Autoblog: News Thread

[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Chery S16: Inspired by Crocs?

Filed under: Economy, China, Hatchbacks, Chery
Probably not, but can you blame us for thinking so? While no one here is a shoe expert like, say, The Manolo, it's hard to look at this forthcoming Chery compact and not think of the ubiquitous (and heinous) sandals worn by Mario Batali and countless suburbanites in apparent need of corrective eye surgery. Look at that rounded, upturned nose -- Croc city, baby! We know that the Chinese manufacturers have never shied away from "borrowing" styling elements from other cars in the past, so really, what's to stop them from swiping a resin clog design for the S16?

[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: eBay Find of the Day: "Bentley Java" Monte Carlo not-really-a-replica

Filed under: Coupes, Auction Action, Bentley, Chevrolet

The 1994 Bentley Concept Java (right) was shown in coupe and convertible forms, and it clearly showcases a design language that is in use today on the current Arnage series. eBay, as you're well aware, is riddled with dreck to go along with some of the exotic and interesting cars that cross its virtual auction block. The "Bentley Java Replica" shown above lands in the "dreck" category with a resounding thud. Based (very obviously) on a late-model Chevy Monte Carlo, this particular abomination comes with a delightfully (if unintentionally) amusing item description, which you can read after the jump along with some additional commentary.

Thanks for the tip, Brent!

[Source: eBay]
Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: "Bentley Java" Monte Carlo not-really-a-replica

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: MKF? Lincoln to get a version of the Flex?

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford, Lincoln


FoMoCo never chromed out the Freestar and sent it to the Town Car division, but a version of Ford's new large wagon crossover called the Flex is reportedly headed to Lincoln. It would seem at first blush to be a better match for Mercury's product mix, but Ford wants Lincoln to become the volume seller under the L-M umbrella. What will power the Lincoln version is not yet known, but a variety of powertrains have been used in variants of the platform. Ford could snatch the 4.4-liter V8 from Volvo, but it's more likely to use some iteration of the new Duratec 3.5 or 3.7. The Lincoln badge is certainly befitting of some extra kick from the engine room for differentiation, and we'd expect a more luxe interior, too.

The Ford Flex will bow first, of course, and be allowed to hold court for about a year. The other version could be held back a full year, allowing Lincoln's seven-passenger alternative to vandom to get a solid footing. We're not sure what to think. A Lincoln version would definitely absorb some production capacity, but will it sell, or will Lincoln have a taste of the R-Class mystique? We think a better way to share the Flex would be to go retro and create a modern-day Volvo 245 GLT. A blacked out egg-crate grille, some different lights, throw in that force-fed V6 and there you go.

[Source: Car and Driver via Winding Road, Photo: Winding Road]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Audi hiring 800 in 2008

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings, Audi

If you're a recent college graduate with a desire to land an automotive gig, you may want to send your resume Audi's way. The fast-growing German luxury brand is hiring 800 new grads this year, up 200 from 2007. The official Audi presser, which is available after the jump, emphasizes that the increase in new hires is necessary to "significantly expand our product range and develop new cars." Engineers are the top priority, as one-third of all new hires will enter technical development to work on diesel engines, innovative hybrid drive solutions and alternative fuels. If you haven't got an engineering degree, the four-ringed automaker is also pining for collegiate grads with Economics degrees for marketing and sales activities.
We're out of the running since Audi isn't looking for bloggers at this time, but if you apply for the job and get an interview, tell them we sent you. Maybe we'll get a referral bonus or a week in the R8. If that doesn't work out, we'll be content to wait on the new products and powertrains.
[Source: Audi]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Sixteen states tell the EPA: We'll see you in court

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

The new CAFE legislation contains a provision to keep individual states from coming up with their own standards. California applied to the EPA for a waiver to enforce its own stricter emissions standards. When the EPA administrator, Stephen Johnson, planned to deny that waiver, Johnson's in-house team told him he could expect states to sue the EPA. He did it anyway. And now sixteen states and five environmental groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency.

The legal charge is being led by California, which has never been denied a waver before, and can't understand why it's being denied now (cue: conspiracy theories). Johnson said the EPA's own rules will do more to prevent global warming than the stricter standards California wants to adopt. Jerry Brown, California's Attorney General, called the EPA's action "shocking in its incoherence and utter failure to provide legal justification for the administrator's unprecedented action."
The Golden State is being joined by Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington in the lawsuit. The auto industry, which spent a lot of time, money and manpower to keep states from being able to choose individual standards, will be watching this closely. If California wins, though, it doesn't appear the industry will have any recourse but to lift its game that much further... and charge consumers for it.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: AutoblogGreen for 01.03.08

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green


Well, oil prices went and did it yesterday, topped $100 a barrel. What else is there to say but welcome to 2008? If you love to drive but don't love to pay a small fortune each time you visit the pump, AutoblogGreen invites you to check out the many eco-driving stories we do every day. Who knows, perhaps you'll find that driving green is just as much fun as driving any other way. And if you can do it in a free GMC Yukon hybrid and, oh yeah, a $2 million house, I suppose you'll enjoy that as well, no?

• BREAKING: Oil hits $100 a barrel
• Win a GMC Yukon hybrid and, oh yeah, a $2 million house too!
• U.S. corn subsidies aggravating Amazon deforestation
• Dennis Berube breaks his own electric drag racing record again
• Detroit Auto Show 2008 video preview: LRX, Land Rover's 40 MPG, diesel-electric concept
• New year, new bans: Berlin, Hannover and Cologne banning non-catalysed cars
• Paris "about to launch" a cheap rental service featuring 2,000 electric cars
• ABG's youngest "correspondent" checks out the Solar Decathlon solar homes
• Video: If all cars plants were this green...
• Milan, Italy starts applying a pollution charge
• Reinventing a transportation icon, a double-decker for the 21st century
• Chery builds a new mini-car that isn't a clone
• Winding Road compares the available three-wheelers
• California has low-resistance tire laws?
• Talk about lightweight: a life-sized Hummer made from Styrofoam
• ABG discovers there's something to LOLcats
• S&atilde;o Paulo searching for cleaner ethanol through mechanization
• Great prices for the Seat Ibiza Ecomotive at home
• Robert Zubrin talks about requiring all cars to be flex-fuel capable
• New CAFE requirements help turn Detroit's eye back to diesels

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Nissan to cut weight by 15-percent by 2015

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Tech, Nissan


As enthusiasts, it's easy to get caught up in horsepower and torque figures, but weight remains the ultimate buzz kill for performance. The last twenty years has brought huge advances in technological and safety features, but the downside is that we've been tacking on the pounds in the process. Nissan has recognized this and is setting a course to rectify matters by attempting to lower the average weight of its vehicles by 15-percent in the next seven years when compared to its 2005 lineup.

Nissan's goal is to make use of more lightweight materials, rethink its vehicle design and get suppliers in on the action by setting efficiency targets for the parts they produce.

Considering the 350Z tips the scales at just under 3,200 pounds, which means Nissan is looking to shave almost 500 pounds from the coupe's curb weight. That's going to make for an impressive power-to-weight ratio and even more compelling driving dynamics. Hopefully, the cost of lightweight materials will decrease as their popularity grows and it won't be too long before carbon fiber begins to find its way into more mainstream automobiles.

[Source: DowJones]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: German fuzz impound Libyan dictator's son noisy Ferrari

Filed under: Etc., Euro, Government/Legal, Supercars

Germany may still have a few stretches of autobahns unrestricted by speed limits, but local law enforcement stick rigidly to noise pollution regulations. That's what one student found out, the hard way, when he had his Ferrari impounded by police in Munich for producing too much noise: nearly 110.5 dBa, twelve and a half decibels over the 98 dBa limit.
The student happened to be 25-year-old Seif al-Arab, the second youngest of Libyan dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi's seven sons. (Somewhat ironically, Seif's younger brother Khamis is himself a police officer in Libya.) Coughing up the fine, reported at ₤100, shouldn't be a problem for a student with a trust fund big enough to buy a Ferrari F430 in the first place, but he might have to play the diplomatic immunity card over a reportedly expired international driver's permit.
Uh, Baba? Can you send me some more cash and a new license?
[Source: Telegraph via Winding Road]

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: Robbie Madison's record 322-foot jump on New Year's Eve

