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Is the Chevrolet Camaro cannibalizing sales of the Corvette? Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM 
Last year was brutal for the auto industry, with sales down by 21 percent versus 2008. Sports cars were hit even harder, as many customers shied away from spending big dollars on what typically amounts to a second or third vehicle. The Chevrolet Corvette was no different, as America's sports car saw sales plummet 48 percent versus 2008 - the worst year for Vette sales in nearly 50 years. But was the drop in Corvette sales because of the economy, or its new pony car stablemate, the Camaro?
Wards Automotive claims that web data shows the number one competitor to the Vette isn't something like the Nissan GT-R or Porsche 911 - it's the reborn Camaro. But who in their right mind would cross-shop a track-ready thoroughbred with near supercar performance and a relative bargain price tag against the heavier, less agile, less exclusive Camaro? Apparently a lot of people. The Camaro had a rather remarkable 2009, with 61,648 units sold in its first year back. The new Bowtie coupe even managed to beat out the Mustang the last seven months of the year and came within 5,000 sales of besting Ford's iconic steed despite the fact that the Camaro didn't go on sale until spring.
With the economy still on the rocks, we're thinking there may have been some customers who noticed that the Camaro has the same V8 engine as a base model Corvette, seating for four and a price of entry that starts some $18,000 lower than Chevy's halo car. The Camaro is also a fresh face for the 2010 model year after an eight-year hiatus from the market, while the C6 Vette is now on its sixth year of production, and despite frankly incredible variants like the Grand Sport, ZR1 and just-announced Z06 Carbon, Chevy's top dog is getting a little long-in-the-tooth.
Either way, it's hard to argue with the fact that having two high performance, rear-wheel-drive vehicles in the same showroom is going to mean that there will be some cross-shopping. We're not complaining, though, because choice is a good thing, especially when the options are as nice as these two.
[Source: Wards Automotive | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]Is the Chevrolet Camaro cannibalizing sales of the Corvette? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: SNL pokes fun at runaway Prius with fake Ford commercial Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota, Humor 
SNL fake Ford commercial - Click above to watch the video after the jump
With all of the buzz surrounding Jim Sikes and his "runaway Prius" last week, it doesn't surprise us that the funny folks at Saturday Night Live have spoofed the situation in one of their infamous fake advertisements.
As you'll recall, Sikes claims that his Prius started to accelerate unintentionally and that he couldn't stop the car by simply hitting the brakes. Big news, indeed. Late last week, however, new details were uncovered to suggest that the whole incident may have just been one big scam. Toyota will be releasing the full results of its investigation later this afternoon, so we'll wait until we have the official word before we start pointing any fingers. Hit the jump to watch the SNL commercial.
[Source: NBC]Continue reading Video: SNL pokes fun at runaway Prius with fake Ford commercial Video: SNL pokes fun at runaway Prius with fake Ford commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lightens up while getting serious Filed under: SUV, Volkswagen, First Drive, Off-Road 
2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Click above for high-res image gallery
The outgoing Volkswagen Touareg range has always lived on the wrong side of the tracks in America. It was a big, expensive Volkswagen. Notice that we can't just say it was a big, expensive vehicle, because those adjectives are almost as much the norm as anything else - we must qualify those descriptors with the word "Volkswagen." And we can't help but think that's part of the reason this go-almost-anywhere SUV never really made a splash anywhere in the U.S. except in puddles.
The new 2011 Touareg is roomier, more powerful, more efficient and lighter. Much lighter. That's how we like our VWs. And now it comes in hybrid form. We spent a few hours in one to see what a Touareg reset looks like. Our first impressions: So good, this is what the first Touareg should have been like. Follow the jump for the story.
Photos by Jonathon Ramsey / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lightens up while getting serious First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lightens up while getting serious originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: The Secret Lives of Car Photographers - Making a Lamborghini Murcielago SV look its best Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Lamborghini 
The secret art of automotive photography - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Over the past few years here at Autoblog, we've come to pride ourselves on our photography. But far from convincing ourselves that we're the be-all-and-end-all, if anything, our drive to provide better visuals has only taught us to appreciate quality automotive photography all the more. There's certainly no lack of that out there these days, and the intertubes have only made it all more accessible.
In the video after the jump, car-photog GF Williams shows us what it takes to make a good shot great. His subject? No less dramatic (or succinctly named) a ride than the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce. Follow the jump to see what a skilled hand in Photoshop can do, and follow the link to see the results. Thanks for the tip, Chris!
