Automotive News

Filed under: Concept Cars, Supercars, Lamborghini

click above image for more high-res pics of the Lamborghini Embolado Concept

Design students hatch some crazy concepts because they’re not hindered by the mind numbing effects of product planners, bean counters, focus groups and the like. We think the Lamborghini Embolado Concept by Italian design student Luca Serafini makes a good case for why those hindrances are in place. Of course, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, so perhaps you disagree, but to us the Embolado Concept looks a Picasso painting that’s been shrink wrapped around a Gallardo. Named after a Spanish festival called the Tore Embolado, which means ‘bull in balls’ (what is it with Lambos and weird translations?), the concept was reportedly inspired by “aggressivity“, as if that’s something Lamborghini’s sold today lack. What do you think? Are we on the money or would this thing be the new hotness if it were actually real? Serafini apparently thinks there’s a business case for it, as he also designed a Superleggera version for consideration.

[Source: Car Body Design via Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

Ferrari is apparently running out of F1 teams to supply with engines, so it’s looking to other racing series altogether for new customers. For the current season, the Maranello-based team had to have the rules bent so that they could supply their engines to not one but two additional teams on the grid (Spyker and Toro Rosso). No wonder then that half of the cars that finished in the points at this past weekend’s penultimate Chinese Grand Prix were powered by Ferrari.

Like other single-seater racing series, A1GP, the self-described “world cup of motorsport”, uses the same chassis and engines for all the teams. Lola and Zytek have been supplying the cars and power respectively, but with contracts up for renewal, rumors started to fly when Ferrari’s sporting director Stefano Domenicali was seen at Silverstone during an A1GP test session. Ferrari has now confirmed that they’re in negotiations with the series’ organizers.

Rumor has it that the engine deal isn’t the only thing A1GP chief Tony Teixeira is discussing with Ferrari, as insiders tip the South African businessman as a potential partner in Scuderia Toro Rosso, which would effectively become Ferrari’s B-squad in the developing “super team” saga.

[Sources: F1i.com and autosport]

 

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac, GM

GM is considering a hiatus from in-game advertising during the next Super Bowl. Mark LaNeve, GM’s VP of vehicle sales, service, and marketing, said that the timing simply wouldn’t be right. With no new cars or launches, there would be no reason to spend the $2.6+ million necessary for thirty seconds of air time during the big game.

Last year GM ran one 30-second spot and two 60-second spots. One of the 60-second commercials promoted GM’s 100,000 mile warranty featuring a robot that, in what turned out to be a dream sequence, committed suicide. It was actually one of four suicide-themed commercials that came out around that time, all of which generated a fair bit of publicity and discussion about advertising standards. Under pressure from a variety of organizations, GM altered the ad’s finale (see altered version here).

LaNeve didn’t completely rule out any advertising during this year’s Super Bowl, saying “We might end up there, but we haven’t committed we’ll be there.” Cadillac, though, will still sponsor the post-game show and MVP award.

[Source: Auto News, sub req’d]

 

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Filed under: Motorsports

Teams aren’t teams in Formula One, they’re constructors. It’s part of the definition that makes F1 what it is: each team builds their own cars. Engines can be obtained from a major manufacturer - though BMW, Renault, Honda and Toyota have joined Ferrari in doing it all in-house - but in theory, at least, each team is supposed to have its own chassis.

That notion, however, is coming under fire. Red Bull and its satellite Scuderia Toro Rosso used a common design this year. Super Aguri is preparing a chassis acquired from its engine supplier Honda, and newcomer team Prodrive just announced it’d be fielding cars bought wholesale from McLaren. The potential result is being billed as “super teams”, essentially giving several racing outfits four cars instead of two.

The jury is still out at the FIA as to just how “kosher” this development is, and in the process the fates of several teams lie in the balance. Never prepared to sit on the sidelines, Ferrari is rumored to be considering providing a complete car instead of just an engine to one of the teams it currently powers, though while the motorsport press is suggesting Toro Rosso as the potential recipient, its tie-in with Red Bull Racing might leave the recently sold (and soon to be renamed) Spyker team a more likely partner. For McLaren’s part, however, having two teams in which to split their star drivers could prove the most convenient of all.

[Source: F1i.com]

 

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Driving

Highway 401 in Ontario, Canada runs from Windsor all the way across to the Quebec border and on to Montreal. Since the 1970s, the speed limit has been 100 km/h (about 62 mph), but actual average speeds along long stretches in the rural southwestern part of the province are often considerably higher, leading to the nickname Ontariobahn.

To combat late night street racing and excessive speeds everywhere, a new extreme driving law went into effect a week ago. The maximum fine for violating the law has now been bumped from $1,000 to $10,000 along with an instant seven-day license suspension and seven-day impound of the vehicle. What can earn you such a punishment? Any number of offenses from racing or even showing the intent to race to simply exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 50 km/h (30 mph). Over 100 drivers had their cars impounded during the first week under the new rules.

