World of Wheels

New Porsche Museum Celebrates Its First Birthday

The Porsche Museum has seen more than 530,000 visitors in just its first year.

More than 530,000 visitors from all across the world, 2,555 guided tours and some 14,326 grilled steaks are some of the more significant numbers tallied by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart just a year after its opening.

When the Porsche Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time on January 31, 2009, Porsche officials had predicted optimistically that 200,000 people would visit annually.

No one imagined that more than a half million would pass through the doors and into the world of Porsche.

The new Porsche Museum is arguably one of the most daring architectural designs to emerge among a recent wave of auto museums in Germany.

The award-winning building is host to some 80 of the brand's most famous sports and racecars, numerous small exhibits, as well as little-known prototypes from the company's more than 60-year history.

Jaguar celebrates 75 years

Jaguar is marking its 75th anniversary with cars like the new XJ premium luxury sedan.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name and 75 years of looking forward, designing and building cars that represent the very best of technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success.

William Lyons founded Swallow Sidecars in 1922, and went on to create a range of "SS"-branded motorcycle sidecars and automobiles in the 1920s and early 1930s. When it came to the launch of the all-new SS 100 in 1935, Lyons wanted a new and evocative name for his cars.

After asking his advertising agency for suggestions, Lyons chose a daring new name, and the SS 100 sports car became the world's first Jaguar.

The Jaguar name was an ideal choice. It represented a feline grace and elegance, plus the power and agility that set his cars apart.

The end of an era: Mercedes-Benz and McLaren building last Anglo-Teutonic SLR super sports car

The last examples of the SLR – the super sports car designed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive – are rolling off the assembly line now. The end of production is heavy with symbolism, as it also marks the finale of the partnership between the German and British companies, which spans 15 years and the highest levels of success on the Formula One circuit.

The modern SLR was intended as an homage to the legendary 300 SLR racecars of the 1950s. Commissioned by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, then head of passenger-car testing and racing-car development at Mercedes-Benz in 1955, it’s name stood for "sporty", "light" and "raceworthy.”

Famed drivers like Stirling Moss, Dennis Jenkinson, Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling all competed in the original SLR. They tackled famed races like the Tourist Trophy in Northern Ireland and the two Italian classics: Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.

2011 Hyundai Sonata arrives at L.A. show

Hyundai took the wraps off its new 2011 Sonata yesterday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The North American intro of the sixth generation midsize sedan introduces the automaker’s new “Fluidic Sculpture” design language and an all-new, only four-cylinder, engine lineup.

The Sonata will debut early in 2010 with Hyundai’s new Theta II GDI 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI). It’s the first midsize sedan to adopt GDI technology as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertrain. Horsepower and torque will be 198 and 184 lb-ft, while delivering “class-leading” fuel economy.

Later in 2010, a 2.0-litre Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine will be added and a 2.4-litre Hybrid Blue Drive model using a lithium polymer battery pack. Details will be announced at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

Henderson out at GM

General Motors has announced that its president and CEO, Fritz Henderson, (above left) has resigned. He is the second head of GM to leave this year, following Rick Wagoner who was ousted by the Obama Administration during the automaker’s bankruptcy proceeding in March.

There’s no official word from GM why Henderson, 51, is leaving, but reportedly, part of the reason stems from the failed attempts to sell the Saturn and Saab brands, plus pulling out of a deal to sell the European Opel division to Canada’s Magna International last month.

In the interim, chairman Ed Whitacre (above right) will take the reigns at GM “while an international search for a new president and CEO begins immediately.”

Pony up: Ford Mustang gets new 305 horsepower V6, host of other improvements for 2011

Ahead of its unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show later this week, Ford has released a load of info on its significantly redone 2011 Mustang V6 model.

Traditionally, the volume-seller over the much-hyped V8 model, the entry-level ‘Stang just got a whole lot more interesting.

It starts with a new, all-aluminum 3.7-litre V6 engine, making 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can be mated to new six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The latter improves fuel economy by 25 percent over the 2010 model and delivers best-in-class highway consumption numbers. (The old 4.0L SOHC V6 delivered 210 hp and 240 lb-ft).

The DOHC Duratec engine uses Ford’s Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) technology and now revs to 7,000 rpm. Our enthusiast side is also happy to hear the new V6 wears a cold air induction system and dual exhaust.

Villeneuve visits Lotus

Former Formula 1 champ and fellow Canadian Jacques Villeneuve recently visited Lotus headquarters in Norfolk, UK, touring its operations and test-driving the new Evora sports car.

The 1997 champion was in Britain to visit with his friend Gino Rosato, VP of corporate affairs at Lotus, who’d recently taken up the roll after working at Ferrari.

Villeneuve also meet Clive Chapman (son of Lotus’ founder Colin Chapman) and the two shared stories of their father’s days competing in F1.

Oshawa to build new Buick Regal for North America

General Motors announced yesterday that its Southern Ontario Oshawa Car Assembly will add the production of the new Buick Regal alongside the Camaro in early 2011.

“The new Regal gives Buick a modern performance sedan and its production here in Oshawa is terrific news for our employees, the CAW, dealers and suppliers,” says Arturo Elias, president, General Motors of Canada. “Combining Buick’s top position in the industry in terms of brand quality with the Oshawa Car Plant’s long-standing reputation for top quality assembly means customers’ highest expectations will be met with this midsize sport sedan.”

The Regal slides into the Buick lineup under the LaCrosse sedan. It’s based heavily on the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. GM promises the Regal will retain all of Insignia’s award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance when it launches in North America.         

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR recaptures Laguna Seca lap record; may get Italian DNA down the road

With all the doom and gloom at Chrysler, it’s great to report some positive news. In this case, Dodge’s Viper sports car, recently saved from extinction, is still one seriously fast machine – and one that may receive some Italian DNA in the future.

An SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) model just recaptured the lap record for a production car at Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, Calif. It did the deed in 1:33.915, shattering the previous record by more than 1.1 seconds.

At the wheel was Street and Racing Technology (SRT) vehicle dynamics engineer Chris Winkler, who was still learning the intricate details of Laguna Seca, having spent only one other session on the 3.5 km, 11-turn course.

Sixth-gen BMW 5 Series bows in

 
BMW has taken the wraps off the sixth generation of its midsize 5 Series sport sedan.

Not only does the new ‘5’ now offer the longest wheelbase in its class, it now shares a platform with its big brother, the 7 Series, and is built at the same plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

The new exterior design closely follows the example set by the new 7 Series and the hatchbacked 5 Series Gran Turismo. Of course that kidney-shaped grille and Hofmeister kink at the bottom of the C-pillar are ever-present.

The new BMW 5 Series will launch in June of 2010 (as a 2011 model year). Initially, it will be available as a 535i and 550i. The 528i and xDrive all-wheel drive variants of all three models will arrive later in the year.