How To Get 35 MPG In A Porsche 911 [2009 Porsche 911]

The masochistic Germans have been at it again, driving a 345 HP 2009 Porsche 911 efficiently enough to return 35 MPG (US). Did they drive it slowly? No, not really. Over a 402-mile route that included country and city roads in addition to the Autobahn, they averaged 52 MPH, with a top speed of 81 MPH. That sounds an awful lot more fun than I had driving 20 MPH in a Ford Fusion Hybrid. The trick was to keep the 911's engine at its most efficient point: between 1,800 and 2,000 RPM. The test was intended to promote supposedly fuel saving new technologies like direct injection and the new dual-clutch transmission. But, since the 911 already averages 24 MPG (US) in the European combined cycle, what this really highlights is the effect driver behavior has on fuel economy. As drivers seek to achieve better fuel economy from their vehicles, car manufacturers are finally beginning to promote the advantages of efficient driving behavior. In Porsche's case, this means a publicity stunt, but manufacturers like Ford and Honda are starting to equip their more efficient models with instrumentation that instructs drivers on fuel efficient behavior, then rewards them for achieving good economy. [via MotorAuthority]

 

VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous

Click the image above to view the gassed 'Vette take on the Nissan GT-R after the jump The Garage 419 team is anything but conventional, so when they say they're going to race a Nissan GT-R against a $500 competitor, you know it's going to be entertaining. Host Matt Farah had the easy task of rolling to the strip in the Godzilla of street racers, with 478 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and launch control at his beck and call. Editor Gene Sanchez had the tougher task of obtaining a $500 car to challenge his co-worker. Sanchez had a couple tricks up his sleeve, though, as he rented a $200-per-day LS3 Corvette from the Hertz Fun Collection and added a bargain-basement $300 nitrous system. Unfortunately, the 'Vette was burdened with lousy run-flat tires and a six-speed slush box, but at least the yellow underdog had the crowd on its side. Does a juiced up Corvette have a chance in Hell of besting a bone-stock GT-R on a one-eighth mile drag strip? The only way to find out is by hitting the jump to see the race for yourself.

 

2010 Porsche Panamera to make auto show debut in Shanghai

A 2009 Detroit Auto Show debut for the Porsche Panamera? Of course not - Porsche dropped out of Detroit last year before Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Nissan knew what was up. Then good ol' 2009 Geneva Motor Show would be perfect for the Panamera to show itself to the public. Wrong again; Porsche has announced that its brand new four-door will make its auto show debut at the Shanghai auto show in April instead of Geneva, as originally planned. Why the switch? Porsche feels that its growing Chinese, Indian, and Russian sales deserve recognition. The German automaker sold 8,190 vehicles in China during fiscal year 2007-2008. During the same period, sales in Europe and North America fell sharply. According to Automotive News, CEO Wendelin Wiedeking says he is hoping for "new market opportunities" and a "stronger presence" in regions like China and the Middle East. Well we're hoping to catch it at the 2009 New York Auto Show.

 

2010 Ford Mustang kicks off 2008 LA Auto Show with a bang

We arrived in LA late yesterday and checked into our hotel room next to the LA Staples Convention Center. We then quickly unpacked our gear, grabbed our digital cameras and headed to Santa Monica for the live reveal of the 2010 Ford Mustang. It was there we realized that while the depressing Big 3 bailout has ate up most of the headlines in the past couple of weeks, our true passion is bringing our visitors up-to-date info on the hottest vehicles produced by the world's greatest auto makers. And while the Big 3 may not be the best of the breed, we still owe it to them for creating some of the best American made automobiles that have not only captured the hearts of U.S. citizens, but people all over the world. Hosted by FoMoCo's marketing guru Jim Farley, the event was not a Ford event - but an event for all Mustang enthusiasts and for everyone that has that 'special bond' with their cars. The event brought together everyone from legend Carol Shelby to American soldier Kory Chesher, a member of the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division serving in Iraq, who received the keys to a 2010 Mustang GT for winning the "Mustang Stories" contest. So for the next couple of days, forget that the Big 3 is on the brink of bankruptcy if it doesn't receive aid and join us as we bring you live coverage of the 2008 LA Auto Show and show you some of the hottest new vehicles from automakers around the world. At the end of the day, it's not about Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally, Bob Nardelli or Detroit producing the wrong mix of vehicles. It's about the feeling you get when you get in your car, hear that thump of the door closing, slide your key into the ignition and hear the engine roar after you turn it - or as many cars these days allow you to do - push the "Start" button. Follow the 2008 LA Auto Show tag for instant updates of the show. Click through for 79 high-res images from the 2010 Ford Mustang Event. 2010 Ford Mustang Live Reveal:

 

Saleen and SMS announce 2010 Signature Series SMS 460 Mustangs

Steve Saleen has announced that he and his new company, SMS, will design, engineer and manufacture a new family of high-performance Mustangs. The 2010 Signature Series SMS 460 Mustangs won't make their debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month - nor is SMS handing out any pricing, volume or shipping details for the high-performance 'Stangs. However, Saleen and SMS felt like they had to be one of the first ones to show that they are already at work with modifying the 2010 Ford Mustang with a press release and an image of Saleen. Based on the 2010 Ford Mustang GT platform, the SMS 460 Mustangs will feature an SMS Supercharged 4.6L engine that produces 475 to over 600 horsepower. Saleen says that both models will feature extensive design refinements and performance innovations, including the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction hood and a full compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components. The drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior will also receive an upgrade.

 

LA 2008: Lamborghini unveiling Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder

While Lamoborghini's press conference at the LA Auto Show today doesn't begin until later this afternoon, we can at least show you what the Italians will have on display. Meet the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, a natural evolution of the closed-top, mid-engine car with a soft-top mechanism to keep the rain and sun from sullying the Italian-crafted interior. We don't have much information on the 560-4 Spyder yet, except that the new soft-top will open and close in 20 seconds, we love those new wheels and the car's mechanicals will be identical to the standard car. That means the 5.2L V10 still produces 560 hp and this thing will go like a bat, or a bull perhaps, out of hell. Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder [Source: 4wheelsnews.com]

 

LA 2008: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder unveiled LIVE

When we got word that Lamborghini was bringing a new model to the LA Auto Show, it wasn't hard to guess what it would be: the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. Sun-loving Californians would all drive convertibles if they could, making Los Angeles an ideal venue for the debut, and Lamborghini has a habit of following up its coupe models with a drop top version. Our hunch was confirmed earlier this morning when pictures flooded the internet, and we know have live shots from the show floor, along with more details on the car. The new folding top runs via a hydraulic pump as well as electric motor that can close and raise the top in around 20 seconds. The headlights have been slightly updated with new LEDs and daytime running lights. As with the coupe version, the Spyder features the new 5.2L V10 producing 552 bhp and 398 lb-ft torque, and the suspension and e-gear transmission upgrades carry over as well. With the reduced weight and added power, the Spyder now reaches 100 km/h in four seconds flat and tops out at a touch over 200 mph. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, and both live and press shots are in the high resolution galleries below. Gallery: LA 2008: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder   Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder

 

Nissan drops Launch Control from 2010 GT-R

It appears that GT-R owners won't have to worry about voiding their warranties if they use Launch Control -- for the 2010 model year, the car won't come with the feature. Inside Line is quoting a Nissan exec as saying "It's gone. We just don't want to deal with the warranty nightmare anymore. It'll make the 2009 GT-R really special. It'll be the only R35 with launch control." We've previously reported cases where Nissan GT-R owners have brought their cars to the dealership with transmission trouble only to be told their warranties won't cover it. It turns out that disabling the car's VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) too often, in order to use the Launch Control function, meant Nissan wasn't covering the repairs. The cost to fix/replace the transmission is only $20,000, so you can imagine owners weren't too upset. Apparently the GT-R owner's manual states that damage to the transmission is not covered if it is proven to be the result of using Launch Control with the VDC turned off. In fact, the manual states that the only reason you should turn off VDC is to "rock" the vehicle when stuck in mud or snow. We await Nissan's revised performance numbers. Thanks for the tip, Mike! [Source: Inside Line]

 

Lamborghini delivers final Reventon to British customer

Lamborghini has cultivated an image for fast and exclusive supercars, but the Reventon broke the mold. Although rumors at one point suggested that the exotic automaker would increase the production run, Lamborghini stuck to its guns by producing just 20 examples as originally promised, all of which were spoken for almost immediately after the announcement was made despite a whopping million-euro price tag. Now the last one has rumbled out the factory gates in Sant'Agata Bolognese into the hands of one elated new owner. Well, we'd be elated, but the car's owner was instead described as "understandably delighted". That's British understatement for you. The car was sold from a dealership in Birmingham, England, which had the honor of hocking the only Reventon to make it to the car-crazed UK. Fortunately for British supercars fans, the owner - whose identity was not disclosed and his face blurred out in the photo - pledges to drive the machine and will start by driving it across Europe from Italy to Engand. Gallery: The Last Lamborghini Reventon   Gallery: 2008 Lamborghini Reventon [Source: Lamborghini]

 

Nissan taking 2010 GT-R back to the 'Ring

The Nissan GT-R has a relationship with the famed Nurburgring in Germany like no other modern car. It has brought the track back into the headlines by taking out much more expensive hardware with a blistering, though unofficial, lap time of 7 minutes, 29 seconds. That number has since been eclipsed by the Corvette ZR1 and Dodge Viper ACR, but remains ahead of the GT2 despite Porsche's accusation that Nissan ran a less-than-stock GT-R. Well, the GT-R in Japan is getting some upgrades for 2010, and Nissan is reportedly headed back to the 'Ring to see what it'll do. The changes include a slight increase in power to 485 PS, or about a 5-horsepower bump, as well as a new compound Dunlop tire and suspension tweaks. Other mods include a larger fuel tank and some very minor cosmetic changes that won't make a damn bit of a difference on the track. Will the GT-R be able to best its 7:29 lap time? We're guessing they wouldn't bother to make the trip if they weren't certain there were at least a couple of tenths to shave off. Thanks for the tip, Sean! Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan GT-R [Source: 2009gtr.blogspot.com]