[Source: GFWilliams.net via CarPictures.com]Continue reading Video: The Secret Lives of Car Photographers - Making a Lamborghini Murcielago SV look its best Video: The Secret Lives of Car Photographers - Making a Lamborghini Murcielago SV look its best originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Audi 
2010 Audi R15 plus - click above to enlarge
Testing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans doesn't begin until mid-June, but that doesn't mean that Audi isn't already hard at work bettering the chances of their diesel-powered R15 TDI racer.
Thanks to a belated rule change for the LMP1 class designed to hamper the dominance of diesel-powered vehicles, Le Mans rulemakers have mandated smaller-diameter air restrictors and curbed supercharger pressure in an effort to level the playing field. According to Audi, those alterations have made the German automaker prioritize aerodynamics and downforce even more than normal.
The result? Audi boffins have completely re-engineered the front-end of the car, so much so that the new split nose racer has been designated "R15 plus." The updated LMP1 entrant has already begun testing its new aerodynamics, revised cooling and fuel tank systems in the United States, and further testing in Europe will follow before the legendary French enduro. Audi says that the 5.5-liter engine continues to crank out upwards of 590 horsepower. Can't remember what last year's R15 look like? Compare and contrast by clicking here. Official press release after the jump.
[Source: Audi]Continue reading Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose Audi R15 "plus" TDI shows off new, more aerodynamic nose originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Word of Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition emerges from Japan Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Lexus, Rumormill 
Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition - Click above for image gallery
Remember when Lexus was synonymous with cushy, spongy rides that were anything but performance oriented? That all seems a distant memory since Toyota's luxury division set its sights on the likes of BMW with the IS-F, even more so with the release of the exclusive LFA supercar. But according to the latest, Lexus ain't done yet.
Back in October when we were in Miami test driving the LFA, we brought you a report on the possibility of a stripped-down, competition-focused version. Now it appears that this track edition is upon us.
Apparently called the Nürburgring edition - in reference to the legendary German road course where the competition prototypes that led to the production LFA cut their proverbial teeth - this extra-special LFA will benefit from a large, fixed rear wing, a splitter up front, a stiffer (and more adjustable) suspension, lightweight alloys coated in track rubber and an extra 10 horsepower (likely resulting from a revised exhaust system).
Aside from the four paint options - which reportedly include glossy black, matte black, orange, and an unknown fourth color - that's about all we've got for now, but if your Japanese is up to snuff and you can extrapolate more from the source report, let us know in the Comments below.
[Source: ???????[LEXUS] (translated) via The Lexus Enthusiast]Word of Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition emerges from Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official investigation of runaway Prius begins to answer questions Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota 
A joint investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Toyota into the highly publicized incident last week of a runaway 2008 Toyota Prius near San Diego, CA may begin to answer questions raised after the owner's credibility was challenged. In particular, the brakes reportedly exhibit a pattern of wear that's inconsistent with the story told by the vehicle's owner, James Sikes. According to a draft memo written for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the condition of the brakes suggests that they "weren't applied at full force over a sustained period at high speeds" reports the Wall Street Journal, but rather "the driver may have intermittently applied moderate pressure on the brakes."
Representatives from NHTSA and Toyota also couldn't duplicate the sudden unintended acceleration in testing that was allegedly experienced in the same car last week, though Sikes' lawyer claims these findings are not surprising: "I don't think that is surprising insofar as NHTSA has never been able to recreate these events and Toyota has denied that they even occur."
Finally, Sikes said after the incident that his accelerator pedal was stuck to the floor and he was braking hard at the same time. His particular Prius, however, is fitted with a brake override system that cuts engine power if the accelerator pedal and brake are applied at the same time. Investigators from both NHTSA and Toyota reportedly tried to recreate the same scenario with the vehicle in question and failed due to the brake override system performing as it was intended.
Toyota has announced a press conference for later today to share more of the investigation's results, which will likely further erode confidence in Sikes and his story. Some experts have questioned why Sikes didn't follow the advice of a 911 operator and shift his Prius into Neutral, as well as his explanation later of being afraid that the car would flip if he took it out of Drive. Also, Jalopnik.com reported last week that Sikes is some $700,000 in debt as well as behind on lease payments for the Prius in question. Puzzling behavior and circumstantial evidence aside, this investigation appears to offer the first hard evidence that what happened on Interstate 8 last week may not have been Toyota's fault.
