Street Spirit: Race car artist draws inspiration from graffiti

In the film "Exit through the gift shop, we get an insight into the world of street art, as I have said to us by Banksy and Thierry Guetta (aka Mr. Brainwash, or MBW). This film received rave reviews and is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary. It also serves as an inspiration for Xander Walker Street Version (street version) work of art.
Mr. Walker combines graffiti art with his love for motor sports. The result is affordable street art depicting vehicles that hold a special place in the hearts of many motor sports enthusiasts. We can explain Xander, as he does:

    Creating the template itself can take several hours. then I spray paint the different layers on acid-free paper £ 50 (14 x 17 ") male. I put them in my garage allows 15 minutes for the color before painting the next layer is dry.

    I started this in late November. I have long been a fan of Street Art, and the idea came to me after a long McLaren MP4 / 4 Photo and Info Internet binge, the vision of the film coincided with my "Exit Through The Gift Shop". I initially thought they would look good painted around parking areas of race tracks around the world. I have a template and tried a test print on paper. I thought it looked good, and I've seen up for sale at a low price just to see what would happen. Someone bought one almost immediately.

    Street art and is naturally anti-establishment. Auto racing is for me also inherently anti-establishment. People are killed, and it can be generally stubborn, Thrill investigated lifestyle. I think the template is good medium to capture the outlaw spirit of Ayrton Senna and motor sports are generally suitable.
The pieces range from $ 25 to $ 50, and each is signed by hand, limited example. You can view the rest of Xander Walker's work on its online store and view high-res pictures in the gallery below. We will certainly save some of these for Autoblog's Holiday Gift Guide 2012 ...

Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged

If our review of the McLaren MP4-12C only your appetite for the super-rare mid-engine fighters fired, do not be angry. Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, we can all hop in the cockpit for a few quick Hotlaps in the cabin of the 592-hp engine with none other than Jenson Button behind the wheel. McLaren has released a trio of videos to show what can the MP4-12 to reach with the boundless talent of a F1 champion behind the wheel.

The first video follows the world's auto journos around as the vehicle they were first introduced. The second clip, everything is now exactly on the introduction, what kind of figures the car can produce a real track. McLaren says that from 0-62 mph can be pressed in less than 3.1 seconds, if the MP4-12 is equipped with the optional Pirelli tires and the quarter-mile dash takes just 10.9 seconds.

If that's not enough to wet your whistle supercar, the last clip focuses on a quick look at the company advanced simulator. Prepare Geek in a big way. Hit the jump to see the videos.

First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

Let's see now. You have your Italia Ferrari 458, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, 911 Turbo S and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera was 570-4. After all, if we are the right course is the most important sports car inauguration in quite some time - the 2012 McLaren MP4-12 - we should go in this first privileged, at least keep our mind on Sub-12-cylinder mid-engine and rear wheel drive motor road beasts. For now, that is. So if someone brings the 2012 Nissan GT-R and Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, that we will grab your back with a wet towel to the gym. I warned you.
Before getting into the Recaro seats support-o-rama of the MP4-12, one of the Queen's lords of the empire was already announced, "ready to go to the best handling sports car in history." What do you say to Sir Ron Dennis, McLaren chief of the newly formed Automotive Company (aka the MAC daddy) when he puts pressure on like that? It's like Bill Gates and ask us looks delighted: "So, not only the love that Windows 7" What happens if you do not?
But as luck would have it, the 2012 McLaren MP4-12 is probably the best handling supercar street and Weekend car in history. Yes, it certainly still has some "splainin", but be patient with us. We are just glad that no royal beheadings are now required, as is Sir Ron is not known for his compassionate treatment of dissidents. One thing that does is to explain the need, the more unconventional gallery of photos that we have lined up. First, the three cars we drive over to manufacture in southern Portugal were no cars and they were not even contemplated pre-production units were delivered. North American deliveries start at the beginning of September 2011 in the UK and western Europe starting in mid May.

NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract

If it's good enough for F1, it's good enough for NASCAR. Heck, if it sells well enough for every single car in the United States in recent decades, it's good enough for NASCAR. What is the new-fangled techno-wizardry we talking about? Fuel injection.

Kicked the first time since the series in 1947, the so-called stock cars, traveling at full throttle to leave their mark on all of America in favor of a carburetor enging Control Unit sources of McLaren and a computer processor from Freescale. The tandem were allegedly lost eight rival bids.

According to NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton, "This is a positive step that offer greater fuel efficiency and a greener footprint while maintaining the same great competition that we've seen on the track."

Fuel efficiency should increase as well as HP. Interestingly, NASCAR competitors such as Ford and Toyota happy with the switch. Is, we think it is very important that both the cars and their technology in NASCAR more production vehicles are related. The move to injection fuel is another important step in this process, "said Jamie Allison, director Ford Motorsport North America.

NASCAR plans to have all its injection in time for the 2012 season opener, the Daytona sorted 500th

McLaren prices MP4-12C at $229,000

McLaren has finally struck a sticker on his first road car in almost a decade behind the wheel of brand new, carbon-tubbed MP4-12 you need $ 229,000. To start.

As expected, the 12C label's right in line with the primary competition from Ferrari and Lamborghini to come up with the 458 in about $ 225,000 and the latest Gallardo LP 570-4, Stickering for just over $ 237,000.

