Aston Martin One-77

Rossion Q1

2011-05-02T01:02:00.001-07:00

As we roll away from Rossion’s headquarters, we’re on I-95, stuck behind a pack of slow-moving snowbirds in late model sedans. A Hino cube truck with two flat-brim wearing bros pulls up alongside and gives us a thumbs-up, and some kind of arcane hand signal that means “gun it”. The Rossion obliges, with the 450 horsepower V6 growling through the rev range, and the car shoots forward, the crisp pshhhhtt of the blow-off valve punctuating the up shift to 4th gear. Peak power is made from 3600 rpm until just below 5200 rpm, a fairly broad range that allows for more sedate driving in slow moving traffic, but giving you easy access to the fierce acceleration that can be tapped when the road is straight and the local law enforcement is nowhere to be seen.
There are varying degrees of fast – cars like the Honda S2000 or Lotus Elise make you giggle as they slice through the turns, screaming at the top of their lungs as you use momentum to go fast. Others, like the Nissan GT-R, induce a hearty belly laugh as you marvel at how such large, lumbering creatures can defy physics with every move. At the top of the food chain are the cars so inconceivably fast that they force even the most pious to unleash a string of expletives that would make George Carlin’s “7 words” sound like a nursery rhyme. The Q1 is more than qualified for membership into this club.
Rossion claims that the Q1 will hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. We were unable to independently verify these claims, but we can tell you that this car is brutally fast. The car’s 450 horsepower only has to contend with about 2,600 lbs, roughly what a new Mazda MX-5 weighs. Drop it down a gear while cruising and the car will explode forward like a Nolan Ryan fastball.
The view out the cockpit is sublime (for that very moment, at least) with the low seating position and narrow windscreen giving you the impression that you’re piloting something with a jet engine, and even the somewhat vague shifter becomes an afterthought as the V6 builds to a snarling crescendo, only to be broken up by the of the blow-off valve, which sounds like a bull exhaling through its snout.

Aston Martin Vantage

2011-03-30T01:22:00.001-07:00

The Aston Martin Vantage 6-liter V12 engine makes 517 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and it only comes with a 6-speed manual. The V8 and V12 Vantages are rear-wheel drive with the engine mounted under the hood, just behind the front axle.

Performance is more than respectable in the V8 coupe and roadster, with a top speed of 175 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The V12, of course, goes a bit further, to a maximum of 190 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds -- nearly a full second faster over the V8 model. The V12 also upgrades its brakes to the carbon ceramic variety.

All Vantages have anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic braking, electronic brake assist, tire pressure monitoring, and dynamic stability control. DSC in the V12 includes track mode for a stiffer, more responsive ride during performance driving. The Vantage also features what Aston Martin calls the "Emotion Control Unit", which starts the car when a special key fob is pushed into a slot on the dash.

Aston Martin One-77 to make 750-hp

2010-12-16T19:06:00.001-08:00

Aston Martin today confirmed that the 2011 Aston Martin One-77 will be powered by a 7.3L V12 engine making a certified 750-hp and a maximum torque of 553 lb-ft.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin One-77.

“The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive of Aston Martin. “Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of.”

Deliveries of the Aston Martin One-77 are scheduled to begin in early 2011.

Follow the jump for the press release and the fourth part of the One-77 film series.

Refresher: Power for the Aston Martin One-77 comes from a 7.3L V12 producing more than 750-hp and a peak torque of 553 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a new 6-speed gearbox that allows the One-77 to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph. Only 77 units of the One-77 will be made.

Aston Martin One-77 – New Specs

2010-12-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

Aston Martin One-77 definitive sports car, one that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive of Aston Martin said “The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project,” and “Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of.”

Some beautiful detailed One-77 exterior, on the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light. Aston points out that the Gaydon-built One-77 is subject to the same thorough development programme as the rest of the range.

Chris Porritt, One-77 Programme Manager said, “We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what’s under the skin as the exterior styling itself. We started by identifying the most technologically exciting front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars in the world: those from the DTM race series. We then applied the principles and technology that feature heavily in their design and translated it to a road car application.”

debut for Range Rover’s new leaner, greener flagship SUV

2010-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Range Rover is taking a leaf out of Lotus’ book and adding lightness to its new flagship off-roader to dramatically improve fuel efficiency. The next generation of Range Rover is due to arrive this time in 2012, and will feature all-alloy construction for the first time.

The aluminium chassis will draw on Jaguar’s experience when building the current XJ. However, Land Rover’s engineers have done so much work to reinforce the car’s underpinnings and monocoque bodyshell that the firm calls it a separate platform. The chassis will also underpin the next Range Rover Sport, which currently uses the Discovery's mechanicals.

The Range Rover will become the world’s first all-alloy off-roader, ensuring that the newcomer stays ahead of the pack. The firm is targeting a weight cut of over 400kg, taking the kerbweight closer to 2,100kg.

As you can see from this engineering prototype, the newcomer’s wheelbase doesn’t change much from the current model. The finished car will feature a slightly longer set of dimensions in both the wheelbase and track, to liberate extra room inside.

And while the current car’s interior is among the best available on any luxury vehicle, the next Range Rover will feature a more spacious cabin, particularly in the rear, and a hike in quality of materials, fit and finish.

Designed by Gerry McGovern, the new Range Rover will feature the clamshell bonnet, floating roof and jewel-like lights of the current car, albeit with a lower roof and rounder front end to improved aerodynamics.

Engines will begin with improved TDV6 and TDV8 diesels which get stop-start for the first time, mated to an improved eight-speed auto gearbox. Petrol units will follow shortly after launch, followed by a diesel-electric hybrid.

Off-road performance will still be exemplary, with the latest generation of the firm’s Terrain Response system controlling the power delivery to keep you going whatever the landscape throws at you.

Replacement Front Front Pipe NATURAL FINISH -- 30 in. L x 4 in. W x 3 in. H; Header pipe from exhaust manifold

2010-07-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

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Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

2010-06-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

Just the fastest production Mustang ever, and the quickest, with some serious upgrades from the substantially revised 2010 GT500.

The improvements start under the hood, where the GT500 retains the 5.4-liter V8 developed for the Ford GT supercar, rather than adopting a variation of the new 5.0-liter V8 introduced in the standard 2011 Mustang GT. Horsepower increases by 10 from the 2010 GT500, to 550 hp at 6,200 rpm (peak torque holds at 510 lb-ft), but that's a relatively minor part of the story. The 2011 GT500 gets a new aluminum engine block, cast by Honsel in Germany and finished with a metallurgical process called Plasma Transfer Wire Arc. Steel cylinder liners are sprayed in under extreme pressure at 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, then machined to a thickness of 150 microns.

As result, the 2011 block weighs 102 pounds less than the previous cast-iron block. Other weight (and fuel) savers include an electric power-steering pump. Charge cooling capacity for the Roots-type supercharger increases 40 percent, thanks to a larger, two-layer intercooler. Bottom line, the GT500's curb weight drops 120 pounds compared with the 2010, to 3,820 pounds. Nearly all of the reduction comes over the front axle in what is a nose-heavy car.

The 2011 GT500 also has aerodynamic improvements and sound-dampening refinements that reduce interior noise levels 20 percent, according to Ford. For the first time, it offers an optional Performance Package developed from the limited-run 2009 GT500 KR. The package includes a limited-slip differential with a shorter 3.73 gear, stiffer springs that lower ride height slightly, forged wheels, Goodyear's latest-gen Eagle F1s (255/40Z-19 front, 285/35ZR-20 rear), and unique, thinner hood stripes.

The 2011 GT500 is available now, starting at $49,495 for the coupe, including the $850 destination charge. Options include the Performance Package ($3,495), a glass roof ($1,995), a navigation/electronics package ($2,340), and Ford's Shaker 1000 audio upgrade ($1,295).

