A Home in America: Czech make Tatra featured at the Lane Motor Museum

The Lane Motor Museum in Nashville has built a reputation on the wide variety of cars it houses. Among the Peels, Panhards and Martins are the more prosaic Fiats, Citroëns and Hondas (usually Euro- or Japan-spec).

Then, there are the Tatras. Museum owner Jeff Lane has been collecting them for more than a decade. Outside of the Czech Republic, there are more Tatras at the Lane than at any other museum in the world.

"When we first opened in 1993, we had most of them on display in the first grouping as you enter," Lane said. "One time, we only had a few out and some visitors said, 'Geez, I came to see the Tatras. We read that you have a lot more!' So we've gone back to always having at least five or six on display."

When we asked how many the museum owned, Lane squinted his eyes and said, "About 17, I think." Then he consulted his list: "17, 18, 19 . . . 22," he said. "Sorry, I forgot a few."

Six Tatras are on display in an exhibit entitled "Tatra--The Final 50 Years." The cars range from a 1937 T-97 to a 1996 T-700. Each of these air-cooled, rear-engine cars has its own charm, but the silver 1947 T-87 stands out as the jewel in the crowd. The later T-613 and T-700 lack the svelte lines of the earlier cars.

The Tatras attract all sorts of visitors.

"We picked up Jay Leno in our T-87 when he came to Nashville to do a benefit," said Lane. "He was thrilled--he's not big on limos."

A few years ago, nephews of the innovative Tatra designer Hans Ledwinka visited the museum from their home in Indiana.

"They didn't know much about the history of Tatra," Lane said. "They just knew their uncle was a famous engineer in Europe and worked for Tatra, but I don't think they had any idea how much he did. I gave them a tour and a ride in the T-87. It was really pretty cool."

The Tatra exhibit runs until May 21 of next year. Stop by to see the Tatras--you can't miss them--and allow a few hours to see the entire eclectic collection. You can find out more online at http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/.

 

2012 Scion iQ priced at $15,995

As journalists including AutoWeek's own Michelle Koueiter flog the new 2012 Scion iQ in California, pricing information has made its way back to the Midwest.

The Scion iQ will cost $15,995, including destination, when it hits dealerships. The car will be released in four phases, starting with the West Coast in October. The South will get the car in January, followed by the East Coast, and finally us here in the middle.
Expect a decently equipped base 2012 Scion iQ, along with plenty of tacky accessories available to those who so desire. The base car comes with Pandora radio service, which is currently rolling out a big push to be in new cars.
For comparison in the small-car market, the hatchback Ford Fiesta is $16,295 while the Nissan Versa HB comes in at $13,520.

General Motors fires back at Volkswagen

General Motors issued a terse response this week to published comments by Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, who suggested to the German press that Opel could be sold to a Chinese competitor.

Detroit-based GM called Winterkorn's comments “regrettable” and accused him of “fanning speculation.”
Opel was nearly sold to Magna and Russian investors in the wake of GM's 2009 bankruptcy. But then-CEO Ed Whitacre and the corporate board reversed that decision, igniting controversy from German political and labor leaders who have long chafed under American oversight.
Opel is a 139-year-old company that has been making cars for more than a century. GM has owned it since 1929.
Opel historically has been a source of key technology and platforms for GM, and many of its improved cars--including the Buick Regal and LaCrosse and the Chevrolet Cruze--are based on European underpinnings.
In a statement, GM said it was “pleased with Opel's solid progress over the last year in turning around its business.” Opel will order 2,000 more Aperas for Europe because of strong demand, the company said.
Opel and GM's British Vauxhall division combined to lose $1.6 billion last year, according to Automotive News Europe.
Winterkorn's comments came as Opel launches the Ampera, Europe's counterpart to the Chevrolet Volt. The VW CEO has long expressed ambitions of passing Toyota and GM to claim the title of world's largest automaker--a claim the other two have long since de-emphasized in light of recent economic and internal troubles.
Current estimates put Toyota and GM neck and neck for the top spot, with VW a surging, though still fairly distant, third place.

Ford to host Octane Academy for action-sports junkies

Ford is making a push for younger customers with its sponsorship of extreme-sport and action-sport events. Now, the automaker wants to bring that experience to some select average Joes.

Beginning in November, Ford will host an action-sports program called Octane Academy. Fans will meet their heroes and get behind the wheel of some of Ford's most extreme machinery, including Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Mustang drift car, Ken Block's and Tanner Foust's rally machines and Brian Deegan's off-road trucks.

Four camps will be hosted over the course of a year, one by each of the four founding members of the academy. Each participant will take on an array of challenges and dares over one long weekend.

The instructors will build their own courses and events for the camps, guaranteeing one crazy ride after another.

"Getting the chance to create my own challenges for the hard-core competitors who want to take on the challenge of Ford Octane Academy is going to be crazy," said Deegan. "I can't wait to bring competitors to my spot, the Compound, to give them the ultimate Ford action-sports adventure."

At the academy, participants will learn how master the machines while testing attitudes, athleticism and audacity. Their experiences will be shared with the world through the Octane Academy series. Winning drivers will take home a one-of-a-kind vehicle from Foust, Deegan, Gittin Jr. or Block.

To be chosen for the fantasy weekend, enthusiasts are encouraged to send in videos about why they should be selected to duke it out with the greats. Casting will be nationwide and will include all levels of skill and ability. But before you send in the video of you hooning the family car in the snow, Ford says it doesn't want to see driving footage--just you being yourself.

