There is a lot to love about the . It’s a compact roadster with a torque-happy, twin-turbo diesel V6 mated to two electric motors capable of more instant twist. When we , we were limited to just 40 miles per hour, but the Four-Ringed automaker tells us that a trip to 62 takes only 4.4 seconds.
And because this Spyder is a green monster, it can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone. Using a mixture of the diesel and its lithium ion battery, it will consume on average a scant 2.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.
That sounds like a lot of “too good to be true,” but Audi promises to be the leader in luxury electric cars by 2020, and a production version of this vehicle is expected for 2014. to watch new footage of the e-tron Spyder in motion. It might not be ready to go on sale, but it at least looks mighty fine on the roads of Malibu, California, near where we drove it.
A new study published online in the Journal of Psychology & Marketing tells us what most gearheads already know: If you perceive your car as extension of self, you’re more likely to drive aggressively.
Unsurprising to us, yes, but also to Ayalla Ruvio, lead author of “Aggressive Driving: A Consumption Experience.” In a statement released by Temple University, she admits that her study “explains much of the phenomenon we knew existed.” An assistant professor of marketing at Temple’s Fox School of Business, Ruvio conducted her research – which consisted of surveying fewer than 300 people – in Israel.
Ruvio’s astute command of the obvious extends to determining that “young people who are in the early stages of forming their self-identity might feel the need to show off their car and driving skills more than others” and “a sense of being under time and pressure leads to more aggressive driving.”
Click to read the full release, wherein Ruvio also name-checks Shania Twain and Thelma and Louise.
A new study conducted by Transportation for America has discovered that approximately 70,000 bridges in the United States are structurally deficient, meaning that an engineer has identified a significant defect in the structure’s support or decking. That’s a large number, but perhaps more shocking is the fact that the study indicates that every second, 71 drivers in Chicago drive over one of those derelict crossings. The study found that approximately 10 percent of the city’s bridges are in need of significant repair, which equates to around 400 structurally deficient bridges all together.
According to Gideon Blustein, executive director of the Infrastructure Council at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago may be in danger of losing its reputation as a hub of transportation unless the government invests in its aging infrastructure.
Transportation for America says that to catch up on the nation’s back log of repairs would cost approximately $70 billion. Now, here’s where we’re confused. Unemployment is at record levels and our nation is in desperate need of infrastructure repair. According to Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez, $1.25 billion spent on transportation generates approximately 35,000 jobs. Seems like a two-bird, one-stone scenario to us. for a quick video.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Classic, the official U.S. restoration arm of the Stuttgart firm. Although it sits on an easy-to-miss corner of yet another ochre-hued industrial complex in Irvine, California, what is inside is anything but common
The technicians who refurbish Benz history believe it is their job to make everyone else believe that no such job has been done. Mercedes Classic isn’t where old is made new, but where old is made as-new. And that means that, yes, they will turn down certain requests that go too much against the grain of the brand. You can get a brief look at the men and their machines in the video , and if you’re a fan of the Silver Arrow, then a trip to the Classic Center is highly recommended.
is hitting SEMA with a volley of modified and models this year. The company says that the aftermarket show is the perfect venue for showing off just how customizable both vehicles can be, and with creations from the likes of Roush, Cobb Tuning and Gold Coast Automotive among others, there should be a hatch or sedan on hand in Las Vegas for everyone. Roush is doing what the company does best: plopping an R900 TVS Supercharger on top of the four-cylinder engine in the Focus for a substantial bump in power, and a full Roush exhaust ensures that the engine will breathe easy.
Cobb Tuning, meanwhile, will be going the turbocharging route with its Focus. The car will boast forged pistons, a custom turbo kit and front-mounted intercooler, as well as a unique air box, intake and exhaust manifold. No one’s saying just how much power the Focus will make, but a StopTech Trophy big brake kit should ensure the car can be brought down from speed in a hurry.
The star of the Fiesta show this year will likely be from Gold Coast Automotive. With an intercooled Jackson Racing Rotrex supercharger, Wilwood braking hardware on all four corners and a custom front diffuser and rear spoiler, this GCA entrant could be the mightiest Fiesta of them all. for the full press release.
The is being , and if we’re to take the America’s chairman at his word, another new one will be in the pipeline after that. Colin Dodge tells Automotive News, “We’re going to need two or three cycles to be as professional as the people who have been doing it for 50 or 60 years.”
By that, Dodge is referring to, well, , and . Indeed, domestic manufacturers have been far less impacted by the arrival of Japanese full-size pickups than many had speculated. Nissan’s Titan was introduced for the 2004 model year, but annual sales topped out at 86,945 in 2005, according to AN. This year, Nissan has moved just over 15,000 of the trucks, but is apparently undeterred by slow sales.
On tap for the next-gen Titan will most certainly be some different engine options, as the Nissan spokesman thinks the 5.6-liter V8 that’s been offered since launch has held the Titan back. While nothing definitive is mentioned in the interview, he does say “very efficient powertrains” will be part of the mix. At the very least ,we might expect a variation of Nissan’s VQ-series V6 to finally find a home behind the Titan’s grille.
There are many things to love about the Rennsport Reunion. Stacks of beautiful metal, the chance to meet racing legends face to face and the sound of historic race cars barking at the paddock walls all make for an experience unlike any other. But for us, the best part is watching those vintage racers take to a track like Laguna Seca in anger. This year, Mark Hotchkis hopped behind the wheel of the Hotchkis Porsche 962 for a few quick laps on the renowned road circuit . He wasn’t there for a leisurely Sunday drive.
Hotchkis wasted no time slicing through traffic and generally consuming tarmac like only a properly-wielded 962 can. The Replay XD guys were kind enough to strap a few dozen cameras to the car to give us an idea of the action from every angle, and the result is pretty entertaining way to blow four minutes and change. to check it out for yourself.
has announced that the company will bring a version of the company’s Crosstourer Conceptmotorcycle unveiled at the 2010 EICMA Show to production. The final version of the adventure/sports tourer hybrid will be unveiled under the lights of the 2011 EICMA show next month. According to Honda, the Crosstourer will boast a 1200cc V4 engine borrowed from the company’s VFR1200F, which means the bike could boast up to 170 horsepower. Combined with a more upright riding position, off-road aesthetics and a long-travel suspension, Honda hopes that the Crosstourer will be a more versatile addition to the company’s stable. There’s also word that the production version will come equipped with a dual-clutch transmission.
The Crosstourer Concept wore styling that appeared to be heavily influenced by the BMW GS family, which certainly doesn’t bother us in the least. With its wire spoke wheels, near vertical windscreen and subtle skid plates, the bike looks to be a legitimate alternative to the rest of the adventure bike set. But, as we all know, looks aren’t everything. We’ll have to wait until we get our gloves on the final version before we can say one way or the other whether the bike can hold its fenders high against the likes of the Triumph Tiger and BMW GS lines. for the official press release.
Things are apparently getting nasty inside as the company continues to scramble for a route to viability. Autocar reports that Guy Lofalk, the court-appointed administrator placed in charge of the company’s reorganization affairs, recently applied to terminate the automaker’s reorganization process. That move would effectively strip Saab of the protections it enjoys from its creditors while it seeks further investment from outside sources, which means it wouldn’t be long before the company found itself snuffed out. But CEO Victor Muller has vowed that Saab will continue to fight for survival, and the automaker has reportedly moved to have Lofalk ousted from the process as a result of his actions.
How’s that for some corporate drama?
Muller also said that he believes that Lofalk’s talks with Pang Da and Youngman may have lead the two Chinese automakers to consider a full takeover of the Swedish brand instead of merely buying a 50-percent stake in the company. The two companies reportedly made a takeover offer today, but Muller says that Lofalk has overstepped his authority. Saab has since outright rejected the takeover offer, and both Pang Da and Youngman have backed away from the automaker altogether. That would appear to leave Saab with little more than a small investment from to keep it afloat.
has confirmed that its Transit van will be manufactured in Kansas City. The company plans to invest $1.1 billion in facility upgrades and tooling to produce both the next-generation and the Transit in preparation for the van’s arrival on U.S. soil in 2013. That investment is $700 million more than Ford had previously allocated for its Kansas City facility. Ford says the extra cash will go toward new paint and body shops in addition to an integrated stamping plant. The upgrades will also allow Ford to increase F-150 pickup production with the addition of a second manufacturing shift.
