Tag Archives: Video

Richard Hammond Drives His Jaguar XK150 For The First Time Since Restoring It

October 28, 2021 admin

Richard Hammond is a very happy man. That’s because, for the first time since the body was taken off the frame, he can now drive his Jaguar XK150.

The car, part of a restoration that has been ongoing throughout the pandemic, was traded for a vintage Lagonda. Hammond reveals in his latest video, though, that when he got it, it was in a rotten state.

“It had been painted rather ugly dark red and underneath that dark red paint lurked, unbeknownst to me, a horror story,” explains Hammond. “It had had a hard, hard life. It had been crashed, bent, brutalized, and abused. And because, like a lot of these cars, it went through a phase of being worth two quid and a packet of crisps, it hadn’t been expensively repaired and restored. It had been bodged and lashed together.”

[embedded content]

Hammond and his team went through the process of painstakingly repairing it, which, since it’s an old Jaguar was hard. Millimetric precision wasn’t reality a priority for early postwar carmakers, not in the U.K., anyway. So, as Hammond puts it, there was as much building as restoration involved in this project.

With a completely rebuilt engine and hotter cam, a new diff, and better brakes the car drives brilliantly now, though. The only question is whether or not the decision to fit a slightly newer, but less precise transmission was a good idea.

To see him driving the car proudly really makes me wish I had a classic Jag of my own to toot around in, as well as some Amazon money kicking around to fund it and its restoration. Ah, to be a rich Brit.

[embedded content]

This Is How The 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06’s N/A V8 Delivers 670 HP

October 28, 2021 admin

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was unveiled earlier in the week and promises to be unlike any other ‘Vette before it, largely thanks to its engine.

We have known that the C8 Z06 would feature a 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8 ever since the Corvette C8.R race car was unveiled with this same basic engine in October 2019. Recent rumors suggested the engine would be tuned to around the 617 hp mark for the Z06, so you can imagine our surprise when the car was announced with no less than 670 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm).

That horsepower figure makes this 5.5-liter flat-plane crank engine the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 ever used by a production car. It also gives the new car a 20 hp advantage over the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 used by the C7 Z06. Just how was Chevy able to extract so much power from this smaller-capacity engine without relying on forced induction?

To show how this was achieved, Engineering Explained has released an intriguing video that details all of the technology packed into this engine.

A key reason why the engine is so powerful is that it revs to 8,600 rpm and achieves peak power at 8,400 rpm, 2,000 rpm higher than the C7’s 6.2-liter V8. The car’s high-revving nature has been achieved through the use of a flat-plane crankshaft and the use of a short stroke.

Chevrolet has also engineered the engine with double-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. It also featured dual valve springs, solid lifts, titanium intake valves, and sodium-filled steel exhaust valves. A complex intake manifold has also been designed with dual throttle bodies, dual plenums, three center valves, and four trumpets on each side.

[embedded content]

Another Pagani Zonda Crashed, This Time In The Czech Republic

October 26, 2021 admin

The Pagani Zonda may be getting a bit long in the tooth, but it’s still a very powerful supercar from the analog era and as such, demands the driver’s full attention – and skills. An owner from the Czech Republic learned it first hand when they crashed a Zonda C12 S on a twisty road near Prague. Thankfully no serious injuries were reported.

The circumstances of the accident are unknown but there is a video shot by tobiastrunc and shared on Instagram by supercar.fails, showing the yellow-painted Zonda resting in a ditch. We suspect that the driver lost control of the rear-wheel drive Italian supercar and went off the edge of the road, but since there’s no way of knowing for sure, that’s just a hypothesis.

While the profile and the rear end of the car do not show signs of damage, the front clamshell is broken and it is likely that there will be some underbody damage as well. Given that the road is surrounded by a deep ditch and many trees, the driver must feel lucky to avoid a more serious crash. Still, it will cost thousands of dollars to replace the damaged parts.

[embedded content]

The car appears to be an early 2000 Pagani Zonda C12 S and not one of the countless special editions that followed. The C12 S was fitted with a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter AMG engine producing 542 hp (405 kW / 550 PS) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint was completed in 3.7 seconds and the top speed was 335 km/h (208 mph).

In any case, the Zonda will be likely sent to the factory for repairs since its value is too high to let go. After all, since 2017 Pagani is offering a restoration program dubbed Pagani Rinascimento, which could bring virtually any example of the supercar back to pristine condition – with the equivalent cost of course.

Watch Also: Restoring A Pagani Zonda To Its Original Condition Is A Fine Art

The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Is Pretty Good, But Not As Sporty Or Precise As The BMW M3

October 17, 2021 admin

With the new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, Cadillac has put the likes of BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi Sport on notice, offering exceptional performance for much less money than their German rivals.

The CT4-V Blackwing acts as the successor to the ATS-V and carries over the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 of its predecessor. Importantly, a number of upgrades have been made to the engine, including the fitment of new control software, revised crankshaft counterweights, and an improved air intake. The turbine wheels of the turbochargers have also been tweaked. All up, the engine delivers 472 hp and 445 lb-ft (603 Nm) of torque.

Doug DeMuro recently had the opportunity to put the CT4-V Blackwing through its paces. Typically, the review starts in the cabin.

The first thing that DeMuro notes is just how similar the interior of the CT4-V Blackwing is to the CT5-V Blackwing. Many of the components are identical, including the steering wheel, pedals, gauge cluster, and switchgear. The most obvious difference is the larger infotainment screen of the CT5-V Blackwing. Of course, this is nice for CT4-V Blackwing owners, as they get lots of thing from the CT5-V despite paying roughly $40,000 less.

Towards the end of the video, the popular YouTuber hits the streets in the sports sedan. He says it is a great car to drive in many different ways and is very complimentary of the engine. However, he notes that the CT4-V Blackwing doesn’t handle quite as well as the new BMW M3 and isn’t as sporty or precise.

[embedded content]

Is The Two-Door Ford Bronco A Proper Off-Roader To Rival The Wrangler?

October 7, 2021 admin

After a 25-years hiatus, the 2021 Ford Bronco two-door manual SUV is set to become the envy among the off-roading community. After a lengthy period in which the Jeep Wrangler dominated the market as the only off-roader in its segment, Ford decided it was time to do something about it.

Sofyan Bey of Redline Reviews was handed one from the factory for a week: a two-door manual, Black Diamond trim Bronco draped in Cactus gray. On paper, it got everything that screams “off-roader” such as a truck ladder frame, all-wheel drive, locking front and rear diffs, and a front sway bar disconnect.

Its retro design is based on the first generation 1976 Bronco and comes with seven distinct style trim variants. The Black Diamond model is one of the lightest versions and features LED headlights, steel bumpers, black steelies, a full bash plate underneath, and 32-inch-tall General Grabber all-terrain tires. Moreover, the molded-in-color hardtop, incandescent taillights, and full-size spare tire come as standard. If you don’t mind plastic windows, the Bronco is also available with a soft top.

The two-door Bronco Black Diamond offers 8.4-inches of ground clearance, a 100-inch long wheelbase, and a 174-inch overall length. The Sasquatch package option for an extra $4200 adds two and a half inches of ground clearance, larger fenders, and 35-inch tires.

Also Watch: How Did Ford’s New Bronco Outer Banks Fare In A Challenging Off-Road Trail?

[embedded content]

With a 3500lb towing capacity and larger cargo space available even without folding the rear seats, the Bronco certainly outshines the Wrangler. After the two-person task of detaching the hardtop is done, you’re in for an open-air experience with no crossbar to disrupt the view – unlike the Wrangler. Ford also has included airbags built into the roof rails. The stylish doors are lightweight and have frameless glass to aid the detachability.

The cabin is a nice place to sit in thanks to the two-tone leatherette waterproof seats. With a few exposed screw heads, knobs, buttons, and auxiliary switches on the roof, the Bronco creates the impression of a competent off-roader. It’s equipped with a half-digital, half-analog instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment system, GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) mode and LED cabin lighting. Opting for the Outer Banks trim makes a 12-inch display accessible. As with all Broncos, it’s highly customizable.

The interior has a hard-touch plastic and rubberized floor with drain pits to support the hose-down philosophy. The back seats provide sufficient legroom and USB charging outlets, but when the top is off, wind buffeting can be a problem for rear passengers.

Opening up the hood exposes a 2.3L turbo EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which offers 17mpg in the city and 19mpg on the highway. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with a crawler gear and a low-range transfer case. The engine delivers 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque that’ll push the truck from 0-60 (0-96 km/h) in about 7.8 seconds. With about 4,319 lbs (1,959 kg) of weight, it’s an impressive figure for an SUV. For $2000 more, you can get the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine capable of 330hp and 415 lb-ft of torque that’s paired to a 10-speed automatic.

The Bronco is excellent for those who enjoy an open-air drive with the wind in their hair. It’s joyful and easy to drive compared to the Wrangler owing to the short-throw manual, rack and pinion steering, independent suspension, and the turbo whistle you hear when you put your foot down.

The Bronco came into its own when Sofyan took it to an off-road trail just outside Frederick, Maryland. The handling and ride are as sublime as they were on the tarmac. According to Sofyan, it glides over gravel roads and makes driving through rocks, dirt, dips, and water holes seem like driving through a parking lot. When speeding past bumps, the independent suspension absorbs the shocks, so there are no annoying rattles.

Overall, despite being a grade at the bottom of the trim hierarchy among seven models, the Black Diamond Bronco is a highly capable SUV that costs just over $40,000.

Elon Musk Praises Chinese Automakers As He Attempts To Restore Tesla’s Image In The Country

September 18, 2021 admin

Elon Musk was in a complimentary mood during his appearance at the World New Energy Vehicle Congress. In his message, he praised Chinese automakers, who he opined were “the most competitive in the world.”

Bloomberg reports that Musk’s comments during his pre-recorded appearance can be seen as an attempt at repairing Tesla’s image in China. “I have a great deal of respect for the many Chinese automakers,” said Musk, adding that the country’s carmakers are particularly strong on software. “Public sentiment and support for electric vehicles is at a never before seen inflection point because they know it is the future,” he noted.

Tesla has faced a difficult few months in China following a largely positive welcome. China is a crucial market for the California-based carmaker as it’s the world’s largest EV market, with the added jeopardy of having plenty of home-grown EV competition.

In May, Tesla’s sales halved in the wake of public and government criticism. Accusations of poor aftersales service spurred negative opinions of the brand, with a local paper saying that the company’s “arrogant and overbearing stance” was “repugnant and unacceptable.”

Read: China Is Developing Tech That Can Track Automotive Data Sent Abroad

[embedded content]

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities grew suspicious of Tesla and how it handled the storage of customer data. Staff at some important Chinese government facilities were told not to park their Tesla vehicles inside government compounds due to security concerns related to their exterior cameras.

Musk spoke about data security, reiterating that the company was working with national authorities to ensure the security of data gathered by their vehicles. Tesla has complied with a request from the Chinese government to store data gathered by its locally-used cars within the nation.

China has gone on to develop advanced machines that will be able to track data sent overseas by cars driven on its streets. The system, which analyzes the path of data transmission, is currently being tested on vehicles from foreign automakers, including Tesla.

Watch Thieves Steal A Black Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

September 11, 2021 admin

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is one of the most sought-after performance cars in the U.S. This desirability seems to be prompted the theft of one in Chicago recently.

This video was filmed at 5:00 a.m. in the morning of August 25 and initially shows a white Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT pulling into the parking lot and reversing into a spot right next to the Hellcat.

Two masked men then get out and at the same time, an accomplice in an orange Dodge Challenger also pulls into the parking area, reversing into a nearby space to keep a close eye on what was happening. Before long, a white Audi e-tron pulls in and also appears to have been driven by an accomplice.

Also: Looters Raid FCA Dealership Driving Off With Hellcats, Burn AMG GT In Mercedes Showroom

Over the following few minutes, the thieves manage to break into the black Challenger SRT Hellcat and are able to start it up. Before long, all four vehicles involved in the heist pull away.

It is difficult to say what tools the thieves used to steal the Dodge but it certainly took a lot longer than we have seen with recent relay attacks targeting vehicles with keyless entry systems. Relay attacks are often performed at homes where thieves use a device to receive the signals from a vehicle’s keyless remote. These signals are then transferred to a second device that allows thieves to open the doors and turn on the engine.

