Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, SUV, Videos, Cadillac, Nissan, Luxury

Hennessey HPE1000 vs 2011 Nissan GT-R

Hennessey HPE1000 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2011 Nissan GT-R – Click above to watch video after the jump

The problem with being the standard-bearer for world-class performance is that you’re saddled with the burden of defending your crown at every turn. Take the 2011 Nissan GT-R, for example. This vehicle has the proud distinction of offering one of the highest performance-per-dollar ratios of any car on the planet, and as such, it’s the go-to challenger for any high-horsepower machine looking to make a name for itself.

Those would-be stars are typically low-slung tuner creations, but the team from Hennessey chose to line the big-bad Nissan up against something a little less traditional: its HPE1000 Cadillac Escalade. Whereas the 485-horsepower 2011 GT-R can dash to 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds, the big SUV packs two turbos, over 1,000 horsepower and 0-60 sprint of 3.3 seconds.

To be fair, the Godzilla in the video after the jump isn’t the new-and-improved 2012 model (stop us if you’ve heard this one before…), and the Caddy gets a massive jump on the Nissan, but the fact that a 6,000-pound SUV can manage to keep up with anything from the GT-R bloodline is an impressive enough feat. Click past the jump to check it out for yourself, and remember to keep your fender-to-fender shenanigans off the street.

[Source: Hennessey via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade

Video: Hennessey beats 2011 Nissan GT-R again, this time with twin-turbo Escalade originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Scion teases FT-86 concept ahead of New York debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Coupe, Videos, Scion, Toyota

scion ft-86 teaser image

Scion teases the FT-86 Concept – Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 New York Auto Show is just a week away and the world’s automakers are gearing up to reveal some eagerly anticipated new models. One such automaker is Scion, and one such vehicle the world’s waiting to see is the FT-86 FT-86 II FT-S. We’re actually not yet sure what Scion will call this concept coupe, as rumors have swirled that it will wear the FT-S badge and not one reading FT-86. The automaker has decided on one thing, however, and that’s to tease us a bit before we get to see the car in the flesh.

A short clip, which you can view after the jump, tells us that Scion will have the car on hand at its stand in New York. If you want to watch the reveal live, just point your browser to Sciondimension.com on April 20 at 1:40 PM EST, and be sure to check back with us for full show coverage.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Video: Scion teases FT-86 concept ahead of New York debut

Video: Scion teases FT-86 concept ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mopar Charger ready to rumble [w/burnout video]

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Mopar 2011 Charger

Mopar 2011 Charger – Click above for high-res image gallery

In 2010, Chrysler released the 2010 Mopar Challenger with a 500-unit production run. Chrysler tells us the gussied-up pony car was so popular with the die-hard Mopar faithful that the entire production run was sold out in three days.

Team Pentastar is looking to make similar headlines for 2011 with the official introduction of the 2011 Mopar Charger. The sedan comes only in Pitch Black with a Mopar Blue stripe that stretches across the top of the entire body, and a rear spoiler is standard fare on this limited production model.

Inside, this special edition Charger features Mopar-branded Katzkin leather seats with contrasting Mopar Blue stitching that also appears on the steering wheel. The Mopar Charger also features the next-generation Pistol Grip combined with Auto Stick, which enables the driver to select a higher or lower gear while a transmission controller ensures that you’re not over-revving. Further differentiation comes courtesy of special instrument bezels and an identifying plaque on the instrument panel. The Mopar name again appears on the floor mats and door sills.

Continue reading: 2011 Mopar Charger ready to rumble

Gallery: Mopar 2011 Charger

Photos copyright 2011 Chris Shunk/AOL

Continue reading 2011 Mopar Charger ready to rumble [w/burnout video]

2011 Mopar Charger ready to rumble [w/burnout video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Videos, BMW

BMW 1602

“A Perfect Match” – Click above to view full movie after the jump

“A Perfect Match” follows the story of Jack, a Los Angeles resident with a passion for his BMW 1602 and a desperate need for air conditioning. Though the oppressive heat of the L.A. summer has Jack sweating, he can’t trade his beloved ’02 on anything as stale as a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

The resolution to Jack’s burning dilemma would warm the cockles of even the coolest car nut’s heart, but we won’t spoil the show for you. “A Perfect Match” debuted at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards at the end of 2010, where it earned BMW Classic a Golden Dolphin award in the Corporate Films category. Check out the story of Jack and his 1602 after the jump.

[Source: BMW Classic via YouTube]

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Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Porsche provides a peek at the 2011 Targa Tasmania

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Porsche, Australia

2011 targa tasmania finish line

Last leg of the 2011 Targa Tasmania – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Targa Tasmania is a road-rally event that’s been running since 1992, taking place, as you may have guessed, on the island of Tasmania. In 2011, this five-day race began in the coastal city of George Town and ended in the capital city of Hobart. The event features both classic and modern sports cars, changing weather conditions and some truly amazing driving talent.

Targa Tasmania has played host to some amazing drivers (such as Walter Röhrl) and equally amazing machines (such as Eric Bana’s Beast). Porsche rather conveniently put together a video shot on the last leg of the 2011 Targa, and you can watch it by clicking past the jump. There you’ll see Porsche driver extraordinaire Röhrl and others talk about their participation in the rally, and you’ll also see plenty of footage of all the little Tasmanian Devils as they wind their way across the island before finally crossing the finish line. Enjoy!

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Porsche provides a peek at the 2011 Targa Tasmania

Video: Porsche provides a peek at the 2011 Targa Tasmania originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2012 Hyundai Accent is off the wall

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Accent 3d wall projection
2012 Hyundai Accent 3D projection – Click above to watch the video after the jump
The 2012 Hyundai Accent will make its North American debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show, but the marketing blitz has already started in other markets. In Malaysia, a recent stunt with the 2012 Accent and 3D projection answered the question, “How does a company stand out when computer-generated imagery can put any car in any landscape?”

A 2012 Accent was suspended from the side of a building and a driver in a Tron-esque suit walked down Spidey-style to get in and “drive.” The wheels spun and the imagery moved accordingly, though the trees and cityscapes were all cleverly crafted to bring motion to an essentially static display. It works, and the end result is very, very cool. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: AdRants]

Continue reading Video: 2012 Hyundai Accent is off the wall

Video: 2012 Hyundai Accent is off the wall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi TT RS blasts from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds with Car and Driver

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi

Audi TT RS

2012 Audi TT RS tested by Car and Driver – Click above to watch the video after the jump

When Car and Driver tested the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 V10 FSI, the magazine managed a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds. That’s supercar territory, which is to be expected of a $165,00 Audi with 525 horsepower and all-wheel-drive.

The 2012 Audi TT RS should hit dealer lots this summer, with a much more reasonable Monroney somewhere in the $60,000 territory. The hot coupe features “only” 335 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, so it shouldn’t even come close to challenging the V10-packing R8 from 0-60, right? According to C/D, the TT RS can do more than just “challenge” the R8 Spyder, as the little hatch managed to hit 60 mph in a blistering 3.6 seconds (note: C/D conducts acceleration testing with a rollout). That’s quicker than the R8 and a lot of very expensive Porsche 911 variants. Could this stupendous performance be an aberration?

Hit the jump to watch the action-packed video of the TT RS. It’s only 50 seconds long, and it’s worth your time if only for the amazing sounds coming from Audi’s boosted five cylinder. Top tip, JimmyX!

[Source: Car and Driver via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi TT RS blasts from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds with Car and Driver

Video: Audi TT RS blasts from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds with Car and Driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW’s M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, BMW, Racing

Vicki Butler-Henderson in the BMW M3 GTS

2011 BMW M3 GTS – Click above to view video after the jump

Vicki Butler-Henderson has driven her fair share of amazing cars. She started racing karts when she was a kid, has been an instructor at Silverstone and has been a TV host and automotive journalist since the mid-1990s. Suffice it to say, it takes a lot to impress Ms. Butler-Henderson.

As the following video shows, the 2011 BMW M3 GTS managed to do just that. She describes exactly what she loves about the GTS while hooning its wheels off around a very wet, very slippery test track, and between guttural sounds and breathless description, Butler-Henderson points out that the M3 GTS’s prodigious power, phenomenal brakes and telepathic steering make it “an amazing, amazing car.” Click past the jump to check out the footage for yourself.

Gallery: BMW M3 GTS

[Source: Fifth Gear via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW’s M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain

Video: Vicki from Fifth Gear takes BMW’s M3 GTS out for some fun in the rain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mercedes cranks up the Rosberg-Schumacher rivalry

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Humor, Racing

Schumacher Rosberg Mercedes-Benz rivalry

Michael Schumacher/Nico Rosberg rivalry – Click above to view video after the jump

With a new race weekend comes a new video clip from Mercedes-Benz making light of the sometimes bitter rivalry between Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, the company’s Formula 1 teammates. This week’s clip finds our heroes coming to the rescue of a pregnant woman stranded by a broken-down car.

Despite an impending rain storm and live birth, the woman and her husband can’t decide whether Rosberg or Schumacher is the appropriate choice to get them to the hospital the quickest. On the one hand, there’s Schumy’s 7 championships. On the other, there’s Rosberg’s 2010 points tally, which doubled that of his veteran teammate. Click past the jump to see the drama unfold.

[Source: YouTube via Carscoop]

Continue reading Video: Mercedes cranks up the Rosberg-Schumacher rivalry

Video: Mercedes cranks up the Rosberg-Schumacher rivalry originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, Police/Emergency

Corvette tow

Chevrolet Corvette tow fail – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the driver of that snowplow in Brooklyn that absolutely destroyed a parked Ford Explorer? Looks like he was fired by the City of New York, only to find gainful employment in Chicago. Either that, or he’s got relatives working for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Apparently the owner of this C5 Chevrolet Corvette managed to crash or disable it early on a Friday morning last month despite what appears to be favorable road conditions. That part we know little about. What we can see is what happened after.

In the video after the jump, you’ll see a big-rig tow truck come to the Corvette’s aid, but it ends up causing more damage than the original crash did in the first place. Apparently without a flatbed available, the tow truck driver tried several times to lift the Vette up by its rear axle using a claw, shredding the fiberglass bodywork in the process. But as if that weren’t enough to put the “car” in carnage, the operator apparently didn’t even get the claw hooked in properly. Compounding matters is that the Corvette may have had a damaged (or missing) right-front wheel. The end result is that the bodged Bowtie gets dragged down the highway sideways like a toddler pulling a stuffed animal around by its tail.

Follow the jump to watch the teeth gnashing footage, but be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach when it comes to Kentucky’s finest.

[Source: YouTube via Tampa Bay Examiner]

Continue reading Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette

Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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