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Whatever Volkswagen has done to get to the position of dominance in the European – and indeed the global auto industry, it’s clearly been working. But some of its decisions still leave us scratching our heads. The Phaeton is one such four-wheeled decision.

A Volkswagen sedan that shares its platform with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Phaeton offers the space, luxury and meticulous engineering standards you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series, in a package decidedly bereft of the badge cachet that goes with it. VW clearly spent big dollars developing the vehicle, so when sales never really materialized, we were hardly surprised that plans were floated to phase it out in favor of something a little more cost-effective for both buyer and manufacturer, closing the enormous canyon between the current Phaeton and the Passat and CC ranges that sit below it.

In fact, we’ve read reports for years now stating that VW will/will won’t follow up the Phaeton with a new model – it’s one of the most cyclical future product stories in the entire auto industry. This latest report from Motor Trend suggests that Volkswagen is planning to replace the current Phaeton in 2015 or 2016 with another model in the same mold, downsizing in neither price point nor scale – and bringing the new model back to the North American market in the process. MT suggests the Phaeton will be an technological wonder, going with smaller engines (no W12), forced induction power and available hybrid and plug-in models. Us? we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Phaeton adopt the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine found in the 2013 Bentley Continental V8.

Apparently VW is keen to retain the buyers who have enjoyed their Phaetons thus far, giving them the conservatively styled, anti-prestige alternative to the luxury sedans built by its sister company Audi and its own retiring executives – including Group CEO Martin Winterkorn and his product chief Ulrich Hackeberg – something of a parting gift.

Volkswagen to follow similar formula for new Phaeton

For the past decade, Irwindale Speedway has played host to a variety of events including Formula Drift, the Global RallyCross Championship and NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series West. The versatility of the facility also allowed for one-off events like Auto Soccer, and the 1/8 mile drag strip was one of the few places near Los Angeles that car enthusiasts could legally drag race.

It looks like Irwindale Speedway won’t be hosting events any time soon, however. In a brief statement sent to the media, the motorsports facility stated that “the management of Irwindale Speedway today announced that the 2012 racing season has been cancelled.” Just like that.

As ESPN reports, though, the closure was inevitable. This past summer, NASCAR cancelled the All-Star Showdown, and just a few weeks later, Toyota ended its sponsorship of the track. While the speedway has yet to confirm that they are permanently shutting down, things aren’t looking good. Reports indicate that grandstands at the track have been removed and offices have been completely cleaned out. Even the track’s website appears to have been shuttered. Only a driving school, L.A. Racing Experience, now remains on the property.

Irwindale Speedway cancels all 2012 events, will likely be shut down

Volvo’s V50 wagon may have been discontinued following lackluster sales in the United States (it was phased out after the 2011 model year), but it’s an important player in the Swedish brand’s global portfolio, where small estates remain big business in other markets.

To that end, Volvo has just teased its forthcoming V40 ahead of next month’s Geneva Motor Show on its Facebook page. (Here in the States, Volvo’s S40-based load lugger was called V40 from 2000 to 2004). While we can’t make out much other than a two-box shape, headlamps that wrap over the front fenders and what looks to be LED corner markers, the official posting confirms the vehicle’s debut, along with a ‘V40 Live Launch’ social media campaign that encourages brand fans to interact with the company’s designers. Head on over to Volvo’s Facebook page for more information and come back here on March 6 to get photos and information from the V40’s Swiss unveiling.

Volvo confirms new V40 on the way with shadowy look

Mazda builds and exports more vehicles from Japan by percentage of total volume than any other automaker, which means it has been hit harder than most by the strength of the Japanese yen. Compounding matters further, between 2008 and 2010, Ford reduced its stake in Mazda from a controlling 33-percent share to less than four percent, meaning the automaker doesn’t have any extra-deep pockets to help bridge the financial gap until profits improve and a North American factory located in Mexico is completed.

The results of this perfect financial storm have been predictable: Mazda posted a net loss in 2011 of about $1.29 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year of red ink and the largest loss since 2001. That’s all very bad news for any automaker, but especially so for one as small and independent as Mazda. As such, it’s no surprise that Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi has said that his company is “actively” seeking partners and that “every option” is being considered.

