News feed - Page 189 of 255 - The Weekly Driver

Tesla plans faster model S with 0-60 mph, 4.5 second speed

Tesla has announced it's making a faster sport edition on the Model S, the already quick luxury electric sedan, according to company CEO Elon Musk. The new Model S, according the company literature released in Fremont, California, the sport model will accelerate 0-60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, more than one second faster than the current model. The sport version of the Tesla features the same 85 kilowatt-hour, 300 miles-per-charge battery pack found in the 2012 Model S Signature series. The additional model, complete with enhanced powertrain to cope with the additional current required for faster acceleration, will be

Senna: Famed F1 driver film in Academy Award pole position

"Senna" is a documentary about Formula One race car driver Ayrton Senna of Brazil, the three-time world titlist who died in a racetrack crash in 1994 at age 34. The film has several edge-of-your-seat driving scenes that alone justified the admission. But like other great sports-themed documentaries ("When We Were Kings" comes to mind) Senna transcends sport. A moviegoer without any knowledge of the top level of auto racing can and likely will appreciate the detailed biography of Senna as a driven driver. The boxing movie examines the personalities of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and their intense, complicated relationship.

Scion debuts 2012 limited production models in Texas

The Scion 2012 xD Series 4.0 (xD RS 4.0) and xB Series 9.0 (xB RS 9.0) debuted Sept. 29 State Fair of Texas, with limited release models featuring as standard equipment a new Pioneer audio system that features Bluetooth hands-free, streaming audio and HD Radio technology. The two Scions will begin arriving at dealer showrooms in October and the debuting will be available for viewing at the Scion booth at the State Fair of Texas until October 23. The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 (xD RS 4.0) comes exclusively in a premium Blizzard Pearl

Camaro ZL1, 2012: Rick Hendrick gets No. 1 for $250,000

Several days after the announcement of the public sale of the first production model of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, more details of the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas are available. To wit: * Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, a the NASCAR team that employs several drivers, including Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, purchased the car for $250,000; * The proceeds of the sale will benefit the YMCA of Southern Nevada; * Hendrick will take delivery of the 69th ZL1 coupe (to commemorate the 1969 Camaro ZL1, of which only 69 were ever produced) and the only one painted

Dodge Viper blazes to record lap at famed Nurburgring

The Dodge Viper and the Nurburgring Nordschleife track in Germany share iconic but unrelated speed status in the automotive world. Now the famed racetrack and the fastest factory built street legal race car share more. The Dodge Viper SRT10, with its 600HP V10 engine, recently set the record lap time of 7 minutes, 12.13 seconds on the famed 12.9-mile track. ViperExchange sent two new Viper ACR cars from Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas to Germany where one was piloted by GT class driver Dominik Farnbacher to the record. The Viper ACR held the record on the track previously with a

Ashton Kutcher goes green with Fisker Karma TV role

Ashton Kutcher is a spokesperson for digital cameras, among other products, and the former child actor married to Demi Moore is among the most popular celebrities on Twitter. Now he's also given Fisker Automotive its biggest dose of mainstream exposure. The 2012 Fisker Karma was featured for the first time Sept. 26 in what is scheduled as a recurring role in the newly revamped television program Two And a Half Men. In its supporting role, the Fisker Karma is driven by Kutcher's character, Walden Schmidt. Kutcher replaced Charlie Sheen, who departed the show in controversy last year during his reign

Honda CR-V, 2012: Some new, some old for LA debut

The 2012 Honda CR-V, the fourth generation of the best-selling sport utility vehicle in the United States, will debut as a concept at the Orange County International Auto Show and then will debut in its production model at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2011 and 2012 models are similar but the new year model has a more angular front end, with a large three-bar grille and more rounded tailgate. Additionally, the vertical taillamps have been will now resemble the design on Civic and Accord models. Although specifications haven't been released, Honda said the 2012 CR-V will be more fuel

Ferrari unveils 458 Spider price: 257K in U.S, 309K in Europe

Specialty cars

The Ferrari 458 Spider, which replaces the 430 Spider and features an aluminum retractable hardtop, will be priced at $257,000 in the United States and will be available to the public in January 2012, according to the Italian manufacturer. In Europe, where sales of the car begin in October, the Ferrari 458 Spider will cost 226,800 euros or about $309,000 with current exchange rates. Ferrari customers in Europe also usually spend the equivalent of 15-20 percent on top of the car’s list price to purchase personalization items from the company’s Carrozzeria Scaglietti program. These items include carbon fiber seats ($7,800)

