The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon gets underway January 14th, and a is bringing an aggressively-styled to the party. Dubbed the Tesutosutadimoderu TS-1X, the two-seater was a standard Honda CR-Z before a set of sporty wheels, body-kit and flat-black paint scheme upped the car’s threat level from wallflower to ready-for-war.
We’re not going to call this body kit ugly before seeing at least a few more shots of it installed, but if we found out there’s a K20 under the hood, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it push straight into attack mode and sprout a sweeping red lamp up front. In any case, this won’t be the last bit of craziness seen from Tokyo… stay tuned.
’s high-revving powerplants are the beating heart of any of its road or racing cars, but the Prancing Horse’s own aren’t the only vehicles to carry Ferrari engines. Lancias, Alfa Romoes, and countless F1 teams have benefited from Maranello’s powertrain expertise. But an SUV made in Detroit? Has the rapidly integrating - empire lost the plot?
The alliance’s chief executive Sergio Marchionne has for that includes building a of the new right here in the good ol’ U-S-of-A, at the Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. With Jeep underpinnings, though, the lingering question has been whether the Trident-badged model would come across as more Italian in character or more American.
According to reports, Marchionne is adamant that the Maserati SUV will carry an engine designed (if not necessarily built) by Ferrari. The high-riding application may be a first for a Ferrari engine, but if arch-rival could port the Countach’s V12 into the LM002, we suppose anything’s possible.
Ask a car guy what a fender is and he’ll point to the front corners of a car. A musician, meanwhile, will show you his guitar. (A sailor will toss a rubber bumper over the side, but that’s neither here nor there.) But now the two are coming together as reports indicate that the iconic guitar company is getting into the auto industry.
Well, almost. That’d be one bridge too far, but they are closing the divide by developing car stereos. The project is reportedly being undertaken with Panasonic, and developed specifically for .
The Fender-Panasonic systems will reportedly be deployed first on the , then the New Beetle and finally . Whether the VWs carrying the new audio systems will be special editions with unique “fender badges” remains to be seen.
SubaruCanada’s version of Choose Your Own Adventure – Click above to watch video
Remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books? The series, which sold over 250 million copies between 1979 and 1998, allowed you to choose your path through the story, but not every path led to a happy ending. The rally team from Canada must have read a few of these books yet decided to make any and all choices lead down the same awesome path, just from a slightly different viewpoint.
Strapping a gaggle of HD cameras onto a rally car, the team was able to load all the footage up to YouTube, where the viewer can select the viewing angle of his or her choice, be it the dash cam, bumper cam, clutch cam or side cam.
The driver is Pat Richard, the navigator is Alan Ockwell, and the quartet of camera angles is the Choose Your Own Adventure book we wish we could have read as a kid. to view the clips.
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve already crawled all over the at the Detroit Auto Show, and Mike Levin from PickupTrucks.com took an with designer Carl Zipfel. The questions we really wanted to get answered were, of course, “Are you going to build it? And if not, can we build it?”
As to whether is considering bringing it to market – built on a GMC line or by a partner firm – GMC communications rep Kelly Cusinato said “My understanding is that, yes,” production feasibility is on the table.
In its favor is that Zipfel’s team started with a production truck. “It’s the best of the Duramax HD with more off-roading capability,” he said, “built with an existing Duramax diesel and existing supplier connections.”
When asked if a customer could build it, Zipfel said an HD owner could replicate “everything but the lights.” You can’t get the 5′8″ bed on the 2500 Duramax HD, and widening the track by four inches would be a slightly lesser challenge. Otherwise, the chassis wasn’t chopped to create the shortened front end, and Zipfeld said, “We think we’re in striking distance for crash testing if GMC decided to build it.”
for more revelations about the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept.
The Prius goes plural – Click above to watch video
wants to change our view of the . It’s no longer a singular car but now an entire family of vehicles. The standard Prius that we all know and love will soon be joined by the , and plug-in Prius. Clearly, Toyota isn’t just building new cars, it’s attempting to build a new word… and it needs your help.
What is the plural of Prius? That’s a question that has been asked ever since the little hybrid hatchback hit the market, and the truth is that even Toyota doesn’t exactly know… but they do have some suggestions. It might be Prii, Priuses, Prium, Prien or just Prius. You can . Voting ends on February 20th, and as of this posting, the early leader is Prii. However, our own Chris Paukert suggested that a group of Prii should be referred to as a smug, and the rest of us tend to agree.
to check out a video explaining Toyota’s conundrum… but don’t blame us when the song gets stuck in your head.
and Hirsch have made it official: The Swiss producer of go-fast parts will now offer a full line of upgrades for Saab vehicles in North America. Beginning in the spring of 2011, customers will be available to order Hirsch Performance products at select Saab dealers around the country.
A variety of parts will be offered for and , including engine mapping upgrades, spoilers, aero ground effects, suspension tuning, exhaust upgrades and even interior upfits like a carbon instrument panel. The Hirsch parts will be installed at dealerships and will not hinder the vehicle’s warranty. Pricing and availability will be announced in the coming months. for Saab’s official release.
We’re big fans of the swoopy new – in fact, some of us here at Autoblog even prefer the Kia sedan to its cousin. Apparently we aren’t the only ones who think highly of this fiercely competitive mid-sizer, as Cars.com has just honored the Optima with its ‘Best of 2011′ award.
The editors of Cars.com cited the Optima’s outstanding fuel economy and excellent driving experience. Specifically:
“With its value, sharp packaging, outstanding fuel efficiency and lofty features, the Optima gives all family-car shoppers a shot at something far more compelling than the segment represents.”
Runners-up include the , , (which was recently named North American Car of the Year), and . All good vehicles, yes, but the Optima’s strong presence within the mid-size sedan segment – the most-shopped segment in the auto industry – is a huge achievement for Kia. Head over to to read the full story.
Dodge Nitro Detonator – Click above for high-res image gallery
Some might argue that the was ready for replacement, oh, about the day after it was first released back in 2006. If that’s the case, then Dodge’s midsize sport utility vehicle is certainly well past its sell-by date now that our calendars tell us we’re sitting in 2011.
Apparently, nobody knows that truth better than chief Sergio Marchionne, who told reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the Nitro and its platform mate, the , are “the most significant hole in our product portfolio.”
Noting that “it needs to be replaced,” Marchionne suggested that a decision on a replacement for the Pentastar’s uncompetitive midsize ‘ute platform will be made in the next 40 days… though there’s no indication whether that replacement will come from Dodge, , Chrysler or one of the other brands currently under the umbrella.
We also whether the new SUV will be built at the Toledo North Assembly Plant like the current Nitro and Liberty, or whether Chrysler will use Fiat’s C-Evo architecture as initially speculated.
Next-gen Kia Rio renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery
Much like its sister company , is in the midst of a major product overhaul, spearheaded by the launches of the , , , and all within the past few years. The next major up-do within the Kia line is the B-segment , and Kia has just released these sketches of the new subcompact that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Kia’s new design language, brought forth by chief design officer Peter Schreyer, is very much present in this new Rio. Both the headlamp and front fascia design are reminiscent of what we see in the Sportage and Optima, and the rear taillights mimic the shape of what’s found on the Forte. Combine that with a swept-back profile and a strong character line stemming from the front wheel and the end result is something that should wind up being quite handsome in production form.
We’ll have the full details in just under two months, but in the meantime, for Kia’s press blast.
Polk, the company that has been examining customer loyalty for 15 years, as claiming the top spot in its most recent survey. After polling nearly 5 million “return-to-market” events, Polk found a majority of Ford customers returned to the brand for their next vehicle.
Ford didn’t stop at winning Polk’s Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer title, though. The Blue Oval also took top honors in the Overall Loyalty to Make, Ethnic Market Make (African American) and Mid/Full-size Pickup Truck categories.
also fared well in Polk’s survey, earning four awards. For the full list of winners, check out the press release .
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Episode #212 of the Autoblog Podcast is the remedy to our post- hangover, with Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Chris Paukert all weighing in. We start with the Autoblog Garage and then cover some of our personal impressions of the goings-on at Cobo. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that covers the , , , , , , and , among other highlights. We prattle on for an hour and twenty-two minutes before we run out of steam and call it a night. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #212: Detroit Auto Show recap
In the Autoblog Garage:
2012 Mazda5
News Topics:
Autoblog’s complete coverage of the 2011 North American International Auto Show
Hosts: , , Runtime: 01:21:53
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The all-new twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 may be ’s AMG division’s much-heralded pride-and-joy engine, but it certainly won’t find a home under the hood of every single AMG product. To that point, AutoWeek reports that Mercedes-Benz is working on a naturally aspirated version of the 5.5-liter V8, slated for use not only in the refreshed , but in the AMG-fettled version of the coupe, the C55.
This new mill is claimed to produce around 422 horsepower – 62 more than what’s currently available in the SLK55. New technologies like a cylinder cut-off mechanism will help improve fuel consumption while still sending a larger helping of power to the car’s rear wheels.
AutoWeek also reports that while the upcoming C55 AMG coupe (and its hardcore Black Series version, which is rumored to be in the cards) will use this new 5.5-liter mill, the four-door sedan will retain the 6.2-liter free-breathing V8 that we currently enjoy, and that’s just fine by us.
2012 Hyundai Veloster B-roll footage – Click above to watch video
B-roll footage isn’t necessarily the most exciting visual or aural experience, but it allows us to see new production models strutting their stuff out on the road. is wasting no time in getting the B-roll footage out of the recently debuted , and here we see a pair of brightly-colored three-door coupes mixing it up on a desert test track.
As it typical with B-roll footage, there’s no music and the only sound comes from what the microphones picked up. Our suggestion? Go to and spice it up yourself, though you know you’re just going to add music from the movie Inception. to see the 2012 Hyundai Veloster in action.
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Don’t be fooled by that big ol’ bulge out back – the successor to the is destined to be a swoopy, sexy coupe when it launches sometime next year. Our spies indicate that the hunchback shape is all for show and that it’s part of an elaborate camouflage suit designed to completely mask the sloping rear roofline. Your dreams of a -badged shooting brake have indeed been dashed. Still, the new 612 coupe will surely be an eye-catcher, what with its -inspired front fascia, long, raked hood and short rear deck.
The 612 replacement will likely use an advanced all-wheel-drive system and power will come from a 6.3-liter V12 churning out roughly 670 horsepower, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The rumors surrounding this combination suggest a 3.7-second 0-60 time and a top speed somewhere around 210 miles per hour. We’re planning to see the finished 612 at the this March, so stay tuned for the full hotness.
Whether you’re talking about cameras, phones or electric cars, lithium is the current battery of choice. Lithium can pack much more energy than the nickel-metal hydride cells hiding in the boot of a , but that doesn’t mean that the rare earth metal represents the zenith of battery technology.
Bloomberg reports that scientists and engineers at Ann Arbor, Michigan technical center are on the lookout for the next big thing in batteries, and the automaker thinks it may be on to something. Lithium’s possible replacement is composed of magnesium and sulfur, and Toyota engineering manager Jeffrey Makarewicz reportedly feels the batteries can be ready as soon as the year 2020.
The problem with lithium, according to Makarewicz, is that it can only optimally hold about 2,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. That’s apparently not enough spark to consistently power the plug-ins and EVs of the future. We’re guessing Makarewicz is alluding to the fact that electric cars like the and only have enough juice to venture 35 to 100 miles on a single charge, while even the most inefficient gasoline mills can travel hundreds of miles
So, will magnesium one day surpass lithium as the battery guts of the future? We have no idea, but we apparently have about a decade of patient waiting before we can find out.
2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port – Click above for high-res image gallery
The more vehicles is able to build using the battery technology pioneered in its , the better chance the automaker has of earning a return on its significant investment into the electrically driven automobile. It’s the classic economies of scale issue… but what is the next logical vehicle application?
While many of the early prognostications pointed to a Voltec-powered , a report from AutoWeek says GM CEO Dan Akerson is suggesting a minivan may come first. There’s also some talk that an unknown hatchback is in the works (yes, the Volt is indeed a hatchback that’s shaped to look more like a sedan, but whatever).
Also notable are Akerson’s expectations that at least 10-percent of all GM production will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within 10 to 15 years. Akerson wants each of the automaker’s four core divisions – , Cadillac, Chevrolet (check) and – to have a vehicle using Volt technology, though no timeframe for that expansion has been given.
In other Volt news, Akerson told reporters at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress that the General is on track to sell 25,000 Chevrolet Volts for the 2011 model year, which is a sizeable increase from the 10,000-20,000 units expected as production began.
Moving past the ever-present greenery, Akerson and GM North American President Mark Reuss both stated that the company is putting some of its next-generation truck programs on the fast-track. We’d imagine that means we’ll see new fullsize pickups from Chevy and GMC sooner rather than later.
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: ]
is reportedly beginning work on the next generation , and rumor has it that they’re looking to hit Ludicrous Speed. Okay, maybe it won’t go quite that fast, but with a target of 270 miles per hour, it figures to be pretty darn close.
According to AutoExpress, despite losing money on each one it builds, Volkswagen Group has no plans to watch its mighty hypercar fade away, and the next version will stick to the business of shattering perceptions of what a production car can do. Reportedly, the 8.0-liter W16 engine and its quad-turbo setup will return in a similar form as is employed in the . However, the new car will head to the scales and produce a number far below what we see in current Veyron models. It will achieve this through more extensive use of lightweight alloys and carbon-composite materials.
If AE is reading its tea leaves correctly, the new warp-speed Bugatti Veyron to make an appearance sometime in 2013.
