#Meanmower

A Honda lawnmower isn't normally something worth writing about, except in 2013; as Honda unveiled their simply unhinged #Meanmower!

They took a standard ride on lawnmower, stripped it down and rebuilt it as a one off custom machine packing a 1litre 109hp engine. Now 109hp is a respectable amount in a small car - put it in a lawnmower and you have 532hp per ton! We really don't want to be accused of exageratting the sitation...but come on that is Bugatti Veyron levels of power to weight. 

Unfortunately without the extra (and expensive) goodies that the Veyron has, the #Meanmower can only do 133mph - which to be fair to Honda - is more than sufficient for a lawnmower!

The #Meanmower is now leaving UK shores for its debut at the Las Vegas SEMA show, a gathering for tech heads the world over. If you want to see what this mental creation is capable of, head on over to YouTube and search #Meanmower , sit back and enjoy the Japanese being their crazy selves. 

Words: Andy Pilcher            Images: Honda UK

Video of the day - Speed-Shopping

Now we don't normally advocate any mode of transport that has a mere 340cc powering it - however we simply can't ignore this!

A standard issue shopping trolley has been rescued (or stolen...) and been twinned with a 340cc petrol engine! As if that wasn't barmy enough, the engines tweaked to get as much power as 340cc's can deliver AND they are claim to be adding nitrous oxide soon. 

We'll keep track of this hilarious machine and post when they do, enjoy this teaser!

Self Parking Cars Plan Crashes

Self parking cars have been under development for years and now some manufacturers reckon they are pretty close!

We already have cars capable of assisting you in parking, such as some new Lexus models, however the idea of a car that can put itself in a parking space totally by itself - activated remotely (from an app for example) is only just bearing some fruit. 

Ford are on the ball with this one and want to get them out there as soon as possible, however it's not as simple as getting the technology itself to work! Oh no, the problem comes, weirdly, from the law! Hidden deep inside the highway code is a little rule that states you can't leave a car with its engine running - whilst not being in the driver seat. It is considered dangerous and is doing a good job now of holding up these self parking cars. 

Car manufacturers trade bodies are in talks with Europe officials with the goal of getting that rule removed or altered to allow for self parking cars to be released 'into the wild'. 

The good side of this hold up though, is that full testing of the systems will have to be completed with evidence shown to the officials - meaning your nice new Focus shouldn't go crazy and smash into the Bentley you wanted to park next to...which can only be a good thing. 

Video of the day - Jap Mad

Video of the day - Today we bring you a sweet 2minute video from the team at HeavySet with their coverage of the JDM meet at North Trafford. Approximately 400 of Britains finest Jap motors (and the odd police car) attended and feature in this awesome little film!

F1 - Economy & Awful Sounds

This morning Honda gave us a "treat" in the form of a YouTube video. "What was in this YouTube video?"I hear you ask. Well not a lot - would be the short answer. 

The video was in fact an audio track they have recorded of the latest development on their 2015 series F1 engine. Fans of the racing series will know that Honda engines will be powering McLaren race cars in 2015 - when regulations will have changed meaning the engines must be 1.6 litre 6-pot turbo'd lumps. 

We have been told this is to increase the racing excitement and make competition fiercer, we can't help but feel though there is some green-party nonsense working in the background to make the sport more eco-friendly and kind to Jonny-polar bear. 

Now we aren't evil, Mr Polar Bear should keep his home but is it right to throttle back - if you excuse the pun - such a serious racing series? How this will affect the speeds the cars reach, and consequently how quickly they get there - nobody really knows yet. What we are sure of though is how the new engines will sound; and I for one am not impressed. 

What we have done to demonstrate clearly to you exactly what we mean, is list two videos below. The top one is video and audio footage of a 90's Renault V10 F1 engine, the bottom - Honda's video plucked fresh from YouTube this morning. YOU tell US which sounds fiercer!

Click to view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=431h20gvm3M

We really hope this is a well engineered prank...

