2011 Hyundai Elantra gets 40 mpg, no asterisks – Click above to watch video
has noticed an alarming trend: the needless wasting of perfectly good asterisks on window stickers all over the country.
The Korean automaker notes that some competitors create a special trim level for certain models that’s designed specifically to score a great fuel mileage rating from the EPA, while the other volume trim levels return a few miles per gallon less across the board. Since Hyundai won’t name names, we’ll do it for them: () and (). Every single version of the 2011 Elantra, however, , as Hyundai likes to keep reminding us. No asterisks required.
It also bears mentioning that starting with the month of November, 2010, Hyundai is the first automaker to specify the actual number of vehicles it sells that achieve or exceed the 40-mpg benchmark on its monthly sales report. For those keeping track, the figure from this past November was 192 vehicles – expect that number to rise dramatically in the coming months when the new Elantra goes on sale.
Great fuel economy is only one part of a much larger puzzle to marketplace success. Fortunately, we’ll have a First Drive report of the new 2011 Elantra to share in short order, so we’ll have a better understanding of what, if any, concessions were made to manage its laudable efficiency metrics. Stay tuned for that, and check out Hyundai’s Save the Asterisks video .
Further Evolving Sir Alec Issigonis’ Original Idea
2011 Mini Cooper – Click above for high-res image gallery
Henry , Ferdinand , Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler. All pioneers in the automotive world. But this list would be woefully incomplete without the inclusion of Sir Alec Issigonis, the man most responsible for the design of the original .
Issigonis once famously said, “When you’re designing a new car for production, never, never copy the opposition.” Sage advice, we’d say, as the Mini – a true clean-sheet automotive design, with its transverse engine, front-wheel drive and sparse seating – went on to become one of the most successful vehicles in history. And its name and likeness continue to live on in the form of the modern-day , and, most recently, .
Despite the similarities from one modern generation to the next, the -owned automaker is quick to point out the myriad of changes made to the Cooper for the 2011 model year, not the least of which are improvements to the engine and transmission options, resulting in more power and improved efficiency.
So, the logical question is: Do these changes make a better Mini, or are they so minor (or is that Minor?) you won’t even notice?
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Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
’s retouched will sprout an all-new coupe version for 2012, and our spy photographers have just captured a nearly production-ready prototype with no camouflage. In addition to the obvious removal of the rear doors, the coupe wears the new C-Class’ slightly refreshed front fascia, featuring the quad-foglamp design that is quickly spreading across the entire Mercedes-Benz range. LED running lamps will no doubt be available on higher-end trim levels.
The most robust changes will likely be found inside the , where a new interior design will be on hand. We’ve seen of the coupe’s new innards before, and the design mimics that of the larger range. Still, the current C-Class interior was beginning to feel a bit outdated, so any freshening is indeed welcomed.
Our spies report that powertrains will be carried over from the 2010 model, meaning we’ll get the same pair of 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter V6 engines, producing 228 and 268 horsepower, respectively. Will we see a Coupe with the automaker’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 (or naturally aspirated 6.2-liter mill)? Mum’s the word on that one, but consider our fingers crossed.
Judging by how complete this prototype looks (it’s likely getting ready for its crash-test closeup), we’d expect to see the 2012 C-Class Coupe make its formal debut in either or next year. Scroll through our high-res gallery below to see the naked C Coupe for yourself.
IIHS small car bumper crash tests – Click above for high-res image gallery
As you’re likely aware, all cars must pass strict federal guidelines in order to be sold in America, and those regulations include specific bumper heights. What you may not know, however, is that trucks and SUVs aren’t required to meet the same guidelines as passenger cars. Factor in the huge numbers of SUVs and crossovers that are sold each year and you begin to see why can cause major problems.
Perhaps the best way to illustrate this conundrum is by way of a photo gallery, which the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has so thoughtfully provided. As is the Institute’s custom, it has gone ahead and crashed a small sedan head-to-head into a typical SUV from the same automaker at low speeds (10mph). The results are conclusive, and they mean big repair bills for the owner (or, naturally, their insurance company) of the smaller car. Despite the modest velocities, repair estimates ranged from $850 to a whopping $6,015.
Of the seven pairs of vehicles damaged-for-a-cause in this round of low-speed testing, the and performed the best, with bumpers that actually overlapped by more than two inches. By way of contrast, the and performed the worst. Says Joe Nolan, the Institute’s chief administrative officer:
The RAV4’s so-called bumper is really just a stamped piece of sheet metal supporting the bumper cover. So instead of engaging a strong bumper, the striking Corolla hit the spare tire mounted on the RAV4’s tailgate. The spare isn’t designed to absorb crash energy, so it damaged the Corolla’s hood, grille, headlights, air conditioner, and radiator support and crushed the RAV4’s tailgate and rear body panels.
