Presenting the Splinter, a high-performance 700 hp seven-litre V8 sports car made out of Wood!

What happens when you give a ton of wooden composites, laminated wood veneers, wooden arms and springs, wooden wheels and a small block 7.0 liter Twin-supercharged V8 powermill to a guy named Joe Harmon? He builds world’s first high-performance 700 hp wooden supercar out of it, and calls it the ‘Splinter’.

Started as an ambitious graduate school project at North Carolina State University in 2008, the Splinter pushed the line on the perceived limitations of wood as a building material.  The project fulfilled the designer’s dream of designing and building a car from scratch. This year marked the completion of the project and the Splinter was showcased at the 2015 Essen Motor Show.

The Splinter is inspired from the ‘de Havilland Mosquito’, the fastest piston-driven aircraft from the World War II era. Dubbed as the ‘Wooden Wonder’, the British multi-role combat aircraft was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce V12 engines and was made almost entirely out of wood. Similar to the aircraft, the high performance Splinter is built from a combination of laminated and bent wood veneers, with a bodywork of woven veneer.

With a goal to use wood in every application in the construction of the car, the team built the body, chassis, suspension components, wheels and interiors from wood. Almost all components were created through custom moulds which were then shaped with precision and then fitted together to build the structure. At 1345 kgs Splinter is claimed to have a better power-to-weight ratio than steel and aluminum vehicles.

As for the body design, the team designed and built two looms by weaving strips of veneer into a cloth-like material.  The compound curvature on the Splinter was achieved by woven cherry skins, and end grain balsa core.

The Splinter drives on Michelin Pilot Sport tyres fixed on three-piece forged aluminum rims with laminated wood centers. Each wheel is built with 275 individual pieces. The outside face is covered by walnut sunburst and a cherry sunburst on the inside. All the pieces of wood were bonded together with the help of various adhesive compounds.

On the project, Joe Harmon said that the combination of Splinter’s weight, shape, powerplant and transmission is capable of reaching speeds of up to 240 mph (386 km/h), but the car is unlikely to be put to the test in this regard. He further added,“Practicality is a minor deal, I don’t know how many 700-horsepower supercars are practical. It’s about style and performance and this car will have all that in spades. This car will not be a grocery getter”

The power figures of the Splinter are not out yet, since the maker seems to be hesitant to put it to the tests. So for now we have to be stay happy with tech specs only.

The Jeep® Grand Cherokee

The Jeep® Grand Cherokee took home two awards at this year’s Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) awards, including the inaugural Phoenix Automotive Press Association (PAPA) Best of the Southwest award. The 12th annual Carspondent.com “Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year” awards competition was held at San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.


Local members of the Phoenix-area media, including PAPA members, spent the first day of the competition evaluating cars, crossovers, SUVs and trucks. The second day brought more than 100 athletes and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country to evaluate the same vehicles.

At the conclusion of the ALV event, Jeep Grand Cherokee took home two awards:



The inaugural PAPA Best of the Southwest award

Luxury Off-Road (MSRP over $35,000 with true off-road capability)  

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee ticked all the boxes for our PAPA panel of automotive journalists as a durable go-anywhere vehicle with plenty of room for people and gear,” said Bob Golfen, automotive journalist and PAPA member. “PAPA jurors also were impressed by the Jeep's premium interior and superior drivability, which make it an ideal all-around SUV for daily driving and vacation fun.”  

The Active Lifestyle Vehicle competition is unique because it’s the only annual awards program where outdoor enthusiasts, athletes and the automotive media come together to pick the winners. The evaluation process includes navigating an off-road course and on-road driving, too.

Upcoming Car Launches: Here is what’s coming to India this October

The month of October will see some long awaited products being launched in the country. From premium hatchbacks to performance SUVs, we have at least six products heading to the Indian market this month. We compile a list of upcoming car launches in India.

At the front of the list of vehicles to be launched in India is the new BMW X5M and X6M. BMW’s latest-generation performance spec X5M and X6M, which made their first appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2014, would make their entry on the Indian soil on October 15. Both models are powered by a new 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine with two TwinScroll turbochargers which delivers 575 hp of power and 750 Nm of torque.

Fiat Abarth Punto

Following the Bavarian SUVs will be Fiat India who will launch the much talked about hot-hatch, the Abarth Punto in India on October 19. With 145 bhp on tap, this Italian stinger, on launched, will be India’s most powerful hatchback.

Maruti Baleno

The all-new Maruti Baleno premium hatchback will share the space with the S-Cross at the Indian car maker’s “premium” Nexa showroom from October 26 onwards. Bookings for the new Baleno have commenced, with the token amount being INR 25,000. Under the hood of the new Baleno hatchback will be a 1.2 litre VVT petrol engine that would deliver 84PS of power and 115 Nm of torque. Accompanying the petrol powered motor will be the tried and tested 1.3-litre diesel engine that would deliver 75PS of power and 190 Nm of torque. Both the motors will come mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.

Maruti Ertiga facelift

The 2015 Suzuki Ertiga, or the Maruti Ertiga facelift that was unveiled in Indonesia in August this year will arrive in India in October. While Maruti has not confirmed the launch date, with the festive season right around the corner, we expect to see the facelift Ertiga in Indian showrooms very soon. Visually, not much has changed, but the face-lift gives the timid looking Ertiga a major confidence boost with a bolder front fascia.

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Chevrolet officially unveiled the Trailblazer SUV and Spin MPV in India in July 2015. As reported before, the Chevrolet SUV will be launched in October 2015, while the Spin MPV will hit Indian shores in 2017. The Chevrolet Trailblazer will be powered by an all-new 2.8-litre Duramax turbo-diesel, in-line 4 cylinder engine that develops 200 hp of power and 500 Nm of torque. An earlier report suggested that initially, Chevrolet will be launching the Trailblazer with only a 2WD variant paired to an automatic transmission.

Mercedes GLE

The Mercedes GLE will also make way into the Indian soil in October 2015. According to Mercedes-Benz’s new nomenclature, the current ML Class, in its next iteration will turn into the GLE Class, to better reflect its positioning in the E-Class range of cars. Mercedes-Benz will introduce the V6 equipped GLE 350d variant that will deliver 255 bhp from its 3.0 litre power plant. Also on offer will be the GLE 250d variant that will be powered by a 2.1 litre diesel engine putting up 203 bhp of power. The GLE will also be blessed with a AMG Sport model.

We would be covering all the launch events so stay tuned for all the latest updates. Do share your views about these upcoming launched through the comments section below.

How to Improve Car Safety and Convenience With Car Alarms, GPS, and More

When you want top-notch safety features and convenience for your vehicle, a mobile electronics expert can help. Find out how these pros can add features like an integrated GPS navigation system or a backup camera to make your car even more safety oriented than it is already.

We spend a lot of time looking for the car that's exactly right for us. But, sometimes, we compromise on a feature here or there in order to stay within a certain budget, or because the features we're looking for simply aren't available in the cars we are considering. Mobile electronics pros are familiar with these situations and can help you get the vehicle of your dreams by adding on features that your car lacks. Find out how your local mobile electronics expert can help improve your car's safety and its functionality. Whether you want an in-dash car navigation GPS to make business travel easier or a remote starter to simplify your morning commute, your area mobile electronics specialist is available to assist you.

In some cases, adding mobile electronics components to your car is a way to make your life a little easier. Take a remote starter, for example. This is a device that allows you to start your car from afar with the click of a button. To some people, this sounds like overkill. However, for anyone who lives in a chilly climate and has to remember to go outside to start the car well before they need to leave, a remote starter is a very good idea. Instead of bundling up, going outside, then going back inside to finish getting ready, you can complete that job with one little click. A remote starter is one of the many mobile electronics devices that help your car work better for you.

Navigation systems also fall into this category. How many times have you gotten into the car only to realize that you have forgotten to get directions to where you're going? Even if you have directions, trying to read a map or follow a written list of where to turn, what road to look for, and how far to go is difficult and potentially dangerous, since it takes your eyes away from the road. In-dash GPS systems eliminate the need to memorize or follow complicated directions off a piece of paper. Instead, you can glance down to your dashboard to see where to go next or follow voice prompts that help keep you on track. Not only is this a more convenient way to travel, but, as discussed, it can also contribute to your overall safety when you're in the car.

Like a navigation system, a backup camera also functions as both a convenience- and safety-oriented feature. Many vehicles these days are very large and are difficult to see behind. Backup cameras help make these, or any vehicle, much safer on the road, since they allow drivers to see what's behind them easily and clearly. This makes backing up simpler and makes the process safer for everyone.

A car alarm is another aftermarket mobile electronics device that can be considered a safety feature. When you park, there's only so much you can do to ensure your vehicle's safety while you're away. You can park correctly and you can choose a well-lit or familiar area, but that's about it. A car alarm essentially takes over for you safety-wise while you're gone. If someone tries to damage or abscond with the car (or anything in it), the alarm will go off. This alerts you, and anyone else around, that there's a problem, and, in many cases, will spook and scare off the intruder.

When it comes to both safety and convenience, mobile electronics devices like car GPS systems and backup cameras can take your car to the next level. Contact your local mobile electronics professional to find out how they can help make your car as safe and as functional as possible.

In Car Camera for Road Accidents: Never Be Wrongly Accused of Fault Again

Unfortunately there are a growing number of cases where innocent drivers are being wrongly accused of fault in road traffic accidents. Victims of these events often end up losing vast amounts of money and in some cases they may lose their vehicle (if they are only third-party protected). The problem for many drivers is that they have very little means of challenging any fault claims and proving that they have been wrongly accused.

Until now there have not been many effective ways of preventing bogus insurance claims. The major problem is that a witness is needed at the scene otherwise it is very difficult to prove non-fault in an accident. Many road traffic accidents where there are no witnesses present will rely on 'hearsay' evidence. This type of evidence is very limited and will often result in long drawn out cases where both parties argue their innocence.

However, with the aid of modern technology drivers are now able to continuously monitor the road with a car camera system. These systems are becoming more widely utilised as an effective means of adding to vehicle security. In the case of an accident these devices prove to be very effective and help to prevent drivers from being wrongly accused of fault.

The devices, which are often smaller than a mobile phone also capture and track where the vehicle is located via GPS. This GPS information is very useful to determine exact vehicle location in case of an accident. Superior in-car camera systems will also provide ultra sharp recording resolution in high-definition to ensure that all footage can be used for evidential purposes where necessary. Some in-car camera systems will also provide the speed of the vehicle and 'G' shock readings at the time of the accident. This is data that also helps to determine driving behaviour and fault during accidents.

What's more, with the use of an in-car camera system the time taken to resolve accidents can be significantly shortened and false injuries and claims easily disputed. Information captured on these camera systems is date and time stamped and much like traditional CCTV the images prove very useful for both insurance companies and local authorities like the police.

Having an in car camera is also beneficial for drivers when their vehicle is left parked and/or unattended. Instances of petty criminal damage and other events can all be recorded with an onboard car camera. These recordings can then be used to help identify the culprits and prosecute offenders should the need arise.

2016 BMW M4 GTS - First production road car with a Water Injection System

Quick facts: Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap time - 7 minutes 28 seconds, 0-60 mph 3.7 seconds, top speed of 189.5 mph.

BMW have announced the new 2016 BMW M4 GTS giving BMW M GmbH a new and exclusive technological masterpiece which elevates the potential of the BMW M4 Coupe to an impressive new level. With its powerful, motorsport-inspired looks and high-performance technology, the BMW M4 GTS has its sights set squarely on the race track. Thanks to an innovative water injection system helping boost power to 493 bHP and track ready chassis, this Special Edition M vehicle recorded a lap time of 7 minutes 28 seconds around the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the world’s most challenging race circuit, making a clear statement about this model’s exceptional dynamic abilities.

 At the same time, the sharpest BMW M4 of all can also hold its own on public roads. BMW M GmbH is launching the BMW M4 GTS in a special edition limited to 700 units worldwide, with 300 units of this high-performance Special Edition M4 available for the first time in the US market. In so doing, it is highlighting the innovative flair of the BMW M engineers in developing trailblazing M technologies on the powertrain, chassis and lightweight construction fronts.

At the heart of each and every BMW M model is its engine. The BMW M4 GTS uses the multi-award-winning M TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder in-line engine from the BMW M4, capable of 7,600 rpm but adds innovative water injection technology to give the 3.0-liter unit a substantial power boost. Unusually high-revving for a turbocharged engine, it offers linear power delivery over a wide engine speed range. 


An innovative water injection system, used for the first time in a road car, takes this 6-cylinder in-line turbocharged unit to new performance heights by relaxing the thermal constraints on power and torque. The system has already proved itself on race tracks around the world on board the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car, this year’s lead safety car in the world’s top motorcycle racing series.

The engine develops its maximum power of 493 bHP – an increase of 16 percent over the BMW M4 – at 6,250 rpm. Peak torque has been increased by 10 percent to 442 lb-ft, and is maintained over a very wide rev band (4,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm). It accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds, on the way to a governed top speed of 189.5 mph. 

Despite the significant extra power, the engine also excels on fuel efficiency, providing similar levels to those found in the BMW M4 Coupe.

BMW launches M Studio in Mumbai exclusively for ‘M’ cars

BMW India has launched a new M Studio in Mumbai, a first-of-its-kind flagship store dedicated exclusively to the BMW M brand and its entire range of products. The ‘BMW M Studio’ has been launched in Mumbai by Infinity Cars and is situated at Savoy Chambers, Santacruz.

The ‘BMW M Studio’ showcases the M range of cars and M Accessories Packages. The showroom has been designed to give a unique feel of the BMW M brand. Customers have an opportunity of exploring the products and requesting for a test drive. The M Studio also features a lifestyle section where customers can purchase M Accessories.

The current BMW M range available in India includes the BMW M3 Sedan, the BMW M4 Coupé, the BMW M5 Sedan and the BMW M6 Gran Coupé. The all-new BMW X5M and the all-new BMW X6M will soon join the M family in India.

Speaking at the occasion, Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India said, “Born on the racetrack, at home on every road – that’s the credo of M automobiles. M is an attitude. For generations, BMW M cars have proven their metal in the world of performance. M cars have a multi-faceted character that endear it to individuals who demand a unique combination of dynamics, extraordinary sportiness, comfort and everyday suitability. The ‘BMW M Studio’ is designed to cater to the needs of a niche clientele – one that does not believe in playing by the rules. It is a place where the BMW fans can explore the fascinating world of M. The dynamic product range and an unmatched premium experience will bring these customers closer to the M brand.”

Ms. Pooja Choudary, Managing Director, Infinity Cars said, “Infinity Cars has been associated with the BMW Group since the last 8 years and it has been an absolute pleasure working alongside one of the most desirable brands in the world. As BMW India grows, we also grow. We are very proud and excited to launch the first BMW M Studio in the country. M is a passion. It’s an addiction for those who believe in the power of performance. There are numerous BMW M fans in Mumbai and with the opening of the new BMW M Studio, which is also our fourth facility in the city, Infinity Cars will provide an opportunity to this niche clientele to explore the M brand closely.”

BMW plans to expand the network of ‘BMW M Studios’ to seven locations all over India through dealerships in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad by the end of this year.

Mercedes-Benz S Class Coupé AMG S63 Black Edition

Six examples of the Mercedes AMG S63 Coupé have been further refined by the luxury manufacturer Mansory to become a Super Benz going by the name Black Edition. In particular, the bodywork, which is made completely of carbon fibre, has been given another makeover by the Mansory designers.

This makes it clearly different to the version presented at the start of the year at the Geneva Motor Show. Additional air control blades on the front and rear axle deliver even more downforce and optimise cooling of the drive train and brakes. A vigorous 1,000 hp, striking alloy wheels and tasteful, hand-crafted interior modifications complete this special limited edition model.


Extensive modifications transform the standard design into an athletic package, full of muscle. The redesigned front with its LED day driving lights and the powerful cooling air inlets ensures an awe-inspiring appearance. A lightweight bonnet with integrated NACA inlets completes the Mansory air-cooling system. The new carbon fender at the front and the seamlessly integrated spacers on rear fenders widen the sides by 50 millimetres and give the S-Coupé its distinctive, dynamic appearance. 

In addition, perfect harmony is maintained with the new side skirts as well as the carbon housing of the mirrors. The roof spoiler and rear lip made of carbon fibre as well as the diffuser-look rear bumper, complete the aggressive, sporty look. But not only do the Mansory components look good, thanks to the in-house autoclave manufacturing using carbon fibre, they are also extremely durable and particularly light.

No other company in the market is as closely linked to the use of carbon fibre as Mansory. These specialists process this ultra-light, extremely strong material in their own in-house autoclaves, which means they don’t have to rely on external suppliers. This gives them complete freedom in the scope, fit and design of components.

The Mansory sports exhaust for the BLACK EDITION delivers a throaty, imposing sound. The rear silencer, which is made of stainless steel with angular twin tailpipes, integrates perfectly into the newly designed rear section. But Mansory is much more than just a powerful sound. The performance potential of the eight-cylinder bi-turbo is also fully exploited by the engine developers at Mansory. 

Mansory has completely revised the aggregate of the S 63 AMG and installed genuine high-performance components with the M1000 performance kit: With this power-upgrade, connecting rods, big end bearings, crankshaft, bearing bushings, turbocharger, suction and compressor system, as well as many other parts replace the standard parts. Along with the newly designed pipe fan manifolds, this results in superb performance figures. 

Instead of 576 hp (430 kW), the heavily modified S Class now achieves an impressive 985 hp (735 kW) while the maximum torque rises to an electronically limited 1,400 Nm at 1,500 - 3,500 rpm. So when fired up, the MANSORY BLACK EDITION rockets to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and only stops at an electronically regulated 300 km/h.

It takes a special wheel / tyre combination to convert this mighty power into forward momentum: The latest development is the one-piece 22 inch alloy wheel “SPIDER”. As the perfect tyres, Mansory recommends ULTRAC SESSANTA tyres from Vredestein in size 255/30/ZR22 on the front axle and 295/25/ZR22 on the rear axle.

Mansory offers exclusive interior features, totally in keeping with the traditional brand Mercedes, which values comfort and elegance, but also sportiness when it comes to interiors. Therefore aluminium pedals as well as the newly designed steering wheel give a sporty accent. The set of foot mats, which are framed in leather with embroidered MANSORY emblem, as well as the illuminated door sill trims, underline the elegant effect. 

The elaborately hand-shirred and expertly stitched leather and carbon fibre seats are a highlight of the interior refinement. 

THE 2017 PORSCHE 911

Porsche's got a refreshed 911 making its way to dealers next spring and as you would expect the company made a nip and tuck here and there, but the real story is of course, under the hood. For the 2017 model year the Carrera and Carrera S will ditch the naturally aspirated engines and go turbo with twin-turbocharged flat-sixes producing even more horsepower and is even more efficient. 

The standard 911 Carrera will deliver 370 hp from its 3.0L engine and the "S" model will produce 420 hp from that same engine. As for speed, the standard Carrera will get from 0-60 in 4.0 seconds with the PDK and Sport Chrono package while the S will hit a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds with the same package. 

The car also gets a new version of their Porsche Active Suspension Management that arrives alongside a chassis a ride height that's lowered by 10mm, optional rear-axle steering on the Carrera S, and a new Porsche Communication Management System that features gesture controls, Google Earth and Streetview integration, and Apple CarPlay.

Top 9 most powerful production motorcycles in the world

Power, you can never have enough of it. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In the motorcycling world though, power isn’t everything. It has been conclusively proved that more power doesn’t always necessarily translate into a faster bike, and anything around the 45-50hp mark is more than enough for most motorcyclists’ day to day lives.

And yet, we just can’t resist gawking over spec sheets, poring over brochures, and lusting after the most powerful bikes in existence. There’s something about them, the imaginations of thrill and excitement that we conjure when astride a motorcycle with frankly incongruous amounts of power. The knowledge that you can unleash the seven levels of hell if you want to, that you have all that power at the flick of your wrist is oddly satisfying.

Here we have compiled the nine most powerful production motorcycles in existence today. We could have rounded it out to ten, but the tenth seed was so far off the mark when compared to these nine, that we thought it wouldn’t be fair to put it in this rarified list. We have also excluded track-only, one-off, and special edition vehicles, as the power and figures of most of these vehicles vary wildly, and it would be unfair to add them to this strictly-curated list. Enjoy.

9. MV Agusta F4 R 312 – 190hp

MV Agusta doesn’t make too many motorcycles in its chequered history, but when they do, the world sits up and takes notice. Despite its jaw-dropping beauty, the F4 was written off by many after more than a decade of gracing the living rooms of moneyed connoisseurs, but then they came up with this even more ferocious beast of a machine. It also held the record of the fastest production motorcycle (311kmph) for quite some time, so there’s that.

8. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R – 193hp

Also known as ZZR1400 in some circles, it was Kawasaki’s answer to the undisputed king of top speed, the mighty Hayabusa. And what an answer it was. Although decried a bit at first thanks to its looks, or lack of it rather, its performance was nothing to laugh about. This isn’t a bike meant for posing, it is a missile designed to propel you down the straight and narrow as fast as the laws of physics will allow.

7. BMW HP4 – 193hp

The BMW S1000RR came out of nowhere in 2009, taking everyone by surprise, shattering speed and power records, and sweeping almost all Bike of the Year awards. Not one to rest on their laurels, BMW has kept on fine-tuning it and honing it with such methodical precision as only the German can. They also introduced a number of iterations of the bike, and this, the HP4 is their wildest ride yet.

6. Suzuki Hayabusa GSX R 1300R – 197hp

Ahh, the Dhoom bike, the one that restarted it all. The one that took the gentlemen’s agreement and smashed it to smithereens, laughing all the while to the bank. The ageing Japanese falcon has still what it takes with 197hp from its 1340cc engine.

5. Kawasaki Ninja H2 – 200hp

We ourselves are a bit surprised to find the heavily anticipated Ninja H2 in the middle of this list, rather than at the very top. This just shows how far technology has progressed in the last decade. If we were including track-only machines in our mix, then the H2’s bigger, badder brother, the H2R, would have decimated all comers with its whooping 300hp of power. As it stands, the H2 though, is still a manic machine at 200hp.

4. Yamaha V-Max – 200hp

The V-Max, a power cruiser, is a bit of an oddity in this list dominated by superbikes and hyper tourers. What isn’t odd though, is its 1679cc engine that produces exactly 200hp of power.

3. Yamaha YZF-R1 – 200hp

All-new for 2015, the YZF-R1 is a technical marvel, meant to decimate all usurpers to the throne who has been strutting while Yamaha lay dormant for the last few years. With its 998cc engine churning out a monstrous 200hp, we certainly think it has what it takes. Did we also mention that Rossi helped develop it? Did we?

2. Ducati 1299 Panigale S – 205hp

With 205hp from its 1285cc engine, the 1299 Panigale S is the most powerful production motorcycle in existence right now, if you don’t count the ultra-rare Vyrus that also just happens to have a Ducati-sourced engine.

1. Vyrus 987 C3 4V R – 211hp

The inclusion of the Vyrus at the top of this list caused a row at the office, and it almost came to blows before the boss had to placate everyone down with some choice takeaway from the Chinese eatery downstairs. Some felt that it doesn’t really count as a mass-produced motorcycle, and if we include it, we also have to count other exotics like the MTT Y2K, the Dodge Tomahawk, and the Boss Hoss.  Others felt that it is now being produced in a pretty sizeable quantity, hence it ought to be here. In the end we went with the latter. At 211hp, the Vyrus wins the crown of being the most powerful motorcycle on sale today.

Do you agree with our list? Do you feel that we missed out any motorcycle more powerful than the ones on this list? Sound out to us in the comments below.