Dodge is aware of the popularity of the Challenger among thieves and recently introduced an Enhanced Security Valet Mode that limits the car to 2.8 hp and 22 lb-ft (30 Nm) unless the correct four-digit code is pinned into the infotainment screen.

[embedded content]

Widebody Trans Am With 808 HP Pits Itself Against A 600 HP BMW E36 Time Attack Car

August 30, 2021 admin

Hoonigan’s ‘This vs. That’ drag racing series routinely pits some of the quickest cars on four wheels against each other and in this latest clip, brought together a Plymouth Trans Am and a BMW E36 3-Series. However, both have been heavily tuned.

The owner of the 1970 Trans Am featured has gone to town overhauling his muscle car, outfitting it with a 6.5-liter LSX V8 that churns out no less than 808 hp. Coupled to this engine is a G-Force GF4A transmission that powers the rear wheels.

There is clearly no mistaking this Trans Am from a regular, road-going example as it features flared front and rear wheel arches. The interior has also been completely stripped out, meaning it weighs only 3,165 lbs (1,435 kg).

As impressive as this Pontiac is, the BMW 3-Series it raced is equally as unique. It’s been designed as a Time Attack car and has also undergone an engine swap that saw a massive 7.3-liter V8 slotted under its hood. It also features a sequential transmission, is rear-wheel drive, and tips the scales at 2,700 lbs (1,224 kg).

During the first race, the driver of the Trans Am messed up a gear change, allowing the BMW to take an easy win. The second rolling race, by comparison, was extremely close with the Pontiac taking the win by roughly one foot, meaning it was all to play for in the third and final race.

[embedded content]

For GREAT deals on a new or used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM check out LA CDJR TODAY!

2022 Toyota GR 86 Tested Hitting 60 MPH In 5.9 Seconds

August 24, 2021 admin

Hot on the heels of our first drive of the 2022 Toyota GR 86, Jason Cammisa recently teamed up with Hagerty and put the car through its paces. During his test, he also recorded some very impressive acceleration figures.

Powering the GR 86 is an all-new 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 228 hp and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque. While many had hoped the second-generation 86 would be turbocharged, we’re happy to report that it doesn’t need a turbo and when equipped with the available six-speed manual, Toyota says it requires just 6.1 seconds to hit 60 mph (96 km/h). As it turns out, that claim is a little conservative.

While testing out the fact, Cammisa was able to hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds or 5.6 seconds with a one-foot roll-out. That’s impressive, particularly when you consider that the new GR 86 needs to be shifted into third gear at 59 mph and the car tested by Cammisa had the standard Primacy tires, rather than the stickier Michelin PS4 tires available on the Premium model.

Cammisa also weighed the car and with three-quarters of a tank of gas, it weighed in at just 2,769 lbs (1,255 kg), right in line with Toyota’s claimed curb weight of 2,799 lbs (1,270 kg) with a full tank.

During his test for Hagerty, the veteran automotive journalist also raced it against a Mazda MX-5 Miata and a VW Golf GTI. It manages to out-sprint the Miata but couldn’t quite keep up with the Golf GTI, although that’s no surprise considering the Golf is turbocharged.

[embedded content]

A Mustang Dressed As A Mercedes-AMG GT Crashed Through A Bus Stop

August 21, 2021 admin

A Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door has been destroyed after crashing into a bus stop in Bulgaria.

Details surrounding the incident are unclear but images and video shared online show the high-powered sedan resting against the bus stop after crashing at what appears to be a large roundabout.

It is difficult to determine the precise GT 4-Door variant we’re looking at, but one local publication suggests that it is a GT 63+ model tuned by Brabus.

Although nothing’s certain, it’s possible that the driver of the expensive Mercedes-AMG model lost control of the car while entering the roundabout, driving straight over the concrete curb before smashing into the bus stop. The incident happened late at night and the car was still stuck in the bus stop the following morning.

The damage sustained to the car is, obviously, quite comprehensive. Jumping over the high curb probably severely damaged the sedan’s front fascia and suspension components while the actual impact with the bus stop inevitably resulted in even more damage. One video that seems to have been taken shortly after the crash shows that the ignition was still turned on and its hazard lights were flashing while the car was sitting almost upright with its front end mangled.

There is no word on whether the driver, or any occupants, of the GT 4-Door were injured in the crash.

[embedded content]