General Motors LSX454R crate engine at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s not just cars and trucks that are auctioned off each and every year at . For instance, decided to roll out its latest crate engine, the LSX454R, in front of the crowds in Scottsdale, and proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Of course, this is no ordinary motor. In fact, at 750 horsepower, the LSX454R is the most powerful engine General Motors has ever offered for sale… and that includes all the barn-storming engines of the Gods the automaker let out in the heyday of the muscle car era.
The 13:1 compression ratio of this engine means it’s meant for racing applications and 110-octane fuel, so don’t go getting any ideas of the LSX454R under the hood of a shiny new Camaro. Instead, expect to see it occupying the engine bays of 9-second bracket racers at a quarter-mile near you in no time flat.
Check out the , and to watch live streaming coverage of all the festivities.
2011 ChevroletCorvette Le Mans Racing Z06 at Barrett-Jackson 2011 – Click above for high-res image gallery
certainly has created a few limited-edition vehicles in its time, and you can add this to that list. How limited is it exactly? The VIN plate reads #001… of one.
Built to celebrate 50 years of Corvettes racing at Le Mans, this special Z06 wears special door numbers, a 50th Anniversary seal on the B-pillar, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and massive 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Under the hood sits a 7.0-liter LS7 engine producing 550 horsepower, which is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Inside, the car bears the signatures of both Dick Thompson and Dick Guldstrand.
All proceeds from the sale of this one-off Vette will go to the National Corvette Museum. Check out the and watch .
*Update: Video of the Corvette crossing the block is available .
Talk about odd hauling. The team over at PickupTrucks.com put together a rather interesting comparision: 2011 diesel vs. Delta IV Heavy rocket. One is capable of crusing down the highway with a gross combined weight rating (vehicle, passengers and trailer) of 25,400 pounds. The other is easily capable of lifting that entire load into geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above our planet.
While the guys didn’t send the truck into space, they did use the (Vandenberg AFB along the California coast) as a camera platform. Autoblog tagged along for a ride (in the Ram, not the rocket) and took a handful of pics at the successful launch.
Oh, the comparison? Long story short, the truck is quicker to 60 mph but the rocket has a much higher top speed. The truck has dual-zone air conditioning, while the rocket chills with supercooled liquid fuel (483,500 gallons all kept below -297 degrees Fahrenheit). And, of course, the truck offers Satellite Radio while the big rocket simply becomes a satellite.
2012 marks half a century since the very first Cobra was released on the street, and to celebrate, Shelby has announced a limited-edition 50th Anniversary model that was introduced at Barrett-Jackson earlier today. Using CSX8000 chassis numbers, each of the continuation cars will be painted in “Shelby Black” and feature a premium leather interior, wire wheels and special badging.
Pricing for a 50th Anniversary Cobra rolling chassis (car minus drivetrain) is set at $69,995 or $134,995 for an aluminum-bodied car. Expensive, yes, but with just 50 units slated for production, we can see them getting snapped up pretty quickly. for the full details from Shelby.
1955 Woodill Wildfire at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery
Before stumbling upon this 1955 Woodill Wildfire here at the festivities in Scottsdale, we weren’t even aware that such a car existed. And this is one of the reasons why Barrett-Jackson is such a cool event.
Apparently, an employee of McDonald Douglass (we’d guess with the last name Woodill…) built an experimental turbine engine originally intended for use in a helicopter. First seen in 1952, this machine is recognized as the world’s first production fiberglass-bodied automobile. For what it’s worth, the Corvette didn’t come until late 1953.
According to the official Barrett-Jackson auction page, the engine puts out 310 horsepower at the crank at a stratospheric 37,500 rpm. This particular machine, built in 1955, was reportedly clocked at 137 miles per hour on a dry lake bed and then sat for 40 years until being restored to its current condition.
See the proceedings for yourself live and in living color over at . You can also – we only hope you’re better at guessing these values than we are…
This being our first drive of the new-for-2012 CLS family, what better way to start than with the Big Daddy CLS63 AMG range topper?
2010 served up a record number of voluntary recalls from automakers. A total of 14.9 million vehicles were ushered back to dealerships for repairs that were not part of a NHTSA investigation.
Beautiful. Fast. Expensive. Hold on to your hats, because the FF is like no other Ferrari we’ve seen before.
