New Beetle Limousine – Click above for high-res image gallery
We all may be up to our eyebrows in holiday cheer at the moment, but prom season is right around the corner. Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, now you can be ready to rake in the cold, hard cash of parents desperate to please their teenage daughters. Behold, the Volkswagen New Beetle limousine. This fine piece of machinery is up for bid right now from New Jersey’s Route 22 Limousines. Inside, this stretcher has everything you’d expect from an engorged Beetle, including a grey leather interior, television, minibar and trippy mood lighting.
Miraculously enough, this machine gets its power from the Beetle’s stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine bolted to the same four-speed automatic gearbox that it used from the factory. Loaded with screaming teens, we have to imagine that this thing gets to 60 mph in about the same time frame as our grandmother. On foot.
Still, a limo as unique as the one above could be a genuine money-maker. Or at least it would be if it didn’t have a $45,000 Buy It Now price. .
KBB.com names its 20 Most-Researched vehicles for 2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of the most researched new vehicles for 2010, as well as brands that hold the greatest market share of interest. The Honda Accord, Civic and Toyota Camry claim the top three spots — not a surprise if you’ve been reading this list the last few years. Since 2004, the same three vehicles have garnered the most attention at KBB.com.
While it’s not a surprise to see those three, it’s a nice change of pace for a few newcomers to the list. The Hyundai Sonata was 29th overall last year, but has risen 24 spots to claim the title of fifth most-researched vehicle for 2010. Not everyone rose this year, of course. Two notable vehicles, the Toyota Prius and Corolla, dropped a few spots compared to 2009.
It’s not all bad news for Toyota, however, because KBB.com also takes a look at each brand’s market share of interest among new car buyers. Toyota leads the way at 13.4 percent, with Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan rounding out the top five in that order.
Here’s how the Top 20 Most-Researched Vehicles for 2010 breaks down:
Range Rover Sport RS500 by Project Kahn and Cosworth – Click above for high-res image gallery
There’s a grand tradition to enormously powerful and torquey diesel sport-utes. Most of them come from the group – like the V10 or the V12 TDI – but this, as you might have guessed, is no VW. It’s a , uut one that’s been thoroughly worked over.
The modifications have been carried out through the joint efforts of Project Kahn and Cosworth – two British tuners that have been for the past couple of years. Their latest product started life as the thoroughly capable and luxurious with the 4.4-liter V8 diesel. With 313 horsepower, the diesel Rover is hardly a slouch, but Cosworth has taken it a step further (and then some) by squeezing out a whopping 500 horsepower.
To go with the massive upgrade in output, Kahn has given the Range Rover an extensive cosmetic update both inside and out, with new bumpers from and rear, side skirts, 22-inch wheels and an interior decked out in billet aluminum and perforated & quilted leather trim. Check it out in the high-res image gallery below.
The recently renovated National Museum of American History – Click above to cast your vote
The Smithsonian Institution’s collection of treasures extends far beyond what’s actually on display in its D.C. museums. Ranging from ancient artifacts to modern marvels, this bit is likely to interest automotive enthusiasts more than any other:
The National Museum of American History is preparing to put two of the most historically significant American automobiles on display from its archives. But instead of letting the curators pick the cars, they’re asking the public to vote in a campaign it paradoxically calls “Race to the Museum.”
The candidates include a 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout (the first car built on an assembly line in the U.S., well before the Ford Model T); an 1880 steam-powered trike built in Massachusetts; an 1894 Blazer (the first American-made automobile to hit New York City, built by a Tiffany-trained watchmaker); a 1948 Tucker (pioneering many advanced safety features and the subject of the 1988 Jeff Bridges film); a 1929 Miller supercharged Indy race car, which set a 143 mph speed record and prompted Detroit to press race organizers to ban superchargers; a 1953 Glasspar fiberglass sports car and two modern examples of green propulsion from General Motors: the EV1 and the 1987 Sunraycer solar-powered prototype.
So far the Tucker is in the lead, with the Miller and the Olds in a close race for the second slot. Follow to get your vote in before January 11, 2011.
There’s no shortage of similarities to be found between Australia and the United States. Both are former British colonies flying red, white and blue flags; both are big masses of land divided into states; both have Top Gear spinoffs and share a common affinity for Crocodile Dundee. We could go on, but the key commonality here is love for muscle cars. More than anything, that’s what ties these two countries together from opposite ends of the Earth.
has capitalized on that shared trait by bringing powerful Holdens over to America under badges. Arch-rival , meanwhile, has gone the other way, taking a popular American performance badge and slapping it on one of its Australian products.
