Autoblog UK http://uk.autoblog.com Autoblog UK http://uk.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo_uk.gif Autoblog UK http://uk.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Porsche as sweet temptation]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/porsche-as-sweet-temptation/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/porsche-as-sweet-temptation/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/porsche-as-sweet-temptation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you're looking for an unusual Christmas decoration, Porsche Gelderland in the small Dutch town of Heteren could provide you with some inspiration. The local dealership has had a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S completely coated in chocolate. Master chocolatier Jan Blancken melted 175 kilos of the stuff and used it to covert the bodywork of the Porsche. For good measure, he spread a few kilos of white chocolate onto the headlights. The photo gallery shows each stage of the creation of this masterpiece which is set to decorate the showroom in the run-up to Christmas. The Porsche has 385 horsepower tucked away under its sweet bonnet. The technical specification of the brown racer will now presumably have to be supplemented with its calorie count.

Gallery: Porsche Chocolate 911

 

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]]>Jan BlanckenPorsche2009-11-21T04:42:00+00:00<![CDATA[Horsepower miracle from Denmark]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/horsepower-miracle-from-denmark/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/horsepower-miracle-from-denmark/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/horsepower-miracle-from-denmark/#commentsFiled under: ,


Since 2004, Zenvo Automotive based in the small Danish town of Viby have been developing an incredible supercar. The Zenvo ST1 can compete effortlessly with the big names such as the Bugatti Veyron, Maserati MC12 and Pagani Zonda. There aren't many vehicles with an output of over 1,000 horsepower but you can now add the 1,104bhp Zenvo ST1 to the list. A 7.0-litre V8, turbocharged and supercharged engine sees service in the Zenvo ST1 to produce a staggering amount of grunt. Around 1,430nm of torque haul the rear-wheel drive car from 0 to 100km/h (0-62mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds.

Gallery: Zenvo ST1

 

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]]>Zenvo AutomotiveZenvo ST12009-11-21T02:39:00+00:00<![CDATA[Outsider view: Chuck that ballast overboard!]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/outsider-view-chuck-that-ballast-overboard/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/outsider-view-chuck-that-ballast-overboard/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/outsider-view-chuck-that-ballast-overboard/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Porsche have always operated on the basic principle of supplying thoroughbred driving machines to motoring purists. This is particularly true of the legendary RS models. In its latest incarnation as the 911 GT3 RS, a member of the revamped 997 series, Porsche have once again demonstrated a sense for what is essential, giving customers the option of a lithium-ion battery which, by comparison with the conventional lead battery, offers a weight saving of over ten kilos. However, it seems that they are unable to resist making compromises: electric windows, automatic climate control and radio come as standard. You can specifically 'unorder' the radio and climate control to get closer to the ideal of the unadulterated racer. But why on earth would anyone want electrically operated windows, electrically adjustable mirrors, electric unlocking on bonnet and boot, and central locking? Away with this clutter! Dear Porsche, your new RS is great, but spare us all the gimmicks with this definitive 911. The softies at the luxury end of the market can always buy themselves a Bentley.

 

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]]>PorschePorsche 911 GT3 RS2009-11-20T04:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Lingenfelter planning to build a Firebird]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/lingenfelter-planning-to-build-a-firebird/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/lingenfelter-planning-to-build-a-firebird/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/lingenfelter-planning-to-build-a-firebird/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Since 2004, a string of muscle cars from the sixties and seventies have been making a comeback. Mustangs, Challengers and Camaros can again be found in places other than America. Iconic names bristling with new technology sell well. All that's actually still missing is a retro version of the Firebird, Pontiac's last great cult car.

