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Kia Stinger GT S pushed to its limits on runway

Kia UK has picked a peculiar way of launching its new grand tourer, the Stinger GT. Instead of throwing a big welcome party during the launch ceremony, The Koran automaker chose to welcome the car by letting three of them loose on an airstrip.

All three vehicles were driven by professional drivers in a staggered ‘half duck V’ pattern on Newquay airport’s runway, which was formerly a military airstrip. The point of this stunt, was to demonstrate the car’s power and capability of achieving speeds over 241km/h1.7. Kia filmed the feat to prove the Stinger GT’s prowess.

Starting at the east end of Newquay airport’s 2.7km runway, all three vehicles were pushed to their limits to reach the intended speed before running out of tarmac. Getting a vehicle of this size from 241km/h to 0 as quickly as possible requires serious stopping power. Here, Stinger’s 350mm ventilated Brembo discs brakes, didn’t disappoint.

This partiuclar site was the same location where the recent land speed record practice runs were conducted. Quite fittingly, once full approval of Newquay airport management and coordination with air traffic control, Kia set out to make its history here as well.

All three cars here were of the GT S variant, which come with a twin-turbo 365bhp 3.3-litre V6 engine. This, allows the Stinger to accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 271km/h.

If there was any doubt that Kia has produced a real rival to Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles, its performance at Newquay airport, has proven otherwise. And based on what we know so far, we can expect more of such cars from Kia in the not so distant future.

The D-Max Huntsman is the coolest pick-truck right now

Isuzu UK has introduced one of the coolest looking D-Max pick-up trucks we have ever seen. Called the Huntsman, the fittingly named variant of the D-Max comes in a number of colours but the most menacing of the lot has to be matte green, which the company calls ‘Tundra Green’.

Marketed to countrymen who cherish their hunting rights, the vehicle is decked out with a number of notable accessories that include ‘out of sight’ storage for firearms and ample bed space for dog boxes as well as other equipment. There’s also a rough-and-tough high-mounted tow bar that may prove useful when traversing difficult terrain.

On the outside, there isn’t much that catches one’s attention, which is precisely the point. The Huntsman’s distinctive body colour and lack of flashy chrome bits allow it to blend in with the surroundings. This may prove to beneficial when owners are on a game trail and prefer to stay hidden.

The extensive list of accessories that accompany the Huntsman variant of the D-Max include:

Aluminium Drawer System and Flap
Aeroklas Commercial Canopy with Roof Rails and Roof Vent
Under-Rail Bed Liner
Aluminium Under guards & Rear Diff Protector
Black Roof Rails Set
Black Side Bars & Steps
De-Chrome Pack (incl. U-Pol Raptor to Door Handles, Mirrors, Front Grille etc.)
5 x 18″ Black Alloy Wheels with Pirelli All Terrain Tyres
3.5T Tow Bar & 13 Pin Electrics
Tailgate Damper
Premium Protective Mat Set

Isuzu UK says that it will offer this impressive bit of kit as the Huntsman Pack (£5,995/RM32,925.80) that will be made available for purchase to those who already own the double cab variant of the current D-Max. In addition to that, it will also be offering the Pedders Suspension kit for an extra £1,000 (RM5,492.21), which could provide more versatility.

Those wanting a bit more exclusivity can also opt for the new bespoke Huntsman leather interior. And if the matte green body finish isn’t to your liking, you can choose between the Cosmic Black and Obsidian Grey body colours.

The D-Max Huntsman is definitely the coolest pick-up truck name that we have ever come across, and considering who its aimed at (no pun intended), adds to the vehicle’s desirability. Though we aren’t too fond of hunting or game trails here in Malaysia, we would still welcome this Huntsman with open arms.

Nissan’s new Leaf to get top honours at CES 2018

The newly launched Nissan Leaf has already caused a stir in the tech industry. It has taken top honours at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) annual ‘CES Unveiled’ ceremony, presented by the Consumer Technology Association. The show is regarded by many as being one of the top tech events in the world.

Before a crowd of tech industry experts, the Leaf bagged its first major international award since its launch. But Nissan is adamant that far more accolades will be coming its way once the car is truly been appreciated by consumers and techies around the world.

Nissan’s investment in innovative tech has certainly paid off here, because the CES awards recognized a number of them. The Japanese automaker;s ProPILOT system and e-Pedal tech were awarded the CES Best of Innovation award winner for Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology and CES honoree for Tech for a Better World titles respectively.

Prior to the actual CES show, the Consumer Technology Association announces the Best of Innovation award winners to get more people enthusiastic about the actual event. Next year’s show will take place in sunny Las Vegas sometime in January. Held there annually, the 2018 show will have a Nissan Leaf on display for spectators to ogle.

https://youtu.be/VxhoYtiGzjI

“It is a great honour to have this early and important recognition for the new Nissan LEAF,” said Daniele Schillaci, Nissan’s executive vice president for global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and the battery business, and chairman of the management committee for the Japan/A&O region.

The new Nissan Leaf is the successor to the car that has spearheaded Nissan’s charge into the developing EV market. It builds upon the success of its predecessor by adding better battery range, sleeker looks and more innovative tech that offer better everyday convenience.

Kode 0 is a 1970s inspired Aventador

Remember the Kode 57 that we covered in September? Well, Ken Okuyama and his team are at it again but this time, they have taken a crack at revamping a current gen Lambo. The Japanese designer’s previous creation, the Kode 57 was rebodied Enzo with special tweaks and features.

This new one, known as Kode 0, has been tastefully reworked to resemble supercars from the 1970s. Okuyama took a standard Lamborghini Aventador and reworked the skin to form a wedge-shaped design unlike any other. Though the support structure was maintained for safety purposes, most of the outer body is unique to the Kode 0.

Okuyama’s team used both wet and dry carbon-fibre to create this masterpiece. The owner who commissioned this build, specifically wanted it to have a chrome exterior. But the end result, which probbaly took serious convincing, is better suited for a vehicle of its class.

Under the hood is the same V12 that comes with the standard car, but the suspension and brakes are unique to the Kode 0. The same is true for the rest of the design elements, including the interior.

The Kode 0 has been introduced with the blessing of Lamborghini. Okuyama personally sought the approval of the Italian automaker before the ‘OK’ was given for the project. That said, somone of Okuyama’s caliber, who served as design chief of Pininfarina and lays claim to the Enzo and Quattroporte’s design work, is incapable of mucking up such a project.

Check out the video and let us know what you think of the car and whether it deserves to be given the same respect as an Aventador. Also, take a look at Jay Leno’s Garage Youtube channel for more videos such as the one featured here.

Laguna Seca turns 60 this year!

Laguna Seca, the world renowned racing circuit, turns 60 this year. The legendary track known especially for its ‘corkscrew chicane’ that consists of a hard left and right turn coupled with a 5.5 story drop in elevation. It has played host to some of Motorsport’s most competitive races that include Can Am, Trans Am, Indy Car, and 500cc Motorcycle Grands Prixs.

“We are incredibly pleased to celebrate the 60th birthday of a track that grabs your heart,” said Gill Campbell, general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Great names like Hill, Moss, Andretti, Brabham, Rossi, McLaren, Shelby, Donohue, and so many more are what makes this one of the world’s racing gems.”

“We honor all of the past and present leaders, staff, volunteers, racers, and fans who have made this place what it is and continue pushing it forward for future generations to enjoy,” he later added.

Since its opening in 1957, Laguna Seca has undergone many changes and developments to improve driving conditions. But its inception, came to be out of necessity rather than vanity purposes. Prior to its introduction, road races were held at Pebble Beach but due to certain tragic events, organizers sought a safer course.

A handful of businessmen came together to form SCRAMP or Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula. It and the the Monterey Chamber of Commerce negotiated a five year deal and paid $3,000 to the US Army for use of the land. A fundraising campaign was started to fund the build from which, $125,000 was finally collected.

In a mere 60 days, the track was completed, and in time to host the first race in November where 100 entries were received and 35,000 spectators arrived. Today the Mazda owned circuit is a well known race track that is steeped in history. It’s 11 turns, 3.6km circuit is a favourite among many racing drivers and Motorsport fans all over the world.

That said, Laguna Seca doesn’t just serve one purpose. It’s recreation area is considered a prime location for year-round camping sessions and hosts other lifestyle and community events such as Sea Otter Classic, a leg of the upcoming 2018 Amgen Tour of California, Turkey Trot, concerts, and monthly Twilight Cycling rides.

A birthday celebration was held in the Hospitality Pavilion on Wednesday, November 8 to commemorate the occasion. This is part of a year-long celebration that also includes a programme called Racing Through the Decades feature display. Here, some of the more memorable cars will be arranged for an exhibit.

VW Golf R gets special performance pack

Volkswagen has announced a new Performance Pack upgrade for the Golf R that will boost handling, especially at the limits. This pack has only been made available for cars equipped with the DSG gearbox. It consists of a new brake system, rear spoiler, de-restricted top speed and 19-inch ‘Spielberg’ alloy wheels.

Known as the R-Performance brake system, the entire setup is 2kg lighter than the standard one. VW says that it offers superior performance too, thanks to ‘built pin discs’ that should offer better driver feedback.

These built pin discs have an aluminium brake pot with a cast steel friction ring that’s joined to the brake pot via cast pins. Compared to other configurations, this one expands radially when under stress, which boosts durability and should prove useful when the car is driven on track.

Volkswagen has restricted the Golf R’s top speed to 249km/h but with this package installed, it up’s the figure to 267km/h for the hatchback and 270km/h for the Estate version. The former also gets a special rear spoiler that will help produce 20kg of extra downforce.

In addition to this performance pack, VW is also offering a bespoke Akrapovič exhaust package for the hatchback version of the Golf R. The entire system, which is 7kg lighter than standard, is made from low density and high strength titanium. It’s tailpipes are circular instead of oval and features valve control technology, which allows for more pleasing exhaust notes.

VW has tuned the system to work in-sync with the car’s Driving Mode Selection options, that include Eco, Normal, Sport and Race. This should allow for a less audible tone from the throaty exhaust pipes when cruising through town, but emanate a more aggressive one when more sportier driving modes are selected.

https://youtu.be/1VeF8FknXus

Unlike the Performance package, VW says the exhaust system can be fitted to both manual and DSG transmission versions of the Golf R. This should be pleasing news to those wanting to take their cars to the next level without voiding the factory warranty.