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A playful companion with razor-sharp claws

“More for Less.” It’s the call to prayer of every car salesman to ever don a plaid jacket. Guys with sturdy names like Wally and Chuck would stop dead in their tracks and tell Porsche “Pal, this Boxster Spyder thing, you’re all upside-down.” You see, with the 2011 Boxster Spyder, Porsche has inverted the polarity on “more for less.” You pay more but get less.

The Boxster Spyder has a high-performance mission: It’s a race car that doesn’t need a trailer. Porsche undertook a lightening program that started with a Boxster S and stripped a slew of equipment, lowered the suspension 3/4 of an inch and substituted aluminum for steel where possible in the body. One-hundred seventy-six pounds later, you’ve got a Boxster Spyder; lighter, lower, sharper. Has it worked for Porsche to go the Lotus route of obsessive weight reduction? Find out after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Dan Roth / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Review: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

By September 22 the 600 Chrysler dealers given the chance to snag a Fiat dealership will need to have submitted their applications. A group of dealers are in Florida now and have been shown the U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Sport, and next month 165 of those dealers will find out that they’ve been chosen to sell the car. Once they get the letter, they better get to work: Chrysler expects them to have their standalone dealerships completed by next February for sales to begin in March.

That’s just 90 days or so for dealers to either revamp or build from scratch, and a fair number of them will need to deal with freezing winter weather while they do it. The prize that Fiat’s offering is 50,000 little cars, which would average 303 per dealer each year, and brisk aftermarket trade. Fiat’s told dealers to work on the expectation of clearing a $1,500 margin on each car, so an outlet that came in at the median number is looking at $454,500 in cream. Of course, these are all imaginary numbers at this point – for now, there remain the selection process and winter and construction to get through.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

U.S. Fiat dealers to be chosen next month, have until February to finish showrooms

For the second year in a row, the coachbuilt Pininfarina-bodied Rolls-Royce Hyperion has been offered for sale – except, for the second year in a row, it’s not really for sale. Last year the convertible, built for an Englishman who owns the tooling and rights to build another one, was put on James List for €4.5 million. It was soon discovered that a third party was slyly listing the a set of body panels to make your Drophead Coupe look like the Hyperion, not the actual car.

This week the Hyperion was listed again, this time at Pistonheads, only the price had gone up to €7 million. The man who commissioned the car again piped up to say there’s no truth to it this time, and that “the figure mentioned was ridiculous.” So take this as a PSA if you’re on the lookout for a $9.1 million car: this one’s a scam.

[Source: Pistonheads]
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Despite what you may have heard, Rolls-Royce Hyperion one-off not for sale

If you hit an animal with your car, do you stop and take a picture of your victory against nature kill? Did you know that someone out there is snapping pics of the deceased critters? His name is Ron Ringen and his friends refer to him as Dr. Roadkill.

According to The New York Times, Ringen is not a “unique” artist trying to turn a profit but rather a retired veterinarian helping wildlife researchers. His goal is to log enough data (animal type, location, etc.) to better understand the impact of roadways on the surrounding animal populations. This information will go a long way in developing new methods of preventing or reducing animal/car interactions.

Ringen has found and photographed over 1,400 animals, and after he gets his shot, he then records the location in a GPS device. The animals he has found have ranged in size from tiny sparrows to a 1,500 pound black bull.

Mr, Ringen is not the only one scouring the blacktop for roadkill. There are volunteers across the state assisting in the capture of information. WildlifeCrossing.net has nearly 300 registered users and they have information on nearly 7,000 dead animals. The California program is doing well and it has recently added a second state, Maine, to their website.

If you have some spare time, a camera and a GPS device you can help track the pattern of roadkill incidents. Safer roads equal a better driving experience, and that’s something we can all get behind.

[Source: The New York Times]

Meet California’s Dr. Roadkill

Ford gave us a sneak peek at its production-ready 2012 Focus, and while our lips may be sealed about the specs and our impressions, we can give you the low-down on the Blue Oval’s new airbag technologies that will debut in its forthcoming C-segment stunner.

