John Barrowman and Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell involved in high-speed crash

Posted in None by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 09:31 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell and actor John Barrowman who was a guest on the show walked away after an 80 mph crash during a race in Powys, Wales. The two were filming for an episode of Fifth Gear and Barrowman was driving a rally-prepped £120,000 Subaru (with Needell as co-pilot) when he lost control of his car, “slid down a verge, flipped four times and almost went into a lake at the bottom of the hill”. Paramedics quickly came out and pulled the two stars out of the car and they were both taken to a hospital, not before shattered glass was removed from Barrowman’s eye.

Barrowman said: “I’m lucky to walk away unscathed. I got a ticking off from my mum afterwards.” What’s really interesting is that Barrowman portrays Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood, a characted which cannot die.

Images from the crash will be shown in the next episode of Fifth Gear on Channel 5.



John Barrowman and Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell involved in high-speed crash | Rpmgo.com

GM Europe sales boss Dewar to named Chevrolet chief

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 01:57 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Brent Dewar, General Motors Europe's vice president of sales, marketing and aftersales, today will be named head of Chevrolet as part of a leadership shake-up at two of the four surviving U.S. brands, two people familiar with the plan said.

Former GM Europe design boss Bryan Nesbitt, 40, the currently chief of GM's North American design, will become head of Cadillac on Aug. 1, Automotive News Europe sister publication Automotive News Europe reported last night.

Dewar and Nesbitt are the latest in a long line of GM Europe executives to get called back to Detroit. The others include CEO Fritz Henderson and new marketing chief Bob Lutz. Both served as head of GM Europe within the last six years.

It is likely that more top managers will leave GM Europe as parent GM gets ready to give up control of German unit Opel and its U.K. sister brand Vauxhall.

Dewar, a 31-year GM veteran, has been in charge of European sales and marketing since June 2008. Prior to that he was North American vice president of field sales, service and parts.

He began his GM career with GM of Canada in 1978 and came to the United States 10 years later as manager of strategic planning for Chevrolet. He held several field positions with the brand before GM named him executive director of sales, service and marketing in Brazil.

GM Europe sales boss Dewar to named Chevrolet chief - Automotive News Europe

Newport Convertible Engineering Topping Off Production of First 2010 Camaro Convertible

Posted in Shopping by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 01:42 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

We're not sure where a convertible version of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro ranks on General Motors' post-bankruptcy to-do list, but like affordable health care, another long promised government-administered product, odds are it's a long way off.

Not to worry all you Camaro fans eager for al fresco driving, because we got our first peek at Newport Convertible Engineering's latest project — a ragtop version of the 2010 Camaro. NCE has a 24-year history of engineering convertible concept cars for big automakers along with bespoke conversions of exotics and luxury cars. Its bread and butter comes from producing convertible versions of cars such as the Chrysler 300, Cadillac CTS, Hummer H2 and Toyota FJ Cruiser.



Newport Convertible Engineering Topping Off Production of First 2010 Camaro Convertible

Veritas planning coupe and SUV

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 01:41 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Veritas is planning a coupe version of its outlandish RSIII sports car and a carbonfibre SUV, Autocar can reveal.

A production version of the retro open-cockpit RSIII was unveiled at London’s Salon Prive show and has been completely redesigned since early concepts.

The RSIII is now fitted with the V10 from the current BMW instead of the previous-gen car's V8, and it will be available with either 500bhp or 620bhp.

Veritas will build 30 open-cockpit versions and 30 coupes. The company claims that the speed will be 360kph (224mph) and 60mph will arrive in 3.0sec.

“The car has been completely redesigned; the only thing the same are the wheels,” Veritas’s Michael Trick told Autocar. “The coupe version will have a sloping rear that runs to the back of the car and it is designed for markets like the Middle East, where they need air conditioning.”

The basic starting price for the Veritas is £245,000. Trick also revealed that the firm is planning a bespoke SUV, which he wants to fit with a small aircraft engine.

That car will have a carbonfibre body and will be built in limited numbers.

Autocar - Veritas planning coupe and SUV

Sneak Peek: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 12:07 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Newly un-retired GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz confirmed this month that the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe was still a go.

Compared to the prototypes we saw last year, these new prototypes look almost production-ready down to the two massive, center-mounted exhaust outlets; larger, sportier wheels; and V-series badging. We can also see that this new prototype is NOT sporting cross-drilled rotors as the first prototypes were. Additionally, pieces of black tape cover the V-series badges just behind the front wheels.

Other V-series parts include the wire mesh grilles, power dome hood, wider tires and large brake calipers. Under that power dome hood sits the 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 motor known as the LSA. Good for 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet torque in the CTS-V sedan; we expect the Coupe V ratings to be very similar.

Expect the V-series coupe to start production in the summer of 2010, at the same time the regular coupe starts rolling down the line at Lansing Grand River

Sneak Peek: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Attention all Camaro SS 6-speed manual transmission owners - Part 2

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 10:29 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Many of you are understandably concerned regarding whether your Camaro is potentially afflicted with the same issue that has caused a small group of 6-speed Camaro SS's to experience transmission output shaft breakage. Rest assured, GM has now represented that they will contact by phone *every* owner that has a Camaro SS with 6-speed manual transmission IF it has or is suspected of having faulty parts which may lead to such issue. This will begin as soon as the GM's internal investigation into the issue is completed, hopefully within the next two weeks.

