Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster in the flesh

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Supercars, Mercedes Benz


It pains us to see a dead horse beaten so rigorously, but the folks at Mercedes have yet to stop. But then, they did paid a lot for that horse.

The SLR project that then-Daimler-Benz undertook in partnership with its F1 racing partner, McLaren, never went as well as hoped. Sales were disappointing, and although the car's performance put it into the upper echelons of autodom, it never succeeded at giving its competition a real run for their money. And at half a million bucks, it's a lot of money to run for.

Rather than cut their loses, Mercedes and McLaren have opted instead to turn out additional derivations. After the "standard" SLR coupe came the 722, which was widely derided for having ruined the ride with little additional benefit. A racing version, dubbed 722 GT, followed. Rumors circulated long ago that additional body-styles were under consideration - what are they talking about, a shooting brake? - but only the open-air version made it to production.

The SLR McLaren Roadster was revealed back in May, but this was our first chance to see one up close. Check out the gallery below for all the angles.

Gallery: LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Lotus blossoms from Elise/Exige to Eagle to Esprit

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Lotus

Large high-res gallery of all of the Lotus models available by clicking above

This week in LA, veteran Lotus development engineer Roger Becker told the assembled press about the changes we'll see in the Elise and Exige for 2008. He also talked a bit about some of the changes happening at the factory and even gave us some info about new models in the company's future.

The biggest recent news for Lotus was that the Elise SC and Exige S were given an optional power boost via a Magnuson-developed supercharger that raises horsepower from 190 to 218 or 240 depending on the application. Other changes were made to all 2008 model year cars in the lineup.

Aside from upgraded brakes and a few other tweaks, the biggest changes came inside, where a new security system has been installed that for the first time ever allows a single key for Lotus owners. As a nod to American driving habits, TPMS and a new information display were also added, because as Becker put it, we aren't too aware of when a tire is going down and need to have it pointed out. That line was delivered without missing a beat and expertly showed a typically dry British sense of humor. Funny guy. Follow the jump for individual model news and to hear more about the upcoming Eagle and Esprit replacement too!

[Source: Lotus]
Gallery: 2008 Lotus Elise and Exige

Continue reading LA 2007: Lotus blossoms from Elise/Exige to Eagle to Esprit

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Missed out on buying an Audi R8? You have one more shot

Filed under: Auction Action, Etc., Audi, Lifestyle

Neiman Marcus has its Christmas special holiday catalog offerings, and now Bergdorf Goodman (part of the Neiman Marcus Group) has something special of its own for the Xmas season: a specially-designed Audi R8 for auction.

The winner of the phone-in sealed bid auction will get to kit out an R8 with the help of architect and interior designer Tony Chi, who has designed the Park Hyatt in Shanghai and the MGM Grand's Skylofts in Las Vegas. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the charity of the winner's choice. Plus, the owner gets in early on the R8 queue, as well as getting to put together an R8 that no one else in the world has. Sounds like everyone wins.

Follow the jump to read the full press release.

[Source: Audi]
Continue reading Missed out on buying an Audi R8? You have one more shot

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Aston Martin & Prodrive working on V8 Vantage GT2

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin


When will it be enough? "Never" could very well be the answer for David Richards, the head of racing freelancers Prodrive and chairman of Aston Martin. The two companies under his thumb have been collaborating on the campaigning of Aston Martin racing cars in a growing number of endurance sports car competition classes in recent years. The DBR9, DBRS9 and Vantage N24 have been ripping it up in the FIA GT1, GT3 and GT4 classes, but as you may have noticed, the Aston Martin racing program lacks a car to enter in the GT2 level. Prodrive and Aston are planning to plug that hole and strive for an eclipsing domination of sports car racing with a GT2 racer based on the V8 Vantage.

A mule is currently undergoing testing, having run laps around the MIRA test track in England, up the hill at Goodwood, and was set for more work this week at a Michelin tire test in Spain. That most recent test session, according to Prodrive's Aston racing program, will give them a better idea about the project's future.

The prospect of another Aston Martin hopped up on steroids and storming the track has got us watering at the mouth, so watch this space for more news.

