We hope you like the look of the new . The Japanese luxury automaker has made it clear it aims to spread the new “spindle” grille found on the sedan across the brand. During an interview with Takayuki Katsuda, chief engineer for the line, four teaser images were splashed across the screen, including what looks to be the next-generation . If that’s true, the model will wear a heavily accented version of the Predator maw, complete with a chrome or brushed metal accent frame. Likewise, the headlamps will boast metal (or metal-effect) trim work of their own, complete with a dual-projector array.
Other reports have indicated the teaser may hint to what buyers can expect to see from the LS 600h F Sport when the model arrives.
In addition to the LS teaser, the video also flashes a brief glimpse at vehicles like the GS 450h, and the upcoming . to take a look for yourself.
It’s called “The Chase”, and on the surface it doesn’t exactly have anything to do with cars. In reality, we’re not so sure it has a lot to do with anything other than serving as promotional material for Philippe Gamer and the Space Patrol Crew, but that’s fine. It’s a fun video with four animated girls and a car chase scene unlike any other we’ve ever seen.
You’ll see about four minutes of animated insanity that includes what appears to be hundreds of police cars, a couple of log-toting semi trucks, some extremely unrealistic loops and lots of explosions. Oh, and four models, driven by the female lead characters. Apparently, the studio had previously done work for Nissan and the already digitally rendered vehicles were reused for The Chase.
Topping it all off is a plot twist worthy of M. Night Shyamalan. We won’t spoil it for you, but the director says it’s “a story about the art of aging.” We should also warn you that some language makes this one unsafe for work. See for yourself in the video .
According to Autocar, may be working on a smaller version of the rakish four-door coupe sedan. Known internally as the SC, the smaller CC will be a part of the seventh-generation lineup, in addition to the sedan and wagon models.
The creation of the SC comes after Volkswagen’s NCC (New Concept Coupe) received lukewarm response at the . Autocar reports that while consumers do want another variant of the Jetta, a two-door coupe isn’t the answer. “Our research suggests there is increasingly a market for a sportier and more stylish version of the Jetta in the mould of the CC only smaller and more affordable. From the feedback we’ve received so far buyers want an individual bodystyle and the practicality of four doors,” a source within Volkswagen told the British magazine.
A more stylish Jetta sedan would likely do battle with the new , set to debut in concept form at the later this year. If the SC does come to market, it will likely launch in Europe sometime in 2015, right around the time the next-generation CC arrives.
Consumer Reports is learning all sorts of things about the now that it has purchased one for testing, only to with less than 200 miles on the odometer. After 48 hours in the dealer’s repair shop – under warranty – the car is and is starting to get put through its paces.
With that making waves, CR discovered that with their new and expensive plug-in hybrids. Things like needing a new differential after less than 1,000 miles, a car shutting itself off at 35 mph and lots of trouble with the shifter. Most of these reports were on FiskerBuzz. Of course, before CR got its Karma, the company issued two recalls, one for a and another for .
So, with all the problems, how does CR like the Karma on the track? The design is “simply stunning,” it says, but the range-extending gasoline engine is loud when the 22-kWh battery is depleted. And the Fisker’s SUV-like 5,395-pound weight doesn’t help with handling. On the inside, CR says the touchscreen is also less than ideal, with a grayscale look and plenty of menu flipping that “makes MyFord Touch look like a brilliant design.” Ouch.
Then there’s this:
Just this weekend, for example, the speedometer and energy meter display disappeared when driving, on top of having several other rogue warning indicators appear last week. It is expected we’ll be revisiting the dealership soon. We’ve had cars in the past that have been troublesome, but never anything like this.
You can see what CR wrote about the car and check out their new video review .
took the new DeltaWing racer out for a quick parade lap at Sebring last week. The funky-looking car wasn’t exactly tackling each apex at competition speeds, but the demonstration suggests development is on the right path. Nissan says the design weighs half as much as a typical competition vehicle and has half the aerodynamic drag as well, making it far more efficient. Likewise, the car requires less power to maintain the same level of performance (Nissan has fitted the DeltaWing with a turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine). Despite the way it looks, it even appears to go around corners.
According to the press release that accompanies the footage , the DeltaWing won’t run as a classified entrant in this year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but will be present as a demonstration of what the design has to offer the world’s race teams. for a look at two videos; one (sadly audio-free) clip from the public display at Sebring and another look from testing at another facility from inside the car.
In yet another case of a carmaker who probably (and certainly doesn’t need it), has offered to build a pickup for Peyton Manning. Or at least it has issued to that effect.
The hook here is that the Tennessee Titans NFL franchise is wooing the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback and likely future NFL Hall of Famer, with owner Bud Adams offering Manning a lifetime contract, according to ESPN. Nissan, of course, . Manning also has roots in the state, as he attended the University of Tennessee, where he was the Volunteers’ all-time leading passer.
