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| Spy Shots: 2011 Infiniti QX56 caught on show
September 10, 2009 at 8:58 pm
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| Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Infiniti, Off-Road  2011 Infiniti QX56 - Click either image for a gallery
 The 2011 Infiniti QX56 went on display in the Middle East and some stealthy soul caught a couple of close-up pics from the front and rear three-quarter. It's a much smoother vehicle than the one it replaces, ditching the arcs for hard angles. It also sheds finicky styling cues like the current vehicle's slightly contorted C-pillar arrangement, going for an uninterrupted window line rimmed by a chrome strip. Head on, though, it's grille-tastic.
Body elements like flaring arches are more integrated, and the chrome strip running down the side has been omitted. The rear is an FX-ified version of the new Nissan Patrol, and the package rides on anice set of Infiniti's trademark wheels. We aren't sure if it will turn the QX56's sales numbers around, but stranger things have happened... Hat tip to Drew
[Source: VW Vortex]Spy Shots: 2011 Infiniti QX56 caught on show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Ferrari's Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL]
September 10, 2009 at 8:29 pm
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| Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, UK 
The people have spoken. (Well, the British anyway. But they're people, too). And according to a public opinion survey, Ferrari has the most iconic badge among exotic automakers.
The poll in question was conducted by European telecom company Orange for the MPH Top Gear Live show, a sort of live-action performance car show held in car-crazed England. Ferrari was identified far and away as the most recognizable of car logos, garnering nearly half the votes. Aston Martin came in second with a quarter of the votes, edging out Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche, while Maserati, Spyker, Lotus, Koenigsegg and Pagani rounding out the rest of the top ten with small shares of the votes.
The numbers go to show that while the Prancing Horse is still king, England's own Aston Martin has grown to eclipse some of the biggest power houses in terms of brand recognition. We wonder how long it will take McLaren's Nike-like tick logo, which appears as a motif repeatedly in the design of the new MP4-12C supercar unveiled today, to rise up the ranks, too. We also wonder how American car fans would vote differently from our former colonial masters, and we're wondering if the survey takers were given a limited number of choices, or if the poll specifically targeted performance marques. After all, aren't workaday emblems like Ford's Blue Oval or Chevrolet's Bowtie more recognizable, or even Blighty's own Rolls-Royce's Double R logo?
In any case, we've started a performance badge poll of our own and thrown in the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper sub-brands (together with McLaren) for good measure. Follow the jump to cast your vote and read the press release with full figures after the jump.
[Source: MPH]Continue reading Ferrari's Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL] Ferrari's Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.10.09
September 10, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.10.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Politician known for harsh motorist laws arrested in brutal hit-and-run death
September 10, 2009 at 7:58 pm
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| Filed under: Government/Legal  Former Ontario, Canada Attorney General Michael Bryant made a name for himself as a tough-nosed lawmaker that took a hard line against street racing. Among Bryant's hard stance anti-racer policies was a law that gave the police the right to crush any car that was modified for racing - even if the vehicle had no complaints against it. If a report from The New York Times is true, Mr. Bryant could ironically spend the rest of his life behind bars for a brutal hit-and-run accident involving a bicyclist.
The incident reportedly began as a minor event and quickly escalated. Bryant allegedly brushed the bicyclist while he was driving, who then held on to the driver's side door of his black Saab convertible. Witnesses told a local Canadian television station that Bryant was heard swearing and swerving in an apparent attempt to shake the biker from his door. Bystanders told police that Bryant was driving on the sidewalk near lamp posts at a high rate of speed, in an apparent attempt to knock the biker off.
The incident ended with the bicyclist, Darcy Allen Sheppard, striking a mailbox. Sheppard later died due to injuries sustained from the accident. According to the NYT, Bryant went to a nearby hotel after the incident where he was later arrested for what appears to be a most heinous hit-and-run incident. It looks like Bryant was right when he said that cars could be as dangerous as explosives...
[Source: The New York Times | Image: Wikipedia via cc 2.0]REPORT: Politician known for harsh motorist laws arrested in brutal hit-and-run death originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Will extreme steel 'Velcro' change the face of cars?
