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Like Porsche and Lamborghini, Ferrari has the habit of releasing stripped out, track focused models based on their mid-engined supercars. Following the lineage of the F360 Challenge Stradale and the F430 Scuderia, the Prancing Horse has gone all 'Superleggera' on the 458 Italia. Sporting a different front facia, rear end body work, fins protruding before the rear axle and a more flush and slippery body to accommodate the active aerodynamic systems, the V8 equipped 458 Italia that has been given a power bump in a trimmer package of almost 1.3 tonnes. More power, lighter weight, active aerodynamics and a mid-engined V8
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Jay Leno becomes the first person outside McLaren to drive the McLaren P1
Akram_saheed posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Let me get one thing straight. Personally I am not a fan of McLaren. I have nothing against the team, its Formula One drivers or the firm's awkward behaviour of naming its cars after fax machines. It's just like Manchester United vs Liverpool or Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer or Tiger Woods vs well whoever he competes with. However there are one or two things I admire about McLaren. Firstly, its futuristic, yin-yang inspired factory at Woking, U.K. Secondly, the automaker's approach to cars and the firm's obsession with implementing technology. I have mentioned a countless number of times in the blog, as much as I like cars and the science, art and engineering behind it - I like technology, gadgets and gizmos. As such I cannot think of any other automaker in this era (perhaps besides Audi) that harnesses science, technology and cars as well as McLaren. Ferrari is a front to sell road legal Formula One cars to fund their F1 programme while Lamborghini is a German engineered Italian on steroids and performance enhancing drugs. Pagani is a new kid on the block that is all about theatricality, flamboyance and art. McLaren celebrated - with pride - their 50th anniversary as a racing team. 50 years is a long time, but the British firm has only created five road going cars thus far, and all five have been blockbusters in their own right. We have the iconic and legendary McLaren F1, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the MP4-12 and 12C and now we have the long awaited and alien looking McLaren 'Designed by Air' P1. The McLaren P1, together with the Porsche 918 and LaFerrari, welcome the next generation of hypercars and motoring in general. They are from three different countries in one continent but they share a similarity - they are all hybrids. Unlike its predecessors, the McLaren F1, Porsche Carrera GT and Enzo Ferrari, they are not purely naturally aspirated. Each feature an electric motor of some sort to boost performance to an already capable internal combustion engine. http://dai.ly/x14g7to In the case of the P1, the futuristic looking vehicle is unlike anything I have ever seen. The aesthetics have time travelled 10-15 years from the future, combined with the technical limitations of today. It is powered by a substantially revised 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, coupled to a single electric motor, for a combined power output of 903bhp. Top speed is electronically limited to 350km/h, with the 0-100km/h standing start acceleration taking less than three seconds. The McLaren P1 will power from rest to 200km/h in less than seven seconds, and on to 300km/h in less than 17 seconds - a full five seconds quicker than the McLaren F1. Despite this, the P1 is also efficient with CO2 emissions less than 200g/km, and the ability to cover more than 10km in emissions free electric mode. Undergoing the final stages of testing before commencing on first customer deliveries soon, fellow self-confessed automotive and collector, Jay Leno, became the first man outside the development team at Woking, and Jenson Button, to drive the McLaren P1. The 12 minute video is pretty much split into two sections, a tour of the McLaren engineering centre that looks nothing short of a cathedral while the second part is Leno thrashing the all new hypercar on what I think is the Top Gear test track - who was gleaming with excitement every single minute of course. As mentioned at the start, I am not a fan of McLaren, but does that mean I should not be jealous? -
