Land of the Free?

How many of you have been caught by a speed-trap radar? Almost everybody hates these things, and my principle objection is that ignoring many centuries of legal precedent, these contrivances dispense arbitrary "justice" with no consideration given to conditions, circumstances or mitigation. I recall that my last English ticket was earned owing to an outrageous breach of the law. I was driving on a deserted road one evening, that real tearaway's car, a SII Fulvia Berline and travelling at the highly irresponsible speed of 38 mph. This cost me sixty quid. Ridiculous.

Here in France it is illegal to have any device that detects police radars/lasers. Worse, whilst there are as yet fewer fixed cameras than in the UK, one can often see the Gendarmes with their blasted jumelles (binoculars) trying to earn a few euros for the impoverished republic. They also have unmarked cars with radars or lasers installed.

As I understand it, the law about detectors is a bit vague in Britain (although this might have changed recently) whilst I suppose that jammers are strictly "off the menu.".

Things are different in the USA; here is an article from Jalopnik via Gizmodo all about a RENNtech-developed Mercedes-Benz. Apart from the 580HP and 465lb/ft of torque and appropriate suspension mods etc., the ultimate accessory is a radar/laser detector and jammer. This is built-in - to the rear-view mirror! Wonderful stuff. One of the comments on the article points out that such accessories are illegal in Virginia, but then that still leaves 49 other states to "explore!"

A bientôt

this guy was in a huge hurry to get the Collision Center, such a hurry he decided make his own freeway exit

San Diego really is this good looking, and our airport is this freaking close to downtown. That is the bay in the background, and Coronado island behind it. The cop car is on interstate 5

Rolls-Royce 102EX: a symbol of electrified luxury

Quite as per expectation, Rolls Royce have brought the 102EX Concept into the limelight at the Geneva Motor Show. The 102EX Concept is also known as the full-electric version of the Phantom flagship sedan. Practically with no detailed description about the car, the British manufacturers make the statement that the 102EX was conceptualized to have in a bank of owner research in 2011 and to estimate if Rolls Royce customers would mind having such a coupe in their garage. Rolls Royce says that the test of the 102EX Concept would be held worldwide, that indicates that the car can be seen at places like Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

The car will undergo a series of test drives. Rolls Royce performs the tests in order to gather feedback sufficient to decide upon a possible production version. All the comments that would be posted regarding the 102EX Concept would be collected via a web portal of the name electricluxury.com that will also gauge the car’s progress in the form of a chart that will be collected throughout the year.

People who visited the Geneva Motor Show will be able to see at the firm’s booth two Ghost models kept at display. For people who are unknown of when the Ghost was launched, the fact says that it dates back to 2009 and ever since it has only collected applauds and praises for its impressive driving characteristics, luxurious interiors and unsurpassed ride comfort.

Source: 4wheelsnews

Proton R3 Satria Neo – short test drive impressions

We are back from a short test drive session of the Proton R3 Satria Neo, which happened at Proton’s testing ground in Shah Alam. Unlike the RM115k limited edition Lotus Racing Satria Neo (back when Proton and 1MRT were still on friendly terms), this version is much more accessible at RM79,797 but will still provide enthusiastic drivers with plenty of smiles.

To keep the price down, the R3 Neo doesn’t include the Lotus Racing Neo’s headline Ohlins suspension and AP Racing brakes, which were inspired by the real Lotus cars. The modded Campro CPS engine is the same. As we found out, the changes don’t detract from the fun factor and performance of the LR Neo, which makes it the better buy. There are even some improvements thrown in.

Continue reading the report after the jump.

This R3 Neo isn’t an afterthought or a development of the Lotus Racing Neo, although that limited edition came out first. On the contrary, development of this car started three months before the LR Neo was launched, which translates to early 2010, explains Tengku Djan, head of R3. After that, the idea of a Lotus Racing Neo came along, and R3 had to rush that car out within 6-7 weeks.

So we are actually looking at the final fruit of R3′s tweaking of the Satria Neo. In a nutshell, the R3 Neo is powered by the exact same engine as the LR Neo, which is the Campro CPS unit upgraded to make 145 hp at 7,000 rpm and 168 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The stock engine makes 125 hp and 150 Nm. No Ohlins coilovers and mega AP brakes here; this car comes with R3 specified suspension and stoppers.

The S4PH powerplant has been given a host of upgrades to reach this state. Reprofiled camshafts that increase valve lift and overlap helps breathing, aided by a K&N filter in a carbon air box. Lightweight adjustable camshaft pulleys reduce inertia and enable fine tuning of valve timing.

To match all these is an R3 ECU calibrated with revised fuel maps and a focus on performance. There’s also a 4-2-1 R3 exhaust system similar in design to that found in the LR Neo, except that it’s in full stainless steel and without silicone coating. Mated to the engine is a close ratio five-speed manual gearbox – there’s no auto option. 0-100 km/h is done in 9.2 seconds, top speed is 205 km/h.

For the suspension, R3 ordered a few settings from the OE manufacturer before finally deciding on this set. The springs are shorter and their rates firmer than the standard Neo CPS. As for what they were looking to achieve for the handling, drift master Tengku Djan said that R3 wanted to “bring back a bit of the old GTI feel”, referring to the old body Satria GTI and Satria R3. Ride height is 10 mm lower than the Neo CPS.

Brakes wise, the R3 Neo uses performance pads that have an operating temperature of up to 400 degrees C and increased fade resistance over the standard car. The calipers are stock.

The Satria Neo is already one of the most sporty three-door hatchback designs around, and the R3 Neo takes it a step further. Only available in “Fire Red” with a black roof and bronze accents, it looks fantastic in the sunlight. Not sure about you, but I never really liked the LR’s green and yellow theme – this looks much better in my opinion. Also nice are those six-spoke 16-inch R3 alloys in gunmetal.

Unlike the LR edition, the R3 Neo uses the standard Neo CPS bodywork, with additions such as a front splitter (reduces undercarriage turbulence and increases downforce, according to R3) and a new design spoiler, which is more subtle than the standard car’s and improves aerodynamics. There are R3 logos on the sides of the wing. The rear bumper is stock, although the trademark central exhaust tip is different.

I stepped in the car expecting the typical Neo reception of zero headroom (I’m not that tall at 175 cm, but we’re required to wear helmets when driving at Proton’s oval) and looking through the top quarter of the windscreen, but was pleasantly surprised to find that there was room to spare.

I was then told that the seats are new – the rails are in the same place, but the seat base goes deeper now to free up some much needed headroom. You’ll also notice that the seat backs are more shapely compared to the old chairs – there’s added thigh, hip and shoulder support here.

The steering wheel is wrapped in “Trivel Fibre”, which is an Alcantara type material, and has a red centre marker, just like in Renault Sport cars. The panels around the audio buttons have the carbon fibre look. There are lots of panels in red to match the exterior and like in the LR Neo, the gear knob is a chromed ball. The aluminium pedals are identical as well.

We weren’t given much time behind the wheel, but enough for a good impression. Flex your right foot and the louder exhaust note is immediately noticeable. The R3 Neo pulls away cleanly and smoothly, without being bogged down by any holes and trenches in the torque delivery. But it’s not particularly strong below 4,000 rpm, which is the point the high lift cam profile comes into play.

As expected, from here, the engine gains a second wind as it charges towards redline, which is 7,500 rpm in the R3 Neo (cut off at 7,800), although the unchanged meter panel will show that you’re already swimming deep in the red sea. Once in the zone, the tacho needle gains urgency that’s previously unseen, and there’s no slowing down because the Variable Intake Manifold (VIM) changes to the short runner at 5,500 rpm.

The R3 Neo, like the standard car, is meant to be revved all out for enjoyment, and with the short ratio gearbox, it’s extremely effortless to get there – it’s time for the next gear before you know it. The sound is more towards boomy than VTEC screamy, but it’s fun nevertheless.

We also tried out the R3 Neo over a section of crests and dips to check out the primary ride, which it passed with admirable composure. Rolling over thin metal strips saw the Neo cushion away the impact instead of reacting with a bounce or shimmy. We’ll never know how it feels like on a poorly surfaced B-road with these examples, but I’m betting it’ll cope well.

Doing the slaloms at 70 km/h revealed a slightly different character from our limited Lotus Racing Neo experience (never got to drive it on public roads). While the green car gave hints that it likes to dance around the cones, rear end edging out a little, the R3 Neo felt less active at the back. More like a normal road car, in other words, albeit a grippy one that corners very flat. Turn in is sharp, and steering feel is good. Can’t wait to drive it on the road.

We did some braking tests as well, and while this car doesn’t have the stupendous stopping power of the LR Neo’s AP Racing brakes, it’s more than good enough, and there wasn’t any fade although I wasn’t the first to do the test. The LR edition is probably the most over braked car in the world, so we’re just reverting to the real world – no big loss.

The R3 Satria Neo serves up good looks and good vibes for the enthusiast driver. It’s quite good value too – 80k for 145 hp can’t be found elsewhere (correct us if we’re wrong, new cars only) – and has new features that the wider market appreciates such as a push start button and a 2-DIN touch screen ICE system with GPS.

It’s not perfect though – just as I was getting tempted, the Neo’s long and heavy free swinging door slammed on my hips upon exit, not for the first time.

Article sources : Paultan

Excellent online magazine, Hagerty. If you have classic car insurance through Hagerty, you get the magazine in the mail. For everyone that doesn't:

click on this link: http://www.hagerty.com/Hagerty-Online/Resources/Hagerty-Magazine and then click on whichever issue you want to read. Takes a minute to load, but it's very cool if this is your only way to catch an issue you missed, or if you aren't a customer of theirs

JR is going into business, building performance engines, and his grand opening will be Sat Mar 19th 10am to 2 pm

Car show to start the morning, at Carlsbad Company Stores
5620 Paseo Del Norte #124 (just off I5 and Palomar Airport Road)
7am to 9am (roughly)
Performance engine and machine shop in Escondido... at 2080 Wineridge Place

You might remember seeing JR posted here before, he's the bearded machinist in the gallery here: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/02/open-house-tour-for-mustang-club-at-jba.html

San Diego Firehouse museum

A full gallery to get posted here in just a bit... check back late today or tomorrow

7000 th post

(noise of astonishment) never can predict how far something will carry on, or how far a hobby will take you

You think you've been in a traffic jam? Not as bad as this 1897 rush hour in Philly... no AC and surrounded by horses and smelly people w/o deoderant

Found on the HAMB

Effects of a supercold New York night on a firtruck that was stuck in the spray zone of another firetruck... solidly encased in ice

found on the HAMB

Appears to be two Von Dutch painted race cars lining up to drag race

Found on the HAMB

Nobody messes with King Kong

Howitzer, 1946 is the label on the photo. Found on the HAMB

Amos publishing company merges 6 magazines

I used to subscribe to Musclecar Enthusiast. I liked it. I can't remember when I recieved the last one, and don't know if they stopped coming because I didn't renew my subscription, or if they went out of business like Motor Trend Classic did a couple years ago... just poof!

They never informed subscribers that they weren't going to finish with your subscription that you'd paid for. The Motor Trend Classic kept the unfulfilled money and didn't credit me towards another title. They pissed me off.

Anyway, Amos Publications is merging 6 titles into a new magazine called Auto Enthusiast. Cars and Parts, Musclecar Enthusiast were 2 of them.

About 10 pages of Chevy, then Ford, then Mopar, etc etc. I'll let you know how it turns out, but the one issue I flipped through looked good enough to get me to subscribe.

Who is the Biggest car company? Why hasn't one company been able to stay on top of the competition?

It was Ford, they lost the competition to GM in the 70's , GM lost to Toyota, and Toyota lost to VW.

Since GM was on top, the number one biggest car company has changed twice in 2 years.

I just read Jamie Kitman's article in Automobile Magazine (great magazine, also read Ezra Dyer's article, the both of them are great!) and he points out that VW is on the verge of screwing up. They are making bigger cars, and making them cheaper, so they will be cheaper to buy and result in increased sales volume.

It's backfiring with VW. The Passat is only selling 10% of it's all time high in 2002. Not good.

Jamie looked the Passat over, and it's built in Tennessee for the American market, but it's not as nice as the German built Passat the rest of the world buys.

Jamie reports that VW has about a 1/4 million US customers, and wants to triple that and sell about 800,000 cars a year by 2018, but he tells us that the quality of the interior of the VW's is lousy, and thinks they are about to lose their market share to their competition. Time will tell.

The diesel version of one VW gets 52 mpg. Nice, but if a 45 mpg Hyundai has a nicer interior, I know I'd go for the better interior, and not worry about 7 less mpg while driving in a comfy and good looking surroundings.

FYI, the company that makes the most cars is Mattel.

PLAYBOY MotoGP De Puniet Sponsor—Bunnies Underline MotorSport Man’s Arena

When I initially heard the news last year that the French MotoGP Randy de Puniet (also sponsored by REV’IT the Dutch motorcycle gear brand I’m associated with) received title sponsorship from Playboy Italy, I threw my arms up in the air exclaiming—great!- PLAYBOY bunnies in the MotoGP paddock now! If barely covered umbrella girls weren’t enough. It’s true; we viewed bunny-turned-umbrella gal- throughout the season.

Predictably, Randy had a PLAYBOY photo shoot with a centrefold expert before the onset of season 2009—photos are also posted in full view over the Internet and on the LCR Honda MotoGP Team website, (not all however for reasons you might imagine) his ride since leaving Kawasaki behind in 2007.

Admittedly, he looks really good, alone (woman's perspective), without the "bunny" in the pic.

But in visiting the website, I see that perhaps, via presumed current photos of his bike, the PLAYBOY logo has been replaced by RADIO MONTE CARLO? Cannot confirm and could well be I've got it reversed.

Admittedly he had a good finish for season '09, at 11th which may well be attributed to his extra intake of carrots!

I do wonder what will happen when women finally (equally not just a one off season thing) get into the MotoGP, you know with regard to all the years of this male potency demonstration. It will be interesting. But at least for now, the MotoGP riders themselves are examples of manly handsomeness and phenomenal talent. Its this combo, for those of us who truly appreciate it (I'm guilty as charged)--is sexy/sex appeal beyond explanation.

Oh...here’s a pic of my very own umbrella guys at a race on Zandvoort circuit, The Netherlands--classy wouldn’t you say? Three cheers for emancipation!

Kudos to Women Motorcycle Riders Who Rode on International Female Ride Day!

Now that was great!! - 2010 International Female Ride Day! Just when I thought it couldn’t be bigger or more participated in, the 2010 first Friday in May outdid others! Just amazing how we all pulled together for the 4th year, got out on the bikes and made our female presence known! It was like taking a highlighter marker to white paper-we were more visible than ever; globally synchronized on the same day!

Equally amazing were women who discovered the campaign and at short notice, jumped on board and pulled together great happenings in their regions! And the symbolic activities abounded-some celebrated their “women only” riding clubs that were actually formed on International Female Ride Day; the Motor Maids were glad to share unification across borders and others for special charity causes.

Many women wrote in and said they ride every day, but honestly there are many more that do not. Our jobs and travelling plans or lifestyles can present challenges BUT on the first Friday in May, more women than ever before traded the business attire for jeans, and rode into work on the 7th of May! WOW, what role models! What statements! What a way to keep our momentum as women riders rolling along. There’s no going back now, not even if we tried! This campaign’s foundation has been set and is building, expanding, enjoying and lovin’ the celebration of two wheeled life. We lead the season in many countries on this day, and there’s something to be said for supporting a global synchronized celebration; making our role truly phenomenal-we cross all borders and cultures strengthening the ride!

None of us need any excuse to ride yet International Female Ride Day gave many a good reason to take the day off work, or leave early- underlining and promoting women riders is truly spirited fun!

Thank you for getting out there, for joining in no matter the weather, no matter the length of your ride—you were noticed, you were seen! It was you, everywhere bringing this activity for women forward that has created this most amazing global event, the very largest of its kind for women riders!

See you next year Friday 6 May 2011!
*Picture above from the Toronto "storm" rally for the ride home (70km per hour winds!) Photo thanx to Mondo Lulu!

GPS Goggles Could Also “Transcend” to Motorcycle Helmet Visors?

This was exactly my question after reading about Zeal Optics and Recon Instruments new GPS technology placed into a set of ski goggles!

They call the product “Transcend”. There is a small computer which assembles information from a number of on board sensors to provide location, speed, altitude and temperature information to the wearer via a micro-LCD display inside the goggles! The image from the display is then virtually projected so that it appears out in front of the user! Exciting isn’t it?!

Transcends eye wear also provides the wearer with live performance information and details of their surrounding environment! A head mounted micro-LCD display inside the ski goggles shows real-time speed, altitude, vertical odometer, distance, location and temperature- as well as keeping track of the time and having a stopwatch and chronometer mode.

There will be two Recon/Zeal Optics Transcend lens options available. The retail price runs from USD 399.- 499. I'd say reasonable! And it's rumoured there's also an API app in development and download community in the pipeline! Details will appear on their website.

Seriously, this would be incredible technology to build into a motorcycle helmet visor! Recon/ Zeal? Could you please? We riders would settle for motorcycle goggles for now!

 

Heated Double Pane Shield 

 

 

Playskool Adventure Squad - Police 

 

  

Scorpion EXO-400/700 Heated Snow Visor Motorcycle Helmet Electric Cord Set