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The speed-hungry fiends at Nismo have taken the time to unveil a new hardcore race version of the at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. This machine is built for tangoing in the world’s most brutal endurance races, and the engineers behind it took the time to rip out every last unnecessary bit of weight and install all the hardware it needs to go fender to fender with other race-bred bruisers. That includes a set of stoppers capable of bringing the globe to a halt, a full roll cage and a more menacing suspension.
There’s even an onboard jack system and a huge 31.67-gallon fuel tank onboard to minimize time in the pits and maximize the number of seconds that the car can stay out on track. Nismo calls this terror the GT-R RC for Racing Competition, and if you like what you see, you better call your CPA. Nissan says that the race-bred GT-R will command a ¥20,790,000 price tag when it goes on sale – a shave over $250,000 at current exchange rates.
“Auto Union Type C e-tron study” with electric drive – Click above to enlarge
, is bringing a sweet-looking electric car to the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. While this thing is branded with the e-tron name, it’s more toy than car – but the little prototype can get going at speeds up to 18.64 miles per hour.
Called the Auto Union Type C study with electric drive, the toy is based on the limited-edition pedal car model, the Auto Union Silver Arrow Type C race car, . The new electric version uses a lithium-ion battery that can spin the 1.5-hp rear-wheel-drive electric motor to generate 29.5 pound-feet or torque (peak at 44.25) and has a range of just over 15 miles. Also, it has a reverse gear. Recharging from a 230-volt European socket takes around two hours. The best news: Adults up to 5′11″ can fit inside. Beats the heck out of those silly toy Escalades.
[Source: Audi]
turns pedal car into another e-tron for German toy fair
2012 Ford C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery
can call the a swagger wagon all it wants, but the slogan isn’t going to make moms any happier about hopping behind the wheel. According to The Detroit Free Press, most mothers aren’t fooled by gimmicky marketing or the latest attempts to redesign the minivan as a stylish piece of transportation. Reporter Krista Jahnke followed a group of mothers from as they toured the Detroit Auto Show to critique the latest wave of minivans.
What did they think? While the vast majority appreciated the added creature comforts of the newest generation of family haulers, they still seemed to feel that the minivan was always going to be a practical choice first and an aesthetic one dead last.
One woman even admitted that she cried the first time she had to drive a minivan. Admittedly, we feel her pain.
The crew took the time to check out the all-new Ford C-Max, , , and , and was kind enough share its opinion on each. Despite its significantly smaller size, the C-Max fared well amongst those who know minivans best, while the Grand Caravan was penalized for its cavernous, grime-trapping center console. Head over to Press to see all of their impressions.
Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept – Click above for a high-res image gallery
Is going to bring its Tiguan-for-the-country-club Q3 over to the United States? Originally the of a subcompact crossover on American soil, but now Audi is reportedly reconsidering offering the Q3 Stateside.
is getting ready to launch the X1 here in the U.S., and Audi wants a cut of the North American subcompact crossover action. Since the American car-buying public is fairly wagon-averse, this move makes sense for Audi and could be a strong move to help it reach the .
The has already been a sales winner for the brand here in the States. In 2010, sales of the compact crossover rose 70 percent, and having a smaller Q3 in Audi showrooms would allow customers to still get in on the quad-rung crossover action for a bit less cash.
Barrett-Jackson 2011: 1990 Coors Extra Gold Top Fuel Dragster – Click above for high-res image gallery
Every fancied owing your own Top Fuel Dragster? Are you also a fan of beer brewed from the waters of Golden, Colorado? has the car for you. It may only be a replica but this 1990 Coors Extra Gold Top Fuel Dragster has plenty of V8 oomph sitting right behind your head.
Auctioned off on multiple occasions, the goal of the dragster is to produce $1 million for the Darryl Gwynn Foundation. To date the car has raised $810,000 and hopefully the final hammer at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson stage will get it much closer to its goal.
John F. Kennedy Pontiac Bonneville Ambulance – Click above for high-res image gallery
The plot seems to be thickening around the auction of a that supposedly transported the body of President John F. Kennedy’s body after his assassination. Unfortunately, a kink has arisen in the tale of how this vehicle went from a piece of national history to the auction block. Originally the seller claimed that the vehicle was sold as surplus before receiving a full restoration. The only problem with that tale is that the real vehicle was never sold at a Naval auction. Instead, the ambulance that ferried the late commander-in-chief was donated to John F. Kennedy library.
From there, the Kennedy family apparently asked that the vehicle be destroyed – a request that the library promptly obliged. On June 26, 1986, the Pontiac ambulance was loaded into the jaws of a crusher and turned into scrap. For any fan of rare or vintage vehicles, the photos of the vehicle with its doors caved in courtesy of a fork lift aren’t easy to look at. The stout of heart will have to to get a closer look.
Barrett-Jackson has decided that while the car may not (read: probably isn’t) the one that carried President Kennedy’s body, it will still be sold at auction. While the fact that the vehicle up for auction in Arizona may not be the real deal is likely to decrease its value considerably, we still think the car is cool as hell. What better way to get the family around town than in a Navy grey ‘63 Pontiac ambulance?
How about the hearse that carried JFK’s casket? The ‘64 Cadillac is also up for bid on eBay motors with a buy it now price of just $1.5 million. You can check it out .
Word on The Internets is that the Scion iQ won’t be hitting our shores anytime soon. The pint-sized hatch was originally supposed to arrive here in the United States by March of this year, but GreenCarReports.com has indicated that the city car may not arrive until sometime this summer. The move is thought to be as much about production delays as marketing. has said that it wanted to give the enough time to have the company’s stage all to itself without having the limelight stolen away by its newest sibling.
At the same time, the company said that the first prototypes from Japan were a few months late in arriving and that the delay pushed back the production schedule. Whatever the hold up, buyers clamoring for a competitor to the will have to wait a few more months for the pleasure of grabbing the keys to a Scion iQ. As of this writing, there’s no telling whether the car will show up as a 2011 model as first thought or whether it will be labeled a 2012 when it finally shows up.
2010 Saab 9-3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that it is recalling around 4,400 9-3 models for defective fuel pumps. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says that the vehicles made have been built with pumps that did not meet the correct specifications, and as a result, the pumps may seize, causing the engine to stall. NHTSA believes that the defect could potentially increase the risk of an accident. As far as we know, no incidents have been reported as a result of the issue.
Saab will replace the fuel pumps free of charge, and the campaign is expected to get under way on or around February 18. Owners may contact Saab directly at 1.800.955.9007 or visit the for more information on the recall. for a look at both notices.
Gallery:
[Source: ]
Saab 9-3 faces recall over possible fuel pump defect
When announced it was with for some joint projects, initial talk centered around small cars for emerging markets and possibly even a spate of two-wheeled ventures. Now, the rumormill is buzzing with speculation that the Japanese automaker might be interested in securing some of Volkswagen’s well-regarded powerplants for its midsize sedan.
Prior to its tie-up with VW, Suzuki had enjoyed a partnership with that had the Japanese automaker using The General’s engines and transmissions. Those contracts died off after the VW deal, and, according to Ward’s, it now appears that any future engines for the Kizashi beyond the 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder (185 horsepower and 170 lb-feet of torque) will be sourced from Volkswagen.
Currently, there’s no indication what powertrains Suzuki is interested in procuring from Volkswagen, but we’d have to guess that a V6 or possibly even a hybrid would be on the menu, if possible.
The minds at Harley-Davidson have just unveiled the newest creation to arise from the company’s Dark Custom project. Called the FXS Blackline, the new take on the Softail wears resculpted tin, including a bobbed rear fender and an asymetric tank design that departs a bit from the bike’s standard look. Get a little closer and you’re likely to notice that the big V-twin at the heart of the Blackline has been powder coated black in all the right places. HD’s designers also dropped in a compact headlight and a tiny speedometer for more custom look.
Of course, this particular Softail is defined by two things. First, Harley-Davidson says that the FXS Blackline wears the lowest seat that the company has ever installed on a bike. The rider sits a mere 24 inches off the ground, and combined with unique “split drag” handlebars, the Blackline looks to have a personality that’s a good deal different from the rest of the Dark Custom creations. for a look at the full press release and a quick video.
Porsche Panamera Turbo “Moby Dick” by Edo Competition – Click above for high-res image gallery
Say what you will about its styling, but the Panamera Turbo is one of the most devastatingly fast four-door whatever-you-want-to-call-its on the market. But that’s just not enough for some people. And for those people, there are companies like Edo Competition.
The German tuner may be best known for customizing exotica like and , but have this time focussed on the . Edo’s fitted a Mansory body kit for for a little extra visual oomph, but that’s hardly where the story ends.
Under the hood, the creation they call Moby Dick benefits from 50% increased output, from 500 horsepower stock to a whopping 750. That, according to Edo, should be enough to drive the Autobahn-crunching top speed up to 211 miles per hour, while dropping the 0-60 run down below four seconds. Well below, we’d figure.
A variable exhaust system, dropped suspension and 22-inch wheels round out the package, and buyers can specify from a range of interior options as well, all of which you can read about in the press release after the jump and the see in the image gallery below.
Porsche 918 RSR – Click above for high-res image gallery
Sorry Formula One fans, it looks like won’t be throwing its hat into your ring anytime soon. Instead, the German manufacturer is more likely to back a factory team at Le Mans, at least according to ESPN. CEO Matthias Mueller said that while F1 has some attractive aspects, it’s also very expensive. Throw in the fact that success is a good sight less predictable than in other racing theaters and you can begin to understand why Porsche is a little skittish about diving into the deep end of the motorsports pool.
Instead, Mueller says that there’s a stronger possibility that we could see Porsche return to Le Mans. If you’re thinking that just might have a thing or two to say about having to go fender-to-fender with its corporate cousin, you’re probably right. Still, the minds at Porsche seem to think that having two teams parented by Volkswagen gunning for the checkered flag is better than just one. For now, this is all just speculation. Mueller said that he wants all Group companies to come together to discuss a cohesive motorsports plan in the near future.
Baldwin-Motion is back with the 2011 Motion Camaro – Click above for high-res image gallery
in Albany, New York is in love with the new Camaro. It also loves the history of the model line, especially when dealers and customizers got their hands on the cars. We’ve already seen DeNooyer team up with Redline Motorsports to bring us their . Now the two have teamed up with Joel Rosen to resurrect the .
In 1966, Joel Rosen started up his Motion Performance shop and partnered with Baldwin autos to produce a handful of boosted Chevy products. The Baldwin-Motion team offered Novas, Biscaynes, Chevelles, Corvettes and, of course, Camaros. The original Baldwin-Motion cars were available in SS (425 horsepower) or Phase III versions (500 hp and up). Joel Rosen stood so firmly behind his Motion sports cars that he provided a written guarantee stating they were capable of running the quarter-mile in 11.50 seconds and hitting a trap speed of 120 miles per hour. Not one Baldwin-Motion owner ever returned a car.
Now Joel Rosen is partnering up with DeNooyer Chevrolet and Redline Motorsports to usher in a new era of Motion Camaros. Five special edition cars are available with a choice of either an aluminum LS7 427 or LSX 454. The Motion SS-427 and SS-454 make 525 and 550 horsepower, respectively. Both versions wear custom Motion touches like graphics, seat inserts, headrests and special badges. For the Phase III cars, power is upped to 600 hp for the Phase III-427 while the Phase III-454 pumps out 625 hp. Phase III cars get further upgraded intake manifolds, a special engine management system, custom Motion aerodynamic body pieces and more custom touches to the interior. The fifth car in the lineup is the Motion Phase III 427-SC, and that SC stands for supercharged. Output is pushed to a pavement pummeling 800 hp and the 427-SC receives forged internals as well as upgraded Brembo brakes and suspension components.
The 2011 Motion Camaro cars will all be built to order, wear unique VINs and show off Joel Rosen’s signature. to read the full press-release and be sure to get a look at the Motion Camaro in the gallery below.
Pagani Huayra magazine cover – click above to enlarge
We’ve now of the upcoming replacement, dubbed “Huayra,” or “C9″ internally. The official details and images have yet to be released, but it appears that the first uncovered image of the Huayra has appeared on the cover of CAR magazine’s Spanish-language edition.
We still don’t have any details about the new Zonda successor, though the magazine’s cover lines tell us that the car will cost about 1 million Euros and production will be limited to 20 units annually. If this is the production car, we’re certainly not unhappy about the addition of gullwing doors to the Pagani design, though that front end is indeed a bit… mouthy.
We’ll keep our eyes peeled for official images and data as the weeks progress. Your guess is as good as ours at this point for things like power numbers, 0-60 times and interior fittings, but since this car does replace the Zonda, we’d expect nothing short of earth-shattering figures.
