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18 août 2012

Henri Greder n'est plus

Henri Greder n'est plus:

Le sport automobile est de nouveau en deuil. L’ancien pilote français Henri Greder est décédé il y a quelques jours à l'âge de 81 ans, à Tournai (Belgique).

Pikes Peak 2012 : C’est passé ! (vidéos)

Pikes Peak 2012 : C’est passé ! (vidéos):
Retour sur la mythique course américaine qui aura fait plus parler d’elle pour des raisons autres que celles liées aux résultats de la course. La première critique et elle est essentielle vient du goudronnage général de la fameuse route qui dénature l’esprit de la course, favorise une augmentation des vitesses de passage mais aussi hélas du nombre d’accidents qui ont été nombreux cette année et qui pour certains aurait pu se finir très mal pour les pilotes.
Rhys Millen Pikes Peak 2012 27 560x372 Pikes Peak 2012 : Cest passé ! (vidéos)

C’est donc Rhys Millen qui emporte la course 2012 en battant le record détenu par Nobuhiro Tajima mais cela était couru d’avance puisque le revêtement n’était pas le même et l’enrobé du départ à l’arrivée permet de gagner de précieuses secondes. Jean Philippe Dayraut a du abandonner à quelques encablures de l’arrivée car les freins de son Duster avaient passé l’arme à gauche causant une sortie de route (le problème des freins et du grip des pneus a d’ailleurs été souligné par tous ou presque comme un facteur de risque important). Romain Dumas termine second pour quelques millièmes. Monster Tajima a du abandonner avec son prototype électrique qui a eu un coup de chaud et a commencé à brûler, accident pour le prototype i-MiEV et pas grand chose à noter dans la classe VE si ce n’est la victoire de Toyota avec un prototype déjà bien rôdé que nous avons pu voir tourner sur le Ring. Une chose est sure, Pikes Peak pourrait bien perdre de son intérêt et de sa notoriété si rien n’est fait en matière de sécurité (à cause de la nette augmentation de la vitesse sur le seconde moitié du tracé) et si les organisateurs ne font pas un effort pour redonner un peu d’attrait à la course qui risque bien de n’être plus qu’une course de côte parmi d’autres ! Les critiques sont bien trop nombreuses pour ne rien faire dans les mois à venir.
Pour un petit retour vidéo sur Pikes Peak 2012, c’est par là :







Les voitures électriques :


L’accident de Jeremy Foley (in & out) :


L’accident de Paul Dallenbach :


Via Youtube.

rss footer Pikes Peak 2012 : Cest passé ! (vidéos)

Source : Blog Automobile Billet : Pikes Peak 2012 : C’est passé ! (vidéos)

Official: McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client

Official: McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client:
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McLaren X-1

The first major surprise of Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey has officially landed.

The machine you see above is the McLaren X-1 Concept, and it was created by McLaren Special Operations for an anonymous client. Underneath that crazy slice of bodywork lies the British company's unique carbon monocell - the same basic structure that underpins the MP4-12C. MSO Programme Director Paul MacKenzie describes how it came to be:

"One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car. The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago − before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality."
We're not sure that we'd use words like 'timeless and classical elegance' to describe the X-1 (at least without seeing it in person), which is what the client had been yearning for, but the result is nothing if not striking and memorable. Design Director Frank Stephenson used cars such as the 1961 Facel Vega, 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, 1959 Buick Electra, 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and 1971 Citroën SM for inspiration.




The initial design, after a competition was held between McLaren's own designers and a selected few from outside the automotive world, came from McLaren's Korean-born RCA graduate Hong Yeo. It took two and a half years to complete once the design was finalized, and the company says everything from the lights to the wheels were created specifically for this project.

Most of the carbon fiber bodywork has been painted piano black, though some of the panels let the natural carbon weave shine through, and all the brightwork - including the so-called McLaren Airbrake rear wing - was hewn from solid aluminum and nickel plated. The interior is finished in Harissa Red Nappa leather.

We highly suggest you have a closer look at the McLaren X-1 in our high-res image gallery above, and you can bet we'll have live shots of this stunner in short order. If nothing else, one thing is perfectly clear: Ferrari has some real competition in McLaren when it comes to building bespoke supercars for wealthy clients. Scroll down below for the official press release.
Continue reading McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client
McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Monterey: 2012 Concorso Italiano celebrates Lamborghini, Fiat, Bertone

Monterey: 2012 Concorso Italiano celebrates Lamborghini, Fiat, Bertone:
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www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-concorso-italiano/

Shelby isn't the only company celebrating a major anniversary in Monterey this year. Lamborghini marked its 50th year in business, and the 2012 Concorso Italiano is packed with Raging Bulls from every era of company's history. While the show serves as a showcase for all Italian makes, the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch always sees a wide cross section of manufacturers and models from around the globe.

This year, Fiat showed off the new 500T as part of the brand's 55th anniversary, and the show grounds were filled with a rash of classic Fiat models. Those included one very gorgeous Cinquenento Abarth, as well as a few examples of the new 500.

Finally, Bertone is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012, and the Concorso Italiano featured plenty of concepts and production models by the design firm. Even the Nuccio Concept showed up on the green in all of its 80s futuristic splendor. As you may recall, the last time we saw that machine, it was lounging under the lights of the Geneva Motor Show. Check out the full gallery above.
2012 Concorso Italiano celebrates Lamborghini, Fiat, Bertone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach

Official: Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach:
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As if its cars aren't already exclusive enough on their own merit, Rolls-Royce is debuting an ultra-limited production version of the Phantom Coupe at Pebble Beach today. With only 35 cars expected to be built, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection celebrates Charles Stewart Rolls - Rolls-Royce co-founder - who had a passion for flying and was only the second man in Britain to have a pilot's license before his death in 1910.

Unique elements of the Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection include the Aviator Grey exterior hue accented with a matte finish on the grille, hood and window frame. Setting the aeronautical theme of the car, the interior is fitted with exclusive features like the matte-black instrument gauges, an aviation-grade clock in the middle of the dash and a lower dash veneer that mimics the look of an old wooden airplane propeller. Even the transmission tunnel boasts an anodized aluminum cover with exposed torx-head bolts which attempts to match the fuselage of Rolls' award-winning (and Rolls-Royce-powered) Supermarine S6B aircraft.

No detail was overlooked in creating a truly unique atmosphere for the Aviator Collection so much so that it has a leather-lined glove box with the following quote from Rolls himself embossed into it:
"The power of flight is as a fresh gift from the Creator, the greatest treasure yet given to man."
Rolls-Royce has not announced any pricing for the 1-of-35 Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection, but you know how the saying goes: "If you have to ask..."

Scroll down to read the press release.
Continue reading Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach
Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Monterey: 2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition takes a bow at Quail Motorsports Gathering

Monterey: 2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition takes a bow at Quail Motorsports Gathering:
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2013 SRT Viper GTS Launch Edition at Quail Motorsports Gathering















Chrysler took the time to show off the first special edition version of the 2013 SRT Viper. Dipped in the same GTS blue paint as the original Viper, the GTS Launch Edition also wears the same Bright White racing stripes from nose to tail. Chrysler says the combination will only be available on Launch Edition cars and that the final production will be limited. How limited? The company isn't saying, though we imagine you'll need to know your local dealer pretty well to bring one of these machines home.

Inside, each Viper GTS Launch Edition comes with its own dash-mounted identification plaque as well as Black Laguna leather seats with contrast stitching. An Alcantara headliner and white-face guages with silver trim complete the look.

The Launch Edition is the first Viper to wear the redesigned Viper logo. Chrysler calls the design "Stryker," and the newest snake follows in the footsteps of the original "Sneaky Pete" and "Fang" emblems. Check it out in the gallery below.
2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition takes a bow at Quail Motorsports Gathering originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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