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Yannick Sire got his start building muscle cars for the racetrack back before the pro touring craze really got under way. In his younger days, he cut his teeth on the L.A. car scene in a heavily modified 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle while drawing a paycheck from Ted Toki at Westside Performance.

That eventually led to Sire opening his own shop, Sire Custom Performance in Inglewood, CA. It was at this shop that his love of high-revving small blocks met with an imagination too wild to languish in the ever-growing pro touring scene. Sire, having decided that nobody had built anything truly cool in ages, took it upon himself to change that.

Enter the Priaprism (yes, it means what you think it does, med students). It’s a home-built twin-engined roadster employing a keep-it-simple philosophy. The interior? No nonsense. Seat, steering wheel, seat belts. That’s it. The engines? Chevrolet 350 small-blocks with hydraulic-roller cams and AFR heads which put down about 900 hp between them. That much power is pulling around a scant 2,307 pounds, even with heavy 20-inch wheels borrowed from a BMW X5.

Power goes to the ground via a Dana 60 rear axle holding 3.54 gears. Keeping the power at bay is a set of Chevrolet Corvette Z06 brakes and Continental 275/35 R20 tires up front and ludicrous 315/35 R20s out back. If you’re a Hot Rod magazine subscriber, you may recognize this car from a feature a couple years back, but this California beast continues to evolve, and the video after the jump is a newly produced (and wholly spectacular) feature. Check it out.

[Sources: Oli + Joe via Vimeo, Hot Rod]

Continue reading Video: Twin small-block V8 Priaprism is enviable hedonism

Video: Twin small-block V8 Priaprism is enviable hedonism

To celebrate its recent ice-speed record, Bentley is rolling out a special edition of the Continental Supersports convertible at this week’s Geneva Motor Show. The record was set a mere two weeks ago by Finnish rally star Juha Kankkunen, who went 205.48 miles per hour on the frozen Baltic Sea in a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. Kankkunen’s run eclipsed his 2007 record of 199.83 mph, which was also set in a Bentley Continental GT.

The Bentley Continental Superspots “Ice Speed Record” Convertible sports the Flying B’s most-powerful engine ever, a 631-horsepower W12 kicking out 590 pound-feet of torque and sporting flex-fuel capability. The car Kankkunen set his record in ran exclusively on bio fuel.

Behind the impressive engine is a six-speed Quickshift automatic. The combo is good for a 3.8-second 0-60 sprint, with 100 mph coming up in just 9.5 seconds. Bentley claims that running the car on E85 will cut C02 emissions by up to 70 per cent.

Outside, the “Ice Speed Record” Supersports Convertible gets one of three unique colors: Beluga (above), Quartzite or Arctica White. Never one to stop at enough, Bentley has gone as far as to cover the soft top in a composite weave sporting its own metallic finish. Rounding out the package is a set of black 20-inch Supersports wheels. Both the special edition Supersports and Kankkunen’s actual record-breaker will be on display at the Bentley booth in Geneva, so stay tuned for live images of them both soon.

Get in line now if you want one, as Bentley says it’ll only build 100 of these worldwide.

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley Supersports “Ice Speed Record” Convertible looks for warm reception in Geneva

Bentley Supersports “Ice Speed Record” Convertible looks for warm reception in Geneva

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: In Depth

Everything You Need To Know About Italy’s New Raging Bull

First Drive: 2012 Nissan NV

Nissan set out to build a commercial van to the exacting needs of this country’s small business owners. GM, Ford and even Mercedes-Benz should pay close attention, because the NV could be just what this country’s blue-collar workforce ordered.

Volkswagen Bulli Concept is a Microbus redux for Geneva

Remember the 2001 Volkswagen Microbus concept? For those who need reminding, it was a new look at an old icon – one that got enthusiasts and the automotive press all hot and bothered right after we ticked over into the new millennium.

Also of interest:

• Ford debuting B-pillarless B-Max in Geneva
• 2012 Volkswagen Golf R loses power and choice of tranny on way to U.S.
• NHTSA rules Wrangler doesn’t need recall for fuel spillage problems
• Report: Audi developing super lightweight R8 codenamed NF
• Ponzi schemer’s exotic car collection being auctioned by feds on Tuesday

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.28.11

As if Ken Block’s Gymkhana series weren’t popular enough, the DC Shoes owner/hotshoe has released eight (8) new edits of Gymkhana 3, each focusing on a different aspect of Block’s behind-the-wheel trickery.

