Human beings can be a fickle bunch, especially Americans. Case in point: The five-door hatchback is unarguably one of the best arrangements for an automobile, providing ample room for adult-size occupants and their random detritus without being so large as to significantly impact fuel efficiency or make it difficult to fit into tight places.
And yet we consistently flock to ever-larger vehicles with the biggest, most powerful engines available. We opt for SUVs and crossovers in lieu of wagons and hatches; we ogle over sloping rear greenhouses, high beltlines and severely raked windshields. In short, our decisions are often dictated more by style and perception than the realities of daily life.
But we’re not here to condemn style-conscious consumers. We’re equally as enamored with the latest fashion-forward trends as the next red-blooded enthusiast. But we still have to wonder how far the ooh-it’s-pretty attention spans of car buyers will go before a lack of usability begins to hinder purchase decisions. To help answer that question, we took to the roads in and around Nashville, Tennessee in the .
Meet Paul Copses, the first U.S. vice president of Customer Experience for . Starting October 1 2011, Copses will take responsibility for charming and keeping customers for the General Motors suite of automotive brands. Mark Reuss, GM North America President, will get direct reports from Copses, and regular updates will also be provided to Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson.
General Motors talks a good game about how important it is to not only build competitive products, but also treat customers like the lifeblood of the company that they are. Upset a whole bunch of car buyers, and it won’t matter how good the next Malibu is. To that end, Copses previous experience as executive director of Customer Care and Aftersales will be handy. That role, working with service and ACDelco parts, has at least exposed Copses to the ongoing relationship customers have with their automobiles and dealerships, so now let’s see if he can put that experience to practical use. If Paul Copses is successful, General Motors customers are going to be happier and more loyal, and perhaps even new to the fold. Read the press release .
Normally, the best place to operate a motor vehicle is in the driver’s seat. Someone up near Montreal managed to capture a police officer who hasn’t quite figured that out. Instead, the cop is seen sitting on the hood of his cruiser while the automobile slowly rolls to a stop. We’re not entirely sure what’s going on here, and there’s a good chance that someone else is working the controls.
Still, it certainly looks like this cop is trying his hand at vehicular surfing. (He needs to take a lesson from Teen Wolf and stand on the roof.) to watch the clip. Also, a quick note to those capturing video on cell phones – turn your screens to the side, please.
Perhaps the manual transmission isn’t as dead as a few Italian automakers would like you to believe. has declared that as long as there is demand it will with do-it-yourself gearboxes, and the German automaker has outfitted its . Now it seems General Motors is following suit, and the next-generation will reportedly offer up seven forward gears, as well.
that the 2014 Corvette is set to swap in an extra cog for increased fuel efficiency. As a bonus, this move will allow engineers to play with the lower gear ratios thus providing a bit more speed from the lower end.
Now that Porsche has made the leap to a seven-speed manual and Corvette is following suit, could a cackling, wild-eyed locked-in-the-basement transmission engineer be working on an eight-speed unit? We doubt it, but we’re already doing heavy shoulder workouts just in case.
General Motors auctioned off a special 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the public at this weekend’s Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction for an estimated price of $250,000. Proceeds from the sale go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada, so the winner shouldn’t feel guilty about laying down the heavy cash on what will inevitably become a highly collectible automobile. The car in question will be the 69th ZL1 produced, and will be the only one finished in the Carbon Flash Metallic exterior color.
With its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 delivers 580 horsepower and over 550 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, as are programmable launch control for drag-strip glory and adjustable magnetic shocks for precise handling. The winning bidder gets to pick up ZL1 #69 next spring. Head over for more information.
What We Like: Placing Michael Showalter in your ads earns automatic bonus points with us. These spots are pretty funny, and Showalter is the driving force behind the humor. Also, it’s refreshing to see an automaker take a self-deprecating point of view from time to time.
What We Don’t Like: We think Toyota is basically saying that the new Yaris is as simple of an automobile as you can find. The tounge-in-cheek humor is used to mask the fact that the Yaris isn’t much more than an appliance on wheels.
Strategy: Toyota is really going out on a limb by using humor to highlight the fact that the new Yaris is a rather basic automobile. Still, the spots do manage to point out the fact that this vanilla machine has some solid features for its price point. Despite that fact, we’re torn on this campaign. The spots themselves, which you can view , are hilarious but ultimately come across as spoof material put together by a competing automaker.
Grade: C (We’re split, and this grade reflects our feelings. Showalter helped keep the grade from falling lower.)
Watch the videos and give it your own grade below. Also, if you use Chrome as your browser, you can head to for a more interactive experience.
