Auctions: eBay Find of the Day: Untitled 1990 Mosler Consulier Targa [w/video]

No one will look at this 1990 Mosler Targa (a.k.a. Consulier GTP), read that just 100 examples of the car were built between 1985 and 1993, and still wonder why no more were sold. To put it bluntly: this is one of the ugliest cars ever to turn a wheel in anger. Its ungainly silhouette, parts bin accessories and staggeringly shaped glasshouse all seem to scream, "Buy another car."

Of course, something this ugly ends up being downright intriguing, especially when you learn that all that fugly covers up some pretty serious performance. There's a tuned Chrysler 2.2-liter turbo four-cylinder sitting amidships in the Mosler's carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, and the car was among the first ever production vehicles to employ both CF and Kevlar in the construction of its body panels. The result was an ultra-lightweight car that was wicked-fast for its day. In fact, company owner Warren Mosler once famously offered a bounty for anyone that could pilot a street-legal production car around a track quicker than the GTP, and it (along with the Mosler Intruder and Raptor models it inspired) so dominated One Lap Of America for a period of years in the late '90s that it was eventually banned.

This example on eBay Motors can be found in Florida, and seems to be in remarkably good shape. The car has never been titled, presumably racking up the 11k miles it has on the odo during closed track sessions. There's no Buy It Now price on this ultra-rare, ultra-ghastly Mosler, but we've got to believe that it's worth a lot more than the starting bid of $10,000. Bid with your heart, not with your eyes. Oh, and if seeing the thing isn't enough, scroll down to see a video of the Mosler in action, complete with a bitch'n Journey score.

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Motorsports: 2013 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 4

The fourth and final practice day of the 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is complete. Tomorrow everyone will make any last-minute adjustments and get their cars, their bits and bobs lined up in the pits for Sunday morning's this-time-it-counts run.

The Unlimited runners took on the top section of the course today, Sébastien Loeb and his big-mouth Peugeot acing the practice test again with a time of 2:11. Rhys Millen's team proved its got the engine issues of two days ago in the Hyundai PM580T sorted out, posting the next-best time at 2:27.16. The reason we had to dip all the way into the hundredths for his time is because he nipped Romain Dumas by just .31 of them, the Frenchman in the Norma M20FC PP running the course in 2:27.47. In fourth came the Frenchman in the monster Mini, Jean-Philippe Dayraut six seconds back at 2:33.

Time Attack competitors, also on the upper section, were led by Paul Dallenbach in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe with a time of 2:36, Porsche pilot Jeff Zwart crossing the line six seconds later at 2:42, fellow Porsche driver David Donner coming in another six seconds back at 2:48. Dallenbach has topped three of the four practice-day sessions, sliding into the second spot behind Donner only on Practice Day 2.

Greg Tracy, the ex-Pikes Peak motorcycle champion who's been tearing it up in the Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution II, took the top time again today with a 2:25. He was followed by Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima at 2:27, the second Mitsubishi driven by Hiroshi Masuoka at 2:30 and then Rod Millen in the Toyota, the senior Millen saying the team sacrificed ultimate speed for set-up work and a time of 2:32.

In the other classes that were also in the middle section, Clint Vahsholtz ran a 2:40 to lead from another pair separated by hundredths, Donner Billingsley at 2:45.54 and Andy Figueroa at 2:45.62. The Pikes Peak Open competitors were headed by Layne Schranz again with a 2:44, then Jeff MacPherson at 2:54 and James Robinson in the sole remaining Acura NSX at 2:58. Vintage drivers followed the lead of Ralf Christensson with a 2:59, then came Christopher Lennon at 3:08 and John "Jack" Rogers in a 1965 Ford Falcon at 3:09.

Tonight comes the Fan Fest, and we'll be looking for a chance to speak to some drivers and teams before the flag drops. Come back tomorrow when we'll have the news and rumors about this year's race including a chat with Rhys Millen, people's thoughts on Peugeot's entry, the hordes of media, Mitsubishi using the race as a testbed for developments for the next Lancer Evolution, video of some of the competitors during practice and the final running order for Sunday's race.

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Official: Innotech reveals Corvette-based trackday racer

You're looking at the Innotech Aspiron, and while the name sounds like something you'd find on the shelf at a discount computer store, the car aims to be a legitimate track day warrior. The open-top two seater pulls parts from the Chevrolet Corvette and wedges them down in a skimpy chassis, wrapping it bodywork that reminds us of cars like the Hulme CanAm and Caparo T1. All told, Innotech says the car can weigh as little as 1,680 pounds depending on driver configuration, and with thrust from a range of General Motors V8 engines, we imagine the creation will have no trouble scooting its way around a track.

Buyers can opt for an LS3 from the base 2013 Corvette or the LS7 from the Corvette Z06. Innotech also offers an LT1 option, though it's unclear if that's the all-new LT1 from the 2014 Corvette Stingray or the old cast-iron block. Need something with a bit more punch? You can also choose from the LSA found in the Cadillac CTS-V or an LS9 plucked from the see-through hood of the mighty Corvette ZR1. That means buyers can have anywhere from 500 to 800 horsepower at their command, though an upgraded LS9 is also available with up to 1,000 hp. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission shuttles all that muscle to the rear axle.

Prices start at around $150,000 and reach all the way up to "price available upon request" territory. Check out the full press release below for more information.

INNOTECH ASPIRON (2014)

Track day supercar with a powerful V8 engine

The INNOTECH Aspiron is a high performance adrenaline booster for hard core drivers, built for track day enjoyment and sheer speed in an open cockpit. Our customers probably own other supercars, like the Corvette, Viper, Porche 911, Ferrari or Lamborghini, but in comparison to these cars, the Aspiron is designed as a true track day car with strong racing genes, hand built to customer specs, with a power to weight ratio to shame any road car.

Among track day supercars, the Aspiron offers the best value for the money; a great mix of modern design and on track performance, combined with reasonable pricing and affordable maintenance cost.

Uncompromising track day performance

Race car style body offers a spacious 2-seater fully open cockpit, protected by massive roll-over bars. The cockpit, trimmed completely in carbon-fibre, is equiped with adjustable carbon-fibre seats (incl. FIA homologated seats), 6-point racing harness and adjustable pedals. Optional XL sized carbon-fibre seats accomodate large drivers. A multifunctional dash data logger gives you all the info on the engine, lap times etc. Plenty of downforce is generated by large adjustable carbon-fibre wings, front and rear.

With its outer dimensions (mm/in: L 4850/191 x W 2050/80.7 x H 1100/43.5, wheelbase 2745/108) the Aspiron provides a stable platform like a LeMans prototype. â€" However, INNOTECH managed to keep the weight low, as one would expect from a modern track day car (kg/lbs: 760 â€" 860/1680 - 1890 depending on car specs).

Aspiron has a very solid tubular space frame structure with a safe central gas tank location.
Race car style chassis incorporates front and rear A-arm suspension with long arms and adjustable coilover shocks.
The engine is the heart of every supercar: INNOTECH Aspiron was designed to take Chevrolet V8 6.2L â€" 7.0L engines: LS3 - LS7 - LT1 or supercharged LSA - LS9, stock or upgraded, approx. 500 â€" 800hp on pump gas, with low maintenance cost and good durability. High performance ARE dry sump systems are on all engines. Top of the line is an upgraded LS9 running on Ethanol E85 with approx. 1000hp. Custom built engines based on LS racing blocks (C5R, C6R or RHS blocks) are available upon request.
All that power goes to the rear wheels via Ricardo 6-speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential (well known from the Ford GT for its durability).

The car in the photos is equipped with a naturally aspirated V8 7.0L based on LS7 block, with forged internals , ARE top level dry sump system and custom engine management system. When dynoed on a very hot humid summer day, the engine showed 692 hp at 6900 rpm and 588 lb-ft (800 Nm) at 5500 rpm, with 400 lb-ft (545 Nm) available at 2500 rpm. What a beast...

Thanks to powerful engines and low curb weight the Aspiron has an excellent power to weight ratio, from 600 hp per tonne for a base model to 1000 hp per tonne for a top model â€" with a driver on board !

The Aspiron of course has powerful brakes to match its speed: 355-380mm/14-15´´rotors, forged
6 or 8 piston calipers, race brake pads and optional brake bias adjustment from the cockpit.

Aspiron base models run on O.Z. Racing Alleggerita wheels 8.5 x 18 front and 12 x 18 rear, with 245/40 R18 front and 335/30 R18 rear tires, TOYO R 888, Hoosier R6 semi slicks or racing slicks.
For those who wants to spend more money on forged wheels INNOTECH offers optional customized Forgeline GA1R or HRE R40/R43 in 18´´ size with a large variety of finishes.

Customers can also choose among many paint colors and finishes. Each car will be made to order to customer specs. Small Limited Editions are also forseen.
Aspiron cars are built in Europe and INNOTECH supplies customers worldwide with all needed parts.

2014 INNOTECH Aspiron â€" models and prices w/out sales tax:
Aspiron R 500 V8 LS3 6.2L (500 hp) 114 000 EUR / 149 000 USD
Aspiron RS 700 V8 LS7 7.0L (700 hp) 137 000 EUR / 179 000 USD
Aspiron RSC 750 V8 LSA 6.2L (750 hp) 147 000 EUR / 192 000 USD
Aspiron RSC 800 V8 LS9 6.2L (800 hp) 157 000 EUR / 204 000 USD

Aspiron RSR 900 V8 LS9 6.2L (900 hp) runs on race gasoline, price upon request
Aspiron RRR 1000 V8 LS9 6.2L (1000 hp) runs on Ethanol E85, price upon request

Custom built V8 GM based engines and a large variety of optional equipment will make your Aspiron the one and only in the world !

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Study: New US survey says diesel cost of ownership lower than gas

It's cheaper to drive a diesel-powered vehicle than a gas-powered vehicle over the course of three to five years, according to a new study commissioned by Robert Bosch LLC â€" a company that makes plenty of diesel engine parts â€" using data compiled by The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The savings stem not just from improved fuel efficiency but also overall fuel costs and better retention of value, and take into account the added purchase price of a diesel engine over its gasoline counterpart.

According to the study, "most of the savings are in the $2000 to $6000 range." The highest return on investment comes from the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Buyers of a diesel GL will save a shocking $13,514 over the course of three years and $15,619 in five. Another star performer is the Volkswagen Golf TDI, which can save its owner more than $5,000 over three years. The full study can be found in PDF form at this link, and a press release with a summary of some of its findings can be seen below.

New Study Finds U.S. Diesel Vehicles Have Lower Total Cost of Ownership Than Gasoline Vehicles

Diesels Generally Save Owners $2,000 to $6,000 Over Three to Five Years of Ownership

Washington, D.C. â€" A new study released today found that diesel vehicles saved owners between $2,000 to $6,000 in total ownership costs during a three to five year period when compared to similar gasoline vehicles, according to data compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

The University of Michigan study - Total Cost of Ownership: A Gas Versus Diesel Comparison - was conducted for Robert Bosch LLC and the results were released today at the 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Washington D.C.

"Overall, the results of our analyses show that diesel vehicles provide owners with a TCO (total cost of ownership) that is less than that of the gas versions of the same vehicles," according to the study. "The estimates of savings for three and five years of ownership vary from a low of $67 in three years to a high of $15,619 in five years, but most of the savings are in the $2,000 to $6,000 range, which also include the extra cost that is usually added to the diesel version of a vehicle."

New Study Reinforces Benefits of Clean Diesel Vehicles

"These new findings that clean diesel vehicles are a more cost-effective investment for car owners reinforces what auto analysts and other comparative studies have determined in recent years," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "The significant savings diesel owners experience compared to gas car owners highlights another major reason why clean diesel vehicles sales will increase significantly throughout the U.S. in the coming years.

"Fuel efficiency has always been a major attraction of clean diesel vehicles. Because diesels are 20 to 40 more fuel efficient than gas cars, drivers save money with diesels even when diesel fuel prices are slightly higher than gas prices.

"The findings in this study will also be helpful to car buyers as they research their next vehicle purchase. This is an exciting time for diesel vehicles as the number of diesels is expected to more than double in the next two years. This will give drivers a broad selection of vehicles to fit their individual driving needs.

"In addition, as the U.S. moves to the increase fuel standards of 54.5 mpg by 2025, drivers will become more aware of the advantages diesels have over other vehicles in many important areas."

Clean Diesels Have Better Fuel Efficiency & Lower Depreciation Than Gas Vehicles

Highlights from the diesel-gasoline comparisons include:

- Total Cost of Ownership: In the three year timeframe comparison, diesel vehicles in the mass market passenger car segment are estimated to save owners significant money, with the VW Jetta owner saving $3,128, the VW Jetta Sportwagen owner saving $3,389, and the VW Golf owner saving an estimated $5,013.

- In the luxury segment, all the diesel versions of the Mercedes-Benz E Class ($4,175), Mercedes-Benz GL Class ($13,514), Mercedes-Benz M Class ($3,063), Mercedes-Benz R Class ($5,951) and VW Touareg ($7,819) save owners money in the three year timeframe.

- Fuel Efficiency: All of the diesel vehicles had better miles per gallon than the gasoline versions with the diesels having between 8 to 44 percent higher miles per gallon.

- Fuel Costs: All of the diesel vehicles had lower fuel costs than all the gas versions of comparable vehicles, with 11 of the 12 vehicles showing double digit reductions in fuel costs, ranging from 10 to 29 percent.

- Similar to the three year comparisons, five year estimated fuel costs for diesel vehicles are less than those of comparable gas versions. The percentage difference in terms of the reduction from gas to diesel costs decreased for some diesel-gas comparisons as diesel prices began to increase around the 2005 timeframe.

- Depreciation: Eleven of the 12 diesel vehicles held their value better than comparable gas vehicles over the three year timeframe with eight vehicles showing double digit percentage savings ranging from 17 percent up to 46 percent.

- Nine of the 10 diesel vehicles hold their value better than comparable gas vehicles over the five year timeframe, with five vehicles showing double digit percentage savings ranging from 10 percent up to 39 percent.

The report analyzed the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for clean diesel vehicles and comparing their TCO to their gas vehicle counterparts. The study developed three and five year cost estimates of depreciation by modeling used vehicle auction data and fuel costs by modeling government data. The study also combined these estimates with three and five year estimates for repairs, fees and taxes, insurance, and maintenance from an outside data source.

Connect with DTF

How do you keep up with the news on clean diesel? You can be a fan of DTF's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter @DieselTechForum, or subscribe to our YouTube channel @DieselTechForum. You can also subscribe to Diesel Direct, a monthly publication featuring the latest clean diesel news and activities of the Diesel Technology Forum by emailing dtf@dieselforum.org.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

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Confirmed: Audi promises next A8 on sale by year's end, LED Matrix lamps to be available [w/video]

Audi has just released details about its new Matrix LED headlamps, but just as illuminating as the new lighting technology is confirmation that the next A8 will appear "on the market at the end of 2013." While Audi is calling the model new, expectations â€" and the spy shots above â€" suggest more of a traditional mid-cycle refresh.

Audi says that its new A8 Matrix lights are comprised of 25 high-beam LEDs, clustered in groups of five paired with reflectors. Unlike traditional automatic high-beam setups, the Matrix array is so precise that it "blanks out light that would shine directly onto oncoming and preceding vehicles" while continuing to use full high-beam power on other sections of the road and shoulder not occupied by other vehicles. Further, the camera- and electronic brain-governed system can dim or extinguish LEDs as necessary to deal with traffic. The active system also differs from today's adaptive headlamps by not requiring servo motors to direct light, yet they can still function as cornering headlamps â€" ones that can predict a road's trajectory because they are linked with the car's GPS system. Interestingly, the system also works with Audi's optional night vision system. When the latter detects a pedestrian in the dark, it automatically flashes a batch of LEDs to put both the driver and pedestrian on notice about each others' presence.

Only one problem in all of this trick lighting business: they aren't legal here in the US, at least not yet. Audi and other automakers are currently petitioning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, trying to sell the government agency on the technology's safety benefits. For the moment, Matrix headlamps are likely to remain forbidden fruit, but you can check them out and see what you might be missing in the video below. As for the 2015 A8, we're guessing it'll surface at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Ingolstadt, 2013-06-28
Leading the way in lighting technology:
The new Audi Matrix LED headlights
New technology set to reach the market later this year
Individually controlled LEDs for high-precision lighting
Audi has been leading the way for many years with an array of innovations

Audi Matrix LED headlights

Audi is now building on its lead in the domain of lighting technology with a world first: The Audi Matrix LED headlights will make their debut on the new A8, which is appearing on the market at the end of 2013. Audi, the technology leader in this field, is thus opening a new chapter in automotive lighting technology.

Audi Matrix LED technology splits up the LED high-beam headlights into numerous individual, small diodes working in conjunction with lenses or reflectors connected in series. Managed by a responsive control unit, they are activated and deactivated or dimmed individually according to the situation. This means they always supply high-precision illumination and achieve the maximum possible light yield without needing a pivoting mechanism.

In the new Audi A8, each headlight comprises 25 high-beam light-emitting diodes, arranged in groups of five per reflector. When the light switch is set to "automatic" and the high-beam headlights are on, the system is activated from 30 km/h (18.64 mph) on highways and from 60 km/h (37.28 mph) on city streets. The Audi Matrix LED headlights produce a quality of light with a special crystalline sheen. By day, too, they have a very attractive and distinctive look, which is reinforced by the new appearance of the daytime running lights.

As soon the camera in the A8 detects oncoming vehicles, the Audi Matrix LED headlights dip the relevant sections of the high-beam headlights. The system operates with such precision that it blanks out light that would shine directly onto oncoming and preceding vehicles, but continues to cast the high beams with full power on all other zones between and beside them. The closer an approaching vehicle gets, the more LEDs are deactivated or dimmed. When there is no more oncoming traffic, the high-beam headlights then resume full power, including the sections that had previously been off. The light that the driver sees is always bright, homogeneous and much more effective than that produced by competitors' mechanical dipping systems.

Matrix LED technology offers fascinating potential in many different respects, in terms of the number of individual LEDs, their arrangement, and the size and design of the headlights. One of its safety functions in the Audi A8 involves providing what are known as marker lights: These team up with the optional night vision assistant to mark detected pedestrians. When it detects a person in the critical range in front of the car, individual LEDs flash at them rapidly three times in succession, picking out the pedestrian clearly from their surroundings and alerting both the pedestrian and the driver.

The light-emitting diodes of the Audi Matrix LED headlights also perform the cornering light function; they displace the emphasis of the beam in the direction of the bend. By calling on predictive route data supplied by the MMI navigation plus, they do so shortly before the steering needs to be turned. Another function in the new Audi A8 is the turn signal with dynamic display: The LEDs in the turn signals flash in blocks at 150 millisecond intervals in the direction that the driver intends to turn.

Audi leads the way in automotive lighting technology and the brand has repeatedly masterminded crucial advances over the years. Here are just the main world-leading innovations:

1994: second-generation xenon headlights in the Audi A8
2003: adaptive light in the Audi A8
2004: LED daytime running lights in the Audi A8 W12
2008: full-LED headlights in the Audi R8
2010: connectivity between the headlights and navigation data in the Audi A8
2011: homogeneous LED rear lights design in the Audi A6
2012: turn signal with dynamic display in the Audi R8
2013: full-LED headlights for the compact class
2013: EU validates LED technology from Audi as an eco-innovation, the first manufacturer to be certified for this technology

The plus points of Audi innovations include not just better light, but also more safety, high efficiency and attractive design. A wide range of customers can reap the benefits â€" the LED headlights, for example, are available from the compact A3 car line upward. Also the Le Mans sports cars of Audi â€" the Audi R18 e-tron has just retained the title at the 24 Hours of Le Mans â€" have been fitted with LED headlights for a number of years; on the straight, they illuminate the racetrack over a distance of about one kilometer (0.62 miles).

Audi intends to extend its lead step by step. The automotive lighting of the future will respond with even greater precision to the surroundings and interact with it in diverse ways. It will have all-electronic control and be even more attractive thanks to new dynamic functions.

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