For the driver, the new steering wheel airbag uses a tether system that pulls in the lower section of the bag back toward the dashboard. This creates a small pocket that will soften the blow of the airbag to the driver’s chest and ribs, reducing the threat of bodily injury in a frontal crash.

The side airbags also work to prevent injuries to the driver and front passenger by adding shoulder vents that stay open during inflation, reducing pressure for smaller occupants. Taller folks will block these vents with their shoulders, and this added pressure can actually prove to be helpful.

Along with the shoulder vents, Ford has used an adaptive venting system in its passenger-side front airbag, which diverts some of the inflation gas outside of the bags. This better protects passengers by enhancing head and neck protection by matching inflation force with the size of the occupant, which is monitored by the weight sensors already built into the seats.

As you’d expect, these safety features won’t just be limited to the 2012 Focus. Ford says that this technology will quickly spread to the rest of its model range within the next few years. To see exactly how these systems work, follow the jump to watch an instructional animated video, as well as actual crash test footage. Ford’s press release is available for your reading pleasure, as well.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]

Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]

We spend more than a few moments of our day on the “what ifs” of the automotive world. What if Jaguar decided to get back into the supercar game? What if Ford made a Bronco with Raptor underpinnings? What if Jeep finally decided to build another pickup? Even so, we’ve never wondered what a sports car built by the off-road kings at Jeep would look like. Fortunately, we don’t have to. In 1969, Jeep got it in its mind to build a vehicle with the road manners of your average car, the off-road prowess of its rugged CJ line and a meaty V8 up front.

The result was the XJ001 Prototype. With a unique fiberglass body and a windshield-frame that doubled as a roll-bar, the design wasn’t exactly the most attractive creation on four wheels. But the concept packed a 360 cubic-inch V8 behind its headlights and the beginnings of a Quadratrac all-wheel drive system down below, making it an unholy terror on or off road. The ridiculously optimistic nature of the beast has us entirely smitten, but unfortunately, the XJ001 is nowhere to be found today. The truck/car hybrid met its end during a shipping accident where it burnt to the ground.

[Source: Off Road Action]

Jeep XJ001 Prototype makes us want to grow a mustache, wear jean cut-offs

Just when you thought the communal fascination with Frank Miller’s 300 had all but washed away, a track machine dedicated to the ancient fighting Spartans hit the scene. Meet the Spartan V – a lightweight all-star with a heart borrowed from Ducati. That’s right, this machine hits the scales at less than 661 pounds and packs 170 horsepower from a 1200 cc Italian mill.

In other words, it should absolutely go like stink.

The company behind the project says that the Spartan V should be able to click off the 0-60 mph dash in less than three seconds on its way to a top speed of 173 mph thanks to a sequential six-speed gearbox. If you’re looking for a motorcycle on four wheels, this is it.

The vehicle uses a tubular space-frame chassis clad in plenty of carbon fiber to keep the pounds off, and those sexy double-hoop roll bars can be swapped out for an FIA-compatible single-hoop should you decide to enter the heat of competition. It all sounds good, sure, but if you want one you’ll have to shell out $84,321 at current conversion rates. Madness? This is the Spartan V.

[Source: Spartan V]

Spartan V track car is a motorcycle on four wheels

Fisker Automotive is taking it slow, but the upstart automaker hopes that an attractive lady or two will take your mind off of the production delays until the Paris Motor Show starts later this month. Why Paris? Because that’s where the first “factory-built Karma” will be displayed in public for the first time. Also in Paris, Fisker representatives will give details, “about the expansion of its prestigious global importer network” that will help the company reach its target of 100,000 vehicles a year.

CEO Henrik Fisker said in a statement that:

We had a chance to change the premium vehicle segment with a new kind of vehicle and a new brand that appeal to consumers who are passionate about the environment, and who wish to drive a beautiful car that reflects their desire to lead a lifestyle of responsible luxury. We are very excited to be introducing the first factory-built Karma luxury plug-in hybrid in Paris, a city known for inspiring its own passions.

Here’s one more interesting tidbit from the release: “The Fisker Karma … can achieve an annual average economy of 2.4L/100 km (100 mpg) and emissions of just 83g/km.” An annual miles per gallon rating seems like an odd addition, but considering the venue, it might be necessary to stoke the flames of consumer interest.

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid

Paris Preview: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid

The Infiniti M lineup was thoroughly made over for 2011, with new technology and new engines packing more power and resulting in better fuel economy. As you could surely assume, all those improvements came at a cost, and Infiniti passed along some of the pain to customers. For example, the starting price of M56 variants were edged higher by $5,750 compared to the outgoing M45 and M45x. The price spike apparently wasn’t enough money, though, as Infiniti has again upped the MSRP of all 2011 M models.

Effective immediately, the M56 and M56x are up by another $350, with a sticker price of $58,775 and $61,275, respectively. The M37 and M37x received a $250 bump, with a new starting price of $46,500 and $48,650, respectively. We’re not exactly sure why the price of the M jumped, but it could have something to do with the fact that sales of the flagship Infiniti are up 45 percent on the year, with August 2010 sales more than doubling compared to the same month in 2009. Not a bad problem to have.

2011 Infiniti M gets a minor price bump

Hyundai has provided pricing on its 2011 Genesis Coupe-R Spec, and has giveth and taketh away when it comes to features and price. Starting at $26,750 (plus $800 freight), the 3.8-liter V6 with a manual transmission is the same price as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Premium trim, making it the least expensive V6 in the range.

At $4,000 dollars less than the 3.8 Track with a manual, and 68 pounds lighter, you still get the track suspension, Brembos, Torsen LSD and 19-inchers, and forsake the auto headlights, cruise control, sunroof, rear spoiler, metalgrain accents outside and chrome bits inside. Increased tunability comes from the front strut camber adjustment bolts, and the whole package gets wrapped in one of four colors. Follow the jump for all the details, along with full-line pricing.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai announces pricing for 2011 Genesis Coupe R-Spec

Hyundai announces pricing for 2011 Genesis Coupe R-Spec

While Ferrari was cleaning up at its home race at Monza this past weekend, the GP2 feeder series campaigned its penultimate race of the season. Venezuelan racer Pastor Maldonado, driving for Italian team Rapax, clinched the series title in its sixth season, but arguably even more intriguing was the concurrent launch of the new third-generation GP2 spec racer.

Like the car it replaces, the new GP2/11 is designed and built by Italian racing chassis manufacturer Dallara – also behind the cars used in IndyCar and Formula 3 as well as F1 newcomer HRT’s car, to name just a few – and will be used exclusively by all teams for the next three seasons. Major changes to the design close the gap to Formula One considerably and borrow from its latest developments, employing a larger diffuser, a narrower rear wing and a larger one up front, a raked front nose and anvil-shaped engine cover. Also like F1, the new GP2 car will switch from Bridgestone rubber to new Pirelli compounds.

Development has been underway for several months, and the new car – unveiled to the teams and press at Monza – will see its first race early next year in the season-bridging GP2 Asia Series. Considering that no fewer than fifteen drivers – Lewis Hamilton among them – have graduated from the series up to F1, GP2 has rapidly developed as the place to watch for the next generation of top talent at the pinnacle of open-wheel racing. So keep an eye on newly-crowned champion Paston Maldonado, and check out the new car in the high-res image gallery below.

[Source: GP2]

Third-generation GP2 spec racer unveiled at Monza

It feels like Jaguar’s renaissance has only just begun, and here’s the sedan that started it all, already prepping for its own renaissance. The Jaguar XF, in line to be fitted with some tailoring taken from the XJ’s handsome suit of sheetmetal, was caught again stretching its legs in the desert. The exterior changes won’t be radical, but expect a smattering of fascia work and some tweaking of lines and light clusters out back, along with some revised and refined interior elements.

(More) Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

At yesterday’s Chrysler dealer conference, the Pentastar people publicly revealed new or updated products from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Fiat. But there was more on stage than just a facelifted Town & Country and a federalized Fiat 500.

Towards the end of his remarks, Chrysler Group and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne pulled a Steve Jobs-style “one more thing,” and onto the stage rolled the 2012 Dodge Viper. According to our sources, the design was all-new, complete with an aggressive greenhouse and fresh, angular sheetmetal.

Chrysler has already confirmed that the next Viper is on its way in two years’ time, but showing it off this early is a clear indication that work is well underway. There’s still some debate about what powertrain will be fitted to the thoroughly updated Viper, but early reports indicate that the same 8.4-liter V10 could carry on, possibly with the inclusion of Fiat’s MultiAir technology to reduce emissions and boost output over 700 horsepower. An entry-level V8 option is a possibility, and there’s little doubt that Dodge is tapping Ferrari’s engineers to advise on everything from handling to steering and stability control systems.

Another supposed cameo at the event was a Jeep pickup, similar to the Gladiator concept, however, we’ve yet to confirm its attendance or any serious production plans. But for the time being, we’re content with the knowledge that Dodge’s next supercar is in the wings and we’ll being seeing it in person within the next several months.

UPDATE: More details from the Wall Street Journal.

Marchionne shows 2012 Dodge Viper at dealer meeting

The five new kings in the Holden range wear Redline badges, with the Aussie arm of General Motors introducing new versions of the Series II Calais V-Series sedan and Sportwagon, along with the SS V-Series sedan, Sportwagon and Ute. Six-liter, Flexfuel V8s power them all, with the sedans getting the additional benefit of the FE3 Super Sports Performance Suspension and a chrome window surround. Otherwise each wears Brembo brakes, forged 19-inch with low-profile tyres, and all but the ute get a rearview camera. Follow the jump for the press release, have a look at a few of the flavors in the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Holden]

Continue reading Holden Redlines its V-Series performance offerings

Holden Redlines its V-Series performance offerings

Ask any economics professor – competition is a good thing. Exhibit A? The large pickup truck market. Ford F-Series trucks have been the number-one selling vehicle line in the United States for more than three decades, but the automaker has never grown complacent. Each new iteration has been bigger, badder and more capable than its predecessor, and that goes twofold for Dearborn’s heavy-duty models.

Despite the fact that Toyota and Nissan never followed up their light-duty trucks with three-quarter or one-ton models, just the threat of such entries spurred Ford, General Motors and Dodge to significantly up their games. In the first half of 2010, the Detroit Three have introduced revamped heavy-duty pickups to feed a segment that, while shrinking, remains large and highly profitable. With that in mind, we saddled up to the Big Daddy of the F-Series range, the F-450, to see if the behemoth could play the dual roles of load-lugger and daily ride. Click through the jump to see how we fared.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

If it looks like a WRC racer, sounds like a WRC racer and moves like a WRC racer, chances are it will be able to handle itself against the rest of the pros on the global rally stage. We’ve already gotten a few quick glimpses of the Mini Countryman WRC thanks to a handful of still photos from the beater’s development at the Prodrive studios, but so far, we haven’t been able to see the car in action. Consider that problem taken care of.

A few videos have cropped up on the YouTubes showing the car being put through its paces over some pretty grueling gravel stages in Portugal. From what we can see, the racer is plenty quick, if not a bit unsorted. We’re guessing that the mechanical wizards at Prodrive will have the car fit for duty well before it knocks skulls with the rest of the heathens in the WRC.

Now the only real question is whether or not Mini is going to offer some variant of the go-fast pieces found on the WRC bruiser to the masses. We’re thinking we could rock a Countryman with a lower stance, meaner turbo and physics-bending brakes. Hit the jump to take a look at a few of the videos yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Honda is set to launch a recall of certain 2010 Accord Crosstour models to “inspect and potentially replace the front passenger airbag.” According to Honda, the recall will cover about 3,340 units in total, some 700 of those in Canada.

