Author: MrAngry

For those of us who have been to the race track it’s a known fact that your adrenaline gets pumping. You’re there, you’re excited and the only thing you want to do is to go fast, which, and lets face it, is why these tracks exist. Driving what looks to be either a new Dodge Charger R/T or Magnum R/T, the owner films himself clicking off a nice 14 second pass on the track, but then proceeds to take his overzealous hoonage back out onto the street. First he passes a semi-truck on the shoulder, then hits the highway and just keeps his foot buried in the throttle to the tune of 144 mph – only 89 mph over the legal speed limit. With camera’s rolling he then proceeds to get pulled over and the rest, well… just watch the video to find out what happens next.

Bob knew that the lack of a jack would not stop him from changing that pesky flat. After all, he knew the truth, in that the greater the obstacle, the more glory there was in overcoming it!

What you are looking at here is a very rare automobile. So rare in fact that just 860 of them ever made it to the United States. Back in the early 2000’s the Germans began having their version of a muscle car war. Horsepower ratings were going up and people wanted the biggest guns they could find. It started with BMW, and their stellar E39 M5 super sedan. This car came out in Europe in 1999 and set the world on its ear when BMW announce that it produced 400 HP / 396 LB.TQ. – back then those were huge numbers. It did 0-60 in under 5 seconds and only came in a manual… this car was downright cool.

Next up was Mercedes flying brick, the 2002 E55 AMG. Here too was another super sedan that put out 349 HP from it’s SOHC 5.4-liter V8. It was a bit more boxy than the BMW and unlike the M5, it only came with a 5-speed automatic transmission. No manual was ever offered. Both sedans were electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph. Which was kind of a drag for anyone who wanted to really check out their uncorked potential.

Then Audi showed up to the party and decided to throw a monkey wrench into the machine in the form of their amazing RS6. The standard S6 from Audi was already an amazing performance car, but by releasing the new RS, Audi brought the super sedan wars home and pissed off a lot of M5 and E55 owners in the process. The RS6 was released in 2002 and right out of the box it was meant to put the hurt on its German brothers.

The Audi, in it’s own subtle way had some big advantages over the BMW and Mercedes. First off, it launched like no other car of the day thanks to Audi’s amazing AWD system. Secondly it was fast… like really fast. Audi decided to take the amazing 4.2-liter V8 they had in the S6 and slap two turbos on it. This bumped output from 340 HP to 450 HP with a torque rating of 415 LB.FT. Numbers higher than both the Bimmer and the Benz. Audi did limited the top speed, but it was “limited” at 167 mph, not 155 mph. This was a nice touch and gave full on bragging rights to any and all RS6 owners.

If there was one down side to the RS6 it had to be the price, as manufactures retail was over $80,000.00. This was 5K more than the BMW and almost 10K more than the Benz. The 2002-2004 Audi RS6 is one of those cars that only enthusiasts really know about. It’s a rare bird that is, to this day feared at stop lights everywhere. It’s also a car that I have never had the opportunity of driving, which for me is quite aggravating. One day though maybe my chance will come and I’ll be able to give you guys a full review of one of my favorite four door hammers.

As this video demonstrates GM is going to great lengths to pimp out its upcoming new compact, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze, according to Vehicle Line Director Chuck Russell, was designed to over perform in all areas and incorporate performance, reliability and quality into a great compact package. Since the Cruze was designed not only for domestic, but for global markets as well, GM insists that handling and ride quality were enhanced and that the Cruze will set new standards for today’s compact car.

You can see that GM is targeting the Honda Civic head on with the Cruze, as it compares both cars while running a closed coursed slalom. The new Cruze exhibits less body roll than the Civic and does handle the course impressively. The key now is to see if the reliability of the Cruze is as impressive as the handling. GM seems to think so, but only time will tell.

So here we have the much anticipated 2011 Audi RS5 and I must say that it is quite a looker. Its flared front fenders, new rear spoiler that deploys at speed, and redesigned front bumper with monster air intakes really help set it apart from the standard S5. Powering the RS5 is Audi’s proven 4.2-liter V8 which kicks out 444 HP / 317 LB.TQ. Audi loves this mill and puts it in everything. The problem is it’s really not that powerful by today’s standards and with a European price tag of around $105,600 one may question if there are perhaps, some better deals out there from other manufacturers.

