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Ferrari drops news photos of 458 Challenge test session at Vallelunga Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ferrari, Racing 
Ferrari 458 Challenge - Click above for high-res image gallery
A few weeks ago, Ferrari officially debuted its latest Challenge race car, based on the 458 Italia. Now they've released new photos of the car during its test session at the Vallelunga race circuit. Factory test drivers Maurizio Mediani and Jaime Melo were on hand to provide feedback on the 458 Challenge, and predictably, both seem impressed with the car's capabilities. Mediani described his drive as "very quick and extremely good fun," while his counterpart commented, "I am sure that Prancing Horse competition owners will be very pleased with the car."
Using the standard roadgoing 458 Italia as a base, Ferrari creates the Challenge version by increasing output of the 4.5-liter V8 to 570 horsepower, cutting weight via thinner and lighter body panels, adding a race-specific suspension setup, fitting 19-inch BBS wheels with Pirelli racing slicks, installing a set of carbon ceramic Brembo brakes and more.
So equipped, Ferrari claims the 458 Challenge can lap Fiorano over two seconds per lap quicker than its predecessor, the F430 Challenge, while pulling a cornea-yanking 1.6g's worth of lateral acceleration. You can check out the new photos below, and we'll be sure to bring you any more if Ferrari sends them our way.
[Source: Ferrari]Ferrari drops news photos of 458 Challenge test session at Vallelunga originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
BMW commits to Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with M3 GT2 Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Racing 
BMW M3 GT2 - Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW has decided to officially compete for the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with the M3 GT2. This year's initial iteration will include three races at England's Silverstone, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, and Zuhai in China. Peugeot has already committed to run the LMP1 class 908 and Audi is considering running the R15+ TDI.
The M3 GT2 debuted in the American Le Mans Series in 2009 with Rahal Letterman Racing and BMW added Team Schnitzer in Europe for 2010. Schnitzer will campaign the cars in the cup runs at Silverstone and Zuhai, while Rahal will be responsible for the American race. In 2011, the Intercontinental cup will expand to six races, including Sebring and Le Mans.
[Source: BMW]Continue reading BMW commits to Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with M3 GT2 BMW commits to Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with M3 GT2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
1941 Tatra T87 named The New York Times' Collectible Car of the Year Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Etc., Europe 
The web has spoken and a 1941 Tatra T87 has been voted The New York Times 2010 Collectible Car of the Year. The rear-engined, air-cooled V8 Tatra beat 30 finalists (overall, there were 651 entrants), including noteworthy cars from Packard and Checker. The T87's owner, Paul Greenstein, was shocked to hear that his car - one of three Tatras he owns - came out on top. Greenstein says the Tatra has a unique allure that can't be matched by other manufacturers. For Americans, rarity factors into that, as the Czech marque was never sold in the United States.
Greenstein picked up his car in 2001 for the princely sum of $8,000. At the time, the fin wasn't in show-quality condition, so he had the T87 shipped to the Czech Republic for a full restoration. Fringe benefits of having the work done in the old country included cheap labor and parts availability that couldn't be matched in the U.S. Three-and-a-half years and $60,000 later, Greenstein and his girlfriend had their T87 back. Don't scoff at the cost; recent examples have sold at auction for as much as $125,000. Fortunately, the Times' Collectible Car of the Year award includes a $5,000 check along with the trophy.
Head over to the The New York Times to read the full story, and be sure to also visit Clunkbucket for a few shots of Paul Greenstein's T87 taken prior to its restoration.
[Source: The New York Times | Image: Clunkbucket]1941 Tatra T87 named The New York Times' Collectible Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Maker Faire Detroit 2010: Big Dog quadricycle Filed under: Etc., Humor 
Big Dog quadri-cycle - Click above for high-res image gallery
Friday afternoon, we had the opportunity to walk around the site of the first-ever Maker Faire Detroit while exhibitors were getting set up. Among the wheeled contraptions we encountered was the contraption you see above: the Big Dog. This human-powered conveyance was designed and built by Tom Wilson of Royal Oak, Michigan in his basement and garage. Big Dog is actually the third such vehicle Wilson has constructed, with his original inspiration coming from a similar device he saw at the Burning Man festival several years ago.
