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Category Archives: Car Blog


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Car Of The Week – DBR 1/5

Captured here at the first ever Donington Historical Race Meet in April 2011.

This was the only DBR1 that was built for a private owner. Completed in 1959, it was sold directly to Peter Whitehead. He raced the car extensively that year and scored some podium finishes. In 1960 the car was only rarely used and a year later Whitehead sold the car to an African owner. It was briefly used in South Africa. The current, German owner, campaigns the car regularly in historic events such as the Goodwood Revival. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – E60 BMW M5 V10 5 Litre

Wikipedia gives us the background on this  beauty.

The E60 M5 was introduced in 2005. It has a 4,999 cc (305.1 cu in) BMW V10 S85 engine redlining at 8250 rpm, and developing a peak output of 507 PS (373 kW; 500 bhp) and 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) of torque. Unlike some other BMW engines which utilise Valvetronic to infinitely vary valve lift to eliminate the throttle plate, this engine has individual throttle bodies per cylinder.

Other key features include a stiffened aluminum chassis and a 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission. Front fog lights are unavailable for the M5, as the amount of air required to cool the brakes under spirited driving applications requires the spaces under the bumper, normally occupied by fog lights in other E60 cars, to be reallocated for air cooling ducts. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – Morgan +4 Supersports

Morgan Motor Company have announced the 2011 Morgan +4 SuperSports. Their press release says:

“The company have this to say:“At the 1950 Earl’s Court Motor Show Morgan introduced the 2088cc Plus 4 car to the world. This highly capable machine became the platform for annual innovative performance upgrades within the company. The perfect balance between engine size and weight was the catalyst for the birth of the Plus 4 Super Sports race ready car. This car introduced the infamous low-line aluminium body and a highly tuned mechanical specification taking Morgan to victory in their class at the 1962 Le Mans 24 hour race. This ground breaking success encouraged Peter Morgan to introduce many permanent additions to the Plus 4 which has continued to evolve to this day. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – MINI Paceman Concept Revealed

MINI Press Release. A new MINI design concept will make its debut at the North American  International Auto Show (NAIAS) which will be held between January 10  and 23, 2011.  The MINI Paceman Concept is the first Sports  Activity Coupé in the premium small segment of the market.

The MINI Paceman Concept study establishes a new category of car  combining the fundamental MINI DNA – dynamic capability, individual  design – and gives them a fresh twist with the help of cutting  edge technology and an innovative new body concept. The Paceman  combines the classical MINI concept with the defining features of the  MINI Counrtyman and the style of a coupe. The result is a MINI with  visual ‘muscle car’ design cues, displaying its dynamic  capability from every angle. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – MINI Clubman (Doglet)

Virgin
When the MINI Clubman came out I was soon tempted away from my Cooper S Works not least by its promised economy compared to the dismal fuel economy of the S Works. A Cooper D it was then, in the superb shade of metallic brown other wise known as hot chocolate – a Clubman only colour at the time. The interior is trimmed in a matching chocolate lounge leather with cream piping. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – Lotus Exige

Beastmaster Car of The Week - Week 35

The Lotus Exige is a two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars. It is essentially a coupé version of the Lotus Elise, which is a roadster that is mid-engined and has been in production since 1996.

The original Exige (NA or naturally aspirated Exige) was launched in 2000 and had a 1.8 L Rover K Series engine in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune. It produced 177 bhp (132 kW; 179 PS) in standard form and 192 bhp (143 kW; 195 PS) in the “track spec” version. Continue reading →


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Car Of The Week – Ferrari California

Ferrari California
18/09/2010. We spotted this Ferrari California in Lacock, Wiltshire and it is just beautiful. This is in our Top Ten Dream Cars and is our favourite Ferrari. Yes the 458 is a better driver’s car but this is a gorgeous looking car that looks great with the roof down or up. It is also an easy car to live with being easy to get in and out of as it is not as low slung as most Ferraris. Give me a continent and this car and I’ll show you a happy man!
The Ferrari Web site describes the California as follows:

The Ferrari California is the first Ferrari Gran Turismo with a mid-front 8-cylinder engine: a vehicle that uncompromisingly combines sportiness with versatility, guaranteeing the maximum driving pleasure characteristic of cars from Maranello.

The Ferrari California is a convertible GT with retractable hard-top, making it a car with a dual soul: coupé and spider rolled into one. It is based on the original 2+ concept, which provides great flexibility for use in different driving conditions.

Performance
Maximum speed – 193 mph
0-62 mphless than – 4.0 sec
0-400 m – 12.2 sec
0-1.000 m-  22.1 sec