http://www.paklinks.com/gs/ en Thu, 17 May 2012 04:23:25 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/images/misc/rss.png http://www.paklinks.com/gs/ http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557156&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 00:30:05 GMT Filed under: Concept Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/), Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Europe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/), Toyota (http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/) Image:... Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Toyota


As if turbos weren't enough.

Gazoo Racing (full name: Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring) has unveiled a concept racing version of the famed Toyota GT86 that features both a turbocharger and a supercharger to offer up 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

The car, officially called the Sport FR Concept, oozes high performance out of its fenders and includes Gazoo brakes, spoilers and suspension tuning, according to FT86Club.com. However, few specifics were available.

Toyota teamed up with Gazoo earlier this year to help jump start it's small-displacement engines. Earlier this year, Toyota gave the green light to the iQ Supercharger. Gazoo was expected to build about 100 of those cars.Gazoo Racing drums up twincharged 320-horsepower Toyota GT86 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557156 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557152&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 23:58:02 GMT Filed under: Classics (http://www.autoblog.com/category/timewarp/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), BMW (http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/), Luxury (http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/) Image:... Filed under: Classics, Performance, BMW, Luxury


When we think of the BMW M division, the 1978 M1 comes instantly to mind, followed by the E30 M3 and then the 2001-2002 M Coupe. But the company's in-house hot rod shop actually dates back to 1972, when it was formed as a subsidiary to manage the company's racing operations, dubbed BMW Motorsport.

It was this month 40 years ago that what is known today as BMW M GmbH was launched. So to celebrate its anniversary, BMW has offloaded some 50 lustworthy images celebrating that performance history. See them all in our gallery.Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557152 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557149&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 23:30:06 GMT Filed under: Spy Photos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/), Convertible (http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Jaguar (http://www.autoblog.com/category/jaguar/), UK... Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Etc., Jaguar, UK, Luxury


Our spy photographers appear to have grabbed the first glimpse at Jaguar's upcoming F-Type R. Judging by the not-so-subtle "F" camouflage and quad exhaust outlets, odds are this is the more high-strung version of the next convertible from Jaguar. What exactly is under the hood? That remains to be seen, though early reports suggest its something other than the tried-and-true blown 5.0-liter V8 we've come to know and love. The base F-Type will get along with a turbocharged V6, and the brawnier R model will likely bow with something packing eight cylinders and power figures in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower.

So, when can we get our hands on this creation? A final launch date is murky at best, though there is some indication Jaguar could hold onto the V8 F-Type until later in the model's lifecycle, but doesn't quite dovetail with the fact that Jaguar is already road-testing the machine. Chances are we'll see the F-Type R earlier than expected.Supercharged Jaguar F-Type R spotted testing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557149 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557144&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 22:58:03 GMT Filed under: Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Europe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/), Earnings/Financials (http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/), Design/Style (http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/) Image:... Filed under: Etc., Europe, Earnings/Financials, Design/Style


Automotive News reports Pininfarina projects it will turn a profit for 2012, thanks in part to debt restructuring. The Italian design studio hasn't seen a profit in eight years, but signed a deal in April to restructure $182.6 million in debt. The move effectively stretched the studio's repayment deadline from 2015 to 2018. At the same time, Pininfarina announced it will likely see an operating loss this year, but a one-time gain of $57.6 million will result in the net profit. Last year, the company lost $8.3 million in the first quarter, though that figure has dropped to just under $4 million during Q1 2012.

Pininfarina also saw its net revenue increase by $2.9 million. The company designs vehicles for manufacturers the world over, including makes like Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Cadillac, though CEO Silvio Pietro Angori recently announced China is set to become the studio's largest market this year. That title was previously held by Germany.Pininfarina turns first net profit since 2004 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557144 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557142&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 22:30:02 GMT Filed under: Motorsports (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/), Earnings/Financials (http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/), UK (http://www.autoblog.com/category/uk/), MISC (http://www.autoblog.com/category/misc/) Image:... Filed under: Motorsports, Earnings/Financials, UK, MISC


Lola may not be a name recognized by the average consumer, but racing fans will know it well. The British concern has built and continues to build race cars that have spanned an enormous variety of series and disciplines since its founding in 1958, including (but not limited to) Formula One, Le Mans, CART and just about every formula feeder series you could think of, including Formula Two, Formula 3, Formula 3000, Formula 5000 and A1GP. Now, unfortunately, the company is filing for bankruptcy protection.

The reasons are pretty simple: too many expenses and not enough revenue, although tax credits it was due from the British government are also said to be partially to blame. As a result, the outfit responsible for - among numerous other accolades - five LMP2 titles at Le Mans since 2000 alone is entering financial administration as it seeks new investors.

Along with it, Lola Cars is taking Lola Composites, however the effect this might have on its concerns in defense and aerospace (among other areas) remains to be seen. As is the future of the SP/300.R track car which Lola builds for Caterham, or the countless racing teams that continue to count on Lola to build and support their sports prototypes. But with so many racing programs at stake, we can hardly imagine the company's considerable capabilities and expertise will go unclaimed for long. Scroll down for the official announcement.Continue reading Lola files for bankruptcy
Lola files for bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557142 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557138&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 21:58:02 GMT Filed under: Motorsports (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/), Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Europe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/), Lexus... Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Lexus, Toyota, Racing


Toyota and Lexus are gearing up for this year's Nüburgring 24 Hours. The two companies plan to take to the track with a total of five entries, including four Toyota GT 86 race cars and one Lexus LFA. Prepped by factory tuner Gazoo Racing, the LFA will compete in the SP8 class while two of the GT 86 models will go fender-to-fender in the SP3 class. Those will be joined by two more GT 86 racers built by Toyota Motorsport and competing under the Toyota Swiss Racing Team banner in the V3 class for production vehicles.

Gazoo Racing has already had a little fun at the Nüburgring this year. While competing at two shorter events at the legendary track, the LFA took home two wins. This year's 24-hour endurance race kicks off this weekend, May 17-20. The even will be streamed online here and here. Scroll down for the quick press release.Continue reading Toyota GT 86, Lexus LFA racers ready for Nürburgring 24 Hours
Toyota GT 86, Lexus LFA racers ready for Nürburgring 24 Hours originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557138 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557134&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 21:30:02 GMT Filed under: Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Lexus (http://www.autoblog.com/category/lexus/), Luxury (http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/) Image:... Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lexus, Luxury


Give a Lexus LFA to an auto journalist and there's going to be an attempt to drift it. Give that same LFA to the gents at Blendtec and they're likely to see if it, or at least a piece of it, will blend. Then turn that LFA over to Tony Hawk to use for his birthday and he will, naturally, line the thing up outside of his office and see if he can ollie it.

Sure, he had the help of a generous ramp, but we can't blame him. The LFA is $375,000 of sensitive parts that wouldn't react well, nor inexpensively, to flying skateboard trucks. Scroll down to see the 44-year-old Hawk do what he does best.Continue reading Tony Hawk jumps Lexus LFA on skateboard
Tony Hawk jumps Lexus LFA on skateboard originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557134 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557128&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 20:58:04 GMT Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Plants/Manufacturing (http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/), Fisker (http://www.autoblog.com/category/fisker/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/),... Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Fisker, Electric, Luxury


The Fisker Atlantic extended-range plug-in vehicle will start production about a year after its previously estimated mid-2013 date, Inside EVs blog reports, citing leaked company documents that were dated "a few weeks ago."

The Atlantic, formerly known as Project Nina, will compete pricewise against the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series sedans, as well as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class, Jaguar XF and Audi A4 and A6. That would put the model in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, according to the publication. The model, which will still be produced at Fisker's Delaware plant, will have 300 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds and emissions of 50 grams per kilometer of CO2, Inside EVs reports, citing the documents.

"As these documents are obviously leaked investor documents and highly confidential, I am not prepared to comment any further," a Fisker representative tells Autoblog sister site, AutoblogGreen.

The status of the Atlantic has been in question since plans for the former General Motors plant in Delaware were put on hold once the U.S. Department of Energy froze most of the $529 million in loans earmarked for the California-based company.

Fisker unveiled the Atlantic at the New York Auto Show last month, saying that the car's price tag would be "a much lower price point" than Fisker's Karma sedan.Leaked Fisker Atlantic documents reveal big production delay, specs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557128 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557124&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 20:30:03 GMT Filed under: Truck (http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/), Government/Legal (http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/), Safety (http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/) Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/freightliner-cascadia-opt.jpg ... Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety


Stability control was made mandatory on passenger vehicles for this current model year, but it's still not a requirement for semis and busses. But that could soon be changing, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed requiring the technology on all new large commercial trucks, motorcoaches, and other large buses.

While big rigs and their brethren are often available with stability control, the rule would make the feature standard, with manufacturers given between two and four years to comply. NHTSA says the change in policy could save about 50 lives a year, and prevent over 2,300 crashes. Further, research into the effectiveness of stability control systems in preventing rollover crashes shows that over half of all such accidents could be prevented by adopting it.

Scroll down to read the full press release.Continue reading NHTSA proposes mandatory stability control on big rigs, busses
NHTSA proposes mandatory stability control on big rigs, busses originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557124 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557120&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:58:01 GMT Filed under: Budget (http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Celebrities (http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/), India (http://www.autoblog.com/category/india/) Image:... Filed under: Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Celebrities, India


It looks as if Jay Leno has welcomed a Tata Nano to his Big Dog Garage recently. The comedian even went so far as to don traditional Indian garb and hire a troop of Bollywood dancers to mark the occasion.

Details are scarce at the moment, but judging from the photos that have shown up on Leno's Facebook page, it looks as if we'll see the machine on an episode of "Jay Leno's Garage" sometime soon. The car boasts a white paint scheme with the Indian tri-color laid over the rear doors and hood. Whether or not Leno actually bought the machine remains unclear.

The comedian took the time to bow for the cameras and place his hands together in the "Namaskar" greeting. We look forward to seeing the full episode. In the meantime, check out the behind-the-scenes photos in the gallery.Tata Nano to rub shoulders with priceless iron in Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557120 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557116&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:30:03 GMT Filed under: Motorsports (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Motorcycle (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorcycles/) Image:... Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Motorcycle


We officially have a new motorcycle hero. Genki Hagata rolled his Yamaha YZF-R6 out onto the track during the second AMA Pro Supersport qualifying session at Sears Point recently. Partway through his out-lap, the bike lost traction in the rear before abruptly regaining it. We likely don't need to tell you that scenario almost always results in a one-way ticket off of the saddle in a not-so-glorious highside. But not for Hagata. The racer exhibited nothing less than super-human strength by clamping onto the handlebars and holding on for dear life.

Miraculously, it worked. After the bike settled down, Hagata managed to cling to the machine as it rode upright until he was able to fling himself back into the saddle. The guy's efforts kept the Yamaha off of the asphalt, but cost him a spot on the grid. Hagata missed the cut-off by a few tenths of a second. Still, we haven't seen heroics like this in a long spell. Scroll down to check it out for yourself.Continue reading Watch Genki Hagata pull off the world's motorcycle greatest save
Watch Genki Hagata pull off the world's motorcycle greatest save originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557116 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557111&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:58:03 GMT Filed under: Minivan/Van (http://www.autoblog.com/category/minivans/), Europe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/), Renault (http://www.autoblog.com/category/renault/) Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/renaultespace-web.jpg ... Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Renault


The current Renault Espace has been on the market since 2003. Next year that will make it ten years old, which is a long life cycle for any vehicle. But it'll still be a few years until its replacement is ready. So following the facelift it performed on the Euro-market minivan in 2003, Renault is releasing another update.

Refreshed to fall more closely in line with Renault's current styling direction (the company has changed aesthetic strategies a few times since the introduction of the fourth-generation model), the new Espace has a fresh grille that better incorporates a larger emblem than the model it replaces, and it's flanked by new headlights and a new bumper fascia below.

Further details on what else Renault has tweaked will be released in July when it hits showrooms overseas.Continue reading Renault updates aging Espace in attempt to keep it fresh
Renault updates aging Espace in attempt to keep it fresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557111 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557106&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:02 GMT Filed under: Spy Photos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), BMW (http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/), Mini (http://www.autoblog.com/category/mini/) Image:... Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW, Mini


Given the spate of new models Mini has introduced in the past few years, from the Clubman to the Countryman to the Coupe to the Roadster, it sometimes seems like BMW has forgotten about the original model, the plain old Mini Cooper hardtop. It was last redesigned for the 2007 model year, which seems like a long time ago because, well, it is. Which is why Mini will shortly introduce an all-new hardtop Cooper, which our camera spies have captured testing in Europe.

We're told that the new model is codenamed F56, but more importantly, its underpinnings are said to be shared with the next-generation BMW 1 Series. While Mini will continue to put four-cylinder engines underhood, there's presumably a three-cylinder in the works as well, though we're not sure whether that model will make it to our shores.

While we've seen some spy shots of the 2014 Mini Cooper before, these seem to confirm that the car will grow a bit in size, both length and width. We are told that the longer hood and greater front overhang may be the result of fake front body panels, but the new front and rear glass appears to accurately represent the forthcoming production car, which will have a more raked angle to its windshield and rear window.

BMW is expected to start production of the 2014 Mini Cooper early next year.2014 Mini Cooper gets mellow in yellow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557106 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557100&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 17:58:01 GMT Filed under: Motorsports (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/), Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Marketing/Advertising (http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/), Chevrolet... Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Celebrities
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives persona Guy Fieri is making more news with garages these days than kitchens. The Food Network host, who recently had his Lamborghini Gallardo stolen and then recovered in a teen's storage container, has been selected to drive the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car at the Indy 500 this year.

Guy's an admitted car fan, and he should feel at home in the ZR1; he owns seven Chevrolet models that span the decades from 1968 to 2011, and a Cadillac Escalade ESV. He'll be pacing the field in the 638-horsepower special edition Arctic White coupe on Sunday, May 27 at noon EST.Guy Fieri to drive Corvette ZR1 pace car in Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557100 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557097&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:03 GMT Filed under: Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Ferrari (http://www.autoblog.com/category/ferrari/), Design/Style (http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/) Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-ferrari-table-628.jpg ... Filed under: Etc., Ferrari, Design/Style


This post isn't for the weak of stomach or faint of heart. The sad truth of being an automotive enthusiast is that we're all hoarders on some level. We yearn to collect various bits of paraphernalia plucked from our favorite race teams and derelict junkyard hulks. Now Charly Molinelli Design has elevated our pack rat tendencies to high art. Or at least clever interior design. Using the cubed remains of an indistinguishable Ferrari, the designer set about crafting a coffee table that doesn't look like it belongs tucked away in a tacky man cave.

Behold, the Crashed Ferrari Table. The designer calls wedging the squared remains into the glass case "a dead hero placed into a coffin." Sounds fitting to us. There's no word on how much one of these would cost you if you wanted to take it home. Then again, there's something more than a touch depressing about seeing all that red crammed into a pine box. Head over to the Molinelli Design site for a closer look at the table's creation.Crushed Ferrari makes for world's most tragic coffee table originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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]]> RSS: Automotive GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=557097