Shelby GT350 Turns Into a Great Ball of Fire |
- Shelby GT350 Turns Into a Great Ball of Fire
- Mercedes-Benz Considering Electric Sprinter Van
- Mystery Corvette Spy Photos Could Show New ZR1
- Maserati Considering MC12 Successor
- How Lincoln Black Label Elevates Customer Service: Curbed with Craig Cole
- Tesla CEO Lets Details Slip on Model Y, Minibus
| Shelby GT350 Turns Into a Great Ball of Fire Posted: Roebling Road Raceway in Georgia was the scene of a Shelby GT350's self immolation after it began puking oil at vicious velocity. According to HiPo Joe on Facebook, a catastrophic engine failure was at fault. Supposedly a snap ring in the Shelby's oil cooler thermostat let go, sending buckets of oil streaming out of the block–when the free falling oil found the catalytic converter, Joe got ignition. SEE ALSO: Ford Performance Power Packs Add GT350 Parts to Mustang GT Fire will freak you out enough; but how about when it happens at 100 mph and boils your brake fluid? This is exactly what happened to Joe in his own words:
This is where situational awareness and smarts come into play. With no brakes, Joe tries the emergency brake, but knows he can't just yank the lever and risk a 100 mph spin while on fire:
Now what?
Luckily the incident happened on track where safety staff could reach him quickly with the necessary equipment. Ford has actually purchased the 2016 GT350 back from Joe and he's currently in the process of bringing home a 2017 GT350R. A version of this article originally appeared on Allfordmustangs.com Loading, please wait...  |
| Mercedes-Benz Considering Electric Sprinter Van Posted: With plans to launch its first fully electric heavy-duty truck, Mercedes-Benz is in the early planning stages for an electrified Sprinter medium-duty van. Ulf Zillig, head of developing the next generation Sprinter, told The Detroit Bureau that if market demand supports it, the next generation Sprinter would use electric powertrains and autonomous driving. In the U.S. for the ground-breaking of the new $500 million van plant that the company is planning to build in Charleston, S.C., Zillig said the van engineering teams at Mercedes-Benz are able to share technology across the company's divisions. This news follows last week's debut of the Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck, a prototype fully electric heavy-duty truck capable of hauling up to 26 tons. The tall, narrow Sprinter van has been a mainstay in Europe and other overseas markets for a number of years. SEE ALSO: Mercedes Ramping Up Development of Electric Vehicles It was launched in the U.S. in 2001 through the heavy-duty Freightliner brand, which is owned by Mercedes parent Daimler. Volker Mornhinweg, the head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, told reporters that pressure will likely grow for still other alternatives, with battery-electric versions of the Sprinter and smaller Metris vans under serious consideration. He noted that there has already been interest from courier fleet companies in Europe, and Federal Express along with UPS are showing interest in the idea of electric vans. In Europe, Mercedes introduced an electric Metris small van in 2012. It had early success but sales have tapered off. Mercedes isn't the only automaker with plans for building electric vans. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk recently said that the electric-vehicle company is going to enter the electric van market and would use the Model X sport utility as the platform, with more on this to be divulged later. Mercedes officials say the electric Sprinter vans likely won't be produced until the end of the decade — about the same time as the Charleston plant begins rolling out the American-made Sprinter. [Source: Detroit Bureau] This article originally appeared on Hybridcars.com Loading, please wait... |
| Mystery Corvette Spy Photos Could Show New ZR1 Posted: Fresh spy photos of a Chevy Corvette C7-based prototype have surfaced, showing what could be the new ZR1. Despite the heavy camo on the front end, this car appears to have large air vents on its front corners, usually used to feed intercoolers. Though again its tough to tell exactly, the hood also looks like it may be using a larger "power dome," allowing more air to flow under the hood. Under the hood, a twin-turbo V8 is rumored to provide power, explaining the new vents in the front end. A website for aftermarket company Katech Performance has poured fuel on the fire with a listing for a Corvette using an "LT5" engine, a new designation that could denote the new turbo V8. This prototype is also packing blue brake calipers, a staple feature of the ZR1. SEE ALSO: Here's Everything We Know about a Mid-Engine Corvette Out back, two pedestals where a spoiler would attach are visible, marking a departure from the current ducktail setup, not surprising considering the ZR1's power boost would be better used with more downforce. All of that being said, this car could also simply be a prototype for the updated 2017 Corvette Z06, which is expected to offer better cooling to address some overheating issues. The changes seen on this prototype seem more significant than the small update to the Z06 that was expected though, pointing us towards the ZR1 rumor. An all-new mid-engine Corvette is also said to be in the works, so if the ZR1 rumors prove to be true, this would be a final swan song for the C7 model before it is replaced. Discuss this story at our Chevy Corvette Forum Loading, please wait... |
| Maserati Considering MC12 Successor Posted: The 2004 Maserati MC12 was a limited-edition model based on the Ferrari Enzo, and it looks like a successor following the same guidelines is on the way. Maserati boss Harald Wester confirmed the news to Autocar, saying that Maserati "could do a limited edition, but not yet." Right now, the brand is working on refreshing the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, while a successor to the GranTurismo is currently in the works. The new GranTurismo model "will not be to the same formula," as the current car according to Wester, thanks to "accelerating technology." Exactly what this means was not divulged, but it is clear that a convertible version of the new GranTurismo isn't likely because there is no demand for it in China. SEE ALSO: All-Electric Maserati Sports Car Could Arrive in 2019 The new limited-edition model could once again borrow its bones from a Ferrari, though Maserati also has access to the carbon-fiber tub used for the Alfa Romeo 4C, which could serve as the basis for this new special model. Currently, the 4C's body is built at Maserati's Modena plant. Wester also believes that Maseratis are being sold too cheaply, a problem that a limited-edition model would help to solve. Despite this feeling, prices won't jump up quickly, as the brand chief plans to raise transaction prices "over time." [Source: Autocar] Discuss this story at our Luxury Lifestyle Forum Loading, please wait... |
| How Lincoln Black Label Elevates Customer Service: Curbed with Craig Cole Posted: Cadillac is adored for building engaging, emotional vehicles like the CTS-V and the ATS. In contrast, Lincoln receives scorn for its lineup because people think it is comprised largely of warmed-over Fords. Rather than trying to compete with sporty rivals, the division named after the 16th president of the United States is taking a customer-focused approach to growing its business, one that focuses on offering unique ownership experiences that rival brands don't necessarily match. How is Lincoln elevating its game in an admittedly crowded luxury market? Well, it has introduced something called Black Label, and no, it has nothing to do with a certain brand of Scotch whiskey. In simple terms, you can think of it as a top-tier vehicle trim that includes a surfeit of additional benefits. Get the Flash Player to see this player. Black Label starts with special – and very high-quality – themed interiors. In the MKX crossover, for instance, four are offered including Thoroughbred, Modern Heritage, The Muse and Indulgence. The last of those offerings features rich, dark-brown Venetian leather throughout and was supposedly inspired by high-end chocolate.
According to Lincoln, fewer than 1 percent of cow hides make the grade for softness and durability, meaning Venetian leather is extremely premium. Brushing your hand across a seat or the dashboard is all it takes to appreciate the richness of this buttery-soft material. So far, you can get Black Label versions of the MKX and MKC crossovers as well as the MKZ sedan. Lincoln's upcoming Continental will also offer it, and there are plans to expand it to future models, too. You've got to think the next-generation Navigator will offer it as well. But beyond unique interiors, there's plenty more to talk about here.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Lincoln MKX Review For starters, customers are treated to premium service and extended protection. With Black Label models, all required maintenance is covered for the duration of the vehicle's four-year/50,000-mile warranty. This includes wear items like brakes, hoses, shocks, wiper blades and more. Making this even easier, a pickup and drop-off service is included in the package as well, along with a free loner car, if required. Annual vehicle detailing is also bundled with Black Label vehicles at no extra charge. That's right, once a year they'll scrub and polish your Lincoln from stem to stern without charging you a nickel. Customers even can avail themselves of free carwashes at any Black Label dealership, of which there are about 90 in the U.S. right now.
In addition to all of these benefits, there's also a gastronomic aspect to this program. The Black Label Culinary Collection gives you access to range of fine restaurants across the country that Lincoln has partnered with to provide bespoke dining experiences. You can easily get reservations at these establishments through an exclusive Lincoln concierge. Just give them a call.
To learn even more about the benefits of Lincoln's new Black Label service, please check out the video embedded above. You won't be disappointed! Discuss this story on our Ford Forum Loading, please wait... |
| Tesla CEO Lets Details Slip on Model Y, Minibus Posted: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken the Twitter, again, to divulge some future product details. Musk has confirmed that the brand's upcoming compact crossover will be called the Model Y and will be based on the upcoming Model 3 platform. "Model Y (compact SUV) off Model 3 chassis," tweeted Musk. The Model 3 will be the brand's first high-volume offering and is expected to launch in 2017, so expect the Model Y sometime after that. Musk recently revealed Tesla's second master plan, where he outlined the brand's intent to build the compact crossover along with an all-electric, self-driving bus that will change public transit in the future. "The Tesla Minibus will be built on a Model X chassis. People density potential is surprisingly high," says Musk. SEE ALSO: Upcoming Tesla Pickup Truck Imagined by Artist Tesla's view of the future includes driverless buses that can be summoned by the press of a button and can drop you off right at your front door. Along with an all-electric heavy-duty semi-truck, Tesla's new minibus is said to be ready to debut next year. The brand is also working on a pickup truck which will eventually spawn a cargo van to compete with the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter. Loading, please wait... |
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