The Difference Between a Hypercar and a Supercar

This has been of subject of literally no debate over the years, but I would like to change that.  You see, to a casual observer these two are basically the same.  Both are very fast, both are very expensive, and both are very loud.  Most people who care about this kind of stuff determine the difference by the figures.  There is no set line to distinguish between a hypercar and a supercar, such as it must get to 60 from a standstill in under three seconds to qualify as a hypercar.  An example of what most people would call a hypercar would be the Bugatti Veyron, for obvious reasons.  This is a car of mind boggling numbers.  It has 10 radiators, 1001 horsepower, and can reach speeds in the area of 250 miles per hour (look it up if you really want to know the exact number).  The Supersports version of this car can hit 270!  Now for an example of a supercar.  Most would say the Ferrari 458 Italia is a supercar.  It can still top 200, it goes around corners incredibly well and makes a hypnotizing noise while in the process.  But it somehow isn't as incredible as the Veyron.
But the way I see it, the difference shouldn't be in the numbers.  It should be in how the cars feels.  In order to be a hypercar, you must be laughing and enjoying yourself while driving it, regardless which way you're facing.  However, you are probably saying  "Oh well on that basis a Ford Focus ST is a hypercar then because it's fun to drive!", but no, I'm not finished.  A Hypercar must also exhibit a certain level of lunacy and ridiculousness.  The Italians tend to be very good at this, hence Lamborghini and Pagani (I know the owner of Pagani is Argentinian).  Cars that fit this bill include pretty well every Lamborghini, every Pagani, and the Spyker C8.  There are more, but i'd like to move on.
Now by now you may be thinking that somebody could still say an everyday car could be a hypercar by these standards.  To cure this, I've decided that a car must first qualify to be a supercar before it can become a hypercar.  Now becoming a supercar is still mainly reliant on numbers, so we'll stick to the established supercars.
So there, I've just given a comprehensive to a question nobody is asking.

From the Passenger's Perspective: 2013 Audi A3 Hatch Euro

This Audi ended up being our rental car for our trip to Switzerland.  We were originally supposed to have an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but that didn't happen.  So we went to look around and found a BMW 1 Series.  It turned out that it was a 120d (we didn't want a diesel), and a rear light was out.  I recommended we rent a Fiat 500L, or the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante over in the corner.  Neither of those things happened and we rented a 2013 Audi A3.
One good mark for this car is looks, up until recently the A3 looked kind of boring, but now that the front end has been altered to look more sinister, it looks better.  The interior though is a different story.  The front passenger seat is uncomfortable, there really aren't enough controls, you basically get a radio and climate control.  I do like how the radio comes up from the dashboard, though in Switzerland we didn't know what they were saying.  Another thing on the radio, it chooses to come on when ever you start the car, which is annoying.The controls do look nice in the interior, and the air con dials have a quality feel to them.  The whole car does seem to be quality.  You know that all of the car is put together with the utmost precision.
One thing that this car has that no other car on this blog has is an electronic parking brake.  This turned out to be a bad thing, as it took about two minutes to figure it out (alright alright we didn't use the owners manual), and it makes a really annoying sound when you engage it.  Sounds a bit like a spaceship that needs some work.
On the driving front, i can report that it has enough power.  We overtook a lot on the roads of Switzerland and this car had the power to do so.  It even handles nicely, though the signature Audi understeer is still present.  However, the steering does feel (I was told) disconnected.  The driver of the Audi said he would much rather be driving a Mini on the mountain passes of the Swiss Alps.
The handling may not be 100% spot on, but this does make for a ride that is very nice.  This is rather spoiled when you are in the seats for more than half and hour.  The driver's seat especially is a problem and the driving position is uncomfortable.  I didn't have enough room in the passenger's seat. The back seats aren't as bad, but for some reason the ride is much, much worse.
As far as space, it isn't too bad.  We managed to get quite a lot into the back.  We did notice that the car we were supposed to have rented, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, may not have been big enough.  We definitely loaded the Audi up.  The Alfa probably couldn't handle all of it.
So the Audi may not be a rival in performance to say, a Mini, however it is a bit more day-today.  Though it doesn't do that very well either.


Specifications:
Engine
2.0L Turbocharged I4
200 Horsepower @ 5100-6000 RPM
207 ft-lb of torque @ 1800-5000 RPM
Top Speed: 144 MPH
Emissions
Tons/yr C02 @15k mi/year: 7.8
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score: 7
Mileage
EPA Hwy: 30 MPG
EPA City: 21 MPG
Range Hwy: 435 miles
Range City: 304.5 miles

From the Passenger's Perspective: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

When I arrived at this year's Geneva Foreign & Sports Benefit Car Show, i didn't expect to be getting any material for one of these articles.  I was wrong.
About a month ago, i wrote an article on the C63's younger brother, the C300.  When i approached the C63, the first thing i noticed was the 6.3L V8 badge on the side.  That's about twice that of the C300, and 2.3 Liters more than anything I've ever been in.  The second thing i noticed were the AMG alloy wheels, the subtle rear spoiler, and the front aero adjustments.
Then, as i stepped inside, I noticed the carbon fiber trim, as opposed to stainless steel (or plastic made to look like stainless steel......) in the C300.  It's interior is pretty much the same, except for one detail.  In the standard C300, when you open the panel on the dashboard you get a screen that displays the radio and a knob down on the center console to control it.  In the C63, when you open the hood, a larger screen folds out with more stuff than the standard.  Then, when you press off (or something else i forget) the whole thing folds back in and the panel slides over it unaided.  I discovered this on accident when I pressed the button while reaching for something else.
Earlier in the day, i heard somebody leave in the C63, and they gave it the beans out onto the road.  It sounded incredible, sort of a deep screaming grumble.  When we pulled out, on the other hand, the driver immediately slowed down and got very scared (my mother).  Unfortunately, we were never able to give it a full throttle blast, mainly because we would have ended up in a ditch.  But this car is fast.  I can tell.  Another incredible thing I observed was the comfort.  The seats were great, they wrap around you so you don't fly out the window when you go into the ditch.  It is also, and this surprised me, more comfortable than the C300. 
This car is really incredible, and it can be yours for $46,000 (at least what i was told, it may be different now) at Geneva Foreign & Sports in Geneva, NY (I'm not trying to advertise..........)

Reader Message

Sometimes, i cannot get to my computer due to other activities, and some days, i won't post anything on my blog.  Normal posting schedules will resume tomorrow, with the May 15th edition of Car News to be posted around 6:15.

Car Show at Geneva Foreign and Sports! June 2nd

Geneva Foreign and Sports, a automotive sales and repair shop in Geneva, New York is hosting a benefit car show on June 2nd, 2013. My family and I went last year and had a great time with our TVR 2500M. You can check out Geneva Foreign and Sports website here.
If you live in the area and have a car you'd like to show or just want to come and see some great examples of automotive excellence, come to Geneva Foreign and Sports benefit car show on June 2nd.
Note: This was not meant to sound like a cheesy advertisement. Sorry.

Car Show at Geneva Foreign and Sports! June 2nd

Geneva Foreign and Sports, a automotive sales and repair shop in Geneva, New York is hosting a benefit car show on June 2nd, 2013.  My family and I went last year and had a great time with our TVR 2500M.  You can check out Geneva Foreign and Sports website here.
If you live in the area and have a car you'd like to show or just want to come and see some great examples of automotive excellence, come to Geneva Foreign and Sports benefit car show on June 2nd.
Note: This was not meant to sound like a cheesy advertisement.  Sorry.

WKC Race 1 at Shenandoah Circuit, Summit Point, West Virginia

This weekend was the Woodbridge Karting Club's first race of the 2013 season.  I've already been to two WKA events this year.  This race was at the Shenandoah Circuit at the Summit Point racetrack in West Virginia.  This is the most technical course i've been on this year.  At the same time i was racing, the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) was having a double major for the D.C. region.  I had some time to watch, and that was very interesting.  The cars ranged from Formula Vees, to Chevrolet Corvettes, to Nissan 370Zs, to Mazda Miatas, and even a Dodge Neon.  This provided entertainment when i wasn't on track.
When i was on track, however, i was having a blast.  All of Saturday morning was practice, and i learned the track quickly.  The Shenandoah course has lots of elevation changes, and even a Nurburghring banked turn replica, though WKC opted not to use it.  The Northeast Shifter Kart series raced alongside us, and provided a different noise then the standard whine of the 2 cycle and the grumble of the Animal 4 Cycles.
I won my race on Saturday, though what is really fun is racing alongside adults in different classes who really knew what they were doing.  I spend most of the 25 minute race with an adult in a Vintage kart and a kid my age in a sit-up sprint kart.  Neither was in my class, but they were fun to race with, especially the Vintage kart.
I didn't practice today, but i did race and win.  I was with the same kid this time for a little while, but got around him early.  I also raced with an adult in a kart kind of like mine, though i don't know what class he was in.
I write this looking back on the weekend as we drive back home through West Virginia on Interstate 81.  It was a great weekend, and i look forward to my next race, a WKA event at Grattan Raceway in
Michigan, in two weeks.

Note: I did not go around the Karussel area, i skipped it with the Karussel Crossover.

Summit Point, West Virginia

As some of you know, i race in the WKA's Road Race Series.  I also race in the WKC (Woodbridge Karting Club).  I leave in a few minutes for my first WKC race in Summit Point, West Virginia.
That's all for now, i race tomorrow an Sunday.  Look for today's edition of Car News around three o' clock.  Also, as a little teaser, i will be publishing a special edition of From the Passenger's Perspective in Mid-June.  I'll give you a hint, it's an Alfa Romeo.