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Autoblog gets schooled by Alfa Romeo in ItalyFiled under: Motorsports, Euro, Alfa Romeo 
Click above for a high-res gallery of our time in the Alfa Romeo driving school.
Let's take a quick vote here. We won't be tabulating the totals, so we'll keep this unofficial, but we want you to be honest. How many of you, deep inside, wonder if you couldn't have made it as a professional racing driver? Maybe not the next Michael Schumacher, but at least a promising prospect. If only you had started out in karting at a young enough age, kept yourself in shape and found the sponsorship to fund what could have been a budding career. You look at the racing line around the corners of city streets on your commute, view a twisting mountain road as a challenge instead of an inconvenience, and offer friends unsolicited (and seldom appreciated) advice on their driving habits.
Starting to sound familiar? It did to us, but that was before Alfa Romeo invited us to take part in its Guida Sicura advanced driving program at the Varano circuit in northern Italy. While we may have gone in with delusions of tire-smoking grandeur before we arrived, they were all completely deflated after our first couple of laps around the track with a former rally champion or Ferrari factory driver riding shotgun helpfully putting us in our place. But by the end of the day those baseless fantasies were replaced by a marked improvement in our driving competence. Read on to see how the day unfolded.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Autoblog gets schooled by Alfa Romeo in Italy Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Time to change your desktop: new SL65 AMG Black Series wallpaperFiled under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz 
Click above for a high resolution image
Mercedes-Benz recently launched a dedicated website for the SL65 AMG Black Series, and it's loaded with goodies for anyone who can't get enough of the uber coupe. The site has detailed info on all of the Black Series' features, as well as some new studio photos that we haven't seen before. Best of all, they've provided six new desktop wallpapers available in normal, widescreen, and iPhone sizes. We've compiled these beautiful high-res photos in a gallery and included the original shots if that's not enough.
[Source: Mercedes AMG] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 VIDEO: Journos flog the ZR-1Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet 
We've all watched the video of Mr. Mero's fantastic ride around the Nurburgring in the Corvette ZR1; not even the horrid compression that YouTube serves up could ruin the sound of a force-fed LS-series V8. Rides are nice, and we'd hop right on in for adrenaline therapy, but what we want to do is drive the Super-'Vette. 0-60 Magazine shares our thinking, so they stuck their own shoe, Thomas Lyman, behind the wheel and sent him off around Milford. It looks like it was awesome, but everybody's keeping mum until the embargo lifts on August 20th. The video does a pretty good job of speaking for itself. Putting words in our future-mouths, our first impression is likely to go something like "holy mother of pearl!" repeated several times while breathing into a paper bag.
[Source: 0-60]Continue reading VIDEO: Journos flog the ZR-1 Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Escalade ESV not enough? Try the Becker/STRUT Escalade LimoFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, SUVs, Cadillac, Special/Limited Editions
Click the image above for more shots of the Becker/STRUT Cadillac ESV limo
If you're buying an Escalade, there's a good chance that even the Platinum Edition ESV won't be enough for you. That's why companies like Becker and STRUT exist, so that you can shine like one of the brightest stars in the multiverse. When these two companies get together on something... well, you'll probably need tinted goggles to behold it. So it's with a bang that they introduced a special edition Cadillac ESV limo.
How do you top platinum? With a floor-to-ceiling leather interior, where you'll enjoy a home -- or is that limo? -- theater system, broadband Internet, a wall-mounted computer screen... and the company of your statuesque personal assistant with the Eastern European accent. Check out the full press release after the jump, and the hi-res photos below. Now where did that recession go again... ?
[Source: Becker]
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 Ronn Motors' Scorpion: 450 horses, 40 miles to the gallonFiled under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Green 
Hydrogen has been touted as a viable fuel source for decades, and seemingly every day, some new or upcoming hydrogen-powered milestone is reached or discussed. However, in nearly every case, hydrogen is being touted as a standalone fuel source. But what about using pure hydrogen mixed with gasoline to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions?
Ronn Motors, of Texas, has built a car it claims will do does just that. Called the Scorpion, the engine is a 3.5-liter, six-cylinder VTEC from Acura, equipped with two turbos and an intercooler to take it from 280 hp to 450 hp. The turbo'd six is connected to an on-demand hydrogen system that breaks down water molecules and holds them in a non-pressurized tank which doesn't necessitate the need for a hydrogen refueling station. The hydrogen is drawn through the intake manifold and between 30 and 40 percent hydrogen is mixed with the gasoline. As less gas is used, Ronn Motors says the Scorpion can do 40 mpg.
DuPont Registry just named the Scorpion a Publisher's Choice as "one of America's first premium eco-exotics." True, the Tesla might be more eco, but to our eyes the Scorpion (rendering) has got the exotic thing properly nailed. But when can you get one? According to Ronn, the car will be out this fall. And when you want to get it off the lot, the 2,100-pound Scorpion will supposedly take you to 60 in no more than 3.5 seconds. Ronn will probably even throw in a full tank of gas... and water. You'll need to provide the take-home money: $150,000. Click the link to get the full story, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.
[Source: Ronn Motors]
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 Tata Nano to get diesel powerFiled under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Tata 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano.
Tata's diminutive Nano will soon be hitting the market with a standard 30-horsepower, 624cc gas engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. While that may seem a bit small and underpowered, those looking to spend just $2,500 on a brand new car aren't likely to complain. Plus, the combo is good for 54 US miles per gallon, quite the achievement, we'd say. When it was first introduced, Chairman Ratan Tata indicated that a diesel engine was likely soon after launch, and it seems he wasn't kidding around. Displacing 800 cubic centimeters and equipped with common-rail fuel injection along with a turbocharger, the planned twin cylinder diesel engine has been jointly developed by German powertrain specialists FEV, Bosch and Honeywell. So far, no pricing, horsepower or fuel mileage statistics have been released, but the oil-burner is sure to improve fuel mileage even further and will likely add a bit to the cost of the World's cheapest car.
[Source: The Economic Times] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Camaro painted with remote control carsFiled under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet, GM, Misc. Auto Shows 
Click the above image for a hi-res gallery of the RC-painted Camaro
The British are good for all sorts of car-centric goodness. When they're not busy building zippy little monsters remarkably ill-suited to their weather, they're... making art. English artist Ian Cook took a few remote controlled cars, drove them through paint, and then used them to paint a Camaro.
Called "Popbang Color" and on display now at the British International Motor Show, Ian even used GM RC cars to create the paintings. Next up will be a live demonstration of him painting a Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car, which requires, says Ian, "skill with the remote control cars." After that he'll be painting Autobots Playing Poker... (we kid...) Check out the full press release after the jump, and the hi-res images below.
[Source: GM]Continue reading Camaro painted with remote control cars Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 F1 teams debating introduction of KERS for 2009Filed under: Motorsports, Tech 
Following two incidents in two weeks, it looks like the ballyhooed KERS hybrid system might not make it onto Formula 1 cars for 2009 -- at least, not the first races. Teams have begun to talk about how much difficulty they're having in building a safe system. KERS not only needs to work when the car is racing around the track, it also needs to be engineered properly in the event of a 300-kph accident.
In addition to Red Bull's smoke and fumes and BMW's bolt from the blue, Mark Weber said that teams are struggling to deal with the chemicals in the batteries. Supposedly, the stuff that runs off a blown up KERS battery is poisonous arsenic. Toyota's head of engine development said all the teams are having trouble, and Williams Driver Nico Rosberg appeared to doubt whether his team would have it ready by the first race of '09. The teams have scheduled to discuss the matter at their next Technical Working Group meeting. As for us, we can live with or without KERS. Just keep the slicks, will you?
[Source: F1-Live] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Wald C-Class Black Bison Edition scares us... reallyFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Mercedes-Benz 
Click above for a high resolution image
We usually try and reserve judgment when it comes to aftermarket styling packages. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and different people prefer different styles. In this case, however, we have to take exception with this body kit from Wald. First the name - Black Bison Edition? We can understand the metaphor of a prancing horse or a raging bull, but this one just doesn't make sense. And the actual body kit? The massive rear wing on a Mercedes-Benz screams boy racer, and the excessive vents don't go very well with subtle German styling. The only redemption are the semi-attractive two-tone wheels. We'll have to pass on this one...
[Source: eMercedesBenz.com] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 GM's OnStar will track your annual mileage... but only for your benefitFiled under: Etc., Tech, GM  We've heard it before: "We're going to collect the information, but it won't go beyond..." The latest take on "Let us help you with technology" comes courtesy of GM's OnStar, which is offering you the opportunity to have your annual mileage tracked. The info will be given to their GMAC arm, which will then see if you qualify for insurance discounts. That sounds good, right?
Of course, no one mentions the other side -- that they can also see if you need a higher premium. "You told us this car was just for weekend recreation, Mr. Smith..." Signing up for the OnStar service is voluntary, so it's not going to start watching you until you say so... yet. But if you really do think you're paying too much, then why not. They probably already know everything about you, anyway... Thanks for the tip, Myles!
[Source: Top Speed] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Tuners take a look at Genesis coupe, Hyundai provides details on track versionFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Hyundai 
Even before the Hyundai Genesis coupe made its big reveal in New York, its aftermarket potential was apparent. While the 3.8-liter V6-equipped model will undoubtedly find an audience with the hairdresser set, the 223 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter model - directly related to the inline four found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Evolution X - is where it's at. Hyundai realizes if it's to be taken seriously as a true performance player, the Genesis coupe has to be embraced by the aftermarket. So it invited 20 tuners to its North American headquarters in Fountain Valley, California to take a look under the hood.
[Source: Inside Line]Continue reading Tuners take a look at Genesis coupe, Hyundai provides details on track version Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Honda and Nissan working to mass-market carbon fiberFiled under: Car Buying, Green, Japan, Tech, Honda, Nissan 
Honda and Nissan are looking for ways to make cars lighter, better, and more recyclable, both for their own benefits and their customers. We've heard about the increased use of aluminum to save weight; next on the heavy R&D frontier could be carbon fiber. Both companies have teamed up with Japanese carbon fiber company Toray, and Mitsubishi Rayon -- a Japanese version of DuPont -- to research new, less expensive carbon fiber for cars.
Their efforts will be helped by the government, which is injecting two billion yen into the project over five years. The plan is that by the middle of the next decade, they'll be able to mass produce a cost effective carbon fiber and use it to reduce the weight of cars by 40-percent. And when they're finished with it, they will also be able to recycle it to reduce production costs.
The current price of carbon fiber makes its use prohibitive except for ornamentation or for use on the most expensive cars. With the price of steel -- and cars -- expected to keep climbing, the mass produced, recyclable carbon fiber will make financial sense in the not-too-distant future. Add in the fuel savings from lighter vehicles, and fewer emissions, and it looks like everyone wins. Thanks for the tip, David!
[Source: Reuters via Carbon Fiber Gear, Photo: p914 | Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas marketsFiled under: Economy, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, FIAT, Tata 
Click above to view more images of the Tata Nano
Fiat and Tata already have a joint venture to distribute commercial vehicles. If they can do the big stuff, why not the little stuff? Tata and Fiat are looking at an agreement to sell the Tata Nano outside of India in markets where Fiat has a strong presence.
If the deal goes through, and once the car is upgraded to meet Western standards, Tata can take advantage of the Fiat name, marketing, and dealer network. Fiat would probably have a big seller on its hands -- and a slice of every one -- since the car is still expected to maintain a healthy price advantage even after it gets beefed up.
The Tata, however, is not expected to come to the U.S. as a Fiat. Ratan Tata said, ""We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence." Frankly, America isn't one of those places yet. With Tata making such a big splash over here with Jaguar, they probably wouldn't need Fiat to help the brand. Still, the thought of a Fiat 500 and a Nano snuggling in the corner of a dealership would be too cute to miss. Thanks for the tip, Yash!
[Source: Economic Times via The Earth Times]
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 Just say No: Nissan GT-R convertibleFiled under: Convertibles, Nissan, Rendered Speculation 
Unfortunate image by Trung Nguyen
The Nissan GT-R is a fire-breathing monster, both on the track and on the canyon roads of Southern California. It's been the biggest buzz vehicle of 2008 and could be the most impressive sports car in the history of Nissan. The GT-R is a media star that attracts attention everywhere it goes not on looks, but on the potential to send concrete crying to its mama. Why, then, would there ever be a reason for Nissan to issue a drop-top version of Godzilla? Convertibles add weight and reduce structural rigidity, which doesn't exactly help the GT-R hold up its standing as the king of the 'Ring.
No worries, though. The photo above is nothing more than a reasonably well done photo-chop that shows what the GT-R might look like as a cabrio. Now that we've seen it, we have one word to describe what Nissan executives should say if asked to remove the GT-R's fixed roof: No. Seriously, the GT-R is a functional beast that utilizes automotive science to defy the laws of gravity to beat lighter, more powerful vehicles. And Nissan will likely never satisfy demand for the rarefied coupe. Again, no.
[Source: Auto Junk]
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 Somebody screen! Ariel Atom gets optional windshieldFiled under: Convertibles, Euro 
We've lost track of how many times we've watched Clarkson's track test of the Ariel Atom. It solidified the Atom's place in the track-day hierarchy, impressing with its insane speed, lateral grip and face warping abilities. But for those of us not content to look like a blowfish in full attack mode, Ariel has begun offering an optional windscreen on the Atom, eliminating the need for a helmet.
The new polycarbonate windscreen is semi-frameless, can be detached via five fittings and even includes wipers and a washer system to clear off the bugs that would have otherwise wound up on you and your passenger's forehead.
Ariel hasn't confirmed when the windshield will be available, but it's hoping to keep the cost of the screen and the wipers below £1000. Naturally, we've embedded the Atom's appearance on Top Gear after the break.
[Source: Autocar]Continue reading Somebody screen! Ariel Atom gets optional windshield Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 FIA President Max Mosley gets off judiciouslyFiled under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials 
Remember the good old days when a prominent chief executive would have disappeared into obscurity after having been exposed by the newspapers? Well those good old days are gone, and Max Mosley is happy for it.
It's been a long and hard road for Max Mosley, but the embattled FIA president seems well suited for the ordeal. Mosley was caught on film partaking in what was described as a Nazi-themed S&M orgy with several prostitutes. He then survived a vote of no confidence in his leadership in the motorsport governing body, and launched a lawsuit against the News of the World, the British tabloid that broke the story. The judge returned the verdict from that lawsuit today, awarding Mosley £60,000 in exemplary damages, plus an additional estimated £1 million in expenses.
Mosley's case hinged on the right to privacy, and upon receiving the judgment (so to speak), the prototypical auto-erotic figure noted that he hoped the ruling would serve as a deterrent for other publications from pursuing "this type of invasive and salacious journalism". The moneys awarded by the court won't go into Mosley's pocket, as they're earmarked towards the road safety and environmental work undertaken by the FIA Foundation.
[Source: Autosport, Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCWFiled under: Hatchbacks, MINI, First Drive 
Click above for a high resolution image
We've had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a few MINI variants, including a 2007 Cooper S and more recently a 2008 Cooper Clubman. Despite some quirky interior design cues and limited practicality, it's hard not to love the MINI for its superb handling and slick-shifting transmission. Still on our to-do list, however, was to experience some of the John Cooper Works options that were absent on our previous test cars. Fortunately we were able to schedule a short drive with a 2008 MINI Cooper S with a few select JCW options. Are the upgrades worth the price of admission? Read on...
All photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Schumacher fine-tunes the Ferrari California (w/VIDEO)Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari, Celebrities 
Click above for high-res gallery of Schumacher and the California
Michael Schumacher may have departed the Formula One grid, but he has most definitely not left Ferrari. The seven-time world champion, widely credited with building Ferrari into the power house it is today, still comes around the paddock at various tracks around the world to give the Prancing Horse's latest creations - whether racing cars or road vehicles - a healthy dose of Schuey-trademarked punishment.
After having been intimately involved with the development of the 430 Scuderia - proclaimed as the fastest road-going Ferrari ever to lap the company's private circuit - Schumacher returned to Fiorano to give his input on Maranello's newest offering, the California. And while his opinion is hardly impartial, he certainly knows what he's talking about and his impressions were glowing. Speaking to the conference of Ferrari dealers assembled at the factory, Schumacher proclaimed that "the Ferrari California is very much a Grand Tourer in terms of its usability and high level of interior comfort, it is still surprisingly sporty and fun to drive under any kind of conditions." You could try arguing with him, but you'd probably end up losing - like most of the drivers that have ever tried to go wheel-to-wheel with the most decorated driver in history. Click below to view the images in our high-resolution gallery, and follow the jump to view the video and press release.
[Source: Ferrari]Continue reading Schumacher fine-tunes the Ferrari California (w/VIDEO) Permalink | Email this | Comments
 IIHS crash tests small pickups, majority flunkFiled under: Trucks/Pickups, Safety 
Click above for more of the IIHS side impact crash tests for small pickups
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently performed side crash tests for the first time on small pickups. Their sampling included the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier and Chevy Colorado. The results were published today and they indicate that small pickup owners might want to start wearing helmets while driving.
The IIHS has only three grades for its crash tests: Good, Marginal and Poor. The Dakota, Ranger and Frontier all earned Marginal ratings, while the Colorado could only muster a Poor rating due in part to the moving barrier actually coming in contact with the dummy's head during the simulated crash. The Tacoma, however, was the only vehicle to earn a Good rating. It was also the only small truck tested with side air bags, which are an option for 2008 but will be standard equipment on 2009 Tacomas.
If side airbags are an option, the IIHS will, as a rule, test a vehicle without them unless an automaker wants to rerun the crash test with a model that has side airbags and is willing to pay for the cost of the vehicle that's crashed. Not unsurprisingly, the archaic Ranger was the only small pickup that doesn't offer side airbags at all, though it was surprising that none of the other automakers requested their models be tested with side airbags. The IIHS also tells us that small pickups have the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, which makes these tests all the more significant.
Check out the official press release after the jump, and peruse the gallery of crash test photos below to witness the utter crappiness that is small pickup crash worthiness.
[Source: IIHS]Continue reading IIHS crash tests small pickups, majority flunk Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Jetta TDI buyers to get $1,300 back from the IRSFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Government/Legal, Green 
Now that Toyota has sold so many Priuses that the popular hybrid no longer qhalifies for federal tax credits, and they are essentially sold out until the new generation cars show up next year, people might be wondering where to go for a high mileage vehicle. Volkswagen's new 50-state legal Jetta TDI is going on sale around about Labor day and our good friends at the IRS have decreed that people who purchase one will be able to get a check back from the feds for $1,300. The clean diesel Jetta qualifies under the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit. That would bring the price premium for the diesel to only $700 over a comparable Jetta with a gas engine. The EPA has rated the Jetta at 29/40mpg city highway with a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Real world numbers are likely to be closer to the low 40s for most drivers, but we'll be finding out for ourselves soon. At the first drive of Mercedes new BlueTec diesels last month, company officials expressed hope that those vehicles would also qualify for the credit. Thanks for the tip, Conner!
[Source: VWvortex] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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