Organizers, fans and media alike were shocked when the news broke that Formula One Management and the FIA had canceled the perennial Canadian Grand Prix, but the prospect remained open for local officials to renegotiate the contract. We're disappointed to report, however, that those prospects have now all but completely dissipated, as negotiations between the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone and representatives from the Canadian federal, Quebec provincial and Montreal municipal governments have broken down. And everyone's fingers are pointing at Bernie.
According to Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay, Ecclestone put forward an outrageous proposal extorting exorbitant multi-million-dollar fees from the race organizers, who receive backing from the three levels of government. The Canadian representatives then began considering levying a new tax over local hotels to cover the cost and planning to establish a non-profit organization to come up with a fiscally sound counter-offer, but even those prospects were completely shut down when Ecclestone stated his refusal to budge from his terms whatsoever. And so, with the US Grand Prix still out of the running – for the time being, at least – the top level of motor racing has completely abandoned North America altogether.
Writing about cars for a living is a great gig, but as we're sporadically reminded, not without its occasional dangers. Few know that as well as the guys on BBC's Top Gear, where Richard Hammond miraculously recovered from a spectacular 280+ mph jet-powered dragster crash and Clarkson was recently involved in a head-on collision on location. But with franchises being set up in Australia, Russia and the United States, we knew it was only a matter of time before one of the local hosts followed suite, but we didn't think it would be the pretty boy in the hybrid.
According to Stromer's account, he was rollin' down the street in Hollywood, sipping on gin and juice a "triple grande nonfat latte" in his Camry Hybrid when someone rear-ended him, flipping the Toyota up on its side, sliding 50 feet down the street and roof-first into a curbside palm tree. None of the airbags deployed (suprisingly) and People Magazine's "sexiest man alive" emerged unharmed, so our base audience of middle-aged women can rest easy. Meanwhile, given the incident, we're not sure if we feel better or worse about Stromer's role in the show, but at very least he's proven he can demolish puppy-tear-powered family sedans as well as he can drywall.
To listen to how Stromer was "raped in a Camry" on TG co-host Adam Corolla's radio program, click here.
Click either image for hi-res gallery of the SEAT Leon Linea R
Volkswagen makes some pretty enticing hot hatches, but as we discovered when driving the Leon Cupra, sister-brand SEAT is where it's at. The Spanish subsidiary's hot hatches typically offer more power for less money in a more exciting package than their German counterparts. Now SEAT has widened the gap – on that last category, at least – with a new package for the Golf-based Leon.
Called the Linea R, this newest variant draws inspiration from SEAT's championship-winning touring cars, and you can plainly see the association with the gaping air intakes cut into the body like an 80's slasher flick. The package also includes up-rated brakes, 225/40 R18 rubber and revised aero trim, plus a unique central grille, chrome mirror casings and the requisite boxful of badges. The interior is treated to some sporty touches as well, and the Linea R package is available with a range of powerful engines, including a 170hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel and 1.8-liter 160hp and 2.0-liter 200hp gas-burning turbo fours. The GTI's hot Spanish cousin just got that much hotter, evident in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.
Click above for a high-res gallery of Project Kahn's interior for the Aston Martin Vanquish S
If you haven't been living in a cave, shut off from the fantastic world of European supercars for the past decade, then you'll likely know that Aston Martin has been hard at work on a succession of new flagships since the vaunted Vanquish. But Aston Martin is an automaker deeply rooted in its heritage, so even after discontinuing the Vanquish, it came back to give it some upgrades. Now, noted British tuning house Project Kahn has followed suite by revisiting the Vanquish S with a new interior package.
Kahn's vision for the Vanquish's interior includes a custom dashboard, center console, seats, door panels, steering wheel and roof lining decked out in the customer's choice of contrasting Nappa and Alcantara leather trim, deliciously perforated and top-stitched. Piano lacquer trim panels and smoked privacy glass also form part of the delectable package. Of course Vanquish owners could probably find any number of upholsterers eager and willing to work up a fresh take on the erstwhile Aston flagship's cockpit, but Kahn presents a compelling option. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below.
Gallery: Project Kahn Aston Martin Vanquish S interior
The panel of 59 automotive journalists which decide each year's European Car of the Year have narrowed down their selection from the initial list of 38 contenders to just seven finalists, which have now been announced. Along the way, some noteworthy new vehicles have been forsaken, among them the new Audi A4, BMW 7 Series, Honda Accord, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Scirocco, but not everyone could make the short-list. Otherwise it wouldn't be a short list.
The finalists for the coveted prize includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf. It's worth noting that previous versions of the Megane took home the trophy in their hatchbacks twice since the contest was instituted thirteen years ago. Fiat and Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, have won it six times. We'll see who takes home the prize for 2009, with the winner scheduled for release in just over a week on November 19.
Click above to view the KTM X-Bow at Wembley in high resolution
One look at the KTM X-Bow should tell you it's about as close to a race car for the road as you're ever likely to see. Add to that the European GT4 Sports Light championship and it pretty much seals the deal. But if that still isn't enough, here comes the news that the 2008 Race of Champions has chosen the super-light Austrian track car to compete in this year's event.