[Source: AutoWeek]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Mitsubishi to tackle touring car with WORKS-prepared Lancer race c

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Sedans/Saloons, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi will no longer be absent from the starting grid of the SCCA Speed World Challenge with the new WORKS-prepared SWC Lancer race car. The tuning company that specializes in tweaking EVOs, in a partnership with Mitsubishi North America, will be hitting the racetracks next year against Mazda, BMW, Audi, and more with two-time U.S. Touring Car champion David Brown behind the wheel. The car received new front and rear coilovers, two-piece rotors with Brembo calipers, a racing clutch and flywheel, and a fully built Mitsubishi inline-4 among other racing necessities. Pending its final homologation, it will race the full 2008 season in the Touring Car class. Follow the jump for the full details in the press release.
[Source: WORKS]
Continue reading LA 2007: Mitsubishi to tackle touring car with WORKS-prepared Lancer race car

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Fiat 500 named 2008 European Car of the Year

Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, FIAT

Hot on the heels of the announced winner of EVO's Car of the Year award comes the revelation from the bigger European Car of the Year, which bestowed the citation for 2008 to the impossibly charming Fiat 500. While EVO's, like Motor Trend here, is awarded by one magazine, the European Car of the Year is named by a collection of several major European publications in several different languages from several European countries.
As we reported earlier, the 500 made the short-list of seven finalists from a pool of 33 nominees. Ultimately the retro Italian hatch beat out some stiff competition from Ford (Mondeo), Kia (cee'd), Mazda (2), Mercedes (C-Class), Nissan (Qashqai) and Peugeot (308).
Not only did the 500 take it by a wide margin - 385 points to the runner-up Mazda2's 325 - but the recognition pushes Fiat even further ahead in the annals of the award's history. Fiat itself has won the contest no less than nine times, while its subsidiaries Alfa Romeo and Lancia add another two and one, respectively. Now if they'll only start bring the 500 stateside, it can start racking up the awards here, too.
[Source: Autovisie via Italiaspeed]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Mazda Design Challenge rendered in clay, sweat

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Mazda

Click the image above for a gallery of pics.

We were finally able to check out how the clay model of the Mazda Design Challenge winner was coming, and after two days of milling and scraping, Mallory McMorrow's design was beginning to materialize. Her vision of the 2018 Mazda3 began to look like an obvious choice considering how Mallory incorporated many of the "Flow" design elements that Mazda has debuted in concept form over the course of the last year, particularly the sweeping lines flanking the sides, the gaping grille and the tapered ducktail rear end.

The crew of designers and modelers toiling away at the full-size concept still has another seven days to complete the project, but we've already made the trek back to our respective homes. If you make it out to the last few days of the show and have pics of the finished product, send us tip so we can check out the results and share them with the rest of you.

In the meantime, you can head on over to our previous post about the winning design and peruse the gallery below.

Gallery: 2018 Mazda3 Design Challenge


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Back with a Vengeance: Schumacher takes all in comeback F1 test

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

The critics have been silenced, and silenced good.
Michael Schumacher retired a seven-time world champion, but his eighth title narrowly escaped him right down to the line at his farewell grand prix in 2006. Retiring after losing the championship two years in a row to a younger Fernando Alonso, many started asking if the driver that dominated the sport for so long still had it in his, ahem, "advancing" age.

Those pundits got their answer when Schumacher briefly returned to F1 in taking the wheel of the Ferrari F2007, this year's title-winning car, at an official FIA-sanctioned Formula One testing event in Spain this week. The focus of the event, the first since the end of the season, was to give the teams a chance to run the cars without traction control and with the standardized engine control unit (ECU), as mandated by the 2008 regulations.
Schumacher drove for the first two of the three day test session, and on both days his lap times sat at the very top of the time sheets. Unfortunately, spokespersons were quick to point out that this did not herald Michael's return to the grid, just a one-time event. So the rest of the drivers can sleep easier.
[Sources: Italiaspeed and Ferrari]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Autoblog picks the top 5 world debuts (VIDEO)

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Lincoln, Nissan


The 2007 LA Auto Show has come and passed, and the show acted as a North American catch-up for all the world-wide unveilings from Frankfurt in September. We saw the production F430 Scuderia, the Reventon, the Up!, and many other vehicles that first caught the public eye in Germany two months earlier. LA had its share of world debuts, like the all-new Sequoia, the Nissan Murano, and the Lincoln MKS. We looked over all the world debuts and came up with a video of our top five new introductions of the 2007 LA Auto show. We tried to figure into our decision both industry significance and enthusiast impact. Click play on the video above to check out where the new vehicles ranked, and hit the jump to chime in with your list as well.
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: AC Schnitzer GP3.10 natural-gas powered 3-series hits 318 km/h

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, BMW

Click the image above for more shots of the GP3.10 hammering around Nardo.

