Category: Video

“The Mustang is a happy car”

Post author By Liam
Post date 30 July, 2015
1 Comment on “The Mustang is a happy car”

When Chris Harris posts up a new video a lot of eyeballs will watch it. This is mostly because he’s very good at what he does. First and foremost he knows what he’s doing behind a steering wheel. He keeps the hoons happy with a bit of sideways action. He keeps the tech guys happy with great details.

With that said and despite Harris’ best efforts the Mustang holds no appeal to me at all. In this clip Chris spends a lot of time criticising aspects of the car and then loves it. I kind of understand what he means when he says, “the Mustang is a happy car”. And I also get that a car can be greater than the sum of its parts.

But I just can’t help thinking the best a Mustang could hope to be is a quick and sordid affair. For me, it could never be a long term relationship.

So, yeah, Chris Harris has a lot of influence in the car land. He even got me to watch 10 minutes of Mustang GT. Unless I’m watching Bullitt by chance, that’ll do me for another few years.

Tags Chris Harris, Mustang

Porsche Video

VIDEO: I love the sound of GT3 RS in the morning

Post author By Liam
Post date 29 July, 2015

Here’s two videos from Evo on the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The first is all about the emotion, the sound and the speed. The second is Henry Catchpole’s first impressions on the road. You’re going to have a smile on your face after watching these two.

And you’ll probably find yourself buying a lotto ticket or two as well.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

Tags 911 GT3 RS, 991 911, Evo magazine, Supercar

Citroen Video

Come as you are

Jeff Suhy one of the guys who helped bring the 1990s grunge phenomenon Nirvana into your world. He’s now pottering about in a delightful CitroÃ«n DS. In a small way, with this Petrolicious video, maybe Suhy is once again helping to spread the word of an equally influential icon.

The video’s YouTube description provides a great intro:

Whether it was the hydraulic suspension, the safety features (such as an engine that, on front impact, was designed to slide under the car instead of into the driver’s solar plexus), or the self-leveling headlights that turn with the front wheels, the Citroen DS was remarkably ahead of its time. Indeed, the car was a a true product of the Space Age, when auto manufacturers found themselves awash in technologies that they were itching to use in the wake of World War II. Citroen was ultimately rewarded handsomely for its innovative efforts, selling more than one million DSs over the model’s twenty-year-lifespan.

Tags Citroen DS, DS, Petrolicious

Ferrari Video

480 cylinders, 20.832km

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 July, 2015

Ferrari assembled 40 owners of the immensely desirable F12 berlinetta and took them to the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife for a private track day. It was the largest gathering of F12s in Germany.

These photos and brief video can’t really begin tell you how much fun that would have been. They can’t put you in the moment.

They can’t replicate the experience of first nervously exiting the TF gates and shooting towards the famous Bilstein bridge at Antoniusbuche. It can’t make you feel your heart flutter as you decide when to lift the accelerator at Quiddlebacher Hohe so you can make it around Flugplatz. Or the thrill and sensory delight of firing down FÃ¼chsrohre.

But they’re the best we’ve got. And hopefully those words helped more than the rather modest video from Ferrari. They took 40 F12s to the Ring and that’s all they could come up with?!

Tags F12 berlinetta, Nurburgring

Aston Martin Jaguar Video

A quick look at James Bond’s new DB10

Post author By Liam
Post date 23 July, 2015
2 Comments on A quick look at James Bond’s new DB10

The next James Bond movie, Spectre, is due for Australian release on 12 November. Here’s a quick look at the latest trailer, which also includes a few appearances from Bond’s new car, the Aston Marton DB10.

Also included is a behind the scenes look at the DB10 and its nemesis the stillborn Jaguar C-X75.

Tags CX75, DB10, James Bond

Accessories & Tech Jeep Video

VIDEO: They hacked a Jeep

Back in 2013 these two guys hacked a Toyota Prius while they were riding in the back seat. Now they’re back, and this time they’ve remotely hacked a Jeep Cherokee. They did this by attacking the car’s Uconnect system, which provides internet access.

They were able to control minor things such as radio volume and HVAC controls. They could play with the Jeep’s windscreen wipers and, worryingly, they could control the steering, the brakes and cut all engine power.

