is no longer focused on having actress ask us whether our car turns us on. Instead, the automaker is moving in a new direction and that requires a new voice. has just signed on Laurence Fishburne to become the new voice for Cadillac.
The first commercial with Morpheus Fishburne is set to run on January 1 during the Rose Bowl telecast. The new advertising campaign with which he’ll be a part of is called “Red-Blooded Luxury.”
With a title like that, we can only hope the focus will be on that pretty red . We’re fans of Fishburne and eager to see where this all goes, but we can’t help but wonder what Caddy’s marketing campaign would’ve been like . Check out the official press release after the jump.
[Source: General Motors Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty]
Are the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG’s gullwing doors just giant bunny ears? – Click above for high-res image gallery
We all know the story, and we’ve all used the line: we read Playboy for the articles. Somehow no one ever takes us seriously, but the fact of the matter is that Playboy is a men’s magazine with a wide readership and articles focusing on everything guys want to read about: sex, sports, politics and yes, even cars.
While you might think that with so many Bunnies hopping around the Mansion, the Rabbit would be the car of choice for Heff and company, they’ve actually put together their own comprehensive best-of selections again for 2011. The winner of the coveted Playboy Car of the Year? None other than the seen above. You can check out the other award winners by clicking through the perfectly-safe-for-work gallery below. Think they’ve chosen wisely? Share your thoughts in our Comments section.
It’s becoming harder and harder for manufacturers to hide from the all-seeing eye of the internet. A user with a quick lens over on managed to lay his aperture on a nearly completely uncamo’d example of the new Australian Ford Territory. While the Aussie Blue Oval has been showing off shadowy, stylized photos of the high-rider ahead of its debut, this is probably the best look yet at the new crossover. According to CarAdvice, the next-generation Territory will get its power from a turbo-diesel 2.7-liter V6 engine borrowed from the Land Rover Discovery 3 (a.k.a. ). A six-speed automatic transmission will handle shifting detail.
There’s also some indication that buyers will be able to opt for an inline six-cylinder gasoline mill if the oil burner doesn’t quite suit their wallets. At this point, it’s unclear whether Australian buyers will get to play with the new MyFord Touch system that American buyers have been jockeying with in products like the , but it’s a good possibility.
Australia is the midst of a serious product barrage with 85 percent of the company’s products receiving significant updates over the next 18 months. Head over to to see the full photos. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!
2012 Ford C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery
A few days after the , we had the chance to , ’s latest Euro-spec MPV destined for North American soil. Other markets around the world are ripe with these mini-minivans, but here in the States, our only C-segment MPV option is the very likable . The C-Max will drop its “Grand” nomenclature when it arrives here in North America, and the public will get its first taste of the new Ford at the 2011 .
Ford calls the C-Max’s seating configuration a “five-plus-two,” meaning that the interior is best suited for five passengers, and that the two rear seats are best used for small occupants. What’s more, Ford offers a unique storage solution for the middle seat in the second row, allowing it to fold down and is stow underneath the bottom cushion of the rear passenger-side chair, creating a set of two captain’s seats in the process. The rest of the C-Max interior is very much akin to what we’ve seen in the 2012 Focus, and we’re quite impressed with the high-quality craftsmanship that FoMoCo is putting into its latest crop of cabins.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the 2012 C-Max is its hands-free liftgate. Much like a passive entry system for the driver’s door, whoever has the C-Max’s key fob on their person can simply wave their leg under the rear bumper, triggering two sensors that will open the liftgate. It’s pretty slick, and Ford tells us that this technology will me making its way to the vast majority of the company’s hatchback products.
The base powertrain in the C-Max is Ford’s 2.5-liter inline-four also found in the . In its MPV home, this mill produces 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. The upmarket engine is an all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, rated at 180 hp and 173 lb-ft of twist, also mated to a six-speed ‘box. The C-Max is only available with front-wheel drive, and 17-inch wheels are fitted to all three trim levels – S, SE and SEL.
We’re eager to get our mitts on the U.S.-spec C-Max, and we’re crossing our fingers that American car buyers will be more receptive to smaller MPVs than in the past. Check out the 2012 C-Max for yourself in the gallery below, and for the full suite of details.
Gallery:
[Source: Ford]
: 2012 Ford C-Max puts the ‘mini’ back in ‘minivan’
Some cars are unfairly derided as “chick cars,” like the or the . Less so the Renault Twingo. While we’re sure it’s a good car for its class, it doesn’t exactly ooze testosterone. Which is fine, of course, because not every car is targeted at male customers. But Renault takes things a step further.
In a controversial television commercial, the French automaker depicts a little girl-on-girl encounter for Italian audiences. One that we won’t describe here, but invite you to watch (over and over again) in the .
Now Renault’s done some racy spots for the Twingo before – two of which we’ve also posted – so perhaps the more surprising part is that it’s been banned from the airwaves. In Italy, of all places, by the media conglomerate owned by the country’s philanderer-in-chief, Prime Minister .
A political move, perhaps, in light of recent challenges to his tenure made by conservative leaders (reportedly including Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo)? We’ll leave that to the pundits, and invite you to follow us beyond to watch the videos for yourself. Hat tip to Doogie Hauser!
In an 8-K filing posted with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, revealed that, by the end of the third quarter, it had already lined up 3,000 buyers, each of whom has coughed up $5,000 required to reserve the automaker’s long-promised Model S. Additional information mentioned in the report suggests that the Model S will eventually obtain a five-star safety rating, feature more cargo room than any other sedan on the market and be designed to accommodate battery-swap technology.
The SEC filing details Tesla’s numerous deals with other automakers, which are briefly outlined below:
Tesla received an initial order for 1,500 lithium-ion battery packs for the ED
Tesla anticipates selling 500 lithium-ion battery packs to Daimler for use in the A-Class electric.
The automaker’s cumulative sales to Daimler topped the $12-million mark earlier this year.
Tesla expects revenue of $60 million for its part in developing components for the .
To read Tesla’s 8-K SEC filing, which is jam-packed with graphics that detail the automaker’s intentions, .
Mission Motors Mission R – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mission R cut in a teaser shot from that presaged its arrival. Now, with its public debut scheduled for later today at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, the lights have come up and the bike is rather awe-inspiring. As we take it in details, from its front Brembo brakes to its rear single-sided swingarm, we are indeed smitten.
Newly developed components have been intelligently integrated into a compact James Parker-conceived chassis, then dressed in a design of grace and aggression by Tim Prentice of Motonium. The result is an electric race bike that’s smaller than a typical 600cc MotoGP machine, yet it holds a massive 14.4 kWh battery beneath its carbon fiber skin. You might not guess this creature weighs a significant 545 pounds (247.2 kg), and though we’ve yet to see it dance through the esses, we’re hoping its movements will conceal this fact as well.
To push the package along, the liquid-cooled AC motor pumps out 141 horses with 115 pound-feet of twist on tap from 0 to 6500 RPM. Top speed hasn’t been determined yet (it will only visit the track sometime after the calender flips to 2011), but the company expects it will easily see 160 miles per hour.
We will have the opportunity to see how the Mission R compares with its peers later in the new year when it competes in the TTXGP North American Championship. The factory team has a lot to prove after sitting out the 2010 season, but this certainly looks promising. The official press release and complete specifications await past the break.
Automobile has compiled a list of the 2011 model year vehicles deserving of all-star recognition. To show off each choice, the buff book has enlisted illustrator . The list of 2011 Automobile All-Stars features:
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It’s hard to argue with that rundown and you can head over to to be honored.
Even for those who didn’t know him during his glory days, Chuck Jordan was a familiar face on the auto show circuit. Slowed only a bit by a stroke, he was still present at a surprising number of the major shows, squeezed in with the assorted reporters, photographers and videographers, paying close attention to – and offering his perceptions on – the latest and greatest the industry could roll out.
