sex sell cars, does styling sell cars, are all old people horrible drivers, is there a car that can go around the track faster than the Pagani Zonda, and Ross Kemp takes his turn in the Suzuki.
On this episode, Jeremy drives a Ford Focus RS in Wales, Jeremy drives a plastic British supercar, Jason gives some money-saving tips, Jay Kay rocks Top Gear, Top Gear features some RS Fords, and the guys find out how many bikes a bus can jump over.
Segment 1: Ford Focus RS and its Competition
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Top Gear is my favorite show. It combines people doing the most outrageous things with cars, while talking about cars, with great humor. Top Gear goes back to 1977, where it was a motor magazine show, similar to Motorweek. It lasted until 2002, with 45 seasons and 515 episodes. In 2002, Top gear had an overhaul, with a new format this is still used today, featuring three presenters and a tamed racing driver. The first series of Top Gear featured Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and Jason Dawe.
On Series 1, Episode 1, Jeremy reviews the Citroen Berlingo,, Richard talks about a prototype Ford supercar, Jeremy reviews two Italian supercars, Jeremy demonstrates using vegetable oil for fuel, Jason Dawe gives some money saving tips, Richard Hammond tries to beat a speed camera, Richard reviews the Mazda 6, and Harry Enfield is a star in a reasonably priced car.
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Aston Martin is known for style, performance, and luxury. In 2004, Aston Martin released the DB9, a 2+2 seat, two door grand tourer. The DB9 succeeded the DB7. The DB9 was one of the last Aston Martin cars built when Ford owned Aston Martin. The DB9 Volante is the convertible version.
The DB9 is a frequent guest of Houston Cars and Coffee. This is one of the best looking cars on the road. Not many cars can match the style of Aston Martins. The DB9 is a gentleman's car.
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Cadillac had a reputation for making cars that old people drive. GM wanted to attract a younger crowd to Cadillac. Cadillac came out with the SUV Escalade, the sport sedan CTS/CTS-V, and a roadster XLR. Cadillac made the XLR from 2003 to 2009, a total of 15548 XLRs were produced. The XLR was intended to be the flagship for the Cadillac brand and was based on the Chevrolet Corvette's Y-platform. The XLR featured a retractable aluminum rooftop. Cadillac made a high performance version called the XLR-V.
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On Episode 9, the guys travel through Alaska to find America's toughest truck.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review
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On Episode 8, Rutledge reviews a four-door Porsche, Tanner and Rutledge try to find the quickest mode of transportation from Hollywood to Las Vegas, Bret Michaels rocks the Suzuki, and Tanner reviews the BWM X6M.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review
On Episode 7, Adam and Rutledge race two BMX bikers through San Francisco in a Honda CR-Z, the guys try to buy and resell cars as used car salesmen, and Tim Allen tries his skills in a Suzuki.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review.
On Episode 6, Tanner reviews the Morgan Aero Supersports, Michelle Rodriguez is fast and furious in a Suzuki, and the guys find out what is the best way to travel from Miami to Key West.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review.
On Episode 5, the guys try to find the one classic GM model that should go back into production to save GM and Tony Hawk test his skills in a Suzuki.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review. If you have seen the Top Gear UK episode where Jeremy, Richard, and James try to prove that Birtish Leyland built decent cars, Top Gear US uses the same tests on GM cars.
On Episode 4, Tanner races a Ford Raptor against a HALO jumper in a desert, Adam tests the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Kid Rock test his driving skills, and Adam and Rutledge try to find a replacement for the Humvee.
Warning: Spoilers are in the Review
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On Episode 3 of Top Gear US, the guys try to find the best moonshine carrying car for under $1000, guys go camping in their cars and spit moonshine, the guys talk about a German hybrid supercar, a modern family father drives a Suzuki SX4,
Warning: Spoilers are in the review.
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Episode 2 of Top Gear US involves Tanner Faust racing in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X down a icy mountain against two snow skiers, Rutledge Wood testing the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage, Dominic Monaghan tests his driving skills, and Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara try to best a blind man in three drifting challanges.
Warning: Spoilers are in the review
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Top Gear is my favorite show. It is about three guys testing, racing, and joking about cars. It is a very popular show worldwide. There is a US version of Top Gear that can be seen on the History Channel. The hosts are Adam Ferrara, a comic and actor, Tanner Faust, a racing driver and stunt driver, Rutledge Wood, an auto racing analyst, and the Stig, an anonymous race car driver that does the power laps for the cars. On November 21, 2010, the first episode of Top Gear US aired. Each episode starts with a preview of the episode while a remix of the Allman Brothers Band "Jessica."
