OC Dream Garage

MP5 wrote:

Kiskaloo wrote:

Professor Voodoo wrote:Avise & John both live on compound, right?
Neither owns a car, instead signing vehicles out of the motor pool as needed, right?

I predict late night shenanigans...

Claes: (taking off her glasses) I am gonna wring your scawny Series Two neck!

Marisa: I swear, I wasn't involved this time! I have no idea who ran over your garden!

Meanwhile, two floors up.

Michele: "Kara Michele!"

Kara: "It wasn't me! The only cars you own with AWD are in Milan and besides, they could never get their front bumper over the wall of your garden!"

Obligatory response form the McDonnells:

Brian: Allison!

Allison: Tread doesn't match; you know that's not my doing!

*Everybody looks at the odd Redhead*

.........

Eliza: What? I was busy blowing stuff up..... I got seismic records to prove it....

Jethro and Monty take one look at the large red object currently parked in the SWA, dump their reports in the after-hours box, immediately turn around and leave.

John: "Avise, mi amico, I think next time it might benefit us to 'RTFM' before we start 'er up."

Avise: "RTFM?"

John: "An expression in English... look it up."

After purchasing a game I've been trying to rent for some time...







John: I'm in love, man...

found the perfect Bus for the SWA

That is awesome.

Awinnell wrote:found the perfect Bus for the SWA

Priscilla: Wow, is it really so fast that the passengers need 4-point seatbelts?

Elio: (facepalm) Actually those are for restraining the cyborgs after they're all sugared up from a visit to the gelato shop.

Professor Voodoo wrote:
Priscilla: Wow, is it really so fast that the passengers need 4-point seatbelts?

Elio: (facepalm) Actually those are for restraining the cyborgs after they're all sugared up from a visit to the gelato shop.

Kara and Henrietta: sugar-high

Awinnell wrote:found the perfect Bus for the SWA

I hereby dub thee the Bat Bus.

Superbus is a new concept for sustainable mobility, which consists of a new vehicle, new type of dedicated infrastructure and new logistics. For this new concept, all of the intelligence and innovation is put into the vehicle, whereas the dedicated infrastructure, where the Superbus runs at 250 km/h, is made of relatively cheap concrete roads.

Superbus is 15 meters long and provides seating for 23 passengers. In order to improve comfort and to allow individuality, it has 8 doors per side.

Superbus does not have a fixed schedule and the logistics allow for flexibility in high volume transport on demand, via a central routing optimization system. Thus the vehicle transports passengers from target to destination without the need for changeovers.

The design of Superbus has been developed around some key themes. Superbus is safe due to obstacle detection systems (through radar equipment and a fast responding electronic guidance system), high maneuverability and formidable breaking power.

Superbus is designed to be flexible regarding different travel needs. The two different interior cabins are designed for people travelling alone or in groups. Superbus is also flexible due to the routing, since there is no fixed route for Superbus and the routes are customized based on the preferred starts and destinations of the passengers. Since it also runs on standard roads, it can fit seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.

Superbus is sustainable. It is an electrically powered vehicle which uses rechargeable batteries. Because it is lightweight and because of its highly streamlined construction, Superbus has low energy consumption.

Beside all this, Superbus is designed to provide a sensational travel experience. The level of comfort should be comparable to travelling with a luxurious sedan. This sensational experience will be realized through high speed, ergonomic interior design and personal multimedia equipment for each individual passenger.

Superbus is developed in the Netherlands, but it can be regarded as a global investment since the Netherlands will subsequently be able to market it worldwide.


Technical specifications

Power train	Electric motors powered by lithium polymer battery pack and regenerative braking
Power output	300 kW, peak at 600 kW for 1 minute
Driving range	210 km
Acceleration	0-100 km/h 0.1g in comfort mode
Braking	250-0 km/h in less than 200m
Cruising speed	250 km/h (155 mph)
Length	15,000 mm (49.21 ft)
Width	2,550 mm (8.20 ft)
Height	1,650 mm (5.41 ft)
Weight	9,500 kg fully loaded
Weight distribution	34/66
Torsional stiffness	30000 Nm/deg
Suspension	Air springs and frequency selective dampers system with lifting subframe in aluminum
Ride height range	330 mm (70mm to 400mm)
Chassis frame	Carbon fiber
Bodywork	IXIS Thermoplastic reinforced fiberglass
Glazing	Lexan Polycarbonate
Driving mode	Driver assisted controlled on existing roads, autopilot on Supertrack
Equipped with	Seat belts, airbags, TV, internet, air-conditioning, heating, etc
Provided with	Navigation system, obstacle detection, communication system, fail safe system and control system

