When the Bumble Bee Camaro just isn’t good enough, you may have to settle for a 570+ horsepower Camaro ZL1 that does not transform into anything except for an American engineered lateral-G rocket. Oh darn! A rocket is just what we will get in the new 2012 Camaro ZL1 featuring 6-piston caliper Brembo brakes up front, massive 305/35/20-inch tires in the rear, an exhaust note sure to put a big grin on your face, fine-tuned aerodynamics that cut through the air and hug the road when reaching triple digit speeds and a 570+ horsepower supercharged LSA V8 engine under the hood. Hit up the introduction video of the new Camaro ZL1 below to get a glimpse of America’s newest muscle car from the big bow tie! Source: Youtube Read the original here: Video: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Introduction View original here:  Video: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Introduction

We aren’t positive if this unbelievably pristine example currently listed on Ebay is the nicest first generation 4runner in the world, but we imagine it’s definitely in the running. This 38,708 mile example is about as close as you can get to buying a brand new example of a classic 26 year old SUV, but be forewarned, it doesn’t come without an equally hard to believe price tag. More » More here: Is this the nicest first generation Toyota 4runner in the world? [Found On EBay] Originally posted here:  Is this the nicest first generation Toyota 4runner in the world? [Found On EBay]

Jalopnik commenter LeadfootYT posted this excellent video from this weekend’s Ferraris at Lime Rock Park event that is just long enough to make us very very jealous we missed it. We’ve been promised more videos and pictures of the 100+ Ferrari event in the coming days, so be sure to keep an eye out for them at HittingRedline.com More » Read the rest here: Check out the sights and sounds of the 2011 Ferrari Day at Lime Rock Park [Video] Go here to see the original:  Check out the sights and sounds of the 2011 Ferrari Day at Lime Rock Park [Video]

Last week we told you about the world’s fastest R35 GTR through the 1/4 mile, built by AMS Performance . Since we last spoke about this car, the company has managed to take their 1300+ horsepower creation from a low nine second car to a high eight second car and produced this interesting video to go along with it. More » Read the original here:  Watch the world’s first eight second GTR [Video] Originally posted here: Watch the world’s first eight second GTR [Video]

US tuner, Wheels Boutique, is at it again with a new and unique look for our beloved Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Now partnering with ADV.1, they came up with a very different looking SLS AMG. Unique in a positive way, this tuning kit by the two companies is equipped with ADCV05 track rims, and they are enormous! The size of the front and rear rims are 9.5 21×12 and the tires are 375/20/21. This is indeed an innovation as we have not seen any tune for Mercedes-Benz cars that puts really big wheels. But who knows, Wheels Boutique might break their own record in the near future. But for now, check out more photos of the SLS AMG kit below. Read more here:  Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Bodykit by Wheels Boutique and ADV.1

Groundbreaking, revolutionary changes are afoot as we speak within the automotive industry and the ripples that these changes will create will echo for a very long time. Remember this date: July 29 th 2011. Location: Frankfurt, Germany. Topic: BMW i Future Mobility. This is the start of what history will most likely consider to be the first successful application of a zero-emissions platform by an automotive company that succeeded not only as an end product, but via its entire life-cycle from production to eventual upgrade and finally decommission. And it was at the hands of the BMW Group. I remember as a kid looking through magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Popular Science in the 90’s and reading articles describing, amongst other things, underwater super trains that would travel at insane speeds in a vacuum and connect continental Europe to North America. I recall thinking “man, I wish I could see that.” The recently unveiled BMW i3 and i8 carry a presence, an air of future tech about them that takes me back to when I was a kid, only this time, it is actually happening and taking place right in front of our own eyes. The future of mobility has been officially announced and even better, it exists, will be built and we will see it 2013-2014. No more talking, no more speculating, no more questions. The future is here and we are all witnesses to a major event within the automotive, mobility and sustainability sectors. “Design revolution.” Many companies from coffee machine makers to shoe manufacturers and car companies use these 2 words to describe their newest additions within their line-up. Many times, this is exaggerated and although changes can be seen, an “evolution” is more the case. With BMW i however, it really is a revolution in all sense of the word. Nothing that we’ve seen so far has even come close. The numbers speak for themselves, and so does the sheet-metal. Or in this case, extensive use of CFRP. And speaking of the numbers, here are some official figures for the BMW i3 and i8: BMW i3 BMW i8 With the i3, the goal is to meet the ever-increasing need for mobility in today’s ever expanding, larger and more populated cities and urban areas. However, the aim is to do it efficiently and in a sustainable manner. As such, the i3 is...

As you approach the glass and metal complex sparkling in the sun and twisting up into the sky, BMW’s Welt is truly a sight to behold. But what about the view from within? BMWBLOG has gained exclusive access to the ‘belly of the beast’ to discover the inner workings of this grand operation we know as the Welt. For the first time since its construction the depths of the Welt have been opened up to journalists – and BMWBLOG was the automotive authority present to capture the experience. Join us as we explore every corner and crevice of BMW’s ultimate delivery center. Ground broke for this super complex in the summer of 2003, and construction continued until late 2007. What slowly rose to the sky had the citizens of Munich gasping, and plenty of jaws drop to this day as thousands of people visit the Welt every year. BMW Welt translates ‘BMW World’ – and that is an accurate name for this mega hub of all things BMW. Walking through the front doors you enter an expansive space showcasing current BMW cars and motorcycles alongside a few classic cars including the famed BMW Isetta. Everything around you speaks of art and design and as you continue walking, the atrium opens up with metal beams and sheets of glass twisting and swirling around you. Beyond the impressive architecture, the Welt is a showcase of BMW’s operational efficiency. It is the crown jewel of the brand. Those fortunate enough to be taking delivery of their new BMW will appreciate the special treatment they enjoy as they are guided through the Welt’s delivery process, and those who visit the Welt in interest will have plenty to see, but today we take you into an underworld not seen before. With thousands of cars delivered from the Welt every month, one has to wonder exactly how this is achieved. Obviously cars do not grow on trees around the Welt, so how do they plop onto their rotating platforms in such quick succession, ready for another wide-eyed owner to take possession? It all starts at a loading dock unseen from the main roadways frequented by visitors. Car carrier trucks frequent the dock, unloading cars in a steady stream. From the delivery dock, the cars are accepted to their temporary home through a gaping mouth leading down below the...

This unusual transparent 1939 Pontiac sold at yesterday’s RM St. John’s auction in Michigan for an impressive $308,000 (including 10% buyers fee). Originally constructed by GM as one of two or three transparent display cars for the 1939 and 1940 World Fairs, the car cost an unbelievable at the time $25,000 to build when new. The Plexiglas bodied Pontiac is more of a display piece than a functional automobile, but what a display piece it is. More » The rest is here: See-through 1939 Pontiac sells for $308,000 [Car Auctions] Original post:  See-through 1939 Pontiac sells for $308,000 [Car Auctions]

WRC Rally Finland may have officially ended yesterday with an overall victory for Sebastien Loeb, but several WRC racers exited the rally a lot earlier and a lot less successfully than the French driver. As you can see from this video footage, there was no shortage of large crashes during Day 1 of Rally Finland. More » See the rest here:  See all the crashes from Day 1 of Rally Finland [Video] See the rest here:  See all the crashes from Day 1 of Rally Finland [Video]

Filed under: Formula One Sebastian Vettel extends his lead in the world championship standings with second place. He tells Autoblog UK why he is still not completely satisfied. Sebastian, second place only, but you’ve increased your championship lead. Sebastian Vettel: It was a good race for us. It’s not the most brilliant of results, because victory was not impossible, but all in all, it’s okay. You can now relax on your summer break and live to fight another day, am I right? Sebastian Vettel: Firstly, there’s still work to do looking into why we lost ground to McLaren and Ferrari in places, and then we must take a break and put things behind us, so that we can be fresh again for a major offensive. All things considered, were you happier this weekend than you were last time out? Sebastian Vettel: Absolutely. Our times were much better and I was fastest at times. But in the end, I was only second quickest overall in the race. I wouldn’t wish to be too presumptuous, but you should always aim to do your best and finish in first place, when you’re on pole.   The rest is here: Sebastian Vettel: Victory was not impossible More here: Sebastian Vettel: Victory was not impossible

Filed under: Formula One Christian Horner looks back on the race in Hungary with Autoblog UK and is quite satisfied at the outcome given the weather. Sebastian looked very happy with P2. You would have preferred a win, no doubt, but today’s result was the best possible, I suppose? Christian Horner: It was a good result given the conditions. A lot can go wrong in such poor conditions. These are the worst conditions for a race, neither wet nor dry. From that aspect, P2 is a great result. Two drivers in the lead, one of them 85 points clear, you must be pleased… Christian Horner: It’s good as we go into the summer break, but we mustn’t forget, McLaren and Ferrari are also very strong. We’ll step on the gas this week prior to the factory summer shutdown. Are McLaren faster in the wet than you? Is this something you must work on? Christian Horner: It varies. We were quicker at various stages in the race, and then they were faster. These are unusual conditions for Hungary, but they seem to like the cool weather. We would prefer to be where it’s warmer.   See the original post here: Christian Horner: Good result given conditions Original post:  Christian Horner: Good result given conditions

