A brand-new automotive concours event in Newport, Rhode Island is taking steps to make classic car shows more accessible for the next generation. ‘Bout time!The first-ever Audrian’s Newport Concours Motor Week will be hosted by Rhode Island’s Audrian’s Automobile Museum, and is scheduled to take place over four days in early October.And in a refreshing effort to keep the next generation from getting discouraged by classic car prices that tower higher than their life savings, the event creators have decided to include a 30 Under 30 class. “The 30 Under 30 is a class designed for hobbyists under thirty years of age who have not spent more than $30,000 on their project,” the concours website reads. “This class has been developed to encourage young people to get involved in the hobby of car collecting and restoration.” “By having this officially judged class, it is our goal to foster growth within the collector hobby, by showing young people that collecting and restoring is not just for the affluent, and isn’t limited to cars in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.”The 30 Under 30 entrants will be displayed and judged (by Jay Leno, among other experts) alongside 23 other ‘regular’ classes on the final day of the event, which will include other, much more expensive cars, including the pre-Second-World-War classics typical of concours. Other concours highlights include a Tour d’Elegance.The event should draw a crowd, and not just because there will be millions of dollars of classic cars there; John Legend is also scheduled to perform at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.The inaugural event will take place at multiple venues in Newport from October 3 through 6, with proceeds going to a variety of local non-profit organizations. Entries are closed for this year, but guest tickets are still available on the official
Origin: New concours event welcomes younger entrants with under-$30k class
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Emory does it again with the gorgeously resto-modified Outlaw 911K
Rod Emory has carved out a place for himself and his business in the world of Porsche by taking vintage 356s and bringing them into the modern era with mad style, grace and motorsport engineering. Now, with the Outlaw 911K, the Porsche experts at Emory Motorsports have completed their first project based on a Porsche 911. Commissioned by a special client, the project is based on a 1968 SWB 911 and inspired by the short-tailed Porsche 908-010 K-body prototype. It’s a new-age beauty with shades of retro stylings, which is classic Emory. But there’s a certain amount of playfulness here that not all the other Outlaws have. Features like the air horns mounted under the front, auxiliary lights, the Mobil Pegasus painted on the side, the 901 five-speed manual transmission or the cream-and-orange paint combo all bring a sense of fun to the custom build. Powering the 911K is a 2.5-litre twin-plug six-cylinder 911 engine that makes 190 horsepower with a modern ECU and a cooling fan from a 935. The car also got upgraded brakes with 911 S alloy calipers, a fully adjustable three-way KW shocks and Pirelli tires. Inside, there are 908-inspired seats with red covers and racing harnesses, a Prototipo steering wheel, an amber-coloured fibreglass dash cover and leather straps for the windows to round out the vintage rally feel.The Emory Outlaw 911K hasnt revealed the price the customer paid yet, so feel free to browse through the gallery of photos below and take a guess at the number of zeroes the tagll end
Origin: Emory does it again with the gorgeously resto-modified Outlaw 911K
Bentley celebrates 100th birthday with this massive EXP 100 GT Concept
Bentley is celebrating its birthday in the most extravagant way with a massive grand touring concept to preview the future of motoring.Its calld the EXP 100 GT, and its quite imposing. The vehicle spans an incredible 19 feet, and is almost 8 feet wide. The wheelbase measures 120 inches, which means you can almost fit a Nissan Micra between the tires.Under the extremely long hood of the EX 100 GT is not much, but on each of the wheels is a big electric motor that has active torque vectoring, and a combined system output of 1,100 lb.-ft. of torque. The massive torque figure helps the 4,188-lb car reach highway speeds in just 2.5 seconds, before pressing on to a quite respectable top speed of 295 km/h.The range is also quite respectable, at some 700 km, pulled off thanks to a new type of battery Bentleys developed thats reportedly five times more energy-dense than competitors. The battery can be charged up to 80 per cent in just 15 minutes. As it is with most cars in the Bentley stable, the real show is on the inside. Scissor doors bring you into a world of wool and leather-like material, with accents of 5,000-year-old copper-infused riverwood, according to the Crewe brand.On top of it all, the EXP 100 GT is ready to accept a fuel-cell hybrid powertrain, one which should make over 670 emission-free horsepower.Bentley rarely gets to make pure show cars, so its great to see the brand really pouring its heart and soul into this one. If this is what 2035 looks like, were so
Origin: Bentley celebrates 100th birthday with this massive EXP 100 GT Concept
Watch: Australian gender reveal burnout ends with explosion, car fire
Australians love burnouts its almost like its in their blood, something imbued in them from birth. That goes double for this one kid, whose gender-reveal-via-burnout turned out even more memorable than his parents had planned when it ended with an explosion and car fire.Police in Australia are using a gender reveal party that took place on the countrys Gold Coast in April 2018 as an example of how these sorts of stunts can go way wrong way fast.The reveal was supposed to happen via a giant smokey burnout in the revealers V8-powered Holden Special Vehicles Senator, a rear-wheel-drive muscle car. As he spun the tires, the blue smoke gave away the baby would be a boy.Unfortunately, the hoonigan at the wheel got a little overzealous and ended up causing a big explosion that burned the car to the ground. Nobody was hurt, but according to CNN, the 29-year-old driver was convicted of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.Police have stepped in after a gender reveal ceremony took a turn for the worst.The explosive finale was captured on video, with the daredevil driver slapped with a hefty fine: https://t.co/V7DkwMkN2l @njkelly9 #9News pic.twitter.com/voh5QeTRqy Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) July 9, 2019This isnt the first time a gender reveal has sparked flames the its-a-boy!-burnout party is actually part of a growing trend in Australia, apparently which is whats got police increasingly concerned.On top of it all, gender reveal parties are starting to see a lot of push-back generally, especially over-the-top ones. Our thoughts? At the end of the day, just dont be dumb,
Origin: Watch: Australian gender reveal burnout ends with explosion, car fire
Daniel Ricciardo: one-on-one with F1 star ahead of British GP
Ahead of next weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a number of drivers on the grid found themselves together in rather more relaxed circumstances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s one of the few opportunities for today’s Formula 1 giants to drive the older crop of racing models, in the public eye, on a circuit alongside each other. This year, Daniel Ricciardo, fresh into his contract at Renault, had a chance to drive everything (in anger) from the firm’s hardcore new Mégane Trophy-R to the race-winning 2012 Renault-powered E20 F1 car. In between his time at the wheel and being physically mobbed by fans of all ages, Autocar grabbed five minutes with Ricciardo to talk shop. How are you feeling about tackling the hillclimb, in the rain, in a car you’re not that familiar with (the 2012 F1 car)? “It’s actually easier now! I’d probably be more nervous if it was dry as I was going to put pressure on myself – I was tempted to scare myself a bit and go all out, so it’s probably safer this way.” It’s been a less-than-perfect season so far for Renault. Are you now thinking ahead to 2020, or do you have an idea of how to improve things now? “I have not thought one bit about 2020. The season for me still feels like it’s starting – I know we’ve done a lot of races now, but there’s still so much more for me and the team to deliver. To already think next year seems premature. “We’ve definitely got an idea of what we need to be improving; unfortunately, when we tried to address those things with the upgrade in France, it didn’t seem to tackle all of them. We know what we’ve gotta do. Myself and Nico (Hülkenberg) are giving the same feedback on where we feel the car can be stronger and where the weaknesses lie. I think we’ve pinpointed it but executing it is taking a bit of time.” Are you looking forward to Silverstone this weekend? “I really like Silverstone – hopefully it’s not this weather. I don’t think I’ve actually turned a lap in the Renault F1 car in the rain yet. But Silverstone’s cool, I love the atmosphere. It’s a high-speed circuit so you really feel the downforce – that and Suzuki, those are the two tracks where you feel the aero most. And it’s like a festival atmosphere: rain, hail or shine, everyone seems to show up.” This year is your eighth in F1. Are you still in love with the sport despite everything? “Absolutely. Like everything you have your days – especially in the last year (at Red Bull) some days I did hate it – but I do love it I’m still very motivated and optimistic. That hasn’t wavered.” Has there been any thoughts at all about what’s next for you? “I’m just thinking about the now. A few years ago, I thought it would be cool to try some other races, but now I think the more involved I get in F1, the more I want out of it. I’m still yet to achieve ultimately what I want, which is a world title, so I’m going to put all my effort into that and I don’t really want to be sidetracked by anything else. I’m all in on it, and hopefully it works out.” Are you getting involved in the decision-making around the 2021 rule changes? “Us drivers are definitely trying to have an input and I think we are now – the most that we’ve been together in a long time. I think it’s grown the last few years. It used to be quite separated; in the last three years, thanks to the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) and all that, it’s got a lot better. “I don’t think it’s gonna turn on its head, but I think we can definitely make some improvements. We all want the same thing, we want to be able to race harder and closer, and hopefully we can find a way.” So you’re happy with the direction Liberty Media is taking? “They’re certainly open-minded – I think that helps. They’re happy to listen to us more than anything. They’re trying to understand the direction as well – it’s all new for them.” What about away from the track. Do you get any time to appreciate motoring and are you still a car nut? “I’m pretty up and down with it. Some weekends off, I love to be far, far removed from racing – I don’t want to see a car. But then other times – I went for a drive last week and it was great. Sometimes I really just want to detach myself from it. “I’ve got a couple of cars but I don’t have a massive collection. I do appreciate cars, and I’m starting to appreciate older cars – I just turned 30 so maybe that’s why.” Have you ever been asked to get involved in your own special edition of a production car? I’m thinking like Vettel and his Infiniti FX… “I guess if the right opportunity came up would be cool. I haven’t really thought about it or had it discussed with me, but if something was put in front of me that I really like, I would definitely be open to
Origin: Daniel Ricciardo: one-on-one with F1 star ahead of British GP
Waymo gets permission to pick up California passengers with autonomous cars
Autonomous tech company Waymo has been given the go-ahead to begin picking up actual human passengers in California with its self-driving cars. But before you go booking a flight to L.A. to try the next big thing, know that there’s a caveat: the state’s Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service pilot program only permits Waymo employees and guests to use the self-driving taxis. TechCrunch confirmed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) gavethe permit to the Alphabet-powered company, granting its employees and their lucky friends and fam to try out the vehicles (limited to the Chrysler Pacifica at the moment, but soon to include the Jaguar I-PACE) within a predetermined area of South Bay near L.A., including the neighbourhoods of Palo Alto, Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Mountain View and Sunnyvale. “The CPUC allows us to participate in their pilot program, giving Waymo employees the ability to hail our vehicles and bring guests on rides within our South Bay territory,” a Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch. “This is the next step in our path to eventually expand and offer more Californians opportunities to access our self-driving technology, just as we have gradually done with Waymo One in Metro Phoenix.”Quick refresher: Waymo One was a similar pilot project that launched late last year, offering free autonomous rides to a couple hundred project participants in a one-hundred-mile radius around Phoenix.Waymo is also contractually obligated to keep a human safety driver behind the wheel, both in Phoenix and California, and to offer the service for free. Sweet deal for Waymo staff. Incidentally, does anybody who works there want to be my friend? I’ve been told I make a great
Origin: Waymo gets permission to pick up California passengers with autonomous cars
New 2020 Toyota Yaris seen testing with mini-Corolla design
Toyota will renew its ageing Yaris next year to bring the supermini into line with the rest of its range, and new Nürburgring spy shots give a revealing glimpse of the final design. Sporting a similar attention-drawing ‘disguise’ as the recently launched Supra, the 2020 Yaris can be seen to adopt the wider, squatter stance of the latest Corolla. Swollen wheel arches seem to give it much more visual aggression than the eight-year-old outgoing car, and the profile looks to be less top-heavy, too. That’s a clear indication of the car’s TNGA platform architecture – modular underpinnings that are also shared with the Corolla, Camry and C-HR. Another prototype with a different camo and wheel design was spotted at the ‘Ring at the same time, suggesting the Japanese firm is trialling two different chassis set-ups. It is likely that the one in the red camo is a GR Sport variant, Toyota’s new trim designation for models with a sportier tune to bridge the gap between mainstream variants and the full-fat GRMN flagship. Also on test was a hybrid variant, determined because of the legally mandated yellow sticker that must be installed on all electrified test vehicles. Toyota’s UK sales are overwhelmingly biased towards hybrid models, so a petrol-electric variant should continue to be the volume seller. It’s possible that the 2020 Yaris will also come with a straight petrol version, however, more suited to sporting variants. If the brand’s latest range additions are anything to go by, expect significant dynamic improvements afforded by the TNGA platform, plus a big improvement in interior quality and technology. Reports suggest this year’s Tokyo motor show in October will be the location for a new Yaris’s unveiling, although the Japanese domestic market version is expected to be different. The full European debut should be in early 2020, with sales to follow soon
Origin: New 2020 Toyota Yaris seen testing with mini-Corolla design
VW ID R takes all-time Goodwood hillclimb record – with video
Volkswagen has smashed the outright hillclimb record at Goodwood Festival of Speed with the 671bhp ID R electric racer. Driver Romain Dumas initially took the record on the second day of the event, setting a time of 41.18 seconds in a practice session, before going even faster a day later with a 39.90 in the timed shootout. All the news from the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed The previous record for the Sussex course had stood since 1999, when Heidfeld set a time of 41.18 seconds at the wheel of McLaren MP4/13 F1 car – a pace so far ahead of anything else that Formula One cars were subsequently banned from making timed runs. With one day of the 2019 Festival remaining, there’s every chance Dumas will get another chance to go even faster, although a chance of rain may prevent further improvements. He joked after breaking the record for a second time, saying “if we stay one more week, it’s possible we could find a few more tenths.” The ID R came to Goodwood fresh from its record breaking efforts at the Nurburgring, where it set the fastest lap ever for an electric car with a time of 6min 05.336secs The 671bhp ID R broke the outright record at the Pikes Peak hill climb last year, but needed heavy modifications to cope with the 12.9-mile Nordschleife’s long straights and fast corners. They included a new F1-inspired aerodynamics package, which added a new rear wing, redesigned front splitter and drag reduction system (DRS) which, when deployed, reduces downforce by as much as 20%. Changes to the energy management system help the car reach its top speed faster, while using less energy from its twin lithium-ion battery packs. Driver Dumas, who has won the Nurburgring 24-hour race four times dethroned the Nio EP9 electric hypercar by more than 40 seconds. The EP9 set the previous record for fastest EV around the ‘Ring in 2017 with a time of 6:45.90. Volkswagen also teamed up with free-to-play racing simulator RaceRoom to let players digitally compete with its real-world record attempt. A virtual version of the ID R was created using data from the original car, with VW Motorsport engineers helping to create a realistic driving experience. “The ID. R’s mission to be the spearhead of the fully electric ID. product family from Volkswagen continues in full force,” Volkswagen’s Motorsport Director Sven Smeets, said. “Once again, this time in 2019, the ID. R will demonstrate the great potential of electric drive, combining emissions-free technology with true
Origin: VW ID R takes all-time Goodwood hillclimb record – with video
De Tomaso returns with a wild take on a ’60s Can Am car
The De Tomaso name has returned to the automotive world for the first time since its departure in the late 1990s with an awesome 1960s-inspired supercar.The De Tomaso P72 is a brand-new design that takes inspiration from one of the automakers early designs, originally created in the early 60s, called the P70.The P70 was jointly developed by Carroll Shelby, Alejandro De Tomaso and Peter Brock.Shelby provided the money and the motor, a 289-cubic-inch V8 bored and stroked to 427 cubes. Peter Brock handled the design, and DeTomaso built the chassis. Due to tensions between the three parties, the car was never officially completed, and, unfortunately, didnt enter a single race. To connect itself to the past further, the P72 has a manual transmission. A real one. It might also win the award for most beautiful shifter of 2019, or perhaps of the last 20 years.Were not sure what engine will be behind the transmission, as details regarding the drivetrain have not been released. What we do know is that the P72 rides on a carbon-fibre chassis shared with the Apollo Intensa Emozione.De Tomaso celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2019, and will slowly be bringing back vehicles from its history, such as Pantera and Mangusta. The P72 will be sold as you see it, according to parent company Apollo Automobili.Only 72 examples of the P72 will be built, at a cost of 750,000 ($1.1 million). Thats a lot of money, but the P72 is not just a car, its a piece of history, and is bound to mark the beginning of the next wave of automotive
Origin: De Tomaso returns with a wild take on a ’60s Can Am car
The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
Everybodys favourite SUV-coupe is all-new for 2020: yes, the BMW X6 just debuted with tons of technology and more power.And, as if having a massive kidney grille wasnt enough for this generation of BMWs, the X6s also lights up.The X6 now rides on BMWs new Cluster Architecture, borrowed from the X5.The base model sDrive40i and xDrive40i receive BMWs trusty twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, which produces 335 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to either the rear wheels only or all four depending on the trim.For added performance, there is also the X6 M50i, which uses BMWs 4.4-litre V8, this time with two turbochargers spinning it up to 523 hp and 554 lb.-ft. of torque. Those ponies help the X6 get to 96 km/h from zero in just 4.1 seconds.Theres a new off-road package available for the xDrive40i as well, which includes air suspension for both axles, an electronically-controlled rear differential and four off-road driving modes: snow, sand, gravel or rocks. Inside, the X6 is as comfortable as you would expect, and its loaded with tech. A 12.3-inch touch screen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster feature BMWs updated seventh generation of Live Cockpit with iDrive. This means the Hey, BMW voice assist, gesture control, wi-fi, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay are all available.Safety features are also huge on the X6: BMW Active Assistant, blind-spot detection, forward collision warning and park distance control are all standard. Lane-keep assist, automatic lane-change assist and side-collision avoidance are all available as extras.In the U.S., the BMW X6 starts at US$64,300; Canadian pricing and availability have not been
Origin: The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
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