All posts in Cars

Home-made Batmobile!

by Chris M on July 15, 2011 in Cars with No comments

Sheesh, I read some pretty wild and wonderful stuff on the Internet, but sometimes I read about something which I just think is somewhat crazy and this is one of those times. Ok, so this isn’t weird or freaky, but more just amazing.

Casey Putsch must be one of the biggest Batman fan’s that I’ve ever heard about. Why? Well, he’s built a friggin’ batmobile! There’s a real turbine jet engine in the vehicle, which he took from an old US Navy helicopter. The vehicle’s street legal and pushes out 365 horsepower! That’s really not shabby.

Pretty crazy don’t you think?

Check it out:

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home-made-batmobile
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You have got to take a watch of the video:

Brilliant BMW MPowered Advert

by Chris M on July 7, 2011 in Cars, Marketing, Video with 1 Comment

These days I use PVR, almost all the time, so I don’t see many adverts and the main reason is because most adverts are absolutely stupid. Let’s face it, when last did you see an advert that was really good on television? I hear nothing.

But, every now and then a fantastic advert is launched, perhaps it’s an advert by Samsung, perhaps it’s one by Peugot, or perhaps it’s one by BMW..

Check it:

Chrome Audi R8 Spyder for charity!

by Chris M on June 28, 2011 in Cars with No comments

I’m a huge Audi fan, so naturally this caught my eye – check it out: Audi have provided the Elton John Foundation with a chrome Audi R8 Spyder, which they will auction off to raise funds.

Audi have not disclosed the amount that the audi will be auctioned for, but it’s going to be a good few bar! All money raised will go into Elton’s foundation, which is in support of the fight again AIDS.

Here’s the beast:

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chrome-R8-Spyder

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

by Chris M on June 22, 2011 in Cars with 4 Comments

Said to be the fastest Mini ever, the 1.6 liter, twin turbo’s vehicle puts out an impressive 208hp and clocks the 0 to 100 in just 6.1 seconds. Pretty decent for a small car, but then again, I was impressed with the power that the Cooper S put out when I had one for a day.

I’m undecided on the shape of the new Cooper, it’s more streamlined, the side skirts are aggressive and the scoop in the front is an interesting addition, but I just can’t decide whether I like it more than the Cooper we’ve all got to know. Continue reading →

Soft-top Audi R8 GT Spyder

by Chris M on June 5, 2011 in Cars with No comments

I’m an Audi fan, through and through, so when I spot something new like the Audi RS3 or the new soft-top R8 GT Spyder, something inside me gets a little excited. I mean, take a look at the photographs, who wouldn’t?

Audi are only releasing 333 of these monsters, each which comes with a 5.2-liter V10 engine, which puts out 560hp and boosts from 0 to 100 in just 3.8 blistering seconds! Imagine that sort of power with the top down? I know in my car when I reach 120km/hour, it’s normally time to slow down a little, my baby’s shielded and all, but sheesh, 120 with the roof down is plenty.

Here’s a look at this gorgeous vehicle:

A way for car rental agencies to reduce costs

by on May 26, 2011 in Cars, Travel with 4 Comments

Here’s a car that I’d even let my children drive – Ford introduced their MyKey as a standard feature on the Ford Focus in 2010. It was initially created to give parents more control over the driving habits of their teenagers, but it also has a lot of potential for rental car agencies. You can put a limit on the top speed, mute the radio if the seatbelt isn’t buckled up, give earlier low fuel warnings and even block offensive radio stations! Anything to save on insuring reckless drivers.

 

It all comes down to the magic MyKey, which is a cross between a remote and a key. Hold in the menu button and you can set several different options. I won’t be surprised if a system like this becomes common place with other car manufacturers. It will certainly instil a sense of safety when driving in a rented car you know hasn’t been used to dice in road races! It will also encourage customers to drive safer and be more aware of their surroundings.

In the meantime, the issues we can control are really down to common sense. When hiring a car, be sure that you know exactly what to do and who to contact if the car breaks down or if you lose the key. If you can afford it, ask for a car similar to your own and remember to let the rental agency know if you require a child seat. It is not always practical to get on an airplane with one of those in tow. If the car looks like it’s been in a major accident recently, covered up by a new paint job, it is probably a good idea to request a different car. It is also worth sticking to reputable car rental agencies and shell out a bit more, your life is worth it!

Audio warning or not, I always drive with my seatbelt on.

HUGE traffic fine clamp down in Cape Town

by Chris M on May 26, 2011 in Cars with 8 Comments

If you’ve got any outstanding traffic fines, now’s a very good time to pay them and save yourself from potentially facing jail time!

Next week, Cape Town will experience a week long road block, where traffic officers will be checking thousands of drivers’ record. On top of this, officers will be visiting offenders at their work places and homes to collect outstanding fines.

Check these stats out:

  • Almost half a million of Cape Town’s drivers have warrants for arrest for unpaid traffic fines.
  • 446232 motorist had arrest warrants against their names because of unpaid fines worth R207m
  • There are 1.4 million fines outstanding to the value of R592m

If you need to pay a fine, you can do so on www.paycity.co.za (new payfine.co.za). If your offense requires more than just paying online, you can find contact details here.

This isn’t a laughing matter, the last thing you want to do is be stopped at a road block, removed from your car and escorted to a prison cell!

Pay your fines, and I suggest printing out receipts and keeping them in your car!

Audi RS3

by Chris M on May 25, 2011 in Cars with No comments

Geez, I love my A3 cabriolet and the S3 is hot, but hot damn this is a beast:

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Update: Audi have added the RS3 Sportback to their website, you can find more information here.

[Hat tip: Mark]

The all new Aston Martin V12 Zagato

by Chris M on May 24, 2011 in Cars with 5 Comments

This says it all: 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 380 kW.

An absolute beast of a vehicle is the Aston Martin V12 Zagato and it’s not a bad looker either:

Aston-Martin-V12-Zagato-2
Aston-Martin-V12-Zagato-1

Are you an Aston fan? How does this one weigh up against the Aston Martin Cygnet and the Aston Martin Virage

Porsche 911 GT3 RS & Lamborghini Aventador LP700

by on May 9, 2011 in Cars with No comments

Two special, flagship, cars were launched this past week, but rather than fill you in using traditional black Trebuchet MS font – as I typically do here in iMod – I found these videos speak volumes. Enjoy!

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Limited Edition

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

I also reported on the new Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition last week. The Audi A1′s Volkswagen Polo underpinnings are well known and the car has been labelled by some as nothing more than a glitzy version of its German understudy. At the most basic levels and on paper, I might agree, but the diminutive Audiís tangible character firmly dispels any such notions. I like the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine’s performance, economy and all-round flexibility. Other plus points include, the eye-catching styling and a refreshed take on the Audi interior, which was beginning to border on cliched in recent models, despite its excellence. For the low-down on the smallest Audi to-date (with one of the biggest options lists!), click here.

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