Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Clarkson tries out the BMW 135i and likes it!

Filed under: Coupes, BMW, Driving


When Jeremy Clarkson isn't expounding on how wonderful the Jaguar XKR is or how horrible the G-Wiz is on Top Gear, he does much the same thing in the pages of the Times of London. In his most recent entry on those hallowed pages he takes on BMW's new 135i coupe. On the recent Top Gear Awards show Clarkson called Munich's other new small car the Mini Clubman a toilet and less desirable than a bag of dung. Maybe it's just hatchbacks from BMW that he doesn't like because he also hated the original 1-series hatch. Fortunately for the Bavarian engine gurus, the new 135i coupe does not suffer the same fate. The new shape and the twin turbo 3.0-liter inline six have transformed the 1-series in Clarkson's eyes. Aside from the absence of rear leg room, he calls this the best car BMW makes. We can hardly wait to try it out. Now about that price tag!

[Source: Times of London]
Gallery: BMW 1-Series Coupe


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: NHTSA releases '06 CAFE fines, Daimler(Chrysler) takes cake

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, DaimlerChrysler
The automaker formerly known as DaimlerChrysler isn't finished making headlines yet. The NHTSA, which levies fines for manufacturers not meeting CAFE standards, has issued its largest penalty to any automaker, ever, by giving DaimlerChrysler a bill for $30,357.635.50.
The fine is for the carmaker's entire fleet, which includes Mercedes models produced here and overseas. According to the NHTSA, "The penalty for failing to meet CAFE standards recently increased from $5.00 to $5.50 per tenth of a mile per gallon for each tenth under the target value times the total volume of those vehicles manufactured for a given model year."
To be fair, it's only the biggest by a (relatively) small margin, seeing that BMW paid $27,985,925.00 in 2001 -- especially if you consider the drop in the dollar in that time. If you're wondering where part of that European car premium goes -- after it goes into the treasury -- CAFE fines seem to be something Europeans specialize in. Of the more than half a billion dollars in civil CAFE fines, not a cent has been contributed by domestic or Asian automakers. Yet.
[Source: NHTSA via The Truth About Cars]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Citroen set to unveil C-something Wednesday morning

Filed under: Citroen

Citroen has put up a timer on their website foretelling the imminent launch of a new model, but guesses are all over the place as to what that new model could be.
The French automaker's range has expanded in recent years to include everything from small hatchbacks to SUVs, with just about everything in between. Progressing up the range, among the possibilities considered are a "Streetlounge" version of the C3 supermini, a pseudo-Allroad/Outback version of the C4 hatch, a C5-based convertible previewed by the C-Airscape concept, and a new C8 minivan. While sometimes automakers give us a little teaser in the form of a veiled silhouette, all PSA is giving us here is a box with wheels. Our money is on some sort of automobile, possibly starting with the letter C.
We'll have to wait until the counter runs down to zero at 9 am on Wednesday (Paris time - 3 am in New York) to see what the Chevron marque has in store for our overseas compatriots.
[Source: Citroen via World Car Fans and Le Blog Auto]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Don't forget to tip your waitress... with a car

Filed under: Etc., Buick

There's something to be said for being nice to people, even when they don't return the favor. Melina Salazar, a waitress in Brownsville, TX, will definitely tell you it's worth it. She kept a positive attitude and a smile on her face when dealing with her most loyal customer, 89-year old Walter "Buck" Swords, who she described as "kind of mean" and less than enjoyable to serve for nearly seven years. It turns out Walter appreciated Melina more than she thought, and left her $50,000 and a 2000 Buick when he passed away in July - no doubt the best tip she will ever get for serving hashbrowns.
[Source: Yahoo]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Transporter full of VWs drives into San Diego Bay

Filed under: Safety, Commercial Trucks, Volkswagen

Volkswagen doesn't make amphibious cars, but it may want to consider them in the future. On Saturday, a trucker hauling a load of new VWs from San Diego to Los Angeles drove off a pier and into the ocean.
Local authorities say the driver apparently "suffered from some kind of medical emergency", causing him to black out and lose control of the truck. The cab careened into the San Diego Bay at a National City marine terminal, plunging into the water. The trailer stayed on the pier, but three cars fell into the bay.
The teamster regained consciousness underwater, escaped from the tractor and swam some 13 feet to the surface where he was evacuated in reportedly good condition to a local hospital.
[Source: 10News.com via All Cars, All the Time]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Want a new Toyota? Try "Dancing for Toyotas"

Filed under: Contests, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Lifestyle

During the Washington Auto Show from January 23-27, Toyota will be giving away four cars to winners in its Dancing for Toyotas competition. For three nights, the convention center will become a ballroom, and lucky contestants will vie for the winner-take-all shot at that Matrix they've had their eye on. And just like the show the car is based on, amateur dancers will be paired with a professional dancer, in this case one from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
Then, under the glaring auto show lights and cameras that will bring the show to the entire web audience, twirlers will get their chance to foxtrot, salsa, waltz, tango, rhumba, swing, or cha-cha for the chance to win a car. A fourth Toyota will be given to the randomly chosen viewer who picks the correct winners.
You have until noon on Friday, January 4 to get your videotaped contest auditions in. And since you'll be judged on presentation, talent, showmanship, and personality, you'd better bring your A-game. Could be time to dust off those Tivo'd episodes of Dancing with the Stars, eh? Check out www.dancingfortoyotas.com for the official rules.
[Source: Toyota]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: They've finally done it. GPS slows speeders.

Filed under: Gadgets, Safety, Tech, Driving, UK

It's only a ten-vehicle trial, for now -- but the emphasis is on the "for now." Transport for London, the body responsible for the Underground, bus, and river bus network in London, has put out an RFP for a company that can make an Intelligent Speed Adaptation system. What is that? It's a GPS-based device that would attempt to keep you from speeding.
The device is meant to work by knowing where it is, and what the speed limit is. The same way the Nissan GT-R knows it's on a track and removes the speed limiter, this would be the reverse: the car would know it's in a 30-MPH zone, and would work to keep the driver from going any faster. It's not I, Robot (above) -- although we'll say again: yet.
In the beginning, the system would only vibrate the accelerator pedal, or make a beeping noise to let a driver know he's speeding. At this point it doesn't look like there are any plans for the system to take control of the car, but one would have to assume that such ideas are being debated, and are on their way. We're all for safe driving, and as technology allows politicians and councils to come up with more ways keep people safe, things could get, well, interesting. But at least it's not a revenue grab -- the car doesn't keep track of how fast you're going and not tell you, so the authorities can send you a bill later...
[Source: Auto Express]

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[Stuart]

I read about this too.
They can't make a car that it is impossible to speed in for 2 reasons:

1. They will never make any money.
2. Accidents will go up. The more you remove the requirement for people to think for themselves, the more they will stop thinking. You see it already, where there is no consideration given to the conditions. This will extend that.

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spy Shots: Citroen C-something could be Berlingo van replacement

Filed under: Spy Photos, Economy, Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Commercial Trucks, PSA, Citroen
Earlier we brought you a screen shot of Citroen's website that features a countdown meter until the French automaker unveils its latest vehicle. Although we'll have to wait another couple of days to know for certain, the replacement for the Berlingo utility minivan is shaping up as a strong contender for the slot, with an undisguised photo of the new vehicle surfacing on the internet.
The Berlingo, also badged as the Partner by PSA sister-company Peugeot, has been on the market since 1996 and received a facelift in 2002. Competing with the new Renault Kangoo that was unveiled at last September's Frankfurt show, the little vans are a common site overseas where their utility and compact size prove a popular combination.
[Source: World Car Fans]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT

Filed under: Garage, Sedans/Saloons, Chevrolet, Driving

click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Chevy Malibu LT

Once upon a time, General Motors' mid-sized models were the perennial top-selling passenger cars in America. Within my own lifetime, the Oldsmobile Cutlass topped the sales charts for years on end. But somewhere along the way, it all went pear-shaped for GM. Its cars went from being perpetual sales leaders into a perpetual sales decline. As GM's car sales tanked, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord picked up the slack and are now considered the standard by which others in the class are measured.

The first signs of a real revival in the GM sedan lineup appeared in 2006 when the Saturn Aura debuted to decent reviews though somewhat lukewarm sales. Then, last January at the Detroit Auto Show, GM debuted two new production sedans, the Cadillac CTS and the car that just spent a week in the Autoblog Garage, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The Malibu is here now, so let's find out what it's like to live with for a week.
Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT


All photos Copyright (C)2007 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Pterodactyl ruins man's Christmas

Filed under: Etc.

Dave Chappelle did a bit about going for a ride with a friend of his in New York City. His friend driving, Chip, started racing down a Manhattan street. When he was pulled over by NYPD, Chip told the officer, "I didn't know I couldn't do that" -- and after a scolding, the officer let him go with "Now go on, get out of here!"
We aren't sure if a 29-year-old man in Washington had the same thing in mind when one evening, after driving in the opposing lane for less than a block, he totaled his car on a light pole. His one-word answer to the police, when he was asked what happened, was this: "pterodactyl." And it appears to have worked: the man was treated at a local hospital and released.
The man's alcohol level was "minimal." We don't know what he was drinking, but it must have been powerful. So on this New Year's be careful out there. And watch out for flying, Mesozoic-era reptiles.
Thanks for the tip, Gary!
[Source: Herald]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Senator carjacked for 22-inch chrome rims

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Dodge
According to the Oakland, CA police, carjackings in Raider Nation occur at the rate of about one per day. While we don't follow the news out of Oaktown on a regular basis, we're fairly certain most carjackings don't make the daily paper. So why then has the LA Times covered a carjacking in Oakland? Well, it seems that the victim was a state senator who police believe was targeted because of his car's flashy rims.

Don Perata (D - DUB City Oakland) was driving his Senate-owned 2006 Dodge Charger shod with 22-inch chrome wheels and a Candy Apple Red paint job when he was startled by a man knocking on his window... with a gun. The jacker instructed him to get out of the car, so out went the pol, in went the perp, and "poof" went the blinged Charger as it sped off with an accomplice giving chase in a 2000 Camaro (also stolen, wheel status unknown). Perata was shaken up but fine, recovering enough to go into eye-rollingly opportunistic politician mode, noting that the brandishing of a firearm by the carjacker served to only further solidify his pro gun control stance.

The best line in the article comes in a quote from a police officer who, after hearing the Charger's description, responded, "We're talking about the suspect's car or the senator's car?" Even at 62, Senator Perata appears to have been keeping it real, so to speak.

UPDATE: The car's been found with the rims still on it.

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

[Source: Los Angeles Times]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Toyota HQ gives until 2010 to improve F1 team

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Since starting its F1 team in 2002, Toyota has poured in an unprecedented - although undisclosed - amount of money into its Formula One team. But after five years of lackluster performance, even Toyota's patience - and cash - is beginning to run out. Team principal Tadashi Yamashina revealed in his annual report that the company has given him until 2010 to increase the team's level of performance.
Although it hasn't been specified exactly what consequence it will bring if the Cologne, Germany-based team fails to meet the company's expectations, one could not imagine the coffers staying filled if the team continues to disappoint the bean-counters back in Japan.
In his report, Yamashina pinpointed aerodynamics and a failure to adapt to the new uniform Bridgestone tires as the principal reasons why the team failed to score even a single podium finish this past season, declaring that the team needs to improve in these areas in order to succeed. But Toyota's overall performance in 2007 was about par for the team, which hasn't placed better than fourth in the constructors' championship.
Better luck next year, Toyota. You're going to need it.
[Source: Autosport]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Another Malaysian automaker interested in buying Lotus?

Filed under: Etc., Lotus


According to a report by Reuters, a Malaysian company has approached Proton Holdings and asked if the automaker would be willing to part with its controlling stake in Lotus. The unnamed company is interested in purchasing the 63.75-percent of shares of the British automaker and automotive consultancy firm that Proton purchased back in 1996.

It's certainly not coincidental that this offer came in a few weeks after Proton and Volkswagen ended talks about a possible alliance, causing Proton's stock to drop by some 18-percent. Although the financial windfall gained by Proton may be beneficial in the short-term, the Malaysian automaker is dependent on Lotus' technological innovations for future products. We doubt anything will come of it, but we're curious as to what company made the offer and how it would benefit from the purchase.

[Source: Reuters, InsideLine]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 2012 Mazda RX-9: Winding Road adds fuel to the fire

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Mazda

The mysterious images of a 2012 Mazda RX-9 that we brought you a few days ago appear to be illustrations cooked up by Winding Road magazine's in-house sketch artist Glenn Poblete, who literally drew on Mazda's current design language from the Kabura concept and other recent Mazda showstoppers to come up with a good guesstimate.
As for the heart of the beast, Winding Road figures on a front-engine/rear-drive layout with a limited-slip diff mated to either a rotary engine, in the grandest Mazda tradition, or ditching the Renesis for a more conventional V6 or V8. If Mazda decides to stick with the Wankel engine, it would have to improve on its gas and oil consumption, and it could benefit from a pair of variable turbochargers like in the latest Porsche 911 Turbo. Displacement on an updated Renesis, if chosen, could increase to 1.8-liters (if you consider the current version to displace 1.3-liters) or 3.5 (if you hold the current one at 2.6).
Like our compatriots, we hope Mazda sticks with a purely two-seat set-up instead of trying to squeeze tiny seats in the back, but the RX-9 could gain a suicide rear door to ease access if rear chairs are added. If that were the case, the RX-9 would effectively replace the quasi-four-door RX-8, which is anticipated for a facelift soon.
[Source: Winding Road]

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[Stuart]

I don't believe it is possible for a Japanese team with Japanese management to win F1.
I believe there are too many cultural barriers that prevent them from being able to come first.

 

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Field of Dreams: Exotics to gather in Florida for Supercar Weekend

Filed under: Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows
If you live in southern Florida, or can manage to get there, you may want to mark off the last weekend in January on your calendar. West Palm Beach is hosting what is being billed as the largest supercar show in the world, taking place along the waterfront from January 24-27, 2008.
Supercar Weekend, now heading into its fourth annual running, invites collectors to showcase their own modern sportscars and classics along with a very Floridian array of mega-yachts aross Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.
In previous years, the show included Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and Aston Martins by the dozen. Organizers expect this years to be highlighted by a Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop Head Coupe, a 1971 Lamborghini Miura and a 1967 Ford GT40 J6 racer, along with such personalities as famed supercar collector Jim Glickenhaus (father of the Pininfarina P4/5) and supercar designer Henrik Fisker. Given the exotic wheels you can see running down South Florida's boulevards and highways on any ordinary day, the Palm Beach Supercar Weekend ought to be a real Woodstock for gearheads.
Follow the jump for the press release and a promotional video of the event.
[Source: Supercar Weekend]
Continue reading Field of Dreams: Exotics to gather in Florida for Supercar Weekend

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: 24 Hours of LeMons Thunderhill wrap-up

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.


The Jaloptikons made the trek north this past weekend to take in the final 24 Hours of LeMons event at the Thunderhill Raceway and after making the long slog back to their respective homes, they've put together a comprehensive list of the top 50 competitors that ran the crap-can race.

The inaugural event's winners, Red Meat and Poontang, were forced to remove their stripper pole at the last minute, but despite the 11th hour emasculation of their 1.6-liter 1999 Mazda Prot&eacute;g&eacute;, they took home $1000 in unrolled nickels for surviving the two day event.

According to Murilee and Johnny's race report, the Thunderhill event was a totally different beast compared to the one we participated in back in October at the Altamont. Not only is the track comprised of several of high-speed straights and turns, the organizers were none to shy about black flagging any team whose aggressive driving put other competitors at risk. Three cheers and a broken tie-rod for that!

We're already beginning to plot our revenge on the Altamont in May, but in the meantime, check out Jalopnik's coverage here.
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Industry leaders predictions for '08; Lutz angrier than ever

Filed under: Etc.
Between top X lists and hastily written end-of-the-year musings, the final day of 2007 is looking a lot like last year's run of retrospectives. Although some of the stories are different, many of the players have remained the same, so Tom Walsh from the Freep shot out a dozen emails to some of the leaders in his home state to get their predictions and hopes for the New Year.

The General's CEO, Rick Wagoner, echoes the sentiments of many in the auto industry, with hopes that the housing crisis is resolved post haste, while Ford's Mark Fields wishes that "we don't continually talk ourselves into a recession in 2008." Fields either wants to see or is predicting that "cars and crossovers will outsell trucks and SUVs for the first time in many years" and with gas prices holding steady at their current rates, that's a distinct possibility.

Both execs hope that comprehensive reform of the United States' energy policy takes effect, but the every quotable Bob Lutz takes the curmudgeon cake, saying, "Now that we have the 35 miles-per-gallon fuel economy mandate by 2020, I am hoping that in 2008 'Professor Doktor' David Friedman (research director, clean vehicles program, Union of Concerned Scientists) and his 'highly-qualified' band of allegedly concerned, self-proclaimed scientists will turn their energy toward showing the world's automotive industry exactly how those numbers, using existing technology and 'costs of a few hundred dollars at the most' can be attained with a vehicle selection that even remotely resembles the cars and trucks Americans want to buy today."

While on the cusp of another year, it's nice to know that some things will never change.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Porsche studio wins iF Product Design Award

Filed under: Gadgets, Porsche
Porsche fanatics recognize the German sportscars for their engineering, less so for their design, which changes very little from one successive model to another. The company's merchandising design studio, however, is being recognized for its design prowess with another iF Product Design Award.
The product for which Porsche Design is being honored is the Worldtime P'6750 on which we reported earlier. The watch features an innovative movement, enclosed in a very Porsche-like minimalist case, that uses two windows to display the time in a second time zone and which time zone is being displayed, which can be switched at the push of a button.
This isn't the first time Porsche Design is winning the award, having taken home the prize seven times before. The citation is awarded by the International Forum Design and will be awarded this coming March at the CeBit Information Technology show, which is taking place concurrently with the Geneva auto show in nearby Hanover, Germany.
[Source: TimeZone.com and Porsche Design]

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