Tuesday, January 31, 2012
2014 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Spy Photos: New Small-Block, Less Weight
Introduced as 2007 models, the current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup twins are due for a revamp. Our spy photographers (dressed like snow leopards, we hope) have nabbed several shots of both extended- and crew-cab versions during cold-weather testing. While it?s difficult to make out much in the way of design aside from [...]
All That for Nothing: NHTSA Closes Investigation into Chevy Volt Battery Fires, Finds Nothing to Worry About
Who could have predicted such an outcome? NHTSA has closed its nearly two-month investigation into the fiery deaths of some crash-tested Chevy Volts, concluding that “no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts.” Some more choice quotes from [...]
MSR takes first Daytona 24 Hours win
AJ Allmendinger held on to secure a maiden Daytona 24 Hours victory for Michael Shank Racing as Ryan Dalziel and the Starworks team edged closer in the final stint of the 50th running of the famous race. The #60 MSR Riley-Ford that Allmendinger shared with Ozz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson was a factor in an absorbing and ever-changing lead battle throughout the event, and despite the polesitting Starworks Riley-Ford driven by Dalziel, Lucas Luhr, Allan McNish, Alex Popow and Enzo Potolicchio keeping the pressure on to the finish, Allmendinger crossed the line 5.198 seconds in front after 761 laps of racing.
Richard Petty Motorsports Forms Nationwide Team for Michael Annett
“Nationwide Series Rising Star will drive the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang Full Time in 2012″ Richard Petty MotorsportsCONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2012) ? Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today the formation of a new NASCAR Nationwide Series team with driver Michael Annett and his long-time partner Pilot Flying J. The team will...more»
Rumormill: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo coming next March
Filed under: Hatchback, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury
In spite of the near-Pavlovian howling that commences anytime the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is mentioned, and in spite of the 5GT falling so short of its sales target that BMW has been forced to consider bringing back the 5 Series Touring, the ungainly hatch has outsold that wagon during its time on our shores. And that was before it got dressed up with an M Sport package.
It shouldn't be a surprise then that the 3 Series GT is still rushing our way, with a report on BMW Blog (not connected to the company) declaring it will be here in March 2013. BMW is promoting the hatchback 3 as "the alternative to alternatives, a style conscious car with the dynamic prowess to match its looks," which smacks of PR-speak veering dangerously close to Newspeak.
We'll find out soon enough, nevertheless, for the moment, the 3GT is claimed to offer the cargo capacity of the 5 Series sedan but with even more room for everyone's legs. It is predicted to wear a slightly different face than the rest of the 3 Series line and have frameless windows (the rendering on BMW Blog has frames). Power should be from the current 3 Series lineup of turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines.
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo coming next March originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsThis Is Not a Drill: Highway Lobby Trying to Push Transpo Bill Thru Congress
For the 112th Congress, the path to passing a new transportation bill has been full of starts and stops, partisan politics and low expectations. While Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently said he doesn’t expect a multi-year bill to pass this Congress, livable streets advocates should still be on alert in the weeks ahead. Momentum is [...]
WIX� Filters to be primary sponsor of Ryan Newman for four races in 2012
No 39 WIX Filters Chevy Impala SS driven by Ryan Newman - Stewart-Haas Racing�Shootout at Daytona, Sprint Cup Races at Phoenix, Darlington and Michigan round out schedule WIX� Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, announced today plans to be the primary sponsor for Ryan Newman of Stewart-Haas Racing for four races...more»
Monday, January 30, 2012
Toyota staying realistic for 2012
Toyota plans to use the 2012 season to show the pace of its new hybrid LMP1 car rather than aim for results at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship. The Japanese manufacturer revealed its petrol-electric TS030 HYBRID at Paul Ricard on Tuesday, but Toyota Racing team president Yoshiaki Kinoshita moved to temper expectations ahead of its first season competing against Audi for overall honours
Colin Monahan Named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) Colin Monahan has been named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced....
Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr
PATRICK HEAD STEPS DOWN FROM THE BOARD OF WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX HOLDINGS PLC
WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX HOLDINGS PLC Grove, UK. 31 December 2011 Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (Ticker: WGF1) today confirms that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will step down from its Board of Directors with immediate effect....
Raikkonen: I?ll need time to settle in
Kimi Raikkonen thinks it will still take him some time to fully return to his best in Formula 1, despite quickly settling back into the cockpit of a grand prix car at Valencia on Monday. The former world champion has begun a two-day test in a 2010-spec Renault R30 in a bid to reacclimatise himself with F1 machinery prior to his first run in the team's 2012 machine at Jerez next month.
Colin Monahan Named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) Colin Monahan has been named Marketing Coordinator at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced....
Rumormill: Expect Daimler's new plant to be right next to Nissan's in Mexico
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury
It was only a few weeks ago that Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche laid out his global sales vision for the brand, aiming to be the world's Number One luxury automaker by 2020 with 2.7 million annual sales. One component of that plan is building another plant in North America, and a report by the TheDetroitBureau.com indicates that the plant will be built in Aguascalientes, Mexico - right next to a Nissan assembly plant that's already there.
Nissan recently announced a two billion dollar expansion of its Aguascalientes facility to produce up to 175,000 units annually. According to the Bureau report, "the sprawling Aguascalientes complex has been laid out with the idea that the German maker will eventually participate." Daimler hasn't commented officially, but if it does happen, then that would give Daimler and Renault-Nissan two tie-up locations, the other being in Tennessee where Nissan will be making engines for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (a prototype for which is shown above).
