The Meditation Chamber

Moved

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:22:00 +0000

Fuckyeah-kenny.tumblr.com

Mugen's Supercharged Hybrid

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:52:00 +0000

This is the Mugen CR-Z. A tuned version of the regular CR-Z. It retains its measly battery, but it has a supercharger to help it make more power - 200hp to be exact. It has also shed about 45kg of weight thanks to a host of carbon fibre parts such as the bonnet and seats.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of hybrids, but this has the Mugen badge on it, and what's more, it has a supercharger and makes a pretty decent sound thanks to the Mugen exhaust. So I guess that even things up then.

Formula Drift Singapore 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:06:00 +0000

This is the first time I attended a drift event of any sort. Previously, my only exposure to drifting was lame exhibitions done at the Singapore Expo. Ever since, I was under the impression that locals and even drifters around the region couldn't drift for nuts and that the only people capable of holding a proper drift were the Japanese. Boy, was I wrong.

To say that drifting, in the region at least, has come a long way would be an understatement. Judging from the skills on display at this year's Formula Drift Singapore, the standards of drifters locally and in the region have improved tremendously. They were easily mixing it up with the big names of this event like 2008 D1GP Champion Daigo Saito and Formula Drift USA veterans Ken Gushi and Robbie Nishida. It has truly been an eye-opening experience for me this past weekend.

Here are some photos I took.

180SX with a VQ35HR V6 from a 350Z, turbocharged, supercharged and fitted with a nitrous system.

JDM as fuck!

Is there anything that Red Bull is not sponsoring?

It rained heavily during practice and when the session resumed, this poor car, I was told, had ZERO traction during initiation and ploughed straight into the barrier.

One of many S15s of the day.

One of the more recognizable cars at the event. With working police lights and siren sound effects even!

Ralliart girls. Funny, didn't Ralliart shut down already?

Representing SG is Felix in Garage R's RPS13.

Beginning the tandem battles. The car in front is eventual winner Daigo Saito's mad-ass 1000hp Altezza.

Tandem battles are the essence and highlight of this sport.

Got a ride in this crazy 1000hp FD3S. It's not just fast, it's fucken light speed!

The obligatory shot of race queens, models or whatchamacallit.

Daigo Sato, who was undoubtedly the main draw of the event, was the eventual winner. It was easy to see why. No one could shake him off when he was doing the chasing. He always stuck closely to the lead car and was sometimes just mere inches away. It's amazing and you've really got to be there to see it for yourself to appreciate his skills.

Anyhow, after this weekend, I can safely say that I'll be looking forward eagerly to next year's Formula Drift Singapore.

Wallpaper Weekend: Zonda Tricolore - The Last of its Kind

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Italian airforce aerobatics team, the Pagani Zonda Tricolore is the last "mass-produced" Zonda. I'm not sure "mass" is the correct word here, because only three will be made.

Nevertheless, the important thing here is that it is surely one of the last of the Zondas, which, in my mind, is one of the most iconic, if not important cars, of the last 10 or so years.

Grab the high-res wallpaper here.

Sssssssmokin'

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:25:00 +0000

I was at a drift thingie the other day and I forgot to bring my camera along. So this was what I could manage with my trusty iPhone.

Badass 1000hp Altezza tearing up the track and smoking it up.

Forza 4 Coming this Oct!

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:43:00 +0000

Watch out GT5, the guys from Turn10 are back with Forza 4. The latest game in the Forza franchise promises some interesting new additions such as improved graphics, tyre physics and will have more than 500 cars from over 80 manufacturers.

Forza 4 is slated to be released on 11 Oct. And from the looks of things, I'm confident it's going to be pretty damn awesome.

Wallpaper Weekend: For the GTO Lovers

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 06:24:00 +0000

Never been a big fan of the 599 and the variants it has spawned. I think my biggest problem about the 599 is its weight. The standard car weighs close to 1700kg and even the hardcore 599XX tips the scales at more than 1400kg. In comparison, the last Ferrari hypercar, the Enzo, weighed only 1365kg; and its hardcore variant, the FXX, weighed only 1150kg.

That said, the 599 does have an awesome V12 and loads of technology to make it go fast, but it could have been so much better had it been a lighter car in the first place.

And in the case of the 599 GTO, the GTO badge alone is enough to make Ferraristis drool like Pavlov's dog.

Get this super high-res photo of the 599 GTO from Jalopnik here.

Screw Hybrids

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:03:00 +0000

According to the Energy Information Administration, in 2007, fossil fuels accounted for more than 86% of the world's energy source.

It's been four years, but the situation hasn't changed much. We still haven't found a reliable, safe and viable alternative source of energy. This should be our priority.

Not hybrid or electric cars. Where do you think that electricity comes from? If anything, auto makers should concentrate on making existing petrol and diesel engines more efficient. For sheer economy and fuel efficiency, diesel is still tops.

So screw hybrids and electric cars, I say.

Introducing the SLS AMG Roadster

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Mon, 30 May 2011 03:57:00 +0000

We've seen the spy shots, but now here is the SLS AMG Roadster in all its glory. It may lose its signature gullwing doors, but what you get in return is a gazillion miles of empty space above your head and the chance to listen to that awesome V8 soundtrack with nothing in between to get in the way.

To be honest, I think it looks quite fugly with the soft top roof up. It's like getting dressed for a night out in Monaco but wearing a straw hat. But once it's down, I do think it's one of the best looking convertibles ever.

The car is expected to make its first official appearance in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Wallpaper Weekend: Team NFS Z4 GT3 Race Car

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sat, 28 May 2011 04:03:00 +0000

For me, the BMW Z4 is the roadster with the most attitude and character. The Merc SLK is too feminine, while the Porsche Boxster feels sterile. The Z4, on the other hand, oozes testosterone. You sit way back and in front of you is a huge bonnet. I don't care what you might think of that, but too me, that's cool.

Slap on a huge GT wing and racing aerodynamic addendum and the Z4 looks even better. This is Team NFS's Z4 and it is currently racing in the FIA GT3 race series.

Get the high-res wallpaper here.

High Roller

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Fri, 27 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Rolls Royce over Bentley anyday man.

Best Motoring Goes Out with a Bang

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:22:00 +0000

By now you should have heard the news that Best Motoring is no more. On the bright side, the guys have managed to snag a 2012 GT-R, LFA, GT2RS, Corvette ZR1 and a F430 for the last of their famous shootouts.

I don't want to reveal too much so all I will say is that it's an interesting battle and I was quite surprised by the outcome.

Toy Carnival, This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:24:00 +0000

Toy Carnival is back. And like the last time round, there's going to be a couple of event exclusives from Hot Toys. You can check them here: Iron Man and the T-600 Endoskeleton.

You know the drill, if you want the best deals and the two exclusives, best to head down early.

Wallpaper Weekend: Tribute to a Powerplant - F20C

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sat, 21 May 2011 05:52:00 +0000

The S2000 is no more. And along with it, the awesome F20C.

Designed specifically for the S2000, the F20C was designed by Honda with maximum rpm in mind to attain the highest possible power output. JDM variants of the F20C were therefore capable of revving to 9000rpm and had a peak horsepower output of 247hp.

Honda has always been good with engines and the F20C held the record for the highest specific power output of any naturally aspirated engine up until Ferrari's 458 Italia came along - 123.5 hp/l of the S2000 vs 124.5 hp/l of the 458.

Download a high-res photo of the F20C here.

Amuse vs. Spoon

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:41:00 +0000

We've seen an S2K kitted out in J's Racing Type S body kit, here's an awesome shot featuring another two fine examples of body kits designed for the S2K: on the left, Amuse wide body GT1; and the on the right, Spoon S-Tai.

Which one would you pick? I'm more of an Amuse fan.

Vader's SLS

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:06:00 +0000

To be honest, I'm kind of sick of the matte color treatment on cars. One of the earliest matte cars to catch my attention was this matte black GT-R. And that was almost 3 years ago. Since then, the matte color treatment has been seen on countless other cars, and it's becoming stale.

However, now and then, a special car comes along and shows us all how to properly execute a matte paint job. And this Kicherer SLS 63 SuperSport GT is one of them.

