Cadillac Coverage: Does It Really Rise Above the...

Motor Authority - blog Category: News

  • Keating Boasts 260.1 MPH Top-Speed For TKR Supercar

    Keating Boasts 260.1 MPH Top-Speed For TKR Supercar November 9th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 9th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Keating Boasts 260.1 MPH Top-Speed For TKR Supercar

    You may recall that we first reported about British sports car manufacturer Keating and its new supercar duo, the respective SKR and TKR, back in April of 2008.

    At the time, Keating was boasting that the more hard-edged TKR would be capable of breaking the world land speed record for a production car, which was then held by the Bugatti Veyron.

    At this year’s MPH Auto Show in the UK, Keating was claiming that its TKR supercar had posted an “unofficial” top speed of 260.1 mph in a round of testing that took place last month at California’s Salt Lake Flats.

    In the first of two runs on the Salt Lake Flats, the 7.0-liter,...

    You may recall that we first reported about British sports car manufacturer Keating and its new supercar duo, the respective SKR and TKR, back in April of 2008. At the time, Keating was boasting that the more hard-edged TKR would be capable of breaking the world land speed record for a production car, which was then held by the Bugatti Veyron. At this year’s MPH Auto Show in the UK, Keating was claiming that its TKR supercar had posted an “unofficial” top speed of 260.1 mph in a round of testing that took place last month at California’s Salt Lake Flats. In the first of two runs on the Salt Lake Flats, the 7.0-liter, 1,800 horsepower TKR reportedly smashed the current record, adding an extra 3.0 mph to the top speed of existing title holder, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Now, Keating must do it again to ensure entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. The TKR, and its more subdued SKR sibling, are based around the same basic chassis, consisting of a steel spaceframe structure (or optional carbon-fiber) and a GM-sourced V-8 powertrain. The car’s body panels can be ordered in either fiberglass or carbon-fiber and the only transmission option is a 5-speed Porsche transaxle, which channels power strictly to the rear wheels. There are two different engines to choose from--a 6.0-liter or 7.0-liter GM V-8--and both come either naturally aspirated, supercharged or turbocharged. Keating is still taking orders for the car, which is expected to enter production in limited numbers by the end of the year. [Keating] Read More

  • Jaguar Launches New R Performance Academy

    Jaguar Launches New R Performance Academy November 9th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 9th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Jaguar Launches New R Performance Academy

    For some, a day at the track driving the fastest Jaguars on sale today with a top notch driving instructor is a dream. For those lucky buyers of a 2010 Jaguar XKR or XFR, it will be a reality.

    Jaguar announced today the launch of its R Performance Academy, beginning December 1, with a session at the Homestead Miami Speedway. The circuit stretches 2.21 miles and features 14 turns that provide a rewarding challenge to even the most experienced racers.

    Participants get to enjoy a full day of driving where they experience multiple types of driving, from maximum acceleration to braking to emergency lane changes. There is even a special autocross...

    For some, a day at the track driving the fastest Jaguars on sale today with a top notch driving instructor is a dream. For those lucky buyers of a 2010 Jaguar XKR or XFR, it will be a reality. Jaguar announced today the launch of its R Performance Academy, beginning December 1, with a session at the Homestead Miami Speedway. The circuit stretches 2.21 miles and features 14 turns that provide a rewarding challenge to even the most experienced racers. Participants get to enjoy a full day of driving where they experience multiple types of driving, from maximum acceleration to braking to emergency lane changes. There is even a special autocross event and for those brave enough, lessons for driving without stability and traction control. Both the XFR and XKR are powered by a supercharged V-8 engine pumping out 510 horsepower, and boast accelerations from 0–60 mph in 4.7 and 4.6 seconds, respectively. The new academy is designed to help drivers explore the capabilities of these special automobiles and develop the skills and techniques needed to safely experience their high-performance dynamics. After the initial Homestead Miami Speedway session, the Jaguar R Performance Academy will host events at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York and the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, among others, on a quarterly basis. [Jaguar] Read More

  • 2010 BMW M3 GTS Shows Off In Pair Of New Videos

    2010 BMW M3 GTS Shows Off In Pair Of New Videos November 9th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 9th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    2010 BMW M3 GTS Shows Off In Pair Of New Videos

    Over 400 pounds lighter, a whole lot less concerned about comfort and far, far more aggressive in its performance, the 2010 BMW M3 GTS is one of the most intriguing vehicles to come out of BMW for some time.

    It's no secret that BMW has a strong record in motorsport, or that its cars are definitely one of the top drivers' choices among the luxury ranks. But building truly track-focused, hardcore cars is something typically left to the enthusiast marques.

    The M Division might be taken as exactly that, but with recent developments, including the X6 M and X5 M it looked as if BMW had decided to take that sub-brand further toward luxury than...

    Over 400 pounds lighter, a whole lot less concerned about comfort and far, far more aggressive in its performance, the 2010 BMW M3 GTS is one of the most intriguing vehicles to come out of BMW for some time. It's no secret that BMW has a strong record in motorsport, or that its cars are definitely one of the top drivers' choices among the luxury ranks. But building truly track-focused, hardcore cars is something typically left to the enthusiast marques. The M Division might be taken as exactly that, but with recent developments, including the X6 M and X5 M it looked as if BMW had decided to take that sub-brand further toward luxury than performance, too. But the introduction of the M3 GTS brings back a much-needed--though certainly not mass-market--edge to the brand. These two videos show off the car's intense, no-frills approach to street-legal but track-fun motoring. It's Monday afternoon (or evening) so sit back, relax, and enjoy. [BMW] Read More

  • BMW Teases Next 5-Series With Kinetic Art Video

    BMW Teases Next 5-Series With Kinetic Art Video November 9th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 9th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    BMW Teases Next 5-Series With Kinetic Art Video

    BMW's next 5-Series has been spied in testing quite a lot, including the Touring version caught by our spies earlier today. But now BMW has stepped the game up to the next level, releasing an official teaser that shows off the next 5-Series' roof and waistline through a novel kinetic sculpture.

    The art installation itself is simple enough, but no less amazing for that simplicity. A gridwork of small metal spheres suspended from computer-controlled lengths of string that can be quickly and dynamically positioned to draw nearly any shape are used to give a clear hint at what the next BMW 5-Series sedan will look like.

    Along with the teaser...

    BMW's next 5-Series has been spied in testing quite a lot, including the Touring version caught by our spies earlier today. But now BMW has stepped the game up to the next level, releasing an official teaser that shows off the next 5-Series' roof and waistline through a novel kinetic sculpture. The art installation itself is simple enough, but no less amazing for that simplicity. A gridwork of small metal spheres suspended from computer-controlled lengths of string that can be quickly and dynamically positioned to draw nearly any shape are used to give a clear hint at what the next BMW 5-Series sedan will look like. Along with the teaser video, BMW revealed that the sedan will be unveiled live via webcast at 8 pm CET on November 23. Check back here to see all the details as soon as they're available. In the meantime, our sources tell us the next 5-Series will likely get the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine found in the 5-Series GT 550i, and also in other BMW vehicles, including the X6. Europeans can of course expect a diesel model, and though Americans aren't likely to see that, a mild hybrid version to complement the ActiveHybrid 7 could be on its way to our shores. For more details on the next BMW 5-series, check out our previous spy stories. [BMW] Read More

  • Report: Cadillac Converj Approved For Production

    Report: Cadillac Converj Approved For Production November 9th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 9th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Report: Cadillac Converj Approved For Production

    The off-again, on-again nature of the Cadillac Converj's production plans cast a pall of uncertainty over any production announcement, but the latest reports out of Detroit say the lights are green for the luxury Caddy hybrid.

    Revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac Converj concept was a highly refined, dramatically styled extended range electric vehicle, with a powertrain much like that found in the Chevrolet Volt. It is now reported to be headed to production in essentially the same form.

