Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA canned

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 03:40 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Alfa Romeo has put the MiTo GTA on hold, probably indefinitely, due to the economic crisis.
The road-going version of the awesome Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept, which was shown in Geneva this March, was due to go on sale before the end of the year priced around £20,000. However, a spokeswoman for the Italian firm told us not to expect the car anytime soon – if ever.

The Alfa Romeo spokeswoman said: “The MiTo GTA has been put on hold. It’s hard to justify building such as high performance car at this present time as the financial crisis means that its not economically viable. And, sadly, it may never be.”

Translated from PR speak that means it’s most likely been canned.

This is a real shame for hot hatch fans. With a massive 240hp from its little 1.4-litre turbo engine the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA would be able to monster the MINI JCW.What’s more it would under cut its British rival on price. Looks like MINI can breath a sigh of relief then.

God damn the economic crisis. It’s spoiling everyone’s fun!



Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA canned - News - iMOTOR

New Delta Platform Buick

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 03:33 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

The compact is not likely to be as differentiated from Chevy models as the midsize sedans, although Opel's upgrade of the Delta platform makes sense for the Buick. In the new Opel Astra, the front lower control arms are supplemented with rebound springs and in the rear, there's a Watts linkage supplementing the torsion beam.



New Delta Platform Buick - Motor Trend Auto News

Win the Judas Priest Harley-Davidson Crossbones bike

Posted in Motorcycles by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 02:37 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

If you want a chance to win the HARLEY-DAVIDSON CROSSBONES BIKE that JUDAS PRIEST are using on stage during the US Summer Tour - it has been customised with JUDAS PRIEST 'BRITISH STEEL' graphics and a JUDAS PRIEST logo!

The band will be signing the bike at the end of the tour and some lucky winner will own it!!

2010 Acura ZDX - Official Photos and Info

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 02:23 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

A few weeks after Acura released a series of teaser images, Acura officially pulled the wraps off the concept version of the ZDX crossover at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. Interestingly, the previously released teaser shots actually show early production lighting elements, rather than those found on the NYIAS concept, but we’re told that, other than the lights, there are few changes between the concept and the ZDX that will roll into Acura showrooms this fall as a 2010 model.

Designed by 28-year-old Michelle Christensen (who was only 25 when she penned the first version of the vehicle), the five-passenger ZDX is based on the MDX platform and will be positioned above that seven-seater as a flagship within Acura’s lineup. Although Acura claims that the ZDX will introduce “an entirely new category of luxury vehicle,” no one will be able to help comparing it to that other four-door coupe crossover thingy, the BMW X6, although the ZDX’s ride height is markedly lower. Still, like the X6, it is none too dainty at 192.6 inches long, a vast 78.5 inches wide, and 61.8 inches tall. There are 108.5 inches between the centerlines of the 20-inch wheels, which are shod with 275/40-series Michelin Latitude tires.

Acura confirms that it will be powered by a V-6—likely the MDX’s 3.7-liter—mated to an all-new six-speed automatic, but declined to reveal output specifics. It will, of course, come standard with Acura’s nifty Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.

The interior of every ZDX will feature leather seating surfaces, and occupants will get plenty of light from above via the standard full-length glass roof. For lane changes—which undoubtedly will be hampered by those huge C-pillars—the ZDX will offer a blind-spot information system, as well as a multi-angle rear-view camera, surround-sound audio, navigation and, we imagine, a whole lot more if it is to, as Acura claims, achieve “a whole new level of prestige” for the brand.



2010 Acura ZDX - Official Photos and Info - Car and Driver

Kate Walsh Introduces New Cadillac

Posted in Video by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 01:47 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Kate Walsh, who stars in Private Practice, introduces the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon.

YouTube - Kate Walsh Introduces New Cadillac

Nun fined for 112mph Italy mercy dash

Posted in Weird by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 01:46 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

In a country where speeding is a national sport, Italian traffic police are used to hearing the most colourful of excuses from drivers.

But the patrol that pulled over a Ford Fiesta on Friday doing 112mph was surprised to find at the wheel a 56-year-old nun who claimed she needed to be at the pope's side after the pontiff lost his balance in the bathroom and broke his wrist.

In the back were two fellow Salesian nuns, aged 65 and 78, who had jumped in the car in Turin when news broke of Pope Benedict's fall near Aosta, where he is spending his summer holiday.

"The police were shocked to find three nuns of a certain age in the Fiesta," confessed the nun, named only as AM. "But we were afraid of getting there late. I know you shouldn't go so fast, but the news of his Holiness's injury had made us truly anxious."

The pope underwent surgery on Friday and was able to hold a blessing on Sunday with his right wrist in plaster.

The police chose not to forgive the nun, pointing out that she was 30mph over the limit. They suspended her licence for a month and issued a €375 (£323) fine. But AM is a "determined sort", said her lawyer, Anna Orecchioni.

"She is planning to appeal and we think we can invoke the 'state of necessity' in the law that allows speeding," Orecchioni said.

Orecchioni has become a point of reference for members of the religious community in trouble with traffic police. She is defending a priest stopped for drink-driving who claimed communion wine he sipped at four consecutive masses pushed him over the limit.

A Muslim imam in Rome defended by Orecchioni has been given his licence back after she convinced a judge that asthma medicine had given him twice the legal limit of alcohol.

Nun fined for 112mph Italy mercy dash | World news | The Guardian

Differentiation Tests : Castrol Floosie

Posted in Motorcycles by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 01:43 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Differentiation Tests : Castrol Floosie

Differentiation Tests : Castrol Moto

Deaths, Injuries Increase With Higher Speed Limits

Posted in Automotive by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 12:53 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Deaths and injuries on America's interstates have increased since the repeal of the federal 55-mile-per-hour speed limit in 1995, a new study finds, and some believe it's time to slow down again.

Researchers tracking fatalities attributed 12,545 deaths and 36,582 injuries in fatal crashes to higher speed limits implemented during the 1995-2005 study period.

"Our study clearly shows that policy can directly result in more deaths as well as reducing deaths on our country's roads," said lead researcher Lee S. Friedman of the division of environmental and occupational health sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Their results show that seemingly harmless policy decisions can have long-term repercussions, the researchers said. They called for implementation of a national speed management policy that would include a maximum speed of 55 mph and development of camera networks to curb speeding.



Deaths, Injuries Increase With Higher Speed Limits - US News and World Report

Danica Patrick rejects notion she can't compete in NASCAR

Posted in None by: Timothy Tibbetts on: 07/20/2009 12:21 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Danica Patrick on Friday rejected skeptics who say she is incapable of switching from driving lighter, aerodynamic Indy cars to the much bulkier and heavier stock cars used on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Patrick, 27, is in the last year of her contract with the IndyCar team Andretti Green Racing and is evaluating options for next season.


Danica Patrick rejects notion she can't compete in NASCAR - Los Angeles Times

Brown keeps Swing sweep hopes alive; Wilkerson, Edwards also score

Posted in None by: Brad on: 07/20/2009 10:54 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

With an air temperature of 76f, I was looking forward to some fast times and speeds,but when the track temperature jumped to 118f and higher,it turned it into a greasy,slippery mess.The races were very competitive,but only Pro stock driver Mike Edwards was able to set a new record in both et and speed for the track.See you in Sonoma next weekend.