Automotive: September 2010

TRON LEGACY: new art work released

Disney just released some more art work for Tron Legacy.
This one is the updated Flynn bike, with some bullet points explaining the thoughts behind its subtle re-design. As you might know, the bike we all know from the first film is a compromise. Mastermind Syd Mead originally designed a very sleek, open rider bike, but computers could not render that back then for the film. So together with Tron director Steven Lisberger, they had to come up with an enclosed design quickly to put it in the movie. That's what became the now iconic Lightcycle.

It was an honor to give it a very subtle re-skin to tie it visually better into the new film, while keeping its wonderful 80ies industrial appeal. As you see, it's different all over, yet immediately recognizable. Think Porsche 911 exterior over the last few decades.

I keep you posted as Disney keeps releasing stuff.

Hope you like it, Daniel

INSPIRATION OF THE DAY: Wow Robot

Oh my god, will it never stop to see awesome new robot concepts. Look at this guy, and its getting more interesting from 0:40 on. And the gag at 0:50, priceless.

Hat tip, Daniel

Thunderhill is coming !!!

Thunderhill is coming !
There nothing like racing in the desert in December. There nothing else really like it. Going from dry and hot to seriously cold in the night makes for quite an experience. Its something you have to try to really embrace it. But that is racing. And Thunderhill gives you a whole 25 hours of it. 11am to 12 noon the next day. No matter if you are sponsored team or just a private team or shop, everyone respects Thunderhill and defiantly has a lot of fun. Of course the winning team will always be sponsored, heavily funded car with a large, experienced team but there is a lot to take away from Thunderhill. This is a challenging course and with the extreme weather and track conditions it really challenges every driver.

Most people will be impressed by the Porsches and many BMWs that come out this event on a regular basis. There are also a lot of smaller and less funded teams. Mazda Miata is defiantly a favourite car at this track and there were quite a few of them present in 2009. A few Mazda RX7s and Factory Five cars as well. Hopefully this year there will be more BMW E9x M3s and more competative BMWs that can take on the Porsche 996s and 997s. The lead Porsche won by a staggering 22 laps in 2009. A huge margin in any race even if it is 25 hours long. The car was basically trouble free and very fast the entire race. Second and third place were Porsches as well. Here are the results from last year : http://www.nasaproracing.com/results/norcal.html?mylaps=type,run,runid,1379612

I was also told that the Ferrari team would run their car this year. A 360 Modena to my understanding. In 2009 then ran their back up car which is a Lotus Elise. Hopefully this year will be as fun as last. 1 year goes by so fast but I think it will be intense this year. Probably even more than last.

SEE ALL THE PICS on the new Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3S5vAHAnUU

See all the important info for Thunderhill here --> http://www.nasa25hour.com/
and here --> http://www.thunderhill.com/
More pics here --> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164669&id=102793526753&ref=mf

A BIG THANKS

A big thanks to Rixter, Ken, Michelle, Laela, Tino, Nat, Teresa, Amanda and the rest of the Mini, BMW and Audi guys for their comments and support. Still waiting on a few more you. Please, everyone feel free to post your comments. Stay tuned as there are a couple interesting posts coming up in the next few days and a really interesting submitted article about BBS wheels. Here is a little teaser video about one of the Audi articles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Ue1sEZ_90

If you have an article about anything Automotive and would like it to get some more attention we can post it here ! Please send the article with all the info and pictures to UltAutoBlog@Hotmail.ca . Once again thank you for all the time you have taken to view and support this blog !

Something else that is New from Mini

New Mini WRC car based on the New Countryman
If you like how the new Countryman looks then you probably really like how the purposed Mini WRC car looks. When I first saw it I was blown away. First that Mini was going into competitive rally racing, and how good the car looks. I think with the new model coming out and a commitment by BMW/Mini to rally racing shows that the future for the Mini brand is very bright. See the link below for a sneak peak at the WRC Countryman... it sounds amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T_fXEzlTdo&feature=player_embedded

Press release here: http://chrisescars.com/mini-countryman-rally-car/

More 2011s

Cooper Cabrio

The 2011s are in Canada

New for 2011 wheels

2011 Cooper front end

2011 Cooper S Cabrio front end

2011 Cooper S Clubman front end

The 2011s are here !!! Here are couple pics of the FIRST 2011s delivery to dealer lots in Canada. Notice the new wheels on Cooper S Clubman (R55) and Cooper S Cabrio (R57). The new front bumpers are a bit more aggressive with the chrome trimmed air inlets. Clean and not overdone. The new front bumper on the Cooper is also a nice upgrade. A wider and larger grill gives a more aggressive appearance but still has an clean, smooth, elegant look. The new all black HVAC and radio/CD/deck controls looks nice too. Not that there was anything wrong with the old silver controls but still looks appropriate. Overall it feels like the facelift that happend in 2005. Subtle changes that made the model that much better.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: first design released

As always, no comment from me on designs prior to film release - but always happy to share images with you that the studio or press released. Enjoy.

Cheers, Daniel

5 Reasons why everyone should use a K&N Air filter

K&N has been around a long time. As long as I can remember anyway. They basically pioneered the reusable air filter. A brilliant idea at the time and still a brilliant one today. K&N also makes first class products in terms of quality, fitment and performance. So that being said, here are 5 reasons why you should have a K&N OEM replacement air filter in your vehicle.

1. Your engines now makes more power - By removing the factory filter with a filter element the restriction to airflow is now less. This results in a greater volume of air being pulled into the engine when operating. The more available air thus the more fuel you can efficiently used resulting in more combustion and power. This really only applies to an engine running at higher RPM or under heavier loads... but everyone need likes a bit more power.

2. It does not void your vehicle warranty - One of K&N's claims to fame was that you could use their air filters and, by law, would not void your factory warranty. This, of course, is very important to vehicles in the warranty period because you basically pay for the factory warranty in the price of the car and without it your just throwing money away. And subject to pay for all your own repair bills. K&N also claims that if their air filter is the direct result of engine damage in your car they will pay the bill. They warranty their air filters for a million miles.

3. Increased economy - Now that the air filter is less restrictive there is less pumping loses on the engine. Since the there is less pumping loses the engine now performs more efficiently which means fuel is being used more efficiently. This means the same engine now requires slightly less fuel to do the same job. Of course this does not mean you can drive around town with your foot to the floor and expect better fuel milage. But these days it seems every cents counts.

4. You do not have to buy another air filter - This means every time your OEM filter gets dirty you don't have to do to the dealer to buy another one and toss the old one in the garbage. This cuts down on waste, time and money. Plus now you can clean it at midnight or 6 in the morning or whenever is most convenient for you. Not on the dealerships or other shop's time schedule.

5. They are emissions legal - K&N filters are covered by EPA law to be free of defects and do not increase harmful emissions. Since an engine with a K&N filter is more efficient it may even produce less emissions. So you can feel good about the environment too.

6. I have one in all my cars - Not a big reason but theres a reason I use them.

Happy Labour Day Mechanics and all Tradesmen

Happy Labour Day to all the mechanics and tradesmen in Canada, The States and all over the world! This long weekend is for you so enjoy it! Also Good luck to everyone going back to school everywhere. Future apprentices and tradesmen please study hard. Keep the quality of labour and craftsmanship high everywhere. Thank you to everyone who has viewed, supported and followed the blog so far. Let's keep it going! If anyone has modified or race cars especially BMWs, Audis, and Minis and do not mind having them posted up on the internet please send them to me personally at Cal330ci@Hotmail.com. Also people who have rare and\or custom wheels please send them to the same Email address. Again thanks to everyone to reading this! Please follow this page on Google friend connect and keep up the interaction on this blog. Thank You!
Sincerely Cal