Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: AutoblogGreen for 11.23.07

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green


Well, if you're reading this as it goes live on the site, that means you're not out shopping on Black Friday like a maniac. Nice. Instead of dropping dough at the mall, why not think about what to do with all that oil left over from yourr deep-fried turkey (hint, it involves biodiesel) or turning a Mini into a piece of art.

• Thanksgiving thoughts: biodiesel from a deep-fried turkey
• Waiting for the diesel Accord? Check out the current Euro-spec Accord diesel
• LA Auto Show videos: Lohner Porsche, Hyundai's QarmaQ
• PSA sends a Peugeot 307 Hybride to the Challenge Bibendum
• Doing it again: A Mini is becoming a piece of art
• What goes around comes around (as art) with the junk scooter
• Alfa Junior named "Furiosa"
• Australian Labor Party commits to $500 million in hybrid funding

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: An Aston Martin built outside of the UK? Rapide likely to go elsewhere

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Aston Martin, UK


With sales of Aston Martin's existing sports and GT lineup continuing at a strong clip, the question of where to build the new Rapide four-door becomes more problematic. For a company that is still relatively low-volume (7,000 cars last year) like Aston, investing in tooling for more capacity is difficult. That's where contract builders come to the rescue. Aston is reportedly talking to Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna-Steyr and Valmet about assembling the new car, with a decision due by the end of the year. Even though Aston Martin is one of the most quintessentially British brands, having one of these companies build the new car probably won't hurt too much. They've assembled vehicles for the likes of Porsche, BMW and many others without doing much harm to their reputations.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Goodwood racing book wrapped in rubber

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.


Assouline Publishing has created this treat just in time for the most wonderful time of the year. Racing Style pictorially celebrates the Goodwood Revival, which, in turn, is a modern day celebration of the cars that raced at Goodwood during the 40's, 50's, and 60's, with modern drivers dressed in period clothing.

Even though we haven't seen one print inside the book, we love it for the case alone: real rubber, real tread. That's a book for a car lover. The price -- well, not so much: $300. You can get the book without the rubber sleeve for $70 -- but then it's just another racing book, eh? We know somebody somewhere owes us a Christmas gift...

Thanks for the tip, JW!

[Source: Sybarites]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog
John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he'll bring his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

DRIVING A FUEL CELL EQUINOX
By John McElroy

I think I'm going to puke if I have to go to another auto show that promotes itself as the "greenest" of them all. These days, every auto show in the world claims to be more concerned about the environment than any of the others. And LA was no different.

But I have to grudgingly admit that I learned a good bit of green stuff at the LA show.

The highlight was getting to drive a fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox. I'm one of the few people in the media that got to take this vehicle out for an extensive test drive, going from the LA Convention Center over to the historic home of Capitol Records where I did an interview with Eliot Scheiner, the Emmy award-winning record producer who is working with Panasonic and Acura to develop 5.1 surround sound for automotive applications -- but that's another story. Back to the fuel cell Equinox.Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Golden Anniversary Daytona 500 to be paced by gold Z06 Corvette

Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet


The Corvette is no stranger to being used for pace car duty, having led racers around tracks like Indy countless times over the years. Come February, NASCAR will be staging its flagship Daytona 500 race for the fiftieth time, and the two-seater from Bowling Green will be making regular trips out the track to create the appearance of competition whenever an empty beer cup or stray hot dog wrapper lands on the racing surface. In honor of the anniversary status of next years race, the Z06 pace car will blind onlookers with a special, super-blingtastic gold paint job.

[Source: Orlando Sentinel]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: UK's most senior cop in court for speeding

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Police/Emergency, UK

For years it seems there was an unwritten code among law enforcement officers stating that you didn't give a shield-wearing brother a speeding ticket unless his offense was really bad. Beyond bad, even. That doesn't appear to be the case in the UK, as the chief constable of South Yorkshire has been cold busted going 90 in a 60 mph zone. Britain's Med Hughes stepped down after the court hearing, but he states that his decision to walk away from his post of top traffic cop had nothing to do with his lead foot. To that we give a hearty, "Right-o, chap." Of course as the chief constable, Mr. Hughes preached stringent speed enforcement. The now-defunct top traffic cop even lobbied for hidden speed cameras, which would keep speeds down while racking up big fine money for the department. If Mr. Hughes feels slighted or embarrassed, we'd like to welcome him to our club. As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up. We're sure he'll find it all to be very novel.

[Source: Top Gear]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay Find of the Day: 1964 Pontiac Banshee Prototype XP-833 Coupe

Filed under: Auction Action, Pontiac

Hit the picture above for a high-res image.

