The Design Inspiration Behind the Huracan

Lamborghini’s head of design, Filippo Perini explains how nature helped inspire the new Lambo.

One of the most stunning cars in New York for this year’s auto show was not to be found on the show floor of the Javits Center. Lamborghini’s Huracán LP 610-4 was shown Tuesday atBathhouse Studios, a former site of public baths on the Lower East Side that has been turned into a photo studio and event space.

The Huracán LP 610-4, successor to the Gallardo, has previously appeared on this continent only at the Amelia Island Concours d’Élégance after its introduction in March at the Geneva auto show. The Huracán (pronounced ur-ah-CAN) is named, like most Lamborghinis, for a fighting bull, and 610 refers to the horsepower generated by the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10, which is also rated at 413 pound-feet of torque.

The company says it already has 300 orders from American buyers eager to commit about $240,000 before picking through the options list.

In New York to explain the design philosophy behind the new car was Lamborghini’s design chief, Filippo Perini, who offered a minilecture titled “Beauty: From the Magic of Nature to the Lamborghini Huracán.”

The new car is a softer, more curvaceous, more elegantly proportioned variation on Lamborghini’s aggressive faceted look. More in the tradition of the sleek Miura than the brutal Countach, it is built largely of carbon fiber. In an interview before his talk, Mr. Perini said the car was designed wholly on computers, without a clay model.

The magic of nature that inspires him, Mr. Perini said, is not flowers or leaves, but crystals. “I like crystals,” he said. “Sometimes you see minerals where they intersect. There is a bit of chaos there. We look at the intersection of volumes instead of lines in our cars.”

The thinking that went into the new design, he said, began one day when he was depressed by the quality of the work of the nine designers in his studio. “Everything they were drawing that week was ugly, ugly,” he said. “And then I thought, how do we know what is beautiful and what is ugly?”

Mr. Perini investigated. The sources of beauty, he concluded, are proportions like the Golden Section beloved by the ancient Greeks. He noted that almost everything in the Huracán is shaped around some form of hexagon, from interior gauges to headlight shapes. The hexagon, he pointed out, is the shape of some of the molecules of carbon fiber that Lamborghini is using in its cars. It is also a form found widely in nature, as in honeybee combs.

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The Design Inspiration Behind the Huracan

Aussie Muscle

The Australians have a well-earned reputation of punching above their weight. With a touch of Hennessey, a monster is born.

American tuner Hennessey has released the most potent version of the Australian-built Chevrolet SS yet: the 745kW HPE1000.

The Holden Commodore-based sedan produces a mesmerising 1000 horsepower in the old scale, out-numbering all-but the most exotic supercars on paper.

In order to achieve such brute power, Hennessey replaced the Chevrolet’s standard 310kW 6.2-litre LS3 V8 with a 7.0-litre LSX V8. It then added a pair of turbochargers and an intercooler for even more grunt.

Performance times of the HPE1000 are yet to be released but, if the softer Hennessey HPE600 version of the Commodore is any guide, it’s going to be a rocket. The HPE600 recorded an 11.84 second quarter mile with the standard 6.2-litre V8.

The HPE1000 is likely to humble the tuning efforts undertaken locally by HSV in the form of the 430kW GTS, as well as Walkinshaw’s 497kW W497. It also outguns the American-tuned Callaway supercharger kit on paper.

Of course, Hennessey is no backyard tuning operation. Earlier this year, the American performance shop set the record for the world’s fastest car with Hennessey Venom, breaking the 431km/h mark set by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

The regular Chevrolet SS is most closely related to the Commodore SS-V Redline in Australia. The US model gets more power than the Aussie version’s 270kW/530Nm 6.0-litre V8, thanks to its larger HSV-related 6.2-litre V8 worth 310kW/563Nm.

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Aussie Muscle

All Hail the Beast

The Atom was a groundbreaker. Prepare for the earth to shake again.

Rezvani Motors has officially unveiled the Beast.

Based on the Ariel Atom, the car was designed by Samir Sadikhov – who has previously created the Aston Martin DBC andFerrariXerzi concepts – and features a stylish carbon fiber body, slender headlights and an aggressive rear diffuser. The model also has a removable windshield and 19-inch PUR RS05 wheels.

Under the hood, two different engines will be available. The entry-level Beast 300 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 315 bhp (235 kW) which enables the 1,470 lb (666 kg) sports car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Moving up to the Beast 500 rewards owners with a supercharged 2.4-liter engine that develops up to 500 bhp (372 kW). Thanks to the extra oomph, the car rocket from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.

The first two cars in each series which will be launch edition that cost $99,500 for the Beast 300 and $124,900 for the Beast 500. After the launch editions are sold out, pricing will increase to $119,000 for the Beast 300 and $139,000 for the Beast 500. Current Ariel Atom owners can also upgrade their cars to a Beast 300 for $49,000 and a Beast 500 for $69,000.

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All Hail the Beast

Aston Martin"s "DB" Lives On

If you love the old Aston Martins, you’ll find this article very interesting.

David Brown is a name that is known mainly as being the owner of Aston Martin from 1947 to the 1970′s. Sir David Brown was the Managing Director of the tractor manufacturer David Brown Limited which bought Aston Martin in 1947. During the 30 odd years that he was in charge of Aston they produced arguably some of the most beautiful and best cars in the company’s history, most notably the DB4, DB5 and DB6 models. David Brown was such a key part in the Aston Martin history that 40 years after he was in charge the company still bears his name in their models – the DB in the DB9 stands for, you guessed it, David Brown.

A different David Brown has formed the English company David Brown Automotive and set about taking modern vehicles and giving them a classic twist. His latest project is based on a Jaguar XK and what they have done is completely restyle the interior and exterior of the car. The interior remains the same, but with different materials to make them similar to what would have been used in the 1960′s. The exterior is where the real changes have happened. The car has been styled to look like an Aston Martin DB5. It is up to each individual to decide whether it was a good idea to try and recreate the DB5. The reason behind doing this according to David Brown is to take a car with modern mechanics so it is reliable and give it the styling of a car from the 60′s. XCAR were lucky enough to be there while they were putting the finishing touches on the car ahead of its public launch at the Top Marques Monaco. The car is set to be released in 2015.

Aston Martin"s "DB" Lives On

This 2014 Audi RS 7 Could be a Bargain

Ebay isn’t the sort of place you’d expect to find this.

For most mere mortals, the hotly demanded Audi RS 7 is still relatively unobtainable. It is then perhaps a bit hard to relate to someone who’s been there and done that… though that’s just the case with this Nardo Grey 2014 spec car we’ve found listed for sale by Eurotech Motorsports and listed on Ebay. Even better, the car is very tastefully modded.

Here’s the rundown according to the ad.

Here is an extremely rare and beautiful 2014 Audi RS7 in Nardo Gray. This car is not only a head turner but also has every aftermarket upgrade available to date. Over $20,000 in modifications. This is now owned by an extreme car enthusiast who has owned many exotics. Only reason for sale is to move on to another platform. This car is in better then new condition. The Clear bra has been done since week 1. This vehicle looks, sounds, and drives incredible. The production number of Nardo Gray is very low especially with the discontinued carbon fiber. Now is your chance to own an amazing Audi! This vehicle is sold as is and still has the factory warranty. I can schedule seeing and driving the vehicle for SERIOUS buyers who qualify. This car has absolutely no paint or body work. NO ISSUES AT ALL! 

 Here are the factory options.

• Nardo Gray


• Black Interior


• Bang and Olufsen


• Carbon Optic package


• High gloss black package


• Innovation package


• Driver assistance package


• Sport Exhaust with black finishers


• power soft closing doors


• media cable


• front filler panel

 Aftermarket Modifications

• ADV1 21×10 5.2 MV2SL with hidden hardware (high gloss black) Stock tire setup


• Milltek Non resonated complete exhaust


• H&R lowering module


• APR flash with all options


• 3M complete Clearbra (front bumper, headlights, carbon fiber pieces, hood, fenders, a pillars, door cups, rocker panels, rear bumper)


• Gloss Black Emblems (front rings, RS7 emblem, rear rings, rear RS7 emblem)


• color matched bumper reflectors


• 3M window tint


• All weather floor mats

All factory parts can be included with sale if buyer is interested.

 

This 2014 Audi RS 7 Could be a Bargain

Quit Smoking Sydney

Learn more about how to quit smoking in sydney

The Top 10 Fuel Misers

Which car wins the prize for best fuel efficiency?

This sounds like a simple exercise—head to the EPA’s fuelconomy.gov site, copy, paste, and you have a list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles for sale in America, right? Not so fast.

We decided we needed some ground rules. First, yes, the list is based on the 10 highest EPA-rated highway-mileage figures. Unfiltered, however, the cars on that list are all EVs, and even removing the electrics reveals mostly hybrids and plug-in hybrids, and all of those vehicle types generally cost more and just aren’t fun to drive. So those were out. Being enthusiasts, we instead focused our lens on the most frugal gas- and diesel-burning cars, breaking ties at a given mpg figure by selecting the car we would recommend most highly to our friends and family members, taking into account both driving dynamics and value. So without further ado, here are the 10 most fuel-efficient cars for sale in America today, with a Car and Driver twist.

10) Ford Focus Sedan 2.0L 6AT – 37 mpg

There are a ton of cars rated for 37 mpg highway, but the overall value and general goodness of the fun and affordable Focus make it our pick of this large litter. Unfortunately, to achieve 37 mpg, one must spec the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission, which isn’t among the best of this type of gearbox. Yet all Focuses include as standard the same excellent chassis that helped it garner 10Best Cars awards in 2012 and 2013, and those most interested in this lofty mpg figure—those with long commutes, for example—will find the automatic version acceptable.

9) Mazda 6 2.5L 6AT – 38 mpg

That the terrific Mazda 6 is both a 10Best winner and is rated for 38 mpg on the highway is perhaps enough justification to make it our pick among cars with similar mileage. But the 6 is also a driver’s delight, with a firm yet compliant suspension, superlative steering and brakes, and styling that shames pretty much everything in its class.

8) VW Jetta SportWagen 2.0L TDI Diesel 6AT – 39 mpg

There are few cars that combine a powertrain and body style as deliciously as does the diesel Jetta SportWagen. With engaging driving dynamics and a meaningful 67 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded, this Jetta offers more sport and utility than any number of so-called sport-utility vehicles. The best news, though, might be that an all-new one is on the way (it will be called the Golf SportWagen), and it promises to be even more efficient.

7) Mazda 6 2.5L 6MT – 40 mpg

Your eyes don’t deceive you—the 6 indeed appears on our list twice, and we’re pleased that the slick-shifting manual version is the most efficient, clocking in at 40 mpg highway. Everything we just said a couple of entries back applies here, of course, and are why it’s our pick here.

6) Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0L 6AT/6MT ­– 41 mpg

Take everything we said about its big brother, the Mazda 6, and go right on and apply it to the smaller and equally wonderful 3—including the 10Best accolades. You can think of the 3 as an up-to-date interpretation of the best Alfa Romeos from the 1960s: lightweight and deftly balanced, and with a lithe and responsive chassis. And as for Mazda’s three appearances here, you can credit the company’s Skyactiv engine and vehicle architectures—they’re the main reasons that its cars are both fun and frugal. You can also opt for a more powerful 2.5-liter engine in the 3 without sacrificing much in the way of fuel economy, yet with a bigger increase in performance.

5) VW Golf 2.0L TDI Diesel 6AT/6MT – 42 mpg

If it seems as if the fun-yet-practical Golf has been around a long time, well, it has. With roots on these shores going back to the 1977 diesel Rabbit, the Golf TDI proves VW has perfected the art of compression-ignition cars. The 10Best-winning Golf makes a convincing argument for being everything you could want in thrifty hatch—and we love that the involving manual is rated as highly as the automatic on the efficiency meter. Like the Jetta SportWagen, a new one of these will be arriving on our shores soon, too.

4) VW Passat 2.0L TDI Diesel 6MT – 43 mpg

Are you starting to see a pattern here? VW owns the U.S. diesel market. In 2013, almost three out of four diesels sold here wore a VW badge, and we imagine the trend will continue with fresh versions of many diesel models on the way, along with a new diesel engine, later in 2014. The Passat TDI, which is slated to receive the new powerplant, offers a heap of torque and a range of around 600 miles between fill-ups. Even better: You can get it with a stick.

3) Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L CVT – 44 mpg

The good news? The bite-sized Mirage gets 44 mpg on the highway. The bad news? It’s the only car on our list that gets 44 mpg, so it’s the default choice at this level of efficiency. Our advice? Pick a car that gets 45 mpg or 43 mpg. Or even 10 mpg. Getting 44 mpg just isn’t worth driving one of these.

2) Ford Fiesta SFE 1.0L 5MT – 45 mpg

When it comes to price, cars that return 45 mpg highway represent some extremes. At one end sit two German diesel luxury sleds: the BMW 328d and the Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec. But the fuel-frugal Fiesta SFE starts at roughly $17,000, while the Bimmer runs $39,525 and the Benz $52,325. The 328d and E250 are good cars, but what good is saving money on fuel just to blow all of the savings as part of your monthly payment? OK, we get it—sometimes cars are worth taking an mpg hit. Case in point: This Ford’s hot-rod sibling, the 10Best-winning Fiesta ST.

1) Chevrolet Cruze 2.0L Diesel 6AT – 46 mpg

Perched all alone at the top of our list, the Cruze goes from acceptable economy car to mpg hero once a diesel is under the hood. Thus equipped, you can expect to go 700 miles or more on the highway with prudent driving habits. Try to engage in anything resembling spirited driving, however, and you’ll be thwarted by a recalcitrant transmission and a basic lack of communication between you and the car. Still, unless you go hybrid, plug-in, or EV, you’re not going to top this Chevy for mileage bragging rights.

The Top 10 Fuel Misers