HOME OF CARS: February 2011

Monday 14 February 2011

Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 caught sunbathing ahead of NY reveal

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, SUV, Jeep

Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We can hardly wait for the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 to strut across the stage at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Thankfully, we can get our muscle truck fill courtesy of some spy shots showing our favorite non-trail rated Jeep taking in some desert sun.

This next-generation Grand Cherokee SRT8 is rumored to pack a 6.4-liter Hemi engine under the hood, which should be good for around 470 horsepower. Rather disappointingly, the rumormill has the automatic transmission earmarked as only having five ratios, but it's at least said to be the first SRT-branded product with paddle-shifters. What's more, the brake pedal should handily haul in the twisting speedo needle thanks to a set of 14-inch Brembos.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 caught sunbathing ahead of NY reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Racing

If it's good enough for Formula 1, it's good enough for NASCAR. Heck, if it's good enough for every single automobile sold in the United States for the past several decades, it's good enough for NASCAR. What's this newfangled techno-wizardry we're talking about? Fuel injection.

For the first time since the series kicked off in 1947, the so-called stock cars that travel full-throttle around tracks all across America will abandon their carburetors in favor of an Enging Control Unit sourced from McLaren and a computer processor from Freescale. That tandem reportedly beat out eight rival bids.

According to NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton, "This is a positive step that will provide greater fuel efficiency and a greener footprint while maintaining the same great competition that we have seen on the race track."

Fuel efficiency ought to go up, as will horsepower. Interestingly, NASCAR competitors like Ford and Toyota happy about the switch. "We think it's very important that both the cars and the technology in NASCAR are more closely related to production cars. The move to fuel injection is another important step in that process," said Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports.

NASCAR expects to have its fuel injection technology all sorted in time for the 2012 season opener, the Daytona 500.

[Source: National Speed Sport News, Fox Sports | Image: Reinhold Matay/AP]

NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW X6 to get five-seat option among other changes

Filed under: Crossover, BMW

BMW X6 now available with room for five - Click above for high-res image gallery

Have you always wanted to drive a BMW X6, but felt that leaving one of your four friends waiting on the curb was a drawback? Tell that friend to buck up and head over to your local BMW dealer, because the X6 is getting an optional third rear seat.

The additional seat is available on all version of the X6 with the exception of the ActiveHybrid variant. Along with the extra (and from the looks of the pic above, tiny) middle squab, the Spartanburg, South Carolina-built BMW X6 is getting new 20-inch alloy wheels, interior leather options, and vicinity lighting.

In addition, there will be available enhanced content for Apple iPhone users. Through the BMW Apps system and ConnectedDrive, iPhone users will be granted access to Facebook and Twitter. The BMW Apps system also allows iPhone users to listen to radio stations from around the world regardless of where they're located. Learn more in the official press release after the jump, which also details changes to the X6's kissing cousin, the more capacious X5.

Gallery: BMW X6 now offers seating for five

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW X6 to get five-seat option among other changes

BMW X6 to get five-seat option among other changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gumpert Tornante details come into focus ahead of Geneva

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Luxury

Gumpert Tornante teaser - Click above to enlarge

With the 2011 Chicago Auto Show out of the way, manufacturers can now turn their attentions toward Geneva. Apparently, Gumpert has done just that. As we've heard, the supercar manufacturer is planning to yank the sheets back on its Tornante next month, and we now have a decent idea of what the bruiser will bring to the table when it arrives. The newest Gumpert will offer up a little more refinement than the speed-above-all-else Apollo, and the grand tourer will likely boast a more comfortable cabin and civil ride as a result.

Don't expect performance to fall off by any massive degree, though. Buyers will still get to sink their teeth into the juicy 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine responsible for sending the Apollo's tires to the smoky beyond. The mill will still be bolted to the same TT40e transmission, though a new set of paddle shifters will handle cog-swapping detail.

There is some word that Gumpert is also working on an alternative-power drivetrain, but details are skimpy on that machine at the moment. Feel free to click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Gumpert Apollo

Continue reading Gumpert Tornante details come into focus ahead of Geneva

Gumpert Tornante details come into focus ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you're required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.

What does 'average' mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent's desk.

Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company's press release for the full details after the jump.

[Source: Insurance.com | Image: Flickr/jcrakow via CC2.0]

Continue reading Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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