Buick sells 3 millionth car in China... since 1999

Filed under: China, Buick, GM

Buick GL8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

China and Buick have enjoyed a fruitful relationship since the brand's introduction there in 1999, and General Motors is now celebrating the sale of the three-millionth Buick in the country. This greatly exceeds Buick sales in the U.S. over that same period, and GM managed to move all that metal with only 400 stores across China.

Shanghai GM credits the Buick brand strategy laid out in 2008 as a reason for the impressive totals, with sales rising by more than 100,000 units per year. That approach has resulted in the introduction of several new or revised Buick models over the past few years, including the GL8 luxury MPV and the Excelle GT and XT. Hit the jump to read over GM's press release.

Gallery: Buick GL8 Van

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Buick sells 3 millionth car in China... since 1999

Buick sells 3 millionth car in China... since 1999 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/30/buick-sells-3-millionth-car-in-china-since-1999/

Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Colorado museum is trove of Shelby American treasures

Filed under: Etc.

Kamil Kaluski, a.k.a CarGuyDad, was cruising around Boulder, Colorado with his daughter when he spotted a sign emblazoned with "Auto Museum." Not expecting much, he was a surprised to find this particular museum was actually home to the Shelby American Collection.

Stepping into the nondescript building, Kaluski and his young traveling companion were greeted by the sight of Cobras, Mustangs, GT40s and a few other very special hunks of iron. Some of those "other" vehicles include a Falcon wagon used as a Shelby parts hauler/tow vehicle and a Ferrari raced by Carroll himself.

Head over to CarGuyDad for more information on his surprising Colorado find, as well as more photos of the vehicles housed at the Shelby American Collection.

[Source: Car Guy Dad]

Colorado museum is trove of Shelby American treasures originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/30/colorado-museum-is-trove-of-shelby-american-treasures/

Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley

Richmond Cup Series Starting Lineup ? Juan Montoya on pole

1 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet 20.989 128.639 2 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet 21.031 128.382 3 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet 21.049 128.272 4 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota 21.069 128.150 5 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet 21.085 128.053 6 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet 21.092 128.011 7 2 Brad Keselowski [...]

Source: http://finallapradio.com/2011/04/30/cup-series-richmond-starting-lineup-juan-montoya-on-pole/

Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk

Pole Report: Crown Royal Presents The Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/04/pole-report-crown-royals-present.html

Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone

Boullier: 2013 engine debate open

Renault team principal Eric Boullier believes Formula 1 teams need to consider only what is best for the sport - rather than what suits their own interests ? when it comes to deciding what to do about future engine rules. Amid concerns from some teams that the move to 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engines from 2013 will lead to an unnecessary escalation in costs, and Bernie Ecclestone doubtful that the new power units are good for F1, there has been talk that the switch of engine formula could be delayed. With opinions between teams on the matter split, even though the new rules are already written into the regulations, Boullier, who was recently voted vice-chairman of the Formula One Teams' Association, thinks that careful thought needs to put into sorting out where the sport goes from here.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/boullier-2013-engine-debate-open/

Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson

Activists hope Bahrain is not reinstated

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been urged not to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix to the world championship calendar until the Gulf State's political situation has returned to normal. With ongoing conflict between the authorities and pro-democracy activists, and the island under a State of Emergency, there already appears little chance of this year's Bahrain GP getting rescheduled.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/activists-hope-bahrain-is-not-reinstated/

Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton

2011 Estoril MotoGP Press Release Previews, Part 3: Factory Yamaha And Aspar Ducati

A couple more press releases from the MotoGP teams previewing the upcoming Estoril round, including words from the winner of the three last editions, Jorge Lorenzo:

Year: 

2011

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/K3MQHCHc2Dg/2011_estoril_motogp_press_release_previe.html

Max Jean Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson

Utility Cycling Tips From Bike Zealot Martha Stewart

Stewart talks up cycling as transportation with Emilia Crotty of Bike New York
In addition to nerve-wracking weather, one sure sign of spring is the re-emergence of the bicycle as pop culture totem. If you’re on many catalogue mailing lists, you’ve probably seen them — gleaming utility bikes and cruisers at the ready as toned and [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/28/utility-cycling-tips-from-bike-zealot-martha-stewart/

Cecil Green Keith Greene Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith

2011 Estoril MotoGP Press Release Previews, Part 5: Pramac Ducati

Yet another press release prior to Estoril, this time from the Pramac Ducati team:

