2010 Hulme CanAm Bear 1 Test Car

The Hulme CanAm is named after Denny Hulme, New Zealand’s racing prodigy and F1 World Champion. It is the only road-legal supercar to carry the name of an F1 Champion, and it doesn’t disappoint. The vehicle is said to achieve speeds of above 200 mph, and comes in the form of a high-performance mid-engine roadster. The car is intended for use both in open roads and the racetrack, combining raw power, outstanding craftsmanship, extraordinary performance, and is guaranteed to provide any driver with an exhilarating driving experience.

Under the hood of the Hulme CanAm is a 7-liter Chevrolet LS7 V8 Engine, producing a monstrous 600 horsepower balanced out by 600 Nm of torque. Control for this whopping amount of power is accomplished via a close-ratio, six-speed CIMA manual transmission, where paddle or sequential transmission is also an option. Due to the construction of the vehicle, the car weighs less than a ton, and 600 hp for a lightweight car means that the Hulme CanAm can accelerate from 0 to 100Kph in less than three and a half seconds.

Despite the incomparable performance values of the vehicle, the guiding principle maintained by Hulme engineers in designing the car has been to focus on driving enjoyment. Power distribution and aerodynamics maximize the car’s handling on either the road or a racetrack. The Hulme Can Am is developed and hand-crafted by the Hulme technology team, and their design paid off in granting the car a lightweight carbon composite chassis and body, along with racing tuned suspension and braking.

Each Hulme CanAm Bear 1 Test Car costs a deposit of £10,000 for an option to order. An enthusiast would want to take note of the fact that only 20 of these supercars from New Zealand will be put into production. The managing director of Hulme, Jock Freemantle, guarantees that the deposit is fully refundable if the option is not escalated into an order, or if the order for this supercar is not satisfied. Before the car is introduced at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, a private viewing and test drive will be made available to those who have purchased an option to order the vehicle. If the potential buyer is not satisfied and wants to cancel the option to order, his funds will be immediately refunded.

August 3, 2010 at 11:42 am | 1 comment

2010 G-Power BMW M3 GT2 S and the M3 Tornado CS

Performance wise, both modified BMWs rely on the same SK II S supercharged V8 engine. This engine produces 600 horsepower at 7800 rpm, and 580 Nm of torque at 5300 rpm. Both vehicles clock in at a top speed of 320 Km/h, or 205 mph, through a 6-speed manual transmission.

There are slight differences for the acceleration values of both vehicles. The BMW M3 Tornado CS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, while the BMW M3 GT2 S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The M3 Tornado CS can accelerate from 0 to 200 in 11.8 seconds.

Looking at the body work, the GT2 S is equipped with a carbon fiber body kit. The front, rear and side skirts along with all four fenders covering the front and rear wheels are modified and replace and changed into carbon fiber parts to reduce the overall weight of the car. Additionally, a front and rear mounted carbon fiber spoiler improves the vehicle’s aerodynamic potential. On the other hand, a hood mounted carbon spoiler and a rear carbon diffuser on the M3 Tornado CS compensate for the spoilers equipped on the GT2 S, helping the M3 Tornado CS achieve greater down-force.

There is also a difference in the rims and tires equipped between the two BMWs. G-Power decided to use forged Silverstone Clubsport alloy rims on the Tornado CS, measuring 9×20 inches in the front and 10.5×20 inches in the rear. For the GT2 S, G-Power went along with using Silverstone RS forged rims with measurements of 9×20 inches for the front and 11.5×20 inches for the rear. The Tornado CS uses a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires, while the GT2 S is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.

August 2, 2010 at 11:41 am | 5 comments

2010 GTA Spano

The 2010 GTA Spano features a glass roof. This innovative feature is complimented by a unique lighting and opaqueness system. The chassis of the vehicle is made from a combination of carbon fiber, titanium and Kevlar. The car’s composition and general form is inspired by aeronautic technology. It is equipped with a rear mounted 8-liter supercharged V10 engine producing an outrageous 780 horsepower, kept in check using a six speed sequential manual transmission or a semi-automatic paddle shift transmission similar to those used in F1 racecars. These features make the GTA Spano the fastest, road legal automobile in Spain, since it can accelerate from 0 to 100 Km/h in just 2.9 seconds, achieving a top speed of over 350 Km/h. An AP Racing Carbon-Ceramic braking system is equipped on the vehicle. This includes a forced ventilation system, 6 piston brake calipers and an ABS system.

GTA Motors wanted a concept that emulated competitiveness, uniqueness and sophistication. They wanted to design a car that has not been seen to date. Their aim to produce such a revolutionary automobile certainly paid off.

Examining the side of the car, one can see that the doors fit flawlessly into the air intakes. Also, the doors do not have handles and access into the vehicle is achieved by pressing the GTA logo. This layout assists in aerodynamics and lowers the temperature of certain parts of the car such as power steering, brakes and oil coolers to name a few.

The front of the car dictates a strong and smooth image, observed from the huge side-mounted air intakes and its rounded hood. The rear of the car is characterized primarily with the use of glass, which improves air flow under the car and cools down the engine. There are two additional air intakes at the rear and the vehicle uses a twin muffler system, highlighting the vehicle’s racing capabilities. A set of four custom-made, angled rims are mounted around the car; 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear using Pirelli P Zero tires. Only 99 units of this supercar will be produced and exclusively distributed.

July 15, 2010 at 8:48 am | 3 comments

Most Fuel Efficient Sports Cars: Top 10 List

Even though fuel efficiency isn’t the first thing on a buyer’s mind when purchasing a high performance sports car, these days with the skyrocketing costs of oil and energy conservation regulations, more sports cars are being made to operate on less fuel. Even though there are others cars on the market, we put together a list of some of the more popular and highly rated sports cars that rank high with fuel efficiency.

1) 2010 BMW 128 i: MPG-18 city/28 highway (starting at $30,000) The Germans are considered superior in the sports car department and that still continues to be true with the 2010 BMW 128 i. A bit expensive for a sedan, the superior performance and excellent gas mileage puts this car on the list for Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Sports Cars.

2) 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK300: MPG-19 city/26 highway (starting at $42,000) Offering superior performance and great looks as expected is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK300. Even with 228 horse power decent fuel economy can be had with this beautiful car.

3) 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera: MPG-19 city/27 highway (starting at $75,000) The iconic teardrop shaped 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera still carries the same appeal that it always has. This fast sports car even has a place on the Top Ten List for fuel efficient cars with its progressive design and fine lines.

4) 2010 Porsche Cayman: MPG: 20 city/29 highway (starting at $60,000) For 2010, the Porsche Cayman was updated with 20 more horsepower but still maintains great fuel efficiency. Offering superior handling and driving performance, the Cayman is sure to provide some of the most memorable driving experiences that any car can offer.

5) 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse: MPG: 20 city/28 highway (starting at $20,000) One of the more affordable sports cars on this list is the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The sporty looks of this car are sure to turn heads when driving around town and you will also feel good knowing you’re saving some gas with 20 miles to the gallon.

6) 2010 Porsche Boxster: MPG: 20 city/29 highway (starting at $47,000) This sporty two seat convertible offers a fun ride while saving money on fuel. With a compact ride, excellent handling, and superior comfort, the 2010 Porsche Boxster is sure to impress.

7) 2010 Audi TT Roadster: MPG: 21 city/29 highway (starting at $40,800) The Audi TT Roadster is a compact sports car offering superior handling and extreme comfort while dominating the roads offering one of the most memorable rides of any car on the market.

8 ) 2010 Pontiac G6: MPG-22 city/30 highway (starting at $21,000) The 2010 Pontiac G6 is one of the more affordable cars on this list with its sporty looks and high fuel efficiency. Never sacrificing quality and performance, Pontiac comes through with a new look and many options to fit your needs with the G6.

9) 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata: MPG: 22 city/28 highway (starting at $23,000) The Mazda MX-5 is a relatively small sports car that packs a punch. Now in its 20th year, the Mazda can be purchased with a soft top or power retractable hard top so you can enjoy that fresh air while taking this car for a spin.

10) 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet: MPG: 23 city/30 highway (starting at $42,000) The Audi A5 has been rated by some experts as being the most beautiful 2-door car on the market. The progressive design and high performance engine are sure to get you where you need to go while saving a little fuel in the process.

July 13, 2010 at 8:56 am | 34 comments

2010 Mansory Porsche Panamera Power Pack

Masonry Switzerland is a specialist for fine-tuning Porsches in the Zuffenhausen Gran Turismo. Devoting itself into developing the Porsche Panamera Turbo, they enhanced it through a performance and aesthetic package with a twin turbocharged 4.8 liter V8 engine granting 690 horsepower, 590 lb-ft at 4800 rpm of torque and stunning body work.

Pieces of the car’s bodywork fit perfectly with each other like a puzzle, turning every side of the Masonry enhancement into a vibrant highlight. A new carbon fiber hood is placed on the front of the car, along with a new front apron with modified LED daytime driving lights. The doors are wider, and they suit the new side skirts flawlessly. To the rear of the vehicle is a massive carbon fiber diffuser, and centrally mounted mufflers with double-end pipes. Masonry gives the driver the option to decorate the rear with carbon fiber parts, or to modify it completely with a carbon fiber spoiler. High-durability polyurethane (PU-RIM) and Prepreg-Autoclav-Carbon are the materials used for the vehicle’s aerodynamic enhancements, which is the distinctive material used by the Masonry brand.

Beyond the exhilarating visuals of the car, Masonry also augmented the Panamera Turbo’s 4.8-liter V8 engine. This performance package includes modified engine electronics, huge turbochargers and a stainless steel double end sports muffler. These upgrades raise the vehicle’s engine output to a staggering 690 horsepower / 507 kW, and torque to 590 lb-ft / 800 Nm at 4800 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4 seconds, and the vehicle can reach top speeds of 328 km/h.

The wheel-tire combination is custom-built specifically for this high-performance vehicle. The set includes four lightweight 22-inch forged wheel-in-turbine design rims. The front of the car is carried by a pair of 9-inch wide Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires with dimensions of 265/30ZR22, while the rear of the car is carried by two 10-inch wide tires with dimensions of 295/25ZR22 also from Dunlop.

The interior of the car is extensively polished with matching leather and the most precious wood, fine varnish or energetic carbon parts. Aluminum pedals complement the interior together with a newly designed sports steering wheel.

July 13, 2010 at 8:47 am | 7 comments

->