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McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

mclaren mp4-12c gt3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s a grand tradition of turning a supercar into a race car, then turning it back into a road car again. Call it “life imitating art imitating life,” or call it what you want, but we call it awesome. Ferrari, for example, did just that with the 360 Modena, which became the 360 Challenge racer and then the 360 Challenge Stradale road car. Maserati followed a similar formula with the GranTurismo, turned GranTurismo MC GT4 and back into the GranTurismo MC Stradale. McLaren’s done it too, turning the original F1 into the F1 GTR racer and then back into the hyper-exclusive F1 LM road car. And now it could be ready to do so again with the latest MP4-12C.

The racing team-turned-automaker just rolled out the new GT3 racing version of the MP4, and has grand plans to produce a new model or variant annually for the next five years. A big brother to the MP4 and successor to the F1 is reportedly set for introduction by 2014, bearing more radical styling than the rather derivative 12C (and hopefully a more dynamic name, too). But before that, we could be looking at a road-ready GT3 model.

The standard approach of less weight, more power would likely be applied to the hardcore MP4 – the same sort of formula used on the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra – to make for an even more extreme supercar. But while variations on the theme are in the pipeline, McLaren is reportedly eager to stay on the reasonable side of Porsche’s approach of endless 911 variants. Click past the break to check out McLaren’s official video covering the launch of the MP4-12C GT3.

Continue reading McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video]

McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alfa Romeo 4C to lead new SUV, Giulia sedan on journey to America… when they’re ready [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Videos, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept – Click above to watch the video after the jump

If this story sounds familiar, that’s because we’ve seen it before: Alfa Romeo will arrive in the United States with a sportscar that will spearhead the arrival of a broader range of models. That was the line with the 8C Competizione, but that model has come and gone without its junior stablemates. And when Alfa unveiled the 4C Concept in Geneva a couple of months ago, that was the story once again: not only would it see production, but it would headline the marque’s return to the North American market.

Now we’ve got a few more details, though. Rather than bringing over existing models like the MiTo and Giulietta, Alfa Romeo is hard at work preparing new models specifically for American tastes. One model is expected to be an SUV based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee – leaving us to wonder if this will come instead of, or in addition to Maserati’s rumored version. But beyond that is the new Giulia sedan that will replace the 159.

The project was reportedly well under way until the design landed on Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s desk, prompting him to order a full redesign. Apparently the styling was rather derivative and lackluster. For his part, the company’s experienced styling chief Lorenzo Ramaciotti says he and his team are doing the best they can with what they’re given: the company’s Compact Wide architecture based on the Giulietta’s platform, which Ramaciotti says is like designing a suit for a fat lady instead of a model.

The literal “back to the drawing board” order from Marchionne’s office may lead to further setbacks, so to keep your interest piqued we’ve dug up this rather intriguing video of the 4C Concept heading from the studio to the show floor in high speed. At this point, we thought we’d seen concept cars from just about every angle, but this is something different, so why not click past the jump to watch the brief clip for yourself.

Continue reading Alfa Romeo 4C to lead new SUV, Giulia sedan on journey to America… when they’re ready [w/video]

Alfa Romeo 4C to lead new SUV, Giulia sedan on journey to America… when they’re ready [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video]

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Reviews

Wooing With Big Power, Questionable Bling

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson – Click above for high-res image gallery

It was fun to own a truck for a while, but fuel prices and a global recession eventually caught up to the recreational truck owner. Sales of the Ford F-Series came in at 413,000 units in 2009, while 2010 improved to 528,000. Combined that adds up to roughly the same amount of trucks Ford sold in ’05 alone. Does the precipitous drop in truck sales mean that high-dollar pickups of the past are on the outs? Not even close.

The F-150 lineup now features Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch and particularly awesome Raptor variants, each with their own hefty price tag. The Raptor is an off-roading beast of epic proportions, while the Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch offer plush accommodations and equipment that are matched by great looks and supreme capability. And if none of those options appeal to the $50,000 truck buyer, Ford continues to offer the F-150 Harley-Davidson edition.

For 2011, Ford’s brand-borrowing super truck now boasts more power, new looks and an even fancier (for better or worse) cabin. We took the reins of a fully loaded Harley-Davidson-branded F-150 to see if this pricey pickup has the right mix of luxury and performance to bring back the low impact luxury truck owner. Continue reading…

Continue reading 2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video]

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prince William borrows father’s vintage Aston Martin for Royal Wedding cruise [w/video]

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Government/Legal, Videos, Aston Martin, UK, Celebrities, Luxury

Prince William and Kate Middleton leave Royal Wedding in Aston Martin

Prince William and Kate Middleton leave Royal Wedding in Aston Martin – Click above for high-res image gallery

Kings and princes aren’t generally in the business of driving themselves… well, anywhere. More often than not, such dignitaries can be found ensconced in the lap of luxury known to us mere mortals (or at least non Royals) as The Back Seat. Then again, it’s not every day that a prince finds himself a brand new princess to call his very own, as is the case with the newly crowned Duchess of Cambridge.

And so it’s refreshing to see Prince William drive himself and his bride around London following the Royal Wedding in front of a massive swarm of onlookers. The best part, though, is that the Royal Couple chose to drive away in a perfectly appropriate Aston Martin. Not just any Aston Martin – this Seychelles Blue DB6 MKII Volante actually belongs to William’s dad, Prince Charles, and was gifted to him by his mother (that’d be The Queen, naturally) in 1969 on Charles’ 21st birthday.

A few details worthy of note: This droptop DB6 has been converted to run on Royal Grapes. Well, sort of. Aston Martin retrofitted this car’s engine with a kit that allows it to run on alcohol fuel, which is created using grapes grown on a vineyard owned by the Royal Family. So it’s green… -ish: it can only manage about eight miles per gallon. Also, take a gander at the big L on the front of the car. That stands for Learner; apparently even for Royal Learners. Also, the rear plate is a special one: JU5T WED. Clever.

And finally, are you wondering what William and Kate actually choose to drive when nobody else is looking? William reportedly owns an Audi S4, and Kate drives an Audi A3 hatchback.

Check out our high-res image gallery of the Royal Lovebirds in the Aston Martin DB6 Volante below, and feel free to check out video of the event after the break.

Gallery: Royal Wedding’s Vintage Aston Martin

[Images: Getty]

Continue reading Prince William borrows father’s vintage Aston Martin for Royal Wedding cruise [w/video]

Prince William borrows father’s vintage Aston Martin for Royal Wedding cruise [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video]

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos

State Farm driver feedback app

State Farm Driver Feedback app for the iPhone – Click above to watch video after the jump

Somewhere deep in the recesses of your mind is the desire, surely Freudian, that “I’d like more input and feedback on how I drive, even to the grocery store.” Or, at least, State Farm believes that’s how some of you feel since it has just released a Driver Feedback app for the iPhone that will give you just that.

Invoking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Farm says, “Three of the riskiest driving behaviors are hard acceleration, hard deceleration, and hard swerves.” Using the iPhone’s GPS and accelerometer the app will keep track of the trip and how hard or soft your acceleration, braking and cornering and then issues a score for each category. The complete game-ification of safe driving means that you can also compare your trips and scores, and share with others.

We aren’t sure what the criteria are for measuring Light vs. Moderate vs. Severe actions, but if anyone must know it’s State Farm… right? If you need more convincing, check out the short video after the jump.

Us? Well, let’s just say we remain… unconvinced.

[Source: State Farm via cnet]

Continue reading State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video]

State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini, First Drive

Sant’Agata’s V12 At Its Best Yet

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

In yet another happy chapter of our lives, we’ve been among the first to hop in the year’s most hotly anticipated exotic, the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. After the super sport’s debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, plus some previous prototype drives while still in camouflage, all that remained was the tell-all day behind its wheel on a hot circuit. We survived. And the seat of our pants is permanently creased by the Aventador’s electrifying, world-conquering performance.

It’s about time that Lamborghini put its V12 model front-and-center again, and this is what the four-year development of the Aventador has been all about. Only at the very start of its life did the Murciélago ever garner this type of attention. Once its Gallardo V10 sibling was launched, the poor old Murc didn’t take it so well and lived deep in the shadows of Lambo’s popstar “people’s car.” Continue reading…

Gallery: 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: First Drive

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Continue reading 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 [w/video]

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DiRT 3 available for pre-order, includes Traxxas Ken Block R/C Fiesta [w/video]

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

DiRT3 Traxxas Bundle

DiRT 3 and Traxxas team up to wreck our wallet – Click above to watch video after the jump

The third installment in the DiRT video game franchise, DiRT 3, hits stores on May 24, 2011. It will cost you $59.99 for a copy, which is steep, but completely in-line with the pricing for today’s video games. If you have a few extra coins hiding under the couch cushions, however, then GameStop has a tantalizing product bundle for you. Spend $299 to reserve a copy of DiRT 3, and you will also get the Traxxas Ken Block R/C Ford Fiesta.

If you were already considering buying the radio-controlled gymkhana machine, then this is a great deal, because it essentially throws the game in for free. If, like us, you were thinking of buying the Codemasters game, and you currently have R/C cars on the brain, this deal means you have to explain to your wife why the American Express bill shows a GameStop purchase for nearly five times the previously discussed amount.

