Ford suspension testing – Click above for high-res image gallery
Despite increased government expenditures in England to fix the country’s potholes, is eager to prove it still rigorously tests its cars for their ability to withstand big pavement gaps. According to Ford, its cars go through thousands of miles of tests across two proving grounds to make sure they won’t sustain damage when presented with uneven surfaces.
The Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium goes as far as to include an inch-by-inch recreation of a notoriously porous English road. More abusive road surfaces are simulated at Ford’s Dunton Proving Ground in Essex, England. Ford says that between the two test facilities, it tests every wheel and tire combination sold on its entire European vehicle portfolio.
The budget for this sort of testing is huge, as each test car is strapped with around $2.5 million worth of electronic gadgetry designed to register and record the effect of each pothole strike. Ford uses the data to improve its current suspension systems and design new ones, which will go on to be further refined at Lommel and Dunton.
Cadillac ATS spied on GM’s proving grounds – Click above to watch the video
We’re likely a year away from the reveal of the , as the states that the rear-drive Caddy will likely go on sale in fall of 2012. We’ve seen plenty of spy photos of the sub- Cadillac, as well, and now we’ve got a video that shows the entry-level ATS in motion.
The post-jump video, which comes courtesy of the folks at , appears to have been shot from the branch of a tree outside of ‘ proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. It’s difficult to see much in the video due to the heavy camo adorning the prototype, but we do see a more steeply raked windshield and a greenhouse that, compared to that of the CTS, appears to be a bit more rounded.
As an added bonus, the video shows a three second-long glimpse of the at the 1:34 mark. to take in the video for yourself. There may not be any audio, but there’s plenty to see.
It was a risky proposition: taking a series as fabled for its antics as Need for Speed and placing it into the cold, calculating hands of a simulation developer. That developer is Slightly Mad Studios, which has roots to the SimBin team that created the groundbreaking GTR on the PC. The resulting game was the first Need for Speed: Shift – truly a fresh title and, more importantly, a truly great racer, managing to straddle the console racing and simulation genres and do both admirably well.
Now, it’s sequel time. Ian Bell, sim-racing guru and co-founder of Slightly Mad, said that this game has the “most advanced physics system ever released.” We’re not sure we’d go quite that far, but in testing this one we’re quite confident in saying that this is certainly the most realistic Need for Speed game yet, which is perhaps why it’s officially shedding that prefix and just billing itself as Shift 2 on the PS3, xBox 360, and PC. Still, not everyone will enjoy the punishment this game can offer, so read on to see whether this is one supercar sim that’s for you.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
Given that the is little more than a gussied-up , it’s not surprising that the gas-electric achieves the same 41 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway rating. Admittedly, we were a bit shocked when Lincoln announced that the (including destination and delivery) – the same price as a gas-only front-wheel-drive 3.5-liter V6 model. Perhaps that’s why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even didn’t expect.
Initially, Ford targeted the hybrid version to account for approximately 15 percent of total MKZ sales. However, the numbers show that the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate has averaged between 22 and 23 percent since January of 2011. Ford says that March’s numbers look similar. Through the end of February, Lincoln sold a total of 3,343 MKZ sedans, 762 of which were hybrids. With no premium price tag and , perhaps nobody should be surprised by the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate. Perhaps the better question would be, is the hybrid model profitable?
Chevrolet has called the franchise’s and and raised the stakes by one supercharger. The obvious aim of the is to silence all the critics who flame the Camaro for being slower than the 5.0-liter competition from Ford.
To cure their case of horsepower envy, Chevrolet threw a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA making more than 550 horsepower between the Camaro’s fenders. That power theoretically puts it atop even the mighty GT500 in a straight line.
To make sure the Camaro could take down the handling-oriented Boss 302 as well, they cribbed the magnetic dampers from the for the ZL1. All that effort should add up to not only the fastest Camaro ever built, but the best-handling, as well. We can’t wait to get our mitts on the car, but in the meantime, we’ll slake our curiosity by hearing the LSA briefly come to life in the video (Warning: Auto play).
Porsche Panamera Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery
is reportedly working on a new range-topping version of its four-door . Much like the Turbo S versions of the and , this would likely mean a bump in power is in order, as well as tweaked design elements and some additional standard equipment.
Autoblog.it reports that the Panamera Turbo S is expected to produce around 550 horsepower – 50 hp more than the ‘base’ Turbo. Torque output is also pegged to increase from 516 pound-feet (or 568 lb-ft with the Sport Chrono Turbo pack) to around 590 lb-ft. Thus, the Panamera Turbo S should sprint to 62 miles per hour in around 3.8 seconds.
Rumors suggest that Porsche could debut its Panamera Turbo S as early as April at either the or the . Based on the price premium the commands over the 911 Turbo, we expect the mooted Panamera Turbo S to be priced somewhere around the $160,000 mark.
Jay Leno interviews Lee Iacocca – Click above to view video
Jay Leno’s Garage managed to pull a very special interview this week with Lee Iacocca, the legendary American businessman credited with fathering the original and with bringing Chrysler back from the brink in the 1980s. The interview rehashes Iacocca’s success with the Mustang and direct involvement with the creation of Carroll Shelby’s first cars in the ’60s.
The video concludes with a walkaround and test drive of the , a (very) limited edition 400-horsepower supercharged tribute to the father of the Mustang. Leno even sneaks in a burnout in Lido’s personal example. Check it out . Top tip, Brent!
2011 Jeep Compass – Click above for high-res image gallery
Let’s be honest here: The should have never been built – at least not in the form it took. A derivative of the compact Dodge Caliber, the Compass is neither a real nor an SUV, but a singular testament to how badly Daimler mismanaged the brand over its decade of ownership. And sales have proven this out. Although the Compass did well in the first year after its May 2006 launch, interest quickly cooled, and through the end of 2010, Chrysler had totaled only 111,000 Compass sales. The company managed to move fewer than 16,000 of them last year.
A “softroader,” the Compass was meant to compete in the growing field of compact, front-wheel-drive crossovers often derided as “Cute Utes.” The misguided, condescending and paternalistic attitude of the Germans running DaimlerChrysler at the time was that young women would flock to the Compass, while its mechanical twin, the , was designed for the boys. While the Patriot at least looked like a Jeep – the much-loved, discontinued Cherokee – the googly-eyed Compass was cartoonish, like a Jeep animated for the Powerpuff Girls.
With ‘ cash flow back to reasonable levels, the company is re-evaluating its position on Australian-built Zeta rockets like the . The last one we had on our shores was the much-lamented Pontiac G8, which was essentially a Commodore with a new set of badges.
With the success of the , GM has reportedly okay’d the development of a new Zeta sedan for the American market. According to reports, it’s slated to debut in early 2013 as a 2014 model, concurrent with the introduction of the redesigned Holden Commodore. Particular details, such as engine size, transmission options and horsepower figures are as yet unavailable. That said, a pushrod small block in the neighborhood of 430 horsepower probably isn’t too far off the mark.
The rumor gets juicier, and a tad more unbelievable, with the revelation that a sport wagon and Ute version of the car are coming as well. The ute, if it happens, will debut around the same time as the sedan, with the sport wagon arriving later in 2013.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
Word is that is planning a whole mess of debuts for the upcoming New York Auto Show. Among them, according to reports, are three worldwide first we’ve yet to see, along with three North American debuts.
The models being unveiled for the first time on this side of the Atlantic includes the new , sedan and . As for the world debuts, sources suggest we’ll be seeing two new variants from the AMG division and one all-new concept car. Now we already know the above-pictured will be among them, but rumor has it that the Roadster will be unveiled at the show as well.
As for that mystery concept, speculation is that it could be the new B-Class or a preview of the next M-Class crossover. We’ll have to wait to find out for sure, but with less than a month to go before the doors open at the Javits Center, we won’t have to wait long.
Chrysler Motor Village LA – Click above for high-res image gallery
put a lot of work into its five-story, factory-owner dealership located in Los Angeles, California. Home to all brands under the Chrysler umbrella, Motor Village is also the . But not everyone is thrilled about its arrival, and some have made the claim that it’s actually illegal.
According to the California New Car Dealers Association, manufacturers are not allowed to operate dealerships within 10 miles of independently owned same-make stores, according to California law. The CNCDA believes that Motor Village principal Howard Drake has no serious monetary investment in the facility, and that Chrysler is simply utilizing his name as a legal loophole. Chrysler, of course, disagrees with the claims and the issue will head to California’s New Motor Vehicle Board.
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[Source: - sub. req. Image: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Chrysler]
2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery
If has a more important vehicle launch in 2011 than that of the we certainly don’t know about it. The automaker is well-aware of the importance of the Focus, and to ensure a flawless launch, the company is going all-out.
Automotive News reports that Ford is testing the first batch of 2012 Focus models for 30 miles around the company’s Dearborn, MI test track before shipping them to dealers. AN quotes anonymous sources who say dealers asked if there was a problem during the launch that has lead to this extraordinary measure, but Ford insists that the very thorough checks are merely to ensure spot-on quality. And since the company is launching a vehicle capable of up to 40 miles per gallon at a time when gas prices are hitting $4 per gallon around the country, this is an important launch to nail.
Ford spokesperson Said Deep told AN that only the first batch of Focus models were driven for 30 miles, adding that vehicles being produced now are only given a second look at the plant. That first batch of Foci were taken back to the plant for testing after the 30 mile road test. Ford builds the Focus at the Wayne Assembly Plant, which resides only a few miles away from the automaker’s Dearborn test track.
2010 Volvo C70 – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced it will take sole ownership of its joint manufacturing facility with . The Pininfarinia Sverige AB plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, only builds the Volvo C70 convertible. According to Volvo, the changeover will take place in 2013, and the automaker will continue to build C70s at the plant.
Volvo and Pininfarina have been bedfellows at the plant since Volvo began building C70s in 2003. The car moved just over 4,000 units in 2010, down nearly two percent from the 2009 total.
2011 P4/5 Competizione – Click above for high-res image gallery
James Glickenhaus’s made its debut at the this weekend ahead of the actual running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The test sessions reportedly went well and got as much hype and attention (yep, we’re guilty as charged…) as anything Glickenhaus’s now-famous racer does.
The P4/5 Competizione looked right at home on the track, though tests were cut short after a red flag limited driver Luca Cappellari to one lap. Mika Salo got plenty of seat time though, and the car looks just about ready for competition.
There aren’t any concrete lap times yet, but best guesses are in the 8:30 range, which would put the P4/5 Competizione right where it needs to be. for videos from the test weekend, and be sure to check out the latest set of images of the exquisitely beautiful showpiece below.
Maxime Berger loses a wheel during World Superbike Racing at Donington Park – Click above to enlarge
There are a few common ways to crash a motorcycle while racing – most often either the extremely dangerous high-side or the usually-little-more-than-ego-scraping low-side incident – but, when dealing with machinery pushed to the very edges of its mechanical abilities, there’s always the outside chance of catastrophic equipment failure leading to an astonishing accident.
Such was the case for Maxime Berger, who crashed out of the first race during the second round of World Superbike action at Donington Park in rather spectacular fashion. As you can see from the image above and the video , Berger’s privateer somehow managed to completely shed half its normal allotment of wheels… and in the case of a motorcycle, that’s a very bad thing indeed.
for a video of the incident, along with a brief press release from the Supersonic Racing Team that includes a quote from Berger himself. Oh, and better luck next time, Maxime!
2011 Honda Odyssey – Click above for high-res image gallery
The past couple weeks haven’t been kind to the . Two weeks ago, for 33,000 minivans for faulty windshield wipers, and now a second recall has been issued for faulty front driver and passenger windows that can come off track, rendering the window inoperative. This new recall covers 2,800 vehicles, which at least shows that Honda caught this problem before it became too widespread.
Honda filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adding that a supplier used a faulty primer fluid when making the glass. If the glass isn’t replaced, NHTSA says on its website that “the window may shatter into the passenger cabin causing a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.”
To remedy this problem, dealers will replace the affected window glass free of charge. The recall will be officially announced on or before April 15. to read over the NHTSA press release.
1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI – Click above for full gallery of the royal wedding’s transportation
When Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot on April 29, the bride will ride to Westminster Abbey in a 1977 Phantom VI that student protesters attacked on December 9. The car, carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla at the time, suffered a broken window and new two-tone paint job. for some video footage of how the attack went down.
According to Alex Garty, the transport manager at Buckingham Palace, the car is being repaired as we speak and will be ready for the April 29 nuptials. Garty says the car is getting a quick freshening while it’s being repaired, just to make sure it’s looking its best for the royal bride.
Once the knot has been tied, William and Kate will proceed back to Buckingham Palace in an , provided it isn’t raining. The same State Landau also took Prince Charles to St. Paul’s Cathedral for his 1981 wedding to Princess Diana.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the royal couple will ride in an , which is usually the vehicle of choice for royal brides to get to the church.
can stick another feather in its safety cap. The has officially been awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick judgement by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That means the sedan managed to net top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, including front, side, rollover and rear evaluations. Vehicles awarded the Top Safety Pick designation must also come standard with electronic stability control.
According to the IIHS, it’s been a while since the S60 has carried the institute’s highest honor. The vehicle’s previous generation had no problem netting good ratings in both front and rear tests, but was only rated as acceptable in side impact evaluations. Additionally, the new roof strength tests weren’t in place for the vehicle’s last iteration. IIHS says that Volvo improved the design of the S60 enough to net higher side impact ratings and pass the new rollover tests with flying colors.
IIHS says that the roof of the S60 stood up to 4.95 times the weight of the vehicle. Currently, the federal standard is only requires a vehicle to withstand a force equivalent to 1.5 times its weight. for the full press release.
2012 Triumph Street Triple – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’ve been waiting to see Triumph translate some of the more impressive changes the company made to its Speed Triple this year to the more modest Street Triple and Street Triple R, wait no more. The bike maker has dropped a few photos and details on the 2012 model-year and it should come packing updates borrowed from its bigger brother. Those include a startling pair of new headlights, aluminum handle bars and engine case cover. Speaking of the mighty three cylinder nestled between the frame, Triumph has dialed up the power to 106 ponies and 50 pound-feet of torque.
There’s no word on whether Triumph was able to shave any weight from the bike, but the three-pot should have no problem moving both rider and machine down the road in a hurry. Asphalt & Rubber reports that prices for the 2012 model are the same in France, which means the company may keep the MSRP flat for American buyers as well.
Jimmy Keeney’s crash at the Global RallyCross Championship – Click above for high-res image gallery
Marcus Grönholm put on an impressive display at the inaugural Global RallyCross Championship by winning both races, but one of the more talked about happenings of the weekend was a spectacular crash by Jimmy Keeney in his .
Matched up with driver Marcus Dodd in the Friday elimination rounds, Keeney had lost ground and was trying to make up time when he came up short for the 70-foot jump. The result was that the back end of the catapulted over the front, flipping end-over-end twice before finally landing on its side with smoke pouring from under the hood. Fortunately, Keeney climbed out of the wreckage unhurt, but the same couldn’t be said for the car.
With ESPN covering the event and plenty of photographers on hand, there was bound to be some good footage of the event. Sharp shooter John Rettie has been kind enough to let us publish his photos of the wreck, and we’ve also embedded a video of the crash .
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Photos copyright (C)2011
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WRX flips end-over-end at Global RallyCross Championship