One of the factors at the heart of the Mexico decision would be Mercedes' MFA platform, which supports the A- and B-Class vehicles soon headed here: that platform is also expected to underpin the production Infiniti Etherea. And if Renault-Nissan CEO can be believed, then a great deal more sharing between the two firms is an eventuality, and further up the food chain at that. Ghosn is reported to have said last year, "You'd be very surprised if in five or six years that Mercedes and Renault-Nissan had only cooperated on small cars."
Expect Daimler's new plant to be right next to Nissan's in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsToyota wraps up first TS030 test
Toyota completed on Friday its first full test with the new TS030 Hybrid car that will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.
Brooklyn DA?s Office Reviewing Mathieu Lefevre Hit-and-Run
The office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes will conduct a review into the death of cyclist Mathieu Lefevre, according to the borough’s top prosecutor for vehicular crimes.
Craig Esswein, chief of the vehicular crimes bureau, told Streetsblog that reviewing deadly traffic crashes is standard procedure. “Any time there’s a fatality the NYPD does their investigation, [...]
Craig Esswein, chief of the vehicular crimes bureau, told Streetsblog that reviewing deadly traffic crashes is standard procedure. “Any time there’s a fatality the NYPD does their investigation, [...]
Sunday, January 29, 2012
NASCAR?s Brian France Says ?Sport Is In A Very Good Place?
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2012) ? NASCAR and its stakeholders intend to build on the success of 2011 as the new season begins with the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 and other Speedweeks events at Daytona International Speedway. In his State of NASCAR remarks delivered during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor [...]
Tommy Baldwin Racing Taps Ryan Blaney to Compete in NASCAR Nationwide Series
“Blaney will run a combined NASCAR Nationwide and K&N Series schedule” Tommy Baldwin Racing Thumbnail LogoMOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 18, 2012) ? Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) signed Ryan Blaney to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). The 18-year-old will get behind the wheel of the No. 36 SealWrap Repair Tape Chevrolet and compete in six...more»
SEB, WEB AND SEB RED BULL RACING'S 2012 DRIVER LINE-UP
Red Bull Racing Thursday 5 January 2012 Red Bull Racing is pleased to confirm that S�bastien Buemi will continue his relationship with Red Bull as Red Bull Racing's test and reserve driver for 2012. The 23-year-old joins Sebastian Vettel and...
Ireland bosses want ?big? event
Circuit of Ireland Rally director Bobby Willis has vowed to bring Ireland's oldest and most famous motorsport event back to life when it runs as an Intercontinental Rally Challenge round in April. The April 6-7 event was officially launched in Belfast on Thursday, with confirmation that the rally will start with a stage around the shipyards from which the Titanic was launched 100 years ago in April. After what's certain to be a huge crowd-pleaser in front of the famous Harland and Wolff cranes, the crews will face a further 15 stages centred around Armagh
Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012
Pirelli has tweaked its tyre markings for 2012 to make the different compounds more visible for fans - with its wet rubber also getting a total revamp in their look. Although Pirelli has kept the four different coloured sidewalls ? red (super soft), yellow (soft), white (medium) and silver (hard) ? the Italian tyre maker has tweaked the design of the markings to make it easier to differentiate between the rubber
Key Motorsports Chevrolet Shelby Howard InternationalTrucks com Chevrolet
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5 Automatic Tested: Not Necessarily One for the Boys
Longer, lower, wider. Those words were a Detroit marketing mantra in the 1950s, when the original Volkswagen Beetle began its march to immortality here in the U.S. But of course the thing that made the Bug so lovable, and such a counterculture icon, was that it possessed none of those traits. Keep Reading: 2012 Volkswagen [...]
Ford team boss praises Solberg
Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson has praised his driver Petter Solberg's efforts in delivering a Monte Carlo Rally podium on the Norwegian's debut in a Fiesta RS WRC. Solberg returned to Ford during the closed season, coming back for the first time since he left for Subaru almost 12 years ago. Wilson said Solberg's performance and world champion pedigree shone through, despite limited testing ahead of the opening World Rally Championship round of the season.
Iron Horse Jeans Toyota Mike Bliss Key Motorsports Chevrolet
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Toyota expands Le Mans attack
Toyota has expanded its attack on this year's Le Mans 24 Hours from one to two cars, the manufacturer announced at the launch of its 2012 LMP1 car on Tuesday. The Japanese squad made the announcement of its revised programme as it unveiled the petrol-electric LMP1 hybrid at Paul Ricard in France
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell On Passing Of Joe Mattioli
Martinsville Speedway 65th Anniversary LogoMartinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell on the Passing of Dr. Joe Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway: ?Doc Mattioli was larger than life. His smile and personality took over a room when he entered. He left an indelible mark on our sport and his loss leaves a huge void. He set a...more»
FedEx Office Toyota Tony Stewart Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet
Name That Shifter, No. 59: 1979 Ford Fairmont ES V8
On Monday we presented this week?s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. Based upon the wide scope of guesses this week?but only one correct?we assume the shifter wasn?t the easiest to identify. This week?s mystery photo featured the 1979 Ford Fairmont ES V8?s four-speed [...]
Kevin and DeLana Harvick are pregnant
Via the couple’s Twitter Feeds @KevinHarvick Busy night! Excited to let everyone know the baby news! @KevinHarvick�Yes it does!?@JimmieJohnson: Now all of those random parenting questions make sense @KevinHarvick�So happy for you and @DeLanaHarvick.? @DeLanaHarvick Well the cat’s out of the bag! thank you all so much for the kind words. @KevinHarvick & I are [...]
The Weekly Carnage
The Weekly Carnage is a Friday round-up of motor vehicle violence across the five boroughs and beyond. For more on the origins and purpose of this column, please read About the Weekly Carnage.
A crash at Broadway and 97th Street injured a pedestrian and sent a cab into scaffolding. Photo:DNA
Fatal Crashes (2 killed this week, 11 [...]
