Le Mans Ford

Driving to Le Mans in a Ford

Thanks to our friends over at Ford we attended the incredible and world famous Le Mans race this year. GadgetsBoy came a long with us and we had a fantastic time!

Side note: If you ever go over to France we advise getting the EuroStar Flexi-Pass. It saved our skin!

It was a trip to remember and gave us memories to last a lifetime. Not only did we get to check out some amazing racing, which not only looked amazing, but the sound of racing is mind blowing! We got to drive some fantastic cars. Both in the way that they look, but in the sheer power that they possess.

What was different about this trip was that we drove the Ford Mustang GT. 5L V8 engine with a 453BHP! It turned many heads, leather interior, full of tech and a drop top! Not to mention the Bang and Olufsen speakers with 1000w of power! So not only did we look good heading over to France we had some fun on the way there! For more information please click here! The guys said that the drive down to France was very smooth and comfortable. Even in the corners and it felt like it just stuck to the road. The guys also said that the fuel consumption was very very impressive for a V8 engine!

Their Stay

The guys stayed in an incredible mansion which you can see below, it was beautiful. Everything was just the right mix. Perfect car, perfect trip, incredible weather and a beautiful mansion! The guys also got driven around the track in cars to experience what it’s like for a racing driver who was competing in the race. A lot of G’s were pulled and they weren’t even going as fast as the main cars. Although that’s because they had to stay a certain distance between the other people who were invited. Even still it gave the guys a glimpse into what it’s like to endure the Le Mans race!

Le Mans

Le Mans is the world’s oldest endurance motor race and has been held annually every year since 1923 near the town of Le Mans.  The race is one third of the crown jewel of motor sport racing. The other two jewels in the crown being the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix.

The guys really enjoyed their time and had a lot of fun learning about Ford and Le Mans. It really was a time to remember.

Check our a gallery of our time at Le Mans below:

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Ford Mustang GT and Mustang BULLITT

 

We recently went to Le Mans and also got our hands on the 2019 Ford Mustang GT and it’s brother the Ford Mustang BULLITT! We had tons of fun driving this around Le Mans and much like the Ford GT, the sound of it is absolutely breath taking! As soon as you sit down in the new 2019 Ford Mustang you are immediately aware of how cool this thing is. The car will even shine a pony onto the ground when you open the doors!

It has a 12″ digital dis2019 Ford Mustangplay that gives you everything you ever want to know. There’s a range of settings such as Normal, Sport+, Snow/Wet, Track and Drag Strip. How much fun do you want?! – That display, yeah it will change depending on the mode. It comes with an intelligent suspension, whether you’re on the road or the track. An impressive cruise control too! Plus the brakes give you stress free driving as they’re so good at stopping this beast.  This car is unforgettable!

Ford’s MagneRide™ Damping System

The new suspension system from Ford will give drivers confidence and comfort all in one. It’s so intelligent it monitors the road continuously and analyses driver intention, checking and adjusting the dampers up to 1000 times per second! While selecting different drive modes will adjust the calibration.

HUD

The new display is a first for Mustangs, it’s all digital. Designed to give you the most from each and every driving experience, it’s entirely customisable. It will change too dependant on the driving mode. Drivers get to choose from 7 different colours that’s shown to them too. Don’t like any of them. Make your own.

It’s so easy to change the performance setting and drive modes too. A simple flick of a switch will change from Sport+ to Normal or to Snow and Wet. The steering effort, throttle response and Electronic Stability control will all be affected and will suit the conditions. With MyMode you can save prefered setttings, such as the car’s active valve exhaust!

Ford Mustang’s Daytime Headlights

The headlights are now all LED Tri-Bar Headlamps. Giving an incredibly bright yet safe pattern. Auto High Beam will also temporarily dop your headlights when it detects on coming traffic or a vehicle ahead. Revering back to high beam once the vehicle has passed.

Power-assisted steering

The 2019 Ford Mustang comes with Electric Powered Steering to automatically adjust to speed and conditions. So, in low speeds, steering will feel lighter and easier. High speeds, steering will be firmer. There’s even drift control which will take into account crosswinds and active nibble control will reduce any unwanted vibration in the steering wheel.

Cruise control

Cruise Control is also on the new Ford Mustang, allowing you to choose your speed and stay at it. The vehicle is also intelligent enough to detect a vehicle infront and slow down to maintain a pre-set distance. Road clear again? Well the Mustang will speed up.

