Nrburgring Management Bans Manufacturers From Attempting, Publishing 'Ring Times
Depending on one’s point of view, this is either the best or the worst thing to happen: The ‘Ring time is no more on the Nürburgring.
New Top Gear Presenter Reveals Talent Search For Co-Presenters
BBC Radio 2’s Chris Evans is the new lead presenter for “Top Gear,” but now he needs at least one other at his side, and it could be you.
BBC Radio 2 Presenter Chris Evans New Presenter Of Top Gear
It’s official: BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans will now be the new presenter of “Top Gear,” an appointment supported by Clarkson, Hammond and May.
Hey, Hey, It's the Fonz Dream Rod Monkeemobile
A reader, commenting on my post about the Batmobile – arguably the most famous television car there is – mentioned the Monkeemobile, another ’60s pop culture automotive favorite. As it happens, I was already planning some posts on television cars, including one of the authentic Monkeemobiles.
Both of those vehicles have connections to the auto industry, one sort of incidental and the other the very opposite of coincidence.
The Batmobile was based on the 1950s Lincoln Futura concept car George Barris had purchased for $1.00, years after Ford and the Hollywood studios that used it were done with what was then a rather dated car of the future.
The Monkeemobile, on the other hand, was created from a production car with the direct involvement of a car company and one of the industry’s most legendary PR guys.
US House Resolution Would Allow Factory-Direct Turnkey Replica Vehicles
Has the thought of assembling a replica vehicle put you off of buying one? Thanks to Congress, you may soon be able to buy a factory-direct turnkey model.
Patent Filing Reveals Smaller Sibling To Honda NSX
While the Honda S660 may never see these shores, the automaker may have a baby NSX in mind for the U.S. market based on a recent patent filing.
TVR Reborn: Gordon Murray Engineered Machine Set For 2017 Launch
TVR, along with announced partners Gordon Murray and Cosworth Engineering, is planning a rebirth for the storied British shed-built brand for 2017. The new car is expected to be powered by a unique Cosworth-developed V8.
But, don’t hold your breath, as we’ve heard this story before.
Ford Drops 526 HP, 5.2L V8 Into Shelby GT350, GT350R Mustangs
Future Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustang owners will have plenty of firepower for the strip and track, thanks to Ford’s new 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V8.
Jeep Grand Cherokee To Receive Hellcat Power As Trackhawk
Looking for a Jeep Grand Cherokee with more altitude than the Altitude? How does a Hellcat Cherokee sound?
Tokyo 2015: Toyota Three-Seater Concept Set For Debut
Coming to the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota is set to bring a three-seater open-wheel concept based on the Lotus Seven which could see production.
Italy Falling Out Of Love With Mopeds, Scooters Due To Changing Trends
Like France falling out of love with diesels, Italy is falling out of love with mopeds and scooters due to changing trends.
Wrthersee GTI Treffen: Where Volkswagens Rule
Old and new.
If you’re into Volkswagens – especially of the modified variety – Wörthersee is to you what Sturgis is for Harley riders or Carlisle to Mopar fans. Thousands and thousands of VW fans take over several small, quiet towns around a beautiful mountain lake and turn them into a festival of belly-scraping Volkswagens, Audis, Seats and Škodas.
And there’s beer. Lots and lots of beer.
2016 Nissan Maxima Slated For Execution Four Years Earlier
Though the 2016 Nissan Maxima will make its showroom debut June 2, there was a time when the Maxima was slated to meet the guillotine.
Boston To Host IndyCar Event Beginning 2016
Any plans for Labor Day Weekend next year? If you’re in Boston, those plans could include an IndyCar event on its streets.
GM Putting $2,000 on Hood of 2015 Camaro Z/28
Just after the 2016 Camaro was introduced at Belle Isle last weekend, General Motors upped incentives on the current generation car.
The best part? The General has placed the highest incentive amount directly on the hood scoop of the 2015 Camaro Z/28.
Nissan IDx is Super-Dead, But Parts May Live On in FWD Platform
Nobody at Nissan is talking about IDx.
That’s what we learned from Pierre Loing, Vice President of Product Planning for Nissan North America. But, there’s a chance certain styling elements could make their way to other products, or possibly even a front-wheel drive performance option below 370Z.
While at the 2016 Nissan Maxima media preview in Nashville, Tennessee, we had a chance to prod Loing on what could be the future of IDx considering its overwhelmingly positive reception in Tokyo and Detroit.
It's Time To End The Non-Sporty Coupe
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to bring an end to an automotive segment that simply needs to die: the non-sporty coupe.
For those of you who aren’t sure what I mean when I say “non sporty coupe,” allow me to describe the two types of coupes that currently exist today. One is the sporty coupe. This is a car with sleek styling, and a cool interior, and a lot of power, and some modicum of performance suspension, or performance brakes, or something performancey, like a faux carbon fiber door panel.
Examples of the sporty coupe include the Porsche 911, the Ford Mustang, the Subaru BRZ, and – if you ask the Germans – the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, though the rest of us just consider that to be an overpriced sedan.
And then you have the other type of coupe. The non-sporty coupe. This is a car that was a sedan, until some auto industry geniuses got ahold of it and decided they could create an entirely new segment by just throwing on a new, two-door body and marketing it as “sporty.” Examples include the Honda Civic, the Honda Accord, and, well, that’s about it.
Luxury Automakers Wary Around Growing Female Consumer Base
Those dealing in luxury vehicles and high-performance exotics may need to improve their relations with women soon, as more women seek such wares.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro - Same Recipe, New Ingredients
“From every angle, you’ll never mistake this for anything but a Camaro,” said Tom Peters, design director for the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. That’s probably because it hasn’t changed that much, at least visually. Yet, under the skin, the new Camaro drops some 200 lbs thanks to its new Alpha platform bones and gains a new base engine – a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec four-pot.
Brotherly Love… For Crosleys
In 1957, Ronnie Kaczmar was 15 years old and, like most teenage boys living in Dearborn, Michigan in the 1950s, Ronnie and his younger brother Jim loved cars. Unlike most of the boys in Dearborn, though, Ronnie Kaczmar wasn’t into flathead Ford hot rods. No, he was into hot shots, as in the Crosley Hot Shot and other Crosley automobiles.
Autoleaks: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro Revealed Ahead Of Weekend Debut
Thanks to CNBC, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was revealed to the world ahead of its global debut Saturday at Belle Isle in Detroit.
Miller Motorsports Park Closing This Fall After 10 Years of Operation
If you’ve meant to make the trip to Utah to turn some laps around Miller Motorsports Park, you might want to do it this year. The jewel of a circuit located a short drive from Salt Lake City, built to the tune of $100 million, will close October 31st.
Luxury Brands Doing Well On The Back Of Lower-End Models
Want to know why Mercedes, Audi, Lexus and all of the other luxury players are doing so well these days? Because of less-costly, lower-end luxury models.
Honda Civic Hatch "Near Identical" To NY Coupe Concept, Will Get Hybrid
If a report from Britain’s AutoExpress is to be believed, the front clip of the next-generation Honda Civic hatchback – due to arrive in North America for the first time since 2000 (in non-Si form) – will look “near identical” to the Civic Coupe concept revealed in New York.
2016 Cadillac CTS-V Undercuts BMW M5 by $10,000, On Sale This Summer
Cadillac has announced its next V-Series model will sport more than just big horsepower numbers when the third-generation CTS-V arrives to do battle with its German competition.
Study: Millennials Love Cars, Not So Much EVs
Per a new study by Continental AG, millennials love cars as much as they love iPhones, so long as their rides aren’t electrified.
New Mazdaspeed3 Speculated For Frankfurt Debut
Fans of the Mazdaspeed3 may soon rejoice, as speculation points to a new version of the high-performance hatch debuting in Frankfurt this September.
General Motors Doing Well In Midsize Truck Segment, Success May Not Last
General Motors’ return to the midsize truck segment has done wonders for the automaker and the market, but skeptics aren’t sure how long that will last.
Kia GT Concept Closer To Becoming Production-Ready
Over three years ago, the Kia GT concept made its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Soon, however, the four-door coupe could hit the production line.
New York 2015: Honda Civic Type R Coming To America
It has happened: The United States will finally get its Honda Civic Type R.
New York 2015: Subaru STI Performance Concept Unveiled
The BRZ of a few enthusiasts’ dreams, the Subaru STI Performance Concept was revealed at the 2015 New York Auto Show.
New York 2015: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Unveiled
For those looking for a track-day special that can driven to the track, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club just might be what you need.
Dodge Adds 1,000 Hellcats To The Assembly Line
Not too long ago, Dodge had to curb new orders from dealers for both the Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats. As of now, 1,000 more on on their way.
Whatizit? Shoulda Known Myron Vernis Had Something to Do With It
But of course! While researching this post I discovered that a previous owner of its subject is actually someone that I know, Myron Vernis. I featured his Mazda Cosmo and Toyota Sports 800 in a post on last year’s Eyes On Design show. Myron owns what has to be the world’s finest collection of oddball cars so the fact that this literally unique vehicle ended up in his hands came as no surprise.
New York 2015: Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Edition Set To Bow
Coming next week, Mazda will unveil its most aggressive version of the new MX-5 Miata when it brings the MX-5 Miata Club Edition to New York.
Reithofer: Government Programs Key To BMW I3 Success
BMW’s i3’s success is helped by a number of government incentives in a few of the automaker’s key markets, according to CEO Norbert Reithofer.
How Cars Work, Engineering Explained
Jason Fenske is a mechanical engineer with a degree from NC State. A car enthusiast, after a number of times explaining how cars worked to his girlfriend, with the encouragement of friends he set up the EngineeringExplained website to explain to the general public how cars, and other mechanical devices like turbine engines and jet-skis, work.
Toyota Returning To WRC With 2017 Yaris, Homologation Special Planned
Find the Toyota Yaris a bit ho-hum? Thanks to FIA’s homologation rules for the World Rally Championship series, it soon won’t be.
Sixth-Gen Chevrolet Camaro To Be Revealed Mid-May In Detroit
Want to see the sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro? You’ll have to wait until mid-May, when Chevrolet reveals the vehicle in Detroit.
Dodge Restricting New Hellcat Orders Until Older Orders Are Fulfilled
Clamoring for a Dodge Challenger or Charger Hellcat? You’ll have to take a number to order one, as the brand is restricting new orders until it catches up.
My First and Most Recent Cars
Not long ago my mother moved into an assisted living facility and I’ve been cleaning through her house. After observing her, my daughters, my sisters, and my maternal aunts I’ve figured out that there’s likely an OCD gene on one of their X chromosomes. Of course, my daughters got that bit of genetic material from their dear old dad. Hey, just because I have 60+ egg crates filled with about 15 years worth of automotive press kits doesn’t mean that I hoard things. Anyhow, while cleaning I came across a box that looked like it hadn’t been touched since January of 1966, when we moved to the house that I’m now going through. Most of the things in the box were detritus, stuff that could have been thrown away before the move. However, as I was rifling through the fabric scraps and what have you, something bright red caught my eye.
Henry Ford Museum Pops the Hood. Can You Identify the Engines?
This Friday I hope to cover the Detroit Autorama and the competitors for the prestigious Ridler Award for what many consider to be the best new custom car. It’s a great show but because the show was originally organized by a Detroit area hot rod club to whom go was as important as show, the rules say that during judging the engines have to be exposed. That’s a pet peeve of mine because nobody has ever drawn a car with a hood up, either in junior high study hall or in an automaker’s design studio. I understand the desire to show off the cars’ motivating force, not to mention all of the chrome (or gold plated) eye candy, blowers and ancillaries, but it doesn’t make for great photography of a car as a whole. Still, with some cars, you just gotta see what’s under the hood. For the first time in its history, the Henry Ford Museum is popping the hoods of about 40 of its historically significant cars in its Driving America display to let us do exactly that.
Note: There are about 80 photos after the jump so the page may load slowly.
Missouri Law Lets Thieves Scrap Your Classics
Kansas City’s KCTV reported this week on an attempt to repair a 2012 Missouri state law that has led to a dramatic increase in car thefts. The law, which allows people to sell vehicles 10 years or older without a title, was originally intended to help rural property owners dispose of derelict vehicles and outdated machinery that would otherwise be left to rot. Criminals, however, soon discovered that they could scoop up virtually any vehicle that met the standard and sell it to scrap yards for a tidy profit.
Geneva 2015: Aston Martin Vulcan Revealed Prior To Global Debut
Twenty-four well-heeled gentleman drivers will soon pilot their own Aston Martin Vulcan, the automaker’s newest track-only machine.
Volvo S60, V60 Polestar Enter Second Run, Middle East For 2015
Been wanting a Volvo S60 or V60 Polestar? The Sino-Swedish automaker is making a second batch for 2015, with 13 countries to take delivery this time.
Geneva 2015: New Honda Civic Type R Drifts Through Video Before Debut
Though set to appear next month in Geneva, the Honda Civic Type R drifted through a video showing a few of the automaker’s latest and greatest.
Tesla Hitting Sales Roadblock In China
Tesla’s Apple aspirations may have its detractors, but the automaker’s ongoing problems in China are likely to do more harm than said detractors.
Chevrolet SS May Gain Camaro 1LE Package If The Suit Abides
You can row your own and enjoy its magnetic ride these days, but more fun may be coming for the Chevrolet SS if the suits allow it.
Chicago 2015: Ford GT Presents Its Canadian Passport
The Blue Oval has no use for 50 shades of gray, not when two will suffice for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show debut of the Ford GT.
Plan To Increase US Porsche Macan Allocation In The Works
Been waiting a while for a chance to drive home a Porsche Macan? The automaker plans to increase supply to meet demand in 2015.
If You Could Choose Only One: Ferrari 430 or Acura NSX?
I try to find what I think are interesting backgrounds to use when taking photos of cars that I review. Last summer, because of the Independence Day weekend, I was able to keep a Scion FR-S for a couple extra days and, procrastinator that I am, I put off taking some pics until the last moment. Baker’s of Milford, a restaurant and banquet hall located not surprisingly in Milford, Michigan, home of the famed General Motors Proving Grounds, hosts one of the oldest and biggest weekly cruise-in car shows in the country every Sunday afternoon. There are some great two lane roads in that part of Oakland County, including those that circle the Proving Grounds, roads exactly of the sort for which the Toyobaru sports car was designed, so I headed out to Bakers. It was late, they were giving out the raffle prizes, but there were still lots of cars, enough to make a nice backdrop for the photos.
NAIAS 2015: 2016 Acura NSX To See Limited Annual Production
Were you hoping to take a 2016 Acura NSX home when the hybrid supercar leaves Ohio this fall? You may need to get in line.
NAIAS 2015: BMW May Introduce AWD to M Division, No M Supercar In Future
With Mercedes-AMG models delivering their power to the road through all four wheels, BMW is considering doing the same for most of its M division. However, if anyone was hoping the Bavarians would also bring back the M1, you can breathe now.
NAIAS 2015: 2016 Toyota Tacoma Going Pro
Turns out Toyota had one more trick up its sleeve for the 2016 Tacoma, planning to add a TRD Pro model alongside the rest of the family.
NAIAS 2015: Cadillac Unveils 2016 CTS-V, Plans For CLA-Fighter
Cadillac finally revealed its 2016 CTS-V performance sedan at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, but the brand also let it be known that it’s considering taking on the Mercedes-Benz CLA in the entry-level premium game, as well [Live photos now available – CA].
NAIAS 2015: Lexus Expands F Lineup With 2016 GS F
For those who prefer their Lexus F to have four doors instead of two, the premium brand has just the thing: The 2016 GS F [Live photos now available – CA].
NAIAS 2015: Ram Delivers A Rebel Yell Across Baja Valley
Ram unveiled the 10th trim addition to its truck lineup at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the 1500-based Rebel off-roader, signalling the brand’s intent to tackle Baja Valley in so doing [Live photos now available – CA].
NAIAS 2015: 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop Revealed
Looking for a high-performance MINI? Meet the 2015 John Cooper Works Hardtop.
NAIAS 2015: Shelby GT350R Mustang Ready For Track Day
Coming to Canada and the United States later this year is Ford’s “most race-ready road-legal Mustang ever,” the Shelby GT350R.
NAIAS 2015: The Return Of The Ford GT
We thought this wouldn’t happen, but here it is: The Ford GT has returned.
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