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycles

As a proud owner of a hand-me-down Evel Knievel motorcycle toy, I've always wanted to attempt an outrageous motorcycle stunt. After watching Robbie Madison's ridiculous record-breaking 322-foot jump, I think I'll instead revert to my plan to bid on Evel's Wild Turkey cane when it hits eBay. The video available after the jump shows several terrific replays of Madison as he launched himself off a ramp New Year's Eve and rose 60 feet in the air before landing 107 yards away. Check out how Madison uses his rear brake to properly position his bike for landing. Good stuff, very good stuff. Madison's Vegas jump easily beat the previous Guinness World Record of 277 feet by Trigger Gumm. We'd have thought a guy named Trigger could out-jump anyone named Robbie, but we've been wrong before.

[Source: Metacafe]Continue reading VIDEO: Robbie Madison's record 322-foot jump on New Year's Eve

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Surprise! Ford's SYNC sells cars

Filed under: Car Buying, Gadgets, CES, Tech, Ford, Lifestyle

Ford developed its SYNC system with Microsoft and has an 18-month exclusive license to sell the system, which is something we weren't aware of until recently. It turns out, however, that the exclusive rights aren't being wasted: Ford reports that SYNC-equipped cars are finding twice as many buyers as cars without SYNC. One dealer said "People who won't spend a dollar more for power door locks have to have SYNC." Keep in mind this news is coming from Ford, but clearly SYNC is appealing to the common customer.

The multi-media controlling option appears to have won so many over by being easy to learn, genuinely useful for different age groups, and cheap at only $395. Scott Burgess of The Detroit News, when building his dream car, called it "the best $395 option of 2007." It also appears to be inverting the car buying decision for some, with people knowing that they want a car with SYNC then choosing among the available models.

SYNC is still young, though. If the kinds of things that PC owners and Microsoft critics have bemoaned for ages begin to creep in, then the fortunes of SYNC could sink just as quickly. But for now it's good times, and if you've been checking out SYNC from the sidelines, you might be interested to know that v2.0 will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in a couple weeks.
[Source: Ford]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Officially Official: Ford picks Tata as preferred bidder for Jaguar/Land Ro

Filed under: Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials

Previous rumors that Indian automaker Tata was chosen by Ford from among a group of bidders to buy Jaguar and Land Rover have proven to be true, as both Tata and Ford announced earlier today that they have moved into advanced negotiations on the sale of the two British marques.
Although both companies were quick to point out that there are still a number of steps before the deal is finalized, informed insiders have confirmed that the two competing bidders, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and One Equity Partners LLC, have effectively been rejected in favor of Tata.
Factory workers at Jaguar and Land Rover in England were reportedly informed shortly before the announcement went public. Ford, the biggest seller of automobiles in the UK, reportedly wants the new owner of Jaguar and Land Rover to retain the bulk of their existing 15,300-strong British work force, and Jaguar's principal union has expressed its preference for Tata.
Although Ford needs the cash injection from selling off its subsidiaries, the automaker is anticipated to pursue a similar relationship with Jaguar and Land Rover that it maintains with Aston Martin: continuing to supply components, including engines, even after the divisions are sold off.
Follow the jump to read the official statement from Ford of Europe and PAG chairman Lewis Booth.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Continue reading Officially Official: Ford picks Tata as preferred bidder for Jaguar/Land Rover

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Mustang coupe caught!

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford

click above for more spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Spy shots of the production 2009 Chevy Camaro and 2010 Ford Mustang GT in the same day? It's like these two pony cars have started competing for mindshare before a single one's been built. All the better for us, however, as in addition to the Camaro testers that were just caught on camera, we also get to glimpse the new Mustang GT that will arrive a year after the new bow tie brawler. Ford is playing it smart and will steal some of the Camaro's (and Dodge Challenger's) limelight with this mid-cycle enhancement when it appears in late 2009 as a 2010 model. From these spy shots, however, we can see that the changes are more than a nip/tuck. The 2010 Mustang will sport all-new front and rear fascias, so expect new headlights, a new grille, new taillights, etc. In fact, from what we can see of the high-tech looking headlights on this tester, it appears that the front-end will be carrying design cues from the Guigiaro Mustang Concept, which is a good thing. Check out more angles of the car in our gallery below and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang GT - spy shots


Gallery: Giugiaro Mustang at NAIAS 2007


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Spy Shots: 2009 Chevy Camaro caught - interior too!

