The Auto Blog .ru

Newfoundland is a bit of a funny place. It’s the easternmost point of the North American continent, has its own half time zone, was the last province to join Canadian confederation (having existed as a British colony until 1949) and has its own linguistic dialects. It’s also the kind of place where you can fail upwards, it seems. Particularly when driving a customized Ferrari Enzo.

You may recall the story of one Zahir Rana, a Kenyan-born exotic car dealer and enthusiast based in Calgary, Alberta, who took his Edo-modified Enzo to the 2011 Targa Newfoundland rally and promptly drove it right off the road and into a tidal river on the Atlantic coast. (If you missed the story, you can watch the video footage right here after the jump.) Some $100,000 in damage was reportedly caused to the million-dollar supercar – though we wouldn’t be surprised it the final figure were substantially more – but that hasn’t deterred Rana, or his friends, from returning.

Having lived to tell the tale of his epic crash, Rana has had his Enzo’s engine further tuned to 950 horsepower, and is reportedly planning to bring it back for the 2012 Targa Newfoundland… along with 20 of the friends and clients he has amassed from over a decade in the business. Which strikes us as a particularly headstrong and determined way to get back on the prancing horse, so long as this year’s rally goes a little more smoothly for Team ZR Exotics.

Continue reading Crashed Ferrari Enzo to lead 20-car return to Targa Newfoundland [w/video]

Crashed Ferrari Enzo to lead 20-car return to Targa Newfoundland [w/video]

We record Episode #263 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #263

• Chevrolet Volt, Fiat 500 are flops?
• Analysts say 2012 may ring up 14 million vehicle sales
• Most popular posts of 2011

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #263 LIVE

We’ve been told there was a time when critics of the automobile warned against the dangers of high-speed driving. At the lofty speed of 35 miles per hour, they said, the air could very well be sucked right out of your lungs, leaving you to die of asphyxiation as you careened along at the edge of sanity.

The human race has a long history of itching to push the land-speed envelope ever farther, along with a similarly storied line of naysayers waving the thou-shalt-not flag. One man in Apple Valley, California has taken it upon himself not only to beat the current land-speed record of 763.035 mph, but to demolish it. Waldo Stakes is building a land-speed car he figures should be able to reach 2,000 mph.

Once again, for clarity’s sake, that’s two-thousand miles per hour.

If you’ve been paying attention, you likely know the Bloodhound SSC is aiming for a somewhat more modest 1,000 mph. And while that beast has an entire platoon of engineers, years of research and $15 million behind it, Stakes and his Sonic Wind Land Speed Research Vehicle are a bit more homegrown. The man makes his wages as a general contractor and walked away from formal education mid-way through a stint in community college in 1974.

But, while he hasn’t followed the traditional engineering route, the man has been studying the principles behind land speed vehicles since he was a kid. More importantly, this isn’t some half-cooked pipe dream. Stakes has already amassed two XLR99 rocket engines the likes of which powered the infamous X-15 experimental plane. All hail the mad scientists of the world. Head over to Popular Mechanics for a great look at his progress.

California man hopes to break 2,000-mph speed barrier

The Dubai International Motor Show was a good one for Jerod Shelby and the SSC Tuatara. The event pulled in $13 million in pre-orders for heinously powerful supercar, far exceeding Shelby’s expectations for a show that was merely supposed to show off where the Tuatara is headed. Shelby sat down with Studio One shortly after the show for a brief interview, and rather than focus on the newest creation from SSC, the show took a closer look at who Shelby is. As it turns out, the American was bitten by the speed bug at an early age, competing in national-level go-kart races from the time he was eight years old.

That early taste of challenge and competition easily translated into Shelby’s desire to build a company capable of producing world-class supercars. SSC specifically engineered the company’s first vehicle, the Ultimate Aero, to take the title of the fastest production car in the world from the mighty Bugatti Veyron. Shelby and SSC succeeded, sparking off a polite rivalry that carries on to this day.

Shelby even takes the time to explain the rationale behind saddling his newest creation with a name that’s as difficult to pronounce as it is hard to spell. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself as well as a brief recap of the company’s experience in the Middle East.

Continue reading See what makes Shelby SuperCars founder Jerod Shelby tick

See what makes Shelby SuperCars founder Jerod Shelby tick

Racing fans who enjoyed the spectacle of open-wheel single-seaters racing around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and past Camden Yards where the Orioles and the Ravens play may be disheartened to read of the latest developments. But take heart: it ain’t over, they say, until the fat lady sings, and in this case she appears only to have taken a brief intermission.

