Cars
Consumer Reports cuts loose, compares Scion FR-S against Subaru BRZ
The folks at Consumer Reports are a lot like the Ben Steins of the automotive world. At first glance, they are the dry-as-saltines, facts-only crew that can't be bothered by anything but the empirical data with which they distill to arrive at their coveted "Recommended" accolades. It isn't always this way with CR , though, as we found out when they hopped behind the wheel of the Toyobaru coupes of our collective dreams, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ . Automotive engineer Jake Fisher hosts this test and speaks for the CR team explaining that, though both coupes are very much the same animal, they have subtle differences. The BRZ comes with a bit more available kit, like a rear spoiler, HID headlights and navigation, while the FR-S carries a lower price.
Biggest ever parade of Ferrari's finest supercar 23/07/12 -- A world record 60 Ferrari F40s took to the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit during Sunday's Silverstone Classic powered by the AA event to mark the Italian supercar's 25th birthday. The phalanx of scarlet red F40s led a glittering parade of marques, models and car clubs celebrating special milestones in the sun at the world's biggest classic motor racing festival. On Saturday it had been the turn of hundreds of BMW's Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 sportscars to lap the famous GP track as part of the UK's first 'Z-fest'. The F40 was the world's first 200mph road car when it appeared in 1987 and is still rated by many to be the finest supercar in history.
What 60 Ferrari F40s look (and sound) like
What Changed DOE Secretary Steven Chu's Mind About Hydrogen Fuel Cells Natural gas now being retrieved from shale provides an enormous source of hydrogen. He'll never use the word " fracking ," but thanks to that new drilling technique, the U.S. Secretary of Energy now admits he's changed his mind about hydrogen fuel cells. That's because the abundance of natural gas now being retrieved from shale also provides an enormous source of hydrogen that, when coupled with new reforming technology, produces energy with a low carbon footprint.
Hydrogen fuel cells may get a shot at batteries after all
Much has been said about the upcoming C-X75 from Jaguar , but now we have some real, tangible news. The hybrid supercar will be fitted with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four capable of, apparently, 500 horsepower. According to Autocar, the diminutive engnine is able to acheive this output through twin-charging, or the employment of both a supercharger and turbocharger. They are able to boost power at varying RPMs, thus making for a wide powerband.
Production Jaguar C-X75 will make 500 HP from 1.6L twin-charged four
We could have easily filed this under "Too Good to Be True" or "Snake Oil," but it sounds legit, and certainly has our attention. Researchers in The Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have developed a self-healing vehicle coating, meaning that one day, you may not have to wash your car. Catarina Esteves of the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e and her team claims to have invented a solution to the problem of minor scrapes.
Researchers developing washless coating for cars
Aspid Cars releases images of GT-21 Invictus hi-tech sports car Aspid Cars has released the first dramatic images of its new GT-21 Invictus, which features a distinctive semi open wheel appearance at the front of the car. The multi-million Euro project will create up to 200 hi-tech jobs and builds on advanced lightweight technologies developed for the Aspid Super Sport technology demonstrator unveiled at previous motor shows. Discussions are nearing completion with investors to determine the most suitable manufacturing location. Both cars are expected to enter production within two years. "The GT-21 Invictus complements the Aspid Super Sport, but is bigger and more powerful," says the car's chief designer and company founder Ignacio Fernández Rodriquez.
Aspid unveils menacing new GT-21 Invictus hammerhead [w/video]
