Aston Martin Virage replaced by DB9

        Aston Martin revived the Virage name at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show when they have unveiled the new Virage in both coupe and Volante versions. However, it seems that the model wasn't as successful as the company hoped as they have decided to finally drop the car and replace it by a new DB9.

During its short 18 months life-time, only 1,000 Virage units have been produced. And that mostly because most clients consider the Virage a more expensive alternative of the current DB9 and they don't feel like paying the extra cost. As a result, the Virage will be dropped and will be replaced by a new generation DB9. However, this move will make the new DB9 a little bit more expensive than the current generation: clients should expect paying about £150k ($237,000 at the current exchange rates) - up from the current £128k ($202,000). The model will still be cheaper than the Vanquish - priced at £190k (about $300k).

The next DB9 will get a similar, but more aggressive styling than the Virage and will be powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers 510 HP (more than Virage), but still not enough to threaten the Vanquish (565 HP). The new model is set to be unveiled in 2013.

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Original Page: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/aston-martin-virage-dropped-will-be-replaced-by-new-db9-ar134370.html

Manuals - sometimes useful

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Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/9gag/~3/D659yLR8c3k/5199978

50mpg, Meh...

The United States has finalized fuel economy rules that would increase the average to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, almost twice as much as the current standards. It’s the first update since the mid-1980s, and it should have a big impact on the annual cost of fueling up cars and trucks as well as the emitting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Without a climate bill, you can say that the fuel economy standards represent the biggest action taken by the Obama Administration on greenhouse gas emissions. “These fuel standards represent the single most important step we’ve ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil… It’ll strengthen our nation’s energy security, it’s good for middle class families and it will help create an economy built to last,” President Obama said. The Administration claims this will reduce oil consumption over time by 12 billion barrels, at a savings for consumers of over $1.7 trillion. In fact, that’s precisely what the President said in a statement.

This builds on standards already finalized by the Department of Transportation and the EPA that increase fuel economy to 35.5 MPG by 2016. The new 54.5 MPG standard was finalized last July, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said on a conference call today that the final rule is essentially identical to that proposal.

[...]

I had a '56 Hudson that returned 40mpg, so I don't think that there have been as many advances in efficiency in engine design over the past 60 years or so as the auto industry claims...

US Finalizes 2025 Fuel Efficiency Standard of 54.5 MPG | FDL News Desk

Woman's Kia Sorento Gas Pedal gets Stuck Sending her on a 120mph Horror Ride

Given the sticky situation she was in, Lauri Ulvestad of Ames, Iowa, should consider herself extremely lucky for making it out alive when the accelerator pedal of her 2011 Kia Sorento crossover got jammed as she was driving up Interstate 35 in Missouri last week.

Why do none of these stories ever end with "so I put it in neutral and pulled over?" Living in Missouri at one time, it's understandable that some drivers are simply too ignorant...

The 47-year old woman told KCCI-TV in Des Moines that she tried everything from turning off the key, to shifting out of drive and slamming on the brakes, but nothing worked.

I have never driven a single vehicle which I was unable to put in neutral at speed. 

"I knew I was going to die," said Ulvestad. "I didn't have any doubt about. I really thought I was going to die ... and no matter what I did, I couldn't slow it down."

Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Carscoop/~3/-_8eGLcOGvc/woman-kia-sorento-gas-pedal-gets-stuck.html

2013 BMW Alpina B7: The Jalopnik Review

Legendary wine critic Robert Parker was so enthused when he first tasted the 1985 Sassicaia, that he awarded the vintage a maximum 100-points on his internationally acclaimed ratings system, such was the "surreal" quality of this fabled wine. More »

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Original Page: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/DuS4bUO-gXs/2013-bmw-alpina-b7-the-jalopnik-review

Aston Martin Rapide Facelift

The 2013 Aston Martin Rapide facelift has been spied virtually undisguised. It features new bumpers and a larger rear spoiler.

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Original Page: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/HixPB_cyf9Y/aston-martin-rapide-facelift-spied-virtually-undisguised

Body Shop Surprises Gay Student With Upgraded Version Of Vandalized Car

Jordan Addison is a college student at Virginia's Radford University, and seems pretty much like any college student: he goes to class, probably drinks, probably has goofy in-jokes with friends, has sexual preferences, and all that good college-era crap. Unlike most college students, though, he has had his 2000 Passat vandalized four times, once with the word "die" keyed into the side, and another time with homophobic slurs scraped into the paint.

All because some idiots don't like some part of Addison's life that's none of their business, anyway. Addison is gay, and the people that vandalized his car are, presumably, brain-damaged pants-fillers.

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/PNjqczxujKE/body-shop-surprises-gay-student-with-restored-car-after-it-was-vandalized

Toyota Motorsport Builds Scion FR-S Customer Race Car

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), the German motorsports company formerly responsible for Toyota's Formula 1 program and now contracted to developing racing versions of its production cars, has rolled out a new racing version of the Scion FR-S' cousin sold overseas, the Toyota GT 86 sports car.

And then I realize that many of these cars will likely be drifted; a poor substitute for racing. 

Labeled the TMG GT86 CS-V3, the new car is aimed at privateer racers, particular those looking to compete in the V3 class of the Nürburgring-based VLN racing series, the highlight of which is the annual Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Currently, the car has only received homologation from the Deutsche Motor Sport Bund in Germany, though more category opportunities are expected to open up in the near future.

Like its road-going siblings, the TMG GT86 CS-V3 race car is ideal for performance fans on a budget. Its pricetag is a very reasonable €38,500 (approximately $47,760), excluding taxes, and it has been developed with easy maintenance and low running costs in mind.

Key changes to the car include a stiffened chassis and optimized weight distribution, as well as a racing exhaust system, uprated suspension and brakes, a full roll cage and a stripped-out interior. The  basic powertrain has been left unchanged, however, which means peak output from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine is just 200 horsepower.

In a statement, TMG president Yoshiaki Kinoshita explained that a pre-production version has already proven itself bywinning the V3 class in the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours race earlier this year.

Anyone interested can order one today, with delivery times depending on demand. Note, development of racing cars based on the GT 86 continues at TMG, with a GT 86 Cup car currently under consideration.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1078623_toyota-motorsport-builds-scion-fr-s-customer-race-car

Track-Only, 320-HP Mazda MX-5 GT4 Miata

2011 Mazda MX-5 GT race car

Ever since the first Mazda MX-5 Miata hit the streets in 1989, some people have wanted a little more power.

With each new generation Mazda has duly obliged to the point where the current model has a 2.0-liter engine with 167-horsepower—over 50 horses more than the original car.

Even then, this isn't enough for some. That's where the Mazda MX-5 GT4 comes in.

With 320 horsepower from its turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter MZR engine found in the regular car, there's plenty to keep speed freaks happy. As should the low 2,204-pound curb weight, courtesy of liberal splashings of carbon fiber and a stripped-out interior.

It gets better—there's an FIA-spec roll cage, a carbon fiber diffuser, a racing bucket seat and even a six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters.

If you're thinking that this sounds like the spec of a race car, you're unfortunately right. This is no road car, and Mazda is selling it to rival Aston Martins and Lotus racers in GT and GT4-spec championships.

The car is built by UK-based Jota Sport, and is fully homologated for GT4 racing. An earlier development of the car has been competing successfully in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, hence the decision to offer it to racing customers.

And though a powerful, race-spec MX-5 is a dream drive for many gearheads, the $197,000 purchase price—pre tax—will rule it out for all but seasoned racers.

That also makes it less of a value choice than the $48,000 TMG Toyota GT 86 race car we featured yesterday—though the MX-5 is a little bit quicker…

So if you're after that faster Miata for the road, your best bet is still your local tuning shop…

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotorAuthority2/~3/p-b8uUKeGvA/1078654_track-only-320-hp-mazda-mx-5-gt4-unveiled

Report: Ford Fiesta ST gets U.S. go ahead?

Ford certainly teased us last year by bringing a five-door Fiesta ST concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show. Shortly thereafter, the production Euro-spec three-door ST was revealed in Geneva, but Ford's lips were still sealed about whether or not the pint-sized hot hatch would make its way to the United States.

Speaking to AutoGuide recently at an event in California, Ford Marketing Manager Steve Ling stated that "the Fiesta is the next to get the [ST] treatment." That said, when Motor Trend reached out to Ford for comment, a representative from the automaker simply stated that a decision had not yet been made for other markets, including North America.

In Europe, the Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, good for 177 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Assuming the car is green-lit for U.S. consumption, we don't expect those numbers to change. All we can say for now is, cross your fingers.

Linky

C&D Pits Nissan Juke-R Against Porsche 911 GT2 RS

When it comes to extreme production cars, the limited run Nissan Juke-R takes the cake, and rightfully so since the Japanese automaker essentially dropped the body of its small crossover over the (shortened) chassis and powertrain of the supercar-slaying GT-R sports car.

In prototype form, the Juke-R uses the MY10 GT-R's 485hp V6, but the actual production model, which will carry a base price of $590,000 (about €473,000), will get the even more powerful 545hp turbocharged engine from the improved MY12 (2013MY in North America) GT-R.

Read more »

New Truck

 

I finally broke down and bought a proper truck to pull a big travel trailer. It's a 2010 Ford F-250 in Lariat trim with the 6.4L diesel engine, auto transmission, and FX4 off-road package. Looks to be a good replacement for the old 4Runner.

Reality TV

Only the network formerly known as Speedvision could create a show that car guys wouldn't want to watch. Reality TV is a poor excuse for entertainment.

http://peel.tv/ABEGd

Fiat adding midlevel 500 turbo model for 2013

Fiat is adding a midlevel model, the 500 Turbo, to its U.S. lineup for 2013.

Tim Kuniskis, head of of the Fiat brand in North America, said the model was developed to address consumer demand for more power and performance in the 500 line.

The car will get a turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine rated at 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. It will have larger brake rotors, sport-tuned springs and shocks and a rear spoiler.

What? No turbo diesel? Even the 80s Toyota 4WD wagon I had on high school got nearly 40mpg. All the complaints about fuel economy, but nothing of significance done about it...

Pricing will start at $20,200 when it goes on sale in the United States this fall.

It's paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and gets 34 mpg on the highway.

The 500 Turbo will be equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine rated at 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque.   The car also has a Beats by Dr. Dre audio system. By comparison, the base 500 is rated at 101 hp and 98 lb-ft from a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter four-cylinder, which costs $16,200. The Abarth pushes out 160 hp and 170 lb-ft from a turbo I4 and starts at $22,700. Fiat sold 3,710 units of the 500 in July and 24,416 units this year.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120817/OEM04/120819874/1306

Conquest Vehicles Introduces Unarmored Evade SUV

Despite the departure of the likes of the Hummer H1 and Ford Excursion, there remains a market for big, imposing, and lavishly-appointed SUVs, as is evidenced by the continued existence of Dartz. The field is about to get another entry following the launch of Conquest Vehicles' Evade, which will be the company's first unarmored vehicle.

Based on a Ford F-550 Super Duty Chassis, the 235-inch long Evade is about eight inches longer than the Excursion and its 96-inch width and 100-inch height dwarf even Ford's factory Super-Duty based SUV. Engine options consist of Ford's 6.8-liter V-10 and 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V-8. Prior to the Evade, Conquest Vehicles produced only the Knight XV, a 13,000-lb armored behemoth of a vehicle that uses the same Ford hardware for its powertrain and chassis.

Despite the use of Blue Oval bits for its underpinnings and motivation, the rest of the Evade is hand-crafted. Particularly, the company points out that the Evade's steering wheel, door hinges, running boards and key are all milled out of solid stainless steel.

Such exclusivity comes at a price: The Evade starts at a no-nonsense $579,000. We didn't ask if financing was available, but if you have to ask that question in the first place, you've answered your own question as to whether the Evade is in your budget.

Read more: http://www.fordsuperduty.net/conquest-vehicles-introduces-unarmored-evade-suv/

Ford Upgrades Super Duty 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel to 400 hp and 800 lb-ft, Offers Reflash for Early Adopters

We were already impressed that the optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V-8 engine in 2011 Ford Super Duty trucks churned out 390 hp and 735 lb-ft of torque, and now Ford has extracted even more grunt from the engine. Reprogrammed engine-management software means the engine now produces 400 hp and an incredible 800 lb-ft of torque.

I like nice, round numbers. And that is a nice number indeed. 

Happily for Blue Oval marketers, the Power Stroke engine now trumps the output of the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine in the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, which produces 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque. We don't think this is a coincidence.

Ford says the additional output will also boost fuel economy by about two percent. Our test of a 2011 F-250 crew cab 4×4 returned 15 mpg, so if there is an increase, it would likely be imperceptible. Starting August 31, customers who have already bought a 2011 Power Stroke–equipped truck can take advantage of a free upgrade to the new power outputs at any Ford dealership. The software update is said to take as little as half an hour.

When we tested a 2011 Ford F-250 with the Power Stroke engine—back then making a pathetic 390 hp and 735 lb-ft—we found it had no trouble towing a Spec Miata, tires, and tools. It also reached 60 mph in 8.0 seconds and finished the quarter-mile dash in 16.2 seconds at 86 mph, despite weighing 7960 pounds. We'll have to get a new, more powerful Super Duty on our test track to see how much difference the extra 10 hp and 65 lb-ft of twist make.

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Original Page: http://blog.caranddriver.com/ford-upgrades-super-duty-6-7-liter-power-stroke-diesel-to-400-hp-and-800-lb-ft-offers-reflash-for-early-adopters/

George Broughs Personal Motorcycle Headed to Auction

The personal motorcycle of George Brough, founder of the famous Brough Superior motorcycle company, is headed to the auction block on October 4, 2012.

H and H Auctions is anticipating the 1922 Brough Superior will bring between (£) 250,000 – 270,000, which at today's exchange rate is approximately $392,500 to $424,000.

George Brough was not only the company founder, but an enthusiastic racer in his day, riding the very bike up for auction in numerous races. The motorcycle was given the nickname "Old Bill," and has a storied history according to AuctionCentralNews.com.

The George Brough Superior, as well as a number of other Brough Superiors will go on auction October 4 at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England.

Source: AuctionCentralNews.com

2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport for Sale

I'm selling my 4Runner, sadly. We need a big diesel truck to pull a big travel trailer, so this one has to go.

2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport
95,470 miles
Very clean, great family car or fun ride, everything works well
Alignment at 82k miles
New Yokohama Geolander AT/S 265/70R17 Tires at 80k miles
New battery at 75k miles
Strong brakes
Engine: 4.0 L V6, 245 hp, 283 lb-ft torque
Four-speed automatic w/ overdrive
VIN# JTEZU14R740041379
CD player
Nice, clean leather, no rips or tears
Non-smoking owners, no pets
Regular oil changes every 3k miles with Mobil 1 synthetic
Curt 2" tow hitch, pulls very well
Very cold AC
17-18mpg average city driving

More details and photos in the Craigslist ad: 2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport

Mitsubishi Pins Its Hopes On A Mirage

Mitsubishi is still alive and well in Japan, for the rest of the world, it is hoping for a Mirage. Just to make sure, Mitsubishi built one. Produced in Thailand, the Mitsubishi Mirage is a global compact car. Today, it goes on sale in Japan.

The Mirage will be successively rolled out in Europe, Australia and other regions. Over 33,000 orders have already been received for the Mirage in Thailand as of the end of July, the company says.

In Japan, the new Mirage will be offered with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder MIVEC engine, mated to a to a CVT transmission.

I still love microcars today as much as ever. I had a Tercel as my first car, and a Hudson Metropolitan for some time as well. I'd love to see more of these little city cars come to the States, but, relative to inflation, fuel is cheaper today than at any time since during the Great Depression. 

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Original Page: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/08/mitsubishi-pins-its-hopes-on-a-mirage/