It feels like forever-ago when the world first learned of the Porsche 918 Spyder.  It went from avant garde concept to technological boon and today it finally reaches its “production” stage as seen in a fleet of new pictures.  Besides all these new shots of the production 918, Porsche has also released a mountain of information about final product once its released. 

Everything you could ever want to know (except the price and release date) about the 918 is in an epic press release below.  However, if you don’t want to spend the better half of your lunch break reading through it, I’ll give you the quick cliff notes:

-The 918 will have a 4.6 liter gasoline V8 which makes 608HP and redlines at just over 9,100 rpm. 

-In addition to the V8  there are two electric motors: one on the front axel and one on the rear.

-Technically the 918 is a “plug-in” hybrid.

-There are five “modes” for different driving conditions including an “E-power” mode which runs solely off the  electric motor(s).

-The 918 utilizes a 7-speed Porsche PDK transmission.

-The 918 will weigh 3,715lbs.  With the “Weissach package” the weight is 3,616lbs.

-Everything you want to be made out of carbon fiber, is made out of carbon fiber.

Ok, now that you have the gist I will get you started with a few HD resolution pictures (click the thumbnails).  For the full gallery just hit the red text for our Facebook page.  Otherwise, if you really want to geek out on the details scroll below the thumbnails for the official press release.

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Press Release:

Atlanta.The 918 Spyder embodies the essence of the Porsche idea: it combines pedigree motor racing technology with excellent everyday utility, and maximum performance with minimum consumption. The task faced by the development team was to create the super sports car for the next decade with a highly efficient and powerful hybrid drive. Developing the car from scratch, appropriately beginning with a sheet of white paper, allowed the team to come up with a no-compromise concept. The entire car was designed around the hybrid drive. The 918 Spyder therefore demonstrates the potential of the hybrid drive to a degree never seen before: the parallel improvement of both efficiency and performance without one being at the cost of the other. This is the idea that has made the Porsche 911 the most successful sports car in the world for 50 years. In short, the 918 Spyder will act as the gene pool for the Porsche sports cars of the future.

The 918 Spyder reveals its close links to motorsport in a variety of ways. It has been designed, developed and produced by Porsche engineers who build race cars, in cooperation with series production specialists. A great deal of insight gained from the development of Porsche race cars for the 24 hours race in Le Mans in 2014 is thus integrated into the 918 Spyder – and vice versa. The structural concept of the 918 Spyder with a rolling chassis as its basis – a basic vehicle that can be driven even without a body – is race car tradition at Porsche. The concept of the V8 engine originates from the LMP2 RS Spyder race car. The load-bearing structures, the monocoque and subframe, are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Porsche has many years of experience with this high-strength, lightweight construction material and has again achieved top results with the development of the series production 918 Spyder. Many parts of the super sports car come from manufacturers who have a proven record as suppliers for motorsport vehicles.

Hybrid drive brings advantages in terms of driving dynamics

A key message of the 918 Spyder is that the hybrid drive from Porsche is a plus for no-compromise driving dynamics. Drivers can experience this thanks to the unique all-wheel drive concept with a combination of combustion engine and electric motor on the rear axle and the second electric motor on the front axle. It is based on knowledge gained by Porsche during motor races with the successful 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Due to the additional, individually controllable front drive, new driving strategies for extremely high, safe cornering speeds can be implemented, especially for bends. Furthermore, the advanced “boost” strategy manages the energy of the electric drive so intelligently that, for every sprint with maximum acceleration, the full power of the 918 Spyder can be tapped into by simply pressing the accelerator down fully. In short, the 918 Spyder allows even drivers without motorsport training to experience the potential of advanced longitudinal and transverse dynamics.

The Porsche 918 Spyder also has the potential to break many records. The current lap time for the North Loop of the Nürburgring is 7:14 minutes. This time was achieved in the presence of international journalists during test drives in September 2012 – more than a year before start of production. The 918 Spyder prototype was therefore approximately 20 seconds quicker than the Porsche Carrera GT. More test drives on the Nürburgring North Loop will follow. An even more important factor is that the 918 Spyder surpasses previous models and competitors by far in its efficiency as well. As a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it systematically combines the dynamic performance of a racing machine with low fuel consumption. To sum it up: maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption.

Carbon monocoque guarantees lightweight design with a low center of gravity

The 918 Spyder utilizes the best state-of-the-art technologies, taken straight from motor racing, to achieve its top performance. The entire load-bearing structure is made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) for extreme torsional rigidity. Additional crash elements at the front and rear absorb and reduce the energy of a collision. The car’s unladen weight of approximately 3,715 lbs. (3,616 lbs. with “Weissach” package), an excellent low weight for a hybrid vehicle of this performance class, is largely attributable to this concept.

The drivetrain components and all components weighing over 110 lbs. are located as low and as centrally as possible within the vehicle. This results in a slightly rear end biased axle load distribution of 57 percent on the rear axle and 43 percent on the front axle, combined with an extremely low center of gravity at approximately the height of the wheel hubs, which is ideal for driving dynamics. The central and low position of the traction battery directly behind the driver not only supports efforts to concentrate masses and lower the center of gravity; it also provides the best temperature conditions for optimum battery power capacity.

Chassis with race car genes and rear-axle steering

The multi-link chassis of the Porsche 918 Spyder is inspired by motorsport design, complemented by additional systems such as the PASM adaptive shock-absorber system and rear-axle steering. Basically, this incorporates an electro-mechanical adjustment system at each rear wheel. The adjustment is speed-sensitive and executes steering angles of up to three degrees in each direction. The rear axle can therefore be steered in the same direction as the front wheels or in opposition to them. At low speeds, the system steers the rear wheels in a direction opposite to that of the front wheels. This makes cornering even more direct, faster and more precise, and it reduces the turning circle. At higher speeds, the system steers the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels. This significantly improves the stability of the rear end when changing lanes quickly. The result is very secure and stable handling.

Porsche Active Aerodynamic (PAA) for different driving modes

Porsche Active Aerodynamic (PAA), a system of adjustable aerodynamic elements, ensures unique and variable aerodynamics; its layout is automatically varied over three modes ranging from optimal efficiency to maximum downforce and is tuned to the operating modes of the hybrid drive system. In “Race” mode, the retractable rear wing is set to a steep angle to generate high downforce at the rear axle. The spoiler positioned between the two wing supports near the trailing edge of the airflow also extends. In addition, two adjustable air flaps are opened in the underfloor in front of the front axle, and they direct a portion of the air into the diffuser channels of the underbody structure. This also produces a “ground effect” at the front axle.

In “Sport” mode, the aerodynamic control system reduces the attack angle of the rear wing somewhat, which enables a higher top speed. The spoiler remains extended. The aerodynamic flaps in the underfloor area close, which also reduces aerodynamic drag and increases attainable vehicle speeds. In “E” mode, the control is configured entirely for low aerodynamic drag; the rear wing and spoiler are retracted and the underfloor flaps are closed.

Adjustable air inlets under the main headlights round off the adaptive aerodynamic system. When the vehicle is stationary and in “Race” and “Sport” mode, they are opened for maximum cooling air intake. In “E-Power” and “Hybrid” modes, they close immediately after the car is driven off in order to keep aerodynamic drag to a minimum. They are not opened until the car reaches speeds of approximately 81 mph or when cooling requirements are higher.

From comfortable to race-ready: five modes for three motors

The core of the 918 Spyder concept is its distribution of propulsive power among the three power units; their cooperation is controlled by an intelligent management system. To best exploit these different approaches, the Porsche developers defined five operating modes that can be activated via a “map switch” on the steering wheel, just like in motorsport cars. On the basis of this pre-selection, the 918 Spyder applies the most suitable operating and boost strategy without driver intervention, thus allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the road.

Quiet and elegant: “E-Power”

When the vehicle is started up, the “E-Power” mode is the default operating mode as long as the battery is sufficiently charged. In ideal conditions, the 918 Spyder can cover approximately 18 miles on purely electric power. Even in pure electric mode, the 918 Spyder accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in seven seconds and can reach speeds of up to 93 mph. In this mode, the combustion engine is only used when needed. If the battery’s charge state drops below a set minimum value, the vehicle automatically switches to hybrid mode.

Efficient and comfortable: “Hybrid”

In “Hybrid” mode, the electric motors and combustion engine work alternately with a focus on maximum efficiency and minimum fuel consumption. The use of individual drive components is modified as a function of the current driving situation and the desired performance. The Hybrid mode is typically used for a fuel economy-oriented driving style.

Sporty and dynamic: “Sport Hybrid”

In more dynamic situations, the 918 Spyder selects the “Sport Hybrid” mode for its power sources. The combustion engine now operates continuously and provides the main propulsive force. In addition, the electric motors provide support in the form of electric boosting or when the operating point of the combustion engine can be optimized for greater efficiency. The focus of this mode is on performance and a sporty driving style at top speed.

For fast laps: “Race Hybrid”

“Race Hybrid” is the mode for maximum performance and an especially sporty driving style. The combustion engine is chiefly used under high load, and charges the battery when the driver is not utilizing its maximum output. Again, the electric motors provide additional support in the form of boosting. Furthermore, the gear-shifting program of the PDK is set up for even sportier driving. The electric motors are used up to the maximum power output limit to deliver the best possible performance for the race track. In this mode, the battery charge state is not kept constant, rather it fluctuates over the entire charge range. In contrast to Sport Hybrid mode, the electric motors run at their maximum power output limit for a short time for better boosting. This increased output is balanced by the combustion engine charging the battery more intensively. Electric power is thus available even with several very fast laps.

For pole position: “Hot Lap”

The “Hot Lap” button in the middle of the map switch releases the final reserves of the 918 Spyder and can only be activated in “Race Hybrid” mode. Similar to a qualification mode, this pushes the traction battery to its maximum power output limits for a few fast laps. This mode uses all of the available energy in the battery.

Main propulsion: the race car’s eight cylinder engine

The main source of propulsion is the 4.6-liter, eight cylinder engine that produces 608 hp of power. The engine is derived directly from the power unit of the successful RS Spyder, which explains why it can deliver engine speeds of up to 9,150 rpm. Like the race engine of the RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder power unit features dry-sump lubrication with a separate oil tank and oil extraction. To save weight, components such as the oil tank, the air filter box integrated into the subframe and the air induction are made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Further extensive lightweight design measures have resulted in such features as titanium connecting rods, thin-wall, low-pressure casting on the crank case and the cylinder heads, a high-strength, lightweight steel crankshaft with 180 degrees crankpin offset and the extremely thin-walled alloy steel/nickel exhaust system. Striking features of the V8 are that it no longer supports any auxiliary systems, there are no external belt drives and the engine is therefore particularly compact. Weight and performance optimizations achieve a power output per liter of approx. 133 hp/l – the highest power output per liter of a Porsche naturally aspirated engine – which is significantly higher than that of the Carrera GT (106 hp/l) and outstanding for a naturally aspirated engine.

Unique race car design heritage: top pipes

It isn’t just this engine’s performance but also the sound it makes that stokes the emotionality of the 918 Spyder. This is attributable first and foremost to the so-called top pipes: the tailpipes terminate in the upper part of the rear end immediately above the engine. No other production vehicle uses this solution. The top pipes’ greatest benefit is optimal heat removal, because the hot exhaust gases are released via the shortest possible route, and exhaust gas back pressure remains low. This design requires a new thermodynamic air channeling concept. With the HSI engine, the hot side is located inside the cylinder V, the intake channels are on the outside. There is another benefit as well: the engine compartment remains cooler. This is especially beneficial to the lithium-ion traction battery, as it provides optimum performance at temperatures between 68 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, less energy needs to be used for active cooling of the battery.

In parallel in the drivetrain: hybrid module

The V8 engine is coupled to the hybrid module, since the 918 Spyder is designed as a parallel hybrid like the current hybrid models from Porsche. Essentially, the hybrid module comprises a 115 kW electric motor and a decoupler that serves as the connection with the combustion engine. Because of its parallel hybrid configuration, the 918 Spyder can be powered at the rear axle either individually by the combustion engine or electric motor or via both drives jointly. As is typical for a Porsche super sports car, the power pack in the 918 Spyder has been placed in front of the rear axle, and does not have any direct mechanical connection to the front axle.

Upside-down for a low center of gravity: Doppelkupplung

A seven-speed Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission handles power transmission to the rear axle. The high-performance transmission is the sportiest version of the successful PDK; it has undergone a complete redesign for the 918 Spyder and has been further optimized for high performance. To ensure a low mounting position for a low center of gravity of the entire vehicle, the gear unit was turned “upside down” by rotating it 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis, in contrast to other Porsche series. If no power is required on the rear axle, the two motors can be decoupled by opening the decoupler and PDK clutches. This is the action behind the Porsche hybrid drive’s typical “coasting” with the combustion engine switched off.

Independent all-wheel drive: front axle with electric motor

On the front axle, there is another independent electric motor with an output of approximately 95 kW. The front electric drive unit drives the wheels at a fixed ratio. A decoupler decouples the electric motor at high speeds to prevent the motor from over-revving. Drive torque is independently controlled for each axle. This makes for very responsive all-wheel drive functionality that offers great potential in terms of traction and driving dynamics.

Lithium-ion battery with plug-in charging system

The electric energy for the electric motors is stored by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery comprising 312 individual cells with an energy content of about seven kilowatt hours. The battery of the 918 Spyder has a performance-oriented design in terms of both power charging and output, so that it can fulfill the performance requirements of the electric motor. The power capacity and the operating life of the lithium-ion traction battery depend on several factors, including thermal conditions. That is why the battery of the 918 Spyder is liquid-cooled by a dedicated cooling circuit. The global warranty period for the traction battery is seven years.

To supply it with energy, Porsche developed a new system with a plug-in vehicle charge port and improved recuperation potential. This vehicle charge port in the B-pillar on the front passenger side lets users connect the storage battery to an electrical supply at home to charge it. The charge port is standardized for the country of purchase. The on-board charger is located close to the traction battery. It converts the alternating current of the household electric supply into direct current with a maximum charge output of 3.6 kW. Using the supplied Porsche Universal Charger (AC), the traction battery can be charged with a conventional wall plug in seven hours from a ten ampere rated, fused power socket a US 110 Volt household electrical supply, for example. Furthermore, the Porsche Universal Charger (AC) can be installed at home in the garage using the Charging Dock. It enables rapid and convenient charging within approximately two hours, irrespective of regional conditions. The Porsche Speed Charging Station (DC) is available as an optional extra. It can fully charge the high-voltage battery of the 918 Spyder in just 25 minutes.

Pioneering control concept: clear organization of the cockpit

The driver is the focus of all technology in the future Porsche super sports car. A cockpit was created for the driver that is typical of the brand and pioneering in its clarity. It is partitioned into two basic areas. First, there are the controls that are important for driving, which are grouped around the multifunction steering wheel, combined with driver information displayed on three large round instruments. Second, there is the infotainment block that is housed in the lifted center console, which was introduced in the Carrera GT. Control functions, e.g. for the automatic climate control system, wing adjustment, lighting and Porsche Communication Management (PCM), including a Burmester high-end sound system, can be intuitively operated by multitouch with a new type of black panel technology.

For even higher performance: the Weissach package

For very performance-oriented customers of the 918 Spyder, Porsche offers the “Weissach” package. These modified super sports cars can be recognized at first glance by special colors and designs that are based on legendary Porsche race cars. The roof, rear wings, rear-view mirrors and frames of the windscreen are made of visible carbon. Parts of the interior are upholstered with Alcantara instead of leather, and visible carbon replaces much of the aluminum. Sound insulation has been reduced. The emphasis on performance is not just visual: very lightweight magnesium wheels reduce unsprung masses; gross weight was reduced by about 77 lbs. The benefits are experienced in further improved dynamic performance. Other references from motorsport are six-point seatbelts for driver and front passenger, optional film-coating instead of body paint, as well as additional aerodynamic body parts in visible carbon.

Porsche redefined: a new super sports car for a new decade

The 918 Spyder continues a long tradition of super sports cars at Porsche; as technology platforms, as the driving force behind both car emotion and car evolution and as the ultimate sports cars of their decades: the Carrera GTS, the first Porsche Turbo, the 959, the 911 GT1, the Carrera GT. More than any of its predecessors, the 918 Spyder is providing key impetus for developing technologies for future vehicle concepts. It offers a complete package of components that reflect Porsche DNA – more concentrated than ever before.

Technical Specifications – Porsche 918 Spyder

Body: Two-seat Spyder; carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) monocoque interlocked with CFRP unit carrier; two-piece Targa roof; fixed roll-over protection system.

Drivetrain: Parallel full hybrid; 4.6-liter V8 mid-engine with dry-sump lubrication; hybrid module with electric motor and decoupler; electric motor with decoupler and gear unit on front axle; auto start/stop function; electrical system recuperation; four cooling circuits for motors, transmission and battery; thermal management.

Engine power: 608 hp at 8,600/min (V8 engine)

154 hp (hybrid module on rear axle)

127 hp (electric motor on front axle)

887 hp (combined)

Max. torque: 390 lb.-ft. at 6,600/min (V8 engine)

940 lb.-ft. (equivalent torque calculated on the crankshaft, complete system in 7th gear)

787 lb.-ft. (complete system, 3rd gear)

> 590 lb.-ft. (800/min – 5,000/min)

Maximum Revs: 9,150 rpm

Power output per l: 133 hp/l (V8 engine)

Power transmission: Combustion engine with hybrid module and transmission bolted together to form a single drive unit; seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK); rear-wheel drive; front electric motor with gearbox for driving the front wheels (decoupled from 146 mph); five pre-selectable operating modes for optimum coordination of all drive units.

Gear ratios PDK

1st gear 3.91

2nd gear 2.29

3rd gear 1.58

4th gear 1.19

5th gear 0.97

6th gear 0.83

7th gear 0.67

R gear 3.55

Final drive ratio 3.09

Clutch diameter 8.7 in. / 6.5 in.

Chassis and Suspension: Double-wishbone front axle; optional electro-pneumatic lift system on front axle; electro-mechanical power steering; multilink rear axle with adaptive electro-mechanical system for individual rear wheel steering; electronically controlled twin-tube gas-pressure dampers in the front and rear with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

Brake system: High-performance hybrid brake system with adaptive recuperation; internally ventilated and perforated front ceramic brake discs (PCCB), 16 in. in diameter and 1.4 in. thick; rear discs 15.4 in diameter and 1.3 in. thick.

Wheels and tires: 918 Spyder wheels

(Weissach package: 918 Spyder magnesium wheels)

front 9.5 J x 20 with 265/35 ZR 20

rear 12.5 J x 21 with 325/30 ZR 21

Weights: Curb weight 3,715 lbs.

3,616 lbs. (Weissach package)

Dimensions: Length 182.8 in.

Width 76.4 in.

Height 45.9 in.

Wheelbase 107.5 in.

Track width front 65.5 in.

rear 63.5 in.

Luggage compartment capacity, VDA ~ 110 l

Fuel tank capacity 18.5 gal

Energy supply: Lithium-ion battery with 6.8 kWh capacity (BOL nominal), 220 kW maximum power and mains-compatible plug-in charger.

Performance: Top speed > 211 mph

purely electric 93 mph

Acceleration:

0-62 mph 2.8 s

0-60 mph less than 2.8 s

0-62 mph (in electric mode) 7.0 s

0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) 7.9 s

0-186 mph (0-300 km/h) 23.0 s

Range: Purely electric approx. 18 mi.

Warranty: Vehicle (Battery) 4 years (7 years)

Charging times:

AC charging on a household socket (110 V, 10 A): less than 7 hours

AC charging on an industrial socket (240 V, 30 A): less than 2 hours

DC charging on an industrial socket (400 V, 32 A): less than 0.5 hours.

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If you love cars, especially exotic and European cars then you know the name Pininfarina.  The legendary Italian design house has been signing their name on some of the most beautiful cars for decades.  Most of the time they work with Ferrari but every now and then they will team up with another OEM for something special.

BMW’s Gran Lusso Coupe is something special…

The Gran Lusso Coupe will be something of a spiritual successor to the BMW Zagato Coupe which made its debut last year at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.  The new Gran Lusso Coupe will make its debut at this year’s Concorso event next week (May 24th) and I am sure it will be a stunner.  Judging by the sketch it appears to me that Pininfarina is going to take the design language of the 6 series and turn the elegance way up.  I can’t wait to see the finished product.  Tune in on the 24th and we should have plenty of pretty photos of the Gran Lusso Coupe in the flesh..err sheet metal.  For now click the thumbnail below for a teaser shot and check out the press release for more details.

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Press Release:

Munich. At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013, two tradition-steeped car manufacturers – the BMW Group and Pininfarina – will be straddling the automotive past and future as they unveil the result of their debut cooperation to the global public on 24 May: the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé.

Together they have created the embodiment of sheer elegance.
The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is the sequel to a new approach introduced at last year’s Concorso in the shape of the BMW Zagato Coupé. Always in search of opportunities for further development, the BMW Group consciously pursues creative exchange with other design studios. It enables two design approaches to merge into a new and exciting initiative that encourages fresh creative impulses. Thus the close collaboration with the Pininfarina design team has led to a new automotive personality brimming with character and ready to join the high-end luxury class: typically BMW and bearing the refined imprint of Pininfarina. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé adds a new dimension to the BMW claim to elegance and exclusivity.

This elaborate creation is a one-off that captivates the observer at first glance with its Italian exclusivity and modern finesse. Generous surface design and taut contours highlight an elegant vehicle body, while hallmark BMW proportions – a long wheelbase, stretched bonnet, short overhangs and a set-back greenhouse with smoothly sloping roofline – imbue the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé with authoritative dynamics even before a wheel has been turned.  Enhancing the powerful impact of the side profile are convex taperings that add a dynamic elegance. The exterior symbolises the modern harmony between power and elegance encapsulated by the V12 engine under the bonnet.

On the inside, the BMW Gran Lusso Coupé shows this consummate blend of contemporary elegance and luxury. Here the melding of exclusivity, comfort and sportiness makes for a unique interior experience. The fluid underlying geometry of the cabin and the classical BMW driver focus are lent a thoroughly new touch through the influence of Pininfarina.

It may be a while before I could ever afford an Audi but I will be forever grateful to them for giving me a reason to express my Iron Man fanboy-dom all over this blog!  And with Iron Man 3 less than a week away I am in full nerd mode!  In today’s flimsy excuse I present a recently released video from Audi which takes the audience into Tony Stark’s famous workshop.  Not only is his workshop where most of his inventions, including the Iron Man suit itself was born but it also doubles as the garage for all of his rides, including his two Audi R8′s (5.2 V10 and eTron).  Take a look at all of his “cool stuff” (see what I did there?) below.

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The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach plays host to several motorsport events over the course of one weekend.  In fact there is so much going on that sometimes once one event is over they have to get out of the way to make room for another event.  One such example is the Mother’s Car Show.  You see, the ALMS main race takes place on Saturday but the Mother’s Car show takes place on the same real estate used by ALMS for their paddock.  So, by Saturday night all the big rigs, equipment, trailers, and teams from ALMS are gone to make way for the car show.  By Sunday morning what once was a hub for all things LeMans becomes a sea of gleaming super cars.

Traditionally it is one of the first things I shoot Sunday morning, and this year was no different.  There were a slew of top notch automotive art on hand and armed with my trusty camera I snapped all the cars I thought were worth snapping.  There are some preview thumbnails below and you can hit the red text for the full gallery on our Facebook page.

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Leave it to Audi to give me an excuse to pour my Iron Man fanboy-ism all over this site!  All the other shell head fans out there who happen to be gearheads will be happy to know that Audi has just launched an Iron Man 3 microsite in cross promotion with their new e-tron A3 hatchback. 

The site has a few cool widgets that show off what the main characters of Iron Man 3 will be driving i.e. Tony Stark behind the wheel of an e-tron R8 (probably powered by an arc reactor?) and Pepper Potts on the wheel of the new A7 sport back.  There is also a ton of video, wallpapers, and other features that will launch later.

Go now! Go play with the site! Its awesome!  Just click the red text above!  Also in case you have lived on another planet for the last few months you can scroll down and watch the latest Iron Man 3 trailer below first. 

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Trailer:

I paid another visit to Cars & Coffee this weekend (more on that in a later post) and as usual there was a great mix of eclectic and exotic cars at the meet.  However, there was not anything particularly mind blowing, or so I thought…  Just as I was preparing to leave I decided to make one more sweep to make sure there wasn’t anything that I had missed.  I am so very glad I did…

Just as I made my way towards the back of the lot I spotted a small crowd gathering around something.  I couldn’t see what it was completely, just bits of it through cracks in the crowd.  The only thing I could tell is that whatever they were looking at was low to the ground, angular, and very white.  As I finally made my way to the donut of people I saw something I had never, ever seen before, not even in pictures.  Parked before me was a genuine BAC Mono!  I had only heard it briefly mentioned on Top Gear UK or in articles but this was my first time laying eyes upon one be it picture or in person.

If you have neither seen nor heard of a BAC Mono before, just imagine a street legal Formula 3 car and there you have it.  It has one seat, center positioned (hence the name “Mono), a crate engine from a formula car, hydraulically actuated sequential transmission, and a full push-rod suspension system.  Wrap all of that in a tube frame chassis shod with carbon fiber body work and you have a 1400lb ticket to happy-land.

I sought out the owner to find out just how this machine managed to make it all the way to California from the UK and I found Mr. Shinoo Mapleton.  Shinoo is the president and CEO of Sector 111.  If “Sector 111″ sounds familiar to you that is because they are one of the biggest Lotus tuners in the country.  They also sell other small go fast cars such as the Ariel Atom.  Mr. Mapleton informed me that Sector 111 was recently chosen by BAC to be the exclusive seller of the Mono in North America and that the car he brought with him is the very first on American soil.  Oh, it is also completely street legal and California registered.

I asked him if there were any major differences between the UK version and what he would be selling here and the answer is virtually none.  It is still powered by a Cosworth built crate engine based on a Ford Duratec unit with all the Cosworth internal goodies and a dry sump system.  It makes 280HP which is equivalent to a bazillion horsepower when you are in a chassis that weighs only 1400lbs.  The transmission is an off-the-shelf Hewland unit and if so desired could probably be built with custom gear ratios.  There are also genuine AP brake calipers behind each wheel.

After hearing all of that I decided that I really, really need to one of these machines.  I asked Shinoo how much it would cost to get a Mono of my own and his response of $175k made my wallet shoot itself.  Jokes aside, the price for what you get is than reasonable.  The only downside is that buyers will have to wait approximately 9 months before they get to drive their street legal race car.  The reason for that is BAC actually sends the car to Sector 111 in pieces to which technicians must build the car by hand which as you might guess, takes a while. 

Despite the time and money it takes to get one, Shinoo informed me that his shop is already in the build process for two more cars and he is actively taking deposits for his 2013 allotment.  While I wish so very much I could be on the waiting list for one of these wonderful toys I was still pretty happy with just being near one and taking pictures.  Although I can’t lay claim to the exclusive as Shinoo says his personal BAC Mono will be seen on Top Gear pretty soon.  Until then enjoy the pics I shot by clicking any of the thumbnails!  If you are interested in putting in an order for your own BAC Mono just go to Sector111.com for all the details.

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St. Patricks day weekend was cause for celebration for many people all over the country but it was also a big weekend for motorsport freaks like us.  In addition to Sebring the past weekend also saw the return of Formula One.  I decided to kick the weekend off by paying a visit to one of my favorite meets: Cars & Coffee in Irvine. 

It was the first time I had been to the meet since the start of the year so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised to see an even more eclectic mix of cars than I was used to.  There was everything from million-dollar exotics to a few rare classics.  I even saw a crazy turbo-diesel zombie apocalypse truck! (more on that in a later post).

However, I would have to say the meet’s biggest attention getter was a genuine Bugatti Veyron brought by Symbolic Motor Cars of San Diego.  As jaded as I am these days even I am still impressed with a Veyron sighting.  I have only been in the presence of Bugatti’s hyper-car four times and only two of which (counting the weekend) were “wild” sightings.

All in all it was a great trip.  If you haven’t been to Cars & Coffee I would highly recommend checking it out.  If you’re saying to yourself: “Hey jerk, I don’t live in Southern California!” I would say “don’t interrupt me while I’m talking!”  See, the cool thing about Cars & Coffee is that it is something of an organization now so there are meets in several places all across America;  even in Europe!  Just head to CarsAndCoffeeOnline.com to find the closest meet to you.

In the meantime feel free to click the thumbnails for some pics or see the full gallery on the MotorworldHype Facebook page.

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With fatherhood comes a complete change of lifestyle and responsibilities.  Being a father not only means being responsible for another life (or lives) but also going to great lengths to keep said lives happy as they cry, vomit, and poop constantly.  Its enough to make any man want to express his feelings, even through song as the new FIAT 500L ”The Fatherhood” video demonstrates.  If you are a child of the 80s who has children now then you are going to dig this.  Scroll down below to watch.

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Just seven days ago the world was introduced to what could possibly be the fastest prancing horse ever built AKA “LaFerrari”.  With a car that is so powerful and so light, superhuman brakes are would be needed to stop it.  Naturally, Ferrari turned to Brembo to come up with such a solution; the result of which are the new “Extrema” calipers.

The Extrema calipers are possibly the lightest, most efficient calipers Brembo has ever produced for a production car.  They are monoblock aluminum and feature several channels and vents for the best airflow possible to control temperatures.  The Extrema are also the first Brembo calipers to have an electronic parking brake integrated into the unit.

Besides the increased performance, Brembo also wanted to make sure their new calipers looked good when they are bringing hypercars to a halt so in addition to blessing them with a very pleasing shape, they will offer Extrema calipers in 9 different colors!

If you want to see how all the tech and style come together, watch the video from Brembo below featuring a 3D wireframe of LaFerrari as well as a few pictures.

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I have been to my share of auto shows in my life and have been witness to many debuts.  While they are somewhat entertaining I always thought that the coming of a new automobile should be a more theatrical event.  It turns out that Jaguar shares my vision and have been hard at work producing a movie starring their beautiful new F-TYPE roadster.

The film’s, well human star is Damian Lewis (of Homeland fame) as a “delivery man” who has taken on the task of driving a brand new F-TYPE to its brand new owner.  The trouble is, his route takes him through the middle of a desert that seems to be full of shady characters who all want to the F-TYPE before the delivery man can reach his destination.  How bad does it get?  You’ll see in the trailer below.

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