Tag: effort

Mini’s WRC effort is hot to trot

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Crossover, Mini

mini john cooper works wrc car

Mini John Cooper Works WRC car in action – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Mini’s World Rally Championship team has some work ahead if it intends to live up to the brand’s historic rally credentials, but the post-jump video illustrates that Mini clearly has the tool needed for success.

Follow the jump to watch drivers Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke as they take the horns of the Mini John Cooper Works WRC car, which is based on the Countryman. Mini’s “cute and hip” aesthetic gives way to something a bit more badass when it’s attacking a rally circuit. You’ll hear no complaints from us. Follow the jump for one minute and 38 seconds of fast-paced video.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Mini Countryman WRC

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Mini’s WRC effort is hot to trot

Mini’s WRC effort is hot to trot originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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De Tomaso revival effort shown ahead of Geneva

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Luxury

De Tomaso SLC Concept

Behold, the De Tomaso SLC Concept in all of its, um, glory. If you’re like us, this probably wasn’t the first thing that leapt to mind when you heard that De Tomaso was being resurrected (again) from the ashes of bankruptcy for a triumphant return to the world stage. The company says that the SLC is a luxury sports crossover.

Despite its stubby and somewhat odd proportions, this thing should be a blast to drive. According to reports, under the hood sits a 524-horsepower V8 engine, though buyers should be able to also opt for either a 296-horsepower V6 or a 247-horsepower turbodiesel six-pot should their hearts – or wallets – so desire.

De Tomaso says that the SLC Concept will bow at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month and that we can expect a production run of around 3,000 units starting next year. The price tag for this fine piece of machinery is expected to sit at a cool €85,000 – around $115k Yankee bucks. Better start saving your milk money.

If you were hoping to see something more along the lines of the infamous Pantera, never fear. Word is that the company is also hard at work on a spiritual successor to that beast along with a four-door sedan designed to tango with the Porsche Panamera. Check out the link below for more images.

[Source: Il Tirreno (translated)]

De Tomaso revival effort shown ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: ‘Save the Nürburgring’ effort not going so well

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Earnings/Financials

Save the Nurburgring trackside cross

It seems all the efforts to Save the Nürburgring aren’t going all that well. According to eyewitness reports from Germany as relayed by the Axis of Oversteer clan, all those fancy debt-causing buildings and their roller coasters are sitting idle with nary a visitor in sight… still.

Apparently, there are apparel shops and a BMW dealership without any actual patrons doing any shopping, and the so-called Formula 1 Experience rollercoaster has had its speed cut from over 100 miles per hour to just around 40 due to some shoddy engineering and/or building techniques. Sounds rather un-F1, no?

All of this is bad, but what could be worse are potential plans from the developers to raise the costs of actually driving on the track. Other quick fixes may see the track being rented out for more non-racing events, which will undoubtedly make it more difficult for the true aficionados to actually lap the ‘Ring. Read more about the Nordschliefe’s woes here. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: Save the Nürburgring via Axis of Oversteer | Image: Walter Koch via CC 2.0]

Report: ‘Save the Nürburgring’ effort not going so well originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMG and Ducati announce partnership, will sponsor MotoGP effort

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz, Motorcycle, Celebrities, Luxury

Nicky Hayden at AMG event at LA Auto Show

It’s a good time to jump on the Ducati MotoGP bandwagon. Sure, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer always fields a highly competitive juggernaut of a racing team, despite being a small fraction of the size of its chief rivals. But, with the recent signing of fan-favorite and nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, it would seem that the focus will never be more, um, focused on the bright red racers.

Plus, let’s not forget about Nicky Hayden, who carries around his own fair share of fans, particularly in the United States, which is surely a crucial market for both Ducati and Mercedes-Benz. As such, it’s not exactly shocking to hear that the German automaker, and more specifically its AMG performance division, has tossed its support and most assuredly a few bucket-loads of cash in the direction of the Bologna-based Ducati MotoGP team.

At this point, it’s too early to know how far the partnership will extend, but the automaker brought along the previously mentioned Kentucky Kid to the 2010 LA Auto Show to announce that it has entered into a marketing partnership with Ducati and will provide support along with serving as the brand’s Official Car Partner starting with the 2011 race season. As such, AMG machines will be available for test drives at selected Ducati events and vice versa.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz | Image: TwitPic]

AMG and Ducati announce partnership, will sponsor MotoGP effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort

Filed under: BMW, Electric

BMW ActiveE concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The evolution of BMW’s electric vehicle program, Project i, goes sort of like this: from Mini E concept to leasing that car to happy customers to the ActiveE concept to field tests of the larger sedan next year and then on to the Megacity EV, which is scheduled for 2013. Those last two steps have yet to happen, but today we learn a bit more about how and where the ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe, will prowl the streets. BMW has announced that the following U.S. cities and areas will get the ActiveE:

  • New York City
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Sacramento
  • Boston
  • select markets in Connecticut

So that makes California and the East Coast the lucky ones. We’ve heard a few hundred ActiveEs would be tested around the U.S., but BMW hasn’t provided any more details on the number of vehicles coming to each location. The field trial starts next summer, so we don’t have that much longer to wait.

What can drivers expect from the ActiveE? BMW says that “realistic simulations” show the all-electric car can go from 0-60 in approximately 8.5 seconds and the car has a top speed of around 90 miles per hour (electronically limited). Range is estimated at 100 miles. Unlike the Mini E , the ActiveE can seat four and carry about seven cubic-feet of stuff.

Gallery: BMW Concept ActiveE

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort

BMW announces trial markets for ActiveE electric car effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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