Source: http://thefinallap.com/2014/10/30/chase-elliott-eyes-sweep-on-road-to-championship/
Friday, October 31, 2014
Chase Elliott eyes sweep on road to championship
Oct. 30, 2014 Staff Report NASCAR Wire Service With only three races left on the NASCAR Nationwide Series slate, Chase Elliott is in prime position to capture its championship. The No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS driver currently sits atop the Nationwide Series standings, 42 points ahead of his JR Motorsports teammate Regan Smith. He will […]
COTA Nets Michael Lewis Stong Position For GT3 Cup Championship Finish
Although Michael Lewis had never raced at Circuit Of The Americas before, he earned the pole positions for both of his races on Friday, September 19, and scored one win and a second-place finish.
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/10/cota_nets_michael_lewis_s.php
U-Turn: What you missed on 10.30.14
Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Humor
Review: 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe
The Cadillac ATS Coupe is a good handling, well appointed sporting machine... that looks a lot like its four-door sibling. After a week-long test run with Caddy's newest deuce, we hash out what its like to live with, and ask ourselves if this ATS feels special enough to run with the mainline European competition.
How not to give away a Chevy Colorado
Chevy regional manager Rikk Wilde has seemed to let the big stage get the better of him last evening, bumbling his delivery when presenting the keys to a new Chevy Colorado to World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner. Wilde's extolling of the truck's virtues included it's "technology and stuff" along with some other sweaty-palmed moments, all captured on video. The good news: later today this story got a happy ending.
Cadillac's SRX-replacing XT5 is underway
If you're a member of the Cadillac SRX Fan Club, get ready to make new t-shirts. The American luxury brand seems to be prepping the new crossover that will live in the SRX's old lineup spot, this time wearing the all new XT5 badge (as part of Caddy's larger naming refresh). Our boys with the expensive telephoto lenses checked in with our first look at the XT5, here.
Top Stories
- The New York Times kills off Autos section
- Acura NSX prototype gets back on track
- Jaguar opens new engine plant in the UK
What you missed on 10.30.14 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/30/daily-recap-cadillac-ats-xt5-technology-and-stuff/
Breaking: NHTSA fines Ferrari $3.5 million for missing reports
Filed under: Government/Legal, Ferrari
Ferrari will pay a $3.5 million penalty for family to comply with oversight requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The federal agency that oversees road safety in the United States announced Friday morning that Ferrari had not submitted early warning reports for the past three years. These reports help the agency identify potential or existing safety threats.
In the wake of the rolling recalls for defective General Motors ignition switches, there has been considerable scrutiny of NHTSA's handling - or mishandling - of these early warning reports. Friday's fine is an indication the agency is taking its enforcement mandates more seriously, albeit against a manufacturer that has no large-scale presence on American roads.
"There is no excuse for failing to follow laws created to keep drivers safe," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a written statement, "and our aggressive enforcement action today underscores the point that all automakers will be held accountable if they fail to do their part in our mission to keep Americans safe on the road."
Federal law requires manufacturers to file EWR reports quarterly, and NHTSA officials say Ferrari failed to do so for three years and also failed to report three fatal accidents. As a small-volume manufacturer, Ferrari wasn't required to submit the quarterly reports until it fell under the Fiat banner in 2011, though it has always needed to report fatal accidents.
In a statement, Ferrari spokesperson Krista Florin said the missed reporters were inadvertent, and that Ferrari had implemented new procedures to "ensure full compliance in the future."
NHTSA fines Ferrari $3.5 million for missing reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/31/nhtsa-fines-ferrari-3-million-missing-reports/
Nassau Democrat Campaigns Against Speed Cams in Bid for Senate Seat
Adam Haber, a Democrat challenging incumbent Republican State Senator Jack Martins in Nassau County, is out with a new attack ad blasting his opponent for supporting speed cameras.
In April, the Senate voted 49-11 for a bill that expanded New York City’s speed cam program and brought automated speeding enforcement to Long Island for the first [...]
In April, the Senate voted 49-11 for a bill that expanded New York City’s speed cam program and brought automated speeding enforcement to Long Island for the first [...]
60 Total Reveals, 30 World Debuts, Confirmed For The 2014 LA Auto Show
Here's the breakdown of the 2014 Press & Trade Days (Nov. 18-20) at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/09/60_total_reveals_30_world.php
Thursday, October 30, 2014
A Detroit Grand Prix 2-Fer Benefits Penske Racing's Verizon Champ Bid
Penske Racing answered back in their own 2-race Detroit Grand Prix on their own track at the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit doubleheader at Belle Isle.
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/06/a_detroit_grand_prix_2-fe.php
Buy a Car and Learn to Drive It for Free! 6 Automaker Performance-Driving Schools Detailed
We think every performance-car buyer should go to driving school. And we’re not talking about the type that the judge sentences you to for speeding. What we’re talking about is a high-performance driving class that teaches you how to tap a vehicle’s true performance. Such schools usually cost thousands, but a few carmakers offer an […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/FdZFHqulA1k/
2014 NASCAR CUP SERIES MARTINSVILLE STARTING LINEUP – JAMIE MCMURRAY ON POLE
1 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald’s Chevrolet 18.954 99.905 2 22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford 19.011 99.605 3 20 Matt Kenseth Dollar General Toyota 19.066 99.318 4 14 Tony Stewart Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet 19.070 99.297 5 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota 19.076 99.266 6 2 Brad Keselowski Alliance Truck Parts Ford 19.081 […]
Put It On Me: Ja Rule’s “The Fast and the Furious” Integra Is For Sale on eBay
The world is gearing up for the seventh installment of the Fast and Furious movie series—it will be called Furious 7—and that has everyone a little nostalgic about the franchise’s roots. Luckily, if you’re searching for a time capsule straight back to 2001, the genuine Acura Integra driven by Ja Rule’s character Edwin is up for […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/gCwLGgATyjQ/
2nd Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show
The single day event took place at the new home of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Museum at 19021 S. Figueora Street, Gardena, California. It featured at least one original example of the cars produced during the life of Carroll Shelby.
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/06/2nd_annual_carroll_shelby.php
Honoring Hillsborough’s rich history
In 1947, while Bill France was flying over the town of Hillsborough, he saw that there was a dirty horse-race track right next to the Eno River. He soon purchased this track and transformed it into the Occoneechee Speedway, changed to the Orange Speedway in 1954. This track became the location for NASCAR’s third race. #135857540 / gettyimages.com Craig, who would visit the track at just 5 years old with his father, remembers how huge this was for his small town. He still recalls how he would stand up on his tiptoes to watch the cars buzz by his seat ...continue reading
Source: http://nascar-news-update.com/honoring-hillsboroughs-rich-history/
Jeff Burton, 2012 NSCS Pocono 400 presented by #NASCAR Race Preview
Jeff Burton In Car - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesJeff Burton No. 31 Armed Forces Foundation Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet This Weekend’s Armed Forces Foundation Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway … Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 385 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable this weekend. This No. 31 Chevrolet, built...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/QBFaqk6AYHE/
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
It’s Still Legal to Run Over a Child on a New York City Sidewalk [Updated]
An 8-year-old girl run over on the sidewalk outside her Bronx school Friday was one of at least two New York City pedestrians killed by motorists over the weekend. A woman struck while walking to work in Brooklyn Sunday morning was the second victim. No charges have been filed in either crash. NYPD and the [...]
Abt eyes IndyCar move after test
GP2 and Formula E racer Daniel Abt says that he is more keen than ever to pursue a career in the US after testing an Andretti Autosport IndyCar on Monday. The 21-year-old German spent a day in the car at Barber Motorsports Park, and said that the experience exceeded his expectations. “I’d heard a lot about the car and the squad before, and all the positive things I was told were confirmed,” he said. “I had a fantastic day with plenty of fun and learned a lot. I didn’t do this test out of boredom, but would like to explore options for next year. The test was a cool experience that definitely whets my appetite for more.” The test was the culmination of a fact-finding visit that Abt made to [...]
Report: Lincoln's $5B revival bid hinges upon new D6 chassis
Filed under: Technology, Lincoln, Earnings/Financials, Luxury
It's no secret that Lincoln has received short shrift from the Ford Motor Company for years, and former CEO Alan Mullay even wanted to kill the whole thing off when he ran things. Today, things appear to be trending in a different direction. Fresh investment has helped enable a sizable marketing push for its well-regarded MKC compact crossover, a couple of awards for the company and plant the seeds for a major expansion into China. While the situation is still in the early going, it looks like Lincoln is on a tentative (if long) path towards a turnaround. If new reports are accurate, the brand is poised to build on that momentum with its largest investment in new products in years thanks in large measure to a new modular platform codenamed D6.
According to four unnamed insiders speaking to Reuters, FoMoCo is investing over $5 billion over the next five years, partially to create a new modular platform to underpin multiple Lincoln vehicles - and possibly some Ford products, too. Development is reportedly being overseen by the division's new boss, Kumar Galhotra. At the moment, specific details about the D6 chassis aren't yet known, but it's rumored to have the flexibility to support front-, rear- and all-wheel drive vehicles. According to Reuters, the first model using the framework could be an MKZ replacement and seven-passenger MKT successor in 2019.
Until the D6-based models hit, expect to see continued expansion from Lincoln. Ford management isn't trying to turn around the division overnight and is planning "in terms of generations of products," according to current CEO Mark Fields. The strategy unsurprisingly includes a production version of Lincoln's recent MKX Concept, as well as an all-new Navigator using aluminum-intensive architecture. Reuters also claims the MKS is due for renewal in the meantime, including with a longer-wheelbase version to appeal to the brand's new Chinese buyers.
Lincoln's $5B revival bid hinges upon new D6 chassis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/27/lincoln-5-billion-revival-d6-chassis/
Brendan Gaughan, 2012 NCWTS WinStar World Casino 400k Race Preview
2012 NCWTS Brendan Gaughan (South Point) - Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCARBrendan Gaughan No. 2 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet This Week’s South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway … Brendan Gaughan will pilot Chassis No. 061 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/tHP6J6xfvng/
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Back That App Up: You Can Now Reverse a Trailer Using Only a Phone
Driving has been getting easier since Alfred Vacheron invented the steering wheel. But all the sensors and active systems fitted to a modern vehicle still can’t solve the real-time trigonometric puzzle of backing up while towing a trailer. Until now, that is. Power-steering-system producer ZF Lenksysteme in Germany, a joint venture between ZF and Bosch, […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/6tW6CcfW-00/
Next-Gen Nissan Titan Destined for Detroit, We Detail Its Clever New Diesel Engine
Almost 12 years ago, Nissan showed up at Detroit’s hometown auto show with a direct challenge to the Big Three: its first full-size truck, the Titan. Even if that truck barely registers as competition today—though it does have a pretty bitchin’ name—Nissan hasn’t been deterred from repeating the stunt with the second-generation truck. The 2016 […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/qHZuBaZE-R4/
BIKES: 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 First Ride
The latest handiwork from Polaris engineers upsizes the Ranger RZR lineup to its latest four-seat UTV model – the 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900.
Source: http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/bikes-2012-polaris-rzr-xp-4-900-first-ride/
Build, Paint, Repaint: The Assembly of Challenger Hellcat #0001 [Video]
Dodge has been deep in this whole promotional thing involving the one-last-go-’round Mötley Crüe and Gas Monkey guy Richard Rawlings, so it only makes sense that this build video of Challenger Hellcat VIN #0001 was scored by the Crüe’s ’89 MTV staple, “Kickstart My Heart.” What’s more confusing is that after assembly and primer, a black […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/RbyAGo3L4Uc/
After 40 Years, Will Atlanta’s MARTA See a Major Suburban Expansion?
Back in the ’70s, Clayton County didn’t want to be part of MARTA, Atlanta’s regional transit service. It was one of the suburban counties that “opted out.” In fact, all of Atlanta’s metro counties opted out except DeKalb and Fulton — the two that share the city of Atlanta proper.
Suburban Clayton County wants to be [...]
Suburban Clayton County wants to be [...]
Source: http://streetsblog.net/2014/10/24/after-40-years-will-atlantas-marta-expand-to-the-suburbs/
2015 Subaru WRX STI2015 Subaru WRX STI Tested: If You Want Action, It Has the Traction
If competition improves the breed, then the corollary is that the lack of competition invites stasis. And the Subaru WRX STI has only one natural predator: the dead-car-rolling Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the product of an enterprise that seems a little on the fence about whether it wants to sell cars or get deeper into the […]
Chrysler Gives 2015 200S a Much-Needed Mopar Upgrade for SEMA
The 2015 Chrysler 200 is strikingly handsome—particularly for its price range—but the mid-size sedan needs something more distinctive to stand out in its crowded segment. Ahead of next month’s blowout SEMA show, we got a peek at the juiced-up 200S that Chrysler will display at the Vegas extravaganza. Now this is more like it.Most notable […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/ylXTt16vWDU/
Kevin Harvick, 2012 NSCS Pocono 400 presented by #NASCAR Race Preview
2012 NSCS Kevin Harvick Rheem - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCARKevin Harvick No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet This Week’s Rheem Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 374 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. Built new for competition during the 2012 season,...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/gHrBRiqvIe4/
Monday, October 27, 2014
Peter Max Corvette Collection Exhumed from Parking-Garage Purgatory
The long and twisted tale of the so-called VH1 MAX Corvette collection, after sitting for nearly twenty-five years in a series of New York parking garages, has finally come to a close. According to a report in the New York Times, the thirty-six-car collection, which began as a grand prize in a television contest before […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/xzleantLlHI/
Pocono 400 Celebrating American Farmers
Baxter Black LONG POND, PA (6.6.12) Pocono Raceway will welcome RFD-TV personality, humorist Baxter Black to celebrate the American Farmer. From crop to beef producers, Baxter’s humor chronicles the story of the American ‘cowboy’, their trials and tribulations. Fans can catch Baxter wandering the infield Sunday, June 10th, for the Pocono 400, meeting new friends,...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/6blscqZKwMo/
Read This: Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video]
Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Read This
Sometimes, the stories that lead to cars turning up at auction are as interesting as the vehicles themselves. That's absolutely the case with the Peter Max (pictured above) collection of vintage Chevrolet Corvette models that are scheduled to cross the block in the spring of 2016.
Max is perhaps best known as a '60s pop artist who mixed vibrant colors with iconic imagery. However, classic car fans around New York City might know him better for storing a collection of 36 vintage 'Vettes in public parking garages for decades. The assortment is pretty special because it consists of one example of every model year from the original 1953 up until 1989, according to The New York Times.
Unfortunately, New York parking garages aren't really known for their cleanliness, and photos show the artist's Chevrolet collection neglected, caked in dirt and dust. After moving the collection around between several locations in the past few years, Max finally brokered a deal to sell them all off for an undisclosed price earlier this summer.
The collection's new owners are rehabbing the cars in preparation for selling them off. They're hoping to keep them all together as a set, but they're also apparently ready to let them go individually if that doesn't work, a move that will likely build buzz around these cars as they move toward the auction block.
The most bizarre part about these Corvettes is how Max acquired them. Without spoiling too much, it involves a 1989 contest from the cable music channel VH1. Scroll below to watch a video about this fascinating collection, then go read the whole story over at The New York Times.
Continue reading Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video]
Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/peter-max-corvette-collection-auction-video/
Stars From NASCAR, NHRA, INDYCAR and the World of Outlaws Ready for Dirt Late Model Race Benefitting Feed The Children
2012 Prelude To The Dream LogoWednesday, June 6 Presented Live by HBO Pay-Per-View® ROSSBURG, Ohio (June 5, 2012) – The following are pre-race quotes from select drivers participating the eighth annual Prelude To The Dream on Wednesday, June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Racing stars representing NASCAR, NHRA, INDYCAR and the World of Outlaws...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/SSOjbwjpmaY/
VW vs. Toyota—FIGHT! The Tale of the Tape as Two Behemoths Vie to Be Number 1
There is safety in sales numbers, and as it becomes more and more costly to turn a profit in the car industry, we’ll continue to see brands consolidate under immense corporate umbrellas, such as Chrysler’s marriage to Fiat. But while some fight to survive, others fight to rule. Today, Toyota and Volkswagen dominate as the […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/9KdA9gEZMLE/
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Report: In the future, you might be able to stop car thieves with a text message [w/video]
Filed under: Aftermarket, Safety, Technology, Videos
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. Faced with a family member's carjacking, entrepreneur Kelvin Macharia Kuria wanted to do something to stem the massive problem with vehicle thefts in Nairobi, Kenya. Still in his early 20s, he founded a company called Sunrise Tracking in 2012 to do just that, and Macharia has come up with a novel way to potentially get people's cars back, according to CNN.
Sunrise's main business is signing clients and installing GPS devices to track their vehicles. The users also have access to their own cars' location data. Other companies already offer this service, of course - what makes Sunrise so interesting is that it then goes even further in an effort to get its customer's property back.
First, the company uses closed-circuit television systems that can snap photos of thieves. However, if a vehicle is stolen, then the owner has an easy solution. Sending a special text message immobilizes the car until it can be retrieved. To be drivable again, it just takes dispatching a second message.
As CNN points out, even this immobilization-by-text technology isn't entirely unheard of. But it's still an intriguing example of someone like Macharia seeing a local problem and finding a way to craft a business around solving it. Scroll down for a video from CNN that delves deeper in the story behind Sunrise Tracking.
Continue reading In the future, you might be able to stop car thieves with a text message [w/video]
In the future, you might be able to stop car thieves with a text message [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/23/how-to-stop-car-theft-text-message-video/
After 40 Years, Will Atlanta’s MARTA See a Major Suburban Expansion?
Back in the ’70s, Clayton County didn’t want to be part of MARTA, Atlanta’s regional transit service. It was one of the suburban counties that “opted out.” In fact, all of Atlanta’s metro counties opted out except DeKalb and Fulton — the two that share the city of Atlanta proper.
Suburban Clayton County wants to be [...]
Suburban Clayton County wants to be [...]
Source: http://streetsblog.net/2014/10/24/after-40-years-will-atlantas-marta-expand-to-the-suburbs/
LeMons New England Day 1: No German Cars In Top 10, Sea Sprite Leading Class C
We inspected the 132 entries at the third annual Halloween Hooptiefest 24 Hours of LeMons on Friday, and today we raced. We saw many bent fenders, many ventilated engine blocks, and more lead changes than we could follow during the course of the day. When the dust settled, though, we were able to sort out […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/kPtzS3kWzgk/
WaPo Transpo Forum: America’s Mayors Aren’t Waiting for Washington
Atlanta’s BeltLine of bike and pedestrian trails is raising property values in every place it touches. Denver’s new rail line will create a much-needed link between Union Station downtown and the airport, 23 miles away. Miami is building 500 miles of bike paths and trails. Los Angeles is breaking new ground with everything from rail [...]
Followup: Caterham F1 management threatens to walk over ownership dispute
Filed under: Motorsports, Ownership
You might have thought that the Caterham F1 team, currently sitting dead last in the standings without a single championship point to its name, had already hit rock bottom and couldn't sink any lower. But apparently it has. As we reported just recently, Caterham Sports Limited - the factory that produces the F1 cars that the team fields in the FIA Formula One World Championship - was facing bankruptcy. And now, it seems, the team itself could fall apart as well.
The issue appears to revolve around an ownership dispute. Several months ago, Caterham boss Tony Fernandes sold the team to an independent consortium. But according to the new owners, Fernandes has failed to actually transfer ownership. As a result, the management team is threatening to walk if they don't actually get control of the team they claim to have bought. The team recently changed its senior leadership just months after taking it over from Fernandes, and has been switching drivers back and forth between veteran Kamui Kobayashi and three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer.
For its part, the Caterham Group headed by Tony Fernandes asserts that the ownership transfer of the F1 team was contingent on the new owners paying its staff and creditors, something which the automaker asserts the team has failed to do. Reached for comment, Fernandes said: "If you agree to buy a business, you must pay its bills. They have breached that promise and now, sadly, it is others such as the employees and the fans of the Caterham F1 team that will suffer if the team ceases to race."
"We genuinely believed, at the time, that the sale of the team was the best route for the staff and creditors of the Company, as we felt it secured its long term future," added Caterham Group CEO Graham Macdonald. "However, it appears to me that they never had any intention of paying these liabilities."
The ownership dispute only serves to further endanger the team's future viability. But with other parties vying for a spot on the grid, we're sure the team could sell its license easily enough. The only question is over who would get the proceeds. Scroll on down to read the statements from both parties.
