Autoblog

How Jeremy Clarkson could rocket into UK politics - in spite of himself

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, UK, Celebrities

Could Jeremy Clarkson find himself in a position of real power? Not of the MOAR variety, but rather of a political nature. If the British public gets its way, then anything is possible.

His strongest supporters have always wanted to push Clarkson into the political arena. Only now they may be able to, because the public is getting a larger say in what gets presented in Parliament. According to the UK's Telegraph, certain petitions will be turned into bills and presented to MPs if they receive enough votes.

According to the Telegraph, a previous online petition system mandated an official government response via email to anyone who signed a petition that tallied over 500 signatures. Interestingly enough, the campaign that garnered the most support was auto-related - it called for the nixing of a planned vehicle tracking and pricing scheme and received some 1.8 million signatures. A previous people's petition looking to appoint Jeremy Clarkson also garnered around 70,000 signers.

Said another way, Jezza in politics probably isn't as unlikely as it might seem. if there is enough of a groundswell movement behind putting putting the Top Gear star in office, then Clarkson could find himself in a heretofore unlikely position - even if he didn't sign the petition himself.

[Source: Telegraph]

How Jeremy Clarkson could rocket into UK politics - in spite of himself originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan 300ZX Longtailghini spotted in Beijing

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, China, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

Call it the Lamborgawdy LP300ZX. This "tuned" Nissan was spotted at China's version of SEMA, the Beijing Automobile Accessories and Decorations Show. It's from a firm called MPS, which stands for Max Power Sports. Apparently, they bumped the stock 300 hp engine to a more Lambo-esque 500 poinies, so at least the "Power" part seems somewhat credible, but the real draw is that Lamborghini Murcielago body kit. It apparently takes a lot of extra bodywork to create a faux mid-engine look. Note the "Driftmaster" sign in the backround. We doubt this would be fun to run in the D1. We'd stick with the LP670-4 as driven by Sam Hubinette for sideways duty, and have to say we prefer the Tractorri Mustang in the Lamborghini Frankencar category. Check out the gallery below.

Gallery: MPS Lamborghini Nissan 300ZX

[Source: thetycho]

Nissan 300ZX Longtailghini spotted in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Mazda3 MPS, Mazda3 i-stop to officially debut

Alex Nunez — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mazda

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2009 Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3)

Next month at the Geneva Motor Show, we'll finally get a look at the highly-anticipated Mazda3 MPS (that's Mazdaspeed3 in Americanized English for y'all), as well as the new Mazda3 i-stop, which features the automaker's fuel-saving stop/start system. The i-stop system, combined with Mazda's MZR 2.0L DISI four-cylinder, deliver 12-percent better city fuel economy and helps drive down the car's emissions output in the face of the upcoming Euro 5 standards.

The Mazda3 MPS takes the jovial-looking hatchback and gives it a little more of an edge. As you can see, the happy face remains, but it's now accentuated by a substantial hood scoop, specific grille trim, and round foglamps. Out back, a pronounced roof spoiler, black bumper insert, and dual exhaust tips are visual cues that tip off the car's performance nature. Power comes, as before, from a turbocharged MZR 2.3-liter DISI four-cylinder, but no specific numbers have been released yet. For that, Mazda's making us wait. No problem, we're patient. As always, we'll bring you full coverage from the floor in Geneva when the festivities get underway.

Gallery: 2009 Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3)

Gallery: 2009 Mazda3 i-stop

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Mazda3 MPS, Mazda3 i-stop to officially debut

Geneva Preview: Mazda3 MPS, Mazda3 i-stop to officially debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda2 MPS and 280 hp Mazda6 MPS on their way

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mazda, UK

Click either image for a high-res rendering of each model from AutoExpress.

The Mazda Performance Series, or MPS, is what we've come to know in the U.S. as "Mazdaspeed." It's quickly becoming one of the defining characteristics of modern-day Mazdas, and with the releases of the new Mazda6 and its baby brother, the Mazda2, we've been anxiously awaiting Mazdaspeed's tweaked versions of both vehicles.

In addition to getting the scoop on the new Evo MR and STI Spec C, AutoExpress has got the goods on Mazda's two new hot offerings. A concept version of the Mazda6 MPS will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October, complete with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four, sending 280 hp to all four wheels, and sprinting to 60 in six seconds. Naturally, the Mazda6 MPS (or Mazdaspeed6 when it makes the trek to U.S. shores) will be sporting an aggressive front clip, spoiler, side skirts, bigger wheels, a stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes when it goes on sale in 2010.

Less information is available about the Mazda2 MPS, but expect a turbo'd 1.5-liter mill sending around 170 hp to the front wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and some exterior and interior tweaks to bring it up to Mazda Performance standards. If and when the Mazda2 makes it to the States, we'd expect the Mazdaspeed2 version to follow shortly thereafter.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mazda2 MPS and 280 hp Mazda6 MPS on their way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Mazda3 interpretation gets it all wrong?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Hatchback, Mazda

The blokes over from AutoExpress tapped an artist to photochop the next Mazda3, supposedly utilizing sources within the automaker, and although it looks like an inoffensive evolution of the current model, we're somewhat doubtful that it's an accurate representation of what's to come.

Earlier this week, Automotive News sat down with Mazda's design chief, Laurens van den Acker, who said that the redesigned 2009 Mazda3 would take several cues from the Nagare line of concepts. All of the concepts featured a prominent five-point grille and "flow" inspired creases flanking the sides. In the rendering above, we don't see any of those elements. Instead, it's simply the integration of a few of the cues found on the new Mazda6 and its CUV/SUV siblings.

The Brits assert that the next 3 will be built atop the longer platform slated to underpin the 2010 Ford Focus, featuring a more spacious interior with higher quality materials, with a Mazdaspeed version (MPS abroad) that will utilize the 2.5-liter mill from the new Mazda6.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Rendered Speculation: Mazda3 interpretation gets it all wrong? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda UK campaigning for Mazdaspeed2

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Mazda

Grassroots campaigns aimed at automakers rarely succeed, and even when local dealers get involved those efforts tend to stagnate or get lost in the filter between the showroom floor and the automaker's HQ. But when an entire country's marketing and PR efforts get behind a project there might be a faint hope of success. Mazda UK is launching a lobbying blitz to get its Japanese parent to bring the goods to Britain's masses in the form of the Mazdaspeed2 (well, it'd be called the Mazda2 MPS in the UK, but you get our point).

Hot hatches have consistently been winners abroad, so Mark Cameron, marketing director for Mazda UK, is trying to get Mazda to equip its newest sub-compact with a blown motor and some suspension tweaks to bring the people what they want. If it does happen, and reports say that a three-door MS2 is a distinct possibility, it won't happen for at least two years, but if when it does, expect a turbocharged 1.5-liter four, producing around 170 HP.

[Source: Autocar]

Mazda UK campaigning for Mazdaspeed2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazdaspeed3 aims to beat track record at the 'Ring

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Mazda

Click the image above for more high res pics.

Mazda's been putting a considerable amount of stock into its newest entrant to the hot hatch segment, the Mazdaspeed3, or, as it's known in Europe, the Mazda3 MPS. With 260 HP and a 280 lb.-ft. of torque being sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual, you'd assume that it would be a torque-steering mess. A brief jaunt a few months back quelled that notion immediately, but Mazda has its sights set on more than just electromechanical problem solving.

In an effort to solidify its place as the most powerful, agile and competent competitor, Mazda brought three MS3s to Germany and let them loose under the capable hands of a few racing drivers. The goal was to show off the MS3's capabilities and make an attempt at the Nurburgring's track record for whatever class the hatch fits into.

Mark Ticehurst, a 'Ring virgin, was able to come within about four seconds of the lap record, posting a time of 8 minutes 39.66 seconds around the circuit. More shocking than the fact that Ticehurst came that close to the record without any previous experience in either the car or the track, is the considerable amount of traffic he encountered along the way. Our Gran Turismo fantasies of a clean track were promptly quashed after seeing how many bikers Ticehurst was forced to avoid during his laps.

Mazda released an account of the attempt, which is posted after the jump, along with three videos showing the MS3 in action.

Gallery: Mazdaspeed3 takes to the 'Ring

Continue reading Mazdaspeed3 aims to beat track record at the 'Ring

Mazdaspeed3 aims to beat track record at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jun 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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