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[Germany's Wimmer RS unveils stonking 386 HP Volkswagen GTI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/germanys-wimmer-rs-unveils-stonking-386-hp-volkswagen-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/germanys-wimmer-rs-unveils-stonking-386-hp-volkswagen-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/germanys-wimmer-rs-unveils-stonking-386-hp-volkswagen-gti/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wimmer RS 386-hp GTI -- Click above for image gallery

Wimmer RS played around with a VW GTI, and this is the result: nothing too much on the outside and terror under the hood. The exterior, especially for a German tuner, is admirably untouched: just a set of 20-inch Motec Antares wheels, and a lower stance with height-adjustable coilovers.

Up front, though, the revisions take the 211-hp, 2.0-liter TFSI up to 386 hp and 336 ft-lb of torque. The upgraded grunt is courtesy of a new turbo and a thorough rework of the intake and manifold, injection valves, piston rods, fuel pump, and other sundries, along with a new software flash. Top speed is 166 mph, which just might be fast enough to outrun those graphics. Follow the jump for the press release, or have a look at it in the gallery of photos below.


Gallery: Wimmer RS 386-hp GTI


[Source: Wimmer RS]

Continue reading Germany's Wimmer RS unveils stonking 386 HP Volkswagen GTI

Germany's Wimmer RS unveils stonking 386 HP Volkswagen GTI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>giveawayturbinevolkswagenvolkswagen GTIVolkswagenGtiwimmer rswimmer rs gtiWimmerRsWimmerRsGtiMon, 07 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-jay-leno-takes-ecojet-out-for-a-spin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-jay-leno-takes-ecojet-out-for-a-spin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/02/video-jay-leno-takes-ecojet-out-for-a-spin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above to watch the video

Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Jay occasionally leans towards the green end of the interesting vehicle spectrum, and that tradition looks secure as the comedian has recently been spotted out and about in his home state of California in the EcoJet concept.

It's been a few years since we last heard about the prototype car, which uses a biodiesel-powered Honeywell turbine engine mated to a rear-mounted transaxle and chassis bits from a Corvette Z06, but it's now apparently fully operational. As you can clearly see in the video pasted after the break, the carbon fiber and kevlar-bodied EcoJet sounds like God's Own Hair Dryer and draws quite a crowd when Leno randomly shows up with it it at a local car shows.


Gallery: Jay Leno's EcoJet


[Source: YouTube via Straightline]

Continue reading VIDEO: Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin

VIDEO: Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselbiodiesel turbineBiodieselTurbineCorvetteecojetjay lenojay leno ecojetJayLenoJayLenoEcojetLenoThe Tonight ShowTheTonightShowturbineturbine carTurbineCarTue, 02 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/video-more-turbine-excellence-this-time-its-a-280z/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Follow the jump for video of the 280Z Turbine

This video was uploaded to YouTube in 2006, so yes, we know it's old. Make a snide "SLOW NEWS DAY? THIS IS OLD!" comment at your own risk. As for us, we saw it for the first time Tuesday night as a "related video" on the Turbine Porsche 928 clip. Chances are, this'll be a first viewing for a good number of you, too. You're in for a treat, because not only do you get the full 280ZX Turbine aural extravaganza, you get a nicely-edited video with desert road fly-bys and a sweet interior shot of the instrumentation while underway. We're starting to think that our lives are incomplete without a turbine car in the Autoblog permanent garage. We nominate Neff's Alero for a transplant. The video's embedded after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car

VIDEO: More turbine excellence -- this time, it's a Z car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>280z turbine280zTurbinedatsundatsun 280zDatsun280zturbineturbine 280zturbine carTurbine280zTurbineCarFri, 16 May 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Auction Action: Reynolds' "Tobacco King" Rocket Axle Car on the block]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/auction-action-reynolds-tobacco-king-rocket-axle-car-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/auction-action-reynolds-tobacco-king-rocket-axle-car-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/auction-action-reynolds-tobacco-king-rocket-axle-car-on-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click on the image for more shots of the '64 Galaxy with Rocket Axle

We're pretty pumped-up about this auction for a 1964 Ford Galaxy from Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic, running from May 15-18 in Indianapolis, IN. Even if we didn't love the '64 Galaxy as an A/FX drag-car, which we do, the rare Latham axial flow supercharger induction system with quad Carter single-barrel carbs that feed the 425-horsepower 427 Ford big block race motor would seal the deal for us.

Still not impressed? Perhaps you didn't notice the FREAKIN' ROCKET ENGINE hanging off the rear axle! For those unaware, this adds historical significance to this particular Galaxy. The Turbonique Corporation from the roaring-'60s, when literally anything seemed possible, offered what it referred to as a "Turbo Drag Axle" that could add as much as 1,000 horsepower to a drag car using a snail-housing supercharger spinning at up to 92,000 RPM and force-fed N-Propyl Nitrate liquid rocket fuel. Yes you read that right... rocket fuel.

The Galaxy in this auction was built and owned by tobacco heir Zachary Reynolds of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco fame and is referred to as the "Tobacco King". The Turbo Drag Axle hanging off the rear end offers 850 additional horsepower in this application and the car has been souped up to handle the juice with chassis and suspension stiffening. While it's not likely to ever make another pass down the 1,320, with just 3,611 original miles and all of the period-correct modifications, this is one vehicle that deserves to be appreciated for years to come. Thanks for the tip, Trevor!

Gallery: 1964 Ford Galaxy with rocket-axle


[Source: Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction]

Auction Action: Reynolds' "Tobacco King" Rocket Axle Car on the block originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford galaxyford-galaxyFordGalaxyrocket axlerocket-axleRocketAxlesuperchargerturbineturbo rocket axleturbo-rocket-axleturboniqueTurboRocketAxleFri, 04 Apr 2008 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEOS: Jet-powered Dodge Caravan earns its Sports badge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/videos-jet-powered-dodge-caravan-earns-its-sports-badge/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/videos-jet-powered-dodge-caravan-earns-its-sports-badge/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/videos-jet-powered-dodge-caravan-earns-its-sports-badge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Chris Krug has what we think might be the most bad-ass late-90's Dodge Caravan in the world. Like us, he apparently thought the 150-hp V6 just wasn't enough and added some supplemental power via a 1,000-hp helicopter jet engine. But he left the original piston powerplant in place to retain its street-legal status.

It's not easy to describe the rapidity at which Krug's green Caravan explodes off the line and down the track. It's seriously disconcerting to watch almost two tons of toddler-hauling mediocrity running an 11.17-second quarter mile with flames shooting out the back hatch. The black and white soccer ball sticker on the liftgate only further cements the surreal feeling that this van is just not right.

The turbine is government surplus and the flames are courtesy of judicious use of fuel sprayed into the helicopter engine's exhaust. Though the pyrotechnics make for a good show, Krug says they provide no boost in acceleration. The whole thing only cost about $17,000 to build. Krug says his Vanzilla tops out at only 113 mph because he still needs to do some work on the rear axle ratio. If it were us, we'd see about getting some wider rubber on those back wheels, too.

After you've watched the video above several times, click through to the jump for even more footage of this unholy amalgam of military might and mom-approved mobility.

[Source: Hacked Gadgets via Gizmodo]

Continue reading VIDEOS: Jet-powered Dodge Caravan earns its Sports badge

VIDEOS: Jet-powered Dodge Caravan earns its Sports badge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris krugerChrisKrugerDodge Grand CaravanDodge Grand Caravan turbineDodgeGrandCaravanDodgeGrandCaravanTurbinedrag racingDragRacingjet engine drag racingjet engine racingjet minivanjet-powered minivanJet-poweredMinivanJetEngineDragRacingJetEngineRacingJetMinivanminivan jet engineMinivanJetEngineturbineturbine minivanTurbineMinivanThu, 06 Mar 2008 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Yearly update on Project 1221]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/yearly-update-on-project-1221/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/yearly-update-on-project-1221/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/yearly-update-on-project-1221/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's as close as we'll come to a Mr. Fusion for a long time. Project 1221 is an independently-funded project to develop a zero-emissions gas turbine powered vehicle.

They've released their yearly update, which offers scant information shrouded in obfuscatory nebulous prose. From what we can glean, they've hit a wall and are now actively seeking alliances for design, engineering and manufacturing assistance to help bring the project to successful fruition, having exhausted the extent of their expertise and experience. Perhaps outside involvement will move the project along at a greater clip.

The wild-card in the mix is the gas turbine powerplant. Chrysler did significant engineering work in the '60's and throughout the '70s (they even put a turbine in a Volare, what a fall from grace from powering jets), but the technology has been largely dismissed as being not viable for mass-produced automobiles. With a goal of zero emissions, complete combustion of fuel is a must.

Make the jump for the rest of the story.

Related posts:
Project 1221 updated
Project 1221 releases really bad pic
Project 1221 MF1 to make 1,500bhp
More Project 1221 details revealed

Continue reading Yearly update on Project 1221

Yearly update on Project 1221 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenproject 1221Project1221sports carSportsCarturbinezero emissionsZeroEmissionsFri, 12 Jan 2007 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA: Jay Leno and GM unveil turbine-powered EcoJet supercar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/sema-jay-leno-and-gm-unveil-turbine-powered-ecojet-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/sema-jay-leno-and-gm-unveil-turbine-powered-ecojet-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/sema-jay-leno-and-gm-unveil-turbine-powered-ecojet-supercar/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click on image to enlarge

Unforgettable cars associated with the Leno name include the Tank Car and the twin turbo Toronado. After Monday night, we can add the EcoJet to that list. Designed and produced in collaboration with Leno, his Big Dog team of mechanics and GM's Design Studio in North Hollywood, the EcoJet is powered by a Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine producing 650 horsepower and 400 ft-lbs. of torque on bio-diesel. It rides on a modified Corvette Z06 hydroformed aluminum frame with additional aluminum and magnesium chassis components. The skin: 100% pure carbon fiber over Kevlar. The EcoJet's shape is a mix of Cadillac's current design language and cues taken from F1 racers and aeronautical craft.

The EcoJet was introduced at a shindig thrown by GM last night in Las Vegas at the SEMA show, and Autoblog's Mike Magda was in attendance. Unfortunately his hotel lacks the wi-fi, so we'll bring you some additional shots of this shocker later today.

You can still check out GM's press release after the jump, though.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading SEMA: Jay Leno and GM unveil turbine-powered EcoJet supercar

SEMA: Jay Leno and GM unveil turbine-powered EcoJet supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 03:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecojetjay lenoJayLenolenosematurbineTue, 31 Oct 2006 03:18:00 EST