Watch the clip below and see Miller and Valasek play with their 1:1 remote control toy. All well and good unless you happen to be Andy Greenberg and thinking you’re actually in control of the car while you’re out on public roads.

“There are hundreds of thousands of cars that are vulnerable on the road right now,” Charlie Miller claims.

For their part Fiat Chrysler say they have released a free security patch that resolves any vulnerability but somewhat dismissively added: “Similar to a smartphone or tablet, vehicle software can require updates for improved security protection to reduce the potential risk of unauthorised and unlawful access to vehicle systems.”

[Source: Wired via ABC]

UPDATE: FCA Australia has just released a statement confirming the release of a new security patch. Furthermore, because Uconnect is not available outside the US, no locally sold cars are affected by this cybersecurity issue.

Tags Cherokee, computer hackers

Auctions & Sales Porsche Video

Harry’s Porsche 911 buyers’ guide

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 July, 2015
2 Comments on Harry’s Porsche 911 buyers’ guide

Silverstone Auctions has its big sale coming up this weekend, the Silverstone Classic. In the list of cars up for sale are this 1972 Porsche 911 2.4 S and 1991 Porsche 964 RS.

All round nice guy and classic car guru Harry Metcalfe has been commissioned to show you what to look out for when buying an old skool 911. We reckon a few of you out there will enjoy this clip.

Tags 964 911, Classic 911, Harry Metcalfe

Audi Video

Are you ready for the Audi RS3?

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 July, 2015

It won’t be too long now until the Audi RS3 has its official Australian launch. In fact, if you ask nicely, you can probably sneak a preview at some dealerships already.

You already know the pricing so here’s a series of videos to help you get to know the new RS3 a little better.

Tags A3 8V, hot hatch, RS3

Seat Video

Australia is the best country in the world, exceptâ€¦

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 July, 2015
4 Comments on Australia is the best country in the world, exceptâ€¦

Australia is one of the best countries in the world to live. If not the best. But there are two things we can’t do and that’s buy a fast Seat wagon and we can’t drive our own cars around the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife.

Yes, I’m sure that second part can be done, but not without a lot of red tape, a lot of hassle and, importantly, a lot of money.

Dale Lomas from Bridge to Gantry just bought himself a new carâ€”a Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 estateâ€”and on day one of ownership he ducked around to his favourite local road for a run. Bastard!

Oh yeah, that Harry’s Lap Timer setup seems pretty cool too, even advising of a yellow flag via the mobile phone app.

Settle in and enjoy the lap.

Tags Leon, Leon Cupra 280, Nurburgring

Aston Martin Motorsports Video

Chris Harris does the NÃ¼rburgring 24 Hour

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 July, 2015
1 Comment on Chris Harris does the NÃ¼rburgring 24 Hour

Chris Harris and his cameraman Neil Carey take us deep into the world of the 2015 NÃ¼rburgring 24 Hour race. The star of the show is the production-based Aston Martin GT12.

“Watching a car being driven fast around here is one of the great spectator experiences,” claims Harris.

I believe him.

I’m yet to watch an N24, but I have seen cars be tested within an inch of their life during Industry Pool sessions. It is a pleasure to watch. Witnessing a grid full of GT3 cars fighting for every inch of tarmac would be awe inspiring.

Enjoy this clip. It’s a good one. And how awesome does that GT12 sound!

[Thanks to Jono for the tip]

Tags Chris Harris, Nurburgring, Vantage GT12

Porsche Video

Is the Cayman GT4 the best sounding Porsche ever?

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 June, 2015

The first video you’ll see after the break poses the question: Is the Cayman GT4 the best sounding Porsche ever? Watch the clip, it does sound very good.

But the best sounding Porsche ever? Not even close.

Tags Carrera GT, Cayman, Cayman GT4

Audi Video

Audi RS3: The hills are a-five

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 June, 2015
5 Comments on Audi RS3: The hills are a-five

We all know the new Audi RS3 won’t be perfect. But we do know, and with absolute certainty, that its five-pot engine will make it one of the best sounding cars in its segment. Don’t believe us, then get busy watching the video after the break. Grrrrrrrrr!

[Thanks to John for the tip]