2011 Ford Explorer teaser images – Click above for high-res image gallery
The agonizing 2011 Ford Explorer striptease continues, made somewhat less painful by the fact that we now have what appears to be a solid unveil date and location. While the company has rolled out two new of the reworked SUV-turned-crossover – including a look at the rear hatch and roof rails (oooh!) – the Blue Oval has also graced the world with news that “a new Ford vehicle” will get a complete unveil in New York City’s Herald Square on Monday, July 26. Less we’ve missed our mark by a wide berth, odds are that the vehicle is the 2011 Explorer.
According to Ford, the whole gang will be in attendance for the event, including CEO Alan Mulally and spokesperson . Who knows exactly what kind of high jinks the company has planned for the 26th, but given the substantial buzz Ford has tried to build for the new Expy, we would be surprised if it were just a stage and a silk sheet. Stay tuned.
2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
isn’t content to just sit back and rest on its laurels. Despite the fact its , which was just introduced for the 2009 model year, has earned plenty of praise – including – the Korean automaker has upped the ante for 2011 with a host of new detail changes and one completely new model to spice things up.
The biggest single piece of news is the addition of an R-Spec package for the 3.8 V6-powered coupe. Previously only available on the , the R-Spec model includes all the goodies to make the car go, turn and stop as quickly as possible without adding the frilly stuff to hold it back… or add dollars and unwanted weight.
To the standard 306-horsepower V6 mated up to a six-speed manual transmission, the R-Spec adds 19-inch wheels with a gunmetal finish, Brembo brake package with 13.4-inch ventilated front rotors, stiffer suspension, a limited slip differential and sportier seats with larger bolsters. Naturally, appropriate badging is also included.
All Genesis Coupe models get a refinished interior for 2011 with soft-touch, matte-finish surfaces and dark metal-grain accents on key bits and pieces, along with softer leather on the steering wheel and cloth-wrapping on the A-pillars. There’s also new chrome trim on the shifter bezel, center stack knobs and gauge cluster rings.
There’s plenty more for the truly obsessive to, um… obsess over, so feel free to check out all the details in the press release .
Mansory White Ghost Limited – Click above for high-res image gallery
The last time Mansory showed us one of its , it was OMG! drenched in blue and gold. But if you took that same car and re-hued it in white, well, all of a sudden we could be on to something. The White Ghost Limited is a three-of-a-kind special that adds a mild body kit and rear spoiler, LED running lights up front and on the mirrors, and a new dual exhaust out back.
The inside is a little more intense, but put into Mansory context next to the and , it’s as subtle as an English butler. Thankfully, things are upgraded under the hood, with a 66-horsepower jump to 629 ponies and a boost of 60 pound-feet to 634. That means a 4.5-second run from zero to 62 miles per hour and a higher top speed of 180 mph. It’ll run you €119,800 ($152,407 U.S.) on top of the price of the standard Ghost, but if you just prefer to window shop, there’s a press release after the jump and a gallery of high-res photos below.
has a lot on its plate at the moment. In addition to the spy shots we’ve seen of the next-generation , , and , our men in the trees have spotted this mule out roaming the streets, giving us a glimpse at what the all-new flagship Benz will have in store when it launches in the next few years.
Up front, it appears that the headlamps have been reduced in size and our spies indicate that full-LED units will be in place for the 2012 model year. Additionally, the front grille appears larger, mimicking what we’ve seen in the . Under the hood, we expect a full range of new engines, including gasoline, diesel and hybrid variations, keeping the big S-Class competitive with what the rest of the luxury barges coming to market in the next few years.
We fully expect to see more spy shots of the new S-Class as development continues, so stay tuned. As for the official reveal, look for that to happen sometime in 2011 with production models hitting the road in 2012.
Citroën Survolt concept at Le Mans Classic – Click above for high-res image mega gallery
If you were disheartened by that Citroën had shelved plans to build the GTbyCitroën concept, we’ve got better news for you this week. Much better news, in fact.
First of all, claim that Citroën hasn’t killed the program, so the proverbial jury is still out on whether it will get built or not. But that’s not even the good part, as Britain’s Autocar magazine has it on good authority that the French automaker is working on bringing two more recent concepts into production.
The first is the pint-size , a model that ran the Circuit de la Sarthe at the Le Mans Classic… with a more appealing paint scheme, too. According to reports, Citroën is evaluating putting the little electric sportscar into limited production, and even launching a one-make spec racing series (like the Porsche Supercup or Ferrari Challenge) specifically for the Survolt. Sounds enticing, and we’ve put together a nice big fresh image gallery of the concept at Le Mans for the occasion.
That’s not the end of it, however, as the Chevron marque is also reportedly evaluating production possibilities for the , a car that could halo the company’s premium line with a DS9 nameplate. The sleek limousine was unveiled in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show, and if for the Chinese market alone could be worth putting into production. With the German luxury marques forging into the supermini category, Citroën is rearing for a fight, and launching a luxury sedan back at ‘em could be just what the docteur ordered.
2010 Local Motors Rally Fighter – Click above to see video
Local Motors hasn’t generated a whole lot of publicity since it debuted its crowd-sourced Rally Fighter off-road coupe at last year’s SEMA show, but that doesn’t mean the small-scale, forward-thinking builder hasn’t been busy. We haven’t managed to convince them to hand over the keys to one of their lunar buggies just yet, so we’re still patiently waiting in line to get behind the wheel. Who wouldn’t want to drive a giant 3,100-pound dune buggy with a fighter-plane-inspired sports coupe body and a torquey diesel under the hood?
When we finally do get to drive this fun and funky beast, we promise not to paint it orange or to put a big “01″ on the doors or even a Confederate flag on the roof. We can’t promise, however, that we won’t try our best to replicate this Bo and Luke-worthy stunt. The company has sent along a video to show that the Rally Fighter does indeed have off-roading chops, in case you doubted it after their . So check out the short clip and turn your sound up so you too can hear John Fogerty while it spools up and Waylon Jennings wailin’ while the Rally Fighter soars.
2009 Toyota Corolla XRS – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that it will voluntarily repair a number of issues that have arisen with 2001-2003 crossovers as well as certain 2009-2010 Matrix and vehicles. According to Reuters, around 235,500 RAV4 models will be repaired outside of a recall for a “hard shift” problem. Owners have complained that under certain circumstances, the vehicle’s transmission would either abruptly shift or otherwise fail to change gears properly. The culprit is typically a faulty engine control module, though in some cases, damage to the transmission may lead to outright replacement. Owners who have previously had to pay for this work out of pocket can apply for reimbursement.
Meanwhile, around 500,000 Matrix and Corolla models will be serviced for “steering drift.” The company hasn’t exactly elaborated on what that means, but as we ,Toyota hasn’t issued a recall because the automaker says that the issue doesn’t pose a danger to the vehicle’s occupants – this, despite reports of 18 crashes and 11 injuries. Instead, the Japanese manufacturer has labeled the steering problem a customer satisfaction issue. Like the RAV4, owners can have a fix performed free of charge.
Gallery:
Photos by Dan Roth / Copyright (C)2008 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: ]
2011 Buick Regal television ad spot – Click above to watch the video
The has had a lot of premature exposure ahead of its on-sale date in the U.S. In fact, we’ve driven it not , not , but , and we’re fairly confident that has done right in letting us Yankees taste the goodness that is the .
is now starting its full Regal ad campaign in the States and the first television spot doesn’t hide the fact the Regal was honed in Germany before making its way to our shores. It certainly isn’t a bad thing to brag about. And as for Buick’s suggestion about creating an American Autobahn, consider our hands raised.
to watch the first television ad for the 2011 Regal. The official press release from GM is available for your reading pleasure, as well.
Click above for gallery of the graphics from J.D. Power and Associates
once again grabs the top spot (for the sixth time in a row) in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. This year’s study asked 76,000 owners 90 days after purchasing their 2010 model-year cars “how gratifying their new vehicle is to own and drive.” The answer, for the first time since 1997, was that the domestic brands were more “appealing” as a whole than the imports (the domestics earned a score of 787 on a 1,000-point scale – 13 points greater than the imports).
When it comes down to specific awards (as shown in the ), leads with five. The automaker earned one each for the Expedition, Explorer Sport Trac, Flex, Fusion and Taurus. , , , and each garner two awards. The Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Avalanche, both segment leaders, are the only two models that ranked highest in the 2010 APEAL study and in the (IQS) announced in June. is credited with the greatest improvement this year, while drops one slot from last year’s and falls to the bottom of the list for 2010. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 – click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve just gotten off the horn with ’s SVT performance division, and we’ve learned that the Blue Oval’s hot-rod arm is going to limit production of the to 5,500 units for this model year. According to Ford spokesman Henry Platts, the move is not the result of slow sales, but rather a desire to maintain exclusivity. In fact, sales of Ford’s king of the range have “exceeded expectations,” with in excess of 3,300 orders already placed.
The 550-horsepower GT500 has not only been performing surprisingly well in a down economy, it’s been going out the door loaded-to-the sills with options. According to Platts, there have been three times as many GT500 coupes ordered with the $1995 glass roof option as compared to the regular Mustang. In the “News That Makes Us Happy” category comes word that a full 68 percent have been spec’d out with the $3,495 performance package (includes 19- and 20-inch painted forged alloys, 3.73 limited-slip, tuned suspension, Gurney flap rear spoiler, etc.), and additionally, 70 percent of all GT500s have been ordered with the $2,340 electronics package (navi, dual-zone HVAC and Sirius/HD radio). With the GT500 starting at an out-the-door price of $49,495 before options, we’re guessing that the GT500 is more than carrying its weight for Dearborn’s bottom line.
While Ford is limiting total output of the GT500 to 5,500 units for 2011, Platts says the automaker has no plans to dictate how that shakes out in the coupe/convertible bodystyle mix. That said, if you’ve been fence-sitting on whether to pick up a GT500 of your very own this year, might we suggest that you make up your mind… quickly.
2010 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
For every engineering stroke of genius out there, there are a million duds – projects that someone slaved over in good faith, only to realize that someone else had already come to market with a superior and/or more viable alternative. Both the electronic and automotive industries are awash with tales of second-place finishes in two-man races. Blu-ray vs. HD DVD, VHS vs. Betamax and vs. are all stories of outright champions and also-rans. It’s rarer, however, to see a company build and sell an ugly duckling right alongside the varsity all-stars of the family, which is exactly what has done with its 2010 Hybrid.
It’s clear that GM desperately wants to mix the seemingly unblendable worlds of full-size pickup trucks and hybrids with its electrified Silverado, and to some degree, they’ve succeeded. Yes, our tester has a bed, four-wheel drive and a meaty V8 up front. And yes, it packs an electric motor and a mammoth battery pack. But the finished product feels like the road-going equivalent of a spork – a utensil to be used as a last resort. The only problem is, there are far better alternatives, many of which are available from The General’s stable.
Gallery:
Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
GM’s H50-1 ATD in action – Click above for high-res image gallery
has made an unusual donation to the Smithsonian: a . Well, not just any crashtest dummy. The company handed over its H50-1 anthromorphic testing device, or ATD, to the museum to help catalog the advancement of vehicle safety in this country. After a full 15 years of service, H50-1 was ready for retirement, and rather than spend his days playing shuffleboard, The General decided to allow him to continue educating by going on display at the National Museum for American History.
GM also donated a slew of other “safety artifacts” along with its ATD. According to the Smithsonian, GM’s dummy design helped to set the industry standard for crash safety research. While H50-1 was constructed as a stand-in for the typical male, the company says that it has over 200 ATD designs to represent every sort of vehicle occupant under the sun. We’d like to see that family portrait. for the full press release.
Watch yourself, a whole lot of people sitting on the electric motorcycle fence are about to get knocked off. has just revealed the Empulse – a brand new naked street fighting machine with the ability to carry you to speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Not only is it fast, it also goes the distance, coming in a trio of range-differentiated models. The 6.0 is said to be able to cover 60 miles on average, the 8.0 for 80 and the 10.0 for, you guessed it, 100 rapturous miles. To paraphrase a popular meme, electric motorcycles just got real.
After top speed and range, the next question usually asked about electric tech is the price and this is another area where the bike surprises. The Empulse 6.0 starts at $9,995. If that seems a bit high, consider that’s $2,000 less than the price we were originally quoted for the when a couple years back. Add, or rather, subtract from that the different Federal and State incentives that have come into play and you could see the $13,995 cost for the 10.0 model drop to as low as $7,000.
There are still a lot of unreleased details about this road warrior. While we know the motor is liquid-cooled, we can’t yet give you numbers for the horsepower, torque or any of the battery pack specifics. We do expect we’ll have them for you long before the mid-2011 delivery date and perhaps as soon as July 24th. That’s when CEO Craig Bramscher will officially unveil the company’s latest creation at the 2010 Red Bull Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca where the North American edition of the FIM e-Power series is taking place.
Of course, it would be somewhat lame to show up at an electric motorcycle race and not compete and Brammo is promising not to disappoint. They have entered the 15-team fray with an Empulse RR race bike in a quest for both gold and glory.
If you’re as impatient as us, you don’t have to wait until then to see the Empulse in action though. Simply for video of the new machine rolling along a sweet piece of highway and while you’re there, check out all the details in the official press release. Game on.
2011 Infiniti G25 in China – Click above for high-res image gallery
Finally caught where the eyes of the general population can see it, the posed for a few photos at a Chinese dealership, and from the outside it’s hard to distinguish the entry-level Infiniti from the 3.7-liter V6-powered .
As you might guess from the name, the entry-level G25 has a 2.5-liter version of the VQ-Series V6 that produces 232 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Interestingly enough, it’s also possible to get this same powerplant in the Chinese-market crossover as… you guessed it, the EX25. For its part, the G25 is also starting to become available in select additional markets including Russia.
At the moment, there is no word about any plans for either model to be launched in North America.
Chopard GT XL Chrono Alfa Romeo (above) and table clock (below right) – Click either image for high-res image gallery
In a field of automotive-inspired wristwatches, one marque stands above the rest as the connoisseur’s choice: Chopard. From its ongoing sponsorship and participation in the annual revival rally to exquisite timepieces like the , Chopard’s made a name for itself among lovers of classic cars. And this year they celebrate their 150th anniversary, conveniently in the same year as Alfa Romeo marks their 100th.
To celebrate, Chopard has rolled out not just a single model, but a whole line of timepieces honoring Alfa Romeo. The range includes the Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo and the GT XL Chono Alfa Romeo (available in either stainless steel of carbon-coated steel), both of which feature COSC-certified in-house automatic movements, 46-hour power reserve, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, 44mm cases and Chopard’s signature vintage Dunlop-inspired rubber straps. Only 500 of each of the three variants will be offered, along with a table clock in PVD-coated steel and a black leather, red-stitched case, and an additional travel alarm clock.
All in all, not a bad way to celebrate a birthday. Read about ‘em in the press release after the jump and take a closer look in the gallery below.
2011 BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Behold the 2011 BMW X3. It’s longer, wider and taller than its predecessors, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it looks remarkably similar to the last X3.
Naturally, twin-kidney grille is affixed up front, but like the and , it’s more upright and slightly larger than before. The lower air dam is slightly chiseled while staying true to BMW’s recent organic shapes, and the wider headlamps come equipped with “Corona Rings” and optional Xenon bulbs.
Viewed in profile, the outgoing X3’s slab sides have been augmented with a character line running aft of the front wheels and kicking up over the rear fenders, while an upswept D-pillar compliments the redesigned LED taillamps and subtle crease over the rear-mounted Roundel. All in, the new X3 (F25) is half an inch taller, 3.36 inches longer and 1.1 inches wider with a half-inch increase in ground clearance. In keeping with tradition, it’s a “lifestyle” vehicle first with no pretenses of hardcore off-roading.
Like the outside, the interior is a subtle evolution of its forebear, with a staid German style balancing functionality and form. The joystick-style transmission lever carries over from BMW’s most recent models, along with an 8.8-inch iDrive-controlled screen and a redesigned steering wheel with aluminum accents on the paddle shifters and lower spoke. With the rear seats set in place, rear cargo volume comes in at 19 cubic feet, growing to 56.6 cubes with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat.
The entry-level X3 xDrive28i comes equipped with BMW’s naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six rated at 240 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, allowing BMW’s best-selling ‘ute to sprint to 60 in 6.7 seconds – about a half second quicker than the outgoing model. Step up for the X3 xDrive35i and you’re basking in 300 hp and 300 lb-ft provided by BMW’s new single-turbo N55 inline-six. The 0-60 run clocks in at a claimed 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph when kitted out with the optional Sport package.
Channeling that power to the ground is a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox with wider spreads and taller cruising gears to keep fuel economy in check, while standard all-wheel drive splits torque 40:60 front-to-rear thanks to an electronically controlled multi-disc diff and a host of other gizmos.
The MacPherson front struts have been redeveloped along with the multi-link rear suspension, while an optional electronic damping control adapts to the road and driver inputs. Normal, Sport and Sport Plus modes are mounted next to the gear selector, tweaking throttle response, transmission shifts, steering assist, DSC settings and suspension firmness.