Naturally, considering “every option” includes the potential of licensing its lightweight and efficient Skyactiv fuel-saving technology to other automakers. In any case, after already losing the rotary (for now, at least) the thought of an automotive world without the MX-5 makes us shudder. Here’s hoping Mazda regains its financial footing before anything drastic happens.

After another bad year, Mazda hunting for partners, could license Skyactiv

It’s been well over a year since Ducati partnered up with the AMG high-performance unit of the Mercedes-Benz/Daimler conglomerate. Not coincidentally, it’s been a year since talk of a Ducati sale, perhaps to Daimler, was last heard making waves on the rumormill.

With the start of a new year comes another rumor. Unlike many in the past, however, this one seems to have some legs. In an interview with The Financial Times, Andrea Bonomi, chairman of Investindustrial, the private equity firm that currently owns Ducati, said that there are multiple companies in the United States and Europe interested in purchasing the company.

In addition to an acquisition by AMG, Business Week opines that Volkswagen – which has long been rumored to be interested – and BMW are possible suitors. Another big name bandied about is Harley-Davidson, though that would seem to be a stretch after H-D divested itself of both its Buell sub-brand and famed Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta.

If Ducati isn’t sold outright, there is a good chance that Investindustrial may hold an initial public offering in Hong Kong, managed by Deutsche Bank and the Goldman Sachs Group. We’re content to take a wait-and-see approach to these reports, but it seems increasingly likely that the world’s best known Italian motorcycle brand may soon find new ownership.

Ducati up for sale, German automakers cited as potential suitors

We’re almost ready to record Episode #269 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below and you can join us live via UStream, as well, and we’ve embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #269

• Chicago Auto Show Recap
• Tesla Model X
• BMW M6
• Toyota Prius C

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #269 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #269 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

For an automaker whose lineup is made up of more crossovers than anything else, Infiniti sure does seem to like doing two-door show cars. The 2006 Coupe Concept showed the way forward for the G37 coupe, the 2009 Essence concept showcased a new design direction, the Etherea concept of 2011 may have been a five-door hatch but tried its damnedest to look like a coupe, and now the Japanese luxury marque is preparing to roll in to Geneva with a new sports car concept altogether.

Dubbed Emerg-e, the concept car has so far only been teased with a handful of close-up detail shots tinted such a deep purple we were half expecting them to break out into a rendition of “Smoke on the Water” – which was, come to think of it, set just across the lake from where the concept is set to be unveiled just a few weeks from now. But we digress. The point is that a series of what appear to be patent renderings have leaked their way online to give us a much better idea of what to expect.

So what should we expect? Well, based on the renderings, the show car is looking rather curvaceous. In some cases, we’d say, a little too much so, with a face that makes us think of a fat man trying to fit into a small bathing suit, and that’s never a good image (so, um… sorry about that). We’ll reserve final judgement for when we see it up close and personal next month.

Are you the Infiniti Emerg-e concept?

Judging by the recent spate of i8 spy shots, BMW is cranking away on the plug-in supercar to make sure its primped and ready for its on-sale date in 2014.

However, one thing appears to be missing: the glass panel that extends down past the coupe’s belt line. That same design element – which BMW billed as feature for urban driving – probably won’t make it to the i8’s little EV brother, the i3, either.

But one element that appears to be making the leap from concept to production is the i8’s butterfly doors. We’ve seen them on both the original concept and the follow-up from last year, not to mention its cameo in the last Mission Impossible installment. Now we have photographic proof that the i8’s doors will flip up and out, similar to the Ferrari Enzo and past McLarens (both the F1 and SLR). And since the doors appear to open just passed the roof, BMW won’t have to resort to the same explosive charges Mercedes-Benz has to employ on the SLS AMG.

2014 BMW i8 caught with its doors open

We know what you’re thinking. Combining SsangYong and “convertible crossover” in the same sentence is a recipe for disaster. After all, SsangYong has never been known for the attractiveness of its designs, and the only droptop crossover currently on the market, the Nissan Murano CrossCab, isn’t exactly a beauty queen, either.

That said, the SsangYong XIV-1 Concept (that stands for eXciting User Interface Vehicle, for what it’s worth) from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was a decent enough looker, and, instead of a full-blown convertible top that folds its way into a hump behind the rear seats, the XIV-2 Concept appears to sport a sliding canvas roof akin to the Fiat 500 Cabrio.