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I do not know how Motor Trend picks its car of the year awards. I have questioned several of its picks. I do not think that the Chevrolet Volt deserved the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award. Yet, this is not the worst car to be named Motor Trend Car of the Year. In 1971, Motor Trend named the Chevorlet Vega its Car of the Year. Motor Trend also awarded the Vega the 1973 Car of the Year in the Economic Class. Car and Driver readers voted the Vega the best economic van in 1971, 1972, and 1973. In 1971, American Iron and Steel gave the Vega an award for excellence in design in transportation equipment. My question is WHY? The Vega is one of the worst cars ever made. It was a rust bucket. This car suffered from several recalls and just was an overall terrible car. The cost for this miserable excuse for a car was $2,093. There is reason why this car is so cheap.
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Porsche has been making 911s since 1964. The 911 is known for having a flat-6 engine located in the rear of the car, just above the rear wheels. The current range of the 911 is called the 997. One of the variants of the 997 is the Porsche 997 GT3.
The Ford GT40 was one of the most successful American race cars. It won the 24 Hours of LeMans four times in a row, with victories in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969, beating out Ford's main rival Ferrari. The 40 in its name refers to the car's height, 40.5 inches. In 2005, Ford released the Ford GT, a supercar based on the legendary GT40. The Ford GT was 44.5 inches high, four inches taller than the GT40. The last Ford GT was sold in 2007, and 4,038 Ford GTs were produced.
Lamborghini has been making supercars since 1963. In 1998, Volkswagen's luxury car division Audi acquired Lamborghini. The first car built by Lamborghini under Audi was the Lamborghini Murcielago. The Murcielago was built from 2002 to 2010 with 4,099 Murcielagos built. The second generation of the Murcielago called the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640. The Murcielago comes in two-door coupe or two-door roadster versions.
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The Transformers franchise has featured some of the best cars ever to hit the road as disguises for the robots. This is a list of the top 15 cars used in the Transformers franchise.
(Disclaimers: One car per brand. Earth cars only. No service or military vehicles.)
The Aston Martin is one of the best cars to ever be seen in a movie. With its incredible styling and high performance, it is easy to see why it earns that distinction. The Vanquish is another one of a long line of stylish, high performing grand tourers wearing the Aston Martin badge. Production for the Vanquish started in 2001 and ended in 2007, when it was replaced by the DBS. The Vanquish was upgraded to the Vanquish S in 2004 when Aston Martin released the DB9.
I recently saw an Aston Martin Vanquish at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It is a shame that the Vanquish did not get much attention because it is a beautiful grand tourer. The Vanquish S has improved suspension and aerodynamics.
Both the Vanquish and Vanquish S are powered by a 6.0L V12 paired with a six-speed electrohydraulic manual transmission. The Vanquish V12 generates 450 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is 4.3 seconds and the top speed is 189.5 mph for the Vanquish. The Vanquish S V12 generates 514 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is 4.0 mph and the top speed is 204 mph. Prices for new Vanquish started around $234,000. Prices for the Vanquish S started at $255,000. These are fair prices for cars that are highly stylish and have great performance.
The Aston Martin Vanquish was the car driven by James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, in Die Another Day. It was also the car used for Hot Shot's vehicle mode in Transformers: Energon. Top Gear featured the Vanquish during Series 1, Episode 4, when Jeremy Clarkson and Steve Coogan were comparing the car to a Ferrari 575M Maranello. The Vanquish S was featured on Top Gear Series 5, Episode 4, when again Clarkson and Coogan compared the car to a Ferrari 575M. The Aston Martin Vanquish is playable in Project Gotham Racing 1, 2, 3, and 4; Taxi 3: Extreme Rush; Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2; Midnight Club 2; Crashed; London Racer II; Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights; Test Drive Unlimited; Split/Second; Asphalt: Urban GT; Taxi Raser; Gran Turismo 3 A-spec; Forza Motorsport 2 and 3; The Italian Job; Gran Turismo 4 and 5; and many other games.
Final Thought: It is a shame that this car did not have a crowd around it at Cars and Coffee. It is a beautiful car. It should have been the main car in other movies besides Die Another Day. Normally when a car is being replaced, the replacement should outperform its predecessor. However, the Aston Martin Vanquish S was quicker and faster than its replacement. the Aston Martin DBS. There was one problem with the Vanquish. It used paddle shifters to change gears. The car did upshift properly. But it did not downshift properly. This flaw was stated by Jeremy Clarkson when he reviewed the car. Other than the gear changing problem, the Vanquish and Vanquish S were great cars.
CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone
I see several fifth-generation Camaros at Houston Cars and Coffee events and on the roads. This is a very popular car. I love the styling of the new Camaro. The angle of the windshield could hinder the visibility of Camaro drivers and has been a major criticism of the Camaro. I sat in one at the 2011 Houston Auto Show and had no problem looking through the windshield. It is comfortable to sit in the front, but there is not much leg room for passengers sitting in the back.
The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is powered by 2 different 3.6L V6 engines and 6.2L V8 engines. The Camaro uses either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engines produce either 312 hp or 323 hp. The V8 engines produce between 400 hp and 550 hp. 0-60 times for the Camaro range from 4.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds. The top speed for the Camaro ranges from 150 mph to over 180 mph. Prices for the Camaro start between $22,000 and $40,000, depending on the trim level. The price is very low for a high performing muscle car.
The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro can be seen in all three Transformers films. It is the vehicle form of the Autobot Bumblebee. It has been reviewed on Motorweek and has been featured on Jay Leno's Garage. Richard Hammond reviewed the Camaro SS during Series 15, Episode 3, where Hammond compared the Camaro to a Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. The fifth-generation Camaro is playable in almost every major racing game. It is playable in the Burnout games, Need For Speed Games, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Gran Turismo 5, Blur, Split/Second, Dirt 3, Transformers movie games, Project Gotham Racing 4, ModNation Racers, Forza Motorsport 3, and many other video games.
Final Thought: The fifth-generation Camaro is a very stylish muscle car with good performance. It continues the Camaro tradition of offering several options so there is a Camaro for all types of drivers. I did not like that the first Transformers movie was just a 2-hour commercial for the new Camaro. I already know that the Camaro is a good car. I don't need to waste money on a film that is just a long car commercial.
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| Hennessey Camaro Convertible |
Hennessey is also offering different tuning packages for the new Camaro. Prices start at $4,950 for 475 hp package and go to $69,950 of the 1000 hp package. John Hennessey stop by Jay Leno's Garage to show off one of his tuned version of the Camaro, called the Hennessey Camaro HPE600. I saw the Hennessey Camaro at the April 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The Hennessey Camaro is for those who want a little bit more performance out of their stock Camaros.
To see more car articles, check out http://carjunkie713.blogspot.com/
The Transformers franchise has featured many cool vehicles as disguises for the robots. But there have been a few cars that should never have been used as disguises. These are the 10 worst cars featured in Transformers.
(Disclaimers: One car per brand. Earth cars only. No service or military vehicles.)
10. Porsche 924 (Transformers G1: Autobot Cliffjumper)
Porsche and Volkswagen collaborated on making a entry-level, front-engine sports car for Volkswagen, called the 425, using a VW I4 engine. However, Volkswagen pulled out of the project. Porsche released the car and called it the Porsche 924. Porsche kept the VWI4 engine instead of using a Porsche engine. The I4 used in the 924 produced 125 hp and the 924 was one of the slowest Porsches ever made. Car and Driver criticized the brake system of the 924, stating that the 924 brakes where a step back from the the Porsche 914 brakes. The styling of the 924 keeps it from being lower on the list.
9. Hummer H2 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ratcher)
I have a few issues with the Hummer H2. One, it is an expensive Chevrolet Suburban. Two, a majority of Hummer H2 owners bought this car because they were compensating for something. The Hummer H1 was based on a military car and was a cool car. The H2 is just a monster on the road.
8. GMC C4500 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ironhide)
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| Audi R8 V10 Spyder |
quattro GmbH is the high performance subsidiary of of Audi AG. quattro GmbH got its name from the original four-wheel rally car, the Audi Quattro. quattro cars do not sell cars under its own brand, but instead under the Audi marque quattro is responsible for the Audi RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, and R8. The Audi R8 is the only mid-engine supercar that bears the Audi four-ring badge. Production for the R8 started in 2006 with the R8 coupe being released in 2007 and the R8 Spyder being released in 2009. The R8 GT, the fastest and lightest of the R8s was released in May 2010. The R8 originally came with a V8, but a V10 version was revealed on December 9, 2008.
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Ferrari is known for producing fast, high performing supercars. The car brand started making rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive V8 supercars in 1975 with the 308 GTB. In 2009, Ferrari started production on the 458 Italia, the latest rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive supercar from the Italian car brand. The 458 Italia is a unique Ferrari. It is one of the few cars that redlines at 9000 rpm and it is the first rear mid-engine Ferrari with direct fuel injection.