Ford isn't just doing this to be nice. It knows that the world of action sports is growing, and having a dedicated branch of the company invested there is imperative. There are more than 300 action-sports competitions held each year, according to the company. More than 22 million athletes participate and generate $12.1 billion in retail sales.

"We know the millennial generation is the next most influential generation beyond baby boomers, and with their interest in action sports, there is no better time for Ford to increase its presence in the world of extreme sports," said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln marketing.

"Octane Academy and Ford's action-motorsports program were designed to bring the excitement and access of extreme sports to the heart of this new generation of enthusiasts, the millennials."

Read the press release below:

PRESS RELEASE: Ford Goes Extreme with Launch of Octane Academy – Builds on Most Comprehensive Action Sports Program

Ford launches its first-ever action sports campaign aimed at Millennial enthusiasts with the Ford Octane Academy

Ford Octane Academy pairs fans with their favorite Ford action sports drivers – Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan and Vaughn Gittin Jr. – for ultimate action sports fantasy camps

Ford's Millennial market share has grown 58 percent since 2007 through innovative programs and new products that are fun to drive and tech-savvy, including Ford Fiesta, Edge and all-new Focus

DEARBORN, Mich., July 14, 2011 – Ford is taking action sports to the extreme with the launch of Octane Academy, a new consumer-focused program aimed at a younger, more diverse generation of action sports and race enthusiasts.

The Ford Octane Academy will unite ultimate fans with their favorite Ford action sports driver – Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. – for the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the extreme excitement of performance driving.

“Today's Millennial generation is extremely influential so our job is finding new and inventive ways of communicating and connecting with them, which includes building our presence in the multibillion-dollar world of extreme sports,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “With an all-star lineup of drivers and vehicles, Ford is bringing fans directly into the excitement of action sports in a way only Ford can with the first-ever dedicated consumer experience for this energetic and expressive audience.”

The ultimate adventure

Ford is giving fans a chance at the ultimate extreme sports experience with its action sports heroes. Through video submissions, fans tell their story of why they have what it takes to survive a weekend of on- and-off road challenges, running with Octane Academy's founding members – Block, Deegan, Foust and Gittin Jr.

Casting will take place nationwide, calling all enthusiasts of action and adventure and all levels of skill and ability. Four camps will be hosted over the course of the year, one by each founding member of Octane Academy. In each camp, contestants will go head-to-head in a battery of creative challenges and daunting dares over one long weekend.

Ford's action sports drivers will design their ultimate playground, hosting their respective elite winners on their terms and their turf. Each camp will give participants a crash course in how to fearlessly master the road while testing their attitudes, athleticism and audacity.

Participants will be pushed to the limit and their experiences shared with the world through the Octane Academy series. Drivers who perform up to the standards of the pros will win prizes, and the overall winner of each camp will be awarded a one-of-a-kind vehicle created by Block, Foust, Deegan or Gittin Jr.

The first fantasy camp will kick off in November, hosted by Ford RallyCross and Off-Road truck racer Deegan. He will have contenders revving their engine behind the wheel of an F-150 SVT Raptor. Similarly, infamous Gymkhana star Block will get contestants' adrenaline pumping behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta. 2010 Formula Drift Champion Gittin Jr. will give competitors a heart-thumping thrill drifting in a Mustang, and X Games 16 Gold Medalist Foust will give participants the experience of a lifetime in a Ford Focus.

“Getting the chance to create my own challenges for the hardcore competitors who want to take on the challenge of Ford Octane Academy is going to be crazy,” said Deegan. “I can't wait to bring the competitors to my spot, The Compound, to give them the ultimate Ford action sports adventure.”

Reaching a new generation

Millennials watch, attend and participate in extreme sports, including action motorsports, more than any other athletic activity. Ford is investing in action sports through programs such as X Games and Octane Academy to reach out to this younger generation.

With more than 300 action sports competitions held around the world each year, more than 22 million athletes participating and generating $12.1 billion in annual U.S. retail sales, action sports are immensely popular.

“We know the Millennial generation is the next most influential generation beyond Baby Boomers, and with their interest in action sports, there is no better time for Ford to increase its presence in the world of extreme sports,” said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “Octane Academy and Ford's action motorsports program were designed to bring the excitement and access of extreme sports to the heart of this new generation of enthusiasts, the Millennials.”

Ford has the product lineup like never before that fits the lifestyle of these younger customers with the Fiesta, Mustang and all-new Focus.

X Games 17

Ford's Octane Academy will launch at X Games 17, the largest assortment of action sports competitions worldwide. Ford is once again exclusive automotive sponsor for the summer games being held July 28-31 in Los Angeles, growing its onsite presence to be the company's most interactive display yet.

Fans will have the chance to hang with the Ford action motorsports team and explore their vehicles; entertainment will include a skate park with live demos and unique video booths. Fans will be able to submit their applications onsite to be part of Octane Academy

 

Mopar offers pickup conversion for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Off-road king Jeep is offering a new kit that transforms a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door Jeep pickup truck. The Mopar JK-8 kit will cost $5,499.

The kit can be installed by a dealer, according to Jeep, or by skilled shade-tree mechanics. The setup comes in one Mopar-stamped crate containing a steel bed, inner and outer bed sides, sport-bar extensions, Freedom panel assemblies, a fiberglass hardtop and bulkhead. It comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

Mopar first revealed the JK-8 kit at this year's Moab Jeep Safari in Utah.

The kit is based on the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980s. The steel pickup bed measures 44 inches by 50 inches, and the fiberglass hardtop is removable for an open-air experience. A special badge is featured on the left rear quarter-panel of each kit, signifying the heritage of the Scrambler.

Jeep gives a quick rundown on disassembly and reassembly, and it seems the only difficult parts are drilling out the spot welds and removing the rear sport bar along the B-pillars. During reassembly, there is some welding required.

The components of the kit are delivered unfinished and will need to be painted.

It appears to be not much more than a weekend of wrenching, and maybe less

 

Ford employees show off personal style at car show

You may think that a Ford employee car show would be a filled with Mustangs, Thunderbirds and Deuces--and you'd be right. But there was also a dazzling array of Chryslers, Chevys and even some Italian flair on display at the Ford Product Development Center in Dearborn, Mich for this year's event.

Kevin Bertram brought an original 1969 Dodge Charger, complete with Confederate flag on top. It wasn't used in the Dukes of Hazzard TV show or movie, but Bertram is surely a fanatic. He bought an orange '69 Charger trunk lid 10 years before he found the car. Bertram lugged the lid around to car shows and Comic-cons, anywhere he could see a few folks from Hazzard County. Now he has an autograph from all the main characters on the underside, along with a ton of guest stars and other people that worked on the show.
The Charger has the original 318-cubic-inch V8 and 115,000 miles on the odometer. Bertram drives it in the summer months and stores it during the winter, trying to find the time and money to upgrade the paint job and bodywork. Daisy Duke would be proud.
Gary Kohn, known as Mustang Gary to his friends, showed off a highly customized, bright yellow 2003 Cobra. The supercharged V8 delivers roughly 470 hp, though it was tested on a standard dyno, not a Mustang-specific one, which he says will give a more accurate reading. He picked up the pony car in 2002 and put about 86,000 miles on the engine. If the trick scissor doors don't tip off the special ride, then the sounds of a bucking bronco coming from the CD player will. Kohn picked the sound-effect disc up from another Mustang enthusiast.
Joining the late models on the lawn was something a little more antique. Bruce Book brought a 1936 Ford Tudor Deluxe.
“The Deluxe edition got a second taillight, second wiper blade and banjo steering wheel,” said Book.
That's luxury.
The Tudor has an 85-hp, eight-cylinder engine and was restored when Book bought it five years ago. The woman he bought it from said that the radio did work. After firing up the Ford and finding no sound, Book wiggled the knobs and tapped the gauge with no results. Then suddenly, ear piercing AM radio.
“It works with vacuum tubes, so it has to warm up before the radio works,” said Book.
Book owned a Tudor in 1951, similar to the one he owns now. He often jokes that as old as his car is, it's not as old as him, 78.

What unites these cars is that they don't spend all day sitting on a trailer. During the summer and on warm weekends you'll see Book's Tudor, Bertram's Charger and Kohn's Mustang cruising around metro Detroit. And they'll all be heading to the annual Woodward Dream Cruise in August.

It's really what unites us all. Ford guys, Mopar guys, Chevy guys, we can appreciate our home brand and the guy next door's home brand. Come August, don't be surprised if you see some sort of mutual appreciation society on the Woodward, car guy to car guy

Chrysler prices SRT 2012 models

Chrysler Group, which is reviving its SRT performance brand, has set prices on the first four SRT vehicles it
is selling: the Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Chrysler will start building the vehicles at the end of July and they will arrive in dealerships before the end of the third quarter.

Prices, including $825 shipping, are as follows:

-- 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 -- $46,660

• 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 -- $47,995

• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 -- $55,295

• 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 -- $44,077 (price does not include a $1,300 gas guzzler tax on the automatic transmission and $1,000 for the six-speed manual.)

The 2012 Challenger is largely a carryover from the 2011 model. But the 300, Charger and Grand Cherokee are new.

At the heart of the performance cars is a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine that cranks out 470 hp at 6,000 rpm and 470 lb. ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm in the Challenger, Charger and 300.

The horsepower is the same for the Grand Cherokee, but the torque is slightly different: 465 lb. ft. at 4,200 rpm. It is the most powerful Hemi V-8 Chrysler has ever made.

Speaking at the media launch of the vehicles here, Ralph Gilles, CEO of the newly created SRT brand, said one of the critical questions Chrysler had to answer was: "How are you going to sell these cars in this day and age?"

To overcome that hurdle, Chrysler has made them not only more powerful but more efficient. For the first time ever, the SRT engines offer Chrysler's cylinder deactivation technology, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders at freeway speeds to maximize fuel economy.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently put Gilles in charge of the newly created SRT brand to revive the automaker's performance aspirations that had gone dormant during what Gilles refers to as the "dark ages of private equity" ownership by Cerberus Capital Management from 2007-2009.

Gilles said he is hiring staffers for his SRT team and will have a dedicated team of SRT engineers. He will also have his own marketing budget. Gilles says he will not rely so much on traditional marketing but will utilize the Internet, motorsports and special events. He says he will work particularly hard to build a bond with SRT owner groups.

The SRT lineup serve as a showcase for technology within Chrysler. Featured on the new cars is an 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system supplied by Harman/Becker Automotive Systems.

Gilles says the SRT brand's flagship vehicle - the Dodge Viper - is on track to come to market in 2012.

SRT, which stands for Street and Racing Technologies, was founded in 2002 during the DaimlerChrysler era. SRT sales peaked in 2006 when there were ten Chrysler vehicles wearing the SRT badge. Gilles promises to be more selective about what cars get the SRT treatment.

 

Renault seeks speed record at Bonneville with classic Fourgonnette

With all the speedy machines headed to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August, a classic Renault 4 van is due to stick out. But one will be there Aug. 13-19 for some record breaking fun.

The project, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Renault 4, is headed by Les Triplettes de Bonneville with help from Renault Classic. The record-breaking Triplettes consist of Jean Caillou, Gilles Pujol and Frank Figuls. They will be joined by Bernard Canonne.

The group will race a 1983 Renault 4 Fourgonnette van, dubbed Saline4Fun. The goal will be to beat a speed record.

Now don't laugh, the team has done this before. They brought a 49.9-cc motorcycle several years ago and won. And by winning we mean beat other classic motorcycles with between one and two horsepower. Now the Triplettes own 13 records in total.

For the Fourgonnette, the team will use a Renault 5 Turbo engine producing 290 hp. In addition, they'll add a custom gearbox, and new steering, suspension and braking components. The team's goal is to hit an average of 173 mph in two runs in the desert.

Outside, the van will remain largely unchanged. The only clues will be the exhaust exiting out the front right-hand wing and the parachute roof hatch.

The Fourgonnette weighs in at a feather-like 1,587 pounds

 

Groupon vouchers for cars? No

The Groupon juggernaut rolled into auto retailing last week, and dealers around the nation watched intently to see whether the online coupon phenomenon could drive herds of shoppers into showrooms.

So far, no.

Only four consumers agreed to pay $200 for a $500 discount voucher on a new-vehicle purchase at LaFontaine Buick-GMC-Cadillac in Highland, Mich. Groupon and LaFontaine had set 10 as the minimum required for the vouchers to be issued.

In an effort to turn things around, the dealership and Groupon extended the offer from the original two days to four and considered lowering the number of consumers needed.

But the tepid response showed that the online coupon craze isn't a natural fit with auto retailing.

Groupon's success so far has come from offering its more than 80 million members daily deals at local small-ticket retailers, spas and hotels. Many discounts are for 50 to 60 percent off. Here's how it typically works:

On Monday, a Groupon e-mail alert offers a coupon good for $12 worth of goodies at a local bakery for $5. The bakery will honor up to 400 coupons through Thursday -- but only if at least 50 consumers sign up. The bakery knows it will lose money on the baked goods but hopes to draw enough new customers who will return later and make the discount worthwhile.

If enough folks sign up, Groupon charges $5 to their credit cards and pays the bakery $2.50. If not enough people sign up, nobody is charged or gets the coupon.

The auto industry has used Groupon successfully to promote service business. So interest was high to see whether it would work for vehicle sales.

"We did get a lot of chatter," says Robert Milner, LaFontaine's general sales manager. He received media calls and inquiries from other dealerships interested in Groupon promotions. He also sold new cars to two of the four Groupon customers, honoring the vouchers even though Groupon is canceling the deal and refunding their money.

Consumers were to pay Groupon $199 for a voucher worth $500 toward the purchase of a new car, redeemable through the end of 2011. Half of the $199 would go to LaFontaine. LaFontaine capped the deal at 150 vouchers but needed to entice at least 10 customers during the two-day offer on July 12-13 for the promotion to go forward.

Here are some reasons that didn't happen:

-- Negotiated prices. Most of the products promoted through Groupon, of Chicago, have fixed prices of less than $100. When Groupon says the price of a restaurant meal is half off, consumers can verify that against the menu price.

Milner says consumers were skeptical, thinking the dealership would boost the price to offset the $500 discount. On the Groupon Web site, he told people to negotiate their best deal, then bring the voucher for a down payment.

He also told them that if they decided not to buy a car, they could use the $500 on other products and services the dealership sells. Later, Groupon, which has been eager to move into high-ticket items, broke with its usual rules and offered to refund the cost of the voucher if a consumer didn't use it by year end.

-- Skimpy discounts. Consumers expecting a Groupon-like half-off deal may have dismissed $500 off on a $30,000 car as not enough.

-- Not an impulse purchase. Many Groupon discounts are offered on impulse buys, such as a massage or flowers. Cars don't fit that mold.

Neil Stern, senior partner with retail consulting firm McMillan Doolittle in Chicago, points out that instant offers work better on frequently purchased items.

For Groupon retailers to break even on the deep discounts, "You need 20 percent of your customers to come back," Stern says. "You lose money on the Groupon offer so you have to get return customers."

And someone who buys a car isn't going to come back next week or next month to buy another one.

Milner still views the $500 offer as cost-effective and has not given up on using Groupon for car sales. The dealership normally spends an average $370 in advertising per car sold.

Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's vice president of sales, says he is "intrigued" by Groupon.

"We have not yet tried anything on the sales side, but I am certainly open to it because of the very targeted and limited-time nature of the offer," Zuchowski told Automotive News in an e-mail. "It can be used for month-end pushes or heavy-up on a particular vehicle."

Within the past few months, Groupon has offered two service discounts. Publicly held auto retailer Group 1 Automotive Inc. of Houston offered a service special at a Texas Volkswagen store. And the central region of Hyundai Motor America coordinated a maintenance discount at 10 Chicago-area stores.

In the Hyundai promotion, more than 1,300 consumers paid $29 for an oil change, tire rotation, multipoint inspection and car wash. The deal was promoted as a 63 percent discount off the regular price of $79.95.

Erin Frank, service manager of McGrath City Hyundai in Chicago, says about half the people who bought Groupon vouchers were new customers and some of them owned non-Hyundai makes.

Groupon says that future car-sale promotions will need to be modified in light of the LaFontaine experience.

"It was not a bad deal, but typically our deals involve fixed prices," says Groupon spokesman Chad Nason. "We'll look at what this deal did and tinker with what we can do in the future."

 

Some hybrids are not a green as they seem, interest group says

Car buyers who think they are helping the planet by choosing a hybrid vehicle to aid in cutting emissions don't always get the biggest bang for their buck, according to an environmental interest group.

A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that some hybrids come at a much higher price tag than their similarly equipped, conventional-powertrain counterparts, yet offer little in the way of environmental gain.

These not-so-green hybrids compromise their value or eco-friendliness in a variety of ways.

For example, rarely is the hybrid powertrian offered on a vehicle's base model. That forces customers to take premium features that are packed with the hybrid version, adding to hybrid's price disadvantage.

Other times, a hybrid might not be built to achieve fuel-saving performance in the most cost-effective manner.

A UCS-released hybrid scorecard rates the green credentials of some popular hybrid models from "superior" to "very poor." According to the group, the biggest green offenders are:

-- Volkswagen Touareg hybrid

-- BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

-- Chevrolet Silverado 2WD hybrid

-- BMW 750i ActiveHybrid

-- Lexus LS 600h L

The vehicles that score highest in hybrid value are:

-- Lexus CT 200 h

-- Lincoln MKZ hybrid

-- Mercedes-Benz S500 hybrid

-- Toyota Prius

-- Ford Fusion hybrid

-- Honda Civic hybrid

-- HondaCR-Z

Have a hybrid vehicle in mind? Check out the full scorecard.

 

2013 Dodge Viper Spied!

Freshly-minted SRT chief and avowed Dodge Viper aficionado Ralph Gilles has said there are Vipers running around testing a variety of components. And now, spy shooters appear to have caught one in the (snake) skin.

Yes, this is a previous-generation car being used as a mule. But, is there a better test-bed to use for future Viper technology? These photos also showcase the interior, which has a Bilstein sport button.

Dodge has been coy about the next iteration of its supercar, though the company has said the new Viper will have stability control and remains on track for the 2012 calendar year.

“We're in development,” Gilles said. “I think it's clear that it's on the way,” he told AutoWeek in June at Chrysler's proving grounds. He said that everything, from sound systems to stress braces, is undergoing testing (“Supercar Olympics,” July 11). Watch our exclusive interview here.

Meanwhile, the next generation Viper is expected to be run in international GT racing, and Chrysler has signed Riley Technologies to analyze the potential.

The future Viper is expected to incorporate technology from Chrysler partner Fiat, and dealers have said a prototype shown last year had Italian styling cues. A V10 powerplant was perhaps the signature trait of the old Viper, but Chrysler has not spoken publicly as to what the car will employ under the hood.

Dodge sold 392 Vipers in 2010--a fitting number for the brand, no?--its last year of production, which featured a slew of special models. The company moved 482 units in 2009.

The Viper, a halo car for Dodge since then-president Bob Lutz showed a concept at the 1989 Detroit auto show, has been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride since Chrysler's historic 2009 bankruptcy. Initially, Chrysler planned to sell the division, though a deal never came to fruition, and Viper was taken off the market shortly after Chrysler emerged from reorganization. In fact, the Viper plant in Detroit was the first to restart production after bankruptcy.

Clearly, Dodge's iconic snake has nine lives--or at least more than one

 

Nissan holds the sticker price steady on its 2012 Versa hatchback

Nissan said on Monday that the sticker price for the base version of the 2012 Versa hatchback will be the same as that of the 2011 model--$15,140, including shipping charges.

The 2012 Versa S hatchback comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic adds $1,000 to the sticker.

The upgraded Versa SL hatchback, which is equipped with a continuously variable transmission, is priced at $19,150 for the 2012 model. That's $980 more than the 2011 model, but the 2012 includes the formerly optional premium package, which was priced at $980.

Traction control, which was previously only standard on the SL, is now standard across the line.

The 2012 Versa hatchback remains unchanged from the 2011 model, using Nissan's B-car platform. The 2012 Versa sedan, which goes on sale this fall, is redesigned and moves to Nissan's new, lower-cost V platform.

 

2007 Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego recalled for fuel-

Ford is recalling nearly 3,000 copies of the 2007 Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans to fix a problem with the fuel tank.

The cars being recalled were built between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11, 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The fuel tank and the tank spud--the part of the tank connecting to the fuel filler hose--might have been improperly welded. A bad weld could cause a fuel odor or fuel leak and trigger the emissions-malfunction light. In a worst-case scenario, a fuel leak paired with an ignition source could start a fire in the vehicle.
Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall will begin around Aug. 15. Owners of affected vehicles can contact Ford or NHTSA for more information.


 

What we drive: 1969 Triumph TR6

contemplating the purchase of a British car and the vital parts of that car are in more than, say, two cardboard boxes, your purchase is suspect.

Obviously there are exceptions: The D-type Jaguar comes to mind. Any Aston Martin. Even within the realm of Triumphs, a long-door TR2 might be worth the challenge.

But restoring a basket-case TR6? In a modestly equipped suburban garage, while you’re putting two kids through college?

Fortunately, the logic made sense to my father.

Dad’s no mechanic, but he had gained a measure of technical confidence from a prior TR6 freshening. Seller’s remorse set in after he let it go, so when a coworker spotted the straight, rust-free remains of a 1969 model in a North Carolina salvage yard, the threshold of good judgment disintegrated.

The result was a British Leyland sampler arriving at our Atlanta home on a flatbed trailer one summer evening. I shook my head and considered myself fortunate that I would be heading back to school in Athens, 90 miles away, the following Monday.

That was 1992. Now, mid-2011, I’m pleased to say the car is mostly done.

Notice I didn’t say “restored.” It’s not. Rather, the car has been re-created as the TR6 my father would have bought in 1969 had he not been newly married and in the army at the time--British Racing Green with a Biscuit interior. Fortunately, the Triumph we acquired in 1991 had neither a consistent exterior hue nor any vestiges of upholstery, so there was no guilt about deviating from originality.

As it sits, the car is about one-third new-reproduction bits, plus a couple of parts cars blended in for good measure. There’s a 1972-vintage driveline, a 1973-ish interior and a windshield that, inexplicably, bears a 1976 commission number.

I’m still not sure where that one came from.

Nature abhors an empty garage

After a few years rebuilding American iron, I found myself with a vacant garage and an understanding spouse. Dad had gotten busy with other things in life and the TR6 had, at that point in late 2007, endured six years of being occasionally started, driven around the block and put away again with no further progress made on the long list of minor details that needed to be finished. We talked terms, and the car was loaded into a covered transport a few weeks later for its journey to Michigan.

Since then, the TR has been driven more miles than it had been in the previous 20 years combined. I’ve also undertaken much of the detail work that gets put off at the end of a long project. The A-Type overdrive now works reliably, the paint has been wet-sanded and properly polished, and minor electrical issues have been solved one by one.

The car has also been converted to a home-built MegaSquirt electronic fuel-injection system. Before you jump to conclusions about my side-draught Stromberg skills, know that the carbs were tuned nicely. But I’m both a child of the EFI era and an insatiable tinkerer, so I wanted to see whether I could make MegaSquirt work.

Much to my surprise, it does. I’m still dialing in the car but I take great pleasure in tweaking fuel/air ratios with a laptop in real- time on a four-decade-old British roadster. And given my Triumph’s provenance (or lack thereof), I don’t have to worry about the ethics of bastardizing a perfectly nice original TR6 in my pursuit of mechanical education. Just in case, the original components are all carefully packed away.

If history is any guide, though, those parts won’t come back out: Every upgrade I’ve made to the TR6 has resulted in an even-nicer driving experience. It’s one of those old cars that simply responds well to effort expended. And the styling still appeals to me, muscular in a way that the MG B and, much later, the Mazda Miata have never approached.

Good thing I like it: My Triumph is an heirloom now. Like a family member, we’re stuck with each other. It’s probably for the best, though. If I ever sold it, I’d probably find myself eyeballing junkyard TRs in short order and we’d have to repeat the whole sordid tale for yet another generation

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110718/CARNEWS/110719891#ixzz1SgWNJLsN

Nissan raises Leaf prices, adds retail markets

Nissan North America said Tuesday that it will add $2,420 to the price of the base model of its hard-to-get, slow-to-build electric Leaf sedan.

Compared to 2011 model year's $33,630 base price, including delivery, the 2012 model will begin at $36,050. The car's upper-grade SL model will sell for $38,100, an increase of $3,530 over 2011.

A federal tax credit continues to take $7,500 off of the sale price. Some states, such as California, Georgia and Illinois, offer additional subsidies on the zero-emission car.

Brian Carolin, Nissan North America Inc. senior vice president of sales, said in a statement that the 2012 model will contain two new standard features.

One is a cold-weather package that includes heated seats and steering wheel and a battery warmer. The other, available on the car's more expensive SL model, is a standard quick-charge port that allows the vehicle to be recharged up to 80 percent of capacity in under 30 minutes.

Brendan Jones, Nissan director of electric-vehicle marketing and sales, said that about 94 percent of Leaf sales so far are the SL trim package, and most consumers were paying for the quick-charge option.

Nissan also revealed that it will begin taking online reservations this fall from Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. By the end of the year, sales will also open up through retailers in Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

The vehicle's cautious roll out since last December, limited at first to markets in only seven states, was further vexed by the Mar. 11 earthquake in Japan.

Jones, who spoke at an industry conference in Raleigh, N.C., on Monday, said that Japanese plant output is now fully restored and all U.S. customer pre-orders of the 2011 model are in the pipeline and will be delivered by mid-September at the latest.

Production for both 2011 and 2012 model years are limited to no more than 20,000 sales in the United States. But after 2012, Nissan intends to open a U.S. production line for the Leaf that will produce up to 150,000 vehicles a year.

The price increase will put the Leaf's pricing closer to the electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt. The 2012 Volt is priced at $39,995, including delivery. Some Volt customers also will be eligible for the $7,500 U.S. credit.

During the first six months of the year, Nissan sold 3,875 Leafs while GM sold 2,745 Volts

 

Ken Block thrills Gymkhana fans in Austria

Ford action-motorsports star Ken Block says he was thrilled after more than 25,000 fans attended the first stop of his Gymkhana World Tour in Vienna, Austria, on July 17. The American Internet sensation--his Gymkhana series represents some of the most-viewed videos on YouTube--is combining his World Rally Championship campaign with his three-event tour, which will also make stops in Los Angeles and in Melbourne, Australia.

"Ever since we filmed the first Gymkhana video, I have wanted to be able to bring this type of action to a place where people can watch it live, and Gymkhana World Tour does exactly that," Block said. "I'm super stoked on the staggering turnout we had in Austria. It was just amazing to have such an enormous crowd be able to witness the 'hooning' so close, and to see everyone enjoy it so much."

Driving a purpose-built Ford Fiesta, Block performed several of his famous driving stunts, including a synchronized display with two freestyle motocross riders, Blake "Bilko" Williams and Adam Jones.

Block's Gymkhana World Tour continues in Los Angles on July 23. Before the final event in Melbourne on Aug. 27, Block will return to WRC action in his Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland on Aug. 18-21. He is also scheduled to contest the rally event at ESPN's X Games 17 in Los Angles on July 30-31.

 

1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa could break auction record at Pebble Beach

Auction house Gooding & Co. will offer up two legendary sports-racing cars--a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype and a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car, one of which might set a record price for a car sold at auction--at Gooding's sale Aug. 20-21 during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

“Being in the presence of the 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa Prototype is a visceral and breathtaking experience unlike anything I've ever known,” says David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Co. “We will all witness a historic day when this incredible car--one of the greatest race cars of all time--crosses our stage in Pebble Beach this August.”

A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, sold by RM Auctions in May 2009 for $12,402,500, is currently the most expensive car sold at auction.

The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype, chassis No. 0666 TR, started as the prototype and test bed for the Testa Rossa line, which is arguably the most successful series of sports-racing cars in history. Based on the 290MM, the prototype TR was assembled in 1957 featuring the classic V12 engine, de Dion rear axle and right-hand drive.

The car debuted at the Nürburgring 1000 km, where Masten Gregory and Olindo Morolli finished in 10th place. As a factory team car, 0666 TR practiced in Sweden and ran the GP of Sweden. After receiving pontoon-fender coachwork by Scaglietti, Ferrari campaigned the car in the Venezuelan Grand Prix and the 1000 km of Buenos Aires, where it placed third and second, respectively.

It has been raced at all of the major events worldwide, including Sebring, the Nürburgring and Le Mans, as well as at SCCA events.

Restored to superb condition with its original, matching-numbers engine and 1958 NART livery, the wildly impressive historic racer has won two Best in Class trophies from Pebble Beach and a Platinum Award and the TR Cup at Cavallino, and it is one of only two factory Classiche-certified TRs in existence. With just two owners in 40 years, this car's presentation at auction this August is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If this Testa Rossa sells, it will be the most valuable car ever sold at auction.

The 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car, chassis No. CSX2129, was completed in May 1963 and built to “Sebring” specification. In what would become an unprecedented year for Shelby, CSX2129 competed through the 1963 USRRC season at the hand of Bob Bondurant and, predominantly, Ken Miles. Numerous class victories and pole positions marked the car's successful 1963 season, playing a major role in Shelby America's win of the USRRC Manufacturer's Championship, the USRRC Driver's Championship and an SCCA Championship.

Successfully raced by Graham Shaw in 1964, the 289 team car returned to Shelby and was displayed at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Now in its authentic 1963 team livery, Gooding has put the auction estimate for this American motorsport legend at $2.4 million to $2.8 million

 

Hagerty contest seeks America's sweetest lemon for Concours d'LeMons

Our friends at Hagerty Insurance will be taking online submissions for a contest seeking America's best off-the-wall car. The “Sweetest LeMon” gets a free trip to the 2011 Concours d'LeMons.

In contrast to the prestigious events and careful selections for the Monterey Classic Car Week, the third-annual LeMons event spotlights quirky and unusual cars chosen on a whim.

The award-winning oddball and its driver will lead the opening-day tour at LeMons boasting the “America's Sweetest LeMon” title on Aug. 20 in northern California.

“The classic-car community is about fun and each person's passion, so we feel these cars and their owners deserve to be celebrated,” CEO McKeel Hagerty said. “The Concours d'LeMons is a chance for us to celebrate the often-overlooked cars that have their own cultlike following.”

If you own an unusual vehicle worth celebrating, submit a photo and a brief justification as to why it deserves to be named America's Sweetest LeMon. Send submissions to sweetestlemon@hagerty.com by Sunday, July 24.

Photos and stories for the top 10 candidates will be posted for public voting July 26-31 at www.hagerty.com/sweetestlemon.

 

Theaters and screening dates set for Senna documentary u.s

We mentioned earlier this month that the award-winning film documenting the career of Formula One's Ayrton Senna will hit U.S. theaters in August. Now we have dates and locations for your calendar.

The Senna documentary will premiere in 19 cities around the nation, starting with Aug. 12 debuts at the Landmark theater in Los Angeles and the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in New York.

The film will roll out across the rest of the country through August and September as follows, with release dates and venues subject to change:

Aug. 19:

Austin, Texas: Violet Crown Cinema

Berkeley, Calif.: Landmark Shattuck Cinemas

Cambridge, Mass.: Landmark Kendall Square Cinema

Chicago: Landmark Century Centre Cinema

Dallas: Angelika Dallas Film Center

Detroit: Landmark Main Art Theatre

Miami: AMC Sunset Place 24

Nashville, Tenn.: Belcourt Theatre

Philadelphia: Landmark Ritz at the Bourse

San Francisco: Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema

Washington, D.C.: Landmark E Street Cinema

Aug. 26:

Atlanta: Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

Denver: Landmark Chez Artiste

Minneapolis: Landmark Lagoon Cinema

Palm Springs, Calif.: Cinémas Palme d'Or

Palo Alto, Calif.: TBD

Portland, Ore.: Regal Fox Tower Stadium

San Diego, Calif.: Landmark Ken Cinema

Seattle: Landmark Varsity Theatre

Sept. 2:

Charlotte, N.C.: Park Terrace

Indianapolis: Regal Downtown West Cinema

Knoxville, Tenn.: Landmark Keystone Art Cinema

St. Louis: Landmark Tivoli Theatre

Sept. 23:

Santa Fe, N.M.: UA DeVargas Mall

 

Have your Shelby Mustang GT350 or GT500 Super Snake shipped for free

Shelby American is adding a little incentive to pick up one of its one-off Ford Mustang creations: Buyers won’t have to pay shipping on the 2012 Shelby GT350 and the 2007-12 Shelby GT500 Super Snake--as long as they order by July 31. Depending on where a buyer lives, that could be a savings of up to $1,500.