Ouch. For a complete visual understanding of all the carnage, be sure to check out our high-res image gallery below. And for more explanation on each pair’s results – including the and , and and and – click past the break for the official press release.
MINI Roadster Concept – Click above for a high-res image gallery
, perhaps more than any other automotive brand in the world, is defined by the style of its vehicles. Sure, Minis are decent performers and score pretty well on the fun-to-drive quotient, but the initial attraction of the brand is often due to the brand’s excellent execution of “the look.”
And, beside Alec Issigonis, the designer behind the iconic original Mini, this successful design language can be most directly attributed to Gert Volker Hildebrand, who up until now served as the head of the Mini Design Studio. That means Hildebrand is responsible for the reborn from 2001 and its siblings, the Convertible, and . He also oversaw the designs of the from 2009, which are now nearing production.
A tough act to follow, no? Certainly, but it would seem the mantle will be ably handled by Hildebrand’s replacement, Anders Warming, who currently serves as head of Exterior Design, Automobiles. Warming is attributed with recently updated models from BMW that include the , and, most recently, the .
Warming, we wish you the best of luck. A full press release announcing the transition can be found .
Ken Block presents the Gymkhana GRID Invitational – Click above to watch video
If you haven’t seen parts , or of Ken Block’s Gymkhana clips, then this must be your first time on the internet. First off, thanks for checking out Autoblog.com and second, you should probably click links one, two and three from the previous sentence… sorry, a “link” is one of the underlined words. Okay. Block is looking to expand Gymkhana from the solo event that we have now seen and turn it into a , complete with tire-smoking, limiter-popping action.
The Gymkhana GRID, which will take place December 3 and 4 at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California, is a one-on-one showdown where two drivers attack mirrored examples of a course designed by Ken Block. A host of hot shoes will be on hand to try and knock Block off the top of the podium, including Tanner Foust, Vaughn Gitten Jr. and Andrew Comrie-Picard. Notably absent is one Travis Pastrana, which the video uses as a chance to call him out for .
The Gymkhana GRID nonetheless sounds like it will be a rather fun event to watch – especially because of the level of talent taking to the track. Grab the e-brake and to check out a trailer for the event (*WARNING: language may be not safe for work).
Subaru, Hyundai and Kia set full-year sales records
The subtitle above should surprise no one. Of all the automakers operating in the U.S., , and are the only automakers to increase sales month after month through this years-long recession while their competitors have faltered. As such, all three are enjoying new full-year sales records a month ahead of the Times Square ball dropping.
The rest of the industry, however, is apparently done fumbling around and is clearly finding its footing. The vast majority of brands saw increased sales last month except for the usual suspects (GM’s non-core brands that are just about dead, also-dying , along with and ) and a few cellar-dwelling surprises like , , and . We’re not sure what Toyota’s banking on to turn things around, aside from mass amnesia of its recall woes, while Chrysler is doing its best to either fully redesign or substantially upgrade its existing models to keep customers interested.
Either way, when the book closes on 2010, automotive historians will write that the competitive landscape on December 31 looked markedly different than it did 365 days earlier. With one more month to go, we doubt the list of winners and losers is going to look very different from what you see below.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were24 selling days in November 2010 versus 23 selling days in November 2009, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.
Max Wolff, formerly of , has been hired by to head up ’s design team effective January 3, 2011.
During his tenure at GM, Wolff was most recently responsible for leading ’s exterior design team, though he also held positions at the automaker’s and divisions. Ford sees Wolff’s global design experience as a benefit for Lincoln, bringing “a fresh perspective that will challenge us internally and take Lincoln to new levels of prestige,” says Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Group Vice President for Global Product Development.
Wolff, 38, is tasked with creating a definitive design language for Lincoln that extends beyond the large split-grilled creations we currently see. Specifically, Ford has cited that the Lincoln brand will debut seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles over the next four years, including the automaker’s . For the full details, for the official press release.
Rinspeed BamBoo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ah, . The crafty Swiss design house that has brought us funky creations like the , and has just given us a preview of its latest creation, the BamBoo. Set to debut at the next year, the BamBoo is a sort of “grown up golf cart” (Rinspeed’s words, not ours), and as its name would suggest, many of the interior components have been constructed from bamboo fibers.
So, what’s the purpose of the BamBoo? Beach assault vehicle? Tropical resort cruiser? Rinspeed offers this as an explanation:
“This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach.”
Sounds lovely, but the Swiss designers have left out practically all of the nitty-gritty details about the BamBoo, including powertrain, interior accommodations and plans for production (if any). Nevertheless, we’ll get the full scoop at the Geneva show in March. In the meantime, check out Rinspeed’s latter-day Fiat Jolly/ Thing Acapulco in our gallery below, then for the press release.
