All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

75 year old driving 2012 Nissan GT-R with 1,200 HP

We all have dreams that we strive to realize sooner or later. Owning a powerful sports car is the dream of every car enthusiast, but there are also those who own one such car without ever experiencing its full capabilities. Such is the case with 75-year-old Barry Bigwood from South Africa who owns a 2012 Nissan GT-R.

In 2015, Bigwood tuned its GT-R, which is now powered by a 4.1l V6 engine with 1,200 hp (883 kW). As a reminder, the base GT-R is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 530 hp (390 kW) @ 6,400 rpm and 448 lb-ft (607 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The fact that it was faster than the Bugatti in the acceleration race shows how powerful this GT-R is. Although he has never driven the Nissan GT-R in its full power, 75-year-old Bigwood decided to do so on the runway at Uppington Airport.

He traveled 800 kilometers to Uppington Airport. On an empty runway five kilometers long, he achieved his dream driving at a speed of 218 mph (351 km/h). When asked how he was feeling, Barry said “I feel nervous, anxious, but excited at the same time. Something that’s been in my bucket list for a long time. I’m very much looking forward to this.” He also said that the next goal is to drive a Bugatti, but one step at a time.

Source: Stefan Kotze Media via YouTube

News

2023 Jeep Avenger

Jeep is trying to conquer the European market when it comes to electric crossovers. Their new hope is the recently announced 2023 Jeep Avenger, a car intended for younger drivers and ideal for city traffic jams. The premiere is scheduled for October 17 and the Paris Motor Show.

First of all, the Avenger should not be confused with the Renegade, although they look similar. The design of the front part and the size is what separates these two models at first glance. It has a new front grill, thinner daytime running lights, smaller rear lights, and strengthened suspension. “These cars exist in the city, they climb curbs, so their body has to be armored,” said Ralph Gilles, Head of Design at Stellantis.

When it comes to the powertrain, Jeep hasn’t revealed the power of the electric motor. Some speculate that it could be the 136 hp electric motor that powers another Stellantis model, the Vauxhall Mokka Electric. It is known that the new Avenger will have a range of 250 miles (400 km), which will be quite enough for a car intended for urban use.

In the next three years, Jeep intends to release three new models. The first is Recon, which is announced for 2024. It is expected to be equipped with a 101 kWh battery and will have luggage space at the front. The second is the luxury Wagoneer S which will be powered by two electric motors with more than 600 hp (441 kW) and will have a range of 650 km. The third is a compact SUV that will succeed the Compass or Cherokee model and will arrive on the market in 2025.

Source: Jeep

News, Tuning

Porsche 912 Restomod

Between 1965 and 1969, Porsche produced one of its sports cars that was an entry-level variant of the 911, the Porsche 912. It was offered in compact 2+2 Coupé and Targa body styles with an air-cooled 4-cylinder engine taken from model 356.

The Hungarian company Kamm Manufaktur will present a restomod of the 912 called the Kamm 912c, which will be available at a price of €325,000. The car has kept its original shape and the steel parts are replaced by carbon fibers, which reduced the weight from the original 968 kilograms to 750 kilograms. It is equipped with an adjustable suspension that includes coilovers with custom tuning, reinforced chassis, Lexan windows, new shock absorbers, Brembo aluminum brakes and a set of new tires.

Inside, the design from the Porsche 912 has been retained with some changes such as carbon seats replacing the original ones and plenty of accessories made of lightweight materials.

The standard Porsche 912 is powered by an air-cooled 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine with 90 hp (67 kW) and 98 lb-ft (133 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. However, Kamm Manufaktur installed a new 2.0-liter flat-four engine, produced by JPS Aircooled, with 170 hp (127 kW).

Source: Kamm Manufaktur