Year: 

2011

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/TSJHd9t53DM/2011_estoril_motogp_press_release_previe.html_1

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green

Kristensen keeps Audi on top in test

Tom Kristensen ended up fastest in the best of the new Audi R18 TDIs at the Le Mans Test Day. The eight-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours set the best time of the day with a 3m27.687s in the four-hour afternoon session.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/3rdparty/kristensen-keeps-audi-on-top-in-test/

Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr

IndyCar brass hoping Wheeler-esque stunt will draw a lot more than attention

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/27/1158555/indycar-hoping-wheeler-esque-stunt.html

Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford

Sachsenring MotoGP Round "Safe", But Contract Haggling Continues

The news emerging from MotoGP contract negotiations recently has not been promising. The Brno circuit is asking for money from the national government to help support the Czech Grand Prix, the Jerez circuit saga continues, with debts still unpaid to the contractors Serviobras and FCC who carried out construction work, and the Sachsenring circuit has still not secured an extension of its contract with Dorna to host the German Grand Prix from next year.

But things may not be as bleak as they seem, at least not as far as the Sachsenring circuit is concerned. After reports, relayed here, from the regional arm of the German tabloid Bild that the Sachsenring could lose the German Grand Prix, the German-language motorsports magazine Speedweek did some further digging into the matter. What their investigations turned up was much better news: according to veteran GP reporter Gunther Wiesinger, the chances of the Sachsenring not hosting the German MotoGP round are as good as zero. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta told Wiesinger that the two parties involved - Dorna and the ADAC, the German equivalent of the Automobile Association that organize the event and own the Sachsenring circuit - were certain to find a solution. "I do not see a problem for the future of the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring," Ezpeleta told Wiesinger.

Source: 

http://www.speedweek.de/art_18907.html

http://www.bild.de/regional/dresden/moto-gp/moto-gp-auf-dem-sachsenring-...

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/Omdmyycww8Q/sachsenring_motogp_round_safe_but_contra.html

Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine

AEROSPACE COMPONENTS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR FOR NHRA UNLEASHED

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (April 27, 2011) Aerospace Components, an industry leader in manufacturing high performance drag racing products, has been named the title sponsor for NHRA Unleashed, a celebration of American horsepower, it was announced today by NHRA officials....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/04/aerospace_components_name_1.php

Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault

Turkey preview quotes: Red Bull

Mark Webber: "I hope you all had a good Easter. I caught up with some friends and had some good downtime. It's a bit odd in the UK at the moment with all the bank holidays, but the weather has been sensational.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/turkey-preview-quotes-red-bull/

David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

Across the Pond

The inRacingNews Challenge took its penultimate round across the pond, spending this past week on the International layout of the famed Silverstone Circuit. Week 11 of 12 marked the online racing series’ third and final visit to the track, after the Pontiac Solstices and SpecRacer Fords took on the National layout in Week Four and Southern layout in Week Eight. With only one week left in the championship, it?s safe to say that most of the divisional championships are pretty well set, while season-long favorites Chris Hughson (Solstice) and Gabriel Tobar (Ford) should go home with the championships in their respective classes. Both celebrated with class-pacing weeks ? Tobar scoring 169 points after leading all 14 laps of his lone race victory and Hughson taking home a magnificent 209 by [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/across-the-pond/

Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue

2011 WORLD SERIES by RENAULT LEADER ALEXANDER ROSSI READY FOR NEXT ROUNDS IN SPA

Fortec Motorsport Alexander Rossi Tuesday 26th April Fortec Motorsport driver, Alexander Rossi heads to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit as current World Series by Renault Championship leader to contest rounds three and four of the series this weekend....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/04/2011_world_series_by_rena.php

Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya

Alonso convinced Ferrari can catch up

Fernando Alonso says he still has absolute faith in Ferrari's ability to turn its poor start to 2011 around given its history of mid-season improvement. Despite looking strong in testing, Ferrari has yet to take a podium finish after three rounds of this season's championship, and Alonso is already 42 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel in the standings, with Ferrari's second driver Felipe Massa a further two points behind Alonso

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/alonso-convinced-ferrari-can-catch-up/

Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson

Petersen Museum secures $100,000,000 donation

Filed under: Etc.

Petersen Automotive Museum - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, more than 150,000 folks stroll through the halls of the Petersen Automotive Museum. The crowds have been coming to the Los Angles auto-institution since 1994, when the doors were first opened. And it looks like those doors will remain open for many years to come thanks to a very large donation by Margie Petersen and the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation. When we say "large" we mean it, because Mrs. Petersen just handed over $100,000,000 to the Petersen Museum Foundation.

Now, before you jump out of your seat because of all those zeros, we have to explain a bit more about that figure. This $100,000,000 donation is comprised of the 300,000 square foot building, cars that were part of Robert E. Petersen's personal collection, an undisclosed influx of cash (described as a "substantial unrestricted financial gift") and a "matching challenge."

We wanted to find out a little more with regards to just how this $100 million donation breaks down. A quick call to Buddy Pepp, Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Musuem, helped shed some light on the matter. While Mr. Pepp could not disclose the exact amount of the cash gift they're receiving, he did say that value is "enormous." He went on to state that it's "breathtaking" and will "enable us to do all the things we've wanted or need to do. It will catapult us to a world-renowned status. This donation will allow us to fulfill Bob Petersen's vision." Not only that, the "matching challenge" will make sure that the directing board keeps pushing to help the museum continue to grow.

We were hoping to get to the juicy details, and hear an exact figure, but it's good to know that the Petersen Museum is going to allow people of all ages to get a glimpse of automobiles from all eras. In fact, the total number of vehicles being donated from Petersen's private stock is 135, and that includes a handful of motorcycles as well. It's an incredibly generous gift from a couple that already give to many other groups and charities.

Gallery: Petersen Automotive Museum

[Source: Petersen Automotive Museum]

Continue reading Petersen Museum secures $100,000,000 donation

Petersen Museum secures $100,000,000 donation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/petersen-museum-secures-100-000-000-donation/

Mack Hellings Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman

Kubica leaves Italian hospital

Robert Kubica has been discharged from the Santa Corona hospital where he has been since he was severely injured in a rallying accident 10 weeks go. Local news service IVG.it quoted a hospital statement as saying: "Robert Kubica is no longer at Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure. His condition is good and the driver will be able to begin a new rehabilitation phase outside the hospital.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/kubica-leaves-italian-hospital/

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

SFPark, Putting Shoup?s Ideas to the Test, Launches to Much Political Support

"I think SFPark will give San Francisco the best of both worlds. If it works it will make San Francisco an even better place to live and work and visit and do business. It will be another feather in the city's cap and other cities around the world will copy you," said UCLA professor and [...]

Source: http://sf.streetsblog.org/2011/04/21/sfmta-launches-sfpark-to-much-fanfare-and-political-support/

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby

Activists hope Bahrain is not reinstated

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been urged not to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix to the world championship calendar until the Gulf State's political situation has returned to normal. With ongoing conflict between the authorities and pro-democracy activists, and the island under a State of Emergency, there already appears little chance of this year's Bahrain GP getting rescheduled.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/activists-hope-bahrain-is-not-reinstated/

Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim

First Look at the 2012 Honda MotoGP Race Bike

While we were busy filing our taxes last week, HRC was busy at the Suzuka circuit shaking out its yet-to-be-named 2012 MotoGP race bike. Details are a bit sparse, but motogp.com is reporting that HRC test riders�Kousuke Akiyoshi and Tady Okada were at the helm of the new bike, and the website shows a solitary photo that craftily doesn’t give away too much about the machine. The private test is a prelude to Honda’s factory ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/UH1fBSL71pw/

Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire

Today?s Headlines

Get Ready for Inane Gas Price Populism From Both Parties (Politico)
Technology Hasn’t Ended Ticket-Fixing, Despite Bloomberg’s Claims (Post)
Family of Megan Charlop Suing City For Lack of Bike Lane on Crotona Ave (News)
Driver Hit and Killed Cyclist Joseph Granati in Gravesend Yesterday Afternoon, No Charges Filed (News)
Daily News: Spending Money to�Improve PPW Bike Lane Is “Path [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/25/todays-headlines-1126/

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

Kristensen keeps Audi on top in test

Tom Kristensen ended up fastest in the best of the new Audi R18 TDIs at the Le Mans Test Day. The eight-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours set the best time of the day with a 3m27.687s in the four-hour afternoon session.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/3rdparty/kristensen-keeps-audi-on-top-in-test/

Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Monras takes commanding F2 win

Miki Monras took a dominant victory in the second Formula 2 race of the season at Silverstone. The Spaniard, who made his series debut 24 hours earlier, made a great getaway from pole position to lead into the first corner, and never looked back as he pulled away to an easy win by over 10 seconds from Mirko Bortolotti. Bortolotti actually finished third on the road, behind Monras and Will Bratt.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/3rdparty/monras-takes-commanding-f2-win/

Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge

Why John Rides

Here?s the third portrait in Streetsblog?s weekly ?Why I Ride? series.
Photo copyright Dmitry Gudkov.
John is a paramedic with FDNY EMS in Harlem. He often gets to work from Brooklyn by bike, or a combination of bike and train. He and two other EMT colleagues at the station house are regular bike commuters.
For him, cycling is [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/22/why-john-rides/

Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones

Huff leads first Zolder practice

Chevrolet's dominance of the 2011 World Touring Car Championship season-opener at Curitiba has carried through to the first part of this weekend's round at Zolder, with Rob Huff and Yvan Muller setting the pace in this morning's opening practice session. Huff's marker of 1m38.531s put him 0.2 seconds clear of his reigning champion team-mate, leaving third-placed Michel Nykjaer a further second in arrears as the quickest of the non-Chevys in his two-litre SUNRED SEAT

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/huff-leads-first-zolder-practice/

Bill Holland Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino

PlaNYC 2.0 Reactions: Kate Slevin, Tri-State Transportation Campaign

Streetsblog has been gathering responses to yesterday?s release of PlaNYC 2.0. This is the third installment. Read the first and second parts.
In a phone interview yesterday afternoon, Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, shared her first impressions of the city’s revised sustainability plan…
On the diminished prominence of transportation compared to the first [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/22/planyc-2-0-reactions-kate-slevin-tri-state-transportation-campaign/

Tony Gaze Geki Olivier Gendebien Marc Gené

The Weekly Carnage

The Weekly Carnage is a Friday round-up of motor vehicle violence across the five boroughs and beyond. For more on the origins and purpose of this column, please read About the Weekly Carnage.
A livery cab driver crashed into a department store in the Bronx, killing 1 and injuring 6. [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/22/the-weekly-carnage-128/

Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan

Kubica leaves Italian hospital

Robert Kubica has been discharged from the Santa Corona hospital where he has been since he was severely injured in a rallying accident 10 weeks go. Local news service IVG.it quoted a hospital statement as saying: "Robert Kubica is no longer at Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure. His condition is good and the driver will be able to begin a new rehabilitation phase outside the hospital.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/kubica-leaves-italian-hospital/

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby

Team Lotus linked to Caterham tie-up

Team Lotus has been linked to a tie-up deal with sportscar manufacturer Caterham, with an announcement about a takeover possible as early as next week. The Hingham-based outfit has announced that it is to hold a major press conference at Duxford Airfield next week - although it has not confirmed any further details. In an invite sent to the press, the team stated that the media event would be "an incredibly exciting announcement about the future of the team"

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/team-lotus-linked-to-caterham-tie-up/

Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme James Hunt Jim Hurtubise

Turkish GP under threat for 2012

The Turkish Grand Prix's future appears to be in doubt with local officials said to be baulking at a doubling of the fees demanded to keep the race for 2012. The current contract at Istanbul Park runs until this year, and discussions are ongoing between organisers and Formula 1 commercial chiefs about an extension

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/turkish-gp-under-threat-for-2012/

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

American Michael Lewis Sets The Pace At Misano

Michael Lewis Formula 3 Italia Misano Formula 3 Italia Collective Test Session Results Laguna Beach, California (April 18, 2011) American Michael Lewis continues to clock in at the top of the time charts, most recently during a two-day Formula 3...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/04/american_michael_lewis_se.php

Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort

The Champion and the Apprentice

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch

Alonso convinced Ferrari can catch up

Fernando Alonso says he still has absolute faith in Ferrari's ability to turn its poor start to 2011 around given its history of mid-season improvement. Despite looking strong in testing, Ferrari has yet to take a podium finish after three rounds of this season's championship, and Alonso is already 42 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel in the standings, with Ferrari's second driver Felipe Massa a further two points behind Alonso

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/alonso-convinced-ferrari-can-catch-up/

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Kyle Busch wins Nashville Trucks race

Sprint Cup star Kyle Busch raced to his second NASCAR Trucks Series victory of the season, passing Ron Hornaday Jr. on a late restart and easily holding off Nelson Piquet Jr. on Friday night at Nashville Superspeedway.

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/kyle-busch-wins-nashville-trucks-race-ap.html

Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous

Hamilton hails McLaren?s turnaround

Lewis Hamilton has hailed his McLaren team for "performing a miracle" to turn around its car for the start of the 2011 season following his first win of the year in China. The British squad struggled for pace and reliability during winter testing, but started the season strongly, with Hamilton finishing in second place in Australia

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/hamilton-hails-mclarens-turnaround/

Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk Christian Klien

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 to start at $55,675*

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster has received a substantial makeover for 2012, with reworked powertrains and more masculine sheetmetal. The SLK350's new 3.5-liter V6 helps back up that fresh dose of manliness with 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, thanks to the addition of direct injection. Having driven the roadster, we found the upgrades help make the car more entertaining to drive, and now we can put a price tag on these refinements.

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the 2012 SLK350 will start at $55,675 (*including $875 in destination charges). That's a $1,500 increase over the 2011 model - a fair shake considering the updates. For comparison's sake, the folding hardtop SLK350 carries an MSRP that's $4,800 more than the Audi TTS Roadster and $950 more than the BMW Z4 sDrive35i. It does, however, continue to price out lower than the similarly powered Porsche Boxster S, which starts at $58,600. The SLK350 goes on sale on June 1.

If $55,675 is too rich or too powerful for your blood, you can opt to wait until February for the SLK250. Unfortunately, Mercedes hasn't announced pricing for the SLK250, but we do know that it will feature a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Now, about that AMG...

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 to start at $55,675* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/2012-mercedes-benz-slk350-to-start-at-55-675/

Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori

Hakkinen: Vettel better after title

Retired double world champion Mika Hakkinen believes that Sebastian Vettel is driving with more confidence in 2011 now that he has a drivers' title under his belt. Vettel has won two of the first three races and finished second in last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, which has given him a 19-point lead in this year's championship over Lewis Hamilton.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/hakkinen-vettel-better-after-title/

Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler

?Don?t Be a Jerk? ? The Wrong Message at the Wrong Time

This week, the New York City Department of Transportation began promoting its online (and thankfully multilingual) ?Bike Smart Pledge,? asking cyclists to yield to pedestrians, stop at red lights and stop signs, ride in the direction of traffic, stay off the sidewalk, and have the proper lighting when riding at night. This will soon [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/21/dont-be-a-jerk-the-wrong-message-at-the-wrong-time/

Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte

Return Engagements: NASCAR Sets Dates, Sites For 2011 Postseason Shows

Las Vegas, Miami Beach and Charlotte Will Again Host Championship Celebrations NASCAR LogoDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 20, 2011) ? NASCAR has announced dates and sites for its 2011 postseason championship celebrations. Riding the momentum of 2010?s highly successful awards shows, all of this year?s events will return to the same sites. The NASCAR Sprint Cup...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/otherseries/04/20/return-engagements-nascar-sets-dates-sites-for-2011-postseason-shows/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=return-engagements-nascar-sets-dates-sites-for-2011-postseason-shows

Howden Ganley Frank Gardner Billy Garrett Jo Gartner

Drivers, teams discovering on-track benefits of video study (NASCAR.com)

Drivers, teams discovering on-track benefits of video study

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/drivers-teams-discovering-on-track-benefits-of-video-study-nascar-com.html

Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford Jim Hall

2012 Chrysler 300 S / 300C Executive Series ? Auto Shows

AWD returns to the V-6, and urbanites and suits each get their own Chrysler 300. The redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 has hardly cooled from the heat of the lights at this year?s Detroit show, but Chrysler is pushing onward, adding several new models to the 300 lineup at the New York affair. There, we?re being [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/zOVX9mo7pfU/

Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme

Ecclestone says Formula 1 not for sale

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says the sport in not for sale following reports that Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is in talks over acquiring control of grand prix racing. "It's rubbish," Ecclestone told the Telegraph Sport

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/ecclestone-says-formula-1-not-for-sale/

