UK Government Tries to Setup Electric Car Infrastructure

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

In an effort to get British drivers to move away from petrol burning vehicles to alternative power sources like electricity the UK government will be investing heavily in creating a charging infrastructure for drivers.

The government announced last week that it would be spending £20m to establish a network of electric charging stations around the country in cities with dense traffic. Individual grants of £2000 to £5000 will be offered to motorists to get them to buy electric cars. Read more

Posted on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:44:39 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Aston Martin Rapide: Bond's Family Car

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

If James Bond had settled down with Vesper and had kids, the new Aston Martin Rapide would be the car he drove the kids to school in. Visually the car looks like a Vantage with two extra doors and it is very sexy.

Aston Martin says that the car is in the final stages of development and will make its public debut in late 2009. The final release model of the Rapide will be delivered in early 2010. The four-door beauty is a grand tourer designed for long-range driving comfort and performance. Read more

Posted on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:37:27 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Briton breaks Land Speed Record

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Man's need for speed has seen British engineer Richard Jenkins break the land speed record for a wind-powered vehicle.

On the dry plains of Ivanpah Lake in Neveade the Hampshire engineer reached speeds of 126.1mph (202.9km/h) in his Greenbird car, breaking the previous record set back in 1999 by American Bob Schumacher of 116 mph in his Iron Duck vehicle. Read more

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:57:32 GMT | by Richard Hurst

Nissan Shows New Plug-in Electric Car in Geneva

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Nissan has unveiled a new all electric automobile at the Geneva Auto show that has no name at this time. The vehicle is an all-electric car that gets its power from the mains.

According to Nissan, the car can hit a top speed of 70mph and go faster than any other pure electric vehicle. That's a tall order considering the rather spritely performance of the Tesla roadster. Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:30:23 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Rare Bugatti Found in Barn Sells for $4.4M

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

A rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atlante Coupe was discovered in a UK garage and sold recently at auction for $4.4 million USD. The car was the star attraction at a rare auto auction in Paris. Only 17 copies of the rare vehicle were built.

The car was originally owned by Earl Howe, president of the British Racing Drivers Club and later sold passing through the hands of various owners until it was purchased by Dr. Harold Carr in 1955 and then parked in the garage in the early 1960's where it sat until Carr's death. Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2009 13:02:45 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

More Stigs at Work on Top Gear?

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

I am a big Top Gear fan and yesterday I mentioned that a man called Collins was believed to be The Stig. I mentioned late in the article that I had always assumed that there was more than one Stig, which would make sense considering the disguise he wears.

It seems I may have been right on target with my prediction as rumors are coming out of the BBC that there may in fact be four Stigs working on the show. Multiple Stigs would make sense, considering all of the drivers have other gigs as well. Read more

Posted on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:22:05 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

The Stig Gets Outed

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

It's a sad day for fans of Top Gear as infamous helmeted racing driver The Stig has been outed. Some call him a demon on wheels, all we know is he is called… Ben Collins. It's sort of a letdown to know that The Stig isn’t a F1 champion.

I had always figured the Stig was nothing but a series of guest drivers and for the sake of continuity The Stig disguise was used. Still Collins was outed as Stig recently and you have to wonder if his days as The Stig are numbered. Read more

Posted on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:57:49 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Skycar Plans to Travel by Air and Ground from London to Timbuktu

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Many have long dreamed of a vehicle that can drive like a car and then fly like a bird when the need or want arises. A new vehicle called the Skycar will make its maiden voyage today starting from London and driving/flying to Timbuktu.

The trip amounts to a total of 3,700 miles across the strait of Gibraltar, the Pyrenees, the Sahara and then to the city of Timbuktu. Other than the treat of crossing treacherous land, the pilot will have to worry about the threat of kidnapping in war torn parts of Africa where pirates commonly take over huge ships and hold them for ransom. Read more

Posted on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:27:56 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Nissan GT-R Gets Modified for Europe

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Nissan has announced that it has made a few modifications to its GT-R coupe before it goes on sale in the UK. Total HP has been bumped slightly to 485bhp but peak torque remains unchanged at 434lb-ft.

GT-Rs for the Euro market will be shod in Dunlop Sport 600 DSST tyres and will have modified spring rate settings. A limited run of Black Edition models will be available with black-painted seven-spoke allow wheels. Read more

Posted on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:13:59 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Audi R8 V10 Unveiled

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

The Audi R8 was always a very sexy car, but the engine in early models wasn't all that potent. Audi has addressed that concern with the 2009 R8 V10 that has been unveiled. A 5.2-litre V10 engine based on the engine used in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 will power the car.

The engine produces 518 HP at 8000 rpm and offers 390lb-ft of torque. Performance is impressive with a romp from 0-60 mph taking 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. Read more

Posted on Tue, 9 Dec 2008 14:02:46 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Bentley to Unveil New Azure T Convertible

Topic: Cars & Vehicles

Bentley is set to unveil its latest roadster at the LA Auto Show this month. The car is called the Bentley Azure T and offers up a new engine for the range that provides the massive 3 tonne vehicle with the grunt it needs to run like a sports car.

The engine is a 6.75-litre V8 making 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque. That much power provides performance that beguiles the size of the car. Read more

Posted on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:46:12 GMT | by Shane McGlaun