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Word has it that the Ford TracKey feature available on the Mustang Boss 302 will come with some interesting fine print. According to Mustangs Daily, owners who opt to have TracKey installed at their local Ford dealer will have to endure a three-year, 36,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s noticeably shorter than the five-year, 60,000-mile warranty that comes standard on the Mustang Boss 302. In addition, owners who decide to bolt on any extra performance modifications in conjunction with TracKey will see their warranty completely voided. Ford says that aftermarket modifications could cause severe engine damage.

Despite the shortened warranty, Mustangs Daily reports that Ford doesn’t expect any reliability issues with TracKey. The company says that its engineers have done all of the necessary homework on the system.

From the sound of things, Ford is simply protecting itself from abusive owners who may seek to take advantage of a race car with a warranty. We’ll learn more once Ford officially debuts TracKey at SEMA in Las Vegas in a few weeks.

If Ford Mustang Boss 302 owners use TracKey, will their warranty be shortened?

Since settling on Alabama as its North American manufacturing base, Mercedes-Benz has produced an endless stream of SUVs at its Tuscaloosa plant. Over the years, the facility has expanded to accommodate the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class models. And in 2014 it will start producing the C-Class for the local market as well. Now the German automaker is planning on adding yet another line.

The expansion will encompass an investment of $350 million and the creation of 400 new jobs by the time production of the new model comes online in 2015. The question is, what will that new model be?

All Daimler is telling us is that it will be a new model, not the porting over of an existing one (as with the C-Class). Sources expect, however, that it will be a new crossover in the style of the BMW X6 – that is, four doors with a sloping roofline.

The photo above snapped at the site of the announcement certainly seems to corroborate the notion, as does earlier speculation. What the new model will be called remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it won’t have much headroom in the back. Follow the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz gearing up for new model in Tuscaloosa, X6 fighter on the way?

Mercedes-Benz gearing up for new model in Tuscaloosa, X6 fighter on the way?

The Chevrolet Sonic and its big sister, the Cruze, have proven to the world that General Motors is once again capable of building class-leading small cars. To showcase these cars in a new light, Chevrolet will be bringing a smattering of Sonics and Cruzes to the upcoming SEMA show, with these models accounting for 60 percent of the brand’s show cars. (Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of Corvettes, Camaros and Silverados, and we’ll have details on those in the coming days.)

The 2012 Sonic is the latest and greatest of the Chevrolet small car portfolio, and GM will have 20 different Sonics on display. Here, we see the Sonic Z-Spec I (above) and Z-Spec II (right), showing the different aftermarket options that will be available for the Sonic hatchback. The Z-Spec I wears a lower aero kit that will be available to order starting this December, while the extra body work of the Z-Spec II is still purely conceptual right now.

Not pictured, a sedan version of the Z-Spec I will also be on display, as well as the Sonic Dusk concept, which wears a new Berlin Blue exterior finish, Z-Spec aero kit and a two-tone Mojave leather interior. All the SEMA Sonics are equipped with GM’s 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, ride on special 18-inch wheels and are fitted with upgraded suspension bits, as well as Brembo brakes.

Both the Z-Spec and Dusk treatments make their way to the Cruze sedan in a similar fashion. In terms of design, the Cruze models look very similar to their Sonic counterparts, though the upsized dimensions of Chevy’s C-segment sedan allow for larger wheels – 19-inch sets on both vehicles.

We’ll have more images and details live from SEMA next week, but for now, follow the jump to read the full scoop in GM’s press release.

Continue reading Sonic and Cruze headlining for Chevy at SEMA

Sonic and Cruze headlining for Chevy at SEMA

SEMA is only a few weeks away, and it seems like all the little fish are being let out of the pond first. We’ve heard about visitations from Focuses and Fiestas, Genesis Coupes and Velosters and classic Ford racers, now add the 2012 Honda Civic Si by Fox Marketing to the roll call. And full disclosure: Autoblog will have a sticker on this car.

You know the drill by now: start with an economy car, change everything, voila, SEMA here we come. Among these changes are a turbocharged 450-horsepower engine, and not just any turbo, but that from Honda’s LMP1/LMP2 and IndyCar engines. An ECU from a 2006 Civic Si controls the action, and with all hope, 10.5-inch tires will control the grip. Follow the jump for a complete parts list or go straight for the goodies in the high-res gallery.

Continue reading Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

General Motors has been noticeably tight-lipped about the specifications for its 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, leaving enthusiasts to salivate and daydream over the sorts of possibilities that can arise from a supercharged, all-aluminum V8. Now we can wonder no more. According to a post in the Camaro5 forums, dealers already have the skinny on the meanest Camaro of them all. The model will reportedly arrive with a blistering 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque under its wide hood. Those figures are good enough to hustle the 4,120-pound muscle car around the fabled Nürburgring in a skinny seven minutes and 41 seconds, though something tells us that has as much to do with the car’s 51/49 weight balance.

Two wheel options will be available, including a five-spoke and a 10-spoke design, and buyers can pick from a total of nine colors. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard equipment, though a six-speed automatic will also be available for those buyers who wish to leave the cog-swapping to the car. The Camaro ZL1 will also come with the same four-pack console gauges as the SS model, though a boost gauge is now part of the party. Head over to the Camaro5 for a full look at the vehicle’s specifications.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 specs divulged

Point. Shoot. Grin.

Wedging myself into the cockpit of Keith Tanner’s 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata turned Targa Newfoundland podium finisher, I’m struck with the realization that most race cars are the automotive equivalent of a pet electric eel. They look fantastic lounging around, and you may even be struck with the impulse to get close, but the reality is that it’s only a matter of time before it reaches out and lights you up like a cheap string of Christmas lights. This notion is only underscored when Tanner hands me a set of noise-cancelling headphones with an integrated com system.

“Here. You’ll probably want these,” he says. “It can get kind of loud in here.”

With a 400-horsepower General Motors L33 wedged between the fenders of the poised Miata, it’s only a matter of time before the stripped interior resonates with the sound of eight furious cylinders. I ask if there’s anything I should know before I hit the ignition. Tanner says no. I’m beginning to suspect he’s lying to me.

Continue reading Flyin’ Miata V8 Targa MX-5 Miata

Flyin’ Miata V8 Targa MX-5 Miata

The Texas Auto Writers Association has awarded the 2012 Ford F-150 a slew of honors. The pickup took home the Truck of Texas title by beating out its competitors at the annual Truck Rodeo. The award is the association’s most prestigious honor, but Ford also picked up a few other nods. TAWA named the company’s EcoBoost engine technology its best vehicle feature, and the 2012 Ford Edge took home the CUV of Texas badge. Finally, the entire Ford pickup line was named the Truck Line of Texas by the association, making for a pretty clean sweep of the truck competition.

This year, manufacturers entered 48 vehicles into the TAWA Truck Rodeo, and 57 automotive writers turned out to evaluate the trucks and SUVs. When the dust settled, Ford had earned seven awards total, including the best heavy-duty, luxury and full-size pickup trucks.

For its part, Chrysler saw its products fare well in the competition, too. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee went home carrying SUV of Texas trophy, while TAWA awarded its sister, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the mid-sized SUV of Texas title. Finally, the writers in attendance named the 2012 Dodge Durango the full-size SUV of Texas.

Hit the jump for a volley of press releases.

Continue reading Ford sweeps Texas Truck Rodeo awards, Chrysler defends SUV crown

Ford sweeps Texas Truck Rodeo awards, Chrysler defends SUV crown

Football is big the the UK, but when the Brits talk about football, they’re referring to what we call soccer. Even so, American football has its fans in Great Britain, and not just when Peter Griffin got traded from the New England Patriots to the London Silly-Nannies or when the Marines stationed at our embassy get the night off to watch the big game.

In fact, the Chicago Bears faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, not at Soldier Field in Illinois or Raymond James Stadium in Florida, but at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the fifth NFL International Series game played there in as many years at the venue that’s used to hosting the other kind of football.

It’s the kind of opportunity an American automaker trying to make a name for itself in the UK couldn’t pass up. And since Ford is well established there and GM is represented by its local brand Vauxhall, that could only mean one company: Chrysler. While Lancia markets Chrysler models in continental Europe, the inverse is the case in the UK, where the American brand has a better reputation than its Italian counterpart.

And so Chrysler was there in full force as the Official Car of the NFL (in the UK), sponsoring the International Series (as well as the Super Bowl broadcast there), displaying the new Chrysler Ypsilon and transporting VIPs around in Grand Voyagers. The arrangement follows a similar announcement between Mercedes-Benz and the New Orleans Saints that saw the German luxury automaker acquire the naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome.

