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The Ford C-Max combines the look and feel of a hatchback with the people and cargo-hauling capability of a crossover. And did we mention that Ford is striving for best-in-class fuel economy at the same time? That’s a formula sure to intrigue buyers, but there are some who will want all that utility with the added bonus of even better efficiency.

The first step up the efficiency ladder is the C-Max Hybrid. Ford promises efficiency above and beyond that of the Fusion hybrid, which means more than 41 miles per gallon in the city and an EV-only top speed of at least 47 miles per hour – not a big surprise given improvements to Ford’s Powersplit technology. The C-Max hybrid will also utilize Ford’s 2.0-liter engine running on the Atkinson cycle, which is quite a bit smaller than the 2.5-liter mill motivating the Fusion.

A quantum eleap beyond the C-Max hybrid is the Energi; an extended range people-mover that can be motivated via battery power, gasoline or a mix of the two. Ford isn’t ready to spill beans on the Energi’s EV-only range, but The Blue Oval is willing to tell us that owners can expect to travel over 500 miles with a full tank and a complete charge. The Energi’s battery pack will be built in-house and based on lithium technology, which tells us this green-approved CUV should be able to drive several miles on batteries alone. And Ford will make it easier for smartphone owners to check out battery life with its upcoming MyFord Mobile app.

Both the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energy will be produced at Michigan Assembly Plant starting in 2012. Click on the galleries below to peruse the high-res images.

Detroit 2011: C-Max Energi mixes plugs and petrol

So much for the maxi Mini. The X-Raid Countryman rally raider, whose development we’ve been following from the get-go, was forced out of the Dakar rally over the weekend, ending the rally-prepped Mini’s campaign even faster than it started.

With French rally driver Guerlain Chicherit behind the wheel, the Mini Dakar had gotten up as high as ninth place overall by the sixth stage on Friday. But when the convoy came to a rest on Saturday, Chicherit took the opportunity to get in some practice runs and reportedly got into a big crash that sent the car tumbling end-over-end. Chicherit sustained a minor head injury, as rally medical personnel monitored his condition at the on-site medical center.

While the Mini is out of the running, this year’s rally is far from over for the X-Raid team as one of their BMWs – driven by Stephane Peterhansel – is running third behind the Volkswagens of Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah.

[Source: Autosport]

X-Raid Mini Countryman reportedly crashes out of Dakar

BMW’s latest introduction to the U.S. market bowed today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and it’s a machine that’s meant to light the true enthusiast’s heart aflutter: the 2012 1 Series M Coupe. We must say, it looks rather striking in the metallic orange hue you see in our live photo gallery below.

Even more importantly, the 340 horsepower put out by its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine is said to “capture the soul of the original M3.” Or so they say… BMW claims this new sportster was inspired by the 1988 M3, and the German automaker’s intention is reportedly to “illustrate its ability to build race car performance into a small car, capable of everyday use.”

Expect to see the new 1 Series M Coupe hit dealership lots in the spring of 2011 for $47,010, in limited quantities according to BMW. In the meantime, check out the live photos in our high-res image gallery below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe revs its beating heart

Volkswagen has serious plans for its market share here in North America. The automaker hopes to sell 800,000 cars per year in the United States by the year 2018, and it’s vehicles like the refreshed 2011 Jetta and this, the all-new 2012 Passat, that will be the bread-winners moving forward.

If your first thought about the Passat’s design is “big Jetta,” you aren’t alone. The last-generation Passat wasn’t exactly a looker, but at least it stood out within Volkswagen’s lineup. The new Passat honestly and truly looks like a longer, wider, taller Jetta, and the nondescript design language makes it look extremely unforgettable. It isn’t bad looking, but it doesn’t spark any emotion within us.

Much like the Jetta, the Passat gets a much lower price point for the 2012 model year – base pricing is expected to start around $20,000 when the car goes on sale later this year, some $8,000 below the 2011 model it replaces. Both five- and six-cylinder gasoline engines will be available, as well as a 2.0-liter diesel inline-four (the same engine we enjoy in the Golf and Jetta currently). Interior quality is much better than the dumbed down cabin of the Jetta, though we’d still like slightly more refinement, especially considering how good the interiors of $20K competitors are these days.

We’ve just returned from checking out the 2012 Passat live at the Detroit Auto Show, so scroll through our high-res gallery of live shots below to see the new car for yourself.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 John Neff / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Volkswagen Passat is one big, fat Jetta

Detroit 2011: 2012 Volkswagen Passat is one big, fat Jetta

BMW rolled out the excitement this year at the Detroit Auto Show with new debuts like the 1 Series M Coupe and the new 650i Convertible. But while we knew most everything about these powerful new Bavarian two-doors, we were missing one thing – the make-it or break-it factor for many potential buyers: pricing.

So with the veils lifted on both these models, BMW North America has announced official pricing for each. The compact, six-cylinder 1 Series M Coupe will start at $47,010, while its much larger eight-cylinder, drop-top counterpart, the 650i Convertible, starts out at nearly double that: $91,375.

Of course, options on either will take you far beyond their listed MSRPs, but the prices quoted include destination and handling charges. BMW’s official announcement – including pricing on the updated 1 Series coupe and convertible range – can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe priced from $47,010, 650i Convertible from $91,375

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe priced from $47,010, 650i Convertible from $91,375

If you were wondering how General Motors was planning to differentiate the 2012 Buick Verano from its Chevy Cruze counterpart, wonder no more. According to Buick, its newest addition will offer the quietest ride in its segment thanks to heaps of laminated glass, triple door seals and a host of other muting technologies. Buick calls the cabin “library quiet,” though there’s no word as to whether the interior smells of old books. They’ve also made sure to throw in the same levels of refinement as found in the likes of the Lacrosse, and drivers can expect to find the same high-quality leather and a host of tech goodies as the bigger four-door.

That’s all fine and good, but we’re more excited about what Buick has thrown under the hood of the 2012 Verano. Buyers who opt for the base car will be met with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 177 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, Buick is shooting for around 31 mpg highway. The really juicy news is that the Verano will also be available with the same turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder found in the Regal Turbo, and again with your choice of six-speed manual or automatic! That means this significantly smaller, lighter four-door will be available with a full 220 horsepower. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Buick Verano is quietly powerful

Detroit 2011: 2012 Buick Verano is quietly powerful

A Ferrari is a heck of a first car to start off with. But then John Lennon was a heck of a guy. The famous singer-songwriter and Beatles frontman didn’t get his driver’s license until 1965. By then he was 25 and one of the most famous – and famously wealthy – figures in the world. So when news broke, car dealers didn’t wait for him to come to their showrooms; they brought their showrooms to him.

The dealers lined up outside his residence at Kenwood with Maseratis, Aston Martins, Jaguars and this ‘65 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Lennon ultimately picked out the blue Ferrari for £2,000, and though he soon bought a Rolls-Royce Phantom V and a Mini to go with it, the 330 GT will always have been his first car.

The French racing blue GT is now heading to the auction block in Paris under consignment to Bonhams for February 5 with pre-sale estimates placing its value around €120,000 – 170,000 ($155-220k). Details can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading This Ferrari was John Lennon’s first car, and it’s up for auction at Bonhams

This Ferrari was John Lennon’s first car, and it’s up for auction at Bonhams

The Chrysler 300C was the brand’s savior when it went on sale back in 2005, but six years is a long time to stand behind a boxy, gangsta-looking sedan with a grille ripped off a Bentley. Team Pentastar finally got around to overhauling the 300 for 2011, with changes that include a new powertrain, sleeker sheet metal, a vastly superior interior, fancy LED-encrusted headlamps and a lowered (thankfully) belt line.

Chrysler brand CEO Olivier Francois, who found time to quote the entire opening lyrics from Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself” in a thick French accent (not kidding), told the sizable crowd at the Detroit Auto Show that the company invested a jaw-dropping $1 billion on the redesign. Francois also reaffirmed that an eight-sped transmission is on the way that will help the 292-horsepower V6 achieve 30 miles per gallon.

Chief designer Ralph Gilles took the stage long enough to add that Chrysler conducted focus groups showing current 300 owners the new grille. The result? There was some definite resistance, but designers decided not to listen. Good news, though. You can still get your hands on the heritage “Bentley” grille through the Mopar store. Click on the image above or gallery below to view live shots and find Chrysler’s official press release after the jump.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips, Chris Shunk, Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: New Chrysler 300 goes from 8 Mile to the world

Detroit 2011: New Chrysler 300 goes from 8 Mile to the world

It may look like the strange lovechild of the 2012 Ford Focus and the European-spec Kuga crossover, but the Blue Oval’s new Vertrek crossover concept is indeed a visual upgrade compared to current small CUV offerings. The Vertrek, which makes its world debut here at the Detroit Auto Show, previews what’s in store for Ford’s new global small crossover, set to replace both the Escape here in North America as well as the Kuga abroad.

Powering the Vertrek is Ford’s new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine, and the addition of Auto Start-Stop technology means it will be even more efficient. Ford has said that Auto Start-Stop will quickly spread across the brand’s product portfolio, and since 90 percent of Blue Oval-badged vehicles will have an EcoBoost option by 2013, fuel efficiency is expected to rise quite dramatically across the automaker’s entire lineup. What’s more, Ford will be incorporating regenerative braking into its gasoline-powered vehicles, and this system works with the Vertrek’s turbocharged engine and start-stop system to boost fuel economy even higher.

The Vertrek also builds upon Ford’s Kinetic design language, first seen on the Fiesta hatchback and then carried over to the new Focus sedan and five-door. Sure, the large wheels, small headlamps and futuristic mirrors are purely conceptual design, but Photoshop on some bits from the Focus (with which the Vertrek shares its platform) and a possible production car is indeed in sight. The interior, too, is wholly forward thinking, and while we’d love to see this sort of design on a road-ready crossover, we fully expect a much more toned-down approach.

We’ll have live shots of the Vertrek shortly, but in the meantime, click through our gallery of official high-res shots below, and follow the jump for Ford’s official press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Ford Vertrek Concept previews future global small crossover

Detroit 2011: Ford Vertrek Concept previews future global small crossover

Small MPVs are all the rage in Europe, but here in North America – the land of “bigger is better” – these moderately-sized people-haulers have never quite sold in droves. Ford firmly believes that it’s time to bring the small MPV segment back to North America, and the 2012 C-Max is its first foray into offering this sort of pint-sized family-hauling package here in America.

We’ve already driven (and enjoyed) the European-spec Grand C-Max, and the good news is that not much will change mechanically before the car arrives here in the States. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will be the base powertrain with an all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four being the up-level mill. The C-Max offers seating for seven (or “five plus two,” as Ford says), and the latest crop of Blue Oval tech will be found inside.

The C-Max will go on sale later this year shortly after production begins at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. We’ve just finished perusing the new C-Max live at Cobo Hall during the opening hours of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, so scroll through our high-res gallery of live shots to see the new MPV in the flesh.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Detroit 2011: 2012 Ford C-Max struts its mini-minivan stuff

The competition for this year’s North American Car and Truck of the Year was certainly stiff, but at the opening ceremonies for the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the winners have finally been crowned. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2011 Ford Explorer take top honors as the Car and Truck of the Year for 2011.

We aren’t necessarily surprised by either winner, especially the Volt, which has taken the automotive industry by storm in recent months. General Motors‘ range-extended EV has already been named Motor Trend Car of the Year and Automobile of the Year, and regardless of the sedan’s shortcomings, it is no doubt an impressive engineering feat for GM. The Volt also won the Green Car of the Year award and the Detroit Free Press’ Car of the Year title.

Thomas Stephens, GM’s vice chairman of global product operations, said that the Volt represents the soul of the new General Motors, so critics (we’re looking at you, Rush Limbaugh) will probably continue to have lots to complain about in the coming years.

With the Explorer’s win, Ford has now taken the North American Truck of the Year award for the past three years, with the Transit Connect and F-150 winning in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The new Explorer’s transition from a traditional body-on-frame SUV to a modern crossover certainly hasn’t weakened its appeal to both the media and consumers alike, and with an EcoBoost version arriving within the next few months, the Expy’s market share will undoubtedly get larger.

Congratulations to both the Volt and Explorer, and a tip of the hat to runners-up Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Leaf, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / AOL

Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year

Porsche has rolled out a race-bred version of the company’s 918 Spyder Concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Packing the same drivetrain as the track-proven 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, Porsche says that the 918 RSR will bring a whopping 767 combined horsepower to the party when it shows up in the paddock. A total of 563 of those ponies are provided by a 6.2-liter V8 that revs to an atmospheric 10,300 rpm. Porsche has partnered its beastly eight-pot with two electric motors capable of 75 kilowatts of juice positioned at each front wheel.

The 918 RSR stores braking energy in a flywheel accumulator stationed where the passenger seat would traditionally rest, and the tech allows the driver to summon up an extra bump in power for passing or acceleration. The pilot can command the boost in grunt for up to eight seconds.

Like the 918 Concept, the bones of the 918 RSR are built of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and the body was penned to pay respect the legendary racers like the 917 short-tail. Hit the jump for the press release.

Live Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips, Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Porsche 918 RSR racer is a single-seat dream [w/ video]

Detroit 2011: Porsche 918 RSR racer is a single-seat dream [w/ video]

General Motors is showing its CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show today, and we dutifully pointed our camera lenses in its general direction. Naturally, it sits just a few millimeters off the ground, is painted up in an eye-catching paint scheme and covered in a serious set of ducts, flares and massive wings. Par for the course, really, but pretty glorious all the same.

If there were an awards category here in Detroit for the vehicle most likely to be turned into a radio-controlled parking lot racer – and really, why isn’t there? – the CTS-V Coupe racer would be at the very top of that list. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below, and feel free to review the official press release after the break.

Lice photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car opens the show

Detroit 2011: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car opens the show

General Motors has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest sub-compact from Chevrolet, the 2012 Sonic. Just don’t call it the Aveo. The five-door hatch and four-door sedan are set to be officially unveiled later today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, but the Bow Tie brand has been kind enough to share the skinny on this vehicle that’s supposed to tango with the likes of the new Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Fiesta. The Sonic will be available with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, though buyers can opt up for a turbocharged 1.4-liter producing 138 horsepower, which GM underscores is 18 ponies more than the Fiesta. Shifting duties are handled by either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

In fact, it’s clear that The General had its sights locked on the Fiesta from the get go. The Sonic hatchback packs more back seat room than its Blue Oval competitor and, with the rear bench folded flat, delivers more cargo room, as well.

GM also put plenty of effort into the suspension by tasking the geometry gurus responsible for the Corvette’s mighty grip. Up front, the Sonic benefits from a MacPherson strut design, while a torsion beam handles suspension duties out back.

There’s also plenty design-wise to differentiate the Sonic from its homely predecessor, including a more aggressive front fascia with massive headlight arrays. Judging from the photos, the biggest changes are indoors, where a stylish cockpit replaces the bland, bargain plastics of the Aveo. Stay tuned for live photos from the show floor of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Chevy Sonic shown off as sedan and hatchback

2012 Chevy Sonic shown off as sedan and hatchback

We’ve already told you about the 2012 Ford C-Max, the Blue Oval’s new mini-minivan that’s set to launch here in North America later this year. The C-Max story doesn’t end with just the one gasoline-powered model, though – Ford is bringing two more versions of its small people mover to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show: the C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid.

What’s important to note is that while the gasoline C-Max with sliding doors is actually based on the three-row Grand C-Max that Ford sells in other markets, the Hybrid and Energi use conventional front-hinged rear doors and seat five, just like the shorter-wheelbase C-Max available in Europe. The automaker’s kinetic design language is in full force here, and the Aston Martin-like grille on these smaller C-Max models resembles what first debuted on Ford’s Focus Electric at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show.

The C-Max Hybrid uses the Blue Oval’s next-generation gasoline/electric powertrain technology, and we’re told that fuel economy will be higher than the 41 miles per gallon that’s currently on tap in the Fusion Hybrid sedan. By building upon the powersplit technology currently used in the automaker’s hybrids, Ford says that the C-Max Hybrid will be able to operate in electric mode at speeds higher than 47 miles per hour.

The big story here, however, is the C-Max Energi, which is essentially a range-extended plug-in hybrid that’s not completely unlike the Chevrolet Volt. Ford is targeting an overall driving range of more than 500 miles using both the battery-backed motor and Atkinson-cycle engine, and much like the Focus Electric, the automaker’s new MyFord Mobile software will allow users to monitor the C-Max Energi’s charging state while on the go.

Both the C-Max Hybrid and Energi will be built alongside the standard C-Max at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant starting in 2012, with European models being built in Valencia, Spain starting in 2013. Follow the jump for the full details in Ford’s press release, and check out each version of the new C-Max in our high-res galleries below.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2013 Ford C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid offer two options for fuel-sipping MPVs

2013 Ford C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid offer two options for fuel-sipping MPVs

As part of the Volkswagen quest to carve out an ever-larger slice of the American auto market, the German manufacturer has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup – the 2012 Passat. Penned specifically to cater to big-boned tastes of American buyers, the next-generation sedan wears a 110.4-inch wheelbase to make it larger than any of its predecessors. Even so, VW says that when the Passat goes on sale later this year, it will arrive with a price tag of less than $20,000. Buyers will be able to choose one of three different power train options, including two gasoline engines and one diesel powerplant.

Things get started with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine with 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 140 ponies and 236 pound-feet of twist. Those who opt for the top-of-the-line mill will be rewarded with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The 2012 Passat will be built at the new VW manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee later this year. Check out our high-res image gallery below, then hit the jump for a video and full press release.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]

2012 Volkswagen Passat is German bred, Chattanooga born [w/video]

Few ambulances have ever been as well-known as the Pontiac that transported the remains of the late President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. And now it’s going up for auction.

The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance was one of only 69 of its kind built, and only 15 commissioned for military application. This particular example was assigned to Bethesda Naval Hospital in DC, and was sent to collect the flag-draped casket of the slain commander-in-chief from Air Force One upon its arrival at Andrews Air Force Base and bring it, accompanied by grieving widow Jacqueline and brother Robert F. Kennedy, to the hospital and then on to Capitol Hill.

The ambulance was retired from service several years later and sold as surplus before landing in the collection of its current owner, who is now putting it up for auction at the 40th-anniversary Barrett-Jackson extravaganza in Scottsdale later this month. It’s in apparent immaculate original condition and has been featured in magazines and at the 2010 national convention of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, where it was lauded with the Gold Award.

[Source: Speed Images: PontiacsOnline]

Barrett-Jackson auctioning Pontiac ambulance that served as JFK hearse

In 2009, China became the largest auto market on the planet, surpassing the United States. 2010 proved to be more of the same, as China cemented itself as the king of car sales. But while automakers are living the high life in China, the capitol city of Beijing is trying to slam the brakes on new vehicle sales.

The problem, according to a Christian Science Monitor report, is that traffic has become so bad in the densely populated metropolis that the government has banned car sales until an auto sale lottery takes place. That’s right; if you’re in Beijing and you’d like a new car or truck, you’re going to have to put your name in a hat and hope for the best.

The first monthly lottery will take place on January 26. Each will give 20,000 prospective motorists authorization to actually buy a car. So far, a reported 100,000+ buyers have already entered the lottery. China will draw 240,000 names during the course of the year. Customers who sell their vehicle or lose it in an accident will be exempt from the lottery and they’ll be able to keep their plate for a future vehicle purchase. The lottery is expected to help Beijing car sales in half this year, compared to the 850,000 units moved in 2010. To further free up the stifling rush hour traffic, the government has also banned cars with out-of -city plates from traveling on Beijing roads during peak travel times.

The lottery will doubtless slow the pace of car sales, but that won’t do much to solve Beijing’s traffic woes. Motorists and dealers alike tell The Christian Science Monitor that they hope the move to a lottery system will buy Beijing officials the time needed to improve the city’s infrastructure and improve public transportation.

[Source: The Christian Science Monitor via Yahoo! Image: Stan Wiechers via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 License]

Overwhelmed by traffic, Beijing turns to new car sales lottery

We’re less than 24 hours away from Volkswagen’s big reveal at the Detroit Auto Show and while our man Paukert was staked out at a media gathering at VW’s corporate headquarters in Herndon, VA he learned that the NMS will carry the Passat badge when it goes on sale later this year.

Up until now, there was some question whether V-Dub would continue to use Passat for its new mid-size sedan, but after the NCS (New Compact Sedan) debuted with the Jetta badge, it was all but assumed that the Passat nameplate would carry on. We’ll have all the details on the 2012 Passat later tonight and live shots from the floor when the wraps come off tomorrow.

Confirmed: Volkswagen NMS will be named Passat

When Honda originally launched the odd duck Accord Crosstour in late 2009, we were told that the only available powertrain would be a V6, but that plans for a four-cylinder hadn’t been completely ruled out. Now, Honda fansite Temple of VTEC reports that a memo sent to dealerships states that a four-cylinder Crosstour is on the way, arriving at some point later this year.

Details about the four-cylinder Crosstour were not divulged, but we would assume that it’s the same 2.4-liter engine currently found in the Accord sedan. Temple of VTEC reports that a larger four-cylinder unit for the CR-V crossover is currently in the works, so we won’t rule out the possibility of that new mill finding its way under the Crosstour’s hood, as well. Expect the four-cylinder engine to only be available on lower-trim Crosstours, likely without an all-wheel drive option.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Report: Honda Accord Crosstour to get four-cylinder option