European Performance Car News

TheEastBayKid Finds Us Some Cool Machinery In The Southern Hemisphere [Down On The Street Bonus Edition]

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Not only is TheEastBayKid a DOTS honoree, he shoots DOTSBE photos while on vacation.

On a recent trip to Australia and New Zealand, LeMons Assistant Perpetrator TheEastBayKid found some pretty nice not-found-in-North-America vehicles.

Holden HJ (?) Panel Van, Sydney
Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, Airlie Beach Australia
Toyota FJ70 Land Cruiser, Airlie Beach Australia
Mazda 1000 (?) Ute, Brisbane
Daimler SP250, Wellington
Citroen Diane, Wellington
Citroen DS, Wellington
Austin Mini, Wellington
Land Rover Defender 110 Crew Cab, Wellington
BMW 320i (E30) Touring, Wellington
Nissan Safari (Y60 Patrol), Wellington

DOTS FAQ

VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:48:00 -0800

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, BMW

BMW M1 in camouflage - Click above to watch the video

For the life of us, we can't figure this. BMWblog has posted a video of what surely looks like an O.G. BMW M1, dressed up in that ubiquitous swirlydelic camouflage du jour and parked on a Munich street. It's either a very clever gag being put on by someone, or something potentially awesome is afoot. Either way, we can dig it. See for yourselves after the jump. Thanks to Mike S. for the tip!

[Source: YouTube via BMWblog]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo?

VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Volkswagen ponders becoming F1 engine supplier in 2012

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:19:00 -0800

Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen

There have been rumblings about VW getting into F1 by signing up with a specific team, but the chatter was always quashed. This time, reports suggest that VW is actively talking up the idea of getting into Formula 1 after 2012, but as an engine supplier to multiple teams. Hans-Joachim Stuck, VW's motorsports head, said with the way F1 engine regulations are going -- especially with costs and the potential of the "world engine" -- it could be the perfect opportunity for VW to start pumping out powerplants.

While future F1 regulations are still undefined, and VW's eventual entry into the series is by no means guaranteed, it's clear that VW's looking for ways to show off its engineering chops and get its name onto tracks. Stuck recently visited a NASCAR race and spoke about the company looking to get into the GrandAm series, and perhaps IndyCar.

Interestingly, the very conditions that Stuck sees as favorable for VW's entry are the ones that a number of F1 teams and fans are, at best, ambivalent about: substantially lower costs, spec engines, and more than 24 teams on the grid. With a new FIA president, what F1 is going to look like after 2012 is almost completely unknown. Hat tip to Stefano

[Source: Autosport]

Rumormill: Volkswagen ponders becoming F1 engine supplier in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:31:00 -0800

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Police/Emergency, Design/Style, Diesel

AC Schnitzer BMW 123d Tune It Safe! police concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

High performance vehicles like Porsche 911s being used for pursuit duty on Germany's autobahn is nothing new. As such, in order order to grab the attention of Essen Motor Show attendees, the Tune It Safe! program's annual police-liveried show car needs to go a step further. Past efforts have included rides such as a police-liveried Brabus Rocket and a TechArt-prepared Porsche 911. This year, AC Schnitzer got the call and it has unwrapped (or perhaps wrapped is the better term, given the side graphics) a police car concept based on the BMW 123d coupe.

Naturally, Schnitzer couldn't leave the stock, 40 mpg 204-horsepower twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel alone, and so it has boosted the show car's engine to 241 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. They've also applied an array of their appearance upgrades including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and a bigger wheel/tire package. The body has been dropped 30 millimeters, which should help compensate a bit for the extra drag of the light bar on the roof. Inside, racing seats and carbon fiber trim are accompanied by a cover for the iDrive knob that matches the wheel design.

We'll pass on the light bar and the graphics, but take the rest of the car, please. Not sure about it yourself? Take a look at the high-res gallery below and a video available after the jump.

Gallery: AC Schnitzer BMW 123d police package

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Continue reading Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO]

Essen 2009: AC Schnitzer gives BMW 123d the police package treatment [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Essen 2009: Brabus tweaks the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:44:00 -0800

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows

2010 Brabus B63 S - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Don't have enough money for Brabus to swap out the V8 in your E63 AMG for a V12? Not to worry. Today at the Essen Motor Show, the German tuner officially launched its B63 S performance package for 6.2-liter V8 in the four-door Benz. The upgrade consists of dual "sport" air filters, high-flow catalytic converters, and revised program for the engine and results in a 30 horsepower increase.

Brabus is also offering other modifications for the E63 AMG as well, including a carbon fiber aero kit, wheels in 18 to 20-inch sizes, and various interior trim pieces like stainless-steel scuff plates, a new 225 mph speedometer, and wood or carbon fiber inlays. For the most part ,we'd skip the visual bits and stick with the engine upgrades. Hit the jump for full details in press release, or check out the high-res gallery below courtesy of Brabus.

Gallery: 2010 Brabus B63 S

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Essen 2009: Brabus tweaks the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Essen 2009: Brabus tweaks the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well Heeled: Ferrari and Tod's team up for driving mocs

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:11:00 -0800

Filed under: Ferrari

Tod's for Ferrari - Click above for image gallery

Tod's driving loafers and Ferraris go together like gin and vermouth, if not because every barchetta-driving playboy on the Amalfi Coast is sporting a pair, then because Ferrari's longtime chairman Luca di Montezemolo also sits on the board of the leathercrafter's company. But now the two companies have teamed up to bridge the divide with a special line of loafers bearing the iconic Cavallino Rampante.

