Automoblog.net

New Photos of Bugatti 16C Galibier Saloon

Tony Borroz — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:40:59 +0000

AH! Fitted luggage! The upcoming (maybe?) Bugatti 16C Galibier Saloon comes with fitted luggage. Sure, of curse a car like this would come with fitted luggage. But fitted luggage is a bit of a fetish for me. Its one of the (very) few completely nonsensical things that I’m totally into. It’s classy, and of course a car like Bugatti ’s 16C Galibier Saloon would have fitted luggage.

Also, you have to love the totally Euro nod at calling this luxo-boat a “Saloon” That will no doubt cause lots of sniggers and shaken heads amongst Americans, but you know, we’re a willfully ignorant lot. For those of you that don’t know, a Saloon is what Euros call sedans.

So, as our sources say “The more we see of the Bugatti 16C Galibier, the higher the chances that the VW Group will green light the super saloon for production – that is, if the Germans haven’t signed it off already.” Yeah, they are still hemming and hawing about whether to make this thing or not, but you have to say it looks pretty production ready, for one thing. And for another, if this is just going to be a concept, why would they keep showing more and more shots of it?

One reason for the new shots is that this 16C Galibier in a black-only finish. Sure, looks very nice and classy in all black like that, but I have a soft spot for the two-tones. It’s a bit of a Bugatti tradition, and the first real shots of the 16C Galibier showed that the two-tone color scheme worked really well.

And just in case you’re wondering what’s under the hood of the four door Bugatti, the (nearly production-ready) 16C Galibier gets an 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine that is also resident in the Veyron supercar. Of course it’s not exactly the same as what’s in the two-seater.

The Veyron’s four turbochargers are replacement with a two-stage supercharging set up and the Galibier also features flex-fuel capability. The 16C Galibier also features four-wheel drive, specially developed ceramic brakes and a new suspension design.

Source: CarScoop

2010 Nissan Maxima SV Review

Chris Burdick — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:54:23 +0000

Last year, Nissan completely overhauled the Maxima, bringing it into premium territory. And it needed it. The 2004-2008 model held little over the Altima, and could even be confused for an Altima by someone not familiar with the Nissan product line. Now it’s a premium sports sedan so good that competitors should be running scared. If it weren’t for its price, that is.

They’re calling the new Maxima a “4DSC” (short for 4-Door Sports Car) – a tribute to the Maxima of late eighties. It certainly acts like it, too. A strong 290 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine in combination with a CVT provides quick and responsive throttle inputs without the harshness of a typical sports car. No, I’m still not a fan of the CVT, but I understand why they use it. Steering input is quick without feeling overly boosted, suspension is tight but not rough, and it provides a Sport mode with paddle shifters (not that they actually shift anything.) It’s smaller than last generation, which is a good move, and exterior design certainly hints at a more aggressive car. A proper sports car though? Not quite, but a highly capable sport sedan most definitely.

Interior quality is superb, with high-end materials used all around, and a driver-oriented cockpit with modern design that Nissan calls a “Super Cockpit” due to the high tech feel and design. 8-way power leather seats with heating and cooling, a good amount of bolstering, and driver thigh extension make long-distance and aggressive drives comfortable. Lots of features are standard – intelligent key with push-button start, cruise, dual-zone climate, power moonroof, bluetooth, and 8-speaker sound with available USB connectivity.

Check out the 2009 Nissan Maxima Review for more details and opinions. So what’s changed for 2010? They’ve simplified their option packaging a little bit (which we complained about last year) by offering a monitor package, giving you the 7-inch color monitor, rearview monitor, and 2GB music server without having to buy the technology package. Bluetooth is standard, and now there’s only one technology package instead of three, which could be confusing. Two new wheel finishes are available as well as two new colors, Crimson Black and Ocean Gray. Finally, they’ve changed their previous iPod connectivity to USB connectivity, allowing those who own something other than an Apple iPod to connect their MP3 player. Other car makers should follow suit.

I love the new Maxima – it’s a pleasure to drive either aggressively or complaisantly. It’s smooth, quiet, fast when you want it to be, and handles like a champ.

The Numbers

The problem the Maxima is going to have is its price. Not that it’s overpriced, but it’s priced into a premium category generally held by Nissan’s premium brand Infiniti. Personally, I’d rather have the Maxima than a G35 sedan, but I’m afraid buyers aren’t going to look at it like that or agree. The 2010 Maxima starts at $30,460, and $33,180 for the SV trim. Our test model, which includes the Sport Package, Sport Technology package, and Monitor package, comes in at a whopping $38,660 – a price point normally held by brands like Lexus, Cadillac, and BMW. Fuel economy comes in at an excellent 19 city / 26 hwy.

Before you Buy

Competitors include Toyota Avalon, Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis, VW CC, Audi A4, and at the higher end, BMW’s 3-Series, and Nissan’s own Infiniti G37 Sedan, funny enough. If you’re looking at the higher end models within the Maxima’s price range, you’ll have to stick with the base models, which won’t include as many features as the Maxima but will have the brand prestige too many are looking for. Frankly, out of all the models listed, the Maxima will give you some of the best value in terms of features and fun-to-drive factor.

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership by getting a free, no-obligation quote at Yahoo! Autos.

A Reliable 1965 Austin-Healey Sprite For Sale

Tony Borroz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:54:53 +0000

Ah, the bug-eyed Sprite. They are fun little cars, and I’ve spent more than my fair share around them. Tiny, great handling weighing next to nothing, they sort of set the bench mark for just how small you could make a sports car. Shoot, the first series didn’t even have trunk lids. You had to stow what cargo you were foolish enough to bring along via sliding the seats forward and passing things into the rear-most compartment. And was that the same location for that secondary fuse box? Or am I thinking of some other great British sports car with a horridly notional idea of “reliability”?

Ah well, who knows. But I know one thing that can make a 1960’s vintage Austin-Healey Sprite reliable: Swap out the Johnson era drive train for that of a Mazda Miata. Sadly, I only have a one car garage (I know, I know), but tell me this little guy isn’t all the more tempting now.

What we have here, courtesy of Hemmings (home to many my Lotto winning fantasies) is a rather nice 1965 Austin-Healey Sprite, whose owner swapped in a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and five-speed transmission from a Miata. Nice choices. The 1.6s rev a little better than the 1.8s, and turbocharging it … what, do I have to explain that part to you?

Anyway, the seller says:

“Bare-to-the-chassis rotisserie build including custom a-arm front suspension, tube shocks, RX7 rear axle with Wilwood disc brakes and limited slip diff, Electromotive ECU, Fiberglass Speedwell Bugeye Bonnet, Wire wheels, custom dash with Dolphin gauges, roll bar, etc etc…. Less than 200 miles since completion, runs strong.”

And the selling price, you ask? A perfectly reasonable $12,500.

Very reasonable, actually. Getting an OK type A Miata is going to run you around 4 or 5 thousand (depending on your local). Going through the engine and rebuilding what will be necessary will probably run you another 2 or 3 grand (assuming it’s not perfect already). And add another 2 or 3 grand for the turbo, brakes kits, and such, and you’re pushing pretty near to what this fellow is already asking.

Ah … only a one car garage.

Source: Hemmings

Volkswagen Golf R Gets The Abt Sportsline Treatment

Tony Borroz — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:10:47 +0000

For some reason, doing the tuning thing to a ride like the Volkswagen Golf R makes more sense to me than doing it to something like a huge Mercedes S Class or a Ferrari Anything. It kind of holds true to the tuner roots in a lot of ways. And making a kind of fast car much faster seems more interesting than making an already very fast car kind of a little bit faster. For example, note the Volkswagen Golf R that German tuner Abt Sportsline has just given a once over.

ABT Sportsline says that what they’ve done to the VW Golf makes it “a compact super sports car.” Sure, tuners are given to hyperbole, but they sure seem to get the numbers right with this little box.

Instead of the standard 270HP from the Golf R the ABT Sportsline massaged plant now puts out 310HP and tops out at a rather notable 261 km/h. ABT Sportsline officially refers to their Golf R as the ABT R20, and they are quick to note that it blats from a standstill to a speed of 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. That’s certainly quick.

