Autoblog

Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Infiniti teases M hybrid drag race against Porsche Panamera S Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/infiniti-teases-m-hybrid-drag-race-against-porsche-panamera-s-hy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/infiniti-teases-m-hybrid-drag-race-against-porsche-panamera-s-hy/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/infiniti-teases-m-hybrid-drag-race-against-porsche-panamera-s-hy/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Infiniti, Porsche, Luxury

Infiniti hybrid drag race teaser screen capture

Infiniti has started throwing stones at the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. The Japanese luxury brand aims to pit its M Hybrid against the electrified German five-door in a fight for the title of the world's fastest-accelerating production full hybrid. How's that for a mouthful? The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid dishes out 380 horsepower and is good for a 0-60 mph time of around 5.7 seconds, all while returning up to 30 mpg highway. Of course, you'll be asked to pay for the privilege of ownership. The Panamera S Hybrid commands an MSRP of $95,000.

The Infiniti M Hybrid, meanwhile, is good for 360 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a potent electric motor. Infiniti hasn't outright said how quickly the M Hybrid can do the 0-60 mph dash, but we can say from experience that the vehicle is no pushover. All told, the M Hybrid can deliver up to 32 mpg highway, but is it quicker than the Porsche?

We'll find out tomorrow. Hit the jump to see the teaser for yourself.

Continue reading Infiniti teases M hybrid drag race against Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Infiniti teases M hybrid drag race against Porsche Panamera S Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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20153182 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/infiniti-hybrid-drag-race-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/infiniti-hybrid-drag-race-628.jpg <![CDATA[This is the quickest Mercedes-Benz ever]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/this-is-the-quickest-mercedes-benz-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/this-is-the-quickest-mercedes-benz-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/this-is-the-quickest-mercedes-benz-ever/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Renntech Mercedes-Benz SLR

Behold what could very possibly be the world's quickest Mercedes-Benz. The good people at Renntech managed to get their hands on a Mercedes-Benz SLR, and quickly set to nudging the power to obscene levels.

According to DragTimes.com, the vehicle boasts 160 horsepower over stock form, which puts the final output in the neighborhood of 680 ponies at the rear wheels. Throw in a set of Hoosier drag slicks and you have a vehicle capable of dashing to 60 in a scant 2.2 seconds. That's plenty quick, and the vehicle doesn't give anything up as it heads toward the quarter mile.

In the video after the jump, shot at Palm Beach International Raceway, the Renntech Mercedes-Benz SLR pulls through the quarter mile in 9.76 seconds at 140.8 mph. As best we can tell, that time makes the vehicle the quickest Mercedes-Benz in the world. Let us know if you know of a quicker Silver Arrow out there. In the meantime, hit the jump to check out the disturbingly fast SLR for yourself.

Continue reading This is the quickest Mercedes-Benz ever

This is the quickest Mercedes-Benz ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drag racemercedes-benzpalm beach international racewayquater mileracerenntechrenntech mercedes-benz slrrenntech mercedes-benz slr drag raceslrslr mclarenWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:59:00 EST

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20146093 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/renntech-mercedes-benz-slr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/renntech-mercedes-benz-slr-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lamborghini Gallardo laps track in race against... a stunt plane?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/lamborghini-gallardo-laps-track-in-race-against-a-stunt-plane/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/lamborghini-gallardo-laps-track-in-race-against-a-stunt-plane/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/lamborghini-gallardo-laps-track-in-race-against-a-stunt-plane/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Lamborghini, UK

Lamborghini Gallardo GP570-4 vs Stunt Plane

We've seen some pretty strange races in our days. From pitting cars against Japanese bullet trains and the London public transportation system to skydiving maniacs and jet fighters, nearly every hair-brained race you can think of has been put to the test for the public's enjoyment. Now we can add one more to that list.

EVO Magazine recently took the time to pit the Lamborghini Gallardo GP570-4 Performante against an Extra EA-300LP stunt plane in a race around the Bedford Autodrome. Did we mention that the guy in the sky is none other than former Red Arrow pilot Myles Garland?

While the prop plane is only good for 296 horsepower, it can also comfortably pull plus or minus 10 g while turning the pilot into a floppy rag doll. The Lamborghini, meanwhile, comes to the fight bearing 562 ponies and the miracle of all-wheel drive. Who comes out on top in such a ludicrous shoot out? You'll have to click past the jump to watch the video and find out for yourself.

Continue reading Lamborghini Gallardo laps track in race against... a stunt plane?

Lamborghini Gallardo laps track in race against... a stunt plane? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19997920 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/gallardo-vs-stunt-plane_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/gallardo-vs-stunt-plane.jpg <![CDATA[Alfa Romeo pits Man vs MiTo in four-mile race through London]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/09/alfa-romeo-pits-man-vs-mito-in-four-mile-race-through-london/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/09/alfa-romeo-pits-man-vs-mito-in-four-mile-race-through-london/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/09/alfa-romeo-pits-man-vs-mito-in-four-mile-race-through-london/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Alfa Romeo, UK

Man vs MiTo

Man vs MiTo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Pitting a car against a runner along busy city streets is something you'd expect to see on an episode of Top Gear. This time, however, it's Alfa Romeo that challenged athletes to a four-mile race through downtown London.

The contest pits Ivan Thomas, a 400-meter championship sprinter, against a 285-horsepower Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDM driven by hurdle runner Andy Turner and navigated by long jumper Chris Tomlinson.

Man vs MiTo

The race has already taken place, but Alfa hasn't announced the winner yet. It'll tease the results in a series of films while asking the British public to guess the outcome.

Those who guess correctly will be entered into a contest to win an Alfa Romeo mountain bike. Follow the jump for the details in the full press release and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Alfa Romeo pits Man vs MiTo in four-mile race through London

Alfa Romeo pits Man vs MiTo in four-mile race through London originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa mitoalfa romeoalfa romeo mitoandy turnerchris tomlinsonivan thomaslondonman vs mitoraceSat, 09 Jul 2011 09:35:00 EST

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19984713 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/web456622060711-d-alf_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/web456622060711-d-alf.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog attends 2010 Le Mans Classic, celebrates 80 years of legendary racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/2010-le-mans-classic-celebrating-80-years-of-legendary-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/2010-le-mans-classic-celebrating-80-years-of-legendary-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/2010-le-mans-classic-celebrating-80-years-of-legendary-racing/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, Racing

2010 Le Mans Classic - Click above for high-res image gallery, and help us caption some of the cars!

Every two years in July, hundreds of vintage race cars gather at the famed Le Mans race circuit in France to fire up their engines and relive the glory days in the historic corners and long straights of the nearly 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe. But that's just part of it. In addition to the priceless machinery racing on the track, thousands of other classic cars trek to the grounds to fill nearly every open spot at the huge venue. Autoblog was invited by Porsche France to enjoy the 2010 Le Mans Classic in person, and needless to say, it was absolutely spectacular.

According to the organizers, this year's show welcomed 100,000 spectators, 8,000 display cars, 460 racing cars and 1,000 drivers. With sunny 95-degree temperatures over both days, the weather was unusually hot and the grounds chokingly dusty, but it didn't seem to keep anyone - or anything - from the event.

When not enjoying the racing, we strolled the show and stumbled over well-preserved classics from Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Renault, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW and more. Porsche models were everywhere as the various European Porsche Car Clubs stormed the venue with more than 800 cars. Where else can you physically brush elbows with a race-ready BMW M1, a brand-new 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO and ride in the back of a historic war-era Willys Jeep all within the same 60 seconds? Le Mans Classic, baby. And these weren't sterile, stuck-behind-the-ropes museum stock, either - everything was meant to be driven and enjoyed.

We've put together a massive gallery offering just a taste of the caliber of vehicles on display, running hot laps and racing last weekend. While we've attempted to caption many of these, some still have us stumped. If you can identify a few of the nameless, give us a shout in the comments (with the photo number as seen in the URL) and we'll update the captions as quickly as our server's cache will let us.

Gallery: 2010 Le Mans Classic

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Autoblog attends 2010 Le Mans Classic, celebrates 80 years of legendary racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19557805 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lemans-classic-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lemans-classic-lead.jpg <![CDATA[IndyCar: 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen [SPOILERS]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/indycar-2010-camping-world-grand-prix-at-the-glen-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/indycar-2010-camping-world-grand-prix-at-the-glen-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/indycar-2010-camping-world-grand-prix-at-the-glen-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Honda, Racing

2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen - Click above for high-res image gallery

The IndyCar Series celebrated the Independence Day holiday at the Glen, with the running of the 2010 Camping World Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York. This race signaled a return to road courses for the IRL after four oval runs in a row. Heading into Watkins Glen, Penske's Will Power held the overall and road course points leads in the championship standings with Target Chip Ganassi's Scott Dixon in second overall, but first in the oval championship. Dixon had won the last three-in-a-row at Watkins Glen, though, so Power shouldn't have expected to pull ahead of his closest rival too easily after this round of the championship.

Saturday's qualifying showed that Power and his Penske teammates were still the team to beat, Will claiming yet another Peak Performance Pole Position and stablemates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe qualifying second and third. It set up an interesting Fourth of July race, with Power having a bit of a buffer between him and the other title chasers - not that Helio or Briscoe were going to just hand Will the win.

Follow the jump to see how the 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen played out.

Gallery: Indycar: 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen

[Images: Streeter Lecka, Nick Laham/Getty Images, Mel Evans, David Duprey, David Boe, Douglas Ford Rea, Charles Berch, Russ Hamilton, Michael Rogers/AP]

Continue reading IndyCar: 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen [SPOILERS]

IndyCar: 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen [SPOILERS] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Camping World Grand Prix2010CampingWorldGrandPrixgrand prixGrandPrixindycarindycar racing leagueindycar seriesIndycarRacingLeagueindycarsIndycarSeriesmotorsportsraceRacingthe glenTheGlenwatkins glenwatkins glen internationalWatkins Glen International RacewayWatkinsGlenWatkinsGlenInternationalWatkinsGlenInternationalRacewayTue, 06 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST

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19541641 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/irlwatkinsglen2010med---53_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/irlwatkinsglen2010med---53.jpg <![CDATA[Event Alert: July 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/event-alert-july-2010-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/event-alert-july-2010-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/event-alert-july-2010-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Event Alert

July means Independence Day to most Americans, but it also means racing, concours, auctions, shows, meets, rallies, and tons of other summer car fun. As July 9 has officially been dubbed Collector Car Appreciation Day, it's only fitting that we start off with a couple of vintage car events. The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place the first weekend in July this year, with three days of vintage and exotic car action from West Sussex, England. The Meadow Brook Concours will once again bring some of the finest classic cars in the world together on the lawns of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan.

There are also hundreds of other shows planned, like the Jellybean Show in Surrey, B.C., Michigan Camaro Superfest, Hot San Jose Nights, Dana Point Porsche 356 Concours, Bixby Knolls Drag Fest, Keeneland Concours, San Diego Jaguar Concours, SEMA Show and Shine in Pasadena, Lexani Lifestyle event in Anaheim, and several events at the Petersen and Simeone Museums.

Racing fans will also have a busy schedule, especially if they plan on following multiple series. Formula 1 fans can take in the Grands Prix from Britain and Germany, while NASCAR visits Daytona, Chicago and Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400. The IndyCar Series makes an Independence Day stop at Watkins Glen before the transporters load up and head north of the border for races in Toronto and Edmonton. The ALMS guys and gals are back from their European vacation, and heading to Miller Motorsports Park and Lime Rock Park in July. The rally aces of the WRC will be in action in Bulgaria and Finland, while Rally America fans can catch the gang at the New England Forest Rally. Grand-Am cars will be visiting Daytona and New Jersey while the NHRA circus will be hitting stops in Seattle, Sonoma and Denver this month.

If none of those events appeal to you, check out our Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. And please don't forget to use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: July 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: July 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauctionsautoblog calendarAutoblog calendar of automotive eventsAutoblog calendar of eventsAutoblogCalendarAutoblogCalendarOfAutomotiveEventsAutoblogCalendarOfEventscalendarcalendar of automotive eventsCalendarOfAutomotiveEventscollector car appreciation dayCollectorCarAppreciationDayConcoursConcours d EleganceConcours dEleganceConcoursDEleganceevent alertEventAlertgoodwoodgoodwood festival of speedGoodwoodFestivalOfSpeedmeadow brookmeadow brook concoursMeadowbrookMeadowBrookConcoursraceracesRacingFri, 02 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST

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19537143 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/calendarautoblog_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/calendarautoblog.png <![CDATA[Mini reveals track for Porsche challenge, not really Road Atlanta]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/20/mini-reveals-track-for-porsche-challenge-not-really-road-atlant/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/20/mini-reveals-track-for-porsche-challenge-not-really-road-atlant/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/20/mini-reveals-track-for-porsche-challenge-not-really-road-atlant/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Mini, Porsche

Last we checked, Road Atlanta was a famed professional 2.54-mile racetrack, not an oversized autocross layout on a training skidpad. Somebody may need to remind Mini USA, as the maker of famously small cars has just announced the "track" (their word, not ours) for its overly-publicized "Rumble on the Racetrack" (their title, not ours) challenge pitting the Mini Cooper S against the race-bred Porsche 911 Carrera S.

While Mini promises "No tricks. No gimmicks. No jokes" in its latest Facebook post, the map of the so-called challenge ~~track~~ autocross is nothing more than a few hundred cones dropped on the "School Course & Training Area" located in the infield of Road Atlanta by turns 6 and 7 (this is hardly the same asphalt that hosts cars like the Corvette C6.R, Porsche RS Spyder, Ferrari 430GT and Audi R10 TDI at the Petit Le Mans).

With the big shindig scheduled for Monday (with or without an official Porsche showing), this event has gone from entertaining to mildly disappointing. We don't need to explain to any of our readers that a Mini Cooper S is as comfortable on a loop-de-doo autocross course as Porsche is, well... on the winner's podium at Road Atlanta.

Mini has yet to answer the challenge from Hyundai (the Koreans were kind enough to offer to take Porsche's vacant spot on the grid), but they had better get on it. With a ~~track~~ autocross this tight, they should be expecting a call from Smart first thing Monday morning.

Gallery: Mini Challenges Porsche

[Source: Facebook]

Mini reveals track for Porsche challenge, not really Road Atlanta originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingCarreraCarrera SCarreraSContestCooper SCooper vs. 911CooperSCooperVs.911EventFacebookMiniMini Cooper SMini vs PorscheMini vs. PorscheMiniCooperSMiniVs.PorscheMiniVsPorschePetit Le MansPetitLeMansPorscheRaceRoad AtlantaRoadAtlantaSun, 20 Jun 2010 09:29:00 EST

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19523346 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/minicourse630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/minicourse630.jpg <![CDATA[IndyCar: Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway [Spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/01/indycar-road-runner-turbo-indy-300-at-kansas-speedway-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/01/indycar-road-runner-turbo-indy-300-at-kansas-speedway-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/01/indycar-road-runner-turbo-indy-300-at-kansas-speedway-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Honda, Racing

2010 IndyCar Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The IZOD IndyCar Series moved from the streets of Long Beach to the banked oval of Kansas Speedway for the fifth race of the season, the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300. It's the first oval of the year for the open-wheelers, serving as a tuneup for the series' namesake Indy 500 later this month. Qualifying even follows a similar format to Indy, with drivers ranked according to their four-lap run average. Unlike the 500 though, here in Kansas the drivers only get one chance.

This was also the first race since the announcement of a new triple championship for IndyCar, with the overall champ getting the main prize and additional crowns going to the driver who does best on the ovals and another who does the best on the non-ovals over the course of the season. Most of the drivers seemed to like the new setup, and the smaller teams in particular now have a better shot at scoring some wins by focusing on one part or the other if they can't really compete for the overall title.

Will Power (Verizon Team Penske) was still sitting atop the overall driver standings, but Helio Castroneves (Team Penske) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Team IZOD Andretti Autosport) had shown he wasn't invincible, each winning one of the previous two races. It wasn't looking as good for anybody not driving for Penske or Andretti though, and in fact, Penske's trick suspension seemed to be holding its sizable advantage over the rest of the field in the early part of the season. But the ovals were a whole new ballgame and Andretti had finally broken through in 2010. Turning left only would probably minimize the Penske advantage too, so nobody could know exactly what the Indy 300 had in store. Follow the jump to see how it played out.

Gallery: 2010 IndyCar Road Runner Turbo Indy 300

[Photo Sources: Ron McQueeney/IndyCar | Rick Dole, Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images]

Continue reading IndyCar: Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway [Spoilers]

IndyCar: Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 May 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indy 300Indy300indycarindycar seriesIndycarSeriesIRLIZOD IndyCar SeriesIzodIndycarSerieskansas speedwayKansasSpeedwaymotorsportsraceRacingRoad Runner Turbo Indy 300RoadRunnerTurboIndy300Sat, 01 May 2010 20:01:00 EST

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19461375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/2010indycarroadrunnerturboindy300w---01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/2010indycarroadrunnerturboindy300w---01.jpg <![CDATA[Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: ALMS race goes down to the wire [Spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/18/long-beach-grand-prix-2010-alms-race-goes-down-to-the-wire-spo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/18/long-beach-grand-prix-2010-alms-race-goes-down-to-the-wire-spo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/18/long-beach-grand-prix-2010-alms-race-goes-down-to-the-wire-spo/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports

2010 Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach - Click above for high-res image gallery

The featured race at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach might be Sunday afternoon's IndyCar race, but for the hundred thousand or so fans at the street course in downtown Long Beach on Saturday afternoon, it was all about the American Le Mans Series. The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the official title for this exciting event, which has been part of the Long Beach schedule four times in as many years.