The result is the Ford Boss 335 GT. Based on the Falcon sedan, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has given the Boss 335 GT a touch more power than the : the 335’s supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 pumps out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque (compared to the 440hp and 380 lb-ft on the all-motor Boss Mustang). The power’s driven to the 19″ rear wheels through a six-speed manual and kept in check by oversized, cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes.
FPV’s also made sure the special Falcon got all the requisite striping you’d expect from a Boss, and equipped the interior with everything they bad to throw at it. With the American and Australian dollars close to par, though, the $70,000 sticker price may seem a little steep. UNfortunately, this is an exclusively Aussie product, so if you (i.e. our U.S. readers) want to show ‘em who’s Boss, you’ll have to stick to the Mustang. Dang.
There are plenty of reasons to love this time of year. Good food, warm garages, time with friends and family and the traditional gift exchange all go a long way toward making December a little more bearable, but for us, it’s the music that really sets this season apart from the rest. Just after Thanksgiving, we start getting down to everything from traditional tunes like Bing Crosby’s rendition of “Silver Bells” to slightly less conventional songs like Everclear’s “I’ll Be Hating You For Christmas,” but we officially have a new favorite.
The creative souls at DMAX have taken the time to coax a 1968 fastback out of hibernation to perform a few quick bars of “Silent Night.” There aren’t any details as to what’s lurking under this beast’s hood, but if we had to guess, we’d say it’s a 302-cubic-inch V8 that’s singing its heart out with the help of a little clever editing. to have a look for yourself, and may your holidays be filled with similar internal-combustion glory.
The svelte has long been a favorite of tuners, and with the on the way, you can expect a veritable onslaught to ensue. The first bit of blood has been drawn by Carlsson, which has just unveiled its tuning program for the CLS350 before it even reaches showrooms.
Engine modifications are available for both the CLS350 gasoline and diesel V6 mills. With the petrol engine, power is increased to 333 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque (gains of 27 and 29, respectively), and the oil-burning powerplant now cranks out 320 hp and 575 lb-ft (increases of 55 hp and 96 lb-ft). Both the gasoline and diesel CLS350s will sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds – 0.2 seconds faster than the stock petrol car and 0.3 seconds faster than the standard diesel model.
Carlsson’s C-Tronic adjustable suspension (mounted to a choice of wheel options) is also on offer, as is a full body kit – complete with a new front bumper, grille, power-dome hood, LED fog lamps, side skirts, side vents and rear apron with diffuser – and an Alcantara and brushed aluminum-trimmed interior. Have a closer look in the gallery below.
2012 Ford Focus showing off its tattoos – Click above for high-res image gallery
really wants owners to personalize their vehicles, and over the past year the automaker has launched custom graphics for the , , and . Now another car is getting in on the vinyl wrap fun – the . Through the website , 2012 Focus owners can apply vinyl ‘tattoos’ to their cars.
The Blue Oval team did some research and found that nearly four in 10 Millennials have at least one tattoo. It’s not a stretch, then, to figure they might want to throw one on their car. People already put graphics on cell phones, laptops and whatever else is around, so allowing an outlet for automotive creativity makes sense. These automotive tattoos won’t be in short supply, either – Ford is offering over 200 different designs for the all-new Focus.
The graphics range in price from $120 up to $470 and they’ve all been produced by Original Wraps. Of course, each wrap is easily removable should you get bored with the look – something that can’t be said for an actual tattoo. for Ford’s official press release.
It’s the holiday season once again, and we here at Autoblog send our best wishes to all of you during this especially festive time of year. Like you, we’ll be spending plenty of quality time with our family and friends, but never fear, we’ve got a whole weekend’s worth of content lined up before we’re back in full force on Monday.
In the meantime, be sure to scroll through our holiday gift guide. Not only do these items – large and small – make great gifts for the season of giving, they’ll still be available well into the new year just in case you have some extra holiday cash left over. Read all three parts of our gift guide , and .
From all of us at Autoblog, have a very happy holiday!
2011 Dodge Durango – Click above for high-res image gallery
After years of nearly zero new products, Dodge dealers finally have something to crow about. The , , , and are all hitting showrooms within a month or two of one another, giving dealers new products just as the auto industry is showing signs of recovery. But how does Dodge get the message across?
Automotive News reports that the marque is prepping a major ad push during the first quarter of 2011, including a return to the Super Bowl. Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles reportedly notified dealers that the automaker plans to flood tier one with promotions, with heavy local ads dependent upon sales volume. Gilles is telling dealers about the company’s marketing plans in part because he hopes dealers will order more vehicles. The CEO points out that early Durango and Charger orders are very strong, but other new products are lagging behind.
A flood of ads is just part of Dodge’s plan to increase showroom traffic. The automaker is also working with Automotive Lease Guide to help maximize residual values. Higher residuals means more affordable lease prices and an improved brand reputation, but Dodge will need to resist the urge to dump its new products into fleets for the plan to work. Dodge is currently leasing only five percent of its vehicles; well below the industry average.
