Road & Track Magazine Tests the McLaren MP4-12C

Looks like there are two great choices for the ultimate two seat sports car, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C.  If you've got +/- 230,000 USD to use on one or the other the choice might be quite difficult...

First Reviews are coming in on the US spec Fiat 500

USA Fiat 500 Review on Yahoo! Autos



Summing up Yahoo's! take on the car:

"Overall, the 500 marks a promising start for Fiat’s re-entry to the U.S. market. Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. -- towns with enough hipsters to support a latte society -- will claim most Cinquecento sales. Fiat's banking on the U.S. and North America being open to the idea of a wee tot for wheels, and a stylish one at that."

Complete review:
http://real-us.autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1713/car-review-2011-fiat-500/

Ducati Diavel first ride

The more I read and see about the new Ducati Diavel the more impressed I become with Borgo Panigale's latest creation. This motorcycle has the potential to blow the street cruiser class wide open.  I love my Harley Davidson VRod but Ducati has come up with something truly unique in the class.

Ducati Desmosedici vs Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Here's an earlier test between the Desmosedici RR and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Different bikes and cars but the result is much like the post below. When it comes to who wins does it REALLY matter? Either two or four wheels these vehicles are truly special.

Forza Italia! Ferrari 458 Italia vs Ducati 1198S

A great head-to-head competition between Italian high performance machines: the Ferrari 458 and the Ducati 1198 S. If you like Italian performance machines on both two and four wheels THIS is the video to watch!

North American FIAT 1.4L MultiAir Engine Review For Newly Released Fiat 500

Interesting technical discussion of the engine that will be available in the United States. Changes were forthcoming for the U.S. specification Fiat 500 that are different from the entry level European lineup. Interesting to know that the engines are built here in the USA. I'm really curious to know what awaits the performance Abarth and hopefully Abarth SS models to come soon!

GranTurismo MC Stradale - Maserati's Lust Worthy High Performance Car

Stellar looks, sound, and pedigree... what's not to like?

MINI USA - "Cram It in the Boot" Full Length Superbowl LXV Advert

Site Re-design and Link to the MINI Journey Through Europe

I haven't been too active on the travel blog recently but thought is was about time to update the site's design. I hadn't altered the look of the site since I set it up primarily to document the 2007 journey across western Europe with the California MINI.

I thought I'd take a moment to put up a quick link to the timeline of events concerning the MINI's European adventure. Have a look here: California MINI's European Adventure

Enjoy!

MINI is goin' racin'

MINI is back and ready to cultivate its racing heritage and move beyond being seen as just a "cute" car by the masses. MINI has always been more than just a fashionable accessory so I applaud this move to bring motorsports back into the MINI fold. What's more is that I really like the look of the World Rally Championship prototype. Might just be the kind of four door car for me.

Here's the official press release (thank you MotoringFile):

This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: “I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying. The MINI Countryman provides an excellent basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the project on track right from the word go.”
“This is a very exciting new motorsport programme,” said Prodrive Chairman, David Richards. “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally. I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.” Prodrive has been working on developing the MINI Countryman WRC since early 2009. The company was formed in 1984 by Richards, who won the World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen (FI) three years earlier. Based in Banbury (GB), Prodrive has developed into a leading independent company in the motorsport and automobile sector under Richards’ guidance, and today employs over 500 staff. Prodrive’s many successes currently include six overall victories in the World Rally Championship, five titles in the British Touring Car Championship and three class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR).
BMW was present when the World Rally Championship made its debut back in 1973. Achim Warmbold (DE) and Jean Todt (FR) tasted victory in their BMW 2002 at the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria. However, MINI’s tradition in this discipline stretches back even further: Pat Moss (GB) clinched the first victory with the MINI 850 at the 1959 Mini Miglia National Rally. MINI ultimately enjoyed its finest hours at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967: the MINI Cooper S celebrated three overall victories at the most iconic rallying event in the world. Paddy Hopkirk (IR, 1964), Timo Mäkinen (FI, 1965) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI, 1967) joined the list of winners at this prestigious event. In 1965, “Rally Professor” Aaltonen also won the European Rally Championship. Tony Ambrose (GB) and Mäkinen finished second and third to round off an excellent overall result for the MINI Cooper S. In addition, MINI drivers also enjoyed many individual wins at renowned rallies throughout Europe. The last BMW World Rally Championship victory was achieved in 1987 in Corsica by Bernard Béguin (FR) driving a BMW M3 which was built and run by Prodrive.

Flying Over Silverstone Circuit in the UK During MINI United 2009

An outstanding view of the goings on at MINI United 2009, Silverstone Circuit, UK

Folks, MINI United is just around the corner and I'm making my plans to attend (sans car this year!). Go ahead and visit MINIUSA.com and MINI United.com for event and programming information. White Roof Radio also has an interview up with Gina Koutros of MINI USA that outlines the benefits for the American group heading over to Silverstone Circuit in the UK. Should be a blast!

