Mr. Bean writes off his McLaren F1

Mr. Bean writes off his McLaren F1

Car:
McLaren F1 (My Ultimate Dream car!)

Photo original Credit: REX!

Description:
56 years old Rowan Atkinson, "Mr. Bean" actor, has done it again. He managed to crash his McLaren F1 for a second time, this time ripping the rear end off the vehicle. After losing control of the McLaren, it spun around 3 times and crashed into a tree and sign post. He sustained a fractured shoulder but should be ok.

Atkinson has crashed several other exotic cars in the past. In addition to his 1999 crash involving his 1st McLaren F1, he has also crashed an Aston Martin Zagato and a 1952 Jaguar racing car.

Location:
Haddon, England

ARTICLE 1:

Mr. Bean "lucky to be alive" after McLaren F1 crash

The actor Rowan Atkinson, known to most as the clumsy Mr. Bean, apparently cheated death this evening when he lost control of his powerful McLaren F1 (pictured) and hit a tree. The actor escaped the wreckage before the car burst into flames. UPDATE!

Atkinson is an avid car collector and noted enthusiast who famously owns one of the rare McLaren F1 GTR models, which he smashed in 1999 after a fender bender. It's unknown whether speed was a factor in the crash, though the car does have a top speed of around 230 mph.

The actor proved his mettle as a driver earlier this year after posting a great time around the Top Gear test track. Medical sources say Rowan suffered a minor shoulder injury while another onlooker said he was "lucky to be alive."

ARTICLE 2:

Rowan Atkinson out of Hospital!

The actor Rowan Atkinson has been released from hospital following a crash in his high-powered McLaren F1 supercar, it has been reported.

VIDEO 1: Rowan Atkinson aka. Mr. Bean @ Top Gear.


MY (Otoreview's) OPINION: One more McLaren F1 written off.  Note that they make only 70 street legal version (actually 100 but remaining 30 is "Track" OR "Racing" version) of this species.  Estimated 25 of them crashed.  Minus this one means 44 +/- left in the "wild".
Me thinks he should stick to driving Minis...  

Biodiesel goes on sale + Videos

The Star: Thursday, June 02, 2011

PUTRAJAYA: Biodiesel is now available in the market.


From this month until October, the supply of the new fuel will be available in stages starting at Putrajaya followed by Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor respectively.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok launched the B5 biodiesel programme at the Petronas station at Precint 9 here on Wednesday.

With this, all five Petronas stations and one Shell station here will be dispensing the fuel.

Dompok fuelling up a BMW X3 xDrive20d with a full tank of B5 biodiesel during its launch in Putrajaya on Wednesday. Also present were representatives from BMW and Petronas.

B5 is a blend of 95% regular petroleum-based diesel and 5% biodiesel which can be used in normal diesel engine vehicles without any modifications. It will be sold at the same price as regular diesel at RM1.80 per litre.

Dompok said that the B5 price mechanism would be regulated and determined by the Finance Ministry.

“The rolling out of the B5 programme will not cause any price changes as the Government will continue providing subsidies to ensure that the B5 will be at the same cost as regular diesel,” he said.

“The production of the B5 is more expensive but the cost is absorbed by the Government,” he added.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board director general Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May said the fuel is more environment-friendly compared to regular diesel.

BMW, a strong diesel advocate, said it supported the government initiative.  BMW Group Malaysia currently has an Advanced Diesel variant vehicle here in Malaysia for almost every BMW model introduced in the country.

It said modern diesel engines generate 20% more horsepower, 75% more torque and consume up to 30% less fuel compared to their petrol equivalents. They also produce up to 25% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than their equivalent petrol counterparts.

The next step forward for Malaysia is to go ahead as planned to introduce Euro 4M standard diesel this year, it said.

"Such a move would ultimately be most beneficial to consumers as well as the environment, who would obtain better performance while lowering fuel consumption and emission levels at the same time," it said in a statement.

"This would ultimately ensure the further takeup of green technology that is sustainable for both the nation and the environment in the long-run."

END OF ARTICLE
Here's some videos I compiled related to biodiesel:

Video 1:


Video 2: Top Gear


Video 3: MythBusters...  Cooking Oil as Economical Diesel Fuel


Video 4:



Video 5:

VIDEOS++ Reviews: Ford Fiesta

In this blog entry, I'm posting about Ford Fiesta... I already did a Close up review earlier.  It can be found here:
http://otoreview.blogspot.com/2010/10/close-up-new-ford-fiesta.html

AND HERE:


http://otoreview.blogspot.com/2011/02/ford-malaysias-biggest-ever-roadshow.html

I now present a series of Videos review.  Enjoy!


Video 1: Whatcar? 
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/ford/fiesta-hatchback/video/25846-5



Video 2:  TopGear Ford Fiesta Road Test Part 1
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zy78tFPQwQ


BBC Top Gear Ford Fiesta road test Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIyCmcuQno


Video 3: iMotor Ford Fiesta Test Drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KJFp681kU0


That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry...

Videos Review: BMW E90 320d Efficient Dynamics

In this blog entry, I'm going to Video blog about my Favourite Diesel Car.  The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Diesel.  In Malaysia, the 320d is yours from RM239,888 for Standard Version and RM255,800 for M-sport version. 

STARTERS:

SPECIFICATIONS:


BMW

Type 320d EfficientDynamics

Code E90, Series 3
Built 2009 - now

Body:

Length 4531 mm
Width 1817 mm
Height 1406 mm
Weight 1420 kg

Body type Sedan
Doors 4, Seats 5

Wheelbase 2760 mm
Track front 1506 mm
Track rear 1535 mm
Turning circle 11 m
Fuel capacity 61 L

Cooling oil capacity 7.5 L
Engine oil capacity 5.2 L
Drag coefficient 0.27 Cd x A

Max load to DIN 520 kg
Max. permissible weight 1940 kg
Max. axle load front 925 kg
Max. axle load rear 1080 kg
Max. roofload 75 kg

Luggage compartment 460 L

Power unit(s)

Engine:
Type N47

4 cylinder inline turbocharged diesel engine

Cylinders 4
Valves 16
Arrangement inline 4
Displacement 1995 cc

Stroke 90 mm
Bore 84 mm
Compression 16.5 :1

Fuel type diesel

Power 150 kW / 177 HP @  4000 rpm

Torque 350 Nm @ 1750-3000 rpm

(Power and torque sourced from BMW Malaysia Website because we have more horsepower (177hp vs 163hp) but LESS TORQUE (350Nm vs 380Nm) compared to European Specs...)

Electrical system

Battery power 90 Ah
Battery location luggage compartment

Chassis & suspension

Suspension, front Double-joint spring strut axle in aluminium with displaced castor, small positive steering roll radius, compensation of lateral forces, anti-dive

Suspension, rear Five-arm axle in lightweight steel construction

Brakes, front Single-piston swing-calliper disc brakes
Diameter 312 mm

Brakes, rear Single-piston swing-calliper disc brakes
Diameter 300 mm

Steering EPS Electric Power Steering
Steering ratio 16.00 :1

Transmission 6 speed Manual  (standard)

Gearbox ratio, I-VI, R

 I 4.110 :1
II 2.248 :1
III 1.403 :1
IV 1.000 :1
V 0.802 :1
VI 0.659 :1
R 3.727 :1

Final drive ratio 2.790 :1

OPTIONAL: 6 Speed Steptronic Gearbox.
Tyres, front 205/55 R16 91V
Tyres, rear 205/55 R16 91V

Wheels, front 7J x 16 light-alloy
Wheels, rear 7J x 16 light-alloy

Performance

Topspeed 228 km/h

Acceleration 8.0 s (0-100 km/h)

Fuel Consumption

Urban 7.0 l/100km (5.0l/100km)
Extra-urban 4.9 l/100km (3.6l/100km)
Combined 6.0 l/100km (4.1l/100km)
(Source BMW Malaysia. More conservative claim as our diesel quality is lower at Euro 2M instead of Euro 5).
CO2 emissions 160 g/km (109g/km).

(European Spec in Bracket).

END OF SPECIFICATION:

Source:
http://www.bmwheaven.com/database/show.php?id=990
Without further ado, let's proceed to the MAIN COURSE...  3 Videos review...

Video 1: Fifthgear UK...



Video 2: Whatcar UK...



Video 3: Top Gear UK...  By Richard Hammond:



Video 4: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics. By thecarfanatic:


END OF REVIEWS... 


That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry...

The Stig's ID is 'Top Gear' secret no more

The Stig's ID is 'Top Gear' secret no more

By JENNIFER QUINN, Associated Press Writer Jennifer Quinn,
Associated Press Writer – Wed Sep 1, 12:01 pm ET


LONDON – The opaque visor of one of Britain's most famous helmets has been lifted.

AP – This photo combo shows an undated file photo of the driver for the BBC motoring programme Top Gear 'The …

The identity of The Stig, the always-anonymous test driver on the popular television show "Top Gear," has long been a closely guarded secret. On Wednesday, lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book revealing the identity of the character.


Shortly after, publishers HarperCollins said in a statement that a 33-year-old racing driver named Ben Collins "has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig, which will appeal to a wide audience beyond just motoring enthusiasts."

Calling it a "victory for freedom of speech," HarperCollins said the book will be published in Britain on Sept. 16.


The white-suited Stig is the second in the role; the first Stig, who wore a black suit and helmet, was Perry McCarthy. He left the show in 2003 after his identity was revealed.

The show has a long-standing policy of not commenting on The Stig's identity. A "Top Gear" spokeswoman said no decision has been made on whether the character will be back when the show returns.

"Top Gear" is one of the BBC's most successful programs, and is seen in more than 100 countries around the world. Alongside the show's three garrulous hosts, The Stig is an always-silent presence, fearlessly navigating the show's test track in glamorous cars.


Speculation over his identity is a favorite pastime for fans of the show, and the "Top Gear" website sells T-shirts proclaiming "I am The Stig," "I am not The Stig," and "I am The Stig's fat cousin," among others.

"The whole point of The Stig is the mystique — the bizarre characteristics he has, the wonderment created about what he might think, feel, do or look like," producer Andy Wilman said in a post on the show's website. "Kids adore the conceit, and I believe adults, although they know it's a man in a suit (or is it?) gladly buy into the whole conceit because they find it entertaining."


The Stig's Facebook page — which more than 2.5 million people "like" — says he was recently attacked by a goose, that his ears "are not where you would expect them to be," and that he thinks the movie "Star Wars" is a documentary.

The BBC said it sought the injunction — the hearing was held in private — because viewers like the mystery surrounding the driver's identity and it's "vital to protect the character of The Stig."

The broadcaster said that the judgment does not prevent them from taking the issue further in the courts.

'The BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise," the broadcaster said in a statement.


Collins' website says he has raced on the Formula Three and NASCAR circuits, and drove James Bond's Aston Martin in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace."

END OF ARTICLE...

SOURCE:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/photo-combo-shows-undated-file-photo-driver-BBC-motoring-programme/photo//100901/482/urn_publicid_ap_org_b12b9a44851846c2b404c2780670506e//s:/ap/20100901/ap_on_en_tv/eu_britain_top_gear

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.