Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Bugatti releases new palette for Veyron Hermes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/bugatti-releases-new-palette-for-veyron-hermes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/bugatti-releases-new-palette-for-veyron-hermes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/bugatti-releases-new-palette-for-veyron-hermes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes

We know what you're thinking, because we're in the same lamentable position ourselves: you'd totally order up that uber-exclusive Hermes edition Veyron, but you're not a big fan of the brown and tan paint scheme. Fortunately Bugatti has heard your cries, brother, and announced the availability of new color options for the Veyron Fbg.

The announcement actually came from Monterey but was quickly overshadowed, somewhat ironically, by the unveiling of the open-top Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and the subsequent auction of its first example for $3.2 million. The unveiling of the new-tint Hermes Veyrons took place at the Quail motorsport gathering on Monterey Peninsula, where Bugatti revealed the four new color schemes available: "indigo blue and vermilion", "indigo blue and lime green", " black and garance red" and "Prussian blue and blue jean". We're not entirely sure what all these colors are, exactly, and given that Bugatti put them in quotation marks, we're not sure they're sure, either. They undoubtedly would have shown us pictures of all four, but given that these 1.5 million euro hyper-exotics are made to order and available only from the end of the year, we doubt examples of each color option have been made yet. Of course they all come decked out with the H-pattern grille, eight-spoke wheels, lavish calfskin interior and exclusive package of specially-made Hermes luggage.

Follow the jump for all the details, and check out the gallery below to see the new black and "garance red" Veyron Fbg par Hermes, which we like to call the "Autoblog Edition".

Gallery: New Colors: Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermes


[Source: Bugatti]

Continue reading Bugatti releases new palette for Veyron Hermes

 

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]]>bugattibugatti veyronbugatti veyron fbg par hermesbugatti veyron hermesBugattiVeyronBugattiVeyronFbgParHermesBugattiVeyronHermesfbgfbg by hermesfbg par hermesFbgByHermesFbgParHermeshermeshermes colorshermes coloursHermesColorsHermesColourspar hermesParHermesveyronveyron colorsveyron coloursVeyronColorsVeyronColours2008-08-28T12:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Unofficial: Dodge Viper ACR laps 'Ring in record 7:22.1 [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/unofficial-dodge-viper-acr-laps-ring-in-record-7-22-1-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/unofficial-dodge-viper-acr-laps-ring-in-record-7-22-1-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/unofficial-dodge-viper-acr-laps-ring-in-record-7-22-1-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We're not terribly surprised that the Dodge Viper ACR has apparently made it around the famed German racing circuit faster than pretty much anything else you'll find on a dealer's lot. After all, the ACR is a race car, as evidenced by the video that Motor Trend has posted. The most venomous Viper has done the deed in 7:22, fast enough to make grown men cry. To this blogger, the Viper is dead gorgeous, even with that yucky-but-functional rear wing on the ACR, and it definitely carries the spirit of hairy-chested cars of yore. The shifter wobbles around horrendously when the driver kisses the rev limiter a few times, and there even appears to be a flubbed shift near the end, so the ACR may have faster laps left in it. We're waiting on confirmation on whether or not this is an official lap, but it's certainly creating a stir, and the Viper wants to know, V-Spec who? Thanks for the tip, Rob.

[Source: Viper Alley]



Thanks for the tip, Rob!

video of run at MotorTrend

 

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]]>ring timeRingTimeviper acr nurburging timeviper acr nurburgringviper acr ringviper acr ring timeviper nurburgringviper nurburgring timeviper ringviper ring timeViperAcrNurburgingTimeViperAcrNurburgringViperAcrRingViperAcrRingTimeViperNurburgringViperNurburgringTimeViperRingViperRingTime2008-08-27T23:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Splinter wooden supercar in the fles... wood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/splinter-wooden-supercar-in-the-fles-wood/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Splinter Wooden Supercar

You may remember our post on the Splinter wooden supercar late last year. At the time, the grad students behind the project being led by Joe Harmon only had renderings of what the Gaia-approved exotic would look like. They deserve extra credit, however, for having the actual car ready for the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta last week. While they've yet to reach the running prototype stage, they did marry the car's body to its all-wooden chassis. Renderings are one thing, but seeing photos of the actual car is inspiring. The body is comprised of basket-woven wood that's coated with resin in a mold, which we suppose makes it a different kind of carbon fiber altogether. Next up is actually fitting the drivetrain, which thankfully is not made of wood, and getting the Splinter moving under its own power. We may have doubted at the beginning that this project would ever be completed, let alone be this cool, but consider us converts.