This Kicherer car sports a redesigned front grille, carbon fiber aero parts, new wheels, a height-adjustable suspension and an improved exhaust system. So apart from looking darker and more menacing, it also gets a power bump from 563hp and 650nm of torque to 621hp and 700nm of torque.

Looking at it, I can't help but think that this is an SLS designed specially for Darth Vader.

Wallpaper Weekend: Sex on Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sun, 15 May 2011 10:38:00 +0000

Alfa Romeo makes some of the most beautiful cars in the world and the 8C Compeitizione is one of their finest. It looks bone-achingly gorgeous from every angle. If there was ever a car that is deserving of the phrase "sex on wheels", this is it.

Get the high-res wallpaper here.

Fast Five

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sat, 14 May 2011 03:23:00 +0000

Nevermind some parts of it don't exactly make sense, this is an action movie after all.

If you leave your thinking cap outside the cinema and go in and just enjoy the ride, you'll find that Fast Five is perhaps the best in the series yet.

It was also good fun spotting the different cars. See how many you can name.

Big Bull, Bright Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:16:00 +0000

What else needs to be said about this awesome piece of automotive perfection? With its winning looks and stonking 660hp V12 engine, the LP670-4 SV will surely go down in Lamborghini's history as one of the all-time greats.

Pray For Japan Decals Up

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:10:00 +0000

JDM represent!

It's never too late to donate to a good cause. Head over here to order your decals. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross Japan Relief Fund.

Wallpaper Weekend: The GT3 Big Mac

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sun, 08 May 2011 07:06:00 +0000

This weekend's wallpaper is McLaren's newly unveiled MP4-12C GT3 race car. Developed in collaboration with British racing team, CRS Racing, the MP4-12C GT3 will be making its race debut later in July at the Total 24 Hours of Spa endurance race.

The MP4-12C GT3 race car retains the road car's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, but due to homologation rules, it have its power restricted to 493hp - about 100hp less. Only 20 examples will be built and those rich enough to afford will be able to race them in the European FIA GT3 championships.

Get the super high-res wallpaper (2048 × 1536) here.

Prancing Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:24:00 +0000

In my opinion, the 458 Italia is the first proper pretty Ferrari that we've seen for some time.

Recent models such as the California, 599 GTB, F430, Scaglietti and even the Enzo, have missed the mark. Sure, they have supercar-looks, but they lack that certain X-factor. The 458, however, is different. In the flesh, it is a visually-arresting sight and it sends tingles down your spine like a proper Ferrari should.

Furthermore, it's backed up by a sensational 4.5-liter V8 that revs to 9000rpms and produces 560hp (124hp/liter!).

This would surely go down as one of Ferrari's all-time greats.

S2K, You are Missed...

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Honda, it seems, are hell bent on destroying their racing heritage.

Considering they have killed off their all their performance models save for the CRZ (is that even a proper performance car?), it's fair to say that their present line-up is about as interesting as watching wet paint dry.

The S2000 was well-loved and it baffles me to this day why they would kill it off and not introduce a new model.

Now, all that is left are fine examples like this one kitted out in J's Racing's awesome Type S body kit.

Le sigh...

The Great Senna

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:05:00 +0000

Two days ago marked Senna's 15th death anniversary. If you've seen Top Gear's tribute to Senna, you might remember Clarkson mentioning about a Senna movie.

I just caught it and I urge anyone who has even the slightest interest in motorsports to get hold of it and watch it.

The movie provides some interesting insights into the life and career of who is arguably the best F1 driver the world has seen. His battles with Prost, his coming to grips with politics in F1, his life outside of F1, it's all in there.

Super fantastic stuff.

Wallpaper Weekend: For the Love of Old 911s

noreply@blogger.com (Kenny) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:21:00 +0000

If you love old-school air-cooled Porsches, you'll love this week's wallpaper.

This is the Singer 911. Singer Vehicles Design is a company which takes old pre-1994 air-cooled Porsches and retrofits them with modern day components like carbon fiber body panels, seats, brakes, suspension and various struts and handlebars to improve rigidity.

The engine is also given a thorough refresh and depending on the package you opt for, comes in 300hp, 380hp and 425hp flavors.

Get this wallpaper here.

More about Singer Vehicles Design here.