You might recall the AC Schnitzer crew trotting out a particularly gaudy BMW 3-series coupe in Frankfurt called the GP3.10, powered by a V10 engine pulled from the M5/M6 running off liquefied petroleum. While the styling of the Bimmer caused a few of us to inadvertently gag while patrolling the floor in Germany, it's performance potential - 552 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque - showed promise.

Fast forward a few months later, and according to the Schnitzer folks, the GP3.10 set the world record for the fastest gas-powered car in the world. The coupe was brought out to the 13-mile Nardo test track in Southern Italy where it laid down a terminal velocity of 318.1 km/h, or 197 mph. While that's a feat unto itself, even more surprising is AC Schnitzer's claim that some of the technology will filter down to the tuner's products in the future.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Gallery: AC Schnitzer GP3.10 at Nardo

Continue reading AC Schnitzer GP3.10 natural-gas powered 3-series hits 318 km/h

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spy Shots: Production Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, BMW, Hyundai, Lexus


What do you get when you cross a Lexus LS460 and and a BMW 5-Series (plus a health dollop of Toyota Crown -Ed.)? You get what appears to be the production Hyundai Genesis Sedan. The front end looks as though it was ripped right off of the most expensive Lexus, with a strikingly similar set of headlights, a spot-on grille, and similar bright work. Only the lower fascia wanders from the LS460. Out back it appears that Hyundai took a pass on the classic Lexus C-pillar, but the Korean automaker's designers were obviously fond of the BMW 5-Series.

The big difference between the Genesis Sedan and the vehicles it borrows from is that Hyundai likely has no intention of charging $60,000 for their RWD sedan. While we're generally not a big fan of derivative styling, the Genesis Sedan looks pretty good for a RWD V8 sedan priced in the $30,000 range.
Thanks for the tip, Jose!
[Source: bobaedream]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LA 2007: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine on display

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Tech, Audi

While browsing the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show we discovered Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine in all its 450 hp glory. It was perched on a stand in the Audi booth mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and was strategically displayed amongst the S6 and S8 sedans, which it powers. We remembered reading about this engine in the January 2007 issue of SAE's Automotive Engineering International, so we dug it out to give you a rundown of its specifications. The first thing that must be pointed out is that contrary to popular belief, this engine is entirely different from the V10 used by the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Lambo engine was designed for high RPMs, while the S6/S8 V10 was put together for high torque and fuel economy.
The 5.2L V10 is built for two different outputs between the S6 and the S8 applications. The S6 receives a version that puts down 435 hp at 7000 rpm and churns out 398 ft-lbs of torque, while the S8's creates 450 hp at 6800 rpm and also produces 398 ft-lbs of torque. The varying power numbers are achieved through both its exhaust design and tuning, and the differences in output equate to relatively similar power-to-weight ratios for both cars. Follow the jump for a detailed look at the display engine along with Audi's own renderings.
Gallery: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine


Continue reading LA 2007: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine on display

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Racer X Design KC-427 Concept offers modern interpretation of the Cobra

Filed under: Concept Cars, Time Warp, Tuners, Shelby

Nearly four years ago at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, Ford launched a Cobra Concept with a 6.4-liter V10 and a modern design twist of the classic two-seater. While it was cool to see a modernized version of the original, it still lacked the overall aggressive design of the original Cobra that so many people love. There weren't enough curves, and the front looked somewhat awkward.
Recently, Maltese design and tuning company Racer X Design launched renderings of what they call the KC-427 Concept. It has very similar lines to the original Cobra (especially the rear), but with sharper creases that give a modern appearance. Racer X Design hopes to have a full concept car out within a year, and to eventually produce a run of twenty.
[Source: Racer X Design via Serious Wheels]
Gallery: Racer X Design KC-427 Concept


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Top five upcoming tech gadgets for cops

