Tag: head

Video: Shelby GT500 and Roush Stage 3 go head to head at the drag strip

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford, Racing

Video screencap of Roush Stage 3 vs. Ford Shelby GT500

The Ford Mustang is a brilliantly affordable source of horsepower, with a base 300-plus-horsepower version available for well under $30,000. Jumping up to about $35,000 will get you a solid 420 horsepower from a high-revving V8, while those with some extra disposable income can get a pair of 600-plus-horsepower monsters. Both the Roush Stage 3 with its Phase 3 package and Ford’s factory Shelby GT500 even crest the 650-horsepower mark, with 675 and 662 ponies, respectively.

Naturally, someone needed to find out which of these hi-po Mustangs was the quickest. And while this video is quite obviously a dealership commercial, at least there’s some solid drag racing between two of the most powerful performance machines available for under $100,000.

With two NHRA drag racers at the wheel, the Stage 3 and GT500 go head to head for three races. Scroll down below to see the results in the full video.

Continue reading Shelby GT500 and Roush Stage 3 go head to head at the drag strip

Shelby GT500 and Roush Stage 3 go head to head at the drag strip originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reevu motorcycle helmet is first to feature head-up display

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Motorcycle

Reevu Intelligent Helmet

Reevu, that company that makes those nifty helmets with the built-in rear viewers has another innovation for those of the two-wheeled persuasion. Expanding on the idea of a rear viewer, Reevu seems to have integrated a display into the top of the visor.

The system projects information, according to the images, ranging from turn-by-turn directions to speed to lap times. We’ll admit, the information provided is quite thin. The helmet manufacturer apparently uses something called a multiple reflective optical system to display the information, claiming it won’t strain the eyes or cause distraction for the driver.

Limited info aside, the potential of an in-helmet head-up display is huge for people on two and four wheels. The same concepts that make this appealing for bikers would make it a must-have for any serious track enthusiast. Drivers could get everything from lap times and sector splits to emergency warnings if oil pressure were to drop. You can bet we’ll follow this one closely. Scroll down below for the press release.

Continue reading Reevu motorcycle helmet is first to feature head-up display

Reevu motorcycle helmet is first to feature head-up display originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jul 2013 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM sales chief Batey to be named global head of Chevrolet

Filed under: Europe, Chevrolet, GM, Middle East, Russia, South America

Alan Batey, General Motors executiveThe Wall Street Journal is reporting that General Motors is on the verge of naming current US sales chief, Alan Batey, as the new global head of the Chevrolet brand. Batey has been accruing relevant international experience with GM for quite some time now, holding executive management positions in Europe, Korea, the Middle East and the US before getting this latest nod as Chevy’s global leader.

It was Batey who helped to launch the automaker’s “Find New Roads” campaign in February during his stint as Chevy’s interim marketing chief. That tag line, chosen in part for its ease of translation into multiple languages, is currently being rolled out globally.

Batey’s appointment also comes in front of a major product offensive for Chevy, both at home and abroad. The automaker has plans to launch some 13 new or updated vehicles in the US this year, along with 12 more in global markets. Escalating sales in China, Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America have helped to cement a need for Batey’s new gig. According to the WSJ, Batey has decried the regional-based strategy that Chevy has used across the world so far, saying, “That’s over. From now on we will operate as one.”

Bringing cohesion to Chevy models, technology and dealers across the world will be no mean feat, we’re certain. High on the list of Batey’s tasks will be right-sizing the relationship between Chevy and the slightly upmarket Opel brand in Europe, as well as expanding the company’s reach in booming markets like China, Russia and Thailand.

GM sales chief Batey to be named global head of Chevrolet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi fires head of R&D, Wolfgang Dürheimer

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Audi

Audi's former head of R&D, Wolfgang Durheimer

According to Car and Driver, citing a report in Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, Audi has fired Wolfgang Dürheimer, the brand’s head of research and development.

Dürheimer had originally signed on as Audi’s R&D boss in September 2012. Prior to that, he had served as the head for both Bentley and Bugatti, and was formerly the development chief at Porsche (where he is credited with helping get the original Cayenne into production, a move that ushered a new era of profitability for the company). Dürheimer moved to Audi following a management shakeup within the Volkswagen Group in mid-2012.

During his time at Bentley, Dürheimer spearheaded the brand’s efforts to launch an SUV. But at Audi, he reportedly quickly put a stop to costly projects such as the R8 E-Tron and the rotary range-extender engine for the A1 E-Tron. Furthermore, Car and Driver reports that Dürheimer shuffled the reporting structure within the brand’s design department, and that VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn had apparently disagreed with him several times on the styling direction for the brand.

Also of note, Der Spiegel posits that Winterkorn strongly disapproved of Dürheimer’s conservative E-mobility strategy, and that there was further tension between the two gentlemen on a personal level that could have led to this dismissal.

Dürheimer’s future within the Volkswagen Group is unclear at this time, and his position at Audi will currently be filled by the Group’s R&D chief, Ulrich Hackenberg.

Audi fires head of R&D, Wolfgang Dürheimer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jun 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Ford, Electric

Ford CEO Alan Mulally

Alan Mulally on The Engadget Show – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you aren’t already an avid follower of The Engadget Show, we highly recommend checking out the video series. The editors of our favorite tech site (disclosure: Engadget and Autoblog are both owned by AOL) routinely sit down with the movers and shakers of the electronics and gadget world for a look into what’s new and what’s next. The latest episode delves into everything from a hybrid version of the Shredder to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Of course, we’re a little more interested in the show’s interview with Ford CEO Alan Mulally. Engadget caught up with Mulally while he was in New York for the 2011 New York Auto Show and picked his brain on the future of the electric car and Ford’s vision for the automobile moving forward.

Like most manufacturers, Ford is currently working to develop new battery technologies that will allow for quicker charge times, though Mulally says that his company also hopes to see the electric car become a more integral part of the electrical grid as a whole in the near future. As battery technology advances, Ford wants EVs to be able to charge on off-peak hours, store energy and feed it back to homes and businesses when not in use.

Pretty clever.

Hit the jump to see the full episode of The Engadget Show after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer developing iPhone-like multitouch head-unit

Filed under: Aftermarket, Technology

Pioneer AppRadio

Our compatriots over at CrunchGear got themselves an impressive little exclusive in the form of the Pioneer AppRadio. The aftermarket double-din head-unit (model number SPH-DA01) is an iPhone or iPod Touch user’s automotive dream, complete with a 6.1-inch capacitive multitouch screen, home button, USB ports, S-Video and RCA jacks, along with a 30-pin Apple-spec dock to mount your iDevice.

According to CrunchGear’s sources, the AppRadio is designed to interface exclusively with iOS 4.1 devices (meaning Android and Windows Phone 7 users are left out in the cold) and runs a UI that’s remarkably similar to the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (we’ll see how Apple’s lawyers take to that). Pioneer is developing apps for the head-unit, including Pandora and iHeartRadio, while the standard Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM stereo, MicroSD slot and GPS functionality are also part of the package.

There’s no word on price or availability yet, and since the specs don’t include a modem, the AppRadio will pull data from your iPhone. We’d expect an official announcement before the end of the year and should see the hardware in person at the next CES.

[Source: CrunchGear]

Pioneer developing iPhone-like multitouch head-unit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Kia design head “caves” to Korean influence with Naimo concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows, Electric

naimo concept

Kia Naimo EV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Korean-made cars of the 1990s and early 2000s looked very… Korean. Not exactly a bad thing, mind you, but it’s tough to sell vehicles around the globe that cater to a specific region of the world. That’s likely one of the reasons why Kia hired former Audi designer Peter Schreyer to inject some much needed style into its lineup.

Schreyer tells Automotive News that there is no “Koreaness” about the Kia lineup, adding “to be honest, we don’t want the cars to look Korean.” A quick look at the 2011 Optima and you can see Schreyer is succeeding, but what about the Naimo EV concept? AN tells us that the jade color is reminiscent of Celadon-style pottery. The interior is covered in Korean oak. Schreyer tells AN that, at least in this case, the Korean factor is strong, adding it has design cues inspired by art specific to that country.

While the Naimo concept is a definite change of pace versus the rest of the Kia lineup, we’re thinking the little concept doesn’t mean to reveal a new styling direction. The show car was, after all, designed with the Seoul Motor Show in mind. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with playing to the home crowd.

Gallery: Kia Naimo Concept

Kia Naimo Concept

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Followup: Kia design head “caves” to Korean influence with Naimo concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The newest Mustangs go head-to-head on the track

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford

new mustangs competing at streets of willow

The Mustang family tested head-to-head – Click above to watch video after the jump

The crew over at Inside Line has manged to put together a test that any auto enthusiast should be eager to read about. Ford’s entire lineup of Mustangs has something unique to offer, and IL wrangled up one of each different ‘Stang on offer: V6, GT, Boss 302 Laguna Seca and Shelby GT500. In the end, there can be only one…

All four cars were flogged on a pair of tracks, including the 1.6-mile loop at Streets of Willow. The finishing order based on lap times was predictable, but the numbers are impressive across the board. Also, Inside Line didn’t choose its winner based solely on fastest time around the track. Click past the jump to watch the cars in action, then be sure to head over to Inside Line to read about the results.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: The newest Mustangs go head-to-head on the track

Video: The newest Mustangs go head-to-head on the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GT Academy ‘Sweet 16’ head to Silverstone

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Toys/Games

Of the more than 52,000 contestants who originally entered into the United States version of GT Academy, jointly hosted by Nissan and Sony, just 16 have advanced to the final competition being held in Silverstone in the United Kingdom. The top 32 virtual racers from the four U.S. regions descended on Orlando, Florida this week to go pixel-to-pixel for a spot among the sweet 16. But this is about more than just bragging rights. Those that made it into the final round will face a battery of new challenges, including physical fitness tests and evaluations behind the wheel of real-live race cars.

The top winner will have a shot at becoming a professional race car driver by joining a legitimate team, just like GT Academy Europe winner Lucas Ordonez. As you may recall, Ordonez and his team managed to finish second at the 12 Hours of Sebring with a Signatech Nissan LMP2 racer, and the 25-year-old Spaniard is headed to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans for a shot at taking home the checkers at one of the world’s most grueling race events.

Nissan and Sony are currently working up a reality TV show about the GT Academy’s U.S. contestants. While the winner will be chosen after the throwdown in Sivlerstone this summer, look for the show to hit the airwaves this fall. Hit the jump for the full list of final contestants.

[Sources: Sony, Nissan, GTPlanet | Image: Zach Bowman/AOL]

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GT Academy ‘Sweet 16’ head to Silverstone originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TechArt Porsche Cayenne Turbo rears its ugly head prior to Geneva debut

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche

techart magnum porsche cayenne turbo

TechArt Magnum Porsche Cayenne Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery

TechArt continues to assault the senses, producing cars capable of violent bursts of speed and sound. But at the same time, its creations either cause your eyes to sparkle with lust or bleed from hate, and this, the TechArt Porsche Cayenne Turbo is… stomachable at best.

The only thing helping us keep our breakfast down are the power numbers. Thanks to TechArt’s TA 058/T1 Power Kit, output on the Cayenne has been raised from 500 horsepower up to 560 hp and torque climbs up from 516 pound-feet to 575 lb-ft. That might be enough oomph to outrun a BMW X5 M, but even so, you can’t outrun ugly.

The TechArt Magnum will debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Follow the jump for the company’s official press blast.

Gallery: TechArt Magnum Porsche Cayenne Turbo

[Source: TechArt]

Continue reading TechArt Porsche Cayenne Turbo rears its ugly head prior to Geneva debut

TechArt Porsche Cayenne Turbo rears its ugly head prior to Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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