TheDetroitBureau.com is reporting a few juicy rumors about the future of full-size pickups from both General Motors and . According to details supplied by shadowy sources, Ford is currently hard at task on the development of a range of new V6 engines. The powerplants are said to be under development in a range of sizes, including 2.6-, 2.7- and 3.0-liter displacements. The engines are being crafted under the codename “Nano” with a single dual-stage turbo making up for the cut in displacement. The largest of the trio is said to have a target of 300-315 horsepower, which is effectively what the current naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter V6 churns out. TDB maintains that the new V6 lumps may also work their way into the line at some point as well.
The report indicates that GM, meanwhile, is hard at work on a forced-induction V6 of its very own to fight Ford’s EcoBoost surge. Additionally, the company’s heavy-duty trucks will be the only models available with the big-boy 6.2-liter V8, while both light- and heavy-duty pickups will be available with the company’s 6.0-liter V8. Finally, the tried-and-true 5.3-liter V8 will soldier on for the next-generation as well.
Mary Kay’s annual Seminar gathering is being held in Dallas right now, and the company best known for its pink Cadillacs is giving its independent beauty consultants another reason to work hard: a black V6 has joined the fleet of available cars its consultants can earn the use of. The Mustang is by far the sportiest option among the pool, sharing garage space with the and , and, of course, that pink .
While Mary Kay is sold in more than 35 countries, each auto fleet is selected by the regional body so the Mustang is only on offer in the U.S. (sorry, Moldova). However, the pink Cadillac remains at the top of the heap for makeup-sales rainmakers – “that’s the icon,” we were told. Still, the Mustang was very well received: “there were lots of cheering women.”
You’ll find a press release with more info after the jump.
There’s the right way to handle a highway emergency and the wrong way. Driving down the interstate with your hood peeled back onto your windshield certainly falls into the latter category, and yet, the driver in the video after the jump managed to do just that down a few miles of New Hampshire highway.
Peering through the tiny slit formed by the cowl arc, the driver doesn’t seem to show any outward signs of distress aside from slightly reduced speed. Thanks to the power of technology, another driver with a similar abandon for safety recorded the spectacle for the internet crowds, at least until law enforcement put an end to the shenanigans.
Here’s a tip: if your hood latch happens to give up the ghost while you’re rocketing toward the horizon, calmly slow your ride and pull to the shoulder. If you’re able, close the hood and continue on your way. If you aren’t, do us all a favor and call for a tow. to check out the insanity for yourself.
If you’re one of the 8,406 people who bought a 2007 between March of 2006 and May of 2007, be prepared to make a service appointment at your local dealership. S80 sedans manufactured during this time period are being recalled due to power steering reservoir return hoses that may have been incorrectly routed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an incorrectly routed hose can result in increased pressure within the power steering system. If this happens, it’s possible for the hose to burst, resulting in a loss of power steering capability for the car.
will begin contacting owners starting in August, and any necessary repairs will be performed free of charge. to read NHTSA’s official recall statement.
and looked ready to tussle over the German automaker’s European commercial for the . The commercial spot in question had many accusing it of being a bit too close to the Chrysler “Imported from Detroit” campaign that kicked off with . What could’ve been a negative battle has, in fact, become quite a positive for the city of Detroit.
The two automakers won’t reveal specific terms of their settlement, but both state that the end result was reached amicably. As a result of their agreement, Audi is going to spend some cash on projects that work directly towards the revitalization of the Motor City.
The has already launched here in the United States, but the party is just about to start for our friends in Europe. Across the pond, the Civic has always been quite different from the model we receive in North America, and for the new model year, that tradition will carry on. How can we tell? The first bit of information chose to release about its new five-door European Civic concerns ride and handling, not fuel economy or interior comfort or how many different paint colors will be available.
