Archive for February, 2010
Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva
Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Skoda
In just a tiny bit now there’s going to be a party in Switzerland called the Geneva Motor Show, and Škoda is in on the BYOB action. The Czech brand will show off the facelifted Fabia, Fabia Estate and Roomster, along with their new engines. Both models get new grilles and so-called “3D-shaped headlamps” for “a more dynamic look” and to accentuate the width of the automobiles.
The power behind those new horizontals will be a new engine portfolio of four gas-powered units and two diesels that begin at 60 horsepower and top out at 105. One of those gas engines, the 1.2-liter TSI with 105 hp, runs through a 7-speed DSG ‘box and returns 53.3 imperial miles per gallon (44.4 U.S. mpg). Follow the jump for the complete specs, and have a look at the two cars in the photos below.
[Source: Škoda]
Continue reading Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva
Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Most powerful Buell ever: Staying in the race with the new 1190RR
Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Racing
It’s only been a few months since Harley-Davidson officially announced the demise of Buell, but the gang at Erik Buell Racing weren’t comfortable hanging up their leathers just yet. In fact, the newly-released 1190RR might be the first time we get to see the team really show off without any higher-ups to please.
Reading the specs, it clear that you won’t run into this Buell at a Riders Edge event. A new version of the Rotax-built V-twin will displace 1190cc and spit out 185 rear-wheel horsepower. EBR claims that through use of high-quality chassis components and good diet and exercise, they were able to reach a fighting weight of 360 pounds (before the 4.6 U.S. gallons of fuel are added to the frame).
The trick race-bred features keep coming, like a full titanium exhaust and valvetrain, multi-plate slipper clutch and straight-cut gear six-speed tranny. Chassis and suspension take the “tune to the moon” approach, with fully-adjustable Showa race suspension, variable rake and, therefore, variable wheelbase. Just off its championship victory in the 2009 AMA Daytona Sportbike series, Buell shows no sign of bowing out gracefully anytime soon. Click past the break to view the full specifications of the 1190RR.
[Source: Hell For Leather]
Continue reading Most powerful Buell ever: Staying in the race with the new 1190RR
Most powerful Buell ever: Staying in the race with the new 1190RR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Video: Traffic control in Pyongyang
Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos
North Korea might be a totalitarian hellhole run by a lunatic with an affinity for women’s M.C. Hammer glasses, but we’ll at least give Dear Leader this: his army of traffic-control maidens is a sight to behold. Stationed at intersections throughout Pyongyang, the uniformed women of the city’s traffic police go about their mission with robotic precision. It comes off as a deadly serious affair – no smiling, no banter – as they point what little traffic there is in the direction it needs to go. And, really, it is serious business: After all, even though there might be traffic lights, there’s tiny electricity available to power them.
As such, the burden of maintaining order on the roads falls on the shoulders of these often pretty, yet always stern-faced officials. As one oblivious Mini Cooper driver learns in one of the videos posted after the jump (how does one come to own a Mini in NoKo, anyway?), you can get the traffic girls to leave their posts, which are defined by circles drawn in the intersections, if you ignore their instructions. Only they won’t do so until after they complete a formal, choreographed changing of the guard ceremony.
Other observations: in the summer, the blue uniform tops appear to be exchanged for white ones, and the traffic-control stations (at least some of them) are augmented with shaded platforms that presumably make the job somewhat more bearable. It’s all bizarrely fascinating to watch, which you can do in several videos posted after the break.
[Source: Roger Ebert via Twitter | Image: BryanH - C.C. 2.0]
Continue reading Video: Traffic control in Pyongyang
Video: Traffic control in Pyongyang originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now… but not from TVR
Filed under: Automobile Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc.
Just a week ago, the rumor was spread that new TVRs will be coming to the U.S. and that they’ll cook their tires with U.S. engines – but you’ll probably have to wait until this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to get the details. Now we’ve been told that you can buy remanufactured versions of the Tuscan, Sagaris, and T350, and you don’t have to wait at all!
These old-as-new TVRs are being sold as rolling chassis, the same way you would buy a Superformance or Rossion, and have otherwise been made to comply with U.S. DOT laws. They’re available through Carmel Motorsports in Indianapolis, and all you’ll need to do after a phone call and a cash transfer is show up with an engine or a trailer.
We don’t know where the supply of cars is coming from, however. The “official” TVR isn’t building cars; these are coming from a company called Total Car Remanufacturing. TVR, get it? We don’t know anything about them, but hey, one call to Carmel can answer all your questions if you decide you’re ready for the raw rear-wheel-drive power of what used to be Blackpool’s finest. Hat tip to Alexis!
Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now… but not from TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now… but not from TVR
Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc.
Just a week ago, the rumor was spread that new TVRs will be coming to the U.S. and that they’ll cook their tires with U.S. engines – but you’ll probably have to wait until this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to get the details. Now we’ve been told that you can purchase remanufactured versions of the Tuscan, Sagaris, and T350, and you don’t have to wait at all!
These old-as-new TVRs are being sold as rolling chassis, the same way you would purchase a Superformance or Rossion, and have otherwise been made to comply with U.S. DOT laws. They’re available through Carmel Motorsports in Indianapolis, and all you’ll need to do after a phone call and a cash transfer is show up with an engine or a trailer.
We don’t know where the supply of automobiles is coming from, however. The “official” TVR isn’t building cars; these are coming from a company called Total Automobile Remanufacturing. TVR, get it? We don’t know anything about them, but hey, one call to Carmel can answer all your questions if you decide you’re ready for the raw rear-wheel-drive power of what used to be Blackpool’s finest. Hat tip to Alexis!
Why wait for the new TVR? Get one now… but not from TVR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.