Motor Authority - blog Category: Sports Cars

  • 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

  • MINI Shows Off 10 Art Cars In 'Wash Me' Video

    MINI Shows Off 10 Art Cars In 'Wash Me' Video November 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    MINI Shows Off 10 Art Cars In 'Wash Me' Video

    Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history.

    By using the MINI as a canvas, 10 different artists present 10 different takes on what an art car should be--and what a radically custom MINI paint job can look like.

    Playing on the theme of casual art drawn in dirty cars, the "Wash Me" video shows how a single car can express many different themes, depending on the personality of the artist....

    Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history. By using the MINI as a canvas, 10 different artists present 10 different takes on what an art car should be--and what a radically custom MINI paint job can look like. Playing on the theme of casual art drawn in dirty cars, the "Wash Me" video shows how a single car can express many different themes, depending on the personality of the artist. If the car, or the art, catches your eye, you can get the book at your local outlet now. [MINISpace] Read More

  • Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit

    Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit November 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit

    Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans.

    The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality.

    Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points...

    Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans. The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality. Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points out. Long known amongst Californians for its forward-looking--if often oddball--take on life, the city has embraced hybrid and green technology like few others. Many of the 200 or so guests in attendance were among the more than 1,300 people that have place pre-orders for the car effectively sight unseen. The dealership is among the first crop of 32 "Eco-facility" dealers in the U.S., so it's appropriate that it should be located in granola-crunching Santa Monica. The building itself was once a Lexus dealership that has now been retasked to Fisker's uses. Opening the dealership now is mainly a mode of marketing, as no actual sales will be happening for the next several months, though pre-orders will certainly continue to be taken. Fisker's Karma is planned for production by Valmet in Finland to start later this year, followed shortly by retail sales. The company has recently started work on a plant in Delaware as well, to build the brand's next car, which remains unannounced in any detail. The Karma will cost $87,900 when it does hit the street, powered by 408-horsepower and 959 pound-feet of electric-motor torque. [Auto News -- sub. req.] Read More

  • Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video

    Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video November 5th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 5th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video

    We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3.

    The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3...

    We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3. The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3 GTS goes the extra mile for performance. Power is delivered by a special 4.4-liter version of the V-8 that powers the current M3, rated at 450 horsepower in this application. They also add race-derived technology including a crankcase made of a special aluminum-silicon alloy and constructed in bedplate design, individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with "ion flow technology" and a wet sump oil supply. That power is piped to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission was specially engineered to withstand the power output of the beefed-up V-8, and the DKG Drivelogic shift points programmed to precisely extract the maximum from the engine. Extensive use of honeycomb grillework, a prominent adjustable rear wing, adjustable front splitter and reworked front-end aero pieces all reflect the car's speedy genes. Unique black alloy 19-inch wheels wrapped in 225/35 front and 285/30 rear tires ensure track-friendly understeer-bias with a high level of grip. Lightweight carbon fiber is used for the roof to help reduce weight and lower the center of gravity, much like previous M3 CSL versions. The result of the weight savings strategy sees over 400 pounds culled from the standard car's 3,700-pound curb weigh, with the GTS version weighing in at a scant 3,289 pounds. A fully adjustable set of race dampers sits at the corners of the car, allowing owners to tune to the track and conditions with both bump and rebound adjustments. The brakes for the car are also custom-built pieces, with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units out back. Inside, race seats and five-point harnesses complement abundant matte-black surfaces and Alcantara for a decidedly sporty look. Like the Porsche GT3, the rear seat is sacrificed for a roll cage and a fire bottle, all in the interests of on-track safety. Despite all of this, the M3 GTS is still completely road-legal. So far, there are no plans to bring the car to the U.S., however. This appears to be a track-day special for the European enthusiast. Expect it to cost about €115,000, or around $171,000--roughly three times the price of a "normal" M3. Ouch. [BMW M Division] Read More

  • 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante: Too Fast For America

    2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante: Too Fast For America November 5th, 2009 By Michael Frank Michael Frank, Author, November 5th, 2009 Michael Frank 7 Comments

    2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante: Too Fast For America

    You learn quickly the vernacular of the $286,500 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante.

    First, you don’t call the Volante a convertible--it’s a Volante, a cloth-top car that’s reasonably quiet when shut, and because it has a soft lid, one with some useful trunk space that an erstwhile hardtop would’ve vaporized. (Also this is a nominal 2+2, and while not even children would find the backseat space viable there’s room enough in this car for overnight luggage which isn’t the case with many a super-sports GT.)

    Second, though it’s equipped with a manual-automatic Touchtronic gearbox (an ordinary six-speed...