I last saw Chuck Jordan earlier this year, not long before his death last week at the age of 83. The silver-white hair had thinned and the face was a bit gaunt, but he was still the trim and dapper silver fox I first met shortly before he assumed the design helm at General Motors. As only the fourth global styling chief in GM’s history, Jordan was a powerful man – too much so, contended his critics – one whose simple whim could transform or even kill an entire product program.
Jordan was a powerful man – too much so, contended his critics.
In his early years, the young designer earned kudos for stand-out efforts like the 1958 Corvette and, most notoriously, the ‘59 Cadillac Eldorado, with its over-the-top tailfins – which Jordan likened to “letting the tiger out of the cage.” He was a critical force in the golden era of GM design, when the maker’s striking approach to styling helped it capture more than half of the overall U.S. new car market.
By the time he assumed the title of vice president of the General Motors Design Staff, on October 6, 1986, however, GM was already in a steep decline. And the company Jordan left six years later was at best a hobbled giant. Today, looking back, it’s disheartening to realize how few truly significant products made it through his lavishly-furnished office at the General Motors Technical Center.
Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of , and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.
The Speed Channel is approaching the 15th anniversary of its original air date and apparently its going to get much more aggressive with its content in the coming years. Right now, Speed has 20 new shows in development and six of those are ready to show up in your DVR in 2011.
We know that . Other items in the works include a series of specials with Jay Leno, a reality series based on Gran Turismo 5 (produced in cooperation with Sony and Nissan) and a Gymkhana program to be helmed by The Fast and the Furious Producer/DIrector Adam Cohen.
Those represent part of the growing projects currently under development. These six new shows are ready to by slotted into the lineup (titles subject to change):
-Car Warriors: Think Joes vs Pros but for car construction. A team of average folks square off against all-star builders and their work will be judged by George Barris, Jimmy Shine and Mad Mike Martin.
-American Truckers: Rob Mariani talks about iconic rigs, amazing routes and unique cargo tales. Kind of a niche audience here but the “iconic rigs” could be interesting.
-Car Science: The producers of Sports Science and Fight Science have turned their attention to automobiles.
-Speedmakers: Surprisingly not a Breaking Bad rip-off, but an examination of anything that makes speed possible. The show will examine the Daytona International Speedway, go behind the scenes at and will generally focus on engineering feats designed to maximize speed.
-Ticket to Ride with Dan Neil: Pulitzer-prize winner Dan Neil turns his column into a television show. If Speed lets him handle the writing, this one could prove quite interesting.
-The 10: This one is for the NASCAR fans. The 10 will highlight the best that NASCAR has served up over the years with topics such as Most Bizarre Finishes, All-Time Races, Throw-downs and Closest Calls.
Numerous have that the so-called new car smell – which is actually a potent outgassing of volatile organic chemicals and heavy metals – can be potentially dangerous to breathe in, and that some people are by these VOCs than others.
But could that new car smell be so insidious that it could cause you to lose consciousness long enough that you get into an accident? And if so, could an attorney use such a new car smell defense to ease a client’s legal woes? Sounds a bit odd, but just such a case is currently taking place in Colorado.
Here are the facts: Martin Erzinger, owner of a 2010 sedan (model unknown), fell asleep at the wheel, drifted off the road and struck a bicyclist named Dr. Steven Milo before colliding with a concrete barrier. The unresolved questions are whether Erzinger’s sleep apnea was compounded by his car’s odors, as suggested by a forensic specialist, and if he was aware that he had struck a pedestrian.
Of course, it’s not up to us to decide how guilty or innocent Erzinger may be… we’ll leave that up to the court. But we are curious what you think. Could a particularly noxious new car smell be a contributing factor in an accident?
2011 Gemballa Tornado – Click above for high-res image gallery
Death is an ominous shadow to cast over a company. All the more so when was not, as the case were, from natural causes. But in the wake of Uwe Gemballa’s passing, the company that bears his name appears to be emerging from that shadow, creating the beast of a machine seen here.