[Source: Wall Street Journal, CNN, Jalopnik | Image: Toyota]]
Official investigation of runaway Prius begins to answer questions originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video] Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Nissan
Why is it that people engaged in illegal activities feel compelled to record their indiscretions? It's just a really, really bad idea. And a bad idea becomes an act of outright stupidity when said video is published on YouTube, where any random investigator can easily find evidence that can be used against the guilty party. This just makes sense, right? Obviously not for everyone.
According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Jay Chen, the 21 year-old owner of a wrecked Nissan GT-R, apparently now knows this lesson all too late, as the accused street racer allegedly crashed his Ivory Godzilla on a Glendora mountain road in California. The SGVT reports that Chen and his sister Tracey gave insurance investigators conflicting testimony after the March, 2009 accident, sending up red flags. Chen later called the insurance company and informed them that he would pay for the damages himself, only to claim another accident three months later on 60 Freeway in Riverside, CA.
Unfortunately for Chen, during the paperwork processing following that 'second' accident, the body shop informed Chen's insurance company that it had been holding on to the mangled GT-R since March. Investigators then searched YouTube for any evidence of the incident, and apparently they believe that they've found it - the insurer alleges that the footage shown after the jump incident shows damage consistent with that of Chen's GT-R after a mountain run with a Mitsubishi Evolution IX MR goes awry. The actual crash doesn't look all that bad, but the apparent $76,000 repair bill shows that near-supercars can cost a boatload of money to fix.
Regardless of the severity of the accident, as a result of the investigation, Chen has officially been charged with six felony counts of insurance fraud, and his sister has been charged with one count. If you are in your late teens or early 20s and you're wondering why you're paying over $300 per month to insure your battered Honda Civic, hit the jump to see why.
[Sources: San Gabriel Valley Tribune, YouTube]Continue reading PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video] PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: California prosecutor sues Toyota, alleges automaker ignored defects Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota  The hits keep on coming for Toyota, with reports of unintended acceleration multiplying like rabbits with aphrodisiacs and grandstanding of all sorts going on at every level. Orange County, California District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has added another layer to the cake with a lawsuit alleging Toyota sold cars it knew had problems.
DA Rackauckas (great name) alleges that while evidence Toyota had safety problems was "massive for many years," the parent company and its American subsidiary kept sweeping issues under the rug and settling any lawsuits that might crop up to avoid disclosing the truth. Double-secret internal "Books of Knowledge" that document problems and obfuscatory actions have come to light, though Toyota has not yet turned any documents over. The lawsuit seeks to get to the bottom of what Toyota knew and when, as well as potentially punish the company to the tune of $2,500 per vehicle if it can be proved Toyota willingly sold cars it knew could cause injuries that are impossible to reverse.
[Source: The Detroit News]Report: California prosecutor sues Toyota, alleges automaker ignored defects originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mini's future is smaller engines, DCT, and challenging the Mazda Miata? Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hatchback, Mini 
MINI Roadster Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Just because a company starts out Mini it doesn't necessarily mean it can't get even smaller. That seems to be the case with BMW's more affordable UK outpost. Mini USA vice president Jim McDowell spoke at the recent Geneva Motor Show about some of the brand's upcoming plans. Although the current lineup is powered by a range of 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engines, new challengers like the Audi A1 are going with even smaller engines, and it sounds like Mini is set to follow suit.
This spring, European-market Mini models are slated to receive engine upgrades including BMW's Valvetronic system and direct injection for improved output, along with reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Those same improvements will be added to North American market Minis this fall in the company's 2011 models. The next round of upgrades will see smaller displacement engines coming along with dual clutch transmissions.
McDowell also hinted that the upcoming roadster and coupe variants are just the beginning, with more performance oriented models on the way. Even before that, McDowell expects the two seat Minis to be the first roadsters to grab a significant chunk of the affordable sports car market from the long dominant Mazda MX-5.
We love the Mini range, and we're eager to judge of whether a front-wheel car can really challenge the rear-drive MX-5, undoubtedly one of the best roadsters of all time.
[Source: AutoGuide]Mini's future is smaller engines, DCT, and challenging the Mazda Miata? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
American Le Mans Series approves butanol, Dyson-Mazda to go first Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Mazda, Racing 
Dyson Racing B09/96 running at Mid-Ohio - click above for high-res image gallery
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and its technical operations affiliate, International Motorsports Association (IMSA), has formally approved a butanol blend as the fifth energy source for race cars in the series. ALMS entrants are already running on E10 (10 percent ethanol), cellulosic E85, diesel and hybrid-electric power. The first team expected to use butanol on a full-time basis will be Dyson Racing with its Mazda-powered Lola prototypes. Dyson first used butanol on an experimental basis in one of its cars during the Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca races at the end of the 2009 season.
