TOUGH MEN: September 2007

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

New Mitsubishi Eclipse Ralliart

Quick Specs:

· AWD, Lancer Evolution turbo engine, 15-inch front brakes

· More carbon fiber than some racecars

Every year car enthusiast around the world is waiting for the new cars being launch in the market. With its all new looks and better performance, we all wish that we are the first one to own this new vehicles in our community.Though probably not as well-known as the Evolution nameplate, Ralliart also means performance in Mitsubishi-speak; it's their racing technology team. For the best of both worlds, Mitsubishi combined the two to produce the Eclipse Ralliart concept: a 2006 Eclipse coupe with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution engine and driveline components, plus performance add-ons galore.External, extensive ground effects lower the Eclipse's stance. A black bumper holds no fog lights, as do other Eclipses, and beefy twin tailpipes sit beneath underbody air channels. A massive rear wing actually looks presentable nothing nearly as showy as other aftermarket spoilers, and its carbon fiber construction means weight gain is minimal. Broad sections of the lightweight material are used throughout the Eclipse Ralliart concept: The hood, front fenders, roof, side mirrors and fascias are all constructed with carbon fiber, so it's likely the concept weighs considerably less than a production Eclipse.The concept is probably made up of as many aftermarket parts as Mitsubishi parts. The list of suppliers runs long: Yokohama supplies the tires for the 19-inch, thin-spoke wheels; Recaro makes the racing seats; HKS produces the turbocharger, cams and air-fuel controller; RPS supplies the triple-plate, carbon fiber clutch; and Brembo provides the eight-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers. With all these racing preparation specs this car is one heck of solid, stable and powerful car. This car is powerful no question about it. The question is, can you handle all of this power? Remember, a good race car driver bind its spirit with his car.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

2009 NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R: THE MONSTER OF POWER IS OUT!!!

I am a speed addict myself and fond of racing. Choosing the right car for a certain race is very critical for racers. Each car possesses a unique functionality for every race category. For street racing, a balanced and powerful car I a must, and Nissan Skyline GT-R is the best machine for the streets. Born from a long line of the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R dated back in 1969. Check this latest version "R36" to the hard-core promises to pack more turbocharged power, more all-wheel-drive technology and more sheer speed than any Japanese car ever produced. This beast has been tested around the world in different race tracks for perfect set-up. Nissan Skyline GT-R R36 is the best Japanese performance machinery will be out in the market, the quickest and powerful car the world is waiting to have. This machine is commonly called as the GT-R PROTO. This is the machine I am sure all street racers like me are wished to own.

According to some sources, the new GT-R will have 3 versions - Stock, V Spec, and Evo Spec. The Evo Specs version will be sold a year after of stock debut = Oct/2008 in Japan, and will be limited production. All models will have the same engine spec 3.8L Twin Turbo (not 3.7L), VQ37HR 450hp 50.0kgm , however the Evo will have carbons all around, and will be a 2 seater.
The release dated in Japan for the new GT-R has been rumored to be confirmed for 24th October 2007 and the price is expected to be around 7.7 million Yen cost price at Japanese Nissan Dealers.

Friday, September 7, 2007

Bio-Ethanol, Gasoline of the Future!!!

One of the very reliable alternative fuels or bio fuel is Ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol-based bio fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feed stocks for this bio fuel include corn, barley, sugar cane (which is Negros occidental's main crops) and wheat. Ethanol could also be produced from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses and is called bio-ethanol. This bio fuel is most commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline when mixed.

Ethanol could be blended with gasoline to create E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 and blends with even higher concentrations of ethanol, E95, for example, qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and are offered by several vehicle manufacturers.

In some areas of the United States, lower concentrations of this bio fuel or ethanol are blended with gasoline. The most common low concentration blend is E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline). While it reduces emissions, E10 is not considered an alternative fuel under EPAct regulations.

These alternative fuels or bio fuel can help us promote a cleaner environment and cut our daily expenses to a certain percentage. Philippines are now campaigning intensively for alternative fuel production and uses. Many automotive companies are now developing alternative fueled vehicle for global distribution.

Bio Fuel,Bio Ethanol,Fuel Alternative

Thursday, September 6, 2007

18 Highly Expensive Cars Crushed in Subic and Sold for 10 pesos per Kilo

August, 16, 2007. Subic, Philippines. 18 Luxury Cars claimed by Customs officials as smuggled vehicles were crushed into scrap metal to give smugglers a lesson. According to Inquirer.net , Vehicles being crushed are , Lincoln Navigator, three BMW X5s, a Chevrolet Camper and a Mitsubishi GTO sports car were among the vehicles worth a total of P30 million pesos (US$652,000) crushed by backhoes in the Subic Bay Freeport as Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and customs officials watched. The cars were smashed on orders from our President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "to send a message and also because it's common knowledge that if we auction them, the smugglers also win so it defeats the purpose," said Arroyo's aide, Cerge Remonde.

However Arroyo , who was scheduled to fly to Subic, failed to witness the crushing of the vehicles after her back-up helicopter experienced mechanical trouble.The government hopes the example will serve as a deterrent to smugglers, Teves said.
"It's morally justifiable because (smuggling is) harming the state, it's harming our industry, it doesn't generate potential employment for our people," he said.
He appealed to everyone to "pay your taxes to help the country because we need the revenues to provide our people services and infrastructure."
Teves said the 18 smuggled vehicles alone cost the government P10 million (US$217,000) in lost taxes.

Fourteen other cars -- including a Porsche, a Lamborghini and a Ferrari -- that were supposed to be destroyed also Thursday were not crushed because their importers sought court action, Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Antonio Villar said in an interview over government station Radyo ng Bayan.

Villar said several civic groups such as the Gawad Kalinga also appealed to the President to consider auctioning off the expensive cars and use the proceeds to help the poor.
But the group said the auction should be monitored by the government to ensure the cars would not land again in the hands of the smugglers.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the 18 destroyed cars were smuggled into Subic in 2002 but were not claimed by their owners, perhaps for fear of being in trouble with the law. The 14 other cars have claimants who are contesting their forfeiture in court, he said.
Earlier this month, Arroyo vowed to step up anti-smuggling efforts after revenue collections fell short of the target for the first half of the year and local industries complained about rampant smuggling. (Inquirer.net)

Smashing these cars like tin cans seems to be a very stupid idea. However, our government has their own valid reasons for these actions. We all know many Filipinos are Homeless and suffering poverty for decades. If only these cars were auctioned and all the money will be given to the people directly it would be a great help.