Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Navigon launches 2.0 navigation app, offers Black Friday-style discount
Chevrolet Corvette redefines curb rash during autocross
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet
Autocross critics are quick to tell you that the pastime is a good way to learn bad habits behind the wheel. We say that, while it may be true, caning a vehicle around a parking lot while dodging a few cones is a good way to have a lot of fun behind the wheel in a fairly low-risk environment. Most autocross courses are designed to keep the speed down and the technicality up, which keeps both drivers and their vehicles safe from any real damage. Or at least, that's how its supposed to work.
A driver behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette recently found out just what can go wrong when there isn't enough runoff around a cone slalom at a Speed Ventures autocross. According to YouTube, the driver had just returned from a break, meaning that both the track and the vehicle's tires were cold as he came into the esses. The vehicle's rear breaks lose in a slow, drawn out slide that culminates with the entire passenger side of the vehicle getting cozy with a nearby curb. It's gut-wrenching at best. Hit the jump to check out the carnage for yourself.
Continue reading Chevrolet Corvette redefines curb rash during autocross
Chevrolet Corvette redefines curb rash during autocross originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/chevrolet-corvette-redefines-curb-rash-during-autocross/
Nissan expanding role of Nismo further into road cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Performance, Etc., Nissan
Nissan has announced that the company plans to expand its Nismo offerings in the near future with performance variations of the company's mainstream models. Until now, buyers have only been able to take home factory-tuned versions of the 370Z, but company CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the time was right to allow ordinary buyers to sample Nissan's performance DNA. What does that mean, exactly? For starters, vehicles like the Juke Nismo Concept may actually make it to market, and other models may get the go-fast treatment soon thereafter. Nissan has also made it clear that Nismo will get its own global headquarters.
The company says that the new HQ will put all of Nissan's road-race and performance expertise under one roof while giving Nismo fans a central location for fan events. The site will also sell performance products and include a heritage center with plenty of vintage race metal on hand.
We like the idea of more performance-oriented vehicles on the road so long as it doesn't translate into the dilution of the Nismo brand. The world doesn't need a Nismo CrossCabriolet. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading Nissan expanding role of Nismo further into road cars
Nissan expanding role of Nismo further into road cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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EVO: 2012 BMW 3 Series Test Drive
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/11/30/evo-2012-bmw-3-series-test-drive/
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Volkswagen eT! electric delivery van is out of this world
Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Volkswagen, Electric
The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once opined that using an exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke. With that in mind, let's take a look at the latest work van concept from Volkswagen. The German Automaker has partnered with the German Post Office and the University of Art at Braunschweig to create the eT! electric delivery van. The company says that vehicle offers zero-emissions driving and can be operated by a joystick-type device on the passenger side if necessary. We aren't entirely sure how that second feature lends itself to making deliveries any easier, but we applaud the automaker's efforts toward facilitating practical jokers everywhere.
Perhaps more impressive is the fact that VW says that the eT! can be operated semi-autonomously. The vehicle can follow a delivery person from house to house or return to the driver after being parked. While there are no details currently available on the vehicle's drivetrain, Volkswagen does say that the eT! is equipped with electronically opening doors. Hit the jump for the press release.
Continue reading Volkswagen eT! electric delivery van is out of this world
Volkswagen eT! electric delivery van is out of this world originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll]
Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford
2011 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following the second press day at the Paris Motor Show at a drive event in Southern France, Ford's global vice president of marketing, Jim Farley, let slip to Autoblog that Dearborn decisionmakers are mulling over whether to import the C-Max to the U.S. As you'll recall, Ford has already committed to bringing over the C-Max's larger line mate, the seven-seat Grand C-Max, a vehicle that Farley tells us won't hit American soil until early in calendar 2012 (likely as a 2013 model).
Unlike its bigger brother, the C-Max has conventional front-hinged rear doors (the Grand has a pair of sliders) along with a more aggressive roofline and rear graphic to complement its shorter wheelbase. Think of it as more of a pent-roof Focus wagon and less of a smallish minivan in the mold of the Mazda5 and you've got it.
Interestingly, Farley maintains that Ford won't necessarily wait until the Grand C-Max goes on sale in the U.S. to determine whether or not to bring the model to America, and it will actively solicit feedback from both journalists and consumers to see if there's a business case to be made. While such language is common among PR folks looking to assuage media members always clamoring for the importation of forbidden automotive fruit, Farley sounded quite optimistic. Further, he reminded us that there was "absolutely no plan" initially to market the next-gen five-door Focus in the States, but that all changed after the 2007 Verve concept was met with an enthusiastic response from media members and show goers. A few years ago, we probably would have discounted such talk, but with CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak pushing the One Ford agenda globally, who knows? It might just make it Stateside after all.
If Ford does decide to bring the C-Max to America, it may have a minor naming conundrum to deal with. At the moment, the Grand C-Max moniker is expected to be shortened to just 'C-Max' when it goes on sale in the U.S., or the MPV might take on the name 'Focus C-Max,' though a final decision has not yet been made. As the Blue Oval won't sell both models with the same name, the five-door model would ostensibly need a different name.
Do you think the short-wheelbase C-Max would sell? Check out our high-resolution galleries of both models and then be sure to vote in our poll below. We'll have firsthand drive impressions of the European-spec C-Max range to share with you next week, so stay tuned.
Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift spotted
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Hyundai
Right on the heels of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan refresh, the sportier Genesis Coupe is due for a pretty substantial overhaul next year. Seen here running around Germany's Nürburgring, the heavy camouflage at the front and rear means that a host of styling updates are in order, and we're sure that some powertrain enhancements are in the works, as well.
We've never had a problem with the way the Genesis Coupe looks, but for the refreshed car, expect a sleeker yet more aggressive front fascia, as well a new rump with LED taillamps. Under the hood, we wouldn't be surprised if the car's 308-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 is upgraded to the new, direct-injected version with 333 hp, found in the Genesis sedan. The 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant will likely carry over, and of course, rumors still continue to swirl about a V8-powered coupe. (We can dream, right?)
Look for the 2013 Genesis Coupe to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January of next year, with the car going on sale mid-way through 2012. See the full slate of high-res spy photos in our high-res image gallery above.
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts
Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Etc., Toys/Games, Celebrities, Design/Style
Nintendo has taught millions of underage kids to drive, thanks to its immensely popular handheld Mario Kart video game. The driving routes are all virtual - thankfully - as they include not only unexpected sheer cliffs, but also driving under the water while evading baddies.
To bring part of Mario's make-believe world to life, Nintendo has partnered with West Coast Customs to create life-size models of Mario's Standard Kart and Luigi's Bumble V Kart. While the characters are forced to enjoy their rides in the hazardous Mushroom Kingdom, we checked them out in the (relative) safety of the Los Angeles Convention Center during today's LA Auto Show. Naturally, the West Coast Customs tie-in means that the karts' construction will be chronicled in an upcoming episode of the shop's reality television show.
The detail on the full-size working models is... well... interesting. Mario's kart appears to be front-wheel drive, with 18-inch wheels on the rear. Noted for its Super Glider option for cliff jumping, the attachment is mounted prominently overhead. Luigi's kart, decked-out with 16-inch wheels and disc brakes, is also front-wheel drive. It is available with a propeller to provide movement under water, but the accessory wasn't attached when we visited. If you want to read more about the vehicles and hear about the new Mario Kart 7 video game, check out the press release after the jump.
Continue reading Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts
Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-partners-with-west-coast-customs-to-build-mario-karts/
Monday, November 28, 2011
Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury, Racing
It seems to us like Aston Martin never tires of rolling out ever hotter renditions of its Vantage sports coupe. As if the original V8 Vantage weren't enticing enough, Aston then shoehorned a V12 under the hood. Zagato then rebodied what we already thought was one of the shapeliest beasts on the market. And the improvements just keep on rumbling in. But then there's the racing versions. Oh, the racing versions!
The N24 showed us what it meant to take beauty to the beast that is the Nürburgring. Then came the GT4 racing model, followed by the even hotter GT2. The category in-between used to be tended to by the DBRS9, but now Aston's opted to replace it with yet another competition version of the Vantage.
First teased back in April, Aston revealed further photos and details of the V12 Vantage GT3 in August, and the British marque has now commenced track testing of its latest racing machine. Packing a 6.0-liter V12 with more than 600 horsepower and enough wings and ducting to make a fighter jet blush, the new Vantage GT3 has already covered a thousand kilometers of shakedown running while gearing up to take on series like the FIA GT3 championships, the Blancpain Endurance Series and the VLN Nürburgring series.
Like what you see? There's a fresh pair of images we've added to our gallery, and a whole mess of specifications in the press release after the jump, so check 'em out and start dreaming of racing glory.
Continue reading Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3
Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nissan Juke-R web build soldiers on with interior fittings
Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Crossover, Nissan
The crack team of engineers that Nissan put to task on building the Juke-R prototype worked hard on their assignment, and have taken us along every step of the way.
Fitting the mechanical bits from a GT-R into the tiny Juke crossover, it turns out, has been no easy task. So with the engine and drivetrain in place, it's time to start re-fitting the interior.
Sounds simple enough, right? Well, with the engine pushed that far back into what was the Juke's cabin, the boffins had to rethink everything, and make sure the controls were within easy reach for the lucky son of a gun (or poor soul) who'd be driving this beast. Follow the jump to see how they managed, and scope out the updated gallery of high-res still images.
Continue reading Nissan Juke-R web build soldiers on with interior fittings
Nissan Juke-R web build soldiers on with interior fittings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/09/nissan-juke-r-web-build-soldiers-on-with-interior-fittings/
2011 LA Auto Show: Highlights from Day 1
Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/11/la-auto-show-rundown---day-1.html
Paris 2010: Citro�n Lacoste Concept is a fashion buggy for the white belt set
Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Citro�n, Specialty
This is the Citroën Lacoste concept, which the automaker describes as "an emblem for a state-of-mind" - that particular mental state probably including sun, sand, bikinis and Speedos. The open buggy-like four-seater with floating headrests is the opposite of "always more," powered by a three-cylinder engine that will make its pace as relaxed as its occupants.
Fashion and four-wheelers combine all around, with the golf-ball wheels outside and bench seats with a polo-shirt-like weave inside. The dash that's as wide as the car goes in another direction entirely, with readouts in giant pixels popping up and running along its length akin to a Times Square news ticker. And although we probably won't see it on the
Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL
Continue reading Paris 2010: Citro�n Lacoste Concept is a fashion buggy for the white belt set
Paris 2010: Citro�n Lacoste Concept is a fashion buggy for the white belt set originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
Toyota Supra comes to TAS dressed in 1967 Mustang duds
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Ford, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon
Here's one that's sure to set "teh internets" on fire. A group of students from Saitama University in Japan showed up to the Tokyo Auto Salon with a 2JZ-GE powered MkIV Toyota Supra dressed up like Nick Cage's Eleanor from the very bad to watch Gone in 60 Seconds remake. Not familiar with Eleanor? Aside from being far and away the best part of the film, Eleanor is a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that's been gone over with an epic-tooth comb.
But let's not get to far afield. This car is not a Ford, nor is it a Mustang. It's a Toyota with a mighty straight-six (no word if the 2JZ-GE is in fact the brawny turbo-fied version, the 2JZ-GTE) cut to look like a classic Shelby 'Stang. Before you unload to harshly in the comments, just remember students built the dang thing, students... Also, are we nuts or is anyone else seeing a whole lot of Mustang II in this particular angle?
[Source: Carscoop]
Toyota Supra comes to TAS dressed in 1967 Mustang duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/18/toyota-supra-comes-to-tas-dressed-in-1967-mustang-duds/
Garmin StreetPilot app updated with live traffic cams
Filed under: Technology, Infotainment
Garmin has pushed out an update to its StreetPilot app for iOS, and the available traffic information just got a lot more detailed.
The free update includes live weather and forecasts, but if you shell out for an additional $9.99 in-app purchase you get access to 10,000 live traffic cameras. The traffic cam functionality works in both the U.S. and Canada and makes a nice addition to the live traffic already included in the app. And you can create a list of favorite cameras in your area to check known trouble spots before you leave.
If you haven't downloaded the StreetPilot app yet, be advised that it'll set you back $59.99.
Garmin StreetPilot app updated with live traffic cams originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/26/garmin-streetpilot-app-updated-with-live-traffic-cams/
Jaguar Land Rover won't exhibit in Detroit
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Jaguar, Land Rover
Detroit Auto Show attendees hoping to gawk at the latest sheetmetal from British luxury stalwarts Jaguar and Land Rover will be disappointed to learn that the marques will not be displaying at Cobo Hall this January. Instead, the pair will concentrate on showing their wares at India's New Delhi Auto Expo, whose dates overlap that of the North American International Auto Show.Stuart Schorr, JLR's Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, tells Autoblog:
Jaguar Land Rover recognizes the Detroit Show is a world class exhibition, but for 2012 we will not exhibit there. This decision was driven by the fact that since our newest concept vehicles were featured at the Frankfurt show and will be featured at the upcoming Los Angeles Show, we decided to show them next in the Delhi Show in January as part of our effort to build our brands in this growing market. Therefore, without anything new to show in Detroit this year, we felt it most efficient to not participate in the show.
The switch makes some sense, as not only is staging auto show displays a particularly costly and time-intensive endeavor, the change also reflects India's growing importance as a global automotive market. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jaguar Land Rover has been under Indian ownership since Tata Motors purchased the brands from the Ford Motor Company back in 2008.
It is not immediately clear if the brands will return for the 2013 NAIAS.
Jaguar Land Rover won't exhibit in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Swann Freestyle HD enters crowded action camera market with unique features
Filed under: Etc., Technology, Toys/Games
Get ready to add another item to your holiday wish list. Swann has taken a dive into the crowded pool of high-definition action cameras already on sale. While GoPro is arguably the king of high-quality video at the moment, ReplayXD and Contour have also thrown their hats into the ring. We recently played with a Replay XD1080 during this year's Woodward Dream Cruise.
So, what does Swann have to bring to the game? For starters, every model comes standard with a detachable LCD screen, which means your footage will no longer start off with a puzzled face staring into the lens for a second or two. Even better, you'll be able to review your footage without having to lug around a computer.
In addition, the Swann Freestyle HD boasts stereo audio, a 3x zoom and a remote control. Anyone who's spent a track day jumping in and out of a vehicle to make sure their GoPro is running can attest to the value of that last feature. The camera will set you back $279.99. Head over to the Swann site for more information and click past the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading Swann Freestyle HD enters crowded action camera market with unique features
Swann Freestyle HD enters crowded action camera market with unique features originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/10/swann-freestyle-hd-enters-crowded-action-camera-market-with-uniq/
Saturday, November 26, 2011
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL begins a return to its roots
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL isn't set to debut for another two months at the Detroit Auto Show, but M-B gave us a sneak peak at the "S-Class of Roadsters" at its Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad, California earlier today.
"SL" stands for Sport Light, but the last several iterations were anything but. Loaded with luxury and designed as a drop-top Grand Tourer, the SL - despite its badge - has always been a heavy weight. But for 2013, Mercedes is attempting to bring the SL back to its roots with a body in white comprised of 90 percent aluminum. Only the A pillars and roof crossmember use high-strength steel for rollover protection, and unladen with body panels, the chassis comes in 243 pounds lighter than the current model, with the production version tipping the scales at approximately 3,900 pounds - 308 pounds lighter than the 2012 version. With a revamped drivetrain (no details yet), Mercedes claims that fuel consumption will also be reduced by 30 percent.
The aluminum chassis is a first for M-B, and utilizes a smattering of high-tech production methods, including chilled cast longitudinal members, hollow extruded aluminum, a mig-welded frame and front longitudinal beams that are hydroformed for stiffness and improved packaging. All told, torsional rigidity is up by 20 percent and NVH levels should be down across the board.
Mercedes engineers and execs wouldn't go into much detail regarding powertrains and equipment - they've got to save some details for the Detroit show - but two new technologies will find their way into the SL when it goes on sale next year.
In addition to Magic Sky Control - the glass roof originally fitted to the SLK that allows drivers to adjust the amount of sunlight entering the cabin - Mercedes is introducing yet another "Magic" system. The magniloquently named Magic Vision Control is a new take on - yes - the windshield wiper, which utilizes two rows of laser-drilled holes to disperse washer fluid evenly and won't get the liquid inside the cabin when the top is down or soak pedestrians when the SL is stopped - a suitably Germanic solution to a problem no other automaker has addressed.
The SL will also be the first model fitted with the new FrontBass system, comprised of two 20-cm sub-woofers mounted flush in the bulkhead. We had the chance to sample the system in a prototype and it gets the job done, even if the inside of an automobile is still one of the worst places to get your audiophile on.
Expect more details on the 2013 SL to be revealed towards the middle of December before the wraps officially come off in Detroit.
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL begins a return to its roots originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Design chief Callum says he'd like a Jaguar city car
Filed under: Budget, Jaguar, UK, Design/Style, Luxury
When we think of British automobiles, they tend to land in one of two extremes: big luxury vehicles from Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Range Rover on the one hand, and Mini on the other. Both extremes are quintessentially British, but if any company can bridge that divide, it's Jaguar.
The Coventry marque makes vehicles of various sizes, and if its design chief has his way, it could branch southwards into the city car segment. Speaking with Britain's What Car? magazine, Ian Callum expressed his viewpoint that a properly high-end small hatchback, coupe or sedan could anchor the shallow end of the company's lineup, though he did qualify that his was a "personal view."
In that respect, any such car would be following in the footsteps of former sister-company and longtime rival Aston Martin - whose DB7, Vanquish and Vantage were also designed by Callum - which recently teamed up with Toyota to offer the Cygnet city car. As long as Callum doesn't envision a Tata Nano with a Leaping Cat on the hood, we'll wait and see how this turns out.
Design chief Callum says he'd like a Jaguar city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Coda begins production, on track to bring new electric car to market soon
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series [w/video]
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives
Uncorking This Road-Legal DTM Coupe At Laguna Seca
Turn Two at Laguna Seca is one of racing's more interesting creations. Get it wrong here and the rest of your lap will get really grumpy really fast. The AMG-Mercedes people thankfully gave us around 20 hot laps in their new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series over the course of the day - enough that we were able to get into a groove for the final 16 sorties or so. GT cars of about this size, setup and power tend to take to Laguna Seca like yuppies to mesquite.
And so we cooked all day in a fully accoutered C63 Black Series. The fixins' on our coupe went well beyond the standard model's race-car-for-the-road spec: Track Package, Aerodynamics Package, AMG Performance Media suite, Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, 19-inch matte black forged light alloy wheels and a fire extinguisher. We'd have preferred if some of these options actually came as standard equipment, but last we checked, we don't own and run Daimler. Not yet anyway.
Goosing the well-weighted throttle pedal to the floor at the right moment in second gear out of Laguna Seca's insidious Turn Eleven left-hander, the C63 Black Series filled all of Monterey County with its divine quad-barrel noise. The sound was almost enough to make that difficult corner worth tolerating.
Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series [w/video]
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Friday, November 25, 2011
Readers of Auto Zeitung: BMW 1 Series and 5 Series winners in their class
2011 Essen Motor Show: BMW E30 M3 DTM and M3 E92 DTM
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/11/26/2011-essen-motor-show-bmw-e30-m3-dtm-and-m3-e92-dtm/
Mazda placing QR codes on rental cars to spur sales
Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Mazda
Mazda is hoping to entice rental car customers into a new Mazda6. The company is supplying the sedans to around 1,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations, and each vehicle will come with a Quick Response code stuck to the dash. Renters can scan the code for more information on the Mazda6, including specifications, links to local dealers and more, says Automotive News. You won't find these particular four-doors in the standard airport fleet, however. Enterprise has reserved the Mazda6 models for the company's insurance replacement offices, which means drivers will receive the vehicle when their own car is in the shop for repair due to an accident.
The result is effectively an extended test drive for owners suffering a low point in their relationship with their own vehicle. Sounds like smart, ultra low-cost advertising to us. Enterprise calls the program OnRamp, and is hoping to lure other automakers to supply nicer rental fodder in the future. Mazda hasn't said exactly how many Mazda6 models will be part of the program, but did say that the company would be building the vehicles over the next few months to cover the rental agencies.
Mazda placing QR codes on rental cars to spur sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mercedes-Benz hailed as this year?s Wheels Car
Edging contenders Mazda 2 and Ford Mondeo, Mercedes-Benz C-Class proved that it is a cut above the rest for getting the nods the judges of [...]
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Mazda placing QR codes on rental cars to spur sales
Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Mazda
Mazda is hoping to entice rental car customers into a new Mazda6. The company is supplying the sedans to around 1,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations, and each vehicle will come with a Quick Response code stuck to the dash. Renters can scan the code for more information on the Mazda6, including specifications, links to local dealers and more, says Automotive News. You won't find these particular four-doors in the standard airport fleet, however. Enterprise has reserved the Mazda6 models for the company's insurance replacement offices, which means drivers will receive the vehicle when their own car is in the shop for repair due to an accident.
The result is effectively an extended test drive for owners suffering a low point in their relationship with their own vehicle. Sounds like smart, ultra low-cost advertising to us. Enterprise calls the program OnRamp, and is hoping to lure other automakers to supply nicer rental fodder in the future. Mazda hasn't said exactly how many Mazda6 models will be part of the program, but did say that the company would be building the vehicles over the next few months to cover the rental agencies.
Mazda placing QR codes on rental cars to spur sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/22/mazda-placing-qr-codes-on-rental-cars-to-spur-sales/
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype unveiled
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Racing
It's not every day that we get to feast our eyes on a new Corvette, and even if this isn't the much-anticipated C7, well, at least this one is in the here and now. This 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype will race in the Grand-Am Road Racing Series next season, making its competitive debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 28.
"The 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype was developed by a multifaceted effort involving Chevrolet, Corvette designers, Pratt & Miller and Grand-Am. Chevrolet also worked closely with chassis builders Riley, Coyote and Dallara," said Mark Kent, General Motors Racing Director, in a statement.
Four teams will run the Corvettes, the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Racing, No. 10 SunTrust Racing, No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, and the No. 5 and No. 9 Action Express Racing teams. The new race car will participate in testing at Daytona on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The Corvette Racing crew last won Daytona with its C5-R in 2001. Follow the jump to read the press release, but be sure to check out the racer in our high-res gallery first.
Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype unveiled
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/15/2012-chevrolet-corvette-daytona-prototype-unveiled/
Paris 2010: 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse is one fierce Scorpion
Filed under: Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Fiat
If you like the Fiat Punto, you'll love the Punto Evo. And if you love the Evo, the Abarth Punto Evo will make you quiver. So we're not exactly sure what this Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse is going to do to you - you may just faint. First shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Abarth-tuned version of the Punto Evo debuted, offering a bit more oomph, more aggressive styling and even better handling and braking. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Scorpion brand brought us even hotter versions of both, and we're very glad it did.
Wearing a Campovolo Gray paint scheme with white accents - and carrying that EsseEsse tag - this Punto gets a slight boost in power and a variety of upgrades to match. Output is now a full 180 horsepower, which is enough for a 7.5-second dash to 62 miles per hour. Additionally, top speed rises to 134 miles per hour.
That gray color might look familiar to you if you've ever seen an Italian warplane. The color is named after the airfield across the road from the company's historic headquarters in Turin. Inside, the EsseEsse gets "Abarth Corse by Sabelt" seats in black leather and Blue&Me sat-nav. The Punto also features an array of upgrades to the suspension, brakes, rolling stock and more. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
Continue reading Paris 2010: 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse is one fierce Scorpion
Paris 2010: 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse is one fierce Scorpion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Embrace your inner child with a Lambo ATV
Filed under: Etc., Japan, Lamborghini, Motorcycle, Tokyo Auto Salon
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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?
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[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.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Report: Toyota FT-86 to be badged as Scion, retail for $25K
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Scion, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon
When the Toyota FT-86 concept was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, we were surprised and delighted at the prospect of an attractive, rear-wheel-drive 2+2 with a $20,000 price tag. Could we just as excited for a $25,000 RWD Scion? We may not have a choice.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Toyota management told dealers in Las Vegas there will be a production version of the FT-86 badged as a Scion model. The move would help bolster the struggling brand, which has been a bit product-starved of late. There are also rumors of a new price point - as high as $25,000 - and the possibility that the Subaru version will only be available in Europe.
While the report claims the FT-86 will be badged as a Scion, there is no definitive word there won't be a Toyota variant as well. We're sure to learn more this auto show season, as reports show that the production FT-86 could arrive at the New York Auto Show in 2011.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Sources: Wall Street Journal - sub. req., Toyobaru.net]
Report: Toyota FT-86 to be badged as Scion, retail for $25K originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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