Motor Authority - blog Tag: Motor

 

America does horsepower, it even does handling, but aside from the Corvette ZR1, it doesn't really do supercars. At least not in the modern sense of the word. But one company, Devon Motorworks, hopes to change that perception. It's off to a good start, claiming to have set the unofficial production car lap record at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California - and now we have a video of the lap.

The GTX is due for its official debut this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but the company is still playing the car's specifications close to its vest, but they have released the Laguna Seca lap time of 1:35.075. The company says...

  America does horsepower, it even does handling, but aside from the Corvette ZR1, it doesn't really do supercars. At least not in the modern sense of the word. But one company, Devon Motorworks, hopes to change that perception. It's off to a good start, claiming to have set the unofficial production car lap record at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California - and now we have a video of the lap. The GTX is due for its official debut this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but the company is still playing the car's specifications close to its vest, but they have released the Laguna Seca lap time of 1:35.075. The company says that's a production-car record, beating out the likes of the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo and Corvette ZR-1. The last we heard from Devon was the company's $5.5 million low-ball bid for Chrysler's Viper brand back before the bankruptcy and eventual Fiat acquistition. The company had hoped to use the Viper plant to build its very own supercar, the GTX. While not much is known about the GTX, purchasing the Viper business would have allowed Devon to base the car around the renowned Viper platform. We should know much more about the GTX on Saturday, when a prototype of the car is revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours. “There is no more important event in the world for cars in this class,” says Devon Motorworks CEO and founder Scott Devon. “We realize that – by introducing the Devon GTX at the Concours d’Elegance – we are asking the world’s automotive elite to bless this car. With its bold design and outstanding performance characteristics, we are quite confident we will earn their approval.” The company is also expected to attempt to break the world lap record for a production car at the Nurburgring this summer, so keep an eye out for news of that as well. What we know so far is that the car’s design is being handled by noted Swedish designer and former Ford employee Daniel Paulin. Previewed here in these official computer generated renderings, Paulin's new design language gives the GTX a classical yet futuristic line. The interior of the GTX will appear Spartan but will be packed with high-tech gear. To see the unofficial Laguna Seca record production car lap, check out the video below. Devon Motor Works GTX official renderings   Devon Motorworks GTX Laguna Seca Lap Read More

The current C6 Corvette platform is proving to be a popular basis for independent coachbuilders, with several firms releasing their own take on the classic sports car over the past 12 months. Corvette-based cars like the Anteros XTM, Innotech C6 and the more recent Bertone Mantide all spring to mind, and now we have the new 9 Competizione from SV Motor Company to add to that list.

Under the new sheet metal/carbon-fiber, which shares a striking resemblance to Alfa Romeo’s stunning 8C Competizione, SV has retained the basic C6 Corvette platform but has specifically tailored some of the specifications for use in its new car.

Thanks to... The current C6 Corvette platform is proving to be a popular basis for independent coachbuilders, with several firms releasing their own take on the classic sports car over the past 12 months. Corvette-based cars like the Anteros XTM, Innotech C6 and the more recent Bertone Mantide all spring to mind, and now we have the new 9 Competizione from SV Motor Company to add to that list. Under the new sheet metal/carbon-fiber, which shares a striking resemblance to Alfa Romeo’s stunning 8C Competizione, SV has retained the basic C6 Corvette platform but has specifically tailored some of the specifications for use in its new car. Thanks to almost full carbon-fiber bodywork, SV engineers have managed to shed 132 pounds from the Corvette’s kerb weight and give the car a perfect 50/50 front to rear weight distribution. While the powertrain has been left untouched (customers will be able to choose which Corvette model to use), SV engineers have tweaked the brakes and suspension and added Pirelli PZero Rosso ultra performance tires. Lateral acceleration is estimated to be 1.03g and braking from 60-0mph is a claimed 107 feet. Peak power can be boosted, however, if customers select SV’s revised intake and a custom-tuned exhaust option. This includes the ANSA Automotive exhaust system developed by SV for use on the Ferrari Daytona and 599, which on the base LS3-powered Corvette boosts output from 436hp to 450hp and sees the 9 Competizione’s 0-60mph time drop to just 4.0 seconds. The SV 9 Competizione will be limited to 1,000 units at a cost of $99,995 which includes a new, well-equipped donor C6 Corvette purchased through their dealer network. The first showing of the SV 9 Competizione is this Saturday evening in San Francisco. The car will also be on display August 14 at the Concorso Italiano in Pebble Beach. Via: CorvetteBloggerSV Motor Company 9 Competizione supercar Read More

Just weeks after celebrating Mini’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off the Oxford production line, since the launch of the new generation Mini back in 2001. BMW CEO Ian Robertson as well as British politician Ian Lucas were on hand to see the 1.5th millionth model roll off the line, the particular car being a Chili Red Mini Clubman that’s destined to go to a customer in the UK.

Since production of the new generation model started in 2001, Mini has become a global phenomenon, winning awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent... Just weeks after celebrating Mini’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off the Oxford production line, since the launch of the new generation Mini back in 2001. BMW CEO Ian Robertson as well as British politician Ian Lucas were on hand to see the 1.5th millionth model roll off the line, the particular car being a Chili Red Mini Clubman that’s destined to go to a customer in the UK. Since production of the new generation model started in 2001, Mini has become a global phenomenon, winning awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent launch in Brazil. Furthermore, in the 41 years between 1959 and 2000 5.3 million classic Minis were built, so the total when combined with new generation Mini volume is 6.8 million cars. Mini’s parent company BMW has invested more than £380 million ($614 million) in its Oxford plant since 2001 and a further £100 million ($161 million) in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants, which make up the Mini production triangle in the UK. The operation employs more than 7,000 people and its activities account for an impressive 1% of the UK’s entire GDP. Read More

Mini is resurrecting one of its most famous models, a car that once belonged to Beatles member George Harrison. Decked out in psychedelic paintings, the legendary Beatle Mini Cooper appeared in the rock group’s 'Magical Mystery Tour', and now Mini is dedicating a reinterpretation of Harrison's vehicle to the man himself.

The latest car is being produced strictly as a one-off for the brand's 50th birthday and will be given to Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison. The ceremony will take place at the world's biggest Mini fan event, Mini United, in the UK later this month and the car will then be auctioned off to aid a foundation that... Mini is resurrecting one of its most famous models, a car that once belonged to Beatles member George Harrison. Decked out in psychedelic paintings, the legendary Beatle Mini Cooper appeared in the rock group’s 'Magical Mystery Tour', and now Mini is dedicating a reinterpretation of Harrison's vehicle to the man himself. The latest car is being produced strictly as a one-off for the brand's 50th birthday and will be given to Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison. The ceremony will take place at the world's biggest Mini fan event, Mini United, in the UK later this month and the car will then be auctioned off to aid a foundation that Harrison started back in 1973. “George was a huge Mini fan and he would have enjoyed creating this new version. The fact that Mini’s anniversary celebrations will also benefit our foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration.” said Olivia Harrison. According to Mini, Harrison's original Mini Cooper S was a gift from Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who gave each of the four members of the band one of the cars. Other sources claim that his Mini was the first place he and his friends took LSD in the 1960s after a 'friend' slipped it in their tea without telling them.Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour' Cooper S Read More

Tomorrow, May 8, 2009, marks 50 years to the day since the first Mini rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford, formerly known as Cowley. It's been a long and winding road for the British icon, but the Mini has made it through half a century of nearly continuous production despite passing through many different hands.

Surviving the current sales and economic maelstrom may yet prove to be a difficult task indeed with some of the industry's giants all but disappearing. But this isn't the first time the world has faced such a situation, and it's certainly not the first time the UK has, either. The British Motor Corporation - original... Tomorrow, May 8, 2009, marks 50 years to the day since the first Mini rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford, formerly known as Cowley. It's been a long and winding road for the British icon, but the Mini has made it through half a century of nearly continuous production despite passing through many different hands. Surviving the current sales and economic maelstrom may yet prove to be a difficult task indeed with some of the industry's giants all but disappearing. But this isn't the first time the world has faced such a situation, and it's certainly not the first time the UK has, either. The British Motor Corporation - original producers of the Mini - was enveloped in, and ultimate overtaken by, the malaise of the late 1960s and early 1970s, eventually becoming a part of British Leyland. Dr Jürgen Hedrich, Plant Oxford’s managing director, said it well: "Little did anyone know just how popular Sir Alec Issigonis’s car for the people would be – or that half a century later it would be reborn as the MINI and once again be built in Oxford. "This is a momentous day in the plant and car’s history. Everyone at the plant is proud to be part of both the heritage and the future of this car." BMW Group member of the Board of Management for Production, Frank-Peter Arndt had a valid counterpoint to offer, however. "Anniversaries are always a wonderful opportunity to look back at the past," said Arndt. "But on days like today, it’s also good to look to the future. Therefore, our objective is absolutely clear: We are going to continue the success story of MINI and continue to strengthen it. "Where is MINI going? Where will it be in 10, 20 or even another 50 years’ time? Perhaps it’s rather ambitious to look that far ahead, but one thing is certain, MINI is a brand not only with a great tradition, but also a fantastic future." Plant Oxford built 602,817 Minis from 1959 to 1968, before production was moved to Longbridge. Since 2001 more than 1.4 million new MINIs have been built at the production facility and in total, more than six million classic and new MINIs have been sold since the car first went on sale in 1959. Mini is also working on a special-edition F1 JCW car to celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Cooper's first F1 car this year. For more on that vehicle, read the story here. Read More

With the recent reveal of the all-new Mark II Mini Cooper Cabrio, there is speculation once again that the utilitarian Mini Moke could make a return. The original Moke, released back in 1964 and based on the existing Mini model at its time, was designed as a prototype for a light military vehicle.

However, its relatively small stature, low ground-clearance, and miniscule wheels meant that it never saw any action. Instead, the car was developed for public sale as a low-cost recreational vehicle and quickly became popular with beachgoers.

While there are no reports of a new version even being considered by Mini’s current owner, BMW,... With the recent reveal of the all-new Mark II Mini Cooper Cabrio, there is speculation once again that the utilitarian Mini Moke could make a return. The original Moke, released back in 1964 and based on the existing Mini model at its time, was designed as a prototype for a light military vehicle. However, its relatively small stature, low ground-clearance, and miniscule wheels meant that it never saw any action. Instead, the car was developed for public sale as a low-cost recreational vehicle and quickly became popular with beachgoers. While there are no reports of a new version even being considered by Mini’s current owner, BMW, this computer generated rendering gives us an idea of what a modern version of the Moke could look like. If produced, the rejuvenated model would like share its engine, transmission and interior with the latest Cooper Cabrio. The Moke would never be a full volume model, most likely being finalized by an independent coachbuilder or vehicle customizer. Differentiating the standard Cabrio and the Moke would likely be a pair of cutaway doors, an easy-clean Spartan interior, and possibly a slightly taller ride-height.2010 Mini Mark II Cooper CabrioMini Moke rendering Read More