Is This Art? Fiat 500 Heads To New York’s Modern Art Museum

Anyone who has ever set foot in an art museum has certainly pondered the idea of what is art? Does the paint splatter of Jackson Pollack rival the sly face of da Vinci’s Mona Lisa? As the Fiat 500 celebrated its 60th anniversary it did so with news that it would be entering the permanent collection at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Certainly a uniquely designed and iconic car it makes one ponder, are cars art? And if so, which would be deserving of a spot in a museum. These are our top pics…

Lamborghini Miura

Cadillac Series 62

Lotus Type 14

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VT’s EcoCAR 3 Innovation Could Help Drivers Arrive Efficiently

During Year 1, the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech announced EcoRouting as their innovation topic at the EcoCAR 3 Winter Workshop in Austin, TX. Since then, the Innovation sub-team created an algorithm for EcoRouting in Year 2 and has developed plans to improve the system’s ability to find the most energy efficient path.

Unlike the traditional method of a GPS system, an EcoRouting system focuses on minimizing energy consumption and travel time rather than only minimizing travel time. Therefore, the innovation sub-team plans to include external factors such as road grade and speed limits in the algorithm.

“Knowledge of these factors helps us to minimize the load on the engine and reduce energy consumption,” said Hrusheekesh Warpe, Electrical Graduate Research Assistant of HEVT.

With the external factors added into the algorithm, the innovation sub-team will be able to make more accurate calculations on the amount of energy used and enhance the EcoRouting module to save more fuel. This means that HEVT will accomplish three main goals: reducing energy consumption and maintaining consumer acceptability through increased fuel savings while implementing innovative technologies. In addition, EcoRouting will meet HEVT’s goal of having an improved fuel economy without making direct powertrain changes.

The best part? “[The external factors] enable us to expand the idea of a GPS system and utilize the GPS technology to save energy,” Warpe said. This means that the EcoRouting navigation system will take on the familiar appearance and functionality of a regular GPS. Drivers will not have to go through the trouble of learning how to utilize the EcoRouting navigation system because the system will be like a regular GPS.

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Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee Named ‘Most American’ Vehicles

On their annual American-Made Index Cars.com has named the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee the top two “Most American” cars, respectively. The index takes into account five main factors in determining ranking: assembly location, domestic parts content, country of engine origin, country of transmission origin and U.S. factory employment. It was determined that the two-door Wrangler had a domestic parts content of 74 percent while the four-door came in at 75 percent making it the highest on the annual list.

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Meet The Fastest Street-Legal Porsche 911 Ever Made

Perhaps nowhere more fitting for Porsche to debut their fastest and most powerful street-legal 911 than at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. After making a surprise appearance last month at E3, speculation ran wild on how powerful the new GT2 RS would be and the final numbers exceeded expectations. An astounding 700hp, a full 80hp more than the 2001 GT2 RS, propels the Porsche to a top-speed of 211mph and a 0-60 time of just 2.7 seconds with 553 lb.-ft. of torque.

Via Porsche:
The fastest and most powerful street-legal 911 model ever is ready for launch: The new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is celebrating its official world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from June 30th to July 2nd. At the heart of this high-performance sports car is a 700-horsepower twin-turbo flat-six engine. Weighing in at 3,241 pounds with a full tank of fuel, the lightweight two-seater accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.7 seconds. The new 911 GT2 RS can reach a top track speed of 211 miles per hour, and it surpasses the 2011 911 GT2 RS by 80 horsepower. The 2018 911 GT2 RS delivers 553 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 37 lb.-ft. compared to the previous 911 GT2 RS.

The 3.8-liter engine in the GT2 RS is based on the power plant found in the current 911 Turbo S model. In order to increase performance further, larger turbochargers push an increased volume of air into the combustion chambers. A new additional cooling system delivers optimum cooling at peak loads by spraying water on the intercoolers when the intake air temperature reaches a determined threshold. This reduces the inlet temperature under boost and allows for optimum power output, even under extreme conditions. The customized GT seven-speed double-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission in the new GT2 RS enables maximum efficiency with uninterrupted torque transfer. The specially developed lightweight titanium exhaust system weighs around 15 pounds less than the system used in the 911 Turbo and delivers a particularly emotional sound.

Porsche Design is celebrating the debut of this very special high-performance sports car by releasing a special-issue watch. Offering a nod to the world of motorsport, the Porsche Design 911 GT2 RS watch is exclusively available to owners of the new vehicle and can only be ordered in conjunction with the new GT model.

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Ram Unveils 2018 Limited Tungsten Edition, Most Luxurious Ram Ever

Ram aims to capitalize on the ever growing luxury pickup segment with the release of their 2018 Ram Limited Tungsten Edition. The trim level will be available across their line of 1500s, 2500s, 3500s, among others. Drivers will be afforded such luxuries as ultra-premium leather interiors and an 8.4-inch radio display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM Guardian. Additionally, the exterior will get an upgrade with Tungsten specific badges and color options.

Via Ram:

Ram Truck brand is taking truck opulence to the highest level with the introduction of the new 2018 Ram Limited Tungsten Edition.

The enhanced interior and exterior trim aligns with Ram’s leadership in design and luxury.

“The Limited Tungsten Edition is the highest trim level Ram has made available,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global. “The new Tungsten Edition is an example of how Ram directly responds to customer input by offering the industry’s most luxurious pickup. Premium truck buyers will recognize the attention to detail, surrounded by quality materials.”

Ram Tungsten builds on the popular Limited trim with an even higher level of sophistication and attention to detail. Notable additions are a truck segment-first Light Greystone suede headliner and ultra-premium “Natura Plus” Frost and Indigo-colored premium leather throughout the cabin, including the seats, instrument panel, steering wheel, center arm rest and doors. Tungsten models also feature Indigo-colored carpet with rubber floormats and snap-out Frost and Indigo carpeted inserts. Real wood interior components and unique badges complete the first-tier trim.

Leading the exterior on Ram’s halo trim is a Tungsten Chrome grille with large R-A-M lettering, a design modeled after the Limited. The Tungsten Edition adds a sport hood (1500 only) to the body-color matched bumpers, mirrors, door handles and running boards. Headlamps feature a Black surround borrowed from the Sport model, clearly distinguishing the new model. Across the back, body-color “R-A-M” letters cover the tailgate. Tungsten Chrome accents and badging with unique Satin-painted Limited wheels complete the highest-level trim available from Ram.

Other Features
Ram Tungsten is also equipped with air suspension (1500), navigational radio, remote start, backup camera, power adjustable pedals with memory, heated steering wheel, front ventilated and heated seats, heated rear seats and RamBox (Heavy Duty, 6-foot, 4-inch bed only). The standard 8.4-inch Uconnect radio includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM Guardian.

Available in the third quarter of 2017, Ram Limited Tungsten trim will be offered on the Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 single- and dual-rear-wheel; Crew Cab and Mega Cab (Heavy Duty); four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive; and short- and long-wheelbase models.

The 2018 Ram Limited Tungsten is available in the following colors: Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal, Delmonico Red Pearl, Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic (1500 only), Pearl White and True Blue Pearl.

Ram 1500 Limited Tungsten Edition MSRP starts at $55,120 (not including $1,395 destination).

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Bandit Run 2017 Wrap-up | Dave Hall and Car Profile

Gumball 3000 Riga To Mykonos Kicks Off

It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention and back in 1999 Maximillion Cooper just wanted to take a road trip and party with friends. Today that simple idea has spawned a multi-million dollar lifestyle brand and one of the most exclusive car rallies on the planet.

Today the annual week long rally has grown well-beyond a simple road trip. Each nite brings participants to a new city with new parties, concerts and action sports demonstrations all from some of the biggest names in the world. The Gumball 3000 truly knows no bounds as some of the driving routes will consist of cargo transport planes moving some of the rarest cars in the world to new continents while the drivers take to the sky in a chartered plane to continue to the party. This years rally will take the drivers through Europe from Riga to Mykonos by way of Warsaw, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Tirana and Athens. Next year the annual bash will be blown out beyond the usual extremes in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Gumball 3000 taking drivers from London to Tokyo.

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