Noah Joseph

Israel - http://

VIDEO: With F1 program scrapped, where will Toyota Motorsports land next?

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 4:00PM


Toyota GT-One – Click above for high-res image gallery

As Toyota president Akio Toyoda announced the withdrawal of his company from the Formula One World Championship, he reiterated Toyota's commitment to motorsport competition. But while this may have been pure lip-service, the Japanese automaker has a long history in racing, leading to speculation over where Toyota could land next. According to Toyoda:
Motor sports remain an important means of personalizing the automobile in the eyes of customers. Motor sports also remain an important means of cultivating human resources and our R&D operations. ... We will rethink our motor-sports activities with an eye to maximizing those benefits while addressing economic realities.
Even in the absence of a renewed F1 program, Toyota continues to compete in series as diverse as Formula Nippon, NHRA, Grand Am, Super GT and NASCAR. While the beancounters in Tokyo could continue to rely solely on these and other existing programs – or worse, start pulling out of more – sources point to potential racing programs at Le Mans, in the new FIA GT1 World Championship or possibly in the shifting World Rally Championship. Any of these categories would give Toyota a more direct tie-in to its road-going products, but which – if any – the Japanese motor giant will ultimately choose remains to be seen. In the meantime, enjoy the short clip after the jump highlighting the company's history and continued involvement in motor racing worldwide.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Read more →

Bruno Senna to race in F1 next season with Campos Meta 1

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 6th, 2009 at 7:01AM


The past few years in Formula One have seen an unprecedented return of legendary family names to the sport: names like Villeneuve, Piquet and Rosberg. But the most hyped scion of racing fame has been Bruno Senna.

The nephew of the late, great Ayrton Senna was rated highly by his world-champion uncle and has been on everyone's watch list for the past few years since he began competing in open-wheel formula racing. The young Brazilian was tipped to race in F1 for Honda until the Japanese automaker (which, incidentally, powered all three of his uncle's championship-winning McLarens) withdrew from the sport. Instead Bruno bided his time, won a few GP2 races and completed the 2008 championship as runner-up while finishing on the podium at his Le Mans Series debut at Catalunya.

Those waiting for the Senna name to return to F1, however, can stop waiting as Bruno has signed on with Campos Meta 1. Notably, despite the family ties with several teams on the grid – including Lotus, McLaren and Williams, to say nothing of the STR ties through family friend and confidante Gerhard Berger – Bruno ended up signing with one of the new teams joining the grid next year.

There's been no word on who will partner with him for the rookie squad, but sources suggest a more experienced veteran driver (like Alex Wurz, for example) is in the mix. But one thing's for sure: Senna's going to have all eyes fixed on him, and he'll have quite the reputation to live up to.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Mauricio Lima/Getty]

VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 sure doesn't sound like a boxer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 7:20PM


Toyota FT-86 Concept exhaust note – Click to watch the video after the jump

Toyota garnered a lot of attention at this year's Tokyo Motor Show with the debut of the FT-86 concept. And they weren't about to let it slip past them, either. As part of the spectacle, they played the sounds of the prototype supposedly rounding the Nürburgring.

The FT-86 is being jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, the former providing the platform and the latter the engine, among other components. The thing is, as our JDM-loving compatriots over at 7Tune point out, the engine noise piped in doesn't sound much like a boxer four.

Of course, that kind of deducing poses more questions than it answers: Is Toyota planning a different engine for its version of the so-called Toyobaru sports-coupe? Is Subaru's hesitation prompting Toyota to make its own plans? Did they not like how the engine sounded and opt to pipe in another soundtrack altogether? We can only speculate, but if you listen to the audio in the video clip after the jump and have your own idea, we're all ears.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept


[Source: 7Tune.com]

Read more →

REPORT: Nissan GT-R, Maserati MC12 heading to Le Mans

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 5:21PM


Nissan GT-R and Maserati MC12 at 2009 FIA GT test session – Click either image for high-res gallery

If you think you've seen schisms in motorsports by following the on-again, off-again rifts in F1, Indy racing and rallying, those are nothing compared to the fisticuffs endured in sportscar racing over the past few decades. In addition to the Rolex Daytona series and the IMSA, to name just two, the FIA and ACO have been running separate series with separate rules for years. But as the former realigns its sportscar series and the latter further branches out from the Le Mans venue itself to series around the world, the two France-based governing bodies have been getting their ducks in a row. And new coordination between the organizations could lead to some cars which had been relegated to one over the other to bridge the gap and compete for top honors in both.

