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LA 2010: Focus Race Car Concept is the future of Ford racing

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Performance, Ford, Racing

Ford Focus Race Car Concept

Ford Focus Race Car Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has pulled the wraps off what it claims is a hint at its future global race car. The Ford Focus race car concept takes the standard 2012 Ford Focus hatchback and preps it nicely for full race duty. This includes gutting the interior, fitting a FIA-approved roll cage, strapping on AST performance coilovers with adjustable dampers and beefing up the sway bars, brakes, wheels and tires.

What’s not beefed up is the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine, which is used in the hot-hatch Focus ST where it produces 247 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Keeping the driver comfortable and in check are a Recaro racing seat, Ford Racing six-point harness and fire-suppression system.

Ford’s goal for the race car concept is to supply private race teams with a competitive entry in a wide variety of racing series around the world. The car conforms to FIA Super 2000 regulations and can be adapted to fit the rules of other governing bodies as well.

The Focus race car concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship. Ford says it also wants to run the Focus in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Put on your Nomex, then follow the jump to read the press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Ford Focus race car concept

LA 2010: Ford Focus race car concept

Continue reading LA 2010: Focus Race Car Concept is the future of Ford racing

LA 2010: Focus Race Car Concept is the future of Ford racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Ford Focus Race Car Concept goes global

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports

Ford Focus Race Car Concept

Ford Focus Race Car Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford likes to tout the 2012 Focus’ global credentials, because this is the first time the compact sedan and hatchback will be offered with minimal changes in nearly every market the Blue Oval operates. Interestingly, the Ford has taken a similar approach with the racing version of the Focus, which it says is designed to compete in all kinds of rally racing both in the United States and throughout the rest of the world.

Power, predictably, will come from a tuned version of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that we’ll see in the upcoming Focus ST. You’ll find AST performance coil-over adjustable dampers at each corner holding up anthracite 18-inch wheels and Hoosier race tires. Other suspension bits include sway bars from Ford Racing with adjustable end links and front brakes with 320-millimeter two-piece rotors and race pads.

Inside, a full FIA-certified roll cage is included, along with Recaro seats with six-point racing harnesses and a full electronics package for keeping track of essential data. Interestingly, Ford says it teamed up with a number of professional private racing teams to develop its Focus Race package, which means it should be highly adaptable to multiple series and formats.

FSWerks Ford Focus This car’s first appearance in competition will be at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship, but it will also circle tracks in China and at the 24-hour race at Nürburgring in Germany. Even more importantly, Ford says the upcoming 2012 Focus ST will benefit from the experience gained by racing its track-developed sibling.

In addition to the Focus Race Car Concept, also hitting the LA Auto Show floor will be three Focus models tuned with various aftermarket products. One will come from Ford’s own Vehicle Personalization group while the others will be presented by FSWerks and 3dCarbon, respectively.

Hit the jump for all the details in the complete press releases.

Gallery: LA 2010: Ford Focus Race Car Concept and FSWerks Focus

LA 2010: Ford Focus Race Car Concept LA 2010: FSWerks Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

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LA 2010: Ford Focus Race Car Concept goes global originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

We’re back for Episode #201 of the Autoblog Podcast. Hosting this week are Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman. Topics include the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Hyundai’s claim to soon be building the most American cars on the U.S. market, Lincoln’s spat with its dealers, the new Mercedes B-Cass and the Green Car of the Year nominees. The Autoblog Garage at the beginning and feedback/questions at the end provide the full experience. It’s an hour and twenty minutes this week, thanks for listening and we’ll see you soon!

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

In the Autoblog Garage:

Ford Fiesta Hatch
Nissan Sentra

News Topics:
Lincoln fighting with its dealers

Hyundai wants to be the most American automaker in the U.S.
Green Car of the Year finalists announced
Mercedes B-Class coming to the U.S.?

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 1:17:46

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Porsche, Racing

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Click above for high-res image gallery

As many Porsche 911s as you think you might see at the golf course, yacht club or shopping mall, that’s nothing compared to the legions regularly running around racing circuits worldwide. Aside from the myriad open GT grids dominated by Stuttgart machinery, the iconic German sportscar is the spec racer of choice for various national Porsche Carrera Cup championships and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup that supports F1 races around the year. Those series use the versatile 911 GT3 Cup. With over 1,400 sold since 1998, Porsche maintains that it’s the best-selling racing car of all time, and it has just announced a new model for the 2011 season onward.

Whereas the outgoing Cup racer was based on the street-going 911 GT3, the new model starts life as the harder, faster and sharper GT3 RS. That means a wider body that can accommodate bigger wheels, tires and brakes. It also carries the larger 3.8-liter flat-six with 450 horsepower – 30 more horses than the outgoing model coming from 200cc of added displacement. It also looks more like the RS, with an aggressive aero package and LED lighting for when tracks go dark and dreary.

The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will make its track debut at the opening round of next season’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship, but you can delve into the details right now in the press release after the jump and in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup

Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Axl Rose sued by Bentley for leased car damage, exceeding allowance by 42,000 miles

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Government/Legal, Bentley, Celebrities, Luxury

2006 Bentley Flying Spur

2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur – Click above to for high-res image gallery

Axl Rose, front man for hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, has an appetite for destruction and his latest target is reportedly a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur. According to celeb dish outlet TMZ.com, Rose is being sued by Bentley over a vehicle he leased. The car was given back several months after its scheduled date of return. That is just icing on a sweet cake of disregard however, as the car was allegedly returned with a cracked windshield, two damaged wheels, a broken taillight, a missing key, dents on the doors and damage to the bumper. Axl or his compadres also racked up serious seat time by going 42,000 miles over the lease limit.

The boys from Crewe have little Patience *ahem* for someone mistreating their property like this, and Bentley is suing Mr. Rose for nearly $74,000.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Photos Copyright (C)2010 John Neff / AOL

[Source: TMZ]

Axl Rose sued by Bentley for leased car damage, exceeding allowance by 42,000 miles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini Murciélago tweaked into JB Car Design’s LP 640 ‘Bat’

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini, Luxury

JB Car Design Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 'Bat'

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 “Bat” by JB Car Design – Click above for high-res image gallery

The whole ‘Batmobile’ comparison gets thrown around an awful lot on websites like this one. And this car’s not even black, so we’ll wave off of that this time. But consider the following: in the most recent Batman movie, Bruce Wayne drove a Lamborghini Murciélago. Into a truck, unfortunately. His alter-ego’s drive, meanwhile, was on the other side of the more extreme Reventón. Now along comes JB Car Design with a kit to bridge the gap. And they call it the Bat, suitably enough.

The German tuner’s retrofitted Murci LP 640 can be had with 710 or 750 horsepower (a not-inconsequential improvement on the stock 640) through the installation of new cats and exhaust. But in this case, the defining factor is the car’s styling. A new front bumper and splitter, side skirts, and rear bumper with diffuser give the LP640 a more Reventón-style look, with a two-piece carbon fiber rear wing, LED lights and 20-inch modular alloys rounding out the package.

Meanwhile, the interior been re-trimmed in different leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber, along with a new steering wheel and sound system. Each of these components for engine, body and cabin can be purchased separately or as a comprehensive package, but JB says it will only make 75 examples of the body kit. Check out the photos in the gallery below and the press release after the jump for more.

Gallery: Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 “Bat” by JB Car Design

[Source: JB Car Design]

Continue reading Lamborghini Murciélago tweaked into JB Car Design’s LP 640 ‘Bat’

Lamborghini Murciélago tweaked into JB Car Design’s LP 640 ‘Bat’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Freedom of Motion

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

2010 Art Center Car Classic

2010 Art Center Car Classic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Pasadena, CA can get particularly hot during the summer, so we thought it was an excellent idea when the Art Center College of Design moved its annual car show from July to the middle of October. While the event, which happened last weekend, did escape the heat, it still couldn’t catch a break from Mother Nature. The inaugural autumn edition of the show was hampered by rain throughout the day.

Still, the Art Center managed to put on an excellent event to celebrate this year’s theme, “Freedom of Motion.” The best part of the show has always been the eclectic selection of cars on display, and this year was no disappointment. Everything from the 2010 X-Prize winning Peraves X-Tracer to the new 2011 McLaren MP4-12C could be seen on the grass. The Mullin Museum was gracious enough to bring out the famous 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, and the Petersen brought out a few of its cars as well. You can see all of our photos from the event in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Art Center Car Classic

2010 Art Center Car Classic ICON Light Sport Aircraft

2010 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Freedom of Motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Nissan, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf

Green Car of the Year finalists – Click above for high-res image gallery

Green Car Journal has chosen its five candidates for the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award. Competition is fierce this time around with both the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt nabbing nods. While those two have been busy snapping up headlines over the past year, the rest of the vehicles on the list are no less impressive. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid made the cut thanks to its incredibly efficient drivetrain borrowed from the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is bound to make an impressive showing thanks to its competent highway mileage and high-tech lithium-polymer battery pack.

Of all of the eligible vehicles, the only one without a battery pack is the lovable 2011 Ford Fiesta. While the subcompact is likely to be eclipsed by the rest of the electron-powered pack, the vehicle’s 40 mpg highway is no less impressive than all of the high-tech wizardry on board the hybrids and EVs. The winner of this year’s award will be announced at the 2010 LA Auto Show on November 18. Check out our gallery of the nominees below and then hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Green Car of the Year Finalists

Continue reading 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Cadillac, GM, Honda, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota, Volvo, Design/Style

Nissan iV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery of all 2010 LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants

The LA Auto Show is once again knocking at the door, and with it comes the annual Design Challenge competition. This year the competition has extended invitations to Japanese and German design studios, in addition to all of the manufacturer-supported studios in Southern California, making it a much more global contest.

The theme for this year’s Design Challenge forces designers to envision vehicles that are at once both kind to the environment yet stylish and exciting to drive at the same time. The catch? Each vehicle concept must weigh no more than 1,000 pounds, seat four adults, be efficient and safe and provide a rewarding driving experience. Sustainable materials, highly exotic designs and a vision of the future are expected from the entrants, and they all certainly delivered.

Nine automakers in total have answered the competition’s call. General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo have all stepped up to the plate, and the results are visually stunning. At the same time, each is though provoking because the designers have each given insight into what technology they believe will possible in the future.

Take a look at the Design Challenge entries, which we have lined up for you after the jump and in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 LA Auto Show Design Challenge Entries

Cadillac Aera

[Source: LA Auto Show]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: German inventors build car that comes when you call it

Filed under: Europe, Technology

KITT

Researchers in Germany say they’re now one step closer to bringing the ~~nightmare~~ fantasy of unmanned driving to life. A group of scientists have created a vehicle they call the MadeInGermany or MIG. Users can call up the vehicle via their smart phone or iPad and it will automatically chart the quickest and most efficient route to the user’s destination sans driver. Using an array of sensors, the vehicle generates a 3D image of its surroundings, helping it to navigate around pedestrians, other vehicles and bicyclists. Should the user decide to take control of the vehicle, they can operate the controls via that same smartphone or other mobile device.

The researchers say that their system will make car sharing more feasible, thereby reducing the number of cars in cities like Berlin by as much as much as 80 percent. Call us skeptical…

[Source: Canoe]

Report: German inventors build car that comes when you call it originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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