Hyundai Azera/Grandeur caught running down the highway – Click above to watch video
We’ve seen and . Now we have clear footage of the as it rolls down the highway. The lines stay very true to what we saw in the rendering and the result is a uniquely-Hyundai, stylish full-size sedan. The big Hyun’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language comes through without being shoved in one’s face and the overall aesthetic of the car is quite appealing, with a look that reminds us of a slightly larger and more refined .
We’re really looking forward to seeing this one in the flesh, but for now all we have is the video that is waiting for you .Thanks for the tip, Paulo!
Ralph Gilles and D’Ann Rauh with the final Dodge Viper – Click above for high-res gallery
According to The Detroit News, most of the rumors we’ve been hearing about the next aren’t true. The meanest of the models won’t be riding on a modified Alfa Romeo or platform when it bows anew in 2012 as a 2013 model. The Pentastar has said while there may be some similarities to the 8C Competizione, the Viper will make use of entirely unique underpinnings and will carry significantly different proportions compared to the Italians. Part of that means doing away with the snake’s iconic long hood in favor of a design with a little more balance.
What’s more, Dodge head Ralph Giles tells the Detroit daily that the Mopar supercar won’t utilize a Ferrari engine for its power, though he stopped short of saying whether or not the old 640 horsepower V10 will survive the vehicle’s rebirth. That means that a new lump may surface, though the number of cylinders and how much horsepower it will produce remain a mystery. Thanks for the tip, Prhime.
Dario Franchitti drives Jim Clark’s legendary Lotus 38 – Click above to watch video
We’re sure that open-wheel hero Dario Franchitti has managed to realize quite a few of his four-wheeled dreams over the years, but he’s only just managed to top them all with a drive of Jim Clark’s legendary Lotus 38, a car that Clark piloted to victory in the 1965 Indy 500.
Franchitti, like Clark, was born in Scotland and the two share a love of going fast. Jim Clark’s Lotus 38, with its four-cam V8 pumping out around 500 horsepower, is a very different vehicle then the modern day IndyCar that Franchitti pilots for Chip Ganassi Racing. Regardless, the Lotus is a pure racing machine and a true piece of motorsports history, and it’s a treat to listen to Dario discuss his experience behind the wheel of the . His insight is important but his excitement is palpable – this is a rare opportunity and he appears to treat the opportunity with the appropriate level of respect and admiration for Clark and Lotus.
How’d this all come to pass? Dario Franchitti, working together with Road & Track, reached out to The Henry Ford Museum, Lotus Cars USA and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to make this event happen. It’s all captured on the video , and it’s just the first in a series of events designed to celebrate the Indy 500. In the near future, we will get to see Bobby Rahal drive the 1912 winning National and Sam Posey hop behind the wheel of Roger Ward’s 1962 Leader Card Special.
For now however, it’s all about Franchitti in Clark’s Lotus 38 at the Brickyard. Stop reading and start watching (and listening!) by .
Cadillac ULC – Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Autocar, may have a burning desire to lock horns with . The site quotes designer Niki Smart as saying that the time is right for The Wreath and Crest to build a model akin to the company’s Urban Luxury Concept that we saw at this month’s LA Auto Show. His reasoning? The company needs metal that’s more appealing to European buyers than what’s available in the current lineup. That means a heavier focus on small, hatchback designs that still retain the premium Cadillac aesthetic. Smart seems to think that translates into a fighter.
With its scissor doors and 78 mpg hybrid drivetrain, the Urban Luxury Concept isn’t any closer to production than the now-iconic Sixteen Concept of years past. Even so, Smart told Autocar that GM’s Advanced Design Studio has looked into ways to make the vehicle production ready, funky doors and all. While we aren’t exactly wild about the design of the ULC, the thought of a flingable Cadillac with a V on its hatch is certainly a notion worth mulling.
has announced that it will voluntarily repair 650,000 models for a fault in the hybrid cooling system. According to Reuters, a glitch in the vehicle’s coolant pump could cause the vehicle to overheat and lose power, though no accidents or injuries have been reported in association with the problem to date. It’s worth noting that this isn’t an official recall in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it’s a service action.
According to the report, the way the electric water pump is designed can allow air bubbles into the system, a development that can slow coolant circulation and increase the heat build-up in Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive components. if the overheating problem isn’t tended to in a timely fashion, it could trigger a warning light and cause the vehicle to slip into limp mode.
The repair notice covers 2004-2007 model year Prius vehicles, 378,000 of which were sold in the U.S.. Toyota will repair the problem free of charge starting in December, and Prius owners can expect to be notified of the campaign shortly. The Japanese automaker is also stressing that it has changed the coolant pump design in the Prius since 2007 and that none of the company’s other hybrid vehicles are affected by the problem.
