Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: RIA concocts dream Chevy lineup

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Chevrolet

view the Chevy Chevelle Concept and more by clicking above image

The Revitalization in Action team has given us dream lineups for Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Buick in the past, and now it is Chevy's turn to be transformed by GMInsideNews members ChevroletRevived and Fbodyrules. As before, the RIA lineup for Chevy includes a makeover of the brand's entire lineup, including new models not yet for sale like the Beat sub-compact and Volt. Also included are a couple of models not even scheduled for production like a mid-size luxury hardtop convertible named the Bel-Air, a sports wagon called the Nomad, a long-wheelbase version of the Malibu called the Caprice, and finally, a Chevelle Concept based on the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform and positioned as a sort of Impala coupe.

The design direction taken by the RIA team appears to draw heavily on the Volt's style, specifically its sharply angled split-grille that is applied across much of the bow-tie lineup. Our favorite models of the RIA lineup for Chevy include the Aveo and Impala, both of which are heads-and-tails above their current counterparts in style. The entire project, however, is worth a read, as they not only include exterior and interior shots of each vehicle, but also details descriptions of their trim levels and powertrains, as well as the strategy behind their position in the market.

We don't know what brand is slated to go under the RIA's knife next, but the RIA site includes a link to a page for Cadillac that says "Site Coming Soon!"

[Source: GMInsideNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: By the Numbers: November 2007

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, By the Numbers

The November sales numbers are in and by far the biggest news is that Ford Motor Company sales actually rose 0.4% last month. While not a huge jump, the automaker deserved of a little green arrow next to its name nonetheless.

General Motors, however, fell 11.4%, with every single one of its brands reporting a loss. Toyota narrowly eeked out a positive number, with sales up just 0.3%. Honda and Nissan fared well, with sales up 4.7% and 6.1%, respectively. Chrysler LLC, meanwhile, fell 2%.

The other bit of surprising news is that Mercury is our Biggest Winner this month, with sales that rose an impressive 27.6%. Credit goes to the Grand Marquis (up 90.4% at 4,702) and the Milan (up 42.7% at 3,449) for the brand's performance last month, though we're not taking back our crack that Mercury's just a well-defined trim level.

Check out the Biggest Winner and Loser after the jump, along with our notes on individual models. You can also view past monthly sales figures by viewing our By the Numbers category.

BRANDS
Acura

-24.9% at 12,910 (11/06: 17,200)
Audi

-1.1% at 9,104 (11/06: 9,209)
BMW

5.3% at 23,808 (11/06: 22,602)
Buick

-26.8% at 13,245 (11/06: 18,089)
Cadillac

-1.2% at 17,041 (11/06: 17,250)
Chevrolet

-11.3% at 151,642 (11/06: 171,003)
Chrysler

-13% at 45,510 (11/06: 52,400)
Dodge

6% at 80,670 (11/06: 76,371)
Ford

-0.3% at 147,310 (11/06: 147,791)
GMC

-7.7% at 34,549 (11/06: 37,440)
Honda

10.4% at 98,521 (11/06: 89,246)
HUMMER

-30.5% at 4,029 (11/06: 5,795)
Hyundai

12% at 31,883 (11/06: 28,417)
Infiniti

2.1% at 10,604 (11/06: 10,382)
Jaguar

-11.3% at 1,114 (11/06: 1,256)
Jeep

-2% at 34,908 (11/06: 35,785)
Kia

8.9% at 24,177 (11/06: 22,203)
Land Rover

2.9% at 4,352 (11/06: 4,229)
Lexus

-7.0% at 24,848 (11/06: 26,719)
Lincoln

-7.1% at 8,744 (11/06: 9,410)
Mazda

-1.0% at 20,580 (11/06: 20,792)
Mercedes

3.4% at 22,819 (11/06: 22,079)
Mercury

27.6% at 13,204 (11/06: 10,344)
MINI

3.3% at 3,177 (11/06: 3,287)
Mitsubishi

13.8% at 7,983 (11/06: 9,256)
Nissan

6.8% at 70,079 (11/06: 65,633)
Pontiac

-0.4% at 26,040 (11/06: 26,154)
Porsche

1.9% at 2,662 (11/06: 2,611)
Saab

-19.8% at 2,003 (11/06: 2,497)
Saturn

-17% at 15,105 (11/06: 18,190)
Subaru

-5.9% at 14,868 (11/06: 15,800)
Toyota

1.4% at 172,341 (11/06: 169,976)
Volkswagen

3.6% at 17,689 (11/06: 17,082)
Volvo

-10.9% at 8,227 (11/06: 9,229)

N/A: Suzuki

COMPANIES
BMW Group

4.2% at 26,985 (11/06: 25,889)
Chrysler LLC

-2% at 161,088 (11/06: 164,556)
Ford Motor Co

0.4% at 182,951 (11/06: 182,259)
General Motors

-11.4% at 263,654 (11/06: 297,556)
Honda America

4.7% at 111,431 (11/06: 106,446)
Nissan North America

6.1% at 80,683 (11/06: 76,015)
Toyota Motor Co.

0.3% at 197,189 (11/06: 196,695)Continue reading By the Numbers: November 2007

Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: GM not going after VW, Toyota's minicars

Filed under: Economy, Euro, Chevrolet, GM, Toyota, Volvo


General Motor's European arm has decided that it won't jump feet-first into the micro-car segment with Smart, and more recently Toyota and Volkswagen. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, GM's Euro-veep Carl-Peter Forster said that, "These specialized urban vehicles have a limited market." True enough, but it's a market that stands to go through a growth spurt in the coming years, and GM's decision to opt out of providing a competitive product might be a short-sited move.

That said, GM already sells the Chevy-branded, Korean-built Matiz abroad, which - to a certain extent - already fills that niche. But with the Toyota iQ expected to sell 80,000 units in Europe in 2009 and VW's up! coming the following year, the Opel Trixx concept (pictured) that originally debuted in Geneva in '04 might look like an appealing product if sales of the iQ and up! go through the roof.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Redesigned Mazda5 coming to Bologna Motor Show

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

click above image to view more pics of the redesigned Mazda5

The Mazda5 seems to be a few quarts short of Zoom-Zoom juice compared to the rest of Mazda's lineup. It just has never seemed able to generate the same excitement from customers as the brand's other cars. Perhaps that's because it's fundamentally a little minivan, a type of vehicle that by its very nature defies the Zoom-Zoom culture. Nevertheless, Mazda will be introducing a redesigned Mazda5 at the Bologna Motor Show this week with a fresh face and new features that the automaker hopes will attract new customers in Europe and likely the U.S., as well.

New features include power sliding rear doors that open and close in less than five seconds, a new DVD-based nav system with a 7-inch touchscreen and a rear-view camera. Additional insulation and a resonator have also been added to the air intake to reduce engine noise seeping into the cabin. The 5's MZR 2.0L gets an electronic throttle and sequential valve timing, and at least in Europe you can order one with a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. We'll likely find out at the Detroit Auto Show in January what new features will carryover across the pond, but we'll let you know what the new Mazda5 has in store for U.S. customers as soon as we find out.

[Source: Mazda]

Gallery: 2009 Mazda5

Continue reading Redesigned Mazda5 coming to Bologna Motor Show

Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: GM responds to new CAFE standards

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Government/Legal, Green, GM
It appears as if GM is ready to accept the current CAFE legislation waiting to be decided by Congress. In a statement on the General's media site, Rick Wagoner writes,

"There are tough, new CAFE standards contained in the energy bill before Congress that pose a significant technical and economic challenge to the industry. But, it's a challenge that GM is prepared to put forth its best effort to meet with an array of engineering, research and development resources. We will continue our aggressive pursuit of advance technologies that will deliver more products with more energy solutions to our customers."

The release goes on to detail GM's current environmentally-friendly accomplishments, which include the company offering "more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg on the highway," and having "produced over 2.5 million E-85 capable vehicles to date--more than any other automaker." It also says that GM sees ethanol as the "best near-term solution" to reduce gasoline consumption. Yeah, we chuckled at that one, too.

And then there are hybrids, which GM plans to roll out at an average of one every three months over the next two years. We're quite sure that GM has the means and, lately, the desire to do the green thing. The only uncertainty is whether they'll deliver substantially, and in ways that customers want. Their ace in the hole is, of course, the much anticipated Volt. If Lutz and his crew can get it out when promised, as promised, then 2010 will be the year of The Great Leap for GM in terms of brand perception, and, most likely, sales.

[Source: GM]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Unofficial Toyota 2000 SR Concept recalls 2000 GT

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Toyota

click above image for high-res gallery of SURE DESIGN's 2000 SR Concept

Let's be clear right off the bat. This Toyota 2000 SR Concept by SURE DESIGN is not an official Toyota concept and in no way suggests that the Japanese automaker is considering a model inspired by the legendary 2000 GT. That said, it's still a cool concept that combines styling cues from arguably the greatest Toyota design of all time with a modern hybrid drivetrain. The motor is a turbocharged 3.5L V6 mounted in the front-mid position under the car's extra long hood. The deets put the turbo V6 at an impressive and quite unbelievable 610 horsepower sent to the rear wheels without the hybrid assist. An electric motor up front, meanwhile, would power the front wheels only for cruising around town. While the design is inspired by the original 2000 GT, it comes no where near that classic in terms of aesthetic appeal. We do, however, like the simplicity of its lines. Unique features also include doors that flow around the back, giving the car a split cockpit-like canopy.

Should Toyota be thinking about rekindling the fire first sparked by the 2000 GT? Absolutely, especially if it truly wishes to be a full-line automaker like General Motors. Should the 2000 SR Concept be charged with this responsibility? No. Let's wait and see if rumors of a new AE86 or a production version of the FT-HS Concept are true first.

Thanks for the tip, Kai!

[Source: Serious Wheels]

Gallery: Toyota 2000 SR Concept by SURE DESIGN


Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Rumormill: Could a MINI coupe be in the cards?

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, BMW, MINI


How much MINI is too much MINI? Can there be such a thing as a MINI monster? Latest word from a "high level source" is the suggestion that the next possible MINI iteration could be a coupe. That's right, a coupe. Specifically, as phrased by the source, "What if MINI instead produced a low-slung and sleek small coupe, not unlike the ACV 30 concept car from 1997?" (The car pictured above.)

BMW wants more MINIs, and clearly, the way they're being swiped off lots, buyers want more MINIs -- but a new 2-door MINI that's a sleeker (read: even smaller) version of the current 2-door MINI? The Clubman hasn't gone on sale yet, the SUV hasn't even been finalized, and the next brand new version is already "on the table." We don't doubt it would sell, but it seems to be, if not overkill, then cannibalizing overlap. And forgive us for saying so, but as much as we enjoy the MINI, they are becoming the automotive equivalent of tribbles.

At the very least, someone please tell MINI not to take any cues from the car above, which should be allowed to close its rally-inspired bug eyes and rest its lumps forever in peace in a dark Bavarian warehouse.

[Source: Motoring File]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Analysts Gone Wild: Could VW buy Chrysler?

Filed under: Chrysler, Volkswagen
David Cole at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) says that there is going to be another round of mergers in the auto industry. That's not difficult to swallow, with execs at smaller companies like Renault's Carlos Ghosn having been on the hunt for good alliances for years. Even German nemeses BMW and Mercedes have been mooting the idea of working together on small engines, which doesn't sound so crazy today, but a few years ago would have had their respective fans in apoplexy.

It's Cole's suggestion that "the one company that matches up well with Volkswagen is Chrysler," that arches the eyebrow. VW knows it needs to make some moves regarding its US operations if it's to have any hope of achieving its sales objectives here or globally (it wants to be Toyota-big in the near future). That could include building a factory in the US, which the company will soon decide on, or... merging with Chrysler? Or should that be, "merging" with Chrysler?

Either way, we find that scenario highly dubious. We can't imagine VW would want anything to do with a freshly-divorced Chrysler. And we're pretty confident that the words "merge" and "merger" are 4-letter words at Chrysler for a spell. No one at VW is even hinting about anything of the kind, and the article doesn't reference anyone from Chrysler, nor does it mention Cerberus. Nor does it address the fact that VW probably won't be free to make its own decisions for too much longer without asking daddy Porsche. Although -- if Cerberus were to get Chrysler in fighting shape for sale to a carmaker that needed a turnkey solution to the US market...

[Source: The Car Connection]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Ever see a tilting three-wheeled V-Max?

Filed under: Motorcycles


The Yamaha V-Max is pretty much a two-wheeled muscle car, and many people have had a hard time keeping them on two wheels. Solution: add another wheel? Sure, according to Tilting Motor Works. Starting with Legos before moving on to something more substantial, Bob Mighell designed a new front end for the Yamaha V-Max, one that is capable of leaning into corners but offering more grip for cornering and braking purposes. Removing the front forks and tightening eight bolts will transform your bike into a really big Piaggio MP3. Whether that is a good thing or not is up to you.

Speaking of the MP3, that and concepts such as the Yamaha Tesseract prove that people are thinking of making the single-track of the motorcycle into a dual or triple-track. If it allows people who'd like to ride the chance to do so, we're all for it.

[Source: Tilting Motor Works via Bikes In The Fast Lane]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Audi R8 named "SportsCar 2007" by Autobild

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

Click image for hi-res gallery

The panel of experts at Germany's Autobild Sportscars has chosen its annual car of the year, and unsurprisingly, the SportsCar 2007 award goes to the Audi R8. When you consider that everyone from Jeremy Clarkson on down has been reduced to a puddle of drool by Ingolstadt's take on what a supercar should be, it comes as zero surprise that a group of German motoring writer/experts would deem it fit for coronation. The total competition featured twelve cars including the Porsche 911 GT3 and the BMW M3. We'd tell you the other candidates, but we don't read German and our search attempts on the Autobild website have yet to unearth the complete nominee list. The two competitors we mention are hot machines, nonetheless, but neither they nor any others were hot enough to knock this year's unquestionable "it" car from its perch. Chalk up one more reason to get your name on the waiting list at your Audi dealer.

[Source: Autobild, Audi]

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

Continue reading Audi R8 named "SportsCar 2007" by Autobild

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: New racing game announced from creators of DiRT

Filed under: Etc., Toys

If current driving games have left your pulse cruising in the slow lane, then Codemasters, the company behind the well-received DiRT rally game, believes it has the racing game for you: Grid. Using an evolution of the engine from DiRT, Grid is all about racing. And if you think "racing game" means spending hours adjusting damper settings and orange-peel-metallic-fade-to-lilac paint jobs, then prepare to be shocked. Says Chief Game Designer Ralph Fulton, "This is not a game about collecting cars or spending all of your time in the front-end tuning suspension settings or designing liveries. We want to make racing exciting again." Well, for some, adjusting dampers is exciting, but we digress.

Grid says it will be a "step-change" in the racing game world, offering tracks in Japan, Europe, and America that highlight local racing flavors: drifting and underground in Japan, classic race tracks in Europe, and street venues in America that include Detroit. Cars will run from Koenigseggs and Astons in Europe to Camaros and Challengers in the US. We aren't sure how much more focused you could be on racing than in the driving games currently offered, but we're always up for a new player. Grid arrives in the middle of next year.
[Source: Joystiq]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2008 Mazda5 gets less change in US trim

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivans/MPVs, Mazda

Click above for high-res images of the 2008 US Mazda5

While we just showed you the revised 2008 Euro Mazda5 that will make its debut in Bologna, we wanted to let U.S. 5 fans know that it will be more than a year before most, if any, of those changes find their way to our shores. We say this based on the fact that we've already seen the 2008 Mazda5. Quietly sitting in one corner of Mazda's display area at the L.A. Auto Show was the 2008 version of this fun and practical microvan. Besides some minor exterior tweaks to the front and rear fascias, different wheels and arguably better looking taillights, all of the changes appeared to be to the interior. Some of the complaints about the current 5 had related to the lack of dual armrests for all seats, the lack of rear vents for the HVAC system, no rear window tint, and a very limited interior color palette. Well, those concerns have been addressed. The show model was painted in a new darker red that has essentially replaced the salmon-like "Cardinal Red" that disappeared in '07. The interior, however was a light gray over dark gray leather, which will supplement the tan and black leather that first appeared with the Grand Touring model this year.

Although the photos are a bit dark, you can see the light side and rear window tinting Mazda is now using, as well as the new dual armrests and the revised dash and center console, which is a huge improvement over the previous edition. The pop-up navigation screen has been replaced by an in-dash unit with new controls. The center console loses its deep storage bin and cover in exchange for revised cupholders, heated seat switches, an open storage area and those all-important rear vents. You'll also notice that the hidden power outlet has been relocated a little higher up and has been given some company via a second port. While we didn't get a look under the hood, the transmission appeared to be the same 4-speed auto from the current lineup and this unit didn't sport any power sliding doors or rear view cam either. Whether or not they will be available is unknown, but it would make sense that if Mazda had planned to offer them they would probably use the show to flaunt those features. Anyway, these are some nice changes to an already very desirable nanovan.

Check out the full gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 US Mazda5


Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Slinging dirt: Subaru Impreza WRX STI reviews hit the 'net

Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Some of our favorite online reads released their initial driving impressions of the new for '08 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and the consensus seems to be that the new STI is a big step forward, with a competent combination of daily usability and track-ready driving dynamics.Continue reading Slinging dirt: Subaru Impreza WRX STI reviews hit the 'net

Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Employee steals $1 million from Mercedes dealer

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Mercedes Benz

When easy money is there for the taking, it takes a strong person to walk away. For David Delgado of Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel, the temptation was more than he could bare. Delgado worked for an employer with very little fiscal oversight, and in the end, the service lot attendant helped relieve the dealership of $1.053 million of its precious green-backs. The busy Mercedes dealership, which sells 450 new and used vehicles per month, entrusted Delgado with approving time cards for 27 temp workers at the car wash. Since nobody was watching over Delgado, he was able to work out deals with the workers to let them overcharge for hours worked, in exchange for getting a portion of that money for himself.

The scam worked for over three years before someone reported Delgado, which led to his confession of the crime. Delgado has to pay back all the money the dealership lost, and serve 18 months in federal prison for his felony crime. While it's good to see that justice was served in this situation, it boggles the mind how such a booming dealership could not notice an extra $1 million in car wash labor and not even notice. It's almost as bad as Delgado entrusting 27 people with his secret and thinking nobody would ever feel slighted and turn him in.

[Source: Auto News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Nissan lets design students loose on Cube interior

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Nissan


Since the success of the Scion xB in North America, many people have been waiting for the vehicle that originated the boxy craze, the Nissan Cube, to hit this continent. Fueling more rumors have been recent spy shots of the vehicle at Pratt Institute in New York that surfaced on Jalopnik. The shots go hand in hand with Nissan's announcement that four design school modified Cube's will be on display at the 2008 New York International Auto Show in April. Nissan has given two Cubes each to the Brooks Institute film school in Santa Barbara, CA and Pratt Institute, School of Art and Design in New York City. The film students have been given the assignment of creating a short video intended to capture the toaster-like vehicle's essence. The design students are to do what they do best, modify the interior and exterior elements to meet their own visions. While the whole artsy marketing ploy has been done by Scion, their efforts were much more urban street custom while Nissan's aim seems to be a scholastic and structured image.

The official press release after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan Cube

Continue reading Nissan lets design students loose on Cube interior

Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Dr. Z says demand for smart in U.S. exceeds supply

Filed under: Economy, Plants/Manufacturing, SMART


Daimler exec extraordinaire, Dieter Zetsche, sat down with reporters for a breakfast meeting earlier today and discussed the future of the smart brand here in the States. As we're well aware, over 30,000 consumers have put down deposits for the smart before it comes to market next month, and according to Dr. Z, demand will exceed the number of smarts destined for U.S. shores. At the same time, however, he didn't want to give exact figures on how many smarts Daimler expects to sell in 2008.

The talks also centered on the future of smart in the States, including the possibility of diesel-powered fortwos and the testing of a fleet of all-electric smarts in an unnamed urban city, similar to a program in London.

Daimler has 65 dealerships lined up to sell smarts in the U.S., with another nine due to go live before the end of next year. Thirty-three of the stores will be "co-located" within existing Mercedes-Benz franchises, which is similar to how BMW originally launched the MINI brand across the globe.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spyker Cars signs letter of intent with ACI

Filed under: Supercars, Spyker


Some of Spyker's financial woes may be in the process of being resolved, with the news that several investment firms are currently in talks with the ailing Dutch supercar manufacturer. A group of private investors known as ACI Ltd. have already signed a letter of intent with Spyker, causing stock prices to increase by almost 60-percent. Although rumors are swirling that another firm might buy up a majority stake in the automaker, Hans Hugenholtz, the interim CEO of Spyker, said that ACI's stake "won't exceed 30-percent."

More to follow as it develops.

[Source: Bloomberg]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: GM and Ford planning production cuts for first quarter of '08

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM


Both Ford and General Motors don't want to saddle dealers with a glut of products in 2008, so both automakers plan to reduce production in the first quarter of next year.

The General plans to produce around 950,000 vehicles (606k trucks and 344k cars) in the first three months of '08, a reduction of around 11-percent from 2007's output. Ford will be limiting production by 7.4-percent in the same period, reducing manufacturing by some 55,000 units for a total of 685,000 vehicles.

Ford and GM cite the economy and the subprime credit debacle as the primary reasons for the slow down, with both automakers keeping an eye on what's ahead in '08 and adjusting accordingly.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Bugatti Veyron Targa details coming slowly, unlike car

Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Bugatti


It's been a while since we got a fresh batch of Bugatti Veyron Spider/Targa rumors, but Autogespot has ended the lull with inside sources claiming that a prototype of the open-air supercar is already on the road and that sales will begin next year. Apparently, the only downside to lopping off the roof on a car capable of hitting 400 km/h (248 mph) is that aero restrictions are going to limit the speed to a pedestrian 340 km/h (211 mph). We can sense your disappointment, but that's not even the worst of it. The removable roof won't be able to be stored on the go, so if the sky opens up mid-jaunt, you'll be forced to construct a makeshift roof out of the spare $100 bills lining your pockets.

[Source: Autogespot]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: CR calls BS on Chrysler's in-van Jenga

Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Etc., Chrysler, Lifestyle

Click image to see video

Car commercials are notorious for showing us stuff that the vehicles being advertised can't do, all in the interest of looking cool. The Ford Edge cruising along building ledges springs immediately to mind. With the advent of its new minivans, Chrysler released a TV spot for the Town and Country that ends with a depiction of kids playing Jenga at the Swivel 'n Go table while the van shoots down the road. Having played Jenga on an actual fixed surface, we know that the idea of doing so with any level of success in a moving vehicle is ludicrous at best. We weren't alone. Our friends at Consumer Reports thought the same thing, and as luck would have it, they own a new Town & Country, their very own test track, and Jenga. So they tested it. Click the image above to see the video.

[Source: Consumer Reports]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
</img> </img>

More...