The shoes bear all the hallmarks of Tod's enduring design - comfort, flexibility, style and those little rubber nubs in lieu of actual soles, all the better for gripping the pedals. The Ferrari line upgrades with little prancing horses, insoles patterned after Ferrari seats and - in the case of the Gommino Mascherina Griglia - a badge on the tongue reminiscent of the GTO's grille, replacing the tassels or laces on the Leccetto or Laccetto Tubi GT. They're available in a variety of colors, but will set you back a little more than the horse-emblazoned Puma sneaks available at your local Foot Locker.

Gallery: Tod's for Ferrari

[Source: Ferrari]

Well Heeled: Ferrari and Tod's team up for driving mocs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Top 152 Lemons Of The 24 Hours Of LeMons Arse Freeze-A-Palooza 2009! [24 Hours Of Lemons]

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

The 21st race in 24 Hours Of LeMons history took place in Northern California last weekend, and we saw a BMW E30 take the overall win for the second time in a row, bringing BMW's LeMons win total to four.

Amazingly, we saw European cars take seven of the first ten positions, with four BMWs, an Alfa Romeo, a Porsche, and a Volkswagen dominating the race. Mazda and Toyota have five LeMons wins apiece, so we have to think that they're sweating in the boardrooms of Tokyo and Hiroshima right about now. Look for factory-sponsored $500 cars in the near future!

The third annual Arse Freeze-A-Palooza was more like an Arse Cool-A-Palooza this time, due to the schedule putting the race in November instead of December. We had more cars on the track than we'd ever seen at any LeMons event, and the LeMons Supreme Court punished more miscreants than ever before (570 total black flags). We saw our first-ever Toyota Cressida, Renault Alliance, and Northstar-engined Cadillac. The LeMons tradition of Nissan Zs failing miserably continued, with seven 280ZXs and 300ZXs on the track and only one finishing in the top 100… at 99th place. The 2009 LeMons season is now officially over. See you in Phoenix next January!

Thanks to Daniel Zanelli, Kyle Ryan, and Larisa Wolf for photographic help; thanks also to the Faster Farms Non-Rotisserie Chickens for allowing me to bolt the PillarCam to their Belvedere.

Not enough LeMons action for you? Check out the top lemons of past races: Altamont '07 • Arse Freeze '07 • Altamont '08 • Ohio '08 • New England '08 • South '08 • Texas '08 • Arse Freeze '08 • Texas Spring '09 • South Spring '09 • Reno '09 • New Orleans '09 • New England '09 • Buttonwillow '09 • South Fall '09 • Ohio '09 • Texas Fall '09

1. Pandamonium Racing, BMW 325i
Overall Winner
Best Lap: 2:19;185

2. Eyesore Racing, Ghettocharged Mazda Miata
Winner, Organizer's Choice Award
Winner, Class Good
Best Lap: 2:16.282

3. Bavarian Beer Wagon, BMW 325e
Best Lap: 2:21.786

4. Team California Mille, Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Winner, Highest Placing 70s Contender Award
Best Lap: 2:26.955

5. Formula BMW, BMW 325e
Best Lap: 2:21.671

6. Cajun Coonasses dba Speed Racer, Honda Prelude
Best Lap: 2:29.481

7. Team Hurling Moss, BMW 2002
Winner, Class Bad
Best Lap: 2:27.843

8. Old Fast Auto Race Team, Porsche 924S
Best Lap: 2:21.181

9. Lil Smokey And The Bandit, Toyota MR2
Best Lap: 2:19.227

10. $14 The Hard Way, Volkswagen Golf
Best Lap: 2:23.799

11. Bunny With A Pancake On Its Head, Volkswagen Rabbit
Best Lap: 2:28.931

12. Geo Metro-Gnome 2.0, Geo Metro
Best Lap: 2:18.195

13. The Faustest Team, BMW 325
Best Lap: 2:23.160

14. Los Cerdos Voladores, Plymouth Neon
Winner, Least Horrible Yank Tank Award
Best Lap: 2:23.146

15. 1Up Mother Cluckers - Well-Connected Nissan Freaks
Winner, Judges' Choice Award
Best Lap: 2:22.986

16. Lipstick On A Pig, Nissan Sentra SE-R
Best Lap: 2:24.079

17. Italian Stallions aka "The Fiat," Fiat X1/9
Best Lap: 2:25.618

18. Autobahn Society Racing, BMW 2002
Best Lap: 2:30.655

19. Zoom-Zoom...BOOM, Mazda 323
Best Lap: 2:29.873

20. Ecurie Ecrappe Autodenta, 1971 Alfa Romeo Spider
Best Lap: 2:21.236

21. Heisenberg Racing, BMW 318
Best Lap: 2:21.422

22. Barbarian Motorworks, BMW 325eS
Best Lap: 2:21.164

23. Rockerz In Dockerz, Ford Mustang
Best Lap: 2:34.323

24. The Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys, Peugeot 505 Turbo
Winner, Grassroots Motorsports Most From The Least Award
Best Lap: 2:27.088

