Archive for the ‘Automobile’ Category
The world’s most watched sporting series, Formula One, is set to announce a new greener formula later this week, which will take effect in 2013. The rule changes are expected to see the introduction of 1.6 liter turbo engines with more powerful energy recovery systems, reduced maximum rpm (from 18,000 rpm to 10,000 rpm) and fuel (flow and capacity) restrictions, and can be expected to further the sport’s objective of encouraging R&D relevant to road cars. While the targeted 30% initial improvement in gas mileage will only improve the current obscenely wasteful 3 mpg to 4 mpg (approx 70 liters/100 km) in 2013, it will enroll the brightest automotive technicians on the planet in a quest for greater efficiency from our automobiles and that’s a wonderful outcome.
No official announcements have yet been made, but indications leaking from the teams indicate that the new formula allows for  … Details
Freestyle motocross legend Travis Pastrana donned his usual flannel jacket, hopped on a dirt bike, and sped off a ramp, plunging himself into the Grand Canyon on his Nitro Circus MTV show. He flipped one too many times and opened his chute feet from the canyon floor, saving his life but dragging him through a cactus patch. Minutes later he was having friends free the needles from his exposed rear end one by one. It looked like a scene plucked straight from an episode of Jackass – in fact Johnny Knoxville and pals produce Pastrana’s show.
Pastrana’s made a living flipping things: a dirt bike, a pink tricycle, he even tried a monster truck. Hopefully he doesn’t try  … Details
After some initial in-fighting, Volkswagen has announced that Porsche, not Audi, will take the lead on the group’s future sports car and large luxury sedan offerings. Porsche and Audi have been bickering over which division should take the lead on such projects for the last several months.
The news was reportedly handed down by Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn just before the automaker’s November 30 annual meeting. Porsche joins VW as the group’s 10th automotive brand  … Details