8/28 Autoblog

Please add updates@feedmyinbox.com to your address book to make sure you receive these messages in the future. Autoblog eBay Find of the Day: Gorgeous 1964 Lincoln Continental has a 723-hp secret August 27, 2009 at 8:57 pm Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Lincoln 723-horsepower 1964 Lincoln Continental - Click above for image gallery The Elwood Engel Continentals are so instantly recognizable that Lincoln borrowed some of their design cues when creating modern vehicles like the MKX crossover. These big hunks of awesome from the Sixties are still even relatively affordable, too. The seller of this gem claims that there's more than $120,000 invested in this much modified example, which is admittedly a whole lot more than we'd expect to pay for even this gobsmackingly nifty thing, so it's possibly a case of overdoing it. You've got a day, and as it stands now, the reserve has not been met by a $30,000 bid. Lower than a dead man's blood pressure, this Lincoln has been expensively redone in a stunning shade of PPG Cherry Black. Underneath, chassis mods have been carried out to add an Air Ride Technologies suspension that gives you the slammed stance for going low and slow, but it also pumps up to regular height for motorvatin'. Underhood yields the biggest surprise, as if the beautifully straight bodywork, sumptuous leather interior and high standard of work weren't enough. Pop that lid and where you'd expect to see an MEL or 385-series lies a 351 Windsor-based engine, now displacing 427 cubic inches and breathing heavily with a ProCharger iron lung and spinning an AOD transmission. A mid-century masterpiece powered by more than 700 horsepower done up tastefully sounds good to us. Gallery: custom eBay Lincoln Continental [Source: eBay] eBay Find of the Day: Gorgeous 1964 Lincoln Continental has a 723-hp secret originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21% August 27, 2009 at 8:28 pm Filed under: Etc., Technology In Los Angeles, the 101/405 interchange is so congested that in 2002 it was determined that 27,144 hours per year were wasted trying to get from one freeway to the other. That's over 1,100 days. Per year. Not only does that number sound wildly low, but we guarantee it's gotten worse in the last seven years. Much worse. But according to a new study, GPS-systems with real-time traffic info can save American drivers four days a year of being mired in lousy traffic. Now, we're taking this particular study with a grain of salt because it was sponsored by nav-system data-provider NAVTEQ. Still, even if it's only half true, we'll take our two days back. Here's what they did: The study looked at three types of drivers in a metro area (in this case the German cities of Dusseldorf and Munich), drivers with no navigation, drivers with static navigation and drivers with real-time traffic enabled navigation. Not surprisingly, the third group of drivers spend 18% less time on their trips than the other two sets. Multiply those results out over a year and you save four days. Not only that, but it would lower the average driver's CO2 output by 21%. Of course, we're not sure how this would effect time spent stuck on interchanges like the aforementioned 101/405 where there's always traffic - no matter what - and there's really no other way to go. Full press release after the jump. [Source: NAVTEQ | Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid] Continue reading Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21% Study: GPS systems with real-time traffic can save drivers four days per year, cut emissions by 21% originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.27.09 August 27, 2009 at 8:20 pm First Drive: Rossion Q1 a supercar for the slightly rich Rossion recently relocated from Ohio to Pompano Beach, FL and invited us to spend the weekend with 'em, flogging their brand-new Q1, thus far their only product. It's hard to talk about the Rossie without discussing the 2,400-pound Gorilla in the room, the Noble M12. Ferrari 458 Italia: more details, pics and video Maranello has released an additional video of Paolo Pininfarina of the eponymous design studio talk about the car's styling, and with it released a new batch of interior, motion and studio shots. Toyota teases new 4Runner in advance of Texas debut Toyota is using the occasion of the annual State Fair of Texas - an event automakers commonly use to unveil new pickup trucks (as Toyota itself did with the Tundra back in 2006) - to launch its latest 4Runner SUV for the 2010 model year. Other news of import Saab 9-5 - new images, more details released Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over brakes Toyota reportedly pulls plug on NUMMI plant Mahindra diesel pickup gets driven Newlywed couple legally changes last name to 'Ford' Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.27.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Wiesmann will build a car live at the Frankfurt Motor Show August 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Luxury Wiesmann MF4 Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery No, really. Well, more like during some of the Wiesmann engineers will put the finishing touches on a GT MF4 during the Frankfurt Motor Show introduction of the brand's new BMW V10-powered GT MF5 Roadster. But still, that's different. Why are they doing this? "Only this way we will be able to show our manufacturing skills and our productive efficiency to the exhibition-visitors, the customers, and the media-exponents. Like in Duelmen [where Wiesmann's factory is located] everyone can take a look at our work in Frankfurt." So says business manager Friedhelm Wiesmann. Hey, why not? We'll be there to watch the build live, but in case you can't make, Auto Motor und Sport will be streaming the event live on the web. Hey, again, why not? Full press release after the jump, which includes the highly memorable line, "the Duelmen manufacturer will mount