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If you don’t get pinched by the wiper arm on the new Toyota Yaris, you have the company’s new “devil’s advocate” product development philosophy to thank. The approach entails a team of engineers doing things with the car that Toyota wouldn’t normally be able to fathom. The events of the past year have shown that people will do wacky things with their cars, like making floormat layer cakes, and this spurred management changes like more local authority for North American operations.

Toyota has installed more executives in its American plants and given the U.S. arm of the business its own decision-making power on recalls, rather than waiting for word from the home office. A single database of internal and external vehicle quality discussions is also being put together to make Toyota’s reaction more nimble.

There are critics of the efforts. Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety doesn’t find a new attitude in Toyota’s response to quality complaints much of a departure from the past, calling it “pretty much the same-old, same-old.” Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies opines that Toyota is “biding their time” and still tends to blame the victims rather than solve issues like the ones recently plaguing the company.

Whether Toyota’s reactions are percieved critically or complimentary, there is at least the indication of a desire to rectify a damaging situation, and you can now be sure that many engineering mules are undergoing strange experiments deep in the bowels of some Toyota R&D bunker to quantify the effects of ECU pins shorted by a french fry.

[Source: Advertising Age]

Toyota taking “devil’s advocate” approach to product development

First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 300

The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 line is more proof that Chrysler is on the right track.

Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murciélago replacement caught wearing only camo

Our intrepid spy photographers have snapped Lamborghni’s new flagship, tentatively dubbed Aventador, wearing nothing but swirly camouflage over its newly redesigned body.

Speed Read: The Man in the White Suit by Ben Collins (The Stig)

Find out the best explanation as to why Ben Collins turned his back on Top Gear.

Also of interest:

• Man tattooes ‘Mini’ on his penis to win free Cooper
• Video: Chevy Caprice Patrol Vehicle gets pounded by police
• Noble M600 supercar finally enters production
• Ford earned $190M in Q4, $6.6B in 2010
• Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 1.28.11

We won’t necessarily argue with an automaker (especially Lamborghini) unwrapping its new hotness from the inside out. Recently, we received a photo of the Murciélago replacement’s new pushrod suspension – something we were first discovered during our talks with the Lamborghini’s CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Now, our intrepid spy photographers have snapped Lamborghni’s new flagship, tentatively dubbed Aventador, wearing nothing but swirly camouflage over its newly redesigned body.

The new Lamborghini’s gorgeous bodywork takes many of its cues from the Sesto Elemento concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show last year. Underneath the sexy exterior is the automaker’s new V12 heart of gold, and we should see the finished product in the flesh at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March. In the meantime, continue the striptease for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murciélago replacement caught wearing only camo

It’s no secret that the 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are more attractive and are substantially more refined than the models they replace. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the new LX-platform twins are also incredibly safe, too – earning the company’s prestigious Top Safety Pick designation for the first time ever.

To note, the last-generation Charger and 300 earned the second-lowest rating available in side impact protection, even when equipped with side-curtain airbags. Yikes. On the other hand, the 2011 Charger withstood a force equal to 5.37 times the car’s weight during the roof strength test (for rollover protection). The current federal standard for this test is 1.5 times the car’s weight.

Chrysler has now earned seven Top Safety Pick ratings for its latest crop of 2011 vehicles. To read the press release about the Charger and 300’s earnings, follow the jump.

Gallery photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earn Top Safety Pick awards

2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earn Top Safety Pick awards

Following in the footsteps of its parent’s at Audi, Lamborghini has made all-wheel drive something of a battle cry. What was introduced as an option on the Diablo VT has now proliferated across every model Lamborghini has made since its introduction. Well… until the Balboni edition came along.

To honor the career of the company’s long-serving test driver Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini rolled out a purist’s version of the Gallardo that did away with the all-wheel drive system in favor of rear-drive only, dropped 10 horsepower and was available with a classic gated manual in the place of the e-gear sequential gearbox.

The Balboni edition – carrying the LP 550-2 designation to mark its metric horsepower output and traction configuration – was set to be the only rear-drive Gallardo available, until Lamborghini announced the Bicolore edition just the other day. Although sold overseas with all-wheel drive, the American version was announced as the first rear-drive LP 550-2 to follow the Balboni.

