First Drive: 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS [w/video]

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Porsche, First Drives, Luxury

The Panamera That Can Win Back Purists



The roads winding from the southernmost coast of Spain up to Ascari Race Resort near the town of Ronda are enough to bring telling tales out of any car that professes to have high performance intentions. What talented few acquit themselves well on these roads are then exposed to the 3.4-mile Ascari circuit, and that's usually enough to send most of them home in a huff of brake dust and blow-by.

This time in the crucible, it's the 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS, a car first shown under the hard lights of November's Los Angeles Auto Show. Despite not being the most powerful in the range, this naturally aspirated GTS is tipped to offer the most race-like dynamics of the entire Panamera portfolio. And after 100 or so miles on public amusement park roads and 20 or so on the track, this plus-size GT showed us it's capable of dicing it up like a 911 or Cayman while delivering an understandably different experience from behind the wheel.

Continue reading 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS [w/video]

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/2013-porsche-panamera-gts-first-drive-review/

Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer

Sponsorship despite the tough times

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/sponsorship-despite-tough-times.html

James Hunt Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx

Kubica aims to be back in a simulator by June | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: Robert Kubica looks set to be back in an F1 simulator from June.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/DZZTR2mIsNU/

Ingo Hoffmann Bill Holland Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier

About Time: James Vacca Declares Traffic Safety a ?Civil Rights Issue?

Good on you, Jimmy. What's next? Photo: DNAinfo
Bravo, James Vacca.
On Wednesday Vacca joined Council Member Gale Brewer in calling attention to the needs of blind and sight-impaired pedestrians, particularly as they apply to new pedestrian plazas.
Brewer has introduced a bill requiring textured pavement around the perimeters of plazas and bike lanes, while other bills would [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/01/26/about-time-james-vacca-declares-traffic-safety-a-civil-rights-issue/

Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr

BMW WSBK Press Release: Melandri And Haslam Work On Electronics At Valencia Test

The BMW World Superbike squad spent two days testing at Valencia, where they worked mainly on electronics strategies and the latest version of the BMW S1000RR engine. Below is the press release issued after the test:

Year: 

2012

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/UpC1e00ANdE/bmw_wsbk_press_release_melandri_and_hasl.html

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

Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 121: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

On Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car?s exhaust note. To hear it again, click play above. Only a handful of you figured out that this week?s sound came from the 2012 Volkswagen GLI. As we noted in our instrumented test, ?the GLI?s �intake broadcasts an on-throttle honk that resonates like the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/ukQ40eP-TJM/

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins

The Continental?s Detroit Notebook: The Best Motor City Show in a While

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. After this year’s Detroit auto show and a trip to California for a press event, I [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/MBcabD5GMJE/

Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone

Ordonez joins Greaves for Le Mans

Lucas Ordonez has joined Greaves Motorsport for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours and Le Mans Series. The 26-year-old Spaniard will drive one of Greaves' Nissan-engined Zytek prototypes as the British squad bids to win the LMS and repeat its LMP2 class victory at Le Mans. Ordonez, a graduate of the Playstation GT Academy, will share the Zytek with Martin and Alex Brundle at Le Mans, while Tom Kimber-Smith and Brundle Jr will be his co-drivers in the LMS.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/ordonez-joins-greaves-for-le-mans/

Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

U.S. Supreme Court Declares Vehicle GPS Tracking by Police Illegal?But Here?s Why You Can Expect More Surveillance

In the age of cruise-missile assassinations of U.S. citizens without a trial, a Supreme Court victory for civil liberties and freedom is a welcome aberration. Yesterday, a unanimous court ruled in U.S. v. Jones that police don?t have the authority to put GPS tracking devices on vehicles unless they get a warrant first. Yes, you?ve [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/9apDsCb-wDg/

Taki Inoue Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin

Cost of Tappan Zee Mega-Bridge Could Cause Tolls to Triple

Building a new structure twice as wide as the current Tappan Zee Bridge could create a financial black hole, where people who never use the bridge end up paying for its construction.
?Rate shock? was the name given to the electricity industry?s financial crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, when utility company finances buckled under the [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/01/26/cost-of-tappan-zee-mega-bridge-could-cause-tolls-to-triple/

Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy

MSR takes first Daytona 24 Hours win

AJ Allmendinger held on to secure a maiden Daytona 24 Hours victory for Michael Shank Racing as Ryan Dalziel and the Starworks team edged closer in the final stint of the 50th running of the famous race. The #60 MSR Riley-Ford that Allmendinger shared with Ozz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson was a factor in an absorbing and ever-changing lead battle throughout the event, and despite the polesitting Starworks Riley-Ford driven by Dalziel, Lucas Luhr, Allan McNish, Alex Popow and Enzo Potolicchio keeping the pressure on to the finish, Allmendinger crossed the line 5.198 seconds in front after 761 laps of racing.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/msr-takes-first-daytona-24-hours-win/

Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan

Gurney leads after first hour

Alex Gurney leads the Daytona 24 Hours for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing at the end of the opening hour of the race.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/gurney-leads-after-first-hour/

Boy Hayje Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich

2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Spied! We Catch the Seventh Vette in Its Production Wrapper

We get it. You?re here to see the C7 Chevy Corvette. Take a look at the photo gallery?we?ll wait?then read our prognostications below, and be sure to return later today for more on the seventh-generation Vette. Here?s what we know about the next Chevrolet Corvette. Chassis: As we?ve said before?and as these photos prove?nothing so [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/gjepDjVmnpg/2014-chevrolet-corvette-c7-spy-photos-news

Bertrand Gachot Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli

ES to run Vauxhall Vectras in 2012

British Touring Car squad ES Racing will run two ex-Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectras in the series this season. ES ran a single Chevrolet Lacetti for team boss Chris James last year. It recently announced that Dave Newsham will join James in 2012 and has now confirmed the duo will drive the NGTC-engined Vectras

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/btcc/es-to-run-vauxhall-vectras-in-2012/

Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller

Yamaha and PETRONAS Conclude MotoGP Partnership

Yamaha Racing Sunday, 01 Jan 2012 As 2011 draws to a close it marks the end of a successful partnership between Yamaha's Factory MotoGP Team and PETRONAS....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/yamaha_and_petronas_concl.php

Oscar Alfredo Gálvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner

MotoGP Testing: Who Is Testing Where And When

MotoGP's long winter break is drawing to a close, and the testing season is about to kick off once again. For the last couple of years that's been very easy to follow, as everyone headed to the official MotoGP tests organized by IRTA. With the introduction of the Claiming Rule Teams, however, MotoGP's testing schedule has become a lot more complex, as some of the CRT teams will be joining the test in Sepang, while others will be remaining in Europe.

Below is the schedule as we know it so far. Everyone on a factory prototype (that is, all of the factory and satellite teams) will be heading to the two Sepang tests (Jan 31st - Feb 2nd, and Feb 28th-March 1st), with Colin Edwards on the NGM Forward Suter BMW and the BQR CRT team consisting of Ivan Silva and test rider Robertino Pietri aboard the FTR Kawasakis at the first Sepang test at least. The Aprilia-powered CRT bikes will be firing up their engines in Europe, starting at Valencia on January 30th. PBM's James Ellison will join the Aspar bikes at Jerez on February 20th, while a fuller compliment of CRT bikes is expected at Aragon on March 8th. Testing then culminates at Jerez in late March, as everyone gathers for the final CRT test.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/gL7pA3CYP3c/motogp_testing_who_is_testing_where_and_.html

Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk

Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 121: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

On Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car?s exhaust note. To hear it again, click play above. Only a handful of you figured out that this week?s sound came from the 2012 Volkswagen GLI. As we noted in our instrumented test, ?the GLI?s �intake broadcasts an on-throttle honk that resonates like the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/ukQ40eP-TJM/

Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani

D?Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver

Jerome D'Ambrosio will be the Lotus team's third driver during the 2012 season, the outfit announced on Tuesday. The Belgian, who made his grand prix debut with the Virgin Racing team last year, was left without a racing seat after the squad signed Charles Pic to partner Timo Glock in 2012. D'Ambrosio will attend all races this year, working with race drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/dambrosio-joins-lotus-as-third-driver/

Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines

Video: GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Hatchback, Electric

General Motors has launched an advertising campaign touting the safety of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle, just as its CEO testified to Congress that a recent Volt fire that took place after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test would never occur under real-world circumstances, Bloomberg has reported.

GM CEO Dan Akerson (pictured) said in the campaign that he "couldn't be prouder" of the technology the company uses to produce the Volt, the wire service noted. The campaign includes full-page ads in 19 U.S. daily newspapers, including the The New York Times, as well as a television ad that will debut on News Corp's Fox News channel. GM has also released a new "normal" ad that calls the Volt "the car America had to build." You can watch the 30-second clip, which may appear in or around the Super Bowl, after the jump.

Akerson spoke Wednesday in a hearing with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending. Both he and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said the car was safe and defended NHTSA's handling of the situation against accusations from some Republican members of Congress who've been critical of the Obama Administration and its relationship with GM.

NHTSA said late last week that it finished its two-month investigation into the crash test that resulted in a fire three weeks after the fact last summer, and concluded that neither the Volt nor other electric vehicles pose more of a fire risk than conventional vehicles.

Continue reading GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video]

GM launches ad campaign touting Chevy Volt safety [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/gm-launches-ad-campaign-touting-chevy-volt-safety-w-video/

Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin

December 2011 Vehicle Sales: What the Headlines Don?t Tell You

It Really Was a Toyotathon Sales of the Toyota Camry in 2011: 308,510 Sales of all Mazdas in 2011: 250,426 Sales of all BMWs in 2011: 247,907 Date of T?hoku earthquake: March 11, 2011 Date flooding started in Thailand: July 31, 2011 Minimum number of months Toyota operated below 100% production capacity in North America: [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/DcgL_f0bu40/

Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann

IRC chiefs praise Ireland route

IRC motorsport development manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas has praised the organisers of the Circuit of Ireland Rally after completing his route survey this week.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/irc-chiefs-praise-ireland-route/

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje

Speedway Children?s Charities Marks 30 Years of Helping Children With Year-Long Birthday Celebration

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/speedway-childrens-charities-marks-30.html

Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin

2013 BMW X6 Gets a Refresh, High-Output M Performance Packages

As they do with celebutante Kim Kardashian, most people fail to understand the BMW X6. But while Kim is always burnishing her image, the X6 is just now receiving its first major revision, one that includes a mild face lift and some enhancements under the skin.�(Each also has a giant?er, skip that one.)� The X6′s [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/4g9W7zdG4_0/

Phil Hill Peter Hirt David Hobbs Gary Hocking

2013 Porsche Cayman Rendered: What We Know About Porsche?s Next Mid-Engine Coupe

Now that the third-generation Porsche Boxster has been announced, predicting its closed-roof variation is almost a no-brainer. This, dear readers, is what we believe the new Cayman should look like. You will remember that this mid-engine coupe was introduced as a derivative of the second-gen Boxster?and that Porsche surprised the industry with the chutzpah to [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/VXvDDJ4gYoc/2013-porsche-cayman-cayman-s-rendered-news

Cuth Harrison Brian Hart Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi

Steve Letarte wins the Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/steve-letarte-wins-papa-joe-hendrick.html

Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

MillerCoors signs extensions with NASCAR, Penske

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/26/1808796/millercoors-signs-extensions-with.html

Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards Copart Ford Denny Hamlin

2012 Ram Laramie Limited is Brand?s New Flagship, Debuts in Chicago

At the 2012 Chicago auto show, Ram trucks will introduce a new top trim level, the 2012 Ram Laramie Limited. Think of it as a city-slickened counterpart to Ram?s luxurious, Southwest-themed Laramie Longhorn;�the Limited packs a similar amount of goodies, but swaps the country kitsch for a sleeker, more contemporary flavor inside and out. Specific [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/bUt3fxGO2k4/

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

Busch steps aside to allow other drivers a chance to shine

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/busch-steps-aside-to-allow-other.html

Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin

Coyne confirms Wilson?s return

Justin Wilson's long-expected return to Dale Coyne Racing for the 2012 IndyCar season has finally been confirmed. The Briton delivered Coyne's first win at Watkins Glen in 2009, but left at the end of the year to spend two seasons with Dreyer & Reinbold. His return coincides with that of engineer Bill Pappas, who worked with him in his previous stint with the team.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/coyne-confirms-wilsons-return/

Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried

2012 Ram Laramie Limited is Brand?s New Flagship, Debuts in Chicago

At the 2012 Chicago auto show, Ram trucks will introduce a new top trim level, the 2012 Ram Laramie Limited. Think of it as a city-slickened counterpart to Ram?s luxurious, Southwest-themed Laramie Longhorn;�the Limited packs a similar amount of goodies, but swaps the country kitsch for a sleeker, more contemporary flavor inside and out. Specific [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/bUt3fxGO2k4/

Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief keeps NASCAR star in check

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/25/1806880/pushing-nascars-most-popular-driver.html

Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue

December 2011 Vehicle Sales: What the Headlines Don?t Tell You

It Really Was a Toyotathon Sales of the Toyota Camry in 2011: 308,510 Sales of all Mazdas in 2011: 250,426 Sales of all BMWs in 2011: 247,907 Date of T?hoku earthquake: March 11, 2011 Date flooding started in Thailand: July 31, 2011 Minimum number of months Toyota operated below 100% production capacity in North America: [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/DcgL_f0bu40/

Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried

2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour Q&A with Stewart-Haas Racing?s, Stewart, Patrick, Newman, Addington, Gibson, Zipadelli and Borland

A general view of the Stewart-Haas Racing media day during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Jan. 23 in Concord, N.C. - Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCARMODERATOR:� ?From Columbus, Indiana, the three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing,...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/24/2012-nascar-sprint-media-tour-qa-with-stewart-haas-racings-stewart-patrick-newman-addington-gibson-zipadelli-and-borland/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2012-nascar-sprint-media-tour-qa-with-stewart-haas-racings-stewart-patrick-newman-addington-gibson-zipadelli-and-borland

Hans Heyer Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill

Chevrolet gets weight increase

Chevrolet has had the weight of its Cruze model increased by 30kg for this year's World Touring Car Championship, following its domination of the 2011 series.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/chevrolet-gets-weight-increase/

Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch

Doctors: Bayne had Lyme disease

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/24/1804097/doctors-bayne-had-lyme-disease.html

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

Q and A: Todt on the WRC?s future

FIA president Jean Todt met with the World Rally Championship media in Valence this morning to discuss the current promoter crisis in the series. The championship started its 2012 sesaon without a confirmed promoter or guaranteed television coverage after North One Sport's contract was terminated following partner company Convers Sports Initiatives' collapse into administration. Amid fears that the situation can set the sport back massively, Todt took time to give a lengthy press conference to address both the present crisis and the WRC's longer-term future

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/q-and-a-todt-on-the-wrcs-future/

Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous

NASCAR In Heels: Reality TV and NASCAR = Genius

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/nascar-in-heels-reality-tv-and-nascar.html

Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani Bertrand Gachot

Loeb guesses right as weather turns

Sebastien Loeb continues to extend his Monte Carlo Rally lead, having judged the conditions perfectly as the weather changed on Friday morning.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/loeb-guesses-right-as-weather-turns/

Alan Jones Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch

Wilson: Monte still wide open

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson says the heavy snow forecast for the French Alps means the Monte Carlo Rally remains wide open. Five-time Monte winner Sebastien Loeb holds a one-minute lead for Citroen at the top of the timesheets tonight, but wintry weather is expected to arrive on the stages tomorrow and those conditions make tyre choices even more critical

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/wilson-monte-still-wide-open/

Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet

Adding Neighborhood 20 MPH Zones Isn?t a Zero-Sum Game

An exhaustive report published in the British Medical Journal found that traffic injuries declined in London's 20 mph zones and, to a lesser but still significant extent, on the streets immediately adjacent to the zones. Image: British Medical Journal
The Brooklyn Paper ran one of its trademark neighbor-vs.-neighbor stories today, turning a weekend public workshop about [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/01/24/adding-neighborhood-20-mph-zones-isnt-a-zero-sum-game/

Cliff Griffith Georges Grignard Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean

Mike Conway signs with AJ Foyt Racing for the 2012 Indy Car season

AJ Foyt Racing Mike Conway London, UK - Tuesday 20th December 2011 Long Beach Grand Prix winner Mike Conway has signed with AJ Foyt Racing to drive the No. 14 ABC Supply Honda in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/mike_conway_signs_with_aj.php

Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison

Ford unveils 2013 Cup car

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/24/1804084/ford-unveils-2013-cup-car.html

Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett

Patrick skipping Indy 500 and competing at Charlotte

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/23/1800986/patrick-skipping-indy-500-and.html

James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III

Proton thrilled to show potential

Proton team principal Chris Mellors says the Malaysian firm's World Rally Championship return has demonstrated the potential of the Satria-Neo S2000. While the car struggled to match the frontrunning Intercontinental Rally Challenge pace last season, two months of work on the Satria have been repaid with a handsome lead at the end of the opening day of Super 2000 WRC competition today. P-G Andersson holds 10th overall and a four-minute advantage over his only SWRC rival Craig Breen, who suffered a puncture on his Ford Fiesta