The future of the Baltimore Grand Prix (an IndyCar race, not to be confused with Formula 1 grands prix that typically take the host country’s, not the host city’s name) has been in jeopardy for several months now. As with many things, the issue boiled down to money: while most communities support such racing events financially with public funds, the organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix were expected to remunerate the city to the tune of $1.5 million. At the end of the day, Baltimore Racing Development failed to meet its financial commitments, so the city has revoked the firm’s contract only one year into its five-year term.

So does that mean the race won’t be held again? The signs seem to point in a positive direction, as the city holds discussions with other organizers interested in taking BRD’s place. Series organizers appear to have faith that a new deal will be put in place in time for the upcoming season, with the event currently on the official IndyCar Series race calendar for September 2.

The new calendar, meanwhile, drops the races in Milwaukee, New Hampshire and Kentucky. Las Vegas was also removed from the calendar following the now-infamous Wheldon crash, while the race in Japan was replaced by a new grand prix in Qingdao, China.

Baltimore terminates IndyCar race contract

Now that winter is upon us, you can expect to see lots of news stories about cars driving through intense blizzard conditions. This, though it certainly looks the part, isn’t one of those times. Although it appears that the white stuff falling from the sky in the videos after the jump is heavy snow, it’s actually a product called ’spume’ – salt-water sea foam.

Britain’s Fylde Coast was struck by a massive windstorm last week, with wind gusts as high as 130 miles per hour. Spume is the product of decaying algae and other organic materials in the salt water, and the heavy winds whipped it all up onto shore, causing havoc for residents of the costal town Cleveleys.

Hit the jump to see a trio of videos of the falling foam for yourself.

Continue reading Coastal UK windstorm brings a different kind of whiteout

Coastal UK windstorm brings a different kind of whiteout

Well, this certainly brings quite literal meaning to the word ‘minivan’. According to Auto Motor und Sport, sources within BMW have reportedly confirmed that a new Mini-branded panel van – possibly dubbed Mini Cargo – will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Creating the Mini Cargo sounds like a simple enough process. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the work-ready hauler will be based on the Clubman, with the rear bench seat removed in favor of a long load floor. The rear side windows will be ditched for sheetmetal (like most panel vans), though it’s unclear whether or not the rear windows will be left intact.

We’re curious to see what other alterations will be made to the Clubman in its transition to a proper panel van. Will the passenger-side rear-hinged door be left alone, or will it be removed? Will the rear suspension be strengthened to accommodate for heavy hauling? Assuming that plans for a Mini Cargo are indeed underway, we’ll have to wait until March to find out.

Mini bringing panel van to Geneva?

The exponential growth of China’s auto market has left many automakers licking their lips at the thought of rampant profit. Recent years have seen the country’s government spur foreign investment with various incentives, including reduced tariffs on imported manufacturing machinery. According to Automotive News, that’s all about to stop. China has said it will cease encouraging foreign investment in a move designed to promote natural growth in the sector. The country saw automotive growth drop to one tenth of what it was in 2010.

That’s not to say China is putting a stop to all aid to foreign automotive investment. The report says China will still encourage foreign automakers to develop green technologies within its borders.

Automakers from General Motors to Toyota and Volkswagen have all focused more heavily on the Chinese auto market in recent years. Honda recently began producing Fit models in China for sale in Canada as part of an effort to move more of the company’s production out of Japan, as well. Similar strategies may become less cost effective as China makes it more difficult for foreign companies to invest in manufacturing.

China aims to slow foreign investment in auto market

We don’t know how the folks at Risk Racing got from naval undersea mine design to the Light Mine Pro, but we’re glad they did. The baseball sized, sci-fi-like accessory is comprised of two LED arrays – one white, one red – surrounded by 11 protrusions topped by neodymium magnets. Stick it to any metal surface on your car, and you’ve fire-and-forget illumination.

Running in three AAA batteries, the eight white LEDs can be used as low-power or high-power spotlights, the four red LEDs function as blinkers or for night vision. And those magnets should come in handy in other ways, such as retrieving dropped objects – assuming the object is at the end of a baseball-sized gap. The unusual multi-function light strikes us as a fair shake at around $20, but we’ll have to buy one to see the quality for ourselves.

Light Mine Pro is naval warfare-inspired underhood illumination

The 2013 Dodge Dart is a big deal for Chrysler, so it makes sense that the majority of the company’s attention at the Detroit Auto Show will be focused around the new C-segment sedan. But since the automaker doesn’t want to blow its whole show presence on just one vehicle, its Mopar tuning arm has stepped in to create two new vehicles for show-goers to ogle – the Chrysler 200 Super S and Dodge Charger Redline.

In its stock form, the Chrysler 200 certainly isn’t going to win any design awards, but we’ll admit it: Based on these pics, the Super S looks good, at least from the front. The Super S Stage One kit adds visual flare in the form of a front chin spoiler, satin chrome fog light trim, satin chrome grille surround and a new mesh grille design. What’s more, there are new side sills, black chrome badges and bespoke 18-inch “S” alloy wheels, a trunk lid spoiler, satin chrome rear light bar and a matte black lower diffuser with integrated exhaust openings.

Want some performance to back up that new look? There aren’t any real power upgrades for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, but the Stage Two kit adds a coil-over suspension, cold air intake and cat-back exhaust. Chrysler says Super S packages will be available on 200S models starting sometime later this year.

Moving on up, the Charger Redline shows off three different Mopar tuning kits that will also be available later in 2012. Stage One adds a full-width carbon fiber chin spoiler to the Charger’s aggressive front fascia, 20-inch Black Envy wheels, carbon fiber door scoops, a three-piece carbon fiber rear spoiler (pictured, right) and a roof graphic in matte black. We’ve had a chance to see the Charger Redline in person, and truth be told, we don’t find it terribly attractive – especially the tacked-on side vents and spoiler. Though it traces its look to the anything-goes 1970s Mopar models, we’d prefer to just leave the decidedly handsome Charger alone, at least, aesthetically speaking.

The Stage Two and Stage Three performance upgrades, on the other hand, we’ll take. Stage Two incorporates a cat-back performance exhaust, a front-tower cross-brace and tower brace caps, along with high-performance Mopar brake linings. But what we really want is Stage Three, which includes a high-output version of the 426 Hemi V8 crate engine – designed for racing use only. In addition to delivering 590 horsepower – 220 more than the standard V8 Charger – the engine weighs 100 pounds less than the standard cast-iron crate version. Too bad this setup isn’t approved for use on public roads.

See both the 200 Super S and Charger Redline in our galleries below and follow the jump for Chrysler’s official release.

Continue reading Mopar bringing Chrysler 200 Super S, Dodge Charger Redline to Detroit Auto Show

Mopar bringing Chrysler 200 Super S, Dodge Charger Redline to Detroit Auto Show

The 2012 BMW M5 is something of an anomaly. Despite its size and weight, the big luxury sedan is actually quicker than its less corpulent sibling, the BMW M3, around a road course. With a 552-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine capable of sucking down small communities, there’s no arguing the M5’s power. But fast cars aren’t necessarily fun. Take the Jaguar XKR, for example. It’s blisteringly quick, but comes saddled with a traction control system that requires an advanced degree in computer science and a thorough comprehension of black magic to completely disengage. Roasting the tires in the big cat hardly seems worth it.

The M5 is no such beast. The goons at Autocar recently took the portly bruiser out for a little parking lot fun to see just how the machine performs once things get sideways. It would seem that the muscle-bound German is a willing dance partner. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.

Continue reading Autocar gets sideways in the 2012 BMW M5

Autocar gets sideways in the 2012 BMW M5

Car crashes kill thousands of Americans every year. In fact, in 2010 alone 32,885 vehicle occupants died as a result of an accident. In the past, auto accidents held the top spot in injury deaths here in the U.S., but that statistic has changed.

The New York Times reports that a study by the National Center for Health Statistics reveals that over 41,000 Americans lost their lives due to poisoning. Over 90 percent of those deaths were drug-related, with prescription drugs like Morphine and Vicodin among the major culprits.

This is bad news for the health care industry and drug makers, but it’s good news for automakers, motorists and insurance companies. Vehicles have become progressively safer over the decades thanks to the efforts of carmakers, independent watchdogs like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Traveling is now safer than it has been in decades, but nearly 33,000 deaths mean that we’re not out of the woods yet.

You’re more likely to be poisoned to death than die in a car crash

If you’ve ever had an old vehicle get away from you, be it due to a stuck throttle or failing brakes, you know just how exciting the moment of realization that accompanies limited control can be. In our not-inconsiderable experience in this area, the mind clicks from denial to acceptance in a heartbeat before allowing you to come up with a solution. A group of old-metal-obsessed Hungarians have taken the time to craft a video detailing exactly what happens when a 1981 BMW 3 Series decides to get up and go all on its own.

