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Video: Jack Nicklaus’ grandson survives chilling motorcycle crash, caught on camera

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Motorcycle

Nick O'Leary motorcycle crash - bus dashcam video footage screencap

Nick O’Leary, grandson of golf legend Jack Nicklaus and starting tight end for the Florida State Seminoles, received a rather brutal lesson in the laws of physics. An inattentive Lexus driver pulled out in front of the FSU player while he was traveling along on his motorcycle. The resulting collision ejected O’Leary from his bike, sending him sailing down the road for an estimated 75 to 100 feet, and the whole thing was captured on video.

The motorcycle got the worst of the ordeal, fortunately. After the collision, it was catapulted into the windshield of a stopped bus. No one was injured in the Lexus or on the bus, which captured the footage, although one passenger was very lucky that he didn’t get off the bus a few seconds sooner. O’Leary, meanwhile, walked away, but was later taken to the hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

While the accident happened at the beginning of May, the incident is just coming to light thanks to a report from TomahawkNation, which made a public records request. Florida State’s football coach, Jimbo Fisher, told the sports website, “he wrecked that daggone scooter and was banged up for about a month.” Yes, this is exactly the statement we’d expect from a southern-fried ball coach named Jimbo. Take a look at the full video below.

Continue reading Jack Nicklaus’ grandson survives chilling motorcycle crash, caught on camera

Jack Nicklaus’ grandson survives chilling motorcycle crash, caught on camera originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: McLaren P13 technology mule seen at the ‘Ring

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Luxury, McLaren

McLaren MP4-13 mule - front three-quarter view, disugised

Seems the McLaren MP4-12C Spider recently seen at the Nürburgring wearing slight camo on its front end wasn’t hiding a facelift for the current car, but rather technology for its coming entry-level model known as P13. You’ll see that our spies have captured a new set of images of the mule, this time with a slightly less disguised nose (not that it matters much). The baby McLaren is being developed to take on Porsche, and it’s expected to get 450 horsepower from its 3.8-liter V8 and bow in 2015 or 2016.

McLaren’s monocell carbon tub will form its backbone, and a report in Autocar says styling will remind people of its ties to the P1. Using this new information, the suspicion is that camouflage could be hiding LED lighting up front.

The MP4-12C isn’t completely left out of the ‘Ring gossip, though – word is that an uprated version of the twin-turbo, 616-hp, 3.8-liter V8 is on its way, perhaps ringing up 641 hp.

McLaren P13 technology mule seen at the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ETC: What will the next Presidential limo look like?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln, Military, Specialty

Lincoln MKT-based presidential limousine rendering

With recent news that the Secret Service has begun soliciting proposals for a new armored limousine, we’ve been wondering what the next presidential limo might look like. The current machine, nicknamed “The Beast,” has a design based on a car that’s no longer sold: the Cadillac DTS. If General Motors gets the job again, which wouldn’t be a surprise considering the government still owns a chunk of the company, the next limo’s shape would likely resemble the new XTS (below, left). But Cadillac hasn’t always been the go-to car company for presidential whips.

Lincoln has actually provided far more presidential limousines throughout history than Cadillac. In fact, the first car modified for Commander-in-Chief-carrying duty was a 1939 Lincoln K-Series called “Sunshine Special” used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the last Lincoln used by a president was a 1989 Town Car ordered for George H.W. Bush. If President Obama wanted a Lincoln today, it would likely be an amalgam of the MKS sedan and MKT crossover, as illustrated above.

Cadillac XTS-based presidential limousine rendering Chrysler 300-based presidential limousine rendering

And what about Chrysler? The only record we could find of a President favoring the Pentastar is Nixon, who reportedly ordered two limos from the company during his administration in the ’70s, and then another one, known today as the “K-Car limo,” in the ’80s after he left office. Obama, however, has a personal – if modest – connection to Chryslers, having owned a 300 himself before he took office. A 300-based Beast (above, right) would certainly earn the U.S. some style points.

Of course, we can only speculate about what the next presidential limo will look like, as what’s under the skin is a closely guarded secret by the Secret Service. Like The Beast’s rumored underpinnings, the next limo will probably ride atop a heavy-duty truck chassis, which any of our domestic automakers could easily provide.

What will the next Presidential limo look like? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: GM joins Ford in booking $1.2B quarterly profit

Filed under: GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors' Detroit headquarters at the Renaissance Center

Ford isn’t the only American automaker that’s in the money. General Motors has just reported a second quarter income of $1.2 billion, although that number actually represents a year-to-year drop compared to Q2 2012. This drop can be chalked up to the expense behind launching a new line of full-size pickup trucks (the 2014 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado), as well as the acquisition of GM Korea. Aside from those one-time costs, GM reported a seven-percent increase in income before interest and taxes, to $2.3 billion.

Like Ford, GM also trimmed its European losses, but by a larger margin – where Ford’s losses were $58 million lower for Q2, GM slashed $284 million over the second quarter of 2012 (the equivalent of $71 million per quarter). GM’s North American success, like Ford’s, can be tied largely to strong demand for pickups. Even with the changeover from the old Sierra and Silverado to the new models, Automotive News reports that full-size truck profits actually increased by five percent versus 2012. According to AN, this is GM’s fourteenth straight quarter in the black since its bankruptcy in 2009.

For all the numerical details, check out GM’s official press release by scrolling below.

Continue reading GM joins Ford in booking $1.2B quarterly profit

GM joins Ford in booking $1.2B quarterly profit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mini Vision concept presages next-gen Cooper Hardtop

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Mini, Design/Style

Mini Vision Concept front three-quarter

Mini is preparing to launch the third-generation of its trademark three-door hatch, and while we’ve already shown you that car mostly devoid of camouflage in spy shots, the BMW-owned brand has still seen fit to release a concept that previews the new design. Called the Mini Vision, it looks broadly similar to the cars we showed you at the beginning of the month, aside from a few concepty styling pieces.

The Vision is a well-balanced blend of the stylish hatch that rebooted the Mini brand in 2002 and the more bloated model that arrived in 2007. It’s more rounded than the 2002, but seems decidedly more muscular than the 2007, and features modern accents like full LED headlights inspired by the sadly not-for-production Rocketman concept. Mini’s traditional floating roof soldiers on, while the concept wears side grilles that seem borrowed from the Countryman and Paceman. Based on what we’ve seen in the spy shots, however, that treatment isn’t going to make production, at least not on the models we’ve seen.

It’s safe to say that the interior on this concept bears only a slight resemblance to what we’ll see on the production car. The integrated Union Jack straps in the door panels are a cool touch, but the Vision’s cabin looks like something out of a flying saucer. We’d expect only inspirational traces to arrive on the production model.

Mini revealed the Vision Concept at something called the Mini Design@Home event earlier today. We expect to see it trotted out on the auto show circuit before the production third-gen F56 Mini Cooper Hardtop makes its official debut later this year or early next year.

Continue reading Mini Vision concept presages next-gen Cooper Hardtop

Mini Vision concept presages next-gen Cooper Hardtop originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch MT test the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 handling test - video screencap

We’re (patiently) waiting for our first chance to drive the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, but it appears Generous Motors have given some other publications the opportunity to test the new car early, including the fine folks at Motor Trend.

For its latest episode of Ignition, MT puts the new Chevrolet flagship through its paces on the track, including a 0-60 run, figure-eight, quarter-mile sprint, 60-0 braking and lateral acceleration test. Additionally, the Vette is taken out on to public roads and is given the full review treatment in high-definition video glory. We won’t spoil all of the details for you – scroll down below to check out this Motor Trend video for yourself.

Continue reading Watch MT test the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51

Watch MT test the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Sic Transit Gloria

2013 BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition

I like difficult cars. I like turbo “moments,” dramatic weight distribution, low-grip, peaky power delivery, and overly quick steering, along with ultra-short wheelbases and any number of other non-racecar-perfect dynamic foibles. I love the newest generation of BMW cars and engines – all turbo’d up with tons of torque and power everywhere in the rev range, too. But what I think the enthusiast community will miss when this 2013 M3 Coupe becomes the 2014 M4 Coupe – replacing its idiosyncratic, small-displacement, revvy V8 for something like a triple-turbo, directly injected, inline six-cylinder powerhouse in the process – is the work it takes to drive the car fast and perfectly. Sometimes small flaws just make things better; my mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun, and all that.

The idea of this E92 M3 going away then, magnified by the loss of the M3 badge for the coupe, is at best bittersweet for me. This generation of M car is already surpassed in terms of raw thrills by the better-than-ever Mercedes-Benz C63, a car that doesn’t ask its driver to sacrifice low-end grunt or the very latest in amenities in return for stellar backroad performance. Yet any time I’ve been lucky enough to lap a track in the M3, it has quickly become clear that the Bimmer is the better on-edge tool. With the freedom to wring the neck of the 4.0-liter V8 and room to exercise the lovely balance of the car, the E92 is hard to match (even six years after its debut).

Still, when the 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition rolled into my driveway, its Fire Orange bodywork flashing over gloss-black 19-inch rolling stock, the car had me a little crossed up. BMW has been tossing out special edition M3s for the last few years now, all asking thousands of dollars extra for the limited production-run vehicles. I knew that the LRP was more than a mere trim and tape package, but would it be an appropriate send off for a spectacularly departing sports car legend, or just $10,000 down the drain where a stock M3 Coupe would have happily sufficed?

Continue reading 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition

2013 BMW M3 Coupe Lime Rock Park Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Lexus RX previewed with JDM Toyota Harrier?

Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

Next-Generation Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX front three-quarter

Japanese site CarWatch has revealed images of the next-generation Toyota Harrier, known to US and European buyers as the Lexus RX. The new model features a considerably more aggressive fascia in keeping with some of the latest Lexus design trends, while the back features a pair of wide, wraparound taillights.

The profile features a revised greenhouse, with a rather complex rear window treatment, while a subtle character line connects the front and rear taillights. According to the badging, the model shown features a hybrid powertrain, although there’s little information on which engine is being used. We’d wager it’s an evolution of the same 3.5-liter V6 hybrid found in the current RX450h.

This early look doesn’t have a great deal of other info, and there are no images of the interior. We’re not yet clear on how closely the North American RX will adhere to the Harrier seen here, but historically the two models have been quite close. That said, we’d expect a more prominent ‘spindle’ grille on the Lexus version than the baleen strainer on the vehicle shown here.

A page on Toyota’s Japanese website says the new Harrier/RX will receive a winter 2013 debut. That makes for a difficult determination of what auto show the new CUV will arrive at. Both the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and 2013 Tokyo Motor Show (not to be confused with the Tokyo Auto Salon) take place at the end of November, but neither is technically a winter show.

Next Lexus RX previewed with JDM Toyota Harrier? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Citroën to campaign World Touring Car C-Elysée with Sebastian Loeb

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorsports, Citroën, Racing

2014 Citroën C-Elysee WTCC front three-quarter

Citroën has released the first images of its latest racecar, the C-Elysee, which will be contested by Sebastien Loeb in the World Touring Car Championship next year. Based on the C-Elysee sedan, a model first shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the WTCC variant has been designed for the new regulations set to be imposed by the FIA.

The C-Elysee is offered with a range of low-powered gas and diesel engines, but the WTCC model gets a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with 380 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed sequential gearbox from Sadev sends power to the front wheels through a twin-disk, carbon-fiber clutch. Hopefully all this potential won’t result in any shenanigans this season.

The roster for next season is far from finalized, although Honda will be contesting the championship with its Civic WTCC.The C-Elysee WTCC will make its race debut with Sebastien Loeb at the wheel when the 2014 FIA World Touring Car Championship starts, likely around the end of March 2014. Citroën will also be showing its new racer at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Continue reading Citroën to campaign World Touring Car C-Elysée with Sebastian Loeb

Citroën to campaign World Touring Car C-Elysée with Sebastian Loeb originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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