A serious accident likely saved a trucker’s life Tuesday near Reading, Pennsylvania. Richard Paylor, 55, of Bucks County, was reportedly eating an apple behind the wheel of his when a piece of the fruit got lodged in his throat, causing him to choke. According to the Reading Eagle, Paylor subsequently blacked out and slumped over the steering wheel.
As the story goes, Paylor’s big rig then bounced off a guardrail and hit a concrete wall. The impact dislodged the apple from his throat and likely saved his life. Before Tuesday, Paylor had been accident-free for his entire 23-year career.
Paylor was taken to the hospital with a cut on his head and a slight fracture of one of his vertebrae, but very much alive. For his part, Paylor says he’s sorry caused a traffic jam and admits he’s glad to be alive.
James “Bubba” Stewart, Jr., two-time AMA Supercross champion, was reportedly arrested in Osceola County, Florida on Monday night on charges of impersonating a police officer. Stewart allegedly approached a car on State Road 417 in his 2008 Toyota Tundra and turned on a set of red-and-blue flashing lights. When the car pulled over, the occupants identified themselves as two off-duty Florida state troopers and an off-duty Orange County sheriff’s deputy. Oops.
With that revelation, ESPN reports that Stewart sped away from the officers, who phoned in a description of his rather distinctive-looking truck. Not long after, Stewart was pulled over near Orlando International Airport and the lights were found in his passenger’s luggage. The was impounded.
Stewart has been charged with impersonating an officer, and his friend has been charged with tampering with evidence, both felonies. Stewart and his friend both posted bail and were released on Tuesday morning.
Stewart has since apologized for the incident, saying without apparent irony that he wants to prove he’s “someone who upholds the law.”
2012 Kia Rio – Click above for high-res image gallery
Our man Jeremy Korzeniewski is attending a event in Phoenix, Arizona this week, and during a press briefing this morning, JK learned that the Korean automaker will be unveiling its sedan at the . The four-door Rio will complement the that bowed at the in early March.
Four powertrains will be available on the Rio overseas – two gas and two diesel – and while mum’s the word on which engine(s) will be available here in the United States, we’re putting our money on the 1.4-liter gasoline four. This mill produces 108 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed(!) automatic transmission.
In other news, Kia also let slip that the concept from this year’s previews what’s in store for the next-generation minivan. after a conversation with Michael Sprague, Kia’s vice president of marketing, though it’s still unclear exactly what elements from the KV7 will be incorporated into the next-gen Sedona. The concept focused on a more traditional conversion van setup rather than the family-centric Sedona that currently graces our streets.
Muammar Gaddafi has been running the show in Libya for the last 42 years. During that time, he’s also been behind the investment maneuvers of the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank. In 1976, he reportedly instructed that $415 million be used to buy a stake in . Over time, that investment has turned into a 14 percent ownership stake in the Italian automaker.
Fast-forward a bit to the 1980s and Fiat was looking to do business around the globe. That included the United States, but, due to our sanctions against Libya, any attempts to work with the U.S. were quickly shot down. This led Fiat to buy out Libya’s 14 percent ownership stake, and it wound up costing them $3.1 billion to do so.
According to Fiat, the connection to Libya ended when it cut that massive check. However, according to information obtained by Wikileaks, Libya may still own a small portion of the company. That information is supplied courtesy of the U.S. State Department, which maintains that the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO) owns a two percent stake in Fiat.
Head over to of the possibly-still-existing relationship between Fiat and besieged dictator Gaddafi.
Richard Hammond this week for his during a Top Gear segment discussing the earlier this year. Hammond said he regretted the remarks, and sees now how they could have been offensive. Still, Hamster didn’t exactly come all the way clean, saying that his words – and those of his two co-hosts – were clearly a joke.
For its part, the BBC has stood behind Hammond, May and Clarkson, saying that off-color humor is an integral part of the show. The presenters and the BBC got a thorough shellacking over the comments after the show aired. Mexico’s ambassador to the UK called the remarks “offensive, xenophobic and humiliating.”
Hyundai Blue2 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
is revealing its new Blue2 fuel-cellconcept car at this week’s – a vehicle that the automaker hopes will help it gain “early leadership of the FCEV market.” Does this mean that a production version of the Blue2 (pronounced: “Blue square”) is on its way? It’s hard to say right now, but if Hyundai does bring some sort of fuel-cell vehicle to market, we hope it looks a lot like this stunning concept.
The Korean automaker calls the Blue2’s exterior design philosophy ‘Intersected Flow,’ incorporating both innovative and dynamic design elements. Will Intersected Flow’s tenets replace Fluidic Sculpture as the surface language of choice at Hyundai? We’re not sure, but we like the wraparound-style greenhouse combined with a flat, slightly slanted roof (, anyone?), and we’re surprisingly fond of the glossy black strip that runs from the bottom of the C-pillar all the way back to the bottom of the front wheel well. Hyundai has executed some exceptional production designs as of late, but this is the first concept that we’ve fallen for from the brand in some time. Notice the LED screen panels at the front and rear – they display messages about the vehicle’s condition. Like many new concepts, conventional door mirrors have been replaced with cameras, and the car even features a welcome system that recognizes the driver and automatically opens the door.
The big news for the Blue2 is its hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, which delivers a stack power of about 120 horsepower and will return about 34.9 kilometers per liter – that’s 82.1 miles per gallon when converted to the U.S. cycle. The Blue2 is fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires and uses an extremely aerodynamic shape in an effort to reduce drag to aid overall efficiency.
Things are just as high-tech inside the cabin, where the Blue2 uses a combined center cluster and fascia, using an organic LED monitor and ultra-light tempered glass to display vital information. There are even seat-mounted entertainment holders that house things like Apple iPad tablets and other tablet devises, as well.
for Hyundai’s official release, and be sure to see the shapely concept for yourself in the high-res image gallery below.
The was supposed to go on sale in December, but at the eleventh hour, the company decided on a last-minute engineering change to enhance safety. When the automaker learned that President Obama planned to sign a bill that would ban a switch that can disable a noisemaker designed to warn blind pedestrians, the Korean automaker decided it was best to remove the switch. The move delayed mass availability of the Sonata Hybrid from December to late April.
But what about its twin, the ? Ward’s Automotive reports that the mid-size hybrid has been delayed until late in the second quarter, or about five months after its scheduled January launch.
Will the substantial delay of the Optima and Sonata Hybrids hurt sales and satisfaction? We’re sure there are probably some impatient buyers out there who don’t understand why they have to wait, but in the long run, we’re likely looking at a mere bump in the road.
Audi R18 testing at Sebring – Click above to watch the video
The enclosed prototype endured four days of rigorous testing at Sebring last week. engineers used their time at the famed facility to test aerodynamics, fuel economy and reliability, using the as a control.
You won’t be able to see the R18 compete until the six-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps on May 7th, but luckily you won’t have to wait that long to see the diesel-powered race car on the track.
to watch a two-minute clip of the R18 as it takes to Sebring like a duck takes to water. A second post-jump video is an interview with Audi Motorsport chief, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. The good doctor gives tells us about the R18, including how the 3.7-liter V6 diesel is all-new – a necessary step taken by Audi to conform to the sport’s ever-changing rules. Next, Ullrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport, tells us that if Darth Vader had a car, “this would be his.” We don’t know about that, but dark side is definitely strong with the R18. Hat tip to Earwole1!
Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
says that its new Mi-ray Concept, which debuts at this week’s , pays tribute to the sports car heritage at . Specifically, GM points out that the Mi-ray is “small and open” like the 1963 Monza SS, and “light and purposeful” like the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder. Whatever the case, the Mi-ray (Korean for ‘future’) is one sharp little roadster.
Powering the Mi-ray are a pair of front-mounted 15-kilowatt electric motors, mated to a 1.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that’s partially charged via regenerative braking. The electric motor is mostly used for initial acceleration and urban cruising, but when higher speeds are demanded, power is sourced from the Mi-ray’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, mounted behind the cockpit. This powerplant is mated to a dual-clutch transmission, and what’s most interesting, is that apparently the Mi-ray can switch between front- and rear-wheel drive at the driver’s whim.
The majority of the Mi-ray’s exterior is made up of carbon fiber components, complete with ambient lighting worked into the main character lines along both sides. Out back, each rear fender contains individual storage compartments, and carbon fiber spoilers at all four corners help with downforce and airflow.
Inside, the Mi-ray uses leather, white fabric, ‘liquid metal’ surfaces and brushed aluminum to create what GM calls “sculptural velocity.” A long center console separates the driver and passenger seats, and all of the car’s vital information is displayed via a back-projected screen. The rear-view cameras are fully retractable, and in city driving, a forward-facing camera works alongside the car’s GPS to overlay navigation information with real-time video.
We highly recommend taking a few minutes to click through our high-res gallery of the Mi-ray Concept below – it’s seriously pretty. GM’s official press release is available , as well.
President Obama has outlined a new target for the , one that focuses on variety. According to news reports, the plan will include ways to generate more low-carbon electricity, reduce reliance on foreign oil, expand domestic oil production and ethanol production and push up the amount of natural gas used in vehicles.
The New York Times says that the administration has been asking “outside groups” for their input in order to get the widest possible consensus on the matter. In fact, the President is so confident in the plan that the Times’ headline on the story says he is “daring Republicans to call it ‘Froufrou.’” Here are some highlights:
By 2015, the federal government will only buy alt-fuel vehicles.
By 2025, oil imports will be reduced by a third through lowering consumption and increasing domestic drilling (does make more sense now?).
One suggestion on the electricity front is to have different energy goals in different regions. So, for example, places with more and reliable wind would be encouraged to build out more wind turbines. On top of this, dirty energy areas might be able to (or have to) buy clean energy credits from areas that are able to generate extra clean energy.
The White House wants “the nation to break ground on four new commercial-scale cellulosic or advanced biofuel refineries to produce ethanol in the next two years,” the writes.
Kia Naimo EV concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The name Naimo is Korean for “square,” and the new EV concept certainly fits its name. But we’re not talking about a total box, as you can see from the photo above. The B-segment vehicle, which will debut this week at the Seoul Motor Show, looks primed to take on all comers in the emerging small car segment, with interesting lines, plenty of LEDs all around and a touch of Korean heritage. The Naimo has no B-pillars, and the rear doors open up clamshell-style, an auto show staple that almost never makes it to production. The concept also features massive 20-inch wheels, which almost look comical on such a small vehicle, and the square-themed wheels are wrapped in low rolling resistance rubber.
On the inside, Kia designers were looking for a tranquil feel, with Korean oak covering the concept’s floor and adorning the trim. A transparent organic LED display instrument panel and full connectivity gives the Naimo that futuristic concept interior look without going too Buck Rogers.
And since the Naimo is a 21st century concept, an electric powertrain is a near must. The permanent magnet synchronous motor provides a maximum output of 80 kW (107 horsepower). Battery power comes from a 27 kWh lithium ion polymer twin battery pack, giving the little concept a range of 124 miles on a charge. Speaking of charges, Kia says the Naimo features a special rapid charge mode that enables the driver to charge the battery to 80 percent capacity in a scant 25 minutes. A full charge will reportedly take five and a half hours. Hit the jump to look over the Kia press release and click on the gallery below to peruse our high-res image gallery.
China’s Geely has big plans for its brand, with a goal of reaching 800,000 global sales per year by 2020 or sooner. To accomplish that feat, the automaker will need to bolster its factories and hire more workers, and Automotive News reports the Swedish automaker plans to do just that.
Volvo has announced that it plans to add 1,200 workers in Europe to help satiate an expected jump in demand. A staggering 900 of those jobs will be of the engineering variety, bolstering the staff of the automaker’s research and development center in Sweden. Another 200 will fill spots at the automaker’s Ghent, Belgium factory, while the remaining 100 jobs will fill various other positions. Volvo is also looking to build vehicles in China to continue sales growth.
Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby says of the move, “We are investing in our future. It means that we have to work hard to continue to be cost competitive … our cars are selling very well globally.” Jacoby points out that the automaker is already experiencing “significantly” stronger sales than in 2010, with the crossover leading the charge.
Regardless of any meddling from the aftermarket, the C63 AMG is quite a handful in its stock form. That said, Wimmer hasn’t exactly built a reputation for leaving well enough alone, and has now applied its expertise to the . The results are ludicrous.
Wimmer reworked the heads, added more aggressive camshafts, a bigger down pipe, high-flow catalytic converters, air intake and added a full stainless steel exhaust to the car’s 6.2-liter V8. After all was said and done, the C63 pushed out 601 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Wimmer has also removed the top speed limiter, which means the car will hit 203 miles per hour.
The car gets 8.5-by-19-inch BBS CH-R wheels up front and 9.5-by-19-inchers out back, wrapped in Dunlop tires. Keeping those huge meats planted is a fully customized suspension developed in-house by Wimmer.
The mod list to the C63 is impressive, and the work doesn’t come cheap. The engine work alone in the Wimmer C63 AMG rings the register at €19,900 – about $28,000 USD based on current conversion rates. Add another €3,600 ($5,000) to include the suspension in the performance package.
Milanese coachbuilder and design house Zagato is known for some unspeakably beautiful works of rolling art. The Perana Z-One and are two recent examples that have caught our eye, but even Zagato managed to out-do itself with the stunning TZ3 Corsa.
Unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este nearly a year ago, the TZ3 stands as Zagato’s continuation of a line that started in the 1960s with the TZ1 and TZ2 specials, which remain collectors’ favorites to this day. The TZ3 was commissioned by a private customer and was set to be a one-off, but the latest reports from Europe suggest that Zagato is preparing to roll out a limited production run of street versions – which could have been what Zagato was with its holiday greetings.
Dropping the race-specific Corsa designation, the TZ3 Stradale would not be, as the concept car was, based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Instead, its underpinnings would reportedly be borrowed from the , no doubt facilitated by the fact that Alfa and are under common management these days. The Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 engine would reportedly be part of the mix as well, tuned to deliver as much as 612 horsepower, making this one report we hope comes to fruition… and to our driveways.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu teaser – Click above for high-res image
The will officially be revealed at the on April 19, and has released this official teaser shot of its new ‘Bu, showing off its new -inspired LED taillamps. GM will also be bringing the Malibu to the , which officially starts on April 20, where we’ll get our first glimpse of the new family sedan in the flesh.
We’ve seen of the new Malibu, and we know that it will ride on GM’s smaller Epsilon II platform that currently underpins the . Still, GM tells us that the new Malibu will be wider than the model it replaces, and we can expect a more rakish exterior design. The Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six different continents, and thus, a global design that would appeal to all markets is necessary in order for it to be a success.
Expect the Malibu to only be available with four-cylinder engines, including GM’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Ecotec four and its turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant. Rumor has it that a hybrid version is also in the works, as is an all-wheel-drive model.
You can watch the official Chevrolet Malibu reveal on on Monday, April 18 at 8:30 PM EST – right when the sheets are pulled back in Shanghai. For the full details, for GM’s official press release, as well as a short video detailing some of the Malibu’s overall design elements.
We’re happy to report that the 2012 Ford Focus is several orders of magnitude superior to the model it replaces. Read on to find out why.
Despite the rumors of its demise, the next-generation Audi RS4 appears to be on track (literally) based on this Avant mule that our spy shooters have just spied on Germany’s Nürburgring.
“SYNC generation 2″ has been plagued by more than a few bugs. And part of the problem is due to its design.
Also of interest:
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1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero from the Bertone Museum – Click above for high-res image gallery
You can’t make an omelet, or so the saying goes, without breaking some eggs. So while it’s unfortunate that the restructuring at Bertone means the dissolution of its museum collection, it also means that its contents are going up for auction. And they’ll be crossing the block at no less fitting a location than Villa d’Este.
Those in the know will recognize Villa d’Este for the Concorso d’Eleganza held there every year, where the most gorgeous and rare of classic cars mingle with the finest concept cars unveiled throughout the year. This year’s concours will mark the first time that RM Auctions will be holding an event at the open-air show on picturesque Lake Como, and in addition to the myriad unspeakably beautiful classics on the docket, RM has just announced the consignment of six concept cars from the Bertone Museum, each one-of-a-kind in its own right and available to collectors for the first time.
The consignment includes the 1967 Marzal, 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, 1963 Testudo, 1974 Lamborghini Bravo, 1980 Lamborghini Athon and 1978 Lancia Sibilo. Each was a seminal design for Bertone, and each is expected to fetch well into the six and even seven figures. The Marzal, particularly, which was driven by Prince Ranier and Princess Grace at the start of 1967 Monaco Grand Prix, and the Stratos, the first prototype for the iconic supercar rally machine of the same name, are expected to sell for between €1,000,000 and €1,800,000… that’s as much as $2.5 million apiece in equivalent American funds.
Have a look at the collection (sans the Lancia Siblio, images for which are en route) in the high-resolution image gallery below, and for the full details in the press release. Hat tip to Sea Urchin!
Last week about the fresh, faster Nürburgring track times of the , with video that proves that Godzilla 2012 managed to shave 2.48 seconds off its best lap. We were under the impression that the GTR’s new top time wasn’t enough to best the , but a side-by-side (or rather a top-to-bottom) comparison video of both runs gives us the definitive answer.
Beyond the jump is a video pitting the in-car camera view of the ZR1 (top screen) versus the 2012 GTR (bottom screen). Pay close attention from the five minute mark to about 6:20 into the clip, as the vehicle with the lead loses it for good at this point in the race. Very entertaining little competition, but you’ll have to and watch to see the winner for yourself.
The beautiful state of Virginia is reportedly looking to offset some of the $20 million it costs to operate and maintain its 42 rest stops, and perhaps you can help. NBC Washington reports that the state is selling the naming rights to each of the stops to help raise revenue needed to keep the facilities open.
Former Governor Tim Kaine apparently closed 19 of the facilities back in 2009 as a cost-cutting measure, but current Governor Bob McDonnell re-opened the structures eight months ago, promising to find other ways to raise the needed money. Also being discussed is the idea of using prison labor for maintenance. Somewhere, somehow is pleased.
Meanwhile, we’re wondering whether “Autoblog: Obsessively Covering This Rest Stop” has a ring to it. Let us know what you’d name a Virginia rest area in Comments.
Spy Photos: Next Generation Porsche 911Cabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery
Spy lenses have once again caught engineers out testing the next generation . Both cabriolet and coupe versions were seen out running on the Nürburgring. The and boast a wider rear track. The boxer engine in the base model is rumored to produce 345 horsepower.
Current intelligence also has it that Porsche plans to unveil the car at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Until then, check out the spy photos in our galleries below.