25. Socialist Dogsledders, Honda Civic
Best Lap: 2:24.155

26. Bernal Dads Racing, Volvo 245
Best Lap: 2:31.161

27. Scuderia Flat Pack, Volvo DL
BS Penalty laps: 4
Best Lap: 2:17.234

28. The Sharks, BMW 325e
Best Lap: 2:18.246

29. Frozen Assets, Plymouth Neon
Best Lap: 2:20.990

30. Absolute Lemon Motorsports, BMW 325
Best Lap: 2:20.033

31. Falknor Auto Racing Team (FART), BMW 535i
Best Lap: 2:24.714

32. An Inconvenient Car, Ford Taurus SHO
Best Lap: 2:22.319

33. Planet Hell Racing, Porsche 944
Best Lap: 2:30.168

34. Clueless Party Vikings Vintage Racers, Ford Mustang
Best Lap: 2:23.009

35. Uber Vogel Hans-Am, Mercedes-Benz 190E
Best Lap: 2:26.873

36. Free Range Racing, Toyota MR2

37. Team Cant Am, Volvo 242 Turbo
Best Lap: 2:27.579

38. Reversed Darwinism II: Brute Force And Ignorance, Ford Crown Victoria
Best Lap: 2:24.817

39. PIT CREW REVENGE, Honda Civic
Best Lap: 2:27.761

40. Filthy Faux Ford GT40, Ford Escort ZX2
BS Penalty laps: 10
Best Lap: 2:25.862

41. Sierra Auto Recycling, Ford Crown Victoria
Best Lap: 2:28.674

42. Stars & Stripes Racing, Mazda RX-7
Best Lap: 2:23.415

43. Carpocalypse NOW!, Eagle Talon TSi
Best Lap: 2:24.613

44. Guud Humor Racing, Ford Ranger
Winner, Class Ugly
Best Lap: 2:25.495

45. Dust n Debris, Dodge Shadow
Best Lap: 2:31.937

46. Beaver Domination, Honda Civic
Best Lap: 2:22.313

47. POS Delivery, BMW 325i
Best Lap: 2:26.497

48. Red Rocket Racing, Toyota Celica GT
BS Penalty laps: 1
Best Lap: 2:33.262

49. The Cannonball Bandits, Toyota Corolla FX16
Best Lap: 2:34.066

50. Carpet Pissers, Honda CRX
Best Lap: 2:25.011

51. Festiva Royale, Ford Festiva
Best Lap: 2:35.383

52. LowerGearEpisode2, BMW 325
Best Lap: 2:20.892

53. Death Race 2000: Frankenstein's REVENGE, Mazda MX-6
BS Penalty laps: 50
Best Lap: 2:28.969

54. Squadra Volante, Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Best Lap: 2:32.232

55. Caffeine Unlimited, BMW E30
Best Lap: 2:24.698

56. Team Barbie, Mazda RX-7
BS Penalty laps: 2
Best Lap: 2:34.177

57. Deepest Valley Racing, Chevrolet Caprice
Best Lap: 2:32.734

58. San Jose Scalawags, Mazda Miata
Best Lap: 2:27.099

59. Badagascar, Acura Integra
Best Lap: 2:23.847

60. Save The Whale, Ford Crown Victoria
BS Penalty laps: 50
Best Lap: 2:15.069

61. Team California Mille #2, Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Best Lap: 2:33.280

62. Redneck Racing Team (RRT), Cadillac Eldorado
Best Lap: 2:31.785
Image credit: Kyle Ryan

63. Team Petty Cash, Jeep Cherokee
Best Lap: 2:31.561

64. Size Does Matter, Plymouth Fury
Best Lap: 2:26.603

65. Purple Lemon Racing, Volkswagen Beetle
Winner, Index Of Effluency
Best Lap: 2:47.501

66. Mysteries Inc. Racing, Plymouth Voyager Turbo
Best Lap: 2:47.721

67. Fast Cat Jungle Racing, Toyota Cressida
Best Lap: 2:35.849

68. I Wanna Roc, Chevrolet Camaro
Best Lap: 2:30.398

69. Team Ken, Mazda RX-7
Best Lap: 2:31.182

70. TSP - Drivers In Training, Honda Civic
Best Lap: 2:25.481

71. Mazdarachis, Mazda RX-7
Best Lap: 2:12.311

72. Snobs On The Dole, Saab 9-3 Convertible
Best Lap: 2:27.135

73. Team King Crab, BMW 325i
BS Penalty laps: 1
Best Lap: 2:37.413

74. Members Only, Porsche 928 Shooting Brake
Best Lap: 2:19.718

75. NYPD ITB, Mazda 323
Best Lap: 2:31.954

76. LEMON DEMOLITION, Honda CRX
Best Lap: 2:22.682

77. Sin City SCAR Wars, Pontiac Fiero
Best Lap: 2:30:263

78. Chim Chim Racing, Volkswagen GTI
Best Lap: 2:28.689

79. Snowspeeder Pilots Association, Toyota MR2
Best Lap: 2:27.409

80. Gift With Purchase, BMW 325iS
Best Lap: 2:19.947

81. Hit & Run II, Mitsubishi Starion
Best Lap: 2:29.933

82. Magnum P.O.S., Honda CRX

83. Team Lightning McQueen, Pontiac Sunfire
Best Lap: 2:42.587

84. Yushin Maru Racing, Toyota Supra
Best Lap: 2:04.824

85. B-Team, BMW 325e
Best Lap: 2:30.216

86. Unknown Fluids, BMW 633CSi
Best Lap: 2:26.837

87. Fart-Rari Racing, Mazda Miata
Best Lap: 2:23.518

88. ONSET/TWTM2
Best Lap: 2:25.532

89. Runs Like A Raped Ape, Acura Integra
Best Lap: 2:20.101

90. The Big EASY, Porsche 914
Best Lap: 2:30.939

91. Fast Times @ Placer High, Mazda Miata
BS Penalty laps: 20
Best Lap: 2:21.702

92. A+ Trailer Trash, Mazda RX-7
Best Lap: 2:26.694

93. The Flakes, Volvo 244
Best Lap: 2:32.852

94. Starsky and the Bandit, Ford Capri
Best Lap: 2:27.427

95. Team Dai Hard, Daihatsu Charade

96. ZZ Uber Das Driver: Uncle Uber Is Back, Volkswagen GTI

97. Frak This Racing / Lime Tigers, Datsun 280Z
Best Lap: 2:14.862

98. Knights Of The Round Track, Toyota MR2
Best Lap: 2:32.676

99. 1320 Turners, Datsun 280ZX
Best Lap: 2:19.039

100. D, C&H Taxi Co, Honda Civic
Best Lap: 2:31.928

101. Tercelators' Totally Bitchen Camaro, Chevrolet Camaro
Best Lap: 2:36.017

102. The Channel 4 News Team, Nissan 240SX
BS Penalty laps: 16
Best Lap: 2:25.019

103. Diplomatic Immunity, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S600
Winner, Heroic Fix Award
Winner, I Got Screwed Award
Best Lap: 2:43.869

