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New York 2010 Preview: All-new 2011 Kia Optima unveiled Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Kia 
2011 Kia Optima - Click above for high-res image gallery
The next stage of Kia's transformation from design also-ran to serious contender will kick off at the New York Auto Show in few weeks. After launching the Forte sedan and Koup, the new Sorento and, most recently, the Sportage, Kia's new design language is being applied to the Optima. The all-new 2011 Kia Optima is longer, wider and lower than the car it replaces although we don't know by how much. While it's not as aggressive as the sketches released a few weeks ago, this Optima is certainly a huge step forward.
We don't have any mechanical details yet, but we'd guess that the Optima shares a lot under the skin with the new Hyundai Sonata. Nor would we be at all surprised to learn that the Optima won't have a V6 engine option this time around. Instead, it'll probably use the same direct-injected 2.4-liter inline-four found in the Sonata. The turbocharged and hybrid variants may follow as well.
[Source: Kia]Continue reading New York 2010 Preview: All-new 2011 Kia Optima unveiled New York 2010 Preview: All-new 2011 Kia Optima unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Chevy Camaro Convertible spotted top-down Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet, GM 
GM's obviously thrilled with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's success, as it's pretty much owned the Ford Mustang on the sales charts to this point. Now, the retooled Mustang hopes to bounce back with new powertrains aimed at erasing any performance advantage the Camaro model has. File that battle under "To Be Continued." The other thing the Mustang has going for it, however, is that sunseekers can opt for a ragtop variant. As in, today. Chevy fans? Not so much.
The waiting game continues apace, however, as the Camaro Convertible inches closer to showrooms. The latest good news comes from Camaro5.com, where a contributor nabbed the droptop Camaro out testing with its roof down - the first such sighting. We think it's a looker, just like its fixed-roof sibling, and better still, with the top stowed, all the visibility compromises the coupe has to make in the name of its wicked curb appeal are summarily erased. This is one ride we're definitely looking forward to. For additional photos, make tracks over to Camaro5.com.
[Source: Camaro5.com]Spy Shots: Chevy Camaro Convertible spotted top-down originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chrysler's upcoming 6.4L V8 only for SRT, not for Ram? Filed under: Truck, Etc., Technology, Chrysler, Dodge 
Back in November, during Chrysler's seemingly endless business plan presentation, Ram trucks chief Fred Diaz told the captive media audience that the new 6.4-liter Hemi gasoline V8 would likely appear in Ram's heavy duty trucks. Fast forward to today, however, and it would appear that the big Hemi is now off the table. PickupTrucks.com reports that the 6.4 Hemi will instead be exclusive to Chrysler's potent SRT vehicles. Chrysler VP of product development, Joe Veltri, says that the 6.4 is designed for performance, not the grunt work truck buyers demand of their vehicles.
PickupTrucks.com notes also that Veltri sees a need for Ram to get gas engine that delivers more power and torque than the currently-available 5.7-liter Hemi, but that the likely course of action will involve building off that engine, rather than looking to adapt the SRT lump for truck duty. Why the drive to add more gas offerings in the diesel-dominated heavy-duty truck category? Emissions regulations, natch. Increasingly strict rules mean that diesels are becoming commensurately more costly to produce and sell, and Chrysler sees the ratio of diesel to gas engines offered becoming much closer in future years than it is today. Head over to PickupTrucks.com for the full skinny.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]Chrysler's upcoming 6.4L V8 only for SRT, not for Ram? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee Filed under: Europe, Technology, Volkswagen, UK  This is what we mean when we say that the future of alternative fuels isn't anywhere close to being decided. A team from the BBC program Bang Goes the Theory has rigged an older Volkswagen Scirocco to run on coffee pellets. It's a bit complex, with the coffee grounds needing to be heated to 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit, and the resulting concoction cooled, separated and filtered before it's run to the engine. Because coffee contains carbon, however, it works.
It's expensive, though. The trial run the Starbucks Scirocco will make from London to Manchester and back will cost more than 25 times what the same trip on gasoline would because the car goes just three miles on a kilo of coffee. The 209-mile trip is also take ten hours, due to the number of stops required to refill the fuel canister and regularly clean out the system.
So, on second thought, this is not what we mean when we talk about the future of alternative fuels. But it is really neat, and it's for the kids, and those sorts of things count for a lot in our book. Hat tip to Joviocoe!
[Source: The Daily Mail]Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" (w/poll) Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Subaru, Toyota, Rumormill 
Toyota/Subaru Coupe test mule - Click above to enlarge
Japan's Best Car (via 7Tune) apparently reports that development costs associated with Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 sport coupe have become so high that all-wheel drive is now being dropped from the equation. If true, this would deprive the widely-expected Scooby coupe of the feature the brand's entire marketing platform is built on, likely leaving us with a pair of clones whose only major difference will be styling. To that end, it's also reported that an effort is underway to more substantially differentiate the Subaru coupe's look from the Toyota FT-86 beyond grilles and badges.
Of course, nothing's official until these cars are formally introduced, but yanking AWD from the Subaru effectively leaves us with a Japanese version of GM's old Camaro/Firebird scenario, assuming both cars really do come to market. Frankly, it's hard to see why Subaru would even bother going with this sans all-wheel drive coupe, though the Herculean PR spin they'd have to put on it would likely be hugely entertaining ("This is what we wanted all along...").
So, let's hear what you think. Follow the jump for a poll on how a lack of AWD would impact your interest in the presumed Subaru version of the Toyota FT-86. Thanks to Johnny for the tip!
[Source: 7Tune via FT86Club.com]Continue reading Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" (w/poll) Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" (w/poll) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
All Bentley Continental models going flex-fuel in June Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Bentley, Luxury 
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports - Click above for high-res image gallery
It may not be the most interesting news you read all week, but we now have a date at which all Bentley Continentals will be able to gulp down whiskey with the best of 'em: June.( Well, not exactly whiskey, but ethanol's pretty close.) Bentley had made the announcement (sans date) at the Geneva Motor Show when it showed off the Continental Supersports Convertible.
This move as a big first step toward reaching Bentley's stated goal of offering an entirely biofuel-capable lineup by 2012. In its latest form, as seen in the Continental Supersports, Bentley's twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 offers up 621 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That's sufficient to push the Conti to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and onto to a top speed of 202 mph.
As the Continental family is easily Bentley's most popular offering, this means that over half of all cars the brand sells this year will be flex-fuel-compatible. For those keeping track, the Brooklands coupe (which will soon be discontinued), Azure convertible and the soon-to-be-released Mulsanne sedan (the replacement for the long-running Arnage) are still not yet biofuel capable. According to Automotive News, however, the Mulsanne will be E85-capable shortly after its launch later this year.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]All Bentley Continental models going flex-fuel in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: 12" diesel stacks. God Bless America Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Videos 
American ingenuity FTW! 12" Pypes stacks - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Really, there's not much else to say here, other than that the guys at Pypes Performance Exhaust deserve a Nobel Prize or something. These 12-inch diesel stacks may well be the most gloriously redneck innovations ever devised by mankind. Or the most awesome. Or both. Don't be a hater - you know you need a big diesel truck now. With these. For America. Click past the jump for the video demo.
[Source: YouTube via Pypes]Continue reading Video: 12" diesel stacks. God Bless America Video: 12" diesel stacks. God Bless America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Amelia Island Concours set to symbolically break Cuban embargo Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Event Alert 
Director Eduardo Mesejo Maestre leads a tour at the Deposito del Automovil in Havana
Recognizing that car guys (and gals) are car guys no matter where in the world they live, the folks running this weekend's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance have decided to use a bit of "Car-Guy Diplomacy" to reach out to that bigger island a little south of Florida...Cuba. They have invited Ing. Eduardo Mesejo Maestre, Director of Deposito del Automovil (the Cuban Automotive Museum), to serve as a judge for the event. It's kind of like those ping pong matches between the U.S. and China back in the '70s, but, you know, with classic cars.
It's actually a first in U.S.-Cuba relations, for a Cuban national to be invited to judge a major concours in the States, believe it or not. In fact, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury had to grant permission for Ing. Mesejo to come here for the event, which runs March 12-14. For those too young to remember or too inattentive in history class, the United States has had a commercial, economic and financial embargo on Cuba, Cuban goods and Cuban people since 1960. Leave it to the car community to bridge that divide.