Kiskaloo wrote: Kara and Henrietta: sugar-high

[url=http://www.superbusproject.com/concept]SuperBus Project[/url] wrote:Superbus is a new concept for sustainable mobility, which consists of a new vehicle, new type of dedicated infrastructure and new logistics. For this new concept, all of the intelligence and innovation is put into the vehicle, whereas the dedicated infrastructure, where the Superbus runs at 250 km/h, is made of relatively cheap concrete roads.

Speaking of high; an idea like this could only come out of a country with legalized marijuana.

I'm sure it will be for someone...



A vain hope it may be, but I really hope they make the Ciel because (and I mean no offence by this) to me THIS is what American motoring should be all about: big, flobbery, comfortable cars for cruising in. It's cool, I love it and if it's actually capable of going around a corner I shall be severely dissappointed.

The bastards didn't produce the Cien or the Sixteen, but it's hip to be green at all socioeconomic levels (witness the Electric Phantom) so that could help the case to "make it so".

God, it reminds me of a car from the recent Madhouse release 'REDLINE'... I'm half-expecting there to be a stove that can dissolve a pill of nitrous...

"Some say that he has no concept of mainstream music, and that he sucks
the soul from Abercrombie and Fitch models to feed on the energy of
their raw douchiness. All we know is…….he’s called The Smith."



Didn't know where else to put this... Via.Fuck Yeah Matt Smith's Wardrobe

Well, we joked about it but now it's a reality...



http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/12/autos/maserati_suv/index.htm?hpt=hp_c2

Professor Voodoo wrote:Well, we joked about it but now it's a reality...



http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/12/autos/maserati_suv/index.htm?hpt=hp_c2

I'm not sure how to feel about this...

...I think I'll dump it in the same box as the Range Rover Sport and Evoque, Aston Martin Cygnet, half the Porsche line and so on: if it creates a means by which these manufacturers can keep producing cars I do like (whether from a financial or emissions standpoint), then I can dig it... or at least pretend it never happened without getting angry about it.

Well, the Cayenne is the most popular model in Porsche's line-up now...



The Mazer still looks like a Buick, IMO.

Kiskaloo wrote:The Mazer still looks like a Buick, IMO.

Fortunately, I don't know what a Buick looks like.

Alfisti wrote:

Kiskaloo wrote:The Mazer still looks like a Buick, IMO.

Fortunately, I don't know what a Buick looks like.

Through the magic of Badge Engineering, you might. What we here in the U.S. know as the Buick Regal, you folks down in Australia will know as the Holden Insignia.

And as for other, 'true' Buicks, well, they're mostly cars for fairly-well-off-geriatrics reaching the end of their lifespans. which means they have a pretense of luxury and otherwise look like shite. (Though they have a few examples of being muscle cars back in the 1970's and 80's)

I would actually show you a picture of a typical Buick, but I think that may be banned by the Geneva Convention.

Alfisti wrote:

Kiskaloo wrote:The Mazer still looks like a Buick, IMO.

Fortunately, I don't know what a Buick looks like.

Honestly, the latest Buicks are pretty good looking cars. And they no longer offer an SUV.

Maybe the Infiniti FX series is more appropriate. That has a gaping grill and funky styling.

MP5 wrote:And as for other, 'true' Buicks, well, they're mostly cars for fairly-well-off-geriatrics reaching the end of their lifespans. which means they have a pretense of luxury and otherwise look like shite. (Though they have a few examples of being muscle cars back in the 1970's and 80's)

Ahh yes, the Insignia... not really my favorite car from Holden's lineup if I'm honest. The Cruze (Chevy where you are?) I think is a much neater package.

MP5 wrote:I would actually show you a picture of a typical Buick, but I think that may be banned by the Geneva Convention.

Fine by me... I was only stating I didn't know what it looked like, not that I wanted to.

And in a corner of the American garage, every single bond car in a neat row

Something I saw in the shopping centre last week.

Lotus cars are renowned for their low builds. This has many applications for the discerning security consultant. The smaller profile is an asset to stealth; you can powerslide under lorries without fear of scratching the roof while your pursuers are decapitated by the cargo bed...





...and it's easy to find parking.

I saw a Tesla Roadster, yesterday.

I did not think you could make the Lotus Elise smaller, but somehow they did.

Couple of things from the Frankfurt Auto Show...


A possible Boxster/Cayman competitor from Jaguar, the C X-16 concept.


Yet another Audi based model from Lamborghini...this one's called the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale, supposedly the new top model (at least until next year).


Ferrari must be getting a kick-back from Kara's hairdresser...the 458 loses its roof.


Finally something we members of this forum might actually be able to afford. The 247hp Focus ST is coming to the US at last...a 6 speed manual is the only gearbox available.

Currently up for auction:



One of the three originals used for the movies.

I like the top car but i dont think ill ever be able to afford it

lol. I think it'd be easier just to buy one of the recent refurb Deloreans and build it up yourself.

I salivate over this car.... 'nuff said.



The Chevron B16 Can Am car
(if only I could afford even a replica and if it came with a V8, the better)

Robert Frazer wrote:...The smaller profile is an asset to stealth; you can powerslide under lorries without fear of scratching the roof while your pursuers are decapitated by the cargo bed...

I used to do that with my X1/9 and a friend of the family did it with his little MGB. Then one day he miscalculated and the wheels of the truck went over the MGB. He survived it with scratches and a hefty fine for being reckless and avoiding tolls while under the trucks... I grew up and stopped doing that.

The problem is, when you are that low, the majority of things you see on the road are hubcaps, lug nuts and door jabs/steps.

ElfenMagix wrote:The problem is, when you are that low, the majority of things you see on the road are hubcaps, lug nuts and door jabs/steps.

Know the feeling... that said you get very good at identifying car marques by their wheels.

You don't need to be avoiding tolls under trucks either to get run over... there's been a couple of Elises and Exiges (oddly no Sevens though) from the club been reversed over at lights or in carparks by Utes or 4x4s.

I saw the current model Mercedes CLS550 today...in black...

It's downright amazing-looking.

Kiskaloo wrote:I saw the current model Mercedes CLS550 today...in black...

I do like the stylingn of the current CLS... though it sadly can no longer be called the "Ballistic Bannana".

I'm not very comfortable with new cars, i have a passion for Oldtimer and Youngtimer.

How about that:
If you are confused, this is actual NO ROLLS ROYCE, it's a Belga Rise from 1934, but has alot similarity with the british noble car manufacture.

For those who like old british two-seater sports cars:
It's an Impéria TA-8 from 1948, the last belgian car manufacter which closed it's doors in 1949.


But for the newer cars i found that pretty exotice car:


Who recognizes it?

Are we seeing the cars Etienne wishes he owned?

schaschanist wrote:I'm not very comfortable with new cars, i have a passion for Oldtimer and Youngtimer.

Deutschland & Luxembourg always had great Vintage auto festivals and rallies (I also had the advantage of living only 45 minutes from the Nurburgring). Most of the German collectors kept their cars registered in the Netherlands though. I imagine that was because it's difficult to get an older car through TUV inspection at home.

this is actual NO ROLLS ROYCE, it's a Belga Rise from 1934, but has alot similarity with the british noble car manufacture.

I think I saw one of those in the Cinquantenaire AutoWorld Museum in Brussels. The oval piston Honda NS750 behind it is also very rare.

But for the newer cars i found that pretty exotice car: Who recognizes it?

I do.

Spoiler:

Professor Voodoo wrote:Are we seeing the cars Etienne wishes he owned?

schaschanist wrote:I'm not very comfortable with new cars, i have a passion for Oldtimer and Youngtimer.

Deutschland & Luxembourg always had great Vintage auto festivals and rallies (I also had the advantage of living only 45 minutes from the Nurburgring). Most of the German collectors kept their cars registered in the Netherlands though. I imagine that was because it's difficult to get an older car through TUV inspection at home.

this is actual NO ROLLS ROYCE, it's a Belga Rise from 1934, but has alot similarity with the british noble car manufacture.

I think I saw one of those in the Cinquantenaire AutoWorld Museum in Brussels. The oval piston Honda NS750 behind it is also very rare.

But for the newer cars i found that pretty exotice car: Who recognizes it?

I do.

Spoiler:

The Candidate gets 1000 points. It's a Gillet Vertigo, one of the very few, i think it's the only car manufacture in Belgium right now.
All shown cars are from Belgium, the two oldtime of course not existing anymore.

As for the TÜV and Oldtime-registering: If you have an Oldtimer in original condition or at least in contemporary condition, you can register it with a history licence plate:

Bonus, you have to pay less tax, but visiting the TÜV in yearly rhythm instead of every two years.

As for Etienne:
I don't think he has such a passion for cars like some of your handlers, but he's honorizing oldtimer and like them when he sees one.
But he's more a "family man" (especialy since the accident that happened to Emi) and and needs a car to get from A to B. That's why he's driving a simple Skoda Superb Kombi.

Possibly not so much a dream as Allison's nightmare... and something she's going to need to deal with when Down Under.

I dunno: do you get road-trains elsewhere in the world?

I've seen some double trailer hauling on some of the major interstates but its heavily restricted. But never anything like this

Autsralia has the worlds largest trucks by far,you just couldn't get a road train on the roads in Europe,not enough room !

Alfisti wrote:I dunno: do you get road-trains elsewhere in the world?

I am not sure they're still legal in the United States. I believe the maximum is/was three highway freight trailers. I don't recall ever seeing multi-unit fuel or bulk carriers.

I really want one of these !







http://evolvemotorcycles.com/?page_id=564

Awinnell wrote:I really want one of these !







http://evolvemotorcycles.com/?page_id=564

Yeah... just a little... It'd better be able to lay down a light wall though.

Just had a read of a launch review for the Citroen DS5... It makes me very happy to know that the company is safely back to being utterly mad with cars full of buttons to do everything and half of those in the roof.





What interests me most though, oddly enough is the hybrid version. What it is, is the standard oiler/auto powertrain up front... with an electric motor connected to the rear-wheels, effectively making it an AWD... which is one of those things which seems so bloody obvious you wonder why no-one else has done it yet.

I still think the best way to do "hybrid" power train is through pure electric drive with a small IC engine or turbine running a generator, but this one is at least interesting.

Fifth Gear looked at the C5 Hybrid last week and overall gave it solid marks.

I consider myself a Bentley Man, but only what I consider "Old School" Bentleys - cars like the Arnage, the Azure and the Brooklands. Never been a big fan of the Continental line, or what I call the "Volkswagen Bentleys".

That's changed with the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC. Autoweek had a big spread on it and damn if it is not nice. I hope Top Gear does a proper review in Series 18. Look for Kara and Laine to use one in an upcoming chapter of Pactio.

They're also going back to Le Mans (Bentley, not Kara and Laine).

It's almost enough to make me forgive them for planning an SUV on the Cayenne platform.

In other news, Mercedes has realized that people with half a million bucks to drop on a car don't want a tarted-up S Class and have axed the Maybach line. Honestly, why anyone would take that over a Rolls-Royce Phantom is beyond me. The one exception is those folks who literally use their Maybach 62's as mobile offices and put a couple hundred kilometers on them a day tooling up and down the East Coast or California.

Something new for the SWA's two-wheel crowd...

The 2012 1199 Panigale is Ducati's lastest flagship superbike. While the engine is basically the same 1200cc V-Twin as this years 1198 model the frame is revolutionary in that there isn't one. The steering head, swingarm pivot and rear subframe all bolt directly to the engine.

Elio: I think the Agency should contact Ducati in Bologna and see about getting a few pre-production samples for "mission evaluation" purposes.

Lorenzo: Nice try you cheap bastardo.

Nice I'll have to find some way to get that into great escape maybe Tea will ride one at some point

Now, I'm normally a cruiser bike rider...... I might make an exception for that.

John: *drools* Uhh-huh!

Professor Voodoo wrote:...frame is revolutionary in that there isn't one. The steering head, swingarm pivot and rear subframe all bolt directly to the engine.

Ducati by Lotus?

Once again Koenigsegg is making headlines for being able to go very quickly indeed, but this time the £1million Agera R is also rather good at stopping, too. In fact, it's so good, that the supercar has managed to break six world records.

The Swedish manufacturer decided to invite the bods from the Guinness Book of World Records along to see whether the bio-fuel powered Agera R could beat the record for speeding from 0-300km/h-0 again.

It seems the Agera R's 5.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 made good use of its 1099bhp and 885 lb ft as it managed the feat in a mere 21.19seconds. In regular terms: less time than a regular TV ad, around two thirds the time.

Where legal, the Agera R, which was launched at this year's Geneva motor show, will hit 62mph (100km/h) in 2.9 seconds and will theoretically hit 275mph (though no one has tested it/has the stones to test it). Stopping power is provided by its 15.6-inch ventilated ceramic discs and six-pot calipers at the front and 15-inch, four pots at the back. Combined the Agera R has nearly four feet (in diameter) of ceramic brakes. Impressive stuff.

Bugatti won't be pleased to hear of the Agera R's success – the Veyron Supersport has been clocked doing the same run in a positively glacial 25.3 seconds. The whole firm should hang its head on shame. That said it might spur them on to make a Veyron Superstopper.

The Agera R's timings were:
0-300 km/h: 14.53 seconds
0-200 mph: 17.68 seconds
300-0 km/h: 6.66 seconds
200-0 mph: 7.28 seconds
0-300-0 km/h: 21.19 seconds
0-200-0 mph: 24.96 seconds

All in all very impressive. Now, who can breach the 20 second mark..?

French artist Philippe Pasqua has created an amazing tattooed Ferrari by covering the car in skin-tone leather then getting to work inking it, Japanese style.

The inked Ferrari F430 Scuderia is currently on display at the Gelerie Laurent Strouk in Paris, and features some of the most intricately detailed decoration ever applied to a car.

Wrapping a car in vinyl is tricky enough, but this Ferrari has been painstakingly covered in genuine leather - even around the wing mirrors - before having a mural 'tattooed' onto it.

The design features motifs typical of Japanese tattooing, including a large dragon, cherry blossom leaves, lotus flowers, representations of water and skulls drawn in Pasqua's signature style.

The Paris gallery display is open until 14 January, and features the Ferrari attached sideways to a wall, so the work can be fully appreciated.

That also means that visitors can get a good look at the F430 Scuderia's original work of art - its exposed V8 engine. The 4.3-litre unit develops 508bhp at 8,500rpm, sending the car to 62mph in 3.6 seconds. Well, not this particular car, for now.

It's unknown whether Pasqua will sell the Ferrari when the exhibition is over, but whoever buys it might want to consider Scotchguarding it before taking it anywhere.

And I thought Porsche's leather options list was insane...

Kiskaloo wrote:And I thought Porsche's leather options list was insane...

I'm probably about the only person who cares about this, but Audi will finally be bringing the A4 Allroad to Australia next year...



Finally I'll be able to have a nose around J+M's car myself. Pity they'r eonly bringing the 2.0L four and not the bent-6 diesel, but c'est la vie.

Speaking of Audi... sadly not coming to Australia:



Audi's announced a limited production run for the A1 Quattro. Comes with 188kW of power, 350Nm of torque, permanent All-Wheel-Drive and manual gearbox only.

Alfisti wrote:Speaking of Audi... sadly not coming to Australia:



Audi's announced a limited production run for the A1 Quattro. Comes with 188kW of power, 350Nm of torque, permanent All-Wheel-Drive and manual gearbox only.

Is that an artist's conception of the A1 Quattro? Because the shape of the car looks like a slightly stretched-out Fiat 500 Abarth with an A4 nose to me... I think the wheels also have something to do with it.

MP5 wrote:Is that an artist's conception of the A1 Quattro? Because the shape of the car looks like a slightly stretched-out Fiat 500 Abarth with an A4 nose to me... I think the wheels also have something to do with it.

I'm going to hazard a guess that they're artist's impression... but by the same token I also think they're official Audi renderings.

I'll be honest with you mate: I'm not seeing it. Perhaps around the rear haunches and up the waistline in that particular image, but the roofline's more squared off and the Audi's styling is more agressive in general.

Alfisti wrote:Audi's announced a limited production run for the A1 Quattro. Comes with 188kW of power, 350Nm of torque, permanent All-Wheel-Drive and manual gearbox only.

Looks good, but I don't do true manuals (too many hills and too much stop-and-go traffic) and I don't have a cyborg chauffeur with artificial knees...