Jeep JK-8 conversion kit from Mopar – Click above to watch the video
The folks over at a with Mopar’s , and they got a Mopar engineer on camera to talk about it. To refresh your memory, one kit will be offered for the at-home “weekend warrior” tinkerer, a second kit will be offered for body shops to make the conversion look like it came from the factory. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the engineer said it would be “competitive,” although we have no idea what he could be comparing the price too, it should be less than the “two arms, two legs and a testicle” suggested by a PickupTrucks.com commenter.
Finally, the JK-8 package will be available in every color offered on the Wrangler, meaning you won’t get it in the concept car yellow. to see it in action and hear more about it.
Lamborghini chose Monticello Motor Club to host a hands-on introduction to the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante and LP 550-2 Bicolore, two of its newest Gallardo models.
Lincoln, Lexus, Infiniti and Chrysler are the only nameplates that failed to boast improved sales in April of 2011 when compared to the same period one year ago. Besides those Debbie Downers, things are looking pretty darn good for automakers in the United States.
Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman kick it for Autoblog Podcast #228. The crew mulls our First Drive of the Lamborghini Aventador, a Lincoln performance sect, Chrysler’s profit and loan payback and the Forbes worst car list.
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In Vino Veritas, the old Latin saying goes, “In wine is truth.” But what about CAD renderings? That’s what Aussie auto website CarAdvice got a glimpse at while touring the headquarters of German niche carmaker Veritas.
The engineering trust formed the collective brain behind the Veritas RSIII, a radical retro roadster powered by ’s celebrated V10 engine, and has long been rumored to be following up with a coupe to join it. And the design, at least, for that model appears to be coming along nicely.
Since the ’s V10 has now been discontinued, Veritas has, like , had to work around its replacement: the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that powers the and and which will drive the new M5, as well. Since the turbo-eight reportedly requires a lot more cooling than the ten-pot it replaces, the design’s aerodynamics had to be thoroughly rethought.
That’s about all there is at present, but we’ll expect to hear more as the project progresses. In the meantime, head over to for a closer look.
built an last year, showed off an this year, now Autocar reports that Mercedes is open to considering an electric offering. To be precise, Autocar said such an “is not being ruled out” and that ‘ technical head Thomas Weber said, “We are looking at customer demand.” All that really means is that it’s on the table, probably alongside a whole lot of other things that might or might not ever happen.
However, Mercedes is part-way there with its , and the next S-Class due in 2013 will add a plug-in hybrid option. Until then it’ll be up to to – eventually – bring ionized motoring to the luxury sedan masses.
made news recently when . Now, the program is officially under way.
If you purchase a Hyundai vehicle at an authorized dealership, in 24 or 48 months time you can trade that vehicle back in for a new Hyundai and the dealer will honor the agreed-upon future value of your trade-in. Should your car be worth a bit less due to the changing market, you will still receive full value. However, should your car be worth more, then you will receive the increased value to put towards the price of a new Hyundai.
Starting on Wednesday, May 4, will finally be almost completely indistinguishable from one another. Since their merger, the two satellite radio providers have sported the same channels, just on differently-numbered stations. Starting Wednesday, though, the channel sequences will be the same as well.
The new lineup will , which means pop and rock stations will be available starting in the teens, followed by sports beginning at channel 84. Howard Stern will have not one but two stations of his very own, residing at channel 100 and 101 on the new dial.
Listeners of both companies’ broadcasts shouldn’t have to spend any time reprogramming their preferences if they want their familiar tunes and talk shows back – the satellite radio provider says it should happen automatically. Either way, for those who frequently move from one car to another, this move is long overdue. See .
, , and are the only nameplates that failed to boast improved sales in April of 2011 when compared to the same period one year ago. Besides those Debbie Downers, things are looking pretty darn good for automakers in the United States.
We’re awfully curious to see what the impending summer selling seasons will have in store for Japanese automakers as they continue to claw back production lost due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the country just weeks ago, but for now, it seems no shortages have yet to significantly impact any sales figures.
Breaking individual model sales out a bit yields some interesting results. For instance, the , with 25,160 sales, outsold the (24,215) but fell about a thousand units shy of the class-leading (26,777).
The brand also outsold , for those interested in that age-old American bragging right, but perhaps more interesting is the stunning success at . With 18,413 total sales, Buick managed to outsell Lexus () and is knocking hard on the doors of such luxury stalwarts as and .
There were a number of heavily redesigned models that boasted huge gains over their predecessors, such as the (16,955 total sales, a 74-percent increase) and the (4,050) and (9,802), which each outsold their 2010 counterparts by over 180 percent.
In all, the top 18 performers each posted double-digit sales gains in April of 2011. Impressive performances, to be sure. Check out all the numbers in our handy-dandy chart below.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 27 selling days in March 2011 versus 26 selling days in March 2010, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.
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Podcast Team number one – Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Zach Bowman – kick it for Autoblog Podcast #228. The crew mulls our First Drive of the Lamborghini Aventador, a Lincoln performance sect, Chrysler’s profit and loan payback and the Forbes worst car list. Your feedback and questions finish it off, and we’ve re-posted the Q&A at the bottom of this post so you can play along at home, too. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #228: Lamborghini Aventador, Lincoln performance, Chrysler profit and loan payback
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According to German site AutoBild.de, is prepping a new V8-powered flagship, and it could be wearing three digits on the back that’ll strike a chord with motorsports fans. Rumor has it that this next Porsche superstar will be called the 961. If those numbers ring a bell, that’s because Porsche created a 961 race car that only saw limited action. Based on the 959, the 961 ran three races before ultimately finding a home in Porsche’s Stuttgart-based museum.
It’s being reported that this modern 961 will be modeled after the 918 Spyder, yet will arrive in coupe form. Power will be provided by a V8, however, an electric motor will also be available to provide boost and push output up to 600 horsepower. We expect to see the flagship Porsche 961 by 2013.
Ford SYNC Mobile WiFi Hotspot – Click above for high-res image gallery
You might figure that, with a name like , ’s compact model would be all about eliminating distractions. But the new global Focus is jam-packed with technology, and the latest among them is a new in-car WiFi system.
The device works with SYNC and MyFord Touch to pick up the signal from a mobile internet dongle or smartphone and share it with as many as five additional devices in the car. This should come in handy for road trips and traveling salesmen, but we hope drivers will be able to stayed focused while behind the wheel.
One way or another, the system appears to be available – at least initially – only overseas in European markets, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for its introduction in the United Sates, as well. In the meantime you can to scope out the full details in the press release from Ford’s British subsidiary.
There’s been no shortage of new Italian exotics hitting the streets lately. Recent additions to the stable have included the Pagani Huayra, the and the . But do you notice something missing? That’s right: roadsters. Not one among these three are currently available with the wind-in-your-tupée experience, but that should change in due course.
Reports of of both the 458 and the Huayra have already surfaced, and now we can begin looking forward to the Aventador Roadster – at least, that’s what reports coming in from Italy would have us believe. With little indication of where it’s getting the information information, Autoblog.it and its English-language counterpart EuroCarBlog.com are anticipating that the successor to the Roadster and the Diablo VT Roadster before it will arrive sometime next year.
Considering that the Aventador is already sold out for the next 18 months, it would probably have to be quite late in 2012. But one way or another, you can bet it’s coming at some point.
2012 BMW M5Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The times, they are a changin’… and so is the . Since it hit the streets back in 1985, the M5 has always been a beastly Bavarian that sends power solely to the rear wheels, but now, new reports are stating that the all-new F10 M5 may be available with all-wheel drive.
Exact details of this upcoming M5 have yet to be revealed, but has reportedly confirmed that an AWD-version is in the cards. The of the 2012 BMW M5 is set to hit the stage in September, and we expect to suss out a few more tidbits of information before that time arrives. Until then, we’re content to fill our dreams with visions of snow-filled four-wheel drifts punctuated by the turbo-muffled growl of a force-fed V8 engine.
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011 official event poster – Click above for high-res image
Villa d’Este is a wonderful place. Situated along the shores of picturesque Lake Como in northern Italy, every year the palatial grounds play host to the Concorso d’Eleganza that strips all that is mundane and industrial about a regular car show and lets the sun shine through. The annual show is sponsored by BMW, but mixes the finest concept cars of the year with the most beautiful classics – and will feature an auction for the first time – but there’s always something new in store for the concours.
Last year it was Zagato’s Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa – the one-off that preceded the recently-announced TZ3 Stradale. And this year and Pininfarina will showcase a new coachbuilt custom at the lakeside exposition, alongside the likes of the , , and James Glickenhaus’ P4/5 Competizione.
Dubbed the Super America 45, it picks up its name from the Ferrari back catalog with models based on the 400, the 410 and most recently the 575M. This latest one-off is tipped to be based on the 599 GTB Fiorano (or one of the myriad variants thereof), commissioned by a New York collector through Maranello’s custom orders department and fitted with unique sheetmetal from Pininfarina.
The press release on the event confirms the Super America 45’s participation, but indicates it’s a six-cylinder car. Since Ferrari hasn’t made a V6 since the Dino 246 went out of production 37 years ago, we’ll chalk that one up to a mistake. As for what the 45 stands for when the first Superamerica was introduced in 1956 is beyond us. One way or another, we’ll find out when the show opens later this month, so for the press release and watch this space for more.
has recalled of 2001-2003 Honda and models for airbag issues since 2008, and now the Japanese automaker is re-recalling those vehicles. Honda is inspecting 833,000 vehicles for airbags that deploy with too much pressure, which could lead to metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material. This defect has resulted in 12 injuries and one death since 2010.
The recall covers vehicles that have already been serviced, as Honda is searching for 2,430 defective airbag inflator parts that were used during the original repair. Since Honda cannot determine which vehicles received the defective part, the Japanese automaker is re-recalling all 833,000 vehicles.
Among the 833,000 vehicles affected by the recalls are the 2001-2002 and , the 2002 and 2002-2003 . Acura models affected are certain 2002-2003 sedans and 2003 CL coupes.
This latest news means that Honda has recalled over 1.6 million vehicles for this issue since 2008. Honda recalled in 2009 and in 2010. The automaker’s official press release is available .
Wringing Out Two New Italians At Monticello Motor Club
Click below for high-res image galleries
Driving a late-model on public roads is akin to watching an epic film in mono – the senses are teased but left unchallenged.
Driving a Lamborghini on a track, however, is a mind-blowing charge of adrenalin. No speed limits, g-forces only capped by available grip, engine wailing, tires screaming, brakes cooking – it’s pure sensory overload.
With an invite in hand, I left New York City for an afternoon and headed north 90 miles to the . Lamborghini chose the private venue to host a hands-on introduction to the and , two of its newest models. The freshly arrived convertible and coupe join the ranks of more than a dozen Gallardo variants that have been released over the years.
While tooling around the countryside on public roads in a new Lamborghini is utterly enjoyable, the only place to truly experience an Italian exotic, or any sports car for that matter, is on a closed racing circuit, and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.
Gallery:
Gallery:
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante and LP 550-2 Bicolore
Wringing Out Two New Italians At Monticello Motor Club
Click below for high-res image galleries
Driving a late-model on public roads is akin to watching an epic film in mono – the senses are teased but left unchallenged.
Driving a Lamborghini on a track, however, is a mind-blowing charge of adrenalin. No speed limits, g-forces only capped by available grip, engine wailing, tires screaming, brakes cooking – it’s pure sensory overload.
With an invite in hand, I left New York City for an afternoon and headed north 90 miles to the . Lamborghini chose the private venue to host a hands-on introduction to the and , two of its newest models. The freshly arrived convertible and coupe join the ranks of more than a dozen Gallardo variants that have been released over the years.
While tooling around the countryside on public roads in a new Lamborghini is utterly enjoyable, the only place to truly experience an Italian exotic, or any sports car for that matter, is on a closed racing circuit, and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.
We spend so much time thinking, writing and talking about vehicles meant for the open road, but we rarely consider a new car for inside the house. The Onion is “reporting” on just such a vehicle for in-home commuting coming from , and we’re not talking about personal mobility scooters here, folks.
The Reside, which reportedly starts at just $17,595, obviously doesn’t exist, but that didn’t stop The Onion from dreaming up the ultimate in-home transporter. After all, our Lazy Boy doesn’t have have heated seats, but the Reside does. It also gets 28 miles per gallon in hallway driving and 19 in a “cluttered pantry or messy teenager’s room.” And you can’t beat that five-star furniture-impact rating.
Head over to to read the satire for yourself. If you’re not inclined to do so, here’s our favorite line.
“It’s about time, really,” said 43-year-old father of two Roland Crawford of St. Louis. “Our old 1994 Hyundai Accent can barely make it upstairs anymore.”
may have been the first automaker to officially , but that doesn’t mean that the automotive obsessed can’t find similar deals elsewhere. Gearhead Deals rounds up all of the best steals of the interwebs for your car in one location. The site picks up automotive-related deals from sites like Amazon as well as directly from manufacturers.
Rebates, coupon deals and discount items are all listed daily for your enjoyment. If you’re quick, you can save some serious cash on everything from brake fluid to full tool sets, jacks, wheels, tires and various electronic gadgetry.
Just be aware that some of the deals have expiration dates. The upside is that, unlike Groupon, you don’t have to actually buy into the deal in order to reap the benefits. The savings are there for one and all. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got to go figure out how we’re going to make more room in the garage for all our swag.
2012 Gemballa Tornado at Top Marques Monaco – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you want to pick up a new supercar, there are few better places to do so than at the Top Marques show in Monaco. This year’s Monegasque exposition featured a staggering array of exotic machinery packed into close proximity, and for the first time included a closed-off section of the street course used for the Monaco Grand Prix, placed at the disposal of automakers and interested customers for test drives.
Among the this year was the -based , made by Gemballa as its first new product since the mysterious passing of its namesake founder. Along with the -based , the Tornado was set to be available for test drives around the iconic Rascasse corner by the Monte Carlo marina, but it didn’t quite make it there. Not because of a problem in transit or some mechanical issue preventing it from starting or anything like that, but because an unnamed Arabian sheikh snapped it up before anyone else could get their hands on it. A mere 16 seconds after the doors opened, according to show organizers. Think he got good terms on a finance deal?
for the official show recap, including the story of one vehicle that barely made it through the doors of the Grimaldi Forum.
Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Some watchmakers need a merchandizing deal with an carmaker to give their timepieces an automotive theme. Others bank on their sponsorship of racing teams. Girard-Perregaux had Luigi Macaluso.
A former racing driver himself, Macaluso served as president of both the Italian Motorsport Federation and the International Karting Federation. He won the European Rally Championship in 1972, and served on the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council. In other words, a car guy (and racing enthusiast) through and through. And from 1992 until his passing last year, he served as president of Girard-Perregaux.
Macaluso’s own ties to the automotive industry brought the likes of and Pininfarina to partner with GP for their own branded timepieces – the former later switching to Panerai and the latter collaborating on a watch for the Rolls-Royce Hyperion and another for the P4/5 Competizione – but arguably its finest driver’s watch bore no merchandizing partnership at all.
The R&D 01 is the product of several years of – you guessed it – research and development, consulting with Formula 1 racing drivers to create a timepiece designed around the requirements of the driver. In other words, the ultimate driver’s watch.
The result is a chronograph whose push-buttons are inverted, as are their functions, for easier operation while driving. Its rotating internal bezel is inherently resistant to being knocked out of place like an external one. And the dials are styled after a car’s dashboard gauges and the crown field after an F1 air intake. The design is sporty, but far more subdued than some of the more extroverted driver’s watches we’ve featured on these webpages. And like all of Girard-Perregaux’s timepieces, the movement is crafted entirely in-house, which, like the R&D’s relatively subtle design, makes it an exception in a rapidly centralizing industry.
, , and are the only nameplates that failed to boast improved sales in April of 2011 when compared to the same period one year ago. Besides those Debbie Downers, things are looking pretty darn good for automakers in the United States.
We spend so much 
