Rhys Millen Scores First Podium Finish for Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The main attraction at last weekend's Formula Drift event in Long Beach was the final bout between Ford driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Hyundai pilot Rhys Millen.

Gitten Jr. got the upper hand this round in his 2010 Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT, but with the collection of considerable talent in the series, the Maryland native will have to work hard to defend his crown.

The knockout series witnessed the competition whittle down to Gittin Jr., Millen, Tanner Foust, and Fredric Aasbo in the semi-finals. Foust, two-time Formula D champion, took third position in his 800-horsepower, NASCAR-powered Scion tC. Millen had a terrific showing for Hyundai, putting his 650-horsepower Genesis Coupe in second place and erasing any competitive doubts stemming from the 2009 season.

“I was in sync with my Genesis Coupe during the entire campaign and step one was to qualify first,” said Millen. “The car had so much grip and power I was able to put it close to the walls and mirror the other competitors’ cars’ every move. Nothing compares to the pressure and thrill of the ‘win it or lose it’ factor while competing against more than 50 other cars and drivers.”

The next round of the 2010 Formula Drift season will be held at Road Atlanta May 7-8.

Sources: Formula Drift, Hyundai

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Mercedes-Benz Dresses 2011 S63 AMG Like Classic 300SEL 6.8 AMG

Mercedes-Benz will be releasing its new 2011 S63 AMG this fall and has chosen to dress it up like the famed 300SEL 6.8 AMG endurance racer that once competed in the 24 Hours of Spa.

In 1971, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG took to the track of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to prove its mettle in that year's 24 Hours of Spa, and it performed admirably. Facing heavily favored racers including the Ford Capri RS, BMW 2800 CS, Chevrolet Camaro, Opel Commodore, and Alfa Romeo GTA, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG placed second after completing 308 laps around the scenic track, behind a Capri and ahead of a Camaro. The Mercedes recorded few mechanical issues but had to refuel often. Following its second-place finish, the red 300SEL gained international acclaim, especially in its home country of Germany. Mercedes even built 300 replicas in 2006.


To celebrate its 1971 success, Mercedes wrapped its new 2011 S63 AMG with matching sponsor decals, looking to channel the spirit of the old AMG-prepped 300SEL. Debuting in the S-Class is AMG's new twin-turbocharged V-8, a hand-built marvel that is more powerful and less fuel-thirsty than the outgoing 6.2-liter V-8.

After adapting the exterior, the two speedy sedans were sent around Spa for a classic photo shoot, and Hans Heyer (co-driver in 1971) was on hand with his trademark Tyrolean hat. As you can tell from the photos, the sticker placements are impeccable.

Mercedes sedan comparison

300SEL 6.8 AMG

Engine -- 6.8-liter V-8 (6.3-liter for the standard 300SEL 6.3)
Power -- 422 horsepower, 448 pound-feet of torque (247 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque for the non-AMG version)
Weight -- 3600 pounds
Top speed -- 165 mph
1971 24 Hours of Spa drivers -- Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz

2011 S63 AMG

Engine -- 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8
Power -- 536 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque (563 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque with performance package)
Weight -- 4700 pounds (estimate)
Top speed -- 155 mph (186 mph with performance package)

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa will be held July 29 to August 1.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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GM Recalling 1.5 Million Vehicles Due To Fire Risks

General Motors Co. is undergoing a massive recall of 1.5 million 2006-2009 model year vehicles to disable a heated washer fluid system that poses a potential fire risk. The recall, slated to begin on June 14, covers 18 models from the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer and Saturn brands.

The heated washer fluid system was the subject of an August 2008 recall that included many of the same vehicles. Reports were that shorts in the system caused fires; a wire harness, which contained a fuse, was installed as a preventative measure. According to GM, however, the module’s internal thermal-protection device did not function properly and the fire risk remained.


As a result of the continuing fire risk, the automaker will remove the heated washer fluid module and reroute the fluid hoses.

GM said that it has since learned of 5 fires caused by the heated washer fluid system, but is unaware of any injuries or crashes related to the problem. Though there have been a small number of incidents, GM clearly isn’t taking any chances.

"While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind," said Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of Safety in a press release.

Vehicles included in the recall are the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.

Approximately 1.4 million of the vehicles under recall are in the United States, but the rest are in Canada, Mexico, and other countries, GM stated.

Because the feature will be disabled, GM has said it will make a voluntary payment of $100 to owners of lessees of recalled vehicles in addition to paying the actual cost of repair.

Owners will begin receiving recall notifications via mail this month, but can contact their dealer at any time for an appointment to have the heated washer fluid system removed.
source by autoblog

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FEATURES: Eight Great Volkswagen-Italdesign Collaborations

The ink on the marriage license is still drying, but Volkswagen and Italdesign-Giugiaro -- which officially merged earlier this week -- are hardly strangers. In fact, the two firms have been courting one another for nearly four decades.


Any Volkswagen nut will be happy to tell you that Italdesign founder and chief designer Giorgetto Giugiaro helped style the original Passat, Golf/Rabbit, and Scirocco, but we've delved a little further into the Italdesign archives to see how deep this relationship truly runs. We've rounded up eight great VW-Italdesign collaborations for you here -- while some are simply rolling sculpture, others have had a profound influence on Volkswagen history.
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