Saker’s latest supercar has been caught testing and by the looks of things, the New Zealand-based sports car company has a new contender on its hands.
For the uninitiated, Sakar was founded in 1992 by engineer Bruce Turnbull and named for the Saker Falcon. In the intervening years, Sakar has been producing track-ready racecars, and in 2009 it began producing the Saker GT – its first street-legal offering. The lightweight, mid-engine sports car was available in three variations – the Saker GT220, Saker GT500 and the Saker GT Clubsport – but that was then. This is now.
The updated Saker GT appears to bring the styling into the modern era. Although it’s wearing the trendy black and white “camo” paint job, the large fenders and aggressive lines are hard to obscure.
At the moment, powerplants, chassis and suspension information is scarce, but the Dutch site has more shots of the Saker GT being put through the paces, and judging by its current form, we should know more about the Kiwi’s latest entrant into the sports car world soon. Thanks for the tip, Luuk!
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
When conceived the electric powertrain for the , the 40-mile electric driving range was specified so that most drivers would rarely, if ever, have to use any liquid fuel. Components like the battery were then sized to match the performance and range specifications. However, the whole point of incorporating the range extending engine was so the Volt could keep going without the driver having to continuously monitor the battery level, even though GM once told us that the Volt .
Regardless, leaving the same gasoline in a tank for months or even years creates a new set of problems. One reason is there’s no such thing as pure gasoline. What’s sold at the pump is a blend of numerous hydrocarbon compounds like octane, heptane and other additives that lubricate valves and fuel injectors, along with a range of assorted chemicals. Many of these compounds will eventually evaporate, reducing the performance of the fuel and could possibly lead to engine damage.
To address this, the Volt has a completely sealed and pressurized fuel tank. Pressurizing the tank helps minimize evaporation from the liquid fuel, forcing it to stay in liquid form. Before the fuel filler can be opened to gas up the Volt, the tank has to be depressurized, which takes a few seconds after pressing the release button. The engine management system also monitors the time between when the engine runs and will periodically prompt the driver to run past the 40-mile electric range before recharging. If the driver doesn’t force the Volt to run on gas, the system will eventually start the engine to consume some of the aging fuel and circulate the fluids within the engine. Once this maintenance mode is complete, the engine shuts down until it’s needed again or enough time has passed. GM hasn’t revealed what the time intervals are, but with right around the corner, we’ll find out soon enough.
Abarth 500C and Punto Evo EsseEsse – Click above for high-res image gallery
Following the introduction of Abarth-tuned versions of both the at the Geneva Motor Show, the Scorpion brand is preparing to roll into Paris with even .
Carrying the EsseEsse moniker, both models get a substantial boost in output and a variety of upgrades to match. In the case of the 500C – the semi-convertible version of the popular retro hatch – we’re looking at 160 horsepower (up from 138 in the “base” Abarth 500C) for a 7.6-second sprint to 62 mph. The Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse, by comparison, is tuned to 180 horsepower, resulting in a run of 7.5 seconds.
Both feature an array of upgrades to the suspension, brakes, rolling stock and more, plus Blue&Me connectivity and Record Monza exhaust (for the 500C) and (for the Punto). Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, but we’ll have more for you from Versailles at the end of the month.
Gallery:
[Source: Abarth]
: Abarth launches EsseEsse versions of 500C and Punto Evo
It’s no secret that today’s crop of full-size heavy duty pickup trucks cost a pretty penny to purchase and operate. To wit, the that carried a sticker price of over $56,000. A large chunk of that asking price can be accounted for by the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine – largely responsible for the truck’s massively impressive capabilities.
Of course, it’s also going to cost quite a few Benjamins to keep that truck running on a steady diet of low-sulfur diesel fuel, and the Feds are considering some legislation that could potentially have a massive impact on both fuel consumption and the aforementioned bottom line… both positively and negatively, depending on your point of view. While we all want better fuel efficiency, we doubt many would be willing to front a staggering $15,000 surcharge on top of their already pricey work truck for the mileage benefits.
According to a new study by , there are lots of ways to increase the fuel economy of a full-size HD pickup, some of which cost just a few hundred dollars. Others, such as adding a hybrid powertrain or switching from a gasoline-fed engine to a diesel, cost several thousand dollars each.
At present, truck manufacturers aren’t required to meet any specific fuel mileage requirements. But that’s soon to change, as the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation are drafting up a series of regulations for these types of trucks. Exactly what those regulations will entail – and, of course, how much added price they will require to meet – isn’t yet known. Stay tuned, and for more data from the study.
is recalling a number of models due to overheating Garminnavigation units. Cars, trucks and SUVs equipped with Nuvi 750, 760 and 765 GPS devices are at risk for a vehicle fire due to overheating batteries in the devices. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects Nissan’s , , , , , and models sold with the Garmin devices between 2008 and 2010. NHTSA does not say exactly how many vehicles will be effected by the defective batteries.