September 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm
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| Filed under: Technology  In cars, Velcro is good for fastening your garage door clicker to the sun visor and... that's about it. But, some Velcro-inspired German engineers have come up with a version of the noisy fastener that could change all that. Meet Metaklett. Inspired by Velcro, Metaklett is made up of tiny steel hooks and loops that fasten to one another. Like Velcro, two pieces of Metaklett can be fastened to each other and then unfastened without any special tools. Oh, and one square meter of Metaklett can support loads over 77,000 pounds at temperatures up to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unlike glue, Metaklett will never melt. And since it has such high heat tolerance, it can be used anywhere in a car, or even on roadways to hang signage or help reinforce bridges.
One automotive application might be to hang exhaust components, which routinely get up and over 500 degrees. Similarly, Metaklett could be used to mount objects around manifolds, even in turbocharged cars which get really hot. Imagine using the stuff for engine mounts, where you could literally drop an engine in just a few seconds. Plus, you could just 'Velcro' the headers to the exhaust pipes.
Or how about body panels? If a Metaklett mounted body panel gets dinged or twisted, we could see just peeling it off and replacing it with a new one. No tools needed. We should point out while Metaklett can support 77,140 pounds in the direction of the two pieces of material, it can "only" hold a perpendicular load of 15,500 pounds. So Hummer H2 drivers, keep on rolling. We kid, we kid.
[Source: New Scientist | Image: TUM Institute of Metal Forming and Casting]
Will extreme steel 'Velcro' change the face of cars? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Coys coming to America to sell record-breaking collection of 500 classics
September 10, 2009 at 7:01 pm
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| Filed under: Classics, Auctions 
British motoring enthusiasts and car collectors have come to know Coys as one of the preeminent auction houses in England. They've been in business since 1909, and operate several locations in the U.K. as well as offices in Italy, at Germany's Nürburgring and in Monaco. Until now, the auction house - whose recent notable consignments have included championship-winning motorcycles and dictator-chauffering cabriolets - has not delved into the American market, but they're ready for it now, and they're planning to make quite a splash.
Coys' first auction in the United States is scheduled to take place in Houston on September 19, and it will feature an enormous consignment of 500 automobiles - all from a single private collection. Of those, 200 will be auctioned off with no reserve price whatsoever, making this the largest no-reserve auction in American automotive history. Among the vehicles up for grabs are a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Drophead Coupe, a 1985 Lamborghini Jalpa, a 1958 Porsche 356 Coupe and a 1916 Packard Twin-Six Runabout. Follow the jump for more details.
[Source: Coys]
Continue reading Coys coming to America to sell record-breaking collection of 500 classics Coys coming to America to sell record-breaking collection of 500 classics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Lincoln MKT earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS
September 10, 2009 at 6:33 pm
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2010 Lincoln MKT - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has dumped all of its latest safety gadgets into the already structurally sound 2010 Lincoln MKT, and the Blue Oval's engineering labor appears to have paid off as the luxury crossover has just scored a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The Top Pick status of the 5,000 lb MKT doesn't come as a surprise, as it is mechanically identical to the well-regarded Ford Flex.
The MKT scored a "Good" rating in each category, including structure, injury measures and restraints. The IIHS added that "dummy movement was well controlled. After the dummy moved forward into the airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury."
The Lincoln MKT comes with standard equipment like an advanced structural safety system that combines octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails and support members that are designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. Along with the usual safety suspects like side curtain airbags, Ford offers optional safety equipment like Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning Brake Control and a Blind Spot Information system. Hit the jump to read the Ford press release.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Lincoln MKT earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS Lincoln MKT earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay
September 10, 2009 at 5:58 pm
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| Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Humor 
Good news, boys and girls: It's time for another Funny Car Commercial of the Day! Last time, we laughed at an ad from Norsk Hydro of Norway that proves how much fun engineering can be as a career choice. Today, we change gears a bit and look at what goes into styling a sexy German-designed automobile.
All right, fine... so the previous-generation Ford Fiesta may not be the sexiest automobile ever to roll out of a German design studio, but this commercial, which first aired on Austrian television sets in 2006, grabbed our attention nonetheless. Click past the break to watch the video (warning: video autoplays) and be sure to check out veryfunnyads.com for more gut busters.
[Source: veryfunnyads.com]
Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Ford Foreclay originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius
September 10, 2009 at 5:31 pm
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota 
Toyota Prius PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota's new generation plug-in hybrid Prius will be shown for the first time next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now we've got some new images and details. As expected, the PHEV Prius will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid synergy drive system has been upgraded for the PHEV allowing the Prius to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 12.5 miles. The car can apparently accelerate all the way from a standing start in EV mode, although it's not clear how quick it will be. While doing this, the Prius apparently emits about 60 g/km of carbon dioxide. The range and emissions estimates are all based on the EU driving cycle, so the numbers should be a bit more realistic than the absurd Japanese 10/15 cycle.
The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium-batteried Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.
[Source: Toyota]
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser
September 10, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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|  2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery
The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Common sense, right? Absolutely, but it's still helpful to see real-life data, as you'll see by checking out the results of a recent test performed by Consumer Reports. Not all cars perform the same at various speed limits, and as you might expect, America's most fuel efficient models are also the vehicles most affected by higher speeds.
A total of seven vehicles were tested by CR: a Acura TSX with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a new 2010 Honda Insight; a Lexus RX350; a Mercury Mountaineer with 4.6-liter V8; Toyota Camry and RAV4 with 2.5-liter four-bangers; and a Yaris with a 1.5-liter four.
As you're probably aware, today's hybrids are optimized for high fuel economy at city speeds and therefore lose much of their miserly ways on the highway. As it turns out, this was especially true of the new Insight hybrid, which lost over 15 miles per gallon moving the needle from 55 mph to 75 mph - the largest drop in the contest. Click here for the complete test results.
[Source: Consumer Reports]Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| GM "Satisfaction Guaranteed" official, commercial reveals future GM product
September 10, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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| Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, GM GM "Satisfaction Guaranteed" commercial - Click above to view gallery of screen shots or watch video after the jump
Earlier today we told you that General Motors would be announcing a new initiative that gives customers a 60-day money back guarantee on any Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick or GMC vehicle purchased. That program was just officially announced as the "Satisfaction Guarantee" and runs from September 14 through November 30. To kick things off, GM will be airing a commercial called "May the Best Car Win" starring its new Chairman, Ed Whitacre. You can view the commercial after the jump (sorry about the squishiness), but you'll also want to check out the gallery below that contains screen shots lifted from the ad.
The commercial shows Whitacre taking a leisurely stroll through the GM Design Center in Warren, MI. You know, that place you're never EVER to enter with a camera. Flaunting the rules, Whitacre and his camera crew stroll by a number of future vehicles and concepts that are deftly placed around the design center. We see the upcoming Cadillac ATS, what we assume to be a production-intent version of the Cadillac Converj (Caddy's version of the Volt), a small Buick crossover based on the company's Delta platform and the production Chevy Spark, among others.
After you're done ogling the General's future portfolio, you can also check out official details on the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" program, which covers 2009 and 2010 models as long they're returned between 31 and 60 days after purchase with less than $4,000 miles. And sorry, leases aren't included.
Continue reading GM "Satisfaction Guaranteed" official, commercial reveals future GM product GM "Satisfaction Guaranteed" official, commercial reveals future GM product originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Ron Dennis on the new McLaren MP4-12C
September 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm
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| Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos 
Ron Dennis on the McLaren MP4-12C - Click above to watch video after the jump
It's not hard to see who McLaren has in its sights with the new MP4-12C. The supercar was launched only shortly after - and is positioned only slightly higher - than Ferrari's brand-new 458 Italia. And while other automakers have delved into F1, only two current F1 teams have delved into building road-going supercars.
Though it's one thing to surmise such things, it's quite another to hear it explicitly coming from the mouth of the company's chairman. While the outfit might not bear his name, it might as well, because Ron Dennis is, for all intents and purposes, a modern day Enzo Ferrari. Follow the jump to see what he has to say about the new company with twenty years' experience and their first new product.
[Source: McLaren]Continue reading VIDEO: Ron Dennis on the new McLaren MP4-12C VIDEO: Ron Dennis on the new McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| More next-gen Toyota 4Runner shots hit the interwebs
September 10, 2009 at 3:29 pm
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| Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Toyota  2010 Toyota 4Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery
Those anxiously awaiting the scheduled September 24 reveal of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner are going to want to take a good look at the gallery below, which contains a few more high-resolution images of the Japanese automaker's body-on-frame SUV.