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet

click above for 14 high-res spy shots of the 2009 Chevy Camaro

KGP Photographers in Europe caught a caravan of Holden test cars heading up to the Arctic Circle for testing, and lo and behold a pair of Chevy Camaros were along for the ride, as well. The truck was apparently unattended, as the photographers crawled all over it to get close up pics of the Camaro, including the very first shots of what should be the production interior. But let's start with the exterior, where we see the familiar shape of the concept that's been toned down a smidge for mass production. We're particularly interested in the C-pillar that appears to be the most significantly changed part of the car's exterior. The rear fenders look to carry on straight back as the greenhouse turns in towards the center of the car after the B-pillar. The effect is a pair of pronounced rear haunches that sits high atop the 20-inch wheels shod with 245/45 ZR20 Pirello P Zero tires.

Glance inside and you'll see a production interior that's remarkably close to the highly stylized retro interior of the concept. The two big analog gauges remain front and center behind the retro-looking wheel, for instance. The center stack, however, has been modified to accept a modern stereo and some useable HVAC controls, though it sits atop a cluster of four gauges giving the car's vitals. All in all, it appears that the production Camaro will retain more of the concept's flair than we thought, so kudos to GM for seeing it through.

[Source: KGP Photography]
Gallery: 2009 Chevy Camaro - spy shots


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: GM's new ad campaigns focus on small cars, SUVs

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Saturn

With oil hitting $100 per barrel and customers clamoring for more fuel-efficient vehicles, GM is dropping coin to showcase its smaller transportation. Now is a good time for the General to tout its lighter fare, as the Detroit automaker has some real winners in its stable. The new Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS have received critical praise from the automotive press, and early sales receipts show that both vehicles are a hit with the public as well. In fact, GM is looking to increase Malibu production in a soft market due to brisk demand at Chevy dealers around the country. Saturn will also receive ad dollars, as newer products like the Vue could use a boost, and the hot new Astra will benefit from a coming out party.

GM is also concentrating more of its cash on web advertising, and it will also pony up ad dollars to tout Chevrolet as its environmentally friendly brand. While automotive enthusiasts know GM has come up with a string of solid vehicles, the general public may not be as informed. Nothing spreads the word quite like money.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Detroit '08 Preview: BMW does diesel, will show US-spec X5 xDrive35d and 33

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Green, BMW
click above to view more high-res images

Remember when we told you that "Blue" might become the new "Green" in automotive environmentalism? Here's more proof. BMW will be debuting two new diesel-powered models for the U.S. market at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and the name of the technology behind the new-for-U.S. diesel powerplant is BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. The two vehicles in question are the X5 xDrive35d and the 335d, both of which will be powered by BMW's award-winning twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six cylinder diesel that's also sold in Europe and elsewhere. Don't worry Californians, both vehicles will be 50-state compliant thanks to their engine that manages to satisfy the stricter requirements set by the California Air Resource Board through the use of a urea injection system called AdBlue ("Blue" again!). You can check out what additional tweaks the engine has received in BMW's detailed press release after the jump.

In the U.S., the 3.0L twin-turbo diesel is expected to produce 265 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, which is plenty for us. At the same time, it will return 23 city/33 highway mpg and take the 335d sedan to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too. We just have to say how giddy we are that European diesels are on their way en masse and welcome the BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance with open arms. You can bet we'll be first in line to test one, though as a matter of fact, we already have.

[Source: BMW]
Gallery: BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance

Continue reading Detroit '08 Preview: BMW does diesel, will show US-spec X5 xDrive35d and 335d

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: VIDEO: "You might have trouble with the state inspection."

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Videos, Cadillac


With this one, we're going to let the video speak for itself. In brief, the owner of a CTS-V decides to add a Garrett turbo and apparently makes several other changes underhood at the same time. Then he invites his Gallardo-owning buddy over to film the first startup of the car, which wears the vanity plate, VETEATR. CATEATR might be more appropriate. Just watch and you'll understand. Note that there's some profanity near the end, so if you're at work, don your headsets or keep the volume low. The running commentary once the Caddy gets started is simply classic.

[Source: Culture Garage]
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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Bob Lutz declares "No more camo on the Camaros!"

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Chevrolet
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/autos/2009_Chevy_Camaro_GM_releases_first_official_pic'; For the cadre of camera wielding auto spies chasing the 2009 Chevy Camaro, life has just gotten a little bit easier. Mere hours after a new batch of spy showing a camo-covered Camaro hit the interweb, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper posted a message to the GM Fastlane Blog declaring that all pre-production Camaros would be stripped of their camouflage from now until production starts. Apparently, Bob Lutz decided that the camo was causing too much interference with cooling and aerodynamic testing and it needed to come off. Since everyone pretty much knows what the Camaro looks like already, it won't make much difference, but here for your edification is the first official pic direct from GM.

[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]
Gallery: 2009 Chevy Camaro - spy shots


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: G-Power Hurricane M5 claims mantle as fastest BMW with 730HP

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, BMW

click above to view more high-res images o fhte G-Power Hurricane M5

Coaxing more power from an engine as finely-tuned as BMW M-division's 500-horsepower V10 is no easy task. But that didn't stop German aftermarket tuner G-Power, which managed to get total power output up to a staggering 730 hp for its Hurricane M5, claiming the hotly-contested mantle of the world's fastest and most powerful street-legal Bimmer.
To extract that kind of juice, G-Power fitted not one, but two superchargers - one for each cylinder bank - with stratospheric spooling redlines of 100,000 rpm. They've also fitted an overhead intercooler, swapped in a bigger oil cooler and tinkered with the M5's notoriously intricate electronics. The result: half a second off the M5's already supercar-like 0-60 time, now down to just 4.2 seconds. With all that extra power and the electronic limiter removed, the aptly-named Hurricane is claimed to hit a top speed of 340 km/h - that's over 211 miles per Autobahn-storming hour.
More after the jump, including all the specs and G-Power's official press release, and be sure to scope out the photos in the gallery below.
[Source: G-Power]
Gallery: G-Power BMW M5 Hurricane


Continue reading G-Power Hurricane M5 claims mantle as fastest BMW with 730HP

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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Pics Aplenty: Mercedes-Benz GLK Vision GLK FREESIDE

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Mercedes Benz

click above for 22 high-res images of the Mercedes-Benz GLK Vision FREESIDE

We brought you five images of the Mercedes-Benz GLK Vision GLK FREESIDE when news broke on it last night, but today MB has released a full slate of photography showing its new soft-roader from every angle. We can't say it necessarily helps, as the GLK still looks like something you'd place on the kitchen counter to hold your good set of knives. So many sharp angles, creases and hard lines tries to impart an air of SUV-ness to the GLK that just doesn't work as well as it does on the full-size GL SUV. Nevertheless, the GLK has some promising hardware hiding underneath its butch exterior that includes a BLUETEC four-cylinder diesel, 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission and a new 4MATIC all-wheel drive that's as efficient as a two-wheel-drive set up. We're also eager to climb inside the GLK to determine how the interior stacks up to its cross-town competition from BMW, as well as similarly sized and less expensive CUVs. There's certainly money to be made in the CUV business, but the question is how much will the GLK make for Mercedes-Benz? Look for our live coverage of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show beginning Sunday, January 13th to find out.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Gallery: Mercedes-Benz GLK Vision FREESIDE


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[monkeyboy]

Autoblog: Rendered Speculation: Another stab at the 2012 Mazda RX-9

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Mazda

Would you like some car with those wheels? This latest rendering of the anticipated Mazda RX-9 sports car comes from an enthusiast in Japan and was posted on the Ford fan forum FoMoCoNews.com.
Although the artist swears that it's close to the mark, the actual design, like the rendering featured on Winding Road, is expected to more faithfully portray the styling language previewed on the radical Furai concept. This illustration, meanwhile, appears to be more of an evolution of the current RX-8, but with enormous rims that would have to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 inches (which is farther than this thing would make it on public roads with those ground effects).
[Source: FoMoCoNews.com]

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