I first saw the Ferrari 458 Italia outside a restaurant in Houston. This was right after I saw Top Gear's review of the 458. I love the styling of this car. It also makes appearances at Houston Car and Coffee events. Two 458 Italias were drivable at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance for a minimum fee of $40. My first thought is that the 458 looked more aggressive than its predecessors, 360 and F430. The deformed winglets on the front grill lower at lower speed to reduce drag. The body is designed for aerodynamic efficiency and producing downforce. The exterior design of the 458 not only improve performance of the car, but the design also makes the 458 stunning to look at.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5L V8, paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, that produces 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. It reaches a top speed exceeding 202 mph. Prices for the Ferrari 458 Italia start at $225,000. This is the one of the least expensive cars of the current Ferrari model range and it is also on of the fastest current Ferrari. The price is on par for a car that exceeds 200 mph and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds.
Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Ferrari 458 Italia during Top Gear Series 15, Episode 6. Clarkson raced the 458 against a Ferrari F430 in a drag race and won. James May drove the 458 Italia during the 2010 USA Road Trip Special. The 458 Italia will be the vehicle for the autobot Mirage in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The Ferrari 458 Italia is playable in Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 3, Ferrari: The Race Experience, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Car Town, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon Video Game.
Final Thought: This is an incredible car. The price is average for a car that can exceed speeds of over 200 mph. Most cars that have the performance similar to the 458 Italia start at prices around $225,000. Its rival, the Lamborghini Gallardo, starts around $210,000 dollars. Compared to the LFA, which has the same performance as the 458 Italia and costs $375,000, the 458 Italia is a bargain. The 458 Italia continues the tradition of stylish high performing Ferraris.
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| American Muscle Pontiac GTO |
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| Australian Muscle Pontiac GTO |
The Pontiac GTO is the grand daddy of muscle cars. It started the muscle car craze in 1964. There is nothing like American muscle cars. In 2001, GM's Australian brand Holden released the Monaro, also known as the Vauxhall Monaro VXR. Neither the Holden brand nor the Vauxhall brand are sold in America. To solve this problem, the Monaro was sold as the Pontiac GTO. It was a good performing car. Just one problem, The Pontiac GTO is American Muscle. Why would GM make a GTO that is Australian Muscle and not American Muscle. The Australian GTO was produced from 2004 to 2006 and had a huge following. This was nowhere near the worst car that wears the Pontiac badge. GM ended the Pontiac brand in 2009
9. Enzo Ferrari Showing No Respect to Ferruccio Lamborghini
Ferruccio Lamborghini originally made tractors. He also owned a few Ferraris. But the clutches of his Ferraris were inferior and he confronted Enzo Ferrari about the problems with Ferrari clutches. Lamborghini was hoping to get some respect from Ferrari as a fellow manufacturer. Enzo Ferrari told Ferruccio Lamborghini, "How dare a tractor maker tell me how to make a car!" Lamborghini was very infuriated with Ferrari, and he started his own car brand. The Lamborghini 350GT was the first of a long line of quality, high performing Lamborghinis. If Ferrari was respectful to Ferruccio Lamborghini, he may not have had to compete with Lamborghini.
8. Waterman Aerobile
People have wondered what if a car could fly. In 1957 the Waterman Aerobile was born, twenty years after Waldo Waterman started creating a prototype flying car. It was a car that could also fly. Problem is that was not good at flying and it was not a good road car either. Its wings weighed it down when flying. The Aerobile was slow, sluggish, and had horrible handling. People who had a death wish bought this car. The only working Aerobile is held at the Smithsonian.
7. Amphicar
The Amphicar was designed to be used on the road and in the water. However, it was bad on the road and in the water. It was not watertight. If its bilge pump could not keep up with the water entering the Amphicar, it would sink. Critics claimed that the Amphicar drove like a car on water and a boat on land. It was not good as a car or as a boat.
6. Ferrari 400
I recently saw the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster at the 20011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. The roadster looked beautiful. The coupe has a paint cracks on the front bumper. I had a scale model of the 300SL Gullwing growing up. It was nice to see a 300SL Gullwing in person.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is powered by a 3.0L inline-6 engine, paired with a four-speed manual that produces 212 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time for the 300SL Gullwing Coupe is 7.2 seconds an the 0-60 mph time for the 300SL Roadster is 7.1 seconds. Both the coupe and roadster reached a top speed of 140 mph. Both are highly desired by car collectors and are normally priced between $500,000 and $700,000. Some 300SL Gullwings can fetch $1,000,000+ if they are in perfect condition.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing has been featured at Jay Leno's Garage. James May reviewed the 300SL Gullwing during Top Gear Series 5, Episode 5. A few Chasing Classic Cars episodes featured the 300SL Gullwing Coupe and 300SL Roadster. The 300SL Gullwing Coupe is playable in Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto 2, World Race, Scarface: The World is Yours, London Racer: Destruction Madness, World Racing 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, Chrono Q HG, London Racer: World Challenge, Autobahn Raser IV, Breakneck, American Highways, Carmageddon, Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Sega GT 2002, Enthusia Professional Racing, Mafia II, Test Drive Unlimited, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Mille Miglia, and many other games. The 300 SL Roadster is playable in World Racing, World Racing 2, GT Legends, and Mille Miglia.
The 300SL Gullwing Coupe and 300SL Roadster are the iconic Mercedes-Benz cars. They are highly collectible and the 300SL Gullwing Coupe is the basis for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS may have better technology, but it will never capture the spirit of the 300SL Gullwing. I would much rather have the 300SL Gullwing over the SLS AMG. No car was faster that the 300SL Gullwing when it came out. Even the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss is based on the 300 SLR race car that was driven by Moss.
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Mercedes-Benz has been making cars since the 1886. McLaren was founded in 1989 and is responsible for rewriting the rules for making a supercar with the McLaren F1 in 1994. The two automotive companies worked together to create the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which was introduced on November 17, 2003. When this car came out, it cost $450,00. It was powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 that produced 617 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph. Production of the SLR McLaren ceased in 2007 for the coupe and 2009 for the roadster. In 2006 a new version of the SLR was released, called the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The 722 refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722, referring to the 7:22 am starting time, at the 1955 Mille Miglia.
I recently saw a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. There were two other variants of the SLR McLaren on exhibit at the same show. This is one of the best cars to wear the Mercedes-Benz badge. It is gorgeous. I love its styling. The side exhaust add to its incredible styling.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, that produces 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Its 0-60 mph time is 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 209 mph. Prices for the 722 Edition started at $480,000. The SLR McLaren 722 Edition is one of the most expensive cars on the road, but not many cars can match its styling and perfromance.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition defeated a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV during Top Gear Series 13, Episode 2. The 722 Edition is playable in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Shift 2: Unleashed, Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, and many other video games.
Final Thought: The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is an incredible car. It is one of the fastest grand tourers on the road. Not many cars can match the style and performance of this car. The $480,000 price tag is expensive. I would take a SLR McLaren over the SLS AMG any day.
To see my thoughts on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster, click here.
To see my thoughts on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition, click here.
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The Jaguar XJ220 was one of my favorite cars growing up. It unseated the Bugatti EB110 as the world's faster street-legal production car. It was dethrowned by the McLaren F1. I recently saw one. Click here to see my thoughts on the XJ220.
Noble built the M400 from 2004 to 2007. In February 2007, American company 1G Racing/Rossion Automotive, founded by Ian Grunes and Dean Rosen, acquired the rights to the M400. Rossion took the M400 and redesigned a new front end, larger integrated air intakes, ram air side window ducts, a new rear diffuser, power windows, remote power side mirros, and center mounted wide screen entertainment center. Rossion called the redesigned M400 the Rossion Q1. Although Rossion is an American company and Noble is a British company, both the Noble M400 and Rossion Q1 are manufactured by Hi Tech Automotive, which is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
I first saw the Rossion Q1 at the December 2010 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. A person from Austin brought the Rossion Q1 and had a facts sheet on display right next to the car. Unfortunately, the Q1 was overlooked because Hennessey was revealing the Venom GT at the same event. My first thought on the car was "What is a Rossion?" This was the first time I heard of Rossion. I thought the finish of the car needed some improvements.
The Rossion Q1 is powered by a rebuilt Ford Duratec twin-turbo 3.0L V6, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 450 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 189 mph. Prices for the Rossion Q1 start at $100,000. Compared to other high-performing cars, the Rossion Q1 is bargain. Not many cars can match the quickness of the Q1. It is also one of the cheaper supercars on the market.
The Rossion Q1 is playable in Project Gotham Racing 4 and Forza Motorsport 3. It has not been featured on any of the major automotive programs.
Final Thought: It is a quick car for a relative low price. The finish of the car needs improvements. There are slower cars that cost more than the Rossion Q1. I wonder what Rossion can do with a car built from scratch. Not a bad initial car for Rossion.
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