August 2016

For Lotus, again, light is right

(August 22, 2016) Once again doing even more with even less, Lotus has announced a selection of new lightweight options, including a new Carbon Pack, Lithium Ion battery and titanium sports exhaust for the Evora 400. No other car manufacturer can claim a better track record when it comes to light weight.

Now in its 68th year, Lotus still remains true to the ethos of the company’s founder Colin Chapman, and his approach to weight-optimized design and construction.

BMW 2002 Hommage celebrates the birth of the turbocharged car

(August 22, 2016) The BMW Group presented the BMW 2002 Hommage at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach last week to shine the spotlight back over its successful history with turbocharged engines. In 1973 the BMW 2002 turbo became the first series-produced vehicle in Europe to feature turbo technology. In so doing, it turned the BMW 02 into a full-blooded sports car.

Two more years of production added to Ford GT

(August 22, 2016) PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Applicants and fans of the Ford GT can rejoice as Ford Performance is adding two more years of production for the all-new carbon fiber supercar. The announcement comes on the heels of letters sent to potential customers notifying them of their application status to purchase the car.

The additional production supports the recent decision by Ford Performance to race Ford GT in both IMSA and World Endurance Championship (WEC) series events for four years.

Dodge draws thousands for Roadkill Nights Car Festival on Woodward

(August 22, 2016)  AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Mich., transformed into a drag strip for the first-ever legal street racing during the second annual Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge on Friday. Building on the huge success of last year’s premiere event at the Pontiac Silverdome, Dodge and TEN: The Enthusiast Network muscled their way onto historic Highway 1— Woodward Avenue — for nine hours of drag racing.

A new era in go karts

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(August 22, 2016) When I was growing up, gas-powered go karts were all the rage; their single-cylinder Briggs and Stratton engines chugging away behind your head, and a rudimentary steel tube frame tying everything together. Against the clock they weren’t quick, nor did they have a high top speed, but they felt like rockets as you skimmed along the ground imaging yourself to be Jim Clark or a young Mario Andretti.

Aston Martin announces Vanquish Zagato Volante

(August 21, 2016) PEBBLE BEACH — To accompany the North American debut of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Aston Martin announces a striking partner for this very special car; the Vanquish Zagato Volante.

Driven by overwhelming customer interest for the previously revealed Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato Volante will be strictly built to a limited production run of 99 cars at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England,

Mazda to open pre-orders for 2017 MX-5 RF Launch Edition

(August 21, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — Revolutionary and breathtaking to look at, yet simple and elegant in concept, the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF made its debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show with rousing acclaim. MX-5 RF was introduced with a color combination that will be exclusive to MX-5 RF versus the MX-5 soft top: Machine Gray Metallic paint color, Auburn Nappa leather interior trim with a hand-painted black roof panel, based on the Grand Touring trim level.

Clarion's Full Digital Sound System wins European innovation award

(August 20, 216) Clarion, the global automotive audio and multimedia brand, has won the prestigious European In-Car Innovation 2016-2017 Award for its revolutionary Full Digital Sound system.

The annual award — from EISA, the European Imaging and Sound Association — is an emphatic recognition of Clarion’s pioneering approach to innovation, and firmly positions the brand as a leader in the embedded electronics industry.