Daily Motoring

[via culturegarage.com]

Yes, you too can own a vehicle that you can film yourself doing over 200mph so you can be a fugitive for only a mere $100K. The new ZR1 Vette is scheduled to be released next summer with a blown 620hp V8 LS9 engine and enough torque to make your chest cave in. Aggressive bodywork tells the world that the car belongs at the ‘ring and not sitting in traffic on the 405.

Gone is the traditional fiberglass bodywork, now replaced by carbon fiber. Thankfully, with all that power, you can come to a quick halt when you merge back onto city streets with the 15.5″ and 15″ front and rear brakes discs (probably bigger than your average frying pan) with 6 piston calipers. Gone, are the medieval carriage leaf spring suspension replaced by the magneto-rheological dampers (whatever the hell those are) from the Z06. What I really like about the ZR1 is that the bodywork really isn’t that aggressive compared to the current Z06. Unfortunately, the interior is probably right out of a Chevy S10 still, but I’m not complaining. Don’t think this will meet the 35mpg mandate.

[source: Motor Authority]

I’m still not sure if I like this car yet. 4WD = fun. 473hp Twin Turbo V6 = exhilarating. 3800lbs + 2 driveshafts? = huh? :shrugshoulders: I’m not too fond of the last 2 specs. The car is very attractive but couldn’t they shave off at least 500lbs? This thing is a porker. But maybe I should not complain. Apparently, it’s quicker than a 997 Turbo around the ring. See Autocar’s write up on the car.

[source: SpeedTV]

Tafel racing defects to Ferrari in the ALMS GT2 class.

I was shocked to see the Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning team switch from their very successful 2 time 24hrs LeMans winning Porsche GT3RSR to a Ferrari. In the past, the American LeMans Series GT2 class had been dominated by ass-engined Porsches until some Ferraris started making their way up the pack with the 360GT. Eventually, we started seeing the prancing horses showing up on the podium and then a streak of wins, especially when Petersen/White Lightning and Risi Competizione started campaigning the new F430 GT’s.

I don’t blame them for the switch, as it would be great for the series to see a more eclectic array of brands on the grid. The Ferraris have been doing great the last couple of years, and dominated the GT2 class this season (2007). Hell, even the Panoz started to hit the radar, with some rule changes, at the front of the pack. Next year, we’ll hope to see some GT2 C6 Vettes (possibly going to be built by Pratt and Miller), and some Aston Martin DBR’s to mix up the grid some more.

[source: Tafel Racing]

I was losing faith in Audi’s for the last couple of years with the current modes. I couldn’t bare that long beard it was wearing, which ended up being their “corporate grill” panned out to all models. Engines were great, handling is excellent…. body, not so much. It was almost like how much F1 cars have evolved, ugly on the outside, but great on the track. With the redesign for 2009, I think I can manage with the look of the front end now. As you can see by this photo, they have incorporated the LED running lights borrowed from the R8, which appears to be an upcoming trend in the auto industry. The Lexus LS now has LED headlights, that should last a life time. It will be only a matter of time when it becomes a standard. For now, I’ll wait for the new RS4.

SPECS
ON SALE: Fall 2008

BASE PRICE: $35,000 (est)

DRIVETRAIN: 3.2-liter, 265-hp, 243-lb-ft V6; awd, six-speed Tiptronic automatic

CURB WEIGHT: 3480 lb (Europe)

0-60 MPH: 6.1 sec (est)

FUEL ECONOMY: N/A

[Source: Autoweek]

Remakes are never good, especially music. Take the remake of the classic song, “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, by those chicks somewhere south of the Mason Dixie line or whatever they were called that didn’t like George Bush. Horrendously butchered. But for some reason, bringing back old cars back to the modern age always worked for me.

BMW has done an excellent job with the Z3 and then the Z4, then backed them up with the remake of the Mini Cooper. What a hit! Although I don’t own either, they are extremely appealing cars, trendy and have flew off the dealer lots. They have done it again by bringing back the classic Isetta. What is this thing? Well, I tell you what. It’s a cute little car the size of a stove. It might remind of you of the little Fiat in the movie Cars. Will it be a big hit? Not sure, but BMW hasn’t failed me yet with their new cars. It might be ugly, but then again I thought the current body 5 series was ugly until the beastly M5 broke out of its cage in Munich.

[source: AutoExpress]

Ever see a Crown Vic in your mirrors and start to pee in your pants? Think to yourself, “what did I do wrong? tail light out? went 36 in a 35 zone?” Ack! Well, be afraid, be very afraid. Carbon Motors developed the new E7 concept police car/cruiser. These babies will be available with a 300hp, 420 lb-ft diesel engine, capable of a 0-60 in 6 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

Also available are all the great safety features that everyone should have such ABS, stability control, airbags, HUD, bullet proof doors, and the obligatory integrated shot gun mount. I thought the Dodge Magnum looked mean, but this is ridiculous! Check out the Rolls Royce Phantom-esque suicide doors. Based off its specs, I wouldn’t mind trying to get one to run at the annual NASA 25 Hour enduro at Thunderhill. I still can’t figure out which is the front and which is the rear.

The good news is, with the growing popularity of bio-diesel, expect to smell them coming to a freeway near you.

[source: PopularMechanics , Carbon Motors]

If I remember correctly, the last Alfa that was around in the US was the Spider. Not sure if the LotuKia Elan or the Ferrari Mondial was better looking that this exotic Italian Sports car with tires from a Honda Civic. Strange car and rarely seen on the road these days. I was never pleased with the Alfa Romeo brand, especially with the obligatory corporate grill that appears to be better off defending Orcs from taking your Precious. The only Alfa that every grew on to my liking was a 1965 Alfa Romeo GT that I saw at the local AutoX 4 or 5 years back. Still a weird looking stubby car, but it looked great knocking over orange cones.

Present day: Alfa has noted the release of their new car to rebuild the Alfa brand back into the states with not a practical sedan nor a Korean powered roadster, but a Supercar that will be competing with the likes of a Ferrari F430 or a Porsche 997 Turbo or GT2. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione will be available Summer 2008 with guts from the Maserati Gran Turismo and Quattroporte.

444hp RWD V8, and F1-Style paddle shifters will make things quite fun while carving corners through your favorite mountain roads. It’s front engine rear drive layout brings back the classic handling characteristics of a proper GT car. I couldn’t say anything bad about it’s body, mainly due to the fact that it’s all carbon fiber, glued and bolted to the chassis. I’m a sucker for carbon fiber. Headlights are reminiscent of a mix of Callaway C12 and a TVR Tuscan.

In conclusion, thumbs up to Alfa for bringing back a light weight front engined GT Coupe. Your results show as at the time of this writing, all 500 coming to the US has already been accounted for. I’ll be placing my bid on Ebay once people start the flipping.

[source: Autoweek]

Welcome to DailyMotoring!

Here you will find the latest automotive industry and aftermarket news. We will also be covering local car club meets, track events, professional and amateur race weekends and car shows. Occasionally, we will interviewing industry professionals such as professional drivers, engineers, and press associates.

Stay tuned for more content.