Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2010 Hurst Mustang debuts as droptop pace car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/2010-hurst-mustang-debuts-as-droptop-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/2010-hurst-mustang-debuts-as-droptop-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/2010-hurst-mustang-debuts-as-droptop-pace-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car - Click above image for hi-res gallery

We've seen a rendering of the 2010 Hurst Mustang pace car, but this is the first time we're seeing the car in the flesh pixels. And... not bad at all. Sure, perhaps the wheels are a bit much, but we love the stripes. The basket handle doesn't even look too bad and at least it's functional - it serves as a home for the low-profile light bar.

Lest we forget, the Mustang Challenge pace car features a Roush supercharger that boosts horsepower from 315 all the way up to 435, and there are also some suspension tweaks to go along with the extra grunt. Suddenly, racing under caution looks a bit more entertaining. Best of all -- to future owners -- only fifty copies will be made. Full press release after the jump.


Gallery: 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car photos


[Source: Mustang Blog]

Continue reading 2010 Hurst Mustang debuts as droptop pace car

2010 Hurst Mustang debuts as droptop pace car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Hurst Mustang2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car2010HurstMustang2010HurstMustangPaceCarford mustangFordMustangHursthurst mustangHurst Pace CarHurstMustangHurstPaceCarMustangPace CarPaceCarpony carponycarRoushWed, 23 Sep 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Chevy won't be offering Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car replicas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/24/report-chevy-wont-be-offering-indy-500-camaro-pace-car-replica/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The car above is the pace car for this year's Indianapolis 500, a special edition 2010 Camaro. If you want to see it in action, then you'll need to watch the race -- Chevrolet says it won't be making a pace car replica for people who don't drive on the oval. Chevy copied and sold the four previous iterations of Camaro Indy 500 pace cars thousands of times.

This time, though, a spokesman said, "In order to keep special editions special, we can't go to that well too often." Which means someone decided that a rare trip to the well would be better served by producing a Bumblebee Camaro than an Indy pace car edition, even though the original Camaro Indy 500 pace car editions still attract collectors 42 years after the fact...


Gallery: 2009 Chevy Camaro Indy Pace Car



[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: Chevy won't be offering Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car replicas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 May 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camarochevroletchevrolet camaroChevroletCamarochevy camaroChevyCamarocoupeindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indyindy 500indy 500 pace carIndy500Indy500PaceCarmotorsportspace carPaceCarspecial editionSpecialEditionSun, 24 May 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Safety First: Wiesmann MF5 sets the pace for FIA GT Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/safety-first-wiesmann-mf5-sets-the-pace-for-fia-gt-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/safety-first-wiesmann-mf5-sets-the-pace-for-fia-gt-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/03/safety-first-wiesmann-mf5-sets-the-pace-for-fia-gt-championship/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wiesmann MF5 FIA GT Safety Car - Click above to view in high resolution

The 2009 FIA GT Championship kicked off this weekend at England's stoic Silverstone circuit, and with it a number of new racing machines - including competition versions of the Nissan GT-R, Audi R8 and Ford GT - started their bid for the crown. But at the front of the field was another beast entirely. While other racing series tend to go with more mainstream, albeit high-end vehicles to set the pace at their events - Corvettes at Indy, Bimmers at MotoGP, Mercedes AMGs at F1 grands prix and DTM - the FIA GT Championship has opted to go with something decidedly more obscure: the Wiesmann MF5.

The niche retro sportscar is made by small German exotic automaker Weismann, and is differentiated from the stock GT by the motivation of one of the most lauded engines in autodom: the high-revving V10 from the BMW M5 and M6. With over 500 horsepower under the hood, the MF5 hits 60 in less than four seconds, giving it the pace it needs to stay ahead of the field.

[Source: Wiesmann]

Safety First: Wiesmann MF5 sets the pace for FIA GT Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 May 2009 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiafia gtfia gt championshipfia gt world championshipFiaGtFiaGtChampionshipFiaGtWorldChampionshippace carPaceCarsafety carSafetyCarweismann pace carWeismannPaceCarwiesmannwiesmann gtwiesmann mf5wiesmann safety carwiesmanngtWiesmannMf5WiesmannSafetyCarSun, 03 May 2009 10:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG returns as F1 safety car for 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-returns-as-f1-safety-car-for-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-returns-as-f1-safety-car-for-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/mercedes-benz-sl63-amg-returns-as-f1-safety-car-for-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG F1 Safety Car

AMG has been involved in Formula 1 for well over a decade now, starting with a Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG serving as the safety car back in 1996. Most recently, the SL63 AMG earned the spot last year, and it is returning for 2009 to set the pace at each F1 race this year. To ensure that it's capable of performing its duties in any situation, the car has been fitted with quite a few upgrades, including an upgraded coilover suspension system, a three-stage traction control system, massive composite brakes - 15.4 inches up front and 14.2 inch in the rear - and additional coolers for the oil, transmission, coolant, and power steering. The overall weight of the car has also been reduced by 485 pounds thanks to carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body components and the removal of the convertible top mechanism. Follow the jump for more details in the press release from Mercedes-Benz, and check out the high-res gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG F1 Safety Car


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG returns as F1 safety car for 2009

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG returns as F1 safety car for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1Formula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz SL63 AMGMercedes-Benz SL63 AMG F1 Safety CarMercedes-benzSl63AmgMercedes-benzSl63AmgF1SafetyCarpace carPaceCarsafety carSafetyCarFri, 27 Mar 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/08/chicago-auto-show-special-edition-corvettes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click image above or images below to view new live shots of these exclusive Corvettes

General Motors unveiled a pair of special edition Corvettes at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday, both of which commemorate the Vette's involvement in motorsports. The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition are both only trim packages with stock mechanicals, yet the visual impact of any Vette in Atomic Orange or the ultra exclusive Arctic White is breathtaking.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 was developed to celebrate the first man to win an ALMS race in the C5.R back in 2000. The Fellows Z06 is even more exclusive than the Indy 500 Pace Car replica, with only 399 cars being built. In our eyes, it's the better looking of the two (that's why we took more pics of it), with an exclusive coating of Arctic White paint accented by subtle red and silver fender badging. The Z06 wheels are coated in chrome and the windshield's adorned with a full-width Corvette banner, just like the C5.R.

The Indy 500 Pace Car edition is a capable vehicle already by virtue of being a Corvette Convertible with the Z51 performance package. As such, the car will need hardly any modfications to pace the Indy 500 in May. Chevy will be offering 500 of these replica cars to the public, which, along with the radioactive color, includes many Indy 500 logos on the car's exterior and interior, new aluminum split-spoke wheels, and a rear spoiler from the Z06. To be honest, we'd be way more into this car without all the Indy 500 badging, but we're sure Chevy will find 500 people (collectors?) who won't mind it.

GM hasn't made a big deal about these cars at the show, and it's true they're just trim packages for a car we're already very familiar with. Nevertheless, there always seems to be a crowd of journalists hanging around these jewels.

Gallery: 2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06


Gallery: 2007 Chevy Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes

Chicago Auto Show: Special edition Corvettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CorvetteIndianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy500pace carPaceCarreplicaRon FellowsRonFellowsZ06Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-auto-show-corvette-indy-500-pace-car-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view an additional 21 high-resolution images

Nine times. No, we're not referring to how many times Ferris Bueller's been absent this quarter, we're referring to how many times the Chevrolet Corvette has handled the official pace duties of the Indianapolis 500. Actually, the ninth time will occur on May 27th of this year for the 91st running of the most historic motorsport event in America. It also marks the fourth time in a row a Corvette has led the pack at Indy.

General Motors will be producing 500 replica Indy Pace Car editions of the car to be offered to the general public. They'll be Corvette Convertibles in Atomic Orange with Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics, Indy 500 fender badges, a rear spoiler cribbed from the Z06, new aluminum split-spoke wheels in Sterling Siver finish, seats with embroidered Indy 500 logos, interior trim pieces painted Atomic Orange to match the exterior and Atomic Orange engine covers. Of course, the 400-hp LS2 is standard and the cars come with the Z51 performance package and a standard six-speed. Each car will have a base price of $66,995, although if one goes for the only option, a paddle-shifting six-speed automatic, the price rises a bit to $68,245.

You can read the official press release after the jump and don't let the Atomic Orange paint burn your retinas when you check out all the photos in our high-resolution gallery.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Continue reading Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition

Chicago Preview: Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvettecorvette convertibleCorvetteConvertibleindianapolis 500Indianapolis500indyindy 500Indy500pace carPaceCarThu, 01 Feb 2007 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford shows off three new pace cars for NASCAR's season finale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-shows-off-three-new-pace-cars-for-nascars-season-finale/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-shows-off-three-new-pace-cars-for-nascars-season-finale/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-shows-off-three-new-pace-cars-for-nascars-season-finale/#commentsFiled under: ,


click on image to enlarge

Ford probably paid a lot of money to sponsor NASCAR's season ending series of races at Homestead Miami Speedway in November. Dubbed Ford Championship Weekend, season enders for the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series will precede the Ford 400 on November 19th, the last race of this season's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Where there's NASCAR racing there's going to be wrecks, and when wrecks occur you need a trusty pace car to lead the field.

Yesterday Ford unveiled its trio of pace cars for the Championship Weekend, which include an F-150 FX-2 to pace the Ford 200 Craftsman Truck race, a Ford Edge to pace the Ford 300 Busch race, and a Shelby GT500 to pace the race with top billing, the Ford 400 Nextel Cup race. The vehicles will be stock save for pace car decals and a light bar, which essentially prepares them for anything they might encounter during their pace duty. With as frequent as crashes seem to occur in NASCAR races seem as of late, we expect these three vehicles will rack up some decent mileage before the Championship Weekend is over.

Matt Kenseth was on hand at the unveiling of the pace cars, which took place at Homestead Miami Speedway itself before a test session. Currently Kenseth and his DeWalt Fusion are 45 points out of first place in the race for the cup with just a few races to go. Fellow ROUSH Racing teammate Mark Martin is ranked No. 4 in the standings, 102 points out of first place. Jeff Burton and his Cingular-sponsored Chevy Impala are currently the cup race leaders.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford shows off three new pace cars for NASCAR's season finale

Ford shows off three new pace cars for NASCAR's season finale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edgef-150fordgt500nascarnextel cupNextelCuppace carPaceCarshelby gt500ShelbyGt500Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda Civic Type-R sedan pacing Japanese F1 GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/honda-civic-type-r-sedan-pacing-japanese-f1-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/honda-civic-type-r-sedan-pacing-japanese-f1-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/honda-civic-type-r-sedan-pacing-japanese-f1-gp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click to enlarge

UPDATE: Press release, hi-res photo gallery added

The 'R' in Type-R stands for 'racing,' so the deciders for Formula 1 thought it best to name the Civic Type-R Prototype as the official vehicle for this week's Japan Grand Prix. The four-door prototype has been given the go ahead for production and will likely hit dealers in its home country in late 2007. The overall shape bears significant resemblance to the current Civic sold stateside, however a revised front and rear fascia give the JDM Civic a bit more flow, when compared to its angular sibling abroad. Motivation will come in the form of a 2-liter, inline-four, producing upwards of 220 HP and sending power through a six-speed manual.

The race, to be held at the world-famous Suzuka Circuit in the Mie Prefecture, is the second to last race of the season and may prove to be one of the most entertaining races of the year. With a course rife with passing opportunities and the two leaders, Schumacher and Alonso, running neck-and-neck in points, we've already planned our Sunday around the race and even if you're not into F1, this may be the race to see.

(Photo gallery, press release after the jump)

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda Civic Type-R sedan pacing Japanese F1 GP

Honda Civic Type-R sedan pacing Japanese F1 GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civicf1formula 1Formula1hondapace carPaceCartype-rtyperWed, 04 Oct 2006 09:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Lance Armstrong to drive Indianapolis 500 Corvette pace car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/lance-armstrong-to-drive-indianapolis-500-corvette-pace-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Chevrolet announced Tuesday that seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will drive the 2006 Corvette Z06 pace car at this year's running of the Indianapolis 500.

The striking red, white and blue 'Vette will be the eighth to pace the Indy field in the race's history, marking the 17th time a Chevy has had the honor.

The stars and stripes color scheme is intended to tie in with Chevy's "An American Revolution" marketing campaign, and looks to be a vast improvement over the purple and yellow extravaganza that graced Jay Leno's Corvette pace car at this year's Daytona 500.

[Source: GM]

Lance Armstrong to drive Indianapolis 500 Corvette pace car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvetteindianapolis 500indy 500lance armstrongLanceArmstrongpace carPaceCarTue, 04 Apr 2006 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda pacing IRL with Accord Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/26/honda-pacing-irl-with-accord-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If one needed more proof that Honda's Accord Hybrid is an eco hot-rod, here it is. IRL officials have announced the Accord Hybrid will be the Official Pace car for the 2006 IndyCar Series. The entire Delphi hIRL Safety Team will be outfitted with Honda vehicles that include the Accord Hybrid, Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot.

The Accord Hybrid Pace Car is modified for pacing duties with a roll cage and high-performance wheels and tires. It will pace every race of the 2006 season except for the Indianapolis 500. The big honor at Indy will go to the Chevy Corvette Z06, which marks the 17th time a Chevy has paced the big race in Indiana.

[Source: Honda]

Honda pacing IRL with Accord Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Mar 2006 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahybridsIndianapolis 500Indianapolis500Indy 500Indy Racing LeagueIndy500IndyRacingLeagueIRLpace carPaceCarSun, 26 Mar 2006 18:02:00 EST