A few days after McLaren F1 presented their 2012 Formula One race car, the MP4-27, the Prancing Horse from Maranello has decided to unveil their 2012 F1 race car. Called the F2012, the race car is the fifty eighth F1 car Ferrari has ever built, and is arguably the most advanced race car it has ever developed.
As far as all the changes that have been done to the car to accommodate for new regulations, the F2012 was fundamentally and meticulously revised, most specifically the height of the front section of the chassis, the position of the exhaust pipes, and the re-tweaking of the car’s electronic engine management system.
According to the folks over at Ferrari, the F2012 comes with a revised suspension lay-out with both the front and rear ends featuring pull-rods that were designed to improve the car’s overall aerodynamic performance. The F2012 also comes with a stepped nose that was designed to follow new requirements set out to lower the front end of the car, while the front wing was developed from the one that was used in the 150º Italia - last year’s F1 race car.
Other important modifications include a redesigned side that improves the car’s side impact structures. Similarly, the radiators on the race were also repositioned while the lower part of the rear of the car was designed to be narrower and more tapered, allowing for improved aerodynamics and mechanical enhancements. Last, the rear wing is also similar to the one used in the 150 Italia and is still fitted with a drag reduction system.
As far as the engine on the car is concerned, the F2012 will carry a revised version of the 150 Italia’s 2.4-liter V8 engine to accommodate new technical regulations that are being enforced for the 2012 season. Ferrari will also be using the KERS system, which maintains its low location in the car while also cutting down on its weight and improving its overall efficiency.
The multi-awarded actor and director was the star of Chrysler’s new Super Bowl commercial, "Halftime in America".
Just like last year, the focus of the ad is centered on the Motor City and how it has, time and again, risen from the despair and is in the process of writing its own comeback story.
Nothing evokes more emotion than inspiration and this is what Chrysler is looking for with the new ad. It may not carry the same raw emotion as that of Eminem’s ad from last year, but as sequels go, it’s hard not to be stirred by Eastwood’s raspy monologue, the visual images of Detroit’s resurgence, and the overall inspiring work of this ad.
For the second year in a row, Chrysler has done a masterful job with their Super Bowl commercial.
Nissan will be unveiling a preview version of a new addition to the B-segment at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Invitation concept will be introduced next to the Micra city car and the Juke crossover. The production version of the Invitation will follow sometime in 2013.
The first details of the Invitation offered by Nissan state that the concept will combine "fresh style, innovation, and excitement." The concept’s sides are dominated by a distinctive character line, known internally as the "Squash Line," which adds a powerful dynamism to its profile with distinctive sculpted front and rear wings. The interior combines the latest technologies with high quality materials.
At this point, Nissan hasn’t revealed what engine will be used for the Invitation, but they have confirmed that it will offer an ultra-low CO2 emission target of under 100g/km. This tells us that we should expect to see the supercharged 1.0-litre engine already used in the Micra. However, whichever engine ends up underneath that hood, Nissan has promised class-leading levels of fuel efficiency and emissions.
Chevrolet’s Super Bowl ad for the Volt was a little weird - and that’s putting it lightly.
But they certainly made up for it with this cute and funny ad for the Sonic, featuring bugs and insects of all kinds. Taking a stab at all those times when insects get wiped out by grilles, headlights, and wiper blades, Chevrolet decided to address this ad and put a creative spin on it: insects actually having some fun while riding a car.
Even one insect - we actually don’t know what it is - even gets slammed into the grille and bellows out a joyful scream like he had just ridden an intense roller coaster!
If insects were an actual market segment in the industry, this commercial will certainly shoot up sales in that demographic. But even if they aren’t, it’s still a pretty funny ad that will make you chuckle some.
And considering some of the ads that we’ve seen during the Game, chuckles have been hard to come by. That in itself is a victory for Chevrolet.
This year’s Super Bowl has been replete with auto commercials, and that’s a good thing because we’re not running out of things to talk about.
One of the most underrated ads we saw comes from BMW. We say its underrated because it doesn’t get the hoopla of Chrysler or the comedic shots of Hyundai, but it does drive home a pretty funny point in the 30-seconds it aired.
Of all the features that come with the new BMW 3-Series, one thing that should be of great use to drivers is the ability of BMW’s Connected Drive to read emails. Whether it’s for work or as a way to get away from the house when your mother-in-law is dropping by, being able read emails on your car is a luxury everybody should have.
Yeah, even if it means getting an earful from your wife as you subtly drive away from your house.
