Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Trawling Daytona: Three Days at the Rolex 24 [Video and Photos]

Motorsports phenomenon Travis Pastrana; he co-drove the No. 56 Ferrari 458 to 35th overall.

While spending three days at last weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona, we learned two important things: First, the Grand-Am series appeared to be absolutely viable as a spectator-driven form of motorsport, and, second, skinny jeans have never been more in style. Particularly for the less-than-skinny.

Indeed, the growing popularity of sports-car racing was evident from the moment we arrived. It was clear not only in the total amount of tickets sold (reportedly the highest total ever for a Grand-Am event at Daytona), but also by the sheer number of people who ponied up extra cash for garage-access privileges, in hopes of a chance encounter with their favorite driver.

Still, there is an argument that racing is best enjoyed on television. There are no parking hassles and you get up-to-the-second coverage and replays—plus an absence of pathogen-incubating Porta Potties. But we joined the sunburned hordes shuffling through the humanity-clogged paddock and managed to capture a few items that illustrate why there's no substitute for being there. Equipped with a simple point-and-shoot camera and no media pass, we interacted with the stars as anybody would, and emerged with the video and photo gallery below.

Oh—we tried some skinny jeans, too, but switched back to shorts after developing a nasty rash from the chafing.

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona photo gallery



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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2014 BMW M3 Sedan Spied: Bigger, Now with Downsizing

2014 BMW M3 sedan (spy photo)

If the BMW 3-series is the quintessential sports sedan, then the M3 is the quintessential sports car in disguise. Ever since the launch of the first M3 in 1986, this BMW has enjoyed a fiercely loyal following of enthusiasts, as well as a distinguished racing career. It is the car that represents the essence of what BMWs should be.

Keep Reading: 2014 BMW M3 Sedan Spy Photos – Future Cars



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 122

Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 122

Hit play for an audio recording of a mystery car's exhaust note, and then share your guesses or get a few hints from other visitors in the comments below. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the answer!



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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Hennessey Planning 800-Plus-HP McLaren MP4-12C HPE800 Twin Turbo

HPE800 Twin Turbo McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren's 593-hp MP4-12C supercar isn't exactly in dire need of more power, but Hennessey Performance Engineering may have us rethinking such narrow-minded notions. HPE has announced plans to build its own version of the 12C, called the HPE800 Twin Turbo—that's 800 as in, 800 hp. (HPE didn't provide an exact figure but says the final product will put out "over" 800 hp.)

HPE800 Twin Turbo McLaren MP4-12C

HPE will replace or upgrade plenty of parts to get an extra 207 hp from the car's 3.8-liter V-8: the turbos, intercoolers, the engine-management software, the transmission-cooling system, and the clutch among them. To put the final tuner touch on things, Hennessey will add its own titanium exhaust system, as well as new external wastegates and blow-off valves for the turbos.

In a somewhat un-tuner-esque move, Hennessey will not mess with the car's suspension, saying that "the factory systems will be difficult to improve upon." We can respect the decision to leave the well-balanced chassis alone: a stock MP4-12C recently beat out the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS in a three-way comparison test.

The HPE800's exterior does get a mild overhaul, with new fascias and rocker panels that improve downforce at speed. HPE also fitted Hennessey monoblock aluminum wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. (The standard MP4-12C rides on Pirelli P Zeros.) Finally, Hennessey leather, faux suede, and carbon-fiber interior touches also will be available. Most of that stuff comes standard on the MP4-12C anyway, so we're not sure that's a hugely necessary upgrade.

The elements of this Hennessey-tuned McLaren will be available together as a turnkey package as well as some separate pieces. Pricing for the super-dupercar hasn't been announced, but we'll go ahead and guess that it's a good deal past the MP4-12C's $230K base price.



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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First Drive: 2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster

2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster

Remember the old joke about how to lose 10 ugly pounds? Right, cut off your head. Here's an automotive sequel. Although this car didn't lose weight when its football-helmet Coupe top was lopped off—it's actually about 90 pounds heavier than its hard-shelled sibling—it definitely lost a lot of ugly.