Close your eyes and picture the most beautiful contemporary sportscar designs. Were the Perana Z-One and Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in the mix? Well, perhaps they ought to be. Now open your eyes and look at the image above.
What you’re looking at is a holiday card from the good folks at Zagato featuring the full Alfa Romeo TZ family. Starting from the back, there’s the original TZ1, followed by the classic TZ2, the most recent unveiled at Villa d’Este and, what’s that wrapped in a bow, a fourth TZ model?
This is the first indication we’ve had of such a model in the works, but from what we can see in the image above, it looks promising, blending the aforementioned Z-One and 8C together into one tempting shape. Logic would dictate that the fourth model will carry the TZ4 nameplate. If it’s real, it’s likely to have been commissioned by some wealthy client, and probably borrows its underpinnings from the 8C Competizione. Whatever it is, color us intrigued, so watch this space for more details as they become available.
Dentist Chair Hoonage – Click above to watch video
Anesthetics are a wonderful thing. Aside from protecting our fragile psyches from the horrors of witnessing a trained professional go all choppin’-broccoli on our insides, they also allow for a certain level of hilarity that’s difficult to emulate without the assistance of modern chemistry. Need proof? Look no further than the video after the jump. In it, reader Matt is knocked out cold in preparation for the removal of his wisdom teeth. With his body trapped in an oral surgeon’s chair, Matt’s mind apparently retreated to the safety of somewhere a little more comforting – somewhere like the driver’s seat of his favorite sports car.
While Matt says he has no recollection of the entire surgery, office staff and family members say that he was slamming gears the entire time he was out. We do have to commend him on a well-executed heel-toe downshift, but it looks like that missed shift from third to fourth likely cost him the championship. There’s always next year, man. to check out the clip for yourself. Thanks for the good sense of humor and the tip, Matt!
Racing is a rich man’s sport, no question about it. Sure, there are some ways to get into a bit of wheel-to-wheel that cost less than others, such as the 24 Hours of LeMons, but even that is more expensive than you might think. But regardless of the cost, some people still need to scratch that racing itch. One way to keep costs down is to get into spec racing – everyone uses the same type of car and they are typically kept showroom stock minus the addition of safety features such as a roll cage, harness and racing bucket. and understand this and the two automakers have decided to roll out a B-Spec racing series that utilizes the and .
If the thought of tossing either of these two cars around a track doesn’t sound fun, then you clearly have never driven either one. Though they are both down on power, they offer high levels of tossable excitement. Turn them into race-ready hoon machines and the volume knob twists to 11.
A spec series presents an even playing field for the competitors because the engines and chassis remain stock for all cars. Driving skill is what will win in an event like this, and every ounce of that behind-the-wheel prowess will be tested in these low-powered hatchbacks. to read the full press release.
eBay Find of the Day: 1991 GMC Marlboro Syclone – Click above for image gallery
In 1991, decided it wanted to build a truck not for utility but for speed. The GMC Syclone, with its 4.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel-drive setup, became the fastest truck on the planet and was able to shock many sportscars and exotics of its time. 348ts? The Syclone was quicker down the quarter-mile dragstrip. ? The GMC bullet train was quicker to 60 miles per hour.
Production of the Syclone lasted one full year and 2,995 examples were produced. Three did come off the line for the 1992 model year, but good luck finding one of those. During its production run, there were two special-edition trucks produced by third parties; an Indy Syclone and the Marlboro Syclone.
Finding an example of either is quite rare, seeing as how just three Indy and 10 Marlboro examples were produced. That doesn’t mean you’ll never see one, however, as there’s a 1991 GMC Marlboro Syclone is sitting on eBay Motors waiting for a new home.
In 1992, Marlboro Racing held a contest and 10 winners were chosen and given the keys to a special-edition Syclone. The trucks were sent to Shinoda Design after getting a haircut from American Sunroof Corporation (the t-top roof panels are removable and easily stored in the bed). The custom wheels were designed by Boyd Coddington. The Hot Lick Red paint was devised by PPG and the side graphics were created by Graphik Concepts. Inside, the Marlboro Syclone features a Simpson five-point harness belt setup draped over Recaro seats, a custom Momo steering wheel and a Sony head unit. This particular Syclone is also chipped, dropped and has a Borla exhaust system. Better yet, it shows just 976 miles on the odometer.
Needless to say, this is a very rare, very fast truck. It currently stands with four bids at $26,300 and an unmet reserve. and check out this red rocketship.
Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage meets the Gulf LMP1 racecar – Click above to watch video
may offer a car with eight cylinders, but the automaker’s heart truly lies within those machines powered by 12. The was recently given a full injection of awesome when the folks in Gaydon decided a power upgrade was in order. The is loud and proud thanks to its 6.0-liter V12 that churns out 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. That same 6.0-liter unit can be found in the , , and even the ultra-exotic One-77, and it’s also the mill that powers Lola-Aston Martin B09/60, better known as the DBR1-2 LMP1 racecar.
The 510 hp in the V12 Vantage is certainly impressive, but the DBR1-2’s power output is raised to around 650 hp for racing duty. That 140-hp advantage is stretched much further when you factor in the weight difference between the two cars – the V12 Vantage weighs 3,700 pounds and the DBR1-2 tips the scales at just 2,000 pounds.
Still, these two Astons pump fuel through similar hearts, and the automaker put together a short video clip that shows the two coming together on a rain-slicked country road. to see the V12 Vantage meet the DBR1-2 LMP1 racecar.
2011 Maybach range – Click above for high-res image gallery
and Daimler are apparently becoming chummy right now. According to The Financial Times, the two automakers are chatting about a possible relationship centered around Daimler’s super-luxe sedan. Aston Martin is reportedly looking to glean some powertrain knowledge from the German automaker (for a possible revival?) and .
An exotic luxury sedan crafted as a joint venture between the Brits and the Germans sounds like an intriguing concept. As a matter of fact it should sound intriguing because and figured out the formula a few years ago. Though few out there can actually afford any automobile in this category, it would be nice to see new life breathed into the Maybach nameplate.
Traxxas channels its inner 1/16-scale Ken Block – Click above to watch the video
Master of the Gymkhanna (with a minor in marketing) Ken Block has teamed up with Traxxas to create a radio-controlled version of Block’s . The 1/16-scale Fiesta is fitted with a brushless motor that turns all four wheels and sends the mini-Block car down your driveway at up to 30 miles per hour. If that’s not enough juice to play out your dreams of winning a Gymkhana event, you can opt for another setup that features a new pinion gear, second NiMH battery and series connector. The additional hardware raises the top speed to over 50 mph.
The car is currently . No word on whether that price includes replaceable fenders and other body panels… a necessity after the Ken Block RC car inevitably hits a tree. Check out a mini Gymkhanna-style video of the micro car in action … and, answering the last possible remaining question, proof that it will indeed blend.
[Source: via ]
RC Gymkhana car arrives just in time for Christmas [w/video]
It’s rare. It’s fast. It’s expensive. Meet the 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster. First shown in October at the Paris Auto Show, the $204,400 humpbacked 911 arrives at U.S. dealerships early next year.
The finalists for this year’s North American Car and Truck of the Year awards may have been no big surprise, but the vehicle that our readers chose for Car of the Year honors came as a shock.
These vehicles show the direction Lotus is moving, and each is a polarizing example of a future filled with heavier yet more powerful Lotus sports cars. We now have dozens of pretty images of each.
You’d have to search long and hard to find a racing team as successful as Chip Ganassi Racing. The team has won four Champ Car titles (before the series shut down), three Indy Racing League titles and one Grand-Am championship.
This year alone, CGR took home both the IndyCar and Rolex Grand-Am titles, and won the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500 in the process. Names like Franchitti, Dixon, Stewart and Montoya race under the Ganassi banner. And this coming season, the team has taken a big step forward by expanding its IndyCar team by two drivers to make for a four-car mega team.
Joining two-time champions Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti this season in a parallel team will be Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball. Rahal is the son of Indy 500 legend Bobby Rahal, and himself became the youngest ever race winner in the series’ history when he won the season-opener at St. Petersburg in 2008 – his only victory to date. Kimball, meanwhile, is moving up the ladder from the Indy Lights feeder series having competed overseas in the Formula 3 Euro Series, Formula Renault 3.5 and A1GP.
Both drivers are American in an increasingly foreign-dominated grid, and bring much-needed sponsorship cash along with them at a time when some big name teams are struggling to make ends meet.
Hamann Victory II – Click above for high-res image gallery
German tuning house Hamann isn’t known for producing boring vehicles, and its latest projected, dubbed the Victory II, is a prime example. Based off the , the Victory II features a completely new look thanks to all new body panels, functional roof inlet, rear wing and 20-inch Hamann wheels. Inside, the car gets new carbon fiber sport seats and custom upholstery.
With the LP560-4 already producing 552 bhp and 398 lb-ft torque, Hamann decided to do only minor modifications to the 5.2L V10. New engine programming results in 20 more horsepower and an additional 26 lb-ft, resulting in a new top speed of 204 mph.
You can read more about the Hamann Victory II in the press release , or browse through the images from its studio photoshoot in the gallery below.
