Red Rock Travel (RRT), the Philippines' F1 tour authority, is giving thrill seekers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take the ultimate taxi ride at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix. Ride shotgun behind a modern two-seater Formula 1 car as you whiz around the Sepang Circuit at break-neck speeds. Think you've got what it takes to become a future Formula 1 star? Well, try lasting last three laps in the back seat first.
The Malaysian GP F1x2 experience will go out on track for its flying laps from March 30 to 31, 2011 - a week after the Grand Prix. Suit up and put your gear on for a breath-taking three lap taxi ride in a 2001-spec Minardi Formula 1 car, priced at RM 18,000 per person or RM 480,000 for groups of 30.
Published in
News
20 January 2012
Hyundai Elantra and Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year
On its 19th year running, a jury of 50 independent automotive journalists from the U.S.A. and Canada diligently selected through more than 50 new vehicles to find the best of them all. Almost anything and everything on four wheels that are either completely new or substantially changed were evaluated based on factors such as innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, and value for money. And after a lengthy deliberation, the Hyundai Elantra and Range Rover Evoque were hailed as the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year.
In the car category, the Elantra received a total of 174 points, edging out on runners-up - the VW Passat with 161 and the Ford Focus with 155. No strangers to the accolade, Hyundai has won the same award in 2009 with the Genesis, while the Sonata was one of the three finalists last year.
Published in
Industry Update
19 January 2012
Hyundai's new 2013 Genesis Coupe: A good thing made even better
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
At the recent Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai finally revealed the updated 2013 edition Genesis Coupe in all its glory. Aside from the aggressive new front styling, which echoes Hyundai's new corporate look, there are a number of technical upgrades under the hood that should make this two-door coupe fly even faster. At last, it now packs enough oomph to take a bite out of the Nissan 370z, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro.
First on the line of improvements is the newly re-calibrated engine. The 3.8 liter V6 now makes 348 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque on premium fuel - a whopping 42 ponies and 39 Nm of twist more than previously. Despite featuring direct injection, the engine can still run on regular unleaded, thanks to sophisticated anti-knock technology. But perhaps more impressively, the 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant has upped the ante and now packs 274 horsepower on premium fuel, thanks to a new twin-scroll turbocharger and a bigger intercooler. On regular fuel it still makes 260 horsepower, which is still a whopping 50 horses more than the old coupe.
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Newly Launched
19 January 2012
Chevrolet's Pick-a-Concept: Tru 140S vs Code 130R (w/ video)
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of General Motors
Remember back when Chevrolet unveiled the Beat, Groove, and Trax concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show to let consumers pick the styling for what we know as the Spark today? Yeah, I was bummed when the Trax lost, too. Now Chevrolet is going one step further, bringing two radically new concepts to Detroit and asking the people to help the bow tie brand "co-create" its next sporty vehicle. Take your pick: Tru 140S or the Code 130R?
The Tru 140S Concept is a sleek, exotic piece of sheet metal built on the same platform that underpins the Chevrolet Cruze and the Volt hybrid. It straddles the technology gap between the two, featuring the Cruze's turbocharged 1.4 liter engine settled with direct injection and start-stop technology. This front-wheel drive sports coupe boosts power to 150 hp and allows it to boast highway economy in excess of 17 km/l.
Published in
Concept
18 January 2012
The all-new 2013 Fusion is a full-blown Ford for grown ups
Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company
Ford might have an exceptional line-up, but the mid-size car market has always been its Achilles’ heel. Despite their best efforts, the Fusion never quite lived up to its potential and match the caliber of the mighty Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, the blue oval brand is taking the fight to new territories as they unveiled the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion.
With its gaping signature Ford grill, chiseled bumpers, and elongated headlights, its resemblance to the Ford Evos Concept from last year's Frankfurt Motor Show is uncanny. Hoping that they'd carry over the Evos Concept's four gull wing doors is a bit far fetched, though. There are, however, hints of Jaguar and Aston Martin's styling embedded in its DNA that adds to its muscular appeal. And with the addition of dual tail pipes, the Fusion looks good at just about every angle.
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Newly Launched
18 January 2012
Peterhansel clinches 10th Dakar win with MINI in 2012
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.)
After 14 stages covering 8,377 gruelling kilometers over gravel, mud, and sand in three different South American countries, Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel in his X-raid MINI Countryman ALL4 Racing emerged victorious and took his 10th overall Dakar rally win in Lima, Peru. With this win, Peterhansel indeed is the master of the Dakar after winning it six times on a bike (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1998) and now four times on a car (2004, 2005, 2007, and 2012). He is joined on the podium in second place by teammate Joan “Nani” Roma from Spain in the sister MINI ALL4 making it a one-two finish, while Giniel de Villiers in the South African-built Imperial Toyota Hilux V8 surprised all with a third place finish on the pick-up's debut.
Back in January 1, 2012, 443 bikes, quads, cars, and trucks took off from the starting line at the coast of Mar del Plata in Argentina for the 33rd running of the Dakar rally. 15 days later, only 249 of those who started made it to the finish line in Lima, earning the Dakar the title as the toughest off-road race in the world.
Published in
Motorsports
18 January 2012
Gran Turismo 5's v2.03 update goes online to keep things fresh
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Despite a troubled launch, Gran Turismo 5 still remains one of the best-selling console racing games out today. But fans of the series have expressed their disappointment over its unfinished nature. Although the game shipped with over 1,000 cars and 26 track locations, many of the cars are merely direct, low-resolution ports from older games in the series, whereas there is always room for new tracks.
The game's developer, Polyphony Digital, however has been working hard to close the perception gap with constant gameplay and graphics updates and a number of downloadable cars, tracks, and paints. The latest update v2.03 helps clean up certain aspects of the game, such as tire issues in remote racing and fuel consumption for electric cars, and is downloadable starting January 17, 2012.
Published in
News
17 January 2012
AAP publishes comprehensive 2012 Philippine motorsports calendar
The Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), the country's motorsports authority, has just published the complete Philippine motorsports calendar for 2012 covering almost anything and everything on four wheels. Under its affiliated clubs, AAP sanctions all motorsport competitions in six disciplines: circuit racing, karting, slalom, car rally, rally cross, and 4WD off-rod racing.
Big races in store for this year are the Philippine GT, Philippine Touring Car Championship (PTCC), RMSC's National Slalom Series, Hillclimb Series, RallyEKross, National Karting Series, and Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC). These championshipo will visit the country's premier race tracks such as the Clark International Speedway (CIS), Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC), and Carmona Race Track (CRT).
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Motorsports
