Videos: Nurburgring Sideways With A 640Hp Mercedes CL55 MKB

In its most simple definition, drifting is when a driver gets a car sideways for an extended period of time. Aimless? Yes. Fun? Definitely. Easy? Certainty not. Drifting is an art form if you will, acquiring plenty of technique on the drivers part. And by God, German drifting champion, Werner Gusenbauer has the word “technique” engraved on both his hands. Gusenbauer took a 640Hp MKB Mercedes-Benz CL55 and powerslided his way through the famous Nurburgring Nordshleife race track in Germany. In the first video we get an inside view that includes a nifty set of drift angles, g-forces and speed gauges while if you follow the jump you’ll get the chance to see second video with exterior shots of Gusenbauer’s drifting capabilities. -Continued below

GM To Build Corsa Based Opel & Chevrolet Compact SUV’s In Antwerp

GM plans to present an all-new compact SUV/Crossover based on an extended Opel Corsa platform in 2009/2010, offered both, in Opel and Chevrolet flavours and built in GM’s Antwerp site in Belgium. According to German newspaper, Automobilwoche, the compact SUV/Crossover will be available in FWD and 4WD versions and placed under the Antara and Captiva in Opel’s and Chevrolet’s line-up respectively. Although a long shot, Chevy’s version could be inspired from the New York Show Trax concept featured in the photo.

The news comes about month after GM announced that the next generation Opel Astra, due in 2010, wouldn’t be built at the Antwerp site in Belgium, thus raising several questions about the plant’s future that currently employs 4.500 people. Even though GM plans to cut 1.400 jobs by the end of the year, the decision to build the compact SUV/Crossovers in Antwerp means the plant will continue to operate until 2016. In this case, something is better than nothing. Via: Le blog auto , Source: Automobilewoche

BMW X3 E21: Based On ’83 Chevy Blazer Chassis!

Wait a minute, I just had an epiphany; this ain’t no X3, it’s a SC3 (Sports Crossover). Yeah, that sounds so much better. This “Ultimate Redneck Machine” was created via a shotgun marriage between a 1981 E21 320i body and a 1983 Chevy Blazer 4x4 Chassis, complete with a 2.8 V6 Automatic with overdrive trans powertrain and 33x15 Tires. Could be yours for a mere $2.500 / €1.850. If anything, you’ll be the center (height) of attention. -More high-res pics after the jump Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Craiglist

DeLorean With A 300Hp Mazda Rotary Engine

Did you know that John Z. DeLorean’s original plans for the iconic DMC-12 included a Citroen Wankel rotary engine, dubbed Comotar (developed by NSU and Citroën)? Of course, that never happened and the DeLorean ended up with an underpowered 130 bhp V6 engine jointly developed by Renault, Peugeot and Volvo. However, some lads decided to hook on DeLorean’s original vision and replace the ill-fated French V6 with a 300Hp strong, 2.0-liter 3-rotor rotary engine from the 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo.

And that’s not all. Since the stock transmission didn’t seem to be able to handle the power upgrade, they replaced it with a 6-speed manual transmission with Limited Slip Differential from a 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2. According to the guys who did the engine-transplant, zero to 60mph (96 km/h) has been measured at 4.5 sec. Quarter mile has not been tested, but they estimated it to be around 13 sec. -Follow the jump for more pictures along with a video of the car

Via: Jalopnik , Source: eliseusa

Real Madrid Players Test Out New Audi Models

Promotion: communicating with the public in an attempt to influence them toward buying your products and/or services. Now, why the hell would someone be tempted to buy the new A5 just because they saw David Beckham behind its wheel, beats me. I’m not saying that Audi’s promo tactics are pointless -well, unless you support Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, that is. Heck, we’re posting/promoting it so I guess there are a lot of people out there who’ll be lured into buying an Audi A5, S5 or R8 for all the wrong reasons. Hope you aren’t one of them.

More promo pics of Real Madrid players standing by Audi models after the jump. Unfortunately Audi didn’t include images of players with their personal Ferrari’s & Lambo’s

Honda Attacks Canadian Government Over Low Consumption Rebate Policy

For those of you how have might missed the story, the Canadian Government issued earlier this year an eco-rebate system that provides a refund of up to $2,000 for cars that have an avg, consumption of less than 6.5-liters per 100km, but nothing to those above that line. Honda’s Fit (Jazz in Europe) boasts an avg. consumption of 6.6-litres per 100km while Toyota’s Yaris achieves a 6.4-liters figure, thus, qualifying for a $1.000 CND rebate which helped its sales climb 15% in April (vs Fit’s 1% decline).

One plus one makes two and Honda Canada didn’t stick around with its thumb up its fuel pump. Starting off from Saturday, March 19, 2007, Honda is publishing an open letter on all Canadian newspapers criticizing the government's rebate program. According to Honda, consumers shouldn’t have to choose between an ecoAuto rebate and vehicles that offer the right balance of safety and environmental responsibility. Simply put, Honda’s saying our car has slightly higher avg. consumption over the Yaris cause its safer -U.S. regulators gave the Fit five-star crash worthiness, compared with a four-star rating for the Yaris.

We could give them a point there, but then again, let’s say the Canadian Government changed its decision announcing eco-rebates for all cars with an avg. consumption of less than 7.0-litres per 100 km. How many car manufactures would pop-up the next day repeating Honda’s accusations? Via:Autoblog.com , Source: theglobeandmail

Do It Yourself: Full Electric Opel Monza

The technology is here and waiting for us. All you have to do is put a bit of personal work in it. Trust us, it ain’t hard. Look at what this Russian comrade managed. Doesn’t matter whether you own a dazzling new bimmer or a 30 year old Opel Monza. Throw out those blood sucking petrol motors and fill your engine bay with half a dozen of batteries. Do the same with the extra storage place in your trunk -jeez, you’re not using it most of the time anyway. Harness the eco-friendly power of electricity with the use of an alternator. And while you’re at it, call a few friends to admire your work. Think ecological. Details: a) the wooden balk holding the trunk & b) the built-in voltammeter in the center console -More images after the jump

Pics Via: thing