2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Cup Race Car

The MX-5 Miata Cup Race car, will compete in a new global single-make Miata racing series.

Mazda hasn't  yet revealed the car's final specifications, but  performance enhancing upgrades to the exhaust, suspension, intake, and brakes to today's Miata look likely.

The MX-5 Miata Cup car will use a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine which will be locked to prevent any internal tampering and a six speed manual transmission. It is expected to weigh about the same as the roadgoing Miata around 2300 pounds.

The MX-5 Cup Race Car will cost less than $50,000 with all the upgrades so that the owners won't have to spend more time and money to add the performance kits.

The car will be fitted with a full roll cage and fire-suppression system.

A passenger seat will be optional while air condtioning will not be available. A roof and windows arent included.

Final power figures and exact specs for the 2016 MX-5 Miata Cup car will be out soon.

Galpin-Fisker Rocket 2015 Ford Mustang

When renowned designer Henrik Fisker approached his longtime friend and colleague, Galpin Auto Sports manager Beau Boeckmann, with advanced design sketches for a super-tuner 2015 Ford Mustang, the two wasted no time. And in Less than four months, the 725 horsepower Galpin-Fisker 'Rocket' is turning heads at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show. These tw muscle car maniacs are now preparing to put this monster into production.

The Rocket was designed by Henrik Fisker, who has a pretty good track record of designing striking cars. He's worked on the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB8 and 9, and, of course, the Fisker Karma, which, for all its troubles, was at the very least a remarkable design.

Rocket’s design also builds heavily on the modern lines and cues on the 2015 Ford Mustang GT on which it is based. The familiar Mustang logo gallops across a hexagonal carbon-fiber grille, split horizontally by an aluminum bar. The Galpin-Fisker Rocket’s new face sits on top of a carbon-fiber front splitter, which is matched with enlarged front intakes and two massive hood scoops that help cool the car’s 725-hp V-8 engine. Custom side skirts, flared fenders, brake-cooling side skirts (for the 15-inch Brembos), a rear diffuser, and a rear decklid spoiler are also included to improve aerodynamics and downforce.

“My favorite Mustang is the 1968 Shelby GT500 that had this long hood and huge air intakes,” said Fisker, in a statement. “It gave me butterflies the first time I saw it. We wanted to recreate that feeling with this car.”

As impressive as the car looks in person, what’s even more impressive is the time frame in which it went from idea to reality. Once the ball started rolling on the Rocket, the partners were dead-set on bringing the car to life. “When [Fisker] showed me that design, I literally got chills,” Boeckmann told AUTOMOBILE at the Los Angeles auto show. Galpin Auto Sports would then unveil a one-off tuner 2015 Ford Mustang at SEMA, with the same supercharged, 725-hp V-8 engine.

F1 set to return to India in 2016

The Indian Grand Prix is expected to return in 2016 after a "fruitful" meeting between Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and race promoters held last month in Russia.

The Indian Grand Prix was dropped from the 2014 calendar after three successful seasons, owing to tax and bureaucratic hurdles, leaving fans and experts to wonder whether the elite global event will comeback at all. The Indian Grand Prix has already been ruled out for 2015.

It still remains a doubt whether the Indian Grand Prix will run in 2016, as Formula One Management (FOM) and race promoters Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), part of the Jaypee Group, first want to honour the five-year contract and then work on securing the long-term future of the event.

"We (Sameer and I) had a good meeting in Russia. I was assured that the tax and other related problems will be sorted out in due course and then we are good to go back. It is too late for 2015 now, so we are working on 2016," Ecclestone said from his London office.

While Gaur, on his part, said, "Formula 1 remains very important for us. Unfortunately, because of the circumstances we could not do the race this year but I see the situation improving soon. The important thing is that we and FOM are on the same page. 2015 looks tough as the calendar is more or less final, so we should look at 2016 as the year for the race."

Without specifying what kind of support he is seeking from the authorities, Gaur said the government's involvement could result in a win-win situation for all.

"We have signed a contract with FOM for five years and we will honour it. Beyond that, we will have to wait and see how things change. We organised three races in full harmony, full collaboration with FOM, Government of India and the state government.

"We will go the central government again in due time, once we are closer to the race time (in 2016), we will go. It could be a win win situation. F1 is right up there with hosting Olympics or Football World Cup and its presence can only benefit India," Gaur concluded.

Jules Bianchi out of induced coma!

Jules Bianchi is no longer in an induced coma but remains unconscious, his family said in a statement.

The Frenchman has been in an artificial coma since he suffered severe head trauma when he crashed into a recovery vehicle that was removing Adrian Sutil's Sauber at the Japanese Grand Prix at the beginning of October.

His family, though, issued an encouraging press release on Wednesday, confirming he is breathing unaided and will be moved from the hospital in Yokkaichi to the Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice.

"Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious," the statement said.

"He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as 'critical'. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.

"Jules' neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France.

"We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago.

"Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service."

The family also expressed their gratitude to the medical staff at the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center.

The statement added: "We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends.

"We have nothing but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center since the accident.

"We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us.

"In particular, we would like to extend our thanks to Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and also to Mr Ogura, all part of the team of personnel caring for Jules in Japan."

2016 Toyota Mirai FCV

The race for the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is really heating up.

Within the past few days, Honda has unveiled its FCV Concept in Japan, BMW is reportedly planning a hydrogen-powered i5, and now, Toyota has officially announced its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for the 2016 model year.

Called as 'Mirai', which means 'Future' in Japanese, is a midsize sedan which will go on sale in Japan by the end of the year.

The Mirai will go on sale in the U.S as early as next year as Toyota has announced a joint venture with industrial gas supplier Air Liquide to build 12 hydrogen fueling stations in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. There are currently 10 stations in California, but the state has committed to 20 by 2015 and 40 by 2016.

Some features you would definitely like about the 'Mirai' :

• The hydrogen powertrain takes just five minutes to fill.

• Emits no exhaust besides water vapor. 

• Can even siphon energy into an owner’s home with the Optional Power Take-Off device.

• Maximum power output of 153 horsepower.
  
  
• Maximum torque of 247 lb-ft.

• It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 9 seconds.

•  Maximum of 5.0 kilograms of compressed hydrogen in two 10,000-psi carbon-fiber-reinforced high-pressure tanks.
• Despite being an FCV, it will have a top speed of 111 mph.
• It will have a nickel-metal-hydride battery similar to that in the Prius and will be fed by a fuel-cell stack tucked under the front seats.
• The solid-polymer electrolyte fuel cell was completely developed in-house by Toyota and consists of 370 cells.
  
  

Power Take-off:

On a full charge, the car provides up to 60 kWh of power to one’s home (or perhaps even one’s depleted Tesla battery) in case of an emergency or a power outage. Toyota claims that’s enough to power an average household for about six days.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Features :

500 horsepower from Ford's first production flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 — an engine usually associated with a European sports cars or race cars.

The 2016 Shelby GT350 has a six speed manual transmission and five different driving modes.

The 2015 Mustang, which is the base of the 2016 Gt350 is already 28% stiffer than the previous car and the GT350 is even stiffer still and the ride height has been lowered by about two inches.

The GT350 gets a new aluminium hood that has been sloped and lowered to look even better.

The aluminum front fenders accommodate the wider front track and wider wheel arches.

The GT350 has some advanced materials and technologies including Ford's first use of MagneRide dampers, a system long used by General Motors for continuous adjustment of the suspension for optimal handling.

To harness all its power, the car has Brembo brakes and the car has stiff 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with customized sidewalls, tread face and compound for maximum grip on the road or at the track.

The car is also more aerodynamic.

The interior was designed around the driver with specially designed Recaro sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel and upgraded gauges to monitor performance. Ford even took out a lot of the chrome trim that might otherwise distract the driver.

Ogier wins Wales Rally...And its Goodbye Hirvonen!!

World Champion Sebastien Ogier comfortably scored his eighth win of the season in the Wales Rally GB. Ogier in his Volkswagen Polo R remained unchallenged after his team mate Jari Matti Latvala, who looked promising on the opening day before he crashed mid way in the opening stage.

Mikko Hirvonen had an emotional end to his career after he finished in the second place.

Here are the Top five timings in the Wales Rally GB after the Power Stage.

1. Ogier (VW): 3:03:08.2

2. Hirvonen (Ford): 37.6

3. Ostberg (Citroen): 1m03.6s

4. Neuville (Hyundai): 1m14.9s

5. Evans (Ford): 1m24.3s

Ogier after winning:

"The win is the best way to finish the year - that was the target. We wanted to enjoy it here. We started flat-out and we made a great difference, but after Jari-Matti had his problem my race changed and I had to control it. Not the best fun but I had to do it. When the conditions are like this it's not too bad. I'm so happy for Mikko to finish on the podium. It's a great achievement."

Hirvonen after finished on the podium in his last Rally:

"I'm so happy! I couldn't have a better end to my career. A great fight. For sure I am going to miss things. There are so many people to thank. To you all - thank you!"

Jari-Matti Latvala won the rally-closing Power Stage in a Polo R to take maximum bonus points. Thierry Neuville claimed two points for second in a Hyundai i20, with Østberg taking one point for third.

Hennessey Venom F5

The Hennessey Venom GT made quite a splash when it set a  Guinness World Record for the fastest production car from 0–300 kilometres per hour (0–186 mph) with an average acceleration time of 13.63 seconds. Also, the car set an unofficial record for 0–200 mph (0–322 km/h) acceleration at 14.51 seconds, beating the Koenigsegg Agera R's time of 17.68 seconds, making it the unofficial fastest accelerating car in the world. 


Here is its successor, the Hennessey Venom F5....

Why is it called F5? Here's the answer...The name F5 is derived from a top speed tornado. The Fujita scale pegs the strongest tornado as an F5, with windspeed of about 261 to 318 mph, which is in the region of the speed barrier that the Venom F5 was designed to break. Thus the name F5...


The new supercar from Hennessey Performance, Venom F5, will have an all-new design that is not only a powerful and unique but a vehicle that will achieve even higher performance through improved aerodynamics than its predecessor.


The next-generation twin-turbo powertrain is still under development, but turbo size for the longitudinally mounted V8 is increased, and the fuel system and intercooler capacity are upgraded to handle the demands of increased boost. Hard numbers for power are not yet available, but it’s conceivable that output could exceed 1400 bhp.


With extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum, weight will remain under 1300 kg (2866 lb.), just slightly more than the Venom GT’s 1244-kg curb weight. So it’s highly probable the F5 will eclipse the Venom GT’s current acceleration records too, which stand at 14.51 seconds to 200 mph, and 13.63 seconds to 186 mph (300 km/h).


The Venom F5 will be unveiled in 2015 with deliveries to customers in late 2016. At least 30 Venom F5s will be produced for sale worldwide, at a price higher than that of the Venom GT, which currently sells for $1.2 million. The Venom GT will continue to be offered; at present, 16 cars of the 29-car total production run have been sold.

VW will bring the 2015 Golf R 400 Concept to the L.A. Auto Show

Volkswagen unveiled the Golf R 400 Concept at the Beijing auto show earlier this year. And from news, it is clear that Volkswagen are bringing their famous hatch to the Los Angeles Auto Show.

To refresh the new version of the legendary car, the R 400 features a Haldex 5 AWD system  and a turbo-boosted 2.0-litre engine. The standard Golf R makes a healthy 292 horsepower. The extra hundred ponies on the R 400 are able to push the German icon to 60 mph in under four seconds.

VW claims 3.9 seconds, which puts it on terms with a 2014 Corvette Stingray. The Vette makes more power than the R 400, but the Golf uses all four wheels to move the much lesser weighted body.

The gearbox is a seven-speed DSG , the interior is laced with carbon, and two center-exit pipes protrude from the rear. In terms of looks, the Golf R 400 is aces, resplendent in silver with lemon-yellow accents.

Caterham F1 will race at Abu Dhabi

Just a few moments back, Caterham F1 team announced that they will be racing at the 2014 F1 season ender in Abu Dhabi. Caterham F1 team took up to social media to reveal the big announcement and thank all the fans for their contribution in generating money for the team. This is what they had to say...

Finbarr O’Connell of Smith & Williamson, joint administrator of Caterham Sports Limited: “We set ourselves a major challenge, but it’s definitely been worth it! In only a week the fans have made the impossible, possible. We knew that the best way to keep this team alive and attract possible buyers was to show that it’s still a racing team and be in Abu Dhabi for the finale, and there aren’t enough words to say how grateful we are to all the fans that have made this possible.

“We now head to Abu Dhabi ready to show what a hard-working and positive group of people this is and to hopefully secure a future for the team. During the past few days the interest of many potential buyers has increased massively and by racing in Abu Dhabi the team will be showcasing itself as a live and functioning team that deserves to continue into 2015 and beyond. It has hard-working people, team spirit and experience and now it only needs a secure financial future which I’m very hopeful we can achieve. Once again, I’d like to reiterate that we are racing in Abu Dhabi thanks to all the fans out there – an achievement that will go down in F1 history and one that we can all be very proud of. We still need to raise a bit more cash so please do keep an eye on the Crowdcube website. Let’s go racing!”