Yesterday, one of the 11 TechStars companies that launched called GearBox showed an early version of an iPhone app that can control a robotic ball (see video below).
For instance, the launch control function on BMW's single-clutch sequential-manual gearbox, SMG, was a modified version of the system used in Europe.
The car used a revised and lighter version of the 6-speed gearbox designed for the BT45B.
Well, there's a new entertainment system and plenty of leather (sadly Jaguar still lags just behind its German rivals for interior quality), but most interestingly there is a range of more efficient engines, including the V6 petrol I'm testing, start-stop technology and an eight-speed automatic gearbox to replace the slightly ponderous six-speed version in the old car.
Because with a 2.3-liter, 160-hp engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox (there's also a four-speed automatic version), the Mazda3s will scoot to 60 mph in a little more than seven seconds, and the version tested for this review gets standard 205/50-series tires that provide excellent dry-road grip, for superb cornering that's as sharp as that of a Mini Cooper S.
The TT RS is sold in Europe with a dual-clutch gearbox, and as a convertible, but the North American version comes only as a coupe with a 6-speed manual.
It gets the same 583bhp, 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine as the SLS AMG "GT', 480lb-ft of torque, rear-wheel-drive (obviously), a double-clutch seven-speed gearbox with the faster mapping of the "GT" version – including a "race start" function – and AMG ride control offering up two levels of damping, Sport and Sport+.
The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari also gets the Abarth Competizione automated manual gearbox so far seen only on the open-topped "C" version of the Abarth 500.
Half-Life: Decay was another expansion by Gearbox, released only as an extra with the PlayStation 2 version of Half-Life.
The car is based heavily on the Enzo Ferrari, using a slightly modified version of the Ferrari Dino V12, the same gearbox (but given the unique name of "Maserati Cambiocorsa") and the same chassis and track (length of axle between the wheels).