a car during the car-exhibition." Oh, those kinky Germans. Gallery: Wiesmann Roadster MF4 [Source: Wiesmann] Continue reading Wiesmann will build a car live at the Frankfurt Motor Show Wiesmann will build a car live at the Frankfurt Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks August 27, 2009 at 7:29 pm Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Safety, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Subaru Four 2010 model year vehicles have just been awarded Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Subaru's Outback and Legacy, the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler's Sebring. Top Safety Picks are given to those vehicles that come equipped with electronic stability control and receive front, side, and rear crash test ratings of 'Good' in IIHS testing. The Legacy has boasted a 'Good' rating for a few years now, while the all-new Outback takes the cake on its first try. The Sebring and Avenger continue their runs of 'Good' form in their current generations. [Source: IIHS] Subaru Legacy and Outback, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring new IIHS Top Safety Picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments After divorcing Daimler, going steady with Fiat and cutting off Nissan, Chrysler looking for Chinese partner? August 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm Filed under: China, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Fiat 2006 Dodge Hornet concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Over the past couple of years, Chrysler has been in discussion with seemingly every carmaker in the world about some sort of tie-up to achieve some particular end. Before it was battling for its very survival, it was in serious talks with Chinese automaker Chery about building a car or two, including a vehicle based on the 2006 Hornet concept car (pictured) and the A1. Fast forward to today, when everything has fallen away - including its collaboration with Nissan - and now news agency Reuters says that Chrysler and Fiat are headed back to the People's Republic. Neither company has any noteworthy presence in China, a situation that both companies are desperate to change. According to Reuters, they want to find a Chinese maker to build something on Chrysler's C Platform, which underpins the Jeep Compass and Patriot, and Dodge Caliber. Chrysler currently exports ten of its models to to China. Fiat has a partnership with Chinese car company Guangzhou - which, in turn, is also allied with Honda and Toyota - to build a factory where Guangzhou will build cars on Fiat platforms. Guangzhou is a company that Chrysler has already approached, and the easiest route appears to be to simply expand the partnership via Fiat. No matter how it gets done, just give us a Hornet that looks like a Hornet... and not an A1. Gallery: Dodge Hornet Concept [Source: Reuters] After divorcing Daimler, going steady with Fiat and cutting off Nissan, Chrysler looking for Chinese partner? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Newlywed couple changes last names to Ford to celebrate... well, Fords August 27, 2009 at 6:40 pm Filed under: Etc., Ford When Jaime Case and Chris Hodges decided to get married, Jaime didn't want the regular run-up filled with fights, dresses, cakes, consultants and huge expenses. So she dreamed up a Wedding Road Trip, the theme of which was "Two people, two months, two hundred friends, one bad economy, one ring, one dress, one car, one life together." Essentially, it would be a trip around these United States - with plenty of rules - to see friends before getting married. To help make the trip, Ford Motor Company donated a Fusion sedan to the couple's cause. It also happened that Jaime and Chris wanted to take new last names instead of Jaime taking her husband-to-be's surname, and so the couple spent months trying to come up with one. After "two months of long conversations, intense fights, and hours of thinking," the last name they came up with: Ford. That's right, they are now Chris and Jaime Ford. There were five criteria they used to choose the new name, and eleven reasons why "Ford" was found to be perfect. We won't spoil it, but the justifications are wide-ranging, span rivers, a president and first lady, capitalism, egalitarianism, family, a Mustang fastback and two pickup trucks. Learn more at the link below. [Source: Wedding Road Trip via USA Today | Image: The Ford Story] Newlywed couple changes last names to Ford to celebrate... well, Fords originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape August 27, 2009 at 6:20 pm Filed under: SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford Two of Ford's vehicles are moving well enough that the automaker is adding production to its plants in Missouri and Michigan. Ford says its F-150 and Ford Escape are looking to earn their highest sales of the year in August, with the F-Series truck line looking good for its first year-on-year sales jump since October 2006 and the Escape knocking on the door of its own sales record. Of course, August sales number are expected to be wildly inflated by the success of the government's Cash for Clunkers program, so Ford is also taking into account the sales rates of these two vehicles before August and only boosting production by a smidge in response. Thus, 2,800 workers at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will go back to full-time work at the end of September, which will raise production of F-150s by 10,000 units through the end of the year. A third shift added to the Kansas City plant in October will raise production of Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners by 2,400 through year-end. If production details are your cup of tea, you can read all of Ford's good news in the press release after the jump. [Source: Ford | Image: Scott Olson/Getty] Continue reading Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments VIDEO: Millyard Viper V10 - One