It looks as if the rumors swirling around the supposed resurrection of the limited-edition have some substance. Our spy photographers caught this creation out and about for a little testing just a short hop away from the Nürburgring recently. From the looks of things, this could be our first glimpse at a new version of the JCW GP. New aero work, including a new front splitter and more aggressive rear spoiler, help set the model apart from its more pedestrian siblings. It looks as if the vehicle will also boast a set of revised rockers with what functional air inlets for cooling off the rear brakes.
With unique four-spoke wheels that pay homage to the first GP and a lower ride height, the hatch looks downright sinister. Early reports have hinted that the hot hatch may boast somewhere in the neighborhood of 220 horsepower with less weight to boot. Like its sought-after 2006 predecessor, odds are there’s a big stiffening brace where the rear seats used to reside, too.
Back when Ally Financial was known as GMAC Financial, the U.S. Treasury gave it $17.2 billion in TARP funds to weather the global economic crisis. GMAC is now Ally Financial, and although it has repaid $5.4 billion of what it was loaned, there doesn’t seem to be a clear path for repaying the outstanding amount. Bloomberg reports that Ally’s mortgage unit, Residential Captial (ResCap), is teetering on the ledge of bankrupcty, and its banking operations didn’t perform well in the Federal Reserve’s stress tests that assess a bank’s health.
An IPO for the entire company faces dim prospects (one was ), so in a private equity ploy, the Treasury would like Ally to divvy itself up and sell the pieces to unlock value. Estimates are that the pieces could fetch $23.1 to $28.6 billion. The plan is supported by Elliott Management Corp, a shareholder that holds 2.3 percent of Ally stock. However, Ally’s CEO and its board don’t want to break the company up, and the Treasury – which holds 74 percent – doesn’t want to lean on the leadership too hard for fear of “appearing as a heavy-handed owner.”
In addition, the looming bankruptcy of ResCap will have an unknown effect on Ally’s ability to do anything. Before the mortgage implosion, GMAC’s auto unit was struggling and ResCap was restructured as a separate entity so that it wouldn’t be dragged down by the captive finance department. The situation is reversed now, with ResCap in trouble and the captive finance arm supporting itself, but Elliot feels that the restructuring won’t be enough to shield Ally from perhaps 18 months of litigation and billions in claims.
Ally execs feel differently, but no one will know until the trigger is pulled and the courts weigh in. With the Treasury reluctant to compel a move, it could be some time before it sees its $11.8 billion again.
If you think the is the champ at incremental revisions through successive generations, then you should have a look at the Geländewagen, whose features change on a scale of geologic, not automotive time. We’ve the 2013 and its new LEDs and mirrors, and at a on test. That AMG, however, will be getting more than new trimmings when it arrives later this year: the twin turbo, 6.0-liter V12 from the SL65 AMG will be tucked under its bonnet. It’s the first time the G-Class has gone with a dozen cylinders.
Since the G55 never got the 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated AMG engine, and so never switched to the G63 name, this could mean that it will stick with the same model name now that it’s getting the twin turbo, 5.5-liter V8 with 536 horsepower. However, Autocar indicates the name will be changed to G63.
That would leave a little less branding daylight between it and the G65, but the power should convince: the bigger boy will have 621 horsepower and 737 pound-feet to work with, mojo enough to move it as fast a from a stoplight to 60 mph. Both it and the G55 will also get the 7G-Tronic transmission, while the G63 will add stop/start and brake energy recapture.
Having trouble keeping track of which watchmaker is producing timepieces for these days? It can get a little confusing. Girard-Perregaux held the license for many years, after which a lackluster partnership was formed with . Then was contracted to make one very fancy-looking watch for the Prancing Horse marque, before got the nod. And that’s not including the more affordable watches marketed less to Ferrari owners than to the Scuderia’s tifosi. Now, Maranello has formed another partnership with a different watchmaker.
That watchmaker is Movado, the Swiss firm best know for creating elegant and simply styled timepieces that look just as much at home in a museum showcase as they do on a wearer’s wrist. Movado also makes watches under the Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Lacoste labels, and will now be adding Ferrari to its roster of brands.
The collection is set to draw its inspiration from Ferrari’s road and racing cars, and is set to be launched next year at the Watch & Jewelry Fair in Basel, Switzerland, after which they will go on sale at Ferrari stores around the world and online with prices peaking at 1,500 euros (around $2,000). for the official announcement.
Are you the parent of a teenager who hasn’t found enough reason to hate your ever-loving guts? Well then OnStar has a new product for you. Dubbed Family Link, the new service will tell you exactly where your OnStar-equipped vehicle is at any time. It will even send you emails or text messages at particular times of day with a location update. It’s OnStar’s first separately priced feature from its main suite of services, and at $3.99/month is an inexpensive way to invade the privacy of your loved ones while they’re driving the car you pay for.
At least, that’s how we imagine 16-year-old Tiffany will feel when she finds out her dad is paying the Eye of Sauron to keep its gaze fixed on her little .
OnStar, of course, paints a much more flattering picture of the service’s purpose. In their own words, it allows “subscribers to stay connected to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.” In fact, 4,500 subscribers have already tested the service in a pilot program ahead of its limited roll out next month. Family Link will be available to all OnStar subscribers in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Truth be told, we’re old enough now to look past Family Link’s inherent issues with privacy and see its value as a peace-of-mind bringer to parents and spouses alike. Knowing a loved one arrived safely or is where they’re supposed to be is worth having Tiffany hate your guts a little extra. She’ll understand one day, and until then: my house, my car, my rules. See the video and the press release .
Episode #275 of the is here, and this week, Chris, Zach, and Dan cover the BMW 3 Series EPA fuel economy numbers game, GM holding the ChevroletCamaro ZL1 to sort out an un-disclosed issue, and the recent pricing and road test information about the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our , thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #275:
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In the Autoblog Garage
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Runtime: 01:17:04
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Plugging A Hole With A Seven-Passenger Synthetic Cork
Consumers looking for a sports coupe, sports sedan, sporty five-passenger crossover, luxury five-passenger crossover, trailer-capable SUV, sporty convertible or hybrid luxury sedan have been able to drive out of showrooms very satisfied. The automaker offers a well-curated family of vehicles for each of these genres, without question.
However, affluent families seeking an import luxury seven-passenger crossover – without a traditional truck lineage – have been forced to shop elsewhere. Many of Infiniti’s missed opportunities end up holding keys to an , or . Aiming to close a gaping leak in its product range, Infiniti officially introduced the world to its all-new at the just a few months ago.
The new arrival has been engineered to “excel in the areas that luxury crossover buyers desire most – interior flexibility and roominess, safety, and advanced hospitality features,” says Infiniti. But to us, some of those qualities seem to stray from the company’s ‘Inspired Performance’ tagline. Intrigued by the new arrival, we climbed aboard an airliner and flew to Charleston, South Carolina, for an introduction and test drive of the JX crossover.
Whether you fondly remember your prom or are doing your very best to forget it, something tells us it would have been way better had you arrived in the machine you’re about to see in the video after the break. Yes, it’s a limo – and what high schooler wouldn’t want to get dropped off in a stretched machine – but the real draw is that it’s very likely the fastest limo in the lot.
Starting life as a , this blacked-out limo was crafted by LA Custom Coach after four and a half months of bending, stretching and welding. It boasts a completely custom interior done up in a unique black and red scheme along with a 24-inch LED screen and a full bar… but not for those headed to the prom, of course.
Want to procure one for your big day? That might be tricky, as this is said to be the first of its kind. On the upside, though, its owner says it won’t be the last. Check out the stretched Challenger SRT limo in the video , but beware the horrid yet somehow appropriate soundtrack.
If you were in Houston back in January for the car show there, you may have seen a there which dubbed a “production-intent concept.” The most iconic of Chrysler brands then with a similar GC with more of a Storm Trooper look, joined by a blacked-out . These, too, were called “production-intent concepts” – a name that wasn’t all that dynamic. So Jeep opened a contest called “Name My Ride,” and the handle chosen was “Altitude.” Now Jeep is putting the Altitude into its product catalog for the , Compass and the , too.
Like the concepts, the production Altitude special editions are characterized by their blacked-out approach. For the Grand Cherokee, that means a black grille surround, black headlamp trim, black liftgate light bar, blacked-out 20-inch alloys and a black interior, complemented by “platinum chrome” on the lower fascia and the mesh grille. For the Compass, the Altitude edition blacks out the grille, headlamp bezels, roof rails, step pad and 18-inch alloys (as well as the interior), whole the Patriot Altitude gets black 17-inch alloys and cabin but trades in most of the rest for chrome and polished steel.
If this all strikes you as just too dark, each model is available in other colors for the bodywork, in which case the black trim provides the contrast. They all come packed with optional extras as well, with prices starting at $20,240 for the Patriot Altitude edition, $22,190 for the Compass Altitude and $35,595 for the Grand Cherokee Altitude. Like what you see? Check ‘em out in the high-res image gallery and the full press release .
is an automaker the operates in two spheres: racing and road cars. The company builds the latter to fund the former, but while the two have long operated as fairly separate units, there is plenty of room for overlap. Like its Corse Clienti department.
Established to facilitate privateer racing teams running Ferrari GT cars in various series, the Corse Clienti division also runs the firm’s elite XX development program that allows some of its best customers the opportunity to act as “client test drivers.” In other words, people pay big money – and by big, we mean millions – to test out new equipment developed by Maranello’s skunkworks before it’s implemented on future road cars.
The program started with the Enzo-based FXX back in 2005, which was succeeded by the 599XX in 2009. But like the FXX led to the even more extreme FXX Evoluzione, so has the 599XX. More an upgrade package than a new car, the $250,000 evolution kit includes a bigger front splitter, giant rear wing with moving foils, a 30-horsepower upgrade to 740 and another two years of factory-supported track days.
The most recent was held at Japan’s Suzuka circuit, where the 599XX Evoluzione hit the track for the first time since delivery to its eager new owners. It was also the first time the upgraded track car was run in public, following its back in December. Of course, now that the range is being phased out, we can’t help but wonder what Ferrari will base its next developmental track car on: the new F12 Berlinetta? The ? The upcoming Enzo successor? It’s early to tell, but you can check out the 599XX doing its thing in the video clip and press release , along with the fresh crop of high-resolution images we’ve added to the gallery.
Svelte as it still looks, the is getting a little long in the proverbial tooth – first launched the 2+2 way back in 2004. As such, it’s high time the British purveyor of luxury GTs gear up to roll out a new model, and this is the best look we’ve had at it yet.
Spied virtually undisguised while undergoing winter testing in the snow, the new DB9 (or whatever AML opts to call it) carries all the trademark elements of a contemporary Aston Martindesign. The grille appears to be a little smaller and the rear fenders pack a more pronounced curve. Expect the new V12 GT to arrive sometime next year, but you can check it out now in the high-res gallery of spy shots above.
Subaru Gives Us Their Sports Car On Real Roads. Does It Deliver?
Last December, our wandering man of intrigue Jonathan Ramsey drove a prototype at Japan’s Tochigi circuit under somewhat controlled conditions and was nonetheless very impressed. Then, in that same month, SoCal lad Michael Harley – he who knows a thing or two about hot-footing it on closed circuits – took the practically identical for many unfettered laps on the island’s short and sweet Sodegaura Forest Raceway. He, too, was left extremely enthused by the experience.
My turn now. We needed a real road test of the Subaru BRZ just to see if this car really does merit the “zenith” part of its name represented by its final letter. Can the stellar handling and light weight we’ve already raved about translate into something you could happily drive every day?
The roads on which sent me with their new star pupil could not be more appropriate: the ominous Route Napoleon in southern France. This is perfect, because the number of new car drives following the has been mind numbing, and I frankly needed a spectacular car-and-road pairing to recharge my enthusiasm. I can think of no better combo for this than a promising sports car and this insanely technical French two-lane. I am here to find out if, in the real sporting car world, 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque are enough to keep the fire burning in me.
The new is taking a one-week, 3,300-mile U.S. road trip, and not only will it tour the skeevy diners, restless rest areas and truck-stop toilets of this fine land, it’ll eat up its tires on nine of our nation’s finest tracks. If you think that sounds like the Tire Rack One Lap of America, you’d be correct.
In addition to providing the official vehicles for the event, the Munich firm is sending a team of drivers from its BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina to compete in the newly created ‘Showroom Stock’ category. begins May 4 in South Bend, Indiana, and as with all the other entries, the M5 will get just one set of tires to test its gumption in various motorsports disciplines and thousands of highway miles. for a press release with more info and be sure to check out for updates when the event kicks off in May.
There’s an awful lot of information to consuder when it comes to Formula 1 racing. It’s arguably the most complicated and technologically advanced sport in the world, with an ever-changing rule book, aerospace-level engineering, and the most elite driver talent. It’s enough to make any fan’s head spin. Fortunately we’ve got a tidy infographic that lays it all out for you.
Submitted (interestingly enough) by online bingo site , this infographic breaks down everything, including the newest features on the 2012 cars, each team and the equipment they use, the full race calendar, the lap times from the pre-season test sessions, and a smattering of other interesting information. Check it out .
When you run a zoo, we imagine there’s a large quantity of animal excrement to dispose of. Fertilizer is the first thing that comes to mind. But there are only so many zoo gardens in need of nutrients. Sooner or later, you’re faced with surplus of tiger turds, camel crap and snake, um, shizzle.
The Denver Zoo has decided the best use of its panda poop is to power a 20-year-old , or motorized rickshaw. Actually, the zoo takes all its animal waste and most human-produced trash and makes “gasified pellets” that are then subjected to very high heat in a no-oxygen environment. The pellets then give off , which is burned in a generator to produce electricity used to charge the batteries for the tuk tuk’s electric motor. Got all that?
The zoo says the tuk tuk is its second prototype to test the technology. The first was a syngas-powered blender used to make margaritas for zoo events. Mmmm. Tasty.
When its new elephant exhibit opens June 1, the zoo hopes to have it powered by syngas. Eventually they hope to take 100% of the zoo’s animal waste and most of the human garbage from the zoo to produce at least 20% of their power needs. Check out the video .
The brand may be meeting its demise, but that doesn’t mean that its cars won’t live on for years to come. And we aren’t just talking about its passenger cars, either. Take, for instance, the we showed you last week. The racer, constructed by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö, is currently preparing to do battle in the Swedish Racing Elite League, with entries from , and clearly in its sights.
Recently, the widebody 9-3 TTA completed its first round of testing in France, with Swiss driver Fabian Thuner piloting the car around the country’s Alés track. After a few more tweaks, the car will then be sent to Sweden where it will undergo official testing in Karlskoga and Anderstorp, driven by the actual TTA drivers who will pilot the car during the Swedish Racing Elite League competition.
For now, click to see (and hear!) this seriously awesome racecar for yourself. We’ll definitely be keeping our eyes on this one.
The is “one of the most rewarding cars we’ve ever driven” says Edmunds after subjecting the new coupe to some track time. This, despite having a 0-60 time that rivals that of some minivans – 7.3 seconds. Inside Line says those numbers are mostly due to an overactive rev limiter that forces a third-gear shift at 59.2 mph. We bet that’s an early tuner fix. Also likely to be improved with an aftermarket reflash is the 15.3-second quarter-mile time.
So you won’t be winning many stoplight drag races in box-stock form, but as we all know, there’s far more to a fun car than just straight-line numbers. According to IL, “the BRZ offers a level of engagement that, until now, has been either too costly or too impractical for the average enthusiast.” They even go so far as to compare the BRZ’s overall character to a and the beastly Porsche 911 GT3(!).
No, the BRZ can’t hang with either of those hardcore Europeans, but Inside Line says its balanced mixture of handling, cost, every day usability, and practicality make for “a perfect balance between date nights and track days.” Check out the video .
BRZ tested at 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3
When Ford unveiled the at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January, we were smitten. A pint-sized, good-looking CUV with thrifty engines could do well here in the States. Brazil’s Noticias Automotivas has caught what looks like a production EcoSport sans camo before it undergoes crash testing and, as promised, it looks little changed from the showcar.
The sparkly LED-powered headlights are gone but everything else seems to be very close to what design boss told us about in New Delhi. The final version is expected to come with two engine options: the 1.6-liter Sigma and the 2.0 liter Duratec.
Despite Ford’s plans to expand the EcoSport beyond Brazil, we’re not hopeful it’ll be sold in North America, as we’ve heard Blue Oval executives dismiss the -sized CUV as too small. Be sure to check out Noticias Automotivas for additional photos of the new EcoSport.
has a history of offering performance models that would make any niche supercar manufacturer cower. The latest among them is the , but the gullwing coupe and its roadster counterpart aren’t the extent of what the German automaker’s skunkworks have in store. No, that place of honor at the top of the Mercedes-Benz lineup will soon be taken by an SLS AMG Black Series.
Following in the footsteps of the , CLK63 AMG Black Series, and (most recently) the , the new SLS AMG Black Series promises to eclipse them all with an anticipated 560 horsepower, reduced curb weight and aggressive aerodynamics package.
These spy shots, snapped while the vehicle was undergoing cold-weather testing in the frigid north, also show the tell-tale widened fenders to house the upgraded rolling stock and a new front bumper to feed the over-clocked engine with all the air it needs to breathe.
We’re told to expect the SLS AMG Black Series sometime next year, but you can check out the spy shots now in our high-resolution image gallery.
has not been long known for polarizing design. The company’s styling philosophy has read more closely along the lines of “cheap and cheerful.” But when it brought out the in 2008 as a 2009 model, Ford started down a road of trying to be more expressive, emotional and evocative in the design of its crossovers and SUVs, not just with the Mustang.
For Ford, the Flex has been one of those hollow victories. The people who buy it love its Mini-Cooper-on-a-high-protein-diet look, especially with the available two-tone paint jobs, and the comfortable packaging and cruising ride they get without bumping up to a frumpy minivan. The trouble is that there haven’t been enough of those happy buyers taking the plunge.
Ford sold just 27,000 Flex models last year, down 20 percent from the year before – not exactly one of CEO Alan Mulally’s homeruns. Also, its marketing has been confused since its debut. Ford initially pitched it as a cool urban crew wagon – think Funkmaster Flex. The advertising Powerpoint presentation actually said “No dog drool.” No kidding. The high-concept ads were all shot at night on city streets. It bombed. Soon after launch, we saw families and even a dog or two in ads.