 

Hill Starts

Hill Start Assist will temporarily stop the vehicle from rolling back or forward during a hill start. The car will maintain pressure on the brakes for an extra few seconds. Therefore giving you time to control and move your foot from brake to throttle.

 

Lane Control

The Mustang can keep you in your lane by using a forward looking camera. If it detects you unintentionally drifting it will alert you by vibrating the wheel and display a visual warning. If you are too slow to react or don’t react at all the aid will provide steering torque. This torque will guide you back into the lane. It will deactivate below speeds of 43mph as it is designed only for motorways

Ford Mustang w/Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance

If you get into an accident and the airbag is deployed, the Ford Sync tech will use bluetooth paired mobile to contact the Emergency services. You can choose to stop the call or continue if you need. It will also display vital info such as GPS co-ordinates.

Roar on demand

The engine has added dual fuel high pressure direct injeciton into the Mustang’s renowned 6L V8. The 2.3L EcoBoost engine as had its overboost increased, increasing performance and reducing emissions. On both engine choices you can choose either a 6 speed manual or a 10 speed auto. For example on the manual, the short 1st hear ratio delivers excellent acceration from a standstill. Yet the 6th gear reduces engine rpm, increasing fuel economy.

The automatic will also give excellent acceleration and fuel economy. As the electronics will help opimise performance whatever mode you are in. The real-time adaptive shift scheduling, the transmission will adapt to changing conditions. Whatever the situation.

 

 

One intelligent exhaust!

The active valve performance exhaust lets you control the volume of the Mustang exhaust, if you are leaving early for work? Set it for a quiet start, so as not to wake anyone. Need an energy boost when leaving for work. Select the track setting! Other modes are Normal and Sport.

SYNC 3

The SYNC 3 has enhanced voice controls and a lot of functionality. There’s larger buttons for easier use, an 8″ touchscreen which features pinch, swipe and gesture controls. Hungry? Simply say “I’m hungry” and SYNC 3 will provide you with a list of restaurants! Choose one and a GPS navigation system will guide you there! SYNC 3 also features AppLink, Apple Car Play and Android Auto

Heated Seats & Great Music!

The seats on this thing are COMFY! They’re heated too and fully adjustable. Optional extras though. The car has a Bang and Olufsen sound system that has 100w of power, to 10-in built speakers!

 

Share your car!

Ford Key lets you set a speed limit, a seat belt reminder and the volume of the audio system. Why? Well you can share your car with a friend or family member! Simply keep the admin key for yourself and give out your other keys to the trusted people in your lives! How cool is that!

Reversing, but with help.

With the help of the SYNC 3’s screen the rear view camera will show you what’s behind you. Making it easier to reverse. The camera will automatically activate when you go into reverse gear.

 

FordPass

This handy little app will show you your vehicles information, you can manage your cars service needs and help you find parking, not only that it will help put you in touch with roadside recovery! The app will also provide you with traffic info, which is up to date, with Live Traffic! It’ll show you traffic information such as traffic speed, accidents and road closures. Furthermore the app will provide you with alternate route guidance!

 

 

Pre Collision Assist

The Mustang has Pre Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection! The Radar and camera technology scan the area in front of a driver. It will then determine if there is a risk of collision with a vehicle or person ahead. The car will provide a warning. If the driver does not react in time, the car will apply full braking force. Helping to reduce the severity of a collision. Electronic Stability Control will aid the driver in keeping control of the vehicle. It detects when a loss of control is about to occur and will apply a braking pulse to individual wheels. Consequently stabilising the vehicle.

An advanced traction control system also helps to eliminate excessive wheel spin. With the vehicle monitoring the vehicle at all times (each individual wheel) and adjusting power as necessary. The Load Adaptive control will work in tandem with the Electronic Stability Control to help ensure control. It will adjust according the overall weight that the Transit is carrying helping to ensure safety at all times!

Handy Little Feature: Tyre Monitoring

The Mustang will alert you if any of your tyres start to lose pressure. It will tell you if there’s a pucture, low pressure and will tell you this via the instrument panel.

The Beast. The Ford Mustang BULLITT

2019 Ford Mustang

This version of the Ford Mustang is in a league of it’s own. It looks mean. It’s even more of a beast than it’s little brother. It’s an urban legend. The FOrd Mustang BULLITT.

