estelaminner2: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Stoner quickest on day one at Sepang

Casey Stoner was back on top for Honda as MotoGP winter testing resumed at Sepang. The reigning champion had been quickest in the previous test at the Malaysian circuit earlier in the month, and swiftly moved to the front today, lapping in 2m01.761s during the morning. Heavy rain then meant little activity in the afternoon, with most teams staying in the pits while standing water cleared

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-quickest-on-day-one-at-sepang

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Infiniti EMERG-E Sports Car Concept Unofficially Revealed [Geneva Auto Show]

In one translation of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, the military philosopher says of an enemy, “Emerge to their surprise.” Infiniti’s EMERG-E concept has now completely lost the element of surprise. After being outed via patent office drawings earlier this month, a full set of official photos depicting Infiniti’s secret mid-engine sports car has [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/x_3q5ocwZ1U/

Bruce Halford Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton

NYC Parking Requirements Make More Traffic, New Research Confirms

Using satellite photos, UPenn professor Rachel Weinberger created an estimate of how much off-street parking existed citywide, which she then used to show the relationship between parking minimums and car commuting.
Evidence continues to mount that New York City’s mandatory parking minimums encourage people to drive.
New research from University of Pennsylvania planning professor Rachel Weinberger, set [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/28/nyc-parking-requirements-mean-more-driving-new-research-confirms/

Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill

Stoner quickest on day one at Sepang

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/motorcycles/motogp/stoner-quickest-on-day-one-at-sepang

Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin Dan Gurney Hubert Hahne

Mikkelsen pulls away from Hanninen

Andreas Mikkelsen extended his lead over Juho Hanninen through the first four stages of day two of Rally Azores. There was little to choose between the two Skoda drivers until Hanninen had a quick spin near the end of SS5, losing 10 seconds. Mikkelsen then stretched his advantage on the next stage, and although Hanninen won SS7, he only took a tenth off the reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and the gap between them now stands at 15.4s.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/mikkelsen-pulls-away-from-hanninen

Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann François Hesnault

The Daytona Million

Competitors and fans alike endured rain, fire and many a delay before Matt Kenseth held-off Dale Earnhardt Jr and Greg Biffle to win the fifty-fourth Daytona 500, but the third annual iRacing.com Daytona 500 went off with nary a hitch under the partly cloudy virtual skies of the world’s foremost online racing service last Thursday and Saturday. With the competition divided into races for Rookie-Class D and Class C- Pro licenses, events saw more than 3,200 sim racers take the green flags en route to well over a million miles of online racing that saw nearly 1,000 iRacers lead one or more laps in competition. The big winner? That would be Jason Dunnington of Post Falls, ID who was selected at random from the 77 winners as the recipient of [...]

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/iracing-news/the-daytona-million-2

Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears

Infiniti EMERG-E Sports Car Concept Unofficially Revealed [Geneva Auto Show]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/x_3q5ocwZ1U/

Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler

INDYCAR: Barrichello To Join IndyCar Series

SPEED can confirm that Rubens Barrichello will be named to drive for KV Racing in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series in a Thursday press conference in Brazil.

Source: http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/indycar-barrichello-to-join-indycar-series/

David Hampshire Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris

Report: China issues list of approved vehicles for government purchase, excludes imports for first time

Filed under: Car Buying, China, Etc., Government/Legal

A black, Chinese-market Audi A6L is practically the poster-child for Communist Party officials who demand extra legroom rear legroom in a stretched version of standard sedan. The Chinese government reportedly spends 80 million renminbi ($12.7 million U.S.) per year on wheels for its bureaucrats, but according to a report in China Car Times the new list of approved cars available to officials is limited to Chinese models. That not only excludes the Audi - which is built in the country - but also BMW, Mercedes and the coming Infiniti M37 limo.

The list contains 412 models from makers like Great Wall, Brilliance, Roewe, Chery, Geely and SAIC, and the mix includes gas, diesel and electric powertrains for sedans, minivans, pickup trucks and SUVs. Displacements are constrained to 1.8 liters for sedans, 2.4 liters for SUVs.

Expected to be a boon to Chinese makers, the Chinese government also believes the new rules will be a boon to development: it wants the companies selected to reinvest three percent of their newfound gains into research and development. Neither Volvo nor Saab were mentioned in the report, and we wonder if BAIC's previous-generation Saab production and Geely's domestically produced Volvo models may have slipped in.