We suspect Manning has better things to do right now than help Nissan stage a further publicity stunt, given that he’s spent the past week working out for two other NFL teams in addition to Tennessee. That’s not stopping the PR team at Nissan from suggesting that Peyton might want a Titan, the slowest-selling full-size pickup in America, because . That’s Canton, Mississippi, rather than Canton, Ohio, where the NFL Hall of Fame is located.
And lest anyone get all up-in-arms over Nissan’s homer-ism, the company has said it will give Manning the truck regardless of which team he signs with “as a gesture of gratitude recognizing your great accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to our national community.” Click to read the full press release.
*UPDATE: If a slew of reports are to be believed, it appears Mr. Manning is . As some readers have noted in Comments, we, too, hope that takes this opportunity to build Peyton – and the rest of us – a new Bronco.
In yet another case of a carmaker who probably (and certainly doesn’t need it), has offered to build a pickup for Peyton Manning. Or at least it has issued to that effect.
The hook here is that the Tennessee Titans NFL franchise is wooing the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback and likely future NFL Hall of Famer, with owner Bud Adams offering Manning a lifetime contract, according to ESPN. Nissan, of course, . Manning also has roots in the state, as he attended the University of Tennessee, where he was the Volunteers’ all-time leading passer.
We suspect Manning has better things to do right now than help Nissan stage a further publicity stunt, given that he’s spent the past week working out for two other NFL teams in addition to Tennessee. That’s not stopping the PR team at Nissan from suggesting that Peyton might want a Titan, the slowest-selling full-size pickup in America, because . That’s Canton, Mississippi, rather than Canton, Ohio, where the NFL Hall of Fame is located.
And lest anyone get all up-in-arms over Nissan’s homer-ism, the company has said it will give Manning the truck regardless of which team he signs with “as a gesture of gratitude recognizing your great accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to our national community.” Click to read the full press release.
The inaugural 12 Hours of Sebring was held 60 years ago in 1952. was the first to build a dynasty of overall wins, followed by , then , then , and today we live in the era of . With its main rival, Peugeot, having this year, the only manufacturer that could prevent Audi from claiming its tenth overall victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring was Audi itself.
That was unlikely to happen, especially considering that Audi chose to field three teams, each driving the very capable R18 in the car’s last appearance before being replaced by the R18 Ultra and . Yes, the result in the fastest LMP1 class was a forgone conclusion, and Audi delivered, claiming the first and second steps of the podium. The winning R18 was car #2 driven by Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. Kristensen, who holds the record for most overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, also now has a record six overall victories at Sebring. It was Capello’s fifth win at Sebring and McNish’s fourth. The team of veterans completed 301 laps of the 5.4-mile track and amazingly finished with no evidence of body contact with another car.
, one of the largest employers in the state of , has been urged by a group of 15 civil rights organizations and labor unions, including the and NAACP, to help overturn Alabama’s immigration law.
The law was put into effect in September of 2011, and it requires police, among other things, to check the identification and immigration status of anyone detained and suspected of being an illegal immigrant. of foreign automakers in Alabama have had over the law. Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said this in a statement:
“We came today as shareholders working within the company to press our case. By [Hyundai's] silence in Alabama, it is acquiescing to a human rights disaster. We hope we will engage leaders in thoughtful conversation about taking steps to repeal this law.”
According to Automotive News, Hyundai executives in Korea have “agreed to consider the matter.” That doesn’t sound particularly meaningful to us, and, for that matter, we’re not entirely clear on what the groups expect Hyundai – or or , other large automakers with operations in Alabama – to do about the controversial law anyway.
Last time Roadkill took a trip it inolved a $1,500 budget, a 1972 Catalina and a . This time their adventures point northward to Alaska, and their chariot will be a clone of the 1968 Ranchero that Hot Rod used to take a class win in the first Baja 1000. It is, naturally, called “Viva Raunchero.”
Ice racing in America’s largest state is the goal. But the real action ends up taking place far away from Arctic latitudes as co-pilots David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan get to enjoy hours of freezing temps when the Ranchero throws repeated tantrums in Vail, Colorado and Utah. You’ll find another lesson in road tripping the Hot Rod way in the video .
If you happen to have a stale laying around, Reifen Koch may be able to spice it up for you. For €8,000 (a shave over $10,500 at current conversion rates), the company will slap on a Cervini body kit, composed of a revised front fascia, sills and the tail treatment seen above. The “Konquistador” package also includes a side-exit exhaust system, a full KW coilover kit and a hydraulic axle-lift system to help owners overcome pesky speed bumps and other obstacles, though it would seem those bits will cost you extra.
There’s no word on whether the system can help you overcome the crippling knowledge that your pony remains powered by the stock boat-anchor 4.6-liter V8, however. For reasons that remain unclear, Reifen Koch left the lump untouched, meaning the kitted Mustang is still left with a comparatively anemic 315 horsepower. For reference, the 2013 Mustang GT pours 420 ponies to the back tires.
Speaking of rubber, the tuner seems to believe a smart set of wheels and tires are a suitable substitution for performance, saying their Mustang boasts “one of the greatest combinations of wheels and tires.” Behold, the Ford Mustang Hyperbole Edition. Hit the jump for the full press blast.
An automotive enthusiast and a vehicle specialist have endeavored to create a modern interpretation of a storied 1930s sports car. Neil Watson introduced the original Atalanta Sports Tourer 75 years ago, and to mark the occasion, Martyn Corfield and Trevor Farrington crafted a new version of the vehicle that combines modern engineering with the classic lines of the first Sports Tourer.
Details are worryingly scarce about the vehicle’s driveline, but we’re told that 85 percent of the vehicle is unique to the Atalanta brand, including certain castings, the axles, and the steering system, among other components. That also means the revival vehicle is likely to carry a price tag as stunning as the vehicle’s exterior. Unsurprisingly, the company has yet to say a word regarding the MSRP.
Atalanta is now accepting orders for the Sports Tourer, and buyers can custom tailor each car to their tastes. Whether that extends beyond the typical interior appointments wheel-and-color options to include driveline options remains to be seen. Hit the jump for the full press release.
has again put filmmakers behind the lens to add some entertainment to the corporate cause, and the results are worth watching. BMW is the official transport provider of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, so its got four directors to profile four British Olympians, tying their stories to BMW’s quest for perfection.
Three of the shorts are Olympics-themed: No Limits (also called Beneath the Surface) about swimmer Rebecca Adlington and the , directed by Stevan Riley; Man and Machine about wheelchair racer David Weir and the ultimate connection to your vehicle, directed by Yannakis Jones; and Form and Function about gymnast Louis Smith and the i8, directed by Richard de Aragues.
The fourth film is a retro piece called Power, Speed and Endurance and covers BMW’s return to DTM. It’s subject is British middle-distance runner Steve Cram, who was breaking records on the track in the seventies and eighties, when racing BMWs were breaking other records at different tracks. It was helmed by Asif Kapadia, who proved his abilities with archival footage as the director of Senna.
for the press release from BMW and thirty minutes of good stories.
Like Elvis and Tupac before him, Apple icon Steve Jobs is showing up in all kinds of unexpected places after his passing. This latest sighting comes in a commercial for a SCR 110 scooter that channels The Jobs himself. Up close, the male actor isn’t a ringer, but the black turtleneck and design theme leave no doubt about his inspiration.
The Chinese-language tag for this commercial says “Wuyang Honda Motorcycle.” We don’t know if they made it, but a post house called CN Post Production takes credit for some of the work on it. to check out the bizarre advertisement, and for thie other side of strange, you can check out their .
Trickle-down technology is how four-wheel anti-lock braking systems went from their production debut on a 1978 to being standard equipment across the board for all vehicles on the road today. It also explains how advanced technologies like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision auto-braking and, to a lesser extent, lane departure warning, has made its way down the funnel to Subaru’s mainstream sedans, the and .
Beginning with the 2013 model year, both models will be available with the new Subaru EyeSight driver assistance system that consists of a pair of charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted at the top of the windshield on either side of the rearview mirror. This is different from most car-based camera systems on the market today that use a radar-based system mounted somewhere in the front of the car, usually in the grille or front bumper. says the placement of its EyeSight cameras should help reduce the potential for damage – and likely very expensive repairs – from minor collisions.
What can EyeSight do exactly? For one, it takes stereo images of the view ahead and can detect obstacles, including pedestrians. Under 19 miles per hour, a Pre-Collision Braking System can slow the vehicle or stop it completely if an obstacle is detected and the driver doesn’t act. Above 19 mph, EyeSight can still detect objects and slow the car to mitigate damage from a collision. Likewise, the system can see when you wander outside of a lane without using your turn signal and issue an alert. Finally, EyeSight allows for Adaptive Cruise Control that’s functional between a wide range of speeds: from 1-87 mph.
Pricing for this option isn’t known yet, but EyeSight will officially debut at the on the 2013 Subaru Legacy and Outback, though buyers interested in the brand’s other products won’t have to wait long for it to trickle down to the rest of the lineup.
Remember when that Sergio Marchionne didn’t receive a paycheck from during 2011? As it turns out, it’s because he was busy raking in the big bucks from .
Automotive News reports that Marchionne earned 14.5 million euros ($19 million U.S.) in 2011. The pay includes seven million shares of Fiat stock, which can be exercised between 2012 and 2015, plus a base salary of 2.45 million euros ($3.2 million U.S.).
That’s a lot of money for the vast majority of us, but the Chrysler/Fiat CEO is being paid close to what all the other successful chief executives are receiving. The most direct comparison (since both companies are based out of Europe) is CEO Martin Winterkorn, who made 17.5 million euro ($23 million U.S.) in 2011. Given that VW in 2011, we’re thinking Winterkorn has a good argument for saying he’s worth the extra $4M.
Famed Senior Vice President and Chief Styling Officer Wille G. has announced his retirement from effective April 30, 2012, after 49 years with the company. He is 78 years of age, and one of 13 executives who purchased the brand from AMF in 1981.
According to Harley-Davidson, Wille G., grandson of company founder William A. Davidson, is leaving 19-year company veteran Ray Drea in charge of the styling department.
Drea and Davidson are said to have collaborated on many milestone models. In other words, we wouldn’t expect sweeping changes to H-D’s overall design philosophy in Willie’s absence, for better or for worse.
Willie G. will remain onboard as an ambassador at motorcycle rallies and events, and he’ll lead special design projects as Chief Styling Officer Emeritus. Feel free to peruse the press release .
We’ve been expecting for some time that would choose to grace its stand with a variant on its new A-Class family as part of a push to bring a new range of small cars to North America. However, it now seems more likely that Los Angeles audiences will get a vision of Mercedes’ entry-level future, not New York. That’s because Mercedes has officially confirmed that it will show something called the “Concept Style Coupe” at an art, music, film and food festival in LA curated by none other than Mike D of the Beastie Boys.
Transmission LA: AV Club, a “multi-disciplinary festival,” runs from April 20 to May 6, and sponsor Mercedes promises an “artistic staging” of the concept car (expected to be a sedan), the production version of which is rumored to be dubbed CLC. The 17-day festival will be held at the Geffen Contemporary at LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
All of which begs the question: With the New York Auto Show staged earlier (press days are April 4 and 5), what will Mercedes show in the Empire State? It’s too significant of a market to the Three-Pointed Star to let the show pass without debuting something significant. See the complete press release for more.
There was a point in time where if we read one more lede that started with “ sure is on a roll these days,” we would have clawed our eyes out. Fact of the matter, though, is that those words were absolutely true. Hyundai has really come a long way here in the United States, especially in the past couple of years. And the only reason people have stopped writing about Hyundai’s forward momentum is because, frankly, we expect nothing less now. Every new product blows the doors off of the one that came before it, and brand-new ventures like the line or funky-fresh are nothing short of impressive.
But every family has its black sheep, and unfortunately for Hyundai, that might be the largest one in its herd. You see, while Hyundai has worked hard to create a unique brand identity here in the United States by offering cars that are designed specifically with our market in mind, the was simply a vehicle hauled over from Korea with a few minor Americanized tweaks. Don’t get us wrong, the Equus is a plenty good car, and through its faults, we praised it in both our and as being a tremendous value that’s pretty darn up to snuff with its competitive set. But over time, can something that’s simply a good value work in the highly competitive full-size luxury set?
That in mind, we ordered a White Satin Pearl for our in order to see if after one year of day-to-day use, the big flagship would be able to stand tall with the rest of its Modern Hyundai kin, or simply be another budget-minded also-ran from the days of Old Hyundai. 52 weeks and 22,638 miles later, all we can say is, man, what a difference a year makes.
General Motors has gone on record to oppose a Washington State bill that would .
GM Regional Director Howard Lenox, Jr. wrote a letter on March 6 to Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire stating that the automaker, which makes the extended-range plug-inhybrid, is against such a bill. The state is proposing the fee as a way for EV drivers to compensate for the gas taxes that they otherwise wouldn’t be paying. The letter was on GM’s The Future Is Electric blog.
“A fee which singles out electric vehicles will be a disincentive to the growth of the electric vehicle market in Washington State,” Lenox wrote in the letter. “As a practical matter, there are so few vehicles on Washington’s roads today that their impact in replacing fuel tax revenues will, for now, be negligible.”
While drivers of the Volt actually wouldn’t be subject to such a fee because its onboard generator is gas-powered, GM appears to be looking ahead as the automaker looks to electrify more of its fleet to meet more stringent greenhouse-gas emissions requirements.
Last month, , which was introduced by Mary Haugen, the Senate’s transportation committee chairwoman. The fee, which is subject to a vote by the state’s House of Representatives, is estimated to add as much as $1.9 million to the state’s coffers by 2017. , Oregon and Kansas are among other states looking at instituting fees that specifically target electric vehicle drivers.
What do you think, should states enact taxes on EVs to recover lost gas tax revenue? Vote in our poll below, then have your say in Comments.
