Articles by Jeff Glucker

Mansory is not known for producing anything close to being subtle. Its vehicle designs are typically way over-the-top affairs that lead to polarising opinions. That's what makes the Carbonado such a surprise.It's a Lamborghini Aventador that's been given a Mansory makeover... and it's rather well done. If you want to be outrageous, the Aventador is a great place to start, and adding carbon fibre by the truckload can push the outrageousness to another level without (really) screaming in peoples' faces.Sure, it's still brash. But it's the right kind of look for a vehicle as insane as the Aventador. The Carbonado boasts carbon fibre pretty much everywhere. It adds a new front lower fascia as well with an interesting daytime running light element in the intakes, which lends an almost naval-aviation vibe to the entire car.It's not just the body that's been given a reworking, however, as Mansory also applied its wrenches to the engine. The Aventador 6.5-litre V12 engine has been given a boost thanks to a pair of turbochargers, which increase the power to levels as insane as the appearance of the bodywork implies.The "standard" Aventador produces 515kW, while the Mansory Carbonado pumps out 933kW. That pushes this vehicle from 0-100km/h in an eye-popping 2.6 seconds. At the same time, the top speed has been raised to 378km/h. This actually might be a fighter jet wearing a Lamborghini suit. In fact, that's the look that Mansory is going for. The tuner even relocated the starting button from the centre stack to the roof to highlight the feeling.www.motorauthority.com 

Armoured vehicles are a necessary form of transportation in certain parts of the world. The occupants need to be protected, so they turn to vehicles that offer up a sense of comfort as well as a sense of security and safety.These vehicles don't have to be large, military-based monstrosities either. In fact, the modern armoured vehicle looks very normal from the outside. It's only when you start taking a closer look that you realise something different is going on under the skin.BMW has some customers in various regions of the world that need more protection than seat belts and airbags can provide. They now have a vehicle that's up to the task in the form of the X5 Security Plus concept.The BMW X5 Security Plus, based on the latest 2014 X5, features a body that's been built around an armoured passenger cell. It's constructed of high-strength steel and is capable of protecting four occupants from an assault by AK-47 machine guns.The panel gaps are backed by sealed joints which prevent bullet fragments from sneaking past, and the windows are made from a polycarbonate material which can also handle attacks from blunt weapons. The glass will not shatter into the cabin.Of course, it's still a BMW, which means it can also use its performance to get the driver and passengers out of harm's way. Under the hood is a turbocharged V8 engine that produces 335kW.BMW has worked to refine the chassis and engine management so that it handles the extra weight from the security features. The automaker has stated this allows the X5 Security Plus to handle just as a standard X5 would. That's important, because escaping the second round of attacks is just as important as surviving the first round.www.motorauthority.com

Mazda unveiled the Furai concept at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2008. It wowed crowds, showing the Nagare design language that informed Mazda design in the following years. But the Furai wasn't just a pretty concept, as it boasted at 335kW three-rotor setup and helped back up the claim that Mazda had produced an actual supercar. Now that car is a toasted shell, which has been burnt to the ground -- while in the hands of Top Gear UK. We're not sure how this story managed to avoid leaking out for so long, but back in 2008 the car was with the popular television show's crew and it wound up on fire. There's been no official commentary on how this happened, as this story is making its way into 20th anniversary special for the show's magazine. Still, in a world where bits of news can travel the globe in seconds, we're amazed that no one knew about this incident for so long. Mazda and Top Gear did a pretty good job about keeping the story quiet. If it happened today, it would've wound up on Twitter, Instragram, and Facebook in a matter of minutes. Seconds, possibly. Our guess as to how this happened? Jeremy Clarkson demanding more power out on the Top Gear runway, while getting the Furai sideways. From there, it was just a matter of a hot three-rotor being pushed hard, probably a bit of an oil leak, and then ... combustion. www.motorauthority.com  

Before we leave to cover an auto show, we typically have a decent idea of what we're going to be seeing. Audi switched things up a little bit by dropping a surprise on us on the eve of the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.It's called the Nanuk quattro concept, and it's an on-road/off-road stunner packing serious power alongside its super show car looks. We expected to see the Sport quattro concept make an appearance, but this new machine ups the excitement ante quite a bit.Here's what has us a bit giddy; the Nanuk quattro concept is powered by a twin-turbocharged V10 TDI motor. This mill is said to be good for 400kW  and over 1000Nm  of torque. Per Audi, that's enough power to push the nanuk quattro from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Keep the throttle pressed and it can crest 305km/h.A seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox handles the power and routes it out to a specially designed quattro all-wheel-drive system. Despite all of that power and potent performance, Audi claims the nanuk quattro concept should return over 30 miles per gallon.It's not just an on-road screamer, however, as this vehicle is intended to get dirty as well. The suspension can lower the car by 30 millimetres or raise it by 40 millimetres over the standard setting. It automatically squats down on the highway and can automatically raise itself on gravel roads.The steering also plays a part in the performance because the rear wheels can turn to aid in both low-speed or high-speed movements. At lower speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to nine degrees in the opposite direction of the front, which reduces the turning circle. At higher speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to 2.5 degrees in the same direction of the front wheels, which creates a far more stable ride during high-speed manoeuvres.There's serious style going on with the Nanuk quattro concept as well. It looks rather similar to the Italdesign Parcour Concept, which was essentially a lifted-up Lamborghini Gallardo.Audi has employed aluminium and carbon fibre extensively on the nanuk, which helps keep the weight to around 1,900kg. Not bad for vehicle with off-road capability and all-wheel-drive. Of course, seeing as this is a concept, there's no reason to get too excited. We'd love to see something like this make it to production but we're not going to hold our breath.www.motorauthority.com

Jet engines are wonderful tools that helped make the planet a smaller and more accessible place. As the world entered the "Jet Age", trips to New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, and other hubs of the world were transformed from leaps to mere hops.It's also used for making large trucks go incredibly fast, and for lighting things on fire. The Jet Truck, seen in the video above, recently put on a rather bright display that put the attending drag racing crowd on its feet. Trotted out at night, the jet truck illuminated the night sky... and then torched the large sign behind it.After that it was time for a trip down the strip, and that trip went by in just seven seconds. The engine utilized here is powerful enough to send this semi through the lights at over 338kmh per hour. That's frighteningly fast and it certainly makes for one heck of a show, especially when the sun goes down.ALSO SEE: Car Narrowly Misses Getting Crushed By Giant Boulder: VideoWe applaud all sorts of jet-engine applications, and this truck is no exception. No matter the number of wheels, a jet engine certainly ups the excitement ante. We hope this truck helps usher in a new Jet Age, filled with more flames and higher speeds. We salute you Mr Jet Truck pilot.Watch video here.www.motorauthority.com 

A Mercedes-Benz V12 is a wonderful bit of machinery that is as exciting when it's working hard in a car as it is just sitting alone on a stand. There are so many beautifully crafted parts that come together to create combustion.That combustion in turn creates many kilowatts of power and tons of torques, and this is what makes the Benz customer a happy, smiling driver. How many parts are coming together you might wonder. Artist Eric Van Hove also wondered this, and then found out that the number is 465 parts held together by 660 bolts. He then used that knowledge to reproduce the engine... with bone, wood, and many other materials.Van Hove has created a hand-built Benz V12, as detailed by Colossal, and he's done it in a rather beautiful way. He's utilised many different types of wood, there are bits of clay, touches of bone, and many varieties of precious stones. All of it has been used to reproduce the exact parts that make up the big Benz under-hood crusher. It wasn't just Van Hove who assembled and created everything, however, as the artist travelled to Morocco and turned to local artisans for help.The piece, titled V12 Laraki, was created with the help of 35 master craftsmen found around Morocco. With 53 different materials being employed, the engine has come together in a most stunning way. Of course, it's not a running example as most of this stuff won't exactly handle the stress that an actual V12 engine experiences.It doesn't matter though, because it doesn't need to run to capture to imagine and heart of most folks who glance upon it. Were we allowed to commission Van Hove's next piece, we'd probably ask for a Ferrari V12 or a Ford 427 V8. Either one would look rather splendid in our living room.www.motorauthority.com 

The Grand Theft Auto series has always been rather popular with both console and PC gamers. Now it's set to return to the market in a huge way with the release of Grand Theft Auto V. This latest installment will have players exploring the largest in-game universe yet, and they'll do so while controlling one of three playable characters. There will be quests where the player will have to jump between characters to successfully complete some of the missions.Still, it's a Grand Theft Auto game, which means there's a massive world to explore and tons of fun vehicles to ride, drive, and fly. The water region of the game has become far more in-depth compared to past games. There's scuba diving aspects, and the trailer even shows a submersible. Above the water, a wide range of cars and bikes appear in the trailer, (and previous teasers) as do non-motorised machines like road bikes and mountain bikes.The main story appears to follow Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. Michael is a former East Coast bank robber who has relocated to Los Santos to start a new life. Franklin is a local gang banger looking to move on up in the criminal world. Trevor appears to be a wildly insane person bent on making the Los Angeles-stand-in of Los Santos a truly wild place.All three are working together, but you can dive into each person's world to take control and explore that character's story separate from the main story line. To make the game even more enticing, GTA V will feature an online component. Up to 16 players will be exploring the streets of Los Santos, and this section will allow for a continued evolution of the gameplay experience. The game hits stores on September 17th, so you should say good-bye to your friends and family on the 16th.Watch video here.www.motorauthority.com 

