toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
Friday, November 30, 2012
2007 Audi TT Coupe
How do you deal with an iconic but aging design? With plenty of care and caution. Such is the case with the Audi TT, which has existed basically unchanged since its debut in 1998.
How do you deal with an iconic but aging design? With plenty of care and caution. Such is the case with the Audi TT, which has existed basically unchanged since its debut in 1998. The new car, introduced on a live internet video feed on April 6, looks very similar to the outgoing model. It maintains the circle and dome motifs that made the little coupe famous, but proportion changes make the car look lower, sleeker, and more aggressive. The same is true of the interior, which, while completely redesigned, looks like a smoothed over version of the last edition.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Audi TT Coupe - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_2007_audi_tt_coupe/index.html
toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
A Sad End To A Great Era
After a season which was filled with drama, the Formula One World Championship came to a fitting conclusion on Sunday, as Sebastian Vettel became the youngest triple world champion, defeating long time rival, Fernando Alonso. The race weekend almost seemed destined to be filled with drama, as a season that had often courted controversy, finally [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/LpB2rH2CdrU/a-sad-end-to-a-great-era
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
2006 Volkswagen Concept A
This Golf-based crossover concept car gives an idea of where Volkswagen is taking their car design in the next couple of years. Expect a production model derived from the 2006 Volkswagen Concept A sometime in early 2008.
In January, visitors to Iceland might expect snow from wall to wall and extreme temperatures that threaten to turn skin into parchment. But instead, the island where we had an exclusive first go in Volkswagen's Golf-sized Concept A crossover welcomed us with partly cloudy skies and a relatively balmy 46 degrees.
Photo Gallery: 2006 Volkswagen Concept A - Car Review & Road Test - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/compact/0605_2006_volkswagen_concept_a/index.html
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
Thursday, November 29, 2012
2014 Porsche Cayman roars into Los Angeles [video]
Porsche has taken the wraps off the 2014 Cayman at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It will go on sale in Europe next March.toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford has gone a long way in improving its truck/SUV hybrid--the 2007 model shares only a name, packaging concept, and base engine with its predecesor. The Honda Ridgeline has changed the rules of the game since its original introduction.
The first-generation Ford Explorer Sport Trac rode on the bones of the 1991 Explorer (which was itself derived from the 1980s-era Ranger), and while its combination of an SUV cabin and a short pickup bed was intriguing, its meager underpinnings betrayed its appeal. Fortunately, about the only things the all-new 2007 Sport Trac has in common with the old model are its name, its packaging concept, and its base engine. Riding on a stretched version of the new Explorer's frame-its wheelbase is 16.8 inches longer than the Explorer's-the Sport Trac is now five inches longer and two inches wider than its predecessor.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac - Truck Review & Road Test - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/trucks/0605_2007_ford_explorer_sport_trac/index.html
dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news
Williams signs Bottas
The Williams F1 Team has confirmed that Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas will be the team?s race drivers for the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship season. Although Maldonado won the Spanish Grand Prix this year, with an impressive drive, he scored in only a handful of races and it is widely felt in F1 [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/williams-signs-bottas/
toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
Los Angeles 2012: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, GL63 AMG Pricing Revealed
If you’ve been pinching pennies to save for the two newest AMG products, we have good news. Mercedes-Benz took advantage of the Los Angeles auto show to reveal the sticker prices attached to the new SLS AMG GT supercar and the GL63 AMG performance SUV. It turns out horsepower isn’t free, as both these cars [...]
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
2007 Jaguar XKR Coupe and Convertible
The addition of 120 hp is the primary difference between the XKR and the normally aspirated XK, but it's by no means the only one. Consider also the stiffer suspension, a new rear suspension brace, and larger front brakes. A bespoke, aluminum-trimmed front bumper, body-color hood vents, unique nineteen- or twenty-inch wheels, and quad tailpipes distinguish the XKR's exterior.
The subtle whine of the supercharger and the healthy growl of the exhaust motivate you to keep the transmission one gear lower than necessary. The well-damped suspension perfectly modulated the optional twenty-inch wheels over rough sections of tarmac, and the light but communicative steering points you exactly where you want to go. This is a car that inspires you to stop, tap the paddle shifter down to first, and hit the gas for another intoxicating run through the gears, just to experience the blissful marriage of the engine and the fast-shifting manu-matic. Welcome to the new Jaguar XKR.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Jaguar XKR Coupe and Convertible - New and Future Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/2007/0609_2007_jaguar_xkr/index.html
auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Senna expected to lose 2013 seat to Bottas | 2012 F1 season
Senna expected to lose 2013 seat to Bottas is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Bruno Senna expected Valtteri Bottas would race for the team in 2013 "since the beginning of my programme with Wiliams".
Senna expected to lose 2013 seat to Bottas is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/pgaLjBV3Y-0/
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
Schumacher?s F1 Highlights (Video)
The Brazilian Grand Prix marked the end of an F1 era. The legend that is Michael Schumacher was racing his last ever Grand Prix before slipping off into a well deserved retirement (this time for good). Whilst the German is easing into his slippers and enjoying the delights of day time TV, we will have [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/PPFLnR6M3JI/schumachers-f1-highlights-video
bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news
2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B
Subaru is debuting the Legacy Spec B, which was a special edition for 2006, but will be a full-fledged model for '07. The new model gains a sixth forward ratio for the manual gearbox and an electronic throttle and torque management system that Subaru calls SI Drive. SI Drive has three settings: intelligent, sport, and sport sharp. Set to intelligent, the system retards the Spec B's power output and dulls throttle response in an attempt to eliminate the car's jumpy turbo characteristics and ma
Subaru is debuting the Legacy Spec B, which was a special edition for 2006, but will be a full-fledged model for '07. The new model gains a sixth forward ratio for the manual gearbox and an electronic throttle and torque management system that Subaru calls SI Drive. SI Drive has three settings: intelligent, sport, and sport sharp. Set to intelligent, the system retards the Spec B's power output and dulls throttle response in an attempt to eliminate the car's jumpy turbo characteristics and make it easier to drive in day-to-day traffic. Subaru claims that this mode will increase fuel economy by ten percent. Sport mode is the default setting, and sport sharp will heighten throttle reponse and make gearshifts more aggressive in cars equipped with an automatic transmission. SI Drive will also be fitted to all turbo Legacy GTs and Outback XTs.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_subaru_legacy_spec_b/index.html
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
Button Targets 2013 Championship
Jenson Button has set his sights on the winning the 2013 Drivers? and Constructors? Championships with McLaren. The Brit won the final race of the 2012 season with a fine drive in Brazil. Button believes this is encouraging for his chances next season: “To end the season with a win is fantastic and bodes well [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/5QLVborgIYY/button-targets-2013-championship
volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
2014 Chevrolet Impala Starts at $27,535; In Dealers This Spring
Months after first showing off its all-new 2014 Impala, Chevrolet finally disclosed the price tag for its all-new 2014 Impala, in advance of it going on sale next spring. It will take just $27,535 to get into a base-level 2014 Chevrolet Impala. That $27,535 price gets buyers the full-size sedan in base LS trim equipped [...]
bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news
Hamilton's tough decision
Since BBC Sport chief analyst Eddie Jordan reported on this website last week that Lewis Hamilton was on the verge of switching to Mercedes from McLaren next year, Formula 1 has been awash with speculation about the 2008 world champion's future.
McLaren did their best at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix to dismiss the story - team boss Martin Whitmarsh even joked: "Any sentence that begins, 'Eddie Jordan understands' is immediately questionable, isn't it?"
But it was noticeable that not only did McLaren not deny the story was true, they said very little to suggest Hamilton was staying with them.
From Whitmarsh, it was: "Lewis and his management have made their position clear to us", "my understanding is we're talking to him" and "I'm pretty convinced we will have a very good, competitive driving line-up next year."
None of which translates as "Hamilton is staying".
Hamilton was triumphant at Monza, but how many more races will he win with McLaren? Photo: Getty
As for the doubts cast on the veracity of the story, the source is strong and credible, and the core information - that Hamilton has agreed terms on a contract with Mercedes for next year - is based in fact.
That does not necessarily mean Hamilton will move but it does mean he is thinking about it seriously. And you can make what you will of his downbeat behaviour throughout the Monza weekend - even after he won the race.
In the paddock, the general view was that a move would be a mistake - but it is a much more complicated decision than that.
Firstly, McLaren have undoubtedly been more competitive than Mercedes in the last three years. Between them, Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button have won 16 races since the start of 2010; Mercedes only one, with Nico Rosberg in China this season.
Over an extended period, McLaren have a winning pedigree beyond that of any other team. Only Ferrari have won more grands prix, and they have been in F1 for 16 years longer.
Hamilton, who has been nurtured by the team since he was 13, says: "I want to win." On pure performance, there's only one choice, right?
In F1, things are rarely that simple.
Yes, McLaren usually have a good car, but until this year it had been a long time since they had unquestionably the best.
It was close with Ferrari in 2007-8, although hindsight would suggest now that the McLaren was probably not quite as good then. In which case, you probably have to go back to 2005 to find the last time McLaren had conclusively the fastest car in F1.
This is known to have irked Hamilton in 2010-11, and played some part in the cocktail of issues that led to his difficult season last year, when his frustration at the car's inability to compete for the title and problems with his family and his girlfriend led to what he admitted was his worst season in the sport.
That all changed this season. The McLaren is again setting the pace. But a series of operational problems in the opening races badly affected Hamilton, costing him 40 points. Add those points to his current total and he would be leading Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, not trailing him by a win and a fourth place.
Hamilton has done well to disguise his disappointment publicly, but it was around this time that his management started approaching McLaren's rivals about job opportunities.
On top of that, McLaren are entering an uncertain period. For the first time next year, they will have to pay for their Mercedes engines - that's in the region of eight million euros they cannot spend on the performance of the car unless they find it from other sources.
Tied in with this is the question of salary. McLaren have made it clear they cannot afford Hamilton at any price. The word is they have offered him a cut in money for next season, on the basis that they cannot afford anything more. This might be offset by other compromises, such as over PR appearances, flights and so on.
Already on about half of what Alonso earns at Ferrari, one can imagine how that has gone down with Hamilton - especially as McLaren's portfolio of sponsors makes it very difficult for a driver to do personal deals elsewhere to top up his earnings. That's because almost anywhere he looks there's a clash with a company that has links with McLaren.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Meanwhile, Mercedes are by definition a "works" team with factory engines, have the might of an automotive giant behind them. They can pay Hamilton a lot more than his current salary - believed to be about �13m - if they want to. And at Mercedes there is also a lot more freedom for a driver to do personal sponsorship deals.
The funding for Mercedes' F1 team comes entirely from external sponsors - and the budget is reputedly significantly less than enjoyed by Red Bull and Ferrari. But it is underwritten by the parent company so even if there is a sponsorship shortfall it doesn't affect the team.
Performance-wise, the team that is now Mercedes actually won the world title more recently than McLaren, when they were Brawn in 2009. Ironically, the man who won it was Button. His success - and what he interpreted as the team's ambivalence about him staying - led to him moving to McLaren.
Admittedly, Brawn's success in 2009 was tainted by the row over double-diffusers that clouded that season. Once everyone had them, the car was no longer as competitive as it had been.
Mercedes have certainly been under-performing since then, but that can at least partly be explained by the fact that Brawn, facing serious financial problems, slashed their staff by 40% in 2009. As Mercedes, they have been slowly building levels up again.
The pressure on the team to up their game is massive - hence the huge investment in terms of staffing and resources in the last 18 months or so.
And while they are a long way behind McLaren this season, they are on an upward trend, even if it is significantly slower than either the team or the Mercedes board would like.
Equally, few in F1 would disagree that Hamilton is one of the three best drivers in the world, alongside Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Mercedes don't have any of them.
It's impossible to know how much faster the car would go in their hands than it has done so far in those of Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. Some might argue not at all. But, that's not how Hamilton, who raced and beat Rosberg in their formative years, will look at it.
Add all that up, and the decision doesn't seem so easy after all.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamiltons_tough_decision.html
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
The morning after the night before
Yay! The season is over and we had a terrific race in Sao Paulo. It was a race that had everything: drama, excitement, accidents, joy and deep sadness. One can only feel happy for Sebastian Vettel, but at the same time one must feel a little sad for Fernando Alonso, who has driven his heart [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/the-morning-after-the-night-before-3/
toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
Monday, November 26, 2012
First Look: 2013 Acura RLX Concept
Finally, a new flagship.
