LUXURY - Saab's Last 900 Cars Head To Auction

This is information about LUXURY - Saab's Last 900 Cars Head To Auction. If you thought you’d missed your chance to pick up a new Saab before the now-semi-defunct brand was gone for good, despair not: additional units, leftover from port inventory will be heading to dealer auction next week.

According to Saab World (via Jalopnik), the first 300 of 900 remaining cars will be offered exclusively to Saab dealers in the United States, but it’s their call whether to sell the cars (presumably at a massive discount) or strip them down for spare parts.

The remaining 600-unit inventory will be sold off in batches of 100 to rental car agencies and exporters, meaning that they won’t even be available to U.S. Saabophile consumers, at least not until the rental agencies are done with them.

While the bulk of the port inventory is limited to 9-3 models, buried deep in the sale listing (PDF link) are some tasty morsels for Saab fans. There’s a 1970 Saab Sonnett III and a 1985 Saab 900 SPG (which, if you’ve never driven one, feels like the world’s fastest Barcolounger), as well as a few 9-5 and 9-4X models sold as parts vehicles only.

Saab World reports that some dealers still have inventory, with leftover models selling at discounts of 30-50 percent; with no warranty coverage included, that’s only a bargain until something expensive breaks. On the plus side, it looks like North American Saab owners will be able to get spare parts for the foreseeable future.

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News - 2013 Ford Focus ST

This is information about News - 2013 Ford Focus ST. If there's a poster car for the 'One Ford' mantra, it might just be the new 2013 Ford Focus ST. Without Ford's initiative to consolidate global development for same-sized vehicles under single development teams—and models that will work in all major markets—it's likely we'd never have seen a high-performance Focus that's this good, this much fun to drive, and with this high-value, under-$25,000 base price.

What's arriving to dealerships in September is a sophisticated, high-performance hatch that doesn't feel like a Focus with some bolted on go-fast equipment; rather, it's refined for a hot hatch, worth the extra money over a well-equipped standard Focus, and a better performance deal compared to some other rivals.

It’s not all that surprising that the 247-horsepower 2013 Ford Focus ST can dash to 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds (conservatively) and reach a top speed of nearly 155 mph. For this much-anticipated model, that’s pretty much exactly the performance package we’ve been primed to expect in this true enthusiast hot hatch.

What is surprising on many levels is the suave execution. This is a vehicle you could drive daily, without annoyance, and without having to budget for a chiropractor. We say this because many of the smaller performance models make some sacrifices in ride and road/engine noise that can be pretty hard to live with daily. As we found in a drive of the Focus ST on a wide range of road types in Southern France this past week, this is one small performance car that you shouldn’t at all be afraid to drive on the commute, or take on the long-distance road trip.

Refined enough for the commute

The new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is superb, and we confess to wondering whether it was too quiet and refined at first. It features direct injection but is lacking the clattery sounds at idle that usually call it out; once underway, you'll also note that Ford has masked this turbocharged engine's telltale whistle of forced induction, and the rap of a wastegate (it points to very precise metering instead). Match that with the remarkably instant power delivery in the mid-range revs, and it's sometimes easy to forget that you're driving a significantly boosted (16 psi) turbocharged engine.

Those technologies, combined with Ford's Ti-VCT variable cam timing system allow the engine to make 247 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, with a remarkably flat, wide torque curve that makes it all available from about 2,000 rpm through to 4,500 rpm. And thanks to a special overboost allowance in the ST, it can go into an 'overboost' mode, making 270 pound feet for up to 20 seconds (depending on conditions).

On small French backroads, passing slow-moving Citroen Picassos and overloaded cargo trucks, the wallop of that overboost mode proved addictive for quick passing bursts. Provided you're in second, third, or fourth gear and at 2,000 rpm or higher, a quick foot to the floor is met with an almost instantaneous rush of acceleration. No need to worry about peakiness or a narrow sweet spot here, either; although less frenzied near the top of its rev range than you'd expect, it builds all the way up to its 6,500-rpm redline.

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MOTORSPORTS - Marco Andretti Leads All-Important Iowa INDYCAR Practice

This is information about MOTORSPORTS - Marco Andretti Leads All-Important Iowa INDYCAR Practice. The IZOD IndyCar Series teams have completed their all-important second practice that will designate lineups for the three heat race scheduled later this evening. Those three races will determine the grid for Saturday night's Iowa Corn 250 on the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway oval, the third consecutive oval race in as many weekends.

As he did during the first practice, Marco Andretti was the quickest driver of the day. The (newly clean-shaven) defending race winner at this track, Andretti took his No. 26 Andretti Autosport Team RC Cola Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone Indy car used his eighth lap of 43 to put up a massive 186.041-mph tour of the oval. It took Dario Franchitti until his penultimate (of 57) lap to bring the No. 10 Team Target Honda-powered Indy car to second overall, at 185.715.

Team Penske's Helio Castroneves was third in the No. 3 Penske Truck Rental Chevy at 185.713, zooming up the speed charts early in the afternoon to take that time on his fifth lap. Teammate Will Power was fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Chevy at 185.512 and the third Penske driver, Ryan Briscoe was fifth in his No. 2 PPG Automotive Finishes Chevy.

James Hinchcliffe's No. 27 GoDaddy.com Chevy took sixth place, last weekend's winner, Ryan Hunter-Reay was seventh with his No. 28 DHL/Sun Drop Chevy and Scott Dixon took the final spot for the third, pole-shootout heat race with the No. 9 Target Honda, giving Honda and Chip Ganassi Racing two spots in the oval equivalent to Firestone Fast Six qualifying.

Nearly all the drivers said the Firestone tires go off after about 20 laps, so we might expect the three, 30-lap heat races to come alive in the final 10 tours of this fun oval. With 25 cars on the premises, the balance of the field is delegated for their heats by even and odd-numbered finishes in this practice session.

From ninth place onward, the odd-numbered drivers in their second heat race are: Rubens Barrichello (Chevy), Alex Tagliani (Honda), Justin Wilson (Honda), Tony Kanaan (Chevy), James Jakes (Honda), Charlie Kimball (Honda), rookie Simon Pagenaud (Honda), rookie Katherine Legge for Chevy and Simona de Silvestro's Lotus, the sole car more than a second behind Andretti at 175.269 mph.

From tenth back in the first heat race lie Graham Rahal (Honda), rookie Josef Newgarden (Honda), EJ Viso's Chevy, JR Hildebrand's Chevy, Oriol Servia (Chevy), Mike Conway (Honda) , Ed Carpenter (Chevy) and Takuma Sato's Honda.

The three heat races that determine Saturday's Iowa Corn 250 grid take place later Friday evening and will be shown on NBC Sports beginning at 8PM EDT on Saturday, with the race following immediately afterwards.

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MOTORSPORTS - NASCAR Gives Kentucky Speedway A Second Chance

This is information about MOTORSPORTS - NASCAR Gives Kentucky Speedway A Second Chance. After about a decade of trying, Kentucky Speedway in the small northern town of Sparta finally earned a date on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule in 2011. The debut Sprint Cup event at the track was highly anticipated, as Kentucky Speedway was the first track in several years to break into the ranks of tracks at NASCAR's top level.

But that race last summer ended up turning into somewhat of a disaster, as far as the fan experience was concerned. Thousands of cars sat at a standstill for miles on I-71, in line to get into the track for the historic event. After hours of sitting in traffic, thousands of ticket-holding fans were turned away, unable to attend the race, despite having tickets to the event in-hand.

Fans who were turned away claimed seeing empty parking lots, temporary staff hired to direct traffic were accused of not knowing what they were doing, and Speedway Motorsports Inc. (parent company of Kentucky Speedway) CEO Bruton Smith declared I-71 the worst stretch of interstate in the U.S.

“Kentucky Speedway regrets the traffic conditions surrounding the Quaker State 400,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said. “We’re committed to working with NASCAR, state and local officials and traffic experts to assure that this never happens again.”

Despite what was widely discussed within the motorsports media in the days and weeks that followed the debacle as a black eye on the image of NASCAR, Kentucky didn't lose its all-too-precious spot on the Sprint Cup schedule for 2012. The track gets a second shot, but not before a stern warning from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

“This situation cannot happen again,” France said.

That second shot is coming up soon, with the Sprint Cup Series scheduled to compete in the Bluegrass State in a Saturday night showdown on June 30, with preliminary Camping World Truck and Nationwide series events to be held the two nights prior.

What steps has the track taken to make sure things go more smoothly this time around?

With the purchase of additional acreage and a change of purpose to some of the existing speedway property, some 300 acres of new parking was added to accommodate about 20,000 additional vehicles.

Roadways leading into the speedway were also expanded by widening and lane additions to assist in getting traffic off of I-71 as efficiently as possible. And speaking of I-71, the interstate was also widened through the area.

In addition, Kentucky State Police have devised an extensive traffic control plan that was revealed recently.

Some fans who at least tried to attend the inaugural Sprint Cup event at the track a year ago may have been so turned off by the experience that they simply decide to stay home this time around. But for those willing to give the Kentucky Speedway another chance, Smith, SMI and NASCAR are confident that the past is in the past and fans will have a much better experience in 2012.

NASCAR will be watching closely to see how it goes. Still, Kentucky State Police fans encourage race goers to leave home early.

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News - 2013 MINI Clubvan Preview: Small Package Delivery

This is information about News - 2013 MINI Clubvan Preview: Small Package Delivery. The MINI range has burst forth in proliferation over the past handful of years, expanding from the Cooper and Convertible and their three variants to include the Clubman, Countryman, Coupe, Roadster, and now the Clubvan.

Rooted--loosely--in history to the Morris Mini Van, the Clubvan aims to secure the lower tax rates and other advantages offered to commercial vehicles, since that's how it will be classified--the first MINI to get the distinction.

We've known the Clubvan was coming to production since April, despite being shown originally as a concept-only car at the Geneva Motor Show. The fast-track treatment was easy for the Clubvan, as it's essentially identical to the Clubman, but with no rear seats or rear side windows, making hurdles like crash-test certification and tooling much easier to clear.

So what do you get with the Clubvan? Unlike most of the rest of the MINI range, there will be no S or John Cooper Works variants of the Clubvan. In the U.S., that means we get just one engine option: the 121-horsepower MINI Cooper 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available. Otherwise, it's largely what it seems: a semi-gutted, cargo-carrying Clubman, right down to width, height, wheelbase, and overall length.

The cleared-out rear cargo area is complemented by blocked-out rear side windows with interior polycarbonate reinforcements, tinted glass in the rear doors, a flat load floor, carpeted side walls, 12-volt sockets in the cargo area, and a cargo-attachment system in the back. An aluminum and stainless steel mesh partition between the front passenger area and cargo compartments keeps each in its proper zone.

Total space in the rear cargo area is 30.3 cubic feet, extending 44.8 inches long and 40.1 inches high. The maximum payload capacity for the MINI Clubvan is 816 pounds.

Also unlike other MINIs, the level of available personalization is limited, reflecting its intent as a work vehicle rather than a personal statement. Only four exterior colors will be offered, including Pepper White, Ice Blue, British Racing Green, and Midnight Black--the latter two being metallic hues. Inside, standard equipment is Cosmos fabric upholstery with black interior and Fine White Silver trim. The cabin can be somewhat more customized, however, with available sport seats in cloth or leather, alternative trim strips, and a range of interior upholstery looks and materials.

Nearly the full MINI accessory and features catalog is available for the Clubvan, however, meaning owners will be able to opt for automatic climate control, park distance sensors, MINI Connected with a 6.5-inch LCD screen, navigation, and more.

The MINI Clubvan arrives at dealerships this fall.

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Super Cars - Lamborghini Aventador Crashes In Dubai

This is information about Lamborghini Aventador Crashes In Dubai. Just a couple of weeks after a similar exampled crashed into a motorbike in Italy, another bright orange Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has crashed, this time in Dubai.

The vehicle, which bears no license plates, was left an exotic car center with the damage you see here.

While it’s uncertain how the crash occurred, the guys at GTSpirit report that the owner was attempting to complete a drift with the car when he lost control of it and crashed into a curb or possibly another vehicle.

While this car is unlikely to be a write-off, the damage appears to be rather severe.

The front axle appears to be completely broken, suggesting there may be some expensive suspension damage, and the front bumper and one of the headlights also appears to be wrecked. Fortunately, it looks as though the rest of the car escaped unscathed, which means the engine and carbon fiber monocoque should be fine.

There’s no word if there were any human injuries, though we’re sure someone must have a bruised ego.

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INDUSTRY - Volvo Seeks Partner To Build Cars In North America

This is information about Volvo Seeks Partner To Build Cars In North America. Volvo concedes that to be a success in North America it will need a local manufacturing base.

Having witnessed the success of premium European marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz building cars in the U.S., as well as Volkswagen and soon Audi ramping up their manufacturing bases in North America, Volvo has admitted that it too will need to move some production to North America if it hopes to expand sales.

However, despite the financial backing of Chinese parent Geely, Volvo would still need an alliance partner to build cars in North America, according to its CEO Stefan Jacoby.

“In the medium term, five to six years, we need to find a proper solution in North America,” Jacoby told Bloomberg during a recent interview. “Building a plant ourselves is maybe more unlikely. I’m looking for a partner that could help us utilize a North American plant.”

Jacoby, who oversaw the launch of Volkswagen’s U.S. plant in Chattanooga, TN during his previous role as the chief of the German automaker’s U.S. division, also revealed that Volvo was already in talks with several potential partners, one of which is Fiat-Chrysler.

Jacoby has previously stated that Volvo was open to forming alliance with a rival firm to help share costs for the development of a new-generation of small cars and engines.

Ideally, this rival firm would also be its partner for its North American production, which once again makes Fiat-Chrysler an ideal choice due to its wide array of small cars sold under the Fiat label.

Volvo, which hopes to double its global sales to around 800,000 units by 2020, is currently losing money in the North American market despite making a profit in Europe. The Swedish automaker’s vehicles don’t command the same kind of margins that its rivals from Germany enjoy so importing cars from Europe is proving a tough business.

This is especially true for cheaper models, which is one of the reasons why Volvo won’t be introducing the recently revealed V40. A crossover version of the V40, labeled the XC40, is expected though.

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Sport Cars - Spain’s Tauro V8 Spider Based On The Pontiac Solstice

This is info about Spain’s Tauro V8 Spider Based On The Pontiac Solstice. Spain is quickly proving to be a hotbed for sports car development. Following the launch of the stylish Spano supercar from GTA Motors back in March, and the announcement last month of a new model from Aspid, another company based in Spain is now celebrating the launch of a new V-8 powered convertible sports car.

That company is Tauro, which at a recent event announced the new V8 Spider and rolled out two examples of the car.

The Tauro V8 Spider is based on the chassis of a Pontiac Solstice but gets a 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 engine sourced from GM.

This is the same engine found in the Corvette supercar and in the Tauro V8 Spider it is rated at 440 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque and is matched to either a manual or automatic transmission.

Should a customer desire greater performance, Tauro will happily install some power upgrades. Modifications to the camshafts and cylinder heads lift output to 480 horsepower, and if even more performance is demanded a supercharging kit will offer as much as 650 horsepower.

Inside, premium leather can be found on most surfaces and can be ordered in virtually any color.

So far only two cars have been built though Tauro plans a small run of 30 cars altogether. The company is currently taking orders and expects final pricing to come in at roughly 100,000 euros (approximately $125,315).

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LUXURY - 2012 BMW M6 Coupe And Convertible Mega-Gallery

This is info about 2012 BMW M6 Coupe And Convertible Mega-Gallery. We’ve already given you all the news that’s fit to print about BMW’s 2012 M6 Coupe and Convertible models, including our first drive report on the open air version, published earlier this month.

We’ve praised the M6’s TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V-8, which makes 560 horsepower and some 502 pound-feet of torque, on tap from just 1,500 rpm. If you’re keeping score at home, BMW claims that the beast under the M6’s hood is the most powerful engine ever available in a series-produced BMW M model. It's worth noting that BMW uses the same engine in the all-new M5 sedan, too.

We’ve called the chassis “sophisticated,” with a “seemingly endless” number of user-customizable settings on the suspension, steering, throttle response and stability control, and we’ve even praised the M6 Convertible for its open-air comfort and refinement, even at high speeds.

We’ve even noted the car’s value. Although the M6 Coupe starts at $113,995 and the Convertible at around $130,000, similar offerings from Audi, Aston Martin and Jaguar often sticker for considerably more money.

From our perspective, then, the only thing left is to give you a mega-gallery of newly-released images from BMW. Enjoy. 

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LUXURY - 2013 Lexus GX 460 Priced From $54,320

This is info about 2013 Lexus GX 460 Priced From $54,320. While the 2013 Lexus GX 460 remains identical to the 2012 model, it does see a slight price increase: the base model will start at $53,445 plus a destination fee of $875, totaling $54,320.

Stepping up to the GX 460 Premium raises the price to $58,915 (including destination). Both GX 460 and GX460 Premium prices for the 2013 model year reflect a $200 increase over 2012 prices.

The extra $4,595 for the Premium model gets you a host of upgrades, including three-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming power-folding side mirrors, bubinga wood trim, heated outboard middle row seats, adaptive front lighting with HID headlamps, and more.

While either version of the 2013 GX 460 comes well equipped in standard form, Lexus offers a range of upgrade packages, too, including navigation with a Mark Levinson premium surround sound system ($3,930), standalone navigation with Lexus Enform telematics ($1,990, available only on base models), a Sport Design package with 18-inch F sport wheels and more ($1,999), and two safety upgrade packages available only on the GX 460 Premium, including a wide-view front/side monitor system with pre-collision and driver attention monitor ($3,170), and the same package without the front/side monitor system ($2,670).

A la carte options include a dual-screen DVD rear-seat entertainment system ($2,400), parking assist ($500), and a wide range of accessories.

The 2013 Lexus GX 460 arrives at dealerships this July.

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LUXURY - 2013 BMW X1 Configurator Launched, Three Trim Lines Available

This is info about 2013 BMW X1 Configurator Launched, Three Trim Lines Available. The 2013 BMW X1 is headed to the U.S. for delivery this fall, but now you can build one up to your ultimate specification on the official build page. Three model lines are available, differing in appearance and equipment much like the various lines available for the 2013 3-Series.

The three lines include X Line, Sport Line, M Sport Line, plus the standard X1 xDrive35i. The X Line is the most basic, with 18-inch alloy wheels, leatherette and Nevada leather upholstery, high-gloss dark copper trim, and matte wood trim. The X Line trim costs $1,900.

The Sport line gets its own take on the 18-inch wheels, adds black side mirror caps, and eight-way power adjustable front sport seats as well as two-way adjustable head rests, high-gloss black trim, brushed and aluminum interior accents, all for $1,900.

The M Sport line gets yet another set of 18-inch wheels, a sport suspension, gloss black roof rails, an aerodynamic body kit, Shadowline exterior trim, three-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, anthracite headliner, M badges on the door sills and foot rest, wood and aluminum trim, and a raised top speed limiter, for just $2,500.

To build out your ultimate X1--and we recommend starting with the M Sport line--head over to the configuration site now.

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Super Cars - AMS Alpha 12 Nissan GT-R Breaks Through 200 MPH Barrier

This is info about AMS Alpha 12 Nissan GT-R Breaks Through 200 MPH Barrier. We've brought you no shortage of coverage of AMS's brutally quick Alpha 12 Nissan GT-R, including its blazing 60-130 mph times and its ever-faster quarter mile times. Now, the car has cracked the 200 mph mark, with our friend and fellow auto writer Jason Harper at the wheel.

Writing for BusinessWeek, Harper relates the experience of pedaling the 1,500-horsepower Alpha 12 past the double-ton--all the way to 214 mph, in fact, in just 24 seconds. We'll leave the storytelling to his able words, but it's every bit as exciting as you'd expect.

If you've forgotten, the AMS Alpha 12 is rated at about 1,500 horsepower at the crank--and 1,318 horsepower at the wheels. That is, quite literally, an insane amount of power for a street-legal car. Rocketing to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, clearing 60-130 mph in just 3.46 seconds, and reading the quarter-mile mark in 8.97 seconds, there's no other word for it but fast.

Perhaps even more impressively, AMS's engineers figure the Alpha 12 is capable of reaching 238 mph, reports Harper, though they don't appear to have taken it to that limit.

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Super Cars - Jaguar XJ220 Celebrates 20th Birthday This Weekend

This is info about Jaguar XJ220 Celebrates 20th Birthday This Weekend. It's been 20 years since the Jaguar XJ220 burst onto the scene, setting new benchmarks for supercar design and performance, and now it's going to celebrate its birthday. 

Unfortunately, you'll have to be in England to get in on the party, which will be held this weekend, June 23-24, at Weston Park in Shropshire as part of the International Jaguar Weekend. 

The car's designer, Keithe Helfet, as well as Jim Randle, another member of the build team, and Mike Moreton, build team member and author of the book "Jaguar XJ220 - The Inside Story," will all be in attendance at the celebration. Though it was launched and first started delivery in 1992, the XJ220 was first unveiled to the public in 1993 at the Autosport International Show--though it was first shown as a concept car five years before, at the 1988 British Motor Show. 

Regardless of the specifics of its age, the XJ220 was simply breathtaking at the time of its launch, both in looks and in performance. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 542 horsepower, and weighing in at just 3,200 pounds, the potent Jag could reach as high as 220 mph, giving the car its name. The XJ220 also managed a very impressive 7:46.37 lap time of the famed Nordschleife--a figure now eclipsed by much less exotic cars, but incredibly quick for its time. 

Only 275 XJ220s were built over a two-year model run, but despite the short production span and tiny volume, it remains an icon in the supercar world. 

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