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According to a 2011 census, India has a population of 1,210,193,422 people. That’s 17.47 percent of the world’s population living on just 2.3 percent of the planet. The only place more crowded is a new In-N-Out at lunch time. Health officials in India are looking for novel ways to drum up interest in sterilization clinics, and one in particular has resorted to prize giveaways. The top draw? A new Tata Nano.

According to The Times of India, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is offering a variety of prizes for men who come into their clinic and put the clamps on their own private ball state swim team. Besides the Nano, prizes include motorcycles, TVs and kitchen stand mixers.

Rajasthan, India offering free Tata Nano in exchange for your sterilization

The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off this weekend, and it promises to be a veritable smorgasbord of high-performance machinery. Not the least of them will be the new MP4-12C GT3, which McLaren has been fine-tuning since its debut barely two months ago.

Following extensive ongoing development work, McLaren has given the 12C GT3 a new radiator and gearbox cooler, as well as a retuned aerodynamics package with a new front splitter, rear wing and diffuser, louvered fenders and door blade, all of which promise to help the first GT racer produced by McLaren since the F1 GTR running fast and running long ahead of the pack.

To support the field of 20 cars that will be fielded by privateers starting next season, the Woking-based outfit has also launched the new McLaren GT division in conjunction with the CRS Racing Team.

The updated GT3 will run in its latest form up the hill at the Goodwood estate this weekend, and to mark the occasion, McLaren has released a fresh batch of high-resolution images which we’ve added to the launch photos. Check ‘em out along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading McLaren running revised MP4-12C GT3 up the hill at Goodwood

McLaren running revised MP4-12C GT3 up the hill at Goodwood

It’s a good thing for Google that have all of the money in the world. A federal judge has announced that the Silicon Valley giant can be sued for any damages related to the data grabbed by its Street View cars. As you may recall, earlier this year, it was determined that when the mapping machines passed by areas with unsecured WiFi networks, the hardware mounted on top of the roofs was inadvertently able to snag passwords, emails and a whole host of other information that was unknowingly ripe for the picking.

According to Wired, Google is going on the defensive and claims that unsecured WiFi networks are akin to radio communications. Anyone can grab a radio signal out there, and Google believes grabbing onto an open network is similar. Google has also stated that it was initially unaware of the data being snatched up by its roving fleet.

The implications from this case could prove very interesting for both Google and anyone using an unsecured WiFi network. We’ll bring you updates as the story develops, and we’ll be sure to change the password on the Autoblog router. (ProTip: Don’t go with #12345, even if it matches the combination on your luggage).

Judge says Google can be held liable in Street View wi-fi security debacle

The vehicles are no longer novel, their yellow stickers have faded from years of exposure to the sun and, after six years of enjoying the privilege, it’s now time for California’s hybrid owners to suffer with the rest of us in the state’s traffic-clogged non-High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

Starting today, July 1, some 85,000 yellow stickers issued to owners of certain hybrid vehicles in California expire. Now these hybrids have to fall in line with gas-guzzlers, truckers and the millions of other vehicles that sit at a dead stop in the “regular” lanes of California’s highways and watch in envy as carpoolers whiz by at 55-plus miles per hour in dedicated HOV lanes.

Only three hybrid vehicles – Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid – qualified (rated 45-plus miles per gallon) for the yellow stickers. Now, owners who choose to cruise solo in HOV lanes in those gas-sipping hybrids will face steep fines.

Hybrids rejoin California gridlock as HOV stickers expire today

It’s winter time in the land down under, and General Motors has arrived at the 2011 Melbourne Motor Show with a handful of new Holden models. Australians will soon see the 2012 Holden Colorado, 2012 Barina and 2011 Cruze Hatch arriving on dealer lots.

The Australian Colorado gets buff body lines and stylish LED running lamps in the bumper (at least on premium trims). Holden’s Sonic, known in Oz as the Barina, is powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine we get here, which can be paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the 2011 Holden Cruze Hatch is the five-door we would love to see arrive stateside wearing a Bowtie.

The Holden Cruze Hatch has already hit UK and Korean showrooms in its Chevrolet guise. The diesel-powered Holden Colorado goes on sale next year. Expect the Barina to arrive towards the end of 2011.

Dive into all three Holden vehicles by clicking past the jump for the full press release on each. Also, be sure to look through the galleries below.

Continue reading Holden reveals own versions of Chevy Colorado, Sonic and Cruze hatch

Holden reveals own versions of Chevy Colorado, Sonic and Cruze hatch

The debate over the next Formula One engine specifications pitted the automakers currently participating in the sport against each other, as some (like Renault) were in favor of the proposed turbo four regulations, and others (like Ferrari and Mercedes) were vehemently against it. But if the latest reports hold any water, it may have come down, not to the existing suppliers, but to courting new ones. One new one, as a matter of fact.

According to Red Bull technical chief Adrian Newey, Audi had indicated that it would be ready to join the F1 grid if they switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines as proposed. So in order to entice the German automaker to join, the others agreed to the switch. However, once Audi reportedly pulled an about-face and withdrew its commitment, the plan fell through. And, as a V6 would reportedly be easier to package into an F1 chassis than an inline-four, the remaining manufacturers backed the new format instead. So there you go.

F1 engine switch came after Audi bailed

Did you miss the chance to catch Senna in theaters? Did you also miss it when Netflix accidentally allowed you to watch it via their online service? Stop punching yourself in the face because Senna is heading to theaters around the country for a limited time. This means you have no excuse to miss the flick this time around. Get your butts to a theater in one of the following cities on the following dates:

• August 12th: New York and Los Angeles
• August 19th: Chicago, Philadelphia, Cambridge, San Francisco, Berkley, D.C., Detroit, San Diego, Miami, Nashville, Dallas
• August 26th: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver
• August 29th: Seattle
• September 2nd: Indianapolis, St. Louis

If you’re a Formula One fan who happens to live in NYC, you have another event worth adding to your calendar. City Winery is hosting a live viewing party of the British Grand Prix. During the event, organizers will share an exclusive peek at Senna. If you’re interested, be sure to head to the City Winery web site and make reservations.

SENNA documentary announces dates and cities for limited release

Mini is currently waist-deep in a world tour to show off its new Cooper Coupe. We’ve seen the prototype journey to the top of Mt. Washington, and now a pair of John Cooper Works Coupes have been put to the most grueling of tests in Germany. How so? Mini sent the Coupes into the Green Hell to compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

The Mini JCW Coupes ran strong, and, rather impressively, both crossed the finish line 24 hours after entering the ‘Ring. Click past the jump to watch a highlight reel of the 5,600-kilometer journey.

Continue reading Watch the new Mini Coupe take on the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

Watch the new Mini Coupe take on the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

If you’re one of the tens of people eagerly awaiting the arrival of the BMW X3 M, there may be an alternative that’s ready to go right away. AC Schnitzer has gotten hold of the X3 and applied its custom touches to the compact crossover. A body kit, wheels, rear spoiler and custom exhaust help the up-fitted fat wagon stand out in the crossover sea of similarity. AC Schnitzer’s engine gurus have also bumped power from 184 horsepower up to 218. That’s for the 20d, and an upgrade for the 30d is also in the works.

AC Schnitzer has taken an extra step with this particular X3. Rather than wait for a spoiled teenager to pilot the front end into tree, AC Schnitzer has subjected the car to a series of “crash tests.” Click past the jump to watch a cylindrical projectile repeatedly fired at the nose of this X3, and turn up the speakers to enjoy some How It’s Made-grade background music.

Continue reading AC Schnitzer’s take on 2012 BMW X3 includes amusing ‘crash test’ [w/video]

AC Schnitzer’s take on 2012 BMW X3 includes amusing ‘crash test’ [w/video]

The late Kenneth “Von Dutch” Howard is probably the pinstriper best known to non-hot-rodders – and not because he’s considered the father of the modern pinstripe, but because of the clothing label named after him. Yet the art is still practiced by those who care for genuine article, not its vinyl equivalent.

Josh Clason’s Depth of Speed series takes a look at one such artist, Andy Kawahara, who admits to pinstriping something every single night, whether it be a car or an old piston. The video after the jump tells the story, and does so beautifully.

Continue reading Take a look at the fine art of old school pinstriping

Take a look at the fine art of old school pinstriping

This past weekend, Chip Yates checked off “make an amazing run up Pikes Peak” from his list of things to do to demonstrate the potential of electric-powered transportation. Coming second in the Exhibition Powersport class, his time of 12:50.094 bests the first-ever electric motorcycle effort made last year by over four minutes.

The run would no doubt have been more impressive had it not been for the 2.6-mile stretch of unpaved road. The bike went from hanging with the top ten to dropping just inside the top 100 on the dirt section. Overall, Yates finished in 30th place.

One thing is for sure, the 240-horsepower bike has crazy acceleration when it has clean pavement beneath it, and Chip says he’s gunning for a top 10 or better result when he gives it a go on next year’s completely paved surface. Hit the jump for the full run and enjoy the sound of the UQM motor’s sweet electric music winding out up the mountain.

Continue reading Watch Chip Yates blow away electric motorcycle record at Pikes Peak

Watch Chip Yates blow away electric motorcycle record at Pikes Peak

Formula One racing engines have been dropping cylinders like advanced trigonometry classes over the past couple of decades. The V12s gave way to V10s in the mid 90s. Those were replaced in turn by the current V8s in 2006, and now it’s been confirmed that by 2014 two more cylinders will drop off the block for V6 propulsion.

Confirmation comes from the FIA, whose World Motor Sport Council adopted via fax vote the suggestion put forth by the Formula One Commission after consultation with the teams. The new regulations will take effect in 2014 instead of the four-cylinder formula that was set to take hold in 2013.

Displacement will drop as well from 2.4 liters to 1.6, but don’t expect a big drop in performance, as the lost cylinders will be replaced by a turbocharger. The overall package, then, marks a little bit of history repeating. Until they were dropped in 1989, many of the cars on the grid were powered by 1.5-liter turbocharged V6 engines (like the ‘84-spec Honda unit pictured above), although this time they’ll be coupled to a new Energy Recovery System that will replace the current Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading FIA confirms 1.6-liter turbo V6 F1 engines for 2014

FIA confirms 1.6-liter turbo V6 F1 engines for 2014

No automaker has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans as many times as Porsche. Not Audi, with its ten wins to Porsche’s sixteen, or Ferrari’s nine. But those were all a long time ago. In fact, Porsche’s most recent was with the 911 GT1 back in 1998.

Since then, Porsche has been pussyfooting around at the iconic round-the-clock race. The successor to the GT1 was aborted and turned into the Carrera GT road car. Sure, the RS Spyder (pictured above) has performed admirably in the LMP2 class, and 911s fielded by privateers have dominated the GT classes for years. But it’s been over a decade since Porsche has competed for an overall win.

That’s about to change, however, as Porsche has announced, through the video and press release after the jump, its intent to return to Le Mans to challenge for the win in 2014. To get there, Porsche plans a new LMP1 car, although it has released little in the way of details on what form that car will take.

If you’re wondering where this leaves Audi, which falls under the same corporate umbrella as Porsche, the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s team posted on Facebook that the decision was made independently by its Stuttgart-based sister company and that it looks forward to the competition. So we won’t expect Audi to be dropping out any time soon for lack of anything to prove, even after ten victories out of twelve years, nor supporting the Porsche entry like it did with Bentley’s in 2003.

Watching Porsche take on the likes of Audi, Peugeot, Aston Martin and the other automakers anticipated to be joining the field in the coming years ought to produce some nail-biting race action. But in the meantime, you can scope out the video and press release after the jump and the gallery of high-resolution images showcasing Porsche’s rich Le Mans heritage.

Continue reading Porsche gearing up for 2014 return to Le Mans [w/video]

Porsche gearing up for 2014 return to Le Mans [w/video]

While Victor Muller is on a money hunt, the rest of Saab is hoping to produce and sell cars. The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is one of those cars, and we’ve been itching to learn more about what version of the handsome wagon we’re going to get (provided the company is still around to produce them). Consider that itch scratched. A pre-launch brochure for the North American 9-5 SportCombi has found its way to the Internet, and it’s loaded with information.

According to the document, the 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi will utilize the 220-horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and Saab’s Cross-Wheel Drive system (XWD).

Saab has decided to fill the inside of this new 9-5 SportCombi with upscale standard equipment, so it’s likely to be on the pricier side. The standard equipment list includes a panoramic moonroof, heated seats, keyless start, a cooled glove box and a navigation unit that’s controlled via eight-inch touchscreen. Bundled option groups include the Technology Package (lane-departure warning, park assist, bi-Xenon cornering lights, and head-up display) and Rear Passenger Package (rear seat audio, dual eight-inch screens with DVD player and wireless headphones and tri-zone HVAC).

No word yet on pricing, so stay tuned, but in the meantime, you can check out the brochure in its entirety by checking out the gallery below.

Saab 9-5 SportCombi specs revealed for U.S.

Most available choices at your local car rental agency are tame appliances built to shuttle you from Meeting A to Hotel B. Back in the day, however, things were a bit different thanks to Shelby and Hertz. In 1966, the rental car company and Carroll Shelby partnered up to offer a custom Ford Mustang. Shelby built 1,000 units, Hertz rented them out and a horde of happy customers used them to rip up their local dragstrips and main streets. In 2007, the duo joined again joined forces to supply some muscle into the rental fleet. Now comes word that Shelby is looking to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an all-new rent-a-racer.

According to Automotive News, Shelby plans to team up with Hertz to bring a new generation of the Mustang GT-H into the world. Starting with a 412-horsepower Ford Mustang GT, Shelby will reportedly take the two-door and juice it up a notch before applying gold stripes to either a black car or a white one. The details of the mooted 2012 Shelby GT-H program have yet to finalized, but keep an eye out for distinctive Mustangs sitting at Hertz lots in the not-to-distant future.

Shelby to bring back rent-a-racer program?

A car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé isn’t about raw power and performance. It’s not about the latest technologies. It’s not even about bragging rights. More than anything else, it’s about making the owner feel special. But this particular DHC is more special than most.

Created specially for the Masterpiece London 2011 luxury goods show, this one-off packs a suede Asprey jewelry case in the glove box with intricate rings, cufflinks and earrings and a trunk full of matching leather fitted luggage. The one-off is also the first come painted in Mazarine Blue, the latest of 44,000 colors available to Rolls-Royce buyers, and features Santos Pallissander wood veneers (whatever that means) inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé for Masterpiece London is especially special

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé for Masterpiece London is especially special

Bentley and Bugatti may be under common ownership these days, but back in the day, they were bitter rivals. That rivalry lead one Ettore Bugatti to deride his English competition as “the world’s fastest lorries” (the British term for commercial trucks). He was speaking figuratively, because while the notion of a Bentley sport-ute has been rumored every now and then, the company doesn’t actually make trucks. This, then, stands as an exception.

This classic started life in 1956 as a Bentley S1, purchased by the owner of a large retail chain before changing hands to the Earl of Stradbroke who had it converted to a pickup. The work was carried out in New South Wales, Australia, where they’ve always been bonkers for utes. They painted it yellow and gave it a woody-style pickup bed.

The car was donated by Stradbroke to the Trinity Grammar School, which is now auctioning the vehicle through insurance broker Shannons to raise funds to build a new library. The vehicle will hit the auction block during the Australian Motor Show on July 10, where it’s expected to fetch between $22,000 and $32,000 in Australian funds, or about $23,600-$34,400 in equivalent American greenbacks.

Custom 1956 Bentley S1 ute up for charity auction in Australia

“If you buy this truck, I’ll come deliver it,” Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally told his friend Rob Johnston. Proving that his pledge was more than just an empty sales tactic, Mulally stayed true to his word and dropped in at Satcher Ford in Aiken, South Carolina to personally hand over the keys to Johnston’s 2011 Ford F-150. Johnston’s likely still marveling at the luck that comes from having friends in high places, chuckling that “the CEO of Ford brought my little truck down to me” while taking delivery last Friday.

Maybe it’s a new type of sales perk Ford could offer. Who wouldn’t want, say, a Boss 302 dropped off by Parnelli Jones? There’s a rich tapestry of Ford drivers in NASCAR available for Ford Fusion buyers, too. It could even be a line-item on the order form. Pay a little more for personal celebrity delivery, and the public figure of your choosing gets a vacation in an unlikely spot, like the overnight Mr. Mulally spent at Aiken’s Willcox Hotel. If anything, it’s a way for Mr. Mulally to spend time outside of Dearborn and speak with the public that buys his company’s products.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally personally delivers F-150

Take three wheels, add one 115-horsepower V-twin engine, a five-speed manual gearbox and barely enough metal bits and pieces to hold it all together. Blend and half-bake. What do you get? The Morgan Threewheeler. We’re in lust.

If we were to strap ourselves into one of these crazy contraptions, we can think of only one accessory needed to truly do the machine justice, and you can see exactly what we mean in the video after the break. An old-timey Morgan deserves an old-timey set of goggles, no?

If you happened to find yourself sitting behind the three-spoke steering wheel of a Morgan Threewheeler, what would you do? How about a bunch of donuts followed by a one-wheel burnout in the middle of an empty parking lot? Yep, sounds about right.

Live vicariously through the man with the goggles in the video after the break.

Continue reading Morgan Threewheeler drifts back into history

Morgan Threewheeler drifts back into history

We’re suckers for well-shot automotive videos, and our friends at Autoblog Canada (eh?) came across a good one. Filmmaker Stephen Brooks spent time at New Jersey’s Wall Speedway to take in a Formula Drift event, and left with plenty of good stuff. His lens work is sharp, his footage is entertaining and his interviews provide a touch of insight into the minds of the folks in this industry.

If you’re a drifting fan, a few familiar faces step in front of Brooks’ camera to talk about their favorite sideways motorsport. Click past the jump to check out Drifting the Gauntlet, and see if you can spot where Brooks was influenced by the film Days of Thunder.

Continue reading Drifting the Gauntlet takes a look at life turned sideways

Drifting the Gauntlet takes a look at life turned sideways