Developed by a subsidiary of called Toyota Industries Corp., the arrow you see above is the three-wheeled Ku:Rin. Powered by compressed air, the Ku:Rin showcases Toyota’s expertise in developing compressors for automotive air conditioning systems.
Recently, the Ku:Rin prototype hit the track at JapanAutomobile Research Institute’s test facility in search of a speed record for compressed air vehicles. The Ku:Rin’s posted top speed of 80.3 miles per hour should be enough to rocket it into the record books, and Toyota says it will submit the results to Guinness World Records.
Power for the Ku:Rin comes from a reversed A/C compressor that generates energy from the expansion of compressed air, while the vehicle’s on-board compressed air tanks serve as “fuel.” Though 80 mph seems reasonable, the Ku:Rin’s two-mile total range is laughable. This thing may be fast, but talk about range anxiety.
may not be able to sell very many , but there’s a flip-side to that equation: Rarity. Exclusivity. Qualities which a Maybach has in spades. But if every tycoon and magnate in your elite neighborhood already has one, and you want to stand out a bit (but not too much) from the crowd, you’re going to want something even more exclusive. Like the Edition 125!
That exclamation mark – like – is part of the name, not added emphasis on our part, and helps underscore the claim which Daimler lays on the origins of the automobile which it now celebrates a century and a quarter later.
The party starts off with the 57 S model, that being the (relatively) shorter-wheelbase sedan with the twin-turbo V12 that’s just had its output increased to 630 horsepower. That’s power that’d make many a supercar blush, but Maybach didn’t stop there: for the special edition, the automaker gave the 57 a new front grille, a set of high-contrast 20-inch alloys and the signature of Wilheml Maybach (he who helped Gottlieb Daimler invent the automobile) embroidered into the glovebox lid.
The Edition 125! also gets special Tahiti Black and Patagonia Silver color options, part of an expanded catalog of color swatches available for the exterior and interior of the elite Mercs which you can read more about in the press release .
What We Like: Audi believes its latest A8 is a truly great automobile, and it’s running with this idea because it seems both Car and Driver and Road & Track agree. Rather than simply spouting off a list of why it may have earned recognition, Audi is tackling its perceived greatness in a humorous manner. The spots are short, funny and to the point. The message is that you’d have to be clueless not to see the greatness put forth by Audi in its A8.
What We Don’t Like: While the greatness is certainly inherent in the brand new A8, it almost seems like Audi is screaming at you to notice it. Still, if that is our one minor quibble, these ads are in pretty good shape.
Strategy: The all-new Audi A8 is a great car, and it recently received Best Large Luxury Sedan accolades from both Car and Driver and Road & Track. The automaker’s ad agency is taking those awards and running with them. True greatness, as is shown in the new A8, is something that should be instantly recognizable, and it seems those who fail to see it are simply clueless.
Grade: A- (the minus is because of the perceived shouting, but the overall humor wins out).
Watch the videos and give it your own grade below.
If this whole making cars thing doesn’t pan out, Victor Muller and his team at Swedish Automobile N.V. would appear to have an excellent career in magic ahead of them. The executives behind troubled automaker have earned the right to reorganize under government protection thanks to a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Gothenburg, Sweden. This, after being by the District Court in Vänersborg on September 8.
The Swedish government’s voluntary reorganization approval suggests that Saab representatives were able provide blueprints for the automaker that demonstrate a reasonable chance for future financial success. Saab has been waiting for the release of promised monies from Chinese automakers Pang Da and Youngman (deals hung-up pending approval by the Chinese government), and other parties have also expressed interest in supporting the marque. Saab insists it is merely looking for short-term funding and legal protection because it has longer-term financial partners and a business plan already lined up.
As a result of the new ruling, Saab will now have at least three months to undergo reorganization, though that deadline can be extended by the government if the court feels that reasonable headway is being made. During that three-month period, the Swedish government agrees to pay the wages of Saab employees.
As a result of this court victory, Muller and Swedish Automobile are also requesting the cancellation of bankruptcy filings by several of its unions. to read Saab’s official statement.
Tata is looking to play with both sides of the automotive pricing coin. On one side, it has the Nano, which is arguably the least expensive new automobile on the planet. In its native India, the Nano can be had from around $2,500, and it’s been reported that an updated version would run around $7,000 if sold in North America. Now, however, there is now . How does $4.6 million sound?
The Tata family has produced this gold and jewel encrusted Nano as a celebratory ode to their Gold Plus jewelry stores. While a $4.6 million showpiece seems a bit much, it’s not everyday your company celebrates its 5,000th anniversary.
