Helio Castroneves Takes his Fourth Indy 500 Pole

The 2010 Indianapolis 500 won’t start until May 30, but as is so often the case with motorsports events, the action isn’t relegated to one weekend -- or, for that matter, one day. Pole Day -- the official qualifying day for the 500 -- was this past Saturday, and determined the starting order for the 500.

After besting his 2009 qualifying speed by over 3 mph, Helio Castroneves will sit in the pole position once again -- and be the first back-top-back Indy 500 pole-sitter since Scott Brayton’s performances in 1995 and 1996. Castroneves earned the position -- his fourth pole qualification at Indy -- by lapping the 2.5-mile track at 227.970 mph (in 2009, his grid-topping speed was 224.864 mph).

Before snagging the lead starting position, Castroneves held second behind Alex Tagliani. With just an hour and a half left in qualifying, Team Penske withdrew Castroneves’ time for a chance to snag the top position. It paid off -- although he had to sit through a tense 90 minutes as he watched other drivers approach his speed.

“Sitting in that car for an hour and a half was not easy at all, especially with everyone getting closer and closer,” said Castroneves. “I was like, ‘Are we going or not?’ because I can’t handle that much pressure.”

At the end of the day, only Castroneves and teammate Will Power (227.578 mph) posted speeds above 227 mph. Ryan Briscoe, Team Penske’s third driver, will start in fourth place, just behind Dario Franchitti. Tagliani -- who once looked to be the front-runner for pole position -- will start the race from fifth place. Scott Dixon, Graham Rahal, Ed Carpenter, and Hideki Mutoh round out the first three rows respectively.

There are some notable absentees from the top nine positions. Ryan Hunter Reay, who currently sits fourth in points in the 2010 IndyCar series, will start the race from the 17th position, while 2008 Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon will start in 18th place. Danica Patrick will start the race in 23rd place, attributing her dismal qualification to “one of the worst” cars she’s ever driven. Regardless, she did better than 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan, who crashed twice in 24 hours exiting Turn One. It’s rather miraculous that the Andretti Motorsports team was able to restore his car for yesterday’s Bump Day, which allowed him to earn a 32nd-place starting position, just shy of last place.

Will Castroneves become the fourth driver to win the Indy 500 four times, and earn back-to-back wins from a pole starting position? We’ll know this Sunday after the checkered flag drops at Indy. Look for the race to start at 1:15 p.m. (EST) on Sunday.

Source: Izod IndyCar Official Web site

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Tesla Generates $13.8 Million through Emissions Credit Sale

To help keep the company wheels turning, Tesla has sold its banked vehicle emissions credits to other automakers and raised $13.8 million.

Since setting up shop in 2003, Tesla has barely managed to turn a profit from selling its $130,000 Roadsters. About 1000 of the pure-electric Roadsters have been sold -- primarily to big-shot actors, musicians, and electric-car fans -- and Tesla is slowly inching towards its initial public offering that is expected to generate at least $100 million. Before its IPO, however, the Palo Alto, California-based company must keep the doors open and payroll up-to-date, and that is where the emissions credit sales come into play. Tesla disclosed it sold credits to Honda and at least one other unidentified automaker in an initial IPO filing.


The emissions credit program is managed by the California Air Resources Board and allows automakers to score points with the notoriously stringent state. Recent California emissions-control regulation from 2008 mandated the largest automakers -- Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota -- must combine to sell at least 60,000 plug-in hybrid or pure-electric vehicles in the state over a three-year period. The credits, which are measured in grams per mile of non-methane organic gas (g/mile NMOG), are earned with each certified clean- or zero-emissions vehicle sold and stored within a state database. Companies with more-polluting vehicles can use the credits to offset the extra emissions.

"Having these credits gives us some flexibility for the future," said Robert Bienenfeld, Honda's U.S. senior manager for environment and energy strategy. "Whether we'll need to purchase more, I can't say."

Without the credits, automakers are subject to state fines, fees, and potential sales restrictions in California, one of the largest auto markets in the United States.

To further strengthen its commitment to the Golden State, Tesla recently joined forces with Toyota to retool the former NUMMI plant in Fremont to build the entry-level Model S sedan.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

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Subaru Launches Impreza WRX STI Spec C for Japanese Market

We wouldn’t exactly call Subaru’s WRX STI “soft,” but the Japanese automaker has just launched the WRX STI Spec C--a performance-tuned variant exclusively for the Japanese market.

Sure, the Spec C still uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four underhood, but engineers made a few small tweaks to boost performance. A redesigned turbocharger, along with a re-mapped engine computer, are said to help reduce turbo lag and improve the car’s top-end. The STI Spec C also receives an intercooler water injector, allowing intake air to remain cool, even at speed.

In the twisties, drivers will likely notice tighter steering and less body roll, thanks in part to a reinforced front suspension crossmember, stiffer coil springs, and unique rear sub-frame bushings. Subaru also replaced the rear differential with a Torsion-type unit, designed to enhance traction in corners.


If that weren’t enough, engineers put the STI on a crash diet. The Spec C gains an aluminum hood, laminate side windows, a smaller battery, and loses a spare tire in the name of saving weight. Subaru also developed a new set of 18-inch aluminum wheels (shod in Bridgetson Potenza RE070 rubber) said to further reduce unsprung weight.
If this sounds like your dream Impreza, rest assured it will remain that way. Only 900 examples will be built, and unless you’re living in Japan, it won’t be sold in your neck of the woods.

soure by automobilemag

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Mercedes-Benz Dresses 2011 S63 AMG Like Classic 300SEL 6.8 AMG

Mercedes-Benz will be releasing its new 2011 S63 AMG this fall and has chosen to dress it up like the famed 300SEL 6.8 AMG endurance racer that once competed in the 24 Hours of Spa.

In 1971, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG took to the track of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to prove its mettle in that year's 24 Hours of Spa, and it performed admirably. Facing heavily favored racers including the Ford Capri RS, BMW 2800 CS, Chevrolet Camaro, Opel Commodore, and Alfa Romeo GTA, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG placed second after completing 308 laps around the scenic track, behind a Capri and ahead of a Camaro. The Mercedes recorded few mechanical issues but had to refuel often. Following its second-place finish, the red 300SEL gained international acclaim, especially in its home country of Germany. Mercedes even built 300 replicas in 2006.


To celebrate its 1971 success, Mercedes wrapped its new 2011 S63 AMG with matching sponsor decals, looking to channel the spirit of the old AMG-prepped 300SEL. Debuting in the S-Class is AMG's new twin-turbocharged V-8, a hand-built marvel that is more powerful and less fuel-thirsty than the outgoing 6.2-liter V-8.

After adapting the exterior, the two speedy sedans were sent around Spa for a classic photo shoot, and Hans Heyer (co-driver in 1971) was on hand with his trademark Tyrolean hat. As you can tell from the photos, the sticker placements are impeccable.

Mercedes sedan comparison

300SEL 6.8 AMG

Engine -- 6.8-liter V-8 (6.3-liter for the standard 300SEL 6.3)
Power -- 422 horsepower, 448 pound-feet of torque (247 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque for the non-AMG version)
Weight -- 3600 pounds
Top speed -- 165 mph
1971 24 Hours of Spa drivers -- Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz

2011 S63 AMG

Engine -- 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8
Power -- 536 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque (563 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque with performance package)
Weight -- 4700 pounds (estimate)
Top speed -- 155 mph (186 mph with performance package)

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa will be held July 29 to August 1.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Formula

TechArt Formula

Classic inverted 5-spoke design. Lightweight one-piece casting. Fits most current Porsche. Bright silver, black or chrome plated.  Bright Silver:

Chrome Chrome Plated

TechArt Formula II 

Combines the classic elements of the Formula wheel with a multi-piece look. The Formula II comes with a choice of three finishes: silver, anthracite and black. Bright Silver

TechArt Formula GT and GTS

GT matte black with brushed lip. 

GTS gloss black with brushed lip.

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BMW Concept Gran Coupé - Auto Shows

BMW Concept Gran Coupé - Auto Shows

The German carmaker takes another shot at a high-end, four-door coupe.

In a move reminiscent of—and likely inspired by—its sultry Concept CS of 2007, BMW is unveiling a new, low-profile, four-door coupe concept at the 2010 Beijing auto show. Called the BMW Concept Gran Coupé, it’s meant to showcase the company’s design abilities and philosophy. But instead of being a one-off like the CS, BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk tells us that the Gran Coupé will be built, a decision we suspected from the concept's production-ready look.

According to BMW, the Gran Coupé “concentrates the design expertise of the brand” and “captures a sense of superior dynamic performance and high-quality elegance.” Whatever. It’s a sleek, low-slung, long-wheelbase sedan with a coupe-like roofline and short overhangs. Details about its powerplant and drivetrain technology are not available, but what we can tell you is that the Gran Coupé is a few inches longer than the new 5-series at nearly 197 inches, but is about four inches lower at 55.1.
Full-LED headlights and a prominent BMW kidney grille dominate the forward-angled shark nose, with sweeping lower air inlets helping to accentuate the width of the car. The doors feature frameless windows, which add sleekness by rolling up over and obscuring the B-pillars. The overall theme, with dynamic concave and convex lines and powerful wheel arches, is one of elegance and aggression. The concept’s slim-looking rear end features L-shaped LED taillights and a full-width LED third brake light across the top of the rear window. As with most concepts, the wheels also contribute to the look, with the Gran Coupé’s oversized rolling stock sporting thin, relief-milled spokes that extend into the center of the wheel, lending a three-dimensional appearance. Expect much of this design to transfer over to the next-generation 6-series.
Details about the interior are nil. Rumors of a high-end BMW four-door coupe, possibly carrying a revitalized 8-series moniker, have come and gone ever since the CS concept was shown a few years back. Had BMW said nothing about production, this Gran Coupé would likely have served as little more than additional fuel for those rumors, but we're happy to say that this one will become a reality.

source by caranddriver

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