“The compact car is really good fun, particularly on corners”, says Hans-Juergen Abt, head dude and General Manager of ABT Sportsline) so THAT’S where they get the name). “VW gave the Golf dynamism when it was in the cradle – it defines sportiness in its class. And the Golf R is the champion of fast Golfs,” Hans-Juergen continued.

In addition to working over das mill, ABT also gave the ABT R20 daytime running lights, a new front apron and front lip to “make the Bavarian car seem even more powerful.” They also attached a set of new CR alloy 19 inch wheels. Of course they’re wrapped in high-performance tires.

ABT also goes out of their (his?) way to say that “The newcomer to the Golf family is, of course, absolutely suitable for everyday driving and is good-natured and not touchy in heavy traffic.” Good.

Source: TopSpeed

Need for Speed Shift Exotic Racing Series DLC

Chris Burdick — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:40:00 +0000

That’s one of the great things about the new generation of video games; you can continue to add on content even after you’ve finished the game to keep it fresh. But here’s the thing: while we appreciate all the new content, it gets expensive fast. And with the new cars – NFS Shift should have included more cars in the first place, so charging $10 a pop for DLC seems a bit…arrogant. The NFS Ferrari pack, I get it, but I can’t be spending $10 every time a few new cars or tracks are released.

Regardless, the new Exotic Racing Series pack looks pretty damn cool, with 7 new cars (the McLaren MP4-12C, Gumpert Apollo, Alfa Romeo 8C, Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss, Maserati GranTurismo S, Acura NSX, and BMW M1,) a new track (Riviera,) and 50 new events created just for these cars.

Of course I’ll buy it, because I can’t resist the call of the new cars (especially the Gumpert and McLaren,) and the new track sounds great too.

Pick up the new Exotic Racing Series pack for $10 (or 800 MS points) on March 18th and let use know what you think. Check out the teaser pics along with a video below:

more details at the NFS:Shift blog

2011 Audi A8 Gets Tuned by Hofele Design

Tony Borroz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:39:04 +0000

Although I’m more of a sports car guy than a sedan guy, on occasion I find the more practical and commodious rides appealing. I’ve always had a thing for Audi’s A8, for example. Although large, they look rather svelte and sleek, and that always goes a long way for me. And I especially liked the S8 for all the reasons I should: Way too much power.

The latest iteration of The Big Audi just rolled out (it debuted in Miami, which is just beyond me) and it looks like it just got its first tuner treatment, courtesy of an outfit called Hofele Design.

First on Hofele Design’s list of things to do is going over the A8’s engines. And, I have to give them credit, because they did hi-po mods to both of the currently available A8 plants. Yes, both the gasoline and the diesel.

The 4.2-liter V8 gasser gets a bump from 372HP and 445Nm to 400HP and 475Nm. This was enough to drop the 0-100km/h times from 5.7 seconds to 5.3 seconds. Which is not bad, given the size and weight etc. Hofele Design’s take on the stock 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel resulted in the power and torque numbers getting upped from 350HP and 800Nm to 395HP and 880Nm. Bottom line is that the diesel now gets from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.2 seconds versus the stock version’s 5.5 second time.

And Hofele Design says that fuel consumption remains unchanged over the factory models for both engines.

Hofele also added an adjustable sport suspension with an electronic module that lowers the A8’s ride height between 40 and 80mm. They also added a four-pipe exhaust system and 6-caliper high-performance brakes. There’s an available body kit that features front and rear bumpers, rocker panels, rear diffuser, a new grille as well as a tactful boot lid spoiler. And of course, Hofele Design being a German tuning firm, they had to throw on a set of giant 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/40 ZR20 or 265/30 ZR22 high-performance tires.

Source: CarScoop

Lotus Back To Indy?

Tony Borroz — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:58:18 +0000

Tell this rumor (more than a rumor?) turns out to be true: Lotus might just be coming back to Indy car racing. Yes, that Lotus. The same car company that was derided by the likes of A.J. Foyt until Jimmy Clark beat him like a dumb Texas mule. Yes, the same car company that makes such tasty offerings as the Elise and that truly sublime Evora hybrid from Geneva.

For those of you in the know, Indy Car Racing will be using all new, and newly designed chassis from the 2012 season onward. Lotus, along with a bunch of other racing companies, are readying proposals for what that new chassis should be, but Lotus seems to be taking it a step further.

SpeedTV (which you should all be watching, by the by) said “In what could be a precursor to a 2012 chassis supply deal, Lotus announced its intention to enter the 2010 Indy 500 under the ‘Team Lotus USA’ banner.”

Wa-hoo!

“The Indycar dream is very real for us. We are talking to an existing team about forging an alliance. The American marketplace is very important for Lotus and there is a pedigree and history at the Indy 500. When people think of Lotus they think of competition and racing, it is important that we get back to putting that message across. The Indycar program is a big project and we need to join with an existing team to begin with, because that is the easiest way in terms of logistics. We only have a few weeks to sort the deal out because the start of the season is very close. The reunification of Champ Car and Indycar makes it much simpler for us and it is an area we are excited about. To run the Honda engine is not a problem in the first instance, even there we have history. The Indy 500 is iconic and it will only do the Lotus brand good to be there,” Lotus Motorsport Director Claudio Berro told highly regarded British publication Motorsport News.

Louts expects to make a further announcement regarding their Indy 500 plans sometime this month. And all that makes sense. That would be good timing, what with the racing season getting ramped up, and The 500 starting to glow over the horizon.

Things could be looking up in a lot of ways for American open-wheel racing.

Source: SpeedTV

Photo from Flickr user The Pug Father

2010 Suzuki SX4 SportBack Review

Chris Burdick — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:55 +0000

Over the past few years, there’s been a surge of small, affordable hatchbacks coming on the market, and they continue to flow. We have the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Mazda3, VW Golf, and plenty of others to choose from in this range. It’s no surprise – they’re cheap, fuel efficient, have room to store all sorts of crap with the rear seats folded down, and some are even fun to drive. So it’s no surprise that Suzuki (remember them?) wants back in the game.

For 2010, Suzuki added a new model – the SX4 SportBack. This variation on the SX4 wagon makes a few changes for the better. The SportBack gets rid of the roof rack found on the SX4 Crossover and adds a body kit and rear spoiler. To go along with the sportier look, Suzuki lowered the SportBack by 15mm and tightened up the suspension. A new powertrain across the SX4 line is welcome – now we have a 2.0-liter four-banger with a tick more power and 30 mpg on the highway. New transmissions include a standard 6-speed manual or optional CVT to replace last year’s 4-speed automatic. Our test model was fitted with the 6-speed. It wasn’t bad, but I found six speeds to be a bit much for the relatively weak engine.

Suzuki has always been good at providing a good value, and the 2010 SX4 SportBack isn’t changing that. Coming in at $17,949, this “hot hatch” comes standard with power accessories, leather steering wheel, fog lights, six-disc CD changer with upgraded audio, cruise, automatic A/C, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless start, and most surprisingly – standard navigation. The navigation needs some explaining – it’s not an integrated system like you’ve seen in countless other new cars – it’s a portable Garmin unit stuck into a pop-up slot on the SX4’s dash (see picture below.) Weird, yes, but it works. One feature missing – standard auxiliary audio input – a big downside, though there is an iPod interface available.

So, how is driving the SX4 SportBack? Frankly, it’s a weird little thing. The seating position and overall comfort certainly leave something to be desired, the lack of a real center console feels econocar cheap, and the interior materials aren’t of the highest quality. But after all, you are driving a sub-$20K sport hatchback. The 6-speed manual transmission has one too many gears for the car’s power output, and shifting just doesn’t quite feel quite – it’s a bit too imprecise.

There is, however, more interior room than you’d expect, and overall it’s a pleasant ride. The amount of standard equipment in the SX4 SportBack is great compared to competing models, and the price is definitely right.

The problem with the SX4 is that it’s just not unique enough to stand out from the contenders. Other than the value factor (which might just be enough for some buyers,) there’s nothing about the car that screams “buy me instead!” Other cars, like the Toyota Yaris and especially the Mazda3 and VW Golf are more fun, more engaging, and have more personality than the SX4 – but they’re also more expensive and/or get worse fuel economy. The 2010 Suzuki SX4 SportBack adds a bit of spice to an otherwise uninteresting car. But it makes sense – and that’s more than enough for many buyers, especially nowadays.

Before You Buy

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership by getting a free, no-obligation quote at Yahoo! Autos.

Limited Edition 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon

Chris Burdick — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:51:45 +0000

In their effort to expand the Corvette lineup, Chevy just announced the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition model – a track-tuned version of the Z06.

The Z06 Carbon features 20-spoke black 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, a special carbon pattern engine cover, and the ZR1’s Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. It will only be available in two colors – thankfully two sexy colors – Inferno Orange and a new Supersonic Blue, which you see here.

Other aesthetics of the Z06 Carbon include black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style spoiler, carbon fiber hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter.

Inside, you get ebony leather and suede interior with blue or orange seat stitching, depending on the color you choose (although blue stitching on an orange car would be…unique.) Other additions are your typical limited edition stuff – steering wheel emblem, sill plate, embroidered headrest, blah blah.

Only 500 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbons will be made – pricing to be announced – and should be available this summer.

Interestingly, regular Z06 owners will also have the opportunity to purchase a Z07 performance package or CFZ Z06 carbon fiber package, which essentially turn it into the Z06 Carbon. You’ll have more customization choices with your own Z06 this way, but you couldn’t say you own the special edition. Hmm.

Lexus Announces the 2010 IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition

Chris Burdick — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:19:28 +0000

Lexus just announced details about the new limited edition IS 350C F-Sport. With only 100 being produced, Lexus pulls a Scion Release Series-type move and makes a few changes to the stock IS 350C Convertible. So, what’s changed?

First up, it’s only available in two colors – Tungsten Pearl and Obsidian (not the cool orange color you see above, sadly.) That’s black and silver, respectively. You’d think being an F-Sport model would allow for some more exciting colors. Next up – it gets new 19-inch alloy wheels with high performance tires. Aesthetically, the IS 350C F-Sport gets a new F-Sport grille, a one-inch lowered ride height, and exterior badging.

Regarding performance – the special edition IS 350C gets firmer brakes, new sport shocks, and a sway bar. You could also consider the lowered ride height in the performance department.

Inside, the car gets embroidered floor mats, leather-wrapped shift knob, a numbered badge on the center console, and black leather-trimmed seats with blue stitching. The special edition also gets some options as standard.

Price comes in at $57,500, or $12,610 higher than the base IS 350C. To be one of the 100 folks getting this special edition, give your Lexus dealer a call for delivery later this month.

edo competition DBS – A luxury sports car

Tony Borroz — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:03:36 +0000

edo competition has always seemed to be a little bit different for a German tuning firm. The Ahlen-based outfit tunes something other than just German cars, for one thing. Take for example their latest project: Having a serious go at Aston Martin’s DBS.

Of course, like seemingly all German tuning firms, edo competition has to do something funny with their name. In edo’s case, they have to go all e.e. cummings and their name is in all lower case. That aside, what about their take on the Aston flagship?

They started off pretty far up the mountain. The Aston Martin DBS already produces 517 horsepower from its 12-cylinder residing under its front bonnet. That’s enough for the British beast to top out at more than 300 km/h (186 mph). So what did edo do?

edo got into the engine control unit and modified the software and also added a new exhaust system, special catalytic converters and high flow air filters. So the power output was bumped up to an impressive 550 hp and 600 Nm (442 ft-lb). Allowing the edo competition DBS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds and now top out at 320 km/h (199 mph).

edo seems to be especially proud of the exhaust layout. The exhaust system incorporates butterfly valves allowing it to tune the engine note, and the power and torque output, on the fly. The exhaust comes with a programmable control system that monitors backpressure inside the exhaust and opens the 70 mm butterfly valves when a pre-determined level of backpressure is exceeded. The advantage of the system is that it provides better torque at low engine speeds without sacrificing top end horsepower. The exhaust system is made from stainless steel (natch) and has chromed exhaust tips (just as natch). The driver can adjust the sound of the DBS at any time using a remote control. This reminds me of something that I’ve seen other tuners and manufacturers starting to do, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more systems like it in the future. I’m not saying I condone it, exactly, but I understand it.

Naturally, edo competition worked the suspension too. Unlike the exhaust, which they allow the customer to fiddle with on the fly, any time, day or night, edo implies in their presser that although the suspension is tunable, they set it to the customer’s specs and then leave it at that. Which strikes me as a very smart thing to do. The suspension system is adjustable in height, compression and rebound damping, and it can be “matched to the customer’s driving style.”

Naturally, edo competition offers exclusive wheel/tire combinations. The DBS is equipped with three-piece 21 in. racing wheels with stainless steel outer rims. The customer can choose the stock tire dimensions or go with a set of Continental tires that are 255/ 30 ZR 21 (front), 295/ 25 ZR 21 (rear).

Yes, they upgraded the brakes too. Up front: 405 mm rotors with 6-piston monoblock calipers and performance brake pads and out back there’s 380 mm rotors with 6-piston monoblock calipers and performance brake pads, including braided stainless steel brake lines.

The interior design of the DBS can be spiced up with the available carbon fiber shifter and shifter console, or the customer can opt for a custom interior in any color or material he desires, including handmade leather interiors.

Photos: edo competition

Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Remains For 2010

Tony Borroz — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:00:43 +0000

Warms the cockles of my heart it does. The fact that Chrysler saw fit to even make a drag strip version of the reborn Dodge Challenger in the first place was great. And it seems that they were enough of a success for the company to continue to offer them in 2010.

In 2009, the company created 100 of the drag-strip specials. For 2010 the will be making even more of the cars and they’ve said the price will be $39,999. The intent is for them NHRA Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator racing and indeed, they are already sanctioned by the NHRA, so they’re good to go. I know you’re probably thinking the same thing I am, but sadly, the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is not street legal. So you can just stop that line of thought right now.

The 2009 version of the car was offered with three engine options: A 5.7-liter Hemi, a 5.9-liter Magnum Wedge and a 6.1-liter Hemi V8. The company says 90 percent of the 2009 cars were ordered with the 6.1-liter plant, so there was little point in continuing with the other engines. Which mean that the 2010 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is offered only with the 6.1-liter Hemi V8. You do get a choice of trannies though. The 2010 car can be ordered with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission.

And that’s an interesting option. Do any of you strip guys out there know why you’d go with an automatic versus a manual? My experience is that autos are only good over a certain level of horsepower, and that a manual will always be quicker initially off the line. But there must be some good reason for running an automatic.

Just like the 2009 version, the 2010 will batch of cars are about 1,000 pounds lighter than the street Challenger and will include such sweet goodies as a composite lift-off hood with scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, a light-weight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack-and-pinion steering, light-weight front brakes and a special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly. I know, but DAMN, wouldn’t that be a sweet set of options for the street version?

Mopar will only be manufacturing 70 Drag Pak cars for 2010, so get in line and submit your application to Mopar (the only way obtain one of the beasts).

Source: Edmunds

Back to the Future Mark I Delorean 1/12 Replica

Chris Burdick — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:39:54 +0000

Alright, so I’m a bit of a geek. I just love when a cool new product shows up that combines cars and some of my favorite movies. In this case, ThinkGeek.com just released a new 1/12 scale replica of the Delorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future – including lights, moving parts, and sound effects. Awesome!

Check it out:

Originally manufactured in northern Ireland, the DeLorean DMC-12 had gull-wing doors and totally sweet brushed stainless steel paneling. Sadly, it was the only car the DeLorean Motor Company ever produced, so that’s why you don’t hear it being called the DMC-12. Our DeLorean is a 1/12th size replica of the one used in the Back to the Future movies, including fully-detailed moving parts, lights, and sound effects. Act out your very own time travel adventures, and please, no matter how hot she was back in the day, don’t flirt with your mom

Product Specifications

1/12th scale replica of the iconic DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future
Lights, sound effects, and fully-detailed moving parts
Be careful not to get it to 88 miles per hour and whatever you do, don’t flirt with your mom
Fun fact: John DeLorean was 6′4″ tall – that’s probably why the car has gull-wing doors!
Size: 14″ long (do the math and you’ll know how long a real DeLorean is!)

Sound effects include:

First time travel

Car trouble

Revving up and winding down

Opening door

Rev up and peel out

Engine start-up

Return from time travel

Screeching halt

Time circuit engaged

No power

Peraves E-Tracer Enters Automotive X-Prize

Tony Borroz — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:03:13 +0000

This is the Peraves E-Tracer. It looks like a drop tank from a P-61, is powered by an electric motor and has outrigger wheels. It is also entering the Automotive X-Prize, and thinks that it has a real shot at winning the thing. They just might be right. It’s light enough and efficient enough right off the rack that it could win. Not sure whether it should count as a car or not.

If Peraves is right, and the E-Tracer has the chops to make it into the top spot, then the European company will rake in $10 million by winning Progressive Automotive X-Prize.

Peraves is a Swiss company that has been making the MonoTracer, a BMW bike engined version of the E-Tracer for a while now. Like the ICE motivated MonoTracer, the E-Tracer boast an impressive drag coefficient of .19. It also features very low rolling resistance and relatively light weight.

In place of the aforementioned BMW engine being hooked to its gearbox, the green version has a highly efficient AC induction motor. And not just efficient, but a powerful one to boot. The AC Propulsion Gen II motor cranks out 204 horsepower (or 150 kilowatts if you want to measure it that way) and 162 pound feet of torque. Which is a lot in a, er, car that’s the size and weight of the Peraves E-Tracer. It’s enough to send it zinging from a stop to 60 MPH in the sub-four second range. The top speed is reportedly 150 miles per hour, and Peraves has to electronically limit it to that, they say. The energy is stored in the E-Tracer’s 20 kWh lithium battery, and that gives it enough juice to drive 186 miles at 60 mph and still have a 20-mile reserve at about 50 mph left over.

So does the Peraves E-Tracer have what it takes to win the Automotive X-Prize? We’ll leave that up to the judges and to history to decide. But if you’re interested in the E-Tracer already, turns out they are already being manufactured and sold. It seems that the waiting list is about a year long, and the E-Tracer will cost you around €79,350 (or around $107,800 at today’s exchange rates).

Peraves is also said to be working on a another version dubbed the Ultra-Sport that will crank out a whopping 268 hp. No word on the cost of the Ultra-Sport, but you have to figure it will run you more bucks.

And here’s some videos of the Peraves in action.

Source: AutoBlogGreen

GeigerCars Tunes the Mustang GT500

Chris Burdick — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:03:53 +0000

German tuner GeigerCars just got their hands on the Ford Mustang GT500 – an already high-powered pony car ripe for tuning – and turned it into a real beast. Geiger opened up the hood and left almost nothing untouched.

Inside and around the massive 5.4-liter V8 powerhouse, GeigerCars added larger throttle valves, a modified injection system, a 100 millimeter air flow meter and machined cylinder heads, and extra coolers for air intake, coolant and engine oil. Geiger also took the stock supercharger, threw it away, and attached their own 3.3-liter supercharger, boosting the power from a hefty 550 ponies to a borderline insane 800 hp. Just as impressive is the increase in torque from 510 lb-ft to 697; a big enough change to require Geiger to reinforce the transmission and shorten the final two gears.

To make sure the Mustang’s chassis doesn’t twist and turn when putting down that sort of power, they’ve also fitted the car with a special racing chassis. High-performance 6-piston brakes are housed inside new 20-inch OZ alloy wheels. A new sport exhaust was fitted, along with racing catalytic converters and a special manifold.

The top speed of this monster? 220 mph! More images below: