Shelby Introduces Limited Edition 2012 Shelby GT350, Adds Convertible Option for the First Time Since 1970

At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, Shelby unveiled the limited edition 2012 Shelby GT350, which enters the new model year with two fresh color options and, for the first time since 1970, a convertible body style. Based on the Ford Mustang GT, the Shelby GT350 comes with three engine choices, including a base version with a naturally aspirated 430HP V8 mated to either a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission, and two supercharged variants delivering 525HP and 624HP.

The new color options are Race Red and Kona Blue, both with white Le Mans stripes, while the Performance White with blue Le Mans stripes combo continues for the 2012MY. Last but not least, the new GT350 convertible can be ordered with a light bar, while other options include a once piece drive shaft and color coordinated billet aluminum engine cap set.

“Last year, we brought back the GT350 45 years after it was launched,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “They look and sound just like the ones we built in 1965. We’re repeating history by offering two additional colors and building a few convertibles for the second year of production.”

Prices, not including the donor Mustang GT, start from US$26,995 for the naturally aspirated version and US$33,995. The company said it plans to keep production limited to 350 units.

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The Audi A8 Says, "Long Live the T-Shifter!"

When Hyundai launched the i30 small car on the Australian market, it marked the end of not only the Excel/Accent lineage down under but also the end of the automatic T-shifter. The Accent, a subcompact design available in either a four door sedan or five door hatchback body style, was the last car sold here to feature the venerable (if archaic) T-shaped automatic gear stick.

The T-shifter was born in the 1960s, as American automakers moved away from the steering column mounted automatic and towards a system that reduced complexity and design differentiation between its automatic and manual models. As the ‘80s moved into the ‘90s, automakers - for whatever reason - moved away from the T-shift and toward the semi-ubiquitous, upright “drumstick” shifter.

It seems that the T-shifter is back, at least for one car. The new Audi A8’s ergonomically friendly, chunky automatic gear shift has that distinct T-shaped that many of knew and loved from the pre-‘90s. Some bloggers believe that the automotive behemoth’s unique choice of shifter will influence other carmakers to return to the classic T. Personally, I’m not convinced. Feel free to leave your comments below if you disagree, or have some fond T-shifter memories to share.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: WSJ

Ram Introduces New 1500 Tradesman at Chicago Show

Chrysler's Ram division introduced the a new Tradesman option package for the 2011 Ram 1500 at the Chicago Auto Show. Based on the ST trim level, the new variant comes with the 390HP 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and five-speed automatic transmission, accompanied by a more comprehensive standard equipment list.

The Tradesman packages includes the Class IV trailer hitch, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling, 17-inch steel wheels, front and rear heavy-duty shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizer bars, 160-amp alternator and a 700-amp maintenance-free battery.

Furthermore, customers can choose from a long list of options such as 3.21 and 3.92 rear axle ratios, anti-spin differential, engine block heater, folding trailer-tow mirrors, rubber floor mats, tire pressure monitoring system and a variety of tow hooks.

Available in short- and long-bed configurations, in two- and all-wheel drive configurations, the Tradesman has a maximum towing capacity of 10,450 lbs. According to Ram, the 4x2 models return 20 mpg (11.7 lt/100 km) on the highway.

“The Ram Tradesman is named for -- and aimed at -- the heart of our business”, said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people. Durability, reliability and value for the money are the top three considerations for our customers. Their truck is the most important tool they own and one they’ll use every day. The Ram Tradesman is a truck they can depend on”.

The 1500 Tradesman is due for launch in the second quarter of 2011, with a starting MSRP of $22,780, including the $975 destination charge.

By Csaba Daradics

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What Grinds My Gears about the Recent Developments in Toyota's Unintended Acceleration-Saga

A few things happened in the past 24 hours that grind my gears on the subject of Toyota Motor Corp.'s "unintended acceleration" saga. The first thing that ticked me off were some smart-ass headlines for the findings of NHTSA-NASA study from the same sources that were bashing the Japanese company with Daily Mirror-like titles a little over a year ago. That's something like looking at the mirror and saying who's the dummy now... No need for further explanations on that.

The other is that, Toyota, its PR associates and even some news sites / blogs are focusing on the software-related findings and either leaving outside or playing down the two mechanical defects - a.k.a. the “sticking” accelerator pedals and a design flaw that enabled accelerator pedals to become trapped by floor mats. These defects lead to some 8 million vehicles being recalled in the United States alone.

Yes, the study by NHTSA and NASA found no evidence for electronic-based cause for unintended high-speed acceleration, but that doesn't mean Toyota is innocent for the rest of the sudden acceleration-related issues nor for neglecting to notify the government agency of the sticky pedal defect for more than four months after the company found out about it.

By John Halas

[From NHTSA]

Timeline of Major Events

• March 29, 2007: NHTSA opens a preliminary investigation into pedal entrapment on MY’07 Lexus ES350 models based on five consumer complaints alleging three crashes and seven injuries. The all weather floor mat is identified as the possible cause of these incidents.
• July 26, 2007: A fatal crash occurs in San Jose, CA involving a ‘07 Camry in which the driver suffers serious injuries and the driver of the struck vehicle is killed. The incident also appears to have been caused by a pedal trapped by an all weather floor mat.
• September 13, 2007: After determining the fatal San Jose crash was caused by floor mat entrapment, NHTSA tells Toyota a recall is necessary.
• September 26, 2007: Toyota recalls 55,000 floor mats in ’07 and ‘08 Camrys and ES350s.
• August 28, 2009: A fatal crash occurs in Santee, CA, involving a loaner ’09 ES350. The vehicle is found to have an all weather floor mat from another Lexus vehicle. Investigators find that the vehicle’s previous driver had reported an entrapment incident to the dealership.
• September 25, 2009: NHTSA meets with Toyota and tells the company that the floor mat recall is insufficient and the agency expects a recall for the defect in pedal design. Three days later, Toyota tells NHTSA the company will recall the gas pedals.
• October 5, 2009: Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles for pedal entrapment by floor mat and sends an interim letter to consumers telling them to remove floor mats. The defect remedy involves gas pedal reconfiguration, floor pan/carpeting revisions, and ‘brake pedal override’ software for vehicles with keyless ignition.
• December 15, 2009: NHTSA officials meet with Toyota executives in Japan to explain NHTSA’s defect recall process and underscore Toyota’s obligations under U.S. law to find and report defects promptly. Toyota commits to making improvements.
• January 16, 2010: Toyota informs NHTSA that certain CTS-brand pedals may have a dangerous ‘sticking’ defect. NHTSA calls an in-person meeting on January 19.
• January 19, 2010: At the meeting, Toyota provides field reports on sticky pedal incidents, and NHTSA tells Toyota the agency expects prompt action. Toyota informs NHTSA several hours later that the company will issue a recall.
• January 21, 2010: Toyota recalls 2.3 million vehicles for the sticky pedal defect.
• January 27, 2010: At NHTSA’s urging, Toyota expands its pedal entrapment recall to cover an additional 1.1 million vehicles.
• February 16, 2010: NHTSA launches an official probe into the timeliness and scope of the pedal entrapment and sticky pedal Toyota recalls.
• March 30, 2010: At the request of Congress, the U.S. DOT announces two studies into unintended acceleration. One looks at possible electronics causes for unintended acceleration in Toyotas; the other examines unintended acceleration and the safety of vehicle electronics across the automotive industry.
• April 5, 2010: NHTSA demands the maximum, $16.375 million, civil penalty on Toyota for its failure to notify the agency of the sticky pedal defect for more than four months after discovering it. Auto manufacturers are legally obligated to notify NHTSA within five business days of determining that a safety defect exists. Toyota pays the full fine on April 19.
• December 20, 2010: Toyota agrees to pay the maximum $16.375 million civil penalty as the result of another NHTSA investigation into whether their recall of 5.5 million vehicles for pedal entrapment was conducted in a timely manner.

500HP Hyundai Veloster Rally Car Makes its Way to the Chicago Auto Show

Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) go back a long way and their partnership has been further cemented at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the Veloster rally car which is powered by a specially tuned four-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of 500-horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque.

A production version 2012 Veloster provided the base for the competition model, which was built by twelve RMR employees. The hatchback was stripped to bare metal and had its chassis stitch welded, increasing structural rigidity. In order to keep the weight down, Millen’s crew replicated many standard body panels out of carbon/Kevlar, such as the hood, doors, quarter panels, front and rear fascia. The finished product tips the scales at just 2,656 pounds or 1,205 kg.

An additional rear wing increases downforce, while the custom suspension allows for a lot of travel, needed for the typical rallycross jumps. Stopping power is provided by 14-inch front and 12-inch rear Alcon rotors with six piston calipers, complemented by custom built 18-inch HRE alloys, wrapped around in 245/40 Hankook racing tires.

The interior has been stripped of all comfort features and fitted with eight-point safety cage, firewall and Sparco racing buckets.

A total of three cars will be built, the first of which will be raced by Rhys Millen himself in the 2011 U.S. Rallycross Championship. A second all-wheel drive model will be shared between rally champion Marcus Dodd and world record freestyle motorbike rider Robbie Maddison at the Summer X Games, while a third one will compete in the 2WD class of the U.S. Rallycross Championship, with celebrity drivers at the wheel.

By Csaba Daradics

HYUNDAI VELOSTER RALLY CAR

Curb weight: 2,656 pounds
Engine: Hyundai 500-horspower four-cylinder turbocharged
Transmission: Xtrac six-speed sequential
Transfer case: Xtrac four wheel drive
Front and rear differentials: Xtrac
Suspension: Proflex jumbo coil over
Front Brakes: 14-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
Rear Brakes: 12-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch HRE Tires: 245/40-18 Hankook racing tire
Seats and harnesses: Sparco

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Hit the Slopes in Style with Audi Carbon Ski

If you're looking to add some style to your winter-time outdoor activities, you may want to take a look at these cool skis from Audi. Initially designed and developed as a concept study at the Audi Concept Design Munich, the Carbon Ski is now heading for production with the Ingolstadt-based automaker estimating that it could be available for sale as early as this year.

As its name implies, the Audi Carbon Ski is made out of carbon fiber for reduced weight as well as optimal stiffness. More precisely, a cab of high-strength carbon fiber encloses layers of aluminum and titanium, as well as a wood core. The result is 170cm-long ski that tips the scales at 1,550 grams. According to Audi, the ski weighs 200 grams less than comparable models.

“As a long-time partner and sponsor of the German Ski Association, a ski produced by Audi is a logical consequence of this partnership. This is how the Audi Carbon Ski concept came about. And the ski’s brilliant handling characteristics have been confirmed by professionals from the sport,” said Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design for the Audi Group. “The serial-production ski was able to borrow from the concept study, and it features outstanding technical properties. At the same time, its minimalist design underscores the technical nature of the carbon.”

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