This means that if you do not hear from someone at GM regarding your car, then your transmission is fine.


Attention all Camaro SS 6-speed manual transmission owners - Camaro Forum - 2009 Camaro / 2010 Camaro / New Camaro SS Z28 Forums - Camaro5.com

Minuteman minivan makes a statement in Georgia

Posted in Weird by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 10:10 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

If you don't get it, then you must be stopid. :)

Recent image by hans1193 on Photobucket

2009 Honda Fit - the Official Honda Web Site

Posted in Automotive by: Bill mccarthy on: 07/23/2009 10:10 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The new economy Honda Fit.

2009 Honda Fit - the Official Honda Web Site

Porsche C.E.O. Wiedeking Steps Down

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 10:08 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

In a sign that the long tug of war between Volkswagen and Porsche is almost over, the sports car maker announced early Thursday that Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche’s longstanding chief executive, would step down, clearing the way for a merger of the two companies.

The announcement, made after an extraordinary meeting of Porsche’s supervisory board that began late Wednesday and lasted into the night, said Mr. Wiedeking would be replaced by Michael Macht, another board member until now in charge of production and logistics.

Holger Härter, chief financial officer at Porsche, will also resign immediately, according to the announcement.

Mr. Wiedeking’s resignation comes as Porsche prepares to sell a stake in its automotive unit to Volkswagen, a move that he opposed although it would help the sports car maker pay off debt of about 9 billion euros, or $12.8 billion.

“In the last weeks Wiedeking and Härter have come to the conclusion, that the further strategic development of Porsche SE and Porsche AG is better off, if they are not on board as acting persons,” the statement said. “They both see that step as a significant contribution to the appeasement of the situation and to support the forming of an integrated car manufacturing company.”

Porsche’s debt is in large part due to its purchase over the last four years of 51 percent of the shares of Volkswagen, the largest carmaker in Europe, and it has pushed Porsche to seek out new investors, including the Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund.

In a separate statement stemming from the same meeting, Porsche said it planned a capital increase of 5 billion euros to prepare for joining Volkswagen, whose board is expected to meet Thursday.

The two automakers, controlled by the related Porsche and Piëch families, agreed in early May to combine, but the details of the deal have eluded them until now.

Later that same month, Ferdinand Piëch, the head of Volkswagen, criticized Mr. Wiedeking and Mr. Härter, who orchestrated Porsche’s unusual purchase of Volkswagen stock. The men held some responsibility for Porsche’s present financial position, Mr. Piëch said.

Mr. Weideking, who first joined Porsche in 1983, spent nearly 16 years at its helm. When he took over the troubled carmaker in 1993, it was nearly bankrupt and running at a net loss. Last year, it reported 6.3 billion euros in profit, partially because of options it owned in Volkswagen.



Porsche C.E.O. Wiedeking Steps Down - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com

Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 10:07 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Ford Motor Company is continuing to reverse its fortunes despite the globe's bleak auto markets, as the Dearborn, MI based-automaker surprised analysts with a $2.3 billion profit in the second quarter. Ford isn't dancing in the streets just yet, though, as it is still reporting $424 million in overall operating losses for the quarter. The $2.3 billion profit comes courtesy debt reduction activities taken on during the quarter, as Ford reduced its debt load by $10 billion as part of a debt-for-equity exchange, and a further $1.5 billion was raised in a stock sale. Ford says the $10 billion equity swap alone saved the company $500 million in interest expenses.

While the Blue Oval has a long way to go to get to where it wants to be, comparing numbers from the same quarter last year shows how far the automaker has come. Ford posted an $8.7 billion loss in Q2 2008, while posting a $1.4 billion operations loss.

Analysts were expecting an improvement for 2009, but the target was a 53 cent per share loss, and Ford shattered that with a loss of only 21 cents per share. Importantly, Ford has dramatically improved its cash situation too, as the company burned through only $300 million in cash. That's a huge improvement when compared to the $3.7 billion greenbacks Ford scorched in Q1. Mullaly and Co. now has $21 billion in cash on hand, down from $21.3 billion after Q1.

Ford also had good news on the production front, as its market share increased in a historically bad market. Ford increased share the right way, too, as it managed to do so despite decreasing incentive spend by $250 per vehicle compared to Q1. Ford CEO Alan Mulally sounds pretty optimistic about the company's prospects, with Q2 numbers bolstering its position. Check out the complete press release after the jump.


Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS vs. 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Posted in Automotive by: nascarjo on: 07/23/2009 07:31 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Go right ahead and question the existence of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and 2010 Chevy Camaro SS and they, too, might just give you a knuckle sandwich in the kisse

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS vs. 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Wrestler/actor Piper facing DUI charges

Posted in Weird by: nascarjo on: 07/23/2009 07:29 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Wrestler-turned-actor 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper is facing up to six months behind bars after he was charged with driving under the influence.

The semi-retired grappler, whose real name is Roderick Toombs, was arrested in Hollywood on July 2 after failing a field sobriety test.

According to TMZ.com, the Los Angeles City Attorney has now filed a misdemeanor count of DUI against Piper, as well as one count of driving without a valid license.

If convicted, the 55-year-old could be sentenced to jail time and subjected to a $1,000 fine.

Wrestler/actor Piper facing DUI charges - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

G.M. Names Designer to Head Cadillac

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/23/2009 07:28 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of G.M. North America Design, has been named general manager of Cadillac. Mr. Nesbitt, most noted for helping design the PT Cruiser, will become the top executive of General Motors’ top brand, reporting directly to the vice chairman, Robert Lutz, a surprising leap for a designer.

It has been extremely rare for designers — even top executives in design — to move into wider executive positions in the automobile industry. Tom Gale, Chrysler’s widely respected chief of design, was discussed for several years as a potential top executive, even chief executive, but never made the move.

Mr. Nesbitt was born in Phoenix in 1969. After restless months studying architecture and industrial design at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he moved to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. He found an internship at the Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center for Chrysler in Carlsbad, Calif., and was hired by that automaker in 1994.

As a young designer, he worked with Mr. Lutz and the French-born psychologist Clotaire Rapaille, exploring customer desires for new designs. One result became the 2001 PT Cruiser, the retro vehicle, part truck, part gangster getaway car, that won plaudits.


Mr. Nesbitt came to G.M. in 2001 as head of design at Chevrolet. He offered up a less successful equivalent of the PT Cruiser, the HHR truck, for Chevrolet. He was put in charge of G.M. design in Europe, supervising the much-praised Saab 9-X concept and the Opel Insignia, which won industry awards. In January 2002, Mr. Nesbitt was appointed executive director, design, body-frame integral architectures, for all of G.M.’s North American brands.



G.M. Names Designer to Head Cadillac - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

New GM to launch fragrance line since they screwed up the whole car thing

Posted in Weird by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 02:47 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

It's not the smell of the interior of a new luxury model, the whiff of gasoline or even the aroma of burning rubber.

It's much more. It's the luminous fresh scent from grapefruit and camomile and a mix of geranium, tarragon and cinnamon – plus sweet spice and incense.

Think of "Cadillac, the new fragrance for men."

Sputtering General Motors Co., just out of a quick drive through bankruptcy court, will soon be using its iconic Cadillac brand to sell a line of fragrance for men.

Beauty Contact Inc., a Dubai-based cosmetic company and holder of the fragrance licence, said yesterday it will launch the Cadillac line in stores this fall to mark the brand's 100th anniversary.

"Cadillac, the new fragrance for men is part of the recent Cadillac renaissance: Hot new products and redesigns that capture the mantra of life, liberty and the pursuit," said Alwyn Stephen, a Beauty Contact director.

"Our fragrance is a relevant extension of the Cadillac lifestyle."

The line includes a spray, aftershave lotion, deodorant stick, hair and body wash. Some products will come in translucent glass bottles with sleek metal caps. The retail price for a 100 millilitre bottle of the eau de toilette fragrance will be $73.

"The design pays tribute to the opulence and extravagance of past eras, as well as the luxury and ease of today," the firm added.

But marketing expert Alan Middleton, a York University professor, said it's a bad example of brand extension and indicative of a troubled company. In the past, GM has licensed fragrances for Hummer, Chevrolet and Corvette.

"Anybody who knows anything much about branding would know this is about as bad an idea as when Roots tried to brand an airline," Middleton said.

"Neither Porsche nor BMW nor any other transportation brand that has tried this silliness has been very successful."



TheStar.com | Business | New GM to launch fragrance line

Watch our Lambo in London video, the LP560-4

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/22/2009 01:41 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The new Lamborghini LP560-4 Spider supercar is capable of 0-60mph in less than four seconds and it's got a top speed of 201mph, but what's it like as a city car?

Since most owners are likely to be city bankers from Chelsea and that most of the time they'll never leave the city, we decided to put the LP560-4 through its paces in the hustle and bustle of London.

*video at title link and well worth watching*

Watch our Lambo in London video - Latest Car News from 4Car

Ford Iosis Max (2009) | Car Review | Road Test

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/22/2009 01:37 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The Ford C-Max is a great all-rounder. We know that and Ford knows that. The trouble is anyone who hasn't driven one would never guess it from looking at the thing.

For its replacement the Blue Oval is confident it can once again produce a versatile compact people-carrier that drives well. It just needs to make a car that shouts about those strengths, rather than cloaking them in the automotive equivalent of an invisible suit. And that's where the Iosis Max enters the frame.

This is a concept car for the next C-Max, giving us an exaggerated idea of what that five-seater will look like when it's unveiled later this year. It's been designed by the team behind the Fiesta, current Mondeo, S-Max and Kuga, and it looks like it - with knobs on.



*rest of review at 4Car in title link*

Ford Iosis Max (2009) | Car Review | Road Test | 4car | Channel 4

'Difficult trading' blow for Fiat

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/22/2009 01:34 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Sadly even a company that has rode out most of this economic downturn and stepped in to save some other great car brands as in Chrysler in the USA, is suffing from some poor sales fugures from past quarter.

From BBC News.....

Italian carmaker Fiat has said "an extremely difficult trading environment " contributed to a 179m euros ($254m; £155m) second-quarter loss.

The Turin-based firm said the loss was mainly due to a steep decline in sales from the same period last year.

But the firm, which has a 20% stake in US carmaker Chrysler, said the rest of the year should show an improvement.

Fiat sells cars under the Fiat, Lancia and the Alfa Romeo brands, and trucks, farm and construction equipment


BBC NEWS | Business | 'Difficult trading' blow for Fiat

New Focus on horizon

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/22/2009 01:28 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Meet the most desirable family car ever! This striking machine is about to rewrite the hatchback rulebook, with a stunning combination of head-turning looks, driver appeal and up-to-the-minute technology. Say hello to Ford’s next-generation Focus.

Set to go on sale in 2010, the third generation of the family car will take the company’s brand values to the next level. It gets a dramatic new look that’s backed up by a range of hi-tech small- capacity turbocharged engines.

Ford gave the strongest hint of how its upcoming models will look when it revealed the Iosis Max at the Geneva Motor Show last month (see Issue 1,053). And it’s from this car that the new Focus takes much of its styling inspiration.

The hatch gets a sleek new front end, with a large lower grille and elongated headlights. Bold lines run from the edges of the grille to the A-pillars.

At the rear, there are further nods to the Iosis MAX, with a high tail, angular C-pillars and eye-catching lights. Chunky wheelarches and short
overhangs finish the look and give the newcomer a muscular stance. According to insiders, a panoramic glass roof will also be available. Inside, expect a toned-down version of the concept’s striking cabin, with a new centre console boasting an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface control system. Options will include a reversing camera.

2010 Ford Taurus vs. 2009 Honda Accord Comparison Test on Inside Line

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 12:48 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

If you understand the limitless desire of Americans for personal space, then you understand the thinking behind the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited and 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with Navigation. Taurus and Accord may be iconic midsize-sedan nameplates, but now the badges are on large-car rumps.

Officially, the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2009 Honda Accord each seat five. Realistically, neither of these large sedans will ever see more than four passengers. And nobody will so much as rub an elbow, shoulder, buttock or knee during the 15-minute drive to the sushi buffet.

As crossovers promise everyone a whole row of seating to himself, families are fleeing even the roomiest of family sedans like these. So you might be driving around by yourself in a Ford Taurus or Honda Accord. And you might care about something besides shoulder room and legroom.

In its previous life, the Taurus couldn't stand up to such scrutiny. It was a big lug, a slobbery SUV shaped like a sedan. However, the 2010 Ford Taurus Limited reflects a serious change of heart at Ford. This is a smarter Taurus with crisper handling, quality interior bits, and up-to-date but easy-to-use technology.

This is also exactly the sort of Taurus that should be able to do battle with the smarty-pants of the family car class, the 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with Navigation.



2010 Ford Taurus vs. 2009 Honda Accord Comparison Test on Inside Line

Honda speeds up Insight update

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 12:25 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Honda is fast-tracking an upgrade to the Honda Insight to counter the threat posed by the new Toyota Prius.

With the Prius now trumping the Insight’s 85mpg with 107mpg in the same Japanese test cycle, sources in the cars’ home market say Honda engineers are being put under pressure to improve the Insight and close the gap.

While economy will take priority, it’s believed that Honda will also take another look at the chassis to try to refine the Insight’s unsettled low-speed ride.

In the sales race, the Insight got off to a roaring start in Japan in the early part of this year. The Honda even became the nation’s best seller with 10,481 units in April, the first hybrid car ever to achieve that position in Japan.

However, things move fast in the fad-driven Japanese market, and the arrival of the new-shape Prius in May had a dramatic effect on the Insight’s sales, which fell to 8183 units. The car is also being outsold by the Fit (Jazz), 13,016 of which were sold in June.

Autocar - Honda speeds up Insight update

Porsche and VW scramble to agree on deal: sources

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 11:24 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Several outcomes remained possible to a power struggle pitting Porsche SE (PSHG_p.DE) against Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) a day ahead of an expected showdown between the carmakers' rival factions, people familiar with the matter said.

At stake is control over the carmaking powerhouse set to emerge from any deal between the two, an issue that has split the extended clan that owns Porsche.

One day ahead of planned supervisory board meetings at both companies that could put an end to months of wrangling, there were still a number of roadblocks to be cleared, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

One matter the two sides still need to discuss according to the sources is a potential tax liability that a merger would create, which German media this week said could total 3 billion euros ($4.26 billion).

Porsche SE, the holding company that controls sportscar maker Porsche AG, needs to dig itself out of a debt hole and strengthen its negotiating position. It accumulated the debt amid failed efforts to seize full control of VW -- Europe's biggest carmaker -- that left it with a stake of nearly 51 percent.

The Porsche and Piech families -- which control all the voting shares at Porsche SE -- have been at loggerheads for months over how to resolve its debt woes and the role Volkswagen would play in the whole deal.

A sale of Porsche AG to Volkswagen would help Porsche SE pay off most of its debt, which sources have said stands at more than 10 billion euros.

Porsche's Chief Executive Wendelin Wiedeking has been pushing a possible deal with Qatar that would give the Gulf state a 20 percent stake in Volkswagen via derivative contracts.

Meanwhile, speculation has been heating up over whether Wiedeking may be forced to leave the company, and sources said on Wednesday that the Porsche family's talks with the CEO over his possible departure were in their final stages.

Porsche, however, said that Wiedeking was set to present his concept for the company's future to the supervisory board on Thursday.

It also remains unclear whether Ferdinand Piech, a co-owner of Porsche and chairman of Volkswagen, would support the plan to strike a deal with Qatar. He has been pushing a rival idea for VW to buy a minority stake in the Porsche group's healthy Porsche AG sportscar business.

Shares of Volkswagen were 2.2 percent lower at 244.00 euros by 1058 GMT, while Porsche's stock was up 1.2 percent at 51.08.



Porsche and VW scramble to agree on deal: sourcesn| Dealsn| Reuters

Spy Shots: 2010 Saab 9-5

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 10:42 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Spy Shots: 2010 Saab 9-5. Scanned from the German magazine Autozeitung. Ewww.

Car and Driver Reports Dodge Circuit EV is Likely to Reach Production

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 10:03 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Reviewers have praised the 2011 concept Dodge Circuit EV. Many have driven the prototype model and Chrysler previously announced that the vehicle would be produced, then speculation came suggesting the program was canceled especially in light of the economic issues. However, there is now new evidence indicating the program may still be underway.

Chrysler is currently testing prototypes of the Circuit EV in Michigan, Arizona, and the UK. Chrysler has proving ground in both of the U.S. states, but why would prototypes be in testing around the world if the program is cancelled and there is no hope for production.

Chrysler recently announced their commitment to electric vehicles. They will introduce their first EV next year, but will the Circuit make the list down the line? According to Lou Rhodes, the president of Chrysler's ENVI division which focuses solely on electric vehicles, the Circuit may still be a possibility.

In an interview with Car and Driver, Rhodes spoke in some detail about the Circuit's future. He may have let a few words slip out to intrigue listeners or they may have been words planned to unofficially state that the program is still underway. Either way, here are the details. According to Rhodes, the Circuit would be produced at the Lotus factory and then shipped to a U.S factory for electric component install. The prototype vehicles are undergoing constant modifications one of which will cut the 0-60 mph time by a half second.



Car and Driver Reports Dodge Circuit EV is Likely to Reach Production - AllCarsElectric.com

Huge C-17 fuselage arrives in Seal Beach

Posted in Other by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/22/2009 09:07 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The largest aircraft structure ever to visit Seal Beach was carefully trucked down Pacific Coast Highway before dawn today and delivered to a dock at the weapons station, where the 170-foot long body of a C-17 cargo transport will be loaded aboard a specially modified Army transport ship.

(A large photo essay and video will be posted shortly by photographer Eugene Garcia.)

The 50-ton fuselage will then be ferried to Virginia, via the Panama Canal, a roughly 5,800 mile journey that will take about three weeks. The fuselage will be used as a static vessel at Ft. Lee, Virgina for the training of personnel who unload and load C-17 cargo aircraft.

The wingless and tailless fuselage was trucked 9 miles, from Boeing’s C-17 assembly plant in Long Beach, to Seal Beach, during the middle of the night to minimize traffic problems. Even so, police had to divert motorists on to sides streets, or turn them around, so that crews could guide the truck driver down Pacific Coast Highway to Seal Beach. The truck reached the city about 3 a.m. and, at one point, drove on the center divider at PCH and 5th Street to avoid hitting a street light. The truck was part of a convoy of utility workers and police, and a trucker that picked up tree branches knocked down by the plane.



Huge C-17 fuselage arrives in Seal Beach - Sciencedude - OCRegister.com

First Look: Corvette-Based SV 9 Competizione Ready to Impress

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 09:05 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Late last week we began hearing whispers of a new Corvette-based custom coach from SV Motor Company. We contacted them and sure enough, they confirmed they have two units in the final assembly stage. Although SV will be introducing the 9 Competizione in the coming days, they were more than happy to provide us with an exclusive first look.


The SV 9 Competizione combines the powertrain of the world-class American-made Corvette C6 with a new Italian-styled custom coachbuilt body and upgraded interior. While the 9 C retains the distinctive C6 Corvette shape, the new custom body is full of design cues that shout "That's Italian!" The result is one of best Corvette coaches we've seen in a field crowded with Corvette coaches.


The SV 9's unique carbon fiber body was designed to allow the passage of high velocity air around and through the body surfaces. The front end is the most striking change with the mesh grillwork designed to capture maximum air while the vents on the hood and rear ducts keep the engine bay temperatures down and brakes cool. The rear end gets the Italian treatment as well with the Corvette's dual brake lights converted from two per side to just one and the exhaust ports are split to each side.


All that carbon fiber goodness drops the curb weight of the standard Corvette C6 by 132 pounds to just 3085 lbs and provides a 50/50 front to rear weight distribution. As for performance, the base Corvette's LS3 436 horses are bumped up to 450 and 445 lb ft of torque with SV's revised intake and a custom-tuned exhaust. The ANSA Automotive exhaust system is based from their designs used on the Ferrari Daytona and 599. Estimates are the enhancements will propel the 9 Competizione to a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds and 12.0 in the quarter mile.


Brakes and suspension have been specifically tailored for the SV 9 Competizione. Lateral acceleration is estimated to be 1.03g and braking 60-0 mph is an incredible 107 feet. Pirelli PZero Rosso ultra performance tires give the 9 C plenty of grip.


Inside the cockpit, the 9 C gets carbon fiber reinforced seating upholstered in hand-tooled Italian leather. Owners can opt for burlwood, carbon fiber or leather finished steering wheels that are custom matched to the instrument panel and console. In fact, SV takes the customization theme to a whole new level with the 9 C. 25 different exterior colors - 18 standard and 7 special edition colors - are available. Four wheel choices and five interior trim choices ensure that the odds of seeing two of a kind are virtually non-existent.


The SV 9 Competizione will be limited to 1,000 units at a cost of $99,995 which includes a new, well-equipped donor C6 Corvette purchased through their dealer network. Compared to other supercars and exotics, the Corvette-based SV 9 C might just be one of the best custom coachwork bargains of the year. The first showing of the SV 9 Competizione is this Saturday evening in San Francisco. The car will also be on display August 14 at the Concorso Italiano.



Corvette: Sales, News & Lifestyle: First Look: Corvette-Based SV 9 Competizione Ready to Impress

Boy drank gasoline to copy his TV heroes

Posted in Weird by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 02:07 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy drank gasoline for five years to obtain "energy" - just as his idols "Bumble Bee" or "Optimus Prime" do in "Transformers," the Sichuan-based West China Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

After the boy, in Yibin City, southwest Sichuan Province, had watched the animated TV series, he began to drink gasoline to become a "valiant fighter" like "Optimus Prime," his father told the newspaper.

"He began to drink gasoline five years ago, when we found he liked smelling lighter fuel," he said.

The boy's mother owned a grocery stall, selling small goods such as lighters.

In 2004, she often found lighters missing two or three days after she'd bought them. She later found that her son had been stealing them.

The parents talked to their son and asked him not to do it again. "But afterwards we found our motorcycle's gasoline was always disappearing, and one day when we found the boy had drunk a half bottle of gasoline stolen from the motorcycle, we were too shocked to say anything," the father said.


Boy drank gasoline to copy his TV heroes -- Shanghai Daily | ???? -- English Window to China New

'Barrel monster' creator gets community service

Posted in Weird by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 02:01 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

A North Carolina State University student who created a "monster" out of construction barrels and placed it on the side of a road was sentenced Tuesday to 50 hours of community service.

District Judge Vince Rozier deferred judgment against Joseph Carnevale until Oct. 30. If Carnevale complies with the sentence, the charges against him will be dismissed.

Raleigh police charged the 21-year-old history major and part-time construction worker last month with misdemeanor larceny and destruction of property after he took the orange-and-white traffic barrels from a construction site near N.C. State.

The 10-foot "barrel monster," sticking out its thumb for what could be perceived a ride along Hillsborough Street, quickly grabbed attention on social networking Web sites, with thousands of supporters calling on the Wake County District Attorney's Office to dismiss the charges.

Even Hamlin Associates, the construction company from which Carnevale took the barrels, has become a fan and has asked him to create a replica of the figure that led to his arrest on June 10.

"It's been positive publicity for us," Hamlin President Steve Hussey told The Associated Press in June. "If we'd known he'd do that good of work, we'd have given him the barrels."

Authorities pursued the case, despite the construction company's desire not to press charges. Because the case has been deferred, Wake County Assistant District Attorney Steven Saad declined to comment Tuesday.

Carnevale said Tuesday that he understood why he was charged, and that he believes his sentence was fair. He hopes to do his community service for Habitat for Humanity.

"As far as (whether I) should have been (charged), there was a theft that occurred. I guess on paper, yeah, I should have been," he said. "I was surprised in a city the size of Raleigh that they would go to the trouble."

Carnevale said he plans to continue his public art and that, despite his arrest, "it was all worth it."

His advice to other artists: "Don't get caught."

'Barrel monster' creator gets community service :: WRAL.com

Lotus redefines the city car

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 01:55 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Well, if you want to look stupid and hope you never crash. I wonder aloud when all this micro car crap will go away, after all just about everyone laughs at the Smart For Two. Even the balding bore who is presenting it looks uninterested.

Automotive Engineer magazine asked Lotus to design a
concept to show how far city car design could go. The result shows how future vehicles could become much more tightly focused on their real purpose

Buyers are downsizing their vehicles and engines to save money and fuel. Purchases of city cars are on the rise. But how could you improve on the Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ?

That’s the question we asked Russell Carr, head of Lotus Design – and would he also sketch his ideas for the magazine? Carr thought it would only be worthwhile with a proper technical brief.



ae-plus.com - Automotive Engineer on the web - Lotus redefines the city car

Ford Officially Confirms 4-Cyl. Ecoboost Engine | Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 01:52 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

In a press conference this morning in Dearborn, Ford officials finally confirmed what was already widely expected: Ecoboost technology will come to smaller four-cylinder engines soon.

It's the next logical step as Ford has said that it will eventually offer Ecoboost engines across its entire lineup. Ford says the smaller Ecoboost engines will deliver V6 performance while retaining the fuel economy of a typical four-cylinder engine.

We'll have more details as they are released, but for now we're left to speculate which vehicle will the new engine first?

Focus? Fiesta? Fusion?

UPDATE: Engine will displace 2.0-liters and deliver at least 230-horsepower and at least 240 pound-feet of torque. Ford officials hinted that the first application is not necessarily a car. Given that this engine will most likely replace Ford's 3.0-liter V6, the next Escape looks like a pretty good candidate for this Ecoboost engine.




Ford Officially Confirms 4-Cyl. Ecoboost Engine | Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

VW scoop round-up: the new Touareg, Sharan, Phaeton

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/21/2009 12:39 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Volkswagen is busy readying a suite of refreshes for its car range – and our spy photographers have caught this trio of models on test: the next Touareg SUV, a facelifted Phaeton limo and the new Sharan MPV.

That’s a lot of VW scoops! Tell me about the new VW Touareg
Touareg II is codenamed VW726 and we hear it’ll be out in the middle of 2010. Don’t expect radical change – it’s essentially a rebodied version of the existing car, but with numerous technical advances to keep the SUV fresh. Sister cars the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 follow suit in 2010 and 2013.

The new Touareg is slightly longer than today’s car to move it further upmarket away from Tiguan territory, but we hear that lightweight materials will carve a handy 150 kilos off the Touareg’s kerbweight. Engines will be familiar but upgraded, with direct-injection FSI V6 and V8 petrols and the popular diesels; a hybrid Touareg finally joins price lists with the revised car.


VW scoop round-up: the new Touareg, Sharan, Phaeton | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online

Revealed: 1,150hp Ford RS racer - Car News | MSN Cars UK

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/21/2009 12:34 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

It's not every day that the 1,001hp Bugatti Veyron is shown up by a Ford.

But this British-built RS is packing a ridiculous 1,150hp - enough to rocket from zero to 60 in less than two seconds.


That enormous rear wing isn't for show. This is Mach 2 Racing's Ford RS200 Evolution, built to take the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb record in under 10 minutes. Incredibly, the underlying design of this car is now over 20 years old - testimony to the original Group B rallying design and the remarkable application of cutting-edge technology.

At the heart of this mid-engined, four-wheel drive monster lies an extra-special version of the RS200 BDT-E Ford/Cosworth motor. Assembled by Geoff Page - the man that built most of the RS200 Evolution race engines in the first place - it displaces a mildly increased 2.4-litres.



Revealed: 1,150hp Ford RS racer - Car News | MSN Cars UK

Gullwing Merc is back!

Posted in Automotive by: Halo on: 07/21/2009 12:31 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The new Mercedes supercar has spread its wings at last! These exclusive pictures show the SLS completely undisguised for the first time ever.


And as you can see, it’s a truly stunning machine, combining the classic gullwing doors, long bonnet and clipped tail of the original 300SL with more modern details including LED lights, flush-fitting chrome exhaust tailpipes and sporty alloy wheels.


But the SLS is not all about looks. Under that huge nose you’ll find an uprated version of tuning arm AMG’s award-winning 6.3-litre V8 engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Producing 570bhp, it propels the gullwing from 0-60mph in less than four seconds, and on to an unrestricted top speed of nearly 200mph.


Sales are due to start next summer, with each model costing around £150,000. But that’s not the only big Mercedes news this week. The maker also confirmed work has started on its first-ever all-electric supercar.

VW and Porsche slide on possible deal breaker

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 10:28 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

ANY deal to sell Porsche SE's sportscar business to Volkswagen could be scuppered by potential tax liabilities, a German newspaper reported overnight, knocking shares in the two German companies.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung cited sources close to Porsche's supervisory board as saying taxes of €3 billion ($5.2 billion) that would go along with any takeover could become a deal breaker.

Porsche and Volkswagen declined to comment on the report.

Volkswagen's ordinary shares were down 9.2 per cent to €227.03 in overnight trade, making them the biggest decliners on the German blue-chip index, while Porsche fell 7.9 per cent to €47.80 on fears its debt problem may not be solved.

There have been reports the Porsche family that controls a majority of Porsche SE will cave in to demands by rival family shareholder Ferdinand Piech to reduce the company's crushing debt by sacking chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking and selling the sportscar unit, Porsche AG, to Volkswagen.

Porsche, along with labor leader and deputy board member Uwe Hueck, has repeatedly denied reports that Wiedeking was negotiating for a severance package of over €100 million and a successor for his post as head of Porsche AG has been found.



The Sueddeutsche came ahead of board meetings at both companies in Stuttgart on Thursday that could determine the future of the two carmakers.

"Three billion euros is quite a bit of money and could put the entire business structure in question," a Frankfurt-based trader said.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported over the weekend that the Porsche and Piech families would agree on Thursday to accept an offer by Volkswagen to buy Porsche AG for roughly €8 billion.

Volkswagen would purchase a 49.9 per cent stake in Porsche AG and at a later date acquire the rest, in a deal that would create an integrated automotive group with 10 brands under the leadership of the Wolfsburg-based carmaker and its chairman, Ferdinand Piech.

