See full post and comment: http://9gag.com/gag/2826692
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A different kind of hybrid – European Style with American Muscle
Many a European exotic car builder during the 1960s and 1970s decided that the best way to get their sleek and sexy cars in production would be to use a tried and true American powerplant.
Bizzarrini GT 5300
Beginning in 1964 Bizzarrini worked for Renzo Rivolta at his company, Iso Rivolta, and there he was instrumental in developing three Iso models: the Iso Rivolta GT, Iso Grifo both A3/L and A3/C versions. The A3/C would later become the Bizzarrini GT 5300 (see the Iso chapter).
Iso Grifo A3/CBizzarrini split with Rivolta in 1964 and founded his own company that produced approximately 140 cars through 1969 at its Livorno, Italy factory. In 1966 Bizzarrini S.p.A. released a beautiful street legal Grifo A3/C badged as the Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada (or Bizzarrini GT America, depending on the market).
1966 Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada
Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada EngineThree GT 5300s were built as beautiful Style Italia designed Spyders (with a targa like top), all of which survive today.
One of the three Bizzarrini SpydersBizzarrini P538
The American racing driver, Mike Gammino, asked Giotto Bizzarrini to make a car for him to race in the North American Can-Am series. This request resulted in the Bizzarrini P538, which is a mid-engine racecar without a top. Originally two were made with a Lamborghini V12 engine and two were made with the Corvette 327 cid (5.3 liter) V8.
Bizzarrini P538
P538 "Duca d'Aosta"
Bizzarrini MantaBizzarrini S.p.A went out of business in 1969.
Full Article: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/02/22/a-different-kind-of-hybrid-european-style-with-american-muscle/
UK includes electric delivery in rebate plan; Renault Kangoo ZE now eligible
The UK's inclusion of battery-electric delivery vehicles in its alt-fuel rebate program makes Renault's Kangoo Van Z.E. eligible for the incentive, the French automaker said.
With the new plug-in program providing a rebate of as much as 20 percent of a new EV's price, Kangoo Van Z.E. buyers may get a refund of as much as 3,398 British pounds (about $5,400 U.S. at today's exchange rates) from the UK government. The Renault is one of seven battery-electric vans deemed eligible for the program, and all three versions are also exempt from the London congestion charge.
Last month, the UK government extended its electric-vehicle tax credit to 2015 and added electric vans. Personal EV buyers get as much as a 25 percent credit, up to 5,000 pounds ($7,880), making the incentive slightly more generous than the $7,500 tax credit provided by the U.S. government to EV buyers. The commercial EV credit is as much as 20 percent of the purchase price, up to 8,000 British pounds ($12,600).
The Renault differs from EVs such as the Nissan Leaf in that consumers pay for the vehicle without the battery, then rent the battery for as little as 60 British pounds a month.
Batteries not included! Too bad it's actually coal-powered in terms of energy source. That electricity has to come from somewhere...
Original Page: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/22/uk-includes-electric-delivery-in-rebate-plan-renault-kangoo-ze/
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Guido Follow Only The Ferrari's
The last day or so has been particularly eventful in the lively arena of Ferrari speculation. The fire was fueled first by a purported shot of the 599 replacement's rear, and now the company has released a video (see below) promising a reveal of the new V-12 car for next week. The footage shows thinly veiled test vehicles being put through their paces—by none other than Ferrari F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa—and boldly proclaims: "The most powerful Ferrari ever is about to take its bow." February 29 is the promised unveil date.
The "most powerful" claim certainly makes sense, as last October Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa told Car and Driver the new car would produce more than 700 hp and retain the current front-engine configuration. Rumors say the car will be named F620, which would mean it uses a 6.2-liter V-12. Heretofore, the track-only 599XX was the sole 599 model to crest the 700-hp mark.
We'll see just how far past 700 that total goes when the wraps come off next week. We expect to see and learn more about the car at the Geneva show next month.
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/DL9jD00rFTw/
Friday, February 17, 2012
Brake Check!
A few years back, a friend (who shall remain nameless) asked me to look at her brakes. The right-front caliper had failed, putting pressure on the inside of the rotor only, and ground it down to the vents.
Upon further inspection, the former inside surface was actually not attached any longer, and peeled off like a post-it note.
Check your brakes, folks.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
F1 race organizers raise almost $100 million in funding
Organizers of a race track that is set to host its first Formula One race in November have raised about $94.3 million from 24 investors, a document filed Monday with the Security and Exchange Commission shows.[...]
Monday, February 13, 2012
BMW goes solar at its Zentrum Museum in South Carolina
BMW says its Zentrum Museum in Greenville, SC, is now fully solar powered and includes three electric-vehicle charging stations, marking the German automaker's continued efforts to boost its green credibility.
BMW offering charging for electric cars is more than just PR, good to see tree huggers and gear heads coming together.
With help from Southern Energy Management, BMW spent $500,000 to install 400 solar panels that produce 96 kilowatts of energy, or enough to power the half-acre museum and charging stations. The installation is part of a broader effort by BMW to cut its carbon footprint through initiatives that include factory-efficiency improvements and a hydrogen-storage center.
The German automaker is looking to make strides through plant improvements and vehicle electrification. BMW last month recently started offering leases on its Active E electric vehicle in the U.S. That car is launching in markets such as Los Angeles, New York and Boston, and can be leased for $499 a month with a $2,250 down payment.
The company also joins automakers like Ford Motor Co. and General Motors that have made efforts to cut waste and energy usage at their facilities. Ford Motor Co. said late last month that it planned to reduce landfill waste from its Europe plants by 70 percent and cut water use by 30 percent within five years. And General Motors said last month in its first sustainability report since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009 that more than 80 of its factories produce no landfill materials.
Original Page: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/bmw-goes-solar-at-its-zentrum-museum-in-south-carolina/
Saturday, February 11, 2012
276-hp Vauxhall Astra VXR headed to Geneva
Vauxhall has three big reveals planned for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, one of them being the 280-horsepower Vauxhall Astra VXR that was announced last November as the Opel Astra OPC. That means the 2.0-liter turbo four lives underhood, and in addition to 276 ponies, it dishes out 295 pound-feet of torque. Handling is aided by the limited-slip differential for the front axle, the HiPerStrut suspension and the "fully adaptive FlixRide system."[...]
Original Page: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/11/280-hp-vauxhall-astra-vxr-headed-to-geneva/
Friday, February 10, 2012
Re-Framed 1964 Triumph TR4
This 1964 Triumph TR4 is a offered as a restored rolling chassis needing finishing. The seller shows many photos of the great looking drivetrain, and the separate body is said to be finished in black. Find it here on eBay in Dallas, Texas.
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BringATrailer/~3/m8F8eWvV5YQ/
A beautiful chassis restore, no doubt, but that model looks much better without the body...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
355-HP Audi TT RS Plus Debuts
Audi has ramped up the performance and appearance of the second-generation TT with the introduction of a potent new 355-horsepower four-wheel-drive, range-topping model.
Nice, but I'd still rather have the RS4 Avant sport wagon...
Original Page: http://www.insideline.com/audi/tt-rs/355-hp-audi-tt-rs-plus-debuts.html
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Ford Focus vs. Ford Focus
I could take him...
Come on, who wouldn't try to race a World Rally Car if it was sat at the lights next to you with launch control engaged and a driver with an itchy throttle foot and a demonic stare?
Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorldRallyReview/~3/SMaRCqX6U-g/
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Audi heads 2012 Le Mans entry list
Audi heads the entry for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours with a four-car assault that will include two hybrid versions of its R18 coupe.
The German manufacturer has opted to split its entry between its new diesel-electric hybrid, which has been testing since last autumn, and a conventional turbodiesel version of the R18.
Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said: "The first test results [of the hybrid] are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs on the race track at Le Mans.
The new R18 Hybrid, which is understood to use a flywheel energy-storage system rather than batteries, will make its debut in the Spa round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in May.
Audi will run two cars in the full WEC and three in the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours next month and at Spa.
Toyota has two of its new TS030 HYBRIDS on the entry list. Super GT driver Hiroaki Ishiura is listed against the second entry, making him the first confirmed driver in this car.
The US Dyson Racing, winners of last year's American Le Mans Series, is on course to race at the 24 Hours for the first time in its history. It has taken up both of its guaranteed slots and will field its pair of new LMP1 Lola-Mazda B12/60 coupes.
The publication of the entry list finally confirms Aston Martin Racing's switch to the GTE division after the end of the AMR-One prototype programme It will field two Vantage GT2s at Le Mans and in the WEC.
Five cars are on the reserve list, including the second Lotus LMP2 and another P2 Lola from Status GP.
The full entry list can be found here.
Full story: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/audi-heads-2012-le-mans-entry-list/
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