Looking closely at the 600-pound machine (which stands a towering eight feet, six inches tall), it's clear that Wilson put serious thought and craftsmanship into it. Note the inboard-mounted rear disc brakes and the elaborate gear-change and chain mechanism. The centrally-mounted propane tanks are there to support the flame effects from the tower. We'll add photos of that if we catch it being demonstrated this weekend.
Maker Faire Detroit 2010: Big Dog quadricycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Harley-Davidson exits the sidecar business Filed under: Motorcycle 
Stars and Stripes. Peanut butter and jelly. Harley-Davidson and sidecars. Okay, fine - one of those pairings is not like the others, but H-D does have a long history of adding a third outrigger wheel to its line of heavyweight motorcycles, starting back in 1914. That's over now.
Harley-Davidson just announced that 2011 will be the final year it offers sidecars as a factory option, and it will no longer accept new orders for them. The good news is that The Motor Company will continue to provide warranty service for current sidecar owners and will stock replacement parts at its dealerships.
We have an unhealthy affection for offbeat sidecar motorcycles, and if you also happen to fall into that category, Ural and Royal Enfield are ready to serve your needs. As for Harley, check out its official statement after the break.
[Source: Harley-Davidson | Image: AMCA Motorcycle Library]Continue reading Harley-Davidson exits the sidecar business Harley-Davidson exits the sidecar business originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Canada, Diesel, Luxury 
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW offer their premium SUVs in diesel flavors, and that's got Porsche rethinking its stance re: the Cayenne. According to a Porsche PR rep in Canada, the American managers are thinking about bringing the oil-burner this way in order to fill that hole. Two years ago, Porsche tested and then confirmed a diesel Cayenne for the American market that would use Audi's 3.0 TDI. It was supposed to arrive early last year; obviously, that never happened.
We drove the Euro-spec diesel Cayenne last year, and walked away thinking it's a "no-brainer for the American market." With the new Cayenne having lost all that weight and increased its performance, a diesel engine would pull even better. And if the numbers stand, with overall diesel-vehicle sales in North America predicted to hit around 250,000 units in 2014, it could be that Porsche thinks it's a no-brainer as well.
[Source: Times Colonist]Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
X Games 16: Rally practice day reveals new challenges Filed under: Motorsports 
X Games 16 Rally Practice Day - Click above for high-res image gallery
The practice day for the X Games 16 Rally competitors is in the books, and despite plenty of preparation the teams face some unexpected challenges at the new venue. The drivers first took to the makeshift dirt track at the L.A. Coliseum early yesterday afternoon and quickly found that the setup isn't ideally suited to automobiles - or at least anything with bumpers. The course features two major elevation changes, going up and out of the stadium and then back in again, and nearly all of the drivers are having difficulty with the latter. The entrance back into the stadium is so steep that drivers are forced to either come in extremely slowly or catch air and plow the front end of the car into the dirt. To make matters worse, an uneven track surface at the bottom of the descent causes the cars to go airborne again. It may be fun to watch, but it's undoubtedly frustrating for the drivers.
Interestingly, the one feature of the track that usually gives the drivers trouble - the jump - is no problem at all. Most drivers initially seemed cautious before making their practice runs, but they quickly realized that not too much speed is needed, and soon thereafter they were easily clearing the gap on every lap.
Overall, the current track layout at the new venue is disappointing. The course is essentially one large loop featuring all right turns, with the two elevation changes and the jump thrown in. Much of the course is fairly narrow as well, which will make the SuperRally either very boring (no passing) or very interesting (lots of bumping and crashing). We'll reserve judgment until we actually see it happen, and we fully expect the addition of actual competition and tens of thousands of fans to make things more exciting. Stay tuned for more live X Games 16 rally coverage this weekend.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOLX Games 16: Rally practice day reveals new challenges originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, First Drive 
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery
Until now, General Motors hasn't exactly taken the small-car market seriously. While Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia have built their empires on the hoods of pint-sized, fuel-efficient transportation, history has shown the captains of Detroit tend to offer up parts-bin afterthoughts. Cars like the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt have left a sour taste in the mouths of buyers thanks to noisy and de-contented cabins, rough engines and build quality that would make a Yugo blush. As a result, Americans have developed a sort of Pavolovian retch when we hear the term "compact car."
But a new dawn may be approaching - one heralded by a rash of new straw-weight fighters that aim to bring a global small car philosophy to the U.S. GM intends to be part of that party with the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, a sedan that, for all intents and purposes, is more of a landmark model for the company than the endlessly-hyped Chevrolet Volt. To get our meaning, you'll need to throw all of your heinous memories about American-built small cars out the window beginning... now.
Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOLContinue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Double Bill - C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Luxury
The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has some serious performance chops. The potent angular coupe is loaded with a blown 6.2-liter V8 capable of 556-horsepower, 15-inch front and 14.7-inch rear Brembo brakes and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup. Impressive stats to be sure, but does Cadillac's sleek two-seater have the goods to take on the BMW M3 coupe and Audi RS5?
Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver have obviously been pondering the same question, as the competing buff mags dusted off their camcorders and cut up a pair of comparison videos featuring the three super coupes doing a ménage à trois of the automotive kind.
Make the jump to experience both videos. In the first video, MT goes all-out with its comparison, bringing both Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie and the spanking new CTS-V Coupe to Germany to take on the pair of well-established Bavarian competitors. The second video shows the unique C/D approach, with no first, second or third place finishers and not a single word is uttered. C/D just let the hot coupes speak for themselves with beautiful pictures and heavenly exhaust notes.
[Sources: Car and Driver, Motor Trend]Continue reading Video: Double Bill - C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 Video: Double Bill - C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Online Find of the Day: Holy Abomination Batman - It's a customized 1985 Porsche 944! Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Porsche, Humor, Specialty 
1985 Porsche 944 Batmobile Tribute - Click above for high-res image gallery
This author will be the first to admit that he's not exactly overflowing with love for the Porsche 944, but don't expect any amused looks from this camp about seeing this car degraded into a stumpy rendition of Tim Burton's Batmobile. Sadly, that's just what seems to have happened with this particular 1985 944. According to the seller, the car still boasts the stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a five-speed manual cog box, so you won't be outpacing baddies anytime soon. A NOS Sniper system has been installed on the car, but thankfully, it's never been used. We're guessing hitting the go-go juice would be a heckuva lot of fun - but probably just once.
A few of the movie car's more outlandish traits have made their way to this poor Porsche, including those wild batwing fins and a pair of replica .223 machine guns that light up for effect. The car does feature the kind of sound system you'd need to drown out the riotous laughter of those in traffic around you, so that's a plus. The seller says that the front fenders need to be finished, and as such, you can get this puppy for a song. Asking price is a mere $6,500. You can check out the full listing here. Thanks for the tip, Kris!
[Source: Kijiji]Online Find of the Day: Holy Abomination Batman - It's a customized 1985 Porsche 944! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.30.10 
Lexus continues to give the people what they want, but is its aging ES still the benchmark for the class?
In our final dispatch from Japan, we get behind the wheel of Toyota's latest prototypes and simulators, and enjoy a close-up view of two Camry sedans being smashed together at Toyota's newest crash testing facility.
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.30.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac 
The Smoking Tire drives the Firebreather - Click above to watch video after the jump
Matt Farah and the crew from The Smoking Tire just can't seem to get enough of the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun. With the cross-country party over and nothing but a mountain of citations looming in the distance, The Smoking Tire set out to give the big Blue Oval one last goodbye. Of course, they couldn't spend an entire episode pouring over every last detail of a vehicle that regular viewers know all too well. Instead, the show lined up a quick stint behind the wheel of the Classic Design Concepts Firebreather.
Think of it as what the 2010 Pontiac Firebird would have looked like if the Poncho had survived the GM apocalypse and the company's designers had been on acid. If you can get past the wildly rear sheet metal and the drooping front fascia, there's a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 in the Chevrolet Camaro on which it's based. The whole concoction is good for 600 horsepower, and while the car was originally worked up for an Exodus Productions movie, Classic Design Concepts will be selling genuine Firebreather models to the public. Hit the jump to see Farah wrangle the car through a canyon or two.
[Source: The Smoking Tire]Continue reading Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford 
2011 Ford Mustang SR-71 Blackbird - Click above for high-res image gallery
Generous giving can be a sign of how the economy is doing, and if the auction of the custom SR-71 Blackbird Mustang at the EAA AirVenture show yesterday is anything to go by, then things are looking up. Built in collaboration with Ford, Roush and Shelby, the one-off pony car was sold for $375,000 to benefit the EAA's Young Eagles program - that's significantly more than $250,000 the AV-X10 'Dearborn Doll' Mustang raised last year at the event.
Of course, the winning bidder was likely motivated by a little more than charity during the bidding. The one-of-one 2011 Mustang features an exterior designed after the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane, and it includes black and gray matte exterior paint, custom front and rear fascias, performance wheels and a unique screen-print glass roof. Performance has also been boosted thanks to a Whipple supercharger system and a slew of Ford Racing Performance Parts. Follow the jump for more details on the car or check it out in our gallery below.
[Source: Roush via MustangsDaily.com]Continue reading One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Porsche confirms 2011 launch of Panamera S Hybrid 
2010 Porsche Panamera 4S - Click above for high-res image gallery
Buried within Porsche's recent announcement regarding its plans to test three electric Boxsters, the company openly confirmed that the launch of the Panamera S Hybrid is on track for 2011. Though perhaps not as innovative or as those racy electric vehicles, the Panamera S Hybrid still hails from Stuttgart and, therefore, is bound to be one exhilarating ride.
The upcoming Panamera will borrow the hybrid hardware found in the current Cayenne S Hybrid. That means it will sport a 329-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to a 46 hp electric motor. Like the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Panamera's parallel hybrid setup boasts the ability to operate at low speeds under electric power alone. When the production Panamera S Hybrid takes to the streets in 2011, it will become the company's second model to sport a hybrid powertrain, a remarkable achievement considering that few people associate Porsche with fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for more info on Porsche's fuel-saving plans.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Porsche]Continue reading Porsche confirms 2011 launch of Panamera S Hybrid Porsche confirms 2011 launch of Panamera S Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Gooding to auction 1995 McLaren F1 in Monterey Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions 
1995 McLaren F1 to be auctioned by Gooding & Company - Click above for high-res image gallery
Gooding & Company's auction coinciding with this year's Pebble Beach Concours is coming up in a few short weeks, and the lineup of available cars is shaping up to be quite impressive. Already dozens of incredibly compelling and valuable collector cars are scheduled to make their way across the block, but the car that has caught our attention the most so far is a 1995 McLaren F1.
The F1 is singularly special in its own right, but this particular car is even more attractive to buyers in the United States since it's one of the few examples actually registered in the country. The car was sold originally to Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, who was one of the sponsors of McLaren's race team back in the mid-1990s. This F1 comes finished in classic Magnesium Silver paint with a black interior and comes with its factory-delivered luggage and tools. The estimated price? A mere $2.5 to $3.5 million. Follow the jump for full details in the press release from Gooding, and be sure to check out the images below.
Photos by Paul Litwinski (C) 2010 Courtesy of Gooding & CompanyContinue reading Gooding to auction 1995 McLaren F1 in Monterey Gooding to auction 1995 McLaren F1 in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota 
Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center - Click above for high-res image gallery
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.
The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world's most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.
Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog Car Prices Will Climb For Years
 Have you've been watching car prices lately? They seem to go up every month. Forget everything you've been reading about sales incentives, bargain leases or low-cost financing. They just mask the fact that automakers are quietly bumping up MSRP's every chance they get.
In other words, they quietly raise the price of a car and then loudly announce the deals they're offering. Sure, you get a discount. But that discount comes off an ever-higher price.
I've said it before and I'll say again. By 2015, the average new car in the American market is going to cost about $35,000. I'm not talking about the MSRP, which is already at an average of $33,000. I'm talking about the transaction price, what people actually pay for a car.
There are a variety of reasons why this is happening. But it basically comes down to this: even though car sales are very weak, we're actually in a seller's market. The planets are in alignment for automakers to raise their prices, especially for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. And it's only going to get worse.
John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.
Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Crossover 
2011 Infiniti QX56 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Finally, after years and years of stagnation and painfully slow sales, small cars are starting to take a foothold in the United States. Or are they? While conventional wisdom makes us believe that Americans are ready to take the downsizing plunge in the face of - or at least the threat of - high fuel prices and environmental concerns (we're all still watching the Gulf Coast, right?), it seems that reality may once again set us straight.
Automotive sales watchdog Autodata has found that the gas-swilling large SUV segment is growing at a faster pace than the America's small car segment. Like statistics? Here we go: With a 19-percent jump over the first six months of 2010, large SUV sales have outpaced small cars (14 percent). Critically, they've also outpaced the overall market (17 percent).
Now, before we get our feathers riled up too much, realize that sales of large SUVs still lag way behind small cars - 974,000 to 121,000 through the first half of the year. Further, large crossovers like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Lincoln MKT are included in those figures right alongside traditional behemoths like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Infiniti QX56 and Toyota Sequoia.
We also expect that small car sales will continue to climb with new models coming to market, such as the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Hyundai's Accent and Elantra. That said, there's always going to be a demand for large and powerful SUVs that can haul people and stuff while towing a boat or camper in cool, air-conditioned comfort, and automakers will be only too happy to provide the thick-margined vehicles for their consumption. For better or for worse.
[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Unsurprising News of the Day: Ford Explorer Sport Trac is toast Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Ford
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin - Click above for high-res image gallery
When it comes to a new Explorer Sport Trac for 2011, the only real surprise would have been if Ford had actually opted to build one. With the standard Explorer moving to a unit-body architecture, there are no plans for a new pickup truck version, a vehicle that probably would have been something akin to the Honda Ridgeline.
Since the Ridgeline hasn't exactly been flying off dealer's lots, Ford has wisely decided to focus on its full-bodied version, the Explorer. The Blue Oval hasn't made a habit of breaking out Sport Trac sales from its SUV kin, but the Explorer only totaled 52,190 in 2009, so the pickup's volume probably wasn't a huge seller. According to Automotive News' sources, Sport Trac sales usually totaled about 20 to 25 percent of Explorer sales over the last decade, but that number strikes us as curiously high. Over its entire life, we never saw a ton of them - even on the roads around Michigan where domestic pickups are commonplace.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Unsurprising News of the Day: Ford Explorer Sport Trac is toast originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Celebrities, Racing 
X Games 16 Subaru Practice Session - Click above for high-res image gallery
It was just a short time ago - five years, to be exact - that rallying was introduced as a competition in the X Games. The first event started out in spectacular fashion, with Travis Pastrana beating out the late Colin McRae after the former World Rally Championship winner rolled his car with just a few turns to go.
Since then, the competition has become stronger and car manufacturers have increased their involvement as interest in the sport has increased thanks to ESPN's mainstream audience. This year looks to be one of the most exciting events yet with a host of new cars, new drivers, new rules and even a new event. Follow the jump to learn about what to expect for this year's X Games 16 and what it's like to ride shotgun in a 500-horsepower rally car.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOLContinue reading X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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