Keep Reading: 2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster – First Drive Review



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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Factory-Customized Chrysler 300 Headed to 2012 Chicago Auto Show

A highly customized Chrysler 300 sedan — designed and engineered by Mopar to achieve better acceleration times than the regular 300C — will be unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in early February. The factory-built model, called the Mopar '12 300, will offer the same styling enhancements as the Chrysler 300S but with additional performance enhancements. Additions include a boosted final-drive ratio on the rear differential, which helps to increase acceleration times to the low-five-second mark. It's still slower than the 300 SRT8 version, but presumably this model goes after a different demographic. The Mopar '12 300 features 42% stiffer front and 23% stiffer rear spring rates compared to a regular 300, and it also comes with high-performance all-season tires and beefed-up brake linings for better stopping power. New exterior styling details include a black coat of paint with blue stripping on the wheels, the beltline and hood. A matching black leather interior with blue stitching highlights the cabin. Twenty-inch wheels and 75th anniversary Mopar decals are also included. The model is a factory-built option and will go on sale this summer with a starting price of $48,875, excluding an $825 destination fee. Only 500 of the Mopar '12 300 will be built, according to Chrysler. Mopar also released three other crate accessory kits for the Dodge Dart, Jeep Compass and Fiat 500. These have to be installed by your local Chrysler dealership. The accessory kits go on sale this fall.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/




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Seinfeld Begs, Bribes Way Into Acura NSX

Automakers are rolling out the big names for their Super Bowl XLVI ads. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is the latest star to endorse a car during a game-time commercial. Unsurprisingly, the spot is funny, and true to form, it's an uncomfortable funny. Jerry wants the new Acura NSX, but finds out he's customer No. 2 on the waiting list. In response, he launches a campaign to be the first in line to get Acura's new sports car. His fantastic bribery plots finally win him the keys, but in a very Newman-esque moment, rival comedian Jay Leno swoops in. Seinfeld is again relegated to the No. 2 spot. The NSX first met the public in concept trim at the 2012 Detroit auto show; Acura says the production version should debut within the next three years. Watch the extended version of the ad on Acura's Youtube page.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/




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Chevrolet Sonic Free-Falls into Super Bowl Coverage

Sonic

Here's an interesting tidbit about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Until this point, it hasn't received any traditional TV ads as a part of its launch campaign, according to GM. That's about to change in a big way with the minute-long spot that'll air during Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday. The ad highlights some of the cool things Chevy has been doing with the Sonic to get the attention of young car buyers.

Some stunts include shoving a Sonic out of a cargo plane, kick-flipping a Sonic and making a music video for OK Go that features the Sonic. Check out the amalgamation above.



from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/




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Cars.com News Briefs: Jan. 31, 2012

Here's what we have our eye on today: Analysts expect January's new-car sales to increase 6% over January 2011, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 13.4 million, Bloomberg News reports. That would fall short of the final months in 2011 — November and December saw a 13.6 million SAAR — but outpace the SAAR for the first 10 months of 2011. Why? Bloomberg cites familiar reasons: pent-up demand, declining unemployment, rising consumer confidence and higher credit availability — in essence, the factors expected to drive car sales through 2012. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect Chrysler and Hyundai-Kia to post the largest sales gains among major automakers, while Honda and GM may see modest declines. The consumer-confidence spin doesn't add up, however. New York's Conference Board released this month's widely regarded Consumer Confidence Index, which stands at 61.1. That's down from December's 64.5 and January 2011's 65.6, and it adds more static to this month's otherwise upbeat economic news. Though unemployment has decreased month-over-month since last August and new-car sales have improved over the same span, new-home sales have also dipped, the Census Bureau reports. Honda built fewer than 3 million cars worldwide in 2011, leading the Japanese automaker to slash profit expectations 65% for the fiscal year that ends in March, Automotive News reports. Hammered by natural disasters in Asia and a strengthening Japanese yen, Honda's profits plunged for the final quarter of 2011. U.S. sales fell 7% in 2011, well below the industry's 10% sales improvement. In a widening investigation among automotive suppliers, Japanese companies Yazaki Corp. and Denso Corp. pleaded guilty for price-fixing on various car parts. Automotive News reports Yazaki will be fined $470 million — the largest criminal fine ever awarded for a Sherman Act antitrust violation — for fixing higher prices on two parts. Denso was fined $78 million. Citing a decline in GM stock, the U.S. Treasury increased its loss estimate for its 2009 autos bailout to $23.77 billion, The Detroit News reports. That's higher than the $23.6 billion forecasted earlier but far lower than previous estimates. The government initially projected losing $44 billion of the $85 billion package.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/




