Question: Have you ever participated in any sort of Ironman contest? A gruelling test of Spartan proportions - putting you through the extremes - whittling you down to bare bones. Until the inessential is stripped away, and what's left is a raw tank of a being - the ultimate beast from the abyss. Relate? That's exactly what GMC has planned for the Hummer EV. Follow the Hummer EV's testing and development journey as a team of brave engineers goes all Bear Grylls - moving from extreme climate to extreme climate in the lead-up to its production debut this fall. Freezing in Michigan First up - Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Harsh winter conditions. Sub-zero temperatures. Slippery surfaces. Snow, ice, steep and split-mu grades. Not for the faint hearted. Test 1: Integrating its powerful all-wheel drive torque distribution with traction control system. Test 2: Calibrating and testing the electronic stability control system. The stakes are high. Will the Hummer EV survive? Check out this badass video to find out how it fared! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP0_QvCiJIk Watch this space to keep track of where the engineers will take the Hummer EV to next!
Getting started A successful restoration starts with the right vehicle for your skill set and budget. As a first time restoration, choose a vehicle that you already have common knowledge about or a vehicle that has restoration parts readily available. Don’t start with an oddball car as your first restoration. We think it's best to get a vehicle that's drivable so you can evaluate all the mechanical and body systems...instead of a vehicle that's been neglected and needs everything replaced. How much will it cost? Budgets will vary for restorations. Depending on your skill set, tools or workspace, you may need to hire professionals to take on some aspects of the project. We like to say: “Start with a good car to make a better car" - one you can improve upon in small bites - to bring it back to life or make changes for your own tastes. This will help keep your budget down. And keep your car on the driving as you make improvements. How long will it take? Restoration times can vary. Are you a weekend warrior? Or have the luxury of working on your restoration every day? Old cars are finicky. You never know when…
Detailing. Glorified car wash? Not according to Sergio Garcia. Born and raised in Maryland, Sergio began his detailing journey at the tender age of 22. And in 2018, he ventured into business for himself. And Garcia Brothers Mobile Detailing was born. Mikaniki went behind the scenes with the man himself - for a scoop on why you should get your car detailed, what goes into a (professional) detailing job, clients of interest and dream detailing projects. Give it up for Sergio! "Car detailing is much more than just a machine car wash..." I’ve always had a passion for cars. My father owned a Corvette and a Porsche when I was younger - he had me detail to maintain them. I then went to college for 4 years - to study business. And stopped detailing for a while. After college, I struggled to find work - which led me back into detailing with a friend’s business. I realized I could do a more professional job on my own. And so started my own company with my brothers - Garcia Brothers Detailing. Why detail? Car detailing is much more than just a machine car wash - which, despite being quick, easy and…
DUBAI, UAE, 28 February 2021 — When the Ford EcoSport launched more than a decade ago, Ford wanted it to be efficient - in performance and design. From New York to Casablanca and Dubai, the EcoSport’s exterior design had to spark the imaginations of Ford fans globally. Ehab Kaoud, Ford's Chief designer for trucks and SUVs - now based in Detroit - was in charge of delivering this design. Cover model looks Faced with a complex task of creating a globally-loved vehicle, he encouraged his design team to think big.“I asked the designers to imagine their vision for the Ford EcoSport on the cover of their favourite magazine,” Kaoud explained.The team worked tirelessly on ideas. The result: EcoSport's premium look coupled with Ford's design DNA - all the while conscious of the average compact SUV consumer's budget. “Take the grille for example; we placed it higher on the front facia giving it a proud, strong stance,” Kaoud said. “If you look at the profile of the vehicle, the hood incorporates itself into the A-pillar and shoots back, giving the EcoSport a creative and unique silhouette. The design has the brand’s DNA all over it, and when you first look at it,…
https://youtu.be/qcdjrvjehLo These guys are the real deal. Let me start off by saying that. They put the P in Petrol Head, and will tell you things about cars that you never knew. They are John and Shawn, auto restoration vets, two guys who drive around in a ‘68 Chevy called ‘Saddletramp’ to give you the 411 you DON’T want to know. Except, you totally DO want to know. Mikaniki are super excited about having these two on board, as we share the same mission of making the world excited about cars again, and passing on their sage wisdom down to the next generation. We’ve gone behind the scenes with the masterminds behind Get Out N Drive in a brand new exclusive just for you. From passion to vocation John: At a young age, I was always interested in anything with wheels. It started with Hot Wheels and model cars I was never content with building the kits as they were supposed to be built - I was always customizing everything. I am a 35 year veteran of automobile restoration - I started in the industry learning with my eyes open and my mouth shut. After paying my dues, I ventured…