Garmin technicians will make the necessary repairs to the GPS units by replacing the battery with a new, less-toasty unit and adding an additional spacer between the battery and the rest of the device. The repair won’t cost owners anything other than a little time and a trip to the local dealership. Nissan will notify owners directly about the recall, which is scheduled to begin sometime during this month. Suzuki is facing a , as well – these Garmin navigation units are fitted in the , and .
You want proof of how important the is to the company? Look no further than the eight press releases totaling 11,987 words that you’ll find after the jump. not long ago in Europe, before they’d even take the tape off the logos, and found it full of promise. Lexus is determined to let you know it will keep that promise and pledges even more.
Total output has been pegged at 134 horsepower, with 98 hp coming from the 1.8-liter VVT-i four-cylinder gas engine and 80 hp provided by the electric motor. From a standstill, it will take 9.8 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Ease up on the gas a bit and the estimated EPA rating is 42 miles per gallon. A new suspension with aluminum gubbins and low-friction goodies designed specifically for this car features MacPherson struts up front with double wishbones in back, tuned for “spirited” handling. An aluminum hood and tailgate help lower the center of gravity and the curb weight.
Inside, the cockpit has been built around the driver, and the eco-goodness goes beyond the Lexus Hybrid Drive: the audio system is energy efficient and boasts bamboo charcoal speakers. The pilot can choose his particular driving mood, Dynamic or Relaxing, and one of four driving modes: EV, ECO, Normal or Sport.
There’s oh so much more, which you’ll find after the jump. And if there it yet more to learn, we’ll discover it at the Paris Motor Show. Your primer is in the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos below.
Mysterious Audi coupe – Click above to watch video
Here’s what we know: Audi was doing something with a disguised and coupe (or cabrio) somewhere in Tyrolean Alps. Here’s what we don’t know: the precise nature of Audi’s activities nor the precise identity of the coupe. It has been surmised that it could be a more production-ready evolution of the Audi e-TronConcept/R4 shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but a better guess might be a convertible version of the same concept.
Going through the five clips taken by an unknown and rather unsteady videocamera holder, that guess appears plausible. The lines look about the same, and an was rendered as long as 18 months ago, and the in 2013 to fill shoes below the TT. Or, knowing Audi, it could be any number of brand new things. We just hope it comes to the Paris Motor Show next month. So don your Zaruder-film glasses, have a look at the videos and tell us what you spy with your little eyes.
Pagani Zonda Frecce Tricolore – Click above to watch video
Italy’s equivalent of America’s Blue Angels is called the Frecce Tricolori, or Tricolor Arrows. Otherwise known by its official name, the 313th Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, the aerobatic team celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The squad recently brought the smoke and cartwheels with its fleet of Aeromacchi MB-339 jets, while Pagani added a little extra razzle-dazzle by taking its special edition to the Rivolti Air Force base for some fun-and-gun. As usual, there’s beauty everywhere. for the vid.
Aston Martin’s 2011 LMP1 challenger for the 24 Hours of Le Mans – Click above to enlarge image
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which oversees various Le Mans series in Europe and elsewhere, to the 2011 LMP1-class cars, aiming to equalize performance between diesel- and gasoline-engined cars. Sniffing a chance to not only steal some thunder, but perhaps beat and Peugeot over the head with it, plans a brand-new LMP1 entrant for 2011 to go for overall Le Mans victory.
An open cockpit, monococque single-seater with a new engine, it would be the first racing Aston developed entirely in-house in fifty years. The biggest X factor is whether, and how much, the regulations will actually work to close the diesel/gas disparity. If it’s close, Aston Martin Chairman Dave Richards believes his company is in with a shout. Follow the jump for the press release.
Shin Kinoshita doing what he does best – Click above to watch video
Whether it’s wrestling a 3,000 lb NASCAR bruiser around a tri-oval for hours on end, sliding a rear-wheel drive or coaxing a GT350 around Laguna Seca with a flock of similarly vintage iron, knowing the limits of a vehicle better than anyone else on the track will earn our deference in a hurry.
It’s in that spirit that we bow down before Shin Kinoshita.
As one of the stunt riders with the Icon-sponsored Empire team, Kinoshita’s several notches above the rest of his crew in terms of the blatant insanity required to bend a motorcycle to one’s will. While each of his individual stunts are supremely impressive, it’s the transitions between them that will send your jaw skittering off your desk. Lest you think we exaggerate, please and check out the promo video. Your concept of physics may never be the same. Thanks for the tip, Matt!
The Lancia Stratos performs a workout – Click above to watch video
Like The Six Million Dollar Man going through his paces for Dr. Wells, the Lancia Stratos was recently thrown around the track for its patron, Michael Stoschek and his son Maximilian. The commentary and interviews are in German, but that’s beside the point; the language spoken by the Stratos is 483-horsepower mid-engined Ferrari – a dialect anyone with a pulse can understand.
Follow the jump for the vid. (Warning: if you click the link to Autojunk, the video autoplays.)
Ferrari Virtual Racing Academy – Click above for high-res image gallery
Earlier this month, we mentioned that . It’s time for Scuderia fans to brush up on their virtual F1 skills, because the Ferrari Virtual Academy is now available for download. The racing sim took 12,000 hours to develop and utilized the input of Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella.
The first course available for purchase is the Fiorano circuit. It costs €14.90 (about $18.97 USD) and allows players from around the globe to compete against each other in Ferrari F10 Formula One race cars. Lap times are already up on the and the competition will continue to heat up as more tracks are released. Next up is Mugello, and then players will get their shot at taming the Nürburgring. The two extra tracks will run €9.90 (about $12.60 USD) each, with all three tracks painstakingly reproduced down to the tiniest details.
All drivers will be able to record and post their lap times as part of an international competition and each week, will send out prizes for the top times. At the end of the competition, the five fastest drivers will win a trip to Maranello and take part in a Ferrari Driver Academy course.
Time to stretch those gaming thumbs and take on the world.
Karun Chandhok does laps of the Korean GP circuit – Click above to watch video
Just six weeks remain until the Korean Grand Prix takes place on October 24. The track itself is only barely ready and the surrounding infrastructure is , but that didn’t stop Karun Chandhok from running a few fast laps. On leave from HRT F1 for a few races, Chandhok piloted a Red Bull on grooved tires through the dusty 3.49-mile circuit. It looks a lot more exciting on paper than it does behind the wheel – save for the massive straight – but hopefully the championship battle will provide enough excitement on its own. for the video.
The Stig drama continues from the land of Top Gear. Former employee Sophia Vaizey was a production coordinator on the popular television show for 18 months. When she left, she was presented with a helmet worn by the Stig from 2002 to 2005, signed by Richard Hammond, members of the production crew and The Stig, himself.
Now that the frenzy surrounding Top Gear’s former wheelman has reached a fever pitch, Mrs. Vaizey is looking to cash in on her parting gift. Her family points out to her, perhaps quite wisely, that the helmet will likely be worth far less in 10 years than it is right now. Thus, she is bringing the iconic white brain bucket to market – Stig’s helmet is heading to Gorringes Auctioneers on October 20th.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Jeremy Clarkson had some choice words for Sophia Vaizey. for following the money and Mrs. Vaizey appears to be going the same route. The helmet may have been a gift, but it’s her gift and she has every right to make some money off of it. However, if that helmet were placed on our shelf, it would stay there…
Audi’s Outrace Project – Click above to watch the video
Trafalgar Square is located in central London. It plays host to thousands of people on a daily basis. The square is filled with memorial fountains and allows direct passage to the National gallery, and starting September 16th, it will serve as the backdrop for the London Digital Festival.
has determined this would make a good time to unleash its opening salvo in favor of the impending revolution by Skynet and the robots. The automaker’s mechanical beast consists of eight robotic arms and weighs over 10 metric tons. It’s known simply as The Octopus. Fine, it’s not an octo-armed assault system but rather a new art installation device.
Each arm features a LED headlight taken from the Audi R15 TDI racecar, mounted at the end of each arm. Messages up to 80 characters in length can be sent to octopus from a computer or smartphone via the website, and these bits of text will be chosen at random and written in real time in the form of “light paintings.” The images will be captured by SLR cameras and then transferred into a video. The images and video will be available via the Outrace site, as well as sent to the chosen contributors. To see the arms in action, you can view streaming video at both the Outrace site and . The footage will be available 24 hours a day, for eight days.
It all sounds quite odd yet intriguing. The big robotic arms will be able to write out letters up to nearly 12 feet high, yet they are capable of precise movements down to 0.2 millimeters. Be sure to watch the trailer , and read Audi’s press release to understand what all the fuss is about. We haven’t throw out that Skynet idea just yet…
When it comes to the new wave of weird sedan-hatchbacks popping up from various manufacturers, the Audi A7 Sportback is hands-down the most attractive, at least to our eyes. Whereas the has a bit of a problem with proportions, the A7 Sportback manages to maintain the grace that’s become a trademark of Audi exterior design. At least that’s what we’ve seen from the press photos. Fortunately, Audi has just churned out a bevy of videos that take the time to pour over every last inch of the car so that the forum of the interwebs can make a more informed decision.
The verdict? We’re still of the mind that the A7 Sportback is as attractive as this segment gets. Watching the mega sedan prowl the country paths and beaches around the Italian island of Sardina only solidified our opinion on that front. We don’t expect you to take our point of view for gospel, though. to check out the four videos for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Catchmyshadow!
KTM has somewhat unequal helpings of good and bad news for riders salivating over the thought of the company’s . The marketing gurus have finally settled on a name for the contraption, and despite some fears that the Austrian bike-maker would slather the out-played “Avatar” name all over the new commuter, “Duke” – which has been used a number of times already by the Austrian company – was chosen as a fitting moniker. We couldn’t be happier. Of course, that elation was short lived when we heard that the company has absolutely zero intention of selling the flingable little bike on our shores.
Heartbreak.
We understand the reasoning behind the move. It’s not like 125cc street bikes sell like hotcakes over here. With a dearth of dense city centers and miles upon miles of open highway between most domiciles and their respective work places, American buyers tend to clamor for a little more displacement. That’s fine, KTM. Build us a Duke 250cc and we’ll call all things square. In the meantime, our cousins across the pond can look forward to hooning the rubber off of the newest Austrian starting in March of 2011. Our envy knows no bounds. for yet another video of the bike’s development.
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery
has yet to announce production numbers for the , but you can bet that the car will be in high demand no matter how many are produced. The automaker has declared its new special edition Pony Car as the best-handling ever built, and fully expects its loyal customers to be eagerly awaiting the car’s arrival next year.
With that in mind, Ford is being very particular about how many Boss 302s each of its dealerships will get, and in many cases, a dealer might not receive any inventory at all. According to , the allocation of cars will be decided in two ways. First, the large-volume dealers that make up 75 percent of sales will receive 75 percent of the Boss 302 allocation. The actual number of cars each dealership receives will depend on the last 12 months of sales ending in September of 2010, although each dealer is guaranteed at least one Boss 302. The distribution of the remaining 25 percent will be determined via a lottery, with each of the remaining dealers receiving one chip simply for being a dealer, and an additional chip for every Mustang it has sold within the last 12 months. Each of these dealers will not receive more than one Boss 302.
So what does this mean for those interested in buying a 2012 Mustang Boss 302? The likely outcome is that dealers will try and make the most of the limited supply and slap on outrageous “market adjustments” to the price tag. Just like with the in 2007, customers should expect to pay a premium for the most desirable ‘Stang on the market.
A Jeep is torn down then rebuilt in under four minutes – Click above to watch the video
Remember the video where we got to see ? It took West Coast Racing 600 hours to complete that task. Canada’s finest, on the other hand, think that time is laughable. A team of soldiers from the Canadian Armed Forces can put together a in far less time. Not only that, they start with a fully-assembled and running vehicle, tear it down then put it back together again… in under four minutes. Admittedly, though, we imagine that building the Z4 is a bit more complex than the work-ready Jeep seen here.
It’s nothing short of awesome, especially since it normally takes us four hours and a 12-pack of beer just to change our brakes.
Whatever you just did in the last four minutes, it’s not as cool as what these guys accomplished. See for yourself . Thanks for the tip, Duy Pham!
Ken Block takes on AJ Allmendinger – Click above to watch video
Ford has officially lit a fire under its . As you may recall, the promotion aims to hand out a raft of prizes, from 43 LCD flat-screen TVs to airfare, lodging and tickets to the Ford NASCAR 400 Sprint Cup race for 43 lucky grand-prize winners. Of those souls, one will be awarded a special , but should AJ Allmendinger happen to walk away with the checkers, everyone in the grand-prize lot will receive a new Fiesta to call their very own. That’s impressive and all, but not nearly so interesting as the videos .
You see, to sell the sweepstakes, Ford enlisted the help of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, rally heathen Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger, the current pilot of the #43 NASCAR racer. What happens when the three meet on a track? Let’s just say that while we weren’t entirely surprised by the outcome, we’re wholeheartedly in favor of this type of motorsports crossbreeding in the future.
Now let’s see that 3,000-pound NASCAR bruiser fling itself down a rally stage.
Saker’s latest supercar has been caught testing and by the looks of things, the New Zealand-based sports car company has a new contender on its hands.
The Stig drama continues from the land of Top Gear. Former employee Sophia Vaizey was a production coordinator on the popular television show for 18 months. When she left, she was presented with a helmet worn by the Stig from 2002 to 2005, signed by Richard Hammond, members of the production crew and The Stig, himself.
