//:: Illegal Parking

What a way to teach those who park illegally!

Mayor in Action, Illegal Parking, Tank, Mercedez, Rich Bastards //TAGS

//:: A Ferrari to keep

The forthcoming Monterey auction set to take place later this month will include the sale of a rare Italian handcrafted supercar, RM Auctions revealed. The vehicle in question is a 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Carrozzeria Vignale, which is one of 12 original 375 Americas and one of the two Vignale-bodied coupes.

Originally finished in burgundy with a silver roof and tan upholstery, the example on offer is the 1954 Geneva Salon show car.

However, by 1964, the car was known to have been refinished in metallic blue, with its original small taillights having been replaced by larger US-specification units.

But most recently, the car was returned to its original Geneva show colors, with original paint samples of the burgundy for the body and the silver for the roof located on the car and used to correctly match the colors. In addition, the original small taillights, which were swapped for larger units under Robert Wilke’s ownership in period, were returned to the car.

Moreover, the dash was also refinished in correctly matched burgundy paint, and the rest of the interior remains original. In addition, the undercarriage and engine bay are reportedly well detailed.

The lot is “cloaked in its handsomely hand-formed Vignale bodywork, presented exactly as it first appeared at Geneva in 1954 and retaining its original, matching-numbers V-12 engine,” RM Auctions explains. “Accordingly, it epitomizes the pioneering era of Ferrari road-car development, and it is certain to remain one of the most fascinating and highly coveted classic Ferraris ever created.”

Set to go under the hammer this August 20, the 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe is estimated to fetch between $1,750,000-$2,100,000.

//:: Eyeing for record price at pebble

It's hard to believe, but it's almost time for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance again, and with it comes some of the best vintage and collector car auctions in the world. At this year's Gooding & Co. auction during the Monterey classics week, a stunning 1957 Ferrari 250 Tesa Rossa prototype will cross the block.

Wearing the rather evil-sounding chassis number 0666 TR, the first prototype for the vaunted Testarossa line could set a new record for all-time auction sale price.

Of course, exactly what constitutes a record sale price at auction remains a bit unclear. A 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sold for about $30 million at a Gooding & Co. auction last year, beating the $12.2 million record for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold in 2009 at an RM Auction event. The Ferrari 250 is actually one of the main names in the record auction game, with another example, a 250 GTO, selling for a record $28.7 million--though it wasn't sold at auction.

Earning the title for most expensive Ferrari 250 sold at auction, however, might not be too hard a feat to achieve, despite the dreary economy we're in at the moment. Considering the previous record-setter was a mere production model, and a 1961-vintage car at that, the original prototype should command an additional premium.

"Being in the presence of the 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa Prototype is a visceral and breathtaking experience unlike anything I’ve ever known," says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. "We will all witness a historic day when this incredible car – one of the greatest race cars of all time – crosses our stage in Pebble Beach this August."

//:: BMW Performance Edition

Earlier this month, BMW of North America announced a Limited Performance Edition to close out the remaining E90 3 Series Sedan production.

The limited edition 335i includes Black Kidney Grills and Stage 1 Software that adds 20 horsepower and 32 ft-lbs of torque which brings the performance level .02 faster in 0-60mph. It also includes a Performance Edition badging.

The 335i Limited Performance Edition only available on the 335 sedans in “i” and “xi” models, but requires a Sport package on the “i” and M-Sport on the “xi” models. The option code is ZMZ and will be available to order from the port as well as the dealer level.

Not the actual 335i Performance Edition

Today, BMWNA announces the availability of BMW Performance Edition parts for existing 135i and 335i customers. Pricing to purchase the contents of this edition as a retrofit will be announced in August 2011.

Press Release

Performance breeds excitement and the BMW Performance Edition for the 2011 335i / xDrive Sedan ensures that new car buyers are in for that extra thrill beyond the outstanding performance that can already be realized with these exciting vehicles. Customers can now option their vehicles with a special BMW Performance Edition (option code ZMZ) that includes an all-new Power Kit, black kidney grilles and a “BMW Performance Edition” badge for only $550.

The BMW Performance Edition for the 335i highlights a Power Kit which consists of engine tuning software (no additional hardware):

Increases the engine power output from 300 hp to 320hp and torque from 300 lb ft to 317 / 332 lb ft (manual / automatic transmission); this is the same horsepower rating as the 335is!
Acceleration from 0-60 mph is 0.2 seconds faster than the standard model and 0.5 seconds faster than the standard model from 50 mph to 75 mph.

Emissions and fuel consumption ratings are unaffected by the power upgrade.
Black kidney grilles and a BMW Performance Edition badge will visually identify these Performance Edition vehicles from other 3 Series vehicles.

The BMW Performance Edition is offered only for a limited time on 335i Sedans through the end of 2011 which will ensure that owners of these vehicles will belong to a very special club of performance purists.

BMW is also pleased to announce that the contents of the BMW Performance Edition will be made available to existing 135i and 335i customers. Pricing to purchase the contents of this edition as a retrofit will be announced in August, 2011.

BMW Sports, M, BMW Power, Sports Car //TAGS

//:: Ferrari's secret hybrid tech

Ferrari is preparing the world for its first hybrid supercar — and this prototype looks to be solid proof that the project is well under way.

The Maranello firm has been talking about a hybrid supercar since the 2010 Geneva motor show when it unveiled the Hybrid Concept, based on a standard 599. The firm’s goal is to develop hybrid technology to get its fleet average CO2 emissions down to around 240g/km by 2018, a significant reduction from last year’s figure of 310g/km.

Spied testing in Germany, this two-seater looks at first glance to be a ‘cut and shut’ 599 GTO, running as a mule for the all-new 599 due in 2013.

But its red-on-white German ‘pre-registration’ plates give away its identity as a test bed for Ferrari’s hybrid tech. Ferrari prototypes normally wear Italian ‘Prova’ identification plates, but those have been ditched while this prototype is driven in Germany to throw spy photographers off the scent.

Ferrari is keen to disown any knowledge of its hybrid prototype, but the ‘S’ on this car’s plates means it is registered in Stuttgart, home of German supply giant Bosch, which is thought to be helping Ferrari with the engineering and software set-up.

The cut-about 599 GTO body panels are covering up a well finished car underneath, whose details appear to mark it out as a California, Ferrari’s V8-powered coupé-convertible. The California’s headlamps, wheels, chromed wheel nuts, folding metal roof shutlines, brake caliper position and distinctive instrument binnacle can all be seen.

However, the revised arrangement of the test mule’s exhaust pipes is an important new detail. The standard California stacks its twin rear pipes on top of each other, rather than two pairs of side by side pipes as seen here.

That may be linked to new routings for the exhausts, dictated by the hybrid powertrain and its space-consuming battery.

Ferrari’s chosen design package for its hybrid sports cars can be seen in its patent drawings (see above right). It features two electric motors — a low-capacity one at the front to drive ancillaries when running on electric power alone, and a rear-mounted one rated at 100bhp and 110lb ft — with a pack of slim battery cells spread over the floorpan.

Although the hybrid electric equipment added 100kg to the kerb weight of the 599 Hybrid Concept shown last year at Geneva, Ferrari was confident that its on-road performance was improved, with 0-100mph in 10.4sec, an improvement of 0.6sec. Interestingly, the 599 concept’s centre of gravity — a key factor in determining a car’s dynamic ability — remained the same.

Also under development are a super-fast traction control system that works by reversing the electric motor’s torque rather than cutting engine power, and an ‘electronic torque shaping’ system that feeds in small torque inputs from the electric motor during acceleration. This helps maintain momentum during gear changes and is felt as a more linear throttle response. The California test mule is likely to be running this set-up.

Related Post: Ferrari 599 Hy-Kers

Note: Re-post from http://www.autocar.co.uk/

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Super fast cars //TAGS

//:: Visayas Trip

Visayas weekend ... Cebu and Bohol

I was a bit lucky that I flew to cebu earlier than the people that I'm spending the trip to Bohol with ....

Thanks to PAL (Philippine Airlines) they were delayed by 12 hours! I guys the joke about the abbreviation of PAL is what I can imagine, true (Plane Always Late) ... Poor guys ...

So anyway, as soon as they arrived in Cebu ... the van that we rented burnt tires to get to the port in time as we had to cross from Cebu to Bohol by ferry boats...

Good thing we had a good driver that time ...

Here are some pics of my trip to Bohol and Cebu

Cebu city, Bohol, Tagbilaran city, PAL, Philippine Airlines, Chocolate Hills, Baclayon Church, Loboc River, Ramasola Studio, Old Nikon Camera, Kishanta Heights, Talisay city, Port Bonifacio //TAGS

//:: Northern Philippines

One of the best drives I've done my entire life ... Drive up north ... the northern part of the Philippines ... from Ilocos Sur to Cagayan Provice - Aparri, Tuguegaro, Gonzaga ... coastal hi-way, mountain view, modern developments, etc... (May 12-15, 2011)

Here are some pictures to show how much fun I had during my trip

Philippines, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Bugos Lighthouse, Pagudpud Windmills, Portabaga Falls, Patapat Bridge, Gonzaga, Oldest bell of the fareast, Aparri, Our lady of PIAT, Vigan, Clay, Pot Factory //TAGS

//:: Official Video of the Ferrari FF

Official video of the new Ferrari Four (FF)

Click here to view facts about the Ferrari FF

Supercar, Ferrari, 4x4, Traction //TAGS

//:: Locked up

What if the birds did this to us.....

How would you feel?

Photography, Birds //TAGS

//:: Another lonley night

Strange clouds

I live near a swamp ... One night I couldn't find answers to what my mind was asking me. So I took the cam and just sat beside the swamp and took pictures from a very dirty, stinky, itchy, insect infested place beside the swamp and just took pictures of the strange clouds lurking above me.

I'm still learning to shoot .... so forgive me .... after taking the shots and spent about an hour just sitting down there .... I guess it made me relax abit. Knowing that there is always a light out there to shine on you when you need it to help you see things more and to calm you down.

Sitting down there wasn't easy. I couldn't see a thing and I had to use my phone to light the path I was walking on too to make sure I don't fall over.... but in the eye of the lens ... you see things more clearly as the lens can see more light. Push the shutter and you'll get to see it ....

Photography, Strange Clouds, Night Shots, Non-flash shots, Low light photography //TAGS

//:: Ferrari FF

The first ever Ferrari All-wheel drive ... The Ferrari FF

As announced, Ferrari has revealed today the new Ferrari FF, or Ferrari Four, which is the company's first four-seater ever and... wait for it... its first ever four-wheel drive car. Yup, the Ferrari FF is all-wheel-drive! At this point, the Ferrari FF is in a concept stage, but it will spawn a new GT production model soon.

The Ferrari FF measures 4907 mm in length, 1953 mm in width, 1379 mm in height and has a dry weight of 1790 kg. The company says the Ferrari FF has a weight distribution of 47% front, 53% rear and a 2.7 kg/hp power-to-weight ratio.

Here comes the fun part. The Ferrari FF is powered by a 6,262 cc 65-degree V12 engine developing 660 hp at 8,000 rpm and 683 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. Ferrari has also released the Ferrari FF's performance figures. The top speed of the Ferrari FF is rated at 335 km/h (208 mph) and the preliminary figures say it can rocket you and three of your buddies from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Although most Ferrari owners do not really care about efficiency figures, here they are. The estimated fuel consumption of the Ferrari FF is rated at 15.4 l/100 km and the CO2 emissions at 360 g/km.

The Ferrari FF was designed by Pininfarina and comes with the latest technology developed by the Prancing Horse. The equipment list of the Ferrari FF includes carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo, the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3), continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution system. The power of the Ferrari FF is sent to all four wheels via a transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox.

Here's another first for Forza Rossa. The Ferrari FF has foldable rear seats and promises to offer 450 liters of luggage space which can be extended to 800 liters.

The world debut of the Ferrari FF will take place at the Geneva auto show in March this year. Watch the first Ferrari FF video after the jump.

Ferrari Press Release:

A revolutionary four-seater, four-wheel drive V12 Ferrari: exceptional performance and versatility

The official Prancing Horse web site, Ferrari.com, has revealed the first photographs of the new Ferrari FF, the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car.

The Ferrari FF - an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive) - ushers in an entirely new GT sports car concept. A decisive break with the past, the new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution.

This new V12 melds to an unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience.

Designed by Pininfarina, the shape and proportions perfectly interpret the Ferrari FF’s harmonious blend of sporting DNA and extraordinary usability.

The Ferrari FF features the company’s first ever four-wheel drive system. Ferrari’s exclusive, patented 4RM (four-wheel drive) weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional four-wheel drive system, maintaining perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle). Completely integrated with the car’s electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels. The Ferrari FF is also equipped with the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3), as well as the most recent development in carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo.

Exceptional performance levels come courtesy of the new 6,262 cc direct injection engine which develops 660 CV at 8,000 rpm. In tandem with its transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox, stunning acceleration figures (0-100 km/h in 3.7 sec.) are guaranteed. The new model’s class-leading weight-to-power ratio of 2.7 kg/CV, along with its ideal weight distribution, ensures exceptionally responsive handling. The result is that owners will be able to enjoy the Ferrari FF’s prowess over a wide range of uses: city driving, on low grip or snow-covered surfaces and on the track.

Performance aside, Maranello’s latest model also offers standards of passenger space, comfort, in-car spec and equipment previously unheard of in such a high-performance car. It can comfortably accommodate four people and their luggage, thanks to the best cabin space and boot capacity (450 litres extendable to 800) figures in its category, including four-door cars.

A vast array of personalisation options and accessories has been developed for the Ferrari FF. These include six model-specific exterior colours and sumptuous interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.

The Ferrari FF, which will make its official debut in occasion of the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, is presented today with the first three photos from a dedicated shoot by Giovanni Gastel.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Type 65-degree V12
Overall displacement 6,262 cc
Maximum power 660 CV @ 8,000 rpm
Maximum torque 683 Nm @ 6,000 rpm

Dimensions and weight
Length 4907 mm
Width 1953 mm
Height 1379 mm
Dry weight* 1790 kg
Weight distribution 47% front, 53% rear
Weight/power ratio 2.7 kg/CV

Performance
Maximum speed 335 km/h
0-100 km/h 3.7 sec

Fuel consumption and emissions (ECE+EUDC)
Fuel consumption** 15.4 l/100 km
Emissions** 360 g/km

European market version, With HELE system //NOTE

Supercar, Ferrari, 4x4, Traction //TAGS

//:: Learning to shoot

One day .... in a shop

To start of with ... I hated the water that day. It was unpleasantly hot that if you'd stand up outside your house you'd start to sweat in less than 30 seconds. I don't understand why I'm complaining about it too .... I grew up in this country and I'm used to the humidity ....

Went to a shop of a friend to have the truck of my brother checked for some fluid licking out of the engine which turns out to be the ATF or the power steering fluid which is licking out of the power steering pump. Looks like it needs a new Oil Seal and o-ring replacements. Jerry Go, the owner of the shop insisted in just repairing it since it's about 8 years old already ... why not just replace the pump. Sorry but I just have to rant about it. Ford dealer here sells it for 35,000.00 pesos (Philippine peso) for a power steering pump. So we went for a different outlet which we know would be cheaper but would still give us a genuine part from Ford. We contacted a local Ford Parts dealer in Manila, Philippines that offered to give it around 26,000.00. It still does sound much if I may be honest. 26G's! For a freaking steering pump!

So anyone that went on and on as we are just waiting for the part to be delivered....

I realized I brought a camera with me at the back ... so I took some shots outside the shop where they were trying to repair/restore an old Hummer H1, a very 4 cylinder diesel engine, a military Jeep ... and other things ....

Here's some shots ...

Ford, Engine, Mechanic, Auto Shop, Photography //TAGS