Of course, $ 229k is not the extras, and after talking with manager Antony Sheriff last year in Monterey, it is clear that McLaren's plans offers a variety of upgrades for the 12C, from slight color on three wheels and bespoke interior of the Camera recording for the track days. Expect order data will be published shortly, but if you have not set your name on the waiting list already, we suspect you might have a hard time the hands get in front of a 2013th

TAG Heuer makes a watch worthy of the McLaren MP4-12C

Try to equate TAG Heuer with a car manufacturer and one might come with Porsche. After all, one of its most popular products called Carrera and the legendary Steve McQueen sponsored on film during his trial Heuer Porsche 917 was around the circuit La Sarthe. But in reality, the Swiss watchmaker is much closer to McLaren.
TAG Heuer took the name when Mansour Ojjeh earned the watchmaker. His company, Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG), built the Porsche Turbo powered engines that McLaren F1 cars through the mid-80s to back-to-back world championships. Today, TAG Heuer is part of the LVMH luxury products conglomorate, but Ojjeh independent company still has a TAG McLaren. And now, made the following special watches to accompany the McLaren F1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, have come the two back together for a Clock compliment the new MP4-12 supercar.
Based on the Carrera model, the MP4 output, a carbon fiber dial features a large window to the movement and a large orange zero, where the (look at it like a speedometer) 12 can be seen should be housed in a sand-blasted titanium case and the wrist with a sweet Alcantara belt fastened. The orange detailing reflects McLaren traditional color and the 47-jewel Dubois Depraz Calibre 4900 flyback chronograph has a perpetual calendar display. Only 1,000 examples will be made, and while you do not have to own a McLaren buy, it certainly would not hurt. Details in the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE
McLaren and TAG Heuer launch the MP4-12 Chronograph by TAG Heuer MASTERING SPEED exhibition in Geneva.

    * McLaren and TAG Heuer celebrate over a quarter century of partnership with the launch of an exclusive Clock for sports car enthusiasts.
    * TAG Heuer chronograph MP4-12 is now available as an exclusive limited edition by McLaren.

WOKING / Geneva (18 January 2011) - 20 years after McLaren has one of the iconic McLaren F1 road car and 26 years after the McLaren Formula 1 team together TAG Heuer was a unique and limited edition chronograph was now shown beside the McLaren MP4-12C TAG Heuer Mastering Speed exhibition hall Sécheron in Geneva. The TAG Heuer chronograph combines the two MP4-12 innovative enterprises, high performance and precision manufacturing principles.
McLaren TAG Heuer and enjoy one of the longest running sponsorship arrangements between a racing team and a brand in the history of Formula 1 from 1985. Both companies lead their fields in the development of new technologies and design concepts, while the tradition of high-performance car buyers appreciate great watch is long and mutual: Teaming up on this project, while celebrating her 26th Anniversary of their partnership was a natural step in the launch of the new MP4-12 sports car.
In 2011, McLaren Automotive to deliver the first of its new range of tailored and "pure" McLaren sports car in the world, a new measure offers performance based on tailor-made technology, a revolutionary carbon chassis and the integration with the Formula 1: a combination never before presented in a road vehicle. The focus is on the 12th Driver's wrist century have adapted to McLaren Automotive and TAG Heuer joined forces to design a clock suitable for owners of one of the world's most innovative sports cars.
The TAG Heuer MP4-12 Chronograph fits into its properties to the unique color, material and design of the new 12C: the carbon dial is inspired by the 12C's carbon mono cell - a technical solution that makes the team of the formula inspired a body which the 12C incredibly easy, safe and brings a new level of performance, € 200,000 sports car segment. The Clock of the movement is visible through sapphire inserts on the face, revealing the "engine" behind the dial. Of particular use for pilots and train drivers, flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset to zero and immediately start pressing the button once.
A specific instrument in motorsports, the total station has, at what distance traveled, and the chronograph records the time intervals between two locations. Further details are reflected on the 12C, as the titanium housing that weight and Alcantara leather band that was inspired by the 12C interior materials is minimized. The superluminescent orange markers on the hands and the seams of the orange bracelet McLaren reflect historical and traditional road and race car color. The last detail comes with the McLaren brand logo on the clock speed crown.
Frank Stephenson, design director McLaren Automotive: "I love watches and have always wanted a design itself TAG Heuer MP4-12 Chronograph was a particularly interesting project as we combine our passion for precision technology, engineering and performance and include some of the most outstanding design. features and materials that can be found in the MP4-12. "
TAG Heuer Watch MP4-12 will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces and are exclusively for purchase by McLaren later in the year 2011.

Ferrari 612 successor will be privately shown on January 21, teased on invitation

Chrysler, the automaker to the top of the minivan movement in the 1980s, is seriously thinking about his family tractor business. As we reported earlier, the Chrysler is scrapping one of the two twins minivan by 2013, making room for a small micro-van within the next few years to start - a vehicle that compete with the likes of the Ford C-Max and Mazda5 . Now, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, reports confirmed that a hybrid version of the company's next-generation minivan on the way, should be up to 2013 debut.

Which is for use in hybrid minivans use the same drive technology, we shall see in the gasoline-electric version of the Chrysler 300 sedan, will also be set to start in 2013 planned the drive train. The factory, where both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are built today - The new van will be built at the automobile manufacturer Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada