Everett auto repair shop helping buyers for about fifty many years: April 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari has started offering a free, seven-year maintenance plan for customers in Europe. The plan covers all 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, California Spyder or FF models bought at an authorized Prancing Horse dealership. For now, the program is only available across the pond, but will make it to these shores later in the year.

According to Ferrari, the plan is attached to each individual car, which means it's transferable to different owners if the vehicle is sold within its first seven years. Coverage includes the cost of labor and original replacement parts, as well as oil and brake fluid.

When the program goes global, Ferrari says it will be the first maintenance plan of its kind to be offered around the world. With any luck, the new perk will help Ferrari gain back some consumer confidence after the the bad publicity surrounding the 458 Italia's annoying propensity to burst into flames. Read the full Ferrari press release after the jump. Top tip, Don!

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow

Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/ferrari-offers-scheduled-maintenance-program-for-7-years-in-euro/

Auto Service Auto Repair Automobile Auto

Average gas prices--April 25, 2011

Gasoline prices are up across the country in most areas compared to the week before. The national gasoline average is $1.02 above the price this time last year. Diesel fuel is about $1.03 above this time last year. National regular...

Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/04/average-gas-prices-april-25-2011.html

Automobile Service Porsche Auto Service Auto Repair

BMW: 1 Series M Coupe's main competitor is... a used M3?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 1 Series M Coupe is a car capable of turbocharging the dreams of many an enthusiast, BMW or otherwise - but the question many have is whether it can it turn the dreams of M3 buyers into something less... dreamy. During this week's Detroit Auto Show press days, we spoke to Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW M GmbH, about what 1 Series M Coupe means for Bimmer's performance brand and the M3.

Dr. Segler responded to those worried about the 1 Series M Coupe being better than the M3 with "the M3 is the car of M, the icon, playing in another league. The best feeling is still in an M3." So even though BMW's product and technology PR rep Matthew Russell described the 1 Series M as "an M3 in a 1 Series body," the 1 M is distanced from the M3 by its limited options, including the fact that the M button on the steering wheel only adjusts throttle response, nothing else.

On the other hand, when discussing concerns that the 1 M was engineered so as not to step on the M3's toes, Segler said "It was never held back at any stage. It is as good as it can be, this was exactly the car to build." When we asked how much one would have to spend in order to make it better than an M3, we were told that it would make more sense to buy an M3. "It is not a replacement for the M3," he also said. Russell added, "The M3 is in the middle of its life, it has a long way to go."

And finally, our favorite answer came when we asked what is the competition for the 1 Series M Coupe, and Russell amusingly remarked, "A certified pre-owned M3."

What say you? Is BMW just being cocky or does the auto industry offer a true direct competitor for the 1 Series M Coupe?

Click past the break for a comparison chart between the 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe and the current BMW M3.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Detroit 2011

Continue reading BMW: 1 Series M Coupe's main competitor is... a used M3?

BMW: 1 Series M Coupe's main competitor is... a used M3? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/13/bmw-1-series-m-coupes-main-competitor-is-a-used-m3/

Automobile Auto BMW Audi

AdSpotting: BMW 5 Series "Refuel" reintroduces us to The Ultimate Driving Machine

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW, Luxury

Company: BMWa

Brand: BMW

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Grey West

Product: 2011 5 Series

Campaign: 5 Series "Refuel"

What We Like: The swagger is back at BMW. After more than a year of fooling around with "Joy" as a lead ad positioning, a new marketing team at the German automaker is re-emphasizing "The Ultimate Driving Machine" as the brand's central positioning. The 30-second ad contains what many BMW followers like - a fast car and a big plane. No, the plane, which looks to be a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, is not hovering so close to the 5 that it could fill the guy's coffee cup. But the CGI is good enough to pull off the visual trick.

What We Don't Like: Not much at all. Getting a story and message across in a 30-second TV ad is not easy. But BMW and this ad agency, Grey West, did a nice job of conveying a fuel efficiency story.

Strategy: BMW marketing chief Dan Creed, who took over at BMW North America a few months ago, is all about re-affirming "The Ultimate Driving Machine" as Bimmer's main message. At the New York Auto Show, he walked us to the front of BMW's stand to look at a giant rendering of the ad slogan, which dates back to the early 1970s. At last year's show, there was a giant banner that proclaimed "Joy of Driving." "We know there is a lot of joy in driving a BMW, but we are going to show it in pictures and film rather than say it," says Creed.

It's worth noting that as fun as this ad is, the message is about the 5 Series' fuel economy, not the horsepower. BMW is trying to broaden its message to be more inclusive of men and women, as well as tell its story about its investments in the South Carolina plant that produces X3 and X5. But Creed also wants the brand and the cars to show some leg when it comes to marketing and advertising. BMW remains an exciting brand, and a premiere stable of driving machines. That shouldn't be lost when telling the broader story.

BMW is kicking off a review for a new ad agency. It parted ways with Austin-based GSD&M late last year. New York-based Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners produced last February's Super Bowl ads. Grey West, which has handled BMW's retail and pre-owned advertising since 2008, produced the ad and will presumably get a crack at the whole enchilada.

Grade: A-

Watch the commercial after the jump and give it your own grade below.

View Poll

Continue reading AdSpotting: BMW 5 Series "Refuel" reintroduces us to The Ultimate Driving Machine

AdSpotting: BMW 5 Series "Refuel" reintroduces us to The Ultimate Driving Machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/adspotting-bmw-5-series-refuel-reintroduces-us-to-the-ultimat/

European Auto Car Service Car Repair Mini Auto

Friday, April 29, 2011

Bentley builds a bespoke Bond book

Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Design/Style, Luxury

Bentley edition Carte Blanche book - Click above for high-res image gallery

While you might associate James Bond with Aston Martin, it's been a few years since we've seen 007 piloting his DBS on the silver screen. And it'll be at least another year until the 23rd Bond film makes its debut, if not longer. In between, fans can keep up on the spy's adventures through the pages of new Bond novels, in which the secret agent drives a Bentley. And so to commemorate the launch of the latest volume, Crewe has designed a special edition enclosure for the occasion.

Now Bentley, of course, is in the business of making cars, not books, so you know that when they were brought on board to make this unique edition of the latest Bond novel, Carte Blanche, it'd have to be something a little more unique than the paperback you'd find at your local drug store. And indeed it is: the special edition is printed in red and black ink on ivory paper, book-ended, as it were, by red leather endpapers, and covered in white Nappa leather into which the title and logos are embossed.

Very nice and all, but what really sets this edition apart is the polished aluminum case - crafted on a machine specially commissioned for the task - which represents the form of the new Continental GT that Bond drives in the story. And for one last special touch, the pages are pierced by a "bullet hole", in which sits an individually-numbered and polished 9mm round. Only 500 examples will be made, each fetching £1,000 (approximately $1,650). Follow the jump for the official press release, and check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Bentley edition "Carte Blanche" book

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley builds a bespoke Bond book

Bentley builds a bespoke Bond book originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/bentley-builds-a-bespoke-bond-book/

Porsche Auto Service Auto Repair Automobile

Paris 2010: Ferrari California featuring HELE system

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Ferrari

Ferrari California with HELE System - Click above for high-res image gallery

One theme we have seen so far at this years Paris Motor Show, is automakers showing off vehicles which don't seem to flow with past company history. Ferrari just added a vehicle to the growing list. Have a look at the Ferrari Calfornia fitted with the HELE System. HELE stands for High Emotion Low Emissions and is a system designed to reduce C02 emissions without taking away from the joy of driving a Ferrari.

The HELE System works by utilizing a variety of technical measures including a start/stop function that can restart the car in 230 milliseconds, intelligent engine fan and fuel pump control, electronically controlled variable displacement air-conditioning technology and adaptive gear shifts. The result is a 23 percent reduction in C02 emissions.

We joke about automakers moving away from their traditional vehicles, but it's these types of cars that allow them to continue to build the ones we love. There probably would be no Porsche GT2 RS without the Cayenne, for example. The Ferrari California fitted with the HELE System shows that the purveyor of the Prancing Horse understands the world is constantly changing - and Ferrari is doing its best to continue to build the cars it's known for while staying in tune with the current climate of the world.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Ferrari California with HELE System

Paris 2010: Ferrari California featuring HELE system originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/01/paris-2010-ferrari-california-featuring-hele-system/

BMW Audi European Auto Car Service

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 507-hp 6.2-liter V8

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG debuted at last week's New York Auto Show sporting a 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 packing 451 snorting ponies. On the heels of that debut comes a report that AMG's upcoming C63 AMG Black Series will arrive packing just over 500 horsepower from a tweaked version of the same engine. With that much grunt on tap, the Black Series two-door should go from zero to sideways faster than you can say "new tires."

When the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe debuts, expect it to differentiate itself from the rest of the C-Class world with a lower stance and significantly wider and more aggressive bodywork, and we wouldn't be surprised if it weighed less, too. The coupe should follow the debut of the C63 AMG Black Series Sedan. Like the four-door, the Black Series Coupe will almost certainly funnel grunt through Mercedes-Benz's AMG Speedshift seven-speed gearbox. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe: New York 2011

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series: Spy Shots

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: BenzInsider]

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 507-hp 6.2-liter V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/25/rumormill-mercedes-benz-c63-amg-black-series-coupe-to-get-507-h/

Automobile Service Porsche Auto Service Auto Repair

Embrace your inner child with a Lambo ATV

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Lamborghini, Motorcycle, Tokyo Auto Salon

Click above for gallery of the Liberty Walk Lambo ATV

The 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon was loaded with the usual assortment of wild and wacky tuner fare - same as always. But tucked among the cars are hidden treasures like the wee beastie shown above. Liberty Walk/LB Performance are Japanese Lamborghini tuners, and in addition to showcasing a selection of the supercars they've worked on, they also showed off a couple of ATVs they re-bodied to look like super deformed little Murcielagos. Miniaturized dimensions, big alloys, low-profile tires - this is what Power Wheels would look like if they made 'em for grown-ups and cost $20,000. Dad, can we have one? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?

Gallery: Liberty Walk Lambo ATV

[Source: Carzi]

Embrace your inner child with a Lambo ATV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/embrace-your-inner-child-with-a-lambo-atv/

Audi European Auto Car Service Car Repair

Thursday, April 28, 2011

New York 2011: Nissan's Leaf Nismo RC ready to jolt motorsports world?

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, New York Auto Show, Technology, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Countless auto industry pundits have suggested that there would be no better way to accelerate the development of EV technologies than for someone with the wherewithal to organize a racing series just for electric cars.

Nissan appears to agree with that strategy, having just unveiled its Leaf Nismo RC (Racing Competition) concept here at the New York Auto Show. The juiced-up hatchback has lost a couple of doors and nearly four inches out of its wheelbase in the transition to competition spec, but it's a whopping 6.7-inches wider and nearly an inch longer - proportions that are exaggerated by its minimal ground clearance of 2.4 inches. With its carbon fiber body shot in special white paint, the Nismo RC ends up looking a bit like a really, really angry vacuum cleaner, and that's just fine by us. All-in, Nissan says the motorsports special weighs just 2,068 pounds - around 40 percent lighter than your garden-variety Leaf.

The Nismo RC rolls up to the starting line packing 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, and its lithium-ion pack can reach an 80 percent charge state in just 30 minutes. Still, if the Leaf is ever to be raced, we're thinking that some sort of swappable battery solution will have to be developed; otherwise pit stops are going to be rather leisurely.

Despite its menacing appearance and real racecar engineering, Nissan says its top speed is just 93 mph and its battery would likely only last about 20 minutes in competition. In other words, while this is a promising start, we don't see the Nismo RC spawning its own race series just yet.

High-res galleries below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC: New York 2011

Gallery: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

Continue reading New York 2011: Nissan's Leaf Nismo RC ready to jolt motorsports world?

New York 2011: Nissan's Leaf Nismo RC ready to jolt motorsports world? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/nissan-leaf-nismo-rc-racecar-new-york/

Auto Service Auto Repair Automobile Auto

NYIAS 2011: Interview with Matt Russell, BMWNA ///M Brand Manager ? Part 1

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, the newly appointed BMWNA M Brand Manager, Matt Russell, spent some time with ...

Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/04/26/nyias-2011-interview-with-matt-russell-bmwna-m-brand-manager-part-1/

Car Repair Mini Auto Mercedes Jaguar

Online Find of the Day: BaT bags a pair of Lancia Delta Integrale specials

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Auctions, Europe, Hatchback, Lancia

Lancia Delta Integrale special editions - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It's rare enough to find one Lancia Delta Integrale for sale in North America. It's rarer still to find an example of one of the special edition cars Lancia made over the last two years of the Delta Integrale's life cycle. This week, though, Bring a Trailer is featuring two such cars from one Canadian seller.

The first car is one of 400 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Martini 5 Special Editions, built to commemorate Lancia's fifth World Rally Championship. The Martini 5 also marked the first run of special edition Integrales. According to the seller, this one has been upgraded with Martini 6 decals, 17-inch Speedline wheels and a catalytic converter-less Group B exhaust system.

Inside, there's an aftermarket OMP steering wheel, Alcantara trim and a pair of delicious Recaro buckets. The seller says he still has the original wheels if the 17s are a bit much. Though the car is apparently street legal in Canada, it will need a catalytic converter if it's going to pass a smog test in Vancouver. Those of us in the States will have to make do with a show and display exception, or wait until the car is 25 years old before it can be registered.

The second car is one of 250 1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Edizione Finale cars made specifically for the Japanese market. Like all Edizione Finales, this example wears Rosso Amarento paint, and carries a laundry list of the Delta's most desirable options. That means a set of anthracite gray 16-inch Speedline wheels, push-button start, carbon fiber trim, aluminum pedals, a passenger footrest and the same Recaro furniture that graces the Martini Delta. On top of all that, the Edizione Finale received a bump to 250 horsepower, thanks to revised engine management.

Both cars are available exclusively through BaT, though we doubt they'll be sticking around too long given their rarity and desirability. Unfortunately for us, they're priced accordingly. The 1992 Martini 5 car is listed at a heady $80,000, while the 1994 Edizione Finale is "just" $65,000. Head over to Bring A Trailer for more.

Gallery: 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Martini 5