Next you take a shortcut through Canada on the way from Buffalo to Detroit, you might want to ensure your cruise control is set right at the speed limit.

[Source: Toronto Star]

 

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Filed under: Euro, Motorcycles

Considering the mix of comments that we received when we covered Honda’s new DN-01, we decided to show our readers that Honda is not the only manufacturer bringing the automatic transmission to the motorcycle. Aprilia debuted its 850 Mana last year, and the bike has since gone into production. Hopefully, the Mana will make it across the pond and into American dealers too, because there are a lot of reasons to like the new Aprilia.

The most obvious innovation is the automatic transmission, which uses a CVT design similar to what is available on Aprilia’s own line of scooters, and even a few cars. Continuously variable transmissions have pulleys inside that can change diameter and thereby change the ratio. All of this happens automatically, unless the rider uses the buttons on the handlebars or the foot operated gearchange lever in its normal location off the left footpeg. Although Aprilia is known for making sportbikes featuring V-Twin engines, the 90-degree twin inside the Mana’s steel trellis frame is the first streetbike engine designed in-house by Aprilia itself. Expect more bikes from Aprilia using variations of this engine. The fuel tank has also been moved under the seat, leaving a storage container where the tank would normally sit. That storage area is large enough for a helmet, making this an excellent commuter bike.

So, is the Mana just the gift from heaven that you were waiting for? Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Source: Aprilia]

 

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Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Honda, Toyota

Hybrid folks, supposedly kinder and gentler people — at least, to the Earth — have been calling each other out like crazy lately. Next in line for the slamfest is Honda, making fun of the Toyota Prius “Yes” commercial. The Civic Hybrid “No” commercial argues, among other things, that just because you want to help the planet doesn’t mean you have to drive a car that looks like a “wedge of cheese.” BURN!!! However, the commercial is for the Honda dealers of Northern California, so it might not be the official company line.

Follow the jump to check out the video.

[Source: eGM Car Tech]

Continue reading Honda pokes fun at Prius in new commercial

 

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Euro, Renault

Renault is working on not one, but a whole line of new sportscars to add to its current line-up of hatchbacks and minivans. Our European brethren aren’t likely to see anything within the next three years - despite earlier rumors that a small roadster would be coming in 2009 - as Renault has a couple dozen new models making their debut before the end of the decade. But when they do come, the French automaker promises the line will include a “radical sports car” - their words, not ours.

The presence of sportier models in the Renault line-up would give the French automaker a better opportunity to capitalize on its Formula One prowess, having won two back-to-back world championships with Fernando Alonso and trying desperately to get back to the winner’s circle again. While other front-running F1 teams like Ferrari and McLaren put their F1 tech into supercars like the 430 Scuderia and SLR respectively, Renault’s titles get translated to the road through considerably more modest hatchbacks.

Rather than coming up with a new name for its “radical sports car”, Renault will reportedly jump on the retro-nameplate bandwagon and revive the classic Alpine brand for its new sportier models.

[Source: Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc.

Earlier this year we reported that TVR had been sold to a pair of Floridian businessmen. In actuality, the sale was never consummated, and the company remains in the hands of Russian billionaire Nikolai Smolenski. Although it is still finding its way out of the woods, the company has laid out a recovery plan that could see it producing cars again as early as next year.

TVR has essentially pieced together a corps of suppliers that would provide it with parts that would then be assembled by Bertone in Italy. Design would be handled by TVR in Lancashire; engine consultant Ricardo is tuning TVR’s 6-cylinder engine to 400 BHP and Euro 5 emissions specs; IM Kelly would supply trim; and Multipart would provide parts, as well as replacements for dealers.

TVR wants to make its ‘07 cars until 2009, when the newly designed vehicles would be ready, with projected production of 2,000 units. The entire plan would rely on — as usual — finding the money. TVR recently held a meeting with 60 potential dealers and investors, and the company is optimistic, but no one has even hinted at where the money might come from.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Shelby

Carroll Shelby’s licensing arm is taking steps to end its relationship with Unique Performance, the Texas tuner that created and still updates muscle cars for both Shelby and Chip Foose. Unique has apparently been the subject of an increasing number of complaints and lawsuits from folks who have paid for cars and not received them.

Unique’s issues with Shelby seem to revolve around the Shelby GT350 SR and GT500 E, which sell for upwards of $100,000 apiece. The Foose vehicle in question is the Foose Stallion. The Foose is produced by two companies, Unique and Tecstar, so it’s possible that Tecstar could continue to produce it without Unique. Chip Foose’s licensing arm is still working with Unique and their customers to resolve complaints.

[Source: AutoWeek]

 

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