    You learn quickly the vernacular of the $286,500 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante. First, you don’t call the Volante a convertible--it’s a Volante, a cloth-top car that’s reasonably quiet when shut, and because it has a soft lid, one with some useful trunk space that an erstwhile hardtop would’ve vaporized. (Also this is a nominal 2+2, and while not even children would find the backseat space viable there’s room enough in this car for overnight luggage which isn’t the case with many a super-sports GT.) Second, though it’s equipped with a manual-automatic Touchtronic gearbox (an ordinary six-speed manual is also available), unless you’re stuck in traffic it’s far more pleasurably driven as a paddle shift manual than, say, Audi’s S-tronic, as the shifts are actually smoother when manually called for than in automatic mode. This is because they happen more quickly when under the driver’s control and because you’ve shifted, rather than allowed a computer algorithm to decide when to change gears, you can precisely anticipate when that instant will arrive when the tremendous muscle of the car’s 6.0-liter, 510-hp V-12 will pause, the bootheel of g-forces on your chest will lift for half a heartbeat, and then you’re mashed back into the driver’s seat, resuming the boost-phase mode of the DBS’s haul toward a nearly 200-mph top speed. Third, should you happen to want to drive the DBS like a sane person, that is to say, calmly and coolly and within the constraints of suburban and even rural constabulary mores—you can do so, even as the V-12 under the hood and the metallic paddles that control the gearbox pretty much beg you to quit forcing the DBS to crawl around town on errands and instead mash the gas and let the car realize its full potential. Fourth, I've driven the V8 Vantage, which is also extraordinary, and also exceptionally fast. But the DBS is yet more car--the growl is laced with a menace, an even stronger purity of purpose. Its potential simply cannot be realized on any highway, state or Federal, in the United States. Aston DBS Volante: Not far from racing Know that the DBS's chassis isn’t far removed from Aston’s Le Mans racing machines; there’s a pressed, extruded and cast aluminum subframe bonded to carbon fiber, aluminum and composite body panels. There’s an actively damped suspension with available Track Mode to further stiffen the “knees” of the DBS so that any corner on any road or freeway offramp is taken pancake flat—massive 20-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero (245/35 front; 295/30 rear) tires ensure that even the slightest drift is perfectly within child-simple control of the driver. The DBS’s front/mid mounted engine and transmission only further aid a sense that in any corner at any speed you can dial out understeer precisely and even though I spent a fair amount of time with the DBS hunting down and then ass-hauling through every-reduced-radiused highway cloverleaf in northern New Jersey it was unusual to even hear tire chirp. True, purely reckless driving attempts can mildly perturb the DBS’s quietude, but only because your 90-mph hooliganism won’t fit on that particularly dinky shard of back-lane pavement. So $300k cannot suspend the laws of physics and the confines of sane behavior. This should come as no surprise. There’s a further downside, however; cars like this are cop bait. A 911 or Corvette may elicit eyebrow raises from the fuzz, but rolling along in the DBS was like having a giant neon sign on the hood exclaiming, “Arrest-me-I’m-speeding!” Driving the DBS in the right-hand lane of a four lane state highway at 10 mph over the speed limit, while being PASSED by a Chevy Astro conversion van that was pulling ahead of the Aston at a very fast clip…. I was tagged for speeding. The officer wasn’t happy when I suggested that his radar might’ve actually picked up the wall of metal passing me on my left--he wouldn’t have even been able to see the Aston from his perch on the median until after the Astro had completed its pass, which happened right in front of the officer’s bumper. He suggested I was accusing him of “profiling.” I countered that in fact he had two cars to pull over and he picked what he thought was the “faster” of the two, rather than the one in the left lane, doing the actual passing. He just smiled. Told me that he loved his job. Then handed over some very expensive paperwork. Aston DBS Volante: the price of admission Not that the privilege of driving the DBS isn’t worth the price of admission. Should you have $286,500 for a car you no doubt are already aware that paying a $250 toll now and again to pad town coffers is simply an additional maintenance expense. And of course if you are in that elite realm of buyers even a $500 fine is pocket lint. So drive your DBS at night, on poorly lit streets, preferably, and thrill to everything this automobile offers--which is a hell of a lot. The DBS is a screaming riot of fun. It can make so many other cars, even extraordinarily great ones that are good values such as that aforementioned 911, seem about as compelling as Honda Accords. Just starting the V-12 and hearing its exotic symphony would make any buyer happy. Even with the engine off there are joys here, among which include the softly rose-lit gauges, the 10-way adjustable sport seats that aren’t sports car punishing despite the aspirations of the vehicle, and the artistry of the heavy metal ashtray lid and its fogged glass chamber that belong to the Mad Men fetishist era of smoking. I also cannot imagine ever tiring of the motion of the door handles, which lay flush against the car. Push in at the front of the handle and its tail swings outward for you to grab--design and function elegantly wed as one. However, the fact that the DBS doesn’t come with a system that senses the presence of a key in your pocket and auto-unlocks the doors (available these days on cars down to $40,000) is a head scratcher. One exquisite joy afforded the DBS buyer that I’ve honestly never experienced in another car is the astounding aural wonder that is the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS sound system. Honestly, it made my eyes well in rapture. The downside of which is that MP3 tracks not downloaded at their highest quality mode will sound flawed. A friend who mixes records for a living sat in the car and we swapped CDs for MP3s and he then pointed out how he’d recommend any Aston owner either toss his iPod in the trash and revert back to CDs, or only load music directly from CDs to a portable audio device. Then we just sat there. Not talking. For another ten minutes. And listened. Get more 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante photos, specifications, pricing and more at MotorAuthority Follow us on Twitter: @highgearmedia @carconnection @therealma @greencarreports and join our Facebook fan page Read More

  • Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon November 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon.

    The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the...

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon. The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the standard Jetta TDI include a unique front bumper, side skirts, and rear valance, plus larger brakes with red calipers, upgraded anti-roll bars and a "European" sport-tuned suspension from the "performance oriented" GLI. The powerplant is the usual 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower TDI diesel engine. The real fun of the little oil-burning four-banger is its 236 pound-feet of torque. Either a standard six-speed manual or the DSG dual-clutch transmission can be fitted to the TDI Cup Street Edition. Pricing for the special edition car is set to start "around $25,000" when it hits dealerships in January, 2010. Read More

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