As we noted the last time we saw spy shots, the next 4Runner will push forward with a boxy, square-jawed look that reinforces this SUV as the rugged, off-road capable midsizer in Toyota's lineup, leaving the unibody Highlander and Venza to take on the rest of the burgeoning CUV crowd.
When the 2010 4Runner hits the market, it will be equipped with the buyers choice of either a 161-horsepower four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower six. The current V8 engine option will no longer be available, but Toyota promises its 'ute will be more luxurious and capable than ever before. We'll find out exactly what that means in exactly two weeks. Stay tuned!
[Source: Toyota-4Runner.org via The Car Lounge]
More next-gen Toyota 4Runner shots hit the interwebs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| eBay Find of the Day: Ford Festiva SHOgun replica
September 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm
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| Filed under: Performance, Auctions, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty Ford Festiva SHOgun replica - Click above for image gallery
Way back in the late 1980s, Chuck Beck, who's perhaps best known for his excellent Porsche 550 Spyder replicas, created what in our minds is still one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of all time: the Festiva SHOgun. While nobody would mistake the lowly Ford Festiva as a performance vehicle, the SHOgun packed a 220 horsepower secret behind its front seats in the form of a V6 engine yanked from a Ford Taurus SHO. A legend was born.
There were only seven SHOguns produced in 1989 (number three is still owned by Jay Leno), so it's highly unlikely you'll ever run into one for sale. Of course, the possibility exists that you could just make one yourself... or, alternatively, purchase this replica on eBay.
The car's current owners claim to have purchased their SHOgun replica from a museum and say that it's powered by a 1996 SHO powerplant. We don't think so. The '96 SHO had a V8 engine and this one, like all the real SHOguns, used a Yamaha V6 - in this case mated up to an automatic transmission. Interested? Click here to visit the auction page.
[Source: eBay Motors]eBay Find of the Day: Ford Festiva SHOgun replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage
September 10, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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| Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Honda, Design/Style  2010 Honda CR-V - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Casual observers will have a difficult time distinguishing between Honda's 2009 and 2010 CR-V. Small exterior tweaks and interior upgrades top the list of changes, while underhood, Honda's cute 'ute gets another 14 horses to play with while returning slightly better fuel economy.
The CR-V's grille gets re-worked with a single chrome bar instead of two, and flows into the headlights instead of being interrupted by body-color trim. The opening below shrinks and receives a honeycomb insert instead of the horizontal slats, and below that, the rugged-looking plastic fascia is totally re-worked with less black, more paint.
From the side, the two are virtually identical, except the rear bumper, where the side markers are a bit more visible. In back, changes to the lower fascia are more discernible, with the black plastic losing some height in exchange for body-color paneling. EX and L models get upgraded to standard ten-spoke wheels instead of 2009's seven-spoke, while inside, Honda has made a few aesthetic and functionality changes including a wider center armrest, new door handle design and new fabric choices. For all the details, make the jump for Honda's press release.
[Source: Honda]
Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage Officially Official: 2010 Honda CR-V recieves modest tweakage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| GM to offer 60 day money back guarantee on all new vehicle purchases
September 10, 2009 at 2:01 pm
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| Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC 
General Motors wants to prove to you that their vehicles are up to snuff, and The New York Times is reporting that a new marketing initiative aims to get more customers behind the wheel of GM cars and trucks. The General's rumored Satisfaction Guaranteed program promises to give customers their money back within 60 days if they're not completely satisfied with their purchase. The new sales tool, which will reportedly begin Monday and run through November, may mark the first time a major automaker has backed their product with a money back guarantee. The new initiative will cover new Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC models.
New GM Chairman Edward Whitacre stars in the new commercials designed to promote the porgram, reportedly uttering confident proclamations like "We're putting our money where our mouth is" and "May the best car win." That sounds a lot like the old Chrysler spots featuring then chairman Lee Iacocca to us - GM can only hope that its new chairman can capture the attention of the car-buying public as well as ol' Lido did.
The idea for the new initiative was allegedly hatched by GM's new board as a way to stir up customers post-bankruptcy. Details of the impending program are sketchy at this point as the General has yet to publish a press release, but if the marketing initiative starts Monday, we'll know soon enough.
[Source: The New York Times | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]
GM to offer 60 day money back guarantee on all new vehicle purchases originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Lamborghini Reventón roadster images leak ahead of Frankfurt
September 10, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Lamborghini  Lamborghini Reventón Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery
Looks like it'll be an all-out supercar showdown next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In addition to the McLaren MP4-12C and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - not to mention the Ferrari 458 Italia - Lamborghini will reportedly be showing off the roadster version of its million-plus dollar Reventón.
Sporting the same stealth fighter-inspired angular bodywork as the standard Reventón that was unveiled two years ago at the same auto show, the new topless Lambo will reportedly make use of its all-wheel drive system to help the run to 60 in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is expected to be well over 200 miles per hour, as you'd expect from an Italian supercar with a mid-mounted 650-horsepower V12 powerplant.
Stay tuned for live shots and official details as the festivities in Frankfurt draw ever closer, but in the meantime, be sure to check out our gallery of images below. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: WCF]
Lamborghini Reventón roadster images leak ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma
September 10, 2009 at 12:57 pm
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| Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Japan, Nissan, First Drive  2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery
The first and possibly most important thing you need to know about the new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is that Nissan knew it'd be building a convertible from day one. Over beers and some yummy Asian food with Bruce Campbell, Nissan's VP of design, we learned that the 350Z Roadster was an afterthought - at least from a design standpoint. In other words, when Campbell's team penned the 350Z, they weren't thinking the top would be coming off. Which is why the convertible 350Z was - to be kind - awkward looking.
The trophy for best looking Z convertible sits squarely on the 370Z Roadster's mantle. With the 370Z, however, Campbell's team actually started by sketching the roadster first and the coupe was somewhat of an afterthought. Not totally, of course - they knew there would be a hardtop - but the regular 370Z's creased and angled roof is essentially lifted from the GT-R. It's not bad, per say, and after the Nineties 300ZX and the original 240Z, the new 370Z is probably the best looking Z of them all. Probably, because you could make a strong case for the 280Z, funny bumpers and all. And some folks will argue that the 350Z is actually the best looking of the bunch, even though it's a bit too Audi TT for our tastes.
There is no debate, however, about the best looking convertible Z - that trophy sits squarely on the 370Z Roadster's mantle. The 1993-1996 300ZX convertible was just weird, 99% due to the fact that Nissan left the basket handle B-pillar in place. It also came with an MSRP of $44,678 - over a decade ago. Comparing the 370Z to its forebearer, the last model looked painfully hemorrhoidal. Junk in the trunk and then some. Top up it looked like the car was wearing an ill-fitting wig. The "design" didn't work because, as Campbell it explained, it was more marketed than designed. This time out, all one has to do is take in the deeply curved mainline to grok the essence of Z.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank
September 10, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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| Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials, Opel, Vauxhall 
Finally, after what seems like an eternity of protracted negotiations, bickering and stalling tactics, General Motors has agreed to sell a majority stake in its European operations to Magna International and its Russian financial partner Sberbank. Under the terms of the deal, 55% of Opel and Vauxhall will be owned by Magna/Sberbank; The General will hold on to a 35% stake and employees of the two companies will hold the final 10 percent.
Naturally, the European automakers will continue to offer the recently redesigned Astra and Insignia, and future technologies - such as the extended-range electric powertrain that will be used in the upcoming Ampera - will be shared between the U.S. and European companies.
According to Automotive News, there are still strings attached to the deal and the German government doesn't expect anything to be completely finalized until after the next set of elections scheduled to take place in Germany on September 27, so the saga is likely to continue. Click past the break for the official statement from GM.
[Sources: General Motors; Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Continue reading BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank BREAKING: GM board recommends coughing up 55% Opel stake to Magna, Sberbank originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Toyota whistleblower lawsuit may spur even more legal action against automaker
September 10, 2009 at 11:59 am
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| Filed under: Government/Legal, Toyota  We knew this was coming. When one time Toyota lawyer Dimitrios Biller filed a federal racketeering suit alleging that the Japanese automaker withheld evidence in several rollover suits, it was pretty obvious that lawyers would want to reopen past suits in light of the claims. Biller's suit alleges that Toyota withheld electronic evidence (emails) in over 300 rollover cases, and it states that evidence was destroyed by the company in spite of his efforts to secure the data. The suit also alleges that Toyota withheld design and test data for vehicle roofs, and that some vehicles on the road today don't meet roof safety standards.
Texas attorney Todd Tracy appears to be the fist to jump in, as he is reportedly planning to refile 15 rollover, frontal-impact and rear-impact suits against Toyota. Tracy told Automotive News that many past suits will come into question again if Biller's allegations turn out to be true, and he plans to re-file his six-year-old lawsuits, adding that he couldn't imagine Biller making up very specific facts "without having some ammo backing him up." Tracy actually opposed Biller in several Toyota cases, too, so he knows something about the lawyer and his work with Toyota.
Toyota has released a brief release (after the jump) addressing the issue, and spokesman Mike Michels says the company is mainly concerned with what it calls a breach of attorney-client privilege. Toyota added in a court filing that Biller, "intends to use this action as an excuse and new avenue for gaining some perceived leverage against [Toyota]." Toyota also added in its filing that Biller has tried on several occasions to reveal the company's private information. Toyota is currently trying to seal the contents of Biller's suit, though the documents are still public.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty]Continue reading REPORT: Toyota whistleblower lawsuit may spur even more legal action against automaker REPORT: Toyota whistleblower lawsuit may spur even more legal action against automaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Steve-O, Tom Green caught being jackasses as they dance on Lamborghini Murciélago
September 10, 2009 at 11:31 am
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| Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Lamborghini, Celebrities Click the image above to view the video
People shouldn't dance on other peoples' exotic supercars. Heck, nobody should ever dance on someone else's Ford Escort Wagon. Unfortunately, Tom Green and Steve-O of Jackass fame didn't learn that lesson in common sense class and the air intake of a very expensive Lamborghini Murciélago paid the price. At least the vehicle reportedly belongs to someone the two dimwits know, as celebrity gossip site TMZ says that it belongs to the pair's rap producer.
We have absolutely no idea why the two have a rap producer, and we don't care. We do care about the Murciélago, though, and you can see the morons dance on its hind quarters by checking out the video.
[Source: TMZ]VIDEO: Steve-O, Tom Green caught being jackasses as they dance on Lamborghini Murciélago originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| 2011 Ford Super-Duty to debut at Texas State Fair, on sale Q2 2010
September 10, 2009 at 10:58 am
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| Filed under: Truck, Technology, Ford, Diesel 
2011 Ford "Scorpion" Power-Stroke 6.7-liter diesel V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery
As the official vehicle of the South, the Texas State Fair has become the prime venue for automakers to show off new pick-up trucks. In two weeks, Ford will use the fair to debut the 2011 Super-Duty range, which will receive the new 6.7-liter Power-Stroke (aka Scorpion) diesel V8. At a product briefing in Dearborn this week, Ford showed off the new engine and told us the updated big trucks would start production in the second quarter of 2010.
Ford also shared a few more details on the engine, but declined to reveal power and torque figures. However, we know a bit more about the new turbocharger, specifically the intake ducting feeding the turbo's inlets is designed to provide some passive flow control. Take a quick trip back to basic auto-shop class and you'll remember that the turbo has two smaller compressor wheels mounted back-to-back on a common shaft. At light load conditions, the shape of the inlet directs most of the flow to a single compressor. As the flow rate builds, it get redirected into the second compressor allowing more power to be produced. More after the jump.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading 2011 Ford Super-Duty to debut at Texas State Fair, on sale Q2 2010 2011 Ford Super-Duty to debut at Texas State Fair, on sale Q2 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle
September 10, 2009 at 10:28 am
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| Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, BMW 
BMW invaded the South in 1993, and it's first U.S.-made product was popped out in September a year later. Fifteen years after that there have been five factory expansions, 5,000 jobs created, a methane gas pipeline installed, a center for automotive research created, a golf tournament started, and 1.5 million combined versions of the 318i, Z3, Z4, X5 and X6 run over the factory threshold. The 1.5 millionth vehicle was an Oyster Blue and Ivory X6 for a Hong Kong customer. Just goes to show those Confederates might have been right: the South is rising again... You can read all about it in the presser after the jump.