Alan Jones Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch

2011 Jeep Wrangler Mojave ? Auto Shows

Another Jeep special edition, and this one involves lizard stickers. Nearly every automaker churns out special editions, but few have been doing it for as long as Jeep, a brand that?s been dressing up its iconic off-roaders since the Tuxedo Park CJ-5s of the early 1960s. (Among the more famous special Jeeps is the Golden [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/DktiM96114A/

Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi

Henry St. Placard Abuser Fends Off NYPD By Mixing Church and State

Is the operator of this car on official Parks Department business or praying? And why does either activity excuse parking in the bike lane? Photo: Peter Kaufman
At this point, it’s hardly news that the length of the Henry Street bike lane was filled with parked cars yesterday (see here and here). Being a Sunday, it [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/04/18/henry-st-placard-abuser-fends-off-nypd-by-mixing-church-and-state/

Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr

Suzuki Kizashi Apex and EcoCharge Hybrid Concepts ? Auto Shows

Suzuki envisions expanding the Kizashi line in two opposing directions. Suzuki?s Kizashi line consists of, well, just the Kizashi sedan. One engine, front- or all-wheel drive, stick or CVT. We don?t mind?a fact attested to by the praise littering the logbook in our long-term test car?but Suzuki needs more flavors of Kizashi if it wants [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/1rClrH7GK1g/

Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs

Another epic race at Talladega

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/19/1140846/another-epic-race-at-talladega.html

Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer

Aaron?s Dream Weekend Is Dream Come True For Race Fans

Talladega (Ala.) SuperspeedwayTALLADEGA, Ala. ? Three thrilling finishes came to pass at Talladega Superspeedway during the Aaron?s Dream Weekend, thanks to three thrilling passes. The weekend was highlighted by the Aaron?s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, which featured a record-tying 88 passes as well as an amazing four-wide finish involving a pack...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/04/18/aaron%e2%80%99s-dream-weekend-is-dream-come-true-for-race-fans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aaron%25e2%2580%2599s-dream-weekend-is-dream-come-true-for-race-fans

Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green Keith Greene

Jordan leads BTCC practice again

Andrew Jordan topped the first free practice session of the British Touring Car round at Donington Park this morning. The Eurotech Racing Vauxhall Vectra driver was the only man under the 1m11s barrier, with a best of 1m10.843s set in the first half of the session. Jordan also managed several laps in the 1m11s and has yet to be beaten in a free practice session this season.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/btcc/jordan-leads-btcc-practice-again/

Bruce Kessler Nicolas Kiesa Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis

2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

2013 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

Upon taking the wraps off of the 2013 Ford Taurus, Derrick Kuzak, the automaker's group vice president of global product development, said the styling tweaks were wholly influenced by the new Audi A6. Sure, the new front fascia and LED square around the taillamps are total Audi knock-offs, but what's important to learn from this is that Ford is using the A6 as its target for the Taurus, and with a host of updates for the 2013 model year, Ford's flagship gets one step closer to being an Audi alternative.

All in, the design tweaks give the Taurus an added sense of aggressiveness, though the car is still immediately recognizable as a successor to the all-new flagship that debuted for the 2010 model year. The trapezoidal grille has been tweaked, and now features active air shutters to improve overall fuel economy. The hood has been fully resculpted, and out back, tweaked taillamps with LED running lights blend into a slightly revised rear fascia. Dual exhaust tips are now standard across the board, as are new 20-inch wheel options.

The big enhancements for 2013 are the Taurus' powertrains. Ford's trusty 3.5-liter V6 still serves as the base engine, though its output has been bumped up to 290 horsepower - a full 27 more horses than the outgoing car. New for 2013, though, is the addition of the automaker's 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, rated at 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. With the EcoBoost engine underhood, the Taurus is estimated to achieve up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

Inside, there's a new steering wheel and more soft-touch materials have been added to the dash and center console, which now uses the automaker's MyFord Touch infotainment system. Other new enhancements include the addition of Ford's curve control system - first seen on the Explorer - that enhances cornering capability and braking control. Speaking of brakes, the Taurus also gets a larger brake master cylinder, meaning braking feel should be substantially better.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car's on-sale date in early 2012, and while the 2013 Taurus might not be a perfect competitor to Audi's A6, it's sure to offer similar content (and style) at a much lower price-point. Check out all the details for yourself in the press release after the jump, as well as some B-roll footage of the new car. We'll have plenty of live photos and impressions from the car's official New York Auto Show debut, as well.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/19/2013-ford-taurus-revealed/

Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia