How important is the forthcoming 2013 Dodge Dart to the future of ? Well, it allowed to boost its stake in Chrysler for the fifth time in the past year today, adding five percent to bring Fiat’s total ownership to 58.5 percent.
That’s because the new sedan in CAFE fuel economy testing, triggering the increase in ownership under the operating agreement reached following the Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings. (Note that the 40 mpg number is unadjusted, meaning that the actual EPA combined fuel economy, the one published on the window sticker, will be lower.) Chrysler sent the United States Treasury a letter stating that it was “irrevocably committed to begin assembly” of the Dart at its Belvidere plant in Illinois. Chrysler will take the wraps off the Dart on January 9 at the .
Fiat’s stake in Chrysler has grown considerably since it received its initial 20-percent share in . The Italian automaker has now met all the “performance events” of its agreement with the Treasury, and could buy out the United Auto Workers healthcare trust that owns the remaining 41.5 percent of the company, according to a report in Automotive News. However, that report indicates that Fiat’s financial situation may not be solid enough to do so – at least not right away.
Detroit in January isn’t exactly the proper place to go topless in a 650-horsepower tire smoker, but that doesn’t mean rumors of the Convertible’s at the aren’t accurate. And these spy shots prove that the car is very much ready for its big debut.
We’re expecting the soft-top Shelby to pack the same 5.8-liter supercharged engine as its hard-topped sibling, which means the asphalt will be punished with those aforementioned 650 ponies along with 600 pound-feet of torque. For the coupe, that power equals a top speed of over 200 miles per hour.
So, here’s the big question: Will the 2013 GT500 Convertible be the least expensive way to a wind-in-your-hair blast at supercar speeds? While we all ponder that question, let’s all take a gander at the spy photos in the gallery above. And let’s pray to the god of sunshine that the GT500 Convertible does indeed drop its top in the snowy climes of Detroit in January.
One hundred and fifty years. That’s a mighty long time for any company to have been around, much less an automaker. Particularly since the automobile has only been around for 125 years or so. But while Opel, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, is known primarily as an automaker, cars are only part of its long business history.
Founded in 1862, Opel started out making sewing machines, and over the course of the last century and a half, has produced bicycles, motorcycles, rockets and refrigerators along with cars and trucks. Well over 50 million automobiles, in fact, as the company hit that particular milestone back in 1999.
Since 1929, Opel has been part of , and today – together with its British sister brand Vauxhall – its 40,500 employees produce more than a million vehicles every year in six different countries, selling them in over 40. Want to know more about Opel’s history? for the full press release and a three-minute video, and check out the historical photos in our high-res image gallery.
, an Indian firm better known for creating one-off customized vehicles based on anything from the to , has officially pulled the covers off its first production supercar at the New Delhi Auto Expo. Called the Avanti, we can’t help but wonder what esteemed designer might think of this creation.
We’re not going to call this -meets-duckbill-platypus attractive, though we do spot design themes borrowed from the likes of and (and there’s probably a bit of in there, too). Somehow it manages to be both somewhat derivative and distinctive at the same time, with proportions unlike that of most supercars from Europe.
Regardless of its styling, we can get behind the idea of a low-cost supercar – its expected 30 lakh rupees in India translates to about $56,000 at current exchange rates – powered by small-displacement engines relying on turbocharging to produce adequate power. The initial engine will be sourced from , an EcoBoost 2.0 liter putting out 265 horsepower, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, so perhaps calling this a “supercar” is overstating its case.
Later, a version of the machine will be offered with a -sourced turbocharged V6 producing something around 400 horsepower. The base Ford engine will reportedly be sufficient to hit 60 miles per hour in under seven seconds and the turbo V6 will surely be quicker. DC Design hopes to build about 200 units in 2013 and plans to ramp up to a few thousand in the coming years.
Citroën and Peugeot have released the first volley of information and images on their refreshed C1 and 107 runabouts. The Citroen C1 will bow with a new face, complete with a shorter hood, redesigned foglamp housings and new LED daytime running lights. The vehicle’s rear valance has also received a few design touches to differentiate it from the previous year model. Buyers can expect to find the same 68-horsepower three-cylinder gasoline engine bolted to a manual transmission under the hood.
Not surprisingly, its mechanical twin, the Peugeot 107, has received a similar once over. Designers have graced the three-door with a reworked front fascia that features a new front bumper, foglight housings and LED daytime running lights, just like its Citroën cousin. Peugeot will also offer the 107 in three trim levels: Access, Active and Allure.
The Citroën C1 will be on display at the Brussels Motor Show starting on January 10, and it’s probably fair to assume the Pug will make the scene there as well. for press releases on both of these small hatchbacks.
While Rhys Millen’s been having at Hyundai’s , plans continue apace on the new building that will replace it. The $150-million cost is the largest has ever spent on an office building in the U.S., and for that money, the LEED-certified, Gensler-designed structure will be 419,000 square feet, featuring four stories of glass above a two-story pedestal entrance. A show of Hyundai models will be visible from the freeway, a feature you see rather often in Europe.
Follow the jump for a press release with more details on the command center that Hyundai says “represents Hyundai’s vision for the future and reflects the innovation and creativity that our brand has come to represent.”
The figures have been tallied for the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2011, and not surprisingly, the Ford F-Series pickup truck is king of the heap once again. Dealers sold a total of 584,917 F-Series units in 2011, beating out the second-place by 169,787 units. The filled out the podium with 308,510 sales, which left the top three unaltered from their 2010 rankings. Fourth place went to the surging , which jumped from its seventh place position last year. Likewise, the enjoyed a jolt in popularity as well. While the aging CUV took the 13th spot last year, the Ford sold 254,293 units to take fifth place in 2011.
That bumped the and its variant to sixth place. Interestingly enough, the duo just barely beat out the by 5,000 units. Were the two Honda models to be split, the Fusion would have easily knocked the Accord further down the list. Likewise, the and teamed up to edge out the for ninth and tenth places, respectively. Head over to for a full chart detailing the top 20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 2011.
dropped a bombshell today, insinuating that its forthcoming 2013 Dodge Dart will have a combined fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon. Some media outlets have regurgitated this number without question. But it just isn’t true, as that 40-mpg fuel economy number is unadjusted and will most certainly be lower once it gets printed on window stickers.
To better understand the way fuel economy numbers get calculated, we’ll point you to on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. The short version is that cars are tested by the EPA to determine fuel economy for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), then adjusted for real world conditions before they are published, both on the EPA website and on Monroneys, or window stickers. City numbers are dropped by 10 percent, while highway numbers get a 22-percent reduction. Some rough estimating says that the Dart will probably be rated at about 34-mpg combined once the final adjustments are made. Still a good score, for sure, but far from 40.
So why did Chrysler even mention 40? In its big announcement today that had increased its ownership stake, the explanation is that Chrysler has met one of the conditions of the bankruptcy agreement, that it produce a 40-mpg vehicle for CAFE. That vehicle is the Dart.
Could Chrysler have done a better job of explaining what the fuel economy number really means? Sure, but then we wouldn’t have been able to write this post.
The is about to get safer. That’s the big message from GM today as the company announced structural and cooling system “safety enhancements” that are intended to better distribute the car’s energy load from a crash and, thus, better protect the battery from potential fires.
Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said that GM is treating this as a voluntary customer satisfaction issue, and therefor it is not a recall. Still, the process to fix the cars does kind of smell like a recall, since all the Volts that have left the factory – and another 4,400 at dealerships (every will need to get this fix as well) – will need to be changed, a process that takes roughly 2-3 hours, Reuss said. He would not hint at what this could cost GM.
Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development, said the repair parts should be ready and out to dealers in February. In a conference call with reporters, Barra explained the fix this way:
First, we’re going to strengthen an existing portion of the vehicle safety structure that protects the battery pack in the event of a severe side collision. … The current steel tunnel of the car acts as a safety cage surrounding the battery pack. The side pole test impacts the car directly in line with the cross car structure. … The structural enhancements more evenly distribute the load to further protect the battery and coolant line in the event of a severe side crash. In addition to these structural modifications, we are going to make enhancements to the cooling system. First, we’re going to be installing a sensor in the reservoir of the battery cooling system to monitor battery coolant levels. We’re also adding a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant resevoir to prevent a potential coolant overfill.
Barra added that the LG Chem cell chemistry used in the Volt is safe and that, “We still believe liquid cooling is the right option for the Volt.”
Since Volt production was shut down for the holidays (as is normal), Reuss said that when it is restarted “very shortly” the safety enhancements will be in place. As for the cars out in the wild, GM dealers can still sell them before the repairs are made because, Reuss said, “the car is safe.”
Not everyone is so sure. Reuss said that around 250 Volt owners have requested either a or a , but he said this number may change following today’s announcement. As for people who are still shopping, Reuss said, “To our potential customers, if you’re in the market, we think you’ll be missing an opportunity if you don’t consider the Volt.”
With that in mind, what does 2012 hold for the Volt? Reuss admitted that even though , GM is flexible and that, “We will match supply with demand.”
Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don’t call it a recall
Back in July, our man Bowman got his first chance to drive the new in the wilds of Montana, and he came away particularly impressed by the ML350 BlueTEC 4Matic. It’s great news that this updated diesel powertrain is coming to the United States in November, but in Montana, we missed out on the new-generation On&Offroad Package and innovative Active Curve System.
Fortunately, we were recently afforded the chance to test all of this goodness over a small paved circuit in Austria, as well as up and down a truly hellacious off-road course. By the end of the day, we were convinced that this ML350 diesel 4×4 thus equipped can finally take it to a similarly optioned or . And, as MercedesGermany tells us, North American buyers will at long last get a crack at this On&Offroad harder-core package for 2013. Are they at risk of messing with the winning on-road recipe that has made the M-Class the world’s best-selling premium SUV, with over 1.2 million sold?
The auto show mill is officially kicking into high gear for 2012, and Dacia has already shown off what we can expect from the company at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March. Fans of obscure European MPVs may now lick their chops at the first clear view of the Dacia Lodgy. The Romanian brand says its new vehicle will be available both in five- and seven-seat configurations when it debuts across Europe, though a final decision on whether or not a right-hand drive version will be offered has yet to be made.
Dacia isn’t offering up any details on what’s under the hood of the Lodgy, though with an overall length of under 15 feet, we’d be surprised to see anything other than a small-displacement four-cylinder humming along behind the headlights. Look for further details when the Lodgy debuts in March, but for now, check out our high-res gallery and for the full press release.
was a peer-to-peer car rental service that began in San Francisco six months ago, had opened up shop in Los Angeles, and was in the process of expanding to to other West Coast cities. Specializing in luxury cars under $100,000, members offered their cars up for rental to other locals at rather excellent rates. Cars above six figures were included after being vetted by the service – members were vetted as well – and the service provided comprehensive insurance to protect owners and renters.
According to TechCrunch, that apparently didn’t stop a car-theft ring from targeting HiGear and making off with four cars worth between $300,000 and $400,000. The thieves created verifiable identities and paid with stolen credit cards, bypassing all of HiGear’s safeguards. So as of January 3, 2012 HiGear was forced to shut down, citing untenable costs due to the thefts.
It’s a shame, since the peer-to-peer social-networking nature of the service meant that you could rent cars you’d be severely challenged to find as easily anywhere else: a 1971 Eldorado could be had for $100 a day, a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was $300, and a 2006 Bentley Flying Spur was $400. Although this idea didn’t survive, we hope this isn’t the last we hear of HiGear CEO Ali Moiz.
has started a new roadside billboard advertising campaign in the U.S. to promote the fact that people are buying the supercar. The billboards, like this one erected in Lake Forest, Illinois, alert the good townsfolk that an R8 GT has been purchased within their city limits. In red is the warning, “Slow traffic keep right,” which could also just as easily say, “Rob him while he’s out driving.”
Half a decade ago, thought so little of the that it canceled its participation altogether. But the German automaker came back last year with the concept, and will use the show to unveil its new to the public for the first time.
Initially revealed in cyberspace this past November, the new Cabrio makes use of a new folding soft top that employs all manner of advanced materials like magnesium-infused canvas and high-strength steel to keep weight to a minimum, while its design is said to more closely mimic the profile and design of the fixed-roof coupe.
In selecting the Detroit show as its launchpad for the new open-air Elfen, Porsche is recognizing the importance of the annual expo and the central place it holds for one of the largest new car markets in the world. In fact, it comes at the start of a fresh product push in the United States that will, as has now been confirmed, include the , the and the all-new Cajun to follow next year. for the full announcement.
Cabrio heralds U.S. product blitz with Detroit debut
Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray didn’t brake or try to steer away from the rock ledge his Ford Crown Victoria was headed for at speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour. That’s according to reports stemming from the aftermath of an early morning accident on November 2, 2011 in which Murray’s state-owned car left the roadway on Interstate 190 in Sterling, MA, and struck a rock ledge at 92 mph before rolling over. The Massachusetts State Police have released the black box data from the incident, which revealed not only the high rate of speed, but also contradicts prior statements from Lt. Governor Murray that he was wearing a seatbelt and driving around the speed limit.
This particular stretch of Interstate 190, which your author drives five days a week, isn’t particularly treacherous, although the region did experience a freak snowstorm just two days prior on Halloween. The storm caused significant damage to trees and power outages were widespread, and Lt. Governor Murray had set out early that morning to assess the damage in the region that serves as his homebase. Massachusetts State Police have concluded after analyzing the black box data that the Lieutenant Governor fell asleep at the wheel, which accounts for the rapid acceleration from a sustained 75 mph to essentially flat-out, as well as the lack of avoidance maneuvers or braking attempts.
At the scene, Lt. Governor Murray asked for a Breathalyzer, which showed there was no alcohol in his system, and in statements since then, he’s pledged to reimburse the state for the vehicle. In light of this latest evidence, State Police cited Lt. Governor Murray with a $555 fine, but he managed to avoid further charges including reckless driving. From where we sit, that’s a stroke of good fortune, but no more lucky than Murray avoiding serious injuries in the first place.
has reportedly confirmed its 2012 World Rally Championship entry after initially missing the December 19 entry deadline. According to Autosport, the delay may have had something to do with concerns Mini parent company had over television coverage of the sport in Germany. Now it would seem the FIA is working to address those issues and Mini is once again slated to join both and Citroën as full manufacturers in the series. The delay may have been a tactical move by BMW and Mini to convince series promoters to come up with more amicable coverage terms.
As it sits, Mini will campaign a John Cooper Works WRC in all 13 rounds, though it remains unclear whether driver Dani Sordo will be behind the wheel at every stage. Mini may look to save some cash by turning to a private driver in some of the more expensive rounds like New Zealand. Either way, Mini is slated to return to the WRC at the Monte Carlo Rally starting on January 17.
A new study by the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association has found 70 percent of Japanese vehicles sold in the U.S. were built on a North American assembly line.
According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the study found that more than 400,000 jobs have been created by Japanese automakers since Honda opened its first facility in the U.S. in 1982. , and had a total of 29 plants operating in the U.S. in 2010 with a combined investment of $34 billion. Those numbers are likely to increase in the coming years.
The Japanese Three have made no secret that the companies are looking to guard their operations against an ever-stronger yen. Odds are we’ll see even more Japanese facilities open their doors in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. Toyota is slated to open a new line in Tupelo, Mississippi, and Honda is expected to begin assembling the in Mexico soon.
But Toyota, Honda and Nissan aren’t just building vehicles in the U.S. for American consumers. Japanese-owned plants here are also producing vehicles for consumption abroad. Last year, a total of 145,000 vehicles were built in the U.S. for foreign markets by Japanese automakers, up from 95,000 units in 2010.
Top Gear magazine and Jeremy Clarkson have already let us in , the taking the cake from both of them (although Clarkson made the distinction that the was the BMW M-Sport Touring). A few more TG stars have clocked in to make their assessments, with Hammond choosing the , May selecting the , The Stig pointing to the BAC Mono, and mag writer Tom Ford laying money on the .
the 1 Series M perfectly “boisterous,” with the Karma’s future-forward-vegan ethose, namely the fact that it has no animal products, and wrote that the F3-racer-cum-street-legal-maniac BAC Mono is, well, just that. As for the Morgan 3Wheeler, after recounting all the ways it misses the mark as a car, for it being an awesome experience. You can have a look at each in our high-res gallery of photos and click the links to read all the details.
and BAC Mono are Top Gear stars’ Car of the Year winners
Lada? Racing? We’ve got to be kidding, right? Only we’re not. While the Russian automaker may not have the motorsport pedigree of, say, or , there’s reason enough to believe it’s getting serious.
One reason is its new corporate cousins at the Renault- Alliance, which owns part of Lada’s parent company AvtoVaz and which never fails to get each of its divisions – from Renault in Formula One to Nissan in GT racing to Dacia in the Andros Trophy – on the track. Another is its history, however limited it may be, of competition in the World Touring Car Championship. Lada was contesting the WTCC just a couple of years ago, and in announcing the arrival of the new , confirmed that it would be making a comeback. And this is the car with which it’ll do it.
Called the Granta Sport, this adaptable racer will form the basis for a number of racing categories. One is the WTCC, which Lada will contest this year at two rounds (Hungary and Portugal) with an eye towards expanding to a full-season challenge in 2013. Another is the Granta Cup, a one-make racing series which Lada will field in Russia. Finally, an S2000-compliant version is reportedly in the works that would let privateer teams enter the Granta Sport in any of a number of racing series around the world.
Aside from the calling to ask for its fake plastic grille back, few details are available as to the Granta Sport’s technical specifications, but we have the distinct feeling that Renaultsport has had a hand in its development. One way or another, you can scope out the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.
There’s just no getting around the fact that, despite technological advances and a host of regulations aimed at improving safety, organized racing is a dangerous occupation. We saw it last year with the deaths of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli – pushing the limits on either two or four wheels is sometimes life threatening.
The Dakar Rally is one of the most dangerous races of all, with more than 58 deaths – 25 competitors plus at least 33 spectators, though official spectator fatalities aren’t kept – recorded in 31 races since 1979. Though the 2012 edition has only just begun, it has already suffered its first fatality.
Argentinian rider Jorge Martínez Boero, age 38, died on the very first stage of the 15-day race of cardiac arrest while being transported to a hospital. Boero suffered head and chest injuries after crashing his motorcycle. This was his second Dakar Rally.
A demonstration of how quickly things can go bad can be seen in the video . Quin Cody, a racer for the Factory Honda team, crashed out of the event on January 3, suffering a concussion and broken collarbone. Thankfully, some other competitors stopped for assistance, and Cody ought to make a full recovery.