[Source: BMW]Continue reading BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Auctioneer Dean Kruse in deep financial/legal doo-doo
September 10, 2009 at 9:58 am
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| Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Government/Legal 
Kruse International, the four-decade-old, Indiana-based auction house that's moved cars like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is having a rough time of it. According to the Journal Gazette, lawsuits and actions have been brought against it by states, buyers and sellers - just about every entity an auction business is involved with. It isn't the first time founder Dean Kruse and his company have been in trouble, and Kruse says it's been worse before.
That's probably the best consolation possible, short of being paid back, for the people in line waiting for money. Customers in Indiana alone who haven't been paid for cars they consigned to auction are suing for more than a half-million dollars. Arizona suspended Kruse's license to hold auctions in that state, American Express wants more than $100,000 for unpaid corporate credit card bills, and one bank wants to foreclose on Kruse Auction Park, the company's showcase location for its Labor Day auction where 5,000 cars can go in one weekend. In total, Kruse's legal issues in Indiana alone count for more than $16 million.
According to the JG, Kruse says much of the problem is the way he's worked with regular customers, who would win a car at auction and pay later. Now, he claims he's owed more than $6 million by buyers. He also says he wasn't prepared for the recession, but now he just needs to get some cash flow going and he feels good about doing that. And if he needs to, he still has high-dollar items he can sell like an Auto Union used by the Nazi High Command. It's a familiar business story over the past year, but until things gets addressed, it might be best to remain a buyer as far as Kruse goes - they're the only ones who don't seem to have any complaints.
[Source: Journal Gazette]REPORT: Auctioneer Dean Kruse in deep financial/legal doo-doo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang
September 10, 2009 at 9:30 am
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| Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford  The '10 Unleashed Mustang Body Ink - Click above to watch the video after the jump
As part of Ford's The '10 Unleashed program you've seen a blind man realize his dream of getting behind the wheel of his favorite muscle car and a student get to drag race against his shop teacher on Pinks All Out. The latest person to get their Mustang dream granted by Ford is Daniel Verlarde, a 24-year-old Los Angeles student that takes his commitment to Mustangs more seriously than most. Already an owner of a '69 Mustang, Verlarde wanted to permanently display his love of Ford's pony car with a custom tattoo that would match the graphics on a brand new 2010 Mustang.
With Ford's approval to make the dream a reality, High Voltage Tattoo in Hollywood stepped in to create the artwork on Verlarde's arm, Luis Lopez worked his magic on the side of the car, and Galpin Auto Sports helped customize the Mustang with a set of 20-inch wheels, a hood scoop, FR3 handling pack, and more. Watch the entire video after the jump to see Verlarde's wish come true. Permanently.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang A Man and His Machine: 2010 Unleashed winner gets tattoo to match his custom Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Force India confirms Tonio Liuzzi for Fisichella's seat
September 10, 2009 at 9:00 am
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs  From Left to Right: Giancarlo Fisichella, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil
Italian race fans are in for a big treat at their upcoming home grand prix at Monza this weekend. Not only will their homegrown hero Giancarlo Fisichella, fresh from his command performance at Spa, be driving for their nation's pride-and-joy team Ferrari, but there'll be another Italian driver on the track as well, as Force India has confirmed the promotion of Vitantonio Liuzzi to his compatriot's vacated race seat.
The announcement comes as no big surprise, really, as Liuzzi was expected to get the nod. The promising Red Bull prodigy advanced to Formula One in 2005 after winning the International Formula 3000 feeder series the year before, racing first for the Red Bull Racing team then spending two seasons with Toro Rosso before being dropped in favor Sebastien Bourdais. Tonio has spent the past two seasons as a test driver for Force India, waiting for his chance to get back into the hot seat. And that's exactly what he'll do at his home race this weekend.
As for Fisichella, his contract with Ferrari has emerged as something of a gilded cage. He'll be filling in for Felipe Massa likely for the rest of the season, after which he'll stay on as a test driver next season. Nice work if you can get it, but as David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher could tell you, reverting to test driver - no matter how prestigious the team - is tantamount to retirement.
[Source: Autosport]
Force India confirms Tonio Liuzzi for Fisichella's seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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