Gallery: Splinter Wooden Supercar - the build


Gallery: Splinter Wooden Supercar


[Source: Building the Splinter via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>joe harmonJoeHarmonsplintersplinter wooden supercarSplinterWoodenSupercarwooden supercarWoodenSupercar2008-08-27T16:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[McLaren P11 supercar goes back to the drawing board... in two months]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/mclaren-p11-supercar-goes-back-to-the-drawing-board-in-two-mo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The McLaren P11 will still be powered by a 6.2-liter Mercedes AMG unit, but nobody knows yet what the car that goes around the engine is going to look like. Frank Stephenson, recently of Fiat fame, has been given instructions to completely redesign the car when he starts at McLaren. However, he can't take up the position at McLaren until he finishes his "gardening leave," a mandatory vacation between sensitive jobs that aims to prevent employees from taking their inside knowledge with them.

McLaren says that the car won't look anything like the sketches that made the rounds last year. That's not such a bad thing -- while a good looking car, the sketches were uninspiring and a bit derivative. We expect that the man who has had a hand in everything from the BMW X5 and MINI to the Ferrari F430, Maserati Quattroporte and MC12 probably has a few good ideas left lying around. Unfortunately, the arrival of the P11 has been pushed back a year due to the redesign, to probably mid-to-late 2010.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>coupecoupesfrank stephensonFrankStephensonmclarenmclaren p11MclarenP11p11supercarsupercars2008-08-27T12:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler may sell Dodge Viper rather than kill it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR

The Dodge Viper has been Chrysler's halo car since it was introduced back in 1992, but times are tough. Faced with the fact that it might not be able to continue making the brutish sports car, the Auburn Hills-based automaker is reportedly considering doing something that's never been done before by a domestic automaker (as for as we know): selling the Viper's future to a third party. Automotive News quotes Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli saying, "We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper." Nardelli claims that whatever happens, his company will work to make sure the best interests of Viper fanboys are served and that Chrysler would continue to offer "operational and financial" support for the car if a transaction takes place. We're honestly a little stunned that Chrysler would consider such a drastic action, though if it means the Viper won't be sacrificed at the altar of economic woes, we're all for it. On the other hand, how does one separate Dodge from the Viper? Can you imagine Ford selling the Mustang to ROUSH or GM selling the Corvette to Lingenfelter? Chrysler has not identified any of the Viper's suitors, so rather than a familiar tuning house, it could also be a conglomerate of investors or another automaker. Is a Viper sold by another brand still a Viper?

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

 

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]]>breakingchryslerchrysler selling viperchrysler sells viperchrysler viperChryslerSellingViperChryslerSellsViperChryslerViperdodgedodge viperDodgeViperviperviper soldViperSold2008-08-27T11:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ferrari to offer California with manual, HGTC handling pack]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ferrari-to-offer-california-with-manual-hgtc-handling-pack/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Ferrari California

Some of the more hard-core tifosi have been whining that Ferrari has gone soft with the new California. It's pretty hard to justify that a car able to hit 60 mph in the three-second range is soft, but so be it. The nay-sayers point to the inclusion of a folding hard-top as a sign that Ferrari has grown more concerned with pleasing its poseur clientele than developing genuine performance vehicles. Never mind that the innovative rapid-deployment roof, according to Ferrari, actually weighs 5kg less than an equivalent soft-top and still only takes 14 seconds to raise or lower.

However, Maranello has not finished development of the California and intends to pacify those malcontents with some new features. For starters, Ferrari says that about 10% of its customers still demand a manual transmission, and so they will have one ready for the California by the time it actually goes on sale about half a year from now. Around the same time, Ferrari will also unveil a new HGTC handling package, like those offered for the 612 Scaglietti and the previous 575 M Maranello, to tighten up the California's suspension. A new set of lightweight wheels is also in the works, anticipated to shave some 10-12kg off of the unsprung weight. A 430 Scuderia it is not - that's why Ferrari makes both - but don't mistake the California for a lazy boulevard cruiser.

Gallery: 2009 Ferrari California


[Source: EVO magazine]

 

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]]>californiacalifornia handling packagecalifornia hgtcCaliforniaHandlingPackageCaliforniaHgtcferrariferrari californiaferrari california hgtcferrari f149ferrari hgtcFerrariCaliforniaFerrariCaliforniaHgtcFerrariF149FerrariHgtchgtchgtc handling packageHgtcHandlingPackage2008-08-26T16:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Steve Saleen's pre-production Ford GT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ebay-find-of-the-day-steve-saleens-pre-production-ford-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ebay-find-of-the-day-steve-saleens-pre-production-ford-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/ebay-find-of-the-day-steve-saleens-pre-production-ford-gt/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of Saleen's pre-pro Ford GT

The Ford GT went from concept to production in record time thanks to companies like ROUSH and Saleen that have niche manufacturing capabilities. Saleen handled the assembly of the GT in its 200,000-sq ft facility in Troy, MI, and whether it was part of the deal or just a thank you from Ford, Steve Saleen ended up owning a pre-production Ford GT, one of only nine built. There are some differences from the production version, including a 4.6-liter Mustang Cobra V8 that has been bored out to 5.4-liters, as well as a unique supercharger system made specifically for the car. The bad news is that its pre-production status means it can't be registered as a street legal vehicle, so this Ford GT will most likely be relegated to a collector's garage.

Gallery: Steve Saleen's Pre-Production Ford GT


[Soure: eBay Motors]

 

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]]>FordFord GTFordGtSteve SaleenSteve Saleens Ford GTSteveSaleenSteveSaleensFordGt2008-08-26T14:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Another guess at Aston Martin's One-77]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rendered-speculation-another-guess-at-aston-martins-one-77/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rendered-speculation-another-guess-at-aston-martins-one-77/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rendered-speculation-another-guess-at-aston-martins-one-77/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click to view in high resolution

It's not every day that a new supercar is announced. But those are the good days, and for when they roll around, Jon Sibal is ready. The gifted illustrator who has already brought us renderings of the upcoming Mercedes SLR McLaren Speedster and a race-prepped Lexus LF-A has now taken a stab at the upcoming Aston Martin One-77.

The new flagship supercar from Aston Martin was announced earlier this month and accompanied by a few teaser renderings from the factory. Those were followed by a rather uninspired speculative conception of what form the carbon-fiber supercar would take, and though we're not sure what to make of Sibal's take on the subject, it does appear to be rather accurate. We just hope the One-77 looks better in the flesh, as we've come to expect more from the company that brought us the DBS and the V8 Vantage.

[Source: JonSibal.com]

 

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]]>177aston martinaston martin one 77aston martin one-77AstonMartinAstonMartinOne-77AstonMartinOne77jon sibaljon sibal aston martinJonSibalJonSibalAstonMartinone 77one-77One77rendered speculationRenderedSpeculationrenderingsibal2008-08-26T14:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Audi R8 puts angels in danger in Midnight Club: LA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/video-audi-r8-puts-angels-in-danger-in-midnight-club-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/video-audi-r8-puts-angels-in-danger-in-midnight-club-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/video-audi-r8-puts-angels-in-danger-in-midnight-club-la/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Midnight Club: LA is on its way, and the developers at Rockstar Games just released a new video of an Audi R8 doing its thing through the concrete jungle. The name of the game: arcade. Or better names might be 'free-for-all' and 'pedestrians, watch out!' It's cut like an MTV video, so it's hard to get a feel for the flow of the action, but all you need to know is that there'll be plenty of it -- action, that is. And if nothing else, it does seem to accurately depict how actual R8 drivers tend to pilot their cars... Follow the jump for the video.

[Source: Rockstar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi R8 puts angels in danger in Midnight Club: LA

 

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]]>audi r8AudiR8gamesmclamidnight club los angelesMidnightClubLosAngelesplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3ps3r8rockstarrockstar gamesRockstarGamesvideo gamesVideoGamesxbox 360xbox3602008-08-25T19:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[No Audi R8 competitor coming from BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/no-audi-r8-competitor-coming-from-bmw/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW M1 Hommage

It's a sign of the times. After having rolled out the delectable M1 Hommage concept (pictured above), one BMW board member says that the Bavarian automaker has no intention of producing a supercar to compete with the likes of the Audi R8. Instead, BMW will focus on green technologies.

The news comes straight from Klaus Draeger, the board member at the helm of the EfficientDymanics initiative. While Audi continues to produce more powerful and more desirable versions of the R8, Mercedes prepares entirely new supercars and Porsche continues to do what Porsche has always done, the company that once hailed itself as the producers of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is more concerned with hybrids than sportscars.

Gallery: BMW M1 Hommage


[Source: AutoTelegraaf via AutoblogGreen]

 

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]]>audi r8 competitorAudiR8Competitorbmwbmw audi r8bmw m1bmw m1 homagebmw m1 hommageBmwAudiR8BmwM1BmwM1HomageBmwM1Hommage2008-08-25T08:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[No diesels for Bentley]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/no-diesels-for-bentley/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Bentleys and buckets of torque go hand-in-hand. Therefore, it might make some sense for the German-owned British luxury marque to consider one of the VW Group's big, powerful turbodiesels for one of its upcoming models. Not so fast, says Bentley. It has specifically polled its customer base -- made up mostly of Americans and Asians -- to determine if there's any interest in an oil-burning Bentley. Apparently, there isn't. Instead, the luxo-barge company will focus on biofuels in an effort to lower the fuel consumption and emissions of a numbers of its models. As a matter of fact, the first flex-fuel engine from the Flying B is expected to debut in 2009 and Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chief Executive, says that all of its models will be capable of running on biofuels by 2012 as part of its plan to go British Racing green.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>bentleybentley arnagebentley azurebentley azure tdibentley brooklandsbentley continentalbentley continental gtbentley continental gt speedbentley continental gtcBentleyArnageBentleyAzureBentleyAzureTdiBentleyBrooklandsBentleyContinentalBentleyContinentalGtBentleyContinentalGtcBentleyContinentalGtSpeeddieseldiesel bentleyDieselBentley2008-08-22T19:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Super Veyron and eventual replacement coming around 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/super-veyron-and-eventual-replacement-coming-around-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/super-veyron-and-eventual-replacement-coming-around-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/super-veyron-and-eventual-replacement-coming-around-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.

The big question for Bugatti is: What comes after the Veyron? Seriously, there isn't much that could top the 1,000-or-so horsepower, quad-turbo, 16-cylinder engine that's carried around in the back of the most gorgeous body ever with an equally exquisite interior. How about a revised model with 1,200-horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque? Yeah, that'd do nicely. Rumors indicate that an über-Veyron could make an appearance at the very end of this current generation's production.

Despite consistent rumors of the firm's eventual demise after that, head-honcho Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen says that another supercar and possibly an ultra-lux saloon (four-door to all you poor people) could be in the cards for 2012. In an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions, alternative-fuel powerplants will also be on the drawing board. We know that parent-company VW has plenty of worthy powerplants in its parts bin, and the idea of giant torque funneled through an all-wheel drive system has us saving our millions already.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Live Debut