A truly one-of-a-kind Pontiac popped up on eBay recently. The "Buy it Now" price of $1.3 million says it all. The car is a 1964 Pontiac Banshee Prototype XP-833 Coupe. It is one of two roadgoing Banshee prototype cars designed by John Delorean, although this particular offering is the only one left standing today. The deceased prototype was a white convertible powered by a V8. The existing XP-833 Coupe features a straight 6 cylinder overhead cam engine mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission and is claimed to weigh in at 2,200 lbs. The Banshee project was cancelled due to its encroachment on Corvette territory. However, it is apparent that Corvette engineers paid note to Delorean's concept as future Vette models are stylistically similar.

The car would make the ultimate addition to any collector's garage. Its design appears to have good balance with a wide rear stance, minimal overhang past the rear axle and an engine set far back in the engine bay. Another interesting feature of the design is the bump in the center of the hood that appears to be necessary in order to provide sufficient clearance for the engine's huge cam gear. Check the gallery below for pictures from the listing.

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: 1964 Pontiac Banshee Prototype XP-833 Coupe


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[Chris]

Too right the Wanker..

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Meet the production Ford Kuga

Filed under: Spy Photos, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford


We got our first look at the Ford Kuga in concept form at September's Frankfurt Motor Show and it looks like the production model won't be straying very far, stylewise. The Kuga should land in European Ford dealerships in spring 2008 powered by a variety of engines, including Ford's latest 2.0L turbodiesel. With the Escape bearing much more of a resemblance to Ford's truck lineup, if the team in Dearborn really wants the Mercury Mariner to be more upscale they would bring this design over as its replacement. Hell, just make this the new Escape and forget about Mercury. The Kuga will probably debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March alongside the Fiesta/Verve.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Land Rover Defender SVX unveiled in Britain

Filed under: SUVs, Euro, Land Rover, UK

Click image to enlarge

Land Rover is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a UK-only special edition Defender 90 they're calling the SVX. (No, it doesn't look like a Subaru.) The SVX is a 200-vehicle limited edition (140 convertibles, 60 hardtops) that also happens to be the swankiest version of the short-wheelbase Defender yet. As evidence of this, note the bright metallic grille surround, clear lamps, silver roll cage and spiffy wheels. Inside, Recaros, an upgraded stereo (iPod cradle, subwoofer, etc.), Garmin navi, and alloy shift knobs continue the glitzification. Not to worry, though. Just because this Defender's been to the haberdashery for some new duds and accessories doesn't mean it's any less capable. Like its more casually-attired kin, if the going gets rough (literally), it's good to go.

[Source: Land Rover]Continue reading Land Rover Defender SVX unveiled in Britain

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Christmas gift ideas for McLaren fans

Filed under: Motorsports, Toys

Christmas is just around the corner, the shopping season officially kicked off today, and McLaren (perhaps borrowing yet another page from Ferrari?) has come up with some really pricey tschotskes for the Formula 1 fans on your gift list. The team's online store has several items like this hand-painted 1/12 scale replica of the MP4-22's nosecone that shows the car's aerodynamic setup in detail. This little dust collector will set you back $139. If that's no good, (or you simply have a lot more money than brains) you can fork over a certifiably insane $2,500 for a replica steering wheel made of carbon fiber, complete with working buttons and everything. No, it won't work with your car (or even your PS3 for that matter), nor will it make the desk you display it on any faster. If you're itching to rack up some more credit card debt, McLaren'll be happy to help you in that endeavour.

[Source: McLarenshop.com]Continue reading Christmas gift ideas for McLaren fans

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: No, you can't afford it: Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Rolls-Royce

Click image for photo gallery

Well, this makes the one I had seem almost pedestrian. I'm talking about the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten, the latest limited-production saloon from RR's Bespoke Collection. The total number of cars being built is unclear, but it's confirmed that six of them are headed to the Middle East, where they'll be snapped up instantly. If the color scheme looks familiar, it's because it mimics that of the 101EX concept. The Darkest Tungsten paint makes its first appearance ever on a production Roller, and the big boy also wears the same seven-spoke wheels as the concept coupe. Other exterior cues appearing on the Tungsten are a brushed aluminum hood similar to the one available on the Drophead Coupe and cool-looking exposed chrome exhaust outlets.

