We back in January and, despite a couple of BMW’s “I’m a niche car” choices for the model that are open to debate, largely enjoyed the 6 Series Convertible. Despite a serious keys-in-hand base price of $91,375 for the skybox 650i, the 6 Series is perhaps the best overall package in this small segment of near-millionaire large convertibles and coupes (i.e. sub-/).
Just considering sheer finish and accommodation for four real-sized adults, this new 2+2 BMW fairly well beats the Jaguar XK, , and , whether with or without a metal roof. The lineup suffers by comparison in total-packageness, though its discount pricing will convince some, and none of the premium Japanese brands currently offer anything even close in ambition to this latest 6 Series.
2011 Tata Nano – Click above for high-res image gallery
According to a 2011 census, India has a population of 1,210,193,422 people. That’s 17.47 percent of the world’s population living on just 2.3 percent of the planet. The only place more crowded is . Health officials in India are looking for novel ways to drum up interest in sterilization clinics, and one in particular has resorted to prize giveaways. The top draw? A new Tata Nano.
According to The Times of India, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is offering a variety of prizes for men who come into their clinic and put the clamps on their own private ball state swim team. Besides the Nano, prizes include motorcycles, TVs and kitchen stand mixers.
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off this weekend, and it promises to be a veritable smorgasbord of high-performance machinery. Not the least of them will be the new MP4-12C GT3, which McLaren has been fine-tuning since its debut barely two months ago.
Following extensive ongoing development work, McLaren has given the 12C GT3 a new radiator and gearbox cooler, as well as a retuned aerodynamics package with a new front splitter, rear wing and diffuser, louvered fenders and door blade, all of which promise to help the first GT racer produced by McLaren since the F1 GTR running fast and running long ahead of the pack.
To support the field of 20 cars that will be fielded by privateers starting next season, the Woking-based outfit has also launched the new McLaren GT division in conjunction with the CRS Racing Team.
The updated GT3 will run in its latest form up the hill at the Goodwood estate this weekend, and to mark the occasion, McLaren has released a fresh batch of high-resolution images which we’ve added to the launch photos. Check ‘em out along with the press release .
It’s a good thing for Google that have all of the money in the world. A federal judge has announced that the Silicon Valley giant can be sued for any damages . As you may recall, earlier this year, it was determined that when the mapping machines passed by areas with unsecured WiFi networks, the hardware mounted on top of the roofs was inadvertently able to snag passwords, emails and a whole host of other information that was unknowingly ripe for the picking.
According to Wired, Google is going on the defensive and claims that unsecured WiFi networks are akin to radio communications. Anyone can grab a radio signal out there, and Google believes grabbing onto an open network is similar. Google has also stated that it was initially unaware of the data being snatched up by its roving fleet.
The implications from this case could prove very interesting for both Google and anyone using an unsecured WiFi network. We’ll bring you updates as the story develops, and we’ll be sure to change the password on the Autoblog router. (ProTip: Don’t go with #12345, even if it matches the combination on your luggage).
The vehicles are no longer novel, their yellow stickers have faded from years of exposure to the sun and, after six years of enjoying the privilege, it’s now time for California’s hybrid owners to suffer with the rest of us in the state’s traffic-clogged non-High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
Starting today, July 1, some 85,000 yellow stickers issued to owners of certain hybrid vehicles in California expire. Now these hybrids have to fall in line with gas-guzzlers, truckers and the millions of other vehicles that sit at a dead stop in the “regular” lanes of California’s highways and watch in envy as carpoolers whiz by at 55-plus miles per hour in dedicated HOV lanes.
Only three hybrid vehicles – , and Hybrid – qualified (rated 45-plus miles per gallon) for the yellow stickers. Now, owners who choose to cruise solo in HOV lanes in those gas-sipping hybrids will face steep fines.
2012 Holden Colorado – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s winter time in the land down under, and has arrived at the 2011 Melbourne Motor Show with a handful of new Holden models. Australians will soon see the 2012 Holden Colorado, 2012 Barina and 2011 Cruze Hatch arriving on dealer lots.
The Australian Colorado gets buff body lines and stylish LED running lamps in the bumper (at least on premium trims). Holden’s Sonic, known in Oz as the Barina, is powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine we get here, which can be paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the 2011 Holden Cruze Hatch is the five-door we would love to see arrive stateside wearing a Bowtie.
The Holden Cruze Hatch has already hit UK and Korean showrooms in its Chevrolet guise. The diesel-powered Holden Colorado goes on sale next year. Expect the Barina to arrive towards the end of 2011.
Dive into all three Holden vehicles by clicking past the jump for the full press release on each. Also, be sure to look through the galleries below.
The debate over the next Formula One engine specifications pitted the automakers currently participating in the sport against each other, as some (like Renault) were in favor of the proposed turbo four regulations, and others (like and ) were vehemently against it. But if the latest reports hold any water, it may have come down, not to the existing suppliers, but to courting new ones. One new one, as a matter of fact.
According to Red Bull technical chief Adrian Newey, had indicated that it would be ready to join the F1 grid if they switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines as proposed. So in order to entice the German automaker to join, the others agreed to the switch. However, once Audi reportedly pulled an about-face and withdrew its commitment, the plan fell through. And, as a V6 would reportedly be easier to package into an F1 chassis than an inline-four, the remaining manufacturers backed the instead. So there you go.
Did you miss the chance to catch in theaters? Did you also miss it when ? Stop punching yourself in the face because Senna is heading to theaters around the country for a limited time. This means you have no excuse to miss the flick this time around. Get your butts to a theater in one of the following cities on the following dates:
August 19th: Chicago, Philadelphia, Cambridge, San Francisco, Berkley, D.C., Detroit, San Diego, Miami, Nashville, Dallas
August 26th: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver
August 29th: Seattle
September 2nd: Indianapolis, St. Louis
If you’re a Formula One fan who happens to live in NYC, you have another event worth adding to your calendar. City Winery is hosting a live viewing party of the British Grand Prix. During the event, organizers will share an exclusive peek at Senna. If you’re interested, be sure to .
It took more than a couple of legal strategems, but New York City’s mayor has outwitted the city’s powerful yellow taxi lobby. The State Legislature passed a bill making it legal for New Yorkers to hail livery cabs from the street. What’s a livery cab? It’s a private taxi, unmarked, often a Town Car, usually found in areas in and outside of Manhattan that aren’t well served by yellow taxis. They don’t run on meters, either; a fare is agreed upon between the rider and driver.
It is illegal for livery cabs to pick up ’street hails,’ as they’re called, and the yellow taxi industry wants to keep it that way. Blooomberg has been trying to get that changed, and did so by circumventing the City Council, which has usually supported the taxi industry. Assuming governor Cuomo signs the bill into law and it sticks, livery cabs would need to buy medallions and be fitted with roof signs, fare meters and GPS trackers, and be painted in specific colors to denote their role. And there are still places, like Midtown and the Financial District, where they would be forbidden from picking up fares.
Livery-cab trips would also come with a $0.50-cent surcharge, the money going to support mass transit. But neither that nor the possibility of more taxi service for more NYC residents has kept the yellow taxi industry from howling, with a representative saying it “will stop at nothing” to protect its interests.
2011Chevrolet Impala interior – Click above for a high-res image gallery
The six-place sedan is coming very close to joining the Passenger Pigeon. Anyone younger than about thirty years old isn’t likely to have memories of straddling the transmission tunnel in the middle of the front seat, trying to keep knees out of the hungry teeth of radio pushbuttons or HVAC controls.
In an opinion piece for the Detroit Free Press, Mark Phelan ponders this phenomenon, and notes that big coupes have already gone extinct, with seemingly providing the last gasp of each format. There are several reasons for this; most mainstream sedans have transverse-mounted powertrains and front-wheel drive, which means no hump to straddle. And with the death of Ford’s , there’s only the 2011 Chevrolet Impala available for buyers seeking a front bench seat and six-passenger capacity in a sedan.
The attrition is mostly due to changing consumer tastes. While bench-seated sedans were once the kings of the road, car buyers have found better solutions for moving a sextuplet of people. Jim Hall of Michigan’s 2953 Analytics notes that baby boomers “didn’t embrace their parents’ sedans,” preferring instead to go for crossovers and minivans.
The change in buyer preferences, and the fact that a sedan is about the most uncomfortable way to transport six people, may spell permanent doom for the six-seat sedan. It’s not going to surprise anyone if the 2013 Chevrolet Impala has a center console and no optional bench seat… and it’s not likely anyone will miss it.
Mini JCW Cooper Coupe completes 24 Hours of Nürburgring – Click above to watch video
is currently waist-deep in a world tour to show off its new . We’ve seen the , and now a pair of John Cooper Works Coupes have been put to the most grueling of tests in Germany. How so? Mini sent the Coupes into the Green Hell to compete in the .
The Mini JCW Coupes ran strong, and, rather impressively, both crossed the finish line 24 hours after entering the ‘Ring. to watch a highlight reel of the 5,600-kilometer journey.
AC Schnitzer BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery.
If you’re one of the tens of people eagerly awaiting the arrival of the , there may be an alternative that’s ready to go right away. AC Schnitzer has gotten hold of the and applied its custom touches to the compact crossover. A body kit, wheels, rear spoiler and custom exhaust help the up-fitted fat wagon stand out in the crossover sea of similarity. AC Schnitzer’s engine gurus have also bumped power from 184 horsepower up to 218. That’s for the 20d, and an upgrade for the 30d is also in the works.
AC Schnitzer has taken an extra step with this particular X3. Rather than wait for a spoiled teenager to pilot the front end into tree, AC Schnitzer has subjected the car to a series of “crash tests.” to watch a cylindrical projectile repeatedly fired at the nose of this X3, and turn up the speakers to enjoy some How It’s Made-grade background music.
While the full-size sport utility vehicle is one of the automaker’s slowest-selling vehicles on U.S. shores – and one of its most expensive – those who’ve owned one tend to become very loyal fans.
The exterior design is anonymous, the interior feels cheap, and none of the noises it makes are confidence inspiring. On the flipside, the new Jetta, particularly when powered by diesel like our long-termer, impresses in ways that take more time to bubble up to the surface.
$43,995 (not including destination) will get you behind the wheel of LR’s smallest, most efficient ‘ute.
Also of interest:
gearing up for 2014 return to Le Mans [w/video]
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1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider chassis #0492M – Click above for high-res image gallery
Classic cars change hands all the time. What brings them to the spotlight is usually one of several factors. It might have a track record distinguished by race wins. It might be in particularly good shape. It might have had a starring role in a major motion picture. It might be a particular rarity from a small production run, or maybe it served to showcase the manufacturer’s offerings at a major auto show. Having all these factors come together on one specific automobile is a rarity, but that’s what we’re looking at with this stunning 1955 750 Monza Spider.
One of only 35 built, Ferrari displayed this Spider at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show, after which it was brought to America by famed importer Luigi Chinetti who sold it to his rival importer John von Neumann in Los Angeles. Neumann set the Monza on an aggressive race program up and down the West Coast that saw it win twice and score another nine podiums at various sportscar racing events, bringing on board, among others, no less a talent than Phil Hill to man the wheel.
Most notably, the car was driven by Fred Astair in a fictionalized post-apocalyptic grand prix in the movie On The Beach. Since then, chassis 0492M has been part of several prestigious collections, but after a comprehensive two-year restoration is now heading to the auction block at Pebble Beach, where RM Auctions will be putting it up for grabs with prices reportedly expected to top $3 million. With a 260-horsepower 3.0-liter DOHC four similar to that found in the that RM , this Monza Spider is described by one noted Ferrari expert as the best she’s ever seen.
for more details in the auction listing and scope out the spectacular high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look.
Lotus Exige Cup 260 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The ambition in the Hethel offices of appears to know no bounds, its road car program rivaled only by its expanding racing operations.
The British automaker already participates, in one manner or another, in Formula 1, IndyCar, GP3 and GT racing. The company is also said to be working on a new LMP2 program to challenge for the second-tier Le Mans category. But before that comes around, reports indicate that Lotus is working on an in-house rally project.
Rather than compete in the top-tier WRC or IRC classes, reports suggest that a production-based is in the works for privateer entries, presumably for tarmac rallies, set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Despite the fact that the Exige has gone out of production, it remains a popular choice among privateers who have Lotus road cars converted to rally specifications by independent outfitters, a slice of whose pie Lotus apparently is keen to take.
The growing motorsport division at Lotus is headed by one , who followed CEO Dany Behar over from , where he was once the F1 team’s manager. And, like his former boss Jean Todt, Berro comes from a background as a rally co-pilot, navigating a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus through the Group 2 Italian Rally Championship in the early ’80s.
Motors’ forward momentum has certainly captured a lot of headlines, and in lieu of all the positive praise and sales improvements, the Korean automaker is raising its 2011 United States sales goal by 18.2 percent. This means that, between both of the Hyundai and brands combined, the Korean automotive group hopes to sell 1.06 million vehicles in the U.S. this year.
The company’s chairman, Chung Mong-koo (pictured), delivered this statement during a visit to the company’s manufacturing facilities in Alabama and Georgia. To make up that 1.06-million-sales goal, Hyundai is targeting sales of 624,000 units, while Kia is anticipating 433,000 sales. Combined, the automakers sold 894,496 vehicles in 2010.
Mong-koo’s visit to the U.S. also created speculation that the automaker may be looking to add another manufacturing facility here in the States. Currently, Hyundai/Kia has a plant in Alabama that manufacturers the and sedans, as well as a facility in Georgia that produces the and crossovers. According to Reuters, Hyundai has denied plans for an additional U.S. factory.
Forza 4 is set to hit stores on October 11th, and Turn 10 Studios wants you ordering the game before the leaves start to change color. A limited collector’s edition has been announced, which is chock full of goodies, both virtual and real. For $79.99, Xboxers will receive a special tin that contains the game, a 96-page photo book titled Cars of Forza Motorsport 4 presented by Top Gear, vinyl stickers and a slew of downloadable content.
Those who opt for the limited collector’s edition will be able to download the VIP Car Pack and Ship Bonus Car Pack. The former includes the , Ferrari 458 Challenge, , Noble M600 and . The Cars of the Ship Pack are a , Koenigsegg Agera, 1997 Lexus SC300, and Tesla Roadster. A pack of 10 muscles cars will also be available, as well the winning cars in a Forza-sponsored design challenge contest.
Speaking of BMW, the serves as the cover car for the limited collector’s edition version of the game. The furious four-door is, of course, also available within the game.
HBTV points its lens at pinstriper Andy Kawahara – Click above to watch video
The late Kenneth “Von Dutch” Howard is probably the pinstriper best known to non-hot-rodders – and not because he’s considered the father of the modern pinstripe, but because of the clothing label named after him. Yet the art is still practiced by those who care for genuine article, not its vinyl equivalent.
Josh Clason’s Depth of Speed series takes a look at one such artist, Andy Kawahara, who admits to pinstriping something every single night, whether it be a car or an old piston. The video tells the story, and does so beautifully.
What a terrible feeling. You walk outside, ready to head out to work or maybe to a friend’s house, and your vehicle is gone. Auto theft is a $6.4-billion-per-year problem. In fact, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration built a handy infographic to illustrate just how big of a problem vehicle theft has become.
For example, in the time it took you to read this far, one vehicle has been stolen – statistics show that one motor vehicle is stolen in the U.S. every 33 seconds. By the time you’ve finished this post, there is a good chance two or three vehicles will have been lifted. And if you’ve already been relieved of the ownership of your vehicle, there is only a 57-percent chance of getting it back.
The likelihood of getting your vehicle stolen varies depending upon the state you live in. NHTSA tells us that California has the highest auto theft rates, followed by Florida, Texas, Illinois and Georgia. And if you live in Laredo, Texas, we’d suggest getting a club, and a lojack…. maybe throw in a pit bull to stand guard. After all, this Lone Star town has the highest auto theft rate in the nation. And we thought Laredo was best known for its authentic Tex-Mex…
While auto thefts are a huge problem, NHTSA points out that nearly half of all thefts occur because of mistakes like leaving the keys in the ignition or leaving the doors unlocked. Click on the image to the right to enlarge and take a closer look at some very sobering motor vehicle theft statistics.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve seen all sorts of materials used in automotive construction. Steel, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, carbon fiber… even ceramics. But this is a first.
Teaming up with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, has created the one-off “L’Or Blanc” you see here. Its name means “white gold”, and the special Grand Sport uses porcelain to distinguish its body and interior in high swirly style.
The result, as you can see, is quite stunning, and anything but conventional. Only this one example will be made, with an asking price of €1.65 million – equivalent to $2.4 million at today’s exchange rates. Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release .
The vehicles are no longer novel, their yellow stickers have faded from years of exposure to the sun and, after six years of enjoying the privilege, it’s now 
The Australian Colorado gets buff body lines and stylish LED running lamps in the bumper (at least on premium trims). Holden’s Sonic, known in Oz as the Barina, is powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine we get here, which can be paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the 2011 Holden Cruze Hatch is the five-door we would love to see arrive stateside wearing a Bowtie.
