Filed under: Motorsports

KTM and its four-wheeled racer, the X-Bow, had an incredibly successful season, dominating the GT4 Sports Light class in its inaugural year. With a serious campaign under its belt, KTM is finally making its “Race” version of the X-Bow available to consumers, and the bike-manufacturer-turned-automaker has big plans for the future.

Over 30 modifications were made to the standard X-Bow - ranging from semi-slick tires to an adjustable brake balance controller - to bring it up to GT4-spec, and if the €82,900 cost of entry isn’t enough, KTM is offering a variety of optional “PowerParts” to take the X-Bow to the next level. Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, central-locking wheels, an airjack system, Kevlar front panels, a carbon fiber tonneau cover and a revised rear bumper are available for track addicts abroad. But that’s not all.

KTM is launching a new program billed the “Customer Racing Concept” which allows owners of the X-Bow “Race” to campaign in a number of events throughout Europe with full support provided by the KTM crew. For around €3,000 per race, CRS will take care of all the logistics on race day, including transport, race service, spare parts, hospitality, tires, fuel, driver and team equipment, making it easy - if not cheap - to campaign an X-Bow in a number of European series.

In 2009, KTM will launch the X-Bow Super Sport Cup, with two separate competitions. The SSC North will cover Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, while SSC South covers France, Spain and Italy. A number of races are planned throughout the year, and there’s talk of extending the program to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, and even the possibility of bringing it to the States.

Hit the jump for all the details in KTM’s lengthy release.

Continue reading KTM taking orders on X-Bow ‘Race’ for €82,900

KTM taking orders on X-Bow ‘Race’ for €82,900 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

The full-size SUV’s future is on shaky legs and now, reports have surfaced that General Motors has killed the next generation Tahoe and Yukon ‘utes, just weeks after announcing it would shutter its SUV plant in Janesville, Wisconsin. Of course, if that pair is buried, the Suburban and the Cadillac Escalade that use the same platform must also come to an end, at least in their current form.

Past reports indicate that the ultra-lux ride from Caddy will move to the Lambda platform for its next generation. The Tahukon pair had been slated for a redesign in 2011, and since that’s reportedly not going to happen, the duo’s future is definitely in question. GM will probably keep churning out the current version until it’s no longer profitable to do so.

These days, any story about the General would be incomplete without some mention of Chrysler, and this one’s no different. America’s number three automaker just announced just last week that it would be phasing out its full-sized ‘utes as well. Therefore, any possible merger of the two companies would carry on without a new large SUV platform at all. How the times have changed.

[Source: The New York Times via Inside Line]

Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade not being replaced originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Aston Martin, Ford, Celebrities

Who’s not looking forward to the new Bond flick Quantum of Solace that opens in theaters on October 29th? Agent 007 returns with an Aston Martin DBS as his daily driver and a beautiful woman on his arm, per usual. The new girl’s name is Camille, and she’s played by Olga Kurylenko. Her job is to make James forget about that Vesper girl, and she’ll be sharing scenes with Ford’s recently redesigned Ka while doing it.

Ford plans to make good use of the Ka’s starring role next to Olga, and is sponsoring a slew of Bond girl events including a special on MTV that will take an ordinary Jill and give her four weeks of Bond training with Ms. Kurylenko. Other events include a behind the scenes look at the Camille character on E! Entertainment and full coverage from the red carpet premiere. We dig the cute little Ka, but we’re guessing Olga will garner much of the spotlight during the efficient little hatch’s big screen debut. Click the pic to the right for a high-res version and another head shot of Kurylenko upstaging the Ka with her better-than-Kinetic good looks.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Bond girl buddies up with Ford Ka

Bond girl buddies up with Ford Ka originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Japan, Humor

Mitsuoka, that tiny Japanese manufacturer who makes the wonderfully wacky Orochi sea monster, has introduced its latest automotive mash-up, just in time to give us a Halloween fright. It is a derivative of the company’s Galue III (the return of the shapeshifter) and is known as the Galue Limousine S50. This shouldn’t be confused with the company’s Galue 204 Toyota Corolla rebody, or the Galue Convertible, which is based on the Ford Mustang. Instead, this limo is based on the Infiniti M, but incorporates styling touches from such classic designs as the ‘94 Cadillac Fleetwood, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Apple iPhone. While that might not sound too offensive, trust us, it is.

Remember the classic Beetles with the R-R grilles? Imagine that on a new Infiniti M35. And out back, that gracefully curved rear has been amended with Caddy taillight protrusions. Where once stood a B-pillar, we now have a foot-wide panel that houses an oversized iPhone-like glass panel. Like the retro-classic Excaliburs of the ’70s and ’80s, Mitsuoka apparently feels people will like modern running gear hidden beneath “classic” British looks. Priced between 8,016,750 yen (68,600 euros at the exchange) for the 223-hp 250LX to 9,345,000 (80,000 euros) for the 313-hp 350LX 4WD, we think that’s a lot of coin for a Frankencar like this. Heck, you could probably find a used Continental GT for about the same. You could even rebadge it as a Hyundai if it makes you feel better.

[Source: Mitsuoka via Autblog Spanish]

Mitsuoka Galue S50 Limousine plops onto the scene originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Euro, Tech, BMW

Thirty different auto manufacturers and technology companies are partners in a group called Car 2 Car Communication Consortium. The point is to create cars that talk to each other — but instead of swapping secrets only with other cars of the same brand, the group wants to create vehicles that can speak to any other car, truck, or motorcycle on the road.

As one would expect, there are a number of things needed to successful implement the idea. The most important hurdle has just been cleared with the announcement that all parties have agreed on the European radio frequency that vehicles would would use to communicate. Ultimately, the consortium wants to create the ability for a Car 2 Car equipped vehicle to warn any nearby vehicle of an icy patch on the road, or for a motorcycle nearing an intersection to notify you while you’re behind the wheel. Now that the consortium has a common channel to use, it only needs to decide on a common language. Esperanto, anyone? You can read the full release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers

Car 2 Car working to create vehicles that can talk to any other car, not just Bimmers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Coupes, Mercedes-Benz

The next CLK Cabriolet — or E-Class Coupe Cabriolet depending on Mercedes’ choice of nomenclature — is out and about, wearing lots of camouflage. While this rendering looks like it could still be pretty accurate, the front fog lights have given way to LED’s, which are lit in this latest round of images. The extended trunk deck lid we’ve seen before, but now we get a close-up and the strong crease line that bisects the rear of the car. It also looks to get a bit fussy back there because the trunk is distinct from the body panel that hides the roof. We’ll know more when the car goes hits the show circuit next year, but this car could be more than a little revolutionary.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: 2009 Mercedes CLK Cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Coupes, Trucks/Pickups, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault

Renault has thankfully brought more to the Sao Paulo Auto Show than just an F1 edition of its inexpensive Dacia Sandero with racy decals and a bodykit. The other car in its display is another Sandero, but this one is much cooler. Called the Sandero Sand’up concept, it’s a 2+2 beach runabout that can go from a closed hard-top coupe to a convertible pickup thanks to its modular design. While not the freshest idea to appear on a concept, the Sand’up is charming enough with its big wheel arches, satin nickel roof rail arches and see-through doors. The first concept by Renault to be designed entirely in South America, the Sand’up is not surprisingly powered by a 1.6L Hi-Flex engine that produces 107 hp on gasoline and 112 hp on ethanol, the latter of which is a more popular fuel below the equator than above at the moment.

[Source: Renault]

Renault debuts Sandero Sand’up concept in Sao Paulo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Chrysler, LLC., GM

At first we thought the idea of a merger between General Motors and Chrysler LLC was laughable. We still do, but persistent reports to the contrary have us fearing that this marriage just might happen. Combining these two automakers would be a messy job, as many models on both sides of the fence compete directly with on another in the marketplace. If the merger does happen, someone may have to sit down and decide which models stay and which go. We decided to play arm chair auto executive quarterback and hold a Battle Royale. We’ve pitted model against model in 12 segments in which GM and Chrysler compete directly. In this thought experiment, only one model in each segment will survive to see the New World Order. Get to clickin’ below to find out which ones make it.

Click here for Match 1: Chevy Cobalt vs. Dodge Caliber

Battle Royale: If GM and Chrysler merge, which models survive? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Time Warp, Convertibles, ROUSH

Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Special Edition MKIII-R

Sometimes good things come in small packages. Other times, they come with a Roush 427 IR crate motor pumping out 576 horsepower. Superformance, the only Shelby-licensed producer of Cobra kit cars, has teamed up with Roush for a special edition version of their MKIII replicar that features the aforementioned 427ci V8 as well as several other Roush components. In addition to standard features like TIG welded ladder frame chassis, independent front and rear suspension, fiberglass body, and Wilwood brakes, the MKIII-R gets custom Cobra seats with four-point harnesses, black chrome trim, Roush floor mats and short throw shifter, custom Roush-engraved wind wings, and a unique Monza Red paint scheme with silver stripes and black pin stripes. The package is now on sale and will be sold as an upgrade for the standard MKIII chassis. Full details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Superformance]

Continue reading Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster

Superformance teams up with Roush for special edition MKIII-R roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Humor

Being somewhat of a national treasure, the James Bond image is understandably important to the Brits. It can really boost public morale to have Bond associate with the most beautiful women in the world, use the most incredible gadgets, and drive the world’s finest cars. It can be equally devastating, then, to have Bond engaging in any of these activities with anything less than the best. So it comes as little surprise that Channel 4 has called out the Bond creators for some of their awful vehicular choices. They’ve assembled a Bottom 10, if you will, of bad cars that Bond has been forced to drive or co-pilot on the silver screen. The list includes everything from a Tuk Tuk to an Aston Martin DBS, but probably not the one you’re thinking of. It’s a fun read with a pretty spot-on analysis of the merits of each selection, but we’re pretty sure some of the choices will be debated. Do you disagree with any of the selections? Think they’re nuts for skipping something? Let us know.

[Source: Channel 4]

Bottom 10: Worst James Bond cars ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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