New Stratos GT2 by Amalgam – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’re looking for the bragging rights with four wheels, getting your hands on any of a number of exotic supercars – most of them hailing from Italy – will undoubtedly do the trick. But if every kid on the block already has one, you’ll need to go with a coachbuilt custom. Still not enough bragging rights? Then a racing version is in order.
That’s what Jim Glickenhaus did with his custom Ferrari P4/5, commissioning a second Competition model to follow the road car. Now Michael Stotschek is following the same route with his new take on Lancia’s fabled Stratos. The Pininfarina-designed New Stratos road car just made its debut at France’s Paul Richard HTTT circuit, and already reports of a racing version are popping up online.
While the original Stratos cut its teeth on the rally stage, the new model is reportedly being prepared for circuit racing in accordance with GT2 specifications. The work is reportedly being carried out by Danisi Engineering, which has previously worked with the likes of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco and Pininfarina on a variety of racing machinery, from touring cars to Dakar trucks.
Few details are available at this point, but high-end model studio Amalgam has already got a 1:8 scale diecast model on its way, and as you can see from the images in the gallery below, some serious aero modifications are apparently in the works for the racing Stratos. Thanks for the tip, Chris!
has officially confirmed what’s been rumored for at least three years – the German automaker will build a small SUV to slot in below its highly successful . With the working name “Cajun,” Porsche wants the mini ‘ute to provide younger customers another point of entry into the brand.
Designer Walter da Silva has apparently taken the lead on the project, which is expected to be loosely based on the , and the press release (available after the jump) claims that the Cajun will have “typical Porsche features such as light weight, ease of handling and agility.” Here’s hoping… [Source: Porsche]
Audi TT GT4 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Heads up, weekend racers: has officially pulled back the sheets on its GT4 Concept. Designed to be the next logical step in the company’s customer sports program, the racer will supposedly bring a relatively low price tag to the table when it arrives as a production model in 2012, but for the moment, it’s been confined to some demo laps at Shanghai’s DTM over the weekend with racer Frank Biela behind the wheel.
The racer comes complete with a 340-horsepower TFSI engine back by the company’s S-Tronic DSG gearbox and a limited-slip differential. Buyers will also find a set of adjustable dampers on hand for improved tuning, as well as carbon fiber reinforced plastic skins on the doors, hood and trunk lid.
How much will you be asked to pay for the privilege of owning such a piece of machinery? Chances of this vehicle making it to the States seem pretty slim, but Audi says that European buyers can look to fork over around €120,000 (around $157k USD). That’s probably a small bargain in the world of privateer ready-to-race cars, but it also goes some way toward reinforcing that people have a slightly different definitions of “affordable.” Check out the official press release after the jump and our high-res gallery below.
Buick GL8 – Click above for high-res image gallery
has released an all-new version of its popular GL8 in China. Developed by Shanghai , the executive people-mover wears a freshly redesigned exterior with sculpted body lines and a new front fascia. Inside, GM has thrown the luxury book at the van with tricks like blue ambient lighting, a 10-speaker sound system and two-tone leather seats. An attractive seven-inch touch dominates the dash, though it looks like Buick has managed to hold on to the excessive amount of buttons on the center stack that have become the brand’s trademark as of late. Rear passengers, meanwhile, get the benefit of a 10.2-inch HD display for movies and the like.
Under the hood, GM has fitted a 3.0-liter V6 as the GX8 flagship mill, though a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is also available for the fuel-conscious buyers of the People’s Republic. A six-speed automatic gearbox takes care of cog-swapping duties. for the full press release after checking out the gallery below.
For us, one of the most interesting parts of the LA Auto Show is the , in which automakers are invited to rack their brains, sharpen their pencils and crank out a concept that best matches a set of predetermined parameters. This year, manufacturers were challenged to come up with a concept that was stylish, engaging to drive, and easy on the environment, all wrapped in a 1,000-lb. package. Automakers from to Maybach rolled out their ideas of what said vehicle should look like, and while the judges crowned both and as this year’s winners, we were intrigued by the Nissan iV.
Fortunately, has been kind enough to give us a closer look at the vehicle. The spec sheet for the iV reads like a who’s who of concept fantasy, with building materials sourced from fast-growing ivy and spider silk, plus a propulsion and steering system that makes use of clever electromagnets. While a bio-battery stores energy for your commute, the iV also makes use of a supercapacitor to recover energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. to take a look at a video of the concept.
The subtitle above should surprise no one. Of all the automakers operating in the U.S., , and are the only automakers to increase sales month after month through this years-long recession while their competitors have faltered. As such, all three are enjoying new full-year sales records a month ahead of the Times Square ball dropping.
Max Wolff, formerly of , has been hired by to head up ’s 