For the uninitiated, the Race of Champions takes place every year, fielding a roster including some of the best racers from various motor sport disciplines on two wheels and four against each other on identical machinery. Each year the list of vehicles is changed, and has in the past included Ferrari, Aston Martins, Porsches, Renaults, Abarths, various rally cars and a specially-made sprint car. Last month, RoC officials took a look at the X-Bow, alongside a 4WD racer powered by a pair of Suzuki Hyabusa motorcycle engines, but the final decision just came down. You'll be able to watch the X-Bow, along with the rest of the motor-pool, being man-handled by some of the world's greatest, including F1's Sebastian Vettel, WRC's Sebastien Loeb, DTM's Mattias Ekstrom and WTCC's Andy Priaulx along with recently retired legends Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard at Wembley in London on December 14. More info in the press release after the jump, and images in the gallery below.
California-based Piloti Inc. has earned a solid reputation among enthusiasts for their driving shoes, combining a comfortable fit with fashionable styling, everyday wearablity and optimal heel-and-toe shifting. Now the company is ambitiously expanding into the motorcycle market with its new Moto 800 boot.
The latest addition to the Piloti range promises to offer the same comfort as their driving shoes in a package designed to meet the needs of the two-wheel riders. The Piloti Moto 800 will sell for $150 a pair when it goes on sale in January, but it's already won the Editors' Choice Award from Popular Mechanics. Not a bad start to a new venture.
Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma
The Big 3 may be laying off workers left, right and center, but at least one start up is moving into town to swoop up some skilled workers. That start-up is Fisker Automotive, the aspiring luxury-hybrid automaker headed up by noted designed Henrik Fisker. The new facility is based in a leased property in Pontiac, Michigan, in suburban Detroit, and will help Fisker's engineers get the Karma, first shown in concept form at the last Detroit show and ambitiously gearing up for a production preview at the next one.
The Pontiac site is not replacing Fisker's Irvine, California, headquarters, nor its production site in Finland. It will, however, bring the outfit closer to component suppliers in the Detroit area in an effort to expedite the development process. The 34,000-sq.-ft. Pontiac facility already has approximately 130 staff members hard at work on the Karma, ramping up to 200 dedicated workers and consultants from local parts suppliers.
You remember that mystery Ferrari prototype that was spied at Fiorano back in August? After initial speculation settled down, the prevailing wisdom suggested that the car in question was a one-off coachbuilt creation designed by former Pininfarina (and now independent) stylist Fioravanti for one wealthy customer. In the second issue of Ferrari's official magazine, the reports were confirmed. We're still trying to get a hold of those images for you, but in the meantime the report has hit the internet.
Called the SP1 (for Sport Prototype 1), the Fioravanti-designed special was built for prominent Ferrari collector and Japanese business executive Junichiro Hiramatsu and forms the first product of Maranello's new Portfolio program. The initiative gives the extremely wealthy the opportunity to collaborate with various Italian design houses (including Fioravanti, Pininfarina and Zagato) with full factory support to commission custom creations. The unique vehicles can be based on the Enzo, F430 or 612 (the 599 and new California remaining, for the time being, outside the program), and need to retain certain structural requirements and ultimately meet Ferrari's measure of taste, but beyond that, the sky's the limit. The sky, and your bank account, of course.
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Amosu Luxury diamond Bentley key
As if losing the car keys weren't already enough of a nightmare scenario – the keys to your Bentley that much more so – along come the innovative jewelers at Amosu Luxury to make the key itself that much more precious. The company has staked its reputation among the nouveau riche for taking things like cell phones and icing them out in diamonds. Now Amosu has turned its attention to another item commonly found in the hands of the luxo-bling crowd – a Bentley key – and decorated it with 101 little diamonds (no more, no less) for a total of 1.09 carats, focused on detailing the Flying B logo.
Icing out your Bentley keychain will set you back nearly $8,000, so you may want to get a special leather case for it or keep it in your Bentley safe. But if "the world's fastest lorries" aren't your bag, Amosu can do the same for Lamborghini, Ferrari and Mercedes keys as well, which'll go nicely with that platinum Mercedes-Benz keychain. Thanks for the tip, Christian!
Organizers, fans and media alike were shocked when the news broke that Formula One Management and the FIA had canceled the perennial Canadian Grand Prix, but the prospect remained open for local officials to renegotiate the contract. We're disappointed to report, however, that those prospects have now all but completely dissipated, as negotiations between the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone and representatives from the Canadian federal, Quebec provincial and Montreal municipal governments have broken down. And everyone's fingers are pointing at Bernie.
Officially Official: 2010 Ford Mustang!
2010 Ford Mustang revealed early on Ford's own website!
2009 Nissan 370Z rolls out early in So. Cal
VIDEO: 2009 Nissan 370Z revealed early in So. Cal.
BRABUS begins business of tuning the Tesla Roadster
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Hyundai Genesis
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 7