The tech is currently making inroads in the world of commercial helmets and portable devices. It's also been available on a few other models for some time now.Mercedes-Benz, however, has finally decided to jump into the world of Head-Up Displays and will offer it as an optional extra on the upcoming 2014 S-Class and next-generation C-Class. Initially wary of the tech, Mercedes has apparently come around to the idea of displaying pertinent information in a convenient spot.Mercedes stated that it doesn't make sense for them to only make it available on one model. To make money on this program, customers will have to have access to it on a variety of models. This means you can expect to see the HUD being rolled out on a wider range of vehicles as time goes on.The type of information to be displayed includes speed, navigation information, and any potential warning lights that might pop up. Benz engineers previously felt that a HUD acted as a distracting device to a driver, but it's clear they have come around.That, or the marketing and sales folks forced the engineers to cave a bit. Seeing as these are German engineers, we don't think they caved but rather saw the lights pop-up right in front of their eyes.www.motorauthority.com

Ferrari is very picky about who it will afford the opportunity of purchasing its latest supercar. The newest of the mad machines is the LaFerrari, and you need a green light from the automaker before you shell out the big bucks needed to buy it.One Filipino man hopes to add the LaFerrari to his garage... so he was forced to first buy the new F12 before he even has a shot at the LaFerrari. The cost of a F12 Berlinetta is around $836,000 in the Philippines. That's an awful lot of money, especially when spending it doesn't ensure that this well-heeled chap will even get a chance to spend more money on the LaFerrari. Still, if you have that close to a million to spend on one car you possibly didn't want as your main goal, then you likely also have enough to spend more than that on another that is the real target.The automaker apparently requires LaFerrari potentials to have at least five prancing horse-badged automobiles in their stable, and this man figured the F12 would fit the bill. We can't feel too bad for the guy, especially considering his new purchase provides him with plenty of power. Ferrari’s newest flagship, the LaFerrari, is the fastest and most powerful road car ever launched by the company.With 715 kilowatts and more than 900 Newton metres of torque delivered by its V12 hybrid drivetrain, the LaFerrari will accelerate to 100km/h in under 3.0 seconds, hit 300km/h in 15 seconds and go on to reach an undisclosed top speed in excess of 350km/h. We assume he takes his accountant for a spin around the block, and then proceeds to drown out his or her voice with the go pedal. That's what we'd do at least.www.motorauthority.com 

We're fast approaching the 50th anniversary of the birth of one of the most iconic vehicles in the history of American motoring. And we're also approaching the time when we'll see the Mustang here in right-hand drive as a Ford performance hero.The iconic Mustang muscle car will replace the Falcon as Ford’s performance hero in 2016, the same year the Falcon is axed. Ford’s global vice president of sales and marketing, Jim Farley, will officially announce the decision in Sydney on August 13.Australia will not get the Mustang currently on sale in North America but an all-new model that’s been designed for global sales. Some countries will get a four-cylinder version of the new Mustang but Ford Australia is understood to only be taking the V8 performance models.The new car is due to be unveiled at next year’s New York motor show, the 50th anniversary of the Mustang. That's a fairly big birthday so Ford plans to celebrate in rather grand fashion with a series of videos that celebrate the magnificent machine.The series is called Mustang Countdown, and it starts with a look back at the original concept. Called the Mustang I, this machine looks more Mach 5 than what the Mustang morphed into. Still, it's the starting point for the popular pony car. From there, the countdown series moves on to a wide range of Mustang-related subjects.One of our favorites takes a look at an amateur chase film shot using RC cars in what is touted as a "cliche action sequence". It's a great use of the talented young filmmaker's skill on a small scale.It's only been 49 years, but in that time Ford has churned out over 9 million Mustangs. That is a whole lot of prancing ponies running the streets, and we can't wait to see what Ford has in store for the next generation of this American legend.www.motorauthority.com