Spy Shots: Next-Generation Kia Soul – Click above for high-res image gallery
is hard at work crafting an update to its funky little . Our spy photographers in Germany have spotted a camo-clad example hiding an updated look.
Kia evidently plans on keeping up with current automotive trends, so the next-generation Soul will wear LED running lights (which are hiding beneath the amber stripes in the above photo) and sport turn-signal indicators in the mirrors.
Up front and out back, the Kia Soul will get revised bumpers. According to our sources, the Soul’s revised mouth will mimic the style found on the Kia Picanto, while the rear bumper cap are expected to seee the fog lights pushed further to the outside edges on Euro models.
There’s no word yet on when we’ll see this Soul sans-camo, but anything can happen when the auto show season is in full swing. In the meantime, we’ll have to use our imagination to figure out what’s going on under that camouflage, and you can try do the same by clicking through the gallery below.
Subaru FB20 – Click above for high-res image gallery
recently invited us to Budapest to get to know the 2011 European-spec , which was… well, exactly what you’d expect (it was fine), but that’s not the point here. What is important is the all-new “FB” engine under the hood – Subaru’s third-generation boxer design – the same unit that we’ll be seeing in the upcoming Impreza. Essentially, it’s a sized-down version of our Forester’s 2.5-liter mill, as opposed to the second-gen EJ25 engine in the current Impreza. Got it? Good. Let’s get our hands dirty…
2011Toyota Matrix – Click above for high-res image gallery
Look very closely and you may notice the subtle changes has made to its Matrix for the 2011 model year. If your eyes are still failing you (as were ours at first glance), we’ll point them all out. There are new wheels across the board, Smart Stop technology has been added to curb pedal misapplication complications, and the automaker’s “Toyota Care” complimentary maintenance plan is now standard. That wasn’t too difficult, was it?
As was the case last year, the 2011 Matrix is again offered in Base and S trim levels with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder (132 horsepower) or a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder (158 horsepower). The standard powertrain is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional on the higher trim level with the larger engine. Those seeking a bit more driving excitement (well, at least visual excitement) need to add the optional Sport Package to their S model, as it adds 17-inch alloy wheels, underbody spoilers, and a painted rear spoiler. Oh, we almost forgot… a new color, called Spruce Mica, joins the exterior palate for 2011.
Suzuki Motorized Sofa – Click above for high-res image gallery
is proudly displaying its “motorized sofa” at the Chicago Auto Show. The chugging chaise appears in its new “Kizashi Kicks” advertising campaign, a television spot comparing the sedan to an and the well-worn sofa. We’ll let Suzuki tell you about it, before we deliver the technical insight:
This 1970s-era sofa commissioned by American Suzuki retains its original synthetic trim finished in a fashionable tan and brown plaid motif. The sofa is complete with small tears and frayed stitching to meet Suzuki’s overall design intent. The sofa also features a variety of loose coins, cookie crumbs and pocket lint resting just beneath the seat cushions. The steering wheel is comfortably positioned at the center of the sofa, making ingress and egress easy for passengers looking to accompany the driver on casual journeys. The throttle pedal is unmistakable in that it features a custom bare foot shape finished in chrome-plated metal with black accents.
The three-passenger davenport is powered by a single-cylinder (doh!) “Robin” SP170 engine. With a displacement of only 169 cc, the air-cooled, four-stroke overhead cam gas engine is rated at a whopping 5.7 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. No word on top speed, but the self-propelled furniture reportedly gets about 40 mpg. Braking is accomplished through a hydraulically-operated single-disc on the rear axle, and steering is rack-and-pinion. The tires are appropriately knobby, sized 14.5×7 up front, and 16×8 in the rear, hidden beneath tattered fabric skirting. We’ve asked for a test drive, of course.
2011Dodge Durango Heat – Click above for high-res image gallery
has lit up its new at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. The mighty crossover wears the fancy dress of the R/T model, but comes without thirsty 5.7-liter Hemi V8 under the hood. Instead, buyers can expect to find the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 behind the headlights churning out 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That’s an extra five ponies over the typical V6 Durango, and combined, Dodge says that the machine should be capable of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. That’s a jump of two and three mpg, respectively, over the Hemi-powered R/T.
Outside, the wears the same front fascia, side skirts and monochrome treatment as the more powerful crossover, and it even comes packing the same low-slung suspension and 20-inch wheels. Don’t expect to find seating for seven indoors, though. Dodge has ditched the third row to save a few pounds to increase both performance and fuel economy.
If you like what you see, expect to shell out $30,295. All-wheel drive guise will set you back an additional $2,000.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
The has with 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet, adding 43 more horses and 27 more pound-feet of torque to its accomplishments.
The , on the other hand, is playing with 306 hp, and according to spokesman Jim Trainor, that isn’t going to change soon. When we asked if the Genesis Coupe would get the new V6, he said “you won’t see any difference to the Genesis Coupe powertrain for a little while.” Trainor wouldn’t define what “a little while” meant, but he did say “you’ll probably see a similar strategy to the Genesis sedan,” suggesting that the Coupe will get a power bump when it gets facelifted, “probably next year.”
Eminem and Chrysler are Imported from Detroit – Click above to watch video
The hit single Lose Yourself is the most successful song from Eminem’s career to date. It’s gone platinum four times over and was the first rap single ever to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Countless ad agencies and companies have tried to license it for use in commercials, yet none received permission… that is, until hit TV screens around the world.
Eminem and both call Detroit home, so getting a real local hero on board for a Chrysler ad is quite a big deal. Oliver Francois, Chief Marketing Officer for Chrysler, met with Eminem and Lose Yourself co-writer Joel Martin to discuss the idea of using the song in an ad.
Martin and Eminem had turned down countless offers and millions of dollars to lend their song out for advertising efforts. Francois, however, approached Slim Shady from an angle that hit home: Chrysler is trying to rise from the ashes, as is Detroit and even Eminem himself.
Around the time when Chrysler declared bankruptcy, Eminem released an album called Relapse that sold poorly. Chrysler cars weren’t selling, Detroit was an undesirable place to call home and Eminem had a weak album flopping on the charts. That was 2009, yet a couple of years later, Eminem finds himself nominated for 11 Grammy awards and Chrysler has a refreshed lineup hitting dealer showrooms.
Eminem decided to let Chrysler use Lose Yourself and also appeared in the Super Bowl spot, which garnered a lot of positive attention. Internet searches for the were way up shortly after the spot aired and the commercial is closing in on five million views on YouTube.
With a critical reception like that, it’s no surprise that is reporting that Francois and Eminem’s posse are set to meet today in a closed-door session to discuss possible future collaborations, and the discussion is likely to center around a followup ad to the Super Bowl “Born of Fire” spot. for a quick refresher on the epic two-minute commercial.
2011 Renault Captur concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The lines between vehicle segments and bodystyles are getting more blurred all the time. And it isn’t just the Germans with their “four-door coupes” and “sports activitiy vehicles,” either. has proven just as capable of blurring the line between SUV and hatchback with their crossovers – vehicles like the and . And now the Japanese automaker’s sister company, Renault, appears to be following down the same path with its new Captur concept.
The Captur follows last year’s show car in showing the way forward for the French automaker’s design language, capturing, as it were, the spirit that future Renaults will be taking. Of course this being a French concept car, it encompasses certain elements that won’t ever see production. Things like the fantastical interior, to start with, and those 22-inch wheels whose white spokes seem to blend right into the tires. But if you want an overall picture of where Renault is heading, this is where it’s at.
Powered by Renault’s Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine giving 160 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the Captur also incorporates dual-clutch gearbox.
Although Renault doesn’t say so specifically in the press release after the jump, where you can scope out all the details, we’re assuming we’ll see the Captur on the show stand at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, from which we’ll be sure to bring you our up-close-and-personal impressions and images. In the meantime, you can scope it out in the high-res image gallery below.
Click above to watch Autoblog Short Cuts: 2011 Ford Explorer demonstrates Terrain Management
has set up a display to show off the multiple Terrain Management modes on the at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. As you may recall, the tech keeps an eye on a laundry list of parameters, including specs like engine speed, throttle position, transmission shift patterns and the stability and traction control systems.
Visitors can ride shotgun over a number of surfaces, including a seesaw that transitions from a steep, slippery incline into a similarly aggressive descent and a deep sand section. The multiple surfaces are designed to flex the Explorer’s all-terrain muscles, at least in the climate-controlled comfort of McCormick place.
Our video ace Drew Phillips cooked up a quick video of the ride along for your viewing pleasure. The clip after the jump includes all of the gravity-defying action of the Explorer all-terrain system when viewed from both the cabin and from the safety of the show floor. to check out the video for yourself.
Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show
2011 Dodge Challenger R/T Green With Envy – Click above for high-res image gallery
has never been shy about using eye-popping colors for many of its performance models like Plum Crazy Purple, Go Mango! and Top Banana Yellow. The tradition continues with the 2011 , as Dodge will offer this new Green with Envy paint scheme for both the R/T and SRT8 392 models.
The limited edition paint scheme will also come with a few extras, like the dual side stripes and five-spoke cast aluminum wheels on the R/T as well as the Dark Slate Nappa leather seats with Green with Envy stitching on both models. had an R/T model sitting on the show floor in Chicago, which you can see in the high-res gallery below. You can also hit the jump to read Chrysler’s PR for more details about the car.
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW is coming to the Geneva Motor Show tech-loaded for bear and the Vision ConnectedDrive concept is the sleek, roadster-shaped weapon. The topless study is based on the BMW EfficientDynamics and serves as a platform to showcase the Bavarian automaker’s advanced driver assistance and mobility networking systems, demonstrating what is possible both now and in the future.
The drivetrain beneath the concept is purely electric. No specifications have been revealed yet, though it really only needs enough get-up-and-go to get up on the stage and get gone after what’s sure to be its enthusiastic presentation. The sexy package is just meant to grab your attention long enough for BMW to subliminally inform you how it will swath you in a safe and entertaining environment through technology that’s just a mind-meld short of miraculous. Check out our high-res gallery below and the press release detailing the VCD concept and BMW’s otherGeneva activities.
According to AutoWeek, is bowing to a freshly filed lawsuit, renaming its the F150th Italia.
Originally dubbed ‘F150,’ the name quickly raised the hackles of the Blue Oval’s legal team, which has a longstanding claim to that alphanumeric naming convention thanks to its full-size pickup line. Ferrari had itself chosen the F150 moniker in observance of 150 years of Italian unity.
AutoWeek notes that the revised name was first revealed today on a new story published about the car’s testing in Jerez, Spain on Ferrari’s officialwebsite.
Thus far, Ferrari has made no official comment on the name change, or the lawsuit that Ford attorneys filed on Wednesday in Detroit.
*UPDATE: Official Ferrari statement on the naming scrum added after the jump.
Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
That didn’t take long. Just a month after that it planned to make Swedish tuning house Hirsch Performance its official partner and supplier for go-fast parts in the United States, has shown off one such-equipped at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show (okay, so one was briefly displayed at an outdoor stand adjacent to last month’s Detroit Auto Show).
The 9-3 you see here is outfitted with a Hirsch engine map upgrade that nets 240 horsepower (an additional 30 horsepower over the stock car), 6-Twin alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter, an upgraded set of springs and a dual exhaust system. Visual updates include a rear spoiler, carbon fiber body kit with a front splitter and rear diffuser, four-piece mesh grille set and a few interior updates to remind you what you spent all that money on.
Speaking of the almighty dollar, there’s currently no indication on how much all of these goodies will cost you, but we do at least know that the whole shebang will be available from your local dealer and covered under the factory warranty. A whole suite of parts will also be available for the latest . Have a look at the Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 in our high-res image gallery below. Not too shabby, eh?
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Black Diamond Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
is showing off its sexy new at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, complete with its exotic SpectraFlair paint and snazzy yellow brake calipers. As you may recall, GM partnered up with JDSU for the special hue, and each Black Diamond Edition Caddy gets a three-coat paint process. Along with the shiny stuff, Cadillac bolted on a set of Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels that help make those wild calipers pop in a big way, and the interior makes use of plenty of micro suede and special wood accents.
The combined effect is one very sinister long-roof.
Prices for the gussied-up CTS-V coupe start at $70,490, which is a $4,850 premium over the run-of-the-mill V. Worth it? We’ll just say that this machine is one of the few at this year’s Chicago Auto Show that has earned a presence on our ‘most wanted’ list.
2011 Lexus CT 200h by Five Axis – Click above for high-res image gallery
Yes, it is indeed a bit odd that chose to show off a tuned version of its hatchback at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Generally speaking, such machines are reserved for events more along the lines of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Still, here we are in the Windy City and there’s this hybrid on the stage; we couldn’t help but shoot it for your viewing pleasure.
In addition to the custom widebody kit, this CT 200h wears a unique coat of paint and features a lowered suspension courtesy of Tein along with upgraded brakes from Stoptech. Want to see more? Check out the gallery of live images below… and do try to overlook the horrible lighting afflicting the Lexus stage in Chicago.
Ford Focus Electric – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Ford Focus Electric, like other EVs on the way to market, will give owners the ability to travel without ever visiting a gas station. That’s a very compelling reason to go green, and tells us that its upcoming EV has a lot more going for it than just its lack of petrol. For example, when does an electric car need an oil change? Never, and you’ll also never have to give another thought to oil, fuel or air filters.
Another typical service expense is the tune up, but without spark plugs, plug wires, a radiator or power steering fluid, there won’t be a lot to replace, flush or fill. You’ll also never have to worry about a muffler, water pump, serpentine belt or starter.
to look over Ford’s list of the top 25 things you won’t have to service in a new Focus Electric. The list includes “battery” as one of the items you won’t have to service or replace during the first 150,000 miles of life. Talk about your low-cost service experience… as long as the big and expensive lithium ion battery works as advertised.
Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld launch the BMW Sauber F1.09
A fast-paced world like Formula One can’t afford to sit still, even when one of their own is down. So while Robert Kubica recovers in hospital, his LotusRenault GP team is facing the tough decision of what to do in the meantime. Kubica’s not expected to recover until halfway through the season at best, so they’ll need someone to fill in until then.
Previous linked Tonio Liuzzi and Nico Hulkenberg – both of who lost their race seats this season – as potential candidates to take Kubica’s place, but the team itself has just confirmed that Nick Heidfeld is to drive the new R31 at the upcoming Jerez test in Spain.
Heidfeld is a German driver who’s been in F1 since 1998, driving for such teams as McLaren, Prost, Jordan and Williams. He drove alongside Kubica for four seasons at Sauber from 2006 through 2009. Last season he was contracted to GP as a test driver, but was released when Sauber needed a for Pedro de la Rosa. Could he fill the same role for Renault, or will the team promote one of its test drivers to the hot seat instead? for the official statement.
Audi Carbon Ski concept – Click above for high-res image
Automakers are constantly on the lookout for potential synergies. Downhill skis wouldn’t be one of the areas you might think they’d find it, but we’ve had plenty of examples that demonstrate to the contrary: , , , … and now has joined the party with an advanced carbon fiber ski design.
Collaborating with sports equipment manufacturer Head and drawing from Audi’s partnership with the German Ski Association, Audi Concept Design Munich developed these carbon skis that are at once both more rigid and more flexible than existing designs. They’re built around a wood core, sandwiched with aluminum and titanium and coated in carbon fiber.
The result is said to be some 200 grams lighter than a comparable conventional design. While they’re strictly a concept design for the time being, Audi and Head are testing the skis for production potential. Interested? for more details in the full press release.
Day one of the 2011 Chicago Auto Show has come and gone, and we can’t help but have a positive overall feeling of the day’s events. managed to surprise all of us in a very welcome way with the unveiling of the , and the – the fastest, most powerful in history – is sitting pretty as the current King of the Show.
And the best part? There’s plenty more where this came from. Come back tomorrow for another full day of obsessive coverage from The Windy City, and let us know if you have any early favorites from the vehicles listed below.
Anybody who’s seen the security cam footage of the Minneapolis Metrodome knows how powerful snow can be. It was amazing footage, something that rarely gets captured on camera. But in the age of the mobile phone camera, amazing videos are becoming less rare, as this video clearly illustrates.
The driver-turned amateur videographer was cruising down the road when a semi truck saddled with several cubic yards of snow atop the cargo box caught his or her eye. In spite of the inherent danger of driving while videotaping, the motorist couldn’t resist snagging some footage of the oddly tall snow snack. Lucky for us that moment was precisely when an overpass morphed a bad idea (distracted driving sucks) into some amazing footage. As you can see from the screen cap above, the overpass won the battle, but the exploding snow makes the video worth watching. to see for yourself.
