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The Cobalt lives. Well, not here in the United States, where the Chevrolet Cruze has thankfully banished all memories of GM’s last uncompetitive compact, but at least in Argentina. Alongside the Colorado Rally Concept, Chevrolet is displaying the Cobalt Concept you see here at the Buenos Aires International Motor Show.

We’re pretty sure this new Cobalt is a Cobalt in name only, as it doesn’t appear to share anything with the previous model that is no longer in production and, though no dimensional details are provided, seems smaller than the Delta platform used by its erstwhile namesake. Perhaps it uses the Gamma architecture used by the new Sonic and global Aveo?

In any case, this Cobalt, though officially a concept, seems destined for production in South America and possibly other emerging markets around the world. The automaker says it will offer a range of engines from 1.3 to 1.8 liters that will run on either ethanol, gasoline or diesel.

As far as the styling goes, we can see the current Chevrolet design language front and center, with a two-tier grille up front flanked by sweeping headlamps. The flanks are highlighted by downward-pointing swage lines front and rear. Out back, LED lights punctuate some questionably large, chrome-surrounded lamps.

Inside, this Cobalt Concept is impressively finished with leather seating surfaces and door panels. A unique woodgrain accent highlights the steering wheel. LED lighting in a soft blue is a welcome touch, as is the in-dash navigation system and twin seven-inch LCD screens in the headrests, which we doubt would make it into production.

Check out our high-res image gallery for all the pics.

Chevrolet Cobalt lives… in South America

Our sneaky spy shooters have once again trained their lenses on the upcoming Ford Fiesta ST testing at the ‘Ring, only this time, the culprit was caught in a full five-door suit instead of the three-door hatch spied before.

Besides the additional bodystyle, the new hatch is sporting a new set of wheels that should be the standard hoops fitted to the Fiesta ST when it makes its official debut in late 2011. We also note some alterations to the fascia – instead of the large round lamps at the bottom corners, the ST prototype is wearing the same shapely chrome units as the standard Fiesta and a deeper chin spoiler with some camo-obscured ducting. Out back, the rear bumper’s aero bits also seem to be reworked.

According to the latest rumors, a 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four is mounted under the hood, routing 180 horsepower to the front wheels. If we were betting men, we’d wager this mule was caught without all its ST-spec clothes on. Have a look for yourself in the included image gallery.

Ford Fiesta ST drops some clothing on the Nürburgring

Turns out, you can spin the whole “cashed up greenie” bit into a few minutes of enjoyable parody rap. Don’t believe us? Check out “Whole Foods Parking Lot,” the first project from the Fog and Smog collaborative, which pokes fun at the entire ecosystem of hybrids, Smart cars and overpriced vegetables. Oh, and those little shopping carts.

Fog and Smog is based in both the San Francisco Bay Area (fog) and Los Angeles (smog) and these fun-loving artists (they have day jobs as composers, film editors, producers, designers, deejays, animators and photographers) are either regular customers – or maybe they just date some.

Check out the Toyota Prius-driving video (a bit NSFW) after the jump, and if you’re looking for more, check out similar classics *ahem* by Casual Mafia (”In My Prius“), Grynch (”My Volvo“), J Brave (”Dipping In My Tesla“), and of course, Toyota and its own “Swagger Wagon” spot. There, you’ll find plenty of proof that comedy rap videos starring unlikely vehicles are nothing new; and that they’re not always a good thing.

Continue reading New Prius rap video takes to cruising Whole Foods parking lot

New Prius rap video takes to cruising Whole Foods parking lot

After a two-year hiatus, Nissan and its premium arm, Infiniti, will return to the Detroit Auto Show in January 2012, according to the show’s organizers. “We’re thankful that NAIAS is, once again, an important part of Nissan’s international auto show strategy,” said North American International Auto Show chairman Bill Perkins.

Nissan and Infiniti opted to pull out of the show a few years ago to focus its larger Stateside debuts on the Los Angeles, Chicago and New York shows.

In other NAIAS news, the show’s organizers have announced that for 2012, it will once again return to a two-day press conference schedule. For 2011, all of the major automaker press conferences were crammed into the first day of exhibition, and we don’t doubt that the main reason for the rescheduling was the number of complaints filed by both the automakers and the members of the media. Automakers such as Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have stated that they will have major product reveals on both days of the press preview.

As much as we love working a 16-hour day in order to obsessively cover the Detroit show, we’re exhaling a big sigh of relief that a more relaxed press conference schedule has been confirmed. Follow the jump for NAIAS’ official statement.

Continue reading Nissan, Infiniti returning to Detroit Auto Show in 2012

Nissan, Infiniti returning to Detroit Auto Show in 2012

Just days ago, we reported that the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have put an end to the the $6 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for producers of corn-based ethanol. Now, we’re here to convey the message that the Senate actually approved the amendment. Was our initial report inaccurate? Um, no.

On Thursday, the Senate approved an amendment that could wipe out billions of dollars earmarked for the ethanol industry by voting 73-in-favor, 27-against. The amendment, if passed into law, will eliminate the 45-cent-a-gallon subsidy that the U.S. government hands out to producers of the corn-based fuel. The ethanol-related amendment that passed on Thursday will be tacked on to an economic development bill, which will likely face a tough battle in the Senate.

Turning our attention back to that failed amendment on Tuesday, though similar, it’s not identical to amendment that passed through the Senate on Thursday.

On a related note, the House of Representatives voted 283-in favor, 128-against to ban the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from dishing out funds to support the installation of E85 pumps at gas stations across the U.S.

Senate approves amendment to end ethanol subsidies

If you were tuned in to the Indy 500 this year, you probably saw Tanner Foust, also known as the rather ambiguous Yellow Driver, set a new world record by flying 332 feet through the air from ramp-to-ramp in a custom-made pickup truck. This Hot Wheels-sponsored event was a pretty spectacular feat, and it went off without a hitch.

Well, at least the actual, official record-setting jump went off without a hitch.

As you’ll see in the video after the break, not all of Foust’s practice runs were nailed with such grace and perfection. As a matter of fact, at least one of them nearly sent both truck and driver end-over-end. We’d say equal parts of luck, driver skill and safety precautions ended up keeping Foust and the specially prepared truck from an impromptu test of the roll cage.

See for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Watch the near-disaster Hot Wheels world record practice jump you’ve never seen

Watch the near-disaster Hot Wheels world record practice jump you’ve never seen

Taming A Real Race Car At The GT3 Cup Experience

Beads of sweat itch as they drip down the bridge of my nose, but there is nothing I can do about it. My hands are buried deep inside fire-resistant racing gloves and my face is covered by a clear Lexan shield sealing the front of my full composite racing helmet. Waiting patiently for the signal from the pit crew, I shake my head side-to-side but the movement is thwarted by the nylon straps of the HANS device to keep my vertebrae stable. Eventually, the salty drops fall, getting absorbed by the Nomex balaclava resting against my chin.

Speakers in my foam earplugs crackle to life and a broken voice tells me it is time to start the engine. I had rehearsed this drill earlier in the day, so I use my right hand to switch on the master power. After a quick check to ensure the sequential gearbox is in Neutral, my other hand reaches to the left side of the carbon fiber dash and presses the start button. The engine fires to life and settles down to a coarse growl.

Several pit monkeys line up behind the vehicle, resting their hands on the rear wing, while the crew chief stands in front of the hood holding up a gloved palm. As the seconds tick by, I cinch my harness straps and scan the LCD instrument panel one more time. The voice in my ears cackles back with a simple, “Let’s go.”

I took a deep breath, put the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car’s gearbox into first gear and ease out the clutch…

Continue reading 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]

Toyota has announced that it expects its North American production to reach 100 percent capacity as early as September – far ahead of original post-quake estimates. So far, eight of the company’s 12 models built in North America are back to 100 percent capacity, and total production is hoped to improve by as much as 80 percent by August. In an official press release, Bob Carter, Toyota’s group vice president and general manager, says that the progress is thanks to the hard work of individuals both here and in Japan, and that the upcoming months will focus on ramping up output to make up for lost time.

After Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters last March, Toyota wasn’t expected to reach full manufacturing capacity in North America until December at the earliest. Click past the break to check out the quick press release.

Continue reading Toyota says NA production to recover by September, earlier than expected

Toyota says NA production to recover by September, earlier than expected

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We’ve heard of some odd aversions in our lifetime, but this is one of the strangest. Reuters is reporting that Afghanistan auto sales are struggling in a big way due to a sudden aversion to the number 39. Why? Nobody knows exactly, but the prevailing explanation seems to be that pimp in Iran had a tricked-out ride with a 39 in the license plate. Said pimp reportedly began calling his car “39,” in reference to its plate numbers, and somehow the news made its way to Kabul, where the citizenry can be very conservative.

This “39″ problem is apparently hurting auto sales in Afghanistan because license plates in the country are now numbered 39. The problem is so pronounced that that owners of cars with plates that end in 39 are getting heckled by onlookers, and those who are looking to sell their cursed cars are finding little luck, even with discounts.

While the pimp story appears to have momentum, some feel that a corrupt police department has more to do with the issue. The Fuzz are reportedly charging $200 to $500 for plates that end in anything other than 39. Unfortunately for dealers and those trying to sell, the result of the problem is that registrations have dropped from about 80 per day to somewhere closer to three.

Afghani motorists with license plates containing “39″ mocked

General Motors has officially announced pricing for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The subcompact sedan will start at $14,495 (including destination charges) while the five-door model will command a slightly steeper $15,395 MSRP.

Those figures net buyers a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, a five-speed manual transmission, 10 air bags, remote keyless entry and power door locks. Buyers with a little more coin to spend can opt for a six-speed automatic transmission for $1,070. The more powerful and fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission will set you back another $700, though that combination is only available on pricier LT and LTZ trims.

The prices put the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan on the high side of the subcompact segment. The Ford Fiesta S Sedan hits the market at $13,995 with destination while the Honda Fit hatchback lands closer to $15,870 and the Toyota Yaris carries a sticker of $13,915. The sales leader in the segment, the Nissan Versa, meanwhile, can be had for as little as $10,750 in sedan guise. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Sonic checks in priced from $14,495

2012 Chevrolet Sonic checks in priced from $14,495

When the Audi A1 first came out around this time last year, Senner Tuning was among the first to take a crack at it. That was with the 1.6-liter TDI model, but now the German tuning house has come back with a more comprehensive modification of the A1 with Audi’s 1.4 TFSI.

By tweaking the fuel system, air box and exhaust, Senner has boosted output from 120 horsepower up to 165 – not quite the 185-hp output of the pseudo-S1 model (nevermind the 500hp Clubsport show car), but considerably more than anything else in the A1 catalog.

The package is rounded out with white 19-inch alloys coated in low-profile rubber, riding on an adjustable suspension setup. The brown metallic paint job is offset by the white trim on the roof pillars and door mirrors as well, with a full aero kit for a more aggressive look. The interior has also been decked-out with a range of electronic gizmos, a multi-function steering wheel and two-tone black and beige leather upholstery.

All in all, the modifications come to around 10,000 euros (about $14,200 USD), or 36,590 euros including the car (that’s nearly $52k). If you act fast, Senner will sell you (and by you, we mean the European version of you) the example you see here with just 50 km (30 miles) on the odometer for 29,900 euros, or around $42,400. Such a deal. Check out the high-resolution images in our gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Senner Tuning revisits the Audi A1

Senner Tuning revisits the Audi A1

Think of Volvos and you’re likely to picture a station wagon carrying kids home from soccer practice. But 50 years ago, the Swedish automaker produced one of the most curvaceous sportscars on the market.

It was called the P1800, and it still stands as an icon in the company’s history and a cult favorite among collectors. Conceived in Sweden, designed in Italy and built in England, the P1800 gained fame on the screen as Roger Moore’s car in The Saint, and served as a precursor of today’s halo cars, envisioned to draw customers into the showroom.

The P1800 offered customers Ferrari-like styling with Volvo levels of dependability. That last part has certainly proven true for one owner, who holds the world record for most miles traveled in a non-commercial vehicle, and continues to beat his own record every time he pulls out of the driveway.

Irv Gordon – a retired science teacher from Patchogue, New York – racked up 1,500 miles in the first 48 hours after buying his P1800 in 1966. Within ten years of ownership, he had put on 500,000 miles. He reached the Guinness Book of World Records with 1.69 million miles in 1998, and hit the big two-million mark arriving in Manhattan’s Times Square in 2002. As of this writing, his odometer reads 2.9 million, and he’s not about to stop short of the three-million mark, touring classic car events around the world on Volvo’s behalf.

Follow the jump for a related press release and check out the images of Irv’s P1800 in the high-res gallery.

Continue reading Volvo’s iconic P1800 turns 50 as record-holding owner passes 2.9 million miles

Volvo’s iconic P1800 turns 50 as record-holding owner passes 2.9 million miles

When Volkswagen first started taking over Porsche, word on the street was that the VW Group would take Porsche back to its roots as a sportscar marque exclusively, canceling the Cayenne and Panamera that compete in territory already covered by other brands in the group. But that approach appears to have long since been ditched in favor of further increasing Porsche’s line-up, starting with the Cajun.

The smaller counterpart to the larger Cayenne SUV, the Cajun is expected to arrive around 2014. And with development now underway, Car and Driver claims to have the inside line on what we can expect.

For starters, the Cajun will be based heavily on the Audi Q5, but while its four-ringed counterpart may ride on a principally front-wheel-drive platform, the Porsche will be exclusively all-wheel drive. Because, while people may have learned to accept a four-door Porsche, a Porsche SUV or even a diesel or hybrid Porsche, the notion of a Porsche driven exclusively by the front wheels would undoubtedly be one step too far.

Hybrids and diesels could be in the mix for the Cajun as well, while conventional power is tipped to range from a 220-horsepower TFSI four up to a 350-hp supercharged V6, with six-speed manuals, seven-speed DSGs and eight-speed automatics driving through a rebranded version of Audi’s Quattro drivetrain to all four wheels.

Styling would need to be sufficiently Porsche-like to differentiate the Cajun from its Q5 counterpart, with reports once again anticipating a three-door model to follow the initial five-door and take up arms against the Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche’s Q5-based Cajun crossover coming into focus

We already told you that the six-speed automatic-transmission-equipped Chevrolet Cruze is getting a two-mile-per-gallon fuel economy bump in 2012. General Motors has made the news official, and the automaker has also revealed a few upgrades for the upcoming model year.

On the 2011 Cruze, a $525 Connectivity Plus Cruise package was available. The kit featured Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio, cruise control and leather on the tiller and shift knob. That equipment will now come standard on the 2012 Cruze 1LT and Eco.

In addition to the upgraded kit for the 1LT and Eco, all trims of the 2012 Cruze will get remote keyless entry. Other highlights: Keyless start has been added to the 2LT and LTZ; a seven-inch touchscreen display on the Eco, 2LT and LTZ; and fog lamps on the LTZ trim. Click past the jump to read the full press release to learn more about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Cruze gets fuel economy bump, more standard equipment

2012 Chevrolet Cruze gets fuel economy bump, more standard equipment

When Formula One admitted four new teams a couple of years ago (and subsequently eliminated one before the season even started) it was a revolutionary expansion. Now its two-wheeled equivalent is looking to follow a similar path.

The MotoGP series – widely viewed as the pinnacle of motorcycle racing – has reportedly granted license for six teams currently in the second-tier Moto2 feeder series to join the premier MotoGP grid for next season.

The teams are Kiefer Racing, BQR/Blusens, Forward Racing, Marc VDS Racing, Interwetten Paddock GP and Speed Master. Each will be allowed one bike, as opposed to the two fielded by existing teams.

Now, unless you’re the most hard-core motorcycle racing fan, chances are you haven’t heard of any of these teams, but you may be familiar with names like Aprilia, Norton, Kawasaki and BMW. Each of these are touted as potential newcomers to the MotoGP grid next season as the new 1000cc regulations kick in. This ought to be interesting.

MotoGP expands with six new teams

In 1991, the Mazda 787B made history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by becoming the first Japanese-built machine to win the race. In addition, the 787B was the first (and continues to be the only) rotary-powered race car to achieve the feat. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic victory, Mazda restored the winning car and announced it would be bringing it to France for this year’s 24-hour race.

Of course, Mazda had the cameras rolling to document the event, and has published several videos of the 787B at Circuit de la Sarthe. Our favorite is a lap with Jonny Herbert behind the wheel, the man who crossed the checkered flag before anyone else in this very car 20 years ago. You can also watch Patrick Dempsey talk about and drive the car, as well as see an overview of the car’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Follow the jump to see the videos. Or rather, considering that the 787B may be the single most awesome-sounding race car ever conceived, follow the jump to hear the videos.

Continue reading Mazda 787B visits Le Mans 20 years after its historic victory

Mazda 787B visits Le Mans 20 years after its historic victory

The production version of the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado has yet to be revealed, but auto show crowds in Argentina got a peak at the possible lines of the upcoming pickup. Chevrolet picked the Buenos Aires International Motor Show as the stage on show off the new Colorado Rally Concept.

An aggressive and strong style are the immediate visual cues given off by the Rally Concept, which is meant to handle some serious off-road driving. A pair of integrated winches, one up front and one out back, will help should you actually manage to get the Colorado Rally Concept stuck. That should prove to be a difficult task, thanks to the 305/60R18 BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, long-travel suspension and 2.8-liter diesel engine.

Keeping up the aggression, the interior of the Chevy Colorado Rally Concept is equipped with racing seats and five-point harnesses. The driver or co-driver can adjust tire pressure and suspension settings from the cabin, while either can also enjoy some fresh air from the vents cut into the acrylic side windows.

To say that this truck is built to run off-road is an understatement.

Dear GM,

Make this truck. And sell it in the U.S. Please.

Sincerely,
Autoblog.com

Continue reading Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept looks ready to tackle Dakar, maybe the moon

Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept looks ready to tackle Dakar, maybe the moon

Review: 2011 Audi TT 2.0 Quattro Coupe

Just how would we swallow the entry-level coupe with the taste of the wondrous TT RS still fresh in our mouths? Rather well: Sometimes cars like this aren’t just the cheapest, they’re the best picks of the draft.

Factory Five announces winners of crowdsourced WRX-based sportscar design [w/video]

Take one Subaru WRX, place its engine in the middle and remove the back seat. Viola! You now have a sports car, and one that the boys from Factory Five are looking to offer the public.

Video: Bellflower trailer mixes homebuilt Mad Max motoring with flame throwers, angst

Medusa, one very mean 1972 Buick Skylark, is essentially America’s own Mad Max machine.

Also of interest:

• Official: Honda Fit Shuttle goes on sale in Japan in gas and hybrid spec
• Report: 2013 Dodge Caliber replacement to be unveiled at 2012 Detroit Auto Show
• Report: Consortium of businesses threaten to push Saab into bankruptcy
• 1,700 Porsche 911 models with center-locking hubs recalled
• Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE

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What you missed on 6.16.11

Back in 2009, we gave you an inside look at a truly amazing car collection located in Michigan. At the time, the owner preferred an air of anonymity, so we referred to him as the “Sultan of Michigan.” His collection is both expansive and all-encompassing, containing automobiles from a range of eras and locations. The man’s name is Ken Lingenfelter (cousin of the late John Lingenfelter), and the doors to his collection will open to the public on Saturday, June 18th.

For $15, you will gain access to a collection of over 150 vehicles that range from early Chevrolet Corvettes to the Ferrari Enzo wearing build plaque number 399. Lingenfelter has amassed the type of automotive showcase that makes all enthusiasts envious, while also providing a timeline of exciting vehicles that spans decades.

This isn’t just about viewing a collection that’s rarely shared with the public. Ken Lingenfelter is hosting the event to support the Detroit Institute of Opthalmology. The organization is devoted to being the leader in collaboration of vision related research, and a champion of helping those with impaired vision.

You can get a look at Lingenfelter’s cars by way of the Lingenfelter Collection website. If you’re in the Brighton, Michigan area, however, we suggest you pony up some dough and see the vehicles in person. You’ll feel good about helping a charity, and we’ll feel jealous that we’re not there to see the cars for ourselves. This is a collection that is not open to the public, but is occasionally available for car clubs to view when they donate proceeds of the viewing to charity.

Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone (313-824-4710), or at the door (7819 Lochlin
Brighton, MI). We’ve gone ahead and posted an older video showing just a portion of the Lingenfelter Collection after the break.

Continue reading Sultan of Michigan opens doors to his collection for charity [w/video]

Sultan of Michigan opens doors to his collection for charity [w/video]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded two vehicles Top Safety Pick awards. After testing eight mid-size to large sedans, the IIHS has called out the 2011-12 Volkswagen CC and 2011 Saab 9-5 for its highest award. Both vehicles earned “good” ratings for front, side, rear and rollover protection during testing. It should be noted, however, that only the front-wheel-drive VW CC gets the Top Safety nod, as the all-wheel-drive version only received an “acceptable” rating in rollover testing.

The IIHS also tested Lexus IS, Lexus ES, Infiniti G, Chevrolet Impala, BMW 3 Series and Saab 9-3. The rest of the vehicles had score ratings ranging from good to acceptable, but it was the Saab 9-5 and Volkswagen CC (FWD) that walked away with a clean sweep in all tests. Check out the brief press release after the break.

Continue reading 2011 Saab 9-5 and Volkswagen CC earn IIHS Top Safety Pick awards

2011 Saab 9-5 and Volkswagen CC earn IIHS Top Safety Pick awards