Behold the titans of modern automotive excellence. As much as we love our baseball and apple pie, it would be irresponsible at best to suggest that German and Japanese automakers haven’t been driving the auto industry for the last three decades. That’s not to say the rest of the world doesn’t offer some fabulous automobiles, but considering the American portion of that apple pie has been steadily shrinking for years, we know we’re not alone in our fondness for foreign machinery.
There have been plenty of racing games that have popped onto the scene over the past few years. The Forza series is a great road-racing game, while the Need For Speed series offers a more tuner-oriented racing experience. Rally racers are represented by the DiRT series, and a regular stream of NASCAR titles have been available as well. The one niche in the genre of racing simulation that has had the toughest time over the last decade, though, is Formula 1. While F1 licensed titles have come out like clockwork, none have really been lauded for their quality.
Our spy guy just delivered these sneaky peeks of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series, sure to give other factory-tuned sedans quite a fright.
Born in Paris, France in April 1937, Jean-Pierre Beltoise was a born racer. He competed in Formula 1 driving for Matra and BRM teams for a few years; but he also did several different forms of racing throughout his career.
This little doozy happened on May 2 of this year during the second Formula 2 race at the Marrakech Street Circuit. The camera is onboard Paul Rees’ car, when the car of Ricardo Teixeira takes a flying leap from behind.
As we reported a month ago, F1 track design regulars Tilke GmbH are busily working to create an interesting 3.4-mile circuit just outside of Austin for the US Grand Prix. The track incorporates ideas and learnings from current F1 circuits, adapted to the gently rolling countryside east of Austin.
The name Sir Jack Brabham is very well known among Formula 1 fans, but lately Sir Jack has been fading into the background and we thought we would refresh everyone’s memories with his mind-boggling accomplishments.
Like video games? Like cars? Well, kick the tires and light the fires as Jeep gets ready to unload the action with the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition.
Rauno Aaltonen, a name very few people have heard, was a World Rally Championship driver, who just so happens to also be credited for inventing left foot braking. Known as “The Rally Professor,” Aaltonen was born in January 1938, in Turku, Finland. He is regarded as one of the first of the famous “Flying Finns” and started rallying in 1956 at the age of 18.
Today, our spy shooter gave us these shots of the new Wiesmann coupe testing out its new ticker. After BMW canned the V-10 engine, the Wiesmann GT MF5 needed a new powerplant if the model were to continue.
We here at Winding Road have certain things we love. One of our primary objects of infatuation is the Audi R8. Regardless of V-8 or V-10, hardtop or Spyder, we are big fans of Audi’s halo car and its ability to switch between ho-hum daily driver and track-time cruise missile while costing considerably less than most mid-engined supercars. So naturally, we were excited when we heard about this car, the R8 GT.
Over the years, out of the many forms of racing there have emerged drivers that have won race after race and championship after championship. Overshadowed by these few stars are a multitude of drivers that few know and remember. Some, had short-lived careers that never allowed them to reach their zenith, and some have simply been lost in the crowd. In this series we will attempt to remember a few drivers who did wonders on the track but were ultimately outshone. One of these little known drivers is Francois Cevert.
Before we even delve into the full, wonderful insanity that is the Sesto Elemento, there are just a few facts that bear mentioning immediately:
* Curb weight of 2202 pounds
* Powered by 5.2-liter, 570-horsepower V-10 engine
* Estimated 0-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds
* This is a “technology demonstrator”—not an upcoming model, sadly
Never wanting to keep us in the dark when changes are afoot (seriously, we get about six press releases a day from the various corners of the BMW universe), the good folks at BMW have given us a full rundown of the company’s model range plans for 2011. We’ve already cataloged many of these updates and changes as they’ve happened, with first drive reviews of the new vehicles, our impressions of the new motors, and announcements of upcoming models.
As the Belgian Grand Prix approaches, Formula 1 drivers are getting ready to race at one of the most stunning tracks in the series. Sebastian Vettel, currently third in driver standings, is hard at work in preparation, but he took the time to give viewers a look at the course from the perspective of his driving simulator.
The Gullwing just got a little cooler, thanks to makeover by Brabus. The tuner added a titanium exhaust, electronically adjustable suspension, a carbon fiber aeroynamic package, lightweight wheels, and a custom interior to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Jeep has just announced a few changes for its 2011 model year Wrangler, and cut loose with a brand-new gallery of images of the off-road icon.
Once upon a time, topless cars came in all shapes and sizes, and by that we mean all sizes. At 4500 pounds and sporting a wheelbase of 130 inches, the gloriously finned 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible was just a few inches behind a modern full size pickup truck in size. Its convertible top used enough canvas to cover a mobile home, and four people could fit comfortably in the back seat alone, never mind the wide bench up front and the endless trunk space out back. That was a convertible—drop the top, load up the family, the dog, the neighbors, and your in-laws, and head out for a day of windburns and suntans.
Infiniti is launching a performance version of the G37—the 2011 IPL G Coupe—at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Infinti Performance Line G Coupe is a 348-horsepower version of the rear-drive car, with a tuned engine, interior and exterior modifications, and a performance suspension.
Looking to recreate the formula that worked so well for Lexus, Hyundai has officially begun its assault on the executive-limo segment. Its entry is the Equus, a full-size sedan that shares more than a few styling details with the smaller Genesis sedan.