The News for May 2nd, 2014

650sMSO2 Welcome to the Hooniverse News – Not Much Happened This Week Edition! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry, or whatever I could find, without the fluff or bull. I just throw in a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:  

  • McLaren reveals special 650S that creates lava

  • Gran Turismo 6 to honor Senna with content

  • Chevrolet SS is supposed to get a manual option

  • Our friends at Autoweek review the LaFerrari

  • And a nifty app that could make finding repair shops easier

McLaren Special Operations 650S

650sMSO1 McLaren Automotive is a company that specializes exclusively in creating some of the fastest, most advanced, and purpose-built cars on the planet. The recently deceased MP4-12C was a car that launched McLaren firmly into the supercar market for the first time since the F1, the P1 is a car that redefines what a hybrid is capable of, and the new 650S is a car that further improves what was great about the MP4-12C and fixes what wasn’t. All road tests I’ve seen and read about the 650S suggest that it’s a phenomenal car, but what happens when someone decides it just isn’t phenomenal enough? McLaren has an answer to that very question which maybe three would actually ask – McLaren Special Operations (MSO). These guys are what M is to BMW or AMG to Mercedes but on a much different level. The cars these guys take in to rework are already world class so it’s hard to imagine what they could actually do to make it better. Fortunately, the MSO 650S Coupe Concept gives us an idea of what they would be able to do.650sMSO3 Sort of. This concept really just shows off the visual modifications that MSO will soon offer to 650S owners and maybe hint at what else we will see from MSO, like performance upgrades. This concept’s menacing appearance is achieved by carbon fiber body accents on the already aggressive bodywork and the Agrigan Black paint, which is a custom black color with deep ruby red metallic flakes for a dramatic color change in direct sunlight. The paint works well with the various satin-finished carbon fiber accents, including those on the front splitter, air intakes, side blades, and rear diffuser. All of these carbon fiber accents and body panels aren’t just there for show as they offer aerodynamic improvements as well, particularly the carbon side blades which improves how air flows down that entire side of the car for better stability. The rear diffuser is GT3 inspired and definitely won’t scrape at all ever. Finishing off the exterior updates are the satin black lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. The interior gets its fair share of updates as well, with fixed-back carbon fiber racing seats finished in black carbon leather and based on the design of those in the P1. These seats offer a better driving position in addition to shaving a few dozen pounds off the car’s curb weight. The rest of the interior features similar carbon fiber accents and contrasting switches and buttons and stuff with orange accents to make it look cool. Some of the new parts on this car are already on sale for 650S owners while others are on the way pending a positive reaction from owners and fans alike. The 650S already has some mental performance figures so don’t expect power upgrades for quite some time, but a lightweight club sport-like version would be nice, wouldn’t it? [Source: McLaren]

Gran Turismo honors Senna with content

Lotus_97T_85_01 When Gran Turismo 6 was launched last year, we were told all about the amazing awesome content that would be headed our way if we bought it. With new content “monthly” and a dozen or so bespoke concept cars from major manufacturers designed specifically for the game arriving on a regular basis, this was supposed to be a game that was constantly being updated and staying fresh. Since about December, it’s been the exact opposite of that. However, one of the many things they teased is actually available in game now with more of it on the way. “It” refers to Gran Turismo‘s way of honoring the late, great Ayrton Senna. Announced yesterday on the 20th anniversary of his passing, gamers will soon be able to pilot his Lotus 97T in the digital realm. This Lotus 97T was the care Senna drove in the 1985 Formula 1 season and with it he achieved his first Formula 1 pole position and race win. It’s fitting that what might be the most detailed car in GT6 is the one that Senna drove. In addition to the announcement for the car, GT6 delopvers Polyphony Digital talked about how they would continue to support Ayrton Senna Institute, an organization that provides free education to two million Brazilian children annually, and was set up by his family at his request. Their short film “Ayrton’s Wish” was released as well to highlight the Institute’s purpose and how Gran Turismo’s support benefits them and the younglings they strive to help. Polyphony Digital say that more Senna content is on the way for Gran Turismo 6, but they’ve said that many, many times already… it’s like George R. R. Martin’s portrayal in that one South Park episode. [Source: GTPlanet]

Chevrolet SS might get a manual and more

SS Johnny Leiberman of Motor Trend has reportedly been told that the Chevrolet SS, their attempt at making a modern muscle sedan for the driving enthusiast, will be getting some new enhancements to make it more attractive. One of those enhancements is modern while the other is a bit more old-fashioned. A six-speed manual transmission is one thing that most people were waiting for, as an automatic is currently the only available transmission. According to this report, the manual could be an option as early as this summer. Another option which is supposed to be in the works is the addition of Magnetic Ride Control – a fancy and responsive suspension that has already been well established with GM’s other performance cars. Handling in the SS is supposed to be a joy already, but a suspension setup shared with the CTS-V and Z/28 should only make it better. If these revelations turn out to be true, are these two enough to make you want one? I have a feeling that just the manual transmission will for most of us. [Source: Motor Trend]

From Autoweek: LaFerrari first drive

laferrar Since it is a light week, I figured I might as well throw in something a little fun. Ferrari’s strict embargo on releasing reviews of their newest hybrid supecar has expired this week, so everyone who was invited to drive it can now talk about it. We had the chance to drive it but had to pass; there was a LeMons race in town. Fortunately, our friends at Autoweek had nothing better to do so they went to Italy and drove it to get some impressions on it. Their words are available here and it’s definitely worth a read.

Openbay app announced

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Q3ksN_aWY[/youtube] This little blip was sent to us earlier this week and given the light news load and the fact that it might be the only useful thing I’ve covered today, here we go. A start-up company called Openbay has announced a website and iOS app (coming to Android soon) that makes the process of finding the right repair shop much easier. The way it works is by taking your basic vehicle information, what needs fixing, and your location and then searching for every available option defined by your search criteria. Repair shops can offer exclusive deals to Openbay users but in the end you are given the ability to choose the right one based on offers and customer reviews. Once you’ve decided, the Openbay will even let you pay for it right through the app itself.  All service records are kept within the app for easily referencing them in the future and it’s free to download. The app is available in the Apple App Store now and sounds too useful to pass up, assuming you don’t do everything yourself anyway. [Source: Openbay]

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