Study: Adults admit to texting while driving more than teens Filed under: Etc., Safety A poll by Pew Internet, part of the Pew Research Center, has found that 27% of American adults admit to texting while driving. If the teenagers who answered the poll were all telling the truth, that means that more adults are guilty of TWD than teens, who came in at 26%. Even more damning for the Do As I Say, Not As I Do crowd: 44% percent of adults claimed to have been riding with drivers who became dangerous while using cell phones, and 17% of drivers admitted to hitting something or someone while using their cell phones. So let's put down the Blackberry's people, work can wait 'till you get there. [Source: Pew Internet | Image: Corbis]Study: Adults admit to texting while driving more than teens originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update Filed under: Motorcycle, Celebrities, Specialty Let's just say even we don't know how to get our hands on one of these. Click above for high-res image gallery When we first caught sight of Roy Miller on his shiny new Ducati, sporting that great hair, some solid leather heals and a denim shirt rolled up just enough to let the world now that he means business, we're not going to lie, a little bit of jealously came out of nowhere and smacked us in the face. Hey, he even has June Havens clinging tight for safety... its enough to make any man rush out and buy a new Hypermotard, right? Ducati certainly hopes so! Much more than a brief glance at this Hyper will reveal that, unless your name is Tom Cruise, the chances of getting your hands on one like the bike from the movie may be only slightly better than Stanley McCrystal's hopes to spend fourth of July with the Obamas. What we have here folks is a genuine Faux-cati. So just what the heck is this creation, and more importantly, why? A close look at the two-sided swing-arm, the single front brake rotor and silver forks would immediately tip us off to the bikes real identity... its an Aprilia SXV. Well fine, it was all of that stuff, and the fact that it says Aprilia on the side of the motor. Certainly, a heck of a lot of time and effort went into making this Aprilia look like a Ducati. Why though would such an elaborate transformation take place? We can only assume that girth was the number one factor. The extra hundred-plus pounds of the real Ducati must have been too much - even for a super cool action star with great hair - to pull off. No doubt the longer travel suspension of the Aprilia made theatrical stunts much easier to perform as well. Who knows, maybe Tom just couldn't choose which one he liked more so he said "give me both." Whatever the reason, keep your eyes peeled during the movie, see if you can spot the elusive Faux-cati for yourself. Now where can we get some of those great boots? *UPDATE: Apparently, this bike was created for an ESPN promotion of some sort. Ducati reports that all the bikes used in the actual movie were in fact full-fledged Hypermotards. Of course, that doesn't change that the bike pictured above indeed an Aprilia wearing Ducati bodywork. Gallery: Faux-cati [Source: Hell for Leather]Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Kentucky finally christens Corvette as Official State Sports Car Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM Three years later, it's official: the Chevrolet Corvette is the official sports car of Kentucky. A bill to laud the 'Vette with that title was introduced in 2007, still trying to find its way to freedom a year later, and sent to committee (read: slow death) in March this year in what some thought was a snub at General Motors over the bailout. By April 26, however, all appeared forgiven and the resurrected bill was signed by Kentucky Governor Steve Brashear. Now Brashear has ceremonially signed the bill at the Bowling Green assembly plant that is the cause for all of this, handing Kentucky another official state item to add to the thoroughbred horse, Bluegrass silverwear pattern and Appalachian dulcimer. Hooray! In case you're wondering about those other bills introduced around the same time as the Corvette bill - those to make burgoo the official state food, KFC the state picnic food and cornholing the state game - burgoo got the nod via a declaration of the governor earlier this year, KFC was derailed by a PETA boycott and cornholing is still looking for love. You can read the Corvette press release after the jump. [Source: General Motors]Continue reading Kentucky finally christens Corvette as Official State Sports Car Kentucky finally christens Corvette as Official State Sports Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Rendered Speculation: Reader-penned Acura TL Sportwagon Filed under: Wagon, Acura, Design/Style, Luxury With the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon now on sale and the Acura TSX wagon coming this fall, Autoblog reader Andrew decided to try his hand at producing a five-door version of the larger TL sedan. By merging the roofline of the seven-seat MDX crossover with the body of the midsize sedan, Andrew has created what to our eyes is a fairly handsome sedan... well, at least those of us in the minority that actually like the look of the standard TL. The D-pillar does look a bit heavy in this application, so perhaps a more forward sloping rear window in the manner of some of Audi's Avant wagons would give the car a sleeker look. Share your thoughts in the comments below. [Source: Andrew Stump]Rendered Speculation: Reader-penned Acura TL Sportwagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Cost of driving goes up in UK as Value Added Tax rises to 20% Filed under: Government/Legal, UK On January 4, 2011, driving is going to get significantly more expensive in the United Kingdom. In a special budget speech in the British House of Commons this week, Chancellor (equivalent of finance minister or treasury secretary) George Osborne announced that the Value Added Tax (VAT) would increase from the current 17.5 percent to 20 percent in an effort to eliminate the budget deficit within five years. The increased tax is expected raise £13 billion per year, but that will only account for 23 percent of the reduction in the deficit with the rest coming from spending cuts. The VAT is applied to almost all products in the UK except for items like food and children's clothes. The increase means that a £20,000 car will go up by an extra £500 next January. The cost of fuel will be going up as well. Prior to the election, the previous Labor government had announced two fuel tax increases totaling 1.76 pence per liter that take effect in October and January. The VAT on fuel is calculated on top of the excise tax so the price will go up even more. [Source: The Gaurdian | Image: AP]Cost of driving goes up in UK as Value Added Tax rises to 20% originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Sam Hubinette added to ESPN X Games SuperRally roster Filed under: Motorsports ESPN recently announced the addition of SuperRally to the banquet of driving discipline at the X Games, and now it's been revealed that champion drifter Sam Hubinette will be one of the SuperRally entrants. He'll be behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution built by Sam Hubinette Racing stablemate Andrew Comrie-Picard, who's already got four years of experience participating in the X Games. Hubinette's no tyro, though - he got his first racing license at the age of 16 in Sweden, running a Volvo 142 in rallycross. The SuperRally event takes place on the Saturday of the four-night event, July 29 to August 1 at the LA Coliseum. If you can't wait until then to see him, he'll be in Formula D action in two weeks and rumor has it you can find his work in a Tom Cruise flick opening this weekend. [Source: Sam Hubinette Racing]Sam Hubinette added to ESPN X Games SuperRally roster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Be a Red Bull reporter at the Silverstone Grand Prix Filed under: Motorsports, UK Since Red Bull seemingly has participation in every sport covered, now it's looking for people to cover the sports it participates in. The Red Bull Reporter program is giving UK nationals the chance to attend the upcoming Silverstone Formula 1 Grand Prix as a scribe for Red Bull's on-site newsletter and the Red Bull UK site. Although not for the GP, there are slots for photographers, videographers and musicians in the program if your talents lie elsewhere. Consideration comes after you submit a 300- to 500-word mid-season review of the 2010 F1 season after the Grand Prix of Valencia to the Red Bull Reporter site. If they like it and they link they'll like you, you'll get your press passes to join the Red Bull circus at Silverstone, participate in various media activities and report on "the fan culture at the campsite." And if all goes well you won't be reporting on how Sebastian Vettel and Mark Weber collide and hand McLaren victory... [Source: Red Bull | Image: Frits van Eldik/Red Bull Photofiles]Be a Red Bull reporter at the Silverstone Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