Picture this: It's the 70s. You've just read Jack Kerouac's "On the Road". And like millions of young Americans, you want to drive across the land of the brave and experience it for yourself. Endless stretches of pure asphalt bliss. The tires gently kissing the surface. A rocking soundtrack, and trails of cigarette smoke. Perfection. Now, what luxury grand tourer are you sitting in? The answer: Roger's '77 Triumph Stag. For this month's Classic Cars and their Owners episode - in partnership with Car Facts Disc - we're opening the floor to Roger, proud member of the Stag Owners Club, as he recounts the fabulous restoration of his beloved '77 Stag. Enjoy! The Triumph Stag (1970 - 1977) Envisioned for the upwardly mobile or young executives as a luxury grand tourer, the Stag was designed to fill an apparent gap in the market occupied mainly by the Mercedes-Benz SL. For its time the Stag concept was amazingly bold – a monocoque steel bodied four seat grand tourer with a T-bar to provide torsional rigidity and roll over protection. It came equipped with a soft top (or optional detachable hard top), and was based upon the four door Triumph 2000 saloon…
Royal Swiss Auto Services now offers the Emirates’ only certified KTM X-BOW retail and service centre, staffed by KTM specialistsKTM X-BOW has been making headlines with the launch of two stunning new variants, which complement the UAE road legal GT and R models Dubai, UAE, February 8, 2021: ANB Automobiles LLC, the exclusive distributor for KTM in the UAE, has appointed Royal Swiss Auto Services as its retail and services partner for its acclaimed rage of high-performance street and off-road sport motorcycles and super sports car, the KTM X-BOW. With last year’s reveal of two stunning new models, the GTX 2020 and the GT2 Concept 2020, the KTM X-BOW has been making headlines around the world. Now, existing and potential owners of the X-BOW have access to a KTM authorised service and retail centre in the UAE for the first time in several years. The Dubai-based centre is staffed by qualified KTM experts and technicians, with access to specialist tools, who understand the specific requirements for such a delicate vehicle in terms of safety and performance, both for the track and road. The KTM X-BOW is KTM’s interpretation of a super sports car for the 21st century, and is the…
Designed for functionality and comfort Form and function compose a symbiotic relationship in the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. Descended from the brand’s racing-derived V-Series legacy, the design elements of the new V-Series Blackwing sedans support and complement their track-capable performance, while advancing the V-Series’ motorsports-inspired heritage of styling and enhanced refinement. “As the ultimate performance versions of our V-Series lineup, the prime directive for their designs was to maintain authenticity and integrity, while also raising the bar,” said Andrew Smith, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “Everything new and unique on these vehicles was only included if it served a functional purpose, while simultaneously creating a powerful signature look.” On the exteriors, wind-tunnel testing and extensive racetrack validation refined the designs to optimize the balance of form and function. On the inside, every unique V-Series Blackwing element, from the available carbon fiber accented seats to track-specific layouts for the driver information center, was developed for its contribution to driver control. Highlights include: Unique exterior elements including detailed primary and secondary grilles, rear spoiler, front splitter, mid-body panels, rear diffuser, fender vents, rocker extensions and moreFull LED exterior lighting “Underwing” underbody panels that support drag reduction and track capabilityAvailable, wind-tunnel-tested…
Mikaniki's car of the month in partnership with Luxury Lifestyle When the Huracán Performante entered the Nürburgring in 2017, many would have scoffed at its technical specs. Sub 900 horse power, no electrical assistance, nothing really to write home about. A betting man wouldn't put a dollar on what this bad boy from Lamborghini was about to achieve. Marco Mapelli, Lambo's test driver, had just 15 minutes in the arena to prove the car's mettle. He stepped up to the plate, warmed up once around the ring, and then brought the Nürburgring to its feet with a record-breaking lap that put the faster, more powerful Porsche 918 Spyder to the sword by a whole 5 seconds. Whoosh! Huracán Performante: a winning formula Many would have raised their brows at Mapelli's track feats. How did he do it? It was the usual deft combination of weight, engine power, chassis and the innovative aerodynamic system dubbed the 'ALA'. But the real kick comes from the use of a highly malleable Forged Composites carbon fibre material which makes the car even lighter than the regular Huracán. A winning formula, which is also easy on the eye. Impressive specs Power is driven through a…
A hugely belated happy new year to one and all! We hope 2021 brings you lots of success, happiness and good health. We've been very fortunate to collaborate with Car Facts Disc to bring you some classic beauties from the hey day, including a '78 Sheriff's Plymouth Fury, a '68 Chevy C10, '34 Riley TT and more! Kicking 2021 off in style, we've got Alan, owner of Fantastic Roads and an avid member of the Classic Corvette Club UK, and his beloved Corvette ZR1 that's clocked upwards of 80,000 miles over 20 years and been a staple in Alan's memories. Please, sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, and enjoy reading about Alan's inspiring journey with his ZR1. This is one helluva tale! Heart of the beast "Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start as they say. Back in 1998 I started looking for my dream car. I had gone through lots of options and finally settled on a Corvette ZR1. Why a Corvette you might ask and why a ZR1 specifically? It’s all down to my dad, he bought me a bright red metallic Corgi Corvette when I was just a wee lad and it…