Is this the standard production version of the Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S? Sure looks like it. Another set of brochure shots acquired by the FT-86 forum shows a plainer version of the new rear-drive sports car in red, in contrast to the white from a few days ago. The interior images are the same as before, but the exteriors diverge in a few areas: the production version doesn’t appear to have LED accents by the headlights, the skirting is softer around the car, a conventional whip antenna replaces the shark fin on the roof, and there’s optional vent ornamentation for the front fenders.
Opinion seems to be divided on whether has gone too far with certain elements of the car or, after years of gestation, if didn’t go far enough. We don’t have much longer to wait until the real thing takes a deep bow at the , but is this what you’ve been waiting for?
It’s not often that a mainstream automaker sets its sights on building a world-class supercar, but a few standout examples come to mind: cars like the Acura NSX, the Ford GT, the , and the .
Of course, none of these projects simply materialized overnight. Each took years of development, fine-tuning, tweaking and, in the case of the LFA, going back to the drawing board. spent years on the car’s development and put some of its best personnel on the job. Lexus has now documented the LFA’s development in a ten-minute video.
to watch it in full and see how the LFA went from idea to aluminum concept car to carbon fiber reality, through its rigorous development at the Nürburgring, the tragic loss of Hiromu Naruse and the victorious Nordschleife lap time.
We think has found its new spokesman for the all-electric . A microbiologist at the University of Arizona known as “Dr. Germ” says he’s identified gas pumps as the biggest biohazard in modern society.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the doctor’s research results show 71 percent of gas pump handles are “‘highly contaminated’ with the kinds of germs most associated with a high risk of illness.” Other highly-contaminated items we encounter on an everyday basis include public mailboxes, ATM machines and escalators.
Now, before you run off and buy an electric car to avoid germ-covered gas pumps, know this: The study also found 40 percent of parking meters to be similarly infested. Maybe you should just keep a can of disinfectant wipes in the car. It’d be cheaper, at least.
Low volume vehicle manufacturers may soon find it easier to have their products approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Congressman John Campbell (R-Calif.) has introduced the “Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturer’s Act,” which aims to introduce a regulatory system specifically designed for companies that build fewer than 1,000 vehicles per year. Currently, it’s difficult for boutique carmakers to shoulder the burden of safety and emissions evaluations tied to bringing a new vehicle to market. The bill, which has bipartisan support, would make it possible for the Environmental Protection Agency greenlight low-volume cars and trucks that use engines that have already been EPA-certified in other vehicles.
That would allow small carmakers to skip the costly exercise of having their creations subjected to emissions evaluations. The legislation also has provisions for alternative-fuel powerplants, which would theoretically make it easier for green-car startups to take to the roads. The bill is also being advocated by the Specialty Equipment Market Association.
A major manufacturer doesn’t just show up at Le Mans and hope to race right off the bat. Developing a new car is one thing, but running it is another. And for that, is turning to Oreca.
Oreca is no stranger to Le Mans, as one of the few privateers that’s managed to mount a serious challenge against factory efforts from and Peugeot.
Its services have also been solicited by automakers looking to challenge various racing classes, including development and production of the Competition Coupe and the successful campaigning of the Mazda 787B at Le Mans in 1991. Oreca also worked with Toyota to prepare of the that Alain Prost drove in the Andros Trophy ice racing series.
Toyota isn’t looking for help from Oreca to build or develop its – that’s being done in-house. Instead, the automaker is soliciting Oreca’s services to actually field the car at Le Mans and other races in the new starting next year. Follow the jump for the official announcement.
In the ongoing technology war between , the guys who can’t drive 55 have a new trick up their sleeves: Crowdsourcing.
Radar detector gurus Cobra have announced a big upgrade to their , dubbed “iRadar Community.” Cobra says users can now participate in real-time reporting of speed traps, speed cameras and other road hazards. The new functionality is integrated into the iRadar smartphone application, which controls a separate detector unit.
Cobra has also dropped the price of its iRadar system since it was launched. It now retails for $129.95.
The iPhone and iPod touch version of the new software will be released on Nov. 1, while Android users will have to wait until January 2012.
Back on October 17th, IRL driver Graham Rahal about auctioning the helmet, gloves and shoes he wore in Las Vegas Indy 300 race that claimed the life of fellow driver in a 15-car wreck, with the proceeds going to a trust for Wheldon’s family. Those three items from the rookie driver have turned into a cascade of memorabilia from athletes, celebrities and companies alike.
There are currently 68 items up for auction, the most popular being NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson’s tribute helmet; which he’s currently wearing in the 2011 Sprint Cup Chase. The helmet’s visor features a tribute to Wheldon. The current bid is $20,000, and the winner will actually have to wait until Jimmy’s done with the helmet at the end of the Chase to collect it.
The auctions, as we speak, will send 100% of their proceeds to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund. You can get more information and on the site, or head and place your bid.
Andy Richter is piloting a from Burbank, California to New York City as part of a stunt for Conan O’Brien’s self-titled late night talk show. It’s officially been one year since Team Coco found a home on TBS, and to celebrate, the entire Conan crew is packing up for a special performance at the Beacon Theater in the Big Apple. While the rest of the crew is turning to the miracle of commercial flight for the trip east – including O’Brien himself – Richter is saddling up in the newest compact from Chevrolet for a three-day road trip across the continent.
Hilarity is bound to ensue. The Team Coco site has been configured to allow viewers to follow along with Richter’s big Sonic adventure, and the comedian will also be tweeting along the way to keep everyone abreast of his progress. Keep an eye out for tweets with the hashtag . In the meantime, to see O’Brien sending Richter off yourself.
Ladies and gentleman, this is what SEMA should be about. Behold the latest Icon Derelict; a 1952 Deluxe Business Coupe hiding a full arsenal of modern engineering beneath over half a century of patina.
The vehicle uses a complete powder-coated Art Morrison chassis with a front independent suspension and a four-link rear. An all-aluminum, fuel-injected 6.2-liter General Motors LS3 V8 sits between the frame rails and cranks out 430 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 4L65E automatic transmission and a full set of six-piston brakes with anti-lock control ensures that the whole party can come to a stop in a timely fashion. Despite looking like junkyard relics, the wheels are actually custom CNC-machined pieces shod in ZR-rated BF Goodrich rubber.
If the Coupe’s mechanicals and exterior aren’t enough to flip your switches, take a peek indoors. Both seats have been recovered in a combination of wild-caught alligator and buffalo hides(!) that have been dyed to the same Hermes hue as John F. Kennedy’s briefcase. The carpet is Wilton wool bound in buffalo as well, and an vintage mohair headliner finishes out the indoors. An array of tech is also tastefully hidden away as well, including Focal and Parrot audio components with Bluetooth capability.
This sort of execution is so far above and beyond the typical restomod and tuner fodder we typically see from the SEMA crowd that it serves as a breath of fresh air. If you like what you see, Icon says that the company can do the same for nearly any vehicle from the ’30s to the ’70s.
Gentlemen, start your imaginations. The Icon Derelict 1952 Chevrolet Business Coupe will be on display at this year’s SEMA show.
CEO Sergio Marchionne has said that he hopes to end the automaker’s two-tier wage structure in the company’s next round of labor talks with the United Auto Workers. According to Automotive News, Marchionne said that the current system creates two classes of workers and that it isn’t viable in the long term.
The CEO went on to say that the program is currently undermining efforts to make Chrysler and work together as a single entity. Ideally, Chrysler would have a single wage set that recognizes the level of worker involvement in generating profits for the company.
As Automotive News reminds us, domestic manufacturers won the right to pay entry-level workers a lower wage in 2007. UAW President Bob King has already made waves about doing away with the two-tier pay system, and Marchionne says that his views are consistent with those of the union leader. King said that the union originally left a one-tier system to help save domestic automakers, but now that , General Motors and are beginning to look healthy once again, workers want equal pay.
The Detroit News reports that may take a page out of the Disney playbook to improve the automaker’s customer service and its appeal in the California market.
Chevrolet dealers are headed to classes at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, to learn some of the magical secrets employed by the amusement park to make visitors feel that they’ve had a special experience. The report says that some of the tips shared include the fact that no Disney Prince or Princess ever smokes in public and that sometimes, it’s better to say less to ensure that a customer has a positive impression of their visit.
In addition to polishing its customer service, Chevrolet is rolling out a volley of new, smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles targeted directly at Californians and renovating its aging dealerships. The brand has picked 100 dealers in the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco areas and offered between $500,000 and $1.5 million for improvements, including a new, uniform front entrance. The moves are designed to pull Chevrolet back from its Southern, Midwestern truck-based focus.
Now we’re not suggesting that you’re a lawbreaker, but if you’re a social networker and you’d like to know where speedtraps are – for no reason at all – then Escort might be able to help. Makers of the Passport line of detectors, Escort has started a mobile app-supported network called Escort Live that featuresBluetooth notifications.
When an Escort detector using a special Bluetooth-enabled cord – called SmartCord Live – registers a trap, it sends that info to the cloud, which then forwards that location to your smartphone to warn you of the trap if you’re about to be in range. It can also identify red light cameras and other types of road surveillance systems.
The app works with certain Apple iPhone and Android handsets, and a subscription to the service through 2012 costs $79.95. That strikes us as rather pricy, but we suppose it’s cheaper than a speeding ticket. Check out a video of it in action .
Never underestimate the power of a clerical error. A couple in Sicily were recently treated to an eye-popping $44,500 parking fine after interest and late fees were accounted for. According to the officer who wrote the citation, the car was illegally parked in the year 208 during the reign of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. Needless to say, there were some chronological issues at play. According to The Associated Free Press, the shock of the fine was so severe that it sent the wife into a dizzy spell. She was treated at a local hospital and released.
Not surprisingly, the ticket should have read 2008. Local police acknowledged the error and reduced the fine to a much more manageable $144, which the family later paid.
is bringing an arsenal of custom vehicles to SEMA 2011, including three pickups and one very cool B-Spec Racer. The pint-sized bruiser is based on the 2012 Yaris SE and should be bashing fenders with the rest of the SCCA B-Spec class contenders soon. Toyota says that Jamie Bestwick, of BMX fame, will campaign the car in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart, Wisconsin. The car features all of the hardware necessary to meet spec, including an eight-point SCCA roll cage, fire-suppression system, race seat, and six-point harness.
Toyota also has something special for those of you who prefer to take your racing off the track. The Long Beach Racers Tacoma is inspired by the upcoming TRD T/X Baja Series, and features custom 60mm Bilstein race shocks, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, a 50-gallon fuel cell and a big-brake kit among other goodies. All of that kit will come to bear when the truck heads to the Baja 1000 next year.
DC Shoes and West Coast Customs will also show off a unique Toyota Tundra built just for the motocross crowd while Oakley crafted a special Surf Tacoma to cater to the surfers of the world. A pre-production version of the Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series pickup will also be on display as will the Daytona 500 pace car.
Among the many myths surrounding the notoriously private life of Steve Jobs was his disdain for license plates. Jobs reportedly drove a without ever affixing a plate, leading many to speculate that Apple’s powerful CEO had , or that he had some on his car, or that he just didn’t mind paying whatever citations he received for his different thinking.
Now we have a report that claims to settle the issue once and for all, and explain how you too can drive plate-less in California if you’re so inclined.
CAR Magazine reports that is planning to give the a slight update. The refresh begins with an additional 30 horsepower from the 4.3-liter V8, bumping the final figure to 483 hp thanks to revised engine mapping and improved innards. It’s worth noting that the extra pep is only available when the tank is topped off with 98 octane fuel, though the ECU will accommodate 95 octane as well.
The new model will also tip the scales at a skinnier weight than its predecessors thanks to a greater use of aluminum alloys in the chassis structure. CAR reports that engineers have managed to cut as much as 66 pounds from the vehicle.
With more power and less weight, the 2012 California should provide increased performance if the report turns out to be accurate. CAR also mentions that the optional Handling Speciale package now features upgraded dampers paired with an ECU that boasts a 50-percent improvement in response rate. Sounds fine by our ears.
Motorcycle manufacturers are on the teaser warpath as we get closer to the annual EICMA show in Milan. MV Agusta is the latest company to roll out a quick clip celebrating its latest effort; the 2012 Brutale 675. The machine is the naked sister to the wicked , and with a three-cylinder configuration and a €9,000 price tag, the Brutale 675 is expected to square off against bikes like the Triumph Speed Triple and the Ducati Street Fighter 848. What sort of hardware will it bring to the fight beyond its three pot mill? MV Agusta isn’t saying for certain.
The teaser shows off a few quick, shadowy glimpses of the bike, but we are treated to a solid view of the wild exhaust on the Brutale 675 as well as clear shots of the machine’s front end. Stay tuned for full details once MV Agusta pulls the sheets off at EICMA 2011, but in the meantime, to check out the video for yourself.
Jeep pickup trucks are griffins. Amalgamated kings of all automotive beasts that combine the friendly puppy vibe of a Wrangler with the utility of a cargo box. Ten years ago, American Expedition Vehicles gave the public the original TJ-based Brute at that year’s SEMA show, and now the company is reprising that performance and introducing the Brute Double Cab.
Based on the latest JK Wrangler Unlimited, the Brute Double Cab offers more interior space thanks to the extra doors and the larger overall dimensions of the JK-series Wrangler. AEV stretches the frame to a 139-inch wheelbase, and the Brute Double Cab has an overall length of 216 inches – 30 inches more than a regular JK Unlimited. The bed is nearly square, with dimensions of 61 inches long by 60 inches wide (and 44 inches between the wheelhouses), but it’s not intended to make a pickup truck replacement out of a Jeep.
AEV thinks the Brute Double Cab is an off-roader with better chops than a 4×4 pickup, and enhanced cargo capacity over what you can get from stock Jeeps. Unlike the kit you can buy from Mopar, the Brute Double Cab isn’t something you assemble yourself – AEV puts more into its four-door Brute Double Cab than it takes to build the two-door JK-8 kit. The stretched-chassis AEV Brute Double Cab will be available first to current AEV owners as a turn-key vehicle. Once production ramps up, availability will be opened to the public at large. Get the full scoop in the release .
has announced that production of the sixth-generation has officially begun at its Munich manufacturing facility. The automaker invested around €500 million – over $700M USD – in the plant in preparation for the new model; a move that BMW says secured around 9,000 jobs. A portion of those funds went toward the purchase of a new press that can operate at speeds of up to 17 strokes per minute and process up to 600 tons of steel per day. The automaker says that the machine can handle the equivalent of all of the metal in the Eiffel Tower in just 12 days.
The new technology is part of the recipe that BMW says will allow the plant to produce around 680 units per day in as little as three months from the start of production. That figure will place the plant’s total output at over 900 units per day. Surprisingly enough, that volume occurs in a space of just 700,000 square feet across five floors, making for an incredibly dense work space. Hit the jump for the press release.
is headed to SEMA 2011 with a total of seven concept cars tuned by some of the most creative customizers around. Cartel, Dynamic, 686, Michael Chang, Jon Sibal and Tatsu have all turned their attentions toward the automaker’s lineup, and the results are as varied as the shops that built them. The newest addition to the Scion stable, the tiny , looks to have received most of the attention this year around, with a total of four iQ concepts headed to the sands of Las Vegas. One of the wildest has to be the iQ Pit Boss by Cartel.
Designed to be a fully functional paddock worker, the iQ Pit Boss boasts complete controls via a Apple iPad, a wireless hot spot, storage for wheels and tires, multiple charging stations and one very impressive stereo for the after-podium celebration.
Michael Chang also took a motorsports approach with his iQ-RS. With custom fender flares, serious aero work and wide tires, this iQ looks built for bouncing its way around a road course. But not every iQ in attendance is merely built to look the part. The Tatsu iQ-MR moves the engine to the middle of the chassis and ditches front wheel drive for rear-wheel glory. New cams, higher compression pistons and an AEM engine management tune all help give the car a little extra pep, too.
