Happy Birthday to One of Our Favorites

Well, it's been a while since we've posted, but don't worry! We're still here!

So, this year marks the 25th anniversary of one of ICB's favorite cars: the Ferrari F40. A car from the amazing era of automobiles that changed the world.

It was quick. The F40 was the first car to reach 200 mph (320 km/h). It went from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 11. Set as competition for the Porsche 959 (which was also a record setter) and the '88 Lambo Countach, it was a simple car. It was so simple that if I don't tell you why it was simple, you just wouldn't simply believe. 

The body was made of Kevlar, carbon fibre, and aluminum, and carpets, door handles, or a radio weren't available (the door handles were string, in case you were wondering). It was the first car to be made from entirely carbon fibre. The paint was so thin you could see the weave of the carbon under it. Under the plastic glass was a mid-mounted twin-turbo, 2.9 liter V8 engine that made 478 horsepower, a lot for a car that only weighs 1,100 kg (2,400 lbs). Not only were the numbers fantastic, but the SOUND OF IT.

French racing driver Jacques Lafitte taking the F40 Le Mans (LM) edition for a spin 

The car was in a class of its own. It was essentially like fitting a V8 to a go-kart. There was no traction control or stability control, so it was a pure car. The steering wheel was alive and sharp in the corners, and the rear tires were absolutely massive. Imagine driving this car in the rain. *Good thoughts....* 

To be perfectly honest, as I'm writing this post, I can't think of what else to write. This car is just SO amazing it's too much for my words. I can't describe my love for this car. When asked to describe this engineering masterpiece, I just say, "It's the greatest car the world has ever seen." 

I literally cannot say more. I know I've missed SO much, but the sheer epicness of this car can't be summarized into a pokey little blog on the internet. 

I don't know about you, but as a car fan, it's very difficult to have a favorite car. There's always a moment when a car that you really like is replaced by another, and everything improves. There are the cars which are amazing but imperfect, others not so good but have their points. I have many cars that I like, but there's just a handful that are close to my heart. Writing this post makes me realize that my favorite car isn't a modern or computerized European speed box, but this one. The one and the only F40. 

See you all next time! 

AV

Rallying

Group B. Ring a bell? No? Shree and I are real F1 fans, but even I know what Group B is!

Perhaps I should go over it.
In the '80s, there was a point when Formula 1 was not the most watched motorsport on television. A time when more people knew Jean Ragnotti and Juha Kankkunen than Gilles Villeneuve and Alain Prost. Nowadays F1 is the king because it is the fastest and seemingly the most dangerous.

Wrong. Rallying is the most dangerous motorsport, or arguably, the most dangerous sport, period. I mean, name another sport that can result in death if you sneeze. Think about it, and comment here or Facebook if you think of another.

Group B was the pinnacle of rallying. It was so fast, so dangerous. Watch some of this! 

Audi pioneered the first All Wheel Drive system with their ridiculously amazing Quattro. 

It was introduced in 1984, and immediately it wiped cars like the Lancia Stratos off the map. Don't get me wrong, pre-Quattro rallygoers were amazing. The Ford Escort RS Cosworth is one of my favorite Group B car. Its turbo lag was one of the most thrilling and scary experiences on Earth. Alas, it came too late: in 1986, Ford released it. Soon after, the deaths of multiple Group B drivers, the rally series was stopped, and its legacy forever continues. 

Back to the Quattro. Being a car boy, I found a YouTube channel that hosts the best rallying. The Rally Channel by amjayes2 holds the highest quality videos of rallying from the 70s to present. Here's one of his tributes to a driver. 

The reason why Group B became so popular was because these cars are travelling at 100+ mph on very loose gravel, sand, tarmac, mud, or any combination  of the lot. Deaths were common, especially those of the spectators. People were not held back by barriers; there was no safety equipment to protect those who watched. People often flooded the track and dived out of the way when they saw the dust clouds and headlights approach.

Soon, after a high peak of rally injuries, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, or FIA, ended Group B rallying forever. The world's most popular motorsport was finished. 

Ever since, rallying has never been the same. The thrill of watching it, especially in person, is still there, but the danger and sheer adrenaline rush has gone. There are still many crashes as you might expect, but the enjoyment of watching, at least for me, is less. 

I miss the days of Group B, but I'll always know that there's a YouTube video for me. Let's end on a positive note. The sound of these cars! Check out amjayes2, but here's a video to end this post. 

Thanks for reading, see you all next time!

AV

New York International Auto Show 2012

So the 2012 New York Auto Show is 'bout to kick off, so let's take a look at some cars these manufacturers have teased... (by the way, don't forget to check up often on this post; the NYAS runs from Apr. 6th to 15th, so a lotta cars are gonna be released).

Remember the C-X19 concept from a while back? Well, this is basically that. Amazing, and an homage to the E-Type.

Holy s***. It's the new 2013 Viper.  I've no words for it.
Damn.

The Fisker Karma's little brother, the new Atlantic concept. Comes with extra moustache on the front. 

The Mazda Takeri concept... in all honesty, I like it. Mazda needs a sporty car to match their sporty claims (I mean, has anyone SEEN their commercials nowdays???.. full of b.s.)

Just because I've spotlighted the SL65 AMG already doesn't stop me from showing another picture.  What a pretty car!

Don't forget that the 2013 BMW M6 will also be revealed during the show, so stay with us for frequent updates! 

Until more cars release, see you all next time!

AV