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Over in England, the East Sussex police department has a new machine in the motor pool, and there's no doubting it's the class of the bunch. The force recently took delivery of a fully-liveried Lotus Exige, right down to the flashing blue lights. While it sounds like the perfect speed enforcement/pursuit machine, the car's actual purpose is more diplomatic in nature. Speeding and generally obnoxious driving habits by teens have apparently become a bit of an issue, and the Lotus serves as a rolling ambassador to the lead-footed youth population. Brought out for public awareness campaigns and gatherings, the Sussex police department says that the car brings teens to them, and that makes it easier for the police to sell their safety message to the kids. If it works, good for them. Lord knows we'd be doing anything but setting an example if we were handed an Exige as our work vehicle. It'd be more like this: "Alright then, kids. Here's what not to do." Cue the squealing tires...

[Source: Auto Trader]

Click the above image to view the video.

Not long ago we brought you the winner of the 2007 Sport Compact Car Magazine Ultimate Street Car Challenge. Many people expressed their dedication to reading the magazine every year to learn the results. However, print hasn't been the only event coverage available to enthusiasts. Videos have been available on DVD after each competition. This year GT Channel has brought the video coverage to the interweb. The first of seven video parts has been posted for your viewing pleasure. Follow the jump to view the video.

[Source: GT Channel]

For those who missed the news, a documentary aired late last month at the Hamburg film festival and on German television in which the Quandt family, principal shareholders in BMW, have been implicated in Nazi war crimes stemming from the family's past during the Holocaust and concurrent Second World War.

The result of five years of research into the Quandt family's wartime activities, The Silence of the Quandt Family asserts that Afa, the family's battery company that supplied specialized power cells and munitions to the Third Reich, employed slave labor provided by the Nazis. Documents unearthed as part of the research show that the company appallingly estimated that approximately 80 of its forced laborers would die each month at its factories. The film included testimonies from survivors who attested to the subhuman working and living conditions, as well as from former Nuremberg war-crimes prosecutors who asserted that, based on the evidence previously hidden by the Quandts and now revealed, the family would have been convicted of war crimes.

The Quandts, the documentary asserted, had close ties to high Nazi party officials. Adolf Hitler himself acted as witness to the second marriage ceremony of family patriach Gunther Quandt's first wife Magda to Nazi propoganda mastermind Joseph Goebbels, and the infamous couple raised Gunther's son Harald. The Quandts, according to the research, used the wealth amassed from the suffering of victims of the Nazi regime fifteen years after the war to buy BMW, and continues to hold 47% stake in the automaking conglomorate.

Even in the face of the publicly revealed evidence, the Quandts continue to refute any wrongdoing during the wartime period, have evaded justice and refused to contribute to restitution programs. They have, however, finally pledged to open the family records to independent historians for examination. While BMW itself, like other German companies, has acknowledged its role in the Nazi war machine, the Quandt family that owns it continues to deny any culpability.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Ferrari engines have found there way into a variety of different cars - Lancias, Maserati, even the forthcoming A1GP racecar - but this has to be a first. Someone is shoehorning the V8 from the late, great Ferrari 360 Modena into a 1960 Nash Rambler wagon, of all things.

Dropping V8 powerhouses into classic family-haulers may be nothing new, but this is another matter altogether. To be fair, it's only the bodyshell of the original Rambler. Because the Maranello screamer was made for mid-mounting, Divers Street Rods turned to Art Morrison to craft a custom frame, over which the restored bodywork was fitted. The set-up should be somewhat familiar to fans of the previous-generation Renaultsport Clio V6 and the Volkswagen GTI-W12 showcar, but this wagon is decidedly different from one off-Ferrari "shooting-brakes" like the 250 GTO "Breadvan" and the Sultan of Brunei's 456GT Venice wagon.

Along with the engine, the rodders took from the Ferrari its suspension and, from the looks of it, its wheels, brakes and probably a number of other components for the custom Rambler. Because Ferrari isn't exactly Mopar and doesn't offer crate engines, the parts were taken from a wrecked Modena - unfortunately there are all too many donor cars lying around thanks to drivers with deep pockets but shallow driving talent pools.

We're promised a showing at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, and we'll be there, cameras at the ready to check out the finished product.

[Source: Carscoop]

Singapore is getting ready to host the first night race in Formula One history after the FIA approved the proposed calendar for next year's championship. Race promoters in Singapore got the clearance from the FIA to build the Monaco-style street circuit in May, and things are reportedly moving along well. The spectacle of the flood-lit road race in the Pacific city-state promises to inject some more excitement into what is already held as the pinnacle of international motorsport.

As we had reported earlier, there were a few proposed grands prix that were up in the air, but the motorsport governing body has approved them all. (Yay!) In addition to Singapore, the new event in Valencia, Spain, was awaiting approval. The French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours was under threat, as well. Even the perennial Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal wasn't for sure, as the economies of scale in schlepping the whole F1 circus to North America were eliminated with the cancellation of the race at Indianapolis. In the end all were confirmed, alongside the usual suspects in Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Spain, Turkey, Monaco, Britain, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Japan, China and Brazil. Only a few dates were changed around by the FIA in the process. Altogether it makes for a full eighteen races, and we're looking forward already.

Follow the jump for the full 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.

[Source: Autosport]

If there's anything that the Shelby GT500 lacks, it's definitely not power. At an MSRP of just over $40k, it has more horsepower per dollar than just about any car out there. The boys over at Ford Racing and Roush, however, thought that it could use a little bit more. The two have developed a supercharger upgrade for the GT500 that pushes horsepower to just over 600 while keeping a 1 year/12,000 mile drivetrain warranty. This will most likely be the supercharger used for the GT500 KR as well as the base supercharger for the Shelby Super Snake. Pricing is set at $5,600 and the blower can be purchased through Roush or a Ford Racing distributor.

[Source: Roush]

click above image to view more high-res pics of the 2008 Nissan GT-R

During the live unveiling of the Nissan GT-R, CEO Carlos Goshen made hints at Nissan running the GT-R in Japan's Super GT series. While it was pretty inevitable the GT-R would eventually be unleashed on the racetrack, it was unknown how long it would take before cars were constructed and tested. Today Nissan announced the NISMO entry of a GT-R in the GT500 class for the upcoming 2008 season. It has been four years since Nissan last ran a GT-R in this series. They have since been running V8 powered 350Zs. The Super GT GT-R's technical details will be released during a NISMO press conference in February. Since the 350Z underwent an incredible transformation when built for Super G it will be very interesting to see how the new GT-R will appear with some added diffusers and canards. Follow the jump for the official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Here we have the first image of the upcoming plug-in hybrid luxury car from Fisker set to debut at this year's Detroit Auto Show in January. Developed in conjunction with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, the plug-in hybrid will cost around $100,000 and initially be built in a run of just 100 units. Fisker hasn't given out any details on the car, like how much power it will produce or what it's fuel economy will be, but from the picture above we can tell it will be a stunner. That's not surprising, as the company's namesake, Henrik Fisker, designed such cars as the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, among others. Though the image is small, we can make out design elements from many other high-end autos including a Ferrari 599-esqe front end, some Maserati Quattroporte in the midsection and, of course, a little Aston in the rear. Check back here in January for some solid info on what this car's all about.

[Source: Fisker via Carscoop]

click above image to see your next desktop wallpaper pic

While perusing the Ford media website today, we were greeted with the image you see above and Ford's first official acknowledgment that the much anticipated Mustang Bullitt will debut at the L.A. Auto Show in mid-November. Of course, we already know a lot about the Mustang Bullitt thanks to specs that were leaked earlier this month. We also know in general how the car will look, including its famous Highland Green paint and completely blank grille. Ford says in its little blurb (read it after the jump) that the car has the "perfect balance of power, performance and a look of quiet intensity."

Despite all the iterations of the Mustang that we've been forced to stomach from Ford and numerous other companies, this is the one we've been waiting for. It's good to know we won't have to wait much longer. After debuting in a couple of weeks, the Mustang Bullitt will officially go on sale early next year, according to Ford.

[Source: Ford]

Saleen announced a new model called the S281 RF this past Friday at its retail store in Southern California. The RF, which stands for Red Flag, focuses on overall value and is priced between Saleen's 3-valve and supercharged models with an MSRP of $49,995. Performance upgrades include Saleen's Series VI supercharger that helps the V8 put out 465 horsepower, and the suspension has been upgraded to Saleen-spec, as well. Visual differences include Saleen's front and rear fascia, side skirts, 20-inch chrome wheels, and RF graphics and badging. Inside are reupholstered leather seats with red stitching, S281 floor mats and door sills, and a 200 mph gauge cluster. Production is limited to 100, and only two colors will be available: black and alloy. Follow the jump to view the S281 RF's complete list of features.

[Source: Saleen via MustangEvolution.com]

There are some rumors circulating the web that could very well be true, and some you just hope are true. This, however, doesn't fall into either category. The speculation is over a possible Ferrari sport-utility vehicle, and we're not buying.

Our friends at World Car Fans, with which we'll part company on this, call it the Ferrari F599 FS 599 Fuoristrada, and project an unveiling at the 2010 Geneva show. They've even gone so far as to predict its weight (2.2 tons dry), engine (a variation on the 599 GTB's, itself derived from the Enzo) and output (over 600 HP), wheel and tire sizes (22" and 315), four-wheel-drive system (2/3 rearward bias), performance (0-60 in under five, top end around 180mph) and price (over €250k). Those are pretty specific forecasts, but WCF says they have it on good authority.

Never mind that an array of Ferrari execs have repeatedly refuted any such speculation - they've also been saying that about the "Dino" and we've just stopped listening by now - but it would make little sense for the racing-team-turned-sportscar-maker that, a couple of one-offs notwithstanding, has never made anything with more than two doors, let alone five. Sure, Lamborghini made a truck once, but then again that company started out building tractors. And never mind that Porsche has the Cayenne... numbers aside, Ferrari's not about to sell out its customer base with an SUV. (That's what excessive merchandizing is for.) For a company like Ferrari that trades on its heritage and Formula One dominance, a sport-ute would have no connection to either.

[Source: World Car Fans]

UPDATE: We got the tip from Kicking Tires that Ford has confirmed the Sport Trac Adrenalin is a $2,995 package, so it can be had with either a V6 or V8 in 4x2 or 4x4 trim.

click above image to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Sport Trac Adrenaline

Ford debuted the original Sport Trac Adrenalin Concept at the 2005 New York Auto Show, and since then we've been wondering if it would ultimately become a successor to the long gone SVT Lightning. We now have our answer, which is no. Ford will debut the production version of the Sport Trac Adrenalin next week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and it will be sans any SVT badges like the ones worn by the concept. What it will have is a more aggressive look than the stock Explorer Sport Trac with a new front fascia that lowers the front end visually by 3.5 inches and incorporates round fog lamps, functional fender vents, integrated running boards, a new tailgate and cut outs for the dual exhaust system. Those 10-spoke wheels are also carbon copies of the concept's rims, though a bit smaller in diameter at 20 rather than 21 inches. The interior is also a monochromatic wonderland with Charcoal Black materials everywhere you look.

In terms of mechanicals, the Sport Trac Adrenaline does get the all-wheel-drive system that was shown on the concept, a first for a production Sport Trac. Unfortunately, no mention was made of the Roots-type supercharger worn by the concept's 4.6L V8 that produced 390 HP and 390 ft-lbs. of torque. In fact, Ford doesn't mention anything at all about an engine in the press release after the jump, so we're left to assume that A) there is no supercharger and B) the stock 4.6L V8 with 292 HP and 300 ft-lbs. of torque provides the Sport Trac Adrenalin's motivating force. It could also be the case that you can have either the 4.0L V6 or the 4.6L V8 in your Sport Trac Adrenalin, but we'll have to wait for Ford to provide clarification on this rather important detail.

The Sport Trac Adrenaline will be available to purchase in January for a base MSRP of $30,495 (including dest.), which is surprisingly close to the base price of a Sport Trac 4x4 Limited model at $30,195.

[Source: Ford]

Click the above image for more of the i MIEV Sport

Mitsubishi's has given its cute and funky 'i' minicar a sporty makeover with a coupe-like shape and vents on the side to create the i MIEV Sport. Despite being the sports version, it uses the same electric plug-in technology found in the i MIEV, which means two in-wheel motors driving the front wheels, and one motor for the rear. The cab-forward design does make it look like a bubble car, but having navigated Tokyo's streets for the last few days we can totally see it fitting right in.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit". Every week he'll bring his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

TAKE ME TO THE AUTO SALON
by John McElroy

There's a really unique place that's opening up in the Detroit area today. It's called the Detroit International Auto Salon, and it's kind of like a big general store for the auto industry. But it's actually open to anybody who wants to go there.

Think of something that has the same sort of exhibits you see at the SAE, and SEMA, and Convergence shows, but all wrapped into one gigantic retail outlet. And instead of having these industry shows appear once a year or so, the DIAS will be open on a year round basis.

Plus, it'll offer everything. Parts and components, castings and forgings, stampings and moldings, electronic bits and pieces, and who knows what else. Technical literature and a bookstore will also be part of the mix.

The auto salon is the brainchild of an entrepreneur named Eric Huang who has already created a similar salon in Taiwan with huge success. There's one in Japan, and there's a monstrously big one going up in Nanjing, China. Eric sees great opportunity in creating a central location where purchasing agents from automakers and suppliers from around the world can gather to shop in a comfortable, relaxing and entertaining venue. He specifically wants to create the kind of shopping atmosphere that IKEA has, so the store itself actually becomes a destination.

click above image to view more high-res pics of the Subaru EXIGA Concept

Subaru has been promising a seven seater for years, but have yet to deliver one to their own home market as the Tribeca isn't sold this side of Pacific. A couple of years ago it was leaning towards a minivan-style MPV, but for this year's show they have chosen to throw a couple of seats in the back of Japan's best selling station wagon, the Legacy, to make the EXIGA Concept.

The designers had a lot of fun inside and out. Enjoy the pics in the gallery below.