104. U.S. BureauCRAP, Nissan Maxima
BS Penalty laps: 10
Best Lap: 2:23.578

105. Junk Yard Kats, Datsun 280ZX
Best Lap: 2:25.387

106. Hit & Run, BMW 320i
Best Lap: 2:41.311

107. Punk Racing, Mazda RX-7
BS Penalty laps: 10
Best Lap: 2:19.362

108. A Lemon Entry, Ford Escort
Best Lap: 2:32.656

109. Nerd Herd, Toyota MR2
Best Lap: 2:25.362

110. THUNDER RACERS, Ford Mustang
Best Lap: 2:26.362

111. Team InternationOLVO (aka Damn Foreigners), Volvo 242 Turbo
Best Lap: 2:35.094

112. REDNECK RACERS, Acura Integra
Best Lap: 2:23.586

113. LOOSE NUTS CALIFORNIA, Mazda RX-7
Best Lap: 2:23.586

114. Huey Newis and the Lose, Ford Mustang
Best Lap: 2:26.513

115. Unsafe At Any Speed, Chevrolet Corvair
Best Lap: 2:54.645

116. HomeTown Buffet / WOO WOOO!, Isuzu I-Mark RS
Best Lap: 2:35.967

117. Rooster Juice Racing, Porsche 924
BS Penalty laps: 2
Best Lap: 2:35.773

118. Gimp Pimp, Cadillac STS
Best Lap: 2:29.979

119. E=MC HAMMERED, BMW 325e
Best Lap: 2:25.462

120. Audi In Wonderland, Audi 90
Best Lap: 2:28.695

121. Wienerschmoker II: Electric Boogaloo, BMW 325e
BS Penalty laps: 15
Best Lap: 2:27.387

122. Rice Rocket Racing (the Sequel) or RQubed, Nissan 280ZX
Best Lap: 2:23.140

123. XDOG'S, Honda CRX
Best Lap: 2:31.199

124. Rockin Rollers, Mazda RX-7
BS Penalty laps: 20
Best Lap: 2:32.502

125. Faster Farms II: Non Rotisserie Chickens, Plymouth Belvedere
Best Lap: 2:32.949

126. Wedginator III, Triumph TR7
Best Lap: 2:30.420

127. Automatica, BMW 325i Convertible
BS Penalty laps: 1
Best Lap: 2:26.283

128. Rubber Chicken Piccata Racing, Volvo 740GLE
BS Penalty lap: 4
Best Lap: 2:27.115

129. Blood Drive / Arcane Racing, BMW 530i
Best Lap: 2:24.252

130. Family Truckster, Ford Pinto
Best Lap: 2:29.685

131. F-ING Renault Fromage1 Racing Team, Renault Alliance
BS Penalty laps: 5
Best Lap: 2:42.831

132. The Black Flags, Toyota Supra
Best Lap: 2:27.738

133. Project FATE, Nissan 300ZX
Best Lap: 2:34.077

134. Leftover Parts Racing, Mazda RX-7
BS Penalty laps: 5
Best Lap: 2:32.608

135. 4 R's (aka 501k), Volkswagen Jetta
Best Lap: 2:30.428

136. Las Vegas Magic, Honda CRX
Best Lap: 2:25.497

137. Chicken Licken- Reburned, Nissan Stanza
Best Lap: 2:28.123

138. Killer Bees, MGB
Best Lap: 2:34.924

139. Pearl Harbor Racing, Datsun 200SX
Best Lap: 2:37.848

140. Angry Hamster Racing, Honda Z600
Winner, Dangerous Homemade Technology Award
Best Lap: 2:30.906

141. Magnum P.I.G., Toyota Celica
Best Lap: 2:30.847

142. Dudes of Hazard, Toyota Celica Alltrac Turbo
Best Lap: 2:31.097

143. Group of Foolz, BMW 533i
Best Lap: 2:41.045

144. Team Apathy, Saab 9000 Turbo
Best Lap: 2:33.079

145. Team Pyrite, Eagle Talon
Best Lap: 2:29.821

146. Clunkers Refuge Racing, Nissan 300ZX
Best Lap: 2:40.543

147. LITTLE WOODY, Honda CRX
Best Lap: 2:53.268

148. Blanco Basura Racing, Honda Prelude
Best Lap: 2:33;837

149. Hatfield's and McCoy's, Nissan 300ZX
Best Lap: 3:29.281

150. Kamikaze Ninjas With Lasers, Nissan Sentra SE-R
BS Penalty laps: 150
Best Lap: 2:26.620

151. Mark's Wife Won't Let Him Drive, Prosche 944
BS Penalty laps: 300
Best Lap: 2:19.175

152. Motoring J Style, Acura Integra
BS Penalty laps: 1,200
Best Lap: 2:22.508

Chevron staging a comeback with new GR8

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:01:00 -0800

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, UK, Specialty, MISC

The history of the British automobile is littered with dozens upon dozens of small, independent cottage-industry automakers. Names like Lotus, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover have stood the test of time. And in recent years companies like Ascari, McLaren Automotive and Ariel have sprung up to join the fold. (Heck, Lee Noble's been responsible for half of them.) But for every new automaker that sets up shop in the UK, there are dozens more that have faded into the night: carmakers like Triumph, Sunbeam, AC, Austin-Healey and TVR. But one is making a comeback.

Founded by Derek Bennett in 1965, Chevron Cars produced more than 60 distinct racing cars over the course of its history. But the Lancaster-based automaker has long since faded into obscurity. The marque now belongs to Westfield Sportscars, purveyors of Lotus 7 continuation cars, which is now preparing to bring back the Chevron with the design you see here.

