//:: 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

//:: Black Hawk Down

The real story of the Mogadishu war in Somalia in 1993 .... Black Hawk Down

Movie Note: "Parts of this story are dramatized with special attention given to historical accuracy"

Army Rangers, United States Army, Delta Force, Black Hawk Down, Africa, Somalia, Mogadishu, United Nations, Peace keeping force, American Soldiers, Robert Oakley, President George W. Bush SR., President Bill Clinton, Mark Bowden, Marines, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Hussein Aided, Wayne Long, Abdi Queybdid, Aaron Williamson, Dan Schilling, Lee Van Arsdale, Nightstalker Pilots, Michael Durant, Jeff Struecker, Keni Thomas, Jaime Smith, General William Garrison, Sayyef, Osman Atto, Abdi Qdeybdid //TAGS

//:: Range Rover on Snow

Here's is a short clip of a Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and a Discovery having some fun ... snow driving ...

Shows how good the all-time 4 wheel drive system of Land Rover is ... enjoy the video

Winter, Land Rover, Range Rover, Jaguar V8, Snow driving //TAGS

//:: Engine warm-up habbits

Eight Facts About Warming Up Your Car in Winter

Old habits die hard, and one of the oldest — still rigorously enforced by many drivers — is that "warming up" the car for a few minutes is necessary to avoid some kind of unspecified damage.

But idling is totally unnecessary, which is why many communities have enacted ordinances against the practice.

Here are some quick facts and tips that should put the idling question to rest:

1. Driving warms the car faster than idling

If your concern is not the health of the car, but simply your own creature comforts, Bob Aldrich of the California Energy Commission points out that "idling is not actually an effective way to warm up a car — it warms up faster if you just drive it."

The coming electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, will incorporate a wonderful feature that allows the owner to use a cellphone to tell the car (which is plugged into the grid) to pre-warm or pre-cool the interior. No idling necessary.

2. Ten seconds is all you need

Environmental Defense Fund, which produced the Idling Gets You Nowhere campaign, advises motorists to turn off their ignition if they're sitting stopped for more than 10 seconds.

"After about 10 seconds, you waste more money running the engine than restarting it, said Andy Darrell, deputy director of the EDF Energy Program. "Switch the car off at the curb, and you'll be leaving money in your wallet and protecting the air in your community."

3. Idling hurts the car

According to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation's Anti-Idling Primer, idling forces an engine "to operate in a very inefficient and gasoline-rich mode that, over time, can degrade the engine's performance and reduce mileage."

The Campaign for an Idle-Free New York City points out that idling causes carbon residues to build up inside the engine, which reduces its efficiency.

4. Idling costs money

Over a year of five minutes of daily idling (which causes incomplete combustion of fuel), the "Anti-Idling Primer" estimates that the operator of a V8-engine car will waste 20 gallons of gasoline, which not only produces 440 pounds of carbon dioxide but costs at least $60.

5. Idling in the garage can kill you

Idling a car in a garage, even with the door open, is dangerous and exposes the driver to carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. If the garage is attached, those fumes can also enter the house.

6. Block heaters beat remote starters

Lori Strothard of the Waterloo Citizens Vehicle Idling Reduction Task Force in Canada says, "Remote starters can too easily cause people to warm up their cars for 5 to 15 minutes, which is generally unnecessary."

A block heater, which is designed to heat the engine and can cost under $30, on a timer set to start one to two hours before driving, does the trick in very cold climates.

7. Quick errands aren't quick enough

Natural Resources Canada points out that leaving your car idling while you're running into a store on an errand or going back into the house to pick up a forgotten item is another way to waste gas and pollute both your town and the planet.

"Leaving your engine running is hard on your pocketbook, produces greenhouse gas emissions, and is an invitation to car thieves," the agency (PDF) says.

8. Idling is bad for your health (and your neighbor's health)

According to Minneapolis' anti-idling ordinance, "Exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children's; studies have linked air pollution to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies."

Engine Warm-up, Starting your car during winter, Health //TAGS

//:: RL's Car Collection

Vanity Fair Goes Inside Ralph Lauren's Garage

We don’t know how or why Mr. Ralph Lauren gave access to his private car collection to Vanity Fair, but we are glad he did. Because it’s not really a car collection, but a super museum for rare cars on pedestals.

Lauren recently renovated a former car dealership’s storage facilities near his lavish Westchester, New York, estate to house his amazing jewels on wheels. The picture you see here is from his Ferrari room, dominated by a rare 1958 Testa Rossa. We don’t think we have ever seen something as stunning as this room filled with gleaming red pieces of automotive history.

The eye-popping collection of 60-plus vehicles, arranged like a high-end art gallery, are all kept registered and ready to drive anytime the designer feels like it. It’s hard to put a total price on the collection, that includes a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic worth an estimated $40 million (EUR30 million) alone, the world’s most expensive car.

Also included are a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix, a 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia roadster, the world’s only 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi” roadster, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS, a McLaren F1, a rare 1929 “Blower” Bentley, a Ferrari 250 GT, and the only Lamborghini Reventon Roadster in the US, which is one of three Lamborghinis Mr. Lauren acquired this year.

All of them are in perfect condition of “sometimes beyond perfection,” according to the magazine, as some models have been done in colors that the designer prefers over the original. One heck of a collection, don’t you think?

Ferrari, Red Cars, Mercedes, Car Collection, Garage, Expensive collection, Old cars, Vintage //TAGS

Note: This is a re-post "http://www.autoevolution.com/news/vanity-fair-goes-inside-ralph-lauren-s-garage-29077.html"