Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/05/31/video-crafted-at-bmw-m/
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Video: Crafted at BMW M
M stands for Motorsports, BMW’s historical passion. To emphasize the uniqueness of their M products, BMW releases a ...
Of Course They Are: Jaguar reportedly investigating C-X75 production
Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Jaguar, Luxury
Jaguar C-X75 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the Jaguar C-X75 Concept at the Paris Motor Show? Of course you do. The company repeatedly said it was "a pure concept" that wouldn't ever learn what the word "production" meant. Well, along with Galileo, Jaguar is reportedly joining the list of those who took it all back - well, almost - by admitting it's studying the production feasibility of what would become the X-75.
The stats again: Two 96-horsepower micro gas turbines powering batteries which in turn feed a quartet of 195-hp electric motors at the wheels for a shuddering 780 hp and 1,187 pound-feet, a 3.4-second run to 62 miles per hour, a top speed of 205 mph, an electric range of 68 miles and a range-extended blast of 560 miles. Autocar says that although Jag is studying only making 1,000 or 2,000 per year and could charge a fortune for every one of them, it's those turbines that could decide - or more likely, terminate - the car's fate.
See, Jag doesn't want to stick a plain old combustion engine in it. Otherwise it would have to be redesigned because the turbines' small footprint don't allow room for what would need to be a very powerful V8 or a large V12. Even though the company says developing the turbines for production would cost less than doing so for an ICE, it will take up to eight years to get them ready - for even a low-volume item. Of course, we can't imagine Jaguar is going to stand up at the 2016 Paris Auto Show and declare "The six-year-old concept car you loved in 2010 will be here in two more years! Get ready!" As far as we're concerned, we're happy to imagine gas turbines coming in some kind of Jaguar at some kind of date, whenever it is.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Autocar]
Of Course They Are: Jaguar reportedly investigating C-X75 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/jaguar-c-x75-concept-production-possible/
Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show
The 2011 North American International Auto Show wasn't exactly chock-full of game-changing new product, but that didn't keep the media and public from making it a much bigger success than the 2010 show. Crain's Detroit Business reports that the 2011 Detroit Auto Show held 5,000 members of the international media during press days and 21,000 guests (5,000 more than in 2010) during the two-day industry preview. The annual charity preview saw another 10,500 guests, raising $2.6 million for charity.
That's good news, but the top headlines for the struggling Detroit area are reserved for the $325 to $350 million in total estimated economic impact - about $25 million more than in 2010. A grand total of 735,370 members of the general public purchased tickets to NAIAS; up 20,000 from the 2010 show. Now that's certainly a step in the right direction.
[Source: Crain's Detroit Business | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images]
Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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McLaren crashes MP4 12C on the 'Ring... is a record attempt in the cards?
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Luxury
McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery
Word on the web is that McLaren binned a new MP4-12C at the Nürburgring recently. According to Pistonheads, one of the early prototypes of the vehicle got up close and personal with some barriers at the legendary circuit, though the damage apparently wasn't severe enough to put the model out of commission for good. The driver, who remains anonymous, wasn't injured in the kerfuffle. McLaren hasn't come out and said whether the incident was a result of driver error, mechanical failure or some other factor.
Officially, he MP4-12C was only out for durability testing, but since the accident occurred at the very end of a scheduled test session, some minds have begun to wonder whether or not McLaren was attempting to set a 'Ring record time with their new lightweight. According to Pistonheads, the company says that while it may pursue such an adventure at some point down the line, that's not what was going on when the vehicle left the tarmac. Of course, that would seem to contradict reports from the scene where witnesses were said they saw the MP4-12C traveling flat-out just before the impact.
McLaren crashes MP4 12C on the 'Ring... is a record attempt in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Average gas prices--May 23, 2011
Gasoline prices are down in all regions across the country compared to the week before. The national gasoline average is $1.06 above the price this time last year. Diesel fuel is about $.98 above this time last year. National regular...
Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/05/average-gas-prices-may-23-2011.html
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster unveiled
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery
After the endless parade of rumors, conjecture, spy shots and even official information, Mercedes-Benz has finally dropped the full batch of details and photos of its latest flagship: the SLS AMG Roadster.
The new droptop loses the gullwing doors of its coupe counterpart, but those German engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure it loses nothing else in the process. Chopping the roof, fitting conventional doors, and stiffening the body as required results in a convertible that only weighs 88 lbs more than the coupe. The roof-available in black, red or beige-can be dropped or raised in just eleven seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.
Top speed is electronically limited in either position to 197 mph, while officially quoted acceleration times, for some reason, drop from 3.8 seconds in the gullwing coupe to 3.7 in the Roadster. Along with the convertible roof, Mercedes has also packed in a new electronically-controlled Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension, AMG Performance Media system to track and display vehicle telemetrics, and an AMG Drive Unit to control it all.
The Roadster - which beats the anticipated convertible versions of the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C, Pagani Huayra and Lamborghini Aventador to market - will be officially unveiled this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, around the same time that deliveries are set to begin Stateside. In the meantime, you can follow the jump for all the details and check out the extensive photo gallery for a closer look.
Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster unveiled
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 May 2011 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Paris 2010: Saab 9-3 ePower signals one way for ward for the Swedes
Filed under: Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Saab, Electric, Luxury
Saab 9-3 ePower - Click above for high-res image gallery
Unlike so many other electric vehicles introduced at the Paris Motor Show and throughout the year, the Saab 9-3 ePower doesn't look like its vanity plate should read "Buck Rogers," and it isn't powered by dark matter or black holes or Neptunian vapor. It's a 9-3 SportCombi with a plug in the back. That's all.
But that means a lot for Saab. The ePower is a testbed for a 70-car fleet that will be evaluated next year in Sweden in preparation for a production electric vehicle. The aim is a 120-mile range in a car that provides real-world wagon convenience. Up front is a 184-horsepower electric motor, 26 hp less than the ICE in the production 2.0T, powered by a 35 kW lithium-ion battery pack. That gets the estate from zero to 62 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds and on to a 90-mph top speed.
Trials in Sweden will put the air-cooled batteries' 30-degree Celsius operating temperature to the test, which Saab claims is ten degrees colder than other battery packs can manage. The 70 families invited to drive the car over the next two years will put its other attributes to the test. If all goes well, Saab wants to turn the knowledge it gains into a high-performance electric vehicle. There's more to know in the press release after the jump, and plenty of high-res images in the gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL
Continue reading Paris 2010: Saab 9-3 ePower signals one way for ward for the Swedes
Paris 2010: Saab 9-3 ePower signals one way for ward for the Swedes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Survey reveals what car buyers least like about buying a car, and it isn?t the dealership
Consumers are clear on the two things they least like about buying a new car: the cost (30 percent) and the dealership experience (22 percent). In a recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, adult car owners said...
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Honda bringing CR-Z TS-1X concept to Tokyo Auto Salon
Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda, Tokyo Auto Salon
The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon gets underway January 14th, and Honda a is bringing an aggressively-styled CR-Z to the party. Dubbed the Tesutosutadimoderu TS-1X, the two-seater was a standard Honda CR-Z before a set of sporty wheels, body-kit and flat-black paint scheme upped the car's threat level from wallflower to ready-for-war.
We're not going to call this body kit ugly before seeing at least a few more shots of it installed, but if we found out there's a K20 under the hood, we wouldn't be surprised to see it push straight into attack mode and sprout a sweeping red lamp up front. In any case, this won't be the last bit of craziness seen from Tokyo... stay tuned.
[Source: Honda]
Honda bringing CR-Z TS-1X concept to Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/13/honda-bringing-cr-z-ts-1x-concept-to-tokyo-auto-salon/
Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll]
Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford
2011 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following the second press day at the Paris Motor Show at a drive event in Southern France, Ford's global vice president of marketing, Jim Farley, let slip to Autoblog that Dearborn decisionmakers are mulling over whether to import the C-Max to the U.S. As you'll recall, Ford has already committed to bringing over the C-Max's larger line mate, the seven-seat Grand C-Max, a vehicle that Farley tells us won't hit American soil until early in calendar 2012 (likely as a 2013 model).
Unlike its bigger brother, the C-Max has conventional front-hinged rear doors (the Grand has a pair of sliders) along with a more aggressive roofline and rear graphic to complement its shorter wheelbase. Think of it as more of a pent-roof Focus wagon and less of a smallish minivan in the mold of the Mazda5 and you've got it.
Interestingly, Farley maintains that Ford won't necessarily wait until the Grand C-Max goes on sale in the U.S. to determine whether or not to bring the model to America, and it will actively solicit feedback from both journalists and consumers to see if there's a business case to be made. While such language is common among PR folks looking to assuage media members always clamoring for the importation of forbidden automotive fruit, Farley sounded quite optimistic. Further, he reminded us that there was "absolutely no plan" initially to market the next-gen five-door Focus in the States, but that all changed after the 2007 Verve concept was met with an enthusiastic response from media members and show goers. A few years ago, we probably would have discounted such talk, but with CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak pushing the One Ford agenda globally, who knows? It might just make it Stateside after all.
If Ford does decide to bring the C-Max to America, it may have a minor naming conundrum to deal with. At the moment, the Grand C-Max moniker is expected to be shortened to just 'C-Max' when it goes on sale in the U.S., or the MPV might take on the name 'Focus C-Max,' though a final decision has not yet been made. As the Blue Oval won't sell both models with the same name, the five-door model would ostensibly need a different name.
Do you think the short-wheelbase C-Max would sell? Check out our high-resolution galleries of both models and then be sure to vote in our poll below. We'll have firsthand drive impressions of the European-spec C-Max range to share with you next week, so stay tuned.
Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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P4/5 Competizione gets 800 tires for 24-hours N�rburgring, street edition possible
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Ferrari, Racing
Ferrari P4/5 Competizione - Click above for high-res image gallery
He hints they may create a very limited-edition street-going run of the sexy beast.
An awful lot of cars have made themselves famous while using just four tires. Formula 1 teams' tire total per race is around 140 - i.e. 35 sets of Pirellis.With Jim Glickenhaus' featherweight Ferrari F430 GT2-based 470-horsepower P4/5 Competizione about to tackle the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring at the end of June in the new EXP1 class, the car's tire sponsor Pirelli is bringing, according to Glickenhaus, 800 tires along, using the occasion to test like mad whether it be daytime heat sets, night sets, wet sets, semi-slick sets, you name it.
As the P4/5 Competizione has proven itself durable so far, looks like it may last the whole 24 hours, being hampered perhaps only by the plethora of pit stops it'll be constrained to effect while Pirelli tests the various quartets of rubber.
Continue reading for more P4/5 Competizione news...
Continue reading P4/5 Competizione gets 800 tires for 24-hours N�rburgring, street edition possible
P4/5 Competizione gets 800 tires for 24-hours N�rburgring, street edition possible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Survey: Car buyers want better fuel economy and are willing to pay for it
The tough economy and high gas prices are driving consumers to prioritize fuel economy with their next car purchase. And to save at the pump, they are willing to compromise on purchase price, amenities, and size?but not safety. These are...
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Video: Audi Quattro Concept plays with our emotions
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Design/Style
Audi Quattro Concept - Click above for video after the jump
Audi unleashed its Quattro Concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but the automaker isn't done sharing with us just yet. We now have a short new video clip of the Quattro, and we can't stop staring. There are so many questions that will most likely go unanswered. What's it like to drive? How much would a production version cost? Does Audi accept our
Live photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Audi Quattro Concept plays with our emotions
Video: Audi Quattro Concept plays with our emotions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV
Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Aston Martin, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury
Here's a bit of news that's sure to acquaint faces with their respective palms all across the motoring world: word on the web is that Aston Martin is planning to produce an all-electric version of the company's new compact, the Cygnet. This, friends, is why people drink in the morning. The vehicle is all but guaranteed to be a reworked version of the Toyota iQ EV, as you probably figured out all on your own.
Why would Aston Martin, a company that's built its legacy on the aching chords sung by mighty V8 and V12 engines possibly forsake the altar of internal combustion for a battery pack? The same reason every other manufacturer on the planet is dabbling in electrons - to reduce its corporate average fuel economy and slim down emissions at the same time. Does this mean we can expect some other electrified coupes from Aston Martin wearing more appropriately British bodywork? Don't hold your breath.