The current Acura RL may technically be Acura's largest, most expensive offering, but as the midsize TL range has grown in terms of size and sophistication, the supposed flagship of the Acura brand hardly offers anything its more mainstream sibling doesn't.
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Acura RLX Concept - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Acura RLX Concept - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/new_york/2012/1204_2013_acura_rlx_concept/index.html
bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
The SLR 722 takes only 3.6 seconds to reach the big six-oh, or two-tenths quicker than the standard SLR. Stiffer suspension, new 19-inch wheels, and brake rotors twenty millimeters larger are also part of the package. Top speed rises by one mile per hour to 209; a modified front spoiler and rear diffuser help keep things on the ground.
Yes, that's right, the SLR hasn't exactly been selling well. What's that, you say? You mean, if you had $452,750, you wouldn't go buy an automatic-transmission-equipped Mercedes---no matter how cool and pimpy and McLaren-built it was---either? Us too.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition - New and Future Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/2007/0609_mercedes_benz_slr_mclaren_722_edition/index.html
toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ? A Car I?m Thankful For
Even though everything about the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is brutal, except for the ride quality on MR trim cars with the Bilstein/Eibach combo, I pause each time I see one. The interior is cheap and the sticker price isn?t low. But it?s worth it. Every single dollar above the base Lancer?s price makes the [...]
Source: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2013-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-a-car-im-thankful-for-186735.html
toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news
2007 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
As self-proclaimed big wigs on the food chain, humans have little fear observing dangerous, wild animals, so long as they're kept in captivity. Mercedes-Benz has taken that philosophy and applied it to its S-Class sedan. AMG's 518-hp, 6.2-liter lion resides under the hood of the new S63 AMG, but it's been tamed by Mercedes' finest zookeepers.
As self-proclaimed big wigs on the food chain, humans have little fear observing dangerous, wild animals, so long as they're kept in captivity. Mercedes-Benz has taken that philosophy and applied it to its S-class sedan. AMG's 518-hp, 6.2-liter lion resides under the hood of the new S63 AMG, but it's been tamed by Mercedes' finest zookeepers. Enthusiasts can look at it, salivate all over it, and even drive it, all without fear of being eaten alive.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG - New and Future Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/2007/0609_2007_mercedes_benz_s63_amg/index.html
toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Hamilton saga nearing endgame
Only Lewis Hamilton truly knows where he wants to drive next season - and perhaps not even he does just yet. But the signs are that the saga that has been occupying Formula 1 for months is nearing its endgame.
Hamilton has two competing offers on the table for his future - one to stay at McLaren and one to move to Mercedes.
The word at the Singapore Grand Prix - for what it's worth - was that he is leaning towards staying where he is; one McLaren insider even suggested that a deal could be inked within days.
At the same time, there may be a complication. There are suggestions that earlier this year Hamilton signed something with Mercedes - a letter of intent, a memorandum of understanding, perhaps - that he would need to get out of before he could commit to McLaren. His current team have heard talk of this, too. Hamilton's management deny this.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
The conventional wisdom is that Mercedes are offering Hamilton more money and that the deal is sweetened further by greater freedom over personal sponsorship deals. Those are highly restricted at McLaren because of the team's breadth of marketing tie-ups.
But BBC Sport understands it is not quite as simple as that.
For one thing, some sources say the figures quoted for the Mercedes offer in the media so far - of �60m over three years - are significantly larger than what is actually on the table.
Of course, in theory, as one of the largest car companies in the world, Mercedes can afford to pay almost any figure it wants.
But the board's commitment to Formula 1 has been in question all year. While it is understood that the company has now reached an agreement with the sport's commercial rights holders defining the financial terms under which they have committed for the next few years, F1 is not a money-no-object exercise for them.
McLaren believe their offer to Hamilton is broadly similar to Mercedes', and that in terms of total remuneration he could actually end up earning more money if he stays where is.
How so? Well, it seems the headline salary figures may not differ that much - although I understand Mercedes' offer is larger.
Mercedes offer greater freedom in terms of new sponsorship deals with which Hamilton can top up his income, and out of which his management group - music industry mogul Simon Fuller's XIX - would take a cut that some sources say is as great as 50%, a figure XIX say is wildly exaggerated.
McLaren, by contrast, have strict rules around their driver contracts - they do not allow any personal sponsorship deal that clashes with any brand owned by a company on their car.
So deals with mobile, fashion, household products, perfumes, oil and so on are all out. Jenson Button is allowed to have his deal to endorse shampoo because it was signed before McLaren had GlaxoSmithKline as a partner.
McLaren, I'm told, have loosened some of their restrictions in an attempt to give Hamilton more freedom.
And in their favour is that all contracts contain clauses that define bonuses for success; in McLaren's case for wins and championships. These amount to significant amounts of money and on current form Hamilton would earn more in bonuses with McLaren than with Mercedes.
Financially, it is in XIX's interests for Hamilton to move to Mercedes - that is where they will earn most money.
But that may not be the case for Hamilton, which of course begs the question of whether the driver and his management group actually have conflicting interests.
While Hamilton has steadfastly refused to discuss his future with the media, he has been consistent in one thing. As he put it at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month: "I want to win."
He knows exactly how good he is and it rankles with him that he has so far won only one world title.
In which case, the last few races will have given him pause for thought.
McLaren started this season with the fastest car in F1, the first time they have done that since at least 2008 and arguably 2005.
But Hamilton's title bid was hampered by a series of early season operational problems that prevented him winning until the seventh race of the season in Canada. Was it during this period that he signed that "something" with Mercedes?
After a slight mid-season wobble through the European and British Grands Prix in late June and early July, though, McLaren have come on strongly.
Upgrades introduced at the German Grand Prix gave them a big step forward, making the McLaren once again the fastest car.
Progress was disguised in Hockenheim by a wet qualifying session, which allowed Alonso to take the pole position from which he controlled the race.
Even then, though, with Hamilton out of the reckoning after an early puncture, Button ran the Spaniard close.
Since then, it has been all McLaren. Hamilton won from pole in Hungary and Italy; Button the same in Belgium. Then in Singapore Hamilton lost an almost certain victory, also from pole, with a gearbox failure.
Meanwhile, Mercedes have floundered. And while rival teams agreed that a big upgrade to the silver cars in Singapore did move them forward a little, Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher only just scraped into the top 10 in qualifying and were anonymous in the race until Schumacher's embarrassing crash with Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne.
Undoubtedly, Mercedes will have given Hamilton the hard sell.
They'll have pointed out that they have won the world title more recently than McLaren - in their previous guise of Brawn in 2009.
They'll have said they are a true works team backed by a huge car company, whereas McLaren are from next year paying for their "customer" Mercedes engines.
They'll have argued that, in team boss Ross Brawn, Mercedes have the architect of the most dominant dynasty in F1 history - the Ferrari team of the early 2000s - who is determined to do it again. Triple world champion Niki Lauda, who is expected to be given a senior management role at the Mercedes team, has also been involved in trying to persuade Hamilton to join the team.
And they'll have said Hamilton has relative commercial freedom with them to make as much money as he wants.
What they won't have said is that the 2009 world title came about in rather exceptional circumstances and that at no other time has the team looked remotely like consistently challenging the best - whether as BAR, Honda or Mercedes.
And they won't have said that McLaren - for all Hamilton's frustrations over the cars he has had since 2009 and the mistakes that have been made in 2012 - have a winning record over the past 30 years that is the envy of every team in F1.
Of course, the past does not define the future, but the future is built on the past.
It's possible that the near future of F1 is one of Mercedes hegemony, but it would be a hell of a gamble to take for a man who professes he just "wants to win".
If the latest indications about his mind-set are correct, perhaps that is what Hamilton has now realised.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamilton_saga_nearing_endgame.html
auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news
2002 Lincoln Blackwood
Laguna Beach, California So we're driving a Lincoln Blackwood on the Pacific Coast Highway late on a Friday evening. A twenty-something guy in a stepped-on white GMC Sierra pickup with matching hard tonneau races up alongside, appraises the 'Wood, and gives us an emphatic thumbs up. "Hmmm," we think. "Maybe this is the vehicle that will finally rescue Lincoln from the Town Car demographic abyss." This four-door, four-passenger, sybaritic, seemingly purposeless pickup may not represent the imm
Laguna Beach, California So we're driving a Lincoln Blackwood on the Pacific Coast Highway late on a Friday evening. A twenty-something guy in a stepped-on white GMC Sierra pickup with matching hard tonneau races up alongside, appraises the 'Wood, and gives us an emphatic thumbs up. "Hmmm," we think. "Maybe this is the vehicle that will finally rescue Lincoln from the Town Car demographic abyss." This four-door, four-passenger, sybaritic, seemingly purposeless pickup may not represent the immediate future of Lincoln, but it's an indication of how the division wants to reinterpret the concept of American luxury.
Photo Gallery: 2002 Lincoln Blackwood - Used Car Review - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/trucks/0109_lincoln_blackwood/index.html
automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news
GM-SAIC Sail Springo EV officially revealed
GM-SAIC have officially unveiled the Springo EV at the Guangzhou Auto Show today.auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news
Saturday, November 24, 2012
2007 Saleen S331 Supercharged
A huge 5500 pound truck with a supercharged V-8 and big brakes: cool. But why?
Over thundering exhaust noise, I can almost hear Steve Saleen talking loudly behind my right shoulder. With his hands clenching my headrest, he's probably explaining how it is that I've just accelerated to 100 mph before realizing I had so much as pushed the pedal. In a 5500-pound pickup truck.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Saleen S331 Supercharged - Latest Car, Truck, and SUV Road Tests and Reviews - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/trucks/0707_2007_saleen_s331_supercharged/index.html
volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news
First Look: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport
Two Santa Fes for two CUV classes.
Rumors about the return of the seven-passenger Hyundai Santa Fe have been floating around for quite a while. While we expected the 2013 Santa Fe midsize crossover to grow in just about every dimension to better fit a third row, Hyundai is also debuting the 2013 Santa Fe Sport, a smaller five-passenger model with an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Photo Gallery: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport - First Look - 2012 New York Auto Show - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport - First Look - 2012 New York Auto Show - Automobile Magazine
dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news
Nissan Announces Prices And Changes For 2013 Cube, 2013 Armada, 2013 Versa Sedan
Nissan has raised prices and added equipment to three of its vehicles for the 2013 model year: the Cube hatchback, the Armada SUV, and the Versa sedan. The 2013 Nissan Cube is offered in just two trim levels, S and SL, as the previous Cube 1.8 base model has been eliminated. The funky hatchback also [...]
automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news
The duel goes on
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel fought a terrific duel last weekend in Austin, Texas and the fight continued in Sao Paulo where the two were separated by just 0.009s at the end of the first practice session at Interlagos. Mark Webber was third and Jenson Button fourth, all four covered by a less than a [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/the-duel-goes-on/
dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news
2008 Volkswagen Jetta Clean Diesel
Coming soon to a VW dealer near you: the quick, clean answer to all of your fuel economy woes.
I'm just clearing customs on my way home from Europe when my cell phone rings. It's Keith Price, our favorite Volkswagen product rep, calling. He's on his way to Ann Arbor in a 2004 Jetta, and he wants me to drive it. A 2004 Jetta? Keith is obviously up to no good, so I immediately agree to meet him.
Photo Gallery: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Clean Diesel - New Car, Truck, and SUV Road Tests and Reviews - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0708_volkswagen_jetta_clean_diesel/index.html
volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news
Friday, November 23, 2012
Volvo Boosts V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid Production to 4000-6000 Units a Year
After quickly selling out of its V60 diesel plug-in hybrids for the 2013 model year, Volvo has started to increase production, from 1000 units to 4000-6000 units a year. Before the special V60 wagon hit dealerships, all 1000 units had already been spoken for, and no doubt the automaker is hoping that type of demand [...]
toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news
2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B
Subaru is debuting the Legacy Spec B, which was a special edition for 2006, but will be a full-fledged model for '07. The new model gains a sixth forward ratio for the manual gearbox and an electronic throttle and torque management system that Subaru calls SI Drive. SI Drive has three settings: intelligent, sport, and sport sharp. Set to intelligent, the system retards the Spec B's power output and dulls throttle response in an attempt to eliminate the car's jumpy turbo characteristics and ma
Subaru is debuting the Legacy Spec B, which was a special edition for 2006, but will be a full-fledged model for '07. The new model gains a sixth forward ratio for the manual gearbox and an electronic throttle and torque management system that Subaru calls SI Drive. SI Drive has three settings: intelligent, sport, and sport sharp. Set to intelligent, the system retards the Spec B's power output and dulls throttle response in an attempt to eliminate the car's jumpy turbo characteristics and make it easier to drive in day-to-day traffic. Subaru claims that this mode will increase fuel economy by ten percent. Sport mode is the default setting, and sport sharp will heighten throttle reponse and make gearshifts more aggressive in cars equipped with an automatic transmission. SI Drive will also be fitted to all turbo Legacy GTs and Outback XTs.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_subaru_legacy_spec_b/index.html
automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news
Koenigsegg Agera S first photos emerge
These are the first images with the Koenigsegg Agera S. This version produces 1030 hp when running on premium fuel.automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Feature Flick: Is the 2013 BMW Alpina B7 Just Right?
Is the 2013 BMW Alpina B7 an improvement over the 750i or is it just another hot rod from an aftermarket tuner? On this Feature Flick, Motor Trend?s Carlos Lago takes the Alpina B7 to the test track and some canyon roads to find out. Besides the visual enhancements, the BMW Alpina B7 recieves power [...]
Source: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/feature-flick-is-the-2013-bmw-alpina-b7-just-right-185737.html
automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news
Farewell Austin, body armour on?
After a couple of days in Austin, I am now in Atlanta an the way to Sao Paulo and am less than delighted to see that the city seems to be descending into chaos. In the last few hours the state Attorney General has resigned amid a wave of killings in recent days, which have [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/farewell-austin-body-armour-on/
acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news automotive news
2007 BMW X3
When the BMW X3 debuted back in early 2004, it seemed to be an anachronism: an upscale, premium-branded, premium-priced, small sport-utility. After all, the Land Rover Freelander had landed like a thud in our market and was on its way to hiatus status. It turns out that BMW was ahead of the curve, though, because for 2007 the X3 has plenty of competition.
When the BMW X3 debuted back in early 2004, it seemed to be an anachronism: an upscale, premium-branded, premium-priced, small sport-utility. After all, the Land Rover Freelander had landed like a thud in our market and was on its way to hiatus status. It turns out that BMW was ahead of the curve, though, because for 2007 the X3 has plenty of competition, including the Freelander's successor, the LR2, plus the all-new Acura RDX. Time for a mid-cycle face-lift, then, for BMW's small SAV, or sports activity vehicle. The freshened 2007 model made its public debut at the Paris salon.
Photo Gallery: 2007 BMW X3 - New and Future Cars, Trucks, and SUVs - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/future_cars/2007/0609_2007_bmw_x3/index.html
auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news dodge news toyota news
2007 Subaru WRX STI Limited
Limited to just 800 units, this U.S.-only STI variant is aimed at the shy, quiet wannabe banzai rally driver. The transformation from wild-child base STI to the business casual STI Limited was achieved primarily by swapping the regular car's gargantuan rear wing and roof-vane spoiler for a far more subtle, single decklid spoiler. The Limited also gets foglamps, a front air dam, unique Enkei wheels, and black Brembo calipers in place of the usual gold grippers. Inside, heated leather seats, s
Limited to just 800 units, this U.S.-only STI variant is aimed at the shy, quiet wannabe banzai rally driver. The transformation from wild-child base STI to the business casual STI Limited was achieved primarily by swapping the regular car's gargantuan rear wing and roof-vane spoiler for a far more subtle, single decklid spoiler. The Limited also gets foglamps, a front air dam, unique Enkei wheels, and black Brembo calipers in place of the usual gold grippers. Inside, heated leather seats, satellite radio, and a sunroof improve the livability. Of the 800 cars, half will be painted white and half will be gray.
Photo Gallery: 2007 Subaru WRX STI Limited - 2007 New Cars - Automobile Magazine
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_2007_subaru_wrx_sti_limited/index.html
dodge news toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
First Drive: 2014 Subaru Forester Prototype
A little more SUV.
The Subaru Forester was among the leading wave of compact crossovers in the late 1990s, but it was hardly the definition of the segment. As the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V wrote the rules that would be followed by every major mainstream automaker for the coming decades, the Forester marched to its own wagon-like beat. Riding on the Impreza platform, the original Forester resembled a car more than an SUV.
Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2014 Subaru Forester Prototype
Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2014 Subaru Forester Prototype
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1211_2014_subaru_forester_prototype/index.html
toyota news automotive news auto news acura news toyota news volkswagen news bmw news
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)