Auto News - Acura ILX Could Go Racing in World Challenge, Grand Am Says PR Boss

Auto News - Acura ILX Could Go Racing in World Challenge, Grand Am Says PR Boss. Yesterday Acura announced it would field a two car effort at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill race later this year using its new ILX sports sedan. Now Acura has revealed that racing plans for the ILX might not stop there.

Speaking to AutoGuide, Acura public relations manager Gary Robinson dished on the brand’s musings for a future motorsports program. “We would like to see the ILX racing in a higher profile series,” he said. “Considering where Civic Si and TSX are today. It would make a great Grand Am or World Challenge Car.”

Robinson did, however, qualify his statement, noting that “nothing is decided yet…”.

Both Acura and parent-company Honda already have racing initiatives in place in both series. Though not an official factory-backed effort, Realtime Racing has been competing in the SCCA World Challenge series for years, and is currently racing a pair of TSX models. And with rumors that the TSX will be axed in the near future, the ILX could take its place.

Honda also announced earlier this year a major commitment to World Challenge and Grand Am, backing the Toronto-based Compass360 racing team as it competes in both series.

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Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced

Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced. BMW has announced a new special edition for the outgoing M3, called the Lime Rock Park edition.

The name comes from the historic Lime Rock Park racing circuit located in northwestern Connecticut, which is owned by Skip Barber. BMW joined forces with Lime Rock because the two have a long history together.

For standard equipment, the M3 Lime Rock gets fire orange paint, 19″ wheels, titanium exhaust, carbon fiber chin splitter and rear deck spoiler, 6-speed manual transmission, carbon fiber roof panel and leather trimmed interior. The engine will stay true to the standard 2013 M3 as a 4.0-liter V8 that makes 414 hp.

200 units are slated for production with a starting price of $70,100 before delivery. Dealers worldwide will be limited to only one of these special editions each, making it a rare sight.

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Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive

Here is Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive. In hopes of lowering production costs while increasing value, the German automaker will be utilizing a shared, front-wheel drive platform for the second-generation BMW X1.

Scheduled to hit the market in 2015, the second-generation BMW X1 will share its new platform with future MINI Countryman models and the new 1-Series GT model. With the front-wheel drive platform, the automaker will be able to increase the interior space in the small SUV thanks to the new space-saving transverse mounting of the engine.

The new platform, called UKL, will underpin a new BMW Group of vehicles including the second-generation Countryman, and will be combined with a Haldex-style, multi-plate clutch to give the new X1 four-wheel drive capability as well – just like the current Countryman model. With the move to a front-wheel drive platform, it all but ensures that BMW will only offer four-cylinder powerplants in the next-generation X1 model. The German automaker has already confirmed it will not be working on a six-cylinder powerplant for transverse mounting.

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Luxury Cars - 2013 Acura ZDX Will Get Redesign, New Technology

Here is Luxury Cars - 2013 Acura ZDX Will Get Redesign, New Technology. The Acura ZDX hasn’t exactly been a hot seller in the United States, so it’s no surprise that the Japanese automaker is revamping its crossover for the 2013 model year.

In 2011, the ZDX sold a disappointing 1,564 units, and Acura announced that changes will be coming for the 2013 model, including revised styling and new technology. Unfortunately no photos of the 2013 ZDX were released (2012 model pictured above), but the automaker did elaborate that the ZDX will only come in one trim level hoping to offer “greater value on a luxury scale.”

We expect an official debut of the 2013 ZDX in the coming months; the updated model should hit dealerships by October.

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Auto News - Volvos Are Too Complicated: CEO Says

This is info about Volvos Are Too Complicated. Things get complex when you put safety tech innovation first, or so Volvo boss Stefan Jacoby is finding as the brand’s cars get increasingly confusing to use.

“Our cars are too complicated for the consumer. Our intention is to have an intuitive car that lets the driver actually feel like he’s in command,” Jacoby said. According to Jacoby, 75 percent of drivers don’t know how to access their car’s full capability.

It’s something he recognizes as a problem, not just for Volvo, but for car companies as a whole. With complicated electronic systems becoming commonplace in cars ranging from the entry level to most expensive, he feels simplicity needs an increasing emphasis.

Jacoby pointed to Apple’s operating systems and ease of use as an example of sophisticated tech that solves such issues with elegance.

“It’s so easy to control. You feel in control of that machine and that gives consumers a big confidence,” he said.

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Auto News - 2013 Lexus GX 460 Pricing: $53,245 Starting MSRP

This is info about 2013 Lexus GX 460 Pricing: $53,245 Starting MSRP. Japanese luxury automaker Lexus announced pricing for its GX 460 SUV today representing a $200 increase over lsat year’s model.

Offered in two grades, base and premium, the utility vehicle starts at $54,120 and costs $53,445 including an $875 destination fee. Lexus recently introduced the SportDesign package (pictured above) for the 2012 model year, but it looks like the GX will stay more-or-less the same. That means the same 4.6-liter V8 that makes 301 hp and helps the truck tow up to 6,500 lbs will remain in place for the seven-passenger utility vehicle.

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Auto News - 2013 BMW 650i, 550i Getting 45HP Boost

Here is Auto News - 2013 BMW 650i, 550i Getting 45HP Boost. Power in the BMW 5 and 6 Series will increase in 2013 thanks to a little technology sharing between the two models’ flagship big brother, the 7 Series.

BMW confirmed specifically that its 550i, 550i GT, and 650i coupe and convertible will benefit from the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the 7 Series and its Valvetronic variable valve timing technology to offer the power increase.

Despite the power sharing between less costly sedan and coupe models, the X5 and X6 SUVS will still keep the same engine as before. It isn’t clear why BMW chose not to include its popular utility vehicles in the power update, but maybe it has something to do with the current generation X5 having been around for seven years.

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Auto News - Bowler and Land Rover Forge Official Partnership

The latest news of Bowler and Land Rover Forge Official Partnership. Refer to news.

Cementing what has been an unofficial relationship for decades, Land Rover and Bowler are finally declaring an official  partnership.

“We’re delighted to announce this partnership, which brings very positive benefits to both Bowler and Land Rover,” said Drew Bowler, Managing Director of Bowler. “We’ve only ever used Land Rover powertrains, and this relationship will give us access to current Land Rover technologies, and a great platform from which to support our racing activities and develop future models.”

Both companies have reached an agreement that will allow Bowler direct access to the British automaker’s engineering facilities along with a more organized system for parts supply and procurement. For the immediate future, Bowler will continue to focus on its EXR rally car in addition to its Range Rover Sport-based EXR-S model that features a modified 5.0-liter V8 supercharged with 550-hp.

In existence for over 25 years, Bowler began by building rally racing cars for events such as the Rally Dakar and Baja 1000 using exclusively Land Rover powertrain.

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