Opel Brings Adam Rocks and R2 Rallye Concepts to the Geneva Motor Show

As it turns out, ItalDesign's pair of Parcour concepts aren't the only studies making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show that are inspired by parkour athletes, as Opel claims the same about its new Adam Rocks, though, we'll take the former any time of the day and night if anybody is offering keys, thank you very much.

If you want the short story –and we're guessing you probably do, the Adam Rocks is a concept that gives Opel's premium a little more character by blending styling elements from crossovers with a large retractable fabric top.

The Adam-based model features a 15mm higher and 40mm wider stance, along with new body cladding, redesigned bumpers and a fresh set of wheels, and yes, Opel is likely considering a production model for the near future.

The second Opel Adam concept is the R2 Rallye that follows the "CUP" version launched in November of 2012. It is based on FIA R2 regulations R2 and is powered by a 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline engine generating 182hp (185PS / 136kW) and peak torque of 190Nm.

Following its homologation, the ADAM R2 will be eligible for every national championship in Europe. "All 40 vehicles that Opel planned to race in Germany and France have already been sold and are in the hands of their proud owners,” said new Opel CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Concept , Geneva Motor Show , News , Opel , Racing

Ultra-Detailed F1 Scale Models by Andy Mathews for Sale

If you're into cars, you've most likely had your passion from a very early age, and you can always relate it to one car – the one which sparked it. Following the joyous event, you ask your parents to get you a scale model, and the snowball effect begins from there on.

However, there are some models so exquisite and expensive that you would never let your children even get near them.

If you haven't heard of Andy Mathews, you should do some research – he makes some of the best and most detailed automotive scale models in the world. However, instead of doing a wide assortment of different types of vehicles, Mathews is keen on making extremely detailed Formula 1 cars.

Furthermore, he doesn't just use photos from the internet for reference – he actually goes to see the real thing multiple times, before completing the model. Each car “incorporates several thousand largely handmade, authentically finished, microscopic metal parts”, he says on his website adding that it can take up to three years to complete.

If you are willing to pay as much as $20,000 for each of these pieces of microscopic craftsmanship, there are a few for sale here. Furthermore, if you want to know more about Mathews and his work, you can always visit his official site, as well.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › F1 , News , Racing

Chevy might've pulled out of NASCAR if it weren't for new Gen 6 car

We've been on the fence with NASCAR for some time now. On one hand, it's some of the closest racing anywhere in motorsports, with actual passing and door-handle-to-door-handle action as a matter of course. But on the other, it's become template racing – a personality-driven sport more about the drivers than any sort of loyalty to a particular automaker. The Car Of Tomorrow format really rammed that message home, with a racecar's identity coming down to little more than headlamp stickers slapped on the nose. That's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, but we've wondered for some time what's in it for the automakers, who pay big money to stay in a series that has had little increasingly little do with street car sales, let alone innovation.

Apparently General Motors was beginning to wonder the same thing. In a new ESPN report, Rick Hendrick, team owner of Hendrick Motorsports, suggests that GM would have seriously considered leaving NASCAR if it wasn't for the move away from the COT to the new Gen 6 racer. According to Hendrick, GM North America boss Mark Reuss spearheaded the charge away from the 2007 COT and toward a racecar with clearer automaker ties – cars like the new Chevrolet SS racer shown above. Learn more about the fight for a closer-to-production look in the ESPN story at the link.

Articles Source : Autoblog

Category › 2013 , Chevrolet , Coupe , GM , Motorsports , NASCAR , News , Racing

Super Silly? Chevrolet SS NASCAR Team and Red Bull Racing do The Harlem Shake

There's no end to The Harlem Shake videos popping up right and left on the internet, and as one would expect, the new viral phenomenon has caught the attention of advertisers and marketing people in the auto industry as well.

Following in the footsteps of so many others, Red Bull Racing Australia and even four-time champion NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (with the help / push of sponsor Pepsi) and his team who will run the new Chevrolet SS, joined in on the “Harlem Shake” silliness and posted their own videos.

"It was one of the best times I've ever had, certainly the best time I've ever had in my race shop with my guys in there," said Gordon during NASCAR Media Day. "Luckily it was quick, so it didn't take them away from their jobs for too long — because there's a lot going on at the shop. It turned out fun. I'm a little embarrassed at my dancing, but it was still worth it."

Race through the break to watch both clips along with two more, one made by professional stock car motorsports team, Michael Waltrip Racing, and another one from a Texas car meet.

Articles Source : Carscoop

 

 Video Source : Youtube

Category › Chevrolet , Racing , Red Bull , Video