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The Volvo 240 – and in particular, the five-door version known to fanatics as the 245 – is a certified classic. Its boxy shape, well-earned reputation for safety and cult status among collectors means this Swedish Brick will forever be on our radar as a memorable machine. And, for what its worth, this author owned a gold example for a number of years.

If there’s one thing the 245 is not known for, it’s speed. Sure, you could get a turbocharged version of Volvo’s ubiquitous B-series “Redblock” four cylinder, but that really only made the brick acceptable. For some real speed, some enthusiasts turn to classic American V8s. Others, like the man behind the menacing subject of the video pasted after the break, look a bit further outside the box (pun sadly intended).

Specifically, we’re honing in on an old Volvo wagon fitted with a 2JE-GTE engine that was likely lifted from a twin-turbocharged Toyota Supra. With dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and an air-to-air intercooler, this inline six is known to tuners as a beast just waiting to be unleashed. And in this case, the Volvo-bodied beast is preying on an unsuspecting BMW M5 sedan. See the action in the video after the break.

Continue reading Quick Brick: 1974 Volvo 240 Wagon races an M5

Quick Brick: 1974 Volvo 240 Wagon races an M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thirty Years After The Original, Audi Wants To Build Another Masterpiece

Blue and red flashing lights filling the mirror after a spirited canyon run are never welcomed. Yet this time, I’ve fully embraced them. Why?

I’m driving down California’s Pacific Coast Highway in Audi’s one-of-a-kind Quattro Concept with a full police escort. In front, law enforcement is clearing the road ahead as if sweeping for mines, pushing civilian traffic off to the side. I’ve got another unit behind me, shooing the restless natives off my flanks. The parade is impressive, but I’m wary of the pageantry. Are the cops there to solely maintain a generous cushion around the multi-million dollar concept, or has Audi paid them to keep me from rocketing off into the sunset off with their turbocharged 190-mph sports coupe?

I’m tempted to floor it and find out.

Continue reading…

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Quick Spin: Audi Quattro Concept

Quick Spin: Audi Quattro Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hollywood movies are chock full of kick-ass superhero cars. There are radical vehicles, like the Batmobile and Mach 5, and then there are the gussied-up street cars like Eleanor, Greased Lightning and Austin Powers’ Shaguar. Aside from the extreme styling, most of the mechanized celebrities from Hollywood are only capable of conjuring their supernatural performance on-screen. Step aside Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and make room for FireBreather.

Getting a jump on Jinn, a film due to be released next year by Exxodus Pictures, Classic Design Concepts is introducing its own superhero car. Unlike the aforementioned movie props, relegated to static displays in museums or car shows, the satin-black hero in the upcoming supernatural thriller will make it into limited production and offer enough performance to back up its enhanced persona.

Autoblog caught up with the wickedly-styled Camaro coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance a couple weeks ago. While the venue is hardly an ideal setting for putting any car through its paces, there was plenty of time to take in the FireBreather aura and persuade its supercharged 600-horsepower engine to remove more than a few layers of rubber from the rear tires.

As expected, there were many questions in need of answering. How was it transformed? Who’s behind the styling and what’s the logic behind the name? Most importantly, what’s it like to drive this real-life superhero car? These answers and more, after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

Continue reading Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro

Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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