Donkervoort GTO

Donkervoort GTO:

The Dutch sports car specialist has revealed its new range of GTO performance cars that have been developed over the past 30 months in conjunction with Audi quattro GmbH.

The all-new models, weighing just 1543 lbs., are powered by Audi’s five-cylinder, 340 bhp 2.5-liter TFSI engine driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual. A sub three-second time to 60 mph is predicted with a top speed just shy of 160 mph.

A limited edition run of 25 models is being built first, powered by a 66 lbs. lighter version of the engine with a redesigned intake manifold and a race switch that delivers an additional 60 bhp.

The car is also bigger than its predecessors being nearly 14 inches longer and 6 inches wider. It’s constructed from steel tubular frame with carbon composite panels and a unique one-piece door with integrated hinges that weighs just 34 ounces and, claims Donkervoort, can withstand a 3300 lbs. sideways blow.

The first ‘regular’ versions are expected on European roads starting in 2013 with prices between $131,000 and $196,000 excluding taxes.

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Jay Leno on the McLaren MP4-12C

Jay Leno on the McLaren MP4-12C:

Jay Leno pulled into his Big Dog Garage in his new McLaren MP4-12C, grinning. He parked it next to his century-old stationary engines and explained what he likes about the new McLaren:

“It is a fantastic car. I like it because it is 911 sized and that’s the prefect size for a sports car. Plenty of legroom, thin A pillars so you can see, the best double-clutch transmission I’ve ever used…very light on its feet. But the most amazing part is that dramatic suspension change from normal to track. When you’re on normal it’s extremely smooth, a nice riding car. Most cars tighten up a little when you go to a track setting, but this becomes a totally different car.”

“Even though I own a McLaren F1, I think this is probably ‘real world’ faster because the shifts are so incredibly fast in the 7-speed double-clutch gearbox. Do I miss the clutch pedal? Yes, but this is at least the equal in speed.”

“I like the styling. Some people tell me it’s not exciting enough, but I’m not 15 years old. I don’t’ need a big wing or something that looks like a giant insect. McLaren styling is like 911 styling. My F1 is now almost 20 years old and people still ask, ‘Is that a brand new car?’ because it looks contemporary. I feel the same way about this, a very contemporary shape that will age very well. This is McLaren 20 years on. You’ve got all the safety features like the airbags.”

“Once you get into the McLaren and you use it, you like it more and more. You can see out of it, it’s fun and comfortable to drive. When you put it on the comfort setting your wife or girlfriend isn’t going, ‘I hate this, my hair, ouch…’ It isn’t bouncing all over the road. And it’s easy to park because it’s not a big, wide, giant car.”

“It’s intent is to be a supercar you can use every single day and I couldn’t be happier with it.”

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JFK Hearse to be Auctioned

JFK Hearse to be Auctioned:

Barrett-Jackson auction house plans to sell the Cadillac hearse used to transport President John F. Kennedy’s body to Air Force One following his assassination in Dallas. The sale seems rather ghoulish, though Barrett-Jackson appears to be taking extra measures to maintain a dignified air about the car.

“It’s an honor to be able to offer a vehicle of this stature,” said Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson. “While its duty was solemn, it was also extremely important and played a crucial role in transporting the president so he could be laid to rest.”

The hearse was built by the Miller-Meteor Company and purchased by the O’Neal Funeral Home in Dallas in 1963. When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22 of that year, the O’Neal Funeral Home was asked to provide the finest casket and a suitable vehicle for transportation.

The hearse conveyed the President’s coffin, as well as Jacqueline Kennedy, from Parkland Memorial Hospital to Love Field, where Air Force One was waiting to transport the casket to Washington, D.C.

According to the Barrett-Jackson website, the Cadillac (Lot#1293) is being sold with no reserve. The sale is scheduled for January 21, 2012.

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Chevy Malibu’s Turbo Tease

Chevy Malibu’s Turbo Tease:

Those of us who just had the chance for a first drive of Chevrolet’s impressive new 2013 Malibu were teased. The Malibu’s initial powerplant is a 2.4-liter Ecotec with eAssist, which combines 182 bhp with a 15-kW motor-generator to yield 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway.

