Tag Archives | Top-Gear

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Project Sipster?

Project Sipster

A 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit doesn’t seem like a likely candidate for a Tuner Tuesday nomination, but when Top Gear gets their hands on it, the result is going to be anything but ordinary.

Thus, what you see here is Project Sipster, a car that they wanted to go 0-60 in just 7 seconds, get at least 70 mpg, and cost less than $7,000 to duplicate.

Project Sipster Engine

To reach those magic numbers, they yanked the engine out, replaced it with the diesel engine from a 2002 Jetta, and then tuned the engine, body and suspension for a more powerful yet more economical ride.

So did they pull it off?

You’ll just have to watch the video and see:

Who says saving the planet has to be expensive, difficult, and not fun?

[Top Gear - Project Sipster]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: Ariel Atom Clone?

The Ariel Atom is the only car to ever destroy Jeremy Clarkson’s face:

However, despite its looks, this car isn’t the Ariel Atom:

Ariel Atom Clone

No, this car is a home-built Ariel Atom clone that’s the end result of a gearhead with a garage and a dream. (And 800+ hours of work.)

Ariel Atom Clone Detail

Featuring stainless panels from old appliances, black body panels from an ancient kayak and an old doghouse, a throttle pedal from salvaged parts that were the result of a dumpster dive at a local engineering firm, and the k20a3 engine out of a wrecked RSX, it’s also an eco-friendly car that shows that recycling can be quick too.

Specs come in at 4.5 seconds to 60, and 35+ MPG, so it’s not bad in the performance department either.

A home-built dream car pieced together from scraps lying around the house?

It doesn’t get much more tuner than that.

[Flickr - z59]

[Via: Autopia]

…VW’s Golf GTI W12 650 can’t turn?

Call this Tuner Tuesday Part 2.

Remember the Golf GTI that got a W12 injection to the tune of 650 horsepower?

Well Top Gear got their hands on it, and was allowed to put it through the wringer.

Sadly, it might go like stink in a straight line, but any kind of corner reveals this thing’s downfall: turning.

I’d still take one though.

[Via: Motor Authority]

…It’s Things Thursday: Clarkson Supercar Showdown?

I would gladly trade ten years off of the end of my life to be Jeremy Clarkson for a day.

Why?

Jeremy Clarkson - Supercar ShowdownBecause the man gets handed the keys to some of the most exclusive cars in the world, and then gets paid to drive them. Hard.

We’re talkin’ tire smoking, opposite locking, pedal to the floor hard; and then some. Top Gear must have to have a separate budget just for the rubber they go through each episode.

Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini; if it costs more than a house, then chances are, Jeremy has been behind the wheel.

Which is why I can’t wait to pick up a copy of his new film, Supercar Showdown. In it, Clarkson road and track tests some of the most expensive supercars currently roaming the roads. Models include the Ferrari 430 Spider and 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago Roadsters, Bugatti Veyron, Audi R8, Porsche 911 GT3, Radical SR3, Aston Martin V8 Roadster and Ascari A10.

If a laundry list of the automotive elite isn’t enough to tempt you, then just check out this:

See what I mean?

It’s available November 5.

[Via: Autoblog]

…It’s Tuner Tuesday: SSC Ultimate Aero TT?

SSC Ultimate Aero

SSC might only have one model, but what they lack in variety, they make up for in heart. That’s because SSC wants to challenge the big boy and take on the Bugatti Veyron for the title of World’s Fastest Production Car. Their pride and joy, the Ultimate Aero TT, isn’t just some kit car with a prayer though; it’s a low-slung beast with power to spare.

Features include 1183 horsepower coming from the twin turbo V8, rear wheel drive, carbon fiber body, 14” brakes, a .357 drag coefficient, and a one-year, unlimited mile warranty (no, really). The end result is a rocket to 60 in 2.78 seconds, a quarter mile time of 9.90 seconds at 144 mph, 1.05 gs on the skidpad, and the ability to go from 0 to 100 to 0 again in 11.66 seconds.

So how did it do on its high speed test run? Not too bad considering the run was cut short by snow! The driver managed 230 mph with just 56% of 6th gear’s throttle, and felt that there was “a lot more to go”. There better be, because the current record is 253 mph (as verified by Top Gear). I’ll be sure to keep you up to date on the progress that gets made towards the record, but until then, make sure to:

  1. Check out the site and ogle a few of the pictures
  2. Catch the car on Spike TV’s Bullrun
  3. Stand in front of it if Eddie Griffin gets behind the wheel.

[SSC Autos]

[SSC - Quest For The Record]

[Bullrun]

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