    There's no production date yet, but the car was reportedly among the models presented to the GM board of directors on November 2 as part of...

    The off-again, on-again nature of the Cadillac Converj's production plans cast a pall of uncertainty over any production announcement, but the latest reports out of Detroit say the lights are green for the luxury Caddy hybrid. Revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac Converj concept was a highly refined, dramatically styled extended range electric vehicle, with a powertrain much like that found in the Chevrolet Volt. It is now reported to be headed to production in essentially the same form. There's no production date yet, but the car was reportedly among the models presented to the GM board of directors on November 2 as part of the upcoming production plan. Shortly after the concept's debut in January, reports emerged that financial strife within GM had killed the Converj's production hopes, but then after the "new" GM came out of bankruptcy, talk of growing support for the car's construction surfaced. The Converj would certainly inject even more style and excitement into the Cadillac lineup, plus a touch of green flair that's currently absent. Powered by the Voltec electric propulsion system that pairs a 16 kilowatt-hour battery pack with a four-cylinder engine that functions as a generator to send electricity to the car's electric motors, the Converj is rated at 160 horsepower and a potent 273 pound-feet of torque. A top speed of 100 mph was given for the concept car. Styling was the Converj's strong suit at the Detroit Show, with bold exterior lines and massive 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels, plus an all-glass roof with built-in solar panels to help power the accessory systems. Two-plus-two seating, a high-end leather and wood interior and futuristic interior styling also helped put the concept car over the top. [Detroit News] Read More

  • Driven: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

    Driven: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 November 9th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 9th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Driven: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

    Unlike the mainstream market where hybrid technology is used to maximize fuel efficiency, luxury automakers have employed hybrid systems as a way to maintain or improve performance while making concessions to efficiency.

    The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which our testers got to drive this past weekend, is a prime example.

    Based on the regular X6 "Sports Activity Coupe," which itself is a car of contradictions, the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6 is the first hybrid from the maker of ultimate driving machines and is due for retail sale next month. Oh, and it costs ninety grand.

    Rated at a combined output of 478 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, the...

    Unlike the mainstream market where hybrid technology is used to maximize fuel efficiency, luxury automakers have employed hybrid systems as a way to maintain or improve performance while making concessions to efficiency. The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which our testers got to drive this past weekend, is a prime example. Based on the regular X6 "Sports Activity Coupe," which itself is a car of contradictions, the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6 is the first hybrid from the maker of ultimate driving machines and is due for retail sale next month. Oh, and it costs ninety grand. Rated at a combined output of 478 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, the big SUV uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine and a nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery pack to claim the title of the world's most powerful gasoline-electric hybrid passenger vehicle. That's no mean feat, with contenders like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Cadillac in the space. The two electric synchronous motors contribute 91 horsepower/192 pound-feet and 86 horsepower/206 pound-feet, respectively. This hybrid system is the same Two-Mode Hybrid architecture found in the full-size 2010 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid pickup trucks, as well as various full-size sport utilities including the luxurious Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid. But BMW has completely rethought the concept of "hybrid," using the software that manages all the electric components to mimic the driving behavior of a seven-speed automatic transmission. Our testers drove the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 this past weekend at the international press launch, and aside from a few badges and the instrumentation, you'd never know it was a hybrid. One thing that you will definitely notice is the gas mileage: EPA ratings for the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6 are 17 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, against the standard X6 xDrive 50i that uses the same twin-turbo V8, which delivers only 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. The ActiveHybrid even has a better combined rating than the six-cylinder X6 xDrive 35i. And over a 100-mile-plus test drive, our testers saw average mileage of 20.4 mpg. Not bad for a large all-wheel drive sport utility that weighs almost three tons. Our sister site GreenCarReports.com has full driving impressions of the new 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6, which you can see here. Otherwise, check out our review of the regular 2009 BMW X6 range by clicking here. Read More

More Headlines


  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9