Click past the jump to see why sleeping on the couch will be worth it come May 24. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: GameStop via MotorworldHype, YouTube]

Continue reading DiRT 3 available for pre-order, includes Traxxas Ken Block R/C Fiesta [w/video]

DiRT 3 available for pre-order, includes Traxxas Ken Block R/C Fiesta [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cab Cannonball? Men take taxi ride from New York to Los Angeles [w/video]

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Videos, Ford, Specialty

men take ford escape taxi cab across the country

Men take taxi ride from New York to Los Angeles – Click above to watch the video after the jump

We’ve taken a couple crazy cab rides in our lifetime, but we’ve never paid up for a ride that took us from New York to Los Angeles. John Belitsky and his buddy Dan Wuebben have done the deed, though, with cabbie Mohammed Alam providing the yellow Ford Escape taxi. The cost? $5,000. The media attention from paying a cabbie five grand to take you cross country? Priceless.

If you’re thinking that this sounds like the script to a movie, Belitsky is probably thinking the same thing. CNN reports that the investment banker and son of a cab driver is heading to Hollywood to pitch the story as a movie idea, adding “we’re going to take it to some movie people when we get there and see what happens.”

We’re all for a good (and we stress “good“) road trip movie, but we’re more impressed with the fact that Belitsky was able to convince a cab driver to take the fare in the first place. The traveling pair reportedly asked more than a few cabbies if they were up for the journey, but only Alam was interested in risking the hefty fare. But even at $5,000, Belitsky got off easy on the trip. We’re guessing the trip would have cost at least three times as much if the meter were actually running, and the cab driver still had to get his Escape all the way back to the Big Apple.

Hit the jump to watch a WBIR video report about the trio’s momentous road trip.

[Source: CNN]

Continue reading Cab Cannonball? Men take taxi ride from New York to Los Angeles [w/video]

Cab Cannonball? Men take taxi ride from New York to Los Angeles [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox Marketing supercharges the Lexus CT 200h [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Lexus

Fox Marketing Supercharged Lexus CT 200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

Fox Marketing has given Lexus’ entry-level hybrid some much-needed teeth, adding an Eaton supercharger to the 2011 CT 200h. The huffer forces air through a Climax Racing intake manifold, helping the CT’s 1.8-liter four pot crank out 300 high-voltage ponies.

Fox also says it beefed up the car’s batteries, but details on what exactly the company did are nil. The added power means the CT 200h has to work a little harder to stay pointed in the right direction, which Fox addressed with a full-on custom suspension and enormous Baer brakes. The 13-inch Baers sit behind a set of 20-inch wheels sporting a huge offset and healthy 225/30-series meats up front and 255/30s at the back.

You’d think that a 300-horsepower hybrid would make an excellent sleeper, but that’s just not Fox Marketing’s style. Instead, it cloaked the little Lexus in metallic burnt orange paint, and draped it in a wide body kit, featuring huge three-inch fender flares. Inside, there’s a set of Yonaka racing seats complemented with LED Lexus logos on the door panels. Check out a video clip of the car after the jump.

Gallery: Fox Marketing Supercharged Lexus CT-200h

Fox Marketing Supercharged Lexus CT-200h front

[Source: Vimeo via Carscoop | Images: FoxMarketing – CC 2.0]

Continue reading Fox Marketing supercharges the Lexus CT 200h [w/video]

Fox Marketing supercharges the Lexus CT 200h [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sebastian Vettel takes Infiniti for a spin at the Shanghai International Circuit [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, China, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Infiniti, Celebrities, Luxury

Sebastian Vettel in the Infiniti G37

Sebastian Vettel drives the Infiniti G37 – Click above for high-res image gallery, click here to watch video

What’s the point in an automaker pouring millions into an F1 team if it can’t leverage a little star power? In Infiniti’s case, it’s not even running its own F1 team or even supplying engines. Instead, it’s sponsoring the Red Bull Racing outfit that’s out there defending both its titles. (That said, we wouldn’t be surprised if Infiniti’s involvement turned into an engine rebranding initiative for next season.)

As any marketing whiz could tell you, sponsorship is only worth as much as you promote it. So while Red Bull’s world champion Sebastian Vettel was in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, he took a couple of Infiniti’s finest for a spin.

Vettel being Vettel, he didn’t just drive around the block: he took to the Shanghai International Circuit. (Or, at least an Autocross setup on the circuit’s back lot.) And while he wasn’t about to set any lap records behind the wheel of the G37 sedan or FX50 crossover, he seemed to enjoy the experience, hanging the G37’s tail out making some smoke for the crowd. Follow the jump to watch the video footage and check out the still shots in the gallery below.

Gallery: Sebastian Vettel and Infiniti at the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Sebastian Vettel takes Infiniti for a spin at the Shanghai International Circuit [w/video]

Sebastian Vettel takes Infiniti for a spin at the Shanghai International Circuit [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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