Autos

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    egmCarTech

  • Nissan releases sketch of new light commercial electric van

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:13 pm
    Nissan has released a concept sketch of a new light commercial electric-vehicle based on the NV200 Concept. “The low-cost multi-purpose vehicle would allow ambulance drivers to drive directly into the hospital or van and taxi drivers to enter urban areas where CO2 emissions are restricted,” Nissan said in a statement. “The van is one of four electric vehicles Nissan has announced for the future.” At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled its production Leaf electric-car, which will be launched in Japan and the U.S. in late 2010. CEO Carlos Ghosn also confirmed that…

  • 101 year old man buys 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Transformers Edition

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pm
    While most people who retire spend their life golfing or living in a beach house, 101 year old Virgil Coffman likes living in the fast lane. The centenarian recently became the oldest known owner of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Which Camaro did he purchase? A 400-hp, bright yellow, Transformers edition Camaro SS. “Impressed by the overall design, Virgil was ultimately sold on the cars’ easy handling. After owning nearly 40 cars in his lifetime, he follows the philosophy that if you want something, get it,” GM said in a statement. “These days Virgil says he can’t go…

  • Bob Lutz to become chairman of Opel board as Forster leaves

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm
    A source close to General Motors said that Bob Lutz, the company’s marketing head, will become chairman of the supervisory board of Opel to help the restructuring plan. Lutz, 77, will not take a direct management role in Opel the source said. He is already a member of the Opel supervisory board, which meets three to four times a year. Earlier this morning, it was reported that the current CEO of Opel, Carl-Peter Forster, is leaving GM of Europe after the Detroit automaker decided to keep Opel instead of selling it to Magna International. GM said that it expects the restructuring of Opel…

  • Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS, no longer your daddy’s car

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:55 am
    2010 has certainly been a banner year for the GM by way of luxuriously and sleekly redesigned vehicles. We had the opportunity to test out the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS, and we must say – there was little left to be desired. The ‘10 LaCrosse breaks Buick’s mark as the automobile for grandparents with its sleek design, premium interior, and superior handling. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also named the sedan a 2009 Top Safety Pick. The Enclave SUV proved that if Buick creates a well-designed and well-executed vehicle, new car shoppers will give it a chance. Will…

  • Rolls-Royce Ghost hybrid coming soon, will boost fuel-economy by 15%

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:20 am
    We’ve previously heard that Rolls-Royce is working on an electric version of the Phantom. Well, before the electric Phantom hits the streets, Roll-Royce will put out a hybrid version of the new Ghost. According to AutoCar, the Rolls-Royce Ghost will share its green-technology with the new BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Engineering the Ghost hybrid will be fairly straightforward since the F01 7-Series and the Ghost share the same rear-wheel-drive platform. Joining the Ghost’s 563-hp 6.2L V12 will be a new electric-motor with a mild hybrid application. No electric-only driving will be…
 
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    The Truth About Cars

  • Curbside Classic Outtake: What’s Wrong With This Picture Edition

    I was torn about whether to use this Firebird for a Curbside Classic, until I saw a terrific “Screaming Chicken” T/A the other day. Only problem: I didn’t get any shots. But it made me determined to hold out for the real thing. I hear that Trans Ams are in demand now, fetching up to [...]

  • What’s Wrong With This Picture: Onward & Upward…?

    What can we learn about GM’s R&D from the direction of the arrows in the departmental graphic identity…?

  • Tradewar Watch 7: More Shots Fired

    China’s Ministry of Commerce on Friday announced it would formally launch an investigation into subsidies on imports of some automobiles from the United States, Reuters reports. With all the bailout money sloshing around, China won’t have a hard time coming up with evidence. The announcement is seen as a tit-for-tat after the U.S. imposed anti-dumping duties [...]

  • Ford’s Inflatable Seatbelts: Progress or a Bridge Too Far?

    Media outlets around the globe are regurgitating Ford’s Press Release on its latest safety gizmo: Rear seat air bag seatbelts. Next year’s redesigned Explorer gets the optional new belts first with worldwide rollout expected someday. According to Ford, its all about the children: “The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and [...]

  • SLS AMG Another Mercedes Death Car?

    You may remember Mercedes’ last attempt at a “price no object” supercar: the Mercedes McLaren SLR. It was a thundering achievement, but the big Merc’s brakes were as touchy as an seventy-year-old Argentinian security officer at a Truth and Reconciliation hearing. That’s a guardrail of not good. There were other “issues”: leg room, trunk space [...]
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    BBC TopGear: Cars and Autos News

  • Are you still here?

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:35 am
    VW finally ceases production of the MkI Golf… after 35 years

  • SLS gets extra-retro

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:35 am
    American tuning company turns Merc’s gullwing supercar more 1950s. We are not convinced

  • Cam’ buster

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:34 am
    Want a Camaro in full UK spec… with extra Reventon styling and a supercharger? You’re in luck…

  • Golf R vs Scirocco R

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:25 am
    VW announces prices for its pair of hyper-hot sort-of-hatches. Which one would you take home?

  • Return of the M3 CSL

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:25 am
    BMW brings back its lightweight, race-ready M3… but with a different name
 
 
 
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    The Wheel Deal

  • Lusty Lincoln: 2010 MKT

    Jennifer Lai
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:10 am
    Are better times coming? Ford seems to think so, based on the design and features of the new Lincoln MKT. When you want to take the psychic temperature of the Ford Motor Co., all you have to do is look at the latest offerings from Lincoln. When times are tough, the company makes little effort to distinguish luxury-pretender Lincoln from its homelier Ford origins. A new grille here, redesigned tail lamps there, and you have summarized the major differences between, say, the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. But when better times are coming, Ford digs deeper into its product development budget to more…

  • Athletic Acura: 2010 TL SH-AWD

    Tom Ziegler, producer
    30 Oct 2009 | 8:06 am
    For as long as I have been writing about cars, Acura, the move-up division of Honda, has been struggling to create an identity for itself. Part of the problem is its positioning. Unlike Lexus and Infiniti, Acura was never conceived as a full-bore attack on the German luxury carmakers, but rather a step up for Honda buyers. So while Acura markets cars in small, medium, and large sizes, just like the Germans, they are several notches lower in price and prestige. Another part of the problem is perceived exclusivity. Two-thirds of Acura’s current passenger car lineup is based on the Honda…

  • Red Runner: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe

    alextaylorwheeldeal
    7 Oct 2009 | 8:37 am
    In my experience, all proper German cars come in two colors: silver and black. There is a reason for this, as there is in all things German. These colors denote a seriousness of purpose, obliviousness to fashion, and a sticker price that takes your breath away. But when I asked Mercedes to review an example of its new E-class line, the car I received was not silver or black but red — “Mars Red” in official Mercedes-ese. I was confused. Was Mercedes trying to send me a message that times are changing at the world’s oldest automaker? Or had all the silver and black cars been snapped…

  • Boomers’ Buick: 2010 LaCrosse CXL

    alextaylorwheeldeal
    2 Oct 2009 | 8:05 am
    If General Motors is able to convince the world that it can build cars that people actually want to buy, it has to start with the new models it launches over the next several months. Taxpayers, customers, and journalists all will be watching carefully. In a sense, the attention is unfair. These are Rick Wagoner cars, planned and developed three years ago under the former CEO. Fritz Henderson cars won’t be coming along until 2012. Still, GM has been arguing for some time that it builds world-class automobiles; all that’s missing now is its ability to convince convincing customers about the…

  • Slick Subie: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited

    Tom Ziegler, producer
    10 Sep 2009 | 6:58 am
    Poison for many manufacturers, the 2009 model year has been an elixir for Subaru. It is one of only two brands (the other is Kia) to show a sales increase this year. In an industry that is off 27.9% for the first eight months, Subaru is up 11.2% and is closing in on Mazda for 11th place in overall U.S. market sales. Subaru manages all this with just three car lines and one truck (Mazda currently has a total of eight) and in this case focus pays off. The pre-production Legacy sedan I drove recently (Legacies are the top of the Subaru line) looked and felt like a much more expensive car. Base…
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    Auto news - CNNMoney.com

  • 7 cars that Chrysler is counting on

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:31 am
    Chrysler is scrambling to revamp its product line. These are the vehicles that will be critical to its success.

  • Ford to introduce inflatable seat belts

    5 Nov 2009 | 12:15 pm
    Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it will begin equipping certain vehicles with inflatable seat belts that the company says will help prevent injuries in auto accidents.

  • Readers revolt over Ford

    5 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am
    A recent column of mine, "All is not rosy for Ford reliability," drew an unusually large and vigorous number of comments from readers -- 100% of them negative.

  • Toyota wrangles over floor mat recall

    4 Nov 2009 | 3:55 pm
    What could have been a heated battle between between Toyota and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in a game of "he said/she said" quickly cooled.

  • Chrysler broke even in September

    4 Nov 2009 | 2:57 pm
    Chrysler Group broke even in September and ended its first post-bankruptcy quarter with more cash on hand than it had at the beginning of the period, the company's new boss said Wednesday.
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    The Garage

  • Review: Chevy Camaro RS

    Tom Williams
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:30 pm
    The wait for the new Camaro was long-painfully long. Chevy first showed the concept in 2006, and until recently the reenergized Ford Mustang was the only game in town-until now. The Camaro is here, and damn, it looks great. And wherever I went in this new Camaro, people would come up to me and ask “What’s under the hood?” And I told them “The V-6.” The usual response was “Oh”, with a look of slight disappointment. I understand. I was 9 years old when the F-Body Camaro came out, with its Iron Duke four cylinder, and wheezy 2.8L V-6 from the Chevy…

  • Let Us Pray This Never Happens Again

    Gary Faules
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:56 pm
    Without trying to one up Allan De La Plante post made earlier this week regarding tragedy on the highway some are far worse than others for their own sick reasons. But as this video so tragically shows there are some of us for some unknown reason will never be right. WARNING; GRAFFIC Related PostPatron Highcroft Racing rebuilds after massive crash at Road AtlantaThe West Coast Crew gets flamed on the way to Fast & Furious screeningNot so crazy man loses his mind at Ontario VW dealershipHappy Thanksgiving AmericaCharles Espenlaub: A Canuck racer at heart

  • Vintage Lotus fun at Mosport

    Gary Grant
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:35 am
    What you see above is the 1962 Lotus Super Seven belonging to Jeremy Sale, just about at the apex of Mosport’s corner 10. This 1,500cc Ford powered Seven is an original car that has been racing for years. It lived with the Baker family for some time and was apparently bent up pretty well. It moved into the hands of Jeremy Hinchcliffe (father of Indy Lights driver James) who lovingly restored it. Due to their light weight, Sevens have always been pretty quick and this one is no slouch. Jeremy’s fastest lap at Mosport has been a 1:39.139 (quick for a 1,500cc anything) and it was a…

  • I Rest My Case

    Gary Faules
    4 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pm
    I have seen so many blogs and websites that blatantly brag about street racing and if that isn’t idiotic as it is, trying to tell them how dumb it is is more akin to preaching to the Choir. Related PostShutter Speed: Tragedy strikes again and again!The Road Runners 1952Best street race ever. Don't try this at home.Win tickets to see Fast & Furious preview in San FranciscoWatch Will crash and burn at Thunderhill

  • Bluetooth review: Plantronics Voyager PRO

    Gary Grant
    4 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am
    When I originally wrote about my intention to review a bunch of hands free Bluetooth options, I mentioned that I had no experience with Bluetooth headsets. I suppose I should have clarified that while I’ve never used a headset, I do regularly use the handsfree Bluetooth system in a good number of the press cars I review. While they all operate a little differently, the fact that I’m comfortable using the Bluetooth function of my Blackberry Tour makes learning each device much easier. The first test unit to arrive was the Plantronics Voyager PRO. This is a high tech looking little…
 
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    detnews.com - Autos Insider

  • Scott Burgess: Honda Accord Crosstour looks better than its picture

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    Don't look at the picture. The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour looks much better than any camera can capture. In person, the Accord Crosstour looks downright stylish.

  • GM considers former AT&T exec for top financial post

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    General Motors Co. is considering a former vice chairman of AT&T among roughly seven candidates to replace Chief Financial Officer Ray Young, according to two sources familiar with the search.

  • GM's European CEO resigns

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    Detroit -- Carl-Peter Forster, chief executive of General Motors Co.'s European operations, will leave the company, GM said Friday.

  • Mazdaspeed3 may look ugly, but what fun on the road

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    Look, the world needs some good news. Wars, the economy, swine flu. My God, Andrew Lloyd Webber is making a sequel to "Phantom of the Opera." So now comes the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 -- which is the best-in-class compact-hatch Mazda3 stuffed with horsepower foie gras -- and that, oppressed citizens, is an occasion for good cheer.

  • Jeep ads to tout new look

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:42 pm
    Chrysler Group LLC has launched a new national advertising campaign for Jeep, its most recognizable nameplate.
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    Popular Science - Cars

  • Ford Introduces Seatbelt/Air Bag Hybrid To Save Little Johnny And Grampa

    Stuart Fox
    5 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm
    Airbags have become a crucial part of the safety features in any modern car. Unfortunately, they only protect people in the front seats. To solve this problem, Ford has created a combination seat belt/airbag for passengers in the back of the vehicle. The inflatable seat belts blow up upon impact of a certain force, quickly expanding and providing added restraint and protection for people riding in the back seat of cars. And since the passenger in the back seat is more likely to be a child or elderly person, that extra protection really goes a long way. Ford plans to introduce the inflatable…

  • The Baddest Backcountry Shred Machine: The Subaru-Based TRAX STI

    Clay Dillow
    3 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm
    Sure, you could take the lift up with the rest of the gapers and ride the designated, groomed slopes back down to the ski lodge, but then you would be lame. Rally car racer and DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block prefers something a bit less conventional, like his Subaru-based TRAX STI, the world's fastest cat track operation automobile. Based on a race-ready Sube WRX STI, the car was tweaked by Vermont SportsCar to pack 400 horsepower, competition dampers, a turbocharged, intercooled STI engine and, of course, cat tracks where the tires used to be. Although not shown in the video below, the…

  • Autonomous Audi TTS Will Ascend Pike's Peak Course at High-Speed, Sans Driver

    Clay Dillow
    2 Nov 2009 | 11:15 am
    Racing autonomous cars through the desert is one thing. Racing a driver-less car up the steep, winding paths of the Rocky Mountains at race speeds is quite another, but that’s the goal a team of Stanford graduate students has set for itself, outfitting an Audi TTS named “Shelly” to navigate the Pikes Peak race course wit no one behind the wheel. Named for French driver Michele Mouton, the first female rally driver to win the Pikes Peak rally in 1985, Shelly’s trunk is loaded with computer gadgetry and a $100,000 GPS system that will help direct the piloting software through the…

  • The First Snowmobile With Air Shocks Goes Farther, Faster

    Mark Anders
    29 Oct 2009 | 7:21 am
    Yamaha's air-shock snowmobile lets adventurers explore more territory The 2010 snowmobile season, which begins this month, will see daredevils in places they couldn’t reach before: in deeper powder, on remote cliffs, squeezing between trees. That’s because the first full air-suspension sled swaps the usual heavy steel coils for air-filled shock absorbers, creating a smoother, 20-pounds-lighter machine. Riders can easily steer the FX Nytro MTX SE 162 with their weight, glide it nearly drag-free through powder, and unstick it from drifts. Engineers from Yamaha and Fox Racing Shox developed…

  • Japanese Team Crosses Australia, Takes Solar Car Challenge

    Mike Spinelli
    28 Oct 2009 | 8:07 am
    After nearly four days, 1,860 miles, and lots of baking Australian sun, a team from Japan's Tokai University edged out 31 other competitors to bring home a solar victory in the 2009 Global Green Challenge A team of solar-car scientists from Japan's Tokai University turned the intense rays of central Australia into victory in the 2009 Global Green Challenge. The team covered nearly 1,860 miles over four days in their solar-powered Tokai Challenger to claim first place among the Challenge's solar-vehicle field. The win shut down a four-win streak by Dutch utility Nuon, which as of this writing…
 
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    Car and Driver

  • Renault to Revive Gordini Badge

    Jens Meiners
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:14 pm
    1976 Renault 17 TS On November 10, French automaker Renault will bring back the famous Gordini badge. Many of us don’t remember, but the company started by Italian-born race driver and businessman Amédée Gordini (1899–1979) was a significant force in European motorsports from the 1930s on. In the 1950s, Gordini teamed up with Renault and was in charge of developing stunningly fast versions of the otherwise pedestrian Renault Dauphine, Renault 8, and Renault 12 sedans. The quirky Renault 17 coupe, sold in the U.S. in the 1970s, was called the Renault 17 Gordini with the…

  • 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Pricing Announced – Car News

    Steve Siler
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:36 pm
    Kizashi takes on the VW Jetta with prices starting under $20K. Just one month before it hits the American market, Suzuki has released pricing of its new Kizashi mid-sized sedan. The Kizashi will be available in no fewer than 11 grades of trim, starting with the base Kizashi S at $19,734 with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Even the base S will come standard with some unexpected goodies such as a pushbutton start, dual-zone climate control, eight airbags, nine-speaker sound system, and ambient nighttime illumination. The CVT adds another $1,500 to that price, and AWD…

  • 2009 SEMA Show: Meanwhile, Back at the Sands

    Michael Austin
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:03 am
    With announcements from OEMs, celebrity appearances, and an endless supply of booth models, SEMA gets all the attention during the few days known as Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. But the other part of AAIW is the AAPEX show over at the nearby Sands Expo Center. If you’re confused by all the acronyms, AAPEX stands for Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, and it takes up nearly all of the available 1.8 million square feet at the Sands. It’s basically split into two sections: upstairs and downstairs. The AAPEX show floor The AAPEX show floor Upstairs is a standard trade show on a…

  • 2009 SEMA Show: 10 of Our Favorites – Feature

    Car and Driver
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:39 am
    A bunch of us went to SEMA and found a bunch of awesome stuff. There’s a lot to see during a three-day visit to the SEMA show. We narrowed down that lot to a list of the vehicles that we liked best. Scion xB by Five Axis Five Axis tends to turn out pretty choice customs, and this Scion xB is certainly no different. The clean design incorporates matte brown wheels tucked under fender flares reminiscent of those from a 1970s Z car. Further details, such as the custom matte taillight covers, make this one of our show favorites. Chevrolet Corvette GTR by Specter Werkes/Sports One of the most…

  • Daily Downshift: November 5, 2009

    Car and Driver
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:15 pm
    + Day Two of our SEMA coverage has revealed even more questionable customs and crazy concepts. Check out the cars that caught our eyes, and browse the mega gallery of this year’s creations. [Car and Driver] + We head to Ferrari’s Fiorano test track to spend some time behind the wheel of the 2010 458 Italia. [Car and Driver] + After eight lackluster seasons, Toyota is withdrawing from Formula 1. [Car and Driver] + Porsche has released official information and images of the 2011 Boxster Spyder. It’s sexier than a regular Boxster and serves up the power of a Cayman S. Hot! [Car…
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    Chrysler Blog

  • A New Plan, A New Direction

    3 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm
      By now you’ve probably heard. Tomorrow - Wednesday, Nov. 4 - is a big day for Chrysler Group LLC and its future.  The doors to Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI will swing wide for hundreds of analysts and members of the global media for nearly the entire whole day.   Here’s why: Chrysler will provide a detailed road map charting a new course for the Company over the next several years in what is simply called the “Chrysler Group LLC Business Plan.” Led by Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and Chrysler Group Chairman C. Robert Kidder, several…

  • October's Numbers

    3 Nov 2009 | 10:17 am
    The top line numbers from Chrysler Group LLC’s October sales:   Sales were up 6 percent compared with September 2009 Six out of nine Dodge cars post total sales boosts versus September 2009 Dodge Avenger posts 13 percent year-over-year sales increase. Dodge Caravan increased sales 8 percent vs. the same time last year. Chrysler Brand sales rose 42 percent versus September 2009. Those are the top bullet points from October’s sales tally, which totaled 65,803 vehicles sold. Chrysler Group narrowed its inventory by 60 percent compared with October 2008, to finish with 159,428…

  • Webcast-Chrysler Group LLC 2010-2014 Business Plan

    3 Nov 2009 | 6:16 am
    The rollout of Chrysler Group LLC's 2010-2014 Business Plan will be available through a live audio webcast on Wednesday, November 4th starting at 11 a.m. EST until approximately 6 p.m EST at this link.  Audio from the business meeting at Chrysler World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, will be accompanied by speakers' presentation slides."

  • Moving at the Speed of Technology

    3 Nov 2009 | 5:39 am
    Jayanthi Iyeng   The technology pushing advanced powertrains and electronic propulsion systems is moving … and fast. As Director and Chief Engineer of Chrysler Group LLC’s Electrified Propulsion Product Development unit, Jayanthi Iyengar’s job is keeping one step ahead of it.   Iyengar’s post is equal parts theory and practice.  She and her team both develop and apply electrified propulsion technology to all Chrysler vehicle applications.  Specifically, Iyengar has responsibility for electrified systems development including controls, calibration,…

  • Fired up: Dodge Motorsports Expands Penske Partnership for 2010

    30 Oct 2009 | 5:53 pm
    Penske Racing's Justin Allgaier, Driver of the No. 12 Verizon Dodge Challenger (left), and Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing (right), introduce the 2010 NNS Dodge Challenger at Talladega Superspeedway B-A-D. It’s another way to spell the 2010 Dodge Challenger revealed by Dodge Motorsports as the “New Car” for the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  At the same time, Dodge Motorsports will expand its partnership with Penske Racing starting in 2010, which is sure to delight more than a few NASCAR fans.   Here’s the skinny: Dodge will provide support for Penske…
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    GM FastLane

  • We’re Not Declaring Victory … But We’re Here to Report Progress

    Editor
    3 Nov 2009 | 11:08 am
    By Susan Docherty Vice President, US Sales Today, we reported October sales for the new GM of 177,603 units, up four percent from last October – our first US sales gain in 21 months. Retail sales were up 15 percent for the same period. So, while no one is declaring victory … we are seeing signs of progress. Our estimated share of the US market for October was 21 percent.   That was better than September and significantly better than last October. With 95 percent of our retail sales for the month attributed to Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, our sales mix is healthier than it was…

  • Webchat: Chevrolet Volt Leadership Change

    Editor
    2 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    Global electric vehicle development chief Frank Weber is moving back to Europe to join the Opel/Vauxhall senior leadership team and Doug Parks will takeover the reins of the Chevrolet Volt development team on Dec. 2. Doug was the global compact car team leader, or more specifically, the leader of the same architecture on which the Volt is based, and we expect he will provide the same tireless work ethic and attention to detail put forth by Frank and the entire Volt team. We’re sure there are lots of questions you have for Frank and Doug, so they’ll both be available here for a…

  • Mark Reuss on Autoline After Hours

    Editor
    29 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Our new head of Global Vehicle Engineering Mark Reuss will be on Autoline After Hours tonight at 7 p.m. EDT and you can join the webcast right here on FastLane. Mark is the son of former GM President Lloyd Reuss and is back stateside from a stint down under running Holden. He is a certified car guy and has been known to throw a car or two around such famed race venues as the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Get your questions ready and join Mark, John McElroy, Peter Delorenzo and others right here on FastLane to talk cars, culture and customers with an…

  • CTS-V Answers the Challenge

    Editor
    29 Oct 2009 | 1:17 pm
    By Bob Lutz GM Vice Chairman Today, at the Monticello Motor Club in New York, the Cadillac CTS-V stood tall in the V-Series Challenge, a race pitting the CTS-V against several of the best production sedans on the market today — those that showed up, that is. Here are the results from the track. There were no winners or losers today – the point was to have fun with great cars because that’s what they’re all about, and to show that GM vehicles can compete with the best in the world, in every class. It was a great day for the CTS-V, and an exceptionally fun day for me. I’ll have to…

  • Global Vehicle Engineering VP Mark Reuss on Autoline After Hours Tonight

    Editor
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:20 am
    Our new head of Global Vehicle Engineering Mark Reuss will be on Autoline After Hours tonight at 7 p.m. EDT and you can join the webcast right here on FastLane. Mark is the son of former GM President Lloyd Reuss and is back stateside from a stint down under running Holden. He is a certified car guy and has been known to throw a car or two around such famed race venues as the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Get your questions ready and join Mark, John McElroy, Peter Delorenzo and others right here on FastLane to talk cars, culture and customers with an…
 
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    MotorAuthority

  • Opel Boss Carl-Peter Forster Calls It Quits

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:36 pm
    Carl-Peter Forster, GM group vice president and president of Opel, will be leaving his role as head of the European operation and will advise the company during the transition to find a new CEO, it was announced today. With the departure of Forster, GM will initiate an immediate external search for a new CEO for Opel. Expected to replace ...

  • GM Czar Lutz Heading Back To Europe--To Opel?

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:13 pm
    GM's sudden decision this week to reverse path and keep Opel rather than sell a majority stake to Magna and Sberbank raised a lot of eyebrows, and even some tempers, around the world. Today, a report from Germany is saying car czar Bob Lutz is to be the next Chairman of Opel's supervisory board, following today's announcement of the ...

  • Toyota To Put 2010 4Runner Through The Baja 1000 Wringer

    6 Nov 2009 | 12:02 pm
    Toyota's involvement in motorsports has been a hot topic this week with their withdrawal from F1, and today's news is sure to draw some attention as well: the company plans to enter a near-stock 2010 4Runner in the "Stock mini " class of the SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. That's a major statement of Toyota's faith in the ...

  • MINI Shows Off 10 Art Cars In 'Wash Me' Video

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:52 am
    Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history. By using the MINI as a ...

  • Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:06 am
    Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans. The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test ...
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    Automotive News

  • Chrysler dismantles electric car plans under Fiat

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    Chrysler Group has disbanded a team of engineers dedicated to rushing a range of electric vehicles to showrooms and dropped ambitious sales targets for battery-powered cars set as it was sliding toward bankruptcy and seeking government aid.

  • U.S. government switches role to shareholder

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    Automakers can expect the U.S. government to be attentive to its multibillion-dollar stake in their businesses next year and selective in its efforts to reshape the industry.

  • NHTSA probes timing of Honda airbag recalls

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:18 pm
    Honda Motor Co.'s recalls of 444,000 Accord and Civic vehicles for potentially lethal airbag defects are under investigation by federal safety regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it wants Honda and Takata Corp.

  • Superior Industries Q3 loss narrows

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:16 am
    Aluminum wheel maker Superior Industries International Inc. posted a narrower quarterly loss helped by cost cuts and increased production volumes.

  • Lutz will chair Opel board; CEO Forster will leave

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:46 am
    Bob Lutz, General Motors Co.'
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    Motor Trend

  • Opel's Unexpected Turn

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:11 am
    Opel's Unexpected TurnGM Keeps Its European Brand, But Troubles are Far From OverAt just about the last minute of the eleventh hour, GM has decided not to sell its European Division, Opel. Well, it had always seemed absurd to sell. Many conspiracy theorists have speculated that this week's outcome was planned all along: GM was just playing brinkmanship to get loans in place from European Governments and concessions from the unions.inline_mediumwraptextright30275751/auto_news/112_0911_gm_keeps_opel2010-opel-astra-front-three-quarter-2.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: GM Keeps Opel, but troubles are far…

  • Fiatapalooza! Chrysler’s Five-Year Plan

    4 Nov 2009 | 10:11 pm
    Fiatapalooza! Chrysler’s Five-Year PlanCEO Sergio Marchionne and Co. Outline Future StrategyAfter eight hours of details on how Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne and his team will save and grow the fresh-from-bankruptcy automaker, it’s tough to assess where the Pentastar is headed. Once a few miles away from the Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters, this much was clear: after nine years of Daimler and two years of Cerberus ownership, what else does Chrysler have to lose?inline_mediumwraptextright26979562/auto_news/112_0911_chrysler_five_year_plansergio-marchionne.jpgFalse Photo…

  • Mazda MX-5 to be Downsized

    2 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm
    Mazda MX-5 to be DownsizedBack to Basics for Next-Gen MiataMotor Trend has learned that Mazda will be downsizing its famed softtop and shedding precious pounds off its next-generation MX-5 Miata, currently under development at the company's Hiroshima headquarters in Japan. A source close to Mazda confirmed that the R&D team, now under the leadership of chief engineer Shuko Yamamoto, will be going back to basics to redefine the MX-5 for its proposed 2011…

  • Saab in Expansionist Mood

    30 Oct 2009 | 1:10 am
    Saab in Expansionist MoodReplacement for 9-3, Compact Car on Short ListAfter years struggling under the slow, dead hand of GM management, Saab is in an expansionist mood once again. Not just to build the cars planned under GM management (9-5 sedan and Sportcombi, and 9-4X crossover), but to do its own replacement for the 9-3. It also wants eventually to do a 9-1 or 9-2 compact car.inline_mediumwraptextright25712819/auto_news/112_0910_saab_future_car_plans2010-saab-9-5-front-three-quarters-view-passenger.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: Saab Future Car Plans - Replacement for Saab 9-3, Compact Car on…

  • What to Expect: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS

    28 Oct 2009 | 10:10 am
    What to Expect: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLSSignificant Makeover Coming for the Quintessential Four-Door CoupeMercedes is preparing a full model change of its CLS sport sedan-coupe. It will be shown at the end of 2010, and likely go in U.S. sale as a 2012 model.inline_mediumwraptextright25533587/auto_news/112_0910_2012_mercedes_benz_cls_news2012-mercedes-benz-CLS-front-three-quarters-view-passenger.jpgTrue Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Auto News - Motor Trend Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Auto News - Motor TrendRead More | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us
 
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    Jil McIntosh

  • You Can, But You Shouldn't ...

    Jil McIntosh
    5 Nov 2009 | 2:26 pm

  • You know times are bad ...

    Jil McIntosh
    4 Nov 2009 | 1:54 pm
    ... when a wheel company at SEMA can't afford live women, and draws customers to its booth with fake fake breasts.

  • SEMA: A tough year, but still plenty to see

    Jil McIntosh
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:47 am
    I'm at the Specialty Equipment Market Show, or SEMA, in Las Vegas, the enormous trade show for all things aftermarket. It's pretty big if you've never seen it before, but if you've visited in healthy years, you'll really notice the hit it's taken because of the economy. So far I've only spent time in the tires-and-wheels building, which is only half the size it normally is -- much of the hall is divided by curtains, and there's nothing behind them. The parking lot display is easily half its regular size, as well. The crowds are much smaller, and in past…

  • Testfest: Car of the Year evaluations are over for another year

    Jil McIntosh
    1 Nov 2009 | 5:18 am
    Well, it's all over for another year: Testfest, the annual back-to-back evaluation by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada to determine category winners, and then the overall Canadian Car of the Year and Canadian Truck of the Year champions. As always, it was both fun and exhausting. There were occasional hiccups and frustrations, but it still amazes me that this whole thing goes as smoothly as it does, given the number of cars, manufacturers and journalists that are attending. Kudos to the team that puts it all together. Here's how it works: journalists come…

  • In review: Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck

    Jil McIntosh
    30 Oct 2009 | 5:40 pm
    Oh, you better believe I had fun with this one. Dodge Ram heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks ... it doesn't get much better than a day spent behind the wheel of a monster diesel. You can find my Toronto Star review by clicking here.
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    Motorsport.com: news

  • NASCAR-CUP: Jeff Gordon nails down his 68th career pole in Texas

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:14 pm
    Jeff Gordon was all smiles when the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying attempt was finalized, even though the hand writing was on the wall that the bottom of the qualifying order favored his remaining on top top of the speedchart but one never knows who might pull a rabbit out of a hat. ...

  • MOTOGP: Final game on starts with Stoner on top in Valencia

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:38 am
    The scene for the 2009 finale for the MotoGP riders is set in Valencia, Spain and it did not take long to kick-start this weekend's competition on the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo. ...

  • F1: Raikkonen eyes lucrative sabbatical in 2010

    5 Nov 2009 | 10:30 pm
    Kimi Raikkonen stands to make more money in 2010 if he takes a sabbatical. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that if the Finn accepts McLaren's current offer, he will earn 15 million euros in 2010, as opposed to 17m if he has a season on the sidelines. According to his termination deal with Ferrari, the Italian team has promised to pay Raikkonen, 30, 17 million if he does not race in F1 next year, and 10m if he finds suitable employment elsewhere. Realising this, McLaren has reportedly offered Raikkonen just 5 million for ...

  • DTM: Ekstrom is the Champion of Champions -- again

    4 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm
    Mattias Ekstrom is not just a two-time DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) champion, he is now also a three-time winner of the Race of Champions. The Swedish touring car ace added another RoC title to his list of achievements in this year's event in Beijing today, beating seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher in the finals. ...

  • MISC: Ekstrom is the Champion of Champions -- again

    4 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm
    Mattias Ekstrom is not just a two-time DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) champion, he is now also a three-time winner of the Race of Champions. The Swedish touring car ace added another RoC title to his list of achievements in this year's event in Beijing today, beating seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher in the finals. ...
 
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    Autosavant

  • In Rare Move, NHTSA Gives Toyota a Public Slap

    Brendan
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:46 am
    By Brendan Moore 11.06.2009 The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the federal agency that regulates vehicle safety and conducts vehicle recalls, must be very, very unhappy with Toyota. For those of you that haven’t been following this situation, the NHTSA issued an official warning to Toyota and Lexus owners in September to remove the driver’s side floor [...]

  • Lancia and Chrysler – an Automotive Frankenstein’s Monster?

    Andy
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm
    By Andy Bannister 11.05.2009 From a European perspective, one of the stranger aspects of the emerging picture of how Fiat and Chrysler operations will function in the future is the prospect of the Chrysler and Lancia lines merging. Lancia, for those who might have forgotten its existence, is the Fiat Group’s “other” Italian premium car brand, which for [...]

  • Chrysler’s Short-Term Product Plan

    Brendan
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:08 pm
    Holding the fort down until the Fiat cavalry rides to the rescue Brendan Moore 11.05.2009 Almost all of Chrysler’s cars will be Fiats by 2014, according to the final version of the Chrysler five-year plan released earlier today, but what is Chrysler going to sell until those new platforms show up? Indeed, what are they going to sell? Chrysler (read, [...]

  • Fiat Shows Their Five-Year Plan for Chrysler

    Brendan
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am
    By Brendan Moore 11.05.2009 Chrysler officials started the presentation of the ambitious five-year plan for turning the beleaguered company around yesterday and finished up today, which means the Fiat and Chrysler executives on hand made their case for a cumulative 8+ hours. Large PowerPoint presentations were given to the press, and frankly, Chrysler made available just a ton [...]

  • 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review

    Roger
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:42 am
    In my test Tahoe Hybrid, judicious on-and-off application of the right foot, combined with cruise control and downhill grades--and ably assisted by the engine’s Active Fuel Management system, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders for highway cruising--I had no difficulty averaging over 20 mpg over my week of commuting and back-country driving. Indeed, I was thrilled occasionally to see figures north of 30 come up on the instant-MPG readout at the bottom of the tachometer. Equally thrilling was when these figures sank to single digits, because that was when I couldn’t hold myself…
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    Times Online

  • Behind the wheel: the Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI

    Giles Smith
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:01 pm
    In addition to being intelligent, practical, pleasant to look at and amusing to drive, the new Skoda Yeti also parks itself — which is just showing off, surely. Here’s the deal: you inform the Yeti of your desire to pull over into a given space, which the car electronically checks for size on its way past. You then select reverse and, in a move that feels at least as counter-intuitive as climbing into a shower cubicle fully clothed, you remove your hands from the wheel, depress the accelerator and let the car steer itself backwards into the gap. (You’re in charge of the brake, by the…

  • My life in cars: 50 Cent

    Tom Bailey
    1 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am
    It has been a bad few weeks for 50 Cent. The rapper — real name: Curtis Jackson III — glanced at his bank statement recently and found that the global recession had taken a large bite out of his fortune. “The credit crunch has hit rap,” he said last week. “I lost a few million but that’s because I have so much.”

  • Hot wheels: HTT Technologies Pléthore

    Gavin Conway
    1 Nov 2009 | 5:56 am
    Canada: home to mountains, wilderness, lumberjacks and world-class supercars. Well, okay, that last one wouldn’t spring to mind for most, but that could change if a small company in Quebec has its way.

  • Drive of the week: Renaultsport Mégane 250 Cup

    Gavin Conway
    1 Nov 2009 | 5:50 am
    Renaultsport Mégane 250 Cup, £21,995

  • EU to police drivers with black boxes

    Steven Swinford
    31 Oct 2009 | 5:01 pm
    THE European Union is drawing up plans for aircraft-style black box recorders to be fitted to all cars to help the police identify who is responsible for crashes.
 
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    Headlight: The Digital Automotive Blog

  • Media Case Study: Lifting performance with dynamic creative optimization

    Even though overall Certified Pre-Owned sales are down this year, a number of automakers -- including Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Subaru -- experienced double-digit sales increases between Jan.-Sept. 2009 compared to the same time period last year. Earlier this year the Digital Marketing group ...

  • Fiat Mio: Bringing crowdsourcing to the automotive industry

    Ever since the open source software movement started in 1998, businesses across all industries have learned the benefits of cooperative activity and collaboration. And with the recent growth of Web 2.0 technologies, cheaper creative tools and a cost-saving mentality forced by the recession, it is no surprise that there has ...

  • Making a case for using agile for automotive site development

    The Landscape Back in September 2008 Lehman Brothers collapsed. The resulting shockwave had immediate and damaging consequences across the financial markets and, ultimately, the entire economy. An already struggling automotive industry was pushed to the breaking point. Why should we start a discussion on agile here? To survive, the decision makers in ...

  • Social Networking: Should it be More About Relationship Building than Selling Cars?

    While car dealers on Facebook and Twitter are nothing new, an increasing number of those retailers are using their status updates to list inventory. There is now software that can automatically update Twitter, Facebook and other social-networking websites to include a dealership's entire inventory. Rather than treating the status update as a ...

  • Audi Car Configurator on Surface

    The first realtime 3D vehicle configurator application for Microsoft Surface, which was developed by Frankfurt-based Neue Digitale / Razorfish, was showcased earlier this month at the annual Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), the world’s leading automotive fair. Developed in collaboration with Munich-based Realtime Technology AG, the application allows multiple users to configure an ...
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    autoMedia Auto News Blog

  • Nissan Back on Track with 2010 Lineup

    Editor
    7 Nov 2009 | 12:45 am
    In the late ‘90s, Nissan brought a handful of automotive journalists into its California headquarters. The company was struggling, and it seemed as if the executives were looking for a magic... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • autoMedia CARnival 11-06-09: This week in Auto Blogs

    Brandy Schaffels
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    It's the week ending November 6, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. ...(read more) [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Pricing: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:50 pm
    Suzuki is coming out swinging with its all-new Kizashi sedan , striking at the vital midsized sedan segment. Each Kizashi features all-wheel drive and is motivated by a strong 2.4-liter four-cylinder... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Ford Introduces Inflatable Seat-Belt Airbag

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:03 pm
    Today, Ford introduced an to provide rear passengers with airbag protection. The airbags are concealed within special shoulder belts. Once deployed, the disperse the force over a wider area than a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Quick Take Test Drive: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

    Editor
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:13 am
    Having just spent some time in the Nissan 370Z, we were thinking about other great automotive performance icons and—voila—another great favorite appeared, the 2010 Mustang GT. Freshened Styling The... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Car Lust

  • The greatest car modification--Car Audio?

    Big Chris
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:49 pm
    So what is the very first thing you would improve on your new vehicle? (New, of course, meaning a broad range of things to a group like us Car Lust folk.) For me, it is the sound system. There are many varied ways in which you can modify and personalize your ride these days. While the sound system may not be my personal favorite mod if money isn’t a concern, the reality is, for me at least, that money is always a concern. Every vehicle I have had since my very first 1979 Toyota Corolla has received a stereo upgrade shortly after I have acquired the vehicle. In the early days it was a…

  • Restomod Roundtable

    Anthony Cagle
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am
    To restore or modify, that is the questionWhether 'tis nobler in the mind to sufferThe slings and arrows of authenticity puristsOr to take arms against a sea of old fuddy-duddiesAnd by slapping on new engines, trannies, steering and suspension, end them in a cloud of your dust. . . We now take up the issue of restomodding, or restoration/modification, in which an old car is restored but with some modern equipment added to make it faster and/or better handling and/or more comfortable. Basically, to one extent or another, to make a modern car with the look of a classic.  This isn't a…

  • 4 SALE - CHEAP

    Cookie the Dog's Owner
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:02 pm
    This 1979 Dodge Magnum XE--the Dodge equivalent of Ricardo Montalban's B-platform Chrysler Cordoba--has been sitting in a parking lot on West Market Street in Akron for several months, with a for-sale sign on the dash and a suggested retail price on the windshield. I hope the seller is willing to negotiate, because $1,950 seems wildly optimistic, considering that the car is probably a four-wheeled financial black hole. The trouble starts with the deteriorated paint, the bondo-and-primer job on the door, and the prominent cracks in the soft Corinthian leather seats. At the very least, it…

  • Nov. 2 Weekly Open Thread

    That Car Guy
    2 Nov 2009 | 2:47 am
    (Quick note from Chris--I will be at the SEMA trade show all week, so my contributions will likely be scanty this week. However, we have lots of good content this week that takes the accessorizing theme so typified by the SEMA show and twists it in a couple of interesting angles, starting with this thought-provoking suggestion for our weekly open thread from Chuck.) It's the most wonderful time of the year. No, it's not the Holiday Season, Tax Refund Season, or even Wabbit Season, it's New Car Season! All the makers are rolling out their newest and shiniest offerings to date,…

  • If you like Car Lust, you may also enjoy...

    Cookie the Dog's Owner
    27 Oct 2009 | 4:27 am
    Who are your favorite online automobile writers? Besides us, I mean. Here are some of mine: Clark Novak calls himself "The Studeblogger", and his website chronicles his restoration of a 1963 Studebaker Lark Standard sedan (pictured at right) affectionately named "Barney." Mr. Novak has written a very detailed narrative of the work he's been doing. He's been at it since September of 2006, and while Barney still has a ways to go, it's a journey well worth following along with. His blog postings explain the down 'n dirty intricacies of such tasks as…
 
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    Cars! Cars! Cars!

  • Screen Door Factory Gets a New Neighbor!

    editorial staff
    27 Oct 2009 | 10:01 am
    There's gonna be a new car company in Delaware? Next to the screen door factory? Seriously, this is where we'da rather seen the car bailout money go -- to new start ups with new ideas. Referenced articles emptywheel: Biden To Announce Fisker Auto Plant In Wilmington Delaware

  • A Loan

    editorial staff
    16 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am
    OK, so Koenigsegg Group AB want to buy the Saab division from GM. But they need a loan to do it. It looks like about $600,000,000 is needed. So, at the current rate of 19 Saabs sold per day at a rate of (this is where we make up stuff) $38,500 per Saab, the loan could be paid back in: F O U R H U N D R E D B I L L I O N Y E A R S Sounds like Wall Street should be behind this one! Actually, it would take two years to generate $600 million in sales… but that's not including the cost of the car itself. So, yeah, 400,000,000,000 years to pay this loan back. There is no reason Koenigsegg Group…

  • Just One. Really?

    editorial staff
    15 Oct 2009 | 8:24 pm
    Just one GM was returned during the 60-day guarantee? MeanwhileHe [GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz] says consideration for GM vehicles is up 15 percent and says its market share in September, 20.5 percent, is the same as last year. Consideration, eh? We wonder how sales are doing this Oct… But back to our first point… And it was an exchange, not a real return? Man, that sounds fishy. Also sounds like a good story that is just told to get picked up and retold… Damn you, GM! Referenced articles autoweek.com: A Chevrolet Corvette the only ‘authenticated' return under GM's 60-day guarantee,…

  • Recall!

    editorial staff
    13 Oct 2009 | 3:18 pm
    No, not good 'ol GD, just some Fords. One million? No, keep going. Two? Nope. Three. Think mo. Mo mo mo. Four?! Oh, stop, we'll answer for you. 4,500,000 All the way back to when Clinton was in office! Sweet mercy that's a lot of Fords. There's a good chance the tech that'll repair your car was 8 years old at the time some of these beasts were made. Referenced articles CNNMoney.com: Ford recall hits 4.5 million vehicles

  • Can't Be Real

    editorial staff
    8 Oct 2009 | 8:50 pm
    There is no way that DeLorean Motor Company is considering building a car based on the Pontiac Solstice. That car helped kill Pontiac and Saturn. No, it did not single car-ily kill both companies, but it was a great example of why both companies failed. Why DeLorean would want any part of this… Feels like a lot of car companies are just grasping at anything. Referenced articles Autoblog: Rumormill: DeLorean Motor Company considering rescuing Pontiac Solstice? Who knew we needed a DeLorean category?
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    CarDomain Blog

  • Another Surprise Truck at SEMA: A Datsun 620 “‘Lil Hustler” Pickup

    Jim Brennan
    7 Nov 2009 | 2:08 am
    In the central hall, buried among the many forgetful vendors at this years SEMA, I found this curious little number at the Sure Shifter display, a mid 70’s Datsun 620 Pickup. This truck is set up as a little Drag Truck, with the usual Matte Black finish that seems to be THE paint job at this show. Read more after the jump! It is owned by Jeremy Gradney, who works for TVK Industries, the makers of a new product called the Surematic Shift Indicator. This little trucklet was just completed within the last two weeks, specifically for the SEMA show. It’s equipped with a 383 Chevy Small…

  • SEMA 2009: Over and Out!

    John Coyle
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:47 pm
    So the reports about the death of SEMA had been greatly exaggerated. We hope y’all enjoyed our coverage, because we had one hell of a time posting it. Personally, it was awesome to be back in a little room typing, swearing, and laughing with my Seattle crew, and getting to watch them sing along with the with the balloon artist/guitar player/one-man-band at Terrible’s was just brilliant. SEMA is a wonderful reminder of why we bust our knuckles covering cars and car culture, and I love, love, love it. Rob and Jen are in the air right now, and I hope that Jim—who I apparently…

  • All Up In Their Booth: the General at SEMA

    John Coyle
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:22 pm
    Did you know the General brought back the Camaro for 2010? There’s no way I’d have known,except for the fact that you can’t walk six inches at SEMA without bumping into one. I’m kidding, obviously, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m begrudging my favorite domestic automaker all the fanfare surrounding the return of its legendary muscle car. I think the boys and girls at GM did a great job with the Camaro, and the silver one in the pic below is so hot it makes me want to use expletives. To be honest, I’m a little pissed that we aren’t going to…

  • SEMA Best of Show: Ring Brothers ‘64 Fairlane

    Rob Einaudi
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:10 am
    Best of Show, the award for “outstanding achievement in design,” went to this incredible Ring Brothers ‘64 Fairlane in the BASF booth. The car is powered by a Roush 427, rolls on Forgeline 3-piece wheels, and sports a carbon fiber hood, front and rear bumpers, side air intakes and deck lid spoilers. This was one of the hardest cars to photograph cause it was always mobbed. More pics and a quick video after the jump!

  • The 1957 Bel Air SS at the Eaton Booth

    Jim Brennan
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:25 am
    I had a chance to interview the builders of this particular machine. Its a cool, one of a kind 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air aptly named the Bel Air SS. Continue reading after the jump! This car is displayed at this years SEMA show at the Eaton Booth, and has generated a lot of positive press, and I was able to get a video of the three generations of the Ebeling clan, Kieth, Todd, and Michael just before a professional film crew did. This is a wonderful creation, using original and reproduction materials, equipped with an independent rear end, great looking wheels, and air brushed features. I am…
 
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    Hemmings Auto Blogs

  • Four-Links – U.S. Steel’s retrofuturism, Sammy history, Ivan’s van, Old Trails Garage

    Daniel Strohl
    7 Nov 2009 | 5:07 am
    * Retrofuturism’s one of those things I’d love to explore further if I had the time. Along with atompunk and jetpunk and all the other ways one can celebrate the forward-thinking optimism of the middle of the century without falling into the rockabilly trap. Anyway. Professor Michael Stoll of Hochschule Augsburg has uploaded a wonderful collection of Syd Mead retrofuturistic renderings (and so has GrainEdit.com), commissioned by U.S. Steel in the early 1960s. (via) * It’s amazing what rabbit holes the Internet can lead you down. A post on Off Road Action, pointing to an…

  • Lost Buick-Pontiac dealership: Westerly, Rhode Island

    Daniel Strohl
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    On a recent photo trip through southern New England, Litwin and I passed a real neat building on Route 1 in Westerly, Rhode Island, with a couple old old Buick-Pontiac signs affixed to ‘em. One U-turn later, and we were investigating the remnants of Ray Hoxsie Buick-Pontiac. On Google Maps StreetView, it still appears to be a thriving business, selling new cars out of the newer building and used cars out of the lot around the older building that caught our eye. In person, Ray Hoxsie is as abandoned as those photoessays depict Detroit nowadays. The older building doesn’t appear to…

  • Hemmings Find of the Day – repliCountach

    Daniel Strohl
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:04 am
    As of this writing, there’s 23 Lamborghinis for sale on Hemmings.com – everything from a ‘66 350GT to a pair of ‘08 Gallardos. So, of course, to accompany today’s Hemmings Six Degrees of Separation Challenge on Lamborghinis, I find the most unLamborghini of Lamborghinis – a repliCountach, offered for $34,900 out of Georgia. From the seller’s description: 1985 Lamborghini Countach Replicar Exterior paint finished in Red complemented by a Neutral Shale leather interior. One of a kind, high quality Lamborghini Countach replicar that gets head turning…

  • Six Degrees of Automotive Separation – Lamborghini

    Daniel Strohl
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:01 am
    The Lamborghini is an interesting case. You’re so mesmerized by its, um, exoticness, that you rarely take a moment to contemplate its 45-plus-year history. Or who really owns it. Which makes it a good jumping-off point for the Hemmings Six Degrees of Automotive Separation Challenge. This week’s challenge is of the fox-and-hound type, in which the first person to comment suggests a “fox” to connect in six degrees or less to the above “hound.” Whoever solves that challenge gets to suggest their own “fox,” and the game proceeds until…

  • A Captive Audience?

    joclair
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    I can see this plate just fine, thank you. Due to a possible defect in the original manufacture of some of the current New York State license plates, some people at the Capitol in Albany, including the governor, have decided it is time for every vehicle registered in New York to get a brand spanking new license plate next year. Oh, by the way, that will only cost you a one-time $25 issuance fee unless you have a vanity plate, then it will cost you $45. And these costs are over and above the standard bi-annual registration fees at renewal time. Proceeds will be applied to the state deficit…
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    Consumer Reports Cars Blog

  • Review: Motorola Droid with free Google Maps Navigation

    Consumer Reports Cars Blog
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pm
    Navigation options continue to expand, with cell phones and smart phones providing alternatives to traditional portable navigation devices (PNDs). The latest such option is Google Maps Navigation, included in beta form on Android 2.0 devices. While Google Maps has long been available on the iPhone, this latest version offers true Google turn-by-turn directions for the first time on a mobile device. (Read our Android 2.0 navigation preview.) The free Google Maps Navigation launches on the Motorola Droid phone with Verizon service. The Google service will expand to other phones and…

  • Hybrid vehicles have higher pedestrian crashes

    Consumer Reports Cars Blog
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm
    A recent report from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that hybrid electric vehicles have a higher incidence rate of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes than do conventional vehicles in certain situations.NHTSA looked at state-level crash files to compare crash rates on these two types of vehicles. Out of 8,387 hybrids 77 (or .9 percent) were involved in crashes with pedestrains. Out of 559,703 conventional vehicles studied, 3,578 (or .6 percent) were involved in crashes with pedestrians. In crashes involving bicyclists, 48 (or almost .6 percent)…

  • Pricing: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

    Consumer Reports Cars Blog
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am
    The Suzuki Kizashi is set to enter into the competitive midsized sedan category with a starting price of just under $19,000. The base Kizashi S will be offered with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission for $18,999. The S will also have an available automatic CVT for $20,499 or all-wheel drive for $21,749. The entry-level version will offer a number of standard features including eight air bags, which include front, side, and curtain; stability control, ABS, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and audio controls on the steering wheel. Suzuki forecasts the volume…

  • 2011 Ford Explorer: Inflatable, seat-belt air bags to protect rear-seat passengers

    Consumer Reports Cars Blog
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:57 pm
    Ford announced today that it will offer inflatable seat belts in the back seat of its 2011 Ford Explorer. The new safety feature will provide additional protection for kids and elderly passengers—common second-row occupants that are especially vulnerable to injury.  The belts will reel in and out like regular belts, but they will have air bags built into the webbing that will inflate upon impact. The inflatable belts will spread the load of the impact across about five times more body area, Ford says. Since rear seated passengers don’t have frontal impact air bags to help protect…

  • Toyota recall and investigation is not over, yet

    Consumer Reports Cars Blog
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am
    It turns out the investigation into Toyota/Lexus sudden acceleration, which prompted the largest recall in the company’s history to remove floor mats that could interfere with the accelerator pedal, isn’t over.  On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied a petition to conduct an additional investigation into sudden acceleration, noting that the agency had previously investigated several similar complaints and that a new investigation was unlikely to draw any new conclusions.  Toyota quickly jumped on the news to proclaim that NHTSA had found…
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    Carscoop

  • Renault Confirms Production of All-Electric Twizy and Zoe Z.E., Sales Start in 2011

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:45 pm
    Apparently, Nissan's partner Renault wasn't kidding when it said that it would go ahead and produce the four all-electric concept models that it displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Today, the French automaker not only (re)confirmed production of the futuristic looking Twizy Z.E. city car (for Zero Emission) and the funky Zoe Z.E....

  • VW Announces Race-Inspired Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:06 pm
    A special edition Jetta inspired by the TDI Cup race cars will be arriving at Volkswagen's showrooms across the U.S. in the beginning of 2010, the German automaker announced. The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition gets the front bumper, side skirts and rear valance that are found on the TDI Cup race cars along with larger brakes with red calipers, 18...

  • VIDEO: Meet the New Porsche Boxster Spyder

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:20 am
    Here's the first official video of the newest member of the Porsche Boxster family, the Spyder (click here for details and photos), that was revealed ahead of its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December. Weighing in at just 1,275 kg or 2,811 lb, the Spyder is the lightest model through-out the entire range of Porsche cars. Power...

  • BMW 320d E90-E93 'Superchipped' to 220 HP

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am
    The easiest way to get some extra ponies out of today's cars is to update the engine software and that's precisely what Superchips proposes for the latest generation BMW 320d (E90-E93) with the 2.0-litre, 175bhp turbo diesel powerplant. The firm's remapped ECU for the diesel bimmer adds an extra 44bhp and 103Nm to the four-cylinder unit,...

  • 2011 Audi A8 Spied in Southern California by Carscoop Reader

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pm
    We've been reporting for some time that Audi is getting ready to swipe the covers off its next-generation A8 luxury sedan, and now an alert Carscoop reader has sent us these photos of this psychedelically camouflaged Audi prototype. Robert H, who captured the sedan with his iPhone in Southern California, told us that the test car was similar in...
 
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    Leftlane

  • NHTSA says Toyota floor mat statement is “inaccurate and misleading”

    Drew Johnson
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:06 pm
    Toyota released a statement earlier this week clearing its name of any fault in the floor mat recall that affected 3.8 million vehicles – by far the largest in the company’s history – but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a counter statement, calling Toyota’s information “inaccurate and misleading”. Following the tragic deaths of [...]

  • Henderson: GM ahead of performance targets

    Drew Johnson
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:06 pm
    General Motors has only been clear of bankruptcy for a few short months, but the Detroit automaker says it is already outperforming previously set targets. General Motors emerged from bankruptcy on July 10th with the help of a $50 billion government loan. Speaking with Automotive News, GM CEO Fritz Henderson revealed that GM is outperforming [...]

  • GM not planning separate Volt brand

    Drew Johnson
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:52 am
    Toyota may be readying a Prius sub-brand for its most fuel efficient offerings, but General Motors says it has no plans to launch a green Volt division. The Chevrolet Volt is expected to become the first mass-market plug-in hybrid vehicle when it hits the market late next year. Although General Motors plans to use the [...]

  • Opel boss to depart following failed Magna takeover

    Drew Johnson
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am
    Following General Motors failed sale of Opel to Magna International, Opel head Carl-Peter Forster will reportedly step down from his post. General Motors announced earlier this month that it would retain its German Opel brand despite months of negotiations with Canada’s Magna International. According to Spiegel Online, Forster has decided to resign from Opel following [...]

  • Rolls-Royce planning hybrid Ghost model?

    Drew Johnson
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am
    Rolls-Royce is better known for luxury motoring than green technology, but the British automaker is reportedly readying a hybrid version of its all-new Ghost sedan. Rolls-Royce will lean heavily on parent BMW for the Ghost’s hybrid drivetrain. As the Ghost is largely based on the BMW 7-Series platform, the hybrid Roller will borrow most of [...]
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    The Truth About Cars

  • Curbside Classic Outtake: What’s Wrong With This Picture Edition

    I was torn about whether to use this Firebird for a Curbside Classic, until I saw a terrific “Screaming Chicken” T/A the other day. Only problem: I didn’t get any shots. But it made me determined to hold out for the real thing. I hear that Trans Ams are in demand now, fetching up to [...]

  • What’s Wrong With This Picture: Onward & Upward…?

    What can we learn about GM’s R&D from the direction of the arrows in the departmental graphic identity…?

  • Tradewar Watch 7: More Shots Fired

    China’s Ministry of Commerce on Friday announced it would formally launch an investigation into subsidies on imports of some automobiles from the United States, Reuters reports. With all the bailout money sloshing around, China won’t have a hard time coming up with evidence. The announcement is seen as a tit-for-tat after the U.S. imposed anti-dumping duties [...]

  • Ford’s Inflatable Seatbelts: Progress or a Bridge Too Far?

    Media outlets around the globe are regurgitating Ford’s Press Release on its latest safety gizmo: Rear seat air bag seatbelts. Next year’s redesigned Explorer gets the optional new belts first with worldwide rollout expected someday. According to Ford, its all about the children: “The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and [...]

  • SLS AMG Another Mercedes Death Car?

    You may remember Mercedes’ last attempt at a “price no object” supercar: the Mercedes McLaren SLR. It was a thundering achievement, but the big Merc’s brakes were as touchy as an seventy-year-old Argentinian security officer at a Truth and Reconciliation hearing. That’s a guardrail of not good. There were other “issues”: leg room, trunk space [...]
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    National Motorists Association Blog

  • 9 Cities Where Citizens Voted To Ban Ticket Cameras

    NMA
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    Despite claims by the ticket camera industry that most drivers support the use of ticket cameras, the automatic ticketing devices have never survived a public vote. That trend continued this week as three more cities were forced to shut down their cameras due to citizen ballot initiatives. From the archives of TheNewspaper.com, here is a compilation of nine cities that have voted to ban ticket cameras: 1) Chillicothe, Ohio November 2009 In addition to kicking two camera supporters off the city council, 72 percent of those voting in Chillicothe, Ohio approved a total prohibition on the use of…

  • MD Cities Create Fake School Zones To Install Speed Cameras

    NMA
    3 Nov 2009 | 10:25 am
    According to TheNewspaper.com, Maryland cities will create brand new “school zones” in an attempt to issue speed camera tickets on roads that previously had no need of the designation. The speed cameras were authorized six months ago after intensive lobbying efforts by the ticket camera industry. The legislature knew that the driving public would not approve of speed cameras being allowed on all roads so they included a provision that the cameras could only be used within a half mile of a school zone as a way to combat opposition. The city of Baltimore has decided to exploit a…

  • How To Safely Jump Start A Car With A Dead Battery

    NMA
    29 Oct 2009 | 12:59 pm
    By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Almost everyone will, at some point in their lives, have to deal with a car that won’t start because of a weak or dead battery. Jump-starting a car is simple but a few cautions should be observed: 1) Look under the hoods of both cars; pull the car with the good battery as close to the car with the dead battery as possible without the cars physically touching. 2) Put both vehicles in Park, depress the parking brake, shut off the engine (jumper car), turn the ignition switch to “off” for both cars and disconnect any plug-in accessories such…

  • Utah Speed Limit Increase Has No Effect On Speed Or Safety

    NMA
    27 Oct 2009 | 9:35 am
    By John Carr, NMA Activist A year ago Utah became the second state in the modern era to post an 80 mile per hour speed limit. Since 1995 state law has specified a 75 mile per hour maximum speed limit. In 2008 that limit was lifted from part of I-15. Utah DOT could post any speed limit it wanted. Officials chose to post 80. The law directed DOT to report back in a year on the effects of speed limit changes. The report is out. The effects were nil. The fastest 85th percentile speed was 85 mph before and 85 after. Accidents did not change significantly. Speed variance increased slightly without…

  • How To Safely Raise And Support A Car

    NMA
    22 Oct 2009 | 2:24 pm
    By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Before you can change engine oil or do many other minor (and major) vehicle service, it’s usually necessary to raise the vehicle sufficiently to gain access. Even if all you’re doing is changing a tire, it’s important to raise (and support) the vehicle properly. Here’s how: * Do not use the factory-supplied tire jack to raise the car except in emergencies (such as a flat tire) and even then, never get underneath the vehicle when it’s only supported by the factory tire jack. These jacks are often marginally safe, not…
 
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    TheCarConnection.com

  • Opel CEO Calls It Quits, Rolls-Royce Hybrid: Today's Car News

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:23 pm
    It's official. The boss of Opel, Carl-Peter Forster, will be leaving his role as head of the European operation and will advise the company during the transition to find a new CEO. Who will that be? Rumor has it, none other than GM's own Bob Lutz. [Motor Authority] You know hybrids have really caught on when some of the most ..

  • 2010 Ford Focus

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:53 pm
    2010 FORD FOCUS STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "Improved storage spaces, better-positioned controls and attractive ice-blue backlighting" ConsumerGuide: "Well-arranged dashboard has mostly intuitive and handy controls" Cars.com: "Gawky profile doesn't mesh with the restyled front and back at all" It's been two years since ...Browse Photos

  • 2010 Ford Focus

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:50 pm
    In order to put together this conclusive review on the new 2010 Ford Focus, TheCarConnection.com's editors researched road tests and reviews from a wide range of sources. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove several different 2010 Focus models, including the coupe and sedan body styles, and offer more insight and details where they ...Browse Photos

  • 2010 Ford Flex

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:44 pm
    2010 FORD FLEX STYLING | [9 out of 10] Jalopnik: "looks pretty cool" Automobile Magazine: "quirky, modern" Car and Driver: "Ramrod upright" Edmunds: "Rolling stare magnet" If there's one thing that's indisputable about the 2010 Flex, it's that nothing else on the road looks quite like it. The only place you will find some hereditary ...Browse Photos

  • 2010 Ford Flex

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:41 pm
    TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Ford Flex--including the new EcoBoost versions--in order to help deliver the best information on Ford's new crossover and its competition. The experts at TheCarConnection.com have also researched online reviews from respected Web resources to produce this comprehensive review of the 2010 Ford ...Browse Photos
 
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    msnbc.com: Autos

  • Cars are approaching ‘auto’ pilot mode

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:13 am
    A new breed of prototype automobile can drive without the help of unreliable humans, and major car companies are paying attention.

  • CEO lays out ambitious Chrysler road map

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:28 am
    Chrysler's new chief executive, Sergio Marchionne of Italy's Fiat, says he is not "promising a miracle," but his ambitious turnaround plan for the automaker is raising eyebrows.

  • Ford to put air bags into back seat belts

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am
    Air bags have long been mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard and sides of vehicles. Now, they're in the seat belts.

  • Review: Toyota Venza falls short

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am
    The Venza, a new, hard-to-define crossover-wagon thing, may well be Toyota’s predicament embodied in steel, rubber and glass. And plastic. Loads of cheap, sloppily installed plastic.

  • U.S. rips Toyota statement on floor mats

    4 Nov 2009 | 5:17 pm
    Toyota released misleading information about an investigation into problems with stuck gas pedals that led to a massive Toyota recall, the U.S. government said Wednesday.
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    Autoblog

  • SEMA 2009: Booth Professionals are anything but stock

    Frank Filipponio
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm
    Filed under: SEMA Show, Etc. Lisa Angeline, aka Catwoman - Click above for high-res image gallery This year's SEMA show in Las Vegas didn't have quite the gravitas of years past, as the state of the economy and the automotive industry in particular seemed to be a wet blanket over the whole proceedings. Thank goodness there were plenty of friendly faces throughout the halls to keep our spirits up. One smiling face especially caught our eye, although we weren't sure why. The eyes and smile were familiar but we couldn't quite put our finger on where we had seen them before. And then it hit us,…

  • SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover

    Frank Filipponio
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:30 pm
    Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Etc., Motorcycle, Humor, Specialty, Design/Style, Off-Road 2009 SEMA Show Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model introductions, but sometimes they are just things that caught our eye. When all is said and done, we think we've given all of you a good taste of what's on offer here in the desert. Of course, there are…

  • Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.06.09

    John Neff
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:20 pm
    First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over 2011 Kia Sorento - Click above for high-res image gallery Sometimes it's hard to remember what you did just yesterday, but think back to 2003 when Kia first introduced the Sorento mid-size... SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5 We've made it to the last day of our SEMA Sweeps! We've given away four limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, but we've got one left. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and... REPORT: Toyota execs deny cover-up after feds rebuke automaker over runaway car investigation…

  • Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

    John McElroy
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Filed under: Truck, Work, Chrysler, Autoline on AutoblogCHRYSLER CONSIDERS GETTING BACK INTO BIG RIGS One of the more intriguing tidbits that dribbled out of Chrysler's grueling 8-hour press conference on Wednesday is that the company is considering getting back into the heavy truck business. They're not talking about heavy duty pick-ups, they're talking about 18-wheelers. Up until the early 1970's Dodge sold heavy trucks, including semi-tractors. In fact, Dodge trucks were famous the world over. But like GM and Ford, the Chrysler Corporation decided to get out of that business at a time when…

  • Quieter Spirit: Rolls reportedly planning hybrid Ghost for 15% better economy

    Chris Shunk
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Ghost - Click above for high-res image gallery If you've been pondering getting on the list for a Rolls-Royce Ghost but you're hesitant because of the negative environmental impact (and social standing) of the big, beautiful boat's V12 engine, we've got good news for you. British site Autocar is reporting that a hybrid version of the Ghost is in the works. It's rumored to be based off the mild hybrid system of the BMW ActiveHybrid 7, which makes sense considering that the two luxury sleds utilize the same platform. The nearly 18-foot…
 
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    The Motor Report: Auto News And Reviews

  • 2012 Mazda MX-5 To Be Smaller, Lighter: Report

    Mike Stevens
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:23 pm
    WITH A NOD to its earliest incarnations, the next generation MX-5 will be both smaller and lighter than the current model, according to British magazine Autocar. Takao Kijima, the MX-5’s project chief, has reportedly said in the past that the next incarnation of the iconic roadster will be at least 10 percent lighter, which would bring it down to less than 1000kg. By comparison, the MX-5 Superlight concept revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show weighs in at only 995kg, thanks to numerous weight-saving techniques. With modern safety requirements a factor, the next MX-5 is unlikely to be a…

  • F1: Ferrari Blames Mosley For Toyota Exit

    Simon Chiarelli
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:20 pm
    FERRARI HAS LAUNCHED an astonishing attack on the FIA following the announcement of Toyota’s exit from Formula 1, blaming former President Max Mosley for sparking the mass departure of car manufacturers from the sport. BMW, Toyota and Honda have all withdrawn from motorsport’s ultimate category over the last 12 months, citing the pressures of the Global Financial Crisis, while Renault may be poised to follow. However, the Maranello-based company has singularly laid fault on the FIA, claiming the governing body has waged a war against manufacturers in Formula 1, attempting to force…

  • Audi AIDA, The Friendly Dash-Mounted Robot

    Mike Stevens
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:13 pm
    DEVELOPED IN partnership with researchers at MIT’s SENSEable City Lab, Audi has revealed AIDA (Affective Intelligent Driving Agent). Designed to convey information in a "socially appropriate and informative way", AIDA is intended to be a dash-mounted ‘companion’ for drivers. With an animated face and a series of expressions depending on the situation, AIDA can familiarise itself with a driver’s regular routes, eventually gathering enough data to recommend appropriate destinations along the way. Other, more mundane features include real-time traffic updates,…

  • 2010 Citroen C5 Gets New Engines In Europe, Australian Offerings Unclear

    Mike Stevens
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:16 pm
    THE CITROEN C5 is set to gain a pair of new Euro V-compliant engines in 2010, one a diesel and the other a small turbo-charged petrol engine. It is unclear whether these engines will make it to the Australian C5 line-up, although the more powerful 3.0 litre V6 is expected to arrive early next year. The new 2.0 litre diesel engine, which includes a particulate filter for Euro V compliance, develops 121kW and, when mated to a manual transmission, consumes just 5.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. Paired with an automatic transmission, the diesel’s fuel consumption increases to 6.9 l/100km.

  • Ford Unveils Seatbelt Airbags, Due In New Models From Late 2010: Video

    Mike Stevens
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:23 pm
    DESIGNED TO ENHANCE rear passenger safety, Ford has today unveiled the first passenger-car seatbelt airbags, due for production late next year. In the event of a front or side impact, the seatbelt airbag will inflate in 40 milliseconds, distributing the force across an area five times greater than a regular seatbelt. Unlike regular airbags which use a heat-generating chemical reaction - and because of the unique shape and properties of seatbelts - the seatbelt airbags are inflated through a cold compressed gas system. Because the seatbelt airbag does not need to fill an area as great as the…
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    Luxvelocity

  • MPH Show news: the Keating TKR Debuts

    LuxVelocity
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am
      News Release British supercar manufacturer and challenger for the production car world land speed record, Keating, will have its 260.1mph TKR supercar on display at this year’s MPH Show featuring Top Gear Live at London’s Earls Court on 5 November.In the first of two runs on the Salt Lake Flats in California last month, the remarkable 7.0 litre, 1800 BHP Keating TKR smashed the current record, adding an extra 3 mph to the top speed of existing title holder, the Shelby Aero TT.  Now the Manchester based company must do it again to ensure entry in the Guinness Book of World…

  • Motorsports: KTM X-Bow powers Ekstrom to victory at 2009 Race of Champions

    LuxVelocity
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am
      News Release Leading racing drivers from across the world have been battling it out in the minimalist KTM X-BOW sportscar at this year’s Race of Champions in Beijing.Drivers from various motorsport disciplines, including Formula One, World Rally Championship and World Touring Car Championship, competed in the event in China’s stunning Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium.Claiming the esteemed title ‘Champion of Champions 2009’ at the wheel of a X-BOW was DTM ace Mattias Ekström, while Team Germany (consisting of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel) fought off stiff competition…

  • Events: Motoring stars line up for the live stage at classic motors show

    LuxVelocity
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:40 am
      Along with a fantastic display of the finest cars of yesteryear, this year’s Classic Motor Show is once again hosting its Live Stage, with TV’s Mike Brewer running the proceedings – it’s a light-hearted mixture of competitions and the chance to meet leading motoring personalities.But that’s not all – highly-regarded mechanic Edd China is building a Pilgrim Sumo replicar, and visitors to the live Stage will be able to see the car coming together from its basic components to its completion – an ideal look and learn for anybody contemplating their first project.Also taking…

  • Motorsports: Caterham Academy 2010 nears capacity

    LuxVelocity
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am
      Time is running out for aspiring racing drivers to get on to the grid for the 2010 Caterham Academy series, with less than 10 places remaining.Since 1995, the Caterham Academy has introduced more than 700 people to motor racing, taking them through the race license process and their first season of racing in sprints, hillclimbs and track events.Despite the current economic recession, a surge of interest in the £17,995, one-make motorsport starter package has seen slots fly as novice racers sign up.“With the current economic climate, we always knew that 2009 was going to be a hard…

  • Video feature SEMA 2009: Ken Block's TRAX STI CAR

    LuxVelocity
    3 Nov 2009 | 2:13 pm
      I'm not one for snowy climates but give me one of these and I will be happy. It is a Subaru WRX STI rally car fitted with TRAX for the ultimate snow & car experience. Not as fast from note to sixty than a stock STI but for sure more fun from gas fill up till empty tank.Blame DC and Block for the scared children on the ski slopes: this thing is a beast!This video is a sure Youtube hit as well with already 80 views in just one day. Why does Mr Block get to have all the fun?
 
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    mpgomatic.com

  • 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4×4 Review

    mpg-o-editor
    1 Nov 2009 | 6:30 pm
    MPG-o-Matic Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 Review Summary: The Flex Fuel capable 2009 Dodge Ram SLT 4X4 takes a different path with a multi-link coil suspension that delivers a smooth ride and solid handling, whether the box is empty or full. A comfortable cabin and an array of technology and storage options put the shine on the Ram brand. The Dodge Ram 1500 charts its own course in a crowded field, as it competes against the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan in the full-size pickup truck market. Under the hood, the mid-range Dodge Ram 1500 SLT is equipped with a…

  • A Comprehensive Unbiased Approach to National Transportation/Energy Policy

    mpg-o-editor
    28 Oct 2009 | 6:58 am
    Our national security continues to be at stake. By borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Middle East, we dig ourselves deeper into the hole each day. As a nation, we must take a comprehensive and unbiased approach to national transportation/energy policy. We have been given the natural resources to make this happen. It is simply a question of having the will to see it through, without giving into factions and lobbies. Step 1: Immediate and massive conversion of diesel fleet vehicles to natural gas power (NGV). This will spur employment and lower pollution in communities across the…

  • 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 Review

    mpg-o-editor
    24 Oct 2009 | 10:24 am
    MPG-o-Matic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Review Summary: The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4×4 was built to travel the road less taken. The four-door Unlimited provides a unique combination of features: plenty of room for crew and cargo, time-honored four-wheel-drive capabilities, and strong resale values. While not one for poseurs, the Wrangler Unlimited is the only four-door convertible on the market. The four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4×4 is fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that can be mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The…

  • Recovery Through Retrofit for Trucks

    mpg-o-editor
    19 Oct 2009 | 8:19 am
    Domestic energy independence and economic renewal are core themes here at MPGomatic. Today’s announcement of the Federal Recovery Through Retrofit program spurs the question: why isn’t there a Recovery Through Retrofit Program for Pickup Trucks? Tens of millions of existing pickup trucks could benefit from the conversion to plentiful natural gas or to more fuel-efficient diesel engines. Shuttered automobile dealerships could become conversion centers that reemploy displaced workers and stimulate the economy on Main Street. Existing technology can be bolted into place immediately,…

  • 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Review

    mpg-o-editor
    7 Oct 2009 | 2:18 pm
    MPG-o-Matic Hyundai Elantra Touring Review Summary: The versatile Hyundai Elantra Touring delivers a generous amount of cargo capacity, a host of in-cabin technology, and a four-cylinder engine capable of delivering highway mileage in the mid-thirty mile per gallon range. For those so inclined, the B&M shifter brings the manual-equipped Elantra Touring to life. The five-door 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring is fitted with a 2.0-liter DOHC engine that can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Elantra’s inline four produces 138 horsepower (HP) and…
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    World Auto News & Reviews

  • Audi Wins 18th Golden Steering Wheel Award

    kleo
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:34 am
    Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper has awarded a Golden Steering Wheel to the new Audi A5 Sportback. The new Audi A5 Sportback was awarded ‘Best midsize car’ by the newspaper, and is the third model from Audi’s successful A5 range.Its victory constitutes the 18th time this award has been presented to an Audi vehicle in the [...]Copyright © 2007 World Auto News & ReviewsThis feed is intended only for the personal, not commercial use. Fingerprinted: 90d0c6d8260d58aaac9f48zz16bf68a5

  • Hyundai Sales up +106% for Highest Ever October Sales Result

    kleo
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:29 am
    In a market showing signs of recovery, Hyundai’s Australian Dealer network has secured another record for the brand, selling 6,281 vehicles and achieving a market share of 7.8%. Sales for October 2009 were up +106% over the same month last year – giving Hyundai its best ever October result. Topping off an outstanding month, the [...]Copyright © 2007 World Auto News & ReviewsThis feed is intended only for the personal, not commercial use. Fingerprinted: 90d0c6d8260d58aaac9f48zz16bf68a5

  • Fiat 500 Breaks Into Top 10 Sales Figures for First Time

    kleo
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am
    Further proof of the Fiat 500’s sustained success in the UK is illustrated in today’s new car registrations figures for October, in which the popular supermini breaks into the Top 10 best sellers list for the first time since its launch in January 2008. The Fiat 500 sold 2,989 units last month – well up on [...]Copyright © 2007 World Auto News & ReviewsThis feed is intended only for the personal, not commercial use. Fingerprinted: 90d0c6d8260d58aaac9f48zz16bf68a5

  • Nissan teases all-electric NV200 commercial van

    kleo
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:50 am
    Nissan has released the first official sketch of its upcoming NV200 all-electric commercial van. Based on the standard NV200 launched earlier this year, the electric vehicle version will likely share its powertrain with Nissan’s soon-to-be-launched Leaf EV. Copyright © 2007 World Auto News & ReviewsThis feed is intended only for the personal, not commercial use. Fingerprinted: 90d0c6d8260d58aaac9f48zz16bf68a5

  • Gullwing 300SL Panamericana is an SLS AMG that looks more Gullwing-ish

    kleo
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am
    Wish that the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG looked more like the old Gullwing? Well, ever since the launch of the SLS AMG at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the folks at Gullwing-America have been working on their own version of the new Stuttgart supercar – the Gullwing 300SL Panamericana. Copyright © 2007 World Auto News & ReviewsThis feed is intended only for the personal, not commercial use. Fingerprinted: 90d0c6d8260d58aaac9f48zz16bf68a5
 
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    L.A. Times - Auto Industry News

  • Toyota is sued over concerns of sudden acceleration

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    A lawsuit filed Thursday by two Los Angeles County residents claims that the majority of Toyota and Lexus vehicles made since 2001 contain defective components that can cause unintended acceleration. Two Los Angeles County residents have sued Toyota Motor Corp., alleging that the majority of Toyota and Lexus vehicles made since 2001 contain defective components that can cause unintended acceleration.

  • Regulators slam Toyota over 'no defect' claim

    5 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    U.S. auto safety agency rebukes an assertion that it found nothing wrong in vehicles involved in a massive recall over incidents of unintended acceleration. Federal safety regulators have sharply rebuked Toyota Motor Corp. for issuing "inaccurate and misleading" statements asserting that no defect exists in the 3.8 million vehicles it recalled after a Lexus sedan accelerated out of control in San Diego County, killing four people.

  • U.S. car sales are out of rut

    4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    After two years of losses, they are unchanged in October from a year earlier. Sales rebounded from a sharp drop in September after being bumped up 1% by 'cash for clunkers' in August. After two years of sputtering, U.S. auto sales are finally gaining some traction.

  • GM decides to keep Opel unit

    4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    The automaker says it will restructure the European firm instead of selling 55% of it to auto parts maker Magna International and Russian lender Sberbank. General Motors Co. said Tuesday it would keep its European Opel unit and restructure it instead of selling a 55% stake to Canadian auto parts maker Magna International and its partner, Russian lender Sberbank.

  • Ford reports nearly $1-billion profit in third quarter

    2 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am
    Ford, the only Big 3 automaker that avoided bankruptcy, shows positive cash flow while improving its market share. Investors respond favorably. Continuing its comeback effort, Ford Motor Co. reported a third-quarter profit of almost $1 billion as it cut costs and improved market share, making money in the crucial North American automotive market for the first time since the first quarter of 2005.
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    Automobile

  • The Plan

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:11 pm
    Regardless of what you may read and hear in the coming days, not one of the countless journalists, analysts, and community leaders who gathered in Auburn Hills to hear Chrysler's new business plan yesterday really knows...

  • Noise, Vibration & Harshness: Land Rover Defenders and the Family Vacation

    5 Nov 2009 | 2:11 pm
    The Noise of the Realm: Land Rover Defenders and the Family Vacation.

  • Are Ram Heavy Duty Trucks A Possibility? 10-4, Good Buddy

    4 Nov 2009 | 10:11 pm
    Of all the various news tidbits stemming from Chrysler’s business plan roll-out, the possibility that the (Dodge) Ram brand may delve into class 8, semi trucks is more than a little surprising.

  • My name is Ram.

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:11 pm
    That's the message you'll likely hear several times over tonight if you plan to watch your television tonight, as the newly-crafted Ram brand launches a marketing offensive to establish itself.

  • Looking Into Dodge's Future

    4 Nov 2009 | 8:11 pm
    Chrysler began its marathon day of unveiling its five-year business plan by fleshing out the product future of its Dodge brand.
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    Jalopnik

  • Commenter Of The Day: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr Edition [Commenter Of The Day]

    Wes Siler
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Traditional publishing is in a lot of trouble. Why? They just can't get their heads around media consumers. In the good ol' days, no one cared about readers. If you were the only game in town, you were the only place for advertisers to blow their money before blowing cocaine. Then Al Gore invented Teh Internets and messed up the model by giving Joe Average the power to look at LOLcats instead of Maureen Dowd's latest poorly written column. Growing up in an era of listless plenty, today's media moguls are just unable to adapt to a world in which they no longer have a license to mint money.

  • Ford Unveils New 1993 Taurus For 2010 Model Year! [LOLCars]

    Ben Wojdyla
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm
    The Onion News Network covered Ford's exciting unveil of the 1993 Taurus for the 2010 model year. At $650 it's designed to fulfill the needs of Americans in challenging economic times. Video below. Features include functioning exhaust, working battery and standard Primus cassette tape, it's sure to be a hit. Ford Unveils New Car For Cash-Strapped Buyers: The 1993 Taurus

  • Ferrari 458 Italia, Reviewed [New Cars]

    Wes Siler
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Chris Harris has put together a couple of excellent video reviews of the 562 HP Ferrari 458 Italia for England's Evo Magazine. You'll find them below. Gee, think he likes it? [via EVO]

  • Ford's Inflatable Seat Belt Explained, Exploded [Auto Tech]

    Ben Wojdyla
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm
    Yesterday we told you about the Ford inflatable seat belt that's definitely not an airbag. Today we get to see just how the thing works with crash event test footage and additional explanation on why Ford says they're important.

  • A Very Unlikely License Plate Pairing [LOLCars]

    Ben Wojdyla
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    According to the photographer of this image, the owners of these two cars do not know each other, and this happened completely at random. However, we smell a hoax, because everyone knows the entire state of Georgia is illiterate. [RondamRamblings]
 
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    Formula1.com - Latest News

  • Raikkonen hoping to race on - with the right team

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:25 am
    It's not often that a recent race winner and world champion ends a season without a confirmed seat for the following year, but that is just the situation that 2009 Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen is facing. With Fernando Alonso joining the Italian team to partner Felipe Massa in 2010, Raikkonen is still to find a new cockpit in which to ply his trade...

  • The 2009 Season Review - Part Three

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:42 am
    Raikkonen did give Ferrari a win, at Spa, after fending off…Fisichella! On that occasion, however, the Italian was still with Force India, whose Mercedes-powered car showed remarkable form on circuits where low downforce was required. Adrian Sutil proved very fast but wild and accident prone in the other car, but only Raikkonen's KERS prevented Fisichella from staging a huge upset victory in Belgium. Fisi's replacement, the underrated Vitantonio Liuzzi, was headed for a podium finish behind the Brawns at Monza when his car broke a driveshaft...

  • The 2009 Season Review - Part Two

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:32 am
    The British Grand Prix at Silverstone in June marked the start of the spiral that threatened Button's title aspirations. Another update put the Red Bulls far ahead there as Vettel led home Webber, and with third place Rubens Barrichello began the second half of season form that made him the contender he had always claimed to be...

  • The 2009 Season Review - Button a natural Brawn winner

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:16 am
    Well, that was some season! Yet another stunning FIA Formula One World Championship that created a fresh and unexpected chapter of history. Brawn GP, the Phoenix that rose from the ashes of Honda, became the first 'new' team ever to win their first two races and go on to win both the drivers' and constructors' titles. They won eight races, took four one-twos and 15 podiums, though they didn' t have it all their own way...

  • Fastest but not first - Horner reviews Red Bull's '09 season

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:55 am
    When race fans look back on 2009, they will describe it as the year of the underdog. While the usual frontrunners took a back seat, newcomers Brawn GP won both championships with fellow upstarts Red Bull hard on their heels all the way. For Red Bull's Christian Horner, the season's end brings mixed feelings. Yes, they achieved more than they'd hoped for, but they also lost out on both titles. For Horner the only response is to look ahead to 2010, so listen up Red Bull's rivals and watch out…
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    KickingTires

  • Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Aston Martin DBS

    Stephen Markley
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:13 am
    Some guys have all the luck. Just ask Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder, who had the enviable job of reviewing the 2010 Aston Martin DBS — a vehicle that costs just a hair under $300k. What did he take away from his experience in the DBS? Besides that he wants one but doesn’t want to have to sell any major organs on the black market? Read Wiesenfelder’s full review to find out whether or not Aston Martin earns every penny of those 297,240 bones. 2010 Aston Martin DBS Review 2010|Aston Martin|DBS

  • Today's News From the Cars.com Family

    Stephen Markley
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pm
    A reader wants to know which luxury car to choose, a Lincoln MKS or Infiniti M35x, and Ask.cars.com lays out the pros and cons of each. Then, PickupTrucks.com has an opinion piece on why it’s a bad idea to split the Ram brand from Dodge. Finally, MotherProof.com takes a look at Ford’s new safety innovation: inflatable rear seat belts. For Luxury, What Car Would You Pick: Lincoln MKS or Infiniti M35x? (Ask.cars.com) 5 Reasons Why It’s Wrong to Divorce Ram From Dodge (PickupTrucks.com) Ford Unveils Inflatable Rear Seat Belts (MotherProof.com)

  • Garmin to Add Customizable Gauges to GPS

    Stephen Markley
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm
    Garmin says it will add customizable diagnostic gauges to their Nuvi GPS devices. The new system, EcoRoutes ESP, will connect to your car’s onboard diagnostics port (OBD-II) to deliver previously inaccessible information about the car’s performance and likely more accurate driving data such as arrival times. Available sometime next year, the EcoRoutes ESP module will send information to the GPS unit through Bluetooth. You’ll be able to choose which information you want displayed on the screen, including things like fuel economy, throttle position, intake manifold pressure, intake air…

  • No Google Navigation for $99 Droid Phone

    David Thomas
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm
    Today, Verizon released a new, affordable smartphone running Google’s Android operating system. The HTC Droid ERIS is just $99 after rebates, and it looks and works a lot like the Motorola Droid phone, which was released last week. However, the more expensive Motorola is running a slightly newer version of Android, which can use Google’s new Navigation Maps Beta application that we detailed last week; the new $99 HTC Droid ERIS can’t run it. HTC says it will upgrade to the new system eventually via a software update. We’ll keep you posted on when the upgrade will be available because…

  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder at 2009 L.A. Auto Show

    David Thomas
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:38 am
    Competes with: BMW Z4 and Audi TTS Looks like: A Boxster just for boys Drivetrain: 320-hp, six-cylinder with seven-speed double-clutch PDK transmission Hits dealerships: February 2010 Cars.com editor Joe Wiesenfelder recently tested the 2009 Porsche Boxster S and raved about how it’s still a good performance convertible. Porsche doesn’t seem to think it’s the ultimate, though and has come up with a lighter, slightly more powerful and infinitely cooler-looking version called the Boxster Spyder for the L.A. Auto Show.It adds 10 horsepower to what the Boxster S packs and subtracts 176…
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    HowStuffWorks: AutoStuff Daily RSS Feed

  • How long do transmissions last?

    21 Oct 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Just how long do transmissions last, anyway? And does a so-called "bullet-proof" transmission really exist?

  • How Alternative Fuel Filling Stations Work

    21 Oct 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Knowing what you want -- or need -- before you start visiting dealerships can save both time and money. Whatever the model, if emotion drives you to an impulsive purchase, you are likely to pay more and regret it later.

  • How Car Engines Work

    21 Oct 2009 | 11:00 pm
    It seems as though a lot of people are seriously considering the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle. But have you thought about how you're going to fill it up or charge it when you need to?

  • How Art Cars Work

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    Some people see the world in an entirely different light. Art car artists, for example, see a car as a blank canvas they can cover with doll heads, stained glass, rubber ducks, silverware and fur.

  • 5 Reasons to Buy a Hybrid

    31 Dec 1969 | 4:00 pm
    So, you say you're in the market for a hybrid car? Or maybe you're on the fence about making a hybrid car purchase? Well, we can think of several reasons that you may want to complete the deal.
 
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    Speedhunters

  • VIDEO>> FALKENHUNTING 2009

    Rod Chong
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:25 pm
    Those of you who are "friends" with me on Facebook will know that last week Speedhunter's editor Riley Vigier and I were crunching to finishing up two videos for the 2009 SEMA Show. You've already seen our tribute to the new Formula...(read more)

  • CAR SPOTLIGHT>>(RETRO?) LS1-POWERED MIATA

    Mike Garrett
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:19 pm
    I was browsing one of my favorite forums, ClubRoadster.net the other day when I found a thread about an LS1-powered Mazda Miata drag car out of Mississippi. Now any time you combine a light weight rear-drive car with a powerful V8 the potential for awesomeness arises, but I noticed something about this car that I don't think the builder intended - it's likeliness to sports car-based drag cars of the '60s....(read more)

  • EVENT>>SEMA 2009: DAY THREE

    Mike Garrett
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm
    I'm back home in Los Angeles now, still feeling the pain from three days of traversing the Las Vegas Convention Center, and glad to be done with the crowds and madness of Vegas. Now that I'm settled in at home, it's time to dig in for some more coverage from the show. One trend that's seemed to stand the test of time is pro-touring muscle cars. Even though you can buy brand new retro muscle cars from these days, I guess you can't beat the real thing. The 'Cuda above was one of my favorites. Under the gleaming bodywork is a twin turbo Viper V10....(read more)

  • RANDOM SNAP>> MURDERED CIVIC

    Jeroen Willemsen
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:13 am
    I just hope I don't get killed for this... considering the tough crowd in my latest random snap . -Jeroen Willemsen Spotted on Hellaflush...(read more)

  • RANDOM SNAP>> STUNNING PORSCHE 914-6

    Dino Dalle Carbonare
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    This low-riding Porsche 914-6 belongs to Speedhunters.com reader Martin, who sent me this stunning shot of his car. It sounds like quite a beast fitted with a close to 300 HP 3.5L flat-6, replacing the stock 110 HP 2L. On top of all the mechanical modifications...(read more)
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    oneighturbo.com

  • MR Car Design Volkswagen Scirocco Black Rocco

    Pit Crew
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am
    The tuners from MR Car Design have a released their upgrade program for the Volkswagen Scirocco called Black Rocco. The MR Car Design Volkswagen Scirocco Black Rocco comes with a rather serious power upgrade to 370 hp and 519 Nm of torque. The official press release does not mention this, but we guess the MR [...]

  • Bugatti presents 16C Galibier Concept in Los Angeles

    Pit Crew
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:42 am
    The most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four-door automobile in the world What was revealed at the climax of Bugatti’s centenary celebrations in September at its headquarters in Molsheim, was today presented to customers and opinion-makers in Los Angeles: the Bugatti 16C Galibier concept – designed as the most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four-door automobile in the [...]

  • Volkswagen to field five Race Touareg vehicles at 2010 “Dakar”

    Pit Crew
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am
    57 days until the 2010 Dakar Rally It is truly a five-star line-up: Volkswagen will field five Race Touareg vehicles at the 2010 Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile. The Wolfsburg-based automobile manufacturer has signed the Brazilians Maurício Neves and Clécio Maestrelli as another driver/co-driver team alongside the previously confirmed pairings Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (E/E), Giniel de [...]

  • “Goldenes Lenkrad 2009”: A double for the new Volkswagen Polo

    Pit Crew
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:23 am
    “Goldenes Lenkrad” und “Grünes Lenkrad” for the new Polo At the award ceremony of the “Goldenes Lenkrad 2009” in Berlin yesterday evening, Volkswagen was able to rejoice at no less than two honors: the new Polo won in the supermini category. And the newly conceived Polo BlueMotion hit the mark in the “Grünes Lenkrad” category, [...]

  • Audi’s Truth in 24 microsite receives Catalyst Interactive Advertising Award

    Pit Crew
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:14 am
    Audi took top honors in the ‘Standard Messaging Winner’ category Microsite created with Factory Design Labs, the interactive agency of record for Audi Catalyst Interactive Advertising Award honors auto brands’ work in interactive media The microsite designed to promote Truth in 24, the full-length NFL Films/Intersport documentary on the Audi Le Mans racing program, won a prestigious Catalyst [...]
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    NihonCar.com

  • Tokyo Motor Show : Mazda, the Sky is our limit

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:59 pm
    Despite all the buzz that Mazda tried to build up around their Sky engines and concept for this year Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda booth was pretty… empty… And we could not really enjoy all the thrilled behind both t... Reader Comments

  • Honda Displays Historic Vehicles and Accessorized Models at 2009 SEMA Show

    3 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm
    Celebrating its 50th year in America, Honda kicked off its week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with a variety of historic and accessorized Honda vehicles, a robust... Reader Comments

  • Toyota USA gets the SEMA Fever with 5 gorgeous Lexus

    3 Nov 2009 | 7:23 pm
    SEMA, is the most exciting Tuner Show of the year and by far the best worldwide, and it won’t surprise anyone to know that Lexus was well represented over there with for example the : Lexus GS ... Reader Comments

  • Lexus RX450h, nice design, no so impressive package

    3 Nov 2009 | 3:55 am
    It is just until recently, or at least for just a couple of years that Toyota has been offering to Japan and the Japanese, the Lexus Brand, synonym of high quality and luxury… As so far while only countries out... Reader Comments

  • Tokyo Motor Show : Mitsubishi pushing hard its i-MiEV Technology

    31 Oct 2009 | 6:39 pm
    Largely empty, Mitsubishi Booth however had a nice surprise to offer us with its PX-MiEV, a really nice Plug-In Hybrid Crossover. If we have been seduced by our car exterior design, simple yet elegant, our PX-M... Reader Comments
 
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    AutoJab

  • Porsche Unveils New Boxter Spyder

    Alex
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:29 pm
    Porsche just unleashed the latest incarnation of the Porsche Boxster – the Spyder. Basically, it’s a faster and lighter version of the popular coupe and it’s not limited edition either Powering the Boxster Spyder is the same 3.4L from the current Cayman S which pumps out 315 bhp and generates a max torque of 273 lb-ft. The great feat in this car is the efforts Porsche put in to save weight on the car. Typically, lopping the top off requires the car to put on weight due to the structural reinforcements needed to stiffen up the car. This reduced the car’s weight by 80kg…

  • Top Gear: New Series, New Timeslot

    Alex
    5 Nov 2009 | 2:37 pm
    Series 14 is just around the corner but there will be last minute changes to Top Gear’s scheduling for this series. The series is due this November 15 but instead of its usual airing time, it will be move to a later 9PM slot. The reason? Codpiece Cowell. Clarkson even reposted this on his Facebook page announcing: For this series only, we’re moving to 9pm on November 15. We had no choice really: X Factor on at the same time with the Results Show, Cowell on storming form, the whole nation glued – we know when to bravely bugger off and wait until the storm passes. So that means…

  • Fiat to Build New Dodge Viper

    Alex
    4 Nov 2009 | 1:38 pm
    You might not readily associate Fiat with the other Italians like Ferrari or Lambo due to the mental images of small cars and perhaps even Lancias but mind you that it’s the parent company of Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. And how about the Fiat 500 Abarth? Now that’s a small car I’d want to own. So it’s not really a bad thing design and engineering-wise that it took over Chrysler. Now, word has it that the Fiat will be developing the new Dodge Viper so we could just hope that Fiat makes the iconic American sports car be a better well-rounded car. The Viper is fast…

  • Formula 1: Toyota Exits F1

    Alex
    4 Nov 2009 | 1:17 pm
    And in a shocking twist of events – Toyota pulls out of Formula 1! Toyota has been considering to quit Formula 1 for quite some time now due to several seasons of dismal finishes. The auto sales crash and the company’s questioned profitability aggravated this stance even more. Now, Toyota’s top brass has pulled the plug on the project citing the team’s failure to secure a win ever since it joined the championship in 2002. Toyota had a great start in this recently-concluded season but ended it in a dismal one especially with the injury of Jarno Trulli. Company president…

  • Formula 1: 2010 Exit for Bridgestone

    Alex
    3 Nov 2009 | 1:25 pm
    Looks like Formula 1 needs to find another supplier of rubber for the 2011 season. Its sole supplier of tires, Bridgestone, has announced that it will be quitting F1 by the end of 2010. Bridgestone has dominated the sport ever since it had joined the competition in 1997. Eventually, it became the tire of choice for many teams and became the lone supplier since 2007 when Michelin opted out. The company claims that it will be redirecting its resources to developing other “innovative technologies.” Perhaps the reintroduction of slicks last season limited Bridgestone’s…
 
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    Best Used Cars | Why Buy Used Cars

  • World’s Greatest GPS

    Eric Miltsch
    3 Nov 2009 | 7:18 am
    Audi and MIT have teamed up to create what appears to be the Mother of all GPS units and one of the most intriguing automotive gadgets yet. AIDA – Affective, Intelligent Driving Agent – is the next generation of GPS. If you’re impressed with turn-by-turn instructional driving, this will blow you away. AIDA becomes your own personal driving manager by operating from a stored informational base. Your most common routes are learned, studied and even improved upon by knowing current road conditions, traffic patterns and accidents. An alternate route recommendation can appear…

  • Toyota’s Recipe For Creative Collaboration

    Eric Miltsch
    2 Nov 2009 | 7:44 pm
    Toyota Prius Times Square iPhone Application. 1 Popular socially conscious hybrid 2 or 3 unique iPhone ideas A handful of cutting-edge creatives from Saatchi & Saatchi A pinch of cash Mix liberally, add cash as needed; serve chilled to a couple million people for approximately three days. Fans of the Toyota Prius created drawings on their iPhone that were displayed on digital billboards,in Times Square, on October 26th-28th. Another great example of a manufacturer using new tools to create a connection with current and new fans. Connections are what create memorable experiences; those…

  • Can Honda Go Compact and Electric?

    Eric Miltsch
    7 Oct 2009 | 9:45 pm
    Honda’s new, potential entry in the compact electric segment is the  EV-N. This electric roller-skate also has a solar roof to power those tiny wheels. Other interesting features: Custom seat covers – Cool Front flat-panel has embedded lighting to display patterns – Odd Small electric unicycle that fits inside door panel – Creepy Not in the market for an oddball, new compact electric vehicle? Looking for something at the other end of the spectrum – say a used Chevrolet Escalade?

  • Does Size Matter?

    Eric Miltsch
    29 Sep 2009 | 12:36 pm
    Monster-sized SUV’s and Hummers gave way to the crossover; coupes gave way to the super-subcompacts and then came the smart car. The Lumeneo Smera tops them all. I’m not even sure if this is considered a car – is it a scooter? A covered motorcycle? Whatever it is, this is sweet. Eight feet long 31 inches wide One seat Little room for luggage handbag two 20 horsepower electric motors Top speed: 80mph Range: 93 miles per charge Don’t live in France? Have more than yourself to cart around town? Here’s five of the small used cars with high gas mileage, all for around…

  • Definition of Acceleration

    Eric Miltsch
    22 Sep 2009 | 6:55 pm
    Image by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway via Flickr One top fuel dragster 500 cubic inch Hemi engine makes more horsepower than the first 4 rows of stock cars at the Daytona 500. It takes just 15/100ths of a second for all 6,000+ horsepower of an NHRA Top Fuel dragster engine to reach the rear wheels. Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 1-1/2 gallons of nitro methane per second; a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced. A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to drive the dragster’s supercharger. With…
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    Michael Banovsky

  • “My Name is Ram” mashup

    Michael
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:10 am
    I know computer technology! So when I saw the all-new “Ram” commercial, I had to add a new soundtrack… The original The mashup Related Posts:Fun with Japanese kei vansTime to think about Better PlaceThe Car…more terrifying than global warming!Ghost ride that DeLorean…Asia Motors Rocsta Share this post with…

  • Michael Banovsky Podcast, episode 06

    Michael
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:50 pm
    This week? Derek drives the Camaro SS, we record from a Toyota Prius that starts doing weird things, talk about the Mazda 929 “Serenia“, what Nauman will be naming his kids, our take on the floor mat recall, more features doesn’t equal luxury, Porsche’s hilarious options lists, and how Nauman and I sold cars. Like always, I’m joined by my fellow Canadian automotive journalists and friends Nauman Farooq and Derek Kreindler. You can listen to it here in your browser, at blubrry.com, and can be viewed/downloaded from iTunes. Special thanks to Jil McIntosh for…

  • My take on the Cadillac CTS-V challenge

    Michael
    29 Oct 2009 | 12:33 pm
    I’m sorry: I mistook what Cadillac was trying to do here in what became known as the “#JalopnikVsGM Challenge.” Apparently, it was “May the Best Car Win.” I was under the impression that Bob Lutz, as an amateur, would be racing against other amateurs to find the best time among the amateurs. By that metric, Michael Cooper, driving a BMW M3, won. But, since the best overall time was set by a CTS-V — by General Motors test driver and Nürburgring Nordschleife lapper John Heinricy — the CTS-V “won.” Oh, and the top three times were set by ringers.

  • 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI fuel economy: sometimes things just don’t add up

    Michael
    28 Oct 2009 | 1:16 pm
    I’m working on my reviews of the wonderful 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, for both Canadian and US readers. I always double-check my facts and figures to ensure things are kosher. But when I was trying to figure out the driving range of the new model, something didn’t add up. Specifically, Canadian figures pointed to a theoretical range of 1195 kilometres on the highway, while the US figures promised about 609 miles…which is 980 kilometres. WUT. (Yes, I know there are different gallons. I used the correct ones.) Here’s the math: Canada: 55 litre tank / [4.6 (Highway L/100km)] =…

  • I see what you did there…again…

    Michael
    27 Oct 2009 | 10:36 pm
    Maybe it’s just me, but it looks like Audi spent a lot of time with the 2010 A4 to make the interior a modernized version of a Citroën SM. Again, proof the French tend to design vehicles well…30 years before everyone else. 2010 Audi A4, top; 1970 Citroën SM, bottom. Layout: practically identical. Related Posts:The 2010 Suzuki KizashiNo spare tire for "sporty" Canadian 2010 RAV4The Bertone Volvo Tundra ConceptVideo: 2010 Ford Fusion previewSince Flavio Briatore isn't going to be busy… Share this post with…
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    Car of the Day

  • 527 - Rear Wheel Horsepower

    garythepowers
    30 Oct 2009 | 6:10 pm
    This fall I took the plunge and supercharged my GTO.  It is incredible! Here’s the video of the car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_J521ZqkE A big thanks to East Texas Muscle Cars for the great build. The car now has 620hp measured at the crank if you factor in a 15% drivetrain loss.

  • East Texas Muscle Cars on Autoblog

    garythepowers
    2 Sep 2009 | 8:17 pm
    East Texas Muscle Cars one of Texas’s premier GTO tuning shops has raised a bit of ruckus in the automotive world.  ETMC has decided to a V6 Camaro and challenge the almighty Nissan GT-R’s Nurburgring record. Good luck to Steve and the crew at East Texas Muscle Cars on taking down Godzilla. Read the full article atAutoblog here. This is an important development in the world of muscle cars.  With new MPG standards coming from the new government all the speed freaks out there are going to need to find ways to squeeze more power out of less engine.  The Japanese and the Europeans…

  • My Wife Likes Driving Around Topless

    garythepowers
    23 Aug 2009 | 6:52 pm
    Caroftheday.org has been dormant for a little while, mainly because I don’t want another car everyday.  I’m a satisfied GTO driver. This weekend another car joined the official “Caroftheday.org” stables.  (my garage) My wife is the proud owner of a Mercedes 2006 SLK 55 AMG.  She has long been a fan of roadsters, especially the ones from Germany.  I have been a long time fine of performance vehicles, stick a “M”, “S” or an “AMG” badge on my car and I’m instantly more interested. In 2005 Mercedes sent their smallest car on a quest for larger engine.  In the great…

  • The Cure for Car of the Day

    garythepowers
    10 May 2009 | 5:52 pm
    First let me apologize to any readers of COTD there may have been, it has been nearly 6 months since my last post and I don’t see a lot more posts in my future. “Car of the Day” has been a problem I have had for years.  A problem that caused me to obsess over cars.  Obsess over all kinds of cars.  Last year I purchased one of my frequent obsessions. The car was a 2006 Pontiac GTO.  The GTO really embodies everything I was looking for in my next car.  I wanted power.  The 400hp LS2 V8 meets that requirement easily.  Comfort and style were some other requirements.

  • The Nissan GTO?

    garythepowers
    7 Dec 2008 | 1:49 pm
    Regular readers of Car of the Day know that we at COTD are great fans of the new Pontiac GTO.  I’ve written plenty of info on the GTO.  One of the great things about the GTO was the amount of performance and quality that you get for the price.   Nissan has done a pretty impressive job of combining these same factors with their new 370Z.   The new 370Z can be had for less than $30k.  For your 30 grand you get a stylish 2 seater with 332hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.  That much horsepower in a 3,359 lb car gets you 60mph in 5 seconds and a 13.4 quarter mile.    Those numbers are very…
 
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    The German Car Blog

  • Audi: Overview of all upcoming models!

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:48 pm
    We have the ultimate overview of all upcoming Audi models for you! Sit back and enjoy, there's plenty to come. Starting with the Audi e-tron which is expected for 2012. Audi R4 or new Audi TT, coming 2012 Audi A3, coming 2012 Audi Q3, coming 2011 Audi A8, coming 2010 Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi Source: Auto Motor und Sport

  • VW Polo R: First intel!

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:41 pm
    We have first intel about the rumored VW Polo R which is said to hit the road in early 2012 and will feature 190bhp coming from a 1.4l-biturbo-engine. Woot! Top speed is said to be around 220 km/h and fuel consumption estimated with 7 liters per 100 km. Expect the price to be around 22500 Euro. Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Polo R Source: Bild

  • VW Scirocco R: Video comparison against Ford Focus RS

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:37 pm
    Interesting video comparison here of the VW Scirocco R against the Ford Focus RS. Make sure to watch! Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Scirocco R: Source: The German Car TV

  • Porsche: Preview of next-generation Cayenne and Cayenne light

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm
    Porsche will release the next-generation Porsche Cayenne next year, but the big surprise will be the Porsche Cayenne light in 2016 and it looks awesome. We have a preview of both! Porsche Cayenne "light" aka Baby Cayenne Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche Cayenne Source: Autobild

  • Porsche Boxster Spyder: Two new video released

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:24 pm
    Porsche has releaseed two new official videos of the Porsche Boxster Spyder. Enjoy! Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche Boxster Spyder Source: The German Car TV
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    The College Driver News

  • Hyundai Genesis Coupe featured in Xbox 360 game

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:11 pm
    If you love driving, video games and slamming through 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the world, then the new "Forza Motorsport 3" is the game to have. For the first time ever, Hyundai will be featuring one of their vehicles in the game, the Genesis Coupe. "Genesis Coupe's participation in ‘Forza Motorsport 3' will raise Hyundai's awareness with driving enthusiasts and the very important youth segment," said Joel Ewanick, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "The mission for Genesis Coupe was to create a pure performance car and for it to…

  • World's first inflatable seat belt

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:51 am
    Thanks to Ford and their engineers, the three-point safety belt has been reinvented to offer better protection, save more lives and hopefully make more passengers wear them. The inflatable rear seat belts will spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts. This helps reduce pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck motion for rear seat passengers. Ford's inflatable rear seat belts will debut on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year. Then Ford will eventually offer inflatable seat belt technology in vehicles…

  • Suzuki Kizashi pricing announced

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:37 pm
    Suzuki has finally revealed the price of its stylish new competitor in the midsize segment. The base model will start at $19,735, which includes destination and handling. Being the base model of a non-luxury brand, the Kizashi is packed with enough features that push a comparably priced Accord, Camry, Altima or Malibu off the road. Eight airbags, push-button keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 9-speaker audio system with steering wheel controls, ESP, power everything and ambient lighting are all standard. A 2.4-liter 180 horsepower inline-4 will be the only…

  • Chrysler LLC will offer live TV option on Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep models

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pm
    Chrysler LLC announced that they will be offering 20 channels of live TV as an option on all of their brands as a Mopar option. Vehicle owners will be able to watch live sports, breaking news, kids' programs and primetime network shows in the back seat. Mopar's suggested retail price is $629, plus installation. A one-year pre-paid FLO TV service subscription is included with installation. The entertainment package will be available as a dealer-installed option on the following 2008-2010 model year vehicles with factory DVD entertainment systems: Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand…

  • Toyota begins notifying owners of floormat issue

    4 Nov 2009 | 3:43 pm
    Toyota has begun mailing out letters to owners of certain Toyota/Lexus models to notify them of the the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat that could interfere with the accelerator pedal. The letter tells owners of the following vehicles to take out their driver's floormat and not replace it with any other floormat until Toyota develops a remedy. • 2007 - 2010 Camry• 2005 - 2010 Avalon• 2004 - 2009 Prius• 2005 - 2010 Tacoma• 2007 - 2010 Tundra• 2007 - 2010 ES350• 2006 - 2010 IS250 and IS350 The National Highway Traffic Safety…
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    SafetyNewsOnline_en

  • 1. Okt: "Automotive safety of tomorrow is going to be programmed" - Review of Grazer SafetyUpDate 2009

    SafetyNews
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:16 am
    "Automotive safety of tomorrow is going to be programmed". This was the conclusion of Dr. Thomas Schwarz' (Audi) speech on "Integrated Safety" at the 4th Grazer SafetyUpDate. Passive safety is mainly based on the cooperation of structural and interior design, while the future systems will be equipped with foresighted (radar, lidar, camera) and listening (Car2X) sensors and use advanced algorithms to reduce accident severity or avoid accidents at all. The key to marketability of new systems is the systematic test. Dr. Schwarz showed current test procedures for systems…

  • 1. Okt: New US fuel standard has impact on safety

    SafetyNews
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:16 am
    The Obama administration's proposed standards for fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions will raise vehicle price tags by more than $1,000, depress sales by 58,000 and cost more than 5,000 auto industry jobs in 2012, a government analysis said Tuesday. But the plan, which sets fuel efficiency standards fleetwide at 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016 and establishes federal tailpipe emission limits for the first time, also has compelling benefits, the administration said. They include a 950 million metric ton reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; fuel savings of about $3,000 per vehicle; and…

  • 1. Okt: Euro NCAP on the web - latest protocols and videos

    SafetyNews
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:16 am
    Euro NCAP updated its download area with all test- and rating protocols on their website lately. In the "Our Tests / Technical Information / Protocols" -area the latest versions of 13 protocols and nine technical bulltetins can be found. These documents comprise more than 400 pages. To simplify your work with Euro NCAP, we offer a new compact seminar concerning Euro NCAP. This course abstracts all important facts of the protocols in just 4 hours. The four rating categories (Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian, Safety Assist) are presented and the relevant tests with all…

  • 1. Okt: NEW vs. OLD: test shows crashworthiness progress

    SafetyNews
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:15 am
    In the 50 years since US insurers organized the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, car crashworthiness has improved. Demonstrating this was a crash test conducted on Sept. 9 between a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. In a real-world collision similar to this test, occupants of the new model would fare much better than in the vintage Chevy. "It was night and day, the difference in occupant protection," says Institute president Adrian Lund. “What this test shows is that automakers don't build cars like they used to. They build them better." The…

  • 1. Okt: Accident Avoiding in the Future: Federal Institute and automotive Industry start Research Project

    SafetyNews
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:14 am
    The German Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Karl Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg officially started the research project "Ko-FAS - Cooperative Sensors and cooperative perception for preventive safety in traffic". Visions requested by the society, policy, economics and sciences are "accident-free mobility" and "safety for everybody". To achieve those visions, systems and components for traffic participant detection are developed in the research project Ko-FAS. This detection enables the recognition of critical situations and the initiation of preventive actions to reduce crash severity or avoid…
 
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    INAUTONEWS cars news, automotive market, car companies, automotive news

  • GM criticized for keeping Opel, doubts raised about sale

    mircea
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:14 am
    As General Motors’ new board of directors became more immersed in the automaker’s business, it began to question more and more the idea of selling off a majority stake in the company’s Opel division, a top executive indicated Wednesday. “It was always a big question mark that we could succeed globally and sell off two-thirds of [...] > Read complete article inside...

  • ZF 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Named 2010 Automotive News PACE Award Finalist

    mircea
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:02 am
    Long known for its expertise in passenger car automatic transmissions, ZF has reached another milestone after having its all-new 8-speed automatic transmission named a 2010 Automotive News PACE Award finalist. The ZF 8-speed automatic made its debut on the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and 760Li, and will also appear on the Bentley Mulsanne and Rolls [...] > Read complete article inside...

  • Ford Inflatable Seat Belt Could Reduce Crash Injuries‎ [w/VIDEO]

    mircea
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:54 am
    Ford Motor Co. unveiled the industry’s first inflatable seat belt, a combination belt and airbag designed to reduce crash injuries for rear-seat passengers, especially the young and elderly. The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable [...] > Read complete article inside...

  • Nissan releases concept sketch of light commercial electric vehicle

    mircea
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:47 am
    Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, has released a concept sketch of a light commercial electric vehicle based on the newly launched NV200. The low-cost multi-purpose vehicle would allow ambulance drivers to drive directly into the hospital or van and taxi drivers to enter urban areas where CO2 emissions are restricted. The van is one of four [...] > Read complete article inside...

  • British-built Type R exported to Japan

    mircea
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:43 am
    Sales of the Swindon-built, 3-door Honda Civic Type R have begun in Japan, after the first cars were shipped from Southampton last month. The demand for the UK-produced car in Honda’s domestic market is a real feather in the cap for workers at Honda’s Swindon factory – the only production facility in the world that builds [...] > Read complete article inside...
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    Auto & Vehicles Videos

  • Autos importados Mexico, los coches más seguros. Mitsubishi Motors Mexico

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am
    http://www.redmitsubishi.com.mx Los concesionarios Mitsubishi Motors en México ofrecen la gama de coches más seguros. Los autos con la tecnología más avanzada para conservar el medio ambiente.Autos importados en México. http://www.redmitsubishi.com.mxAuthor: redmitsubishiKeywords: Mitsubishi Mexico México autos importados méxico coches más seguros ver carros en venta autos nuevos y usados autos ecológicos cuidar ambiente Added: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:58:29 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

  • Cargo Barriers - Added Vehicle Safety For Your Family

    5 Nov 2009 | 10:23 pm
    http://www.allvehicleaccessories.com.au/cargo_barriers.html Cargo barriers are the name for those "cages" you put behind your passenger seats, to ensure things do not fly through your car in the case of an accident.Author: sanicle5Keywords: cargo barriers car cages car safety barriers luggage barriers Added: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:23:39 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

  • Trade Car Downey

    5 Nov 2009 | 10:23 pm
    http://tradecarcalifornia.com/category/trade-car-california Tired of the hassle of high pressure dealerships? At TradeCarCalifornia.com we can sell your car fast, and make it a simple process. Call us at 1-800-946-7700Author: michael4936Keywords: Trade Car Downey Added: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:23:12 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

  • Trade Car Vernon

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:50 pm
    http://tiny.cc/J1ESp Trying to buy or sell a used car? We eliminate those headaches with our Trade Car services Call us at 1-800-946-7700Author: Maya3879Keywords: Trade Car Vernon Added: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:50:17 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com

  • 2007 Dodge Durango SLT ! North End Motors , Brockton MA-02301

    5 Nov 2009 | 7:44 pm
    07 Dodge Durango SLT with Bright White Exterior on Light Brown Leather Interior & 65k Miles. This 4WD SUV is loaded with 4.7L, 8-Cyl Engine. For more details visit our website; www.northendmotors.comAuthor: moeknow2Keywords: Used SUVs by Dodge 2007 Dodge Durango SLT in Brockton Auto Dealers in Brockton Used Cars Brockton Preowned Vehicle Dealers in Brockton Used autos 07 Durango with Low Miles Added: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:44:42 GMTVideo codes to display this video on your website!http://www.livevideo.com
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    Import RPM

  • A Brawnier Cat: The 2010 Jaguar XFR

    Import RPM
    17 Oct 2009 | 9:12 am
    The Jaguar XF sedan has already helped reinvigorate the Jaguar brand thanks largely to its stunningly beautiful design and posh accommodations. But to attract customers that desire a more sporting edge, Jaguar has introduced the 2010 XFR. This model exchanges some of its feline grace with ferocity thanks to its new direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 complete with a twin-intercooled supercharger. With 510 horsepower and 460 lb. ft. of torque on tap, the XKR rushes to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and covers the corner mile in 13.1 seconds. Exterior upgrades are modest, but include standard 20-inch wheels, …

  • Forty Years of the Nissan Z

    Import RPM
    16 Oct 2009 | 5:18 pm
    It has been 40 years since Nissan first introduced the Z car to American drivers. To commemorate that milestone, and to celebrate a car that still holds the title of the best selling sports car of all time, Nissan will be launching the 2010 40th anniversary Nissan 370Z. This special edition Z car will go on sale next spring and will be based on the 370Z Coupe Touring with the Sport Package, which comes equipped with the SynchroRev Match six-speed manual gearbox, 19-inch Rays alloy wheels, and limited slip differential. Naturally it will be powered by the same heavenly 3.7-liter 332 horsepower…

  • Jaguar to Launch Five-Door Coupe

    Import RPM
    30 Sep 2009 | 10:07 pm
    A new  five-door is reportedly in the works at Jaguar based on the 2003 RD6 concept car. Although much of the car is in unison with Jaguar’s current design language, the rear of the RD6 is somewhat reminiscent of the oddly proportioned Volvo C30 hatchback. Overall, many styling cues from the upcoming 2010 Jaguar XJ sedan are likely to be included on the five-door when it arrives, but don’t hold your breath as the car isn’t likely to appear before 2013. Following the launch of the XJ, Jaguar’s next new product launch is the Porsche Boxster-fighting XE sports car.

  • More of a Good Thing – The Audi R8 Spyder

    Import RPM
    28 Sep 2009 | 5:11 pm
    When Audi released its R8 supercar, German car enthusiasts were aflutter with excitement. To keep that excitement brewing, Audi has inevitably added a convertible model. The Audi R8 Spyder features a folding mechanically operated cloth top that reduces weight compared with popular retractable hardtops. With a 5.2-liter V10 engine, the Audi R8 Spyder rockets to 60 mph under 4 seconds and naturally features Quattro all-wheel drive and only slight styling differences in comparison to the R8 coupe.

  • Promising SUV Alternative: 2010 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

    Import RPM
    26 Sep 2009 | 8:18 am
    For 2010, Audi has updated the A4 Allroad Quattro to give it a little more capability. In addition to featuring Audi’s superb Quattro all-wheel drive system, the 2010 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro has more ground clearance and a bolstered underbody, helping it perform just as well on unpaved roads as on Santa Monica Blvd.  All engines available on the 2010 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro will be turbocharged and include one gasoline engine and a pair of diesel engines.  The base 2.0-liter gasoline turbo four produces 211 horsepower and can reach 62mph in a respectable 6.9 seconds. PRESS RELEASE The…
 
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    Cars4Causes Blog

  • Why Donate a Car? Our Top 13,405 Reasons

    Lorraine
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am
    We can give you thousands of reasons for donating a car to charity. They range the gamut from cleaning the garage, to making the neighbors happy, to contributing to world peace. And we’re taking a moment today to share some of them with you. We’ve heard all these reasons and more during our many years here at Cars 4 Causes®, and they all make sense to us. Take a look at our list of reasons for making a car donation, and let us know if we missed any on your top list. Our 13,405 Best Reasons to Donate a Car Make the neighbors happy. If you own a car that’s just rusting away in your…

  • Volunteering for a Cause – Making a Personal Donation

    Haley
    2 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Cars 4 Causes® employees often give of  their time and efforts to their own favorite charities and organizations. For example, employee Haley McSweeney spent a recent weekend volunteering for Habitat for Humanity®, and today’s blog is her firsthand account of the fears and joys of giving to a worthy cause. After a long, and satisfying, day of hanging drywall, Haley McSweeney (far right) pauses with two friends, Carly (left) and Ilita. My alarm went off at 6:30 am on Saturday morning, which was way earlier than I (or any college student for that matter) will ever be used to. I was…

  • Education Gets a Helping Hand from Car Donations

    Lorraine
    22 Oct 2009 | 10:50 am
    Fundraising for education is dear to the heart of Cars 4 Causes®. As most of our car donators, friends and fans now know, our first efforts were all about raising funds for schools. Our story began in the classroom and then branched out into so many worthwhile directions that we became known as “The Charity That Gives To Charities(R).” We have been amazed by the many charities that serve people and causes around the world and proud to be partnered with so many of them. There are many that provide help to schools and fill other educational needs. You’ll find several on our webpage…

  • Donate an Old Car to Save the Planet

    Lorraine
    15 Oct 2009 | 8:57 am
    We love cars, from classic cars to new hybrid cars, and even more, we love how those cars, when donated to charity, can help those in need. As part of today’s national Blog Action Day on climate change, too, we’ve been pondering the role that car donations can play in cleaning up the environment. We think car donations can play a big role and a multi-dimensional one in helping to clean up the planet. When a car donor calls Cars 4 Causes® wanting to donate an old car that’s spewing and sputtering fumes into the air – one that cannot pass a smog test, one that is a high polluter…

  • Play it Forward – Update on the Generous Journey of a Car Donation

    Pat Jessup
    7 Oct 2009 | 2:07 pm
    In July we talked about a Cars 4 Causes® car donation that keeps on giving – a specially equipped van that was donated by Laura, whose husband had ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).  When he passed away, Laura started a string of generous donations when she donated the van to Cars 4 Causes® and stipulated that the van be given to someone with ALS. This Honda Odyssey van, equipped with a chair lift was donated with the stipulation that it go to a person with ALS. The van is a 2007 Honda Odyssey outfitted with a chair lift and it was given to Norris,…
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    My MileOne

  • Test post

    admin
    29 Oct 2009 | 1:05 pm
    This is a test. aognoaerghniarbegiergdnf;ohngoaer Tweet This Post

  • Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is now at your Ford Dealer on Virginia Beach

    admin
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:34 am
    This F-150 model is tough and functional inside and out. True to nature, the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) has successfully created a class-exclusive utility truck perfect for any adventure or work load. Available options such as a tailgate step, box side steps and cargo management options make accessing, loading and organizing cargo easy no matter how big or small you are. Feel ruggedly tough and good looking in your new Raptor. Raptor’s exterior say, “Let’s play in the dirt,” while the interior sets a new standard of ruggedly crafted materials and innovative off-road technologies.

  • Win two tickets to the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

    admin
    26 Oct 2009 | 11:24 am
    Sign up now for the change to win two free tickets to the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” in L.A. on November 16th. And by signing up, you can also play the What Drives Edward contest for a change to win a brand-new Volvo XC60. Win your very own Volvo XC60! Complete all 6 phases of the What Drives Edward Contest to unlock the final puzzle. If you are the first to solve this final puzzle, you could bring home a brand-new Volvo XC60, just like Edward’s in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” So what drives Edward may soon drive you. There’s more to life than a Volvo. There’s…

  • MileOne Makes Strides Against Breast Cancer Again in 2009

    admin
    26 Oct 2009 | 7:44 am
    Sunday, October 25, 2009 MileOne Automotive participated in the 2009 Making Strides Event in Baltimore, Maryland. As a flagship sponsor MileOne encouraged all employees to support the cause in any way they could whether it was making a donation, walking, or wearing pink on power pink Thursdays during October. Our turn out this year was better than ever with over 500 employees, friends and family who either attended the walk, donated or helped with fundraisers. The event began with bagels, coffee and snacks then a group photo, inspirational speeches from cancer survivors and flagship sponsors,…

  • The New 2010 Ford Fusion

    admin
    23 Oct 2009 | 7:47 am
    In normal times, the Fusion, at only three model years old, would have been due for a minor refresh—some added features and a updated nose and tail. Instead, Ford spent $650 million on a major over­haul affecting engines, transmissions, interiors, and styling. The result is a dramatically improved and refined mid-size sedan that comprises a full range of models, including a base gasoline four-cylinder model, a mid-level V-6, an exceptional hybrid, and a gutsy Sport model with a big-bore V-6. The 2010 Fusion’s new styling looks sharp, espe­cially the aggressive front end that puts a new…
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    Porsche Cars, Products and Lifestyle at 993C4S.com

  • Fast, Light, Pure and Voice Over Free

    993C4S
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:15 pm
    I love the fact that Porsche is fully embracing the web and utilizing a multitude of social media sites to reach out to Porsche fans, enthusiast and prospective buyers. I’m even happier that Porsche’s first video of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is free of the usual voice over and instead is set to music with a bit of exhaust note thrown in for good measure. Yesterday’s announcement gave limited details on the new 2011 Boxster Spyder. Today, Porsche revealed their new micro-site with in-depth information, additional pictures and a pretty cool interface. Check it out for…

  • Porsche Boxster Spyder for the Purist

    993C4S
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:05 am
    The Porsche Boxster and Boxster S have a leaner, yet more powerful, big Brother. Agile, powerful, open and efficient. That’s how Porsche describes their new 2011 Boxster Spyder. As the third model in the Boxster family, the Spyder is the lightest Porsche available, weighing in at a mere 2,811 lbs. The new lightweight performance roadster delivers 320 horses from its mid-engined 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine (that’s nearly 200 lbs less and 10 horse more than little brother Boxster S). The official press release, included below, has a top speed of 166 MPH and a 0 to 60 time of 4.6…

  • Stolen Porsche Boxster Helps Catch Killer

    993C4S
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm
    For those of you not familiar with this sad and gruesome story, a little more than a week ago Fargo dentist Philip Gattuso was found dead in his condominium. His home had been ransacked, his Porsche was missing, and according to court documents, he was killed by repeated blows to the head with a hammer. Only a few days later police had the suspected murderer in custody. How they were able to catch the alleged killer involves the help of the victim’s Porsche, video surveillance tape and reads like a scene from a prime time police thriller. According to police, Michael Nakvinda was paid…

  • Porsche Motorsport Terminology 101: Part 1

    993C4S
    1 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm
    So, you’ve decided it’s time to take the plunge and watch car racing on television. You flip on the SPEED channel and there is some kind of road racing going on. Many cars turn right and left and up and down; there are blind entries and exits, off camber turns and sometimes all of the above on the same corner. You recognize a BMW, perhaps a Corvette and then a screaming Porsche 911. Now you’re getting into it! You may not know the players in the drama (the teams and drivers) but now you know who you like in that particular race – a red and silver liveried (the car’s color…

  • Four, Unveiled, Without Compromise

    993C4S
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:10 pm
    Porsche dealerships around the country have been getting excited for the new Panamera for some time now. This exquisitely controversial (or controversially exquisite, depending on who you ask) four-door Porsche unveiled for sale to the public on October 15th, and I was fortunate enough to attend an unveiling held at a local Cincinnati, Ohio dealership, Porsche of the Village. I went down to the dealership a day early to grab some pictures of the one Panamera they had on hand (it was delivered early and not visible to the public) so I could get pictures without dozens of people in the shot.
 
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    Auto Observer

  • GM-Europe Chief Reportedly Quits; Opel Restructuring Begins

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:20 am
    The chief of General Motors European operations, Carl-Peter Forster, plans to leave the   company after this week's u-turn that calls for the automaker keeping rather than selling Opel. European media reports claim. GM's head of all international operations Nick Reilly is said to be stepping in for the time being. GM is not commenting on the personnel changes. However, on Thursday - the day after GM's announced it would keep Opel -- GM CEO Fritz Henderson told reporters in Detroit that a transition team is being quickly gathered to oversee the restructuring of GM's German…

  • Ford's New Inflatable Seatbelts to Launch with Next-Gen Explorer

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:36 am
    Hoping to mitigate crash-related injuries to a vehicle's rear-seat passengers, Ford Motor Co. unveiled what it is calling the auto industry's first seatbelts with integral air bags that inflate in an accident to provide additional protection. The new rear-seat inflatable seatbelts will be offered for the new-generation Ford Explorer crossover, which begins production next year, said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of sustainability, environmental and safety engineering. Although several automakers and safety-systems suppliers have in recent years shown concepts for inflatable…

  • Chrysler Outlines 'The Plan.' Now, Can it Work?

    5 Nov 2009 | 3:35 am
        After Chrysler Group LLC detailed an all-encompassing, five-year business plan to a horde of analysts and the media Wednesday, most left the company's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., wondering whether it was fair to judge the plan outlandish or merely wildly ambitious. The two critical components to Chrysler's rejuvenation at the direction of 20-percent owner and managing partner Fiat S.p.A.: a) a massive increase in global sales, from 1.3 million units projected for this year to 2.8 million by the plan's finish in 2014; and b) a wholesale but hardly radical…

  • Marchionne Disarms Alfa-In-U.S. Speculation, Calls Cost of Coming 300 Platform 'Shocking'

    4 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm
    At Chrysler Group LLC's unveiling of its 5-year business plan at its headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI, today, CEO Sergio Marchionne laid to rest a few rumors about the new joining of Chrysler and Fiat S.p.A. One of them was the long-rumored ambition for Fiat to use the alliance to distribute its Alfa Romeo brand in Chrysler's U.S. dealerships. There is no current plan to sell Alfas in Chrysler dealerships, said Marchionne. In wearing his Chrysler hat (he also is Fiat's CEO) Marchionne insisted that Alfa Romeo would have to "make a convincing case" about which Alfa Romeo…

  • Chrysler and Fiat's Lancia Brands to be Teamed

    4 Nov 2009 | 1:59 pm
    Outlining a 5-year plan to move Chrysler forward, managing partner Fiat S.p.A. will couple the Chrysler brand with Fiat's premium Lancia cars in some international markets. "Lancia and Chrysler have many things in common," said Michael Manley, Chrysler's president and CEO, Jeep brand and lead executive for international organization, said at Chrysler's presentation of its 5-year business plan Wednesday. Lancia, he said, has little exposure outside Italy. And most of Chrysler's brands have marginal impact in international markets. But Lancias definitely are Fiat's…
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    Green Car Advisor

  • Green Cars Get Green Light, Hybrid Sales Outperform Overall October Market

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:18 pm
    By John O'Dell, Senior Editor Spurred by factory incentives, replenished stocks and the relative freshness of several models, sales of hybrid-electric cars and SUVs soared in October, easily outperforming the market as a whole. Compared to October '08 - a month with six fewer hybrid models available - sales of Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota hybrids were up 12.1 percent, while sales of conventionally powered cars and trucks were flat. The one-month picture was even rosier, as October hybrid sales jumped 22.5 percent from September's, versus a 12.1 percent hike in…

  • Fisker Receives Danish American Innovation Award for Karma Plug-In Hybrid

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:24 am
    It's not often automakers get noticed for doing something good, so  we though we'd bring this tidbit about car designer-turned builder Henrik Fisker to your attention as a break from our usual Firday fare. Fisker showed off his upcoming Karma plug-in hybrid Thursday evening to a crowd of about 200 close friends, and future customers, at an event in Santa Monica highlighted by presentation of the Danish-American Chamber of Commerce's  2009 innovation award to Fisker. The native of Denmark, now CEO of California-based Fisker Automotive, was honored for "providing…

  • GM Hopes To Spice Up Ho Hum Hummer H3 Sales With Gas-Ethanol Flex Engine

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:36 am
    While waiting for final government approval of its sale of the ailing Hummer brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Corp., GM is hoping to give it a sales boost with the introduction next month of a flex-fuel engine for the 2010 H3 and H3T models. Adding E85 (ethanol) capability is part of the GM calls the brand's "evolution to offer responsible ... more efficient" models that don't sacrifice any of the big trucks' all-terrain capabilities. The 5.3-liter, 300 horsepower flex fuel V8 is a new engine that, GM says, will be a standard offering…

  • Leadng Chinese Automaker to Invest $879 Million Into Alternative Power Push

    5 Nov 2009 | 3:43 pm
    Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., one of China's largest automakers, said it plans to invest 6 billion yuan ($879 million) in developing alternative-fuel vehicles and related technologies in the next two years. SAIC's chairman, Hu Maoyuan, said the money would be equally divided among research, product development and component and vehicle manufacturing programs from now though 2011. The company plans to launch a line of hybrid and all-electric cars in China under the Roewe brand by 2012 and reportedly has begin testing a plug-in hybrid system of its own design. The effort is part…

  • White House Proposes 2-For-1 CAFE Credits for Zero Emissions Vehicles

    5 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pm
    Automaker Alliance Jumps On Board, EV-Makers Could Reap Huge Benefits Let the horse-trading begin. The Obama Administration, seeking to boost development of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, is suggesting that automakers be given CAFE credits that would let low and zero-emission vehicles count for up to two cars when annual fleet fuel efficiency averages are calculated. That standard would mean that an automaker seeking to meet the 35.5 MPG fleet average required by 2016 could use a single battery-electric car rated at, say, 100 miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent, to offset…
 
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    Straightline

  • Local Motors Shows Rally Fighter at SEMA: A Good Start, But...

    Ed Hellwig
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm
    This is the Rally Fighter, a kit car built by Local Motors, an upstart builder based in Massachusetts. Unlike most of the other custom-built cars at SEMA, the Rally Fighter was designed entirely through the use of crowd sourcing. Through competitions on its Web site, Local Motors asked users to submit designs and let the community choose its favorite. The Rally Fighter came out on top, so Local Motors commissioned the build and used crowd sourcing for everything from the engineering to the materials. It uses a BMW twin-turbo diesel power plant and various off-the-shelf parts to keep costs…

  • Pre-Production Underway on Fast & Furious 5

    Ed Hellwig
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am
    After the resounding/inexplicable success of the last installment of the Fast & Furious series, work has now started in earnest on yet another chapter in the lucrative franchise. Care to guess the plotline? IL News: Fast & Furious Five Starts Pre-Production

  • 2010 Concorso Italiano To Host Gathering of Ferrari F40s

    Ed Hellwig
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:20 am
    Next summer's Concourso Italiano held during the Pebble Beach weekend in August will feature a gathering of Ferrari F40s to celebrate 20 years in the U.S. There's actually a Ferrari F40 Reunion Group and it's aiming to attract as many as, wait for it, 40 F40s to the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch on August 13th. Concorso Italiano

  • South Korean Woman Finally Passes Driver's Test After 950 Tries

    Ed Hellwig
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am
    Yep, you read that right. According to Sky News, Cha Sa-Soon of South Korea has been taking and failing driver's tests daily since 2005. It has cost her nearly $4,000 over the years, but she never gave up, finally passing with a reassuring 60%. Oh, and this was just the written part. She still has to take the actual driving test before getting a license. Sky: 950th Time is a Charm for Leaner Driver

  • Video: Dump Truck Pushed Off Fourth Floor of Packard Building in Detroit

    Ed Hellwig
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am
    Why did these people spend nearly four months trying to push this dump truck off the fourth floor of the abandoned Packard building in Detroit? Because it was there and no one was around to tell them not to. It's just one part of a Wall Street Journal article about how Detroit has become a vandal's paradise thanks to an endless supply of empty buildings. Quite the uplifting read. Video after the break. WSJ: How Do You Put the Dump in Dump Truck? Push It Off the Fourth Floor
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    Long-Term Road Tests

  • 2009 Nissan GT-R: How's it Ride?

    Mike Magrath
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:42 pm
      Ever want to know what it's like to ride in a GT-R on the highway? Well, yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Driving north on highway 5, I saw this truck hauling a black GT-R and though the picture would be cool. With the shutter of my point-and-shoot set at 1/100 and with a wide focal length it should've been pretty sharp, afterall, it was a fairly bright morning. Well, it's not...and yes, I was in COMF. *Kurt Niebuhr just saw the picture and added this: Yeah, it kinda does ride like that. Like it's being hung off the back of a truck." Mike Magrath,…

  • 2010 Volvo XC60: Our Favorite Caption

    Donna DeRosa
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:17 pm
    Thanks to gooney911 for this week's favorite caption. Here are the others that had us rolling: The Soon to be Flat and the Furious (ergsum)Squishy and the Bandit (ergsum)Girl Scout Troop 4723 got their nuts crushed. (ergsum)Well, Volvo IS Latin for 'I roll'. (eidolways)This Volvo DOES have roll-over protection, right? (eidolways)Swede Bump (ergsum)Geely better hurry up with that check. (thejohnp)Edmund's searches for run flat tires. (hybris)These new run flat testing standards are getting out of hand (wable)Volvo - Become one with the road (mnorm1)All right, let's roll!

  • 2010 Honda Insight EX: Hybrid System Walkaround

    Dan Edmunds
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:45 pm
    Ever wondered what it takes to build a hybrid? Well, that depends on what sort of hybrid you're talking about. The hybrids that Toyota and Ford put out are complex (and effective) series-parallel hybrids, meaning they can run on gas, electricity, a direct parallel blending of the two or a series piggyback mode where the gas engine generates electricity for the battery while an electric motor uses that electricity to drive the car. It takes two powerful electric motors that are integrated into a mind-bending (but mechanically quite simple) planetary CVT system to pull this…

  • 2009 Honda Fit Sport: Honda's Shifting Priorities

    Josh Sadlier
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:35 am
    Last week I called the Honda Fit the "no-brainer" winner among econoboxes, and nothing changed my mind in the spirited discussion that ensued. But what I'm stuck on today is the fact that the Fit is frankly the only no-brainer Honda has left. Back in the day, this company was an engineer's delight, pushing the envelope with thrilling VTEC engines, focused interior designs, distinctive low cowls and sophisticated driving dynamics. Now it makes the Pilot and the TSX and the overrated Accord. What happened? Where did the…

  • 2010 Honda Insight EX: NorCal Road Trip

    Bryn MacKinnon
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am
    Monday is Veterans Day, so I'm packing the family (two adults and one 3-year-old) into the Insight for a long holiday weekend up California's coast. Staying one night in Morro Bay and the rest in Berkeley, with at least one day trip into San Francisco planned. That means I've got approximately 800 miles to see how the little hybrid handles elevation gains, lots of kid-related luggage and bony rears. I'll give you the whole story when I get back next week. Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com
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    Up to Speed

  • Aptera to try again for federal loan from the DOE

    Martin Zimmerman
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm
    Fledgling electric car maker Aptera Motors hopes a law recently signed by President Obama will give it another shot at winning financial support from the federal government. The Vista-based automaker has been working for several years to bring its quirky, three-wheel, two-passenger electric car to market. Aptera suffered a setback in December when the U.S. Department of Energy rejected its application for a loan under a $25-billion program designed to speed development of fuel-efficient vehicles. The reason, according to Aptera, was that the loans were available only for passenger…

  • When it comes to seat belts, Ford may have a better idea

    Martin Zimmerman
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:23 am
    Ford is introducing an inflatable seat belt for back seat passengers that it hopes will reduce injuries in front and side crashes. The device will initially be available only as an option on the next-generation Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle, which goes into production next year. But safety experts say it has the potential to become widespread in the auto industry as car companies look for a marketing edge. “The advancements in crash protection have focused a lot on front seat occupants, and this is a way to better protect rear seat occupants as well,” said Russ Rader, a spokesman…

  • Electric truck company lands in Stockton

    Martin Zimmerman
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:18 pm
    The latest entrant in California’s fledgling electric-vehicle industry officially opened its doors today. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other politicos were on hand as Electric Vehicles International unveiled its new U.S. production facility in Stockton — the town EVI now calls home after moving from Austin, Texas. In partnership with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., a truck manufacturer owned by German auto giant Daimler, EVI plans to convert medium-duty delivery trucks to all-electric operation. Although it has no orders in hand yet, the company said it expects to deliver 1,000…

  • AIDA: It's more than an opera

    Martin Zimmerman
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:59 am
    Between GPS, cruise control, voice-activated communication and entertainment systems and automated parking assist, we’re getting pretty accustomed to having our cars tell us what to do. MIT and Volkswagen want to take that concept a few steps further with AIDA, a dashboard-mounted robotic device that use myriad sources of information to help you plan travel routes, dodge traffic jams, find heretofore unrealized entertainment opportunities and avoid running out of gas. AIDA (which stands for Affective Intelligent Driving Agent) doesn’t actually control your car. Instead, it monitors…

  • Electric motorcycle maker Brammo gains momentum

    Susan Carpenter
    29 Oct 2009 | 2:43 pm
    It’s been quite a week for Brammo Inc., the Oregon-based manufacturer of the Enertia electric motorcycle. Last Saturday, the company celebrated the opening of its first California sales outlet at the Best Buy store in El Segundo, where it held an event to unveil the for-sale version of its long-awaited product "and show people that it really existed," said Chief Executive Craig Bramscher, who days later flew to Washington  after accepting an invitation to the White House. Saturday also marked the conclusion of the Shocking Barack tour, a publicity stunt the company had…
 
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    Sports Car Digest

  • Algarve Historic Festival – Results and Photos

    Sports Car Digest
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    The inaugural Algarve Historic Festival was held October 16-18, 2009 at the new Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal. With 16 races for 12 Historic Racing Car categories, the Algarve Historic Festival was the biggest historic motor racing event ever held in Portugal and Spain. “As good as Spa or the Brands Hatch GP circuit”… “Really tricky to learn”… “Bloody fantastic!” These were just some of the comments about the new Algarve International Autodrome (...) Read the rest of Algarve Historic Festival – Results and Photos © Sports Car Digest for…

  • New Board Members at LeMay Museum

    Sports Car Digest
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    LeMay – America’s Car Museum recently appointed two new directors to the board at the board meeting held last month. Moray Callum, Executive Director of Ford America Design and Richard Davis, President and CEO of Standard Parts Corporation were both named to the LeMay Museum board of directors during the meeting. David Lowe Madeira, President and CEO of LeMay – America’s Car Museum expressed his enthusiasm about the growth of the board (...) Read the rest of New Board Members at LeMay Museum © Sports Car Digest for Sports Car Digest - The Sports, Racing and Vintage Car…

  • HSCC Historic Saloon Cars at Silverstone – Results and Photos

    Sports Car Digest
    4 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    Story and photos by Simon Wright The final round of the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) Historic Saloon Cars took place October 17th, 2009 at the Silverstone National circuit. The HSCC Historic Saloon Car Championship is open to cars that were in series production before 1966. Dan Cox, leading the championship, put his 1964 Ford Lotus Cortina on pole position from Graeme Dodd Jaguar Mk II by 0.069 of a second. At the start of the race (...) Read the rest of HSCC Historic Saloon Cars at Silverstone – Results and Photos © Sports Car Digest for Sports Car Digest - The Sports, Racing and…

  • 1950s Concept Cars Featured at Arizona Sale – RM Auctions

    Sports Car Digest
    3 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Five very unique cars created by Detroit’s automakers are set for RM’s ‘Automobiles of Arizona’ event this coming January, including the 1954 Mercury XM-800 Dream Car, the 1956 Cadillac Maharani Motorama Show Car, a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado ‘Raindrop’ Dream Car, an all-original 1956 Chrysler Plainsman Concept Car by Ghia, presented in ‘as found’ condition, and the Lincoln Sentinel ‘Styling Buck’. (...) Read the rest of 1950s Concept Cars Featured at Arizona Sale – RM Auctions © Sports Car Digest for Sports Car Digest - The Sports, Racing and Vintage…

  • Masterpiece – Style & Speed Showcase Best of Show

    Sports Car Digest
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    The Masterpiece – Style & Speed Showcase took place at Milwaukee’s Veteran’s Park on the shores of Lake Michigan on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2009. The event raises funds for the programs and services of Jewish Family Services (JFS). Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance was a gathering of rare and premium vintage automobiles selected for their beauty or historic importance.  (...) Read the rest of Masterpiece – Style & Speed Showcase Best of Show © Sports Car Digest for Sports Car Digest - The Sports, Racing and Vintage Car Journal, 2009. | Permalink |…
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    The CarGurus Blog

  • Fiat 500 Will Be in Chrysler Showrooms in 2010

    jgoods
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am
    Finally, something from Chrysler-Fiat that makes sense: importing the Fiat 500 to the U.S. Contrary to what some skeptics are saying, this move will help struggling Chrysler regain needed positive press and, perhaps, finally establish a niche market for its new products. The 500 is a great car: well-designed, well-built, with an Italian flair that cannot be duplicated. A year ago, it was voted Best Compact Car in Japan by some 80,000 people polled. The MINI Cooper and the New Beetle have been named as competition. I think that’s wrong, as each car will appeal to rather distinct market…

  • The 8 Best Cars of SEMA

    tgriffith
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is all about the mods. And we’re not just talking paint jobs and rear wings, we’re talking completely rebuilt and heavily modified aftermarket car heaven. The show wrapped up yesterday, and here are the eight best cars that were there: Delta Tech Engineering’s Suzuki Kizashi While the stock Kizashi looks pretty darn good (for a Suzuki), this version makes it look downright hot. It was given a big open grille, a cold air intake, custom exhaust and all LED or HID lights. Sweet! Carbon Fiber Mustang Carbon fiber use was a bit of a theme this…

  • Two New Germans to Lust After: BMW M3 GTS and Porsche Boxster Spyder

    jgoods
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am
    BMW has created an M3 for the track, a car for club racing like Porsche’s 911 GT3 Clubsport, either of which would inspire dark lust in any Car Guru in his right mind. But it’s also homologated, says Autoweek, for the street if you register it as such. This car has all the goodies you would expect for $150-170,000—carbon-fiber roof, stripped interior, roll cage, etc. It weighs in at 3,285 pounds, 419 less than the regular M3. And it has a revised M3 suspension, 7-speed dual-clutch tranny with paddles, electronic differential, new brakes, and much more. The M3’s V8 power is up 30 hp to…

  • Cars Coming Soon-> Chrysler Edition

    tgriffith
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am
    Fiat 500 Abarth: the most exciting car from Chrysler coming in the next two years My memories of Chrysler are not good. When I was a kid, my parents had a Chrysler Le Baron. It trapped my younger brother in a seat belt that refused to unclick. Not long after, the engine blew up. Thankfully, my brother was already released from the Le Baron’s ugly grasp. I’ve been resentful of Chrysler ever since, and I have to admit I even felt a little bit of glee as I watched the company’s quality and sales numbers sink. Today, I think it’s time to give up my long-standing ill will…

  • General Motors Lurches Forward, Deciding to Keep Opel

    jgoods
    4 Nov 2009 | 10:56 am
    2010 Opel Astra GM has reneged on a deal that was almost closed, choosing not to sell Opel/Vauxhall and leaving the Germans angry. The latest chapter in this complicated story came after a Tuesday GM board meeting in Detroit that put forward the new corporate strategy. The company has pledged to pay back about €1.1 billion in bridge loans from German sources. GM’s move is a setback for Magna, the prospective buyer, and the German government, which reacted predictably, and the German unions, which have offered to strike. As we last reported, the decision comes on the heels of European…
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    Car Envy

  • SEMA: Ringbrothers Fairlane Afterburner!

    Peter
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:45 am
    At the strange and wonderful SEMA, held every year in Las Vegas to showcase the aftermarket performance scene, you’re likely to come across some pretty grotesque offences to good taste. The flavour of the day this year is the 2010 Chevy Camaro – there are about a million different gaudily modified Camaros with superchargers and [...]

  • Review: Ferrari 458 Italia

    Peter
    5 Nov 2009 | 4:45 pm
    Don’t let the title fool you, this is an Autocar UK review. CarEnvy’s review should be up sometime in the next… 10 years? In the meantime, we have this, the first video review of the 458 Italia. While hardly the most entertaining review (it sounds disturbingly like a press release), it’s still great to hear the [...]

  • Citroën C6 and Sean Connery

    Peter
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:04 pm
    The Citroën C6, renowned for its sublime ride quality and its departure from Citroën’s ergonomically eccentric past, once a Double-Oh for a spokesman. While we don’t know when this advertisement was made, it’s still a classy piece today. Watch Sean Connery as the supple Citroën ride turns back the clock to a time when he [...]

  • Revealed: 2011 Porsche Boxter Spyder

    Stirling
    5 Nov 2009 | 12:50 pm
    Porsche just sent out this press release of a new model that has all of the usual improvements. It's lighter (lightest actually), faster (4.6 0-100), and slightly more powerful (10 horsies), but that's actually not what I care about. The Boxter S is already a fast car with great handling, improving that is cool but I have always hated the styling. Why must the back of a Boxter look exactly like the front? Not any more, the redundantly named Boxter Spyder's ass and face are not easy to confuse. It's still a Porsche, and therefore a little stale, but this new Porsche does look nice. It will go…

  • Hyundai’s Cheapeast PR Coup Ever

    Janaki
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:50 am
    You probably recall our post last week about how Canada houses the worst parker in the world? Likewise, you probably recall our mention that Hyundai presented one of the unfortunate victims of this Toronto blight with a shiny new Elantra. Here’s video of the presentation. It’s a shiny new Elantra Touring wagon. And Todd Jamison, [...]
 
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    Bush's Auto Blog

  • Video: Ferrari 458 Italia - Review by evo's Chris Harris

    Bush's Auto Blog
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:46 pm
    Yes, in case you hadn't already heard, Chris Harris has left Autocar and made a new home at evo. As I've always been a fan of Harris' road/track tests, I couldn't wait to check out what his impressions of the Ferrari 458 Italia were. Check out the videos below as Chris puts the 458 Italia through it's thoroughbred paces on both the road and track. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.Road:Track:Source: evo

  • Porsche Boxster Spyder: New Photos and Video Released

    Bush's Auto Blog
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:32 am
    It was just yesterday that the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder was officially revealed. Now, Porsche has released new hi-res images of the car along with a new video titled "Unleashed." Also, note the color options pictured below. The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be available in seven colors - black, guards red, Carrera white, basalt black, aqua blue, artic silver and cream white.Click here for full specs and information of the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder Officially Revealed w/ Video

    Bush's Auto Blog
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:23 pm
    Today, Porsche has officially revealed a lighter, faster and more powerful Boxster to their lineup. The new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder is currently the lightest car available from the Porsche. Weighing just 2,811 lbs, the Porsche Boxster Spyder "represents the true, purist form of the sports car – agile, powerful, open and efficient."On the exterior, a new lightweight, Speedster-like top and side windows along with a Carrera GT style single-piece rear lid separate the Boxster Spyder from it's Boxster and Boxster S siblings. In addition to the aesthetical features, the Spyder is 20 mm lower…

  • BMW M3 GTS Revealed - Lighter, Stronger, Oranger

    Bush's Auto Blog
    4 Nov 2009 | 8:12 pm
    BMW M-Power has introduced the world to the latest incarnation of the iconic BMW M3. Dubbed the BMW M3 GTS, this race car for the road is everything you ever thought a M3 could be (and maybe more). Cutting to the chase, this is the most hard-core M3 ever to hit the street.Obviously, the car's bright orange paint-job is the first thing you will notice. But beyond the paint, the BMW M3 GTS features a Schwarzeneggeresque musculature, housing 19-inch wheels covered in 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear. Six piston front and four piston rear fixed brake calipers, new yellow M springs,…

  • "Welcome to the Family" - Porsche and IFC Create a Truly Spectacular Documentary

    Bush's Auto Blog
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:29 pm
    Porsche and IFC (Independent Film Channel) have teamed up to create one of the best documentaries of the brand that I've ever seen. Titled, "Welcome to the Family," the film follows seven stories of Porsche owners and each special love affair with the marque. Check out the preview with Jerry Seinfeld below.From Jerry Seinfeld to a twenty year old weekend racer, each owner's story is unique, yet all carry the same common bond. If you love Porsche, or just share the same passion of automobiles, this documentary is must watch.Click here to watch the full 30 minute documentary from Porsche and…
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    Ride Lust - Motion + Mobility

  • Dodge Viper To Halt Production In 2010, Successor Due In 2012

    Suzanne Denbow
    5 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm
    Contrary to the wash of fantastic, extremely inaccurate reports currently making their way around the web detailing the tragic demise of the iconic Dodge Viper, Chrysler has no intention of killing of the supercharged snake. Heavily revising it beyond the point of recognition, yes, killing it, not exactly. As detailed during the 6-hour press conference hosted by Chrysler yesterday, the Dodge Viper as we currently know it will cease production in 2010 and be replaced by a Fiat-engineered successor in 2012. What has sparked the deluge of rumors are the suggestions that the new Viper will be…

  • Ford Introduces World’s First Inflatable Seat Belts

    Suzanne Denbow
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:41 am
    Taking a very well-worn page from their Swedish subsidiary’s book, Ford unveiled today the newest innovation in passive safety technology: the world’s first inflatable seat belt. Set to appear for the first time in the 2011 Ford Explorer, Ford claims the new belt combine the most important safety components of an airbag and a seat belt to create the ultimate exercise in overprotective motoring. When deployed, the discreetly folded airbag breaks through the belt and inflates across the passenger’s chest, increasing the diameter of the seat belt and allowing it to act more…

  • BMW 135i M To Drop In 2011 [Developing Story]

    Suzanne Denbow
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:12 am
    Taking another stab at truly entry-level luxury, BMW has confirmed their rumored intention to introduce the 135i M Series in 2011. Aside from the official announcement, little information is known about BMW’s new M other than that it will be a significant break from Motosport nomenclature tradition thanks largely to the M1 due out in 2012. Apparently, despite the fact that M vehicles sales took quite a beating this year thanks the miserable economy, BMW has apparently judged the market ripe for the mini M’s invasion. We will have more on this story as the information is released.

  • BMW M3 GTS To Challenge M Community Cred

    Suzanne Denbow
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:20 am
    Just when you thought your reputation at the track was safely ensconced within the custom leather interior of your M3, BMW releases the M3 GTS. Outfitted with a rollcage and a six-point racing harness, the M3 GTS is designed to separate the truly discerning motorsport enthusiasts from the wealthy housewives/heiresses/frat boys and – the audacity! – doesn’t even come with an automatic transmission offering. As a matter of fact, the M3 GTS is a death sentence on 19″ M light-alloy Competition rims for the hardcore poseur, which could be the primary reason BMW as no plans…

  • 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Pricing To Start At $18,999

    Suzanne Denbow
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am
    We’ve yet to take a spin behind the wheel of the new Suzuki Kizashi, but that hasn’t stopped us from falling head over heels for the design (two words: dual exhaust). As a matter of fact, so enamored are we by one of the first 4-wheeled Suzuki products that doesn’t appear destined to suck, we’re not even phased by the $20k pricing announcement. As mentioned above, pricing will begin at $18,999 for the entry-level Kizashi S and climb as high as $26,749 for the premium, Kizashi GTS. All total there will be 4 trim levels, including the Kizashi S, SE, GTS, and SLS. Despite…
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    Car Throttle

  • Scion xB Pickup At SEMA By ADF

    TonyBorroz
    6 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm
    File this under “why didn’t they think of this before”, but a customizer outfit by the name of ADF took the latest Scion xB box, and chopped it into a pickup configuration. Maybe I missed if anyone had done this before, but to me it seems like a no-brainer. Pick ups are just boxes with the upper rear quarter cut out, and here’s Scion, with two generations of the xB urbo-box under its belt, and it’s taken someone this long to get out the saws-all and get to work. ADF, which stands for Advanced Design Fabricators by the way, took a formerly stock Scion xB (a car…

  • SEMA 2009: Jay Leno Camaro

    Tony
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:34 pm
    You know you’re a big name in the car industry when you have a car concept by a big manufacturer named after you. That is exactly the case with one of General Motors’ Camaro concepts at SEMA, dubbed simply the Jay Leno Camaro. As expected, the Jay Leno Camaro is far more than just an appearance package being powered by the standard 3.6L direct injection V-6. Wait, what? Might have caused a double take there. The car has a pair of Turbonetics T3 turbochargers that provide about seven pounds of boost to the car’s engine, making 425 horsepower along the way. To go along with…

  • VIDEO: Porsche Boxster Spyder Driving Footage

    Tony
    5 Nov 2009 | 8:16 pm
    The Porsche Boxster Spyder was just released today, and it will be making it’s debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Boxster Spyder is the lightest model in the Porsche lineup, weighing in at 2,811 pounds, about 176 pounds less than the standard car. Weight reductions are achieved by the lightweight Spyder-specific top and the use of aluminum door skins from the 911 GT3 RS. Today’s announcemment included high-resolution images, but Porsche has also made a video of driving footage showing the Boxster Spyder winding its way through the mountains. Usually we have to…

  • SAM Reborn As Re-Volt In Poland

    TonyBorroz
    5 Nov 2009 | 2:06 pm
    In an alternate universe/ distopian world, Jeremy Clarkson would be punished for his excesses by being forced to drive one of these. Say ‘hello!’ to the Re-Volt (no, really, that’s its honest to God name). It used be called SAM, but now they’ve resurrected it, and are building it in Poland, calling it the Re-Volt and will actually be trying to sell it. You know, I’ve got nothing against electric vehicles, conceptually speaking. I don’t care how I get down the road, just as long as I can do it quickly, with as much style as doesn’t get in the way.

  • Toyota Pulls Out of Formula One

    Tony
    5 Nov 2009 | 1:39 pm
    The economic crisis has hurt everyone – particularly General Motors and Chrysler of course, but a close third would have to be Toyota. The company has seen sales fall sharply, making once-huge profits turn into deep losses. Toyota’s leadership has seen that some of the problems go deeper than that though. Products like the Toyota FT-86 and Lexus LFA are supposed to rectify the enthusiasm gap. Now, Toyota has made the official announcement that the company will be pulling out of Formula One. Signaling its intention of bigger and better things, Toyota has made an effort to get…
 
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    Driving Sports

  • DevToaster Rev 2.0 for iPhone

    MediaSpigot LLC
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:44 am
    While walking the floor at SEMA 2009, my eyes were drawn to an oversized iPhone display. It was cycling through a collection of gauges and showing off live trackday data. I had to find out more. Ah, yes, Rev. This is an app from a small development company out of San Francisco called Dev Toaster. Rev [...] No related posts.

  • Sema Twitter Gallery 2

    MediaSpigot LLC
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:50 pm
    The second day of the Las Vegas SEMA show brought more of the same: Great cars and big names in the city of sin. To read the comments, check out our twitter stream. Related posts:Sema 2009 Twitter Gallery 1ChumpCar Twitter Gallery Related posts:Sema 2009 Twitter Gallery 1ChumpCar Twitter Gallery

  • ChumpCar – Seen Through Fresh Eyes

    MediaSpigot LLC
    4 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am
    By Stacy Sinclair I’d never been to a car racetrack before, but I’ve been called a “lead-foot” since I first learned to drive. I had never imagined why people would be interested in driving in circles for hours. This is like the mystery of people riding stationary bikes or doing elliptical machines rather than going out [...] Related posts:ChumpCar Twitter GalleryChumpCar Recap: Racing Glory in a $500 Junker

  • Sema 2009 Twitter Gallery 1

    MediaSpigot LLC
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:09 am
    Another year, another SEMA show. We've been live tweeting from the floor in Las Vegas and have rounded up all the pictures from Day 1 for you to enjoy. Related posts:Sema Twitter Gallery 2ChumpCar Twitter Gallery Related posts:Sema Twitter Gallery 2ChumpCar Twitter Gallery

  • Kia Takes the Forte Koup Racing

    MediaSpigot LLC
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:13 pm
    Kia unveiled its U.S. motorsports program at the 2009 SEMA Show today. KMA has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class. "The Forte Koup is the latest chapter in the dramatic Kia brand transformation story, [...] Related posts:Total Transformation: 2010 Kia ForteFIAT takes 35% stake in Chrysler
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    Corvette: Sales, News & Lifestyle

  • SEMA 2009: First Look at New Genuine Corvette Accessories

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am
    Thanks to our friend Berry Lowman, we have photos of the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport that Chevy took to SEMA to showcase a new lineup of Genuine Corvette Accessories. We see several of the new accessories listed in the Chevy press release like the "Tech" patterned engine covers and interior console trim, but we also see a new 7-spoke chrome wheel with a Corvette logo insert on display as well. [More]

  • [VIDEO] Kerbeck Corvette's Toys for Tots Run 2009

    4 Nov 2009 | 3:15 pm
    Kerbeck Corvette held their 6th annual Toys for Tots Corvette run and and the Corvette community turned out big time! Over 800 Corvettes showed up bearing more than 3,000 toys that will be distributed by the Marines to underprivledged kids during the holidays. Former Chief Engineer Dave McLellan led the procession of new and classic Corvettes and even the police escorts showed their support! A Corvette wave goes out to all who participated!  

  • [PICS] Corvettes of 2009's La Carrera Panamericana

    3 Nov 2009 | 9:08 pm
    La Carrera Panamericana is a 7 day/2,000 mile road rally run in stages along Mexico's Panamerican Highway. Here are two Corvettes that recently competed in the classic south-of-the-border race. [More]

  • SEMA 2009: Accessorized Corvette Grand Sport with Heritage Package

    3 Nov 2009 | 2:52 pm
    Earlier this year, Chevrolet announced the return of the Corvette Grand Sport model. It?s a track-oriented Corvette with wider wheels and tires, special suspension tuning and unique exterior details. The Corvette Grand Sport achieves a 0-60 time of less than four seconds, pulls 1.0 g on the skid pad and still boasts an EPA-rated highway fuel economy 26 mpg. GM is now at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas where they announced a slew of cool accessories for the new Grand Sport. [More]

  • October 2009 Corvette Sales

    3 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm
    GM released the October sales report today that shows 1,154 Corvettes were delivered last month. This is a decrease of 27% over September's 1,585 deliveries and 1.4% off October 2008's sales of 1,170. For the calendar year (January-October) 11,949 Corvettes have been delivered, a decreased of 51.3% from the 24,554 Corvettes sold over the same time period in 2008. [More]
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    The rightpedal weblog

  • SCOOP: Slumping BMW 3-Series sales push up successor

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:26 pm
    Despite a recent facelift, sales of the current BMW 3-Series reportedly dropped 40% during the first half of 2009, prompting BMW to accelerate the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter car. Codenamed F30, the new car will debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The new car's styling was signed off by now-departed BMW Group design boss Chris Bangle and is said to be a departure from the current car's looks. Many changes will take place on the engine side. The 335i, while featuring the venerable inline-6 engine, will lose one of its two turbochargers and go down to 280 hp.

  • VIDEO: Ferrari 458 Italia driven

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:01 pm
    The introduction of any new Ferrari is a momentous occasion, and we all took notice when the 458 Italia was introduced a few months ago. The Italia replaces a massively popular car, the 430, meaning that it had to take a huge leap forward in performance and technology. On that front, Ferrari does not disappoint. The 4.5L, direct-injected V8 produces 392 lb-ft of torque and 562 hp, a whopping 70 hp more than the 430. The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch unit and sadly, no manual transmission, with that lovely, traditional Ferrari gated shifter will be available. Alas, such are the…

  • VIDEO: which (crazy) Subaru to drive at a ski resort

    5 Nov 2009 | 6:48 pm
    We freely admit, we will post anything pertaining to Ken Block on this blog. The guy is creative, crazy, cool and talented. Case in point, the Subaru Trax STi, being promoted by DC Shoes and Ken Block of course.As you would expect, the Trax is nothing more than an experimental vehicle. However, it can already claim the title of the world's fastest cat track operation automobile. The Trax STi starts life with Ken Block's competition-ready Subaru WRX STI, gets rid of the tires, adds snow cat tracks, and gets suspension upgrades to be able to pull off what you see in the below video.The Trax was…

  • VIDEO: BMW unveils hardcore M3 GTS

    5 Nov 2009 | 6:11 pm
    Well, we (car blogs) all guessed wrong when we reported that the arrival of a BMW M3 CSL was imminent. But we were not too far off, as BMW has in fact unveiled a hardcore version of the M3. It is called the GTS and while it is road-legal, it is really a weekend clubsport racer. The car comes replete with loud "look at how fast I am" bits like the front splitter and a massive, fixed rear wing, but according to the BMW M-Power site spotlighting the car, the real delight is the engine. The 4.4L V8 is good for a whopping 450 hp which along with a weight of only 3285 lbs. (419 lbs. less than that…

  • VIDEO: Porsche Boxster Spyder revealed

    5 Nov 2009 | 5:51 pm
    The ghost of James Dean must want one of these. Porsche has just released pictures and details of a successor the iconic 550 Spyder of 1953 that was made immortal by the Hollywood heartthrob. Externally, the differences between the Spyder and its sister Boxsters is abundantly clear. The most striking change is the double-bubble rear deck featuring a larger diffuser. Of course, the canvas roof gives the car a dramatic yesteryear look, while the old-school Porsche door decals harken back to a more classic era. Up front, daylight running lights are gone in order to make room for reshaped air…
 
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    auto-media.info

  • HYUNDAI MOVES INTO TIMES SQUARE WITH NEW OUTDOOR AD CAMPAIGN

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:51 am
    FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 11/05/2009 Hyundai Motor America moved into one of the world’s most high-profile advertising venues with a new Times Square billboard. The space at 2 Times Square in the heart of the famous “crossroads of the world” is a cubed shaped sign offering three display faces.  The front display has two LED screens showing [...]

  • Advance sales for Passat BlueMotion now underway

    admin
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:14 am
    In addition, Volkswagen expands BlueMotion Technology range Wolfsburg, 04 November 2009 – Never before has Volkswagen had so many fuel-efficient and clean models in its range – now ten more new ready-to-order variants are joining the list. In addition to the Passat BlueMotion, an impressive proposition with a consumption of a mere 4.4 litres of fuel [...]

  • FORD INTRODUCES INDUSTRY’S FIRST INFLATABLE SEAT BELTS TO ENHANCE REAR SEAT SAFETY

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:49 pm
    * Ford introduces the auto industry’s first-ever production inflatable seat belts, which are designed to provide additional protection for rear-seat occupants, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries * Ford’s inflatable rear seat belts will debut on the next-generation Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle, which goes into [...]

  • We want a different ending

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 11:37 pm
    Maranello, 4 November 2009 – It could be seen as a parody of “Ten Little Indians,” the detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in England back in 1939, but the reality is much more serious. Formula 1 continues to lose major players: in the past twelve months, Honda, BMW, Bridgestone and, only this morning, [...]

  • Bugatti presents 16C Galibier Concept in Los Angeles

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:39 pm
    The most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four-door automobile in the world Los Angeles, November 5, 2009 – What was revealed at the climax of Bugatti’s centenary celebrations in September at its headquarters in Molsheim, was today presented to customers and opinion-makers in Los Angeles: the Bugatti 16C Galibier concept – designed as the most exclusive, [...]
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    Motorlogy.com

  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder at L.A. Auto Show

    admin
    5 Nov 2009 | 9:03 pm
    Weighing in at just 2,811 lbs., the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche available – from a company known for lightweight, proficient sports cars. This new mid-engined roadster represents the true, purist form of the sports car – agile, powerful, open and efficient. This third Boxster model will join the Boxster [...]Related posts:2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster at NY Auto Show Less than a year after the introduction of the all-new...New York Auto Show 2009 Concept Cars The New York International Auto Show will, as usual, feature...All-New Acura ZDX Debuts at NY…

  • Subaru Reveals Legacy GTk at SEMA 2009

    admin
    2 Nov 2009 | 7:08 pm
    Subaru of America, Inc. is showcasing the Legacy GTk, a concept for a track-ready sport wagon, at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6. A unique design and “added bonus” in the cargo area make the Legacy GTk the perfect car for a family day at [...]Related posts:Subaru Announces EPA figures for 2010 Legacy Subaru of America today announced the EPA fuel economy results...New 2010 Subaru Legacy at NY Auto Show Subaru today announced that the all-new 2010 Legacy sedan will debut...Top Safety Pick Awards for…

  • New Compact Crossover from Mitsubishi

    admin
    1 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am
    Mitsubishi announced the forthcoming introduction of its all-new on-road Compact Crossover, to be retailed first in Japan from February 2010 onwards.  Derived from the much-acclaimed 2007 Concept-cX show car, it is the latest development of MMC’s mid-size global platform (”Project Global’).This most important product will further support Mitsubishi Motors’ strategic shift from being an SUV-focused nameplate [...]Related posts:All-New 2010 Kia Forte Compact Sedan Kia Motors launched the all-new 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan in...Mitsubishi Lancer is a Finalist in the…

  • Lexus Debuts Revised LS 600h L Hybrid

    admin
    29 Oct 2009 | 2:24 am
    The Lexus LS 600h L sedan, the first vehicle to bring fuel-efficient gasoline-electric hybrid technology to the prestige luxury segment, debuts revised styling and new telematics systems for 2010. The brand’s flagship model, the LS 600h L – the “L” signifying the long-wheelbase LS platform — provides the highest level of performance, technology and luxury in [...]Related posts:Lexus HS 250h – The World’s First Dedicated Luxury Hybrid Car This week Lexus announced the latest addition to its entry-luxury sedan...Lexus Announces Prices for 2010 Models Lexus today…

  • Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept

    admin
    28 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am
    Twizy Z.E. Concept is an all-electric vehicle aimed primarily at busy city dwellers who need to pick their way through the urban jungle. Every day, they juggle work commitments with a busy social life, so efficiency, speed and simplicity are key. The ultra-compact dimensions of Twizy Z.E. Concept (2.30m in length, and just 1.13m wide) ensure [...]Related posts:Concept Cars: Renault Z.E. concept Based on the brand new Renault Kangoo be bop, Z.E....Shanghai 2009: Peugeot RD Concept On the occasion of the Shanghai Motor Show, a life-size...Scion Reveals iQ Concept At the New York Auto Show…
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    Easy Car Blog

  • Shelby Creates A Turbo Package For The Ford Mustang

    Dean
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:33 am
    Shelby Automobiles has released a new turbo package for the 2007-2008 Shelby GT’s, as well as the 2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT models. These packages will work on the manual transmission models.The price will start at $21,599 and they do not include the car. The changes feature new turbochargers, for more power. “Though we’ve offered supercharged packages [...]

  • GM Has Been Accused Of Blackmail And Intimidation

    Dean
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:31 am
    Opel workers have complained that GM’s decision revolving around the German brand are not worthy. Opel workers feel that the brand will not be able to survive under the US ownership. GM has also been accused of “threats, blackmail and intimidation”, as Opel labor leader Klaus Franz said in a report. Officials have said that GM [...]

  • Fiat’s 500 Will Hit Selected Chrysler Dealerships In 2010

    Dean
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:24 am
    Chrysler are planning to sell all variants of the 500 hatchback in the US. These models include the normal hatch, the convertible and the Abarth variant. These models will be sold through Chrysler dealerships, where they will still be badged as Fiat models. Not all of the dealers will receive these models, as the mini car [...]

  • Ford’s Brand New Inflatable Seat Belt For Rear Passengers

    Dean
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am
    Ford has developed a new set of seat belts for better safety. The new airbag seatbelts will combine traditional security, along with inflated power to provide an increased level of protection for all rear passengers the car. “Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children [...]

  • Honda’s UK Built Civic 3-Door Will Go On Sale In Japan

    Dean
    6 Nov 2009 | 8:17 am
    The UK-produced Honda Civic Type 3-Door has started going on sale in the Japanese market. The Japanese market is the third country, after South African Australia, to receive the hatchback Honda. The 201-horsepower Honda Civic Type R hatch for 2010 will be the second car Japanese car since 2001 to find its way from Europe [...]
 
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    MotorMouths.com

  • Mercedes SLS: Doors of Perception

    Ben
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pm
    A lot of ink is being spilled over the Mercedes AMG SLS’s unique doors. Arthur St. Antoine of Motor Trend falls decidedly into the pro-”gullwing” camp. The new SLS is a seemingly over-engineered, ultra-fast, thoroughly refined coupe — with the can’t-top-this glam of those swing-up doors. While Marty Padgett of MotorAuthority feels the unique doors demanded design [...]

  • Porsche’s Ultimate Factory

    John
    26 Oct 2009 | 3:48 pm
    National Geographic pays a visit to Stuttgart. More on the “Ultimate Factories” episode here.

  • Lexus LFA Might Be a Bargain

    Ben
    23 Oct 2009 | 12:15 pm
    Reviews for Lexus’ new supercar are trickling in, and the early verdict is mixed. Car and Driver’s Mark Gillies claims the LFA can be considered a bargain, despite its $350k-plus pricetag: Although the car is extravagantly expensive, Lexus says it will lose money on every one. We believe it. The last car that incorporated a [...]

  • A Porsche for Car of the Year?

    Ben
    8 Oct 2009 | 2:20 pm
    The finalists for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year Award are out and we couldn’t help doing a little prognostication as to who might follow the 2009’s winner, the Hyundai Genesis (above). By Motormouths scores alone the Porsche Panamera should be a lock for the Car award with a 90 score  (followed [...]

  • Will Carroll Shelby Choose a Prius?

    Ben
    7 Oct 2009 | 3:45 pm
    Autoblog reports that a diverse panel ranging from gearheads like Carroll Shelby and Jay Leno to greenheads such as Jean-Michel Cousteau will chose the 2010 Green Car of the Year. If we were to predict a winner based on Motormouths scores we’d pick the redesigned Toyota Prius which is averaging an impressive 87. Other nominees include [...]
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    ecomii car blog

  • Fisker Starts Putting Government Loan to Use

    Ted Nelson
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:00 am
    2009 Fisker Karma Fisker Automotive will begin deploying its government loan designated to spur U.S. production of fuel-efficient vehicles by buying and restoring an out-of-use GM plant in Delaware. Fisker paid only $18 million for the idle plant, but plans to spend an additional $175 million on refurbishing it. This Wilmington plant will be the manufacturing site for the company’s second model, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan. The factory–originally built by GM in 1947–will reach full production capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles a year by 2014. By that point Fisker…

  • Oil Majors Warming to Biofuels

    Ted Nelson
    26 Oct 2009 | 10:37 am
    The status quo isn’t a problem for big oil companies, who seem to be constantly breaking their own record profits. However, these corporations know that they must also look to the future and sustain their competitive edge. The competitive landscape of the future is not clear for the oil industry, with financial, political, and environmental considerations coming into play. The technologies and processes behind various renewable energy sources are improving, and may eventually lead to a renewable product that is cost competitive with oil. (more…)

  • Energy Department Money Going To Big And Small Carmakers

    Ted Nelson
    8 Oct 2009 | 9:22 am
    The energy department has begun to dole out $25 billion in loans designated for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles. The program is designed to grease the wheels for technological innovation that will drive the auto industry of tomorrow to occur here in the United States. After decades of job cuts in the US auto industry, the federal government is hoping that innovation can revitalize the sector and create employment. The first $8 billion was handed out back in July, with Fisker being announced as a loan recipient just this week. GM and Chrysler have been excluded from this program to…

  • Good Karma

    Ted Nelson
    5 Oct 2009 | 7:40 am
    The man behind some of the most iconic sports cars of recent vintage has gone green. Henrik Fisker built his reputation designing the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9 & V8 Vantage. The Z8 and the V8 Vantage both have the well earned distinction of being Bond cars: appearing as the ultra-classy 007’s tricked out rides in the James Bond films. Fisker has since decided to venture out on his own and bring exquisite luxury design to environmentally friendly vehicles. Fisker Automotive is a joint venture that combines Henrik’s world-class vehicle design talent with Quantum…

  • Ford Talks Green Initiatives at Frankfurt Auto Show

    Ted Nelson
    21 Sep 2009 | 7:10 am
    Ford is not as in your face about their green initiatives as other large car makers. Of course, that’s due in part to not taking a leadership position on the green end of the market. SUVs and pick-ups have become Ford’s bread and butter in recent years. Ford has hybrid models, but didn’t trail blaze like Toyota and Honda or produce a hybrid version of almost all their models like GM. They are not making much noise about electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), either. Then again, GM seems to be the only major carmaker pushing PHEVs in the…
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    Indian Autos blog

  • Exclusive – New Honda Aviator Image Gallery

    Jaz
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:05 am
    With new engine and added features, the Aviator has improved in departments that matter Honda Motorcycles launched the new 110cc Honda Aviator with new features like Combi-Brake where front and rear brakes get activated jointly when the left lever is applied, telescopic front suspension to achieve smoother handling, lower vibration and more stable high-speed control. The 110cc Aviator also has features like viscous air filter which needs less maintenance. A maintenance free battery is also part of the package along with the patented Tuff Up Tube tyres. You can catch the entire press release…

  • Exclusive – Mahindra Gio Images and Press Release

    Jaz
    29 Oct 2009 | 1:07 am
    The Gio is Mahindra Alfa+extra wheel+new drivetrain+steering system Mahindra creates a new category by launching India’s first Compact Truck Mahindra creates a new category with the launch of Mahindra Gio, India’s first 0.5 ton Compact Truck: Mahindra Gio – An entry level 4 Wheeler Cargo carrier offers unmatched mileage of 27 kmpl at an unbeatable price of Rs 1.65 lakh. The New Compact Truck – Mahindra Gio Mumbai, Maharashtra, October 28, 2009 — Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a leading player in the small Commercial Vehicle segment in India, today launched the…

  • Exclusive 53 up-close images of Premier Rio

    Jaz
    28 Oct 2009 | 1:47 pm
    Interior plastics are nothing to write home about; the top-end with alloys looks stylish Here are some of the details discussed during the launch - - Zotye began their operations in China in the year 2005 - Premier will bring more Zotye products in the future into India as CKDs - The Rio is expected to return a fuel economy figure of 16-18kmpl - 500 vehicles will be assembled in the company’s facility every month - Premier is using a 1,500cc diesel engine, adopted from Peugeot, that delivers 65bhp. - The company will sell the car in BS3 spec till the regulations come in next year, which…

  • Premier Rio Exclusive – PR + Powepoint presentation image slideshow

    Jaz
    28 Oct 2009 | 1:26 pm
    We’re delighted Premier is bringing in a product in yet another untapped segment Oct 28 2009 Premier launches compact SUV in India Premier (formerly known as Premier Automobiles) India’s pioneering car maker has re-entered the Indian passenger vehicle market with a compact SUV named RiO. The Premier RiO aims to cater to the segment between mid-size passenger cart and larger utility vehicles. The RiO seats 5 people comfortably and is powered by Premiers 1489cc turbo diesel engine based on Peugeot technology delivering close to 65BHP and a fuel efficiency of about 16 kms per litre.

  • We’re back from not two, but three new vehicle launches!

    Jaz
    28 Oct 2009 | 12:47 pm
    We’re back after attending not two, but three launches in Mumbai – Premier Rio, Honda Aviator 110 and the Mahindra Gio. Rio-Gio — Some coincidence. We’ll be updating the blog with all the images and information obtained from these launches. Apart from the press release, answers to questions we posed to the heads of the companies will also be sent through. Updating will begin shortly.
 
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    vLane

  • Recap: #carchat 35; November 4 @ 8PM EST

    5 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am
    Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation. Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat." We had: Discussion: New Chrysler logo…thoughts? Discussion: Chrysler LLC restructuring Discussion: SEMA Show recap + Are custom vehicles passé? So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  • Upcoming: #carchat 35; November 4 @ 8PM EST

    4 Nov 2009 | 1:26 pm
    This week: Chrysler's restructuring plan, the new Chrysler logo, and SEMA…Oh, and how the Dodge Viper logo looks like Daffy Duck! If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST November 4, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions. However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST. And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com. Topics: Discussion: New Chrysler logo…thoughts?

  • Video: Kia gets its Tron on

    4 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pm
    "The face of marketing is changing," yadda yadda yadda. Fact is, 30-second TV commercials don't do it for us any more. So Kia, as part of their interactive marketing campaign for the Soul, decided to make a pretty kick-ass short flick about a time-travelling Nissan and Tron-slash-zombie creating Soul. Really. We love the effects… [via freshnessmag] So click through to see this frankly awesome-filled Internet commercial. Why? Because it's cool. And normal car commercials are typically awful. Kia Soul 2010 Kia Soul N/A mpg MSRP from $13,300 View used Kia Soul classifieds 2010 2010

  • Recap: The CTS-V Challenge

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:36 am
    Sure, it's been almost a week since GM's Bob Lutz squared off in the Cadillac CTS-V against other amateur drivers at the race track. But what happened? How did the whole thing go down? Who won? Well, some people, including yours truly has an opinion, but why not check out the tweets from the event to see how things unfolded? 2009 Cadillac CTS-V That's exactly what we have for you after the jump: all of the tweets surrounding the CTS-V Challenge. Click through for the discussion!

  • Viral video victim gets new Hyundai

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:04 am
    YouTube users: don't try this at home. Canadian Hyundai Elantra owner Todd Jamison exited his local gym after (presumably) a rigorous workout — only to find his car completely smashed, trashed, and inoperable. The video of the incident and Hyundai's response is after the jump As the resulting video (after the jump!) proves, he was a victim of both a terrible parking job and a soon-to-explode Internet meme. Within hours of the incident, the video was uploaded to YouTube — and to date, 1.6 million people have watched the carnage unfold over Todd's beloved car. What to do? Well, Hyundai…
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    GlobalMotors.net

  • SEMA 2009: Hard Kandy Toyota Yaris

    Toyota Accessories Department together with some aftermarket partners are showing a custom 5-door Yaris at this year’s SEMA show dubbed Hard Kandy Yaris. As you can see from the pink color scheme with ribbons and flames the car is not focused on male buyers like most other cars at the SEMA show. Toyota says that the car [...]

  • Spy photos: 2012 BMW 3-Series full body prototype

    BMW is upgrading its entire line-up. Earlier this year we saw a new 7-Series, new Z4 and also an-all new 5-Series GT and X5M/X6M. We also know that the next generation 5-Series will come very soon as well. We can also expect a new 3-Series as well to replace the current model that has been on [...]

  • SEMA 2009: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 concept

    Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 concept is on display at the SEMA show in Las Vegas showing GM’s performance parts collection. In the engine bay is a 550 horsepower LS supercharged V8 crate engine. Other upgrades are DBS shocks, a four-inch lift kit, an extruded aluminum cargo management rail system, and skid plates. ZR2 Concept features also a [...]

  • BMW reveals track oriented M3 GTS

    No more speculations. New hard core M3 is not GT, GT4 or CSL as different reports suggested. The car is called M3 GTS and is the most extreme M3 ever. This ultimate track oriented M3 uses a 4.4-liter V8 that produces 450 horsepower (same as the Porsche GT3 RS). Power is sent to rear [...]

  • 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is the most powerful half-ton truck

    F-150 SVT Raptor was unveiled about a year ago and it first used the same 5.4-liter V8 engine found in all the F-series trucks. Ford did promise something different for the Raptor and here it is! The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is available with an all-new 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 411 horsepower and 434 [...]
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    AskPatty - Automotive Advice For Women

  • What Drives Edward Cullen? Volvo Invites You To Enter To Win Movie Tickets...And Maybe A Car!

    Brandy S
    6 Nov 2009 | 4:53 pm
    To celebrate the release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon movie, Volvo is giving away two tickets to the world premiere in Los Angeles on November 16, 2009. To enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the tickets, visit WhatDrivesEdward.com before Monday, November 9!Edward drives an XC60 that features the Saville Grey metallic exterior, a sandstone beige/espresso interior, a cream leather steering wheel,19-inch Achilles diamond cut wheels and exterior accessories such as side scuff plates, front bumper bar, and rear skid plates.By entering the sweepstakes, you're automatically entered into the…

  • Ford Increases Passenger Safety with Inflatable Seatbelts

    Brandy S
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm
    It's a fact that seatbelts and airbags have a proven record of saving lives in automobile crashes. Ford has now combined the two technologies to create a new kind of inflatable seatbelt that will better protect rear seat occupants, especially more vulnerable young children and elderly passengers who can be more susceptible to head, chest, and neck injuries. But, in everyday use, these belts would operate like conventional seat belts, making them safe and compatible with infant and child safety and booster seats. Vehicle safety sensors determine the severity of a frontal or side collision in…

  • Keeping your Kids Safe on the Road at Halloween

    AskPatty - Automotive Advice for Women
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:06 am
    Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk. As children scurry from house to house collecting treats, SafeKids.org and FedEx have joined up to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm with the following tips: * be especially alert in residential neighborhoods drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road * be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs * remember that costumes…

  • Green Car Buying on a Budget?

    Brandy S
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:05 am
    It seems that everyone we talk to is on a tighter budget these days, and most of them tell us watching their pennies has become more than just a hobby. It doesn't matter whether it's groceries, clothing, or gas, we're all looking for the best deal whenever possible.So, what's the best way to shop for a car and ensure you're getting the best deal possible? Be an informed shopper! Get as much information as possible about the vehicle you are interested in, BEFORE you ever step foot onto a dealership! Be sure you know what features it has, so that you know what features you want and are willing…

  • Automotive Association To Honor Outstanding Women Industry Achievers

    AskPatty - Automotive Advice for Women
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:04 am
    The Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI) will present its prestigious Professional Achievement Award to three automotive industry women during its annual awards dinner. This year's honorees are Robin Pisz, national interactive marketing manager for Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales; Theresa Haven, manager of the marketing communications campaign management division, Honda Motor Co.; and Anna Zornosa, general manager for Dealix.com, a division of Cobalt.We are so pleased to present these women with the Professional Achievement Award and congratulate them on this…
 
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    Car & Caboodle

  • Off the Beaten Path – Quail Botanical Gardens

    Cheryl
    10 Oct 2009 | 9:58 am
    We love taking our three kids on outings, and since we’re lucky enough to live in Southern California, we have lots of options. We’ve got passes to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. Disneyland and SeaWorld are on our to-do list (my husband is not a huge fan of crowds, but now that the kids are on to the idea that there are amusement parks out there, I think he’s fighting a losing battle). So we were really excited to find out about a place that’s a little more off the beaten path: the Quail Botanical…

  • ABC Kids Serves Up a Bumper Crop of New Products

    ciaran
    24 Sep 2009 | 11:37 pm
    Did you miss us? We were off at the  ABCKids show scoping out the latest and greatest gear for you! Going to this massive children’s industry trade show is always a treat . Every year the show surprises and delights me withclever inventions, and modern innovations that promise to make the experience of parenting (and childhood itself) safer, cleaner, funner, better. This year was no different in that regard. But it was different in many ways from past shows. This year saw a shift in thinking. Manufacturers are not only coming up with new solutions to common problems, but they are also…

  • Car and Caboodle is off to ABC Kids!

    ciaran
    11 Sep 2009 | 1:57 pm
    We’re going to Vegas this weekend to scout out the latest and greatest in carseats, strollers and family gear. We’ll be reporting live from the tradeshow floor to bring you the best in family travel gear, and clever solutions for families on the go like yours and ours. Keep an eye out in the weeks to come for our ABC finds. We can’t wait to report back to you with all the goods! Watch our site for updates! Related posts:Car & Caboodle Summer of Fun on the Run!Hitting the Road With Car and CaboodleABC Kids Serves Up a Bumper Crop of New Products

  • Family Fun in PA: Lancaster and Hershey

    Jenn
    11 Sep 2009 | 1:47 pm
    Last week my family got to experience another wonderful, fun-filled trip around Pennsylvania. This time we spent three days and two nights in Lancaster and Hershey, home to some amazing family-friendly vacation spots, including Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, the Strasburg Railroad, Choo Choo Barn, and much more. For those who live in the mid-Atlantic area, this is such a wonderful and close place to vacation. For those further away, it is so worth it to come to this area for a family trip! Read on to learn more about this exciting area… Our Stay at the Willow Valley Resort We started off…

  • Family Fun in PA — Incredible Skytop Lodge

    Jenn
    5 Sep 2009 | 11:20 pm
    Our last trip of our fun-filled summer was to an amazing place called Skytop Lodge, in Skytop, Pennsylvania (in the Pocono mountains). Despite the colder and rainy weather that greeted us when we arrived, we had an incredible experience and couldn’t believe the beauty all around us at Skytop. This all-inclusive resort is a wonderful family destination, especially for active families. As you approach Skytop, you can’t help but be amazed at the incredible property (take a tour here) – the main building, which opened in 1928, is majestic and beautiful. The gardens and flowers all around…
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    TradePub: Automotive

  • Gear Solutions

    1 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am
    Their columnists address such issues as safety, gear-tooth geometry, laser technology, and technical standards developed by AGMA, while their featured writers cover everything from heat treating to work holding, noise analysis, software, gear inspection, and new materials.Request Free!

  • Locksmith Ledger International

    16 Oct 2009 | 2:20 pm
    Locksmith Ledger International is a comprehensive industry trade magazine delivering focused editorial on electronic technology, automotive security, installation and safe servicing as well as special product focuses throughout the year. Note: The publisher will invoice you for a one year subscription. If you prefer not to continue receiving Locksmith Ledger International, simply write 'Cancel' on the invoice and owe nothing for the trial issues received. You may also cancel at any time after payment for a refund of unmailed issues.Request Free!

  • Truck Parts & Service

    3 Jun 2009 | 1:20 pm
    Founded in 1966, Truck Parts & Service is the oldest and only publication written and edited exclusively for the heavy-duty aftermarket. With a focus on business solutions, technical information and the latest news and product information, Truck Parts & Service helps readers keep customers' trucks running by the most efficient and profitable means possible.Request Free!

  • Overdrive

    3 Jun 2009 | 1:20 pm
    Overdrive serves primarily commercial truck owner-operators and small fleet owners, as well as company drivers. Our editorial focus helps owner-operators and small fleet owners be successful in managing businesses.Request Free!

  • Commercial Carrier Journal

    3 Jun 2009 | 1:20 pm
    Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) is edited for the executives who manage, operate and maintain the nation's private, for hire, utility and specialty fleets. It is aimed at management and construction fleets. Editorial subject matter includes coverage of business managers issues of industry trends, cost management, maintenance, safety, labor and legislation to technical reports on vehicle and component developments. Monthly features include management best practices, industry news, vehicle selection, fleet utilization; operations, safety, driver training management information solutions and…
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    CarZi

  • 2009 SEMA Show Girls Pictures

    Anthony Carbone
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am
    Only 2 days under my 2009 SEMA Show Pictures belt and I have a whack of photos of the SEMA Booth BABES to share with you. So without further fluff or delay, please enjoy this first batch of bolt ons! P.S. In case you live under a rock (or in a cave) don’t forget to checkout my 2009 SEMA Show Preview post which has a nice summary and links to all my posts of the girls from 2008. Related CarZi Babes Posts SEMA SHOW 2009 Details – Girls & Cars Pictures 2010 Miss Tuning Calendar 2009 Miss Tuning Calendar Pics 2008 Miss Tuning Calendar Pictures Christ Wash Systems – 2009 Car…

  • 2009 Omnitel 1000km Lithuania Grid Girls

    Anthony Carbone
    3 Nov 2009 | 3:43 am
    Last week I introduced some of you to the finer details in life over in Lithuania via the MotoGP 2009 Lithuania Pit Girls Photos, so I thought I would follow up with another grid girls photo post from the 10th annual 2009 Omnitel 1000km race in Palanga, Lithuania which happened in July. Enjoy. I am getting on a plane in 2 hours to head to the 2009 SEMA Show, check CarZi daily this week for all the latest, greatest and hottest bolt-on action which I will report on from Las Vegas! Related CarZi Babes Posts SEMA SHOW 2009 Details – Girls & Cars Pictures 2010 Miss Tuning Calendar 2009 Miss…

  • SEMA 2009 Preview – Chevy Camaro Convertible

    Anthony Carbone
    2 Nov 2009 | 6:29 am
    UPDATE: 2009 SEMA SHOW PICTURES!!!!! Because most of you hardcore Chevy Camaro die hards can’t wait until the official production 2011 Chevy Camaro convertible, Drop Top Customs is offering an $18,000 conversion option which will debut at the 2009 SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas! Checkout the spy photo below that was recently taken outside GM’s Holden plant in Australia of 8 pre-production drop tops! I wonder if the drop top’s will make this car look any better, as I am not a huge fan of them anymore. Related Chevy Camaro Posts 2009 Chevy Camaro SS Media Pics 2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS…

  • IMSA Gallardo LP560-4 GTV Photos

    Joshua McRae
    30 Oct 2009 | 7:16 am
    Here are some GREAT shots of the IMSA tuned Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. It’s officially called the IMSA GTV kit. We have previously seen examples of the GTV kit on the last generation Gallardo as well, most notably on the Verde Ithaca IMSA Gallardo owned by Zahir Rana of ZR Auto based in Calgary. Perfection is not to far off with this package when comparing it to many other tuning houses and aftermarket body kits for Lamborghini. Checkout what IMSA had to say about the design of this kit below. “Only very recently, the new Gallardo LP560 appeared on the world stage of…

  • MotoGP 2009 Lithuania Pit Girls Photos

    Anthony Carbone
    29 Oct 2009 | 7:00 am
    Gotta love having your very own sexy Lithuanian model to hold an umbrella over you while you are in pit. Checkout these tall slender MotoGP 2009 Kaunas, Lithuania models as they are photographed doing what they do best; looking smoking hot under those red umbrellas. I think I have to add Lithuania to the list of CarZi events to attend in 2010… who’s coming with me? Related CarZi Babes Posts SEMA SHOW 2009 Details – Girls & Cars Pictures 2010 Miss Tuning Calendar 2009 Miss Tuning Calendar Pics 2008 Miss Tuning Calendar Pictures Christ Wash Systems – 2009 Car Babes…
 
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    GlamCar.com

  • NASA Tests New Rocket Engine in Mojave Desert (Video)

    admin
    30 Oct 2009 | 8:50 am
    This is NASA’s new rocket engine, the liquid-methane-powered 5M15, being tested in the Mojave desert. It runs on methane for a few reasons: “It’s cheaper, it requires much less insulation and it exists on several planets NASA hopes to travel to.” Yes, this is the rocket that’ll take our grandkids to Mars. You’re gonna want to turn your sound up for this one.

  • Here’s the world’s most destructive drunk Russian driver

    admin
    19 Oct 2009 | 5:25 am
    The guy storms into the back of a parked car, and then backs up into a few steel pillars which, ironically, were intended to prevent parking in that area. After a few “professional moves” the guy leaves a lot of his Mondeo there and drives out of there. No details on what happened to him were revealed, so just enjoy the video. source: rpmgo.com

  • Insane BMW 6 Sinister tuning

    admin
    22 Sep 2009 | 7:08 am
    Alpine BMW Sinister 6 3,500 hours of work went into building this crazy Alpine demo car

  • Ford pushes ad agency to cancel bid for Chrysler work

    admin
    18 Sep 2009 | 2:19 pm
    Chrysler isn’t happy with its current marketing partner BBDO, and the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker has put the word out that it would like some fresh perspective. Among the suitors vying for the $1.1 billion account is Grey, a London-based ad agency under the ownership of holding company WPP. Grey was reportedly scheduled to pitch their new ideas to the Pentastar on September 22nd, but the agency seems to have hit a Tsunami-sized snag. WPP is the agency of choice for Ford Motor Company, and Ad Age says the nations 11th largest advertiser isn’t keen on the idea of sharing its…

  • Awesome stunt with a 4×4, boat and mud skier…insane!

    admin
    18 Sep 2009 | 2:18 pm
    4×4 pulling a speed boat pulling a mud skier who gets 50ft of air on a mud track jump!!!
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    AUTO123.COM

  • Historic Concept Cars to be Stars of RM Auctions' Arizona Event!

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    You dream of owning a concept car or a classic automobile that would fulfill your fantasies? Well, now's your chance to satisfy both urges at once. A number of these from the 1950s are found in the catalogue of RM Auctions for the Automobiles of Arizona event to be held on January 21-22.

  • F1: Fernando Alonso spends first day with Ferrari

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Fernando Alonso on Friday spent his first day at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.

  • BIXI takes gold!

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    MONTREAL, - Thanks to the determination and boldness of the managers behind BIXI, the public bike system project developed for the City of Montréal, the Public Bike System Company earned Gold in the Canadian Public Sector Leadership Awards.

  • Were you born with the "bad driver" gene?

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Is there a gene that predisposes car drivers to suffer accidents? According to Dr. Steven Cramer, Neurology Associate Professor at the University of California in Irvine's (UCI) School of Medicine, the answer is yes.

  • NASCAR: Jeff Gordon back on the pole in Texas

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    For a driver with four NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships, and 82 wins, another pole added to Jeff Gordon's record doesn't seem like a big accomplishment.
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    AutoTribute

  • Chrysler's New Logo

    Kwame Owusu
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    As it turns out, changing the Chryler logo was part of Fiat's restructuring strategy for the struggling American automaker. We have no complaints - the new logo looks classy yet more modern. Let's just hope this is a sign of more good things to come from the company.I can't stress how much nicer this logo looks compared to the old one.

  • 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Price Starts at $29,670

    Speedy
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    Honda has released the pricing for its awkwardly-styled 2010 Accord Crosstour crossover. Prices start at $29,670 for the base 2WD EX model and jumps to $36,220 for a fully-loaded 4WD EX-L. EPA numbers were also release, with the 2WD model Crosstour getting 18mpg city and 27mpg highway. The 4WD model will get 17mpg and 25 mpg, respectively. Honda's 3.5L V6 with Variable Cylinder Management is standard in the Accord Crosstour.

  • Ford Makes $1 billion Profit in Third-Quarter 2009

    Kwame Owusu
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    In another surprising announcement, Ford says it made nearly $1 billion in profits ($997 million to be exact) for the third-quarter of 2009, its first operating profit in nearly two years. Ever since GM and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, it has been all good news the Dearborn automaker. Just recently, it reported a sales increase for the month of October, the second consecutive month of increase."Our third quarter results clearly show that Ford is making tremendous progress despite the prolonged slump in the global economy," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. "Our solid product lineup…

  • Video: Leopard Hangs Out a Car

    Kwame Owusu
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    We've seen dogs hang their heads out the car widow as their owners cruises them down the road, but apparently, dogs are not the only four-legged animals who enjoy having their faces blasted with air. Leopards like it too. Some crazy, presumingly, Russians decided to take their full-grown Leopard for a ride in their Audi TT, letting the window down just enough to have their Leopard make its presence known. Don't believe us? Make the jump for the video... Leopard Enjoys a Drive in an Audi

  • Chevy Cruz Delayed by Three Months

    Speedy
    31 Oct 2009 | 3:32 pm
    GM has decided to delay the North American launch of its upcoming Chevrolet Cruz to ensure that everything goes smoothly. The Cruz has been on sale in other global markets for about a year; as GM's first major global product since it emerged from bankruptcy, the Cruz is a big part of the struggling automaker's future prospects. It wants everything to be perfect and doesn't want the Cruz to be brought down by the first-year recalls that plague many new offerings from other automakers. The Cruz is expected to get 40 mpg highway driving, bettering the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, its main…
 
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    Chromjuwelen.com

  • Ken Block: Subaru Trax STI - Rallye Pistenraupe

    4 Nov 2009 | 5:13 am
    Ken Block hat mal wieder auf sich aufmerksam gemacht. Dieses Mal, indem er seinen Subaru zur schnellsten Pistenraupe der Welt umgebaut hat. Er ist ja schon für seine Drifts bekannt. Das wird er mit diesem Gefährt noch üben müssen, denn Pistenraupen sollen ja gerade nicht driften. Die Leistungsdaten hören sich vielversprechend an: Weiterlesen...

  • Pantural: Ford Shelby vs Camaro vs Jeep vs Vaz 2107 vs Helicopter

    3 Nov 2009 | 5:46 am
    Bei den Kollegen von Stipistop bin ich eben über Panturals Showreel gestolpert. Ich bin sprachlos ...

  • Gianluca Mattia: Surreale Pinups

    2 Nov 2009 | 2:02 am
    Pinups und Autos gehören zusammen, wie HotRod und V8. Der italienische Illustrator Gianluca Mattia hat sich daran erinnert und seine fast grotesk anmutenden Mädels vor ebenso überzeichnete "Big Blocks" positioniert. So entsteht eine sehenswerte Bildersammlung, die irgendwo zwischen Manga und Porno einzuordnen ist. Weiterlesen...

  • Serial Kombi: Wind Split (VW T1 Hochdach)

    26 Oct 2009 | 3:46 pm
    Jeder, der shon mal das Vergnügen hatte, einem Dragrace beizuwohnen, wird wissen, dass man die luftgekühlte Fraktion besser nicht unterschätzen sollte. Sicher, die Fahrzeuge sehen im Vergleich zu den betont aggresiven Muscle-Cars irgendwie "knuffig" aus, haben es aber meist mehr als faustdick hinter der Klappe. Spätestens seit der "Familienzusammenführung" vor gut vier Jahren ist mir das bewusst.

  • Mad Max 4: "Fury Road" mit Charlize Theron und Sam Worthington?

    26 Oct 2009 | 8:38 am
    Schenkt man den Gerüchten Glauben, dann wird es bald einen vierten Teil der Max Rockatansky Saga geben. Das zumindest berichten aktuell einige Quellen.
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    sub5zero.com Redefining Performance

  • VIDEO: Epic Safety Car Fail at FIA World Touring Car Championship Pau 2009

    Ari Cox
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
      Veteran BMW driver Franz Engstler had a nice surprise when he rounded the corner outside of pit row at FIA World Touring Car Championship at Pau 2009. The safety vehicle decided to veer outside of the exit lane, cross the white line and drive directly into the path of race cars turning the bend at high speeds. Obviously, the safety car driver missed the part of the pre-race meeting where it was strongly encouraged that ALL vehicles stay within the white lines. Check out the video after the jump.   Read More + Image Gallery >>

  • Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Set for 2010 Grand Opening

    Ari Cox
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:48 am
      Theme parks like Disneyland create entire worlds of wonder. But most of these expansive play grounds are lumbering giants filled with aging rides and tired dress-up characters. They need a shot of adrenaline. Enter Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. On a site adjacent to the F1 Grand Prix marina circuit on Yas Island, Ferrari has been constructing an amazing 200,000 square meter indoor theme park, the largest ever created. The building was designed by renown architectural firm Benoy and features a double curve side profile reminiscent of the classic Ferrari GT. It also sports a signature…

  • SEMA Show 2009: Subaru SPT Brings WRX STI Concept, Legacy VIP & 1969 360 Van

    Zack Klapman
    2 Nov 2009 | 9:17 pm
      Subaru tends to run 2 year design cycles for their cars. So, with the 2010 designs out, what now? Give Travis Pastrana more cars to roll? Take a nap in front of Mazda Headquarters? Nope, you get ready to deliver a little shock and awe at SEMA 2009. And let me tell you, this year Subaru must have attended Michael Scott's Diversity Training Seminar, because their 3 cars couldn't be more different from one another.   Their first offering is a 2010 Impreza WRX STI that was built with all the parts available in the SPT (Subaru Performance Tuning) catalog. Subaru has been trying to…

  • Wolf Racing Unleashes 2010 Ford Focus RS 360

    Zack Klapman
    2 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am
      The Ford Focus RS is leading the sport hatchback race this year. It not only beats its rivals in horsepower and torque but its handling is so good the only competition I see is the Mugen Civic Type-R (but that's from a higher tax bracket.) Throw in the Focus' fantastic power-plant and good looks, and you have a front-runner for Hot Hatch of the Year. So it's no surprise that tuners are popping out performance kits like prisons stamping license plates. This one is from Wolf Racing, dubbed the Ford Focus RS 360. True to its tuner form, the number “360” is based on the horsepower. A…

  • SHORT FILM: Bandito Garage Produces Amazing BMW M3 Car Porn "Living in the Lights"

    Ari Cox
    30 Oct 2009 | 8:37 am
      There are car videos and then there are car videos. Specialty production crew Bandito Garage produced this tremendous video featuring the BMW M3 to showcase their technical chops and increase business. Entitled "Living in the Lights" and directed by Mouse McCoy, winner of the Baja 500 and Baja 1000, this video is 2 minutes and 20 seconds of pure adrenaline. Driver Greg Tracy works the wheel while the beautiful model Niki Huey works the heart.   Bandito Brothers is a "one-stop shop that refines the process of producing industry-leading content for commercials, content footage,…
 
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    CARNORAMA

  • Renewable Energy: Alternative Assembly

    CARNORAMA
    26 Oct 2009 | 5:47 am
    Globally many automotive plants sit idle after decades of successful assembly. Some have closed or reduced production, with jobs disappearing at astonishing rates. But in some cases alternative assembly from renewable-energy and new-tech enterprises are taking advantage of the automotive downturn.

  • Automotive Industry: Detroit’s Cultural Change

    CARNORAMA
    21 Oct 2009 | 10:16 am
    Once upon a time it was known as the world's traditional automotive centre, but unfortunately 'Detroit' is no longer a symbol of power within the global automotive industry. Detroit's automotive industry has been forced upon a cultural change as a pure form of transformation, which was radical and fundamental.

  • Solar Power: Traffic Lights

    CARNORAMA
    21 Oct 2009 | 2:36 am
    'Green' traffic lights are not a new idea. The move to LED traffic lights is already offering significant savings on both energy consumption and costs.

  • Electric Vehicles: Sounds

    CARNORAMA
    20 Oct 2009 | 1:35 pm
    The near silent nature of Hybrids and Electric Vehicles is clearly a potential safety problem for pedestrians. Until now, the branded sounds cars make has been a function of the engine and exhaust system. The option of making future electric vehicles sound like anything we want creates a world of options.

  • Navigation: Video Maps

    CARNORAMA
    20 Oct 2009 | 10:33 am
    While car navigation systems are gaining in importance, maps are still the medium of choice for laying out a route to a destination. However, even with a map, one is almost always more comfortable navigating a route the second time due to the visual memory of the route.
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    Celebrity Cars Blog

  • SEMA Starts Today – Let’s See What D-List Celebrities Show Up

    Celebrity Cars
    3 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am
    Here is the main contender that I see most often. Related posts:The Mercedes CL that put Rob Dyrdek on the C List

  • Taylor Lautner Takes Taylor Swift Out Ironman Style

    Celebrity Cars
    30 Oct 2009 | 8:25 am
    When you're taking out Taylor Swift you have to have your car game done right so Taylor Lautner ditched the plain-jane BMW 5-Series and pulled out the Audi R8. Doesn't Taylor and Swifty look hot in the R8! Related posts:Boring Jeep for Ben Affleck and Jennifer GarnerBJ Novak Toasts To His New Audi A5Jessica Beil Does It All With Her Audi TT

  • Right Car For The Right Girl

    Celebrity Cars
    29 Oct 2009 | 8:10 am
    Now that's the right car for the right girl! It's not too often that I tell myself that but in this case where Jamie Presley is sporting a black BMW 6 Series drop-top everything is working together. Racy, hot, dark, and dirty. And she is not scared to get a parking ticket. Related posts:They’re Just Like Us: Hilary DuffYou Know Who Gets a Parking TicketTaylor Lautner Takes Taylor Swift Out Ironman Style

  • NFL Star Kassim Osgood’s Bentley on eBay

    Celebrity Cars
    27 Oct 2009 | 11:17 am
    At first I thought this Bentley was gross but the more I look at it I'm rather impressed with the design and styling. What is it about athletes that they have to go crazy with their cars? Does it add value in your book? Check out the auction at eBay. Related posts:Joey Kramer’s Subaru STi on eBayGhost Busters Car For Sale on eBayBuy Lindsay Lohan’s Maserati on eBay

  • Tis True: Brad Pitt Pilotting the New Camaro SS

    Celebrity Cars
    27 Oct 2009 | 7:30 am
    We heard the rumors floating around yesterday and today we believe it. After that whole Balloon Boy hysteria you can see why we are always a bit skeptical. Check out Brad Pitt mounting up to the new Camaro SS. Related posts:Rumor Alert: Brad Pitt Driving a New Camaro SSI Think Brad Pitt Can Afford More Than McDonald’s and A TahoeBroke Down Brad Pitt
 
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    CARNORAMA

  • Renewable Energy: Alternative Assembly

    CARNORAMA
    26 Oct 2009 | 5:47 am
    Globally many automotive plants sit idle after decades of successful assembly. Some have closed or reduced production, with jobs disappearing at astonishing rates. But in some cases alternative assembly from renewable-energy and new-tech enterprises are taking advantage of the automotive downturn.

  • Automotive Industry: Detroit’s Cultural Change

    CARNORAMA
    21 Oct 2009 | 10:16 am
    Once upon a time it was known as the world's traditional automotive centre, but unfortunately 'Detroit' is no longer a symbol of power within the global automotive industry. Detroit's automotive industry has been forced upon a cultural change as a pure form of transformation, which was radical and fundamental.

  • Solar Power: Traffic Lights

    CARNORAMA
    21 Oct 2009 | 2:36 am
    'Green' traffic lights are not a new idea. The move to LED traffic lights is already offering significant savings on both energy consumption and costs.

  • Electric Vehicles: Sounds

    CARNORAMA
    20 Oct 2009 | 1:35 pm
    The near silent nature of Hybrids and Electric Vehicles is clearly a potential safety problem for pedestrians. Until now, the branded sounds cars make has been a function of the engine and exhaust system. The option of making future electric vehicles sound like anything we want creates a world of options.

  • Navigation: Video Maps

    CARNORAMA
    20 Oct 2009 | 10:33 am
    While car navigation systems are gaining in importance, maps are still the medium of choice for laying out a route to a destination. However, even with a map, one is almost always more comfortable navigating a route the second time due to the visual memory of the route.
 
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    Zimbly Cars

  • Evolution: Vehicle tail lamps moving upwards ?

    admin
    27 Oct 2009 | 11:05 am
    I noticed this when the Ford Figo was announced – that vehicle tail lamps have now started the unstoppable climb upwards on vehicle backsides.  I am wondering when they will get replaced by a strip of lamps lining the roof. This seems predominantly on hatchbacks and some MPVs. Sedans still havent caught the bug it looks like. Here are some examples of this evolution of tail lamps that are now at door handle and higher levels: Have I missed some newly launched newly designed vehicle from this list ? do let me know. Tweet This!Share this on del.icio.usShare this on RedditDigg…

  • 2009 – Vehicle Color Popularity from PPG

    Sushil
    5 Oct 2009 | 6:14 pm
    PPG has released their findings on color popularity for 2009. This is not as detailed as the data released by DuPont in their charts but can serve as a good reference. DuPont had the data down to a breakup for India as well. This is not available in the PPG press release. Silver is still the most popular color the world over.  Here is a summary of the breakup for Asia Pacific, North America and Europe. (Click on the chart image below for a larger version) 2009-PPG Popular Vehicle Colors Read the details of the PPG press release source here. Here is my older post with data from 2000-2008…

  • Swift and Fabia separated at birth (I mean design) ?

    Sushil
    25 Sep 2009 | 6:53 am
    Were the Swift and Fabia – separated at birth or whatever back of envelope drawing that first conceived their deisgn ? I have always felt there are way too many similarities in the design of the Swift and the Fabia. Have not had a chance to drive the Fabia but got a chance to park next to one and sneak a few photos off my mobile . (Please click on the thumbnails for larger versions) Design Similarities: Overall silhouette with tapering roof Glass house area tapering towards C-pillar Blacked out A pillar Bonnet line joining base of A pillar Other than the front grilles the bonnet…

  • "New" Launches August-September 2009

    Sushil
    14 Sep 2009 | 6:15 am
    I have been really bothered by the “new” launches that have been all over the news for the past month. Are these really “new” vehicles – maybe its just me – but I think when the words “all” and “new” are used together in the same sentence to define a vehicle launch I expect the vehicle to look very different from the previous one and to also feature a whole lot of changes to everything in it from engines to interiors to exterior shape and design.  A lot of manufacturers very shamelessly call changes to headlamps, tail lamps,…

  • 10 Sure Ways to Cause Road Rage in India

    Sushil
    1 Sep 2009 | 8:19 am
    Image via Wikipedia This list of pet peeves are for me  - when encountered are sure to make me loose my cool on the road: Incessant honking – a butterfly flaps his wings – a honk, the signal is red – honk, traffic is moving honk – for everything ! Flashing headlamps – demanding everyone move aside finally when given space/there is space overtakes and then pulls to a halt at the side! If you want to pull to the side you do not have to race several vehicles to do so. An indicator is all that is required. Repeated attempts to overtake when there is no place to do…
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    Car Spy Photos

  • All new BMW 3 Series spied again

    admin
    4 Nov 2009 | 4:50 am
    Fresh spy shots of the new BMW 3-Series. [Copyright Carpix] 2010 BMW 3 Cabrio 2011 BMW 3 GT 2012 bmw 3 - codename F30 2010 BMW 3 Coupe 2010 BMW 3 Hybrid

  • 2011 BMW 5 Series - fresh photos

    admin
    3 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am
    The latest spy shots of the new BMW 5 series. Cammo is dropping for every day now it seems. All new BMW 3 Series spied again BMW 1-Series Coupe spied in Munich BMW Z4 M-Sport spied 2010 BMW 3 Cabrio BMW Z Vision Concept - spy photos

  • 2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

    admin
    3 Nov 2009 | 3:11 am
    After Carpix spy photographer first spotted the successor for the Ferrari 612 back in April this year, it’s now time again. While the first time was in Italy with both road and track test, it seems like they are up for some high altitude test this time. It’s still hard to get any idea how the [...]

  • 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    admin
    28 Oct 2009 | 11:05 am
    Latest spy photos of the new Outlander Sport crossover, that is based on the Mitsubishi cX concept. Mitsubishi cX crossover concept was shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show two years ago. It is known that the car will go into mass production under the name Outlander Sport and will be primarily focused on the North American [...]

  • 2010 Lada 2116

    admin
    21 Oct 2009 | 6:35 am
    New spy shots of Lada-2116 with no camo. LADA-2116 basic will be equipped with power steering, antilock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake amplifier (BA), driver’s airbag, front seat belts with pretensioners, trip computer, front electric, atermalnymi windows, ISOFIX anchorages for child seats. Production begin at Russia in 2009, the first [...]
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  • Jetta TDI Cup ‘Street’ Edition To Dealers Soon

    Tony Borroz
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:20 am
    The Jetta TDI Cup “street version looks to be finally heading to dealers. This, a sporting version of economical cars, is something I’ve long been a proponent of. And in Volkswagen’s case this looks to be a car that’s both fun, and light on the wallet – and potentially the environmen