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Roundabouts are the scourge of many a motorist and a favorite calming device of traffic engineers, and they’re spreading like crazy across the United States roadscape. As anyone who’s had the joy of driving in Massachusetts or New Jersey will tell you, plenty of drivers have absolutely no idea when to yield or how to successfully navigate these rings of macadam.

According to The New York Times, the fertile Midwest has sprouted a bumper crop of these sometimes-confusing intersections, with 100 popping up in Wisconsin since 2004, and almost 100 blooming in Kansas, as well. Other states have a richness of roundabouts; Maryland has nearly 200, for example; and there’s more on the drawing board across the nation.

Despite a public that’s apparently skeptical of the change, there are plenty of positives to roundabouts. Speeds are low, and any crashes that do occur are less severe because the head-on collision is virtually eliminated. Emissions are also purportedly lower because there’s less starting and stopping (though drivers waiting in epic backups approaching these things might disagree), they don’t require electricity to operate and they keep traffic moving simultaneously in multiple directions. Since they do seem to be the favorite device of traffic engineers, roundabouts won’t be going away any time soon, so we’re all going to get the chance to try them out. Like brussels sprouts at Thanksgiving dinner, they might even turn out to not be so bad.

[Source: The New York Times Image: Una Smith via CC 2.0]

Report: Roundabouts proliferating in America, drivers confused

The Ginetta G50 has so far been the star of the Ginetta GT Supercup, a one-make support series for the British Touring Car Championship. There’s a brighter star on the way next year, though, when Ginetta introduces the G55. The new car will compete alongside the G50 in next year’s races but in its own class and with separate a points system and podium ceremony.

To go along with its more aggressive looks and aero, the G55’s Ford engine is 3.7 liters instead of the G50’s 3.5, and it puts out 370 horsepower – 70 horses more than the G50. Other tweaks include beefier brakes front and back and a new exhaust. Current G50 owners can upgrade to the G55 for £25,000 ($39,219 U.S.), or privateers can buy the car new for £75,000 ($117,661 U.S.).

Ginetta’s latest will be publicly unveiled at Autosport International on January 13 in Birmingham, England. Follow the jump for the press release, and get a couple of glimpses in the gallery of images below.

[Source: Ginetta]

Continue reading Ginetta releases official renderings of new G55

Ginetta releases official renderings of new G55

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a drastic departure from its predecessors, ditching body-on-frame construction in favor of a unibody structure, and sharing its platform with the Taurus sedan (as well as the Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT). This shift to a traditional crossover construction has not turned away buyers, however, and Ford reports that Explorer pre-orders have nearly doubled original projections.

According to The Detroit News, Ford has received roughly 15,000 orders for the 2011 Explorer. This includes about 3,000 retail and 7,500 dealer orders, as well as an additional 4,500 orders from companies.

Jason Mase, Ford’s manager of utility vehicles, told The Detroit News that about 55 percent of buyers are opting for the trailer tow package, and 64 percent want all-wheel drive. Mase says that consumers don’t really care if the vehicle is a crossover or an SUV, the major concern is that the vehicle fits their specific needs. So far, so good, and Ford expects this trend to continue after the Explorer officially hits dealerships in early 2011.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Ford Explorer orders nearly double expectations

Rhys Millen recently teased a video of him sliding up the slopes of Serra do Rio do Rastro, and now the tease has been expanded upon in tropical glory. It’s a three-minutes-and-change blast of sideways slithering and vulcanized clouds for which few words are needed. In fact, the only words in the entire four-minute vid are: “The course is clear.” You’ll find the accompanying smoke and fury after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Rhys Millen finishes what he teased – Climb Attack Brazil

Video: Rhys Millen finishes what he teased – Climb Attack Brazil

Next Autoworks, nee V-Vehicles, recently hired CEO Kathleen Ligocki to shepherd its planned 2012 car through to production. The design of the car itself was overseen by Tom Matano, who penned the original Mazda Miata and the 1993 RX-7. Matano recently shared some of the compact car’s details with Automotive News, which describes it as a “utilitarian five-door hatchback… a cross between a Nissan Leaf and a Lada Niva.”

The car’s build sounds just as intriguing: a spaceframe with non-load-bearing body panels attached. Countering a build process that is pricey by segment standards, costs are kept down by interchangeable door panels and taillight assemblies. Matano suggested he was after “an advanced concept car that would look like something by Ikea.” It all sounds like it could go quite right or very wrong, but before it can build anything, Next Autoworks needs to have its request for funds from the Department of Energy approved.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Details emerge on Next Autoworks’ 2012 compact car

The enthusiast hordes have been gearing up for the arrival of the Fiat 500 for some time now. At last, Fiat has prepared its ad campaign to let the more casual car fan know what’s about to hit, and the initial result feels, to us, a lot less exciting than the car itself. Think Anthony Robbins meets a Target commercial, with a little bit of a white 500 thrown in. Or just think Moby since, with no disrespect to the musician himself, his tunes have become the soundtrack to tapioca advertising.

