Teased: New Mazda6 teased yet again, full profile revealed [w/video]

Filed under: Sedan, Mazda, Design/Style

The painfully slow striptease of the next Mazda6 continues unabated. Fortunately for us, the Japanese automaker has seen fit to reveal the car's full profile, albeit in a video that never shows the car in its entirety.

We've gone ahead and created a composite image based on screen captures - it's far from perfect, but hopefully it gives us an idea of how Mazda's swoopy new family sedan is shaping up. Click on the image above to see it in high resolution.

As before, we see clear evidence that Mazda is using the Kodo "Soul of Motion" design language of its Takeri Concept as the starting point for the 6's shape, and that's a good thing. We're expecting four-cylinder power relying heavily on Mazda's Skyactiv fuel-saving technology.

Fell free to have a gander at teasers one, two and three, then satiate your voyeuristic notions by scrolling down below for the latest video.

Continue reading New Mazda6 teased yet again, full profile revealed [w/video]

New Mazda6 teased yet again, full profile revealed [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: BMW to introduce "On Demand" service in U.S.

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Luxury

BMW Financial Services next month is kicking off BMW On Demand USA - a service the company already provides in European cities - that enables people to easily rent a BMW by the hour, day or week from dealerships.

The first location, BMW of Manhattan, is considered a pilot, and will have about 100 328i sedans in the fleet. According to Ed Robinson, president of BMW Financial, the makeup of the fleet will change over time. But the all-328i lineup to start reflects the newest product from BMW and the one the company wants to push right now.

Other logical cities to follow will be Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Miami. But the service could easily spread to smaller cities with smaller fleets.

Pricing for checking a 328i out like a library book will be announced in August. The website to go to is www.bmwondemandusa.com.

The business model for the program has multiple layers. It gives dealers in urban centers a fleet of cars from which to provide extended test drives. It also gives luxury car owners a readily available pool of premium cars to rent that you can't get from Hertz or Avis. And it is part of a longer-term trend BMW sees of an increasing number of urban dwellers not wanting to own cars at all. "We have seen the research that shows as cities become more dense, the desire for car ownership goes down, but the desire to drive cars to get out of town stays constant," says Robinson.

In time, the On Demand fleet will be expanded to include other BMWs like the new 7 Series coming later this year, X5 and X3, and possibly specialty vehicles like the M3 and M5. Robinson said that with specialty vehicles, though, drivers would probably go through an extra layer of qualification.

"BMW On Demand USA goes beyond any existing premium-rental or car-sharing programs in this market," said Robinson. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, nor Audi have any similar service that is scaled like this. "This is a great opportunity for anyone who is considering buying a BMW or someone who wants a luxury car, premium service and ultimate driving experience for that special occasion, weekend getaway, business trip to experience being part of the BMW family."

BMW to introduce "On Demand" service in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stewart offers help to Grosjean

Former world champion Jackie Stewart believes he can help Romain Grosjean improve his driving after his accidents this season. The Lotus driver has enjoyed an impressive return to grand prix racing, proving to be a good match for Kimi Raikkonen and having finished on the podium twice already.

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

Video: Inventor creatively side-steps pickup problem

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Technology, Work, Design/Style

One Minnesota inventor may have just created a better bed step.

While Ford offers a pickup bed step that slides out of the top of the tailgate on its F-150, that particular step can't be used when towing. Now, one man has devised his own step that slides out of the side of the tailgate.

Myron Isaacson recently received the patent on his pickup bed ladder, affectionately named "My Dream Steps," according to a local news report.

It works in a similar manner as the Ford bed step, allowing a person to climb into a high pickup bed without grinding their knees against the truck's steel. Because this step works from the side of the tailgate, Isaacson's invention allows the truck owner to climb into the bed even if the truck has a trailer attached. The new assembly looks pretty compact and easy to use, and he's already won an award for its design. At this year's Minnesota Inventors Congress, Isaacson netted a gold medal.

Check out the video below to see it in action on Isaacson's Ford.

Continue reading Inventor creatively side-steps pickup problem

Inventor creatively side-steps pickup problem originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MB Motorsports & Lafferty Motorsports Team-Up for Chicago

Chris LaffertyIt is said that there is strength in numbers.  MB Motorsports and Lafferty Motorsports will find out this weekend, as they team up for the American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway. Chris Lafferty will make his 16th Nascar Camping World Truck Series start and first on the fast, mile and a half tri-oval.  The...more»

The post MB Motorsports & Lafferty Motorsports Team-Up for Chicago appeared first on Catchfence.

Nico Hülkenberg Willi Heeks Aldo Gordini Juan Jover Timo Glock David Lee Blaney

Kahne beats Hamlin to Loudon win

Kasey Kahne took a great step towards securing a place in this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the title by beating a dominant Denny Hamlin to victory at Loudon. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kahne's second win of the year means he leads the 'wildcard' standings, which give drivers with victories and ranked between 10th and 20th in the points a place in the play-off

David Hampshire Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Geki Narain Karthikeyan Kenny Dale Irwin Jr James Christopher McMurray

Canamasas to make GP2 debut

Spaniard Sergio Canamasas will make his GP2 debut in Germany with the Lazarus team this weekend. The Catalan, who finished the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 championship in eighth position, will replace Italian Fabrizio Crestani at the Venezuelan squad. Canamasas will partner Giancarlo Serenelli during the Hockenheim event

Alan Jones Al Herman Floyd Anthony Raines Mike Hawthorn Walt Hansgen Kevin Michael Harvick

Stoner: Pedrosa and Lorenzo superior

Casey Stoner believes his MotoGP title rivals Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa are on a "different level" this weekend at Mugello. Having struggled with set-up issues throughout the weekend, Stoner never really featured in the battle for pole position and only salvaged fifth with a late improvement. The Australian says he remains hopeful of finding overnight improvements, but admits his ambition at the Italian Grand Prix may be limited to simply trying to hang on to his works Honda team-mate and Yamaha's championship leader

Mack Hellings Kevin Paul Lepage Oscar González Rupert Keegan Carl Michael Edwards III Kevin Harvick

Maldonado wants to learn from mistakes

Pastor Maldonado has vowed to improve his consistency after scoring points only twice in nine races so far this year. Aside from his victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, the Williams driver has only an eighth place in China to his name and, despite regularly running in the top 10, has scored just 29 points, leaving him 10th in the championship. Clashes with Lewis Hamilton at Valencia and Sergio Perez at Silverstone have cost him strong finishes in the last two races and Maldonado is now focused on converting his pace into regular results.

Naoki Hattori Jim Hall Jean Pierre Jarier Chris Irwin Kazuyoshi Hoshino Casey James Mears

Sandt Dominates (Again) at Stafford

While all the focus of the NASCAR iRacing.com SK Modified Series may be on the championship battle between Richard Smith and Marc Pilon, Robert Sandt is quickly emerging as the driver to beat. As the series headed to Jack Arute’s Stafford Motor Speedway, Sandt drove to a solid victory for the second consecutive week and declared himself king of the half mile track. An extremely competitive field saw Pilon and Sandt line up one/two on the front row, while Pilon’s championship rival, Smith started in the fourth position. As the green flag fell. Pilon led the charge  followed by Sandt, Mike Keirstead, Brett Osborn, and Smith respectively. After ten laps, Osborn, knowing Smith had the faster car, let the championship leader by and settled into cruise control in fifth place. [...]

Keith Greene Brian Hart Juan Pablo Montoya Peter de Klerk Cars Gimax

Dovizioso fires warning shot to Yamaha

Andrea Dovizioso says he 'has alternatives' and could even be open to moving into the Superbike World Championship should he fail to land a works ride with Yamaha. The Italian, currently at satellite squad Tech 3, has made no secret this year of his desire to land a works ride with the Japanese manufacturer from 2013. Four podiums in the last five races have helped Dovizioso make an increasingly strong case for himself, but the Italian admits it is perfectly possible he could miss out on the ride.

Hubert Hahne Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Nicolas Kiesa Nanni Galli José Froilán González Elmer George

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 Qualifying Moves to Friday Nov. 16

Homestead-Miami SpeedwayMiami – Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race, the 2012 Ford EcoBoost 400, at Homestead-Miami Speedway has been moved to Friday, November 16.  Gatorade Pole Qualifying is now set for 6:10 p.m. Friday during Ford Championship Weekend.  It was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Qualifying returns to the more traditional Friday...more»

The post NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 Qualifying Moves to Friday Nov. 16 appeared first on Catchfence.

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Southern Comfort

Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course is one of the few layouts to appear multiple times on the inRacingNews Challenge schedule, coming up in Week Three and Week Nine. In this, the second visit of the season, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster, Spec Racer Ford, and Pontiac Solstice drivers of the iRNC begin the final third of the championship, attempting to negate their four worst rounds of the year by scoring strong finishes. Mazda’s Petr Dolezal posted the strongest week in his class, scoring 152 points. Longtime Solstice driver Nenad Matijevic scored 154 points in Solstice, also best in class for the week. Finally, Chris Hughson edged Tim Bone for the best points week in SRF, 197 points to 194, posting the best points total of any driver for the week. With [...]

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Superponies: 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Even in their most superpowered forms, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang are paragons of affordable performance. The base prices of the 580-hp Camaro ZL1 and the 662-hp Shelby GT500 together add up to $111,290, or $2285 less than one 638-hp Corvette ZR1. (more…)

Peter de Klerk Cars Gimax Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Peter Hirt

Dovizioso fires warning shot to Yamaha

Andrea Dovizioso says he 'has alternatives' and could even be open to moving into the Superbike World Championship should he fail to land a works ride with Yamaha. The Italian, currently at satellite squad Tech 3, has made no secret this year of his desire to land a works ride with the Japanese manufacturer from 2013. Four podiums in the last five races have helped Dovizioso make an increasingly strong case for himself, but the Italian admits it is perfectly possible he could miss out on the ride.

Kevin Paul Lepage Oscar González Rupert Keegan Carl Michael Edwards III Kevin Harvick François Hesnault

Cuomo to Co-Host Tappan Zee Public Meetings With Anti-Transit Ideologues

Governor Andrew Cuomo has invited the region's leading anti-transit advocates to co-host his Tappan Zee Bridge public meetings with him. Photo: Angel Franco/Newsday
Up to now, the Cuomo administration hasn’t shown a great regard for public input when it comes to the new Tappan Zee Bridge. The administration dismissed five stakeholder advisory groups, which had been [...]

Z Line Toyota Masahiro Hasemi Bob Gerard Virgil Ernest Irvan III Drivers Lucas di Grassi

Kyle Busch Searching for Victory in Company-Owned No. 54

Kyle Busch - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland / Getty Images for NASCARMOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 18, 2012) - This week the NASCAR Nationwide Series visits the ‘Windy City’s’ Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway for the STP 300 event, race 18 of the 33 season schedule. Kyle Busch will return to the seat of his company-owned No. 54 Monster Energy...more»

The post Kyle Busch Searching for Victory in Company-Owned No. 54 appeared first on Catchfence.

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Official: OnStar vehicles now ready for car-sharing through RelayRides

Filed under: Technology, GM

Nothing like a little rental income to help make the monthly payment on the Caddy, huh?

General Motors, which said last fall that it reached an agreement with RelayRides to make people's personal vehicles available for car sharing, is doing just that. Tuesday, GM said that owners of cars equipped with the automaker's OnStar navigation service can rent out the vehicles to RelayRides subscribers. Through the service, RelayRides members can now use their smartphones to unlock participating GM vehicles. Subscribers can also get access to the cars by replying to certain text messages. GM says its vehicle owners may be able to earn "hundreds of dollars per month from their idle vehicles."

RelayRides debuted its peer-to-peer car-sharing service in Boston two years ago and took the service nationwide earlier this year. GM reached its agreement with RelayRides last fall, saying at the time that all GM vehicles built after 2010 and equipped with OnStar would be ready for the service.

Continue reading OnStar vehicles now ready for car-sharing through RelayRides

OnStar vehicles now ready for car-sharing through RelayRides originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda may build CUV based on next Fit

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

While some automakers are streamlining platforms and models globally, Honda is going the other way, with more locally developed variants of models. There is a new Honda Fit on the way for the 2013-2014 timeframe, says Automotive News, and Honda is reportedly hoping the platform will sell more than one million vehicles. Honda thinks the way to hit that volume is by basing a new crossover vehicle off the next-generation Fit.

Buyers in the U.S. and Eurpean markets have a substantial appetite for truckish anti-wagons, and Honda already manages to sell 800,000 Fit and Fit-based vehicles, including the eight-seat JDM Freed, but that's probably not what Honda means when talking about a small crossover. If a Fit-ute takes off, it will help Honda get a quicker return on its investment in a new plant in Mexico that's expected to open in 2014 and is already lined up to build the Fit hatch.

A smaller CR-V could be automotive hotcakes for Honda, though the Fit's 1.5-liter engine might need to hit the gym if it's going to keep pace.

Honda may build CUV based on next Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Osborne Out, Chad Norris In, As Carl Edwards 99 Cup Crew Chief

Chad Norris Named Crew Chief of No.99 Fastenal Sprint Cup Team CONCORD, N.C. (July 17, 2012) – Bob Osborne is transitioning away from his role as crew chief of the No. 99 Fastenal Sprint Cup team at Roush Fenway Racing, team owner Jack Roush announced today. Roush Fenway veteran Chad Norris will be the crew [...]

Ingo Hoffmann Out! Pet Care Toyota Jerry Hoyt Bruce Halford Yves Giraud Cabantous Kasey Kenneth Kahne

Holding Out for a More Cost-Effective Plan to Speed Northeast Rail

Image: Amtrak
Last week Amtrak released a $151 billion plan [PDF] to make the Northeast Corridor — already traveled by about 12 million people annually — a true high-speed rail corridor. The plan would put New York within 94 minutes of Washington. It would halve travel times between Boston and New York. Amtrak offered a scheduled [...]

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

Autoblog Podcast #291

Filed under: Podcasts

Chris Shunk's last show, BMW Diesels, Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test, Malibu Eco dislike, smaller Nissan Z


Episode #290 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week is a sad one, since it's Chris Shunk's last show before moving on from Autoblog. Chris, Dan, and Zach are joined by Autoblog editor-in-chief John Neff to chat about some of our reminisces with Mr. Shunk over his tenure, as well as bit into news topics like BMW sending more diesels, a lighter, smaller Nissan Z, the dislike heaped upon the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, and Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test dust-up. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #291:



Topics:

• More BMW Diesels coming to the U.S.
• Next Nissan Z smaller, lighter
• Malibu Eco "most disliked"
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Moose Test

In the Autoblog Garage:
2012 Land Rover Range Rover
2012 Nissan Versa
2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
2012 Toyota Camry


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, John Neff

Runtime: 02:02:47

---

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Autoblog Podcast #291 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Christopher McMurray Maurício Gugelmin Oswald Karch Bobby Grim Ernst Klodwig Clint Bowyer

Mid-season crew chief change for Carl Edwards

James Hunt Trevor Bayne Racing news Piercarlo Ghinzani Jimmy Jackson Jason Leffler

Rossi confident of better race pace

Valentino Rossi is confident he will be much stronger in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix than he was in Mugello qualifying, where he struggled with Bridgestone's soft tyre and only managed 10th on the grid for his home race. The seven-time MotoGP champion's result was particularly frustrating given that fellow Ducati riders Hector Barbera and Nicky Hayden qualified third and fourth respectively, with Pramac rider Barbera a full second quicker than works team leader Rossi

Graham Hill Leo Kinnunen Parker Kligerman Paco Godia Hubert Hahne Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

Lorenzo dominates at Mugello

Jorge Lorenzo stretched his MotoGP championship lead with a commanding victory in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Bruce Halford Yves Giraud Cabantous Kasey Kenneth Kahne William Ashton Lewis Jr Innes Ireland David Hobbs

How Does Your State Stack Up on Prioritizing Transit and Street Safety?

This map shows roughly how much states are spending on bike and pedestrian projects that are not part of a larger road project. Click on the image to see the full interactive map.
How’s your state doing on bike and pedestrian investment? Transit? Bridge repair?
Congress just reauthorized the national law that funnels tens of billions of dollars [...]