The cause for the recall stems from recent testing which revealed a potential problem with the airbag modules not meeting the rules regarding protection of an unbelted, child test dummies in the front seats. They say no incidents have been reported, but Honda is recommending that children under the age of 12 be properly restrained in the vehicle’s rear seat for now.

Honda will notify affected customers by mail but owners can also call their dealer or Customer Relations toll-free at 1-888-946-6329.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Canada NewsWire via Digital Journal]

Honda recalling Accord Crosstour over airbag issue?

The number of vehicle models slated to cruise past the magic 100,000 mark this year is up. In a big way. According to Wards, there are around 39 percent more nameplates expected to clear the six-digit hurdle in 2010 compared to 2009. So far, sales-trends point to 32 cars and trucks expected to meet or exceed the goal, compared to 23 last year. So which models are the winners of 2010?

For the first time ever, vehicles like the Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Versa are aiming to close out 2010 with more than 100,000 units sold. They join the ranks of mainstays like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado – two trucks that have already well-exceeded the 100k line, even with another full quarter left in the year. In all, a total of 16 cars and trucks have already performed similar feats of sales wizardry.

And who’s the fairest of them all? That honor goes to the Toyota Camry. The Japanese automaker has already delivered a total of 220,061 units through August, putting it well ahead of any competition. That pace doesn’t look to be slowing anytime soon, either.

[Source: Wards]

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year?

Ever get the feeling that Italian cars – short of top-flight supercars, anyway – are more about style than they are about substance? If you haven’t, then have a look at the latest from Lancia. Called the Diva Collection, a series of special touches have been applied to both the Ypsilon and the Musa, two of the smallest cars in Lancia’s range… or any other, for that matter.

So what’s special about the Diva Collection models? Beats us. Fiat’s quirky step-sister only released information in Italian, but even that doesn’t get into much detail. Instead it speaks mostly of the advertising campaign in which they’ll be featured, referencing something about “man brushes”. (We don’t really want to know.)

Both models can be had with an array of absurdly low-output engines (nothing even in triple digits), but feature commensurately low list prices, and there also seems to be some extra chrome, so they’ve got that going for them. That, plus their appearing on Italian television. Chrysler badges, anyone?

[Source: Lancia]

Continue reading Lancia confuses us with Diva Collection Ypsilon and Musa

Lancia confuses us with Diva Collection Ypsilon and Musa

If you’re in the market for a new 911, but don’t want the same Carrera S as your neighbor and the GT3 is just a wee bit too hardcore for your tastes, we don’t understand you. Thankfully, Porsche does and the answer to your prayers is coming to Paris. Meet the 2011 Porsche Carrera 911 GTS, the new middle-child of the ass-engined family.

If the body work looks familiar, that’s because it’s cribbed from the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 – a trick Porsche has pulled off several times in the past. Nestled between that 44mm wider track is an upgraded 3.8-liter flat-six putting out 408 horsepower (23 more than the standard S, 27 less than the GT3) and 310 pound-feet of torque, now peaking at 4,200 rpm – 200 rpm earlier than in the S.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels (and as it should be), with a manual six-speed transmission coming standard and a seven-speed PDK as an option. Select the Sport Chrono package along with the dual-clutch ‘box, and Porsche claims you’ll be cracking off four-second 0-60 runs all day long.

Aside from the widened haunches, the GTS is set apart by its 19-inch center-hub RS Spyder wheels, SportDesign front and rear fascias, black Alcantara trim and assorted body and interior bits.

After the GTS debuts in Paris, sales of both the coupe and cabriolet versions will begin early next year, with a starting price of $103,100 and $112,900, respectively. Full details in the press blast after the break.

Continue reading Paris Preview: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Paris Preview: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS