Autoblog

R.I.P. 0-60

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

And just like that, it's gone. According to a tweet by the Editor-in-Chief of 0-60, Mike Spinelli, the startup buff-book has been canned by Harris Publications after a scant three years on newsstands. We've yet to get official confirmation from Harris, nor do we know exactly why the magazine was shuttered, but we do know that the motoring world was a better place because of 0-60.

We presume the last issue will be the Winter 2011 edition (on left) which includes a test of the new Koenigsegg Agera. Check the teaser video of the K-egg after the jump and for a blast from the past, check out our original feature on the first issue of 0-60 way back in 2007.

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R.I.P. 0-60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus bombards SEMA with six custom hybrids, one giant wing

Zach Bowman — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus

0-60 Magazine Lexus GS450h at SEMA 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus is descending on Las Vegas with a host of custom-built show cars just for SEMA. A total of six models will be on hand for the aftermarket shindig, including an F Sport version of the all-new CT200h. The hybrid rolls on 18x8-inch wheels and sports a high-performance big-brake kit straight from the company's go-fast catalog.

But the CT200h isn't the only hybrid Lexus will be bringing to the party. In fact, all of the customized rides that the company plans to display rock a battery pack and an electric motor. VIP Auto Salon worked up an HS250h with custom wheel, exhaust and interior work as well as a trick LS600h L, and 0-60 Magazine spun a few wrenches on a GS450h. That particular sedan rocks one of the wildest carbon-fiber body kits we've ever laid eyes on, as you can see above.

Meanwhile, Lexus set Fox Marketing loose on another LS600h L, resulting in a slightly more subdued vehicle with custom paint and a unique bumper. Finally, Paul Tolson of EST will be bringing along an RX450h with a full wide-body treatment. Hit the jump for the full press release and check out all the vehicles in high-res glory below.

Gallery: Lexus' SEMA 2010 debuts

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Lexus bombards SEMA with six custom hybrids, one giant wing

Lexus bombards SEMA with six custom hybrids, one giant wing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: 0-60 takes the Scion xD rallying

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Performance, Hatchback, Scion, Off-Road

0-60 Magazine/Sparco Scion xD Rally car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Screw convention! Why do you have to build a rally car out of something sporty? Or powerful? Or off-road-worthy? According to 0-60 magazine at least, you don't have to. You can build a rally car out of just about anything. Take this Scion xD for instance. It's probably among the last cars you'd picture taking off-road, but seeing what it looks like after 0-60 and Sparco got their mitts on it, you might want to reconsider. They added a ton of safety gear, enough lights to rival the nearby Luxor's candlepower, and basically just butched it up enough to make it look less like... well, an econobox. It should be a blast to drive. Maybe we'll try to find ourselves an Irish copilot and take it out for a spin.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 0-60 Scion xD Rally Car

SEMA 2009: 0-60 takes the Scion xD rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Bernie wants F1 in NYC, 0-60 already has the plans

Chris Paukert — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Rumormill

Formula One impresario Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of his desire to see his series make a stop in the Big Apple - Manhattan, in point of fact. To that end, our friends at 0-60 thought they'd help him out by drawing up a suggested courses - in fact, in an oddly prescient move, they had already done so, publishing the fantasy circuits in the pages of their Winter 2008 issue.

In any case, with Ecclestone reportedly reaffirming his interest in the Big Apple today, 0-60 has decided to publish the story and the routes online. The routes through Central Park are inspired, although we suspect that more than a few of NYC's anti-car intelligenstia would take issue with that notion. No matter, you can peruse their efforts by clicking on the link below.

[Source: 0-60.com]

REPORT: Bernie wants F1 in NYC, 0-60 already has the plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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0-60 builds its own Need For Speed racing cabinet, tells you how

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Toys/Games

For the first time in a long time, we sat down and played a racing game the other night. Fine, it wasn't a racing game -- it was the VirtualGT racing simulator. What did we learn? Georgia ought to pass a law against letting us onto Road Atlanta in a Porsche 997 Cup car. Also, instead of sitting on our buddy's couch and stuffing our face with Collisions: Pizza Cravers and Ranch flavored Doritos (a real flavor -- we swear!) while mindlessly hitting everything on the streets of Monaco in GT4, being in a race cabinet (and having a Cup instructor barking instructions in our ear) allowed us to pop off a 1:43 run around a 2.54 mile course. Not too terrible. And we're totally sure the cabinet added a second or two. Ahem.

Sadly, those high-falutin' racing rigs cost a fortune -- $18k at the low end, and that's without a display of any sort. You'd have to be a Porsche Cup racer to afford one. Not so fast, say our pals over at 0-60. In fact, they built a cabinet for Need For Speed: Shift and they're calling it the D.I.Y. R-Cade. First of all, how much will it cost you? $500, minus all the electronic stuff (which you probably already own anyhow). How long does it take? Not sure, but there are about 60 pages of instructions. We figure pretty long. Still, the end result is pretty cool looking, and you'd have your own racing cabinet.

[Source: 0-60mag.com]

0-60 builds its own Need For Speed racing cabinet, tells you how originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Nissan GT-R rumored to clock 3.3-second 0-60 time

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Supercars, Nissan

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R

When the Nissan GT-R launched last year, the automaker stated an official 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. Shortly thereafter, the buff books began reporting faster sprints to the magic mark, ranging from 3.3 to 3.4 seconds. Although they rarely divulged how they accomplished the feat (some admitted to using a one-mph rollout, others claimed superpowers), we knew things would change for the 2009 model year.

The refreshed GT-R is equipped with a few extra ponies and a reworked launch control system, and according to our friends at GTRBlog, a Nissan test driver clocked a 3.3-second 0-60 mph run while testing at the automaker's Tochigi track... with the VDC on.

Nissan has decided not to officially restate the 2009 GT-R's 0-60 time, leaving it to independent testers (read: the media) to confirm or deny this new rumored run. So for the time being, the 3.5-second figure will stand... until an outside source performs a thorough, repeatable and instrumented test.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Nissan, GTRBlog]

2009 Nissan GT-R rumored to clock 3.3-second 0-60 time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Lexus reveals four tuned IS Fs, IS 350 and LX570

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Sedan, SUV, Lexus

Click any image for a high-res gallery

Lexus decided that its presence at SEMA should revolve around its most tuner-friendly models, specifically its range of IS sedans. So in addition to the Five Axis IS F that's been making the rounds since late last year, Lexus has tapped some notable names in tuning, along with a few magazines, to create a handful of bespoke vehicles to populate its booth. But the IS 350 and four tweaked IS Fs won't stand alone. They'll be joined by another Five Axis creation built around the GS 460, along with an LX 570 SUV created by the crew at Icon 4x4 Design.

Click here for our take on each model, along with official details on each IS F, the Lexus' F-sport-tuned IS 350 and the big 'ute.

Gallery: Lexus at SEMA 2008

Continue reading SEMA Preview: Lexus reveals four tuned IS Fs, IS 350 and LX570

SEMA Preview: Lexus reveals four tuned IS Fs, IS 350 and LX570 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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C&D performs first instrumented testing of Corvette ZR1

Michael Harley — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet

Click above for our high-res ZR1 burnout gallery!

Car and Driver recently strapped its test gear to the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and, as expected, recorded some impressive numbers. All eyes have been on the supercar Vette as it enters the boxing ring to duke it out with the heavy-hitting Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, Nissan GT-R and Porsche GT2 (among others), and it looks like the latest Corvette will more than hold its own. According to C&D's trusty electronic gear, the supercharged 638-hp beast knocked off a 0-60 mph time of just 3.4 seconds as it continued towards a blistering 7.6 second 0-100 mph run. The quarter mile was cracked in 11.5 seconds @ 128 mph (Chevrolet claims 11.3 seconds, but the guys at C&D didn't believe in "...that sort of drivetrain abuse" to get lower numbers). The top speed also remains unverified as the team "ran out of room" before they could hit the claimed 205 mph. Under braking, the ZR1 set a new C&D record as it hauled itself down from 70 mph in just 142 feet. Of course, we must mention the obligatory claimed Nürburgring lap time of 7:26 (at the hands of Chevrolet). So you don't have to Google the competition's best-claimed Ring times yourself, here they are: Porsche GT2 - 7:32, Nissan GT-R - 7:29, and the Dodge Viper ACR - 7:22. Of course, we'd like to see all four on the track under identical conditions, and with some digital timing gear!

Gallery: Covette ZR1 burnouts

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1

[Source: Car and Driver]

C&D performs first instrumented testing of Corvette ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finally, a reason to wait by the mailbox again: 0-60 debuts

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

About two weeks ago, I did something that many of my colleagues (and likely some of you) have done over the past few years: I tossed out over a decade's worth of buff books. There were plenty of reasons for the mass trashing of countless copies of random car mags - namely an apartment redesign - but the primary reason they met their demise at the bottom of an overstuffed recycle bin was simply because I just don't read them as much as I used to. Time and these, the great interwebs have conspired against them, and until someone produces a high-quality, high-gloss magazine to rival the likes of Car and EVO (without the overseas charges), I'm just not willing to expel the time, effort and expense to allow them to amass under my coffee table, unread and neglected.

So earlier this year, when I caught wind of a new magazine due out in August, I approached it with a little trepidation - until we received a tip from its editor. One line in the short email stuck out with me, just because it was so true: "Do you even read car magazines anymore?" The answer for me was, "barely." So I checked out the website, read over some of the features and visited semi-frequently. After a few trips back and forth, I thought I'd bite the bullet and subscribe, if for no other reason than because I'd let nearly all the others lapse. So when I got the mail last Saturday, I was greeted with a heavy envelope that was promptly torn open to reveal the inaugural issue of 0-60. Could this be what I was waiting for? Could this be the Stateside EVO that I'd always dreamed of? Could it possibly live up to the lofty ideals I'd set for it? The short answers are: Yes, maybe, and that's probably not possible.

Continue reading Finally, a reason to wait by the mailbox again: 0-60 debuts

Finally, a reason to wait by the mailbox again: 0-60 debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forbes takes on the 0-60

Noah Joseph — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:12:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

0-60 time is the gold standard in automotive performance. It's the first thing an enthusiast looks at when presented with a car's stats, and typically trumps all others. Top speed is all but completely irrelevant in most cases, while the quarter mile is only valued in drag-racing circles. Attempts have been made to substitute something more all-encompassing, like the 0-100-0 acceleration/braking test, but it hasn't replaced the old 0-60. Lap times around a given course might be more useful for comparison, but unless every manufacturer tested on the same track, that falls to pieces. At the end of the day, 0-60 is where it's at, but as Forbes points out, it's not the most reliable or useful performance indicator.

In most cases, it takes ideal conditions - including a professional driver - to hit sixty in the time specified. As a result, some manufacturers quote conservative figures so as not to disappoint customers who can't manage the quoted time. Further confusing the situation, some automakers prefer to quote acceleration time in kilometers, but while the 0-100 km/h (62mph) standard might be very close to the mark, in acceleration times every millisecond counts.

It may be the gold standard, but even gold has its imperfections.

[Source: Forbes Autos]

Forbes takes on the 0-60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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