So far all that’s been released about the new Gemballa Tornado are the images you see here and scarce few details. It’s based on the , and as you can tell, replaces many of the body panels with carbon fiber. Uwe Gemballa’s , Andreas Schwarz, points out that unlike other aftermarket body kits, the composite panels on the Tornado replace the steel ones on the stock Cayenne instead of simply applying them on top. And an aggressive-looking job they’ve done of it, integrating gigantic air ducts, LED running lights, a significantly wider track and restyled taillights, all in a high-contrast treatment while shaving a good 150 pounds off the big sport ute’s curb weight.
Further details on the interior still under development and the engine – tipped to produce some 700 horsepower with a Stage 2 turbo kit – are expected to follow. As will pricing, which promises to be just as astronomical as that horsepower figure, with only 30 examples slated for production.
If you think early winter weather is causing you headaches this season, you should hear what and are putting up with. The companies have seen production slow in at least seven of their manufacturing facilities in Canada and the Midwest thanks to road closings. According to Bloomberg, The General was forced to either slow or stop production of at least eight models, including the , and as well as the and . And Ford hasn’t fared much better – the Blue Oval has brought production of at least six models to a stop.
Among the FoMoCo casualties of this week’s winter wonderland? The , and , but work was also held up on the and . Additionally, the slowdown may impact the automakers’ fourth-quarter results, since most carmakers record their revenue when vehicles are assembled at the plant.
Interestingly enough, , which operates facilities in Canada, has apparently not had to slow or stop production because of the weather. Likewise, the plant in Marysville, Ohio is operating normally so far this season.
If anyone knows about turning things around, it’s Bob Lutz. After all, he was a naval aviator, and those guys can pull some serious G forces. He’s also widely credited with keeping Chrysler alive for longer than it might have been otherwise. But what’s he up to these days?
Well for one thing he’s sitting on the senior advisory board for , giving and company some guidance as they endeavor to usher the House that Colin Built into a new era. And an ambitious endeavor it is, rolling out all at once while expanding its motorsports program tenfold and then some.
So what does Lutz think of Lotus’ chances? Well he’s optimistic, but cautiously so. Lutz reportedly gives the prospects at least a 60 percent chance to succeed, but importantly, he thinks it’s more viable than the company’s current path. According to Lutz, “It’s a risk. But I’m quite certain it stands a better chance than the Lotus status quo, which for sure would eventually lead this great brand into terminal decline.”
In other words, while there are no guarantees, it’s a good plan – not a perfect one – and it’ll take some good ol’ fashion elbow grease to make it work – something Lutz knows all about.
Gooding will be unearthing some vintage competitors and a barely used road car to its 2011 Scottsdale Auctions next month: a barn find 1964 Shelby Cobra and 1965 Shelby GT350 R, 1964 904, 1965 275 GTB, the purported lowest-mileage unrestored 300SL Roadster anywhere.
Said to be the only unrestored Cobra in blue and red livery, the ‘64 snake spent 33 years in “storage” yet comes off as surprisingly lustworthy in spite of that. It began life as Carroll Shelby’s promo car at SoCal racing venues, was dredged up from the deep to do the Postwar Preservation Class at this year’s Pebble Beach, and now expects to find a good home for somewhere north of $525,000. The ‘65 Shelby GT350 R is a one-of-26 that was campaigned and did plenty of winning in the B-Production Championship in the sixties.
Another serious racer was the four-cam, fiberglass-bodied ‘64 Porsche 904. The one up for auction was used to beat Phil Hill, who was driving a Cobra, at Candlestick Park in 1965. Finally, the ‘62 Mercedes 300SL has so few miles that it could qualify for a barn find: 7,367 original miles in 48 years and still in the care of its original owner. The auction happens January 21-22 next year. There’s more info on the cars in the presser , along with some high-res galleries below and after the break if you just want to window shop. And trust us, you do.
2011 Audi A1 – Click above for high-res image gallery
There’s been some speculation that the steep price tag on the Audi A1 has kept the hatch from being the sales success that had hoped. Right now, the A1 commands a €15,800 price tag in Germany (that’s a bit over $21k USD), and many analysts seem to think that kind of coin is well out of the reach of most young buyers. Audi, meanwhile, says that it isn’t having any issues moving A1 models off of dealer lots. The automaker is still on track to build 50,000 units this year, and hopes to put 30,000 into the hands of waiting buyers.
According to Automotive News, Audi has sold around 20,000 A1 hatchbacks since the hatchback hit the market in August. Even if things are as rosy as Audi claims, there’s some indication that the company will move to make the vehicle even more appetizing in the near future. European buyers may be able to get their hands on a five-door version of the car in short order. As of right now, the three-door design is the only available body configuration – and no, you still can’t have one, America.
2011Vauxhall VXR8 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Listen, . We know you’re kinda busy getting back on track, jump-starting your IPO, and generally getting your house in order. We appreciate it and everything. But could we ask just one favor? You see this Vauxhall? Could you bring it over to this side of the Atlantic, please? You don’t have to bring back to do it, no matter how many people are still . You can slap a badge on the nose – heck you can make it a if you want. Call it a Daewoo for all we care. Just bring it here.
What we’re talking about is the new Vauxhall VXR8, and it could very well be the best performance sedan The General offers this side of the . And it’s just undergone a series of updates, complete with a restyled front end, tail and interior, along with some new gizmos to keep all the power in check.
The VXR8 is based on the Holden Commodore, but instead of the hot ClubSport R8 model on which the previous Vauxhall was based, the new model starts with the new E3 GTS just launched in Australia. That means a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 with 425 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque – kept in line by new Magnetic Ride Control and Launch Control systems, driving through a six-speed transmission (automatic or manual) and a mechanical diff – for a 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.
There are plenty more reasons to want this muscle sedan on American shores, pronto, and you can read all about ‘em in the press release after the jump. We just hope someone at the RenCenter is listening.
If has any hope of meeting its goal of , the little hybrid hatchback is going to need an attractive price point. Whether or not $29,120, the rumored base price of the (*not including destination, taxes, etc.), will be enough to get foot traffic in Lexus dealerships remains to be seen.
According to the website The Lexus Enthusiast, this pricing data was mistakenly leaked a day ahead of its planned-for arrival by the official blog for Lexus of Reno, . If true, a tad over $31K out the door ought to nab you a nicely equipped CT with a moonroof and heated seats, and of course there are a slew of available options that include premium audio, navigation, leather seating surfaces and Lexus’ Pre-Collision technology.
For what it’s worth, assuming these prices are accurate, the 2011 CT 200h will be the least expensive new Lexus sold in America. The base price for the IS series and hybrid sedan is several thousand dollars higher. And, perhaps more importantly, the CT looks to be priced about $2,000 less than the .
Dodge Ram – Click above for high-res image gallery
is recalling 76,112 trucks for a problem that may result in brake pedals that don’t return as quickly as they should. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the issue is specific to 2010 and 2011 model year diesel trucks. Models made between March 2009 and October 2010 may have been built with power steering reservoir caps with “excessive vent pressure levels.” Somehow, the faulty power steering cap causes the brake pedals to be slow to return.
We aren’t entirely clear on how the power steering cap impacts the braking system, but NHTSA says that the danger isn’t that drivers won’t be able to stop their trucks – the brakes release when they should. Instead, the vehicle’s brake lights will stay illuminated for too long, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Chrysler says it has received 175 reports of the issue, but it has received no reports of any accidents or injuries stemming from the defect. Chrysler will notify owners of affected trucks that it will inspect and replace the power steering reservoir cap for free as necessary. Hit the jump to see the full NHTSA campaign report.
At least a few eyebrows were raised when Ford first let on that it was bringing the Explorer back in a radically different form for 2011. Have Alan Mullaly and Co. made the right call?
Here’s our first official glimpse at the face of the next-generation Honda Civic. The automaker will display the Civic show car at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
Ideas for stuff that goes under the tree… the kind of car gifts that don’t cost too much but go over well with your family.
Newly developed components have been intelligently integrated into a compact James Parker-conceived chassis, then dressed in a 
Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of , and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.
