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Video: Volkswagen Golf24 enduro racer hits the track

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Racing

volkswagen golf24 on the track Volkswagen Golf24 endurance racer hits the track – Click above to watch video after the jump

Volkswagen’s stunning new widebody racing Golf was recently shown off in in photographic fashion and now we finally have some noise and moving imagery of the Golf24 endurance racer thanks to a new VWvideo.

The people’s racer was filmed on a track conducting some shakedown runs before it tackles the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This isn’t just some tarted-up Golf with a roll-cage installed: Under the hood sits a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder producing 434 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That go-fast energy is channeled through a six-speed sequential gearbox and sent out to all four wheels. Click past the jump to see the Volkswagen Golf24 in action.

Gallery: Volkswagen Golf24

Volkswagen Golf24

[Source: Volkswagen via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Volkswagen Golf24 enduro racer hits the track

Video: Volkswagen Golf24 enduro racer hits the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW headed to Nürburgring enduro with Golf24 racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Racing

Volkswagen Golf24

Volkswagen Golf24 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen will be returning to the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race this year with this, the new Golf24 race car. It’s a hot little number, and we’ll see it take to the track during the official race events that span from June 23 to 26.

Under the hood is Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five, though output has been bumped up to 434 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That power is managed by a six-speed sequential gearbox and runs to the ground via permanent all-wheel drive. Combine that with a body that has been optimized to keep the car as flat as possible through turns, and what we have here is a seriously fast Golf that’s ready to eat the competition.

The last time Volkswagen entered a Golf in a Nürburgring race was 2007, when a 296-hp, front-wheel-drive example placed eighth overall. Since then, the automaker has commissioned its Scirocco GT24 for ‘Ring duty, but since 2011 marks the 35th anniversary of the infamous GTI hot hatch, VW decided that an all-new Golf-based car was in order. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Volkswagen Golf24

Volkswagen Golf24

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW headed to Nürburgring enduro with Golf24 racer

VW headed to Nürburgring enduro with Golf24 racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hot Wheels Video Racer coming this Fall for $60 [w/video]

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

Hot Wheels Video Racer

Hot Wheels Video Racer in action – Click above to watch the video after the break

In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re firmly entrenched in the year 2011. Clearly, it’s high time for the little 1:64-scale cars your fathers were playing with when they were your little boy’s age to get an update, and Hot Wheels has just stepped up to the plate in a big way.

Come Christmas time, you’ll be able to fill stockings with the Video Racer, which, as its name suggests, adds a tiny camera to the front of your favorite little micro-sized motorer. Even cooler is the itty-bitty LCD screen you see when you flip to the bottom of the car, where you can then watch up to 12 minutes of recorded footage.

You can also use a USB connection to hook the Video Racer to your computer, and the little cars come equipped with attachments that allow them to be worn on the wrist (for covert spy work?), helmet, bicycle, skateboard or anything else that suits your fancy.

For $59.99 (we’ll let you be the judges on the value proposition), you’ll be able to purchase one of these little jewels this fall, and that price includes video editing software that works on Windows-powered PCs. Well done, Mattel. Check out a video of the Video Racer after the break.

[Source: Pocket-Lint, YouTube via Inside Line]

Continue reading Hot Wheels Video Racer coming this Fall for $60 [w/video]

Hot Wheels Video Racer coming this Fall for $60 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foresight 2020: F1 Racing projects the future grand prix racer

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Racing

F1 Racing's 2020 projection

F1 Racing’s 2020 projection – Click above for high-res images

Think of what a future F1 race car might look like and you’re likely to conjure up images similar to the Red Bull X1 prototype. But the fact is, in all likelihood, an F1 car nine years from now will look pretty much like the ones we see today. After all, how radically different are contemporary F1 racers from the ones we saw a decade ago?

You can expect some significant changes to come into effect, though, over the coming decade, as the sport grapples with finding the sweet-spot in terms of spectacle, environmental friendliness and the like. Speaking with Renault F1 designer Pat Symonds, F1 Racing magazine came up with their projection. It takes into account such anticipated features as low-profile tires on larger wheels, ground-effect aerodynamics returning to replace the downforce reduced by the standardized rear wing and a beefier Kintetic Energy Recovery System good for a 250 horsepower boost.

Of course all these projections could prove way off by the time 2020 rolls around, but they could prove spot on. We’ll just have to keep watching to find out. In the meantime you can see the only two images which the publication has released, or head to the newsstand to see more.

Gallery: F1 Racing’s 2020 projection

[Source: F1 Racing]

Continue reading Foresight 2020: F1 Racing projects the future grand prix racer

Foresight 2020: F1 Racing projects the future grand prix racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Journalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Ford, South America, Off-Road, Racing

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 2011 Dakar Rally

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at the 2011 Dakar Rally – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is still proving that it can do whatever deed needs done, whenever it needs doing. Sue Mead and Darren Skilton managed to pilot a largely stock version of the desert-raiding pickup through all 12 stages of this year’s Dakar rally. The team survived 16 days of some of the most brutal terrain on the South American continent and covered over 11,800 miles in the process. Their effort was enough to net the Raptor a 40th place finish over all and a first place finish in the OP class.

In fact, from what we hear, Mead and Skilton were the only contestants to even finish in the OP class, even with big names like Robbie Gordon gunning for the win.

That marks the first time that an American crew has ever managed to take a class win in the history of the Dakar Rally. The F-150 SVT Raptor that Mead and Skilton campaigned boasted the same 5.4-liter V8 that it rolled off the production line with, though a larger cooling system was fitted to handle the harsh temperatures of the course. Likewise, the pickup was equipped with a host of other race-capable bits including a new locker system for the differentials, more robust shocks, springs and tires.

Overall, Volkswagen took the top three spots in the 2011 Dakar Rally. BMW filled out the remaining spots in the top five with its entries. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 2011 Dakar Rally

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Journalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally

Journalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tanner Faust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery

Tanner Foust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Tanner Foust is heading to Europe, and he’s bringing his new 2011 Ford Fiesta with him. The Top Gear USA co-host and wheel-man extraordinaire is going to participate in the 2011 European Rallycross Championship. The rallycross-prepped Fiesta is powered by a 600-horsepower engine whose power is routed to all four wheels.

Foust previously ran a few races during the 2010 European Rallycross season. He also competed in the inaugural U.S. Rallycross series where he finished on the podium at each event. The X Games held its own version of rally events, and Tanner Foust was able to capture a pair of gold medals for his efforts. Check out his Rockstar energy drink liveried Fiesta in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Tanner Foust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer

Tanner Foust's 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer Tanner Faust

[Source: Tanner Foust Racing]

Continue reading Tanner Faust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery

Tanner Faust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon racer rendered by reader

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Cadillac, GM, Design/Style, Racing

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon race car

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon race car gets rendered – Click above to view high-res image gallery

Like us, reader Tristan Hipps is a fan of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. After perusing the recently-released images of the CTS-V Coupe race car, Hipps decided that he wanted to see what a wagon version might look like. I think we can all agree that it looks damn sexy…

Hipps stated that he “just tweaked the photos” of the CTS-V coupe to produce his vision of the Sport Wagon racer. If we tried that, we ‘d probably end up with something resembling a Pontiac Aztek.

Click through the gallery below for two angles on Hipps’ design, each set done with and without a rear spoiler.

Gallery: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon race car

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon race car

[Source: Hipps Design]

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon racer rendered by reader originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?!

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volvo

Jonny Reid drives the Volvo S60 blindfolded

Jonny Reid drives the Volvo S60… blindfolded – Click above to watch the video after the break

We don’t exactly know why this video was filmed, other than the fact that it’s somehow supposed to make us more interested in the Volvo S60, but we don’t really care – just because it’s cool is reason enough for us.

In any case, well-known Kiwi racer Jonny Reid, who is currently competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, belted himself into the driver’s seat of a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 sedan at the starting line at Hampton Downs Motorsports Park in New Zealand.

No big deal, right? Not until you consider the fact that Reid was blindfolded and going all out based solely on his knowledge of the track and the instructions from his co-driver, Earl Bamber. We can’t really say how it compares to any other times, but he ended up lapping the track in one minute and 28 seconds.

Now, it should be noted that Reid knows Hampton Downs very well. In fact, he’s a track instructor during driver training and corporate events. Still, the video is pretty darn cool, and in the end, that’s all we really care about, right? See for yourself after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

[Source: Car & SUV]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?!

Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi TT RS endurance racer looks very serious

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Earnings/Financials, Racing

Audi TT RS DTM racecar

Audi TT RS race car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Originally, Audi didn’t plan to send the TT RS over for the U.S.. Thanks to a petition on Facebook, it changed its tune and the car go on sale Stateside sometime in the near future. Once again turning to Facebook, we came across these photos of a TT RS variant we’ll never see in our driveway, regardless of how often we click the “Like” button: a DTM-inspired racer that’s set to debut in the VLN Endurance series.

Audi has teamed with Raeder Motorsports and will run the car during the last two rounds of the Endurance Championship, held at the Nürburgring. The production version of the Audi TT RS is a blast to drive, so we can only imagine the thrills the competition-spec car provides.

Gallery: Audi TT RS DTM Racecar

Audi TT RS DTM Racecar Audi TT RS DTM Racecar front head on Audi TT RS DTM Racecar profile Audi TT RS DTM Racecar three-quarter front wide Audi TT RS DTM Racecar rear three-quarter

[Source: Facebook, OneEightTurbo.com]

Audi TT RS endurance racer looks very serious originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-generation GP2 spec racer unveiled at Monza

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Racing

Dallara GP2/11 – Click above for high-res image gallery

While Ferrari was cleaning up at its home race at Monza this past weekend, the GP2 feeder series campaigned its penultimate race of the season. Venezuelan racer Pastor Maldonado, driving for Italian team Rapax, clinched the series title in its sixth season, but arguably even more intriguing was the concurrent launch of the new third-generation GP2 spec racer.

Like the car it replaces, the new GP2/11 is designed and built by Italian racing chassis manufacturer Dallara – also behind the cars used in IndyCar and Formula 3 as well as F1 newcomer HRT’s car, to name just a few – and will be used exclusively by all teams for the next three seasons. Major changes to the design close the gap to Formula One considerably and borrow from its latest developments, employing a larger diffuser, a narrower rear wing and a larger one up front, a raked front nose and anvil-shaped engine cover. Also like F1, the new GP2 car will switch from Bridgestone rubber to new Pirelli compounds.

Development has been underway for several months, and the new car – unveiled to the teams and press at Monza – will see its first race early next year in the season-bridging GP2 Asia Series. Considering that no fewer than fifteen drivers – Lewis Hamilton among them – have graduated from the series up to F1, GP2 has rapidly developed as the place to watch for the next generation of top talent at the pinnacle of open-wheel racing. So keep an eye on newly-crowned champion Paston Maldonado, and check out the new car in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Dallara GP2/11

[Source: GP2]

Third-generation GP2 spec racer unveiled at Monza originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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