Cubans and Americans share a bit of a history with classic American cars, too. Since the embargo laws blocked the importation of new vehicles into Cuba, Cuban auto enthusiasts have made it a bit of an obsession to keep the best of the 1950s classics alive and running, relying on a lot of ingenuity to find or make parts when needed. Ing. Mesejo will join racing legends Denise McCluggage and Carroll Shelby in the jurying duties, Shelby stepping in for the recently injured Sir Stirling Moss. Fittingly, they will be judging the "Cars of the Cuban Races" class, an homage to a series of races held just in 1957, 1958 and 1960. You can read more about the event and Ing. Mesejo in the full press release after the jump.
[Source: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance]Continue reading Amelia Island Concours set to symbolically break Cuban embargo Amelia Island Concours set to symbolically break Cuban embargo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Next-generation Toyota Camry revealed in patent filings? (Updated) Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Toyota 
Toyota Camry patent filings - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota may be having some brand image troubles, what with all of the bad press it has been getting lately, but we mustn't forget that the Japanese automaker produces many of America's most popular cars, including the best-selling car in the U.S., the Camry.
Those keeping close watch will remember that the Camry received a very minor facelift for the 2010 model year, with the car receiving more Corolla-like styling, albeit in a more substantial package. However, one of our tipsters sent us these United States Patent and Trademark Office filing images of what appears to be the next-generation Camry, possibly slated for the 2012 model year. The sedan's dimensions don't seem to have changed too much, and the overall styling theme is still very conservative - in fact, it looks more milquetoast than the 2010 model that is presently in dealerships. The front fascia ditches the angular design of the current car for a smoother, more traditional design, and we see more pronounced taillamps out back, likely using LED strips like those on the 2011 Avalon. If anything, the vehicle in these images looks similar to the ASEAN market Camry that was retouched last year, but it is still clearly different.
Timing-wise, we wouldn't expect to see the official reveal until later this year or even early next year (2011 Detroit Auto Show, perhaps?). In the meantime, click through the gallery below to see the patent filing scans from all angles. A tip of the hat to RPB!
UPDATE: This is one of those times where we make like a point guard who just blew a pass to the open guy on a breakaway, tap our chests, and mouth, "My bad." As some of you noticed, the car pictured above is indeed the current Australian-market Toyota Aurion, itself a derivative of, yes, the Camry. Now, why would the Aurion show up in a U.S. patent filing? Perhaps the car's fascias are headed here as a cheap 'n easy facelift for the Camry. After all, it'd be a pretty significant change (for hyper-conservative Toyota, that is). It also does look better than the current Camry - in a differently-anonymous way. Also, if Toyota is going to Aurion-ize the Camry in the U.S., the least they could do is offer this while they're at it. Right? For a better look at the Aurion in living color, check out the second gallery below.
[Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office]Next-generation Toyota Camry revealed in patent filings? (Updated) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Watch the live reveal of the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford, Police/Emergency
Earlier today, Ford unveiled its next generation Police Interceptor (they'd rather you not call it a Taurus) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway before a group of police agency fleet buyers. The event was webcast live, but you can now watch a replay as Ford president Mark Fields and vehicle line director Scott Tobin explain the process of developing the new cruiser and how it differs from a civilian Taurus.
The Dodge Charger has been stomping all over the Crown Vic and Impala in recent years during the annual Michigan State Police vehicle test, but that process could end this year when the new Taurus Police Interceptor hits the track. The 365-horsepower Ecoboost-powered Interceptor should be right up there with the Dodge and may well provide better fuel economy to boot.
Ford isn't talking price yet for the new cop cars, but it aims to make it competitive with the rest of the class, and a claimed 25-percent boost in fuel economy compared to Crown Vic should help ease the pain of transitioning. Check out the video after the jump.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Video: Watch the live reveal of the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor Video: Watch the live reveal of the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
WSJ speculates about Renault-Nissan taking stake in GM Filed under: GM, Nissan, Earnings/Financials, Renault, Rumormill 
Rumors that Renault-Nissan may be interested in taking on a third head have popped once again, with the would-be merger candidate this time being General Motors. Huh, sounds familiar, doesn't it? In actuality, The Wall Street Journal is really just speculating on the possible effects of such a deal, and it's done so with all kinds of number crunching and colorful pie charts.
The lone quote from Renault-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn that seems to have sparked the article: "The name of the game is scale and co-investments and sharing technologies." That's a common thread from Ghosn and most recently stated at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.
After reading through the article, it seems possible that such a merger could make sound business sense for the Franco-Japanese automaker for a couple of reasons. First is Ghosn's seemingly insatiable appetite for large-scale synergies. Second, the two automaker's sales footprints appear to be rather complimentary. Finally, Renault-Nissan has enough cash reserves and holdings on hand that it could afford to purchase a 10-percent stake in the American automaker when it hopefully goes public again in early 2011.
So, does any of this have an actual chance of happening? We have absolutely no idea, but that hardly seems to matter - we're always up for a little speculation when it comes to our favorite topic of conversation. As always, questions, comments and snide remarks can be left in "Comments." What say you? Does Renault-Nissan-General Motors have a nice ring to it?
[Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image: Raveendran/AFP/Getty]WSJ speculates about Renault-Nissan taking stake in GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Strictly Commercial: Nissan NV website comes online Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Nissan 
Nissan NV commercial vans - Click above for high-res image gallery
No surprise here, really. Just one short day after officially revealing its first-ever commercial vehicle for the U.S. market, Nissan has launched a corresponding website to go along with its NV series of vans.
As you would expect from such a website, Nissan allows you to see both the standard and High Roof models in a complete 360-degree view. The Japanese automaker told us in its official press release that a great deal of research was conducted to find out exactly what commercial users wanted from their vehicles, and on the site, you can watch a number of such interviews on video.
Despite the fact that this is Nissan USA's first commercial van, the Japanese side of the the automaker's coin has been in the work-vehicle business for over 75 years, and naturally they are more than happy to tell you all about it. Wanna learn more? Click here.
[Source: Nissan]Strictly Commercial: Nissan NV website comes online originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Unintended acceleration Prius case gets twist involving debt, technology 
Second-gen Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
The unintended acceleration case of the second-generation Prius belonging to James Sikes now officially has an interesting backstory. Apparently, according to USAToday, Sikes' "case against Toyota is starting to look shaky." Why? Two reasons. First, and most important, is the technical argument. Toyota is saying that Sikes' Prius has a brake override system that should have slowed the car down in the situation Sikes has described to the media and to investigators. Also, looking at Audi's history with a similar problem back in the 1980s, it's often driver error that led to the acceleration, not a problem with the vehicles themselves.
Second, and only to consider possible motives for pretending something was wrong when there really wasn't, Sikes is apparently deep in debt according to financial records uncovered by Jalopnik. He has said repeatedly that he doesn't plan on suing Toyota, but he has retained a law firm.
As we said yesterday, there is no obvious explanation for why Sikes' Prius (and a similar model in New York a few days later) sped up and there's a case to be made that the hype is getting out of hand. Still, something happened, and the sooner we get the facts here, the better off we'll be. For now, we'll just have to file this under "Ongoing."
[Sources: Jalopnik, USAToday, Autopia]Report: Unintended acceleration Prius case gets twist involving debt, technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Are you the next Audi S8? Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury  Check out what a very cold spy photographer snapped some pictures of. This car could very well be the upcoming Audi S8. Of course, as the car in the photos is totally unmarked, this could just be another variant of the big Audi. We've suspected for some time that a new S8 is coming, and we hear that it's most likely headed over to our shores. However, we've know next to nothing about what type of terror resides under the hood. Until today.
Unlike the last (frankly underpowered) S8, this new big-fast sedan is dropping the choked-off, Lamborghini-derived V10 in favor of a new twin-turbo V8. The good folks at Car and Driver are claiming the unit will displace 4.0-liters. Our source at Audi wouldn't confirm that displacement explicitly, but did say that C/D is, "on the right path." This same source noted that BMW's been using a smallish displacement twin-turbo V8 (4.4-liters) in the 7 Series for the past year and that Audi intends to stay competitive.
Our Audi source also noted that the new V8 will be offered in many flavors, and will allow Audi to meet all the emissions and mileage standards coming down the pike in the next five years. We're told to expect a wide range of configurations, similar to what Audi/Lamborghini did with their shared V10. That means different states of tune for different cars, as well as naturally aspirated and force inducted version. As for power, our source once again confirmed that Car and Driver knows what they're printing. Meaning that the 450 horsepower/450 pound-feet of torque neighborhood isn't a bad guess, though the final numbers could be higher.
Back to the car in the heavily cropped photograph (check out Autocar for the complete set of pics), we're still not 100-percent sure it's the S8. First of all, there are no visual cues to distinguish this black car from a regular A8, save for the requisite four tailpipes. However, as Autocar notes, the new S8 is said to have bold new bodywork to set it apart from the standard car. Also, examine the brakes. They appear to be larger diameter than the standard brakes, yet they aren't drilled or slotted. One would think (and we would agree with him) that an S vehicle would have a more serious set of stoppers. After all, even the A8 Hybrid "Concept" has fancier discs. Of course, maybe these are just placeholders used during cold weather testing. Yeah, we're pretty sure this is the new Audi S8.
[Sources: Autocar, Car and Driver]Spy Shots: Are you the next Audi S8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 6 [w/video] Filed under: Motorsports, Etc. THE THAW
You had to know it couldn't last forever. Most recently our Subaru ice racer was in action way up north in the wilds of Quebec, getting sideways on a frozen circuit. As it turns out, if we wanted to keep on racing we should have stayed up there. This form of motorsport needs frozen lakes and some unfortunately turbulent weather in the northeast over the past month didn't do the local bodies of water any favors. But, we were able to make it to one final event before the season was put to rest. We have some highlights to share below, including footage of what it looks like to be inside a pirouetting WRX, plus some discussion about how to safely stow your winter racing gear for the summertime off-season.
Continue reading Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 6 [w/video] Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 6 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
GM President Mark Reuss: Chevrolet Cruze Coupe "may show up" Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Chevrolet, GM 
Chevrolet Cruze - click above for high-res image gallery
Check out this little nugget General Motor's North American president Mark Reuss let slip during a recent web chat:
"[...] 2 door cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market. As we have 2 door Cobalts currently, [North America] would naturally look at a Cruze 2 door, but I believe our small car portfolio will be WAY beyond what it is now, so a 2 door something still is needed."
Quite interesting, no? Especially as the Cruze will eventually replace the Cobalt as Chevy's C-segment car. We suspect there will be a bit of overlap between the two cars (GM's high-volume models die hard), but the idea of a Cruze SS Coupe is quite tantalizing. To us at any rate.
Also lip smacking is another bit of info Reuss let slip when a man named Pete asked the following question, "Can you tell us if the plans for a ZETA RWD sedan in one of the core brands is moving forward?" Mr. Reuss' response, "quite possibly Pete......." That's not the Lutzian answer we're used to ("RWD, twin-turbo wagons with manuals for all!") but it's not a "no," either. Also of note, Reuss, a competition-license carrying "car guy" at one time owned Buick GNX #446. Good to know, and stay tuned....
[Source: GM Reinvention]
GM President Mark Reuss: Chevrolet Cruze Coupe "may show up" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy Filed under: Recalls, Toyota, Autoline on Autoblog RUNAWAY TOYOTAS? WHAT ABOUT DRIVER ERROR?
 No one wants to touch it. Not Toyota, not NHTSA, not any politician. But the issue has to be raised. Driver error is most likely at the root of these sudden unintended acceleration incidents.
Unintended acceleration is not a new issue for the auto industry. It's been around for decades and complaints have been filed against virtually every automaker. Even more telling, it was around long before electronic throttle controls (ETC) ever showed up in cars.
But we've managed to work ourselves into a hysteria where everyone automatically assumes that ETC is the culprit. That's a dangerous assumption that will likely lead us down a dead-end path, and could prevent us from implementing a fairly easy design change that could cure most of these incidents.
While it is possible that "ghosts" in the electronics could be causing a problem, no one has been able to find them. Toyota has done exhaustive investigations into this. So has every other major automaker. So have all the suppliers that make these systems. Independent laboratories, universities, and government agencies have investigated it. But none of them have ever found the problem. Never. And it is my contention that they probably never will.
John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: GM launching pair of low-pressure 'test' dealerships that offer competitor car drives Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM 
A[nother] different kind of car company. A[nother] different kind of car. Apparently, as it once did with its Saturn division, General Motors is again fiddling with the tried-and-true dealership sales model by creating two separate new test programs that would potentially offer a low-pressure car buying environment.
One of them, a so-called Test Drive Studio, would be a "permanent or semi-permanent, minimally branded, brick-and-mortar" facility that would first appear in Chevrolet-centric areas such as Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Included amongst the newfangled features would be test drives in the Chevy Malibu, Traverse and Equinox, followed by their main competition. "May the Best Car Win," indeed.
According to Steve Tihanyi, general director for marketing services, alliances and branded entertainment, "It's a non-threatening environment. It's not pressure-filled; you can drive all the right competitive products against the [vehicles]. If you take Malibu as an example, we will also have vehicles like Camry, Accord, Ford Fusion, or Taurus, so you get a really good cluster of vehicles to experience at your own pace."
Also new will be a competitive test-drive program that will run concurrently with auto shows in 30 markets all around the United States. "One thing we know about auto shows is a lot of people who come will be in market in zero to 12 months," says Tihanyi.
To go along with the new dealership test model, GM will start a digital marketing campaign in each of the four aforementioned test markets, targeting buyers currently shopping for vehicles in GM's competitive markets. Says Tihanyi, "So, hypothetically, if you are on Edmunds.com and shopping a Camry, we are going to offer up an opportunity to come to the Test Drive Studio in that market to compare everything you have in your shopping set right now. Our feeling is you may have not had the Malibu in your consideration set, but if you try it, you will."
[Source: Marketing Daily | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]Report: GM launching pair of low-pressure 'test' dealerships that offer competitor car drives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Dodge Ram Power Wagon hits the streets in search of Ford SVT Raptor Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Off-Road 
Dodge Ram Power Wagon spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
We just told you that that Chrysler will be launching four new "Moparized" vehicles later this month, and our spies have already caught one of these new vehicles - the Dodge Ram Power Wagon - on the streets of southeast Michigan.
Unlike the Power Wagon that's just now hitting dealers, this is a totally unique package, featuring a single-cab configuration with a short, style-side bed. The huge off-road tires and exaggerated wheel arches lead us to believe that this is Chrysler's answer to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (if only in concept form), and our spies tell us that this prototype "made hair-raising sounds" as it drove by, leading us to believe that the 383-horsepower Hemi V8 is underhood.
We can't wait to see the production version on March 27 at the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. If these spy shots are anything to go off of, it looks like it'll be serious fun for desert storming.
[Source: KGP Photography]Spy Shots: Dodge Ram Power Wagon hits the streets in search of Ford SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Honda CR-Z enjoying high early demand in home market? Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda 
2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery
The new Honda CR-Z has only been on sale in Japan for two weeks, and already the automaker has received over 7,000 orders for the small hybrid. This represents about 60 percent of the 12,000 units that Honda anticipated to sell domestically in the hatch's first year of production. If this trend continues, Honda may have to ramp up production of the CR-Z in Japan to meet the high demand.
The CR-Z's fortunes in other markets will be every bit as interesting to watch, of course. In the United States, for example, doubters (full disclosure: ourselves included) question whether Honda's idea of a sports hybrid that takes just under 10 seconds to hit 60 miles per hour might not be what the doctor ordered, especially when paired with surprisingly disappointing fuel economy figures. Of course, that's largely just what the online enthusiast community is saying at the moment, and not necessarily any indication of the car's eventual marketplace success whatsoever.
As fans of the long-gone CRX, we sincerely hope that the new CR-Z carries the torch in a way that does not appear to be conveyed by these early performance numbers. Either way, watching the CR-Z's long-term sales prospects both at home and in other markets will be far more important to the model's fortunes than an early sales boom in Japan and pre-launch online skepticism.
[Source: MarketWatch]Honda CR-Z enjoying high early demand in home market? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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