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Tesla Model S Plays in the Snow and Ice

Justin Cupler@topspeed.com(Justin Cupler) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Remember when we were all kids and our parents would constantly remind us never to play with anything electric around water? For the most part, we all listened to them, right? We wonder if the same goes for playing with a really big electric toy on top of frozen water – AKA snow and ice.

According to Tesla, the rule definitely does not apply to frozen water, or the company just so happens to be chocked full of bad boys and girls that didn’t listen to their parents. The above video is proof of their frozen water and electricity shenanigans, as the all-new Tesla Model S goes sliding around in the snow and ice, and appears to be having a dang good time in the process.

The video is of the 2013 Tesla S testing in the cold weather, something that has been a thorn in the side of electric cars since their inception. Apparently, the Tesla S not only tested well in the cold weather, but for a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, it sure did hold onto the track well. We’re interested to see what tires Tesla slapped on this electro-mobile to make it stick the way it did because they definitely aren’t summer tires.

The only time we saw it really break loose was at the 1:15 when it looks to be in a fairly controlled drift. Regardless of its snow handling, we still think the Tesla Model S and its 4.4-second peak 0 – 60 time is pretty awesome. Then again, that $105,400 sticker price will definitely put a small hole in anyone’s wallet.

So we now need to add an asterisk next to the old water and electricity lesson that our parents taught us, so it excludes water in a solid state. No, this doesn’t mean you can mess with your toaster or dry your hair while ice fishing!

Anyways, kick back and enjoy mixing electricity with snow and ice, we certainly did.

gallery: 2012 Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S Plays in the Snow and Ice originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 April 2012 02:00 EST.

Video: Honda CR-V Meets the Nürburgring, and Loses

Justin Cupler@topspeed.com(Justin Cupler) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Remember back in the late-1990s when there was all of that hubbub about top-heavy SUVs and how they roll over easily? Apparently, some people really need to be reminded of how SUVs handle. We totally understand that the Nürburgring is an awesome thing, as anyone with a car, $34, a driver’s license, and a heartbeat can take their car screaming down this famed course. We also completely understand that some SUVs belong on this track, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, X6M, and so on.

That said, c’mon guys, taking an obviously stock Honda CR-V for a cruise around the ‘Ring? Are you trying to record a 20:00 time around the course to gloat about to your buddies? There comes a moment in every person’s life where you simply have to decide that the risk really isn’t worth the reward, and flying an early 2000s CR-V around the ‘Ring is one of those times.

It looks like the driver in the above video doesn’t quite grasp any of that… The first minute of the video consists of almost all high-performance vehicles, or at least modified ones. Once you get to the 1:05 mark on the video you hear a loud screeching sound of tall, skinny tires and coming around the corner sideways is a CR-V. A quick flick in the other direction to attempt to correct the spin and that’s all she wrote; over goes the CR-V into a spectacular rollover.

The CR-V then leaps over the guardrail on a single bound and sticks the landing like a pro. Keep in mind, the only reason we are so nonchalant about this horrible wreck is that according to the YouTube post, the people in the CR-V were fine, except for the fact that their mom’s gonna be mad when she sees her car.

Enjoy the video and make this a reminder, don’t race your CR-V on a track designed for racecars. It never turns out well.

gallery: 2012 Honda Crosstour

Video: Honda CR-V Meets the Nürburgring, and Loses originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 15 April 2012 23:00 EST.

Video: WRX STi Goes Playing in the Snow and Ice

Justin Cupler@topspeed.com(Justin Cupler) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Back when the Impreza WRX made its debut, we began salivating, as it marked the comeback of the turbocharged car. Then once the STi came around bearing its 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter H-4 engine, we were officially in love. That love has somewhat dissipated, as the turbocharged market has become a little flooded lately. The STi still has its own little spot in our hearts though.

One of the many things that made the STi so unique was its combination of extreme power from a four-cylinder engine with Subaru’s legendary AWD system. This made, and still makes, the WRX STi one of the most fun cars in the world to tinker around in the snow and ice.

The above video comes straight from Russia showing a rather good driver maneuvering his STi through the icy and snowy streets with a lead car filming him. Not only is the action pretty darn good, but the editing isn’t half-bad either.

Regardless of how cool this video is, we do have to ask you to please not go buy an STi and start sliding around your city’s streets during the next snowstorm. Yeah, it looks cool and you might get yourself a spot on the internet, but its rather dopey, to say the least.

Now that we have given you our parent-like lecture for the day, sit back and enjoy a WRX STi frolicking in it favorite habitat, snow and ice. If you keep a close eye at the 1:19 mark, you can see their fun is almost over, as plow tractors are coming through to clean up the slippery stuff.

gallery: 2013 Subaru WRX STI

Video: WRX STi Goes Playing in the Snow and Ice originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 April 2012 04:00 EST.

Video: Ford Teases a Performance Model 2013 Explorer

Justin Cupler@topspeed.com(Justin Cupler) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Ford has not been shy with new high-performance models in its 2013 lineup. First came the newly redesigned Fusion with an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, then the Focus ST with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. So what’s next for Ford? We think Ford may have tipped its hand with a recent video.

In this video (above) you can see a teaser of what’s to come. From what it looks like, Ford will be announcing a high-performance model of the 2013 Ford Explorer on Wednesday, March 28th. It is all speculation as of yet, but with the ominous sounds of an engine reaching high rpm, what else could it be?

We may be reading way too much into the video, but if you watch carefully at the 0:10 mark, you will see a speedometer on the left. Count the seconds it takes for this thing to reach 60 mph. By our estimation that Explorer hits 60 mph just shy of 5.5 seconds. Now, that could be just a sped up video of a standard Explorer, but if it’s authentic, that is one mean midsize SUV. That isn’t quite in the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s range, but it’s still impressive.

Most rumors in the industry are saying that this model, which may be dubbed an SHO, will feature the same 365-horsepower, 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 connected to an all-wheel-drive system as the 2013 Taurus SHO. This would be a welcome addition to the existing 2013 Explorer lineup, which already includes a standard 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and an optional 240-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The video says “Coming 3-28-2012,” so we will simply wait and see what the specifics are. As we type this, it just rolled over to 12:00 a.m. on the 28th and still no details… Sheesh, Ford, take your time why don’t ya. In all honesty though, Ford has a live chat with its SUV Marketing Manager and Chief Engineer on its Facebook page setup for 2:30 p.m. EDT, so details are likely to be revealed at that time.

Video: Ford Teases a Performance Model 2013 Explorer originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 28 March 2012 11:00 EST.

Top Gear back on Sunday

Bryan@topspeed.com(Bryan) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:00:00 GMT

After a long break of watching old episodes on YouTube, everybody’s favorite car show is back. Top Gear will return on Sunday for their 15th season and we already have some juicy information.

The biggest news is in the reasonably priced car department. The old Chevrolet Lacetti is gone and all we can say is, thank you. The old Suzuki Liana was far better than that, as Jay Kay put it, soulless piece of Yankee…you know. While we’re on the topic of Jay Kay, he will remain the fastest man to ever go around in the old Lacetti.

The producers have listened to everybody who complained last season and hopefully the show will be back to its old charm. The show won’t be going back to its old season one type format, but it won’t be as useless as the last season was. There will be a good mixture of testing cars and mucking about.

The first episode will have the Bentley Continental Supersports and a Toyota Hilux going up a volcano with James May at the wheel. There will also be some three-wheeled cars.

Catch the show on BBC2 at 8 p.m. or if you live in America you can download it, not that we support that sort of thing.

Top Gear back on Sunday originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 22 June 2010 17:00 EST.