Probably the longest compilation of spy video of the 2012 Nissan GT-R testing at Nurburgring yet has made its way up on to YouTube. In the video we can see both the latest 2012 base model GT-R with aero and wheel updates. We can also see what will no doubt be dubbed the SpecM in it’s fully optioned glory.

Latest word on the Nissan GT-R SpecM is that it will not be called the SpecM when it launches in Japan at all. What name they will use is not known yet. It will begin at a base price not much higher than a Premium spec 2012 GT-R but have options up to and exceeding the current SpecV specification.

Nissan is still considering using the SpecM label when it debuts in Europe however so look forward to that.

Video: Auto Motor und Sport

View Entire Article: 2012 Nissan GT-R at Nurburgring – More Spy Video at GTRBlog.comOriginally appeared on and © GTRBlog.com. 2010. | Read comments.

NOTE: This post is from an outside source.

Top Secret have leaked a few images of their upcoming newest product. A carbon fibre hood for the R35 GT-R. As you can see the hood features some large vents to improve engine bay cooling in much the same way as the GT1/GT1 style hoods do.

Looking forward to getting more details on this one soon…

Link: Pre-order Top Secret’s new carbon hood @ GT-RR.com

View Entire Article: Preview: TopSecret Carbon Fibre Hood for Nissan GT-R at GTRBlog.comOriginally appeared on and © GTRBlog.com. 2010. | Read comments.

NOTE: This post is from an outside source.

Programmers from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Society of Automotive Engineers have found an interesting way to build “green racing” features on top of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue. Apparently, the system works by sitting between the steering wheel and the PlayStation 3, watching and recording controller inputs.

The software currently simulates a Chevrolet Corvette with a hybrid engine system running on ethanol, and calculates the player’s overall “Michelin Green X Challenge” score in real-time based on braking and acceleration. Big names such as Joerg Bergmeister and Gunnar Jeannette have already tested the system, but you can give it a try yourself “at all remaining U.S. rounds of the series, at Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Road America and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.” They’re looking to expand the system to other makes and models, and are looking to implement *”multiplayer down the road”.*Read up on all the details at Michelin’s company blog, and please let me know if any of you are able to try out one of these systems for yourself!

Related posts:

1. GT5 Prologue Rankings App for iPhone/Android
2. Three New 8.2 Megapixel GT5 Night Screenshots
3. GTPlanet on Track for the 2010 Racing Season

NOTE: This post is from GT Planet.

A tip from reader Volcao referenced a few screen grabs from one of the brief*Gran Turismo 5 trailers released last month after E3 2010. His tip prompted me to take a closer look at the video myself and — sure enough — there’s actually a bit of damage shown here (albeit very, very briefly).*Around 45 seconds into the clip, you’ll see a blue JGTC R35 Calsonic Skyline flipped over on its top and then sliding away from the camera.

It’s a dramatic accident for a GT game, and I think Polyphony Digital wants us to focus on the fact that cars can now be turned upside-down. Watching frame-by-frame, though, you’ll notice the car’s hood has suffered from the impact as it crumples in, exposing the top of the tire underneath. Immediately afterwards, we see the side of the car showing dents, damage to aerodynamic components behind the front wheel, and what appears to be missing chunks of the sponsor’s vinyl stickers.

Take a look for yourself in the three screen grabs I’ve provided below. These were snapped from the original version of the video, which you can download here in .mov format (88 MB) or just watch the embedded YouTube clip above.

Related posts:

1. GT5 Demo Shows More Dislodged Bumpers
2. A (Very) Brief Look at Production Car Damage in GT5
3. GT5’s Head-Tracking “Underwhelming”, But Damage “Looking Beautiful”

NOTE: This post is from GT Planet.

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

Ken Block isn’t a World Rally Championship legend by any stretch, but thanks to his immensely entertaining Gymkhana videos, the glorified shoemaker can definitely lay claim to the title of YouTube Legend. And with Ford working the Internets hard during the launches of its new products like the Fiesta and Explorer, it made total sense that Ford would want to partner with the new media star.

The duo of Fiesta and Ken Block is less than a year old, but already there are some rumblings that Block edition Fiesta could be in the works. How about a DC Shoes edition Fiesta? In a recent radio interview with KROQ, Block was asked if there was a KB Fiesta on the way, and he responded with “we’re discussing those types of things but there’s nothing set in stone at this point.” Block went on to add that for now, he wants to concentrate on racing and developing new competition cars.

So, no definitive news on the Ken Block edition Fiesta front, but the two parties are at least thinking about a special model. We can’t see how this is a bad idea, considering that 30 million potential car buyers waiting patiently for Gymkhana 3 – we couldn’t think of a better way to announce a special edition Fiesta than by starring in another Block-buster internet flick (sorry, we couldn’t resist). Head over to the KROQ website to listen to the interview. Hat tip to Joe B!

Gallery: Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta

[Source: KROQ]Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Porsche, Racing

We’ve seen footage of Jeff Zwart practicing for his recent run up Pikes Peak, now filmmaker Will Roegge has delivered unto us the footage from Zwart’s Time Attack 2WD class record.

Zwart ran his 911 GT3 up 12.42 miles and through 156 turns in just 11:31.095, averaging over 65 miles per hour. But you don’t need us to tell you about it – these things tend to speak for themselves. Follow the jump to watch a record being set.

Gallery: Jeff Zwart’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Sources: Will Roegge, YouTube]Video: Jeff Zwart’s Porsche GT3 sets Pikes Peak Time Attack 2WD class record originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over at Speedhunters the Full Tilt Poker Mazda Rx-8 driver Joon Maeng celebrated a birthday over Formula Drift Round 4. He wrote up an extensive blog post about his weekend and tandem battle against Ryan Tuerck. It was quite an enjoyable read with some quality photography from the Speedhunters staff.

Read Joon Maeng’s Blog Post: http://speedhunters.com/archive/2010/07/27/place-holder-for-joon-seattle-pics.aspx

NOTE: This post is from an outside source.

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety, Videos, Celebrities

NASCAR titan Jack Roush appears to have survived his second plane crash. Roush was piloting his company’s Raytheon/Beechcraft Premier jet when something went wrong on the approach to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin last night. According to reports, Roush’s plane appeared to come in too low on landing approach, and a last-second correction caused the plane’s nose to dip and touch the ground. On impact, the plane spun around and the tale section separated from the rest of the aircraft. Both Roush and a female employee, Brenda K. Strickland, were able to walk away from the crash, though they did sustain injuries. There was no one else onboard.

Roush, 68, was taken to a local hospital for injuries he sustained during the incident and was first listed in serious condition. Since then, his status has been downgraded to critical. However, according to Roush Fenway Racing, Roush is expected to make a full recovery, even though some surgery is expected as a result of his mishap.

This marks the second time in 10 years that Roush has run into trouble in the pilot’s seat. In 2002, he crash-landed a small craft into a pond in Alabama. Hit the jump to see an ESPN report on the incident. Thanks for the tip, Martin B!

[Sources: The Northwestern, ESPN]Continue reading Report: Jack Roush in serious but stable condition after (second) plane crash [w/ video]

Report: Jack Roush in serious but stable condition after (second) plane crash [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports

Who would would have thought that the emphasis on marketing rather than racing could be hurting competition in NASCAR? The influence of sponsors is just one of several factors that’s led to 2010 being the first season in the series’ 62-year history devoid of rookie drivers. An influx of successful rookies since the mid-1990s has left the top-level Sprint Cup with a crowd of drivers still in their prime and a dearth of seats for up and comers.

In the Nationwide series, traditionally the breeding ground for younger drivers, the sponsor money that fuels racing cars, has been pushing the established cup drivers to run for the extra promotional value. Combined with the cost cutting moves that have resulted in the banning of testing, there just isn’t much room for up and comers to show their stuff.

This lack of young drivers could hurt the series in the long run as young fans continue to lose interest. Perhaps NASCAR should consider more modern cars, compelling competition, lively interviews and some serious brand-versus-brand infighting to bring the fun back to the sport.

[Source: New York Times]Report: NASCAR Sprint Cup goes rookie-less as drivers age, fans leave originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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