Laid out the performance numbers are good, but not amazing for the over $100k price. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, top speed limited to 155 mph and a rating of 22 mpg. Yes the car has Audi’s amazing Quattro all-wheel drive, as well as a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but with performance numbers that are really no better than that of Fords new Mustang GT 5.0, I ask again… is it worth it?

Audi makes wonderful automobiles, but in an era where there are a plethora of high horsepower, low buck bruisers roaming the streets, I have to wonder if that RS5 moniker is enough to make the new Audi stand out in the crowd. Time will tell I suppose.

Buick has been putting a lot of thought into their new market line in the hopes of attracting younger buyers to the brand. Models like the new 2011 Buick Regal and 2010 Lacrosse are steps in the right direction but in my opinion, they still have a ways to go before they rope in young American buyers. One new model that I think will help them move in the right direction is the new 2011 Buick Excelle compact sedan. These pics were taken in China and show the car without any manufacturer camouflage. For the most part the Excelle is just a Chevrolet Cruze that has played dress-up in Buick’s closet.

Style wise, it’s really not a bad looking car, but it really doesn’t do anything to “wow” the senses either. The front end has Buick’s trademark slat grill that rolls downward to a nice sporty front end fascia. It’s nice looking, but a little heavy in spots. The rear has that same chunky feeling and only gets an “ok” rating as well. In fact if you look long enough at the rear it looks like the taillights have chrome eyebrows over them that makes the back look pissed off – not an overly attractive feature. Expect power to come from the Cruze’s 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-banger. The Excelle is making its debut at the Beijing Auto Show, but expect it in the U.S. sometime in 2011.

Source: carscoop.blogspot.com

Hybrids are great. They get wonderful mileage, are eco-friendly and help the weenie environmentalists feel good about themselves. They do however possess one very distinct downside that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration is finally going to address. What is it you ask? Well, I’ll tell you… they’re quiet, like dead quiet. Now in most cases quiet is good. It relaxes you and helps you concentrate on things like driving. This stealthiness however is really beginning to piss off some communities, namely the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind.

David Strickland, the NHTSA administrator and master of the obvious said at the SAE World Congress on Wednesday: “A quieter fleet could potentially put pedestrians at risk, especially blind pedestrians” – gee David… why do you think that is? Now maybe it’s me, but if you’re blind, I would think that everything you do and experience is resonated to the old noodle through sound. If this is the case (and I think it is) than a silent car could be very detrimental to ones health. The NHTSA is now conducting research and spending money on an issue that can be solved by using common sense. They should put out a mandate stating that hybrids must have to emit some type of audible automotive sound so pedestrians know that a vehicle is actually approaching. It’s not rocket science guys…

I am prefacing this by saying that Ridelust.com does not in any way, shape or form condone street racing in the United States of America. These three jackasses however were racing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a trio of Ferrari F430s. We’ve got a standard F430 (as if there is anything standard about a F430), an F430 Spyder and Mr. Big Nuts himself, the mighty F430 Scuderia all racing like maniacs up some mountain road on the other side of the planet. These guys cut off everyone in their path, almost stack the cars multiple times and, in some miracle that cannot be explained, don’t kill themselves and everyone around them in the process. Like I said, Ridelust.com does not condone this kind of behavior, and in reality we only put up this video because we think Ferrari’s sound cool.

Source: Streetfire.net

God praise the cell phone camera. These little buggers don’t let anyone get away with anything anymore. They also have the ability to get photo’s online in a matter of seconds. They’re amazing pieces of technology actually. For example, take these pics of the much anticipated 2011 Dodge Charger that was caught rolling down the interstate. Granted the car was pretty covered up, but there are some details that we can make out.

The grill for instance is a bit more rounded and the headlights look to be LED units. The roof line, although completely uncovered looks to be similar to that of the old car. Taking a look at the rear of the car shows wheels and tire sizes to remain pretty constant to whats already on the current model. R/Ts and SRT’s will most likely retain the 20 inch wheel with a 255/45/20 series tire. Power, depending on the trim level should come in one of 3 forms. Either the new 280 HP Pentastar V6, the 5.7-liter 368 HP V8 or, and this is just a guess, the new 6.4-liter that is said to produce between 450 HP – 500 HP. This would obviously be the big gun that would go in the new Charger SRT, if they make one, which I think they will. Hopefully the boys at Chrysler will incorporate enough changes in the new model to satisfy the old and new enthusiasts alike.

