The right oil: McLaren dealer

Sydney Automotive Group Trivett is the new Downunder dealer for McLaren’s MP4-12C supercar. Prestige Outfit is one of 35 dealers in 19 countries responsible for selling the $ 350,000 carbon fiber flyer. Trivett plans to sell 50 copies across the divide next year. No word of deposits on the car on this side of the Tasman at this time. McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis announced Trivett’s appointment this week. The two-seater MP4-12C is powered by a 3.8-liter 414 kW V8 and made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​in Britain earlier this year. McLaren will fly an MP4-12C to Sydney for launch in February.

Red light runners

This column’s article about two cyclists running a red light at around 40 km / h in Mission Bay attracted numerous emails. Here are two. Richard writes: “Unfortunately there are bad cyclists just like there are bad motorists. I recently sat near the same traffic lights for 30 minutes. Every time the lights changed, a motorist passed through a red light. . For the sake of an impartial report, I hope you indicate this in your next column. “Paul writes:” Are you going to mention any vehicles you see going through red lights? Vehicles that put lives at risk? No, I don’t think so, so why put the comment on cyclists? “Ed: This column started in September 1997. For many years it has appeared twice a week. A search shows 37 references to drivers who have lit red lights and 11 to cyclists.

Green jeans

Buyers of the new Ford Focus can expect to get two pairs of old blue jeans with the car. But the denims won’t be wearable – they’ll be in pieces and used as a sound deadening material and carpet backing in the car, on sale in the US and Europe early next year and in New Zealand in 2012. L The old clothes are part of Ford’s plan to recycle things to divert waste from landfills and reduce the use of virgin materials.

Christmas toys

Germany’s Big Three are gearing up for Christmas with a range of luxury toys aimed at the next generation of drivers. The rivalry between BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi has broadened to include a holiday battle for the prestige of the playground. Audi offers a pedal version of the 1930s Auto Union Type C racing car, designed for children up to 1.35 m tall. The price is around NZ $ 17,000. BMW is fighting back with branded snow sleds for NZ $ 140 apiece, and Mercedes-Benz has joined in a pedal version of the SLS Gullwing supercar for toddlers for around NZ $ 160. But the British brand Aston Martin still holds the top level in children’s Christmas toys. He sold mini motorized replicas of the V8 Vantage in the late 1980s and early 1990s to customers including Prince Charles. Junior models cost around NZ $ 30,000, had a small gasoline engine, radio, and a top speed of over 50 km / h. Collectors pay up to NZ $ 50,000 for them these days.

We are the world

Tommy Riser had a few drinks under his belt when his wife arrived at the Washington state bar and suggested that he bring his ass home. He got into his van, she followed him to his car. Riser crashed into a utility pole, got out of the truck and got behind the wheel of his wife’s car. He ran him over into a railing near a bridge, then signaled the bottom of an elevator to pick up another family vehicle, a tow truck. He was trying to tow the two damaged vehicles at once when a deputy sheriff passed by. Result: three DUI fees.