By David Newton Tony Stewart escaped unscathed on Monday night from s wreck that saw his sprint car flip five times racing for the lead during a dirt-track race in Canada. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at ESPN Headlines
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Quick Spin: 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus
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Ignore the naysayers who say the Audi R8 is too refined to be a proper supercar, or that it has begun to show its age – after a few tweaks for the 2014 model year, the automaker’s flagship remains one of my favorite exotics.
Audi has treated all of its R8 models to a host of enhancements for the 2014 model year that include new LED headlights and tail lamps, larger steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, new exhaust finishes, updated alloy wheel designs and fresh exterior colors. However, the most significant news is the arrival of a proper seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (it replaces the six-speed R-Tronic). The rapid-fire gearbox shaves a coupe tenths off the 0-60 sprint and improves fuel economy for both the eight- and ten-cylinder models (thankfully, a traditional six-speed manual is still on the order form).
I recently spent time with the new-for-2014 V10 Plus model, which is only available in a coupe body style. Compared to the standard V10 models, the Plus sheds upwards of 130 pounds thanks to lightweight manual seats (not fitted to my test car), carbon-ceramic brakes, reduced sound bay insulation, a smaller fuel tank and an assortment of carbon-fiber pieces (including side blades, front splitter, rear diffuser and spoiler). But that’s not all, as the V10 Plus also receives a bump in output that pushes its ten-cylinder to an even 550 horsepower.
Driving Notes:
- My six-foot two-inch frame has always found the R8 Coupe to be very comfortable – a standout in a segment of cramped coupes. The enhanced cabin is nothing short of breathtaking, with beautiful carbon-fiber and aluminum accents, tactile switchgear and a fit-and-finish to rival Rolls-Royce. My Brilliant Red test car was fitted with the optional diamond-stitching full leather package ($6,300) that seems a worthy investment, if just to watch your passenger’s jaws drop when they climbed in.
- The naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to produce 550 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, a 25 horsepower increase over the standard V10, which Audi says is good for a 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph (with the help of launch control). Nobody will miss the old, sometimes clunky, single-clutch gearbox. The new dual-clutch unit shifted smoothly during normal driving, yet it eagerly cracked off the gears when driven aggressively (don’t waste your time with the console-mounted shifter, as the wheel-mounted paddles are much easier to use). Power at the low end of the tachometer was plenty strong, but the V10 really came to life once it started vigorously spinning. Run it to the 8,500 rpm redline between each shift, and its screaming audio track will remind you why enthusiasts still appreciate fine, naturally aspirated engines.
- Zipping through the canyon roads in the mountains above Malibu put the R8 V10 Plus right at home. Its mid-engine handling and balance was exceptional. The damping is fixed to a very firm setting, even though lesser R8 models offer a variable magnetic suspension, …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog
Official: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic stuns with 577 hp, 3.9-second 0-60 run
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Mercedes-Benz has dropped the veil on the 2014 S63 AMG 4Matic super sedan, just a day after teasing the beastie in a video clip, and a few months ahead of the car’s official coming out party at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Keen readers will immediately take note of that “4Matic” designation suffixed to the S63’s proper name – indeed this ultra-fast S-Class will join the E63 AMG in welcoming all-wheel-drive performance to its already impressive resume (and for the very first time in many markets, though US-spec cars have had 4Matic for a little while now).
The 0-60 mph sprint is pegged at 3.9 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited at 186 mph.
Of course, the combination of the AMG-tuned version of 4Matic, and the S63’s herculean, hand-built 5.5-liter V8 engine is likely to be fairly spectacular. The mill is said to put out some 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque - increased from the 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of the current model – thanks to direct injection, twin turbochargers, an air-to-water intercooler and loads more advanced engine technology. Impressively, Mercedes is also claiming greater fuel efficiency for the new S63, though there are no mile-per-gallon numbers yet available. We’d expect to see those sometime after the debut and before the car goes on sale in the US in November of this year.
The S63 has also shed some 220 pounds compared with its predecessor, by way of aluminum construction (body panels, roof and front end), light-alloy wheels, a lithium-ion battery and a “weight-optimized AMG high-performance two-piece brake system.” The weight savings will no doubt net superior handling for a sedan this large, but its immediate effect is on the impressive spec sheet; 0-60 mile per hour sprint time is pegged at 3.9 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited at 186 mph. For reference, that’ll make the big Benz just a hair faster to 60 than a Porsche 911 Carrera S, and with a slightly better top end.
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2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic stuns with 577 hp, 3.9-second 0-60 run originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog
Kiwi Dixon sweeps Toronto races
New Zealand’s Scott Dixon dominated to post a weekend sweep of a pair of races on Toronto’s IndyCar street circuit.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a dominant day,” said Dixon. “I’m just happy for the team.”
Dixon, who was born in Brisbane, Australia but grew up in Auckland, earned a $100,000 bonus for victories in both races at this 1.75- mile, 11-turn street circuit.
Dixon, who won last weekend’s race in Pocono, captured his third victory in a row and 32nd career title.
Prior to Pocono, Dixon was fifth in the points race, trailing leader Helio Castroneves by 92 points. He is now just 29 points back of the Brazilian leader.
“It’s quite a turnaround in a couple of weeks, and I hope we can keep it going,” Dixon noted.
