Mercedes'Full-Bore Attack On M3 And CivilizationGerman Touring Car (DTM are the initials in German) has some of the most intense racing in the world and has often spawned street-bound homologation specials that are almost ludicrous in their specification and ability. But none of them are quite as jaw-dropping nutso as the latest version of Mercedes CLK-DTM, which was caught testing at the Nfrburgring.
While it might first seem that this engorged CLK is merely a response to BMW's upcoming V8-powered M3, it's a far more radical vehicle. There's a 6.3-liter, AMG-assembled V8 whacking out something between 580 and 600bhp. There's even rumors (based on solid hints from AMG's head, Volker Mornhinweg) of a turbo-charged version.
AMG and Mercedes have sold a version of the AMG CLK DTM before and, relatively speaking, this latest version is maybe even a bit understated. But it will follow the same route of being strictly limited in production with around 100 to 200 being built. And none are likely to be sold in America. So you'll just have to move to Germany in 2007 to get one.
Cobalt And SaltThis year, GM hauled four machines to Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats: a Cobalt SS built by students and running on E85 alcohol/gasoline blend fuel, SoCal's Cobalt SS and HHR, plus the radical Lakester belly-tank car. All were powered by various versions of GM's Ecotec four-cylinder engine. And they left the salt with three new records. Well, three new records and a wadded-up HHR.
In the G/BFALT (G-Class/Blown Fuel Altered Coupe) class, the record was upped from 218.39mph to 246.85mph, using SoCal's Cobalt SS to get the job done and GM Performance Division engineer Mark Dickens doing the piloting.
But the most impressive achievements came with the student-built Cobalt. Not only was this student-built, but chick-built as well. The engineers were Heather Chemistruck, 19, from Virginia Tech, Lauren Zimmer, 21, from Purdue, and Sandra Saldivar, 21, from New Mexico State. On August 13, with Dickens behind the wheel, their Cobalt set a G/FCC (G-Class/Unblown Fuel Competition Coupe) record of 156.07mph while running on straight E85. Then nitrous was added to the mix, upping the speed to 172.68mph. Not too shabby-for a bunch of girls.
Meanwhile, the SoCal HHR had made a qualifying run of 246.69mph in the G/BFCC (G-Class/Blown Fuel Competition Coupe) class-well above the 226.84mph record-when the machine lost traction at the end once the parachute deployed. While the HHR was pretty much stripped of its sheetmetal as it rolled, the passenger compartment remained structurally intact, so driver Jim Minneker walked away with only bruises.
So... that's the female GM engineering interns earning two records. And the actual GM engineers (all-male) with a wrecked HHR. Hmmm.
Rumors&LiesVolkswagen has introduced a limited series of 'Barbie' Beetles in Mexico. Yes, these are full-size driveable New Beetles painted hot pink and featuring upholstery only Ken could withstand-and he's plastic. No word on when the Barbie Beetle will make it to the United States, but we hope the Border Patrol will intercept them.
Are Ford and Nissan/Renault combining? It seemed possible in August. Then Ford got a new boss from Boeing, so don't count on it. Maybe everyone at Ford will get a new plane.
Hyundai has passed on an opportunity to buy Jaguar from Ford.
Toyota has introduced a Touring version of the Prius. It tours from one self-righteous destination to another.
A bill now on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk would, if it becomes law, elevate street racing offenses that result in injury from misdemeanors to felonies. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, 7600 drivers in that state were convicted of street racing offenses during 2005.
R8 In America!So far, Audi's upcoming mid-engine wondercar, the R8, has only been seen in its native Germany. That changed when prototypes were caught hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Yup, that's an R8 wearing a California plate.
Just because this R8 is in America doesn't mean a lot has changed since it was orbiting the Nfrburgring. It's still heavily based on the Lamborghini Gallardo (Audi owns Lambo), it still uses either a de-tuned version of the Gallardo's 5.0-liter V10 making about 450bhp or a version of the RS4's V8 with about 420bhp. Of course, Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system is part of the package.
Expected to cost around $115,000 when it goes on sale next spring, the R8 will compete against cars like the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin's V8 Vantage. And it will be cheaper than the Gallardo.