Only two teaser images have so far been released, along with a brief press release, so we’ll have to wait until the 2012 Geneva Motor Show kicks off in earnest before drawing any conclusions. That said, it’s looking like rear visibility will be more than a bit compromised…

Continue reading SsangYong Geneva-bound XIV-2 convertible crossover gets rendered

SsangYong Geneva-bound XIV-2 convertible crossover gets rendered

Widely regarded as one of the most sought-after cars ever made, it’s not every day that a Ferrari 250 GTO changes hands. But that day, according to reports out of the UK, has come.

Word has it that a private treaty sale – the only way vintage machinery of this caliber ever moves – of one such 1964 model has yielded a purchase price of £20.2 million – $31.8M in equivalent U.S. currency- just shy of the $30-40 million said to have been paid in 2010 for a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. In other words, this is the second most valuable car ever sold, and the most expensive ever sold in Britain. Or, at least, whose sale has ever gone on record, as many of these exchanges remain secretive.

Even in this case, although the purchase price was reportedly confirmed by the broker, the identities of the buyer and seller – and of the exact example in question – have not. The speculation is, however, that we’re talking about s/n 5095, which British businessman Jon Hunt is said to have bought from former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee in 2008 for £15.7 million (about $20.8M), and that it is now bound for Spain.

Whoever the buyer is, he or she is in good company. Of the 39 examples of the 250 GTO built, one belongs to Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, one to British radio personality and consumate Ferrari collector Chris Evans, and one to fashion icon Ralph Lauren (who also just happens to own a Bugatti Atlantic).

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO sells for nearly $32M

Kia has released a trio of teasers for its forthcoming range-topping sedan – codenamed KH – that will launch in the first half of this year. Our trusty spy photographers recently caught the KH out testing in the cold, and looking at these sketches side-by-side with the spy shots, we can get a better look at that full-LED headlamp setup. Moreover, the KH (a.k.a. K9, a.k.a. Opirus) nicely blends in with the rest of the automaker’s design, with many cues from the Optima being carried over, as well as design elements from the large GT concept that debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (we see a little bit of BMW 7 Series in there, too, but perhaps that’s just in the sketches)

The KH is expected to ride on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the Hyundai Genesis, and while no powertrain details have been confirmed, it makes sense to assume that the Hyundai’s 3.8-liter V6, 4.6-liter V8 and 5.0-liter V8 will carry over. Then again, the GT concept was powered by a unique twin-turbo V6, and while it’d be very interesting to see Kia launch this vehicle with an all-new engine not available elsewhere in the Hyundai/Kia portfolio, we won’t get our hopes up.

Soon-Nam Lee, the company’s overseas marketing director, says that the KH will go on sale in the first half of this year, “showcasing the best of the best of Kia.” The car will initially launch in Korea, making its way to all other major markets throughout the year. Well, almost all other markets – Kia’s press release clearly states, “There are no plans to launch the vehicle in mainland Europe and the car will not be coming to the UK.” Bollocks.

Hit the jump for Kia’s official release, and be sure to check out the KH teasers for yourself in the high-res image gallery below.

Kia releases sketches of RWD flagship sedan

With the era of Ford’s dominant Crown Victoria finally drawing to a close, automakers are working harder than ever to court law enforcement with more modern police cruisers. Key among their tactics? Facilitate easier fleet ordering by making common police equipment upgrades available from the car companies themselves instead of forcing precincts to seek out aftermarket specialists. Instead of sending their new cruisers off to third party vendors, those in charge of ordering new police cars can get them fitted with items like heavy-duty secondary batteries, special lighting, trunk coolers, laptop docking consoles and so on – all from the factory.

An unintended consequence of this shift in strategy is that the police cruisers are now more complex than ever, particularly in the area of wiring. Just ask Chrysler, which is now facing the recall of nearly 10,000 Dodge Charger police cruisers from 2011 and 2012 model years.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler will recall 9,688 cop specials because some vehicles could incur an overheated lighting harness connector that could cause the cruiser’s low beams to fail. In addition, some Chargers may also suffer from an overheated power distribution center that could result in a loss of the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability control systems. Just as they would with a car sold to the general public, Chrysler will notify owners covered in the recall and inspect and replace the affected parts free of charge.

Click through to the jump to read over NHTSA’s official recall notice… and be safe out there.

Continue reading Nearly 10,000 Dodge Charger police cars recalled

Nearly 10,000 Dodge Charger police cars recalled

F1 drivers typically have a shelf life shorter than what you otherwise might call a career. As the constant stream of new, young drivers usurps existing F1 seats, you’re left with a wealth of talent available to contest other forms of motorsport. That’s how you end up with former grand prix pilots in other series like IndyCar, DTM and even ice racing. Then there’s Le Mans.

Every year the most famous of endurance races packs its grid with rejects from the Formula One circus, and 2012 is no exception, particularly with Toyota launching a works effort out of the German facility that used to house its F1 team. Toyota has already confirmed that the first of its TS030 Hybrid LMP1 racers will be driven by former F1 drivers Alex Wurz and Kazuki Nakajima (along with Nicolas Lapierre), and has now announced that Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi are on the roster for the second car.

Davidson is an established F1 test driver, having worked for the team known successively as BAR, Honda, Brawn and Mercedes. He’s also driven a handful of grands prix for Super Aguri and Minardi, and contested Le Mans and related series for Aston Martin Racing and Peugeot Sport, including a win at Sebring.

Buemi drove the last three F1 seasons for Scuderia Toro Rosso until being cut this year. He’ll combine his endurance racing debut with his test driver role at Red Bull Racing.

They’ll be joined by Hiroaki Ishiura, who has driven for Toyota teams in Super GT and the Nürburgring 24 before helping roll out the new TS030. We’ll be watching to see how they do against the returning champions at Audi, but for now you can follow the jump to dive into the full press release and check out the updated image gallery above.

Continue reading Toyota snags Davidson, Buemi to drive TS030 at Le Mans

Toyota snags Davidson, Buemi to drive TS030 at Le Mans

Toyota is struggling with the rising yen, so much so that the automaker has been shifting vehicle production outside of Japan. That’s bad news for laborers in Japan, but it works out in favor of the American workforce in Princeton, Indiana.

That’s because Toyota has announced that it will hire 400 more workers and spend $400 million to ramp up production of the popular Highlander. Toyota plans to ship off the extra production to buyers in countries like Russia and Australia. The plant expansion and additional jobs will enable the Princeton plant to crank out 50,000 additional Highlander models each year.

Toyota plans to complete the upgrades to the Princeton facility by late 2013. Hit the jump to read over the Toyota press release.

Continue reading Toyota to export Highlander from U.S. to Australia, Russia

Toyota to export Highlander from U.S. to Australia, Russia

What’s the new M6 made of? Just like the last generation, it takes all the best bits from the M5 and distills them into two door form. And this time, the convertible comes first.

At its heart, the M6 Coupe and Cabriolet are all about the engine, and as expected both models use the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (ironically codenamed S63) to output 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which peaks between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm. Those figures should sound familiar, as they’re almost exact duplicates of the M5’s specs (the sedan makes an additional two lb-ft of torque), including the 7,200 rpm rev limiter and Valvetronic system.

Mated to the same seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox as the M5, BMW claims the M6 Coupe will run from a rest to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, with the cabrio taking an additional tenth of a second to hit the same mark. According to our sources, a six-speed manual option is under consideration, but it won’t be available at launch. And again, just like the M5, fuel consumption has been reduced by 30 percent while power has increased by around 10 percent.

Also included is BMW’s Active M Differential, an electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip diff that works in conjunction with the DSC and the new Dynamic Damper Controls that electro-hydraulically tweak damping force on-the-fly depending on the settings and the situation.

Inside the subtly blistered wheel arches are massive 16.1-inch carbon ceramic rotors in front, gripped by six piston blue calipers, with equally impressive 15.6-inch rotors out back held by a single-piston caliper. The standard wheels are M-specific 19-inch alloys with 265/40 R19 ultra-high performance summer tires in front and 295/35 R19 rubber in the rear, with 20-inch lightweight hoops available as an option.

BMW isn’t citing exact curb weights for either the coupe or cabrio yet, but assures us that they’re notably less than the previous E63/E64, and the double-bubble carbon fiber roof on the coupe is a visual testament to that.

Sales of the convertible will start this June, with the coupe arriving later this summer as a 2013 model. And we hear we’ll get to see the drop top in person at the New York Auto Show, with the coupe debuting in Geneva. Hit the jump for all the tech-laden details.

Continue reading BMW debuts 560-hp twin-turbo M6, manual option under consideration

BMW debuts 560-hp twin-turbo M6, manual option under consideration

Vauxhall has three big reveals planned for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, one of them being the 280-horsepower Vauxhall Astra VXR that was announced last November as the Opel Astra OPC. That means the 2.0-liter turbo four lives underhood, and in addition to 276 ponies, it dishes out 295 pound-feet of torque. Handling is aided by the limited-slip differential for the front axle, the HiPerStrut suspension and the “fully adaptive FlixRide system.”

Vauxhall’s also got a concept “pedelec” bicycle called the “RAD e” headed to the show. Taking some of its cues from the Opel RAK e Concept shown at Frankfurt, the RAD e attaches a 250-watt electric motor to a bicycle to assist the rider. The motor is good for a range of 37 to 90 miles. Finally, the Vauxhall Mokka crossover – their version of our Buick Encore – will make its formal debut in Geneva.

Follow the jump for the press release highlights, and have a look at the trio in the photo gallery.

Continue reading 276-hp Vauxhall Astra VXR headed to Geneva

276-hp Vauxhall Astra VXR headed to Geneva

The first few 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR racers have made their first appearance in the United States, ahead of their competition debut in the the American Le Mans Series. Although the machine is labeled with the 2012 designation, the latest GT3 RSR is actually still based on the 997 model, not the latest 991 variant of Porsche’s long-running 911 model range.

Still, there are plenty of updates that make this GT3 interesting to racers. For starters, a mandatory air-restrictor still lets in enough oxygen for the 4.0-liter boxer six to deliver 460 horsepower to the 310-millimeter rear wheels, which necessitate bodywork that is 48 millimeters wider than before. Like 911 Turbo models, new air scoops are incorporated into the rear fenders – just one small part of a completely revised aero package.

Three images of the 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in race trim during shakedown testing at Sebring have been released, and you can see them above. A full press release is after the break, if you’re so inclined.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR makes world debut at Sebring Test

2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR makes world debut at Sebring Test

Bound and determined to get your hands on an Aston Martin One-77? If so, now’s the time to get serious. According to duPont Registry, the very last factory-built One-77 is finally up for sale.

The car is located in Tampa Bay, Florida, and its exact build number is not known. According to the report, the first and last One-77, build numbers one and 77, were pre-sold to wealthy buyers expecting them to appreciate in value faster than the other 75 One-77 models created.

In any case, duPont Registry claims there are between five and eight One-77 supercars roaming the streets in the United States, making this one rare Aston Martin. Interested? Better get a move on… and bring along something in the neighborhood of $2 million.

Only one Aston Martin One-77 left to purchase new

Bound and determined to get your hands on an Aston Martin One-77? If so, now’s the time to get serious. According to duPont Registry, the very last factory-built One-77 is finally up for sale.

The car is located in Tamba Bay, Florida, and its exact build number is not known. According to the report, the first and last One-77, build numbers one and 77, were pre-sold to wealthy buyers expecting them to appreciate in value faster than the other 75 One-77 models created.

In any case, duPont Registry claims there are between five and eight One-77 supercars roaming the streets in the United States, making this one rare Aston Martin. Interested? Better get a move on… and bring along something in the neighborhood of $2 million.

Only one Aston Marton One-77 left to purchase new

Some 36,000 Versa owners will soon be getting mail from Nissan. Automatic transmission-equipped 2012 Versas built between June 9, 2011, and January 13, 2012, may have defective shifter knobs or shifter assemblies, which could allow the car to be shifted out of park without first pressing the brake pedal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report says that the defect increases the risk of crash or injury to pedestrians. The recall campaign is scheduled to begin on February 20, and concerned owners can call Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

To read the full recall report, click past the jump.

Continue reading New Nissan Versa recalled for problem with shifter

New Nissan Versa recalled for problem with shifter