Welcome to Found Off The Street, our look at cars found on the cape that rust liked so much it decided to summer there; Cape Cod, MA. Today we have a Mercedes Unimog 406. More » See the rest here:  Found Off The Street: Mercedes Unimog 406 [Found Off The Street] See the original post here: Found Off The Street: Mercedes Unimog 406 [Found Off The Street]

When I was a teenager back in the ’80s, we relied almost exclusively on the car to get us around. It was the car because the bus was slow and infrequent. Furthermore, a car was a sign you were successful enough to not have to resort to public transportation. Or worse – your bike. I also remember watching the news reports on China from that era… See the original post here: Opinion: Make Collision Avoidance Systems Mandatory

Filed under: Formula One At the end of 70 action-packed laps in the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jenson Button was able to celebrate his 200th Formula One start with a victory. The Englishman had the best strategy, displaying intelligence and pace when it really mattered. Sebastian Vettel took second place, despite the fact that his Red Bull was clearly struggling with the wet conditions. Fernando Alonso put in a solid performance to claim the remaining podium spot. For a long time, it had looked as if Lewis Hamilton had the race sewn up, until a sequence of errors ruined his day. Damp start The outcome of this race was never predictable. Because it had been raining just before the start, all the teams opted for intermediates. Vettel held position for the first few turns, but Hamilton was all over the back of him and pounced on the reigning champion’s first error. Meanwhile, an overtaking spectacular was going on behind, the likes of which has probably never been seen in Hungary before. The rain soon stopped and there was a mad rush for slicks. Shortly after the first stop, Button also managed to nail Vettel, and the current championship leader was dropped back to third. This was because the McLarens had the better pace in the slightly damp conditions. As the surface dried out, the gap also started to come down, but in the third stint, race leader Hamilton then made his first error, switching to supersofts on his third stop while Button and Vettel opted for primes. The other two benefited from the undercut while Hamilton was pushing to create a pit stop window. Penalty for Hamilton But the desired gap failed to materialise, and when Hamilton went into a spin, Button sailed past with Vettel close behind. In the same incident, Hamilton made his second mistake, performing a three-point turn which forced Paul di Resta off track. The stewards then imposed a drive-through penalty. Hamilton’s third error was to pit for intermediates when it looked as though the rain might be setting in again, even though his main rivals stuck with their slicks. The rain stopped and slicks were indeed faster, so he had to make another pit stop in addition to his penalty. Despite all these tribulations, Hamilton still crossed the line in fourth place, overtaking Webber on the last...

Filed under: Formula One “I like cake,” said Jenson Button at the Hungaroring, hinting at the hobbit within. On the eve of his 200th Formula One race, third place on the grid and the chances of winning his bicentennial Grand Prix seemed to be of secondary importance. “Maybe I’ll get a cake, so that’s definitely one good aspect,” he said with his usual mischievous grin. It seems he can never get his fill: “At dinner yesterday evening, the team had a cake for me. In the hotel, there was another. So I’ve already managed two and I’m open to another one later on.” Unfortunately, nothing came of it. While Jenson was dreaming of all manner of cakes in the qualifying debrief and discussing strategy and telemetry data with his engineers at the same time (to the extent that the huge, imaginary cake plate in his head permitted), Jessica and Papa John in the McLaren motor home were busy preparing a cocktail reception – without cake! Instead, there were monstrous lollipop-shaped biscuits and mini biscuits in three different flavours and designs – the Union Jack, the number 200 and his initials JB – Jensons to get your teeth into, so to speak. The other drivers happily munched away, and even Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug was seen to be nibbling one. Button had flown to the Nürburgring last weekend to congratulate Haug on his 300th Grand Prix – Jenson is still 100 biscuits short of that target. After the really very tasty biscuits (Our professional opinion: “Incredibly delicious. We obviously had to try them as the jelly babies from the Nürburgring were all snaffled long ago.”) had all been consumed and the guests and the team had departed the McLaren hospitality suite, Sebastian Vettel and Bernie Ecclestone popped round and presented Jenson with an elegant black cigar-shaped box wrapped with a rather questionable pink ribbon. Maybe this contained the cake that Jenson had been yearning for?   See the rest here: 200 biscuits for Jenson Read the original post:  200 biscuits for Jenson