Baltic Mojo: Dartz Displays Loopy New Sports Car

Baltic Mojo: Dartz Displays Loopy New Sports Car:

In a tired world full of tired beings banging tired drums and singing tired hymns, it’s nice to see some people working tirelessly to further the cause of bat-guano bizarre. The fine Latvians at Dartz are just such folks. Freed from the tyranny of post-Stalin policy, the enterprising fresh faces hop from strength to strength in a dubious world of very wealthy people who may or may not need protection from man-portable artillery. After their legendary promise to Our Sea Brothers, Dartz displayed a rendering of a 2000-hp fastback-cum-armored-tow vehicle called the Nagel. Now they’re selling mojo.

Or as Dartz likes to call it, MOJO, which looks like what you would expect if Chrysler had hired Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Syd Mead to redesign the Prowler. Also, Dartz mentioned JO-MOJO — which may or may not sound like something from a sketchy late-night personal ad. The MOJO is motivated by an unknown engine that looks suspiciously like it may have been yanked from some sort of V-4 motorcycle, while the JO-MOJO is powered by an unspecified electric motor and apparently uses solar power in some capacity. According to a post from Dartz on Luxury4Play’s message board, “WE KEEP TRADITIOS. INNOVATING. that means nothing wrong.” [Spelling and punctuation Dartz’s] They also mention that MOJO will appear at the 2012 Top Marques Monaco show. Clearly, that means nothing wrong.

Source : Googler Reader

Ford Confirms No Hybrid Model for All-New 2013 Ford Escape

Ford Confirms No Hybrid Model for All-New 2013 Ford Escape:

Mixed in with powertrain details for the all-new 2013 Escape, Ford’s head product man, Derrick Kuzak, made a quick, passing reference to moving the (Escape’s) hybrid tech to the five-passenger C-Max, a model which will be available exclusively with hybrid or all-electric powertrains. A quick check with a Ford spokesperson confirmed that this means the death of the Escape hybrid. As a fairly successful and mainstream hybrid, we can’t say we totally agree with this move, but if the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost can return fuel economy similar to a theoretical new-gen hybrid, it makes sense from a cost perspective. We’ll deliver fuel-economy news and much more on the 2013 Escape soon: It’s scheduled to debut in Los Angeles next month.

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All-New 2013 Ford Escape to Drop V6 in Favor of EcoBoost Engines, Debut at 2011 L.A. Show

All-New 2013 Ford Escape to Drop V6 in Favor of EcoBoost Engines, Debut at 2011 L.A. Show:

Ford has announced that we’ll get our first undisguised look at the redesigned 2013 Ford Escape at next month’s Los Angeles auto show; for previous, camouflaged looks at the new compact SUV, head here and here. (You can also check out the Ford Vertrek concept, which faithfully previews the Escape’s styling.) The Blue Oval also confirmed some of the Escape’s powertrain details, stating that the new model will toss the V-6 option into the dumpster of irrelevance in favor of an all four-cylinder lineup comprised of one naturally aspirated engine and two turbocharged EcoBoost engines.

The base Escape will get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT). Stepping up, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost four will make its North American debut. The range will be topped by the 2.0-liter EcoBoost that was recently installed in the 2012 Edge and Explorer, where it makes 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both turbocharged engines feature EcoBoost hallmarks such as an aluminum block and head, Ti-VCT, and direct fuel injection. The 1.6 is said to make at least 175 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, and is expected to better the current front-wheel-drive Escape hybrid’s 31-mpg EPA highway rating. All-wheel drive will return as an option, but there will not be a replacement for the Escape hybrid.

Watch this space for more details as we near the Escape’s big debut.

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Nissan Europe Stuffs GT-R Running Gear into Juke to Create Wonderfully Insane Juke-R

Nissan Europe Stuffs GT-R Running Gear into Juke to Create Wonderfully Insane Juke-R:

The Nissan Juke is a fun, different-looking small crossover with a powerful turbocharged engine and a frisky chassis—but Nissan’s Technical Centre for Europe and tuning outfit RML felt that it wasn’t frisky enough and decided to inject the Juke with some more R, as in GT-R. That’s right: They installed the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V-6 engine, six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and all-wheel-drive system into a Juke. The result has been christened the Juke-R, and Nissan is referring to it as the “first-ever super crossover.” Given the facts at hand, we are having trouble finding a way to disagree with that statement, and it goes without saying that we are giddily eager to see what a Juke with hero-car power can do.

Nissan has released a video outlining a few of the modifications it made to the Juke to ensure a (relatively) smooth marriage of a 480-hp drivetrain (based on the hp numbers tossed around by the Nissan engineer in the video, the Juke-R will get the 2011 GT-R engine package, not the 530-hp unit from the refreshed 2012 model) and 3000 pounds of crossover. As you can see in the clip, the Juke’s floorpan was completely gutted to make room for the big longitudinal motor and AWD bits, but RML and Nissan also widened the car’s track and plan to add a pretty cool wide-body kit (seen in the sketch above). Nissan isn’t showing the completed car yet, but says the Juke-R will be road legal and that two will be made—one that’s left-hand drive, and another that’s right-hand drive. Check out the video below to watch portions of the Juke-R’s assembly.

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Watch AMG’s Performance Media Telemetry Display as an SLS Laps the Hockenheimring [VIDEO]

Watch AMG’s Performance Media Telemetry Display as an SLS Laps the Hockenheimring [VIDEO]:

Mercedes-Benz recently debuted its 2012 SLS AMG roadster (you can check out our first drive here), and among the car’s other notable features—including the debut of the SLS lineup’s adjustable suspension—it boasts a very cool AMG Performance Media (APM) telemetry function. It’s accessed and displayed via the central COMAND display, and offers driver-selectable, real-time info for lateral and linear acceleration, engine data, and lap times. Like the adjustable suspension, APM was introduced on the SLS roadster and added to the coupe for 2012; Mercedes says it will spread to other AMG models in the future. You can watch AMG Performance Media doing its thing in an SLS AMG as it tears around Germany’s Hockenheimring in the very cool Mercedes-sourced video below.

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Digital Celebrity: How to Get Your Car in the Sony Gran Turismo Game

Digital Celebrity: How to Get Your Car in the Sony Gran Turismo Game:

If you’re into cars, video games or haven’t lived “off the grid” for the past 13 years, odds are you’ve heard of Gran Turismo. A driving simulation game exclusive to the Sony Playstation, GT pioneered digital racing and modification with its 1998 launch, and made cars like the GT-R a household name long before Nissan exported the R35 Stateside.

Gran Turismo is now in its fifth iteration. Developer Polyphony and Sony have promoted Gran Turismo at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas by hosting the GT Awards. The ninth-annual GT Awards picks the best customized vehicle within a specific category (Truck/SUV, Asian Import, European Import, Domestic and Hot Rod) exhibited at SEMA and awards the owner a trophy and glory.

For the grand prize and ensuing glory, albeit digital, Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of GT, will select an overall GT Award champion among the category winners. The overall winning car will go on to be modeled and made available in the game (images in this story are in-game renderings of previous champs). Think American Idol, only less jeers and a whole lot more gears.

For details or to submit your car for the competition, go to www.granturismoawards.com.

Related posts:

1. Gran Turismo 5 Release Date Announced
2. Gran Turismo Driving Simulator Teases With Night Racing Trailer

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Porsche Castle for Sale

Porsche Castle for Sale:

This Porsche won’t accelerate – at all – and it definitely won’t be your first choice for corner-carving driving excitement. But if your priorities include ample interior room and cavernous cargo volume, there is no substitute. The Stuttgart-based automaker is putting a Bavarian castle up for sale.

A Porsche spokesperson told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper the company would be parting with the 1.9 million square foot estate it purchased five years ago for the equivalent of $8 million dollars.

The AFP reports the intention was to turn the property, which is located near the Austrian border, roughly 80 miles southwest of Munich, into a luxury hotel. The plans never got off the ground, however, and the decision has been made to sell up. The website for the Schloss Bullachberg property states that it served as the residence to the Thurn and Taxis family until 1995.

While the estate would impress everyone at the country club, it’ll cost you the equivalent of 54 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolets. And really, where would you park the thing?

Related posts:

1. New 911 Turbo On Sale This Week
2. Fastest Production Porsche, Ever!
3. Porsche’s April Sales Up 82 Percent

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L.A. Auto Show to Highlight 40 mpg Cars

L.A. Auto Show to Highlight 40 mpg Cars:

The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, the first major show of the auto season in North America, is promoting the growing popularity of cars that deliver better fuel economy and lower emissions.

According to the show organizers most consumers are looking to use less fuel and produce fewer carbon emissions and the solution for them are vehicles powered by modern more powerful four-cylinder internal combustion engines.

Currently four bangers have replaced the six-cylinder engine as the powerplant of choice in the U.S. – although there may be backlash if fuel prices drop further. After all it was largely trucks that lead much of the surprising improvement in new vehicle sales last month!

While six- and even eight-cylinder powered vehicles have shown significant fuel economy improvements, the 40-plus “club” of vehicles – those getting 40 mpg or more in the EPA Highway test – is expanding rapidly. The L.A. Auto Show says there will be World premiere, from a yet-to-be-named manufacturer of another entry to the 40-plus mpg club. Other new entries into this fuel-efficient category include the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, the 2012 Kia Rio and the 2012 Mazda3 with Skyactiv technology.

Here’s a list of current vehicles that deliver 40-Plus mpg:

• Audi A3 TDI (clean diesel)


• Chevy Cruze Eco


• Chevy Sonic


• Ford Focus SFE


• Ford Fiesta SFE


• Honda Civic GX


• Honda Civic HF


• Hyundai Accent


• Hyundai Elantra


• Hyundai Elantra Coupe


• Hyundai Veloster


• Kia Rio (2012)


• Mazda3 SKYACTIV (2012)


• Smart ForTwo


• Volkswagen Jetta TDI (clean diesel)


• Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon TDI (clean diesel)


• Volkswagen Passat TDI (clean diesel)


• Volkswagen Golf TDI (clean diesel)

Mazda’s new Skyactiv powertrain and chassis technologies will also be featured in the North American debut of its all-new CX-5 crossover. BMW will introduce new, more powerful, four-cylinder engine technology in performance cars — the Z4 and 528. Both will boast improved performance and increased fuel efficiency, according to BMW.

Of course we also expect to see more hybrid and electric models displayed, both in production and concept vehicles as well as these conventional gas- and diesel-fueled cars.

Related posts:

1. Americans Want 60 mpg Cars By 2025, According To Poll
2. 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview: 17+ Global Debuts
3. LA Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt takes Green Car of the Year award

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Nissan’s Juke-R

Nissan’s Juke-R:

Nissan’s Technical Center for Europe, which is based here in the UK, has teamed up with race car preparation specialists, RML to build a pair of Juke’s with GT-R running gear.

It is powered by the GT-R’s 523 bhp 3.8-liter twin turbo V-6 mated to a modified version of the supercar’s six-speed transaxle and all-wheel drive system; tires are mounted on 20-inch forged alloy RAY rims.

No official figures have been issued but you can count on a near 170 mph top speed with 0-62 km/h in less than four seconds, half the time of the current quickest Juke sold in the UK.

The interior merges crossover and supercar with the Juke’s dashboard transformed to accommodate the gauges, dials and 7-inch customizable LCD display from the GT-R. The Juke’s center console, inspired by the fuel tank of a motorcycle, remains while twin race-seats with five-point harnesses replace the standard offerings. An FIA-approved roll cage is fitted for improved body rigidity.

Just two examples are being built, one each in left- and right-hand drive.

Related posts:

1. Nissan Juke Unveiled!
2. Nissan’s Juke is a Hoot
3. Quick Take: 2011 Nissan Juke SV

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G-Power BMW M3 Tornado RS

G-Power BMW M3 Tornado RS:

German tuner G-Power has released the first official data about its latest rendition of BMW M3, labeled ‘Tornado RS’. The revamped M3 delivers a staggering 720hp thanks to its revised V8 engine now featuring new Mahle high performance pistons and a new crankshaft, which replaced to original one in order to allow an increase of the displacement from the 4.0 litres of the original version up to the 4.6 of the Tornado RS. The new G-Power package also includes a powerful SK III ‘Sporty Drive’ ASA T1-723 Supercharger System, a new carbon fiber airbox and a titanium exhaust system.

The car boasts a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of only 3.7 seconds, 0 to 200km/h in 9.5 seconds and no less than 330 km/h top speed. Other remarkable highlights are the new aerodynamic kit, a hood with newly designed air-intakes, adjustable suspension, 20″ forged alloy wheels and an impressive braking system made of 396mm carbon ceramic discs coupled with 6 piston calipers on the front and 380mm carbon ceramic discs with 4 piston calipers on the rear.

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