According to reports coming in from Italy, Lamborghini is now preparing to offer the LP 550-2 as a sort of “entry-level” Gallardo, undercutting the price of other versions while offering the more direct drivetrain set-up. Apparently Lamborghini already sold a number of these LP 550-2s to Asian customers who missed out on the Balboni’s limited production run, and will now offer the bare-bones Gallardo as a regular member of the family.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: OmniAuto.it - translated]

Lamborghini to position rear-drive LP 550-2 as “entry-level” Gallardo?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new testing methodology has proven to be remarkably tougher than its old tests. In the past NHTSA gave out five-star ratings like they were “massage” pamphlets on the Vegas strip, but the new regulations have led to only 11 five-star Overall Vehicle Scores out of 50 vehicles. So with that in mind it’s big news for Honda that the all-new 2011 Odyssey has earned an overall five-star rating for all three crash tests, test category and overall. In fact, the Odyssey’s only four-star score came in rollover testing. Honda points to its new Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure as a reason the Odyssey fared so well in NHTSA testing. ACE evenly distributes crash energy throughout the front end of the vehicle, making front-end collisions less dangerous for passengers.

The Odyssey’s big win from NHTSA comes after the popular minivan managed the top score of “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Odyssey isn’t yet eligible for the Top Safety Pick designation since it hasn’t been tested for roof strength. Hit the jump to read over the Honda press release.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

The facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG wasn’t supposed to see the light of day until the Geneva Motor Show this March, but a sizable batch of photos have leaked out giving us a clear look at what to expect in Switzerland.

On the outside, the C63 gets a set of SL-inspired headlamps with ornate light-piping and LED DRLs mounted in the revised fascia. LEDs make their way to the tail lamps, while redesigned 18-inch wheels fill the wheel wells and frame upgraded brakes.

AMG opted to retain the 6.2-liter V8 instead of fitting its new 5.5-liter biturbo mill, so output remains at 451 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The Development Package will reportedly stick around for 2012, raising output to 481 hp and nixing the 155 mph limiter to allow the C63 to top out at 174 mph. The sports package also includes a few interior tweaks, a carbon fiber trunk spoiler and red calipers that clamp onto 14.2-inch front discs.

However, the biggest change comes in the form of a new transmission. The C63 now sends power to a seven-speed Speedshift MCT auto ‘box which swaps out the conventional torque converter for a high-performance clutch pack said to deliver smoother, more immediate shifts.

After the C63’s big day in Geneva, the revised C-Class will go on sale this fall, with the AMG-fettled version getting a very slight bump in price.

[Source: Carscoop, Car and Driver]

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 leaks out

Honestly Volkswagen? Why even bother with camo? If you’re going to parade the 2012 Beetle out in the open – with it’s chopped roofline and redesigned rump – is a little bit of paint-matching trim around the headlamps really worth the effort? And while we’re at it, the bright silver paint isn’t doing your clandestine efforts any favors, either.

Unlike the shots our spies snagged late last year, this newest batch shows a near production-ready Beetle, complete with a reworked fascia, more deeply drawn headlamps and some attractive contouring around the greenhouse. The new chiseled sides, thickened C-pillar and higher hatch do their best to modernize an aging design, as will the underpinnings: all the good bits from the Golf VI platform combined with V-Dub’s 2.5-liter inline-five in the base models and something turbocharged further up the food chain. Expect more details to surface over the next few months, with a possible debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Volkswagen (new new) Beetle caught undisguised

Changed For The Better, But Not Quite Enough

2011 Scion tC – Click above for high-res image gallery

Historians William Strauss and Neil Howe are known for their theory that America goes through a repeating cycle of four periods: a High, an Awakening, an Unraveling and a Crisis. Depending on who you believe, we could be in an Unraveling period about to fall headlong into a major crisis, which our two historians call the Fourth Turning. But if we persevere and turn the corner, we’ll find ourselves back in High times once again.

We reckon the Scion brand is in about the same spot. It hasn’t had much positive to report lately, so the redesigned 2011 Scion tC gives the brand something to talk about while it works out how to improve on its initially strong showing in the U.S. Does the new tC portend a return to High times for Scion, or is it leading a parade lap right into the Fourth Turning?

Continue Reading…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeff Glucker / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Scion tC

Review: 2011 Scion tC

Earlier today, General Motors announced that it is withdrawing its request for $14.4 billion in direct loans from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $25-billion program aimed at retooling factories for the production of fuel-efficient vehicles. GM’s chief financial officer Chris Liddel, outlined the automaker’s choice to cancel its loan request, stating:

This decision is based on our confidence in GM’s overall progress and strong, global business performance. Withdrawing our DOE loan application is consistent with our goal to carry minimal debt on our balance sheet.

Speaking at the DC Auto Show, GM’s Ed Welburn said, “This decision will not affect the strong investment we are making in new technologies and design.”

For the past several months, The General had debated canceling its request for DOE loans, which the automaker first submitted in late 2008. The DOE has been having a tough time distributing the loans in a timely manner anyway, so last week GM’s board of directors approved the decision to withdraw the application. However, GM’s ongoing commitment to develop and produce fuel-efficient automobiles can be seen in vehicles like the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt and the 40-plus miles per gallon Cruze Eco.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors withdraws $14.4B federal loan request

General Motors withdraws $14.4B federal loan request

Think of what a future F1 race car might look like and you’re likely to conjure up images similar to the Red Bull X1 prototype. But the fact is, in all likelihood, an F1 car nine years from now will look pretty much like the ones we see today. After all, how radically different are contemporary F1 racers from the ones we saw a decade ago?

You can expect some significant changes to come into effect, though, over the coming decade, as the sport grapples with finding the sweet-spot in terms of spectacle, environmental friendliness and the like. Speaking with Renault F1 designer Pat Symonds, F1 Racing magazine came up with their projection. It takes into account such anticipated features as low-profile tires on larger wheels, ground-effect aerodynamics returning to replace the downforce reduced by the standardized rear wing and a beefier Kintetic Energy Recovery System good for a 250 horsepower boost.

Of course all these projections could prove way off by the time 2020 rolls around, but they could prove spot on. We’ll just have to keep watching to find out. In the meantime you can see the only two images which the publication has released, or head to the newsstand to see more.

[Source: F1 Racing]

Continue reading Foresight 2020: F1 Racing projects the future grand prix racer

Foresight 2020: F1 Racing projects the future grand prix racer

BMW is serious about its genre-bending multi-purpose vehicles. Proof of such can be seen in vehicles such as the X6 and 5 Series Gran Turismo, both of which were designed to offer something that fits in between a standard wagon and another carbon-copy crossover.

It appears BMW may be thinking of downsizing the trend with a not-a-wagon, not-an-X1 version of its 1 Series that would slot in below the expected 3 Series GT. For those keeping track, such a strategy means that BMW could potentially offer its 1, 3 and 5 Series nameplates in sedan, wagon (or hatchback), crossover (X-series) and Gran Turismo styles, not to mention a range of coupes. And don’t forget that BMW is also moving its Mini brand up in size a few notches, most recently with the Countryman.

The 1 Series GT (which may or may not be pictured above, an image that reportedly came from an unknown UK magazine…) would almost surely be front-wheel drive, as the German automaker is known to be working on such an architecture for its smallest, entry-level models and it would offer the most efficient use of space. All-wheel drive could potentially be offered as an option, as the platform is expected to support such an arrangement.

Yes, BMW’s rumored lineup clearly leaves lots of room to offer something for just about any – and we do mean any – potential buyer.

[Source: German Car Forum]

BMW planning 1 Series GT?

After three consecutive wins in the famously brutal Dakar Rally, Volkswagen is no stranger to cresting dunes and speeding across desert terrain. And now the German automaker has rolled in to Qatar with a pair of very special Touaregs.

Most enticing of the two is the Race Touareg 3 Qatar. Envisioned as a street-legal version of the rally raider that recently locked out the podium at Dakar, the Race Touareg 3 Qatar looks every bit the beast it’s based on, with a few nods towards usability. It packs the same 300-horsepower 2.5-liter TDI, with the 16-inch wheels of the rally machine swapped out for gold-colored BBS wheels complimented by the “Race Touareg” wording in gold across the “Magic Morning” white flank.

Inside is where the real changes have been made, however, upgrading on the bare-bones race cabin with one designed after the cockpit on a stealth aircraft. The ergonomics and appearance of the interior have been thoroughly worked over, characterized by matte carbon-fiber trim and a Serpetino Grey Metallic role cage, with Recaro racing buckets and door panels trimmed in Nubuk and perforated Nappa leather in black, grey and red.

The Race Touareg 3 Qatar is joined on Volkswagen’s show stand in Doha by the Touareg Gold Edition. As you might have guessed, the Gold Edition is decked out in 24-karat gold trim inside and out. The shiny stuff coats the 22-inch wheels, roof rails, window frames, door mirrors, grille surround and more. The interior is likewise distinguished by gold trim, “complimenting” (as it were) the Luna trim color, Alcantara roofliner, Nappa leather seats, natural brown leather and Walnut Burr veneers.

The gold-trimmed SUV is bound to be a hit with the Persian Gulf crowd, but halfway around the world we’re hoping the Race Touareg 3 Qatar makes its way from the show floor to the showroom and onto our streets as a compelling import alternative to the Ford Raptor. Too much to wish for? Only time will tell, but you can follow the jump now for the full press release and scope out the two concept vehicles in the pair of high-resolution image galleries below.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen hits Qatar with a pair of special Touaregs

Volkswagen hits Qatar with a pair of special Touaregs

Cadillac is preparing to launch a new flagship sedan based on the XTS Platinum concept that will replace both the STS and DTS sedans in the luxury automaker’s lineup. Our trusty spy photographers recently caught this camouflaged prototype within GM’s testing facility, showing that the car has skipped the normal test mule phase and gone right to what’s called the IVER – Integration Vehicle Engineering Release – stage.

During its move from concept to production, the XTS has lots its frameless window design in favor of more traditional pillars, including a proper B-pillar construction. Still, the shape and placement of the door cut lines seem to be identical to the concept, as does the rake of the C-pillar.

Since the production XTS will ride on the same Epsilon II architecture that underpins the Buick LaCrosse, expect the production car to be front-wheel drive, though it’s likely that an all-wheel-drive variant will be offered once the car hits showrooms. See the prototype for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Production Cadillac XTS caught testing

BMW has teamed up with students of automotive design and fashion at the European Institute of Design in Barcelona to come up with some ideas on what the future of urban transportation may bring. And the results are… ahem, interesting.

And by interesting, what we really mean is strange.

Take, for instance, the Comme des Voitures, which features a pair of boots that feature soles clad with ball bearings and a helmet of sorts that beams relevant information to the “rider.” And then there’s the City-Skiing concept that is exactly what it sounds like, except that the skis are tall and short, and the corresponding suit looks like it was originally meant for a moon landing.

Slightly – and we do mean slightly – more rational is Flymag, which pairs a cape-like suit with a human-powered scooter that looks like a stroller. Combine the two and you’ve got a wee little automobile. We also have the Svala, again featuring a suit that controls a… wheeled thing that’s supposedly electric.

And then we get crazy again with the B-Motion, an insane hoverboard and backpack combo that makes absolutely zero sense to us. Anyway, do check them out in the image gallery below.

[Source: European Institute of Design in Barcelona via Engadget]

BMW envisions a future of wearable transportation

	Chevy Volt ads accidentally air on MTV’s Skins; PTC calls reality show child porn That’s what we call an “oops.”		Prediction: Tesla shares could hit $50 by 2014 All of a suddern, that T looks a bit like a bull.
	2012 Chevy Sonic estimated to hit 40 mpg highway Better than the Aveo, Cruze, Fit and Yaris.	Other news: Japanese high school team designs 18-inch tall electric car [w/video] API: U.S. petroleum deliveries rises 2.3% in 2010 EPA, DOT, California all agree on timeframe for new CAFE standards

AutoblogGreen for 01.26.11

After taking a look at our high-res image gallery below, we were tempted to say the Pagani Huayra made its o-fish-ial web debut… but we won’t. Oh, wait.

In any case, Pagani’s newest supercar can now be seen in all its glory, and we generally approve of the overall styling, despite the fact it’s got something of a bottom-feeder fascia up front. Moving past that, we see a pretty serious set of gullwing doors and enough slats, flares and strakes to fill the sketchbook of a Boeing designer.

All those aero aids will surely come in handy when all the fury of the Mercedes-Benz AMG-built 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine is unleashed on the hapless pair of rear tires – the Huayra is said to be capable of speeds up near 230 miles per hour.

Over 700 horsepower and about 740 pound-feet of torque will be sent to the ground through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Couple that with a weight of just under 3,000 pounds – aided by copious amounts of carbon fiber – and you have the makings of a 21st century rear-wheel drive rocket ship.

Inside you’ll find all the luxury touches you’d expect, including a cockpit slathered in beautiful hides and exposed aluminum and carbon fiber. You’ll also bask in the glowing blue gauges and multi-function display that controls audio, navigation and communications gadgetry.

Even if we’re just a tad stuck on that front fascia, there’s simply no arguing with this level of performance. Have a close look at the Huayra below, then check out the (translated) press release after the break.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

Continue reading Pagani Huayra makes its official web debut

Pagani Huayra makes its official web debut

As the smallest member of the Mercedes-Benz line, the A-Class has had a tough time earning much credibility or respect. That could change, though, if the German automaker were able to inject a dose of stylishness and sportiness into the next design, and it appears it may be doing exactly that.

Spy photographers managed to snap off a set of images that appear to show a quarter-scale styling buck of the next-gen A-Class (codename W176), and it’s much lower and more agressive than ever before, complete with some 2012 CLS in the flanks and fascia. As you can see from the green car in the background, Mercedes-Benz appears to be using its BlueZero F-Cell Concept as a basis for the small hatchback’s overall proportions.

Rumor has it that Mercedes-Benz will incorporate thee- and five-door models into the A-Class pipeline, along with a possible crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1. There could even be an AMG version of the little front-wheel drive machine, with as much as 270 horsepower. Reports indicate that the next B-Class will be based on the same architecture.

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class styling buck caught in the buff

Aston Martin has found a way to turn up the heat on its V8 Vantage with a new S model. The coupe packs the same 4.7-liter V8 under the hood as its predecessors, though the mad scientists in Gaydon have managed to wrench a full 430 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque from the eight-pot. The engine is now bolted to a tweaked version of the company’s seven-speed SportShift II transmission with even shorter ratios than before and the combined effect should be more than enough to snap your neck in style.

The engineers also bolted in a quicker steering rack, huge rotors and six-piston calipers up front to ensure this machine can take whatever level of flogging you deem appropriate.

The design crew at AM specifically lifted cues from the even mightier V12 Vantage and the race-bred Vantage GT4. That means buyers can expect to find a carbon fiber splitter low on the front fascia and a pair of wildlife-swallowing inlets designed to feed those massive stoppers. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin V8 Vantage S packs more power, attitude

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S packs more power, attitude

Can His Arsenal Survive New Management?

When Bob Lutz ran General Motors‘ product development efforts, he did something that no other car company has done in the history of making cars. He hired four automotive journalists to assess all of GM’s new vehicles before they were OK’d for production. And their word was law. Everything had to be developed to their satisfaction.

That didn’t go down well with GM’s traditional engineering staff, at least not at first. They didn’t like the fact that four outsiders, four media critics with no product development experience, could force them to make changes on a new-car program. But because the journos reported to Lutz, they had all the protection they needed.

Lutz hired them as full-time employees because he wanted an independent, third party voice to evaluate GM’s cars as they went through their development stages. “These are four guys who made a living out of critiquing cars,” Lutz says, “and they made a pretty good living at it.” Since the four didn’t hold any allegiance to the design, engineering or manufacturing staffs at GM, they could feel free to critique any car just as they would when they were full-time journalists.

Lutz tells me they were his secret weapons. He credits them with the reason why GM’s cars are now tuned to world-class standards. These guys didn’t design, engineer or develop any vehicles. That was done by GM’s long-standing employees. But the journos brought an enthusiast magazine mind-set to the evaluation process to make sure there would be very little for the press to pick apart.

I’ve known about Lutz’s secret weapons for several years. But he personally asked me not to write anything about them. That’s how much of a competitive advantage he felt they brought to GM. He didn’t want to see any other car company copying this approach. Since these guys are friends and colleagues whom I’ve known for years, I also didn’t want to jeopardize their jobs. So I didn’t write about them. Until now. And now I think it’s important that I do.

Continue reading…

John McElroy is host of the TV program “Autoline Detroit” and daily web video “Autoline Daily”. Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading How Bob Lutz made four auto journalists his “Secret Weapons” at GM

How Bob Lutz made four auto journalists his “Secret Weapons” at GM