Initial development of the Euro Civic started in Japan, but when it came time to tune the suspension, the project was handed over to the company’s European division. “Every time we visited Europe during the development of the car, we achieved significant improvements in the ride and handling, tuning the car for the local demands,” states the Civic’s chassis development leader, Kazuo Sunaoshi. The European Civic will retain its torsion beam rear suspension setup from the current car, though Honda has increased the wall thickness of the beam and fitted a larger-diameter stabilizer bar.
The new Civic will debut at the in September, with only the five-door hatchback configuration being offered. Like the previous Civic, we can expect a range of gasoline and diesel powerplants for European markets, and who knows, maybe a too-hot Type R model will be in the works, too. for Honda Europe’s official release, as well as a video of the Civic’s ride and handling undergoing testing.
Following the official announcement this morning that the new 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard would be set at 54.5 miles per gallon, our email box overflowed with something we rarely see: near-unanimous support. Everyone from the automakers to the Union of Concerned Scientists, from the United Auto Workers to the American people (through a study released today by the Pew Environment Group) seem to agree: is the right fuel economy target. Sure, some of the groups would have been happier with the previously bandied-about or even , but almost everyone is putting on a happy face today.
Surrounding the President as he made the announcement were the heads of many automakers, including Dan Akerson (GM), Alan Mulally (), Sergio Marchionne (), John Krafcik (), Jim Lentz () and more. The OEMs brought a bevy of fuel-efficient vehicles, too, including plug-ins like the and the , a bunch of hybrids couple of a big trucks that aren’t the gas guzzlers of yesteryear: a with EcoBoost and a 4×4 SLT.
Of course, we’re sure there will be continued contention over what is the best fuel economy goal for the United States – the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, for example, says that the “proposal does not drive advanced technology to its maximum potential,” and warns that it could be watered down even further – but, for now, pretty much everyone appears to be on the same page. Even California, which could (and has, in the past) gone its own way with fuel economy standards because of the Clean Air Act, has given its approval to 54.5. As our friend Jim Motavalli wrote in yesterday, President Obama, “seems to have crafted a fairly good compromise that nobody actively hates.” The behind-the-scenes negotiations must have been interesting to watch, eh?
Talk about gilding the lily – just when you thought the at last weekend’s NASCAR race at Nashville Superspeedway couldn’t get any better, someone has found a way to do it.
In case you missed it, Pastor Joe Nelms of the Family Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, delivered a rousing invocation last weekend before the Nationwide Series race got underway, thanking God for everything good in this world from Roush and Yates coming together to his smokin’ hot wife.
Now some good folks with an iPhone app have turned his prayer into a song. We doubt it’ll be replacing any of the usual hymns down at the local parish, but we may have just found our new ringtone. Boogity boogity boogity, to watch the video.
It’s been a good long while since the BMW 740Li badge graced American shores, and even longer since the entry-level packed anything other than eight furious cylinders under its hood. The last time a straight-six lurked behind the quad head lights of the big Bimmer here in the Land of the Free, Bill Clinton was still hanging around Arkansas and the only Cyrus terrorizing the airwaves was Billy Ray. Since then, an entire culture of consumption has blossomed and withered under the glare of questionable loans and fluctuating oil prices, and as such, automakers like have begun to alter their wares to fit the times.
When it came to the long-wheelbase 7 Series, BMW decided to abandon larger displacement engines options for smarter, more efficient powerplants that wouldn’t disappoint buyers accustomed to a world-class performance threshold.
Cue the arrival of the N54 – a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that’s happy to provide propulsion for the 2011 BMW 740Li. To drive it is to handily dispatch any and all naysayers who would have you believe that an executive sedan needs a V8 to hold its head high in the business district.
Once upon a time ice cream was delivered in trucks to happy buyers. Then the people drove to the ice cream shop with curbside service. But back in those wonder years, the dream was that one day we’d zip over to the soda fountain in flying cars.
Though people have never stopped trying to make a flying car, that dream never seemed to have taken off, even after decades have passed. To whit, the notion has become something of an item of nostalgia, and at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a group of flying car enthusiasts gathered for some frozen treats and bygone dreams at a local retro malt shop. to watch the video footage.
Last week, was able to . That’s big news for Team Pentastar for many reasons, including reduced interest payments and increased control over its own future. Another, less publicized reward is that Chrysler no longer is required to adhere to the government’s strict $500,000 executive pay cap, but that doesn’t mean company brass can expect the fat checks to come rolling in.
Automotive News reports that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will continue to keep a tight rein on executive pay. The outspoken chief executive reportedly said during a conference call that any thoughts of “distributing cash indiscriminately are probably misplaced.” Having said that, Marchionne also adds that Chrysler intends to remain competitive with regards to wages, yet restraint will continue to be used.
While Marchionne is downplaying the fact that Chrysler no longer has a $500,000 executive pay cap, we’re guessing that the automaker’s top management talent is thrilled about the possibility of future pay hikes.
is set to reveal its all-new at September’s , and while we only have of what the exterior design will look like, the automaker is now giving us our first glimpse inside the luxury hatchback. Not surprisingly, the cockpit is exactly what you’d expect in a compact Mercedes-Benz – nothing earth-shattering, but certainly packed with upscale amenities and looking decidedly rich for what should be Benz’s least costly offering in North America.
Everything appears to be very simple and well laid out, with the radio, HVAC and COMAND controls nicely separated from one another. And if that steering wheel looks familiar, it’s because it’s the same one found in the new-for-2012 . Mercedes says that the B-Class’ cabin can be fitted with high-end materials, too, including ARTICO man-made leather on the dashboard. (What, no Designo interior package?). We also note the charismatic round air vents that mimic those fitted to the , suggesting that this form will spread throughout the entire Mercedes lineup going forward.
We’ll have exterior images to go along with these interior shots closer to the car’s Frankfurt debut. For now, get a feel for what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a B-Class in our high-res image gallery and for Merc’s press release.
This weekend was supposed to be a busy one for Travis Pastrana. In what had been dubbed “Pastranathon,” the Moto X / RallyCross driver / NASCAR rookie was set to compete in X Games 17 Thursday and Friday, fly to Indianapolis on Saturday for his NASCAR Nationwide debut, then be back in Los Angeles on Sunday to compete in RallyCross for . Instead, Pastrana will be sitting this weekend out with a broken right foot and ankle.
According to ESPN, the injury occurred last night when Pastrana failed in an attempt to perform a “Corked 720″ in the Moto X “Best Trick” competition. His bike landed on top of his right leg after he under-rotated through the spin, leaving him to be carried off the dirt on a stretcher. Pastrana was sent to the hospital for X-rays and released later that night, although he will need to have surgery on his foot, ankle and hand at a later date.
You can watch a video of Pastrana’s unsuccessful “Moto X Best Trick” attempt .
Cloth, leather, Alcantara and that weird netting on the dashboards of some sedans are all examples of the varied materials employed to build the interior spaces of modern automobiles. is exploring new ways to bring the passenger cabin together, and the newest item at the Korean automaker’s disposal is volcanic rock.
Hyundai wanted add a bit more luxury to the passenger space of its newest models. The and both needed fabric-wrapped A-pillars to up the class quotient inside, but that would have raised the customer’s purchase price. Alternatives were sought and engineers concocted a blend of plastic resin, fibrous material and volcanic rock. The end result is a plastic material that provides the look and feel of being wrapped in cloth, with the apparent cost savings that come from stuff belched forth from the Earth’s underground.
As one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive parts, Visteon is a highly valuable company with hands in many areas of vehicle production. Visteon produces components for automotive interiors, climate control systems, lighting and electronics. The company is run by CEO Donald Stebbins, and the man in charge has come out to say that it may be time to split up the company into separate entities. The Tier 1 supplier has struggled in recent years, declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2009, only emerging from protection last October.
There’s been no official disclosure of plans for any spin-offs, as Stebbins has reportedly noted that one shouldn’t discuss a sale until after it’s completed. Still, the Visteon CEO also stated that the company’s product portfolio won’t be the same in three years time as it is today.
According to reports, many Visteon investors want to see the company split up. They believe they could fetch far more selling the parts giant off in sections than they would if attempting to lump it all into one large sale.
With some of the most ferocious high-speed off-road vehicles under its belt, Bowler is no stranger to conquering new territory. But its latest project is something entirely different for the British rally-raid racing firm.
The company was recently purchased by Coventry Prototype Panels (CPP), the same outfit that gobbled up the sportscar company when all of the company’s cash was tied up in – and it’s also the same company that’s with Zagato. They recently as the brand’s managing director, and the ex- chief engineer is now hard at work taking Bowler to a place it’s never been before: the street.
Historically, Bowler’s vehicles have start out with mechanicals, which were then modified extensively for Dakar-class rally raid competition. But Haywood has joined the firm to bring the company’s first street-legal, commercially available product (previously known as the Nemesis) to market.
While specifications are a long way off from being finalized, Autocar reports that Haywood and Bowler figure on demand for about 150 to 200 units – ten times more than the competition-spec vehicles it currently products – at a price of around £150,000. At nearly $250,000, that’s twice the price of even the top-spec factory Range Rover. That’s a lot of cash, but we can think of a few places in the world where they’ve got the cash and appetite for such extravagance.
The new entries just keep on lining up for the British Touring Car Championship, which is rapidly becoming the most varied racing series in the world. There are already 27 cars based on 13 different models from 10 different manufacturers, but now the touring car series is about to get a 28th, based on a 14th from an 11th, respectively.
The latest car set to join the BTCC grid this year is the Skoda Octavia vRS. The compact sedan from the Czech subsidiary is based on some very old technology, taking its underpinnings (and everything else) from the several-generatons-old . That doesn’t seem to be deterring TH Motorsport from bringing it to the BTCC, though.
The independent team has been racing in the series since 2001, fielding everything from and to Protons and Seats. It withdrew from the BTCC after last season and has been plotting its return ever since, finally settling on the Octavia which it will adapt to the new cost-effective NGTC regulations that have opened up the field to so many independents.
Matt Hamilton, who drove for the team the past two years running (and who, as far as we can tell, is of no relation to F1 champion Lewis Hamilton), will be taking the wheel of the Skoda when it’s ready, but the team is considering the potential for a second car. Press release .
We’ve just touched down in Frankfurt to get all the details on new electric cars, but before we get into the nitty-gritty of BMW i, its philosophy and the engineering behind it, here’s a brief introduction to the first two models, the i3 and i8. Officially, the two artfully greenhoused cars seen above are ‘concepts,’ but they’re actually anything but. to read all about them.
UPDATE: Added a few live images, along with the first promo vid. More to come.
We’ve just touched down in Frankfurt to get all the details on new electric cars, but before we get into the nitty-gritty of BMW i, its philosophy and the engineering behind it, here’s a brief introduction to the first two models, the i3 and i8. Officially, the two artfully greenhoused cars seen above are ‘concepts,’ but they’re actually anything but. to read all about them.
Russian premier Vladimir Putin is known as a brutishly dictatorial politician. But that’s not all he’s known for. He’s also a consummate lady’s man, and a lover of Russian cars.
Now, his two passions have crossed paths in Moscow, where a group of nubile young Putin supporters called ‘Putin’s Army’ took to the streets, offering free car washes to drivers of domestic wheels.
Plenty of Volgas and Ladas stopped along the way, and Russia’s English-language RT news channel has the report. The only thing more entertaining than the bikini-clad girls soaping up the cars is the stilted debate that followed between the network’s anchors. to watch the footage and see for yourself.
