GM Recalling 1.5 Million Vehicles Due To Fire Risks

General Motors Co. is undergoing a massive recall of 1.5 million 2006-2009 model year vehicles to disable a heated washer fluid system that poses a potential fire risk. The recall, slated to begin on June 14, covers 18 models from the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer and Saturn brands.

The heated washer fluid system was the subject of an August 2008 recall that included many of the same vehicles. Reports were that shorts in the system caused fires; a wire harness, which contained a fuse, was installed as a preventative measure. According to GM, however, the module’s internal thermal-protection device did not function properly and the fire risk remained.


As a result of the continuing fire risk, the automaker will remove the heated washer fluid module and reroute the fluid hoses.

GM said that it has since learned of 5 fires caused by the heated washer fluid system, but is unaware of any injuries or crashes related to the problem. Though there have been a small number of incidents, GM clearly isn’t taking any chances.

"While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind," said Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of Safety in a press release.

Vehicles included in the recall are the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.

Approximately 1.4 million of the vehicles under recall are in the United States, but the rest are in Canada, Mexico, and other countries, GM stated.

Because the feature will be disabled, GM has said it will make a voluntary payment of $100 to owners of lessees of recalled vehicles in addition to paying the actual cost of repair.

Owners will begin receiving recall notifications via mail this month, but can contact their dealer at any time for an appointment to have the heated washer fluid system removed.
source by autoblog

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Lamborghini Super Trofeo Racing Series Returns for Season Two

Europe is home to some of the finest racing series in the world and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo spec series is gearing up for its second season.

Never heard of the Super Trofeo? These racecars are lightened versions of the Gallardo LP 560-4 dressed in Blancpain livery and prepped for race duty. The Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V-10 puts out 570 horsepower while a retuned six-speed e.gear sends power to the all-wheel-drive system. High-friction steel brakes, “racing” ABS, a special aero package, and 18-inch competition wheels wrapped in Pirelli slicks complement the Super Trofeo’s 2900-pound weight. The chassis has been reworked and launch control has also been eliminated.


This year, the six-round season starts the weekend of April 24-25 at the Hockenheimring in Germany. The first round will support the DTM touring-car series; the remaining events will be paired with venues from FIA GT1 World, Le Mans Series, and Campionato Italiano di Gran Turismo. Each round contains 30 minutes of free practice, a 30-minute qualifying session, and three 40-minute races.

“The second Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo season is highly anticipated,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, Lamborghini’s director of brand and design. “We’re excited to see new teams join the Super Trofeo family for 2010, while competitors from last season will return to defend their honours. The on-track battles were extremely close in 2009, and we’re set for another thrilling season ahead.”

2010 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Calendar

April 24-25 -- Hockenheim -- DTM

May 22-23 -- Brno -- GT1 World

July 3-4 -- Paul Ricard -- GT1 World

July 29-31 -- Spa-Francorchamps -- GT1 World

August 21-22 -- Hungaroring -- Le Mans Series

September 24-26 -- Vallelunga -- Campionato Italiano di Gran Turismo (Italian GT Championship)

Source: Lamborghini

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Mercedes-Benz Dresses 2011 S63 AMG Like Classic 300SEL 6.8 AMG

Mercedes-Benz will be releasing its new 2011 S63 AMG this fall and has chosen to dress it up like the famed 300SEL 6.8 AMG endurance racer that once competed in the 24 Hours of Spa.

In 1971, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG took to the track of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to prove its mettle in that year's 24 Hours of Spa, and it performed admirably. Facing heavily favored racers including the Ford Capri RS, BMW 2800 CS, Chevrolet Camaro, Opel Commodore, and Alfa Romeo GTA, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG placed second after completing 308 laps around the scenic track, behind a Capri and ahead of a Camaro. The Mercedes recorded few mechanical issues but had to refuel often. Following its second-place finish, the red 300SEL gained international acclaim, especially in its home country of Germany. Mercedes even built 300 replicas in 2006.


To celebrate its 1971 success, Mercedes wrapped its new 2011 S63 AMG with matching sponsor decals, looking to channel the spirit of the old AMG-prepped 300SEL. Debuting in the S-Class is AMG's new twin-turbocharged V-8, a hand-built marvel that is more powerful and less fuel-thirsty than the outgoing 6.2-liter V-8.

After adapting the exterior, the two speedy sedans were sent around Spa for a classic photo shoot, and Hans Heyer (co-driver in 1971) was on hand with his trademark Tyrolean hat. As you can tell from the photos, the sticker placements are impeccable.

Mercedes sedan comparison

300SEL 6.8 AMG

Engine -- 6.8-liter V-8 (6.3-liter for the standard 300SEL 6.3)
Power -- 422 horsepower, 448 pound-feet of torque (247 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque for the non-AMG version)
Weight -- 3600 pounds
Top speed -- 165 mph
1971 24 Hours of Spa drivers -- Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz

2011 S63 AMG

Engine -- 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8
Power -- 536 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque (563 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque with performance package)
Weight -- 4700 pounds (estimate)
Top speed -- 155 mph (186 mph with performance package)

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa will be held July 29 to August 1.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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2011 WRX STI sedan runs 'Ring in 7:55, quickest ever for Subaru

Quick: What's the fastest production sedan in the world? Does it wear a Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW badge? What about the Porsche Panamera Turbo or the Cadillac CTS-V? There's no doubt that each of these vehicular behemoths is capable of ripping off some fast times on a race track near you, but Subaru is out to prove that its new 2011 WRX STI sedan has the chops to keep pace with the best from the rest of the world.


To prove its point, Subaru recently sent test driver and four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen out to the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife course in Germany with a 2011 STI test car. According to reports, the vehicle used in this testing was equipped with a few significant upgrades including a larger turbocharger that normally sees duty in the Japanese R205 model and some lightweight aluminum bits, but one thing is for certain: the 7:55 lap time is a mighty impressive result.

For those keeping track of such things, the previous best lap set by a Subaru WRX STI was in 2004 at 7:59.41 and the new mark set by Subaru – albeit with a
prototype, not a production car – is quicker than any of the aforementioned competition. Best of all, there's a video of one entire lap around the 'Ring and you can find the in-car footage after the break.

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$20 Price Bump For 2011 Corvette Line; ZR1 Jumps By $2920

Chevrolet hasn't revealed how much the Z06 Carbon will cost, but, thanks to leaked 2011 Corvette pricing, you should be able to spec a Z06 just like one for under $90,000. The Z07 performance package, which outfits a standard Z06 with the Carbon's Brembo brakes, Michelin tires, and fancy magnetic dampers, costs $9495. The CFZ package, which adds carbon-fiber bodywork, adds $3995. And the 2011 Z06's price? Like the base model and Grand Sport, it increases by $20, now costing $74,895.


This pricing information comes from Corvette Blogger, who claims to have received it Kerbeck Corvette, a dealer in New Jersey.

A base Corvette coupe is still under the $50,000 mark after destination, at $49,540. A Grand Sport coupe isn't far off, at $55,380. And the herculean ZR1, for 2011, now totals $110,390 after its $2920 price bump.

That Z06 Carbon replica? Take the Z06, add Z07 and CFZ packages, and you're at $88,385. That's assuming, of course, Chevy won't require you to pick items like the $7170 3LZ premium equipment group, and so on.

The options list follows:
C2L Roof Package - Includes Painted and Glass Tops $1,400
CC3 Glass Roof instead of Painted Roof $750
CCR Special order option $0
CFZ Z06 Carbon Fiber Package $3,995
D30 Color Combination Override $590
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control - Grand Sports $1,695
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control - Coupe/Conv $1,995
H33 Cyber Gray Metallic Headlamp Override $590
H34 Blade Silver Metallic Headlamp Override $590
H35 Black Headlamp Override $590
J55 Cross Drilled Brake Rotors $500
MN6 6-Speed Manual Transmission $0
MXO 6-Speed Paddle Shift Automatic Transmission $1,250
NPP Dual Mode Exhaust $1,195
PYD Grand Sport Competition Gray Wheels $395
PYE Grand Sport Chrome Wheels $1,995
Q44 Z06 Competition Gray Wheels $395
Q6B ZR1 Chrome Wheels $2,000
Q6J ZR1 Competition Gray Wheels $395
Q76 Z06 Original Chrome 10 spoke Wheels $1,495
Q8A Z06 Spider Chrome Wheels $1,995
Q9V Chrome 5 Spoke Wheels - Coupe and Conv Only $1,850
QX1 Split Spoke Competition Gray Wheels $395
R8C Museum Delivery $490
U3U Navigation 6.5" Screen $1,795
US9 6 Disc CD Changer $395
Z07 Z06 Ultimate Performance Package $9,495
Z15 Grand Sport Heritage Package $1,195
**6 Two-Tone Seating $695
36S Custom Leather Stitching - Yellow $395
37S Custom Leather Stitching - Blue $395
38S Custom Leather Stitching - Red $395
0B1 Cross Flag Embroidery on Headrests $300
28U Inferno Orange Metiallic $300
45U Velocity Yellow Premium Tintcoat $850
85U Jetstream Blue Premium Tintcoat $850
89U Crystal Red Premium Tintcoat $850
GLB Supersonic Blue Metallic $300

All vehicle pricing includes a $590 destination charge.

Source: Corvette Blogger

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Spied: U.S.-Spec Fiat 500s Testing in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, we’re told, is a perfect college town -- but as it’s about 18 miles east of Chrysler’s proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan, it’s also an ideal road trip destination for engineers exercising Fiat 500 prototypes.

We caught this duo of U.S.-spec 500 test vehicles following one white Euro-spec 500 through downtown Ann Arbor earlier this afternoon. Although we weren’t able to whip our camera out in time to catch all three Cinquecentos in a row, the U.S.-spec prototypes wore body stampings painted in black, and looked slightly wider than European models.


If our visual ruler holds true, this may lend credence to reports suggesting the 500 will grow slightly for its North American debut, allowing Fiat’s little hatchback to move to a new platform, will also underpin the Panda.

Production of the U.S.-spec cars is expected to commence in Chrysler’s Pueblo, Mexico, assembly plant this December. The base 500 will be the first to reach market in early 2011, while the 500C convertible, the performance-tuned Abarth, and a new station wagon model will follow shortly afterward. An electric-powered model and a four-door variant are also being considered.

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Revealed: Subaru Cosworth Impreza WRX STI CS400 Road-Going Rally Car

Subaru and Cosworth teased us earlier this year with a monster WRX STI, but now the full details on the finished product -- the Cosworth WRX STI CS400 -- have been revealed.

As Cosworth’s forte lies with engines, it’s not too surprising to read that the majority of CS400’s changes rest within the engine compartment. The CS400 retains the STI’s turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four-cylinder engine, but it’s received some serious surgery. Cosworth installs new high-performance pistons, high-strength steel connecting rods, and Cosworth-designed engine bearings. A new Cosworth-designed head gasket is also added, along with a high-pressure oil pump, and a revised turbocharger compressor and wastegate.


Cosworth hasn’t disclosed the boost pressures used, but the revisions -- along with a new exhaust system and revised ECU -- are enough to get the turbocharged engine pumping out 395 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That’s roughly 90 ponies and 103 pound-feet more than a U.S.-spec 2011 WRX STI.

We’d celebrate the car simply for the extra power, but Cosworth didn’t stop there. Engineers at the tuning firm partnered with Bilstein and Eibach to revamp the WRX’s chassis tuning to incorporate new coil springs that drop the ride height by a half-inch. Fourteen-inch AP Racing brake discs were added all around, a significant improvement over the 13- and 12.6-inch front and rear discs used on the 2011 STI.

Cosmetic tweaks are subtle, but they do help differentiate the CS400 from a standard WRX STI. Cossie-tuned Imprezas receive a new front fascia with foglamps, a mesh grille insert, and a unique rear spoiler. Larger 18-inch wheels not only help dress up the car’s appearance, but also increase the STI’s track by a half-inch. Buyers have little say in the exterior décor, but can choose between three paint colors (red, silver, and dark grey). Inside, all cars receive Recaro racing seats in lieu of the stock front buckets.

Only 75 of these incredible machines will be produced, and as we suspected, none will (legally) make their way to North America. The entire production run will consist of right-hand-drive models and will be sold in the United Kingdom. The CS400 will cost a whopping £22,505 more than the base WRX STI, bringing the total to £49,995.

Source: Autocar

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Tesla Generates $13.8 Million through Emissions Credit Sale

To help keep the company wheels turning, Tesla has sold its banked vehicle emissions credits to other automakers and raised $13.8 million.

Since setting up shop in 2003, Tesla has barely managed to turn a profit from selling its $130,000 Roadsters. About 1000 of the pure-electric Roadsters have been sold -- primarily to big-shot actors, musicians, and electric-car fans -- and Tesla is slowly inching towards its initial public offering that is expected to generate at least $100 million. Before its IPO, however, the Palo Alto, California-based company must keep the doors open and payroll up-to-date, and that is where the emissions credit sales come into play. Tesla disclosed it sold credits to Honda and at least one other unidentified automaker in an initial IPO filing.


The emissions credit program is managed by the California Air Resources Board and allows automakers to score points with the notoriously stringent state. Recent California emissions-control regulation from 2008 mandated the largest automakers -- Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota -- must combine to sell at least 60,000 plug-in hybrid or pure-electric vehicles in the state over a three-year period. The credits, which are measured in grams per mile of non-methane organic gas (g/mile NMOG), are earned with each certified clean- or zero-emissions vehicle sold and stored within a state database. Companies with more-polluting vehicles can use the credits to offset the extra emissions.

"Having these credits gives us some flexibility for the future," said Robert Bienenfeld, Honda's U.S. senior manager for environment and energy strategy. "Whether we'll need to purchase more, I can't say."

Without the credits, automakers are subject to state fines, fees, and potential sales restrictions in California, one of the largest auto markets in the United States.

To further strengthen its commitment to the Golden State, Tesla recently joined forces with Toyota to retool the former NUMMI plant in Fremont to build the entry-level Model S sedan.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

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Panoz Unveils New Abruzzi ‘Spirit of Le Mans’ at Le Mans

Many manufacturers make a big deal of their latest models with spectacular unveilings at major auto shows in front of thousands of press and industry big wigs. Not Panoz Motor Sports Group -- the small Georgia-based automaker is appropriately talking up its latest sports car -- the Abruzzi Spirit of Le Mans -- at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

“[The Abruzzi] is a culmination of equal parts time, effort, and dreams,” said Don Panoz. “The Panoz brand always has prided itself on hand-building and delivering an exotic automobile experience to our customers. Our new offering takes this to a completely new level.”


If the Spirit of Le Mans suffix didn’t clue you in, the Abruzzi is very much inspired by Panoz’s past Le Mans race cars, especially the roadsters and coupes it fielded in LMP and GTR1 classes, respectively. The slinky body is designed to incorporate the company’s new three-stage cooling system, which incorporates a rear-mounted radiator and air intakes integrated into the rear and side quarter windows.

The sophisticated cooling system will likely be necessary for the Abruzzi’s monstrous engine. For now, Panoz hasn’t detailed the engine specs, but says it will produce 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That’s impressive, but coupled with the new composite material Panoz developed for the car, it’s likely to be blessed with an astonishingly low curb weight. The REAMS material is reportedly dent resistant, completely recyclable, and is both stronger and lighter than carbon fiber.

Corresponding to the car’s exotic nature, Panoz will only build 81 examples of the Abruzzi -- one for each 24 Hours of Le Mans race held from 1923 to 2013 (the year Abruzzi production will cease). The vehicle will be so intrinsically linked to the race that Panoz will incorporate the specific race date and initials of the winning driver in each chassis number.

Panoz will also deliver completed vehicles in a very Le Mans-centric way. Each car will be hand-built in Hoschton, Georgia, and then shipped to the Circuit de la Sarthe. There, the new owner will receive driving instruction on the Bugatti circuit of the track. New owners will be invited to attend the race as guests of the ACO -- a major sponsor of the Le Mans enduro -- but they’ll be invited to drive a parade lap around the track next year.

Pricing for the car has not yet been released, but unfortunately for those hoping to grab one in the U.S., it won’t be street legal in this country. Panoz says that the car will only be homologated for street-use in Europe.

Source: Panoz Motor Sports Group

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