2011 Ferrari SA Aperta – Click above for high-res image gallery
has pulled back the covers on its rumored topless 599 GTB Fiorano before the roadster’s unveil at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. We’ve got bad news if you were hoping to sink your teeth into this particular convertible, though. The Prancing Horse is only planning to make 80 examples of its newest creation and each one has already been spoken for. The company is calling the drophead the SA Aperta in honor of none other than Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina. Their contribution to Ferrari design needs no introduction.
Ferrari says that the SA Aperta sits closer to the tarmac than just about any other of the company’s products and that the creation is far more than some hacksaw version of the hardtop 599. While a simple cloth top will keep the rain off your back should the weather turn sour, Ferrari says that it has poured substantial effort into developing the chassis to maintain the same level of stiffness that the coupe version of the 599 enjoys. Those lucky enough to get their hands on the car will still find the same meaty V12 mounted up front. for the press release.
2011Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
When the was , here’s what we wrote based on the information was giving out:
The Volt has a range of about 40 miles on the battery alone… However, when the fuel tank is filled to its capacity of 12 US gallons of gas, the Volt has a range of 640 miles. In addition, the Volt ICE is fully flex fuel capable and can run on any combination of gasoline or ethanol up to E85.
Since then, the , the gas tank and, today, the oft-cited 40-mile range is also in question thanks to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission about GM’s mid-November IPO. GM spokesman Rob Peterson told the that the company’s new official stance is that the Volt will be able to travel anywhere between 25 and 50 miles on battery power before the gas-powered range extender kicks in.
What will affect the range? The usual suspects: how you drive, the temperature (outside and inside the car), hills and “the age of the lithium-ion batteries.” Peterson told the AP that the range estimate changed because GM engineers have now had more time to test the Volt’s powertrain. So, who’s surprised? Thanks to Roy B for the tip!
Russian-market Hyundai Solaris – Click above for high-res image gallery
The production version of the has officially been christened the Solaris for the Russian market. A slightly tweaked-on-the-outside version of the sedan known elsewhere as the Verna or the Accent, the real changes took place underneath in order to handle Russian climes. A more powerful battery and enduro headlights, heating vents for rear seat passengers, a four-liter washer fluid tank and mudguards all around will help alleviate concerns in Northern Russia.
Further north, Siberians can add more cold-proofing in the form of heated front seats and mirrors, a de-icer for the wipers, and an emergency stop signal that activates in an accident. Engines are suspected to be a 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 109 horsepower, or a 1.6-liter four with 124 horses, working through either a five-speed manual or six-speed auto.
Hyundai would like to see 85,000 Solaris’ rolling out of its Russian plant and into Russian hands every year between the sedan and a five-door hatch. It is expected to be going against the Polo sedan, launched not long ago and also built in Russia, and the Dacia Logan.
If you’ve been in sitting on the fence for a you’re time is officially up. The website My Nissan Leaf posted the announcement below and Nissan has since confirmed that sales of the Leaf officially ended yesterday. For those of you who didn’t get your $99 deposit in, next year’s your best bet.
Nissan aggressively anticipated reaching its goal of 20,000 consumer reservations by December 2010 and we are excited to announce that we have reached this goal 3 months ahead of schedule! Therefore, on 9/23/10, Nissan will shut down the reservation system in order to focus on providing the best level of customer service and premium ownership experience to those who have already reserved.
All current reservation holders will continue to have the opportunity to purchase or lease a Nissan LEAF. Those who are interested in the Nissan LEAF but have yet to make a reservation are invited to sign up for information and updates on http://www.nissanusa.com. A subsequent phase of reservations for those consumers will begin next year
Nissan UK Juke commercial – Click above to watch video
The , a space oddity that continues to win hearts and minds, has a commercial in the UK that continues the crossover’s ownership of left field. The two-minute spot with a music track straight from a Halo ad injects some energy to the Juke mix, suggesting that it might have enough spark to get the city going and make your hair stand on end. Or at least enough to start up Richard Simmons. to watch.
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: via ]
2012 Ford Focus prototype out on the track – Click above to watch the video
We can’t divulge the details about the production-spec just yet (you’ll have to wait for next week’s coverage), but when it comes to what ’s new global C-car will be like to drive, this video should explain a lot.
It’s no secret that the new Focus was heavily tuned by Ford’s European team, meaning both the hatch and sedan should prove to be pretty engaging steers – just like their siblings. In this video, we see a nearly completed prototype running around Ford’s handling course, and judging by the sights and sounds from this two-minute clip, we’re pretty eager to get our turn behind the wheel.
If the standard-spec Focus looks this good, imagine what FoMoCo has in store for the . to watch the video of the Blue Oval small car doing some test laps. Thanks for the tip, Yaroukh!
The new Sierra is the same heavy duty work pickup we’ve come to know, but now with extra levels of refinement.
In 1957, Chevrolet decided to create a race car that would dominate NASCAR and establish Chevrolet as the car to beat in the minds of buyers across the country. Known as the “Black Widow,” the 1957 Chevrolet was one of the most feared race cars of the decade.
Chrysler workers are caught boozing and smoking on breaks, making us nervous about that Grand Cherokee we just tested.
In its ongoing quest to return the name to its military roots, has just put the J8 through ballistic and blast certification. The company says that its using a new manufacturing technique by hot-forming steel to create a protective shell for the vehicle. Sounds fancy, and evidently it’s tough enough to take the kind of abuse necessary to be awarded BRV 2009 VR7 ballistic protection certification. What does all that mean? No matter what your daily commute throws at you, chances are this beefed-up will get you to work in one piece.
The J8 is currently being marketed to military, government and private security operations that require the kind of vehicle that can drive through a hail of small-arms fire without getting perforated. There are also a number other configurations available – everything from well-armed patrol vehicles to troop and cargo transports.
We wouldn’t mind having one of each to play around with for a weekend… how about you? Thanks for the tip, Joe!
It’s been an increasingly popular practice to auction off a hot new model to some lucky winner before it hits showrooms, and the 2011 convertible doesn’t plan to be left out. is auctioning the first sample of the topless pony car in Las Vegas at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on September 24, with proceeds going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada. There’s a press release after the jump and a few high-res teasers below in case you want to start saving up.
2011 Infiniti FX – Click above for high-res image gallery
The has just received that rare gift of a price cut, with $2,600 coming off the FX50’s MSRP and $1,250 in savings for the FX35. Looking at Infiniti’s numbers for 2010, the division has been has been outperforming 2009 by anywhere from 10 to nearly 50 percent since February 2010, but the picture comes into focus when you separate the FX from the herd.
Despite good divisional performance, the swoopy FX is off 12.4 percent calendar year to date, according to the Nissan North America sales report for August 2010. It’s not like 2009 was a banner year, of course, so to help spur FX sales, Infiniti has lowered the base MSRPs on its FX models to $41,600 for the rear-wheel-drive FX35, $43,050 for the FX35 with all-wheel drive and $56,400 for the V8-powered FX50. To sweeten the pot, Infiniti is also throwing in a standard power liftgate, too. We’ll know soon enough whether the pricing gambit has worked. Official press release posted . Hat tip to Zach!
BMW ActiveE concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The evolution of ’s electric vehicle program, Project i, goes sort of like this: from to to the to field tests of the larger sedan next year and then on to , which is scheduled for 2013. Those last two steps have yet to happen, but today we learn a bit more about how and where the ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe, will prowl the streets. BMW has announced that the following U.S. cities and areas will get the ActiveE:
So that makes California and the East Coast the lucky ones. We’ve heard , but BMW hasn’t provided any more details on the number of vehicles coming to each location. The field trial starts next summer, so we don’t have that much longer to wait.
What can drivers expect from the ActiveE? BMW says that “realistic simulations” show the all-electric car can go from 0-60 in approximately 8.5 seconds and the car has a top speed of around 90 miles per hour (electronically limited). Range is estimated at 100 miles. Unlike the Mini E , the ActiveE can seat four and carry about seven cubic-feet of stuff.
has officially announced plans to construct a new powerplant facility in Mexico. Designed to crank out a total of 330,000 engines a year, the Silao plant will cost the company $550 million to build and will bring around 700 jobs to the area. VW says that the new factory is key to its strategy for expansion, and it will help provide engine components for both the new , which is built in Puebla, Mexico and the company’s New Midsize Sedan (NMS), which is slated to be built in the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant starting in 2011.
The new facility also underscores the VW decision to redouble its focus on the American market. The manufacturer says that the new plant is part of its plan to create vehicles that are more tailored to American tastes in a quest to go after a larger market share.
In addition to having an ample work force, the 60-hectacre piece of land already features transportation options and had been previously developed. The full press release can be found .
[Source: VW]
: Volkswagen confirms new engine plant in Silao, Mexico
2010 Audi A3 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi’s has been something of a quiet entry point for the German automaker in the North American market, selling in modest volumes compared to its more upscale and brethren. According to of North America president, Johan de Nysschen, those low volumes have been supply constrained for some time. The A3 has been performing so well in the European market that capacity remains in short supply. The supply constraint is so acute that Audi hasn’t been offering any incentives or leasing plans to help boost the model’s numbers.
Another reason for the A3’s low take-rate, de Nysschen admits, is its five-door hatchback bodystyle, a configuration that is at odds with traditional expectations for premium cars among U.S. consumers. But help may be on the way.
As we , Audi may build a sedan version of the A3 to better appeal to this market’s consumer tastes. However, the company is reluctant to undertake the cost of developing a new bodystyle for the North American market alone, and Audi of Europe apparently isn’t terribly interested in offering one to its customers. The potential solution de Nysschen is pursuing hinges upon lobbying Audi’s other international arms to see if they are interested in offering an A3 sedan. Of those divisions, Audi’s Asian outposts would seem to be the most likely candidate, as countries like South Korea and China are very accepting of cars with trucks, and both are seen as strong growth markets.
Interestingly, de Nysschen reminded Autoblog that the A3’s sales volume has actually more than doubled in the States this year. That’s partly because Audi is earning more consideration from car buyers, and partly because demand for the model has fallen in Europe where it is approaching the end of its lifecycle. With less product needed to keep EU dealers happy, Audi has been able to secure more units to sell in the States. Through August, Audi sold 4,012 A3 five-doors in the States. That represents a whopping 74.8 percent year-over-year increase – a remarkable feat for a car that has been on sale since 2006. By this time last year, Audi had only managed to shift 2,295 units. Just as interesting is word that sales of the TDI diesel A3 account for around 50 percent of the model’s sales – a percentage that Audi says holds true for its other TDI offering, the .
The next-generation A3 is expected in 2012, but with plans for a sedan still up in the air, it seems unlikely that a four-door variant will accompany its initial rollout. Either way, the second-generation model is expected to continue sharing quite a bit with its counterparts, including offering a derivative of automaker’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder and Quattro all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen’s talking newspaper ad – Click above to watch the video
Imagine sitting down to this with your morning coffee. has teamed up with The Times Of India to insert an audio chip into its full-page ad on the back of the newspaper. Nifty, yes, but we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a handful of readers were startled enough to blow tea out their nose. It’s an unexpected piece of advertising, but it certainly draws in a reader’s attention.
According to the folks at Wired, the audio chip appears to use a photodiode (a device that controls an electric current based on the presence of a light source) attached to a small battery for power. The audio loop is activated once the newspaper is opened and keeps playing until the paper is shut (or until cereal milk is spilled on it – whichever comes first). Seeing is believing, though, so to watch a video of the talking ad in action.
It’s that time of year again. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has just released its from 2009, and once again, the most stolen vehicle in the U.S. continues to be the 1994 . In fact, all but three vehicles retained the same slots on the list as they held last year. Newcomers include the 1994 full-size pickup at number 7, the 2002 at number 9 and the 2009 at number 10. The ‘02 Explorer moved up one notch from last year, and both the 1999 and 1996 Cherokee/Grand Cherokee dropped off of the list all together.
The finding vehicle theft in the United States was at its lowest point in nearly 20 years, though recovery rates were similarly lower than ever, too. NCIB says that may be due to the fact that the majority of vehicles stolen today are immediately cut up for parts instead of being resold as whole vehicles. Like the FBI, NICB recommends owners use common sense by locking their vehicles, installing a warning or immobilization device and considering a tracking mechanism. for the full press release.
ARK Performance Hyundai Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
With the finally getting , it was just a matter of time before started partnering with tuners to boost the performance of its V6-powered aftermarket-friendly coupe.
ARK Performance, one of Korea’s leading tuners, will be upgrading nearly every component of its Track Time Attack Genesis Coupe for this year’s SEMA show, boosting the output of the 3.8-liter V6 from 306 horsepower to 450+ ponies through the help of new internals, an APG supercharger and a host of breathing mods.
Brembo brakes with Endless pads and DBA drilled and slotted rotors hide behind lightweight Volk TE37 SLs, with ARK’s full suspension system (coilovers, sway bars and front strut bar) working together with a range of Cusco parts.
In addition to the custom front and rear bumpers, hood, side skirts, rear diffuser and fenders, ARK will be equipping the inside with Bride seats, a six-point cage and Sparco steering wheel, along with the defacto sound system and Apple iPad integration.
For the full list of mods and a little bit of background on ARK, for the release, and check out the preliminary sketches in the gallery below.
1957 ChevroletNASCAR Black Widow tribute – Click above for high-res image gallery
For most all of its 62-year history, NASCAR has been a battleground for U.S. automakers, each of whom sought superiority on the race track as a way to sell more of their cars.
In 1957, decided to create a race car that would dominate NASCAR and establish Chevrolet as the car to beat in the minds of buyers across the country. Known as the “Black Widow,” the 1957 Chevrolet was one of the most feared race cars of the decade.
Live on Thursday at 8:30 PM ET, a professionally restored “Black Widow” tribute car will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Collector Car Event. Like all cars at Barrett-Jackson, it will be auctioned at no reserve, meaning the highest bid takes it.
The story behind the Black Widow is an interesting insight into how NASCAR and the automobile manufacturers functioned back in the day. Bone up on your history .
Chrysler workers enjoying a break – Click above to watch video
Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away…? Some members of the UAW, employed at Chrysler’s Jefferson North Plant in Detroit, feel the need to do just that. The team at My Fox Detroit received a tip about some auto workers who were using their breaks to catch a little buzz before heading back to the line. The video, which you can watch , shows several plant employees meeting in a parking lot and throwing back some cold ones. The camera also catches a few folks enjoying some of Michigan’s finest herb. Maybe this is how you respond to working ?
for the video and responses from Chrysler and the UAW.
According to Neil Barofsky, the treasury department’s inspector general, in order for the U.S. government to break even on its investment in , the company’s stock will have to hit at least $133.78 a share. Thanks to the massive auto industry bailout, the government currently holds a total of 304 million shares of common stock and $2.1 billion in preferred stock in the automaker. According to The Detroit News, Barofsky has said that he will keep a close eye on the GM IPO in order to get the best return on the tax payer’s investment possible.
But will GM stock hit the magic number? Some analysts seem to think so. There’s some buzz that when GM goes public, its stock will be worth well over $100 per share. The company has already begun to make noise indicating that soon after the November 2 elections, it will begin a campaign to build interest in its IPO, so anything’s possible.
