McLaren P1 Officially reveiled At The 2012 Paris Motor Show

The 2012 Paris Motor Show happens to be the McLaren’s 1st ever appearance at an international show at which they give us a preview its next generation ultimate super-car – the McLaren P1, which has taken much of its technological- as well as spiritual inspiration from the Racing division. The main target of McLaren P1 is to be the best driver’s car in the world on the road and the circuit. At the Paris Motor Show, the McLaren P1 is previewed as a design study but “more than 95 percent” of the exterior look will be retained. Next year a production version, which the company aims to put on sale within 12 months, will be revealed soon.

The McLaren P1 powers five decades of McLaren’s motor-sport skills. The new McLaren P1 has much higher levels of down force than any current road car; 600 kilo is achieved well below maximum speed. This is about 5 times as much down-force as a McLaren 12C. Its margin compared to other high performance super cars is even bigger. The McLaren P1’s down-force is similar to current high-end street racing (super) cars, which also includes the 12C GT3 racer. It has a drag coefficient of 0.34 and makes use of a carbon fiber structure that integrates a cf roll-bar over the cabin.

A regular windscreen wiper is expected from the final production version along with the steering wheel on the left. The mid engine'd car is built around a carbon fiber monocoque that also incorporates a safety cage within the roof structure, a concept that McLaren calls Monocage. This structure also works to bring heaps of fresh air to the engine via a roof snorkel. All of the P1’s body panels are made from cf, also to keep it as light as possible. The rear wing has an automatic adjustment up to 300 mm hind-wards when on a racetrack and by up to 120 mm, while road driving. In addition to the adjustable ‘active’ rear wing, the McLaren P1′s aerodynamic performance is optimized using two flaps mounted under the body ahead of the front wheels. These are also actively controlled, and change angle automatically in order to enhance performance, boosting down force and aero efficiency, increasing both speed and driver confidence. The flaps operate through a range of 0-60 degrees. The car will go on sale in the spring.

How the Formula One GP circus moves around

A little off-topic story here, but nevertheless quite interesting indeed. Many people who love watching Formula 1 (GP) are actually not aware of the enormous efforts involved in moving around the complete GP circus from city to city.

As traditionally every F1 team is based in Europe (either the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, France or Italy. Continental European races are relatively simple, transport is done by trailers (cars and equipment) and busses (the teams. This is all organized by the teams individually, FOM (Formula One Management) is not involved.

Intercontinental races on the opposite, are a completely different story. Basically, FOM has a contract with an air logistics company, most commonly DHL which provides for transport-planes, pilots and specialist services for the transport of equipment and cars. Teams travel by air as well, but in a seperate passenger plane.

In recent racing seasons, FOB / DHL deployed in regular cases three cargo planes and one passenger plane. The vargo planes transporting roughly 300 tonnes (100 tonnes per plane) in fifthy 40-feet containers. In cases where race destinations are far from home and the dates too close following to go back to base inbetween, a forth plane is usually deployed to bring extra equipment and cars.

Throughout the season, DHL works for most of the F1 teams to help manage the freight generated. This includes all racing cars as well as their replacement; parts such as engines, tires, and spare parts; complete gas/petrol requirements and additional freight such as TV equipment, VIP tents for the Paddock Club, computer equipment, laptops, up to 100 radio sets and headphones, right down to paper serviettes for hospitality and 3000 bottles of water. Not forgetting all the useful things that make life in the paddock more convenient and cater to VIP guests – from champagne to the espresso machines and vacuum cleaners.

Business suits, the luxury way

The business suit, a traditional outfit of the corporate male in the Western world, most commonly worn with shirt and tie. The modern suit first appeared in fashion during the late 19th century. While the style of suits have changed throughout the years, the suit’s power to signal rank and authority maintains steadily. Because of this, we are deemed to wonder, what are the most expensive suits in the world?

Even if you have your expensive suits made to measure from Savile Row, or have custom Kiton or Zegna in your wardrobe, your suits will likely pale in comparison to the following pricey pieces.

 Brioni Vanquish II
$43,000

In 2009, Brioni (undoubtedly the most renown tailored clothing manufacturer on the face of this earth) released, a real 6-star piece of a suit, the Brioni Vanquish II. The suits are of course made-to-fit-perfect and the fabric is woven from the world's most exotic fibers such as vicuna, pashmina and qiviuk. Do yoyu want one in your wardrobe but to busy to visit them for measuring? They can even fly an employee to you for the fitting-job!

 Alexander Amosu
$110,000

Ultimate luxury designer Alexander Amosu’s extravagant suit creation uses the same fabric, the Vanquish II, that Brioni’s masterpiece uses. What sets Amosu’s suit apart is 9 diamond button set in true 18-carat gold. The suit, which takes up to 80 hours to make also contains 5,000 stitches of platinum and gold threads. How's that for luxury-wear! At more then a 100k, this millionaire's suit will definately impress each and everyone you meet!

R. Jewels Diamond Edition
$943,000

Stuart Hughes and Richard Jewels have crafted the world’s most expensive suit, the R. Jewels Diamond Edition. The suit is made from a blend of Cashmere wool and silk and contains over 480 diamonds. Each gem is half a carat for a total of 240 carats of bling! Wow!

World's most luxury houses (part 1)

How would your house look like when you had unlimited available funds,resources and possibilities? Moderate in size but the best available quality or an immense estate complete with pools, game-courts and designer gardens? Well, in case you're about to hit your financial dream-state soon (or reached that point already), here's one mouth-opening real estate example of what you could do...

This modern 2-storey villa is situated right inside a small coastal peninsula, enabling the lucky residents to visually enjoy the ocean from virtually every room in the house.  The outside includes a near olympic-size swimming pool with raised sun-deck, flower gardens and large open areas to be used for fun and play. Maximum privacy and quietness are guaranteed.

Leaked pictures of the 2013 Hyunday Tucson

Well, judging from these leaked pictures, Hyundai is working on what may just be be the newest Tucson facelift. Based on what can be seen, the refreshed ix35 (how it is known in many countries) includes new front grille, suspiciously identical to the latest models, such as the i30 or the more recent Santa Fe.



For now, it's not known whether the Korean car-giant will include upgraded engines or use the current models, currently sold in the US as two petrol engines (2.0 and 2.4 four-cylinder with 165 & 176 hp), whilst in the EU available with three diesel engines (1.7 with 115 hp & 2.0 CRDi with 136 & 184 hp) and the gas direct injection (GDi) 1.6 liter, with 140 hp. Read the full post tosee the complete gallery.