In 1968, a Ford blazed it’s way on to the silver screen, the Mustang GT Fastback. What movie was that called? “Bullitt” Now, a 50th anniversary Mustang BULLITT revives that legendary film. With an upgraded 5L V8 engine and available in Dark Highland Green, an ultra modern, performance inspired interior. This car is destined to become a legend in it’s own right. Boy did we have fun with it!

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Le Mans Ford

2019 Ford GT Supercar

We recently went to Le Mans and got our hands on the 2019 Ford GT and it is INCREDIBLE! We had tons of fun driving this around Le Mans and the sound of it is absolutely breath taking! The Ford GT has a lot of things to be impressed about, the 3.5L EcoBoost technology, the ultra-efficientaerodynamics, it is something to behold! 

What makes the 2019 Ford GT so special is a whole manner of things, such as the rear wing. The rear wing is built into the overall aerodynamic design of the car. Which enhances airflow, even when the wing is not deployed! However, when it is deployed it can even change shape to optimise airflow. Furthermore the Buttress adds strength to the beastly chassis. It will guide airflow over the car to reduce drag and improve airflow management. The Buttress also reduces coefficient drag and contributes to the downforce. Consequently improving handling and performance.

Did you know?

The ridge height can be lowered to as low as 50mm improving aerodynamics and lowering it’s center of gravity! (Which improves performance on the track! The more you know!)

2019 Ford GT: Performance

The Ford GT has a powerful, Twin Turboed, Intercooled 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine which produces 647 horsepower. It has a lightweight carbon fibre body which is shaped like a teardrop to help with it’s aerodynamics. Maximising downforce and minimising drag. The aluminium structure of the car minimizes the weight of the high strength subframe. Resulting in one seriously light. Yet seriously strong and powerful car.

The long suspension arms and onboard damper packaging deliver track capable vehicle dynamics. The Carbon Ceramic Bremo Brakes also give strong stopping power and peace of mind.

Designed for power. Whatever the situation.

Whether you are driving this beast on the track or on the road, Ford were able to design the Ford GT to deliver extraordinary speed, exceptional hadnling which is normally only found in purpose built racing cars!

(FORD)

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Instagram Likes Be Gone!

Lexus UX

What’s In James Haskell’s Bag?

Why Second-Hand Cars Are Perfect For Tech-Lovers

Tech-lovers beware: you’re making a massive mistake. When it comes to the car in your life, there is always the urge to go with a brand spanking new model. After all, they have the best gadgets and gizmos, the things that keep you awake at night with excitement. Who cares if they’re expensive? They’re worth every penny! At least, that’s how you feel now. Usually, tech-lovers change their minds when the realisation hits – used cars are as appropriate as new motors, and they’re cheaper.

Here are the reasons you should start looking at the second-hand market the next time you need a whip.

 

Used Doesn’t Mean Old

Sure, it might be older than something that came out this year, but it’s not ancient. Looking 4 Car Finance has lots of models on their lot at affordable prices, and most of them aren’t as dated as 2012. Anything that came out post-2010 is fair game because all cars come with cool tech gadget these days. Whether it’s a 69 plate or a 60 plate, you’ll get everything from an ABS to an in-car sat nav with Bluetooth sync capabilities. And, because the registrations are almost a decade old, the cost will be significantly lower.

 

You Only Need Certain Tools

Car manufacturers have us in a tailspin with the way they market their products and services. As a result, it’s not uncommon to think you need everything they have and to fob the base model off as insufficient. Of course, the reality is different. There is only a handful of equipment you need, and you can find a list of our very own on this How To Kill An Hour post. The things that make a difference to the driving experience, such as dash cams and auto energy braking, should be on your list and everything else can go.

 

They’re Installable

Okay, you’re a tech-lover so the idea of only using the necessary car tech is laughable. That’s fair. Still, there’s no need to fork out a fortune for a vehicle that’s overpriced when there is an affordable base model. Once you have a chassis, you can add to the skeleton of the car by installing the stuff you love. New brakes and a better suspension aren’t cheap, yet they’re more affordable when you do it yourself. And, the electricals are easy to get hold of and to install in the car’s interior. Essentially, you can do an Xzibit and pimp your ride!

 

Sometimes, Basic Is Good

Remember that pimped out cars make bad drivers. The next time you get behind the wheel of one without parking sensors, you should note how many times you back up without looking. It’s crazy. Plus, you might be a tech nerd but you’re also a car-lover and that counts for something. It means, deep down, that you love the sound of an engine and hitting the open road without any mod cons because it takes you back to a simpler time.

 

Used cars focus on the basics, and they get petrolheads’ hearts racing.

Vari Pro Plus 36 – To Benefit Don’t Sit!

We sit at a desk on an average day up to 19.5hrs. That’s just an average day too! This seems like a lot, but when you break it up, it shows how easy time can add up! All this time you’re usually sitting down too! The Vari can help with this!

This is how an average day looks like for the average worker:

  • 1.5 Hours Sat commuting via Car, Train or Bus.
  • 8 Hours Sat in the office chair.
  • 2 Hours Sat eating dinner and watching TV after work.
  • 8 hours Laying Down Sleeping,

As you can see it can seem quite sedentary. Leaving most of us with only 4.5hrs each day of potential movement. This isn’t great for your health! Your working day is often strict and structured in routine. Therefore the only way to gain movement is through changing work habits.

You could change meetings to be held standing only. This means it’ll be quicker and you’ll feel more focused due to increased blood flow. Amplified circulation to your brain will make you feel sharper!

Another easy change would be to incorporate standing desks. Rotating time between sitting and standing all throughout your working day. Standing for 4hrs per day has a number of benefits such as burning 50 calories extra per hour. Consequently this equates to 200 per day or 1,000 per week. Which is 48,000 calories per year! (48 wk’s per year)

48,000 calories = running 18.71 marathons.

Using a standing desk has many more benefits including:

  • Lowering the chance of cardiovascular disease.
  • Reducing and preventing lower back pain.
  • Improving productivity by 48%.
  • Reducing blood sugar levels by up to 43% after lunch.

Vari

Vari are at the top of their game, with a choice of desks for every set-up. Such as sit-stand converters such as the Pro Plus 30, 36 and 48.

What is a sit-stand converter, I hear you ask. Well it’s simply a device that sits atop of your existing desk and will make a regular desk a standing desk. Simple! No need to buy big expensive standing desks when you can already use your own. Now you have no excuses!

The Vari Pro Plus 30, 36 & 48 range from £275 to £425 by clicking here!

No space because you’re in a corner? No Problem!

Vari also offer corner desks, such as the Cube Corner 36.  Again just simply sit atop of your current desk. Then you’ll have a standing desk!

VariDesk Cube Corner

The Cube Corner 36 costs £425 is available by clicking here!

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CUE3: RECORD-BREAKING BASKETBALL ROBOT

Well, looks like Steph Curry better watch out! A record breaking basketball playing robot named CUE3, has been birthed by a team of Toyota Engineers. How good is it? Well it can land a free shot, perfectly hitting the target, more than 2,000 times in a row.

It originally was a spare time project, designed to demonstrate the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence. It may display some incredible sporting ability and accuracy. However, the same technical innovation is being applied to Toyota to create robots which help. Helping the injured and disabled rehab in their day to day lives at home.

CUE3, is as the name suggests, the teams third iteration of the concept. It was revealed at a pro-basketball match in Japan earlier this year. It stands 6ft 10″ tall and wears the #93 vest.  A simple video of the robot landing a centre line, took the web by storm. As it was so popular online, the team bidded to set a Guinness World Record. A record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot.

Earlier versions of CUE3 were unsuitable for such record attempts. Mainly due to the fact it took up to 3mins to reset the machine after each shot. The team got to work and 5months later CUE3 made the record bid a realistic possibility.

Not settling for 5 successive shots that were needed to set the record, the team wanted more! However, they were a little unsure of how much repeated movement would affect the robot. Plus the air pressure in the balls and the angle of the hoop also needed to be accounted for. Plus they also had to retrieve the ball and place it accurately in CUE3’s hands for the robot to be able to pot successfully.

CUE3 Completing The Task

CUE3 landed 5 shots with easy. Then 200. 3 hours later that number was set at 1,000. That’s 1 every 12 seconds. The team stopped at 2,020 shots. The same number of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics date. It accomplished this feat in 6hrs and 35mins.

“For the record attempt, we remained members of Toyota, but also collaborated with a professional sports team to embark on a challenge no one else had undertaken. We would be delighted if as many people as possible developed an interest in basketball, robots and manufacturing as a result of watching our efforts.” – Project leader Tomohiro Nomi

The CUE team are now looking to take part in an all-stars match in January 2020, which could see CUE3 evolving yet again.

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