History and the contemporary automotive market hold no lack of examples of F1 teams translating their checkered flags into road cars. It’s practically ’s raison d’être, after all. McLaren’s following suit, as well. Even Williams has collaborated with Renault on performance-oriented Clios, and now with on the . But though each of these teams has claimed its share of championships and then some, these days it’s Red Bull Racing that’s on top. Trouble is – notwithstanding – Red Bull doesn’t make automobiles beyond a small batch of single-seaters for Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. That’s where comes in.
Powered by sister company Renault’s engines, the Red Bull team this year features prominent – a move which is expected to turn into a more comprehensive re-branding scheme in the future. In the meantime, Infiniti is keen to capitalize on its tie-in with the world champion F1 team (particularly since its only previous racing activities involved limited success in converting the Q45’s V8 for Indy racing), and now reports are suggesting that a collaborative road car project between Red Bull Racing and Infiniti could be underway.
Citing the Renault Clio Williams as precedent, the Japanese luxury automaker is reportedly looking into making a performance-oriented version of one of its current products to go beyond the current Infiniti Performace Line. The would be the likeliest basis, but a substantial re-engineering effort could (unlike the Renault Williams tie-up) involve the F1 team’s engineers to transfer their competencies to the road. Sources expect the project to be complete within two years from now.
Franco Cagayat and his automotive sculpture – Click above to watch video
We’ve seen some pretty when talent mixes with the proper medium, but this takes the cake. Top Gear Philippines magazine is featuring a story on Franco Cagayat, an autistic 21-year-old sculptor who specializes in carving detailed vehicle models from a single block of wood. Complete with doors that open and close, full interiors and complete engine bays, the vehicles are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Cagayat says he got started by drawing every vehicle he saw and eventually learned to translate that talent into sculpting.
The artist first became a fan of Top Gear when a classmate offered to trade him a copy of the magazine for a wooden Ferrari Testarossa. We think Cagayat probably got the short end of the stick on that one, but he now uses the photos in the publication for reference when it comes time to carve the newest supercars of the world. to take a look at a video interview with Cagayat.
has been sufficiently pleased with the performance of its van that it is now seriously considering importing a smaller sibling for its full-size load lugger.
Benz has offered a smaller commercial vehicle, the Vito, in various world markets since 1996, and the second-generation model underwent a mild facelift in 2010. Available with a range of CDI diesel engines in both cargo and passenger-carrying configurations, the Vito has recently been testing in all-electric E-Cell guise. If the Vito does make it to North America, we’re unlikely to get the complete range – this light commercial vehicle is available in three lengths, two roof heights and in both rear- and all-wheel drive.
While the Vito is indeed smaller than the Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter carryall, it’s not as diminutive as the we’ve come to know in the States. In its smallest form, the baby Benz spans 187.5 inches, nearly seven inches more than the Turkish . In extra-long format, the Vito rings up at 206.2 inches, which is still well shy of the aged Ford E-Series van (216.7 inches in its shortest form), making the Vito something of a tweener in size.
For the moment, our source tells us that the idea of importing the Vito is in “an early stage,” and even though consumer clinics have been held to judge market interest, the van has not yet been given the green light.
When it comes to manufacturing and selling a complicated product like an automobile, a company’s relationship with its suppliers is of huge importance. A good working partnership can translate into higher levels of reliability and lower cost as well as early access to cutting-edge tech. According to a new study conducted by Detroit-based consulting firm Planning Perspectives, has one of the best relationships with its suppliers among all of the world’s automakers. The Detroit Bureau reports that this is the first time in three years that the Japanese automaker has held the top slot.
came in just behind Toyota in the study, but , and have made serious strides toward improving their supplier relationship. In the past, the domestic automakers have continuously pressed their suppliers to produce parts with a lower price tag, which generated conflict. That seems to be changing, however. The Planning Perspectives study says that Ford may even overtake Honda and Toyota in coming years.
Meanwhile, Japanese automakers have seen their supplier relationships degrade over repeated recalls and other quality issues.
HRH Aston Martin V12 – Click above for high-res image
Zagato, it turns out, isn’t the coachbuilder working on a supercar based on an : a Danish outfit called HBH is reportedly planning to build model based on the as well, but theirs will be a unique mid-engine design.
The company takes its name from its founders: Jesper Hermann, Christian Brandt and Torben Hartvig. Between them, they’ve worked on such small-run supercar projects as the , Zenvo ST1 and the .
Drawing inspiration from the and from and the in-house that followed, HBH is reportedly working Aston’s 6.0-liter V12 into a bespoke chassis.
So far HRH has only released the teaser image above, which we’ve lightened for a better view. The project is slated to be built as a solitary example for a single customer, who will retain the rights to the design as well as any prospect of its future production. In other words, if they find the right customer, they’ll build him one, but a further production run could be in the cards as well.
2012 BMW M5spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
The that debuted at this year’s may have technically been a concept car, but it comes as no surprise to see that the near-production models the German automaker is testing look exactly like the car we saw on stage. For what it’s worth, we certainly hope the dark brown paint seen on this prototype will be offered when the M5 hits dealerships. Those blacked-out wheels can stay, too.
As you’ve no doubt read , the M5 will be offered with BMW’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, packing somewhere north of 480 horsepower. In the United States, both a manual and dual-clutch transmission will be available, and all-wheel drive , as well.
We’ll have the full details later this year. The can’t come soon enough.
Bill Kroske, vice president of , has been suspended after misrepresenting himself on two newspaper websites in western Washington. Kroske claimed to be a citizen in comments he made on both the Everett, Wash. Herald and the Spokane, Wash. Spokesman-Review.
In those comments, Kroske promoted American Traffic Solutions’ red light camera systems, which bust impatient travelers even when cops aren’t available. A reporter at the Herald found Kroske out after tracing comments he made back to Scottsdale, Arizona, where the company is based. That wasn’t the only clue, however.
It seems that Kroske used his work email address and real name to set up commenting accounts on both websites. He then proceeded to extol the benefits of red light camera systems on both newspapers’ sites. Evidently Kroske was ignorant of the fact that comments are moderated, and administrators can track their origins. For all the gory details on Koske’s online bumbling, head over to the .
Mahindra Pik Up – Click above for high-res image gallery
The dust-up between Indian automaker Mahindra and its jilted would-be American dealers is set to get a little nastier. According to Automotive News, several dealers have joined a lawsuit against their former partner that seeks both a refund for any fees paid to the truckmaker as well as punitive damages. One Jerry Ackerman is at the center of the suit. He paid $450,000 for three Mahindra franchises and now alleges that both Mahindra & Mahindra and Global Vehicles U.S.A. are in breach of contract. Ackerman’s lawsuit is now seeking class action status.
Automotive News reports that the lawsuit could eventually represent as many as 350 dealers who signed up for franchises in the States. So far, around 45 dealers have shown interest in joining Ackerman’s effort. Meanwhile, another 70 dealers recently met in Atlanta to discuss potential legal action against Mahindra. That lot has decided to file grievances against Mahindra with individual state motor vehicle agencies.
As you may recall, Mahindra originally contracted with Atlanta-based Global Vehicles U.S.A. to distribute its pickups in America, but later backed out of the deal. That left Global Vehicles U.S.A. and its dealers in a lurch. Global Vehicles U.S.A. initially filed suit against Mahindra but later dropped the effort.
The future prospects of Mahindra’s diesel TR20 and TR40 pickups in North America remains uncertain.
Spyker is on a Chinese money hunt, and it appears the automaker may have found a partner willing to pony up the cash. Pang Da, a Chinese automobile distribution company, had recently. Now, Spyker is set to rename itself Swedish Automobile N.V., and the -owner believes Chinese authorities will give the green light for this deal to proceed.
According to Saab CEO Victor Muller, a very important portion of the deal has already gone through; a cash infusion of €30 million ($42M USD). Muller states that “Pang Da’s advance payment and sales of imported Saab cars are not subject to approval from the NDRC. The first advance payment of EUR 30 million was received last Tuesday.”
Bloomberg reports that . According to analysts in China, the country’s government is unlikely to allow Pang Da’s purchase of a stake in Swedish Automobile N.V. because the nation is working to consolidate its auto industry, not expand it.
If approved, however, Pang Da will spend $91 million and receive a 23 percent share of the automaker’s business. Despite the negative view of Chinese analysts, Pang Da says it remains confident the transaction will be approved.
Mini Cooper S “Red Mudder” by Dsquared² – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’re looking for an off-road , the is your best bet. But Mini’s always toying with new bodystyles, and the Countryman’s All4 traction system may expand to other models as well. Could this be our first look at the next off-road Mini?
Well, we never know what the future might hold for the division, but what you’re looking at here is the result of Mini’s latest fashion collaboration. Called the Red Mudder, this hatchback has been retrofitted by Canadian fashion designers Dean and Dan Caten.
in renderings earlier this month, the one-off features a raised suspension, brush guard, rally lights, tinted windows, knobby tires (including a spare mounted to the tailgate) and an interior fitted with aluminum plating and a compass on the dashboard. The Caten twins also applied their signature maple leaf logo to the door panels and to the headrests.
It’s the latest product of Mini’s 11-year sponsorship of the Life Ball – Europe’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser – that has seen such designers as Versace, Diesel, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein create their own interpretations of the Mini, each year auctioned at the event with the proceeds going towards the cause. Follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the images in our high-resolution gallery.
Presidential limo gets stuck in Ireland – Click above to watch the video
This is . Rumored to be , this stretched boasts armor plating all around, window glass thick enough to stop bullets and enough high-tech communications equipment to run the entire United States from the comfort of its leather-lined back seat. You’d think it would take a nuclear bomb to halt the progress of President Obama’s black Cadillac.
Apparently, all it really takes is one particularly nasty speed bump.
Just below the break you’ll find a video shot by a casual passer-by that shows the Presidential Limousine (also known as “The Beast”) getting high-centered on the apparently oversize down-ramp that exits the parking lot of the American Embassy (in other words, on U.S. soil) in Dublin, Ireland.
Nobody can say for absolutely sure (except for the Secret Service, and they ain’t talkin’) whether POTUS was actually in this limo or not. that this may have been a decoy, and, due to the quick response from the Commander in Chief’s safety crew, we can’t really say for sure how this fiasco ended up for President Obama or the First Lady, or if they were even in the car.
In any case, you should definitely check out the video … if only to see – and more importantly hear – The Beast getting stuck entering Ireland. Thanks for the tip, Jay!
2012 Toyota Prius V – Click above for high-res image gallery
The hybrid lexicon is a language built on a foundation of disjunction. Buyers may have phenomenal fuel economy or space for kids and cargo. You can embarrass your neighbors at the fuel pump or have a satisfying driving experience. In fact, opting for a battery pack is so fraught with compromise that it’s almost as if hybrid manufacturers have completely deleted the conjunctive ‘and’ from their diction. Even so, that fact hasn’t stopped buyers from seeking out electrified vehicles in increasing numbers.
has sold over one million Prius models in the United States since the vehicle first debuted a decade. That number blossoms to two million if global sales are accounted for, and the model’s popularity has helped usher in a bloom of hybrid products from over 16 manufacturers. The technology may not be the perfect solution to our fuel economy concerns, but the Prius has taken off in ways that would have been difficult to imagine when the first gangly example whirred off the line.
Now Toyota is set to grow its lineup with three new models. In fact, Bob Carter, Toyota division group vice president and general manager, says that the Japanese automaker fully expects the Prius family to become its best-selling product line in the near future – beating out internal combustion titans like the and in the process. As a result, the company is planning to unleash of a barrage of products that include a model based on the Prius C Concept, a plug-in version of the hybrid and the taller, boxier Prius V. The thought is that a few simple variations on the company’s successful battery-powered recipe will offer buyers solutions that the conventional Prius simply couldn’t match. The only question is whether or not the will respond to what is effectively a few clever re-body jobs. If the Prius V is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.
2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Automotive News is reporting that the has been having some unintended and rather unfortunate sales consequences for the German automaker. While the company originally believed that buyers of the old Touring would be drawn to the oddball crossover, the truth is that those customers have fled to rival for their wagon needs. Meanwhile, the 5 Series GT has stolen buyers from the more expensive 7 Series line. In Florida, for example, up to 10 percent of 7 Series owners have exchanged keys for the less-expensive GT, which isn’t exactly great news for the Bavarians, either.
Of course, overall sales of the 5 Series GT have failed to trend as projected. The company originally said that it intended to move between 4,000 and 8,000 of the models each year, but 2011 has seen only 720 deliveries in the first four months of the year. BMW sold 2,848 examples last year after admitting that they early on.
While speaking with Automotive News, BMW North America CEO Jim O’Donnell said that he wishes that his company hadn’t stopped selling the here in the States. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that the big fiver will return to the Land of the Free, at least not in this generation, but the issue will likely be revisited.
The good news is that the automaker may have learned its lesson. Despite the fact that a smaller -based Gran Turismo model has been (rumored to be called 4 Series), the 3 Series Touring apparently isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Mini Cooper Goodwood – Click above for high-res gallery
We’ve run through the basic Mini Goodwood proposition with you since before its debut at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show. intends to build limited runs – 1,000 units total worldwide of the basic hatchback () of the Goodwood trim under the selectable Mini You area of their branding mothership. This is all to honor the Group’s other hallowed brand, , which resides on the Goodwood estate in southern England.
So, any Goodwood Mini should be pretty chic-chic, right? You have no idea.
In Europe, our sources tell us the ‘base’ Mini Cooper Goodwood edition will cost 46,900 euro when it starts deliveries in March of 2012. Seeing as one euro dollar is worth pretty consistently around $1.45 U.S. these days, that could be $68,000 to us. Be still our beating hearts.
In reality, the dumbed-down U.S. price ought to arrive at about $48,000. That’s roughly 2.4 times the price of the base hatchback.
Worth it to you? The Rolls-spec leather and woody parts are sumptuous, we must say.
And everything from Al Capone’s vault is in the trunk – standard!
It seems that the Average Joe isn’t the only one who thinks that the Environmental Protection Agency’s on windows stickers are both confusing and too subjective for the government to assign.
According to , the Obama administration has scrapped plans to assign letter grades – ranging from A to D – to passenger vehicles based on fuel efficiency. Instead, the updated labels, which will reportedly be unveiled next week, will include more info to help buyers judge a vehicle’s projected gasoline costs and CO2 emissions.
Automakers have argued that the letter grade proposal would put the government in the position of making value judgments, which some auto industry lobbyists vehemently oppose. Says spokesman Wade Newton:
The addition of a large, brightly colored letter grade may confuse the public about what is being graded and it risks alienating the consumer who has a valid need for a vehicle that does not achieve an ‘A’” based on greenhouse gas emissions.
Dan Becker, director of , counters:
It is deeply disappointing that the Obama administration abandoned [assigning letter grades]. It’s appalling that the car makers, some of whom we bailed out, bludgeoned the administration into submission.
The WSJ quotes a person familiar with the administration’s internal deliberations as saying, “Even within agencies, there were differences of opinion.” What do you think, would letter grades be too subjective?
