Phoenix Motorcars gives more details about new SUT, says “This road bump is behind us”
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Phoenix

We got a little more information from Phoenix Motorcars today about the introduction of the company’s “newly configured Sports Utility Truck” this week. As we mentioned this morning, the SUT has been a long time coming and Bryon Bliss, Phoenix Motorcars’ VP of sales and marketing, said that:
While many would criticize us for returning again from the “ashes”, we are truly here to stay. It’s been a long road for us but one well worth waiting for.
Bliss also answered a few of our questions about the company and the car. Here’s the transcript:
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Call it a Rush: Running the Targa Trophy in a Redhead’s Porsche 911 Turbo
Lined up in a parking lot behind the W Hotel Hollywood, I feel like an A-lister. Strangers wearing hip designer t-shirts snap pictures as we wait. Everyone is all smiles, pointing and staring at the millions of dollars worth of machinery on hand. A few of NOS Energyâs scantily clad models say hello as they pass our metallic silver Porsche Turbo. Itâs partly cloudy and around 72 degrees. Today should be entertaining.
Iâm strapped into a racing bucket as a participant of Targa Trophy — one of those many ârallyâ events usually reserved for socialites with money to blow and cool cars to run. Itâs like the famous Bull Run and Gumball 3000, but without the respective $20,000 and $50,000 to $100,000-plus entry fees. The cost to enter Targa Trophy: a more reasonable $900, not including the cost of hotel rooms, food, and drink. Rather than taking multiple days to accomplish, Targa Trophy only takes place on one Saturday.
In lieu of racing each other, competitors try to set the best time over the 200-mile course from Hollywood to the W Hotel in downtown San Diego. To win, drivers and navigators must also compile the most points by stopping at predetermined checkpoints.
Audi prevents mis-fuelling for A4, A5 and Q5 models (UK)

Taking a leaf out of Fords book, Audi has now utilised a new fuel filler cap to stop owners unintentionally filling their diesel cars with petrol. The Audi A4, A5 and Q5 TDI models for the 2011 model year will be the first to gain from the new system.
The fuel filler neck has been redesign reshape to include contact points that open an internal fuel flap only when the larger diesel pump nozzle applies pressure on them. The smaller diameter petrol nozzles do not make contact, ensuring that the filler flap stays shut to prevent access to the reservoir.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #186
Filed under: Etc.

Got a question for our intrepid team of podcasters? Now’s the time to ask away. Don’t forget to vote on which questions deserve our attention the most, though we’ll try to get to as many as we can. Discussion topics for Autoblog Podcast #183, which we’ll record tonight, can be found below. Finally, subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already to hear your question answered.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #186
- Corvette engine build experience
- 2011 Nissan Quest
- Toyota R&D center deep-dive
- PT Cruiser finally dies
- Cars being developed for blind drivers
- Tesla building Toyota mules
Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
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2011 Ferrari 599 GTO – more official photos
Ferrari introduced a new gallery of photos of the model 599 GTO, showing in all its glory this supercar.

At the heart of the car is the engine V-12 (obtained from the Ferrari Enzo), edited milking 661 hp and 620 Nm of torque, while vehicle weight is less than at 195 kg, compared with the 599 GTB, a sum amounting 1,495 kg.

Acceleration to 100 km / h in a Ferrari 599 GTO is 3.35 seconds, and if we continue to push the pedal on the right, until you can reach the maximum 333 km / h.

GTO comes with aerodynamics in the style of F-1, including thresholds, diffuser, double exhaust pipe and spoiler. Installed car 20- discs.
Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hit the road to Silverstone in a VW Bus
Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Now that the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team has two World Championship Winning drivers who don’t hiss and break into hives when they hear each others’ names, principal sponsor Vodafone is making the most of it. Recently the two built – and we use that word loosely – one of their own cars. More recently, for a spot of fun before Silverstone, Hamilton and Button hopped into a 1966 VW Camper and drove from the McLaren Technical Center to the track, stopping at a gas station along the way to hand out race tickets. You’ll find the shenanigans in the video after the jump. Great tip, Focus!
[Source: Vodafone-McLaren F1]
Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hit the road to Silverstone in a VW Bus originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Consumers embrace smaller, cheaper – kind of
What does it mean for hybrids and EVs?
Fuel economy is a factor
Slowly but surely light trucks are losing their grip on the American car consumer. Thus far, 2010 auto sale’s figures peg cars, crossovers and minivans at 77.2 percent of the market, up from 68.9 percent three years ago.

