What It Looks Like to Walk the Length of the BQE

Here’s a project we’re glad not to be doing (but we’re thrilled someone is). Gallery owner Robert Hult is spending today walking the route of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, not on the highway but as close alongside it as possible, and posting regular photos to his Twitter account.
Taken collectively, the snapshots create a real vision of [...]

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Official: Mini reveals Clubvan Concept ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Work, Hatchback, Mini

It's a Mini. It's a van. But it's not a minivan. That's because the sort of van we're talking about here is a panel van - think of the Ford Transit Connect or recently departed Chevrolet HHR Panel - a vehicle with two seats up front, a partitian behind the cockpit and nothing but a flat load floor in back. These little workaday runabouts are immensely popular in Europe, and Mini has decided to get in on the action with its latest concept, the Clubvan, which will officially debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Seeing this concept confirms earlier rumors about a potential Clubman-based panel van, and aside from the removal of the rear seats and the addition of a stainless steel honeycomb partitian, there isn't much else to separate the Clubvan concept from its passenger-friendly Clubman kin. That makes us think this concept could rather easily make it to production.

But unlike more work-focused vans, the side walls and load floor of the Clubvan are lined with anthracite-colored cloth rather than a durable plastic compound. Then again, Mini is touting the Clubvan as the perfect fleet vehicle for fashion designers and gallery owners rather than drywall contractors or heating and cooling repairmen. The Clubman's five-door layout (that's a driver's door, passenger door, passenger-side suicide door, and dual barn doors out back) remains intact, and Mini has added six attachment loops throughout the rear cargo area to secure goods while they're being transported.

So, why a panel van? The company states that the Clubvan "combines the driving fun for that Mini is renowned with increased load-carrying capability," and that, "The Mini experience will therefore find its way into new areas of life, the brand's distinctive character gaining new popularity among target groups not previously on the Mini radar." We'll definitely be checking this one out in Geneva in a few weeks, but in the meantime, hit the jump for the official press release and scroll through our attached image gallery to see the Clubvan concept inside and out.

Continue reading Mini reveals Clubvan Concept ahead of Geneva debut

Mini reveals Clubvan Concept ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JD Motorsports to field second NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2012

JD MotorsportsGAFFNEY, S.C. (February 8, 2012) – To better strengthen its overall program, JD Motorsports will field a second car for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Johnny Davis, owner of JD Motorsports, will race a No. 4 Chevrolet to double their efforts on the track this season. Mike Wallace will continue to drive the...more»

Masahiro Hasemi Bob Gerard Virgil Ernest Irvan III Drivers Lucas di Grassi Ignazio Giunti

Creepy Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomes you to Daytona (Yahoo! Sports)

So every year, NASCAR sets up these photo shoots which are supposed to look raw and cool or whatever but mostly end up looking rather terrifying, like this shot of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in what appears to be the garage … Continue reading →

Peter Gethin Bill Homeier André Guelfi Carl Edwards Ryan Joseph Newman Olivier Grouillard

H.R. 7: Is John Boehner Serious?

What was John Boehner thinking?
Does Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) really expect his transportation bill to pass? Photo: The Party of Hell No
That’s the question observers have been asking since the Speaker of the House put forward the most extreme transportation bill in history, one that seems to lose steam every day.
Granted, there’s been some pretty [...]

David Carl Allison Brian Gubby Eddie Keizan Kyle Thomas Busch Jackie Holmes Joe James

Classic Prototype and GT Action

For 2012 Season 1, the iRacing.com Prototype and GT Challenge opened at two of North America’s classic circuits, Watkins Glen and Road America, for the third season of Le Mans-style multiclass online racing featuring LMP2, GT1 and GT2 classes.  A few changes took place during the off season, namely adding extra weight to bring the HPD ARX-01c up to its correct minimum of 825kg, updates to the tyre model for all three cars, and gridding by class to make starts safer for all concerned. The schedule saw increases to some of the race lengths in the open setup series – half of the tracks, including Watkins Glen and Road America, were bumped up to 70 minutes, forcing sim racers in all three classes to make a pit stop in those [...]

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Photos: 2012 NASCAR Media Day at Daytona

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

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What It Looks Like to Walk the Length of the BQE

Here’s a project we’re glad not to be doing (but we’re thrilled someone is). Gallery owner Robert Hult is spending today walking the route of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, not on the highway but as close alongside it as possible, and posting regular photos to his Twitter account.
Taken collectively, the snapshots create a real vision of [...]

Masahiro Hasemi Bob Gerard Virgil Ernest Irvan III Drivers Lucas di Grassi Ignazio Giunti

Official: BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

Filed under: Technology, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

As a relatively compact crossover, you might expect the BMW X3 to be available - in this climate even in the United States - with a four-cylinder engine. But that wasn't the case until now, as BMW has announced the availability of its TwinPower Turbo four to replace the 3.0-liter six-cylinder mill in the X3 xDrive28i.

The N20 engine is the same unit that's already available in the Z4, 528i and new 328i, and joins the X3 along with a raft of upgrades for the 2013 model year. Auto Start Stop, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO Pro, and a power tailgate all join the list of standard equipment, while an optional Driver Assistance Package (with Lane Departure Warning) and an M Sport Package join the options list.

Production of the 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i with the N20 turbo four is scheduled to begin in April, with prices starting at $37,995 (inclusive of destination), with MSRP on the carry-over X3 xDrive35i pegged at $43,595. Follow the jump for full details.

Continue reading BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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54th Annual Daytona 500 Entry List

Entry Veh # Driver Owner Crew Chief Veh Mfg Sponsor 1 1 Jamie McMurray Teresa Earnhardt Kevin Manion 12 Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops-Tracker Boats 2 2 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe 12 Dodge Miller Lite 3 5 Kasey Kahne Linda Hendrick Kenny Francis 12 Chevrolet Farmers Insurance 4 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr(i) John Henry [...]

Fred Gamble James Hunt Trevor Bayne Racing news Piercarlo Ghinzani Jimmy Jackson

Budweiser Shootout at Daytona Features Large Field

Speedweeks Opener Features Deep And Talented Field DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2011) – In what could be the deepest and most talented field to date, NASCAR announced Wednesday the list of eligible competitors for the 2012 Shootout. The 34th annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 18 with a [...]

Carl Edwards Ryan Joseph Newman Olivier Grouillard Gerino Gerini Alan Dennis Kulwicki Christian Goethals

Michael Waltrip to drive #40 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Daytona 500

WALTRIP TO DRIVE NO. 40 AARON’S DREAM MACHINE TOYOTA FOR HILLMAN RACING IN 2012 DAYTONA 500 CORNELIUS, N.C. – Hillman Racing and Aaron’s Inc. announced today that two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 40 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota in the 2012 Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. The race will mark Waltrip’s [...]

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Skirts and Scuffs Predictions: Paula Thompson chooses the champs

Lucas di Grassi Ignazio Giunti Johnny Herbert John James Boy Hayje Patrick Gaillard

Official: BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

Filed under: Technology, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

As a relatively compact crossover, you might expect the BMW X3 to be available - in this climate even in the United States - with a four-cylinder engine. But that wasn't the case until now, as BMW has announced the availability of its TwinPower Turbo four to replace the 3.0-liter six-cylinder mill in the X3 xDrive28i.

The N20 engine is the same unit that's already available in the Z4, 528i and new 328i, and joins the X3 along with a raft of upgrades for the 2013 model year. Auto Start Stop, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO Pro, and a power tailgate all join the list of standard equipment, while an optional Driver Assistance Package (with Lane Departure Warning) and an M Sport Package join the options list.

Production of the 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i with the N20 turbo four is scheduled to begin in April, with prices starting at $37,995 (inclusive of destination), with MSRP on the carry-over X3 xDrive35i pegged at $43,595. Follow the jump for full details.

Continue reading BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaders say next loop will be pivotal

Rally Sweden leaders Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen both say this afternoon's four stages will be pivotal in the direction of the event. The Finns are running one-two and admit they are loving the fight against each other. Leader Lavtala said: "This afternoon will be really important

Ukyo Katayama Jim Hurtubise Jeffrey Michael Gordon Leslie Johnson Al Keller Randy Joseph Lajoie

JD Motorsports to field second NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2012

JD MotorsportsGAFFNEY, S.C. (February 8, 2012) – To better strengthen its overall program, JD Motorsports will field a second car for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Johnny Davis, owner of JD Motorsports, will race a No. 4 Chevrolet to double their efforts on the track this season. Mike Wallace will continue to drive the...more»

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Frank Gardner Nico Hülkenberg Willi Heeks Aldo Gordini Juan Jover

Video: This is why you need a dash cam on at all times [UPDATE]

Filed under: Videos

We hate to break it to you, but the world is chock full of unscrupulous people, folk who don't care one bit about screwing you to get ahead. Thankfully, unscrupulousness can be kept in check by vigilantly recording everything that happens to you. We know, the prospect sounds daunting, but a good dash cam will at least keep you covered while driving.

While most of the time your dash cam will record nothing but the drudgeries of daily driving, if you're like this guy, you'll be glad you had it on when something fishy goes down. The setting is a traffic-clogged freeway somewhere, and the characters are played by our dash cam owner and one of those unscrupulous people we were talking about earlier.

Follow the jump to see why it's always good to have a dash cam rolling.

Continue reading This is why you need a dash cam on at all times [UPDATE]

This is why you need a dash cam on at all times [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Onslow-Cole joins West Surrey Racing

British Touring Car squad West Surrey Racing will expand to three cars this season after signing race winner Tom Onslow-Cole. WSR ran two normally aspirated BMWs for Rob Collard and Nick Foster last year. It will now fit turbo engines to the S2000 320si chassis and Onslow-Cole will join Collard and Foster in the line-up

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Hans Heyer Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Carel Godin de Beaufort Lewis Hamilton Bertrand Gachot

House Speaker John Boehner Will Delay Vote on House Transpo Bill

First, John Boehner split his transportation bill into three smaller bills that deal with transportation, oil and gas drilling, and government employee pensions separately. Now, it looks like the transportation component won’t be voted on until after the President’s Day recess, according to Politico:
Boehner’s office attributed the decision to two factors: One of the offsets [...]

Gerino Gerini Alan Dennis Kulwicki Christian Goethals Jean Pierre Jabouille Billy Garrett Scott Russell Riggs

Senna: Barcelona to show truer picture

Bruno Senna thinks the second F1 test at Barcelona will show a truer picture than Jerez about where his Williams team stands. The majority of the Formula 1 teams ran with their new cars at Jerez last week, in the first of three pre-season tests in 2012.

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Doyle Does Doughnuts

Round 2 of the 2012 Season 1 iRacing.com IZOD IndyCar Series rolled into Kentucky Motor Speedway for the Follow @TopSplitIndycar 180.  While the online racing series visited the Bluegrass State for the first time last year in broad daylight, this season saw the Dallaras under the lights at the fast and sweeping 1.5 mile speedway. This week drew 42 sim racers to Kentucky, with the the top split featuring 21 drivers and leaving some regular competitors locked-out of the race.  Each week the level of competition seems to rise and the minimum iRating required to just make the show increases. Case in point: Cary Bettenhausen, who finished sixth in the overall standings last season after making every race, was relegated to the second split. In qualifying, the front row was [...]

driving news Bill Holland Taki Inoue Howden Ganley Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Frank Gardner

Matt Carter Teams Up With Lone Survivor Foundation With Clear Mission; Intent

Lone Survivor Foundation (LSF)DENVER, North Carolina (February 3, 2012) – - Officials from Matt Carter Racing (MCR) announced today that NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran Matt Carter has teamed up with the Texas-based Lone Survivor Foundation, which will be his charity of choice for the 2012 season. The upcoming season commences with the season opener on...more»

Bruno Giacomelli Graham Hill Leo Kinnunen Parker Kligerman Paco Godia Hubert Hahne

Dissected: A Deep Look at the 2013 Cadillac ATS

Walk into any BMW store, and you’ll encounter six different car lines encompassing 12 body styles. It’s a similar story at Audi and Mercedes-Benz retailers. At a Cadillac franchise, however, the only car available is the CTS, albeit in three body styles. And it’s a half size too large to compete directly against the Audi [...]

Jean Pierre Jarier Chris Irwin Kazuyoshi Hoshino Casey James Mears Charles Robert Hamilton IV Cecil Green

Triple the Fun

For the sixth consecutive season, the inRacingNews Challenge features multi-class championship racing between Pontiac Solstices and SpecRacer Fords. But with the dawn of a new year of online racing comes the introduction of a new car as well – the Mazda MX-5 Roadster, which has immediately attracted some of the biggest names in the iRNC. Their first chance to wheel around the new Mazda came in the first of four visits to Summit Point Raceway on the season, this one coming on the full layout. In their first spin in the Mazda, Ralf Janiak took the top honors on the week with 151 points; Janiak scored two wins, one from the pole, in two starts to edge Flavien Vidal’s 145 points. Janiak also led all Solstice drivers with 171 points, [...]

Rupert Keegan Carl Michael Edwards III Kevin Harvick François Hesnault Miguel Ángel Guerra Mark Anthony Martin

Supermodel Maryeve Dufault Joins NASCAR

Maryeve DufaultRising up from ARCA stock car racing to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, there is a new reason why people may tangentially care about NASCAR. Her name is Maryeve Dufault and this is everything you need to know about this model-turned-badass. When I say that Dufault has become a badass now that she has a...more»

Aldo Gordini Juan Jover Timo Glock David Lee Blaney Karl Kling Sterling Burton Marlin

Sarrazin gets Starworks WEC seat

Former Peugeot driver Stephane Sarrazin will drive the Starworks team's LMP2 class HPD in the World Endurance Championship this year. Frenchman Sarrazin was one of several top drivers left without a seat for 2012 when Peugeot suddenly withdrew from sportscar racing last month

François Hesnault Miguel Ángel Guerra Mark Anthony Martin Jean Marc Gounon Nascar Cuth Harrison

Official: Ferrari rolling into Geneva with upgraded California

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari

What's even better than a Ferrari? A lighter, more powerful Ferrari, of course. And that's precisely what Maranello has announced with a mid-cycle refresh for what is perhaps its least appreciated product: the California.

The upgraded model destined to debut at the Geneva Motor Show benefits from 30 more horsepower and 30 kilograms (66 pounds) less weight. The former, now up to 490 hp, is achieved through the fitment of a new exhaust manifold and tweaking the ECU, while the latter comes courtesy of ever-evolving aluminum manufacturing processes. The result is a 0-62 mph run in 3.8 seconds with a modified torque curve.

Along with the upgrades, Ferrari is also offering a new Handling Speciale package that packs magnetorheological dampers (similar to those initially developed for the 599 GTB Fiorano) that can more rapidly adjust the suspension on the fly, coupled with a quicker steering ratio and stiffer springs.

Decidedly evolutionary as the improvements are, they ought to make what's already one of the most capable cabrios cruising the boulevard even more so. We'll be on hand in just a few weeks to bring you more on the updated California live from the floor of the Geneva Palexpo, but for now you can delve into the press release after the jump and the pair of high-resolution images released thus far in the gallery below.

Continue reading Ferrari rolling into Geneva with upgraded California

Ferrari rolling into Geneva with upgraded California originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Goldsmith Eddie Irvine Hiroshi Fushida Ukyo Katayama Jim Hurtubise Jeffrey Michael Gordon

JD Motorsports to field second NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 2012

JD MotorsportsGAFFNEY, S.C. (February 8, 2012) – To better strengthen its overall program, JD Motorsports will field a second car for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Johnny Davis, owner of JD Motorsports, will race a No. 4 Chevrolet to double their efforts on the track this season. Mike Wallace will continue to drive the...more»

Eddie Johnson F1 Divina Galica Peter Gethin Bill Homeier André Guelfi

PATRICK HEAD STEPS DOWN FROM THE BOARD OF WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX HOLDINGS PLC

WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX HOLDINGS PLC Grove, UK. 31 December 2011 Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (Ticker: WGF1) today confirms that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will step down from its Board of Directors with immediate effect....

