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Video: Sights and sounds of Ford’s Mustang Boss 302S race car

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Racing

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S – Click above to watch the video after the jump

With the launch of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 street car in the books, Ford has turned its attention to the racetrack and has begun testing the Boss 302S race car that is set for production later this year. The Boss 302S was unveiled in December as a replacement for the FR500S Mustang and is a notch above the Laguna Seca package but not quite as hardcore as the Boss 302R.

Fortunately, Ford Racing had the cameras rolling at the recent test session at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has uploaded some footage of the Boss 302S on track. The car sounds even better than the street car and is capable of hitting 150 miles per hour on Homestead’s front straight. Turn up your speakers, then click past the jump to watch the video.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Sights and sounds of Ford’s Mustang Boss 302S race car

Video: Sights and sounds of Ford’s Mustang Boss 302S race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every single car at the Geneva Motor Show, in one image

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

Every car from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show Infographic

Every car from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, arranged by color – Click above to enlarge

We wrote about a ton of new vehicles at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show; 76 of them to be exact. Were we able to get to all of them? No… and apparently we weren’t even close. The folks at CarBuzz in the UK put together an image that shows us just how far off we were.

If you click the image above, you can see all 706 vehicles arranged by color. For those keeping track, by showing you 76 vehicles, we managed to cover just 11 percent of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Now, it should be noted that not all of those vehicles are new or noteworthy, yet the image does a great job of conveying just how large a major auto show can be. If you want to see the vehicles laid out in extreme resolution, take a look at the 6748×7380 original image.

[Source: Carbuzz.co.uk]

Every single car at the Geneva Motor Show, in one image originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA recommends solving your Mazda’s spider problems by… donating your car

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Recalls, Mazda

2009 Mazda6 in the snow

2009 Mazda6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a unique – if unlikely – solution to 2009-2010 Mazda6 owners who have felt the bite of the company’s recall to chase away gas-loving spiders. They want you to donate your ride to them. The animal-rights group is soliciting donations from any of the 52,000 affected Mazda customers who would rather see the spiders saved than murdered at the hands of mechanics.

Once they’ve chased the itsy-bitsy spiders from the car’s evap pipe, PETA says they’ll use the donated Mazda sedans to champion their cause. PETA says that this won’t be the first time they’ve received cars from animal loving donors: a PETA member who was terrified of mice once donated a brand-new Jeep to the organization after she found a mouse living in it. The mouse was saved, just as the spiders will be.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Mazda6 s Grand Touring

[Source: PETA]

Continue reading PETA recommends solving your Mazda’s spider problems by… donating your car

PETA recommends solving your Mazda’s spider problems by… donating your car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Car and Driver presents the Rental-Car Olympics

Filed under: Videos, Cadillac, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Humor

Car and Driver Rental Car Olympics Click above to watch the video after the jump

Anyone who’s ever seen videos from the annual Car and Driver Lightning Lap spectacular knows that the legendary magazine can also do high-flying motion pictures. Shooting track-ready sports cars gliding around the track is one thing, but can C/D keep our attention with a bit of humor?

Car and Driver technical writer and Autoblog Podcast veteran Mike Austin and his cohorts took the reins of four rental cars to see which can win the Rental-Car Olympics. The four participating vehicles are the Mustang Convertible, an all-wheel-drive Cadillac CTS, a ~~1984~~ 2010 Lincoln Town Car and the hapless Jeep Compass. And don’t expect 0-60 times or hot laps; Austin and company instead opted to judge the four vehicles on attributes like “Sumo Wrestling,” and “Parking Brake Assisted Parallel Parking.”

If that doesn’t make you want to hit the jump, we’re thinking you’ll never guess which of these vehicles can go 63 miles per hour in reverse, easily besting the competition in a backwards lap. Hit the jump for some very funny stuff.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Continue reading Video: Car and Driver presents the Rental-Car Olympics

Video: Car and Driver presents the Rental-Car Olympics originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari renames F1 car… again

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Etc., Europe, Ford, Ferrari, Racing

F150 nameplates Ferrari’s 2011 F1 car was originally unveiled as the Ferrari F150 – a hat tip to the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. That got Ford’s boxers in a knot, as Uncle Henry’s boys feared that its customers would get confused by the name similarities with the Ford F-150 pickup.

