All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

The driver received a higher fine for driving an SUV

If a vehicle enters an intersection any time after the signal light has turned red, the driver has committed a violation. In that case, the law prescribes a fine that is the same for all drivers. However, last month an unusual situation occurred when a court in Germany issued a traffic fine that was higher than expected.

The owner of the vehicle received a traffic fine of 150 EUR for passing through a red light, but the court increased that fine with the explanation that he was driving an SUV and not a small vehicle. They also stated that the reason for such a decision is that large vehicles pose a greater danger to pedestrians.

According to ABC News, some studies have shown that SUV collisions with pedestrians at speeds of at least 40 mph (64 km/h) always result in the pedestrian’s death. In the explanation of the verdict, it is stated that the judge determined that the sentence can be increased by up to 75%. In addition, the driver was sentenced to the suspension of his driver’s license for one month.

Is this a new way of setting fines and should SUV drivers pay higher traffic fines?

Source: ABC News

News

2024 Porsche 911 GT3

While we wait for Porsche to introduce several new models, such as the 911 Cabriolet and 911 Hybrid, the Stuttgart-based company is seriously considering the new 911 GT3 model. According to photos from Spain, the car is currently in the testing phase.

This news will delight all enthusiasts of the German brand and especially the GT3 model. So far, Porsche has not made any statement about this. The current 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine with an impressive 510hp (375 kW) and 347 lb-ft (470Nm) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph (318 kph). Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via manual or automatic seven-speed transmission (PDK).

First of all, this car should not be confused with the GT3 RS model. At first glance, we could say that the design of the front part has been retained, however, some changes can still be noticed, such as the slightly moved up front lights. At the rear, a large spoiler and two centrally located exhaust pipes can be seen, while both sides of the rear bumper are covered.

Inside, camouflage covers most. Some earlier information indicated that Porsche could enrich this model with a digital instrument panel.

We will have more information after Porsche makes a statement about this model.

Source: Carscoops

News

BMW Z3 V12 shown in museum

Recently, BMW has unveiled some outstanding prototypes, and now the time has come for BMW to open the doors of its museum and show some of the prototypes that never went into production. One such is the BMW Z3 V12 which was built with the intention of testing whether the car is capable of withstanding the V12 engine taken from the BMW 850 CSi.

This is not the only model from the BMW range that attracts attention in the museum. There is also the E34 M5 convertible which was produced in only two copies and never went into mass production because it was thought that it would affect the sales of the 3 Series convertible. Based on the M5, M6 and M8, this concept doesn’t seem too radical, but it really was in its day. It was the first car with variable convertible top compartment.

BMW E34 M5

The E34 M5 was the last hand-built M model, and was powered by an inline-6 ​​engine with 266 hp (196 kW) while power was sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

There is also the BMW M8 Prototype which, unlike the modern M8 model, is powered by a V12 engine with 640 hp (471 kW). The engine was based on the one used by the cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and unfortunately the prototype never went into production. The current BMW M8 is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 617 hp (454 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.

BMW M8 Prototype

The BMW museum also contains other models that entered mass production, as well as those that remained only prototypes. Enjoy the video.

Source: BMW M via YouTube