AutoblogGreen for 06.25.10 #saleschart { border: 0px solid #333; border-collapse: collapse; } #saleschart td { padding: 7px; border-bottom: 0px solid #ccc; vertical-align: top; margin: 0; line-height: 1.3em; font-size: 100%;} #saleschart th.bottomrow { border-right: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart tr.features1 { border-top: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart td.bottomrow2 { border-right: 1px solid #333;} #saleschart th { font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 4px; background: #f3f3f3; border-top: 1px solid #333; } Study: Fuel cell vehicles to reach 670,000 in annual sales by 2020 It's a very specific prediction: the U.S. will lead the way with 134,049 FCVs. Spy Shots: next-gen Aveo RS unmasked Looks much better. How could it not? Chrysler lobbies Congress to the tune of $591K for EVs, emissions It's like a money circle. Other news: 2011 Ford Explorer gets soy-foam seats and 25% better fuel efficiency JFE to conduct field trials of super-rapid charger by year's end Army turns to fuel cell technology for M1 Abrams tank AutoblogGreen for 06.25.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing 2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Practice Day 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery As I headed up the Pikes Peak toll road early this morning (3:30 am to be exact) I started to doubt whether it was going to be worth it. Maybe it was the fact that I got just a little over two hours of sleep, or maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but as I passed 12,000 feet my head began to cloud-over and all I could think about was a nice, comfortable bed. It didn't help that I was driving on a mountain road in pitch black darkness at 10 mph sandwiched between a string of other cars. To make matters worse, a fierce, bitter wind greeted me as I parked the car just a few miles below the summit, and the fog was so thick I couldn't see more than a hundred feet. This was going to be miserable. What was I thinking? And then something magical happened. As I stood shivering on the side of the road with camera in hand, a small glow appeared in the eastern sky and the fog started to lift. As more light started to brighten the area around me, the incredible beauty of the most famous mountain in America was brought forth in stunning fashion. The entire sky was lit with an orange glow, broken only by a few small clouds that looked like wispy strands of cotton. Suddenly an engine roared to life, breaking the peaceful silence, and minutes later an open-wheel racecar roared past at near-triple-digit speed, the rear end cocked out sideways and the driver applying loads of opposite lock to avoid hurling off the edge. It was amazing. Incredible. I've been to plenty of motorsports events, but this tops them all. The matchless beauty of the surroundings juxtaposed with such incredible machinery being pushed to its absolute limit is like nothing else on earth. I could have left right then and it would have all been worth it. Fortunately, I still had more than three hours of it to enjoy. Follow the jump for more impressions from the second day of testing for the 2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Gallery: Pikes Peak 2010: Practice Day 2 Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
eBay Find of the Day: 1955 Bandini Siluro is 750 pounds of beautiful curvy Italian [w Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Videos 1955 Bandini Siluro 750 - Click above for image gallery When we think of lightness, our minds invariably track toward good old Colin Chapman. It's beyond arguing that the man spent a lifetime cranking out some of the world's most lightweight and well balanced cars, but creations like the Lotus 7 are downright rotund compared to the car you see above. It's a 1955 Bandini Siluro 750 cc, and if you have the means, it could very well be the most interesting thing in your garage. By the time 1955 rolled around, Ilaro Bandini had been cranking out variations of his aluminum-bodied Siluro for around half a decade. The car began its life as a smaller, more lightweight interpretation of the old 1100 Siluro powered by a more compact 750cc four-cylinder engine with around 71 horsepower. Now, if you're thinking so few ponies sounds about as much fun as hopping into a pool of rusted fish hooks, keep in mind this winged phallus weighs a scant 750 pounds. No joke. While alternatively powered examples spent their time racking up wins in various SCCA modified classes and went fender to fender in races like the Mille Miglia and the 12 Hours of Sebring, it was the wee 750 that was most true to the original formula. This particular example is going for a lofty $245,000 on eBay Motors and has numerous concourse accolades under its belt. Hop the jump for a few videos of the car motoring around. Gallery: 1955 Bandini Siluro 750 [Source: eBay Motors]Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1955 Bandini Siluro is 750 pounds of beautiful curvy Italian [w/videos] eBay Find of the Day: 1955 Bandini Siluro is 750 pounds of beautiful curvy Italian [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 6.24.10 First Drive: 2011 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive makes a lot of sense for a few people Using a powertrain cribbed from Tesla, the ForTwo Electric Drive may be the smartest Smart yet. Rumormill (again): Toyota working on MR2, Supra successor We've heard the rumors before and now they're back: Toyota is working on successors to both the MR2 and Supra, but one major piece of the puzzle has been removed. 2011 Ford Mustang V6 runs 776.5 miles on one tank, 48.5 mpg [w/video] 1,457 laps later, five drivers from Ford managed to squeeze nearly 800 miles out of the 2011 Mustang V6. Also of interest: Honda releases info and images of revised 2011 Accord Volkswagen's Stefan Jacoby moving to Volvo in August Report: Bentley considering five-door fastback to rival Porsche Panamera? Jaguar XKR 75 debuts to celebrate marque's 75th birthday 2010 International Engine of the Year awards honor ten best engines Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 6.24.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Mini shows off updated 2011 Cooper lineup Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hatchback, Mini, Diesel 2011 Mini family - Click above for high-res image gallery The current (second generation) of the modern Mini has been with us for a couple of years now, so that must mean it's time for a refresh. BMW, which owns the reborn British brand, has updated the front fascia on all three Mini models for the coming model year to visually differentiate them and improve their pedestrian protection performance. Of special note are the new integrated ducts on the fascias of the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, offering a slightly meaner look to the Mini's cute and cuddly face. The black reflector headlamps that debuted on the 50th anniversary Camden model are now available as an option across the board and all of the Mini variants now have LED lighting at the rear. Inside, the Minis are now available with a high-resolution screen within in the oversized central speedometer that can display video from an iPod or whatever other device that has been plugged in via the USB port. On the engine front, updated gas engines were announced several months ago (base engine up to 122 horsepower, the turbo will now crest 180) but the diesel engines have been redone as well. Two versions of the 1.6-liter oil-burner will be available, with 90 or 112 horsepower and 159 and 199 pound-feet of torque respectively. Both diesels are more efficient than before with a rating of 61.9 miles per gallon (U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 99 grams per kilometer. For the first time in 2011, there is also a Mini Cooper D convertible available... but not in the States. There's plenty more for the truly Mini-obsessive among us, check out all the sordid details after the break. Gallery: 2011 Mini Family [Source: Mini]Continue reading Mini shows off updated 2011 Cooper lineup Mini shows off updated 2011 Cooper lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Officially Official: Gordon Murray's T.25 city car revealed Filed under: Coupe, Budget, UK, Design/Style Gordon Murray Design T.25 - Click above for high-res image gallery After hinting at doing so for a couple of years, Gordon Murray has finally revealing his new T.25 city car at an event at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford, England. The 1,212-pound car is just over four feet wide, less than eight feet long and seats three adults in a 1+2 layout. Like Murray's McLaren F1, the driver sits front and center and the passengers sit behind on either side. The whole front section of the body is hinged at the front and flips forward for access in a manner not dissimilar to BMW's Isetta microcar of the mid-Fifties. Power comes from a 51 horsepower, in-line three-cylinder engine mounted in the back to propel the T.25 to 62 mph in 16.2 seconds while achieving 61.9 miles per gallon. The diminutive size allows it to turn in just 19.7 feet and park perpendicular to the curb and the design's hinged cockpit and narrow width allow three T.25s to be parked in a single parallel parking space. Gallery: Gordon Murray Design T.25 [Source: Gordon Murray Design]Continue reading Officially Official: Gordon Murray's T.25 city car revealed Officially Official: Gordon Murray's T.25 city car revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Bentley to shorten product cycles, focus on performance Filed under: Performance, Bentley, Luxury Bentley Continental SuperSports Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery Nobody actually needs image and fashion statements like Bentleys,and Rolls-Royces, but those who choose to buy them anyway naturally want to have the latest and greatest. And we don't blame them. As such, Bentley reportedly wants to get on a schedule of introducing a new model at least every 18 months, if not sooner. Expect to see further variations on existing models like the Continental SuperSports coupe and convertible in lieu of completely new platforms. The rapid turnover of model variants goes hand-in-hand with Bentley's ongoing migration back to performance-oriented luxury and away from the more staid approach that took precedence under Rolls-Royce ownership. Ever since Bentley and Rolls were split up and sold to Volkswagen and BMW respectively, the two brands have developed distinctly different character traits, and you can expect that pattern to continue. Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible [Source: Auto Observer]Bentley to shorten product cycles, focus on performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink Filed under: Auctions, Hatchback, Audi, UK, Celebrities Audi A1 painted by Damien Hirst - Click above for high-res image Elton John puts on auctions throughout the year for his AIDS foundation. The latest auction fete, held at Elton's manor, included an Audi A1 "spin painted" by British contemporary artist Damien Hirst. The A1 is still so far off that it hasn't even been priced yet, but one hopes the MSRP will be a scant fraction of the £350,000.00 ($527,205 U.S.) that the Hirst-hued model took home. Art may be dead, but apparently it is more expensive than ever... Gallery: Audi A1 by Damien Hirst [Source: Audi]Continue reading 2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink 2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
AutoblogGreen for 06.28.10 #saleschart { border: 0px solid #333; border-collapse: collapse; } #saleschart td { padding: 7px; border-bottom: 0px solid #ccc; vertical-align: top; margin: 0; line-height: 1.3em; font-size: 100%;} #saleschart th.bottomrow { border-right: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart tr.features1 { border-top: 1px solid #333; } #saleschart td.bottomrow2 { border-right: 1px solid #333;} #saleschart th { font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 4px; background: #f3f3f3; border-top: 1px solid #333; } Texas energy company to offer unlimited charging for EVs at flat rate of $60-80 per month Fill 'er up in Houston, TX. Ghosn says Nissan-Renault partnership makes EVs doable, companies couldn't go it alone Work together, kick ass. Automotive X-Prize: Drivers hit the slopes to try and squeeze out a few more mpge Up and down, up and down. Other news: Hessgen hydrogen truck hits Baja California; roads hit back Hybrid sales to top 1.4M, capture 10% of market by 2015 Automotive X-Prize: High school kids still in it to win it with modified Focus AutoblogGreen for 06.28.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Highlights and Lowlights Filed under: Auctions 2010 Barrett-Jackson Orange County Auction - Click above for high-res image gallery The first Barrett-Jackson Orange County auction is about wrapped up Costa Mesa, California today, and while the numbers might have been a bit lower than hoped-for this time around, there were still good prices for top-level machinery. Barrett-Jackson knows what it's doing, and Orange County is definitely a car-lovers' paradise, but there will surely be some doubters about this venue's long-term viability. Take a look at the attendance though - at the turnout of vendors and manufacturers, of bidders and gawkers - and you'll see that the only thing lacking was an abundance of really high-quality offerings. For every numbers-matching LS6 '70 Chevelle SS convertible, there were ten daily-driver VW Beetles. The overall take was boosted by several charity lots, as is often seen at Barrett-Jackson events, but beyond that cluster of noteworthy vehicles, there wasn't much for bidders to excited about. There was a fringe benefit to this, however. It gave us a chance to wander around the grounds a bit more than usual. To that end, we've pulled 50 of our favorite photos from the hundreds we shot over the weekend and posted them in the wrap-up gallery below. Clicking through should give you a sense of what it was like to be at Barrett-Jackson's OC event this weekend. You'll find the good, the bad and the fugly in there, but each and every one of these cars sold, so who are we to judge? Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Highlights and Lowlights Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Highlights and Lowlights originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Batvette by Greenwood Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Custom - Click above for high-res image gallery Ever see an IMSA race from the late '70s or early '80s? If so, you probably saw one of the Greenwood widebody C3 Corvettes thundering through the field. Those massively-flared fenders barely contained the fury of the twelve-inch wide rear slicks as they clawed for traction. For fans of those racing cars, there was good news from the Greenwood garages, too. At the time, John Greenwood offered those body kits, as well as suspension and engine upgrades for the street, much like Callaway or Pratt & Miller do today for the C6 Chevrolet Corvette. At this weekend's Barrett-Jackson auction in Orange County, a particularly nice example of Greenwood's handiwork crossed the block. We half-expected Bruce Wayne to be the high bidder, as this car was done up in a Dark Knight-worthy ebony that accentuated the flares and spoilers in bat-tastic fashion. The info card even referred to the ride as the "Batvette," which struck us as an ideal moniker. Powered by an original and stock L-82, with glass tops and aluminum wheels, this matching-numbers, 18,200-original-mile Corvette sold for just under a dollar per odometer mile: $18,000. Check out the gallery below. Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Greenwood Corvette Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Batvette by Greenwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford Ford Fiesta ownership application - Click above for high-res image gallery Social media has been a critical element of Ford's marketing strategy during the run-up to the 2011 Ford Fiesta launch, so it comes as no surprise that it'll play a part in the customer delivery experience as well. In-showroom kiosks will play Fiesta Movement videos and act as photo booths for new owners. Before driving off the lot, Fiesta owners receive a USB thumb drive pre-loaded with an audio tutorial explaining the Fiesta's features and and how to use them. Naturally, this can be played back through the Sync system right in the car. Once in front of a computer, drivers can then use the thumb drive to install a program that lets them access and modify their delivery photos, then share them with other Fiesta owners. The desktop application also provides a wiki with tips on how to use the Fiesta, get podcasts and other related information. It'll be interesting to see how Ford follows up the Fiesta launch when the new Focus arrives at the end of this year. Gallery: Ford Fiesta delivery experience [Source: Ford]Continue reading Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners Ford plans unique delivery strategy for new Fiesta owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Louis Vuitton-trimmed 1962 Cadillac fetches $40K Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Cadillac, Design/Style, Luxury 1962 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery Check eBay Motors or Craigslist for a '62 Cadillac convertible and you're likely to find a slew of them for less than ten grand. A particularly nice example might fetch twice that. So why did this particular Series 62 convertible bring in $40,000 at the first Barrett-Jackson auction in Orange County, California? Probably because OC-dwellers loves them some Louis V. While this Series 62 Custom Convertible was pretty stock underhood, the car featured a tangerine metal-flake paint job courtesy of House of Kolors, a custom touchscreen sound system with over 1000 watts of power, and ginormous 22-inch wheels. All that aside, it was the monogrammed top and interior that really put this special caddy into the 40K range. What seemed like a square mile of genuine Louis Vuitton leather and "vinylized Egyptian cotton" - just like the handbags! - was used to fabricate the custom top and to cover almost every interior surface save for the gauges. Whether this car will be driven or used as a tear-down for its handbag raw materials is a question only the new owner can answer. Check out the gallery below. Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Louis Vuitton Cadillac Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Louis Vuitton-trimmed 1962 Cadillac fetches $40K originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Corvair Autocross: Awesomely thrilling at any speed Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Etc., Chevrolet, Racing Behold, Corvair handling! The first time you decide to autocross a forward-control Corvair, this lifted-wheel, heavy-leaning posture must be positively terrifying. When all four wheels find pavement again, and the view out the windshield levels off, the driver's likely giggling like a lunatic. Something that amusing obviously calls for another run through the cones. Here's the interesting part: Apparently, the stance looks worse than it is. The rear tire that's left on the ground slides in a benign fashion as a result of the the side-loading, correcting the lifted-leg. It's got all the components of summer fun: A vehicle that's absurd to autocross in the first place, tripod posture, and an element of danger The photo of this dancing Greenbrier comes from Tom Hughes, who covered the 2010 CORSA convention at his Corvair Fleet Management blog. Corvair owners are an enthusiastic bunch, and more shots of the autocross, including the expected Monzas and Spyders, are at Scott Trunkhill's Corvair.us gallery. If this is how they handle on the track, we expect great amusement from Team Trailing Throttle Oversteer's LeMons entry. [Source: Corvair Fleet Management via Hemmings]Corvair Autocross: Awesomely thrilling at any speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
2010 European Grand Prix: How the mighty have fallen [SPOILERS] UPDATED Filed under: Motorsports 2010 European Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery Some readers might think the spoiler-warning headline above is itself a spoiler, but trust us: we haven't given away anything that the TiVo crowd would rather keep hidden. So before you go rushing to conclusions, consider that this season (arguably more than any other in recent memory) is packed with "the mighty." With a quartet of world champions on the grid - two of them multiple winners, no less - no fewer than four teams have shaped up as frontrunners in contention for the title. It's a given that some of these "mighty" drivers will park their "mighty" cars on the podium at the end of each grand prix. It's just a matter of finding out which ones make it and which don't. Follow the jump learn how things played out at the Mediterranean seaside track in Valencia, Spain. Gallery: 2010 European Grand Prix Continue reading 2010 European Grand Prix: How the mighty have fallen [SPOILERS] UPDATED 2010 European Grand Prix: How the mighty have fallen [SPOILERS] UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Color-shifting Lamborghini LM002 Filed under: Performance, SUV, Truck, Auctions, Lamborghini, Military, Off-Road 1990 Lamborghini LM002 American - Click above for high-res image gallery Not only is this one of just 48 Lamborghini LM002 Americans produced, but it's the only "Rambo Lambo" we've ever seen finished in color-shifting DuPont ChromaLusion paint. That may be a good thing, depending on your personal sense of style and how it meshes with your image of Lamborghini. These Italian Hummers were built for military use but never really caught on. Maybe those expensive and fragile Countach V12s in the engine bay had something to do with it. Even after Lamborghini switched to the more robust Diablo mills, the trucks were still relegated to private service, mainly in the fleets of wealthy sheiks and celebs. The 5.2-liter, 420-horsepower Diablo V12 in this particular LM has just 3,068 original miles on it, and in addition to the chromatic color-shift paint, it features bespoke magnesium wheels, revised hood and trim, along with polished aluminum skid plates. It once belonged to renowned wildlife artist Christian Lassen, who had it painted this quad-toned hue. At Barrett-Jackson's inaugural Orange County auction, this LM002 hammered home $75,000. Check out more photos in the gallery below. Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Color-shift Lamborghini LM002 Photos by Frank Filipponio/ Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Color-shifting Lamborghini LM002 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Toyota to celebrate rally heritage at Goodwood Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows 1993 Toyota Celica Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery Toyota will be out in force at next weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed. The highlight of Toyota's participation will be a celebration of its success in the World Rally Championship in the 1980s and 1990s with at least three of its winning cars. The Group B Celica Twin Cam TA64 that won numerous rallies including the Safari and Ivory Coast events will be joined by the Group A Celica ST185 from the early 1990s and the later Corolla WRC. Toyota will bring along the Lexus LFA, a new supercharged edition of the iQ minicar and a Land Cruiser that raced in this year's Dakar rally. The festival runs July 2-4, 2010. Gallery: Toyota at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed [Source: Toyota]Continue reading Toyota to celebrate rally heritage at Goodwood Toyota to celebrate rally heritage at Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner "Hammer" has fame, nets fortune Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge, Celebrities, Specialty 1970 Plymouth Road Runner "Hammer" - Click above for high-res image gallery This big-block '70 Plymouth Roadrunner was at SEMA last year, but many readers may better remember it from its appearance as a feature car in Hot Rod magazine, a spot on the television show RIDES, and its big-screen debut in The Fast and the Furious franchise. Vin Diesel's character, Dom Toretto, showed up in the closing minutes of Tokyo Drift behind the wheel of this malevolent Mopar, and it made enough of an impact that it returned in the 2009 follow-up as well. Underhood, there's a supercharged 500-cubic-inch Mopar wedge pumping out 750 horsepower. To those familiar with the car, it's known simply as Hammer. The bidder who brought home this Plymouth also got a GMP limited edition 1:18-scale die-cast model of the car. Its closing bid of $175,000 made Hammer one of the top sellers at the 2010 Barrett-Jackson Orange County auction. Check out our mini-gallery below. Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Hammer '70 Plymouth Roadrunner Barrett-Jackson OC '10: 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner "Hammer" has fame, nets fortune originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Project American Heroes Chevelle brings $250,000 for charity Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Specialty Project American Heroes Chevelle - Click above for high-res image gallery The top seller in Barrett-Jackson's first Orange County auction on Saturday was a very special Chevy Chevelle. Built by Route 66 Motorsports and chronicled by Super Chevy Magazine, it's known as the Project American Heroes Chevelle, and it brought a cool quarter of a million bucks for the Armed Forces Foundation. This Chevelle is the third in a series of souped-up muscle cars built for this particular charity, which supports the families of injured veterans. The car itself is a 1970 Chevelle, with an intercooled, supercharged GM Performance Parts LSA engine where you might expect to see an LS5 or LS6 big block. Detroit Speed & Engineering did the suspension, the binders are Baer's new "6P" brake system, power is routed through a TCI Automotive 6x 6-speed 4L80E transmission, and the end result of these and about 30 other component contributors is one badass Chevelle that sold for $250,000 on Saturday afternoon. Take a look at the gallery below to see some shots of this very special Chevy, the color guard that escorted it onstage, and the cheerleaders that helped keep the crowd revved up during the auction. Gallery: Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Armed Forces Foundation Chevelle Barrett-Jackson OC '10: Project American Heroes Chevelle brings $250,000 for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Internet's wild car videos spawn new TLC special Filed under: Etc., Videos Out of Control Drivers on TLC - Click above to watch previews after the jump You know what TV producers love? Cheap, sensational content. That, incidentally, is the Internet's number one export. Marry the two and you have TLC's newest special: Out of Control Drivers. We'll let you guess what the show's about. If you're a viral video junkie, you've likely seen a lot of these - maybe all of them - already. Still, this is can't-avert-your-eyes stuff, as demonstrated in the two videos embedded after the jump. The first promo is just a highlight-reel trailer for the show, designed to whet your overall appetite for vehicular mayhem. The second video is a full segment showing what happens when a sleeping driver takes an unplanned detour through a gas station. Spoiler alert: things get ugly. Fast. Out of Control Drivers airs tomorrow night at 9 PM and 10 PM Eastern on TLC. We're certainly not about to skip True Blood to watch this, but we'll toss it in the DVR queue for future viewing. Hit the jump for the previews. [Source: TLC]Continue reading Internet's wild car videos spawn new TLC special Internet's wild car videos spawn new TLC special originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
2011 Chevrolet Volt visits Consumer Reports [w/video] Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Electric Consumer Reports checks out the Chevrolet Volt - click above to watch the video "What do you think about the Chevrolet Volt?" It's a question we get asked all the time. For most of us, the answer is, "I'm anxious to check it out." The staff of Consumer Reports' Automotive Test Center can offer more substantive replies. General Motors drove two Volts out to CR's Connecticut test facility and let the magazine's experts give the extended-range EVs some thorough study. Jake Fisher provides a succinct video overview of the Volt and comes away impressed with the promise the Volt shows based on its on-road behavior, space, and comfort. CR's Eric Evarts shares some impressions on the Consumer Reports cars blog. The EREV doesn't break new ground conceptually, but basing a mass-production, mainstream automobile around the architecture is nearly akin to a reinvention of the wheel. Set aside the impressive technical details for a moment and consider how completely realized the Chevy Volt will be from a user's perspective. Nice touches abound, such as a built-in circuit tester that "pings" the outlet you plug the Volt into. Following a clean test, an in-car indicator changes from yellow to green as charging commences. If the ping fails, the light blinks, signaling a problem. A smartphone application is in development that will provide drivers with remote access to the charging features, and owners will be able to download their utility company's electric rates to the Volt's command-and-control interface so the car will automatically charge when doing so is most cost-efficient. Those types of usability features are what's going to make or break the Volt, and from what Consumer Reports has said, there's more reason than ever to reply excitedly about trying out General Motors' new propulsion paradigm. Follow the jump to watch the CR videos. [Source: Consumer Reports]Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Volt visits Consumer Reports [w/video] 2011 Chevrolet Volt visits Consumer Reports [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Spy Shots: New Peugeot 508 sedan caught undisguised? Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot Peugeot's new executive-class sedan has spotted getting ready for a likely photoshoot in Madrid, wearing nothing but a car cover. Given the timing, we're guessing the new 508 sedan will get its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September and then go on sale late this year or in early 2011. The 508 will likely share most of its underpinnings with the Citroen C5 and be powered by range of engines, starting with a gasoline 1.6-liter inline-four,and topping out with a 3.0-liter 240-horsepower diesel V6. The 508 is also expected to be available with Peugeot's new Hybrid4 through-the-road hybrid system. This uses an internal combustion engine with a conventional transmission at the front wheels and an electric motor and battery for the rear axle. It's mechanically simpler than power-split systems like those from Toyota, and it offers on-demand all-wheel-drive. [Source: Autoblog.IT, 1Minutocoches]Spy Shots: New Peugeot 508 sedan caught undisguised? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge 2008 Dodge Caravan R/T concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Is a "macho" minivan even possible? Toyota's exploring the "Swagger Wagon" angle with the Sienna SE, and Dodge is apparently going to try and find out with a new variant of the Grand Caravan. Minivans are generally not aspirational vehicles; people buy them because they need the utility. Of course, that's not a bad thing - people haulers were created for a reason. However, Dodge is going to try and spread the appeal beyond kiddie-schlepping moms to attract more men into the fold. A "sportier-looking" front end paired with a black-and-grey interior doesn't seem like it'd be enough to swing much of the male demographic. After all, how sporty can you make a big box without a total redesign? The new model will reportedly draw from the Caravan R/T concept that was quietly displayed at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and it could debut within a few months. The Chrysler minivans have a lot to offer in terms of packaging, but their interiors leave much to be desired. If Chrysler substantially upgrades the look and feel there, its vans could land a few body blows in the battle against the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. But adding a hood scoop and big wheels? Not the answer. Gallery: Dodge Caravan R/T concept [Source: Wall Street Journal]Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Top Gear's new reasonably-priced car is... the Kia Cee'd? Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Kia Get your torrents warmed up! The new season of Top Gear finally airs tomorrow night in the UK (don't even get us started on why BBC America is still running something like season 7 right now), and the boys are unveiling an all-new reasonably-priced car. The old Chevrolet Lacetti has been sent of off to the scrap heap and it looks like Richard Hammond gets the honor of pulling the sheet of the new car. Someone snapped a pic during rehearsals this week, and we've got some clues as to what the new star car might be. The best guess appears to be the compact Kia Cee'd, a decent-looking little hatch that's not available in North America. The general shape and the lights seem to be a pretty good match, as are the wheels. We still don't know who this week's celebrity hotshoe will be, but we'll be checking it as soon as we can. A tip of the hat to Rudy! [Source: VW Vortex]Top Gear's new reasonably-priced car is... the Kia Cee'd? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Land Rover to reveal production LRX tomorrow? Filed under: Spy Photos, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Land Rover Land Rover LRX spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery Even though Land Rover's baby LRX crossover won't make its public debut until this year's Paris Motor Show, the automaker will be giving the world an early sneak peek at the production model during a web unveiling tomorrow at 19:30 GMT (that's 3:30 PM for all of you in the Eastern time zone). We'll have the full raft of details at that time, but right now, we understand that both front- and all-wheel drive versions of the LRX will be available, as well as a forthcoming hybrid model. What's more, while the original LRX spy shots stayed true to the two-door configuration of the concept, we've also spotted a four-door variant running around - an additional bodystyle that will doubtlessly expand the crossover's attractiveness to potential shoppers. We'll know exactly what Land Rover has up its sleeve tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned. Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Land Rover LRX Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Land Rover LRX Four-Door [Source: Land Rover via The Car Connection | Images: KGP Photography]Land Rover to reveal production LRX tomorrow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Report: Toyota must share info on brake override system Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is still pouring over Toyota's unintended acceleration issues, and right now the group is looking into older braking systems. Automotive News reports that the committee was told by investigators that an investigation of a 2005 Toyota Camry showed that some older model Toyotas were equipped with brake override systems (although not all newer models have such equipment). Toyota, as you may recall, has promised to equip all 2011 model year vehicles with a brake override system. The Japanese automaker has also been asked by the committee to detail the work being performed by research firm Exponent Inc. relative to Toyota's unintended acceleration issues. Exponent has said that it hasn't found any electronics issues that would lead to unwanted acceleration issues. For his part, Committee Chairman Henry Waxman has told reporters in a letter that Exponent "has not been fully cooperative with the committee's requests." Toyota is reportedly being given until July 6 to contact the House committee, and documents must be provided by July 12. Toyota spokesman Mike Michels has informed AN that the company will cooperate with requests from the committee. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty] Report: Toyota must share info on brake override system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Avenge the fallen with The Wraith movie car Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Dodge, Specialty Let's take a stroll back through time to an era when droves of people, young and old, would willingly pay to watch bad actors and improbable cars join forces to fight evil on the silver screen. No, we're not talking about 2007, nor Michael Bay's Transformers. We're interested in something altogether more pure - 1986's The Wraith. If you've never seen the film, you're missing out on a piece of cinematic car history that uses plot only as a vessel for plot holes. But never mind that. The star of the show is none other than the 1984 Dodge M4S Concept. Charlie Sheen is there, too. Using its mid-ship, twin-turbo 2.2-liter Cosworth four-cylinder engine, the newly christened Wraith is no longer a prisoner of the show circuit. Using state of the art special effects, the car spends the length of the film running down gang members and restoring order to society. And now it's for sale. After being found in pieces, some loving soul has taken the time to restore The Wraith to its former glory, and it's now available for sale in Kansas. According to the site, the seller is open to entertaining offers. Take our advice: don't low ball the guy. The Wraith just might come for your immortal soul. [Source: Hooniverse | Image: The Wraith Car]Avenge the fallen with The Wraith movie car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Hatchback, Lexus, Luxury, Quick Spin 2011 Lexus CT 200h prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery Toyota is no stranger to being first - Japanese luxury vehicles and hybrids chief among them. Although Acura may have launched earlier, Lexus remains the only Japanese luxury marque to market in Japan. And having launched in Europe shortly after America, Lexus was also the first to challenge the European heavyweights on their home turf, and with its LS and LFA, it remains the only non-European marque to compete at the top level. Credit Toyota, as well, for popularizing hybrid technology, as it launched the Prius domestically as the first mass-produced gas-electric, whereupon it has dominated the market with successive generations. But where the Japanese auto giant has really stood apart is in the combination of both luxury and hybrid technology. Recognizing the technology's popularity with upscale buyers, Lexus has carved out a niche in producing luxury hybrids. In fact, its lineup in many European markets is comprised exclusively of hybrids. The HS 250h launched late last year as the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid model and now Lexus is branching out again by electrifying territory previously uncharted by Japanese automakers: the premium hatchback segment. We flew out to Toyota's European headquarters to see how development of the new CT 200h has been coming along. Follow the jump to see what we found. Gallery: First Ride: 2011 Lexus CT 200h Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Video: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test ban Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari Fernando Alonso takes the Ferrari F10 around Fiorano - Click above to watch the video after the jump The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty may have made the world a better place, but the test ban in place in Formula One has had some other rather interesting effects. Take Jaime Alguersuari, for example, who was racing in actual grands prix before getting a chance to actually test out the machinery. Or Michael Schumacher, who had to sharpen his skills in a GP2 car before coming out of retirement. Or in this case, Fernando Alonso, who had never even lapped Ferrari's iconic private Fiorano test track... until now. Ferrari took advantage of a loophole in the regulations that allows teams to run their cars during the season for "promotional purposes." So in order to test the revisions that the Scuderia made to its F10 racer in advance of this past weekend's European Grand Prix, and allow their two-time world champion to get some track time at Fiorano, Ferrari had to release this clip. Follow the jump to watch the video from inside the cockpit, and consider the team suitably promoted. [Source: Ferrari via Axis of Oversteer]Continue reading Video: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test ban Video: Fernando Alonso shows us how to get around Fiorano... and the test ban originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Bugatti repaints Galibier sedan concept black, wants to put it into production Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, Bugatti, Luxury Top Gear magazine spent some getting-to-know-you time with the Bugatti Galibier at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, and scribe Jason Barlow was all kinds of smitten. The Galibier he crawled all over was painted black, a "Bugatti insider" avowing that the two-tone hue previously on show was "a distraction." But get this for a real distraction: Bugatti wants to build it and a "top VW engineer" claims the chances are better than 50% that such a thing will occur. A production car would swap the Veyron's four turbos and DSG for two superchargers and a torque converter, because you want your 16-cylinder sedan a little more... sedate, you know? It will take the vote of a man named Piëch to truly make this happen, but we'll have no problem dreaming in black in the meantime. Top tip, Brandon! [Source: Top Gear]Bugatti repaints Galibier sedan concept black, wants to put it into production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Patent drawings reveal new Chevrolet small pickup... but is it for North America? Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet Patent drawings for a small Chevy pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery Chevrolet designers have had some fun with the company Etch-a-Sketch and came up with this, then filed the drawings with the patent office. Any details identifying its place in the Chevy lineup or in the automaker's global marketplace were sadly left out of the filing. Carscoop theorizes that it could be an update for the South American market, or a long-shot replacement for the Colorado. At right is a single-cab Chevy Colorado, whose door handles and greenhouse are close to the patent drawing. However, beneath that is a Brazilian-market 2009 Chevy S10 Colina, whose taillights are a much better match for the patent drawing. Swapping its front end for the Cruze-ish grille in the filing might be more reasonable than performing the same swap on a Colorado, or maybe not. What's really got us wondering are those exposed bed-rail tie-downs, which look like something from an early eighties Toyota. Or a Mahindra Pik-up. What truck and what market are looking for those? Have a look at the high-res filings yourself and feel free to make all the guesses you want. Gallery: Chevrolet patent drawings for a small pickup [Source: Carscoop]Patent drawings reveal new Chevrolet small pickup... but is it for North America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Nowack tweaks BMW M5's V10 to 708 horsepower Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury BMW M5 N635S 5.8 Hans Nowack Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery With its award-winning V10, BMW's M division hasn't left us with much not to love. Save, of course, for the fact that it's not long for this world, pushed out as it will be in the next M5 by the company's growing environmental conscience. But before the twin-turbo V8 spells its demise, Nowack Motors is giving it a suitable farewell in the form of the N635S 5.8 Hans Nowack Edition. Having ruled out forced induction, the BMW tuning house has fitted the 5.0-liter V10 with a pair of new intake air collectors, a remapped ECU and retooled engine components. The result boosts the stock 507-horsepower motor up to a mind-boggling 708, dedicated by Oliver Nowack to his father Hans. The modifications are warrantied for a full year and can be retrofitted to any existing M5, and since the upgrades have been carried out principally on the engine itself, can also be fitted to its two-door counterpart, the M6. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below. Gallery: BMW M5 N635S 5.8 Hans Nowack Edition [Source: Nowack Motors via World Car Fans]Continue reading Nowack tweaks BMW M5's V10 to 708 horsepower Nowack tweaks BMW M5's V10 to 708 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Video: Prestone melts GM 3.6-liter engine block with blowtorches to show importance o Filed under: Etc., Videos, GM Click above to watch the video after the jump It doesn't take a gearhead to know that engine coolant is vitally important to the overall health of your car or truck. Still, thousands of vehicle owners ignore their coolant every year to the detriment of their precious powertrains. Prestone wanted to demonstrate just how important coolant is to the health of an engine, but this isn't the sexiest topic on earth. So did Prestone spend big bucks on a CGI simulation? How about boring us with a video showing how long it takes for a vehicle sans fluids to go up in smoke? Nope. Instead Prestone gave some well-trained pyromaniacs high-powered blow torches and melted the aluminum engine block of a General Motors 3.6-liter V6. Hit the jump to watch as GM's high-feature V6 feels the heat of several blowtorches. It only took about 20 minutes to mutilate everything but the crankshaft and cylinder sleeves, but Prestone cut the carnage down to three manageable minutes. [Source: YouTube via USA Today]Continue reading Video: Prestone melts GM 3.6-liter engine block with blowtorches to show importance of coolant Video: Prestone melts GM 3.6-liter engine block with blowtorches to show importance of coolant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Bentley, First Drive, Luxury 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible - click above for high-res image gallery As we see it, there's one major problem with the 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. No, not the $280,000 asking price, or even the give-us-a-break curb weight of 5,269 pounds. We also aren't talking about the fact that this basic chassis has been around since 2003. Nor are we concerned that there exist very few places on earth where you can even maybe-kinda-sorta properly experience the thrust of the Supersport's twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12's profligate output. Get this: 621 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque available between 2,000-4,500 rpm. Did we mention this one's a convertible? Furthermore, the topless Supersports' problem does not involve the fact that there are very, very few people in its target demographic. You know, the guy that wants to take three members of his family for a ride at 197 mph with the top down (Bentley would like us to point out that with the top up, the Supersports Convertible will hit 202 mph). Thing is, out of the earth's 6.7 billion inhabitants, there will surely be around 400 folks that fit the bill, coincidentally about the same number of these topless Supersports Bentley intends to build. No, the problem with the Bentley Supersports Convertible is that the preposterously humongous carbon-ceramic brakes feel a bit squishy coming down from 165 mph. Mind you, at 130 mph, the stoppers work like anchors. Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Rumormill: Audi considering A1 Allroad Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Rumormill 2007 Audi Cross Coupé concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Apparently not content to let Mini hog the small premium crossover segment with its new Countryman, Audi is reportedly working on an Allroad version of the A1. The A1 three-door hatchback goes on sale this year with a five-door coming in 2011. A higher-riding crossover variant could come by 2013 and follow in the path of previous Audi Allroad editions with arch extensions, bigger wheel and tires and possibly even all-wheel drive. A quattro variant hasn't yet been confirmed, although Volkswagen is reportedly working on an all-wheel drive variant of the Volkswagen CrossPolo which shares its platform with the little Audi. Given Audi's 30-year commitment to quattro, we'd bet on both variants for the A1 Allroad - but of course, we were surprised when the A1 hatch arrived with only its front wheels driven... Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro [Source: AutoZietung (translated)]Rumormill: Audi considering A1 Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Volvo 2011 Volvo V70 R-Design by Heico Sportiv - click above for a high-res image gallery A Volvo wagon from a tuner can't help but sound exciting to us. Externally, the Volvo V70 T6 R-Design by Heico Sportiv delivers what you'd expect for an exclusive Euro express, carrying an eye-watering €70,193 price tag (that's more than $86,000 USD). Metallic sapphire black is the only color available for the limited-edition run of 100 cars. Ride height is lowered by 30 millimeters over attractive five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system is fitted and there's an ever-important viking-helmet emblem affixed to the car's rump. Heico also re-tunes the turbocharged six cylinder engine, which jumps from its standard 304 horsepower to 330. Volvo's R-Design dress-up parts are applied liberally, as well. Matte metal accents in and out and sport leather upholstery further set this special wagon apart. The aesthetics are without fault, but then there's the performance details. Despite increased horsepower and claims of "apparently limitless power reserves," the resulting numbers aren't terribly impressive for a car with such sporting overtones and lofty price. 0-62 mph arrives in 5.9 seconds, which is quick, but for about the same money, an Audi S6 Avant packs a 429 pony wallop that reaches 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, and we're guessing that it'll outhandle the Swede as well. BMW's 535i SE Touring is a veritable bargain, ringing up a €48,000 price tag (just under $59k) and delivering a nearly-identical run 6.0 second run to 100 km/h from its 306 hp engine. On this side of the Atlantic, you could pick up an Ecoboost-powered Ford Flex for $37,000 and get more space and similar pace (Ford's three-row scorcher ran to 60mph in 6.0 seconds for a Car and Driver shoe). Despite the number-crunching, there's little doubt that this Heico-tuned V70 is among the sportiest Volvo wagons extant, but exclusivity and styling will have to sell this car. It's out-sprinted by a V6 Nissan Altima, and even the Toyota RAV-4 V6 will give it a hard time - not exactly what you'd expect from a "tuner" car. Gallery: 2011 Volvo V70 R-Design by Heico Sportiv [Source: Heico Sportiv]Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Spy Shots: VW Amarok pickup spotted sporting single-cab on... the Nürburgring?! Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Volkswagen Volkswagen Amarok single-cab prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery New spy photos have turned up showing a standard-cab version of the Volkswagen Amarok... snagged testing on Germany's Nürburgring, of all places. Up until now, the Amarok pickup has only been seen with a short-bed, crew-cab configuration, but the new standard-cab is expected to go on sale in 2011. The thick B-pillar should mean that the seats will have some space behind them to allow for storage or adjustment for more leg-room. The current Amarok is only available with either four- or all-wheel-drive, but the new version is expected to have a rear-wheel drive base model as well. Judging by the relatively plain trim on this prototype, it appears that Volkswagen is aiming to offer a lower cost work truck similar to the pickups that are commonly sold to commercial fleets here in the United States. The 163 horsepower 2.0-liter diesel is expected to carry over to the standard-cab with a dual-clutch DSG gearbox joining the existing six-speed manual box. As far as we know, there are still no plans to offer the Amarok in the North American market. Oh, and we're also not sure if the Amorok was able to set any new 'Ring records... but probably not. Gallery: Spy Shots: Volkswagen Amarok Single Cab [Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: VW Amarok pickup spotted sporting single-cab on... the Nürburgring?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Mazda whips the sheets off of MX-5 Miata Miyako for UK market Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Mazda, UK UK-edition Mazda MX-5 Miyako - Click above for high-res image gallery The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been electromagnetic when it comes to special editions, nearly as powerful at attracting check-this-option-box versions as the Ford Mustang. The next one to be rung up is the MX-5 Miyako for those roadster-loving Brits. Part of the year-long celebration of 20 years of Miata production, the "summer special edition" Miyako gets the requisite leather interior upgrade with highlighted stitching and badging, unique colors and 17-inch wheels. It is the first special edition that you can have in both ragtop and folding tin-top forms, with 500 each available to the consuming public. It goes on sale July 1, priced from £18,385 ($27,722 U.S.) on-the-road. Have a read on all the specs after the jump, and check the fun you're meant to have in it in the gallery of high-res photos below. Gallery: Mazda MX-5 Miyako Edition for the UK [Source: Mazda]Continue reading Mazda whips the sheets off of MX-5 Miata Miyako for UK market Mazda whips the sheets off of MX-5 Miata Miyako for UK market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Dodge hipper than ever says Ralph Gillies Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge Ralph Gilles reports that the halls of Dodge are abuzz with enthusiasm since Fiat rescued Chrysler. In an interview with The Detroit News, Gilles conveys his enthusiasm for the Dodge brand and the new direction it's headed. Among the most significant changes? 100,000-plus fans on Facebook for Dodge. To many, that figure may be nowhere near as important as the divorcing of Ram into its own sub-brand, but Gilles notes there was virtually no social media presence for Dodge just months ago. Brash moves like the Challenger commercials during the World Cup are also harbingers of what we're likely to see from Dodge, Gilles says. Nuts-and-bolts developments like the horsepower rating of the Pentastar V6 in the new Challenger, the continuation of the Durango name and the possibility of a new Viper find Gilles being more coy. It's an encouraging chat for anyone concerned with the future of Dodge. Gilles seems genuinely enthusiastic about the different directions Dodge is going to get its brand engaging with fans and customers. There's an apparel line that's done surprisngly well, a new NASCAR Challenger, more grassroots focus and it all means that you should expect to see Dodge popping up in unexpected places. The most important, and perhaps still unexpected place you'll see Dodge showing up soon is the auto show stand. Dodge and parent Chrysler are set to introduce a slew of new models in the coming months. If they're as good as they need to be, we'll be giddy like Gilles, too. [Source: The Detroit News]Dodge hipper than ever says Ralph Gillies originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Report: Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups to get new model designations for 2011, lit Filed under: Truck, Nissan While Nissan refines its pickup truck plans and gets ready for an all new Titan in 2014, it is doing only a little bit of tweaking to the 2011 Titan and Frontier. The Titan swaps three of its four trim level names, with XE becoming S, SE becoming SV and LE becoming SL, and any four-wheel drive model will get a "4x4" badge. More substantively, captain's chairs will be fitted as standard on the top-level SL trim. The 317-horsepower, 5.6 liter V8 remains unchanged. The name swap carries over to the Frontier, however, with the PRO-4X model keeping its name on the Frontier and Titan. The smaller pickup loses the six-speed manual on the long wheelbase SL King Cab and SV Crew Cab, but gains a six-speed manual option for the lowest trim S model and the PRO-4X short wheelbases. The top line SV trim adds a Luxury Package to its option sheet, and with a little mix-n-match you can get LATCH child safety seats. The 2011 Titan goes on sale in August, the V6 Frontiers hit showrooms in September, the four cylinder Frontiers in October. [Source: PickupTrucks.com]Report: Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups to get new model designations for 2011, little else originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Hyundai brings Toyota's Michael O'Brien to head U.S. product planning Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Hyundai, Toyota Hyundai Motor America can officially stick another feather in its cap. The company has successfully managed to woo Mike O'Brien from the clutches of Toyota and back onto the Korean automaker's team. O'Brien worked at Hyundai for a full 14 years as a product planner before jumping ship and heading over to Toyota as a corporate manager. Now he's back, and will be filling the role of vice president of product and corporate planning under the Hyundai flag. So what does that mean for future Hyundai products? Any hypotheses we throw out now would be little more than guesses, but according to the press release, O'Brien is a car guy first and foremost and spends his off-time buzzing around in a decommissioned French fighter jet. Here's hoping some of that need for speed translates into a few more aggressive pieces of machinery from Hyundai. Clear the jump for the press release. [Source: Hyundai]Continue reading Hyundai brings Toyota's Michael O'Brien to head U.S. product planning Hyundai brings Toyota's Michael O'Brien to head U.S. product planning originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Specialty, South America, Off-Road i-tec Mavric flying buggy - Click above for high-res image gallery In a lot of ways, we've been shortchanged on the transportation front. We were supposed to be jetting around in flying cars by the year 2000, but unfortunately, our vehicles remain firmly bolted the ground below them. At least for now. A company by the name of i-tec is out to build and sell an off-road vehicle capable of taking to the skies in a bid to bring missionaries to the far-flung reaches of the Amazon. Called the Mavric, the buggy weighs a heady 1,100 lbs, but manages to get off the ground thanks to a massive, carbon-fiber blade reverse-prop 128-horsepower engine and an ultra-light style airfoil. The FAA has granted the Mavric experimental status, and the i-tec crew has been putting the buggy through its paces. While the company specifically wants to use its invention to buzz around in the rain forest, it also has an eye on selling its flying off-roader to companies that spend time inspecting expanses of pipe or fence in unruly terrain. We just want one to use to terrorize our neighborhood. Gallery: i-tec Mavric [Source: i-tec]Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...
Tonino Lamborghini does his own branded laptop Filed under: Technology, Lamborghini Tonino Lamborghini CULV laptop - Click above for image gallery Take a particular slant on supercar history and you'd be forgiven for categorizing Lamborghini as another pretender to Ferrari's throne. Enzo was, after all, the spiteful impetus for Ferruccio's branching out from tractors to sportscars, and some might say has been playing catch-up ever since. Whatever way you look at it, that's certainly the case when it comes to merchandising, an area which - for better or worse - Ferrari's long been the leader. As Ferrari has its line of Acer computers, so has Lamborghini teamed up with Asus for a range of laptops. But this is something altogether different. Tonino Lamborghini - Ferruccio's son with his own line of merchandise - has granted his name and variation on the raging bull badge to be used on this seemingly pedestrian laptop. The specs are rather run-of-the-mill and the design is rather uninspired, as you'll find in the gallery below and the source links. But at 649 euros, it's a fair bit cheaper than the four-figure tags on either its namesake's or its rival's more upscale offerings. Gallery: Tonino Lamborghini CULV laptop [Source: Notebook Italia via Engadget]Tonino Lamborghini does his own branded laptop originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments More after the jump...