Like most of the motoring world, our automotive lives really got off the ground at age 13. We suddenly realized that in just three short years, we would be legally allowed to drive our very own cars, and that revelation started a chain reaction of magazines, posters and models that eventually led to our first set of keys. We may have even been known to sketch a barely recognizable dream car or two. We weren’t, however, cranking out professional-grade renderings of a version of the .
Here’s the deal: Team Speed forum user PorscheCarreraGTMay6 has been so kind as to share his vision of what a genuine hybrid racer might look like. That’s all fine and good. After all, the internet is awash with plenty of Photoshopped what-ifs, but what makes these really special is that A) the person claims to be 13 years-old and B) the renders are drop-dead gorgeous and C) there’s a good chance we’re going to see a 918 Spyder racer within the next few years. The user even cranked out a YouTube video and a solid description of the reasoning behind the model.
You can check out the full forum thread , and be sure to to see the video for yourself. Keep your eyes out. If this kid is actually 13 years-old, they’re going to set the auto world on fire.
Rosie Huntington-Whitley – Click above for high-res image gallery
Please excuse us while we take a little trip down lane. Word on the web is we now know who will be replacing in the next scintillating Transformers flick. Shia Labeouf will be locking lips with none other than Rosie Huntington-Whitley. Who is that, exactly? Good question. Huntington-Whiteley has spent the majority of her days prancing down a runway in her unmentionables as a Victoria Secret model. The best part? The 23 year-old model-turned actress doesn’t have a drop of acting experience. The jokes write themselves.
Fox was reportedly to give the main character a new love interest, though rumor was that the actress had also spent her off time berating director Michael Bay for any number of perceived character flaws. Our guess is Bay got tired of hearing the insults and told Fox to take a hike. Now back to your regularly scheduled content.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now estimating that 89 deaths may be attributable to unintended acceleration in vehicles here in the United States between the year 2000 and May of 2009. Previously, it was reported that 52 deaths were possibly related to the throttle defect.
This figure has been extrapolated from NHTSA’s database of the roughly 6,200 complaints it has received over that same time period. In addition to the 89 deaths, 57 injuries have also been tallied. Toyota reminds us that these figures are estimates, saying in a statement:
Many complaints in the NHTSA database, for any manufacturer, lack sufficient detail that could help identify the cause of an accident. We will continue to work in close partnership with law enforcement agencies and federal regulators with jurisdiction over accident scenes whenever requested.
, some 1.67 million sticky accelerator pedals and 1.62 million floor mats have so far been fixed under recall, with roughly 120,000 being performed per week on average.
How do you make the best factory-built desert-pummeling pickup even better? A bit of retuning and another 101 hp.
In this day and age, even the average sedan is packing some serious heat under the hood, and there was a time when even “sports cars” were listed under 150 horsepower. See how far we’ve come with our latest infographic.
After a three-year hiatus, Formula One is coming back to the States, and Austin, Texas has been chosen to host the party.
Rhys Millen Racing PM580 frame – Click above to view the video
The folks at HRE Performance Wheels dropped by the Rhys Millen Racing shop to check out the progress on the new car. Millen and his crew are in the process of building an Unlimited Class racer to crack the all-time record on the Colorado mountain. Millen will attempt to both recapture the record that his father held for 13 years and record the first ever sub-10-minute time.
The PM580 is powered by a V8 engine mounted in the middle of a steel tube-frame chassis. Aside from the engine, the rest of the chassis looks rather conventional, until you see the carbon-fiber bodywork that looks more like something destined to hurtle down the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans rather than up the side of a mountain.
Unlike your mobile data plan, at Pikes Peak Unlimited means exactly that: anything goes, including active aerodynamics. The angle of the upper plane on the rear wing is automatically managed based on a yaw rate sensor and lateral accelerometer. When the car is on the straights it flattens out to a 10-degree angle, but as the car turns in, it tips up to 50 degrees to press the rear end down. It’s fascinating stuff and you can check it out in the video .
Next generation BMW 6 Series convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
has had a remarkably steady flow of new product hitting the market in the last couple of years, and now that the latest 5 Series is starting to hit the streets and the X3 is coming this fall, one of the next models in line for a rework is the 6 Series.
The new coupe and convertible will be the last of the “Bangle Butt” models to go under the knife, and none too soon. The redesigned convertibles have been running everywhere from Arvidsjaur, Sweden to the Nurburgring since last winter, but always with the top up. The latest batch of images from our intrepid spy shooters show a test driver enjoying a bit Munich sunshine in the spring.
When the new 6 debuts publicly either later this year or early next we’re expecting it to feature much of the same design language we’ve seen on the latest 5, 7 and Z4, with tight side sculpting, stretched headlamps and an overall look that is both cleaner and more muscular than before.
As recently as two years ago and working on Chinese-market products that would eventually make their way this way. Nothing ultimately came of it, but hasn’t given up on the Chinese dream. Or more accurately, Fiat hasn’t given up on the Chinese dream on behalf of Chrysler.
Fiat, which has had its own setbacks in trying to find the right joint venture required to do business in China, is . It isn’t clear how or even if Chrysler would immediately try again, since The Pentastar’s “models were as popular as Chen Shui Bian towards the end of their tenure.”
Another route would be for the Chrysler Group to let Jeep lead the charge, since the Jeep brand and small SUVs are a more welcome option for Chinese buyers. It is inevitable that Chrysler will keep trying to crack the world’s largest auto market, and if we were presumptuous enough to suggest a way to do it, we’d only need two words: .
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We for Episode #179 of the Autoblog Podcast, and then Chris, Sam, Dan, and Chris Paukert proceeded to answer them. News topics we cover are the Buick Regal GS, Toyota and Tesla getting together, Ford’s next-generation Explorer Police SUV, and the push for increased fuel economy standards by 2025.
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If you aren’t already on the list to purchase a 2011 , you’re officially out of luck. During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the U.S. market allotment for the first year’s production of Leafs is already sold out more than six months before the EV even goes on sale. Nissan has now received 13,000 orders for the $32,780 – quite impressive for a vehicle almost no one’s driven.
So far, the orders are comprised of refundable $99 deposits, so it will be interesting to see how sales and orders hold up once people begin getting calls from dealers. Prior to going on sale in 2008, the also received thousands of orders before deliveries began – and we all know how well that turned out. While the Leaf will undoubtedly be a much more pleasant and practical car to drive than the Smart, it remains to be seen how customers will react once they get used to the real world electric range.
Ghosn remains extremely bullish on electric vehicles and will be adding production capacity in both the United States and Europe over the next three years.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. is mostly known for his ability to pilot Ford Mustangs in a sideways – he currently leads the points race in the 2010 Formula Drift season – but over the last year the Maryland native has also been busy launching his own car brand, RTR, beginning with last year’s show at SEMA with the debut of the .
Not one to rest on his laurels, Gittin will be following up the RTR-C with perhaps something even more impressive. In a collaboration with Team Need for Speed, the drifter/car builder will unveil another Mustang at the 2010 SEMA show dubbed the RTR-X. Based on a 1969 Mustang using a Dynacorn replacement body shell, the RTR-X will feature the 5.0-liter V8 from the 2011 Mustang GT and a one-off sub-frame from Art Morrison. You can follow the until its debut at SEMA in November and even over at SpeedHunters. Hit up the gallery below to see Gittin’s upcoming creation in more detail.
2010 Ford Start concept – click above for high-res image gallery
While Volvo’s fate isn’t perfectly clear yet, it appears that everyone might have been best served by severing ties with the foreign branches of its Premier Automotive Group: , , and . True, Ford didn’t get to fully benefit from the labor it put into the cars those brands are unveiling to accolades right now, but it spared itself the continued financial and brain drain on its core brands.
It was a drain that was also felt by the company’s design arm, headed by J Mays. Referring to how thin The Blue Oval’s design resources were stretched, Mays called the efforts “an inch deep and a mile wide.” Part of it was that there were simply so many new models to keep track of, the other part being that so many of those cars had such vastly different requirements – an Aston couldn’t look like a , and even though an Aston could use Volvo’s switchgear it shouldn’t look anything like S80 or an .
Now the team can focus on wrapping the company’s products and concept cars (like the shown above) in the “” design language developed a few years ago. That, Mays says, is also easier because of Ford’s rationalization of its platforms – something that also could not have been as completely without selling the company’s PAG brands.
The is set to rule on whether or not current federal regulations protect automakers from being sued under state product liability laws. According to The Wall Street Journal, justices will examine a California lawsuit that claims that should be held responsible for the death of a passenger in a 1993 MPV minivan. The passenger was riding in the middle seat, wearing a lap belt, when an accident occurred. The belt caused serious internal injuries that eventually led to death. The plaintiff’s argument is that by not installing three-point seatbelts in the center row of the vehicle, Mazda failed to do everything in its power to protect the occupants of the vehicle.
It’s important to note that three-point seatbelts didn’t become a legal requirement in all seating positions until 2007. Before that time, regulations established in 1989 said that three-point belts were only required in outboard seats, so Mazda built the MPV to conform to the laws in place when the vehicle was built and sold.
The lawsuit was originally rejected after Mazda pointed to a 2000 Supreme Court case in which Honda was unsuccessfully sued after injuries occurred in a 1987 . In that case, the plaintiff said that Honda was responsible because it did not install airbags in the vehicle.
The Supreme Court will hear the case in the 2010-2011 term starting in October.
The is perhaps the most important vehicle in ’s lineup, and though the automaker has given it a few minor tweaks for the 2011 model year (fascia nip/tuck, new N55 single-turbo mill), an all-new version is in the works for 2012. We’ve seen all covered in BMW’s signature swirly paper, but our spies have just caught the wagon Touring version of the new 3er roaming around European streets, as well. Aside from the obvious addition of a more capacious boot, not much should differ between the 3 Series sedan and wagon when it hits showrooms, which figures to feature a range of new engines and a design more akin to that of the F10 and new .
We’re sure that the new 3 Series Touring will fare well in European markets, but it’s unclear how the wagon will be received here in the States, especially since BMW is rumored to be working on a – similar to the that launched earlier this year. However, the may cause BMW to rethink its product planning, and the new 3 wagon will be perfectly poised to do battle with the likes of the and , as well as the new TSX Sport Wagon from which will be arriving in early 2011.
No word yet on when we’ll see the production version of the next-generation 3 Series, though we certainly won’t rule out a possible debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show. For now, click through the gallery below to see the 3 Series Touring showing off its new rump.
Kevin Cotter recently found himself among the other 50 percent of Americans who wind up getting divorced from their first spouse. Rather than wallow in the broken remains of 12 years of marriage, the guy decided to have a little fun. See, his ex-wife refused to take her wedding dress when she left the house. Rather than throw the dress on and call it a day, Cotter decided to write a book about the 101 uses a newly-single guy could come up with for a fancy piece of silk and lace.
Only no one was exactly champing at the bit to publish his idea. Instead, he did what any self-respecting freshly-rejected writer would do. He took to the internets! Cotter now runs My Ex Wifes Wedding Dress – a blog all about the wide array of uses he’s come up with so far. While we’re personally fans of the scarecrow, Cotter has also used the gown for a drip cloth when he changes the oil in his and a gas cap. Hilarity ensues. Thanks for the tip, Jubby!
When the now-retired Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on the Autoblog podcast, he told us that he was looking to get on some company boards. Not even a month into retirement, Maximum Bob has added yet another notch to his belt, accepting a position at fuel injection supplier Transonic Combustion. The company, which has offices in Camarillo, CA and Bloomfield Township, MI, is working on more efficient fuel injection systems.
Lutz hasn’t yet made any public comments about his new board role outside of a prepared statement that reminds us that “for the foreseeable future the internal-combustion engine will remain the dominant propulsion system for automobiles, and there is still a lot of room to improve its efficiency.” Beyond his board job with Transonic Combustion, Lutz is working on a book that we’re desperately interested to get our hands on.
Ah yes,Top Gear USA. We had nearly given up hope for the American version of the hit British television series until friend-of-Autoblog Adam Carolla let slip details of the series’ subsequent on The History Channel during a taping of one of his CarCast episodes. At the time, it was thought that Carolla would be the only one of the original three cast members from the pilot to make the reborn series. As it turns out, . What gives?
Apparently, Carolla has a pilot sitcom that he’s currently taping for NBC, and the Peacock wouldn’t let the funny man away long enough to join History’s Top Gear USA. Sad for all, as reports from those who attended the taping of the NBC pilot almost universally praised Carolla’s performance on the show.
Perhaps the most disappointed of all is Carolla himself, who openly dishes on the May 17 edition of his CarCast that he hopes his NBC sitcom is canceled so he can rejoin Top Gear. Click here to listen to the entire episode, but know that there’s some foul language.
After a three-year hiatus, Formula One is coming back to the states in 2012 and the city that’s been chosen to host the World Cup of Motorsports? Austin, Texas. Yes, Austin.
According to the release from F1, the race will be held in the city from 2012 to 2021, and since Austin doesn’t have a race track, a facility will be purpose-built to host the events. Get all the details in the press release after the jump.
Remember those that was poised to purchase Italdesign Giugiaro? Well, they’re rumors no more, as the two storied firms have just announced that it’s a done deal. The German automaker will acquire a 90-percent stake in the design house, and the Giugiaro family, which currently owns the company outright, will retain the remaining 10 percent.
It is currently assumed that Volkswagen will keep the 975 employees at Italdesign, adding them to its own design department. Reports indicate that VW will also retain the services of the elder Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son, Fabrizio, who currently serves as the company design head. For what it’s worth, the Italian design house styled some of VW’s most successful and iconic models, including the original (or Rabbit, depending on your country of birth) and Scirocco.
Hit the jump for the official joint press release, and be sure to check out some of the best collaborations between the two companies in our high-res image gallery below.
Lancia Centro Stile concept sketches – Click above for high-res image gallery
Lancia’s website links to Centro Stile, the design section of the brand, where you can find all manner of concepts drawn by the same people who might be by the end of the year. There are a couple of oldies in the bunch, but then there’s the sketch above, a concept coupe, and a new take on the that’s rumored to be under consideration as a bound for the U.S.
The thing that gets us most about these sketches is how utterly far away they are from Chrysler’s design language, stoking all kinds of questions about how the two brands will be combined. Sergio Marchionne has said that because Chrysler and Lancia don’t overlap in terms of vehicle sizes, the two brands could be joined to create a full line-up. Based on these designs we’re thinking there will be a Jekyll and Hyde line in there, because we just can’t wrap our heads around the pictured coupe with goggle-eye headlights and a giant grille.
Have a look at the other sketches in the gallery of high-res photos below, and maybe you can tell us how a Lancia Ypsilon becomes a Chrysler Ypsilon and doesn’t look like a bad episode of “Will it Blend?”
Turkey’s Autopia Europa – Click above for high-res image gallery
Istanbul, Turkey will reportedly be home to the world’s largest auto dealership, called Autopia Europia. The space is so big it’s probably more convenient to think of it as an industrial complex, rather than an auto dealer: more than two million square feet, each of the five floors almost 20 feet high, 200 auto sales outlets hawking new and used metal, shot through with 56 eateries, 48 repair shops, 24 banks and 42 insurance companies. And that’s just a taste of the options.
Perhaps the most unusual feature of Autopia Europia is the test-drive track on the roof of the building. The building’s developers expect six million visitors per year, and we can only imagine they’re including a lot of foot traffic in that estimate. With a 900-car parking garage, even with three people in every car, it would take nearly seven years to accommodate that many guests. Construction has just begun so they’ve probably got a couple of years to crunch those numbers again.
You can have a look at it in the gallery of high-res renderings below, or in the video . Hat tip to Brian!
