Jaguar XFR in action

XFR is powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 510 hp. This power increase brings the 0 to 60 time from 4.9 secs to an estimated 4.7 secs, and the quarter mile should come 0.3 secs sooner at 13.1. Top Speed is limited from the factory to 155 mph.

Audi version of Volkswagen Bluesport in the works

It should come as no surprise that Audi is working on its own version of the Volkswagen Concept Bluesport, and according to Automotive News, the design has already been completed.

In the lead-up to the Bluesport's unveiling, rumors (and simple logic) said that in order for Volkswagen to make the mid-engine roadster financial viable, the platform and all its associated underpinnings would have to be distributed across several models. A senior VW group exec told AN, "To make a strong business case for the new roadster, we need to share the investment with at least three brands." In addition to VW, one of those brands is Audi and the other is almost assuredly Porsche.

While Skoda and Seat's budget-oriented image couldn't include a variant of the roadster – estimated to cost around €30,000 – Porsche might be interested in an entry-level model to slot in below the Boxster and help to reduce the automaker's overall CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen is expected to announce a production decision on the Concept Bluesport in the next two months, and we're hoping that the completed version will bow in Geneva.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Lexus recalling 214,500 GS, IS, and LS models

Toyota is recalling around 214,500 2006-2008 GS300/350, IS250/350 and LS460/460L sedans over potentially faulty fuel delivery pipes.

The Japanese automaker is working with NHTSA on the US recall, which centers around fuel pipes that can corrode, eventually resulting in a leak. The problem reportedly stems from certain ethanol fuels with low moisture content that can lead to rust, occasionally (but not always) triggering a dashboard indicator lamp indicating a system malfunction.

Affected GS, IS, and LS owners will be contacted about the recall via mail, and Lexus dealers will install replacement parts at no cost.

[Source: The Street; Image: Passionate Pursuit]

GM calls for public/private partnership for future of auto industry

As we move forward, there little doubt that the internal combustion engine -- in its current form -- will eventually be phased out in favor of... something. It's already begun to take place in the millions of hybrids that are currently on the market and many believe that these vehicles are just a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of a fully electrified machine. We're not quite ready to proclaim the ICE dead, but it's firm grasp on nearly 100% of the market seems likely to wane, and Larry Burns of General Motors knows it. GM is working feverishly on the Chevy Volt and the newly-christened Voltec powertrain that powers it and the Cadillac Converj concept, but there's no guaranteeing its success in the marketplace.

Burns has posted a plea to the American people to put their power behind American companies and their stake in the new-wave automobile, calling for "a partnership between the U.S. government, auto manufacturers and suppliers, the energy and infrastructure industries, and other key stakeholders focused on transforming the automobile." Before any real drastic change can take place, the U.S. government would need to sign off on specific technologies, an EV infrastructure would need to replace our current gasoline-fed economy and American citizens would need to buy the newfangled cars and trucks. So, American people,
[Source: GM Fastlane]

The Fast and the Furious 4 - second trailer

It’s been a few months since we’ve seen the first trailer for the new The Fast and the Furious, so the good people at Universal decided we needed another one to keep us going until April 4th. This one gives us a little more isight on the plot, but thankfully it doesn’t leave out the racing. After all, with enough cool cars and CGI graphics, who cares if there are even actors in the flick?

Raikkonen to drive the Arctic rally in a Punto Abarth

Ferrari's Formula One driving aces have a history of branching into other forms of motorsport. Michael Schumacher has tried his hand at motorbike racing with some success, Felipe Massa continues to mount the occasional karting assault, and now Kimi Raikkonen is slated to tackle the Arctic Lapland Rally behind the wheel of an S2000-spec Grande Punto Abarth.

The Arctic Lapland Rally is the opening round in the Finnish Rally Championship, where Raikkonen will put his nickname "Iceman" to the test against a handful of other ex-F1 drivers, including Mika Hakkinen, Mika Salo and JJ Lehto. Veteran rally co-pilot Kaj Lindstrom, who won the Monte Carlo Rally with rally ace Tommi Makinen, will be by his side in Raikkonen's own Abarth, with which we don't doubt his patrons at Fiat had any trouble hooking him up. As for Scuderia Ferrari, they've got no problem with Kimi occasionally moonlighting on the rally circuit, where he said he might move to after retiring from Ferrari's Formula One team. And with Fernando Alonso knocking at Maranello's door for Raikkonen's seat, that could come sooner than expected. We'll be watching to see how the Iceman does on ice when the Arctic Lapland Rally kicks off on January 22.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Pagani Zonda R officially unveiled in Vienna

The Pagani Zonda did something incredible. It proved that the supercar world did not revolve around Ferrari and Lamborghini. So to commemorate Horacio Pagani's achievement, the hypercarmaker has created one last version of the Zonda before its replacement arrives next year.

After 24 months of development, and at the urging of an unnamed Italo-American customer that already owns three Zondas, the Pagani Zonda R was created as a lightweight, track-only variant of the iconic coupe. Production is limited to ten examples with a price tag of 1.4-million euro.

Although the carbon fiber exterior is deceiving, the Pagani Zonda R only carries over 10% of its structure from its predecessors. The wheelbase has grown by 47mm, the overall length is 394mm longer and the track has been widened by 50mm. An all-new carbon fiber monocoque resides underneath the wind-tunnel tested body, along with a forged aluminum suspension, new six-speed sequential gearbox and four aero-spec fuel pumps that feed a Mercedes-Benz AMG-sourced 6.0-liter V12. Pagani claims the new heart – nestled into the 2,425-pound R – will produce 750 hp at 8,000 rpm and 524 lb-ft of torque, for a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 248.54 mph. Air is fed into the bent-twelve through a carbon fiber air intake system, while an Inconel manifold and "F1-style" exhaust releases spent hydrocarbons and keeps engine temps in check.

Pagani makes it clear that the Zonda R is a not street legal, and one owner is taking that to the illogical extreme. One of the first Zonda Rs to be delivered will be installed in the customer's living room and fitted

[Source: Pagani]