The Tea Party political movement is sponsoring an entry in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, with the red #89 truck driven by Chris Lafferty being rebranded as the “We The People’s” truck for the next two seasons.

The sponsorship will actually work in reverse from the usual arrangements, with sponsorship money actually going to the Tea Party, rather than the group paying to advertise on the car. The move comes as Congress defeated a proposal to remove the military’s $40-million sponsorship of three NASCAR racers, which were intended to be used for attracting recruits.

Check out Tea Party Racing’s official website here.

[Source: The Hill]

With Cars 2 hitting theatres June 24, Disney has announced the latest racer to get his own character in the highly anticipate sequel – Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton’s character will be sporting a McLaren MP4-12C-like body and a British Racing Green paint scheme. And the British F1 racer is pretty pumped about his part, as he took to Twitter to announce it: “Hey guys, big news — I’m going to be in @DisneyPixar’s Cars2! Take a look at my car… This is wicked;)”

Says Pixar on the addition: “The celebrated native Brit continues to bring an exceptional work ethic and soft-spoken confidence to the race course, where his extraordinary achievements speak for themselves via a spotless track record on the junior and professional circuits.”

In the sequel to the popular Pixar film, Lighting McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and Mater the tow truck (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) leave home to take part in the first ever World Grand Prix. Other Brit stars set to feature in the film include Michael Caine, Vanessa Redgrave and Eddie Izzard.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Volvo has a history of getting into bed with Italian coachbuilders for some of its more exclusive models, first Bertone and then Pininfarina.

In 2003, Volvo and the latter launched a joint venture, to build the former company’s second generation C70 retractable hardtop/convertible at a dedicated factory in Uddevalla, Sweden.

However, that arrangement is now coming to an end; Volvo stating that it will assume full control of Pinnfarina’s Swedish operations in May 2013.

Research group JATO dynamics said sales of the C70 were down by some 1.7 percent last year, versus 2009; only 4,703 examples were sold for 2010.

[Source: Autoweek]

Jeep is launching an ambitious campaign in Europe to boost sales eight-fold by 2014, with a new premium small SUV helping to lead the way.

The next generation Jeep Compass is expected to debut around 2014, and will be based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and the Compass will also share DNA with a new Alfa Romeo crossover. The Jeep will be able to move upmarket, and position itself against compact SUVs from premium European brands. A diesel engine will also be offered, and is considered an essential part of the Jeep sales plan.

Currently, Jeep sells about 15,000 vehicles in Europe, making their target highly ambitious. Even Land Rover only manages to move about 75,000 trucks a year in the region. Jeep hopes to clear this hurdle by bringing out an all-new product lineup, including a revised, diesel powered Liberty (sold as the Cherokee), a Grand Wagoneer based on the current Grand Cherokee, and an updated Wrangler. Lancia stores will also become partnered with Jeep, giving the brand some 800 outlets to sell their wares.

[Source: Autocar]

In the market for a rare and exotic piece of Italian machinery? Then how about the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.

Lamborghini has yet to officially confirm that its carbon fiber concept car will see production, but that might be irrelevant at this point as Symbolic Motor Car Company in San Diego, California has announced it is accepting orders for the carbon chassis Gallardo. According to the company’s website just three of the cars have been earmarked for the U.S. They even list a delivery date of July 15.

Thought to be a track-only exotic the Sesto Elemento is named after the sixth element in the periodic table of the elements – carbon. This is due to the extensive use of light-weight carbon fiber, that allows the car to weigh just over 2,200 lbs. When combined with the Gallardo’s 562-hp 5.2-liter V10 engine, Lambo claims a 0-62-mph time of just 2.5 seconds – faster than even the new Aventador.

To order yours today, visit Symbolic Motors here.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

[Source: Auto123]

Volvo recently revealed that it is looking for 400 early adopters to test a prototype of its 24 kWh all-battery powered C30 Electric car. Better get in line early, because the limited range, practically hand-made vehicle will be leased for just $2,100 per month.

Why bother with an every day C30 four-passenger, two-door hatchback, when the exotic version can be had for 7.5 times more? OK. Snarky leading sentences behind, here’s a bit of background: Some are taking this as a sort of honesty index – with Volvo showing  just how expensive developing a viable EV can be.

Its been alleged that presently Nissan has not pleased too many automakers for practically giving away its LEAF at $32,780 before $7,500 federal tax credit.

The first Smart ForTwo test EVs looked like a rip-off by comparison at $599 per month, but are those more realistically priced considering what it cost to develop such vehicles?

Like Smart’s initiative, the plan with its “DriveE-powered C30 is to get significant numbers on the roads as a test vehicle. Production versions that may be available by 2013 or so would come with a less-than-exorbitant electric powertrain, or so the plan goes.

For now, Volvo is calling on a pool of heavily subsidized, environmental-advocating organizations, government fleet users, and such. Its plan is they should ante up, so Volvo does not have to take the price hit in preparing to launch its EV.

About 300 C30 Electrics could be leased in Europe, and 100 in the U.S. – with 50 on the West Coast, and 50 on the East.

Sounds like a win-win between Volvo, “green” corporations, and other advocating entities spending other people’s money to help usher in the age of the EV.

[Source: Edmunds Green Car Advisor]

Video after the jump

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A Japanese factory that makes batteries for the Chevrolet Volt is back online today after being temporarily shut down since the March 11th earthquake.

Hitachi Automotive operates the three plants, one of which produces batteries for the Volt. GM has apparently ordered 100,000 battery packs for the Volt. The other two produce various vehicle components, including Tokico-brand suspension parts, engine computers and fuel systems.

A Hitachi spokesman in Japan told Automotive News that the plants were running at about 70 percent capacity. The plant is expected to reach full capacity by next week.

[Source: Automotive News]

Former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will join NASCAR, in a surprise move, a departure from his previous endeavors in Formula 1 and rally racing.

A Finnish newspaper, cited by Autosport, claims that Raikkonen will start out in the Truck series before moving on to both the Nationwide and Sprint cup car series. No start date has been announced, but Raikkonen is expected to join sometime in the summer.

The Finn will be part of the newly formed ICE1 Racing, owned by Foster Gillet. Gillet had previously partnered with Richard Petty Motorsport, and the Gillet family has had previous ownership of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, as well as the Liverpool F.C. soccer team.

Kimi will finish up his World Rally Championship season as part of his contract, and is scheduled to compete in 8 events throughout the season.

[Source: Autosport]

Winter might be over, but freak Spring snowstorms are still a possibility and here’s a reminder of just how dangerous winder driving can be.

Watch as a driver manages to avoid a speedy trip to the afterlife when a semi truck jumps drives through the media on a busy section of Highway 401 in Southern Ontario, Canada.

[Source: AutoNorth]

See the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Much of the excitement surrounding the Lotus brand as of late has been about ultra-expensive future models, but Lotus also has a fair share of excellent performance machines on offer right now. Included in that list are two new additions, the Evora S and Evora IPS, which will make their North American debut at the 2011 NY Auto Show, introduced by none other than Bob Lutz.

Since departing General Motors, Lutz has been picked up by Lotus as a part of its team of global advisors to help create the right products to achieve success.

As for the vehicles themselves, the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) is essentially an automatic transmission version of the standard model, which sounds rather unexciting, except for the fact that it’s likely to double sales of the sports car. As for the Evora S, it gets a supercharged V6 for raising horsepower from 276 to 345-hp.

In addition Lotus will make an announcement regarding its IndyCar program.

Look for full details April 20th and find AutoGuide’s coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show here.

GALLERY: Lotus Evora S