The 1:47 spot you’ll find after the jump will supposedly be cut up to provide more TV-friendly commercial spots of various lengths. Have a look and let us know if you think the Fiat 500 is well served, or deserves more. Hat tip to Jamie

[Source: YouTube via Left Lane News]

Continue reading Video: First U.S. ad for the Fiat 500 is… kinda bland

Video: First U.S. ad for the Fiat 500 is… kinda bland

Few auction houses have dealt with as many celebrity automobiles as Bonhams, and the upcoming event at Brooklands is poised to carry on the tradition.

Among the lots up for grabs during the auction at Mercedes-Benz World will be this unique Rolls-Royce Phantom III. The first of 24 Phantom IIIs sold to the United States, this particular 1936 example – a five-seat limousine with custom Inskip coachwork and 7.3-liter V12 – was used in the bizarre fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth in the chase scene against a Bentley.

Also crossing the auction block at the event on December 6th will be a 1934 Lagonda M45 Tourer once owned by Nick Mason (of Pink Floyd fame) and a Mercedes-Benz 600 formerly owned by Elvis Presley. Other highlights include a ‘64 Maserati, a ‘55 Mercedes Gullwing, a 2000 Ferrari 550 GTZ and a ‘64 AC Cobra. Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the trio of Rolls-Royce photos in the gallery below.

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Celebrity Classics up for grabs from Bonhams at Brooklands

Celebrity Classics up for grabs from Bonhams at Brooklands

Given the manner is which demonstrations are put down by the Islamic Republic, populism may not seem like a key element in Iran’s political system. But in an effort to gain support from lower classes during his campaign, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rode around in his modest 1977 Peugeot 504. Not an extravagant car by any means, but one that became a symbol for the despotic ruler.

Part of his campaign pledge was to create housing for low-income Iranians, and to that end the president is selling his Peugeot. Proceeds from the car’s sale are earmarked to benefit the Mehr housing project. The vintage French sedan is actually registered to the president’s wife, but given the association, this particular example is sure to sell for more than the modest sum it would otherwise fetch. Thanks for the tip, zedster!

[Source: Yedioth Ahronoth Images: Peugeot]

Iran’s Ahmadinejad auctioning his ‘77 Peugeot 504 for charity

Jaguar has issued a recall covering 6,475 2010-11 XJ sedans built between July 28, 2009 and November 3, 2010 due to defective windshield wipers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration details the exact problem with these XJs, saying:

“The front wiper arms to spindle fixings were not torqued to specification during manufacturing. As a result, the securing nuts could fail to perform as intended, resulting in a loss of wiper arm synchronization and a clash of the wiper arms.”

Clashing wiper arms mean they could detach from the vehicle altogether, which is perhaps the last thing any driver would want to have to deal with on a rainy (or snowy) day. The full recall is expected to commence on or before December 13, and dealers will ensure that the wiper arms are securely fitted to the spindle. To read the full details, follow the jump for NHTSA’s release.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Jaguar recalling nearly 6,500 XJs due to defective windshield wipers

Jaguar recalling nearly 6,500 XJs due to defective windshield wipers

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has only been racing for two years, but in that time has garnered notable accolades: Wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 hours and this year’s European GT4 Cup, just to name three.

The Gaydon firm has made revisions to the 2011 model, incorporating lessons learned from the roadgoing V12 Vantage, including better aerodynamics and greater downforce, as well as a new option that includes racing-tuned ABS and a new traction control system developed by Bosch. No specific numbers were released, but Aston Martin says that it has reworked the GT4’s 4.7-liter V8, as well, providing improved horsepower and torque numbers.

We’re sure these new changes will help the GT4 secure a few more wins in the 2011 racing season. You can follow the jump for more details or just ogle it in the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin releases updated 2011 Vantage GT4

Aston Martin releases updated 2011 Vantage GT4

While you might be at home recovering from a Turkey-induced hangover, the dedicated spy photographers of the world are out and about, dutifully catching glimpses of new cars as they are tested. One lucky lensmith caught a camouflaged Pagani C9 being put through a rigorous testing regime.

And rigorous it is, with a reported 500,000-plus combined kilometers having ticked off the odometers of the four prototypes and one test mule. Pagani wants to hit 700,000 kilometers before the car shows its unmasked face, which looks almost Fisker-esque in the photos you see here.