A crash at Broadway and 97th Street injured a pedestrian and sent a cab into scaffolding. Photo:DNA
Fatal Crashes (2 killed this week, 11 [...]
Virginia Commonwealth University Ford Brian Scott BigSpot com Toyota
Tappan Zee Plans Flunk New York?s Smart Growth Test
The Cuomo administration’s plan for an extra-wide, transit-free Tappan Zee Bridge is exactly the kind of project that New York state’s smart growth law is supposed to prevent.
The Cuomo administration's draft EIS for the new Tappan Zee Bridge makes a mockery of New York's smart growth law.
Passed in 2010 under David Paterson’s administration, the Smart [...]
The Cuomo administration's draft EIS for the new Tappan Zee Bridge makes a mockery of New York's smart growth law.
Passed in 2010 under David Paterson’s administration, the Smart [...]
Petrov in frame for Pirelli test role
Vitaly Petrov is in the frame to land a test driving role with Pirelli for 2012 if he fails to land a race seat for the season ahead. The Russian, who has most recently been linked with a drive at Caterham following his dismissal from Renault at the end of last season, made a surprise appearance on Wednesday at a Pirelli press event in Abu Dhabi
Spindel Takes Pro Series Finale at Suzuka
In a breathtaking 53 laps around the virtual Suzuka International circuit, Emil Spindel held-off the advances of newly-crowned champion Atze Kerkhof to take his first victory in the iRacing.com Pro Series Road Racing (iPSRR). As the lights went green on the twelfth and final race of the season, CST Ajira’s Spindel saw his pole-position advantage immediately evaporate, as Martin Kr�nke in the My3id Williams-Toyota FW31grabbed maximum traction off the line to lead the field into Turn One. Also making a good start was Kerkhof, who forced his Team Redline entry beneath Spindel as the pair entered the first corner.� However, contact between the duo whilst heading to Turn Two sent the series champion sliding across the track and down to fifth position. With a clear track ahead, Kr�nke set about [...]
Friday, January 27, 2012
WIX� Filters to be primary sponsor of Ryan Newman for four races in 2012
No 39 WIX Filters Chevy Impala SS driven by Ryan Newman - Stewart-Haas Racing�Shootout at Daytona, Sprint Cup Races at Phoenix, Darlington and Michigan round out schedule WIX� Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, announced today plans to be the primary sponsor for Ryan Newman of Stewart-Haas Racing for four races...more»
5 hour Energy Toyota Tony Raines Long John Silver s Chevrolet
Marchionne: Chrysler C-Segment Hatch Back On, Could Be Called 100
The Chrysler product-planning department may want to avoid running for public office, lest they be labeled flip-floppers: After a confirmation followed by a cancellation, a Honda Civic?sized Chrysler is back in the company’s plans. Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, told the Detroit Free Press this week that such a car is happening, [...]
JD Motorsports Chevrolet Hermie Sadler III Virginia Commonwealth University Ford
Go Green Racing Signs Paul and Tim Andrews; Forms NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team
Go Green RacingGo Green Racing is excited to announce the addition of Paul and Tim Andrews to an already impressive list of talented crew members to Go Green Racing for the 2012 NASCAR season. Paul Andrews, a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Crew Chief, will lead the No. 19 Go Green Racing Ford Fusion...more»
William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin
Cecotto switches to Addax
Johnny Cecotto Jr will move to Addax, the 2011 GP2 team champion, for this year's campaign. Cecotto, who tested for Force India during Formula 1's young driver tests at the end of 2011, has contested two full-seasons of GP2 - racing with Trident in 2010 and Ocean Racing last year. The Venezuelan said he hopes the switch to Addax will allow him to fight for the title in 2012
New Lotus passes final crash tests
Kimi Raikkonen will definitely have his new Lotus ready for the first Formula 1 pre-season test after his outfit passed the last of its mandatory crash tests on Monday morning, AUTOSPORT can reveal. As the former world champion began a private test at Valencia in Spain in a 2010-spec R30, exclusive pictures of which can be seen here , sources have confirmed his Enstone-based team was completing the last of its crash tests. For the first time this year, F1 teams must pass the stringent FIA crash tests before they are allowed to run their cars on track - as opposed to only being required to do so for the first race of the campaign
Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge
GM Researching Interactive Window Technology for Back-Seat Passengers
Minority Report?style screen manipulation seemed so futuristic just a few years ago. Since then, video-game makers have released gesture- and motion-sensing peripherals, and similar in-car technology from Mercedes-Benz and Audi starred at this year?s Consumer Electronics Show. Now GM has entered the fray with a research project aimed at transforming a car’s rear windows into [...]
Robert Richardson Jr. Partners with The ALS Association
R3 MotorsportsLucky Fan to Win Pit Passes to Daytona 500 in ?Drive Away ALS? Campaign CHINA GROVE, NORTH CAROLINA (January 25, 2012) ? NASCAR driver Robert Richardson Jr. and The ALS Association have partnered together to bring ALS awareness to NASCAR fans and to raise funds to fight ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), often referred to...more»
Thursday, January 26, 2012
ES to run Vauxhall Vectras in 2012
British Touring Car squad ES Racing will run two ex-Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectras in the series this season. ES ran a single Chevrolet Lacetti for team boss Chris James last year. It recently announced that Dave Newsham will join James in 2012 and has now confirmed the duo will drive the NGTC-engined Vectras
The ?Cities for Cycling? Roadshow Rocks Chicago
“Cities for Cycling“�is a project of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) to document, promote and implement the world?s best bicycle transportation practices in American cities. As part of the Cities for Cycling program, bikeway design experts take their show on the road, using the streets of different U.S. cities as their classroom [...]
Lorenzo: CRT right future for MotoGP
Former MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo says he fully backs the sport's move towards lower-cost and lower-technology regulations, despite 2011 title-winner Casey Stoner saying he would consider quitting the series over it. MotoGP commercial chief Carmelo Ezpeleta has openly admitted that he sees the new Claiming Rule Teams regulation - under which lower-budget bikes with an element of production technology are permitted - as the world championship's future, prompting criticism from Stoner. But Lorenzo reckons Ezpeleta's plans are exactly what MotoGP needs.
Report: Next Land Rover Defender to be built in India?
Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Land Rover, India, Tata, Off-Road
When Tata's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover began to appear inevitable, the question "Would you buy a Jaguar made in India?" was oft repeated. Yet it looks like Land Rover will be the first of the two brands to try to benefit from this kind of Anglo-Indian synergy: a report in Autocar states that the 2015 Land Rover Defender will be built at Tata's plant in Pune, India.
The Defender is a truly old school body-on-frame SUV that sells in small numbers compared to the rest of the Land Rover line. But it has benefitted from technology, some regulatory gymnastics and exemptions and, like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, a warm place in people's hearts. If it's going to be around, though, LR would like to move more of them. Building the next generation model in Pune - with final assembly of some examples in England, a reverse of what's done now with products like the knockdown Freelander 2 (read: LR2) - could give the Defender's bottom line the boost it needs, as well as close proximity to Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
It is expected that the next Tata Aria SUV will be close enough in dimensions and manufacturing to share the same facility with the the 2015 Defender. They will remain two distinct vehicles - the Defender will likely go on the T5 ladder chassis that underpins the Discovery/LR4 and Range Rover Sport, and is predicted to have the general features of the DC100 concept. The current Defender is slated to remain on sale until 2017, and will likely be built in Solihull, England until then.
Next Land Rover Defender to be built in India? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsHarvick says wife is 14 weeks pregnant
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick said Wednesday night his wife is 14 weeks pregnant.
Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet
Q and A: Todt on the WRC?s future
FIA president Jean Todt met with the World Rally Championship media in Valence this morning to discuss the current promoter crisis in the series. The championship started its 2012 sesaon without a confirmed promoter or guaranteed television coverage after North One Sport's contract was terminated following partner company Convers Sports Initiatives' collapse into administration. Amid fears that the situation can set the sport back massively, Todt took time to give a lengthy press conference to address both the present crisis and the WRC's longer-term future
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
General Mills and The Kroger Co. Team Up with Elliott Sadler and RCR for the 54th Running of the Daytona 500
No 33 Kroger Chevrolet Impala SSRichard Childress Racing to field fourth entry for “The Great American Race” WELCOME, N.C. (January 25, 2012) – General Mills and The Kroger Co. announced today it will partner with Richard Childress Racing and veteran driver Elliott Sadler on the No. 33 Chevrolet for the 54th annual Daytona 500 on...more»
Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman
Stepping-Up in Class A
With only two weeks remaining in the the NASCAR iRacing.com Class A Series season, Michigan International Speedway hosted one of the most pivotal weeks of the season. With speeds well over 200mph, a comfortable feel for drivers was crucial. While some drivers stepped up their game to match the intensity of MIS, others lost ground at one of the worst times imaginable. One driver stepping up his game not only this week, but this season is Kile Gottula. Gottula leads the NiCAS Division One standings by a considerable margin, and he put his stamp on the championship this week in Michigan. Placing himself at the top of the charts at MIS all but l locks-up the California sim racer’s championship.� Although mathematically eligible, Steve Ritter would need a minor miracle [...]
Ogier?s co-driver hurts arm in crash
Sebastien Ogier's co-driver Julien Ingrassia is receiving treatment for what are believed to be minor injuries to his right arm following the stage-10 accident which put the Volkswagen crew out of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Report: Volvo looking for small car partner
Filed under: Volvo
There are drawbacks to being the property of a larger conglomerate, to be sure, but there are also benefits. Taking advantage of group buying power, shared developments costs and synergies with products from other divisions, for instance. And these are things that, since splitting off from Ford a couple of years ago, Volvo does not have at its disposal any longer.
That's why the Swedish automaker is looking for a partner with which to share development costs - specifically those attached to developing a new small car range. Volvo is presently preparing to unveil the V40 (teased in the picture above), a new five-door hatchback/sportwagon positioned against the increasingly lucrative market currently dominated by the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.
Whatever it is that Volvo needs to get its new projects off the ground and out on the road, apparently parent company Geely, the Chinese automaker that bought Volvo from Ford in 2010, doesn't have it.
Volvo looking for small car partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsYamaha and PETRONAS Conclude MotoGP Partnership
Yamaha Racing Sunday, 01 Jan 2012 As 2011 draws to a close it marks the end of a successful partnership between Yamaha's Factory MotoGP Team and PETRONAS....
FIA rules out WRC/IRC merger
FIA president Jean Todt says the possibility of Eurosport becoming the World Rally Championship promoter will not lead to a merger between the series and the Eurosport-owned Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The prospect of greater collaboration or a full-scale merger between the WRC and IRC has been mooted for several years, and with Eurosport favourite to take on the WRC promoting role, there was speculation that an agreement between the championships would move closer
FedEx Office Toyota Tony Stewart Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet
2012 CES: Audi?s Super Head-Up Display
While the Mercedes-Benz DICE concept at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show previews a super-futuristic cockpit that we found isn?t quite ready for the present, Audi showed off a similar system that seems much closer to reality. Sadly, the head-up display lacks a fancy acronym or portmanteau typical of the German automakers, but we were nonetheless [...]
Virginia Commonwealth University Ford Brian Scott BigSpot com Toyota
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
McLeod Wins Battle, Loses War
MADISON DOWN THE SERIES CHAMP AGAIN Just to add a little spice to the already-hot iRacing V8 Supercar Series finale, series points leader Madison Down was unable to front for the maximum points Monday Night Showdown at Road Atlanta due to pressing travel arrangements. While some would argue that it detracted from the event, leaving the series destiny at the mercy of an SOF points variable, it also meant that Mitchell McLeod and Rens Broekman, both trailing Down, would have a genuine shot at series victory. At the very least, the points gap would be minimal. Broekman drew first blood with pole position by a tenth of a second, which is a country mile in this series. McLeod put the Tatts.com Falcon on the front row. Mick Claridge made a [...]
Long John Silver s Chevrolet Joe Nemechek Gator com Chevrolet
Report: Volvo looking for small car partner
Filed under: Volvo
There are drawbacks to being the property of a larger conglomerate, to be sure, but there are also benefits. Taking advantage of group buying power, shared developments costs and synergies with products from other divisions, for instance. And these are things that, since splitting off from Ford a couple of years ago, Volvo does not have at its disposal any longer.
That's why the Swedish automaker is looking for a partner with which to share development costs - specifically those attached to developing a new small car range. Volvo is presently preparing to unveil the V40 (teased in the picture above), a new five-door hatchback/sportwagon positioned against the increasingly lucrative market currently dominated by the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.
Whatever it is that Volvo needs to get its new projects off the ground and out on the road, apparently parent company Geely, the Chinese automaker that bought Volvo from Ford in 2010, doesn't have it.
Volvo looking for small car partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMassachusetts Charging Hundreds to Fight Tickets, Win or Lose
Two hundred seventy-five bucks to fight a $15 ticket? Welcome to Massachusetts?and a properly lousy day for Vincent Gillespie (pictured). Back in July 2005, Gillespie received a parking ticket while he was walking to a parking-enforcement office to fight a ticket for the same infraction. After getting the duplicate citation thrown out, he wanted to [...]
2014 BMW X5 Spy Photos: Same Basic Package, New Proportions
The third generation of BMW’s big SUV is nearing its production launch. This prototype, caught in Munich by our spy photographers, looks almost production-ready despite the camouflage designed to obfuscate the vehicle’s lines. Keep Reading: 2014 BMW X5 Spy Photos – Future Cars
Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge
Hill: F1 will miss Barrichello
Damon Hill believes that Formula 1 will miss Rubens Barrichello if the Brazilian does not return to the grid after missing out on the Williams seat. Barrichello turns 40 this year and although he has always maintained his desire to continue to race in F1, with only one seat left open at HRT it is unlikely that he will be on the grid in 2012. Former rival Hill, who raced against Barrichello for seven seasons in F1, believes that he was a big part of the grand prix scene.
Volvo to Split S60 Lineup with T5 AWD Model
Volvo has added a new, lineup-splitting T5 AWD version of its S60 sedan, one of the brand’s few successful U.S. offerings. John Maloney, Volvo?s new U.S. president, revealed the information during an interview at the Detroit auto show. The T5 AWD announcement is hardly exciting stuff, but in light of recent subtractions from its U.S. [...]
Kenneth William Schrader Bradley Reed Sorenson Anthony Wayne Stewart
Mercedes: FWD Baby CLS in 18 Months, Three Models Based on A-class to Follow a Year Apart
The new president of Mercedes-Benz USA, Steve Cannon, has a tough task ahead. The former Army Ranger arrives just in time to oversee launches for the new SL and GL in 2012, as well as face lifts for other products. But the real challenge will be steering Mercedes into�compact-car territory in the States. In Europe [...]
Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne
Monday, January 23, 2012
Bentley Plug-In Hybrid Could Use V8 and/or W12; Final SUV Approval Expected Soon
Last August, we received a comprehensive download from Bentley chief Wolfgang D�rheimer about the brand and the technologies that will drive its cars well into the future. We sat down again with Herr D�rheimer at the 2012 Detroit auto show to get an update on the automaker?s plug-in hybrid system and the state of the [...]
riStar Motorsports Chevrolet Coleman Pressley R3 Motorsports Chevrolet
2013 Nissan GT-R Priced from $97,820; We Chart Godzilla?s Price, Power, and Performance Over the Years
The GT-R, Nissan’s twin-turbocharged hellion, has received upgrades each and every model year since it went on sale for 2009?and 2013 will be no different. Its price has been upgraded along with it: The 2013 GT-R will start at $97,820 for the Premium ?base? model or $107,320 for the uplevel Black Edition. Nearly (or more [...]
Hill: F1 will miss Barrichello
Damon Hill believes that Formula 1 will miss Rubens Barrichello if the Brazilian does not return to the grid after missing out on the Williams seat. Barrichello turns 40 this year and although he has always maintained his desire to continue to race in F1, with only one seat left open at HRT it is unlikely that he will be on the grid in 2012. Former rival Hill, who raced against Barrichello for seven seasons in F1, believes that he was a big part of the grand prix scene.
CUP: Stewart Keeping It Real For Patrick
Tony Stewart is managing expectations for new SHR teammate Danica Patrick...
IndyCar sure of DW12?s oval pace
IndyCar officials believe that the new DW12 chassis can 'easily' reach similar speeds to its predecessor on ovals following a two-day windtunnel test last week.
Lotus in IndyCar for 2012: Color Us Impressed (About the Colors)
Whither Lotus? Enthusiasts interested in the storied brand founded by Colin Chapman in 1952 have faced challenges following the brand?s thread over the past couple of decades, particularly when it comes to motorsports. Consider this past year in IndyCar. Lotus was a sponsor of KV Racing Technology’s IndyCars driven by Takuma Sato, E.J. Viso, and [...]
The Gel�ndewagen Lives: Mercedes-Benz G-class Face Lift and New G63 AMG on the Way
Now in its 33rd year, the Mercedes-Benz Gel�ndewagen?a.k.a. the G-class?is in better shape than ever. This comes after the plan hatched a few years ago to replace the military-derived vehicle with the GL-class, a modern seven-passenger SUV built on a stretched M-class platform. (The second-gen GL is due this year; info and spy photos are [...]
Kenneth Lee Wallace Michael Stephen Wallace Russell William Wallace Jr
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Photos: Busch Brothers #54 Monster Energy Camry Paint Scheme
Busch Brothers Join World Class Lineup of Monster Athletes to Announce Joining Monster Energy Team A collection of world class Monster Energy action sports athletes welcomed Kyle and Kurt Busch to the Monster Energy team today with the announcement of a multi-year agreement as primary sponsor of the team?s No. 54 Monster Energy Camry in [...]
BMW Confirms X4, Announces Nearly $900 Million Investment in South Carolina Plant to Build It
Today BMW announced that it will make a significant investment in its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant in 2012 to prepare it for production of the upcoming X4 crossover. We already predicted the new model was coming, but this confirms it. The X4 will be to the X3 as the X6 is to the X5?a less-practical [...]
2013 Chevrolet Corvette: 427 Convertible with Z06 Engine, 60th Anniversary Package
Chevy has confirmed that the 2014 model year will bring an all-new, seventh-generation Corvette. Until then, though, the bow-tie brand has put together a special Vette with a big-ass engine, as well as a paint-and-tape package to celebrate the nameplate’s 60th birthday. Keep Reading: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible – Official Photos and Info
Rebirth of the Hot Rod: Lost for a Half-Century, Edsel Ford?s Baby is Restored
Finding an old, forgotten car in a barn is central to collector-car lore. In this case, the barn was an old garage near DeLand, Florida. Inside, under a thick layer of dust, hid a one-of-a-kind car that had been created in 1934 for Edsel Ford, then president of Ford Motor Company. After decades of neglect, [...]
Richmond Menards Ford Mark Green Sons of Anarchy FX Network Chevrolet
Pro Series Finales Broadcasts on Tap
iRacing.com will broadcast the finales of the NASCAR iRacing.com Pro Series (NiPS) and iRacing.com Pro Series Road Racing (iPSRR) this week on Tuesday and Saturday.� In addition to crowning iRacing?s two newest Pro champions, the races will determine the final 25 qualifiers for iRacing?s upcoming online racing World Championship series, the 2012 NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship and the 2012 iRacing.com World Championship Grand Prix Series. First on tap is the NiPS finale at Kentucky Speedway at 9 pm (Eastern) start on Tuesday, January 17 (02:00 GMT January 18).� The race will feature 43 starters going for the final checkered flag of the season over 133 laps of the 1.5 mile speedway under the stars.� At the forefront of the competition will be the battle for the NiPS title.� Alex [...]
Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett
New Jersey appoints GP project leaders
New Jersey Grand Prix organisers have appointed the key men that will help lead the project into its first Formula 1 race next year. Tom Cotter, who was head of successful motorsport marketing agency the Cotter Group, has been appointed as the President of the race promoting company. He will work alongside former New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority CEO and President Dennis Robinson, who is joining as Chief Operations Officer.
Video: How Seattle buses get up snowy hills
Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos
Seattle has taken a white, snowy beating of late, but the city has made it a point to keep its bus services running. Not being the flattest city on record, Seattle's steeper inclines can present a challenge to municipal vehicles. One way around this is, apparently, to use a wrecker to push a bus up a hill.
To the casual eye, this looks like a potential avalanche of lawsuits; a single mistake could make a lot of people very unhappy. However, the practitioners seem so familiar with the act that it comes off as if it's a regular occurrence. Follow the jump to see the tandem in action.
Continue reading How Seattle buses get up snowy hills
How Seattle buses get up snowy hills originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRobby Gordon Dakar Rally 2012 Update, Appealing Penalty
Gordon to Appeal Robby Gordon and Team SPEED are shocked and disappointed by the interim decision by the race organizers of the 2012 Dakar Rally, and that decision has now been appealed to the governing body. The appeal will be decided several weeks from now, so Robby Gordon and the Team will continue to participate [...]
Saturday, January 21, 2012
AUTOS: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Scores With Million-Dollar Saturday Sales
Tucker Torpedo, Bentley Franay, Mercedes Gullwing among the prime-time cars selling for more than $2 million each.
Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III
Senna name returns to Williams F1 team 18 years on (PA SportsTicker)
By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Sports Writer
Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne
The Weekly Carnage
The Weekly Carnage is a Friday round-up of motor vehicle violence across the five boroughs and beyond. For more on the origins and purpose of this column, please read About the Weekly Carnage.
12-Year-Old Dashane Santana was fatally struck by a van driver while she was crossing Delancey Street at Clinton Street. The driver remained at [...]
12-Year-Old Dashane Santana was fatally struck by a van driver while she was crossing Delancey Street at Clinton Street. The driver remained at [...]
Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge
Q and A: Ford explains tyre gamble
Jari-Matti Latvala used a highly unusual tyre strategy to burst into a 30-second lead on the opening morning of the Monte Carlo Rally - running two studded tyres and two super soft slicks, but mounted diagonally from each other rather than the more customary front/rear or left/right arrangement. With Latvala leading Sebastien Loeb and his Ford team-mate Petter Solberg using an all-slick strategy to hold third, Ford tyre engineer George Black explains how the team came up with its plan. Q.
Red Bull Toyota Bobby Labonte Phoenix Construction Chevrolet Chevrolet
Ogier?s co-driver hurts arm in crash
Sebastien Ogier's co-driver Julien Ingrassia is receiving treatment for what are believed to be minor injuries to his right arm following the stage-10 accident which put the Volkswagen crew out of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Lotus pleased with engine progress
Lotus has declared itself pleased with the results of the first two tests of the engine that it will take into this year's IndyCar season.
James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya
Friday, January 20, 2012
Dieter Gass to reinforce Audi Sport
AUDI Motorsport Ingolstadt, December 19, 2011 - New position: Head of Racing Commitments - Engineer is returning to Audi family - Experience from eleven years in Formula One Audi is tackling the 2012 motor sport season with an extended leadership...
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III
Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Prototype Drive: A Highway Hybrid?
While in Japan for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, we visited Honda?s Twin Ring Motegi racing facility to see some of the company?s future products. Among them was a plug-in hybrid system, a prototype of which was installed in a current-generation Accord. While the car we drove is just a development mule, we can confidently [...]
Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr
GM Prez: 2013 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup to Target Tacoma, Could Spin Off a GMC Version
The upcoming Chevy Colorado pickup truck will directly target the Toyota Tacoma, says GM North America president Mark Reuss. “Tacoma is the volume leader. We know that there’s a buyer for a really good Chevrolet lifestyle sport truck that’s quite different than the Tacoma.” Different how? Reuss and his colleagues won’t say. But, having seen [...]
Williams signs Senna to complete 2012 F1 lineup (PA SportsTicker)
Formula One team Williams has signed Brazilian driver Bruno Senna to complete its 2012 team lineup, returning the Senna name to the British outfit 18 years after his uncle died in a crash.
Proton thrilled to show potential
Proton team principal Chris Mellors says the Malaysian firm's World Rally Championship return has demonstrated the potential of the Satria-Neo S2000. While the car struggled to match the frontrunning Intercontinental Rally Challenge pace last season, two months of work on the Satria have been repaid with a handsome lead at the end of the opening day of Super 2000 WRC competition today. P-G Andersson holds 10th overall and a four-minute advantage over his only SWRC rival Craig Breen, who suffered a puncture on his Ford Fiesta
Official: Barrett-Jackson: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible debuts
Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet
Last week, Chevrolet announced its latest special edition Corvette, the 2013 427 Convertible, as a sendoff to the C6 before the C7 arrives for 2014. Now we've had our first look at the car in the flesh, as Chevrolet is showing it off for the first time here at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ.
Setting the 427 Convertible apart from the standard Corvette are special graphics, badges and unique wheels, but most importantly, it gains the Z06's 7.0-liter 505 horsepower V8 under the hood, making it the most powerful drop top Corvette to ever come from Bowling Green. This example also sports the 60th Anniversary Package that includes Arctic White exterior paint, Pearl Silver Blue racing stripes and a Diamond Blue leather interior. What really makes this particular car special, though, is that it's the very first production Corvette 427 Convertible and is set to be auctioned off for charity tomorrow afternoon. We'll have live auction results and more pictures then, but for now, check out our live gallery of photos above.
Barrett-Jackson: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPreseason Thunder Daytona Testing: Day 3 Update
Day Three: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway NASCAR And Teams Continue Data Collection On Final Day Of Testing DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2012) ? As the final day of Preseason Thunder wrapped, there was certainly no shortage of information NASCAR and the teams gathered during this three-day test as speeds continued to [...]
MATT ARTIN JOINS NHRA AS DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS
NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) NHRA announced today that Matt Artin, an eight-year veteran in media planning, advertising and promotions, has joined the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body as director of advertising and promotions....
Thursday, January 19, 2012
2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Spied! We Catch the Seventh Vette in Its Production Wrapper
We get it. You?re here to see the C7 Chevy Corvette. Take a look at the photo gallery?we?ll wait?then read our prognostications below, and be sure to return later today for more on the seventh-generation Vette. Here?s what we know about the next Chevrolet Corvette. Chassis: As we?ve said before?and as these photos prove?nothing so [...]
2012 CES: Audi?s Super Head-Up Display
While the Mercedes-Benz DICE concept at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show previews a super-futuristic cockpit that we found isn?t quite ready for the present, Audi showed off a similar system that seems much closer to reality. Sadly, the head-up display lacks a fancy acronym or portmanteau typical of the German automakers, but we were nonetheless [...]
Jason Keller T riStar Motorsports Chevrolet Coleman Pressley
Teased: Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva
Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi, Design/Style
Mitsubishi has been something of a punching bag among both analysts and critics in the United States for some years now, with lukewarm reception to new products and meek sales figures. But while few were paying attention, the Japanese brand's pendulum made a mighty swing in the right direction in 2011, with sales finishing up over 40 percent year-over-year, making it the second fastest-growing brand in the States. Of course, total brand sales were just 77,995 (2010 sales: 55,683), but one has to start somewhere.
Buoyed by increasing demand for new products like the Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi isn't quite "feeling its oats" just yet, but it's alive and kicking. As further evidence, the company has just released a teaser image of an unnamed vehicle it plans to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Significantly, Mitsubishi indicates that this is the first time it has ever chosen to stage a global product reveal in Europe. The mystery vehicle, which appears to be a crossover - likely the next-generation Outlander - will go on sale in 2012. The second-generation Outlander has been on sale here since 2006, with a facelifted model arriving for the 2010 model year.
Mitsubishi says this is the start of a new, "re-focused design language," which evidently means moving away from the massive Lancer Evolution-inspired grille that currently adorns the Outlander. We like what we see here, from the gaping lower air intake to the U-shaped hood pressing and assertive headlamps. We'll probably have to wait until closer the Swiss show starts to get a closer look at the rest of the vehicle, but for now, check out the image above and the press release after the jump.
Continue reading Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva
Mitsubishi teases mystery reveal ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCharter Communications Dodg Carl Edwards Kellogg s Cheez It Ford
VINTAGE: Return Of The Fire-Red Fairlane
Coming up for bid for the second time, auction president Steve Davis' custom 1964 Ford will be sold to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation.
5 hour Energy Toyota Tony Raines Long John Silver s Chevrolet
Audio: RTR ? Canadian Auto Racing News, Jan 16th, 2012
Race Time Radio Their mission�is to present to you the fan with the most up to date racing information for the Canadian racing scene. Where you can voice your opinions in the hot topics in racing. Live interviews with track promoters, drivers, travelling series, teams, and others that shape our sport. Race Time Radio Presented [...]
Baldwin?s Race, Warren?s NiPS Crown
25 Qualify for 2012 NASCAR iRacing.com Series World Championship With a championship and the top 25 points positions ? and their guaranteed berths in the 2012 World Championship – in the balance, the NASCAR iRacing.com Pro Series headed to Kentucky Speedway for the last race of the season. Alex Warren came into the finale with a three point in the standings, needing a finish of twelfth of better to clinch the title while Marcus Lindsey, Patrick Baldwin, Kevin King, Richie Davidowitz and Nick Ottinger looked to overhaul him in the standings with strong finishes. Also, Josh Connors, PJ Stergios, Matt Sentell,� Kenneth O?Keefe and Mitchell Hunt were among the sim racers hoping to lock-in a spot in the top 25 in points and secure their place in the 2012 NASCAR [...]
Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Today?s Headlines
Delancey Claims Another Life: Driver Kills 12-Year-Old Dashane Santana (Gothamist, Post)
Squadron, Stringer, Chin: City Must Do More to Prevent Next Delancey Street Death (Gothamist, DNA)
SUV Driver Crashes, Flips Onto Sidewalk on Linden Boulevard (News)
Meanwhile, the Post Hails NYPD for Ticketing “Crazy Cyclists”
TWU Now Working Without a Contract; Samuelsen Trains Fire on Cuomo (News, NY1)
MTR: Bloomberg [...]
Squadron, Stringer, Chin: City Must Do More to Prevent Next Delancey Street Death (Gothamist, DNA)
SUV Driver Crashes, Flips Onto Sidewalk on Linden Boulevard (News)
Meanwhile, the Post Hails NYPD for Ticketing “Crazy Cyclists”
TWU Now Working Without a Contract; Samuelsen Trains Fire on Cuomo (News, NY1)
MTR: Bloomberg [...]
McNish: Le Mans set for new heights
Two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish says sportscar racing is entering a glorious new era amid booming manufacturer interest and the advent of the World Endurance Championship. Alongside Audi and Peugeot in LMP1, Toyota will contest selected rounds of the WEC this year - including Le Mans - while Honda is involved through the new HPD LMP1. McLaren will also enter the fray in the GT class, and Porsche is working towards a top-class return as well
Confirmed: Sky Sports gears up for F1 with dedicated channel
Filed under: Motorsports, UK
There aren't a lot of television stations in the world dedicated entirely to cars. On this side of the Atlantic, we have Speed and Discovery's new Velocity channel, and the latter isn't even all cars all the time. But now, the UK is getting its own dedicated Formula One network.
Resulting from the BBC's forfeiture of part of its F1 contract to Rupert Murdoch's Sky network, Sky Sports F1 is launching this year in high definition. The channel will carry the grands prix themselves throughout the entire season, without commercials, as well as all the practice and qualifying sessions. In between race weekends, the channel will show interviews, magazine programs and re-runs of races.
Sky Sports F1 will be provided to existing Sky subscribers as part of their bundle, but it will also be available through other providers like Virgin Media, which has just signed on to the deal as well. Sky has also been lining up a roster of talent to cover the races and provide the commentary, including former F1 drivers Martin Brundle, Anthony Davidson and Damon Hill, the 1996 World Champion who most recently signed on.
As for race fans here in the colonies, we'll soldier on with Speed's coverage (with occasional races broadcast on Fox) and TSN in Canada.
Sky Sports gears up for F1 with dedicated channel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2012 CES: Hands On with the Mercedes-Benz DICE Interior Concept
This year?s Consumer Electronics Show showed more evidence of the inevitable convergence of the digital life and driving. Regardless of whether you see this as a benefit or the coming of the robot apocalypse, nearly every automaker has a plan to make our vehicles as connected as our smartphones. Mercedes-Benz?s vision is shown in the [...]
Official: Ruf stretches Porsche Panamera for China
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, China, Porsche, Luxury
You think the prom limo market in America has a propensity for stretching anything with wheels? Just look at China. Instead of buying larger sedans there, wealthy Chinese buyers have a taste for stretching smaller ones. So while BMW, for example, already offers a larger 7 Series, they've developed a stretched 5 Series for the Chinese market. We thought that a little strange at first, but this one takes the cake.
Since the Porsche Panamera has one of the nicest interiors on the market, one aftermarket tuner of note has developed a stretched version specifically for China. That tuning firm is no less noteworthy than Ruf, the outfit that has made a name for itself by turning ordinary 911 models into supercar-beating, fire-breathing monsters.
The resulting Ruf Panamera XL is a good 40 centimeters longer than stock, giving it an extra measure of legroom in the back. And while this type of stretch job would normally make an exotic performance automobile like a Porsche look more than a little odd, given the almost universal derision of the Panamera's roofline, we'd venture to say this - to some eyes, anyway - might be considered an improvement. So much so, in fact, that Porsche is rumored to be considering developing one on its own - let's just hope that if Stuttgart tackles one on its own that they do a cleaner job of the resolving the B-pillar.
Ruf stretches Porsche Panamera for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)