Filed under: Gadgets, Government/Legal, Tech, Police/Emergency

Many criminals today have tools to evade capture, and now tech companies are doing their best to help law enforcement catch up. License-reading cameras, infrared lights, GPS tracking, enhanced communications, and WMD sensors are just a few of the ways that cops are helping to get criminals, but law-breakers are constantly adapting their methods. Popular Mechanics analyzed all the new technology that is helping the good guys catch the bad guys, and they've come up with a list of the most cop-friendly gadgets. You can check them out after the jump.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]
Continue reading Top five upcoming tech gadgets for cops

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: For shame! Cupholder option in new Lotus Exige S

Filed under: Coupes, Lotus


We were as taken-aback as the blokes over at Autocar when they discovered that the new, Performance Pack-equipped, Lotus Exige S came with an optional cup-holder. "It can't be true!" we screamed to the God of Oversteer, but it is, and although it's as minimal as it can get, it still seems like a dilution of a car (and a brand) that's made a name for itself producing focused, lightweight weapons for the track. Mr. Chapman is doing donuts in his grave and we're left shaking our heads.

[Source: Autocar]
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[stevorocket]

Looks like a carbon fibre thong......

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Nissan GT-R Gran Turismo-inspired video display in action

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Videos, Supercars, Nissan

click above image to view video of the Nissan GT-R's display in action

Our friends from Fast Lane Daily had the opportunity to get intimate with Nissan's US-spec GT-R at the 2007 LA Auto Show, and although we've gone over every nugget of info about Godzilla's engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive system, we haven't had the chance to check out all of the techy goodness that awaits the driver and his awe-struck passengers.

As reported before, Mr. Yamauchi and his team of crack UI geeks at Polyphony Digital designed the computer system that keeps track of nearly every facet of the GT-R's performance and internal systems. Four user-customizable presents display twelve different parameters on the dash-mounted screen, including everything from acceleration, braking and lateral g's, to oil temperatures, boost levels, torque split, and throttle and brake position. The list goes on, but we'll let the FLD crew take it from here. Make the jump for the full video and you'll find an overview of GT-R's display screen about 2 minutes in.Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan GT-R Gran Turismo-inspired video display in action

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Dead Again: WSJ says PT Cruiser indeed short lived

Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Hatchbacks, Chrysler


PT Cruiser fans who were relieved to hear only the convertible version would no longer be built may, after all, have reason to mourn. The Wall Street Journal, quoting a Chrysler dealership owner, says the retro-styled wagon-like CUV is again on the company's hit list.

No word on why Chrysler brass changed their minds or when the final PT will be built, but if you want a new one, you should probably take advantage of the soon-to-be-announced rebates soon. So, is it just a coincidence that the final special edition PT Cruiser will be the Sunset Boulevard Edition?

[Source: WSJ via All Cars All the Time]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: What are the ten greatest ALMS moments? You decide!

Filed under: Motorsports

Click on the photo to choose the ten greatest ALMS moments
The American Le Mans Series is coming up on its tenth season in 2008, and there has been some fantastic racing and memorable moments during the past several years. Even this past season there was some pretty incredible racing, starting with the fantastic GT2 finish at Sebring and ending with the Audi vs Porsche photo finishes at Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca.
Now the ALMS web site wants to know what its fans consider the greatest moments in the series' history. A poll on the ALMS web site has more than seventy moments listed from the past nine seasons, and allows you to select your favorite ten moments or submit a 'write-in' vote. The selections will be narrowed down to forty after two weeks, and then reduced by every ten weeks until January 11 when fans can rank the top ten. The final ten will be shown on the ALMS web site and during the television broadcasts of the races throughout 2008.
[Source: ALMS]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Water mafia fighting over the new Honda FCX Clarity

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Honda

The Honda FCX Clarity is hugely important because it represents an honest to goodness fuel-cell vehicle that is going to actually be built and sold in 2008. The significance of a vehicle that spits water out of its exhaust instead of carbon is lost on virtually nobody, and it looks like Honda will be the first out of the gate. Honda has created a clever commercial to show how important its new accomplishment is, and it involves a bunch of thugs shooting it out with water guns. It's good stuff, and you can view it by clicking the read link below.
[Source: YouTube}

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