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Drivers on a stretch of Interstate 75 in Florida found themselves in the midst of a scene from a nightmare early Sunday morning. Fog and smoke from a nearby brush fire combined to significantly reduce visibility, which resulted in a massive pile up just south of Gainesville involving 12 cars and six or seven semi trucks. The collisions began at 3:45AM EST and police have confirmed at least 10 deaths associated with the incident and ensuing vehicle fires. All six lanes of the highway are closed now as investigators work to discern exactly what caused the tragedy.

According to reports, the smoke and fog were still heavy when rescuers arrived, forcing emergency personnel to listen for screams and cries in the darkness. The wreckage was spread over a mile across both sides of the interstate. Around 18 people were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment, though their conditions are unknown at this time.

Authorities had closed the highway earlier in the day due to poor visibility, but later opened the road again when the smoke appeared to have cleared. Follow the jump for a Reuters news report on the incident.

Continue reading 10 motorists dead after fog, smoke envelope Florida highway

10 motorists dead after fog, smoke envelope Florida highway

Rumors of BMW M launching a diesel model have been circulating for over a year, and confirmation has finally arrived in the form of not one, not two, but four M-fettled oil-burners, each sporting all-wheel drive and the oft-rumored tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six. And before you get excited, none of them are slated for sale in the U.S. – this is a Euro-only affair.

So with that unfortunate fact out of the way, let’s get to the details.

The new M models come in the form of the M550d xDrive sedan, M550d xDrive touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. Each makes use of a 3.0-liter inline-six common-rail diesel with the aforementioned trio of turbos specifically developed for the M Performance range. Output is rated at 376 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 545 pound-feet of torque available from 2,000 to 3,000 revs. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s a bump of 80 hp and 103 lb-ft over the 535d and 74 hp and 103 lb-ft more than the 3.0-liter mill fitted to the diesel X5 and X6.

Each model comes equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and standard xDrive AWD, allowing the M550d sedan to hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds – just four tenths of a second off the all-new M5’s 0-60 run. You read that right. The M550d Touring hits 60 in 4.9 seconds, with the X5 M50d and X6 M50d passing the mark in 5.4 and 5.3 seconds, respectively. All models are limited to 155 mph and fuel consumption ranges between 6.4 liters/100km and 7.7 liters/100km.

Interestingly, the M-ified diesel 5ers ditch the standard electromechanical steering for a hydraulic system that’s derived from the M5, and both the X5 and X6 variants uses systems similar to those on the X5 M and X6 M.

And if you’re wondering why we won’t see these M diesels here in the States, blame the necessity to reengineer the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems to make them comply with emissions standards across the country. We’ll be seeing all four live from the Geneva Motor Show in March, but you can get the first batch of details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading BMW M goes diesel, introduces M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d

BMW M goes diesel, introduces M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d

We’re more than happy to admit we have an intense fondness for the classic Volvo Amazon, especially in wagon form. Among its many virtues are its timeless styling, rugged Swedish structure and, with its range of four-cylinder engines, reliability and economy.

Fast, however, it was not.

At least, not in stock form. But at least one enterprising man named Mattias Vöcks, who works for none other than Koenigsegg, decided to build an Amazon that was debuted back in 2006 at the SEMA Show in Vegas with a bit more power. As in 600 horsepower, courtesy of a turbocharged 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Yep, that ought to do it, eh?

In fact, it’s enough power to embarrass a Ferrari 599 in a straight line. Don’t believe us? Check out the video after the break for some terrifyingly fast turbo brick action.

Continue reading Watch a Volvo Amazon wagon race a Ferrari 599… and win

Watch a Volvo Amazon wagon race a Ferrari 599… and win

The Detroit Three are in much better financial shape than three years ago. General Motors and Ford are now profitable, and Chrysler appears poised to begin making real money soon. That success has lead to plans to spend billions of dollars on North American plants, but Automotive News reports that our friends to the north aren’t seeing much of the money.

Ford, GM and Chrysler are reportedly planning to spend at least $13.3 billion in the U.S. in the next four years, but investment in Canadian plants is dropping fast. In fact, there was only $1.2 billion in plant spending in Canada in 2011, down 62 percent versus the average of the last decade. A big reason for the decline in spending is the strength of the Canadian dollar and the relative weakness of the U.S. dollar.

Automakers are also spending more in the U.S. thanks to a new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers, which helps level labor costs compared to foreign rivals. Meanwhile, automakers and the Canadian Auto Workers are now working on a new contract for 2012. The CAW has so far fought many of the cost cuts that the UAW has accepted.

To make matters worse for our northern neighbors, Ford closed the St. Thomas plant that once built the Lincoln Town Car and Ford Crown Victoria, and GM ha reportedly announced plans to build two models in the U.S. that are currently being built in Canada.

We’re guessing that while the Canada announcements have been few and far between in the past year or two, that could change if the CAW makes a few concessions at the bargaining table in 2012. If not, auto jobs in Canada could be in real trouble.

Canada lagging behind U.S. auto recovery

Thailand’s worst flood in 50 years claimed the lives of 610 people and caused billions in damage, but with the waters slowly receding, the extent of the damage is coming into focus.

Among the tens of thousands of businesses affected by the disaster, Honda hasn’t been spared – its factory in the Ayutthaya province was hit hard, and in an effort to assure that damaged vehicles never make it to consumers, the Japanese automaker has begun to scrap over 1,000 vehicles damaged during the flood.

Honda workers have begun disposing of row upon row of Brio and City subcompacts submerged during the flooding using construction equipment and vehicle crushers to demolish the 1,055 vehicles. The tragic yet oddly beautiful gallery above chronicles the aftermath and resulting destruction.

Honda begins scrapping vehicles claimed by Thai flooding

We like us some matte finish here at Autoblog, but we have to admit that the usual smattering of matte black vinyl wraps leave us a bit in the dark. That’s why our eyes pop just a little wider when we see a car that cuts the glare but keeps the palette. That’s also why the storied brands of the Fiat group are getting top marks in our books these days.

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the group’s top brand Ferrari showed off a concept 599 with regenerative braking and a delicious matte green finish. The following year at the same venue, Alfa Romeo lifted the veil on the tempting 4C Concept in a beautiful shade of matte red. And at the Bologna Motor Show earlier this month, their sister brand Maserati showcased this special GranTurismo in matte blue.

The car in question is a unique GranTurismo S Limited Edition exclusive to the Italian market, limited to only twelve examples to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. It also packs carbon spoilers front and rear, as well as carbon side mirrors and door handles, with matte black side skirts and headlamps, and black 20-inch rims with polished aluminum brake calipers. Check it out in the press release after the jump and the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Maserati hits the matte with exclusive GranTurismo S Limited Edition

Maserati hits the matte with exclusive GranTurismo S Limited Edition

Ford has finally given us a complete walk around video of the company’s ready-to-order Ford Focus ST-R racer. The vehicle is available through the Ford Racing catalog and features all the tricks you’ll need to compete in series like the Grand-Am ST class or the SCCA World Challenge TC. The racecar makes use of the same production EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission found in the production model, though the engine has been calibrated to suck down race fuel for a little more power.

As Ford Racing’s Andy Vrenko shows us, larger brakes and a set of three-way adjustable coilovers are part of the suspension package, and indoors, the Ford Focus ST-R comes equipped with an FIA-spec roll cage, Recaro race seat and AEM data logger. The machine looks like a great way to have a lot of fun on track. Expect to shell out $98,995 for the pleasure of ownership, however. If that seems steep, we encourage you to build a similar machine for less. Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Ford Racing gives Focus ST-R race car tour

Ford Racing gives Focus ST-R race car tour

The czars – all of them – are dead in the House of Representatives. Even though every “czar” position in government had already been vacated, the House passed a spending bill that officially eliminated the role and forbids the White House from naming more. In some cases, automotive and banking bailouts and executive pay especially, the czar himself was as polarizing as the job he had to do, and the enduring, transformative effects of their work can explain why politicians might target them.

However, just in case you hear of the role again or you read about a policy head who’s a czar in all but name (and assuming the Senate passes the bill), you should know that you can’t really get rid of all the czars since there’s no precise definition of one. Most “czars” get that moniker from journalists even though they have proper, long-form titles. And if you take the position that a czar is an appointee who hasn’t been confirmed by the Senate, then czars go all the way back to Woodrow Wilson and World War I, and all but five presidents since then have had czars in their administrations.

The vote eliminated nine of the 33 positions that fit that latter definition, the beloved empty seat of our former car czars being one of them. We have a feeling at least one of those czars will be making news for a while, though – Ron Bloom’s been pretty quiet, but it looks like Steven Ratter still has a few things to get off his chest…

House votes to end car czar’s tenure

There was a golden era of coachbuilding Ferrari models, and there is the modern era of coachbuilding Ferraris. In between there was very little such activity, but its rebirth was heralded largely by the coupe you see here.

As the story goes, the inspiration for this car dates back to the original Ferrari 250 GTZ, which Zagato built in the late 1950s. One such example landed in the collection of a noted Japanese collector by the name of Hayashi, who sought to celebrate the original’s 50th anniversary. So in 2005, Hayashi contracted Zagato to build a modern interpretation of the original based on the 575 M. Ferrari gave its blessing, but since the new 599 GTB Fiorano was set to debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, they asked Zagato to delay their unveiling until Villa d’Este two months later.

The reaction to the 575 GTZ was so positive that Zagato put it into production, albeit in extremely small numbers. Only six examples were made, with the first two going to Mr. Hayashi – and this is one of them. Whereas the first example received a two-tone silver paint job, this second example was painted black with a green interior. And now it has come onto the market.

Although the one Bentley Continental GTZ ever built recently went up for sale, the opportunity to get your hands on an original Zagato limited edition as exclusive as this car is a rare one indeed. It’s on sale at Symbolic Motor Car Company of La Jolla with just 2,800 miles on the clock, though there’s no asking price listed and it isn’t street legal in California. Check it out in the high-res image gallery for a closer look.

Online Find of the Day: Zagato 575 GTZ puts the rare in Ferrari

Have you ever watched something only to think, What the heck is that guy smoking? Well that wouldn’t come even close to explaining this latest incident as seen here on a store’s surveillance cameras.

One Erik Whittaker, 40, intentionally drove his Toyota Tundra pickup straight through the front of a convenience store in Columbia, Tennessee, apparently trying to run down his 37 year-old girlfriend, Laquisha Dansby. After running over the store’s owner, Surendra Patel, Whittaker gets out of the truck, looks underneath it for Dansby’s body and – while she and the owner run off in fear – the culprit walks calmly out the store, steals an SUV and drives it straight into the front of a passing bread truck.

Miraculously, no one seems to have been seriously hurt in last Friday’s incident aside from Whittaker himself, who is listed in critical but stable condition. Presuming he recovers, Whitaker reportedly faces a litany of charges, including attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault and grand theft auto. Follow the jump to watch the crazy ABC News video report.

Continue reading Tennessee man attempts murder with truck by driving through store

Tennessee man attempts murder with truck by driving through store

Good things come to those who wait. Or so the saying goes, at least. And while that may not seem like something you’d associate with performance automobiles like Ferraris, maybe it should. Because while some will pay a premium to get a Ferrari – any Ferrari – right away, others are willing to wait to get theirs just the way they want it. And when we say ‘just the way they want it’, we mean just the way they want it.

To meet the demands of customers willing to shell out a little extra to specify every last detail of their new sports car, companies like Ferrari have been gradually upping their customization portfolio. Maranello’s latest is called, appropriately enough, Ferrari Tailor-Made, and encompasses a wide array of customization options.

Ferrari breaks them down into three categories: Scuderia (which encompasses motorsport-derived materials like carbon fiber and Alcantara), Classica (with pastel colors from the company’s back catalog, cashmere and velvet trim) and Inedita (with avant-garde materials like denim and matte paint jobs).

The limited-edition 599 GTB 60F1 grew out of the Tailor-Made program, and Ferrari has put together three unique one-offs to demonstrate the extent of the possibilities: a 458 Spider with NART stripes, chamois leather upholstery, quilted fabric and high-tech woven aluminum/fiberglass dashboard trim; an FF in Grigio Ingrid with pinstripe cloth, cashmere headliner and teak-trimmed cargo area; and a California decked out to Lapo Elkann’s specifications in denim with matte Blu Scozia finish.

Of course, with such an array of options, each example coming out of the studio will be completely unique, guided by a personal designer at the Ferrari Styling Centre, and assuredly fetching a hefty premium over the already considerable list price. Follow the jump for full details and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Ferrari increases customization options with new Tailor-Made program

Ferrari increases customization options with new Tailor-Made program

You may conjure up visions of luxury sedans and boulevard cruisers when you think of Jaguar, but the Leaping Cat marque has also made some wickedly fast sports cars over the years.

Foremost among them is surely the XJ220, the all-out, world-conquering supercar Coventry produced in the early ’90s. A Jaguar XJ220 set the Nürburgring lap record in 1992 when John Nielsen recorded a 7:46 lap – a record that held until it was finally unseated at the turn of the millennium.

The question is, could Jaguar’s latest production model match the aging Super Cat for pace around the Norschleife? To find out, Evo’s Chris Harris took the new XKR-S down to Eifel and brought along the XJ220… piloted by the same John Nielsen, no less. Follow the jump to see how it went down.

Continue reading EVO pits 2012 Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220 at the ‘Ring

EVO pits 2012 Jaguar XKR-S vs. XJ220 at the ‘Ring

Ferrari has been wining races in Formula 1 for 60 years now, and to celebrate, the company has unleashed a new special-edition version of the 599. The Ferrari 599 GTB 60F1 is available to buyers through the company’s Tailor Made program, and includes the performance suspension components of the HGTE package. Those include stiffer springs with dampers to match, a larger rear stabilizer bar, more aggressive tires and a lower ride height. Befitting a low-volume model, the 599 GTB 60F1 will only be available in three liveries, each representing a specific win in the automaker’s history.

The 375 F1 livery pays tribute to Froilan Gonzalez’s first victory for Ferrari at the 1951 British Grand Prix, while the Ferrari 150 Italia scheme is a tip of the hat to Fernando Alanso’s win at Silverstone, the same track that Gonzalez conquered for the automaker’s first gold. Alonso took the honor of the company’s 60th time at the top of the podium. Ferrari also plans to sell the 599 GTBM 60F1 in a third variant that plays off of the 150 Italia livery.

Ferrari debuts limited edition 599 GTB 60F1

Automotive News reports Lexus may uproot its global headquarters and relocate to California. The move would pull the Toyota luxury brand out of Japan for the first time in the nameplate’s history. Toyota has already shifted Lexus’ global marketing functions to the company’s campus in Torrance, California in what is being seen as the first step in a larger move. Automotive News quotes Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo as saying the shift is part of an effort to make Lexus less of a Japanese brand and more of a “transnational” one.

Lexus isn’t the only Japanese luxury brand shifting its operations around. Nissan announced plans to move the global headquarters for Infiniti from Japan to Hong Kong just last month. The new office handles everything from global marketing to sales and communications. Engineering, however, remains in Japan.

Toyota says that the company hasn’t completely decided where Lexus’ global headquarters will land and that there are still plenty of other options on the table.

Will Lexus make California its global headquarters?

An outfit like Ferrari keeps a tight product portfolio. Four model lines in all, when it comes down to production models. Even with the various derivatives that follow, that still doesn’t amount to a large number of new debuts from year to year. But as a racing team first and an automaker second, it rolls out a new vehicle at least once a year. What falls between, then, bridges the gap.

What comes in between a road car and an F1 car, you ask? With a rapidly escalation level of crossover in technologies, less and less. But the narrow territory we’re talking about is the XX development program – what Ferrari terms as their elite cadre of “client development drivers.” That is, the customers who are willing to shell out big bucks – and we do mean big bucks – to test out the latest technological developments on the path from F1 cars to road cars.

The program initially launched with the FXX, an Enzo-based track car that was neither homologated for any racing series nor certified for road use (save a handful of well-heeled customers in some small countries where cash can overcome regulation). That was later improved upon with the FXX Evoluzione, an upgrade offered to existing owners/participants in the program. That, in turn, was succeeded by the 599XX, which has now led, somewhat expectedly, to the 599XX Evoluzione.

For another €185,000 (about $250k) over the €1.3 million ($1.75m) purchase price of the initial 599XX – existing buyers-in to the program can opt to upgrade to the Evoluzione model. That includes a two-year extension of factory-backed “test sessions”, as well as a number of upgrades that center primarily around the aerodynamics package. Aside from the giant front splitter that juts out from the nose, you might notice a rear wing that would make a jumbo-jet blush. But it’s not just a big spoiler: it’s an adaptive one, too. Like the DRS mechanism employed in Formula One, the FXX Evo’s rear wing can be opened up for reduced drag on straightaways or closed for increased downforce in the corners.

Coupled with an incidental 30-horsepower increase in output from the 6.0-liter V12 (for 740hp total), the 599XX Evoluzione can now lap Ferrari’s private Fiorano test track in 1:15 – a full second faster than the existing 599XX… or nine seconds ahead of the 599 GTO, the fasted street-legal version of the same road-going GT. But with only 29 examples in existence – the first of which was just unveiled for the first time at the Bologna Motor Show – we’ll just have to wait for the adaptive aero bits to trickle down to the rest of us. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari unveils upgraded 599XX Evoluzione in Bologna

Ferrari unveils upgraded 599XX Evoluzione in Bologna

When an automaker like Ferrari comes out with a limited edition model, the entire run usually spoken for before we ever see a single photo or detail. Which is fine for the automaker in question, but can often irk many of its best customers, who would gladly shell out whatever the asking price for the opportunity to own the rarest of Prancing Horses.

According to Automotive News, the issue could lead Ferrari itself to form an elite owner’s club. Membership would be limited to just the top customers – like those who own five or more Ferrari models, of which there are about 300 in the world – who would be given right of first refusal on special editions like the SA Aperta (pictured above), the 599-based roadster of which only 80 were made. After all, if your garage already has five Ferraris, you probably deserve for Maranello to give you special treatment.

Ferrari to offer right of first refusal to elite cadre of customers

Ferrari has worked hard over the past several years at differentiating its products from each other. Where its lineup once consisted principally of mid-engined supercars of different sizes, today’s range includes as well a front-engined GT, an all-wheel-drive shooting brake and a 2+2 hardtop cabriolet. The latter is known as the California, and while it certainly serves a purpose in Maranello’s catalog, it’s hardly the most heart-pumping Prancing Horse on offer.

That’s where these spy shots come in. Following reports that Ferrari was preparing to update the cabrio with a combination of increased engine output and reduced weight, we’ve now got the spy shots to prove it.

This test mule seen driving Ferrari’s private Fiorano test track and the vicinity, aside from sporting a rather garish red and black color paint and wrap job, has its hood all carved up like a pumpkin. There’s a pair of NACA ducts on the nose, some strange bulbous protrusion on the passenger side, and the whole hood doesn’t seem to want to close. The question is, what’s that modified hood hiding?

According to our paparazzi on the scene, the prototype had a distinctive turbo wail. If that’s the case, this would be the first time Ferrari’s used forced induction on a road car since the F40. Whether the upgrades will feature on a straightforward update for the California or breed a more hard-core version along the lines of the 430 Scuderia or 599 GTO remains to be seen, but Ferrari obviously has something up its sleeve for its most sedate model.

Ferrari developing hotter California?

Now that Ferrari has launched the FF as the official replacement of the 612 Scaglietti, it’s time for the Italian automaker to wrap up development of the successor to the 599. While we previously spotted this car’s replacement undergoing development in a California shell, what you see here are the first photos that actually give a glimpse of the new car’s shape, camouflaged as it may be.

The 599 successor – rumored to be dubbed F620 – will likely be powered by Ferrari’s 6.3-liter V12, churning out over 700 horsepower. Unlike the all-wheel-drive FF, the 599 replacement will continue to use rear-wheel drive, sending its power to the back wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with an F1-style electronic differential.

Our sources suggest that the F620 will be much lighter than the outgoing 599, due in part to a larger usage of aluminum in the body construction. As for design, it’s safe to assume that the coupe will take a large influence from the 458 Italia, with some cues from the FF thrown in for good measure. Then again, it’s a Ferrari, so we doubt the finished product will be anything but stunning.

Expect to see more of the F620 as it continues its development testing over the next few months. If things move along at a steady pace, we could see the production car debut as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Ferrari 599 successor takes shape

‘Tis the season, boys and girls. Sure, the holidays are around the corner, but with the end of the year in sight, it’s time for every magazine and its sister (publication) to choose its favorite car(s) for the year. And the latest to do so is Automobile magazine.

The venerable glossy book has already announced its 2012 Automobile of the Year, the Audi A7, along with its Man of the Year (Kia design chief Peter Schreyer), Technology of the Year (the trifecta of turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing) and Design of the Year (Fisker Karma). But now Automobile has revealed its ten favorite cars for the annual All-Star list.

The final list represents an eclectic cross-section of American, European and Asian vehicles – all available in the U.S., naturally – including the:

• Audi TT RS
• BMW 3 Series
• Dodge Charger
• Ferrari 458 Italia/Spider
• Ford Focus
• Ford Mustang Boss 302
• Honda Odyssey
• Porsche Boxster & Cayman
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
• Volkswagen Golf TDI & GTI

Think Jennings and company chose well? Follow the jump for the press release, and be sure to click here to read the full All-Stars story, as well.

Continue reading Automobile names its 2012 All-Stars

Automobile names its 2012 All-Stars

Whether Ferrari ends up building the rumored Fernando Alonso edition or not, the SA Aperta will stand as one of the most exclusive iterations in the production run of the 599. Only 80 examples of the roadster were produced, but for those thinking even that’s not exclusive enough, Novitec Rosso has announced an aftermarket customization package that takes the concept even further.

The German tuning house known for its octane-drenched stallions has fitted Ferrari’s 6.0-liter V12 with a pair of superchargers that boosts output to 876 horsepower and 646 lb-ft of torque – a good 215 hp and 178 lb-ft over stock. With a powder-coated stainless exhaust and riding on 21-inch wheels up front and 22s around back, Novitec says its Aperta will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.1 seconds and hit a top end of 211 mph.

At those speeds, we wouldn’t expect to see one sitting still for long, so check it out in the high-res image gallery for what’s likely to be your only look at this twin-scroll beast.

Novitec Rosso spools Ferrari SA Aperta up past 800 horsepower