While the series had its first race of the season at Sebring in March, Long Beach would be the first time the former LMP1 and LMP2 cars would be running together in the new LMP class, joining the handful of slightly slower LMPC-class Oreca FLM09 prototypes on track. LMP didn't have the Peugeots we had seen dominate at Sebring, but there were plenty of other strong competitors. Long Beach was also the debut of the new former-GT2-like GT class, joining the GTC category, the latter of which is essentially a spec series for Porsche this year.

Street races are always exciting because of the concrete walls surrounding the circuit, which give very little comfort to drivers who overdo it even a little bit. Long Beach can be particularly hard on machinery in that respect and even with the long front straight producing very high trap speeds, the technical nature of its 11-turn, 1.9-mile layout can also favor smaller, nimbler cars over heavier, higher-horsepower vehicles.

With typically gorgeous weather at this track nestled up against the Pacific Ocean in the shadow of the Queen Mary, it set up well for a memorable second race on the ALMS calendar. We were there ourselves this year and bring you our own live gallery to accompany the race report. Click below to see the pics, and follow the jump to see how the race unfolded.

Gallery: 2010 Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach

Photos by Frank Filipponio/Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: ALMS race goes down to the wire [Spoilers]

Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: ALMS race goes down to the wire [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19443693 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/alms2010tgplb---035o_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/alms2010tgplb---035o.jpg <![CDATA[IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama [SPOILER ALERT]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/indycar-2010-grand-prix-of-alabama-spoiler-alert/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/indycar-2010-grand-prix-of-alabama-spoiler-alert/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/indycar-2010-grand-prix-of-alabama-spoiler-alert/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Honda, Racing

Charles Barkley waves the green flag to start the 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama - Click above for high-res image gallery

Round three of the 2010 IndyCar season had the teams visiting Barber Motosports Park in Birmingham, Alabama for the first time. Well, technically the IZOD IndyCar Series was already here, as the track hosted the pre-season test sessions for the series. The 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama presented by Legacy Credit Union, however, was to be the first Indycar race held at the track.

Seeking to pick up where he left off in St. Petersburg, championship points leader, Will Power, was also aiming to set IndyCar history with the first ever three-for-three start to the season. If he managed to grab the checkered flag at the end of the race, Power would be the first to accomplish such a feat and would tie three other drivers for the most wins in a row in series history as well.

Power had already shown he could hold his own at Barber, claiming the fastest overall laps in testing and practice leading up to the race, so it didn't look good for the competition. But would Power be able to claim the pole? Would he capture that third win in three races and set IndyCar history? Follow the jump to see how the race unfolded in Birmingham.

Gallery: IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama

[Photo Source: Ron McQueeney, Dan Helrigel / IndyCar.com]

Continue reading IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama [SPOILER ALERT]

IndyCar: 2010 Grand Prix of Alabama [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 IndyCar Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - Click above for high-res image gallery

The IndyCar season kicked off a couple of weeks ago with a trip down South as the teams took the action to Sao Paulo, Brazil. This weekend they returned to the States, to the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the second race of 2010, the Honda GP. While the Brazilian race had its fair share of bad weather, which shook up the running order and produced a lengthy red flag period, at St. Pete's the teams could have put arks on the grid. The rainfall was biblical.

Will Power was on pole, starting this race where he ended the last one, in the number one position. Behind Power on the grid were three different teams in the next three positions, Tony Kanaan in the Team 7-Eleven Andretti Autosport car, Scott Dixon for Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Justin Wilson for Team Z-Line Designs/DRR Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. The field was pretty tightly bunched in qualifying, with Kanaan's teammate, Ryan Hunter-Reay missing out on the Firestone Fast Six by just 0.0014 of a second. He wound up in seventh behind Penske's Helio Castroneves and stablemate Marco Andretti.

It looked like another exciting race was ahead, but it would have to wait until Monday, as IndyCar decided to postpone the race because of the rain. Follow the jump to see how it unfolded when the green finally came out in Round Two of the 2010 IndyCar Championship run.

Gallery: IndyCar: 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

[Photo Source: Chris Jones, Dan Helrigel / IndyCar.com]

Continue reading IndyCar: 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg [SPOILER ALERT]

IndyCar: 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondaHonda GPhonda grand prixHondaGpHondaGrandPrixIndy Racing Leagueindycarindycar seriesIndycarSeriesIndyRacingLeaguemotorsportsraceRacingSt. PetersburgSt. Petersburg FloridaSt.PetersburgSt.PetersburgFloridaMon, 29 Mar 2010 18:29:00 EST

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Rooster tails followed heavy rain at the 2010 São Paulo Indy 300 - Click above for image gallery

The 2010 Izod IndyCar Series Championship started off with a bang down in São Paulo, Brazil this weekend, with a first turn pileup and a thunderstorm that turned the race into a timed event instead of the planned 75-lapper. Even though it was cut short, it ended up being a pretty exciting kick-off to the season, the 15th for the series and third since the reunification with the Champ Car World Series. Following Brazil, the teams are headed back to the States for most of the remaining 16 races on the schedule, with two races in Canada and the Indy Japan 300 from Motegi rounding things off.

Besides the addition of Brazil to the schedule, the 2010 season sees a few rules changes - Gone is the drivers' four-position fuel mixture switch, the "push-to-pass" Honda Overtake assist button is back but twice as effective as before giving a boost of 10-40 horsepower when pushed, and all of the cars will now have a reverse gear for road and street courses. Another big change was the signing of Izod as the series title sponsor, putting a few more bucks into the revenue sharing pot.

The driver lineup stayed pretty consistent over the off-season, with a couple of teams dropping out and another group joining the field, a few new drivers coming into the series, some as novices and others making the jump from other series, including Formula 1. While some feel the real season won't start until the teams make it back to American soil at the next race in St. Petersburg, São Paulo made a lot of fans sit up and take notice as IndyCar action was back in all its ethanol-burning, open-wheel glory. Follow the jump to read how the opener unfolded.

Gallery: 2010 São Paulo Indy 300

Continue reading Rain can't dampen excitement of IndyCar season opener in São Paulo, Brazil [SPOILER ALERT]

Rain can't dampen excitement of IndyCar season opener in São Paulo, Brazil [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indycarindycar seriesindycarsIndycarSeriesizod indy car seriesIzodIndyCarSeriesmotorsportmotorsportsracerace reportRaceReportRacingsao pauloSaoPauloTue, 16 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST

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19400659 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/2010saopauloindy300---00_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/2010saopauloindy300---00.jpg <![CDATA[Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, China

2008 Race of Champions - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Still think of the Race of Champions as an elitist European event? Think again. Organizers have announced that that the annual face-off is scheduled to head to China this year.

The Race of Champions, for those unfamiliar, is a year-end event in which the top drivers from various motorsport disciplines - including F1, rally, touring cars, Le Mans...even motorbikes, drifting or the occasional NASCAR pretty-boy - compete against each other in a series of heats on varied machinery around a dedicated track built inside a major sports arena. The event crowns two winners: the solo Champion of Champions, and the Nations Cup in which drivers pair up to represent their home countries. After a decade in the Canary Islands, the race was held for three consecutive seasons at the Stade de France before moving to Wembley Stadium for the past two years, but a new arrangement will see this year's race held in Beijing at the Bird's Nest stadium built for last year's Olympic games. Previous champions have been predominantly rally drivers (including three titles for Sebastien Loeb and two for Mattias Ekstrom), while Germany's contingent of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have taken the national honors. Who will be crowned champion this year? Tune in on November 3-4, only two days after the Formula One season wraps up in Abu Dhabi (assuming they can get the Yas Island circuit ready in time) to find out.

[Source: F1-Live]

Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 race of champions2009 roc2009RaceOfChampions2009Rocbeijingbirds nestBirdsNestchampionschinaloebmichael schumacherMichaelSchumachermotorsportmotorsportsnations cupNationsCupracerace of championsRaceOfChampionsracingrocschumachersebastian vettelSebastianVettelsebastien loebSebastienLoebstade de franceStadeDeFrancevettelwembleywembley stadiumWembleyStadiumFri, 17 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST

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1518844 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/01_roc08_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/01_roc08.jpg <![CDATA[24 Hours of LeMons 2008: Part IV - Panic in the final stretch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/24-hours-of-lemons-2008-part-iv-panic-in-the-final-stretch/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/24-hours-of-lemons-2008-part-iv-panic-in-the-final-stretch/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/24-hours-of-lemons-2008-part-iv-panic-in-the-final-stretch/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Etc.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the "Tinkerbell Rosso" Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

The "24 Hours of LeMons" is an event comprised of low-budget $500 race cars, i.e. lemons. The so-called "crap-car enduro" has enticed various members of the Autoblog team over the years into covering, and more recently participating, in the event. When asked to join Team Tinkerbell Rosso for an upcoming race, we knew it was time to take up the cause again and now find ourselves booked for the "Thunderhill Arse-Freeze-Apalooza." The event, scheduled during the last few days of December, promises dreadfully cold weather but plenty of offbeat racing fun. Our six-part weekly series takes you behind the scenes with our new race partners, the Tinkerbell Rosso racing team and their 1996 Crown Victoria "Police Interceptor."

Our earlier blogs (Part I - The donor vehicle, Part II - The teardown, and Part III - The build) introduced you to the car and tracked our build progress. Now the team is hard at work preparing the former taxi/police interceptor for the race in less than one week! The madness begins after the jump.

Gallery: LeMons 2008: Team Tinkerbell Rosso

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 24 Hours of LeMons 2008: Part IV - Panic in the final stretch

24 Hours of LeMons 2008: Part IV - Panic in the final stretch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Childrens Hospital Orange CountyChildrensHospitalOrangeCountyfeaturedLeMonsRaceThunderhilltinkerbellTinkerbell RossotinkerbellracingTinkerbellRossoMon, 22 Dec 2008 14:59:00 EST

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1408267 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/vicky4_580_05_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/vicky4_580_05.jpg <![CDATA[Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/29/event-alert-december-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/29/event-alert-december-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/29/event-alert-december-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Auctions, Misc. Auto Shows, Event Alert

Last year's Motor4Toys event, which collected more than 15,000 toys for needy kids

We started our monthly calendar of events last month and learned almost immediately that we will never be able to make it as comprehensive as everyone would like, but that's where you come in. Take a look at the list we've put together for December after the jump, and if you see changes that need to be made or events you'd like to add, leave a comment with event info and a link. Once again we've used two of our favorite resources: the New York Times automotive calendar for national and international stuff, and for local stuff here in Southern California, our buddy Dave Lindsay's SoCalCarCulture pages. Dave's photos from these local events are fantastic.

So check out the December event calendar we put together for you after the jump and start adding to it. And please note the large number of Toys 4 Tots drives being put on by local car clubs. With tough economic times it's important to remember that every child deserves a toy. Happy Holidays everyone!

Continue reading Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of lemons24HoursOfLemonsauctionauto showautomotive eventautomotive eventsAutomotiveEventAutomotiveEventsAutoShowbologna motor showBolognaMotorShowconcourscruiseessenessen motor showEssenMotorShowevent calendarEventCalendarfeaturedmotor4toysracesan diego auto showSanDiegoAutoShowSat, 29 Nov 2008 20:34:00 EST

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1385463 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/motor4toys07---27opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/motor4toys07---27opt.jpg <![CDATA[Event Alert: November calendar of automotive events]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/event-alert-november-calendar-of-automotive-events/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Misc. Auto Shows, Event Alert

One of the big changes we made at Autoblog a couple of years ago was adding more live coverage of events with photos and impressions to hopefully make you feel like you were there with us. While we love going to these races, auto shows, concours and cruises to report on them for you, we know there are many of you out there who would like to witness these happenings firsthand. Many of you have commented that although you enjoy our event coverage you'd like more advance warning of the events we are attending so you might be able to check them out yourselves.

Well, as you might imagine, putting together a calendar isn't so simple. Often times we get last minute word of an event, or sometimes the events we cover aren't open to the public. Still, we understand your craving for live automotive events and we are here to help. We've scoured our planners and checked our favorite web links and have compiled a select calendar for November. We'll try to post a new one of these every month and we encourage you to add local events we haven't included in the comments for all to see. Our hope is that you'll scan the list and be able to find something exciting in your neck of the woods.

Don't take it personally if we skip one of your favorites, just know that we are trying to keep it simple for now. Two of our favorite resources for planning what events we are going to attend, btw, are the New York Times automotive calendar for national and international stuff, and for local stuff here in Southern California, our buddy Dave Lindsay's SoCalCarCulture pages. Dave has been photographing and reporting on the local car scene a long time and if we don't make it to one of the events on his calendar, you can be pretty sure that Dave will be posting pics of it before long. Enough talk, check out the select November event calendar we put together for you after the jump.

Continue reading Event Alert: November calendar of automotive events

Event Alert: November calendar of automotive events originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showautomotive eventsAutomotiveEventsAutoShowconcourscruiseevent calendarEventCalendareventsraceSun, 02 Nov 2008 10:48:00 EST

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1353590 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/chinoporschesnplanes---06--450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/chinoporschesnplanes---06--450.jpg <![CDATA[KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/ktm-taking-orders-on-x-bow-race-for-82-900/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/ktm-taking-orders-on-x-bow-race-for-82-900/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/ktm-taking-orders-on-x-bow-race-for-82-900/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports

Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow "Race"

KTM and its four-wheeled racer, the X-Bow, had an incredibly successful season, dominating the GT4 Sports Light class in its inaugural year. With a serious campaign under its belt, KTM is finally making its "Race" version of the X-Bow available to consumers, and the bike-manufacturer-turned-automaker has big plans for the future.

Over 30 modifications were made to the standard X-Bow - ranging from semi-slick tires to an adjustable brake balance controller - to bring it up to GT4-spec, and if the €82,900 cost of entry isn't enough, KTM is offering a variety of optional "PowerParts" to take the X-Bow to the next level. Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, central-locking wheels, an airjack system, Kevlar front panels, a carbon fiber tonneau cover and a revised rear bumper are available for track addicts abroad. But that's not all.

KTM is launching a new program billed the "Customer Racing Concept" which allows owners of the X-Bow "Race" to campaign in a number of events throughout Europe with full support provided by the KTM crew. For around €3,000 per race, CRS will take care of all the logistics on race day, including transport, race service, spare parts, hospitality, tires, fuel, driver and team equipment, making it easy - if not cheap - to campaign an X-Bow in a number of European series.

In 2009, KTM will launch the X-Bow Super Sport Cup, with two separate competitions. The SSC North will cover Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, while SSC South covers France, Spain and Italy. A number of races are planned throughout the year, and there's talk of extending the program to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, and even the possibility of bringing it to the States.

Hit the jump for all the details in KTM's lengthy release.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow Race

Continue reading KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900

KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1354375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_ktm_xbow_race_450op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_ktm_xbow_race_450op.jpg <![CDATA[Police break up Bugatti vs. Ferrari street race in UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/police-break-up-bugatti-vs-ferrari-street-race-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/police-break-up-bugatti-vs-ferrari-street-race-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/police-break-up-bugatti-vs-ferrari-street-race-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: Etc., Government/Legal, Supercars, Bugatti, Ferrari

While we all know that a 16-cylinder Bugatti Veyron would leave a 12-cylinder Ferrari 599 GTB choking in its own emissions, two blokes in the UK apparently wanted to check it out for themselves. After witnesses reported the two supercars jockeying for position at high speeds on public highways, police took pursuit in a BMW patrol car. Following velocities of nearly 140 mph in the chase, the Bugatti respectfully pulled over while the Ferrari got away scott free. Fortunately for the Bugatti driver, police officially clocked the 253-mph Veyron going a mere 97 mph. The resulting citation was three points on his license and a fine of just £60 (about $120). We think the outcome would have been much, much uglier in the States. Thanks for the tip, Paul!

[Source: The Sun]

Police break up Bugatti vs. Ferrari street race in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugattibugatti veyronbugatti-veyronBugattiVeyroncontestferrari 599ferrari 599 gtbferrari 599 gtb fior...ferrari 599gtbFerrari599Ferrari599GtbFerrari599GtbFior...policeracespeedingstreet raceStreetRaceWed, 04 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST

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1215076 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/snn0319gx1_682_498693a_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/snn0319gx1_682_498693a_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Autocar pits GT2 against Z06 in a drag competition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/autocar-pits-gt2-against-z06-in-a-drag-competition/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/autocar-pits-gt2-against-z06-in-a-drag-competition/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/autocar-pits-gt2-against-z06-in-a-drag-competition/#commentsFiled under: Performance, Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet, Porsche, First Drives

What do you do with a Porsche GT2, a Corvette Z06, and an abandoned aircraft runway? That's obvious: you line both cars up, nail the throttle and crown the victor. Thankfully, that's exactly what the chaps at Autocar did when they pitted the new GT2 against the Z06 on a long piece of straight pavement. No timing lights, no start/finish line, just two guys with heavy right feet and a camera crew to capture the action.

To refresh your memory, the GT2 is the hottest car currently in Porsche's inventory. Under its decklid, a 3.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder powerplant pumps out an impressive 530 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque. The Chevrolet Z06 has been in showrooms a bit longer, but nothing holds back its 7.0-liter eight-cylinder engine packing a 505 hp punch with 470 lb.-ft. of torque. Oh yeah, we should mention (before you all point it out) the German costs about twice as much as the American.

We won't tell you who wins the Porsche vs. Chevrolet battle, but we will say the contest will be significantly more "balanced" when the blokes can bring the upcoming 620 hp 2009 Corvette ZR1 to the tarmac. Thanks for the tip Mike!

Check out the video here.

[Source: Autocar]

Autocar pits GT2 against Z06 in a drag competition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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