In 2009, General Motors announced Pontiac's demise due to the worldwide economic crisis. Unfortunately for fans, there won't be a successor to the Firebird. But in the USA, there's one customizer itching to turn dreams into reality. For many years, drag racer John Lingenfelter has belonged to the cream of the US tuning scene. At the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the Indiana-based tuner displayed a Pontiac 455 T/A built on Chevrolet Camaro underpinnings. Lingenfelter intends to gauge the public's response before finally deciding whether to put the Firebird into production. One thing in favour of this relaunch must surely be the performance of the V8 engine under the shaker scoop that should put out 655bhp.

Gallery: Lingenfelter T/A Concept

 

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]]>FirebirdLingenfelter2009-11-20T02:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Calendar plant]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/calendar-plant/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/calendar-plant/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/calendar-plant/#commentsFiled under:


Every New Year, sales of calendars boom and men's hearts beat faster at the sight of the glossy pictures produced by Pirelli, Hugh Hefner or some other nice publisher. The month indicated is relatively unimportant. It's the girls that make the year bearable. Of course, it doesn't always have to be naked flesh hanging there on the wall. The sight of heavy construction equipment also appeals to the boy inside of every man. Childhood memories of playing in the sandpit are rekindled. Twelve of these fascinating monsters were photographed by Bauforum24 for Heavy Equipment Calendar 2010. Take a quick look at the gallery...

Gallery: Heavy Equipment Calendar 2010

 

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]]>Heavy Equipment Calendar 20102009-11-19T02:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[A Christmas treat for your loved one...]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/a-christmas-treat-for-your-loved-one/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/a-christmas-treat-for-your-loved-one/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/a-christmas-treat-for-your-loved-one/#commentsFiled under: ,

Don't know what to get your other half/little one/gran/in-laws for Christmas? Look no further, here's a present that would make anyone happy: a road kill calendar.

The gory little number, featuring foxes, badgers and other woodland creatures has been released just in time for Christmas and is supposedly a massive hit already.

The "artist" behind this delightful idea is a Mr Kevin Beresford. The 57-year-old man travelled the UK for a while, stopping at gruesome sights of dead animals and snapping away.

He claims having received a large amount of orders already and believes the provoking photos are a refreshing change to the usual calendar material: "I think customers are fed up with Peter Andre's six-pack and want something different. It's good to push the boundaries" he adds.

Now it's really a matter of taste. Which do you prefer checking out over your morning coffee? Peter Andre? Or a pureed badger?

 

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]]>news2009-11-18T08:22:00+00:00<![CDATA[F1 world champ Surtees surfaces in France ]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/f1-world-champ-surtees-surfaces-in-france/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/f1-world-champ-surtees-surfaces-in-france/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/f1-world-champ-surtees-surfaces-in-france/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The motorsport great John Surtees has become the first person to drive a sports car through the channel tunnel during a charity stunt. The drive was one of the events celebrating the 15th anniversary of the tunnel's opening.

The 1964 Formula 1 winner, who is still the only person to have claimed world records on both 2 and 4 wheels, drove an electric powered Ginetta G50 EV through the 31-mile tunnel.

He didn't break any speed records this time though as he had to stick to the 50km/h speed limit.

What didn't help with keeping a good time was also his constant stopping to have a closer look at the tunnel, which he called "a tremendous engineering feat".

"You certainly wouldn't want to be subject to any claustrophobic feelings down there.The tunnel is very small in parts," added the 75-year-old after eventually resurfacing in Coquelles, France.

Gallery: John Surtees tunnel

 

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]]>ElectricCarFormula1racing2009-11-18T07:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Video: Flying Finns]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/video-flying-finns/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/video-flying-finns/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/video-flying-finns/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Finns are extremely fond of motor sport. Rallying in particular attracts many followers in Finland. Many of us wonder why so many good rally drivers hail from that country. Some say, it's a result of the relative isolation and the huge distances between places: drivers can routinely find deserted minor roads and hone their skills undisturbed. Others think it's the Viking blood coursing through their veins that makes them fearless. Maybe it's simply the sheer boredom of life in Finland that brings out the devil in them. The following video clip shows Finns blithely hurtling around rally stages.

 

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]]>Rally2009-11-18T04:46:00+00:00<![CDATA[The car of the future]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-car-of-the-future/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-car-of-the-future/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-car-of-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Organisers of the Los Angeles Auto Show invited design studios based in Southern California to set out their vision for Mobile Teens in 2030 (Youthmobile 2030). Studies were drawn up by design studios at General Motors, Audi, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota. 2009 is the sixth year that this Design Challenge has been held. The winner will be announced on Press Day at the Los Angeles Auto Show, 2nd and 3rd December 2009.

Car Hero by General Motors can drive itself and is steered by mobile phone (that's if they are still around in 2030). Audi designers submitted two very bold design studies, the eSpira and the eOra, that are guided to their destination by hand movements (not a good idea for those of us who are not at our best in the mornings but nevertheless need to get to work). Nissan's V2G is an eco-friendly electrically powered car. This e-car has an aerodynamic egg shape and six wheels. In Mazda's Souga, the car's two occupants sit diagonally behind one another. According to its designers, buyers of the Souga will configure the car to suit their needs. Both Nissan and Toyota designers believe that, in 2030, vehicles travelling in the rush hour will often be joined together in groups of two or more. The Toyota's appearance can be digitally altered and tyre friction converted back into energy.

Gallery: LA Design Challenge 2009

 

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]]>AudiHondaMazdaNissanToyota2009-11-18T02:26:00+00:00<![CDATA[Outsider view: Better late than never]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/outsider-view-better-late-than-never/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/outsider-view-better-late-than-never/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/outsider-view-better-late-than-never/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The new compact 5008 MPV is Peugeot's fourth new offering this year. They're really putting their foot down at Peugeot. Despite the credit crunch, new registrations are up for the French manufacturer with the lion on the bonnet. Their success is down to an extensive small-car line-up and a large range of low-emission vehicles, plus their efforts at breaking into new segments of the market, as with the new Peugeot 5008. Pleasing, flexible and offering good value for money, the car takes consumers by surprise. Fans of the marque have had to wait a long time for such an MPV. All good things are worth waiting for... so the saying goes. How true when referring to the 5008.

Gallery: Peugeot 5008

 

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]]>PeugeotPeugeot 50082009-11-17T04:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[Citroen C-Zero: Quiet and clean]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/citroen-c-zero-quiet-and-clean/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/citroen-c-zero-quiet-and-clean/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/citroen-c-zero-quiet-and-clean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Mitsubishi launched their i-MiEV e-car in Japan during the summer 2009. An agreement was signed this autumn with the French PSA Group to build two sister models based on the i-MiEV for the European market. Peugeot's iOn will get its chance towards the end of 2010. Citroën has dubbed its version the C-Zero.

Some details about the C-Zero have now been released. Designed primarily for urban use and purely electric driven, it doesn't use petrol nor emit CO2. The vehicle simply glides quietly along the road. Citroën's e-car has a state-of-the-art, lithium-ion battery pack stowed amidships providing juice for a 64bhp synchronous motor. The C-Zero has a range of around 80 miles (130km) on a fully charged battery.

 

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]]>CitroenCitroen C-ZeroMitsubishiPeugeot2009-11-17T02:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mercedes to become majority shareholder in Brawn GP]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-to-become-majority-shareholder-in-brawn-gp/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-to-become-majority-shareholder-in-brawn-gp/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/mercedes-to-become-majority-shareholder-in-brawn-gp/#commentsFiled under: ,


Formula One continues to make the headlines. Mercedes are taking over a majority holding in championship-winning Brawn GP and will be lining up on the 2010 grid under their own name. In a telephone conference today (Monday 16th November), Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche announced that Mercedes will have their own team from the start of the 2010 season. It will contest next year's Formula One championship under the soubriquet of Mercedes Grand Prix. The Stuttgart-based automotive giant are taking a 75.1% share in the team that Ross Brawn rescued in a management buyout in March of this year following Honda's decision to quit the sport. Mercedes will be purchasing 45.1 percent themselves and a further 30 percent indirectly via Daimler shareholder Aabar. At the same time, former F1 partners McLaren will be buying back Mercedes' 40% holding over the next two years but still continue to use them as a supplier of engines.

 

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]]>Brawn GPbreakingFormula OneMercedes GPMercedes Grand Prix2009-11-16T07:42:00+00:00<![CDATA[New model at Bugatti]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/new-model-at-bugatti/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/new-model-at-bugatti/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/new-model-at-bugatti/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


There's going to be an addition to Volkswagen's luxury marque. The Veyron supercar is getting a big brother. The model is still at the design stage but is now being presented to customers around the world. With the Bugatti 16C Galibier, the manufacturer intends to offer a saloon as well at a future date.

First pictures show that this Bugatti has an elegant shape with a long bonnet, which opens on both sides. This high-class motor car has the obligatory two-tone colour paint job. Doors and wings are made of polished aluminium, the remaining bodywork is carbon fibre. And the rear is sheer poetry. In the cockpit, your gaze immediately alights on the small round gauges. And what do you see? A speedo needle that goes up to 260mph! The Galibier is four-wheel drive and, as in the Veyron, power comes from an 8-litre, 16-cylinder 1,001bhp engine with two-stage supercharging.

Gallery: Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept

 

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]]>BugattiBugatti 16C Galibierfeatured2009-11-16T02:16:00+00:00<![CDATA[Renault: Gordini comeback ]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/renault-gordini-comeback/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/renault-gordini-comeback/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/renault-gordini-comeback/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Iconic tuning brand Gordini is set to return. French manufacturer Renault announced in Paris that the Gordini name will be reintroduced for a new series of high-powered small cars. Renault Sport is to develop these models. First car in the new Gordini line-up will be a converted 133bhp Twingo Sport. Model launch is scheduled for late November and sales will commence in spring 2010. A second 201bhp Gordini-badged car will be unveiled in 2010, based on the Clio RS.

The current wave of nostalgia should increase sales for the French marque. The Gordini name has been synonymous with fast cars from France since the Thirties. Amedee Gordini, born 1899 in Italy, even built Formula One racing cars. Gordini's biggest success came in 1964 with the Renault R8, which secured four out of five top places on the Tour de Corse rally.

Gallery: Renault Gordini

 

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]]>GordiniRenault2009-11-15T04:35:00+00:00<![CDATA[Outsider view: more exclusive than the saloon]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/outsider-view-more-exclusive-than-the-saloon/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/outsider-view-more-exclusive-than-the-saloon/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/outsider-view-more-exclusive-than-the-saloon/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The latest E-Class range is gaining an additional model in the shape of the traditional T model estate. This vehicle is popular mainly in Germany, and the home market continues to take around half of all the E-Class Estates produced. But the numbers sold will probably never overtake those of the saloon. Whereas with other manufacturers, estate cars often outsell saloons of similar construction, the E-Class Estate is a vehicle for discerning individuals. In some respects, the estate car is a more exclusive version of an E-Class, just like the coupé. That's shown rather impressively in that 50% of buyers are self-employed and 25% are managers, and by the fact that the T version is mainly for leisure and family use.

Gallery: Mercedes E-Klasse T-Modell

 

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]]>Mercedes-BenzT-Modell2009-11-15T02:16:00+00:00<![CDATA[An Audi is to race without a driver on board]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/an-audi-is-to-race-without-a-driver-on-board/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/an-audi-is-to-race-without-a-driver-on-board/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/an-audi-is-to-race-without-a-driver-on-board/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


An Audi TTS will race in the legendary Pikes Peak Race, without a driver at the helm. That's the ambitious aim of a team of students from Stanford. First efforts on a salt lake have proved successful with the car reaching 210 km/h (135mph). Shelley, the autonomous Audi, gets its name from the best-known and most successful rally ace, Michelle Mouton, who was the first woman to win the Pikes Peak race.

Early next year, Shelley will cover the course with driver, so that software can be programmed with live data. The race proper takes place on 27th June 2010. It won't be easy, as the famous rally circuit snakes its way 20 kilometres up a mountain around 156 turns.

 

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]]>AudiMichelle MoutonPikes Peak2009-11-14T04:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: Girls, Part Two]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/sema-2009-girls-part-two/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/sema-2009-girls-part-two/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/14/sema-2009-girls-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Apart from souped-up cars, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas has, of course, the hottest girls of any motor show in the world. Some of the girls' body bits are far superior to any of the cars. This is Part 2 of Motor Show Girls in Las Vegas...

Gallery: SEMA: Girls, Part Two

 

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]]>featuredGirlsSEMA2009-11-14T02:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Pelican 1, Bugatti 0 ]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/pelican-1-bugatti-0/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/pelican-1-bugatti-0/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/pelican-1-bugatti-0/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The last thing you would want to do if you had one of the 200 existing Bugatti Veyrons would be to suffer a tiny scratch, let alone drown it altogether in 3ft of salty water.

Unfortunately this is exactly what happened to Gilbert Harrison in La Marque, Texas.

The car enthusiast and collector got distracted by a pelican and drove his £1.25million pride and joy into a nearby lagoon, destroying its powerful engine, 16 cylinders and four turbo chargers in about 15 minutes.

The poor man has only himself to blame. Well, him and the pelican I guess. If you have something as nice as a Bugatti you shouldn't take your eyes off it, even if a flock of dodos was passing by: a) because it's so damn nice, b) because it's so damn expensive and c) because it's so damn rare.

Seriously, what was he thinking?

If you collect exotic cars you should at least make sure you're able to handle them otherwise, as Harrison demonstrated, you could be praying your insurance company has a very sympathetic attitude.

Watch the footage of the car plunging in the lake (warning: this video contains swearing)

And watch it being dragged out

 

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]]>BugattiVeyronsafety2009-11-13T06:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: the hottest hot rod]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/sema-2009-the-hottest-hot-rod/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/sema-2009-the-hottest-hot-rod/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/sema-2009-the-hottest-hot-rod/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A quite special hot rod was on display at the SEMA Tuning show, a1934 Ford EcoBoost Hot Rod. This superb example is from tuning company, Detroit Street Rods. It's the first rear-wheel-drive EcoBoost car ever. Under its blue bonnet, a 3.5-liter V6 lump from Ford's EcoBoost range pumps out a colossal 400bhp. A ZZ Top album is ready and waiting in the CD player.

Gallery: 1934 Ford EcoBoost Hot Rod

 

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]]>1934 Ford EcoBoost Hot RodDetroit Street RodsfeaturedSEMA2009-11-13T04:18:00+00:00<![CDATA[Green Steering Wheel Awards 2009: Toyota Prius & VW Blue Motion]]>http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/green-steering-wheel-awards-2009-toyota-prius-and-vw-blue-motion/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/green-steering-wheel-awards-2009-toyota-prius-and-vw-blue-motion/http://uk.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/green-steering-wheel-awards-2009-toyota-prius-and-vw-blue-motion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Two cars shared this year's eco prize - the Toyota Prius and the VW Blue Motion. Toyota's most fuel efficient hybrid car and Volkswagen's world-beating fuel economy car took the honours for this award, which has been in existence for only three years. The two winners beat the other finalists, the Ford Mondeo LPG, the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid and the Smart Car2Go, to the prize.

Gallery: Toyota Prius



Gallery: VW Golf BlueMotion

 

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]]>breakingDas Grne LenkradDas Gruene LenkradGreen Steering WheelToyotaToyota PriusVolkswagenVWVW Blue Motion2009-11-13T02:20:00+00:00