Category: Auto Industry

Rumormill: Is BMW bound to bolt a V6 under the hood of the next M3?

Filed under: BMW, Rumormill

BMW M3 Competition Package

BMW M3 Competition Package – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’re an unapologetic BMW fanboy, the next few words might sting. BMW may be considering a V6 for the next generation BMW M3. No, we didn’t mean to type I6 – we’re talking about three on one side and three on the other.

According to M3post.com, BMW is likely to go in one of four directions. First up is the suggestion that BMW will take the M3’s current S65 V8 and add a pair of turbochargers to it. Now, we’re all in favor of adding forced-induction to this engine but this would have the M3 treading heavily on F10 M5 ground.

Another rumor pegs BMW as stuffing either a modified (read: boosted) version of the N54 turbocharged inline-six or a tweaked (read: detuned) version of the F10 M5’s twin-turbo V8 S63 motor. The most interesting rumor, however, is that BMW may look into a turbocharged V6 engine. Is BMW HQ ready to hurt the fanboy feelings of folks in love with straight-six engines? If it means a better M3, then anything is possible.

Is BMW bound to bolt a V6 under the hood of the next M3? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Scion, Subaru, Toyota

Scion FR-S spy video

Scion FR-S takes in the German countryside – Click above to watch video after the jump

We have the Scion FR-S on the brain, and it’s not going away anytime soon thanks to the onslaught of new spy photos that keep rolling in. This time, however, we’ve got video instead of still photography courtesy of our friends at FT86club.com.

It’s always great to see a car in motion, and besides, now we have an idea of what the Scion sports car’s exhaust note might sound like.

We’ve been having some fun at Autoblog HQ debating exactly what’s going on under all of that swirly camouflage. Some think we may, in fact, be looking at the Subaru version of the Toyota/Subie joint venture – that wing and those wheels say STI to us. However, others point out that the wing could easily be a shout-out to the Supras of yore. Regardless, we all like what we see and can’t wait until someone pulls the wraps off this thing. Click past the jump to see the prototype in motion.

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Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Coolest Pinewood Derby Car To Never Race

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Toys/Games

Pinewood Derby Audi R18

Pinewood Derby Audi R18 – Click above for high-res image gallery

As kids, there were only so many outlets available to satiate our automotive obsession. While we always had grand visions of things like building the ultimate model A/C Cobra or hewing the sleekest Pinewood Derby racer that the sport had ever seen, our projects typically turned out looking more like Revell nightmares and shop class castoffs. We simply lacked the granular motor skills to turn our hopes and dreams into plastic and pine realities. We’re guessing that Sam Francis never had that problem.

As a local Cub Scouts leader, Francis has made a reputation for himself by crafting unbelievably intricate Pinewood Derby cars. Last year he worked up a Keaton-era Batmobile to show the kids in his troop exactly what could be done with a little patience and a lot of skill, but this year, he wanted to do something even more special. It just so happened that while Francis was racking his brain for a little inspiration, Audi yanked back the veil on its new R18 Le Mans machine. Suddenly, Francis had his shape.

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The Coolest Pinewood Derby Car To Never Race originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Newman’s mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Volkswagen, Celebrities

paul newman's v8 volkswagen beetle

This Volkswagen Beetle is priced to sell at $250,000. No, there’s no typo in that figure. This 1963 VW Bug has celebrity ownership, as it once belonged to Mr. Paul Newman. Still not doing it for you at that price? Perhaps a peak under the hood will change your mind.

Paul Newman loved him some fast cars, and this ’63 Beetle is no exception. Rather than stick with the old four-cylinder lump in the rear, Newman had IndyCar builder Jerry Eisert set out to turn the droptop bug into a super sleeper.

Eisert dropped a Ford 351 V8 into the middle of the Volkswagen. He added the five-speed ZF transmission (thought to have come from a Ford GT40), and the now-transformed Beetle was pushing out 300-horsepower. That’s a whole lot of juice for this bantam-weight brawler. So much, in fact, that Newman’s handlers advised him to sell the car before he got into serious trouble with it.

Paul Newman’s Volkswagen Beetle Convertible sleeper is now up for sale, after receiving a full restoration. The seller wants $250,000 but is open to “serious offers.” While we think 250 large is rather optimistic, there’s no doubt this car has the potential to plaster permanent smiles on anyone who drives it. Check out OldBug.com for a look at the car’s history.

Paul Newman’s mid-engine V8 Beetle on sale for $250K originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Aston Martin planning two or three Lagonda models

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Aston Martin

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, we reported that Aston Martin had allegedly given its Lagonda crossover concept the green light for production. Now, in speaking to Europe’s CAR magazine, Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez has confirmed that the concept will spawn “two or three” new Lagonda models.

Aston Martin is planning two full-fledged Lagonda crossovers – one that focuses on sport, and one more geared to all-terrain prowess, along the lines of the Audi Allroad, according to CAR. The sporty Lagonda would likely use a low-riding chassis and larger 21-inch wheels, while the more traditional CUV would have more modest suspension and wheel fittings.

The third potential offering? A luxury sedan not unlike the original Lagonda four-door from decades ago. CAR reports that, like Aston’s smaller Cygnet, the Lagonda sedan would combine traditional luxury amenities with “advanced packaging and a sophisticated drivetrain.”

No word on how long it will take Aston Martin to ready its Lagonda sub-brand, but since the company seems to be quite serious about launching this duo (or trio) of vehicles, we could see something crop up within the next few years.

Aston Martin planning two or three Lagonda models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is recalling 1,156 of its recently introduced 2012 Civic sedans and coupes over faulty O-rings that could result in a fuel leak. In the affected cars, a misaligned O-ring that seals a connection in the fuel feed line could result in fuel leaking from the engine.

If any sort of ignition source is present, a fuel leak could obviously result in something quite tragic.

To remedy this problem, Honda dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of the month; follow the jump for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official statement.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts, helps sell boxers [w/bonus boxer puppies]

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Pontiac

1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts

1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts – Click above to watch the video after the break

We love ourselves some vintage muscle cars, and none more so than the one that started it all: the Pontiac GTO. It’s 389-cubic-inch V8 engine burbling underhood, its paper-thin bias-ply tires at all four corners and its complete lack of any kind of safety equipment mean the old Goat is nothing if not a hoon’s dream car.

But what does it have to do with boxers? Beats us. Whether you’re talking about the kind you wear under your jeans (in this case from Camouflage) or the kind that licks you in the face, we’re completely baffled as to why the donut-performing muscle car is being used to advertise boxers.

Oh well. The Pontiac GTO (1965 vintage, in this case) is always welcome on these pages, and boxer puppies are adorable. You’ll find both of them in the video after the break. Enjoy! Thanks for the tip, Diland!

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1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts, helps sell boxers [w/bonus boxer puppies] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Auctions, Rolls-Royce

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX – Click above for high-res image gallery

Times change and so do trends. These days, everyone’s clamoring for more environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cars that even Rolls-Royce is tinkering with electric propulsion. The program is being carried out on the 102EX electric Phantom prototype. But go back nearly a century and speed was the cause célèbre du jour. And then just as now, Rolls-Royce was keen to prove its mettle. This was the car with which it did so.

As Rolls-Royce presented the first-generation Phantom to the world, it was eager to show what it could do, so the company’s managing director Claude Johnson had the crew at Crewe put this prototype together. Named in his honor, the “CJ Sports Car” featured a more aerodynamic “torpedo” coachwork by Barker. Although many experimental Phantoms followed (straight through to the aforementioned 102EX), this was the only one that the company held on to after it was done testing, and was even rumored to have been loaned out to Laurence of Arabia at one time.

10EX is expected to fetch around £400,000-£800,000 ($650k-$1.3m) when it goes up for auction on June 23 at RM’s inaugural Salon Privé auction at West London’s picturesque Syon Park estate. Joining it on the docket will be numerous other Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin classics (among others) representing the finest of historic British motoring. Follow the jump for the full press release.

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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you missed on 5.18.11

Review: 2011 Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew [w/video]

There can be only true king. In this feudal system, it’s Ford F-150, which has attracted more buyers than the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 for years. Why? We took to the saddle of Ford’s latest entry-level F-Series equipped with the company’s new 5.0-liter V8 to find out.

Official: 2012 Audi A6 Avant arrives, automatically acquires adulation

We love a good station wagon. Audi has just pulled the wraps off its sleek new 2012 Audi A6 Avant, and we’re already swooning over the capacious cargo-hauler.

Spy Shots: Scion FR-S sprouts a wing at the ‘Ring

Remember that Scion FR-S prototype we spied heading to the Nürburgring earlier this week? Well, it’s now doing hot laps, complete with a body kit and huge wing.

Also of interest:

  • Spy Shots: Is this 2012 Honda CR-V test mule packing a third row of seats?
  • Report: Why some Nissan Juke owners are getting a $400 check in the mail
  • Official: Mugen releases first photos of its supercharged Honda CR-Z
  • Report: Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline
  • Report: New York Taxi Commission moves to ban Lexus RX 450h

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

What you missed on 5.18.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat and Ferrari dominate 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Fiat

fiat 857cc twinair

Fiat 875-cc TwinAir engine – Click above for high-res image gallery

Italy knows how to put an engine together – at least, according to the International Engine of the Year voting committee. The votes have been tallied, and Fiat has taken home four out of 12 awards. The company’s 875-cc TwinAir mill has earned the title of Best New Engine of 2011, Green Engine of the Year, Sub 1.0-liter Engine of the Year and International Engine of the Year. Ferrari helped Italy earn two more awards, with the 458’s 4.5-liter V8 unit being crowned Best Engine Above 4.0-liters and Best Performance engine. All told, Italian powerplants claimed half of the awards handed out.

BMW was no slouch, however, with the German automaker acquiring four awards in the competition. Audi and Volkswagen also earned recognition. A great showing, but the Italians earn the win thanks to Fiat taking the top prize. Click past the jump to read the full press release and learn more about the International Engine of the Year awards.

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Fiat and Ferrari dominate 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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