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mardi 31 mars 2015
Should NHTSA Be Able To Stop Sales Of Flawed Cars On Its Own?
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Dani Pedrosa's Career Could Be In Jeopardy Because Of Mysterious Arm Injury
Dani Pedrosa’s mysterious arm injury has everyone baffled and the worst part is, nobody knows exactly what’s going on. It’s come to the point that his racing career could be in trouble.
Pedrosa indicated as much after the season-opening Qatar GP, admitting that the problem has actually plagued him since last season. He said he tried racing through it and even went through an operation to try to address the problem, but none of the treatments and procedures have worked. So Pedrosa was stuck with two options: continue racing through it or shut it down completely until the problem the injury heals, if it does at all.
Pedrosa’s injury has cast another dark cloud on Repsol Honda, which was vying to win its fourth straight MotoGP constructor’s title. Obviously, the team’s championship aspirations are now nowhere near as important as Pedrosa’s long-term health. But it’s still a problem for the team that needs to be addressed as soon as possible so that it can get back to the thick of the championship race. It’s already behind the proverbial eight ball against rivals Yamaha and Ducati and it doesn’t have a whole lot of turnaround before the US Grand Prix arrives in the middle of April.
You can call it a crisis or an unfortunate development, but it’s looking more and more like Repsol Honda will have to contend this season without the services of one of its riders. It’s a tough blow for the team, but nothing compared to what Pedrosa is going through.
Hopefully, his arm injury heals in due time and this is one race that everybody will be rooting for him to win. It would be a shame if he can’t race again because of this issue.
Continue reading to read more about Dani Pedrosa’s mysterious arm injury.
Dani Pedrosa's Career Could Be In Jeopardy Because Of Mysterious Arm Injury originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Will Deliver At Least 520 HP
It’s been more than four months since the Shelby GT350 broke cover at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and Ford has yet to reveal the actual output of the muscle car. However, as the on-sale date (slated for the fourth quarter of this year) approaches, more details are starting to surface. The latest info surrounding the GT350 comes straight from Shelby brand manager Jim Owens, who was on hand to chat with enthusiasts at the Texas World Speedway, where Ford showcased the GT350 this weekend. Owens divulged several juicy bits about the GT350, including the fact that the 5.2-liter V-8 will make more than 100 horsepower per liter.
That’s at least 520 horses, which is 20 horsepower more than Ford’s initial claim of "more than 500 horsepower." Owens also said the redline will be set at 8,250 rpm and that the car will be a "relative performance value," which could mean a sticker of around $50,000. Expect production numbers to be in the Boss 302 range for the GT350 and 302 Laguna Seca range for the GT350R, he added, according to Mustang6G.
Lastly, Owens confirmed the GT350 will also get a race version under the GT350S moniker. He didn’t provide a launch date for it, but it’s likely to arrive in 2016.
Continue reading to learn more about the Shelby GT350.
Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Will Deliver At Least 520 HP originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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McLaren 570S Coupe
Only two years after it launched the P1, its first supercar since the F1, and twelve months after it replaced the MP4-12C with the 650S, McLaren introduced the 570S Coupe at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Slotted below the 650S, the 570S gives McLaren access to a new segment and brings the company’s race-derived technologies to a new audience. With the 570S Coupe, McLaren adds the Porsche 911 Turbo to the roster of sports cars it will wage war against, and launches its new Sports Series family, which will expand to include at least five models.
Although it the smallest and least powerful, road-going McLaren yet, the 570S Coupe promises to be as exciting as any sports car coming from Woking. The coupe shares its DNA with both the 650S and P1, while also using a range of race-bred technologies that already debuted in previous models. In short, the 570S Coupe isn’t a lesser McLaren, but the company’s attempt to make its products available to a wider clientele and at a more affordable price. It’s part of McLaren’s recently announced plans to expand globally, and, by the looks of things, this new strategy is off to a great starts thanks to the 570S Coupe. Read more about it below.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 McLaren 570S Coupe.
McLaren 570S Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 11:00 EST.
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2015 Daimler SuperTruck
Passenger cars and trucks aren’t the only road-going vehicles undergoing a fuel-saving transformation. Daimler has just announced its Freightliner SuperTruck has surpassed the Department of Energy’s criteria for the SuperTruck Challenge that began back in 2009. And surpass it did.
2015 Daimler SuperTruck originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 10:30 EST.
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Porsche Panamera Edition
Though it didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes from Porsche faithful when it debuted in 2010, the Panamera has become an accepted cog in the carmaker’s wheel. Between it and Porsche’s SUVs, the German brand makes the money it needs to fund awesome rigs like the 918 and the 911 GT3. For the 2016 model year, Porsche has added a new version of the Panamera that it has dubbed the “Edition.” Despite its weird name, the Panamera Edition adds a lot of value at a price that is only slightly north of the base model’s MSRP.
With tons of standard features and only a slight price hike, this is likely to be a hot seller in the next year. However, while this all looks great compared to the base Panamera, does this new Edition trim match up well against the likes of the BMW 740i or the Audi A8?
Continue reading my full review of the 2016 Porsche Panamera Edition to find out.
Porsche Panamera Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 10:00 EST.
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Video: UK Rider Clocked Doing 148 MPH By Police, Gets Cited For Dangerous Driving
As a motorcycle rider, it’s always easy to rev the throttle a little tighter when you’re out on the open road. Often times, you get to speed up and enjoy the momentary thrill, but there are the rare times when you get a little too excited and you end up unintentionally setting a record. A UK rider named Paul Roberts did just that when he was recorded by police cameras recording what law enforcement authorities believe to be the highest ever recorded speed on UK roads by a rider with a pillion.
Numerous newspapers across the pond are reporting that Roberts managed to hit 148 mph on his Kawasaki ZZR1400. Normally, such feats would be cause for celebration. But Roberts’ attempt to bend the space-time continuum ended up with him being booked by the police and banned from driving for 15 months.
It’s not the kind of record-setting attempt you want to see, especially one that’s done on a public road like the M11 in Essex, England, so Roberts deserves the punishment handed to him after he himself admitted to dangerous driving in front of a judge at the Chelmsford Crown Court a fortnight ago. In addition to the 15-month ban, Roberts was also ordered to serve 120 hours of community service and pay £460 ($680) in fees.
I’ve always been particularly prickly when it comes to road safety. Past experiences have contributed largely to my stance on that particular issue. So I’m glad that Roberts got what was coming to him. But I have to admit, a little part of me was impressed that he managed to hit that speed, even as he weaved in and out of traffic. That takes a particularly large set of cajones to do something like that.
So here’s what I’ll say: the next time Paul Roberts wants to rev the throttle of his ZZR1400 a little tighter, I hope he does it on a race track where he can go nuts doing it. I might even pay to see him do that.
Video: UK Rider Clocked Doing 148 MPH By Police, Gets Cited For Dangerous Driving originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 09:00 EST.
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Cadillac CT6
After years of patent leaks, spy shots, and endless rumors about its feasibility, the Cadillac CT6 flagship sedan will finally become a reality. That’s the news within the ranks at Cadillac after a high-level source told Autoblog that the RWD, flagship, luxury sedan is being developed in time to make its debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2015. That’s still a long ways away, so it should give Cadillac enough time to prepare its long-awaited answer to the likes of the Mercedes S-Class, the Audi A8, and the BMW 7 Series.
Autoblog is also reporting certain design elements of the Elmiraj Coupe Concept we saw at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance will make their way to the CT6 sedan. While that may be true, we also know GM global design boss Ed Welburn says the CT6 will not be entirely based on the Elmiraj concept. In that same interview Welburn gave, he specifies by saying the CT6 will be a more evolutionary design step. “It’ll be different and it will certainly stand out in the portfolio, but you won’t see a real shift in direction.”
If anything, the company needs to be on its A game in developing the CT6. Last we checked, the S-Class, A8, and 7 Series were all heavyweights of the luxury sedan market. The 2015 S-Class, in particular, was a dramatic improvement from its own predecessor, re-validating Mercedes’ place in the pecking order of the segment. Cadillac will definitely have a lot of pressure on its hands, although the Caddy source did tell Autoblog that the company is prepared to embrace the challenge.
At this point, we’re holding our judgment on that one, at least not until we see the CT6 in the flesh in April 2015. You still have time on your hands, Cadillac. You better make the most out of it if the CT6 wants to live up to the hype.
Updated 03/31/2015: The new Cadillac CT6 should be unveiled in a couple of hours at the 2015 New York Auto Show, but until then Cadillac decided to drop a new teaser image for the upcoming luxury sedan.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Cadillac CT6.
Cadillac CT6 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 09:00 EST.
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Kondo Brothers Launch Bicycle Whees That Will Cost You $16K Per Set
There are a lot of things you can buy with $16,000. You can buy a high-powered sportsbike, a high-end cruiser, or you can even buy, as Top Gear calls it, a “reasonably priced car.” But what if I told you that for $16K, or $15,800 to be exact, you’ll have enough money to buy a pair of bicycle wheels without expecting any change from it. The truth really is stranger than fiction because these wheels actually exist and is being sold at that price by Japanese engineers Kondo Machine.
Brothers Nobuo and Yutaka Kondo run the 30-employee shop that not only produces these wheels, but also engineers specialized parts for Rolls-Royce jet engines and machines parts for Toyota. But I’m not here to talk about those items; I’m here for the Gokiso wheels that the Kondo brothers say will provide an “incomparable ride” provided you’re willing to spend for them at a price that can buy you a Ford Fiesta. Not a replica, or a scale kit, mind you. An actual Ford Fiesta.
Before you snicker at the sheer absurdity of the price attached to these wheels, let’s take a step back for a moment and try to understand why Kondo Machine is charging this much for these wheels.
The wheels are apparently made from the same carbon material that’s currently being used in the aviation industry, making them more rigid and more durable than any kind of bicycle wheel in the market today. The Kondo brothers even claim that that the Gokiso’s design is patterned after a shock absorbing structure that allows the wheels to absorb whatever vibration it receives from the road. Then there’s the surface of the brakes, which according to the Kondo boys, is covered with basalt fiber, a material that’s supposedly more resistant to heat than anything of its kind today.
The materials used on the wheels do sound impressive, that much I’ll concede. But I still can’t see spending that much money on wheels, especially when a legitimate alternative is an actual car.
Continue reading to read more about Kondo Machine’s Gokiso wheels.
Kondo Brothers Launch Bicycle Whees That Will Cost You $16K Per Set originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 08:18 EST.
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New McLaren 570S Coupe Unveiled Ahead of New York
Originally scheduled for debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show, McLaren has dropped cover on its new 570S Coupe. Presented as part of the entry-level, three-tier Sports Series line-up, the 570S Coupe is aimed at tackling models like the Audi R8 V10 and Porsche 911 Turbo S, with pricing expected somewhere in the $150,000-$200,000 range.
Output from its mid-mounted, twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-8 engine is rated at 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Thirty percent of the components on the powerplant are new, while a seven-speed sequential-shift gearbox sends power to the rear wheels. McLaren claims a best-in-segment power-to-weight ratio. The 2,895-pound sports car is capable of reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 3.2 seconds and 124 mph in 9.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 204 mph. The engine also delivers 25.5 mpg, which means the 570S is exempt from the U.S. gas-guzzler tax.
Carbon ceramic brakes, a range of new forged alloy wheels, and P Zero Corsa tires all come standard. The suspension is also new, using independent adaptive dampers with front and rear anti-roll bars and dual wishbones. It has three settings: Normal, Sport and Track
The exterior showcases McLaren’s latest design philosophy, featuring a “shrinkwrapped” body that optimizes downforce. The carbon-fiber MonoCell II chassis was designed for easier ingress and egress, while still offering high levels of rigidity. Aluminum body panels keep curb weight low.
The interior has leather upholstery, increased storage space, a TFT digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Sirius satellite radio. Upgraded infotainment and trim materials are available.
Stay tuned for a full review.
New McLaren 570S Coupe Unveiled Ahead of New York originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 08:00 EST.
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Honda S660
A spiritual successor to the Honda S600 and the Pininfarina-designed Honda Beat, the S660 Kei-roadster has gone on sale in Japan. The petite model was previewed by a funky-looking concept car at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, so reaching mass-production status in under two years is probably a first, even for Honda.
Even though it has a retractable roof, which normally adds weight, the tiny mid-engine roadster is part of the Kei car category in Japan, weighing less than 2,000 pounds and measuring under 11.2 feet in length. Being part of that special category also means that the 660cc engine has its displacement restricted to that figure by law, but unconfirmed reports suggest that a hotter model sold outside Japan may benefit from a turbocharged, 1.0-liter engine, with its handling developed in cooperation with Mugen.
Updated 03/30/2015: Honda dropped the official details on the new S660 - the tiniest model in its lineup.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Honda S660.
Honda S660 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 07:00 EST.
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Texas Study Suggests That Distracted Driving Laws Should Target Women
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2015 Toyota Yaris, Accord Vs. Legacy, McLaren 570S: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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lundi 30 mars 2015
33rd Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Memorial Day Blowout
The days are getting longer and the wisteria is in bloom, which means Spring has sprung and another Memorial Day Blowout is right around the corner. The ASGARD M.C. is preparing to host their 33rd Annual Blowout at the Gulfport Dragway in Gulfport, Mississippi. This four-day event will run from May 22nd through the 25th, and the gates are open 24 hours a day. Plenty of events are scheduled, including drag races, and ’biker events’ such as the slow race, weenie bite contest, ring toss, barrel race, bike show and tattoo contest. The contests are open to all, and are run-what-you-brung, so come on down and bring your “A game.” Lots of vendors will be on hand to meet all of your food and beverage needs, with plenty of biker apparel and what-nots. There is room for RV parking and primitive camping for those who are so inclined, with close proximity to hotels for those who prefer a hot shower and cold AC. Entry fees are $40 per person for the entire weekend plus $20 per non-bike vehicle, or $20 per person (plus vehicle fee) for Sunday-only access. The good times are not limited to the event itself however, as there are plenty of restaurants and casinos in the area in case you decide to seek alternative entertainment off the gated private property on which the event is held. For more information go to http://ift.tt/1CDOtuB, and be sure to make your hotel reservations in advance, or you may be availing yourself of the primitive camping whether you planned to or not!
Continue reading for more information.
33rd Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Memorial Day Blowout originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 12:02 EST.
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Bentley Plans Lighter Continental GT Version For 2016
If you thought the Continental GT3-R was the ultimate Bentley sports car, you thought wrong, because an even more extreme version of the model is coming in 2016. According to Bentley’s head of engineering, Rolf Frech, the upcoming GT3-R-like Continental will have a rear-wheel-drive layout and be lighter than the original model.
"A lot of people expected the GT3-R to be a proper rear-wheel-drive sports car," Frech told Autocar, "but the problem was timing. We needed the car at the end of the first season of our GT3 racing car, and to do a proper change of the complete powertrain needed longer than we had. But we have the concept in our mind, so why not?" he continued.
The model is to become the first road-going Bentley in over two decades to go under 4,400 pounds, most of the weight loss resulting from the RWD conversion. Powered by a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 that should deliver more than the 572 horsepower of the GT3-R, the relatively lightweight Continental will likely be faster but a tad less controllable. The usual Bentley design features and interior trim will be kept to a minimum, similar to the Porsche 911 GT3 or Aston Martin GT12 in terms of comfort. There is no confirmation regarding the number of cars to be built, but the hardcore Continental is expected to be part of an extremely limited run and cost even more than the GT3-R.
Continue reading to learn more about Bentley’s future rear-wheel-drive Continental.
Bentley Plans Lighter Continental GT Version For 2016 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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2015 MotoGP Qatar: Valentino Rossi Serves Notice With Dramatic Win
Nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi served notice to the rest of the grid that just because he’s won the title so many times, that doesn’t mean he’s not hungry for his 10th title. The Movistar Yamaha rider put on a resounding display of wits and guile on his way to winning the inaugural race of the 2015 MotoGP season in Qatar.
It was far from easy for Rossi, who started from 8th on the grid before picking his way though the field in time to engage the resurgent Ducati Desmosedici GP15 of Andrea Dovizioso into one of the most dramatic season-opening races in recent history. With only three laps remaining in the race, Rossi found himself running second behind Dovizioso and from there, the two riders engaged in a thrilling exchange of overtaking that went literally down to the final straight. In the end, it was the Doctor who edged past his rival, taking the chequered flag by 0.174 seconds!
You can’t start a MotoGP season any better than this!
For his part, Dovizioso and ride-mate Andrea Iannone showed that this season may end up becoming a three-team race to the championship, finishing second and third, respectively, to put the early-season spotlight on a possible Ducati resurgence.
While Rossi and Dovizioso were engaged in their own battle for the top step of the podium, Iannone also had an eventful conclusion to the race, holding off Rossi’s teammate and two-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo by .457 seconds for the last step on the podium.
Noticeably absent from the pulse-pounding finish were Repsol Honda riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. The defending champion and his running mate really had a race to forget and that may even be putting it lightly. Marquez didn’t do himself any favors by running wide at the very first corner, forcing him to rejoin the race dead last. But give credit to the 22-year old for keeping his wits together and coming back strong to finish in fifth position, just 7.036 seconds off of Rossi’s winning time.
Meanwhile, Pedrosa came in just behind Marquez in sixth place, but the real story behind his weekend happened when he announced a previously undisclosed arm injury that could shelve him for the foreseeable future.
In a race that had so many ups-and-downs for Repsol Honda, news of Pedrosa’s injury could have the most lasting-effect on the team’s chances to defend its constructor’s title.
But hey, it’s just the season-opening race and anything can still happen as the season progresses.
For now, though, it’s Valentino Rossi once again serving notice that he’s still a threat to win the MotoGP title.
Better take notice, MotoGP. The Doctor is now in his office.
Photo courtesy of MotoGP.
Continue reading for my thoughts on MotoGP’s season-opening race in Qatar.
2015 MotoGP Qatar: Valentino Rossi Serves Notice With Dramatic Win originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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Tudor Fastrider Gets Ducati Scrambler Treatment
One thing you can always count with famous watch brands and motorcycle companies is the frequency by which these two worlds join forces to create products designed to capture their respective markets. These collaborations happen far too often these days and for as long as their’s a market for these products, don’t expect these marriages to end anytime soon. Ducati, for instance, has a partnership with Swiss timepiece Tudor that began in 2011 and only seems to grow stronger by the year. That much was evident when the two companies launch a unique edition of Tudor’s Fastrider line that’s inspired by the new Ducati Scrambler.
It’s fitting that Tudor would go with the Scrambler as the inspiration for its latest collaboration with Ducati. The bike, after all, is the latter’s new pride and joy, and what better way to promote it than to have people wear Fastrider watches that are heavily inspired by the bike. Pretty cool, right?
Tudor’s first order of business was to create a watch that relies heavily on the Scrambler’s design ethos. That played a big part in the creation of different dials, each reflecting the different colors of the various Ducati Scrambler versions. Depending on your taste and preference, the Fastrider Scrambler Edition comes in ’62 Yellow and Ducati Red for the Icon version and Wild Green for the Urban Enduro version.
Colors aside, the Fastrider also has a brushed steel case that’s waterproof for up to 150 meters. it also has a bezel made out of matt black ceramic, as do the push pieces and the crown, creating a look of class and continuity on the chronograph that fits in nicely with the spirit of the Scrambler. A self-winding mechanical movement is another important component of the watch, specifically with a power reserve that can last close to 50 hours.
On the technical side, the Fastrider Scrambler Edition makes use of Tudor’s renowned technological wizardry in the watch industry. It’s only fitting that both companies have this new collaborative timepiece to remind all of us and reinforce the belief that when it comes to partnerships between watch companies and bike brands, no two do it better than Tudor and Ducati.
Continue reading to read more about Tudor’s latest collaboration with Ducati.
Tudor Fastrider Gets Ducati Scrambler Treatment originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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2015 Land Rover Defender Paul Smith Edition
Sir Paul Smith is best known for designing fashionable menswear, having a reputation that spans nearly 40 years, but the Brit has just tried his hand at designing his own Land Rover Defender. Thanks to Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations branch, Smith has created his own one-off exterior color scheme and interior appointments in celebration of the Defender’s last year in production.
2015 Land Rover Defender Paul Smith Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 11:30 EST.
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Glickenhaus' SCG 003 Black-Flagged And Tragedy At Nurburgring
Jim Glickenhaus’ incredible SCG 003 supercar made its highly anticipated debut at this weekend’s VLN race at the Nurburgring, but the event didn’t go as planned for the Scuderia’s duo of Ferrari-based racers. That’s because both cars were black-flagged due to... exceeding the race noise regulations. In short, they were too loud for the ’Ring, if that makes any sense. The SCGs, which had been entered in the newly created SPX Class, were running 6th and 18th overall before the black flag forced them into the pits.
Unfortunately, that’s far from being the worst news coming from the race. The German track lived up to its “Green Hell” nickname once again when the No. 23 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 driven by Jann Mardenborough took off at the Flugplatz and crashed into a group of spectators, killing one of them and leaving many injured. The tragic accident brought an end to the race and prompted the organizers to make a temporary change of the circuit’s licence to prevent the SP7 to SPX classes from racing on the Nordschleife. This includes all GT3 and GT4 cars, as well as special projects such as the SCG 003.
Both the FIA and the German authorities are investigating Saturday’s crash, and it is not clear if the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, scheduled to start on May 14th, will run as planned. We’ll be back with more info as soon as we have it.
Glickenhaus' SCG 003 Black-Flagged And Tragedy At Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 10:00 EST.
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Ducati Multistrada 1200 S D|air
Ducati takes safety to the Nth degree with its 2015 Multistrada 1200 S Touring D|air. Yeah, I realize that "motorcycle safety" is something of an oxymoron, but the features on this bike are almost enough to make one change how we think about that phrase. Road-sensing technology, variable engine mappings, lean-angle sensors and a wearable airbag system are just a few of the innovations that improve safety and reduce the amount of rider skill needed to handle this machine.
Continue reading more about Ducati Multistrada 1200 S D|air
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S D|air originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 09:04 EST.
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Volvo Introduces the LifePaint, Could Be Useful Here In The US
Volvo may not be the most cutting-edge company as far as automotive technology is concerned. But when it comes to safety, few car companies can hold as much as a candle wax to the Swedish automaker. This never-ending pursuit of safety is one of Volvo’s most important characteristics and now, that pursuit has extended outside the world of cars and drivers and into the realm of bicycles and cyclists.
The company is introducing a new safety product for cyclists and their bicycles that, quite frankly, is incredibly simple I’m actually surprised nobody has ever taught about it in the past. It’s not an airbag or a new electronic safety feature. Heck, it’s so discrete that you won’t even see or notice it during the day. It’s called the LifePaint, a glow-in-the-dark spray that allows cyclists to turn their bicycles - and their gear, for that matter - into shining spectacles at night, making them exponentially more visible to car drivers in the streets.
According to Volvo, the LifePaint is a water-based reflective spray that can be used on
the surface of any bicycle, as well as a cyclists’ clothes, backpack, or helmet. You won’t notice any difference when the sun is out, but once it turns dark, the product’s reflective particles that come together together like an adhesive, creating a vivid glow under the glare of headlights. It’s also non-sticky and can be washed off after one week, leaving behind no residue on the bicycle and has no long-term effects on the color or the texture of the material its applied on.
The product is also not limited to just bicycles and cyclists. Pedestrians, especially young children, can use LifePaint on their own backpacks so they can also be visible to drivers and commuters.
Volvo said it best: “the best way to survive a crash is to not crash.”
Hopefully, this new LifePaint spray can go a long way in helping more people avoid finding themselves in scary situations like that.
Continue reading to read more about Volvo’s LifePaint spray.
Volvo Introduces the LifePaint, Could Be Useful Here In The US originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 09:00 EST.
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McLaren 650S Spider With Armytrix Performance Exhaust Makes Some Noise: Video
Even though the McLaren 650S has enough grunt to go head-to-head with million-dollar hypercars, its exhaust sound has always been a bit too mild for some, mainly because the two turbochargers muffle the sound coming from the 3.8-liter V-8. This is what usually happens with cars that use a smallish engine with a lot of boost, but exhaust manufacturer Armytrix has devised a solution for this problem: a valve-controlled titanium exhaust system with three operating modes.
Known car-spotter Shmee150 recently filmed a 650S Spider fitted with an Armytrix exhaust system, and the resulting sound is louder without making bystanders cover their ears. The system comprises ceramic-coated, decatted down pipes, a valve-controlled titanium muffler, matte-black tail pipes and an OBDII remote control module that can give the option of three "loudness modes." The electronically controlled valve can be adjusted depending on the engine’s rpm. You can control the opening of the solenoid valve with a proprietary app that can be installed on both iOS and Android smartphones.
Apart from the obvious improvement in the exhaust note the McLaren also benefits from the lower weight of the titanium system, while horsepower and torque are apparently improved by an undisclosed amount as well. In fact, Armytrix says that the better exhaust sound is nothing but a by-product, and I’m not one to argue with that, although some cold, hard, numbers would have been nice.
McLaren 650S Spider With Armytrix Performance Exhaust Makes Some Noise: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 March 2015 09:00 EST.
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Shopping For A Car Can Put A Dent In Your Credit Score
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2016 Mazda CX-5, Tesla Lovefest, Lincoln Continental Concept: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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2015 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax Recalled To Fix Power Steering Flaw
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dimanche 29 mars 2015
2016 Ford Focus RS Exhaust Sound: Video
In case you wondered how the upcoming Focus RS sounds in the real world, as opposed to the edited promo videos that Ford has made public, you are in for a treat. A little one. Ford recently put on a media event starring the 2016 Focus RS at the headquarters of Classic Car Club Manhattan, just a few days before the model premieres on U.S. soil at the New York Auto Show.
As you can guess, some folks took video of the model as it was moved around the premises, recording the exhaust sounds coming from that turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Truth be told, it’s not the longest nor the most exciting video of the Focus RS you will ever see. But it does offer a small glimpse of the model’s U.S.-only features, such as the different turn signals and the lack of a middle taillight on the diffuser.
Unlike its inline-five-cylinder predecessor, the new Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder that develops "more than 315 horsepower," paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It’s "driftable" all-wheel-drive system is the real story though, since it can send up to 70 percent of the available power to the rear axle. But more on that in our 2016 Focus RS review.
2016 Ford Focus RS Exhaust Sound: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 29 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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Mercedes Launches AMG GT Model Cars
With the new Mercedes-AMG GT on its way to dealerships for the 2016 model year, the German brand teamed up with two scale-model car manufacturers to bring us miniatures of its Porsche 911 contender. Although Mercedes is no stranger to diecast model cars, having already launched scaled-down miniatures of its current C-Class and E-Class, these new partnerships will spawn AMG GT replicas in three sizes.
The smallest of them is reproduced in 1:43 scale. The miniature measures 10.5 cm (4.1 inches), it is made from 42 parts, and comes on a printed base in a special presentation box. Built by Norev, a mid-level model-car manufacturer, the replica is based on the AMG GT S trim and is offered in three color combinations: Designo Cardinal Red Exterior with black interior, Magnetite Black exterior, white/black interior, and Designo Diamond Bright White with maroon/black interior. Pricing is set at €34.90 ($38 as of 03/27/2015).
The second model is crafted in 1:18 scale, measuring 25.2 cm (10 inches). Unlike the 1:43 replica, the 1:18 has 101 parts and features movable doors, hood, and trunk. It is also based on the AMG GT S trim and is available in AMG Solarbeam Yellow exterior with black interior, Iridium Silver exterior with Red Pepper/black interior, and Designo Mango Selenite Grey exterior with Silver Pearl/black interior. The models costs €79.90 (about $87), which includes a screwdriver for detaching it from the base, and a pair of gloves.
Continue reading to learn more about the new Mercedes-AMG GT model cars.
Mercedes Launches AMG GT Model Cars originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 29 March 2015 06:00 EST.
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BMW Doubled i8 Production Due To Strong Demand
The BMW i8 is selling like hotcakes, and has been since the German manufacturer opened the order books for the hybrid sports car. It took only a couple of months for the i8 to sell out in the UK, and three more for the Euro-spec model’s waiting list to grow to a whopping 18 months. That period has decreased to around four months in 2015, but it’s quite obvious that the Germans are still struggling to keep up with demand. As a result, BMW decided to double i8 production at its plant in Leipzig, according to company production boss Harald Krueger. The facility now builds 20 cars a day, which should help shorten the waiting period to a more reasonable two months.
BMW increased production of the i8 nearly 12 months after it did the same with the other i vehicle in its lineup, the i3. The electric compact car, which sold more than 10,000 units globally last year, is facing different problems, as certain markets do not offer sufficient incentives for the zero-emission car. "Wherever governments offer tangible incentives for e-mobility, the registration figures for the BMW i3 soar," BMW Group CEO Norbert Reithofer said at the company’s annual press conference in Munich. To help improve the acceptance of the technology and widen its appeal among younger drivers, BMW will start rolling out the i3 across its global DriveNow car-sharing fleet in London, San Francisco, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich later this year.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW i8.
BMW Doubled i8 Production Due To Strong Demand originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 March 2015 23:00 EST.
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Audi RS3 Sedan Rumored To Get U.S. Approval
Launched in 2011 as a beefed-up version of the five-door A3 Sportback, the RS3 has been forbidden fruit for performance enthusiasts in the U.S. That’s because Audi thought it made no sense to bring it to North America, where sedans simply sell better. And while the A3 and S3 received sedan versions specifically designed for the U.S., the RS3 has yet to go that route. That may soon change, according to Fourtitude, which claims the RS3 Sedan may have been approved at the Audi of America all-employee meeting in Maryland earlier this week.
The publication goes on to add that "a contact who was at the presentation" confirmed the RS3 that’s headed to the U.S. is a sedan and that Audi was still pondering whether to make it available with a manual transmission on top of the S tronic DSG. No other details are provided, but it’s expected that the RS3 Sedan will share the same 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine with the Euro-only Sportback model. The turbocharged powerplant cranks out 367 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque and pushes the five-door hatch from 0 to 62 mph in only 4.3 seconds. The engine mates to revised a seven-speed S tronic transmission that shifts faster than its predecessor, and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.
If the RS3 Sedan does happen, likely sometime in 2016, expect it to cost in excess of $55,000 on these shores.
Continue reading to learn more about the future Audi RS3 sedan.
Audi RS3 Sedan Rumored To Get U.S. Approval originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 March 2015 18:00 EST.
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samedi 28 mars 2015
Ferrari Will Not Turbocharge V-12s Any Time Soon
Despite the current "turbocharge everything" trend, followed by Ferrari itself with cars like the California T and the new 488 GTB, Ferrari isn’t yet ready to forget about its naturally aspirated engines. At least not when it comes to screaming V-12s, a prerequisite of almost every Ferrari halo model since the company started making road cars. According to a recent report by Autocar that quotes a mysterious Ferrari insider, the Italian sports car maker will prolong its naturally aspirated V-12 era with a little help from electric motors.
More specifically, the much-anticipated 48-volt electrical systems that a number of German carmakers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are currently preparing, will abet Ferrari’s new predilection for mild hybrids. In short, the company’s upcoming V-12 engines will not be augmented by turbochargers for better fuel economy, but will get more oomph and improved efficiency courtesy of electric motors. "There will be no turbos on our V12s. Expect instead to see 48-volt systems on the next generation." the unnamed Ferrari insider told Autocar.
Take it with a pinch of salt, since the information hasn’t been verified by an official source, although the idea does make sense and the technology is imminent. A mild hybrid system would keep the high-revving nature of the big Ferrari V-12s, while also adding extra go at lower revs and improved fuel economy – the best of both worlds.
Continue reading to learn more about Ferrari’s V-12 engines.
Ferrari Will Not Turbocharge V-12s Any Time Soon originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:00 EST.
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Porsche 911 GT3 RS And Cayman GT4 Star In Latest Promo: Video
Already off to a great start in 2015, following the introduction of the 911 GT3 RS and the Cayman GT4, Porsche just released a short promo in order to build more hype around its new sports cars. The video begins with the two vehicles being put through their paces on a twisty road, but the footage quickly moves onto the race track, where the GT3 RS and the GT4 battle for supremacy under full throttle. In short, Porsche is simply bragging about having two new track-focused sports cars on their way to dealerships and asks viewers which one would they prefer. Make sure you watch the video above and then drop me a line about which of the two you would prefer in the comments box below.
To make things fair I’ll go first and pick the Cayman GT4. Why? It’s quite simple. As much as I love 911s in general and the GT3 in particular, I also love to row my own gears. As you’re probably aware, the GT3 RS is a PDK-exclusive machine, and that’s exactly what makes it less appealing for me. The Cayman GT4, on the other hand, is equipped with a six-speed manual that makes driving it a much more engaging experience, especially on a twisty race track. Problem is I can’t afford it just yet, so if any of you has some $90K to spare I’d be more than happy to take it off your hands.
And do you imagine that it’s coincidence that the 911 passes the
Cayman but not vice versa? Uh-huh. I think the Cayman driver just didn’t want to lose his job.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS And Cayman GT4 Star In Latest Promo: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 March 2015 06:00 EST.
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Video: Petrolicious Shows Franco Augello's Style For Motorcycle Customization
Custom motorcycles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Often times, the bikes conceived out of this method reflect the personalities of the people who put in the work to create their interpretation of what a bike should be. Some custom tuners prefer taking the flashy route with outlandish paint jobs while others are more keen in turning their bikes into fire-breathing, two-wheeled rockets.
Then there are tuners like Franco Augello who doesn’t care too much about the performance and aesthetics of a bike by paying more attention to creating a story with his projects. This short film by the fine gentlemen of Petrolicious gives us an insight into the mind of Augello and how he can turn a classic BMW R65 into a true work of art.
On the surface, it’s hard to differentiate what Augello does from somebody who restores bikes to their original look. Is he a custom tuner or he is a restorer? I found myself asking that question, too. But once you take a really close look at his work on the R65, you’ll notice some subtle upgrades to the bike, including the soft leather seat, the leather-wrapped grips, and the polished fuel filler.
If you’re looking for any splashes of flashiness, you won’t find it on this bike, which Augello proudly calls the Inge 09. Instead, you’ll see the work of a man who believes that there’s still a place in this world for bikes that exude class instead of flash.
Video: Petrolicious Shows Franco Augello's Style For Motorcycle Customization originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 20:00 EST.
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Video: MV Agusta Releases Promo Video For the New F4 RC
For the longest time, MV Agusta was tight-lipped about the development of the F4 RC. But now that the limited edition bike is finally out in the open, MV Agusta did what anybody in its position would; it milked the buzz and hype surrounding the F4 RC for all it’s worth, even coming up with a fashion video of sorts to highlight the bike’s features and capabilities, while also throwing in a nice tip of the hat to new company shareholder, Mercedes-Benz.
It’s also fitting that racer Leon Camier would star in this video. He does race for MV Agusta in the World Superbike Championship so if there is a racer to do it, it has to be him.
Anyway, the drama-infused video starts off with Camier behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, going to an unspecified location. Only seconds later do we see that Camier’s destination was actually a poorly-lit garage where the MV Agusta F4 RC was patiently. As soon as he gets out of the AMG GT, Camier makes a bee-line for the F4 RC after which the video turns into a full-on montage of the racing bike in action, spliced with scenes of Camier intensely inspecting every corner and crevice of the F4 RC.
At that point, the video begins to point out various features of the F4 RC, including the number of pounds MV Agusta saved on the F4 RC by using carbon fiber fairings, titanium bolts, and magnesium. Oh, and it also showed how much power - 212 horsepower - the bike has on tap and its weight - only 386 pounds - in race mode.
The video also announced that the MV Agusta F4 RC will be limited to just 250 units, with each unit coming with a certificate of authenticity signed by no less than MV Agusta CEO, Claudio Castiglioni.
Video: MV Agusta Releases Promo Video For the New F4 RC originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 20:00 EST.
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Aston Martin Sues Fisker Over Thunderbolt Copyright Infringement
In a peculiar turn of events, Aston Martin has filed suit against Henrik Fisker, alleging that Fisker copied a number of a design elements on the Vanquish-based Thunderbolt sports car. The suit also states that Fisker is misleading potential Thunderbolt buyers when he says that the model is based on the latest Aston Martin Vanquish, when in fact the car has the underpinnings of an older DB9 or DBS. Truthfully, the single photo of the interior of Fisker’s Thunderbolt does show a more old-school center console.
The news is even more surprising considering that Fisker used to be head of design at Aston Martin and was responsible for the V8 Vantage and the DB9’s looks. On top of that, Aston Martin says that the designer contacted his former employer in the early stages of development for the Thunderbolt, and Aston Martin believed that the final design would look different. After the Thunderbolt was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Aston Martin promptly filed a suit in a California court. "Fisker’s bad-faith intent to free-ride off the tremendous goodwill associated with the famous Aston Martin mark, wings logo, side vent mark, and Vanquish mark could not be more transparent," the carmaker said in the legal filing.
The complaint mentions harsh words like "trademark infringement, false designation of origin, dilution, false advertising, intentional interference with contractual relationship and interference with prospective economic advantage." In other words, the relationship between Henrik Fisker and Aston Martin couldn’t have turned more sour.
Continue reading to learn more about Henrik Fisker’s cars.
Aston Martin Sues Fisker Over Thunderbolt Copyright Infringement originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 19:00 EST.
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Jaguar F-Type R Coupe - Driven
Jaguar has always epitomized the proper gentleman’s car for me – especially its sports cars. The imagery of an Englishman with his driving cap donned, twisting down some wet country road after tea time flashes through my mind when I consider where a Jaguar should feel most at home. Sadly, Jaguar lost its way for a few years, producing less-than-stellar vehicles with even less-stellar reliability records.
However that tide is certainly turning, thanks to Jaguar’s new parent company Tata Motors. Jaguar, along with is sister company Land Rover, has seen vast improvements. Leading that charge for Jag is this: the F-Type.
Introduced in 2013 as a convertible and 2014 as a coupe, the F-Type has swung perceptions of the brand and enlivened and grown (or should I say replenished) its fan base. Jaguar does make other fantastic cars, but none of them boast the outright appeal and allure as the F-Type.
And within the F-Type category, none appeal more than the 550-horsepower F-Type R. With the keys in hand for a week, I set out to discover exactly what the F-Type – and its revived brand – have to say for themselves.
Continue reading for the full review
Jaguar F-Type R Coupe - Driven originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 17:00 EST.
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Ducati Finally Makes Long-Awaited Return To India
Ducati promised that it was going back to India after a disastrous first stint in the country. It may have taken longer than we expected, but Ducati finally came through on its word with the launch of Ducati India Private Limited, an Indian subsidiary that will handle the distribution of Ducati models to three of the country’s biggest cities: Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurgaon.
This might not have any effect on us here in the US, but the company’s return to the Indian market is a pretty big deal for the company. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago when Ducati’s first foray into the Indian market fell flat on its face after a disastrous partnership with local distributor Precision Motor that caused Ducati to exit the market after being forced to stop selling its bikes in the country.
But Ducati’s back in India, wiser and more in tune with the demands of the Indian market. The fact that Ducati is now handling every business aspect of its operations in India is a markedly different approach from the distributor route it took the last time. We all know how that ended and it seems that Ducati has learned its lesson.
This time, Ducati’s taking the reigns with an all-encompassing plan to build its brand in India. Part of that plan includes the creation of a highly trained network of qualified dealerships that will be run by the company’s local subsidiary. In addition, Ducati is also setting up after-sales services that will be on par with the company’s existing global network.
No more shortcuts this time around for Ducati. The company tried that before and that didn’t work. With this new approach, the company now has high hopes of penetrating the Indian market with a lineup of bikes that include the Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Superbike, and Scrambler models.
Ducati’s particularly excited about offering the Scrambler in India. It’s the cheapest Ducati in the lineup but more importantly, it’s got the style, character, and capability that appeals to the Indian market.
It might be too soon to call Ducati’s return to India a successful one, but with the pieces in place and controlled by Ducati itself, there now appears to be a semblance of stability that was lacking the last time it was in India.
Continue reading to read more about Ducati’s return to India.
Ducati Finally Makes Long-Awaited Return To India originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 16:00 EST.
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2015 BMW M5 30 Jahre Special Edition Can Be Yours For $325K
To celebrate 30 years of its mid-size sport sedan, BMW introduced the BMW M5 “30 Jahre M5” special edition last year with just 300 units planned for production globally. Of those, only 30 of those would be making it to the U.S., and only 29 planned for customers; the 30th would remain with BMW for now, with the possibility of being sold off in the future.
Speaking of being sold off, the duPont Registry is listing a 30 Jahre M5 in Heathrow, Florida for $325,000 with 200 miles on the odometer. If you’re wondering, these cars sold brand new for $138,275, and that price included an exclusive M Driving School designed specifically for 30 Jahre M5 buyers, which took place last fall.
While that is something the secondhand buyer definitely won’t be able to experience, the car itself should make up for that. The limited-edition M5 gets unique 20-inch alloy wheels, a Frozen Dark Silver Metallic matte paint job and plenty of “30 Jahre M5” badges, including those embossed onto the seats. This M5 also squeezes an extra 25 horsepower from the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. increasing output to 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 BMW M5 Special 30 Jahre Edition.
2015 BMW M5 30 Jahre Special Edition Can Be Yours For $325K originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 16:00 EST.
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Porsche Boxster Spyder
The Boxster Spyder was first launched at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show as a roadster that took inspiration from the 550 Spyder of the mid-1950s. Essentially identical to its standard sibling from the waist down except for "Spyder" badging, side skirt stripes, and lightweight wheels, the Spyder ditched the Boxster’s conventional soft top in favor of a manually operated canvas top. The design also included a pair of roll-over hoops behind the seats, a feature that also harks back to the open-top race cars of the 1950s. Porsche’s aim with the Spyder was to offer a lighter and more powerful Boxster that would sit above the then-range-topping S model. By removing various convenience features and adding a stiffer suspension on top of a 320-horsepower flat-six, Porsche built the most extreme Boxster yet, now a modern classic only five years since production was stopped.
Come 2015 and the first-gen Spyder’s reign as the coolest Boxster in history is about to come to an end. Porsche has already confirmed it is working on a new version, which is rumored to break cover at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Granted, the Spyder is still a long way from showing its face in public, which is why I have put together a speculative review about what this new roadster might bring to the table. Check it out below.
Note: 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder pictured here.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder.
Porsche Boxster Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 15:00 EST.
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Lovefest: Tesla Model S Owners More Likely To Recommend The Brand
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vendredi 27 mars 2015
Real Video Shows Distracted Teen Drivers Moments Before Things Go Wrong
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Subaru Legacy Vs. Honda Accord
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Mercedes-Benz Promises Pickup-Truck By 2020
Mercedes-Benz has just announced it will build a midsize pickup truck by 2020. Yes, you read that correctly – Mercedes will build a pickup. But before you get all excited with thoughts of a well-appointed Chevy Colorado competitor, the German automaker is quick to point out its new addition will be targeted at Latin America, South America, Australia, and Europe.
Mercedes-Benz Promises Pickup-Truck By 2020 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 11:30 EST.
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Toyota UK Honors Some Of Clarkson's Best Top Gear Moments: Video
Love him or hate him, Jeremy Clarkson is a household name among international car journalists in both print and television. This is probably why Toyota UK has put together a motley collection of Top Gear clips that mainly have one thing in common: Jeremy trying to destroy various Toyota models. The resulting video is actually a heartwarming tribute to Jeremy Clarkson, who was recently ousted from the BBC Top Gear show following an altercation that he had with a producer. With the news that he will no longer be on Top Gear, the show’s future remains in doubt, especially since both James May and Richard Hammond have hinted that they wouldn’t want to continue hosting without Jeremy.
Many credit Clarkson, along with Top Gear executive producer and childhood friend of Jezza, Andy Wilman, as the main drivers behind the resurgence of the Top Gear show, which went from being axed by the BBC in the early 2000s to be completely revamped starting in 2002. That was the year Clarkson’s larger-than-life persona began showing up on more and more T.V. sets, with each episode of the show amassing around 350 million viewers from over 170 countries, not including the millions who illegally stream or download Top Gear.
Over the years, Clarkson has managed to juggle public praise and intense criticism thanks to his highly opinionated and often provocative statements about various subjects, not all of them related to cars. It looks like even though he rarely praised Toyotas on Top Gear, the company is sad to see him go. Perhaps it was because after exhaustive, Herculean efforts, they were unable to destroy its venerable pickup truck.
Toyota UK Honors Some Of Clarkson's Best Top Gear Moments: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 11:00 EST.
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Ural cT
The 2015 Ural cT, a stripped-down version of its Ural brothers, is a base model on which you can build your own sidecar bike. Designed for easier handling for new sidecar enthusiasts, the cT comes without accessories such as a spare tire, passenger grab handles, rear fender rack, tool bag, air pump, rubber trunk floor mat or knee grips. Keep it clean or customize it with a whole slew of accessories from your Ural dealer. Whether clean or accessorized, once out on the street you’ll find out in quick order what Ural riders call "UDF." Who couldn’t resist stopping to admire one of these awesome sidecar bikes with their vintage looks? That’s where "UDF" will get you every time you leave the house on your cT. "UDF" — Ural Delay Factor — is the extra time you’ll need to add to your trip to account for the folks who want to talk to you about what you’re riding.