"I think the value here is unprecedented," says Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer at Ford's Special Vehicle Team. "We're delivering supercar performance for under $50,000."

How's it drive?

The 2011 GT500 drives like ticket bait on the street, and like the fastest Mustang ever on a track. With another short reload on substantive improvements, the big swinging Mustang buries old-school pony-car shortcomings deeper in the past.

Ford's track numbers speak for themselves: 0-60 mph, 4.2 seconds; quarter-mile, 12.3 seconds at 119 mph; skid pad, 1.01 g; 60 mph-0, 106 feet. It's more than five seconds faster than the 2010 GT500 around the full 3.2-mile circuit at Virginia International Raceway. Yet the track numbers only begin to explain how much better the 2011 GT500 is than its predecessor.

The 2011 floats and drifts less readily than the 2010. It understeers less. It's generally better balanced and it has even more grip (thanks, presumably, to Goodyear's latest compounds or construction). In sport mode, its stability electronics seem more progressive.

The GT500 remains a big, heavy, wide car. It takes some familiarity to get comfortable about exactly where its edges are. But it's also quite predictable and easily manageable, even for less-accomplished drivers. Momentum is not necessarily critical in this car. The brakes are strong enough and the torque band so broad that it will cover up a lot of mistakes. You can mess up a corner, scrub off most of your speed and still count on the torque to get you flying again.

Clutch action is definitely not stiff but the pedal isn't resistance-free mush, either. It's just about right. The shifter is firm and tight--one of those single-digit salutes to the pony cars of yore. Steering is probably the element we enjoyed least. It still feels lighter than a lot of European performance cars, with a hint more wanderlust. It's not particularly quick.

On the road, third gear will get you almost anywhere you want to go, once the GT500 is rolling. The flow of torque seems almost limitless. We wouldn't guess many enthusiasts will be chugging around at 2,200 rpm, however. From midrange up, the GT500 sounds fantastic, but never intrusive. We commend SVT for its exhaust tuning.

Ford's performance group seems particularly proud that the 2011 GT500 is the first without a gas-guzzler tax (delivering 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, according to the EPA). Of course, top gear in the Tremec six-speed has a way-tall 0.5 ratio. It's good for fuel economy, but few enthusiasts will have the restraint to use it often, unless the day's journey covers a few hundred miles of interstate.

Do I want it?

Who among the Mustang faithful wouldn't want the fastest and arguably best Mustang ever? The 2011 GT500 is fabulously fast, ruggedly handsome and imposingly obvious. It has leading-edge technologies that pony cars aren't necessarily supposed to have. We'd guess, though, that the Performance Package might be a tad stiff on what passes for pavement in places like greater Detroit or eastern Pennsylvania.

As for value, you won't find 550 hp on a new-car lot for less cash. Then again, one might consider a base LS3 Chevrolet Corvette coupe. It has a nearly identical retail price (as of 2010), only a slight power-to-weight disadvantage and even better EPA ratings than the new GT500.

Closer to home, the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 delivers 412 higher-revving, aluminum-block horsepower hauling 215 fewer pounds than its big brother's supercharged engine, with still better EPA ratings (17 city, 26 highway). And it costs $19,000 less than the new GT500.

Seems like a pretty good deal on the not-quite-the-best Mustang ever.

2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Price: $48,645 coupe, $53,645 convertible

Available: Now

Layout: Front engine, rear-drive 2+2 coupe or convertible

Drivetrain: 5.4-liter supercharged V8, 550 hp, 510 lb-ft; six-speed manual transmission

Weight: 3,820 lb (coupe)

Performance: 0-60 mph, 4.2 sec; quarter-mile, 12.3 sec @119 mph; skid pad, 1.01 g; 60 mph-0, 106 feet (mfr), 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway (EPA)

Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas

2010-05-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

With all the news reports about issues with unintended acceleration in Toyotas in recent months, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company stepped up with a purported solution. Santa Barbara-based Solutions Group Inc. is now marketing a device called the Decelerator, which they claim provides a brake override to prevent the car from taking off on the driver.

We spoke with Sean O'Neil, the CEO of the Solutions Group, to learn more about the Decelerator. The device is another box of electronics that can intercept and modify signals to the engine throttle body from the electronic control unit (ECU). Installation is straightforward. The wiring harness from the ECU to the throttle body is unplugged and connected to device, which is then plugged into the ECU. A second connector goes to the brake pedal switch. The brake pedal input provides the 5 volts needed to power the Decelerator.

Inside the Decelerator is a micro-controller and some firmware that sits idle until the brake pedal is pressed. While the brake is off, there's no power and the pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal to the throttle body is simply passed through unmodified. Read on to find out what happens after the brake is applied.

Audi Reveals A1 S-Line Sport Package

2010-03-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

Just like the BMW Group did with its MINI-branded cars, Audi is planning to offer an amazing amount of customization options and packages for its new entry-level A1 model including the S-Line sport kit which is expected to be one of the most popular options amongst buyers.

Seen here for the first time in official photos, the S-Line kit comprises of two separate packages. The S-Line Exterior package sweetens up the A1's looks with chiseled sill tops, a larger roof spoiler, a more concave front bumper with side air-vents and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and matte optics.

The second kit is called S-Line Sport Package and it adds 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport suspension with dynamic suspension tuning, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and sport seats.

And no, none of the available packages offer any performance upgrades for the four engines (two petrols with 86HP and 122HP, and two diesels with 90HP and 105HP) and that will be available at the A1's launch. For more details on the A1 check out our previous stories by clicking here and here.

Refined and widened kidney grille

2010-01-17T22:31:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought all the announcements were made at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, BMW throws everyone a surprise and refreshes the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible.

New, standard Xenon headlights with eyebrow
LED Angel Eyes
New LED taillights
Refined and widened kidney grille
New, N55 single-turbo motor -- still produces 300-horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque
Redesigned front/rear bumpers
Redesigned side mirrors
New colors: Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Vermillion Red Metallic, Mineral White Metallic
Modified paddle shifters are now "pull" operated -- "+" on right, "-" on left

It has some great new features and additions but the most important opinion is yours.

Is the refresh a STUD or a DUD?

Discuss...

BMW Motorsport Manager in the U.S

2010-01-17T21:21:00.000-08:00

Exclusive Interview with the Head of BMWNA Product Planning and Strategy/BMW Motorsport Manager, Martin Birkmann – A Look into the Future World of ///M Cars, Racing, and Current Engine Tech. At the recent 2010 NAIAS, we got a chance to speak with Martin Birkmann who is the Head of Product Planning and Strategy with BMW NA, as well as BMW Motorsport Manager in the U.S. If you haven’t already, we advise you get some coffee brewing or pop-corn popping – what follows is extremely interesting information about current and future BMW products.

With BMW’s new engines, the revamped N54 and now the N55, what have you upgraded on the N54?

Martin Birkmann: With the N54 we’ve basically changed the mapping of the engine, pressure of the engine, given it a more sporty, more torque, and peak oriented performance curve.

What are the differences between the N54 and N55?

Martin Birkmann: At first glance we’ve changed something in the architecture, we made the engine more compact, but in terms of costumer benefit the biggest change is the application of VALVETRONIC. With variable valve lift we eliminate the throttle and so we’ve made the engine again more efficient than the N54. The N55 is maintaining the N54’s base performance level, but gives you a lot of enhancement on the efficiency side

Will we see the N55 engine across the range?

Martin Birkmann: We started announcing the N55 for the 5 series GT so you can expect to find it in the regular 5 series sedan, one series, and we’ll roll it out for more and more applications.

With the new 5 series, what kind of changes can we expect to see on the new M5?

