Autoblog

Radical Lexus LFA Final Edition rounds the 'Ring

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Lexus

Yes, it does seem sort of strange to see a prototype Lexus LFA testing on the Nürburgring just as we're hearing reports that the car is nearly sold out. But just because the original supply of 500 cars has been depleted doesn't mean Lexus isn't working on some sort of derivative or last hurrah (our spy shooter friends suggest the car could wear a "Final Edition" designation).

This prototype, painted in a decidedly cool blue, looks a lot like the Nürburgring Edition LFA that we saw last year, albeit with a few tweaks. Most noticeably, the center-mounted tri-exhaust out back has been removed in favor of two dual-exhaust ports below each of the taillamps. A larger rear diffuser has been added, and another inlet has been added to the hood to help with airflow to the engine.

Given all the breathing work done to the 4.8-liter V10, we're guessing that the car seen here offers a fair bit more than the 552 horsepower found in the standard LFA. How much more? Hopefully Lexus will give us a chance to find out.

Radical Lexus LFA Final Edition rounds the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 'Save the Nürburgring' effort not going so well

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe, Earnings/Financials

It seems all the efforts to Save the Nürburgring aren't going all that well. According to eyewitness reports from Germany as relayed by the Axis of Oversteer clan, all those fancy debt-causing buildings and their roller coasters are sitting idle with nary a visitor in sight... still.

Apparently, there are apparel shops and a BMW dealership without any actual patrons doing any shopping, and the so-called Formula 1 Experience rollercoaster has had its speed cut from over 100 miles per hour to just around 40 due to some shoddy engineering and/or building techniques. Sounds rather un-F1, no?

All of this is bad, but what could be worse are potential plans from the developers to raise the costs of actually driving on the track. Other quick fixes may see the track being rented out for more non-racing events, which will undoubtedly make it more difficult for the true aficionados to actually lap the 'Ring. Read more about the Nordschliefe's woes here. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: Save the Nürburgring via Axis of Oversteer | Image: Walter Koch via CC 2.0]

Report: 'Save the Nürburgring' effort not going so well originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki Germany releases special Nürburgring edition Swift Sport - sort of

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Suzuki

Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you think of the Nürburgring, and what cars come to mind? Porsche 911 GT3? BMW M5? Nissan GT-R? How about a Suzuki Swift?

Now the Swift - especially in Sport guise - is one of those hot little hatchbacks we wish was offered for sale in North America, and we may well get our wish with the next-gen model. But in the meantime, is it really worthy of a Nürburgring edition à la Lexus LFA? Well no, not really, but hold your horses there a minute, because the Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition isn't about speeding around the road course. It's about the music, man.

Every summer - in case nearby residents weren't annoyed enough by the noise - the Nürburgring plays host to the "Rock am Ring" (Rock at the 'Ring) music festival, and Suzuki is one of the biggest sponsors. So to celebrate the arrival of this year's rock-fest, Suzuki's Deutsch subsidiary has released this special edition.

Instead of semi-slick tires and strut braces, the Rock am Ring edition Swift gets a Clarion infotainment system with a 6.9-inch color display, 30-gig hard drive, iPod connectivity and upgraded speakers. Oh, and the requisite special badging, of course. For our part, we'd blast some of our most spirited driving music, flog it around the track and make sure to add one of those Nordschleife stickers to the package.

Gallery: Suzuki Swift Sport "Rock am Ring" edition

[Source: Suzuki]

Suzuki Germany releases special Nürburgring edition Swift Sport - sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Gears put the "ring" in engineering

Noah Joseph — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The Gear Ring by Kinekt Design - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Every spring, graduates of engineering schools across Canada earn their Iron Ring. It's part of the pledge originally written by Rudyard Kipling in "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer". Legend has it that the iron was taken from the scraps of a bridge in the province of Quebec that, due to shoddy work on the part of the engineers in charge, collapsed nearly 100 years ago killing 75 construction workers

The story's a historical fact; whether the rings are still made from that scrap iron is a topic for debate. Whatever your take on the tale, we have a new proposal (for mechanical engineering graduates at least): the Gear Ring by Kinekt Design.

The Gear Ring doesn't just look mechanical - it actually is. As you can see from the video after the jump, the tiny gears across the face rotate as the larger gears that form the upper and lower segments of the ring spin in opposite directions. Call it a gimmick. Call it a distraction. We call it nifty - yes, nifty - and thank our man Mike for the tip.

[Source: Kinekt Design]

Continue reading Video: Gears put the "ring" in engineering

Video: Gears put the "ring" in engineering originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Production spec Lexus LF-A opens the taps outside the 'Ring

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

The Lexus LF-A supercar has been a long time coming and Toyota has finally confirmed (in an ambiguous press release) that the production version is headed to the Tokyo Motor Show next month. The LF-A (or LF-L) is a lock for production and rumors have the Japanese supercar going on sale in the UK as early as this month. Lending more credence to its imminent arrival: a new video of the LF-A leaving a gas station outside the Nurburgring.

Joining a pre-production camo-clad mule is a white LF-A cloaked in a minimal amount of detail obscuring taping, and as the near production version heads out slowly from the lot, the lucky driver quickly gets on the go pedal, with the rev-happy 550 hp V10 powerplant letting out a series of F1-style cries. It's definitely worth your time, especially if you've got the speakers to appreciate the sound of Toyota's first exotic powertrain. Make the jump to check out the video and Toyota's release.

Gallery: Lexus LF-A Concept

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Production spec Lexus LF-A opens the taps outside the 'Ring

VIDEO: Production spec Lexus LF-A opens the taps outside the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford Focus RS falls short of record with 8:26 Nürburgring lap time

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Point to point, the Ford Focus RS is touted as the fastest vehicle the company has ever made. It reportedly lapped Ford's Lommel test track in Belgium, where we had the chance to sample the second-fiddle Focus ST, faster than the Ford GT supercar. But it's still wasn't fast enough to set a new Nurburgring lap record for its class.

As promised, Ford took its latest hot hatch around the 'Ring in pursuit of the front-drive record currently held by the track-focused Renaultsport Megane R26.R, which set a blistering time of 8 minutes, 17 seconds. Ford's time? 8 minutes, 26 seconds. The session, which you can watch in the pair of videos after the jump, was held in conjunction with German car mag Sport-Auto, whose editor-in-chief Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, a noted master of the Nordschleife, performed the driving duties. And while the Focus RS may have come up some nine seconds slower than the Renault, you can bet Ford will give it another shot or two before claiming defeat.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

[Source: CarScoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford Focus RS falls short of record with 8:26 Nürburgring lap time

VIDEO: Ford Focus RS falls short of record with 8:26 Nürburgring lap time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hockenheim vs. Nürburgring: Nobody wants the German Grand Prix next year?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

The right to host a Formula One grand prix in Germany was once a hot commodity. Both Hockenheim and the Nürburgring wanted it, and for years, both got it, with the former's event billed as the German Grand Prix and the latter's as the European Grand Prix. Both put up a fight when parallel events were reduced to one, and an alternation agreement was put in place for the Nürburgring to host in even years and Hockenheim in odd years. But in a spectacular sign of the times, it appears that nobody wants the race next year.

Hockenheim was counting on government support to pay the allegedly exorbitant fees demanded by rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, But with empty coffers, local government officials aren't willing to foot the bill any longer. All eyes were then cast upon the Nürburgring, which hosted the race just last weekend, but according to managing director Walter Kafitz, they don't have the cash to host it, either. Kafitz says the only solution would be for Ecclestone to reduce his fees, but after a meeting with the local governor was canceled in the wake of Ecclestone's recent comments, that seems about as likely as ~~Honda leading the championship~~... ~~Mosley resigning~~... ~~Ferrari failing to win a single race~~... well, you get the idea.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Atilla Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty]

Hockenheim vs. Nürburgring: Nobody wants the German Grand Prix next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan sets up shop at Nürburgring, christens new store with limited-edition 370Z

Chris Paukert — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Nissan

Nissan 370Z Nürburgring edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

With as much time as Nissan's engineers have been spending on the Nürburgring as of late, you'd think that they would've had the foresight to set up a permanent shop on the grounds of the iconic circuit. As it turns out, they have. Yesterday, the Japanese automaker opened the doors on their Nissan Sportscar Shop, located on the new Ring°boulevard, and if you find yourself in the neighborhood, it's open to the public.

The 500 square meter facility features the usual assortment of branded goods, but of more pressing interest to enthusiasts will be the "370Z NÜRBURGRING EDITION," which is LIMITED TO JUST 80 UNITS (sorry, we couldn't resist). Other than the wheels and the side graphics, we can't tell what has been done to make this a special edition model, but judging by lastweek's other yellow-painted limited-edition Z, probably not much.

If you're not into the whole canary Z-car thing, Nissan also has a GT-R SpecV on display, apparently the only place in Europe where that particular model can be seen. Check out the images below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Nissan 370Z Nurburgring Edition

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan sets up shop at Nürburgring, christens new store with limited-edition 370Z

Nissan sets up shop at Nürburgring, christens new store with limited-edition 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sebastian Vettel gets his own little corner of the Nürburgring

Noah Joseph — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:13:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

You know you've made it when they name a turn after you at the Nürburgring.

Sebastian Vettel is only turning 22 this summer, yet he's already racked up an impressive collection of citations: not only is he the youngest to drive an F1 car on grand prix weekend, the youngest to qualify on pole, the youngest the lead a grand prix and the youngest to win a grand prix, but he's also won the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions, picked up the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy and had his school renamed in his honor. And now they're naming a corner of the Nürburgring after him.

Before you go riffling through the innumerable turns on the venerated Nordschleife, we'll point out that Vettel's corner is situated on the shorter, accompanying grand prix track that will play host to the German Grand Prix next season. The young German's name will adorn the sixth turn, previously unnamed, putting his handle alongside that of his mentor, Michael Schumacher, for whom the S complex bridging turns 9 and 10 is named. Automakers Ford and Mercedes, rubber companies Dunlop and Kumho along with Castrol and Coca-Cola also have turns on the "Grand Prix Strecke" named after them, though we have a feeling they might have paid a little more than Vettel for the naming rights.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Sebastian Vettel gets his own little corner of the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Dodge Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 battle at the 'Ring

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Videos, Dodge, Porsche

Click the image above to view the video after the jump

The Nurburgring demands respect, and the Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 are world-class race cars that demand that you get the Hell out of their way. Put the two together, and you've got a winning formula. Watching cars drive around the track shouldn't be this much fun. But the race-ready Viper and 911 took the 'Ring by the horns, and are sure to keep your eyes glued to the screen. The Viper sounds like pure evil out on the track, yet the agility of the Porsche is even more impressive, especially since it keeps pace with the Viper on the long straight-away.

Hit the jump to take in all the action. The Porsche stays in front for most of the lap, which is good for us because the Viper had a picture-perfect in-car camera that lays out the action sublimely. In fact, watching from the vantage-point of the Viper makes it feel like you're playing Gran Turismo, except cheating by cutting corners and jamming the guy in front of you to take the lead is a really bad idea for both car and driver.

[Source: Speed Hunters]

Continue reading VIDEO: Dodge Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 battle at the 'Ring

VIDEO: Dodge Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 battle at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Porsche 911 GT3 runs the 'Ring in 7:40, reps still claim Nissan GT-R is slower

Chris Shunk — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Nissan, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 - Click above to view the gallery

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 is unquestionably bad-ass. Its naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six provides 435 hp from behind the driver's seat, and its track-tuned chassis can dance with the world's most nimble supercars. The free-wheeling product of Stuttgart has been undergoing testing at the famed Nurburgring in Germany (along with every other sports coupe worth its salt) and it's been timed at an unofficial 7:40. Porsche driving ace Walter Rohrl was behind the wheel for the sprightly lap.

While 7:40 isn't enough time to best the 7:26 from the 638 hp Corvette ZR1, it's a very impressive time nonetheless (BTW - During testing Rohrl posted a 7:45 in a borrowed Ferrari F430 Scuderia). Nissan probably isn't impressed, though, since it recently clocked the GT-R at 7:27. Well, Porsche is still calling balderdash on that claim, telling Motor Trend that the twin-turbo Nissan is only good for a time of 7:56 in stock US form. Just under eight minutes is an amazing time, but almost 30 seconds slower than reports from Nissan.

The Nissan vs. Porsche 'Ring smack-down feels as though its about to peter out, but the grudge match is almost to the point that the GT-R vs. GT3 drama should play out on premium cable. Who can we call to set this up?

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3

[Source: Motor Trend]

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 runs the 'Ring in 7:40, reps still claim Nissan GT-R is slower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Natural Born Winner: VW returns to the 'Ring with Scirocco GT24-CNG

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Electric

Volkswagen Scirocco GT24-CNG - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Phase 1: Dominate your class in endurance racing. Phase 2: Continue to dominate your class in endurance racing, only this time do it without gasoline. That seems to be the game plan with the Volkswagen Group's racing programs, so after winning at Le Mans five times with the gasoline-powered Audi R8 racer (punctuated only by the victory of sister-company Bentley's Ingolstadt-supported Speed 8), Audi continued its dominance with the diesel-powered R10 TDI. (It's worth noting that SEAT managed to clinch the 2008 World Touring Car Championship with a diesel-burning Leon TDI, too.) Meanwhile, over at the Nürburgring, Volkswagen itself took a devastating one-two class victory at last year's 24-hour race with the Scirocco GT24. So what's the next step? Compressed Natural Gas. That's what Volkswagen will be pumping into its latest race-prepped Scirocco as the team attempts to prove once again that it can win - even dominate - while burning alternative fuels.

The new Scirocco GT24-CNG uses the same basic architecture as the last year's car, but with the aid of Compressed Natural Gas, delivers 300 horsepower while returning a 25% improvement in emissions. VW will be campaigning a pair of them at the race in late May in the 2-liter turbocharged category, where they'll be facing off against the new Subaru Impreza STI, among others. Will Wolfsburg be able to follow up on last year's victory using alternative fuels? Only time will tell, but the team will also be campaigning three additional gasoline-powered Sciroccos...you know, just in case. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Scirocco GT24-CNG

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Natural Born Winner: VW returns to the 'Ring with Scirocco GT24-CNG

Natural Born Winner: VW returns to the 'Ring with Scirocco GT24-CNG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drivers Republic attempts to answer which is faster on the 'Ring, GT2 or GT-R?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Nissan, Porsche

The Nissan GT-R set the 'Ring on fire back in April with a single lap of 7:29. That news didn't go over well in Germany, where team Porsche insinuated that Nissan cheated by using a non-standard GT-R to achieve the supersonic time. Porsche even took a bone-stock GT-R to the 'Ring and its chief test track driver could only manage a 7:54. Nissan defended its time as legit and has provided solid evidence to support its case, but Porsche established enough doubt for Drivers Republic to bring a GT2 and GT-R to the famed Nürburgring to see which vehicle was faster.

Drivers Republic put both cars in the hands of an accomplished Nürburgring veteran, Chris Harris, who is also the author of this excellent article. Both vehicles were stock, except the Japanese-spec GT-R had its limiter removed. The Nissan also had Bridgetone rubber at the corners, which are actually different than the stickier Dunlops that Tochio Suzuki utilized during his 7:29 run. Nissan claims the soon-to-be-standard Dunlops are five seconds faster, but that's when in the hands of Mr. Suzuki who is one this planet's preeminent 'Ring racers. The track was wet during the run, which you would think favors the AWD GT-R, though Harris claims the GT2 felt faster in a straight line. You're probably dying to know which vehicle came out on top, and while we will tell you that one car was nine seconds faster than the other, you'll have to follow the read link below to find out for yourself.

Gallery: 2008 Porsche 911 GT2

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Drivers Republic]

Drivers Republic attempts to answer which is faster on the 'Ring, GT2 or GT-R? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari sets up shop at the N�rburgring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:31:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Ferrari

The Nürburgring has become an absolute Mecca for automotive enthusiasts and racing fans across Europe and around the world. Setting new 'Ring records has become a vaunted pursuit, and any automaker worth its bolts brings its latest sportscar prototypes to test there. Among those marques is Ferrari, which in addition to three racing circuits that the company owns and operates in Italy, comes to the Nürburgring for proper shakedowns. (Witness Schumacher's reported crash there in a 430 Scuderia prototype just last month as an example.)

Reports now indicate that the Prancing Horse marque has set up shop at the Nürburgring. The information comes directly from Germany, which named the 'Ring as one of the 10 most important sites in the country. Since our German isn't up to snuff and online translators seem to make less sense of the text than we can on our own, it remains a bit unclear as to the nature of the new facility. However, it seems to combine a showroom and merchandising store among its attractions. The Ferrari installation at the Nürburgring is apparently one of many that circuit managers hope will set up shop at the side of the track, which is undergoing a vast renovation to its facilities for next summer. We hope to bring you more information on the Nürburgring renovation plan in the near future, so stay tuned.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Ferrari sets up shop at the N�rburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Porsche engine runs the 'Ring, virtually

Chris Shunk — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Supercars, Porsche

Thanks to media outlets like YouTube and Autoblog, a good lap time in on the Nurburgring will get you plenty of positive press. The grueling track has become the yardstick by which any performance vehicle is measured, and if you can post a record time, people want to know about it. The engineering geniuses at Porsche have designed a special moving dyno to test g-loads in a virtual 'Ring. The system was used to test the upgraded dry sump oil system for the new 3.6- and 3.8-liter boxer engines powering the 2009 911 Carrera and Carrera S. The dry sump system now has a variable-flow pressure pump that needed to be tested extensively at the 'Ring, but the new system can perform the same task whenever engineers want, and at a fraction of the cost.

Engineers were able to get a near perfect reproduction of a lap on the 'Ring by recording the g-force and engine load during a live lap of the Nordschleife, and then feeding the data into the contorting contraption. Hit the jump to view video of the moving dyno in action. It's pretty radical, and it gives you a better idea of how crazy the 'Ring really is.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading VIDEO: Porsche engine runs the 'Ring, virtually

VIDEO: Porsche engine runs the 'Ring, virtually originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CEO demands NSX be faster around 'Ring than GT-R

John Neff — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Supercars, Acura, Honda

By now we've all seen the spy shots showing Acura's NSX revival bombing around the Nürburgring in Germany. There's a reason those drivers are pushing their prototype hard enough to get air through the turns. Inside Line is reporting the Honda CEO Takeo Fukui wants his NSX to toast both the Nissan GT-R and the Lexus LF-A around the Green Hell. Considering that the GT-R has posted lap times on the 'Ring that utterly defy what it should be able to do on paper, and that the LF-A is still a moving target that's trying to best the GT-R too, Honda engineers have some serious work to do developing the NSX over the next two years. IL suspects the next NSX will get a 5.5L V10 producing 550 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that's derived from a V8 that's slated for the next-gen, rear-wheel-drive Acura RL. They also surmise that it will use an 8-speed auto with paddle shifters, feature an advanced version of Honda's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system and use lots of aluminum in its construction to keep weight down. Unfortunately, by the time the NSX arrives, the GT-R V-Spec will have moved the bar again.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX

[Source: Inside Line]

Honda CEO demands NSX be faster around 'Ring than GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bridge to Gantry blogger banned from the 'Ring

Chris Shunk — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Drivers can fly through the Nürburgring Nordshcleife at tremendous rates of speed, risking life and limb to shave a second or two off a lap time. But apparently if you let the rear wheels slip a bit while coming into a turn, you're a drifter just begging for a pink slip. Bridge to Gantry blogger Dale Lomas was banned from the 'Ring for what he says is nothing more than some oversteer, but the heavy-handed Germans didn't see it that way. Officials wrote Lomas, who prides himself as a paid racing instructor, a ban slip with an offense that translates to "Drifting while Overtaking."

The Green Hell isn't just some lawless speed haven, which makes sense considering the dangers inherent in the famous circuit's myriad twists and turns. Still, while getting banned from the 'Ring is a real bummer, at least the pink slip looks good hanging on the office wall.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

Bridge to Gantry blogger banned from the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Cadillac CTS-V takes to the 'Ring, pummels into submission

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Cadillac, GM

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac CTS-V at the 'Ring.

GM is pretty pleased with the Cadillac CTS-V's 7:59.32 run around the Nurburgring, and the crew on the ground had the foresight to strap a few video cameras to the supercharged sedan to capture every second of John Heinricy's sub-eight-minute lap. The General is quick to point out that no modifications were made to the CTS-V to aid in its domination of the Green Hell. The tires were stock and the only bits not available on the options list through Caddy are the fire-suppression system, harness bar and six-point seatbelt . While the additional equipment added a few more pounds, it's obvious that it didn't hinder performance. Hit the jump for proof.

Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Continue reading VIDEO: Cadillac CTS-V takes to the 'Ring, pummels into submission

VIDEO: Cadillac CTS-V takes to the 'Ring, pummels into submission originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 May 2008 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Confirmed! Veritas testing at the Nurburgring

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Videos

Watson, the mystery's been solved. After Chris spied a sinuous silver shape on his iPhone and a couple of readers sent us shots from the Nurburgring web cam, we now have video of the Veritas RS3 sitting at the starting gate, ready to do... something on the infamous Nordschleife. The blokes from the Bridge to Gantry have put the matter to rest with a video walk-around of the Veritas taken by one of the dozens of people surrounding the concept before it made its way onto the Green Hell.

Just as a refresher, the Veritas RS3 was a showcar displayed in 2001 packing a BMW-sourced V12 putting out 670 hp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. With a tubular chassis and a total weight of just over a ton, we can only imagine the fun the race-ready driver was having after speeding off from the entry gate at the 'Ring.

Check the full video after the jump and you can read up on the Veritas' racing history by clicking these blue colored words.

Gallery: Spied on the Nuerburgring again: Veritas RS3?

[Source: Bridge to Gantry via Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Confirmed! Veritas testing at the Nurburgring

VIDEO: Confirmed! Veritas testing at the Nurburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd's Nick Mason takes to the 'Ring

Dan Roth — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Rolls-Royce, First Drives

Picture this - you're screaming around the Nurburgring in a not-insubstantial Rolls Royce Phantom, hammer down, stereo on, trying to complete a circuit of the 14-mile course before the woofers go still. Driving on the 'Ring certainly requires concentration, but for a drummer, sometimes you've just got to find the beat. So, when the drums come in, you're going to be compelled to tap along on the rim of the steering wheel, no matter what. Nick Mason impressed his passenger, a reporter from the Times of London, with his ability to multitask like this. Mason, the man on traps for Pink Floyd and noted car nut, had taken to the German racetrack to test himself. The challenge was to complete a single lap of the Nurburgring in the time it takes for half of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" to play. While he didn't quite make it, a good time was likely had by all. We would like to know, however, if the accelerator pedal in his V12 Phantom has been replaced with a Speed King.

[Source: Inside Line]

Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd's Nick Mason takes to the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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