more way to kill yourself quick stick a honkin' engine on two wheels August 27, 2009 at 5:59 pm Filed under: Performance, Dodge, Motorcycle, Specialty Millyard Viper V10 - Click above to watch the video after the jump Proving that there's more than one way to shoehorn a massive 8.0-liter Viper V10 engine into a motorcycle is a certain Allen Millyard from the United Kingdom. We sorta prefer the industrial brute force look of the original Dodge Tomahawk with its unconventional suspension systems and leaning four-wheeled design, but Millyard's creation is unarguably truer to the established motorcycle ethos - two wheels, a powerful engine and not much else. Predictably, Millyard's creation features one of the longest motorcycle wheelbases in recent memory, though there's little way to avoid that with ten giant cylinders hung between the two contact patches. It could be argued that you don't really need any gimmicks when packing 500 raging horses into such a light machine, and that's probably true. Still, we're thinking the next logical step for this insane motorcycle should include a couple of turbochargers and a quick shot of nitrous... and maybe a sidecar. Click past the break for a couple of videos (*NOTE: Second vid is sans audio). [Source: Motorcycle News] Continue reading VIDEO: Millyard Viper V10 - One more way to kill yourself quick stick a honkin' engine on two wheels VIDEO: Millyard Viper V10 - One more way to kill yourself quick stick a honkin' engine on two wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record August 27, 2009 at 5:40 pm Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, UK, Celebrities Railroad enthusiasts are a pretty passionate bunch. They're not auto enthusiast crazy, but they're close. Top Gear presenter James May fed off that steam-powered energy by working with 400 volunteers to build the longest ever toy train track for his new BBC series James May's Toy Stories. The track was to travel 10 miles from Barnstaple to Bideford, North Devon in the UK, and the Guinness book of World Records was on hand to record the feat for prosperity in the event that it succeeded. As the Telegraph tells it, the ambitious toy track likely would have been a record setting effort were it not for some vandals who decided to sabotage the attempt. Sections of the track - which were laid with assistance from the British version of the Boy Scouts - were stolen, and two pence coins were dropped on the track to disrupt power and blow the train's battery. The cowardly acts of a few idiots ultimately resulted in James May and his gang of volunteers missing the opportunity to be added to the Guinness Book of World Records, but organizers decided to stay positive and call the event a success due to the fact that all 10 miles of the track were linked at one point. We're guessing May will get another shot at Guinness with planned stunts like building a life-size Lego house or a life-size Meccano bridge, but it would have been nice if a few jerks didn't ruin the fun of hundreds of toy train geeks aficionados. [Source: Telegraph | Image: Dave Hogan/Getty] REPORT: Thieves derail James May's bid for toy train record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Porsche tuner 9ff planning GT9-R convertible August 27, 2009 at 5:22 pm Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche, Middle East What's better than a thousand horsepower count and a 250+ mph top speed? Why, a thousand-horsepower count and a 250+ mph top speed with no roof, of course! That's what Bugatti has learned with its Veyron Grand Sport, and that's evidently what 9ff is planning as well. 9ff is one of the world's most alluring of Porsche tuning houses. They're responsible for the GT9-R, a supercar based on the 911 but capable of 0-60 times in the 2's and top speeds in excess of 250 mph which makes it a contender for the crown as fastest road-going car on the market. With only 20 examples slated for production and public consumption, it's also one of the most exclusive. But if the latest reports are to be believed, there's something even more exclusive and follicle-stimulating on the way. The word is apparently sparked by the website which the Porsche uber-tuner set up specifically for the Emirates, a lucrative market for big-buck supercars. According to the brief statement and rendering on the site, 9ff will offer just three examples of the GT9-R without a roof. Of course, they'll probably cost more than most of us will see in our lifetimes, but that shouldn't stop them from selling all three. Gallery: 9ff GT9 [Source: 9ff UAE via Pistonheads] Porsche tuner 9ff planning GT9-R convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge August 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm Filed under: Aftermarket, Crossover, Ford If you need more edge - and speed - for your Ford Edge, Steeda could have the package for you. Called the Steeda Edge Sport, it is claimed to be "the perfect answer to those that want to have it all." And by "all," the tuner apparently means an eight-piece body kit, brushed-look interior trim and cross-stitching on custom leather, smoked head- and taillight trim, and 22-inch polished aluminum wheels. Under those double-dubs lurk Brembo's six-piston Big Brake kit, and under the rear bumper you'll find a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and a Steeda custom trailer hitch cover. Steeda has yet to release any power figures, but there figures to be a bump of some sort considering that under the hood resides a cold-air intake and cool-tube, a new throttle-body spacer, and an ECU tune. You can read the rest of the details in the press release after the jump. [Source: Steeda] Continue reading Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge Steeda gets all tweaky with Ford's Edge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Mahindra's 30-mpg diesel-powered Pik-Up gets driven August 27, 2009 at 4:42 pm Filed under: Truck, India, Diesel Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com got a chance to drive the Mahindra Pik-Up regular cab with a 7-foot bed and lived to say rather good things about it. He drove the 2.5-liter diesel spec that is a generation behind what we'll get here, so actual driving impressions are moot. The real story was the impressive discoveries tempered by the mild question marks: the diesel sounds good, shifting into third is a bit tricky; visibility is fantastic but the interior is a bit tight; the bed is good for swallowing loads, but the external tie-downs and styling are a little dated. And with commendable NVH in its favor, Levine rated the Pik-Up "a truck that could function as a daily driver as well as a workhorse." We're not sure we'd want to test the 5,000-pound towing capacity, but as The Little Truck That Could, it sounds like it's all right. Follow the link to read all about it. [Source: PickupTrucks.com] Mahindra's 30-mpg diesel-powered Pik-Up gets driven originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster August 27, 2009 at 4:20 pm Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, BMW Manhart BMW Z4 V10 - Click above for high-res image gallery The first snow? A pastel sunset? Come on, we're car guys and there are few things we love more than a big engine in a small roadster. It's the formula that put Carroll Shelby on the map, and it's very much alive today thanks to a small cadre of niche manufacturers and aftermarket tuners, a disproportionate share of them residing in Germany. Just a few days ago we brought you news of the Wiesmann MF5 Roadster, set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt show with a BMW M5 ten-cylinder engine packed into a little retro roadster. But if your taste veers more towards the modern than the throwback, Manhart Racing may have just the thing for you. The German tuning firm has shoehorned that same 500-hp, 5.0-liter DOHC 40-valve V10 - known in Bavaria as the SB85B50 - into the BMW Z4. The mod job wasn't finished with the engine swap, however. Manhart also switched the transmission and differential, installed an AC Schnitzer exhaust, HJS cats and in the process just happened to have disabled the electronic speed limiter. The resultant 550 hp output in a 1450-kg package gives the ten-cylinder roadster a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6kg per HP, which places it firmly in supercar territory. (The flyweight Ferrari 430 Scuderia, for reference, packs 2.45 kg/hp.) 0-60 comes in a claimed 3.9 seconds, and we have little reason to doubt it. That is, assuming you can get all that power down through the upgraded 285/30ZR19 rear tires and keep it in a straight line with the 235/35ZR19 mounted on blacked-out BBS Challenge rims. We just hope they've upgraded the brakes to go along with the extra power. Details in the press release after the jump. Gallery: Manhart Racing BMW Z4 V10 [Source: Manhart Racing] Continue reading Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster Manhart Racing drops the BMW V10 into the Z4 roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments VIDEO: Saab 9-3X commercial is all about changing perspective(s) August 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm Filed under: Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Saab 2010 Saab 9-3X commercial - Click above to watch video Saab really has been changing perspective lately, from the look of its cars to the people who decide on the look of its cars. That kind of thing will happen when you enter bankruptcy and are sold back into the bosom of your homeland. So this Saab 9-3X commercial is a, yes, quirky, look at the the philosophy behind Trollhatten's finest. Who else would make an ad that includes a paper airplane, an ant, a moose and a pine cone to advertise a station wagon? Follow the jump to watch the video or check out Saab's new lifted wagon in all its high-res glory in our gallery below. Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-3X [Source: YouTube] Continue reading VIDEO: Saab 9-3X commercial is all about changing perspective(s) VIDEO: Saab 9-3X commercial is all about changing perspective(s) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas August 27, 2009 at 3:40 pm Filed under: SUV, Toyota 2010 Toyota 4Runner teaser - Click above to expand and enlarge Toyota is using the occasion of the annual State Fair of Texas - an event automakers commonly use to unveil new pickup trucks (as Toyota itself did with the Tundra back in 2006) - to launch its latest 4Runner SUV for the 2010 model year. While Toyota isn't yet ready to unleash all the details on its newest body-on-frame 4Runner - which is scheduled for its official unveiling in late September - the Japanese automaker has decided it is high time to tease America's remaining SUV fans with a lone image showing a new 2010 4Runner perched atop a rock with what appears to be an appropriately beefy and heavily-protected undercarriage. Toyota promises that the fifth-generation 2010 4Runner will be "more rugged than ever" and will offer "sure-footed off-road capability and increased comfort with added roominess." Mini press release after the break. [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas Toyota teases 4Runner in advance of debut deep in the heart of Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Carb Control: Asian chefs create unreal life-size F1 car from bread August 27, 2009 at 3:19 pm Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Humor Asia's Largest race car made from bread - Click above for high-res image gallery We know what you're thinking, and we agree - if there's one thing that we just can't seem to accept in modern Formula One racing, it's the distinct lack of edible race cars. Fortunately, that minor niggle is currently being remedied by the Culinary Executive Chef from the Royal Plaza On Scotts in Singapore, who led a team of six chefs, two artists, two technicians, two culinary staff members and five young