We can't wait to see what Clarkson has to say about this one.
Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Embrace your inner child with a Lambo ATV
Filed under: Etc., Japan, Lamborghini, Motorcycle, Tokyo Auto Salon
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Click above for gallery of the Liberty Walk Lambo ATV
The 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon was loaded with the usual assortment of wild and wacky tuner fare - same as always. But tucked among the cars are hidden treasures like the wee beastie shown above. Liberty Walk/LB Performance are Japanese Lamborghini tuners, and in addition to showcasing a selection of the supercars they've worked on, they also showed off a couple of ATVs they re-bodied to look like super deformed little Murcielagos. Miniaturized dimensions, big alloys, low-profile tires - this is what Power Wheels would look like if they made 'em for grown-ups and cost $20,000. Dad, can we have one? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?
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[Source: Carzi]
Embrace your inner child with a Lambo ATV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where's the style?
Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Etc.
2012 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota can call the Sienna a swagger wagon all it wants, but the slogan isn't going to make moms any happier about hopping behind the wheel. According to The Detroit Free Press, most mothers aren't fooled by gimmicky marketing or the latest attempts to redesign the minivan as a stylish piece of transportation. Reporter Krista Jahnke followed a group of mothers from Detroit.MomsLikeMe.com as they toured the Detroit Auto Show to critique the latest wave of minivans.
What did they think? While the vast majority appreciated the added creature comforts of the newest generation of family haulers, they still seemed to feel that the minivan was always going to be a practical choice first and an aesthetic one dead last.
One woman even admitted that she cried the first time she had to drive a minivan. Admittedly, we feel her pain.
The crew took the time to check out the all-new Ford C-Max, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan, and was kind enough share its opinion on each. Despite its significantly smaller size, the C-Max fared well amongst those who know minivans best, while the Grand Caravan was penalized for its cavernous, grime-trapping center console. Head over to The Detroit Free Press to see all of their impressions.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where's the style? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Friday, May 27, 2011
On the refurbished Mercedes-Benz sports coupe
Mercedes-Benz cars exude the fusion of luxury design and functionality. It is no wonder the German car maker became the major sponsor for the Berlin-based Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which is held in four major cities around the world. The night before the famous runway show officially opens, the automaker?s latest offering?the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLC [...]
Lubricheck digital "blood tester" for engine oil seeking backers
Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Technology
Lubricheck oil tester - Click above to watch video after the jump
Most of us maintain our vehicles either by the manufacturer's recommended service intervals or some arcane calendar handed down from generation to generation. Either way, changing a vehicle's oil is usually done on either a time or mileage basis, not the actual level of oil degradation inside the engine. A new startup project is looking to change that for the consumer with a device called the Lubricheck. Simply plop a few drops of oil onto the device's sensor, and it can automatically detect contaminates like metal and antifreeze as well as the acidity of the oil to determine the lubricant's serviceability.
The device even has settings for traditional and synthetic oils, so all of your bases are covered. Devices like these already exist in the market, but they cost a pretty penny and are typically relegated to the dark recesses of high-end mechanics' toolboxes. The individuals behind Lubricheck estimate that in some applications, oil could last as long as 10,000 miles before seeing significant breakdown. If true, the device could help seriously curtail our nation's engine oil intake.
Hit the jump to take a look at the introduction video for yourself. If you like what you see, the project is currently seeking backers.
Continue reading Lubricheck digital "blood tester" for engine oil seeking backers
Lubricheck digital "blood tester" for engine oil seeking backers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/lubricheck-digital-blood-tester-for-engine-oil-seeking-backers/
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction
Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Auctions, Rolls-Royce
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX - Click above for high-res image gallery
Times change and so do trends. These days, everyone's clamoring for more environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cars that even Rolls-Royce is tinkering with electric propulsion. The program is being carried out on the 102EX electric Phantom prototype. But go back nearly a century and speed was the cause célèbre du jour. And then just as now, Rolls-Royce was keen to prove its mettle. This was the car with which it did so.
As Rolls-Royce presented the first-generation Phantom to the world, it was eager to show what it could do, so the company's managing director Claude Johnson had the crew at Crewe put this prototype together. Named in his honor, the "CJ Sports Car" featured a more aerodynamic "torpedo" coachwork by Barker. Although many experimental Phantoms followed (straight through to the aforementioned 102EX), this was the only one that the company held on to after it was done testing, and was even rumored to have been loaned out to Laurence of Arabia at one time.
10EX is expected to fetch around £400,000-£800,000 ($650k-$1.3m) when it goes up for auction on June 23 at RM's inaugural Salon Privé auction at West London's picturesque Syon Park estate. Joining it on the docket will be numerous other Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin classics (among others) representing the finest of historic British motoring. Follow the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short
Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi
A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver - Click above to watch the video after the jump
They don't call it endurance racing for nothing. And the strain is placed not only on the car, but on the driver, as well. That's all very well and fine to know in theory, but to highlight the rigors of racing around the clock at Le Mans, Audi has produced this stunning animated short.
The two-and-a-half-minute film called A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver features the team's star driver, Alan McNish, and will be shown during the high-profile soccer match this weekend at Wembley Stadium between Barcelona and Manchester United, a team which Audi sponsors. It will also play in 3D for moviegoers going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the UK, and will spearhead a newspaper ad campaign as well as dedicated apps for various smartphone platforms.
Fortunately, we don't have to wait for all that to watch the clip ourselves. All you have to do is follow the jump and click play, where you'll also find details of the campaign in the full press release.
Continue reading Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short
Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Need a reason to hang up and drive? Meet Jacy Good - Survivor, activist, inspiration
Three years ago, Jacy Good?s life changed forever. What should have been the happiest day of her life became the worst, all because of a cell phone being used behind the wheel. Good shares her story in the latest video...
Lotus delays Elan until 2016, Esprit on track for 2013
Filed under: Concept Cars, Lotus
Lotus Concept Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery
Despite the barrage of concepts presented at the Paris Motor Show, Lotus still has lots of planning ahead as it maps out the future. Five concept vehicles were revealed in 2010:the Elan, Elise, Elite, Esprit and Eterne. We've got an update on two of them.
Car and Driver says that the Lotus Esprit should arrive by 2013. The Elan, however, has a murkier future. Forget 2013; it's been speculated that we might not see it until 2016. Blame the Lotus Evora.
Orignally, Lotus planned to shut down the Evora so that it could give way to the Elan. Now, Lotus management has decided that the Evora deserves a traditional model cycle. Should the Evora continue into a second generation, it puts the Elan's existence into question. If a second-generation Evora isn't developed, a next-generation car, then new Elan will arrive and fill in the open lineup spot.
Lotus delays Elan until 2016, Esprit on track for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 May 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/21/lotus-delays-elan-until-2016-esprit-on-track-for-2013/
Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses
Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing
Without a doubt, the highlight of this past weekend's Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca was the F1 Cliente. Ferrari started the program in 2003 to allow their most significant and wealthiest customers to own and operate old Formula 1 cars at some of the world's best racing circuits under the guidance and supervision of a dedicated team of Ferrari's own mechanics and engineers. Participants in the program need only to show up - Ferrari takes care of the maintenance, care and transportation of the cars. The crew will even bring the owner's racing suit to each of the events.
For the event at Laguna Seca, a total of six F1 cars were in attendance, ranging from a 1972 312 B2 driven by Jacky Ickx to an F2007 test car driven by Michael Schumacher. Two other Schumacher race cars from 2001 and 2004, an F2003-GA driven by Rubens Barrichello, and a Berger/Mansell F1-89 filled out the rest of the lineup.
The best part about the F1 Clienti is that Ferrari allows a relatively good amount of access to see the cars up close. Just try walking into the Ferrari garage at an actual Formula 1 race. To see and hear the cars in person is also an entirely different experience than watching on television. The zoom lenses of the television cameras betray the actual speed at which an F1 car can travel. The 599XX and FXX actually seemed slow in comparison.
You can watch the Ferrari F1 Clienti at Laguna Seca for yourself in the video after the jump, or check out our photos from the event in the gallery below.
Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: F1 Clienti bring the Formula 1 experience closer to the masses originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/23/ferrari-racing-days-at-laguna-seca-f1-clienti-bring-the-formula/
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