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Mopar Jeep Compass True North Concept Almost Looks Ready to Go Off-Road

Mopar Jeep Compass True North concept

The Compass has always been one odd duck of a Jeep. A face lift for 2011 brought Grand Cherokee–esque styling and a "Trail Rated" version, but few choose to take the Compass or its Patriot sibling far astray of blacktop. This beefier Mopar Compass True North concept aims to change that. It previews an upcoming Mopar kit for the Compass and is one of four Mopar projects celebrating the parts division's 75th anniversary that will be on display at the Chicago auto show.

To get a Trail Rated Compass, you have to start with an all-wheel-drive model and add the new-for-2011 Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group, which includes low-range gearing, skid plates, tow hooks, and a one-inch suspension lift. In a recent review, we described this package as "less a compliment to the Compass and more as a slight to Jeep's Trail Rated claim." The True North ups the ante in this area considerably with a full off-road conversion from the wheels up. Mopar fitted matte-black 16-inch wheels wrapped in knobby off-road rubber, a Rocky Road Suspensions two-inch lift kit, front and rear brush guards, and rock rails. Besides the off-road gear, the Compass's looks are beefed up with charcoal-colored fender flares and lower door cladding, black grille and headlight surrounds, black fog-light housings, and a matte-black roof. The look is decidedly tougher and, more importantly, this Compass actually looks like it would be at home bouncing along the Rubicon Trail.

Inside, the Compass True North gets a Kicker audio system and a bevy of Mopar accessories like doorsill accents, a rear cargo tray, a shift knob, and a metal pedal kit. Trail-friendly stuff like neoprene seat covers and a custom gauge cluster on the center stack with an inclinometer further the Compass True North's off-road cred.

The True North bits will be available as either a dealer-installed kit or individually through the Mopar parts catalog this fall; a turnkey, factory-orderable version will come later. We will now remind those looking for a true off-roader that the Jeep Wrangler still exists, needs no modifications for trail duty, and is now better than ever on-road, too.

2012 Chicago auto show full coverage



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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SRT (Sort of) Teases New Viper

After a lot of hype, Chrysler's SRT Viper reveal turned out to be a dud. The group announced a Viper sneak peek on its Facebook page and then unveiled just a partial sketch of the forthcoming 2013 SRT Viper.  The drawing doesn't say too much about the new performance car, but we do know that the Viper trades the Dodge name in for the SRT brand for 2013. It's going into production later this year in Detroit. The new Viper will meet the public at the 2012 New York auto show in April.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/




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2012 Chrysler 300 Mopar ’12: Celebrating Mopar’s 75th Birthday with a Worked-Over 300C

2012 Chrysler 300 Mopar '12

Chrysler's Mopar parts division turns 75 years old this year. To celebrate, the company has begun gifting itself customized products, including the Mopar-ized Chrysler 200 Super S and Dodge Charger Redline that appeared at the Detroit auto show. Among the latest birthday presents is this limited-edition Chrysler 300, which has been built up mainly from parts available in the Mopar catalog. The 300C-based sedan will be shown off at the Chicago auto show before 500 examples go on sale this summer.

Keep Reading: 2012 Chrysler 300 Mopar '12 – Car News



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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2012 Fiat 500 Stinger by Mopar to Debut at Chicago Auto Show

While its primary business is offering replacement parts and fluids for Chrysler products, Mopar is of course best known among enthusiasts for peddling performance add-ons for brands such as Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep—and now, Fiat. This Mopar-fettled Fiat 500 Stinger, which showcases parts and mods available in the brand's catalog, debuts at next week's Chicago auto show.

The mods made to the Cinquecento are pretty standard fare when considered against Mopar cars of late. Like the Dodge Challenger 392 and Charger Super Bee with Stinger Yellow paint, this 500 is also yellow. Somewhat nonsensically, though, the paint on the Fiat 500 Stinger is simply called Giallo—that's "yellow" in Italian. (They couldn't have at least gone with Spina Giallo?) Other cosmetic changes from a standard 500 include black chrome around the headlights, 17-inch Abarth Hyper Black wheels, and tinted headlamp and taillight lenses. Inside, the 500 Stinger is spruced up with a black and yellow interior scheme, as well as faux suede seat inserts, a slice of carbon fiber on the dash, and a Mopar shift knob.

We figured the "Stage 2″ version of the Fiat 500 Stinger would amp up the performance. On paper, however, things aren't promising. The only changes to the standard 500 are the addition of a cold-air intake and a freer-flowing cat-back exhaust for the 1.4-liter four; Fiat promises these mods will "deliver even more power and torque" than the standard 101 hp and 98 lb-ft. We're thinking the increases are likely in the low-single-digit range.

Considering Fiat already has its own in-house tuning division in Abarth, this 500 is a little perplexing, although the fact that all of the parts are available via Mopar is kind of cool, we guess. That said, we think we'd just wait for the real hotted-up Fiat 500, the 160-hp Abarth.

2012 Chicago auto show full coverage



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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What’s Red and Black and Mopar All Over? The 2013 Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute

2013 Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute

To keep the spotlight shining on the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, Chrysler has unveiled the Mopar-massaged 2013 Dart GTS 210 Tribute. The car pays homage to the performance-oriented Dart GTS of the 1960s, according to Chrysler, and incorporates many of the 150 Dart accessories that Mopar will offer once the Dart goes on sale later this year. It was introduced alongside three other Mopar-encrusted vehicles to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of Chrysler's in-house parts arm.

Stage 1 Appearance Package

What you see screwed to the 2013 Dart GTS 210 Tribute will be available in two staged kits starting in fall of 2012. The Stage 1 appearance package adds a new chin spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler, and rear-diffuser-style panel, all rendered in matte black. Titanium-colored, 10-spoke 18s fill each wheel well. The Stage 1 kit also features a bescooped real carbon-fiber hood, and a faux carbon-fiber roof appliqué that appears to be crafted from the same reasonably convincing stuff (let's call it "karbon fiber") as the hood stripes of the inaugural 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8s.

The pack brings an equally audacious interior renovation, with "Ruby Red" being the color of choice for the seats, door panels, center armrest, and map pockets. Black is the chosen hue for the stitching and the suede instrument cowl, while so-called black chrome is employed for sundry shiny trim pieces. A red-and-black, leather-wrapped steering wheel and new floor mats complete the high-contrast makeover.

2013 Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute

Stage 2 Performance Kit

The Stage 2 performance kit includes a cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust, and an ECU recalibration that brings horsepower for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir2 engine from 184 to "over 210" (hence the "210" in the car's name). Torque is unspecified; according to a Chrysler spokesman, fine-tuning is not yet complete.

It should be noted that most of the GTS 210 Tribute's components may be purchased separately, and that Darts with either the six-speed automatic or manual transmissions can be kitted. Cars will be able to be ordered and delivered from the factory with all accessories installed. Pricing for both packages probably won't be announced until summer, according to Chrysler.

2012 Chicago auto show full coverage



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