The videos, all of which can be viewed after the jump, highlight the more impressive of Block’s tricks, like a rainy-day rolling 360 and a nearly impossible wall tap that leaves just a slight rubber smudge on the white concrete. There’s also an in-depth look at Block’s execution of the famed 51-degree bank wall ride.

Of the eight vids, two are dedicated to a behind-the-scenes look at Gymkhana 3 and the making of a limited-edition Gymkhana 3 drip poster, signed in paint pen by Block himself. According to Block, the videos are meant to celebrate the success of Gymkhana 1, 2 and 3 and give fans something else to sink their teeth into. Check out all 8 videos after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: Ken Block releases alternate edits of Gymkhana 3

Videos: Ken Block releases alternate edits of Gymkhana 3

Says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of Volkswagen Group, “Italdesign is a figurehead of Italian design and engineering creativity. We have been working together closely in a spirit of partnership for many decades.” In reality, that may be an understatement. After all, Giorgetto Giugiaro is credited with penning the original Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit and Scirocco – two classic shapes that went on to define the VW brand for the last few decades.

After a research study to determine what Volkswagen vehicles of the future may look like, Giugiaro (now owned by the Volkswagen Group) focused on two distinct concepts, one of which is the Go! that you see here (the other is the Tex, which we’ve already shown you). The design firm thinks of the Go! as a multi-purpose vehicle for urban areas, and as such, it measures just four-meters in length and runs solely on electricity using VW’s proprietary Blue-e-motion EV technology. According to the automaker, the Go! is capable of traveling about 150 miles on electric power alone.

Like the Tex, the Go! concept uses VW’s modular transverse architecture, which was designed to accomade a diverse range of powertrain options, including plug-ins, internal combustion engines and even hydrogen fuel cells. Despite the Go!’s relatively dimunitive exterior dimensions, its 106-inch wheelbase matches that of the larger Passat. The battery pack sits beneath the passenger compartment, covering the areas of both the front and rear-seat passengers.

VW and Giugiaro are keen to highlight the large glass area of the Go! concept. Such a configuration allows for plenty of natural light and offers maximum visibility. Interestingly, though, only the lower part of the glass is actually electrically lowered (have a look at the image gallery below to see what we mean), and the concept relies on video cameras to give the driver a view of his or her surroundings.

Other interesting design details include rear doors that push outwards and pull back parallel to the vehicle, a high seating position that caters to drivers who prefer the visibility of an SUV and the control panel that is placed at the base of the windshield, well back from its normal location behind the steering wheel. Want to know more? Feel free to click past the break to read VW’s rather exhaustive press release, and be sure to peruse our high-res image gallery below.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Giugiaro Go! Concept previews MPV of the future in Geneva

Volkswagen Giugiaro Go! Concept previews MPV of the future in Geneva

The 2011 edition of Consumer Reports‘ annual Auto Issue will hit newstands on March 8, but we have a sneak peek at what you’ll find inside.

First up is are CR’s Automaker Report Cards, and Honda, Toyota and Subaru continue to enjoy their three-year run at the head of the class. General Motors and Ford, however, are playing catch up fast. In fact, the Blue Oval now has a Recommended rating for 71 percent of its fleet. Chrysler, however, is sitting near the bottom of the pack, though it’s kept company by former classmate Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The Consumer Reports 2011 Auto Issue also examines the best and worst values across eight vehicle segments. Hyundai and Kia both earned a couple of “bests” while General Motors was given a few “worsts.” Beyond the value of a vehicle, CR also names its Top Picks for 2011. For the first time ever, the Ford Mustang has made this list thanks to its multitude of engine choices, fuel economy and price.

If used cars are more your speed, Consumer Reports has even compiled a list of its top choices for 2001-2010 model year vehicles. Awards for best-in-class were chosen based on the results of road tests when the vehicle was new combined with ongoing reliability data.

We have a hefty dose of information for you to digest. The Top Picks, Best and Worst Values and Best of the Best Used Cars are all waiting for you after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue

Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue

Infiniti announced today that it is signing on to be a sponsor of Red Bull’s Formula One racing team.

It is the first time that Infiniti is signing on to a global sponsorship of any kind, previously preferring regional tie-ins in sports such as tennis and sailing. But as the Japanese brand looks to expand globally, says global marketing marketing communications chief Simon Sproule, an expanding F1 series looks like a logical partner to the company.

“Infiniti has launched in Europe and is going into Russia, India and China, just as F1 has done, so it’s a good fit for us,” says Sproule.

The association with Red Bull, says Sproule, sprung from Red Bull’s use of Renault engines. Renault and Nissan are global alliance partners, with the French automaker holding a controlling stake in Nissan. CEO Carlos Ghosn is at the top of both automakers. The Renault engines may even be rebranded “Infiniti.” Red Bull, of course, won the championship title in Formula One last year. “It’s also good to be with a winner, of course,” said Sproule.

Infiniti had a good year in the U.S. last year. Sales were up 27% to crest the 103,000 level. But Nissan is looking for Infiniti to be a bigger player in luxury circles worldwide. F1 attracts a good amount of luxiry car buyers worldwide, and is catching on in important markets for luxury brands like China and Russia.

Red Bull, saus Sproule, has a broad appeal as the biggest energy drink brand in the world. The Austrian beverage company has associated its brand with numerous extreme sports, as well as owning the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer team. It also has great crossover appeal between rich luxury car buyers, as well as young luxury car aspirers who don’t yet have the incomes to afford big sticker prices.

Infiniti signs on as F1 global sponsor with Red Bull

Earlier this year, famed design house Italdesign Giugiaro became part of the Volkswagen Group, and the longtime collaborators are are presenting their first joint concepts at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

The Italian design firm calls the Tex an “interpretation of tomorrow’s sporty Volkswagen,” incorporating coupe-like lines into a hatchback shape. In execution, it looks a bit like the current Euro-spec Honda Civic hatch to our eyes – especially up front. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if we’re honest, we expected something a little bolder from the company that has penned some of the most gorgeous designs of all time.

The Tex Concept is powered by Volkswagen’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid system, which we’re told has a range of 35 kilometers (about 21 miles) with just the battery driving the wheels.

Inside, the Tex uses a driver-focused cockpit, and unlike the vast majority of concept cars that we’ll be seeing in Geneva, the Giugiaro interior looks nearly production-ready. We like the implementation of the flat-bottomed steering wheel, supportive seats and funky new shift knob.

While the Tex is merely a concept right now, there’s no telling if Volkswagen will use this as a basis for a future sports car, perhaps even a Golf or GTI far along down the road. Hit the jump to read the full details in Volkswagen’s press release, and see the Italdesign Giugiaro Tex Concept for yourself in both of our high-res image galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept brings Italdesign to the people

Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept brings Italdesign to the people

We record Episode #219 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and we’ll be joined by Randy Nonnenberg of Bring A Trailer, too. We’ve picked a couple of topics for discussion below, and drop us your own feedback and questions or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine what we discuss this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already to hear your question answered.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #219

Geneva Motor Show
Diesel Cruze confirmed for the US
NHTSA Backup camera delay

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #219

Audi has hinted that it’s in the process of developing an ultra-lightweight version of the R8 codenamed NF. Revealed during a technology demonstration at its lightweight materials facility in Germany, the NF is tipped to debut around 2014.

While there are no photos of the car available, Motor Trend reports that Audi showed off an R8 V10 that had several body panels replaced with carbon fiber units that may well be related to the NF’s development. When the NF breaks cover, it is expected to sport a carbon-fiber passenger compartment, with a full cf bulkhead between the occupants and the engine compartment.

Apparently, the NF will incorporate not only its own technology, but pieces from the R8 Spyder, limited-edition R8GT and E-Tron concept. Audi said the prototype at the demonstration was 20 percent lighter than the current aluminum-bodied R8, yet it maintains its structural integrity and crash worthiness. To prove their point, Audi engineers showed off a crash-tested R8 that sported cf roof rails.

[Source: Motor Trend Images: Audi]

Report: Audi developing super lightweight R8 codenamed NF