auto

by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jan 6th 2009 at 1:59PM

There’s more that one way to green a car, and many of the most interesting technological advancements don’t involve powering an internal combustion engine. Consider that much of the fabric, plastic and rubber that goes into a car’s construction is derived from petroleum, and you see why alternatives are becoming increasingly attractive. Automakers have taken up corn-based plastics and soy-based seat foam, and now the latest greenery comes by way of defatted soy flour. The latter is an organic substance that’s being considered as a replacement for the petroleum-based “carbon black” rubber particles that are currently specified in the vast majority of tires.

The technology has a long way to go before we could be driving on soybeans, and there are likely issues involving using a possible feedstock as a petroleum replacement (again) that will need to be worked out. Still, as pressure builds to abandon the use of petroleum in as many ways as possible, advancements are likely to become a bigger part of our day-to-day transportation needs.

[Source: DairyHerd.com]

It seems we’ve got a lot of news about cutbacks and bailouts lately. Now we finally have something to get excited about as a cool car is doing well: 10,000 pre-orders have come in for the Chevrolet Camaro.

Back in October, Chevy had already received 6,000 orders in the first month the car was on sale. While that was impressive, those orders were mostly for the V8 cars. What worried some industry floks was would the car be able to go mainstream. But it seems the last few months have seen runs on the smaller engine. “We are getting a considerable amount of V6 orders,” said Mark LaNeve, GM’s head of marketing and sales.

The entry-level V6 Chevrolet Camaro uses a 3.6-liter V6 unit producing 296bhp and 273lb ft of torque, while the range-topping SS will produce 416bhp from its 6.2-liter V8. Prices will start from $22,995 MSRP for the V-6 powered LS model, and $30,995 for the V-8 powered Camaro SS. Deliveries should begin in February.

The Detroit Auto Show is just around that corner, and Jaguar will show the world the new XFR. This will mark the premiere of Jag’s enlarged 5.0-liter supercharged V8. But now that Jaguar has finished development on the 500 hp engine (which is also already earmarked for other Jaguar cars), what’s it supposed to do now to occupy the time? Why not make the XF’s handling razor sharp?

It’s rumored that Jaguar is working on a new version called the XFR-S. Just like the XKR-S of last summer, its expected to focus strictly on suspension and ride characteristics. The engine should remain untouched.

No word yet if the XFR-S will make it to the U.S., because there’s no official word that the car exists. The XKR-S never made it to the U.S. because our culture wants speed added into our special edition cars. Hopefully we’ve all changed our minds if/when the XFR-S makes its official debut.

by Chris Shunk on Jan 6th 2009 at 10:01AM

Porsche is continuing to wag the dog by upping its stake in VW to over 50%. The move, which cost Porsche $8.49 billion, adds another 8% to the German automaker’s ownership stake. The move to 50% was supposed happen late in 2008, but a short squeeze temporarily skyrocketed VW stock from 210 Euros to over 1,000, delaying the move. Porsche’s increase in VW stake also gave the iconic automaker indirect control of Swedish truckmaker Scania. Swedish law requires a mandatory takeover offer, but since Porsche has no interest in truck tech, it will only offer the minimum amount required.

The much smaller Porsche has been deliberate in its bid to own the much larger VW, and its plans don’t end at 50%. A Porsche spokesman told Automotive News that, pending market conditions, the company intends to own a 75% stake by the end of 2009. And to think Porsche was once worried that its small size made it vulnerable to be taken over by other companies.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

• SEE ALSO: Making of “Iron and Lace” Harley-Davidson Pinup Calendar

CHARLOTTE, N.C. January 6, 2009: SPEED opens its 2009 season for prime time originals Jan. 20, 2009 with the return of Super Bikes! (8 p.m. ET) hosted by Hollywood stunt rider Jason Britton and Livin’ the Low Life (9 p.m. ET) hosted by Cuban-born cover girl Vida Guerra.

In season four of Super Bikes!, Britton journeys to points as disparate as the Dakotas, Laguna Seca, Indianapolis, the city of brotherly love and even Spain while still finding time to attend motorcycle vocational school. As the premier ambassador of the booming sport of stunt riding, Jason matches skills and knowledge with the best of the best …there’s no place he won’t go and nothing he won’t try.

Livin’ the Low Life, back for a second season, explores the cultural phenomenon of the Latin-American “lowrider” – classic cars customized to the extreme with modified suspensions allowing them to run as low to the ground as possible. As early as the 1930s, cruisers were dropping Chevys to this sidewalk-scraping stance and by the 1970s, Los Angeles and other cities in the Southwest had combined cars with lifestyle and fashion, and the lowrider scene was born.

“In season one, we focused almost strictly on the cars,” said SPEED VP of Programming and Executive Producer Robert Ecker. “This year we will look a little closer at the people and the personalities that make up this iconic community.”

Pass Time, SPEED’s popular nightly game show based at local drag strips around the country, will return Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. with the first in a series of theme weeks, the first honoring the U.S. military.

Exclusive long and short-form content from all three SPEED programs will continue to be made available all season through SPEEDtv.com, VOD cable, iTunes video podcasts, mobile phones, cable broadband sites and viral distribution.

SPEED is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority. SPEED

BLUFFDALE, Utah january 6, 2009: Aero Performance Products, Inc. (OTCBB:AERP), which operates Aero Exhaust, Inc., a world leader in performance exhaust airflow technology, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Jones Exhaust Systems, Inc., one of the most respected specialty exhaust manufacturers in the United States.

Under terms of the agreement, Aero Performance Products will purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Jones Exhaust Systems including its manufacturing and real estate assets. The purchase is being financed with the participation of an investment banking firm, and Aero plans to announce details of its investment banking relationship in the next several days.

Bryan Hunsaker, CEO of Aero Performance Exhaust, commented, “The Jones transaction represents the culmination of over 9 months of negotiation and due diligence. The company and its advisors have worked diligently to bring the opportunity to its shareholders, and we are very optimistic about the results. We believe that the terms of the financing for this acquisition are ideal for Aero and its shareholders and that the acquisition delivers tremendous shareholder value in terms of improved fundamentals, earnings and management. The combination of debt and equity financing demonstrates both the industry’s and financial markets’ support for this acquisition.”

Jones Exhaust Systems, founded in 1968, is one of the largest manufacturers of chrome exhaust tips and glasspack mufflers, and performance diesel systems in the U.S. The company offers many unique products available nowhere else in the industry, including the “Full Boar” V-Power performance muffler, which is the only muffler that utilizes flow deflector technology that is 100% reversible, the “Silver Vein” and “Black Vein” series of textured powder coated tips and its “Midnight Pearl” dark shaded chrome tips. Jones Exhaust Systems also offers an extensive line of polished 304 stainless steel exhaust tips.

In 2001, Jones Exhaust Systems, Inc. acquired Road Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of truck accessories. Road Industries, Inc. is recognized as the premier supplier of bed rails to the accessory market. In addition to bed rails, the company also produces utility racks.

Full Boar Performance was acquired in 2003 to enhance Jones Exhaust Systems’ position as a leader in both aftermarket exhaust and the performance exhaust industry. This acquisition doubled the facilities and the company now manufactures an expanded line of specialty and performance exhaust products in 45,000 square foot of facilities with 70 employees.

Jones Exhaust delivers to its warehouse distributors with its own truck fleet. All stock orders arrive within two weeks, and the company has some of the lowest freight minimums in the industry.

“Jones Exhaust is not only a profitable company but it is one of the most well respected names in the industry,” stated Mr. Hunsaker. “We believe that this acquisition will allow Jones Exhaust to continue to grow and prosper and that our combined resources will provide significant advantages for both Aero Exhaust and Jones Exhaust and will deliver operating synergies between the two companies. The combined company offers customers a wide range of quality products; provides channel partners with a complete line, worldwide distribution and manufacturing capabilities; and delivers shareholders improved fundamentals, substantial revenues, attractive earnings, quality management, and a plan for growth. The management and operations of Jones Exhaust will remain untouched during the merger and for the foreseeable future.”

To sign up to receive information by email directly from the company whenever new press releases, investor newsletters, SEC filings, and other written material is issued, please visit AERO PERFORMANCE.

The No. 40 Mazda RX-8 will Sport Pink Trim to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. January 4, 2009: Dempsey Racing will partner with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and will carry pink trim on the black and white No. 40 Mazda RX-8 driven by Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub.

The team will compete in the GT class of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 in the January 24-25 event, the 47th running of America’s premier sports car race.

“Real men can wear pink,” said Dempsey, who races in the Rolex Series when his busy shooting schedule for the popular television program, Grey’s Anatomy, allows. “All of us at Dempsey Racing are proud to partner with the Avon Foundation in its fight against breast cancer. By wearing pink on our suits and on our cars, we hope to raise awareness for this important cause and for an extraordinary series of events: the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.”

Dempsey made his first start in the Rolex 24 last year, his first of 10 races. His best finish was ninth at Montreal. In addition to racing in the Rolex Series, Foster won the KONI Sports Car Challenge Grand Sports championship, co-driving the Hyper Sport Ford Mustang with Canadian Scott Maxwell.

“I am so proud to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which raises funds that directly save lives,” Dempsey said. “To help inspire fundraising for this important cause, there will be a special contest for top fundraisers - you can visit the web site avonwalk.org for details on how you can win a chance to meet me and my racing team.”

Dempsey and Foster are co-owners of Hyper Sport Racing. The team’s Rolex effort will be under the new Dempsey Racing banner beginning with the Rolex 24.

The Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, encompassing nine weekend-long walk events that attract thousand of participants and raise significant funds to ensure that everyone can get the breast cancer screening, support and treatment they require, and to fund research to ultimately eradicate breast cancer. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series has raised more than $265 million from 2003-2008.

“While two very different types of endurance events, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and sports car racing have the common tie of the mental and physical stamina required to achieve success,” Dempsey said. “With that juxtaposition in mind, a special contest for top fundraisers of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will be unveiled during The Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 24-25, 2009.”

Contest winners will have the opportunity to meet Dempsey and his team at the Rolex 24. For more information visit AVON WALK.

CHICAGO, Jan 5, 2009; Reuters reported that the following are the 20 top-selling vehicles in the U.S. through December of 2008 as reported by the automakers. Total sales of the top 20 vehicles fell 12.3 percent, or 709,002 units, to 5,067,078. Following is a list of the top 20 selling vehicles, ranked by total units.

 RANK VEHICLE 2008 2007 '07 RANK % Chng 1 Ford F-Series P/U 515,513 690,589 1 -25.4 2 Chevy Silverado-C/K P/U 465,065 618,257 2 -24.8 3 Toyota Camry 436,617 473,108 3 -7.7 4 Honda Accord 372,789 392,231 6 -5.0 5 Toyota Corolla 351,007 371,390 4 -5.5 6 Honda Civic 339,289 331,095 8 +2.5 7 Nissan Altima 269,668 284,762 9 -5.3 8 Chevrolet Impala 265,840 311,128 7 -14.6 9 Dodge Ram P/U 245,840 358,295 5 -31.4 10 Honda CR-V 197,279 219,160 11 -10.0 11 Ford Focus 195,823 173,213 15 +13.1 12 Chevrolet Cobalt 188,045 200,620 14 -6.3 13 Chevrolet Malibu 178,253 128,312 26 +38.9 14 GMC Sierra P/U 168,544 208,243 12 -19.1 15 Toyota Prius 158,884 181,221 16 -12.3 16 Ford Escape 156,544 165,596 17 -5.5 17 Ford Fusion 147,569 149,552 20 -1.3 18 GM Pontiac G6 140,240 150,001 28 -6.5 19 Toyota Tundra 137,249 196,555 23 -30.2 20 Toyota RAV4 137,020 172,752 18 -20.7 

Looks like the company that likes to give little LED light eyebrows to all its cars, just loves the LED lights in general. Audi has announced that the V10 version of the R8 sports car will be the first car in the world to be equipped with all-LED headlamps for both high and low beams, as well as for daytime running lights and indicators.

The LED headlamp of the Audi R8 is the first representative of a completely new generation of headlamps using only light emitting diodes (LED), which reduces CO2 emissions. But there is saving the environment, and then there is just going LED crazy. Audi now even offers an interior light package including LED footwell lighting, light and rain sensors and LED engine compartment lighting.

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Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

06th January 2009

Hold onto your hats, the most powerful Bentley convertible ever has blown in! We brought you spy shots of the Bentley GTC Speed back in October, but these are the first official pictures of the 200mph drop-top.

The GTC is the third Bentley to receive the ‘Speed’ treatment, following the GT coupe and the Continental Flying Spur. They all share a pumped-up version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder in the world, producing 600bhp and an astonishing 750Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at a hefty two and a half tonnes 0-60mph is despatched in 4.5 seconds, while a 200mph top speed is possible with the roof in place, 195mph when it’s stowed.

Distinguishing the GTC Speed from the ‘standard’ car, besides the extra 48bhp, is a special tinted mesh in the radiator and lower air intake grille. There’s also larger 20-inch multi-spoke alloys as standard, wrapped in high-performance Pirelli PZero rubber. Lowered suspension and a subtle lip spoiler improve the Speed’s handling and aerodynamics, while wider twin-exhaust pipes help to turn up the volume.

Optional extras include fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes – the largest fitted to any production car in the world – and Bentley’s sophisticated Adaptive Cruise Control system.

The sumptuous interior takes its inspiration from the ‘Mulliner’ pack available on the standard GTC, and includes diamond-quilted leather on the seats and door trims, Speed-embossed scuff plates on the door frames, chrome gear lever and drilled-alloy sports pedals.

Based on the success of the other Speed models in the range, Bentley expect this upgraded version to account for over two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide – despite a substantial price tag of £146,100 when it goes on sale in the UK this spring.