Among those potential series crossovers are the racing-spec Nissan GT-R and the Maserati MC12, both of which comply with the new FIA GT regulations which ACO is now ready to adopt. Based on the Japanese Super GT-spec GT-R racer and with input from Nismo, British racing team Gigawave Motorsports fielded a GT-R in four races of the 2009 FIA GT Championship in preparation for a full-scale assault on the reformed GT1 World Championship next year.

Meanwhile, the Maserati MC12 has been dominating the GT1 category in the FIA GT Championship for the past five years running, winning back-to-back titles, but had remained outside the Le Mans rules as the ACO refused to homologate the Enzo-based racer. With the door to Le Mans now opened – and the corresponding series in Europe, America and Asia potentially along with it – the teams fielding both cars are reportedly enthusiastic to meet the ACO's requirements with backing from their respective factories.


Gallery: 2009 FIA GT Test Days


[Source: Autosport]

VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 2:40PM


Click above to watch the video after the jump

Here at Autoblog, we definitely don't condone drunk driving. But we have to admit it is a bit of a tricky thing. How are you supposed to tell if you're drunk if your judgment is already impaired? Well, one woman clearly could tell that at least someone on the road was drunk, and she gave herself up.

That's right. 49-year-old Granton, Wisconsin resident Mary Strey dialed #911 to report a drunk driver on the road. As it turned out, that drunk driver was her. She was even kind enough to pull over and waited for the police to arrive. All of which is a good thing, because according to The Associated Press, Strey had a blood-alcohol limit that was twice the legal limit. Good thing 9-1-1 is an easy number to remember. Follow the jump to listen to the priceless emergency dispatch recording.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Read more →

2010 European Car of the Year nominees announced

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 2:20PM



You'd expect the European Car of the Year contest to be stacked mainly with European cars, of course, if not cars from around the world that are sold in Europe. But this year, the fight is being waged almost exclusively between European cars that we don't even get on this side of the Atlantic.

The candidates for the 2010 awards were announced back in June, but that's basically just a list of eligible vehicles. Now the panel of automotive journalists from across the old continent have picked their seven nominees among from which the final winner will be selected. Those up for the prize are the Citroen C3 Picasso, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. The iQ is the only non-European product on stage, and the Mercedes the only car among the finalists even currently available in the North American market. That's definitely a bummer, but even without us, we expect the winner to be announced by the end of the month.

[Source: CaroftheYear.org]

Unique porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 China raises $1.77M at auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 11:20AM

Ferrari 599 China special in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao – Click above for high-res image gallery

A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is an exceptional piece of automotive art. Even more exceptional is the latest model equipped with the Handling GT Evoluzione package. More exceptional still is the limited-edition 599 HGTE made exclusively for the Chinese market. But even in this rarified territory, there exists one 599 HGTE China special that stands apart. We reported on it about a month ago, and it's now been sold at auction.

The one-off Fiorano was hand painted by Chinese artist Lu Hao with a pattern reminiscent of the sought-after Ge Liln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. This unique example was sold on Tuesday to an anonymous collector from Shanghai, who paid the equivalent of $1.77 million for the privilege. The proceeds are earmarked towards helping aspiring Chinese automotive engineers to make it to Italy for further studies and an internship opportunity at Maranello. On hand for the auction event, held at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing, were the artist, Ferrari executives, faculty members from the participating schools and none other than Michael Schumacher himself. Follow the jump for full details in the press release, and see more in our high-resolution image gallery below.


Gallery: Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao


[Source: Ferrari]

Read more →

Seven new Porsche models reportedly due over next four years... could there be more?

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 9:39AM

It doesn't seem that long ago that Porsche was a two-car company. But since then, the German automaker has come out with the Cayenne and the Panamera, taking it into new territory – for better or worse. Now that it's part of the Volkswagen Group, sources expect Porsche to begin expanding its lineup even more, and British rag Autocar has what they're calling a comprehensive outline for seven new models in the works at Stuttgart that will arrive over the course of the next four years.