Ferrari grudgingly obliged FoMoCo, and changed the car’s name to the Ferrari F150th Italia. Ford liked that, and declared the matter settled. Ferrari, however wasn’t done. Still galled that they had to change the name of the racer in the first place, they decided to make one final change to get it just the way they want it.

Now, Ferrari’s 2011 Formula 1 effort will be called the Ferrari F150° Italia. The added symbol is the Italian equivalent of the English “th” suffix, and Ferrari added it to give the name more Italian flair. Maranello announced the move in a biting, sarcastic news release saying, “…Therefore the name will now read as the Ferrari 150° Italia, which should make it clear even to the thickest of people that the name of the car is a tribute to the anniversary of the unification of our country.

“Let’s hope the matter is now definitely closed and that we can concentrate on more serious matters, namely ensuring that our car that already seems to be pretty good out of the box, becomes a real winner.” Thanks for the tip, mcman!

[Source: Autosport, Ferrari]

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Report: Ferrari renames F1 car… again originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Reason #2 you know you’re a car enthusiast…

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Specialty, Racing

Car enthusiast suspension videos

Dragster suspension in action – Click above to watch the video after the break

Last week we showed you what the suspension under a Mazda Miata looks like while carving up an autocross course. Today, we bring you a look at what your suspension is up to on a straight-and-narrow dragstrip launch.

This video will again test your car-enthusiast mettle. Do you care enough to see what your suspension is doing? If you drive on the drag strip regularly, this could be really helpful. If not, well, we hope you’re really into suspension dynamics.

You’ll notice that this shock is doing nearly all its work just after launch and then again right after passing the lights. That said, the shock is working diligently the entire time, in an attempt to keep the power pointed straight and the rear wheels where they belong.

Whereas the Miata’s suspension appeared to work quite hard in corners and then very little on straights, the dragsters mono shock set-up is in constant motion. The same, but different…

But wait, there’s more! Click past the jump for more reader-suggested suspension videos, where you can also see what goes on when tackling off-road racing from a number of angles. Enjoy! Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Reason #2 you know you’re a car enthusiast…

Video: Reason #2 you know you’re a car enthusiast… originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin unveils AMR-One LMP1 race car

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Aston Martin, Racing

2011 Aston Martin AMR-One

2011 Aston Martin AMR-One – Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has revealed its plans for this year’s LeMans Cup series, introducing a brand new LMP1 race car called the AMR-One in the process.

The AMR-One is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected inline-six gas engine resting in a carbon fiber monocoque open-top chassis. The Aston’s tiny 2.0-liter mill was developed with LeMans Cup’s new efficiency regulations in mind.

There will be six AMR-Ones built in total, with a one-car effort going into the 2011 Intercontinental LeMans series, which includes the 24 Hours of LeMans. Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke plus a third driver (to be determined) will wheel number 007 at LeMans, and Adrian Fernandez, Andy Meyrick and Harold Primat will drive car 009. Follow the jump for Aston’s official press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One

2011 Aston Martin AMR-One front three quarter 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One side 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One rear 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One close

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin unveils AMR-One LMP1 race car

Aston Martin unveils AMR-One LMP1 race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Geneva Motor Show: The 76-Car Ultimate Wrap Up

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

And… we’re spent. Over the past three days we’ve tried to make you feel as if you were at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with us, and in doing so showed you 76 production and concept vehicles that were unveiled or on display here. For those counting, that’s a new record for the number of vehicles that Autoblog has covered at one auto show, and you can find every single one below.

But now we’re done. Most of us are power napping right now so that tomorrow we can return to the normal business of Autoblog. It’s been fun and we hope you enjoyed the coverage. See you next month in the Big Apple for the 2011 New York Auto Show.

Production Cars

Lamborghini Aventador	2012 Ferrari FF	Pagani Huayra
2012 Jaguar XKR-S	2012 MB C-Class Coupe	Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
MB C63 AMG Estate	Saab 9-5 SportCombi	Alpina B5 BiTurbo Touring
Koenigsegg Agera R	Aston Martin Virage	Gumpert Tornante
Toyota Prius+	Chevy Cruze Hatchback	Lancia Ypsilon
De Tomaso Deauville	Morgan Threewheeler	Porsche Boxster S Black
Maserati GranCabrio Sport	Ford B-Max	Ford Ranger Wildtrak
VW Golf Cabriolet	VW Tiguan	Hyundai i40 Wagon
Opel Ampera	Mansory Cormeum	Fab Design SLS AMG
ABT R8 GTS	MTM R8 Biturbo	Lexus LFA Nurburgring
Audi RS3 Sportback	GTA Spano	Bentley Supersports ICR
2012 Kia Rio	Fiat 500 by Gucci	2012 Kia Picanto
Koenigsegg Agera	Range Rover Ultimate	BMW ActiveE
Volvo V60 PHEV	Ruf Rt 12 R	Novitec Ross Ferrari 458
Carlsson C25 Royale	Brabus 700 Biturbo	AC Schnitzer 99d