Continue reading my review
Ural cT originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 10:25 EST.
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Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed what we’ve all been expecting ever since the brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT was unveiled; the coupe will get a faster, meaner Black Series version. The news comes from AMG boss Tobias Moers, who confirmed plans for a more powerful Mercedes-AMG GT at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Moers declined to go into specifics or provide a launch date, but EVO speculates the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series won’t become available before the 2018 model year.
We sincerely hope they are wrong and that the Black Series will need less time to roar onto a street near you.
So what will the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series bring once it arrives in dealerships? Well, details are still under wraps and that’s not going to change for a while, but we can get an idea by looking at the SLS AMG Black Series. The beefed up coupe will most likely be distinguished by an aggressive body kit that will include a front splitter and a fixed rear wing, a stiffer suspension and a host of unique features inside and out.
Naturally, the package will also include an engine upgrade, with the turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 tuned to propel the Black Series to the top of the Mercedes-AMG GT range. Considering the SLS AMG Black Series had an extra 51 ponies over the standard model, it seems safe to assume the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will arrive with more than 550 horses.
Updated 03/27/2015: Some information — from a man that already ordered the car — suggests that this more powerful version of the AMG GT could in fact be called GT R and not the Black Series. Same sources suggest the model could deliver a total of 530 PS - 522 HP, will be lighter and will offer improved aerodynamics.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 10:00 EST.
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Tesla Wins In Georgia, Loses In West Virginia
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Seven Unexpected Reasons Why Electric Cars Are The Future
Sorry, Luddite friends — there’s little doubt at this point that the future of automobiles belongs to the electric motor, but for a lot of reasons you might not have heard before. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) were always a compromise to the economy of cheap and available hydrocarbons, designed to consume them in abundance to produce loads of power in a light, compact and comparatively cheap package. But times have changed since internal combustion took over at the turn of the last century. Gas isn’t as cheap and available as it once was, cars aren’t as light, cheap and compact as they used to be, and electric motor, battery and computer technology has advanced to the point that burning dead stuff for go-power has started making less and less sense.
Of course, there are still obstacles to overcome — we’ll get into those in a different article. But ever since the first hybrids started hitting the mass market a decade ago, electric motors have taken on more and more of the motive duty. It’s only a matter of time before they take over all of those duties. Some (including yours truly) will lament the passing of the days of snarling idles and cylinders screaming against redline explosion. But then again, we’re probably also the same group of people who’d have complained about the absence of "earthy-smelling" horse manure in New York circa 1920.
In this article, we’re going to talk about all the reasons why most of us will live to see electric drivetrains come to dominate the auto industry — going way beyond obvious stuff like better performance, cleaner air and fewer brown polar bears. You probably already know all of that as it is. It’s been written about a million times. But there’s a lot more to the story of why electrics will prevail, and very soon.
But, as a balm to my fellow Luddites: That might be the best thing to ever happen to ICE vehicles. After all, it’s not as though horses disappeared with the rise of ICEs...nor will horsepower disappear with their fall.
Continue Reading for the Seven Reasons
Seven Unexpected Reasons Why Electric Cars Are The Future originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 09:00 EST.
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How To Race Your Car: Part 1
Well, well… you got the itch, do you? You know what I’m talking about – every time you get behind the wheel, all you want to do is push the throttle a little further, brake a little later, and take that turn a little harder. I get it. You want to go racing.
And who can blame you? Motorsport is one of the most intense hobbies on the face of the planet. It takes an incredible amount of mental and physical prowess to put a car on the limit and keep it there. It’s also astoundingly fun.
So what’s an adrenaline junkie to do? Take a risk on the street? That’s definitely the dumbest option out there, and the truth is, once you get a taste for the track, exploring a car’s limits on public roads is simply not as interesting.
But a lot of aspiring hot shoes just don’t know where to begin. Well don’t you worry, because TopSpeed is here to help. In this article, we’ll give you the quick and dirty on what it takes to get up and running at 10/10s. We’ll look at different types of entry-level motorsport, some of the more prominent race organizations operating in the U.S., what to bring with you, what to expect, and a few other helpful hints along the way.
Think you can’t go racing for real? Think again.
Continue reading to learn more about how to go racing.
How To Race Your Car: Part 1 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 07:00 EST.
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3D-Printed Car, Ford Anti-Speeding Device, Mercedes-Benz Pickup: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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2015 New York Auto Show - Preview
As much excitement as the auto shows in Detroit and Geneva have created so far this year, the New York Auto Show is shaping up to be equally impressive. Following what we’ve seen at recent auto shows, the bright lights of the Big Apple will be focused on plenty of luxury and performance vehicles, but the full breadth of new model introductions will span from a sub-$15,000 Korean-made hatchback to a 1,700-horsepower, American-made hypercar (with a hefty dose of skepticism).
Of course, as with any major auto show, there may be some big surprises, but we won’t have to wait much longer. Media days for the auto show are April 1st and 2nd, and doors are open to the public until the 12th.
Continue reading to see what to expect from the 2015 New York Auto Show.
2015 New York Auto Show - Preview originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 08:00 EST.
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Casey Stoner Set To Make Racing Comeback At The 8 Hours of Suzuka
I don’t know what it is about retired motorcycle riders making comebacks this season, but apparently, it’s become quite the trend in the business. Days after Troy Bayliss successfully scored points for Ducati in the World Superbike Championship, another former world champion is once again putting his jumpsuit on for a return to racing action.
Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoneris returning to racing, confirming his participation for Honda’s MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO racing team in the Suzuka 8-hour endurance race. Stoner will join Michael van der Mark and Takumi Takahashi in the three-racer team as they try to clinch Honda’s sixth-straight victory at Suzuka. On paper, the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO racing team arguably has the best three-racer line-up on the field. Obviously, Stoner’s resume speaks for itseld: two MotoGP titles, a runner-up finish at the 2005 250cc World Championship, and an impressive 5th place run at the 2004 125cc World Championship.
In addition to Stoner, the team also features van der Mark, Honda’s World Superbike racer and the reigning World Supersport Champion, and Takahashi, MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship racer. The trio will be competing at Suzuki using the EWC-spec Honda CBR1000RR, the same bike Stoner tested earlier this year and presumably the same bike that made him consider returning to racing.
It’ll be interesting to see how Stoner performs at the Suzuka 8 Hours, but judging by the team’s performance at the race in the past five instalments, a sixth-straight victory isn’t out of the cards.
Continue reading to read more about Casey Stoner’s return to active racing at the 8 Hours of Suzuki.
Casey Stoner Set To Make Racing Comeback At The 8 Hours of Suzuka originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 March 2015 09:46 EST.
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