Tag: bound

Official: Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Technology, Nissan, UK, Electric, Racing

Nissan ZEOD RC Electric Race Car Assembly

Nissan is working away on its ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) which is still on pace for a Le Mans arrival in 2014. As of right now, the DeltaWing-shaped car’s carbon-fiber tub and chassis have been completed. The next step will be installing the twin electric motors and fitting the seat of driver and GT Academy winner Lucas Ordóñez. If the current schedule sticks, the zero-emissions racer will hit a UK track for test laps in September.

But while those initial shakedown laps will be under full electric power, it’s unclear whether the setup fielded in the UK will survive until Le Mans. Nissan itself says that it will be testing a number of “electrified” drivetrains ahead of the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is a significant departure from race car design – usually, the teams know what’s powering their car before they start building it.

“Just developing a single powertrain option in only 12 months would be a mammoth task but we’re looking to carefully examine a number of options to ascertain which will be best suited for Le Mans,” said Darren Cox, Nissan’s global motorsport director. Take a look below for a video and press release from Nissan documenting the ZEOD RC’s build process.

Continue reading Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Technology, Nissan, UK, Electric, Racing

Nissan ZEOD RC Electric Race Car Assembly

Nissan is working away on its ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) which is still on pace for a Le Mans arrival in 2014. As of right now, the DeltaWing-shaped car’s carbon-fiber tub and chassis have been completed. The next step will be installing the twin electric motors and fitting the seat of driver and GT Academy winner Lucas Ordóñez. If the current schedule sticks, the zero-emissions racer will hit a UK track for test laps in September.

But while those initial shakedown laps will be under full electric power, it’s unclear whether the setup fielded in the UK will survive until Le Mans. Nissan itself says that it will be testing a number of “electrified” drivetrains ahead of the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is a significant departure from race car design – usually, the teams know what’s powering their car before they start building it.

“Just developing a single powertrain option in only 12 months would be a mammoth task but we’re looking to carefully examine a number of options to ascertain which will be best suited for Le Mans,” said Darren Cox, Nissan’s global motorsport director. Take a look below for a video and press release from Nissan documenting the ZEOD RC’s build process.

Continue reading Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Galpin imagines what Ford’s GT would look like today with Pebble-bound coupe

Filed under: Performance, Ford

Galpin Auto Sports will be bringing its first coachbuilt supercar to this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Called the Galpin Ford GTR1, it’s a 1000-plus-horsepower monster based on the Ford GT. The reimagined supercar sports a 5.4-liter, supercharged V8 capable of rocketing the slinky GT-based coupe to over 225 miles per hour. Yowza.

When the GTR1 enters production, owners can choose between both carbon fiber and aluminum vehicle bodies. The car that will arrive at Pebble Beach will wear a metal body, sporting a smoother, more modern shape than the Ford GT. Actually, it kind of reminds us of the Shelby GR-1 Concept from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. The cabin features plenty of machined aluminum and leather, while a McIntosh stereo will pamper audiophiles that tire of the mid-mounted V8.

Pirelli PZero tires hug 20-inch, forged aluminum wheels, while six-piston calipers and carbon rotors are poised to bring that crazy speed to a sudden halt. We’ll have more on the Galpin Ford GTR1 when it makes its first public appearance at The Quail on August 15, before it’s grand debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18.

Continue reading Galpin imagines what Ford’s GT would look like today with Pebble-bound coupe

Galpin imagines what Ford’s GT would look like today with Pebble-bound coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jul 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Infiniti M25 not bound for U.S. market

Filed under: Sedan, Infiniti, Luxury

2011 Infiniti M37

2011 Infiniti M37 – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were hoping for a “cheap” Infiniti M, it appears that your wish won’t come true. Inside Line reports that there will be no entry M25 for the U.S. market, leaving the $47,700 M37 as the base model.

While it’s unfortunate that Infiniti won’t offer a more affordable alternative to the nearly $50,000 M37, we’re thinking that the decision may be for the best. After all, the 2.5-liter V6 that currently resides under the hood of the G25 only produces 218 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of torque, and since that already feels a bit weak in the G, we can’t imagine that it’d make for a truly engaging M.

It’s not like the 2.5-liter engine is all that more efficient than Infiniti’s outstanding 3.7-liter V6, either. Under the hood of the G sedan, the mill averages 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 averages 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

Infiniti M25 not bound for U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 May 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Report: Ivy League-bound teen girl pistol-whips mom, demands Nissan Z [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Nissan

Rachel Hachero pistol-whipping teen screencap

17-year-old pistol-whipping honor roll student wants Nissan – Click above to watch video

A 17-year-old girl from Fort Myers, Florida allegedly pistol-whipped her mother into buying her a 2004 Nissan 350Z last week. The teen, an Ivy League-bound honor student at the prestigious Canterbury School, reportedly lost control when her mother refused to co-sign on the car.

According to the Naples Daily, Rachel Ann Hachero went home after her mother’s refusal grabbed a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol, hit her mother with it, and demanded she accompany her to the dealership. Not wanting to get shot, the mother complied and signed off on the purchase. The next day, while her daughter was at school, the mother recovered the gun and drug paraphernalia from the girl’s purse and called the police.

Hachero’s mom says she doesn’t want to press charges because of her daughter’s Ivy League scholarships, but a judge says Hachero must remain in juvenile detention for the time being. The girl has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, unlawful possession of a firearm by a person younger than 18 and battery. To make matters worse, the gun was found to be one of three stolen from a Lee County, Florida Port Authority employee last July. Top tip, Berto!

*UPDATE: NBC affiliate WPTV video coverage of the story added after the jump.

[Sources: Naples Daily, Crime Time, WPTV]

Continue reading Report: Ivy League-bound teen girl pistol-whips mom, demands Nissan Z [w/video]

Report: Ivy League-bound teen girl pistol-whips mom, demands Nissan Z [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus, the automaker that defines what it means to “add lightness,” has created an even more stripped-out version of its already flyweight Elise. Called the Club Racer, this lighter two-seater will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month.

The Elise Club Racer is a full 52 pounds lighter than the standard car, and Lotus achieved this by removing the noise insulation and using a motorsport-derived lightweight battery. This might not seem like an enormous weight savings, but when you consider that the base Elise already weighs in under the 2,000-pound mark, even a small weight reduction is noticeable.

To make the Club Racer even more special, Lotus has fitted a sport setting for the car’s Dymanic Performance Management (DPM) system. This advanced driving aid allows less-experienced drivers to feel at the top of their game, and can be completely shut off for the more experienced enthusiasts.

Look for the Elise Club Racer to go on sale in the near future, priced from £27,500 ($44,590 based on current exchange rates). Currently, it’s unclear whether or not the Club Racer will be available in the United States, but we should have more details after the car’s official debut in Geneva in just a few weeks. For now, follow the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club RacerLotus Elise Club Racer

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness

Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: First batch of U.S.-bound Fiat 500s coming with manuals

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat dealerships are just about ready to swap your money for the keys to a brand-new 500. If you are planning on being one of the first to park one in your driveway, we hope that you know how to drive a manual transmission – the first units being shipped to dealers in February will all be equipped with manual transmissions.

If you can’t handle the three-pedal setup, you’ll be forced to wait a bit longer for your Fiat 500. Examples equipped with the six-speed automatic will begin arriving in March and April. Then again, you may have to wait that long regardless of your transmission preference, since currently, only 20 percent of the 130 Fiat dealerships are ready to open. The first one, Motor Village in Los Angeles, is set to open its doors later this month.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Colors

Fiat 500Fiat 500 in BiancoFiat 500 in Grigio

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: First batch of U.S.-bound Fiat 500s coming with manuals originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Porsche teases Detroit-bound show car

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Videos, Porsche, Racing

Porsche concept car vidcap

Porsche’s show car en route to Cobo Hall – Click above to watch after the jump

Automakers typically try to keep prying eyes away from the show cars that they wheel into convention centers for major auto shows. Porsche, however, made a video of the process and posted it online.

With only hours to go until the German automaker marks its return to the Detroit Auto Show after a four-year absence, speculation has been running wild as to what Porsche has in store for us. Earlier reports pointed towards a racing car based on the 918 Spyder concept from Geneva, then Stuttgart announced it was bringing a concept car.

From watching the video after the jump, it seems both could be right. The camouflaged shell seems to blend elements of the 918 with the tail of the all-conquering 956, and has the precise effect of revving up our anticipation even more. Whatever it is, we’ll be finding out very shortly, 6:30AM EST to be exact. But in the meantime, we invite you to check out the footage after the jump.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Video: Porsche teases Detroit-bound show car

Video: Porsche teases Detroit-bound show car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you a production-bound Porsche 918 Spyder teaser?

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Design/Style

Porsche 918 Spyder Clay Model

Porsche 918 Spyder Clay Model – Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche may have inadvertently given us our best glimpse yet at the upcoming production version of the company’s 918 Spyder. The German sports car manufacturer has announced its intention to invest mountains of cash in its Weissach facility, and has released a bevy of images from inside the studio walls to mark the occasion. Tucked among the images of designers furiously sketching away and engineers toying with crash-test dummies is one very interesting shot of a 918 clay model. Of particular interest is that single, massive side-exit exhaust nestled behind the passenger door; clearly a different design from the double-stacked tips of the concept. Could this be a 1:3 scale clay of the future production car? Or is it just an older take on the 918 that predates the eventual showcar? We won’t know one way or the other until the eventual production car makes its debut.

Porsche says that it intends to invest €150 million (around $202M USD) in its Weissach facility through the addition of a new wind tunnel. Additionally, the company plans to open a new state-of-the-art design center and what it calls an “electronic-integration center.” We aren’t positive, but our guess is that portion of the facility will play a big role in the Porsche hybrid program moving forward. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Porsche Weissarch Research and Development

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Are you a production-bound Porsche 918 Spyder teaser?

Are you a production-bound Porsche 918 Spyder teaser? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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