Category: Auto Industry

Video: Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Specialty, Off-Road

Bro drives a Polaris RZR up a cliff Dukes of Hazzard-style and then crashes back down.

If Bo Duke were still going at it today, he might have a buzz cut and drive an orange Polaris RZR, but he sure as Hell wouldn’t crash his ride – especially if Luke Duke were in the passenger seat. That said, this modern-day Dukes of Hazzard wannabe didn’t have his cousin riding shotgun, and maybe that’s a good thing. After driving his RZR side-by-side impressively far up the side of a cliff, he came tumbling back down – in the process losing his skateboard helmet and “pretzeling” the poor General Lee-themed Polaris.

While we’re all for having fun in motorized vehicles, let’s take something away from this stunt: A skateboard helmet is hardly enough head protection in a crash like this – especially if it falls off. We consider the driver to be very lucky to have walked away unscathed.

Watch the video below to see the cliff-climbing antics, but only if you’re prepared to deal with some Not Safe For Work explicit language.

Continue reading Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap

Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap”

Video: Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Specialty, Off-Road

Bro drives a Polaris RZR up a cliff Dukes of Hazzard-style and then crashes back down.

If Bo Duke were still going at it today, he might have a buzz cut and drive an orange Polaris RZR, but he sure as Hell wouldn’t crash his ride – especially if Luke Duke were in the passenger seat. That said, this modern-day Dukes of Hazzard wannabe didn’t have his cousin riding shotgun, and maybe that’s a good thing. After driving his RZR side-by-side impressively far up the side of a cliff, he came tumbling back down – in the process losing his skateboard helmet and “pretzeling” the poor General Lee-themed Polaris.

While we’re all for having fun in motorized vehicles, let’s take something away from this stunt: A skateboard helmet is hardly enough head protection in a crash like this – especially if it falls off. We consider the driver to be very lucky to have walked away unscathed.

Watch the video below to see the cliff-climbing antics, but only if you’re prepared to deal with some Not Safe For Work explicit language.

Continue reading Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap

Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Polaris RZR in spectacular Dukes Of Hazzard cliff-climb mishap”

First Drive: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche, First Drives

A Wicked-Fast Street Legal Multi-Tool

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Walter Röhrl was carving up the circuit in the Porsche 911 Turbo S like a skilled Jedi Master – and I was sitting next to him, mesmerized by the breathtaking show. I had strapped myself securely into the front passenger bucket of the all-new coupe less than a minute earlier, expecting nothing more than a few quick laps around a track at the hands of another celebrated race driver. Been there, done that. Many times, actually.

Yet this was different. Röhrl was not only calculated and methodical in his approach, but his rally-tuned cerebrum appeared to be actively reading available grip levels while he was effortlessly tossing the all-wheel-drive Porsche into each corner at gut-wrenching speeds. His hands were moving rapidly, sending tiny steering corrections to the front tires, and he was using every inch of the track to extract more speed. We launched over a curb, dropped a wheel in the dirt and then drifted around a wide off-camber turn. His human precision and focus was astounding, and the performance he was extracting from the machine was just short of breathtaking.

Few drivers are as gifted as Walter Röhrl – and few vehicles are as capable as the new Porsche 911 Turbo.

Continue reading 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “First Drive: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S”

First Drive: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche, First Drives

A Wicked-Fast Street Legal Multi-Tool

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Walter Röhrl was carving up the circuit in the Porsche 911 Turbo S like a skilled Jedi Master – and I was sitting next to him, mesmerized by the breathtaking show. I had strapped myself securely into the front passenger bucket of the all-new coupe less than a minute earlier, expecting nothing more than a few quick laps around a track at the hands of another celebrated race driver. Been there, done that. Many times, actually.

Yet this was different. Röhrl was not only calculated and methodical in his approach, but his rally-tuned cerebrum appeared to be actively reading available grip levels while he was effortlessly tossing the all-wheel-drive Porsche into each corner at gut-wrenching speeds. His hands were moving rapidly, sending tiny steering corrections to the front tires, and he was using every inch of the track to extract more speed. We launched over a curb, dropped a wheel in the dirt and then drifted around a wide off-camber turn. His human precision and focus was astounding, and the performance he was extracting from the machine was just short of breathtaking.

Few drivers are as gifted as Walter Röhrl – and few vehicles are as capable as the new Porsche 911 Turbo.

Continue reading 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “First Drive: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S”

Spy Shots: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hatchback, BMW, Luxury

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: Spy Shots

Like it or not, the majority of BMW 3 Series variants are on their way out, and the 4 Series models are hotly embroiled in the testing needed to replace them. We’ve now driven the basic 4 Series, seen spy photographs of the 4 Series Convertible and both versions of the M4 and today we get a better-than-ever look at the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

And, mostly dependent on your personal disposition towards four-dour coupes, that look should be a pleasant thing. The long, swooping Gran Coupe may be roughly similar in size to the related 3 Series GT, but it has been sculpted with beauty in mind rather than crossover function. We expect that those details still hidden by the body cladding here, mostly front and rear, can be filled in by simply remembering what the standard 4 Series looks like and squinting your eyes a bit. Subtlety is thy name, BMW variants.

As for the mechanicals, well, we expect to have the very same greasy bits under the hood and beneath the car that are found in the 4 Series lineup, too.

Look for the 4 Series Gran Coupe to be revealed in earnest in 2014, and for the thing to arrive in showrooms soon after as a 2015 model.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Spy Shots: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding”

Spy Shots: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hatchback, BMW, Luxury

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: Spy Shots

Like it or not, the majority of BMW 3 Series variants are on their way out, and the 4 Series models are hotly embroiled in the testing needed to replace them. We’ve now driven the basic 4 Series, seen spy photographs of the 4 Series Convertible and both versions of the M4 and today we get a better-than-ever look at the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

And, mostly dependent on your personal disposition towards four-dour coupes, that look should be a pleasant thing. The long, swooping Gran Coupe may be roughly similar in size to the related 3 Series GT, but it has been sculpted with beauty in mind rather than crossover function. We expect that those details still hidden by the body cladding here, mostly front and rear, can be filled in by simply remembering what the standard 4 Series looks like and squinting your eyes a bit. Subtlety is thy name, BMW variants.

As for the mechanicals, well, we expect to have the very same greasy bits under the hood and beneath the car that are found in the 4 Series lineup, too.

Look for the 4 Series Gran Coupe to be revealed in earnest in 2014, and for the thing to arrive in showrooms soon after as a 2015 model.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Spy Shots: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught without cladding”

Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Lexus, Luxury

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

When it rains, it pours. Toyota has announced a pair of separate but voluntary North America recalls covering approximately 235,000 vehicles built between 2006 and 2011. The larger of the two recalls targets Toyota’s hybridized crossovers, the Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 133,000 units, including 2006-2010 Highlander and 2006-2008 RX crossovers are covered in the campaign. The other recall affects 102,000 IS350 sedans, IS350C convertibles and GS350 sedans built between 2006 and 2011.

With the CUVs, the faults in the parallel circuits of the transistors can cause heat damage in the inverter assembly, triggering an abundance of warning lamps and sending the vehicle into limp mode. The Lexus sedans are being recalled due to loose bolts on the variable valve timing controller. Detected by unusual underhood sounds on startup, the issue can cause the engine to stop while driving. The inverter issue is also triggering similar recalls in Japan and Europe.

At the moment, it’s unclear if any of these issues have caused any crashes or injuries. Toyota says it plans to notify owners of the recall via snail mail. Additional information for owners can be found on the recall sites for Toyota and Lexus or by calling Toyota’s customer service line, at 1-800-331-4331. Scroll down for the complete recall notice from Toyota.

Continue reading Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues

Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues”

Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Lexus, Luxury

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

When it rains, it pours. Toyota has announced a pair of separate but voluntary North America recalls covering approximately 235,000 vehicles built between 2006 and 2011. The larger of the two recalls targets Toyota’s hybridized crossovers, the Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 133,000 units, including 2006-2010 Highlander and 2006-2008 RX crossovers are covered in the campaign. The other recall affects 102,000 IS350 sedans, IS350C convertibles and GS350 sedans built between 2006 and 2011.

With the CUVs, the faults in the parallel circuits of the transistors can cause heat damage in the inverter assembly, triggering an abundance of warning lamps and sending the vehicle into limp mode. The Lexus sedans are being recalled due to loose bolts on the variable valve timing controller. Detected by unusual underhood sounds on startup, the issue can cause the engine to stop while driving. The inverter issue is also triggering similar recalls in Japan and Europe.

At the moment, it’s unclear if any of these issues have caused any crashes or injuries. Toyota says it plans to notify owners of the recall via snail mail. Additional information for owners can be found on the recall sites for Toyota and Lexus or by calling Toyota’s customer service line, at 1-800-331-4331. Scroll down for the complete recall notice from Toyota.

Continue reading Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues

Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues”

Official: Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Racing Series

On any given weekend, you can expect to see the Three-Pointed Star racing somewhere. It could be in Formula One, DTM, V8 Supercars or any of the myriad sportscar racing series where customer teams compete in the SLS AMG GT3. But now it looks like Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to add one more.

This time, it’s based on one of its newest and smallest models: the CLA-Class. The concept racecar you see here, revealed on AMG’s Facebook page, is based on the CLA45 AMG but features such motorsports-minded upgrades as a competition-spec aero kit, rolling stock, carbon-fiber body panels and stripped-out interior. You can bet its oily bits have been tinkered with as well, but Mercedes is staying mum on the details, as the drivetrain will have to be adapted to whatever regulations with which it would need to comply.

Mercedes calls it the CLA45 AMG Racing Series, suggesting the car could be used as the basis for a spec series all its own. We hope to find out more next week when the car is unveiled in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in the meantime, you can scope out the images in the gallery above.

At the same time, Mercedes also revealed on Facebook its CLA250 Sport, a pseudo-performance version for the road that will likely slot in below the CLA45 AMG and may or may not be coming to the US.

Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt”

Official: Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Racing Series

On any given weekend, you can expect to see the Three-Pointed Star racing somewhere. It could be in Formula One, DTM, V8 Supercars or any of the myriad sportscar racing series where customer teams compete in the SLS AMG GT3. But now it looks like Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to add one more.

This time, it’s based on one of its newest and smallest models: the CLA-Class. The concept racecar you see here, revealed on AMG’s Facebook page, is based on the CLA45 AMG but features such motorsports-minded upgrades as a competition-spec aero kit, rolling stock, carbon-fiber body panels and stripped-out interior. You can bet its oily bits have been tinkered with as well, but Mercedes is staying mum on the details, as the drivetrain will have to be adapted to whatever regulations with which it would need to comply.

Mercedes calls it the CLA45 AMG Racing Series, suggesting the car could be used as the basis for a spec series all its own. We hope to find out more next week when the car is unveiled in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in the meantime, you can scope out the images in the gallery above.

At the same time, Mercedes also revealed on Facebook its CLA250 Sport, a pseudo-performance version for the road that will likely slot in below the CLA45 AMG and may or may not be coming to the US.

Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: Mercedes bringing hot new CLA variants to Frankfurt”