Cadillac CTS-V Takes Best Drift in a New Car at Monticello Motor Club Drift with the Supercars

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TonyII | Oct 24, 2010 | 0 comments

Remember the big frenzy over the CTS-V Challenge from last year? The event turned out to be a public relations boon for Cadillac after Bob Lutz, on a company conference call, challenged anyone to a race in the CTS-V. Jalopnik accepted the offer and the CTS-V Challenge was born.

Cadillac invited other manufacturers to take part in the event at the Monticello Motor Club in New York, centered around the claim that the CTS-V was the world’s fastest production sedan.

Naturally, they declined to participate and instead the public was allowed to enter – with final entrants being the Audi RS4, BMW M5 and BMW M3. Now Cadillac is back on the track with the CTS yet again – but this time it is with the CTS-V Coupe.

The appearance comes as part of the Monticello Motor Club’s first annual Drift with the Supercars event. Cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series showed up, as well as more plebian vehicles such as the Nissan 350Z and Ford Mustang.

The fact that established clubs such as Monticello are getting involved with drifting shows its increasing prevalence as a segment of motorsports in the United States.

The 350Z took top ranking in the “Best Drift in a Drift Car” category while the CLK63 AMG won the “Best Drift in a Supercar” category and CTS-V received top honors in “Best Drift in a New Car.”

Yes, you read that right – a drifting Cadillac. The CTS-V has proved to be a strong competitor against its European rivals and with 556 horsepower from its 6.2L supercharged V-8, a good drifter too.

You can see it (and the other winners) drifting for yourself in this video below created by the Monticello Motor Club.

Filed Under: Cadillac • Car News

Tags: Caddy, Caddy CTS, Caddy CTS-V Coupe, Cadillac, cadillac cts, Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, CTS, CTS-V, CTS-V Coupe, Drifting, Monticello Motor Club

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BMW M3 GT Reportedly Being Considered for Next-Generation

You are here: Home » Manufacturers » BMW » BMW M3 GT Reportedly Being Considered for Next-Generation

TonyII | Oct 25, 2010 | 1 comment

One of the most revered cars in performance would no doubt have to be the BMW M3, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

It and its larger brother the M5 are viewed by many as untouchable leaders in their respective segments.
That also is true for their less-sporting counterparts, the standard 3-Series and 5-Series. These models have provided a solid basis for BMW’s lineup expansion.

The 5-Series Gran Turismo is one of those new models, aiming to blend the attributes of a sedan, crossover and coupe – with questionable results.

With that in mind, could BMW be looking to continue that formula with a 3-Series variant? It looks like a possibility – according to M3Post, there is a new report out in Roundel saying an M3 Gran Turismo is on the table.

If a M3 GT is similar in approach to the 5-Series GT then color us not in favor of the idea. What isn’t clear from the report is if the car would follow the same mould. It seems as if BMW has a very loose definition of GT, being flexible with the use of the moniker. While the 5-Series GT is not a performance model in the least, BMW is rumored to be affixing it to a production version of the Gran Coupe Concept, which is a four-door coupe.

With the 6-Series GT, BMW will be late to the game in the four-door coupe segment, as the Mercedes-Benz CLS enters into its second-generation and Audi makes an appearance with the A7 Sportback.

In international markets, Audi already has introduced an A5 Sportback counterpart to the A4. Could BMW be fielding a four-door coupe competitor to it with a 3-Series GT? Now that’s an idea we can agree with – not an unappealing, crossover-like vehicle in the vein of the 5-Series GT. And certainly not a vehicle like that with the M3 badge on it.

While we can honestly say we’ve never seen it in the wild, BMW has offered a sedan version of the M3 here in the United States. It hasn’t been a big seller, but it a choice for the few that want M3 performance in a more practical package.

Speculation has been rampant that due to slow sales of the four-door model, it will be cut in the next-generation of the 3-Series. We think a dramatic new four-door coupe M3 would have a lot of appeal in the United States. Hopefully, BMW will opt for that route rather than something similar to the 5-Series GT. Time will tell.

Filed Under: BMW • Car News

Tags: BMW, BMW M3 GT, M3, sedan

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Dodge Challenger Gets Pentastar V-6 for 2011

TonyII | Oct 22, 2010 | 1 comment

In case you haven’t noticed, Chrysler has been busy updating its lineup for 2011. While the changes to the 2011 models may not be drastic on the exterior, underneath the hood and in the interior, big updates are happening that will help to make the the lineup much more competitive.

One engine, the Pentastar V-6, is serving duty in a whole host of the new products. Now Chrysler is turning to its entrant in the pony car segment, and it gets – you guessed it – the Pentastar V-6.

The segment has been heating up, with the Chevrolet Camaro still fresh on the market and Ford making a strong play with the 2011 model Mustang.

Unlike in the past, the V-6 models have been getting a lot of the attention. Historically, the V-6 models have been viewed mostly as underpowered also-rans to the main V-8 model. And for the most part, that is deserved. Who really desired the V-6 models of these cars in the past?

But with the 312 horsepower V-6 in the Camaro and the 305 hp unit in the Mustang, that perception is changing. They also provide fantastic fuel economy numbers to match. In this environment, the Challenger has been falling behind.

For 2010 it has the highest base price and weight, as well as lowest power output. Looking at it by the numbers, the Challenger ends up the clear loser.

As far as styling goes, the Challenger continues to impress, but it needs new life to compete. The Pentastar V-6 helps to do that for 2011, bumping up the power level by 55 hp and 18 lb-ft over the 2010 model, with the total coming to 305 hp and 268 lb-feet.

The question now is pricing and fuel economy. We think a price reduction would be a good idea to help the Challenger gain traction. Fuel economy figures? Those are up in the air for now.

The likely result is the Challenger will retain its distant third position in the sales race. However, it’s nice to see all three becoming increasingly competitive. It’s like the pony car wars all over again – and now the V-6 models are playing a big part too.

Filed Under: Car News • Dodge

Tags: Challenger, Dodge, Dodge Challenger, Pentastar V-6

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BMW M3 GT Reportedly Being Considered for Next-Generation

You are here: Home » Manufacturers » BMW » BMW M3 GT Reportedly Being Considered for Next-Generation

TonyII | Oct 25, 2010 | 1 comment

One of the most revered cars in performance would no doubt have to be the BMW M3, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

It and its larger brother the M5 are viewed by many as untouchable leaders in their respective segments.
That also is true for their less-sporting counterparts, the standard 3-Series and 5-Series. These models have provided a solid basis for BMW’s lineup expansion.

The 5-Series Gran Turismo is one of those new models, aiming to blend the attributes of a sedan, crossover and coupe – with questionable results.

With that in mind, could BMW be looking to continue that formula with a 3-Series variant? It looks like a possibility – according to M3Post, there is a new report out in Roundel saying an M3 Gran Turismo is on the table.

If a M3 GT is similar in approach to the 5-Series GT then color us not in favor of the idea. What isn’t clear from the report is if the car would follow the same mould. It seems as if BMW has a very loose definition of GT, being flexible with the use of the moniker. While the 5-Series GT is not a performance model in the least, BMW is rumored to be affixing it to a production version of the Gran Coupe Concept, which is a four-door coupe.

With the 6-Series GT, BMW will be late to the game in the four-door coupe segment, as the Mercedes-Benz CLS enters into its second-generation and Audi makes an appearance with the A7 Sportback.

In international markets, Audi already has introduced an A5 Sportback counterpart to the A4. Could BMW be fielding a four-door coupe competitor to it with a 3-Series GT? Now that’s an idea we can agree with – not an unappealing, crossover-like vehicle in the vein of the 5-Series GT. And certainly not a vehicle like that with the M3 badge on it.

