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Enthusiasts looking to purchase a Nissan GT-R will need to dig deeper. Nissan has announced pricing for the 2013 model, which starts at $96,820, nearly $7,000 more than the 2012 car.

You may remember that the 2008 GT-R started under $70,000, so the sticker shock of a 38.6 percent price increase in six model years is not insignificant. That said, Nissan can counter that no supercar within $100,000 can touch the GT-R when it comes to performance bang for the buck.

Like we told you back in November, the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 cranks out 545 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque for 2013, an increase of 15 hp and 15 lb-ft. The zero to 60 sprint takes a jaw-dropping 2.7 seconds, according to the automaker.

The GT-R Black Edition also returns with a starting MSRP of $106,320. It’s mainly unchanged for 2013 save for a new dry carbon fiber rear spoiler. Hit the jump to read over the Nissan press release.

Continue reading Nissan raises GT-R base price to $96,820 for 2013

Nissan raises GT-R base price to $96,820 for 2013

The National Higway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed the book on its investigation into the Chevrolet Volt. The result finds that “no discernible defect trend exists” and “Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.”

NHTSA supports the modifications developed by General Motors to address “specific attributes” particular to electric vehicles in the event of a crash. GM is retrofitting the nearly 8,000 Volts sold with additional side reinforcements and a sensor to detect coolant leaks, which was found to be the cause of the short-circuiting battery and resulting fires. The agency also issued guidelines for first responders and auto shops coming who encounter Volts that have been involved in accidents.

That means the safety fire has been put out, but a political fire still burns in Congress. General Motors CEO Dan Akerson and NHTSA head David Strickland will face a House panel in a few days to answer questions about the timeline of the investigation. Follow the jump to read NHTSA’s statement on the investigation.

Continue reading NHTSA concludes investigation into Chevrolet Volt fires, no defect found

NHTSA concludes investigation into Chevrolet Volt fires, no defect found

We all know what happens when Porsche and social media collide; the world gets another art car. As you may recall, the German sportscar manufacturer created a special version of its 911 GT3 R Hybrid when it crested one million fans on Facebook last February. Now, one year later, Porsche has garnered a staggering two million fans, and the company has taken it upon itself to slather a Cayman S in the faces of each an every one of its adoring supporters. With its red-tinted images on a white field, the design gives the Cayman S more than a passing resemblance to the famous Porsche 917 that garnered the company its first Le Mans win.

Porsche plans to display its Facebook Cayman S at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart until January 27. For those of us who can’t make the jump to Germany, Porsche has created a special site that provides 360-degree views of the car as well as search function to help you find your face on the Cayman. Head over to the site to check it out.

Porsche plasters 2M faces on Cayman to celebrate Facebook milestone

The time has come for the custom widebody Mustang from Galpin Auto Sports to find a new owner. Built by Galpin for industrial company SPX, this specially built Mustang features a hand-built body that widens the car by an incredible nine inches highlighted by PPG Candy Apple Red paint. Under the hood is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing over 700 horsepower, and it has also been fitted with forged three-piece wheels, a custom suede interior, upgraded exhaust system and more.

Whether it was the look and sound of the car or whether bidders were simply feeling generous, this attention-grabbing pony car nabbed a final bid of $160,000, all of which will be donated to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can see our live photos above, or hit the jump to watch a video of the car being auctioned off in case you missed it on SPEED.

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2012: Galpin Widebody Mustang nets $160,000 for charity

Barrett-Jackson 2012: Galpin Widebody Mustang nets $160,000 for charity

When Steve Saleen launched his new company, SMS Supercars, back in 2008, he announced that he would be expanding his portfolio of vehicles to include the muscle car offerings from Chevrolet and Dodge. First up was the 570 and 570X Challenger, followed soon after by the 302 Mustang.

Now, Steve Saleen’s muscle car trifecta is finally complete, as SMS officially unveiled the 620 Camaro at Barrett-Jackson this week. The car maintains the styling cues featured on both the Challenger and Mustang with an aggressive front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, butterfly hood and chrome 20-inch wheels. Inside is a custom leather interior, and under the hood, the 6.2-liter V8 has been supercharged to 620 horsepower and 570 pound-feet torque.

