Recent Comments:
Rendered Speculation: Next Euro Civic will look like Scirocco? {Autoblog}
Aug 21st 2008 5:30PM I'd say that a more accurate description of that rendering is as the offspring of a crazy one-night stand between an Alfa Romeo MiTo and the Honda OSM Roadster.
Penske Racing transporter goes up in flames en route to Infineon {Autoblog}
Aug 21st 2008 11:15AM Is this an unfortunate new trend? In Grand Am Daytona Prototype racing the SunTrust Pontiac team also had a transporter fire in May en route between Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen.
Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be true {Autoblog}
Aug 20th 2008 4:46PM Agreed. There's a LOT of TVR influence in both the exterior and interior styling
Rumormill: Lotus considering a Carlton successor {Autoblog}
Aug 6th 2008 4:01PM Given that current Lotuses are Toyota-powered, a Lotusized Lexus IS would be nice.
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R {Autoblog}
Jul 23rd 2008 12:31PM Excellent write-up. Awesome pics.
Eaton tapped to produce superchargers for Audi {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 3:39PM The Eaton Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger actually made its production debut in the Australian Toyota TRD Aurion.
I wonder if the blower that Audi will use is identical to that one or if there are any differences between the Toyota and Audi applications.
Eaton tapped to produce superchargers for Audi {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 3:39PM The Eaton Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger actually made its production debut in the Australian Toyota TRD Aurion.
I wonder if the blower that Audi will use is identical to that one or if there are any differences between the Toyota and Audi applications.
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora {Autoblog}
Jul 22nd 2008 1:47PM Lotus chose to use the NON-direct-injected (port-injection-only) version of their 3.5-liter V6, the 2GR-FE (as used in a bunch of Toyota Camry-based FWD-centric models, such as the Lexus ES350, Toyota Avalon, Camry V6, Highlander and Sienna), rather than the 306-hp direct-and-port-injection 2GR-FSE from Lexus' RWD-centric IS350 and GS350. Why? Three possibilities come to mind:
1) Lotus preferred the 2GR-FE because it's less expensive, less complicated and quieter (direct injectors are quite noisy, and one of the main reasons Lexus now uses that big black plastic shroud over the engine)
2) Lotus wanted to use the 2GR-FSE, but Toyota refused to sell it to them.
3) There have been rumo(u)rs of an eventual supercharged version of the Lotus Evora, and the 2GR-FSE, with its direct-and-port-injector combo, is notoriously tricky to boost. Lotus may be planning to use the already-in-production (in the Australian-built Toyota TRD Aurion) supercharged version of the 2GR-FE, which marked the first-ever application of the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) Supercharger, and Lotus may prefer to not complicate its aftersale parts and service situation and standardize its versions of the Toyota V6 with port injection only.
I'd say #3 is the likeliest explanation.
VIDEO: Danica and Milka in trackside fight (towels were involved) {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2008 7:22PM As a Cuban exile, I thought that link was great! A shame, as Milka is quite an attractive woman, but she showed no class in her response to Danica's little visit.
Milka's wishy-washy defense of the Chávez government is getting to be quite annoying. Then again, what do you expect with CITGO paying the bills...
Lexus IS 350 to take on SPEED World Challenge GT {Autoblog}
Jul 19th 2008 10:38AM Thanks, Drew and Autoblog, for picking up on the story I wrote for my.IS.
This story has gained a life of its own like few others I've written for the site. In my rush to write and post the story, I didn't really pick up on the resemblance of the DRC Motorsports Lexus IS GTF to the stillborn Team Lexus ALMS GT2S racers. I was quickly reminded of this, however, by one of our forum members, purportedly an executive with Lexus Canada who is an avid motorsports enthusiast. And, of course, a good number of you Autoblog readers and enthusiasts quickly picked up on the similarity as well.
For further updates, I'd suggest revisiting my original story:
http://my.is/forums/f47/yes-its-real-lexus-f-goes-racing-366272/
since the comments there include further confirmation of the links between the two Lexus IS racers from Team Lexus' former Public Relations & Marketing Manager, followed by denials from DRC Motorsports driver Robb Holland. In addition, Holland also provided additional pictures of the DRC IS GTF racer in full racing livery and in action.
Drew and Autoblog, if you wish to create a Gallery for this article with those pictures, by all means, feel free.