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Skinny Storefronts, a Must for Walkability

Wide sidewalks, accessible transit, even beautiful landscaping, benches, and public art — all help make cities walkable. Another major factor: pedestrian-scaled destinations. Seattle Transit Blog‘s Matt Gangemi wonders how to achieve the kind of retail development that promotes walkability:
This Seattle retail proposal passes the walkability test. Image: Seattle Transit Blog
A recent article from the other Washington touched on [...]

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Jeff Gordon Headed To East Africa With President Bill Clinton To Open Rwandan Cancer Center

Gordon In East Africa To Inaugurate Rwandan Cancer Center Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will spend part of his off-week vacation in Africa. On Wednesday, July 18, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda, Partners In Health, the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center will [...]

Hiroshi Fushida Ukyo Katayama Jim Hurtubise Jeffrey Michael Gordon Leslie Johnson Al Keller

Tony Stewart wins 2012 ‘Best Driver’ ESPY Award

Brian Gubby Eddie Keizan Kyle Thomas Busch Jackie Holmes Joe James Denny Hamlin

NASCAR drivers divided on proposed Bristol changes

If Bristol Motor Speedway goes back to its rough-and-tumble roots before NASCAR returns in August, the drivers say theyll be ready for it.

Hiroshi Fushida Ukyo Katayama Jim Hurtubise Jeffrey Michael Gordon Leslie Johnson Al Keller

Hayden denies Superbike suggestions

Nicky Hayden has denied being in discussions over a switch to the Superbike World Championship with Ducati, and says he is determined to remain in the Italian firm's MotoGP line-up. Ducati is known to be talking to Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow about a 2013 MotoGP deal, and with Valentino Rossi now looking more likely to stay on at Ducati, Hayden's future with the team is in doubt

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. On Top Heading into Loudon

by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com The LENOX Industrial Tools 301 marks the 19th race of the long 36–race NASCAR Sprint Cup season in Loudon, N.H. this Sunday, July 15 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 1.058-mile oval track with limited 12 degree banking is known for tight corners and difficult passing. Fans far from the [...]

Al Keller Randy Joseph Lajoie Ken Kavanagh Jo Gartner Max Jean Emmanuel de Graffenried

Massa optimistic he can stay at Ferrari

Felipe Massa sees no reason why he cannot secure his future at Ferrari if he continues to deliver the kind of step forward in performance seen in recent races.

Jeffrey Michael Gordon Leslie Johnson Al Keller Randy Joseph Lajoie Ken Kavanagh Jo Gartner

The Bronx Helpers Bring Home a 20 MPH Slow Zone

A Bronx Helpers rally in support of pedestrian safety. Image: Transportation Alternatives
The Bronx Helpers set out to get a stop sign. They won 17 blocks of safer streets.
The Mt. Eden neighborhood was one of 13 neighborhoods selected as a 20 mph slow zone this week, and one of only four slated for installation this year. [...]

Kasey Kenneth Kahne William Ashton Lewis Jr Innes Ireland David Hobbs Sam Hanks Z Line Designs Toyota

Chevrolet Introduces Love It or Return It Policy for All 2012 and 2013 Models

How does one define love? For some, such as the Tin Man, that feeling is elusive and nebulous. For others, like, say, Steve Carell’s intelligence-challenged character Brick Tamland from the movie Anchorman, it’s as simple as loving a lamp and assorted office furniture. Chevrolet apparently has skewed towards the Brick Tamlands of this world with [...]

Bobby Grim Ernst Klodwig Clint Bowyer Motorsport Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Gene Hartley

Grosjean to take five-place penalty

Romain Grosjean will have to take a five-place grid penalty for the German Grand Prix after his Lotus team discovered a problem with his gearbox after last weekend's race at Silverstone. The Frenchman had charged from the back of the field to finish sixth, but on the last lap he encountered an issue with his gearbox - which would have forced him out of the race if it had struck earlier.

Billy Garrett Scott Russell Riggs David Carl Allison Brian Gubby Eddie Keizan Kyle Thomas Busch

Radicals Down to the Wire

After several seasons where Club England have been prominent in iRacing.com’s Radical Racing Challenge, this year Club Italia have a vice-like grip on the majority of the major placings in the 2012 Season 2 Radical championship. During a season which, surprisingly, hasn’t completely recovered from the drop caused by the S1 release of the NTM, Club Italy hold four of the top five spots in the overall championship and a solid one-two in Division 3. Audrius Valantiejus, has a race in hand at the top and thus is extremely likely to take the overall (and Division 1) championship. Giovanna Bertolotti enjoys a similarly vice-like grip on second but behind, three of his compatriots are separated by just 26 points as Maurizio Solinas, Davide Cisterna from Division 3 battle with Division [...]

Patrick Gaillard Beppe Gabbiani Jeffrey Tyler Burton Hans Heyer Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Carel Godin de Beaufort

NASCAR Royal Purple 300 Schedule for March 24, 2012 (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

The NASCAR Royal Purple 300 race is scheduled for Mar. 24, 2012, at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Qualifications will be at 1:30 p.m. EST with the actual race planned for 5 p.m. EST on Mar. 24. In 2011, Kyle Busch won the Royal Purple 300 while Carl Edwards was the pole...

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

Elias splits with Aspar team

Former Moto2 world champion and ex-MotoGP rider Toni Elias has parted company with the Aspar team following this weekend's Mugello Moto2 race. Elias won the inaugural Moto2 title in 2010 with Gresini after losing his MotoGP seat with the team at the end of the previous year. The Spaniard returned to MotoGP with LCR last season but was back in Moto2 for 2012 after a tough campaign in the premier class

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Denny Hamlin wins pole at Auto Club Speedway

Denny Hamlin went low when most drivers went high at Auto Club Speedway, and he ended up in pole position for Sundays race.

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

Photos: Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCARMEDIA (USED WITH PERMISSION)

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Dovizioso hails ‘dream’ home podium

Andrea Dovizioso described his third straight MotoGP podium as a 'dream' result, as he took his Tech 3 Yamaha to third place on his home soil at Mugello. The result was Dovizioso's fourth podium in five races.

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Ford Raffling One-Off Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca for MS Charity

Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise is pretty cool on its own, but this year Ford is hoping the crowds that turn out for the rolling car show will be in a generous—and Mustang-hungry—mood. That’s because the company is teaming up with the Michigan chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to raffle off a unique [...]

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

Travis Pastrana beats and bangs his way to Global RallyCross win at NHMS

Graham Hill Leo Kinnunen Parker Kligerman Paco Godia Hubert Hahne Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

Today’s Headlines

Cuomo Phone Call Gets Vanderhoef to Drop Tappan Zee Bridge Objections (Crain’s)
Gelinas: Plenty of Room For Compromise on Cheaper Tappan Zee Transit (Post)
Newsday Editor: Critics Right to Seek Answers on Tappan Zee Bridge Plans
City Rejects Residential Parking Permits For Stadium Neighborhoods (Post)
Next Level of NYPD Ticket Fixing Scandal: Officer Charged With Hiring Hit Man to Kill [...]

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

2013 Ford Taurus SEL AWD Instrumented Test: Big, Comfy, Heavy

Freshened for 2013, the Taurus is reminiscent of Ford’s top-line family sedans of yesteryear, cars like the Galaxie 500, the LTD; big, comfortable, and quiet, with relaxed dynamics and respectable power. Plus interior appointments that border on luxury. But even though Taurus pricing can soar well above the $40,000 threshold, Ford refrains from portraying it [...]

racing info Georges Grignard Brad Keselowski Gary Hocking Jeremy Allan Mayfield Toyota Kimmy

Lorenzo buoyed by ‘excellent’ start

Jorge Lorenzo has lauded Yamaha's 'excellent beginning' to the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, as he bids to end Honda's current run of two straight victories. After being taken out at the first corner in the Dutch TT, Lorenzo was then unable to match the works Hondas at the Sachsenring - even if he was able to extend his championship lead due to Casey Stoner's last-lap crash.

Al Herman Floyd Anthony Raines Mike Hawthorn Walt Hansgen Kevin Michael Harvick Copart Ford

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Instrumented Test: Unique Engine, Special Car

To some, a special engine can make a car special. An NSX owner will happily tell you that his engine has titanium connecting rods. The Corvette ZR1 has a special viewing window built into the hood to help generate conversation. Those driving an SLK55 AMG of the latest vintage may not know it, but the [...]

Alan Jones Al Herman Floyd Anthony Raines Mike Hawthorn Walt Hansgen Kevin Michael Harvick

5 Questions before the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Casey James Mears Charles Robert Hamilton IV Cecil Green Roberto Guerrero Terrence Lee Labonte Eddie Johnson

Official: Study says EV battery pricing could plunge by 70% by 2025

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Hatchback, Ford, Earnings/Financials, Electric

Reuters is reporting on a new study that suggests the cost of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles could plummet dramatically by 2025. Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. conducted the study, which indicated increasing oil prices and tougher fuel economy standards could force automakers to build more electric cars, thereby increasing the scale of lithium-ion battery manufacturing by significant margins. In addition, the research predicts consumer electronics companies like Apple may lend some technology advancements to reduce costs associated with producing the battery packs themselves. All told, the study expects to see prices fall from $500-$600 per kilowatt hour to $200 by 2020 and $160 by 2025.

For example, Reuters points out that the 23 kilowatt hour battery in the 2013 Ford Focus Electric is estimated to cost between $12,000 and $15,000. The McKinsey study claims that if fuel prices hold steady at $3.50 per gallon and batteries fall to the projected levels, automakers could begin to offer price-competitive electric vehicles.

The study also indicates battery manufacturers may begin to standardize cell construction and production, further reducing the cost of equipment needed to produce the packs.

Study says EV battery pricing could plunge by 70% by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Button admits next two races crucial

Jenson Button thinks it vital that McLaren makes the most of the next two races as it bids to get itself back to the front of the grid. The Woking-based team has endured frustrating weekends in Valencia and Silverstone, and is keen to ensure that it delivers in Germany and Hungary so it does not lose any further ground in the title battle. With F1 teams facing a summer shutdown after Hungary, Button says there is added significance to the next two grands prix

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. On Top Heading into Loudon

by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com The LENOX Industrial Tools 301 marks the 19th race of the long 36–race NASCAR Sprint Cup season in Loudon, N.H. this Sunday, July 15 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 1.058-mile oval track with limited 12 degree banking is known for tight corners and difficult passing. Fans far from the [...]

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Heavy rain causes F3 Masters delays

Qualifying for the Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort has been delayed after torrential rain hit the circuit early on Saturday morning. The day had been set to commence with the first of three Formula Ford races, but after just two laps, the first of which was run behind the safety car, the race was abandoned due to the weather. That prompted a two-hour delay with conditions too severe for any further running.

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New GP3 car completes first test

The next-generation GP3 car had its first test sessions last week, the series has revealed. Ex-GP2 racer Ben Hanley gave the car a shakedown at Italian circuit Varano, before the car was taken to Magny-Cours for two days of running. The new car has switched from a turbo to a normally-aspirated engine, and GP2/GP3 technical director Didier Perrin explained that the aim of the first tests was to focus on that area

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Brookings: Inadequate Transit and Sprawl Cut Off Workers From Jobs

Transit access to employment is especially weak in the Midwest and South. Source: Brookings Institution
If there’s a problem connecting workers with workplaces, it stands to reason that there’s a problem connecting workplaces with workers. A new report from the Brookings Institution has teased out the subtleties of this side of the transit/jobs equation.
Last year, Brookings [...]

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2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible First Drive: Okay, Just Call it a Z06 Convertible

Whatever you do, don’t call the Chevrolet Corvette 427 convertible a Z06 convertible. (more…)

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Hamilton fastest in Malaysian GP practice (PA SportsTicker)

By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer

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Bird fastest in Moscow first practice

Sam Bird topped the opening Formula Renault 3.5 free practice session at the brand new Moscow Raceway on Friday morning. With building work still going on around the site of the track, the FR3.5 field took to the circuit for its first 90-minute session, extended from the usual 75 minutes because the venue is new to everyone. Alexander Rossi and Marco Sorensen led the running for much of the first hour, but Bird moved to the top of the times with around 20 minutes remaining and stayed there until the end

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Familiar Ground

It’s not an inRacingNews Challenge season unless the series makes multiple visits to Summit Point Raceway. This season, the Pontiac Solstices, SpecRacer Fords, and Mazda MX-5 Roadsters of the iRNC visit the track four times, taking-on the Jefferson Course layout in Week Eight. With only eight of 12 weeks counting towards a driver’s championship score, a strong sim-racer could feasibly end their season here and come home with a class title. Longtime Solstice competitor Nenad Matijevic scored 146 points in two victorious starts to lead the class at week’s end. Meanwhile, Chris Hughson’s 156 points were good for a 28-point victory in SRF. Finally, Daniel Schon’s 153-point week in Mazda gave him an eight point advantage over Christoph Schon in the closest class battle of the week. Kyle Young’s 17 [...]

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Alfa’s Roadster Detailed: Info On the 2015 Alfa Romeo Duetto

2015 Alfa Romeo Duetto (artist's rendering) Alfa Romeo and Mazda appear to be growing quite cozy. A contingent of Mazda brass was spotted recently at Fiat’s production facilities in Turin, Italy. This is due, in part, to the fact that Mazda is the only major Japanese manufacturer without a European production facility and Fiat just [...]

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GLOBAL iPRINT NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Jan. 4, 2012 Global iPrint, a premier printing and distribution company, has signed a three-year agreement to become the "Official Print Sponsor" of NHRA....

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State Reports Belie Cuomo’s Claim That Tappan Zee Transit Will Cost $5B

Governor Andrew Cuomo claims that a bus rapid transit system would cost $5 billion to build. But newly released state documents show that number includes billions of dollars in highway improvements, with transit costs actually much lower. Depending on the scenario, the administration is counting between $1 billion and $3 billion in highway costs (the [...]

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P.J. O’Rourke on Speed: The Greatest Pleasure of Driving

Speed is the greatest pleasure of driving. But speed’s essence isn’t found on the racetrack, the drag strip, or the Bonneville Salt Flats. The best expression of the joy of going fast that I’ve ever seen was at five miles per hour. I let my eight-year-old son drive the tractor. Read full story »

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Peeking Behind the Curtain of Big Oil-Funded Agenda 21 Conspiracy Mongers

Literature from the Koch brother-funded Americans for Prosperity links smart growth policies to the UN and the sinister-sounding "Agenda 21." Their brochure is actually on the milder side of Agenda 21 paranoia. Image: TreeHugger
If you haven’t been following the story of the Agenda 21 conspiracy theory, here’s a quick overview. Some people believe a two-decade-old, non-binding [...]

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Qualifying Moves Back To Friday For TUMS Fast Relief 500 At Martinsville Speedway

TUMS Fast Relief 500 - Martinsville SpeedwayMARTINSVILLE, Va. (July 12, 2012) – Qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway will return to Friday this fall. Time trials for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 will be held at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, October 26. The Sprint Cup cars will have a 90-minute practice...more»

The post Qualifying Moves Back To Friday For TUMS Fast Relief 500 At Martinsville Speedway appeared first on Catchfence.

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Webber stays with Red Bull for 2013

Mark Webber will stay with Red Bull Racing for the 2013 Formula 1 season, the team has announced, ending speculation that the Australian could be in line for a move to Ferrari. Webber has been on year-by-year deals with Red Bull for several seasons, and had been linked with a switch to Ferrari to partner Fernando Alonso in 2013

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SRT Motorsports (Dodge) Presents THE NUMBERS: LENOX Industrial Tools 301

Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Motorsports LogoTHE NUMBERS for the LENOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 301 New Hampshire Motor Speedway (All Sprint Cup races) 1 – fewest lead changes (9/17/00) 1 – fewest leaders (Jeff Burton, 9/17/00) 2 – fewest cautions (7/13/97) 2 – fewest laps led by race winner (Jeff Burton, 7/11/99) 3 – wins by...more»

The post SRT Motorsports (Dodge) Presents THE NUMBERS: LENOX Industrial Tools 301 appeared first on Catchfence.

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