The Latest Crop Of Record Breakers
I came across a copy of the 2015 Guinness Book of Records in the library the other day. 2015. Either Guinness Publishing uses a peculiar sort of calendar or my local library has a time machine sitting out the back somewhere. Alternatively, the concept of L-space that interconnects all libraries and bookshops throughout time and space from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is true. But anyway, these official record books often have some fun automotive, transport and car-related records, so without any further speculations, let’s have a look at some of the latest beauties showcased. Might win you a bet or two at the pub.
Country producing the largest number of cars in one year: China. No surprises here, really. The majority of cars are made in this country now, even marques you usually think of as being European. However, the European car manufacturing industry is far from dead: Germany holds the Number 3 spot behind Japan.
5 Simple Ways Buying a New Car is One of the Best Feelings in the World
The ‘new car’ smell
There’s no getting away from it – that ‘new car’ smell is something you just can’t replicate when you’ve had a car for a while or you buy used. The smell is there to remind you of the joy of sitting in your new car – it’s something to reward you for the money you’ve just paid and the effort you’ve put it saving up for it.
You Are Getting Sleepy… Very, Very Sleepy
It’s about that time of year when a number of states start getting into Daylight Savings mode (New Zealanders did the change last weekend). This peculiar hangover from Victorian England often leads to an increase in traffic accidents as the entire country (minus those sensible, sensible states that don’t bother with the whole palaver) goes through jet lag. Especially the springtime changeover where you have to get up an hour earlier than usual.
There has been some research into how the Daylight Savings changeover affects traffic responses. found that accidents immediately after the springtime shift but accidents drop immediately after the autumn shift when the clocks go back. According to these researchers, it’s the amount of sleep lost or gained that causes the change in patterns. We tend to lose an hour of sleep during the spring shift but we get that precious extra hour to sleep in come autumn. The researchers concluded that it’s fatigue and lack of sleep that causes the problem, not merely shifting our body clocks.
Automobili Lamborghini Sydney Launches With Huracán Force
After its successful launch on September 19th, 2014, in Melbourne, the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 is now available for orders at the Automobili Lamborghini dealership in Sydney. Located at 563 Parramatta Road, in the bustling inner suburb of Leichhardt, the Huracán sits proudly on display in the company of two of Lamborghini’s flagship models, the edgy Aventador.
Since being officially unveiled in February, there’s already over a dozen orders for the sleek missile, worth near half a million dollars in New South Wales alone, but don’t think it’s a matter of simply rolling in and plonking down a handful of bills. Lamborghini has a stringent order process in place for the Huracán, 
with a (currently) planned production run of less than 3000 and will, effectively, build to order, rather than 
having a pool of vehicles.
Dealer principal, Dwyer Ogle, has over twenty years experience in premium brands, starting his career with the legendary British brand, Aston Martin. Dwyer’s enthusiasm for luxury motoring was evident, discussing the history of Lamborghini as easily as he shared facts and figures on the Huracán. Dwyer was also proud to be part of a launch drive in Italy, with a video showing him in the passenger seat of the 449kW rocket, being driven by a Lamborghini test driver at the Ascari circuit, clearly delighting in the experience.
The car itself, says Dwyer, is the most user friendly Lamborghini he has experienced. He likens driving the Diablo, first released in 1990, as a full on gym workout, with a heavy clutch and steering, whereas the lithe 1422kg Huracán has been worked over and smoothed over and massaged by parent company, Audi, to be as easy to use as the proverbial grandmother’s weekend shopping trolley. There’s hi-tech in the form of a magneto-rheological suspension 
system; a magnetic liquid fills the dampers and reacts to suspension changes in milliseconds, providing lightning sharp handling. The V10 engine is connected to a dual clutch, seven speed, gearbox and transfers power and torque to all four corners via the all wheel drive system. Dwyer grins as he explains that the naturally aspirated 5.2L engine’s torque, all 560 Nm of it, delivers an on tap, linear surge of acceleration and shakes his head in disbelief as he mentioned the car’s ability to remain flat and composed as it changes gear, under acceleration, on the banked curves at Ascari.
Dwyer’s backed up by Italian born Yvonne Buchreiter, Lamborghini Sydney brand manager; she smiles as she says “I’m Italian, where else would I work but for a great Italian car company?”. There’s warmth in both smile and handshake as she welcomes me in, excusing herself to look after a prior appointment, another Huracán interested party already there. She and Dwyer manage to make everyone feel part of the family within 
minutes of arriving and, as Dwyer demonstrates the vibrancy of the engine and exhaust, pointing out the subtle change in note as the computer ensures operating parts are warm and safe, there’s smiles all around.
As the car is being built to order, waiting time is not unexpected, in this case estimated to be around 12 months; however, as Dwyer points out, a Huracán buyer will take delivery knowing that the car has been built specifically for them, rather than dipping into a pool of stock.
After an hour of easy going, friendly and knowledgeable conversation, I take my leave, grateful for their time and wondering what Lotto numbers I need to pick.
Automobili Lamborghini Sydney can be found at 563 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, New South Wales and cars are available at the four Australian dealerships; Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
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