Martin Birkmann: I think it’s been widely speculated and confirmed that we’ve somewhat seen the dawn of the end of the NA engine. M is no exception, we’ve launched our first turbo M engines and I think that will be the biggest difference if you look at the tech spec sheet – that we will go with turbo charging for the M5. There is speculation that I don’t want to comment about; we will clearly see a change in the transmission strategy, we are still examining the need for a second transmission variant. We’ll know more about that as we go forward, as you know, every one should know that BMW NA in persona is a big proponent of manual transmissions and three pedal vehicle operation, but it’s not a trend that you see in the market gaining a lot of momentum right now. Our customers want more semi-automatic transmissions, so that’s a must, and everything else is a can. We’ll see as we approach the launch of the car.

What clear future do you see for BMW and racing?

Continued

Read Article

If you thought 2009 was an eventful time for British manufacturers

2010-01-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

World exclusive: If you thought 2009 was an eventful time for British manufacturers, just wait until you see what they have in store for 2010! Auto Express is kicking off the New Year by gathering together a home-grown crop of the coolest coupés and supercars around. And at the very top of this list is the sleekest big cat to emerge since the legendary XJS…

Jaguar XJ - See it: 2010
The dust has barely settled on the unveiling of Jaguar’s flagship XJ saloon. However, design director Ian Callum has already let slip that a two-door XJ Coupé has been drawn up by his team. Our exclusive renderings show for the first time how such a car might look.

Enthusiasts will recall the ultra-rare XJC, made from 1975 to 1978. This came with a 4.2-litre straight-six or a 5.3 V12, and was based on the Series II Jaguar XJ – and only 8,378 were built. The new car will revive the XJC’s badge and a selection of its distinctive design cues.

More steeply raked front and rear windscreens give a classic coupé profile, while a full-length sunroof adds to the flowing lines. Body-coloured B-pillars help to visually elongate the XJ’s already
substantial footprint on the road.

The car is likely to be offered with supercharged and naturally aspirated versions of Jaguar’s 5.0-litre V8, as well as the 3.0 V6 diesel producing 600Nm of torque. It will go head-to-head with Mercedes’ two-door CL-Class replacement – to be renamed the S-Class Coupé – when it goes on sale in 2011.

Lotus Esprit - See it: 2010
even though the firm’s new Evora has won plaudits for its laser-like handling and refined nature, bosses aren’t resting on their laurels. Lotus is developing a successor to the mighty Esprit – the mid-engined flagship sold between 1976 and 2004. And with a choice of six, eight and 10-cylinder engines, the model has the Ferrari 458 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 firmly in its sights.

The wedge-like styling is clearly inspired by the shovel-nosed original, but the similarities end there. Lotus plans to exploit its close links with Toyota and make use of three of the firm’s most powerful engines. Entry-level cars will have a 300bhp version of the Evora’s 3.5-litre V6. Meanwhile, V8 fans can opt for the 414bhp 5.0-litre from the Lexus IS F. The range-topper will use the 550bhp 4.8-litre V10 from Lexus’ LFA.

A longer and wider version of the Evora’s platform should preserve Lotus’ trademark agility and driveability. But with the V10 version scorching from 0-60mph in less than four seconds and on to more than 200mph, the new Esprit promises to be like nothing seen before from the brand when sales start in 2011.

MINI Coupé JCW - See it: 2010
The MINI plant in Oxford is already one of the success stories of the UK auto industry, churning out more than 1.4 million new cars since 2001. And with the introduction of a new Coupé in 2011, its workforce
is preparing to be busier than ever.

The MINI Coupé Concept wowed visitors to last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show with its dramatic floating roof, and the maker soon confirmed production of the two-seater will begin this October.

Its most potent format will be the John Cooper Works variant shown in our image above. Yet while the bonnet stripes and ground-hugging bodykit could have been predicted, there’s a surprise package under the bonnet.

Our sources say MINI might rekindle its engine supply partnership with Peugeot. And as the British firm jointly developed the new range of EcoBoost units with Ford, these powerplants could find their way into the MINI Coupé, too.

Expect a 1.6-litre turbo with around 250bhp to make the Coupé JCW the fastest MINI to date – but with lower emissions than any JCW before it. For fans of the Coupé, there’s even more good news on the horizon.

A Roadster is also on the way, with a production-ready version slated to appear in 2011. And let’s not forget the firm’s first 4x4, the Crossman, is due in showrooms in September, too.

Fenix - On sale: 2011
Like a ‘Fenix’ from the ashes, Lee Noble has left the company bearing his name to rise again at the helm of Fenix Automotive – and this is the first official picture of the firm’s new model.

The as-yet-unnamed supercar features a basic design that is, ironically, reminiscent of the Noble M600. However, where that styling is relatively simple, the Fenix gets aggressive and angular lines, similar to those of the fighter jet-inspired Lamborghini Reventón.

Under the bonnet is a choice of two Corvette engines, giving 480bhp and 638bhp. The latter is lifted from the supercharged ZR1, and is said to propel the Fenix from 0-100mph in just under seven seconds.

Noble M600 - On sale: 2010
although founder Lee Noble has moved on to an exciting new project (see above), the Brit maker’s latest model is aiming for the supercar elite.

Featuring a Volvo-sourced 4.4-litre V8 boosted by two turbos, the M600 produces a huge 650bhp. That’s enough for 0-60mph in three seconds and 225mph – leaving the Ferrari 458 trailing. Yet a £200,000 price could make stealing loyal customers from the Italian legend trickier than Noble thinks.

Jaguar C-type - On sale: 2012
It’s the big cat’s small car! In the new C-Type, Jaguar is looking to reinvent an old name to take the fight to German rivals such as the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and Porsche Cayman. As with the XK, the new C-Type’s chassis will be a lightweight yet incredibly strong and stiff aluminium monocoque, which should make the model as nimble as its competitors. Power will come from the latest 380bhp 5.0-litre V8. A supercharged 500bhp R model is also likely to be built.

McLaren MP4-12C - On sale: 2011
While its F1 predecessor was the ultimate supercar, McLaren’s latest model is described as “the most efficient, driveable, high-performance sports car in the world”. With a 600bhp twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 and carbon fibre monocoque, the MP4-12C should prove itself a worthy competitor to Ferrari’s upcoming 458 Italia. At £150,000, it’s £10,000 cheaper, too. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to see US chat show host Jay Leno taking a ride.

Climax sport racer - On sale: 2010
Coventry-based Climax Cars has confirmed its stunning two-seater Ariel Atom rival, the Sports Racer, for 2010. It will have a 345bhp 4.6-litre V8, plus a hand-crafted aluminium body. There’s even a 450bhp supercharged version. Prices start from £92,000 – and with only 200 set to be built, exclusivity is guaranteed.

Aston Martin One-77 - On sale: 2010
The One-77 really is the Best of British; it’s the fastest, most desirable Aston ever, and with a limited run of only 77, it looks set to take a place in the supercar hall of fame. The intricately detailed body – which has already won an Auto Express design award – hides a 7.3-litre V12 that produces 690bhp. Weighing only 1,500kg, the One-77 will sprint from 0-62mph in around 3.5 seconds, and in a recent high-speed run it was clocked at more than 220mph. Owning Britain’s best comes at a price, though: the newest Aston sells for £1.2million.

Arash AF-10 - On sale: 2010
Britain’s answer to the Ferrari Enzo gives a choice of power outputs. A 550bhp version of the AF-10, costing £320,000, will be joined in 2011 by an 800bhp supercharged variant, at £450,000. Arash is also said to be considering a £1.6m Bugatti beater with 1,200bhp.

The new model marks the first time in three generations that Mercedes

2010-01-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Marketing does funny things. Recently the word "coupe" has been rendered null and void of meaning by crafty marketing types behind cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW X6 and Volkswagen CC, while the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has sucked every last ounce of truth, honesty and passion from the term "Gran Turismo." It's now just advertising flim-flam. The BMW 8 Series was a grand tourer. The 535i Gran Turismo? We hear it's very practical...

We mention co-opting of the terms "coupe" and "Gran Turismo" because marketers pulled a similar stunt back in the early '70s with the phrase "Personal Luxury Car." Some cars did fit the definition well (roughly, a luxury coupe exists where practicality and efficiency are traded in favor of style, plush and image), others did not. For example, in the U.S. where we like our luxury by the yard, a 1971 Buick Riviera is a perfect example of a personal luxury car. An AMC Matador Brougham complete with Oleg Cassini interior isn't. Regardless of reality, by 1973 every car with two doors and faux-vinyl seats got tagged with the PLC label. As such, the phrase "personal luxury car" became meaningless.

Apropos of all that, Mercedes-Benz was kind enough to let us test its two-door version of its new W212 E-Class, the 2010 E350 Coupe. The new model marks the first time in three generations that Mercedes has offered a coupe version of what's generally considered to be its sauerbraten und spätzle. You'd have to go back to Bill Clinton's first term (that's pre-Lewinsky) to find the two-door W124 E-Class. Obviously, the B-pillarless two-door qualifies as a coupe, but a personal luxury car? Or, dare we say it, a GT?

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

Ford Racing unveils new Mustang BOSS 302R

2010-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Along with the road-going version of 2011 Mustang, Ford unveiled the new Boss racing model featuring the same 5.0 liter V8 engine. The Mustang BOSS 302R comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and a series of race equipments including a roll cage, race seats, safety harness, data acquisition and race dampers/springs, and a Brembo brake and tire package.

The 302R model which which carries the legacy of original BOSS Mustangs is available to order for $79,000.

Ford will also make 5 specially prepared versions of this car for the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series (formerly known as KONI Challenge) which come with Grand-Am Homologation Package and (M-FR500-BOSS R1). These cars will be equipped with a sealed high-output race engine with an upgraded cooling system, a close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral shifter, a seam-welded body, race suspension/KONI dampers and ABS brake tuning, race performance exhaust and a high-speed balance one-piece driveshaft. The price of each Grand-AmMustang BOSS 302R1 is $129,000.

Press Release:

Forty years after its namesake became a road racing legend, the BOSS is back on track for 2010 with a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine.In honor of the 40th anniversary of Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am championship in aMustang BOSS 302 prepared by Bud Moore Engineering, Ford Racing is introducing the BOSS 302R, a factory-built race car ready for track days and road racing in a number of Grand-Am, SCCA and NASA classes.

“To keep pace with consumer demand, the Ford team has built modern versions of the most iconic performance Mustangs over the years,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “From Shelbys to Bullitt, Mach and Cobra Jet, it is now time for BOSS to join the list of America’s most covetedMustangs. The original BOSS 302 was a championship-winning legend and the new Mustang BOSS 302R will carry on the tradition. The Mustang was born to race from the start, and this new Mustang is bred to win.”

The BOSS 302R follows in the very successful footsteps of its most recent road racing predecessor – the Mustang FR500C from Ford Racing. In 2005, when the Mustang FR500C debuted at Daytona, the first car was delivered on Wednesday of that week and won the KONI Challenge race on Friday.

In five years of competition since then, the Mustang FR500C has won three Triple Crown championships of driver, team and manufacturer’s titles in KONI competition including back-to-back (2008 and 2009). The FR500C has also seen success in FIA GT4 competition winning the 2007 and 2008 driver’s championships.

“We expect the BOSS 302R to continue the successful tradition of winning with factory-built production-based race cars from Ford Racing,” said Allison. “The FR500C and FR500S road racingMustangs, and the Mustang FR500CJ (Cobra Jet) for drag racing have proven to be great cars for our customers, helping teams win races and championships. We believe that the BOSS 302R will provide that same sort of competitive product for our customers with the tradition you can only get from Ford Racing.”

Each Ford Racing factory-built production-based turnkey race car has won its competition debut.

“Racing has long served as a technical proving grounds for production engines,” said Allison. “What’s good enough for the streets is now good enough for the racetrack. The 5.0-liter block and architecture in theMustang BOSS 302R is the same as the 2011 Mustang GT.”

“We have a great team on the BOSS 302R project,” said Andy Slankard, Ford Racing engineering supervisor and the lead engineer on the BOSS 302R project. “Between our partners at AutoAlliance International, wherethe Mustang is built, Team Mustang, Multimatic and the entire Ford Racing team, we have once again proven to be a leader in turnkey production-based race cars.”

Available through Ford dealers, a total of 50 BOSS 302R Mustangs will be built by Ford Racing. Delivery is anticipated in the third quarter of 2010.

Early Drive Reveals ’11 Buick Regal Jolt

2009-12-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

Skeptics will say, “Here we go, again,” as General Motors Co. taps its German subsidiary Adam Opel GmbH for product to rebuild one of its brand’s showrooms in the U.S.

Clearly, it didn’t work for Saturn or Cadillac a decade earlier. But with the new-for-’11 Buick Regal, GM finally may have found the right home and, more importantly, the right strategy for injecting some Germanic soul into its American cars.

The new sports sedan arrives stateside in second-quarter 2010 after highly successful launches late last year in China and in Germany as the Opel Insignia.

The Insignia is drawing rave reviews on its home turf, where it ranks as the best-selling sedan in its class and since last November has racked up more than 30 awards, including European Car of the Year.

In China, the locally built Regal launched in December and has sold some 64,000 units. Young Chinese particularly are captivated by the Regal, keeping the average age of its buyers around 35 years – astonishingly low for Buick.

GM shows the U.S.-bound Regal to the public at the Los Angeles auto show this week after unwrapping the car earlier to journalists in Detroit and to Buick enthusiasts in L.A.

But before the Regal hits the full show circuit and ahead of formal testing next year, GM offered a handful of media several hours behind the wheel and, for comparison, its sister the Insignia. The Regal’s principle target in the U.S. is the Acura TSX.

Waterfall grille one of few Buick cues on new Regal.

Photo Gallery

Driving pre-production Regals along rural roadways outside of Detroit here makes it easier to understand why GM backed out of a deal to sell a majority stake in Opel to Canadian parts maker and contract vehicle-assembler Magna International Inc. In short, Opel makes a fine car.

The U.S.-spec Regal leverages the same Epsilon II platform, which also underpins the new-for-’11 Buick LaCrosse that launched in North America in September, but with subtle mechanical and design differences between its Chinese and German iterations.

For example, the engine is federalized to meet U.S. regulations, as are items such as the mirror glass and the guts of the headlights. But little differs in styling between the Insignia and Regal. Aside from the Buick grille and 3-shield badges, sheet metal is exactly the same.

In fact, Buick’s signature port holes will not get stamped into the Regal’s hood until production begins in North America in 2011. GM also installs an insert to the front bumper to fill the elongated European license plate basin until U.S. production begins.

The Regal’s design proves more striking out on the roadway with some morning rain splattered along its haunches than in GM’s advanced design studio, where Ward’s first glimpsed the car a few weeks ago.

Standard motivation comes via GM’s new 2.4L 4 cyl. engine with gasoline direct-injection technology, making 182 hp and 172 lb.-ft. (233 Nm) of torque. GM pegs its fuel economy at 20-30 mpg (11.8-7.8 L/100 km) city/highway on regular gasoline.

’11 Buick Regal
Pros	Cons
Vehicle type	front-engine, 2WD 5-passenger sedan
Engine	2.0L turbocharged 4 cyl. w/gasoline direct injection
Power (SAE net)	(SAE net) 220 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Torque	258 lb. ft. (349 Nm) @ 2,000 rpm
Compression ratio	9.2:1
Transmission	6-speed automatic w/manual mode
Wheelbase	107.8 ins. (273.8 cm)
Overall length	190.2 ins. (483.1 cm)
Overall width	73.1 ins. (185.7 cm)
Overall height	54.4 ins. (138.2 cm)
Curb weight	3,314 lbs. (1,503 kg)
Base price	N/A
Fuel economy	18-29 mpg (13-8 L/100 km)
Competition	Acura TSX
Lively 4-cyl. turbo	Best motor a late arrival
European styling	Short on Buick styling
Yes! A U.S.-spec Opel	Uh-oh! A U.S.-spec Opel

However, we test drove models with the optional 2.0L turbocharged GDI 4-cyl., which does not arrive until the third quarter of next year.

Our verdict is overwhelmingly positive. Making 220 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (349 Nm) of torque, the 2.0L mill is the kind of engine that will turn Buick skeptics into believers faster than three shots of Jagermeister.

Responsive and well-behaved, the car slings its 3,600-lb. (1,633-kg) weight through the corners and over pitches in the roadway with enthusiasm.

Yes, the suspension in the Buick is dialed down from the drum-tight setup of the Insignia. But this is not your granddad’s floaty-boaty Buick; the well-sprung suspension works together with a quick, precise steering system like no other vehicle to wear the three shields.

And one test model even included a 6-speed manual transmission. GM declines to offer a timetable for the Regal’s manual transmission. But if the gearbox makes it to the U.S., it will be the first since a 5-speed manual on the ’89 Buick Skyhawk.

Another first: no volume V-6 engine for this Buick.

Both transmissions match up well. The 6-speed automatic seems content to sit in the logical gear and not hunt for something higher, while the manual shifts quickly with a hint of the “click-click” ease of its European competitors.

GM estimates fuel economy with the 2.0L at 18-29 mpg (13-8 L/100 km) city/highway. Premium fuel is recommended but not required.

Base pricing is expected to slot just below the new LaCrosse that starts at roughly $28,000, which makes the Regal slightly less expensive than its Acura TSX rival.

Related Stories

Buick Regal Among First to Get GM’s Updated Mild-Hybrid System

GM to Source Initial U.S. Buick Regals From Germany

Regal Called Next Step in Buick’s Revival

GM also provides drive time here in an Insignia OPC model to demonstrate the possibilities for the Regal. The vehicle is outfitted with a 325-hp 2.8L V-6 engine, high-performance tires blacked out in NASCAR fashion, racing seats and a super-tight suspension.

It’s hardly surprising the Regal is such an impressive car, given that it is an exact duplicate of the smash-hit Insignia. In fact, not watering down the Buick to fit U.S. tastes easily ranks as its greatest attribute.

But it will take more products of the Regal’s ilk to erase Buick’s longstanding reputation for pillowy-riding large sedans with sloppy steering.

So it should hardly be surprising GM will go back to Germany for another small Buick sedan, this one based on the redesigned Delta compact car architecture shouldering the recently launched Opel Astra.

Have we seen this approach before? Sure, but this time it’s hard to argue with the results.

W. Europe car sales up 29.2% in November

2009-12-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

view image

Car sales in Western Europe grew by 29.2% year-on-year in November according to data released by JD Power Automotive Forecasting, but the firm cautioned on the market outlook for 2010.

JD Power warned that the strong-looking November result needs to be seen in the context of weak sales last year and the continuing distortions to the market caused by government scrappage incentives.

JD Power analyst Pete Kelly told just-auto that the the seasonally adjusted annualised rate of sales (SAAR) for November 2009 stood at 14.8m units - a more 'normal' market level - but that he viewed it as 'brief reprieve' rather than marking an end to depressed market levels.

Car sales in Germany were up by 19.7% year-on-year in the month of November and a whopping 25.4% in the year to date.

"The scrapping incentive in Germany is no longer on offer and so we expect German sales to drop off relatively sharply over coming months," Kelly said.

JD Power said that the end to government support schemes will result in the West European car market declining by around 10% in 2010 to 12.15m units.

JD Power also noted that the French car market was 'decidedly strong' in November, with the selling rate climbing to 2.8m units with French car buyers thinking they had to register their cars by year-end to take advantage of a scrappage scheme there. However, the scheme has been amended so that, as long as an order comes in by the end of 2009, it will benefit. JD Power says this will mean that the French market will start off 2010 relatively strongly as related registrations spill over into 2010.

The Spanish car market also posted a strong month in November (SAAR over 1.1m units) while the UK car market gain of 57.6% reflected a scrappage effect (plus some buyers avoiding a January VAT increase) and exceptionally weak sales last year.

Car Sales - Click to enlarge

Hyundai, Kia and Subaru all report +40% increase in sales

2009-11-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

Hyundai, Kia and Subaru all report +40% increase in sales

If you've been paying attention to recent editions of By the Numbers, you'll have noticed that the amount of green on our chart below is growing. Month after month, more and more brands and manufacturers are managing to produce sales numbers that exceed the same month last year.

For October 2009, the list is topped by three familiar players: Hyundai (+49%), Kia (+45%) and Subaru (+41%). The South Koreans and this lone Japanese brand have bucked the trend all year, and now that other brands are beginning to sell relatively well, they are distancing themselves from the pack even further.

Their success shouldn't overshadow the rest of the industry, though, which includes many players surprisingly high on our chart. All four "Core" brands of General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC) posted positive numbers, and GM as a whole, which still counts sales from "non-Core" brands like Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn, managed to post a 4.1% gain in sales. Likewise, the Ford brand (+3.6%) and Ford Motor Company (+3%) both reported sales gains versus October of last year. The rest of the big Japanese manufacturers, meanwhile, were close behind but didn't quite manage to earn a green cell this month, while the Chrysler Group LLC landed farthest off the mark with a drop of 30.4%.

Have industry sales turned the corner? Are we headed into a bright future of 14+ million sales per year and green cells for every automaker? Hardly, though it's increasingly clear that new product, being competitive in key segments, and creative marketing and incentives are the best recipe for climbing out of the red.

*Brands and companies are both displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 28 selling days in October 2009 and 27 selling days in October 2008, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in the average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.

Brand	Volume %	10/09	10/08	*DSR%**	DSR 10/09	DSR 10/08
Hyundai	48.92	31,005	20,820	43.60	1,107	771
Kia	45.26	22,490	15,483	40.07	803	573
Subaru	40.66	18,169	12,917	35.64	649	478
Cadillac	21.60	11,602	9,541	17.26	414	353
Mercedes-Benz	21.32	18,193	14,996	16.99	650	555
GMC	20.44	25,423	21,109	16.14	908	782
Lexus	19.77	19,502	16,283	15.49	697	603
Volvo	19.37	4,437	3,717	15.11	158	138
Buick	18.46	9,053	7,642	14.23	323	283
Porsche	15.07	1,642	1,427	10.96	59	53
Chevrolet	8.50	116,436	107,313	4.63	4,158	3,975
Nissan	7.69	53,664	49,833	3.84	1,917	1,846
Volkswagen	7.23	17,037	15,889	3.40	608	588
Ford	3.57	119,072	114,969	-0.13	4,253	4,258
Honda	-0.01	75,751	75,756	-3.58	2,705	2,806
Mercury	-1.14	6,676	6,753	-4.67	238	250
Audi	-1.14	7,358	7,443	-4.67	263	276
Toyota	-2.32	132,663	135,818	-5.81	4,738	5,030
Acura	-3.53	9,751	10,108	-6.98	348	374
Lincoln	-8.97	6,735	7,399	-12.23	241	274
Infiniti	-9.29	6,451	7,112	-12.53	230	263
Pontiac	-18.45	10,646	13,054	-21.36	380	483
BMW	-18.61	16,443	20,203	-21.52	587	748
Mini	-20.79	4,176	5,272	-23.62	149	195
Dodge	-22.21	26,265	33,763	-24.99	938	1250
Chrysler	-35.61	12,815	19,903	-37.91	458	737
Jeep	-36.80	13,500	21,360	-39.05	482	791
Mitsubishi	-48.34	3,867	7,486	-50.19	138	277
Suzuki	-49.89	1,745	3,482	-51.67	62	129
Saturn	-57.79	3,623	8,583	-59.30	129	318
Smart	-70.44	661	2,236	-71.49	24	83
Saab	-74.03	513	1,975	-74.95	18	73
Hummer	-77.56	307	1,368	-78.36	11	51
Mazda	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

COMPANIES
General Motors	4.11	177,603	170,585	0.40	6,343	6,318
Ford Motor Company	3.07	136,920	132,838	-0.61	4,890	4,920
Nissan NA	0.28	60,115	59,945	-3.30	2,147	2,220
Toyota Mo Co	0.04	152,165	152,101	-3.53	5,434	5,633
American Honda	-0.42	85,502	85,864	-3.98	3,054	3,180
BMW Group	-19.06	20,619	25,475	-21.95	736	944

That company was capitalized with more than 600 million shares that were meant to be worthless

2009-11-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

When General Motors entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy over the summer, its bad assets were moved into a firm called Motors Liquidation Company (MLC). That company was capitalized with more than 600 million shares that were meant to be worthless; however, quite the opposite has happened: with its shares priced at $0.60 per, MLC now has a market cap of $370 million. How did that happen?

Investors engaged in "naked short-selling" is how it happened. Short sellers usually procure an actual 'tangible' stock from a broker or investment house – 'tangible' meaning a share unit comprising the finite number of a company's total shares – as collateral when they take a short position. The naked short seller doesn't borrow any shares, taking a position before it can be determined if there are any shares available. This allows them to essentially create a position that isn't beholden to the ideal of a "structured" market.

Earlier this year the SEC put the kibosh on naked short selling, and required investors who had done it to get the tangible shares they need to hold their position. Since there are fewer shares to be had, and those naked traders are trying to absorb anything available to cover their positions, the price has yet to decline. Quite simply, no one can make money off of it.

Well, except for the holders of new GM shares. The SEC regulations also called on naked short sellers to close out their positions if they couldn't get the tangible stocks to cover. The investors who can't get actual shares to borrow are having to buy stock from "new" GM shareholders – at much higher prices. Eventually MLC shares will be worth zilch. Until then, the wacky world of finance reigns...

BusinessWeek calls out 50 Ugliest Cars of Past 50 Years

2009-11-06T23:30:00.000-08:00

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. While some cars seem to be almost universally loved for their gorgeous lines and undeniable sense of style – the Lamborghini Miura and Shelby Daytona Coupe certainly come to mind. Others, such as the new Honda Accord Crosstour and even the latest Nissan GT-R, not to mention nearly everything currently wearing the Acura badge, sport more debatable duds.

And what of the car that's most commonly associated with the green movement? Of course, that would be the Toyota Prius, and we know that some happen to find the car rather attractive... whether that's for its slip-through-the-wind styling or fuel mileage – made possible in part by that styling – its owners happily enjoy. According to BusinessWeek, though, the second-gen Prius is one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years. Not a distinction any owner wants their car to carry.

Take heart, Prius owners. There are a number of questionable vehicles on the list. For instance, the classically boxy Volvo 240 isn't ugly at all... it's purposeful and practical. Neither are the Lamborghini LM002, 2002 BMW 7 Series, Tata Nano or Toyota iQ deserving of inclusion on this unflattering list. Lastly, does anyone really think the DeLorean is that unattractive? Unabashedly '80s sure, but ugly? Nah.

Hurst completes the muscle car trifecta with Mustang, Camaro

2009-11-06T23:11:00.000-08:00

2010 Hurst Performance Series Camaro - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We can't believe it's been just a year since Hurst unveiled its stunning white and gold Hemi Challenger. Since that time we've seen a few variations, including different color combinations and the Competition/Plus model, and we even got to see how the cars were built. Up to this point, all of Hurst's production models have been Challengers, but when the company showed off a one-off Camaro and Mustang convertible, we figured production versions wouldn't be far away. We were right.

Yesterday afternoon, Hurst pulled the covers off the new Performance Series Mustang and Camaro, each with a slightly different take on Hurst's classic color combinations. Both cars get the kind of performance upgrades you would expect from Hurst including a supercharger, Magnaflow exhaust system, Eibach suspension components, Hurst Competition/Plus shifters and 20-inch wheels and tires. Each car also gets Katzkin leather inserts, embroidered floor mats, and a dash plaque. Just 50 examples of each will be built, and judging by how fast the Challengers sold, you will need to put your order in quickly if you want one. Follow the jump for full details on both cars, and be sure to check out both of the high-res galleries below.

2010 Hurst Peformance Series Camaro

Hurst Peformance Series Mustang

Ford Mustang captures Grand-Am Koni Challenge

2009-10-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

2009 SPEED World Challenge GT at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With various racing series coming to a close this month, the Mustang has proven its worth on track by bringing home two major road racing championships. This past weekend Brandon Davis secured the 2009 SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT title in only his second season with a fourth place finish at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Davis, who was racing in the new 2010 ACS Mustang that debuted a few weeks earlier at Road Atlanta, only needed to finish in eighth place to guarantee the championship and beat out Porsche driver James Sofronas.

In the Grand-Am Koni Challenge series, the Mustang FR500C also captured not only the driver title, but also the team and manufacturers' championships for the second straight year. Rehagen Racing sat atop the driver and team points lead with a sixth place finish at Virginia International Raceway, and the win by JBS Motorsports helped put Ford just one point ahead of BMW in the manufacturers' standings. Mustangs won five races during the 2009 season and finished on the podium eight out of eleven races.

We didn't make it out to VIR for the Koni Challenge race, but we were on hand at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to watch the SPEED World Challenge race with cameras at the ready. Check out the high-res gallery below, or tune into SPEED TV on November 3 at 2:00 pm EST to watch the race yourself.

Gallery: 2009 SPEED World Challenge GT at Laguna Seca

China says Hummer paperwork not submitted yet

2009-10-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

2009 Hummer HX concept – Click above for high-res gallery

Last week, it was reported that General Motors had signed a definitive agreement to sell Hummer to Chinese machinery manufacturer Tengzhong. The Chinese company and its partner in the deal, Lumena Resources Corp., would pay $150 million and receive Hummer and its intellectual property, ownership of U.S. franchise agreements, and manufacturing, business, and component assistance during a four- or five-year transition period.

The questions being raised now concern what is happening on the other side of the Pacific. The Chinese Commerce Ministry reportedly hasn't received Tengzhong's application to officially bring Hummer home, which has led observers to wonder if there will be a holdup or reversal of the deal. According to a Hummer representative, however, Tengzhong had to finalize the deal with GM before it could present it for approval to the Chinese authorities:

Gallery: Detroit 2009: HUMMER HX in the design studio

drifting with Tanner Foust in NASCAR-powered Scion tC!

2009-10-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust – Click above for high-res image gallery

"It feels like I'm down on power!" yells Tanner Foust in the general direction of the gathered throngs containing both his crew and assorted media. Tanner and myself are currently five-point bolted into his new stock car-engined Formula D Scion tC. We've just exited an aborted lap around the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale because something – so says Foust – is amiss with the car.

Rockstar Energy Drink Drift captain Stephan Papadakis comes charging towards the Scion and begins earnestly, if not frantically, checking the car's vitals through the steering wheel's digital readout. Steph floors the motor a few times, checks the numbers and exasperatedly tells Foust that everything looks fine. "Oh," says Tanner, patting me on my beer belly. "Must be him." Very funny, jerk.

Gallery: Autoblog Goes Drifting with Tanner Foust

Introduction to Karting - Part 2 2009

2009-10-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the second installment of our Introduction to Karting series. Hopefully the first piece piqued your interest with tales of tiny machines pulling 3 g in the corners then hitting 60 in under three seconds on their way up to over 140 MPH. (Well over, as it turns out; one commenter indicated he hit an indicated 156 this season.) That kind of performance is unequaled outside of top-level formula motorsport, yet is available to anyone with some disposable income and a passion for going quick.

However, karting isn't for everyone so suitably endowed. The physical demands placed on a kart racer are hard to comprehend until you're in a fast turn, holding your breath because you can't inhale, feeling like your head is going to fly off and land somewhere in the pits. Chances are it won't, but whether or not you can withstand that while maintaining a good racing line and keeping an eye on a swarm of opponents is an important thing to find out before breaking out the charge card. The best way is, of course, to try it, and given the big up-front cost to buy a kart, a rental is the way to go.

To get our first real experience we signed up for an afternoon's racing school. We walked the track, worked with multiple instructors, got a lot of advice, had an impromptu race, and stuck it out for way more seat time than was probably advisable for a newbie. How'd we do? Read on to find out, and see some videos of our on (and, occasionally, off) track antics.

GM marketing boss Mark LaNeve apparently unaware that diesel is now cheaper than gas 2009

2009-06-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

Over the last several years, we've heard a lot of excuses from many auto executives as to why their companies aren't offering diesel engines in their American market cars. Yesterday, General Motors' Mark LaNeve, the company's vice president of sales and marketing, made an appearance on C-SPAN's Washington Journal. The final question of the segment came from a viewer wondering why GM has failed to offer U.S. consumers the chance to buy some of the high-mileage diesel cars it offers in Europe.

It would appear that LaNeve might have done better to take a pass on the question. Instead of talking about the cost of making those diesels meet U.S. emissions regulations or the difficulty in helping Americans overcome the misconceptions about the fuel, he claimed that no one has successfully cracked the diesel passenger nut in the U.S. (which based on VW's May sales appears to be wrong). More startlingly, LaNeve went on to claim that diesel is $1.25 a gallon more expensive than gasoline. According to the Energy Information Agency, the national average for diesel this week is $2.35 / gallon while regular gas is $2.52 or $0.17 more than diesel. Admittedly, the fact that diesel is now cheaper than 87 octane gas is a recent development (a trend that nobody is sure how long it will last), but – going on national television and quoting outdated fuel prices as a reason for your bankrupt company's business decisions... well, that doesn't strike us as a terribly hot idea.

You can hear the question and response at 20:30 into the video replay over at C-SPAN.

Aston Martin One-77 | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

2009-03-31T01:14:00.008-07:00

Click above for a larger image.

Aston Martin has released the first image of its newest flagship – the limited edition One-77. Details are scarce, but the One-77 will be powered by a hand-built 7.0-liter V12 nestled inside an aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. 0-60 times are estimated at 3.5-seconds, with a top speed cresting 200 mph.

77 examples of the £1 million coupe will be produced and customers will be able to customize the bespoke supercar to meet their individual tastes. The One-77 will be revealed later this year (Paris?) and will go on sale shortly afterwards.

This will be the first all-new vehicle from Aston Martin produced after the brand was sold by Ford to a group of investors spearheaded by Prodrive's David Richards. We're also curious to know if the One-77 will play a part in Project Alligator, the rumored collaboration between Aston and Mercedes-Benz. All details will be revealed in due time. Until then let your eyes feast on the only image we have of the upcoming One-77 supercar.

Aston Martin One-77 supercar (2009): first picture | Automotive

2009-03-31T01:14:00.007-07:00

Aston Martin has just launched its One-77 ~ only 77 in the production run… they are saying over 100 buyers had already signed up and put down a £200,000 deposit without even SEEING this £1.2m beauty… Everyone was teased with the appropriately referenced upskirt shots coming out of the Paris Auto Show, where they only revealed a portion of the car under a cover! Where are they ending up? Only six in the U.S. to be exact, with just five destined to stay in the UK out of the total production run of 77 (says autoblog). You must admit its mesmerizingly beautiful, the curves are absolutely stunning…

“One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning Aston Martin design to create possibly the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Based on a sophisticated carbon fibre chassis with a handcrafted aluminium body, this 7.3 litre V12 super car will deliver exhilarating performance for a strictly limited number of discerning customers.” Take a look at more sneak peeks of this luscious new design on the next page, and check out the video of what it’s all about.

So here’s where it gets really interesting ~ especially for our UK readers (or anyone who can be in the UK first week of Dec) ~ Aston Martin invited me to come out and tour their factory and see the car itself ~ unfortunately the timing is terrible and far too last minute as much as i’m dying to get out there! So, i thought i’d invite a reader to help cover it for me! SO, WHO WANTS TO VISIT ASTON MARTIN’S GAYDON FACTORY? Think you’re a perfect fit? Know a car lover with mad photography skills? More details on the next page after the pics and videos of this beautiful work of art. (I could stare at these for ages, i’m already jealous of whoever gets to go!)

Why 77?
“The number 75 just seemed way too obvious and normal,” chief designer Marek Reichmann told the Inside Line car website. “The number 77 was just two lucky sevens.”

Ok ~ So if you are interested, or you know someone who should be interested, here’s the deal ~ I need someone to go explore and enjoy the Aston Martin Gaydon Factory and cover it for NOTCOT, we need pictures! Lots of amazing pictures to share with the rest of us who can’t make it ~ you’ll go as our eyes and ears, and do a guest post on NOTCOT about your experience.

Email me at astonmartin@notcot.com with the following:
1) Why are you a good fit?
2) Tell me about your passion for cars (and automotive design), particularly Aston Martin
3) Links/Examples of your photography, and what camera/lenses you shoot with

While the details aren’t perfectly ironed out as to which day, we’re looking at first week of December, and will work the exact details out with Aston Martin when we find the right candidate. Please note, while travel costs for non-UK residents aren’t included on this one, i am open to the idea of someone who really wants this opportunity and is willing to travel there on their own.

Deadline to email me : November 14
(yes, the day 007 comes out in the US! Where we all get to see the Aston Martin DBS in action)

Aston Martin One-77 Details, Sketches And Interior Leaked

2009-03-31T01:14:00.006-07:00

Dutch business site, 925, has received an exclusive leaked Aston Martin document detailing the entire design and build process of the upcoming One-77 supercar including first ever images of the $1.4 million interior.

It looks like the interior will match the slick design of the One-77's exterior, looking nothing like any Aston Martin before it. you can check out the presentation document below.

The Aston Martin One-77

2009-03-31T01:14:00.005-07:00

Aston Martin has released a snapshot of the stunning new One-77; the ultimate creative interpretation of the renowned British marque.

One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning Aston Martin design to create possibly the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Based on a sophisticated carbon fibre chassis with a handcrafted aluminium body, this 7.3 litre V12 super car will deliver exhilarating performance for a strictly limited number of discerning customers.

Aston Martin One-77 Screams 'Money Is No Object'

2009-03-31T01:14:00.004-07:00

Aston Martin's 700-horsepower One-77 is to cars as John Steed is to civil servants — a proper English gent quite capable of kicking your ass without so much as breaking a sweat.

The super-exclusive, super-expensive supercar unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show seamlessly blends top-shelf luxury with race-car engineering to create what may be the finest automobile the quintessentially British firm has ever produced.

Of course, for $1.4 million, it damn well ought to be.

Aston Martin spared no expense with the One-77, so named because just 77 will be handbuilt at the factory in Gaydon, and says it represents the culmination of all the company has learned since its founding in 1913.

"Quite simply, it had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin," company chief executive Ulrich Benz said in a statement. "As you can now see, we have achieved that goal in magnificent style."

Indeed.

While the One-77's funky ducts, oversize headlights and ribbed sides will prompt debate among aesthetes, few can deny the car's mechanical beauty. Aston's engineers looked long at hard at the hardcore race cars of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series when designing the One-77, and the car is packed with race-car technology. "We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what's under the skin as the exterior styling itself," said Chris Porritt, who led the car's development.

The handformed aluminum body rests on a carbon fiber monocoque cradling a 7.3-liter V12 engine developed by Cosworth. Aston Martin is still nailing down the final figures but is quite confident the engine will produce at least 700 horsepower in production trim. Look for a zero to 60 time in the mid-three-second range and a top speed just north of 200 mph, although asking so basic a question as "What'll she do?" is, as the Times found out, a touch vulgar.

"It goes fast enough," Bez told the British paper during the show, with what we imagine was just a touch of indignation.

Power, the old advertising slogan goes, is nothing without control, so the One-77 features a fully adjustable suspension with pushrod-activated dampers. All those ponies flow through a six-speed paddle-shifted transmission developed exclusively for the One-77 and they are reined in with carbon-ceramic brake rotors.

The car was billed as the most expensive automobile on the planet when it was announced last year, but a slump in the value of the Sterling means the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will retain the title. Aston Martin may be going through the same rough time as the rest of the auto industry, but Bez says the company has received "expressions of interest" from 250 potential buyers around the globe. It seems there are at least 77 people with the means to drop £1 million — $1.4 million at today's exchange rate — on a car.

Photos: Aston Martin.

See Also:

Aston Martin Unseats the Veyron as the World's Most Expensive Car (Well, not anymore)
Get a Chauffeured Aston Martin For Under a Quid
Oh Murcie! Latest Lamborghini Packs 670 Horsepower
Ferrari Rolls Out a New 599 GTB in Geneva

Aston Martin releases third One-77

2009-03-31T01:14:00.003-07:00

Following a sneak peak at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin has released a second teaser video of its upcoming One-77 supercar. Although the video doesn’t give too much away, it does provide us with the first sound clip of the One-77’s engine, as well as some more insight into the One-77 program.

There is no question that Aston Martin is one of the world’s premier automakers, but the British marque has never quite commanded the performance spotlight like Lamborghini or Ferrari. That will likely change, however, with the launch of the One-77 — a true supercar that promises to rival the best in the world.

Although the One-77 will be priced similarly to Bugatti’s Veyron — somewhere in the $1.5 to $2 million range — Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez insists that the One-77 is not intended to directly take on the Veyron. “It’s not all about power or being in a performance race with Bugatti,” Bez told Autocar. “It’s a fabulous, hand-built car that’s the pinnacle of what Aston Martin can achieve.” From what we can see from the leaked images, the One-77’s interior will be befit of a Bugatti rival.

Despite Bez’s denial of a supercar rivalry in the making, the One-77 will be equipped with enough firepower to take on practically any supercar in the world. Underhood, the One-77 will be powered by a 7.0-liter V12, derived from Aston’s 6.0-liter powerplant. Output is a massive 750 horsepower with torque checking in at about 533 lb-ft, although both figures are subject to change.

Those astronomical performance numbers and the One-77’s svelte 3,300 pound curb weight should net a top speed well past the 200 mph mark, with a 0-60 time of a scant 3.5 seconds.

But the One-77 won’t be a slouch in the corners, either. The One-77 is shorter than the DB9, lower than the Vantage and has a track of six and a half feet — only eight inches narrower than a Hummer H1.

Although it was previously reported that Aston Martin had received over 100 orders for the One-77, Bez said that those weren’t actually vehicle orders, but rather “expressions of interest”. Only 77 of those hand raiser will actually end up with a One-77 in their collection, with no two cars being exactly alike thanks to a customization system befit of a seven-figure supercar.

Corvette Mystery Solved, Aston Martin Reveals One-77, SMS Dodge

2009-03-31T01:14:00.002-07:00

Aston Martin One-77

Excuse me, Mr. Bond — your new car has arrived. You're looking at the ultimate Aston Martin. And ain't she a beauty? The Aston Martin One-77 ($1.4 million) boasts a 7.3-liter V12, a carbon fiber chassis, a handcrafted aluminum body, and performance to match — including a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph. The One-77 rolls on 20-inch wheels wrapped in specially made Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.

More Cars | Exotic

Official Aston Martin One-77 document reveals design process, more details

2009-03-31T01:14:00.001-07:00

The era of epic supercars is certainly not over at Aston Martin, with the carmaker confirming the development of a brand new flagship model late last year. A life-size mock up was then put on display at the 2008 Paris Motor Show to tease the public and start building interest for the car, which is estimated to cost a cool £1.2 million. A technical design showcase at last week’s Geneva Motor Show revealed more about the car, and today an official Aston Martin document has been leaked detailing the car's technical and design details.

The key information to be gleaned from the PDF document leaked by 925 comes in picture form, though some of the text is informative as well. We already knew the limited-edition supercar was destined to be almost completely unique, but Aston reveals in the document that the only engine parts shared with the company's 6.0L V12 is the timing chain and sprocket arrangement - the engine is otherwise all-new from the bottom up.

Check out the new photos in the gallery below for sketches of the interior design, though a glimpse of the interior was revealed in Geneva last week.

Aston Martin presented the bare chassis of the first production version of the One-77 in Geneva in an attempt to showcase the engineering and design expertise behind the bespoke supercar. After all, the One-77 is being built not just as a halo car, but as an ultra-halo car, a sort of rekindling of the legacy of Aston Martin, plus a projection of the brand into the future. It's designed to be the most quintessential Aston Martin ever, and the most perfectly personalized car available.

The structural core of the One-77 is a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon-fiber monocoque. Conceived and designed at Aston Martin's Gaydon HQ, the monocoque, or 'tub', has been built in partnership with Multimatic (MTC) – a world leader in carbon composite technology.

Attached to this tub is a set of double wishbones at each corner, with pushrods employed to transfer vertical suspension movements to the horizontally mounted spring/damper units.

The dampers are fully adjustable and feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology - a world-first for a road car application. These special valves use high-precision machined components to enable the shock-absorbing characteristics of the damper to be changed without having to remove them from the car.

Underlining the truly bespoke nature of the One-77, the car's suspension characteristics will be precisely set-up by Aston Martin engineers to suit the owner’s exact requirements.

The One-77's power unit is an extreme evolution of the 6.0L V12 engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models. The brief for engine team was to take the 6.0L V12 as far as it could go, both in terms of output and weight reduction. The targets were a power output of no less than 700hp (522kW) with a 10% reduction in engine mass. Incredibly, the Aston Martin and Cosworth engineers who worked on the powertrain achieved a mass reduction of some 25% while increasing displacement to 7.3L.

Wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (255mm up front and 335mm up back) developed specifically for it, all 700hp is transmitted to the road through the rear wheels via a new six-speed gearbox. Controlled via column-mounted paddles behind the steering wheel, this robotised sequential manual is a new generation of Aston Martin's familiar automatic.

Stopping power comes from a set of carbon-ceramic discs and uprated calipers designed to transmit less heat from the brake pads into the brake fluid.

With a projected weight of 1,500kg the One-77 will occupy the very highest echelons of road car performance. Top speed is predicted to be in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5 seconds.

The custom-built nature of the One-77 echoes personalization programs recently undertaken by Lamborghini and Ferrari. Buyers will be able to customize every single part of the car, from the gearbox to the interior trim elements. Even the seats will be tailored to fit the driver and passenger’s individual curves. As the company CEO Ulrich Bez explains, the car should fit the owner like a tailored suit.

The next stage in its development will be the performance and durability phase so expect some exciting spy footage in the coming months.

Aston Martin One-77

2009-03-23T07:50:00.001-07:00