While we can honestly say we’ve never seen it in the wild, BMW has offered a sedan version of the M3 here in the United States. It hasn’t been a big seller, but it a choice for the few that want M3 performance in a more practical package.

Speculation has been rampant that due to slow sales of the four-door model, it will be cut in the next-generation of the 3-Series. We think a dramatic new four-door coupe M3 would have a lot of appeal in the United States. Hopefully, BMW will opt for that route rather than something similar to the 5-Series GT. Time will tell.

Filed Under: BMW • Car News

Tags: BMW, BMW M3 GT, M3, sedan

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New Ford Ranger out of Range from the USA…for now!

You are here: Home » Car News » New Ford Ranger out of Range from the USA…for now!

Following the success of the Transit Connect in North America and the excited introduction of the Ford Fiesta, Ford Motor Company has apparently not realized the positive impact of their world car fleet on the United States market. A popular name within the Ford Motor Company (dating back to the marketing disaster which was the Edsel division in the late 1950s), the Ranger moniker disappears in 2011 only to find new live across the ocean. Geared for the European, African, Australian and South America continent, the new Ford Ranger pickup  will snub North American car markets in fears of stealing sales away from the full-sized Ford F-150.

Providing some background, it should be noted that Ford has since 1998 been exercising the same treatment with the Ranger name globally as we’ve seen with the Focus compact. Maintaining two deeply distinct vehicles, the North American consumers received an aging pickup while the international market Rangers were built on Mazda-based truck platforms. In fact, the arrangement where Ford’s small international pickup were rebadged Madzas (first named the Ford Courier) stretches back to 40 years. At first, Ford entered the small truck market in the United States using these Mazda-based vehicle but that ended in 1983 when Ford introduced the Ranger compact pickup.

Debuting in the southern hemisphere city of Sydney, Australia this past Thursday, the new international Ford Ranger boasts to be the largest scale and most capable vehicle in its class. Embodying many unique qualities not found on North American vehicles, the Ford truck grille is a symbolic international touch as diverse as Esperanto. The Ranger pickup truck is built on a new Ford T6 platform offered in the common rear-wheel and four-wheel drivetrain configurations.

While not a Mazda chassis, Ford did inquire the input of the Japanese corporate playmate on the suspension. With minimum 9 inches of ground clearance available on the Ranger, the rear-wheel and four-wheel drive variants. Riding on coil-over front shock absorbers as well as a strong rear suspension, the international Ford Ranger promises to withstand the worst the Australian outback or any other global terrain can throw at the new vehicle. Matt Reilly, the vehicle dynamics supervisor for the Ford Ranger said “What we found was high-speed driving on good roads; high-speed driving on bad roads; and loading the vehicle up to maximum capacity,”.

Ford has cited the size of the new Ranger (centered on an near identical wheelbase as the base F-150 pickup’s 126-inch measurement) as the reason they are choosing not to sell the new truck in North America. However, it’s interesting to point out the current Ranger SuperCab also resides within this wheelbase range.

The final old-style Ford Ranger is slated to be sold in the United States without a replacement coming through the pipelines. A few years ago, a downsized Ford F-150-based vehicle was briefly considered to replace the market segment the Ranger compact pickup occupies but that plan was scrubbed.

As no intentions exist in bringing the new international Ranger pickup to the United States, recent history has demonstrated Ford Motor Company can be preceptive to motorist demands. We, as consumers, should not be discouraged by what the voices of the blue oval are saying at this moment.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company

Filed Under: Car News • Ford

Tags: Ford, ford pickup, ford ranger, pickup

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New Porsche Model In the Works?

TonyII | Oct 21, 2010 | 1 comment

The headline “Porsche Potentially Adding New Model to Lineup” is likely to make enthusiasts and Porsche purists cringe. After the Cayenne and Panamera and recent proclamations of a hybrid for every model line, the thinking is – what’s next?

Well, if you really want to know it is likely to be a new small crossover slotting in below the Cayenne and dubbed Cajun – but, that is another story. You can breathe easy with this news, because it has to do with a new performance variant.

Porsche is on a relentless drive for volume, and that will likely see them adding in new models such as a roadster below the Boxster. However, this potential new model wouldn’t be a downmarket entry, but instead a high-end model to slot in between the 918 Spyder and 911.

The 918 Spyder was shown at the Geneva Auto Show and reported to be approved for production in August. The mid-engined supercar would serve as the successor to the Carrera GT. Right now the spoken-for Porsche 911 GT2 RS serves as the highest-performance Porsche on the road.

The news about an additional model comes straight from Porsche’s CEO Matthias Müller, reported by Autoweek.nl. With the Porsche Panamera platform developed at a high cost, it would make sense to provide a basis for future models. The Panamera platform would serve as a perfect underpinning for such a new front-engined GT.

Speculation has been rampant for quite some time about a revival of the 928 on this platform. Porsche’s goal is to see 150,000 sales per year and it will need to significantly expand its model lineup to see that goal achieved. Could the new model potentially be a new 928?

Another option is a mid-engined entry that isn’t quite in the supercar realm like the 918 Spyder. A new 928 is something we’re interested in. How about a trade – produce the 928, keep the Cajun…..sound fair enough Porsche?

Filed Under: Car News • Porsche

Tags: 918 Spyder, 928, Cayenne, Porsche, Porsche 918 Spyder, Porsche 928, Porsche Cayenne

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Porsche Celebrates 60 Years in North America

You are here: Home » Car News » Porsche Celebrates 60 Years in North America

Guest | Oct 26, 2010 | 0 comments

How would you celebrate your 60th? Throw a massive party for all your favourite family and friends? Splash out on a gorgeous new toy? Embark on a love affair with a stunning new model (a car model of course!) Or take it easy with a luxurious holiday in a sunny climate? Well, Porsche chose to celebrate its 60th anniversary in North America by tracking down its oldest relative… and what a beauty it is!

Beating hundreds of submissions from Porsche owners across America, Dr. Robert Wilson from Oklahoma City made the headlines this week when his rare (and stunning) 356 Porsche Cabriolet was crowned the oldest Porsche model in America.

The striking 1952 Strawberry Red 356 Cabriolet was first imported in November 1952 by New York City businessman Max Hoffman, before it was discovered in a salvage yard by its current owner Dr. Wilson, who meticulously restored the beautiful model back to full former glory. While the 1.5 litre, 60hp classic 356 Cabriolet may not boast the power, performance or the luxurious fitted car accessories of the current Porsche line-up, it certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to looks. In this case, old is beautiful!

The 356 Cabriolet will join a host of other classic Porsche models – including a 1965 Porsche 911, 1965 Porsche 912 and stunning blue 356 Cabriolet – to mark the famous automaker’s anniversary. Porsche fans will also be able to get a glimpse of the classic 356 model at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, where it will be displayed alongside the company’s newest models.

Cheers Porsche, here’s to another sixty years….

Filed Under: Car News • Porsche

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2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Receives HEMI 392

If you are a fan of Chrysler’s HEMI engine, the number 392 would drum up some very special emotions. While we now know modern HEMI culture exists largely as a brand name only, there’s nothing like a limited edition Dodge Challenger to play history teacher once again for seeing a forerunner to the muscle car era.

Accepting that the actual framework and fanfare of the American muscle car assembled around the Pontiac GTO in 1964 as kicking off the high-performance wars of the 1960s, the 1957 Chrysler 300 C is arguably a pioneer of things to come. That model year, the 392 cubic inch Hemi V-8 (branded as a Fire Power V-8 in the 1950s) released outstanding power potential but was anchored within a heavy, personal luxury car of an era of styling flash. Shared mainly between the posh Chrysler and Imperial cars during production, drag racers soon discovered the performance range of the 392 cubic inch V-8 or soon revered as simply the “92? granting the powerplant a special place in automotive history. Chronicling the time when the HEMI name rose to prominence, a release of 1,492 Challenger SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition vehicles.

Making this exclusive 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 so ground-breaking is an enlarged HEMI V-8 engine. Bored out to 392 cubic inches (For metric people, the displacement translation is more than 6.4 liters), there would only be one logical reason for proceeding with such an action; of course, this means extra power. With 0.3 liters more displacement located within this modern 392 powerplant, the Challenger SRT8 generates incredible muscle to the rear wheels. A 45 horsepower improvement over the 2010 Challenger SRT8`s 6.1 liter engine, the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 fires 470 horsepower. The number 470 also relates to torque production in pounds-feet with the showroom street machine.

Sporting all SRT goodies, Chrysler engineers did not rest on their laurels the exclusive when dropping the larger 392 cubic inch engine into the two-door muscle car. Modification over last year`s SRT8 model includes attention paid to the suspension, steering system as well as aerodynamics. A new front splitter is worn under the Challenger`s front fascia. Partnering the redesigned handling components with the 470 horsepower engine, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 reports a skid pad test for lateral acceleration at 0.93Gs.

Apart from the front spoiler, the exterior look of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 will be given unmistakable markers to existing as 1 of 1,492 first year examples. Exterior trim will consist of either a Deep Water Blue with Stone White striping or an opposing scheme consisting of a Bright White clear coat with Viper Blue striping. Inside as well as out, “392? and “392 HEMI” are worn to identify the monster which beats under the Challenger hood. Standard 20 inch five-spoke wheels allows the special edition Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition to ride with custom rodding grace.

Just introducing the 3.7 liter Pentastar V-6 as a low-cost, fuel efficient option to owning a Dodge Challenger in 2011, the modern recreation of the Chrysler Corporation muscle car takes a step into the direction of peak performance.

Information and photo source: Chrysler Group

Filed Under: Car News • Chrysler • Dodge • Muscle cars

Tags: 2011 cars, Challenger, Dodge, Dodge Challenger, SRT8

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Saab Story Including GM Continues with 9-4X Crossover

You are here: Home » Car News » Saab Story Including GM Continues with 9-4X Crossover

Though Spyker took affirmative control of the Swedish Saab division in July, the influence of General Motors (a period of 21 years which some longtime Saab purest would call a reign of terror) will still remain embedded into their model lineup. Though the new Saab 9-3 and 9-5 benefits from lessons learned by General Motors in refining build quality as well as improved technologies, this unfortunately allow the European premium car company grow its own identity.

Attempting to conduct brand engineering again on the Saab brand, General Motors has been trying to spin out a crossover vehicle prior to 2005. Originally planned as a Subaru clone of the Tribeca called the 9-6X, ties were severed between the two auto makers ending production hopes for the Saab variant. Taking 5 years, Saab finally receives their first crossover vehicle as the 9-4X prepares for its official launch as the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Just like the aborted attempt of the Tribeca-based Saab, the 9-4X makes use of the existing General Motors-affiliated parts bin. Built on the TE platform (also known as the Theta Premium Platform) currently used by the Cadillac SRX, Saab’s trademark grille plus distinctive clear lens headlamps make a vain attempt to conceal the derivate exterior design. Regrettably, this is no more obvious than at the side profile. Without mistaking the design traits, you can see the Cadillac SRX in the roof pillar positioning.

A turbocharged and non-turbocharged powerplant for this new Scandinavian crossover vehicle continues to make use of already-existing components. Starting with the non-turbo 3-liter double overhead cam V-6, power production is rated at 265 horsepower 223 pounds-feet of torque. For optimized power potential, a 2.8 liter turbocharged V-6 provides 300 horsepower. The turbocharged engine will be found in the 9-4X Aero version. A 6-speed automatic transmission will handle power from both powerplants.

Saab’s XWD provides an exclusive piece of equipment mated to the TE Platform. An intelligent all-wheel drive system allowing up to 85% of available torque to be directed to a single rear wheel, the XWD system could be Saab’s claim to its own identity, at least mechanically.

Buyers of the Saab 9-4X will take interest in more European feel 5-passenger interior. Saab’s philosophy of the aviation-based cockpit places all the controls around the driver’s seating position. Green illuminated gauge needle and the traditional ignition starter within the center console area does flatter the Saab 9-4X especially. Cargo capabilities inside the 9-4X interior are also given special attention. A hidden floor cargo area, 60/40 split rear seats and an optional power tailgate will make this crossover ideal for the shopping sprees at IKEA.

Pricing has yet to be announced for the 2011 Saab 9-4X. Compared to the General Motors companions on the TE platform, a starting price in the early $30,000 range appears predictable. As a surprising contrast to the launch of many European-badged cars, the Saab 9-4X will be sold in the United States prior to across the Atlantic. For sale by May of 2011, European customers have to wait until the twilight of next year to buy the Swedish company’s crossover vehicle.

Information source and photos: Saab Automobiles via NewsPress

Filed Under: Car News • Events • GM • LA Auto Show • Saab

Tags: 2011 cars, crossover, Saab, saab 9-4x

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Ford Announces Sport Packages For 2012 Focus

TonyII | Oct 26, 2010 | 0 comments

Ford’s continued product offensive has resulted in a dramatic resurgence in the marketplace. Ford has made efforts to connect and reach out to consumers in order to figure out what they want from brand’s new products.

Ford also says it is listening to us – enthusiasts. Whoa, a company actually paying attention to enthusiasts with a mainstream offering? This is good.

The Focus is all-new for the 2012 model year, and it goes on sale early next year. Just like the first-generation Focus, the third-generation model will once again be the same product here and abroad.

The new model is shaping up to be an very appealing offering in the segment, and from the looks of it, one that will be geared towards enthusiasts as well – and not just with the ST hot hatch.

Mark Rushbrook, Ford vehicle dynamics manager for the 2012 Focus, says: “Our enthusiast customers told us exactly what they want in an all-new Focus…..they asked us to give Focus more responsive handling, and they asked that we develop and offer a factory-engineered handling package with beefier suspension hardware. We’ve done just that, fine-tuning a pair of available packages for mid-level SE and up-range Titanium models.”

For the SE trim level, the Sport Package provides substantive changes to hardware and appearance. The package offers a five-speed manual, retuned sports suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, four-wheel disc brakes and 16-inch aluminum wheels (also available in 17-inch form).

Appearance changes inside and out include a new piano black grille, rear spoiler, sport seats, metallic interior trim pieces and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. In addition, the SE Sport Package makes available the premium Yellow Blaze Metallic paint color only offered on higher trim levels.

Ford is also debuting a new range-topping model dubbed Titanium. This trim level was also shown on the Flex Titanium edition released earlier in the year. Titanium appears to be becoming Ford’s new top-shelf offering across the lineup.

The Focus Titanium is already equipped with the sports-suspension, but there is an available Handling Package to take things up a notch further. Ford doesn’t say what the exact suspension changes are, just that they have been “optimized.” for a better experience. The rest of the package consists of exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, low profile summer performance tires and a trunk-mounted full-size spare.

Ford seems to be listening to what enthusiasts want by offering these packages on the new Focus. The next step is awaiting pricing information for these packages – hopefully they won’t dent the wallet too bad. We should be able to find out for sure when Ford launches the online configurator for the 2012 Focus near the end of the month…..it should be any time now.

Filed Under: Car News • Ford

Tags: 2012 Focus, 2012 Ford Focus, focus, Focus Titanium, Ford, ford focus, Titanium

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What I Have Learned about Mazda Spares Rochdale...

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