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It’s the end of the 2010, and here at Autoblog, that means we’ve frittered away another 365 days driving great cars and going to the world’s best automotive events. While we certainly enjoy getting to do those things, what makes it worth it is being able to share it with you, our readers. We do our best to tell the stories, but as often as not, it’s the accompanying photographs that really allow us to share what we’re up to. Besides, we love seeing beautiful, high-res images of cars as much as the next guy, and we enjoy them all that much more when we’re the ones behind the lens.

As has become something of an end-of-December tradition here at Autoblog, we’ve gone through our hard drives in search of the best photos we’ve taken in the past year. We’ve selected the our favorite 100, which you can see assembled in the massive high-res gallery below. We hope you enjoy the images as much as we did reminiscing and putting them together. And if you want to get really nostalgic, you can view our favorite photos from 2009 as well as 2008. Enjoy!

All photos copyright (C)2010 AOL

Autoblog’s Top 100 Photographs of 2010

DeNooyer Chevrolet of Albany has dipped into GM’s Performance Parts catalog and come out with an LSX454 engine. After stuffing it into a Camaro, they know have a 620-horsepower coupe prowling their lot. In Georgia, NeSmith Chevrolet also took a look into the catalog and put in an order for supercharged LS9 normally found in a Corvette ZR1. Their NeSmith Storm Camaro puts out nearly 700 horses. In other words, the COPO is back! Check out our gallery below and then hop the jump to see video clips of both cars. Thanks for the tip, Tony!

[Source: The Detroit News Image: DeNooyer Performance Division]

Continue reading Report: Two Chevy dealers offering special 700-hp Camaro models – just like Yenko and Berger [w/video]

Report: Two Chevy dealers offering special 700-hp Camaro models – just like Yenko and Berger [w/video]

2010 was a banner year for Ford Motor Company. Market share and profits were as good as they’ve been in years, and there is genuine buzz surrounding the Blue Oval’s cars and trucks. Heck, even Ford’s stock has been a monumental success. But not all that glitters is gold, as Ford is still mired in junk bond status, which in turn makes it more expensive to borrow money. That makes it more pricey for Ford to offer incentives to customers, and lease terms are less attractive than they would otherwise be.

K.R. Kent, Ford’s new executive director of investor relations, is charged with getting Ford out of Junk status. Automotive News reports that Ford has been in junk status since 2005 and is currently four grades below junk status after being upgraded by two levels back in August. Ford CFO Lewis Booth admits that the company still has “a lot of steps to go before we get to investment grade.” Making the matter more urgent for Ford is the fact that Ally Financial, the finance arm for General Motors and Chrysler, became a bank holding company in the second quarter of 2009. Since that time, AN says that it has been cheaper for Ally to secure loans than Ford Credit.

We’re thinking that Ford has a big job in the year ahead, and getting out of junk status will likely take improved auto sales and continued quarterly profits. Booth says Ford will reach its junk-free goal by showing the investment community “authoritative and highly credible insight into our automotive business and Ford Credit.”

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Ford’s Big Goal in 2011: Get out of junk status, lower loan rates

Alex Roy is using his Fast Lane Daily video column to ask for your help. The transcontinental speed specialist has just moved to Santa Monica, California and his record-setting Polizei-liveried BMW is not exactly legal at the moment. He has about $20k to spend on a used car and he wants viewers to weigh-in on what he should buy.

His criteria? An automatic transmission due to the horrible LA traffic, and all-wheel drive… due to the horrible LA weather? He also wants a vehicle that will help him blend in with the crowd to help him keep away from Johnny Law and his ticket book. Obviously, Roy leans German right off the bat, naming a few Audi and BMW models he would consider but then expands his choices to include various Volvo and Jeep vehicles.

Roy wants to know what cars or trucks he is leaving out, and he wants you to help him. Hop the jump to hear Roy’s criteria and then leave your suggestions in Comments.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: What should Alex Roy’s next car be?

Video: What should Alex Roy’s next car be?

Picture your dream garage, and we have a sneaking suspicion that a fair few of the vehicles contained therein would be Ferrari supercars. But which ones? An F40? The F50 roadster that followed? Would you skip the Enzo and go right to its track-focused cousins, the FXX and the Maserati MC12? Benny Caiola had all of these and then some, but now his collection’s going up on the auction block.

The enviable stable of the late enthusiast and noted collector included an F40, F50, FXX Evoluzione (the even more advanced version of the Enzo-based customer prototype), an MC12, 333 SP (the last Le Mans Prototype Ferrari ever made), both a 430 Scuderia and an F430 Challenge racer, a 599 GTB Fiorano with the HGTE package and a ‘73 Dino, plus a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and a McLaren Mercedes SLR Roadster thrown in for good measure.

This lustworthy collection is all on the docket for Gooding & Company’s auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, for January 21-22. Most of the New York real estate mogul’s vehicles are estimated in the six-figure range, but several of them – notably the three V12 track monsters – are anticipated to fetch north of the million-dollar mark. Follow the jump for the full details in the press release and don’t forget to click through the 52-image high-resolution mega gallery below for a closer look at each of the supercars on the roster.

[Source: Gooding & Company]

Continue reading Ferrari supercars from Benny Caiola collection headline Gooding Scottsdale

Ferrari supercars from Benny Caiola collection headline Gooding Scottsdale

There are plenty of guilty pleasures when it comes to cars and motorcycles, but chief among them has to be the burnout. Sure, you might as well be lighting $100 bills on fire, and yes, you’re not exactly doing the environment or your vehicle any favors, but there’s just something magical about sending the rear (or front, though that’s usually not nearly as fun) wheels spinning. It seems that Pirelli has taken it upon itself to educate the public about the highly-addictive nature and dangers of lighting up a tire. Remember, kids, do as your told, not as we do.

Pirelli’s genius ad company, Y&R, is behind this bevy of spots, and with excellent photography and a little clever word play, they’re sure to stick in your mind. So, the next time you go to put your tires through some serious punishment, remember Pirelli’s words on the subjects. Think of the tires.

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Pirelli aims to protect your health, tires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a wee bit busier this year. As of December 14th, the agency reported that it had received over 64,000 complaints. Edmunds’ calculations, which remove duplicates, pegs the figure at more than 40,000 complaints – thanks in no small part to the spate of massive recalls from Toyota.

In fact, NHTSA reports that it received 87 complaints for every 100,000 vehicles sold by Toyota in 2010, more than double the Japanese automaker’s performance from the previous year and the highest percentage of any company selling cars in the United States.

Not that other automakers fared that much better. Nissan came in with the second highest ratio at 62 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and Volkswagen nabbed third place with 58. The industry average of 47 complaints per 100,000 vehicles was up from fewer than 30 in 2009. For what it’s worth, Ford and Honda had the lowest ratios of complaints, and there was little difference between American and Japanese manufacturers.

These complaints are a good thing, says NHTSA, as the agency can then determine if a customer’s problem is singular or part of a larger issue that affects multiple vehicles, possibly prompting an inspection or safety recall. So don’t quit yer’ complaining!

[Source: LA Times Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images]

Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA

When the dust settles on 2010, Volvo anticipates global sales of about 380,000 units. That’s probably less than Volvo executives (and the new owners at Zhejiang Geely) were hoping for, but a global slump in auto sales is at least partly to blame. Fortunately, many industry analysts are expecting increased demand for autos in 2011, and Volvo apparently feels that the growing appetite for new vehicles will result in more customers at the local Volvo dealer.

Bloomberg reports that the Swedish automaker is hiring an additional 200 workers to increase capacity at the company’s Gothenburg plant. The move will help Volvo increase production from 48 vehicles per hour to 52. That doesn’t sound like a huge bump, but over the course of 365, days four vehicles per hour adds up to thousands of additional vehicles. Volvo will reportedly begin hiring soon, with hopes of filling all 200 positions by March.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Volvo to hire 200 in Sweden in expectation of higher demand

The average gas price in the U.S. is over $3 right now, and there’s a good chance it’ll go higher before too long. What do you do in this situation if you’re a car dealer with a lot full of SUVs and big crossovers? You start being cautious.

That’s the takeaway point from an Automotive News article, with the key quote coming from a New York Ford dealer, who told the industry publication:

SUVs are still important in this area, but people are downsizing to more fuel efficient SUVs instead. We are still stocking with the idea that it may go either way. Hoping for the best, but prepared for anything.

For the moment, gas prices aren’t high enough to make people panic and try to offload their gas hogs the way we saw in 2008, but Kelley Blue Book analyst Alec Gutierrez told Automotive News that SUV sales could drop “dramatically” once gas reaches $3.50 or $4 a gallon, saying, “The days where a dealer could just go to auction and stock up on a bunch of SUVs and hold them for 40 or 60 days are over.”

The last time gas jumped up to panic levels was in 2008. That’s when Joe Crawford took the picture that illustrates this post. In the accompanying Flickr caption, he writes:

So a local (Culver City) car dealer started storing cars on the top of our parking garage. I always park on the roof, so anytime I am up there I see the cars. I have taken to think of these cars as an economic indicator. They all seem to be SUV vehicles. I wonder about why they are up there, and why there seems to be more every week. I suspect the fact that they’re stored here has something to do with the price of gas.

We suspect he’s right, and we can’t imagine there are dealers out there who want to have to go through a process like that again.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Image: Joe Crawford - C.C. 2.0]

Report: Facing high gas prices, dealers get cautious with big SUVs

Autoblog’s Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

Just under 70 concept cars were rolled out by automakers from around the globe at this year’s major auto shows. Here are our favorites.

Top Gear holiday special draws religious firestorm over burkha scene

The three amigos of Top Gear have once again gotten themselves into hot water over a stunt they pulled during a recent holiday special.

Video: Creative carpentry – tree branch used as spare tire

Man’s indomitable spirit, the actions of a clever idiot… or both?

Also of interest:

• Report: ‘Save the Nürburgring’ effort not going so well
• Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]
• Are you the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG?
• Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark
• British defense contractor designs Batmobile for military

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.29.10

If you think that joining in on the car-sharing party means that you’ll be stuck behind the wheel of a low-buck auto, prepare to be amazed. According to AutoWeek, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are diving into the car-sharing world with programs designed to allow users to experience a slice of luxury without having to foot the hassles associated with car ownership. BMW on Demand will provide drivers with a 1 Series for as little as €16 per hour in Europe (around $21 USD/hr). Those wanting a little more room can opt for a 5 Series for the low price of €23/hr ($30/hr), including servicing and cleaning.

Daimler, meanwhile, is working on a similar program in both Austin, Texas and Ulm, Germany, though that program will serve up products from the company’s Smart line. Users can reserve trim levels and colors on line or by phone, use the vehicle for as long as they like and drop it off in convenient car-sharing parking spaces. The time behind the wheel is automatically calculated and the user’s bank account automatically debited.

Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are delving into car-sharing to confront a growing lack of interest in ownership from younger generations and increased traffic in urban settings, even though some research has shown that the use of a single shared vehicle can contribute to the loss of as many as nine to 15 personal cars.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: BMW, Mercedes experiment with upscale car-sharing

We have heard that BMW has has registered a series of “i+number trademarks (i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, i6, i7, i8 and i9) to use for its fuel efficient MegaCity range of vehicles. BMWBlog is now saying that it has heard a rumor that the combination that will be applied to the upcoming (read: 2013 or 2014) version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept will be i8. This makes some sense, as a BMW i8 would conjure up images of the never-seen M8 supercar, but BMWBlog is unconvinced. After all, why bring back memories of gas-guzzling supercars when you’re trying to reinvent what one can be? Plus, since the vehicle is so far away, there’s probably no name set in stone yet anyway.

Whatever BMW decides on, it’ll be better than the name that the car was given when we first saw it at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. Vision EfficientDynamics is just way, way too long.

[Source: BMWBlog via Green Car Reports]

Rumormill: BMW’s production Vision Concept to be called i8

Episode #210 of the Autoblog Podcast is hosted by Dan this time around, though Chris Shunk calls in, and Zach Bowman takes up his role as number three. It starts with the Autoblog Garage and then heads for the Camaro outselling the Mustang for the first time since 1985. Staying with neo-ponycars, we talk about the ‘Cuda making a comeback (possibly), and our podcasters discuss why the Hyundai Sonata may just be their car of the year. BYD’s 2011 Detroit appearance and Toyota’s recall woes in 2010 being cited as the second biggest blunder of the year finish us up before we hit a couple of your questions before we end it at 58 minutes. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, Sonata is our COTY, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Toyota 4 Runner
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
2011 Buick Regal Turbo

News Topics:

• Toyota recalls named blunder of 2010
• BYD coming to Detroit show with two cars
• Hyundai Sonata is our informal COTY
• Camaro outsells Mustang
• Cuda comeback?

  
  Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman,
  Runtime: 58:26

  
  

  ---

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Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

Modern technology means that parental controls are now spreading to cars as factory equipment, and the automaker leading the charge is Ford. Using the latest version of the company’s MyKey system, parents can now block their children from listening to certain radio stations – say, for instance, Howard Stern or Playboy Radio on satellite. In fact, there are a dozen stations listed as explicit by Sirius, and all of them can be blocked using MyKey starting in 2011.

Also seeing an upgrade for 2011 is MyKey’s speed-limiting technology. Previously, the top speed of a properly equipped Ford vehicle could be capped at 80 miles per hour (with chimes sounding at 45, 55 and 65). Now, users can preset a desired speed limit at any of four different settings – 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph. While an obvious safety feature, the technology can also dramatically improve fuel efficiency.

Already, Ford’s MyKey allows parents to limit audio volume, encourage seatbelt usage by muting the radio until front occupants buckle up and provide earlier low-fuel warnings. All of these could be considered important safety features, considering that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that teens are more likely to speed (a contributing factor in 30 percent of fatal accidents) and are less likely to use their safety-belts.

Ford contracted the firm Penn, Schoen & Berland to conduct a survey regarding its new MyKey features, and the results aren’t terribly surprising: 85 percent of parents believe the speed limiting controls are important and 60 percent say the same regarding the radio content controls. Even 45 percent of teen drivers themselves say they approve of the technology… just as long as it means they get extended driving privileges from their parents. Of course, said teens can also simply circumvent the MyKey safety leash by listening to CDs or their MP3 players, but we digress.

Check out a video and full press release after the break to learn more about how the system works.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]

Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]

It’s good to know that even as the year winds down, the rumormill is still cranking along at full capacity. Auto Bild is suggesting that Volkswagen may be looking to share a production facility between models like the Golf, Boxster and Cayman. According to one insider, the company’s factory in Osnabrück is being geared up to take overflow production of the two sports cars should the need arise. That would mean that the Osnabrück plant would only start minting Caymans and Boxsters once the production at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen facility has maxed out.

The news comes courtesy of Ludger Teeken, CEO of the Osnabrück plant. Teeken says that steps have already been made to prepare the plant to be able to produce Porsche models should the need arise. Meanwhile, Golf production is set to kick off at the plant in early 2011.

[Source: Auto Bild]

Report: Porsche Boxster, Cayman to be built alongside VW Golf?

Just under 70 concept cars were rolled out by automakers from around the globe at this year’s major auto shows. These swoopy, futuristic showstoppers usually preview what’s to come in terms of new designs and technology, and in some cases, concept cars directly foreshadow full-on production models that aren’t too far down the pipeline.

We’ve scanned back through our full raft of concept car coverage over the past year to pick these examples, our ten best concept car and truck reveals from 2010, ranked in order as judged by our staff. See what we were most eager to point our cameras at after the jump, then sound off with your own favorites (or take us to task for ours) in Comments.

Continue reading…

Continue reading Autoblog’s Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

Autoblog’s Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

Now that we’ve seen the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in its bread-and-butter C250, C300 and C350 forms, it’s time to start thinking about the holier-than-thou, unabashedly hardcore C63 AMG. The folks at Germany’s EvoCars have stumbled upon what appear to be production-spec images of the AMG-laden 2012 C-Class, and while the brash bulginess of the current car has been toned down somewhat, there’s certainly nothing sedate about this new menacing Merc.

The biggest question about the next-generation C63 is whether or not Mercedes-Benz will ditch the current car’s glorious naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 in favor of the new twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter mill that will be used in the CL63, S63 and CLS63. EvoCars states that only the new C63 AMG Coupe will receive the 5.5-liter heart, and that power of the 6.2 will be bumped up for use in the sedan. Still, with either engine, we’re sure the C63 will be as lively as ever out on the road.

[Source: EvoCars (translated)]

Are you the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG?

Most cars never look quite as cool as their conceptual and pre-production versions, and it would appear that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will be no exception. Carscoop was able to get its hands on design drawings of the car used for trademark filings with the European patent office.

The good news is that the Cruze hatchback manages to stay fairly faithful to the version shown off at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The predictable bad news is that the front fascia looks less aggressive and ditches the LED light strips for standard fog lamps. What’s more, the wheels will be smaller than the oversized auto show setup seen in Paris, and the rear taillamps will most likely be toned down a notch. The design and the show car are actually very similar looking. However, you can’t have the sweet without the sour, so the really bad news is that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback has not been greenlit for U.S. roads.

[Source: Carscoop]

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark

Nissan’s Leaf is really getting around. On December 11th, Nissan forked over a Leaf to its first non-celebrity U.S. buyer. Nine days later, the automaker shipped 10 of its electric hatches to the offices of the Kanagawa Prefectural Government in Japan. Then, on December 22nd, Portugal took delivery of its first batch of Leafs, with the Portuguese electric mobility consortium MOBI.E getting nine of the automaker’s electric vehicles, becoming Nissan’s first commercial Leaf customer in all of Europe.

Additionally, Carlos Tavares, executive vice president of Nissan, handed off one Leaf to the Portuguese government, which it intends to use for test drives. Prime Minister José Sócrates, who accepted Nissan’s electric car on behalf of the nation’s government, stated:

We are extremely pleased to be introducing the electric vehicle in Portugal. After three years of collaborative work between the Government, public entities, the corporate consortium which developed the MOBI.E solution and Nissan, we have achieved the first smart, built-in charging network on a national scope, therefore we are the first country to welcome electric vehicles. By combining in a pioneer manner our commitment to renewable energies, the implementation of the smart charging network and the introduction of electric vehicles, Portugal will be in the lead of the transition to a more sustainable future.

Additional European Leaf deliveries are scheduled to occur in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands in early 2011. Check out the entire press release after the break.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Portugal Prime Minister Socrates first world leader to take delivery of Nissan Leaf

Portugal Prime Minister Socrates first world leader to take delivery of Nissan Leaf

November’s automobile production, not to be confused with total sales, has dropped by 6.7 percent in Japan as compared to a year ago. According to data published by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, November 2010 automobile production hit 802,009 total units. However, the overall drop fails to tell the whole story.

Japan’s production of standard cars – vehicles with an engine that displaces two liters or more – shot up 3.7 percent year-on-year in November. Likewise, truck production rose by 3.3 percent to 101,853 units and bus output increased by 11.7 percent, hitting 10,348 units. So, larger vehicle’s fared well, but how about the small autos?

Overall, passenger car production dropped off by 8.2 percent, falling to 689,808 units. Output of small cars – vehicles with an engine that displaces between 660 cc and 2.0 liters, just outside the tiny Kei car class – declined by 30.3 percent and mini cars (under 660 cc) were down 4.2 percent. Though production numbers have no direct connection to sales, the reported figures seem to suggest that Japan’s enthusiasm for smaller autos, which are likely to be more fuel efficient than larger vehicles, is waning.

[Source: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association]

Japan’s production of small cars down 30.3% for November