Driving Sports

Fisker Performing Track Testing in SoCal

Fisker Automotive, Inc. and Quantum Technologies announced today they are performing initial vehicle testing and fine tuning the battery software management system for the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid production car. These initial test track developments are taking place in Southern California.

Three Fisker Karma prototypes have been built, and are currently undergoing testing for the electric powertrain developed by Quantum Technologies. Concurrently, the Fisker Automotive engineering team is working on crash test simulation. Further validation and certification on the vehicles will be performed over the coming months.

Subaru and Toyota RWD Coupe Rumors Confirmed

Rumors of a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota to produce a hot RWD sport coupe have been confirmed. The world's largest automaker will increase its investment in Subaru from about 8% to about 16% and in return, Subaru will provide a 1.8 or 2.0-liter boxer engine in both normally-aspirated and turbocharged variants to the new dual-badged sports car.

So far, only concept drawings have been leaked from the two automakers, but the word on the grapevine is that the new car will retail for about $16,000 (USD) and be available only in a RWD configuration.

But if Toyota and Subaru join forces to bring out a hot  RWD sport compact well under $20K, it's a fair bet that they'll have the market leader in the segment right out of the gate. Stay tuned for more information as it happens.   

Dodge Challenger Unveiled - Way Cool!

Today at the New York International Auto Show, Chrysler LLC unveiled its full 2009 Dodge Challenger model lineup. Pricing will start in the low $20’s.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics — unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology — to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations.

Scion Hako - A Face Only A Mother Could Love

Scion unveiled its Hako Coupe Concept vehicle at a press conference today at the New York International Auto Show. Honestly, our first impression is that these guys have seen way too many '32 Ford sedan hot rods. But it's of a piece with the Ford Flex, so this must be the going thing at the New York Auto Show this year.

Scion's Hako Coupe was developed by Tokyo Design Division, which studied global, youth-inspired trends. Japanese and American youth cultures often influence each other and are interpreted with a unique twist. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.

Ford Flex Generates Buzz

Ford says: "Now it's safe to add daring and intriguing to your list of adjectives describing Ford vehicles - the new Flex is here." But I'm thinking I'd also use "Boxy" and "Strange" as well - yet Ford seems to welcome strong opinions about their new full-size crossover.

"Flex is a vehicle that dares to be different. Its contemporary design provokes strong opinions. Its new technologies are intelligent and engaging. All in all, Ford Flex is like no other vehicle on the road today, and that may mean it's not for everyone," Ford says.

OK, I can live with that, and and I admire their willingness to do something a little off-base and see if people groove on it.

Kia Kites Killer Koup Koncept

The KOUP concept from Kia Motors America was unveiled today at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The simple yet bold and aggressive KOUP exterior is complemented by its realistic and sleek interior design. Originating from the Kia Motors America Design Center in Irvine, Calif., the KOUP concept embodies Kia's philosophy of "Exciting and Enabling" with its balanced proportions and fluid design set to evoke an emotional driving experience.

Suzuki Finds Its Bliss with Kizashi Concept

Here at DSHQ, we're stoked that Suzuki seems to be planning to enter the sports car market - departing from the last few years of being almost exclusively a small SUV company.

The New York International Auto Show will welcome American Suzuki Motor Corp. on Thursday, March 20, as the company debuts its sleek and athletic Concept Kizashi 3, the final addition to its acclaimed Kizashi concept series.  The Concept Kizashi 3, which suggests both Suzuki’s future design direction and stated intent to offer a larger, more upscale sport sedan, will be joined in New York by the North American debuts of the Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2.

New Hybrid Technology on Display in Geneva

By now, you've noticed that I like to jump on technological issues as they come floating down the news stream. The reason is simple: This stuff is what we'll all be driving in 10 years, and I want driving to stay fun.

Really, I don't have any commitment to gasoline, as long as there's some around to power my classic cars. The next new car I buy could run on fresh air, sunshine, and daisies for all I care, so long as it's fast and handles well.

This year's Geneva Auto Show seems to be where every company in the world is announcing advances in a couple of key areas: diesel performance and lithium-ion battery technology. Sometimes together in one package. The diesel-electric hybrid idea dates back to the early 20th century, and in fact, most railroad locomotives still use a diesel-electric combination of powerplants. It's likely that your next  sports car will use a turbo-diesel in combination with an electric motor to get you off the line fast and  maintain a healthy top speed. Which is fine with me - my big-ass rattle-can pickup truck turns mid-15s on the strip. 

So we keep a finger on the pulse of the new technology around DrivingSports HQ. Here's the latest, a new hydrogen fuel cell car from the Italians:

Pininfarina unveiled its new concept car, the Sintesi, featuring Nuvera's Quadrivium(TM) drive, at the Geneva Motor Show today in Geneva, Switzerland.

      

Mitsubishi Employee Wins Hot Wheels Design Award

Mitsubishi Motors Employee Gary Ragle Selected as One of Seven Winners in First-Ever Hot Wheels® Designer's Challenge^TM

Toy manufacturer Mattel has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Research and Design of America (MRDA) employee Gary Ragle is among seven designer finalists to be selected in the company's first-ever Hot Wheels® Designer's Challenge^TM. MRDA was among six automotive manufacturers to participate in the challenge, which marked the first time Hot Wheels® has turned outside the company to seek new vehicle designs.

Chrysler Shows Off 2008 Dodge Challenger

The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger brings what pony car fanatics crave: ground shaking performance, unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger, world-class ride and handling characteristics and benchmark braking. On top of that it features a wide variety of modern amenities and technology designed to delight a new generation of driving enthusiasts.

“The all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is engineered to give customers everything they want in a modern muscle machine,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “The new version of Dodge’s American classic boasts tire-smoking performance and head-turning design while offering a wide array of state-of-the-art technology, such as GPS navigation, ‘Keyless Go’ entry, a MyGIG™ infotainment system and UConnect hands-free communication.”

Lexus Finally Unveils an Interesting Car!

Stop the presses! Someone please pinch me! Lexus has finally unveiled a concept for a car that doesn't make me want to kill myself from sheer boredom!  Please, I beg you, someone assure me that they'll actually build it and get away from their usual rolling piles of self-satisfied smugness!

The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum   body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength   and rigidity even without a top.

Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving   V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more   than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in   front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what   the LF-A's engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.

The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle   that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member   that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.

Hyundai Hedges Hydrogen Hunch

Hyundai's new hydrogen-powered, zero-emission concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), debuted in North America at the 100th edition of the Chicago Auto Show this week. Developed at Hyundai's Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue concept illustrates the design direction for a future FCEV production model. The all-new i-Blue platform features Hyundai's third-generation fuel cell technology, currently being developed at Hyundai's Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea.

Auto Industry Flashes the Green at Winter Auto Shows

Every year at the various Auto Shows around America, representatives of the big three U.S. automakers give a short presentation to the local media about their new cars.  Two years ago, the talk was all about big - bigger cars and SUVs with bigger engines than the year before. This year, the trend is mostly in the other direction, and you’ll be able to see the difference at this winter's Auto Shows.

Back in November, I went to the Los Angeles Auto Show to get an early look at the 2009 prototypes and concept cars. Every manufacturer at the L.A. Auto Show wanted to talk about green. Not just the color of money, but about alternative fuels, hybrid engines, and clean transportation.

Mazda unveils Furai Concept at NAIAS

No single brand has more cars racing on a given weekend than Mazda. In light of this, its new concept, the Mazda Furai (Japanese for "sound of the wind") drives that point home with a bullet. Based on Mazda's American Le Mans Series (ALMS) chassis, the car sports a 3-rotor engine.

Says Franz von Holzhausen, Mazda’s North American director of design, “Furai purposely blurs boundaries that have traditionally distinguished street cars from track cars. Historically, there has been a gap between single-purpose racecars and street-legal models — commonly called supercars — that emulate the real racers on the road. Furai bridges that gap like no car has ever done before.”

And, since embracing the future also means embracing renewable fuels, the Furai was initially tuned to operate on 100 ethanol. This is the first time a three-rotor engine has used this blend. Of course, no actual performance numbers were released--450hp was alluded to--, but even parked it appears to be breaking the speed of sound.

The Mazda design and R&D teams worked closely with Swift Engineering to refine the aerodynamic characteristics, so the Furai will remain glued to the ground at high speeds. Complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software tools were used to tune various Nagare design elements to function at a high degree of efficiency. Drag, downforce, lift and overall aesthetics were all key considerations according to sources on the project.

Personally, I've never drooled over a concept quite like this one. Not sure if it's the flat-black paint or the wicked lines. Either way, I want one. More pictures and video clips after the break.