China issues list of approved vehicles for government purchase, excludes imports for first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/28/china-issues-list-of-approved-vehicles-for-government-purchase/

Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet

TechArt Announces Body Bits, Exhaust System for 991-Gen Porsche 911 [Geneva Auto Show]

The new, 991-gen Porsche 911 has been on sale for some time now, which means bracing for not only an onslaught of Porsche-created variants (we’ve already driven the first one, the cabriolet) but also a fresh crop of tuned, modified, and/or aesthetically reworked 911s created by the world’s tuners. And so here we are: One [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/_2FFlhECaY4/

Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan

Patrick crashes in Nationwide race

Danica Patrick was unable to turn her first NASCAR pole position into a good result after becoming involved in an incident before the halfway mark of the 120-lap Nationwide Series opener.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/nascar-news/nascar/patrick-crashes-in-nationwide-race

Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones Tom Jones

Hulkenberg encouraged by early form

Nico Hulkenberg says the adaptability of Force India's VJM05 added to his feeling of optimism after topping the timesheets following the second day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The German ran at the sharp end of the field throughout the day, before establishing himself at the front after changing to Pirelli's super soft compound in the final stages of the morning running. While Hulkenberg admits he was pleased to register a good time, he said he was also encouraged by the VJM05's baseline set-up and its resulting ability to adapt to different compounds.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/hulkenberg-encouraged-by-early-form

Gene Hartley Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Porsche drive for Frentzen

Heinz-Harald Frentzen will compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup event that supports this year's Australian Grand Prix. The 44-year-old German, who won three grands prix for Williams and Jordan, has not competed at the Melbourne circuit since 2003 - the last of his 10 years in Formula 1. He is excited about racing a Porsche for the first time in his long career; having been confirmed as the driver of the guest car on Thursday

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/porsche-drive-for-frentzen

Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock Helm Glöckler

Video: Rally legends at Spa is music to our ears

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Europe, Videos

The Legend Boucles de Spa is a historic rally held in the Ardennes Forest around Spa, Belgium, and it commemorates the actual Boucle de Spa rally races held for 37 years from 1953 to 1990. The drill is simple: lots of drivers plotting vintage machinery at various levels of anger through the trees.

Hundreds of cars run, some like the Ferrari 308 you'd never think to choose for rallying, while others like the various Lancia, Ford and ducktail Porsche racers are just good to see on the road again. There's over 11 minutes of high-def footage after the jump, and mercifully, the only soundtrack are the cries of exhausts that aren't anywhere near street legal. Enjoy.

Continue reading Rally legends at Spa is music to our ears

Rally legends at Spa is music to our ears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/28/rally-legends-at-spa-is-music-to-our-ears/

Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs

V8s at the Glen

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/galleries/v8s-at-the-glen

Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra

Back Seat Driver: Larry Mac knows the Daytona 500

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/back-seat-driver-larry-mac-knows.html

Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias

NHRA JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE CONFERENCE FINALS RETURNING TO DENVER, BRISTOL FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Dec. 20, 2011 To help kick off the 20th Anniversary celebration of the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA announced today that the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will once again return to Bandimere Speedway...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/nhra_jr_drag_racing_leagu_1.php

Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill

Toyota Teases B-Segment FT-Bh Hybrid Concept with Pics, Video [Geneva Auto Show]

Toyota is bringing the funky-looking FT-Bh small hybrid concept to this year’s Geneva auto show. The automaker released some teaser images and video of the FT-Bh, as well as a few morsels of info. The concept’s name stands for “Future Toyota B-segment hybrid,” which pretty much sums up what you need to know: The FT-Bh [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/_eNc1yYjIjc/

Joe James John James Jean Pierre Jarier

Speak Up for a Safer Prospect Park and a Saner Tappan Zee

There are two big calendar items in Brooklyn this week, both on Tuesday. With NYC DOT looking for input on how to manage the needs of Prospect Park users, the Prospect Park Road Sharing Task Force will present recommendations that “put people first.” Meanwhile, DOT staff will unveil a pedestrian plaza proposal for Ocean and [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/27/speak-up-for-a-safer-prospect-park-and-a-saner-tappan-zee/

Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr

NNS Pole Report: Danica Patrick wins pole for Nationwide Series

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/pole-report-danica-patrick-wins-pole.html

Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh Rupert Keegan Eddie Keizan

Elliott Sadler Battles to Third-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala (Elliott Sadler) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCARElliott Sadler and the No. 2 OneMain Financial team earned their first top-five finish of the 2012 season after a wild last lap at the NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Sadler started the DRIVE4COPD...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/nationwide/02/26/elliott-sadler-battles-to-third-place-finish-at-daytona-international-speedway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=elliott-sadler-battles-to-third-place-finish-at-daytona-international-speedway

Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison Brian Hart

NASCAR’s Brian France writes letter to fans for Daytona 500

Dear NASCAR fans, With the Daytona 500 now upon us, I hope you are as excited as I am to see the greatest drivers in the world competing at Daytona International Speedway later Sunday. NASCAR is in a very good place right now and our entire industry is working very hard for you, the fans, [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/02/26/nascars-brian-france-writes-letter-to-fans-for-daytona-500/

Jo Gartner Tony Gaze Geki Olivier Gendebien

Today’s Headlines

MTA Bus Driver Kills Pedestrian at Notoriously Dangerous Flushing Intersection (Post)
MTA Bus Driver Kills Pedestrian at 125th Street and St. Nicholas (DNA)
Michael Grimm: House GOP Leadership Should “Go Back to Drawing Board” on Transpo Bill (NY1)
Cuomo Gets to Work Greenwashing the Transit-Free Tappan Zee (NYT)
DOT Study: Improving Safety Is Imperative on Houston and Delancey (DNA)
Carlton [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/23/todays-headlines-1331/

Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama

Monday, February 27, 2012

Maldonado puts Williams on top

Pastor Maldonado topped the third morning of testing in Barcelona, setting the fastest time of the week so far.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/maldonado-puts-williams-on-top

Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr

Webber not worried about reliability

Mark Webber says he is not unduly concerned by the reliability problems he suffered at Barcelona on Thursday, after a gearbox failure cut short a race distance attempt in the morning. The Australian insists that Red Bull Racing's ambitious targets always leave it wanting more - but he remains confident that recent title-winning form bodes well

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/webber-not-worried-about-reliability

Bruce Halford Jim Hall Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton

MORE THAN 1000 FANS CELEBRATE MATT HAGAN'S 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS HOMETOWN

MATT HAGAN 2011 FUNNY CAR CHAMPION CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (Dec. 19, 2011) More than 1000 fans and friends celebrated Matt Hagan's 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship at the special event hosted by Shelor Motor Mile in...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/more_than_1000_fans_celeb.php

Mack Hellings Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman

Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Recalls, Safety, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche is issuing a recall of 20,278 Cayenne SUVs from the 2011- and 2012 model years including the base model as well as the S, Hybrid and Turbo. The vehicles in question, produced from March 8, 2010 up to January of this year, may have been fitted with faulty headlight locking assemblies. In case of assembly failure, the headlights could detach from the fenders - something that might be dramatically inconvenient if you're driving at night on a dark, winding road, say.

Porsche is sending notices to owners and dealers will fix the issue free of charge. There's an official press notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after the jump with a little more info.

Continue reading Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue

Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/27/porsche-recalls-2011-2012-cayenne-suvs-over-headlight-issue/

Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible First Drive: Hitting the Runway (at 175 mph) in Jag’s Newest Model

Every car in America can find its way to 75 mph on a road. (Well, almost.) But 175 mph? Outside of being strapped to a rocket, a car must have sufficient power, optimized aerodynamics, and at least a mile of straightaway free of heaves, dips, potholes, and wavering Winnebagos. While finding such a stretch in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/BWIFNPFo-b8/2012-jaguar-xkr-s-convertible-first-drive-review

Tom Jones Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan

Video: NHRA dragster's fuel pump in action

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Racing

A top fuel dragster makes impressive use of a 500-cubic-inch engine block machined from a solid chunk of aluminum. That 10,000-horsepower engine propels a 2,300-pound car from the starting tree to 100 mph in less than a second. And it needs a lot of fuel to do it.

Some visitors to the NHRA Museum caught a dragster fuel pump in action. The red Lego-like contraption at the lower left is a Waterman Super Bertha fuel pump, set up to deliver more than eight gallons per minute at wide-open throttle to each of the eight cylinders. You can see what the resulting jet of nitromethane looks like in the video after the jump.

Continue reading NHRA dragster's fuel pump in action

NHRA dragster's fuel pump in action originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/27/nhra-dragsters-fuel-pump-in-action/

Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler

Axis of (Horse)Power: Charting Eight Icons Over Two Decades

When horsepower war breaks out, survival depends on a constantly escalating arsenal of weapons. During the past two decades, the median muscle of the cars shown here climbed from 300 or so horsepower into the mid-500-hp range. Factor in aerodynamic, structural, and chassis improvements, and you’ve got eight nearly invincible road warriors. Here are their [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/UzCqnTR1-oY/axis-of-horsepower-charting-eight-icons-over-two-decades-feature

Damon Hill Graham Hill Phil Hill Peter Hirt

No Slam Dunk for Tony Stewart at Daytona

“Last-Lap Wreck in Nationwide Series’ Season Opener Jettisons Bid for Fifth Straight Win” Date: Feb. 25, 2012 Event: DRIVE4COPD 300 (Round 1 of 33) Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval) Start / Finish: 7th/8th (Running, completed 120 of 120 laps) Winner: James Buescher of Turner Motorsports (Chevrolet) No. 33 Oreo...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/nationwide/02/25/no-slam-dunk-for-tony-stewart-at-daytona/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=no-slam-dunk-for-tony-stewart-at-daytona

Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick

Atkinson: Lack of experience no worry

Australian driver Chris Atkinson says his lack of experience of current specification World Rally Cars will not hinder him on his WRC return on next month's Rally Mexico.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/atkinson-lack-of-experience-no-worry

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green

Name That Shifter, No. 64: 1991 Nissan NX2000

On Monday we presented this week’s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle from whence it came. The first commenter to correctly identify it as a 1991 Nissan NX2000 was Ram Narayan, who will receive a Save the Manuals button and sticker as a reward. The NX2000 pictured here [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/vrzixV6jz9I/

Z Line Designs Toyota Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota

V8s at the Glen

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/galleries/v8s-at-the-glen

Jean Pierre Jabouille Jimmy Jackson Joe James John James

Holzer to lead Kodewa WEC line-up

Thomas Holzer will be the lead driver in the Lotus-backed Kodewa team's LMP2 programme in the World Endurance Championship.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/holzer-to-lead-kodewa-wec-line-up

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Rainy days and Mondays

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/26/1886954/weather-wins-the-day-at-daytona.html

Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray

Inches Separate Kyle Busch Motorsports from Victory at Daytona

Kyle Busch Stands next to his Kyle Busch Motorsports NNS No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota CamryTeam Debut Excitement Squashed with Last-Lap Accident Date: February 25, 2012 Event: DRIVE4COPD 300 (Race 1 of 33) Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series Location: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway) Start/Finish: 24th/18th (Accident, completed 119 of 120 laps) Winner: James Buescher of...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/nationwide/02/26/inches-separate-kyle-busch-motorsports-from-victory-at-daytona/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inches-separate-kyle-busch-motorsports-from-victory-at-daytona

Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh

James Buescher grabs first Nationwide win in wild finish at Daytona

By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a weekend of unlikely winners, James Buescher took the checkered flag under caution in Saturday’s Drive4COPD 300 Nationwide Series race with wreckage from the cars of the likely winners strewn behind him in Turn 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Buescher, a first-time winner in [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/02/26/james-buescher-grabs-first-nationwide-win-in-wild-finish-at-daytona/

Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous

F1: Report - 2012 Lotus Has Front Suspension Problem

Lotus pulled out of this week's Barcelona test when a flaw with its E20 design was discovered...

Source: http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-report-2012-lotus-has-front-suspension-problem/

Leo Kinnunen Danny Kladis Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk

Nashville Scrapped Parking Minimums Downtown. Why Can’t Brooklyn?

Nashville eliminated parking minimums in its downtown in 2010. Despite a meager transit system, the change wasn't controversial. Image: Wikimedia
Want to understand just how twisted the politics of parking are in New York City? Take a look at Nashville, Tennessee.
Two years ago, Nashville scrapped parking minimums completely for its downtown, a fact called to our [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/22/nashville-scrapped-parking-minimums-downtown-why-cant-brooklyn/

Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide

Official: Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Infotainment

The paradigm has shifted. Normally an automaker's range-topper gets the latest and greatest technology, but with the introduction of the all-new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is flipping that order on its head.

