Posts Tagged ‘fire’

Face Off at Center Ice: 2010 BMW S 1000 RR [w/video]

Feb 19, 2010 Object, video

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BMW S 1000 RR with studs - Click above to watch the video after the break

We are amidst one of the most persistent bouts of winter weather many parts of the world have ever seen. Chalk it up to Punxsutawney Phil predicting six more weeks of this dreaded season, or perhaps just a good old fashion case of cabin fever, but either way, the crew at Max BMW Motorsport couldn’t wait another second to give the 2010 BMW S 1000 RR a good Twist of the Wrist. What? You gonna let a few feet of ice stop you?

Take your regular old 193-horsepower Beemer, fit a set of Michelin Pilots with cleats and you have the makings of a good snow cone business. After watching the video, we think the new BMW S 1000 RR looks ready for battle - the exhaust note alone will confirm that. Plus, you can choose from four unique color selections, as well as BMW’s typical A’ la carte menu of safety and performance options.

Not convinced? The claimed best-in-class power-to-weight ratio may just quicken your pulse. If you find yourself sitting comfortably behind closed doors warming your toes by the fire while you await that first ride of spring, don’t fret! Looks like Germany may have actually come up with a cure for the winter blues. Hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Two Wheels Blog]

Continue reading Face Off at Center Ice: 2010 BMW S 1000 RR [w/video]

Face Off at Center Ice: 2010 BMW S 1000 RR [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler releases details on Fiat-infused fours, new V6

Jan 8, 2010 Object

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Chrysler’s New Four- and Six-Cylinder Engines - Click above for high-res image gallery

If Chrysler is looking to gain any one thing from its new parents at Fiat, it’s engine technology. Specifically, the Pentastar will be enlisting its Italian overlords to supply direct injection systems, turbocharging, and Fiat’s Multiair variable valve technology, along with new dual-clutch transmissions. Chrysler claims all of this technology is going to boost the overall fuel-efficiency of its vehicles by 25 percent between now and 2014, with over 80 percent of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles getting new mills in the process.

To that end, Chrysler has finally announced the details of its new powertrain lineup, including two small-displacement four-cylinders and a new V6.

On the four-pot front, Chrysler will begin fitting one of two new 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines on future models: a naturally aspirated version kicking out 100 horsepower (at 6,750 rpm) and 95 pound-feet of torque (at 4,250 rpm), as well as a turbocharged variant that churns out 170 hp (at 6,750 rpm) and 170 lb-ft of twist (at 3,000 rpm). Chrysler has dubbed these new mills “Fully Integrated Robotized Engines” (FIRE - seriously), and each features Fully Variable-valve Actuation (FVVA) - what we’ve come to know as Multiair across the Atlantic. Chrysler maintains that both engines offer a 10 percent reduction in emissions and fuel consumption while putting out between 10- to 15-percent more power than its outgoing mills.

A larger displacement, 2.4-liter inline four with Multiair will also come to market, putting out 190 hp (at 6,000 rpm) and 175 lb.-ft of torque (at 4,200 rpm), and along with the new trio of four-cylinders, Chrysler announced specs on the new Pentastar V6. Displacing 3.6 liters and putting out 280 hp (at 6,400 rpm) and 260 lb-ft of torque (at 4,400 rpm), the new six will see similar fuel consumption and emissions reductions and will be fitted to the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee later this year.

In 2010, Chrysler says that it will begin to equip its mid-size vehicles (D-segment) with a new six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT), that improves fuel economy and can handle up to 260 lb-ft of torque. Expect to see the new tranny making its way into the next-generation Sebring and Chrysler’s new crossovers.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Chrysler announced its intentions to bring a hybrid Ram 1500 market this year, along with working with the Department of Energy to build a small test fleet of plug-in Rams and minivans, including an electric delivery van for fleet use in 2011 or 2012. All the details are available in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler releases details on Fiat-infused fours, new V6

Chrysler releases details on Fiat-infused fours, new V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Mid-engined Ghepardo is one part Corvette, one part Camaro, 100% SEMA

Nov 5, 2009 Object

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Caccia Custom Cars Ghepardo - click above image for high-res gallery

Here’s what we know: Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a 2002 Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. The car uses the Camaro’s frame and the Corvette’s motor and suspension. The motor is mounted amidships, albeit backwards (note the throttle body). And the House of Kolor paint is called Pagan Gold. Also, you should not confuse this SEMA all-star Ghepardo with the 2006 Bizzarrini Ghepardo concept.

As for this Ghepadro… it’s not that bad looking. In fact, the longer we stare at the exterior, the more we like what we see. Obviously we can’t get past the gaudy chainmail armor covering up every single vent and opening. And we’d prefer if the five-slot wheels weren’t chromed. That said, in profile, it’s a nice looking mid-engine coupe and the rear is quite muscular. The front even has a touch of new Lexus, which while sacriligious for a Chevy-on-Chevy mashup like this, ain’t bad at all.

The interior, on the other hand, is a house of horrors. Everything is covered over in prison-grade Alcantara or carbon fiber-look fiberglass. Even the fire extinguisher!! Also, we’re pretty sure a 15/16″ cutting tool isn’t the smartest Dremel attachment to use for a show car. In fact, in this Autoblogger’s mind, the Ghepardo is now in the running neck-and-neck with the Masonry Vitesse Rose for having the worst interior ever - quite a distinction! Additionally, the Ghepardo fills our minds with the delightful image of Corvette and Camaro fans/owners beating each other to pulps with giant oversized cartoon hammers. Perhaps that’s just the food around here talking…

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

SEMA 2009: Mid-engined Ghepardo is one part Corvette, one part Camaro, 100% SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Subaru’s 250-hp FT-86 coupe in STI trim

Oct 13, 2009 Object

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Despite dropping all the information about its Tokyo-bound concepts, Subaru hasn’t hinted at when we’ll be seeing its version of the Toyota FT-86 coupe. Thankfully, Japan’s Holiday Auto has stepped up to the plate to throw more fuel onto the fire with a subtly modified sketch of the FT-86 and some possible powertrain information of Subaru’s first rear-wheel drive coupe.

According to the report (and a heaping helping of common sense), the Japanese rumormongers expect the STI version of the coupe to debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show (after the standard model is revealed next year), complete with Subaru’s 250-hp EJ25 2.5-liter boxer. Similar to the dual-injected, 200-hp EJ20 fitted to its Toyota brethren, the engine will remain naturally aspirated, but a turbocharged version hasn’t been ruled out.

In addition to a wider track and upgraded tires, wheels and brakes, expect the STI version to don a gaping front fascia and a sizeable rear wing, similar to the camo-covered mule we saw in the latest round of spy shots. If Subaru wants to compete with the rest of the high-horsepower sports cars in the U.S. and Japan, it better get cracking, because competition is fierce, and the only way it can compete is to keep the price down and the weight in check.

[Source: Holiday Auto via 7Tune]

Rendered Speculation: Subaru’s 250-hp FT-86 coupe in STI trim originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 10.13.09

Oct 13, 2009 Object, news, video

Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious

The vintage vehicles we’ve come to love aren’t genuinely vintage at all — they’re classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals. And the GT40 Mk1 proves what motoring — not merely driving — is really about.

REPORT: Chrysler retiree saves two men in fiery pickup crash with his power washer

Oct 13, 2009 Object

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Retired Chrysler worker Stipe Botica is a hero today after putting out an engine fire after a single-vehicle accident, likely saving the life of the passenger. The accident occurred at 4 am when two men in a Ford Ranger crashed into a vacant house next door to Botica’s residence at Forest Glade in Windsor, Ontario.

When Botica went outside, he found the two men crying for help, so he helped pull the driver out of the vehicle. He then discovered that the passenger was wedged against the dashboard and unable to move while a fire was brewing in the Ranger’s engine compartment. Botica ran into his backyard and grabbed a power washer that he’d been using to clean his pool and returned to the wreck, where he doused the engine bay and the passenger. Botica claims it took about five minutes to extinguish the fire, and it later took about an hour to remove the passenger from the wrecked Ranger. Botica told the Windsor Star that the area around the vehicle smelled of alcohol and there were no obvious signs of braking in the area around the incident.

We weren’t at the scene of the accident, but we’re thinking that two young men were mighty lucky Botica was home, alert and had a power washer handy when they crashed in the middle of the night. Who knows, perhaps Chrysler could fly Botica and his power washer to Auburn Hills to put out some fires at his former employer!

[Source: Windsor Star | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

REPORT: Chrysler retiree saves two men in fiery pickup crash with his power washer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: BMW M5 dropping V10 for turbo V8

Sep 28, 2009 Object

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BMW M5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The straight six in the first BMW M5 supersedans was silky smooth and plenty powerful, but it was getting a bit long-in-the-tooth, so it had to go. It was replaced by the 400 hp V8 in the E39, then later with the fire-breathing V10 in the current M5 (above) that pushed horsepower into the stratosphere, particularly when you activated the ‘M’ button. That engine remains powerful, but with CO2 concerns, fuel economy standards and the fact that the V10 isn’t available in much of anything else in BMW’s lineup, it seems like the next-gen M5 will probably find its motive power supplied by a V8 instead. If a V8 is good enough for the Audi RS6 and Cadillac CTS-V, perhaps it’s good enough for the BMW M5, too.

We saw speculation about a V8 M5 as far back as May, 2008, and more recent speculation that it was going to be a twin-turbo V10 instead, but now Inside Line is reporting that BMW reps have confirmed that a V8 will indeed be in the next M5’s engine bay - although they didn’t confirm which one. Most likely, it will be the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that first appeared in the X5M and X6M. With 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, it falls right in the ballpark with other supersedan outputs. That new powerplant will sit in a new cradle as well, with the all-new 5-Series just months away. Around these parts, we’re starting to refer to this next generation M5 as the Goldilocks Edition. Six wasn’t enough, ten was too much and eight is just right. Thanks for the tip, Derick!

Gallery: Review: BMW M5

[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: BMW M5 dropping V10 for turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Links for 2009-09-09 [del.icio.us]

Sep 10, 2009 news

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Links for 2009-09-09 [del.icio.us]

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Modified Subaru Impreza WRX STI – with 601bhp

Sep 9, 2009 news

Modified Subaru Impreza WRX STI – with 601bhp

We took a hot ride in Ken Block’s super Scooby last week - and this is the full lowdown on the fire-spitting exhaust-popping rally racer.

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Modified Subaru Impreza WRX STI – with 601bhp

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Another Station Fire bummer: Angeles Crest Highway closed indefinitely

Sep 7, 2009 Object, news

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We already heard about the bike and car mecca Hidden Springs Cafe burning down, and now it looks like another Los Angeles auto treasure has succumbed to the flames. Years ago, when the then new Shelby GT500 came out, we pounded up about half of Angeles Crest’s 66 miles before stopping to take photos. Despite that uber-Stang’s propensity to get a bit squirrelly when the going got rough, the glass-smooth Angeles Crest pavement proved to be an ideal place to test out man vs. snake. While our shutter was snapping away, a tow truck pulled up and the driver got out to ogle the Shelby.

“How many accidents do you get up here a day?” we asked, knowing that before they repaved and smoothed Angeles Crest Highway it held the infamous title of most dangerous road in California. “Ten” he responded, his head examining the chemistry set lurking in front of the GT500’s 5.4-liter supercharged mill. “How many of those involve motorcycles?” we asked, remembering a grade school friend losing both her bike-riding parents to Angeles Crest. “Ten” he said.

Looks like our tow trucker friend is going to have some time off. Due to the Station Fire, more than 40 miles have been closed “indefinitely” due to “burned off road stripping and destroyed guard rails and signage.” As far as the pavement goes, it’s “largely intact” but CalTrans has no idea how long before everything else gets patched up. Also of note to LA area drivers and riders - looks like the fire hit both Big and Little Tujunga Canyons. Its going to be a dull autumn.

[Source: Los Angeles Times | Image: Kevork Djansezian/Getty]

Another Station Fire bummer: Angeles Crest Highway closed indefinitely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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