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[Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Monster's Suzuki SX4 Sport - Click above for a high-res image gallery

They came. They saw. They were conquered. That pretty much sums up a thrilling Pikes Peak International Hillclimb for 2009 as Suzuki's legendary Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima took overall victory yet again, fending off a formidable paddock of rivals, while difficult weather conditions dictated that the mythical ten-minute mark - as well as Monster's own 10:15 personal best - remained untouched.

This year the Suzuki team replaced its existing XL7-bodied challenger in with a purpose-built SX4 packing a 2.7-liter V6 with a massive 873 horsepower on tap. But among those eager to strip the Japanese champions of their domination were two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm driving a specially prepared Ford Fiesta and an 1150hp Ford RS200. Along with all the other pretenders to the crown, they were fed a heaping dose of humble pie by the Monster. Meanwhile drift champ Rhys Millen took the 2WD class victory in his Hyundai Genesis, pledging to return to the peak in the top-spec Unlimited class in an effort to reclaim the title which Monster took from his father Rod Millen, whose record stood from 1994 through 2007 when Suzuki bested the time. The books were just closed on this year's run up the mountain, but the competition's already heating up for next year.


Gallery: Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Sport

Continue reading Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4

Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hill climbHillClimbmillenmonstermonster tajimaMonsterTajimanobuhiro monster tajimanobuhiro tajimaNobuhiroMonsterTajimaNobuhiroTajimapeakpikespikes peakpikes peak hill climbpikes peak international hill climbPikesPeakpikespeakhillclimbPikesPeakInternationalHillClimbrhys millenRhysMillensteve millenSteveMillensuzukisuzuki sx4SuzukiSx4tajimaMon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: The cars of CES Part II]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/ces-2009-the-cars-of-ces-part-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Click above to view a high-res gallery of the cars of CES 2009

While CES is and should be known for its unabashed display of geekery, it has also become a venue to display some top-notch custom automobiles. Take for instance the Ford Flex at Sony's XPlod display. Sony says it wears an "urban-themed custom paint job" on the outside and a long list of the company's XPlod audio products on the inside. The urban decor impressively even extends to the doors' kickplates and interior frames. Now that's attention to detail.

A couple of booths over (which in CES speak means several thousand yards away), Monster skipped the fancy paint and just went for the fancy cars. Their super-blue Bentley GT looked almost stock until closer inspection revealed Monster's logos imprinted on the roof and the Bentley trunk badge replaced with the Monster's corporate red M. Monster's booth was also home to a Lambo Murcielago whose exterior was mercifully left unscathed by such blatant branding.

Other cars of note were Toyota's Ducati Tacoma from SEMA and a really bad-ass, turbocharged, LSX-powered Cadillac wearing some sweet leather seats and a Strut S grille and wheels. Check out the gallery for high-res photos of the second round of the cars of CES. You can also peruse the Round 1 cars by clicking here.

Gallery: CES 2009: The cars of CES Part II


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.

CES 2009: The cars of CES Part II originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cars of cesCarsOfCescesducatiducati tacomaDucatiTacomaford flexFordFlexgraffiti flexGraffitiFlexgrafitti flexGrafittiFlexmonstermonster bentleymonster lamborghiniMonsterBentleyMonsterLamborghiniSEMAsony flexSonyFlexStrut SStrutSWed, 14 Jan 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Neff's Endgame: SHO monster on Craigslist]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/22/neffs-endgame-sho-monster-on-craigslist/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/22/neffs-endgame-sho-monster-on-craigslist/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/22/neffs-endgame-sho-monster-on-craigslist/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SHO MonsterIt is time for Neff to put up or shut up. There's a '93 Ford Taurus SHO on Craigslist that will provide him with both the car of his dreams and the ability to handle the extreme driving conditions he faces during Cleveland winters. It's been slightly modified by the current owner, who retained the original bodywork and interior, but then chose to mate them with a '76 Ford F-150 underpinnings. The high-zoot Yamaha motor? Also jettisoned. In its stead, a 460 cubic-inch V8 from a '78 Lincoln takes up residence underhood. Ride height is elevated somewhat over stock, but this should help Neff when it snows, and the new wheel/tire package allows him to avoid traffic by simply driving over it. All this for a paltry $800. This is what we call a complete win-win situation for El Jefe Neff. Commence peer-pressuring Autoblog's Editor in Chief below. Make him do it. Props to Stephen for the tip!

View Poll


[Source: Craigslist]

Neff's Endgame: SHO monster on Craigslist originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordmonstershosho monsterShoMonstertaurustaurus SHOTaurusShoSun, 22 Jun 2008 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia's monster motorbike from hell]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/australias-monster-motorbike-from-hell/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/australias-monster-motorbike-from-hell/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/australias-monster-motorbike-from-hell/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Proving once again that it is always easier to tear things apart than it is to build them is the Australian monster, as seen above. The builder, Ray Baumann, says that "this is a way of taking a bit more care," if you can believe that. You see, his previous job was as a stunt driver. He claims that it is much safer riding this monster bike crushing cars than it was to jump them on a much smaller machine. Weighing in at 13 tons and standing about 10 feet tall, the monster doesn't appear to have any suspension travel at all. The frame appears to be an upside-down ladder design, with wheels and tires from Caterpillar. What does it take to move this maxi-machine? A Detroit Diesel engine hooked to a 6-speed Allison automatic transmission.

Gallery: Monster Motorbike From Hell

[Source: World Car Fans]

Australia's monster motorbike from hell originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-motorcyclemonstermonster motorcyclemonster-motorcycleMonsterMotorcyclemotorcycleWed, 30 Jan 2008 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Thunder Monster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-thunder-monster/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-thunder-monster/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/06/ebay-find-of-the-day-thunder-monster/#commentsFiled under:

Better than Alex Rodriguez in April, this eBay seller hits home runs with the car truck thing he's got for sale, the Thunder Monster moniker, and the text of the actual listing, which you'll just have to read.

This is a T-Bird that was left too long on The Island of Dr. Moreau. The beast is a 450-500 hp 4-wheel-drive that's top half '58 T-Bird (one of the 'Squarebirds'), bottom half '77 Chevy Blazer, and a chopped out bed. The 350 V8 was blessed with a 383 stroker kit, and according to the seller, it would make "a great hot rod that would not take much to turn into a show winner." The next paragraph lists all the stuff you'll have to fix just to make it down the street safely.

If you were wondering, the seller assures all that "There is no other like it on earth." Of course, he also says "it looks great." We have to admit, unorthodox as it is, and even though it looks like a jacked up angry red eating machine . . . we kinda like it. But for us, it is the seller's last admonition that seals the deal: "get your finances in order before you bid, ask mamma if it's ok, and all that stuff first." Too right!

If the auction has ended before you get a chance to feast your eyes, you can see the pics here.

Thanks for the tip, Doug!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Thunder Monster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 May 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5877blazerebaymonstert-birdthunderthunderbirdSun, 06 May 2007 16:57:00 EST