The newest electronic system for the X3 is the Performance Control feature, which shuffles 80 percent of the torque to the rear under steady-state throttle. Like Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the BMW’s system brakes the inside rear wheel and powers the outside roller to curb understeer and provide a more neutral driving feeling.
Production of the X3 will remain at BMW’s Spartanburg, SC plant and sales are set to begin towards the end of the year. for the full details and check out the positively massive gallery of images below.
Perana Z-One – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Zagato Perana Z-One debuted in Geneva in March of 2009, a custom-built, limited-production, -powered coupe with Italian styling by Zagato and slated to be built by South African manufacturing firm Hi-Tech. Up until now we weren’t sure the rolling masterpiece would ever be sold in the States, but we’ve finally received word that Superformance has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor and that the American version will debut at the Concorso Italiano event this August. Apparently there was strong enough demand from American buyers to allocate 99 units per year to sales in the Colonies.
The Perana will be priced “under $100,000″ and can be ordered with either the 436-horsepower E-rod LS3 or the 505-horsepower LS7 from the . Either will be backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a ZF limited slip differential. There will be an available brake upgrade and color choices inside and out, but other than that, the options list will be short. Not that the car will be lacking in amenities. The cockpit is swathed in leather and Alcantara, and a navigation-equipped infotainment system will be standard. Besides the anticipated performance capabilities of this 2,800-pound GT, owners get exclusivity and a body designed by the same crew that brought us the , , , and . We’ll be sure to get as many pics as possible during our annual Monterey coverage next month. For now, check out the live and studio shots below.
Chevrolet Volt in ‘Victory Red’ – Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember how big a deal made about the upcoming ? Well, you can now forget about it. According to USA Today, the Feds have decided not to use the preliminary testing procedure that produced that mythical 230 mpg figure, and a new methodology for rating electric vehicles has yet to be finalized. Don’t expect a revised mileage figure any time soon. In fact, an actual mpg equivalent rating may not come until the Volt is just about ready to hit the market at the end of the year.
This revelation was revealed this afternoon during an event at GM’s Michigan battery plant in Brownstown Township, and we were in attendance. When we arrived, we were greeted by the sight of the first-ever red Chevrolet Volt. This “Victory Red” example is one of between 30 and 40 manufacturing validation vehicles built so far at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. Those cars were preceded by about three dozen production verification cars built since late March of this year. This particular example was built about one week ago.
In the next two to three weeks, General Motors will start building so-called “salable” Volts that will go into the captured test fleet for GM employees to accumulate miles and catch any last minute glitches before the cars enter full production in November.
What do you think – does Victory Red suit the Volt? Have your say in ‘Comments.’
Gallery:
Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: ]
Automotive News has put together its list of 2010 auto industry all-stars, and taking first place in American, European and Asian CEO categories are CEO Alan Mulally, CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn, and - CEO Chung Mong-koo. Hard to fault the choices, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise at all that the same three gentlemen took slots two through four of .
Mulally was cited because his “steadfast plan to turn Ford around is bearing fruit in impressive fashion” and Mong-koo was lauded for having ” turned the Hyundai brand into a superpower.” Winterkorn, who could have been awarded based on VW’s Hulk-like growth, was actually noted for his “Strategy 2018,” by which time he plans for the VW group to be selling ten million cars per year. Check this spot in eight years to see if he’s still an all-star. For now, though, congrats to all.
Chevrolet Volt battery pack – Click above for high-res image gallery
During a media briefing at its Brownstown Township, MI battery plant this afternoon, General Motors Vice Chairman Tom Stephens announced that the lithium ion battery pack for the 2011 would be warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles. Since the beginning of the program, it has been ‘ intention to develop the battery pack to last for the life of the vehicle.
Despite the fact that the Volt is considered an electric car by GM, the presence of an on-board gas engine for range-extending means that the EPA and California Air Resources Board consider the battery to be part of the car’s emissions control system. As a result, it is subject to the same regulations as parts like a catalytic converter, and therefore, it must have the eight-year warranty.
GM has released some additional specifications on the battery pack. In its final production form, 95 percent of the components were designed and developed in-house by GM, it weighs in at 400 pounds and has an output of 110 kilowatts. Internally, the water-cooled pack consists of 288 LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Over the next few months, GM will be ramping up the production rate at Brownstown in preparation for the start of Volt production this Fall.
