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Drayson Racing EV hits 204.185 mph, sets new FIA world land speed record

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Racing

Michelin Drayson Electric Speed Record

A 39-year-old FIA World Electric Land Speed Record has fallen to a sleek, green electric machine called the Lola. Officially the Drayson B12 69/EV electric Le Mans Prototype, the 1000-kilogram (2,204-pound) race car hit a top speed of 204.185 miles per hour yesterday at RAF Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, England. That’s over 29 mph faster than the previous record of 175 mph that was set in 1974 by Battery Box General Electric.

“I’m delighted we’ve beaten the record tonight and can show the world EVs can be fast and reliable.”

Completing two runs down the three-kilometer track, Lord Paul Drayson piloted the finely tuned, 850-horsepower EV to the record-setting run. Afterwards, the proud driver said, “I’m delighted we’ve beaten the record tonight and can show the world EVs can be fast and reliable. It is not the outright speed of 204.185mph that is most impressive about this record, but the engineering challenge of accelerating a 1000kg electric vehicle on a short runway over a measured mile.” The car has a 30-kWh battery and ran on confidential-specification LM P1 Michelin tires. You can see a video of the run below.

Of course, there are records and then there are records. The Ohio State University Buckeye Bullet, for example, is an EV that has topped 300 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. But, according to the FIA, Drayson is now the team to beat. We have to assume that someone will try to snag the title before another four decades are up. Nissan, perhaps?

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Drayson Racing EV hits 204.185 mph, sets new FIA world land speed record originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen Passat TDI Mileage Record holders - award ceremony

Volkswagen has announced the company’s Passat TDI has set a new world record for the category of “lowest fuel consumption-48 US states for a non-hybrid car.” Drivers Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger managed an impressive 77.99 miles per gallon over 8,122 miles, trouncing the previous record of 67.9 mpg. The duo also sailed past the hybrid record of 64.5 mpg, another record set by Gerdes. As the founder of CleanMPG.com, Gerdes spends his time squeezing the best fuel economy possible out of passenger cars and trucks, and he’s personally set records in over 100 vehicles.

For this particular world record, Gerdes and Winger visited all 48 contiguous states in 17 days, and Guinness World Records has certified the endeavor. You can read the full press release below for more information, including a few tips to pull the best fuel economy possible out of your personal vehicle.

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VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot EX1 sets fastest electric car lap at the ‘Ring

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot, Electric

2010 Peugeot EX1 Concept

2010 Peugeot EX1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Peugeot EX1 has whirred its way into the record books by lapping the 12-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife with a 9:01.338-minute run. According to Peugeot, that shatters the previous electric vehicle record at the track by an impressive 50 seconds.

The fully-electric Pug, which debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, averaged 85 mph on its record-setting run. Peugeot has promised to release photos and video of the EX1 at the Nordschleife, but for now we’ll have to wait.

The lightweight, four-wheel drive EX1 was created to celebrate Peugeot’s 200th birthday, and packs a pair of electric motors (one on each axle) totaling 340 horsepower. As for production, don’t hold your breath, though the technologies on display in the EX1 and lessons learned during its development will likely influence future models.

Gallery: Peugeot EX1 concept

[Source: World Car Fans]

Peugeot EX1 sets fastest electric car lap at the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak sets NHRA AA/SA records

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Dodge, Specialty, Racing

2011 Mopar Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pak

2011 Mopar Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pak – Click above for larger image

The Mopar Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pak debuted just shy of a month ago and has already stormed its way into the NHRA record books. Driver Dave Thomas laid down a 9.43-second pass at 143.90 mph at a test session April 7, simultaneously setting the elapsed time and mile-per-hour records for the AA/SA class.

Thomas’ record is all the more impressive when you consider that he made his first-ever passes in the car the Sunday before the record run. With capabilities in the nine-second range almost as soon as it comes out of the box, we expect there are quicker times to be pulled out of the only V10-powered factory dragster.

As a refresher, the V10 Drag Pak carries a slightly modified version of the 500 cubic-inch mill from the Viper mated to a two-speed race-only transmission and a Mopar solid-axle rear end. The car comes ready to race, with an NHRA-approved roll cage, fuel system and racing wheels and tires. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Mopar Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pak

2011 Mopar Dodge Challenger V10 Drag Pak

[Source: Mopar]

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Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak sets NHRA AA/SA records originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche sets the pace in ALMS with Panamera, Cayenne support vehicles

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, SUV, Porsche, Police/Emergency, Racing

Porsche Panamera Turbo ALMS safety car

Porsche Panamera Turbo ALMS safety car – Click above for high-res image gallery

At any of the myriad Le Mans series races around the world, you’re guaranteed to see more than a proportional sampling of Porsches. Those are usually one manner of 911 GT3 or another; less so Panameras and Cayennes, but the latest additions to the American Le Mans Series paddock are exactly those.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo has been selected as the official safety car for ALMS, outfitting a stock model with a dome light and special paint scheme. It’s joined in its duties by a set of Cayennes that will act as medics’ emergency response vehicles, a task to which the Porsche SUV is already perfectly accustomed. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Porsche ALMS support vehicles

[Source: Porsche via World Car Fans]

Porsche sets the pace in ALMS with Panamera, Cayenne support vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley sets new land ice speed record

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Europe, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental speed record on ice

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible shatters ice speed record – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Baltic Sea, sitting off the coast of Finland, is a white wasteland of ice and snow during the winter portion of the calendar. Local hero Juha Kankkunen, a four-time World Rally Champion, looks out over that vast expanse and sees a blank slate on which he can make his mark. What exactly is that mark? It’s 200 miles per hour… on ice.

Kankkunen is no stranger to going fast over less-than-ideal driving conditions. However, his rally cars never hit 200 mph and he wasn’t driving them on 70 centimeters worth of ice, four kilometers away from the Finnish coast. This fast Fin had previously taken a shot at the 200-mph mark, back in 2007 using a Bentley Continental GT. He came up just short, but his official speed of 199.83 mph did shatter the previous ice speed record of 184 mph, which was set in 1995 in a Bugatti EB110 Supersport.

This time around, Kankkunen was piloting the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, which boasts 621 horsepower under the hood. The only modifications made to the car included a roll-cage, Pirelli winter tires, a rear parachute and some light aero mods to help with stability on the rather slippery surface.

His Bentley gurgling at the start line like a British school boy who just discovered Pop Rocks, Juha Kankkunen pushed the accelerator to the velvety soft carpet of his Supersports ice rocket. One thousand meters later and the world has a new record for driving quickly over ice… 205.48 mph. Onnittelut Juha ja Bentley!

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible sets world speed record on ice

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley sets new ~~land~~ ice speed record

Bentley sets new ~~land~~ ice speed record originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Camaro sets stage for Baldwin-Motion return

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

2011 motion camaro

Baldwin-Motion is back with the 2011 Motion Camaro – Click above for high-res image gallery

DeNooyer Chevrolet in Albany, New York is in love with the new Camaro. It also loves the history of the model line, especially when dealers and customizers got their hands on the cars. We’ve already seen DeNooyer team up with Redline Motorsports to bring us their COPO HTR Camaro. Now the two have teamed up with Joel Rosen to resurrect the Baldwin-Motion Camaros.

In 1966, Joel Rosen started up his Motion Performance shop and partnered with Baldwin autos to produce a handful of boosted Chevy products. The Baldwin-Motion team offered Novas, Biscaynes, Chevelles, Corvettes and, of course, Camaros. The original Baldwin-Motion cars were available in SS (425 horsepower) or Phase III versions (500 hp and up). Joel Rosen stood so firmly behind his Motion sports cars that he provided a written guarantee stating they were capable of running the quarter-mile in 11.50 seconds and hitting a trap speed of 120 miles per hour. Not one Baldwin-Motion owner ever returned a car.

Now Joel Rosen is partnering up with DeNooyer Chevrolet and Redline Motorsports to usher in a new era of Motion Camaros. Five special edition cars are available with a choice of either an aluminum LS7 427 or LSX 454. The Motion SS-427 and SS-454 make 525 and 550 horsepower, respectively. Both versions wear custom Motion touches like graphics, seat inserts, headrests and special badges. For the Phase III cars, power is upped to 600 hp for the Phase III-427 while the Phase III-454 pumps out 625 hp. Phase III cars get further upgraded intake manifolds, a special engine management system, custom Motion aerodynamic body pieces and more custom touches to the interior. The fifth car in the lineup is the Motion Phase III 427-SC, and that SC stands for supercharged. Output is pushed to a pavement pummeling 800 hp and the 427-SC receives forged internals as well as upgraded Brembo brakes and suspension components.

The 2011 Motion Camaro cars will all be built to order, wear unique VINs and show off Joel Rosen’s signature. Hop the jump to read the full press-release and be sure to get a look at the Motion Camaro in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Motion Camaro

2011 Motion Camaro 2011 Motion Camaro engine

[Source: Baldwin-Motion]

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Camaro sets stage for Baldwin-Motion return

2011 Chevrolet Camaro sets stage for Baldwin-Motion return originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda sets lightweight target of 2,200 pounds for next-gen MX-5

Filed under: Performance, Mazda

Mazda MX-5 Miata – Click above for high-res image gallery

The original Mazda MX-5 made its U.S. debut in 1989, and back then, the Miata was a lithe little roadster that immediately drew praise for its superior handling and a fun-to-drive nature. Each generation that followed packed on more pounds and additional amenities, slightly blunting the car’s appeal as a simple roadster at an affordable price. But the next MX-5 – due to arrive in 2012 – Mazda has set a target weight of 2,200 pounds and returning it to its former glory.

At just over a ton, the next-gen MX-5 will tip the scales slightly more than the original 1989 model, but it will still retain its 50/50 weight distribution that makes the roadster a wonderfully balanced machine. To keep weight in check, Mazda will employ one of its newly-developed, SKY-G gasoline engines which the company claims will boost efficiency by 15 percent while also increasing power over previous engine designs. Mazda predicts that its next-gen MX-5 could touch 50 miles per gallon, a remarkable achievement for the quintessential roadster.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda sets lightweight target of 2,200 pounds for next-gen MX-5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jeff Zwart’s Porsche GT3 sets Pikes Peak Time Attack 2WD class record

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Porsche, Racing

Jeff Zwart’s Porsche 911 GT3 scales Pikes Peak – Click above to watch video after the jump

We’ve seen footage of Jeff Zwart practicing for his recent run up Pikes Peak, now filmmaker Will Roegge has delivered unto us the footage from Zwart’s Time Attack 2WD class record.

Zwart ran his 911 GT3 up 12.42 miles and through 156 turns in just 11:31.095, averaging over 65 miles per hour. But you don’t need us to tell you about it – these things tend to speak for themselves. Follow the jump to watch a record being set.

Gallery: Jeff Zwart’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

[Sources: Will Roegge, YouTube]

Video: Jeff Zwart’s Porsche GT3 sets Pikes Peak Time Attack 2WD class record originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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