AMG Challenge proves a challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:51:07 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Just back from Palm Beach, visiting the US arm of uber-tuner Carlsson. The German manufacturer sells performance mods and window dressing for Merc owners who just can't leave well enough alone. Although Carlsson is a major player in Europe and number one in Japan, their US presence ranks somewhere between minimal and microscopic. The American franchise changed hands a couple of years ago, when Carlsson pulled the plug on a dead-end deal with The Tire Rack. Claude Ratte is the new go-to guy, part of the team responsible for re-introducing the Carlsson brand to the world's largest aftermarket market. I drove Claude's modified SLK350. Click through for the inside dope.

Continue reading Carlsson making its move into the US market

Carlsson making its move into the US market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2005 09:42:54 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Automotive Rhythms sounds familiar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2005 07:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I recently attended the United States Hot Rod Association (USHRA) Monster Truck Jam in Providence, RI. All four events- monster truck racing, monster truck "freestyle", ATV racing and motorcross jumping- were as rigged as a 18th century sailing vessel. "Quad wars" pitted the black-shirts ("Team New York") vs. red, white and blue ("Team New England"), complete with crowd-baiting interviews. Guess who won. And was there ever any doubt that Grave Digger, the Hulk Hogan of monster trucks, would kick monster butt? The only genuine moment came when Thrasher blew up. Serves them right. Click through for more monster insights.

Continue reading Monster Truck Jam: USHRA = WWF on wheels

Monster Truck Jam: USHRA = WWF on wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2005 14:09:19 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spot the car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2005 09:58:36 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

That's not an exact translation, but Mercedes boss Eckard Cordes is determined to slash MB's fixed costs to raise the company's profitability. In fact, Herr Cordes vowed to trim another 1b Euros ($1.3b) on top of the previously promised 3b Euros ($4b). Unless employees at the three-pointed star are eating off of gold plates, or Merc is about to return to its disastrous policy of "de-contenting" its cars, it's hard to know where he'll find the savings. (One guess: a lot less German-built Mercs.) Cordes also repeated his committment not to pull the plug on the financially "disastrous" SMART brand.   

Mercedes Chief: "Cut bait and fish" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2005 08:56:18 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Small cars lose big in side impact test originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2005 08:11:12 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'm organizing a supercar shootout. If all goes well, we'll be comparing the Saleen S7, Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo, Pagani Zonda, Mercedes SLR and a player to be named later. One problem: we need a venue. It's got to be a five-star deluxe pamperiffic pleasure palace situated ascloseasthis to some of the USA's finest tarmac, both twisting and straight. A sympathetic constabulary and a nearby airstrip would also be helpful. Please list any appropriate contenders (including hotel url) below. Thanks.  

Robb Report writer seeks supercar venue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2005 07:39:53 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lord finds God clearing snowy windshield originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2005 08:52:34 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Remote reality racing is born originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2005 08:03:24 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New York clamper spikes again originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Mar 2005 19:18:30 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reliability losers listed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Mar 2005 13:43:46 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're not one of those people who believes that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a not-so-secret cabal of bankers that wants to rule the world. (The fact that they actually do rule the world is beside the point.) What worries us is that BMW thinks enough of the organization to provide delegates to the IMF's Singapore schmoozefest with 420 brand new 7-series sedans, as part of a $10m "sponsorship" deal. How does "Official Car of the Worldwide Capitalist Conspiracy" grab you?  

BMW lends 420 7-series to IMF originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Mar 2005 12:21:32 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OK, if you could buy any Ferrari made, price no object, would you buy a 250 GTO? Mr. Lauren is a designer; his eye rules his heart (not to mention wallet). But if you're a driver's driver, consider this: the 250 GTO's turning circle is hopeless, the noise is deafening, there are hot and cold drafts and water leaks, the exhaust hangs very low, the spare only fits the front and the skin is as thin as parchment (Dings R Us). While you're contemplating the discrepency between expectation and reality, here are three of Mr. Lauren's Modena marvels, as seen at the Boston MFA.  The exhibit opens to the general public this Sunday.

Continue reading Ralph Lauren's Fabulous Ferraris

Ralph Lauren's Fabulous Ferraris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2005 17:25:41 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Subaru website: Heaven and Hell originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2005 10:45:30 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well now I've heard everything. Wardsauto.com wordsmith Drew Winter figures that BMW's return to less radical styling- after the near universal condemnation afforded designer Chris Bangle's "flame surfaced" 5 and 7-Series models- is a mistake. He likens the German automaker to an over-cautious investor, who gets stiffed in the end (so to speak). Winter also claims that the Banglization of the 7-Series helped close the market share gap with its arch-rival, the Merecedes S-Class. A nearby graph shows the S-Class' sales figures falling over 25 years towards the flat-lined 7's, and completely ignores other competitors' products. Facts. Who needs 'em?

BMW's Bangle a Better Bet? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2005 23:51:32 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 1993 McLaren F1 held the record for the world's fastest production automobile for 12 years (232.5mph ). It's replacement, 9ff's Porsche GT2, lasted just over a month (241.1).  On Monday, legendary driver Loris Bicocchi pushed a Swedish-made Koenigsegg CCR to 242.42mph at Italy's Nardo test track. While delighted with the news, company owner Christian von Koenigsegg was quick to point out that Nardo Prototipo is a circular test track; he reckons the CCR would top out at 247 in a straight line. Right; off you go then. Meanwhile, click through for more images of the new world champ. 

Continue reading Koenigsegg CCR topples world speed record

Koenigsegg CCR topples world speed record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2005 11:22:35 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Range Rover is a heavy old thing. On the positive side, its 6724lbs. GVWR exempts the SUV from US luxury tax. On the negative side, it's on-road performance will not trouble an eight-cylinder BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. So it's no suprise that Land Rover has slotted sister Jag's supercharged V8 into its top-of-the-line Range Rover. Auto Express reports that peak power rises from 282 to 400hp, while fuel efficiency sinks to single digits. More importantly, the test pilot Piers Ward says the British 4X4 still "doesn't feel as fast as it should- although it makes the naturally aspirated V8 seem slow." Bugger.  

Range Rover's range topper gets blower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2005 10:13:14 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It is perhaps inevitable that Ralph Lauren's collection at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts (opening March 6) would contain a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe. The automobile suits the designer's sense of aristocractic style like a perfectly tailored tweed jacket with leather elbow patches. Well, almost. As we continue our tour of Mr. Lauren's collection with some German metal, it's interesting to note that the Gullwing is the only car in the exhibit that's been modified at Mr. Lauren's behest. Click through to find out what simply had to go.

Continue reading Ralph Lauren's MFA classic car cavalcade continues

Ralph Lauren's MFA classic car cavalcade continues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2005 18:04:41 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Michigan AAA offers piercing glimpse into the obvious originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2005 13:32:46 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.