Autoblog https://www.autoblog.com Autoblog https://s.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog https://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2014 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith https://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: Audi to unveil S1 hot hatch at Geneva Motor Show]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/audi-s1-geneva-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/audi-s1-geneva-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/audi-s1-geneva-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi A1 Quattro

Audi has been toying with the idea of a hot hatch based on the A1 premium city car for some time now. It rolled out the 500-horsepower A1 Clubsport Quattro concept at the Wörthersee gathering a couple of years ago, then put its form (with half the power) into limited production with the 252hp A1 Quattro (pictured above) shortly thereafter. What it hasn't done is offer a mainstream S1 that people can actually get their hands on, but that's all about to change.

Following spy shots of numerous prototypes, Auto Express claims to have it on good authority that the new S1 will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. Though likely less aggressive in its visual impact, the S1 is expected to get almost as much power as the aforementioned A1 Quattro, with a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder sourced from the larger S3 but detuned to 230 hp.

A six-speed dual-clutch transmission is expected to drive all four wheels - something for which the platform was not originally designed but was later adapted to accommodate - though the availability of a six-speed manual remains in question. Unfortunately the A1 was never destined for the North American market, so as much as we might want one (and as much as Ingolstadt may be motivated to take a bite out of the Mini market), we wouldn't expect to see it roaring into American showrooms.

Audi to unveil S1 hot hatch at Geneva Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi s1genevageneva motor showTue, 21 Jan 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Land Rover LR2 prototype spotted wearing all-new body]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/land-rover-lr2-prototype-spy-shots/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/land-rover-lr2-prototype-spy-shots/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/land-rover-lr2-prototype-spy-shots/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Land Rover L550 spy shots

Land Rover, as we've reported earlier, is in the midst of a massive product reallignment. Everything in its product portfolio, we've been made to understand, is being compartmentalized into three families: Luxury, Dual Purpose and Leisure. The first will be made up of Range Rover models, the second out of the next-gen Defender family, and the latter built around the Discovery. Which is all well and fine to theorize about, but what we have here is the first physical example of Land Rover putting that plan into action.

Spied undergoing testing is the replacement for the Freelander, known to us as the LR2, to Land Rover engineers as the L550 and in theoretical terms as the "baby Discovery". That's because the successor to the current Freelander is being aligned closer to the Discovery/LR4, both in terms of its orientation and styling.

Sources indicate that the L550 is being spun off of the Evoque platform, and will arrive in both five- and seven-seater forms. Expect familiar Jaguar Land Rover engines to provide the motivation when the new LR2 rolls our way. But for now you can scope out the spy shots in the gallery above for a closer look at what to expect.

Land Rover LR2 prototype spotted wearing all-new body originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby discoveryland roverland rover lr2spy shotsTue, 21 Jan 2014 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Paul di Resta returns to DTM with Mercedes]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/paul-di-resta-dtm-mercedes-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/paul-di-resta-dtm-mercedes-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/paul-di-resta-dtm-mercedes-official/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Paul di Resta

Some drivers manage to make the transition from one form of motor racing into another, and some run into trouble. Take Paul di Resta, for example. The promising young Scottish driver dominated Formula 3 racing in Europe in 2006, then moved over to Germany's hugely competitive DTM touring car series where he finished second in 2008, third in 2009 and first in 2010. But things didn't go as smoothly for Paul - cousin to retired Indy champion Dario Franchitti - when he moved in to Formula One with the Force India team.

In three years on the grid, he failed to score a single podium finish. Little surprise, then, that Force India opted not to renew his contract for this season. Left without a ride, di Resta is now going back to DTM with longtime supporter Mercedes-Benz, testing the new C-Class touring car today in Portugal. It's good news for Mercedes, which is celebrating 120 years in motor racing this season and, with 2005 champion Gary Paffett also on board, can now count two former champions on its DTM roster.

We wouldn't count Paul out of F1 for good, though. When he won the DTM title four years ago, he was also moonlighting as Force India's test driver, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him pull similar double-duty with the Mercedes F1 team (or another Benz-powered outfit) this year before spring-boarding back into grand prix racing in the future. At 27 years old, he may not have been the youngest driver on the grid this year, but he's still got a good few years ahead of him.

Continue reading Paul di Resta returns to DTM with Mercedes

Paul di Resta returns to DTM with Mercedes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dtmf1mercedesmercedes-benzpaul di restaTue, 21 Jan 2014 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Mini locks out the podium at Dakar Rally]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mini-wins-1-2-3-dakar-2014-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mini-wins-1-2-3-dakar-2014-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mini-wins-1-2-3-dakar-2014-official/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mini at the 2014 Dakar Rally

Motor racing is often overcome by dominant forces. In Formula One these days, it's all about Red Bull. Le Mans is absolutely dominated by Audi. Citroën devastated the World Rally Championship for years. And the Dakar Rally is no exception to that particular rule, either.

The Mitsubishi Pajero won the event seven years in a row and many times before that. Then Volkswagen took the lead, winning three years running with competition-spec Touaregs once the rally shifted from North Africa to South America in 2009. But these days it's Mini that dominates.

The Mini All4 Racing team won in 2012, again in 2013 and has just won it again for 2014. Not only did it win again, but it took a devastating 1-2-3 finish to lock out the podium. Over the course of 13 days, Minis won 11 out of 13 of the total stages that make up the grueling rally, at the end of which Nasser Al-Attiyah crossed the line in third, Stéphane Peterhansel finished second, and just five minutes ahead of him, Nani Roma crossed the finish line in Valparaíso in first place. (Of course it didn't hurt that there were no fewer than 11 Minis entered in this year's rally, but still.)

It wouldn't have been the first win for any of the three of them, either: Al-Attiyah won the rally for VW in 2011, Peterhansel has won no fewer than eleven times (including the last two for Mini), and Roma won in 2004 - but in the motorcycle category riding a KTM (as has exclusively been the case for the last 13 years).

Marc Coma won the motorcycle class this year on (you guessed it) a KTM, a trio of Russians took the truck category in a Kamaz and Ignacio Casale won the Quad trophy on a Yamaha. Unfortunately things didn't go as well this year for Belgian rider Eric Palante, who never made it to the finish line - or for the two fans who were killed while following the rally in their own vehicle.

Continue reading Mini locks out the podium at Dakar Rally

Mini locks out the podium at Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 dakar rallydakardakar rallyminimini all4 racingTue, 21 Jan 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Radical RXC hits American roads for $170k [w/video]]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/radical-rxc-usa-video/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/radical-rxc-usa-video/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/radical-rxc-usa-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Radical RXC in California

If you're looking for the ultimate racecar for the road, look no further than the Radical RXC. The trouble is that while the RXC is nominally capable of driving on public roads, like most Radicals it wasn't certified for the United States. But now it has been.

According to a statement released by the manufacturer, the RXC has passed "the required tests for road registration in California." The type-approval process was apparently undertaken principally by Radical customer Jeffrey Cheng, who can be seen in the video below (and the photo above) driving his orange RXC to Cars and Coffee in Irvine late last month. However exceptional the approval may be, it has paved the way for Radical to begin taking orders for the new RXC in the US. Radical tells us that the first registrations are being undertaken on a case-by-case basis, but that it is working on getting type-approval for sale across the United States.

Interested customers can expect to pay a minimum base price of $171,280 for a US-delivered RXC, but of course that's just the starting point. Upgrade to the new 454-horsepower EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 (which was apparently developed with the US market in mind) and you'll have to fork over another $17,085, or if you want the 500-horsepower V8 option, it'll set you back an extra $28,960 over list. The carbon kit will set you back another $3k, air-con almost $5k,, the same again for an FIA-compliant fuel tank, $3,655 for an air jack system, and $5,500 for telemetry system. As you can see, it doesn't take long to break through the $200k mark with all the options available, and you'll have to put down 25 percent upon placing the order.

Whichever options are (or are not) selected, you're looking at what essentially boils down to a road-going Daytona Prototype if we've ever seen one. So it's only fitting that it should be available Stateside.

Continue reading Radical RXC hits American roads for $170k [w/video]

Radical RXC hits American roads for $170k [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>radicalradical rxcTue, 21 Jan 2014 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Alex Zanardi back in the driver's seat with BMW]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/alex-zanardi-back-bmw-blancpain/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/alex-zanardi-back-bmw-blancpain/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/alex-zanardi-back-bmw-blancpain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alex Zanardi with BMW Z4 GT3

If there's ever been an inspirational story in the pantheon of motor racing history, surely it's that of Alessandro Zanardi. The Italian driver worked his way up the motor racing ladder, making it into Formula One and winning two CART championships for Chip Ganassi Racing back before the series re-merged into IndyCars. Tragedy struck in 2001 when he lost both his legs in a crash at the Lausitzring in Germany, but rather than accept his fate, Alex pushed on. Fitted with prosthetic limbs, he learned to drive a racing car with hand controls and got back in the driver's seat.

Zanardi drove for BMW in the European Touring Car Championship and then in the World Touring Car Championship that replaced it, landing on the podium several times despite his physical disadvantage. He left racing in 2009 to train for the Paralympics, winning two gold medals in London, but Alex apparently couldn't shake the racing bug. BMW modified one of its M3 DTM racers with hand controls for him to test later that year. And now he's returning to motor racing full time.

BMW has just announced that Zanardi will be driving a Z4 GT3 in the Blancpain Sprint Series, the successor to the FIA GT Series and short-distance counterpart to the Blancpain Endurance Series. The car has been modified with the hand controls the Bavarian automaker's racing department fitted to the aforementioned M3 DTM and will be fielded by the ROAL Motorsport team with which Alex challenged for the European Touring Car Championship last decade.

"The sprints in the Blancpain GT Sprint Series are tailor-made for Alex," said team leader and former DTM champion Roberto Ravaglia. "We will do everything in our power to give him a strong car, with which he can reproduce the performances and success we have seen from him in the past." For our part, we'll sure be looking forward to seeing how Zanardi performs when the series kicks off on April 21 with a one-hour race at the circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro, France. Scope out the details in the press release below for more.

Continue reading Alex Zanardi back in the driver's seat with BMW

Alex Zanardi back in the driver's seat with BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alessandro zanardialex zanardiblancpainblancpain gt sprint seriesbmwfia gt seriesroal motorsportTue, 21 Jan 2014 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Chevy reveals new Camaro Z/28.R ahead of Daytona debut]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/chevy-camaro-z28r-daytona-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/chevy-camaro-z28r-daytona-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/chevy-camaro-z28r-daytona-official/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevy Camaro Z/28.R

If you thought the new Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was awesome, well you're right. Because it is. But the new Z/28.R announced today is even more so.

Replacing the previous Camaro GS.R that won six races in three seasons of the Continental SportsCar series, the new Camaro Z/28.R is set to debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in just a few days' time. There it will be fielded by Stevenson Motorsports and CKS Autosport in the production-based Grand Sport class.

What makes the Z/28.R so impressive is how closely based it is on its production counterpart. Like the new Corvette C7.R was developed alongside the new Z06, so too was the Z/28.R developed together with the road-going Z/28. It's built around the same chassis, of course, but it also uses the same LS7 7.0-liter V8 engine, helical-gear limited-slip differential and aero kit. The front splitter, rear spoiler, hood extractor vent, rocker panels and belly pan are all sourced from the Z/28 you can buy.

That's why Chevy's motorsport director Mark Kent says, "The Z/28.R is as close to a production-spec race car as you'll find." See what he means in the high-res images above and the press release below.

Continue reading Chevy reveals new Camaro Z/28.R ahead of Daytona debut

Chevy reveals new Camaro Z/28.R ahead of Daytona debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevychevy camarochevy camaro z28chevy camaro z28.rdaytonaimsa continental sportscar challengerolex 24 at daytonaTue, 21 Jan 2014 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: McLaren gunning for Ferrari 458 Speciale with hardcore 12C]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mclaren-mp4-12c-hardcore-ferrari-458-speciale-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mclaren-mp4-12c-hardcore-ferrari-458-speciale-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/mclaren-mp4-12c-hardcore-ferrari-458-speciale-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am Edition

Since the launch of the MP4-12C back in 2011, McLaren has rolled out endless variations on the theme. The original coupe was followed by the 12C Spider, the GT3 racing version, the Can-Am hardcore track toy (pictured above), the GT Sprint mild track version and more special editions than we could count. But Woking isn't done yet. Not by a long shot.

The latest word coming in from the UK has it that McLaren is preparing an even more focused version of the 12C to take on the Ferrari 458 Speciale. That should mean some trimming of the fat and upgrading of equipment to raise that all-important power-to-weight ratio. According to Autocar, the House that Bruce Built plans to boost the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 from its current 616 horsepower to around 650 - which shouldn't be too difficult since the same engine has already been optimized to produce 727 hp in the McLaren P1, even before the hybrid boost is taken into account.

Standard carbon-ceramic brakes are expected to help keep the extra power in check, while some aerodynamic enhancements are said to be in the mix as well. The hardcore 12C is also tipped to get a new front-end treatment reminiscent of the P1 that's then slated to make the transition to other versions of the 12C to give the derivatively-styled supercar more personality and family resemblance.

McLaren gunning for Ferrari 458 Speciale with hardcore 12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mclarenmclaren 12cmclaren mp4-12cTue, 21 Jan 2014 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford recalls select Explorer, E-Series vans]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/ford-explorer-e-series-recall/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/ford-explorer-e-series-recall/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/21/ford-explorer-e-series-recall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Ford Explorer

Just a few days ago we brought you news that Ford had issued a recall on 28,000 units of the Edge crossover for problems related to the fuel line. But now the Blue Oval has issued recall notices on two more of its larger vehicles.

The first relates to the Explorer, 395 examples of which from the 2011 and 2012 model years were found to have problems with their steering systems if they underwent service after September 1, 2013. An apparent software glitch could lock the steering gear, preventing the driver from steering the vehicle and thereby increasing the risk of a crash. As a result, Ford dealers are being instructed to check their records to identify the problematic vehicles and bring them in to have the steering gear replaced. Details of the recall can be found in the PDF linked here.

The second problem revolves around E-Series vans that may develop bubbles in their windshields under hot temperatures. The decrease in visibility through the problematic windshield could - you guessed it - "increase the risk of a crash." As a result, Ford is calling in 4,532 units of the E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450 vans built in the relatively short window between May 12 and May 26, 2011. Details of this recall can be found in the notice below from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading Ford recalls select Explorer, E-Series vans

Ford recalls select Explorer, E-Series vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford e-seriesford econolineford explorernhtsarecallTue, 21 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Callaway details new supercharged Stingray SC610]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/callaway-corvette-stingray-sc610-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/callaway-corvette-stingray-sc610-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/callaway-corvette-stingray-sc610-official/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Callaway Corvette SC610

There's something about a Corvette that just begs to be supercharged. That's why Chevy blew out the previous ZR1 and why it did the same with the new Z06. And it's also why Callaway has been working on a supercharger kit of its own for the Stingray.

The House that Reeves Built indicated the project was underway when it released a teaser image showing just the hood of a supercharged Stingray back in August. Now it's followed up with a rendering of the whole thing and some key specifications of its blown Vette.

Dubbed SC610, Callaway's kit packs an Eaton twin-vortex supercharger, high-flow intake and stainless steel exhaust to drive output up to 610 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque, which is less than the output of the previous ZR1 (638 hp) or the new Z06 (>625 hp), but substantially more than the stock Stingray's 460 hp. Other features include a carbon hood extractor, special badging and more. Buyers will even be able to specify unique nine-spoke alloys, a coil-over suspension with adjustable dampers, short-throw shifter, upgraded brakes and a full carbon aero kit (not to mention the AeroWagon body conversion to follow).

The result is a 0-60 time quoted at 3.4 seconds, quarter mile in 11 seconds flat at 125 miles per hour and 1.05 g of skidpad grip. We don't know how that compares to the new Z06, but it stands up favorably against the Stingray's quoted 3.8-second 0-60 time. Scope out the details in the press release below and click the image above to enlarge.

Continue reading Callaway details new supercharged Stingray SC610

Callaway details new supercharged Stingray SC610 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>callawaycallaway corvette sc610callaway sc610chevychevy corvetteMon, 20 Jan 2014 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Jeremy Clarkson apologizes for gay slur in Twitter pic]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/jeremy-clarkson-apology-gay-slur-twitter/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/jeremy-clarkson-apology-gay-slur-twitter/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/jeremy-clarkson-apology-gay-slur-twitter/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jeremy Clarkson's controversial sleeping photo

Jeremy Clarkson may be many things to many people, but politically correct is not one of them. It is, after all, his opinionated nature that makes him who he is. But every once in a while - okay, more than every once in a while - he falls afoul of offending one group of people or another. And this time, it's the gay community.

