The Bugatti Veyron is (still) the world’s fastest production car, having just wrested the crown from itself in a successful world-record attempt. On Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track just outside of Wolfsburg, Bugatti’s official test driver got the new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport to hit a two-way average speed of 268 mph. That terminal velocity eclipses the original Veyron 16.4 coupe’s by 15 mph. It’s faster, all right, and conditions on Saturday allowed a top speed higher than the Bugatti team was even expecting—they forecasted a conservative, and utterly tame by comparison, 264 mph.

Production versions of the Super Sport will have their top speed electronically limited to 258 mph, in order to protect the tires from certain, expedient death. To achieve that higher velocity, the car has undergone a pretty significant aerodynamic rework, with the most obvious change being the removal of the steamship-esque silver air intakes. They’ve been replaced by a pair of roof-mounted NACA ducts, and the roof itself has been extended rearward to mostly obscure the W-16 engine, which itself has been tweaked. The four turbos are larger, as are the intercoolers that feed them. Output is now 1200 hp (up from the cooler-sounding 1001) and 1106 lb-ft of torque (an increase of 184 lb-ft). Better breathing is facilitated by a new front fascia with larger openings, and there’s a double diffuser in the rear that incorporates twin center-mounted exhaust tips in place of the “regular” Veyron’s single, squared-off outlet.

The suspension also has been modified, with longer spring travel, stiffer anti-roll bars, and new dampers. Bugatti claims to be using a new structure for the carbon-fiber monocoque that increases torsional rigidity while reducing weight. And speaking of carbon fiber, Bugatti says it will offer the Super Sport with all of its body panels clear-coated to showcase the weave. The record-setting car, seen here, makes extended use of the cleared carbon, underlining it with orange accents; the first five Super Sports (which are already spoken for) are outfitted to match, called the World Record Edition.

About that name: Super Sport is a suffix that has traditionally been associated with Chevy’s SS cars, and recently we’ve seen variations of it applied to Bentleys (the Continental Supersports) and Jaguars (XJ Supersports). Based on this newfound popularity, we’re declaring “Super Sport” to be the new “Sport.” Expect the Koreans to co-opt it next.

The Super Sport will make its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. Production begins in the fall at Bugatti’s Molsheim Veyron hand-crafting facility. We’re waiting for the inevitable roadster version, which will have to be called Super Grand Sport. Pricing hasn’t been divulged, but if you have to ask, you’re not Super Rich enough, Sport.

Source (article): CARANDDRIVER

Source (pictures): CARANDDRIVER

If you didn’t already think Mercury was dead—the brand has been languishing for many years now—Ford has finally given it the official ax. The brand holds just 0.8 percent of U.S. market share, according to company spokespeople, and the Ford brand has grown its own market share already this year by over twice what Merc holds annually.

To the many previous claims by Ford that Mercury wasn’t going to be killed, the company maintains that the decision was not planned and discussions about Mercury’s demise only began this past week. We remain skeptical; one week seems like an awfully short time in which to decide to kill a 70-year-old brand, and the total lack of new product for Mercury in recent years suggests few people were planning its future.

Ford plans to begin offering special incentives this summer to clear out inventory and says it will end Mercury production in the fourth quarter of 2010. Compared to the quagmire GM has discovered can be created when closing a brand and abandoning franchises, Ford should have a relatively easy time of it. Of all 1712 Mercury dealers extant, not one is a standalone store. Ford and Lincoln dealers will of course continue to service Mercury vehicles and honor warranties on them.

Lincoln to Benefit

With Mercury still warm and in transit to the morgue, Ford has already announced its plans for Lincoln to more directly compete with Cadillac and Lexus (another hint that the demise of Mercury was no quick decision). Company resources are being reshuffled to expand the Lincoln line with “seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years.”

In a move sure to appease dealers losing the Mercury line, Lincoln will gain is own C-segment offering based on the upcoming Ford Focus’s new global platform. The C-segment car will offer an EcoBoost powertrain, as will all other Lincolns within the next four years, including the Navigator. An all-new V-6 is in development and will be specific to Lincoln.

Derrick Kuzak, vice president of global product development, says that future Lincolns will not simply be badge-engineered Fords, but will be designed and “engineered to be Lincoln,” with unique Lincoln-specific technology and features. We aren’t exactly sure “engineered to be Lincoln” is quite an ambitious-enough goal, but Lincoln says its new focus is to provide, “engaging dynamics and a warm inviting cabin.” A warm cabin it’s on the way to achieving, but to accomplish engaging dynamics, Lincoln certainly has a lot of ground to make up. Without the dead weight of Mercury burdening the company, it will at least have more resources to devote to the cause.

Source (article): CARANDDRIVER

Source (picture): MSNBC.MSN

WASHINGTON — General Motors Co. said it is recalling 1.5 million vehicles with heated washer-fluid systems following engine fires that occurred even after a 2008 fix on many of the same cars for similar problems.

The recalls, to begin by June 14, will affect 18 models of 2006-2009 Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, GMCs, Hummers and Saturns, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site today.

In August 2008, GM recalled about 858,000 cars and trucks following reports of fires resulting from shorts in the system that heats windshield-washer fluid. Dealers installed a wire harness that contained a fuse.

However, the module’s internal thermal-protection device, or solder cup, “did not function as designed,” GM said in a June 4 letter to NHTSA that was posted today.

No injuries

GM said it has learned of five fires, including several that occurred while the vehicle was unattended. The company is not aware of any injuries or crashes.

“While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind,” said Jeff Boyer, GM’s executive director of safety.

The models of cars, trucks and crossovers included in the recall are the 2006-09 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS and Hummer H2; the 2008-09 Buick Enclave and Cadillac CTS; and the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.

Also included are the 2007-09 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL; and Saturn Outlook.

While 1.4 million of the vehicles to be recalled are in the United States, there are others in Canada, Mexico and other countries, GM said in a statement.

Once the heated-washer fluid system is removed, the vehicles will no longer have the winter convenience of warm fluid to clean the frozen windshield, GM spokesman Greg Martin said.

GM said it plans to pay $100 to vehicle owners as compensation for permanently disabling and removing the heated washer fluid system. If all 1.5 million vehicles recalled are brought in, GM would pay out roughly $150 million, plus the cost of the actual fixes. GM, in court documents, projected the cost of the first recall was between $20 million and $25 million.

The heat is off

The original units, called HotShot, were manufactured by a suburban Detroit supplier called Microheat Inc.

Microheat’s technology gained praise. In 2006, the company was a finalist for an Automotive News PACE Award given annually for supplier product and process innovation. PACE stands for Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence.

But after GM’s problems with HotShot began to emerge in 2008, Microheat ceased production of the units and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Microheat’s Web site is no longer active.