Starting with next year, we should see V6 engines on offer in the Panamera, including gasoline and – in certain markets anyway – diesel-burning sixes. The same year should bring the new Cayenne, the third-generation model, with a more curvaceous body to look even more like a 911 on stilts.

Two years from now in 2011, we should be seeing a hybrid version of the Panamera coupling either a V6 or V8 engine to an electric motor for green propulsion. An all-new 911 is due by the summer of 2012, and is expected to be a significant departure from the existing model, both longer and wider with an all-new design – but don't expect the rear-engine set-up to go anywhere.

2013 could see the debut of the so-called Roxster, a baby brother to the Cayenne likely to share its platform with the Audi Q5, as well as the anticipated successor to the 928, based on the Panamera and arriving in both coupe and convertible body-styles. To Autocar's list we'll add the electric sportscar currently under development, the Boxster Spyder that we previewed earlier this morning, and the rumored RS Spyder-based supercar to succeed the departed Carrera GT, giving the Germans a more grandiose expansion plan than we've seen in over 60 years.

[Source: Autocar]

Prodrive reportedly working on phantom Mini crossover rally car

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 8:21AM


Mini Crossover Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors have been circulating for months that Mini is preparing an upcoming assault on the World Rally Championship. But since they surfaced, little else has been said. The apparent reason for that delay, as emerging reports indicate, is due to the postponement of the car on which it is to be based.

Following the departure of BMW from Formula One, the German auto group hardly has any involvement in any major form of motorsport, foreshadowing its arrival on the rally scene. While previous reports didn't delve into the question of whether Mini would mount the campaign itself or solicit outside help, the latest word is that legendary motorsport contractors Prodrive – who've been without a manufacturer partner since Subaru withdrew from rallying – is already working on a rally-spec Mini. But rather than use one of the existing models as its basis, they're reportedly waiting for the arrival of the new Countryman crossover.

That model, however, has been delayed, with pre-production debut pushed back from the Detroit Auto Show in January possibly until Geneva in March. Given the setback, Prodrive is reportedly working on the parts it can without laying hands on the vehicle on which they'll be installed. Sources now suggest that the WRC-sped Mini Countryman will make its debut next fall at the Paris Motor Show in September.


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: Autosport via MotoringFile]

Williams F1 signs Barrichello and Hulkenberg for 2010

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 7:40AM


Nico Hulkenberg tests the Williams-Toyota FW31 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest piece of the intricate puzzle that is the shake-up in drivers for the 2010 Formula One World Championship has come into play as Williams has confirmed its line-up for next season: Replacing Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima will be Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg.

Barrichello is a man who needs no introduction. The elder statesman of the paddock, Rubinho has won 11 grands prix and is set to hit the 300 race mark next season with Williams. This year he helped the Brawn GP team seize the constructors' title, after having raced for Jordan (now known as Force India), Stewart (now under the Red Bull banner), Ferrari and Honda.

Contrasting Barrichello's vast pool of experience, Hulkenberg will be one of the youngest and newest drivers on the grid. The reigning champion of the GP2 Series – whose winners always get F1 contracts the following season – the young German driver has also won the Formula Three Euroseries and the A1GP titles, and has previously served as Williams' official test driver.

No official word yet on where Rosberg and Nakajima will end up. With Williams switching to Cosworth power next season, they're under no further obligation to support Toyota's prodigy, who has since been overshadowed by Kamui Kobayashi. Rosberg, meanwhile, has been linked to a drive with either McLaren or Brawn GP for next season.

[Source: Williams]

Read more →

Next Page →






Autoblog Podcast #151: With Car and Driver's Eddie Alterman

Eddie Alterman wades in with Sam, Chris, Dan, and Jonny to talk about SEMA and other recent events.

 
 

Featured Galleries

  • SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona Challenger
  • LA Design Challenge 2009 Competitors
  • SEMA 2009: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS
  • SEMA 2009: Bigfoot
  • SEMA 2009: Black Bison Toyota Alphard
  • Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts
  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
  • Shelby Turbocharged Mustang
  • Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition
  • SEMA 2009: Ringbrothers 1964 Ford Fairlane
  • SEMA 2009: Lexus F-Sport
  • SEMA 2009: Hennessey HPE700 Camaro
AOL Autos

Find Your Next Car

Resources

10 Most Searched Cars on AOL Autos

Autoblog Video

Autoblog Green

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum