The Fab & The Furious

Furious writes…

Watch as Richard Hammond and The Stig from Top Gear UK go head to head in one of the most exciting drag races of all time! It’s the Bugatti Veyron vs the McLaren F1!

Furious writes…

Fresh off its Los Angeles Auto Show introduction and putting up decent sales despite tough car industry times, the Nissan 370Z has already received factory performance tuning in the form of the hot new 2009 NISMO 370Z. The NISMO treatment extends from the motor and driveshaft to a focused new interior and exterior. Read more…

Fab writes…

Who hasn’t heard of Kim Kardashian? Her curvy behind is as famous as J. Lo’s. She also has a reality show with her family which showcases their day-to-day life. Who knew partying and walking around with a camera in your face all the time can make you so rich that you can afford to buy these luxury cars?

Images Courtesy of OMG!

Kim’s a proud owner of not one, but TWO of the most sought after rides — A Ferrari F430 and a newly purchased Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, both of ‘em black.

She must be every man and woman’s envy behind those hot wheels! You go, girl!

Furious writes…

Not so long ago, Lamborghini cars like the Mucielago, and their Ferrari counterparts, were just about the fastest things money could by. In the last couple of years, the rise of the boutique supercar has had an effect on the Italians. Lamborghini hits back with the 2010 Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, the fastest and most pure sports car ever to roll out of the Italian car icon’s factory. This car has the word RACE written all over it!

Read more…

Furious writes…

A friend of mine took me for a spin in his brand-new Land Rover Freelander today and I thought I’d write a review since I’m so impressed with its performance both on and off-road.

Outside, the Freelander 2 is light-years ahead of its dumpy predecessor. Inside, the dual-zone climate control also quelled the typical “I’m cold/I’m hot” arguments. The steering wheel’s vertical aluminium horn strips are a brilliant idea, easily reached by your thumbs. There is plenty of room for a young family of weekend warriors, and the interior is hardy enough to soak up the occasional McDonalds thick shake. Up front, there are two massive cup holders atop the dash, which I’m sure is a very stable place for them, but I think they’re too far away to be convenient. All in all, the interior is a comfy, stylish and contemporary place to be, and compared the competition, I think it’s streets ahead.

Setting off, the ride around town is certainly firm, and can be a little hard-edged, but once the speeds rise, so does the comfort level. Using the 4WD knob, the Freelander accurately selects traction-control, gear and rev levels to suit the terrain. The superb 2.2-litre diesel is a perfect match to the six-speed automatic which intuitively selects the perfect gear for the conditions. Even when braking, it downshifts like it mind-reads, ready for your command.

On a particularly treacherous wet grassy slope, we dialled in the “Grass, Gravel or Snow” setting. Without it, the car was slipping, sliding, and scrabbling for grip. With it, the Land Rover simply walked up. This contrasts nicely with the “Sand” setting, which supplies plenty of revs, and backs off the traction control to keep the vehicle’s speed up, and the tyres spinning. In short, it works.

Bravo, Land Rover, bravo. The Brits’ tilt at compact four-wheel drives is a winner, and really shows up the competition in the ruggedness stakes. The Freelander is the most capable for the money. In an era where function gives way to fashion, Land Rover has gone against the grain and produced a capable little off-roader.

Furious writes…

Here’s a car that’ll match your girlfriend’s wardrobe.

The Lamborghini Murciélago Versace Edition is a special edition version of the LP640 Coupé, with all the same performance features, as well as the two tone white-black trim, shown on both the exterior and interior of the car.

According to Lamborghini, only 20 units of this model will be produced booooo….haha

Furious writes…

Remember the sexy BMW GINA concept car I blogged about a while ago?

BMW has pulled another trick up its sleeve and came up with this. The BMW Kinetic Sculpture.

The project uses 714 metal balls that are individually suspended on barely visible strings, creating an seemingly weightless, amorphous mass. Each ball lowers and retracts independently, which allows them to approximate almost any form.

A behind the scenes look at the motors controlling this sculpture:

The installation moves through a cycle of classic and contemporary BMW car shapes from throughout the company’s 90-year history. In between cars, it goes through some impressive routines, showing the creation’s versatility.

Have a look at the video and be amazed!

Furious writes…

Ya’ll seen Fab with her wish list..now its my turn haha. Lets get it started!

Honda Civic Mugen RR

The ultimate Type R to date. The engineers at Mugen gave the Type-R a new bodykit, upgraded brakes, a retuned suspension, new wheels and tires, and Recaro sport bucket seats. This monster will propel itself from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. The Mugen-tuned four-cylinder motor produces 240 hp and 160 lb-ft of torque, up from 225 hp and 158.5 lb-ft. Only 300 lucky owners will get their hands on the RR, which is available in every color you want, as long as it’s red.

Jordans

I have a soft spot for kickz/sneaks, especially Jordans. My ultimate goal is to have 2 pairs of every single shoe that they’ve produced haha

Foosball Table

Not your typical foosball table. Much thought and care has gone into the craftsmanship and concept. The 22 players are finished in bright silver chrome that represents footballers’ status in sport and society. The lighting effects and the software controlling the game add further excitement to the atmosphere and to the experience of playing the game.

Dosh – All Polymer Wallet

The dosh product is the first of it’s type anywhere in the world, using polymers to create a flexible body worn accessory in a form of a wallet. The wallet’s unique mix of flexible and semi flexible polymer materials is a globally patented technology in it’s category.

What’s on your list?

Fab writes…

Furious is away for the weekend and because I am soo bored, I came up with a list of stuff that I WANT (preferably gift wrapped with shiny paper and delivered to my doorstep right now! LOL!). Call this a vision board of sorts:

Sony Vaio CR Series in Blush Pink

If you’ve come across my entry about my pink Sony Cybershot, you would know how much I adore the color – I’m a blogger and a pink-lover, so I guess there’s no need for me to elaborate why a pink laptop is on my wish list.

Trip to Santorini, Greece

There’s something about this place that is luring me to go there. I know this might sound weird but I feel like I’ve lived there in my past life. Aside from that “feeling”, Santorini has always been a dream vacay destination for both me and Furious so this is definitely not only on my wish list, but his as well. I just love the uniqueness of the architecture and landscape of the place, don’t you?

LV bag – Monogram Vernis Alma MM in Violette

It’s Louis Vuitton and I want it! *drool* *dreamy sigh*

If You Could See Me Now by Cecilia Ahern

This one I can afford (harharhar) but I haven’t had the time to go to the bookstore. You’ll know when I have already bought a copy because I will most probably review the book (but of course!). Cecilia Ahern is a very talented writer, you must have heard of her other book, Rosie Dunne (which I would have to review one of these days) and she’s also the author of the book-turned-movie P.S. I Love You (which I adored!).

iPod Touch

I don’t want an iPhone, an iPod touch would suit me just fine. The touch-screen feature amazes me in a way that a hanging mobile fascinates a baby. I know I sound like I’m from the boondocks but it’s just so cool. ARGH!

Hot Pink Nissan 200sx

Unlike Furious, I am not really a petrol head so I don’t know what the top speed or whatever impressive specs this car has. But it’s pink, HOT pink at that and it’s flashy, so I want this car and it’s on my wish list. *toothy grin*

That’s what I came up with so far…so tell me F & F friends, what’s on YOUR wish list?

Furious writes…

Looks like this car has been pulled off from iRobot, but better. BMW has unveiled its latest concept car: a shape-shifting vehicle wrapped in Lycra, with doors that unzip and a chassis that morphs according to the driver’s whim.

The car, dubbed GINA (Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptions) has a frame made from moveable lightweight aluminium and it can seat two people.

The car’s body panels are enveloped in four sections of Lycra: one covering the bonnet, front wings and doors, another for the rear and two sections for the side panels.

But what really sets this car apart is it’s ability to change shape. Metal wires pin the flexible cover fabric to the car’s panels as hydraulic systems stretch and pull it in different directions.

The headlights, for example, are hidden until switched on, when the fabric at the front of the car prises apart on either side of the signature double-kidney grille to reveal the double lamps. Due to the translucent properties of the outer skin, brake lamps and turn signals are revealed only when they are illuminated.

Sadly, this hi-tech car isn’t going to the production line as was purely for show only.

It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production. Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions.

Furious writes…

I came across these cool shirts in the Ozhonda forums. Eat Sleep RACE is one of the original major players in the American automotive apparel scene. They are based in New Jersey on the East Coast.

Renowned for their much sought after Bobblehead design, their prints are trend-setting and in-your-face.

Furious writes…

Hello all! It was bright and sunny outside so I thought I’d take some snaps of my brand new late 1993 Honda Integra VTi-R haha! I bought my second pride and joy (hunnie comes first *wink wink*) on the 24th of May this year from a guy who lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. His mum owned the car and hasn’t really driven it that much and has always been kept in a garage, hence the low mileage. Apart from being my first car, it was also the first manual car I have ever driven! Imagine what I had to go through the first night I took her home haha! It took me around 30 minutes to get the hang of it, but what really bothered me the most was getting into first gear! I was so terrified but at the same time excited as the car bunny-hopped forward numerous times and stalled on a handful of occasions! It really is fun to drive knowing you have VTEC under the hood =). The engine just screams once you hit 5,000 rpm as you floor the gas in 2nd gear, lurching the car forward, accompanied by the high note of the exhaust!

Tech Specs:

• Engine: B18C2 VTEC
• Displacement: 1797cc Inline 4
• Power: 167bhp / 125 kW @ 7600 rpm
• Torque: 175 Nm @ 6200 rpm
• Redline: 8200 rpm
• Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
• Valves: 32 Valves / 4 per cylinder
• Performance: < 7.3 seconds (0 – 100 km/h)

Honda Integra Vti-R 1993 NRMA Car Review

For many years, the Honda Integra has been well regarded for its build quality, its reliability and its pleasant, if fairly mundane styling. However, it wasn’t really the sort of vehicle to stir the emotions of a driving enthusiast, or one to stand out in a crowd.

Now the 1994-series Integras have come along, that image is set to change dramatically and the particular model that shines is the VTi-R. With its high-efficiency 1.8 litre VTEC engine delivering top performance, a well-tuned chassis providing impressive ride and handling qualities, four-wheel discs (plus ABS anti-locking) giving powerful, effective braking and one of the sweetest manual gearboxes you’ll find in a front-wheel drive car, the VTi-R rates as a genuine sports car that’s simply a delight to drive.

The 1994 Integra’s new “suit of clothes” plays its part in letting the world know that this is a very different new model, with a look that is both eye-catching and dramatic. Honda said that it wanted the new Integra to be immediately recognisable from 100 metres away and the unusual frontal treatment alone, should ensure that.

The GTi-R and the GSi are both powered by a DOHC 1.8 litre engine, but the GSi does without VTEC and dual-stage intakes. Power output in the GTi-R is 125 kW, while the GSi’s engine develops 107 kW. Not surprisingly, the Mazda MX-6’s 2.5 litre V6 engine beats the VTi-R on torque output, but the VTi-R just pips it on maximum power output.

Though much of the mechanical layout such as front wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering is common to both GTi-R and GSi, there are differences in the brakes, manual transmissions and wheels and tyres.

The VTi-R’s manual transmission has tapered roller bearings for increased durability, different gear ratios to the GSi model and receives its drive through a lighter flywheel. The VTi-R rides on 15 x 6 inch alloy wheels shod with 195/55 tyres, whereas the GSi has 14 x 5.5 steel wheels with 195/60 tyres. As previously mentioned, the VTi-R also has ABS anti-lock brakes.

Other items common to both versions include an electric sunroof, power windows and external mirrors, central locking, tilt steering, four-speaker CD-compatible stereo/cassette, remote releases for fuel flap and rear hatch, tinted windows and a 50/50 split folding rear seat. The VTi-R adds a driver’s airbag, four-spoke steering wheel, body-coloured side mouldings and other items already listed. Neither version comes with air conditioning; it’s a dealer-fitted option.

The performance of the VTi-R is really quite exceptional for a non-turbocharged 1.8 litre engine, and the best part is that it’s not just at the top end. Even when pottering along in heavy traffic, the engine picks up smoothly and eagerly, displaying excellent flexibility over a wide rev range. The most exhilarating acceleration is available around 5000 rpm, but the engine pulls strongly from around 3000 rpm to over 7,000 rpm. At the other end of the scale, the engine will pull from as little as 1000 rpm in the higher gears without protest.

That the VTi-R can perform so strongly without the aid of turbocharging, and at the same time, be so tractable at low speeds, is a convincing example of the value of variable valve timing and dual-stage intake manifolding, particularly when coupled with the latest in electronic engine management and fuel injection systems.

Complementing the engine’s willing performance is the VTi-R’s slick-shifting, close-ratio gearbox. So good is its action that you’re likely to find yourself changing gears just for the fun of it!

Two other things Honda has got “spot-on” are the handling and ride. Some earlier Hondas with double wishbone suspension (the previous Integra included) were choppy due to a lack of suspension travel, but not so the VTi-R. Its ride is comfortable and compliant in all conditions, but not too soft to allow body roll. The handling is near enough to neutral at all speeds over all types of surfaces, making the VTi-R an easy, safe and overall very enjoyable car to drive. The wide. low profile tyres provide excellent grip and the power steering provides better than average feedback to the driver than is usually experienced in Hondas.

The VTi-R is simply a beautifully balanced package that delivers everything and more its specifications promise. In short, Honda has a winner in this class and the opposition now has the job of catching up.

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