Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Video: Jenson Interceptor FF and Ferrari FF take to the slopes of St. Moritz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/11/jenson-interceptor-ff-and-ferrari-ff-take-to-the-slopes-of-st-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/11/jenson-interceptor-ff-and-ferrari-ff-take-to-the-slopes-of-st-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/11/jenson-interceptor-ff-and-ferrari-ff-take-to-the-slopes-of-st-m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jensen FF and Ferrari FF in St. Moritz

The Jensen Interceptor FF and the Ferrari FF share two letters, but the commonality extends far beyond a nameplate. Both cars are exotic GTs, both have rather unusual roof profiles and 2+2 seating, both are pioneers in all-wheel drive... and both would be fantastic for a trip through the Swiss alps.

To put that last bit to the test, Classic Driver took the pair up to St. Moritz, and brought along a video crew to document the encounter. Follow the jump to see what they captured.

Continue reading Jenson Interceptor FF and Ferrari FF take to the slopes of St. Moritz

Jenson Interceptor FF and Ferrari FF take to the slopes of St. Moritz originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrariferrari ffffinterceptorjensenjensen ffjensen interceptor ffst moritzswitzerlandvideoSat, 11 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Range Rover celebrates 10th anniversary with special editions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/range-rover-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-special-editions/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/range-rover-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-special-editions/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/10/range-rover-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-special-editions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Ten years wouldn't seem like much of an anniversary for an automaker, or even a sub-brand. But we're not talking about a make here, we're talking about one model. That's right: The current Range Rover has been on the market for a decade, which is a rather long life-cycle for any automobile, but Jaguar Land Rover isn't the least bit embarrassed. In fact, it's celebrating the anniversary with a series of special edition models.

Picking up where the Vogue model leaves off, the Westminster Edition features a cabin decked out in leather trim, thick carpeting and piano lacquer veneers, with illuminated treadplates, polished pedals, a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system with Dual View display and heated and cooled front seats. JLR's 4.4-liter turbodiesel V8 pulls all four 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels through an eight-speed automatic.

Meanwhile the Autobiography edition is available with the same engine, or with the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with six-speed automatic. The Range Rover Design Pack distinguishes the exterior, while the Range Rover Seat Style Pack makes the cabin an even more opulent place to be with the reclining rear seats and moveable front passenger seat you'd expect to find in a limousine.

Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, including pricing in Land Rover's native market since these won't be available in the U.S.

Continue reading Range Rover celebrates 10th anniversary with special editions

Range Rover celebrates 10th anniversary with special editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryautobiographyland roverland rover range roverland rover range rover autobiographyland rover range rover westminster editionrange roverrange rover autobiographyrange rover westminster editionFri, 10 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Mercedes-Benz taps F1 engine division for AMG version of next A-Class]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mercedes-benz-taps-f1-engine-division-for-a25-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mercedes-benz-taps-f1-engine-division-for-a25-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mercedes-benz-taps-f1-engine-division-for-a25-amg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

AMG engines

While the current A-Class has stood as something of an odd man out from the rest of the Mercedes-Benz line-up, the new A-Class promises to be a proper Mercedes. And fortunately, with that territory, all signs point to the German automaker planning on including an AMG version.

The trouble is that while AMG has a wealth of experience boring out big engines, the small sort of mills capable of fitting under the hood of something as compact as the A-Class is outside its realm of expertise. Fortunately, Mercedes has another division that thrives on getting the most out of compact powerplants.

That division is Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, the Northamptonshire, England-based firm formerly known as Ilmor that constructs the F1 engines for McLaren, Force India and Mercedes' own F1 team. It happened to have been run by Ola Kallenius until he switched over to AMG. Although HPE has until now been operated largely as a stand-alone business, Mercedes has been integrating it into its broader operations, and this - according to reports - could be the first road-car project on which it's called to work.

Until recently, F1 was expecting to switch to small, turbocharged four-cylinder engines, leading HPE to work on such a unit. Since that was scrapped in favor of a V6, the development work is reportedly being applied instead to a new high-output engine for the AMG A-Class.

Tipped to be called the A25 AMG, the veritable hot hatch is targeting the 335-horsepower Audi RS3, only is expected to carry even more power. The engine is also expected to find its way into the new CLC25 AMG, which bodes well for the B-Class-based four-door coupe and shooting brake.

Mercedes-Benz taps F1 engine division for AMG version of next A-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Toro Rosso unveils STR7 at season-opening F1 test in Spain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/toro-rosso-unveils-str7-at-season-opening-f1-test-in-spain/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/toro-rosso-unveils-str7-at-season-opening-f1-test-in-spain/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/toro-rosso-unveils-str7-at-season-opening-f1-test-in-spain/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Toro Rosso STR7

With the first test session of the season now under way in Jerez, Spain, the remaining teams - that is, at least, the ones that have their cars ready - are presenting their new designs for the 2012 Formula One World Championship. The latest among them: Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Long known as the Red Bull B-squad, STR positions itself as something of a training squad for new drivers moving into F1 as an extension of the company's young driver training program. And for that reason it axed both of its drivers (Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi) in favor of fresh talents Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Like most (make that all so far except McLaren), the new STR7 which they'll be driving this year is distinguished from last year's field by a rather unsightly, platypus-style stepped nose and tighter sidepods and hindquarters. Ferrari once again provides its Type 056 V8 engine, driving through a seven-speed gearbox and assisted by a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and Drag Reduction System in the rear wing.

With its new drivers and car, Toro Rosso hopes to finish sixth or seventh in the championship this year; an ambitious goal considering that the last time it finished that well was in 2008 when Sebastian Vettel won the Italian Grand Prix against all odds - a victory that still stands as the only podium finish out of the 108 races the team has contested in its six years of racing. We'll be watching to see how they fare.

Toro Rosso unveils STR7 at season-opening F1 test in Spain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onescuderia toro rossostrstr7toro rossoThu, 09 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Ferrari to unveil new F620 in Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/ferrari-to-unveil-new-f620-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/ferrari-to-unveil-new-f620-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/ferrari-to-unveil-new-f620-in-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ferrari at Geneva

It's not every day that Ferrari unveils a new model. And most of the time, when it does, it's a variant of an existing one. But when the doors open at the Geneva Motor Show next month, word has it that the House that Enzo Built will be showcasing an all-new front-engined V12 GT to replace the long-serving 599.

Dubbed F620, the all-new supercar is expected to pack a 6.2-liter version of the direct-injection V12 from the FF into an aluminum chassis. Expect the usual smattering of carbon fiber bits, but don't expect to see the costly material being used for structural components: Ferrari has discounted the application due to its high cost to manufacture and repair. Also off the table for this model is the part-time all-wheel-drive system from the FF, as the F620's anticipated 700 horsepower will drive the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

However accurate the forecasted specifications turn out to be, we'll find out one way or another next month.

Ferrari to unveil new F620 in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 geneva motor show599599 gtb fiorano620f620ferrariferrari 599ferrari 599 gtb fioranoferrari f620genevageneva 2012geneva motor showWed, 08 Feb 2012 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Jaguar gears up to produce small run of turbine-powered C-X75 supercars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/jaguar-gears-up-to-produce-small-run-of-turbine-powered-c-x75-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/jaguar-gears-up-to-produce-small-run-of-turbine-powered-c-x75-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/jaguar-gears-up-to-produce-small-run-of-turbine-powered-c-x75-su/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jaguar C-X75 concept

Jaguar has a bit of a tricky history with supercars. The only previous example it actually built was the XJ220, which remains an impressive specimen even 20 years later, even though it never quite lived up to what the original concept car promised those who put down their deposits. Then in 2010 the British automaker unveiled the C-X75 and our hearts stopped.

The show car packed an intriguing twin-turbine powerplant into an alluring svelte shape, which only begged the question: would Jaguar build it, and if so, would it incorporate such an experimental propulsion system?

We had what we thought was the full answer last year when Jaguar announced that it would indeed produce the C-X75, but that the turbines wouldn't make it to the road, replaced instead by a hybrid drivetrain including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Disappointing, sure, but a little less so considering that the Williams F1 team would help develop the powertrain.

Now it seems that, while the hybrid turbo four will power most of the 250 examples of the C-X75 earmarked for production, a limited quantity will actually include micro-turbines as envisioned in the concept car. The jet engines (which will drive the rear wheels, so don't go expecting flames shooting out the back, Batmobile style) are reportedly being produced by the Bladon Jets Engineering Centre in Coventry - a company based near Jaguar's headquarters and partially owned by Jaguar's parent company Tata.

Although the turbines are only expected to produce 95 horsepower each (they are just a bit smaller than the ones you might find in a jet airplane), they need none of the cooling or lubrication systems required by traditional internal-combustion engines, leaving them lighter and easier to package - and making plenty of room for additional electric power to help the turbine-hybrid C-X75 hit 60 in just three seconds while returning exceptional fuel economy and emissions figures.

It'll be a few years still before this super-cat hits the road, but when it does, we're looking at something that will re-write the rule book even more than the XJ220 that came before.

Jaguar gears up to produce small run of turbine-powered C-X75 supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bladonbladon jetsbladon jets engineering centrec-x75coventryjaguarjaguar c-x75micro turbinemicro-turbinetataturbineWed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Seat announces five-door Mii city car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/seat-announces-five-door-mii-city-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Seat Mii

We knew at its unveiling in Frankfurt that the debut of the production version of the Volkswagen Up! was only the beginning, what with all the concept versions Volkswagen showcased over the years. But that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. VW isn't the only brand in the group that will offer the little city car, and its sister marques are eager to follow suit.

So after Volkswagen debuted the Up!, Skoda unveiled the Citigo and Seat showcased the Mii - all versions of the same vehicle, but with slightly modified sheetmetal and different nameplates. But those were only the three-door versions. Now that Volkswagen has confirmed the five-door Up! and Skoda the five-door Citigo, Seat is taking its turn with the five-door Mii.

The similarities between the Mii, Citigo and Up are, of course, greater than the differences. But at the end of the day, the variety gives European buyers a greater range of choices when buying their new city car, even if similar exercises on this side of the Atlantic - Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile...we're looking at you - have long since disappeared.

Continue reading Seat announces five-door Mii city car

Seat announces five-door Mii city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miiseatseat miiupvolkswagen upWed, 08 Feb 2012 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/sauber-stays-hungry-in-f1-with-new-c31/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/sauber-stays-hungry-in-f1-with-new-c31/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/08/sauber-stays-hungry-in-f1-with-new-c31/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Sauber C31

Hunger is palpable in Formula One racing. The teams at the front are hungry for wins, while the teams at the back are hungry to claw their way up the field. But Sauber is just starving.

The Switzerland-based privateer team owned and operated by Peter Sauber has been struggling to find financial backing since BMW divested back in 2009. But somehow the team still manages to stay afloat, though to what end we have to wonder when the second and third places it achieved under Bavarian ownership in 2007 and 2008 have since dropped off dramatically to eighth and seventh in the past two seasons.

This year Sauber returns with little in the way of sponsorship and two relative newcomers in Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez behind the wheel. James Key has stepped down from his position as the team's technical director, an opening which Sauber does not intend to immediately fill. Engines are provided once more by Ferrari, and the nose is stepped and the hind-quarters tapered in similar fashion to most of the other cars revealed thus far.

Will this season and the new C31 chassis be the ticket towards Sauber finding sustenance in the most competitive of motorsports? We'll have to wait and see, but in the meantime you can check out the expansive gallery of high-resolution images from the launch at Jerez and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31

Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 sauber c31c31saubersauber c31sauber-ferrariWed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There are luxury automakers, there are mainstream automakers, and then there are those in between. Volvo, we'd argue, is one of those marques that doesn't quite compete in the same market as, say, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, but that looks as if it's about to change.

The Swedish automaker has been toying for years with the idea of building a new flagship to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Lexus LS, but while Volvo has dragged its feet on the prospect in the past, a series of what look like patent renderings that have leaked their way online give us what could prove the strongest indication yet of Volvo's intent.

For better or worse, the renderings bear the hallmark of recent Volvo designs like the Concept Universe (unveiled in Shanghai last year), the Concept You (showcased in Frankfurt) and the upcoming next-generation XC90 - complete with the gaping maw that seems to mock the face we make when we look at these examples of this particular styling direction.

Of course, given the big wheels, showcar grille, delicate mirrors and suicide rear doors (not to mention the overall form), it seems more likely we're looking at renderings for the Concept Universe rather than a production model in the making, but that just leaves us wondering what the patent filing is for. We'll just have to wait a while to find out one way or another.

Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightpatentpatent filingpatent officepatent renderingrenderingtrademarkuniversevolvovolvo concept universevolvo s100Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Volkswagen to unveil production Golf GTI Cabriolet in Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/volkswagen-to-unveil-production-golf-gti-cabriolet-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/volkswagen-to-unveil-production-golf-gti-cabriolet-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/volkswagen-to-unveil-production-golf-gti-cabriolet-in-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept

If you were watching the news out of Wörthersee last year, you may recall the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept pictured above. The show car debuted at the annual Volkswagen fan-fest in Austria, alongside an even hotter Golf R Cabriolet and a whole mess of other machinery from the burgeoning German auto empire. But that was the last we heard of it ... until now.

Reports coming in from across the pond indicate that Volkswagen is planning to actually build the GTI Cabrio, and that it will unveil the production version at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month. Although Volkswagen has offered the GTI's engine in versions of the Golf Cabriolet and Eos in some markets, this would only be the second time that a full-on GTI convertible will be offered from the factory, complete with the suspension and other bits that go along with it.

Word has it that the GTI Cabrio would be the final swan song for the current sixth-generation Golf before it's replaced next year. But if that's not enough, VW is also tipped to be preparing the hotter 268-horsepower, all-wheel-drive Golf R Cabrio for production as well. Chances that either of these would be offered on this side of the Atlantic, however, don't look good.

Volkswagen to unveil production Golf GTI Cabriolet in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva 2012geneva motor showgolfgolf rgtigti cabriogti convertiblevolkswagenvwTue, 07 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Mini changes tracks with Prodrive WRC team]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mini-changes-tracks-with-prodrive-wrc-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mini-changes-tracks-with-prodrive-wrc-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/mini-changes-tracks-with-prodrive-wrc-team/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mini John Cooper Works WRC

The road taken by Mini to the World Rally Championship has been anything but smooth. After contesting a handful of rallies last season, Mini and Prodrive (the outfit running the team on the manufacturer's behalf) was set to contest the full calendar this year. But then the team failed to register in time, and dumped the promising driver it had plucked from the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and things did not look good.

Late last week the talk around the motorsport press was that parent company BMW was preparing to pull the plug on the entire program (much as it had with the Sauber team in F1 a few years ago), but while an announcement has been made, it's not nearly as drastic as had been expected.

What Mini has done is downgrade its involvement from full-on works effort (that is, a team fully financed by an automaker) to a works-supported private team. So what does that mean exactly? In practical terms, not very much. Prodrive will continue development of the Mini John Cooper Works WRC car for both the official entry and for additional privateer teams running customer cars in the WRC and other series. And Prodrive seems optimistic that the new arrangement will actually enhance the program, not downgrade it.

What is 100% clear is that BMW wasn't happy with how things were shaping up, so it demanded a change. Just what effect that change will bring, however, seems more confined to the relationship between Mini, Prodrive and the FIA. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Mini changes tracks with Prodrive WRC team

Mini changes tracks with Prodrive WRC team originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minimini john cooper works wrcprodriveworld rally championshipwrcTue, 07 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Lotus F1 Team reboots with 2012 E20 [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/lotus-f1-team-reboots-with-2012-e20-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/lotus-f1-team-reboots-with-2012-e20-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/lotus-f1-team-reboots-with-2012-e20-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Lotus E20

What's in a name? That depends who you ask. For the folks at Lotus, a name matters a great deal. That's why it fought so hard to regain control of its brand from the team now known as Caterham, and why it is launching racing programs in top series around the world under that same name. For the F1 team that has most recently adopted it, however, the name is less relevant than the winning form to which it hopes to return.

The outfit has won championships under the Benetton banner with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, and as Renault with Fernando Alonso driving. Its track record has fallen off considerably since then, but this year it's back with new owners, new drivers and this, its new car.

Wearing the same black and gold livery as the R31 campaigned last year under the transitional Lotus Renault GP handle, the new car bears that same stepped nose employed by most of the teams on the grid so far to make the most of the latest technical regulations. In a nod towards continuity, the car is dubbed the E20 - as the 20th car to be built by the Enstone-based team - rather than starting from scratch with a new nomenclature.

The team's former owners at Renault continue to provide the engine that will power 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen in his the long-awaited return to F1 and his junior team-mate Romain Grosjean in his second stab at F1 after dominating the GP2 series, with former HRT race driver Jerome D'Ambrosio joining as test driver. Check out their new ride in the high-res image gallery above and the video after the jump.

Continue reading Lotus F1 Team reboots with 2012 E20 [w/video]

Lotus F1 Team reboots with 2012 E20 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 lotus e20e20f1formula 1formula onelotuslotus e20lotus f1 teamTue, 07 Feb 2012 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nissan at Le Mans

Nissan doesn't compete in Formula One. It doesn't field a top-tier LMP1 team at Le Mans. It doesn't race in NASCAR, IndyCar or the World Rally Championship. Yet the Japanese automaker doesn't have to stretch all that far to make the association between its brand and racing. It does, after all, offer competition versions of its GT-R and 370Z for use in a number of sportscar racing series around the world. But where it really shines is in the LMP2 category.

Slotting just below LMP1s like the Audi R18, new Toyota TS030 and the lamentably departed Peugeot 908, LMP2 racers are purpose-built for endurance racing at Le Mans and related events, but tend to be fielded by privateer teams. And the vast majority of them opt for Nissan engines.

In fact, 11 out of the 18 LMP2 cars that will be on the grid at this year's running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will powered by the 3.4-liter VK-series V8 engine which Nismo (the company's motorsport division) developed specifically for this application. And in the broader FIA World Endurance Championship (running for the first time this year), six out of nine will be powered by Nissan - the rest using Honda, Judd or Lotus-prepared BMW engines.

With those kinds of odds, our money's on Nissan taking the prize once again. Follow the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing

Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fia wecfia world endurance championshiple manslmplmp2nismonissanwecworld endurance championshipTue, 07 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/skoda-up-grades-with-five-door-citigo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Skoda Citigo

On this side of the Atlantic, one Volkswagen division's new product may not have a significant impact on those of another. That's because the German auto giant's brands are kept quite separate in North America. Less so, however, back in Europe, where a new VW is likely to reappear in due time as a Seat or Skoda.

Case in point: the new Up! city car, which is also sold overseas as the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo. And, true to form, with the Volkswagen brand having enlarged its city car to a five-door, its Czech cousin has followed suit.

And so, starting in May (after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show), European buyers will be able to get their hands on a five-door Citigo, offering the same 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine (in either 60- or 75-horsepower guise) as the Up, Mii and three-door Citigo. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo

Skoda up!grades with five-door Citigo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citigoskodaskoda citigoupvolkswagen upMon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Red Bull Racing going for the hat-trick with new RB8 [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/red-bull-racing-going-for-the-hat-trick-with-new-rb8-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/red-bull-racing-going-for-the-hat-trick-with-new-rb8-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/red-bull-racing-going-for-the-hat-trick-with-new-rb8-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Red Bull RB8

It might have seemed like a joke when an energy drink company bought the first of two F1 teams in 2004, but eight years and two world titles later, the only ones laughing are those inside the team. For 2012, Red Bull Racing returns as the force to be reckoned with as it aims to make it three in a row, and this is the car in which it aims to get there.

Red Bull hasn't released much in the way of details on how the RB8 differs from the hugely successful RB7 it replaces, but the most obvious change is the stepped nose design that is unfortunately becoming the defining trait of the 2012 grid. The engine is once again furnished by Renault, with KERS and DRS in place to help Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber get to the front of the field... and stay there. Sebastien Buemi joins the team this season as its official test driver, having been jettisoned from Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Follow the jump for a rather bizarre video clip of the RB8's online launch, check out the only two images released thus far in the gallery below, and watch this space for more as the pretenders to Red Bull's throne present their latest machinery.

Continue reading Red Bull Racing going for the hat-trick with new RB8 [w/video]

Red Bull Racing going for the hat-trick with new RB8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 red bull racing rb82012 red bull rb8rb8rbrrbr-renaultred bullred bull racingred bull racing rb8red bull rb8videoMon, 06 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Audi to raise the roof on A1 with rolling cloth panel?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/audi-to-raise-the-roof-on-a1-with-rolling-cloth-panel/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/audi-to-raise-the-roof-on-a1-with-rolling-cloth-panel/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/audi-to-raise-the-roof-on-a1-with-rolling-cloth-panel/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi A1

Audi is going to great lengths to steal territory away from arch-rival BMW and its Mini marque. But as you'd expect from any German automaker, the initial A1 three-door premium hatchback appears to be just the beginning. Since its launch, the A1 has bred the five-door A1 Sportback, there's a Q1 crossover based on the same platform reportedly in the works, and the A1 Quattro demonstrates the extent of the architecture's performance capabilities. But Ingolstadt is not about to stop there as reports come in of a convertible version as well.

Well, sort of. According to reports coming in from Germany, Audi is preparing to launch a version of the A1 with a rolling cloth roof panel. If the intel proves accurate, the open-air version would stop one step short of the pseudo-convertible Fiat 500C, in that the aperture would essentially be a giant fabric sunroof, but not roll down the back.

The measure would undoubtedly save Audi significant development costs, but also keep chassis rigidity in check without the need for significant additional structural bracing. Either way, we're not looking at getting any version of the A1 on this side of the Atlantic any time soon, so as far as American buyers are concerned, this is all rather academic.

Audi to raise the roof on A1 with rolling cloth panel? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1audiaudi a1audi a1 cabrioaudi a1 cabrioletaudi a1 convertibleMon, 06 Feb 2012 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/volvo-marks-30th-anniversary-of-the-760/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/volvo-marks-30th-anniversary-of-the-760/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/volvo-marks-30th-anniversary-of-the-760/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volvo 760

When you think of old-school Volvos - you know, those boxy designs that pre-date the more curvaceous models of today - what do you picture? The 240? The 850? Or do you think of the ultimate in squared-off Swedish design, the 760?

The model credited with saving Volvo was introduced in February, 1982, making it 30 years old this month. Reflecting on the occasion, Volvo looks back at the 760's development, when it needed a car that would be reliable, efficient, durable, easily serviceable, quiet, somewhat attractive, and be a decent performer (in that order). The result was a rear-drive sedan four inches longer in wheelbase than the 240, yet a good 220 lbs lighter.

And that boxy design? That decision was as financial in nature as it was stylistic. After considering a number of design proposals, the final look was selected to be as cost-effective to produce as possible. In the end, those budgetary restrictions left us with a car that was, while not particularly exciting to behold, certainly an enduring icon of its time. Follow the jump to read the full retrospective, and flip through the images in the attached gallery.

Continue reading Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760

Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1982 volvo 760760volvovolvo 760Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/force-india-f1-team-reveals-2012-vjm05/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/force-india-f1-team-reveals-2012-vjm05/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/force-india-f1-team-reveals-2012-vjm05/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Force India VJM05

Force India has come a long way. What started out as Jordan Grand Prix and changed hands (and names) several times before landing in the stewardship of Indian bazillionaire Vijay Mallya has become a solid mid-field contender on race days. In 2011, the team finished sixth in the constructors' standings, behind front-runners Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus Renault GP. In 2012, however, Force India aims to challenge Mercedes and Lotus for fifth place using the car shown above.

The VJM05 bears the same unfortunate stepped nose of the just-unveiled Ferrari F2012 and Caterham CT01, a trend we expect to see across much of the field as teams deal with F1's technical regulations. Engine, transmission and KERS are again provided by Mercedes-Benz through a partnership with McLaren, and while former DTM champion Paul di Resta returns for another season in the cockpit. Adrian Sutil departs the team in the wake of his assault conviction, his seat now occupied by Nico Hulkenberg.

We'll be watching to see if the young duo can continue to move Force India up the F1 hierarchy. For now, you can check out the press release after the jump and photos from the car's unveiling - which included the first on-track session of any 2012 F1 cars revealed thus far - in the image gallery above.

Continue reading Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05

Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 force india vjm05f1force indiaforce india vjm05formula 1formula onevjm05Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota TS030 Hybrid

When Toyota announced its return to endurance sports car racing with the new TS030 Hybrid this season, the plan was to enter a handful of races, like Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, on an invitational basis.

Plans change, though, and Toyota has now upgraded the program to a full manufacturer entry, paving the way for it to compete in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship schedule. Now, with budget constraints, it's likely that Toyota will still pick and choose which races to contest, but it does open the door.

The change was apparently made in order to support endurance racing as a motorsport discipline. As part of its arrangement with the FIA, organizers at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) need at least two manufacturers in the LMP1 category. With Peugeot's withdrawal, the series lacked the requisite level of participation, so Toyota stepped up to fill the void. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry

Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acofia wecfia world endurance championshiple manslmp1toyotatoyota ts030 hybridts030ts030 hybridwecworld endurance championshipSun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Renault chops UK lineup in half]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/renault-chops-uk-lineup-in-half/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/renault-chops-uk-lineup-in-half/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/renault-chops-uk-lineup-in-half/#commentsFiled under: ,

Renault

Renault has a wide array of products in its portfolio. In its home market it offers a baker's dozen model lines, and when you get down to bodystyles the range ratchets up past 20.

While we don't get any of them in North America, the United Kingdom remains a vital market for the French automaker. But British buyers haven't been buying Renaults as much as they used to, prompting a drastic shift in strategy. As a result, Renault is cutting the Modus, Kangoo, Wind, Laguna, Espace and the entire Gordini line from its UK lineup, .

So what does that leave for UK shoppers? The Twingo, Clio, Megane, Grand Scenic and Traffic. Renaultsport models remain on offer, through the Twingo RS is now available in only one version. Those will soon be joined by the Fluence ZE and Twizy, as well as the Dacia range. Regardless, this represents a drastic cut in a vital market for one of Europe's largest automakers. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Renault chops UK lineup in half

Renault chops UK lineup in half originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>great britainrenaultrenault ukukunited kingdomSun, 05 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST