The Speed Barrier

His Car, My Review

2008-03-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochThough my father is probably the most passionate automotive enthusiast I’ve ever met, he is also one of the most traditional: not only in the sense that he prefers subtle designs, but traditional in terms of how he values his purchases.First and foremost, my father has never been one to purchase a car for the benefit of the others; in other words, the Joneses down the street do

The Perfect Design

2008-01-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCulloch The ever-daunting question on the mind of any enthusiast: is there such thing as the perfect design? That special design that you consider just perfect, that design that you honestly think could not have been better?Evidently, opinions on this matter are to greatly differ. Some enthusiasts think that there is no such thing as the “perfect” design; always implying that something

A Sporty Toyota

2008-01-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochSuffice to say, it’s an interesting moment in time for the Japanese motor company that is Toyota. Never in their some-60 year history has the company ever had such recognition. As most enthusiasts are already aware, Toyota is now the world’s biggest automotive manufacturer, and much of this can attributed to Toyota’s great value as automobiles, consistency of goods, but

The Ascari Clan

2007-12-17T05:06:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochThe British sports car? Err, yeah, what about it?Well, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the world of the classic English sports car is in absolute shambles. And truthfully, it’s been on the descent for the last some three decades now. Putting aside the great impact of the Jaguars, Triumphs, the MGs and the Healeys through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, it would appear that

GT-R Meets Turbo

2007-12-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Edmunds - Inside LineWouldn't think twice about the subject: GT-R please!

Searching For An Alternative

2007-12-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochThe 1960’s and the 1970’s were quite simply a wondrous time for enthusiasts. Especially for those who were looking for a classic British drop-top and in light of such, MG, Austin-Healey, Triumph and others offered vehicles which sated those sports car addictions.The problem is, very few current British manufacturers have been able to succeed at creating anything with a similar

Rolls - Why Bother?

2007-12-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochFor those of you who follow the high-end market, you might recall the fact that Rolls Royce released a special edition of their flagship Phantom saloon a couple of weeks ago at the Middle East motor show in Dubai. The new edition– coined the “Phantom Tungsten” - of the already amazing Phantom saloon promises a new level of exclusivity for Rolls Royce customers, and with just 20

Engine Wars

2007-11-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochI think most agree with me when I say that a great engine is most definitely one of the top priorities in any sports car. Whether it is a Lotus, or a Ferrari, it makes little difference. Obviously, an engine is much of what gives a vehicle’s it character. Drive a BMW M5 for instance and you’ll immediately notice it’s eagerness to rev; drive an AMG Mercedes, however, and you

Marcos Closes Shop

2007-11-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochAfter the company’s rather recent revival in early 2000, English supercar manufacturer “Marcos Engineering”, has just announced that the company will be closing shop due to “insufficient profits”, “high cost bases” and a British pound which is falling and falling.Mind you, this is far from the first time that Marcos has endured profit problems, and ultimately, bankruptcy.

ISDERA: The History

2007-11-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochThe early 1990’s were an overtly awful time for supercar manufacturers, especially those with little history or prestige behind their names. Our market today is strongly fuelled with a vast amount of "specialty" manufacturers such as Pagani, Koenigsegg, Ascari and Wiesmann, but the supercar market back than was mainly driven by well-established auto firms such as Porsche and

Need A GTR!

2007-11-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

After seeing the new Nissan GTR (AKA, the new Skyline) in this beige colour, I have come to the conclusion that I need one:

Porsche: The Five Most Beautiful

2007-11-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

By Bruce McCullochWith around 70 years of history behind Porsche at this point, choosing just five Porsche automobiles as the most beautiful of all isn't an easy task. Oh no, in fact it's downright daunting. This is one instance where one must take into account not only every little detail, but every little niggle and nanny in approaching a general design philosophy and theme which the company

Blogthings Quiz

2007-11-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Give it a try fellow enthusiasts!You Should Drive a DeLoreanYou don't take yourself too seriously, and you prefer a fun, unusual car... like this Back to the Future gem!What Sports Car Should You Drive?

Birth of an Enthusiast

2007-11-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochI'm sure it's safe to assume that once as young ones, we all had childhood heroes. Some individuals had musicians or celebrities as their heroes, while the vast majority of us car enthusiasts had a certain automotive hero which we lusted like few things else. You know what I'm talkin' about, I'm talking about that one particular vehicle that from your childhood that was the car

Design Study: Pagani Zonda

2007-11-01T05:55:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochOut of the many fantastic supercar designs that have emerged in the past some ten years, the "Pagani Zonda" arguably boasts the most "out there, over the top" design of the crop. Indeed, it's not conservative, nor is it quiet in its design elements and it's most definitely a car for the extrovert rather than the introvert. One could even go as far as to say the Zonda has a

The Not-So-Good

2007-10-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

It’s not often that you hear the words “awful” and “supercar” in the same sentence. Actually, finding the word “awful” to describe a “supercar” is about as rare as finding someone who actually likes the repugnance of a Pontiac Aztek.And it’s no wonder why, when purchasing a $200,000 automobile, the last thing you obviously expect is for it to be awful. But of course, there are those exceptions;

Porsche Storms "Supertest"

2007-10-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

As if recent news of the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport completing the Nürburgring Nordschliefe in 7:27.82 (see here) wasn’t enough of a shock, earlier today German publication “Sport Auto” announced that in their monthly “Supertest” the recently released 530bhp Porsche 911 GT2 has completed the Nordschliefe in 7 minutes, 33 seconds.Such a figure indicates a new echelon in Porsche 911 history. Not only

New N’Ring King

2007-10-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCulloch It would appear that the near-thirteen mile Nürburgring Nordschliefe circuit has a new king.According to English publication “EVO”, Pagani Automobili and their fabulous Zonda F “Clubsport” – a faster, more taut and powerful version of the regular unit – has finally stolen the long held crown from the Porsche Carrera GT.Porsche’s $450,000 flagship had reportedly set a lap time

From A Toyota Enthusiast

2007-10-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochThe words "Toyota" and "enthusiast" go to together about as well as oil and cake - or so I'm told.As a Toyota enthusiast myself, I am getting a little sick of hearing how Toyota (and affiliated) is a brand for those with little interest in cars whatsoever. So often are we (yeah, you can be sure there are at least a few of us) stereotyped as a bunch of knowledge-stricken,

"Efficient Dynamics"

2007-09-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochThat, folks, is what BMW calls protecting the environment; building more fuel-efficient and earth-friendly “eco” cars. Rather than sticking to the usual catch phrases of having their vehicles named such things as “LEV” (Low Emissions Vehicle), BMW deems such a name necessary to separate themselves from most every other company who practice the identical, uh, practice.Mind you,

Progress Kills

2007-09-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochAnyone else remember when the automotive world, specifically that which is the supercar world, was limited and controlled? By limited and controlled, I’m referring to a market where the number of supercars wasn’t reminiscent to the vast amount of fruit types you buy at the super-market.It’s no secret that I love supercars and take great joy in discussing them, examining them and

Colin McRae Tribute Video

2007-09-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

Made by me..

Wiesmann MF5 GT Arrives (again)

2007-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochFRANKFURT: You may recall that just a few days ago I wrote a short piece on Wiesmann’s up and coming “MF5” flagship supercar. At the time at which that was written little was known about how much the vehicle would differ from its counterpart, but the time of pondering has come to an end as Wiesmann has now released the final details of the vehicle.So then, what shall we start

Colin McRae & Son Dead

2007-09-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Had you not yet heard, both world famous rally driver Colin McRae and his son lost their lives earlier today in a helicopter crash. Such is obviously an awful loss to the automotive world.You know, I never watched rally all that much, but the name "McRae" is one which is surely unmistakable to most any automotive enthusiast. As far as I'm concerned, Colin was the world's greatest rally driver.

Wiesmann MF5 GT Arrives

2007-09-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Transmission: M Division's "SMG"Production: ca. 25Base list price: EUR 180.000,--With Ceramic brakes: EUR 200.000Car eqquiped with driver-air bag

Comin' Up - Wiesmann MF5

2007-09-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochPrepare to rev ‘em up, gentlemen.With the 2007 Frankfurt Autoshow now upon us, German tuner-car and automobile manufacturing company, Wiesmann, is preparing to launch an all new flagship called the “MF5”. Based upon the lesser “MF4”, Wiesmann’s new (and apparently limited production) supercar is set to take the company to a new level of status, exclusivity, and ultimately,

2008 Lexus Model Updates

2007-09-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochIf you’ve been thinking of picking up a Lexus GS, you might be best to hold off until the 2008 crop arrives with the introduction of a meatier 8-cylinder model.For 2008, Lexus will be dropping the GS430, in favour of a brand new GS460 which will not only be benefiting from a more powerful engine, but a host of other exciting and enticing features.Whilst Lexus has just (less than

Koenigsegg Faces Trouble

2007-08-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCulloch Last week, an Australian publication by the name of Autocult, reported that Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg is heading into dire financial troubles. And according to Sweden’s Realtid, Koenigsegg, the company known for it’s over-the-top 240mph various “CC” models is currently 240,000 euros in debt and is desperately in search of new investors. Mind you, that debt of

Lexus Storms Rampant

2007-08-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCulloch Over the last week or so, Lexus has been letting potentional customers try out of their upcoming and introductory performance model, the IS-F, at no other track than the fabulous Laguna Seca.I've been reading through out Lexus forums to see what the various reactions are and thankfully, all have been postive. Most implying that the IS-F is the best handling Lexus ever made;

Sports Car Interior - How Important?

2007-08-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochYou know, there’s always been one opinion on sports car interiors that I could never understand. That opinion is as follows: “well, it is a sports car, so the interior means little as you’re focusing on the driving experience”.Such an argument is one which you’re likely to come across very often; for instance, just a few days ago I read where a Viper owner said just exactly that

DMAX D-Motor: Marcos TSO GT2

2007-08-14T21:03:00.001-07:00

From the German automotive show "DMAX D-Motor". Driving this British war-horse is the fantastic Tim Schrick.Enjoy!

Ignored Italia

2007-08-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochThe F50 never broke Ferrari tradition, it just revolutionized itHad you read one of my earlier articles about Ferrari’s shady operations (entitled: The Unmasked Criminals), you probably would have gathered the impression I’m far from the world’s biggest Ferrari fan.However, I mustn’t kid myself; this iconic firm has produced some of the world’s most fabulous vehicles. From the

Misconception

2007-08-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

“A Ferrari F430 you say? Oh, those are cool, but you can’t drive stuff like that on the street”. I can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing such predictable and overused clichés when it comes to talking about supercars. That being said, I’m not sure if people are just misinformed or stuck in the 80’s, or perhaps both - but the fact remains that such a mindset can no longer be used, as the

Can't Have It All

2007-07-18T20:17:00.001-07:00

By Bruce McCullochAfter a recent slew of magazines journalists downplaying the newly released, 4th generation BMW M3 for being ‘soft’, ‘smooth’ and ‘matured’, I can do nothing but shake my head. Not because I disagree with their assertions, but rather because I see our society has killed yet another legend.This unfortunate news is deeply saddening to not only BMW enthusiasts, but to enthusiasts

Top Gear - Chevolet Corvette Z06

2007-07-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Renaissance

2007-07-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

And it was a long time coming...By Bruce McCullochI cannot help but tip my hat to the folks not only at the performance division that is AMG, but to Mercedes-Benz themselves. Why, you ask?For the longest of time, we Mercedes-Benz fans have had to live with one hard fact and that fact was that Mercedes-Benz products couldn’t quite offer the excitement, or entertainment (as drivers’ cars) when

Recommended Auto Magazines

2007-07-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

Try something a little different...By Bruce McCullochTired of the same old repetitious and uninteresting newspaper clippings and/or common mainstream magazines about automobiles? Want a magazine offering entirely different perspectives on your favourite automobiles? If so, I’ve got five magazines which I’d like to recommend, and they happen to be ones which I guarantee will fuel every North

The Wiesmann MF4 GT

2007-07-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

One of Germany's finest supercars.

Pagani Revamp

2007-07-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

According to EVO Magazine, Italian manufacturer Pagani Automobili has now received a total of six orders (with four waiting to be confirmed) for the next iteration of the Zonda, the 'Zonda R'. With a total production amount of just ten units, Pagani is asking an astonishing 1.2 Million Euro's for this all-inspiring track monster.Company owner, Horacio Pagani also indicates that he has secured a

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG & Rivals (Opinion Piece)

2007-07-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, the 2nd of July, was a very important day for Mercedes-Benz fans such as myself. Why you ask? Well, that was the day when Mercedes released its brand new M3 fighter, the C63 AMG.How do I feel it compares to it's upcoming and current rivals?BMW M3 vs Lexus IS-F vs Audi RS4 vs Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGAs is obvious, I have no real experience with any of these vehicles but I'll happily offer my

America's Best: Ford GT

2007-07-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

By Bruce McCullochWhat is the best American sports car ever made? Is it the Dodge Viper? No, I don’t think so. Is it the Chevrolet Corvette? Arguably it is, but I’m going to have to give ‘Vette fanatics an answer they will most certainly be unsatisfied with - NO! Is it Carol Shelby’s monster, aka the ‘AC Cobra’? Nope, not quite, but you’re getting warmer.Hint: it’s made by the oldest American

Hello and Welcome!

2007-07-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm am pleased to announce that today (July 4th, 2007), is the official opening of my a brand new automotive Blog. As is rather obvious, I have a great deal of interest in automobiles and in particular, the higher performance ones. I boast much knowledge when it comes to supercars/exotics and specifically regarding smaller firms, such as: Wiesmann; Pagani; Koenigsegg; Bristol; Noble;