Geely expands, signs exclusivity deal with Saudi Arabia

Haji Husein Alireza and Co. Ltd. (HHA) has launched China’s Geely & Geely Emgrand cars in Saudi Arabia as the manufacturer's exclusive dealer following the the initial agreementat completed the recent Shanghai International Auto Show in China. "We have put our capabilities and vast experience in our quest to get the dealership of Geely & Emgrand cars for Saudi Arabia after we conducted an in-depth study to show the demand for and future of this brand in our local market,” Ali Alireza MD, HHA, said at the recent launch event, which was attended by senior executives of the two companies

Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, 2012: diversity rules

The 2012 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid move into 2012 as three-row crossovers that offer a four-cylinder or V6 power, front-wheel drive (FWD), full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) as well as a hybrid that provides a class-leading 28/28 mpg city/highway fuel economy ratings. All Highlander 2012 models feature a standard 50/50 split third-row seat and rear climate control for customer comfort and flexibility. The Highlander is available in Highlander, SE and Limited grades with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD). A 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is standard on the Limited grade and available for the others. All Highlander Hybrid models

Sly Stone now among the everyday homeless people

Plenty of rock musicians and movie stars are known for the passions for cars. But not too many celebrities get attention for living in their vehicles. Re-meet funk icon Sly Stone, the top-selling artist and former car buff who’s now living in a van in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood. Stone, with the ensemble he put together called The Family Stone, had numerous hits beginning in 1968 with “Dance to the Music,” followed by “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Stand!” Like other celebrities, he loved cars. According to several media accounts, he once

Nissan Murano, 2011: No beauty queen, but makeover works

Those who want a sporty crossover vehicle with SUV utility should check out the 2011 Nissan Murano. The second-generation Murano — one of the original “crossover” vehicles — benefits from improved styling and a solid reputation for comfort, performance and utility. The technically advanced Murano was introduced seven years ago and was overhauled for 2009. While no beauty queen despite a sculptured exterior, the latest Murano looks better, thanks to a revised grille and front bumper and freshened taillights. There are redesigned standard 18-inch aluminum wheels and 20-inch alloy wheels for the top-line LE trim level. All 2011 Muranos also

Toyota Venza, 2012: More variety for sporty crossover

The 2012 Toyota Venza, the combination sports sedan and crossover and available in LE, XLE and Limited models, expands the previous one-style only model and features a sport-sedan design with crossover versatility. Offered with a with four-cylinder, V6, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the Venza Limited comes with the V6 engine only and with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. The Venza’s standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The four-cylinder Venza is EPA-rated at 21 MPG city/-27 MPG highway for the FWD model. The 3.5-liter V6

Unique Carbon Camaro ZL1, 2012 sells for $250,000

The first and only 2012 Camaro ZL1 with a carbon exterior has been purchased in Las Vegas for $250,000 by Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. The transaction occurred at the Barrett-Jackson auction Sept. 23 when the iconic Camaro was offered by Fairway Chevrolet-Buick-GMC. One hundred percent of the auction proceeds benefitting the YMCA of Southern Nevada. Hendrick expected to take delivery of his new Camaro in the first quarter of 2012. It will be the 69th ZL1 produced at the Oshawa Assembly Plant, in tribute of the legendary 1969 Camaro ZL1, of which only 69 were produced. "Like the

Best of the Women of the Frankfurt Auto Show, 2011

The Frankfurt Auto Show, one of the oldest and largest in the car industry, concluded Sunday with another varied display of vehicles — entry level to luxury, concept to electric. Production cars in the biennial show that began in 1897 ranged from the Abarth 695 to the Volkswagen Up! and concept offerings ranged from the Alfa Romeo 4C to the Volvo You. Like many auto shows in recent years, luxury cars and electric cars garnered a good share of attention, But ike any decent auto show, the beauty of the showcased vehicles was only outdone by the beauty of the

Rare Ferrari with seven miles on engine on sale on eBay

A 2004 Ferrari FXX Evolution, one of only 17 in the world and with only seven original miles has less than three days of auction time left on eBay According to the listing, the Ferrari had has been maintained in a collection since delivery. It was upgraded to Evolutionin the Fall of 2010 by Ferrari’s Corse Clienti department and returned to the collection where it sits. The FXX uses some technology developed from the Enzo, and combines it with some new developments from Ferrari and its suppliers. Ferrari has built 30, adding one special edition to the 29 that were