Scuderia Ferrari Racing News N.22 (EN)

Scuderia Ferrari Racing News n.22 (EN)

The 17th race in the 2011 Formula 1 Championship will be held at the brand-new Buddh International Circuit: the first Indian GP. Let's discover ...

G-Power BMW M3 Vs Ferrari 430 Scuderia And Nissan GTR 2011

G-Power BMW M3 vs Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Nissan GTR 2011

www.facebook.com What is worst, my driving line or my helmet? ;D G-Power BMW M3 Anderstorp Raceway front facing camera (911 GTS, 1M Coupe, Nissan ...

Forza Motorsport 4: Ferrari F430 Scuderia - Indianapolis

Forza Motorsport 4: Ferrari F430 Scuderia - Indianapolis

F430 Scuderia Indianapolis Replay lap

Ferrari F430 Scuderia FLATOUT In The City!

Ferrari F430 Scuderia FLATOUT in the city!

1st and 2nd gear FLATOUT! Actually goes flatout from 1:00

Scuderia Ferrari Racing News N.23 (EN)

Scuderia Ferrari Racing News n.23 (EN)

Waiting to get onto the track in Abu Dhabi for the penultimate race of the Championship Pat Fry talks about how the Scuderia Ferrari is getting ...

Bugatti Veyron vs. Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR AMG drag race

Scuderia Ferrari Racing News N.24 (EN)

Scuderia Ferrari Racing News n.24 (EN)

Last race in the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship -- the Brazilian Grand Prix will be a special event for Felipe Massa: his home-race is his ...

Ferrari 430 Scuderia First Drive - Autocar.co.uk

Ferrari 430 Scuderia first drive - autocar.co.uk

Chris Harris drives the Ferrari 430 Scuderia at Fiorano. The Scuderia really is the best example of F1 racing technology appearing in a road car ...

2012 Ford Focus Hatchback Review

By contributing editor David Colman

Vitals Statistics:
$19095      Focus 5dr HB SE
4-Door Front Wheel Drive , 160 bhp, 146 lb-ft, 5-sp Manual, 26/36 mpg
5 passengers, 2900 lb, 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine, 18.1 lb/bhp

Likes:

• Euroslick styling


• Gem-like interior fittings


• Razor sharp handling


• Eager engine that is happy to work hard


• Hatchback model has added utility over sedan and looks great


• Long list of upgrades and high-tech options

Dislikes:

• Lack of paddle shifters for dual clutch automatic


• HVAC dials where radio controls should be and vice versa


• Driving concentration distracted by Ford Synch GUI

If you think of the Focus as Ford’s VW Golf beater, you’re aiming too low. Golf was just the low hanging fruit in Ford’s quest to redefine the sport compact sedan. The real target was Audi’s A3, a loftier goal indeed. Has Ford succeeded in outdoing the A3? Not quite, but close enough to give Audi reason to be concerned. If you want to build a better sport sedan than Audi, you’d best hire Germans to design it, and that’s just what Ford has done. The Focus was conceived in Germany, and has been on sale across Europe for more than a year. It has already established a successful track record in World Rallye competition as well as World Touring Car track contests. While Focus may be new to the US, it is by no means an unproven entity abroad.

Looking at this svelte sedan from outside, you are first struck by the clean-lined ethos of its design. The snout sits low while the butt remains slightly elevated to impart a feline rake to the static posture. Horizontal detailing around the front grill is handsome without being fussy. The side view looks racy and succinct, with windshield A pillars so extravagantly flattened that the sedan version posts a stellar wind tunnel coefficient of 0.297. Although the Cx of the five-door hatchback we drove is slightly higher than that, the hatch chassis is stiffer because the five door openings require added structural chassis reinforcement. The solidity of the platform, which Focus shares with the European C-Max minivan, is indisputable. Over the worst road irregularities, the Focus evinced no squeaks, groans or deflections. The interior remains ethereally silent no matter what racket the road surface beneath promises to impart.

Handling of the base model Titanium hatchback is responsive and predictable. The steering is perfectly weighted, with lots of road feel passed back to you through the fat rimmed, two-tone steering wheel. Continental SportContactPro tires measuring 215/50R17 are standard, but if you wish to upgrade handling, the Titanium handling package, including stiffer anti-sway bars, springs and 18 inch wheels and rubber, is available for an extra $595. Even without that package, the handling of the Titanium Focus is strong enough to justify sticking with the base suspension system.

Performance of the 2.0 liter Duratec four cylinder motor is hardly scintillating, especially when coupled to the slow-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. If you want more pop underhood you should wait for the 247hp turbo motor, coming sometime in the next year. In the meantime, opt for the 5 speed manual gearboxmodel to coax the most performance out of the Duratec base motor.

Where Focus really shines is inside the cabin. All 4 seats are Posturepedic, with the fronts luxuriously supplied with multiple electric positioning controls. Even the fixed rears are acceptably comfortable for long day trips. The interior of our test Focus, finished in a pleasing medley of burgundy and black, mimics the cabins of much more expensive vehicles like (no surprise) the Audi A3 or the BMW 1 Series. If you’re in the market for a small sedan with fit, finish and handling comparable to cars costing twice as much, be sure and give the new Focus a test drive. You’ll be amazed at how far Ford quality has come since they hit bottom several years ago.

2012 FORD FOCUS TITANIUM HATCHBACK

• ENGINE: DOHC, 16 valve in-line 4, aluminum block and head


• HORSEPOWER: 160 @ 6,500 rpm


• TORQUE: 146 lb.-ft. @ 4,450 rpm


• TRANSMISSION: 6-speed Powershift automatic transmission


• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 25 City MPG/ 36 Highway MPG


• PRICE AS TESTED: $23,490

Ruling: The redesigned Ford Focus comes out with impressive changes to its exterior and interior styling. And it is also more fun to drive than the previous generation.

The 2012 Ford Focus has been completely redesigned and it looks good. The interior redesign was first on the list and it now features more high tech options that assist the driver and keep them connected to their electronic devices. Available with the 2012 Focus are the MyFord and MyKey systems. MyFord integrates entertainment, navigation, and communication into a touch screen console. MyKey is a safety feature that restricts vehicle speed and stereo volume while your teen drives.

Looking sportier and more aggressive than a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the exterior updates for the 2012 Focus move far away from the vanilla sedan look and is much more satisfying to drive.

Standard engine for the entire Focus line for 2012 is an all-new 2.0-liter direct-injected four cylinder engine that makes 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual or six-speed PowerShift dual clutch automatic. Fuel economy with the automatic transmission is 28 city / 38 highway /31 combined mpg. The sedan outfitted with the SFE package is estimated to get 28 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined.

A Focus five-door hatchback model is also available.

###

David Colman has been writing vehicle tests for 25 years. His work has been featured in AutoWeek, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, and Marin Independent Journal. In 1987, he helped start Excellence, The Magazine About Porsche, which he edited for many years. He has been an active participant in racing and Solo events since 1961. More car reviews written by Colman can be found at autoeditor.com

FERRARI SCUDERIA

FERRARI SCUDERIA

FERRARI SCUDERIA

Novitec Rosso Ferrari Scuderia 777 Final Edition

Novitec Rosso Ferrari Scuderia 777 Final Edition

Ferrari 430 Scuderia with a 777 HP Bi-Compressor from Novitec Rosso

340 Km/h En Ferrari 430 Scuderia NovitecRosso (Option Auto)

340 km/h en Ferrari 430 Scuderia NovitecRosso (Option Auto)

F430 Scuderia Bi Compresseur de 717 ch ! - ON ROAD SPEEDO / NOT A SINGLE DYNO TEST ON OPTION AUTO VIDEOS - www.optionauto.com -

Fourth Generation 2012 Honda CR-V Ready for U.S. Late 2011

This is the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V that is set to go on sale in the U.S. by the end of 2011 and in Europe in Autumn 2012

The new Honda CR-V goes for a distinctive new design and bold styling direction. Compared to the previous generation CR-V, the concept model has a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front grille. Overall the lower front bumper design integrates more smoothly into the fascia for improved aerodynamics and curves upward to convey off-road capability. There are also five-spoke alloy wheels and bolder fender flares.

Powertrain details haven’t been released, but the new CR-V is expected to be outfitted with a more efficient engine and deliver improved fuel economy. Also look for more interior room and reduced curb weight.

The Five Ugliest Cars of All Time

Raise your hand if you’ve owned an ugly car. Scream out loud if you actually loved your ugly car.

Let’s face it—for every great car we produce on this planet, they’re bound to be a couple of real duds. Unfortunately, failure is just a fact of life. These vehicles probably looked really good on the drawing board, but in reality they were design disasters that are best forgotten.

1.) 1975 AMC Pacer: One of the lowest points in the history of car making, the AMC Pacer was a disaster of great proportions on many levels—from the 95hp inline 6-cylinder engine all the way to the terrible fuel economy—18mpg. So, not only did it not turn heads (except in shock), this vehicle rode like a covered wagon with one bad wheel. The design reminds me of something you’d see in a 1950’s “B” sci-fi film. Consequently, the Pacer has become the poster child of 1970’s bad automotive design. If there are any of these cars left out there, they should be destroyed, for the good of the race and the culture. When other civilizations look back on us 1,000 years from now, the Pacer will undoubtedly be cited as the beginning of the end.

2.) 1974 VW Thing: Aluminum siding meets bad design, the Thing looks like a Sear storage shed on wheels. Originally designed by Volkswagen for the German military, this piece of rolling junk must have had Hitler rolling over in his grave. The German Army had a lot of success overtaking their enemies driving this vehicle–they essentially laughed themselves into submission. The Thing didn’t last long in this country, when it was deemed unsafe by U.S. standards. Some people actually thought this car was “cute”, which goes to show you that there’s a fine line between pretty and ugly. (Just look at Cameron Diaz in the wrong light and you’ll see what I mean.)

3.) 1974 Ford Mustang II: After the oil embargo of 1973, Detroit starting making ugly cars featuring poor performance, all in the name of cost savings. This Pinto-ish car is the one Ford would love to forget. Mustang has had a great run with some awesome models along the way, but they can’t all be winners. The 1974 Mustang is the Dopey of the Seven Dwarves. The best motor you could get with this car was a 171 cubic inch V6, generating 105hp and getting from 0-60mph in 14.2 seconds. A lot of people aged rapidly while waiting for this car to get up to highway speed.

4.) 1988 Citroen 2CV: Why are French people always frowning as a rule? Maybe it’s because they can’t get this ridiculous car out of their minds. Literally meaning “two steam horses” this vehicle drove more like “two lame mules.” French designer Pierre-Jules called the Citroen 2CV a “low-priced umbrella on wheels.” Described as “rugged” and “reliable”, traveling in this car was like riding a roller coaster from hell. It had the amazing ability to swerve on a perfectly level, straight road.

5.) 1986 Yugo GV: Over-priced at $3,990, the Yugo GV came as close to being a disposable car as anything before or since. With a 1.1 litre motor generating 58hp and featuring a terrible transmission, if this car wasn’t on the road it was in the shop, keeping the auto repair industry busy for more than a decade.

Ferrari Scuderia Full Matte Black Wrap By NorthWest Auto Salon Seattle Auto Detailing

Ferrari Scuderia Full Matte Black Wrap by NorthWest Auto Salon Seattle Auto Detailing

Northwest Auto Salon in Seattle, WA fully wraps a clients Ferrari F430 Scuderia in matte black vinyl. This is a time lapse video done with a Canon ...

10 Minutes Of Huge Ferrari 430 Scuderia Revs, Launch Controls, Drifts And Flybys

10 minutes of huge Ferrari 430 Scuderia revs, launch controls, drifts and flybys

FAIL - EVO plummets and falls off dyno

The Project Ferrari Tailor Made

The project Ferrari Tailor Made

Visit the website for further details: bit.ly Ferrari Tailor-Made is the exclusive new personalisation programme from Maranello developed ...

Driving Sports TV - Nissan Rogue vs. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Holiday

Famous Fords on Film Come Together in London

Five of Ford’s most memorable vehicles to feature on film and television have been brought together at Elstree Studios, London to celebrate 100 years of Ford of Britain.

The Ford Anglia 105E from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, lined up alongside the pink FAB1 from Thunderbirds, James Bond’s Ford Mondeo from the 2007 film Casino Royale, a Ford Granada as seen in The Sweeney TV series and Dr Who’s yellow Edwardian vintage car.

One of the most watched vehicles in film history is the turquoise Ford Anglia 105E seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

“I’d been involved with Ford Anglia clubs for 30 years when I was asked by the film makers to provide a car for the movie,” said owner John Colyer. “After that it just took off and I ended up supplying around 15.”

One of the most eye-catching vehicles at Elstree was the six-wheel Ford-badged FAB1, that starred in the 2004 live action film Thunderbirds. Famous for its multi-function ability on the road and in the air, FAB1 is, of course, road-legal and fully operational.

For Daniel Craig’s debut as James Bond, in Casino Royale, which debuted ahead of the launch of the production Ford Mondeo in 2007, he took to the wheel of a hand built prototype.  Following the film’s release, the car was donated by Ford to the Ian Fleming Foundation and can now be seen at the Bond exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

On the small screen, Ford vehicles have featured in many series including two popular British programmes − gritty police drama The Sweeney and science-fiction drama Dr Who.  The familiar car chases of The Sweeney helped the Ford Consul GT and the Ford Granada achieve cult status with car fans − and are still loved 40 years on.

The canary yellow Edwardian vintage car with unique WHO 1 number plate and indicator ‘hand’ makes regular appearances at Dr Who conventions, and several Dr Who fans have used the car for weddings.