Concept Cars

Toyota FT-86 II	Alfa Romeo 4C	Volkswagen Bulli
Audi A3 Sedan	Wiesmann Spyder	Fiat 500 Zagato Coupe
Saab PhoeniX	Volkswagen Giugiaro Go	Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex
Mitsubishi Global Small	BMW Vision ConnectedDrive	Mazda Minagi
Nissan Esflow	Renault R-Space	Smart ForSpeed
Rinspeed BamBoo	Infiniti Etherea	Mini Rocketman
Renault Captur	RR Sport diesel PHEV	Rolls-Royce 102EX
Bertone Jaguar B99	Suzuki Swift S-Concept	Tata Pixel
IED Abarth Scorp-ion	Ssangyong SUT-1	SEAT IBX

Race Cars

Peugeot 908 Hybrid4	1908 Fiat “Mephistoles”	Lotus F1 & Evora GT4
Pirelli F1 tires

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The 76-Car Ultimate Wrap Up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 1908 Fiat SB4 “Mephistoles” land speed record car baffles the mind

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Geneva Motor Show, Racing, Fiat

1908 Fiat SB4 Eldridge

1908 Fiat SB4 Eldridge “Mephistoles” – Click above for high-res image gallery

Way in the back of the Fiat booth at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, behind all of the shiny modern machinery with their tiny, fuel-sipping engines, sat a car that looks like one of those wood-carved models you see at every knick-knack store. Curious though it was, we knew right off the bat there is something far more significant to this car than met the eye. And indeed there is.

Nicknamed “Mephistoles” by the French public in the 1920s, this 1908 Fiat SB4 racer was, at the time, the fastest car in the world. Sir Ernest Eldridge bought it on the cheap after it crashed in a race at Brooklands in the UK, thereafter setting about turning it into a land speed record car. To get there, Sir Ernest and company replaced the engine with a 22-liter(!) inline six-cylinder aircraft engine that delivered 320 horsepower to the rear wheels via chain drive – a combination (hardly) kept in check by a single brake on the rear differential.

Mephistoles set a top speed of 143.26 miles per hour over a flying kilometer in Arpajob, France in 1924, but was later disqualified because the regulations stipulated the necessity of a reverse gear, which the Fiat lacked. Sir Ernest developed a system and came back, regulations satisfied, just days later to set a new record of 146 mph… the last such record achieved on a public road. To this day, according to the lore, nobody knows how Eldridge got the thing to go in reverse, but after over three years of restoration, Fiat is proudly exhibiting Mephistoles in Geneva, and we snapped a few photos to help you ponder the mystery and majesty for yourself.

Gallery: 1908 Fiat SB4 Eldridge “Mephistoles”: Geneva 2011

Geneva 2011: 1908 Fiat SB4 “Mephistoles” land speed record car baffles the mind originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: World Car of the Year finalists shortlisted

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Geneva Motor Show, Etc.

world car of the year award The list of finalists for World Car of the Year has been whittled down from 39 entries to just three, and the finalists were announced yesterday at a press conference hosted by Bridgestone at the Geneva Motor Show.

The finalists for overall Car of the Year are the 2011 Audi A8, the BMW 5 Series and the Nissan Leaf. The performance category is occupied by the the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Representing the green catergory are the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. The green car of the year will be decided by votes from three of the world’s top green technology experts.

The final category in the World Car of the Year competition is design. In that category is the Aston Martin Rapide, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Ferrari 458 Italia.

The winner of the World Car of the Year award has to represent some aspects of each category in the competition and will be decided, along with the winners in from the other categories, at the New York Auto Show on April 21.

[Source: World Car of the Year]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: World Car of the Year finalists shortlisted

Geneva 2011: World Car of the Year finalists shortlisted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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