The Audi A8 has always been a “rideLUST-able” automobile. It’s a total head turner, has autobahn performance and luxury accommodations that rival most 5-star hotels. The 2011 Audi A8 has just been revamped and had its debut at the Beijing Auto Show and by the looks of it, Audi has cars like the Rolls Royce Phantom and Maybach directly in it’s cross hairs. First off the new A8 L is a BIG car at over 17 feet in length. It also, for the extended wheelbase L model, provides some features that would make even the most hardcore driver want to cruise in the back.

This car uses serious amounts of dead cow interior to make sure everyone is comfy. It provides a full length center console with controls capable of launching the space shuttle as well as a built in fridge just in case they need to pick up a six pack on the way home from the office. Its style would make James Bond rethink his relationship with Aston Martin. Power wise it’s no slouch either with 500 HP and 461 LB.TQ. pumping out from its W12 under hood hammer. I like this car… a lot. It’s not as pompous as a Rolls Royce and it’s way more of a looker than the Maybach. So, if I were a Sheik or simply a rich dude that didn’t feel like driving, I may actually consider picking one of these up. Until that day comes though I’ll just settle for my self-driven black station wagon. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming though right?

Ferrari 250 GTO (Series 1)

The above video reminds us of why the world is so enamored with Ferrari. Take the subject we see here – the Ferrari 250 GTO Series 1… Que Bella! Only 36 were ever made between 1962-1964 and because of this their prices are usually sent into the stratosphere when they come up for bid at auction. Its big V12 engine puts out a modest 300 HP. Keep in mind that these cars were race cars first and street cars second, that should give some insight into their real pedigree. If you can find one of these rare gems and have the green, by all means pick it up and enjoy one of the most desirable automotive creations ever built.

It seems that in the past few years four door coupes have been all the rage with European manufacturers. Porsche has the 2010 Panamera and Aston Martin is just released the amazingly beautiful 2011 Rapide. Audi is also reportedly working on a new coupe called the A7, which I am sure will be dead sexy. The car that really started this trend though has actually been around since 2004, in the form of the Mercedes Benz CLS. When released the CLS was actually met with mixed reviews from the styling police which is a shame because it really is a beautiful automobile. Its chopped windows and sloping roof line are elements that you either love or hate, there really is no in between.

So now the market is changing and competitors are releasing their own versions of the four door sports car. Not to be outdone though, the boys from Germany have taken their old car back to the drawing board for some major updates for the new 2011 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG. Spy shots of the new Benz have already been leaked onto the net and judging from the amount of body cladding shown in the photos, Mercedes really doesn’t want anyone to know what this thing will look like. Power will come from AMG’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that puts out 571 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. That’s a stump puller people. I for one am really looking forward to the final version of this car as I’m not only a fan of the original CLS, but of anything that totes around an AMG moniker.

Behind The Scenes – Street Drift: Mulholland with Tanner Foust

Last week we brought you a video of Tanner Foust drifting Mullholland Drive in a highly modified Scion TC, and by highly modified we mean EVERYTHING was done to it. It was converted to rear wheel drive (obviously), has a TRD NASCAR spec engine that was de-tuned from 800hp to make it more manageable, as well as Tanner Foust behind the wheel. Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire was also on hand to film his own behind the scenes footage which, to be honest is just as good as the original video. So now sit back and enjoy some more carnage as Tanner Foust shreds some more tires on Mullholland Drive.

Source: Streetfire.net

When Ford released the new 2011 SVT Raptor pick-up truck I wasn’t too sure how it was going to be received. It seems though that it has been met with resounding fanfare and because of this it’s rumored that Ford is going to dish out a Super Crew version for us. The Raptor, in standard form is a wicked looking machine with it’s bulged out fenders and rear bed. Power wise the standard SVT Raptor makes do with a 5.4-liter 320 HP V8. Right around the corner though is the new 6.2-liter V8 with 411HP / 434 ft-lb of torque – now that’s more like it. Combine that with a possible crew cab design and Ford should be selling these things like there’s no tomorrow.

*BTW – the pic is photoshop, so don’t get all nutty.

Source: Insideline.com

Wow, I can safely say I never thought I’d come up with a title like that. Later this year NASA will be sending a new permanent resident to the International Space Station. At 300 lbs. the R2 robot is all upper body strength with just a head, torso, two arms and two hands. He’s set to launch on the space shuttle Discovery in September and once unloaded the goal is to see how the R2 performs in zero gravity.

Alan Taub, vice president of GM’s global research and development states: “The work done by GM and NASA engineers also will help us validate manufacturing technologies that will improve the health and safety of our GM team members at our manufacturing plants throughout the world.”

You have to admit that all of this stuff is pretty darn cool and is very reminiscent of something from Arthur C. Clark’s famed 2001. Who knows, maybe one day we will have walking, talking robotic friends. Only time will tell, but with happenings like these the future looks to be very exciting.

Source: GM.com

1. Audi A3 TDI

Not so long ago I did a full review on the new 2010 Audi A3 TDI. I went over how it had 140 hp and 236 lbs.tq. from its 2.0 liter turbo diesel and that power was transmitted to the front wheels, as there is no Quattro system available yet. I then went on to say to how the ride is firm with a decidedly sporty feel, but is in no way uncomfortable and that acceleration was a bit lacking.

Then I praised the mileage, as this is where the clean diesel really shines and is really the only reason I would opt for this engine. How does 30 city / 42 hwy sound? Combine that with the 15 gallons fuel the A3 holds and you’re talking a minimum of 450 miles per tank in city driving. Nice right!

2. 2010 BMW 335d

The BMW 335d is another car that I’ve had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of. First off, you’d never suspect that this was a diesel powered automobile. It doesn’t sound like one, feel like one or perform like one. Mash the gas on the 335d and you’ll be rewarded with some very brisk acceleration numbers to the tune of 0-60 in a tick under 6 seconds. This is mainly due to the 425 lb.tq. that this thing pumps out at 1750 rpm. Seriously, it’s fast, and with a EPA rating of 23 mpg city and a highway figure of 36 mpg, you’ll easily be cruising for 500+ miles before you’ll need to gas up.

3. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta/Golf TDI

What we have here is the same fuel efficient 140 hp and 236 lbs.tq. 2.0-liter turbo diesel from the Audi A3 but in a brand new inexpensive wrapper. Actually, the wrapper of choice in my opinion would be the new 2010 Jetta SportWagen as opposed to the Golf, but that’s just me. Maxed out it’ll run just upwards of 30k, but for all that green you’ll get more room than the Audi A3 and in my opinion, a better looking ride while still getting 30 mpg city and 41 mpg hwy… seriously, how can you beat that? The key is finding one, as these suckers are selling like hotcakes.

4. 2010 Mercedes Benz ML350 BlueTECH

We’ve already got three good cars on the list, so I figured it was time to throw in a few SUVs. First up is the ML350 BlueTECH clean diesel from Mercedes Benz. It runs a 210 hp V6 that puts power down through a seven-speed automatic transmission. This is good, because thanks to the 400 lbs.ft of torque that the V6 puts out, that transmission helps get the big Benz to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. At just under 5000 lbs. the big M-Class is no lightweight, but thanks to that BlueTECH mill under the hood it still manages to get respectable economy with 18 mpg city and 25 mpg hwy. It also happens to be the cleanest diesel engine on the planet.

5. 2010 BMW X5 xDrive35d

Here we have the BMW X5 xDrive35d. It features the same beefy twin turbo, 265 hp 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder that powers the 335d. Like the above Mercedes the BMW is a bit on the chunky side weighing in at 5111 lbs, this however doesn’t stop from sprinting to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. Mileage is rate at 18 mpg city and 26 hwy. Good numbers for just big boy. The only downside to both the BMW and the Mercedes would have to be the size. Both are a bit cramped in the interior, but if you can deal the lack of space you’ll have one great SUV on your hands if you decide to go down this road.

When Consumer Reports tells us that something ain’t right, we generally listen. They give us unbiased opinions on everything from flashlights to automobiles, and their results are pretty darn accurate. They just recently conducted a test on the new 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV (basically a rebadged Toyota 4-Runner), and didn’t just give it a poor rating, but a flat-out DON’T BUY recommendation based on the following:

“When pushed to its limits on a handling course on CR’s test track, the rear of the GX CR purchased slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control,” reads a press release. The magazine said it: “believes that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death.”

If you watch the video you’ll see that the tester was able to induce one hell of a non-intentional drift, which is something you don’t want to happen God forbid you need to initiate an emergency maneuver. For this reason alone we wholeheartedly agree with their findings.

If you’ve been following America’s new pony car wars than you no doubt already know the contenders. Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet have ramped up their efforts with the Challenger, Mustang and Camaro, and hot damn if it hasn’t been fun to watch. This all started back in 2005 when Ford released the completely redesigned Mustang, which from a styling and performance perspective was simply amazing. Dodge and Chevy followed suit shortly after with the Challenger and Camaro.

There is a now a new player in the game and he’s not from America. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe was introduced in 2009, and out of the box it was designed to be a pure bred sports car. The 3.8-liter track addition was set up as Hyundai’s offering for those who want pure performance in a small package. The 3.8-liter V6 puts out 306 HP and 266 lb.tq. which is right in there with Fords V6 Mustang at 305 and Chevy’s Camaro at 312 hp. I hate to say it but for this comparison we’re just going to ignore the Challenger because to be honest, it’s completely out gunned by it’s competitors. It’s too fat, too slow and too big… and this coming from a die-hard Mopar guy.

It used to be that the V6 offerings were the ones that you shied away from, but no more. Like I said, all of these machines (aside from the Challenger) make big numbers and big performance, in fact these V6’s are completely outshining their V8 counterparts from not so long ago.

Just check out these performance numbers:

These cars are fast no matter how you cut it and will even give some big V8’s a run. The key with these cars is to first decide exactly what you’re looking for in an automobile. Do you want track performance, around town muscle or simply a nice GT cruiser. The guys at Motor Trend Magazine recently put all of these bad boys through the ringer and the results they came up with may in fact surprise you.

Source: MotorTrend.com

Every city has it’s own little stretch of road that locals use as their private raceway. They exist in every state, in every city and in every small town. For example, if you grew up or lived in one of the five boroughs of New York you ran on Connecting Highway. This was a quarter mile link between the Gowanus Parkway and the Triborough Bridge and was the urban drag strip used to source out who had the fastest car in the boroughs. A lot of these guys came from Queens and in fact, much of the photo’s you’ll see on the Connecting Highway website where taken at a place called Astoria Park in, you guessed it, Astoria. I used to live in Astoria at 28th & Ditmars to be exact, and I can tell you that from the photo’s, the park looks exactly the same now as it did 40 years ago. It is the true and quintessential New York City park.

Those out in sunny California utilized Mullholland Drive in Los Angeles County. I have driven Mullholland and to say it’s one of the best roads in the country would be an understatement. It’s twists and turns go on for miles and you’d have to be dead for it not to leave a smile on your face after you drove it. Mullholland was a road racers paradise and was a completely different animal than that of the straight line runs that the Connecting Highway was famous for. Like I said, some places had straight line runs and others yearned for the turns. Whichever you prefer, local race tracks like these spawned gear heads all over America and helped to keep this great hobby alive.

Rob Van-Winkle, better known as Vanilla Ice is expanding his repertoire to include being the front man for a new real estate development idea down in Palm Beach, FL. Van-Winkle has always been into cars and motorcycles, in fact I remember years ago seeing a special on him where he was showcasing a white Gemballa Porsche he owned. The basic idea is car storage, but with a twist. Say you have a bunch of cars but are out of garage space, well The Car Loft may be the answer you’ve been looking for. The concept, although not new, basically provides owners with a glorified storage facility and a comfy elevated loft.

According to their website, double units can come with storage for up to 8 cars and motorcycles, boats however are not allowed. Set up like a condominium complex, a Home Owners Association (HOA) will serve as the governing body over the community. Hmm… I wonder if Vanilla will be a part of that? I think in concept, the idea is a good one. It provides a nice atmosphere for car lovers to congregate, enjoy their toys and store them without the worry of taking over the family home.

The key now is to see if they will actually sell. I have seen these communities come and go, most noticeably at high-end raceways around the country. In the beginning there are usually loads of interested parties, but when push comes to shove and it’s time for the money to be laid out, most people back out. Who knows, maybe Mr. Ice has enough celebrity status to get this place stocked full of high end cars and trucks. If not he may lose big on his investment and may have to go back to driving his old 5.0.