This somewhat unusual step of leading with their Eco setup was made because General Motors wanted to get the Malibu to the public and the new 2.5-liter prime-engine four won’t ready for sale until later this summer. But the tease was that not long after the 2.5, Chevrolet would have a 2.0-liter turbo for the Malibu to replaced its previous V-6. Then Chevy shut up.

Now we have what we consider a very close look at the at the turbo engine. It is a sibling in the same family as the new 2.5–which explains its delay–and is likely the same powerplant being used in Cadillac’s upcoming small ATS sedan. Caddy is claiming 270 bhp and 260 lb-ft for the new twin-cam engine with its twin-scroll turbo. By comparison, one of the Malibu’s major rivals, Toyota’s 2012 Camry, can be had with a 268-bhp 3.5-liter V-6 with 248-lb.-ft. of torque.

Matched with what we suspect would be a reworked, firmer chassis, the upcoming turbo Malibu could be a very impressing driving package.

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Google, Nevada and VW Bringing Autonomous Driving Closer

Google, Nevada and VW Bringing Autonomous Driving Closer:

Earlier this week Google was granted US patent number 8,078,349 for “transitioning a mixed-mode vehicle to autonomous mode”. It’s obviously an important step in the journey to producing a completely autonomous car. Google has been testing driverless cars for some time on public highways in California. According to Google its Toyota Prius and Audi TT test cars have driven over 1,000 miles without causing harm. Of course these test mules have humans in them as backup drivers.

Back in the summer Google was instrumental in getting Nevada to become the first state to officially unveil a bill that will allow driverless cars. Although most states do not have laws specifically banning driverless cars, it is pretty certain police would frown upon a car propelling itself along a highway without a driver.

Google engineers worked closely with engineers from Volkswagen’s ERL (Electronic Research Laboratory) and nearby Stanford University in developing Stanley and Junior – the VW Touareg and Jetta that successfully completed in the DARPA Challenges for autonomous vehicles back in 2005 and 2007, respectively.

Recently VW unveiled a near-production-ready concept “Temporary Auto Pilot” (TAP) Jetta that can drive itself semi-automatically at speeds up to 80 mph on freeways. The TAP car essentially bundles already existing technologies, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-assist warning systems, so the car can be driven hands-free. VW sees this as an interim step before fully autonomous cars are perfected.

Initially VW says a TAP Jetta could drive itself on congested freeways. However, the driver would still retain responsibility and would always be able to intervene in safety-critical situations.

The Google patent takes this a step further as it allows the car to take full control in limited areas such as in a rental car parking lot or in an urban environment where there are clearly marked locations for the car to get a fix on. In the patent Google describes a scenario where a car could drive tourists around Millennium Park in Chicago stopping at selected attractions on the way.

If Google has its way the autonomous car will be here sooner than we think — Google a destination and a Google-engineered car will be able to take you there with little intervention.

Are you ready for a car that can drive itself?

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Lola Drayson to Unveil Electric Race Car in 2012

Lola Drayson to Unveil Electric Race Car in 2012:

Lola Group and Drayson Racing Technologies (DRT) will launch their ground-breaking Lola-Drayson B12/69EV all-electric prototype racing car as part of International Motorsport Business Week on January 11, 2012 at the MIA International Low Carbon Conference to be held in Birmingham, England.

Lord Drayson, managing partner at Drayson Racing Technologies and president of the Motorsport Industry Association commented:

“Electric racing is really taking off with the launch of the new FIA Formula E world championship for electric racing cars planned for 2013 and we are delighted to be able to showcase the work we are doing to prepare for this exciting new championship. Electric racing is a major new business opportunity for motorsport and underlines the growing commercial potential of green racing with new drivetrains, new materials, new fuels and new aerodynamic developments that will be highlighted at the conference. It is an exciting time to be a race engineer.”

“Lola is pleased to be present at the 2012 MIA Low Carbon Racing Conference and delighted to unveil the all-electric powered Lola-Drayson B12/69EV,” commented Robin Brundle, Lola Group managing director. “This innovative new project will evidence several new technologies with a variety of well-known technical suppliers, to show that zero carbon, clean racing can be fast and exciting while offering a stimulating engineering challenge.”

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Joey Hand Switches to BMW DTM

Joey Hand Switches to BMW DTM:

American Le Mans Series champ heads to DTM series with BMW.

BMW works driver and reigning American Le Mans Series GT champion Joey Hand is off to the DTM series with BMW next year. The 32-year-old American has been racing BMW race cars since 2004. “I am really looking forward to my new challenge in the DTM, and thank BMW sincerely for the company’s confidence in me,” said Hand. “I immediately enjoyed the BMW M3 DTM. Its down-force and carbon brakes are extremely impressive.”

Next year marks BMW’s return to the premier German touring car series with its M3-based racecar. BMW debuted a concept version of the M3 DTM car earlier this year, at the company’s headquarters in Munich. BMW has already confirmed 5 of its planned 6 drivers for 2012, including reigning DTM champion Martin Tomczyk.

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How Many Jaguar E-Types Remain in the UK?

How Many Jaguar E-Types Remain in the UK?:

Say you’re looking to buy an old car such as a Jaguar E-Type or even an exotic XJ220 supercar. There are plenty of sources to tell you how many where originally manufactured and with many classic cars it’s even possible to find out how many were sold in different countries.

But that does not tell you how rare they are nowadays. How many are left running? It’s tough to find out easily unless it’s a low-volume exotic with an enthusiastic owner club that has tallied this information for its members.

However there is now a website – appropriately named How Many Left? — that will give you a good idea of the rarity of any particular model in the UK.

How Many Left? is a database and search engine of statistics about cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles registered in the UK. It is the brainchild of Olly Smith, who describes himself as developer and a car geek who works on the website in his spare time.

If you’re into British cars, old cars in general, or just statistics it’s fascinating to delve into the data. For example, I found there are 4,565 E-Types still licensed in the UK. There are just 21 XJ220 exotics and 19 of them are not licensed to run on the highway (shown as Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN). Oh, and in case you care there are 79 Ford Thunderbirds licensed in the UK.

Smith did not compile the data himself but took advantage of statistics that anybody can download from the UK’s Department for Transport website. I downloaded the spreadsheet containing the raw data and found it has 46,304 rows listing models from an Abarth 500 to a Zongshen ZS 250 GS with columns covering every year from 1900 to 2010. Of course there are caveats, as Smith points out, in how the vehicles are listed since the data relies on what the owners entered on the original registration forms. Smith has cleaned up the raw data as much as possible and presents it in an easy-to-view format.

I’m not aware of any publicly available database like this in the US – but what a great idea for someone to develop.

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Escort Live: Social Networking Meets Radar Detecting

Escort Live: Social Networking Meets Radar Detecting:

For road trips over an hour, a radar detector is like an American Express card—I never leave home without it. With the soaring costs of traffic fines and insurance premiums, it’s almost silly to tempt fate otherwise. That said, there are limitations. An office must have his radar switched on, and then there’s range—the radar detector has to be within physical vicinity of the radar/laser source. Fortunately, there’s a new technology that helps us with the latter.

Escort, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based radar/laser detector manufacturer, recently introduced Escort Live, a service for smartphones to help identify potential radar or laser sources. The Escort Live app’s strength relies on up-to-date user-generated content, whereby Escort Live-equipped consumers can report local hazards such as speed traps, red light cameras and speed cameras. Escort then aggregates the information and disseminates it along with its pre-existing database of hazards to users’ smartphones. Now, instead of being alerted when in physical range of a radar/laser threats, Escort Live subscribers will identify them long before they actually see them.

To access the service, an iPhone (iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS using 4.1 iOS or later) and compatible Escort radar detector (Passport 9500ix, RedLine and most Passport 8500 X50 models) are necessary. With those two criteria met, the Escort Live app needs to be downloaded and a SmartCord Live purchased. The SmartCord Live replaces the Escort radar detector’s power cord with a Bluetooth-enabled unit that enables communication with the iPhone. It also comes equipped with an additional USB port to charge other devices (read: iPhone).

The SmartCord Live retails for $79.95, which includes a subscription to the Escort Live service through 2012. After the introductory period, Escort anticipates the subscription will go for an additional $39.95 a year. An Android version will be available shortly. For more, go to: www.escortradar.com/escort-live/

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North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced – 2012 Detroit Auto Show

North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced – 2012 Detroit Auto Show:

A jury of 50 automotive journalists released the list of finalists for the coveted North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards. In the car category, the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat made the final cut from a list of 17 nominees. In the truck category, the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque emerged from a list of 7 candidates. The jury will vote again and the winning North American Car and North American Truck of the Year will be announced on January 9, 2012 during the press days at the North American International Auto Show. The awards, which are independent of the show, recognize the best car and truck available to the North American market. R&T Editor-in-Chief Matt DeLorenzo is among the jury members.

More:

Full Coverage: 2012 Detroit Auto Show >>

Photos: 2012 Detroit Auto Show >>

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Trophy Search Continues

Trophy Search Continues:

What are the holidays without a punch bowl? Edsel Ford II continued his search for the Punch Bowl Trophy won by his great grandfather Henry in 1901 in a race that helped launch the Ford Motor Co. On Oct. 10 of that year, Ford challenged Alexander Winton to a race in suburban Detroit and won it. While the cash prize of $10,000 helped the struggling automaker, now, lost to history is the punch bowl trophy designed by Winton. The Ford heir visited the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society in his quest to spread the word about the trophy and perhaps generate the necessary leads he needs to recover this legacy.

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Video: Genesis Coupe Drift Car Stolen! Or Was It?

Video: Genesis Coupe Drift Car Stolen! Or Was It?:

Hyundai’s U.S. headquarters in Fountain Valley, California, is about to be demolished, in preparation for the construction of a much larger new facility. So, for a little bit of fun (and to stress the lawyers a bit), Dustin Loranger, one of Hyundai’s Service Technicians, thought it would be fun to stage something outrageous inside the building before all the walls came down.

Watch the zany video and enjoy. No Oscar nominations for Rhys Millen, but the vid sure showcases his great car control skills.

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Ford Commits to WRC

Ford Commits to WRC:

Ford has committed itself to a further two years competing in the World Rally Championship for 2012 and 2013.

Driving the M-Sport prepared Fiesta RS rally cars will be lead driver Jari-Matti Lavatala, partnered by Mikka Anttila who topped the world rankings for special stage victories in 2011 and won the final round of the championship in Britain last month.

They will be partnered by former world champion Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson, who have signed a one-year agreement to drive the team’s second Fiesta RS WRC in all 13 rounds. The experienced Solberg won the world title in 2003 and the 37-year-old Norwegian has 13 world rally wins to his name. It will be his second stint with Ford, having launched his world rally career with the team in 1999.

The squad will be named Ford World Rally Team and retains support from long-term partner Castrol for both 2012 and 2013.

Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport managing director and team director, said the new deal was a vote of confidence in his company.

“The performance of the Fiesta RS WRC in 2011 was strong on all surfaces and I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve in the future,” he said. “We want to challenge for world titles and I have no doubts that our car and driver combination, allied to the infrastructure and expertise of our staff at Dovenby Hall, England, will allow us to do that.”

M-Sport recently completed its ladder of opportunity, adding a first rung to complete a structured path to take young and talented rally drivers from the grass-roots to the top level in Ford Fiestas. From the entry-level MS1 car, drivers can progress via the increasingly more powerful R2, S2000 and Regional Rally Car models to the top-billing World Rally Car.

“Ford has five different Fiesta models in which drivers with potential can graduate from entry level to the WRC. This ladder is the breeding ground of Ford’s future stars, and in the next seasons we will see drivers with ability climb it and begin to emerge at the top,” he added.

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Indy 500 in an Electric Vehicle?

Indy 500 in an Electric Vehicle?:

Twelve hours to complete the Indy 500? While that’s not earth-shattering, it’s a momentous moment…for electric vehicles anyway. In attempt to show the viability of electric vehicles, Roger Yasukawa, 5-time Indy 500 competitor, drove a Mitsubishi i at the inaugural EV500 event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Organized by Contour Hardening, the EV500 serves to test the potential of their Real Power Mobile Level 3 Quick Charge station. With only two Mitsubishis (Johnny Miller is the other driver) and speeds in the vicinity of 90 km/h (56 mph), it’s certainly no Brickyard barn burner. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the future where EV range angst can be quelled with short charge cycles.

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Ralph Lauren Models…No, Not the Runway Models

Ralph Lauren Models…No, Not the Runway Models:

Rats, here it is just a few days before Christmas and there’s that one car guy on your list and you need to buy him a gift. What to do…

Got $10,000?

Well, not that much, just $9500 for a very exact 1:8 scale replica of a Ferrari 250 GTO or pontoon-fender Testa Rossa, a McLaren F1 LM or a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. You saw those models in our coverage of Lauren’s Art of the Automobile show in Paris last summer.

The real cars have been digitally scanned and the models said to be accurate to one-tenth of a millimeter. We’re told model makers spent 3000 hours creating the master model, with each individual model needing 350 hours to assemble. Drawn from silicon rubber molds, the models are then carefully painted, detailed and polished. Made in limited numbers, the Ferraris, McLaren or Bugatti are presented on a wooden base and protected by an acrylic case. Check them out here.

These models sound even better than the Revell kits we finished off as kids, don’t they?

Oh, and if I’m the car guy on your list, I’ll take the Ferrari 250 GTO. Thanks in advance…

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Driven: VW Scirocco R Line

Driven: VW Scirocco R Line:

We’re happily cruising at a steady 100 mph. It’s Sunday evening and the traffic is relatively light. A Mercedes passes and as the driver pulls in front of me I see there’s nobody else coming up behind and the road ahead looks clear. I floor the gas pedal and it shifts down a gear and the car seems to launch itself. In no time I’m past the Mercedes and the speedo indicates we’re doing 200. Okay that’s not 200 mph it’s just 200 kph — only 125 mph. Nevertheless the VW Scirocco I’m driving is performing well. It’s stable and it feels fine at 125 mph.

I’m not so sure about myself though. I’m driving at night on an unfamiliar autobahn in Northern Germany. It’s great to be cruising legally at 125 mph but it sure does take some concentration. After a few miles I idle back to a more comfortable 100 mph again. Pretty soon though the traffic starts to get heavier and the variable speed signs lower the speed limit to 130 kph — just over 80 mph.

The joys of driving in Germany.

I was driving a VW Scirocco R-line. It’s a little confusing as it’s not quite an R. It has the body mods and the wheels of a Scirocco R but it lacks the 261 hp engine, the twin exhausts and the race tuned suspension. Instead the same 2.0-liter TSI engine powers it but pumping out just 210 hp. Still it’s more than sufficient to give the two-door coupe a good turn of speed. Unlike the Golf R, which has all-wheel-drive, the Scirocco R and R-Line come only with FWD. That’s fine in dry conditions but it’s easy to spin the front wheels and hear the horrible clonking noise as the traction control comes into play. Plus there is some torque steer.

I like the looks of the Scirocco, especially from the rear three-quarter – it’s got a nice wide stance. Inside you’d think you were in a Golf, at least from the B-pillar forward. Rear seats are inevitably cramped and trunk space is tight.

My driving was limited to autobahn and some city driving in pouring rain. Surprisingly, since most Europeans opt for manuals, the loan car was fitted with a DSG transmission. Having driven the Golf R I’d honestly opt for it over the Scirocco – it is more practical, it has all-wheel-drive and, in the US at least, it is only available with a manual transmission.

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