Words Andy Pilcher        Images Rick Dikeman

Video Of The Day - Rock & Röhrl

Today's video might be in a foreign language but it's entertainment value makes it too good to miss!

If you don't know who Walter Röhrl is then there is something very wrong with you, we suggest you go educate yourself on him before watching today's video, but in a nutshell he is a very experienced racing driver who famously piloted several Audi Quattro Group B rally monsters back in the 80's. 

Here he is, aged 66 - still terrifying passengers. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSeuaoZ-mI

Mk7 gets Milltek'd - Press Release

It is often the case that new cars are released at such an alarming rate that modifiers simply can't keep - ending up working on previous generation cars!

Milltek are on the ball though and have already got a proper choice of aftermarket exhausts available for the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk7. Built in the same UK factory that the Milltek racing exhausts are, these systems are also made of the same top quality stainless steel as the race units. The system is made up at a chief diameter of 3inches and is designed to offer an increase in power, torque and an improved throttle response. 

Available in a variety of system types and tips for more information and prices head over to www.millteksport.com

Words Andy Pilcher        Images Milltek Sport

Video Of The Day - Mighty UK!

In today's video we bring you YouTube legends Mighty Car Mods and their first ever UK modified car show!

It is really refreshing to see a ton of cars of differing styles and backgrounds all representing the UK together. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VpfSWxo7d0

Air-ride - Is it all things to all men?

Air-ride has been the subject of much debate in the motoring world for a long time now. Almost as much of a fight as Evolution vs. Impreza. 

Coilover purists will tell you that air-ride is uncomfortable and simply can't handle as well as a properly sorted car on premium coilovers. Air-ride purists will laugh at the coilover boys as they scrape over speedbumps. 

So Matt Farah of 'The Smoking Tire' got his hands on Accuairs supercharged Audi S4, kitted out with their latest all-bells-and-whistles air ride system with remote adjustment to see if air ride really can offer the awesome lows when parked up, handle as well as coils in the corners and ride without breaking your back. The results make for some interesting viewing, its safe to say - bags are here and they are here to stay. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTrupjf-QFQ

We want to know your opinion! Are you an air-ride activist or a coilover connoisseur? Let us know in the comments 

Video Of The Day - The ultimate game of paintball

Today's video of the day is a promo video fresh from Audi featuring the un-hinged Audi RS6 estate with over 500hp. 

So what do you do when you have ex-stig Ben Collins and a 500hp estate car to play with? You play the most awesome game of paintball ever of course! There are also a few behind the scenes videos that we also recommend you watch. Turn the volume up for that awesome exhaust note :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?hd=1&v=lInd8GimJJc&src_vid=03ShU0P8lIs&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_4202978331

Video Of The Day - In Tune With Porsche

Today's video is more an aural pleasure than visual. 

Porsche celebrate 7 generations of their legendary 911 by using them to perform their own happy birthday tune! Who needs a piano when you've a bunch of flat 6 engines to play with...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPaeC0llaaE

McLaren P1 - Lean Green Race Machine!

In 2011 McLaren made a comeback as a performance car manufacturer with the MP4-12C road car. The first mass-production McLaren-only car ever! Essentially a comfy road car that took a few motorsport inspired parts; such as the carbon tub, to transform it into a fantastic supercar. It was and still is a hugely successful car, claiming a host of awards and putting McLaren firmly back on the motoring map!

Not wanting to rest on their laurels, McLaren have come back again now and brought us the brief for the McLaren P1 road car. Not intended to be as mass produced as the 12C (only 375 units will be produced) they could spend more and cram it with even more racing technology. They really didn't hold back. 

