When I was asked if I wanted to review the Triunph Thunderbird Storm I was quite excited, yet also apprehensive: I was talked out of buying its tamer Jekyll version (the standard 1600cc Thunderbird) by a friend who stated it was too big and too powerful. Foolishly I did not take one to test ride to find out for myself, so I guessed this would be my chance, and boy the Hyde version of this baby was going to show me a thing or two.

I love the look of the Storm: everything about this bike oozed attitude, with standard choice of colour matte or jet black, drag-style handle bars, the large 22-litre tank and its 1699cc liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin fuel-injected heart.

The bikes are aggressive looking, however, (more…)

Cars have come a long way since 1964 when the first-ever Ford Mustang was released. The most powerful version of the iconic pony car in the first year was the K-Code with a 271hp 289ci V8. If this wasn’t enough for you, and let’s face it, at the time it was already plenty of power, you could instead purchase a Shelby-modified Mustang. Called a GT350, the Shelby vehicles had the same 289ci engine, albeit modified to produce 306hp.

Fast forward to 2007 and, having got back together for the first time since a fallout in 1969, Carroll Shelby was once again in bed with Ford, and 500 GT350Hs Hertz rental cars were built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original vehicles. Also released that year was the GT500, which was fitted with a 5.4-litre 500hp supercharged engine. And just like 40 years ago, a horsepower war was once again brewing, with manufacturers trying to outdo each other by producing ever more powerful vehicles.

Not wanting to be left out of it altogether, Ford themselves once again reintroduced the Boss 302 name in 2012. With looks and performance characteristics reminiscent of the Boss 302 of old, Ford were on to a sure-fire winner.

By this time, Shelby too had tried to keep one step ahead of what the factory were offering, but with the factory cars being so well built and high performing, that task was getting harder and harder.

To keep ahead, Shelby would continue to (more…)

It’s well known that at Sony Xplod Beach Hop 2011 there was rain… and plenty of it. So maybe it was the two-year gap between the last sunny event and this year’s one that made it seem all the more special, or maybe it really was. From talking to various entrants, spectators and traders, all agreed it was the latter, and the event should go down in history as one of, if not the best ‘Hop’ yet.

Everywhere we went, we were met by people saying just how big the event was, and it wasn’t until head event organiser Noddy Watts announced on Saturday afternoon that entrant numbers were limited to 100 cars less than last year that we had any idea that was the case, as it certainly didn’t seem that way.

With so much going on over all five days of the event, it’s almost impossible to keep up to date with what’s happening, so the easiest way is to pick and choose what you want to do, or what you want to see, and then do as much as you can. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll (more…)

Holden’s engineering team is already well into its work on the development of the new generation Commodore dubbed VF, but with the new model still two to three years away, there’s plenty of time for another refresh of the current VE model.

For the 2012 model year, the Commodore will receive two new colours, modest exterior and interior enhancements, plus the introduction of the track-inspired FE3 sports suspension for the Redline variants.

Selected models receive chrome accents to highlight the Series II front fascia, while Omega is fitted with new 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels. A new lip spoiler enhances the styling of the luxury focused Calais V. The SS V-Series Redline Edition gets new forged and polished 19-inch alloy wheels plus painted rear brake calipers.

In the cabin, there’s silver stitching on the optional Onyx and Razor leather interior trim while the Redhot trim also receives some treatment. The iQ multimedia system has been updated to be compatible with the latest smartphones. (more…)

Over in the States, GM has worked some facelift magic on the Chevrolet Silverado as the pick up truck enters the 2012 model year.

Aesthetic updates include a new chrome mesh grille with a chrome surround and top spec models receive a silver-painted lower bumper and new 20-inch alloy wheels. Four new exterior colours have also been introduced including Silver Ice Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Carbon Flash Metallic, and Graystone, plus two new interior color combinations, Dark Titanium/Light Titanium and Dark Cashmere/Light Cashmere. Cashmere? This is meant to be a tough truck.

For 2012, every Silverado except for the Hybrid will come standard with trailer sway control and hill-start assist while cruise control is standard on all models. (more…)

A new horsepower war is brewing and could see Chevrolet’s new Camaro ZL1 released with more grunt than was originally planned. The ZL1 (pictured) isn’t expected in American car dealerships until early next year, but new reports are stating that power output has been bumped up to more than 570 hp (425 kW).

When the car was officially debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, GM said the supercharged 6.2-litre engine would have a max power output of approximately 550 hp (410 kW). That was until word came out that the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was expected to utilise  a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 with up to 620 hp (462 kW). With Ford now bringing a machine gun to a knife fight, Chevrolet is left with little choice but to upgrade its hardcore ZL1, just to put up a fight. (more…)

It may not have a big V8 under its bonnet but that doesn’t mean Holden’s next-generation Colorado ute isn’t going to look staunch. To give truck fans a glimpse of what’s in store for Holden’s next working ute General Motors has unveiled an extra tough double-cab concept vehicle in Chevy form.

Called the Double-Cab Rally concept, this truck follows on from the unveiling of the Colorado Space Cab concept at the Bangkok Auto Show in March. Clearly this is a off roading ute with clues of its abilities in a pair of winches (one at the front, one at the rear) ready to go if things get too much. There’s also 305/60R18 BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tyres, extended suspension travel and a unique rollbar and rail system across the roof and tray. At the rear there are special holes in the tailgate for shedding sand or gravel that may be caught in the tub during racing. To further reduce weight the side windows are made of clear acrylic.

Inside the Rally concept is fitted with racing seats and five-point harnesses. (more…)

The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette has been revealed for keen vette fans and there are some subtle tweaks and updates to the hard-serving C6 platform. The enhancements are aimed at improving the Corvettes on-track performance and on-road comfort levels.

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tyres are now optional on both top spec variants – the Z06 and Zr1. Chevrolet claims that the new rubber should be good for an eight-percent gain in lateral acceleration (more than 1.1g) and will make for shorter braking distances.

The Z06 also gets some fresh optional gear like performance traction control, a full-width rear spoiler and a carbon fibre bonnet. The top dog ZR1 receives taller gearing in the fifth and sixth ratios to maximize fuel economy and possibly push out the top-end as well.

The entire 2012 Chevrolet Corvette line now benefits from a slightly reworked interior that includes a new steering wheel and new seats. The racing pews have more supportive bolstering along the sides and microfibre inserts are now available for the first time as well. The new steering wheel features leather-wrapped spokes and all models receive contrasting coloured stitching and more padded centre console and armrests. Interior appointments have been considered a weakness of the C6 Corvette and this changes should go some way to change that opinion. (more…)