Continue reading Caterham F1 management threatens to walk over ownership dispute
Caterham F1 management threatens to walk over ownership dispute originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/caterham-f1-management-ownership-dispute-report/
Quick Spin: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Dodge
We all knew That Kid. As a freshman, he was a big kid, overweight but surprisingly strong. Still, he was often picked on for his size. Then, he chatted with the football coach, who convinced him that his true calling was on the team's offensive line. After a season on the freshman squad and a summer of two-a-days, this mild-mannered, husky high schooler returned for his sophomore year as a big, imposing, solid piece of muscle. Needless to say, the same bullies that picked on him were praying he'd forgotten about them as a 10th grader.
That's the V8-powered 2015 Dodge Challenger. It arrived on the scene with a max of 425 horsepower and a bit of a weight problem. It completed its proverbial freshman year with a nice 2011 refresh, where the SRT8 was bumped up to 470 hp, but it still had some work to do.
Enter 2015, and fresh off three months of constant burpees and wind sprints, the newest Challenger is as big and powerful as it's ever been, but it's now got poise and potential, and my goodness, it's fun in a way that Dodge's muscle car has never been.
Driving Notes
- What you see here is not actually a Challenger SRT - it's the R/T Scat Pack. While the SRT does add wider rubber, six-piston Brembo brakes, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and standard leather, the meat and potatoes of the Scat Pack is the same. Under that long hood sits the same SRT-spec 6.4-liter V8, thundering out an extra 15 hp over last year's car. With peak horsepower arriving at 6,000 rpm, all 475 pound-feet of torque showing up at 4,200 rpm and a 6,400-rpm redline, the 6.4 remains an engine that's happiest being run hard.
- That's not to say there's a lack of oomph anywhere in its rev range, though. The Challenger Scat Pack would happily annihilate the pair of Goodyear Eagle F1s that call the rear wheels their home, were it not for the electrical super-ego that is the three-mode traction control system. There's a ton of torque, but it's so surprisingly simple to manage, thanks to the predictable throttle response. Sport Mode sharpens that a bit, although the throttle is still easy to modulate, particularly on tip-in.
- The engine's goodness isn't surprising - the 6.4-liter Hemi has always been a charmer. What's made it better for 2015 is the inclusion of a modern automatic transmission. In place of the antiquated five-speed automatic of the 2014 Challenger SRT and R/T is ZF's exceptional eight-speed unit.
- As it was in the Jaguar F-Type V6 S I reviewed a few months back, the ZF autobox is a beauty. In automatic mode, it's level-headed and unobtrusive. Switch to manual (and set the transmission to Sport) and the Challenger's aluminum, wheel-mounted paddles become an intuitive and hilariously entertaining way of channeling the engine's power. Upshifts are very quick - 250 milliseconds in Sport versus 400 milliseconds normally - and are accompanied with a sharp bark from the engine on upshifts.
- For 2015, Dodge has finally paid some attention to the Challenger's suspension, fitting the R/T Scat Pack (and all Super Track Pak-equipped models) with Bilstein shocks, a ride height that's been dropped by half an inch and brawnier sway bars. Also new is a three-mode electric power-assisted steering system, as well as four-piston Brembo brakes.
- The result of these upgrades is the best-driving generation of Challenger there's ever been. The handling is sharper and more responsive, with less roll through the corners and less squat and dive under hard pedal inputs. Moreover, Dodge has managed to eke out additional feedback through the chassis, making it easier to judge grip levels from the sticky Goodyears. The ultimate handling threshold feels higher, too, like you can really go further before it gives up.
- The new electric power steering is an improvement over the utterly lifeless rack of the old Challenger, largely because of the way it builds weight. From a small on-center dead spot, heft builds nicely and progressively. Feedback is still limited, but when you turn the wheel, it actually feels like you're helming a 4,000-pound vehicle (that's a good thing). Sport adds even more weight, but it still feels sharp and manageable.
- Normally, I'd touch on the aesthetics and massively overhauled interior of the 2015 Challenger. But, before testing the Scat Pack, I spent a week with the Challenger SXT. Look for a full and thorough recap on the tech, interior and exterior changes when I review that car in the coming weeks.
- Pricing for the R/T Scat Pack start at $37,495, which isn't terrible, considering that everything I mentioned above - aside from the eight-speed auto - is a standard item. My tester added the $995 Technology Group (adaptive cruise, forward collision warning), $1,500 Leather Interior Group (heated and vented leather/suede seats, powered tilt/telescopic steering), $495 Driver Convenience Group (blind-spot monitoring, remote start), $1,995 Scat Pack Appearance Pack (HID headlamps, 20-inch black alloy wheels and assorted matching trim bits) and the $695 8.4-inch, nav-equipped touchscreen. Combined with the $1,400 ZF transmission and $995 destination charge, the total price rang up at $45,570.
The Challenger still has a bit of a weight problem, and if ultimate performance is your number one priority, both the new Ford Mustang GT and Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE will provide a far better muscle car driving experience. But finally, Dodge has built a Challenger that you'll not only want to drive, but that wants to be driven. That's the kind of yearly change we can get used to.
2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/2015-dodge-challenger-rt-scat-pack-quick-spin-review/
Report: Trion Nemesis to unleash 2,000 American horsepower in 2016
Filed under: Coupe, Supercars, MISC
If it seems to you that everyone and their cousin wants to get into the hypercar game, you're right. We see new supercar startups popping up all the time. Some make it to production and some don't, and while it may be too soon to render verdict on this latest project, we hope it's one that comes to fruition.
The company is called Trion Supercars, and its bid for high-speed glory is called the Nemesis. We first reported on the project back in the spring, but a few more details - and a handful of additional images - have surfaced, whetting our appetites and giving us a clearer idea of what to expect.
Targeted squarely at the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg Agera, the brief for the Trion Nemesis calls for a 9.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 driving around 2,000 horsepower through an eight-speed sequential transmission to all four wheels. If Trion does its considerable homework, that should be enough to propel it to its anticipated top speed of 270 miles per hour, reaching 62 in 2.8 seconds.
Trion Supercars aims to have the first prototypes - being built by California-based coachbuilder N2A Motors - ready by February, after which it plans to build 50 units at over $1 million apiece starting in at the beginning of 2016. We wouldn't be surprised to see that cost inflate by the time it reaches the road, though, joining similar world-beating hypercar projects like the Hennessey Venom F5 and SSC Tuatara in the high-speed pipeline.
Trion Nemesis to unleash 2,000 American horsepower in 2016 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/23/trion-nemesis-american-supercar-2016/
NASCAR – No Penalties For Ryan Newman’s 31 After Talladega
SIGH OF RELIEF FOR NEWMAN Oct. 21, 2014 By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service Ryan Newman said he didn’t lose sleep over the possibility of being penalized for a ride-height violation at Talladega on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean the driver of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet wasn’t worried. In post-race inspection, NASCAR […]
Source: http://thefinallap.com/2014/10/21/nascar-no-penalties-for-ryan-newmans-31-after-talladega/
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Official: Mazda2 production fires up in Mexico
Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Mazda
Mazda has officially kicked off production of the next-generation Mazda2 at the company's new factory in Salamanca, Mexico. Alongside the auto assembly plant, operations have also commenced at the facility's engine machining factory.
"With the start of production of the all-new Mazda2, operations underway at the engine machining plant, and an increase in our annual production capacity, we now have an even stronger production framework capable of supplying global markets with Skyactiv products of the same high quality level as those made in Japan," Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation's President Keishi Egawa said in a statement. "At the same time, we are pleased to be able to make a contribution to Mexico's further economic growth."
MMVO joins Mazda's Hofu Plant in Japan and the Auto Alliance factory in Thailand, which commenced Mazda2 production in July and September, respectively.
Scroll down for the full press release from Mazda.
Continue reading Mazda2 production fires up in Mexico
Mazda2 production fires up in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/mazda-production-mexico/
Team Chevy, 2012 NSCS Pocono 400 presented by #NASCAR Pre-Race Notes & Quotes
Team Chevy LogoTEAM CHEVY ADVANCE POCONO 400 PRESENTED BY #NASCAR POCONO RACEWAY LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA JUNE 10, 2012 DID YOU KNOW? General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) on June 1, 2012 reported May sales of 245,256 vehicles in the United States, up 11 percent year over year and the highest monthly total in 33 months since...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/kTx0lmmYUCI/
Rare McLaren F1 for Sale On Craigslist for Nearly $8 Million: Believe It—Or Not
Cruising Craigslist for a classic supercar that’ll really stand out from the crowd? Look no further. Here’s a legit 1994 McLaren F1 for sale in San Diego that’s definitely for real and not at all a scam. READ MORE: What it’s like to drive the McLaren F1 The listing is short and to the point. […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/35VuCHzhdjg/
Mopar ProMaster and Ram 2500 Concepts: Hospitable Outdoorsiness, Indoors at SEMA
As Chrysler’s in-house performance-parts brand, Mopar has historically gone large at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas. This year is proving to be no different, with muscle cars, trucks, and compacts galore showcasing wares from the division’s extensive parts and accessories catalog. Of Ram-style note are the ProMaster Hospitality Van and the Ram 2500 […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/OR2YxcjFuQg/
Tucson Region Poised to Slash Bike/Ped Funding
Disappointing news from America’s hottest, driest bike city: Regional planners in Tucson are poised to take an axe to an important pot of money for bike and pedestrian improvements, even while they maintain spending on much more expensive road widenings.
It doesn’t cost much to make streets safer for walking and biking, but Tucson’s regional transportation [...]
It doesn’t cost much to make streets safer for walking and biking, but Tucson’s regional transportation [...]
Source: http://streetsblog.net/2014/10/22/tucson-region-poised-to-slash-bikeped-funding/
Friday, October 24, 2014
Report: Why China is more eager for self-driving cars than the West
Filed under: Safety, Technology
China's auto market continues to grow, and it's having an increasingly important effect on the bottom line for all automakers worldwide. Just look at examples like General Motors' strong recent growth or Porsche's expanding sales. In addition to being vital for business, some industry watchers think the nation's huge consumer force might just make it the premier place for automatic driving technology to prosper more quickly than in any other market.Nielsen statistics show Chinese consumers are more interested in autonomous technology than the US and Germany.
According to Ward's Auto, recent Nielsen statistics show that Chinese consumers are more interested in autonomous driving technology than their counterparts in both the US and Germany. The people there are more willing to pay to add it to their vehicles, too.
Rolf Kremer, Continental's Chinese operations boss, thinks that highly automated driving features may be offered in the market as soon as 2016, according to Ward's Auto. After that, partially autonomous driving tech could possibly be ready by 2020, and fully autonomous motoring might be feasible by 2025.
The country's national and local governments are also pursuing autonomous driving with zeal, and it's not hard to understand why. Traffic congestion is a major problem in many cities. China also loses about 100,000 people a year to auto accidents, compared to 34,080 in the US in 2012 or around 12,000 in the EU that year. While autonomous driving won't eliminate either problem completely, studies indicate they might make things safer, at least in some situations.
Furthermore, welcoming this technology might be easier for the Asian nation's consumers because affordable auto ownership is a relatively new phenomenon - at least compared to North America and Europe. Whats more, there's a strong chauffeur-driven culture, particularly in bigger cities. These factors, along with a number of others, could well might lessen whatever stigma among drivers there might be about handing over control to a machine.
Why China is more eager for self-driving cars than the West originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/23/china-wants-autonomous-cars-more/
McMurray beats Chase drivers to pole
Jamie McMurray upstaged the Chase contenders to steal pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville. The Ganassi racer was quickest in the opening qualifying round on Friday afternoon, but he needed two laps in the second round to get ahead of early leader Matt Kenseth and secure P1. His 18.954s lap was a new qualifying record on Martinsville’s half-mile layout, but was still only barely enough to prevent Penske’s Joey Logano from beating him in the final minutes. “It’s a good start to our weekend, but the first pitstall here is a really big deal,” McMurray said. “When the team told me the [lap] time I figured it would be tough to beat, although you never know because those Penske cars have been so quick this year.” [...]
Source: http://www.iracing.com/iracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/mcmurray-beats-chase-drivers-to-pole
Read This: Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video]
Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Read This
Sometimes, the stories that lead to cars turning up at auction are as interesting as the vehicles themselves. That's absolutely the case with the Peter Max (pictured above) collection of vintage Chevrolet Corvette models that are scheduled to cross the block in the spring of 2016.
Max is perhaps best known as a '60s pop artist who mixed vibrant colors with iconic imagery. However, classic car fans around New York City might know him better for storing a collection of 36 vintage 'Vettes in public parking garages for decades. The assortment is pretty special because it consists of one example of every model year from the original 1953 up until 1989, according to The New York Times.
Unfortunately, New York parking garages aren't really known for their cleanliness, and photos show the artist's Chevrolet collection neglected, caked in dirt and dust. After moving the collection around between several locations in the past few years, Max finally brokered a deal to sell them all off for an undisclosed price earlier this summer.
The collection's new owners are rehabbing the cars in preparation for selling them off. They're hoping to keep them all together as a set, but they're also apparently ready to let them go individually if that doesn't work, a move that will likely build buzz around these cars as they move toward the auction block.
The most bizarre part about these Corvettes is how Max acquired them. Without spoiling too much, it involves a 1989 contest from the cable music channel VH1. Scroll below to watch a video about this fascinating collection, then go read the whole story over at The New York Times.
Continue reading Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video]
Artist Peter Max's Corvette collection headed to auction [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/peter-max-corvette-collection-auction-video/
Ed Carpenter Talks MAVTv500, ECR Team Performance, & CFH Racing 2015
As we go into the final two races of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) championship season - GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma | MAVTV 500, Ed Carpenter answers a few questions and expresses his hope that Ed Carpenter Racing team ends the VICS season in the Top 5 in points accumulated.
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2014/08/ed_carpenter_talks_mavtv5.php
Ford Adds a Place For Your Coffee Cup (or Shotgun Shells) to 2015 F-150′s Tailgate
Ford’s all-new 2015 F-150 is nearly on the streets, but there’s one new feature that’s so last-minute, it wasn’t there when the truck was revealed at the 2014 Detroit auto show: Indentations on the inside of the tailgate perfectly placed to hold a beverage. They’re the handiwork of Kevin Blaser, a stamping product and design […]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/BDU-pwDPPXI/
Honoring Hillsborough’s rich history
In 1947, while Bill France was flying over the town of Hillsborough, he saw that there was a dirty horse-race track right next to the Eno River. He soon purchased this track and transformed it into the Occoneechee Speedway, changed to the Orange Speedway in 1954. This track became the location for NASCAR’s third race. #135857540 / gettyimages.com Craig, who would visit the track at just 5 years old with his father, remembers how huge this was for his small town. He still recalls how he would stand up on his tiptoes to watch the cars buzz by his seat ...continue reading
Source: http://nascar-news-update.com/honoring-hillsboroughs-rich-history/
What you missed on 10.23.14
Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Truck, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Toyota
Quick Spin: 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD ProToyota might not be able to keep up with American pickup manufacturers in terms of sales, but that doesn't mean its fullsize Tundra isn't a wholly baked, tough truck. In an effort to attract new buyers, Toyota has released this off-road-ready TRD Pro variant for 2015. Senior Editor Steven Ewing takes one for a quick spin to see what's what.
Is Hyundai's new Sonata in a sales slump?The 2011 Sonata was a massive step forward for Hyundai, and the car was really quite successful. But some insiders suggest that, since the redesigned Sonata launched this year, Hyundai's midsize sedan might be losing some steam. Of course, officials at Hyundai are quick to point out that this isn't necessarily the case. Read both sides of the story, here.
Chevy spied testing... '80s Camaros?We know Chevy is hard at work on its next-generation Camaro, but today, our spies captured something rather interesting out on the road. It appears that in addition to new Camaro models, Chevy is testing some modified versions of its third-gen Camaro - you know, from the 1980s. We're not sure what to make of these shots, but they're interesting, nonetheless. Check 'em out, here.
Top Stories
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What you missed on 10.23.14 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/23/daily-recap-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-hyundai-sonata-chevy-camaro/
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Talking Headways Podcast: Dear Bike People
Do people of color and low-income people ride bikes? Not as much as they could, given all the great benefits biking offers, particularly to people without a lot of disposable cash. But yes, non-white and non-rich people ride bikes — in high numbers compared to the general population, by some measures.
Even though they’re biking the [...]
Even though they’re biking the [...]
Source: http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/10/23/talking-headways-podcast-dear-bike-people/
Paul Menard, 2012 NSCS Pocono 400 presented by #NASCAR Race Preview
Paul Menard - Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCARPaul Menard No. 27 Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet Event Preview Fact Sheet This Week’s Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway … Paul Menard will pilot Chassis No. 384 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This No. 27 Chevrolet was built new for 2012 competition and...more»
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/catchfence/~3/5lu4YgbCyzk/
2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
Filed under: Truck, Toyota, Off-Road
Despite the earnest efforts of Japanese automakers like Toyota and Nissan, the American pickup truck scene remains wholly dominated by the likes of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. This is not news. Part of the reason is because of the sheer number of variants offered by US automakers - everything from work-spec base trucks to house-leveling heavy duty models can be had, with a seemingly endless combination of engines, cab sizes, bed lengths and trim levels. It's a hugely profitable business, and though the Japanese automakers still offer competitive fullsize trucks, in terms of sheer volume, they simply don't compete.
But American pickups aren't just about work; there's a huge play aspect involved, too. Look at the desert-storming Ford F-150 SVT Raptor or the Ram Power Wagon - these butch trucks are built with superb off-road prowess in mind, and Detroit's Japanese rivals have once again largely been silent in this segment. Until now.
Introduced at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, Toyota now offers the TRD Pro series of models that, in addition to the crazy-orange Tundra seen here, includes the smaller Tacoma pickup and 4Runner SUV. And this isn't just some pretty appearance package, either - there's honest-to-goodness capability baked into all of the TRD Pro models. Intriguing, for sure, so I recently spent a weekend with the big boy Tundra to see what's what.
Driving Notes
- Let me get this admission out of the way right now: I was offered a short, last-minute test of this pre-production model (notice the missing "T" from the grille), so I didn't take it off road. Correction: I drove through some abandoned lots in dismal Detroit settings and blasted down some manicured dirt roads, but that hardly counts.
- Had I found some suitably rough trails to blaze, the TRD Tundra is equipped with goodies to make it more capable than other Tundras. There are uniquely tuned Bilstein shocks at all four corners, as well as TRD springs that not only offer two extra inches of ride height up front, but also include decreased rates that make the ride a bit more forgiving when crawling over harsh terrain. Of course, the flip side to this is that the Tundra's on-road manners are more vague, with pronounced body roll and less feedback through the front suspension. The TRD Pro offers a smooth and comfortable ride on highways and city streets, but the P255/40R18 Michelin ORP tires don't offer a ton of grip on the pavement (it's really easy to get them to chirp) and they're noisy at freeway speeds.
- Speaking of freeway speeds, the Tundra TRD Pro gets there with ease thanks to the plentiful power on offer from the 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V8. 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque is more than enough for this truck, and the TRD dual exhaust gives it a pretty sweet aural element. There's a nice burble upon idle, and a progressive growl that's certainly more pronounced than in the standard Tundra, yet it still won't wake your neighbors.
- This Toyota still can't really compare to the outgoing Ford SVT Raptor, however, a truck that offers more power from its 6.2-liter V8 and substantially revised suspension geometry that makes it a more formidable off-road monster. I've driven the Raptor on-road, though, and it feels about the same as this TRD Pro - quick, somewhat vague, and kind of fun to bomb around in.
- Toyota sets its TRD Pro models apart with some noticeable visual tweaks, including the Inferno orange paint you see here. Additionally, the Pro gets a unique front grille, blacked-out headlamp bezels, 18-inch black wheels, red stitching throughout the interior, a TRD shift knob and floor mats, plus the obligatory TRD Pro badging on the exterior.
- Moving back to the cabin, it isn't otherwise changed from the standard Tundra, with thick, comfortable, cloth seats, and an easy-to-use center stack with Toyota's Entune infotainment system. Buyers can opt for either the Double Cab version seen here or the larger CrewMax cab configuration.
- The Tundra TRD Pro is available at dealerships now, priced from $41,285, not including $1,100 for destination. Stepping up to the CrewMax will set you back $43,900. That's a slight discount over the $44,995 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor, but in my book, you get what you pay for.
2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2014 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/23/2015-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-quick-spin-review/
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