Turbo Zone

If you think we don’t have what it takes to build a supercar, then read on.

Factor Aurelio Automobile has introduced the first supercar from Philippines, the Aurelio.

As the brainchild of 21-year-old engineering student Kevin Factor and Brendan Aurelio — owner of Pacita Fibertech — Factor Aurelio Automobile (FAA) recently finished work on their first product. The supercar, a two-door sports coupe equipped with either a Mitsubishi 4G63T 2.0 liter turbo intercooled DOHC 16-valve engine or a Honda B16A DOHC VTEC 16-valve motor.

It benefits from a handmade chassis and on the inside it has several components made from fiberglass reinforced plastic and carbon fiber. It adopts scissor doors, a VR4 front & rear suspension setup and sits on 18-inch Rota alloy wheels.

Performance details have not been released but the Aurelio is billed as a supercar although a four-cylinder engine doesn’t sound overly impressive and the design sends out a bit of a kit car vibe with some Italian influences.

In response, the Department of Transportation and Communication noted its commitment to resolve the worsening traffic situation in the country. Among the agency’s plans include improving the country’s main thoroughfares such as road widening projects.

But is this really the answer to the ever-growing traffic congestion problems? A U.S.-based study says building bigger roads is not the way to go, and may in fact cause more traffic jams.

According to research from the University of Toronto and the University of Pennsylvania, between 1980 and 2000, whenever a city increased its road capacity, traffic increased the exact same amount. The men behind this study, Matthew Turner and Gilles Duranton, have theorized that traffic follows the economic principal of “included demand”—upping the supply of a product already in demand merely serves to further increase demand. Thus, new roads only serve to create new drivers; in turn, traffic intensity continues at an identical rate. Turner and Duranton call this the “fundamental law of road congestion.”

Do you agree with this study? In your opinion, what should the government do to — once and for all — ease vehicle congestion on the main roads?

For those who say Korean cars are all metal and no power may soon be eating the humble pie.

There seems to be no stopping Hyundai, as the car company is reportedly coming up with the next generation Genesis Coupe built with a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine.

According to Australian magazine Go Auto, the 8-cylinder unit in question is the firm’s TAU power plant that’s producing 420 PS (309 kW) in the sedan. If things go as planned, the Genesis Coupe V8 will be sitting above the four-cylinder turbo and V6 petrol versions. And get this: an 8-speed automatic gearbox is also in the cards.

On the outside, the sports coupe is expected to be bigger than before and to move upmarket. Design is expected to reflect cues from the futuristic Hyundai Luxury Sports Coupe HND-9 Concept, described as “a modern interpretation of a classic premium sports coupe.” If approved, the next-gen Genesis Coupe will hit the roads in 2016.

(Image from World Car Fans)

We’ve heard of horror stories involving the appalling actions of valet drivers and the “VIP” services they do to the vehicles they park.

From stealing items to spinning the cars to the maximum speed and even putting disgusting bodily secretions, we sometimes question if paying the price is worth it.

But it’s one thing if they don’t treat a car nicely as they should — it’s another if they wreck a multi-million supercar.

In India, a valet parker from a hotel in India obliterated a — gasp — Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

The unlucky (or maybe stupid?) fella, who is working at Le Méridien in New Delhi, India made the very costly mistake while aboard a white Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Just look at the image above and you’ll pretty much guess it wasn’t at all just a dent — the supercar’s front was severely damaged and even the concrete wall was affected.

Of course, the hotel’s insurance will most probably handle the expenses, but with all the hassle this involves, one would really think twice of entrusting the keys of such a precious ride to a valet parker next time.

(Image from World Car Fans)

Porsche is reportedly taking sportscar rivalry to another level, as it is reportedly working on a Ferrari 458 Italia contender, currently codenamed “988.”

According to reports, engineers from Stuttgart have started work on an entirely new flat-eight engine. The 988 will allegedly get this engine which is said to have a 4.0-liter displacement and pack four turbos to generate approximately 600 bhp (447 kW) and more than 400 lb-ft (542 Nm).

It will boast an entirely new architecture that will make more extensive use of aluminum and composite structural elements. At this moment there aren’t any exact details about the 988’s design but it is believed some styling cues will be borrowed from the 918 Spyder. There should be an elongated rear deck taking into account the mid-mounted flat-eight arrangement.

The car is expected to go on sale in 2017 and will be followed by the next generations of the Boxster, Cayman and 911, all arriving within two year’s time.