At next month's Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes will show off the next A-Class and with it, its updated COMAND infotainment system. The user interface has undergone a complete overhaul, ditching the black and beige color scheme for a sharp, modern, three-dimensional design and a range of new features and functions, nearly all of which are centered on the iPhone 4S.

The new Digital DriveStyle app allows drivers to stream AUPEO! radio (Europe's equivalent to Pandora), connect with Facebook and Twitter to read out status updates, find your car in a crowded parking lot and get real-time traffic data and point-of-interest searches through a new Garmin navigation system. All of which is available with the entry-level "Audio 20" setup.

More intriguingly, Mercedes is the first automaker to support and integrate Apple's Siri voice-recognition technology, allowing users to make appointments, send text messages and emails, get weather status and access all their songs through voice commands.

While all these features will be limited to the Euro-only A-Class at first, Mercedes says that the iPhone-integrated COMAND Online suite of services will be coming to the B-, C- and E-Class models this fall. Hit the jump for the full details.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class

Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/mercedes-benz-integrates-iphone-siri-into-all-new-a-class/

André Guelfi Miguel Ángel Guerra Roberto Guerrero Maurício Gugelmin

2013 Acura RDX Crossover Pricing Announced, Up Slightly from 2012

Acura has announced pricing for the second-gen RDX, which debuted for real at the 2012 Chicago auto show. The more mature-looking RDX offers a new six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.5-liter V-6 with 33 more horsepower than the outgoing model’s turbo four, and active dampers. It rides on a longer wheelbase and a wider track. The new [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/PxLOETNbzqY/

Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje Willi Heeks Nick Heidfeld

Button confident of smaller gap to RBR

Jenson Button believes Sebastian Vettel is not going to enjoy the kind of advantage he held at the start of last season when the new campaign kicks off in Australia next month. Boosted by the ongoing promise shown by his new McLaren in testing, Button thinks that his team is in pretty good shape as it continues its preparations for Melbourne

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/button-confident-of-smaller-gap-to-rbr

Howden Ganley Frank Gardner Billy Garrett Jo Gartner

Kurt Busch Finishes 10th in DRIVE4COPD 300

“Last-Lap Accident in Nationwide Series’ Season Opener Thwarts Busch’s Bid for Victory” Date: Feb. 25, 2012 Event: DRIVE4COPD 300 (Round 1 of 33) Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval) Start / Finish: 14th/10th (Running, completed 120 of 120 laps) Winner: James Buescher of Turner Motorsports (Chevrolet) No. 1 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/nationwide/02/25/kurt-busch-finishes-10th-in-drive4copd-300/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kurt-busch-finishes-10th-in-drive4copd-300

Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick

Danica Patrick wins Nationwide pole at Daytona; gives naysayers something to chew on (Yahoo! Sports)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A moment of silence, if you please, for the Danica Patrick gets gifts she doesnt deserve argument. Cause of death: Patricks triumphant capture of the pole for Saturdays Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300. Here it is: You … Continue reading →

Source: http://www.nascarracinglive.com/nascar/danica-patrick-wins-nationwide-pole-at-daytona-gives-naysayers-something-to-chew-on-yahoo-sports.html

Dick Gibson Gimax Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous

Don’t Let Cuomo Greenwash His Cars-Only Tappan Zee Bridge

Governor Andrew Cuomo may have axed plans ten years in the making to build transit across the Tappan Zee Bridge, but hey, at least he promised to consider turning the old structure into a park, right?
Poughkeepsie's Walkway Over the Hudson, shown here, is a popular recreational amenity. A Tappan Zee walkway wouldn't be any kind [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/24/dont-let-cuomo-greenwash-his-cars-only-tappan-zee-bridge/

Eddie Johnson Leslie Johnson Bruce Johnstone Alan Jones

Saturday, February 25, 2012

2013 SRT Viper Potentially Previewed by Hot Wheels Rendering [New York Auto Show]

The first image of the 2013 SRT Viper, one of this year’s most highly anticipated cars, was leaked by a toy manufacturer? Maybe. Maybe not. Die-cast watchers across the web claim to have found the rendering in a new Hot Wheels catalog. If that catalog does indeed exist, it’s scurried back to the remote outposts [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/ZugcDG3B2js/

Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven

Holzer to lead Kodewa WEC line-up

Thomas Holzer will be the lead driver in the Lotus-backed Kodewa team's LMP2 programme in the World Endurance Championship.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/holzer-to-lead-kodewa-wec-line-up

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Rumors Circulating of Peugeot-Citroën/General Motors Tie-Up

A number of European outlets are reporting that PSA Peugeot-Citroën and General Motors are in talks about a possible alliance. Although neither party has issued an on-the-record confirmation, the French labor minister told radio there that PSA is meeting with another automaker; GM has issued a routine non-denial in saying it regularly talks to other [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/XslvtWGSuvw/

Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet Clint Bowyer Zaxby s Chevrolet Brad Keselowski

NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile Provides Daytona Speedweeks Content

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/nascar-sprint-cup-mobile-provides.html

Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt Nico Hülkenberg Denny Hulme

Eyes On The Street: Cyclists Ticketing Cyclists

Via Bowery Boogie, two photos of bike-riding NYPD officers writing up two other cyclists for running red lights at the corner of Bowery and Delancey.
The Good: NYPD officers on bikes are not a sight you see every day. Bicycles can help police get around better in heavily congested areas and break down officers’ windshield perspective.
The [...]

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/02/23/eyes-on-the-street-cyclists-ticketing-cyclists/

Masahiro Hasemi Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn

GLOBAL iPRINT NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF NHRA

NHRA GLENDORA, Calif. Jan. 4, 2012 Global iPrint, a premier printing and distribution company, has signed a three-year agreement to become the "Official Print Sponsor" of NHRA....

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2012/01/global_iprint_named_offic.php

Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried

Official: Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Infotainment

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class

Mercedes-Benz integrates iPhone, Siri into all-new A-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/mercedes-benz-integrates-iphone-siri-into-all-new-a-class/

Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera / Carrera S Cabriolet Driven: The 991s with Tons of Headroom

To the old saying “the only two certainties in life are death and taxes,” we’d add the rollout of numerous 911 variants shortly after a new generation is introduced. The redesigned 991 model arrived for 2012, and the first variations to make good on our amendment are the 2012 911 Carrera and Carrera S cabriolets. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/jDkCK7y8a6g/2012-porsche-911-carrera-carrera-s-cabriolet-first-drive-review

Elmer George Bob Gerard Gerino Gerini Peter Gethin

Travis Pastrana announces 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series and K&N Pro Series East schedule

ACTION SPORTS STAR TO MAKE NATIONWIDE DEBUT IN RICHMOND CORNELIUS, N.C. –Travis Pastrana will make a long-awaited NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota at Richmond International Raceway on April 27. The 11-time X-Games gold medalist and action sports star plans to run seven Nationwide Series races as well as 11 [...]

Source: http://thefinallap.com/2012/02/24/travis-pastrana-announces-2012-nascar-nationwide-series-and-kn-pro-series-east-schedule/

Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida

TRUCKS: Green, White Wreckers - King Wins

Unheralded John King won a wild race at Daytona...

Source: http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/trucks-green-white-wreckers-king-wins/

Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy Loris Kessel Bruce Kessler

Bud, Daytona shuffle Speedweeks sponsorships

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/24/1880581/bud-daytona-shuffle-speedweeks.html

Sam Hanks Walt Hansgen Mike Harris Cuth Harrison

Friday, February 24, 2012

Video: Motor Trend picks their Best Driver's Car of 2011

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos

It's been a long while since the guys at Motor Trend went through the trouble of picking the best driver's car, and for good reason. In order to pull off an actual test with any merit, the publication would need to wrangle some of the most impressive pieces of automotive engineering together on the same track on the same day. When we're talking about vehicles like the Lexus LFA, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Lotus Evora, Ferrari 458 Italia and the like, that can be a daunting feat, even for a rag of MT's swagger.

The stars aligned, however, and the crew managed to collect the hardware above as well as heathens like the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche Cayman R, Audi R8 GT, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Z07 and the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. All told, the collection was worth more than $1.5 million, and Motor Trend took the time to put them all through a battery of grueling performance tests before handing over the keys to a pro driver for a few quick laps at Laguna Seca. Rough times, guys.

The decision-making process has been split into three parts, and Part 1 is after the jump. Enjoy.

Continue reading Motor Trend picks their Best Driver's Car of 2011

Motor Trend picks their Best Driver's Car of 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/motor-trend-picks-their-best-drivers-car-of-2011/

Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

HAYDEN INJURED IN TRAINING ACCIDENT

DUCATI HAYDEN INJURED IN TRAINING ACCIDENT Thursday Dec 29 2011 Nicky Hayden's winter vacation was marred on Tuesday, December 27, when he broke his left scapula and fractured two ribs while training near his home in Owensboro, Kentucky. Hayden was...

Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/hayden_injured_in_trainin.php

Hans Herrmann François Hesnault Hans Heyer Damon Hill

Inside NASCAR Returns To SHOWTIME®

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/inside-nascar-returns-to-showtime.html

Romain Grosjean Olivier Grouillard Brian Gubby André Guelfi

Prost becomes a Renault ambassador

Alain Prost has renewed his working relationship with Renault, after becoming a brand ambassador for the French car manufacturer. The four-time champion, who drove for the 'Regie' early in his Formula 1 career and also won his last title in 1993 at the wheel of a Renault-powered Williams, will provide technical input to the company as well as represent it at events.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/prost-becomes-a-renault-ambassador

Jim Hurtubise Gus Hutchison Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide

D’Aste returns to Wiechers BMW

Stefano D'Aste will return to the World Touring Car Championship full-time with Wiechers-Sport this year.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/daste-returns-to-wiechers-bmw/

Hans Klenk Peter de Klerk Christian Klien Karl Kling

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Moss: Vettel is a modern Fangio

Formula 1 legend Stirling Moss believes current world champion Sebastian Vettel is the modern equivalent of Juan Manuel Fangio. Moss, who was one of five-time champion Fangio's biggest rivals in the 1950s and his team-mate at Mercedes in 1955, said Vettel's current superiority over the F1 field was comparable to Fangio's.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/moss-vettel-is-a-modern-fangio/

James Christopher McMurray

Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati: Yet Another Limited-Edition Cinquecento [Geneva Auto Show]

Fiat’s Abarth performance subsidiary is no stranger to injecting some big-money mojo into the Fiat 500—it’s already gifted the world the 500 695 Tributo Ferrari and 695 Competizione. For the Geneva auto show, the scorpion division is rolling out yet another special-edition 500: the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati. Modeled after the Gran Turismo style and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/O1bRQAdrRQI/

Peter Gethin Piercarlo Ghinzani Bruno Giacomelli Dick Gibson

Pioneer Hi-Bred Named Title Sponsor for NASCAR Nationwide Race at Iowa Speedway

Pioneer Hi-Bred 250Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 Will Be Held May 20, 2012 JOHNSTON, Iowa – Feb. 22, 2012 – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, and Iowa Speedway today announced Pioneer as the title sponsor for the May NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Iowa Speedway. The Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 will be held Sunday, May 20, at...more»

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2012/nationwide/02/22/pioneer-hi-bred-named-title-sponsor-for-nascar-nationwide-race-at-iowa-speedway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pioneer-hi-bred-named-title-sponsor-for-nascar-nationwide-race-at-iowa-speedway

Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Chassis issue ends Lotus’s day early

The Lotus team has been forced to wrap up its first day of testing at Barcelona early because of a problem with its car. Romain Grosjean managed just seven laps with the second E20 chassis in the morning session before the team decided to stop running. Lotus said it had to send the chassis back to Enstone to carry out checks

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/chassis-issue-ends-lotuss-day-early/

Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven

Talkin’ Trucks: A look ahead to the 2012 season

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/talkin-trucks-look-ahead-to-2012-season.html

Richie Ginther Yves Giraud Cabantous Ignazio Giunti Timo Glock

Bahrain secures fresh political backing

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have received a major boost after winning the support of a leading United Nations war crimes expert for this year's race to go ahead.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/bahrain-secures-fresh-political-backing/

Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried Lucas di Grassi Cecil Green

Why I Love NASCAR: The Daytona 500 by Chief 187™

Source: http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2012/02/why-i-love-nascar-daytona-500-by-chief.html

Naoki Hattori Paul Hawkins Mike Hawthorn Boy Hayje

Block reduces WRC programme

Monster World Rally Team driver Ken Block will only contest three rounds of the World Rally Championship this season, due to more competitive commitments in America.

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/world-rally-championship-news/wrc/block-reduces-wrc-programme/

Timo Glock Helm Glöckler Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort