Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Porsche tells VW: We won't eat you until after the holidays, Merr

Filed under: Etc., Euro, Porsche, Volkswagen
Porsche got what it wanted with the repeal of the "Volkswagen Law", but has done nothing yet but stand over its prey, waiting for... well, nobody knows what Porsche is waiting for. However, Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has told VW that the smaller company will not make Christmas dinner of the larger: Porsche will wait until after the holidays to take majority control of Volkswagen.

His exact words were "Christmas is the holiday of peace; let's create a little harmony." Yet there doesn't seem to be much of that going around. Porsche created a new board structure, and the board will have six seats. Porsche and VW workers thought that meant that each company got three seats each. VW, with 324,000 workers to Porsche's slightly-less-than 12,000, doesn't like that arrangement, so it's suing for more seats. Wiedeking clarified the board structure to say that either company could have as many seats as both sides could agree to -- but that he wouldn't go against Porsche employees' expectation of three.

So no one knows how the transaction will play out -- and to hear Wiedeking tell it, that includes him. "Even now," he said, "none of the players involved knows how many moves will still be required and how long it will take until the game is finally over." If this were a movie, he would then laugh maniacally, stroke the white cat in his lap, and hit the big red button on the console in front of him. But it's not. So, like everyone else, we'll just wait and see.

[Source: IHT]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: BMW may bring back Isetta!

Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, BMW


Auto Express is reporting that BMW is currently considering bringing back the Isetta, the three-wheel mini car with a door where the hood should be that achieved pop-culture celebrity status as the personal whip of Urkel on the sit-com Family Matters (did I just date myself?). Unlike the original, the modern interpretation will have four wheels and two doors on the sides (damn safety regulations), but it will retain the rear-engine layout of the original. While BMW has not corroborated any of this speculation, there are many reasons why resurrecting the Isetta would be a good move for the Munich-based automaker. For one, the minicar segment is a robust one around the world, especially Europe where the new Isetta would do battle with the Fiat 500, smart fortwo and Volkswagen's up! lineup. Secondly, the Isetta would be powered by a clean engine that, coupled with its light weight, would yield the most eco-friendly BMW of them all. Its inclusion in the propellor's line up would serve to bring down the average emissions of BMW's entire fleet. Finally, the Isetta brand is eminently bankable thanks to the cult status it's achieved in car culture and the generally fun and jolly nature of the original. Hopefully, however, Urkel didn't damage the brand too much back in the '90s.

[Source: Auto Express]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: First Drive: Bugatti Veyron

Filed under: Coupes, Supercars, Bugatti, Driving

Click on the image above to view more hi-res pics of the Bugatti Veyron

var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Autoblog_drives_the_Bugatti_Veyron'; I opened my inbox one morning to find this question from a publicist: "Would you have time to drive the Bugatti Veyron?" Would I have time? Really? Would you believe, uh, yes? And that's how I found myself at Westlake Village with a black and cream Veryon waiting in the shade of the porte coch&egrave;re. Yes, it was perfect. It was like getting a date with that frighteningly beautiful woman I've had my eye on for a while now, and actually enjoying it. Follow the jump to read about The Day of the Veyron, and check out the gallery of hi-res pics below.

Gallery: First Drive: Bugatti Veyron


Live photos Copyright (C)2007 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: Bugatti Veyron

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: LEAKED! Every angle of the upcoming 2009 Kia Borrego SUV

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Kia

click above image for big gallery of the 2009 Kia Borrego

Kia probably was hoping not to unveil every nook and cranny of its new Borrego SUV (called Mohave in Korea) this way, but the internet is a cruel mistress and it just goes to show that you shouldn't park your new SUV on a red carpet in public if you don't want people taking pictures of it. These snapshots of Kia's new SUV from every angle inside and out have surfaced on Kia-World.net, which you can view in the gallery below. It's a sharp looking vehicle, though still a body-on-frame SUV. As we've mentioned previously, a full-size SUV will be a tough sell for Kia in this CUV-crazed market. The Borrego will be armed with a V6 (a 3.0L unit according to badging on this particular vehicle) and the brand's first V8, however, and promises excellent NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels for an SUV. Shots of the undercarriage also reveal what appears to be an air suspension to help cushion the ride, and the interior includes such upscale options as Kia's first nav system. Like most recent products from Kia and its parent company Hyundai, the Borrego looks like a contender in every respect, and will no doubt carry a price tag that's too low for shoppers not to at least consider. The full reveal will happen at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and we'll be on hand to relay all of the official details on Kia's first full-size SUV.

[Source: Kia-World.net via Carscoop]

Gallery: 2009 Kia Borrego


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[brady]

Who cares?

 

[top brake]

WTF is this doing on PGT?

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Automoblox unveils trio of souped up toy cars for Christmas

Filed under: Etc.


We're big fans of Automoblox here at Autoblog, not just because we still like to play with toy cars, but also because these heirloom quality wooden models look hella cool sitting on our desks. Oh, and those of us who have kids find that junior Autobloggers are equally enamored with them. We thought our Automoblox shopping for Christmas was done after the company announced new mini cars that should make great stocking stuffers, but we'll have to break out the Mastercard one more time for three new vehicles that have just been unveiled. The C9R sportscar, S9R sports sedan and X9R sport utility are hotted up versions of their standard counterparts that add some visual pop and performance flair to their standard counterparts. Each model features its own unique accessories, including chin spoilers, rear spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, and in the case of the X9R, running boards, front and rear skid plates, a roof rack and rear mounted spare tire. These new accessories weren't just added to the wooden bodies of the standard cars, as each car features a new shape hewn from the brand's trademark light grained wood. They also ride on new aggressive wheels with branded center caps that are shod with low-profile performance rubber. Automoblox tells us that the C9R, S9R and X9R will be produced in limited quantities, so if you've got to make your collection complete, your best bet is to pre-order them from the Automoblox Store where they retail for $34.99, same price as a standard model. Hopefully we can convince Automoblox to give us some more models this year to stuff in your stocking when we do our annual Christmas Sweepstakes.

[Source: Automoblox]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spied! Saleen developing all-new sports car

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Saleen

click image above to enlarge
We managed to get our hands on this photo that shows a clay model of what inside sources tell us is the initial design of an all-new car being considered for development by Saleen at its Irvine assembly plant. While representatives from Saleen would not officially comment as to what is in the photo, our best guess is that they are looking to put to use their knowledge and experience gained from the construction of the Ford GT for Ford. In fact, with the GT no longer in production, a car similar to the Ford GT might be exactly what Saleen is shooting for. After all, they have the facility in which the GT was built, the father of the Ford GT, Chris Theodore, is now Saleen's chief technology officer, and they gained a wealth of experience building a new car from scratch with the S7 program. Theodore has even hinted at the possibility of an all-new Saleen. "I have many ideas," he stated to TheCarConnection.com, "and some of them are inspired by the Ford GT. That car sold very well for around $150,000. So why not think in that direction when we talk about a new supercar? May be an S3 or an S5?" We can only hope.

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Happy Feet: Helio Castroneves wins Dancing with the Stars

Filed under: Etc.
I'm more of a So You Think You Can Dance man myself, but anytime a big personality from motorsports makes a splash on the small screen's most guilty of pleasures, i.e. reality television, we feel compelled to share. Without further ado, Helio Castroneves has won the fifth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, beating out fellow finalists Mel B., the scariest of Spice Girls, and Donny Osmond's way too high strung sister, Marie Osmond. The dancing show's finale aired last night, which we didn't watch but felt like we did after reading TV Squad's comprehensive recap. Our apologies if the finale is sitting at home on your TiVo right now, but we promised ourselves way back in September when Castroneves was announced as a contestant that the only way we'd do a post on this show again is if he won. And that's exactly what the two-time Indy 500 winner did. Congrats go to Helio and his partner, Julianne Hough, who was also paired with last season's winner, Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. We're sensing a trend here.

[Source: TV Squad]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2009 Dodge Ram ditching leaf springs for coils

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Trucks/Pickups, Dodge
In a move that only serves to prove how competitive the full-size truck market is in the U.S., Dodge will reportedly be swapping out traditional leaf springs in the rear suspension of its redesigned 2009 Dodge Ram in favor of a new coil sprung rear axle. The move may seem counter intuitive, as leaf springs have long been the go-to gear for rear suspensions in pickups due to their heavy duty nature that allows for greater towing and payload capacity. Dodge, however, appears least interested among its competitors in going after best-in-class towing and payload ratings. The current Ram 1500 tops out with an 8,750 lb. maximum tow rating, far below the 10,000 lb.+ ratings of its cross-town rivals and the Toyota Tundra. Allpar.com, which broke the news, reports that payload capacity for the new coil sprung truck will remain the same, so we'd expect the Ram not to give an inch on towing either. Dodge seems to be betting that heavy haulers who are really interested in towing will opt up for a heavy duty version of the Ram. Those sticking with the half-ton and its coil-sprung rear suspension will be rewarded with better ride and handling and virtually no wheel hop, a regrettable side effect of leaf springs.
What say you about Dodge's alleged decision to ditch leaf springs? Does it only serve to soften the Ram as the pickup wars intensify, or will the benefits of a smoother ride with little to no sacrifice in capability make the trunk even more appealing?

BTW, Allpar.com also reports that the 2009 Dodge Ram will get a pair of storage boxes on either side of its bed that are waterproof and accessible from the outside. Each box will be able to hold 8 cubic feet of stuff, which when combined offers additional storage space that rivals the trunk volume of some sedans.

[Source: Allpar.com via Pickuptruck.com]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Professional Grade Rebadge: GMC Terrain debuts in Kuwait

Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, GMC, Misc. Auto Shows

click above image to enlarge

Ever wonder what a rebadged version of the Saturn Vue, which is already a rebadged version of the Euro-only Opel Antara, would look like? Wonder no more, as GMC unveiled just such a vehicle earlier this month at the Dubai Motor Show called the Terrain. Since we missed that show (next year it's Dubai or bust, baby!), we had to wait until the Terrain showed up at the Kuwait International Automobile Exhibition 2007 this week for GMC to release an official image of the vehicle. The Terrain is GMC's first compact CUV ever and will be sold at least in the Middle East; we've not heard any plans about possible exporting it to additional markets.

Truth be told, the Terrain is pretty handsome. We find that the simple cues of GMC's design language look good when applied to a blank canvas like this little CUV or the brand's Lambda-based CUV, the Acadia. While we know the Terrain is earmarked for the Middle East, we're curious to learn whether or not it's also being considered for sale in the U.S. With three different versions of the larger Lambda CUV on sale in the U.S., what would be the harm in giving the Saturn VUE an identical twin?

[Source: GM via egmcartech]Continue reading Professional Grade Rebadge: GMC Terrain debuts in Kuwait

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: In the Autoblog Garage Closet: Michelin MXV4 driving shoes

Filed under: Etc., Lifestyle


After making tires for more than 110 years, we guess the folks over at Michelin got bored one day and started looking at what else was made of rubber. We can imagine what products might have been considered, but as fun as Michelin-branded, tire-tread imitating prophylactics might have been, more sensible heads prevailed, and Bibendum will be touting his own line of shoes soon.

This summer we were invited to Michelin's introduction of its new MXV4 tires at Barber Motorsports, where they also had a display of MXV4-inspired footwear. We've finally been able to get a pair of the Belair model into the Autoblog Closet and put a few miles on them.

First, we have to say these shoes are by far the slowest mode of transportation ever tested by the Autoblog crew. Despite features like a sole that resembles Michelin's touring tire, sleek lines, lightweight construction, and wind-cheating aerodynamics, we never were able to get above about 5 mph.

Continued after the jump.

Gallery: Michelin MXV4 Shoes

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage Closet: Michelin MXV4 driving shoes

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Toyota recalls 215,000 cars worldwide

Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Toyota
Toyota announced today that it's issuing a worldwide recall of about 250,000 vehicles, including 34,400 Lexus models in the U.S., for potential cracks in their fuel pipes. The Japanese domestic market was hit hardest by the recall, with some 215,020 cars affected including the Crown, Mark X and a few Lexus models built between December 2003 and December 2005. In the U.S., only particular 2006 Lexus GS300, IS 250 and IS 350 models are being recalled. No accidents have been reported due to the cracked fuel pipes that could leak, but Toyota will be replacing the old ones with newly designed fuel pipes when the recall begins next month.

We don't need to tell you that another recall is the last thing that Toyota needs right now. Already saddled with a high number of recalls this year and reeling from being knocked by Consumer Reports, the Japanese automaker is struggling to maintain its reputation for high quality while chasing General Motors to become the world's largest automaker.

[Source: CNN Money]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: UPDATE: 520-HP V10 for Audi R8 coming in 2008

Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Audi


If at first -- or three times -- you don't succeed, then try a V10 without turbos. After a few RS8's went up like popcorn while testing with the twin-turbo V10 from the RS6, Evo magazine bolsters our report from yesterday that the new supeR8 will come with a normally aspirated V10. However, it will be a clean-sheet-of-paper engine, and not related to the V10s in the RS6 or Lamborghini Gallardo, but rather an evolution of the V8 in the RS4.

In his interview regarding the incinerated R8s, Quattro boss Werner Frowein said that Audi was experimenting with a V10 that would get more than 500 horsepower, but the fact that the brand would commit to a brand new powerplant -- even if it is an evolution -- is somewhat surprising. Evo pegs the new engine at about 520 brake horsepower, which would put it ahead of the M-division unit from BMW and even the freer breathing versions of AMG's 6.2-liter lump. The car's arrival has been pushed back slightly to satisfy demand for the regular R8, though. In the mean time, we'll savor the possibility that the new engine will go in the S8.

[Source: Evo]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2008 Chrysler minivans being sold with incentives already

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivans/MPVs, Chrysler
Perhaps the rhetoric coming from Chrysler that the market for minivans is alive and well is just that: rhetoric. The automaker's year end Event of a Lifetime sale happens to include its brand new minivans, the Town & Country and the Dodge Caravan, which can be had until December 3rd with $1,000 on the hood or long-term financing as low as 1.9% APR. Other Chrysler models included in the sale are the 300 ($1,500), 300C ($3,000, excluding the SRT-8), Sebring Convertible ($2,000), Aspen ($1,000), PT Cruiser ($1,000) and the Pacifica in both five- ($1,500) and six-passenger ($2,000) models. You can check out what Dodge and Jeep are offering, as well as any other automaker, on the Cars.com Incentive Page that's always up to date.

[Source: Kicking Tires]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2007 Le Mans Series races to air on Speed TV in December

Filed under: Motorsports

If you're like me, you wish that there were more European racing on television. Remember the good old days when you could watch FIA GT and WRC on Speed TV? Well, starting on November 30 with a highlight show of the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speed TV will be airing edited footage of the 2007 Le Mans Series races in hour-long time slots. This will be our first opportunity to see the hot diesel-powered Peugeot 908 HDi in action, though it will only be going to head to head with Audi's oil burner, the R10, in the highlight show of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As for the Le Mans races, the 1000km of Spa will air on December 3rd, followed by Monza on the 7th, Silverstone on the 10th, Valencia and the Nurburgring on the 14th, and finally Interlagos on the 17th. Do a keyword search for "Le Mans" on SpeedTV's program schedule for full listings and times.

[Source: SpeedTV.com]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2009 Subaru Forester revealed on cover of Japanese magazine

Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Subaru


Any hope of Subaru surprising us with the 2009 Forester's new look is gone now thanks to a Japanese magazine cover that's been scanned on the web revealing in full detail what the new boxy CUV will look like when it soon debuts. Subaru recently went live with a new mini site for the Forester that showed us a shadowy image of the Forester's rear end, but this new scan leaves nothing to the imagination. It's very Tribeca-like in the grille and headlights and looks much more like its own design than does the current model. Perhaps Subaru can keep the Forester's technical details close to its chest for a few more weeks until the first official images are released on Christmas Day, but we kind of doubt it.

[Source: Carscoop]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Sticker Swap: Dodge switches NASCAR COT from Avenger to Charger

Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge


For the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Dodge has announced that it will replace the "Avenger" stickers on its Car of Tomorrow with the "Charger" stickers it had been using on its non-COT racers this past year. The announcement is loaded with flowery prose that name-drops Richard Petty and talks of the Charger nameplate's race heritage (the Intrepid era is conveniently overlooked). That, says Dodge, is why it was a natural decision to campaign the full-time COT as a "Charger." We think it's mostly because the "real car" version of the Avenger is lame. Seriously, we'd take an old Spirit R/T over a new Avenger R/T any day.

Thanks for the tip, John!

[Source: NASCAR]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: CONFIRMED: Ferrari considering twin-turbo V8 for next Enzo

Filed under: Green, Supercars, Ferrari, FIAT

Ferrari is looking to decrease its carbon footprint by 40% in time for stringent new European CO2 laws that come into effect in 2012, and even the Enzo replacement could receive a downsizing. We broke the news a couple months back about Ferrari looking into a twin-turbo V8 to replace the Enzo's 6.0L V12 powerplant, and Ferrari technical director Robert Fedeli told AutoWeek that the Italian automaker is developing both a V8 and a V12 to cover its exotic options.

The Italian automaker states that it is not interested in advancing the power wars, and that driving dynamics will take precedence over brute force. If our sources were right about the new force-fed V8 pumping 900 horses at the drivetrain, then we would be all for a four-cylinder diet for the top-end Ferrari. If Ferrari manages to keep the weight to 2,200 lbs. using technology hinted at with the FXX Mille Chile concept, then even the vaunted Veyron could have more competition than it can handle. Lets just hope featherlight weight and 900 HP comes with driving lessons, because otherwise we'll be doing a lot more Ferrari crash posts come 2012.
[Source: Auto Week via Winding Road]


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Aston Martin moves to China, brings silverware

Filed under: Motorsports, China, Euro, Aston Martin
Next year, with Chinese partner GruppeM, Aston Martin will take its first steps into China with a 5-car showroom in Shanghai, and a 3-car showroom in Beijing. Aston hasn't had a presence in China in the company's entire 94-year history, so to accompany its entry, it is also starting a 1-make series featuring the Vantage N24. The inaugural 2008 Aston Martin Asia Cup will comprise 12 races in China, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Grids will be 18 specially-prepared customer cars and will run from 30 minute sprints to enduros.
Buyers can pick their cars up at the Beijing showroom, and even get lessons at the Goldenport track before they start racing. Even better, UK-based Aston Martin Racing is providing technical support for the season, although drivers can enter with their own teams if they get approval. The winner of the 2008 series will get a paid-for drive in a Vantage N24 for the FIA GT4 series in 2009, which is much better than a trophy anyway.

[Source: AutoMotoPortal]
Continue reading Aston Martin moves to China, brings silverware

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