The new Chevron GR8 is being developed as the spiritual successor to the original G8, a lightweight mid-engine race car built in the late '60s. The new car follows the same formula: a fiberglass body over a steel spaceframe with a 255hp 2.0-liter Cosworth engine mounted right in the middle. That might not sound like a lot of power, but the target curb weight of 1,322 pounds promises to keep the power to weight ratio on the fun side.

Chevron is planning an initial run of 20 examples, each to be sold for £49,500 (about $82k). They'll all be earmarked towards the GR8 Challenge, a new one-make racing series. After that, Chevron plans to turn the GR8 into a track-day special available for public consumption, but does not plan to make a road-going version. Which is a shame, because as many that spring up every so many years, we never get tired of British sportscars.

[Source: Chevron via PistonHeads]

Chevron staging a comeback with new GR8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 -0800

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

The future of Sauber F1 looks a little more secure. After BMW's announcement earlier this year that it would withdraw from its involvement in Formula one at the end of the 2009, the automaker has reached a deal to sell the team back to eponymous founder Peter Sauber.

The new deal comes just days after it became clear that the previously unknown Qadbak investment company that had a deal to buy the team may have in fact been nothing more than a scam. According to previous reports, Qadbak apparently just wanted to collect Sauber's share of the F1 commercial money.

Peter Sauber has apparently raised the financing to buy back the team he sold to BMW in 2005 although the announcement does not disclose the purchase price. The team is being restructured in accordance with new F1 rules designed to bring down costs, and the staff at team headquarters will be cut from the current 388 to 250, with the first batch of layoff notices landing in inboxes today.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber

BMW reaches agreement to sell F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche cancels Boxster/Cayman production contract, Magna wants cash

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:03:00 -0800

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Porsche

2009 Porsche Boxster S - Click above for high res image gallery

Shortly after the Boxster debuted in 1996, Porsche contracted with Valmet Automotive of Finland as a second production source for the sports car, and a few years later, employed the facili along with the Cayman coupe. In 2008 Porsche decided that it would shift that production contract from Valmet to Magna International and its assembly plant in Graz Austria. Today, with Porsche being subsumed into the Volkswagen Group, the sports car maker has decided to cancel the Magna deal. With Volkswagen now buying up the remains of Karmann, the Boxster and Cayman are now expected be built at the coachbuilder's factory in Osnabrueck, Germany.

Magna claims it has already invested a significant amount of money on development to prepare for production. As a result Magna is seeking €400 million in compensation from Porsche. There's no word from Stuttgart on its plans to repay Magna, but with VW's legal arm exercised and ready to go, the battle is sure to be drawn out over the coming months and years.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster S PDK

[Source: Reuters]

Porsche cancels Boxster/Cayman production contract, Magna wants cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW continues curtailing racing programs

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:02:00 -0800

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW

BMW 320si WTCC, BMW-Sauber F1.07 and Formula BMW FB02 - Click above for high-res image gallery

What would BMW be without racing? We could be about to find out if recent developments are any indication. The Bavarian automaker competed in F1, the World Touring Car Championship and various sportscar series, while running its own Formula BMW feeder series that has helped breed such talents as Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. The automaker announced its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of this year, and reports now indicate that they'll be severely curtailing their participation in the World Touring Car Championship as well.

BMW mounted a concerted comeback effort in the WTCC this year, only to narrowly lose out again to SEAT. Whether the decision is directly related to the upset or not is unclear, but reports out of Europe say that BMW will be reducing the number of its cars in the championship next year from five to two. That means eliminating the national teams system it had in place, consolidating and putting its WTCC-spec 320si in the hands of Team Schnitzer (the erstwhile BMW Team Germany), which gains triple champion Andy Priaulx from BMW Team UK to partner with multiple race winner Augusto Farfus. Two-time CART champion and double amputee Alex Zanardi, who was racing for BMW Team Italy-Spain, is moving to the Superstars Series. (Touring car fans should also note that SEAT's 2008 champion Yvan Muller is moving to Chevrolet to replace the retiring former F1 driver Nicola Larini.)

What remains to be seen is whether BMW will continue cutting its racing activities in other series as well, or if they'll have cut enough expenditures from their F1 and WTCC programs to let its sportscar programs and Formula BMW survive the cutbacks.

Gallery: BMW 320si WTCC

[Source: OmniAuto.it]

BMW continues curtailing racing programs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Elise, Exige, Esprit? Lotus tests new model

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:03:00 -0800

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, Luxury

When it comes to the successor to the Lotus Esprit, the specs -- and even the name -- are still up in the air. There is, however, a mule undergoing testing on the ground. Autocar has pics of an Exige with a seriously modified rear end, leading to speculation that the new Esprit's powertrain lives underneath.

This time engine talk centers on "a version of" the Lexus lump in the IS F, but with 275-325 bhp per ton as the goal, that could mean an engine which is quite close or quite far from its source material. Knowing Lotus, we won't doubt the power -- what we really can't wait to see are the looks. The Esprit V8 was the last of the gee-willikers rip-snorters from the house of Chapman, but it was the design of the earlier s4s that made us go "Oh yeah." Please, Lotus, give us that lovin' feelin' again...

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: Elise, Exige, Esprit? Lotus tests new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Essen Preview: speedArt to debut PS9-650 Panamera

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:02:00 -0800

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

speedArt PS9-650 Panamera - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Essen Motor Show is just days away, and all of Europe's tuners are set to unveil their latest and greatest aftermarket parts at Germany's version of SEMA. One of those companies will be speedArt, which will be introducing its new performance and appearance packages for the 2010 Porsche Panamera.

Using the Panamera Turbo as a base, speedArt have transformed Porsche's four-door into a 650-horsepower monster thanks to larger turbochargers, an upgraded exhaust system and a revised ECU. The German tuner claims impressive performance figures: a top speed of over 200 mph and 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

The body kit fitted to the PS9-650 is fairly subtle, and dare we say tasteful. The aerodynamic package consists of a front chin spoiler that improves air flow to the brakes, rear diffuser, roof spoiler, side skirts and a rear bumper. Several other items are available as well including 22-inch forged wheels; an upholstered steering wheel; various trim pieces in aluminum, wood, or carbon fiber; and color-matched stitching. Hit the jump for speedArt's official press release, and be sure to browse through the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: speedArt PS9-650 Panamera

[Source: speedArt]

Continue reading Essen Preview: speedArt to debut PS9-650 Panamera

Essen Preview: speedArt to debut PS9-650 Panamera originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Audi A8: The Shroud of Miami! [New Cars]

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Beneath this expanse of aluminum foil is two tons of aluminum und shteel in the form of Audi's new A8. The veil will drop on Monday in Miami and we'll be there to tell you all about it.

Jo Jo Dancer, Your $2,500 Crystal-Covered Lambo Model Is Calling [Car Models]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Hypothetical question: If you had 7,688 tiny Swarovski crystals, what would you do with them? You'd glue them to a cheap Murcielago model, you say? Oh! It's like we were separated at birth!

The glitzy trinket you see before you is made by Californian model company Maisto. It's offically dubbed the "Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Made With Crystallized Swarovski Elements," and it wants to be your friend. There's only one catch: The model is only available in Europe. It's limited to 550 examples, it comes with its own box and commemorative mount, and it costs the equivalent of $2500.

Somewhere, someone wants this, and they want it badly. Just for the record, we have no idea who they are. (Hat tip to Andrew!)

[Maisto]

Old German Touring Cars Make Everything Better [Dtm]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0800

Sixteen-valve fours, crashing, and some of the best racing ever seen. It's like NASCAR, if NASCAR were high on schnitzel and still had soul. We've watched a lot of DTM videos. This is one of the best.

(Obligatory fanboy plug: Long live the E30 M3, long live the Cossie-headed Mercedes, long live the Cosworth Fords, and mad props to Paul "Nockenwelle" Rosche, the coolest engineer this side of a currywurst.)

Ferrari 360 Owner Hits Track, Track Hits Back [Car Crashes]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

We feel bad for this guy. He did what most lesser Ferrari 360 owners wouldn't dream of, took his car to the track. His tape-job didn't offer much protection when he hit the wall at Palm Beach International Speedway. [WreckedExotics]

Smashing Safety: 12 New Cars Crashed In Eurocarnage Video Gallery [Safety]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:15:00 -0800

The latest round of European NCAP crash testing's complete, which means our video-bin horn o' plenty overfloweth with clips of a dozen Euro cars getting the stuffing smashed outta them. Thank you NCAP, you've made this the best Smashgiving ever!

You've got the name, the overall rating Euro NCAP crash test rating and, you know, the video, below. Enjoy!

Vehicle:Mazda 3
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Infiniti FX
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Citroen DS3
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Vehicle: Mercedes GLK
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Peugeot 5008
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Mercedes E-Class
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Chevrolet Spark
Rating: ★★★★☆

Vehicle: Volkswagen Scirocco
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Chevrolet Cruze
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: BMW X1
Rating: ★★★★★

We Teach Batman How to Ferry Ladies in Lambos [Movie Cars]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:45:00 -0800

Bruce Wayne has shown us it's possible to cruise with more than a single companion in a two-seater Lamborghini. Perhaps. But there is a more elegant way—worthy of both superheroes and mere mortals.

There is a scene in Batman Begins which is both a wink to the Lamborghini cognoscenti and a gesture of the kind of machismo which finds close contact between women exciting.

Bruce Wayne arrives at a party in a black Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster, that most Batman of road cars, disembarks, and is followed by two stunning young ladies who both emerge from the Murc’s single passenger seat:

While a perfect adolescent fantasy and a testament to the Murciélago’s image as a pussy magnet, would a superhero really want to transport his female companions stacked?

And have them pummeled and beaten and crushed by the savage acceleration, their only cushioning each other’s silk-clad body?

In the film, Wayne’s companions end up having to cool their bruises off in a decorative pool, setting off a chain of events which will see our hero shamed in public, depicted as nothing but a moneyed oaf.

Thankfully, the kind people of Lamborghini have though of everything. Granted, their thinking is from back when Batman was a comic book instead of a motion picture franchise, but the decades have not corrupted their logic.

The elegant answer to Wayne’s need is very simply the four-seater Lamborghini Espada, shown here in a painting by Bill Klemm with room to spare in comfort for yet another companion:

Then again, good times do not necessarily require the presence of throngs:

Image Credit: Warner Bros., Bill Klemm, Balázs Fenyő

Ten New Cars Jalopnik Is Thankful For [New Cars]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

If you absolutely must buy a new car in this hour of thanks, then we suggest you choose one of these ten. Happy turkey!

Ahh, Thanksgiving — turkey, family, angst, and burnouts. (Your holiday doesn't have burnouts? What are you, a commie?)

Also lists. We make lists every day, and on holidays, we sit around and stuff our faces full of food and make more lists. What are we thankful for this week? Turkey, that's what. We're also thankful for these ten cars — even though we can't afford some of them, we're happy that they exist. Dig in.

Bugatti Veyron

Because it's proof that one man can still go stark raving mad and build a world-beating car that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Makes the idea of a focus group seem like a fate worse than death. One set of its tires likely costs more than your first car did. It is yin and yang, Jalop (engineering masterwork) and anti-Jalop (heavy, unattainable). Do not try to understand it. It just is.

Photo Credit: Jason Thorgalsen / Flickr

Chevrolet Corvette

It is an American car made by American men and women. It is like walking down the street wearing a T-shirt that says, "I'm with Penis." It is remarkably modern and wonderfully crude all at once. And for a short, glorious while, it went to Le Mans and reminded the world that Yankees could kick ass. All hail the LS7. All hail the LS9. All hail Detroit.

Photo Credit: Sam Smith

Lotus Elise/Exige

Because someone, somewhere, forgot to tell the boys in Hethel to make it fat, ugly, and boring. Because it is a real car that happens to be built out of gossamer and fiberglass. And because I once flung one sideways through Road Atlanta's Turn Twelve — not entirely on purpose, mind — at triple-digit speeds and lived to tell the tale. It made me look less than stupid. I am eternally grateful.

Photo Credit: Horgakx / Flickr

Nissan GT-R

It is heavy, clublike, and run by a million computers. It is surprisingly sterile and undoubtedly better at driving itself than you are. (You get the feeling that no matter how you treat it, it is toying with you, watching you from afar.) It is on this list because it is unique. Because it is everything wrong with Japan's car industry. Because it is also everything right.

Photo Credit: Jason Thorgalsen / Flickr

Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen's GTI is the ultimate automotive success story, a model that lost its way only to find it again years later. Sure, it's not the most durable thing on the planet, but that's part of its charm — it's cheap, cheerful, and faster than it seems. If you haven't embarrassed a supercar on some winding back road in one of these things, then you haven't lived. Hot hatches don't get much better.

BMW 335i

It is very nearly the perfect automobile, but this is no surprise. The 3 Series has been exceptional for decades, and save the odd dose of corporate German hubris, it just keeps getting better. Build a better sport sedan than this 300-horse, velvet-glove monster, and the world will beat a path to your door.

Photo Credit: Fabio Aro / Flickr

Mazda RX-8

Quirk, and for little reason other than satisfying a decades-old obsession on the part of its maker. Painfully slow around town. Those once-trick doors are now almost too much work, and the RX-8's Renesis rotary sucks dino juice like it's on OPEC's payroll. But the chassis is flat-out magic, the kind of magic you only discover at nine-and-a-half tenths when you're trying to eke out that last little bit of speed and you think nothing is left. It reminds you of a Spec Miata with more weight in the tail. It is the attainable sports car for people who truly understand what that phrase means.

Photo Credit: Michael Banovsky / Flickr

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Now that both Subaru and Mitsubishi have left the international rally stage, the WRX STI and the Lancer Evolution seem a bit lost. (Homologation specials need something to be homologated for, no?) Were we forced to choose between the two, we'd probably pick the Evo, but it's a tough call. It depends on the roads you're on, on how you feel that day, and on whether you have be someplace very quickly and with little drama (STI) or absolutely nowhere at all (Evo).

The STI is an amazingly talented car and arguably the better all-rounder. The Evo is the dirty, rough-edged monster that everyone thinks rally cars are supposed to be. We like them both — a lot — but only one of them feels as mean as it looks. Mitsu by a hair.

Ford Mustang

The Mustang is a rolling contradiction, equal parts modern muscle and hopeless anachronism. It is an argument for and against everything we stand for, a piece of yesterday bound up in a slightly cheesy modern wrapper. It is both much better and much worse than you expect it to be, but somehow, that's part of its charm. It is very, very difficult not to like.

Exhaust rumble. A rompy V-8. A stick axle so well-controlled, it makes the concept almost seem relevant again. These things are not the future, but we love them all the same. Were we to wake up tomorrow and drive off into the soul of America, we would do it in a Mustang.

Photo Credit: Sausyn / Flickr

Caterham Seven

One long-dead man's ridiculous dream turned reality turned company-bill-payer turned neglected relic turned reality again. Impossibly small. Sillier than almost anything else on wheels. Older than dirt. And still fantastic.

Happy turkey!

Photo Credit: Exfordy / Flickr

Mercedes E-Class Coupe: "Superfect?" Really? [Ad Watch]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0800

The Mercedes E-Class Coupe's quite nice, yes, but so nice as to be perfect — or so perfect as to be deserved of a new word to describe its perfectness? Not so much. [FuckYeahAds]

BlakRoc Camaro: Rap/Rock CD Launches With SS [Custom Cars]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Rap/rock is as old as Run DMC and Aerosmith, but The Black Keys-produced BlakRoc album has something on every Jay-Z mashup: a freaking Camaro SS. This may be the first album launched with its own custom car.

The Black Keys combine their garage/blues rock sensibilities with a cast of hip hop all-stars. It's almost a Wu Tang Clan rally with Raekwon, Rza, and even a posthumous ODB performance as well as Mos Def, Q-tip and others. You can listen to most of it here. So far so good.

And the car? It also started with a powerful platform but the upgrades aren't quite so great. The "higlights [sic]" are things the Camaro SS already comes with. The rest is the minimum you can do to consider a car truly upgraded including blacked-out logos/lights, tint, Lexani wheels and custom BlacRoc door sills. It's not bad, but we're not sure we're interesting in heading out on "Blak Friday" to pick one up.

However, if someone knows where a Deltron 3030 Jetta is we're totally ready to buy one.

Press Release: All the incorrect spellings may or may not be on purpose

Higlights
• Boston Acoustics Premium Audio
• USB Port
• Bluetooth Wireless
• Four Pack of Auxiliary Gauges
• Leather-Appointented Front Seats
Upgrades
• 22" Lexani LX15 Wheels*
• 20% Tint All Around
• Blacked out Rear Taillights
• Blacked out SS Badging
• Blacked out Marker Lights
• Blacked out Reverse Lights
• Custom stiched BlackRoc Logo on Center Console
• Custom Door Sill Plates with BlackRoc Logo

(Hat tip to Jousha!) [BlakRocCamaro]

Do Your Civic Duty for $8,000! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

The Honda Civic has been an icon of frugality for decades. Today, Nice Price or Crack Pipe has a decades-old Civic that comes with a price that may seem less than frugal.

Yesterday's Audi Doody, didn't pull your strings as it, and it's $15,000 starting price, tipped the scales to a surprisingly close 54% Crack Pipe vote. Today we have a car that's not quite as old, nor quite as expensive, and not nearly as rare.

Honda. If you the type who demands the utmost in reliability, but is as yet unwilling to buy a Toyota, and hence sell your soul to the satan of boredom, then Soichiro Honda's your man. Well built, and still with a semblance of character, Honda's products have gained an envied reputation. And what a depth of products they offer- everything from lawn mowers to ATVs and motorcycles, to cars, light trucks, even business jets. And for the past 37 years they've built the typically humble, occasionally hot, Civic.

Introduced as the solution to the gas crisis plaguing the nation, the two-box Civic was the first car Honda had designed with the U.S. market in mind. Not only was it fuel efficient, but the wickedly brilliant 3-valve CVCC four cylinder- introduced in 1975 - managed to meet the new, and at the time extremely stringent, U.S. emissions standards without a catalytic convertor. Leaded gas FTW!

That first generation Civic became beloved by owners, and lasted until 1979, which is the year from which today's car hails. You still see first-gen Civics on the road, a testament to their durability and their attractiveness to their owners, but few are as nice as this three-door hatch. The seller has given the 1,488-cc powered car a full refreshening both inside and out, and details the respray in the ad for your pleasure. New Houndstooth upholstery and a rebuilt 20K-mile replacement engine complete the package in this 99,000-miler. The CVCC put out 60 ponies this year, but at less than 1,500-lbs, the car is good for both around town and, with that five speed, decent highway cruising. And it should also be good for damn-near 50-mpg on that highway.

Now, all this goodness does come at a price, and in this case that's $8,000. That's a lot of cheddar for a 30-year old econo-box, and nearly twice what the car cost new. But if Civics class taught us anything, it was that the more people find you desirable, the more they'll be willing to pony up for you.

So, are you civic-minded enough to drop eight large for this silver Civic? Or, does that price move this car out of your civic center?

You decide!

San Francisco Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears. A pop of the hatch to Spritle for the tip

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