If you’re a 911 cultist concerned that the iconic Porsche may be marginalized as the company seeks to broaden its market with SUVs and— gasp!
—sedans, fear not: Stuttgart’s rear-engined rocket is far from finished.
The proof of this assertion will be revealed at September’s Frankfurt motor show, when Porsche unveils the latest 911 GT2, a muscle-bound brute that makes the potent 911 Turbo seem demure by comparison.
Intercooled and force-fed by a pair of variable turbine turbochargers, the GT2′s twin-cam, 24-valve, 3.6-liter flat-six whomps up 530 horsepower at 6500 rpm—50 more than the 911 Turbo—and 502 pound-feet of torque across a plateau that ranges from 2200 to 4500 rpm. …continue reading 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 – Car News – Car and Driver
Driving round the Isle of Man TT course at an average speed of 113mph in a car might not be quite as certifiable as doing it naked on a bike, but racing driver Mark Higgins certainly deserves kudos for smashing the road-car record in a largely standard Subaru WRX STI.
The TT organisers gave the former British Rally Champion just one shot at the title which has stood since Tony Pond was allowed round the course in 1990 aboard a Rover 827 Vitesse.
You might think that his time wouldn’t have been that hard to beat in a 296bhp all-wheel-drive super saloon like the WRX, but the TT course is fraught with spectacular danger as Higgins discovered almost straight out of the blocks. The second video shows how the passenger remains staggeringly calm as his life flashes before his eyes while Higgins’ hands work their magic.
Click below to see where it almost all went wrong right at the start in what Higgins called the “biggest moment of my life…”
When going through the process of renting a vehicle, one step in the process involves the selection of a rental based upon the class of vehicle. What do all those terms mean anyway? Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an intermediate car and a full size vehicle? Then this article is a great place to start when looking to uncover the answer.
Economy Car
Economy cars are the smallest of the rental car choices. These are also the most fuel efficient, which has made them an increasingly popular choice in recent months. While economy cars appeal to the gas budget conscious they do not hold as much favor with the space/room conscious. Economy cars generally accommodate four adults and one small bag, one medium bag and one large suitcase (leg room and stretching room not included). These cars can come in either a 2 or 4-door version and a Hyundai Accent or Ford Focus is an example of economy car used by many rental car companies.
Compact Car
Compact rental cars are a bit larger than economy sized rental cars. This compact car fits 5 people and can accommodate 2 small bags, 2 medium bags and 1 large suitcase. The Chevrolet Cobalt is one example of a compact car that you may receive if you book this size vehicle at the rental agency.
Intermediate Car
The next step up after the compact size car is the intermediate size rental car. This class of vehicle fits 5 individuals and has room for the same amount of luggage as the compact rental car. The Hyundai Sonata or Pontiac G6 may be your rental car if you choose to go with the intermediate size vehicle. The full size vehicle, such as a Ford Taurus or Chevrolet Impala, is the next size up and it is a great family car. It also holds 5 individuals but has enough room in the car for two large suitcases as opposed to the intermediate class of vehicle which only has enough storage room for one suitcase of that size. If stretching room and leg room are a priority, this is probably the class you want to look at for the most comfortable travel experience.
Other Options
If you are looking for a higher end rental car, then the premium or luxury class is what you should request. When asking for either of these vehicles you may be renting a Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car or Buick LeSabre. These cars fit 5 or 6 individuals at one time and have enough space for 3 small bags, 2 medium bags and 3 large suitcases. If luxury is what you are looking for, then this class of car may be your best bet.
Lastly, there are a few other types of vehicles which you can choose to rent such as SUVs, Mini Vans or convertibles. The passenger and luggage capacity vary from vehicle to vehicle but these types of cars have their own unique features which may be exactly what you are looking for in a rental car. These types of vehicles are not widely available so if you’d like to rent from this group be sure to do your homework to avoid disappointment.
Keep in mind that each rental car company has their own selection with regard to vehicle makes and models. If you are looking for a specific type of vehicle, use the Internet to peruse the specific rental company website or give them a call and they will be happy to help you find the rental car that is right for you.
The BBC will ‘vigorously defend’ the claim that the race on Top Gear featuring the Tesla Roadster was rigged.
Tesla has filed suit over the episode broadcast in 2008 with appeared to show that their car ran out of battery power during a race with a Lotus Elise.
A Top Gear spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we have received notification that Tesla have issued proceedings against the BBC.
“The BBC stands by the programme and will be vigorously defending this claim.”
Among a number of complaints, Tesla’s main bone of contention is that the Roadster was only capable of a 55 mile range when ‘driven aggressively’.
The electric car manufacturer claims the model can cover 211 miles on a single charge, and that figure has been verified by EU tests.