This Goldmember-mobile is covered in 176 pounds of 22 karat gold. Add in 33 pounds of silver and over 10,000 precious gems and stones, and you have the bling ride to end all bling ride discussions. Let’s hope they upgraded the powertrain to cope with all that extra weight, eh? Get a closer look at this one-off $4.6 million Nano by clicking through our gallery.
Marc Cameron and Paul “Moose” Curtis, are an artistic twosome that are exceedingly skilled at turning dirt, grime and muck into art. In fact, the pair have teamed up to create our favorite kind of art – the sort that features automobiles as the subject. Starting with a spot on a dirt-covered wall in Munich, Moose and Cameron remove the buildup of gunk in various layers leaving behind their desired image.
It’s called “reverse graffiti” or “grime writing,” and rather than covering a wall in paint, Cameron and Moose actually clean a portion of the area they’re working on. Some stencils, a few helping hands and a high-pressure power washer are the tools at work, and the resulting image not only illustrates how polluted public surfaces can be, it’s also wonderful spin on a form of art that’s typically frowned up.
to watch a reverse graffiti come to life, a project Cameron and Curtis coordinated with German’s . Also, click through the gallery to get a closer look at some more of Marc and Paul’s work, including the . If you are interested in learning more about Marc’s unique work, feel free to email him – Cameron @ Cameron2210.com or check out his website using the link below.
Life ain’t easy at the top. And, if you’re , struggling to shove past both and on you way to becoming the world’s largest automaker, it’s not cheap, either. Says Martin Winterkorn, CEO of the gigantic conglomerate:
The Volkswagen Group is investing a record amount in forward-looking projects to achieve its goal of becoming the world’s best automobile manufacturer… Top of the agenda for us are investments in environmentally friendly, sustainable models and drives.
Just what does “a record amount” equate to? A whopping $86.4 billion dollars (62.4 billion euros). And that doesn’t include Volkswagen’s two Chinese ventures, which will tack on an additional $19.1 billion (14 billion euros).
VW reckons that money ought to be enough to fund a five-percent sales increase globally in 2011 over 2010’s record sum of 7.2 million vehicles, with plenty more expansion over the next five years.
has been granted the right to appeal the District Court’s decision last week to . This doesn’t mean an appeal has been granted, only that Saab does indeed have the right to pursue an appeal in the case. According to the automaker, the Court of Appeals in Gothenburg, Sweden, is expected to issue a further ruling shortly. Hold on tight, Saabophiles, and feel free to read the short-but-official press release .
trekked to the headquarters of Automobile Magazine in order to show off the . John and Doug arrive in the office of editor Jean Jennings, and things don’t exactly get off on the right foot.
After their initial introductions, Doug and John discuss the 2012 Ford Focus in front of the magazine staff. A boring PowerPoint presentation leads to some track time with the car, and it’s all captured in five short videos.
Back in 2009, at the absolute lowest point in the history of the American automobile industry, and declared bankruptcy. The United States government set up a cabinet-level group called The Presidential Task Force On The Auto Industry was formed to allow the government to handle the courtroom proceedings that would end up allowing the two automotive giants the opportunity to get back on their feet.
Though did not declare bankruptcy or accept any governmental oversight, the Blue Oval did, in a show of solidarity, in Senate hearings and offered verbal support to both GM and Chrysler. It seems that goodwill only went so far, however and now that its two American siblings are churning out healthier balance sheets, the gloves are officially off.
As you can see in the video , Ford has created a new television commercial as part of its “Drive One: Press Conference” series that casts a somewhat critical eye on the U.S. automotive bailout of 2009. (It’s at this point we’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention that in the midst of the auto crisis, the Blue Oval accepted billions in very low-interest technology loans from the U.S. government, as did other automakers).
Despite the fact that Chris, the star of the advert, is not a Ford employee but a real Ford truck owner, and that the ad was apparently filmed without a script, Ford’s airing of the commercial more than suggests it approves of the message therein. In his own words, here’s what Chris had to say when asked if buying American was important to him:
I wasn’t going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government. I was going to buy from a manufacturer that’s standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That’s what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta’ pick yourself up and go back to work. Ford is that company for me.
Now that you’ve watched the video , the question is, how effective is this ad? Do you like it, hate it or are you indifferent? Is it a good message or is it a cheap shot at GM and Chrysler? Feel free to sound off in the comments, but first, take a moment to add your voice to our informal poll.
Before we delve into the details of the RAK e electric concept, let’s step back in time with a brief historical primer. The oldest industrial division within current portfolio, Opel started as a sewing machine manufacturer way back in 1862. Evolving to the production of bicycles soon after, Opel’s presence in wheeled transportation turned to automobiles in 1899. Now, at the , Opel looks to the future with its debut of the ultra-modern RAK e Concept.
Back in 1928, Opel captivated the media with its experimental rocket-powered RAK 2. Its streamlined shape and solid-fuel rocket propulsion system demonstrated Opel’s vision of the future. Developed 83 years after the RAK 2, the RAK e tandem 1+1 concept projects Opel’s take on personal urban mobility.
As an experimental design and technical platform, the RAK e is a narrow four-wheeler built around a steel space frame. Built with an eye toward inexpensive materials, the RAK e is a lightweight (838 pounds) concept presented as a vehicle that Opel says even the youngest of buyers could afford.
Propulsion for the RAK e comes from a 49-horsepower electric motor that draws juice from a five-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range is listed at up to 62 miles and operating costs are claimed to be only one euro per 100 kilometers ($2.19 per 100 miles).
to read over the complete press release from Opel and be sure to check out our live photos of the RAK e in the high-res image gallery.
If you have to to work while being shuttled in the back seat of a car, it’s hard to find a more comfortable mobile office than a . Still, all of that luxury won’t aid you in spell-checking TPS reports as you’re more likely to be lulled to sleep. has a new interior concept that will keep you alert, awake, connected and running the show like the boss you truly are.
It’s called the Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept, and it’s way nicer than your office. No, not the office of the person who can afford the car, specifically your office. The British builder of luxuriously exotic automobiles has put together an interior fit for a constantly connected king, which comes complete with a list of items to make sure whatever task at hand is finished before leaving the coddling confines of the Mulsanne.
Rear passengers will enjoy the power-folding wood veneer picnic tables that drop from the backs of the front seats. The tables are home to separate iPad work stations, each of which includes a Bluetooth wireless keyboard. Keeping that iPad and keyboard combo in check is a Mac Mini mounted in the trunk. The Apple product brigade is joined by an iPod that can play music but also serves as the remote control for the rear seat information and entertainment devices. A telephone is nestled into the armrest alongside a Tibaldi pen. If you’re not familiar with the Tibaldi brand of writing instruments, just know that prices range from way-too-much-for-a-pen to worth-more-than-the-car-you-drive. Regardless, we’re sure it takes beautiful notes that pertain to the morning meeting, which you attended from the back of your super luxury sedan.
Once the work is done, you can kick back and relax while watching your company’s stock rise on the ticker rolling across the drop-down 15.6-inch high-definition LCD. It’s mounted on the ceiling and is the perfect tool to stop the driver from sneaking glances at you and your secretary.
fans: Go find yourself a hat, and hold the hell on to it – we have a feeling this ride is about to get a wee bit bumpier.
First, Saab has confirmed that Swedish unions Unionen and Ledarna have officially filed for bankruptcy of Saab Automobile. That’s par for the course and anything but a surprise, as it seems the automaker owes just about everyone some money. These unions represent white-collar workers who have not been paid by Saab for the month of August.
Second, the automaker has, , “lodged their appeal against the District Court’s decision last week to reject Saab Automobile’s proposal for voluntary reorganization.” Basically, Saab’s creditors are suing the company for various amounts owed, and these sums would be sufficient to bankrupt and close down the automaker. Saab from these creditors, which was subsequently . The automaker is appealing that decision.
Finally, Saab says it has secured a bridge loan worth $96 million from a heretofore unknown legal entity known as Specialty Purpose Vehicle. Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile (which we’ll mention again in the next paragraph) has signed an agreement with the aforementioned SPV to license certain technologies from the legal entity.
This $96 million bridge loan would supposedly be paid back by the that Saab had previously signed with Chinese partners and Youngman – and yes, that’s the same company that is apparently licensing technology from SPV under this latest agreement.
Is your head spinning yet? We don’t blame you… and all of these deals are still awaiting approval from Chinese authorities, which is anything but guaranteed. Feel free to peruse the trio of press releases after the break for all the official details from Saab.
Watches and cars go together like fine wine and good crystal stemware. Many automakers collaborate with great watchmakers to produce beautiful homages to to some of favorite machines. and Bell & Ross are two manufacturers of quality goods that have , and the two are back at it again with a new limited-edition timepiece.
It’s called the Bell & Ross BR02-8 Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial, and that mouthful of a 44-millimeter timekeeper will set you back $5,080. That is, if you can find one of the only 200 examples to be produced. How does this watch relate to Infiniti? The second hand and eight digit sport the same purple-hued luminescence that Infiniti automobiles feature in their gauge cluster. The eighth digit was chosen because it is considered a lucky number in Asia, and it’s also the symbol for infinity when it’s turned on its side.
for the full specs on this limited edition Bell & Ross watch.
