TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- Four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG not on the cards despite old patent drawings
- Hot Rod Racing
- Travis Pastrana Challenges/Invites Sebastien Loeb to the X-Games and Loeb Accepts
- Caterham smashes lap record at Pageant of Power
- Audi SQ5 TDI
- Spy Shots: Jaguar F-Type R goes testing at Nurburgring
- Audi continues Le Mans dominance finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th
- Jaguar XKR-S Track Version
- Jeep Compass Black Edition
- Video: Chris Harris' Cheap-O Rally Car
| Four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG not on the cards despite old patent drawings Posted: 18 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Back in February, we brought you the intriguing pictures of a four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG which was roughly sketched and somehow leaked onto the internet. Just a little under six months later, confirmation has finally come from AMG in regards to the four-door SLS AMG. While being interviewed by Autovisie, CEO of AMG Ola Källenius confirmed that a four-door SLS isn't currently being planned and never will reach production or concept form as the pictures were simply of an old concept, first discussed during the initial development of Mercedes' halo-sports car. In the interview, Källenius roughly stated "These four SLS is absolutely not. That was an old concept, an idea that anyone ever came during the development period of the SLS. Striking how such a story suddenly a life of its own." Excuse the poor English, as that's just a brief translation of what was said in Dutch. The most interesting thing about this denial is how late it came after the patented drawings originally surfaced. We're sure the Mercedes team saw the drawings when they were first leaked onto the net, yet for some strange people they decided to just let the rumors run their course until memories of the four-door SLS slowly faded out of our minds. Either way, we're still not convinced that Mercedes isn't in fact developing a new four-door sedan even if it's not based off the new SLS AMG GT. We’ll just have to wait around and see if it ever comes to fruition. Four-door Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG not on the cards despite old patent drawings originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 15:00 EST.
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| Posted: 18 Jun 2012 07:35 AM PDT | ||
| Travis Pastrana Challenges/Invites Sebastien Loeb to the X-Games and Loeb Accepts Posted: 18 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Any fan of professional wrestling is used to seeing per-produced challenges/invitations via video and in dramatic fashion, but racing fans rarely see such drama. Well, that was until Travis Pastrana decided his competition at the upcoming X-Games just wasn't tough enough this year and sent a video challenge/invitation to 8-time WRC champ, and fellow Red Bull athlete, Sebastien Loeb. This was far from the professional wrestling-esq "I challenge you to a cage match" style of challenge, as Travis' video was short, sweet and complimentary to Loeb's skills as a rally driver. Red Bull put together Loeb's response in a much more dramatic fashion, as it was dubbed over with some music and had a plethora of information regarding his super-fast car built just for this event. It even included an auto show-like red cloth veil removal. Still it wasn't an over-the-top wrestling response, but it was still a tab on the dramatic side relative to Pastrana's original video. So let's have a look at what Pastrana has gotten himself into… Loeb is running a car built-to-suit by Citroen Racing. It comes with a 2.0-liter four-pot that pumps out an unreal 545 ponies and 590 pound-feet of face-deforming torque. According to the video, the hot Citroen will hit 60 mph in just under 3 seconds. Needless to say, Pastrana and his 2013 Dodge Dart are not only going up against the best rally driver that the world has to offer today, but also a car that is as good as any in the X-Games. Has Pastrana bitten off more than he can chew? Only time will tell, so we will have to wait until the RallyCross event kicks off on July 1st to find out. We'll keep you up to date with any other news that pops regarding this friendly rivalry. You can see Pastrana’s challenge video above and Loeb’s acceptance video after the jump. Travis Pastrana Challenges/Invites Sebastien Loeb to the X-Games and Loeb Accepts originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 14:00 EST.
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| Caterham smashes lap record at Pageant of Power Posted: 18 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Caterham's SP/300.R just gave a very important lesson to some of the most amazing supercars out there. The sports car delivered the fastest lap during the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, the annual show held in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle. Some of the world’s most expensive and fastest supercars, including models from Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and its direct competitor, the Ariel Atom V8 500 attended the event in hopes of overtaking the record, but Caterham was the clear winner. With Caterham Drive Experience instructor, Scott Mansell behind the wheel, the SP/300.R lapped the 1.2 mile course in am impressive 61.89 seconds. The previous record was help by Lamborghini who established a time of 62.68 seconds back in 2010. Andy Noble, Caterham Cars Sales and Marketing Director, said: "The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power has been growing in statue for several years now and it is a truly excellent event, anybody who's anybody is here and that is partly why it is so satisfying to take the lap record and secure the fastest time for a car around this beautiful circuit." Caterham smashes lap record at Pageant of Power originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 13:00 EST.
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| Posted: 18 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT
Audi prepped the 24 Hours of Le Mans race to be the official venue for the debut of their all-new SQ5 TDI, the first S model in the history of Audi with a diesel engine. The SQ5 will be powered by the all-new V-6 turbo-diesel engine boasting two turbochargers which Audi has been working on for various models in the lineup. This engine produces a total of 313 hp and 479.42 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 and 2,800 rpm. This power is enough to sprint the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph, but also deliver a fuel economy of 32.67 US mpg. Compared to a standard Q5, the new SQ5 TDI version will be distinguished by a platinum gray single-frame grille with galvanized double bars in an aluminum-look finish, a new roof spoiler, and modified bumpers. The new Audi SQ5 TDI will go on sale in the first quarter of 2013, with prices starting at €58,500, about $78,000 at the current exchange rates. Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Audi SQ5 TDI. Audi SQ5 TDI originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 12:00 EST.
