Bruised...

... well, not quite battered, but that's what the blue-black colour combination reminds us of...

the S2k now looks like a huge bruise travelling around since it's got a new hood.

the sharp-eyed would already have spotted the little blue windscreen washer jets, a stark contrast against the bonnet, but this should be rectified some time this week (i hope)

bonnet off!


... and this sweet little vented number from J's Racing:


Beng? you bet! LOL

the only bug bear? considering J's Racing is a self-touted honda 'specialist', the bonnet's finishing isn't as top-notch as i'd have expected. attention to detail is what separates the big brands from the rest of the wannabes, which is where a brand like Mugen stands head and shoulders over the rest'.

anyway, i've picked up the black windscreen nozzles and they're a perfect match now!

Honda S2000 (AP1) : Capped!

After tooling around with the soft-top, I've decided it's time to put a 'cap' on all the fun with the OE hard-top. Why? You'll find out soon enough (let's just say the 350Z will figure most prominently in the picture), but the most apparent difference is the impact on acceleration. the weight of the hard-top has slowed responses down somewhat and the already 'quiet' note of the exhaust is even further muted.

FN2R Honda Civic Type R: Revised!

At first glance, one can't quite put their finger on the exact part lacking from the Euro Civic Type R...

Well, after applying 'Type R' stickers on the flanks and contrasting Honda Access front and rear under-skirtings for the car, we can say it's looking a lot more complete!







p.s. pictures SUCK because my trusty K800i has packed it in. the K618i is my temporary snapshooter.

driving it around a little more, we found that the FN2R puts on speed at a deceptive pace, with a rather linear mode of power delivery, which could also explain the slightly less obtrusive 'shove' when you hit 'tec. moreover, the cabin insulation helps numb the sensation of speed. check the speedo and it's not uncommon to find out you're actually cruising at >100km/h!

So it's probably a good thing the FN2R allows you to set a speed warning alert to ensure you don't inadvertently fall foul of the long arm of the law... and the law really has a long arm nowadays!

these are the 'before' pictures of the FN2R:
http://m0t0rhead.blogspot.com/2007/05/final-countdown-is-over-honda-civic.html

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Now You C It...

the good folks at daimlerchrysler (soon to be Daimler) were kind enough to invite the whole bunch of us to a press preview of the new C-Class ahead of its public appearance.

With tea-time refreshments and a host of therapeutic spa/wellness treatments at 'Home@Dempsey' in between drives, the afternoon session was a relaxing one indeed (an idyllic oasis amidst a hectic week), especially since a range of models was available: C200, C280 and our favourite, the C350...

the new chassis is pleasantly rigid and body control is leagues ahead of its predecessor. however, the earlier car seemed lighter on its feet, especially in C200 guise.



the new C-Class looks just like a mini S-Class, with a chiselled front grille, dynamic stance and distinctive rear-end. during the test drive, an avid fan in a BMW 523i zipped around the car to get a better view and ultimately gave us the 'thumbs-up' before he roared off.



we managed to execute some pretty sideways action with the ESP turned off on the C350... warning, not to be attempted on public roads... trained driver on closed circuit! lol