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In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Nissan 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R
Nissan recently granted Autoblog four fleeting days with a red 2009 Nissan GT-R. While it seems every major automotive outlet has tested "Godzilla" on the track (including our First Drive), we chose instead to keep it on the streets to see if one of the world's most powerful and fastest accelerating cars could be domesticated by stop-and-go traffic, family errands, and carpool duty. Of course, we only stuck to that routine for a day or two... the rest of the time was spent on the famed canyon roads of Southern California. Follow the jump to read about our 100-hour experience in the Nissan GT-R and don't miss what very well may be the most beautiful gallery of high-res images we've ever published courtesy of our own Drew Phillips and all ready to become your next desktop wallpaper.
All photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
UPDATE: We've rerun the GT-R drive due to pure awesomeness.Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoclub Speedway Redline Time Attack and Live Sockets Circuit Battle Filed under: Motorsports, Tuners, Sports/GTs 
Click the image above for a high-res view.
The Redline Time Attack series has been growing steadily since its inception a few years ago. The events follow a format similar to the qualifying portion of a typical race -- essentially fastest time wins. Redline events have been the stage for several exciting top lap time battles, such as one between James Sofronas (of SCCA Speed World Challenge fame) piloting his GMG Porsche GT3 against XS Engineering with their R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R (of Speed's Street Tuner Challenge fame). Recently we caught up with the Redline Time Attack series at California Autoclub Speedway to see what sort of competition Southern California could stir up. On top of the normal schedule, the event featured the first Live Sockets Circuit Battle competition. Circuit Battle differed from Time Attack in that it paired two cars together for a lead and chase race over 3 laps for best average time. Hit the jump to find out some of the results and check out all the photos in the gallery below.
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GM Europe decides to downsize future Saabs Filed under: GM, Saab 
The midsized sedan has been growing in all directions for decades, but soaring fuel prices have customers begging for something smaller. GM is heeding the call as it is preparing a smaller batch of next generation Saabs. The next 9-3 was originally slated to be underpinned by the Epsilon II, but in March GM decided to instead utilize the lower-medium Delta architecture. The Delta platform will also be used for the next-gen Chevy Cruze, which is slated to eventually replace the Cobalt. The end result will be a smaller, lighter, more efficient Swedish sedan.
With the 9-3 shrinking, Saab will also need to down-size its planned 9-1, which was originally scheduled to be Delta-based. Speculation has Saab reaching into GM's global architecture bin to use the Gamma platform that currently underpins the Opel Corsa. The idea has legs, too, as the Swedish automaker calls the idea "imaginable." Both vehicles are said to contain small, efficient turbocharged powertrains, which is in line with what Saab already uses. We're all for smaller, more agile Saabs, and killer fuel economy wouldn't hurt either.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Elfin releases sketch, details on upcoming Type-5 roadster Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Holden, Australia 
Think "Elfin" and you're liable to (quite aptly) conjure up images of point-eared fantasy creatures (thank you Mr. Tolkien and Jackson). But to Lotus and Caterham fans, a group as enthusiastic to its realm as hobbit geeks are to theirs, Elfin is another beast entirely. Sprightly though they are, Elfin sportscars offer some of the best power-to-weight ratios on the market. But as we reported previously, the Australian niche automaker is preparing to bust out of the confines of the Super-7 kit-car scene with an entirely new model of its own.
Known internally as the Type 5, the new vehicle is targeted at the likes of the Lotus Elise and Ariel Atom as an open-air track-car. Power will come from the turbocharged four in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline, packaged in a completely new chassis with styling penned by sister company HSV's design studio. Pricing, released along with the design sketch you see above, is pegged at AUS $65,000 (approximately $63k in today's devalued American greenbacks). That's significantly less than a supercharged Elise, but with more power and even less weight, which sources suggest should allow it to hit sixty in a scant 3.7 seconds. We'll be watching closely to bring you the latest once the Elfin Type 5, or whatever Tom Walkinshaw's outfit chooses to call the vehicle, makes its anticipated debut down under sometime next month.
[Source: PressPortal.com.au via World Car Fans] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Nissan takes fuel cell vehicle on run of the 'Ring Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, SUVs, Green, Nissan 
The undisputed champion of hydrogen fuel cell SUVs at the Nurburgring has been crowned: the Nissan X-Trail FCV. The winning time: 11:58. Of course, it's the winning time because it's the only time -- a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has never ran the 'Ring before.
After piloting the 120 bhp X-Trail around the world for two years, Nissan engineer Frank Eickholt, decide it was time to take it to the track. The €1.3 million X-Trail was apparently hampered by moist tarmac, so you can expect a redo at some point in the future. Just when you thought the 'Ring craze was as hot as it could get, here come the hydro-powered vehicles to... pour some water on it...
[Source: ZerCustoms] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chrysler cutting 1,000 white collar workers Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge, Jeep 
Chrysler is losing money by the truck-load, and its vehicles aren't selling, so common sense dictates that team Pentastar was going to start making cuts soon. That time is now, when Chrysler notified workers that it would be cutting 1,000 white collar workers. Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff told employees that the company would achieve its cut target through retirements, attrition, and buyouts, which means people won't be handed boxes and receive security escorts just yet. Chrysler management is making the cuts with the belief that the current economic situation here in the States isn't going to improve any time soon. A quick look at the Pentastar's car lineup shows the privately owned company would be in trouble even if the economy had a rosy outlook. No timetable was given for the white collar cutback.
[Source: Detroit News] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
2010 Ford Mustang to debut at LA Auto Show Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes, Ford 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang at Road America.
You read that right folks. The 2010 Ford Mustang will make its official debut in at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19th. According to a source speaking with InsideLine, the new 'Stang won't be shown in Detroit as originally rumored, conceivably a response to the Camaro hype-machine we've had to endure over the last two weeks.
When the wraps are pulled off the 2010 Mustang, expect all-new front and rear fascias, including a new grille, headlamps and taillights, along with a tweaked hood and a few cues rumored to be pulled of the Guigiaro Mustang concept.
Speculation about powertrains has been running rampant for months, but a reworked V8 and V6 is part of the package, and possibly a new turbocharged, EcoBoost bent-six further down the line. Sales will begin late early next year.
[Source: InsideLine] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Leakage: 303 hp Porsche Cayman S Sport Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Porsche 
Click above for a larger image of the Porsche Cayman S Sport.
The Cartribe crew is living up their reputation as the newest embargo breakers in the biz, with a follow up to their original story that the Porsche Cayman is getting a serious Sport injection ahead of the new model's debut next year.
The Porsche Cayman S Sport is packing 303 hp, up from 295 hp, and will come equipped with Porsche's Active Stability Management system, a 10mm suspension drop, blacked-out wheels and a two-tone paint scheme aping the 911 GT3.
Pricing is rumored to be set at £49,890 and expect more details to be revealed shortly.
[Source: Cartribe.co.uk] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Harley-Davidson launches two new 2009 models Filed under: Motorcycles 
Click above for more shots of the 2009 VRSCF V-Rod Muscle
Harley-Davidson, the definitive American motorcycle manufacturer, has released its 2009 models, and there are a few surprises to take note of, including the introductions of two brand new bikes. The VRSCF V-Rod Muscle (above) builds on the same liquid cooled platform of past VR models and adds a new rear fender design, dual side exhaust pipes and revised bodywork to the wide 240 mm rear tire that some models already feature. The second new bike is The Motor Company's first trike, the Tri Glide. Using a brand new rear differential along with air suspension in back, Harley looks to capitalize on the growing three-wheeler trend in the states.
In other news, HD has also revised the frame of all its '09 Touring models, and we recently got the chance to feel the new, more solid-feeling frame ourselves. It's a definite improvement, especially important since the revised Tour-Pak is capable of holding even more gear and weight. Nearly all new Duna and Sportster models feature a new front fender said to more closely follow the contour of the front wheel, improving the appearance of the bikes in the process. Take a closer look at the two completely new models here:
[Source: Harley-Davidson] Permalink | Email this | Comments
REPORT: Jaguar developing diesel XK Filed under: Jaguar, UK, Rumormill 
Click for a hi-res gallery of the Jaguar XK convertible
When Jaguar launched the current-generation XK in all its feline ferocity, it reportedly promised that the car would only be offered with gasoline engines. But that was a couple of years ago, around the same time that Audi began to dominate Le Mans racing with its R10 TDI, when BMW put the 3-liter turbodiesel into the 6 Series, but more importantly, before the current fuel crunch made consumers reexamine the prospect of driving a diesel sportscar.
That's why reports now suggest that Jaguar is preparing a diesel version of the XK. Based on the 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel used in its sedans, the XK is tipped to receive a more powerful 3-liter version with 250 hp - still short of the BMW 635d's 290, but still capable of returning over 30 mpg with torque to spare. Whether the diesel XK would make it to the American market remains doubtful, however.
[Source: Autocar] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Insignia will come to U.S. as a Saturn, with new sheetmetal, interior Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Saturn, Opel, Rumormill 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Insignia.
Despite repeated rumblings from industry sources (including Lutz himself) that the Opel Insignia's transformation into a Saturn model was on hold, Bob Lutz now indicates that work is indeed proceeding on making that model ready for the American market. Changes are going to be made to both the interior and the exterior of the Insignia as it morphs into the Aura. Lutz also indicates that the two Epsilon II-based cars will share suspension bits and powertrains, though we are not sure just how many of the six available gas and diesel engines in the Euro-only Opel will make their way Stateside. Also debatable is the Insignia's Haldex all-wheel-drive system that will be offered across the pond. Whatever the case, we hope that the car doesn't see too many changes as it's an extremely attractive and compelling package as it currently sits. Bring it.
[Source: Autoweek] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
TechArt GT Street RS, because the Porsche GT2 isn't mean enough Filed under: Tuners, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Porsche 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the GT Street RS
The Porsche 911 GT2 has 530 horsepower, 505 lb-ft of torque and is capable of going 204 mph. And it's not enough. Not for TechArt, at least. You know TechArt. They take Porsches that already push the limits of performance and go all Chuck Yeager on them, probing for new and more crazy limits. Generally they find them, then they package them up and offer them to the moneyed public. Case in point: the new GT Street RS. What begins as a "normal" GT2 turns into a 700-horsepower, 634 lb-ft (860 Nm) warp-enabled street predator when the TechArt people are through messing with it.
The myriad changes include new bodywork that improves the car's aerodynamics, updated chassis components, a customized and caged interior, and a laundry list of underhood modifications. The turbos, intercoolers, headers, electronics, pressure sensor, air filter and exhaust system all get updated by TechArt, facilitating the transformation from factory supercar to ballistic missile with wheels. Now, where'd we leave those launch codes...
[Source: TechArt] Permalink | Email this | Comments
VIDEO: First Corvette ZR1 delivered to proud papa Filed under: Auction Action, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1 at Barrett-Jackson
 The very first Corvette ZR1 has rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the proud owner of the 638-horsepower hellraiser was there in person to claim his prize. Chevy dealer and Corvette aficionado Dave Ressler won his supercharged Vette at the Barrett Jackson auction back in January for the astronomical sum of $1 million dollars, which equals about 10 times the ZR1's base price of $103,300. Ressler was allowed to sit behind the wheel of his rarified Vette as it completed its assembly run and exited the factory, and let his granddaughter, Ayden Lynn, ride along shotgun. The special ZR1 is set apart from other Blue Devlis with a unique VIN number and a LeMans Blue paint job that will appear on no other car.
After being performance tested, the ZR1 was put in a trailer and carted back to Montana where it will be put in a museum with Ressler's 45 other Vettes, including his #003 1953 Corvette. We know, that's no way to treat a thoroughbred like the ZR1, but at least Ressler's million bucks went to a good cause.
Check out a local news report of the occasion after the jump.
[Source: Corvette Blogger]
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Ford plant shuts down after worker killed this morning Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford  The Detroit News is reporting that a worker at Ford's Woodhaven Stamping Plant in Michigan was killed this morning. While the family has requested the man's name not be released, sources at the factory told The Detroit News that he was a die-setter and was killed while loading a transfer press. Workers on the morning shift were immediately sent home so the accident could be investigated, but second shift workers will be back on the job today. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased worker.
[Source: The Detroit News] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Oz-some: HSV W427 launches Down Under Filed under: Sports/GTs, Supercars, GM, Holden, Australia, HSV 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the HSV W427
"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts." That's what Han Solo says about the Millenium Falcon. You could apply the same saying to the HSV W427 super-duper sedan just launched by Holden's in-house performance division. I mean, that front end has some serious issues, but the Corvette Z06's LS7 V8 lurks behind it, and it's no joke, giving the four-door 500 horses and 471 lb-ft of torque. Production is limited to 427 units total, 90 of which will be produced this year. All of those have already been spoken for at a heady $154,500 Australian dollars, including luxury tax. Buyers also get the opportunity to tour the cars' production facility, and get a letter from Tom Walkinshaw, who started HSV some 20 years ago. The "W" in the car's name is also a tribute to him. HSV says that the W427's angry fascia emphasizes the cooling needs of the 7.0L V8. We think it mostly tells drivers who catch it racing up in their rearview to simply move out of the way...or be swallowed whole. We hear the car runs best when fed a steady diet of FPVs.
A slew of new photos have dropped in conjunction with the car's production launch, all of which can be seen in the gallery below.
[Source: HSV] Permalink | Email this | Comments
Camaro debuts in Australia along with lineage Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet, GM, Australia 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Camaro's Melbourne reveal
While General Motors debuted the 2010 Chevy Camaro in Detroit and L.A. on Monday, they also gave it a proper debut in Australia where much of the car's development work was performed. The General just published some new pictures from the car's Melbourne debut in which the new Camaro poses for the camera with a second generation model, two third generation models, a fourth gen and a very cherry 1969 Camaro SS owned by reigning V8 Supercar champion Garth Tander. Those pics plus GM's own shots that were taken at the live reveal in Detroit have been added to the first gallery below, beneath which we've included our own updated gallery of live shots from the Detroit reveal that includes images of the car after it was driven outside.
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JCW MINI Cabrio coming to Geneva '09 Filed under: Convertibles, Geneva Motor Show, MINI 
Click for a hi-res gallery of the JCW MINI
Step into a MINI dealership as of next spring and ask for "the works", and there'll be a new option at your disposal: the John Cooper Works MINI convertible, which Inside Line reports will be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
The drop-top Works will, by and large, share the same mechanics as the Cooper cabrio (for bodystyle) and the 208hp JCW hatchback (for go-fast bits), with the possible addition of the optional front sway bar as standard to keep the body rigid. An extra 220 pounds of weight is tipped to make the run to sixty 0.3 seconds slower than the hard-top; at about 6.5 seconds, tied with the bigger JCW Clubman. Price is anticipated to begin at $33,000 - pretty steep for a MINI, but a tantalizing choice - with a vast catalog of accessories and options available on top of that. Of the 240,000 MINIs built each year, only 12,000 of those will be earmarked for "the works", only 4,000 of those as JCW cabrios, with just 1200 anticipated to make it stateside, so if you want one, better call your MINI store now.
[Source: Inside Line] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Here we go again: Toyota sells more cars worldwide in first half than GM Filed under: Car Buying, GM, Toyota 
The seesaw battle between GM and Toyota for the title of world's largest automaker is still being waged, and after tallying up global sales for the first half of the year, Toyota has opened up a pretty big lead. The Japanese automaker totaled 4.82m units told, with GM trailing with sales of 4.54m cars and trucks. While Toyota's sales are impressive, they're still off the pace of the 9.85m units the automaker expects to sell throughout 2008. The US and Japan have been the source of Toyota's pain this year, as both markets are in a downturn. In spite of record sales in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, GM had a 3% sales decline in the first half of the year. The entire problem rests solely with the General's performance at home, where sales are down a staggering 16% for the year. The news isn't expected to get much better in the States, as last month was the worst June in 17 years, and sales don't look any more promising in July.
While both GM and Toyota have been shrugging off talk of global sales battles, we're inclined to believe selling the most vehicles on the planet is important to both automakers. And since GM has held the sales lead for 77 years, the Detroit automaker won't feel good if it loses its title. Down nearly 300k units through June, though, it'd almost take a miracle for the General to come out on top in 2008.
[Source: Reuters] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Ford F-150's 4.4L diesel exposed Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Ford  The Internet got a sneak peek at the new 4.4L Ford diesel engine last April when somebody snapped a pic of the complete package sitting on the floor at Ford's national dealer conference. Now, thanks to some eagle-eyed sharp shooters, we can see the new oil-burning mill in its natural habitat under the hood of a Ford F-150. Sure, there's lots of black plastic covering all the good stuff, but we can get a glimpse of all the assorted plumbing that will make this engine squeaky clean. We can also have a good shot of the intercooler, peaking out between the grille and the radiator.
This engine is labeled as a Power Stroke, Ford's long-running moniker for the diesels equipped in its Super Duty trucks. For years, those mills have been made by Navistar, but after the fallout between the automaker and the supplier, Ford is now using a derivative of the diesel from Land Rover in Europe, though the 4.4L iteration will be made in Mexico for the North American market. Offering 20-percent more fuel economy than the 5.4L gas-powered Triton, along with a considerable bump in power, this could be one very important addition for the Ford Motor Company and will likely make its official debut at next year's Chicago Auto Show.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
RCA grads design eco-friendly concepts for the future Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Green 
Click above for more RCA Eco-Friendly Concepts
Whenever car design students tackle a project with as little direction as designing a "future eco-friendly automobile," you know that the designs will bear little resemblance to what's currently available. Still, when it's students from the Royal College of Art we're talking about, we should take note. After all, this is the same school that graduated the likes of Peter Horbury, Ian Callum, Martin Smith from Ford of Europe, Aston Martin's design director Marek Reichman and Peter Schreyer, Kia's current design head and the man behind the iconic shape of Audi's original TT.
The winner of the 2008 Pilkington Automotive Vehicle Design award was Pierre Sabas with his Airflow concept (shown above). Although the looks of the vehicle, with its entire exterior made from glass, are pretty far fetched, the in-wheel electric motors specified by the designer may have a future as many automakers are already exploring this idea for production. In contrast, Arturo Peralta Nogueras's concept uses non-existent "solid hologram technology" for the exterior along with an interior that evolves with its surroundings. We're sure that one's coming right around the corner. Thanks for the tip, Mike!
[Sources: Inhabitat, Wallpaper.com] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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