2010 Ford SVT Raptor 6.2 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Unless you’re a died-in-the-burlap save-the-planet kind of person, you probably think the is freakin’ cool. There’s not a factory truck on the planet that can with equal ease, grace and unmitigated speed.
The 2010 Raptor genuinely has no competition In the world of production trucks, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. If you bent the ear of the right engineer, he would admit that the 2010 SVT Raptor was supposed to launch with the 6.2-liter SOHC V8 we’re testing today. The aging 310-horsepower 5.4-liter Triton mill included at launch was never the perfect fit for the radical Raptor. Too tame.
From the truck’s introduction last Fall, everyone knew the would be better. But no one knew how much better until now. Read about our wild test drive (and brief flight) after the ummm… jump.
Gallery:
Photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc. and Ford Motor Company
2010 Hummer H3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Would the last one out the door please switch off the lights? The long strange trip that has been the brand is just about over for . The final ever production rolled out of GM’s Shreveport, Louisiana factory on Monday May 24, 2010 on its way to an Avis rental car outlet. As you may recall, GM had actually stopped assembling H3s in mid-2009 as it went through bankruptcy, but it resumed production recently in order to .
GM tried to sell the Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd but last February. A subsequent offer from Raser Technologies also went nowhere. Now that production has ceased, 200 of the 900 remaining employees at Shreveport will be laid off by July and the rest of the Hummer staff back at headquarters in Detroit is either leaving or .
A Gainesville, Florida dealership received a most unpleasant surprise Monday morning as the dealer’s showroom floor became engulfed in smoke, with some flames centered in one very unfortunate area. Now we’re guessing here, but we would think that if the dealer could save any one vehicle from the fire, they’d pick the nearly $90,000 . Too bad they apparently didn’t have time to make the decision. The Gainesville Sun reports that the GT-R was engulfed in flames when police and fire arrived at the dealership a little while after it closed, burning up much of the vehicle’s exterior. The last person to exit the building was the security guard, who did a quick check of the showroom and locked up. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they had to bust down a door to enter the building, and when they got inside, the GT-R was being served flambé-style.
Firefighters don’t know exactly how or why the GT-R burst into flames. Reports suggest that there was a light that dropped to the ground, and that light could have started the fire, or it could have dropped as a result of the fire. We don’t have any idea what happened to the GT-R, or whether or not it was even driven that day, but you can head over to for more details and to see a picture of the carnage. Thanks for the tip, Justin!
In this day and age, even the average sedan is packing some serious heat under the hood. It didn’t use to be like this and there was a time when even “sports cars” were listed under 150 horsepower. For those unfamiliar with the history behind the horsepower wars, for an infographic primer from the 1960s to the present day.
If you’re thinking about taking to the highways of Venezuela any time soon, here’s a little tip for you: don’t speed. Evidently the country’s roads are known for the kind of highway craziness that would make Miami look conservative. While recently driving his own personal motorcade, Venezuelan president was harassed by a pickup truck whose driver thought Chavez was going too slow. The driver blew his horn and flashed his lights before passing the president on .
According to reports, Chavez proceeded to personally chase down the driver and reprimand him for being such an ass behind the wheel. The whole incident caused el Presidente to address the nation’s lawless road system on his weekly broadcast, and to charge the South American nation’s police with doing a better job of enforcing the local traffic laws.
Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 – Click above for image gallery
This is the , the car Cosworth said would “humble” supercars. With a 0-to-62 sprint happening in just 3.7 seconds it’ll be quicker than a whole bunch of exotics, and at £49,995 ($71,368 U.S.), it’ll be a whole lot cheaper as well. If that sounds like a boatload of cash for a warmed-over WRX, well, it is. But bear in mind that thanks to factors like the 17.5 percent Value Added Tax, UK pricing is rather different than what pricing in the States would likely look like were Cosworth to sell the CS400 here.
The 395-horsepower, 398-pound-foot Cossie Scooby benefits from a thorough rework of its boxer-engined details, boasting new pistons, con-rods, turbocharger, exhaust and ECU mapping among its many modifications. Aiding the ’s all-wheel drive get power to the ground is a lowered suspension with components from Bilstein and Eibach.
Looks-wise, a different front bumper fitted with mesh inserts, a rear spoiler, a track widened by 12 millimeters, and 18-inch alloys over bigger AP brakes will make sure cognescenti don’t confuse you with anything else. Identification will also be made easier by the fact that there will only be 75 made for the UK market only, and available it’ll be available in red, silver, and dark gray. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
When gets around to expanding its line-up next year, the first model to benefit from the badge will be a compact MPV reportedly badged the Alpha. The small van will apparently be based on a stretched version of the current Prius platform, will add a third row of seats and should be the first production Toyota hybrid with a lithium ion battery pack. Toyota is currently testing a fleet of plug-in Prius hybrids with lithium batteries, but those aren’t slated for production until 2012.
The seven-seat Alpha is expected to be about one foot longer than the current Prius hatchback, while a shorter, five-seat version of the Alpha that may look similar to the from 2007 and could retain the nickel-metal hydride batteries of the current Prius to keep costs down. If all goes according to plan, expect the Prius Alpha to launch around March of next year.
2010 Suzuki Equator – Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the – the overlooked, rebadged version of the that went on sale in early 2009? There hasn’t been much to talk about the slow-selling Fronquator, but now a recall involving vehicles manufactured between November 2009 and March 2010 (a whopping total of 582 units) brings the little truck into the front of our minds again.
According to the official recall statement from NHTSA, the Equator’s lower control link bushing collars may not contain welds that meet strength specifications, which can alter the wheel alignment over time. The safety recall is taking place as you read this, and dealers will replace one or both lower control links if necessary. The full details are available in NHTSA’s statement, after the jump.
Skobbler has introduced a completely free, turn-by-turnnavigation app for the iPhone, with one new and unusual detail: you help play the role of cartographer. Sort of like Linux for thoroughfares, you and then use , a community-sourced mapping to add “hyperlocal” detail to the map, which Skrobbler then updates on its servers. The more information gets added by community mappers, the more detailed and up-to-date the instructions are available to the nav-app’s users, with updates pushed to the program in real-time. We’re unsure of how granular the details are in the current CloudMade maps, but the app is free and this could be your chance to be a pioneer.
A brief glance around any motorcycle racing paddock will tell you all you need to know about the number of women racing in the field. In short, there aren’t many. Thankfully, things are changing, especially when racers like 16-year-old Elena Myers proved that they can do more than just keep up on the track with their male counterparts.
In case you missed the news, young Elena just became the first female to win an AMA Supersport Class race, and she did so aboard her No. 21 Lucas Oil Roadracingworld.com RMR Suzuki GSX-R600. Suffice it to say that Suzuki is rather proud of Elena’s achievement, and the Japanese company has gone so far as to celebrate the landmark victory by changing its homepage to pink in her honor.
Naturally, we wish Elena all the success in the world. But seriously… pink? We see exactly zero pink on any of her motorcycle or riding gear, but if that’s the Way Suzuki wants to celebrate…
Giorgio Bartocci Lamborghini Super Trofeo Crash – Click above to watch video
The Super Trofeo Cup saw a massive accident during Round 4 of the season. From what we can tell, the number 22 LP560-4 driven by Giorgio Bartocci got off into the gravel on the last turn before the front straight. It’s unclear whether Bartocci was nudged by another racer or whether a mechanical failure caused the slide, but either way, the car hit the wall at considerable speed and nearly disintegrated on impact.
The driver’s side door sprung open as the car slid down the tarmac, and Bartocci could be seen flailing outside the vehicle. When it finally came to a stop, the Raging Bull turned into a raging fireball. Fire crews initially took longer than expected to pull the driver from the wreckage and were seen using underpowered fire extinguishers to battle the blaze. The is expected to investigate the incident. Amazingly, Bartocci survived the ordeal and is currently in intensive care.
Lamborghini canceled the remainder of the event and rounds six and seven have been indefinitely nixed as well. for a video of the incident.
2011Volkswagen Jetta – Click above for high-res image gallery
A cameraphone-wielding member of GMInsideNews has caught what looks to be a pair of prototypes in Michigan, and while it’s hard to tell the full extent of the changes or the size of the sedans, he appears to have snagged the next-generation undergoing testing.
Even with the and Chrysler minivan providing a bit of scale, it’s hard to pin down the dimensions of the prototypes. However, we’re more inclined to assume that the VWs are the refreshed Jetta, particularly based on the roofline, greenhouse and overhangs, as well as the , which looks markedly more assertive than what we see here.
While the odd Toyota-like badge on the boot is a nice touch, don’t expect that element to make it to production. Instead, the 2011 Jetta will finally replace the current model’s ovoid headlamps with the more angular, aggressive units found on the refreshed and GTI. Out back, the trunk benefits from a subtle lift and tuck, with new rectangular taillamps and slightly blistered fenders finishing off the refresh. Assuming our product cycle prediction hats are on straight, we can expect to see the new Jetta in person later this year, with sales beginning in early 2011.
True to , The Detroit News is reporting that has issued a stop sale on its 460, LS 600h (standard and long-wheelbase) luxury sedans due to a problem with the electronic steering system that can temporarily cause the steering wheel to become off-centered. Apparently, the wheel will return to its correct position after about five seconds of misalignment. Toyota issued a recall on Friday, May 21st to address the defect. from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Although has reportedly fixed the problem on new models rolling down the assembly lines in Japan, those recalibrated machines are not expected to hit dealership lots in America until the middle of June. In the meantime, the 3,800 or so owners of affected 2009 and 2010 LS sedans are being urged to avoid turning the steering wheel rapidly after holding it in full lock in the opposite direction.
We would imagine that there are certain scenarios where following such advice may prove difficult to follow, but Toyota is so far reporting that no injuries or accidents have been caused by the issue.
Infiniti Performance Line teaser – Click above for high-res image
Hot on the heels of the recent revelation that is working on slated to debut at this year’s Pebble Beach extravaganza, we’ve come across a trademark filing by Nissan North America for “IPL.” What’s IPL you ask? Infiniti Performance Line, a new catalog of in-house developed upgrades which – according to the filing – will include everything from air filters to cat-back exhaust systems, and – more intriguingly – “automotive engine parts, namely turbochargers and superchargers.”
The approach is likely to be similar to how NISMO develops and markets parts for or, more accurately, launch of its F-Sport performance line.
This new line of performance parts will likely be unveiled this August in Pebble Beach and be fitted to the . How extensive the modifications are remains to be seen, but as , one of the models set to debut will be “performance oriented,” and if forced induction is part of the package, we’re anxiously awaiting our rendezvous with the modded coupe this summer.
Balancing tradition with technology is a fine line to walk, but Bentley manages to pull it off with its latest, greatest flagship.
For BMW addicts, it’s the World Series, the Stanley Cup and the SuperBowl all rolled into one. So we go for a stroll around the grounds at Bimmerfest to see what the marque’s most ardent fans are up to.
After a week of living with BMWs, our long-term Legacy’s ease-of-use and on-road demeanor continues to win us over.
Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Cars for under $18k – Click above for high-res image gallery
Being in the market for a cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Aspire, but the times, they are a-changin’, and the good folk at Kelley Blue Book have worked up their very own top 10 list of cool cars for under $18,000.
Not surprisingly, the 2011 nabbed a mention thanks to its 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Likewise, the new 2010 received a spot on the list. The Korean automaker’s new long roof manages 23 city and 30 mph highway thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The base also made the cut – another 2.0-liter bruiser, the baby brother of the Evolution nabs 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. also got some love on the KBB list with its . When optioned with the five-speed gearbox, the car walks away with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Rounding out the list is the ever lovable . Just like the Suzuki, if you want a few more miles per tank, you’ll need to opt for the manual transmission. Thusly equipped, the little Honda can 28 mpg city and up to 35 mpg highway.
Want to see what else made the list? or visit KBB for the whole list.
As the action continues relentlessly in the premier venue of , round three took us to the land of champagne and baguette, as the lent the first glimpse of clarity into how the championship fight might turn out.
Straight out of the chutes, rider and international superstar Valentino Rossi converted a great start into an early lead, while Dani Pedrosa and points leader Jorge Lorenzo brought on the chase. The Yamahas were quickly one-two as Lorenzo passed Pedrosa and began to close the gap on Rossi. By lap seven, the points leader made his move for the front, only to see Rossi respond almost immediately to reclaim the lead. After ten loops, Lorenzo put a pass on that would stick, and was able to hold a convincing five-second lead as he passed the checkers, extending his overall points margin to nine ahead of Rossi, who repeated his . This also marked a third straight top finish for a Yamaha pilot in as many rounds, a feat that has not been repeated since 1980.
Behind the leaders, the battle to round out the top five was an intense one, using up the entire race to play out. During a dramatic final lap we saw Pedrosa surrender two positions in another battle of teammates, allowing Andrea Dovizioso to squeak by followed by the hard-charging Ducati topped by Nicky Hayden, who again carried the red team’s results. Casey Stoner struggled and was put out of the race early due to a turn-six crash that he would be unable to return from, begging the question of whether his mind has already ? Next stop: June 6th for all things Italian at Mugello and a chance for dethronement of the Yamahas. We can hardly wait!
Audi A1 e-tron concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The original, all-aluminum A2 was a unique beast, which Heinrich Timm, Audi’s head of lightweight design, maintains was ahead of its time. However, the rumored is likely to utilize a steel unibody platform, and the latest reports indicate that Audi’s mini-lux will have a new reason for being special.
Autocar quotes anonymous sources who say the next A2 could be Audi’s first electric-only vehicle. While the UK rag doesn’t go into detail, Audi has dropped hints that a variant of the A2 could utilize the extended-range EV hardware under the hood of the shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The e-tron utilized a 60 horsepower electric motor paired to a 330-pound lithium ion battery pack. The “extended range” part of the A1 e-tron concept comes courtesy of a small, powerful rotary engine that would work as a generator whenever the battery pack was depleted. Audi quotes the EV range of the A1 e-tron concept at about 33 miles per charge.
Do we think the A2 will be electric-only? Our magic eight-ball says “ask again later,” so we’re thinking the earliest we’ll know anything is this September at the Paris Motor Show.
It’s time to do your homework, kids. The blokes at have built a virtual representation of the personal playground. If you’ve got some time to kill, head on over to the site for a turn-by-turn breakdown of the UK show’s test track, including the elusive history of each corner’s name. The virtual track will even let you in on which gear you should be in for each section should you ever find yourself as a .
Even if you don’t see your acting career thrusting you the public consciousness anytime soon, there’s still a chance you’ll be able to have your way with the track. A rumor dusted up last month that claimed Polyphony Digital now holds the rights to test ground’s in-game representation, which means that should Gran Turismo 5 ever decide to drop into stores, the PlayStation universe will be breathing down the Stig’s neck.
TG’s virtual track also features a couple of other neat tricks, including a “Stig’s Eye View” that allows you see what the perfect line should look like. You can even pick whether you want to view the track through the windshield of an econobox or a genuine supercar.
A brief glance around any 
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