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According to the latest reports, Opel will be taking its name, not just its cars, to at least four new markets around the world. Standard practice has been to rebadge Opels as one of General Motor’s other brands in countries outside of Europe, but company heads believe it’s time to market Opel’s European roots, especially in China.

The German automaker sold 4,000 cars in China last year, and to that end, Opel spokesman Andres Kroemer says “We will market Opel as a European designed car in the premium segment. There are a growing number of Chinese who like European cars and have the money to afford them.” By comparison, Audi, a luxury darling in China with local production facilities, sold more than 130,000 cars, and it’s clear that Opel’s launch will eventually be followed up by local production in China for better competitive footing.

In addition to joining the world’s largest auto market, the Opel brand will head to Australia and South America in the near-term, as well as other Asian markets after that.

[Source: Deutsche Welle]

Report: Opel expanding outside of Europe, headed for China, Australia

The hype, the drama and one final chance to perform in front of the home town crowd made Indianapolis Motor Speedway a forum for several American riders to “leave it all out on the track ” before MotoGP departed the U.S. for the remainder of the season. But with so much happening off the racetrack, when all the cast members were in place, who really had what it took to steal the spotlight? Make the jump to find out.

[Source: MotoGP.com Image: Mirco Lazzari GP/Getty Images]

Continue reading MotoGP 2010: Winds of change blow into the Brickyard [Spoilers]

MotoGP 2010: Winds of change blow into the Brickyard [Spoilers]

We’ve seen some fine passes in our day, both by professional shoes like Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna, as well as unnamed trackday heroes. The pro stuff is great, but sometimes, nothing succeeds like a course full of bangers with nothing to lose. Case in point, this dirt track pass captured on amateur video at the Courses de Bazous St. Ferdinand Autoquad in Quebec. We’re not sure it was intentional, but simply put, we’ve never seen a move like this one.

Due to the graininess of the video footage and the condition of the cars involved themselves,, we’re not entirely sure what the overtaking car is (perhaps you can help us out with a guess in comments), but it appears that the racer being ‘passed’ is an old Honda Civic hatchback. Have a look for yourself after the jump. Whoop-de-do indeed! Hat tip to Duy.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Overtaking redefined

Video: Overtaking redefined

The World Motor Sport Council is just catching up to USF1’s premature disappearance from Formula 1. The WSMC has reportedly banned the American ex-team forever – which we’re guessing means the troika of Ken Anderson, Peter Windsor and Chad Hurley – from competing in F1, and fined it $382,000 as well as legal costs.

USF1 has seven days to appeal, but we wonder how much this really means. If the WSMC couldn’t ban Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds for cheating in an actual race, it’s unclear whether the USF1 ban will stick. And since it’s the team that’s banned, not the people, we’d be less than shocked if Windsor or Anderson or Hurley showed up somewhere else on the grid in another guise. Thanks for the tip, Chris

[Source: ESPN]

Stillborn USF1 team fined, banned from F1 forever?

The product pipeline for Mercedes-Benz is a Horn of Plenty over the next three years, with at least seven new models landing on American shores on top of refreshed and new-generation offerings. We’ve seen the new CL, CLS, S-Class and R-Class, and spy shots of the coming SLK, SL, SLS Convertible, C-Class Coupe.

Beyond those, it’s the next B-Class that could be one of the most intriguing additions to the MBUSA playbook. The redesigned hatch will be made more compelling for American buyers, and will be the first Mercedes to arrive Stateside with front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines. Recent rumors also suggest it will get a rear-wheel-drive AMG version and be the basis for a CLC Shooting Brake, as well as getting its own coupe, crossover and sedan trims.

Other models in the queue will be brand new, not just new to us. These include a C-Class convertible and potential crossover would give M-B 3 Series convertible and X3 competitors. A 100-strong fleet of F-Cell vehicles will be tested in California, and the SLS E-Cell will come in 2013 with 526 horsepower and a 120-mile range. And just as all of those treats are arriving, the same year will see the arrival of the new S-Class Coupe (replacing the CL nameplate), S-Class, E-Class and GL.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Mercedes-Benz readying raft of new product, including B-Class coupe

Yes, the Nissan Murano convertible is going to happen, and not only is it coming to the LA Auto Show, but now it has a name: The Murano CrossCabriolet.

Billed as the world’s first four-seat, all-wheel drive convertible crossover, the chop-top CUV will only sport two doors and – contrary to the renderings floating around – it won’t come with PT Cruiser-style roll hoop.

According to Inside Line, joining the CrossCabriolet at the So. Cal. show this November will be a new Nissan sedan concept that, is said to be “a new dimension to traditional sedan design – a dimension named innovation.” Ridiculous hyperbole aside, the four-door concept has been dubbed Ellure, and hopefully the “new dimension” it creates will swallow the CrossCabriolet into oblivion.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (convertible) joining Ellure concept in LA

Any time Hollywood’s current go-to car guy, Fireball Tim Lawrence, is involved in a project, you know it’s going to be a rolling masterpiece. So when AutoTrader Classic invited us to see Fireball’s latest creation ahead of its public debut at the SEMA show in November, we jumped at the chance. Make the jump for yourself to get up close and personal with The Redster.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Frank Filipponio / AOL

Continue reading AutoTrader Classics unveils Fireball Tim’s 1951 Chevy 3100 “Redster” ahead of SEMA

AutoTrader Classics unveils Fireball Tim’s 1951 Chevy 3100 “Redster” ahead of SEMA

The on-again, off-again plans to bring the Suzuki Swift to the U.S. have been thwarted yet again as the automaker fleshes out its global product plans with its new partners at Volkswagen.

According to Autoweek, the recently redesigned Swift – due to go on sale in Europe and Japan later this year – was nearly federalized for the U.S. and set to arrive Stateside this fall. But after VW gobbled up a 20% stake in Suzuki, the two automakers delayed the launch to analyze product strategy, align resources and, according to Steve Younan, Suzuk American’s head of product development and business development, “get some indication of where they may have found some efficiencies in platform development and powertrain development.”

However, the Swift’s passport to the U.S. may not have been stamped because of something as simple as pricing. Suzuki was determining the Swift’s MSRP when the VW deal went through, stalling the launch in the process, and the combination of a rising yen and recent reduction in Suzuki’s U.S. marketing budget are also to blame for the delay.

If the Swift does get the greenlight for the U.S., expect it to arrive in the summer of 2011… maybe.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Suzuki Swift delayed in the U.S., again

EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels – Click above for high-res versions

According to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation are charged with designing new fuel economy labels for vehicle stickers that appear in the window of new vehicles at the dealership. Today the two agencies have put forth a pair of design proposals and are asking the public to comment on which they like better and why.

Both labels have been designed to better incorporate new vehicle types that aren’t represented well by the current labels, including mainly electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In addition to information already provided (fuel economy and estimated annual fuel cost), the new labels would also add such things as indicators for carbon dioxide and other smog-promoting emissions, fuel cost savings compared to an average gasoline-powered vehicle of the same model year and even a QR code that allows smartphones to collect the data.

In order to accommodate the growing crop of EVs and plug-in hybrids, the new proposed labels would also translate the energy usage of such vehicles into a miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe. In the case of the first label design (the tall, thin one), a letter grade would also be featured prominently that corresponds to a vehicle’s overall environmental performance.

You can check out both designs in the gallery below, or head over to epa.gov/fueleconomy and tell these agencies what you think directly. Either way, a new label’s on its way, so speak now or forever hold your tongue.

[Source: EPA]

New fuel economy labels proposed by EPA and DOT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just wrapped up its battery of batterings on the 2011 Buick Regal, and the results have netted “Good” ratings for front, side, rear and rollover impact protection.

Additionally, the Regal is the seventh vehicle from General Motors to earn a Top Safety Pick award, which includes the aforementioned rollover test where the Regal excelled. Buick’s Euro-born sedan was able to withstand almost five-times its weight – up from the federally-mandated standard of 1.5 times.

The Regal joins its Buick sibling, the LaCrosse, along with the 2011 BMW 5 Series, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon and Volvo S80 as a Top Safety Pick in the large car segment. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading IIHS awards 2011 Buick Regal Top Safety Pick

IIHS awards 2011 Buick Regal Top Safety Pick

As expected, the Spyder is the send-off model for the current generation Porsche Boxster (987), so a new version – rumored to carry the 981 designation – is under development.

Like anything hailing from Stuttgart, any changes to Boxster’s chassis and exterior will be minor, with more shapely sheetmetal adorning the outside and a few minor modifications to the suspension, brakes and assorted underbody bits. Naturally, a few interior tweaks are part of the package, but the big news is the possible addition of a four-cylinder powerplant for the 2012 model year.

While the 2.9- and 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engines will likely carryover with minor bumps in horsepower and torque, there’s talk of a four-cylinder Boxster being added to Porsche’s line-up just above its oft-rumored entry-level model – a rebirth of the 914 co-developed with Volkswagen and Audi. Additionally, Porsche has confirmed it will begin testing three Boxsters with electric drivetrains next year, but technical details on the EVs have yet to be released.

Initial speculation suggested that the 2012 Boxster could make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show this fall, but the smart money is on a Geneva debut in March.

Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche Boxster wired up outside the ‘Ring

Citroën previewed its next-generation design language at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with the DS High Rider concept, and the first production car to use these shapely new lines will be the DS4 five-door hatch, which makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks.

The DS4’s two rear doors are nicely incorporated into the overall shape and a set of muscular wheel arches and sloped roofline give the high-riding hatch a sort of coupe-like profile from some angles. LED running lamps top the front foglight surrounds, and Citroen’s minimal use of chrome lend the DS4 an upscale appearance. Additionally, those big arches will be nicely filled with a range of large wheels – 19-inch alloys will round off the top-end models.

Inside, Citroën has created a cabin that is both luxurious and spacious, with a tall, raked windshield providing a large, clear view of the road ahead. The chunky-funky steering wheel, sculpted dashboard and center stack look fresh and modern, though we’ll admit that the tiller’s design stands out a bit in what is otherwise a sleek, modern cockpit.

When it launches in 2011, the DS4 will be available with five powertrain options. Two diesel engines will be available, producing 110 and 160 horsepower, as well as three petrol-sippers, cranking out 120, 155 and 200 horsepower, depending on your need for speed. The three gasoline engines were co-developed with BMW, and the full range of powerplants can be mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

We’ll be checking out the new DS4 in person in the not-too-distant future. For now, Citroën’s official press release beckons after the jump and a high-res gallery of shots is below.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury

Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury

Sexagenarians Rejoice! Your Ride Has Arrived

Have you seen the TV commercials for the 2011 Toyota Avalon? One particular 30-second spot sticks out. It’s shot through a 1960’s filter and features an old-fashioned voice over, cheesy elevator music and an airline pilot driving the big Toyota sedan on a cloud with a pretty flight attendant in the passenger seat. It’s like something the Mad Men crew would create, minus the misogyny.

That Toyota’s marketing team produced such a commercial proves they know exactly who buys the Avalon: people who were alive and watching television 50 years ago. Since a “jet-smooth ride” and “quiet cabin” don’t set an enthusiast’s soul ablaze, we’re taking Toyota’s hint and getting in the mood for our review of the updated Avalon by donning a cardigan, ordering a scotch and soda and developing a one-sided friendship with Alex Trebec. So let’s phrase it in the form of a question: How good is the 2011 Toyota Avalon? Follow the jump to find out.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Toyota Avalon

Review: 2011 Toyota Avalon

File this in the drawer labeled “Only Remotely,” but Mazda U.S. VP of product development Robert Davis allowed that the company is considering a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3. Based on the report in Car and Driver, it looks like that’s as far as this has gotten: a diesel is on the table. Beyond that, none of the ‘pros’ mentioned seem to make a case for it, and the ‘cons’ make a case against it.

The idea is made possible by the fact that whippersnappers getting into a Mazdaspeed3 aren’t against diesel engines, being more familiar with modern clean diesels than the particulate monsters of yore. But if Mazda boosted its diesel Sky engine for the purpose of being a high performance engine, the frugality benefits of the engine would be erased. Then there’s that whole issue of additional heaps of diesel torque, and the additional heaps of torque steer that Mazda would have to engineer out of the car.

So it is perhaps best to take from this that a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3 is a distant option, which could be seen as another crack in the wall. And while “Only Remotely” doesn’t mean impossible, we wouldn’t place any wagers on such a thing happening this next go-round.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumormill: Next Mazdaspeed3 to go diesel?

Tragic events unfolded at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend when Peter Lenz, 13, was killed after falling off of his motorcycle and being hit by another rider during a warm-up lap.

Ben Spies, who took second place during Sunday’s MotoGP event, commented on the unfortunate events:

“I told myself before the race, I was riding my heart out for him today. I’ve lost a teammate in the past, my best friend. He was at an age at least he knew what he was doing; he obviously loved it. He knew how dangerous it could be.“

Lenz was set to compete in a USGPRU series race, which is for riders ages 12 to 18 who would like to gain experience for higher-level competitions like MotoGP. This was the first fatality in the nine-year history of USGPRU. Our condolences go out to Lenz’s family and friends.

[Source: The Indianapolis Star Image: Facebook]

13-year old motorcycle racer killed during warm-up lap at Indy

With the departure of Laurens van den Acker to Renault, Mazda’s loved or loathed Nagare design language has been dispatched, and in its place is a new designer (Ikuo Maeda) a new theme, a new concept and a new name: Kodo.

Set to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, the Shinari concept is our first glimpse at the future of Mazda styling. The four-door design exercise evolves the Nagare theme into a more cohesive and – dare we say – production-ready form, toning down the massive grin currently found on the Mazda3 and other models, while incorporating new aluminum accents that are expected to proliferate through Mazda’s future products.

Until the Paris show, these leaked image are all we have to go on, but judging by the hit-or-miss nature of Nagare, we like what we’re seeing thus far. And if you’re wondering, “Kodo” translates roughly to “soul of motion.”

[Sources: Autoblog.it, Autoblog.nl]

Paris Preview: Mazda debuts new Kodo design language with Shinari Concept

Back in May, Ford showed off the first of what will likely be many special edition Mustangs based on the 2011 model: the DUB Edition Package. Available on the Mustang V6, the DUB Edition features an assortment of Roush aero components, a Ford Accessories hood scoop, stripe package, lowering springs, 3:31 gears, DUB-embroidered headrests and, of course, 20-inch TIS wheels with Pirelli tires.

Starting next week, the DUB Mustang will be available at Ford dealers across United States and Canada, kicked off by a launch party at Galpin Ford in Van Nuys, CA this weekend. Pricing has also been announced for the package, which carries an MSRP of $3,599.00 plus an additional $100 for shipping. DUB says that its contract calls for at least 1,000 of the limited edition pony cars to be built through 2012, with the possibility of a V8 version being added in the future.

[Source: Galpin Ford]

DUB Edition Mustang hits dealers, package priced at $3,599*

Nissan has long been the number three Asian automaker in the U.S., lagging behind both Honda and Toyota on the sales charts. But the Japanese automaker has been on a bit of a roll of late, with 10 straight months of sales gains and an aggressive product onslaught planned for the next 24 months. Nissan would love to unseat Honda to finally sneak up to the number two slot in the States, but a funny thing’s happening: Hyundai is doing its best to push Nissan down to number four.

Nissan and Hyundai are currently in a dead heat in U.S. auto sales. Through July, Nissan has sold 522,669 cars and trucks, while Hyundai, when combined with Kia sales, has moved 515,316 vehicles. Hyundai has a treasure-trove of new product on dealer lots lead by the outstanding Sonata sedan. New products like the Kia Sportage and the Elantra are poised to battle hard for increased market share in their perspective segments. Nissan is countering with a new Juke in October, followed by the Leaf EV and the Quest minivan, and wrapping up with another six significantly upgraded vehicles by 2012.

So who do we think will win the battle for number two? Hyundai appears to have most of the momentum at the moment, but Nissan has a larger customer base – at the moment. In fact, we’d be surprised if either automaker surpasses Honda in the next couple years.

[Source: USA Today]

Nissan, Hyundai reportedly duking it out for No. 2 Asian automaker in U.S.

This is the text of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Here’s the quiz: if police attach a GPS device to your car and track you using that device, without having got a warrant to do so, is the Fourth Amendment violated?

And here’s the issue: an Oregonian named Juan Pineda-Moreno had such a thing happen to him and was convicted of growing marijuana after police tracked his car to a suspected growing site. Pineda-Moreno appealed, citing the fact that on two occasions DEA agents placed tracking devices on his car while it was in his driveway – which he considered private, not public, property – and therefore breached his Fourth Amendment rights.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, ruling that Pineda-Moreno didn’t have any signage or barriers around his property to clearly indicate that it was private property, and since “an individual going up to the house to deliver the newspaper or to visit someone would have to go through the driveway to get to the house,” why couldn’t the DEA? Further, the court ruled that the underside of his car isn’t private because “[t]he undercarriage is part of the car’s exterior, and as such, is not afforded a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

Of course there are all kinds of legal chicanery involved, so read the decision (it’s short) if you really want to know how it went down (for instance, DEA agents attached GPS devices on seven occasion, five of those in public places, not Pineda-Moreno’s driveway) and then decide for yourself whether Orwell has lifted a finger from the grave or not. Hat tip to Sea Urchin

[Source: Time via Engadget]

Police not violating 4th Amendment by placing GPS on your car when it isn’t in your garage?

Two automaker bankruptcies and a massive downturn in sales have conspired to wipe out hundreds of auto dealerships, and Chrysler retailers have been especially hard hit, as the stores who haven’t been forced to close are faced with an aging product lineup and very little foot traffic.

That isn’t stopping 400 of Team Pentastar’s best remaining dealers from looking into expanding their empires with a Fiat dealership. The Detroit News reports dealers flying into Detroit Sunday morning to watch a sales pitch by Fiat executives with the goal of getting 200 of those dealers to start a stand-alone Fiat store. The dealers will see future Fiat products, as well as speeches from Laura Soave, who heads branding for Fiat in North America, and Chrysler fleet and network boss Peter Grady.

Dealers are waiting on franchise agreement and financial obligation details before committing to Fiat, but interest in one of the 200 retail outlets isn’t enough to get approved. Fiat will award franchises based on their current sales performance, but those dealers must also have a stand-alone store with dedicated staffing and an established marketing plan. Those dealers will have only the Fiat 500 to sell for a good long while, but Fiat and Alfa Romeo plan to sell an array of sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers and even a roadster by 2012 – supposedly. Dealers have until September 22 to apply for a dealership, after which Fiat will award the dealerships in October.

[Source: Detroit News Image: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images]

Report: 400 Chrysler dealers meeting in Detroit to hear Fiat pitch