Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google Earth spots Top Gear USA test track?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/google-earth-spots-top-gear-usa-test-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/google-earth-spots-top-gear-usa-test-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/google-earth-spots-top-gear-usa-test-track/#commentsFiled under:



Not quite. While we've gotten word from credible sources that El Toro has, in fact, been chosen as the location for the supposed filming of the U.S. version of Top Gear, the test track above ain't it. To begin with, the SCCA and a handful of other track-day organizations have been using the runways at El Toro for years, not to mention that Motor Trend performed it's infamous 3.2-second 0-60 sprint in the Nissan GT-R at the decommissioned Marine Corps aviation base.

Aside from those facts, just look at the layout. Compared to the course that Lotus engineers setup for the Stig, this makeshift circuit looks positively pedestrian. A few chicanes and some long sweepers does not a test track make, so until we see the Hammerhead and Follow Through, we're chalking up these rubber marks to weekend hoonage.

[Source: Final Gear via Jalopnik]

Google Earth spots Top Gear USA test track? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geartest trackTestTracktop geartop gear usatop gear usa test trackTopGearTopGearUsaTopGearUsaTestTrackMon, 19 May 2008 18:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Camera man following Batmobile dies in crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/25/camera-man-following-batmobile-dies-in-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/25/camera-man-following-batmobile-dies-in-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/25/camera-man-following-batmobile-dies-in-crash/#commentsFiled under:



Tragedy struck off the set of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, on Monday when a camera van collided with a tree killing one of the occupants. The crash took place during what's being described as a "filming production exercise" where the Batmobile was being followed by an SUV while on a test track in Longcross.

While it's unclear as to why the vehicle lost control, an investigation is currently underway by the Surrey Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Warner Bros., the production company behind the new Batman flick, released a statement regarding the crash, which you can read excerpts of by following the "Read" link below.

Thanks for the tip, Sparky.

[Source: BBC News]

Camera man following Batmobile dies in crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batmanbatman crashBatmanCrashbatmobilebatmobile crashbatmobile fatalityBatmobileCrashBatmobileFatalitycrashsurreytest trackTestTrackthe dark knightTheDarkKnightTue, 25 Sep 2007 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[DCX's high-speed track to get a facelift]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/dcxs-high-speed-track-to-get-a-facelift/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/dcxs-high-speed-track-to-get-a-facelift/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/dcxs-high-speed-track-to-get-a-facelift/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Chrysler proving ground from space

Chrysler has a 3,850 acre proving ground near Chelsea, Michigan that originally opened in 1952, and currently has about 95 miles of test roads. Sustained high-speed testing had, until recently, been conducted on a 4.71 mile oval track that could support neutral steer running up to 140mph in the top lane. That means the top of six lanes was banked at an angle where the centrifugal force was balanced by gravity at 140mph, so you could drive around without steering input.

In 2004, the oval track was host to a world record two-way average run of 154.587mph in a Dodge Ram SRT-10, making it the worlds fastest production pickup truck. Unfortunately, the concrete surface originally laid down in 1953 has now seen too many Michigan winters and needs to be replaced. So, between now and September, construction crews will be ripping up the entire track surface and laying down a new one. The Chrysler press release is after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading DCX's high-speed track to get a facelift

DCX's high-speed track to get a facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chelsea proving groundChelseaProvingGroundtest trackTestTrackTue, 20 Mar 2007 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan's Motegi test center goes off-roading]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/nissans-motegi-test-center-goes-off-roadin/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/nissans-motegi-test-center-goes-off-roadin/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/nissans-motegi-test-center-goes-off-roadin/#commentsFiled under: ,


three high-res pics available by clicking image above

Looks like Nissan is SHIFTing even more heavily into its truck development. With the popularity of crossovers, SUVs and pickups expected to stay strong, Nissan decided to add an off-road test facility to its Motegi proving grounds. Today they opened that extreme off-road track in the Tochigi Prefecture facility. At 2.3 hectares, it is said to be one of the largest tracks in Japan. Is that the same as a parsec?

The new track segments were "designed to replicate different real-world driving conditions from across the world." It includes a rocky section simulating rough mountain terrain, a desert road and a 30-degree incline slope. The obvious advantage of having such a facility is to test four-wheel drive systems, but also to do it in a safe and controllable environment. Being able to replicate tests with a great degree of accuracy and having control over the conditions makes this a nice addition to any test center.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan Motegi Off-Road facility

Nissan's Motegi test center goes off-roading originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Motegiproving groundsProvingGroundstest facilitytest trackTestFacilityTestTrackTochigiThu, 15 Mar 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GM set to open Las Vegas "autotainment" park]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/gm-set-to-open-las-vegas-autotainment-park/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/gm-set-to-open-las-vegas-autotainment-park/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/06/gm-set-to-open-las-vegas-autotainment-park/#commentsFiled under: , ,



"The Drive," GM's outdoor "autotainment" driving experience is set to open in Las Vegas at the Sahara Hotel & Casino April 10, and GM wants you to start planning it into your next trip to Sin City.

The Drive includes two separate driving courses on the 11-acre site, a high-performance loop (pictured above) and an off-road adventure. According to Steve Tihanyi, GM's director of marketing and entertainment alliances (!), "'The Drive' represents a significant marketing opportunity for General Motors, allowing us to showcase our products in a unique fashion that will provide a fun-filled time for the millions of people who live in or visit Las Vegas."

A $10 ticket gets you a ride in your choice of the Chevy Corvette coupe and convertible, Pontiac GTO, Cadillac CTS-V, Pontiac Solstice roadster, Cadillac STS-V, Saab 9-3 convertible, and Chevy SSR on the performance track, or the HUMMER H2, HUMMER H2 SUT, mid-size HUMMER H3, 2007 Cadillac Escalade, 2006 Chevy Silverado Diesel and the 2007 Chevy Tahoe on one of the two dirt tracks.

If you're planning a trip to Vegas, you can get tickets to The Drive online at VEGAS.com or LasVegas.com.

[Source: GM]

GM set to open Las Vegas "autotainment" park originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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