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The star car at this year’s Fairfield Concours d’Elegance will wear the Spirit of Ecstasy on her hood and no less ecstatic a design all along her body. The 1939/47 Rolls-Royce Phantom III “Vutotal” Cabriolet by Labourdette, now in the John Rich Museum collection, started off as a standard Phantom III designed by Henry Royce. It was re-envisioned by coachbuilder Hooper and Co. in 1938 with a Sedanca de Ville body style, then showed off in Europe before being tweaked for the U.S. market.

When the very same show car ended up in the Parisian studio of Henri Labourdette in the Forties, he threw out everything but the running gear and rebodied the car in gold-plated-and-brass-adorned aerodynamic bodywork that swooped back into a boattail. He also got rid of anything that identified it as a Rolls, save for its mascot and a couple of interior trim pieces. The final detail: the Vutotal windscreen, a thick slice of glass that appears to support itself. The conversion cost $44,000 at a time when the average price of a home was about $4,000.

Elsewhere on the Concours docket, featured judging classes will include Porsche, Bugatti, Period Hot Rods and Custom Cars from 1948 – 1964, there will be regional vintage club gatherings, an auction conducted by RM Auctions, and photographer Jesse Alexander will be the featured artist. The Barn Find category is a new one this year and is still accepting submissions to go with dusty, rusted hulks that will include a 1949 Willys Panel Wagon and 1961 AC Greyhound.

The seventh annual Fairfield Concours opens its lawn on Saturday, September 11, 2010.

Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance star car is the 1939/47 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Vutotal Cabriolet

After reviewing this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the previous episode of the Corvette Racing video series, the latest installment looks at the off-track activities that preceded the race. Once the cars and drivers have established their place on the starting grid, they’re able to take a short break from competition to interact with the fans – especially the rabid Danish crowd that showed up to cheer on Jan Magnussen. Judging from the narration, you’d think that eight overall victories at the Circuit de la Sarthe aren’t enough for Tom Kristensen to gain any attention from his countrymen. (If you’ve seen Truth in 24, however, you know full well that the Danes treat TK like a rock star, too.)

Apparently the narrator missed the memo from the marketing department about referring to Chevrolet as Chevy. Rather than vuvuzelas, Le Mans fans prefer to express their enthusiasm using air horns, so the Corvette crew brought a very special one of their own this year. Wanna see? Then check out video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Corvette Racing Episode 7 – Le Mans pre-race activities

Video: Corvette Racing Episode 7 – Le Mans pre-race activities

After a decade at the top of the U.S. luxury vehicle sales charts, Lexus may soon be unseated by the previous leader, Mercedes-Benz, as well as BMW. While Lexus sales have been recovering this year from the dismal first half of 2009, Mercedes-Benz has been climbing even faster.

One possible reason for this disparity is the string of recalls Lexus has been hit with this year, including accelerator pedals, floor mats, leaking gas tanks and defective valve-springs. Another reason is the sales strength of Mercedes’ updated bread-and-butter vehicles, including the new E-Class.

In June, Lexus sales were up just 2.7 percent compared to 25 percent and 15 percent for Mercedes and BMW respectively. Unless Lexus cleans up its act quickly and manages to convince customers that its quality problems are behind it, Toyota’s premium brand could fall behind both German brands.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: Mercedes to overtake battered Lexus as U.S. luxury leader?

We revel in watching someone get their wits scared out of them in the passenger seat of a car. It’s why we take the time to watch Subaru’s slew of new ads for the 2011 WRX STI sedan any time we’re feeling down. It would appear that we’re in good company. During filming of a somewhat recent episode of the UK’s Fifth Gear, Tiff Needell was charged with scooting the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet around the show’s test course with Jason Plato in the passenger seat. Based on the outtakes, it looks as if it took a few tries to get Plato around the course without a profusion of expletives.

It’s no secret that Needell is one of the hottest shoes around when it comes to coaxing big speed from a vehicle. With a racing resume packed with references to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula One, the guy could run the wheels off a shopping cart. Hit the jump to see Tiff make Plato hold on for dear life. Thanks for the tip, Brad!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear Follies – Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

Video: Fifth Gear Follies – Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

While fire-breathing performance cars and hot rods are car-show fixtures, there aren’t many environmentally-friendly car shows out there, so Prince Charles is having one in his front yard. The Prince of Wales will open his gardens at Clarence House to the public from September 8-19 (neighboring gardens at Lancaster House and Marlborough House will also open their respective gardens) for what’s being dubbed “The Garden Party to Make a Difference.” Proceeds from the event will support the Prince’s Charities Foundation, whose aim is to help people “lead more sustainable lives and to show what a more energy efficient, cleaner and healthier future could look like.”

The garden party will feature a number of eco-friendly vehicles, music, comedy acts and a race from Glasgow to London pitting the sustainable stallions against the Prince’s royal train, which runs on waste vegetable oil. Entry to the gardens costs £15 (about $23 USD), but the display of green cars is free. Is a green car show worth a trip across The Pond? We’re thinking no – unless of course we can burn some rubber racing Charles’ choo-choo – all in the name of environmental responsibility.

[Source: Auto Express Image: Saab]

Prince Charles planning eco-friendly motor show in London?

While fire-breathing performance cars and hot rods are car-show fixtures, there aren’t many environmentally-friendly car shows out there, so Prince Charles is having one in his front yard. The Prince of Wales will open his gardens at Clarence House to the public from September 8 to the 19th (neighboring gardens at Lancaster House and Marlborough House will also open their respective gardens) for what’s being dubbed “The Garden Party to Make a Difference.” Proceeds from the event will support the Prince’s Charities Foundation, whose aim is to help people “lead more sustainable lives and to show what a more energy efficient, cleaner and healthier future could look like.”

The garden party will feature a number of eco-friendly vehicles, music, comedy acts and a race from Glasgow to London pitting the sustainable stallions against the Prince’s royal train, which runs on waste vegetable oil. Entry to the gardens costs £15, but the display of green cars is free. Is a green car show worth a trip across the pond? We’re thinking no, unless of course we can burn some rubber racing Charles’ choo-choo – all in the name of environmental responsibility.

[Source: Auto Express]

Prince Charles plans eco-friendly motor show in London

General Motors may be in the process of acquiring AmeriCredit as a step toward securing a captive in-house financing operation, but the company says it will continue to nurture its relationship with Ally. As you may recall, Ally (formerly GMAC) has financed dealer floor plans for years, and GM says that it will continue to rely on its former financing arm for that very reason. While AmeriCredit has been able to weather the rise and fall of consumer confidence with nary a scratch, the company doesn’t boast same level of assets as other lenders. Note also that AmeriCredit has next to no experience financing dealer floor plans, and it’s easy to see the holes in GM’s financing strategy.

Ally seems happy to fill in those bald spots. According to Automotive News, the company provided financing for around a third of all GM vehicles sold at retail during in the first quarter of 2010 and 90 percent of The General’s vehicles in inventory. That leaves AmeriCredit to take care of subprime borrowers and leasing duties. Consider the two the dynamic duo of GM financing.

[Source: Automotive News]

Despite agreement with AmeriCredit, GM said to keep deal with Ally

An increasing portion of BMW’s revenue in recent years has come from dealing in older cars. The Munich brand’s certified pre-owned program that reconditions and sells warranted used cars has reportedly been very profitable. Now BMW is taking that idea to a whole new level by opening the Classic Center workshop. The Classic Center offers a variety of services from parts re-manufacturing to full vehicle restorations.

The facility recently finished its first complete restoration of a 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi coupe. In addition to bringing the CSi back to pristine condition, the owner had BMW convert the coupe’s transmission, originally a manual, to an automatic. The owner took possession of his restored beauty at the BMW Welt in Munich, which until now has only been used for new car deliveries.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Classic Center completes ‘72 3.0 CSi restoration for lucky owner

BMW Classic Center completes ‘72 3.0 CSi restoration for lucky owner

We’re live from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix this weekend, and we’ve just finished unloading our memory cards after MotoGP qualifying. Let’s just say that the race is even more awe-inspiring in person than it is on television. The sights, the sounds and the smells truly are amazing. We can only hope that our high-res image gallery below can offer at least a bit of the excitement that we feel after witnessing the amazing athleticism required to handle the famous Corkscrew.

We also found a way to sneak away a few of Jorge Lorenzo’s rather valuable time, and we asked a couple of questions that we know are on the minds of MotoGP fans the world over. First up, Lorenzo tells us that Ben Spies is very likely to be his teammate on Yamaha’s Factory Team in 2011. Where will Valentino Rossi be? Lorenzo’s not going to speculate, naturally… but draw your own conclusions on that one.

Further, Lorenzo – who is on pole for tomorrow’s race – indicates that relations between he and Rossi are “not good.” Again, not exactly earth shattering news to anyone paying attention, but we still thought it was interesting that Lorenzo chose those words in our interview. And finally, for those who may be interested, Lorenzo’s last name is indeed pronounced “Lorentho,” as you hear on American television every MotoGP weekend. So there you go.

Stay tuned for actual racing results tomorrow, and be sure to check past the break for the official qualifying results.

Continue reading MotoGP 2010: Qualifying in pictures, Lorenzo on the State of Yamaha

MotoGP 2010: Qualifying in pictures, Lorenzo on the State of Yamaha

We’re all pretty excited about the launch of the 2011 Volvo S60 – the sedan that could make or break Volvo’s worldwide appeal. We haven’t driven it yet, but the shapely new S60 certainly looks like it means business. We hope that it retains that solid “Volvo-ness” that we’ve come to love, while adding a welcome dose of driver involvement.

Even though the S60 hasn’t quite hit the road yet, Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv already has plans for its first modified version of the new sedan. These renderings show an S60 with sharper, more aggressive design elements, including hot new wheels, a revised front fascia, and a rear diffuser that encompasses quad tailpipes. Mechanically, Heico plans to rework the suspension and exhaust, as well as boosting output to around 330 horsepower – 30 more ponies than the standard S60 T6. We’ll take one in matte black, please.

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Sportiv previews 330-hp tuned 2011 Volvo S60

The first production examples of the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe are hitting dealer showrooms as you read this, and whether you’re seriously considering buying your own 556-horsepower coupe or just feel like killing a little time dreaming, Cadillac now has a fully-functional configurator online.

It takes at least $63,465 (plus another $825 for destination) to get your own super-Caddy, which comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, navigation and premium sound system. Another $3,400 nets you a set of race-ready Recaro performance seats, and if you opt for the up-level thrones, a suede-rimmed steering wheel and shift knob combo is available for another $300. If rowing your own gear isn’t appealing, you ought to be ashamed of yourself the six-speed automatic is a $1,300 option. Check every conceivable box, including an up-level paint job and you’re looking at a $72,560 sticker. That’s a lot of cheddar no matter how you slice it, but a quick comparison against the other mega-performance coupes on the market shows that this Caddy is a relative bargain. Have fun configuring your own blown two-door Caddy. Thanks for the tip, Khalid!

[Source: Cadillac]

Weekend time-waster: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe configurator

Tata Motors chief executive Carl-Peter Forster has acknowledged that Jaguar needs a smaller, higher-volume vehicle and it appears that just such a car is already under development. Unlike the less-than-stellar X-Type which was based on the second-generation Ford Mondeo, the new car should actually be a real Jaguar.

Jaguar is reportedly working on a new modular aluminum platform that would be shared between the new smaller car, the mid-sized XF and the next-generation XK. In renderings posted by AutoExpress at least, the baby Jag bears a strong resemblance to the XF but with curvier rear haunches and XJ-style taillamps. Of course, what the real thing will ultimately look like is anyone’s guess.

Power will likely come from downsized and boosted four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, with the current 3.0-liter diesel V6 as a range-topper. Also look for a hybrid to enter the mix. All of this will help Jaguar meet the new EU CO2 emissions limits once the new smaller Jaguar debuts, which could happen as soon as soon as 2012.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Rumormill: Jaguar working on aluminum X-Type successor

How does one make the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class more exclusive than it already is? If you’re Mercedes, you unveil the gonzo AMG variants. Appearance-wise, changes are minimal for the 2011 CL63 and CL65 AMG, save for the addition of Mercedes’ new corporate face, which includes the standard LED running-light strip and some small tweaks to the rear fascia. The big news, however, centers on the changes underhood.

Gone is the naturally aspirated 6.3 6.2-liter AMG V8 in favor of a smaller and more powerful 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged mill. In base form, this V8 cranks out 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque (increases of 18 and 125, respectively), and with the optional AMG Performance Package, these numbers increase to an even more robust 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. Sweet stuff, and when matched with Mercedes’ AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic, 0-60 runs will take just 4.4 seconds (4.3 if you opt for the more powerful setup). What’s most impressive, though, is that even with this added power boost, fuel consumption has been reduced by 27 percent. The range-topping CL65 AMG will carry over its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, though Mercedes has managed to coax an additional 17 horsepower from it for 2011. Output for the CL65 is now rated at 621 horses and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Both AMG CLs get a host new standard equipment as well. Mercedes-Benz’s Direct-Steer system is on hand, as is a new crosswind stabilization feature that alters wheel-load distribution to keep things in line during heavy breezes. From there, a new torque-vectoring brake system applies one-sided braking during instances of understeer. The full suite of Mercedes-Benz driver aids is thrown in as well, including drowsiness detection, night-view assist, active lane-keeping assist and blind-spot assist. After all, with so much power on tap, you’ll need a nanny (or several) to help keep things in line. Interior upgrades are similar to what we’ve already seen in the 2010 S-Class.

Official pricing hasn’t been released yet, but expect MSRPs to increase slightly over the 2010 models ($145,200 for the CL63 and $207,170 for the CL65). Shoppers in that tax bracket shouldn’t have any trouble shelling out a few grand extra for the latest in CL-Class exclusivity.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

In life, Mercury was an under-funded brand mainly composed of waterfall grilles stapled to bone-stock Ford models. In death, however, Mercury apparently gets to see some of the money it always dreamed of having when it was alive. According to Automotive News, Ford CFO Lewis Booth claims that shutting down Mercury before the end of this year will cost the Oval roughly $500 million overall. Booth says Ford already took a $247 million charge in the first half of 2010 to cover the neglected marque’s mercy killing.

The lion’s share of the money being spent will go toward buying out 700 of the 1,700 Mercury dealers across the United States. Back in June, we told you about a package that Ford was presenting to dealers who sign a termination agreement. The reported buyout totaled as much as $200,000 per dealership. (Actual dollar amounts for individual dealers were based on the number of vehicles they sold over a three-year period; more cars moved meant more FoMoCo cash received.)

Would a half-billion invested in updated Mercury product instead of a cash-lined casket have made a difference? Mercury’s sales numbers (or lack thereof) suggest that few car shoppers would have even noticed. Ditching Mercury to concentrate on bread-and-butter Ford has seemed like a no-brainer for years. More importantly, Lincoln, which hasn’t exactly lit up the monthly By the Numbers reports of late, should only benefit from the much-needed infusion of resources that were previously being wasted keeping Mercury afloat.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Ouch! Killing Mercury said to cost Ford $500 million

A year ago, General Motors needed a $50 billion U.S. government bailout to stave off liquidation. One year later, the Detroit-based automaker is on the precipice of filing for one of the largest initial public offerings in American history. Automotive News quotes unnamed sources who claim GM will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission by August 16. These anonymous sources reportedly added that the goal is to complete the company’s IPO before the November elections – unsurprising when you consider the highly-political nature of The General’s current status (the federal government holds a 60.8% stake in the automaker).

Assuming GM files by August 16 as AN’s sources allege, the move would come just days after the company’s second-quarter earnings announcement. If that’s indeed the case, we think GM plans to announce a sizable profit for the quarter that ended on June 30. After all, there’s nothing more unattractive to investors than a fresh batch of red ink on the ledger.

[Source: Automotive News sub. req.]

GM shooting for mid-August IPO filing?

Once again, Subaru’s mainstay models, the Outback and Legacy, appear to be girding for a recall. Both models have already faced callbacks for leaky CVT hoses and wiring issues, but according to Inside Line, a new issue with manual transmission-equipped 2010 and 2011 models will not only precipitate another recall, but also a stop-sale on all potentially affected vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the oil lubrication hole in the six-speed manual transmission has not been drilled, which can cause gears to break. NHTSA issued a statement, saying:

“If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop, alerting the driver to a problem. If this sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.”

Vehicles will be repaired, free of charge, at any Subaru dealer in America. Most vehicles will simply have an oil lubrication hole drilled, though the automaker has informed its dealer network that vehicles with 6,250 miles or more will require the replacement of the third through sixth gearset, as well as the main shaft.

A total of 809 Outback and Legacy models are effected by this recall, which is expected to officially go into effect on August 6. In the meantime, owners are urged to contact their local dealers as soon as possible to have this problem corrected.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Recall, stop-sale issued on 2010-11 Subaru Outback and Legacy models over gearbox flaw

Word has it that Toyota is looking to put its new reputation for shaky quality and safety behind it by moving to a new corporate face. Evidently, head honcho Akio Toyoda has called for his company’s products to have a more emotional appeal as part of a new global product philosophy, and as such, we can expect all of the automaker’s models to wear a similar look across the board. According to Inside Line, the new language will be aimed squarely at making the company’s smaller offerings appear larger. So far, there’s no word as to whether or not this plan will spread to Lexus.

Evidently, Toyota is going to be spending the biggest hunk redesign efforts on tailoring both its vehicles exteriors and interiors to European tastes. The logic being that what flies in the old country will perform similarly well elsewhere around the globe. If that means the company is going to step up its materials game, we’re all for it. In the mean time, we’ll brace ourselves for an onslaught of carbon-copy models. You gotta love progress.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Toyota getting a unified look

Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX – Driving the world’s cheapest car

What’s it like to drive the world’s cheapest car? We headed to Germany to try out Tata’s $2,500 Nano.

Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan?

It could be the Aveo sedan or it could be some other small offering from General Motors. Check out our spy shots and weigh in yourself.

Dodge releases 2010 Mopar Challenger pics

Enough with the renderings. We’ve got shots of the Mopar Challenger looking hot for 2010.

Also of interest:

• Ford to report $2.6B second-quarter profit
• 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen won’t be based on new Jetta
• Buick to expand line with coupe, convertible and wagon?
• VW shows off hotted-up 2011 Jetta at Waterfest
• Rumormill: Next Focus RS to get all-wheel drive with electric motors

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The internets are abuzz with word that the recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Renault may allow the the long dead Smart Roadster to be revived. The folks at Autocar report that a source within Smart says the company has had its eyes on bringing the roadster back to market for awhile now. Evidently, the purveyor of pint-sized transportation is interested in branching out from its city car roots – something that the recent partnership with Renault just might facilitate. Renault has a host of experience producing inexpensive small cars that Smart just might be able to capitalize on.

Autocar doesn’t say exactly which Renault model Smart would use as the basis for the reborn Roadster, but there is some indication that other products may be part of the company’s plans as well. The article even made mention of a potential Mini Countryman competitor, meaning that Smart is eying jumping into the CUV fray. Either way, any new blood in the Smart portfolio is bound to help. With fuel prices down, American buyers aren’t interested in making the kind of sacrifices that the ForTwo requires, but an ultra-compact convertible? That has some potential.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback

Buick conducted another in its series of webchats and this time product marketing director Roger McCormack attended the party. One of the first real signs of the brand’s rebirth came three years ago with the debut of the Riviera concept. Since then, Buick has focused on launching its mainstream, higher volume products like the LaCrosse and Regal, and the Riviera coupe has languished on the sidelines.

However, McCormack says the coupe concept could live on as a production model. He acknowledged that a coupe is receiving “very strong consideration” and admitted that a convertible would help excite customers, but wasn’t prepared to make any announcements. Even a wagon was not ruled out and could be among the first to join the lineup. A be-hatched version of the Insignia already exists in Europe and a prototype with Regal badges has been spotted in Michigan in the past. No doubt Buick will be watching the sales of the Acura TSX Sportswagon when it arrives this fall in deciding what to do with the Regal. The full transcript of the chat is available here.

[Source: Buick]

Buick to expand line with coupe, convertible and wagon?