The outspoken host of BBC's Top Gear recently tweeted a picture of himself on a plane to his 2.8-million Twitter followers. Next to his head in the picture is a sign with an arrow pointed to his head with the word "gay" followed by another word that we won't reprint here - let's just say it starts with the letter "C" and rhymes with the way you might kick a football to the opposing team. Or then the sign could be pointing at his co-host, James May, but that would hardly make it any less controversial.

Following outcries from his fans and detractors, Clarkson hastily deleted the photo from Twitter and posted the following apology:



Whether said apology will be accepted by the fans he offended remains to be seen, but it wasn't the first time and surely won't be the last that Clarkson will have offended some group or another. He is, after all, the least politically correct BBC television host... in the world.

Jeremy Clarkson apologizes for gay slur in Twitter pic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaygbltjeremy clarksontop geartweettwitterMon, 20 Jan 2014 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Auctions: $8.8m '58 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider highlights RM's Arizona auction]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/ferrari-250-gt-california-spider-rm-auctions-arizona/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/ferrari-250-gt-california-spider-rm-auctions-arizona/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/ferrari-250-gt-california-spider-rm-auctions-arizona/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RM Arizona 2014

All manner of vehicles change hands at the annual auction extravaganza in Arizona, but never has one sold for as much as the Ferrari you see here. The car in question is an (obviously) eminently desirable 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, one of only 50 ever made and purring onto the stage in flawless red over black livery with matching numbers of the coveted covered headlights straight from the factory.

When we reported on the car's consignment in anticipation of this weekend's sale, it was expected to bring in between $7 and 9 million - and it's done just that, coming in near the top of its valuation with a winning bid of $8.8 million. That makes for a lot of zeros, but while it set a new record for the Arizona auctions, it hardly makes it the most expensive in the world. That honor still belongs to the Mercedes-Benz W196 that sold last summer for nearly $30 million. Nor is it the most expensive Ferrari ever sold at auction, an honor which still belongs to the 250 Testa Rossa that sold for over $16 million in 2011. Heck, it's not even the most expensive 250 California ever sold, coming in behind the SWB example that sold for nearly $11 million in 2008. All of which only goes to show just how insane the collector classic car market has grown in recent years.

The California was undeniably the highlight of RM's two-day sale, but was joined by several other seven-dollar lots, including a 1961 Porsche 718 ($2.75 million), a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso ($2.44 million), a Duesenberg Model J convertible ($2.2 million) and several other million-dollar Ferraris, Mercedes and a '35 Hispano-Suiza. A 1961 Chaparral 1 failed to reach its reserve price despite a high bid of $1.75 million, neither did a 1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 at $1.18 million or a Ferrari 275 GTB/4 at $2.85 million. RM Auctions did, however, manage to sell 85 percent of those lots consigned to bring in a massive two-day total of $45.56 million in sales, details of which you can read in the press release below.

Continue reading $8.8m '58 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider highlights RM's Arizona auction

$8.8m '58 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider highlights RM's Arizona auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arizonaauctionferrariferrari 250 gt california spiderferrari 250 gt lwb california spiderrm auctionsrm auctions arizonaMon, 20 Jan 2014 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Auctions: McLaren F1 GTR Longtail sells at Gooding for $5.28 million]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-f1-gtr-longtail-gooding-scottsdale-5-million/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-f1-gtr-longtail-gooding-scottsdale-5-million/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-f1-gtr-longtail-gooding-scottsdale-5-million/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail

Last month we reported on a very rare McLaren being put up for auction under the auspices of Gooding & Company. One of only 106 examples of the McLaren F1 ever made, one of only 28 made in GTR competition spec, and one of just ten longtail versions, chassis number 021R won FIA GT Championship races in Germany and Finland, making it one of the most successful F1 GTRs ever campaigned and earning its place in the pantheon of McLaren lore.

With original livery in immaculate condition, this rare McLaren F1 GTR Longtail sold this weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $5.28 million. Which may seem like a lot of money - and by any account, it surely is - but comes in at the low end of the pre-sale estimates that placed its value at between $5 and $7 million. To put that into proper McLaren perspective, consider that the same amount could buy you a full grid of ten 12C Can-Ams, five examples of the new McLaren P1, or probably get McLaren to build you your own custom creation like the X1. Check out the live images from the scene in the gallery above.

McLaren F1 GTR Longtail sells at Gooding for $5.28 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionsgooding and companymclarenmclaren f1mclaren f1 gtrmclaren f1 gtr longtailscottsdaleSun, 19 Jan 2014 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: McLaren reinstates Ron Dennis as CEO]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-ron-dennis-back-group-ceo-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-ron-dennis-back-group-ceo-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/mclaren-ron-dennis-back-group-ceo-official/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ron Dennis

With new versions of the 12C coming out all the time, the new P1 still wowing crowds and additional projects underway, sports car fanatics might surmise that McLaren is doing pretty well for itself these days. But Formula One fans would likely disagree. After losing its longtime prodigy Lewis Hamilton to its longtime partner, Mercedes, McLaren failed to land on the podium (let alone win an actual grand prix) even once last season. In fact, the last time McLaren - one of the most historically successful teams on the grid - won the F1 World Championship was back in 2008, when Ron Dennis was still calling the shots. Little wonder, then, that the board of the McLaren Group has seen it fit to reinstate Dennis as chief executive officer.

Ron Dennis is the man rightfully and widely credited with turning McLaren into the powerhouse it is today. He came to the team in 1980 at the end of a three-year dry spell in which it had not won a single grand prix. The following season, it was already winning races again, and by 1984, it was winning World Championships again: seven Constructors' Championships and ten Drivers' Championships with pilots like Lauda, Prost, Senna, Hakkinen and Hamilton. All in all, the team was never as successful as it was under the leadership of Ron Dennis, but in 2009, he stepped aside as team principal to focus on expanding the group's business, leaving Martin Whitmarsh to assume the title of CEO. But while the carmaking division has grown under Dennis' watchful eye, the F1 team has floundered under Whitmarsh's direction. So the board has reinstated Dennis as CEO of the entire group.

This isn't the first time McLaren has faced difficulties with (and had to replace) one of Dennis' lieutenants. Last year, McLaren Automotive's managing director Antony Sheriff was placed on extended leave, his duties ultimately effectively reassigned to Mike Flewitt, who was promoted from chief operating officer to chief executive officer of the carmaking unit this past summer. Just what that this new appointment will mean for Whitmarsh in his role as F1 team principal remains to be seen, but Dennis says he is gearing up "to write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren, beginning by improving our on-track and off-track performance." He'll have a new strategy outlined for the group next month, but in the meantime, you can read the official announcement below.

Continue reading McLaren reinstates Ron Dennis as CEO

McLaren reinstates Ron Dennis as CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>martin whitmarshmclarenmclaren automotivemclaren groupron dennisSun, 19 Jan 2014 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: David Brown Automotive to launch with new sports car in April]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/david-brown-automotive-project-judi-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/david-brown-automotive-project-judi-official/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/19/david-brown-automotive-project-judi-official/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

David Brown Automotive logo

Recognize the name David Brown? If you know your British automotive history, you should. But if you don't, maybe you'll recognize him by his initials. The letters DB have adorned some of the most iconic Aston Martins ever made, so named after the man who bought the marque in 1947 (and Lagonda the year after), transforming it into the automaker we know today.

This, however, is another David Brown. Which makes sense, since the former Aston chief passed away over two decades ago. But this David Brown started out in the family business manufacturing earth-moving equipment that was later sold to Caterpillar, and has since been involved in a number of ventures, but he's now bent on returning the name - whoever it refers to - to the British sports car market.

The newly formed David Brown Automotive is working on an original sports car, tentatively dubbed Project Judi, to be revealed this coming April. Former Land Rover designer Alana Mobberley is responsible for the form and engineering consultancy Envisage Group is preparing it for limited production.

There's not much else in the way of information in the press release below, except to say that, "It will combine a classically-inspired exterior design, with the latest in performance, dynamics, technology, comfort and refinement." We'll be watching to see how the project develops.

Continue reading David Brown Automotive to launch with new sports car in April

David Brown Automotive to launch with new sports car in April originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jan 2014 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david browndavid brown automotiveproject judiSun, 19 Jan 2014 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Lotus F1 team $186 million in debt]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/17/lotus-f1-team-186-million-debt-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/17/lotus-f1-team-186-million-debt-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/17/lotus-f1-team-186-million-debt-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gerald Lopez at 2011 German Grand Prix

The Lotus F1 team has fallen on some hard times. Majority-owned by investment firm Genii Capital and having little to do with the British automaker with which it shares its name, the Enstone-based outfit has been widely reported to be in serious financial trouble. The extent of those difficulties were until now unknown, but a new report from Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reveals that the team is in the red to the tune of £114 million - equivalent to $186 million at today's conversion rates.

The lack in cashflow is widely believed to have been the impetus for Kimi Raikkonen's departure from the team in order to return to cash-rich Ferrari, and was one of the major factors in selecting Pastor Maldonado to replace him instead of a more proven and accomplished driver of Raikkonen's caliber. Maldonado brings with him major sponsorship funds from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. In speaking with the German publication, however, Lotus F1 chairman (and Genii co-founder) Gerald Lopez revealed that the lion's share of the team's debt - £80 million or $130 million - is with Genii Capital itself, a negative balance that isn't likely to affect the team's day to day. That leaves about $56 million which the team owes to outside parties, including Raikkonen, who has yet to receive the full pay he was contracted for.

The team has opted to sit out the first test session of the Formula One season at Jerez. Its 2014 chassis isn't ready and, given the relatively cold temperatures at this point in the year, the team wouldn't expect to learn much about tire performance and degradation. As far as the new engine goes, Lopez says that any knowledge gleaned by Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Caterham at the test session will ultimately be shared with Renault and through it back to Lotus as well. Lotus engineers helped develop the new KERS system with Renault regardless, so the team already has the energy-recovery data it needs. The team will instead prepare for the second test session in Bahrain, by which point it aims to have its new car ready to kick off the season. Lopez says that it has secured the funding to offset its costs for the season ahead, and that it is working to pay down its debt.

Lotus F1 team $186 million in debt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>debtf1jerezlotuslotus f1 teamFri, 17 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Red Bull Frozen Rush puts off-road trucks on ski slopes [w/videos]]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/red-bull-frozen-rush-videos/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/red-bull-frozen-rush-videos/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/red-bull-frozen-rush-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Red Bull Frozen Rush 2014

From the deserts of Baja to the hills of Pikes Peak to stadiums across the country, there's any number of places you can go to watch off-road racing trucks do their thing. But with Frozen Rush, Red Bull has skipped past all of them and headed to the ski hill.

The energy-drink company is no stranger to motor racing, sponsoring and even running its own teams in countless motorsport disciplines - not least of them the reigning four-time world champion Red Bull Racing team in Formula One. Last year it brought Pro 4 truck racing legend Ricky Johnson out to Mount Snow in Vermont for a demonstration, but that was only to set the stage for this year's race.

For the first time, Red Bull placed eight Pro 4 racing trucks - each packing 900 horsepower, special studded BFGoodrich tires and enough suspension travel and attitude to make a Ford Raptor look like a Power Wheels toy - on a specially-designed race course (complete with jumps, slaloms and more) on the slopes of Maine's Sunday River Resort to battle for top honors.

The event brought out ten thousand spectators despite the single-digit temperatures, and after the final four-lap heat was done, Ricky Johnson just edged out longtime rival Johnny Greaves who was hit with a five-second penalty for hitting a race gate. Check out the action in the image gallery above and the video clips below.

Continue reading Red Bull Frozen Rush puts off-road trucks on ski slopes [w/videos]

Red Bull Frozen Rush puts off-road trucks on ski slopes [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downhill truck racingfrozen rushoff-road racingpro 4red bullred bull frozen rushskisnowsnow truck racingThu, 16 Jan 2014 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Acura considering Vezel-based compact crossover]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/acura-considering-vezel-based-compact-crossover-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/acura-considering-vezel-based-compact-crossover-report/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/acura-considering-vezel-based-compact-crossover-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Acura Concept SUV-X

There's a distinct benefit to automakers having their own premium brand. After all, why develop one vehicle to be sold under one nameplate if you can turn it into two? Especially if a little reconfiguration and some premium accoutrements allow said automaker to charge significantly more for the luxury version. It's a winning formula - for crossovers especially - that Toyota has used to turn the Highlander into the Lexus RX (even if the first-gen RX arrived before the original Highlander), that Ford has used to transform the Edgee into the Lincoln MKX and that General Motors has applied to the Chevrolet Suburban to turn it into the Cadillac Escalade (to name just a few of the many examples out there). And it's one to which Honda and its Acura division are certainly not unaccustomed.

Acura has adapted its Euro-spec Honda Accord into the TSX, the Civic into the ILX, the CR-V into the RDX and the Pilot into the MDX. And now that the Honda Vezel is coming to market, Acura reportedly has its eye on that as well. The idea was first introduced when Acura unveiled the SUV-X concept (shown above) at the Shanghai Motor Show this past April, just a few months after Honda revealed its Urban SUV concept that previewed the production Vezel. At the time, says Automotive News, Acura said it intended to put the concept into production in China for the Chinese market, and it's reportedly moving ahead with those plans. But now that it is, executives are wondering where else they might find buyers for the premium compact crossover.

With the Vezel soon to begin production alongside the Fit at Honda's new plant in Mexico, it wouldn't be a stretch to see the Acura version follow suit. The market does, after all, seem to be heating up with entries like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, and we couldn't blame Honda - pardon us, Acura - for wanting a slice of that pie.

Acura considering Vezel-based compact crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura suv-xacura vezelhonda vezelThu, 16 Jan 2014 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford calling in 28k Edge crossovers over fuel line leak]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/ford-recall-28k-edge-crossovers-over-fuel-line-leak/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/ford-recall-28k-edge-crossovers-over-fuel-line-leak/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/ford-recall-28k-edge-crossovers-over-fuel-line-leak/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Ford Edge

A problem with the fuel line on certain examples of the Ford Edge has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall. The issue revolves around the metal housing on the fuel line pulse damper, which was apparently improperly manufactured in the first place and is prone to crack in certain circumstances, leading to a fuel leak. And as we all know, a fuel leak is not a good thing.

The problem affects model year 2012 and 2013 Edge crossovers equipped with the 2.0-liter engine and manufactured between September 2, 2010 and April 25, 2013 - a total of 27,933 units. Although the Lincoln MKX is closely related to the Edge, since it isn't offered with the same engine (to which the problem is related), the recall does not include the premium-badged version. See the recall notice below for further details.

Continue reading Ford calling in 28k Edge crossovers over fuel line leak

Ford calling in 28k Edge crossovers over fuel line leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jan 2014 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford edge2013 ford edgefordford edgefuelnhtsarecallThu, 16 Jan 2014 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Bugatti moving ahead with Veyron successor]]>https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/bugatti-veyron-successor-no-galibier/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/bugatti-veyron-successor-no-galibier/https://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/16/bugatti-veyron-successor-no-galibier/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With production of the Veyron coming to an end, all eyes are fixed squarely on Bugatti and what it
will do next. Because by next year, it will have sold the last examples of the Grand Sport and Vitesse roadsters, and after that there will be no more. And since the Veyron line is the only one Bugatti makes - or has made, for that matter, since Volkswagen took it over - it will need something else in place or it will effectively go dormant. The only question is what that next project will be - or more likely, given the timeframe, already is.

One thing which Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber - who is now president of Bugatti and was its technical director during the Veyron's development - ruled out in speaking with Top Gear is that there won't be any further development of the existing Veyron. Schreiber put to rest the longstanding rumors that an even more extreme evolution of the Veyron than the record-breaking Super Sport would be made, and that the vehicle would die after the remaining 43 examples have been built. Nor will Bugatti proceed with development of a four-door model. It's an idea that Bugatti entertained prior to the release of the Veyron with the EB218 concept at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show and again after it with the Galibier concept in 2009, but it's ultimately been put to rest. According to Schreiber, a four-door Bugatti "would confuse our customers."

What the Alsatian marque is focusing on instead is a new supercar to succeed the Veyron. We'd expect it to carry an evolution of the same W16 engine as its predecessor, though it would be cool to see it mounted up front in some sort of hyper-GT this time around. (But in that regard we're admittedly just spitballing.) Whatever form it takes, Schreiber is clear what its target will be: he's unconcerned by the Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1 or Ferrari LaFerrari, and only has to answer to the Veyron it replaces. Whether it will also use a hybrid powertrain remains to be seen: "Maybe, but it's too early to open the door and show you what we have planned." The point is that, after shifts in management and direction, Bugatti has a plan, and is working to put it in action. We're eager to see what form it takes.

Bugatti moving ahead with Veyron successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugattibugatti veyronThu, 16 Jan 2014 10:28:00 EST