GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Cars are cool, but we certainly love ourselves some big, bad, hardcore pickups – you know, like the . ‘ conceptual answer to ’s desert-blasting pickup is this, the , which we’ll be seeing for the first time at the next week.
GMC’s brutish pickup relies on The General’s 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 for power – 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque, to be exact – and higher ground clearance, a wider stance and serious suspension upgrades make the All Terrain concept capable of storming through, well, all types of terrain.
Word on the street is that if GM gets up the gall to produce such a truck, it will likely be outfitted by a second-tier firm outside of the GM production lines (like a Roush F-150, for example). Regardless, we want this thing to be built, and badly. See a whole slate of new high-res photos for yourself in the gallery below. Oh, and don’t forget about the , foray into the niche.
2011Honda Ridgeline – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ll admit it – while it has its virtues, the certainly isn’t our first (or second… or third) choice as the best truck currently on sale. Apparently, consumers agree. In fact, only sold 16,142 Ridgelines in 2010, and when you compare that to the fact that sold 24,642 of the somewhat underwhelming pickups, the business case for the Ridgeline seems very weak, especially in lieu of the of Honda’s other offbeat all-terrain offering, the .
According to USA Today, however, the Ridgeline isn’t headed for the Great Parking Lot in the Sky just yet. Quite the contrary, actually. American Honda’s executive vice president, John Mendel, says the Ridgeline has developed a very strong following over the years, telling USA Today that Honda believes it has “a ways to go on the Ridgeline.”
This in mind, we’d expect to see a refreshed version of Honda’s truck within the next few years. If Honda is seriously committed to offering the Ridgeline, let’s hope the automaker can broaden its appeal to truck shoppers, because if dismal sales numbers continue, Honda may have no choice but to change its tune and reach for the axe.
BYD S6 DM – Click above for high-res image gallery
Whenever we hear that a Chinese automaker is working on a vehicle that’s “influenced” by some other successful model from an established global company, we wince a little. After all, we’ve seen quite a few less-than-convincing attempts to go along with a few couldn’t-tell-the-difference carbon copies. And neither of those options are acceptable.
From what we can tell, ’s S6 (shh – don’t tell ) DM crossover could be considered a little of both. From the profile, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a couple-year-old . From the front, we see clear influence from ‘ European arm, . That said, it appears to be a passable effort on the styling front, and it’s what’s underneath that derivative skin that’s what really counts.
The DM in the ‘utes name stands for Dual Mode, as in a hybrid that can be powered by electricity only or a combination of the electric motors and gasoline engine. The drivetrain consists of a 14-horsepower electric motor that powers the front wheels and a 102-horsepower gasoline engine powering the rears. That’s not a lot of power, but at least the two systems can work together to offer all-wheel drive.
We’ll be on the lookout for this machine at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show next week. In the meantime, check out a few images in our gallery below.
Spied: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible is later this year. Thanks to the lens work of one particularly wily spy photographer, we get a clear look at the drop-top ahead of schedule. This two-door, soft-top example was caught running around with a surprising lack of camo-cladding.
Though we see a soft-top here, we can’t rule out the inclusion of a retracting hardtop since the outgoing employed a variety of disappearing roofs over its lifetime. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost smokes its tires – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s official: 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, as seen in the pickup truck, has been rated at 16 city and 22 highway by the EPA. And it’s also officially the engine to get if you’re shopping for a new Blue Oval workhorse.
To put it all into perspective, the 365-horsepower, 420-pound-foot EcoBoost-equipped F-150 offers 3,060 pounds of payload and 11,300 pounds worth of towing capability – both of which are best-in-class – and it gets better fuel mileage than any comparable engines offered by Ford’s competitors (see the graph ).
All this baked-in, twin-turbocharged goodness won’t even cost the buyer all that much money, as the EcoBoost engine option adds just $750 to the cost of a truck that would otherwise be equipped with the perfectly acceptable 5.0-liter V8, or $1,750 over the cost of the base 3.7-liter V6.
Money well spent, we’d say, especially considering that the more powerful EcoBoost when it comes to fuel efficiency (15/21) and nearly matches the 3.7’s 16/23 rating. Probably not when smoking its tires, though…
Want to know more? Feel free to check out the complete press release .
If you find your Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG just a little too plebeian for your tastes, the team at Renntech have you covered. The high-end Silver Arrow tuners have just turned out a crate-load of carbon fiber goodies for the German monstrosity, all designed to give the vehicle a little extra speed and some flare to boot.
Renntech got started with a carbon front splitter, which, aside from adding a little down force, also channels air to the front brakes for greater cooling. Speaking of those front stoppers, Renntech is also serving up a set of carbon fiber brake ducts as well. Strictly a bolt-on affair, the ducts should be useful if you ever decide to put your CLK63 AMG through some track abuse.
The tuner is also offering a CF air box, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing for the carbon fetishists out there. The icing on the cake is a set of front and rear adjustable camber bushings. Don’t expect all of this kit to come cheap, though. Tally up all the pieces and Renntech will politely ask for $15,290 without installation. for the press release and a detailed price breakdown.
Ford Focus Electric – Click above for high-res image gallery
The and may have stolen the show for electric vehicles in 2010, but is hoping to make big waves in 2011 with its first EV passenger car, the . The zero-emissions hatchback makes its official debut at this year’s and Ford says the car will officially launch at the end of 2011 here in North America, with European customers expected to take delivery sometime before 2013.
Visually, the Focus Electric has an improved aerodynamics package to improve drag, incorporating a new front fascia that looks like something right out of the school of design. (Too bad this isn’t the , huh?) The only other major design changes are the addition of a charging port with an LED ring to the left of the driver’s door and a new set of 15-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling resistance tires. And speaking of LEDs, while the gasoline-powered Focus’ LED eyebrow above the headlamp is only available in Europe, Ford tells us that the North American-spec Focus Electric will wear this bit of accent lighting when it hits production.
A few weeks ago, released of its new that will debut next week at the . The initial sketch showed us that the Korean automaker is working on what appears to be a tall hatchback or small crossover, with the most interesting designfeature being a set of gullwing doors for rear seat passengers.
Now, Kia has released this close-up shot of what appears to be the KV7’s front three-quarter view, showing off the rather unique headlamp units and full LED bar below the front bumper. Kia explains:
“Conceived as a challenge to the industry’s current interpretation of the van, the KV7 incorporates several innovative lighting elements currently being evaluated for future Kia production vehicles.”
Not only are we eager to see what the concept looks like in the flesh, but we’re curious as to just how big the KV7 is. As Kia states, this is an “interpretation of the van,” so we’re thinking this could be some sort of futuristic minivan concept, or perhaps something similar in size to ’s new . Either way, we’ll have the full details live from Cobo Hall next week, so stay tuned. Kia’s (short) official statement is available .
Mini Beachcomber Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you were hoping to be able to take to the sand in the production version of the Mini Beachcomber sometime soon, we may have some bad news for you. According to the minds at Autocar, the open-air may have encountered some fatal trouble when it came to getting by crash standards. The report says that in order for the Beachcomber to get past government regulators, the company would have been forced to incorporate additional side bracing to protect occupants in the event of a collision. According to the UK, the decision makers at Mini have determined that doing so would have compromised the vehicle’s styling too much to be worth it.
As you may recall, the Beachcomber was intended to be a modern interpretation of the old Mini Moke, a funky looking machine that seemed more at home on a golf course than a highway. Based on the Countryman architecture, the Beachcomber would have been a less hardcore alternative to the famously doorless . Whether or not Mini finds a way to skirt these crash regulations remains to be seen, but we wouldn’t be surprised if this particular concept is banished to realm of never-produced.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve been told to expect to get our first glimpse of the next-generation at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, but a few photos of the German two-door may have leaked out ahead of time. The images you see above were sourced up by the team at GMotors. From what we can tell, the vehicle in the stylized photos lines up pretty well with the spy photos we’ve seen of the 2012 C-Class Coupe so far, which leads us to believe that this may actually be the real deal. If so, the new coupe will wear the new beak of its .
That includes the new slightly restyled front fascia. Interestingly enough, this particular set of photos ditches the quad fog lights we saw in the spy photos in favor of LED units. we’d say that seems like a fairly reasonable change given the popularity of the diodes in automotive design at the moment. Word is that this particular machine will get the same rash of engines as the sedan, meaning that buyers can expect to get their hands on either a 3.0-liter V6 with 228 horsepower or a 3.5-liter six-pot with 268 ponies. The question is, will we get an like the 2012 C-Class sedan? Something tells us we’ll know a little more as we get closer to Geneva. Thanks for the tip, Luke.
Car and Driver is reporting that the often-reported Cadillac flagship is at a crossroads. There have been many rumors that the planned range-topper will wind up as a rear-wheel drive, high-end luxury sedan slotting above the production version of the (the concept version of which is shown above). Now C/D has apparently been hearing whispers that it may in fact show up as a mid-engined sports car.
While the thought of a luxurious, mid-engined sounds appealing, we’ll file this in the don’t-hold-your-breath category. Although, if the company is brassy enough to build the ultra low-volume , then perhaps anything is possible.
2011Volkswagen Touareg – Click above for high-res image gallery
All signs may be pointing to ever steeper gas prices by the end of the year, but according to Bloomberg, that may not be enough to stop from unleashing a new wave of SUVs (or more than likely, CUVs) on the American market. VW head honcho Jonathan Browning has been quoted as saying that the company wants to expand its portfolio of compact SUVs in short order, and that eventually, there may be room for growth in the larger SUV market as well. Of all the vehicles sold in the U.S. last year, SUVs and crossovers made up 29 percent of the mix.
As of right now, Volkswagen only offers two utility vehicles in the States – the compact crossover, which, according to Bloomberg, sold 20,946 units last year and the larger SUV. Volkswagen only managed to move 4,713 Touareg models in the U.S. in 2010, but the new model (shown above) is expected to help the line’s fortunes. The company’s planned expansion of its SUV offerings is part of a larger offensive designed to net the company U.S. sales of one million vehicles by 2018. Doing so would mean tripling the company’s current sales, so the automaker is invested in exploring new ways to bring buyers to the showroom.
Are you the type of driver who prefers the wind in your hair and infinite amounts of headroom? We’re speaking about you here, Mr. Convertible driver, and we need to have a talk about your hearing – I said, “WE NEED TO HAVE A TALK ABOUT YOUR HEARING.” In case your subscription hasn’t arrived yet, a new study published in the Journal of Laryngology and Otology finds that driving a car with its convertible top down for long periods of time may lead to permanent hearing damage.
The study examined noise levels in a handful of drop tops and found that sound levels regularly exceeded the recommended work safety level of 85 decibels. Occasional spikes in noise levels due to increased speed or passing trucks pushed the sound to 90 db and above. The study recommends wearing ear plugs or a hood when traveling for extended periods with the top down. It also advises that motorists keep the top up if the journey will be long and speeds will exceed 52 miles per hour. Way to spoil all the fun of a convertible, scientists…
Even quicker way to damage your hearing? Drive your convertible . Or do lots and lots of burnouts … whatever works for you.
The Streets of Monacosuper-yacht – Click above for image gallery
Those who follow the super-yacht scene know that these giant floating mansions have grown to incorporate all manner of amenities: helipads, bowling alleys, swimming pools, garages… anything and everything you might expect in a land-locked residence, only set out to sea. But this… this is something else altogether.
Called The Streets of Monaco, this design is modeled after a section of Monte Carlo – in more ways that one. The headline feature is an on-board karting track modeled after the famous grand prix circuit. But that’s hardly the extent of it. As you can see, the design bridges the gap from naval architecture to actual architecture and on to city planning.
Instead of decks, it has buildings. Instead of a swim platform, a freakin’ beach. It’s also got submarines, helicopters, waterfalls, movie theater, spa and more, plus sleeping accommodations for 16 guests and the 70 crew it would require to keep this puppy going. All packed into 155 meters, length overall. (That’s not a typo. We don’t mean 155 feet. We mean 155 meters, equivalent to 508 feet.) That’s about half the size of a modern super-tanker, cruise ship or Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. For better or worse – seaworthy or not – the design stays on paper for the time being.
MyFord Mobile app – Click above for high-res image gallery
On the eve of big unveiling at CES, we got an exclusive hands-on with MyFord Mobile, a smartphone app that keeps track of all the information an electric vehicle owner would want. Why does Ford need an app for an EV? That’ll be unveiled tomorrow, but …
The app – which will launch on Android and Blackberry, with iPhone support coming later on – connects with an EV to provide the owner with a range of charging, location, telematics and driver-oriented information. If you’re an iPhone owner, you can also access all the features through any HTML5 browser (Safari) or from your desktop PC. And before you ask, the demo unit in the photos was running Windows Phone 7, but it isn’t supported just yet.
When you load up the app, you’re greeted with the vehicle’s state of charge, how long it will take to charge to different levels and the exact time the battery will be topped off. There’s also a page that lists how much CO2 you’ve saved, the amount of cash you’ve stolen out of Big Oil’s pockets and a rating of your driving style – a sliding scale that moves between ‘zippy’ and ‘zen.’
Ford partnered up with MapQuest to provide location data, including where the nearest charging stations are located, along with color coding (green, yellow and red) that indicates your charge status when you arrive. The mapping software also can calculate the distance to and from multiple destinations – round trip – and determines if you’ll have enough juice to get back home. It even takes into account the outside temperature and how it affects the battery’s discharge.
Finally, there’s the My Car section that covers everything from location, vehicle information (battery health, tire pressure, etc.), charge settings and how your personal driving style is affecting the amount of range you’re getting. Ford has also partnered with Microsoft to provide smart charging data, allowing you to only juice up your EV during non-peak use hours.
That’s all we can divulge for now, but you can get more details in the press release , the photos in the duo of galleries below and check back tomorrow at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST for official details on Ford’s new electrified .