The Pagani C9 is powered by an AMG-developed V12 engine, which is not related to the V12 found in the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Rumor has it that the V12 powering the C9 produces over 700 horsepower while also lowering C02 emissions to sub-supercar levels.

We’re still calling it the C9, but the real name will be revealed sometime in the next few weeks. Pagani’s Zonda replacement, whatever moniker it might wear, should make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2011. If that happens, you can be certain we’ll be on hand to capture it from every angle.

[Source: Carpix]

Spy Shots: Pagani C9 caught flexing its V12 muscle

We have quite the soft spot for the Mazda5 mini-minivan. It’s a taller, more capacious version of the zippy Mazda3, and it stands totally alone in a class of Americanized small MPVs (until the Ford Grand C-Max arrives on our shores, that is). Mazda has given the 5 a healthy once-over for the 2012 model year, and the automaker has just announced that the swoopy new people-mover will be priced from $19,990 (including destination and delivery).

That sub-$20,000 price point gets you the base Sport model, which has 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry and safety features like Dynamic Stability Control and traction control. The $21,990 Touring model adds 17-inch alloys, a five-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-rung Grand Touring ($24,670) will net you a moonroof, automatic xenon headlamps, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, heated leather front seats and an upgraded audio system with Sirius satellite radio.

The entire Mazda5 range is powered by the automaker’s 2.5-liter inline-four (found in the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-7) that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Base Sport models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a five-speed autobox is the only transmission available on Touring and Grand Touring models.

Look for the 2012 Mazda5 to hit dealerships in January of 2011. For the full details, follow the jump for Mazda’s press release.

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading 2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January

2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January

Appealing to the Senses, Not the Sensibilities

Harley-Davidson isn’t exactly known for innovation. While the majority of players in the motorcycle world tend to push the envelope of performance and technology, The Motor Company has historically taken a different approach to its lineup of heavyweight motorcycles. In place of traction control and electronically adjustable suspension setups, H-D focuses on chrome, paint, tradition and… more chrome.

Nowhere is that strategy more evident than the yearly crop of models from its Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) unit, which has proven to be a rather successful way to entice buyers into its highest priced wares. As such, we shouldn’t expect any major adjustments to the basic way of thinking that’s proven itself time and time again from the brain-trust in Milwaukee.

That said, there are some meaningful updates for the 2011 model year that we were interested in seeing and hearing, so we saddled ourselves up on each of the four new CVO bikes in beautiful Lake Tahoe for some good ol’ fashioned riding impressions. Kick back, throw on your very best leather chaps and read on, Harley fans.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Nelson and Riles

Continue reading First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models

First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly beaten and robbed outside of his business headquarters in London, England on Wednesday. The Daily Mail reports that the 80-year-old billionaire and his 31-year-old girlfriend had £200,000 (approximately $312,000 in U.S. funds) worth of diamonds and jewelry stolen from them. Ecclestone was also punched and kicked repeatedly – so much so that he was taken to the hospital for a minor head injury, though he was later released.

This marks the second time Ecclestone has been robbed in the last four years. The F1 boss was last jumped after exiting his brand new Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG outside of his home in Chelsea Square. So far, Scotland Yard has not been able to track down the culprits, though it is believed that this incident is part of a larger recent string of attacks targeting the rich and famous.

[Source: The Daily Mail Image: AFP/Getty]

Report: Bernie Ecclestone beaten, girlfriend robbed of over $300,000 in jewelry

Porsche and Bentley are related under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, and a new rumor suggests that the two might become kissing cousins. Autocar had a chance to speak with Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, and the head honcho of the German sports car vehicle brand says that a collaboration with Bentley could help push future Panamera variants foward. Per Müller,

“I think we have to discuss with Bentley whether we can put together our performance, our engineers. It should be possible.”

He goes on to state that sticking to just a four-door sports car is boring. The Panamera should be revised into a handful of iterations, and Müller uses terms like “van”, “combi” and “longer.” If you are a Porsche loyalist, we’ll give you a minute to restart your heart.

One variant we hope the Brits and the Germans can breathe life into? A Porsche 928. There have been rumors and speculation for years now, so perhaps this inter-brand teamwork is just what the doctor (would have) ordered.
[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Porsche to collaborate with Bentley?

Sergio Marchionne stopped by Chrysler’s transmission manufacturing facilities in Kokomo, Indiana and delivered some good news. The Chrysler Group plans to invest $843 million into the plants to modernize them and prepare for the production of a new front-wheel drive automatic transmission. This pushes the automakers total investment dollars near the $3 billion mark, dating back to June of 2009, with $1.1 billion of that earmarked specifically for the Kokomo facilities. More importantly, this announcement should have 2,250 employees breathing a little easier because it allows their jobs to be retained.

