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The Viper ACR used in the record breaking lap was completely standard except for a Racetech seat with a six-point race harness for added safety.

However those familiar with the Viper ACR will know ’stock’ is a term used very loosely when associated with this absolute weapon which treats the phrase “road-going” as a challenge in engineering limits.

Especially when the box marked ‘Hard Core Package’ is ticked - a no cost option which cuts almost 20kg off the curb weight.

Only about 10 percent of ACR buyers are insane enough to tick this box, blatantly boasting they think the car isn’t fast enough. It deletes the audio system, trunk carpet, rear cabin sound insulation, tire inflator kit, hood insulator, and steel battery cover.

Coronel’s first two laps were far from promising - a 7:42 and 7:35, until you realise it was his first time behind the wheel of the Viper ACR.

Coronel’s feedback from his first two laps led engineers to stiffen the front dampers for both compression and rebound and the rear dampers for compression.

The adjustable rear wing was also slightly revised while the front splitter stayed at its initial setting as did the ride height - told you this was no ordinary car.

Source: MotorTrend Photography: Charlie Magee

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The Top Gear channel not only features clips from the show, but also never before seen footage and additional clips from Clarkson’s own motoring specials which have never aired in Australia.

The unique content will eventually grow to include video blogs from the staff and presenters - including future apperances by Andy Wilman himself.

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It works by literally simulating the sound of a conventional petrol engine through a waterproof speaker mounted at the front of the car.

At low speeds when a hybrid such as the Prius would be running completely silently on its electric motor, throttle and speed dependent synthesised sound projects a realistic engine sound in front of the vehicle.

When the hybrid’s petrol engine starts operating, the control system automatically stops the external synthesis.

The system apparently fills a very real safety void, which up until this point has been the focus of many humorous hyperboles - as seen in this Clarkson review.

Whilst for the average pedestrian the idea seems almost comical, it has been mainly developed for the blind and partially blind who rely heavily on the sound of vehicles when approaching a cross walk.

“Guide Dogs believe further research and development is needed to address the issues of identifying ‘quiet vehicles’ for blind and partially sighted people. The charity recognises the environmental benefits of these vehicles however more consideration needs to be given to the safety implications to visually impaired pedestrians.”

The engine sounds were recorded using a ’suitable’ donor car which was analysed to establish the characteristic frequencies at different engine speeds.

Let’s hope Lotus has at least had a sense of humour when choosing the donor car, and dubbed the track from a Supercharged Exige - expect to hear more high performance Prius’ on the road!

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Officially named the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, it will make its first public debut at this year’s Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, on August 16th.

It features a removable soft-top roof - normally for the purpose of open air driving, in the case of the Veyron it provides an ideal opportunity to listen to that spectacular quad-turbocharged W16 engine.

The very first Grand Sport is expected to roll out of the Bugatti facility in Spring 2009 and will be auctioned off the following day at the renown Gooding auction at the Equestrian Center at Pebble Beach.

With a handful of limited edition Veyron’s already created, the first Grand Sport model is sure to be the pinnacle of exclusivity for the entire Veyron run.

CarAdvice has already been given a tour of Bugatti’s simply astonishing production floor which you can see in the video below, also make sure you catch up with our full behind-the-wheel review of the Bugatti Veyron.

With an Australian equivalent price tag of well over $2 million - expect records to shatter and jaws to drop when the first example goes under the hammer.

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As a result, one member of the BMW Sauber F1 team literally received quite a shock when he came in contact with the KERS-equipped F1.07C after a test run.

The static build-up of electricity knocked him off his feet as he touched the car being driven by the team’s test driver Christian Klien - who was of course insulated by the massive rubber tyres around him.

A similar incident occurred a week earlier at the Red Bull Racing garage where a KERS battery malfunction caused a fire scare.

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Source: Car Magazine

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