MyFord Mobile app – Click above for high-res image gallery
On the eve of big unveiling at CES, we got an exclusive hands on with MyFord Mobile, a smartphone app that keeps track of all the information an electric vehicle owner would want. Why does Ford need an app for an EV? That’ll be unveiled tomorrow, but …
The app – which will launch on Android and Blackberry, with iPhone support coming later on – connects with the an EV to provide the owner with a range of charging, location, telematics and driver-oriented information. If you’re an iPhone owner, you can also access all the features through any HTML5 browser (Safari) or from your desktop PC. And before you ask, the demo unit in the photos was running Windows Phone 7, but it isn’t supported just yet.
When you load up the app, you’re greeted with the vehicle’s state of charge, how long it will take to charge to different levels and the exact time the battery will be topped off. There’s also a page that lists how much CO2 you’ve saved, the amount of cash you’ve stolen out of Big Oil’s pockets and a rating of your driving style – a sliding scale that moves between ‘zippy’ and ‘zen.’
Ford partnered up with MapQuest to provide location data, including where the nearest charging stations are located, along with color coding (green, yellow and red) that indicates your charge status when you arrive. The mapping software also can calculate the distance to and from multiple destinations – roundtrip – and determines if you’ll have enough juice to get back home. It even takes into account the outside temperature and how it affects the battery’s discharge.
Finally, there’s the My Car section that covers everything from location, vehicle information (battery health, tire pressure, etc.), charge settings and how your personal driving style is affecting the amount of range you’re getting. Ford has also partnered with Microsoft to provide smart charging data, allowing you to only juice up your EV during non-peak use hours.
That’s all we can divulge for now, but get more details in the press release , the photos in the duo of galleries below and check back tomorrow at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST for official details on Ford’s new electrified .
Take a close look at the photo above. You’re looking at next generation MMI system being demoed during this morning’s keynote at CES. The circuit board to the left is packing NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset – the same processor powering a range of tablets and netbooks – and to the right is Audi’s new scroll wheel, which has grown considerably. The reason for the added girth? Audi is incorporating the much-lauded MMI Touch interface directly into the scroll wheel. MMI Touch – which originally debuted on the and is making its way to the and all-new – will continue to move down through the ranks of Audi’s line-up and will debut on the next generation , likely to arrive within the next two years.
The revised MMI Touch will continue to include handwriting recognition, but will also handle scrolling and possibly gestures for panning, zooming and other functions. If you’ve used an iPhone, iPad or MacBook touchpad, you’ll be right at home.
We also got a sneak preview of the Tegra’s performance as it seamlessly rendered Google Earth, a new circular navigation menu and full 3D graphics. Audi claims to have over 100 engineers and user interface experts working on its infotainment software, and from what we’ve seen today, we believe them.
GWA Mercedes-Benz Ciento Once – Click above for high-res image gallery
What’s even better than a supercar? A one-of-a-kind factory prototype. And few drummed up as much excitement back in the 70s as the C111. The experimental showcase demonstrated the epitome of performance technology and aerodynamics, and still stands as one of the most advanced prototypes ever devised in Stuttgart… or anywhere else for that matter. And now it’s back.
GWA Tuning, a Benz tweaker out of San Antonio, has breathed new life into the C111 formula with a recreation called the Ciento Once (Spanish for “one hundred eleven”). The one-off eschews the Wankel engine of the original for the AMG M120 V12 that drives the Pagani Zonda, driving 408 horsepower in this case through a six-speed transmission with the brakes from the S55 AMG and the rolling stock from the . Have a closer look in the gallery below, and do try to keep the drool from puddling on the keyboard.
Rolls-Royce Apparition concept by Jeremy Westerlund – Click above for high-res image gallery
To say that we see a lot of student car designs here at Autoblog would be a gross understatement. We see hundreds of ‘em. Some are more interesting than others, but every once in a while, a design comes across our desks that takes our impression of what a car can look like and completely turns it on its head. This is one such example.
Dreamt up by one Jeremy Westerlund while studying at the Art Center school of design, the Apparition is a rolling trompe-l’œil that at once both reaches back into the automaker’s history and extends into the future.
The design is based around the old motor carriages that had a chauffeur sitting up front, exposed to the elements, with the passengers coddled inside. Like most contemporary Rolls models, the front is utterly dominated by the prominent grille and hood ornament. It features unique touches like real mahogany inserts in the wheels, and the imposing overall shape is long and low: the designer took his cues from sailing yachts, and even though the model is built to 1:4 scale, it’s still nearly six feet long. If such an extreme example of fantasy ever became reality, it would measure 279 inches overall – that’s over 23 feet, or about four feet longer than the . See if you can wrap your head around it in our extensive high-resolution image gallery below.