The result is plenty of gravel-slinging E21 action in glorious slow-motion. The whole clip is well-shot, if not a little anti-climactic. We’re just glad no BMWs were harmed in the filming. Hit the jump to check out the brief video for yourself.

Continue reading A little story about a runaway BMW 3 Series

A little story about a runaway BMW 3 Series

Abiding by traffic signals is perhaps the simplest rule of the road. Any preschooler can tell you what red light means, but that doesn’t stop a staggering number of drivers from ignoring the lights altogether. ATS, a company responsible for manufacturing red light cameras, wants us to think a little harder about coming to a complete stop the next time we lose the right of way. The company says that more than 100,000 people are injured in collisions involving a driver who ignored a red light.

The video after the jump compiles a number of incidents in New Jersey involving inattentive or downright stupid drivers. Some of the clips feature near misses, while others involve scary collisions. Hit the jump to see for yourself, and remember to heed the traffic signal the next time you’re behind the wheel.

Continue reading A PSA from ATS: Don’t run red lights

A PSA from ATS: Don’t run red lights

If you’re looking to turn your Mercedes-Benz Vito into an executive-class van, Vilner has what you need. The company used its expertise on the German minivan to craft an interior inspired by private jets. With Nappa leather seating, an Alcantara headliner and mahogany details spread throughout the cabin, the Vilner Vito is suitably deluxe. Additional power outlets make it perfect for long-distance chauffeured travel, while a 19-inch LCD display and stocked mini fridge help keep passengers entertained..

Mechanically, the Vilner Vito is identical to the stock model, though new alloy wheels take the place of the stock rollers. A set of bi-xenon headlights are part of the package as well. How much will the conversion cost you? If you have to ask…

Hit the jump for the brief press release.

Continue reading Vilner classes up the Mercedes-Benz Vito

Vilner classes up the Mercedes-Benz Vito

Moments of brilliance can lurk in the most unexpected places. The character Red from “That ’70s Show” once pontificated, “Being a man is all about doing things you don’t want to do.” Herb Younger knows that better than most. The guy bought a 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS with a 396 brand new, spending nearly every dime he had at the time. He cherished the car for over 15 years before being forced to sell the SS to help pay for his sons’ educations. Over 20 years later, Jared and Derek began a quest to find the old ‘65 and return it to its rightful owner.

The search would take over five years, span multiple states and international borders, but the payoff was well worth it. Jared and Derek told their father a film crew was doing a documentary on the American family when the Impala rolled up for the first time, and the look on Herb’s face when he sees the canary yellow SS is unmistakeable. It’s love.

“It’s not just a car. It’s all the memories and feelings. It brings all that back.”

Yeah. That’s about right. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.

[Thanks, Diego!]

Continue reading Chevrolet documents a long road home for one 1965 Impala SS

Chevrolet documents a long road home for one 1965 Impala SS

Anywhere you find rabid car culture you’ll find rabid tuners. Japan’s no different, where the make-it-hotter ethos applies to everything. When it comes to Lamborghini, Chrysler, and yes, even the Suzuki Every kei car, Wataru Kato’s 18-year-old Liberty Walk shop wants to be the last word in entertainment – not only for owners, but also for visitors.

Liberty Walk designs its own parts and applies them to a range of vehicles that go from the understated to the unbelievable. Kato says he wants his shop to be an amusement park for kids who just want to be around supercars. (We assume he means kids of all ages.)

Follow the jump for a video showcasing his work. If we make it there, we might start by asking to play with Kato’s white Ferrari F40…

Continue reading Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

The Zastava Yugo 45 was intended to be a serious car. Instead, it became a punchline. Milos Paripovic’s Zugo concept, on the other hand, is a bit of a joke that instead was taken seriously enough to win fifth place in a European design competition. After updating the lines of the Yugo for the Zugo, Paripovic endowed it with features that probably would have been useful on the original.

The electric concept has a heated rear hatch so your relatives, when pushing it, have a warm place to put their hands. But the hatch also contains a pressure sensor so you can tell if any of those relatives aren’t pulling pushing their weight.

Paripovic said such features, and others, “are put in contrast to everyday reality of Yugo owner.” That’s why the Zugo is open source and provides diagrams of all of its parts so owners can fabricate their own. It’s also why the safest recommended place for the Zugo is “in the garage.” Check it out in the attached image gallery. It might be the finest offspring of a Yugo 45, ever.

The ZUGO reimagines the Yugo for the 21st-century cheapskate