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| Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB
September 3, 2009 at 8:57 pm
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| Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari  Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Stage 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Everything in moderation. Not exactly the kind of message you'd expect from a firm like Novitec Rosso. The Dutch tuning house made its reputation taking some of the most powerful road rockets known to man and tuning them even further. In the case of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano - widely acclaimed as one of the best driver's cars on the road - Novitec released a modified version packing twin superchargers for an astounding 808 horsepower last November. But in light of that being perhaps a bit too much machine for even Novitec's speed-crazed clientele, the tuner has now released a somewhat more reserved package for the V12 super-GT.
By tuning the engine management and fitting a new exhaust system, Novitec has squeezed an extra forty horses out of the Prancing Stallion for a total output of 660 horsepower. The exhaust has quad 90mm tips protruding from the rear diffuser and their pitch is controllable from the steering wheel-mounted Manettino switch. The adjustable suspension can be raised from inside the cockpit to clear curbs, and Novitec has fitted three-piece modular wheels - 20 inches up front and 21 in the rear. There's a full custom lighting kit, plus plenty of bespoke options for the interior.
As you can see, Novitec also offers a full range of aerodynamic enhancements, including a new lip spoiler up front, new wing around back and custom rocker panels along the sides, all available either color-keyed or in varnished carbon fiber. Check out the full skinny in the press release after the jump, as well as the boatload of high-resolution images in the gallery below.
[Source: Novitec Rosso]Continue reading Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Audi of America president de Nysschen calls Chevy Volt "a car for idiots," slams electric vehicles
September 3, 2009 at 8:27 pm
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| Filed under: Hybrid, Audi, Alternative Fuel, Diesel 
Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen is a big fan of diesels (no surprise), and during a recent chat with veteran auto journo Lawrence Ulrich, de Nysschen imparted a few choice morsels on the pitfalls of electric cars, with an extra helping of wrath aimed at the Chevrolet Volt.
To start, he said the Volt is "a car for idiots." Adding that they're too expensive and, "No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a (Toyota) Corolla. So there are not enough idiots who will buy it." He predicted that the Volt will fall flat, which will cause the federal government to step in and subsidize the Volt in order to save face and boost sales.
And what about pure electric vehicles? According to de Nysschen, "they're for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are." Maybe de Nysschen should check with the corporate mothership on that last point, considering Audi's set to unveil its own EV concept this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Whoops.
[Source: MSN Exhaust Notes | Image: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty]REPORT: Audi of America president de Nysschen calls Chevy Volt "a car for idiots," slams electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.3.09
September 3, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.3.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: The Smoking Tire launches, plays with Mazda enthusiasts in New York
September 3, 2009 at 8:01 pm
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| Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Mazda  The Smoking Tire's Matt Farah inspects a first generation Miata - Click above to view the video after the jump
Remember Garage 419? Good show, right? Buncha car guys talking about cars with occasional outbursts of hoonage -- quite the winning formula (full disclosure, they had us on as a guest). Sadly, Garage 419 went off the "air" a while ago. But despair not gearhead video fans. Host Matt Farah is back with a brand new show called The Smoking Tire and after watching the first episode, it looks to be everything you liked about Garage 419 minus all the Brandon and the Frog ads.
In the debut episode, Farah and crew head to the Newburgh, New York home of Orange County Choppers to a Mazda parking lot gathering and hassle interview Miata and 'Speed3 owners about their respective zoom-zoomy rides. Then Farah squeezes all 6'3", 245 pounds of himself into a 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata and takes it for a spin up Bear Mountain, explaining why he recommends the nimble roadster to every 16-year-old that asks what car to buy. Obviously, comparisons to Garage 419 are inevitable, but if anything, Farah seems more relaxed and personable than before. We even smiled during the commercial. Check out the first episode after the jump.
[Source: The Smoking Tire]
Continue reading VIDEO: The Smoking Tire launches, plays with Mazda enthusiasts in New York VIDEO: The Smoking Tire launches, plays with Mazda enthusiasts in New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Autoline After Hours with John McElroy, Peter DeLorenzo, David Welch and David E. Davis, Jr.
September 3, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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| Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog 
In this week's episode of Autoline After Hours, John McElroy, Peter "The Autoextremist" DeLorenzo, and David Welch of BusinessWeek are joined by the dean of automotive journalism, David E. Davis, Jr., for an unusually candid discussion about the issues and events affecting today's auto industry.
You can join in by submitting questions to the panel at viewermail -at- autolinedetroit.tv (put "AAH QUESTION" in the subject line) to be answered on-air tonight during the show's Rapid Fire segment. Follow the jump to watch it live beginning at 7 PM EST.Continue reading Autoline After Hours with John McElroy, Peter DeLorenzo, David Welch and David E. Davis, Jr. Autoline After Hours with John McElroy, Peter DeLorenzo, David Welch and David E. Davis, Jr. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950*
September 3, 2009 at 7:28 pm
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| Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel 
2010 Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi has finally announced pricing for its long-awaited 2010 A3 TDI, and it's just about what we have been expecting. Base price for a standard front-wheel drive model comes in at $29,950 (*plus $825 destination) when equipped with the S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. Naturally, we expect a fully stocked options list that can dramatically raise that starting price rather quickly.
The new A3 TDI will be available in all 50 states from late November carrying a window sticker promoting EPA estimated mileage of 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. For the sake of comparison, the Lexus HS 250h - which Audi singles out as the only real competitor to its diesel-powered hatchback - starts at $34,200 and scores 35 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. Want to know more? Click here to read our review of the 2010 Audi A3 TDI and hit the jump for Audi's official press release.
[Source: Audi]Continue reading Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950* Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Ford teases 2011 five-seat C-Max people mover ahead of Frankfurt debut
September 3, 2009 at 7:01 pm
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style 
2011 Ford Focus C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has just released a few images of its next-generation C-Max tall hatchback ahead of the model's Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and we're as intrigued as much by what lurks under its hard candy shell as we are with its Iosis Max-derived styling. You see, the EurOval's handsome C-Max "compact multi-activity vehicle" is built on the company's new global C-platform architecture - the very same chassis that will underpin the next Focus that arrives in late 2010.
Ford is not yet disclosing much about its new Euro-market model, but the 2011 C-Max will be powered by a new 1.6-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder. Like the larger Ecoboost powerplants available in Ford's U.S. products, that means that the little I4 will be equipped with turbocharging and direct-injection for better power and fuel efficiency. No output figures for the engine have been release yet, but we suspect Ford will release horsepower and torque numbers (and further information) when the car rolls out in Frankfurt later this month.
Those wishing to purchase the C-Max will have some time to think about whether they're interested in plumping for options like the promised blind-spot detection system or the semi-self parking feature, because the model isn't slated to hit EU dealer forecourts until the second half of 2010. As this five-seater isn't slated to come to the States at all, the rest of us will just have to slake our curiosity on the high-res images below and the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Ford teases 2011 five-seat C-Max people mover ahead of Frankfurt debut Ford teases 2011 five-seat C-Max people mover ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Dany Bahar appointed as new Lotus CEO
September 3, 2009 at 6:28 pm
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| Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus 
It was rumored yesterday and it's fact today: Ferrari's former senior veep for brand management, Dany Bahar has become Lotus' new CEO.
Before taking on the task of road car, after sales, F1 marketing and merchandising for Ferrari SpA, Bahar headed up the Corporate Projects Business team for Red Bull, where Bahar orchestrated the company's F1 program and oversaw the firm's NASCAR operations along with acquiring a few football (soccer) teams.
Bahar takes the reigns from long-time CEO Michael Kimberley who retired from the automaker in July after engineering Lotus' renaissance, particularly in the U.S. In a statement (posted below the fold), Bahar says he, "can't wait to get my plans underway in October." What's the new CEO have in-store? We should have a better idea sometime early next year.
Continue reading Dany Bahar appointed as new Lotus CEO Dany Bahar appointed as new Lotus CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Gordon Murray working on successor to McLaren F1
September 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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| Filed under: Performance, Design/Style  McLaren F1 LM - Click above for high-res image gallery
"There's no point in trying to outdo the F1, they'll never do it. The world has moved on..." That's what legendary designer Gordon Murray told CAR about the future of the supercar. We'd like to disagree, but you can't argue the subject of supercars with the father of the McLaren F1. Fortunately, he's willing to take another crack at it to show us how it's done.
 Currently, Murrary is keeping busy revolutionizing the way we build cars with his iStream technology and his soon-to-be-released T25. His next project will be more performance-oriented, but rather than trying to outdo the McLaren F1, he'll be going for a high power-to-weight ratio by decreasing the latter, not increasing the former. The result promises to be "expensive and exclusive", but quite different from the P11 program on which his successors at McLaren are currently working - a program which Murray apparently doesn't give much of a chance. Better show 'em the way, Gordon.
[Source: CAR]REPORT: Gordon Murray working on successor to McLaren F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Papa John's Camaro reward situation turns salty, ex-owners looking for bigger slice of the pie
September 3, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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| Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal 
File this under "No Cool, Wacky Deed Shall Go Unlitigated." John Schnatter, Papa John of Papa John's Pizza, put out a $250,000 A.P.B. to find his long lost 1971 1/2 Camaro Z28. According to the folks at Papa John, the person who won the money was the one whose name was on the title of the car - that is, the owner of the car was paid the dosh for selling the car back to Schnatter. Kentuckian Jeff Robinson came forth with the car and took home the cash.
The Papa John's folks say the rules never said anything about finder's fees. But when the Sloanes of Indiana helped point Schnatter to Robinson, Schnatter offered them $25,000 for the assist. How did the Sloanes know about the car? They had owned it previously and sold it to Robinson.
Now the Sloanes aren't happy about "only" getting $25,000. Billie Sloane wants more of that quarter million, and will sue Papa John if he doesn't pony up the cake. Her evidence is "advertisements and a press release that promised the money to whomever could 'reveal the car's whereabouts.'" Jeff Robinson chimes in, though, and says Sloane came to him and said the original owner would buy the car from him for $125,000, and says that she didn't mention the contest nor the full amount of the reward.
No matter. Now it's between Sloane, Papa, and potentially the courts. If only Papa John had listened to the late M.J. about another famous Billie: "So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice..." Um, yeah, never saw this one coming. Good luck, Papa John...
[Source: WLKY News]Papa John's Camaro reward situation turns salty, ex-owners looking for bigger slice of the pie originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Once More With Feeling: Audi's electric concept likely to be based on R8
September 3, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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| Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Alternative Fuel 
Fourtitude, the internet experts on all things Audi, has compiled a list of rumors and clues that seem to indicate that the electric car concept expected from Ingolstadt at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show will indeed be based on the most excellent R8 platform. For starters, a surprisingly detailed initial report from L'Automobile magazine in France went so far as to include the R8 ePerformance moniker, which goes right along with the German automaker's current naming convention.
Further, L'Automobile offers up details - such as blocked off air intakes, a lower front chin spoiler and an enclosed front grille - that indicate the information may have been leaked from a company insider. Perhaps the biggest indication that an electric sportscar concept is in the offing from Audi is a teaser image grabbed from the new electricityuntamed.com mini-site. We can clearly see what appears to be the modified shape of an Audi R8, as you can see above. So, there you go.
[Source: Fourtitude]Once More With Feeling: Audi's electric concept likely to be based on R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Honda purges select comments from Crosstour Facebook page
September 3, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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| Filed under: Wagon, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Honda 
Many moons ago, when the internet was newish and Netscape ruled the land, we took a class called, "Anatomy of a Virtual Community." The idea was to explore and study how online communities functioned, if they were good or bad and if you really could achieve something akin to the mid-Nineties liberal arts school conception of "community." You have to understand this was back when chat rooms were as exotic as Tahiti and there wasn't anything on the internet but porn. The class itself didn't go so well, because most of the students wouldn't participate in the group chat the way the professor envisioned. Point being, it's quite difficult to control behavior in an online environment.
Honda just got hit upside the head with this particular lesson. Yesterday, we posted that the Crosstour Facebook page was overflowing with negative comments regarding the look of Honda's new CUV. Seems that the public at large isn't too thrilled with the design. We went ahead and ran our own poll and looks as if Autoblog readers agree with the Facebookians - 81.7% of you feel the Crosstour should be killed with fire, and just 3.1% of you think it is good looking. And we'd guesstimate that well over 81.7% of the ensuing comments are negative. Many rabidly so. Difference is, we left the comments alone, while Honda was purging 'em on Facebook. To be fair to Honda, they say they have removed a total 28 comments (out of thousands) because of "profanity or inappropriate content." Further, they note that they "...did not remove any comments that simply expressed a negative opinion about the Crosstour." They did, however, remove one that expressed a positive opinion.
Our pal Alex had the presence of mind to grab a screen shot of the above exchange which has since been removed from the Crosstour page. Obviously, this type of thing is embarrassing for Honda. And it illustrates what a sticky pickle modern day PR folks find themselves in. Regarding Eddie Okubo's comments, here's what Honda has to say:
Eddie Okubo is a manager in Honda Product Planning. His post was removed for two reasons: 1) He did not first state that he is a Honda employee and that his posting is his personal -- not Honda's -- opinion. 2) He is not a spokesperson for Honda. Did Eddie really do anything wrong? He's an employee defending not only his company and that company's product, but his livelihood. Yet his comments and other similar non-sanctioned corporate communique will one day wind up in business textbooks as examples of how social media marketing can go very, very wrong. Also, isn't every employee with a Facebook/Twitter account suddenly a spokesperson if their company decides to use social media? It could be that multinational corporations just aren't ready for Facebook and it's ilk. It's definitely an issue that deserves further study.
Honda purges select comments from Crosstour Facebook page originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Für Elise: New Lotus Club Racer model a lyrical composition of thrift with swift
September 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Lotus  Lotus Elise Club Racer - Click above for high-res image gallery
Guess what? Yet another special edition of the Lotus Elise is scheduled to make a grand entrance at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month. This one, called the Elise Club Racer, is based on the 134-horsepower Elise S, and we don't think it's headed to America at this time. Pity, since the unique color schemes - Elite Yellow, Carbon Grey, Sky Blue and Old English White -offered on the Club Racer look pretty good and are fitting representations of classic Lotus cars from the past like the Elite and Elan.
Inside, Club Racer buyers will be greeted with seats finished with "microfiber comfort pads" that Lotus claims are "perfectly positioned to give the right amount of support with the minimal amount of weight." Sounds, well... perfect. Whichever body color is chosen will be repeated on the transmission tunnel and the footwells and gear knob are formed in anodized aluminum. Outside, an attractive set of lightweight six-spoke aluminum wheels shod with sticky Yokohama AD07 LTS tires are done up in matching anthracite anodizing.
The Lotus Elise Club Racer goes on sale in select markets starting on September 15, but whether you are in the position to buy one or not, you can check out the high-res pics in our gallery below and the press release after the jump.
Continue reading Für Elise: New Lotus Club Racer model a lyrical composition of thrift with swift Für Elise: New Lotus Club Racer model a lyrical composition of thrift with swift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Frozen koalas and other dead animals may be hurled at Aussie rally cars today
September 3, 2009 at 3:39 pm
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Safety 
We'd be thrilled to have a major rally event in our home town, but apparently some of the residents of Australia's Tweed Valley don't share our enthusiasm for one of the most interesting forms of motorsport. According to New Zealand's Stuff, some locals in the area are very much against the Australian leg of the Repco World Rally Championship on environmental grounds, and Tweed-Byron police think the event could get ugly. We're talking throw frozen road kill at the rally cars ugly.
Police Superintendent Michael Kenny says rumors have locals putting koala bears and other dead animals in the freezer to use as blunt objects to toss at rally cars, while other rumors have residents laying down on the road so the cars cannot pass. The issue that has so many residents up in arms is that the rally starts today - during mating season - and many are concerned that the fast-moving Subarus and Fords could scare off the wildlife. Protest groups No Rally and Kyogle-based 7th Generation circulated petitions to stop the race, but the groups got only 705 signatures online. 7th Generation insists that any protests will be peaceful, but Tweed-Byron police will have 150 officers in cars, on foot and in the air to make sure the event goes off without any airborne mammals - frozen or otherwise.
For their part, race officials say they are taking great pains to ensure that the event is safe for both the drivers and any local wildlife that may enter the field of play. Repco Rally Australian chairman Garry Connelly told local paper The Northern Star that advanced road tracking techniques will be used to help animals injured during the event. According to Connelly:
"We have put in place a unique technology for the World Championship, in fact for motor sport - a unique road tracking system in relation to wildlife that may be injured during the event and we will have a very solid and conclusive, proven method of determining any road kill or any animal that is injured and we will be recording that and that will be in our report."
[Source: Stuff | Image: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty]REPORT: Frozen koalas and other dead animals may be hurled at Aussie rally cars today originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| BMW confirms MINI coupe and another car headed for production in Oxford
September 3, 2009 at 3:20 pm
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| Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, MINI, Design/Style 
The Mini Coupé Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW Chairman Norbert Riethofer paid a visit to the Mini factory in Oxford England this week to inform staff members that they will soon have two new cars to build. The first confirmed model for production is the Coupe concept that was previewed online last week ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show rollout. The Coupe will be joined by a second concept at the show which in all likelihood will be the oft-rumored speedster version of the coupe.
Reithofer did not announce any timing for when production of the new models would start production. Also unknown at this time is whether the Coupe and Speedster will be available only in John Cooper Works form or in base Cooper and S flavors as well. We'll just have to look over the press release after the jump and wait until Frankfurt to find out.
[Source: Mini]Continue reading BMW confirms MINI coupe and another car headed for production in Oxford BMW confirms MINI coupe and another car headed for production in Oxford originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| A Little Bigger than a Cayenne: Porsche Design's 135-foot catamaran megayacht
September 3, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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| Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Design/Style  Royal Falcon Fleet RFF135 Catamaran by Porsche Design - Click above for high-res image gallery
Sure, cars like the Cayenne and even the Panamera are enormous in comparison to the 911. But there's still only so big Porsche can go. That is, on land at least. Not one to be told to stick to its core business, Porsche's design arm has teamed up with a Singapore shipyard to design a state-of-the-art catamaran megayacht.
We first reported on the RFF135 by Porsche Design and Royal Falcon Fleet back when the idea was announced, but now that the project has started to materialize, the two companies have begun releasing details and images. Worlds apart from the speedboat which Porsche Design penned for Fearless, the RFF135 is a massive twin-hull design measuring 135 feet in length (hence the name) with a 41-foot beam. That's enough space to accommodate 10 guests and 10 crew members below decks in 472 square meters of area, with another 208 square meters of deck space up top.
That's almost unfathomably large, and to propel the vessel up 35 knots (about 40 mph), the catamaran will be equipped with twin V16 turbodiesel engines from German manufacturer MTU, each producing a massive 4,600 horsepower. Don't ask about miles per gallon - this puppy will drink down 750 liters of diesel every hour, but at least you're bound to look damned good doing it, right? Details in the press release after the jump and renderings in the gallery below.
[Source: Porsche Design]
Continue reading A Little Bigger than a Cayenne: Porsche Design's 135-foot catamaran megayacht A Little Bigger than a Cayenne: Porsche Design's 135-foot catamaran megayacht originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| eBay Find of the Day: Chrysler Imperial - Rampage edition
September 3, 2009 at 2:39 pm
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| Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Auctions, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, Specialty 
1990 Chrysler Imperial pickup -click above for high-res image gallery.
If you have kids, you probably know that no matter how times you tell them that two wrongs don't make a right, they still have to find out for themselves. Case in point, the 1990 Chrysler Imperial - which clearly had way more than two wrongs against it from the start - has been with a Dodge Rampage. The Rampage actually wasn't a terrible idea, although the execution left something to be desired, especially on the inside (where have we heard that one before?).
The Imperial, on the other hand, stretched the K-Car to within an inch of its life - and beyond. With ridiculous overhangs and narrow width, the front-drive Imperial was simply no match for Cadillac and Lincoln - to say nothing of Europe's luxury machines. However, we can't help thinking that if Lee Iacocca had a ranch somewhere, he might have had the Chrysler engineering staff whip up something just like this. As we write this, there are no bids on this luxurious load lugging gem, so have it. Thanks to Craig for the tip!
[Source: eBay Motors]eBay Find of the Day: Chrysler Imperial - Rampage edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Giancarlo Fisichella, meet your new Ferrari race seat
September 3, 2009 at 2:20 pm
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs 
First thing this morning, no one knew who'd be replacing Luca Badoer in the second Ferrari alongside Kimi Raikkonen - in addition to Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg and former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais, the likes of current BMW driver Robert Kubica had been mentioned. Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella's name has also been persistently mooted, but the scuttlebutt was consistently shot down by team principal Vijay Mallya.
Ah, Formula One. No sooner had Mallya quashed the rumor again that he then turned around and announced that Fisichella was indeed let go to Ferrari. This gives Fisi the race seat for the rest of the year and, according to Mallya, "will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari." We have no idea what that could mean for 2010, since Ferrari already has Raikkonen and Massa, and supposedly Alonso to deal with currently.
Financial terms weren't announced, but it is suspected that in return for letting Fisichella go Ferrari forgave Force India's €4 million bill owed the Scuderia for the engine contract that the Indian team terminated last year. While Fisi gets five races to prove his worth in one of the best cars on the grid, now we get to wonder who will be Adrian Sutil's new teammate. Hat tip to everyone!
[Source: F1 Live | Image: John Thys/Getty]REPORT: Giancarlo Fisichella, meet your new Ferrari race seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Hamann to introduce widebody BMW X6 Tycoon Evo at Frankfurt show
September 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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| Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Luxury 
Hamann BMW X6 Tycoon Evo - Click above for high-res image gallery
As far as sport-utilities go, the BMW X6 clearly leans towards the "sport" side of the spectrum. But for those seeking a little more aggression in their "Sports Activity Coupé," German tuning house Hamann has you covered. Back in January, the German tuning house let loose the Tycoon mod kit for the X6, but in case that wasn't enough, they'll be coming to Frankfurt in a couple of weeks with the even more extreme Tycoon Evo.
Hamann's tuning program for the X6 permeates the entire range, so no matter what kind of engine you've got under the hood, there are performance enhancements on offer. The six-cylinder xDrive35i has been upgraded from 306 horsepower to 360, the diesel xDrive30d boosted from 235 hp to 265, the more powerful xDrive35d from 286 hp to 320, and the top-of-the-line xDrive50i from 407 to a massive 500.
Visually, the Tycoon Evo gets a body kit 60mm wider than stock, with a new front fascia, side skirts, diffuser with twin center-exit exhaust tips and a pair of rear spoilers. LED lights, 23-inch wheels and an aluminum and carbon fiber interior trim kit also form part of the package, which you can check out in the gallery of images below and the press release after the jump.
[Source: Hamann]Continue reading Hamann to introduce widebody BMW X6 Tycoon Evo at Frankfurt show Hamann to introduce widebody BMW X6 Tycoon Evo at Frankfurt show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca
September 3, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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| Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games Make no mistake about it: the racing games are coming. But while it may be all to easy to get lost in all the hype over the latest from Microsoft's Forza or Sony's Gran Turismo franchises, Electronic Arts has a trick of its own up its sleeve. (We're just kidding, everyone knows gamers don't wear sleeves.) And they've just given us a glimpse of what to expect. Three of them, actually.
The benchmark of any good racing game is how faithfully it reproduces some of our most favorite race tracks. And if that's the gold standard, then Need for Speed SHIFT is shaping up to be a great one. If you'll follow us after the jump, you can enjoy three new videos outlining EA's take on three of America's best circuits: Laguna Seca, Willow Springs and Road America - complete with run-downs of each track's histories and intricacies. The game launches in North America on September 15, but you can check out the videos now.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Review: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon eats up cargo, swallows open road
September 3, 2009 at 12:58 pm
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| Filed under: Wagon, Cadillac, GM, Reviews, Luxury  2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon - Click above for high-res image gallery
In Europe, the humble station wagon holds a big-time slice of the family driver demographic, partly because ridiculous petrol prices make big SUVs and crossovers far too uneconomical. Americans, on the other hand, have a fundamental problem with the station wagon. We're not sure if the wagon is uncool because it was our parents' preferred family vehicle or if the aesthetics of it are just too boxy for our fashion forward culture. The only subset of the American public who has consistently called for more wagons are automotive enthusiasts, though even we seldom seem to vote for the Griswald Family Truckster with our pocketbooks.
Cadillac is all too aware of America's disdain for the wagon, as evidenced by the fact that General Motors' luxury brand has never built a squat two box for the U.S. market. That changes for 2010 as the Wreath and Crest begins production of its 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon. This Caddy begins life with hot-to-trot sheetmetal and the underpinnings of the excellent CTS sedan, but does it have the chutzpah to change our less than flattering opinions about the station wagon? We gave the CTS Sportwagon some time in the Autoblog Garage to see if the first-ever U.S.-market Caddy wagon has the goods to make Americans stop their loathing and get to loading. Click on the jump to find out.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon eats up cargo, swallows open road Review: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon eats up cargo, swallows open road originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Autocar drives the McLaren F1 GTR ahead of P11's debut
September 3, 2009 at 12:40 pm
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, UK, Celebrities 
Some guys have all the luck. Fresh off his adventure chasing a Lamborghini LP670-4 SV around Millbrook with a Corvette ZR1, Steve Sutcliffe is back in front of Autocar's cameras -- only this time he's driving a McLaren F1. And not just any old McLaren F1. No, Mr. Sutcliffe is driving a F1 GTR -- one of the McLaren Le Mans winning race cars converted back to street duty. Chassis number 10 owned by Pink Floyd's drummer and certified auto maniac Nick Mason, to be precise.
So, what's the difference between a regular F1 and a F1 GTR? Weight. About 400 pounds. The F1 GTR barely tips the scales at an unbelievable 2,068 pounds. That's Lotus Elise territory. Yet it still packs the mid-mounted 617 hp BMW M Power V12. And instead of the regular F1 gears, the GTR sports much shorter (i.e. quicker) gears, which has the "who cares?" effect of lowering the top speed from 240 mph to 180 mph.
Before you get ahead of yourself, listen to Sutcliffe run through the gears -- it sounds as if he's whipping the car. And if you're not smiling when he says, "There's a very small, red dot in the mirror," we don't know what's wrong with you. Pay special attention to Steve's facial expressions throughout the clip -- they tell the full story. Oh, and the video has something to do with the new McLaren P11's debut, but frankly, we don't care.
Continue reading VIDEO: Autocar drives the McLaren F1 GTR ahead of P11's debut VIDEO: Autocar drives the McLaren F1 GTR ahead of P11's debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| First official screenshots of Gran Turismo 5 released to giddy masses
September 3, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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| Filed under: Technology, Toys/Games, Design/Style Gran Turismo 5 screen shots - Click above for high-resolution image gallery
Psst...PlayStation fans: Bet you've been getting a little irked about all these screen shots and details about Forza 3 for the xBox 360, haven't you? Well we've got something for you: the first batch of screen shots of the new Gran Turismo 5 for PS3. So far, it's just five shots of the Japanese Super GT-spec Nismo GT-R, but it looks good.
The long awaited and highly anticipated fifth installment from the iconic racing simulator franchise packs some 1000 different vehicles to choose from - according to Sony, more than twice as many as its "closest racing competitor" (wonder who they're talking about) - brought to life in unprecedented quality with state-of-the-art damage rendering, rollover crashes and the whole nine yards. There's even a sweet little feature worked in to allow gamers to export their favorite replay footage straight to YouTube. Alright, enough hype. Check out the screen shots in the high-resolution image gallery below.
[Source: Sony]First official screenshots of Gran Turismo 5 released to giddy masses originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| ATS a good-looking Cadillac rendering, isn't it? Not so accurate, though...
September 3, 2009 at 11:59 am
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| Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Cadillac, Design/Style, Luxury  A few weeks back, we were among the group invited out to General Motors' design studios to have a look at the near future of the company's product portfolio. Among the many vehicles that we told you about after our visit were a pair of new Cadillacs to fill out the lineup. According to Cadillac sources, it's going to be some time in 2010 before the XTS and the smaller ATS are shown publicly. However, Motor Trend has had noted illustrator Mark Stehrenberger try his hand at rendering the ATS.
Unfortunately, the result doesn't look quite like the actual car we were shown. Starting at the front, the rendering actually looks a lot more like the late departed XLR roadster than the ATS. The styling buck we saw had a taller nose in keeping with modern pedestrian safety standards. Additionally, the grille of the ATS is of the same style as seen on the current CTS and SRX as opposed the egg-crate pattern shown on the illustration. One element that is accurate is drawing's headlights, which stretched well back along the top edge of the fender on the production-intent model we saw.
At the back, the ATS has a longer rear overhang and deck with proportions more like the current CTS sedan. The truncated rear end of the illustrations is completely wrong and the sharply creased edges all around are more reminiscent of early "Art and Science" Cadillac models like the XLR and first-gen CTS. The actual car has the same slightly softened look of the current CTS. A tip of the hat to Pierce!
[Source: Motor Trend]ATS a good-looking Cadillac rendering, isn't it? Not so accurate, though... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Credit lines increasingly hard to come by for auto dealers
September 3, 2009 at 11:32 am
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| Filed under: Car Buying 
Like him or loathe him, George W. Bush's clearest, most salient speech came almost a year ago on September 25, 2008 when our Harvard MBA president explained to the nation and the world exactly how bad the economy had gotten and why so much federal money ($700 billion-ish at the time) was being hurled at America's banks. The full speech can be found here, but one little section bears quoting:
The decline in the housing market set off a domino effect across our economy. When home values declined, borrowers defaulted on their mortgages, and investors holding mortgage-backed securities began to incur serious losses... Other banks found themselves in severe financial trouble. These banks began holding on to their money, and lending dried up, and the gears of the American financial system began grinding to a halt. While there have been signs of those gears getting a little bit of oil, certain sectors of the economy remain firmly stuck. Or as CNNMoney puts it, "auto dealers are in their own special financing hell." How so? It's a toxic combination to be sure. A car dealership's inventory is much more expensive than other small businesses (like, say, The Yarn Depot). Additionally, the economy as a whole is still fairly south of the border so despite Cash for Clunkers, millions of people aren't buying expensive things. Then, of course, the banks that lend the money are themselves going belly up, almost 80 so far in 2009 alone.
To address the lose-lose situation, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is trying out several programs designed to help out dealerships. One such initiative sees the SBA backing the auto dealer loans. So far, only one dealership has qualified. The problem is that car dealers require a special type of loan known as a floor plan loan, and the SBA's program doesn't cover floor plan loans. These special loans allow dealers to repay the loan as the inventory sells, instead of on a monthly basis. And as inventory isn't moving like it used to, banks aren't keen on making any floor plan loans.
[Source: CNN Money | Image: Hulton/Getty]REPORT: Credit lines increasingly hard to come by for auto dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| GM reportedly holding up some shipments of Buick LaCrosse over quality concerns
September 3, 2009 at 10:59 am
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| Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Buick 
2010 Buick LaCrosse - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The high-profile 2010 Buick LaCrosse, the vehicle the automaker hopes will lure younger buyers into its showroom, is being delayed a few weeks due to manufacturing quality concerns. Mark LaNeve, GM's VP of U.S. Sales, told reporters and analysts that although 300-400 cars were shipped in August, future deliveries will be halted until Buick works out the so-called "quality issues." While there was no elaboration or specifics, LaNeve added that the issues "were not serious but were enough to delay us three or four weeks while we made sure they were fixed so that our customers didn't have any problems."
Arguably the most important vehicle launched by the brand in decades, Buick is positioning its all-new LaCrosse as a serious competitor to Volvo, Lexus, and Acura. Furthermore, the mid-size luxury sedan is bait for people in their mid-40s and 50s, decidedly younger than the brand's 68-year-old median age buyer last year. Few would consider a short quality-related delay a stain on the launch of the new model. In fact, the publicity this is generating will likely help spread Buick's LaCrosse message.
[Source: ABC News]GM reportedly holding up some shipments of Buick LaCrosse over quality concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Rendered Speculation: next Murcielago will be (*gulp*) longer and wider
September 3, 2009 at 10:27 am
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| Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini  According to a new report in Auto Express, there are a lot of changes planned for the next Lamborghini Murcielago. Among them all, the one that claimed most of our attention was that the next boss bull will "be wider and longer." The length isn't such a big deal, but the current LP640 already approaches the opposite of narrow, and it's already superbly planted. If that part is true, we don't know what the extra width would do except to make the car... well, wider.
Design-wise, if the publication's rendering is to be believed, the Murci will get a lot of Gallardo and Reventón up front. A trim strip of LEDs (458 Italia, anyone?) would replace the current multi-lamp unit, in front and back. The front intakes look to be lifted straight from its littler sibling, and the rear screams "Estoque!" - in a good way.
AE suggests that the construction will be Audi spaceframe-esque, with a complete carbon fiber body (shedding the current steel roof and doors). With less weight and an expected jump to 700 horsepower, that ought to be enough to get the Murci to 60 mph in three ticks of the second-hand. AE posits that the car will retain its four-wheel-drive and will adopt stop-start and energy regeneration, the first in the family to do so. Expect to see it - and hear it roaring to life at valet stands everywhere- in 2012.
[Source: Auto Express]Rendered Speculation: next Murcielago will be (*gulp*) longer and wider originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Forthcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible caught on set of Sex and the City 2
September 3, 2009 at 10:00 am
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| Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities, Luxury  If there's one television show we love here at Autoblog, it's Sex and the City. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - all aflutter over noontime glasses of Kristal, gossiping about Prada, Mr. Big, converting to Judaism for all the wrong reasons and whoever/whatever Samantha humped last night. It's so fab! Just kidding, we hate that show and the ex-girlfriends that forced us to know this much about it. *Ahem.*
We mention S&TC however, because when the first movie came out, it featured the then-new Mercedes-Benz GLK. And soon there will be a part 2, and that sequel is going to feature the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible. How do we know? Because somebody just snapped a whole bunch of shots of Sarah Jessica Parker, her $600 Christian Louboutin T-Strap sandals, $1,800 Sylvia Drapey Hobo hand bag and a yet-to-be-released E-Class droptop on the set of Sex and the City 2.
So... is this is a trend or just a fad? We know that the Audi R8 Spider will be making its debut in Ironman 2, and to some degree Aston Martin likes to show off their latest dream boat in the latest James Bond adventure. And out of the three, we imagine that Mercedes is going to sell a heckofa lot more E-Class convertibles to Carrie Bradshaw fans than Audi/Aston Martin will sell to Tony Stark/Agent 007 aficionados. Right? Hat tip to Patrick.
[Source: Just Jared]
Forthcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible caught on set of Sex and the City 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Popular bike and car stop Hidden Hills Cafe burns down in LA Station fire
September 3, 2009 at 9:29 am
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| Filed under: Etc. 
Some of you might remember seeing the 2010 Nissan GT-R and its supercar friends running around the Angeles National Forest. We mention this because the big, bad Nissan and the three Ferraris, the Viper and the M6 all stopped for lunch at the Hidden Hills Cafe. You can see the restaurant's parking lot at the end of the video. And with good reason - for the last 32 years, everyone has stopped at Hidden Hills.
Located about halfway up Big Tujunga Canyon where it connects with Angeles Forest Highway - two of LA's premier canyon roads - you just stop when you round the corner and see the cafe that looks like a big red barn. If you're hungry they cook you a burger, thirsty they give you a Gatorade - or most times, you just stop, stretch your legs and change drivers. Besides, there's always a motorized object of interest (or ten) to be found parked out front.
Err, there was, as the place burned down two days ago in the Los Angeles Station Fire, one of the largest fires in the history of Los Angeles. We're hoping Hidden Hills rebuilds, because otherwise a tiny but wonderful chapter of LA automotive culture has been lost forever.
The Los Angeles Times has a harrowing account of what the Hidden Hills Cafe owners went through before they knew for certain (but highly suspected) that the restaurant was gone.
[Source: Los Angeles Times]Popular bike and car stop Hidden Hills Cafe burns down in LA Station fire originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Popular bike and car stop Hidden Springs Cafe burns down in LA Station fire
September 3, 2009 at 9:29 am
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| Filed under: Etc.
Some of you might remember seeing the 2010 Nissan GT-R and its supercar friends running around the Angeles National Forest. We mention this because the big, bad Nissan and the three Ferraris, the Viper and the M6 all stopped for lunch at the Hidden Springs Cafe. You can see the restaurant's parking lot at the end of the video. And with good reason - for the last 32 years, everyone has stopped at Hidden Springs.
Located about halfway up Big Tujunga Canyon where it connects with Angeles Forest Highway - two of LA's premier canyon roads - you just stop when you round the corner and see the cafe that looks like a big red barn. If you're hungry they cook you a burger, thirsty they give you a Gatorade - or most times, you just stop, stretch your legs and change drivers. Besides, there's always a motorized object of interest (or ten) to be found parked out front.
Err, there was, as the place burned down two days ago in the Los Angeles Station Fire, one of the largest fires in the history of Los Angeles. We're hoping Hidden Springs rebuilds, because otherwise a tiny but wonderful chapter of LA automotive culture has been lost forever.
The Los Angeles Times has a harrowing account of what the Hidden Springs Cafe owners went through before they knew for certain (but highly suspected) that the restaurant was gone.
[Source: Los Angeles Times]Popular bike and car stop Hidden Springs Cafe burns down in LA Station fire originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Ferrari weighs its options with Massa reportedly not expected back this season
September 3, 2009 at 9:00 am
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ferrari 
When Felipe Massa was taken out of commission at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month, the questions on everyone's mind was who would replace him and when he'd be back. With regards to the former, Ferrari is one of the few teams on the grid that doesn't have a junior driver development program in place. The team doesn't usually have a problem getting the best drivers, but when disaster (literally) struck, the Scuderia was left without options.
Michael Schumacher prepared to come out of retirement to fill his prodigy's seat, but his own lingering physical issues prevented that, leaving Ferrari with little choice than to promote one of its aging test drivers - finally opting for Luca Badoer after his ten-year hiatus from active racing instead of its other test driver, recent Le Mans winner Marc Gene - with less than satisfactory results. After finishing just about dead last in both of the races he's contested so far, Ferrari has admitted that it's looking at other options for the rest of the season. Giancarlo Fisichella is said to be one possible Ferrari driver and could stay on in the long term to replace Badoer as test driver as well. Robert Kubica is being touted as another, while still more reports suggest that Fernando Alonso could bolt from Renault a bit early and take up residence with Ferrari.
If these rumors seemed at first a little odd with Massa first rumored to return by the upcoming Italian Grand Prix and then readjusted to the subsequent Brazilian Grand Prix - the home races for the team and driver respectively - it now looks like Felipe won't be back this season at all. After undergoing tests at the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Massa is scheduled to undergo plastic surgery to repair a fractured section of skull resulting from the incident in Hungary. Tellingly, Ferrari says they're looking forward to Massa's return for the start of next season.
That's all in the short term, however, and Ferrari is keen to avoid such strategic mistakes in the future. Accidents happen, and the team needs to be prepared, so its looking into setting up a junior driver development program that would give them access to a pool of emerging talent for the future.
[Source: Ferrari via Autosport; F1-Live]Continue reading Ferrari weighs its options with Massa reportedly not expected back this season Ferrari weighs its options with Massa reportedly not expected back this season originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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