Inside, you get Smoke Grey leather piped with navy accents, Rosewood veneers, and metallic trim accenting the top of the instrument panel and the thin-rimmed steering wheel. Even the engine gets a dress-up kit. The pi&egrave;ce de r&eacute;sistance is the starlight headliner, which uses hundreds of fiber-optic lights to create a virtual starfield above the backseat passengers. Limo companies already do this in prom night cheesemobiles, though, so maybe next time Rolls can up the ante by incorporating a full planetarium back there. You know, with the Pink Floyd laser light shows and everything. They can maybe call it the Nick Mason Edition. Anyway, I digress. Tungsten owners get a pair of silver keyfobs and a fountain pen in a spiffy matching Rosewood box, too. Cost is unknown, but if you can afford it, you're not even asking about the price, anyway. You're simply calling your man at the Rolls dealer and making it happen.

Thanks for the heads-up, JW!

[Source: Rolls-Royce via Sybarites]

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay Find of the Day: Vortec powered Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster replic

Filed under: Auction Action, Videos, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click the Lambo replica for a high-res gallery

For fans of the legendary Countach, the current Murcielago is its true successor and perhaps the last of the "real" Lamborghinis. It still has the longitudinal V12 with the transmission sitting in front of the engine between the seats and the obligatory scissor doors. However, that $300,000 price tag puts it well out of range for mere mortals. For the rest of us, Minnesota-based Vigness Motorsports has cobbled up this replica currently on offer on eBay.

On the outside, the creators have done a pretty masterful job of replicating the original, with none of the odd proportions you so often find on these types of machines. It even features the pop up air intakes on top of the rear fenders to feed air to the engine. It's only when you look at the interior and under the engine cover, that you see the limitations of doing such a vehicle on a limited budget. The interior almost makes you long for the cheap plastic of a Jeep Compass. While twelve cylinders may be a bit much to ask for, something at least a little better than what appears to be an old throttle body-injected GM truck engine should probably be installed in the back end. If you have to go cheap, at least go with an older pre-emissions carbureted motor. On the upside, the front air suspension can lift the nose over speed bumps and steep driveways. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: eBay via CarScoop]

Gallery: eBay find: Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster replica

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Vortec powered Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster replica

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: A Towering Figure: Schumacher lends name to skyscraper in Dubai

Filed under: Etc.
Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Michael Schumacher, a veritable landmark in motor racing history, is to become an actual landmark.
To enable Schuey to continue to tower over the rest of the field, so to speak, a German company undertaking construction projects in the Gulf emirate of Dubai is building the Michael Schumacher Business Avenue. The construction project is to be highlighted by a 29-floor dual-purpose commercial/residential tower. The champion himself is expected to fly out to Dubai - where he already has his own island - to kick-start the project, which is expected to begin construction within the next three months.
Believe it or not, Schumacher won't be the first German-speaking, former Ferrari-driving, multiple-world-championship-winning F1 driver to get a complex named after him in the Dubai development: the Niki Lauda Twin Towers are located nearby.
[Source: Motor Authority]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Prodrive closing its doors in the U.S.

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Subaru

Word filtered down this week through the interweb that Prodrive's operations in the U.S. would cease to exist when the 2007 calendar year concludes. Prodrive America has been around for over five years, mainly supplying Subaru enthusiasts with all the necessary gear to flog road courses and plug holes on rally stages. There's no word as to why Prodrive is pulling out of the U.S., but to all its employees, we wish them the greatest of luck on their future endeavors.

[Source: Driving Sports via Straightline]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Celebrating four decades of Hethel-built Loti: Limited-edition Lotus Elise

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Lotus

Click the image above for more shots of the 40th Anniversary Lotus Elise.

To commemorate 40 years of dutiful production at the Lotus plant in Hethel, our favorite purveyors of minimalist motoring will be offering 50 lucky customers the chance to pick up a celebratory Elise in a limited edition hue. The 40th Anniversary Elise S comes bathed in Burnt Orange paint, with a color-matched hardtop, rear diffuser, center console, air intakes and brake calipers. The matte-black wheels get some similar highlights, while the leather seats have orange contrasting stitching. Of the 50 vehicles built, 15 will go to Germany, ten are off to Switzerland, France and Belgium each get five, while Italy gets six and a few other countries get to fight over the remaining nine. The regional breakdown deserved note, as each country gets its own flag stuck on the front fender, but Lotus seems to be leaving out the one country in which its attempting to celebrate: the UK.

All the details are in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary

Continue reading Celebrating four decades of Hethel-built Loti: Limited-edition Lotus Elise S

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart to have 260 HP engine, Evo IX's AWD

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Mitsubishi, UK


It's been generally accepted that the sales success of the first generation Subaru Impreza WRX caused Mitsubishi to rethink its policy of keeping the Evo off U.S.-bound boats. The Evolution's introduction in the States was quickly followed by the STI's, and all was right in the AWD performance segment. Not quite. Mitsubishi needs a direct competitor to the base WRX and as we've seen already, the Ralliart moniker is coming back, and it won't be limited to a couple of stickers and 15-inch O.Z. wheels.

Some European journalists were assembled by Mitsubishi this week (likely an Evo X ride and drive) and it was revealed that a five-door version of the Lancer would be made available abroad sporting a 260 hp engine and the Evolution IX's all-wheel-drive system. If this is the same setup as the Ralliart Lancer we'll be getting in the U.S., that pegs the 2008 Subaru WRX with a 36 hp deficiency, not to mention the wizardry of the last generation Evo AWD system.

Also noted in the article were three different versions of the Evolution X that our friends across the pond will get in the coming years, with models creating 295 hp, 330 hp and 360 hp. No surprise, since they've been blessed with a number of FQ-models over the course of the Evo's lifespan.

[Source: 4Car]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Next gen. Vauxhall Vectra to get AWD, twin-turbo V6

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, GM, Saturn, Vauxhall
Here's what the Saturn Aura Red Line should be, courtesy of Vauxhall. The Vectra is being replaced by an Epsilon 2-based car called the Insignia. The Epsilon 2 will also serve as the basis for the second-generation Saturn Aura. That platform sharing will no doubt be good in workaday trim, but Vauxhall's turning up the wick for the Insignia VXR, and we're crossing our fingers that Saturn is hanging out in the gym with its cousin. The VXR will gain visual horsepower and there will be real output from the powertrain to back up the appearance. A twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 laying down 300 horsepower through the all wheel drive system that debuted with the GTC concept car in Geneva. The suspension will be able to cope with the power by using a revised version of the Vectra VXR's adaptive dampers, and the AWD system carries at least one limited slip differential. A 0-60 time in the mid 5-second range sure sounds good, as does the 165 mph top speed.

Just as exciting to us diesel-starved US consumers is the 2.9 liter V6 turbodiesel variant of the Insignia. The diesel packs a not-insignificant 247 horsepower, and both cars get a six-speed manual transmission standard. What will we do if both versions make it Stateside? We'd have a hard time choosing, but it would be amusing to see what Saturn calls the diesel. The Aura Grey Line? Brown Line? The Insignia VXR is about a year and a half away, with lesser models arriving sooner. Cost will be &pound;25,000 -- which we hope doesn't translate into a $50,000 range-topper Epsilon 2.

[Source: Auto Express]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Alfa declares a do-over: new hatch won't be called Furiosa

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo

One of the reasons that autocratic rulers don't open themselves up to democracy is because there's a good chance they won't get what they want. The ruler in this case is Alfa Romeo, which held an online poll to name its next car, and the winningest result was "Furiosa." It has been speculated that Alfa is furious with the name, and that, in the best tradition of unhappy autocrats, the results have been vacated: the car will not be named the Furiosa.

Alfa supposedly thinks the name is too close to the movie series The Fast and the Furious, and the company also objects on the grounds that the word "furiosa" connotes a woman who is angry and/or gay. Which, hypothetically, isn't the image they're trying to promote with the car. Now it is said that the car will appear during at the Geneva Motor Show with a name -- as yet undecided -- that begins with an "R." Any suggestions?

Thanks for the tip, Carlos!

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay find of the day: Coyote from Hardcastle & McCormick

Filed under: Auction Action

Click the image above to see hi-res pics of the Hardcastle & McCormick Coyote

The 80's was a good time for cars in prime time: Dukes of Hazzard, A-Team, Knight Rider, Spencer for Hire, Stingray, Miami Vice, and the oft forgotten Hardcastle & McCormick. It only lasted three years, but it had its fans -- or perhaps, in light of the short run and show's demographic, the featured car had its fans.

That car is one of the show's Coyotes, rescued from the MGM junk lot and restored using almost all of the original parts and according to show guidelines. The listing says it's DeLorean based, but the chassis is from Off Road Engineering and it doesn't appear to have a single DeLorean part on it. It was, however, featured in an episode, and it was jumped and has the tire marks to prove it.

A single seater with a 5-point harness, the Coyote looks Death Proof. It's also claimed to be pretty fast with its 1900-cc VW engine and Dellorto carbs -- but don't expect to go too fast too far: the car's only got a 2-gallon gas tank. Check out the pics below, and click over to eBay to place your bid.

Thanks for the tip, Marsh!

[Source: eBay via Pistonheads]

Gallery: Hardcastle & McCormick Coyote


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