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Sauber unveils new C30 Ferrari-powered F1 challenger

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing

Sauber C30

2011 Sauber-Ferrari C30 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Divorce can be particularly difficult on the children. Sauber found that out the hard way when BMW picked up and left at the end of 2009, leaving the team to fend for itself. With the Bavarian automaker’s support, the Sauber team had turned from a solid midfielder to a front-running challenger, finishing the 2007 championship in second place. Last year, Sauber struggled with reliability issues and sponsor troubles to finish eighth in the constructors’ standings.

If last season was a transition year for Sauber, this year will bring its opportunity to climb back up, and this is the car with which they hope to do so. Called the C30, the new car bears many of the same hallmarks adopted by its rival teams, with a high front nose, more sculpted side-pods and a slender rear section with an integrated diffuser design. It’s engine is provided by Ferrari – just as it was last year and in the pre-BMW years – as is the regenerative braking system.

Perhaps most crucial, however, are the sponsors Sauber has brought on board for this season. By signing Sergio Perez, a promising young Mexican driver who won five GP2 races last season to finish second behind Williams’ Pastor Maldonado, Sauber has recruited a number of Mexican sponsors, including Carlos Slim’s Telmex and Cuervo tequila. So far, however, Sauber has been unable to attract Japanese sponsors to the team despite retaining Perez’ returning wingman Kamui Kobayashi, who stands as the only Japanese driver on the grid, and the only contemporary Japanese driver to make it in F1 without the support of a Japanese automaker.

Will Sauber be able to pull itself back from the brink where it stood this time last year and mount a challenge for a couple of podium positions? Time will tell, but for now you can read more about the new car in the press release after the jump and ogle it in the high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Sauber-Ferrari C30

[Source: Sauber]

Continue reading Sauber unveils new C30 Ferrari-powered F1 challenger

Sauber unveils new C30 Ferrari-powered F1 challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Australia

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Before your heart goes all aflutter at the thought of a factory Subaru Forester XTI, cool your jets a bit. It’s true that Subaru Australia has just pulled the sheets off of a more powerful Forester complete with nearly 260 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque, and yes, the high-rider packs a new five-speed automatic to replace the archaic four-speed slusher found on most Forester models. Drivers can even control shifts via a pair of paddles should the mood strike them. But this isn’t some slammed hardcore grocery getter. Instead, the Forester S-Edition, as it’s called, wears a slightly revised suspension cooked up from the minds at STI along with a few subtle aero tweaks outside.

Jump indoors and those from down under will enjoy a cabin trimmed in Alcantara bits, navigation and a rear view camera, all for a just a bit more than what you’d typically pay for a Forester XT in those parts.

Will we be getting anything similar? It certainly wouldn’t hurt our feelings, but we’d be surprised if Subaru suddenly decided to lay another model on top of its range-capping XT here in the land of the free. We’ve got our digits crossed for that five-speed transmission, though. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

2011 Subaru Forester S-Edition

[Source: Subaru Australia]

Continue reading Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia

Subaru adds WRX-powered Forester S-Edition for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chinese fire truck uses jet-powered water cannon

Filed under: Safety, Technology

Chinese fire truck with jet cannon

Chinese fire truck with jet water cannon – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Fire trucks are cool. With that established, Luoyang City, China’s new $456,000 super-soaker may as well be named Arthur Fonzarelli. This unique fire truck features a jet-powered water cannon with enough grunt to spray four tons of water per minute at distances up to 400 feet. Our friends at Engadget tell us that the water reaches the fire so quickly that it sucks the oxygen out of the area, suffocating the flame. You know what that is? Exactly: cool.

Hit the jump to watch a demonstration of the jet-powered water cannon. It’s not a real fire-fighting scenario, but it’s worth a look nonetheless.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Video: Chinese fire truck uses jet-powered water cannon

Video: Chinese fire truck uses jet-powered water cannon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Woodill Wildfire is a turbine-powered thing of beauty

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Specialty

1955 Woodill Wildfire

1955 Woodill Wildfire at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery

Before stumbling upon this 1955 Woodill Wildfire here at the Barrett-Jackson festivities in Scottsdale, we weren’t even aware that such a car existed. And this is one of the reasons why Barrett-Jackson is such a cool event.

Apparently, an employee of McDonnell Douglass (we’d guess with the last name Woodill…) built an experimental turbine engine originally intended for use in a helicopter. First seen in 1952, this machine is recognized as the world’s first production fiberglass-bodied automobile. For what it’s worth, the Corvette didn’t come until late 1953.

According to the official Barrett-Jackson auction page, the engine puts out 310 horsepower at the crank at a stratospheric 37,500 rpm. This particular machine, built in 1955, was reportedly clocked at 137 miles per hour on a dry lake bed and then sat for 40 years until being restored to its current condition.

See the proceedings for yourself live and in living color over at Speed’s online streaming channel. You can also play along with Speed’s online Fantasy Bidding game – we only hope you’re better at guessing these values than we are…

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2011: 1955 Woodill Wildfire Turbine Convertible

Barrett-Jackson 2011: 1955 Woodill Wildfire Turbine Convertible

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Woodill Wildfire is a turbine-powered thing of beauty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coyote Cobra: Superformance MKIII roadster powered by the Mustang’s 5.0L V8 [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Performance

Coyote 5.0L V8 Superformance MKIII Roadste

Coyote 5.0L V8 Superformance MKIII Roadster – Click above for a high-res image gallery

We were smitten with the Coyote 5.0-liter V8 the second we got behind the wheel of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. We described the 412 horsepower engine as “a pot of pure honey” as well as “intoxicating,” and said that the “5.0-liter V8 pulls like a jet airliner.” With a curb weight of just over 3,600 pounds, the Mustang GT is not as bloated as the Camaro, but by no means a lightweight. Would we like the 5.0L even more if it had less mass to push around?

That’s what Superformance had in mind with its latest creation. The maker of Shelby-licensed Cobra replicas has installed a Coyote 5.0-liter crate motor into one of its MKIII Roadsters, creating a combination of classic styling with the best of Ford’s modern powertrains. The engine wedges snugly into the front of the car, and only a custom air intake and headers are all that are needed to make everything fit.

We stopped by Superformance to get a closer look at the car, and came away with some photos and even some video of it in action. Check out the high-res gallery of the car below, and follow the jump to watch the video and hear what the Coyote 5.0-liter V8 sounds like without mufflers.

Gallery: Coyota 5.0L V8 Superformance MKIII Roadster

Continue reading Coyote Cobra: Superformance MKIII roadster powered by the Mustang’s 5.0L V8 [w/video]

Coyote Cobra: Superformance MKIII roadster powered by the Mustang’s 5.0L V8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Kahn working on Cosworth-powered Range Rover Evoque

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

It’s not every day that a new Range Rover is introduced. But when one is, you can count on Azfal Kahn and his crew to go to work on it. And the new Evoque appears to be no exception.

Beyond the photo above, all Project Kahn has released so far about its tuning program for the Evoque is that (a) it’s working on one, (b) it’s coming some time in the new year and (c) it’ll be powered by Cosworth. Kahn has worked with the racing engine manufacturer on previous projects, so that’s no big revelation by itself, but it’ll be interesting to see what the two British firms have got in store for the new baby Rover beyond a set of flashy rims.

[Source: Project Kahn via autoblog.nl]

Project Kahn working on Cosworth-powered Range Rover Evoque originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pope Benedict wants… solar-powered electric Popemobile?

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Technology, Specialty, Electric

Pope Benedict XVI is quickly becoming known as the “Green Pope.” During his time at the top of the Catholic Church, His Holiness has made a point to preach sustainable energy, and he’s backed up his words with actions. In 2008, photovoltaic cells were installed on the roof of a Vatican auditorium, and in 2009, a solar cooling unit was added to the Vatican cafeteria.

The Washington Post is now reporting that Pope Benedict wants to take another step towards a greener footprint with a solar-powered Popemobile. The Vatican says that a solar Pope transporter would be a rolling tribute to the Pontiff’s message to promote sustainable energy. But while the Pope’s idea is a good one, so far there apparently are no automakers willing to take on the task.

The German firm SolarWorld, which installed the cells atop the Vatican auditorium, says it can build the Pope an electric solar car, but marketing boss Milan Nitzschke claims that a major hurdle is getting the Vatican security to sign off on such an endeavor. There are apparently concerns about a solar Popemobile having enough speed to take off if there are any security incidents. Nitzschke says that power won’t be an issue, but with a huge bulletproof dome atop a vehicle that’s bound to weigh several thousand pounds, we’re thinking range could be a problem as well.

Is a solar Popemobile possible? Of course, but it may not sport large areas of solar cells atop the Pope’s bulbous sled. It may be more practical to have an electric Popemobile with large yet portable solar cell arrays that can plug in and charge the vehicle when it isn’t on the Papal parade route.

[Source: The Washington Post | Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty]

Pope Benedict wants… solar-powered electric Popemobile? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Toyota, Electric

Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota RAV4 EV – Click above for high-res image gallery

Proudly “Powered by Tesla,” the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley’s electric cars. As we’ve known, Tesla’s role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain – including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software – for Toyota’s popular CUV.

The RAV4 EV has a long history, as long-time plug-in vehicle fans are well aware. The first-gen version arrived in 1997 and was available for six years. Toyota said today that it sold or leased 1,484 units during that time – and that nearly 750 of them are still in operation – but could never make them a mainstream hit like the Prius. Making these alternative-power vehicles isn’t that difficult, said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales’ president and chief operating officer, the hard part is bringing them to mainstream customers.

This is the goal of the RAV4 EV, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012. The initial batch of test vehicles, the so-called Phase Zero machines, are already achieving 100 miles of range, but Toyota engineers are working hard to make sure that the Phase One vehicles (i.e., the next batch) will be able to reach that number no matter what the climate or outside condition is – or, in the words of the press release, “in a wide range of climates and conditions.” The engineering team is also focused on drivability and making the electric CUV feel, “as close to a conventional RAV4 as possible.” We’ll have a more complete post about the RAV4 EV later, but for now you can find plenty more information on Toyota’s dedicated RAV4 EV website and check it out from every angle in the gallery below.

Continue reading LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dodge teases Viper V10-powered 300C

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Specialty

Chrysler 300C gets Frankensteined with a Viper V10 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Red Letter Dodge, the official Dodge blog, has an oh-so-short clip of a Viper-engined 300C doing a circle in a parking lot. Not a donut, mind you, just an out-and-back. The video itself is rather underwhelming, so don’t say you weren’t warned, but since it comes from an official outlet, we have to imagine that there’ll be something far more compelling soon enough. For now, to get a taste of what a 300C hiding a Viper V10 looks and sounds like, check the vid after the jump.

[Source: Red Letter Dodge]

Continue reading Video: Dodge teases Viper V10-powered 300C

Video: Dodge teases Viper V10-powered 300C originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, UK

1989 TVR Tasmin 400SE

Nikolai Smolenski’s tenure as owner of TVR, the formerly revered maker of hairy-chested British sports cars, is nothing if not quizzical. He bought the company from late founder Peter Wheeler when it was in trouble, didn’t do much with it, declared it bankrupt to clear its debts, then bought the company out of bankruptcy. Since then there’s been little news save for a legal battle with a TVR remanufacturer and a couple of hints about using an American V8 to power the firm’s next car.

The V8 issue has finally been decided: the Corvette’s 638-horsepower LS9. The car it will go in is to be called the MD-1. A new question that has arisen, however, based on Smolenski’s comment that he wants to “draw a line under the Wheeler era once and for all.” Will the car be at all British? The MD-1 is being developed by a UK firm, but Smolenski says production could go to the Continent or South Africa just as easily.

Would a German-built, American-engined TVR still be a TVR like the Griffith and Chimera (or the Tasmin shown above)? Smolenski thinks TVR fans wouldn’t think so, but he doesn’t much care. He says, “What’s important is to remain faithful to your brand values” no matter where you are. The MD-1 is expected to arrive in 2012, with just 250 made annually.

[Source: Pistonheads]

TVR could make Corvette-powered 2012 comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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