2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage priced at $179,995
Filed under: Car Buying , Coupe , Performance , Aston Martin , Luxury 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black - Click above for high-res image gallery Aston Martin has finally put a U.S.-approved sticker onto the V12 Vantage , and if you’re aching to get into the 510 horsepower coupe , you’ll need to set aside $179,995 for the “base” model. Included in the kit is the DB9 -sourced V12 powerplant putting out the aforementioned 510 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque, capable of scooting the svelte coupe to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 mph. If the standard V12 Vantage is just too plebeian for your tastes, you can option up for the Carbon Black Edition - an exclusive trim for the States - which includes black metallic paint, carbon fiber accents, a reworked grille, 10-spoke black wheels and a host of interior appointments. Pricing for the Carbon Black model comes in at a cool $194,995 (undercutting both the DB9 and DBS ), and both prices include the $3,000 gas guzzler tax and $1,350 destination charge. If that’s too rich for your blood, just enjoy the high-res pics in the gallery below. Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage priced at $179,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Third Drive: 2011 Buick Regal makes even more sense on American soil
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Buick, First Drive, Luxury
2011 Buick Regal – Click above for high-res image gallery
It was cold and rainy last November when we first drove an early prototype of the 2011 Buick Regal in Michigan. The weather was lousy, but our short time with the car intrigued us. There were far fewer complaints about conditions last month when we spent time with the sport sedan on the famed Nürburgring in Germany – its home turf. As it moves closer to arrival, Buick’s newest family member once again showed us its moves in the mountains of Southern California.
We spent the better part of a sunny spring day driving both the normally-aspirated and turbocharged models – each with automatic transmissions – in an attempt to see how the imported European challenger runs on clean and dry domestic pavement. How does the four-door sedan perform in this new arena? Is it tough enough to compete in the mid-size segment? Most importantly, is the Buick Regal good enough to accomplish its goal?
Gallery: Third Drive: 2011 Buick Regal
Incoming search terms:
- american gadgets 2011
Report: EcoBoost-powered Ford SVT Raptor R coming?
Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Ford, Off-Road, Racing
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford is really proud of its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and while the automaker currently only offers this mill in the Taurus SHO, Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT, PickupTrucks.com reports that the Baja-blasting SVT Raptor will get a version of this powerplant, as well.
Ford will be offering the EcoBoost V6 as a top-range engine on the F-150 for the 2011 model year, producing something in the range of 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, but in the Raptor R, expect output numbers to be significantly higher. Currently, the Raptor R 6.2 produces roughly 500 peak horsepower out of its modified version of the automaker’s latest V8, and we doubt that Ford will want to skimp on power when it comes to a no-holds-barred race truck like the Raptor R.
PickupTrucks.com reports that we could see the Raptor R EcoBoost compete in this year’s Best In The Desert off-road racing series, as well as the Baja 1000 later this year. All we know is, this sounds like one seriously brutal pickup for desert storming.
Survey Indicates Businesses Will Support iPad
Citrix, well known for their server virtualization solutions, has been busy conducting a survey of businesses to find out if they will support the iPad. Based on the results from 494 respondents, mainly current Citrix customers, 84% said they plan on supporting personal iPads in the workplace.
The high level of support is somewhat surprising given the extra complexities of supporting personal equipment in an IT environment. Citrix says the reason might have something to do with the high number of IT professionals planing on using the iPad themselves as a mobile IT tool.
“The fact that IT can safely provide access to company apps, data and virtual desktops without managing the device will make the iPad a game changer for business beyond just the form factor and features. This device will provide the leading example of how IT can keep control of the data, apps and compliance yet enable their users to maximize their choice and productivity from anywhere.”
Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line
Filed under: Motorsports , Europe , Videos , Porsche , Humor , Racing The dangers of motorsport - Click above to watch video after the jump Whether they’ve earned it or not, Porsche drivers often tend to have a reputation for being, well, less-than-charitable human beings. Maybe it’s their steadfast belief in the superiority of their vehicle or the fact that a single 911 Turbo can cost more than most Americans will spend on their first home. Either way, drivers with a Porsche crest on their hood tend to have a bad reputation, even among other high-dollar sports car owners. The video after the jump won’t do anything to improve that impression. From what we can gather from our Google Translator, the kindly gent behind the wheel is none other than Ronald van de Laar. While sitting on the grid during the ADAC GT Masters, the grid girl standing in front of his 911 passes out, either from the sun or locking her knees, and goes down hard. According to our tipster (who evidently speaks Dutch better than we do), van de Laar can be heard frantically telling anyone within earshot to check his car. As far as we can tell, both the Porsche and the weak-kneed lass were just fine. Thanks for the tip, Thomas! [Source: YouTube ] Continue reading Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Citroën packs the tech into “all-new” C4 hatchback
Filed under: Europe , Hatchback , Citroën 2011 Citro
Frankenstein’s Garage: Maybach coupe isn’t Xenatech’s first conversion
Filed under: Design/Style
Xenatech conversions – Click above for image gallery
Wonder where this firm Xenatech came from? The German company made headlines a couple of weeks ago with sketches of a Maybach coupe it intends to bring to market, but as you may well have guessed, the luxo-Merc isn’t the first chop job the company has undertaken.
Swing by the company’s website and you’ll find photochops of all manner of vehicles – most of them German, natch – that have been turned from sedan into coupe, coupe into sedan, and much more. The first few look like simple stretch jobs of sport-utes and sedans like the Audi Q7, Mercedes G-Class and Bentley Continental Flying Spur. But delve a little deeper and you’ll find an Aston Vanquish shooting brake, Lexus LS460 coupe and pickup versions of the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. A few of them are even a little prophetic: a Mercedes CLS wagon and four-door versions of the Porsche 911 and BMW 6 Series.
The best part is that Xenatech claims some of these have actually been made, though it isn’t saying which. Our fingers are crossed for that 7 Series with the extra headroom. Check out some of our favorites in the gallery below.
Incoming search terms:
- frankenstein electronic gadgets
Kruse gets Indiana auction licenses revoked
Filed under: Classics , Auctions , Government/Legal The legendary Kruse auction house has hit yet another rough patch. The company that once broke the $1 million bid barrier for a classic car has had its licenses revoked in the State of Indiana. It appears that the revocation is the result of a number of complaints lodged against the house over the past year. Buyers have reported lengthy delays in obtaining the vehicles they had purchased, and some consigners had lodged complaints after not receiving payment after their vehicles were sold. According to Automotive News , Dean Kruse (pictured), the company’s president, has said that the poor economy has lead to cash flow woes. Indiana has indefinitely suspended Dean Kruse’s license, though he can petition to get it back in two years. Meanwhile, his company won’t be eligible for new licenses for a total of seven years. Kruse International is facing a total of $70,000 in fines, and must now submit quarterly reports from a certified accountant detailing all payments to consigners. None of this necessarily means that Indiana-based Kruse is getting out of the auction business for good, though. At present, no other state has pulled the company’s license… so far. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd] Kruse gets Indiana auction licenses revoked originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read
