Tramontana, a Spanish race car for the road

Source: wallpaperscraft.com

Imagine walking down the sidewalk minding your own business, only to be met by a car that resembles the idea of a fighter jet seating position fusing with open cockpit race car-esque bodywork. You gawk at it like as if it is from a different planet. The car from the above picture is manufactured by a Spanish manufacturer called Tramontana.

Open the fighter jet style canopy and you will be met by the fighter jet style seating, with the passenger seat smack dab behind the driver seat, if you option the 2 seat version that is. The car even sports the sidepod that you will typically find on open cockpit race cars like Formula One, GP2 Series, GP3 Series and Formula Renault 3.5. Of course, what sets Tramontana aside from the just mentioned racing series is the front spoiler-mounted headlights, the absence of air intake that sits above the cockpit and the wheel fenders.

Source: dieselstation.com

Onto the rear, you can see another stand-out features that make it distinct from open cockpit race cars, which are the rear tail lamps. Don't see any of these on say F1 cars for instance.

This beauty is powered by a 5.5L twin turbo Mercedes V12 that churns out 720 hp. All those grunt is conveyed to the rear wheels via a 6 speed sequential gearbox that enables it to sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.6s. The chassis is built on a hybrid between aluminium and carbon fibre that endow it with 1268 kg worth of weight. Double wishbone on all 4 corners ensure that all those grunts are not wasted in a cloud of smoke.

What does this writer think of this car? Well, it is rather an interesting idea to let drivers the privilege of an unadulterated driving pleasure with the fighter jet like cockpit as if the driver is piloting a fighter jet rather than driving a monster of a car. I wonder if there would be more manufacturers adopting this style in the near future.   

Borgward, back from the dead with BX7

Source: jalopnik.com

After more than 50 years hiatus, a dormant German marque has been resurrected after decades of inoperation. Borgward is finally back in business and set to launch their SUV model, christened the BX7. 

Borgward was found in 1929 by Carl F.W. Borgward. As a result of financial problem, the marque was liquidated in 1961. Fast forward to 2015, the founder's grandson, Christian Borgward, announced the revival of the marque and will be financially backed by Foton, a Chinese truck manufacturer.

Now onto the new BX7. The BX7's front fascia is decked out by 16 slats vertical chrome grille with the marque's insignia smack dab at the centre of the grille, LED headlights flanking the upper corner of the grille and the horizontal, narrow lower air intake with fog lights flanking the latter.

Source: topspeed.com

The rear fascia sports a horizontal tail lamp with dual exhaust pipe, one on each side. There is also a roof mounted spoiler awning the rear windshield and of course, the marque's name printed between the tail lamps. 

   

The newly restored marque will offer two drivetrain trims: petrol-powered 2.0L turbocharged four cylinders that churns out 225 hp, mated to a 7 speed dual clutch transmission and all wheel drive. Also, a plug-in hybrid version that churns out 401 hp will follow suit. 

Borgward's revival after more than half a decade made this writer wonder; does being defunct after a particular period of time means it is the end of the world for the marque in question? As proven by the likes of Maybach (initially ceased production in December 2012; then revived by Daimler, the parent company, in November 2014 as a sub-brand to the Mercedes S-Class) and TVR (set to launch new models by 2017 with partnership from Gordon Murray and Cosworth), all hope is not lost. Fingers cross for the revival of marques like Pontiac for instance which has been defunct since 2010. 

Unleash the Civic FK2 Type R!

Source: motorstown.com

Race cars, a unique entity that rouses the boy racer deep within our conscience. The thought of slinging them around at insane G's is akin to being a hero taming a wild beast that threatens to rip you apart, and the reward is close to being....a superhero. Throw in a race car on license plate, like the Honda Civic Type R, you have yourself a recipe for hooliganism. Alright enough exaggeration so let's cut to the chase, folks.

Honda has potentially delighted the Type R fans around the world with the introduction of the fourth generation FK2 Civic Type R. As designated by the Type R designation, it may be Honda's way of saying 'more smiles per miles'.

Source: 9carthai.com

So what are the technical changes from the previous generation FD2? Well, unlike the previous generation FD2, the FK2 2.0L i-VTEC four pot engine is boosted by a turbo, upping it's output to 306 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 295 lb ft of torque at 2500 rpm. The new generation Civic Type R revs to maximum 7000 revs compared to it's predecessor's 8500 revs.

If you crave the tactility of 3 pedals, then rejoice as all the grunt from the 2.0L engine will be fed to the front wheels via a 6 speed manual only as Honda believes it gives the drivers more control over the engine's powerband (hat's off to Honda).

The front suspension features a unique Dual Axis Strut that helps counter the dreaded torque steer (similar concept to Renault's PerfoHub, Ford's RevoKnuckle and GM's HiPerStrut suspension), while adaptive damper enables the Type R to feel cushy over bumps and sharper when driving spiritedly.

If you're in the mood for more 'smiles per miles', pressing a '+R' button will unleash what the Type R badge implies.

Source: gearheads.org

So hoping this car will reach Malaysia. It's gonna be a hoot to drive!