Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/03/29/the-m-festival-24h-race-nurburgring/
Thursday, March 31, 2011
THE M FESTIVAL ? 24H RACE NURBURGRING
23?26 JUNE 2011. 24H RACE N�RBURGRING. BMW M3 ? one of the most successful touring car in the world. When ...
Nokia Wants To Control Your Car
Filed under: Safety, Technology
And Why That Could Be A Good Thing
Word came down from on high that a handful of automakers, a few consumer electronics manufacturers and two suppliers had joined forces to create the Car Connectivity Consortium. The underlying purpose: to begin standardizing in-vehicle connectivity solutions ranging from Nokia's awkwardly-named "Terminal Mode" to Near Field Communications (NFC) and wireless charging capabilities.
In a world where platforms, devices and vehicle software runs the gamut from bleeding-edge (your smartphone) to bled-out (your two-year old, OEM-supplied navigation system), The Consortium has the potential to meld ease-of-use with constant connectivity. But there's a problem: two of the biggest names in mobile technology - Apple and Google - aren't in on the party. So is The Consortium dead before even it issues its next press release?
Continue reading Nokia's Plan To Control Your Car...
Continue reading Nokia Wants To Control Your Car
Nokia Wants To Control Your Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/nokia-wants-to-control-your-car/
Report: Kia Optima Hybrid delayed due to Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pushback
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Hyundai, Kia
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid - Click here for high-res image gallery
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was supposed to go on sale in December, but at the eleventh hour, the company decided on a last-minute engineering change to enhance safety. When the automaker learned that President Obama planned to sign a bill that would ban a switch that can disable a noisemaker designed to warn blind pedestrians, the Korean automaker decided it was best to remove the switch. The move delayed mass availability of the Sonata Hybrid from December to late April.
But what about its twin, the Kia Optima Hybrid? Ward's Automotive reports that the mid-size hybrid has been delayed until late in the second quarter, or about five months after its scheduled January launch.
Will the substantial delay of the Optima and Sonata Hybrids hurt sales and satisfaction? We're sure there are probably some impatient buyers out there who don't understand why they have to wait, but in the long run, we're likely looking at a mere bump in the road.
[Source: Ward's Automotive - sub. req.]
Report: Kia Optima Hybrid delayed due to Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pushback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/31/report-kia-optima-hybrid-delayed-due-to-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-p/
The limited Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series
Porsche and Lamborghini ? watch out! The German automaker Mercedes-Benz AG, along with the company?s racing team Hans-Werner Aufrecht or HWA, is all set to launch its revamped SL sports car now tagged as Mercedes SL65 Black Series in the Geneva motor show this March.
CAR Magazine Online revealed yesterday that the Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series [...]
CAR Magazine Online revealed yesterday that the Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series [...]
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ford Focus Electric gets connected by AT&T
Filed under: Technology, Hatchback, Ford, Electric
MyFord Mobile App for the 2012 Focus Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery
Hot on the heels of Audi's announcement to use T-Mobile for its future wireless data needs, Ford has partnered with AT&T to provide connectivity to the 2012 Focus Electric.
Nearly every EV or plug-in hybrid coming to market will offer some combination of embedded wireless data and an accompanying smartphone app, and as we saw at CES with our exclusive hands-on of MyFord Mobile, FoMoCo will be offering a similar solution for its all-electric Focus hatchback.
The partnership Ma Bell and the Blue Oval involves an embedded wireless connection in the EV that allows drivers with the MyFord Mobile app to keep track of charging, set specific times of the day to juice up (late at night when electrons are cheap) and receive a variety of notifications, ranging from battery status to maintenance reminders.
MapQuest has been tapped to provide charging station locations, range alerts, trip planning and vehicle location, and the MyFord Mobile app also includes the ability to remotely lock and unlocks doors, heat and cool the interior and download performance and system data. And if your phone doesn't have the app, you can use any HTML5-based or WAP 2.0-supported browser to keep tabs on your EV. Hit the jump for the full details and check out our write-up on MyFord Mobile.
Continue reading Ford Focus Electric gets connected by AT&T
Ford Focus Electric gets connected by AT&T originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/22/ford-focus-electric-gets-connected-by-atandt/
Japan disaster cuts supplies, increases prices, especially on small cars
Our thoughts go out to people of Japan in this time of grief and crisis. And in a small way, we are studying what this tragedy means to us here in the United States. No one knows for sure when...
Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show
The 2011 North American International Auto Show wasn't exactly chock-full of game-changing new product, but that didn't keep the media and public from making it a much bigger success than the 2010 show. Crain's Detroit Business reports that the 2011 Detroit Auto Show held 5,000 members of the international media during press days and 21,000 guests (5,000 more than in 2010) during the two-day industry preview. The annual charity preview saw another 10,500 guests, raising $2.6 million for charity.
That's good news, but the top headlines for the struggling Detroit area are reserved for the $325 to $350 million in total estimated economic impact - about $25 million more than in 2010. A grand total of 735,370 members of the general public purchased tickets to NAIAS; up 20,000 from the 2010 show. Now that's certainly a step in the right direction.
[Source: Crain's Detroit Business | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images]
Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/26/final-numbers-2011-detroit-auto-show-was-bigger-than-2010-in-ev/
Auto execs answer our questions... and yours
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne answering questions - Click above to read more
We told Autoblog readers that we had a few questions for auto executives at the North American International Auto Show that we would be asking. We did get to ask most of our questions, but even better, we got to ask a bunch of questions that you, our readers had.
We didn't get to all of them, but we are going to do our best via follow-up email, as well as the upcoming Washington DC and Chicago auto shows. Stay tuned for another column where we tackle even more of your questions. This is just Part One.
Q: Can we get a diesel Jeep Wrangler?
A: Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said a diesel is very desirable in the Wrangler and a distinct possibility. There is demand for it. Other Chrysler execs even told Autoblog there is a business case trying to be made. Stay tuned.
Q: How about a Focus SVT?
A: You got it. Except it's called the Focus ST, like in Europe. Ford decided it should have one nomenclature worldwide.
Q: Ford Global rear-drive platform for a Lincoln luxury car?
A: Chief marketer James Farley says he doesn't believe that Lincoln really needs an up-market luxury car to thrive. He says the heart of the luxury market going forward is $30,000-$50,000. More important than an up-market rear-wheel-drive sports car is the entry level Lincoln being developed off the Focus platform. That will be pieced under the new MKZ, which will have a design distinct from the next Fusion.
Continue reading for more answers.
[Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]
Continue reading Auto execs answer our questions... and yours
Auto execs answer our questions... and yours originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/auto-execs-answer-our-questions-and-yours/
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
GPS tracking shows traffic congestion returning after recession
Want to know how the economy's doing? Look at the roads. Want to know how the roads are faring? Ask a company that compiles data from the GPS units in people's cars. Inrix Corp, which does just that, says that...
Paris 2010: Mini Scooter E Concept can whisk us away any day
Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Mini, Electric
Mini Scooter E concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Squaring off, in a way, against the escooter that Smart unveiled yesterday at the Paris Motor Show, is Mini's entry in the fanciful all-electric scooter category, the Scooter E. There are more differences here than just where you put the "e," most specifically, how each scooter boils the essence of their four-wheeled cousins onto a platform smaller than half the size.
You can see the escooter in detail here, then compare it to the Scooter E, which manages to put a lot of what makes a Mini look like a Mini onto just two wheels. We think the bold yellow stripe around the leg opening, up to the headlight and around the seat is a nice touch. Considering that the Mini E and the Scooter E are both battery powered, perhaps the stripe is supposed to lightly mimic the yellow on that iconic car? We like what we see, and, apparently, Mini is paying close attention to what it hears in Paris to decide if the Scooter E gets put into production. Got an opinion?
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
Paris 2010: Mini Scooter E Concept can whisk us away any day originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/01/paris-2010-mini-scooter-e-concept-can-whisk-us-away-any-day/
After the tailpipe: What?s next for auto emissions?
Even after decades of improvement, today?s cars still aren?t completely pollution free. And new technologies coming on line to improve fuel efficiency may have their own adverse side effects. To provide further insight, a new study by the Health Effects...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai, Kia
The International Car and Truck of the Year award is determined by 12 judges and handed out at the Detroit Auto Show. Established in 1996, the award is given to "the most emotionally compelling international car and truck for the new model year." The latest recipients of the award are the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and 2011 Kia Sportage.
Upon receiving the 2011 ICOTY for the Sonata, Hyundai's U.S. CEO John Krafcik remarked:
"While we're proud of the Sonata from a technical and engineering standpoint, this award addresses the fact that our cars are now the sorts of vehicles that appeal to the lifestyle set. With sales up more than 110 percent from last year, the Sonata and its all four-cylinder lineup has been a game changer for us, and we're thrilled to be recognized by the ICOTY awards."
Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
[Source: ICOTY]
Continue reading Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards
Hyundai Sonata, Kia Sportage win International Car and Truck of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/16/hyundai-sonata-kia-sportage-win-international-car-and-truck-of/
Mercedes-Benz Canada?s January sales broke records
The Mercedes-Benz Canada started the year with a bang as its sales last month posted a 38.7 percent increase courtesy of the total units sold from the luxury line?s range and the Smart ForTwo Cars.
To date, this January record was the highest among the other first months of the previous years in the Mercedes-Benz Canada?s [...]
To date, this January record was the highest among the other first months of the previous years in the Mercedes-Benz Canada?s [...]
At 219 mph, the Brabus iBusiness 2.0 is the world's fastest Apple-obsessed office
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury
Brabus iBusiness 2.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Brabus does bonkers. So when it decided to cook up the latest iteration of its rolling ode to executive connectivity, it went all out - both under the hood and inside the leather-clad cabin - so lets work from the inside out.
The conversion of the rather staid Mercedes-Benz S-Class into the Brabus "iBusiness 2.0" begins in the boot, with a Mac Mini mounted in a leather-lined tray inside the trunk. The Mac connects up with a 15.2-inch TFT, 16:9 aspect ratio display that mechanically unfolds from the alcantara-coated headliner and can also be used as an auxiliary display for the - not one, but two - iPad 2s mounted in the electronically deployed and adjustable custom tables mounted behind the two front seats. The tables secure both the tablets and a Apple Bluetooth keyboard, and allow the Russian mobster in back to chat with his Swedish princess over Apple's Facetime video conferencing system.
Naturally, all this tech isn't any good without solid connectivity, and to that end, Brabus has fitted the S with a WiFi network comprised of UMTS and HDSPA networking to wireless wire everything together. More impressive, the German tuner developed a custom app for the iPads that allows backseat passengers to control every aspect of Mercedes' COMAND infotainment system. Jeeves will not be pleased...When it's time to crank up the tunes, a 64-gig Apple iPod Touch is mounted in the rear center console and sends music to either the standard S-Class sound system or a pair of Sennheiser Noise Gard headphones, which can also be used to plumb in one of a few hundred channels provided by the wireless DVBT television receiver.
And naturally, since this is Brabus, the package wouldn't be complete without a serious dose of pavement-pummeling power. The Brabus 800 iBusiness 2.0 lives up to its name with 800 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque pulled from the twin-turbocharged V12, shuttling the S to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 219 mph. If you're less interested in the power and more enthralled by the tech, Brabus is offering the complete iBusiness 2.0 package for any S-Class - from the lowly S 350 to the aforementioned S 65 - but if you take your life on the road seriously, why opt for anything less? Full details in the press blast after the break.
Continue reading At 219 mph, the Brabus iBusiness 2.0 is the world's fastest Apple-obsessed office
At 219 mph, the Brabus iBusiness 2.0 is the world's fastest Apple-obsessed office originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/21/at-219-mph-the-brabus-ibusiness-2-0-is-the-worlds-fastest-appl/
Autoblog Podcast #198 - Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana
Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., Paris Motor Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lotus, Nissan, Volkswagen, Electric
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Alex Nunez jumps in with Chris and Dan on Episode #198 of the Autoblog Podcast. The aftermath of the Paris Motor Show is a point of discussion, along with the Lotus product blitz. Moving to a completely different continent, we finish with the Chevrolet Montana before wrapping it all up by responding to some of your feedback. An hour and twenty minutes later, we're done - see you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #198 - Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana
In the Autoblog Garage:
Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Volkswagen Jetta
Ford Fiesta
Corvette Z06
Buick Regal
News:
- Paris Auto Show recap
- Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts
- 2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America
Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez
Runtime: 1:25:42
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
Autoblog Podcast #198 - Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/05/autoblog-podcast-198-paris-motor-show-lotus-unveilings-chev/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Videos: Inside and behind the scenes of the new Ferrari FF
Filed under: Performance, Videos, Ferrari
Ferrari FF, behind the scenes - Click above to watch the videos after the jump
Typically when an automaker rolls out a new vehicle, it fits into a certain mold. Even if it isn't replacing a specific model, it generally follows a certain formula by which the automaker operates. Especially for an automaker like Ferrari, which only makes - and only has ever made - two-door, rear-wheel drive coupes and convertibles. That was the case, at least, until the new FF came along.
The FF represents a complete game-changer for Maranello - an entirely new model with a new engine, new body-style and new four-wheel drive system never before seen in a Ferrari. And to drive that point home, the Prancing Horse marque has released yet another set of videos: one documenting the new technology in the car, another the flexible cabin configurations and a third going behind the scenes in the production of the previous videos released. Follow the jump to watch for yourself.
[Source: Ferrari via World Car Fans]
Continue reading Videos: Inside and behind the scenes of the new Ferrari FF
Videos: Inside and behind the scenes of the new Ferrari FF originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/videos-inside-and-behind-the-scenes-of-the-new-ferrari-ff/
Devs granted access to TomTom speed camera database
Filed under: Safety, Technology
TomTom is giving developers a big gift at the CTIA wireless show in Orlando, Florida. The navigation company will begin providing access to its speed camera database, allowing devs to incorporate the location of speed traps into their own smartphone applications.
TomTom claims it has more than 50,000 speed cameras in its ever-expanding database, covering some 34 countries, including the U.S. The goal is to allow developers to tap into the fixed speed, red light, average speed and toll road cameras, enabling motorists to avoid the fuzz throughout the world. And with developers gaining access to the database, it's not hard to imagine major automakers incorporating the data into their own in-dash navigation systems.
TomTom will be rolling out the API in the coming months and you can get all the details in the press blast after the jump.
Continue reading Devs granted access to TomTom speed camera database
Devs granted access to TomTom speed camera database originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/devs-granted-access-to-tomtom-speed-camera-database/
After the tailpipe: What?s next for auto emissions?
Even after decades of improvement, today?s cars still aren?t completely pollution free. And new technologies coming on line to improve fuel efficiency may have their own adverse side effects. To provide further insight, a new study by the Health Effects...
Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video]
Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Holden, Australia, Racing
Jenson Button laps Bathurst - Click above to view video after the jump
Jenson Button has become the first person to ever run an F1 car around Australia's legendary Mount Panorama Bathurst circuit. In an event organized by Vodafone, Button and Australian V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes traded laps in a 2008 McLaren MP4-23 car.
Button went out first and ran five laps of the circuit, clocking a best lap of 1:48 before coming in and giving Lowndes a turn. Lowndes' laps made him the first Australian to ever take an F1 car around Bathurst, beating Australian F1 superstar Mark Webber to the punch. Lowndes' best lap was a 1:49.
Click past the jump to see a video of Lowdes and Button's F1 laps, and some hot laps from Lowndes' Holden Commodore supercar.
[Source: YouTube via V8Supercars]
Continue reading Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video]
Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/25/jenson-button-becomes-first-to-run-bathurst-in-an-f1-car-w-vide/
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Just In: 2011 Ford F-150 XLT
One of Ford's recent strengths has been their steadfast evolution of existing models. Extensive freshenings of the Fusion and Mustang put a brighter shine on already inherently good products. This is the second time around for Ford to update this...
Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/03/just-in-2011-ford-f-150-xlt.html
Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca
Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, Electric
2011 Chevrolet Volt at Mazda Raceway - Click above to watch video after the jump
There are plenty of adjectives in the English language we could use to accurately describe the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Innovative, clever and efficient all readily leap to mind, but sporty doesn't quite make the top of the list. That didn't stop the crew from TheFutureIsElectric.com from taking the new wonder child from General Motors to Laguna Seca for a couple of quasi-quick laps around the world-famous track. Fortunately for all of us buzzing around the Internets, the crew captured the whole shebang via the glory of high-definition video.
With nothing but the sound of some wind buffeting and the tortured screams of the low-rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance tires, the Volt is more or less capable of keeping pace on the hallowed tarmac. It's far from able to match speed with hardware from Porsche or Lotus, but we're guessing that's beyond the point all together. Hit the jump to see the action for yourself.
[Source: TheFutureIsElectric.com]
Continue reading Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca
Video: Caning the Chevrolet Volt around Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/25/video-caning-the-chevrolet-volt-around-laguna-seca/
Report: Maserati Quattroporte replacement coming to Frankfurt
Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Maserati, Luxury
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S - Click above for high-res image gallery
Maserati is likely bringing a replacement for its aging Quattroporte to the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, along with a first glimpse of its proposed mid-range sedan that likely won't drop until 2014. The addition of a new model means Maserati is looking to expand its global sales total from just over 5,000 units in 2010 to something like 20,000/year somewhere down the road.
As for the new Quattroporte, the design was done in house by Maserati and will likely ape the design language of the GranTurismo Coupe and Cabriolet. For power, Maserati is sticking with its venerable 4.7-liter V8, although a few improvements - including fuel economy - are being made.
No word on what the new Quattroporte will cost, but the proposed "entry level" car is slated to start around $75,000 to compete with the likes of the Porsche Panamera. With that in mind, we'd expect the new Quattroporte to be right in line with the current model, if not a little more spendy.
[Source: Inside Line]
Report: Maserati Quattroporte replacement coming to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/23/report-maserati-quattroporte-replacement-coming-to-frankfurt/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)