Fans of the 86 listen up. Rumour has it that Toyota is preparing a power boost for its popular 86 sports coupe. The Japanese brand has teased numerous concepts of its two-door cult car with upgraded engines, including a supercharged TRD version (above) built in the U.S.A and a twin-charged version (below) created by its in-house skunkworks Gazoo Racing. But those were designed to showcase the ability for aftermarket tuners and were not really suitable for mainstream production. Now, the Chief Engineer of the 86, Tetsuya Tada, has finally admitted that his team is developing a number of ways to increase performance of the showroom version - one of which will definitely make it to production when the 86 receives its mid-life upgrade in 2015. "I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car. We have already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is a turbocharger, one is bigger displacement and the other is a special hybrid system," said Tada. Tada did not divulge any further details, but inside sources claimed that the most likely option is an increase in displacement, bumping the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed engine up to a 2.5-litre and increasing power from 200bhp to around 260bhp. It is understood that this option would be the most cost-effective solution, which not only maintains the integrity of the lightweight concept but prevents placing additional stress on the drivetrain that a turbo charger would, or the complexity and weight penalty of a hybrid system. However, both alternatives are not being tested in vain, as they are likely to be introduced on the next generation 86. Either way, it is almost certain that the hybrid system Toyota is currently working on will make its way into the next generation 86. However, it is unlikely to be a conventional and heavy battery pack but rather a road-going development of the super capacitor system employed in its Le Mans sportscar racers, which are not only smaller and lighter but can store and deliver energy quicker for rapid bursts of acceleration. Come on Toyota! We certainly hope to see a more powerful 86.
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Ferrari 458 Italia Spider with 738bhp sounds delicious and scary
Akram_saheed posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Hot on the heels of creating one of the world's fastest car -
Jay Leno welcomes the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 into his garage
Akram_saheed posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Point a kid or teenager to the Chevrolet Camaro and they will probably just scream "Bumblebee!" Thanks to GM's association with the billion dollar Transformers trilogy (S$3.38 Billion in box office receipts to be exact), the retro Beetle was replaced with the fifth generation Camaro concept, and modified versions of it appeared in the sequels - much to the hatred of hardcore Transformers fans. But hey at least the sfx was awesome. The Camaro was envisioned as a competitor to the legendary Ford Mustang. But compared to the American stallion, the bowtie did not fare well in sales or recognition as a muscle car in its first year. Production commenced in September 1966, and the Camaro survived four generations until the model went out of production in 2002. After eight years of hibernation, the Camaro name was revived with the fifth generation (or post Transformers generation) armed with a new design and platform. I have to admit after years of viewing the mustangs, corvettes and challengers - it was refreshing to see the sharp and striking looking Camaro. Not to mention the larger than life heroic portrayal in the live-action Transformers trilogy aided the nameplate, especially with the younger audience. I am no expert in muscle cars, but if there is anyone out there who knows his muscle cars more than anyone else - it could be is none other than the self-confessed auto nut, Jay Leno. Frequent visitors of the blog might be familiar with his web series -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm90__azVSo Mercedes has revealed the 2014 S 63 AMG ahead of its public debut in September's Frankfurt Motor Show. The high performance Mercedes flagship sedan is powered by a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged 5.5-litres V8 engine which delivers 585 bhp and 900Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT sports transmission with three selections, namely "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual). Both the SWB and LWB S 63 AMG take only 4.4 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill. The AWD 4MATIC model even manages to shave off 0.4 seconds from the century sprint performance. All models have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. The new S 63 AMG is up to 100kg lighter than its predecessor due to several weight saving measures. These include the usage of light alloy rims, aluminum construction for the roof and front panels, usage of carbon fibre for the spare wheel recess, among others. The lithium-ion battery itself already contributed to 20kg of weight savings. The S 63 AMG is equipped with Mercedes' AIRMATIC suspension which offers continuous damping adjustment. This enables the performance sedan to adjust better to driving styles and road conditions. The suspension offers two settings, namely "Comfort" and "Sport". A torque vectoring system helps to improve handling. High performance AMG ceramic composite brake, which weighs 20 percent lighter than stock ones, is on the option list.
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BMW has launched the M5 Nighthawk special edition specifically for the Japan market. Only 10 units will be built. On the outside, the Nighthawk is painted in 'Frozen Black'. The 20-inch alloy wheels, grille, door handles, mirror caps and exhaust tips are finished in dark chrome. I believe this is a car that The Dark Knight (Batman) would love to drive. The leather seats and door panels and dashboard are tastefully finished with a bright Sakiru orange shade. One can also find the usual M Performance carbon trimmings in the cabin. The M5 Nighthawk is equipped with the Competition Package which boosts the output of the 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 from 552bhp to 567bhp. Mated to a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, the high-performance sedan storms from standstill to 100km/h in a mere 4.2 seconds. The package also includes new coil springs, damper calibrations and anti-sway bars. These adjustments resulted in lowering of the car by about 10 millimetres, which lowers the center of gravity and body roll. The new M5 special edition model is priced at 18,200,000 Yen (S$229,283) in Japan.
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[extract] Tens of thousands of motor racing fans flocked to the Aston Martin Centenary Festival at Brands Hatch last weekend to celebrate the auto maker's centenary. Thanks to the good display of weather, the spectators enjoyed parades, static displays and 12 thrilling races - including the fourth and fifth rounds of the GT4 Challenge of Great Britain and the 100-minute GT Centenary Race
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Caterham unveils the next generation Seven - the Seven 620R
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] As Caterham celebrates 40 years of developing and building the Seven, Caterham is re-inventing the 'Seven' nameplate with the Seven 620R. A newly-engineered, two-litre supercharged Ford Duratec engine pumps out 310bhp, propelling the Seven 620R from naught to 100km/h in under 2.8 seconds. Priced at -
[extract] SEAT will lead its presence at this year
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Radical will be attending the Salon Prive this September and for the first time, they will display the new Radical RXC. The RXC is Radical's first ever enclosed car and marks an exciting new step in the development of the marque, by bringing genuine Le Mans engineering and aerodynamics to the road in a package that delivers incredible performance whilst remaining easy to own. The V6 engine and seven-speed gearbox configuration has been developed specifically for the RXC under the guidance of Radical's Managing Director Phil Abbott as well as Chief Designer Nick Walford and his development team. The Ford Mustang sourced engine is a 3.7-litre 24-valve V6 unit with twin-independent variable cam timing and sequential multi-port electronic injection, controlled by a bespoke Radical/AER Life engine management system as employed successfully on the SR3 SL roadster. The six-cylinder develops 380bhp and 434Nm of torque. Since the RXC only weighs 900kg, the power-to-weight ratio of the car is 422bhp/ton, which will provide a century sprint of 2.8 seconds before climbing to a top speed of 281km/h. The car's striking design elements include gullwing doors, with Radical saying the RXC has the most complex body it has ever produced, as it includes both composite and carbon fibre sections. "It's the car we've always wanted to make, and by applying our extensive knowledge and understanding we have produced a GT car that - just like our other products - will outperform machinery costing many times more. But more important than that it's going to be incredibly thrilling to drive," said Radical's Managing Director Phil Abbott.
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Caterham delighted by completing maiden Le Mans entry despite few hiccups
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Caterham Motorsport celebrated the completion of its maiden Le Mans 24 Hours at the La Sarthe circuit by finishing 11th place (out of 22 entries in its class) in the LMP2 category. The team came in 24th in the overall standings. Drivers Alexander Rossi, Tom Kimber-Smith and Eric Lux delivered behind the wheel of the Caterham Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan despite suspension failure and a puncture. From the lights, Kimber-Smith took the Caterham LMP2 as high as fifth place in class, before handing over to Caterham F1 reserve driver, Alexander Rossi, in his first ever Le Mans race. The American driver -
Dutch car manufacturer - Spyker - will return to Salon Prive with two models featured on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show at Syon House in September. Spyker has recently revealed the production-confirmed B6 Venator, which will feature on the Concept Lawn, with a Spyder (convertible) version also expected to be revealed later in the year. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept is a compact, two-door mid-engine sports car that Spyker claims will offer the discerning driver of the highest standards a new choice, delivering a rare combination of heritage, design, performance and exclusivity. Designed by Victor R. Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Spyker N.V., the Spyker B6 Venator Concept makes a contemporary statement whilst paying homage to its past. Highly detailed design, bespoke materials and aviation-inspired elements are a core part of the Spyker DNA. With the announcement of the Spyker B6 Venator Concept, the company once again proves its Latin axiom: Nulla tenaci invia est via (For the tenacious no road is impassable). The name 'Venator' is Latin as well, meaning 'Hunter' - a nod back to Spyker's Hunter fighter aircraft of the early 20th century. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept will begin production in early 2014 for key markets including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, followed by the U.S.A in autumn 2014. The C8 Aileron, last seen at this year's Geneva Motor Show, will be displayed as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show, proudly demonstrating why this year's production of the model has already sold out. Salon Prive's David Bagley said, "I'm delighted to have Spyker at Salon Prive once again and showing a stunning lineup on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show. We have a brilliant show coming together this year, the biggest and best ever in fact, and we're very much looking forward to seeing it all come together over the three days in September." The eight Salon Prive will run from Wednesday the 4th of September to Friday the 6th of September at Syon Park, London. Several new product debuts, as well as the Chubb Insurance Concours d'El
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Mercedes A 45 AMG vs CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake in quarter mile race
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Recently, Auto Express setup a quarter mile drag race between two AMG models. They are the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake and the 'entry level' AMG, the A 45 AMG. The competition feels like David vs Goliath as the CLS 63 AMG has a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine that generates 518bhp while the 45 AMG makes do with a turbocharged 2.0-litre that makes 355bhp. In terms of engine capacity, the CLS63 is more than two times that of the A45. Is the A45 destined to lose the drag race to its much more powerful sibling? Or will the lighter AWD hot hatch with dual-clutch transmission reign supreme? I shall leave the conclusion for you to find out! A 45 AMG CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake -
Caterham aims to defend speed title at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
After taking the honours last year, Caterham aims to defend its lap record at the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power to occur from the 14th till 16th June with its SP/300.R. This year, four British sportscar manufacturers will go head-to-head, with four distinct vehicles in an attempt to better last years timing of 61.89 seconds at the narrow circuit. Caterham's sports prototype racer will compete against exotic supercars and specialist track-day vehicles to defend its title. Caterham Drive Experience instructor, Scott Mansell, will once again take the wheel of the SP/300.R for this event. The racer will join supercars, classic and modern race cars, as well as specialist track-focussed machines, with the latter expected to do battle for the lap record. Caterham Cars' CEO, Graham Macdonald, said, "Last year's contest was extremely close and we expect it to be even tighter this year, given that there are four British manufacturers attending, each with exactly the same aim." The SP/300.R is powered by a 2.0-litre Supercharged Ford engine, producing 300bhp via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Flat out, it is capable of topping 289km/h and will reach 100km/h in 2.6 seconds. The sports prototype vehicle has attracted strong demand among the premium trackday community with sales across the U.K., North America and France. Visit http://www.caterham.co.uk for more information about the SP/300.R and Caterham -
Race Driver: Grid is a video game by Codemasters - the same developers of the recent slew of F1 games and Dirt rally car racing series. The sequel, Grid 2, is an upcoming video game by the same developers to be released in a couple of days on PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows OS. Most video games like God of War, Halo and Call of Duty, among others, usually retail a limited, exclusive or collectors packaging. They often contain a few value add items like DLC, in game character skins, maps, weapons or in the case of Call of Duty - you get night vision goggles or remote controlled 'surveillance vehicle'. As part of the new game, the marketing team for Codemasters have unveiled a new Grid 2: Mono Edition and with it you get the game (obviously), a PlayStation 3 and an actual 273km/h capable BAC Mono car - in full Grid 2 livery and full driver race wear for the ultimate racing experience. By the way, did I mention it costs roughly 125,000 of the queens money (S$238,727) ?
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McLaren '50' 12C Edition commemorates the brand's 50th anniversary
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
2013 marks the 50th anniversary since McLaren was founded by New Zealander - Bruce McLaren. As part of the celebration, the British carmaker has announced the limited edition '50' 12C in both coupe and spider (convertible) body styles. Only 100 examples will be produced. Developed by McLaren Special Operations, the limited edition 12Cs are available in 3 exclusive colours - Carbon Black, Supernova Silver or McLaren Orange. For the exterior, updates include a re-designed front bumper, black McLaren badge on the hood and carbon fibre trim for the lower section. Unique 19/20-inch ultra-lightweight alloys in Satin Black finish and carbon ceramic brakes round up the exterior revisions. For the cabin, we can find subtle branding for the carbon fibre sill panel and floor mats, and a '50' anniversary plate on the driver's door. The 50 12C will come with a monogrammed car cover and a limited edition car key that resides in a carbon fibre presentation box. -
Although the 2014 Lexus IS is available with an optional F-Sport package, some may feel that it is not aggressive enough and want more. Good news. The folks at TRD have come up with a performance and styling kit for the baby Lexus. On the styling front, the sedan can be ordered with an aerodynamic body kit that includes a front spoiler, revised side skirts, a rear diffuser and an integrated trunk spoiler. Customers can also order a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system and 19-inch forged aluminum wheels that sports a 15-spoke design. To improve the handling and steering feel, TRD retunes the suspension by adding a set of sport springs and dampers to make the car sit closer to the ground. TRD also offers underbody member braces. The engine output of the car remains unchanged. At the moment, the TRD aero kit and performance package are available only in Japan and the parts can be ordered separately.
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Toyota has updated the JDM Mark X sedan for the 2013 model year. One of the more popular parallel-imported Toyota model in Singapore, this is the second time the Mark X receives a facelift in its life cycle. For those who feel that the facelift back in 2009 could be better, the good news is that the 2013 model has a nicer looking front fascia with a new grille that sports a more pronounced "X" logo in the centre. Sporting an aggressive design, the headlights incorporate Bi-Xenon bulbs and daytime running LED lights. The tail lights and bumper have been redesigned as well. Along with the 2013 iteration of the Mark X, Toyota has collaborated with its racing partner, Gazoo Racing, to come up with the G
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Skoda Rapid Sport Concept to debut at Worthersee tuning show
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Skoda Rapid Sport concept will make its world premiere at the Worthersee tuning show in Austria. The concept gives the plain looking Rapid sedan an extreme makeover and turns it into a boy racer's fantasy. The Sport Concept is painted in two-tone metallic Steel Gray and Corrida Red and wears aggressive 19-inch red alloy wheels. The exterior is complimented by a body kit and twin exhausts pipe at the rear. The darkened side mirrors, head lights and grille remind us that this is a rapid sedan from the dark side. The recessed hood completes the external updates. According to Skoda, the sporty layout continues in the interior of the car, with a sports type steering wheel, Recaro seats and illuminated door sills. No engine details are available at the moment but given its promising looks, anything less than a 2.0-litre TSI would be a disappointment. Marking the 32nd year of the Volkswagen Group event, the 2013 Worthersee show takes place in Reifnitz, Austria between 8th to 12th May. Skoda will display the Fabia RS Motorsport, Citigo Motorsport and an accessorised 2013 Octavia Combi alongside with the Rapid Sport Concept. -
Volkswagen is celebrating a million sales of the Scirocco with the launch of a Scirocco Million Edition. The figure takes into account the sales of the first two generations of Scirocco that were sold between 1974 and 1992. On the outside, the Scirocco Million is painted in exclusive 'Deep Black' metallic paint with two prominent decorative stripes, one on the bonnet and the other on the boot. It also comes with painted wing mirrors and 18-inch 'Interlagos' alloy wheels. The R-Line bodykit completes the exterior updates. The interior is fitted with standard black leather upholstery with contrasting orange stitching that is also found on the gear knob and handbrake. Stainless steel pedals and special Million-badged scuff plates round up the cosmetic upgrades. Under the hood, five engine options are available. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol have outputs of 122bhp or 160bhp while the 2.0-litre TSI produces 210bhp. The 2.0-litre TDI develops 140bhp or 177bhp. The Scirocco Million Edition will go into production in the later part of May 2013 and sadly to say, it will only be offered in China and hometown Germany. First Generation Second Generation
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Had he been alive, he would have celebrated his 53rd birthday last March. Yet yesterday motorsports enthusiasts and the people of Brazil - or those who remember anyway - rekindled the memories of the best racing driver in the world - Ayrton Senna. 19 years after his death, Ayrton Senna is still remembered for many things including his charity work to his people, but it's his driving attitude and god-like performance on the track that many - including Mika Haikkainen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, David Coultard place him among the best. Including the most successful driver of all time - Michael Schumacher - who won the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and equaled Senna's 41 victory record in 2000. The three time world championship winner was also responsible in part in the development of the Honda NSX. Ayrton Senna's three championship winning cars were powered by Honda engines and after testing at the Suzuka GP circuit - Senna requested Honda to stiffen the chassis. Senna was given two cars by Honda. The newer one, a black 1993 model, license plate BSS-8888 (the letters meaning Beco - a childhood nickname - Senna Silva and the number 8 is a reference to his first F1 championship in 1988) is still in his family's possession. A team from Hungary's TotalCar Magazine has prepared a special video to honour the late Senna featuring professional touring car driver and WTCC Rookie of the Year 2011, Norbert Michelisz, in a car that the Brazilian helped fine tune - the NSX.
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These are the first spy shots of the new Subaru WRX which is likely to go on sale later this year as a 2014 model. According to Autoblog and WorldCarFans.com, this is the next generation WRX STI
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Jpop fans rejoice. 16 members of Japan's number one girl group - AKB48 - will be performing at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. An hour's live performance will occur at the performance stage on the 13th April at 06:00pm where the hit group will perform their hit singles like 'Heavy Rotation' and 'Aitakatta', among others! A meet and greet session will also be organised at the performance stage on the 12th April 2013 at 1515hrs and the 13th April 2013 at 1630hrs during the Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. Visitors who have purchased their tickets online can redeem limited first come, first served moshpit passes at the event and watch the performance up close. The 16 members from AKB48 are: 1. Maria Abe 2. Sayaka Akimoto 3. Rina Chikano 4. Nana Fujita 5. Rina Kawaei 6. Ayaka Kikuchi 7. Ami Maeda 8. Natsumi Matsubara 9. Sakiko Matsui 10. Tomomi Nakatsuka 11. Amina Sato 12. Sumire Sato 13. Haruka Shimada 14. Shihori Suzuki 15. Juri Takahashi 16. Yuuka Tano Do note the organiser reserves the rights to change the schedule and the list of members coming to the event.
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You are familiar with Ken Block's gymkhana videos where he usually wrecks tarmac in his Subaru. This time round, Monster has another video - which is equally impressive. A 850bhp Trophy Truck with 34-inches of suspension destroys the topsoil of the Mojave Desert at 241km/h an hour. Driven by 'Ballistic' BJ Baldwin, the rear-wheel driven truck sits on an NSP-1 chassis and is powered by a large 7.5-litre Chevrolet V8 engine developing 935Nm of torque with a fuel consumption of 75.8 litres per 100 km. Filmed by Tempt Media this off-road adventure would complement any Fast and Furious series with a jaw dropping moment at one point. Ok enough talk, more action!