Top Gear Polar Challenge Special

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are taking part in a Polar Special. It is an epic land race starting in the town of Resolute, Northern Canada, and – if all goes to plan – finishing 450 miles later at the Magnetic North Pole. The terrain they tackle is some of the toughest on Earth – a mix of mountainous land masses and jagged sea ice where temperatures can drop to a mind-numbing minus 65 degrees Centigrade. And then there are the polar bears. The Arctic is home to 80 per cent of the world's polar bear population and, when it comes to lunch, they really don't care if it's seal or human.
This being Top Gear, the three presenters' modes of transport are a little out of the ordinary. Jeremy and James are, of course, driving. Their vehicle of choice is specially converted for the task by an Icelandic engineering team whose achievements include the first crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap by car.
Richard is travelling on something a little less hi-tech – a sled pulled by a team of 10 Canadian Inuit dogs. Richard's human companion is Matty McNair, a hugely experienced Polar explorer who has an almost telepathic understanding of her dogs.
Pitting dog power against horse power may sound like a one-sided contest but, given the nature of the terrain, there's no telling who will make it to The Pole first. In fact, there's no guarantee that either team will make it to the finish line at all.

www.bbc.co.uk/topgear

EXOTICS I HAVE SEEN IN MONACO 28.08.2006 part 2

2007 Audi RS 4

The 2007 Audi RS 4 is powered by a lightweight and high-revving 4.2-liter V8 with FSI direct injection that produces 420 horsepower at 7800 rpm and 317 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm, with 90 percent of peak torque available from 2250 to 7600 rpm. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard and the quattro all-wheel-drive system uses a Torsen center differential to distribute 60 percent of torque to the rear wheels and 40 percent to the front under normal conditions. Braking performance is comparable to a race car with 14.4-inch two-piece front disc brakes fitted with 8-piston calipers. RS 4 features Audi’s Dynamic Ride Control suspension which is a mechanical system that reduces body roll and pitch by interconnecting the suspension dampers diagonally through a central valve.

EXOTICS I HAVE SEEN IN MONACO 28.08.2006

BMW M5

The BMW M5 is the high performance version of the range 5 series, and is one of the highest performance saloon cars on the market.


The fourth generation BMW M5 is the first M5 to use a V10 for power. The new V10 produces 500 horsepower (373 kW) and 383 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to a seven-speed SMG transmission. In the tradition of BMW M, the chassis has been engineered to match the power while the exterior treatment is mild, yet distinctive. The car has a 0-62 mp/h time of 4.7 seconds, 0-124 mp/h time of 15 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 205 mph when the electronic limiter of 155 mph is removed.
The new V10 engine of the M5 redlines at 8,250 rpm, and provides 25% more power than the M5's V8. It features double-VANOS variable valve timing. Each cylinder has its own electronically controlled throttle butterfly.
Mated to the potent engine of the M5 is a seven-speed DSG sequential gearbox. Eleven different shift settings are on offer, and the system incorporates a launch control function allowing for the fastest possible acceleration from standstill.
The 2006 M5 also features a DSC traction control system specifically developed for the car. Offering three settings, the default mode offers drivers the high levels of performance and stability you would expect of a car wearing the M badge. But by pressing the DSC button once the car reverts to M Dynamic Mode to allow an enthusiastic driver the ability to push the M5 to the absolute limits of traction, even permitting some sideslip and countersteering. If the DSC button is pressed again and held down DSC is completely disengaged.
Assisting further with performance the BMW M5 also comes with an MDrive button on the steering wheel, offering a one-touch function that changes the settings on the car to an enhanced sporting character. This setup is formatted via iDrive with the owner choosing the preferred SMG, Electronic Damper Control and DSC modes and, if specified, the rate of support the Active Seat Control side bolsters offer. Once programmed, the driver just presses the MDrive button on the steering wheel to transform the character of the M5.
While the chassis, suspension and steering of the BMW M5 are based on the design of the 5 Series, almost all components are new. The M5 also features a variable M differential lock that offers a high level of driving stability and traction, especially when accelerating out of high-speed corners. Stopping power in the M5 is also enhanced courtesy of a high performance braking system with cross-drilled ventilated discs and twin-piston calipers. They will haul the new M5 to a stop from 62 mph (100 km/h) in under 120 feet and from 124 mph (200 km/h) in just under 460 feet.
Compared to the standard BMW 5 Series, the styling of the M5 is very similar. But muted upgrades do in fact feature all over the car. The modified front spoiler and rear apron are instant giveaways. So too are the modified side sills. The wheel arches are more prominent in order to house the generous wheel and tire package. Following BMW M's recent traditions, the new M5 has more aerodynamic exterior mirrors, four tailpipes and exclusive wheels. Similar to the latest BMW M3, the M5 features exclusive gills incorporated into the front fenders.

For those who demand uncompromised performance and want to share the thrills, there's only one vehicle: the inimitable BMW M5.