Dixon won the pole for race two on Saturday morning and then the Chip Ganassi Racing driver took the checkered flag for first race later that day.
He led 81 of 85 laps in Sunday’s second race. Dixon relinquished the lead only during a round of pit stops in the early going. Team Penske teammates Castroneves and Will Power led a pair of laps each.
A caution for an incident involving Ed Carpenter set the stage for a two-lap sprint to the finish.
After the final restart, Dixon pulled ahead of Castroneves. Then an smash involving Ryan Hunter-Reay and Takuma Sato — following the restart — forced the race to end under caution.
The race was caution-free until lap 65 when James Jakes hit a tire barrier.
Castroneves placed second, while Sebastien Bourdais, of France, posted his second straight podium finish with a third-place finish. Bourdais was runner-up to Dixon in Saturday’s first race.
“When you have a good car, it’s awesome,” Bourdais said. “I scored as many points (in Toronto this weekend) than I’ve scored all season.”
Dario Franchitti grabbed fourth place, while E.J. Viso rounded out the top five.
Charlie Kimball was sixth, followed by Mike Conway in seventh then Justin Wilson, Marco Andretti and Alex Tagliani.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Dixon wins race one in Toronto
Kiwi Scott Dixon held off Sebastien Bourdais to capture the first race of a IndyCar Series weekend doubleheader over the streets of Toronto.
Dixon, who led a total of 14 laps in race one, seized the lead from Bourdais with eight laps left in the race.
Alex Tagliani was involved in an incident late in the race which resulted in a caution and set the stage for a two-lap sprint to the finish.
Following the restart, Dixon grabbed the lead from Bourdais and won the race by less than two seconds.
Earlier in the day, Dixon won the pole position for the second Toronto race, which is scheduled for Sunday.
“These doubleheaders are tough,” said Dixon. “We got through race one. Just a crazy day. This is what we need to get the momentum going.”
Dixon’s win comes six days after he scored his first win of the season at Pocono Raceway.
It also marked his 31st career victory placing him in a tie with his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Dario Franchitti, as well as Paul Tracy and Bourdais for seventh on the all-time Indy car race winner list.
It’s the first time Dixon has posted consecutive wins in the series since 2008 at Edmonton, Alberta and Kentucky.
“For us, it feels like a win today,” said Bourdais, of France. “We fought hard all day, took the lead. A little surprised, but just super happy for the crew. I couldn’t be any happier to finally get on that podium.”
Franchitti crossed the finish line in third, but officials initially ruled that he blocked Will Power on the final lap. He was slapped with a 25-second penalty which dropped him to 13th.
Franchitti protested the penalty. Officials then reinstated his third- place finish after a review.
“There wasn’t any blocking,” Franchitti said. “Basically, you can’t make a move in reaction to another car. I didn’t make a move in reaction to another car. I’d gone to the inside.
Meanwhile, IndyCar officials have also placed driver Takuma Sato on probation for the next five races as a result of his actions during last Sunday’s Pocono Raceway event.
Sato violated Rule 9.3.1.1, which states “a driver must not engage in reckless, careless and/or overly aggressive actions or unsportsmanlike behavior toward other members,” when his car made contact with Ryan Hunter-Reay’s car while entering pit lane on Lap 61.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
FCC approves Softbank's $21.6B acquisition of Sprint
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved the $21.6 billion acquisition of Sprint by Japanese telecommunications group Softbank, saying it promises to bring consumers faster and more advanced wireless broadband Internet service.
The go-ahead from the FCC was the final hurdle to Softbank consummating the deal. Sprint shareholders in late June approved the acquisition that will see Softbank pay $7.64 per share, for a total of $16.64 billion in cash, and invest about $5 billion of new capital into Sprint. It will own 78 percent of the new company.
Friday’s decision also helps clear the way for Sprint to take full control of Clearwire, a struggling but spectrum-rich wireless broadband provider. Sprint already owns just over half of Clearwire, which provides the network for its 4G WiMax service, and is planning to spend $3.7 billion to acquire the rest of the company.
Clearwire shareholders are due to vote on that plan on July 8.
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at PCWorld
Sprint using bait and switch; leaves customer without promised options
We have been faithful customers of Sprint for over 10 years. We had been mostly happy and quite satisfied with the customer service provided by their representatives, until recently. Sprint representatives today make verbal promises over the phone that do not last for even six months. Although representatives are warm, polite and helpful, the base of their poor and dishonest service doesn’t change.
Wonderful and polite reps will create an atmosphere of trust. They will lie to you to keep you as a faithful customer, while providing a future that will leave you wondering why you didn’t just go to a discount store for your cell phone. After-all, the service and quality will be the same for almost all customers.
In fact, wireless service goes across the same towers and has all opportunity as your provider allows over their service.
Having been an internet service provider during it’s youth, I know that cell service is no different. Bandwidth or services can be open or limited. Other than bandwidth, Comcast was a great limiter of services such as email, news servers, web servers and others, but yet charging customers for full service at a specified bandwidth.
Fooling customers, for the purpose of profit without integrity, is the norm. And yes, our government eliminates competition… but that’s another subject for another day.
This is the opinion of two specific and many very faithful long-term Sprint cell phone customers.