volunteers from Metta Welfare Association to create bake the machine you see in the gallery below: Asia's Largest Race Car Made From Bread. We wonder... is there some other bread-based race car vying for the world record? According to Klik.tv, there are a thousand individual loaves and 22 different types of bread in the life-size F1 car. More numbers: it took 33 pounds of yeast, 14 liters of water, 4.4 pounds of salt and nearly three gallons of varnish to finish this delightful creation. We bet it's the best smelling race car ever. Gallery: Asia's Largest race car made from bread [Source: Klik.tv | Images used with permission] Carb Control: Asian chefs create unreal life-size F1 car from bread originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments BREAKING: Toyota reportedly pulls plug on NUMMI plant August 27, 2009 at 2:57 pm Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Toyota It's over. Or more to the point, it will be. Toyota Motor Corp. has reportedly announced that it will end production at Fremont, California's New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., better known as NUMMI. Despite protestations from workers and community members to the contrary, The Associated Press is reporting that Toyota's board has voted to shutter the plant effective March 2010. The plant's future had been called into question by General Motors announcing its intention to pull-out from the groundbreaking joint venture as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. With General Motors' pullout from the facility and the production of its Pontiac Vibe along with it, Toyota has kept the factory's 4,600 workers busy assembling the Corolla and Tacoma. The move comes amidst word that the Japanese automaker has plans to cut production by up to one million units. For its part, California officials attempted to rally an incentives package to convince Toyota to keep the plant open, but the effort to keep the plant in operation has evidently failed. With the half-year lead time before the facility's closure, lawmakers will be looking hard to find a new tenant to take over the facility. [Source: The Associated Press via Google | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty] BREAKING: Toyota reportedly pulls plug on NUMMI plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds August 27, 2009 at 2:28 pm Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Nissan, UK Project Zed Nissan 350Z dragster - Click above for high-res image gallery Quick - what's the World's Fastest Nissan? While visions of the GT-R are probably dancing around in your head, in reality, that title goes out to Project Zed, a Pro Class drag racer built using Nissan's 3.5-liter VQ six-cylinder engine borrowed from a 350Z. Not that the engine is stock, of course. In this case, Project Zed's tuned powerplant is reportedly sending nearly 1,900 horsepower to the rear wheels... yes, really. As you'd expect from nearly two thousand galloping ponies, acceleration will be epic. Builder and driver John Bradshaw estimates that his maniacal machine will hit 60 in just 1.2 seconds as its rockets its way past the 200 mile-per-hour mark in just over six seconds. Bradshaw plans to debut the car at the famous Santa Pod Raceway in England on September 10th, where it will go up against a slew of American V8-powered dragsters. Nissan is planning to show its support for the project by bringing along fresh copies of the latest 370Z and GT-R. Time for some head-to-head Nissan action? Hit the jump for a video and the official press release. Gallery: Project Zed Nissan 350Z dragster [Source: Nissan] Continue reading Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments In Da Clubster: San Francisco design student beats Mini to speedster punch August 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, MINI, Design/Style Mini Clubster S design study by Richard Mitchell - Click above for image gallery Variety is the spice of life - or so they say, but that seems to be the case over at BMW's Mini division, where the variants of their entertaining little runabout have been pouring out like Cristal in the V.I.P. Room. First came the hatchback, then the cabrio, then the Clubman, a crossover is nearly here, a rally version is rumored to be under consideration, and a coupe concept was just unveiled the other day. But before the party's over, Mini is expected to make a slick little speedster with a sportier flair than its existing convertible. That car could be just around the corner, but one student got tired of waiting and designed one himself. Rather than simply Photoshopping a more rakish windshield onto the production cabrio (Mini's new coupe concept hadn't been shown when this concept was germinated), Richard Mitchell - a transportation design graduate from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco - instead conceptually started with the BMW 1 Series platform to give his design, called the Clubster S, a longer profile with rear-wheel-drive. Mitchell combined typical Mini touches with design attributes from other examples from England's deep roadster back catalog, and built it into a compelling 1:5 scale clay model, which you can check out along with a series of renderings in the gallery below. Gallery: Mini Clubster S design study by Richard Mitchell [Source: DeviantART] In Da Clubster: San Francisco design student beats Mini to speedster punch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501 August 27, 2009 at 1:29 pm Filed under: Classics, Etc., Japan, Videos, Humor Ninja vs. BuBu - Follow the jump to watch video No need to belabor this - you really just need to watch. The three-wheeled hero car is a BuBu 501 by Mitsuoka, and yes, it's being chased and attacked by a group of ninja. On roller skates. Doing stunts. (Don't miss the absurd roller disco-style maneuver that has one ninja pull another through his legs for no discernible reason whatsoever.) Even if you've seen this vintage Japanese footage before, you're going to want to revisit it, so follow the jump and let the awesome wash over you. [Source: YouTube via Twitter] Continue reading VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501 VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich August 27, 2009 at 12:55 pm Filed under: Coupe, Performance, First Drive Rossion Q1 - Click above for high-res image gallery "How fast can you take it?" I ask Craig Spuhler, Rossion's technical engineer and my passenger at this particular moment in time. "About 75 mph with an 85 mph exit speed." I was behind the wheel of a Rossion Q1 winding my way up a 270-degree decreasing radius on-ramp that shoots straight onto Florida's I-95. As Spuhler has put more miles on Rossions than anyone else alive, and I'd been in the car all of 15 minutes, I decided that 65 mph was a nice, sane, journalist-safe speed. Even in fourth gear there was enough twin-turbo'd torque to get me to 80 mph by the end of the ramp. Truth is, I could've done the deed at 75 mph in third, if not much, much faster. Gallery: First Drive: Rossion Q1 Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Ferrari 458 Italia: Maranello releases more details, pics and video footage August 27, 2009 at 12:39 pm Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari Ferrari 458 Italia - Click above for high-res image gallery The Frankfurt Motor Show is fast approaching, but rather than hit the brakes as they would for an approaching corner, Ferrari is pulling out all the stops. In gearing up to unveil their new 458 Italia at the show next month, Ferrari is giving us a little more each week. We've already seen the first batch of shots, downloaded the ringtone and heard the company's brand and technical directors talk about the car; now Maranello has released an additional video of Paolo Pininfarina of the eponymous design studio talk about the car's styling, and with it released a new batch of interior, motion and studio shots. Always eager to adopt lessons learned on the grand prix circuit into its road cars, Ferrari has further centralized the controls onto the Italia's steering wheel. What we'd usually find on column-mounted control stocks has apparently all been moved to the steering wheel's fascia, including the turn indicators, headlamps and windscreen wipers - in addition to the chassis setting switch and ignition button, while redundant stereo controls move to the back of the wheel ahead of the even larger shift paddles. There's also a new Vehicle Dynamic Assistance system to monitor operating temperatures and tolerances of the engine, gearbox, brakes and tires and alerts the driver to whether the car is warming up, overheated or ready to go. Check out the images in the gallery below and read all about it in the press release after the jump - which is where you'll also find the video interview. Oh, and don't forget to stay tuned for the next segment, as Ferrari says it will include an interview with Michael Schumacher! Thanks for the tip, Patrick. Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia [Source: Ferrari] Continue reading Ferrari 458 Italia: Maranello releases more details, pics and video footage Ferrari 458 Italia: Maranello releases more details, pics and video footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern August 27, 2009 at 12:20 pm Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Scion, Toyota 2009 Toyota Matrix -Click above for high-res image gallery Toyota has begun working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 95,700 vehicles with a brake issue that could lead to poor stopping at low temperatures. The recall involves 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models and 2008-2009 Scion xD models with the 1.8-liter engine, and only customers in 19 cold weather states are eligible for the recall. Toyota says the problem may arise when condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port seeps into the brake system vacuum port and freezes. As ice accumulates, the brake vacuum port could plug up and "power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances." That doesn't sound good. Owners of affected vehicles will soon receive a notice from Toyota, followed by instructions to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for no-cost repairs. Dealer technicians will install a newly designed intake air connector that relocates the brake system vacuum port, a one-hour procedure. While it's definitely a good thing that Toyota caught this issue as soon as it did, we have a bit of an issue with the fact that the recall is only for cold weather states. It's not like a Corolla or Matrix can't cross state lines during winter, and nobody deserves to be met with brakesicles when they try to stop. Hit the jump to pour over Toyota's press release. Gallery: 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Harder Core: 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260 August 27, 2009 at 11:58 am Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260 - click above image for high-res gallery The Lotus Elise/Exige twins are quickly becoming the Porsche 911s of Britain. Or are they British Mustangs? In other words, totally fantastic sports cars with so many special variations that only the idiot savants among us can keep up and keep track. Case in point: meet the new for 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260. What is it? A faster, stiffer and - you guessed it - lighter version of the already impossibly quick, nimble and skinny Exige S introduced in March of this year. Power remains the same (257 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque from the supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota inline-four) but remember what Lotus founder Colin Chapman said: "Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." With that in mind, the Cup 260 not only makes use of the 84 pounds of weight savingsthat the skeletal Exige S lords over the base Exige, but sheds further kilos of flab through some pretty aggressive dieting. Extensive use of carbon fiber saves another 26 pounds, lightweight components (battery, wheels, subframe, fly wheel, rear-window delete, supercharger U-bend pipes) chop off a further 48 pounds. In fact, Lotus says the wheels are the lightest ever fitted to a production car. Ripping out other useless junk like the carpets, rearview mirror, sun visors and the like sheds another 10 pounds. Add it all up and you're left with a car that weighs just 1,958 pounds, slightly more than half the weight of a Chevy Camaro SS (3,857 lbs). And where the 426 hp Camaro can hit 60 mph in five seconds, the lithe little Lotus can do it in four ticks flat, thanks in part to an all-new launch control system but also because it doesn't weigh anything. The 30% stiffer rear-end coupled with the two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers means the Exige Cup 260 should handle even better than all the numerous Exiges that came before it. Price? Nothing is set in stone (ha ha) about the U.S. MSRP but $80K seems about right - provided Lotus decides to import it. Full press release after the jump, high-res gallery splendor below. Gallery: 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260 [Source: Lotus] Continue reading Harder Core: 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260 Harder Core: 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world August 27, 2009 at 11:31 am Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials Volkswagen's Stefan Jacoby has his sights set on turning the German company into the largest automaker in the world. Oh, and he also plans to turn a profit in the process. Perhaps someone should remind him how that's gone for Toyota and General Motors over the last few decades? Just like any proper plan to attack the global automotive market, VW's strategy includes introducing new models aimed at the heart of the market, including a new American-made midsize sedan targeting the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion. In fact, Volkswagen aims to refresh its entire lineup by 2011, and that product renaissance will reportedly entail a revised New Beetle and Jetta that are specifically tasked with catering to American automotive tastes. Also in the pipeline is a new seven-seat CUV that will go head-to-head with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Chevy Traverse, though a pickup apparently isn't in the cards. We're not sure where that leaves the automaker's subcompact Up!, but Jacoby did mention that smaller models are under consideration. Of course, if VW is going to play on the same level as Toyota and the rest of the gang, quality is going to need to be up to snuff, and that's something Jacoby says the automaker is working to improve. The trick will be accomplishing all of these assorted goals while maintaining VW's status as a desirable nameplate among image-conscious buyers. "It's not our intention to make VW a boring brand," he says. Pretty ambitious plans... what could possibly go wrong? [Source: The Detroit Free Press] VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Saab spills at least a few beans about its forthcoming 9-5 [w/new pics] August 27, 2009 at 11:00 am Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Technology, Saab 2010 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery It's been about a month since a batch of photos of the new 2010 Saab 9-5 showed up online thanks to a leaky German magazine. With only three weeks to go until the Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab has just dropped a press release and a fresh batch of images of its new flagship. With a profile that will be immediately recognizable to Saab fans of yore, the new 9-5 sedan moves to General Motors' new Epsilon II platform along with the Opel Insignia and Buick LaCrosse - despite the fact that Saab is in the midst of divorcing GM in favor of a relationship with Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg. Sticking with another Saab tradition and reinforcing a growing industry-wide trend, all available engines in the 9-5 will be turbocharged, ranging from a 1.6-liter gas four banger to the 2.8-liter V-6 found in the 9-3 Turbo-X and the new Cadillac SRX crossover. The two engines available from day one will both be 2.0-liter four-cylinders - one running on gas, the other diesel. The petrol 2.0-liter will later get a flex-fuel E85 option as well. The 2.0-liter gas and BioPower engines as well as the 300 horsepower 2.8-liter V6 will also get the Haldex XWD ('Cross-Wheel Drive') all wheel drive system. Perhaps drawing on the company's admittedly shopworn 'Born From Jets' slogan, options for the new 9-5 will include a heads-up display (dubbed 'Pilot HUD'), as well as 'DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-time damping control,' three-zone HVAC, and bi-level Xenon headlamps. Interestingly, the 9-5 will get a keyless entry/start feature, but in order to honor tradition, the start button will be between the seats (where the ignition key cylinder was traditionally located). Check out the new images in the top gallery below and the press release after the jump. Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5 Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5 Leaked Again [Source: Saab] Continue reading Saab spills at least a few beans about its forthcoming 9-5 [w/new pics] Saab spills at least a few beans about its forthcoming 9-5 [w/new pics] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments VIDEO: More views of the Mini Coupé Concept has us looking forward to Frankfurt August 27, 2009 at 10:29 am Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Videos, MINI The Mini Coupé Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery We just saw shots of the new Mini Coupé Concept for the first time yesterday and Mini has now released a bunch of B-roll footage of the diminutive machine ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut. There aren't any shots of the two-door in motion yet, but you get plenty of beauty shots from a variety of angles - including more interior imagery. One thing is becoming clear with this coupe, if you are one of those people not enamored with the design trend toward high waistlines and low lids, this will not be the car for you, at least in coupe form. If an open top speedster shows up as rumored, however, you may want to reconsider. We're thinking that a John Cooper Works speedster with that lovely 208 horsepower turbocharged four could be a really sweet summertime ride. Check out the video after the jump and the high-res shots in our gallery below. Gallery: MINI Coupe Concept [Source: Mini] Continue reading VIDEO: More views of the Mini Coupé Concept has us looking forward to Frankfurt VIDEO: More views of the Mini Coupé Concept has us looking forward to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles? August 27, 2009 at 10:01 am Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, UK Japan's Nikkei has reported that Toyota is will cut production by 10% in its next fiscal year, from ten million to nine million vehicles. To do that, Japan's largest automaker is said to be shutting down an entire production line in its home country for a year-and-a-half starting next spring. There is also speculation that Toyota will shut down a production line in the U.K. as well. The news come even as Toyota has been putting out more cars due to global scrappage schemes and incentives, and some of its products, like the Lexus HS 250h, can't be made fast enough. If Toyota does cease production on both lines and close the endangered NUMMI plant in California, that will eliminate 700,000 cars from its annual tally - which would mean more painful measures to be taken, according to the Nikkei report. But unlike its Japanese compatriots at Honda and Nissan, Toyota is still writing in red ink, and it doesn't expect to fully turn the corner in the near term. Toyota's official statement is that it hasn't yet decided on the depth of the cuts. [Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty] Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments REPORT: Chrysler to display at Fiat booth in Frankfurt August 27, 2009 at 9:30 am Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Fiat Chrysler Deputy CEO Jim Press arrives on stage at the 2009 New York Auto Show in a Fiat 500 Ever since the deal for Fiat to effectively take control of the troubled Chrysler group took effect, we've harbored a lot of questions over how the two companies would interact. With Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne taking the big office in Auburn Hills, some speculated that the two automakers would, in essence, merge, while others looked to Nissan and Renault chief exec Carlos Ghosn as a potential example - that is, keeping the two companies allied but run separately. Well, we may have our first glimpse at the answer with reports that the two automakers will be displaying together as one unit at next month's upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Both Chrysler and Fiat have a history of making big splashes at auto shows, and Frankfurt will be the first major car expo since the alliance was reached. Chrysler, for the most part, has kept a low profile since emerging from bankruptcy two months ago. And according to the latest reports, Chrysler will be limited to a section of the Fiat stand. Whatever approach Marchionne takes towards his two charges in Frankfurt, you can bet everyone will be taking notice. [Source: The Detroit Bureau] REPORT: Chrysler to display at Fiat booth in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Sebastien Loeb's people in touch with USF1 August 27, 2009 at 8:58 am Filed under: Motorsports New-for-2010 Formula One World Championship entrant USF1 has stated several times its commitment to finding American drivers. That was, at least, until representatives for five-time World Rally Championship-winning driver and Frenchman Sebastien Loeb called to make some inquiries. At the moment this is just questions, two sides exploring what might be possible. But USF1 sporting director Peter Windsor did say, "We are looking more on the American side but are going to take him seriously." On the other side, Citroen, the team Loeb drives for, has several times tried to put down just such speculation. The last time there were rumors of a switch to F1 for Loeb, both Loeb and Citroen said it was nothing. Citroen hasn't said anything about this latest news, but Loeb said he's "on the verge of extending [his] contract with Citroen," and that this is just about filling in when the F1 and WRC schedules don't conflict. Not long ago it would have been considered absurd to have a part-time driver that just shows up for race weekends, and it would be pretty unusual even now. But with the in-season testing ban, it won't make as much difference as it used to. And besides, he probably couldn't be worse than Luca Badoer is at the moment... Hat tip to James! [Source: F1 Live | Image: Roni Rekomaa/AFP/Getty] Sebastien Loeb's people in touch with USF1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments AutoblogGreen for 08.27.09 August 27, 2009 at 6:57 am Yes, you can put a Chevy Volt under water Just one more way GM is thinking about every possibility for what might go wrong with its ER-ER. Jay Leno's Green Racing Challenge will use Ford Focuses Advertiser friendly? Indeed. DOE launches $1 million Hydrogen Prize Didn't they drop H2 funding? Other news: REPORT: Think electric cars to be made in Finland alongside Fisker Karma REPORT: Lexus to drop non-hybrid RX, LS and GS in UK REPORT: public demonstrations of EESTOR's sectretive EESU next month? AutoblogGreen for 08.27.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments   This email was sent to carsblog1@yahoo.com.sg.  Create Your Account Don't want to receive this feed any longer? Unsubscribe here.