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/proton-thrilled-to-show-potential/

Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire

GM Prez: 2013 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup to Target Tacoma, Could Spin Off a GMC Version

The upcoming Chevy Colorado pickup truck will directly target the Toyota Tacoma, says GM North America president Mark Reuss. “Tacoma is the volume leader. We know that there’s a buyer for a really good Chevrolet lifestyle sport truck that’s quite different than the Tacoma.” Different how? Reuss and his colleagues won’t say. But, having seen [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/9WkjRWIQPbs/

Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones Tom Jones

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Event at Indianapolis Area Walgreens

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/sarah-fisher-hartman-racing-event-at.html

Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett

Stoner: MotoGP needs quick Ducati

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner hopes his former employer Ducati can produce a more consistent challenge in 2012 - especially with the number of works bikes at the front of the field shrinking. Ducati has not won a race since 2010, as Stoner's Honda team and Yamaha dominated last season.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-motogp-needs-quick-ducati/

Jean Pierre Jarier Max Jean Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson

Danica Patrick won't run Indy 500 this year

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/23/1800840/danica-patrick-wont-run-indy-500.html

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Turn One Racing to Make NASCAR Sprint Cup Debut at Phoenix

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/turn-one-racing-to-make-nascar-sprint.html

Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill

2013 Audi A6 Allroad Announced: No, It Won?t Be Sold Here

Just after we first saw the U.S.-spec 2013 Audi A4 Allroad at the Detroit auto show, the company?s German mothership announced the one-size-up third-generation A6 Allroad. Unlike its smaller sibling, however, it won?t be sold here. What exactly are we missing? At its heart, an opportunity to drop a lot of coin on a wagon [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/s0qCg3UIMUU/

David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss

Five legends inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame's third class

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/five-legends-inducted-into-nascar-hall.html

Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III

Five more inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/21/1793992/five-more-inducted-into-nascar.html

Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin

Loeb leads after Latvala?s crash

Sebastien Loeb holds a comfortable lead at the end of day one of the Monte Carlo Rally after rival Jari-Matti Latvala crashed out of first place.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/loeb-leads-after-latvalas-crash/

Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González Oscar González

NHRA JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS RETURNING TO DENVER, BRISTOL FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Dec. 20, 2011 To help kick off the 20th Anniversary celebration of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA announced today that the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will once again return to Bandimere Speedway...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/nhra_jr_drag_racing_leagu_1.php

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

Q and A: Todt on the WRC?s future

FIA president Jean Todt met with the World Rally Championship media in Valence this morning to discuss the current promoter crisis in the series. The championship started its 2012 sesaon without a confirmed promoter or guaranteed television coverage after North One Sport's contract was terminated following partner company Convers Sports Initiatives' collapse into administration. Amid fears that the situation can set the sport back massively, Todt took time to give a lengthy press conference to address both the present crisis and the WRC's longer-term future

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/q-and-a-todt-on-the-wrcs-future/

Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson

December 2011 Vehicle Sales: What the Headlines Don?t Tell You

It Really Was a Toyotathon Sales of the Toyota Camry in 2011: 308,510 Sales of all Mazdas in 2011: 250,426 Sales of all BMWs in 2011: 247,907 Date of T?hoku earthquake: March 11, 2011 Date flooding started in Thailand: July 31, 2011 Minimum number of months Toyota operated below 100% production capacity in North America: [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/DcgL_f0bu40/

Bobby Grim Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby

Video: Mercedes-Benz says, "Thanks, Airbag"

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has been working on airbag technology for more than 40 years, but now it has other innovations, like Colliision Prevention, that work to keep airbags where everyone wants them: hidden. So Mercedes has made a TV spot for the 2012 B-Class that's also a letter to the airbag, saying somethiing to the effect of "I still love you, but..."

We aren't expected to see the B-Class in the U.S. for another two years, but at least you have the commercial to tide you over after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz says, "Thanks, Airbag"

Mercedes-Benz says, "Thanks, Airbag" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/21/mercedes-benz-says-thanks-airbag/

Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen

MATT ARTIN JOINS NHRA AS DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) NHRA announced today that Matt Artin, an eight-year veteran in media planning, advertising and promotions, has joined the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body as director of advertising and promotions....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/matt_artin_joins_nhra_as.php

Boy Hayje Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld Theo Helfrich

Honda WSBK Press Release: Rea And Aoyama Complete Phillip Island Test

The Honda Racing press office issued a press release and video after the Ten Kate World Superbike squad tested the 2012 CBR1000RR at Phillip Island. The video follows below, after the press release:

Year: 

2012

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/0qz1MkgdV04/honda_wsbk_press_release_rea_and_aoyama_.html

Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge Carl Edwards

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Glen Wood

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Glen Wood receives his jacket during the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Charlotte Convention Center on January 20, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR)2012 NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY: GLEN WOOD MIKE JOY:� When you consider that the Glen...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/sprintcup/01/21/2012-nascar-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-glen-wood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2012-nascar-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-glen-wood

Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gálvez

Travis Pastrana to run full NASCAR East schedule, Nationwide debut postponed to at least April

Travis Pastrana ThumbnailTravis Pastrana has gotten back into a race car to test, and while he gets back into shape after suffering a broken ankle last year, his 2012 NASCAR schedule is still taking shape. The action sports star originally was going to run seven Nationwide Series races in 2011 and then 20 in 2012....more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/otherseries/01/12/travis-pastrana-to-run-full-nascar-east-schedule-nationwide-debut-postponed-to-at-least-april/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travis-pastrana-to-run-full-nascar-east-schedule-nationwide-debut-postponed-to-at-least-april

Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi

GLOBAL iPRINT NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Jan. 4, 2012 Global iPrint, a premier printing and distribution company, has signed a three-year agreement to become the "Official Print Sponsor" of NHRA....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/global_iprint_named_offic.php

Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig

MATT ARTIN JOINS NHRA AS DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) NHRA announced today that Matt Artin, an eight-year veteran in media planning, advertising and promotions, has joined the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body as director of advertising and promotions....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/matt_artin_joins_nhra_as.php

Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James Jean Pierre Jarier

2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5 Automatic Tested: Not Necessarily One for the Boys

Longer, lower, wider. Those words were a Detroit marketing mantra in the 1950s, when the original Volkswagen Beetle began its march to immortality here in the U.S. But of course the thing that made the Bug so lovable, and such a counterculture icon, was that it possessed none of those traits. Keep Reading: 2012 Volkswagen [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/m76v_hUIcjc/2012-volkswagen-beetle-25-road-test-review

Brian Gubby André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero

Lotus pleased with engine progress

Lotus has declared itself pleased with the results of the first two tests of the engine that it will take into this year's IndyCar season.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/lotus-pleased-with-engine-progress/

Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney

Official: Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows

The only thing more ambitious than Lotus and its expansive new product plan is the company's racing program. In the span of just a few years, the British automaker has launched forays into Formula One, IndyCar, endurance sportscar racing and even karting, all with its own factory-backed works initiatives. And in true Lotus style, it's not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.

In line with its ambitions, Lotus rolled into the Autosport International Show - the preeminent annual motorsport expo in England - with a whole mess of racing cars and programs to go with them. The firm's F1, GP2 and GP3 teams have all fallen under the new Lotus Racing banner and all will wear the same black and gold livery. A new Lotus Club GT offers the full racing experience to gentlemen racers with the money to pony up for a track-spec Evora, similar to the Type 125 customer single-seater that just underwent further development by the company's grand prix team. But the real news comes from the IndyCar program.

After five years of exclusively using Honda power, the IndyCar Series is switching to a new chassis next season and with it is bringing both Chevrolet and Lotus on board as alternative engine suppliers. Lotus is already contracted to power three independent teams - HVM Racing, Bryan Herta Autosport and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - who will each choose their new livery from the Lotus back catalog of color schemes. Dragon Racing, however, has been selected by the factory as its new works team in the series, running the same black and gold livery as the F1 team.