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| Spy Shots: Jaguar F-Type R goes testing at Nurburgring Posted: 18 Jun 2012 04:00 AM PDT
  Jaguar was out and about this past weekend testing all of its latest and hottest models. Earlier today, we brought out spy shots of the race track version for the XKR-S and now we’ve got images of the hot R-version of Jaguar’s upcoming F-Type. Jaguar has already confirmed that the standard F-Type will be powered by a new V6 engine that delivers a total of 250 HP in a normally aspirated version and 375 HP in the supercharged R version. This model will be set to take on the Porsche Boxster and the BMW Z4. The future R version, however, will be powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine and will target models like the Aston Martin Vantage and the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG. When compared to the standard F-Type, the R version will be distinguished by a set of quad exhausts, more prominent front and rear bumpers, a new set of wheels, and a sportier interior. The standard F-Type will be unveiled in September 2012 and the F-Type R version will follow a few months later. Spy Shots: Jaguar F-Type R goes testing at Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 11:00 EST.
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| Audi continues Le Mans dominance finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Posted: 18 Jun 2012 03:00 AM PDT
Despite the various high-speed crashes which took place at the recent 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi managed to come out on top for the 11th time in 13 years. With both Toyota LMP1 cars crashing out in the early stages of the race, one could argue that Audi was destined all along to take victory. However, one could never have imagined that Audi managed to wrap up all three podium places with its incredible R18 race cars, two of which are e-tron Quattro-diesel-hybrids while the other two who finished in 3rd and 5th were the more conventional R18 Ultra diesel-powered racers. Driving the victorious Audi R18 e-tron was Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer. This victory marks a historic day in Le Mans history as the victorious car is the first diesel-hybrid to ever sit upon the top step of the podium and could help pave the way for more fuel-efficient LMP1 racers. Audi board member Rupert Stadler stated, "By achieving this further success at the world's most important endurance race our engineers demonstrated their high technological expertise in a particularly impressive way. With the e-tron Quattro in combination with ultra-lightweight design, we put a completely new technology on the grid and immediately won with it – this cannot be taken for granted by any means, particularly here at Le Mans." It's inevitable that Audi has already turned its attention to next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, where we expect to see even more hybrid-diesels contesting. Audi continues Le Mans dominance finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 10:00 EST.
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| Posted: 18 Jun 2012 02:00 AM PDT
It was just last week when we brought proof that Jaguar is working on a hardcore version of the XKR-S, and now the car has been caught testing again taking some very fast laps around the famous Nurburgring race track. Could this be Jaguar’s answer to the Mercedes Black Series line from AMG? Compared to a standard XKR-S, the new prototype features some significant changes: a deeper front spoiler with canards mounted on the sides, a different engine hood with more air outlets, and a massive rear wing. On the interior, the standard front seats will be replaced by new bucket seats and the rear seats will be non-existent. Since there is a new hood on this bad boy, as well as a stiffer suspension, we assume that it will be toting more than the usual 550 HP. All of these new elements, as well as the almost definite power increase, should make for a very potent track orientated supercar. Jaguar XKR-S Track Version originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 June 2012 09:00 EST.
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| Posted: 17 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT
After the Compass Black Look Concept unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show, Jeep has now unveiled the production version called the Compass Black Edition. As its name suggests, this special edition comes with a unique Black look that offers a more distinctive appearance and personality. For the special edition model, Jeep has added black-gloss inserts, black-gloss headlamps and fog lamp surrounds, black roof rails and step pads, and a new set of 18-inch black-gloss aluminum wheels. Under the hood, the Compass Black Edition has received a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine delivering a total of 163 hp and a peak torque of 236 lbs-ft. This special edition will be offered with an active Freedom Drive I four-wheel-drive system featuring Lock mode. The system is designed to give drivers year-round assurance with the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions as well as slick roads that come with rain and light snow. Jeep Compass Black Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 17 June 2012 23:00 EST.
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| Video: Chris Harris' Cheap-O Rally Car Posted: 17 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT
Chris Harris is at it again, only this time he has snagged up a rather shoddy looking and running Land Rover, borrowed a clunky trailer with egg shells for tires, bought a £4,000 ($6,225) E30 BMW 325i "Rally car" (that’s at least what the dude that sold it to him called it), and attempted to try and get the rally car to a local track to test it. Getting to the rally track turned out to be a task in itself, as it began with the cooling fan on his shoddy old 3.9-liter V-8-powered Land Rover crapping out and him repairing it in a not-so-correct-way that ended up causing it to pop fuses like crazy. Add on top of that the fact that this now hot-wired fan was constantly killing the battery and you have quite a situation. On top of the crappy tow car, there is the fact that he borrowed a trailer from a friend that has tires that are magnets for punctures and replacements are not available at any tire shop. After popping and shredding two of the four tires on this trailer, Harris and his crew manage to get the £4,000 Bimmer to the track and beat the living hell out of it. The Bimmer took it well until Chris pushed it a little too far and spun it out coming out of a turn. Fortunately, the car was fine and the rallying continued. You can see it all of this in the above video. The rally racing is only half of the fun of the video, as the trip getting there had plenty of interesting twists. To boot, the trailer from hell gave Chris and the boys another surprise on the way back home… Ah, the joys of budget racing! Video: Chris Harris' Cheap-O Rally Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 17 June 2012 18:00 EST.
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