Category: Auto Industry

Rumormill: Alfa Romeo 4C to spawn Abarth, Maserati variants?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

If Alfa Romeo wanted to get people talking with the debut of its 4C concept in Geneva, they succeeded. The Internet is abuzz with rumors of its production potential. There have already been reports that the Alfa will spearhead the marque’s full-fledged return to North America, to be followed by both Spider and Abarth versions. Now, word is that Maserati could get a derivative, too.

If the reports prove accurate and the spinoffs come to fruition, that would mean three brands within the Fiat group will get their own versions of the lightweight, mid-engined, four-cylinder sports car. And that’s before any of the Chrysler brands get a crack at it, because a Dodge version to pick up where the Circuit concept left off could be most tempting. The Maserati version would naturally be positioned and appointed differently from the Alfa or Abarth models. The question is whether the market can bear more than one Elise rival from Fiat/Chrysler, let alone multiples.

Alfa Romeo 4C to spawn Abarth, Maserati variants? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XX at Laguna Seca

Ferrari 599XX at Laguna Seca – Click above for high-res image gallery

The last time Ferrari’s exclusive Corse Clienti program made an appearance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was back in 2008. At the time, the FXX was the only race car in the Corse Clienti stable, but the 599XX joined the party for the program’s return to Monterey this year.

A trio of FXXs and no less than seven 599XXs-almost a quarter of the total produced by Ferrari -took to the track last weekend, their high-revving 6.0L V12s echoing throughout the surrounding hills.

If you didn’t make it to Laguna Seca to see the Corse Clienti race cars in action, no worries. We’ve got a huge gallery of photos below as well as a video of the cars in action after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Renault and Nissan imagine a world where gas powers everything

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Renault, Electric

Nissan gas-powered everything

Nissan’s “Gas Powered Everything” ad – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

What would the world be like if everything were powered by gasoline?

Renault-Nissan has kicked off a massive advertising campaign intended to highlight the advanced technology of electric vehicles with the debut of a pair of videos that bang home the point that consumers depend upon electricity to power items used everyday and that using gasoline is, in some instances, utterly ridiculous.

In one spot, a middle-aged man wakes up for work to the burning whistle of his gas-powered alarm clock and with a few fierce tugs at his coffee maker’s rip cord, manages to fire up the gas-gulping machine. That same man, while at the office, walks up to a miniature gas pump to refuel his laptop computer.

Oh, and the owner of a Chevrolet Volt, while standing at the gas pump refueling his plug-in hybrid, watches in envy as another man across the street unplugs his Nissan Leaf and drives off as onlookers watch in amazement. Yep, that’s how Nissan sees the world if “Gas Powered Everything.”

Since the videos are, in our humble opinion, absolutely hilarious, we’ll refrain from revealing too much. Hit the jump to view the clips clip. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Continue reading Renault and Nissan imagine a world where gas powers everything

Renault and Nissan imagine a world where gas powers everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai

RMR Hyundai Pikes Peak 2011 Test Session

RMR Hyundai Pikes Peak 2011 Test Session – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chances are you’ve heard of Rhys Millen. The man pushes cars over dirt, into extreme sideways angles, through the air and up challenging mountain roads. If you’re a bit younger, however, you may not have heard of his father, Mr. Rod Millen… and that’s a problem, because you should know that name.

Rod Millen, born in New Zealand and possessor of the best driveway on the planet, is a racing legend. Typically known for his off-road records, the elder Millen has been hustling rally cars and trucks across tough terrain since the 1970s. The company he founded, MillenWorks, is responsible for the development of technical innovations used in racing, and by the military. Enjoying that cushy suspension setup in your Chevrolet Corvette or Audi R8? You can think MillenWorks for that.

Like Rhys, Rod also has a passion for competing. Before Nobuhiro Tajima came along, Rod Millen was the Pike’s Peak record holder. Driving a Toyota Celica All Trac in 1994, Millen smashed the previous record by 40 seconds. He broke his own record four more times, until the Monster took him down, and Rod hasn’t been back since 2001.

Father’s day is around the corner, and the Millen boys are ready to spend some time together. They’re going to do so in Colorado, because Rod is coming back to the mountain, and Rhys is planning to destroy it.

Continue reading Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak

Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you missed on 5.27.11

How kids see the wild SLS AMG supercar [w/video]

We chose to take the $203,500 Benz to a local middle school and see what the kids thought of it. Unlike us journalists, often oversaturated with horsepower and sexy sheet metal, the unjaded minds of kids could offer all of us a new perspective.

Long Term: 2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate, May 2011 [w/video]

We’ve driven a total of just over 5,400 miles since the car’s March arrival at Autoblog Towers. Read how our first big dealership service went.

Spy Shots: Ford Mustang dragster mule caught brandishing gargantuan hood scoop

What’s going on under the hood? We have no idea, but we’re curious.

Also of interest:

  • Spy Shots: Subaru’s RWD sports car caught wearing same outfit as Toyota sibling
  • Video: Scandinavian homemade dyno is dangerously awesome
  • WSJ looks at who the auto bailouts really left behind
  • No $1M prize winners in contest to crack Toyota sudden acceleration syndrome
  • Official: Saab to restart production after six-week suspension *UPDATE

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

What you missed on 5.27.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

2011 bmw 1 series m on dyno

Inside Line straps the BMW 1 Series M to a dyno – Click above to watch video after the jump

It’s no secret that manufacturers sometimes underrate horsepower and torque figures for certain high performance models. This practice has been going on since the muscle car wars, and we don’t see it stopping anytime soon. Inside Line wanted to find out what the 2011 BMW 1 Series M is putting down for power, so rather than rely on the manufacturer’s information, the IL crew took a trip to the local dyno.

In case you’d forgotten, the 1 Series M is rated at 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque under normal operation, but an “overboost” function increases turbo pressure allowing the engine to make 369 pound-feet of torque for brief periods.

What happened when Inside Line hooked the 1M up to a rolling road? Let’s just say BMW is keeping the underrated power game alive. Click past the jump to watch the clip and see what we mean.

Continue reading BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno

BMW 1 M Coupe gets strapped to the dyno originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Videos, Motorcycle

sussex safer roads motorcycle safety

Stay A Hero, Stay Safe ad – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the Embrace Life seatbelt advocacy ad? The spot, which was created by The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, featured a man driving an imaginary vehicle, and when he braced for impact (in his living room), his wife and daughter rushed to form a seatbelt. The safety ad went viral almost immediately, with over 13.7 million YouTube views to date, while at the same time really driving home the fact that safety belts saves lives. A truly beautiful effort.

The Sussex team is looking to strike gold once again with a new spot, this time taking aim at motorcyclists in a new commercial about motorcycle safety. The ad, titled “Stay a Hero, Stay Safe,” doesn’t have quite the same impact as the Embrace Live commercial, but it’s still worth watching. Hit the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note

Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW creates edible print ad for Golf R

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Volkswagen

volkswagen golf r edible ad

Ever heard someone say their car eats up the road? Volkswagen is taking that phrase to a whole new level in a new print ad for the 2012 Golf R. Placed between the pages of South Africa’s Auto Trader magazine, the road on the page is edible… as in, you can literally eat this road.

We’re not sure how many calories this will add to your daily intake (perhaps you could figure it out… VW says the page is made from glutinous rice flour, water, salt, propylene glycol FD&C color and glycerine). Also, we’d wager that this page needs some Ranch dipping sauce or Red Hot (or both) to make it remotely tasty.

Regardless, it’s a smart bit of advertising, and we expect that auto repair shops across South Africa are filled with Auto Trader mags bearing teeth marks.

VW creates edible print ad for Golf R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM

Final Cadillac DTS

Final Cadillac DTS rolls off the assembly line – Click above for high-res image gallery

Famed Italian car collector (and luxury goods retailer) Nicola Bulgari owns no less than 14 Cadillacs, ranging from historic beauties like a 1932 355B V12 Fleetwood Limousine to modern marvels like the 2009 CTS-V sedan and 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. Now, Bulgari has added a 15th Caddy to his collection: the very last DTS sedan to roll off GM’s Detroit assembly lines.

No, the DTS isn’t as audacious as everything else in Bulgari’s garage, but the Italian collector is extremely fond of the Wreath and Crest’s current flagship.

“I like the DTS because it’s a great sedan. It’s the last of an era. I thought it would be wonderful to own the last Northstar in a DTS. It’s one of the best engines ever designed – reliable and a performer.”

General Motors has ended the Cadillac DTS’ production run in order to make way for the upcoming XTS flagship, which is nearing the end of its development. “I’ve seen the XTS Concept,” says Bulgari. “I know it’s superior. The DTS was a great sedan for its time, but it’s a different world, a new period. It’s time for something different.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves…

Follow the jump for GM’s official release.

Continue reading Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection

Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Pickup driver tries to run motorcyclist off the road

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Motorcycle

pickup driver road rage

Pickup driver tries to run motorcyclist off the road – Click above to watch the video after the break

What’s worse than a sportbike-mounted motorcyclist passing a slower-moving vehicle in an area where there are double-yellow lines, indicating that passing is prohibited? The answer, as you’ll see in the rather shocking video pasted after the break, is retaliation from the driver being passed.

A motorcyclist in Bracken County, Kentucky, was out for a ride with a friend on a beautiful Sunday afternoon when he came up on a red Ford F-150 with an ATV in the bed. The truck was moving at a slower speed than the motorcyclists, so the lead rider decided to pass. We’re not going to try to defend the biker crossing in what is clearly a no-passing zone, but that doesn’t excuse what happens next.

The driver of the pickup truck appears to swerve sharply in an attempt to run the motorcycle and its rider off the road. We’re not mind readers, but there’s little doubt that the driver’s intent was to cause the rider to crash, or at least to scare the living daylights out of him. For the next several minutes, the pickup driver gives chase, using both his lane and that of oncoming traffic. At about 4:20 into the video, the pickup driver nearly hits another innocent motorcyclist head-on.

Finally, after about five minutes of hopelessly reckless driving, the pickup catches up to the lead motorcycle, who had stopped and dismounted at a stop sign. Confrontation time – with what appears to be a metal pipe in the hand of the pickup driver. As you would expect, a heated argument ensues in which the pickup driver somehow claims he’s in the right and that he’s – get this – allowed to drive like a maniac because he “grew up on these roads.”

The whole sordid affair ends with a phone call to the police, but according to the local riders from R6-Forum.com, the police, for reasons completely unfathomable to us, have yet to respond. Check out the complete video after the break with your own eyes, but beware, it includes some potentially NSFW language at the very end.

Continue reading Pickup driver tries to run motorcyclist off the road

Pickup driver tries to run motorcyclist off the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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