Categories
Oh the humanity Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder lights my fire

Porsche 918 fire

After the flaming GT3 fiasco the last Porsche needs is the sight of a 918 hyper-hybrid going up in smoke. Alas, that’s exactly what happened to this 918 Spyder in Toronto.

The incident took place at a petrol station and the cause of the inferno is unknown. Let’s hope it remains an isolated incident and that the car itself wasn’t the cause of the blaze.

There’s an amateur video of the 918 fire after the break and if you have sensitive ears nearby make sure you turn the volume down a little.

[Source: Jalopnik | Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz Oh the humanity

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG lights my fire

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

This flaming Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG has put the hot into hot hatch. The smoking Benz erupted into flames shortly after another motorist noticed smoke coming from the bonnet area and suggested the driver pull over.

Details are thin on the ground at this stage but thankfully the driver was able to escape without injury. Fire crews were soon at the scene to extinguish the blaze.

According to NSW Police the cause of the fire was a “mechanical fault”. We’ll endeavour to find out more and if we do we’ll let you know.

[Source: Daily Mail Australia | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

UPDATE Monday 4 August: AUSmotive contacted Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific for comment this morning. Spokesman David McCarthy replied promptly saying: “Until we have investigated the incident we are not able to comment.” He also said, they are “very keen to know the cause”.

Categories
Honda Oh the humanity

New Honda NSX needs improved cooling

Honda NSX

The motoring world fell in love with the Honda NSX concept when it first debuted in early 2012. Mostly because it looks so damn good, but also because we know how much respect Honda has for the NSX badge. They won’t cock this up.

We also knew there would be a long development process, which may take a little bit longer after this NSX prototype was burnt to a crisp during a test session at the Nürburgring this week.

Thankfully neither of the occupants were hurt or injured in the incident which is believed to have started in the engine bay.

Acura/Honda spokeswoman Jessica Fini commented on the mishap:

Acura can confirm that an NSX prototype experienced a fire today while testing at the Nurburgring. We make safety a top priority, and fortunately no injuries occurred. We are investigating the cause but as the vehicle is still under development, we’re not in a position to share details. While an incident like this is unfortunate, the development of the NSX continues its progress toward its highly anticipated launch.

The car is powered by a twin turbo V6 with additional electric power being to both the front and rear wheels, which should be good for 500hp or more. A 7-speed dual clutch transmission will ensure that power is delivered efficiently as well.

It looks like a supercar and burns like a supercar. And we reckon this new NSX will be a bloody good supercar!

You can see video of the NSX in its pre-barbecue state after the break.

[Source: AutoGuide]

Categories
Motorsports Oh the humanity Seat

Lifting a racecar: How hard can it be?

Seat WTCC lift fail

Okay, is the crane on a secure footing ready to lift?
Yes boss.

Are the cables tied securely to the platform, ready to lift the car?
Yes boss.

And, finally, is the car secured to the platform so it can’t fall off?
Yes boss. Wait, what?!

This incident was filmed during the set up of a promotional event at a hotel in Pachuca, Mexico. Watch the video below to see what happens next.

Categories
McLaren Oh the humanity Video

This is just nasty

McLaren F1 crash scene

That there is, or perhaps, was a McLaren F1. You can see video of the aftermath below, which comes to us from Marchettino. His description of the crash scene reads:

This is possibly the most shocking accident I have ever witnessed. While following a McLaren F1, a driver stopped to tell me that just 1km before another F1 just had a massive crash. We ran on the site and saw a white McLaren F1 upside down in a ditch. We’re not sure about the dynamics of the crash but probably the speed let the driver lose the control of the car on the grass, flip over and crash into a tree in the ditch. The car has reported massive damages but hopefully the driver didn’t reported any injuries; the passenger reported a few minor injuries and looked shocked.

Thankfully it appears nobody was seriously hurt. That F1, though, looks pretty rooted.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip]

Categories
Lamborghini Oh the humanity

The hide and seek we play with facts

Lamborghini Aventador

It’s no use pretending, that I undertsand why Lamborghini Australia asked journos not to report on a flaming Aventador at a recent event held at Phillip Island.

According to Drive.com.au the LP700-4 had completed many laps of the picturesque circuit as part of a media demonstration, which was not attended by Drive. Late in the day smoke bellowed from the engine bay and flames soon emerged as people scrambled out on track with fire extinguishers to try and minimise the damage.

Fairfax Media alleges Lamborghini Australia “forced” at least one media organisation to delete footage of the flaming Aventador.

In a prepared statement, Sebastien Henry, Lamborghini’s head of south-east Asia and Pacific, explained: “We certainly did not ‘force’ any of our guests to delete any imagery obtained on the day.

“We did however, kindly request that our guests refrain from making any assumptions through the media—particularly when, at the time, the cause of the incident had not yet been adequately investigated.”

Henry’s statement went on to add: “Automobili Lamborghini has confirmed that the issue was accidental due to the vehicle’s extended track use in a high-temperature environment. The investigation has also confirmed that the issue was not due to any fault in the design or construction of the vehicle.”

Unofficial eyewitness reports suggest the fire was caused by a small oil leak which ignited after it made contact with the exhaust system. A theory which was later confirmed by Lamborghini.

This story is embarrassing for Lamborghini, yes, but we wonder if trying to suppress the facts is cause for more embarrassment?

Despite Lamborghini playing coy, this isn’t the first time an Aventador has said light me and I’ll burn for you.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Categories
Lamborghini Oh the humanity Video

Lamborghini Aventador no match for a Mazda2

Lamborghini Aventador crash

Here’s a video to make your eyes bleed. It involves a Lamborghini Aventador, a Mazda2 and an intersection on a London street. The end result could have been worse, but it’s still a shame to see.

[Source: Road & Track]

Categories
Oh the humanity Porsche

Porsche brings halt to 911 GT3 fire sales

Porsche 911 GT3 fire sale

Porsche has reacted quickly to reports of its current 911 GT3 model catching on fire. As the screen grab above shows Porsche is officially owning up to two incidents of fire with the GT3, although unconfirmed reports on the interwebz claim as many as five GT3s have become carbecues.

After reporting on the Swiss GT3 fire we asked Porsche for an official response:

AUSmotive: Are you able to confirm or provide any comment regarding speculation that deliveries of all new 911 GT3s have been suspended while Porsche investigates the cause for a series of alleged fires with the cars?
Porsche: Porsche is investigating the case and, if necessary, will inform customers and the public as quickly as possible about the results of the investigation.

There’s also a report from a 991 GT3 owner  on the Aussie Exotics forum that local deliveries have been suspended while Porsche investigates the issue.

We didn’t win OzLotto last night but when we do land those winning numbers we’ll still be putting an order in for a 911 GT3!

[Source: CNBC | Thanks to Wayne & John for the tips]

Categories
Chevrolet Holden Motorsports Oh the humanity

VIDEO: Chevrolet SS Pace Car lights my fire

Chevrolet SS safety car

The 2014 NASCAR season has begun with the bizarre sight of the Chevrolet SS (née Commodore SS) Pace Car catching fire while it was leading the field around Daytona International Raceway.

“Tower, we’re on fire,” came the confirmation from Brett Bodine behind the wheel of the flaming Pace Car.

Feeling a bit sorry for the Pace Car, and perhaps Holden’s plight, racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr came to the Chevy’s defence: “I guess it was the batteries in the back for the lights, because cars just don’t catch on fire like that,” Earnhardt said.

“It was pretty weird.”

A faulty battery pack to power the safety lights has been blamed for the fire.

The light-hearted incident was best summed up by Brad Keselowski who was the driver behind the Pace Car at the time: “When you think you’ve seen it all, then you see that!

“That was an interesting one; I just saw the whole back of the car on fire. I thought it was a race car, and then someone said it was the pace car and I just started laughing.”

You can see video of the incident after the break.

[Source: SB Nation]

Categories
Oh the humanity Porsche

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 lights my fire

991 Porsche 911 GT3

We don’t like bringing you this story. Not one little bit. You see, to us, the Porsche 911 GT3 is one of our most yearned for cars. To see one go up in flames like this makes us rather sad.

The loss happened near St Gallen in Switzerland and the key paragraph of the official Police report (translated) reads:

A Porsche GT3 drove on the A1 highway towards St.Gallen. When the driver perceived strange noises from the engine area, he left the highway. On the Wilerstrasse the driver stopped the car. He saw leaking oil and smoke is in the rear engine. A short time later the Porsche caught fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The cause of the fire will be investigated by the Forensic Science Service of the Canton of St. Gallen police.

Worse, other reports of similar 991 GT3 fires indicate this isn’t an isolated case, with as many as five other incidents occurring in recent weeks.

There’s also talk that deliveries of 2014 911 GT3s have been stopped by Porsche while they investigate the problem. As far as we’re aware Porsche is yet to confirm or comment on this matter, but we’ll let you know if we hear any more.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer | Thanks to John for the tip]

UPDATE 20 Feb: Porsche will recall all MY14 GT3s for inspection.

Categories
Ferrari Oh the humanity

Ferrari F430 lights my fire

Ferrari F430 fire, Boca Raton, FL

Can you believe it’s almost been a year since we featured a flaming Ferrari. This F430, which caught ablaze in Boca Raton in Florida, has certainly been worth the wait. This one went really tits up!

Adding to the humour, if there is any, is the fact this throbbing red thoroughbred was parked outside a Hooters restaurant. According to eyewitness reports nobody was in the car or injured during the blaze and the car was sitting idle for about 15 miniutes before things started to get too hot under the collar.

Nearby firefights slid down their pole and came to the rescue, extinguishing the flames with a minimum of fuss. We wonder where they went for celebration drinks?

[Source: WPTV | Thanks to Aaron for the tip]

Categories
Maserati Oh the humanity

Maserati car-bang all the rage in China

Maserati Quattroporte sledgehammered in China

Spare a thought for, or perhaps have a chuckle at, this Maserati Quattroporte owner in China who was so frustrated by the service from his Maserati dealership that he felt compelled to hire four feeble henchmen to smash his Italian thoroughbread to pieces with sledgehammers in protest.

The owner, identified only by his surname, Wang, explained: “I hope foreign luxury car producers acknowledge clearly that Chinese consumers are entitled to get the service that is commensurate with the brand.”

It’s understood Wang’s complaints included the Maserati dealer in Qingdao charging him for repairs, including new parts, even though used parts were used. Wang also claims the dealer scratched his car, to further add insult to injury.

In response the Qingdao dealer took to Chinese social media: “We deeply regret that before the two sides could reach a result via negotiation, the vehicle owner… smashed the world famous car in public… to cause a sensation.”

Wang bought his Maserati in 2011 for 2.6 million yuan (AU$430,000).

[Source: Channel NewsAsia]