The first images of the new three-door Opel Astra have turned up and the new hatch appears to be shaping up to be even more attractive than its predecessor. The prototype appears to have a more steeply raked windshield than the five-door currently available in Europe and China where it’s badged as a and sold under the Excelle nameplate.
Power will come from a range of gas and diesel engines, including the 1.4-liter turbo that debuts this fall in the , a normally aspirated 1.6-liter and 210 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine for the GSi. The top of the range VXR will likely a get a version of the 2.0-liter direct injected turbo inline-four putting out around 240 hp.
We know the sedan version of the Astra is joining the Buick lineup here in the U.S., but Buick officials declined to comment on whether this model will join the four door model.
Episode four of the video series is out, with a focus on the and how it’s helping to make the . We already knew that the Corvette C6.R has been running on cellulosic E85 for the past two years, but that’s just the beginning of the improvements to these race cars.
The engineers and technicians that create and maintain the racers have been working for a decade to make them better. When the original GT1 class C5.R started racing ten years ago, it would get about 10 laps per tankful at Le Mans. Today the cars get 15 laps per tank, meaning they spend a lot less time sitting idle in the pits and more time out running for position.
Reducing friction and parasitic losses throughout the car has helped tremendously. The team has worked with its air conditioning supplier to reduce the compressor power draw from five horsepower to just 1.8 hp. Similarly, going from traditional steel wheel bearings to ceramic bearings has added three mph of straightaway speed and improved durability. The next big change that could eventually make its way to road cars is zero viscosity engine oil to cut internal engine friction.
has developed social media initiatives aimed at “digital natives,” folks 16-to-33 that have grown up with the web, that don’t stop at posting photos and blasting a few characters at a time. One is a community called Gen-Benz, with 580 members who provide Mercedes comments and commentary on the brand.
The other forum for feedback comes via a group of 1,800 M-B Advisers who provide feedback on the marque’s advertising and branding. Interestingly, Mercedes has used the group to get input on marketing the , not just the models you might think more appropriate for the 16-to-33 demographic.
The results being promoted do raise an eyebrow. In one instance, some Gen-Benz members were dispatched to dealers as mystery shoppers and they reported that dealers didn’t treat them well, a verdict that Mercedes’ VP of marketing described as “a truth we wouldn’t have known about for a couple of years.” In another case the M-B Advisers told Mercedes to stick with an emotional pitch for its SLS AMG, yet we aren’t sure how many other ways there are to advertise a nearly $200,000 car. Still, a fairly conservative company going this far to interact with current and new buyers is a smart move.
The furious noises of the 2011 Shelby GT500 – Click above to watch video
Recently you got to see the Virginia International Raceway lap where the 2011 Shelby GT500 bested the by nine seconds – but you didn’t really get to hear it. That has been corrected with this video, which should have just enough growling, whining and screeching to tide you over until Ford raises the portcullis on more multimedia, which we’re hoping is very, very soon. Yes, , but this time it’s sunny… and can you really get enough of that noise? to listen. Hat tip to Yaroukh
Look at any legislation related to cars, and it seems pretty obvious that lawmakers hate automobiles. While it seems odd that people who get driven around Washington D.C. gridlock in full-size SUVs are railing against the same kind of vehicles, there’s also a contingent of legislators on the state level who understand that “” has nothing to do with .
For the last five years, SEMA has partnered with state lawmakers interested in preserving and protecting the automotive hobby in the form of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. If you’re a gearhead interested in knowing who your friends are at your state’s Capitol when it comes to the love of cars, SEMA’s list of state Senators, Reps and Assemblymen who are members of the Caucus is where to go.
There are even photos of some members posing with their personal rides. , but you can easily figure out where to send your greasy-fingerprinted, crayon-composed love letters.
The Italians don’t play when it comes to tax evasion and financial crimes, with a special branch of the army called the Guardia di Finanza solely devoted to busting those who play with numbers. Flavio Briatore is one of the most recent big fish caught in the Guardia’s net; his $22-million yacht, Force Blue, was impounded over the weekend off the coast of the Italian Riviera.
The perma-tanned Briatore keeps the yacht registered in the Cayman Islands and claims it’s hired out by the week, but Italian authorities contend that Briatore spends a hefty portion of the year on the vessel. In fact, when the dawn raid was carried out, Briatore’s wife and son were on board. If customs authorities can prove VAT evasion, Briatore could be on the hook for a fine of $5 million.
Given that Briatore owns and operates a $22-million yacht, he probably won’t have a hard time paying the penalty. He shouldn’t feel bad either way, since he joins luminaries such as Bank of America, soccer club Juventus, and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il on the list of folks nabbed by the Guardia di Finanza.
It would seem that the only good time Lewis Hamilton had at the Australian Grand Prix was when he was actually smoking the tires of his loaner . Once that burnout was complete, though, the wheels came off: Hamilton got under Melbourne’s anti-hoon laws, had the car impounded, qualified 11th for the race and .
