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While Ferrari was cleaning up at its home race at Monza this past weekend, the GP2 feeder series campaigned its penultimate race of the season. Venezuelan racer Pastor Maldonado, driving for Italian team Rapax, clinched the series title in its sixth season, but arguably even more intriguing was the concurrent launch of the new third-generation GP2 spec racer.

Like the car it replaces, the new GP2/11 is designed and built by Italian racing chassis manufacturer Dallara – also behind the cars used in IndyCar and Formula 3 as well as F1 newcomer HRT’s car, to name just a few – and will be used exclusively by all teams for the next three seasons. Major changes to the design close the gap to Formula One considerably and borrow from its latest developments, employing a larger diffuser, a narrower rear wing and a larger one up front, a raked front nose and anvil-shaped engine cover. Also like F1, the new GP2 car will switch from Bridgestone rubber to new Pirelli compounds.

Development has been underway for several months, and the new car – unveiled to the teams and press at Monza – will see its first race early next year in the season-bridging GP2 Asia Series. Considering that no fewer than fifteen drivers – Lewis Hamilton among them – have graduated from the series up to F1, GP2 has rapidly developed as the place to watch for the next generation of top talent at the pinnacle of open-wheel racing. So keep an eye on newly-crowned champion Paston Maldonado, and check out the new car in the high-res image gallery below.

[Source: GP2]

Third-generation GP2 spec racer unveiled at Monza

It feels like Jaguar’s renaissance has only just begun, and here’s the sedan that started it all, already prepping for its own renaissance. The Jaguar XF, in line to be fitted with some tailoring taken from the XJ’s handsome suit of sheetmetal, was caught again stretching its legs in the desert. The exterior changes won’t be radical, but expect a smattering of fascia work and some tweaking of lines and light clusters out back, along with some revised and refined interior elements.

(More) Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

At yesterday’s Chrysler dealer conference, the Pentastar people publicly revealed new or updated products from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Fiat. But there was more on stage than just a facelifted Town & Country and a federalized Fiat 500.

Towards the end of his remarks, Chrysler Group and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne pulled a Steve Jobs-style “one more thing,” and onto the stage rolled the 2012 Dodge Viper. According to our sources, the design was all-new, complete with an aggressive greenhouse and fresh, angular sheetmetal.

Chrysler has already confirmed that the next Viper is on its way in two years’ time, but showing it off this early is a clear indication that work is well underway. There’s still some debate about what powertrain will be fitted to the thoroughly updated Viper, but early reports indicate that the same 8.4-liter V10 could carry on, possibly with the inclusion of Fiat’s MultiAir technology to reduce emissions and boost output over 700 horsepower. An entry-level V8 option is a possibility, and there’s little doubt that Dodge is tapping Ferrari’s engineers to advise on everything from handling to steering and stability control systems.

Another supposed cameo at the event was a Jeep pickup, similar to the Gladiator concept, however, we’ve yet to confirm its attendance or any serious production plans. But for the time being, we’re content with the knowledge that Dodge’s next supercar is in the wings and we’ll being seeing it in person within the next several months.

UPDATE: More details from the Wall Street Journal.

Marchionne shows 2012 Dodge Viper at dealer meeting

Toyota has run into some trouble in a lawsuit against a former employee. An independent arbitrator has found that the automaker can’t bar the release of certain documents by claiming attorney-client privilege in a countersuit by Dimitrios Biller.

Biller served as legal counsel to Toyota for four years from 2003 until 2007. When he resigned from the company, he was given a $3.7 million severance package, but last year was sued by Toyota for $33.5 million for taking internal documents and breaking the terms of his deal.

Biller turned around and countersued, and Toyota immediately attempted to use attorney-client privilege to keep Biller from releasing potentially incriminating documents. But on September 9, a retired federal judge found that Biller has enough evidence to show that Toyota hired a lawyer to hide or destroy some of the company’s safety records in an attempt to keep that information from vehicle owners injured in rollover accidents. In some cases, that information could have led to significantly higher settlements.

That lawyer was none other than Biller himself, who turned over 170 documents, including emails he sent that advised the company that settling cases early would be worth not having to turn over “books of knowledge” on the Toyota vehicle safety record.

[Source: Automotive News]

Report: Preliminary round ruling against Toyota says safety evidence was hidden

According to Reuters, Kia is looking to jump into the EV fight with an electrified CUV. Parent company Hyundai said that it’s planning to turn out a total of 2,500 battery-operated vehicles by 2012. A total of 500 of those will be Hyundai BlueOn models, but the rest of the fleet will be made up of the new Kia-badged creation. The early fleet will be sold to Korean government agencies as a large-scale test, but commercial sales are supposed to start shortly thereafter. Reuters quotes Hong John-hee, the director of the company’s electric vehicle development group, as saying that the cost of battery-electric vehicles will fall off much quicker than most analysts are anticipating.

Like the BlueOn, the CUV-based EV will store its power in an SK Energy battery pack, though there was no mention as to whether the cells would be lithium-ion or traditional nickel-metal hydride.

The electric crossover is likely to show up on the market in 2013 and will be capable of covering around 80 miles on a single charge. Both Hyundai and Kia are part of an effort by the Korean government to replace up to 20 percent of the nation’s passenger vehicles with EVs by 2020.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Electric CUV coming from Kia in 2013

Hyundai has announced plans to build a new North American headquarters in Orange County, California. The $150 million project will take nearly two years, create a projected 1,530 new construction jobs and generate a total economic impact of around $273 million. At least that’s what the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation is hoping.

The Korean automaker is planning to start construction at its Fountain Valley Campus by mid 2011. The new facility will boast 500,000 square feet of both floor and garage space, effectively doubling the capacity of the current headquarters. Hyundai says that the building will be able to house a total of 1,400 employees – doubling the company’s current workspace.

Hyundai has called Orange County home since it landed in America in 1985, and the company says that its new building underscores its commitment to the greater Los Angeles area. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai building new California headquarters

Hyundai building new California headquarters

The five new kings in the Holden range wear Redline badges, with the Aussie arm of General Motors introducing new versions of the Series II Calais V-Series sedan and Sportwagon, along with the SS V-Series sedan, Sportwagon and Ute. Six-liter, Flexfuel V8s power them all, with the sedans getting the additional benefit of the FE3 Super Sports Performance Suspension and a chrome window surround. Otherwise each wears Brembo brakes, forged 19-inch with low-profile tyres, and all but the ute get a rearview camera. Follow the jump for the press release, have a look at a few of the flavors in the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Holden Redlines its V-Series performance offerings

Holden Redlines its V-Series performance offerings

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard any rumblings about Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti replacement. The oldest member of the Prancing Horse marque is due for an overhaul in the very near future, and while we’ve only seen a singular spy video that barely shows off the new body style, we can confirm one thing: Ferrari makes one hell of a sweet-sounding V12.

Seen here running around Italy’s Fiorano racetrack, this 612 mule is obviously testing out new engine mechanics, and the revised exhaust is an aural delight for anyone whose ears perk up at the sound of naturally aspirated, twelve-cylinder, Italian-bred powerhouses. See (and hear) for yourself, after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Spy Video: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti caught testing at Fiorano

Spy Video: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti caught testing at Fiorano

Ask any economics professor – competition is a good thing. Exhibit A? The large pickup truck market. Ford F-Series trucks have been the number-one selling vehicle line in the United States for more than three decades, but the automaker has never grown complacent. Each new iteration has been bigger, badder and more capable than its predecessor, and that goes twofold for Dearborn’s heavy-duty models.

Despite the fact that Toyota and Nissan never followed up their light-duty trucks with three-quarter or one-ton models, just the threat of such entries spurred Ford, General Motors and Dodge to significantly up their games. In the first half of 2010, the Detroit Three have introduced revamped heavy-duty pickups to feed a segment that, while shrinking, remains large and highly profitable. With that in mind, we saddled up to the Big Daddy of the F-Series range, the F-450, to see if the behemoth could play the dual roles of load-lugger and daily ride. Click through the jump to see how we fared.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

The words “diesel” and “Bentley” have flirted for some years now, but it never gets beyond that initial stage. Bentley isn’t against oil burners, but its customers in the U.S. and Japan aren’t ready to connect the two, and that makes the issue a non-starter. Not only that, but Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen has reportedly said that, “the attitude of Chinese buyers is going to have a big effect on cars like ours in future, too, and they are none too keen [about diesels].”

The company’s head of powertrain also believes, ominously, that “the forthcoming Euro 6 clean-air regs are likely to pile some big costs on to diesels.” With a diesel’s big selling points being massive torque and fuel economy, it’s perhaps clear why Bentley is out of the running: its engines are already torque monsters, and its buyers care more about the time they have to spend filling up instead of the price.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Bentley experimented with diesels, but poor salability means they won’t be built

If it looks like a WRC racer, sounds like a WRC racer and moves like a WRC racer, chances are it will be able to handle itself against the rest of the pros on the global rally stage. We’ve already gotten a few quick glimpses of the Mini Countryman WRC thanks to a handful of still photos from the beater’s development at the Prodrive studios, but so far, we haven’t been able to see the car in action. Consider that problem taken care of.

A few videos have cropped up on the YouTubes showing the car being put through its paces over some pretty grueling gravel stages in Portugal. From what we can see, the racer is plenty quick, if not a bit unsorted. We’re guessing that the mechanical wizards at Prodrive will have the car fit for duty well before it knocks skulls with the rest of the heathens in the WRC.

Now the only real question is whether or not Mini is going to offer some variant of the go-fast pieces found on the WRC bruiser to the masses. We’re thinking we could rock a Countryman with a lower stance, meaner turbo and physics-bending brakes. Hit the jump to take a look at a few of the videos yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Honda is set to launch a recall of certain 2010 Accord Crosstour models to “inspect and potentially replace the front passenger airbag.” According to Honda, the recall will cover about 3,340 units in total, some 700 of those in Canada.

The cause for the recall stems from recent testing which revealed a potential problem with the airbag modules not meeting the rules regarding protection of an unbelted, child test dummies in the front seats. They say no incidents have been reported, but Honda is recommending that children under the age of 12 be properly restrained in the vehicle’s rear seat for now.

Honda will notify affected customers by mail but owners can also call their dealer or Customer Relations toll-free at 1-888-946-6329.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Canada NewsWire via Digital Journal]

Honda recalling Accord Crosstour over airbag issue?

The number of vehicle models slated to cruise past the magic 100,000 mark this year is up. In a big way. According to Wards, there are around 39 percent more nameplates expected to clear the six-digit hurdle in 2010 compared to 2009. So far, sales-trends point to 32 cars and trucks expected to meet or exceed the goal, compared to 23 last year. So which models are the winners of 2010?

For the first time ever, vehicles like the Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Versa are aiming to close out 2010 with more than 100,000 units sold. They join the ranks of mainstays like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado – two trucks that have already well-exceeded the 100k line, even with another full quarter left in the year. In all, a total of 16 cars and trucks have already performed similar feats of sales wizardry.

And who’s the fairest of them all? That honor goes to the Toyota Camry. The Japanese automaker has already delivered a total of 220,061 units through August, putting it well ahead of any competition. That pace doesn’t look to be slowing anytime soon, either.

[Source: Wards]

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year?

Ever get the feeling that Italian cars – short of top-flight supercars, anyway – are more about style than they are about substance? If you haven’t, then have a look at the latest from Lancia. Called the Diva Collection, a series of special touches have been applied to both the Ypsilon and the Musa, two of the smallest cars in Lancia’s range… or any other, for that matter.

So what’s special about the Diva Collection models? Beats us. Fiat’s quirky step-sister only released information in Italian, but even that doesn’t get into much detail. Instead it speaks mostly of the advertising campaign in which they’ll be featured, referencing something about “man brushes”. (We don’t really want to know.)

Both models can be had with an array of absurdly low-output engines (nothing even in triple digits), but feature commensurately low list prices, and there also seems to be some extra chrome, so they’ve got that going for them. That, plus their appearing on Italian television. Chrysler badges, anyone?

[Source: Lancia]

Continue reading Lancia confuses us with Diva Collection Ypsilon and Musa

Lancia confuses us with Diva Collection Ypsilon and Musa

One of HGTV’s most popular shows is called House Hunters, where your average Joe and Jane Public take a look at two or three homes and ultimately end up purchasing their dream abode. Chevrolet wanted to get in on this game and its teamed up with the network to develop the Car Hunters Challenge. You see where this is going, right?

Cameras are everywhere and the supposedly unbiased reactions of the car shoppers are recorded. How are they able to get to the real opinions regarding the Chevy-supplied cars? Independent research company GfK is asking the questions, and the car buyers also look at equivalent models from Honda and Toyota. In the mid-size segment, the Chevy Malibu took on the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. A Chevrolet Equinox lined up next to a Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V for the compact crossover shoppers. In the mid-size crossover group, a Chevy Traverse duked it out with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

The Car Hunters Challenge ultimately ended up speaking with 70 people, but how did the Bow-Tie brand fair? It took a gamble on the entire project but walked away happy after 43 new-car shoppers gave Chevrolet vehicles the thumbs up. By our grade-school math, that equates to a D-. However, it’s entirely possible they grade on the nursing school curve. Regardless, it’s interesting to see an automaker take a risk like this and the see the results play in its favor.

You can catch the Car Hunters Challenge spots in commercial form during episodes of House Hunters or watch episodes on the web courtesy of the HGTV website. Take a gander at the trailer, available for viewing after the jump.

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet sweeps HGTV Car Hunters Challenge

Video: Chevrolet sweeps HGTV Car Hunters Challenge

Automotive News reports that long-time Ford supplier Visteon should exit bankruptcy by October after 15 long months in reorganization. If all goes according to play, Visteon should exit Chapter 11 with less debt, more diversity of clientele and a healthier auto industry to sustain future success. Visteon’s reorganization plan got the thumbs up from a U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware on August 31, complete with $700 million in cash and $2 billion less debt than when it entered Chapter 11 protection.

But Visteon’s lower debt load comes at a price to both shareholders and the company’s once sprawling assets. While shareholders will receive only two percent of the new Visteon, the company will shed many of its North American factories. Ford’s former parts arm will drop non-core businesses and instead concentrate only on interiors, electronics and powertrain controls. At the same time, Visteon has worked hard to rely less on Ford to supply the bulk of its work. Right now the supplier is doing more work for Hyundai and Kia, with The Blue Oval coming in at a close second. The news is also good for Ford, which has bailed out with billions of dollars in cash and, we’re sure, a few no-bid contracts over the past 10 years.

The slowly recovering auto industry should also be of help to Visteon’s short-term stability. Not only is the supplier smaller and more concentrated than before, but the industry has inched forward to sales that are projected to an annual volume of 11.7 million units. That’s about 1.5 million more cars and trucks than were sold during 2009. Visteon lost $201 million during the second quarter, due mostly to $236 million in bankruptcy-related charges.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]

Report: Visteon set to emerge from 15-month long bankruptcy

If you’re in the market for a new 911, but don’t want the same Carrera S as your neighbor and the GT3 is just a wee bit too hardcore for your tastes, we don’t understand you. Thankfully, Porsche does and the answer to your prayers is coming to Paris. Meet the 2011 Porsche Carrera 911 GTS, the new middle-child of the ass-engined family.

If the body work looks familiar, that’s because it’s cribbed from the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 – a trick Porsche has pulled off several times in the past. Nestled between that 44mm wider track is an upgraded 3.8-liter flat-six putting out 408 horsepower (23 more than the standard S, 27 less than the GT3) and 310 pound-feet of torque, now peaking at 4,200 rpm – 200 rpm earlier than in the S.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels (and as it should be), with a manual six-speed transmission coming standard and a seven-speed PDK as an option. Select the Sport Chrono package along with the dual-clutch ‘box, and Porsche claims you’ll be cracking off four-second 0-60 runs all day long.

Aside from the widened haunches, the GTS is set apart by its 19-inch center-hub RS Spyder wheels, SportDesign front and rear fascias, black Alcantara trim and assorted body and interior bits.

After the GTS debuts in Paris, sales of both the coupe and cabriolet versions will begin early next year, with a starting price of $103,100 and $112,900, respectively. Full details in the press blast after the break.

Continue reading Paris Preview: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Paris Preview: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Earlier this year, Ford promised us a hotter version of the all-new Focus, and at this month’s Paris Motor Show, the Blue Oval is sticking to its word.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST will be the brand’s first high-performance model developed under the watchful eye of its global performance vehicle team, and while the hatch you see here is being billed as a “design study,” make no mistake – this will form the basis of the ST coming to market in early 2012.

Power is provided by an EcoBoost 2.0-liter inline four churning out 247 turbocharged horsepower, and Ford promises that the ST’s handling and aural delights will live up to the marque’s performance heritage. FoMoCo also makes it clear that the ST is bound for “all global markets from early 2012″ so those of us in the States should finally get a crack at what’s traditionally been a Euro-only affair.

Joining the Focus ST in Paris will be the new Mondeo and C-Max, both powered by Ford’s new range of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel-powered drivetrains. Make the jump for the full details.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Paris Preview: 247-hp 2012 Ford Focus ST set to go global

Paris Preview: 247-hp 2012 Ford Focus ST set to go global

After 15 years of offering comprehensive safety coverage to General Motors vehicle owners, OnStar will be getting a well-deserved boost in functionality to better take on Ford’s Sync and other upstart systems.

New infotainment systems are one of the hottest trends in the automotive marketplace, and GM certainly can’t afford to be behind the curve. Because of this, OnStar will be relaunching its brand image, citing the phrase “responsible connectivity” as the motto for everything moving forward. This means that OnStar won’t just be about safety anymore, though its core values will continue to be improved.

Two of the main infotainment technologies being tested right now are audio Facebook integration and voice text messaging. OnStar recently released a brief bit of information about these two functions, but we were able to attend a presentation to see these new social functions firsthand.

OnStar’s Facebook integration will allow subscribers to post audio status updates directly from the car. These messages will appear as audio updates on the Facebook news feed, and drivers will also have the ability to have their personal news feed read back to them. Even though this technology is still undergoing beta testing, the whole process works relatively seamlessly, though the read-back audio could still benefit from some smoothing-out.

Voice text messaging piggybacks on this same audio technology. Using a Bluetooth-paired phone, drivers can have text messages read to them via the car’s audio system. From there, the driver can press a button on the steering wheel to verbally select one of OnStar’s four pre-set replies – things like, “I received your text message, but am currently driving,” or, “Please call me.”

All of this being tested in correlation with OnStar’s ninth-generation hardware, which improves voice recognition, adds a Bluetooth phonebook, help ‘wizard,’ improved navigation and uses advanced notification services for traffic and weather alerts. This is just the start to what OnStar is working on, though. Stay tuned for a deeper dive into the future technologies OnStar is working to bring to GM vehicles. In the meantime, hit the jump for the official press release.

[Source: OnStar]

Continue reading Latest OnStar focuses on infotainment, adds audio Facebook integration, voice texting

Latest OnStar focuses on infotainment, adds audio Facebook integration, voice texting

We tend to live by the mantra that no car is too rare to drive. Even the most unique pieces of automotive history were designed and built to be a mode of transportation first and a stationary object of desire second. The crew at Turner Motorsports has taken that philosophy to the next level – they believe there’s no such thing as a vehicle that’s too rare to race. Case in point? The company’s new Frozen Gray BMW M3 built for serious track duty.

Just in case you need a reminder, BMW only turned out 30 examples of its M3 dipped in the super sexy flat gray paint. This is one of them. Turner Motorsports project has just gotten under way, beginning with a set of 18×10-inch Volk G2s and gooey Continental race rubber, but a more aggressive brake system and a sharper suspension is on the docket as well. All we know is that the M3 looks as fine as can be wearing its new shoes, and we can’t wait to see what Turner comes up with in terms of a finished product. Click over to M3Post for closer look.

[Source: M3Post]

Turner Motorsports prepping one-of-30 BMW M3 Frozen Gray coupes for racing