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Toyota will race C-HR CUV in 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours

There won't just be traditional racecars competing in the 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours; Toyota Gazoo Racing will take the bizarre route of prepping the C-HR crossover for the grueling event. The squad will enter more conventional machines, too, including a Lexus RC and RC F for the race that will run from May 26-29. Details about the C-HR Racing are scant at the moment. "We decided to take on the new challenge of creating ever-better cars using a crossover rather than a pure sports car," the company's announcement said. It makes no mention of the vehicle's specs, but the included photo show the CUV with a more aggressive front fascia, vents along the hood, and a big wing at the rear. The driver lineup includes Masahiko Kageyama, Kumi Sato, and another person to be announced later. Toyota will reportedly introduce the production version of the C-HR at the Geneva Motor Show, and the final one will allegedly carry over the current rakish shape and hybrid powertrain. The company also showed it with Scion badging at the 2015 LA Auto Show to suggest a likely arrival in the US. This year will mark a decade of Gazoo Racing's competition in the 24 Hours of the 'Ring. The squad notably raced the LFA there for several years, but it showed a willingness to bring weirder vehicles too like a Lexus CT 200h in 2011. Nothing has been quite as odd as racing a crossover there, though. Toyota GAZOO Racing Celebrates Decade of Participation in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring with Triple Entry for 2016 Race Toyota City, Japan, January 15, 2016-Toyota GAZOO Racing announces the entry of three vehicles-a Toyota C-HR Racing*, a Lexus RC, and a Lexus RC F-in the 44th 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race to be held in Germany from May 26 to 29, 2016. The 24 Hours of Nurburgring plays an important role in Toyota's motorsports activities for building ever-better human resources and vehicles under intense racing conditions. Beginning in 2007, the 2016 event marks the 10th year of Toyota's participation in the race under the banner of GAZOO racing. When asked to look back over the last ten years, team representative Akio Toyoda said, "I remember GAZOO Racing first taking on the challenge of the Nurburgring in 2007 in an Altezza like it was yesterday. There are so many memories running through my mind–the interaction with the roads of the Nurburgring, whose characteristics seem to change with each shift in the weather, the meeting and parting with new and valuable friends.

Jaguar E-Type with Supra's 2JZ debuts at SEMA looking fly and fast

We hope you’re not bored of seeing Toyota 2JZ engine-swapped cars, because this one sure does capture our attention. The 1969 Jaguar XKE 2+2 youÂ’re looking at here is unlike any E-Type youÂ’ve seen before, and while it still has a straight-six under the hood, pretty much everything else about the coupe has fundamentally changed. In a nod to just how beautiful the E-Type is to begin with, its design is only different in this Eneos build because it needs to be. Fender flares were designed and 3D-printed by Illumasthetic, and they were then strengthened with carbon fiber. Why did it need the flares? Well, thatÂ’s because the 2JZ-GTE 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six from the Supra produces far more power than the E-Type ever did, requiring a lot more rubber to keep things straight. Of course, the Supra engine isnÂ’t stock, as itÂ’s been modified with Deatschwerks injectors, a Nuke Performance fuel system, CP-Carillo pistons and rods, a Borg Warner EFR 8474 turbo, Vibrant Performance intercooler Â… the list goes on forever. Output is estimated at about 750 horsepower. The Frankenstein theme continues with the E60 generation 535i rear subframe suspension and differential out back. Meanwhile, it uses the five-speed manual transmission from an E36 generation M3. The front suspension is custom, and while BMW brakes are used in the rear, Eneos chose brakes off a 2003 Chevy Corvette up front. The 17-inch Rotiform STL wheels are wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza RE-71 RS tires. Inside, this Jag-yota gets a full roll-cage, Tillett seats, an OMP steering wheel and a whole lot more. Eneos credits Faruk Kugay as the carÂ’s builder – Kugay previously built some rather creative cars, like a 997 Porsche 911 GT3 with a Subaru Impreza STI EJ25 engine and an E30 BMW 3 Series with a Honda S2000Â’s 2.0L engine. This Jaguar takes the wild engine swaps and engineering to totally new heights, though, and we canÂ’t help but simply love the way itÂ’s been executed. Related Video

Jonas wreaks havoc on auto industry

Many folks along the East Coast are still stuck at home from Winter Storm Jonas' brutal snowfall over the weekend, but the blizzard had some nasty temporary effects on the auto industry, too. Winter weather emergencies kept people from leaving the house, and that spelled trouble for factories and dealers. The terrible conditions in Washington, DC, even prevented the the Washington Auto Show from opening. General Motors, Toyota, and BMW had to close factories due to the weather. BMW cited concerns for its workers driving to the plant for canceling some Friday and Saturday shifts in Spartanburg, SC, according to Automotive News. Toyota closed its Georgetown, KY, factory on Friday, and GM shut down the second shift at its Bowling Green, KY, site for that day, too. Showrooms in the blizzard's path saw a massive drop in sales over the weekend because the customers weren't coming. Some affected dealers are now trying to make the best of a bad situation by offering potential buyers even deeper discounts to get them through the door, according to Automotive News. The piles of snow also mean hours of work for employees to clean off all the cars on the lot. The good news is that none of these issues should pose longterm problems. Weather reports don't show much snow for the East Coast in the coming days, which should allow the industry quickly to return to normal.