Jean Pierre Jarier Chris Irwin Kazuyoshi Hoshino Casey James Mears Charles Robert Hamilton IV Cecil Green

Kasey Kahne has yet another knee surgery; set to race in Daytona

David Carl Allison Brian Gubby Eddie Keizan Kyle Thomas Busch Jackie Holmes Joe James

Mike Conway signs with AJ Foyt Racing for the 2012 Indy Car season

AJ Foyt Racing Mike Conway London, UK - Tuesday 20th December 2011 Long Beach Grand Prix winner Mike Conway has signed with AJ Foyt Racing to drive the No. 14 ABC Supply Honda in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series....

Juan Jover Timo Glock David Lee Blaney Karl Kling Sterling Burton Marlin Jesús Iglesias

Randy Hill Racing Announces 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Plans

Randy Hill Racing (RHR)MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (February 1, 2012) – - Officials from Randy Hill Racing (RHR) announced today that they will once again return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) with their No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Mustang beginning with the 2012 season-opener, the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Saturday,...more»

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Doyle Does Doughnuts

Round 2 of the 2012 Season 1 iRacing.com IZOD IndyCar Series rolled into Kentucky Motor Speedway for the Follow @TopSplitIndycar 180.  While the online racing series visited the Bluegrass State for the first time last year in broad daylight, this season saw the Dallaras under the lights at the fast and sweeping 1.5 mile speedway. This week drew 42 sim racers to Kentucky, with the the top split featuring 21 drivers and leaving some regular competitors locked-out of the race.  Each week the level of competition seems to rise and the minimum iRating required to just make the show increases. Case in point: Cary Bettenhausen, who finished sixth in the overall standings last season after making every race, was relegated to the second split. In qualifying, the front row was [...]

Jean Pierre Jarier Chris Irwin Kazuyoshi Hoshino Casey James Mears Charles Robert Hamilton IV Cecil Green

Audi R8 LMS ultra to fight for World Champion's title in 2012

AUDI Motorsport Ingolstadt, December 20, 2011 - GT1 World Championship to be held with GT3 cars in 2012 - Team WRT from Belgium is set on battling for championship - Two new Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid...

Miguel Ángel Guerra Mark Anthony Martin Jean Marc Gounon Nascar Cuth Harrison Loris Kessel

Sarrazin gets Starworks WEC seat

Former Peugeot driver Stephane Sarrazin will drive the Starworks team's LMP2 class HPD in the World Endurance Championship this year. Frenchman Sarrazin was one of several top drivers left without a seat for 2012 when Peugeot suddenly withdrew from sportscar racing last month

Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Frank Gardner Nico Hülkenberg Willi Heeks Aldo Gordini Juan Jover

Lynn to make early F3 debut

British Formula 3 newcomer Alex Lynn has brought forward his race debut in the category and will contest the European F3 Open Winter Series. Lynn, the reigning Formula Renault UK champion and a McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award finalist, has joined British squad Team West-Tec for the two races, which take place at the Algarve circuit on February 17 and at Paul Ricard on March 3. Although the races will be the world first for the new-generation Dallara F312 chassis, Lynn will race an older-spec F308 as West-Tec has said it wants to develop its new cars before the main series kicks off

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Sauber: Key exit a logical conclusion

Peter Sauber believes parting ways with technical director James Key was the only logical option the team had. The Hinwil team announced earlier this month that Key was leaving the squad he had joined in the middle of the 2010 season

Jimmy Jackson Jason Leffler Kyle Eugene Petty Paul Goldsmith Eddie Irvine Hiroshi Fushida

Koenigsegg to Deliver First U.S. Agera in June, Working on Camless Engine

Koenigsegg expects to deliver its first Agera to the U.S. this June, more than two years after the 940-hp supercar was introduced, according to a company executive. Bags of Air and “Financial Hardship” The Swedish automaker is awaiting approval for a second exemption from federal regulations requiring smart airbags, the same exemption the National Highway [...]

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Latvala ends Friday in front

Jari-Matti Latvala will take a 16.8-second lead into day two of Rally Sweden, having safely completed the Karlstad superspecial which rounded off Friday's action. Ford driver Latvala had been in a close battle with ex-team-mate Mikko Hirvonen (Citroen) for most of the day, but as their tyres wore towards the end of the second loop, Latvala was able to pull away.

Roberto Guerrero Terrence Lee Labonte Eddie Johnson F1 Divina Galica Peter Gethin

Grosjean buoyed by Lotus form

Romain Grosjean is upbeat about the performance of the new Lotus E20 after his first day of testing with the car at Jerez on Thursday. The Lotus driver was quickest of those in 2012-spec machinery today, finishing second to Nico Rosberg and ahead of world champion Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull RB8. Grosjean downplayed the times, but said he was very happy with how the new Lotus handles.

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Video: Bentley soars over Munich with new Continental GT V8

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Bentley, Luxury

You'd think that lobbing four cylinders off a car's engine would have an adverse effect on its performance, right? But Bentley is out to show that its new Continental GT with the V8 engine can fly every bit as much as the W-12 model. And by fly, we do mean fly.

Not only is the updated 2013 twelve-cylinder model 55 pounds lighter than the one it replaces, but the eight-cylinder model is lighter still. That helps the V8 achieve 40-percent better fuel economy, while still delivering 500 horsepower - 131 hp shy of the W12 - for a 4.6-second sprint to 60.

To drive the point home, Bentley airlifted its new Continental GT V8 over Munich - the hometown of its parent company's arch-rival BMW - and placed it on a rooftop for all to see. If you missed the publicity stunt while driving home from the beer hall, you can scope it out in the video and press release after the jump and the high-res image gallery above.

Continue reading Bentley soars over Munich with new Continental GT V8

Bentley soars over Munich with new Continental GT V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aaron Robinson: Bolting Together Cars Used to be a Middle-Class Job. That’s Changing

Some sympathy is in order for United Auto Workers president Bob King. Here he was last March, about to enter negotiations with the Big Three on labor contracts that were certain to be crap sandwiches for his brothers and sisters on the line, and Ford announces that it’s paying CEO Alan Mulally an extra $56.5 [...]

Miguel Ángel Guerra Mark Anthony Martin Jean Marc Gounon Nascar Cuth Harrison Loris Kessel

Report: Cadillac says 'no' to XTS-V, considers larger flagship

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Luxury

What a difference a letter can make. Having an extra one or two after your name shows the world you're better schooled than most. But the right application of a special letter on a luxury sedan signals something else altogether: it's a mark of performance. So a BMW 5 Series becomes an M5. A Mercedes-Benz E-Class becomes an E63 AMG. A Jaguar XF becomes an XFR or even an XFR-S. An Audi A6 becomes an S6 or RS6.

You get the picture, and so does Cadillac: with the CTS-V it launched its own assault on the best European machinery. But while an ATS-V is expected to follow with the same formula applied to GM's new 3 Series rival, don't expect the same of the Cadillac XTS flagship.

According to reports, Cadillac has ruled out the possibility of an XTS-V. The new XTS is powered by a V6 engine, but while a turbo variant could follow, we're told not to expect a V8 model, let alone a performance version. Apparently Cadillac feels its flagship isn't meant to go fast, focusing instead on its vast space that includes enough room in the back seat to cross one's legs and enough space in the trunk for four golf bags.

What Cadillac is reportedly looking into, however, is an even bigger model. That's right, the full-size XTS apparently isn't big enough, so Cadillac is looking at a flagship that will be larger still - something like a proper BMW 7 Series competitor. Which we can only hope will hold, like, at least five golf bags, easy.

Cadillac says 'no' to XTS-V, considers larger flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR In Heels: It's Party Time!

Eddie Johnson F1 Divina Galica Peter Gethin Bill Homeier André Guelfi

2013 Nissan NV200 Revealed: Some Competition for the Ford Transit Connect [Chicago Auto Show]

Vans are cool. The A-Team had a van, rock bands drive them, and Shaggy and Scooby rode in the Mystery Machine. So it’s with a smile that we watch the sliding-door offerings in this country expand and improve from Bronze-age chariots of sadness to Euro-bred hyperhaulers. Ford was first to launch a compact van here, [...]

Boy Hayje Patrick Gaillard Beppe Gabbiani Jeffrey Tyler Burton Hans Heyer Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

Toyota recruits Davidson, Buemi

Toyota has recruited ex-Peugeot driver Anthony Davidson and former Toro Rosso Formula 1 racer Sebastien Buemi for the driver squad in its second TS030 HYBRID. The team recently announced that it would run a second car in the Le Mans 24 Hours alongside its single entry in the World Endurance Championship.

Timo Glock David Lee Blaney Karl Kling Sterling Burton Marlin Jesús Iglesias Driving info

Alonso expects stronger car in Barcelona

Fernando Alonso has promised that Ferrari will arrive at the next Barcelona test in much better shape than it has been in Jerez, following a week of mixed fortunes during the first pre-season running.

Virgil Ernest Irvan III Drivers Lucas di Grassi Ignazio Giunti Johnny Herbert John James

Tech 1 says Bianchi a huge boost

Tech 1 Racing team boss Simon Abadie believes Force India Formula 1 reserve driver Jules Bianchi's GP2 experience will be a huge asset to the squad. It was announced this morning that Ferrari protege Bianchi would dovetail an FR3.5 programme with former champion team Tech 1 with his Force India duties.

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Daytona 500 Winner Trevor Bayne

Driver reflects on year of peaks and valleys in our exclusive Q&A Trevor Bayne astonished the sports world—and himself—on Feb. 20, 2011, when just one day after his 20th birthday and during only his second Sprint Cup start, he won the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race. Today, the defending champion is preparing for the...more»

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JD Motorsports and Mike Wallace determined about Daytona and 2012 season

“Newt Moore brought on as crew chief” JD MotorsportsGAFFNEY, S.C. (January 27, 2012) – JD Motorsports has been a whir and blur of activity the last few weeks at their South Carolina shop. Johnny Davis, team owner, has hired on some key personnel to build on the achievements from the team’s 2011 season. Mike Wallace,...more»

Trevor Bayne Racing news Piercarlo Ghinzani Jimmy Jackson Jason Leffler Kyle Eugene Petty

Leaders say next loop will be pivotal

Rally Sweden leaders Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen both say this afternoon's four stages will be pivotal in the direction of the event. The Finns are running one-two and admit they are loving the fight against each other. Leader Lavtala said: "This afternoon will be really important

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Leimer joins Racing Engineering

Fabio Leimer will drive for Racing Engineering in this year's GP2 Series. The 22-year-old Swiss finished 14th in last year's championship with Rapax and has won races for the past two seasons. He tested for Racing Engineering at the end of 2011 and then took victory at the non-championship GP2 final at Yas Marina with the Spanish outfit

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Mercedes tops F1 test; Lotus fastest 2012 car (PA SportsTicker)

The new Mercedes car topped Formula One preseason testing for a second straight day, while Lotus was quickest of the seasons new competitors.

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Kia Track’ster Concept: Soul-Based, Two-Door’d, Turbo’d [Chicago Auto Show]

There must be something about the Soul hatchback that compels Kia to use bizarre punctuation. Take, for example, the Soul’s + and ! (Plus and Exclaim in our language) trim levels, and the topless Soul’ster concept from three years ago. This Track’ster is the company’s second apostrophe-laden Soul-based concept: It’s a 250-hp, all-wheel-drive hatchback that [...]

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Skirts and Scuffs Predictions: Rebecca Kivak chooses the champs

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SEB, WEB AND SEB RED BULL RACING'S 2012 DRIVER LINE-UP

Red Bull Racing Thursday 5 January 2012 Red Bull Racing is pleased to confirm that Sébastien Buemi will continue his relationship with Red Bull as Red Bull Racing's test and reserve driver for 2012. The 23-year-old joins Sebastian Vettel and...

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Kia Reveals Range-Topping Limited Package for 2012 Optima SX [Chicago Auto Show]

Kia unveiled the 2012 Optima SX Limited sedan today at the Chicago auto show; it’s a new, fully loaded trim that sits at the top of the mid-size Optima range. It’s true that family-sedan news hardly stokes the enthusiast fire, but the Limited is based on one of the nicest-driving mainstream four-doors on the market: [...]

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Brad Keselowski Announces Twitter Contest For Fans Around Season-Opener NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race

Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR)MOORESVILLE, NC (Jan. 30, 2012) – Brad Keselowski announced today that he and Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) will conduct an online contest that will provide fans an opportunity to have their Twitter handle featured on the No. 19 BKR RAM that Brad will pilot in the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series...more»

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Four-time Grammy winning superstar Lenny Kravitz to perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show

Lenny KravitzSpecial Ticket Package with VIP Concert Access Available DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Rock superstar Lenny Kravitz will perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26 (FOX, 1 p.m. ET, pre-race show begins at noon ET)....more»

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Will Michael Grimm Reject the House GOP Attack on His Constituents?

Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm touts his support for transit on his website and represents a district where 38 percent of people take transit to work. Will he support the anti-transit, anti-urban House transportation bill? Image: house.gov
It isn’t only Democrats blasting the House Republican transportation bill, which would eliminate dedicated federal transit funding, cost the [...]

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Unlocking the Potential of the New Jackson Heights Plaza

Full seating in the new Jackson Heights plaza last fall. One merchant opposed to the project told a local paper that the plaza is "like a ghost town." Photo: Clarence Eckerson, Jr.
Earlier this month you might have noticed a few press accounts about merchants in Jackson Heights who think a new public plaza on one [...]

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2013 Acura RDX Introduced Again, This Time in Chicago and For Real [Chicago Auto Show]

Car companies only get one chance to introduce their new cars. But between sketches, renderings, concepts, teasers, and leaks, they’re quickly learning how to exploit the internet for more opportunities to discuss cars prior to actually revealing them. Acura apparently realized too late that it had blown the opportunity to draw out the introduction of [...]

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LeMons Good/Bad Idea of the Week: The NASCAR Helmet-Throw Penalty

A LeMons race can have up to 175 sub-$500 heaps clogging a track; how can you keep it from degenerating into ungovernable chaos on the very first lap? It’s easy: Fear. Fear of the 24 Hours of LeMons Supreme Court and the array of cruel and unusual punishments that await on-track miscreants in the Penalty [...]

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Teased: Bertone releases sketches of Nuccio Concept ahead of Geneva

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC

Turin-based styling house Bertone has released a couple of sketches teasing its upcoming Nuccio Concept car. To be debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, the Nuccio will reportedly be based on a mid-engine platform and is meant to commemorate the company's 100-year anniversary.

The Nuccio is named after founder Giovanni Bertone's son, who took over the company and separated it into two divisions, one for building cars and one for designing them for clients. Giuseppe "Nuccio" Bertone died in 1997 and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit in 2006, having led his eponymous company through its most successful years.

The Nuccio Concept will be a berlinetta (Italian for little saloon) of classic Bertone design, sporting a pronounced wedge shape that sits very low to the ground. No real details were provided with the two sketches, so we'll have to wait until the Geneva festivities kick off for any hints on the powertrain or seating configuration.

Bertone releases sketches of Nuccio Concept ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Actor Gary Sinise Announces Fundraiser To Help Build Home For Young Martinsville-Area Soldier Who Is Triple-Amputee

Gary Sinise with GuitarForrest Gump, CSI NY Star Will Perform Benefit Concert Goody’s 500 Weekend MARTINSVILLE, Va. (February 9, 2012) – Award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise is going to make sure Cpl. J.B. Kerns’ dream of a log cabin on the Ararat River becomes a reality. Sinise announced today that the Gary Sinise Foundation and...more»

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Jack Beckman leads Funny Car qualifying (PA SportsTicker)

Jack Beckman raced to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Thursday in the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway.

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Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark Gives His Thoughts on Danica Patrick’s Impact on 2012 NASCAR Season

Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHAMPTON, Ga. (Feb. 10, 2012) – With a new NASCAR season preparing to unfold on the Florida coast, many new storylines emerge as compelling elements to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign. Arguably the biggest hot-button topic throughout the sport is the arrival of Danica Patrick to the NASCAR ranks. The open-wheel...more»

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