And it’s not over: Lewis has been officially charged by a Melbourne court with intentionally losing control of a vehicle. A summons for a court date of August 24 was given to his Australian solicitor, but with the Belgian Grand Prix taking place on August 29 the chance of his appearing on that date seems slim. If nothing else, charging a former Formula 1 world champion – and Swiss resident, to boot – is the best lesson to every non-world-champion out there who plans to visit Melbourne: Do. Not. Hoon. Hat tip to Robert
It’s not often that a race car manufacturer gets to celebrate the production of its 1,000th unit, but that’s exactly what happened at Radical Sportscars this week. It has taken Radical 13 years to reach this milestone, and the SR2 has accounted for over half that volume. Radicals compete in a wide variety of series worldwide, including four runs in the 24 hours of Le Mans with the LMP2-class SR9 model.
Radical has also shown off a concept for a battery-powered race car dubbed the . Developed in cooperation with the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, the SRZero sends energy from its 550-volt battery through a pair of electric motors that produce a combined 400 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The SRZero appears to be based on the SR3 chassis, and whether it will ever compete is unclear. Also unknown: how far the SRZero can go on a charge. Evidently, it supports simultaneous charging from two outlets.
The 1979 BAAAAD1 Datsun Z – Click above for image gallery
There are many, many words you could use to describe this car, but the one we’ll use comes straight from the seller: “unreal.” Indeed. This 1979 Datsun is also called “The wildest Z on the planet period,” which we would never contest based on looks alone. When you add the custom headers into side pipes, four-barrel Holley carbs, full roll cage and the Subaru rear end we might even throw “embarrassment of riches” into the mix. And we thought we knew what a rear wing was, but oh, we had so much to learn.
It’s in Nevada if you’re interested, and the sound is said to be so glorious that the seller will play it over the phone for you if you wish. At the time of writing, the bids were up to $13,105, but you don’t have long on this one, so check it out in the gallery below before heading over to eBay to make your move. And please keep it above the belt when commenting on the photographic embellishment…
2010 Mazda3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
There’s a battle raging over the northern border between the and : the Mazda3’s 5,436 units sold in April outdid the Civic by 135, and through the end of last month the Zoom-Zoom ride leads the by just 21 units. The rest of April’s Canadian top five is filled out by the , and . Compare that to April’s American top five of the Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and Ford Fusion. Mazda (and higher gas prices) really have a hold on the Canucks, it seems – even if they’re …
Tata Motors has milked the minicar’s “most affordable” status for a ton of press, but it might soon hand the title belt over to a new challenger. According to a report at TopNews.in, Geely’s reportedly got its own ultra-frugal compact in the works for 2010. Called the IG, it’s expected to bring a $2,250 price tag and a 1.0-liter, 70 horsepower motor to the party.
We have no idea what to expect from a new car that’s , but word is that Geely aims to surpass the Nano from a quality standpoint. We already have a good idea of what the IG might look like if/when the Chinese microcar hits crowded city streets in a couple years, since Geely showed off the IG Fantastic concept car at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show.
While we’re certain the concept’s gullwing doors will never see life outside an exhibition hall, we’re thinking that a cute little runabout could fare quite nicely with a $2,250 price tag. We’ll likely never see the IG here in the States, but the folks in China and India will probably love it.
Everyone is watching CEO Ed Whitacre, Jr. to see what he’ll be able to pull of this year with respect to his plans, including a possible IPO. Count CEO Sergio Marchionne among the interested. While the Fiat 500’s introduction will likely result in Fiat upping its Chrysler stake to 25 percent, when it comes to a Chrysler IPO, Marchionne is thinking 2011, and he wants GM to go first, according to Automotive News.
Marchionne feels there’s enough investor interest for both GM and Chrylser IPOs, but said, “Let him go, he’s been itching to go,” in reference to Whitacre wanting a GM IPO as soon as this year. Chrysler has good reason to wait. It’s arguably further behind than GM in its turnaround, and whereas GM has the Volt to make a potential shareholder splash in 2010, Chrysler’s product fireworks won’t really start booming until next year.
For now, Chrysler and things in Auburn Hills are going well enough to get Marchionne to say, “May is “turning out to be a good month.” A Chrysler IPO is obviously desired, but based on Marchionne’s latest statements, it remains in the distance.
Given the level of when it comes to their motorcycles, it comes as no surprise that somebody has given one the Munsters treatment and created the . Built in Auckland, New Zealand by an automotive engineer, the bike can carry up to 440 lbs in an underbelly cradle. Push a button and the rig slides out to let the pallbearers do their thing. A complex system of hydraulics helps stabilize everything, and two riders are needed to get the deceased from place to place.
Power comes courtesy of a 1,350 cc engine, and the motorcycle hearse’s inventor, Mike Price, says that he originally wanted to partner with them on the project. Harley wanted Price to sign a lengthy contract before they’d even look at his design, however, so he politely told them where they could stick that dotted line and built the bike himself after work. Are there classier ways to get to your final resting place? Sure, but few are any cooler. for a check out a few videos.
Great Wall Hover H3 – Click above for a high-res image gallery
Even though it’s already the biggest, China’s auto market is still very new, and sales continue to rise by leaps and bounds every year. For years, a mix of small, affordable vehicles and larger luxury sedans have been dominant, but the latest sales data indicates that utility vehicles may be taking over.
2010 SUV sales are up 108 percent versus the same period in 2009, with 372,527 units sold. April was a banner month for the big and tall set, with 105,585 SUVs and crossovers making their way to customers. The big winner was the , with 13,000 sales. Asian marques round out the the crossover-laden top five, led by the , , and .
With sales in China routinely growing from 10 to 20 percent annually, we think a big part of the SUV and crossover growth is organic. That SUV sales have doubled so quickly shows that Chinese consumers’ vehicle tastes may be more in line with American buyers, rather than the wagon and hatch-loving Europeans.
Formula One impresario Bernie Eccelstone wants to bring his series back to the United States, but he’s apparently not keen on returning to Indy, site of the U.S. Grand Prix from 2000-2007. Instead, he hopes to stage the race in a big media market like New York City. While the idea of an F1 street course in Manhattan has surfaced repeatedly over the years, anyone familiar with the city will tell you the concept is clearly idiotic.
In recent days, however, a new venue has jumped in as a possible host: the . Monticello is a private motorsports country club located about 75 miles northwest of Manhattan. The track has a maximum length of 4.1 miles with 22 turns depending on the configuration, and would make a magnificent site for an F1 race. While there is an airport nearby, and the track itself is new, having opened in 2008, there are currently no spectator facilities. If Monticello gets the deal to host a Grand Prix, a lot of work would have to be done, meaning a race probably wouldn’t happen until at least 2012 or maybe even 2013.
Rule number one of the Internet should be to always read past the headline before hitting the keyboard to comment. A prime example comes from the latest press release from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The statement’s headline implies that PA state troopers will be enforcing seatbelt use from aircraft flying overhead. Frankly, given the budget constraints of most states, we suspect that aerial traffic enforcement is enormously wasteful at best. But the idea of even detecting seatbelt use from the sky seems absurd on its face.
As it turns out, Pennsylvania’s belt law only only allows for secondary enforcement anyway. That means if you drive unbelted past a trooper while still observing all other traffic edicts, you can’t get pulled over. Hence, the Air, Land and Speed campaign that the Pennsylvania state police is undertaking this summer will be primarily focused on catching speeders and then giving them secondary tickets if they insist on being truly foolish by driving unrestrained.
[Source: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Image: Wikimedia Commons]
1967 Porsche 910 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Today’s eBay find of the day is a particularly rare , a 1967 910 Spydercoupe. “Spyder Coupe,” you say? But that makes no sense! This particular car began life in early 1967 as the third of five 910 Spyders built by the factory for European hillclimb competition. After winning two of four races in ‘67 as part of the factory team, the car was rebuilt and offered for sale. It was purchased by John von Neuman, who raced it for the next two years in the U.S.
Eventually, the original Spyder bodywork was replaced with a coupe shell and the car passed through several collections over the next 30 years. It currently resides at in La Jolla, California, where we stumbled across it a couple of months ago while browsing. If you happen to be in La Jolla, Symbolic has a pretty impressive inventory; at the time of our visit, it included two , a Lamborghini Reventon, a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra and a number of whose vintages range the 1960s to the present.
Oh, and the asking price for the Porsche 910? A cool $995,000.
Earlier this week, a plastered the – rather, Ram – logo on a Fiat 500. It looked pretty bad. Now, Fiat USA is offering Yanks a chance to choose a more conventional logo for the cute little bugger, and thankfully, the mountain mammal doesn’t factor into the equation.
Elsewhere, the 500 logo is the horizontally-split numerical graphic at the top. Your job is to let Fiat know which of the five supplementary graphics you think should grace the car. Whether Fiat plans on listening to any of you or using your majority choice anywhere remains to be seen, but as long as it isn’t number three then we’ll have fun playing. And as Mr. Letterman would advise, please, no wagering. Hop on over to and cast your vote.
The first leaked shot of the 2011 Passat has apparently surfaced in Germany’s Auto Bild. Assuming it’s accurate, the mid-size sedan boasts one of the straightest interpretations of VW’s new design language.
In fact, its wide, strongly-horizontal bearing is as much a reminder of the as it is of the . Following the lines of the heavily-chrome-accented front end back along the absolutely flat shoulder, the new Passat presents itself as upscale middle-management transport that acts as a stepping stone to the range-topping Phaeton. It’ll arrive later this year, and we expect to get our first in-person look at it at the Paris Motor Show.