Perhaps the most important element of the P1 is the fact it is officially a hybrid. Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular, however this is probably one of the first times electric power has been used in such a racey road car. The 'old fashioned' gas-guzzling engine is a 3.8 litre twin turbo petrol, once you add the electric motor into the mix the P1 has an official power figure of 903hp! Electric or not you really can't argue with that kind of horsepower. As any electrician will tell you, power from electricity is instantaneous, which is why the P1 has a gross amount of torque no matter where you are in the rev range - giving it a key advantage over its class rivals. The wave of boost and electricity will see the P1 and its lucky driver up to a governed top speed of 217mph, fast enough to beat the 12C, not as fast as the old record setting F1. That's the only area where the P1 is outdone by the F1 though, the stopwatch shows the P1 hitting 300km/h (186mph) in an astonishing 17seconds. Lets put that in context:

• McLaren F1 - 22seconds
• Ferrari Enzo - 26 seconds
• Audi R8 Le-Mans Racecar - 17seconds

That's right, this road legal "eco-car" will run to nearly 190mph as fast as an official LeMans race car. If that doesn't make you take electric motors seriously - we don't know what will!

Another truly staggering part of the P1 is its monocage structure, which is mainly carbon fibre with trace elements of kevlar and is five times the strength of titanium...despite weighing a mere 90kg, which for some people is a light lunch.

The body is littered in aerodynamic aids, key of which is the adjustable rear wing that can adjust its distance from the body and tilt angle dependent on conditions and speeds to provide maximum downforce and traction. The suspension is also fully adjustable and can raise/lower but crucially, stiffen. Testing has shown with the suspension in Race mode the P1 can generate a ridiculous 2G in the corners. 

As with most supercars these days there are a good number of acronyms thrown into the spec-list, thankfully those used with the P1 are all masculine-sounding and derived from McLarens F1 developments. IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) is a direct development of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used in F1 - which provides additional power 'at the touch of a button' Who wouldn't want that?!

The P1's good looks are almost totally by chance, the car has been designed from the ground up to have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any road going production vehicle (a goal it has achieved!) and to provide extreme levels of downforce for optimum handling and traction (600kg at 161mph by the way, which is a fair bit to say the least) - McLaren firmly believe in function over form. We can't help but admire the way this thing sits though, all squat and jet-fighter like, really the mental angles and smooth lines would seem more at home on a Lamborghini than a British engineering marvel. 

Inside the P1 is adorned with the usual trappings of carbon fibre and alcantara; perhaps the two most traditional "race road car" materials, however you also get a nice touch screen display and a bunch of kit you expect on a Grand Tourer more than this ultra-light weight tech-fest racecar, satellite navigation, TFT displays for the driver information displays and a Meridian surround sound system! That's right the same blokes who kit out Range Rovers audio needs. 

The tricky bit for the majority is of course the price tag; full carbon monocages and Meridian stereos don't come cheap, hence the £866,000 OTR price. Yeah we feel faint too. Not that it matters, since production is strictly limited to 375 units...and we hear they're all sold. 

Words Andy Pilcher      Images McLaren Automotive

Tarox Cater for Carbon Brake Upgrades - Press Release

Tarox need no introduction when it comes to awesome braking products. The latest press release fresh from them details a brand new product range underway. 

You see if you own a relatively new performance car, Porsche, Ferrari, GT-R Nissan and alike, chances are you have (or had) the option for a carbon ceramic brake kit. Carbon brakes have been around for some time now and have proven themselves leagues ahead of conventional rotors, offering increased braking presence and decreased heat related fade. Sounds too good to be true right? Well it is, unfortunately they cost an absolute fortune to replace; with prices up to £5,000 a corner can make even the richest supercar aficionado weep. 

Enter Tarox, their new range of ultra high performance motorsport-derived steel discs are designed specifically to replace the extremely expensive carbon items. You aren't sacrificing much either as the new rotors have proved themselves with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 57kg per square mm. To give this number some backing the standard UTS of racing rotors is 38kg per square mm. 

The icing on the cake is that Tarox are prepared for what they call "micro volume" orders. With high-tech facilities they can create rotors of any size and to any exacting specification. If you've got one of your carbon rotors handy you can even send it to them to have an exact copy made up - the ultimate assurance the new product will fit straight in. 

