Toyota to show GRMN Hybrid Concept II at Nürburgring

The new GRMN concept weighs 3,300 pounds and has a gasoline-powered V6 engine positioned mid-vehicle--a move Toyota says should improve performance and stability. An electric motor powers the front wheels of the all-wheel-drive system and contributes 50 hp to the combined 295-hp output.

The GRMN Hybrid Concept II is a sports convertible co-developed by Gazoo Racing. It is a slightly modified version of the gasoline-electric concept Toyota showed last year at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

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Saab unions threaten bankruptcy action over unpaid wages

Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs said it is not possible to say when salaries will be paid. "That depends on when and if we can secure short-term funding, for example through the real estate deal," Gustavs said. "This is really bad news and we are working intensely to do something about it. There are no guarantees but we are not giving up."

Saab has been forced to halt production at Trollhatten because of the cash shortage. Earlier this week the automaker asked its suppliers to accept 10 percent of what they're owed now and the rest in September, the chairman of Swedish auto-supplier association FKG told Bloomberg.

Saab first halted production in April amid a payment dispute with suppliers. It restarted assembly May 27 after getting a cash advance from Pang Da, only to put the brakes on manufacturing again on June 8.

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Nissan Altima prices to start at $20,410

Enhancements for the new model year include a new Value Package, priced at an MSRP of $490, which includes Bluetooth(r) Hands-free Phone System, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls, auto /on/off headlight and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink(r) Universal Transceiver. Also available is the continuation of last year's Special Edition Package. Both are offered with Altima Sedan 2.5 S. The Bluetooth(r) Hands-free Phone System is also now standard on the 3.5 SR and included within the 2.5 S Convenience Package. In addition, a Dark Slate exterior color replaces the previous Metallic Slate.

Now in the sixth year of its refined fourth generation design, the Nissan Altima Sedan continues to provide an innovative combination of quality, exhilarating performance, sporty design and exceptional value in the mid-size sedan class. With strong sales in the 2011 model year, Altima Sedan's sales momentum shows no signs of slowing down in 2012. 

The 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan and Altima Coupe are offered with a range of popular comfort and convenience features, including standard Nissan Intelligent Key(tm) and available Bluetooth(r) Hands-free Phone System, Bluetooth(r) Audio Streaming, RearView Monitor and Nissan Navigation with XM NavTraffic(r) and NavWeather(tm) Real-Time Traffic Information services (XM(r) subscription required, sold separately).

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Bring a Trailer exclusive: 1995 Acura NSX-T

The Acura NSX (New Sportscar Experimental) debuted at the Chicago auto show in February 1989 and in Tokyo in October of the same year. The car was praised for its lightweight, aluminum body and low-slung form, coming in at only five inches taller than the Ford GT40.

The 270-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine is original, along with the transmission, chrome wheels and interior. The only major service repairs include a new clutch plate, disc, flywheel and throwout bearing, and the front rotors, which were resurfaced at 80,785 miles. The master cylinder, timing belt, accessory belt and water pump have also been replaced at various times, and the rear tires are only 500 miles old. 

The car currently calls Altadena, Calif., its home, so if you're in the market, visit Bring A Trailer for more details and contact information.

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Final Bugatti Veyron 16.4 spoken for

“In the Veyron the Bugatti team has created a vehicle that has already become an icon of automotive history. Both technologically and in terms of design, the Veyron is still far ahead of its time. The Grand Sport is a further pinnacle of achievement in the open-top sports car segment, and we intend to maintain the same standard in our future Bugatti products.”

The development of the Bugatti Veyron represented one of the greatest technical challenges and engineering achievements in automotive history. Volkswagen bought the rights to the Bugatti brand in 1998, and just one year later the company presented its fourth concept vehicle, the close-to-production study EB 18/4 Veyron at the Tokyo Motor Show. Barely six years down the line, on 29 April 2005, a Veyron exceeded 400 km/h for the very first time, and six months later was presented to its global audience.

The Veyron was and remains a synthesis of superlative technical achievements. It was the first production vehicle to have a full carbon-fibre monocoque, and its torsional rigidity of 60,000 Newton meters per degree remains unparalleled to this day. The 7,993 cm3 capacity sixteen-cylinder engine with its four continuously variable camshafts and four turbochargers is capable of a top speed of 407 km/h, developing 1,001 PS (736 kW). The seven-gear twin-clutch gearbox governs an unbelievable 1,250 Newton meters of torque, and is one of the fastest transmissions in the world with shift times of less than 150 milliseconds. Acceleration from 0 to 100 takes place in a legendary 2.5 seconds.

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Ford Focus Titanium sedan, an AutoWeek Drivers Log Car Review

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY:

After spending an evening in the upmarket 2012 Ford Focus Titanium, I'm decidedly torn. My feelings about the chassis, brakes, steering--everything about the driving dynamics--remain the same as with our SE Sport tester a few weeks back: brilliant. For a C-segment car (granted, one tickling $27,000), the Focus is incredibly composed and unflappable in all but the most ridiculous street driving. The interior is beautifully crafted with quality-feeling materials, and the seats offer a perfect blend of side bolstering and lower cushion for my sometimes awkward, lanky frame.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: 

I spent a lot of time logging miles all over town in this hot sedan, blinged out sportily in Titanium trim. I was impressed with the drive character of this car, and it's mainstream, agreeable and generally well done. Ford will sell a ton of these things, I'd say. Enthusiasts will like the chassis and composed body, which maintain bearing and a civil demeanor. The suspension is tight without being abusive. I found the steering to be light, but it returns plenty of feel for most regular drivers. 

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: 

At long last, the United States gets the Focus the rest of the world receives--and we'll be getting a hot ST version, too, which is very cool. I live close to the plant where they build these things in Wayne, Mich., so I've been seeing a ton of them running around. They are sharp-looking cars with a front end featuring large air dams, which is good for the class. It's a welcome change from the drab and uninspired looks on the majority of the usual suspects like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

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Video: Chevrolet Racing Track to Street Season 2 Episode 5

In addition to the lap around the track, Chevrolet has also provided a second video featuring in depth interviews with drivers like Richard Westbrook as they describe what it’s like to be on and off the track. This video came out before the team’s win at LeMans, but after watching the Gavin make the quick lap around LeMans, it seemed necessary to go into the the team’s preparations for the 24 hour long event.

 

In Chevrolet’s latest Track to Street series, Corvette Racing takes us along on a hot lap around the LeMans track. This is the very same track where driver Oliver Gavin received first place in the GTE Pro division of the 24h endurance race a little over a week ago.

Let’s just say that we envy the thrill of being a part of such a famous event, but are in awe of the endurance these drivers have to have in order to complete the race.

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Video: McLaren MP4-12C vs. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Mercedes

In this video, the MP4-12C is pitted up against the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Audi R8 V10, the Mercedes SLS, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and the Lamborghini Gallardo Performante, all driven by Ex-Stig Ben Collins to make it as fair as possible. At the end of each drive, Collins goes into detail about each supercar, making this a must see!

We don’t know if British magazine, CAR, saw it coming, but they have released a video stacking the McLaren MP4-12C supercar against many of its rivals just in time for the announcement that the supercar has been sold out for the next three years.

So, is the McLaren MP4-12C all that it’s cracked up to be, or would people be better off purchasing one of the other supercars tested? Watch the video to see what a professional thinks, then tell us what you think in the comments section below

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Tag Heuer Formula 1 Gulf Edition Watch

The special edition timepiece is based on the steel 44mm wide Tag Heuer Formula 1 Big Date watch with a Swiss quartz movement and a time, subsidiary seconds dial. It features a black dial with a light gray cross-hatching pattern and contrasting Gulf racing stripes in orange and blue, as well as the orange and white Gulf logo. The Formula 1 Gulf Edition is available in either a steel or rubber strap.

Tag Heuer has been rather busy this year coming up with several special editions to celebrate their partnerships. So far, we’ve seen the Tag Heuer Monaco V4 Titanium Chronograph, the TAG Heuer Limited Edition Indy 500 Centennial Chronograph, and the TAG Heuer McLaren MP4-12C Chronograph. Their latest ode is the limited edition Formula 1 Gulf Edition Watch which celebrates the timepiece company’s partnership with both Monaco Gulf and Formula 1.

The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Gulf Edition Watch sells for somewhere in the $1,000 range.

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