Traction Inc.

I would love to race an ex-Le Mans Ferrari GTO at the Goodwood revival. I’m sure it would be an experience that would stay with me for life.

I missed the chance to ride along in an Arial Atom today.

Bummer.

drivenetwork:

New Porsche 991 GT3. First Drive. - CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS

So it’s amazing, then.

Chris owned a 911 GT3 4.0 (the gold standard of 997s), yet couldn’t stop gushing over the improved agility of this new car.  I cannot wait to get my hands on one.  

On to the elephant in the room… the fact that the GT3 is no longer the last bastion of the manual transmission.

I agree with Chris that the paddle-shift vs manual transmission issue is really a philosophical debate. But I believe the debate stems from an much larger issue: Does this technology truly improve the driving experience, or is it the automotive equivalent of training wheels?

The GT3 is now at the point where the transmission can be left in full-auto mode all the time, even during performance driving. Its lightning-fast shifts, perfect rev-matching and predictive shift-mapping are a triumph, and they make driving the car to the limit that much easier. But letting the driver opt-out of controlling the gearbox is also removing one more key component from the experience of driving.

In the current generation of sports cars (this new 991 GT3, the Ferrari 458 and Nissan GTR, for example) the automated gearboxes serve up fast, perfect shifts - every time. Their active suspension components continually work to shape the handling experience. Their race-bred ABS and traction control systems work to manage the traction envelope better than nearly any driver could. Effectively, the sum of all this technology is to make it easy to drive at the limit.

Damn impressive stuff. But again, is it training wheels?

Driving pr0n:  Tsuchiya’s epic Ferrari F430 touge time attack (via GT Channel)

thomasmein:

stefanwojcik asked: Awesome photo’s. out of anything you’ve seen in person which one really surprised either with its presence or something you just didn’t like the look of in pictures but looked great in the flesh/metal/carbon?

Firstly, thank you. Secondly, good question. A car that is far better in the metal or more so carbon than in photos is the Pagani Huayra. In photos it can look bloated and bulbous yet the appearance and presence it has on the road is amazing. Hopefully I’ll have some evidence of that for you this weekend. ;)

I got to spend some time pouring over the Huayra when Horacio first presented the car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s a stunning masterpiece of craftsmanship and detail.

auto-motif:

tractioninc:

auto-motif:

I am of the opinion that Ferrari stopped being Ferrari after the F40. Nothing they’ve produced since then is of enough significance to warrant the name.

Counterpoint: neither is Porsche the same company since 993 production ended.

Counter-counterpoint: Drive a 996 GT3 and see if your tune changes.

Aye, I’ve only flogged a base 996 Carrera and 997 Turbo - but found them pretty compelling performers.

Counter-counter-counterpoint: the F430 is delightful to push on track and the 360 Modena is by far the most responsive car I’ve ever had the pleasure of sliding through cones. I can only imagine how impressive a 458 Italia would be to drive on the limit.

auto-motif:

I am of the opinion that Ferrari stopped being Ferrari after the F40. Nothing they’ve produced since then is of enough significance to warrant the name.

Counterpoint: neither is Porsche the same company since 993 production ended.

Life with an E36

The Clown Face CANNOT BE UNSEEN
2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class  (via Car and Driver)