Quality Planning has just released its findings on which vehicles are more likely to snag their drivers a speeding ticket and who’s likely to be behind the wheel when the blue lights come on. Surprisingly enough, the auto insurance analyst’s list isn’t dominated by hot-blooded young men with high-powered sports cars. Instead, the study found that of the top 10 vehicles most likely to be ticketed, each carried an average driver age of over 30 years old with the fair majority falling over the 40-year-old mark. Even more surprising, on average, seven of the top 10 vehicles were more likely to be ticketed with a female driver behind the wheel.
So which vehicles took the top honors? The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class took the gold as the most ticketed vehicle, walking away with four times more tickets than the national average. In second place, the Toyota Camry Solara came in with 3.5 times the national average. Interestingly enough, walked away with two spots in the top five, with the taking number three and the snagging the fifth spot. That mark was only bested by the Silver Arrow, which took three spots in the top 10. for a look at the full press release, but only after checking out our gallery of the unlikely offenders below.
A Corvette goes for a swim in San Diego – Click above to watch video
How does a convertible – one rented from Hertz no less – end up in the salty brine at Pacific Beach in San Diego? The kindness of buzzed strangers, apparently. According to NBC San Diego, a visiting couple met a man in a bar, and after hearing that he had never driven a Corvette before, they offered him some seat time.
With the new acquaintance behind the wheel and the couple in the passenger seat, witnesses say the driver did a couple of donuts in the sand and then zoomed straight into the surf. Not known for its off-road traction, the Corvette got stuck, upon which the driver got out and ran. The couple was held and released, while the Corvette…well, we’re sure Hertz is working on that right now. for some witness video of the aftermath.
[Source: , ]
Corvette not the best for doing beach donuts [w/video]
Fuel efficiency is a big deal for small sports car manufacturers. Boutique automakers and sports car specialists like figure to have a particularly hard time meeting rising efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions regulations all around the world because they don’t manufacture vehicles that play in more fuel-efficient segments of the market.
With that in mind, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Porsche is keenly interested in hybrid technology. Starting with the and following with a similar hybrid system for the , Porsche plans to roll out fuel-saving technology across its entire model range.
That transition won’t be an easy one. Both the Cayenne and Panamera use a front-engine layout and automatic transmission with an electric motor sandwiched in between, and such a system wouldn’t work on the company’s mid- and rear-engined models.
That’s where the upcoming 918 Spyder comes in. According to Porsche development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer, “We want to learn how we can electrify all our sports cars in the future with the help of this short production run” of the hybrid 918 Spyder. In fact, all of Porsche’s models are slated to be hybridized, says Duerheimer.
Other efficiency-raising efforts will include a 10-percent reduction in weight, increased use of carbon fiber bodywork and possibly even the return of four-cylinder engines, likely with forced induction and direct injection.
2012 Saab 9-4X – Click above for high-res image gallery
Much like the 2010 , the fate of ’s crossover hung in limbo during ‘ sale of the Scandinavian automaker. Now that Saab is safely under the umbrella of , the new 9-5 is trickling out on the road and we’ve just received the full host of images and data detailing the production-spec 9-4X, set to be publicly revealed at this year’s .
While the 9-4X’s styling is clearly the evolution of Saab’s concept, the provides much of the crossover’s groundwork – this vehicle was wholly developed during the GM era, after all. This means that both the Caddy’s 3.0-liter V6 (265 horsepower) and turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 (300 horsepower) are on hand in the 9-4X, mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The base engine can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the turbo engine is solely offered with Saab’s torque-vectoring XWD all-wheel-drive system. Saab has also fitted its DriveSense adaptive chassis system to Aero models, which offers three different drive setups: Comfort, Sport and Eco.
The 9-4X’s cabin is similar to what you’ll find in the 9-5, with a cockpit-like, driver-focused center stack and a push-button ignition on the center console. If the Saab’s cabin is anything like what GM has crafted for the SRX, things should be pretty luxurious, albeit with a sprinkling of quirky Scandinavian touches.
Look for the 9-4X to hit North American dealerships in May of next year with prices being announced closer to launch. For now, follow check out the images below and hit the jump for the full details in Saab’s press release.
Gallery:
[Source: Saab]
: 2012 Saab 9-4X makes its digital debut ahead of LA Show
NASCAR’s making moves, one of which is helping Germany’s DTM series make the giant move to the U.S. The German touring car promoter ITM is in talks to run a 12-race calendar in the U.S. in 2013, with six races alongside Grand-Am events and another six alongside NASCAR events. The next generation of DTM cars will bow a year earlier, and they would run by themselves as opposed to joining a multi-regulation series in the U.S. The plan will certainly be welcomed by , who will in 2012 after an 18-year absence.
DTM is also spreading its wings the other way, having come close to getting Japan’s GT500 class in SuperGT to run according to DTM technical regulations. That would put contenders like the and , as well as the , and teams already there, against the best of the rest from Germany. And that would be a series we’d really need to have… Hat tip to Drew
Alfa Romeo artwork by Federico B. Alliney – Click above for image gallery
Describing an Alfa Romeo as a rolling work of art is easy enough. We’ve done it, you’ve likely done it, and everyone else has, too. Heck, the blokes over at Top Gear even tried to sell a Brera to an art museum on exactly that basis. Actually turning an Alfa into a work of art – you know, one you can hang on your wall – takes another kind of talent altogether.
That’s where Federico B. Alliney comes in. Alliney is the artist to whom James Cameron turned to render his vision of how the Avatar world should look. And say what you will about overgrown Smurfs romping through the Pocahontas storyline, the scenery and animation is really what made Avatar the blockbuster success it was. Now the artist has worked his magic on some of Alfa Romeo’s most beautiful creations for a series of factory-sanctioned paintings called “The Cross and the Snake” collection.
The seven works of art depict 100 years’ worth of picturesque Alfas – including the original 8C 2300, the otherworldly Disco Volante, Giulia, BAT 9, and Carabo concept – against such backdrops as the Venice waterfront, a retro gas station, a race track, Batman’s lair, and of course a surrealistic tropical jungle. Each is available in a limited reproduction series of 30 editions each. The cars and their settings are achingly beautiful, as you can see for yourself from the gallery below, with full details available in the press release after the jump and the website at .
You may not have guessed it on your own – we probably wouldn’t have, either – but Australia ranks as the fifth largest market worldwide for . And yet all the exciting show cars are almost invariably unveiled at auto shows in the United States or Europe. You couldn’t blame the Aussies for feeling neglected, so Mercedes arrived this year at the Australian International Motor Show with two special AMGs.
The first is called Concept 358, and it’s essentially a tweaked sedan featuring the AMG Performance Plus package (which boosts the 6.3-liter V8’s output up to 480hp), 19-inch alloys, special leather interior and a unique Pearl Orange paint job.
The unique unveiled Down Under also features a special paint scheme: in this case a unique Night Black matte-finish with red accents. They’re not ground-breaking concepts, but interesting takes on some of Affalterbach’s best. Details are in the press release after the jump.
Nikolai Smolenski’s tenure as owner of TVR, the formerly revered maker of hairy-chested British sports cars, is nothing if not quizzical. He bought the company from late founder Peter Wheeler when it was in trouble, didn’t do much with it, declared it bankrupt to clear its debts, then bought the company out of bankruptcy. Since then there’s been little news save for a legal battle with and a couple of hints about to power the firm’s next car.
The V8 issue has finally been decided: the Corvette’s 638-horsepower LS9. The car it will go in is to be called the MD-1. A new question that has arisen, however, based on Smolenski’s comment that he wants to “draw a line under the Wheeler era once and for all.” Will the car be at all British? The MD-1 is being developed by a UK firm, but Smolenski says production could go to the Continent or South Africa just as easily.
Would a German-built, American-engined TVR still be a TVR like the Griffith and Chimera (or the Tasmin shown above)? Smolenski thinks TVR fans wouldn’t think so, but he doesn’t much care. He says, “What’s important is to remain faithful to your brand values” no matter where you are. The MD-1 is expected to arrive in 2012, with just 250 made annually.
White Lake F1 Ring slot car track – Click above to watch video
Ah, enthusiasts. Damn the torpedoes, time and money; when the dedicated maven decides to make something of his own, he doesn’t just do it a little. Hence, when James-Michael Gregory Harlan of Pontiac, Michigan wanted a slot car track as long as his name, he made it himself and called it the White Lake Formula 1 Ring.
An exhibit designer by trade, Harlan brought his massive skills to the endeavor by creating a track he believes “comprised many of the challenges one might encounter on a modern F1 circuit.” Hermann Tilke should take notes. The track itself is CNC routed on the AC2car system that lets two cars run on the same slot – giving racers a chance to pass each other using the lane changers.
Built in a 20-square-foot space, the ring is 1/32-scale, the lap is 145 feet long, and it features 19 turns and 2.5 feet of elevation change. Surrounding it is a hand-built and painted environment that includes pit lanes, a helipad and crane, bleachers and viewing towers, and lights for night racing. It comes as no surprise that he’s been working on it for years. You can see the fruits of his labor in the video and the gallery of high-res photos below. Once you’re done with those, be sure to check out even more pics on .
Thinking of buying a 2011 ? If so, you’ll soon have the ability to watch it come together before your eyes; Saab is installing cameras in its Trollhättan factory. Customers will receive text messages with photos of their cars as they reach certain points in the assembly line. Eventually, Saab plans to add a real-time video feed of the cars being built. This sounds way more interesting than most reality television shows.
In addition to the cameras going in, Saab will soon offer customers the opportunity to take delivery of their cars right from the factory. The automaker says it is moving back towards building cars with a more personal touch, by manufacturing cars to order rather than churning out a steady stream of vehicles.
Hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider is for sale – Click above for high-res image gallery
For sale – Celebrity car. One lightly used crime-stopper of a coupe, has go-fast looks with a fuel-efficient powertrain. If you want attention, this is the car for you. Valued between $25,000 and $35,000.
Looking to add some celebrity “muscle” to your garage? Profiles In History is hosting a Hollywood memorabilia auction and lot #122 is one of two hero cars from the modern version of Knight Rider. Surely you recall the series… our very own Alex Nunez sat through every single episode to provide you with details of what was going on.
In the updated show, which first aired in 2008, K.I.T.T. is a that wears Shelby GT500KR parts. The car in this auction has all those parts, inside and out, except it falls short one kind of important aspect: there’s no supercharged V8 underhood… or any V8 at all for that matter. And it’s not even the . Inside the engine bay sits the old 4.0-liter unit and it’s paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. That’s right… this K.I.T.T. is all show and no go.
Sadly, the most interesting thing about this car is that it also includes the wooosh-wooosh signature Knight Rider sweeping red light up front. Even that would get old quickly. Buying this car does have its benefits though, as the auction proceeds are being put towards a children’s charity. The auction is a one-day affair scheduled for November 6th, 2010 at The Globe Theater in Universal Studios. David Hasselhoff sold separately.
2010 Dodge Ram HD – Click above for high-res image gallery
Owners of and pickups are being asked to head to their nearest dealership. The trucks are part of a recall focusing on a label printed with incorrect information. For some vehicles, the tire-pressure label lists incorrect weight or seating capacity information. If the inaccurate information on the labels is followed, it could lead to safety issues as a result of improperly loaded trucks.
New labels will be installed free of charge at your nearest dealership. The recall is scheduled to begin this month (October 2010). For more information, take a look at the press release posted .
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / AOL
[Source: ]
Supercharged Corvette Z06 by Romeo Ferraris – Click above for high-res image gallery
Think of the words Romeo and Ferraris and you’re bound to think of Italian cars, right? Maybe so, but the two together form the name of an Italian tuning house. And while many of their subjects have been Italian themselves, Romeo Ferraris has been scoping out foreign territory as well.
The latest is the Z06. And why shouldn’t it be? The ‘Vette has a long history of customization at Italian hands. But those have mostly been cosmetic coachbuilding jobs. This is another story altogether.
RF has taken the Z06 and fitted a supercharger to the 7.0-liter LS7 V8. The result? 667 horsepower and 607 lb-ft of twist. The centrifugal compressor, aluminum intercooler, high-flow injectors and custom exhaust help it get to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and up to 211 mph – assuming you can get all that power down – while 380mm/6-pot brakes up front and 345/4-pot brakes out back help it come back to a stop.
A series of exterior and interior cosmetic modifications have also been carried out, including what appears to be a bare carbon fiber reskin, putting Romeo Ferraris’ Z06 toe to toe with Chevy’s own factory in more ways than one.
2011Chrysler 200 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Rumor has it that Fiat is looking to push the Chrysler 200 into a handful of markets around the globe. According to Automotive News, the Italian automaker has its sight set on reworking the car into Lancia and introducing it in mainland Europe. At the same time, the standard Chrysler 200 may debut in the UK and Ireland. Interestingly enough, Fiat isn’t mulling the move because it thinks that the 200 can go head to head with the rest of the small car. Instead, the company is hoping to bolster its fleet sales in various European markets.
That’s not to say that the deal is set in stone at this point. The Chrysler 200 has a major chink in its armor when it comes to doing battle in Europe – it doesn’t come with a diesel option. With only two gasoline engine options, Fiat would have to source its own oil-burning powerplant to make the ploy work. Throw in the fact that the car is set to be replaced in three years and the likelihood of seeing the 200 in Europe is slimmer yet. Still, the company says that it’s currently looking at the numbers to see if there’s a solid business case for the move.
1967 Jaguar Pirana concept by Bertone – Click above for image gallery
There once was a time when the press shaped the news, not just reported on it. When newspapers still had budgets that stretched as far as their print runs… budgets big enough to commission their own show cars. GQ recently reached into that history when it , but long before that, England’s Daily Telegraph had a stab at it on its own.
Called the Pirana prototype, it was a vision of what a cost-no-object car might look like. It was designed by Bertone – hence the similarity in shape to such contemporary exotics as the Espada and Alfa Romeo Montreal – and packed a 4.2-liter six.
Originally conceived for and unveiled at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in London back in 1967, the Pirana concept has since been resprayed from its original silver to a very Jag-like forest green. It’s got 16,000 miles on the odometer, but the best part is that it could be yours. For a price of course: the current owner in Palm Springs has put it up for grabs on eBay Motors with a starting price of $150,000. If only there were a newspaper baron alive today to give it a good home.
Follow the link to the auction page, check out the images in the gallery below or the video (pertinent footage begins around the 2:03 mark) .
Virtual Buick tests world’s toughest roads – Click above to watch video
Attack of the clones? Attack of the cloned roads is more apt, as the technical minds at have developed a 3D road-scanning device to simulate some of the world’s roughest roads. The scanner takes highly-detailed information about the road and translates it into 1s and 0s. The road is then modeled in a computer program that also features highly-detailed Buick vehicles. The “cars” are driven over the “roads” to see how the vehicles would stand up to the punishment in real life.
The scanner is able to accurately reproduce the road down to one millimeter. The Buicks are subjected to harsh conditions that will easily reveal squeaks, rattles and any other unwanted noises or equipment failures.
One of the preferred test routes is a Mexican road that leads to the Cerro del Cubilete shrine. The road is a rocky, winding stone path that tortures any vehicle driving on it. Buckle your seatbelt and make sure you don’t have any loose fillings because we have video of the road, as well as the 3D scanner in action, .
While the titans of the four-door kingdom have been sleeping on beds of cash made on the innovations of two decades ago, Hyundai has been busily polishing its reputation and pouring over $550 million into new and advanced drivetrains for its 2011 Sonata. Such as the 2.0T we’re testing today.
The dramatic lines of the 2014 Lotus Elite concept get a visual boost with the retractable top stowed, since the eye has fewer places to wander. The result is an attractive grand touring car, even if it is a heavyweight by Colin Chapman’s standards.
Ford has finally unveiled the 2011 Ranger, and no, North Americans, you still can’t have one.
Chevrolet designers discuss the Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible – Click above to watch video
The annual Neiman Marcus Christmas book is typically filled with ultra-expensive high-end luxury items and limited-edition vehicles. This year, the . One hundred examples of the Neiman Marcus Convertible will be offered at the wallet-wilting cost of $75,000 each. The cars all wear a model-exclusive Deep Bordeaux paint scheme and feature the 426-horsepower SS V8 powertrain underneath. The interior features also features special leather trim only available with this low-run droptop. Two of the designers on this project share their motivation in a less-than-two minute clip we have for you .
If you’re interested in purchasing one of your very own, you had better be ready to pick up your phone at noon on October 19, 2010. If you do happen to be one of the lucky few, your car will be delivered in the spring of 2011.
Upper Moreland Township moves to make unlocked cars illegal – Click above to watch video
A suburb of Philadelphia is looking into making it a criminal offense to leave your vehicle unlocked. According to NBC Philadelphia, Upper Moreland Township wants to curb a recent rash of personal property thefts from unlocked vehicles by setting up a system of warnings and citations for those that forget to secure their car or truck on the street. Vehicles parked on personal property wouldn’t be subject to the ordinance, but the proposal would have police do spot checks in neighborhoods. Owners of unlocked vehicle would be given a warning by the police on first offense, and if the same vehicle was found to be unlocked within a year, the owner could expect a $25 fine and a citation.
So why are local lawmakers targeting vehicle owners instead of the criminals breaking laws that are already in place? NBC Philadelphia reports that Police Chief Thomas Nestel says that each year, more than 75 percent of thefts are from unlocked vehicles, which in turn means a lot more man hours and paperwork for the authorities than might otherwise be necessary. Meanwhile, local residents are having predictably mixed reactions to the idea of being fined for failing to lock their vehicles. to see the local news spot on the issue, and then weigh in with your own thoughts in Comments.
2014 Lotus Elite goes topless – Click above to watch video
made quite a splash at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The automaker grabbed the spotlight by showing off . One of the proposed cars is the Lotus Elite, a 2+2 grand tourer powered by a 611-horsepower, supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine borrowed from the . One surprising detail for this Lotus is its weight. The Elite tips the scales at 3,600 pounds, which is a mammoth sum for anything carrying the company badge. The reason for much of that extra weight may lie in the roof, as the Elite is fitted with a retractable folding hard-top.
Losing the roof creates a whole new perspective for both the driver and people gawking at the car as it passes by. The dramatic lines get a visual boost with the top stowed, since the eye has fewer places to wander. The result is an attractive grand touring car that aims to rival similar offerings from the likes of , and , even if it is a heavyweight by Colin Chapman’s standards.
You can let some virtual wind blow through your hair by watching a new Lotus Elite video clip posted .