The team is owned by Jay Penske (son of Roger Penske), and has just announced its driver lineup for the upcoming season, bringing multiple Champ Car champion and former grand prix driver Sebastien Bourdais on board together with Katherine Legge, another DTM and Champ Car driver eager to steal some of Danica Patrick's spotlight. With Lotus providing the motivation, the upcoming season of open-wheel racing in America is shaping up to be an interesting one. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge

Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/20/lotus-ramps-up-indy-racing-program-with-bourdais-and-legge/

Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford

Ezpeleta On The Future Of MotoGP: Bikes Costing 1 Million Euros, Fewer Spanish Races And Performance Balancing

Although the Wrooom event at the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio is formally meant as the launch for Ducati's MotoGP and Ferrari's Formula One season, many other big names from the world of racing are also in attendance. One such person was Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and given the major changes coming to MotoGP for 2012 - and even bigger changes from 2013 onwards - Ezpeleta had arranged to give a short press conference to talk to journalists about some of his plans for next season and beyond. But he barely made it into the press conference: on his way in, he was doorstepped by a group of journalists who started grilling Ezpeleta about the future of MotoGP, leaving the Spaniard with little left to say in the press conference. His answers did provide a compelling look at the future of MotoGP as Dorna sees it.

Source: 

http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201201115835/Ezpeleta-Una-moto-da-un-m...

https://twitter.com/azifarni

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/9NFjTRlgTdM/ezpeleta_on_the_future_of_motogp_bikes_c.html

Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly

Red Bull to launch RB8 on February 6

Red Bull Racing will unveil its new RB8 on its own official website on February 6, the day before the first pre-season test takes place. The team announced on Tuesday that at 1pm on February 6, images of the new car and comments from drivers and management will be available on www.redbullracing.com . The RB8 car will be the machine that the Milton Keynes-based outfit is hoping will deliver its third consecutive drivers' and constructors' world championship following Sebastian Vettel's back-to-back success in 2010 and 2011

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/red-bull-to-launch-rb8-on-february-6/

Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski Ruby Tuesday Dodge

Name That Shifter, No. 58: 1969 Dodge Dart GTS

On Monday we presented this week?s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. Several of you recognized the shifter as a late-1960s Dodge Dart unit, with Aaron Goutermout being the first to call out the Dart GTS?s distinctive four-speed manual. He?ll receive a Save the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/Q5Ewp-bAMkA/

Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler

GLOBAL iPRINT NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Jan. 4, 2012 Global iPrint, a premier printing and distribution company, has signed a three-year agreement to become the "Official Print Sponsor" of NHRA....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/global_iprint_named_offic.php

Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman

Oriol Servi� to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for 2012

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/01/oriol-servia-to-dreyer-reinbold-racing.html

Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith

S1000RR Still BMW?s Top-Selling Bike in the USA

BMW Motorrad crushed it last year by posting its best sales year ever, and finishing in sales 6.4% over 2010. With the United States being one of BMW’s largest motorcycle markets, it comes as no surprise then that the German brand posted strong sales here in the US. Up 7.4% over last year, BMW Motorrad USA continues to weather the rough economy for the Bavarians, which is perhaps unsurprising considering how zie Germans have faired ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/coJ1R-7NxJA/

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy

Photos: Preseason Thunder Daytona Testing Day 3

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/01/15/photos-preseason-thunder-daytona-testing-day-3/

Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire Sam Hanks

Mercedes: FWD Baby CLS in 18 Months, Three Models Based on A-class to Follow a Year Apart

The new president of Mercedes-Benz USA, Steve Cannon, has a tough task ahead. The former Army Ranger arrives just in time to oversee launches for the new SL and GL in 2012, as well as face lifts for other products. But the real challenge will be steering Mercedes into�compact-car territory in the States. In Europe [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/JgjWhCI0Y8c/

Denny Hamlin Z Line Toyota Kyle Busch Toyota Kimmy

Volvo Boss: Five-Door V40 Hatch ?Probably Not? Coming to the U.S., New XC90 Again Confirmed for 2014

Volvo’s upcoming V40 hatchback is set to debut at the 2012 Geneva auto show, but it will “probably not” come to the U.S., the company’s CEO, Stefan Jacoby, told us recently. The hatchback, which is based on architecture evolved from the jointly used platform underpinning the S40 sedan, Ford Focus, and Mazda 3, doesn’t fit [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/HxORnAW396Y/

Christian Klien Karl Kling Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi

Will Marc Marquez Be Ready For The 2012 Season?

That may be the most difficult question to answer of the 2012 preseason. After suffering a crash at Sepang caused the Moto2 rookie to lose his shot at the 2011 Moto2 world title, the double vision problems he suffered as a result have continued throughout the winter. Now the 2012 season is just around the corner, but Marquez' problems are not fixed yet.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/9MFaOdDoJ8I/will_marc_marquez_be_ready_for_the_2012_.html

Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous