Autoblog

Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Design/Style, Electric, Racing

Preparing for next month's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi - the presenting sponsor of this year's PPIHC - has unveiled its entrant for the race: the all-electric MiEV Evolution II. Building off last year's MiEV-inspired entrant, the Evolution II has received numerous improvements, including a more powerful electric drive system, a lower center of gravity and even a more traditional racecar look. Driving a pair of MiEV Evolution II models this year will be Hiroshi Masuoka from Mitsubishi vehicle development and six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner, Greg Tracy.

Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp). For improved handling, the cars' lithium-ion battery packs help provide lower centers of gravity, and both Masuoka's and Tracy's cars have received active yaw control, stability control and redesigned anti-lock braking systems. Hopefully, this will help them stick to the mountain better. As previously mentioned, even their look has changed, with less of a wide-body i-MiEV feel and more of a racecar appearance. We think the finished product would actually make for a pretty cool Le Mans Prototype racer, or perhaps an electrically powered rival for trackday cars like those from Radical.

Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Greg Tracy snap the 10-minute Pikes Peak barrier

Zach Bowman — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle

There are the racers who tackle the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on four wheels and then there are the (even more) insane bastards who head up the mountain on bikes. Greg Tracy is without a doubt one of the most talented of those souls. He's collected the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb overall win a total of six times, and this year, he blew straight past the 10 minute barrier on his Ducati with a 9:58.262 time up the course. Impressive, given the rider laid down a machine the weekend before the hill climb during a video shoot.

The time put him within six seconds of this year's winner, Carlin Dunne. Six seconds is a lifetime in motorsports, but watching Tracy wring the big Duc out over the 12-mile slog to the top makes it hard to fathom pulling any more time from the run. Check out the clip below for yourself.

Continue reading Watch Greg Tracy snap the 10-minute Pikes Peak barrier

Watch Greg Tracy snap the 10-minute Pikes Peak barrier originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford crowdsources first Focus ST commercial for U.S.

Zach Bowman — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

Ford has released the first ad for the company's upcoming Focus ST. The automaker headed to the warm streets of Key West with Tanner Foust and stunt driver Greg Tracy to give spectators a glimpse of the hot hatch's capabilities. The two wheelmen spent the evening tearing around closed sections of city streets with plenty of onlookers on hand, but there's a twist. Instead of relying on a professional film crew to capture the high-horsepower antics, Ford asked those in attendance to submit their own footage of the show. Throw in a little clever editing and we have a solid minute of sideways Focus ST action.

The 2013 Ford Focus ST starts at $24,495 and offers buyers a rash of go-fast hardware, including a turbocharged, 252-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 270 pound-feet of torque. A torque-steer compensation system keeps the heathen Focus pointed straight, and those willing to pony up a little extra cash can enjoy Recaro bucket seats indoors. Scroll down to check out the clever spot for yourself.

Continue reading Ford crowdsources first Focus ST commercial for U.S.

Ford crowdsources first Focus ST commercial for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus maps a curvy Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model with GS sedan

John Neff — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lexus, Celebrities, Luxury

Lexus is doing whatever it can to convince people that its new GS is not like the anesthetized machinery it's been known for in the past. Part one of that plan was a Super Bowl commercial - a first for Lexus. Part two is throwing some sex into the mix.

Lexus has earned (or more likely paid for) the right to call itself the Official Automotive Marketing Partner of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit property. With that title comes access to an SI swimsuit model, one very statuesque Tori Praver, and the Lexus creative team has found a clever way to capitalize on her curves.

Their idea was to create a race track based on the contour of Tori's swimsuit-clad body, and then pit two experienced drivers against each other to see who could drift around her thighs the quickest in a 2013 Lexus GS F Sport. According to the video after the jump, making the track wasn't all that difficult, and professional race car driver Scott Pruett and stunt car driver Greg Tracy were tasked with tracing Tori's curves.

Find out which driver won what Lexus is calling the TORI 500, then and got a victory lap with Tori, after the jump. The marketing campaign also includes a pair of iPhone apps, one out now that lets you place images of Tori and the Lexus GS in any of your iPhone's photos, and another coming soon that's an actual racing game based on the TORI 500 track.

Continue reading Lexus maps a curvy Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model with GS sedan

Lexus maps a curvy Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model with GS sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

Ducati has announced that it will be back at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July. The company will once again partner with the Spider Grips team using Multistrada 1200 machines. The Multistrada is the same bike that propelled Ducati to first and third place last year. Privateer Carlin Dunne took home a slew of titles when he conquered the mountain in 11:11.32, setting a new record for motorcycles in the process. He'll be back this year alongside Greg Tracy, a six-time Pikes Peak winner. In 2010, Tracy took the top win on the mountain astride a Multistrada of his own.

To celebrate the brand's return, Ducati is inviting fans and owners to join the team in Colorado in July for a gathering that should include plenty of riding along some of the state's more impressive scenery before attending the race. Sounds like a very good time to us. Head over to the Ducati site for more information.

July is still a long way off, so Ducati has been kind enough to show off a short recap film of the brand's 2011 season. Hit the jump to check out the clip as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video]

Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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