Autoblog

Lexus may be throttling back its plans to attack the performance side of its German rivals, but that doesn't mean it won't expand its F-badged lineup in the future. Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center and one of the men behind the IS F, told Autoblog that if the automaker goes forward with plans to create a GS F, an LS F could be in the cards.

Renderings and rumors of the GS F have been circulating since last year, but word came down in August that Lexus planned to delay the introduction of the 500+ hp sedan due to the economic downturn and the (then) high price of fuel. Add that to the possible cancellation of the LF-A, and things aren't looking good for Lexus' foray into the world of high performance.

If an LS F model would come to market, only a few drivetrains could be fitted to the hulking sedan to give it the level of performance necessary to carry the F badge. If Toyota does decide to build the LF-A, its V10 powerplant would be a great candidate for the LS F to provide motivation and defer some of the costs of the supercar.

According to two Lexus execs we spoke to, the IS F outsold both the Mercedes-Benz C63 and BMW M3 Sedan last month (we can't confirm, since Lexus doesn't break down sales of the IS by model), but if consumers are accepting the idea of a high-performance Lexus, than other models will surely follow.

We recently told you how the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fared competing in the Baja 1000. The Blue Oval's new super duper off-roader finished third in the Class 8 division, which is impressive considering it was built for the lower level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete this time because the production version is not yet for sale. We've gone for a ride in the Raptor through the deserts of Nevada, but after looking through the gallery below, our experience probably wasn't as much fun as piloting the truck through 631 miles of the Baja Desert. Clearly the Raptor's first foray into competitive motorsports involved spending a lot of time with all four wheels either off the ground or in water up to its lug nuts. Check out the gallery below for more action shots of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor doing what it was designed for.

We're waiting with bated breath for the December 15 unveiling of the all-new BMW Z4, but as we inch closer to Z-day we're getting a clearer picture of how the redesigned roadster will look. On Wednesday we caught a glimpse of the Z4 that revealed much smoother, very un-Bangle-looking side panels. Above is the newest Z4 teaser, and as you can see, its a booty shot. The first thing we noticed was the bulging rear wheel arch, which gives the Z4 a more sporting personality than its predecessor. BMW designers also added a strong character line that starts from the inside of the headlamp and continues back to the very BMW-looking tail lamps, complete with white LED accent lights. Two healthy-sized exhaust tips reside out back to keep the Z4's naturally aspirated or turbocharged 3.0L in-line six breathing freely.

If you see the hard top and assume that you're looking at the Z4 coupe, you're likely wrong. The new Z4 will come as a hard-top convertible for 2009, with a soft-top variant rumored to be arriving one year later. Future Zs could also include an M-inspired variant with the M3's 4.0L V8 and a smaller Z2 roadster. The new Z4 looks very promising, but we'll hold off on final judgment until we can check out the high-res photos on the 15th.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Quick! What's the hottest electric car currently on the market? Did you say the Tesla Roadster? You may in fact be right, but there's another contender that you should consider before making up your mind so quickly. The fish-shaped all-electric Tango by Commuter Cars Corporation might not be as much of a looker as the Roadster, but it may be a quicker in a straight line. Need proof? Take a look at the video after the break of a Tango going up head-to-head with a Tesla Roadster to see which green drag-racer came out the victor -- you may be surprised. It bears noting that this particular Roadster was equipped with drivetrain V.1, not the updated 1.5 that would improve performance considerably. For what it's worth, an official record was set by the Tesla Roadster on this pass, though we know the car can do even better. The Tesla's owner and driver, Jorg Brown, also knows that it's got more in it. For an accurate depiction of just how quick Silicon Valley's electric car can be, click here.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

According to several reports, Honda has put its F1 team up for sale and if the automaker doesn't find a suitor before the start of the season in March, it won't be campaigning in 2009.

An unnamed source told Reuters that Honda team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry said, "They have a month to find a buyer, otherwise they are closing the team." Autocar reports that a media lunch was cancelled this week and that a staff meeting at Honda Team HQ in Brackley was called this evening and an official statement will follow tomorrow morning from Japan.

The reason for the decision is due to the current economic climate and the cost of developing a competitive car that abides by the 2009 rules. Finding someone to back the team during these tumultuous times is going to prove difficult and there's already talk that Bernie Ecclestone may step in to attempt to work out a deal to keep Honda around.

More information should follow tomorrow. Thanks to all who tipped in.

[Sources: Reuters, Autocar, ITV | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Last month, shooters caught the new Noble M600 undergoing testing at the Firebird Raceway in Arizona. According to reports, the M600 was joined on the track by Noble's benchmark vehicle, a Porsche Carrera GT. The crew at RacersWeb.com found themselves at the same track at the same time as the M600, and unlike the previous pics shot from the grandstands, these newest images get us up close and personal with Noble's new 600+ hp, twin-turbo'd V8 supercar.

The exterior hasn't changed much since we brought you the first round of "official" and unofficial shots earlier this year, but the front bumpers vents and ducting are in clear view, as is a new Noble badge that drops the oblong yellow logo for a simple crown design. The engine bay reveals the M600's Volvo-sourced powerplant, but all the interesting tidbits are hidden deep inside. Compared to past models, Noble spent some serious coin on making the interior a nice place to toil away the hours around town and on the track, with acres of Alcantara, contrast stitching and beautifully crafted knobs, stalks and switchgear.

We're hoping to see the Noble M600 officially revealed early next year, but in the meantime, get an eyeful in the gallery below.


[Source: Racersweb.com]

Ford's goal of designing products to be sold both Stateside and abroad could finally include some of its hottest European offerings with the appointment of Jost Capito to the newly-created position of director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development.

While we've had to adore models like the Focus RS from abroad, Capito's new gig overseeing and consolidating both the North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and the European TeamRS means that crosspollination between the two performance brands is assured.

Capito -- a Dakar Rally veteran and former engineer for BMW and Porsche -- has been with Ford of Europe since October of 2001, and managed Ford's European motorsport and performance vehicle programs from 2003 through 2007. During that time, he was instrumental in Ford's WRC campaign and helped to bring the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and Focus RS to market. Capito will be moving from the UK to Dearborn, Michigan before he takes the reigns in January next year, and we're hoping to secure some time with the new exec to hear his plans for the future of Ford's performance products.

During today's Senate hearings of the Detroit 3 automakers, U.S. Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah) spent much of his time on the mic talking about the cost savings that would be realized if General Motors and Chrysler LLC merged. He argued that prior talks held between the two companies has already laid the groundwork for a merger and that estimates peg annual cost savings at $8-10 billion for the combined company. Bennett then remarked that one reason a GM/Chrysler merger didn't happen the first time around was because many people in upper management, possibly including one of the two CEOs sitting before him, would basically lose their jobs. When asked if he would still want government assistance if Congress made the merger of GM and Chrysler a condition, Nardelli responded, "The first job that would go would be mine, but if in fact that's the criteria that means we would get money to save Chrysler and the people who have worked there for 80 some years, I would do it." Wow.

Of course, we're fairly certain Mr. Nardelli has a decently sized nest egg to fall back on, and we'd jump at the offer to make a graceful exit if we were the CEO of Chrysler, too. Nevertheless, Nardelli's comment came off as sincere and was commended by Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) who is chairing the hearings.

[Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

CNN has published the results of a telephone survey of 1,100 people that show 61% of those polled oppose government assistance for U.S. automakers. In addition, 70% of respondents believe that a "bailout" is unfair to taxpayers and a majority believe it would not help the economy. CNN notes that its results may reflect the result of "bailout fatigue" on the American public, which is understandable considering the hundreds of billions that have been handed out so far by the U.S. government, without the cumbersome process of Congressional hearings mind you, to financial institutions.

The Detroit 3 automakers are just concluding their first day of a second round of Senate hearings in which they're asking for anywhere from $18 to $34 billion in government loans. We've been watching the hearings all day on CSPAN, and aside from being very sleepy now, are not convinced yet that these automakers will receive the aid they seek.

But, we're interested to hear what you think, and since you probably didn't receive a call from a CNN pollster this past week, you can take our poll below.



[Source: CNN Money, Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

It's ridiculous, but we love Mitsuoka. The company is best known for transforming existing cars into wannabe classic British-style rides, as well as its Orochi sports car, which is what happens after a Camry gets drunk and has a torrid one-night stand with a sea monster. The latest Mitsuoka effort, however, is an instant classic. It's called the Himiko, and it wants desperately to be a Morgan. Appropriately, the source material for this fake British sports car is a Mazda MX-5, itself an homage to the classic British roadsters of old. Thus, how bad can it really be? And look, you can even get it with the retractable hardtop! It's as endearing as it is nutty. Like we said at the top. We love Mitsuoka.

UPDATE: 20 more photos added to the gallery.


[Source: Autofiends]