Tag: world

Cadillac returning to SCCA World Challenge with CTS-V Coupe

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Cadillac, Racing

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Sure enough, The Crest is headed back to the race track, this time with its menacing CTS-V Coupe. Cadillac last took to the field of battle in 2007, when it campaigned in the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge, and according to General Motors, the company will once again race in that series with a two-car team next season. Pratt & Miller, the shop responsible for the wicked American Le Mans Series Chevrolet Corvettes we all know and love, has been tasked with developing the racier version of the CTS-V Coupe. While the cars are largely production-based in the World Challenge GT class, some of the vehicle’s systems will need to be upgraded to meet SCCA specifications.

The two CTS-V Coupe race cars will compete for the first time on March 25 in St. Petersburg, Florida with Johnny O’Connel and Andy Pilgram behind the wheel. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait that long to see these machine in the metal. Cadillac is planning to show the vehicle off at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car

[Source: General Motors]

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Cadillac returning to SCCA World Challenge with CTS-V Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black

Filed under: Etc.

2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study

2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study – Click above for high-res image gallery

DuPont has rolled out its annual Automotive Color Popularity Report, and it looks like the long-reigning king may be under threat from a new foe. Silver held the most popular color title for seven years until 2007, when it was dethroned by the likes of white and white metallic. That trend carried over for 2008, but in 2009, silver took its place in the spotlight once again. Now it looks like black may be staging a comeback. This year, of all the cars sold around the world, 26 percent went home with a silver paint job, but 24 percent rolled out of the factory with a black coat of shiny.

Meanwhile, white, white pearl and grey soaked up just 16 percent of all cars sold in 2010. Dupont says that black’s popularity is largely propelled by the color’s success in markets outside of the U.S., where noir doesn’t quite have the same swagger as elsewhere. In fact, here in North America, white retained its popularity with a three percent lead over black and a four-percent jump over silver.

And what about the least popular color of the year? That one goes to yellow and gold, with just 1 percent of all new vehicles swaddled in the color of sunshine and the 70’s. Hit the jump for the full press release. Hat tip to Brent!

Gallery: 2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study

[Source: Dupont]

Continue reading World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black

World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull reportedly cutting employees fat bonus checks for winning world championships

Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials

Winning the Formula One World Championship may be motivation enough. But as an added reward, Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz is reportedly giving each of his employees at Red Bull Racing a big fat bonus for having taken home both titles this year.

According to reports, each of the 500+ staff members at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, England, will receive at least £10,000 (~$16k), but that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Some senior staff members stand to rake in up to £42k ($67k), while Sebastian Vettel – the driver who took home the top prize – is expected to get €3 million, equivalent to over $4 million in American terms.

With Mateschitz many times over a billionaire and the team waiting for nearly $100 million in purse winnings for the titles, the team can easily afford the bonuses, and are certainly most deserving.

[Source: PistonHeads | Image: Vladimir Rys/Getty]

Red Bull reportedly cutting employees fat bonus checks for winning world championships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus claims the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan with new SV12 R Biturbo 800

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Brabus SV12R Biturbo 800

Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to wickedly powerful and insanely fast luxury sedans. After all, its AMG models are among the fastest and most powerful on the market. Leave it to specialty Benz tuner Brabus, then, to take it the extra mile… and then some.

The freshly unveiled Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 claims the mantle as both the fastest and most powerful sedan on offer. To get there, the German tuner has tweaked the 5.5-liter V12 from the S600 to 6.3 liters, fitted a new crankshaft, camshafts, cylinder heads, air intake, exhaust, turbochargers, quad interoolers and bigger pistons, and of course, remapped the ECU. The result is a massive 788 horsepower (800 in metric form, hence the name) and 1,047 pound-feet of torque. The twist is so massive, however, that Brabus had to electronically limit it to 811 lb-ft. Don’t worry – performance hasn’t been hindered. 0 to 62 sprints are managed in just 3.9 seconds and its Autobahn-devouring top speed is electronically limited to just 217 miles per hour.

Bigger brakes help keep the beast under control, as well as a new limited-slip differential. A full aero kit and upgraded rolling stock are on hand, as well, completing the “we mean business” look. Check it out for yourself in the gallery below, and hit the jump for Brabus’ official release.

Gallery: Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus claims the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan with new SV12 R Biturbo 800

Brabus claims the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan with new SV12 R Biturbo 800 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Porsche, Racing

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Click above for high-res image gallery

As many Porsche 911s as you think you might see at the golf course, yacht club or shopping mall, that’s nothing compared to the legions regularly running around racing circuits worldwide. Aside from the myriad open GT grids dominated by Stuttgart machinery, the iconic German sportscar is the spec racer of choice for various national Porsche Carrera Cup championships and the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup that supports F1 races around the year. Those series use the versatile 911 GT3 Cup. With over 1,400 sold since 1998, Porsche maintains that it’s the best-selling racing car of all time, and it has just announced a new model for the 2011 season onward.

Whereas the outgoing Cup racer was based on the street-going 911 GT3, the new model starts life as the harder, faster and sharper GT3 RS. That means a wider body that can accommodate bigger wheels, tires and brakes. It also carries the larger 3.8-liter flat-six with 450 horsepower – 30 more horses than the outgoing model coming from 200cc of added displacement. It also looks more like the RS, with an aggressive aero package and LED lighting for when tracks go dark and dreary.

The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will make its track debut at the opening round of next season’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship, but you can delve into the details right now in the press release after the jump and in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup

Porsche upgrades world’s best-selling racing car with new RS-based 911 GT3 Cup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Mazda2 to be world’s most efficient gas vehicle

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Mazda

2011 Mazda2

2011 Mazda2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re big fans of the 2011 Mazda2, but of all the good things this little hatch has going for it, fuel economy isn’t really one of them. Manual transmission models offer 29/35 miles per gallon city/highway, and while that isn’t terrible by any means, it’s sub-par when you consider the new standard for B- and C-segment cars: 40 mpg.

With the next-generation 2, Mazda plans to completely overhaul the powertrain, using its new SKYACTIV engine and transmission technology. The result is a Mazda2 that the automaker says will achieve 70 mpg without the help of an electric motor, making it the most fuel-efficient gas-powered car on the road.

The next Mazda2 will launch in Japan sometime in the first half of 2011 and will quickly make its way to other markets over the next few years. The 2 may be an all-new entry to the United States, but it’s merely a mid-cycle refresh of the car that’s been on sale overseas for years. We’re certainly eager to see what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve, and while 70 mpg is indeed a lofty goal, it isn’t too far fetched these days.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mazda2

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Next Mazda2 to be world’s most efficient gas vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World’s Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

P4 by Norwood Ferrari 288 GTO

World’s Fastest Ferrari – Click above to watch video after the jump

We’ve seen a lot of special action from the Bonneville Salt Flats this year, but this just about takes the cake. The guys from P4 by Norwood, a Ferrari tuning shop, are laying claim to the title of the World’s Fastest Ferrari with a record run of 275.4 mph averaged over two sprints. Using a stock-bodied 1985 288 GTO, owner Steve Trafton managed to snag not only the title of world’s fastest Ferrari, but the world’s fastest sports car (AA/BFMS) at the same time. The Prancing Horse beat out the previous record holder by just over 3 mph.

Interestingly enough, Thrafton skipped using a high-dollar Italian mill for this car’s beating heart. Instead, there’s a 540 cubic-inch big block General Motors V8 wedged down into that slinky body. Two Borg Warner 80-mm turbos help shove a full 17 pounds of boost into the eight-pot. Thrafton isn’t saying exactly how much power the car is laying down, but it has to be enough to move a planet on command if need be. Hit the jump to watch the Ferrari do what it does best on the Utah salt.

[Sources: Seattle Post Intelligencer, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World’s Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run

Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World’s Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

Did General Motors lie or didn’t they? The media and public got extremely swept up by the fact that GM told the world its range-extended electric vehicle would not use the on-board internal combustion engine to power the wheels, when it will under certain conditions. This bit of news has blown up in the General’s face, but does it change the fact that the Volt is still a pretty amazing piece of automotive engineering? Motor Trend spent a couple of weeks with one and came away impressed by what the Chevrolet Volt could do. In fact, lead flip-flop lead-foot Jonny Lieberman scored some seat time and was able to hit 127 miles per gallon.

The 127 mpg figure was achieved over a variety of Los Angeles city streets, canyon roads and highways. During the trip, the car ran out of battery power and the gasoline engine quietly turned on to give it more juice. Not to the wheels, but to the battery. If the car gets up over 70 miles per hour, then the ICE will send a small amount of power to the wheels, but by doing so it makes the car more efficient.

The M/T editors took the car on another trip and really tried to push it hard. They ran the Volt up to its 101 mph top speed, had the A/C cranked and traveled across some hilly terrain. The result? The Chevy returned nearly 75 mpg. MT feels the takeaway from its time with the Volt is that the car is incredibly efficient and the fact that the gasoline engine occasionally pitches in doesn’t make it any less remarkable of a vehicle.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Trend]

127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus

Lexus driving simulator

Lexus’ next (really) big thing – Click above to watch commercial after the jump

It’s no longer kosher for carmakers to run simulations on computers that can fit on desks, because that’s for chumps. If you don’t have gear fit for a Hollywood blockbuster or a trip to Mars, well, you’re not really serious about this whole car thing, are you?

Lexus has joined the latter camp with its new driving simulator, built to simulate crash avoidance. Inside the metal bulb is a Lexus LS460, surrounded by a 360-degree facsimile of a real driving environment. It’s their next big thing, so they say. Us? We just want to reserve it when Gran Turismo 5 finally comes out. Follow the jump to watch the spot.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial

Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari World opening date set, ticket prices revealed

Filed under: Etc., Ferrari, Event Alert, Middle East

Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tifosi are trembling. Ferrari World has announced the opening date, as well as ticket prices, for its Abu Dhabi-based theme park. Get your plane tickets and pack your bags, because gates open October 27th, 2010 at 7PM. Standard tickets cost 225 United Arab Emirate Dirhams (about $61 USD) for visitors over five feet tall, and 165 AED (about $45 USD) for shorter folks. Premium tickets, which provide access to an exclusive lounge with refreshments as well as other as-yet unannounced benefits, cost 375 AED (about $102 USD) for the five foot and up crowd or 270 AED ($74 USD) for more diminutive Ferrari aficionados.

Both ticket levels provide unlimited access to all rides and attractions. Note that the October opening is considered a soft launch, and only exterior features will be available to visitors. A full-blown grand opening will follow this December, when the full park will open up to the public.

Gallery: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

[Source: Ferrari World via Motor Trend]

Continue reading Ferrari World opening date set, ticket prices revealed

Ferrari World opening date set, ticket prices revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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