Porsche SE needs to dig itself out of a debt hole and strengthen its negotiating position after its efforts to seize full control of VW - Europe's biggest carmaker - failed, leaving it with a stake of nearly 51 per cent.

But the Porsche and Piech families - which control all the voting shares at Porsche SE - have been at loggerheads for months over how to resolve its debt woes and the role Volkswagen would play in the whole deal.

The sale of Porsche AG would help Porsche SE pay off most of its debt, which German daily Bild reported had risen to €14 billion, citing an informed source.

A spokesman for Porsche denied the Bild report: "The figure is wrong."

Porsche has also been in talks on a deal with Qatar that would give the Gulf state a 20 per cent stake in Volkswagen via derivative contracts.

"A fully debt financed purchase of Porsche AG and (family owned auto dealer group) Porsche Holding GmbH for a total of €11 billion by VW, if true, would obviously be detrimental for VW's rating in the absence of any Qatar involvement (capital increase, call options)," said UniCredit credit analyst Sven Kreitmair.


VW and Porsche slide on possible deal breaker | Breaking News | News.com.au

Audi A8 teaser image discovered

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 10:20 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The first teaser image promoting the Audi A8 has recently been found. Standing with the cloth-covered A8 is Audi's Board Member for Technical Development, Michael Dick.


Audi A8 teaser image discovered - Worldcarfans

Toyota overhauling entire U.S. operation -Michigan Auto News & Reviews - MLive.com

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 10:09 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

For years, Toyota Motor Corp. could do no wrong in the U.S. market. Customers snapped up the Japanese automaker's Camrys, RAV4s and Lexuses (Lexi?) as fast as the automaker could build them, prompting Toyota to rapidly expand its manufacturing footprint in the United States.

But as the U.S. economy crumbled last year, Toyota took a mighty fall. Its sales are down 38 percent this year, an even steeper drop than the industry as a whole, which is off 35 percent.

Yoshimi Inaba, Toyota's top executive in the United States, said Monday that Toyota could be facing the once unthinkable prospect of closing plants here. Inaba, who met with reporters in Washington, also said it needs to make its vehicles more appealing to consumers. According to a report in the Detroit News:

Inaba acknowledged that Toyota vehicles had often lacked "passion" and that the company's vehicles must be "more exciting, more nimble."
"Toyota is a good car but not exciting. Those are the comments we usually (or) always get," Inaba said.



Toyota overhauling entire U.S. operation -rMichigan Auto News & Reviews - MLive.com

G.M. Says Camaro Transmission Problem Is Fixed

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 10:07 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

General Motors has figured out what was causing failures of some 6-speed transmissions on its high-performance 2010 Camaro SS models, but the automaker is keeping it secret, said Adam Denison, a G.M. spokesman.

“I think they want to keep that one pretty close to their chest,” he said.

Mr. Denison said the failures of the output shaft, which was reported by Autoblog.com last week, occurred during standing-start, hard acceleration, with the engine at 5,000 to 6,000 revolutions per minute. He said about a dozen owners reported problems.

“It has been a very limited number,” he said. “It is not widespread.” He said the problem had been fixed.

The SS uses the 6.2 liter V-8 with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission.

Mr. Denison said SS production at the Oshawa plant in Ontario was continuing, but a few cars were being held for inspection to make sure the problem had been resolved.

He said a recall was not necessary.

G.M. Says Camaro Transmission Problem Is Fixed - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway track president Joie Chitwood resigning after Brickyard - ESPN

Posted in None by: Bill mccarthy on: 07/21/2009 08:45 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Whats happening to the top management at the Brickyard ?

Indianapolis Motor Speedway track president Joie Chitwood resigning after Brickyard - ESPN

Actor Donovan arrested for DUI

Posted in Other by: nascarjo on: 07/21/2009 08:45 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Changeling star Jeffrey Donovan was arrested by Florida police after 'drunkenly' swerving to miss a stopped cop car.

The actor was arrested for driving under the influence in Miami Beach last week.

Documents released to TMZ.com reveal the arresting officer was alerted to the actor's driving after hearing "a loud tire screech behind me" and turning to watch Donovan narrowly avoid hitting him.

The actor reportedly told the cop, "Sorry, I didn't see the red light or your stopped car."

He failed a sobriety test, despite insisting, "I really think I'm only borderline and not too drunk. I had three drinks at the Fontainebleau (bar)... The only mistake I made tonight was drinking (allergy medicine) Benadryl with three glasses of wine."

Actor Donovan arrested for DUI - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

Ultimate Issues Inspection Checklist for delivery at dealership

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/21/2009 08:43 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The following list is compiled from various individuals who are mostly experiencing isolated incidents. These are not issues every individual is having with their Camaro. Again, these are ISOLATED incidents that have mostly occurred to single individuals. By the accounts of owners on this site, most Camaros that have been delivered have been without problems. Please keep in mind that every first year production vehicle has more issues than later production years. This list is meant to serve as a comprehensive (perhaps overly) checklist of things to check for upon delivery, and should not be interpreted as widespread quality-control issues with the 2010 Camaro.

Ultimate Issues Inspection Checklist for delivery at dealership - Camaro Forum - 2009 Camaro / 2010 Camaro / New Camaro SS Z28 Forums - Camaro5.com