Continue reading Chrysler signs on as Official Car of the NFL… in the UK?

Chrysler signs on as Official Car of the NFL… in the UK?

Despite what longtime rival Michael Schumacher might have to say about it, when you’re a multiple Formula One world champion, you don’t have anything left to prove. That leaves you free to do pretty much whatever you want with the rest of your life.

In the case of Mika Hakkinen, that has involved a handful of seasons (and a few wins) driving for Mercedes-Benz in the DTM series, but when he’d had his fill, that was it. He’s essentially been retired since the end of 2007 season, but is about to don his racing helmet one more time for a race in China.

The race in question is the 1000 km of Zhuhai, the Chinese round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. That’s where he’ll be sharing a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 with Lance David Arnold and Cong Fu Cheng in the AMG Customer Sports Team China as the squad’s guest driver.

It’ll be the first time in a career dominated by formula racing that Hakkinen, now 43 years old, will be competing in a sports racer, and should be an interesting spectacle. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Mika Hakkinen returns for Le Mans series debut in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Mika Hakkinen returns for Le Mans series debut in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Ford is hitting SEMA with a volley of modified Focus and Fiesta models this year. The company says that the aftermarket show is the perfect venue for showing off just how customizable both vehicles can be, and with creations from the likes of Roush, Cobb Tuning and Gold Coast Automotive among others, there should be a hatch or sedan on hand in Las Vegas for everyone. Roush is doing what the company does best: plopping an R900 TVS Supercharger on top of the four-cylinder engine in the Focus for a substantial bump in power, and a full Roush exhaust ensures that the engine will breathe easy.

Cobb Tuning, meanwhile, will be going the turbocharging route with its Focus. The car will boast forged pistons, a custom turbo kit and front-mounted intercooler, as well as a unique air box, intake and exhaust manifold. No one’s saying just how much power the Focus will make, but a StopTech Trophy big brake kit should ensure the car can be brought down from speed in a hurry.

The star of the Fiesta show this year will likely be from Gold Coast Automotive. With an intercooled Jackson Racing Rotrex supercharger, Wilwood braking hardware on all four corners and a custom front diffuser and rear spoiler, this GCA entrant could be the mightiest Fiesta of them all. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ford Focus and Fiesta to be well represented at SEMA

Ford Focus and Fiesta to be well represented at SEMA

The Nissan Titan is being redesigned for 2014, and if we’re to take the Nissan America’s chairman at his word, another new one will be in the pipeline after that. Colin Dodge tells Automotive News, “We’re going to need two or three cycles to be as professional as the people who have been doing it for 50 or 60 years.”

By that, Dodge is referring to, well, Ram, Chevrolet and Ford. Indeed, domestic manufacturers have been far less impacted by the arrival of Japanese full-size pickups than many had speculated. Nissan’s Titan was introduced for the 2004 model year, but annual sales topped out at 86,945 in 2005, according to AN. This year, Nissan has moved just over 15,000 of the trucks, but is apparently undeterred by slow sales.

On tap for the next-gen Titan will most certainly be some different engine options, as the Nissan spokesman thinks the 5.6-liter V8 that’s been offered since launch has held the Titan back. While nothing definitive is mentioned in the interview, he does say “very efficient powertrains” will be part of the mix. At the very least ,we might expect a variation of Nissan’s VQ-series V6 to finally find a home behind the Titan’s grille.

Nissan to remain “patient” with Titan full-size truck

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has plenty of hot hatch potential, but its frugal, 1.6-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder just isn’t going to cut it for those more concerned with speed than fuel economy. While a turbo model has long been rumored, we’ve now got confirmation – sort of.

While Hyundai hasn’t said anything official about the turbo Veloster, it has unveiled a new turbocharged 1.6-liter engine at a conference in Korea this week. Hyundai says it spent 52 months and over $60 million developing the new mill, which meets California’s ULEV-2 and Euro 5 standards.

The 204-horsepower Gamma four-cylinder gets its extra 66 horses thanks to a twin-scoll turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler. The turbo, which is integrated into the exhaust manifold, also boosts the Gamma’s torque to a tire-squealing 195 lb-ft.

With a curb weight of just 2,600 pounds, the Veloster could be quite a pocket rocket with this engine fitted underhood. Let’s hope a limited-slip differential is also in the cards.

We expect some sort of official announcement from Hyundai regarding the Veloster Turbo as early as November 1 at SEMA. To read the release announcing the new turbo engine, click through the jump.

Continue reading Hyundai announces new 204-hp turbo four. Is it headed for Veloster?

Hyundai announces new 204-hp turbo four. Is it headed for Veloster?

BMW Gets Electrified, But Am I?

For over a year, I’ve been looking for a way to get into an electric vehicle, but my options have been decidedly limited. I’m either lacking the funds (Tesla Roadster) or the alternatives have lacked character (Mitsubishi i, Focus Electric).

But now there’s this: The 2012 BMW ActiveE. It’s the next step for BMW in electrification – a bridge between the Mini E and the forthcoming i3 – that takes a standard 1 Series Coupe and adds a brace of batteries and electric motor to create a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a 100-mile range. Even better, the price is right.

Unlike the Mini E that required owners to plunk down a hefty chunk of change each month, the ActiveE’s outlay is far more palatable: $2,250 down and $499 a month for a 24-month lease – well below what you’d drop on a new (or even used) gas-powered 1 Series.

Now I’m the first to admit to being an early-adopting sucker, but could it be worth my hard-earned Blogger Bucks to become a beta tester for BMW’s electrification efforts? I flew 5,800 miles to Munich to find out.

Continue reading 2012 BMW ActiveE

2012 BMW ActiveE

It shouldn’t even need to be said, but Kubang just isn’t a good name for a Maserati – and that’s not just because it sounds like onomatopoeia for the noise a Biturbo makes just before it becomes a Monoturbo.

When the name first surfaced on a 2003 Detroit Auto Show concept, the Modenese automaker said that Kubang was named after an Indonesian wind. But if we are to believe this guy, “kubang” actually means “quagmire” in Javanese. So maybe it actually is appropriate for the production version of this Maserati concept, which will have the most confused bloodlines of any product to wear the Trident since the infamous Chrysler TC.

But seriously, we completely understand why the Fiat brass would prefer that the Maserati crossover be called something as banal as “Cinqueporte,” which not only complements the Quattroporte sedan, but literally translates to “five-door.” That the name has reportedly been registered in Italy only makes sense – if for no other reason than to keep someone else from using it.

Maserati registers Cinqueporte, name of crossover revealed?

Here’s an odd rumor floating around the cyberether: Despite the fact that Dodge has previously said that the next-generation Viper won’t arrive until late 2012 as a 2013 model, reports are surfacing indicating that the automaker may display the vehicle at a charity event in Miami next month. According to Top Speed, Dodge will pay a visit to Ride and Smiles at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The charity allows children who suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and Colitis to ride along with current NASCAR drivers around the 2.3-mile road course in some of the hottest cars on the market right now.

Top Speed reports that one of the vehicles in attendance will be the next-generation Viper, though no source has been given for that information.

Far be it from us to rain on that parade, but a small charity event in Florida seems like an unlikely spot to unveil the new face of the Dodge halo car. Perhaps they’ll show a teaser image or a mule? Earlier reports have indicated that the 2013 Viper would first be seen at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, which would seem to be a more fitting venue. Stay tuned.

New Dodge Viper to be revealed next month?

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a massive improvement over the last-generation model, and the Blue Oval’s sales tally supports this claim. Ford tells us that the the Explorer is flying off store shelves, with 100,000 units sold so far in 2011. Those numbers are up 290 percent compared to 2010 totals, making the Explorer the fastest-growing mid-size utility vehicle in the country. This is the first time the Explorer has hit the 100,000 mark since 2007, and there are still over two months left in the year.

The Explorer appears to be selling quite well in spite of mixed reviews. While the vehicle came in for 2011 North American Truck Of The Year laurels, it hasn’t fared as well in a number of comparison tests. Cars.com recently ranked the Explorer sixth in its $37,000 SUV Shootout, and earlier in the year, Consumer Reports ranked the Explorer as the 17th best utility vehicle out of 19 models, with complaints centering on the CUV’s MyFordTouch infotainment system.

Ford would likely counter that the company is more concerned with what CUV buyers think, and those customers appear to be giving their vote of approval with their pocketbooks, and they might also note that the Explorer’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder model is only hitting the market as a 2012 model now (though it’s already claiming about 15 percent of the model mix). Hit the jump to read Ford’s official press release.

Continue reading Ford Explorer hits 100,000 sales mark

Ford Explorer hits 100,000 sales mark

It’s no secret that EMTs, firefighters and emergency room nurses have a perverse sense of humor, especially when it comes to motorcycle riders. It’s a sort of defense mechanism against the visual horrors those occupations impart on those who work them, and with the mortality rate among bike riders as high as it is, there’s no wonder why motorcycles are called donorcycles in first-responder circles. Even so, these ads worked up by an agency for Dianese in 2007 embrace the morbid side of riding just a little too wholeheartedly. The ads apologize on behalf of the safety gear manufacturer for those still waiting for donor organs.

Having just recently bounced myself off of the pavement at a decent speed, I can vouch for Dianese’s proficiency at keeping your skin attached to your body and your bones in one piece, but the ads are still a bit much. The tag line, “We keep bikers from becoming donors” is pretty catchy, though.

In Bad Taste: Dainese ads target organ donors

Ram continues to flesh out the company’s product line with a few new pickup variants. Next year will see the Power Wagon line grow with the addition of ST and Laramie trim levels for the first time. ST guise is meant more for companies and government agencies that may require a pickup capable of heading off into the uncharted wilderness. With single-tone paint matched to black fender flairs, mirrors and bumpers, the model dispenses with frills. Meanwhile, Laramie trim rolls in leather seats, a premium audio system and plenty of wood-grain trim throughout the cabin. Outside, the truck gets body-color fender flairs and chrome mirrors and bumpers. Expect to pay $42,620 for the Power Wagon ST and $51,995 for the Laramie version.

In addition, the automaker plans to roll out a 1500 Mossy Oak Edition. Those familiar with the hunting scene will recognize Mossy Oak as one of the leading companies in the camouflage industry, and the latest addition to the 1500 fleet will boast bed caps and a tail gate wrapped in the Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity camo pattern. Inside, the door panels also get the same treatment, and buyers will find the Mossy Oak logo embroidered on the seat headrests. The Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition will set you back $39,910, plus destination. Hit the jump for the press releases.

Continue reading Ram shows off 1500 Mossy Oak Edition and Power Wagon Laramie

Ram shows off 1500 Mossy Oak Edition and Power Wagon Laramie

While the Holden Commodore VE had a rather short visit to the U.S. in the form of the Pontiac G8, it’s still in production Down Under – and still a worthy platform for hotted-up special editions. This one comes from none other than Holden Dealer Team, the revived tuner once owned by Aussie racing legend Peter Brock.

The theme here is a time machine tribute to the 1986 Holden Commodore VL Group A Plus Pack, the car that led to Brock famously severing his ties with Holden. The row was the result of Brock’s insistence in fitting an “Energy Polarizer” to the Plus Pack cars, a device containing crystals and magnets that the new age race driver claimed improved the performance of the cars through a process of molecular realignment.

Well, not only has the VL-series Group A look come back, but so too has the Energy Polarizer, one of which will be fitted to all 250 of the HDT VL Group A Plus Pack Heritage Series cars. Perhaps more importantly, these special HDT Commodores will receive a 470-horsepower, supercharged 6.0-liter LS V8. Other kit includes a Bilstein suspension package, complete body kit including hood scoop, Harrop performance braking package, 20-inch wheels, and a customized interior.

Holden Dealer Team brings out VE Retro Commodore

Diesel propulsion isn’t anything new in Le Mans-class endurance racing. Hybrids are still a rarity, but even when Toyota returns to Le Mans with a hybrid LMP1 next year, it won’t be alone. That’s because Peugeot is preparing to chart new territory with the 908 Hybrid4.

The latest evolution of the 908 prototype incorporates a competition version of PSA’s Hybrid4 system, which uniquely pares a diesel engine with electric assist. We first saw the new racer in Geneva last March, but the 908 Hybrid4 has now undergone its first shake-down test at the Estoril track in Portugal that once hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix and continues to host the Six Hours of Estoril in the Le Mans Series.

Test-driving duties were performed by Nicolas Minassian, Stephane Sarrazin and Alex Wurz, who report that the added boost from the hybrid drivetrain was already evident in the 300 kilometers (186 miles) of testing at the circuit. Follow the jump for the full press blast and click on to the gallery for a pair of fresh images from the test added to the initial studio shots.

Continue reading Peugeot begins track-testing 908 diesel hybrid

Peugeot begins track-testing 908 diesel hybrid