Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: DuPont reports most popular color on earth

Filed under: Etc., Lifestyle
For seven long years, silver has reigned as the overall number one choice worldwide for car color. DuPont reports that those days are over, and the new color of choice is -- gasp -- white/white metallic. That means more people prefer white cars than silver or black cars, with white taking a decisive lead in countries like Mexico and Japan. A study done earlier this year found that 62-percent of cars sold over six months were white. Hmmm.

In North America, white/white pearl covered 19-percent of the overall vehicle market, 26-percent of the truck/SUV market, and tied with black for the luxury market. We don't know where the "luxury" segment begins, but we've never seen a white A8, and we already know who orders the tiny number of white XJ's, so who's ordering all the white S-Classes and 7-Series'? Come on. Show yourselves.

It's spun a number of different ways: white is an "agent of change" that will open the doors to new colors; white is the new trendy color following fashion and furniture trends; and white provides a nice palette for customization. Sure, this is about as subjective as you can get, and we're not totally against white cars -- Aston Martin gave us a pearl metallic Vantage to roll around in, and we didn't mind. But we wouldn't buy a pearl metallic Vantage. And our first request when renting a car is "Don't give us a white one." Ah well. Hit the jump for the full press release, and follow the link for the color charts to see what flake flavor your country is.

[Source: DuPont]Continue reading DuPont reports most popular color on earth

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Enter the Rumormill: Chevy Camaro production begins February '09

Filed under: Coupes, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM


According to Left Lane News and its inside source, production of the new Camaro will begin on February 16, 2009 at GM's Oshawa plant in Ontario. Naturally, you won't be able to pick up Chevy's newest hotness until sometime the following month, but any confirmation of production dates is a step in the right direction.

GM execs had already said that production of some Camaros would begin in late 2008, but most of those would be doled out to engineers and executives to make any last minute changes before production hits full bore in the following months.

The other important production date is for the Camaro convertible, which is rumored to begin on December 7, 2009 - not great for wintertime cruising, but again, this is all unconfirmed.

Our only concern with the production of the coupe would be how late it's coming to the game. Challenger production will begin a full year before and the Mustang has been here the whole time, which leaves Camaro fans twiddling their thumbs until 2009 at the earliest.

[Source: Left Lane News]
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[TeamRoadShark]

Oh only if they did a RHD version

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Lexus exceeds LS600h sales target by three hundred percent

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Lexus


Remember when the Lexus LS 600h was on the way, and there was head-scratching aplenty about the $100K+ price and the delay? At the time, Lexus said it only planned to sell 2,000 of the hybrid cruisers per year, and that they already had orders for 1,650 of them. Then the car came out, and in spite of being treated rather unkindly by the motoring press and boasting a less-than-stellar MPG improvement, it has sold 6,093 worldwide through October. The car only went on sale in July.

Lexus calls the car the "progressive person's alternative." The New York Times called the car the "new standard for automotive hyperbole." After only a few months of sales, it is far too early to call -- but it would be interesting to see if Lexus has done the same thing with the LS that Toyota did with the Prius: no matter what you might think of it, it allows people to make a statement.

While Mercedes and Audi are busy working on... something, and hydrogen BMW's shuttle celebs hither, Lexus has a car on lots that lets luxury buyers make the claim, "I care." (Remember, this isn't about what you think of the statement, so keep the comments civil.) Whichever one the buyers are going for -- progressive, hyperbole, statement, or something else -- it appears to be working.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Enter the Rumormill: Subaru making motorcycles?

Filed under: Subaru, Motorcycles


While the most exciting news coming from Subaru these days has to do with a certain all-wheel-drive turbocharged rally-car-for-the-street, the company also is making news headlines with a possible single cylinder motorcycle. If the rumors hold true, expect to see the bike with a 500cc engine from Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company), a twin-spar aluminum frame, Showa USD forks and rear shock and Tokico radial mount brakes. Considering the expected output of 50 horsepower, the specifications otherwise seem rather high. The bike appears quite large despite being on the short end of the stick displacement-wise. The American market in particular has not been kind to machines in this size-class, but we're still quite interested in knowing just how much truth there is to this one.

[Source: Faster and Faster]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Rendered Speculation: 2010 Porsche Cayenne gets smaller

Filed under: SUVs, Porsche


Wendelin Wiedeking said so himself: "there will be no baby Cayenne." He was telling the truth, but according to latest rumor he simply didn't finish telling the truth. There will be no baby Cayenne that is sold alongside the current Cayenne. But it is speculated that the current Cayenne, for its next generation, will get smaller. After succeeding spectacularly with the Cayenne, Porsche has supposedly decided that it wants to inject the car with better performance and a more car-like driving experience.

All that means is: they want to CUV-ify it. Engines would be carried over, which would give the car the same power yet potentially better mileage. Porsche is pegging 24 mpg. But the Cayenne hybrid, especially with less to drag around, could increase that appreciably (for what will still be a heavy vehicle), since Porsche is projecting 26 mpg for the hybrid at its current size. So here's an SAT word game for you: Touareg is to Cayenne as Tiguan is to....?

[Source: eGM Car Tech]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Rendered Speculation: Roewe SUV

Filed under: SUVs, China, Roewe



Roewe, SAIC's renamed Rover, has an SUV in the works. Details are scant, though it's reportedly based on a Ssangyong model. We think the Ssangyong Kyron is hiding under the Roewe's handsome sheetmetal. The Kyron carries its Mercedes-esque styling atop a ladder frame and off-road capable 4WD componentry, so Roewe's new SUV should be able to get dirty without becoming mired. Roewe has added some Lexus to the styling of the Kyron, but the older Mercedes powertrain systems might not remain underhood. Ssangyong uses Mercedes castoffs through a special licensing agreement, though we wouldn't go so far as to call either vehicle a bargain last-gen Mercedes. Looking into reports on the Kyron reveal a vehicle that's well equipped but not a screaming deal; nor is it a stellar performer. Perhaps Roewe has revised the chassis calibration and found a different motor to slide in between the front fenders.

[Source: China Car Times via Straightline]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: GM idling three pickup plants for two weeks

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC
As reported earlier, General Motors plans to cut production in the first quarter of 2008 by 11-percent in an effort to limit excessive dealer inventory. The cut would affect both cars and trucks, but GM announced today that it would be halting production of its pickup plants in Pontiac; Fort Wayne, Indiana and Oshawa, Ontario for two weeks beginning on December 31st of this year. The plants currently build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. An unfortunate way to bring in the New Year, but if it limits discounts, more power to the General.

[Source: Detroit News]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay find of the day: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8, markup + MSRP

Filed under: Coupes, Auction Action, Dodge


Once pricing for the Dodge Challenger broke last week, we knew it was simply a matter of time before the free market milking began. The first example comes courtesy of eBay, where a dealer from Atlanta, Texas has started an auction for the amount of cash you're willing to pay over the MSRP of the first Challenger SRT-8 they receive. They're nice enough to let you choose what options you'd like (there aren't many) and the bidding starts at $10,000, with a Buy It Now price of $18,990. So the question now is: how much is exclusivity worth to you?

Thanks for the tip Peter.
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America

Filed under: Gadgets, Tech, Mercedes Benz

As suspected, Hughes Telematics announced today that it would be supplying Mercedes-Benz with a new hardware and software platform that will bring in-car navigation, safety and infotainment to the next level. The press release after the jump doesn't get into a lot of detail about what new features await Benz buyers when the system is implemented in 2009, but with Mercedes' consistent focus to provide its owners with the most high-tech, gee-wiz gadgetry, we're sure it will be suitably impressive. Hughes boasts that the new, open architecture is capable of receiving constant updates, allowing the system to evolve as new applications become available. Hughes has also been tapped to provide Chrysler with a similar system, due out around the same time.Continue reading Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Priddy and Co. offering up Dodge "Crew" badging, camo for charity

Filed under: Spy Photos, Auction Action, Dodge


You might recall the speculation that surrounded Dodge's new CUV and what name it would take when it graced the show stand in Frankfurt. Sources claimed that the trucklet would carry a "Crew" badge, but when the wraps came off, the Journey was born. So much for reliable sources, right? Wrong.

Brenda Priddy actually has in her possession a "Crew" nameplate that was acquired through her normal mischievous means, confirming the rumor that the name was changed just two weeks before its reveal in Germany. While it's an interesting story, what's even cooler is that Brenda will be auctioning off the one-of-a-kind "Crew" badge, some camouflage that covered the prototype and a handful of other espionage-related kit with all the proceeds going to a charity of your choice.

You can read Brenda's full description of the items after the jump and place your bids over at eBay.Continue reading Priddy and Co. offering up Dodge "Crew" badging, camo for charity

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: AutoblogGreen for 12.05.07

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green


The EVS23 show continues in Anaheim where participants are discussing the future of electric vehicles. One topic people here are being coy about (besides the battery chemistry in the new Ford plug-in Escape hybrid) is what happened to Martin Eberhard when he departed Tesla Motors. More to come in both of these stories, you can be sure.

• EVS23: Things get started
• EVS23: Ford hands over the plug-in Escape hybrid to SCE
• EVS23: Photo gallery of T-Rex electric "motorcycles"
• More on Martin Eberhard's departure from Tesla Motors
• Print magazines get to actually drive the Tesla Roadster
• Michael Jackson goes green(ish), takes a Prius limo
• White House threatens to veto energy bill again
• Ener1 first to integrate lithium-ion battery into HEV (explains the difference between HEV and PHEV batteries to me)
• Small cars picking up steam in the US market
• Volvo could lead Ford in developing diesel hybrids
• Zeroshift develops heavy-duty version of their transmission
• Battery-powered Fiat Fiorino van may launch by the end of 2008
• Videos: 83 mpg VW Ecoracer, 94 MPG Fiat Ecobasic
• Honda Civic hybrid sales jump in November
• GM won't go after micro-car segment
• Angela Merkel: The EU will lose legitimacy if CO2 emissions are not reduced
• Euro-spec Ford Focus diesel rated at 42 mpg!
• NY Times: San Franciciso city government wants your used vegetable oil to power its fleet of cars

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Craftsman dropping out of NASCAR truck series

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising

For as long as NASCAR has been sanctioning truck racing, 13 years, the league has been known as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series. But in a joint announcement with Craftsman parent Sears, NASCAR says the naming rights are up for grabs.

In the press release, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps said, "Craftsman has been a great, longstanding partner and intends to remain in the sport. The current series name will continue through the 2008 season with the same great commitment Craftsman has demonstrated throughout its 13-year history as the series' entitlement sponsor."

[Source: The Kansas City Star, NASCAR]
Continue reading Craftsman dropping out of NASCAR truck series

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Galleria Ferrari offers a Scarlet ticket! Win a day at the factory and tra

Filed under: Contests, Supercars, Ferrari
If you love insanely fast and gorgeous cars and you happen to be in Northern Italy over the next few weeks, you might want to swing by the Galleria Ferrari. The Galleria is in Maranello, not far from the factory where cars bearing the prancing horse are made. To celebrate their most successful year yet in terms of visitors, the Galleria is offering up a scarlet ticket to one lucky visitor and a guest. The person who buys ticket number 200,000 this year will get to spend the day at the factory and have lunch at the Ristorante Cavallino where old Enzo used to have his midday repasts. To top it all off, they then get to take a few hot laps of the Fiorano test track with one of the factory test drivers. The Galleria is open to Ferraristi daily (except for Christmas and New Years) from 9:30-6:00.

[Source: Ferrari]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spy shots: Facelifted Mercedes SL caught at photo shoot

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Mercedes Benz
The current Mercedes-Benz SL is getting on in years and spy shots of a freshened model have been popping up for several months. The big grand tourer has now been spotted being prepared for a photo shoot in Dubai, meaning it's only a matter of time before its official debut. Most of the car looks pretty much unchanged, with the bulk of the action taking place at the nose. The grille has a sharper vertical crease similar to the new C-Class. The vents ahead of the front wheels and the wheels themselves indicate this is probably the latest AMG variant. Although the rear isn't visible it's likely that it too has been updated. We'll probably get our first official look at the new SL at one of the shows early in 2008, perhaps as soon as Detroit.

[Source: World Car Fans]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: MINI Monte production goes to Austria

Filed under: Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchbacks, MINI


Contrary to reports last week that the new MINI Monte 4X4 would be built at BMW's Spartanburg, NC assembly plant, it now looks like it will stay in Europe. A BMW spokesman has told Automotive News that the contract has gone to Magna-Steyr, confirming a report in the main Frankfurt newspaper. The new MINI will take the place of the X3 at Magna's plant in Graz, Austria. X3 production is moving from Graz to the Spartanburg plant.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Hyundai Genesis sedan officially revealed in Korea

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai

Click image for hi-res gallery of the Genesis

The spy photos were both detailed and plentiful, and today, any remaining mystery about the new Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan's looks can be put to rest. The car was previewed to the media in Korea this week, and the photos released by Hyundai show the Korean-market version of the car au naturale.(Note the newly-unveiled winged Genesis emblem on the hood and wheel centers.) Specific technical details are not given save for confirmation that the four-door Lexus-fighter will be offered with a 375 horsepower Tau V8 and a pair of Lambda V6's (3.3L and 3.8L). According to a company spokesman, the most expensive version of Hyundai's new flagship should come at around $40,000 USD depending on equipment (the V6 should sticker under $30K). Koreans will be able to buy the car in January, with US and Chinese sales to follow later in the first half of '08. The car's full dog-and-pony show reveal will take place next month at the Detroit Auto Show, and we'll be there to bring you all the details.

[Sources: Hyundai, International Herald Tribune]

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan (Korean-market version)

Continue reading Hyundai Genesis sedan officially revealed in Korea

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: MINI-killa: Saab 9-1 headed for London Motor Show

Filed under: Euro, Saab, Misc. Auto Shows


Could premium small cars be the next hot segment? Things appear to be heating up with the MINI being joined by the Volvo C30 and word of another Swede stepping into the fray. Saab will unveil its Delta platform-based 9-1 at the 2008 London Motor Show and it will be available for purchase in late 2009. Nondefinitive descriptors provided by Saab assure us that the 9-1 will be dramatically styled with an iconic shape. There had been some attention paid to a high-roof small CUV idea, but Saab asserts the 9-1 will be sporty in that Saab way, though it will have the functionality younger buyers are looking for.

Rather than pile on to the CUV segment, Saab could cash in some retro love and still make a very Saaby and useful car that doesn't put on truck airs. The Saab 99 of the 1970s could provide some inspiration for the 9-1, resulting in a car that doesn't occupy a lot of space, but can swallow a refrigerator. Look to the 9-3X and 9X for hints about what the car might actually look like.

[Source: Autocar]


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Porsche recalling 128 911 GT3s

Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Porsche


Porsche has found faults in a few switches controlling the traction control and electronic suspension adjustment systems in 128 of their 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS vehicles. The faulty switches can lead to the loss of traction control and the inability of the suspension to adjust with speed or mode selection. Models produced in 2007 between the dates of September 28th and November 9th are being recalled in order to implement the necessary repairs.

[Source: Guardian Unlimited UK]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: The Pope gets a new Mercedes G500 Popemobile

Filed under: Mercedes Benz


The Pope's got himself a new ride, and boy is it, uh, white. Mercedes announced today that they have given his Holiness a highly-customized G500. Like previous Popemobiles, the G500 has a folding windscreen, and handrails and steps in the rear for entry.

The Vaticanmysitc white interior matches the Vaticanmystic white exterior which, we assume, matches the Pope's Vaticanmystic white robes.

Mercedes says the topless G500 will be the Pope's fair weather car and the S-Class in the Vatican garage can be summoned for less sunny driving.

Read the company's full press release after the jump, and click on the photo for high-res images.

Gallery: 2007 Popemobile



[Source: Daimler]Continue reading The Pope gets a new Mercedes G500 Popemobile

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