For the uninitiated, Shelby American revamps almost everything mechanical on the Ford Mustang to create the GT350, including front and rear suspension, brakes and intake and exhaust systems. The company adds a host of exterior upgrades, including 19-inch wheels, unique GT350 badges, new taillights, logos and more.

Inside, each GT350 gets a serialized plaque, pillar-mounted gauges, embroidered floor mats and Shelby stitching in the seats. A premium sound system from Shelby and Kicker is optional, as are leather seats with contrasting stitching and a new emergency brake and shifter boots.

The package without the Shelby/Ford Racing/Whipple supercharger costs $26,995, while the 525-hp option comes in at $33,995.

The classic Shelby top and side stripes are included standard.

The GT500 Super Snake gets a $34,500 makeover including carbon-fiber parts, unique trim and most of the performance options found on the GT350. The Snake delivers 750 hp with an upgraded Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger

 

2011 BMW 535i xDrive Sedan, an AutoWeek Drivers Log Car Review

Published on 7/18/2011

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The turbocharged straight-six is an absolute gem of an engine in this 2011 BMW 535i xDrive. The power is smooth and responsive, and 300 lb-ft of torque at just 1,200 rpm is a beautiful thing. This car launches quickly and breezes past slower-moving traffic on the expressway. It reminds me of Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who just throws 100 mph with an easy motion and seemingly without effort. That's how silky this six-banger is. Add in an eight-speed automatic, and this is a top-shelf powertrain.

The steering offers a connected feel, light at first, followed by more weight. For a two-ton car that's long and reasonably wide, this 5-series handles and maneuvers well. The body and chassis don't get unnerved, even when ripping into turns aggressively. The brakes are strong and return solid bite with little pedal travel.

Silver is perhaps the perfect color for this sleek sedan. It looks gorgeous in the parking lot, and the shape and silhouette present elegantly. Inside is a well-done cabin that's not overwrought. The materials, especially the wood-colored trim and leather, are impressive, and the easy-to read gauges are exactly what drivers with an enthusiast bent seek.

I've driven a lot of variations of the 5-series recently. Really, the 528i is more than adequate, even with its relatively low output compared with its siblings. The 550i--our long-termer--is a hoot, but this 535i is the best choice for family hauling.

ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: I was lucky enough to have two separate stints in this BMW 535i xDrive, and the more time I spend in this car, the more I appreciate it. The exterior is sharp and the interior is also great, with quality materials, clean design and good fit-and-finish throughout. Drive-wise, it's smooth and would be a perfect long-distance cruiser.

But what really sets this car apart are all of the little details that add to this Bimmer's luxury feel. For example, at night when you unlock the doors, there are lights that illuminate the door handles. Another cool feature was the top-view camera.

In the end, this car is the total package with good looks, luxurious interior accommodations and a great ride.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: Four punches: 1) the start button, 2) sport on the chassis selector, 3) tranny into DS (S for sport), 4) accelerator to the floor. Do that, and you're rewarded with a cutting-edge precision driving machine at its hard-charging best--quickly winding up to max power, but with an inline refinement that belies the amount of rip built into this big German sedan. Yes, the big V8 550i or an M version might be the top of the mountain, but for most owners, this turbocharged six should be more than adequate.

Set in sport mode, the chassis feels just about right for most spirited driving--I'd save the sport-plus for track driving or for when you're out on wide-open roads where you can get a little sideways without upsetting anyone else's applecart. It's quick and responsive to inputs and seems to beg to be driven, not just pointed from A to B. As such, it makes even the dullest drive a little more enjoyable.

That all that is possible in a relatively large sedan is a tribute to BMW engineering.

I'd also echo the comments about the bird's-eye view backup camera: What a great system, making it possible to "see" all around the car. It's not great in lower-light conditions, such as in a parking garage, but in my driveway, it made backing out between some obstacles a cinch.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: I'm not feeling it. The 2011 BMW 535i xDrive is precise, capable, reasonably powerful, well-made and utterly soulless. The car doesn't seem to be enjoying the ride and comes across as vaguely contemptuous of having to ferry you about.

Inside is a broad swath of grey highlighted by grey, cold as the Alpine peaks, while outside, this BMW is classically attractive but nothing else.

As far as the powertrain, it was perfectly capable of moving the big sedan at a brisk pace, but for all the smoothness, it was utterly devoid of anything that would get my blood moving.

The good? Outstanding brakes, possibly the best I've ever felt on a large sedan--not just in terms of stopping ability, but also the feel of the pedal underfoot. Also, the heated seats are exceptional, providing even, comfortable warmth from the thighs to the upper back.

Otherwise, I had more fun in the 2012 Acura TL that I was in the night before, and the Honda Odyssey fits my family better--plus both were $20,000 less than this BMW.

2011 BMW 535i xDrive Sedan

Base Price: $53,275

As-Tested Price: $67,875

Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged I6; AWD, eight-speed automatic

Output: 300 hp @ 5,800-6,250 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 1,200-5,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,233 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 23/23.7 mpg

Options: Premium package 2 including rearview camera, power rear sunshade, heated front seats, park distance control, iPod and USB adapter, navigation system, satellite radio with premium hi-fi system ($4,500); dynamic handling package including adaptive drive, dynamic damper control and active roll stabilization ($2,700); Sport package including 19-inch alloy V-spoke wheels, sports leather steering wheel, multicontour seats and shadowline exterior trim ($2,200); cold-weather package including heated steering wheel and heated rear seats ($1,050); comfort access keyless entry ($1,000); side- and top-view cameras ($800); titanium silver metallic exterior paint ($550)