Elf Scan 2: Alpine A210 Protoype

This week's Elf scan depicts the Alpine A210 prototype racer at speed.  Frequent Automobiliac readers may recall my review of Veloce Publishing's excellent book that covers these cars in depth.  The A210 was a stalwart design for Alpine, consisting of a lightweight Chapman-derived space frame beneath aerodynamic fiberglass bodywork. The car proved to be both fast and reliable over a long lifespan, acheiving numerous successes in the small displacement classes at Le Mans as well as occasional upsets of more powerful cars on more technical circuits. Below is a very nice line drawing of the A210 from the back of the info card.

Porsche 918 RSR: An Ass we can get behind

A lot of supercars lately, from the Bertone Mantide to the Lexus LFA, not to mention the Audi R8, have had rear ends I find rather vulgar and overdone.  Attempts at making them literally "badass" have resulted in a tall, ungainly appearance that I find offputting to say the least.  Not so in the case of Porsche's new 918 RSR coupe.  The rear air vents and aerodynamic undertray are neatly integrated into a voluptious rear treatment, and the Walter De Silva-style tail lights (so similar to those on the new Audi sedans) serve to emphasize the width of the car, giving it a low, mean stance I find lacking in a lot of new cars.  The result is truly sexy, and an effort worthy to replace the Carrera GT --itself already a modern classic.  The front end of the car, while very pleasing, is more akin to the new McLaren MP4-12C or even a Ferrari 430 than a Porsche 917 or any other classic sports prototype from Stuttgart.  But really, who cares?? This car's got LA face and Oakland booty. Sign me up.

-Photo via Autoblog, and retouched by Automobiliac to emphasize the lines.

Subaru's "Choose your own Adventure" Multi-view Rally-Cam!

Subaru of Canada has a particularly cool new set of videos on youtube that allow you to select from a variety of simultaneous camera angles while watching driver Pat Richard and navigator Alan Ockwell pilot their WRX STI through some thrilling terrain! Enjoy!

Sunday Morning Moment of Zen

What's better than one Mercedes SL roadster?  2 Mercedes SL roadsters side by side in the sun.

Automobiliac Video of the Week: Shifter Kart at Laguna Seca

Imagine going through the corkscrew 3 inches off the ground! This video will make your hair stand on end!

via Axis of Oversteer

hat tip to Drew