Pirelli may be used to sticking to its territory, but the latest development has the Italian rubber company voluntarily ceding ground to its rivals. After having to provide tires to Formula One, Pirelli has announced that it’s withdrawing from the World Rally Championship.
Pirelli had been the official tire supplier to the top-tier rally series for the past three years, and despite the F1 contract, was expected to continue its involvement in the WRC as well. However, reports now indicate that the deadline for submitting its tender to renew the WRC contract that expires this year has come and gone without Pirelli’s bid.
According to reports, Pirelli was uncomfortable with the volatility of the WRC’s regulations. The FIA – which governs both F1 and the WRC – offered Pirelli the opportunity to extend the current contract by another year, but Pirelli declined, choosing instead to focus its efforts on single-seaters while continuing its rally activities in national series and, possibly, in the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
With National Childhood Cancer Awareness month underway, Motor America has announced plans to donate $100,000 to 68 hospitals and non-profit organizations ($6.8 million total) in the form of “Hope Grants.” The bulk of the money will be raised by Hyundai’s U.S. sales network, now more than 800 dealers strong, who will contribute $200 from the sale of each vehicle in September.
“While we’ve made progress over the last few decades and now have an 85 percent cure rate, cancer still takes more lives than any other childhood disease,” said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “This September, in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai will shine a nationwide spotlight on this cause and provide more than $6 million in grants for pediatric cancer research and support programs. We love taking on big challenges at Hyundai, and we can think of no more worthy challenge than finding a cure for all forms of pediatric cancer.”
Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels program has supported the fight against childhood cancer for the past twelve years. By the end of this year, the program will have awarded more than $23 million to hospitals and non-profit organizations across the country. To learn more about the program, or donate directly, visit .
2010 Kentucky Indy 300 from Kentucky Speedway – Click above for high-res image gallery
For the IRL IndyCar Series, the 2010 Kentucky Indy 300 was all about the number “200.” It was the 200th race in IRL history. The drivers would be running 200 laps around the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway. And the speeds would be well above 200 mph as the field of 27 cars ran inches away from each other under the lights of Kentucky. Among those 27 drivers was last year’s runner-up, Ed Carpenter, who still hasn’t scored a full-time ride, and Paul Tracy, the fan favorite who seems to never get rusty. Maybe we’ll have to start calling him Platinum Paul.
Last week’s winner Dario Franchitti was making things interesting in the race for the championship by closing the gap to points leader Will Power who hasn’t done as well as some of the others – including Franchitti – on ovals. Kentucky is an oval, of course, and so are Motegi and Miami, the final two races of the season. Would Power be able to get that monkey off his back? Would Franchitti take the win and close the gap even further? Would the talented and hard luck Ed Carpenter finally head to Victory Lane? to see how the 2010 Kentucky Indy 300 went down.
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[Images: Chris Graythen, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Ed Reinke, James Crisp/AP]
Akio Toyoda may want to bring driving excitement back to , but he and his team have two major hurdles to overcome: The brands’s limited enthusiast base and the fact that Japan’s youth have very little interest in cars.
To combat both fronts, Toyota plans to launch a new line of budget-oriented vehicles that offer a modicum of sport. But so far, things don’t look too promising.
Despite debuting an FT-86-based concept at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, line of products have mainly focused on the Voxy and Noah minivans, while a “sports” version of the is apparently in the works.
More interestingly, the Mainichi Daily News reports that a version of the has been given the greenlight, meaning a mid-engined hybrid successor to the MR2 is in the works.
All these developments come after Toyota established a sports vehicle management division in January, which now has a hand in the brand’s overall product planning. We should get a look at the fruits of their labors during next year’s auto show season and could see this new breed of budget sports vehicles on the market – at least in Japan – within the next few years.
According to , members of the U.S. Treasury are worried about General Motors’ upcoming IPO. They aren’t concerned for the automaker’s stock price, or how even how many investors may decide to buy into the company – they’re concerned about what country the money is coming from.
The Journal suggests that government officials are considering whether to limit or select which non-U.S. investors would be invited to be so-called “cornerstone” investors in GM’s IPO. Cornerstone investors are sought out to purchase and hold sizable stakes in a given company at a set share price. Said price is often lower than what the general investing public can secure, the theory being that the cornerstone investors’ presence (and the stability it implies) serves to drive confidence in the company. The fear is that there could be considerable political fallout if, say, some of those cornerstone investors turned out to be from nations like China. Either way, GM will need to firm up its investment plan fairly quickly if it is to allow enough time to court the ‘right’ cornerstone buyers.
As GM readies its IPO pitch, another key element in the company’s talking points will be its long-term stability – including a chief executive officer who plans to stick around a while. New GM CEO Dan Akerson has reportedly told the board that he’ll stay at the helm for two to five years – or perhaps even longer. The manner in which his compensation agreement is structured will likely include incentives timed to take effect over a period of years as a way to show investors that he’s serious about making a longer-term commitment to the automaker’s recovery.
Less than a week after , another motorcyclist’s life has been claimed at the track.
Shoya Tomizawa was on his 15th lap at the Misano circuit during the San Marino Grand Prix when he apparently lost control of his Moto2 bike at full speed, was thrown off the bike and then hit by two other riders before sliding 130 feet to a halt.
Tomizawa was taken to a local hospital immediately after the crash and succumbed to his injuries soon thereafter.
The Moto2 rider had moved up the ranks since beginning in pocketbike racing when he was only three years old, eventually graduating to the 125 class. This year, he took a win at Qatar and sat seventh overall in the standings.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Tomizawa’s family, friends and fans.
SSC Ultimate Aero II – Watch the “unveiling” teaser video
Shelby Supercars’ used to be the fastest production car in the world, its 256-mph record speed eclipsing even the mighty . Then, as of a few weeks ago, got its act together and topped SSC’s number with the new Veyron Super Sport – to the tune of .
In August at Monterey, the Ultimate Aero successor, the Ultimate Aero II – penned by new Saab design chief Jason Castriota (he of Bertone Mantide / fame) – was unveiled in a private ceremony captured on YouTube. It was all a tease; the car was never actually shown in the “unveiling” video, only the attendees’ reaction to it. Suffice it to say, the car was well-received.
And now we know why. slated to appear in Top Gear magazine in conjunction with the car’s official launch next week. As you can see, Castriota’s influence is plainly visible in the Ultimate Aero II’s detailing. It’s got an edgier, more assertive appearance than its predecessor, and we can only assume that it has the power to back up its menacing new looks. We can’t wait to get the scoop on September 8 when SSC releases full details.
In the meantime, to see the second leaked photo and to watch the teaser video filmed at the Ultimate Aero II’s private Monterey unveiling.
Nitrous oxide – the preferred go-fast gas of many speed freaks – delivers its substantial power boost , which in turn becomes denser. The denser air’s higher oxygen volume feeds the hungry engine, which can now produce more power. Nitrous oxide is also widely used in the healthcare industry as an anesthetic and analgesic. You can find nitrous canisters in hospitals, dentists’ offices, Paul Walker’s local speed shop, and ambulance stations. British street racers have apparently been paying close attention to the last one.
A number of UK ambulance stations have reported missing giggle gas canisters, and they’re pointing the finger at local “boy racers.” The Daily Mail highlights the ways nitrous oxide is used by the enthusiast crowd, but fails to mention any specific proof that these recent crimes were committed by folks addicted to going faster. Perhaps a little more evidence is called for before conveniently condemning the English Fast and Furious set, no?
The Stig, as we’re all now aware, is portrayed by talented wheelman Ben Collins. Stiggie, like the three Top Gear presenters, is beloved by fans around the globe. It’s hard to attend a motorsports event without someone of the white-suited power lap maestro. What would persuade Mr. Collins to give up his clandestine position behind the visor? According to The Daily Mail, it all comes down to money.
Ben Collins’ company, Collins AutoSport, has reportedly racked up over $1.5 million dollars in losses over the last five years. He has a wife, three young kids and three other business ventures to support. The other members of Top Gear command handsome sums (rightfully so) and perhaps Collins felt he deserved a larger slice of the BBC cash cake. Removing the helmet allows him to cash in on what’s sure to be a substantial number of opportunities. He recently received to begin work on his autobiography and there’s already talk of a Ben Collins TV Show.
Is breaking the trust of his Top Gear brethren worth the potential financial windfall? In the eyes of many fans, it might not be, yet we imagine Collins’ autobiography will be a page-turner. To Collins and his family, however, this bold move might be the fast lap to fiscal freedom. Thanks for the tip, stecki!
Ayrton Senna biopic trailer – Click above to watch video
Ayrton Senna da Silva was born on March 21, 1960. To our knowledge, he won his first competition when he cut his umbilical cord before his doctor could. In reality, he began his karting career at age 13. He jumped to single-seat race cars in 1981 before finally reaching the holy land of Formula One in 1984. He was just 24. Four years later, he captured the first of three world championship titles, cementing his legacy as one of the .
Watching Senna drive, especially in rainy conditions, was like watching an artist create a masterpiece. As you already know, tragedy struck when Ayrton Senna died in an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. Senna aficionados will soon get the opportunity to learn more about their idol, thanks to a forthcoming documentary. A Japanese-language trailer has been released for the , the first officially-sanctioned feature-length film about the Brazilian driver who, to this day, remains sorely missed. Click to watch it.
When we were 21, we were happy to ditch the fake ID and score cheaper insurance rates. Life’s a little different for Dhiaa Al-Essa, a 21-year-old Saudi who owns a fleet of exotics that’d turn the average enthusiast’s knees into Jell-O.
His 30-car (not a typo) garage includes enough Italians, Brits and Germans to re-enact World War II. His current stable includes four , five , three , two and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which he counts as his personal favorite. To wring maximum enjoyment out of his exotic empire, Al-Essa spent this summer flying his fleet around the globe so that he and his friends could create their own driving tours in cities such as London, Montreal, Las Vegas and New York.
How is a young man like Mr. Al-Essa able to afford such amazing machinery? Well, he can’t. His father just happens to be a billionaire who enjoys spending money on cost-is-no-object basis for his son. To prove this point, Dihaa’s father is planning on providing him with the keys to two more otherworldly vehicles. On his 22nd birthday, Dihaa will become the proud owner of a Koenigsegg Agera, which comes with a golden key. It’s like the Willy Wonka of supercars. After the Agera, a will join the family. The price for both cars? Around one under $5 million dollars.
Sadly, Al-Essa’s new Ferrari 458 Italia was recently while housed at Heathrow Airport. Is he crying about it? Nope. He reportedly plans to replace it with one of the Ferrari 599 Roadster models rumored to have been shown at Pebble Beach last month. Thanks for the tip, dood!
Image Copyright (C) 2008 Alex Núñez / AOL
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Ford Focus EV – Click above for high-res image gallery
When the 2112 Electric debuts in late 2011, it and the will have a common feature in addition to their . confirms that the Focus EV will employ a liquid-cooled battery pack with automatic thermal management, just like the .
Ford opted for active thermal management solution in order to help maximize the Focus EV’s battery performance and lifespan. By protecting the battery from overheating, the system can help prevent the development of cracks in the electrodes. Those imperfections eventually reduce the pack’s ability to hold a charge. Conversely, warming the cells when cold will improve the battery pack’s winter performance. When the car is plugged in, the thermal management system will use grid power to precondition the battery before charging actually starts.
So far, and are the only major EV manufacturers that are sticking with passive air cooling for plug-in vehicles. Nissan has , but it remains unclear how well the battery will hold up over regular use in differing climates.
Is the Stig about to get a sex change? William Hill, one of the UK’s largest bookmaking operations, places the odds of the next Stig being a lady at 4-1 and has reportedly seen a good amount of action on that particular wager. Gamblers can also bet on what color the next Stig will wear, with pink currently holding 5-1 odds.
Ireland’s largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, is also in the mix, posting odds on both the color of the next Stig and who will be behind the mask (they stick with all-male options, though). Paddy Power is also taking bets on how White Stig will meet his demise. The long shot, at 20-1 odds, is currently an assassination by Tom Cruise (not a solid bet, really, as such behavior seems unbecoming of a high-level Thetan).
If Top Gear does go the Lady Stig route, who do you think will suit up? We’re going with Sabine Schmitz. She clearly has the ability, plus she’s already friendly with the Top Gear crew.
Actually, that’s not a bad bet at all – excuse us while we place a few international calls…
2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery
One month of dreary sales figures doesn’t signal the end of the hybrid, but the hint that without a rise in gas prices, hybrid vehicle sales will likely continue to suffer. Overall hybrid sales dropped 40.4 percent in August compared to a year ago. Not even the mighty could avoid the plunge. Prius sales fell 37.5 percent compared to August 2009 and dropped off 16.3 percent compared to the July 2010 numbers. Combined, and hybrids saw a 36.2 percent decline from a year ago. fared better by posting a 17.1 percent drop in year-over-year numbers.
Hybrid sales were clearly boosted last August by the government’s program, but this summer’s low gas prices take much of the blame for the current hybrid sales plunge. , posting 15,444 sales last month. Ford sits in second place after moving 3,894 hybrid vehicles off dealer lots, while holds onto third with 3,485 sales. It’s getting redundant, but Toyota still . Anyone want to place bets on when (or if) that’ll change?
Sheik, hydro and roll – Click above to watch video
Well, this is certainly different. We’ve seen our fair share of wild vehicle modifications over the years, but this one takes the cake as one of the most imaginative. If the YouTube description is any sort of indication, this craft was hewn just for Sheik Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as his personal toy. Near as we can tell, the guy liked the side-mount spare tire carriers on classic vehicles from the ’30s, but wanted to be able to deploy them without having to actually get out and spin a lug nut. The solution was found in the miracle (or curse) of hydraulics.
Let’s just do the world a favor and make sure this doesn’t evolve into a trend. We’ve already had terrible visions of a future SEMA show with row upon row of six-wheeled, white-wall wearing Honda Civics. If you’re brave enough, you can to see the Nissan-based for yourself. Just don’t show anyone else.
After seeing a of the next-generation Euro-spec , the North American car is finally starting to show up out roaming the heat-soaked roads of Death Valley. When the new Civic arrives next year, it won’t be that much larger than the current car, and the overall shape looks to have stayed the same, though substantial changes to the front and rear fascias are definitely on deck.
Our spies were able to get a peek inside the Civic’s cabin, showing that the two-tiered dash theme from the current car will likely be carried over to the new Civic. This means we can expect a digital speedometer on the top shelf with an analog tach below, and while we’ve never been big fans of this arrangement, it has its adherents among Civic fans.
We’re not expecting to see the Civic debut until sometime in 2011, possibly at the or auto shows. For now, check out Honda’s latest prototype from all angles in our gallery below.
Ford’s off-road beast, the F-150 SVT Raptor, has only been on sale for a year, but it’s already getting a few upgrades for the 2011 model year. Many reports and a few spy shots indicated that Ford had been prepping a four-door SuperCrew version of the Raptor (you know, for when the family wants to do the Baja run with you), and the automaker has officially confirmed the details (again).
That’s what the crew at Car Guide would have us all believe. According to the website, Toyota is looking to hedge its bets by producing a second model on the same platform as the upcoming FT-86….
General Motors will be expanding Chevrolet of Europe’s lineup by adding a five-door Cruze, and while we won’t get our first look at this new hatchback for a few weeks, GM has decided to preview it early with a few pictures on the web.
Safety organizations and the District of West Vancouver, Canada are joining forces to build awareness about careful driving during the start of the school year. Thanks the work of the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, drivers motoring down 22nd Street in West Vancouver will be met with a 3D image of a girl chasing a ball across the street. No one is saying exactly how the tech works, but it’s meant to be a wakeup call for drivers who may be distracted or otherwise not paying enough attention to their surroundings while driving near school zones.
The display will be installed for just one week and cost a princely total of $14,400 (USD) to operate. According to The Globe and Mail, drivers will be able to see that there is something on the road as they approach the 3D image. Once the vehicle reaches a certain point, the image of the child and her toy will appear. According to the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, September and October are the two months with the highest child fatalities, and this exercise should go well beyond the typical awareness campaign. Here’s hoping it doesn’t trigger any panic-braking induced accidents in the process.
Mexican sports car intender has officially announced that it will reveal the production version of its MXT at this month’s Paris Motor Show.
Longtime Autoblog readers may recall that the Latin auto was , but for unknown reasons, it evidently hasn’t made it into serial production yet. Previously shown iterations of the MXT have been powered by a 2.0-liter Duratec four-cylinder, with the promise that a production model would be turbocharged and fettled by the enginemeisters at Cosworth. The target back then was a modest 240 horsepower, but with an expected weight of under a ton, 0-60 mph was expect in under five seconds.
At this point, we’re not sure if the car will look like the model revealed in 2007, let alone how many MXTs are planned, or at what cost. Back in 2008, Mastretta indicated that they were targeting about 150 units per year, with fully 70 percent of production earmarked for Europe and the United States. Click past the jump for the company’s announcement and check out our gallery of the original MXT below.
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’s Mastretta releases a few lines about MXT sports car for Paris
So you’re headed to Japan and need to rent a car. What to choose? The island nation is a smorgasbord of metal foreign to American tastes, from a wide buffet of pint-sized kei-cars to more American-sized contraptions. But what if none of those options have the kind of flair you require for that special business meeting? Fear not. Mitsuoka has you covered. The company has just announced a rental program that will let you pick up either of its two sports cars for a fairly low per-day rental rate in Osaka.
For a mere $390 per day, you can play around with the ridiculously over-the-top Orochi, complete with its underwhelming Toyota 3.3-liter V6 mounted mid-ship. If you require something topless, Mitsuoka will be happy to put you in the driver’s seat of its roadster, the Himiko for a mere $177 per day. Whichever you choose, you’ll need a fair command of the Japanese language to navigate site. Our Google Translator was no help at all.