It's MINI's 50th birthday. You aren't going to miss it, are you?

My Site and a Status Update

It's been a month since I've posted anything new on the site and I thought it fair to give an update. To be quite honest I haven't been able to give the time to post as often as I'd like here on Robert's Random Ramblings. I have been very active on Facebook where I have found the site to be brilliant in reconnecting me with old and new friends as well as allowing me to post articles and stories of interest very quickly. Granted, my Facebook page has a broad range of topics of interest to me; automobiles and motorcycles are high on the list. However, I am also commenting and posting articles on political, social, and cultural topics as well.

If you enjoy the blog, please do come over and visit me on Facebook. Just click on the Facebook link.

I won't be taking down Robert's Random Ramblings. No, I'll leave it up and occasionally stop by to respond to comments and hopefully post something of interest now and then.

Thanks for reading!

Abarth 500 SS

Well, Fiat keeps the interest in the 500 high by tinkering with the fabulous little car. It's a page from the MINI JCW book, but if this page is any indication I'd be interested in the whole book! Hopefully we'll see this car stateside!

Abarth 500 SS

PRESS RELEASE: ESSEESSE – SUPREMELY SPORTING

Owners who want to take their Abarth 500 even closer to the tuning firm's ‘racer for the road' ideal, can plump for the esseesse specification. The word esseesse means ‘SS' in Italian and lives up to its name by giving the car a supremely sporting twist.

The £2500 conversion has to be carried out within 12 months or 20,000km of the car's first registration and can only be undertaken by Abarth's skilled network of technicians. Their first job is to upgrade the engine's Electronic Control Unit so that the 1.4-litre turbo pumps out 160bhp at 5750rpm – more than double the power output of the regular Fiat model and very much in keeping with historic Abarth practice. To help with this power upgrade, a new air filter made by Italian specialist BMC is fitted.

To match the additional power, drilled and ventilated 284mm x 22mm brake discs are fitted at the front, together with new pads, while 240mm x 11mm drilled discs replace the already powerful standard items at the rear. Uprated Abarth springs are fitted front and rear too, and so that the esseesse looks even racier, the regular 16-inch wheels are replaced with 17-inch white or titanium colour alloy rims and 205/40 R17 tyres.

A tyre pressure monitoring system and unique key cover are the final touches in this transformation to the ultimate road-going Abarth 500.

Even though this upgrade relies heavily on modern technology, the esseesse kit stays loyal to the legend of Abarth by being delivered to customers in a high quality wooden crate. Once its contents have been emptied, the crate then becomes the property of the customer as a charming memento.

Maserati MC Corse Takes the Granturismo S to the Track

Maserati MC Corse Concept
Higher performance and less weight than the S = racer to be reckoned with

Maserati has produced an FIA racecar based on the Granturismo S. Not content to rest on its laurels as having one of the most beautiful and fast coupes on the market, Maserati is preparing to assault the track with the MC Corse. Various bits from the MC Sportline catalog in the form of carbon fiber body and interior updates will be available for Granturismo owners in the near future as well.

Interior carbon fiber bits for the Granturismo and Granturismo S

Granturismo with MC Sportline Exterior Enhancements

Wheels, carbon fiber mirrors, doorhandles plus more aerodynamic sideskirts and front splitter offered by the MC Sportline. Not shown is the more aggressive carbon fiber trunklid spoiler, basically a larger version of the integrated spoiler on the Granturismo S.

Worldwide Economic Downturn Affects MINI

MINI has withstood the current economic turmoil very well with sales still strong in 2008. However, now even MINI is finding it necessary to shed jobs, cut shifts, and idle the factory to cope with the decrease in global demand.



Let's hope that MINI doesn't take a huge hit that will affect its long-term stability.

MINI USA Confirms that Diesel is Under Consideration

USA Today posted an article that confirms that diesel powered MINI's are actively under consideration for distribution in the US market. However, the diesel motor would have to be a new powerplant that is not currently in the MINI D lineup.

For the full story visit:

USA Today: MINI Considers Diesel for the USA

Automotive Bliss: The Maserati Granturismo S

Fiat 500 a Step Closer to Reality in USA

Looks like we are a large step closer to seeing Fiat Puntos, 500s, and other interesting small Italian cars on US roads:

Original "Italian Job" Film Ending Solved?

Still haven't had a lot of time to get this site updated but I came across this little nugget on CNN and thought I'd share. If you're a fan of the original 1960's film "The Italian Job" (yes MINI Coopers figured prominently in that film) then the ending must have left you guessing. Well, guess no more...