We know Chrysler is getting ready to launch its eight-speed transmission, but this new transmission in development has yet to be revealed.

“For years, Kokomo has been at the center of our powertrain strategy and the potential of an additional investment reaffirms that position,” said Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler Group LLC. “When introduced, this new front-wheel drive transmission, along with the previously announced eight-speed transmission we will also produce in Kokomo, will transform our future products and position them as leaders in marketplace. With the promise of investing more than $1 billion into our Kokomo facilities within the last six months, we are demonstrating our commitment to this community and our dedicated workforce. We appreciate the support of the UAW and the City of Kokomo, and look forward to continuing a partnership that will see the Chrysler Group once again become a successful and competitive enterprise.”

New transmissions, more stable jobs and a new Charger? 2011 is certainly shaping up to be brighter than last year for the Pentastar.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler confirms $843M investment in Kokomo, IN plants

Chrysler confirms $843M investment in Kokomo, IN plants

Were you wondering what the Top Gear crew were doing in Israel when they were spotted there last month? Well wonder no more.

Reports from the British Isles are now stating that the tour across the Middle East was actually shot for a Christmas Special in which Clarkson, Hammond and May retrace the steps of the Three Wise Men who, according to Christian lore, visited the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem. Only while the trio of yore did it on camel-back, two millennia later, the team of British auto journos – who may have picked up as many followers today as the Nazarene messiah did in his – rode in across Turkey and Syria in three old roadsters.

Looks like it’s going to be a Merry Christmas after all, Charlie Brown.

[Source: Telegraph]

Top Gear’s Middle East tour reportedly shot for Christmas Special

General Motors is investing $163.2 million three plants as it prepares to ramp up engine production for the Chevrolet Volt, Cruze and a new small Chevrolet. The company’s Flint Engine Operations will take home the lion’s share of the money, with $138.3 million going to help boost production of the Ecotec turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine used in each of the company’s fuel-thrifty cars. Meanwhile, The General’s Bay City Components plant will receive $12.7 million and Defiance Castings in Defiance, Ohio will see $12.2 million. All told, GM says that the money will protect 184 jobs across the three manufacturing sites.

At the beginning of 2011, the Flint plant will be responsible for producing around 400 engines per day, though GM wants to increase that number to 800 by the end of next year. The Bay City plant is set to increase production of both connecting rods and cam shafts while the Defiance facility will increase its output of crank shafts and engine blocks. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM to invest $163 million in three plants

GM to invest $163 million in three plants

By the year 2020, Audi hopes to be the “leading premium seller of electric vehicles,” Franciscus van Meel, the automaker’s manager for electric mobility, told AutoWeek during a recent technical workshop at the company’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. In addition to launching a number of hybrid vehicles (including the A8 and Q5) over the next few years, Audi plans to debut a plug-in hybrid in 2014.

Exactly what sort of plug-in hybrid we’ll actually see hasn’t been disclosed just yet, but the whole business is part of Audi’s e-tron division – the folks that gave us beauties like the R8-based e-tron supercar (pictured above) that debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Furthermore, Audi’s board member for technology, Michael Dick, says that by 2020, he wants to see the automaker’s internal combustion engines improve efficiency by 30 percent, with 5 percent of the brand’s lineup to be purely electric. That’s a tall order, indeed, but with parent company Volkswagen AG aiming to be the number one producer of hybrid and electric cars before the end of the next decade, the four-ringed automaker’s quest for electrification isn’t as far-fetched as you might think.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Audi bringing plug-in hybrid in 2014

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled in the first batch of pickup trucks to be tested using its latest Five-Star New Car Assessment Program. Three trucks were tested: the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (this truck’s scores were also applied to the nearly identical GMC Sierra 1500), 2011 Ram 1500 and Toyota Tacoma.

Of the trucks tested, the pair from General Motors recorded the best scores, earning a Combined score of four stars. The 2011 Tacoma also managed a Combined score of four stars, but performed significantly worse than the GM trucks in NHTSA’s front crash testing, taking home just two stars for the passenger.

Bringing up the rear in this round of testing is the Ram 1500 (non-Heavy Duty). While Chrysler’s full-size pickup managed a Combined rating of three stars, it floundered in the agency’s tough new pole test with just one star being awarded. Check out PickupTrucks.com for more analysis on the results, and search NHTSA’s full 2011-model-year crash testing database here.

[Source: NHTSA via PickupTrucks.com]

First pickups tested using NHTSA’s new crash testing system