[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>bugattibugatti veyronbugatti veyron 16.4 grand sportbugatti veyron grand sportbugatti veyron hermesbugatti veyron sang noirbugatti veyron targabugatti-veyronBugattiVeyronBugattiVeyron16.4GrandSportBugattiVeyronGrandSportBugattiVeyronHermesBugattiVeyronSangNoirBugattiVeyronTargaveyron2008-08-22T16:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Swiss Missile: Sportec SP750 Porsche 997 GT2]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/swiss-missile-sportec-sp750-porsche-997-gt2/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/swiss-missile-sportec-sp750-porsche-997-gt2/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/swiss-missile-sportec-sp750-porsche-997-gt2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Porsche enthusiasts will undoubtedly count the 997-generation 911 GT2 as one of the most extreme supercars ever to roll out of Stuttgart - right up there with the 959 and the Carrera GT. But where there's speed, there's always room for more speed, and the Swiss aren't about to stay neutral on this matter. Switzerland-based Sportec has just released its latest offering: the SP750. The tuning firm is known for producing seriously fast Porsches - including the 997 Turbo-based SP580 and the record-chasing SPR1 and SP600M Cayenne - and has put some serious effort into carrying on this legacy with the new SP750.

Modifications to the GT2 - already very blitzschnell in its own right - are available in four increments, starting with the 600-hp Stage 1 and topping out with the full-on 750-hp Stage 4 kit, which includes new turbos, a revised ECU, titanium con-rods, a free-flowing exhaust and new camshafts, air filter and clutch. To control all that extra power, Sportec is also offering an upgraded brake kit with six-pot calipers and 350-380mm discs, plus a retuned suspension complemented by a revised aero kit and 20-inch rims. We'd hope the huge Swiss flag on the roof, which has become a hallmark of Sportec's creations, is optional. While it may protect the car from aerial bombardment, the planes would actually have to catch the car in the first place.

[Source: Sportec]

 

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]]>porscheporsche 911 gt2Porsche911Gt2sportecsportec 911sportec 911 gt2sportec 997sportec 997 gt2sportec porscheSportec911Sportec911Gt2Sportec997Sportec997Gt2SportecPorscheswissswiss porscheSwissPorsche2008-08-21T22:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Cobb Tuning gives the GT-R a serious bump in power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/cobb-tuning-gives-the-gt-r-a-serious-bump-in-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/cobb-tuning-gives-the-gt-r-a-serious-bump-in-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/cobb-tuning-gives-the-gt-r-a-serious-bump-in-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Cobb Tuning has re-engineered its AccessPort control unit for the new R35 Nissan GT-R. For those of you lucky enough to own a GT-R and not content with its performance out of the box, the $995 AccessPort will reflash the ECU to any one of six different tuning levels.

There are three levels each for Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 1 can get you up to 63 additional ponies and 70 lb.-ft. of additional twist, while Stage 2 can boost the numbers by 70 and 90 respectively. The AccessPort can also save your stock ECU data and reflash it when you decide you're finished with all that extra gumption. According to a GT-R owner who tried it out, you can be blowing past all those regular GT-Rs in less than an hour.

And that's not all: you can store multiple engine mapping programs, remove trouble codes, install reduced-power valet and economy modes, and update maps over the Internet. It seems like a ridiculously easy proposition for making your supercar that much more super. So if you got one of those GT-Rs that are a little low on horses, this could be just the ticket.

[Source: Bespoke Ventures]

 

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]]>accessportcobbcobb accessportcobb motorsportcobb tuningCobbAccessportCobbMotorsportCobbTuninggt-rnissannissan gt-rNissanGt-rtunertunerstuning2008-08-21T16:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Koenigsegg developing 700bhp four-door]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/koenigsegg-developing-700bhp-four-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/koenigsegg-developing-700bhp-four-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/koenigsegg-developing-700bhp-four-door/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image for high-res gallery of the Koenigsegg CCX

We've seen stretched out exotics before, but Koenigsegg is reportedly planning on producing a model with four doors right from the factory. Carbon-fiber saloons from the Swedish automaker have been undergoing testing for the past two years, with the new model set to be debut in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. Sales of the car are planned for 2011 with a sizable allocation destined for the U.S. The other big market for the brand is the Middle East, where much of the development money is said to have been sourced. Powered by a 700-horsepower V8 not shared with Koenigsegg's other exotics, the new super saloon is expected to surpass 200 miles per hour. Pricing would almost surely be higher than its closest rivals, the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, but lower than the marque's other carbon creations.

Gallery: Autoblog Drives the Koenigsegg CCX


[Source: CAR Middle East via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>koenigseggkoenigsegg ccrkoenigsegg ccxkoenigsegg ccxrKoenigsegg saloonKoenigsegg sedanKoenigseggCcrKoenigseggCcxKoenigseggCcxrKoenigseggSaloonKoenigseggSedan2008-08-21T12:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport's umbrella roof in action]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/video-the-bugatti-grand-sports-umbrella-roof-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

You can't go lopping the top off of a $1.5 million supercar without replacing it with something. Well, you could, but not if you're going to sell it for more than $2 million apiece. That's why when Bugatti unveiled the new Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the automaker made sure to demonstrate not one, but two removable roofs that will be included with the targa hypercar. The first is a transparent polycarbonate hard-top section that can be removed and stowed for open-air driving. But in case the obscenely wealthy driver finds himself caught in an unexpected torrential downpour (or just a drizzle, for that matter), Bugatti has also developed an umbrella-like soft-top that can be deployed in an emergency. Unfortunately, the fabric roof section can't withstand the 252 mph top speed that the polycarbonate solid roof can, limiting speeds to an embarrassing 80 mph.

The deployment of the fabric temporary roof was a little difficult to describe in words and pictures, but fortunately our Latin friends at Autoblog En Espanol have found a video of the roof in action. Follow the jump to check it out.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport


Gallery: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Live Debut


[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport's umbrella roof in action

 

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]]>bugattibugatti veyronbugatti veyron 16.4 grand sportbugatti veyron grand sportbugatti veyron targabugatti videoBugattiVeyronBugattiVeyron16.4GrandSportBugattiVeyronGrandSportBugattiVeyronTargaBugattiVideogrand sportgrand sport videoGrandSportGrandSportVideotargaveyronveyron grand sportveyron videoVeyronGrandSportVeyronVideovideo2008-08-21T12:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Winkelmann: Lamborghini to go racing, no Superleggera planned]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/winkelmann-lamborghini-to-go-racing-no-superleggera-planned/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/winkelmann-lamborghini-to-go-racing-no-superleggera-planned/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/winkelmann-lamborghini-to-go-racing-no-superleggera-planned/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video

To the outside observer, Lamborghini and Ferrari may appear to be peas in a pod, and while the two exotic automakers may arrive at similar points, they come from completely different directions. While Ferrari remains essentially a racing team that produces road cars to support their motorsport campaigns, sporadic privateer entries notwithstanding, Lamborghini has never had the same degree of racing pedigree. That may be about to change, however.

This year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance highlighted Lamborghini as a featured marque, and the guys over at Garage419 had a chance to talk with Stefan Winkelmann. The Lamborghini CEO revealed that the company is preparing a full-on factory racing program, and though details are still a few weeks away, Winkelmann said the factory racing effort would start in Europe. Winkelmann also dispelled rumors of a potential RWD-only variant of the new Gallardo LP560-4, as well as a Superleggera version, saying that Lamborghini had no such plans for the time being. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Garage419 via eGMCarTech]

Continue reading Winkelmann: Lamborghini to go racing, no Superleggera planned

 

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]]>2wd lamborghini gallardo2wdLamborghiniGallardogallardo lp560-4GallardoLp560-4gallrdo lp560-4 superleggeraGallrdoLp560-4Superleggeralamborghinilamborghini ceolamborghini ceo stephan winkelmannlamborghini gallardolamborghini lp560-4lamborghini superleggeraLamborghiniCeoLamborghiniCeoStephanWinkelmannLamborghiniGallardoLamborghiniLp560-4LamborghiniSuperleggerarwd gallardorwd lamborghiniRwdGallardoRwdLamborghinistephan winkelmannStephanWinkelmann2008-08-21T09:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Lies, damn lies and HP ratings: <i>C&D</i> dynos five Nissan GT-Rs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/lies-damn-lies-and-hp-ratings-i-candd-i-dynos-five-nissan-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/lies-damn-lies-and-hp-ratings-i-candd-i-dynos-five-nissan-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/lies-damn-lies-and-hp-ratings-i-candd-i-dynos-five-nissan-gt/#commentsFiled under: , ,



From the beginning, the Nissan GT-R's performance figures seemed too good to be true. Weighing in at over 3,800 pounds and packing a claimed 480 hp, the 3.5-second sprint to 60 and 11.8-second quarter-mile time just didn't add up. And then the tests began...

Buff books and online outlets began publishing 0-60 runs between 3.2 and 3.4 seconds, and quarter-mile times began dropping quicker than a co-ed's IQ on a nitrous binge. CARandDRIVER.com discovered a similar discrepancy between five different GT-Rs and finally decided to get some time on the dyno to get some real-world numbers.

Gallery: Car and Driver dyno five Nissan GT-Rs

Continue reading Lies, damn lies and HP ratings: C&D dynos five Nissan GT-Rs

 

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]]>2008-08-20T20:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Spoon to recreate NSX Type-R in LHD trim for U.S. ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/spoon-to-recreate-nsx-type-r-in-lhd-trim-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/spoon-to-recreate-nsx-type-r-in-lhd-trim-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/spoon-to-recreate-nsx-type-r-in-lhd-trim-for-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Honda NSX-R.

Honda's decision to only offer one Type-R model in the U.S. - the DC2 Integra - is still considered a crime among Hondaphiles. And of all the models that could have benefited from a serious performance injection later in life, the NSX was a prime candidate.

Thankfully, Spoon Sports, a long-time motorsport partner with Honda, will rectify the matter by converting left-hand-drive US-spec NSXs into NSX-Rs. The conversion involves a long list of modifications, including stiffer springs and shocks, larger anti-roll bars, forged 17-inch wheels, a shorter final-drive gear ratio, slotted brake rotors, flat underbody trays and a rear diffuser. Part of the NSX-R's appeal was a product of Honda's desire to keep weight in check, so in order to get as close to the JDM version's 2,800-pound curb weight, Spoon will replace the hood, rear spoiler and seats with carbon fiber pieces, fit a smaller battery, manually-adjustable mirrors, thinner rear window glass, lightweight carpets and will rip out all of the sound deadening material and replace the spare tire with a can of expanding goo.

Spoon hasn't released details on how much the conversion will cost or when it will begin taking orders, but if it has Honda's blessing on the project, expect to see the first few models on the road just ahead of the new NSX's launch in 2010.

Gallery: Honda NSX-R


[Source: JPCNews]

 

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]]>acura nsxacura nsx-rAcuraNsxAcuraNsx-rhonda nsxhonda nsx-rHondaNsxHondaNsx-r2008-08-20T18:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be true]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/trident-diesel-sports-car-not-vaporware-still-sounds-too-good-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more images of the Trident Iceni

If the name 'Trident' has visions of Maseratis and vintage Triumphs dancing through your head, you are in for a big surprise. When we first looked at the Trident Iceni, it was powered by a 375-hp GM turbo diesel V8 mounted up front and producing 520 lb-ft of torque. After a year or two of development, it's even better according to its makers, with the latest version of the venerable Duramax diesel tweaked to offer 550 horsepower at 3,800 rpm along with an arm-wrenching 950 lb-ft at just 1,800 rpm. Trident claims the Duramax can slingshot the Iceni to 60 mph in well under four seconds and on up to a top speed easily surpassing 200 miles per hour. According to the British company, its modified GM/Isuzu engine is capable of running on any blend of biodiesel without voiding the warranty and returns 68.9 miles per gallon (or 57 mpg in U.S. gallons) at a steady 70 miles per hour. Is this the guilt-free supercar for the eco-conscious speed freak?

With an elaborate chassis folded from stainless steel and a composite body, the Iceni will not rot away. The rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transmission also allows for wide gearing, which is fortunate since the diesel engine isn't going to be a revver. The company is currently looking for funding and hopes to offer the Iceni for about £75,000 out the door. So far, Trident has mentioned no plans to send its wares across the pond to the U.S. Pity us poor Americans.

Gallery: Trident Iceni


[Source: Trident Performance Vehicles]

Continue reading Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be true

 

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]]>biodieselbiodiesel supercarBiodieselSupercardiesel supercarDieselSupercartrident icenitrident performance vehiclesTridentIceniTridentPerformanceVehicles2008-08-20T15:58:00+00:00