For now, the approved fuel is a blend of 20 percent biobutanol and 80 percent ethanol (iBE20) and only prototypes will be allowed to use it. For the first two races at Sebring and Long Beach, cars running iBE20 will have to carry an extra 30 kilograms of ballast until the performance impact is assessed. From the Laguna Seca race in May, the extra weight will be removed.
The butanol fuel is being supplied by Dyson's primary sponsor, British Petroleum. Butanol has a number of advantages over ethanol as a fuel, starting with energy density. Gasoline has 32 megajoules per liter while butanol has 29.2 MJ / L and ethanol has only 19.6 MJ / L. Butanol also has a much lower heat of vaporization than ethanol, allowing for easier cold starts. Because its characteristics are closer to gasoline, it can be used without resorting to stainless steel fuel lines and higher flow injectors. However, its high melting point requires it to be blended with gasoline to prevent gelling in cold weather.
Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: International Motorsports Association]Continue reading American Le Mans Series approves butanol, Dyson-Mazda to go first American Le Mans Series approves butanol, Dyson-Mazda to go first originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 03.15.10 
AutoblogGreen for 03.15.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mercedes reportedly considering V8 Supercar entry Down Under Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Australia, Racing
Mercedes C-Class DTM - Click above for high-res image gallery
While American racing fans remain enamored with stock car racing, road course-bound touring car series continue to draw big crowds overseas. In Europe there's the World Touring Car Championship. DTM is one of the most popular forms of motorsport in Germany. The Japanese have Super GT. But Down Under, V8 Supercars reign supreme.
The Australian touring car series has typically been the battleground for Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, but the Aussie brands could get some company once again thanks to new regulations. Following a similar move by NASCAR, series organizers in Australia are preparing to institute a new Car of the Future program that could open the door for foreign automakers to take part. The formula calls for a spec chassis with independent rear suspension replacing the live rear axles on the current competitors, plus more advanced DOHC 24-valve engines to accompany (and eventually replace) the pushrod 16-valve units currently in place.
According to reports from the other side of the world, Mercedes-Benz could be the first to take advantage of the new regs, spurred into action by the increased sales of FPVs and HSVs among V8 Supercars fans Down Under. The German automaker's Australian unit has commissioned Brock Engineering - run by the legendary Peter Brock's son James - to build a sort of ring-taxi type of vehicle based on the C63 AMG in which Mick Doohan - a superbike champion whose record rivals that of Valentino Rossi - will chauffeur paying customers and VIPs on hot laps around the Philip Island circuit in Victoria. The stripped-out, track-prepped C63, according to sources, could form the basis for a Mercedes V8 Supercar, similar to the company's DTM racer.
Although Mercedes typically prevents its regional subsidiaries from competing in local motorsport disciplines, an exception could apparently be made for the popular Australian series, with factory support provided to privateer entires. Nissan and Hyundai are reportedly also considering entries in the championship. Tip of the hat to Scott for the tip!
[Source: CarPoint.com.au]Mercedes reportedly considering V8 Supercar entry Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft' Filed under: Etc., Videos 
Homemade flying hovercraft - Click above to watch video after the jump
Rudy Heeman, an inventor in New Zealand, has created a flying hovercraft. We'll admit right now that it has little nothing to do with cars, but it is ridiculously cool. Heeman wants to make and sell them for only $13,000. Maybe it's time for us to just sell the car and move someplace with waterways for roads. Follow the jump to check it out. Hat tip to Duy!
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft' Video: Zero wheels, all awesome - Homebuilt Kiwi 'hovercraft' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Indian-market Ford Figo ads take on local flavor Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, India 
Ford Figo TV commercial for the Indian market - Click above to watch videos after the jump
Ford aims to take India by storm with its new Figo hatchback, designed to be the leader in its class from the outset. As you might imagine, the first television ads pushing the new ride frame the car as being perfect for Indian drivers. Mehendi ink on the dashboard? No worries! Super-cold A/C? Check. Plus, there's room for your your lucky elephant - small or large. Follow the jump to check out two of the new Indian spots for the Ford Figo.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Indian-market Ford Figo ads take on local flavor Video: Indian-market Ford Figo ads take on local flavor originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI 
LG Chem has made it official. The South Korean manufacturer is moving forward with plans to start production of lithium ion cells in Michigan. LG Chem and its U.S. subsidiary, Compact Power Inc. (CPI), will spend $303 million to build the cell plant in Holland, on the west side of the state. By 2013, the facility figures to employ over 400 people. Groundbreaking will take place this summer, with the factory scheduled to be fully operational by 2012. At full production, the plant will have enough capacity to produce cells for 50,000 to 200,000 battery packs, depending on the configuration (E-REV vs PHEV).
LG Chem already has supply agreements in place with two major automakers, General Motors and Hyundai-Kia. Hyundai is using LG Chem cells and battery packs in the Korean-market Elantra hybrid, along with sister company Kia's Forte hybrid. Hyundai will launch the Sonata hybrid in the U.S. market later this year. General Motors uses LG Chem cells in a pack of its own design for the Chevrolet Volt. It'll also use the same cells in packs manufactured by CPI for an as-yet-unnamed plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the current two-mode system.
Along with the $700 million being invested by GM in assembly and systems manufacturing for the Volt in Michigan, this new LG Chem investment brings the total to over $1 billion. Much of the funding for the LG Chem plant will come from federal and state incentives, including a $151 million grant that CPI received last year as part of the stimulus bill. LG Chem will contribute matching funds to the program.
LG Chem joins A123 Systems and Johnson Controls-Saft (JCS) in manufacturing lithium ion batteries in Michigan. The JCS factory is also in Holland, while A123 is setting up shop closer to Detroit in Livonia. Check out the official press release after the jump.
[Source: LG Chem]Continue reading LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
2010 Formula One season kicks off with Bahrain Grand Prix [SPOILER ALERT] Filed under: Motorsports 
Formula One Bahrain 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery
And they're off, ladies and gentleman, at the first race of what is undoubtedly one of the most hotly anticipated seasons in Formula One racing history. And it's already living up to its promise.
In the off-season since the culmination of last year's championship, one former Ferrari world champion left the sport, and another returned. One major automaker acquired the reigning championship team, while another two pulled out of the sport entirely. Several new teams joined the grid, and some pivotal new technical regulations were put in place. That's quite a build-up, and it all comes down to this, the first grand prix of the year. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.
Continue reading 2010 Formula One season kicks off with Bahrain Grand Prix [SPOILER ALERT] 2010 Formula One season kicks off with Bahrain Grand Prix [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
American Le Mans Series 2010 season preview Filed under: Motorsports 
2009 ALMS Monterey Sports Car Championships - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Spring is nearly upon us, and that means it's time for the races. Here in North America, the top rung of the sports car ladder is the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which, as always, kicks off its season with the 12-hour enduro at Sebring. For 2010, however, ALMS organizers have made some changes to the class structure with the old LMP1 and GT1 classes falling by the wayside.
A few weeks ago we had the chance to sit down with ALMS CEO Scott Atherton and get the state of the series. Everything you need to know about ALMS and the changes for 2010 is compiled after the jump.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading American Le Mans Series 2010 season preview American Le Mans Series 2010 season preview originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
All-electric Atomik 500 sends us to the moon 
Atomik 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
While there's still no word on whether Fiat/Chrysler will bring an electric version of the retro-metro 500 to market, it appears that someone else will. Atomik Cars has taken the 500 Abarth and made it meaner and cleaner. The new company's aim is to deliver a zero-emission vehicle that blends supercar performance with city car packaging. Atomik's motto is "Anticipating the future." It may well have succeeded.
With output from its AC brushless synchronous motors reportedly equivalent to that of a 300 horsepower engine, the Atomik 500 slingshots to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. It has lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries in unknown quantity, a ceramic heating system to warm its passengers and a "Peltier A/C module w/o gas" to cool them. More details will forthcoming as its April debut at Top Marques Monaco draws near, but we can tell you that its rarity is all but guaranteed: only around 50 copies will be available for purchase. Check out the gallery below for more images of Atomik's far-out performer.
[Source: Atomik Cars]All-electric Atomik 500 sends us to the moon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle, Rumormill 
Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.
Piaggio has no comment on the matter, refusing to either confirm or deny the supposed Ducati deal. Still, we can't help but run through the what-ifs, assuming there's a shred of truth to this. Perhaps we'll finally see some stability in the U.S. surrounding the many great brands under Piaggio's roof.
Could Piaggio's broad scope of product (currently offered throughout the Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia lines), coupled with the stable dealer network Ducati has built, be the recipe for a successful challenge to rivals from Japan and beyond? Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
[Source: Motoblog.it via Two Wheels Blog]Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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