In addition to unveiling the car at Barrett-Jackson this week, SMS actually auctioned off the first production example last night. This particular car was also a special “Bondurant Edition” in honor of Steve Saleen’s former racing teammate, Bob Bondurant, and the two decided to donate the proceeds from the sale to two charities: Cox Charities and the Make A Wish Foundation of Arizona.

So, how did the car do? Bidding for the SMS 620 Camaro eventually reached the $100,000 mark, meaning the two charities will be getting a significant donation and the lucky new owner just got a nice tax write-off. Did we mention a Bondurant three-day performance driving school is included with the car?

You can see photos of the 2012 SMS 620 Camaro in the gallery above, and check out a video of the car being auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson in the video after the jump.

Continue reading SMS Supercars unveils 620 Camaro, auctions first example for charity at Barrett-Jackson

SMS Supercars unveils 620 Camaro, auctions first example for charity at Barrett-Jackson

The come-hither 2012 Kia Rio has been bolting off dealer lots for obvious reasons that go beyond its $14,350 price. One of its noteworthy features for the U.S. market, especially for the segment, is stop/start, which Kia calls ISG for Idle, Stop & Go. Media feedback, however, has convinced Kia that ISG is not quite ready for prime time, so it’s been sent back to the engineers for tweaks.

The same system is also available on the Kia Soul, and that hatchback will be going without for the moment, as well. Apparently, some reviewers found the system’s engagement rough. Kia didn’t give details about the move, either what might have caused the perceived roughness or what remedy it will use to fix it. If you’re holding out for ISG on your Rio or Soul, which is available by checking the special Eco options package, a Kia executive said it will now be arriving in the second quarter.

Kia start/stop system delayed due to poor feedback from media

Here it is, ladies and gents – the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe. The svelte new two-door will make its official debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in just a few weeks, but our intrepid spy photographers managed to catch this completely uncovered prototype on the back of a flatbed truck.

Not surprisingly, the new coupe relies heavily on the same Fluidic Sculpture design language of the award-winning sedan, though subtle tweaks have been made to give the two-door a bit more sporting flare. The foglight housings appear larger and more angular, giving the front end a slightly more aggressive appearance. Out back, a small lip spoiler has been added to the rear deck that both enhances the swoopy profile shape of the Elantra and adds another element of style to the rear end.

As we reported earlier, the Elantra Coupe will get a sport-minded SE trim level, and all in, Hyundai hopes that the coupe will account for 20 percent of all Elantra sales. We’ll have the full details in just a few weeks, but scroll through our gallery of spy shots to see naked coupe from all angles.

2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe caught undisguised ahead of Chicago debut

According to a report by TheDetroitBureau.com, Toyota is teaming up with Gazoo Razing (full name: Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring) to kickstart development and retail rollout of small-displacement, turbocharged engines. While Toyota is the undisputed leader in hybrid sales, the 274,927 gas-electric vehicles sold in 2011 – that’s in total, not just the Prius – still represent a tiny portion of overall sales. By contrast, the EcoBoost-equipped Ford F-150 alone sold 100,000 units last year.

Direct injection and updated transmissions are also said to be developmental hot-buttons for Toyota. The first boosted, DI motors could be seen as soon as next year in Japan, then find their way into products for China and Europe. Outside analysts expect America to be in that pipeline somewhere, eventually, with mooted options for introduction being the next-generation Corolla or, even easier, as an added powertrain option for the new Camry.

The direction is not meant to take away from Toyota’s hybrid position and expansion in the U.S., with the company still expected to put hybrids in “for just about everything we offer.” Overseas, though, hybrids made the same impression as in the States, which could explain the initial markets chosen for Toyota’s new tech.

Toyota getting help from Gazoo Racing to bring downsized turbo engines to market

City councils and state legislatures across the country are debating and passing initiatives to put traffic cameras on school buses. Rick Gresham, transportation director for the Cobb County school district in Georgia, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that 1,100 motorists pass his school buses when the stop sign paddle is out every single day. The state of Maryland reported 7,200 such incidents in one day last year. For all the folks who want to see that bus-riding children get to class and home safely, that’s a problem. So cities in places like Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington and Louisiana are talking to Redflex and American Traffic Solutions about mounting cameras on their buses’ folding stop signs.

In the case of the potential Redflex system in Connecticut, for instance, the school districts would pay a set fee for each bus fitted with a camera. The cameras send a live feed of traffic in both directions to Redflex, where Redflex employees review it. If a motorist is caught violating the stop sign, an image and relevant information is sent to the police department. The school district would receive 82 percent of the ticket amount, the rest going to police and court costs.

A Harris study conducted on behalf of ACS, a Xerox company, found that 77 percent of adults polled supported installation of these cameras on school buses. ACS makes its own system called CrossSafe, so it’s certainly interested in a particular result, but as others have said, it’s hard to argue against child safety, so this may be the first application of traffic cameras we can really get behind.

PSA: Some states now using school bus-mounted traffic cameras

We recently went off the beaten path with a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in Moab, Utah to test the 2012 model’s improved off-road chops. While Editor Paukert’s tale of the experience certainly gets the point across, there’s nothing quite like watching Ford’s monster tackle the rocks and dirt in high-definition video, especially video that was taken by a hovering camera-equipped drone.

While the Raptor is best known for its desert-storming, dune-jumping prowess (we ourselves have greatly enjoyed getting all four wheels off the ground), what’s truly amazing is watching a vehicle this big tackle some of Moab’s toughest obstacles at a snail’s pace. Follow the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor tackles Hell’s Revenge Trail

2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor tackles Hell’s Revenge Trail

It would seem on paper that the 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 should easily slay the heavier and less powerful 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1. The former weighs 3,850 pounds and brings 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque to the table, the latter carries 4,120 pounds and 580 hp/556 lb-ft.

Not so fast, says Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser (above). Speaking with Autoblog at an Arizona drive event for the Camaro ZL1, Oppenheiser told us, “We’ve done simulations. We predict that the ZL1 will be quicker to 60 than the [2013] GT500… We ran the Nürburgring and released a time. Ford took the GT500, too, and never released a time. I guess you can draw your own conclusions.”

When asked point-blank if he thought the ZL1 would be quicker around the ‘Ring, Oppenheiser replied, “No question.”

Them sounds like fighting words, especially in the face of data that suggests the opposite is true. Remember, this is the same guy who told Mustang fans “you’re welcome” for encouraging Ford to throw everything it can at the Camaro.

But we’re not counting Oppenheiser among the crazy just yet. All that power generated by the GT500’s supercharged 5.8-liter V8 will be for naught if it can’t reach ground without turning into tire vapor, and let’s not forget that the Blue Oval’s bomber is still dragging around a solid rear axle, compared to the all-independent suspension sporting third-generation Magnetic Ride shocks on the ZL1. And who’s doing the driving can always be the great equalizer when talking ‘Ring times.

We’re still inclined to put our chips on the blue square, but nothing’s certain until these two titans of Detroit meet head-to-head.

Camaro chief claims ZL1 will outperform Shelby GT500

We hope General Motors hasn’t started planning that ticker-tape parade down Jefferson Avenue yet, as Volkswagen has apparently taken issue with the notion that GM might again be the world’s largest automaker.

According to The Wall Street Journal, VW has said it will be adding some 200,000 units to its previously released sales total, contributions from some commercial truck manufacturers that are subsidiaries. Moreover, the WSJ has called into question GM’s practice of counting the vehicles sold by two Chinese partners in which GM does not have a controlling interest. Liuzhou Wuling Motors sold 1.2 million vehicles in China last year, according to the report, which the Journal says some analysts don’t count in tabulating their numbers. If those vehicles were excluded from GM’s nine million vehicle sales total, it would drop behind VW.

Further controversy may cloud third place on the list, as the Nissan-Renault partnership may have passed Toyota in the rankings, according to the report. That is, if you accept the notion that Nissan and Renault are one company and that Renault’s AvtoVAZ subsidiary should have its sales numbers count. Renault has a 25-percent state in the Russian company, notes the report.

Since there’s little agreement about what rules should govern the accounting, until one of the top four really separates itself from the rest and pushes its total sales over 10 million vehicles, we will likely continue to see the annual global sales championship end in argument. VW, for what it’s worth, seems hell-bent on becoming the undisputed largest car company, having repeatedly stated its intention to top 10 million sales.

VW takes issue with claim that GM is world’s largest automaker

The Nissan Juke-R found some adventurous extracurriculars to take part in while in Dubai to pace the Dunlop 24-Hour race. Nissan said it would be making a film of the Juke-R taking on other street-legal supercars in the Dubai International Marina, but that race is meant to include a Mercedes/McLaren SLR-engined Mercedes-Benz SLK.

This appears to be something different, with the Juke-R going up against a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, a Mercedes SLS AMG, and a Ferrari 458 Italia. Lucas Ordonez, the first GTAcademy winner from 2008 is reportedly behind the wheel of the Juke-R. We don’t know the driving level of his competition, but we do know this: Nissan’s little beastie is really, really quick. Check out the (admittedly grainy) video after the jump to have your horizons expanded.

Continue reading Nissan Juke-R takes on Gallardo, 458 Italia and SLS AMG in Dubai

Nissan Juke-R takes on Gallardo, 458 Italia and SLS AMG in Dubai

We normally associate with Roush Performance with the Ford Mustang, as we’ve tested several examples over the year from the race-ready 427R Trak Pak to the current 540 horsepower RS3. The Michigan tuner is now looking to expand, though, and has recently introduced a new line of performance products aimed at another segment of the Ford product line, the F-150.

The F-150’s new powertrains are the main focus of Roush’s product blitz, with supercharger systems available for both the 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s. Roush has also developed cold air inductions kits for the entire powertrain lineup with the exception of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Additionally, Roush is offering a stainless steel cat-back exhaust for most of the F-150 lineup that produces a more aggressive tone than the stock system.

You can read more about the new F-150 products from Roush in the press release after the jump, and you can get a closer glimpse at the supercharger and the exhaust system in the gallery above.

Continue reading Roush announces new performance product line for the Ford F-150

Roush announces new performance product line for the Ford F-150

The 2012 BMW 3 Series is scheduled to hit U.S. BMW dealerships in February, which makes now a good time to option up our dream Bimmer. The 3 Series configurator reveals 15 different 3 Series models from which to choose, including coupe, convertible, sedan and Wagon variants, plus a choice of a four- and six-cylinder gas engines, along with diesel model and available all-wheel drive.

The all-new for 2012 328i Sedan starts out at $34,900 (plus $895 destination), but just a few options sends the MSRP skyward. Buyers can choose from the Luxury Line model ($2,100), Modern Line ($2,100) or Sport Line ($2,500), plus six option packages that offer everything from enhanced safety technology to an upgraded sound system.

Step up to the 335i Sedan and expect to pay $42,400 (plus $895 destination). The 335i also comes with the choice of Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury line, but the price tag for those trim levels falls to $1,700, $1,400 and $1,400, respectively. The diesel-powered 335d starts out at $44,150, and the 328i and 335i coupes (still based on the outgoing model generation) start at $38,700 and $45,100, respectively.

Since the next M3 is still a ways away, the current top-rung 3 Series is the 335is Coupe. We’re big fans of its 320 horsepower, but the $52,100 MSRP takes some getting used to. And if you want the droptop 335is, it will cost you $60,800. Just for fun, we optioned out the 335is Convertible with navigation, upgraded sound and all available packages, and we rang up a $71,420 bill. Ouch. Head over to the BMW website to price out a 3 Series for yourself.

2012 BMW 3 Series configurator powers up

Morgan may not be the first brand to come to mind when you think of cutting-edge racing technology, but the small British automaker has a deep and rich heritage in motorsports. Particularly at Le Mans, where Morgan scored a class victory in 1962. That was fifty years ago this year, and so, for the first time since last running the Aero 8R GT2 back in 2004, Morgan is planning a return to the famous French endurance race.

Rather than develop one of its existing sportscars (Three Wheeler, we’re looking at you, buddy) into a GT racer, however, Morgan is teaming up with independent racing team OAK Racing to build a Morgan LMP2. The car will be based on a Pescarolo chassis, OAK Racing and Morgan (whose chief executives are pictured above) running one factory-backed car in the new FIA World Endurance Championship (which includes Le Mans) this year, with additional examples to be made available for customer teams interested in getting on board. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Morgan returning to Le Mans with new LMP2

Morgan returning to Le Mans with new LMP2

TrueCar has attracted much unwanted attention recently, drawing the ire of Honda and torquing off regulators in several states. In response, the company has announced a series of changes to its business model, designed to address the legality of its service, according to a report in Automotive News.

The biggest change is that dealers in some states will now have to subscribe to the lead service rather than paying a per-vehicle fee for sales closed from a TrueCar referral. Consumers will now have to sign up with TrueCar, providing contact information in the process. Additionally, TrueCar will drop the term “invoice” when describing the deals it offers.

While these changes are expected to mitigate TrueCar’s biggest problems, the company also says it will be making its service more dealer-friendly, according to AN. One of the contentious aspects of the TrueCar business model for some dealers has been the requirement that TrueCar have access to the dealer’s computers, such that the company can mine sales data. TrueCar says it will be limiting this in the future, along with establishing a national dealer council to procure feedback from its partners.

TrueCar polishing edges off business model to comply with state regulations

Look who’s back on top again? Just 30 months since General Motors emerged from bankruptcy, the Detroit-based automaker can once again call itself the world’s largest. GM sold just over 9 million vehicles globally in 2011, its highest sales total ever, while chief rival Toyota may slip as far as third place, according to TheDetroitBureau.com, which reports that Volkswagen will pass Toyota to claim the runner-up spot.

Led by a record-setting 4.76 million sales year from Chevrolet, GM saw sales rise in all four of its reporting regions. The company says it now claims 11.9 percent of the global market. Sales in the U.S. were up 13 percent with 1.7 million vehicles sold.

It wasn’t a good year for Toyota, the largest carmaker by sales volume for the past three years, since unseating GM in 2008. The Japanese manufacturer experienced production interruptions from the earthquake and resultant tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and then again when Thailand experienced widespread flooding later in the year.

While GM’s legion of critics will no doubt point to the natural disasters in an attempt to diminish the significance of GM reclaiming the top spot, the company has to be feeling pretty good about its accomplishments last year. Not that being number one matters that much. As analyst Aaron Bragman of IHS Automotive tells The Bureau, “Being biggest in the world is not necessarily an advantage to anyone.”

But it’s certainly good for bragging rights and positive morale. As they say in sports, “scoreboard, baby.” To read GM’s full press release, click past the jump.

Continue reading GM retakes global sales crown with over 9M units shifted in 2011

GM retakes global sales crown with over 9M units shifted in 2011

An impending court trial in Germany is shaping up to be the largest parade of Formula One drivers since the 2011 season wrapped up in Brazil this past November. The proceeding pits one Eric Lux (CEO of Genii Capital that owns part of Lotus Renault GP) against Adrian Sutil (a veteran grand prix driver who most recently drove for Force India) over an alleged fight in a Shanghai night club.

Now, most of us have been there and done that, but the details of this particular incident remain scarce. Apparently, during the altercation, Sutil cut Lux’s neck with a broken bottle. Over what they were fighting, exactly, we don’t know, but the fight apparently broke out after the end of the Chinese Grand Prix last April. According to ESPN, a number of F1 personalities – drivers, managers, team owners – were present and celebrating together, lending to the likelihood that some of the world’s hottest of hot shoes could be called to testify at the trial scheduled for the end of this month.

Whether Sutil is found guilty of any wrongdoing or not, it seems the incident has all but completely scuttled any chance he had of returning to the grid for the upcoming season: Force India has already replaced him and Williams (his other prospect) went with Bruno Senna, leaving only HRT with a seat open.

F1 driver Adrian Sutil to stand trial in Germany over Shanghai bar fight

Fiat USA put a video showcasing the 500 Abarth on the Internet last November that tested the bounds of what is doable on network TV. That’s one of the big reasons it hasn’t been put on TV yet.

You’ll see what we mean when you view the ad, titled “Seduction,” after the jump. It was the foam that made it iffy for the networks.

But we chatted with Chrysler marketing chief Olivier Francois at the Detroit Auto Show about Super Bowl commercials where advertisers are known to push the envelope. In the Chrysler-Fiat world of double titles, Francois is also CEO of Fiat.

Francois, who is considering a few options for the big game, is wondering if the Abarth video is Super Bowl worthy, and wants to know what Autoblog readers think about the spot. Good enough for the big game, also known as the Super Bowl of advertising?

Chrysler, of course, was the toast of the Super Bowl in 2011, showing an unprecedented two-minute ad featuring Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” an appearance by Eminem himself and the new ad theme, “Imported From Detroit.”

It’s a high bar to reach again.

What do you think? Does this Abarth ad have the right stuff?

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Continue reading Is this Fiat Abarth ad good enough for the Super Bowl?

Is this Fiat Abarth ad good enough for the Super Bowl?