Tarox admit that while the new range perform exceptionally well, there own carbon offerings will outperform them at the very edge of high performance - far past the point any road user will be driving at. The big differences come from ease of use and price though, managing director Valeria Taroni states "When you see that the savings can amount to as much as a new family car, it begins to make a lot of sense!" 

So if you are lucky enough to have such a high performance piece of exotica sat in your garage - at least you can save a bit of cash when it comes to swapping dead rotors! 

For more information visit en.tarox.com

Words Andy Pilcher          Images Tarox

VIDEO OF THE DAY - Car vs Car vs Bike

Perhaps the longest running battle in the motoring world, cars vs bikes! In this awesome video AutoCar pitch the insane Ariel Atom V8 and bonkers Rallycross Citroen DS3 against the unhinged BMW HP4 superbike. Which is your money on? 

Click here for the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTAUV1Yj4NE

Toyo Snowprox S943 - Press Release

Winter is pretty much upon us now, after a ridiculously short Autumn. That means only one thing - reduced grip levels and increased risk of pranging your pride and joy. 

Toyo have set out to change things. Renowned worldwide for their awesome summer Proxes range of rubber - when it comes to making top class tyres they really have nothing to prove. The latest press release fresh from them details their new Snowprox S943 tyre. 

Designed from scratch to offer increased grip in icy conditions, they also claim to provide far better traction in wet weather and deep snow. An all round winter tyre then! Whilst the tread pattern isn't as attractive as their summer range this is due to them being far more function than form. When the weather does take a turn for the worst we'll get our hands on a set and give you all a proper review. Could it be we have a contender for the infamous Uniroyal Rainsports? 

Available in sizes ranging from 165/70/14 right up to 225/45/17. Check out www.toyo.co.uk for more information.

Words: Andy Pilcher      Images: Toyo

Bilstein B8 Dampers - Press Release

The boys at legendary suspension manufacturer Bilstein have announced a new addition to their already vast range. 

The new Bilstein B8 dampers are built for the increasingly popular VW Polo 9N platform and have been designed with motorsport use in mind. Decreased squat and dive along with reduced body roll are just two of the feathers in these mighty dampers cap. Prolonged service life means they should keep on providing excellent handling dynamics for years to come all whilst retaining or improving the stock level of ride comfort. 

Gone are the days when race-derived monotube dampers meant you had to put up with a harsh and clunky ride just for handling perfection in the corners. The dampers are available to suit everything from the base-line 1.2's right up to the top TDI and GTI spec levels. 

Head over to www.bilstein.de for more information. 

Words: Andy Pilcher       Images: Bilstein

GTI Fest 2013 - The Plucky Few

Okay so the VW show season stretches from quite early on in the year right round to October, with the season closer traditionally being GTI Fest. Common law dictates that GTI Fest will always be either: 

• Windy
• Raining
• Freezing

This year Mother Nature decided to outdo herself and chuck all three at the show at once! With the temperatures barely touching double figures, gale force winds tearing through the Northamptonshire countryside and litres of water cascading from the gloomy grey it's surprising anyone showed up at all, but there were the plucky few. 

Okay we would be kidding ourselves if we described the turn-out as impressive, or even remotely so, however the fact that a good 50 people appeared on the day is pretty incredible given the appalling conditions. The usual show routine of turn up - wash car was near enough totally abandoned as every car got drenched with the drizzle throughout the day - with no sign of it relenting. Some stubbornly continued - we're not sure if they deserve medals or sectioning. 

What is normally a bustling Show & Shine arena at Springfest suddenly looked and felt like a ghost town. Rest assured though the motors involved, though few and far between, were some pretty awesome little motors. With a range everything from the Arosa's to the Transporter vans!

So it wasn't a fantastic end to the season and no doubt most who attended will suffer with some degree of illness over the coming days - but the steely determination of those involved just goes to show the VW scene is still alive and kicking. Roll on next year folks!

Words: Andy Pilcher       Images: Gutzy Photography

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