AutoWeek Daily Drive — Wednesday, October 20, 2010

HOME   |   CAR NEWS   |   CAR REVIEWS   |   RACING   |   AUTOSHOWS   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   MARKETPLACE Wednesday, October 20, 2010                  The twin-turbo V8 in the BMW Alpina B7 pumps out 500 hp.... 2011 BMW Alpina B7, an AW Drivers Log EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This is one of the biggest, baddest BMWs on the planet---a 7-series with all of the tuner trimming, done by people who have been tinkering with BMWs for decades. And while it's a marvel of machinery and special effects, it's nowhere near the visceral kind of experience that a potential M7 would give you. It's more of a road car with creds than ...   Mazda refines lineup with SkyActiv technology It turns out Mazda isn't simply shooting for the sky. Rather, the protagonists of zoom-zoom driving dynamics are taking an active approach to the brand's DNA: Put it all together, and it's called “SkyActiv.” Mazda is billing the suite of technologies as the pillars of its way forward....   Neiman Marcus Chevrolet Camaro convertible is gone in 3 minutes Three minutes--that's all it took for Neiman Marcus to sell out 100 copies of the special edition Chevrolet Camaro convertible on Tuesday. Each buyer forked over $75,000 for their Camaro convertible, which will be built in SS trim and delivered next spring. The SS trim gets buyers the 6.2-liter...   Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg on the highway The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out...   Hyundai Equus price starts at $58,900 The 2011 Hyundai Equus sedan--the flagship of the Korean automaker's growing lineup--gets a base sticker price of $58,900, including shipping charges. That base price is for the Equus Signature trim level. There also is an Equus Ultimate trim that includes niceties such as reclining rear seats,...   IndyCar: USAC champion gets a bonus to drive in Indy Lights Another sprint-car title could be worth more than ever to Levi Jones. The winner of the USAC's sprint-car championship will receive a $300,000 bonus from IndyCar, and that will be Jones if he can hold back Bryan Clauson for his fourth title in six years. IndyCar's money is to be applied to a...   2011 Dodge Journey revealed Dodge is updating its Journey crossover with an improved interior, a new engine and a fortified suspension. These are similar to the subtle changes we've witnessed in Dodge siblings the Charger and the Durango as the company looks to increase its competitiveness under new owner Fiat. The... You May Have Missed...   2011 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, an AW Drivers Log EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: As much as running top-down on a sunny fall day in this Grand Sport was pure joy, I think I’m partial to the hardtop 2010 version we sampled a few weeks back. That car was less expensive (by about $6,000) with much of the same equipment, but...   LSD offers gullwing-door kit for the BMW M3 The BMW M3 is a potent performer right off the showroom floor. Intake, exhaust, plugs, wires--these are things that M3 drivers don't need to worry about. But what if you're looking for some flash to go along with your fast?German tuner LSD has an answer--gullwing doors. The company now offers...   Analysis: DTM series to join Grand-Am in the United States? Motorsports-sanctioning body Grand-Am plans a U.S.-based series for cars built to Germany's DTM series--and DTM's new regulations--in 2013. That's the first line of what should be a massive story that could have wide-reaching implications for motorsports in North America and the rest of the world....   Iowa distributes thumb bands imprinted with ‘TXTING KILLS' Thumb bands that read “TXTNG KILLS” have been making their way around the state of Iowa, the Wall Street Journal reports. The bands--which are meant to serve as a reminder to avoid texting while driving--have been distributed at events such as the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa-Iowa State ...   Synthetic diesel fuel powers 1,000 miles of Audi Audi began a 1,000-mile eco drive on Oct. 18 in a demonstration named "Eureka! Diesel Drives the Future." Two Audi A3 TDI test cars left Eureka, Calif., and headed south, filled with RenDiesel, a synthetic fuel from Rentech. The Audis will stop in Sacramento, San Francisco, Rialto and Los Angeles...   Art Center Car Classic '10: Rain, rain, drive away A little rain drizzled over the ninth showing of the Art Center Car Classic in Pasadena, Calif., but that only served to weed out the weak. The true car lovers braved the wet and didn’t let it dampen their spirits. In return, they got the usual glorious phalanx of stunning automotive design,... CLICK HERE TO UNSUBSCRIBE from the AutoWeek Daily Drive E-mail or to sign up for other AutoWeek e-mail products. IMPORTANT: Please add AutoWeek.com to your E-mail Address Book to ensure you will continue to receive our newsletters. Please DO NOT reply to this e-mail. You will not receive a reply if you use this e-mail address. Crain Communications, 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207.