Previously, we had heard word that Ford would embrace the T-Series for the Transit, with models breaking down into trim levels similar to what’s seen on the current F-Series, though the press release after the jump specifically refers to the new van as the Transit. Does that mean Ford will rely on a new system of trim designation for the van? It’s hard to say, but either way, it certainly sounds like the days of the /Econoline range are numbered. to see the full press release for yourself.
The has plenty of hot hatch potential, but its frugal, 1.6-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder just isn’t going to cut it for those more concerned with speed than fuel economy. While a turbo model has , we’ve now got confirmation – sort of.
While hasn’t said anything official about the turbo Veloster, it has unveiled a new turbocharged 1.6-liter engine at a conference in Korea this week. Hyundai says it spent 52 months and over $60 million developing the new mill, which meets California’s ULEV-2 and Euro 5 standards.
The 204-horsepower Gamma four-cylinder gets its extra 66 horses thanks to a twin-scoll turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler. The turbo, which is integrated into the exhaust manifold, also boosts the Gamma’s torque to a tire-squealing 195 lb-ft.
With a curb weight of just 2,600 pounds, the Veloster could be quite a pocket rocket with this engine fitted underhood. Let’s hope a limited-slip differential is also in the cards.
We expect some sort of official announcement from Hyundai regarding the Veloster Turbo as early as November 1 at SEMA. To read the release announcing the new turbo engine, click .
Last time we checked in with Canada’s commercial front we were greeted by , a half ton of rikishi getting lathered up on car hoods and being fed strawberries. Woof.
The wrestlers have taken a break for this new commercial, which features Subie employees and a few customers showing off their schweve just because they live in a Subaru world. It’s a little out there, but we’ll admit, the salesman’s got some moves. Check out Subaru of Canada’s newest ad spot .
For over a year, I’ve been looking for a way to get into an electric vehicle, but my options have been decidedly limited. I’m either lacking the funds () or the alternatives have lacked character (, Focus Electric).
But now there’s this: The 2012 BMW ActiveE. It’s the next step for in electrification – a bridge between the Mini E and the forthcoming i3 – that takes a standard and adds a brace of batteries and electric motor to create a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a 100-mile range. Even better, the price is right.
Unlike the Mini E that required owners to plunk down a hefty chunk of change each month, the ActiveE’s outlay is far more palatable: $2,250 down and $499 a month for a 24-month lease – well below what you’d drop on a new (or even used) gas-powered 1 Series.
Now , but could it be worth my hard-earned Blogger Bucks to become a beta tester for BMW’s electrification efforts? I flew 5,800 miles to Munich to find out.
Tanner Foust recently saddled up in the Ford Focus RS 500 for a quick blast around the Nürburgring and brought a camera crew along for the ride. We were hoping to watch the hot shoe cane the life out of the 350-horsepower hatchback around the world’s most infamous road course. Unfortunately, that’s not what we got. Foust appears to have been held up by traffic on more than one occasion, and while he was able to stretch the Focus RS 500 to around 150 mph on at least two occasions, we weren’t treated to any nail-biting footage. Well, that’s not entirely true. Had we been the motorcycle rider Foust was tailgating, we would have likely found the TV star in the paddock later on and had a few choice words on topics like following distance and contact patch ratio.
Still, Foust has nothing but glowing praise for the hottest Focus of them all despite the vehicle’s front-wheel drive tendencies. to check out the clip for yourself.
The Detroit News reports that workers are none too happy with the proposed four-year labor agreement drawn up by the Auburn Hills automaker and the United Auto Workers. UAW Local 372 has voted against ratification of the plan, with just 45 percent of members voting for the measure. The chapter represents workers at the Chrysler Trenton Engine Complex. In addition, UAW Local 869, which serves the Chrysler Warren Stamping Plant, also vetoed the labor contract with 54 percent of workers there voting against the contract.
The report indicates that four UAW chapters have voted against ratifying the labor agreement while three have voted for the measure. The final tally from a seventh chapter remains unclear. The UAW, meanwhile, is apparently working to keep a lid on early results, saying that the knowledge could sway the decisions of other chapters and that a local-by-local breakdown would be posted after all results were in. That’s a different stance from how the union handled voting results with the contract which saw results posted by chapter as soon as they were tabulated.
It shouldn’t even need to be said, but Kubang just isn’t a good name for a – and that’s not just because it sounds like onomatopoeia for the noise a Biturbo makes just before it becomes a Monoturbo.
When the name first surfaced on a 2003 Detroit Auto Show concept, the Modenese automaker said that Kubang was named after an Indonesian wind. But if we are to believe , “kubang” actually means “quagmire” in Javanese. So maybe it actually is appropriate for the production version of , which will have the most confused bloodlines of any product to wear the Trident since the infamous .
But seriously, we completely understand why the brass would prefer that the Maserati crossover be called something as banal as “Cinqueporte,” which not only complements the sedan, but literally translates to “five-door.” That the name has reportedly been registered in Italy only makes sense – if for no other reason than to keep someone else from using it.
Here’s an odd rumor floating around the cyberether: Despite the fact that has previously said that the next-generation won’t arrive until , reports are surfacing indicating that the automaker may display the vehicle at a charity event in Miami next month. According to Top Speed, Dodge will pay a visit to Ride and Smiles at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The charity allows children who suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and Colitis to ride along with current NASCAR drivers around the 2.3-mile road course in some of the hottest cars on the market right now.
Top Speed reports that one of the vehicles in attendance will be the next-generation Viper, though no source has been given for that information.
Far be it from us to rain on that parade, but a small charity event in Florida seems like an unlikely spot to unveil the new face of the Dodge halo car. Perhaps they’ll show a teaser image or a mule? Earlier reports have indicated that the 2013 Viper would first be seen at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, which would seem to be a more fitting venue. Stay tuned.
The is a massive improvement over the last-generation model, and the Blue Oval’s sales tally supports this claim. Ford tells us that the the Explorer is flying off store shelves, with 100,000 units sold so far in 2011. Those numbers are up 290 percent compared to 2010 totals, making the Explorer the fastest-growing mid-size utility vehicle in the country. This is the first time the Explorer has hit the 100,000 mark since 2007, and there are still over two months left in the year.
The Explorer appears to be selling quite well in spite of mixed reviews. While the vehicle came in for 2011 North American Truck Of The Year laurels, it hasn’t fared as well in a number of comparison tests. Cars.com the Explorer sixth in its $37,000 SUV Shootout, and earlier in the year, Consumer Reports ranked the Explorer as the utility vehicle out of 19 models, with complaints centering on the CUV’s MyFordTouch infotainment system.
Ford would likely counter that the company is more concerned with what CUV buyers think, and those customers appear to be giving their vote of approval with their pocketbooks, and they might also note that the Explorer’s model is only hitting the market as a 2012 model now (though it’s already claiming about 15 percent of the model mix). Hit the jump to read Ford’s official press release.
It’s no secret that EMTs, firefighters and emergency room nurses have a perverse sense of humor, especially when it comes to motorcycle riders. It’s a sort of defense mechanism against the visual horrors those occupations impart on those who work them, and with the mortality rate among bike riders as high as it is, there’s no wonder why motorcycles are called donorcycles in first-responder circles. Even so, these ads worked up by an agency for Dianese in 2007 embrace the morbid side of riding just a little too wholeheartedly. The ads apologize on behalf of the safety gear manufacturer for those still waiting for donor organs.
Having just recently bounced myself off of the pavement at a decent speed, I can vouch for Dianese’s proficiency at keeping your skin attached to your body and your bones in one piece, but the ads are still a bit much. The tag line, “We keep bikers from becoming donors” is pretty catchy, though.
continues to flesh out the company’s product line with a few new pickup variants. Next year will see the Power Wagon line grow with the addition of ST and Laramie trim levels for the first time. ST guise is meant more for companies and government agencies that may require a pickup capable of heading off into the uncharted wilderness. With single-tone paint matched to black fender flairs, mirrors and bumpers, the model dispenses with frills. Meanwhile, Laramie trim rolls in leather seats, a premium audio system and plenty of wood-grain trim throughout the cabin. Outside, the truck gets body-color fender flairs and chrome mirrors and bumpers. Expect to pay $42,620 for the Power Wagon ST and $51,995 for the Laramie version.
In addition, the automaker plans to roll out a . Those familiar with the hunting scene will recognize Mossy Oak as one of the leading companies in the camouflage industry, and the latest addition to the 1500 fleet will boast bed caps and a tail gate wrapped in the Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity camo pattern. Inside, the door panels also get the same treatment, and buyers will find the Mossy Oak logo embroidered on the seat headrests. The Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition will set you back $39,910, plus destination. for the press releases.