2012 Opel Zafira Tourer – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2 has broken cover ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut. Sporting what Opel calls a blend of “functionality and wellness,” Opel hopes the Zafira will land at the top of the MPV heap.
To that end, Opel has weighed the people mover down with features and made its interior extremely adaptable. According to Opel, the third-row seats still fold flat to the car’s floor, but now work in concert with second-row seats that can be folded and moved around the cabin at will. The second row now features three independent seats, as opposed to a bench, and each seat can slide back and forth over a total of 210 millimeters.
Underneath the Zafira’s sleeker, redesigned skin, the car’s wheelbase and track width have both grown by a few inches to make people hauling a more comfortable, more stable and safer operation. The suspension has been reworked, too, to be lighter and less intrusive, giving the Tourer more interior space.
Sending power through the improved chassis are three 2.0-liter CDTI diesel options. The four-cylinder diesel mills come in 110-, 130- and 165-horsepower options. If you must have a gas powerplant, the Zafira carries either a 120-hp, 1.4-liter ECOTEC four banger or a 140-hp version of the same powerplant. No matter what engine you choose, you can have either a six-speed stick or six-speed automatic. To hear all the goods straight from the horse’s mouth, check out Opel’s press release , where you’ll also find a video.
Endora SC-1 – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve seen plenty of coachbuilt – both old and new – coming out of Italy. Now ze Germans apparently want to get in on the action, and this is the design with which they aim to do it.
Called SC-1, it’s the product-in-the-making from Munich-based upstart Endora Cars. The design is decidedly neo-retro, blending styling elements from American and European cars of the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s with modern touches like LED foglights, taillights and a rear diffuser.
Like the Vette on which it’s based, Endora plans on offering the SC-1 in three states of tune: with the base Corvette’s 6.3-liter LS3 V8 with 437 horsepower, the Z06’s 7.0-liter LS7 V8 with 512 hp and the ’s supercharged LS9 V8 with 647 hp. GM’s six-speed manual transmission and active suspension are slated to be ported over as well, with a paddle-shift six-speed auto offered only on the base model.
Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the images in our high-res gallery.
2009 Toyota Corolla XRS – Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota has dodged a bullet after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closed its investigation of the power steering system in the 2009-2010 without finding a defect. To say another recall is the last thing Toyota needs right now would be putting it lightly.
In fact, Toyota should be enjoying a decent boost in consumer confidence after NHTSA also said that the company’s electronic throttles for the 2009-2010 recall fiasco. Despite increased consumer confidence, Toyota still has to deal with a setback in the form of parts shortages thanks to the Japanese earthquake disaster.
To celebrate the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, the United States Postal Service is releasing a run of 50 million first-class mail stamps depicting Ray Harroun and his Marmon Wasp winning the 1911 race. The stamp features a slick art deco aesthetic and was released this week ahead of Fast Friday.
The stamp was unveiled at a ceremony with the mayor of Indianapolis, Postmaster General Patrick Donahue, and 1974 Rookie of the Year Poncho Carter. The postmaster general introduced the stamp, boldly predicting that there will be commemorative postmarks made for the 150th and 200th running of the race as well, provided the race lasts that long.
To get your hands on one of the first run of Indianapolis 500 stamps, head over to your local post office, or hit up . Order in the next 60 days, and you’ll be guaranteed a book of first-day-of-issue stamps. Read all about it in the press release .
While we didn’t exactly expect rapper Kanye West to show up to an AIDS charity gala in Cannes, France in something modest like an A-Class, we admit we didn’t see a coming. After all, while we’re all for driving the limited-edition Mac over all of creation if you’re of the means to own one, but somehow, showing up to a charity event in a million-dollar bit of rolling exhibitionism seems a wee bit cheesy. Especially when it’s probably someone else’s car.
Still, the looks fantastic in the wild, even at a blistering 5 mph. For more photos of Kanye trying to see over the SLR’s steering wheel, head over to .
