2011 Lexus CT 200h by Five Axis – Click above for high-res image gallery
Yes, it is indeed a bit odd that chose to show off a tuned version of its hatchback at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Generally speaking, such machines are reserved for events more along the lines of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Still, here we are in the Windy City and there’s this hybrid on the stage; we couldn’t help but shoot it for your viewing pleasure.
In addition to the custom widebody kit, this CT 200h wears a unique coat of paint and features a lowered suspension courtesy of Tein along with upgraded brakes from Stoptech. Want to see more? Check out the gallery of live images below… and do try to overlook the horrible lighting afflicting the Lexus stage in Chicago.
Suzuki Swift S-Concept – Click above for high-res image
With the Geneva Motor Show coming up in a matter of weeks, a whole mess of new debuts and concept cars are rolling in. The latest comes courtesy of and its European operations.
Called the Swift S-Concept, the show car looks like it could be a pretty mean interpretation of the latest Swift hatchback in a higher-performance guise with a healthy dose of rally-inspired action. The Japanese automaker has released very little in the way of details, essentially announcing the debut accompanied by the preview rendering you see above.
We’ll have to wait as the expo approaches for more, but for now you can check out the press release after the jump and click on the image above to view in high-resolution.
Cher·o·kee-itis: A disease that infects the minds, hearts and wallets of Jeep buyers who cannot accept that there was, is, or ever could be a replacement for the Cherokee, sometimes referred to as the XJ.
VW’s Darth Vader commercial was a Super Bowl favorite. Here are some bloopers and deleted scenes featuring six-year-old actor Max Page.
Ken Block, the Ford Fiesta RS WRC and the Monster Girls. Need we say more?
Also of interest:
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Autoblog Podcast #216 is a retrospective of Superbowl Ads, rumination on the Kubica crash (yes, we know we mispronounced his name) and rumors of restarted effort on Honda’s new supercar, picking up where the NSX left off. Chris and Dan are joined by Chris Paukert and AOL Autos/Autoblog contributor David Kiley for the hour and nineteen minute extravaganza. We wrap with your questions and comments, as always, and we’ll see you next week. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #216: Superbowl ads, Kubica crash and Honda NSX with Dave Kiley
2010 Jeep Liberty Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
Cher·o·kee-itis:A disease that infects the minds, hearts and wallets of Jeep buyers who cannot accept that there was, is, or ever could be a replacement for the Cherokee, sometimes referred to as the XJ.
Yes, we just made that up, but the fictitious symptoms of Cherokeeitis do afflict a great number of SUV aficionados. After all, the was, if not the very first mid-size SUV on the market, the definitive sport utility vehicle from 1984 straight through to 2001.
Interestingly enough, Cherokeeitis seems to infect Jeep’s engineers, designers and product planners as well. To wit, nearly every Jeep developed since the final XJ rolled off the line at the company’s Toledo-based factories has been designed to conjure up images of the 1984 Cherokee. Such is the case with the , and the mostly forgotten . Only the iconic and hitherto unloved have strayed from the XJ.
It’s also true of the current , which was last restyled in 2008 to look less like a four-door Wrangler and more like the butch Cherokee it was designed to replace. Nobody ever said supplanting an icon would be easy. But just how successful was that mid-life makeover, and is the Liberty worthy of consideration for those in the market for a mid-size SUV?
…
Gallery:
Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
Now that the V6 achieves 30 miles per gallon on the highway, is apparently looking to up its game by offering a more efficient version of its ponycar. Reportedly given the 2LS trim designation, this new Camaro will be available for order through dealers starting at the end of this month, and its 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 reportedly hits the magic 30 mpg highway figure.
If GMInsideNews has it right, the Camaro 2LS will only be available with The General’s six-speed automatic transmission, and will be fitted with a rear spoiler, 18-inch steel wheels and a 2.92 rear axle ratio. The website also reports that the Camaro 2LS will still wear a 2011 model year badge, and that pricing is expected to be set around $24,700, including destination charges.
Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’d be all too easy to assume that and are the only Korean automakers out there. After all, together they’re the fourth largest automaker in the world. And with Daewoo officially going the way of the dodo – replaced, in name at least, by – they are the only ones we get in North America. But overseas buyers can also pick up a Ssangyong.
The other South Korean automaker makes vehicles – not the best, mind you, but they make ‘em just the same – like the Actyon. And at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Ssangyong will be unveiling a new pickup version called the SUT 1 Concept.
Apparently a concept in name only, the SUT version is set to go on sale overseas early next year. And when it does, it will be available with manual or automatic transmissions, in either two- or four-wheel drive, mated to a 2.0-liter diesel with a whopping 153 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. We know you’re excited, so you’ll want to check out the preview renderings in the gallery below and the press release below the fold.
A drive across the winding roads of the South African coasts proves that the new 6 Series continues to be more GT than sports car.
With his recovery still in the critical phase after his accident, it is looking ever more likely that Robert Kubica will be out for the season, and possibly for the rest of his career.
With the Big Game behind us, we analyze what really matters: the ads.
Also of interest:
’s Darth Vader [w/video]
: Are you the Audi RS7?
in Shanghai
Explorer faces recall for seat recline mechanism
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
The Chinese market is becoming increasingly vital for automakers like , which could go a long way towards explaining why the Bavarian company has chosen the world’s most populous nation as the location to unveil such new debuts as the and the .
Now reports indicate that BMW is planning on returning to the Shanghai Motor Show in April with a conceptual preview of the new performance sedan. Based on the latest , the new M5 is tipped to carry a 600-horsepower version of the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 put to work in the and crossovers. Westerners won’t feel too left out, however, as the concept version in Shanghai is anticipated to be followed by the production version at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the Fall.
In parallel to the M5 – and at the other extreme of the range – BMW is also working on the 5 Series hybrid, anticipated to mate a 306-hp turbo six with a 54-hp electric motor for possible debut alongside the M5 in Shanghai as well.
The biennial show in China is also for the 2012 6 Series Coupe.
is on track to have a new entry-level model that slots below the , and the automaker has announced that it’s bringing a concept that previews this new small(er) car to the next month. With vehicles like the and , , and the and on the market, Infiniti would likely do well to have a contender in the small luxury car segment.
The only information we have as of this writing is the official teaser sketch you see here, previewing what could possibly be a hatchback rather than a traditional sedan or coupe. Infiniti says that the new entry-level car will be “completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.” We’ve heard that line before, but nonetheless, we’ll see what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve in just a few weeks. for Infiniti’s very brief press release.
Frolicking Topless Under The African Sun In BMW’s Latest Big GT
2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
To say that the second-generation BMW 6 Series caused a bit of a scene when it hit the world stage in 2003 would be to underplay its shock value. The Dingolfing, Germany-built coupe and convertible’s styling seemed to win admirers and ruffle traditionalists’ feathers in equal measure, but regardless of how you feel about its aesthetics, the 6’s long model run has been a success, resulting in nearly 118,000 units sold.
Despite this victory (and despite what BMW officials tell us), there has been a clear bit of design capitulation in the halls of Bavaria, as Chris Bangle’s controversial surfacing treatments and high trunk lines have been smoothed out in newer models in favor of less polarizing designs throughout the empire.
So it is with the 2012 6 Series range, which launches with the 650i convertible model shown here, a model that’s due to hit showrooms this April (just in time for top-down season). With North America enduring a hyperborean winter, it was only appropriate that we head to more temperate climates for some quality top-down running. BMW evidently had the same thought, so they sent us to Cape Town, South Africa. Famous for its finned and pointy-teethed population coursing offshore, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate spot to sample the 6 Series’ reborn shark nose look.
Frolicking Topless Under The African Sun In BMW’s Latest Big GT
2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
To say that the second-generation BMW 6-Series caused a bit of a scene when it hit the world stage in 2003 would be to underplay its shock value. The Dingolfing, Germany-built coupe and convertible’s styling seemed to win admirers and ruffle traditionalists’ feathers in equal measure, but regardless of how you feel about its aesthetics, the 6’s long model run has been a success, resulting in nearly 118,000 units sold.
Despite this victory (and despite what BMW officials tell us), there has been a clear bit of design capitulation in the halls of Bavaria, as Chris Bangle’s controversial surfacing treatments and high trunk lines have been smoothed out in newer models in favor of less polarizing designs throughout the empire.
So it is with the 2012 6-Series range, which launches with the 650i convertible model shown here, a model that’s due to hit showrooms this April (just in time for top-down season). With North America enduring a hyperborean winter, it was only appropriate that we head to more temperate climates for some quality top-down running. BMW evidently had the same thought, so they sent us to Cape Town, South Africa. Famous for its finned and pointy-teethed population coursing offshore, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate spot to sample the 6-Series’ reborn shark nose look.
Hurst is thinking bigger for its next automotive offering. Rather than turning wrenches on the , or , Hurst has focused its attention to the pickup.
Starting with a 2011 Ram 1500 R/T regular-cab, Hurst adds its signature white-and-black paint scheme, badging, interior upgrades, Hurst colors on the factory 22-inch wheels, and a numbered dash plaque.
Looks are only part of the package. Hurst adds power underhood by fitting a supercharger to the Ram’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8, then adding a performance exhaust system. Unfortunately, we don’t have any figures yet. We’re anxious to hear what the Hurst Hemi Hauler is putting down to the pavement.
Only 50 of these sport trucks will be built annually, and each comes with a letter of authenticity. No word yet on pricing, but expect to pay more than $50,000 and less than $100,000.
42 MPG… That kind of lofty highway fuel economy is typically relegated to hybrids, clean diesels and subcompacts – not roomy four-door compact sedans.
Mercedes-Benz is throwing its hat into the Super Bowl advertising fray – for the first time ever – with a pretty new 60-second spot designed to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary.
The 2011 Optima is apparently desirable to anyone and everything across time and space.
Also of interest:
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
has fired up a website for its new Shuttle. The B-segment fighter’s larger twin is set to use the same center-tank design as the smaller of the duo, which means that buyers can look forward to a surprising amount of interior room. While the extended hatch will come with a gasoline drivetrain, the engineers have also cooked up a hybrid variant for squeezing the most out of every last whisper of fuel.
Word from Honda is that the Fit Shuttle will get an official unveil in March, which leads us to believe that the new creation will show its face at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month. That said, don’t expect to see the Fit Shuttle on our shores. This machine is likely to keep itself tucked away as a JDM-only model, though there is some chance that the car will show up in Europe as well. You can check out the Japanese site .
Chevrolet Silverado HD Super Bowl ad – Click above to watch video
has gone ahead and saved us all the agony of waiting until the Super Bowl this Sunday to see all five of the company’s new ads. The automaker has officially yanked the veil of secrecy off of the spots well before kickoff, which means you can check them all out for yourself after the jump. The spots feature the , , , and in some very clever marketing. While we’re big fans of the Camaro “Miss Evelyn” spot that we saw earlier this week, the new clip for the Silverado HD is no less grin-inducing.
This year looks to be a good one for fans of clever advertising. With automakers from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen to GM and Audi jumping into the fun, the commercial breaks are almost bound to be more fun than the actual game itself. Click to see the slew of Chevrolet ads before anyone else and to check out the press release.
2011Chevrolet Cruze Eco – Click above for high-res image gallery
There’s always a little skepticism attached to Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates. Even though the agency adjusted its testing procedures in 2008 to help generate more realistic figures, buyers and experts seem to approach the mystical city/highway numbers with the general impression that figures have little bearing on what owners actually experience in day-to-day use. So it should be no surprise that when and the EPA announced that the would hit 42 miles per gallon on the highway, a stink of disbelief filled our newsroom.
That kind of lofty highway fuel economy is typically relegated to hybrids, clean diesels and subcompacts that require an uncanny mastership of human origami to ferry four friends along – not roomy four-door compact sedans. Fortunately, GM was kind enough to turn us loose on a long stretch of Southern California interstate to put the fuel economy of the Cruze Eco to the test.
2011 Infiniti M37 – Click above for high-res image gallery
is reportedly considering selling a rebadged version of the sedan in order to fill its void of premium offerings in its home market of Japan. However, Automotive News notes that Mitsubishi’s President, Osamu Masuko, has stated that the automaker will not leverage manufacturing deals with other companies in order to expand its lineup here in the United States, so don’t expect to see a Mitsu-branded Infiniti on our shores anytime soon.
Mitsubishi’s last endeavor into the luxury sedan market was with the – a car that suffered from lackluster sales numbers during its run throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Due to Mitsubishi’s financial woes during the mid-2000s, luxury car development was put on hold. Now, though, selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M (or Fuga, as it’s known in Japan) would insulate Mitsubishi from research and development costs, making it easier for the automaker to launch back into the luxury segment.
Automotive News reports that the Mitsubishi-badged Infiniti could go on sale in Japan as early as this year. Expect the standard gas version to be the first to wear a triple-diamond badge, though Mitsubishi may sell a version of the , as well. Top tip, Randy!
Europeans like wagons. Americans, on the other hand, don’t. Our country’s collective notion of station wagons is stuck in Clark W. Griswold-land. Too bad. Most Americans have no idea what they’re missing.
We were in Suttgart, Germany, this past weekend as Mercedes-Benz took the wraps of its all-new 2012 SLK Roadster. We’ll get a closer look at the machine next month at the Geneva Motor Show.
This could be the best Super Bowl commercial of 2011.
Also of interest:
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Word has it that is planning to unveil the next 6 Series coupe at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show in April. According the Dutch arm of AutoWeek, it only makes since for the big two door to take a bow this spring since the concept version debuted at the 2010 Pairs Motor Show last fall. Given that we’ve seen more than a few crop up recently, the prediction would seem spot-on.
The report says that buyers can first expect to get their hands on the coupe in either 640i or 650i variants with additional models showing up later down the line. But that’s not the most interesting bit of news to pop up.
AutoWeek is also reporting that BMW is currently slaving away on a sedan version of the 6 Series. Supposedly, the car would make use of the same coupe body lines as its two-door brethren. Such a vehicle would allow BMW to tango with the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz CLS, but we have to wonder if there’s room in the Roundel’s stable for yet another sedan.
